Chapter thirteen

Soon everything got back to normal a little. They were still at a prank war and eating in the kitchens, but a brilliant suggestion from Hermione had put them somewhat to ease. She had suggested that Harry should use his powers to see magic to see if there was some in their food. It had made them all light up when Harry confirmed to be able to see it and tested it each meal. Dumbledore didn't try anything other than that, at least as far as Harry could see. He was sure at least one of his owls had been intercepted but couldn't prove it apart from the fact that Hedwig was very agitated.

One week for Halloween brought good news to the four friends. Harry had finally found his animal. It had taken a lot of time, but it still was less than the time needed to brew the usual potion. Harry had been ecstatic to find out he was a panther. He couldn't wait to try and change. Hermione and Ginny were both needed to make sure Harry didn't go too far the first time. They finally convinced him to try just one arm at first. Harry found it rather easy, seeing as it was just another way of manipulating magic. He willed his arm into a paw and it happened. "Harry, that's amazing. Try your other arm too" Ginny squealed. Harry smiled at her and did as he was told. He soon had two paws instead of arms. When they heard the portrait hole he quickly switched back. It appeared to be Neville. "Hello guys. Oh I see you're busy. I'll just go then." He said with a bit of an upset face. "Why don't you join us Neville?" Harry asked. "Really?" Neville asked. Harry nodded. "What are you doing?" Neville wanted to know. "We're trying to become animagi." Harry explained. "I'm able to manipulate magic so it should be very easy." Neville's eyes went huge. "You're really able to do that?" he asked. Harry nodded. "Yeah, but we are trying to keep it quiet, can you do that?" Harry asked. Neville nodded and Harry showed off with changing all his four limbs into paws. "You really shouldn't overdo it Harry." Hermione said concerned. Harry agreed and the rest of the evening was spent guessing which forms the others would have.

"Why did you ask Neville to join us?" Ginny asked the next morning. "It's not that I don't trust Neville. I'm just curious." Harry nodded. "The reason is the Neville's mother is my godmother. We would have grown up being like brothers to each other if things had gone different. I would really like to give it a try in reality." "Does Neville know all this?" Ginny asked surprised. "Yes, I told him yesterday when we were heading to bed." Harry explained. "How did he react?" "Fairly well, he told me my mum was his godmother. I didn't know that but it makes sense." "That's amazing Harry. You really have a big extended family." Ginny said. Harry merely nodded.

A week later Harry was able to pull of his transformation. A beautiful black panther with emerald eyes stared at them. Everyone was astonished, but they now needed a room to practice. It wouldn't do getting caught if they wanted to keep it secret.

The next evening a big surprise came to all of them as Sir Nicholas approached Harry. "Young Harry, the castle wishes to speak to its heir." A silent shock came all over the table. "What do you mean?" Harry asked. "Well, you are the heir of all founders and Hogwarts has found you worthy to be her heir." "Of all founders?" Ron interrupted. "Blimey Harry, you never told us you were the heir of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff." "I, I didn't know." Harry said stammering. "I'm sorry for dropping this bomb on you and in this setting Harry, but Hogwarts has found a treat you need to set right. Someone is claiming to be the Heir of Slytherin. This matter isn't true since the only heir of Slytherin alive is standing right in front of me. As the Heir of Slytherin this person is opening the Chamber of Secrets. This person doesn't have any right to do so. Merely because he should have left the world of the living a long time ago." Sir Nicholas explained. "But first Hogwarts needs to claim you as its Heir." Everyone fell almost um with surprising as the Grey Lady spoke. "I'm sure you know what this means Headmaster?" The Bloody Baron now also joined the conversation. Dumbledore looked positively gobsmacked. "I know." He stammered. "Then we will now take young Harry to the place where Hogwarts will speak with him." The fat Friar announced and at once the four house ghosts left with Harry. In the panic that arose no one noticed a small girl leaving the Great Hall.

"Good evening my Heir." Harry stood astonished in a room he recognized as the Heart of the castle. It was somewhere in the middle of all staircases. It was a small room. It was a bit misty and in the middle of the room a Misty Boll was floating. "Eh Good evening." Harry said, feeling a bit awkward. He didn't know what to address. "It's okay my Heir. I will learn you of your position as my heir and then you can choose to accept this position or not." The castle started. She told him about him being her heir placed him above the Headmaster. "You won't need to take over his duties, but you have the power to fire him if needed. You can ask him questions on my behalf or the student's." The castle also told Harry about the way the castle reacted to him now. "Your magic will be recognized everywhere and everything will open for you, how heavily protected it may be. I will see to it myself that you always have access to everything in the castle. As my Heir you can also call this castle your home. Hidden from everyone, even the Headmaster, are the Heir's rooms. They have been created to give my Heir a choice at living here. If you accept this you'll be moved their immediately. All the house elves working here would be yours, you would get assigned a personal house elf that would see to your needs." "What can the Headmaster do to anything of it?" Harry asked. "He can't do anything Harry." It was the first time the castle had used his given name and Harry like it. "Would your protection also apply to my friends?" Harry wanted to know. "It would. As your friends are recognized as your family by you, it makes them under my heavily protection. Are you ready to accept your offer as my Heir Harry?" the castle asked. Harry nodded and then said the words he knew he had to say, but he couldn't remember learning them: "I, Harry James Potter, am The Hogwarts Heir. I will do my very best to protect the castle against every attack. I promise to never bring harm purposefully on the castle. So it will be." "Well done Harry. Your trunk is delivered to your quarters now. Your quarters give you a direct entrance to this room and all common rooms. I will be able to speak with you outside this chamber, but it's only here those very trusted by you can hear me. I will make one great announcement in the Great Hall though." "You have given me a great honour Hogwarts. I will do my very best to be worth it."

Harry was stopped by the doors. "We need to escort you as part of the Great Announcement Harry." Sir Nicholas said. Harry nodded. Accompanied by the four house ghosts Harry entered the Great Hall. "This is Harry James Potter, Heir of all the four founders and The Hogwarts Heir." The four ghosts said in unison once Harry entered the podium in front of the Great Hall. "I, Harry James Potter, have chosen to take my position as The Hogwarts Heir. I promised to protect the castle and never bring harm on the castle or the students purposefully." "This is my Heir Everyone who harms him, harms me." After these words every light in the castle dimmed and the ceiling started to shine. This lasted around twenty seconds and then everything went back to normal. Harry went back to his seat.

"What just happened?" Harry asked. "It was one big chaos here until you returned mate. Where have you been?" Ron asked. "I was at the Heart of the castle." Harry started and he explained everything to his friends. "Does this mean you get to live at Hogwarts, even when you are graduated?" Hermione wanted to know. Harry nodded "Yep" Ginny was the next one to ask a question. "That's amazing, can we see your quarters?" "Hogwarts says you can even live there with me." This had Ron, Hermione and Ginny all jumping on Harry. "Calm down, please. We don't want to make a scene. But one thing is good. Dumbledore can't do anything about it and we have a room to practice now." This meant more hugs. Hermione quickly informed Neville. After dinner the five Gryffindors went to the common room and from there to Harry's quarters.


A/N: I finally got to the part of The Hogwarts Heir. I hope you like it.