Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

Some of the concepts that will be in this fic are from other Fan fictions about Harry Potter with my own twist on them. So I would like to acknowledge all the Harry Potter fan writers on this site for great work and hundreds of hours of reading. This is an AU story.

Chapter 17:

Pranks and Prats

Barnabas Cuffe sat in his office waiting as owl after owl dropped letters on his desk. He was opening and reading each letter quickly and sorting it in to one of three piles. He had just called his three best reporters to his office, and was waiting for them to arrive with some annoyance; he didn't like to be kept waiting. The first reporter to arrive oozed eagerness, which was no surprise, Rita Skeeter delighted in tearing down reputations. She was a bug in more ways then one and he loved her way of writing a story.

Following her in was his other two best reporters. Dempster Wiggleswade, who covered the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; he was good at the legal stuff. The next was Phentum Phenux; he was like Rita, all excited about writing for the Prophet again. His article last year about the fall session of the Wizengamot and Sirius Black's trial had earned him a place at the top. Barnabas waited for all three to get inside his office then waved his wand closing the door and putting up a few more privacy charms.

The three knew better than to ask what was going on. Barnabas didn't like to be interrupted when giving out assignments, and when called into his office it was best to stay silent until called on. He had a nasty reputation for hexing people that talked before he did, other than that; he was a nice guy, mostly.

"Wondering why you're all here? Hmmm?" He had a smile on his face, telling the three reports that this was big.

"Three reporters, three stories, too bad it's too late for an evening special edition. Rita, I'm going to warn you ahead of time, I want hard facts on this story, you make anything up or embellish it and you're out, and I won't protect you from the fallout." He watched Rita's face fall slightly. Another owl flew in, dropping another letter. Barnabas read it and added it to the largest pile.

"Dempster, they found and captured Pettigrew. He's in interrogation at the ministry now; get over there and get me that story." Barnabas handed the smallest stack of papers to him.

"Phentum, Merlin this is big, Sybill Trelawney, Professor of Divination at Hogwarts and Gilderoy Lockhart are being sued for false stories about the head of an Ancient and Noble House." Barnabas watched as Phentum thought about what he just said, and then the quizzical look appear.

"Go ahead, ask." stated Barnabas.

Phentum just blurted it out. "How is this big, she's nobody and he's an idiot?"

Barnabas got a big smile on his face. "They are being sued by Lord Harry James Potter." He held up the slightly larger bundle of papers to the man as he watched the surprise, and then the dawning of the implications appear on his face. Phentum grabbed the papers from his hand and ran out of the office.

He turned and looked at the last. "Rita… Rita..." He then looked at the largest pile of letters. "Harry Potter… Lord Harry James Potter… Lord Gryffindor… Lord Ravenclaw… Lord Hufflepuff… Lord Slytherin… just got sorted at Hogwarts. A new tower appeared; the sorting hat called it the Founders' Tower and then called Harry Potter, Heir of Hogwarts…" Barnabas watched the look in Rita's eyes go from surprised to enlightenment to glee to feral.

"Don't make anything up, facts Rita, only facts. I don't need him coming after the Prophet, understand?"

"Ya boss." She still had that feral look on her face. She continued in a dreamy kind of voice. "Facts and only the facts… you got it boss." She grabbed the last pile of letters off the desk, and ran from the office.

-oo00oo-

Albus sat in the school Hospital Wing, watching as Poppy Pomfrey continued to run her wand over Severus Snape. She hadn't told him anything since Snape collapsed at the welcoming feast. When she had first scanned him at the feast, all she would say was that he was alive. Now it had been well over an hour, and still she wasn't letting anyone know what was going on.

The wait was taking up time that Albus didn't think he had. He needed to talk to Harry, he needed to… Albus stood up quickly running out of the Hospital Wing toward the Owlery. When he got within sight of the owlery he stopped, it was already too late. Albus stood watching as a line of older students and a couple of first years trooped down the stairs, chatting about what had happened at the feast.

He turned around, making his way back to the Hospital Wing. He returned to thinking about what Harry had given him tonight. It was more than obvious that Harry was a natural Occlumens of master or prodigy level. The memories that Harry had forced him to watch were disturbing, and he was sincerely regretting having put Harry with his relatives. It was for the right reasons, he reminded himself, for the greater good. He had ignored the reports from Mrs. Figg, after all, how could anyone treat family with anything but love?

Now he knew it was worse in some ways to what Tom Riddle had gone through at the orphanage where he grew up. As Albus sorted through the memories, he found gaps, mostly in the later years, in what Harry had given him, but all the memories were crystal clear. Memories faded over time, even with a pensive an old memory would get blurry after a few years, granted it took longer in an Occlumens for them to blur.

There was still something missing, things Harry didn't want him to see. Maybe Harry's time with the Dursleys was not as bad as he wanted Albus to believe. 'That must be it' Albus thought.

When he got back to the Hospital Wing, Poppy was waiting for him.

"What's wrong with him Poppy?" Albus glanced at where Severus was still laying on the bed.

"Nothing that I can tell, physically he's fine. It's his mind that worries me." replied Poppy.

"Go on, will he be back for first day of class?" Albus asked concerned.

"I do not know Albus, his mind is gone! I have never seen anything like this before. It is like he is disembodied, If he does not return I'll have to transfer him to St. Mungo's long term ward." Albus was shocked.

"No… no, he will remain here. I'll see what I can find out. May I see him?" Poppy just nodded her head.

Albus walked to the bedside and sat down. The history he had with Severus prevalent in his mind. The Death Eater turned spy, friend, and confidant, well maybe not the last completely, was still lying motionless on the bed. Albus sat down on the edge of the bed; using his thumb and finger he opened one of his friend's eyelids. He looked deep into his Snape's mind, and found nothing. It was true, he was out of his body but how was that possible? Albus tried to recall what was happening just before Severus collapsed.

He had just had Harry force years of memories onto him. He was sitting in his chair silently weeping over what Harry had shown him. Minerva was trying to console him, while at the same time find out what had happened. The last he remembered, Severus was quietly eating his dinner and watching the students. Quirrell was sitting next to him, but Albus didn't feel any large magical energies happening.

He had looked out at the students when it happened thinking it may be some kind of prank, but the Weasley twins looked completely surprised and when he looked at Harry, he found only a neutral but interested expression.

After leaving the Hospital Wing moments later; he started on his way to his office. He would have summoned Harry to his office, but at the moment he didn't know where Harry was or where the entrance to the Founders' Tower was.

-oo00oo-

She had to know, there was something she didn't know about and it was driving her nuts.

After getting to the Ravenclaw common room, which was past the door with the talking bronze door knocker, she had been shown to her dorm. It was a nice one person room connected to a small year mate common room that was then connected to the house common room. The house common room was huge and was lined from floor to ceiling with bookshelves. The prefects pointed out that the books in Ravenclaw could not leave the tower. They had been supplied by alumni over the centuries, most hand written by graduating students, and Ravenclaw students didn't share with the rest of the school.

Hermione was currently sitting in the Ravenclaw common room looking around her. The furniture was covered in a deep blue suede material with bronze accents. It was well past midnight, she had been going over all the titles on the bookshelves. Many of the upper class students had been running around pulling books from the shelves only to put them back after only a moment of browsing through it. She had found all ten volumes of Hogwarts: A History after several upper classmates had all pulled them down to look through so she wouldn't have to borrow them from, 'Harry… Lord Potter… Lord… what do I, call him?' he was heir to all four Founders'.

It was obvious the other students in Ravenclaw were looking for the same answers she was. Several of them had started questioning her after remembering that she had gotten up and gone to sit with Harry. After the third person had cornered her about what she knew, Hermione started tell each person that she didn't know anything other than Harry invited her to sit with him.

She had pulled down the first volume of Hogwarts: A History and started reading it. What she had found so far was completely different from what her version had made out to be fact. She had listened to Harry, Neville, and Susan while on the train talk about Hogwarts history; Harry was researching all ten books to get the truth. 'Maybe he will write his own book about it.' That's what it looked like he was planning.

Hermione had just finished doing a quick skim of the first volume, and had found nothing about the Founders' Tower. It looked like the first volume had been written just after the death of Helga Hufflepuff, so why didn't anyone remember the Tower or at least mention it?

She knew where to get the answers, she was planning on having a very long talk with Harry Potter in the morning; she needed to know.

-oo00oo-

The red headed twins escaped the Great Hall as soon as Dumbledore told the prefects to lead the first years to the dorms. There was a new place in the castle and they wanted to know all about it. Fred and George waited in the main hall in one of their favorite hiding spots to wait for Harry Potter to leave. They had with them the map they had found in Filch's office in there first year at Hogwarts.

That had been the most fun. They had just pulled their first prank at the school, and it just so happened to be on Filch. Flooding the boy's bath room on the third floor had been the best, but when they left Filch had been waiting for them. "Detention" he had cried out with a gleeful expression. While in his office something had created a large noise on the floor above and Filch had run out to determine what it was. Since he left the two boys with no instructions, they had decided to see what they could find.

The large cabinet marked 'Confiscated Items' looked like fun. They had found all kinds of thing in that cabinet, joke items from Zonko's, a few naughty magazines, and a box marked 'Marauders'. Inside the box they had found potions, powders, more Zonko items, and the map.

At first they didn't know what it was and it had taken them months to finally figure how to make the parchment show them what it was.

"Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, purveyors of aids to magical mischief-makers, are proud to present the Marauders Map"

Since that first year, the map had been on their persons at all times tucked away in a hidden pocket, spelled to be summon proof and a notice-me-not charm on it. Now hidden in one of the alcoves they pulled it out to watch where Harry Potter went. They watched as he left the Great Hall and turned toward the main stairs. He stopped for a moment beside another alcove, and then walked into it, disappearing from the map. The twins hurriedly scanned the rest of the map, but didn't find him anywhere.

"Mischief Managed"

"He either…

"Left the castle…

"Or it's not on the…

"Map…

Jumping out of the alcove the twins raced to the alcove that Harry disappeared into. After searching for a good twenty minutes the twins looked at each other and shrugged before heading to the Gryffindor common room.

-oo00oo-

Harry walked to the alcove that wasn't far from the central stairs. He was following the pictures that the Lady was flashing him in his head. When he got to the alcove he stopped then turned and walked into it. As he walked in, the back wall slid open to reveal a short passage that led to the bottom of a spiral staircase. The staircase was revolving upward. He stepped onto the staircase and was taken up.

When the stairs got to the top he got off and turned to the left. He wasn't sure what floor he was on, but he would find that out later. The corridor was long and had a lot of doors on each side. At the end he found a large floor to ceiling portrait of four animals, an eagle, snake, badger, and lion.

"Show us the rings" the badger called out from the painting.

"True heir hassss the ringssss" hissed the snake.

"Final proof he must provide." growled the lion.

"Show us the rings." The eagle finally called out.

Harry held up both of his hands displaying the five rings he was wearing. Over the past year he had only worn the Potter family ring, keeping the others in his room at the manor. He had put them back on that morning before leaving for the train. He had found a few passages in Hogwarts: A History, the first edition that said the castle would know the heir's by their rings.

"He is Hufflepuff." stated the badger.

"He issss SSlytherin"

"He is Ravenclaw"

"Thou art Gryffindor." The lion finally called out. The painting slid into the wall, revealing a short passage leading to a large round room. A round open fireplace took up the center of the room with a brass smoke hood and floo going up into the ceiling. The outer walls of the room looked like one big window that surrounded him, except for six doors that broke up the effect.

"The walls must be charmed like the ceiling in the Great Hall." Harry said to himself.

Harry walked around the room once taking it all in. Everything was done in whites and gold and looked to be in four sections split up and centered on the fireplace. The doors and wooden furnisher were all a rich deep cherry color. A quarter of the room was a lounge with several settees, chairs, and end tables, it looked very relaxing. The next section had several study desks and chairs, there were a couple bookshelves but all that was on them was Ink wells, parchment roles, a beautiful calligraphy set, and other materials used for studying.

The third area had a round table and four chairs. Harry understood the setup, no one sat at the head of that table, and everyone was equal. A second smaller square table with only two chairs had a magnificent chess set setup. There were also a couple shelves that held rolled up pieces of large parchment. Harry took one down and looked at it; it was a partial map of the castle and grounds. He looked at a couple more and found more maps of the castle each with varying degrees of detail.

The last quarter of the room was for the most part empty. It had one weapons rack near the wall that held several swords and other medieval weapons. As he walked through the area, he felt himself pass though a magical barrier. He had felt it before back at Potter Manor every time he entered the training room, it was a dueling ward.

When he had entered there was small fire going in the fireplace. The walls showed the darkened grounds of the castle and the night sky. After looking around the room he walked to the first door to the right of the entrance. Opening it he found a set of stairs going up, he would go up there later. The next door behind the sitting area had a Badger engraved on it in gold. Opening the door he found another small sitting area with another door in it.

The sitting area was done in Hufflepuff colors with the same rich cherry wood. The other door in the room opened into a large bedroom. It had a four post bed and was also decorated in Hufflepuff colors. There was also an attached bathroom that looked to be about as big as his at the manor.

Leaving that room Harry opened the door behind the studying area in the common room that had an Eagle engraved on it in gold. It was Rowena's private rooms, sitting area and bedroom all in her colors. So far he had not found any books, disappointing him. The bedrooms had armoires and dressers all made of the same cherry wood. Behind the Gryffindor and Slytherin doors he found their private areas and bedrooms done up in their colors.

When he opened the last door he found another set of stairs going up. Harry climbed the stairs to find another large circular room, but this one had his eyes popping out of his head. Floor to ceiling shelves filled with books all around the outer wall. The ceiling was at least twenty feet above him and again it was charmed like the Great Hall ceiling. In the center of the room was another round fireplace and sitting areas. The colors in the room were all neutral and didn't represent any one of the founders.

"This must be their common library." Again Harry was talking to himself, until he felt Hedwig nodding her head up and down. He had forgotten that she was even there on his shoulder.

"Thank you for being here with me Hedwig." She nodded her head again. Harry looked into her eyes and saw the same excitement he was felling himself. There was one other door in the room and it looked like it would lead to the other set of stairs from below and it did.

Harry returned to the common room, and since he liked the Ravenclaw colors the best, he chose Rowena's room for himself. He pulled his trunk out of his pocket and enlarged it at the foot of the bed. Opening it, he called for Tula.

"Harry has made his big entrance?" Tula asked as she appeared next to him.

While chuckling, Harry replied. "Bigger." Harry sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled out his mirror. Tula remained next to him; she wanted to hear all about it. Tula loved to laugh, Harry had found out, and loved to help him with his pranks on Sirius and Remus. Harry knew she wouldn't go anywhere until she heard the story or he told it to her to, which he was going to do right then.

"Sirius" Harry called into the mirror. A few seconds later Remus's face appeared in the mirror.

"Harry is the sorting over? It's later than normal for it to end, where have you been? What house did the hat put you in?" Remus strung all the questions together in his excitement, Harry started laughing.

"I'll tell you all about it, where is Sirius, he's going to want to hear this too?" asked Harry.

"He should be home soon; Amelia floo called and wanted him to come say hello to an old friend." Remus had a feral grin on his face. "I'll be going tomorrow to say hi."

"Pass on a hello for me will you?" Harry got the same look in his eyes as Remus. "Both of you call me back when he gets home and I'll tell you all about the Founders' Tower, Dumbledore, Draco, my possible new friend Hermione, and Snape." Harry tapped the side of this forehead at the last. Remus's eyes widened and his jaw dropped open.

"You mean to tell me Snape actually tried? Oh this is too good." Sirius and Remus had found out in their seventh year that Snape was practicing Legilimency so had figured he may try something on Harry, being James's son.

Harry had practiced with Mr. Crandall a couple times in case of this happening. Harry, with Lynn sitting in the room to make sure her father didn't die on her, had trapped Scott in his mind severing Scott's link back to his body. Just like Snape, Scott had fallen over. It was easy to allow Scott to return to his own mind, all Harry had to do was pry open one of his eyelids and make a new connection for him to follow. Harry had found this technique in one of the Black Library books on Occlumency after Sirius had cleared them for Harry to read.

Mr. Crandall didn't consider the technique illegal or dark, it was just something to use in a Legilimens duel. After that Harry, Mr. Crandall, Sirius, and Remus, had concluded that if Snape tried anything it was up to Harry what he would do about it.

Harry sat on his bed waiting for his godfather to call back. He looked into his mind; he had a slight headache from Snape pounding on the walls of his room. Looking into the room holding Snape he found him sitting in the center of the room with his eyes closed.

"Snivellus, I was warned about you. I have not yet decided if I will release you back into your own body or put you in a squirrel." Harry had no intention of doing that but Snape didn't know that.

Snape opened his eyes and looked around. "Just like your father, your nothing but an arrogant brat. You won the duel, what would you have of me?" Snape replied dejectedly.

Harry took that moment to dive into Snape's mind. Without access to his magical core, Snape was an open book. Harry found the memories of Snape's time before and during Hogwarts, he skipped through them, what he found surprised him.

"You were friends with my mother!" It wasn't a question.

"Yes, she lived in my neighborhood. I was the one that told her she was a witch."

"I read the letters my mother sent to her sister; she really was your friend until…" Harry let that statement talk for itself. Snape just growled.

Harry dug deeper into Snape's mind.

'Master, may I make a request?' Snape was bowing to a middle aged man. The man looked more like a snake than a man.

'You have done well for me Severus, I will grant you one request.' replied the man with a hissing voice.

'The female Potter, My Lord, I wish to have her for myself.'

'I grant you this request.' hissed the man.

Harry pulled out of Snape's mind, he was in a rage. Snape found himself thrown across the room and pinned to the far wall. A wave of pain washed over him that was worse than any Cruciatus Curse.

"YOU WILL NEVER!" Snape stayed pinned to the wall, his mouth open in a silent scream. Through the pain Snape felt the brat dive deeper into his mind.

'My Lord, I bring news.' Snape rushed into the throne type room where the same man was sitting on a dark throne.

'Severus, what news is so important that you barge into my presence! Crucio…' Snape fell to the ground screaming. After a short moment the man raised his wand. 'Now what is so important?'

It took Snape a moment to get up and kneel before the man. 'A prophecy, My Lord, made to Dumbledore.' The man's eyes widened slightly.

'Tell me this Prophecy.'

'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…' Snape repeated what he had overheard that night.

'Is that all of it? There was no more?' demanded the man.

'I'm sorry, My Lord, Dumbledore had seen me and cast me out of the pub before I could hear anymore.' Snape answered.

'Who was it that gave this Prophecy?' asked the man.

'Her name is Sybill Trelawney, My Lord, Dumbledore was interviewing her for the Divination position at the school.' replied Snape.

The man sat back in his throne and stared off into nothing for a long time ignoring that Snape was still in the room.

Harry pulled out of Snape's mind again. He was more enraged now than he had been before. Here was the person that overheard and told Voldemort at least part of the prophecy. Snape, while still pinned to the wall but no longer in any pain, watched as the walls of the room closed in on him. Just before the walls would crush his mind into nothing they stopped leaving him with his nose pressed against the cold stone wall with not enough room to move.

Harry pulled out of his mind. The look on his face was one indication of his inner turmoil and rage, the furnisher and bed shaking was another. Tula place a hand on Harry's knee to comfort him even though she didn't know what had angered her young charge. Several minutes past before Harry calmed down enough that everything stooped shaking. It helped that his mirror was buzzing for his attention.

"Harry?" called Sirius. Harry picked up the mirror and looked down into it. He could see Sirius with Remus and Mr. Crandall behind him.

"Hey kiddo, how did the opening feast go?" asked Sirius.

"More happened than I expected…" Harry went on to tell his godfather everything that had happened. By the time he was done, he was much calmer.

"Wish I could have been there kiddo, sounds like the prank of the century." Harry could see Sirius and Remus both with wide grins.

"Sirius… It was… It was Snape… He told Voldemort the beginning of the Prophecy. He was the one that got us targeted. He even asked Voldemort to spare mum so that he could have her." Harry looked down directly into the mirror. He could see the grins of both his guardians turn to looks of utter hatred.

"Don't let him go… just put his mind in the closest small animal and be done." Sirius was finally able to reply through clenched teeth.

"Harry, what are you going to do?" Mr. Crandall asked. He knew he needed to be the voice of reason. "If you do as Sirius suggests, you're no better than Snape." Harry looked into the mirror again to see Remus holding Sirius back from Mr. Crandall.

"Stop Sirius… he's right."

"Harry… Snape… He killed your parents as much as Peter did… or Voldemort… they all deserve whatever they get." Sirius tried to plead with Harry.

"I… I know… but Scott's right… I would be no better than them. I'll think of something…" replied Harry. Neither Sirius nor Remus looked happy, but at the moment they couldn't do anything about it. Harry talked with them for a few more minutes before saying goodnight.

"Harry, don't forget about the morning. You have the stuff?" called Sirius before Harry could close the connection.

"Yah, I have it, and I haven't forgotten." Harry smiled again for the first time since the discussion about Snape.

"Okay kiddo, have fun, let us know what you decide." Sirius closed the connection.

Harry stood up from the bed; Tula stopped him giving Harry a hug. "Harry will be okay, Tula make sure." Harry gave Tula a hug back before finally getting up. Tomorrow was the first day of classes and he still had work to do tonight.

"Tula, can you find out who the head house elf is here?" Before Tula could reply Harry heard a soft pop and another elf appeared next to Tula. The elf immediately bowed deeply to Harry.

"Lord of Hogwarts calls Rupor, Lord of Hogwarts needs anything?" The elf was dressed on a nice tea cozy and looked to be healthy.

"Rupor, this is Tula she is my personal elf and friend. I wanted to make sure that you were informed that she is here." Rupor turned to Tula and bowed to her.

"Tula will be most respected elf, Lord of Hogwarts." replied the elf.

"Rupor first please call me Harry, I don't require formality when I am alone or with friends. Second I forbid any elf at Hogwarts to answer any question about the Founders' Tower or my goings on, that includes questions from the headmaster."

Harry could see the conflict cross the face of Rupor.

"Rupor you're not a Hogwarts elf are you?" Before Rupor could answer the question, and it didn't look like he was going too, Tula snapped her fingers and the elf dropped to the floor.

"Bad elf, elf bonded to Dumb-le-do-re, not to Hogwarts, bad elf lie." Tula snapped her fingers again and the elf opened his eyes but wasn't able to move.

"Rupor, tell your master that you have been found out, deliver that message and then you are hereby banned from the castle and grounds." commanded Harry. His temper was once again heating up. Tula snapped her fingers a last time, allowing the elf to stand. Rupor bowed again then disappeared.

"Tula will find true head elf." She then disappeared.

-oo00oo-

Dumbledore was pacing again. It didn't look like Severus was going to be up by morning to teach his classes and he didn't know how long it would be until he was able to return. He decided to teach the classes tomorrow himself and look for someone if Snape wasn't back by the next day.

POP!

"Master…" Rupor bowed deeply to Dumbledore.

"Ah, Rupor did you find out where our Mr. Potter is?" asked Dumbledore.

"Master… Rupor was found out, Lord of Hogwarts has own elf, Rupor has been banned from the castle and grounds." Rupor started to get a pained look on his face. "Hogwarts house elves…" Rupor then disappeared.

Dumbledore looked at where his personal elf had just been standing. He had been with Dumbledore for over half a century and was a good friend. For the first time since he defeated Griswold, Dumbledore was feeling anger.

"Dilly…" Dumbledore called out to the Hogwarts head elf. POP!

"Headmaster called Dilly?"

"Dilly where is Rupor?" Dumbledore asked in a kind voice, though he was felling anything but.

"Rupor has been expelled from Hogwarts. Lord of Hogwarts has commanded it." Dilly was looking down at his feet. Dumbledore had a good relationship with the Hogwarts house elves.

"Lord of Hogwarts has also commanded Hogwarts house elves from talking about him to anyone, including you headmaster." Dilly looked like he wanted to punish himself but then straightened up and looked at the headmaster.

"Dilly will assign headmaster a personal house elf." The house elf then popped away.

Dumbledore walked back to his desk putting his fisted hand on the corner of it. Standing there, he took a moment to get his temper under control. For the past year, Harry had been outmaneuvering him at every turn; it was like he was one step ahead all the time.

'If I can not control the boy…' Albus thought to himself. Fawkes gave a loud trill. Dumbledore turned to him. "He is needed Fawkes, he must fulfill the prophecy, I need to guide him and I can't do that unless I can control him." Dumbledore replied to his familiar. Fawkes gave another loud trill before jumping into the air and disappearing.

Albus fell back against his desk. This was the third of his friends, his familiar that had just told him to leave the boy alone. The exception was Fawkes had given him a choice, leave Harry alone or he would leave Albus. Albus' world was crumbling beneath him, was what he was doing dark, was Fawkes telling him he was going to far?

-oo00oo-

The next morning Harry woke up ready for the first day of school. It was still early, but he was looking forward to it. After showering Harry returned to his room to find his school robes laid out for him. On his robes over the breast pocket was the Hogwarts crest instead of the Potter crest. He put the Potter family ring on first, then the four founders' rings.

His school bag was waiting for him in the private sitting area. It had been charmed to be feather light and it expanded to hold all his school books for each class since he didn't know what he would have that day. In the bag was also several other books for each subject, reference books like Potion's, Potions A Guild to your Ingredients By Anton Potter and A Spell Crafter's guide to Charms by Stacy Potter.

Harry walked in to the founders' common room ready for the day. The walls of the room showed it was a beautiful day outside with the morning sun shining on the lake. Snape was still in his little cage, and Harry didn't at this time have any desire to let him go. He had a half formed plan in his mind for the git, no, the monster, that started all his troubles. The fact that the Death Eater had switched sides because Moldewarts had killed his mother didn't make up for his crimes.

Just as Harry was opening the door to the hall of doors, as he was calling it, Hogwarts flashed an image into his mind. Turning around Harry found a marble pedestal against the side of the fireplace. On the top of the pedestal were five slots imprinted into the marble. Four of the slots were lined up together in the center and the fifth was in the center top.

Hogwarts flashed him another image. Following what the castle wanted him to do he took off the four founders' rings and placed them in the four slots. He watch in fascination as each ring fit perfectly in the slots as if this was the mold in which they were originally made.

Once he placed the last ring in the last slot the top of the pedestal slid backwards into the fire of the fireplace. Harry tried to stop it at first, grabbing for it before it could get all the way into the fire. He pulled his hand back before it could get burned. He watched in horror as the fire within the fireplace intensified to the point were he had to back away and cover his face from the heat. As fast as it had flared the fire died down and the pedestal slid back out.

Where there had been four rings there was now only one in the top slot. Harry looked at it and found the symbols for each of the founders' on it, each of the original jewels now fashioned into the new ring. Again the Lady Hogwarts flashed an image into his mind. The four rings becoming one and the one becoming four.

Harry picked up the ring; it was barely warm after being in the fire, as he slid it onto his finger, it resized itself to fit just as the others had done.

"Thank you… Lady Hogwarts."

Harry started heading to breakfast once again. Again he entered what he was calling the hall of doors. He wasn't sure what was behind each of the doors, and didn't have time to find out at the moment. He made his way to the spiral stairs finding them turning in the opposite direction, going down.

Harry appeared in the same alcove just outside the Great Hall. Smiling Harry made his way to the Great Hall for his breakfast, a quick image flashed in Harry's mind, one of the flagstones glowing a deep red color. Harry stepped over the particular floor stone even though it didn't look any different, and heard a groan come from the alcove above him.

Entering the Great Hall, Harry watched as the fifth table appeared again. Most of the head table was occupied; the only professors missing were Snape and Trelawney. Dumbledore was watching him as Harry made his way to the table and sat down. Most of the house tables were already full with students filling up on breakfast. Neville joined Harry at his table before Harry could get anything on his plate, and Susan wasn't too far behind him.

Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice, his eyes roaming over all the house tables; he made eye contact with Neville, hiding a grin behind his glass. Neville could see that Harry's eyes had turned yellow or as Neville, and the others at the Manor called it, 'Mischievous Eyes'.

Last night it had been particularly difficult to sneak up to Gryffindor Tower without being spotted from the revolving staircase entrance near the Great Hall. The prefects always took their jobs very seriously the first week back, and Harry narrowly avoided three different sets of prefects making their rounds.

By the time he reached the painting of an enormously overweight lady in a pink dress, the adrenalin was rushing in his ears. Neville was standing in the shadows off to the side of the portrait, and he and Harry maneuvered their way back down to the great hall. They were almost caught creeping into the great hall by the pair of red headed Weasley twins. Harry grabbed Neville by the shoulder and hauled him behind a suit of armor. The red heads looked at something they were holding, and turned to stare at where Harry and Neville were hiding.

Harry was sure they'd been caught, but then one of the boys murmured something to the other boy, and they quickly made their way up the stairs. Harry sighed in relief and waited a moment before motioning to Neville to follow him. They slunk into the great hall and Harry removed a vial of something and a piece of cloth from his robes.

"How do we do this?" whispered Neville.

"Soak the cloth, but be sure to not get any on your hands, and rub the potion along the ends of the tables and all the benches. I'll do the sticking charm. After you rub the potion, tap the table and benches and say, 'Wingardium'. Got it?"

"Are you sure it won't activate too early?"

"I'm positive, Remus helped me brew it. I can't wait for breakfast!" Harry said with a gleeful look and bright yellow eyes.

They made quick work of the tables and benches, and managed to get back to their separate dormitories without anymore incidents.

Harry waited till all the students had arrived in the hall. Then, motioning under the table, he said, "Leviosa" and then "Activate".

All the tables started to rise slowly. The students were shrieking and a few tried to stand up, but their bums were stuck to their seats. The tables and benches continued to rise until they were about five feet from the ceiling. Even the head table was floating near the ceiling; the professors were trying charms to reverse the floating, but gave up after everything they tried failed to work.

Harry had gotten the idea from a muggle movie that Mrs. Figg had let him watch once. In the film two children and their nanny were having tea at the nanny's uncle's house, and they had tea floating near the ceiling. It was obvious who was muggle born or a half blood, as those students explained the joke to the other students.

The house elves, not being informed of the floating tables, caused the food to appear. Some of the more pragmatic of the students, shrugged, and began to serve themselves some food. They didn't care if they were floating or not, they were hungry and breakfast had just appeared. The rest of the students and staff followed suit. The students looked to be enjoying the novelty of having breakfast near the ceiling; one Hufflepuff girl was heard commenting to a girl next to her, that she felt just like a fairy.

Soon everyone was eating and another odd phenomenon occurred. People started giggling for no reason at all. Pretty soon almost everyone was laughing noisily. Harry suspected that there was something in the juice. He had definitely not planned this part of it, but it fit into the prank nicely. After about an hour, the tables slowly descended, and the students returned to order.

Above the head table, appearing in gold sparkling letters were the words, "The Marauders, Prongs 'RIP', Moony, and Padfoot, would like to introduce the next generation of Marauders, Messrs. Griffon, and Helios and command them to create as much chaos as possible during their tenure in this most noble institution."

Most of the Muggle born and Half Blood students stood up and started laughing, clapping, and cheering while all the Purebloods just sat still confused.

Harry looked at the head table; Dumbledore was trying to suppress his laughter while his eyes twinkled like mad. McGonagall was giving Harry the eye. Neville and Susan were both laughing. Harry then looked to the Ravenclaw table and could see Hermione scowling. 'Going to be trouble that one' Harry thought.

The twins sat dumbstruck, staring at the words. The marauders? They couldn't believe it.

"My dear twin, I'm afraid we might be replaced." Fred said, turning to George.

"I wonder if they know the original Marauders, or if they're just using that title." George mused.

"It must be Potter and Longbottom; we saw them on the map last night sneaking in."

"Indubitably, maybe, we should…"

"Join forces, versus competing?"

"Hmm, perhaps, they have proven themselves…

"To be capable of a complex prank."

"It merits a discussion with them at the least."

"Very true you handsome devil, I agree."

With that settled, the twins turned their attention back to the head table.

After everyone settled down Dumbledore stood up holding his arms and hands in the air to get everyone's attention.

"Yes… Yes, wonderful prank, a tribute deserving of the Marauders."

Just then there was the sound of hundreds of wings in the Hall. Everyone looked up as someone called out "MAIL". Hedwig was part of the flock coming in through the windows. She swooped down, landing lightly on Harry's table. Attached to her leg was a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Thank you Hedwig, is it good?" The Owl bobbed her head up and down. Harry removed the paper from her leg and unrolled it. His eyes lit up as he took in the front page. Just like last year, there were three Headlines all trying to get top billing, only this time there were three by lines.

Lord of Hogwarts, Heir to Founders' Sorted

Pettigrew Captured on Hogwarts Express

Lockhart and Trelawney, Fraud Revealed

The first story was about Harry's sorting and for the first time, a story by Rita Skeeter was completely correct. It was a detailed description of Harry's sorting from the time he was first called, to the time he left the hall.

'The new Lord was not available for comment. This reporter wishes the new Lord and Heir all the best in his future, may Lord Potter Gryffindor Hufflepuff Ravenclaw Slytherin's time at Hogwarts be peaceful.

By Rita Skeeter

'In a frightening turn of events, on a day when we all send our children off to school for the year, on a train that's suppose to be safe, Fugitive, Death Eater, and Traitor, Peter Pettigrew was found hiding. An inside source within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, who wishes to remain un-named told this reporter that at just around the time the Hogwarts Express was to pull into Hogsmeade station, the Aurors received an anonymous tip that Pettigrew was on the train. It turns out the tip was correct. Pettigrew was found in an illegal Animagus form, a rat, in one of the compartments.

Inside sources tell that he was captured after a short fight where not one of our well trained Aurors was injured. Pettigrew is currently being held at the ministry for questioning. It seams our current Minister of Magic; interim Minister Crabtree is doing more to clean up the messes of the past then his predecessors.

By Dempster Wiggleswade

'Do you own the Harry Potter books, did you get your child the doll, and have you read the history? Well forget the history and toss the books away, It was all a fraud and scam by none other then our beloved Gilderoy Lockhart and his accomplice Sybill Trelawney Divinations Professor at Hogwarts. Papers filed today by Lord Potter are calling for restitution and royalties for the use of his name and image without his permission.

How could Lord Potter not have known about the books and other memorabilia? He has been living with his Muggle relatives for the past nine years and has had no contact with our world. Solicitor for Lord Potter told this reporter that Lord Potter only just found out about our world this past year, and upon learning of the books was outraged. This statement was delivered by Lord Potter's solicitor from Lord Potter who is currently at Hogwarts.

"The only truth in all this is that I lost my parents to You-Know-Who (note that Lord Potter called him by name) on that Halloween night and You-Know-Who (again called by name) disappeared after attempting to kill me. It should be my parents that everyone calls hero, they gave their life for me."

It should also be noted an investigation has also been opened by the DMLE. The whereabouts of Gilderoy Lockhart is unknown at this time and he was not available for comment.'

By Phentum Phenux

Everyone in the hall was quiet as they read the paper. Harry noted the looks on the faces of some of the staff. Professor Dumbledore looked like he expected the news. He may have expected the first two stories but Harry was sure he didn't like the last one. Professor McGonagall had a look of joy on her face; Harry started to wonder about that. The rest of the Professors were a mix. Harry listened to the rest of the students discussing the articles, people were whispering, some pointing. Harry just ignored it.

Dumbledore then stood again. "Classes are about to begin, everyone should be on there way." Dumbledore then walked around the head table in Harry's direction. "Mr. Potter, a word please."

"Of course Headmaster." Harry nodded to Neville and Susan. Harry watched as Neville and Susan moved a respectful distance away but stayed in sight then started comparing schedules that Harry assumed were handed out before he got there.

"Mr. Potter…Harry…"

"Lord Potter, Headmaster." Harry turned to face Dumbledore after watching his two friends. Harry's eyes turned completely black.

"I'm sorry?" Dumbledore felt like he had just been slapped as he took note of the change in Harry's eyes.

"MR. POTTER, you will show the Headmaster respect." This came from McGonagall, who was just behind Dumbledore.

"Professor, only my friends are allowed to call me Harry, as head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and the four Founders' I wish to be addressed as Lord Potter, it is the respect due my station." replied Harry with a normal and neutral tone.

"Yes, yes Lord Potter. Seeing as you are outside of the normal houses I find that I must assign a professor as your Head of House or in this case well as a mentor." continued Dumbledore as if all was right in the world.

"I have assigned you to take classes with the Gryffindors, so it is only fitting that Professor McGonagall be that mentor."

"Headmaster, I would be happy to attend classes with the Gryffindors but I must decline Professor McGonagall…" Harry didn't get to finish.

"Lord Potter, I will have you know I have been looking after students for many years…" Harry returned the favor and cut McGonagall off.

In a soft voice that was still audible, Harry's eyes turning from black to an icy blue, he explained "My refusal is personal, I believe your words were 'Worst kind of Muggles'… yet you allowed the Headmaster to do what he wanted. I would prefer Professor Flitwick if you must…" McGonagall had a look of shock and shame on her face as Dumbledore interrupted.

"That would be fine Lord Potter; I will let Professor Flitwick know. If you're not in class, how will he find you? He and I both need to have access to the Founders' Tower in case of emergency."

"Only those I choose have access to the Tower. Please inform the Professor I will find him after class today. Do you have my schedule?"

"I'm sorry I must insist on access, as Head…"

"As the Lord of Hogwarts, Headmaster, I determine who is and is not allowed in my ancestor's tower." Harry was getting tired of this. Harry's eyes turned back to black.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, you and I have an issue, until that issue is resolved; I neither trust you nor wish any contact with you." The twinkle died completely from Dumbledore's eyes. McGonagall looked fit to be tied.

Dumbledore finally replied. "I understand… I will let Professor Flitwick know to expect you after your last class." He turned to McGonagall. "Professor I believe you are going to be late for your first class." Effectively cutting any retort she may have had.

"Very well Headmaster." After handing Harry his schedule she turned and left.

"I hope, we can resolve our differences. Now off to class and have a good day." Dumbledore just stood there as Harry walked out of the Great Hall, Neville and Susan joining him.