That night Harry snuggled into Viktor's arm. "It was a pleasure meeting your family. I enjoyed the evening. I hope we have plenty more before I am forced to return school. You need to get back with your team."
"I do not vant to leave you." Viktor frowned.
"I know you miss it. I know flying around my pitch is not enough. I am sure we can work out something that will allow you to continue. Besides, you cannot follow me to school."
"How bout I return to the team, when you return to school?"
Harry snuggled further into Viktor's arms. "I like that idea. You know I am going to be very busy till then."
"I can have Dobby take me to practices and return me, while you are doing what you need. However, I want to be there with you during the trials and for any appearances." Viktor stated leaving no room for arguments.
"I can agree to that. I feel more confident when you are with me." Harry mumbled as he drifted to sleep.
Over the last couple of weeks before school found Harry very busy between retaking his OWLS, granting protection and sanctuary to several classmates. Potter Manor was almost full. He met with several Ambassadors. He was not happy that Dumbledore was able to get Ginny and Ron probation. Arthur was given probation as well. He was happy that Arthur had to open a new vault, since the Weasley and Prewitt vaults and all personal vaults merged with the Potter's vault. He was content that Delores Umbridge and Molly Weasley are now in Azkaban. His muggle relatives are in a muggle prison.
He now stood on the platform. "I am going to miss you especially waking in your arms." He leaned in and kissed Viktor. He knew people were watching including the press but neither cared. "Your family is still coming to Potter Manor for the holidays." Harry said as he hugged Viktor tighter.
"Yes." Viktor gave him one last kiss as the train whistled.
Harry pulled away and climbed onto train. Harry walked into the compartment that Draco saved for them. He took his seat as the train began to pull away from the platform. It was not long before there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Harry stated.
"What can I do for you, Susan and Hannah?" Harry looked to the two girls standing in the door frame. They looked quite shocked to see the Slytherins in muggle jeans.
"We were wondering Lord Potter-Black if you were going to start up the DA again this year." Susan asked.
Harry looked around the room. "I will think about it. If I do there will be some changes including the name. Please, you may call Harry as all my friends do. I will decide by the end of the week." They nodded and closed the door.
"Isn't your duel with Malfoy at the end of the week?" Blaise asked.
"Yes, it is on the pitch. It is being overseen by the goblins and Professor Flitwick."
"I bet the Headmaster enjoyed that." Neville smiled.
"Harry is Lord of three of the founders. Dumbledore had no say." Draco smiled. "I am actually looking forward to the match."
"Do you know who his second is going to be yet?" Theo asked.
"I know it will not be Voldemort. I am thinking it will be either Bellatrix or one of the Lestrange brothers. Personally, I am hoping it is Bellatrix." Harry smiled.
"Who is your second?" Bulstrode asked.
"Why Neville Longbottom, of course?" Harry shared a nod with Neville.
"They have been practicing. They are godbrothers and longtime allies. It is a good choice not just politically but socially. Not to mention it is to be announced in the evening paper hoping to encourage Bellatrix to take second." Theo stated.
"Enough about the duel. What is your guys opinion about starting the defense group again this year?" Harry asked.
"I do not know much about it, or what you all did last year." Blaise stated.
Harry pulled out a notebook. "This is what we did last year."
"I think it would be a good idea Harry. Especially if we started off with some refresher sessions."
Theo was looking over Blaise's shoulder. "You taught the patronus charm."
"Yes. I have even started to teach Draco. He still has some work to do but can produce mist."
They passed around the book. "I think it would be a good idea." Blaise stated.
"If you do; then Room of Requirement will not be big enough. We will need to find a larger space." Neville stated.
"Location will not be a problem. The question remains if it will have to remain a secret or have it as some sort of club." Harry stated. "If it functions as a club the Great Hall will work. If it must remain a secret; then Chamber of Secrets would work once it was cleaned. Oh Neville, remind me to send a message to Ragnuk about harvesting the basilisk before we retire." Harry spoke nonchalantly.
"The rumors were true at the end of the second year." Daphne stated.
Harry smiled. "There were many rumors that year."
"One had you as the heir to Slytherin, which turned out to be true." Draco smiled.
"There was one that you took the sword of Gryffindor to a Basilisk." Blaise stated.
Harry lifted his sleeve. "Yup that was true. I still bare the mark from the Basilisk fang."
"If you were the heir of Slytherin and being Parselmouth; then why weren't you placed in Slytherin." Pansy asked.
"Good question." Harry thought for a moment. "Seeing how I was ignorant of the Wizarding World and guilty of believing those I thought were trying to look out for me and watching a rude git be placed into Slytherin. When the Sorting Hat insisted I go into Slytherin, I begged for a different house."
Harry looked at Neville. "I do not regret my decision. I do not think I could abide Snape as my head of house. I only regret the animosity that harbored towards the house though it was mutually done."
"Don't you have a prefect meeting to attend?"
"I don't want to go." Draco whined and looked at Daphne.
"I am not going to it by myself." Daphne glared back.
"Fine. Let's go." Draco left with Daphne.
Harry laughed as the door closed. "He hates them Hermione tries to run it. She will be worse next year." Blaise stated.
Harry smiled. "I doubt that. I am certain by the end of the year, we will see a very humbled Hermione if at all."
"What is that you know?" Everyone leaned forward.
"That falls under a secrecy oath that I have taken, but it will be revealed very soon." Harry kept smiling. He was just waiting for a confirmation from Gringotts.
Draco came back to the compartment an hour later. He was grumbling about a self-serving git. "Those two are going to get strangled this year. I swear. I will hurt them."
"What happened?" Blaise asked.
"Granger and Weasley, they are acting on top of the world. Especially since Weasley is still a prefect and was named captain of the Gryffindor team. I did not think that was possible." Draco grumbled.
"I am not worried. It will sort itself out very soon. I just hope everyone is there to see it. It would prove interesting." Harry kept smiling.
Draco looked at him and studied him. "What are you playing on doing?"
Harry acted shocked and placed his hand over his heart. "You wound me. What makes you think that I am going to be the one to do anything?"
"I have seen that look before. I saw it when you tricked Greengrass in to agreeing to your proposal. I saw it when you when tricked the Ambassador from France, Spain, Russia and Germany to not only agree with each other but to agree with you." Draco spokes with a straight face.
Harry put on an innocent face. "Now, Draco you know that if I am planning on something; then you know that I am sworn to secrecy. I can only say that those two joys' will be short lived."
"There is an owl at the window." Neville stated as he opened the window.
"Hi there Precious." Harry held out his arm. He took the package from her leg. "Has Ragnuk been taking good care of you?" Harry held out a treat for it. "There will be no reply." Owl flew out the window.
Harry opened the letter.
Lord Potter-Black
Everything is a go. All documents signed. Your copies are enclosed. You are correct, Longbottom is the heir of Hufflepuff. They will meet you outside of the Great Hall. Wards should transfer to you, once you are on the ground according to the school charter: if an heir of more than two founders is on the premise the wards will transfer to the heirs at their majority. Since you are considered an adult, they will transfer to you.
Ragnuk
Chief Goblin Gringotts London
Harry's eyes sparkled, and he laughed. "Let the show begin. It seems that there will be a show tonight after all. I would just ignore whatever anyone says especially, Granger and Weasley. I am going to pretend that they do not exist. The Hogwarts' heirs are coming home."
Harry handed Neville a box. "It was confirmed." Harry nodded.
Neville opened the box and slid the ring on his finger. "May I introduce Neville Franklin Longbotton, Heir to the Ancient and Noble Houses of Longbottom and Hufflepuff." Harry smiled. The train whistled. "It is showtime."
The group got off the train smiling and laughing and causing everyone to look at them. They just kept on walking not paying anyone any attention. They all made their way to the castle. Harry gasped as he felt the wards. They made their way to the Great Hall with each going to their respective tables.
Harry and Neville sat side-by-side with a clear view of the Slytherin table. Harry looked around the hall. He made note of several people and watched as students watched him. Whispers abound. Harry took the time to look at the staff table. He noticed Snape glaring. He noticed that McGonagall were whispering back and forth with Dumbledore while sparing glances at him which he smiled back at them.
"They keep looking this way, Hermione and Ron." Neville whispered.
"Let them look. Let them be smug. It is not much longer. Are you ready? I can do this without you. You know that the house will hate us after this evening." Harry kept smiling as he whispered.
"I am ready. Longbottoms have always stood side-by-side with Potters. I am not about to break tradition, now. Besides, you are my godbrother." Neville whispered back.
Professor McGonagall rose and opened the door to lead the first years in to be sorted. "Did you feel a difference when you came on the grounds?"
"Yes, I felt a gentle hum. It was like the castle was waking and welcoming me." Neville smiled.
"Aye. It was a little sharper for me, but that is to be expected since I am Lord of three Houses. I can still feel her waking. It will be interesting to call Lady Hogwarts." Harry replied.
"I wonder if she will be like a ghost or a more corporal form." Neville wondered.
"I am not sure. I can't wait to find out. It will prove an interesting night. We will sneak out of the hall when the it is down to the last few students to be sorted." Harry replied.
Neville nodded his understanding. "I do not see how he could expect me to continue to share a dorm with a thief and spy. It is bad enough we must share classes and be in the same tower, unless the rumor is true and there is a Founders' Room. I am so hoping it is true."
Harry kept his eye on the Headmaster. "Headmaster keeps watching. He may suspect something. I am sure that he no longer feels the wards."
Harry and Neville glanced at the Slytherin table. They nodded. "It is time." Neville rose and followed Harry out of the Great Hall.