A/N: I am thrilled that I am able to create my own universe in the reality created by JKR. I own the ideas and characters and places which are unfamiliar. Anything you recognize belongs to the Creator.

The large, noisy group of Gryffindor first and second years went down to the Great Hall, joining those from the other houses at dinner. When they reached the house table, a whisper from Keith into Harry's ear had him and Hermione sitting so they looked out into the hall. Ron sat next to Hermione and Colin Creevey next to Harry. Keith sat across the table from them, flanked by Ginny Weasley and Katie Ball. Before the food came, the Headmaster called for their attention.

"Before we eat, a few announcements. First, Madam Bones informs me that the investigations into the events of 1 September evening are nearing completion. If they are not concluded by tomorrow, they shall be before classes start on Monday. I am pleased at your cooperation with the DMLE and urge you to continue doing so. "

"Second, we welcome back our four students from their time away, helping Madam Bones and receiving treatment at St. Mungos.

"Third, while away from Hogwarts, Harry Potter has assumed his position as Lord Potter of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. As such, he will now live in one of the Lord's suites in Gryffindor Tower. In addition, he has taken a traditional step for lords of our magical houses and named a Seneschal. His Seneschal is Mr. Keith Krukmakare.

"None of this has been seen here at Hogwarts for close to one hundred years; my final announcement is that immediately after dinner, everyone will return to their common rooms. There you will meet with your head of house and another professor who will explain about the school's rules for having a lord here as a pupil.So, for now, enjoy your meal and be prepared to learn about these new circumstances." And then platters materialized and plates were filled.

Hermione watched, a bit concerned, as Keith demolished a huge meal. "Are you OK, you're eating so much?"

Blinking at her, he replied, "Yes, I think so. I'm good enough to be released, but it'll be a day or two before I can wrestle a troll!"

Hermione giggled, thinking back to that night, glad Keith had remembered their telling that story and could make a joke of it. Their surrounding year/house mates were more amazed to hear a giggling Hermione than anything else.

As the entrées vanished and desserts appeared, Ron said, none too softly, "Incoming snake", getting an elbow in the ribs from Hermione for his pains.

Keith regretfully broke off the interesting conversation he was having about Quidditch with Katie, looked over his shoulder, grinned, rose and met the other wizard. "Jamison. How are you? Thanks for your note, it made my day."

The other lad blushed faintly, but extended his hand for a firm handshake. "Me, always good. But what about you? You gonna be all right? Was St. Mungos bad? What was wrong?"

Keith found himself delighted to see his concern and rapid-fire questions. "They say I've got 150-200 years left, tops." The expressions on Flint's face, horror, then mild amusement and annoyance for being pranked, warmed him. "Can't tell you too much about St. M's. They kept me knocked out on potions and woke me up long enough to feed me, then more potions. They said I used up all of my magic, nearly. They seemed upset, but I thought you were supposed to try to push yourself at Hogwarts." There was a current of laughter from the rest of the Great Hall at this, and Keith thought he heard Hermione say 'Prat!', behind him. "We'll have to talk later, but for now, you ought to get back to your table before they take all the good afters." He then walked Jamison back to his table, saluted Slytherin house and resumed his seat.

Ron seemed a bit discontented. "Why'd you talk to the slime?"

Keith smiled. "He's the guy I talked to before the Sorting. I think he's got potential, besides, I like him."

Ron stared incredulously, but didn't speak again. Soon, they finished and went to the common room, along with Professor McGonagall and Professor Kettleburn. The rest of the night was spent with their house mates learning about what it meant for Harry to be a Lord at Hogwarts, how he was to be addressed, what a Seneschal was and what one's duties were and other things.

Keith interjected. "I will always be in my rôle as eneschal in public, so I'll always refer to him as 'His Lordship' and speak to him as 'My Lord'. As I view my oath, I protect him even to the loss of my own life. If he is threatened I'll intervene, count on it. Of course, when he plays Quidditch, he'll have to be on his own!"

Hearing that, everyone laughed, though there was a note of uncertainty to some of it. "Well said, Mr. Krukmakare, but don't you feel you're going a bit too far?" Professor Kettleburn had a kindly expression on his face, but seemed nonplussed at the lad's intent.

"Not at all, Professor. His Lordship is all that's left of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. If something happens to him, it's game over. My oaths are very clear. 'In peace or war, in living or dying'. In your opinion, do I misunderstand that to which I swore?"

Minerva hastened to interject, "No, Seneschal Krukmakare, not at all, we just all hope it shall never go that far." then, turning to the rest of her lions, "I trust you see that Keith's relationship to Lord Potter is different than any you have with him. Please remember that Keith is doing a job, should you feel he's taking on airs, or not being as friendly as you might like him to be." She was met with a round of nods, though she thought some of her cubs seemed out of sorts.

-BFtF-

She dismissed the house and with Kettleburn led Harry and Keith to their quarters. Once they left, Keith shot his Lord a wry look. "We're going to have a problem with Ron."

"What do you mean, Keith?"

Keith sobered. "I was looking at him during the professors' presentation. He was full of jealousy and envy. He's jealous of you. You and Hermione told me about him and your first year. I think he sees himself as a very small third wheel; not famous, or wealthy or heroic, like you. Not smart, like Hermione. Think about what you told us about what he saw in the mirror. Quidditch Captain and Head Boy. Has he done anything that would prepare him to be either? He sees you, and I fear he thinks that you have what you have without pain nor effort and wishes for the same, to get what he feels he desires or deserves without having to work for it.

"His envy of me is more of the same; he sees being Seneschal as a public statement; 'This is my best mate'. He doesn't understand what my oath binds me to do, to be; maybe he refuses to understand and only sees this as my having status, without my having made an effort, or having needed to make one to become your Seneschal. I'm sure he thinks you've told the world that Ron Weasley isn't Harry Potter's best friend, Keith Krukmakare is. We both know that's not what you did, but that's how he's seeing it.

"You're my lord, Harry, it's your call, order me and I'll obey, but I see a kerfuffle tomorrow. I don't want you to have to choose between him and me; but, if he becomes Seneschal and you come to harm, I'll break as many of his bones as I can before they pull me off him!"

Harry goggled at the younger boy. He knew him well enough now to know he was in deadly earnest. He now understood what Amelia told him and Hermione two days before; Keith was terrified of failing him; clearly he would never abide harm coming to him. He didn't know why; he'd done pretty well last year, with Hermione and Ron's help, but it was important to him, so he needed to get to the bottom of it.

He thought Keith had surprised him before, until Keith slapped his own forehead and hastened to his room. When he emerged, he held two necklaces, one he pocketed, the other he offered to Harry.

"Here, put this on. It's charmed to be invisible. There are people who can reach into your mind and look at your memories. It isn't mind reading, but it's the next best thing. The other charms on the necklace will block anyone from doing that. Right now, there are at least three people in the castle who can do this, maybe others. This way we can talk and not worry. Susan has one, but I think I need to give one to Hermione too, right now. May I do this?"

Harry nodded and Keith walked to the common room and gave the password. "Hermione, may I have a word? Harry sent me." The witch came to him and they stepped outside. Keith told her what he told Harry and she readily agreed to wear the protection. After she reentered the common room, Keith went back to his quarters. Giving a thumbs up, he sat back down.

The delay gave Harry time to think about how to approach his seneschal, whom he also saw as a brother. "Keith, we can talk safely now?" When he got a nod, he plunged in. "I've never seen you like this; you're protective, thoughtful, but you're terrified too. What is going on?"

Keith bowed his head. "OK, I gotta go out on a limb here and tell you some things I wasn't going to yet. Promise me you won't tell anyone else, not even Hermione. By Halloween, she'll know, a lot of people will know about what I'm telling you, this and more." He got Harry's nod.

"Good. Remember, I told you, told Hermione and her parents, told the Boneses that I was here for a reason, a Purpose. Well, that Purpose is you."

"Me!"

"Yes, you mainly, but also the Grangers and the Boneses particularly. It will help a whole lot more people than just you and them, it'll affect lots and lots of others,eventually. I didn't expect that you would name me your Seneschal. I'm overjoyed and humbled by your trust. But there are people, more than a few who'll be unhappy about what's gone on. It isn't just Ron. Others will want to control you, or just hurt you.

"You remember I said I have had to grow up fast? Well, to help you and the others close to you is 90% of that reason I've lived as I have. Being your Seneschal, well, it's a different sort of relationship. Even if you release me, and no, I don't want that, I will still be bound by that oath in my soul. Let me help you, please, Harry."

Harry sat there, thinking and weighing his words. Much of what he said seemed fantastical, but then, so did a lot of what he'd told them since the 31st. He's been telling us crazy things ever since we met. Is this really any further out of the grounds? I've trusted him, not that I know why, really. Just my gut telling me I can and should. I guess in for a penny. . .

"OK, what do we do?"

Keith sighed in relief. "Tomorrow, my morning will be filled with Professor McGonagall taking me to my classes, formally introducing me to the professors but I can't see it as taking more than the morning, if that. So, after lunch, we give tours of the suite. Your year mates and the rest of the Weasleys first, then my year mates, then the rest of Gryffindor and finally, whoever else wants a look. We'll ask Professor McGonagall to come up too, so if things get out of hand, she's there. You need to use up the morning and keep Ron out of here. McGonagall ought to give you and Hermione your schedules, so you might suggest to her that you look over your summer homework for your Monday classes. You can do it in the library and I'd bet she'd love to spend her morning like that!"

Harry now blushed a shade of scarlet that was an interesting contrast to his eyes. Keith laughed and slapped his shoulder. "She's a nice person, she cares for you and you care for her. Take things as they come."

Harry mock grumbled. "Now I'm getting dating hints from a firstie!"

Keith grinned, then grew grave. Rising, he bowed to Harry. "I but try to serve you, best I may, M'lord. Have you need of my further assistance?"

Harry gaped, then laughed. "No further need, my Seneschal. Go and rest for tomorrow." Keith bowed and sought his chamber, to a chorus of Harry's chortles.

-BFtF-

Next morning, the boys met in their parlour. Harry had his summer's homework in his book bag. They joined Hermione, Ron, and the rest of their house mates then traipsed down to the Great Hall. As they entered the Hall, Keith saw Susan at the Hufflepuff table and waved her over. When she settled into the space next to him and greeted Harry and Hermione, Keith whispered "Told we'd find time. If you invite me, I'll sit with your house for dinner, if M'Lord approves."

She looked at him impishly. "You're invited. And he better approve."

Keith chuckled, drawing a startled and suspicious look from Ron, sitting at Harry's side. Keith just smiled enigmatically. As the meal wound down, Professors Sprout and McGonagall came to the table. The head of Hufflepuff cocked an eyebrow at the mixed group, but said nothing as she gave Susan her schedule. McGonagall distributed schedules to her three returned Lions, then told them, "Mr. Krukmakare, please see me in fifteen minutes and we'll have our tour. Mr Potter, the headmaster would like to see you in his office after breakfast. He says he hopes you'll have room for SweeTarts."

As she returned to the head table, Keith snorted. "Subtle." Hermione and Harry sussed him out and snickered.

Ron looked on in confusion, but Hermione looked at Harry thoughtfully. "What do you think Professor Dumbledore wants to talk to you about?"

"I'm not sure, but it has to do with my hospital stay, I reckon." He had a slightly bemused expression, but his friend could see a hint of worry too, as he downed his potions.

"Harry, remember that you can ask for Professor McGonagall to be there and Keith too. Also, if he starts talking about your becoming Lord Potter, you should get Amelia to attend the meeting." While she spoke, Keith could see Ron begin to glower. Neither of the others seemed to notice, but he filed it away for later.

"OK. I'm thinking the meeting won't last too long, I hope. I'd like to go over the summer homework, so would you meet me in the library, with your books and homework?" Hermione nodded. "Keith, let's go see Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster."

"My Lord." They walked to the head table. A word with their head of house and they were soon at the Headmaster's door. When the three entered the office, Professor Dumbledore blinked owlishly at finding two more in his office than he expected.

"Good morning Harry, Minerva, Mr. Krukmakare. I was hoping for a meeting with you alone, Harry."

McGonagall, expecting this, had an answer ready and forestalled Harry's response. "I'm here at Lord Potter's request, as is his right under Hogwarts' bylaws. Seneschal Krukmakare is here in accordance to his oaths to his Lord."

The headmaster's poker face, that of a kindly grandfather, remained in place, though internally he was rather put out at not having the opportunity to talk to Harry alone and guide his thinking in the directions he felt would lead to the end of Voldemort and the betterment of magical Britain.

"Well, yes. Harry – pardon, My Lord, did you find yourself well treated at St. Mungos?"

Harry felt he was about to tread into a fen, where the slightest misstep might find him stinking out of sight. "Thank you for worrying about me, Professor, it was really pretty simple. I was examined a few times, they agreed with Madam Pomfrey, they gave me my potions and some tips about how to take them to help me the most. The healer wants me to exercise daily to help the potions work, so I need to figure that out."

"We can help you with that, My Lord". The headmaster nodded and look at the other lad. "Mr. Krukmakare, what about you?"

Keith laughed. "Nothing as exciting as M'Lord's, I fear. They kept me knocked out on potions most of the time and when I was awake, it was only to eat, get examined and potioned again. Yesterday was the only time I really was awake for any long stretch. Then, we were mainly concerned with getting released and getting ready to return."

Dumbledore raise a mental eyebrow. Neither boy was very forthcoming with the sort of details that he needed to gauge Harry's state of mind and to see how his change of fortune had affected him and what steps he needed to take. Harry listened to Keith interestedly. He noticed how he had told them what happened without any details and thought he'd done OK himself.

"Then, you became Lord Potter's Seneschal yesterday?"

Keith kept his smile to himself. Dealing with Albus Dumbledore was always going to be the trickiest part of fulfilling his Purpose. To have already reduced him to such artless questions was a gain, but a trap too. He needed to stay in his good books until matters could be taken out of his hands.

"Oh no, sir, that was the day before at dinner. M'Lord asked and I was honoured to accept."

Dumbledore nodded. "So My Lord, you went to Gringotts on the day after you four arrived?"

Harry nodded and would have expanded on the gesture had he not been cut off by McGonagall.

"Albus, what are you about? This has nothing at all to with Lord Potter's education. If you wish to ask questions so far removed from you rôle as headmaster, you must allow his adviser of record be present. My Lord, am I correct in thinking that is Madam Bones?" Harry inclined his head. She returned to the old wizard. "You must call her at once and any other time you wish to inquire about his business as a lord. Remember too, that any rôle you might have played in his life and living arrangements is finished as his is considered an adult and has an adviser to guide him in those issues."

The Headmaster acknowledged defeat by his next question, "I hope the both of you feel you'll be ready to begin the new term on Monday?" Their chorus of 'Yes, Headmaster', left him with no legitimate reason to detain them and he dismissed the three of them.

-BFtF-

As they descended the stairs, McGonagall commented to Harry that he should be certain to have her and Keith present anytime the Headmaster summoned him or wanted to have a talk with him. Harry agreed and mentioned that he would contact Amelia soon, as both of them needed to speak to Dumbledore. He also asked her to come back to his suite after lunch, when he and Keith would be giving tours to their year and house mates. She readily agreed. They parted at the bottom of the stairs and she took Keith on his tour.

Keith proved to be a seer. The tour lasted all of about one and a half hours. Since Susan gave him such a good tour before, McGonagall saw immediately he had no difficulties navigating. The meetings generally went smoothly. Professors Flitwick and Sprout remembered him and were impressed by Keith, particularly by his perceptive questions. McGonagall found herself looking on Keith benignly and she showed him her classroom. Professor Binns was neither here nor there; as ghosts went, he was more self-absorbed then most and Keith's presence barely registered with him.

In the dungeons, she formally introduced the Potions Master and the new student. To say the meeting was cool was an understatement. Snape was even more unpleasant than his norm, and while Keith was completely civil, it was also clear that his impression of the Master wasn't positive.

Going from the bottom of the castle to the top, she introduced Keith to Professor Sinestra.

-BFtF-

At lunch, Harry invited their house mates and Susan, who'd shown up to sit with them for lunch too. As at breakfast, Ron looked upset, but this time, both Harry and Susan noticed too. Susan looked as if she wanted to ask Keith about it, but a slight shake of his head kept her from asking just then. After they ate, Professor McGonagall joined them and they went up to the suite. Keith took enough of a lead to ensure he got to the portrait and opened the suite, without the others hearing the password.

Once they were all in, Harry took the lead, showing their friends his quarters. All were impressed with the accommodation and the twins kept them in stitches with humorous comments. Quietly, Keith handed Ginny a lovely leather bound diary.It did not escape Keith that Ron was on the edge of a major blow-up and surreptitiously positioned himself to neutralize him without harming the others should he get violent. Even the table holding Keith's chess set drew his ire. Granted, it was a standard non-magical tournament set. Not a proper wizarding set.

Things broke down when the group got to Keith's chambers, sleeping area, attached bath, study area. Ron's breaking point came when he saw Keith's trunk. "Why did you have Harry buy you such a big trunk?"

The room stilled. The other Weasleys' embarrassment could be felt and Susan, Harry and Hermione bridled at the insult Keith and Harry received. Keith tried for a light touch. "Well, my Guardians, who told me what I should buy and gave me the money, could best answer your question, Ron. But as a smart man once said, 'nothing exceeds like excess'."

Ron could take no more and aimed a kick at the trunk, missed and stomped out of the room. Minerva readied a reprimand, but Harry beat her to it. Bolting from Keith's room he shouted, "That's enough, Ron, don't leave unless you're ending our friendship!"

-BFtF-

That stopped the petulant redhead in his tracks. Harry bored in. "OK, this has been coming on since last night. What's wrong with you. Is it these quarters?" While he spoke, the others exited into the suite's main room, spreading out. Keith took a position where he could keep an eye on everyone, but mainly Ron.

Harry realized now that Keith had been completely right in characterizing the boy he thought was his best friend. "What's got you so mad? Is it that I have this suite? Do you realize why I have it? I'm the last Potter. If I keep having years like last year, the odds I'll live long enough for any more Potters to be born are pretty low. Do you know what I hear when someone calls me 'The-Boy-Who-Lived'? I hear 'The-Boy-Who-Voldemort-Made-An-Orphan'!" Harry waved away the usual gasps at the name of the dark wizard. He was desperate to get through his first friend's head. 'I'd give all this up in a minute, if it meant on 1 September, my mum and dad saw me off at the platform. With my brothers and sisters, maybe one getting aboard with me and the others all excited to see the Exptess." Harry shrunk into himself. Everyone but Ron felt his anguish. "I've earned this, paid for it in blood, pain, ten years of abuse by my relatives. Certainly what we went through last year surely paid for it."

Harry broke down into silent sobs, Hermione enveloping him in a hug, Keith shifting to cover the room. Keith kept a hold on his cool, but his blood was up.

"Shame on you, Weasley, do you feel better after your tantrum? Do you see Harry in tears and feel better about yourself?

"What's your issue with me, is it because I'm his Seneschal and you're not? For your information, I didn't ask him and I would've never asked. He asked me. Seneschal isn't being his best friend, Seneschal is serving him! I can't believe that an old, magical family like yours never talked about something like this and told you about the oath."

Ron had stayed a beet-red color since he'd acted out. He growled, "Never heard of it before, don't know what's in it."

He might have said more, but an angry Percy Weasley interrupted. "Here do I swear fealty and service to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and to its Lord, to speak and to be silent, to do and to let be, to come and to go, in need or plenty, in peace or war, in living or dying, from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death take me, or the world end. So say I, Keith Krukmakare."

And then Ginny made the response. "And this do I hear, Harry James Potter, son of James Charlus Potter, Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and I will not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, valour with honour, oath-breaking with vengeance.

"Dad went over this last summer with us, because I started Hogwarts. He did the same last year, before you went and before the twins went, and Percy too. I'm too young to remember for Charlie and Bill. . ."

"But I'm not and he did it for them too." Snarled Percy. "I hate to say it, but if you can't eat it, play chess with it, or isn't about the Chudley Cannons, you ignore it."

Keith picked up the thread, desperately hoping to make Ron understand. "I'm his Seneschal, I don't have to be a friend to do that, just willing to keep an oath. I am his buffer to the world, his gofer. I do whatever he needs doing. And yes, just as I said last night, I fight by his side, and keep him alive, even if that means I die doing that."

Keith would have said more but he saw one of the twins draw a wand and heard 'P. . .', and somehow, impossibly was between the wand and Harry. "Stupefy! Protego!" The twin was sent across the room before the curse could leave his lips.

Professor McGonagall rennervated Fred Weasley and demanded, "Mr. Weasley, explain yourself!"

Fred blushed and shuffled. "I wanted to give Keith a chance to show what he'd said about protecting Harry. It was a body lock and wouldn't hurt them, but I never saw anyone move and cast that fast. Sorry Harry, Hermione, Keith."

Harry was back to himself and managed a smile. "It's OK, Fred, no harm done. So Ron, what Keith did is why he's my Seneschal. What do you think you'd bring to the job?"

Ron ignored the warning in Harry's tone. "I'm the best chess player ever. I know tactics and strategy."

Again Ron might have said more, but again he was interrupted, this time by Hermione.

"The best chess player ever?" She said incredulously, "However do you figure that?"

Ron's reply was surly, "You were there, Dumbledore said it last June."

"No he didn't," riposted Hermione, "he said it was the best played game at Hogwarts in a good many years."

Keith patience had worn thin. "So, you're a legend in your own mind." He ignored the titters from the others and set up a position on the board. "It's Black's move. Which side would you want to play?" Ron scanned the position. (1)

Ron took less than a minute. "It's a stupid position, there's no way out for Black, White has the win."

Keith's predatory grin was wholly internal. "OK, then let's play it out." Keith then moved a bishop.

Ron whooped, "Stupid move, I've got your Queen!"

Keith smiled and move his bishop again, putting White in check. There followed a series of forced moves at the end of which White was in tatters. "OK, White was so impressed by Black's play, he played to let Black finish with checkmate. Want to keep going?"

Ron's face was a fluorescent red, but he managed to shake his head. Keith reset the board and continued his commentary. "That game is Donald Byrne vs Robert James, 'Bobby' Fischer from 1956 and is one of the most famous games ever played, it's called the Game of the Century. The position is likely the most famous chess position ever. Fischer was a year and a month older than you when he played it. Two years later, he was an International Grandmaster, the youngest up to that time. Fourteen years after that, he won the World Chess Championship, and he hadn't reached thirty. That's been twenty years ago and a lot of people think he's the greatest chess player of all time."

Keith took a pawn of each color, and hid his hands under the table. "Now, want to try a game with me?" Ron managed a nod, but mumbled it wasn't a proper chess set. "I don't like my pieces talking back to me. Choose a hand." and Ron pointed at one. Keith handed him the black pawn. "OK, I'm White." They began the game and the others were amazed at how easily Keith put Ron back on the defensive. Try as he might, Ron was boxed into a corner. Finally, Keith moved his queen. "Check." Ron thought he saw an opening and moved a pawn two squares, blocking the check and threatening Keith's queen. However, it also put his pawn level to one of Keith's. "Pawn take pawn, en passant, and check."

The others gaped. Keith's pawn threatened to take Ron's Queen, but if he moved the Queen, he'd be checkmated. The King had only one safe move out of check, and that would let Keith take his Queen and a certain win for White. Ron mumbled, "Resign", rising from the chair. Keith rose, extending his hand, when Ron caught him on the jaw with a roundhouse blow. (2)

The group erupted in outrage, lead by Minerva's 'Mr. Weasley!', Keith raise a hand and silenced the lot. "We know the real you now, Ron. You have the emotional control of a five year old." He laughed derisively, "You hit like a five year old too. Don't ever try to apologize, It won't be accepted. You'll always be the person you are today. Keep out of my road and we'll coexist. But, if you ever attack My Lord, or those for whom he cares, or those for whom I care, in any way, you will face me." Keith's voice was soft, but his mien was so cold and threatening, that no one there misunderstood the message.

Harry ended it. "Ron, get out of here, you're not welcome anymore." The child stomped out. He turned to his Seneschal. "Keith, do you feel like going on?"

"Yeah, just give me a half hour and I'm jake."

"Are you certain, Mr. Krukmakare?" Minerva asked, clearly concerned, "We could take you to see Madam Pomfrey."

"There's no need, but thank you. I could have ducked or caught the fist, but I wanted to see what he had. It wasn't much, really. Just need a bit of rest and a glass of water. Thank you all for coming."

The others left, murmuring, leaving Keith, Harry, Hermione, Susan and McGonagall. Susan fetched a drink for Keith, tea for the professor and pumpkin juice for her and the other two. Harry and Hermione sat across the room, deep in an inaudible conversation; Minerva sat on a chair, pensively, Susan pulled the other chair next to Keith's.

"Do you want to talk about it, Keith?"

He looked at his friend. "Not really". Seeing her face fall, he continued, "Maybe later, though, thanks." And he saw her brighten.

When the thirty minutes were up. Keith let the others know he was OK and Hermione went to get the next group of Gryffindors. They and the other three groups that afternoon went quickly; there were a few questions, but everyone stopped from asking the questions they wanted to ask, mainly due to the presence of their head of house. The Quidditch team wanted to know if they could hold meetings there, to which Harry agreed with a laugh. It took no more than an hour for the groups to finish.

"M'Lord, Susan has asked us to the Hufflepuff table for dinner. Be it your will?"

Stifling a guffaw at Keith's formality, Harry replied "So long as there is room for Hermione too."

Susan grinned. "Always room for one more!" With that, she left, along with the professor and Harry, Hermione and Keith sat until dinner, occupied with their private thoughts.

-BFtF-

Clearly, by the time they went down to dinner, the grapevine had done its work and the entire student body knew that there had been violent break between Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, with his best friend siding with Harry, and Ron attacking Harry's seneschal. Ron, sitting at the far end of the Gryffindor table, well away from the others, was no shock. That Harry, Hermione and Keith were sitting with the Hufflepuffs was a surprise, but many remembered that Susan had sat with them at breakfast and lunch.

Their hosts understandably would liked to have known more about the break, but had to be content with their assertion that "Ron was upset at lord Potter's new digs and upset when Keith had tutored him in chess".

One of the second years, Zacharias Smith, asserted that Ron had always been a prat and deserved what he got. Hermione and Harry got distinctly uncomfortable; their break with someone who they'd thought of as a staunch friend was far too soon for that sort of comment to be met with equanimity. They felt relief when Keith opined, "I think you're a bit too harsh there, Smith. Ron is none too mature and he also has a hard time with sudden changes. He also is rather territorial about his friends. Nothing wrong with it, as long as it isn't taken too far and he seems to have crossed that line a bit."

This started a general conversation about friendship and dealing with friends, and would-be friends. About how some people didn't really want to be friends, just wanting to be close to someone but not be there when they were needed. Even the nature of friendship got discussed. It was rather heady stuff for a group of preteens and teens on a Friday night, but it worked. They were happy to be invited to Harry's quarters the next afternoon at 3:00.

Around the time dessert appeared, Harry had a very quiet word with Keith and he ambled over to the Ravenclaw table.

"Greeting, O unkindness of the cognoscenti! I bear greetings from my dread Lord, Harry, of the Ancient and Noble house of Potter. His Lordship invites any of you who are interested to come by his rooms on the morrow, to debunk rumours and for social interaction. Oh, Miss Lovegood, please come by, I've that gold star I promised you there.

Keith's over the top declaration, left the 'Claws amused. Luna quickly said she would be by and what time would be suitable. Keith suggested any time around 10:00 in the morning would be fine. A number of them indicated they'd drop by.

Then he walked over to the Slytherin table and Jamison said, "Looks like the beating you were supposed to have gotten was overstated."

"Yeah, really much ado about nothing." Keith said and was cut off by another boy at the table.

"Anytime one of the weasels get put in their place, it's a good job of work. Now, if you'd just steer your lord away from consorting with the wrong types, you'll really meet your oaths."

Keith looked at the blond haired boy, pondering his reply. He'd known that Slytherin house would always be a minefield due to the number of blood purists it contained; his statements of opinion before the sorting already put him at odds with a number of them.

"Heir Malfoy, I think?" When the boy nodded, he proceeded, "Personally, to do what I had to didn't give me any pleasure, causing pain isn't something I look to do. Sometimes, you can't avoid it, though. My Lord seems to know the type of person with whom he wishes to associate. I sense that he isn't against widening his horizons with those offering genuine friendship.

"In that spirit, he invites the members of Salazar's noble house to stop by his apartment tomorrow afternoon, say 1:30 or so to get a tour and to chat. He knows that this state of affairs is unusual and he wants others to feel easy with it."

Another at the table added his opinion. "Krukmakare, I don't appreciate that you and your lord are trying to corrupt noble, pureblooded wizards and witches with your fantasies."

"Heir Flint, I fancy?" When the older boy curtly nodded, Keith smiled. "I enjoy dialog, but let's strip the loaded terms away. What you suggest is corrupting I see as exposure to possibilities one hasn't seen before. What you term as fantasies, is really simply reality, the way the world is, which sometimes isn't what we think it is or wish it to be. While I'd love to continue, this is hardly the time or place. If you stop by tomorrow. . ." Bowing to the table, he returned to the Hufflepuffs, noting the look of deep discontent on Professor Snape's face.

-BFtF-

After dinner, they went back to the suite; Harry, Hermione and Keith had no taste for their house's common room tonight, while Susan felt certain that Keith was just shy of breaking down and she wanted to be there for him. If she was being honest, she wanted to be there for the other two as well, but there was something in Keith's combination of assurance and vulnerability that called out to her. If she could, if he would allow her to help him, she would.

They settled in and Keith sat for a space, looking down at his hands. The others wanted to say or do something for him, but held off, he'd tell them about his worries in his own time and way. Finally, he looked up.

"I'm not sure becoming your Seneschal was such a good idea." He could hear them start to protest, and held up his hand. He needed to make them understand first. "You lost one of your best friends, at least in part because of me." He looked at Harry and Hermione. "You two are really very much alike. Harry, we saw the physical effects of your abuse, and you know we won't let you go back there again. That was hard enough to see, but none of us can really put ourselves in your shoes and know how that affected you. You couldn't have known that much about what love or friendship is. Did you even have any friends before you got here?"

Harry shook his head and said softly, "Dudley and his gang beat up anyone who tried to be friendly with me."

"So, I bet that Ron was your first friend?" A nod. "Well, you'd have attached yourself to anyone who looked at you like a regular person. And for Ron, well you're famous, so it's something no one else in his family can boost of. That's great for his insecurities, maybe not so great for you. See, he showed today that he's not a sharing sort. Did he run down people who tried to befriend you?"

Harry felt a light come on and replied "Yes, he never had anything good to say about any of the other houses."

Hermione said then, "He didn't really like you getting close to others in Gryffindor either. Remember the put-downs of Neville." Then more softly, "or of me, either."

Harry thought back to the first two months of the previous year and colored. "I treated you poorly too and I shouldn't have."

Keith broke back in. "Hermione, do you have a hard time fitting in?" She nodded. "You are so smart and driven; have you always had problems connecting with kids your own age, felt awkward around them?"

"Yes, I get so lonely sometimes." She faced Harry. "That Halloween, I really was thinking that I might want to quit Hogwarts and go home, at least there, I had my parents."

Keith tried to get back on point. "So, you both saw something in each other that rang a bell, that's why you became friends and Ron's seeming acceptance of you both made a trio. But what I started to say is, if you think my being Seneschal is going to drive people away from you, then I'll step aside."

They looked at him, horrified. "No Keith, I want you as my Seneschal. Everything you said about Ron was true. I can't have his jealousy around, I won't let him decide how I'm going to live, who I can like or hang out with."

Hermione said. "After it happened, Harry and me talked. We think it's really addition by subtraction. We're both better off this way, even if the common room is going to be uncomfortable. We talked about this and we both want to say thank you."

Keith found himself slumping with relief. He found himself inside a three-way hug that felt so supportive. "You care for us and we care for you too. Don't worry we're together."

Susan asked, with a bit of an impish look in her eye, "What about me? What does your intuition say about me?"

Keith smiled, then become earnest. "Susan, you really fit in very well with Harry and Hermione. I think you were pretty isolated before Hogwarts too. Not because you were ill treated, or couldn't connect with your peers. But, like Harry, you were pretty much all that was left of your family. Auntie Amelia did her best, I bet, but you can't become head of DMLE as young as she did and not have been incredibly driven. So, you didn't have family around as much as you'd have wanted. You have a few good friends, but with your Aunt's position, you had to be careful about others; were they friendly for your sake, or because their family wanted something from your Aunt?

"I think you are shy because of that. Do you have any real good friends, other than Hannah?" Susan looked down and indicated no. "You do now. One is Hermione, one is Harry and one is moi!" She looked up at them and saw the truth and exploded out of her chair and hugged Keith tightly and did the same for the others.

Susan said. "I know and it feels so good. Somehow, I think it is just the start too." The four talked for a bit more, then Harry walked Hermione to their common room, where she went up to her dormitory. When he got back, Keith accompanied Susan to the Hufflepuff entrance. There they hugged and said their good nights.

-BFtF-

Next morning, they had a good breakfast and afterwards, Harry went back and Keith went over to the Ravenclaw table and sat with them as they finished up and as those wanting to see Harry's suite got ready.

He said to Luna, "I told you anyone who knows The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is tops in my book and you'd get a gold star. Here it is!" Luna and her house mates gasped at the star. It was wonderfully rococo, and fanciful, fitting her personality to a T. Her house mates weren't sure yet what to make of her, she was different, but not to the point of offensiveness. Besides, she was the friend of the current nine days' wonder and it wouldn't do to antagonize him over nothing.

"Thank you for the star, it's lovely. Did anyone figure out the other answer?" At Keith saying no, an older boy spoke up.

"I'm Roger Davies, I'm a fifth year Prefect, what was the other question? The parchment we got doesn't have that."

Keith shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Roger. Jamison said he wanted to ask me the ultimate question. I said 42 and 'Let there be light!'. Luna recognized 42 as Hitchhiker's, but nobody knew the second.

An Asian girl was looking thoughtful, then brightened. "It's the end of The Last Question by Isaac Asimov, isn't it?"

Keith laughed delightedly. Yes it is, Miss. . ."

"Su, I'm Su Li, she told him. "My uncle doesn't have magic and works at Boston University and knew him and that was a story he liked a lot. He made sure we read some of his stories. I liked Nightfall better, but I liked that story too. I was so sad to learn he died this spring." (3)

Keith bowed his head. "Me too Su. What sort of star would you like?"

"I'd rather have Saturn, with its rings, really."

"OK, may take a bit of time, but you got it. Shall we go up?"

Then they all went up to the accommodation, where Harry let them in. The actual tour took fifteen minutes, but their guests had a lot they wanted to ask about his being a lord, so it went on for about an hour, total.

As things wound down, they thanked the Ravenclaws for coming. As they left, only Luna remained. She dragged Keith off to his rooms and closed the door. She told him sotto voce, "The Wrackspurts tell me you are surrounded by temporal tachyons. Are you from elsewhen?"

Keith grew pale and could only nod. "Please don't tell anyone."

She nodded. "They tell me that you will save many people and I should be your friend." She giggled. "I would be anyway, you are nice." She surprised him by kissing his cheek.

Keith reddened slightly and told her "You're my friend, Luna. I promise you'll know more next month sometime, OK?"

She nodded and he then led her out and returned to see Harry grinning at him. He was saved from explaining by Hermione, who let herself in and started revising their summer homework.

-BFtF-

After lunch, Keith stopped at the Slytherin table and found that all the first and second year Slytherins were coming up, along with a scattering of higher years. He led them to the quarters and into the rooms. The tour went like the previous ones, with a few envious comments about the poshness of the furnishings. Jamison bought down the house with his comment, "Looks good, Keith, but it would be so much better in green and silver."

Inevitably, conversation turned to Keith's views on the significance of descent. "First, as I told Jamison, we're not talking about blood. When I told him my blood is A positive, that's a biological fact. It's a fact that could save my life. Consider this; you're in the non-magical world and are in an accident of some kind and the only way to keep you alive is a transfusion. Assume there is no way to get to a magical hospital, nor access to a blood replenishing potion. If you're asked your blood type, saying Pureblood won't take you very far.

"What you really mean with these blood terms is your descent. Blood has nothing to do with it. There's no special blood type for witches and wizards. If we did blood tests on all of you, there would be no statistical difference from the proportions in the British population as a whole.

"The only valid measure is power, talent, knowledge and ethics. If descent meant anything, why was the top first year last year Hermione Granger, born of non-magical parents? Why was Harry Potter twelfth in his year, why were Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle near the bottom?"

Malfoy broke in, "Granger was at the top because she's a teacher's pet." Hermione, who was there, began to fume, but Keith replied.

"Heir Malfoy, the fact that she was the top in fact proves my point. If descent is equal to power and talent, all the knowledge she amassed wouldn't have put her at the top. A non-magical could have all that book learning and it would mean nothing without the talent and power to actually do magic. So, she must have all three. More to the point, the Professors must know this too, why else would her results have been so good?" Malfoy had no rejoinder for that and fell silent.

"Look, we could go on about this for hours and the Hufflepuffs will be coming up soon for their tour. How about if I talk to Professor McGonagall and get a large classroom for tomorrow afternoon? Everyone seems interested in these ideas, so instead of repeating myself for each house, we do it all together. Sound OK?"

They agreed and left. They had a short time to recover, then Susan and the Hufflepuffs came in and got the tour, with many of the same comments. When the questions came around to Keith's views, he repeated the offer he made earlier and they agreed. They left about an hour before eating. Keith told Hermione and Harry he was going to see Professor McGonagall and was back in about forty-five minutes, smiling and with a sheaf of parchment. Hermione asked him what it was and he said "Some research and preparation for tomorrow."

Dinner that night was a welcome relief for Harry, Kieth and Hermione from the tours. Susan decided to eat with her house and go back later to study with them. They ate large meals. Keith noticed that Ron, while still eating alone, cast surreptitious looks at Harry and Hermione. His expression was one of embarrassment and hopefulness. Keith filed that away for later. If Ron could mend fences, it would take a long time.

As the meal wound down, Professor McGonagall stood and got the students' attention. "Mr. Krukmakare has told me that there is much interest in hearing and discussing his views. After consulting with the Headmaster, we are reserving the Great Hall tomorrow afternoon to hear him and discuss his thoughts. We will begin at 1:30 and will end at 4:30 at latest." The meal ended with a buzz of excitement.

Shortly after the three Gryffindors returned, Susan let herself into the accommodation. She and the other second years continued to revise their summer's work, while Keith took the sheaf of parchment and began making notes on the sheets. Then, he took fresh parchment and made up seven new sheets. When they asked about what he'd done, he said they'd have to wait for tomorrow. When curfew approached, Harry hugged Hermione and Susan, then Keith escorted them back to their common rooms, then back and to sleep.

-BFtF-

Breakfast was enlivened by that morning's copy of The Daily Prophet, and the first (hopefully not last) of Rita's exposés. The hooting and hollering at the DADA professor was scarcely reprimanded by the professors, all of whom kept shooting withering glares at the story's subject, Lockhart himself stared dumbly and almost catatonically.

Keith restrained his glee at the reaction of the school, totally justified in his opinion. As he finished his meal, he asked his Lord's leave, then approached the head table. After a quiet word with the Deputy, he left, following her. Returning, he led his Lord and his friends back to their quarters. As they continued to revise, he brought out the books for Monday's classes and reviewed the first few chapters of each.

-BFtF-

During luncheon, the hall had a quiet tension to it, not unlike that before a big Quidditch match (according to Harry). When the food cleared, the students simply rose and waited at the sides for the presentation/discussion. The Deputy vanished the tables and on one side of the hall, adjacent to the Head Table and conjured bleachers enough to hold the students. Then she conjured a comfortable bar stool-like chair for Keith. On either side, four huge easels were conjured, covered for the moment, placed so that everyone would be able to see them clearly. As the students and staff took their places, Keith saw Amelia enter and sit on the bottom row of the bleachers. He gave her a smile. At 1:30, the Headmaster rose and intoned, "Mr. Krukmakare,the floor is yours."

Keith began with his argument given to the Slytherins the afternoon before; that the issue needed to be considered in terms of descent, not 'blood'. He continued the same argument as before, submitting that it was talent, power, knowledge and ehics that mattered, not descent.

Unveiling seven of the easels, he continued. "What I have here are the class rankings for the last seven school years. The students are not named, only their blood status as traditionally defined are shown. Moreover, for each year, they are divided by top tenth, down to the bottom tenth. In every case, you can see that class ranks mirror the same percentage of so-called Pure, Half and New Bloods. If there were some advantage to descent, wouldn't it show? Wouldn't Purebloods dominate the top of each year and Newbloods the bottom? They don't and that fact alone should brand the preoccupation of one's descent as the non-factor it is.

"But there is more," he declaimed, unveiling the last easel. "look at the list of current professors. Note that fewer than half of the faculty are purebloods. Note further that the Headmaster, the Deputy and Transfiguration Professor as well as the Potions Professor are all halfbloods.Professor Flitwick is part Goblin. So, of the five senior staff and heads of houses, only one is a pureblood. The rest of the faculty are about equally divided between Purebloods and Halfbloods; sadly, there are no Newblood faculty. But the fact is that most of the people entrusted to teach the new generations of witches and wizards are not Purebloods. This alone demolishes the argument of superiority by descent."

The time now was taken by various of the students asking questions or making arguments. Most of the time, Keith didn't even have to answer, professors or other students replied. But when the elder Flint brother asked what the New and Halfbloods wanted and what it meant to the British magical society, Kieth gave him a broad and happy smile.

"A fine question and it cuts to the heart of what we've discussed. A great man in the non-magical United States sums it up, though his issue was skin color: 'I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.' (4)

"That is what I want for my children, when I am fortunate enough to have any; that they be judged by their knowledge and talent and power and character, not by their descent. That I and they can have the careers we are qualified to have and not to be denied due to our descent. That means a great change in this world, but one essential if this world is to survive."

This led to a lot more discussion/argument. They didn't solve anything, but many eyes were opened. Finally, it ended. Keith was dead on his feet. At the start of dinner, Amelia announced that the investigation was over. Then she went to the Gryffindor table patted Keith and had a very quiet word with Harry, and joined Susan. At their table, those around Keith saw his fatigue and didn't tax him more. After dinner, he went up to go to bed.

Notes á la chem prof

(1) If you type in 'Game of the Century chess' in any browser a you'll get the one of most famous chess games ever played; D. Byrne vs R. J. Fischer 1956. The position noted in the chapter is after White's 17th move and is probably the most famous chess position in history.
Fischer was 13 years, seven months old when he played this game; Ron is 12 years, six months old, so very comparable in age (particularly in Ron's estimation).

(2) I actually played a game that ended like the one Keith and Ron played, without the blows(!)
Anyone who wishes to call my handling of Ron bashing may do so. But I disagree. Here and in canon, Ron is few years more immature than his age and Harry/Hermione a few years more mature, IMHO. All I'm doing is pointing this out. However H&H's relationship with him plays out, don't expect Ron and Keith to exchange birthday or Christmas greetings.

(3) Isaac Asimov, the late 'Grandmaster of Science Fiction' died on 6 April, 1992.

(4) Keith's quote is from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's famous 'I have a Dream' speech given on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

As always, a tip of the keyboard for my Beta, Alix33, one of the absolute best.

This is the end of my prewritten chapters. I took the story down because I felt I'd lost the thread of the story. I've edited and re-posted them now that I've a good idea where I'm taking it. Further chapters will be completely new. I have to say that since I've got six WIPs, I'll not get back to it immdiately.

Story recommendation: Checkmate By: boggart21 id: 11167343

Once more, thanks to all of you who read my efforts. Visitors, hits, reviews, follows, favorites, C2s are my only payment. Believe me, they make me feel rich!

RePosted 08/11/2022
Words 9,751