Chapter 3 - Hogwarts
Rolf Scamander sitting at the high table was a surprise to many of the students.
That he was not in the throne-like chair was just a part of it.
After waiting for the sorting to be done, and after the last crumb of desert, the new leader of the school stood to various levels of applause. Higher from Sytherins and lower from the Hufflepuffs. Professor Sprout hadn't had time to tell them yet. They were in for a surprise.
"Welcome, students, one and all, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As there was not time for the book lists to go out for the new classes, a classroom set will be provided in the classrooms, as well in each common room and in the library. But only for use in said rooms and the library. No marking of these books, Ravenclaw!"
His smile at the laughter lightened the mood a bit. Everyone was nervous about what to expect from this man.
"There is a new student code of conduct. It is short. I expect everyone to read it. The workbook on it is mandatory and will be graded. Follow these rules or face the consequences. Those who don't will sit Headmaster's detention with me, and copy the section where rules were broken. Further instances will involve parents, loss of flying and/or Hogsmeade privileges, and depending on severity, may even involve aurors.
"You will find me to be very strict when it comes to those things. But I am also here as an educator. If you are struggling, reach out to your prefects. Tutors can and will be provided for if asked. Mandatory writing classes for first years will be attended until three professors sign off on your expertise in this skill."
Professor Sprout looked ready to kiss the man right there for that one. Professor Sinestra too.
"New this year is a school market. It will offer a limited supply of paper, fountain pens, pencils, and other such supplies. There will also be a few muggle treats available for purchase. The caveat for all of this is having muggle money. For the school items, there will be a money exchange on a regular basis.
"For the treats, you will have to earn them by gaining 'Tutoring Tender'. Don't try to cheat, and copy or steal it. Just offer to help when professors are looking for student tutors."
The Malfoy genes proved their worth as Draco burst out. "Muggle treats! Who would steal to get anything muggle?"
"Mr. Malfoy, that will be 5 points from Slytherin for a public outburst, 5 points for disrespect to me, and 5 points for disrespect to the culture that represents 99.9% of humanity. I will have a meeting with you and your Head of House this week to quiz you on the new manual. Be ready for it. Now, to continue."
The headmaster gazed across the hall.
"I want students to know that I have an open door policy. If anyone treats you with disrespect the way that I was just treated, then I want to know. I will not put up with racial slurs."
Dare he? Yes, maybe so.
"In the past, the law was that all had to be educated here. I am pushing for that law to be changed. In the meantime, with making Hogwarts a jewel of educating standards, I want it clear that anyone with magic can attend here and be welcome."
"There are no classes tomorrow so that students can get their schedules, study their student manuals, and meet their new classmates. House meetings in the common room at 10:00 AM. After lunch, I will host a question and answer session here. As long as you ask politely, any honest question will be answered. As long as it is not too personal.
"I hope that you find a home here at Hogwarts. First Years and the Fifth Year prefects, dismissed!"
Harry and Ron lined up behind Percy with all goodwill. They were not teasing him today. Harry waved at Penny who was leading the Ravenclaw firsties.
Harry saw his first potion teacher's portrait while walking to the common room. He had been great for the basics, but Madam Zabini was wonderful.
"Hi Lord Prince!" Harry waved.
The man at first was going to turn up his nose, then started to wave, but gave it up for a pureblood nod.
"How does he do that? Malfoy's dad has that down too." Ron opined.
"Do you know if the portraits stay in more or less the same place? Nice to know where to find people outside of class…" Harry started to ask his brother. "Woah!"
The staircases were a right mess! This wasn't how moving staircases were supposed to work!
Harry made a note in his never-ending book.
The group got to the portrait guarding Gryfindor's entrance, and started to go through. Harry waited to go last, and bowed to the lady in the painting. He looked left and right, then slipped the portrait a gift.
It was a magical part of the brochure from Honeydukes. The full basket that he had bought for Ginny came with a little interactive bit of magic that showed off what was in the basket in such a way, it was like a magical portrait.
And his test worked! There on her side table, was the basket of chocolates. She squealed in delight, and looked at him sideways.
"I remember your father and Sirius Black always getting into little scrapes together." She said sweetly, winking at him. "Are you trying to bribe me early?".
"Well, Sirius Black is my father, so I suspect that I will be a horrible trouble maker. This is why I'm trying to be good. If I do good deeds, and focus on that, then maybe I can avoid his mistakes. Don't you think? And please, please don't make me call you what others do. I need to know your name!"
"My name is Beatrice, Mr. Black. I invite you to call me that."
"And I am Harry, my lady. Let me know how I can be of service." Harry bowed, and joined his classmates.
"We'll get the schedules and new rules tomorrow. So, off to bed!" Percy finished.
"Did I miss much?" Harry asked.
"Naw, just Perce enjoying his big day." Ron said, as they followed said man up the stairs to the boy's dorm.
"Good, I'm tired. I can't wait for the weekend." Harry pulled out his new pyjamas. A surge of gratitude for Molly went through him. How embarrassing would it be to have to wear his old huge holey ones? At least they only had to share a bath with the blokes from this one dorm room.
Slytherin may have individual rooms, but they were tiny! And the bathrooms were huge. Lines were legendary.
So much better to avoid the whole 'Heir of Slytherin' label even if it was likely true.
Dobby popped in with hot chocolate for everyone, and Harry raised a toast.
"To the start of new friendships!"
*****OO*****
After a brilliant breakfast, Ron and Harry came back to the common room for the House meeting. Harry was disappointed with his schedule, until Professor McGonagall started to talk.
"I should let my Lions know that there's been a change of rules for the school. A man and woman have been hired for each house to be co-head. They will not necessarily be husband and wife, and are not for our house. While I am proud of my house, I can honestly say that I have done it a great discourtesy by trying to do too much. Wear too many hats. There will be many new jobs filled over the next few years. Portraits will be teaching some of the new electives. I will have to decide to teach or be an administrator. I am still contemplating that choice. In the meantime, please read your new rulebooks carefully. Trying to cheat your way through the workbook that goes with it won't work. It uses NEWT level charms. We have until noon to work on these for now. I suggest that you use this time wisely. Unless there are any questions. Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Please, ma'am. The headmaster, I mean Headmaster Dumbledore. Is he well? When will he return?" The bushy-haired girl asked.
This caused a stir in the lion's den. Rumors had been rife since the Wizengamot session.
"He is still in the hospital, and I'm told that if he is not better by October 1st, then he will be honorably retired. A school cannot go on forever without leadership, after all."
"But then why are we messing about with this nonsense….Ma'am." Asked an older student.
Her glare gave him a minute to contemplate his life choices. He chose wisely, adding the 'ma'am.
"The new rules are from the Board of Governors, and even if Albus came back tomorrow, he'd have to accept them."
She turned to a large cork board that displayed all of the new electives. "For you first and second years, please note. If you want to take one elective, you may. But I warn ye! It will go at a third year pace. But there's no harm in trying if you are sincere. Anyone not trying will be thrown out immediately, and won't be allowed to try again until third year. Any other questions? Other than Miss Granger? Alright, off you go. Yes, now let's go over here, and see if I can help you."
She kindly led the girl to a new addition to the common room. Not that the firsties would know about it. But she had a desk and chair there set at an angle so that she could help everyone.
"No Miss Granger. I don't care how advanced you are, you can't take all of the electives! Now, this is what you can do…"
Their conversion was suddenly cut off as a scarred and scary looking woman entered the common room. Professor McGonagall stood to greet her.
"May I introduce Miss Smith. She is here to be one of the co-heads of Pride House. Now, Mr. Lupin has business that will take him out of the castle several nights a month, so there will be times when a substitute is here in Miss Smith's father. He'll be by later to meet you all. Miss Smith."
"Greetings students. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Gryffindor, class of '63. Being muggleborn made my family a target." People gasped. Her father! A muggle was coming to the school!
"As I was saying, being a muggleborn made me a target, and as some of you know, dark curses never heal well. I decided to go into curse-breaking and see if I couldn't find something. I was not successful in scar removal, unfortunately. However, I am here to not only help you, but try to break the curse on the DADA job."
This was met with a great cheer.
"What about your father Miss Smith?" Miss Granger asked. "Will he be teaching some of the muggle subjects?"
"Teaching, no. But helping to develop a better Muggle Studies course and tutor in that yes. He has been teaching chemistry for the last 30 years."
This was met with some confusion and some applause.
The door opened again, and for the first time in several hundred years a muggle who did not know of magic growing up came into the room. Silence greeted him, but Hermione saved the day.
"Welcome Mr. Smith, to Gryffindor House. I'm Hermione Granger, and if you need any help at all with anything magical, I would be happy to assist you!"
"Nice to meet you Miss Granger. Five points to Gryffindor for that kind welcome." His eyes swept over the room, looking for hatred. Not finding it, but a bit of fear, a bit of worry. That was acceptable.
"I've been reading your potions text, and would love to meet with your potions master at some point, but for now, I'm just here to say hello, and set up our rooms where we'll be staying."
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and all attention went to her.
"Now, these are two of the three who will be your Head of House. A fresh breath of air has come to Hogwarts. Mr. Lupin will be joining us soon. I'll be here at my desk if you have any questions about the rulebook, or how to complete the workbook. For those of you who haven't yet, I suggest ye get a start on it.
Mr. Smith had given Hermione a quick word. She clearly was interested in getting to know him.
A house-elf took the new heads of house away, and Professor McGonagall went back to assisting students.
Harry turned back to the new rule book and groaned when he saw that there was a section on 'Pranks'.
*****OO*****
Quirrell was beyond frustrated. Dumbledore's plans had never come to fruition. He didn't know where the stone was. Gringotts? No, Dumbledore had sent the giant, and he was happy enough to brag success, even after the Potter brat was nearly killed by muggles.
As unhappy as he was about Harry Potter, magic hating muggles trying to kill a magical child made him want to raize the entire countryside! How dare they?
And now, all of these 'metrics for successful teaching' and 'making sure that students are on goal for their OWLS and NEWTS. What nonsense was this?
This was why there was a curse on the defense position in the first place. He, Lord Voldemort, did not want to face competent fighters. He was a decent teacher, and could train up his own troops to a passable level without too much fuss.
Would the curse strike him, well Quirrell?
And what about the Potter boy? Rumor was that he had been adopted by the Weasley family. Blood traitors, the lot of them.
It was his turn to watch over the Great Hall that was currently being used as a giant study hall. The more clever students were starting on the rule workbook right away before classes started. Stuff and nonsense.
Hogwarts needed help to get better. Getting rid of Dumbledore? Step 1. Getting muggle loving fools in to replace him? No. Just No. And another No.
Where was Lucius in all this? He wasn't sure if he should go to Severus. He didn't want to ruin his cover. Of course, the way that the man was reacting to the Potter brat, he was going to lose his job. Unless he calmed down.
There he was, thinking of that monster. Was it him? His mother? Or his father that did something to rip him from his body. The man previously known as Tom Riddle wanted to know.
He wanted to be whole.
Yes, the diary. He needed the diary.
And Lucius was always such a devoted servant. He would have kept it safe.
No reason not to write a letter to an old friend.
*****OO*****
How to word this? Neville was glowing like a Christmas tree, and his wand was the same tree January 15th? As in dead, dead, dead?
Too muggle. And too magical. He was supposed to keep a low profile.
Sighing, he went to his head of house.
"Curse-Breaker Smith?" Harry asked for her attention.
"You've been on a Gringotts dig, calling me by my title. You're pretty tall for a goblin, aren't you?" She smirked.
"Can we talk please?" Harry handed her a rune.
"Nice! Five points for exceptional first year work, Mr. Black." Tapping it with her wand, she then asked. "How can I help you?"
"I asked Neville about his wand. It's pretty beat up, and he's having trouble."
"I know. It's such a shame. So many families can't afford a good wand for their children, and then they really struggle. It should be required to have a good match, and the school should provide it, since school is mandatory."
"School is mandatory. School is mandatory! That's it! Seven galleons and there were only forty first years so that is going to be under three hundred galleons! And some can afford it, the school wouldn't have to buy them all! Thank you so much Miss Smith. I need to talk to Professor Flitwick."
She ended the privacy rune, and handed it back to Harry.
She narrowed her eyes at him, and turned to the eldest Weasley at school. "Mr. Percy, will you please escort Mr. Black to Ravenclaw Tower? I don't want him out alone this late. Thank you."
With four Weasleys, the house agreed to that nomenclature.
As if Percy was going to refuse a chance to say hi to Penny. Ha!
And so it came to pass that Ollivander did come to Hogwarts. Students were fitted with wands, every single student was matched to their wand, and the total bill was under a thousand galleons. It would be less so in future years as older students would not need wands, just first years.
"Why so inexpensive sir?" Harry asked when paying the man. In private, no one was supposed to know, even though Lord Prince had his long nose watching him.
"Nundu fur. Mermaid scales, willingly given. Bala bala wood from the Euphrates river bank. An entire box of wonderful, wonderful gifts. You don't think I know where it came from?"
"But you allow us to practice magic! Use magic!" Harry exclaimed. "Next year, full price. Ignore the tears of my goblin!"
"I wonder what you will bring me back from your next summer's adventures?" Ollivander asked.
"Don't know. Maybe I'll just spend a lazy summer at the Burrow and have nothing but pig jowls or something as the most exotic thing."
"You just stay in touch lad. No matter what."
"Yes, sir. And thank you for coming."
Now, Neville's wand glowed as brightly as he did. It was wonderful!
That night, Miss Smith said under her breath. "Five points to Gryffindor. For being a good friend."
The elves thought she meant five points per wand placed. The points were reversed, but for a moment, the counter was really, really huge.
And every elf and professor thought he deserved those points.
*****OO*****
Lucius Malfoy was not a happy camper. Not in the least. His wife had been removed from him for no good reason (breaking the marriage contract indeed!) and Black had somehow managed to get not only a decent percentage of gold back (those thieving goblins!) but somehow, someway, had managed to steal the dark items in the hidden chamber under his dining room!
He had been on the way to the floo before he stopped himself. Calling Cornelius was not the answer to this issue!
He called for all of the Malfoy elves, and of course none of them had seen anything.
And Narcissa wouldn't even write to him back. Didn't she know that he had developed feelings for her? Even if Black had dissolved the marriage, if she wanted to, they could remarry on their own!
Her one word reply to his ill-thought letter was clear enough. Maybe his anger, threats and demands had not been the right way to go. She was a Black after all.
Stealing his seat on the Board of Governors! He had been regent! Taking the votes from the Black seat in the Wizengamot!
And when he tried to complain to Cornelius about that, the man had just shrugged. He pointed to a letter that asked for a trial for Lord Black as he was incarcerated without one. Which Lucius knew.
Taking any kind of action against Narcissa would bring their, his and Cornelius', illegal actions out into the public eye. And it wouldn't go against their marriage vows as this was AFTER the marriage was dissolved!
At least he still had his own heir. Draco being a wizard meant he stayed with his father, as was right. Their daughters, if they had had any, would have gone with their mother.
The thought of going through the nightmare of bringing another child into the family was just too awful. No, he had his heir.
His musings were cut off by the receipt of a letter, the author of which couldn't be denied. He ran to the library. Yes! Although it felt off, different, he didn't take time to evaluate that.
He penned a quick note, wished him a pleasant school year, and sent one of the family's majestic owls on their way with both the letter and the diary.
Briefly pondering who T.M. Riddle might be, he went back to his study to plan out next moves.
The Dark Lord would soon return. That he was sure. He would make Narcissa bend to his will. The powerful wizard had no time for the simpering of witches.
And he had a particular grudge against one particular witch who ruined everything and was trying to break his marriage!
Yes, the Dark Lord returning was the answer to everything.
In the meantime, he had revenge to plan.
*****OO*****
Harry, Fred and George were drinking butterbeer that night and consoling one another.
"But, but all of our planning! All of the preparations!" Harry was nearly sobbing, his finished workbook on the rules with an O+ next to him.
"We just wait until Dumbledore comes back. Then we'll get away with all of the mayhem we want. Rulebook or not." George said. His workbook wasn't finished yet.
He couldn't get past the rules on pranking. Fred had the same issues.
"I gave them all of the teaching portraits! The classroom sets of books! I hired Moony to be our Head of House and be here to teach us pranks! This just can't be happening!" Harry dramatically sobbed.
Fred and George patted him on the back, all of their glorious dreams fading. One of them suddenly bolted upright, eyes bright.
"We can still plan them. Make potions. Go into production." Fred opined.
"And test them on ourselves. Or hire people! Willing testers aren't against the rules!" Harry surmised, wiping away his fake tears.
George beamed. "To Pranks" he said, lifting his bottle. The others joined him quickly.
"To Pranks!"
*****OO*****
The week was going fairly well. Moony showed up the next night, getting family hugs from all of the Weasleys.
"Can we still do practical defense practice with you?" Percy asked, clearly worried about OWLS.
"Not only is that a yes, but the headmaster has asked me to be in charge of a study group for said OWLS review. But we'll set up something for younger years. And yes, you NEWT students can join in too."
The new Head of House made sure that he had everyone's attention.
"We are in the lead for the House Cup for the first time in many years. Slytherin is having trouble adapting to the new rules. And I am more proud than I can say of all of you. Not a single one has said the 'M' word. You might want to let others know that a list of names is being kept. Headmaster Weatherwight has something special planned for them, I just know it."
Waiting for the shudder to die, he bid one and all good-night, then left the room.
School was looking up!
*****OO*****
This was a disaster! When had the school ever been so bad!
Muggles! Blood-purity banned! What was happening?
At least he received the diary this morning. He would have to face the Potter brat later in class, so had put it away without looking at it.
To feel so powerless against this wave of muggle onslaught!
Somehow this was all the Potter brat's and Black's fault according to Lucius.
Well, maybe in class, Potter would just have to have a little accident.
*****OO*****
Harry stormed out of DADA. Ron, Dean, Neville and Hermione were right on his tail. They fled to an nearby classroom that was when in session was used for Enchanting. The portrait was empty, likely enjoying tea with Beatrice. She was sharing the never-ending chocolates after all.
Ron stammered. "Blimey Harry, if that spell had hit you. Well, I mean, it would have…"
Hermione interrupted. "Entrail expelling? Is that even a real spell?"
Neville nodded. "One of Bellatrix Lestrange's favorites. Takes people hours to die even if they get to a healer. She's the one who…" but trailed off.
Seamus came in with Lavender and Sally-Anne practically shouting in his Irish brogue, "What the? Teachers can't be doing that in class, can they?"
Harry was shaking with the adrenaline leaving his system. What he wanted to do was go and destroy the man.
What he decided to do went against everything that he had been taught in his life. But the last several months (in his schedule) had helped him in this regard. Miss Smith too. Looking around, he decided to ask for help. He needed logic and a cool head. Ron and Seamus were out. Too hot. Neville was too shy, nope too cool.
Hermione Granger. Yes, she was just right.
"Miss Granger? Would you do the honor of going with me to see the Headmaster?"
The girl pinked and took up the offered arm.
"With pleasure, Mr. Potter."
*****OO*****
How could he miss? The boy was quicksilver. Never mind. It might get him a reprimand, but better than getting fired. He quickly drank a measure of firewhisky and left a partial glass out on his desk. He then spent several minutes 'chastising' his servant.
The door bursting open was unexpected.
"Mr. Quirrell. It has come to my attention that you cast a spell that should be listed as unforgivable in a classroom of first-year students. Putting the students in this sort of danger is reprehensible. I will have the elves pack your things. You are hereby dismissed. Please leave."
A pair of curious first years couldn't help but be in awe of this man! Hogwarts had leant power to him, the wards of the castle were under his control. But the mantle of responsibility was a shimmering cloak to Harry's eyes, as well as the eyes hidden under the turban.
"It was a mistake! I was nervous! I had a little nip before class…"
"Oh! So you want to use the excuse that you were drinking? Is that it? Well then, that's okay! As long as it's a potion, or drugs, or alcohol, then you've got a reason to be so irresponsible? Is that it? NO! I'm not Dumbledore! I'm not going to overlook this, or give you a second, third, or seven times seventy seven chance!"
The headmaster pointed to the door. "Now, Mr. Quirrell."
Running footsteps, obviously glad in good-quality boots came towards them. Quirrell stood, drawing his wand.
"What is the meaning of this?" the Janus-headed man demanded.
In answer, a red-robed man stepped through the door. "Quirinus Quirrell, you are under…"
The green light hit him before he had a chance to finish. Weatherwight rapidly backed away from the door, bodily protecting the two first years.
The firefight started in earnest, with more than one auror taking out a fellow. Usually from the back, but the children didn't notice that.
"I thought I told you to go back to your common room!" Weatherwight shouted at the first-years, as a yellow curse exploded next to him. The aurors were transfiguring bits lying on the floor into shields, but Harry had a different idea.
He went to the nearest knight, and asked to borrow his. Expanding it, he floated it over to the lead auror.
"Thanks, kid. Nice work. Now, obey the headmaster, and get out of here!"
He and Hermione ran further down the corridor, gathering up more shields. The headmaster started to argue with them, but the aurors seemed to need help. This was no average wizard. And no average attack.
Weatherwight tried his patronus, gave up and called an elf.
"Get a knockout potion from Snape. Hurry!"
Weatherwight had studied a bit healing, and knew how to spell a potion into someone. The spell was a healing spell though. It wouldn't work if you meant ill-intent. He needed to calm himself, and make sure that magic knew he was just trying to knock him out.
Quirrell was at the door, and a green light was heading directly to the Headmaster.
Before he had any time for regrets or goodbyes, Harry had a shield in front of the man. His staff was in the other hand.
"I know that light. It killed my mother, right in front of me. Stand down, or be put down. Your choice!" Harry yelled. Magic poured off of him, and more than one auror looked ready to attack the boy. The aurors who were clearly in the front.
This was not the time to lose focus though.
Not that spell again, entrail-expelling? Gross.
A beam of light from Harry's staff connected with Quirrell. He dropped like a puppet with his strings cut.
"We couldn't hit him! What did you do?" An auror asked who hadn't sent one spell toward the turbaned man.
Professor Snape himself appeared just then with the elf, a case of potions in his hand. He saw the carnage, and went into medic mode.
He was a trained medi-wizard after all.
"This one is gone, he just doesn't know it. I can give him pain relief though. Get Poppy down here."
"Please." he added after a moment.
The elf took that as an order and disappeared, returning with the matron a moment later.
"Goodness!"
Amid all of that, Quirrell was groaning. His turban was now askew.
Harry's face drained of color. He pointed to the man, while tugging at the headmaster.
"Two auras! He has two auras!"
A thump clunk came towards them, but he had clearly heard the claim.
"Potter! Report!" Moody demanded.
"Quirrell was acting strangely today, and tried to kill me, sir. When aurors came to arrest him, he tried to kill them. Cast the AK, entrail-expelling, some yellowish one that splashed acid on the wall, and others. He's killed quite a few people here, sir. Tried to kill me and the headmaster. When his turban was knocked off, I could see a second aura. He's not human, sir. Maybe a space alien? Or carrying a child like Zeus had? Is that a baby?"
Professor Snape rolled his eyes, and gave Harry a calming draught.
"Severus! Help me! Kill Potter! Kill them all!"
The headmaster tried and failed to spell sleeping draught into the man.
Several aurors from the back now pointed their wands at Professor Snape. He carefully and slowly put his wand on the ground.
"I'm very sorry, my lord, but I was taken captive before I could help you."
"Incompentent! Crucio!"
A spell came towards the potion master, but Harry moved his shield. Unfortunately, instead of just blocking it, it reflected the spell back to the caster, and 'woke' Quirrell up.
But Mad-eye was there and no slouch. Just as Alistar was casting, a silent accio came from the room, and Harry sans shield and staff went tumbling towards the two-faced wizard.
That was a fatal mistake.
The Weasleys loved Harry. From the head of house, Arthur, to the youngest child Ginny. Charlie, the only brother who hadn't met Harry still had enjoyed his letters, and had sent the lad a quite a bit of dragon skin that he had made into wand holders for the family. All matching.
Harry was loved.
His father's protection, his families' love burned the evil man. The more Quirrell tried to choke or get a hold of him, the more the burning took over.
Hermione, who had been shuttling shields to the aurors had peeked in when Harry went flying. She really wished she hadn't, and was decorating the corridor with her last meal.
When the last bit of Voldemort left the burning body, he tried to threaten Harry.
"You will never defeat me! I am immortal! When I come back, I will dismember all you love in front of you, torture your little mudblood to death in front of you then kill you."
Harry tried and failed to sketch a containment rune, but there wasn't enough time. Those things took hours, and had to be planned in advance.
The headmaster looked at all of the devastation around him. Tears streaming, he turned to the lead auror.
"Don't lad! Don't even say it! Tweren't your fault! No one knew! Not Dumbledore, who hired him! These deaths are on that piece of dark scum, not you. If you hadn't called us, he could have killed the lot of you. Not an auror here who wouldn't give their life in protection of a child." Moody claimed.
"Get up to your office, and get us some help here!" The master auror commanded, so the Headmaster left.
Harry went over to the one auror who was slowly dying. He cast a stasis spell and asked Professor Snape to send for Miss Smith.
"No healer can help, Mr. Potter."
"She's a curse-breaker sir. She might be able to save him."
And she did dispel the curse, later in the infirmary.
But right then, no one felt their battle a victory. There were too many dead for that.
The dark lord who called himself Voldemort was not gone, Professor Snape was arrested, and Harry and Hermione got called to the Headmaster's office.
Wasn't it bad enough that he almost got killed? And saw a spell that triggered a memory from when he was a baby!
The two went to their doom, not realising that in their misery, they were holding hands.
Harry pulled out his mirror to call his adoptive father.
*****OO*****
Professor Lupin was just leaving the Headmaster's office, when they arrived.
Harry found himself in a fierce hug.
"Don't ever scare me again like that cub! What did Sirius say?"
"That I was grounded until I was 90. And then he said he was proud of me. He said that he was going to bring Charlie home for Christmas so that we could all meet."
"We will talk more later. I have a lot of work to do. Good thing that I did all that research into OWLS and NEWTS prep. Harry, Miss Granger." Another quick hug, and the man continued his way down the steps.
"Please do come in, students." The headmaster invited. At least he didn't sound angry.
"Hey! It's the Sorting Hat!"
"Well, Mr. Potter. It seems I owe you an apology. You indeed are a true Gryffindor, and not just because of a bit of gaudy knight's tools. No, you proved your mettle today. And you too, Miss Granger. No Ravenclaw would have done as well."
"But I was so scared!" Hermione argued.
"Ahh, but that is just the definition of true courage. Any village idiot can seem brave in their ignorance. But knowing a situation is deadly, and acting to alleviate that danger? And doing so in an intelligent way? That is a true test of courage. No bravado of charging in and getting killed. Which is why neither of you are in trouble for disobeying my order to retreat."
The children looked at each other and smiled. Good!
"In fact, I am putting you up for the Special Services to the School award. Now, normally, there are some trinkets given to you. Can you please tell me something reasonable that you would like?"
"Yes, sir. Can I have a few notebooks and such from the store?" Hermione asked.
"And don't forget a Mars bar!" Harry prompted, teasing her just a little, as she ate very healthy.
Blushing, she did add a request for a few Mars bars.
"Miss Granger?" Weatherwight had to know why.
"I plan to use them as rewards for the people that I am tutoring sir. But if I can actually show them that they are real, and available, I think it will help with my plans."
"Yikes! Evil plans! Dark Lady in the making!" Harry teased. He got a toothy smile in return.
"What about you, Mr. Potter?"
"Well, sir, I would really like all of the melted cauldrons that are here somewhere. I was told that the elves would know where they are stored. I know a great spell for turning them into bits too, so I can practice my magic."
"You want unusable, broken, melted cauldrons? That's it?"
"Yes sir! I am trying to make my goblin account manager happy. Believe me, that's impossible. But I can at least follow orders." Harry informed them.
The children help save the school from a dark lord, and ask for humble gifts. But they were children. He would keep his eyes open for other gifts to give them.
"In all sincerity, thank you both. Now, in deference to your magical gifts and abilities, I am allowing the two of you to take up to three electives instead of just the one. All the normal rules apply. And great job on being the first two to pass the writing test. Well done. Well done. So, unless you have other questions, you are dismissed."
Hermione waited until they were down the downs and around the corner before jumping on Harry.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! If you hadn't invited me along, I would never have helped, and would not be getting into three classes early. Oh, this is wonderful!" She hugged him again.
Sporting a goofy smile, and holding the girl's hand, Harry led them back towards the common room.
Something had changed between them. You couldn't fight a Dark Lord together, and not have it affect you, after all.
Today had been a very stressful day. But this? Holding a girl's hand? This was heaven. This was nice.
Walking into the common room with four brothers all noting said hand-holding?
He was doomed.
*****OO*****
Ron tried to console Harry about the extra classes.
"But you don't have to, do you mate? I mean, I get that he has to punish you for not listening to him but three extra classes."
Before Percy or Hermione could get their opinions heard, Neville piped in.
"I think taking magical art or singing, well, both would be great. I think Harry has it right. Runes, very useful, art is relaxing, and singing. Singing is the best."
"You going to go then too?" Seamus asked. He'd been thinking of it.
"Yes indeed. Wish I could take both, but I will add Art next year." Neville confirmed.
Ron sputtered. "All of you! Cracked cauldrons!"
"You should sign up for the singing class for the extra money, little brother." Fred suggested.
"Oh yes" George agreed. "Think of all that lovely gold you'd make from your classmates paying you to skive off."
"Ha, ha, ha!"
It was great being part of a family.
*****OO*****
Snape was back by morning. He and the headmaster shared a look, and then went back to eating breakfast.
Harry was having fun discovering all sorts of secret passages, and was taking one to Potions.
Everyone in the house agreed something was up with Snape. He had been pleasant, he had actually instructed classes, and took points fairly for once.
This could only spell trouble. Leading the students to a false sense of security. What was going on?
As Ron, Harry, Neville and Hermione entered the classroom, they walked to the front of the room.
This had the potential to be really, really bad. But Harry was prepared.
The class was unusually quiet. Most of the Slytherins were looking at the Gryffindors curiously, with only a glare coming from Malfoy. Harry polished the Black heir ring, but didn't converse with the totem. As amusing it would be, that would be a step too far for most of them.
The door slammed shut, and the tall, dark man billowed in. He gave them a lovely speech about the brilliance of potions, sounding so much like Lord Prince, Harry wanted to ask if they were related.
"Potter, where would you find a bezoar?"
"Well sir, two answers. The source is a magical ruminant. They can be purchased from most good apothecaries." Harry saw the professor's face grow stormy so continued. "They can be used to cure most common poisons if ingested quickly enough, sir."
"Magical ruminant? Is that any way to describe a common goat?" Snape sneered.
Harry braved the man's ire, and brought him a box.
"I was recently in Egypt sir. The best bezoars in the world come from magical camels. There are some right here. This box also has the hair from a nundu which can be used in many poison antidotes. And the fang of a cobra…"
"Can be used to simulate parseltongue for those needing to milk poisonous snakes. This box indeed contains many valuable potion ingredients."
"A gift from house Black and Potter sir. While admitting that my fathers did play mean pranks on you, I wanted to apologize for them. But I am not them sir."
"You certainly look like Potter and Black got together and had a child." Snape said, and added under his breath. "And got cursed with Potter's hair."
The class held their breath to see which way this would go.
"I accept this gift. You are not your father, or your adopted father. And I accept your apology on their behalf." A nod was the final word.
The potion master fixed his eyes on the class.
"Now, most of you have had some kind of potions tutoring in preparation for school. Yes, Malfoy, even the muggleborn as they have to use knives to prepare food. Today we'll go over ingredient preparation for the boil cure. Your homework will be to read the instructions carefully on it's brewing steps, as adding porcupine quills early could cause cauldrons to overflow or even melt. Now, to begin…"
*****OO*****
"Potter bewitched him!""Gave him a cursed object!""Secretly bribed him. Magical camels? Are they real?"
"Potter! Give me back my ring!" Malfoy called to him. In public, in the corridors.
Harry kept walking.
"Potter! Potter! Don't you turn your back on me!" Malfoy was getting mad, and lost it. A stinging hex hit Harry in the back.
"I say! Bad show there, old bean! Five points from Slytherin, and I'll be telling your head of house." A modern ghost in flying clothes said, and left. Perhaps to find a perfect, Harry thought. The ghost of a friar continued with them, keeping an eye on Draco.
"You can't tell me what to do!" The Malfoy heir yelled. "Potter has something of mine!"
"Naturally you'd be upset if someone stole something of yours…" the ghost tried to say, but was cursed at by the angry blond.
"Detention! Don't say one more word young man, or it will be two!"
"Just you wait until my father hears about this!"
The ghost held up two fingers, his glare clearly challenging the boy to go for three.
The rulebook was about to get its first serious challenge. When hearing of the incident, Alex Weatherwight called for reinforcements. He knew he couldn't take Malfoy in a duel, and it might come to wands.
After all, this was war. The muggleborn revolution. He picked up a mirror "Sirius Black"
"This is Black, hey Alex! Don't say that my pup got caught?"
The man laughed "You know that he's smarter than that. Malfoy is on his way to the castle. Are things set for Azkaban?"
"Yes. Shame about Dawlish, and his friends dying at Hogwarts."
"Yes, it was. Now Miss Granger will see thestrals. Had some bad dreams too, I hear."
"You military men make my blood run cold."
"Only doing what is necessary. As you know. Need I remind you what was found in Quirrell's office? And what it contained? Who was first to respond to Quirrell's arrest?" Was the firm rejoinder. "Now, I could use some help. Please."
"Right. Reinforcements will be on the way. I'll inform Moony as well. Try to keep Harry out of it, please?"
"Harry Potter? Out of trouble? I am not any heavenly being, my friend. I don't have that kind of power. But I will do my best to protect him. Merlin help us all."
*****OO*****
Lucius Malfoy was not having a nice day. Not at all. His complaints about theft were taken very seriously by his account manager. Who asked him for and received a small 'stipend' for trying to recover said gold.
After not responding to Malfoy's owl, Lucius went to the bank in person.
Said account manager's bleeding head was on display. The goblin had been caught! Found trying to steal inside the bank!
Gulping, Lucius turned around. There was no other warning to come to him. Gringotts would be closed to him for a time.
But then, opportunity struck! The evil witch was taken down with no one the wiser. She would pay for meddling in his life!
But then, this! Interruptions! What was Draco thinking, starting a fight with the Black heir?
Cursing his wife, their progeny, and the Black family in general, Lucius headed for Hogwarts.
What he didn't realize was that goblin justice was patient. Goblins couldn't arrest him or any other wizard and bring him to trial. But If Lucius Malfoy stepped one foot into the bank, then he was in their country. Their jurisdiction.
Their laws.
Goblin laws.
Goblin justice.
*****OO*****
Lucius was kept waiting. Waiting for the gates to be unlocked. Waiting for the main doors to be open. Waiting for the headmaster in this ugly room that was clearly not his office. It looked like it was being used for DADA practice.
There were small pockmarked holes all over it.
The portrait inside was a mermaid. Not a real one, but one of the fantasy variety. With red-hair, and clam shells. This was not the place to command such off, but really! Cheeky thing! At least she kept him from thinking too much about the woman currently waiting for him. He was going to enjoy being home very much. Now this was too much!
She was now blowing kisses at him!
The door finally opened. The blond did not stand.
"Lucius Malfoy, I'm sure that you remember me."
Now was not the time to annoy the mudblood. Not with his son and heir here for the next seven years. Putting such a one as him in charge of a school!
"Mr. Weatherwight, Headmaster Weatherwight, congratulations. I heard that the board officially replaced Dumbledore after some recent….troubles."
There was a knock at the door. Professors Lupin and Snape, and two boys came in.
"Where is Mr. Fairfield?" Weatherwight asked, already knowing and approving of the substitutions. But for forms sake and all.
"He is busy with the first years. Since I was available, I offered my services." Snape turned to his former colleague in crime. "Lucius." The man's nod was a fair approximation of the pureblood version.
"Severus, I am glad that you are here. Draco said that you were witness to some of the events that started this whole mess."
Lupin took a place standing behind Harry's chair, while Draco sat next to his father. Snape's wand was in his hand and ready to activate the runes on Malfoy's chair should it become needed.
"Now, in a calm voice Mr. Draco Malfoy, I would like to hear your version of events. Then I am going to ask Mr. Black for his. Be warned, I have already talked to the ghosts and portraits.
Draco spun a tale that had some truth, but his story had more holes than swiss cheese.
Harry told the truth, including rubbing his heir ring in class.
"I'm sorry cousin Draco. I shouldn't have played with the ring in class. I should have known that it would hurt your feelings. It's just that I've always liked snakes. And the one on the ring is so cool. And in Egypt, I learn to make a potion to talk to them. See watch!"
Harry drank a bit of water from the parseltongue potion marked vial. "Hi Seetha, how are you?"
"Doing well speaker. Your eyes are laughing. Are we playing tricks again? I love those."
He looked up at all of the aghast adults. "I'm learning my family magic this way!"
Lucius grabbed the head of the cane, twisting. Severus rolled his eyes behind him. This was the man who was often called the quintessential Slytherin?
"Very nice, Mr. Black, that is a very useful potion. You might be able to help Professor Snape gather potion ingredients for extra credit. Now, I see what is going on here. Very understandable. Mr. Black, I want you to apologize to Mr. Malfoy for your insensitivity. From now on, leave your heir ring in your room or invisible in class. There is a time and place to learn family magic, and it certainly is not during potions."
"Yes sir. I'm very sorry Draco…"
"I haven't given you leave to use my first name, Potter!"
"Okay, right. Raised by muggles. It will take time for me to learn all of the rules that I should have known. Death Eaters were after me, you know. So, Mr. Malfoy. I'm sorry that I was playing with the family snake, um ring in front of you. I should have known it would hurt your feelings. I hope that you didn't cry in public, 'cause that would really be really bad. Um, yeah. Sorry."
Harry thought he heard choked laughter from Lupin's pocket.
"Very good. Now, Mr. Malfoy. Regardless of what Mr. Black did or did not do, you were seen casting a spell, and were disrespectful to the ghosts. You'll sit the first detention and copy the rules, the second one will be helping Mr. Filch, without magic. You'll learn to use some muggle tools. It will be educational for both."
"Father! That ring should be mine! I want it! I want it NOW!"
"Draco, as much as I wish it were so, you are not the heir to the Black family. It was a mistake to tell you so. I'm the one at fault."
"I bet that Madam Zabini or Professor Snape could come up with a potion to talk to peacocks, huh? Wouldn't that be great to talk to your family totem?"
Both Malfoys glared at him. Moony choked, while a similar choke came from his pocket. Again!
"Mr. Potter." Lucius' voice was slick, slimy, and full of malicious poison. "Our family totem is not a peacock. It's a cockatrice."
"Oh, okay Mr. Malfoy. Thanks for telling me. From a distance, I thought it was an albino peacock. My mistake."
The snake on the cane handle would be dead, dead, dead if it had been alive.
"I bet that Professor Snape could find a way for you to talk to co.. I mean chickens."
Malfoy strangling the Black heir in his office might not be the best thing. Weatherwight was straining his mind arts to keep from smiling at the image of Malfoy explaining the difference between a cockatrice and a chicken to a child that admits lack of magical knowledge.
If it wasn't so dangerous, it would be hysterical. Actually, it still was hysterical.
"I feel that we are done here." Mr. Weatherwight stated, rubbing his mustache while hiding his smile behind his hand. "After all, the school has no say in how estates are managed. And Lord Black is in his right to choose his son as his heir."
Since convicted felons lost their titles, it was now his moment to say something about how he should have this revoked. Bless Draco Malfoy!
"Father! Sirius Black can't be Lord Black! He's in Azkaban!"
"Not now, Draco!" Turning to the Headmaster, he said. "I need a moment alone with my son."
"You are welcome to stay as long as you like, Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Black, Professors…"
The headmaster pointed to the door. Snape was last to leave, clearly asking questions with his eyes.
He waited until the door was shut, and the group was a few doors down.
"Potter!" Snape snapped, the headmaster clearly turning. "Why do you have the heir ring? Only Lord Black can give it to you, and Narcissa is acting under Lord Sirius Black's orders for her regency. How can this be?"'
"My adoptive father never had a trial. He was just thrown into Azkaban. Where dementors made him relive each and every mistake he ever made. He tried to kill you when he was in school. If Dumbledore had called the aurors, he would have served about 15 years for attempted murder. When that time is served, he plans to write to the ICW requesting a real trial. No, he didn't kill the Potters. No, he wasn't a death eater, nor did he kill any innocent muggles. He was not the secret keeper, Peter Pettigrew was. Do you know how I know that? I inherited everything from him. He left me a letter. He just died a few weeks ago. I don't know how. But he was their secret keeper, and was afraid of dying. Afraid of being killed by Voldemort. Pettigrew, not Sirius Black betrayed my parents to the Dark Lord. I hope to be reunited with my adoptive father one day. In the meantime, how he must suffer."
"This is why you apologized for them."
"Just James and Sirius, sir. I couldn't apologize for Pettigrew. He enjoyed tormenting a fellow Death Eater." Harry said.
"Wait, if you know about that, then you know. You know…"
"You didn't kill my mother professor. She's not really gone. Just moved. I'll be with her someday. She forgave you long ago, and counts you as her friend." Harry turned to leave, Moony there behind him.
"We were wrong to target you, a Slytherin trying to befriend a muggleborn. We thought that you had sinister motives. For all I did, I am truly sorry."
"I got her killed. It's my fault." Snape whispered.
"No, it's the Dark Dummy's fault. He killed her, nobody else did. I should know."
Harry removed his contacts with a quick summons, Lily's tear filled eyes turned to the potions professor.
"I watched it all."
*****OO*****
The headmaster waited for Lucius Malfoy to be done, and then walked the man to the gates. The moment they were through, he gave the signal.
"Bogey down, bagged and tagged." A commando said, coming out of the brush.
Weatherwight pulled out a wooden tray holding several potion vials. All labeled.
"This clear liquid will make him tell you the truth. Captain Burns will know what to ask, here's the antidote. Now this one will make him think he had a normal trip up, and forget everything for the last 8 hours. You have that long to get him in that dodgy tavern over there. The account is set up, drinks ready. Just have him there on time."
"Yes sir!"
No salutes, since he was out of uniform, but he did offer up a small bag of coins.
"For your men to imbibe at the end of the day. Just be careful. Potent isn't a strong enough word for firewhisky. No driving or anything else. Best to buy, and bring back to a safe house."
"Yes sir, and thank you."
"You're going to tell us everything you know, Mr. Malfoy. Everything." The man said to the unconscious lump. And then the group was gone.
*****OO*****
The Headmaster made it back to his office.
"Sirius Black"
"That was fast Alex!"
"Next time, remember your silencing charms. I nearly lost it!" The headmaster did smile at the younger man in the mirror.
"I know that this has been planned in advance, but it's hard to sit back now." Sirius said.
"Lucius Malfoy was the power behind the throne. We take him out, there's no one in a position to take over the Death Eaters. You should be proud of your heir today, Lord Black. He played Malfoy like a fiddle." Weatherwight stated.
"Indeed I am. Your men are ready for the raid on the manor?" Padfoot asked.
"If Malfoy stole so much as a quill from the Ministry, the curse-breakers will be taking down the wards. Is Harry's plan really to give it all back to the Weasleys? If so, with proof it was stolen from that family to begin with, no one will say boo in the Wizengamot about it." Weatherwight opined.
"That's the only reason that this takeover has a chance of working. That, and the name Harry Potter." Sirius surmised.
"Merlin help us." The Headmaster signed off.
"Merlin help us all."
*****OO*****
The commandos had questioned him quickly and efficiently. They had potioned him as instructed before returning the wizard to the wizarding world. He lost the memories of all he had done that morning. Forgot the Boy-who-lived's insults.
Malfoy was made to forget about his new guest.
But worse, he forgot that he had to avoid Gringotts. That he would be facing a dragon if he went there anytime soon, as goblins punished thieves harshly.
Lucius Malfoy had indeed been returned to the Hog's Head, stayed there drinking for a time, then tried to break into Narcissa's home. Pled with her to return home with him.
He was removed by the aurors, and was jailed pending trial.
Lucius was taken to a cell. Aurors ignored the threats of death and worse, so Lucius waited for Fudge to visit.
The Minister of Magic's income was about to take a huge cut if the man didn't help his advisor, Lucius thought to himself.
*****OO*****
Flashback-
-Two hours after Lucius Malfoy was captured-
The raid on the manor went off horribly at first.
Most of the commandos couldn't see the house, the magicals couldn't see the wards, and the elves who popped in and out to happily bring refreshments to the men trying to break in and who could see the magical creatures just added confusion to the whole thing.
Then the elves started pointing out all of the various traps, and the ward-breakers were able to get the nastier pieces of magic down.
No one wanted to break the ward stone. Percy Weasley was a decent bloke, and deserved the house, that was if Heir Black was successful in his plans.
The military was there to rescue any prisoners, if alive, and recover the muggle bodies that they had learned about.
Lucius Malfoy had a noble look, but he was a serial killer with a capital K. Made people like Ted Bundy look like innocent firsties.
The recent prisoners were all in decent shape physically. The elves were under orders to feed them, after all.
The women flinched from the wizards, but there were a few women in uniforms to take over their care.
"Please sir, please tell me that he's going to try to escape or something. We took him in far too gently." One of the commandos begged.
"As much as I would like to make him a training exercise, we can't. We're going to have to…"
One of the women walked over to one of the wizards and snatched up a wand. She was heading to the house, fire in her eyes and in the wand.
"So sorry ma'am. Can't let you do that. It belongs to Harry Potter."
She stopped suddenly.
"That was Lucius Malfoy that kidnapped me! I'd recognize that ponce anywhere!"
The woman was beautiful and very scantily clad. The man took off his jacket, but the wizard next to her was faster. He gave her his cloak.
"He'd just caught me off guard. Took my wand and clothes. Put me in that cell with this nightmare to wear. Told me all of the horrible things he was going to me tonight. Then he received an urgent summons to go to the school."
The wizard she had taken the wand from came up to her and held out his hand. "If you give me back my wand, as soon as it is clear, I can use it to summon yours."
"That's fine. Sorry. I'm a little...distraught."
"Ma'am, if you are willing to testify…"
"You had better believe it. My name is Cassandra Greengrass. I'm his wife's solicitor. And he just made a very, very bad mistake."
All of the wizards in the group took a step back because this woman was a formidable witch, and even without a wand was scary.
The non-magicals heard 'lawyer' and saw an angry woman. Not a safe combination.
"Sargeant, do you still think he got off lightly?"
"Not anymore sir. Not anymore."
*****OO*****
A/N Not everything will be clear as to what is happening with the Malfoys. Let's just say that Blood Feuds, magic, Family Magic, and a mage are combining.
And don't forget the Marauders in the mix.
Narcissa will be kept safe, for the reader who asked.
If you enjoy this story, let me know.
If not, well, you know where the x button is, and I hope that you do find a great story to read.
Wishing all peace during this time,
VashonBeader