The deep baritone voice of the Sorting Hat reverberated around the hall. "His Grace, The Duke of Ynys Môn and Iona; Marquis of Ynys Môn and Hogsmead; Earl of Diagon, Inchcolm and Ynys Enlli; Viscount Potter of Diagon; Baron Potter of Hogsmead, Iona and Ynys Enlli," It paused as if catching its breath, "joint owner of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Harry removed the Hat and placed it on the stool beside him, then all the school elves popped into the hall, resplendent in their uniforms and bowed to the two owners, Ozhar the head elf stepped forward and bowed again, "Welcome to Hogwarts, Your Grace, My Lady" He then waved his hand and to everyone's amazement, the staff tables moved clockwise, so that they cut diagonally across the corner of the hall, Professor McGonagall quietly made her way there and sat down.
A portrait of Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw, appeared on the wall behind where the staff table used to be. Then a dais with a table and two thrones, rose majestically out of the floor, one throne had the Gryffindor Crest while the other had the Ravenclaw Crest, "your table is ready, Your Grace," Ozhar then escorted them to their seats. Harry whispered to him that he would like two extra chairs for their companions, one on his right for Neville Longbottom and one on Hermione's left for Luna Lovegood.
After Luna and Neville had joined Harry and Hermione, Harry said, "Thank you Ozhar, you and the rest of the elves are a credit to the school, they can continue with their duties, but I would like you stay, as I might have need of your services," all the elves then popped out of the great hall; Ozhar moved to stand behind and between Harry and Hermione then disillusioned himself.
Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat at the staff table and bowed to Harry, "Your Grace, Lady Ravenclaw, welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Then turning to face the students, "for those of you who don't know, Harry James Potter as the Duke of Ynys Môn and Iona, is the highest ranking peer in Magical Britain, the only people to out rank him are the Royal Family. He should be addressed as Your Grace at all times, as is befitting his Rank. Hermione Jane Granger is the Lady Ravenclaw, the Marchioness of Keswick, as such she holds the second highest rank, just one level below His Grace and she must be addressed as Lady Ravenclaw. Both His Grace and Lady Ravenclaw hold their titles in their own right, they are not courtesy titles like some of you are using, for example Baron Draco Malfoy, his is a courtesy title only, His father is both a Viscount and a Baron, so Draco is permitted to use his father's lesser title," he then paused to make sure that he had gotten the message across. "Now I know everyone is hungry so any further announcements will be made after the feast."
Once the food had arrived, everyone started eating and talking about what they had just been told and what it all meant. Those that knew both Harry and Hermione well, were wondering if they were the twins who are not, after all they shared the same birthday and had this whole mind link going on, just like the Weasley twins.
Harry and his party were enjoying their meal and a quiet conversation when their twelve dragons flew into the hall, settled onto the table and started helping themselves to the chicken.
At the Gryffindor table Ron was the centre of attention, because of his miniature dragon, thief. For once, his brothers let him take the limelight; they were busy planning a prank for Snape. Everyone was fussing over Ron's little dragon and asking him questions, which thanks to Harry and Hermione, he was able to answer, he liked knowing something the others didn't and being able to explain it to them.
Harry pointed out the goings on at the Gryffindor table, and they could see the sheer joy on Ron's face from all the attention he was getting. What they found funny though, was the twins and their dragons who were huddled together discussing something, it was almost like the dragons were watching a tennis match, their little heads kept swinging from one twin to the other and back again, occasionally one of them would squawk as if it was making a comment of its own.
Professor Dumbledore came over to Harry and Hermione, with a huge smile on his face; he bowed to them, "Your Grace, Lady Ravenclaw," then in a quiet voice so no-one could overhear he asked, "How do you want to proceed after the meal?"
Harry thought for a moment, "I think it would be best if I speak first, that way it won't appear like I'm undermining your authority by contradicting anything you say."
"That sounds like a good idea, and I will ensure that everyone one knows that I am behind you all the way. It might also be prudent to meet with the governors and the minister of magic after the banquet is over; it might also be advisable to have some photos taken with the minister to get him onside."
Harry and Hermione had a quiet chat amongst themselves, then Harry addressed the Headmaster, "That sounds like a good idea Headmaster, one other thing Hermione and I would like Neville and Luna to share our rooms if that is alright with you."
"That won't be a problem Harry," he stepped back bowed and in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "Thank you Your Grace, Lady Ravenclaw, and again I welcome you both to Hogwarts," he then turned and with the smile still on his face and his trademark twinkle in his eyes, he walked back to the staff table and sat down.
Harry stood and smiled at Hermione, he then turned to the staff table, "Headmaster, distinguished guests, professors and students." Harry then dropped the bombshell. "Lady Ravenclaw and I now dissolve the board of governors."
At this announcement, Lucius Malfoy leapt to his feet, "How dare you try and dissolve this board, your just an eleven year old kid. This is a farce I will have you expelled for this you half blood bastard." He then drew his wand and pointed it at Harry.
With not so much as a twitch, Harry silently summoned the wand, without the blond haired man standing in front of him even noticing, he quietly asked Ozhar who the man was, then straightening up he addressed him "Viscount Malfoy, firstly, as I have claimed all of my titles, you will refer to me as, "Your Grace."
Secondly, you will not draw a wand in a room full of children, and you will never point a wand at either Lady Ravenclaw or me again, or you will pay the consequences. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Harry was so angry his magic was discharging like lightning bolts to the nearby furniture, with loud cracks of thunder.
The atmosphere in the great hall was so tense you could cut it with a knife, as everyone was watching and waiting to see whether Harry would fry the Viscount if he didn't back down.
Harry's eyes glowed a malevolent dark green colour, as he glared at Malfoy Senior, "I SAID, DO YOU UNDERSTAND!"
Malfoy was scared shitless, at the power that was being displayed by the young Duke in front of him, he had never seen such power before, even from Lord Voldemort, seething at being put in his place by an eleven year old, he bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Grace."
"You can pick your wand up from the headmaster after the feast is over," Harry stated. It was only then that Malfoy Snr. realised that he was no longer holding his wand; the expression on his face was priceless. The Headmaster could not help but let out a small chuckle at that, he was also quite impressed at how Harry had handled the situation and not a little pleased to get rid of the board, which had been a thorn in his side for years.
Dismissing Malfoy he continued, "Now as I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted; we would like to thank the board for their tireless work, in running the school and would like to ask them to continue in an advisory capacity." He then took a calming breath and continued, "Professor Snape, can you come here please?"
Snape was puzzled and rather annoyed, at being called out, "What do you want brat?" he spat out.
"As I just explained to Viscount Malfoy, I am to be referred to as Your Grace," Harry replied, "and I asked you to come here."
The Headmaster leaned over to Snape and told him to behave himself and go see what the owners wanted.
With bad grace, Professor Snape stomped over to Harry and with a curt bow he snarled, "Your Grace."
Harry looked him in the eyes, "Lady Ravenclaw and I have been watching you over the last year, and find you singularly lacking as a teacher. Not only don't you actually teach, but you actively discourage students from performing well."
Professor Snape bristled at this, "It was you that did those things to me," he growled.
Harry didn't acknowledge that the greasy git had spoken, but just continued on as if nothing had happened. "We have also noticed that you have punished people that you knew to not be at fault and no matter how we punished you in return, you didn't learn." There was a gasp from the older students, as they realised who was responsible for the things that happened to Snape the previous year.
"We believe, that even if the students didn't have a potions professor at all, they would still learn more on their own in one month, than they did in a whole year under you. Professor Snape, your services are no longer required at Hogwarts."
A huge cheer rose from the students including the Slytherins, even some of the staff could be seen to smile at the news.
Snape screamed at him, "You can't sack me, only the Headmaster can do that."
"Actually Mr. Snape, we just did. Ozhar, please escort Mr. Snape from the premises."
Ozhar grabbed Snape by the arm and he apparated him unceremoniously out of the school grounds, all his personal belongings appeared shortly thereafter.
Harry then called for professor Binns, "Professor, we thank you for your loyalty to the school and have an offer to make, you can either retire and stay here as a resident ghost, or you can pass over to the other side, but your services as a professor are no longer required."
Professor Binns if anything looked relieved at this news, "Thank you, I have been waiting for years to be allowed to stop teaching. I would like to stay here though, at least for a few years, just to see what is going to happen."
"That's fine professor," Harry replied, "stay as long as you want and happy haunting," he said with a smile.
The ghostly professor zoomed around the great hall squealing with glee, more animated than anyone had ever seen him before.
"I will now hand you over to Lady Ravenclaw for the next announcements," Harry then nodded to Hermione and sat down.
Hermione stood "Thank you Your Grace." She took a steadying breath and continued, "Hogwarts is going to start an accelerated learning program, where students who are ahead of the norm, will get advanced training. There will also be a remedial study program for those who are struggling in any particular subject. Those wanting to do NEWT level potions but haven't qualified, will be able to undergo a NEWT prep course, to bring them up to standard. There will be a similar program for those entering their OWL level."
Harry encouraged her via their link, letting her know that she was doing well.
"We will also be changing the way Muggle studies is taught, with more emphasis being placed on blending in and how to move about using muggle transport. There will also be fully supervised shopping trips to muggle London, for which the school will be providing the spending money," She looked around the hall to gauge how these changes were going down with the students. Encouraged by the positive looks and nods she was getting, she finished off, "If you have any questions about anything that has been brought up today or any suggestions, then write them down and place them in the suggestion box in your common rooms, thank you for your attention." Hermione then turned to Harry and thanked him.
Harry stood and looked toward the staff table, "Lady Ravenclaw and I, would like to invite the Minister of Magic, the head of the DMLE, the Board of Governors and all the staff, to drinks in the owners tower. Thank you Headmaster, for your patience and I hand over to you for any further announcements," he then took his seat and gave his undivided attention to the headmaster.
Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat and smiled to Harry, "Thank you Your Grace, Lady Ravenclaw, I have just a few announcements, new students, the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden, some of you older student would do well to remember that," He added while looking directly at the Weasley twins. "Mr Filch wants me to remind students that no magic is to be performed in the corridors, and there is a list of forbidden items posted on the door to his office, please check it and dispose of anything you have that is on that list," his eyes twinkled at this and a small smile graced his mouth, as if he was saying, I don't expect anyone to look at it, just don't get caught. "You will receive your timetables tomorrow at breakfast, but to allow everyone to get settled and get reacquainted with old friends, classes won't start until Tuesday. Now as it is getting late, prefects please escort the first years to their dormitories, you are dismissed." All the students except Harry's group left the hall for their dormitories, talking excitedly about the coming changes.
Harry led the staff and dignitaries, to a portrait of Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw, which was behind the Dais in the great hall. He tapped it with his wand and a set of burnished bronze doors appeared and swung open for them. The doors were in the centre of a large bookcase, which took up one end of a room, which was about half the size of the great hall. Directly opposite the entrance, was a burgundy feature wall, in the centre of which was a huge fireplace with an oak mantelpiece above it. Over the mantelpiece was a tapestry of Hogwarts and the village of Hogsmead. The walls on either side of it were a pale blue colour and the long wall on the left had three large bay windows, framed with bronze and gold patterned drapes. The wall on the other side had portraits of Harry and Hermione's families, Ozhar had the one of Harry's Parents moved here from the family vault. The ceiling, like the one in the great hall was charmed to be the same as the sky outside.
Throughout the room there were single chairs, two, three and four seater couches in rich burgundy leather, with mahogany coffee tables scattered amongst them; even with all these furnishings there was still plenty of room for all of his guests.
There were numerous elves throughout the room, keeping an eye on the visitors, to make sure they did not take anything or leave any unwanted surprises.
Harry and Hermione spent the next hour mingling with their guests and answering questions. They had a rather lengthy and boring conversation with minister Fudge, and posed for a number of photos, Fudge shaking his hand, resting his hand on Harry's shoulder, talking to Harry and any other combination you might think of. Oh yes, he also said a very brief hello to Hermione, but then ignored her for the rest of the night.
Finally, after all the guests except the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall had left, Harry closed the doors. He turned to the two professors, "Would you like to see the rest of our suite?" he asked.
He then explained that if they went to the portrait of Godric and Helena, in the great hall and tapped it with their wands, the doors would appear, they would then gain access to their common room, which he then showed them into, it was decorated in a similar fashion to where they had just been, but on a smaller scale.
Hermione's parents were sitting in the love seat in front of the fire, when Harry and the others entered, it had been decided over the holidays that if Harry and Hermione were to occupy the owners suit and make it their home, they should have Hermione's Parents there for propriety's sake. Harry and Hermione showed the two professors around the suite of rooms, which included Hermione's parent's room, plus six other bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, after they finished the tour, they joined the others in their common room and got comfortable while an elf served tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
"I'm knackered, I'm thankful we met with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall last month, to work out some of the changes." Harry said via the link to Hermione.
"Me too, although I didn't expect the hat to blow our cover."
"Harry," Professor Dumbledore said "you did well handling Malfoy and especially Snape, I wasn't able to get rid of him, as he had called in a debt of honour, which I couldn't get out of. He was spying for us, during the war and I had to make a magical contract with him that he be allowed to teach at Hogwarts, for as long as he wanted. You and Hermione claiming your inheritance circumvented the contract and freed me from it, for which I thank you both. Now I think Minerva and I will leave you, so you can relax before going to bed."
Minerva handed the four children their schedules, "I thought you would like these now, have a good night and I will see you all tomorrow."
Mr & Mrs Granger saw them out while Harry and the others looked at their schedule; they compared them then started dancing around and congratulating each other.
Hermione's parents came back from seeing Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall out and smiled at the four children dancing around the room.
"So what has you four jumping around the room?" Emma asked.
Hermione stopped and grinned at her mother, "we are going to be doing all our classes together, and are starting third year, we skipped a whole year."
Hermione's parents ran over to them and hugged them all, "we are so proud of all of you, doing two years in one, that's just amazing, congratulations," her mum exclaimed, "you four are absolutely awesome."
The four grabbed hands and started dancing around Mr & Mrs Granger, chanting, "We're awesome, we're awesome, we're the awesome foursome; we're awesome, we're awesome, we're the awesome foursome." Causing Emma and Dan to burst out laughing, holding their sides they collapsed onto the couch, laughing their heads off at the "Awesome Foursome."
oOo
A/N. Please review it's what keeps us going.
Raven Spotter