Though Hermione was eager to go the very afternoon she had finally solved the secret of Royal Academy, as was Jake, Hector was not so certain. After a long argument the group had decided to go in a week's time, to allow this hectic school period to "cool down" as it were, and prepare adequately for whatever was in store for them. Though all confident spell-casters they brushed up on their knowledge, and soon enough were ready. Exactly a week later, they set out.

"I don't see anything!" Jake commented as he put his hand up against the large cliff-face. "It's just a wall of rock."

"Exactly," Hector answered. "Hermione?"

The girl frowned, raising her notepad to compare the puzzle with the rock wall. "Hmm… wait. Cast the blue flame charm on it."

Jake did so, and to their astonishment the flame travelled up the wall, turning into a glowing blue frame of an elaborate door with several inscriptions and a rune above it. "Whoa – this is written in Latin… it's a riddle of some sort."

Hermione drew closer as she translated it aloud. "Beware traveller of what lies within, should you continue danger and reward awaits you. If you wish to enter, call forth Obadiah, and let the skies bow before you."

"Well that's odd." Jake commented. "What does it mean by 'call forth Obadiah'?"

"Obadiah the wizard I think it means," Hector replied. "But how can we 'call forth' him? Nobody ever got Necromancy to work properly."

Hermione's mind whirred into action as she raised her wand. "Wait…Obadiah…I get it! Obadiah was a genius spell-crafter who once said that his legacy would live on in his spells! To 'call forth' Obadiah is to use his spells, and Obadiah invented the precursor to the unlocking charm!" With that, a green light emitted from Hermione's wand as she cast the spell. It hit the wall as the frame turned green, before the lights vanished and the wall withdrew, revealing a tunnel that led deep into the rock.

Hector took a deep breath, stepping forward. "Wands up. Hermione you stay at the back and provide light, I'll lead and you cover me Jake."

The tunnel led deeper and deeper until they reached a large cavern, illuminated by pulsing blue and green crystals.

"Wow…" Hermione breathed as she touched one of them reverently. "I read about this. It's meant to amplify the inherent magic in the air."

"Look!" Jake pointed his wand towards the end of a cavern. "There's a chest down there."

The three walked through the cavern towards the chest, but Hector felt nervous. "It's too easy…" he muttered. "Guys, wait!"

WHAM! A boulder smashed the spot Jake was a moment ago – he managed to dodge it just in time. "It's a golem!" he shouted, raising his wand.

A stone golem, three times the size of them lumbered out. Chains were attached to its arms as it whirled them around – the three ducked down as it whooshed past their heads.

"RUN! Get back to the tunnel!" Hector shouted, and as they did so, sending spells zinging behind them, to their horror a luminescent glow blocked off the passage.

Jake slammed it in anger. "It's a magical screen. We're trapped."

Hector turned around to face the golem, which had by now caught up and was staring at them, waiting for the first move. "Then we have to stand our ground… Hermione, what weaknesses does it have?"

Hermione scrunched her eyes as she recalled the information. "We need to use strong curses. It's vulnerable to powerful ice and water spells, and fire, but only very hot ones."

"Spread out, make sure we have plenty of room to move. REDUCTO!" The three split up, hurling the strongest spells they could think of – the golem lumbered around in confusion as they began simultaneously tagging it with curses, managing to chip, crack and splinter pieces off its body.

"It's too slow!" Jake shouted as he evaded a chain. "We're going to get tired at this rate!"

Hermione's eyes widened, even as she fired off a particularly nasty coloured curse. "It's the crystals! They're powering it!"

"Me and Jake will hold it off, Hermione you destroy them!" Hector snapped as the two regrouped, and began focusing their spells on the joints of the golem. It stumbled back under the rain of fire, but continued forward. "And hurry, damn it!"

Hermione furiously racked her brain for an adequate spell – settling on the blasting hex, she provided to fire it off, destroying as many crystals as she could.

"It's not working!" Jake yelled. The two hastily broke off before moments later a chain smashed into the ground where they were. "There must be something else!"

Suddenly her mind paced back to the riddle. "...Let the skies bow before you...let the skies... Hector, Jake, GET DOWN!"

The two instinctively ducked – little did they know that cyclone Hermione was about to hit. Literally.

Raising her wand, Hermione began chanting, gathering power for what was possibly the most complex spell in her arsenal – unbeknownst to her, the remaining crystals in the cavern, of which there was a most considerable number, began glowing brighter. The golem turned to regard her, before lumbering forward, but Hermione was unfazed as she narrowed her eyes at it, finishing the incantation – a bright light burst forth from her wand before a literal gust of wind emitted from it, growing larger and larger, encompassing the golem. Lightning and thunder began to crackle as a storm grew, and the wind howled loudly as the golem struggled to get out, to no avail.

With a great burst of light, the storm hit maximum intensity as the golem was struck from all sides by the lightning and gusts of wind – it shattered on impact, and it crumbled into many pieces of rock.

Hermione lowered her wand, smiling in tired satisfaction. "Damn, that was hard..." with that she collapsed.

Hector and Jake burst up, running by her side. "She's alright, she's tired," Hector observed. "We need to get her to the Hospital Wing."

"Wait!" Jake ran up to the chest, and drew out three sparkling ruby vials. "Can't forget our prize."

Hector merely rolled his eyes. "Come on, help me with her."

-HP-

The Royal Academy nurse, Nurse Jennings was a nice young lady in her late twenties who had been passed over for a job at St. Mungo's despite her better training because she was a muggleborn. That was still a sour point for her – any mention of the magical world drew a scowl.

As it were, she was still brilliant and very efficient. "Hermione's going to be alright, she's just a little exhausted now," Nurse Jennings explained to the two relieved boys. "She's not injured, and it seems neither of you have anything more serious than a few scrapes. I've let her rest, she should be awake in a few minutes. Oh! Headmaster!" She turned around to her surprise to see the middle-aged wizard's kind face. "What brings you here?"

"Merely to see the students who braved the Royal Academy's secret and survived," the Headmaster answered, "and to congratulate them on a job well done."

"I'll leave you to it then."

As the nurse left, the Headmaster looked at the two of them with pride. "I heard that you passed the Royal Academy's test, the first of many I assure you."

"T-The first, sir?" Hector frowned.

"Rest assured that the tests you will have later in this establishment will be strictly supervised, and with the rest of your classmates, this test, was optional, and I must say the three of you passed with full colours. Be ready to accept plenty of congratulations from the others, as taking down a stone golem, using a combination of skill, intellect and logic, is an impressive feat."

"There is something I'd like to know, sir," Jake said. "That spell Hermione did was complex and draining, too draining for our age to use."

The Headmaster smiled. "Ah – that was a little bit of foresight by the Academy's creator. You see, the crystals you found in the cavern, amplified the magic in the air, however, the creator modified them to siphon some of the energy to the wand cores. Quite genius, really."

"So the crystals enhanced our spell power!" Hector noted.

"Indeed, though to compensate the golem was strengthened considerably, and made rather magic resistant."

Hector frowned. "Sir, how is it you know so much about the cavern and the golem?"

At this the Headmaster's eyes twinkled with a hidden knowledge. "Ah. That is the secret power of the Headmaster of Royal Academy. Suffice to say that though perilous, none of you were ever in any danger of losing your lives. A job well done though, and do pass my regards to Hermione when she wakes. Such quick deductions, even in the face of danger will make her a promising witch in later life."

"And the prize?" Jake asked.

"Those are yours to keep. Trust me on this, it is well worth it."

As the Headmaster exited, leaving more unsolved questions than answers, a minute later Harry Potter came along. "Hey guys, how are you?"

"Pretty good Harry, considering what we just faced," Hector answered honestly. Every once in a while the students would see Harry, a supposed friend of Professor Lupin's, wandering the grounds, exploring the Academy or reading in the library. The students all quickly got to know him, and found him a polite and intelligent young boy – he often claimed he would study at the Royal Academy if he had time, and several times helped the students with their spell work or essays. He knew all their names and was rather close with them, especially with some like Hermione.

Harry seated himself by Hermione's side. "I heard the full story. So you faced a golem huh?"

"Yep. Wouldn't have gotten out of there without Hermione."

"Of course not," Harry laughed, "nobody's smarter than Hermione." At this the boys laughed as well. Nobody in terms of knowledge, quick thinking or logic was better than her and everyone knew it.

"And don't you forget it," a tired voice said.

"Hey Hermione, it's Harry," the boy smiled down at her as Hector and Jake both jumped to her side. "Congrats for destroying a golem. Your first of many most likely."

"I hope not, that was exhausting..." Hermione yawned. "I'm in the Hospital Wing I take it?"

"Yes, and Hector and Jake, on your left, are fine as well. Clever spell work Hermione. I'm sure the three of you together will go far." Harry stood up. "Well as enjoying as it was to see you guys, I have to go. Be sure to give the new Headmaster a warm welcome."

"New…Headmaster?" Hector gaped in shock. It had certainly been a day for dropping bombshells.

-HP-

Harry returned to the Headmaster's office, which had been stripped down considerably now that he was leaving the role. Although enjoyable with his students Harry never much liked deceiving his in this case future allies, and what he intended to do next would consume all his time.

"That was a dangerous gamble with those children," a slick, cultured voice said from behind him.

There was no surprise; Harry knew he was there from the moment he appeared. Though he had restructured the Academy wards to block off vampire intrusions, he knew that the most powerful vampire in the world had no trouble exiting or entering the premise.

The shadows which a moment ago had obscured him now withdrew as if he had thrown off a cloak. He was powerfully built, yet tall and slender, dressed in a black suit. His high brow, aquiline nose and sharp yet in some places delicate features all suggested an exceptionally cultivated being, especially with his slicked back hair. He had been known by many names, the Egyptians even once worshipped him as Anubis, and though he had forgotten his original name many including his children called him Dracula. "The golem could have thrown off the restraints you placed on it, and you could have had three very dead students."

"Could," Harry replied. "I was well aware of the risks, and I knew that no matter what the children would handle it admirably. Regardless, it is your Academy now, I am sure you have much to teach them about magic."

Dracula chuckled at this. "Come now Ancient, you know as well as I do that vampire magic is incompatible with wizards."

"I wasn't referring to that. I was referring to your relationship with Merlin. You knew much of his secrets did you not?"

"Perhaps. If I am to loiter my time here in secret, I may as well put it to some use."

"You know as well as I do that were Fox ever to learn of your Resurrection he would bring down every resource, vampire and non-vampire upon your head, and consequently mine," Harry snapped. "You owed me a Blood Debt for the Ritual, since only my blood was strong enough to revive you, and I used it to make us allies, putting us at odds with him. Besides as I remember correctly it was YOUR suggestion."

Dracula raised a hand. "That I did Ancient. The Ritual utilised young Rachel's blood, and I need time to sift through all her memories. I have always enjoyed the company of students, especially bright young children, and in my day I taught many Greek wizards."

Harry sighed, gesturing to a large bookcase. "All of these texts contain what you need to re-familiarise yourself with magical and muggle society, which has changed considerably through your slumber. How will you get blood?"

"Your initial blood sacrifice is sufficient enough for a few days. After, that need not be your concern, I have my ways."

"Good. Listen dark father…"

"You need not call me that, you are not one of my children Ancient."

"Why do you keep calling me 'Ancient'?"

Dracula smiled mysteriously. "I see the age of your soul and not your container."
Harry froze.

"Rest assured that your secret is locked up within the deepest recesses of my mind. I did not sense a soul as powerful as yours during my slumber, though here you are now… seemingly appearing in this body, out of thin air. Relax, Ancient, though I have my suspicions I have gratitude for my Resurrection so it is of no concern to me where you come from."

"Just call me Harry."

"Very well… Harry. I assume you have many plans to make?"

"Yes. Rachel has returned to Fox International. I don't like playing vampire games, but I need the support of your kind should I wish to rally the rest of the dark creatures."

"Don't worry." Dracula hissed. "They ignore their bloodline, but they will listen to their dark father… whether willingly or not."

-HP-

"I've been trying to get him out of the lab, sir, but it's impossible…"

"I'll handle him, where is he?" Harry asked, striding through the building at an exceptional pace for one so young.

"In the testing grounds, this time he isn't really bothering anyone, aside from taking the broom of course…"

Harry stopped. "Look Mr. Hardy, I SAID I'll handle him and I will. I don't pay you to take care of him, I pay you to make racing brooms, next time just leave him be okay?"

"B-But sir…"

"Don't worry. Get back to your station and finish the stabilisers, and for Merlin's sake don't antagonise him again!"

As Harry stepped through to the grounds, where a large indoor Quidditch pitch had been erected, he made sure close the door behind him. "Sirius! Get down from there now!"

"No way in hell Harry! WOOHOOOOO!" A blur shot overhead, turning at tight corners to do a fancy spin. "This is the best broom I've EVER ridden! It's like it's responding to my every thought! No way can those Nimbus pushovers beat you!"

Harry massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "This is the fourth time you've done this! Do I really have to permanently ban you from this place?"

"Ha! You'll have to try and catch me first!"

"There's a reason why that broom is a prototype Sirius! No! Don't try to do a barrel…"

Sirius gave a yell as suddenly his broom started to jerk wildly, throwing him in different directions. He held on tightly but in vain, as he flipped over he lost his grip and went plunging to the ground. "AHHHHH!"

Harry rolled his eyes at the comic display. Sirius plunged down 50 feet, but was suddenly stopped by an invisible cushion. He bounced off it several times before the charm deactivated, depositing him ungracefully onto the grass. The broom followed a little later, all their prototypes were charmed to return to the ground without any user. "You're really pushing those glamours you know."

"Hey! They're working aren't they? Nobody can recognise me."

"There's a reason I chose those workers, they're some of the brightest minds in the industry, though they still can't get the stabilisation issue fixed." Harry grabbed the broom, examining it. "Humph. I thought I told them to use the composite wood I made. Bloody traditionalists. I'll pay them overtime to get it ready by tomorrow."

"Eh…" Sirius scratched his head. "What's happening tomorrow?"

Harry smirked. "The fun part. While I work here though, I'm going to need you and Remus to help me."

"What ya need Harry?"

"Lucy and the Death Eaters have nearly finished serving their purpose, but I can't have it pinned on me. I need the Malfoys ruined and all the Death Eaters to go back to prison once they've come back, which they will in several months' time."

Sirius smirked. "Leave it to me. Dear Lucy won't know what hit 'em."

-HP-

One month later

All through England, the headlines were screaming the same thing. There hadn't been enough copies of the Daily Prophet as in a massive picture on the front cover was Harry, streaking through the skies on his broom and catching the snitch:

BOY-WHO-LIVED RETURNS AS YOUNG QUIDDITCH PRODIGY!

It may come to the shock of many of our readers that Harry Potter, renowned for his defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, has officially come back under spotlight as the new Seeker of the Tutshill Tornadoes. "He's like a genius on the broomstick," former Tornadoes Seeker Plumpton admits. "I've never seen anything like it. He's a magical prodigy."

Many observers also witnessed Potter controlling his accidental magic, further reinforcing Plumpton's statement that he was a magical prodigy. Such fine control at such a young age surely indicates what a talented wizard he will grow up to be. There are also unconfirmed rumours that he is the intrepid entrepreneur in charge of Aegis Technology.

The team is preparing for a nation-wide Quidditch tour, though many audiences have already had the pleasure of seeing the young Seeker in action, noting his phenomenal control and speed, catching the Snitch in record time.

Mr. Potter is set to make a press statement later this week.

-HP-

"Mr. Potter! Can you tell us where you've been this whole time?"

"...What do you think of critics labelling this as a publicity stunt?"

"Don't you think you're a little too young to be playing such a rough game?"

"Our readers want to know..."

Harry plastered on a perfect, amiable face as he made his way up to the podium, dressed in immaculate silk robes. As he began to speak many witches, both his age and older began screaming. "Thank you everyone for coming," he began as the press quietened. "There are many rumours surrounding me and I wish to put many of them to rest. Firstly, this is NOT a publicity stunt by the Tutshill Tornadoes. I am indeed its new Seeker and will be for the rest of their season. I have been raised by Mr. Marauder, chairman of Marauder Industries, and I do own Aegis Technology. We produce top-of-the-line racing brooms and wizard home ware, and in fact Aegis Technology is the one sponsoring the tour. I understand there has been criticism regarding my age, but rest assured, I wouldn't have been picked if I was not suitable to the task. Are there any questions?"

A reporter beat the rest to the punch and raised his hand. "Mr. Potter, how is it you are so talented at magic? Have you had any training?"

Harry chuckled and the rest of the room politely laughed. "My father is a very busy man and more of a businessman and inventor than a wizard. He is a good father, but no, I had no instruction. I taught myself."

There were many murmurs at that. Self-teaching magic was a sign of great magical power, and in fact Merlin had taught himself and then eventually gone to make the first laws of magic.

Another report raised their hand. "Mr. Potter, is it true that Aegis Technology is about to takeover Zonko's?"

He shook his head. "No, though we have decided to expand into pranking and children's products, we are NOT going to take over Zonko's. I would like to clarify that. We are however in talks of a joint venture, that is, a new line of joke products collaborated by both of us."

"Mr. Potter, will you go to Hogwarts when you turn eleven?"

Harry smiled. "My father told me it was my parents' wish that I go, why should I deny them that?" He was interrupted by several ecstatic screams of joy from many young witches. "Thank you for listening, have a good day." He waved to the crowd and the reporters still harassing him with questions. As he got into a car waiting for him, the mob of what were predominantly women began chasing after it, all the while screaming his name.

Unbeknownst to him, obscured by the crowd even in his shocking purple robes was none other than Albus Dumbledore, who frowned deeply at the spectacle as it left.

Young Harry... it seems we have much to discuss. It had been a while since the alarms in his office alerted him – leaving immediately for Privet Drive, he found not only that Harry had escaped but had performed powerful magic, especially for a child, to do so. And now this?

It seemed that he had underestimated Harry's power, though Albus could not try and return him to Privet Drive. If Harry continued as he was his fame and iconic status would make it nigh impossible to, especially if the abuse he had suffered there was as bad as he had thought. Though it was regrettable it had been necessary. It was very much clear Harry was a prodigy, mentally, physically and magically, and it was more important than ever that Albus got on his good side – the Dursleys clearly would not accomplish that. At the very least he was safe, any enemy would think twice before attacking such a public figure. He would wait till the boy attended Hogwarts. His destiny remained unchanged as did the prophecy, so he would continue with his plans regardless.

-HP-

Harry closed the box, satisfied with the ingredients the Death Eaters had brought back. He looked to the anxious-faced Lucius with a pleased gaze. "My Death Eaters have done well, as have you, Lucius. None of these ingredients were easy to obtain, yet you did so swiftly."

Lucius bowed. "Thank you, my lord."

"See to it that my followers are tended to. It is a shame for the two we lost; however these ingredients are paramount to my plans." Harry smirked. "There is a matter of a reward now."

Lucius' face briefly flashed with greed before he concealed it. "My lord, that is not necessary. I am proud to serve."

Harry flicked his wand, letting a mahogany box float towards him. "Tomorrow, late at night, open this box with the rest of the Death Eaters. Do not worry; there is plenty of it for all of you."

Lucius gently grasped it, examining it. "What is it, my lord?"

"A sufficient reward for my followers' services," Harry smirked, red eyes glowing malevolently. "Now, leave my presence, I have plans to make."

As Lucius disappeared, Sirius came out from his Disillusionment charm. "You are a real tricky little bugger you know. If I didn't know better I'd have really thought you were possessed by Voldemort."

Harry laughed. "Sociopathic megalomaniacs aren't exactly complex, you know. Anyway, you did it?"

Sirius smirked. "Oh yeah. They should be coming sometime around midnight tomorrow."
"Good timing," Harry noted. "By that time we'll be long gone. The Malfoys are about to go to a ball in a few minutes and the Death Eaters are resting or being tended to by house elves – come on, do you want to loot Malfoy Manor for anything good?"

Sirius rubbed his hands. "Oh yeah, I'm sure there are a few goodies we can snake." He laughed at his own joke. "Ha, get it? Snake?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Your puns are remarkable," he remarked dryly. "Come on, let's go to the library first and then see if there are any precious Malfoy family artefacts we can swipe."

-HP-

Tomorrow late at night, as Sirius predicted, Aurors stormed Malfoy Manor, followed closely by Madame Bones. They found Lucius Malfoy and his family in a room full of all their wanted Death Eaters, with an empty mahogany box. When they questioned them, they found even under Veritaserum none of them knew exactly what was going on, with many blank spots in their memory. Malfoy was assumed to be their ringleader. The Death Eaters were thrown back to Azkaban as was Lucius; however in a month's time Fudge had him cleared and released.