Whose Test is This Anyway?
An answer to the writing challenge on Potions & Snitches: Hogwarts Enrollment Test by Jan_AQ
Summary: Before students are accepted to Hogwarts they must be assessed by a teacher or Ministry Official for academic proficiency. Professor Snape is assigned Harry Potter.
**OO**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz. Warning, cliffy ahead.
**OO**
Chapter 4 - Introduction to Hogwarts
**OO**
Harry put the letter aside. Padfoot, as he was known to his friends, was very funny. Harry looked forward to really meeting him to get to know him. Sirius had been upfront that he had not been as nice to Severus as he should have been when he was in school. He says that he was acting out against him due to the snake on his uniform that represented his own Black family to him for the most part. He was most apologetic, and healing was going well.
He also told Harry that he'd been adopted into House Potter, so gave his blessing a second time for Severus to be his guardian. This time for House Potter. Harry thought that was hysterical as both he and Severus were getting titles, but Harry had been sharing out a great many held in the Lestrange vault. They were going to be checking on that progress today.
Severus and Harry had an appointment with Spurnik. There were just a few days left before school was going to start.
Harry had kept careful track, and ordered the gold previously removed from the Black vaults returned to his godfather. He'd been trying to protect it from the Malfoys, not steal anything.
And while Sirius was doing better, he was still in treatment. Next summer, they had plans to spend more time together, and planned on writing to each other regularly through their post boxes in the meantime.
"I must say, Mr Potter, I was most impressed with your cleverness when it came to handling the Black gold. Goldrub has been most distraught that you have shown no interest in being the Black Heir in future."
Snape sneered for a moment but stopped at BloodRage's shifting stance. Right. No need to upset a goblin. And they had freed him from the Dark Lord forever. He felt lighter and happier ever since that time.
"We had a visit from Andromeda Tonks recently. As you may already know, she was nominated to be your magical guardian along with her daughter of the unspeakable name." Spurnik's smile was all goblin with that one.
Harry nodded. The ding on his shoulder healed very quickly, but he had learned not to tease Tonks about her real name. Though she hadn't meant to hit him that hard.
"Sirius Black is most grateful to you, Potions Master. He said that he deserved to go to prison for a decade for a prank gone wrong when you were students. He didn't give me details. He has gifts coming to you for that, and for rescuing Harry from Privet Drive."
Snape looked stunned for a moment. Maybe this was going to work out then. Tonks' mother, Andromeda, had said Sirius wouldn't take Harry away from Severus, but now? It appeared that was true.
Tonks was requested to live with Harry until adulthood. Something Severus didn't really have an issue with. If she ever married, they would work that out later.
Severus stood, "We still have a bit of shopping to do. If that is all…"
Spurnik motioned him back to his seat. He still had a bit more business.
"Dumbledore is trying to avoid all prosecution that he can. He has returned all Potter property with apologies. There is an ancestral invisibility cloak he wanted to give you to 'build bridges' or some such. We put it in the Potter family vault per Mrs Tonks instructions." Spurnik paused as Severus clearly wanted to say something.
"Andromeda was a prefect when I was a first year. She is smart, cunning, and has the common sense to keep an invisibility cloak out of the hands of a first year who is going to be prone to pranking as it is. I commend her actions." Professor Snape half bowed from a seated position.
"Hey! I'm right here you know. And I did help Bill." Harry folded his arms, pouting. Which was a good sign from Severus' viewpoint that the lad could do so in public without flinching.
"Continuing. The response from customers speaking inside the bank, who had received Mr Potter's thank you notes, have been very positive. Well done, young man." Spurnik nodded to the lad.
"Well, Tonks helped a lot, as did the elves. We need to do something with all the money we found in the Room of Requirement, though. Tonks suggested new school brooms, something I mentioned previously. New potions equipment, maybe pay for a new lab, that sort of thing. I don't want to give Hogwarts a penny while Dumbledore is there. But I think it sounds manipulative to say so." Harry shared.
"I think having a monitored space for students to brew would be an excellent use of the gold, Harry." Severus smirked. He knew something that he wasn't sharing.
"I did have some investment ideas for you. I prepared a portfolio you can take with you, and decide on later. But the reason you are here is this." Spurnik pulled out several photos of different Egyptian sites. "You have a rare talent. If your guardians give permission, we would like to hire you to translate for us. We can do this directly for gold, or trade."
Harry looked at the first picture and started to read out the runes. He sounded like a car tyre that had gotten a puncture. Severus stopped the hissing.
The potions master addressed the goblin, "What I want, you may not wish to provide. I know that Professor Flitwick has relatives at this facility. If Harry agrees to do this for you, whatever compensation is agreed to has to include being granted Sanctuary in case something goes wrong at Hogwarts. Only for while he is a student there."
Spurnik questioned this, "Sanctuary? As in, being offered room and board, presumably to hide from an enemy?"
Severus nodded, and the goblin went silent for a moment.
Harry had been about to offer to do the work for free. Then it dawned on him that this was an opportunity to travel. This job offer had great potential.
Spurnik nodded, "Agreed. For all of your family; you, the lad, Miss Tonks and her parents. Any or all of you are welcome, anytime. There will be nominal fees involved depending on how much translation work has been banked when or if such hospitality is needed. I'm sure you understand. Now, BloodRage has offered to accompany Heir Potter on a trip to visit the dragons while Severus and I speak alone."
On the way down the corridor, Harry eyed the guard warily. "You aren't going to chop me up into bits to feed them, right?"
"Why would I need to chop you into bits? You are nothing but a puny human; less than a bite to a magnificent dragon." The goblin shared bluntly.
"Well then, what do you feed the dragons?" Harry demanded.
"The usual. Surly wizards, unwatched children who wander into our offices and create havoc. We just don't have enough thieves on a regular enough basis to keep the dragons from getting hungry." BloodRage shared.
Harry's stomach growled right then, "Being hungry is no fun. I bet I could help, since I have a bunch of regular money. I could buy up the scraps and unwanted bits from butchers and such. You know. From when they cut up a cow or pig or something. And package it up for people."
"You would do that for a Gringotts dragon?" BloodRage queried seriously for the first time.
"Why not? Other than foodstuffs and muggle clothes, anything else I bought with muggle money would become illegal, especially if I enchanted it." Harry shared.
"Buying muggle foodstuffs. Muggle clothes. If I can borrow a disguise, will you show me how to do such shopping?" The burly if shorter-than-human guard asked.
"I will. If you promise to keep me safe from this dragon." Harry held out his hand.
"You take all of the fun out of things." BloodRage answered with a grin before shaking the young mage's hand.
**OO**
Spurnik raised the privacy level of his office to maximum, once the child had left and been gone long enough to assure them they weren't coming right back.
"Did you know that yours was the only warning we received of Rubeus Hagrid's little visit? Not even Filius sent an owl. Most suspicious." Spurnik shared.
"Indeed. But you did get it in time?"
Severus had figured out very quickly that Dumbledore was planning a gauntlet for Harry to run through. Why? He didn't know for sure, but he wasn't going to put the boy in danger on his watch.
He had participated along with the rest, only instead of poisons, it was Draught of Living Death.
Hopefully, when Dumbledore tested the route, he would be ensnared, and Harry safe. He had an antidote brewed too. In a locked box in Tonks' personal vault. Not something anyone could easily get. And Tonks promised not to fetch it without good cause.
Severus hired Bill to do a secret age ward that would keep anyone under twenty out of the corridor. Bill had asked why not seventeen, but Severus knew there were some legacy students who needed a few extra years to graduate, and he didn't want anyone caught out who had disabilities.
"We did, and you are not going to believe what this little treasure was. No, it wasn't something stolen from the Potters, though that was a possibility, with them staying at his cottage in Godric's Hollow.
"It was a Philosopher's Stone." Spurnik waited to see if this wizard was going to prove to be an ally or not.
"WHAT? He was going to have Hagrid bring that into a school? With my son? I mean my ward going there? If it was still around, and the remaining bit of the Dark Lord found out…"
"Yes, he could make himself a body, and use the rest to make gold and jewels and so forth. Replacements for what he lost in the Lestrange woman's vault. The perfect solution to solve most dark lord problems. But something unexpected happened, only hours after Hagrid came and was caught. We had a break in. I should say we had someone attempt an illegal vault visit, but to the High Auditors, it's being treated as a break in."
"You have someone in custody. Wait. Quirrell. But why would he be foolish enough to attempt to rob Gringotts…oh. He must have been listening in. What if he overheard Hagrid's mission, and followed him? Especially when he didn't come out? You captured Quirrell, I think? But then, where's the Dark Lord? He's got to be helping him."
Spurnik did not share that Quirrell was hosting the dark lord. It wasn't necessary to explain everything. He gave a head bow to Severus' perspicacity, "If you ever decide you've had enough of Hogwarts, come and work at the bank. Yes. He's being studied by our people. I'm surprised that Dumbledore hasn't replaced his Defense professor yet."
"He kept saying he was just on holiday. I wonder if I can use this to position myself for the DADA professor? Potter wanted to provide a new potions lab for the school. A project that I already started, unbeknownst to him."
"If I may suggest something to you, professor? Offer to teach upper years DADA and Potions. Skip the younger students. You'd be happier. The Ministry could provide an Auror for DADA, and likely someone competent for potions."
Severus looked like Yule had come early, and brought all of the other holidays with it.
"I will speak to Minerva as soon as I may. Bill is still pretending to look for the DADA curse. After all, if he stopped now, Dumbledore would know we found it. Wait. Quartermain! He wants to look for the Chamber of Secrets, and I want to make sure the defense curse is gone. This could really work." Severus spoke softly. "The Dark Lord is really going to be gone? Really gone?"
"I don't have the authority to extend a curse-breaker's remit like that. I'm sorry. But Quartermain is not under contract like Weasley. You could talk to him. Barring that, we do offer Employment Services to fill vacancies. Not that Dumbledore has ever used our services himself."
"Hah! You interview people, keep anyone with a jot of potential and intelligence for Gringotts itself, and pawn the rest off to the unsuspecting Magical world." Severus pointed out.
Spurnik grinned and nodded, "True, true. On a different note, we are releasing Rubeus Hagrid into your custody. He was a friend of Sirius Black, and has paid his fee. Dumbledore will think you did. Here is the receipt. I do hope he will pay you back."
"If he does, I will send it to Goldrub to repay Black. What about Quirrell?"
"Dumbledore brought an illegal device into Gringotts. He's been given notice of his vaults being confiscated for cause, and has less than forty-eight hours to respond if he wants to get anything out.
"Gringotts doesn't want his money. You know where it will go if I have any say. Your ward is being so very clever. I love what he has done with some of his unexpected inheritances." Spurnik rubbed thumb and finger. Oh, just how much treasure could someone as long lived as Dumbledore accumulate?
Severus closed his eyes. So many potion ingredients!
"I think that this is going to be a headache, but I still thank you."
They finished their serious conversation, and Spurnik tapped a rune. They then discussed minor issues of Harry's account until Harry and BloodRage came in. Harry had bloodstains on his practical robes that he was wearing.
"That was wicked! I got to help use magic to cut up some of the bigger pieces and feed the dragons. Can we please come back another time?"
Severus gave BloodRage a gimlet eye, "Are you trying to turn him into a goblin?"
"Transfiguration is not my strong suit of magic, Potions Master Snape." BloodRage bowed. "But he did learn the wandless cutting charm. For some reason, he seemed concerned that there were people willing to hurt him. I can't imagine why. He's such a sweet and loving child."
Harry knew that goblin parents complained about their children to protect them from evil. They would never compliment them in public. "You take that back! I'm awful! I'm conceited and spoiled and…"
Rubeus Hagrid was sent in just then, and Harry hid behind the guard. Hagrid never saw him, as his eyes were down.
BloodRage smiled a victory at their verbal sparring, but Harry's eyes promised a rematch. Next time.
"Mr Hagrid? Do you understand the conditions of your release? You do not personally enter the bank for a full year, you do everything through this box, by owl, or one of the Hogwarts elves. Breaking this rule will void the conditions of your release, and you'll be sent back to the mines."
The giant's pleas were heartbreaking, "Please! I'll be good. Perfessor Snape!? I thought it would be Dumbledore here."
"Albus wasn't aware you were missing. He didn't send me! I came because you hadn't been seen, and I was told your last errand was to the bank. Come. Your release has been paid for. Let's get back to Hogwarts."
"But they took…that is, there's something…I was supposed to…Perfessor Snape sir, I think that the Headmaster is going to be mad at me for all this. It's all my fault."
Spurnik looked up, and up at the man, and shouted, "Think next time! You have a brain. Use it! The Goblin Nation will not be abused by any wizard, not even Dumbledore!"
A chagrined Hagrid was escorted out by BloodRage and a small phalanx of guards, but Harry stayed in the room. Severus knew he had to return to Hogwarts with the half-giant but would rather have stayed with Harry.
"Stick with Tonks in the Alley. We'll holiday at a muggle hotel tonight, stay there for a few days. You'll ride the train the morning of September first. You did well here today Harry. You did very well."
They made a time to meet, and Severus left to escort Hagrid back.
Tonks was already very aware of some of the concierge services provided by Gringotts. Harry changed the color of his hair and lengthened it to go stand by Tonks. He didn't even look at Hagrid as they left, though he did feel sorry for him.
Severus needed to turn in the receipt to Flitwick, and ask McGonagall about Spurnik's suggestion for Severus to teach the upper years DADA and Potions. It made a lot of sense. And was infinitely more interesting than his current remit at Hogwarts.
Hopefully, it wouldn't be hard to talk Quartermain into staying at least until Yule.
Severus was ready to make a couple of suggestions for Potions, but at this point, they could get a ghost for all he cared about.
The Dark Lord was done.
Now, they just had to watch out for Dumbledore and get Harry through the next seven years of education.
**OO**
Moody had apparently beat Severus out in asking Quartermain to teach, and help keep an eye out for Harry. And Tonks. There were too many 'former' Death Eaters sending their children to Hogwarts this year.
Allan readily agreed, and was thrilled that Severus was teaching the upper years.
Moody also informed him of the Ministry's wisdom when it came to a new potions teacher. Note: Teacher. Not professor. The person had no mastery in any category, and had no NEWT in Potions.
When Severus found out, after thanking Moody, he quickly floo'd Andromeda. She agreed that the Ministry choice was unacceptable.
They would just have to wait for McGonagall to sack that professor, and she would come to teach. Tonks wouldn't be taking classes from her mother, so she really had no reason to object.
Severus would have to make sure that Harry was on his best behavior. Perhaps a list of written down rules.
**OO**
"Have you decided what you are going to tell Albus about Harry being yer ward, Severus?" Minerva asked, concern on her face.
"Actually yes. I will give him the choice of having Harry living with Black if Albus succeeds in taking Harry away from me. Black has vowed if he tries, he'll put Harry in Salem. Don't bother trying to tell him it's an all witches school. Black knows."
Minerva chuckled. "Well, I don't know how the rest of the staff is going to react when they learn. They were too involved in gossiping about your new look. With the family quarters, everyone is thinking there is a new witch in yer life."
Severus paled for a moment. No one understood, and he was not going to publicly bleed for Minerva.
"Not a romance, gah! I do not need that rumor circulating. Miss Tonks is Black's proxy for raising Harry. She agreed. She might change her mind by next summer, but right now, Harry is to live with her and I. She's my student, Minerva! I don't know if it has something to do with family magic or not, but the girl is becoming most proficient in potions. The young lady has a sparkling wit, and truly has bonded with the boy. She's Harry's older sister. May I ask you, Minerva, considering the trouble our team had in getting to the snitch before Charlie Weasley left, why isn't that boy flying for a professional team?"
Minerva adjusted her hair. "I really couldn't say."
Her sharp look of disappointment let Severus know that someone, likely Albus, interfered with that. But why?
"Oh. I see. Well, Let's lay the romance rumors to rest. The girl is in love with the second Weasley wizard. I don't know what will happen in the future. But I do know that she loves Harry and is completely devoted to the boy. She has organized everything from clothes to bath items to games. I got to brew more this summer than ever due to the lack of distraction. And I was teaching her some of the Potter hair care potions for Harry per his request. "
"And gotten you to use some yerself, or gave you a new hair care routine as well."
She reached out to touch a stray lock of fine black hair. He was wearing it in a warrior's queue that Tonks had shown him. He was also using a better brand of shampoo using a recipe she had from somewhere. Likely another Potter invention that wasn't sold off.
The less he thought about it the better, though he had tried to give Tonks' House a hundred points for the brewing of it.
She had styled Bill, his and Harry's hair. The boy discovered that by wearing it long with a bit of product, his unruly mop looked fairly nice.
"I think Dumbledore wants Harry to attend here, and since Albus has to stay at Hogwarts, he won't be able to try and overturn his guardianship. Who would represent Albus? How would they pay him? Those sorts of details." Severus pointed out.
"You've clearly thought this through. But Albus still thinks that Harry is with Petunia. The truth will come out." Minerva warned.
"Yes, eventually. And then he'll call the aurors and accuse me of being a secret Death Eater. I would love to wager with you about it, Minerva, but I am a parent now. I am trying to set a better example for my ward."
Minerva laughed and kissed him on the cheek, "Son, not ward, Severus. You are a wonderful father. Harry is lucky to have you. And Miss Tonks. I look forward to having him in my House."
"Minerva! The sorting is a matter of pride I can't walk away from. Would you care to place a friendly wager on that?"
The cat animagus was clearly twitching her inner whiskers as she bet not gold, but a small bottle of muggle Scotch whiskey. He'd drink that, when he won.
**OO**
Severus watched his watch, and stepped out of the floo precisely on time. Everything had been done at Hogwarts. He was looking forward to doing a little swimming, having dinner out, and just enjoying these last few days of summer holiday.
In addition, Severus was actually looking forward to the start of the school year for a change. He couldn't wait to see how Dumbledore reacted to the new staff.
**OO**
Severus recalled the typical Evans' family holiday before school started. They would go to the seaside for the day or go to a carnival of some type. Petunia managed to spoil at least part of the trip, so one year, just before their third, she was left at home when she refused to behave.
That year was the best holiday ever, and all they had done was go to the zoo, and then spent time at a pool. Lily had taught the pale boy how to swim.
All three had done their best to ignore that he was wearing a shirt with his trunks. His later development of a scar cream had allowed him to remove that shirt. Just as it had for Harry.
The faint scar on Harry's head was the only remnant untreated, but the boy had said something that had brought Severus to tears.
"This is a physical reminder that my mother loved me." Harry had said.
The cottage they lived in now sported more pictures than just what the Evanses had left behind.
It now had snaps of Harry and Severus playing wizard's chess. A picture of the three of them: Tonks, Harry and Professor Snape sitting on the deck, looking at the sea. Severus' hand on Harry's left shoulder, while Tonks held his right hand. It was a picture of the quiet peace they shared there.
There were some funny ones as well. Tonks playing a prank on Severus only to have it bounce back and hit her, captured perfectly on the set up camera. Tonks and Harry playing 'Match'.
Harry's metamorphmagus abilities were pretty much hair and noses right now, and he could change his skin color, but he was slowly gaining power over it. Tonks would lengthen or shorten her hair, and Harry would try to match it exactly. Then change the color of her hair or face, and Harry would change his. Then she would change her nose to a pig snout. Harry claimed that his muggle cousin looked like that all the time - and without magic!
For this special year, the family voted on going to a place with a pool. A cab could easily take them to King's Cross in the morning of September first.
**OO**
While Severus, Tonks and Harry relaxed by a pool at a luxury hotel (Gringotts had done a great job), Dumbledore was at the Ministry. After a short but relatively fair trial for 'illegal incarceration of Sirius Black', he had but one thought on his mind.
Hiring a professor for the lower years for DADA and potions.
Albus didn't want to use Quartermain. Allan had served as a hit wizard from the International Wizards League during the conflict with Grindelwald and he was ruthless. He'd grievously injured Gellert, causing Albus to stun Allan before he could finish his former lover off. In the aftermath, it was Dumbledore credited for taking Grindelwald out, but Albus knew the truth. Quartermain had then gone back to Africa until the later part of the Blood War, and happily hunted Death Eaters for a time.
The man was a menace! And worse, he was friends with Mad-eye, and Fudge refused to budge on him. DADA would have someone teaching students how to hurt each other. Bill hadn't found the curse yet, but with Quartermain in the castle, they might find and remove the curse that kept the rotation of professors going. He'd just have to keep them out of his domain. Well, at least it was only for that year. Or so Dumbledore thought.
For potions, Albus wanted someone who didn't want to be there, and didn't want to teach. Potions had the potential to be the most dangerous of magic. Something that Dumbledore had tried to suppress. First with Slughorn, who ignored the plebian students, and concentrated on collecting those with potential to be 'something'.
Horace certainly never encouraged the average student or taught them how to excel. Severus was even better as a professor in Dumbledore's mind. But here he was, trying to get the right person for the job. At first, he really wanted to object to the offered candidate. But he was on dangerous ground with both Fudge and Minerva.
A certain person was suggested who had Grand Ideas for the position. He again didn't get who he wanted.
Dumbledore wasn't happy with the substitute, but it was a good compromise. Albus was under what Fudge called 'House Arrest' meaning that he had been found guilty at a tribunal held by a special session of the Wizengamot. Andromeda Tonks had not been allowed due to a 'conflict of interest' since it was directly regarding Sirius Black being carted off to prison without the pesky details of a trial. Cordelia Greengrass voted the Prince seat for Severus and tried to get a harsher penalty than most.
The dark saw it as a good sign; the light saw the motion as that normal service had resumed, and both were completely wrong.
Dumbledore should be serving ten years in Azkaban. But, due to his age, and previous civil service, he was to stay at Hogwarts those ten years. No more ICW meetings or foreign holidays. No more Wizengamot. Augusta Longbottom was now Chief Witch, much to Dumbledore's disgruntlement.
Dumbledore headed back to Hogwarts with an escort. He briefly worried what the new professors would think of his little trap using the Philosopher's Stone. Now that Hagrid had returned, he just needed to put some finishing touches on the gauntlet.
Albus was trying not to think about the outcome of his trial.
They fined him as well, with half of the money going to Harry Potter, and half going to Sirius Black.
Well, it was for the Greater Good.
Little Harry would be getting away from his muggle family, and Albus could start working on building a relationship with the boy. And testing him against Voldemort. Well, as soon as Quirrell returned. Where was that man? At least he could get rid of Quartermain when he did turn up.
**OO**
The goblins had restricted access to Dumbledore's account, but allowed for the Ministry fine to go through. If they had their way, the rest of the vault would be split up three ways; Sirius Black, Harry Potter and Hogwarts.
The seizure of his vault for cause had been stopped by Ragnok for the moment so as to not tip Dumbledore off that the goblins had captured Quirrell. Dharma Briokz knew the laws inside and out. It was just a matter of time, and Dumbledore would wind up paying for bringing a Sorcerers Stone anywhere near Gringotts.
Paying, and paying, and paying.
**OO**
Their brief holiday had gone much too quickly.
Severus was dressed as a muggle professor. Tonks was in a summer dress with a wide brimmed hat. September first was on a Sunday this year, and the weather was perfect.
Harry thought she looked like a princess, and said so. For a minute, she was tempted to morph into looking like Princess Diana, but resisted. Too many muggles about. She did wear that hairstyle under the hat though.
Severus surprised Harry by giving him a warm embrace before going through the column to the magical side.
"There will be people you meet who will become your friends for life at Hogwarts. There will be people who just want to be near you who want to be near the celebrity.
"Use your gift of discernment so that you choose. Be well this day. I'm told there will be security in each carriage, just in case some of our enemies try something on the way to Hogwarts. It would be an unwise move. You have your portkeys?"
Harry patted his top button, his watch, and his left boot. Moody would give Severus points for vigilance.
One final hug, and the group moved casually through the barrier. Because hey were early, they got to meet some of the people who would be acting as guards on the train ride. Tonks and Harry were put in the second car, in a carriage near the front that was right next to the Head Boy's and Head Girl's compartment. Harry then got to meet the Head Girl herself.
"Calliope Clearwater, pleased to meet you Mr Potter. My sister Penelope is a new prefect for Ravenclaw. You can come to either of us, anytime. I'll be checking on you."
Calliope and Tonks talked a minute while Severus helped Harry put their trunks away. Severus ended the spell on Harry's robes. The buttons stayed the same, but he was now in student robes of the best quality.
Harry shook the man's hand. Severus and he were alone in the cabin, so the potions master bent down. He kissed Harry on the forehead, and gave him a warm embrace.
"No matter what House, I will support you. Your room is available to you in my quarters should you ever need it. You know the plan regarding the new potions teacher. We'll get that sorted soon."
Severus kept finding reasons to delay his departure: He didn't want to leave the boy alone on the train. He pulled out the packed hamper Jam had put together, though many of the items in it were things Harry had made himself. He dithered by the window, setting up a caterwauling charm that Harry could activate with a single touch if he needed help.
He'd already sent a coded message to several dark families that Potter had personal security on the train and they would be best served to just to keep their distance.
"Professor? Will I be able to talk to you tonight after the feast?" Harry asked in a small voice.
Severus was all warm reassurance, "Of course. We will see each other after the feast for a moment, and you will come to tea after your last classes tomorrow so we can catch up."
They hugged but broke off as Tonks entered the cabin with a friend of hers in Hufflepuff.
"I'd better get back to the castle, now. Best behavior, Harry. Miss Tonks, Miss Smith."
The witch Tonks came in with just stared at the retreating Professor's back.
"Are you alright, Miss Smith?" Harry asked.
"Tonks here tried to warn me. But wow. And his hair! It's so perfect. What a dish! I could just eat him up with a spoon!" Samantha Smith gushed.
Harry gave her a look. "Gah! Please tell me I don't have to hear that all the way to Scotland? He's my guardian."
Tonks pulled out a package of something small. "Not in the least. Enchanted earplugs if the girl-talk gets too much."
"Ha, ha." Harry accepted them though, and went to get something to eat out of the hamper. Tonks pulled up the hidden table from the floor that most students wouldn't notice unless they were shown.
He now had access to food anytime he wanted. And while the availability of chips or sweets was limited, he had a smorgasbord of other delights in his portable pantry.
"Would either of you like a bit of quiche? It's still warm. And there's orange juice." Harry offered; sounding like Severus but acting the consummate host.
Happily accepting a small plate of mini-quiches, and bottles of juice, the girls sat to talk. Harry opened up his 'Guide to Potions Interactions; the Magical Science of Mixing' and started nibbling.
Every once in a while people would poke their heads in to see who was sitting in the compartment.
It was only once the train started that they got their next occupant.
**OO**
Calliope was back with a girl in what appeared to be a private school uniform who was quickly wiping her face. "May Miss Granger sit here with you? She was not feeling welcome in her previous location."
"I got there first! Then they…" the girl stopped, clearly fighting more tears.
Harry was up like a shot, helping to store the trunk, then introduced himself. "Harry Potter."
The girl accepted and shook his hand. "Hermione Granger."
Harry waved towards the picnic hamper, made the girl a plate and got her some juice.
"My new guardian is the best, and insisted on real food. Apparently there's a sweets cart 'guaranteed to deliver hyperactive children' to Hogwarts. He didn't want me to be among them." Unbeknownst to Hermione, both Samantha and Tonks heard the professor's voice in his mouth.
Hermione giggled at that. "So I was told. I brought a packed lunch, but knowing my mum, it's enough to share out."
Samantha Smith introduced herself, and everyone else. She also offered up her lunch from home, and Harry sat it all out on the small side table into a little buffet complete with preservation charm on the food and cooling charms on the beverages.
"You're very good at that." Hermione complimented. He had organized plates and the food very professionally.
"I like to cook." Harry shrugged.
'Your past has given you skills. Concentrate on the good from it.' Severus had advised. Harry did just that.
"And he's great at it. Wait until tea. He's got more goodies hidden in there. I know. I helped shop for some of it." Tonks added.
He brought the hamper over to show his first friend his age. "Look at how light it is, it feels empty but then look inside. You fold this opening this way to get access to the fruit, but if you open it this way, there's the sliced meats and cheeses. Then you take out the middle tray, and underneath is even more!"
Hermione, her eyes wide with excitement, and much happier than she had been, started asking questions. Here was a practical demonstration of magic that she hadn't even read about.
"Oh! I have got to learn about that!" Hermione gushed.
Harry nodded eagerly, "You bet!"
There was a moment of solidarity, and their eyes met in shared excitement. There was something special about this girl, a kindred spirit, and Harry felt it. He had a new friend.
After exhausting that topic, she then turned to ask about Harry's potion book.
Setting aside the portable pantry for the moment, Harry became quite serious. Everyone there needed to know.
Harry warned her about the woman from the Ministry who was on a crusade to 'improve potions', and make it all much 'safer'.
"The woman is a menace. My guardian has talked someone else into coming after she leaves who hadn't wanted to come when the position was first opened. Here's a list of rules to succeed in her class. I'm sharing it with all my friends."
Hermione had started to read, then stopped. "Friends?" Then she looked up hopefully.
Harry had been moving around, and she saw the outline of the famous scar.
"Wait! Harry Potter? He's real? I read about you in books. You're the Harry Potter?"
Harry shook his head, "Hermione? Do you remember when we were in first form, and there were these adventure stories the teacher would randomly add students into?"
Hermione nodded and Harry continued. "Well, several people made a lot of money by doing that to me. But until a couple of months ago, I lived in a normal house, surrounded by completely boring, normal people. None of that nonsense about me in those books is true."
"That's what my parents said. A five year old conquering a dragon.? As if!" Hermione sniffed.
Harry beamed at her, so grateful that she too had a bit of discernment.
"No, he had to wait until he was eleven for that." Tonks quipped.
Harry laughed, and explained to the ladies about his trip to feed the dragons, and all the things BloodRage had said. And how he had helped BloodRage get a nice bonus by teaching him about places where the goblins could buy beef and pork discards and such directly, for the care and feeding of their dragons.
With normal, regular money!
By tea, Hermione knew that she was truly making friends for the first time. But it was during this break that Fred and George Weasley visited Tonks, bringing with him the menace that was their little brother.
**OO**
There was still food on the table when a polite knock sounded.
"Is the great prankster here?" One of the twins asked.
Harry was ready for this. "Oh yes. Miss Tonks, of the Unmentionable Name, Leader of the Marauders Second Generation, is ready to make a name for herself in Hogwarts' legend. Your Pranking Majesty, there are a couple of jesters here. Will you see them?"
Tonks snorted tea out her nose. Harry took that as a yes. Unable to speak, she summoned them in.
"But how does a mere firstie know about the great Marauders?" One of the twins asked.
Tonks showed off a bit of magic to Hermione by cleaning everything up with a wave of her hand. "Are you kidding? His godfather was one. But yes. Harry has pulled some marvelous pranks himself. Harry, this is Fred and George. And who do we have here?"
Tonks knew Ron, of course. But let his brothers introduce him.
George turned. Ron was standing outside, unsure if he should come in or not.
"This is our ickle Ronnikins. This is Samantha. Don't look her in the eyes or she will hurt you. This is Tonks, just Tonks. Her new little brother, Harry. And this is…"
"Hermione. Hermione Granger." Hermione introduced herself, shaking hands with each twin, unsure if she should point out that Ron had dirt on his nose.
"Come in! Have some of Harry's fabulous cooking. He made the pinwheels, and the biscuits, and the tea come to think of it. It's quite nice." Tonks waved.
Ron came in, grabbed one of the conjured plates and started helping himself to the food. Some going on the plate, some going into his mouth. His mouth full, he turn in confusion.
"Hey! What's your last name?" Ron asked, pointing with a pinwheel, spraying crumbs. He thought it might be, but was it?
"Are you talking to me? Potter." Harry answered, a little unnerved at his stare and worried that Petunia would be mad about the crumbs; slipping backward in that moment. She wasn't there, and he'd never be in trouble again for another's mess.
"Are you really him? I mean. Do you have the scar?" Ron mumbled through the mouthful, staring at Harry's forehead.
Tonks gave another wave of her hand. She loved practicing the wandless magic that Severus had taught her and Harry. Crumbs were banished, and she saw Harry relax a bit.
Ever grateful for Severus' warning, he gave his prepared spiel for all such reactions.
"You mean this?" Harry pulled back his hair. "My mother faced a monster, and called on ancient, powerful magic. She unleashed that power on that dark lord, saving my life and destroying his. This is forever a reminder of that day, a time of bravery, of triumph, and for me, one of loss. I lost my mum. And I will never forget her. Me? I don't know if I'll be good at magic or not. But you can bet one thing. With the guardians I have? I'll be doing my best in school."
Ron stepped back, causing the food stacked on his plate to wobble.
"But, but…wow! You're really him! I've heard you're really well off and stuff. Your elves did a great job with the food. So, which do you like better, Quidditch or Quadpot? I mean, how wicked is that game?"
Harry shared a look with Hermione. Fred and George were whispering with Tonks.
He'd much rather be planning pranks than talking with Ron. Not that he planned to do more than plan pranks.
His male guardian had made it clear that anything he did that actually harmed someone was going to be met with double punishment. He'd get it from a Head of House, then Severus. Just getting caught in a prank would get him punished. And he promised to be…creative.
Severus had not once hit him, not that Harry planned on giving him a reason to.
Hermione, seeing the situation for what it was, tried to rescue Harry. She pulled the potions book over. "Oh Harry, there was that question that I had you were going to explain? About aconite? How can it be called so many things?"
Ron, who had access to magical books for years and had successfully dodged them despite his older brother Percy practicing 'Prefecting' on him, had had enough.
He mumbled a farewell, took his treats and beat a quick retreat.
Harry and Hermione shared a look and then burst into quiet giggles.
When he sobered, Harry shared, "I love reading and learning new things, Miss Granger. I do hope that you can put up with that quirk."
"I do as well, Mr Potter. I think we shall get on famously."
**OO**
The goblin that should have been given the gold that Severus Snape, Heir Prince, had recently invested had the Prince account manager seething. How dare Spurnik steal his commission like that?
Skeelez wasn't alone in Gringotts; he had connections. Special family. Family that others normally didn't speak about.
The goblin version of Unspeakables. And they were studying a very special thief somewhere in the bowels of Gringotts.
**OO**
The trip to Hogwarts across the lake was everything Severus said and more. What a brilliant introduction to the castle! But then they were there. His guardian had done a good job of making sure that while Harry was outside in the rain when visiting Hogwarts the first time, he never actually saw the castle. And he'd mostly stayed in Severus' quarters.
The view from the boats had been spectacular.
Harry felt every eye upon him when his name was called. One old set of eyes had been on him the whole time, but Harry was too smart to look upon the whiskered one this close.
Now here he was, about to be sorted. Several students had gone to various other Houses. Hermione had clearly argued, but was sent to Ravenclaw.
Harry had told her what House he was going to. Harry donned Godric's old bonnet, looking new and jaunty after the cleansing and gift of feather. The lad fairly shouted a friendly hello.
'You are still looking very nice, Hat. How have you been?"
'I haven't had a friend since Godric, young man. You know, just for a prank I should put you in the same House as the Weasley twins, and where your parents went.
'And you have bravery, and could do well there. But that would be a prank, and that is not who I am. Or where you should be. Slytherin's blood runs through your veins from more sources than the upstart had. Make us proud, young Heir, proud to be'
"SLYTHERIN!"
Harry had told Tonks to place a bet for him, not that Severus approved. The Weasley twins were devastated, but Ron in the back had a great response.
"I ate Snake food? I'm going to be sick!" The boy shouted, earning himself the ire of several, including the Deputy Headmistress whose scowl stopped any further rant.
Harry walked over to the Slytherin table, bowing to Professors McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick on the way.
To his guardian, he gave a shy wave.
Harry shook several hands, trying to memorize names to faces. Then the Head Boy came up. Right. Phineas Bracegridle. Slytherin and proud.
"Welcome, Potter. There hasn't been a Slytherin Potter since…"
"My grandmother. Now granted, she was Dorea Black then, and I have a bunch of Black family that wore the silver and green. Then there was Horatio Potter. While Headmaster, he was rather infamous for having a wife at the castle, who taught Transfiguration, by the way, and a different Lady Potter at home for society functions and such."
The boy held out his hand, shook the Head Boy's and took his seat.
Severus then clapped politely and nodded. But he couldn't fool Harry. The man was proud.
After the feast and sorting, the Headmaster warned everyone away from the third floor corridor unless they wanted to suffer a most painful death. Harry had his own personal warning from Severus the summer before. If Harry was caught trying to feed Fluffy again, he'd be tethered to a prefect for the next month once school started.
Trying to argue that the dog was lonely and needed a friend did not endear him to his guardian.
One of the new instructors took that moment to stand and laugh.
"Oh Dumbledore! You are just so funny! You slay me with your humor." The woman then shuddered, straightening her pink cardigan. "Hem, hem. I just have a little speech prepared. Thank you for your warm welcome."
Madame Umbridge (she had no mastery in any field, and had barely passed potions at the OWL) eventually sat. Hermione and Harry's eyes met across the Hufflepuff table.
This woman was planning to do something awful!
She wasn't going to let them brew! Hermione just knew it! Suddenly, the list of rules Harry gave her made more sense. She would copy them, and distribute them to her roommates.
Allan Quartermain, famous in both the wizarding and muggle worlds, was barely introduced and managed to look like a harmless, mild college professor. His look towards the pink one later was full of mirth as he seemed to be eagerly waiting for her downfall.
**OO**
Defense Against The Dark Arts had caused a great stir amongst all of the students who had it that day.
Harry was using a small roll to demonstrate when there was a knock at Professor Snape's door.
"Severus? I don't mean to intrude. Oh, hello Harry."
"Sir, I asked Professor Quartermain to call me by my first name in private." Harry headed off any concerns from his guardian. "Do you need privacy, sir? I can go to my room."
"Nonsense! While it's a problem, you have a mind and cleverness. You might be able to help with the solution to this conundrum."
The professor was invited in. His beard and hair were all grey, and the man bore many scars. His wrinkles made him look like a man in his seventies, but he was born before Albus Dumbledore.
"The first year class, –and who thought putting Slytherins with Gryffindors was a good idea? I'm getting together with Minerva to do a switch. Ravenclaws and Slytherins are a better pairing." Quartermain watched Harry's face light up. "Anyway, the problem is several of your first years and several of Minerva's have unmatched wands. I realize they are expensive, and the school doesn't have the funds to just buy them. But Longbottom might as well be using a dead stick he found outside!
"He'll learn the motion and the spells, but for doing magic? Not possible."
Harry looked at Severus who nodded solemnly.
"Sir, if you would keep it anonymous, I would be willing to buy a few wands. I know about Millie's, what did you call it? 'Dead stick'.
"But you have to watch out for Ollivander. He kept trying to push a wand on me that didn't work as well as the first one I tried. I think he's a few sickles short of a galleon." Harry finished in a whisper.
The man laughed. Severus must have already told him about the brother wand to the dark lord and how it was meant for Harry Potter.
"Hey Severus! Maybe that wand would work for Neville!" Harry watched his guardian's relaxed and open posture change in a moment to dour and dangerous. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say anything wrong."
"Nonsense lad. So, shall I call in Duke Guierre of Orleans? He's a decent sort. Or should we see if we can get Ollivander to actually match some wands?" Quartermain asked.
"Allan! My ward does have some extra resources he's willing to share, but Orleans charges five hundred galleons or so per wand. Custom makes each one, and he takes forever. We might see them delivered next year. Let's bring in Ollivander or if he won't come, arrange a trip for those who need one at the weekend."
"You've a prodigy here in Defense, Severus. He dodges, weaves, and already knows the spells on this term's list. I plan to have him working as an assistant in class."
"That's good to hear." Severus gave Harry a small smile as the other professor rose and walked towards the door. "Just keep him safe, please? Thank you for stopping by."
Quartermain gave a jaunty salute in acknowledgement, as he exited.
If only the reason for Harry's natural skill hadn't been honed by the necessity of dodging frying pans, homicidal uncles and a vicious cousin.
Severus put a stack of summer essays to mark next to him.
For the rest of the visit, they were together in quiet industry. Harry did the reading assignment for DADA, and started on the essay for Herbology. The gentle scritch-scratch of Severus' quill disturbed the quiet now and then, but it was a peaceful time until dinner.
**OO**
Head Boy Bracegirdle cut off Malfoy's rant before it got started again on how Harry Potter should be in Gryffindor.
"Shut it! Do you know when the Slytherin team had decent brooms for each position last? Do you? Well, Potter bought a full set for the team with the only stipulation being that tryouts be opened to witches too.
"If your family had bought those brooms, I bet they'd be demanding you get a position."
Draco slid his hand through his impeccable hair and looked away.
"Your problem is that you are jealous. He's quiet and studious, and has done nothing to attract attention. When anyone tries to thank him for ending the dark lord, he denies he did anything. Instead, he praises the brilliance of his mother, and she was Head Girl in her day. They don't give that out to just anyone; especially muggleborns! If you want to shine, stand out, then do something worthy."
"I'm the Heir of two great Houses!" Draco claimed, though he was only wearing the Malfoy ring.
The Head Boy scoffed. "Tell me that after the Black family meeting. We all know about the change in direction of that House, Malfoy. We also know that Black is accepting half-bloods as members. Lord Black says the phrase 'Toujour Pur' means always magical, no muggles. So, you could marry a muggleborn and stay in the family, but not a muggle. And Miss Tonks is very magical."
"Eww! You're not thinking of courting her, are you?" Draco looked ill.
"No, I am betrothed, but if I wasn't, I most certainly would try. Your view of the world is so very narrow, Malfoy. Try to make a few new connections. You're going to be here for seven years. That time can be pleasant or miserable. Your choices will dictate your path for the most part.
"Choose wisely."
**OO**
The first week went rather well. Other than the first day, Harry, Hermione, Susan Bones from Hufflepuff and Neville from Gryffindor started studying together in the library before dinner. On Thursday, Neville bragged to them all how the Defense professor had gotten him a new wand and he did his first magic in Charms with Hermione's aid.
"Well done, Neville!"
"It's holly with a phoenix feather core! I wonder if it's from the headmaster's phoenix. They're really rare, you know."
Harry hid his internal wince, trusting Quartermain and Severus to monitor Dumbledore, and congratulated Neville on his new wand.
Bracegriddle walked by, and gave Harry ten points for 'modeling proper Slytherin behavior' before moving on to his own work.
Susan huffed, "What about me? Am I not embracing other Houses? Making friends?"
Hermione shook her head, "Of course, but we aren't wearing the right colors to get actual points."
Harry pulled out his wand, whispered, then put it away.
Unbeknownst to them, they had been pranked. That was, until they went to dinner when it stopped the minute they passed the door in the Great Hall. They all had green and silver hair, including Harry himself.
Tonks narrowed her eyes at Fred and George but the prank hadn't hurt anyone, but they were looking at her.
Severus was eyeing everyone except the perpetrator. Harry beamed, as he went to sit with Hermione at the Ravenclaw table. He made sure to school his features to neutral before facing his guardian, however.
He'd gotten away with it as the notice-me-not component had worked on the group themselves. His first prank and Severus wasn't even mad.
Hehehe.
**OO**
On the way back to his private room in Slytherin, Harry stopped by Severus' quarters. Harry then shared Neville's news about his new wand with Severus who then quaffed a headache potion.
Neville did get the Dark Lord's brother wand. Short of destroying the wand, and whatever protection it might have for the lad, there was nothing to do. If Neville knew the story, he hadn't shared it with Harry.
"It's nothing to worry about, lad. Oh, I got the notice for the Prince Will Reading finally. I want you to think about this very seriously. You know that Black will be hurt if you agree to be my heir and not his. But I do want you to be my heir."
Harry knew that the only woman Severus ever loved was his mother. Could he learn to love again?
"Wouldn't you want your own son to be your heir, sir? I mean if you ever married?"
Severus looked at him intently. "Regardless of if I marry or not in future, regardless of if I have children in future, you will still be my son. Nothing can change that, Harry."
The lad, hiding tears, nodded mutely. Finally getting a semblance of control he croaked out, "Yes, I will be the Prince heir sir. With thanks."
And then it hit him, what this really meant. They were family, Severus wanted him, wanted him. The tears struck unexpectedly, and Harry buried his head into Severus' side.
With fatherly gentleness, the powerful wizard wrapped his arms around the child, missing Lily so intently for a moment that it physically hurt. If only she had lived! They would have been so happy, the three of them.
The Boy-Who-Lived clung to the man for a moment before his watch chirped a quiet alarm. The boy hugged him hard, then went running to beat curfew. The prefects were very strict about being in the common room a quarter hour beforehand.
Surreptitiously rubbing his own eyes, Severus chuckled before chiding the boy, "No running in the hallways, Prince-Potter!"
**OO**
Daphne Greengrass tried to open the door to the Potions classroom, but it was locked. She looked at the time.
At two minutes past the hour, the doors opened. The Slytherin students were all sent to one side of the new potions laboratory. There were benches, and a place to brew. Lights and ventilation. But there were no supplies anywhere.
Neville Longbottom, one of the Gryffindors, started to pull out his cauldron when the professor, a short and squat woman came over and tried to hover over him. She wasn't much taller than Neville sitting on a stool next to the bench.
"Hem, hem. What do you think you are doing with that cauldron? Don't you know that most potions accidents are caused by careless first years? Put it away!
"Class, you will be learning potions the correct way. The way the Ministry wants you to learn. You will study this theory very well so that one day, you can brew a potion without blowing up a cauldron."
Sally-Ann Perks, a normally very shy girl, raised her hand.
"I recognized Mr Longbottom from the many times we have interacted in cultural events at the Ministry. I don't recognize you. What is your family name?"
"Crouch ma'am. My mother won't allow me to attend society events until my fifteenth birthday." Sally stated.
"LIAR! Her name's Sally Perkins…" Ron shouted, getting her name wrong.
"And she's nothing but a stupid mud…" Draco had started to call the shy witch something terrible.
That wandless spell Severus taught Harry worked very well.
Harry raised his hand, "Um, Professor Umbridge? Miss Perks didn't know she was a member of House Crouch until she went to Gringotts at the beginning of summer. Or so I read. She inherited it. Did you know her grandparents were magical?"
The professor glared at Harry for a moment. "Detention, Potter."
"As you wish Madam Umbridge. When my guardian asks, may I please know why I got detention."
"You lied in class, and were disrespectful."
Harry, saying nothing more, turned to the book. He'd share this memory later. But Professor Snape's rules made more sense now.
Sally-Anne was spluttering, never even getting a chance to ask about brewing but she too had a copy of the secret rules so said nothing. Harry had shared them out.
The rest of the double period was spent reading the driest potion book ever written. Harry had trouble staying awake. This was torture taking one of his favorite classes and turning it into this mockery.
The trap was baited and set. He'd be sure and talk to Tonks before attending detention.
**OO**
The letter from the Ministry was clear. Sally-Anne Perks was the Heiress to House Crouch. She also asked about Hermione Granger, who was sporting the heiress ring to House Rosier.
Something was going on, and she would get to the bottom of it. If anyone not born of House Rosier was getting a ring, it was going to be Her!
Umbridge had no idea of Harry's generous nature, or his concern for muggleborns in general. He'd met too many adult muggleborns last summer who were working puling jobs for piddling wages in the wizarding world, or having no job at all due to lack of family connections.
The budding herbologist Harry had met at the garden center was now working on her Mastery due to an anonymous donation. She could start on that goal now instead of waiting. She could work part time, if she wished. But she no longer had to.
Harry was going to be playing pranks on the wizarding world for a time, and their own rules would be used against them.
**OO**
Saturday arrived. Severus didn't want to take Harry with him to Gringotts for what was going to be a boring legal meeting. But he didn't want to leave the child alone either.
He asked Tonks to stay with him in Quartermain's defense practice. He was going to have an open practical to go over every spell in the OWL curriculum. Everyone was welcome, and it would be a safe place for Harry to be.
Upon entering the bank, instead of Spurnik, he was greeted by a goblin he didn't know.
"I am Skeelez, House Prince Account Manager."
"I didn't know that my grandfather had an account manager?" Snape shared. The Prince family gold he'd invested here had been managed by Spurnik.
"Gringotts is proud of its laws regarding what can and cannot go into a vault. I manage the Prince businesses and its small expense vault. If you'll come with me."
BloodRage happened up the corridor just as Severus disappeared around the corner with the other goblin. He tried to walk casually up to one of the tellers.
"What was Skeelez doing up here?"
"Something about a Will Reading. House Prince, I think I heard."
That was odd. House Prince had a few necklaces, maybe some gems. Something was up, and knowing Skeelez, it certainly wasn't good.
BloodRage handed over a coin, walked to the corridor where Spurnik's office was located. The minute he was out of view of wizards, he broke into a run.
**OO**
The crow descended from the heights. Breakfast was over, and all of the benches and tables were shrunken and stacked leaving the floor bare for DADA practice.
The bird cawed, then flew down towards Harry.
The boy dropped to the floor, as the avian appeared to be attacking. He dropped the letter, and it floated down upon him.
Neville gave him a hand up. "That's a Gringotts notice. Wicked looking birds, though."
'Your presence is required at Gringotts. Come alone and be prepared to give ten thousand galleons for the return of your guardian. You have until 5:00 PM or he will be fed to the dragons.'
Harry ran to Tonks. Severus was in danger! She in turn went to Quartermain.
He read the note thoroughly.
"Harry? I want you to listen to me very carefully. Do you still have your grandfather's cloak?"
"Yes, but it's in my vault at Gringotts." Harry was distraught, and not thinking.
"But Jam could get it for you! And the gold. Does Gringotts allow people to be kidnapped there?" Tonks was frightened, but thinking.
"Not normally, but they are used as arbitrators for hostage exchanges. Something odd is happening. I'll wear the cloak. Tonks, you can appear as an older witch. I assume you want to go, Harry?" Quartermain got his start young; like others, he had no problem putting young wizards in danger.
"No one could stop me." Harry stated, ready to fight.
"Then let's dismiss the rest now." Quartermain summoned all Prefects, and dismissed the class by House, Slytherin last.
By that time though, the three of them were coming out of the floo at Gringotts.
*OO**
Last time's Story Recommendation by csheila, BirdWoman95, as introduced me to an author I just have to recommend. And
I object! by PseudonymousEntity.
Old Crow and Tom are working on "Changing the Balance of Power"
s/14223029/1/Changing-the-Balance-of-Power
More rec's are coming - we have a lot pending. Thank you for all of the great recommendations!
**OO**
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts