A/N
Cast:
Unless stated otherwise the cast from the movies represent who portrays what character in the story (Dan Radcliffe as HP etc.)
William Everett: Henry Cavil
Eleanor Everett: Diane Kruger
Daphne Greengrass: Sydney Sweeney
Tracy Davies: Hailee Steinfeld
Rowena Ravenclaw: Kelly Macdonald
Helga Hufflepuff: (a younger) Kathy Bates
Godric Gryffindor: John Rhys-Davies
Salazar Slytherin: Jeremy Irons
For Reference
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
§Parseltongue§
Chapter 10: Back to Basics
As the 6 students walked toward the Entrance Hall, Albus Dumbledore was receiving a visitor in a full grey outfit that even covered the head. This person was an Unspeakable, and they bore a moving image that seemed to stir the old man from his memories.
"Gellert? What have you done?!"
The Unspeakable answered, "What should have been done decades ago, Albus."
"You murdered him before he could be redeemed!"
An undignified snort left the facemask of the unspeakable, "That's a laugh old man, we also found your hidden cache of dark items. Many of which has already been destroyed. No, besides winding you up, I am here to put this on you."
The unspeakable placed a chain necklace around Albus' neck, an object that tightened to a snug fit, "What is this?! I feel weakened!"
A nod from the unspeakable is all that is said as they exit the room.
A few moments pass, Albus feeling weaker and weaker as Amelia enters the room.
"Amelia! You must take this device off of me! It is killing me!"
"Oh stop being a baby Albus, I'm not sure what it is but I'm assured that it will make you weaker and start to feel your age. It is long since time you retired."
"But I must be strong so I can lead Harry Potter to his destiny!"
"Oh you mean that false self fulfilling prophecy you imperioused Sybil Trelawney into making about the one with the power? That destiny?"
"How is it you know this? I am a pureblood, I have every right to refuse Veritaserum."
"Let us just say, Albus my boy, that the truth can hurt just as much as a spell can. The goblins are itching to get their hands on you, so they provided their method of truth potion. Chin up Albus, it wasn't our truth potion, it was theirs.
'Oh shit,' Albus thought.
*TFR*
Harry had a lot on his mind, Hermione and Tracy being the main things. Ever since he was rescued he has had friendly people around him. Pafoo and Hedwig have been helping a lot with his anxiety, and he now finally had a loving mother figure in Eleanor. That Luna saw Harry having a future at all helped him greatly, that girl seemed to always know when he needed a good word, he chalked that up to her seer ability. He and Hermione both seemed quite taken with Tracy and he just didn't understand why.
The few months he had at the Everett home was easily the happiest times of his young life, he had bonded with Hermione instantly, and over the last month, had developed a similar bond with Tracy. Luna seemed to know it would happen and was very open with the others and him about it. Hell, Will seemed a little apprehensive when she told him he had a second partner in his future. He seemed to be warming up to the idea as he had Daphne on one arm and Luna on the other, though that may just be him being a gentleman as he tends to do that kind of thing anyway.
Pafoo looked comfortable as Tracy carried him in her arms. He was brought out of his thoughts as Wispy bowed and pointed out the large painting that was now in the Great Hall behind the staff table.
*TFR*
Will had been explaining to the girls, with Hermione and Luna adding details he missed, just what had happened the day prior. They are guided by Wispy as McGonagall enters behind them.
"Students, lunch will not be served for another hour at least, what are you doing here?" she asks.
Wispy answers for them as Will, Harry, Hermione, and Luna continue behind the staff table to the portrait, "They is following the orders of the Founders they are."
McGonagall gaping at the 4 first years as they remove the nameplate on the painting and press their fists to holes in the back plate. Within the painting steps 4 figures that haven't been seen in the Great Hall since their deaths, the legendary Founders of Hogwarts.
Will bows slightly, "Founders, we have done the task you gave us. My question is, what next?"
Slytherin chuckles, "Now we retake the school, away from all forms of politics. The government has the right to make sure the correct things are taught, but ultimately that falls on us to decide what should and shouldn't be."
Hermione catches on, "Then Mundane Studies should be a mandatory class for all those raised in the magical world, and a twin subject, Magical Studies, should be made for those of us born in the mundane world!"
Ravenclaw nods her head in acknowledgment, "That is exactly the kind of thing we need to work on my dear."
McGonagall explodes, "Just what the devil is happening here!?"
The Founders and Successors, plus Daphne and Tracy, turn to her as one.
Gryffindor starts with a chuckle, "With an explosive temper like that, you can only be one of my house. I am Godric Gryffindor. I trust my companions need no introductions?"
McGonagall stood there stunned.
*TFR*
The specter of the Dark Lord had made it to the ward line of Malfoy Manor, if he could he would have breathed a sigh of relief, he felt his anchor within the building. Calming down from his fear induced panic he quickly formulated a plan, especially when he saw a man that he believed to be dead, Peter Pettigrew.
The specter formed as cohesively as he could in front of the rat man saying, "Wormtail my slippery friend we must act fast, Lucius possesses something precious to me and we must collect it from him."
Pettigrew whimpered his shocked reply, "M-m-my l-lord? Wha-what has become of you?"
"The Potter boy did this to me that night, but with the help of you and Lucius we can make me… more…"
*TFR*
Adrian Greengrass finally had nailed down a time to have the Potter Will publicly read. Something that, on a tertiary reading, Adrian could see why Dumbledore had done so much to prevent. This would have prevented him from having access to his pawn and private piggybank. The Elder House of Dumbledore was slated to be dissolved in the next Wizinegomot session due to his evil deeds.
Adrian turned his attention to the warrant for Severus Snape and breathed a sigh of relief, 'We can finally start cleaning house.' He contemplated his next move. With the death of the Defense Professor and arrest of the Potions Professor and previous Headmaster, Hogwarts would need to close, at least temporarily to allow it to find people to fill those positions. The question became how long?
He wrote a note to the board of governors asking for a temporary closure of the school. Not realizing the changes that were already in motion.
*TFR*
Will, Harry, Hermione, and Luna all felt a sense of something entering their minds as the founders spoke. What it was they couldn't tell, but it was powerful. "Harry looked up to Godric and asked, "What is this feeling I am getting sir?"
"You 4 feel it don't you?" At the 4 nods he continues, "You 4 are now in control of the castle's defenses. All of it, wards, sentries, traps, the whole lot of it."
Rowena adds, "As of this point all you need to worry about is the wards. We can feel the patchwork mess that they have become. We must reset them soon so we can make them strong again."
McGonagall raised her eyebrow, "Are you saying that the wards now are weak?"
Salazar nods, "Indeed, the last few heads especially tampered with the wards to allow certain types of magic or items in the castle. A full reset is needed by this point."
Helga continues that thought, "Back to the basics at first, then we can change them to adapt to the times."
Will looks to the founders and asks, "Is it possible for the Non-magical parents to visit here? I don't think it is fair on either side of the divide. Their kids are here for 9 sometimes 10 months of the year with the only means of communication being Owl Mail."
The 4 Founders look to one another in what can only be described as a silent conversation between them. It was a long moment before Godric answers, "If… It is something that you desire, we can work around it."
Before Will could reply he is crushed by a brown haired missile as Hermione tackle hugged him, "Thank you for asking that Will! I don't think I could have asked that in my state of mind right now!"
As she kissed him on the cheek he looks at the founders saying, "This is why right here, people like Hermione here are taken from a world they know and are thrust into basically a new country with it's own code, rules, and laws. It's not fair to separate parents from their children or one sibling from another. If possible I'd like to see the gap between our peoples disappear entirely."
The founders were looking at this impassioned young man that has a young lady holding onto him in gratitude filled glee, this is the passion they were hoping for. "We can and will work on that William, but we must close the school down for at least a week for the reset. This will return the wards to their base settings. We can easily make a workaround for the Muggle Repelling Charms built into them."
Will looked to the very clearly happy Hermione that had her arms around him and smiled.
*TFR*
The doors open at the entryway to reveal Eleanor escorting Madam Bones and several red robed Aurors into the castle. Eleanor noticed the kids in the Great Hall but kept going as the school needed her more than they currently did. She lead them to the defense teacher's quarters to show them what she had found.
Amelia took a glance around and ordered, "Tibbs, Hickson I want everything documented and done by the book, we don't know what cause this so safety measures first."
"Yes Ma'am," both answered with a salute as Amelia proceeded onward with the remaining Aurors toward the Potions Lab.
"Do you need me there Madam Bones?" Eleanor asks.
With a shake of her head Amelia answers, "No, but it looks like you have 3 positions you need to fill to keep the school running now. It may just be easier to close the school for a time to find candidates for the positions really."
Eleanor nods, she had been considering the option, and truth be told, it did sound easiest.
*TFR*
Severus Snape was in a very foul mood after that blasted Duffer Everett bested him, in his own house's Common Room no less! His mood turned cold as he saw Amelia and 3 Aurors step into his office.
"Severus Tobias Snape, you are under arrest for suspected Death Eater activities-" Amelia began only to be interrupted by Snape drawing his wand, only to be put down hard by the Aurors on either side of her. "Well, I guess we can add resisting arrest to his charges. Get him in a holding cell and give him the flushing treatment. I want him ready for truth serum, as a half blood, he can and will be questioned with it."
"Yes Boss," the 3rd Auror who had a green band on his shoulder answered, "I'll have him ready for your interrogation Madam, hopefully tomorrow he will be."
Severus was bound in magic suppressing cuffs and levitated away by 2 of the Aurors, leaving Madam Bones and the last Auror there, "We have enough reason to search this room for any clues as to his activities. So lets get to it."
*TFR*
Lucius met with the other 11 members of the Hogwarts Board of Governors as they were debating what to do with the school now that it didn't have a teacher for defense or a headmaster, they didn't yet know that the potion professor was currently being slapped in irons himself at the time. Not that it would have changed their plan of action. They would close for 2 weeks while the board and Deputy headmistress looked for replacements.
"Why don't we have Minerva take control?" one asked.
That was the last thing Lucius wanted, Minerva McGonagall was the headmaster's lapdog and would only parrot the old man's ideals. Ideals he clashed with. No he would want a school free of Mudbloods and the more defiant half-bloods.
"No that won't do at all, Dumbledore's failings would be magnified by her, being his colleague for so long. No I am proposing that I take the reins myself. A strong hand is needed right now," he droned.
A laugh is his answer, "Really? You? Strong? We should not leave someone weak to the Imperious curse in charge of our children."
If a glare could kill, Glenn McLagan would be dead several times over, "Really Glenn? Trying to throw that back at me? How droll."
"Our collective answer is no Lucius," Augusta Longbottom said as if speaking for the room, "That kind of vote must be a unanimous one, and it will never be given… your past associations."
Lucius let out a sigh as he reached for his brandy.
*TFR*
Eleanor entered the Great Hall and finally got a good look at the painting she glanced at earlier, 'Sweet Merlin, is that a portrait of the founders?'
Harry perks up when he spots Eleanor, "Mum! Come on in!"
Hearing him call her 'Mum' tugs her heartstrings in a way she never imagined. She blinks away the happy tear as she moves to her second 'son' and embraces him, "Hello my dear boy. Who is this?" she indicates the portrait behind him.
Luna answers for him as Harry was enjoying the motherly embrace, "They are the Founders, Lady Everett! They each have chosen one of us to be a spiritual Successor to them. They want to close the school down to reset the wards through us."
Daphne and Tracy had been watching this for the last half hour or so, asking the founders various questions and getting answers in turn, but largely had been observing their 4 friends as they were essentially elevated way beyond normal station.
Daphne grabs Will's hand and asks him, "Do you also have to continue the founder lines Will?"
Tracy eyes Harry as Salazar answers for him, "No my dear, they do not. Our titles will pass on to another group of 4 if they are needed again. This time we shall be watching the castle ourselves however."
Daphne deflates a little, "Shame…"
Will pulls her into a one armed embrace, "I am still just me, I am the William Everett you met a couple months ago, just with a fancy new, or is it old, title that won't pass on when I do."
Daphne leans her head on his shoulder as the doors to the Great Hall burst open and in comes 12 people that not many of them knew. Each of them held a slip of pink parchment in their hands.
Eleanor answers the unasked question to the group, "This is the board of Governors. And Lucius seems upset by something."
"Great… I just wanted to go out and fly on Goldie after this…." Will groused.
