Disclaimer:
I own nothing and JKR owns anything HP related! I am not making any money of this! It's just for fun! Any characters I might add to the story are mine though. All the mistakes as well.
Please R&R
Chapter 6: The New Hogwarts
The next day came bright and early for the quartet and they hated that they had to wake up but they chose to go back to school to finish their education. Getting up early in the morning was just part of the deal.
"Man even though we just slept in the big room together it was quite comfy" came the mumbling from Hermione.
"Yea 'Mione, although I wouldn't mind sleeping in a bed at least when I am being used as a bed." came Ron's answer which resulted in a blushing Hermione and Harry and Ginny laughing loudly.
"Like you are two to speak Harry and Ginny I seem to recall that Ginny used you as her bed as well. Isn't that right Mr. I-like-laughing-at-my-friend?" was Hermiones reply. Now it was Harry's and Ginny's turn blush brightly. As a result Harry took his pillow and threw it at Hermione but because he didn't wear his classes he missed her, although not by much.
Soon after that an all out pillow fight took place that was only stopped when Hermione reminded everyone that they had to get ready to go to the Great Hall and have some breakfast and get their schedules or go hungry until lunch.
After this threat Ron immediately stopped fighting and run to the bathroom so that he could get to enjoy the delicious breakfast that the House Elves of Hogwarts always made for the students.
After getting ready they left their room and headed for the Great Hall. The younger students in the common room stumbled as they saw the quartet while Neville, Dennis and some others just walked up to them shook hands and walked with them.
When they entered the Great Hall every movement halted and no one made a sound until the quartet and their friends sat down at Gryffindor table at which point Luna Lovegood swirled over to them and greeted them warmly as well.
The rest of the breakfast was a quiet affair and by the end of the breakfast Headmistress McGonagall stood up and everyone quieted down almost immediately.
"Welcome again students of Hogwarts. As we had quite some adventure last night I now need to inform you on other important matters. First of all Mr Weasley and Miss Granger will now be your Head Boy and Head Girl and Mr Potter and Miss Weasley will be the 7th year prefects for Gryffindor. Furthermore I would like to introduce our Care of Magical Creatures teacher and Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts as the new Head of Gryffindor."
At these news everyone cheered for Hagrid who was blushing madly.
"Besides I would like to introduce your new teachers for Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Muggle Studies. Please welcome Professor's Williamson, Lockward and Peaks. Mr Williamson is an Auror and besides the post of teacher for DADA, he is also responsible for training those of you who want to become Aurors every other weekend." Headmistress McGonagall continued
"Thirdly I must advise each and everyone of you that you follow school rules quite strictly!" she spoke sternly while looking directly at the quartet who just shrugged it off as trouble usually finds them and not the other way around.
"The rules are for your own protection as well as for you fellow students so I must ask you to immediately report any and all things that you notice that seem to be outta place. Very well now I want to wish you all good luck with your studies." Concluded McGonagall
After the Headmistress's speech the four Heads of the Houses went to their respective tables to hand out the timetables to the students.
When Hagrid arrived at the Gryffindor table and started handing out timetables the quartet just remained seated until all other Gryffindors were taken care of.
"So 'u four. I dun 'ave no timetables for ya. The Headmistress got 'urs. Anyway why dun' ya all come down to me hut after 'ur classes like the g'd ol' times' he. Whatya say?" Hagrid asked them.
"Sure Hagrid we will be there. Well we should be going to McGonagall and get our schedules. See you later Hagrid." Responded Harry before heading off towards McGonagall who was still talking to Auror Williamson while the rest of the Great Hall cleared out.
"Hmmmm, Professor? Hagrid told us that you would have our timetables?" asked Harry
"Ahhh yes of course Mr Potter. But before that, please let me introduce you to Mr William Williamson." Was McGonagall's answer
"Hello Sir, pleasure to meet you."
"No no no no no. Please Mr Potter, Miss Granger and Mr and Miss Weasley. The Pleasure is all mine. You are all quite famous amongst the Aurors and I feel privileged to try and teach you four about DADA although I am quite sure none of you need it." Mr Williamson answered warmly.
"Well Mr Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr and Miss Weasley here are your timetables. ANY questions can be discussed later on in my Office. Now as to why we are the last people to leave the Hall. There are still several Death Eaters on the loose and although they did not hold any special rank within V-V-Voldemorts cult, they could still be together and Hogwarts defenses are not strong enough to repel another siege. That is why several members of the order as well as the staff will be patrolling Hogwarts again. We thought that the DA might be interested in joining as you proofed to be quite formidable fighters."
All eyes darted to Harry because although Ginny, Neville and Luna led the group and Hermione initiated the DA, it was Harry's call.
"Professors I would be honored to stand alongside you again but I can not talk for the rest of the DA. We shall hold a summit and see if the students are interested to learn a few tricks from the Order and the Staff."
"Very well. Thank you very much for your time now I believe that we all need to get going. Mr Potter I would like to see you and your friends before lunch in office again. That will be all." McGonagall concluded.
The professors went their different ways but before they left Headmistress McGonagall turned around and said: "Ms Weasley I almost forgot. You are the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. Congratulations."
The quartet was flabbergast but before they could respond the Professors were out of sight.
Harry, Ron and Hermione all congratulated Ginny before they had a look at their time tables and they all were astonished.
"This has to be some kind of mistake. We only have Herbology, DADA, Potions, Transfigurations and Charms. But I chose much more again." Hermione started.
"Well maybe we can clear that up after Charms when we meet with Professor McGonagall again." Harry concluded and with that they went of to their first lesson today.
As the quartet entered the classroom the lesson had already started and the students looked up to see who would turn up late for their first lesson in N.E.W.T. year. Prof. Flitwick just ushered them into the room and asked them to take seats.
"So as I was saying before Mr Potter and his friends entered, this year is your N.E.W.T. year and you will have to show knowledge of every spell and charm we learned over last 6 years. Now I want you to pair up and practice all the spells you can think of. For additional hints look at the board where I will post several spells you should be able to perform without problems."
Harry paired with Ginny and Ron with Hermione and the quartet began practicing while the other students where still finding their partners.
As expected the quartet didn't have any problems with any of the charms Prof. Flitwick wanted them to use and by the end of the lesson they perform almost all spells non verbally. This of course led to Prof. Flitwick pointing out the extreme progress that the quartet has made since they began their studies at Hogwarts. Even though they didn't need any more fame they achieved it anyway.
After the class the four friends made their way to principles office and as they already knew the Gargoyle guarding the entrance sprang to life and let them pass without asking for a password.
Harry went first followed by Ginny, Hermione and Ron and when they reached the top Harry knocked on the door before Prof. McGonagall told them to enter.
"Ah Mr. Potter, Ms Weasly, Ms Granger and Mr Weasley, I was expecting you. Filius already filled me in that as expected you performed extraordinarily well in your first class. But I am guessing you are questioning why you only have 5 classes? The answer is quite simple. Albus asked me to modify your timetables."
"Why would Prof. Dumbledore do that?" Harry was the first to ask.
"It is quite easy and I shall explain my reasoning just as soon as Minerva please leave us to explain some things to your dear friends, Mr Longbottom and Ms Lovegood." And with that Minerva McGonagall took her leave to talk to Neville and Luna.
"Now, Hermione, I must ask you to secure this room against any eavesdroppers" Hermione did as she was told and informed Prof. Dumbeldore, who was watching her, when she was done.
"Excellent work Hermione, I couldn't have sealed the office better. This should guarantee that what I am about to tell you remains within these sacred walls.
Now the reason why I asked you Minerva to modify your timetables is that you only need those 5 subject to become Aurors. I know that not all of you want to join the Aurors but for now you need to be ready. As you all know Severus was my spy within Lord Voldemorts ranks and he did a fabulous job of getting information while not revealing any sensitive information's about the Order.
Now as you all obviously noticed your bonds to each other you must train exceedingly hard to control and harness your powers. Focused with your wands you will be able to achieve great things.
The third and final piece for now is that the castle has opened itself to you. Not even I as Headmaster had as much freedom to roam this castle as you do."
"But Prof. Dumbledore what does Snape being your spy for Lord Voldemort have to do with our bonds and Hogwarts?" Hermione asked
"See I told you Albus even the greatest witch of her age doesn't get it! Do you really think they are the right ones?"
"Yes Severus, now do not be so fast to cut them lose they will figure it out soon enough."
"Considering what we experienced in your Vault Professor, I would say we are about to be taught by you about the Soul Magic we posses." Harry concluded to Dumbledore's portrait while the others were still arguing.
"Ahhhhh yes, yes ,yes. See Severus they figured it out. But I know they didn't use my clues but that doesn't matter anymore now."
"So thios was all some sort or initialsation test? To see if we are fit to be taught by you?" Ron asked
"Oh no no no no but as a Portrait my Life has become rather boring and as such I need to find other forms of entertainment." The portrait answered with twinkling eyes.
"Now back to my clues. Severus and I will teach in the Light and the Dark arts of magic. Severus knows several curses and hexes that even I do not comprehend fully. As you have undoubtedly witnessed Severus also posses the possibility of flight without the need for anything to aid him. These are arts that you need to master. Remember there are no evil or bad spells but it is the use of these spells that defines if we perceive them as evil."
"But what about the Unforgivables? In all the books I have read they are labeled as evil. Hermione interjected.
"Ahh ever the bright witch. No the intend of the curses effect the outcome of it. As I am sure you are all aware you need to want to cause the effect of the curse. But have you ever used these curses with a different intend? The Imperius Curse for example. Have you ever tried to link your minds and share instead of dominated and control? Or the Cruciatus have you ever tried to heal instead of cause pain? With the contraction of the muscles you can restart a heart to save a live. And the most peculiar the Avada Kedavra. I am 100% certain that no one knew of these uses expect maybe Tom Riddle but he would never tell anyone. When you use the Advada Kedavra you send a piece of destroy your soul if your intend is to kill but if you want to safe a live with it, it strengthens the soul of the other person and thus giving them new life."
(I believe I have read something like this before at least for the Cruciatus Curse. However I have always wondered what would happen if you changed the intent of the Unforgivables. Everyone always says that you have to want it and relish in it to perform the spell I am wondering whether a different intent shouldn't affect the curse. In my book it does so I shall make it happen ;-))
"But…. But….. but…. Why have you never published anything on these findings? You could have changed that?
"Yes and now Hermione, this knowledge is not for everyone. Simply because if your not focused enough you will release all your magic at once and create an enormous magical backlash killing you and everyone else in a good distance depending on your magical core. The intent to cause harm and evil is much easier released and requires less focus with no risk of killing yourself."
"Okay but why are you telling us this now?" Ron asked.
"Isn't it obvious dear brother of mine? We use Soul Magic and have soul bonds and at least the Avada Kedavra now makes sense for us." Ginny answered before anyone could respond.
"Very clever Ginerva and completely spot on. Severus and I will teach you everything abou magic that we know. All the blank slates will be when we will expect you in here training. You will also learn different languages muggle and magical alike as well as Legelimency and Occlumency. Fawkes will be your guardian while you are here but I would also advise you find a magical familiar for yourself. Not just your Patronus or your Pet but someone like Fawkes. There are many interesting creatures out there that you will need to know about."
"Okay so now that we have cleared all that up, you have the rest of your free period until lunch to go into the Pensive. Before our deaths Severus and I we left several of our most important memories in the Pensive."
"But Professor when I used it in the Battle of Hogwarts it only had the memories that Prof. Snape gave me in it."
"Yes Harry, but that is not the Pensive I was talking about. There is another one hidden in the shelve to your right. It is much bigger and was created solely for the purpose of holding our combined memories. Hermione I am sure you are familiar with Sepera Amoroe spell?"
"Yes Professor but I never used it."
"Yes my dear but remember you are no longer just an incredible smart witch but also an incredible powerful witch. Draw on the power that now resides within you. Draw from the love of your friends here with you."
Hermione did what Professor Dumbledore told her and immediately she felt Power coursing through her veins.
"This is amazing. The Power, I feel like I could move mountains."
"Hermione, love remember why are doing this? We can move mountains at another point in time." Ron inserted.
"Right. SEPERA AMOROE Pensive" Hermione spoke the spell and a blue light erupted from the tip of her wand and went straight into the shelve to their right. Where the spell connected with shelve a blue glow could be seen and a few moments later an entrance became visible and the Pensive came floating out of it and sat down in front of Hermione.
"What was that spell?" Ginny asked with wide eyes?
"It is basically the same as the Accio spell but where the Accio spell can be blocked with enhancements or the Protego spell the Sepera Amoroe spell cannot be blocked. For the spell to be effective you need to know what you are summoning and you need to know who tagged it before. Then you can summon it through anything even a Fidelius Charm doesn't work." Hermione explained to her three friends.
"So in short it means you can summon anything as long as you know the object and who tagged it and nothing will stop it?" Harry clarified.
"Yes that is the essential part behind it."
"As always Hermione, you were spot on. Now that you have retrieved the Pensive begin your lessons on a journey through time and see what Severus and I have seen respectively. Some of the memories are overlapping from Severus Point of view and mine. Last words of warning before you begin your lesson. This Pensive is not a usual one. You will not only see what we saw but also hear what we thought and felt during this time. Our thoughts and thought process are now yours in the hope that it will help you master the spells we will teach you. And now of you go through our memories."
"Thank you for teaching us Professors Dumbledore and Snape. You were two of the best teachers we ever had." Harry said solemnly before the quartet entered the Pensive.
"So Severus what do you think?"
"Well the fact that Ms Granger could perform the spell on her first try is astonishing but given her previous years at Hogwarts it was to be expected."
"Yes I quite agree with you. It is fascinating watching a Soul Bond in action and they didn't even now they were channeling. Once they truly understand what it means they will become far greater then you and I could ever hope to be Severus."
"Yes I agree Dumbledore. But did you notice that the Bond is already affecting their behavior as well? Did you see the way they positioned themselves? Should anyone have breached the wards that Ms Granger placed upon this room they would have been faced immediately. Every strategic entry point was covered and as far as I can tell it was unconscious. Probably Mr Weasley saw them and subconsciously warned the others who just acknowledged it and positioned themselves accordingly. But the most interesting change was Mr Potter. Did you notice it as well? His eyes they changed, his attitude and behavior are completely different and mirror someone I know."
"I see that you noticed that as well. Yes I can see where your years of being a spy for Tom Riddle and myself have come in handy by being as observant as you are. Mr Potter certainly reminds me of myself now. The twinkle in his eyes shines through already. His magical core has been released when Tom tried to kill him. Out of the four of them no one can match Harry in Power now. I doubt even me or Tom could match him. His own Core had split itself when he was one year old to protect him from Tom's soul fragment. Now that it is no longer needed his tow cores formed one again and he didn't even notice it. He will be my main focus though. If I am not very much mistaken His magical core still posses the knowledge of Lord Voldemort at his highest. Having contained a Horcrux for almost 17 years is bound to have affected his part of the core that was shielding him. I believe that his core copied the memories and knowledge of Voldemort. So I will be focusing on unraveling them so that he can safely use them and they don't overwhelm him. You will be focusing on the other three and teach them what you know. Hopefully by Christmas we will be done and with the individual training and focus on the important factors."
"I agree Albus."
Meanwhile with Neville, Luna and Professor McGonagall.
"Professor McGonagall why did you summon us here instead of your new office?"
"That Mr Longbottom is for me to know and you to forget. Why I summoned you on the other hand is the important question. You were both key participants of the Battle of Hogwarts and leaders of Dumbledore's Army. For that reason the minister for magic and I agree that you are key targets for potential Death Eater attacks. Not as much as Mr Potter, Mr & Ms Weasley and Ms Granger but still very high up the potential threat list of Death Eaters. Also with Severus gone we do not have a spy within the ranks of the Death Eaters anymore and they are scattered at the moment. For this reason it was decided with the approval of your parents, that during your free periods Professors Flitwick, Slughorn and I will teach you individually to prepare you for all kind of Traps and Sneak attacks we have encountered in our days. We will teach you certain magical spells and charms that should be very useful for your future."
"I see but Professor McGonagall shouldn't you be focusing your efforts on Harry and the rest of them? I mean sure we were participants but we just continued what they started! Without them we wouldn't be."
"I understand Mr Longbottom however a plan has already been set in motion to tutor the four of them. They will receive the best possible teachings we can provide. In the mean time you the Professors of Hogwarts will be at your services should you require further teaching. All Professors are aware that your free periods will be spent with us and thus you will not get into trouble when you are late for a lesson."
"But Professor, don't we get a vote in this? I mean it is our lives so if we do not want to do it you shouldn't force us should you?" Luna replied dreamily.
"Very well Ms Lovegood, Mr Longbottom would you like to receive further tutoring in various matters of magic that the Professors of Hogwarts know about?"
"Yes" both replied while Minerva McGonagall just questioned why they made such a fuss in the first place.
"Okay your first lesson starts tomorrow. I will inform your parents, the Minister and the other Professors and deliver your new schedule. Oh and you shouldn't reveal that you are receiving those lessons as well as that Mr Potter and Co receive further lessons as well. Am I understood?"
"Yes Professor!" Both coursed again at the same time.
With that Neville and Luna were dismissed and wandered the halls to the Great Hall for Lunch.
"I wonder what kind of lessons the others are receiving? I mean we get basically the best and brightest teachers of various fields to be our personal tutors but what about Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny? Who do they get that is even better than them?
"I don't know Neville but we will have to trust the Headmistress."
Meanwhile Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny have been expelled by the Pensive and were sitting in front of the Portraits again.
"Wow that was amazing and we barely even scratched the surface." Ron exclaimed.
"Yes it truly was an interesting experience."
They noticed that all the Portraits were either sleeping or away and as such they lifted the wards Hermione placed around the Office and went to get lunch all the while reminiscing about what they learned in past hours.