"Talking"
"Thoughts"
"Spell"
"Writing"
Soul Of A Thousand Warriors: Harry will focus more on the Magical world, mainly because there is no competition to deal with. He will bring over a few muggle things into the magical, though he will change them up a bit to work in the magical world.
DarcYen: Harry is working that way, obviously he can't just go straight into being a kingpin he has to build up to that.
FireKing500: The fact those girls are Heiress makes them less likely to be paired with him. They need to marry men to take their names so they can continue the Family line.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
"Stupefy, Stupefy, Expelliarmus" Harry breathed heavily as he dodge the spell chains Flitwick shot at him. His clothes were covered in sweat but the professor was barley even winded, as he always was during their training sessions. "Expelliarmus, Expelliarmus, Stupefy, Stupefy"
"Dammit." Harry cursed mentally as he was tagged by a stunner and fell flat on his face. "Well at least I lasted longer this time." He thought with a sigh as Flitwick cast the counter spell.
"Well done Mr. Potter, much better than last week." Filius said with a smile, he enjoyed the weekly dueling sessions and was impressed with Harry's skills. Though he did remember both his parents were skilled so he wasn't to surprised Harry would take after them.
"Thank you sir." Harry said as he stood and walked over to the side wall to get some water. "I feel I'm getting better."
"I would be surprised if you were not the best duelist among the first years." Flitwick replied with a nod. "Possibly better than some of the second years." Harry smiled when he heard that, though he wanted to get even better faster.
"Thank you sir." Harry replied again as he threw on his robes. "I will see you again next week?"
"Of course." Flitwick answered with a smile and nod. "Have a good evening Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded but as soon as he turned to leave he smirked. "Oh I will sir." He thought as he walked down the halls towards his dorm room. A quick Tempus to check the time and he found he had plenty of time to clean up before he had to meet the twins. As he had suspected they were more than happy to help him break into the third floor room, they even did the research and found a spell to make an instrument play itself to put Fluffy asleep.
After solving the riddle he quickly made his way to his room, avoiding everyone but making sure he was seen. His plan was to use a disillusionment spell and leave, that way if anyone suspected he was involved in breaking into the room he had a house full of witnesses that could give him a decent alibi. Walking into his room Harry quickly went about cleaning himself up and putting on a dark set of clothes and robes, just to be on the safe side, then reviewed some spell he thought might be helpful from Tom's memories.
Eventually it was time and Harry grabbed the Marauders Map, checking it before disillusioning himself and walking out of the dorms. Even though he opened the door he doubted his housemates noticed it, even if they did they would brush it off if they saw no one entering or leaving. Harry watched the map as he made his way to the classroom he was meeting the twins at. Noting there were a few prefects on patrol but none near the third floor so they had nothing to worry about.
Harry dropped his disillusionment charm as he entered the room and saw the twins, both turning to look at him. "Evening gentlemen."
"And hello to you our most favorite Lord." One replied while the other grinned.
"Are you two ready?" Harry asked as he checked the map again.
The twins both grinned, which Harry found disturbing to see in stereo. "Of course we are."
"Were always ready to cause trouble and stick our noses places people tell us not to."
"Then let's go." Harry said as he held up the map, the twins nodded and followed after Harry as he led them to the third floor. They remained silent the whole way, something Harry didn't think possible for the twins even in the short time he's known them. Once they reached the door Harry turned and looked at the twins. "Alright boys listen up, there is a dangerous beast behind this door along with who knows what. While I enjoy your jokes occasionally tonight is not the time for pranks and jokes, understood."
The twins both stared at Harry, for they had never really seen this serious before and they would admit a bit intimidating. "We got it." They both said and Harry nodded.
"Good." Harry spun and pointed his wand at the door. "Alohomora" Harry used the charm to ensure the door was unlocked. "Who's up now?" He asked as he stepped away.
"George." Fred said with a nod to his twin, who reached into his pocket and pulled out a shrunken guitar and moved to the door. George quickly enlarged the instrument and took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Fred, be dear will ya." George said with a nod to the door, Fred chuckled as he walked over and opened the door. Instantly the group was meet by a deep growl, followed by another and then a third. George faltered for a second but quickly cast the spell and the guitar began to play a soft ballad. Almost instantly the growls stopped, George gained some courage and moved into the room as Harry and Fred followed him in.
Fluffy was larger than Harry had thought, he guessed around thirty feet tall and he had no idea how long or wide. As they moved closer the Cerberus started to lay down, his six eyes all beginning to drop as he lowered his heads to the ground. "First part done." Harry thought as George laid the guitar down near Fluffy and then backed away to join Harry and Fred.
"Now what?" George asked as he joined them, Fred shrugged but Harry's eyes were moving from the minute they entered the room.
"There." Harry said as he pointed to a trap door near the middle of the room. He quickly made his way there with the twins in tow and was surprised to find it unlocked. "Though with a Cerberus I can see how that would be unimportant." Harry thought.
The twins grabbed the sides and lifted the door up to reveal a hole in the ground, Fred pulled out his wand and pointed it down. "Lumos" The tip of his wand glowed and shot out a bright light illuminating the tunnel but they didn't see an end. "What now?" Fred asked as he looked at Harry.
The young Lord sighed; this was not something he was prepared to deal with. "I don't suppose either of you know a way back up if we go down?"
They shared a look and George suddenly grinned. "Let me borrow the map." He held out his hand. "I can run and get us some brooms from Hooch's office and we can fly out."
Harry looked down at the tunnel. "It'll be a tight fit."
"We just hold on to them instead of riding them." Fred said as he caught on to what his twin was thinking. "Use the walls to keep us stable."
Harry looked down the hole again. "Be quick then." He said as he held out the map to George, the redhead nodded and quickly made his way out the door.
Fred watched Harry as the two stood in the room with just the sounds of a guitar and snoring Cerberus being heard. "So what do you think is down here?" Fred asked after a minute of boredom.
"Who knows." Harry replied honestly. "Probably something important to Dumbledore but usless to others."
Fred gave him a confused look. "Well then why are we going down there." He nodded to the tunnel.
"Because knowledge is power." Harry answered. "Dumbledore doesn't want anyone to know what it is, there for someone will pay a large sum to learn just what is there."
"So for money then?" Fred asked a bit curiously, he really wondered how much Harry was going to deal them in for.
"Or more." Harry replied with a grin. "Remember sometimes favors are worth more than Galleons." Fred gave Harry a confused look but nodded, even if he didn't find that true. They fell into silence again for a few minutes until finally George returned with three brooms in his arms.
"Got them with no problems." He said with a large smile. "So who's first?"
"Fred." Harry replied quickly. "Seeing as your brother went to get our brooms it's the least you could do." While sounding humorous Harry's tone left no room for debate, Fred sighed as he grabbed a broom and moved to the hole.
"Lumos" Fred lighted the tunnel while gripping the broom. "See you boys on the other side." He said as he dropped down the hole. Harry and George stood on the edge. "YYYYAAAAHHHOOOOOO!" Fred yelled as he descended.
"Right, Lords first then." George said with a grin, Harry however stared him down. "Or I could go." George said after he cleared his throat.
"HOLY SHIT!" George and Harry heard Fred yell from below.
"Fred!" George yelled and leapt down the tunnel towards his brother.
"You all right Fred? George?" Harry called down after a few seconds.
"Were good Harry!" One of them yelled.
"Seems there was a surprise down here!" Harry nodded; figuring there would be and took hold of his broom as he jumped down. "Lumos" Harry lighted his way down and soon hit the ground, landing on shriveled plant vines.
"Devils snare." Harry looked up at the twins. "It's a plant that ensnares people and strangles them."
"Fire and light are its weaknesses, so my charm hit it before I even saw it." Fred said with a grin.
"A beast and a plant." Harry said as he nudged a vine with his foot. "Hagrid and Professor Sprout, I wonder if all the professors setup something."
"Well lets hope not." George said. "I don't want to deal with that many problems."
"Only one way to find out." Fred said with a grin. "Onward ho gents." He turned and started down a hall way, Harry waited for George to go first then followed after them.
"Does anyone else hear water?" George asked after they walked down the hallway for a bit. The trio paused and they all listened, sure enough they heard the sound of water falling coming from the end of the hall. Moving quickly they came to a door and pushed it open, revealing a large room that was well illuminated and had a small waterfall on one of the walls. Across form them were brooms sitting by a door with a large silver lock on it. Looking up they saw dozens of keys with bright colored wings on them flying around the room lazily. "Bugger me." George said while Fred whistled.
"Come on." Harry said ignoring the sight and making his way to the door. The twins nodded but kept glancing upwards as they walked, after all who knew if those keys were going to attack. Harry checked the door but wasn't surprised to find it locked. "Alohomora" The spell had no effect, which Harry figured but he wouldn't have been surprised if it did work.
"I think one of them opens the door." George pointed up to the keys.
"How the hell are we going to figure out which one?" Fred asked Harry.
Harry looked up and around the room, hoping to find a difference in the keys. "There" Harry pointed up to the right, following the gesture the twins looked up and saw what Harry was pointing at. Slowly flying around the room, hidden by the other keys, was one with semi broken wings. "If the two of you go you should be able to catch it easy."
"Say George." Fred said as the twins mounted their brooms.
"Yes Fred?" The twin asked.
"Is there a reason were doing everything?" The kicked off and flew towards the key.
"Well do you want to tell him to do it?" Fred asked, George looked down at Harry, who was watching them like a hawk.
"Good point." The twins chuckled. "So you go left and I go right."
"Don't you mean you go up and I go down?" Fred replied with a grin.
"Alright I'll go left and you go up." Harry let out a sigh at their antics.
"Just get the damn key!" Harry commanded, the twins snapped into action and flew at the key. Even though their skills were more towards hitting flying objects the key offered little resistance and George caught it easily.
"Here we go." George said as he landed and handed the key over to Harry.
"That was sadly anti-climactic." Fred said as Harry walked over to the door and used the key to unlock it.
"I would bet whatever happens here only happens when you use the broom." Harry said while nodding to the unused broom. "Luckily we brought our own."
"See that Fred I had a good idea." George said smugly.
"On to the next room." Harry said as he took the lead.
The hallway was the same as the last, nothing giving away what they were walking into. After a minute of walking they entered a large open cavern light with torches and a giant chess board. "Well this is interesting." Fred said as he walked toward one of the pieces and tapped it.
"Seems we need to play a game of chess." George said as he looked at the pieces. "I can't believe I'm going to say this but I wish Ron was here."
"Hope you're good at chess Harry." Fred called out, Harry walked pat them towards the opposite side of the board. "Harry?"
Harry whipped out his wand. "Bombarda" The spell flew forward and hit the king piece knocking it backwards and to the ground. "Checkmate." Harry smirked as he walked past the pieces and to the door.
"….Well….."
"You as intimidated as I am Fred?"
"I believe so George."
The twins quickly followed after Harry after their quick exchange. As they neared the nest door harry paused and held a hand up, he took a large sniff. "Damn."
"What is it?" George asked.
"Troll." Harry remembered the smell from Halloween, with a sigh he turned around. "Were leaving."
"After all that were just leaving?" Fred said.
"Do you have the skills to fight a troll?" harry asked as he looked between them. "I don't think so, now will head back and come again after I do some research."
"But won't Dumbledore know we were here?" George asked as he and Fred jogged after him.
"Unless he walks all the way through I doubt he'll ever know." Harry replied. "Plus if I'm right Dumbledore wants me to be looking." Harry thought as they made their way back to the main halls.
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"It seems someone made it quite far." Dumbledore mused as he looked at the fallen chess piece.
"I don't think it was Quirrell." Snape said as he walked into the cavern. "He wouldn't have stopped after this and no one has touched my potions."
Dumbledore nodded and held a small grin; he hoped this meant Harry had finally taken some interest. "Much sooner then I believe though, after he receives his father's cloak he should be able to make it past the Troll. I need to charm it so he finds the mirror first though or this will be for naught." Pulling his wand out Dumbledore quickly fixed the broken piece and set it back into place. "Severus would you please tell Pomona we need another Devil's Snare, you can place the blame on me is she raises a fuss." Snape groaned but nodded. "Thank you, now I must be off I have a lunch date with a few of the School Board members."
"Have they mentioned me?" Snape asked, Lucius had told him many people were mailing them about him and he wondered if even Dumbledore could stop his termination.
"You are the reason I invited them to lunch." Albus replied with a twinkle in his eyes. "I hope to explain the situation before the hearing, possibly even call it off."
Snape nodded and turned to make his way to the greenhouse's to talk with Sprout, Dumbledore watched him leave and sighed. He didn't want to say it but he was fighting to keep Snape in Hogwarts, many on the School Board wanted him gone after finding out the facts in the article we true and Hogwarts was lower in N.E.W.T level Potion graduates then they ever had been. "But I need to keep him close for when Tom returns." Nodding to himself he quickly made his way out of the passages and towards his office to leave.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Courtroom 3, Ministry of Magic xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dumbledore stroked his beard as he looked up at the Board of Governors, they had modified to normal courtroom so all thirteen could sit behind the bench. For once Albus wasn't sure how something was going to turn out, his luncheon with some of the board members didn't go as well as he hoped, they were under a large amount of pressure and even with his assurances that Snape would start doing better he didn't know if it was too late. Looking back he wasn't surprised to see Rita Skeeter sitting in the seats, her quill out and ready to write. He made a mental note to talk with the woman after this and perhaps clear somethings up with her. Suddenly the doors opened and everyone turned to see a grey haired wizard in dark blue robes stride into the courtroom.
"Can we help you?" Lucius asked as the man walked towards them.
"This is the court room for the hearing of Severus Snape is it not?" The wizard asked as he placed his briefcase on the prosecutor desk.
"Yes but who are you?" Lucius asked with narrowed eyes,
"David Walker, I have been hired to ensure the case is properly heard and not brushed under the rug." Walker said while giving Dumbledore a sideways glance, one nobody missed.
"Just who hired you?" One of the female Governors asked.
Walker pulled out files and small boxes from his briefcase. "Lord Potter." Dumbledore frowned and Snape sneered at the name. "He wants what's best for Hogwarts and his fellow students."
"As do I." Dumbledore replied. "I was also under the impression this was not a trail."
"Just as you are here to point out Professor Snape's positive qualities someone needs to point out his negative qualities." Walker turned to the Governors. "That way you have all the facts and can make an educated decision."
The Governors all started to talk amongst themselves, Dumbledore frowned when he saw most of them nodding their heads. "Very well Mr. Walker may stay." A witch said as she raised a gavel and banged it twice. "Now then I call this hearing to order, Lord Winser." She turned to an elderly wizard down the bench from here.
"Thank you Lady Ashford, were here today to hear the case of Severus Snape, who has been accused of favoritism, incompetence and failure of responsibilities of a Professor." Winser read off of a piece of parchment.
"These are serious accusations." Lady Ashford said. "Let us go over them one at a time, first the accusation of favoritism." She opened a folder. "Professor Snape, since you have been made the Head of House of Slytherin the amount of points they have received has almost tripled yearly from the old average. The amount of points taken from other houses have also increased and in the case of Gryffindor it has tripled in points taken away. What do you have to say?"
"It should be noted the number of students has increased and is higher than previous years." Dumbledore said as he stood. "As such the points given and taken away would be more."
"Only in these current years." Walker said as he stood. "Just after the fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the years between now the number of students was lower. The muggleborn students brought us back up but the next few years will be the real increase, how will the points look then if Professor Snape is still a teacher?"
"All teachers show some form of favoritism." Dumbledore said. "I'm sure all of you noticed in your time as students Professors who were in a certain House and the Heads of House all generally help their House out." Several of the Governors shared looks.
"To a small degree." Walker called out. "And it is not just taking points away but for what he takes them away." Walker pulled out a piece of parchment. "Not properly taking notes, illegible handwriting, breathing too loudly." He looked up from the parchment. "Am I the only one who finds these reasons ridiculous?"
"And where did you get these reasons?" Dumbledore asked, though he feared they might be somewhat true.
"Students." Walker said to the Headmaster. "I have accounts from Snape's classes from several students, all varying ages and houses."
Dumbledore frowned again. "And just when did you talk to my students? If you did so without permission there will be consequences."
"I was not the one talking to them." Walker replied with a little grin. "Lord Potter was the one and he sent them to me, so no laws were broken." Dumbledore frowned again, he didn't see why Harry was doing all of this.
"Very well." Lady Ashford said. "We will take those into account, please have them copied for us to look over." Walker nodded. "Do either of you have else to say on this matter?" Both men shook their heads. "Moving on then, I believe the next accusation was incompetence."
"I think we can all agree that accusation is false." Said Walker, surprising everyone. "Severus Snape is a Master in Potions and has made several advances in the field."
"Dumbledore?" Lady Ashford said as she looked at him.
Dumbledore looked at Walker then the Governors. 'I have nothing more, Mr. Walker said everything that needed to be said."
"Very well, the final accusation was failure of responsibilities of a Professor." Lady Ashford said.
"As you know actions speak louder than words." Walker said as he opened the small boxes he had brought. "In that respect I have the following memories, provided by several different students, of classes with Professor Snape." Dumbledore frowned, anything he said would be useless against that. "Lord Potter has also offered the use of his families pensive so you may view them."
The Governors all began talking amongst each other, Snape clenched his fist as he heard Harry's name mentioned again. "Please pass our thanks along to Lord Potter, he is aware it will take some time to review all the memories you brought."
"He was and said he to take your time and return it when you are done." Walker replied.
"Of course." Lady Ashford replied. "Headmaster do you have anything to say?"
"As I do not know the contents of the memories I cannot defend against them." Dumbledore sadly replied, things were not going well for them and he doubted a few heartfelt words and promises would help him. "All I ask is to remember I put my faith in Severus and trust him." The Governors nodded but said nothing.
"Thank you all for your time today." Lady Ashford said. "We will review the memories provided and make our decision by tomorrow afternoon." Banging her gavel the Govenors stood to leave, Lord Winser quickly made his way to Walker and started collecting the memories and pensive.
Dumbledore frowned as he watched Walker talk with a smile on his face to the man, things were not looking good for him. He could only hope Harry had not included any Slytherin memories and he could push back the decision. "I need to talk with Harry and get him to change his mind, together we could convince the Governors to let Severus stay."
Snape sighed as he stood up, he didn't see why he had to come at all if he wasn't going to say anything. He knew his time was up at Hogwarts but honestly didn't care; now he no longer had to deal with sniveling children. Though he also knew when Voldemort returned the Dark Lord would not like that he was not in such a key position, he would need to make sure to prove he was still invaluable to him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Headmasters Office, Hogwarts xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harry held back a smirk as he walked up the steps towards the Headmasters Office, he knew the meeting about Snape had been earlier today and his being called in was a sign Walker had done his job. "Lemon Drop." Harry said the password to the large Gargoyle statue so it would move and enterd the small stairwell up to the office.
"Good afternoon Lord Potter." Dumbledore said before Harry came into view.
Harry nodded. "Headmaster." He walked towards one of the chairs and took a seat. "How can I help you sir?"
"I asked you to come so we could talk about Professor Snape." Dumbledore replied, noting Harry frown.
"I don't know what you think I can do sir." That was a lie and both of them knew it. "Did the hearing go well sir." Harry asked though he had a feeling.
Dumbledore sighed. "I fear Severus will not be with us next year." He watched harry and it pained him when the boy showed no emotion.
"So why did you call me here sir?" Harry asked.
"I hoped with your help we could convince the Governors to allow Professor Snape to stay." Dumbledore answered. "I will of course keep my eye on him to keep a repeat of his actions."
"Sure you will." Harry thought. "I am sorry sir but I can't help you."
"Can't or won't" Dumbledore replied. "Harry I need Professor Snape here with me."
"Why?" Harry asked, he had a good idea why though he wondered if Snape was playing Dumbledore or Voldemort.
"I cannot say." Dumbledore said with a sigh. "But I assure you it is important he stay here."
Harry watched the man for a second. "Here or with you sir?"
"Excuse me?" Dumbledore replied.
"Is it important for Snape to stay at Hogwarts or close to you?" Harry explained more.
"Does it matter?" Dumbledore replied, he was curious where this was going.
"You are a very busy man sir, not only are you the Headmaster at Hogwarts but you are part of the I.C.W and Wizengamot." Harry replied. "I assume you have a lot on your plate, possibly somethings that get brushed aside because of other duties. Perhaps you could use an assistant." Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up. "I'm sure if you trust Snape enough to teach students you can trust him to handle other affairs."
Dumbledore paused and thought about that, true he could use someone to meet with people but it wasn't necessary. Though with how things were going he could do it, that way when Voldemort returned Snape would still be used as a spy. "Thank you for your thoughts Lord Potter." Dumbledore stood. "That was all I needed so if you have nothing to ask me you may leave."
Harry nodded and stood to leave, he couldn't hold back a smirk as he walked out of the office though.