A History of Magic

by Carlo Santos

Voldemort is dead at the end of Harry's 5th year, but trouble with a pureblood-controlled Ministry looms, and with it, a revolution as the descendant and namesake of Alexander Hamilton comes to Hogwarts from Ilvermony. AU 6th Year and includes music from the Hamilton Mixtape and other 2018 Hamildrops. Pairings include Alex/Eliza, Ron/Luna and Fleur/Lafayette.

4. Double Trouble - Right-Hand Men

Opening Author's Notes
Whoa. A lot of work getting this down, but once I got down to it, it thankfully seemed to come together well (though I'll let you be the judge of that.) I had fun adapting Right-Hand Man especially for Hermione and mixing in some Double Trouble – really hope you like the end result! Dedication goes to Katherine (GoldsberryDiggs on Wattpad), who was the only one to know I was going with this song combination, with co-dedication to Mikki (Her_Tulip on Wattpad), who correctly guessed Double Trouble.

---

I've got a woman's ability to stick to a job and get on with it when everyone else walks off and leaves it.
–Baroness Margaret Thatcher

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Near Hogsmeade, Scotland, UK
Gryffindor Common Room, Gryffindor Tower

"Alex?" Hermione asked one night not long after the History of Magic classroom meeting.

"Yes, Hermione?" Alex asked, sensing something since Harry, Parvati and Dean were also there."

"We just wanted you to know..." Hermione answered kindly, "We understand you may be under pressure to live up to a big legacy and we're here for you if you need it." The others nodded alongside her as she finished.

Alex's eyes widened, but he smiled sincerely. "Hermione, how much do you, Harry, Dean and Parvati know?"

"We think we know a bit...but I get the feeling it's only a small part of the story," Hermione replied truthfully. She then told Alex about what their theory regarding him and Hamilton, what they had done to find out about Hamilton so far and who they had been discussing it with.

"You've done a great job so far," Alex revealed with a grin. He then continued, "I did take the name Alex Schuyler because it was Eliza's last name and because I don't feel like I've earned the right to be called Alexander Hamilton just yet. And yes, I can trace my lineage to him and I've happily drawn inspiration from him. Some back at Ilvermony even say I am a reincarnation of him...but I don't know if I'm him yet."

Harry nodded the most out of any of the other four, remembering how much he had been compared to his parents, before saying out loud, "We understand. We'll help you figure things out, no matter what."

"We will," Hermione agreed quickly, followed quickly by Parvati and Dean.

"Thank you," Alex told them gratefully.

Harry then asked, "If you don't mind discussing it, Alex, what did the Sorting Hat tell you?"

"It told me that it believed I had the courage to prove myself worthy of the Hamilton name, hence why I was placed in Gryffindor," Alex revealed. "It knew I was a descendant of his and also told me it felt like there would be a test, but that it felt I was ready."

"You certainly have looked ready thus far, Alex," Hermione said encouragingly, making Alex smile. She then asked, "What do you know about the box?"

"Not as much as I'd like, Hermione if I'm telling the truth," Alex replied honestly, bringing it out. "I do know it's a family heirloom and I do think it's tied to Hamilton's memories, but while it needs to be in the possession of a descendant of his to be active, I'm not the only one who can activate it. You've seen that for yourself already."

Harry and Hermione nodded at that. Before they could say or think anything else, though, an owl fluttered in quickly through an open window and made for Parvati. Recognizing her own owl and seeing the message was from Padma, she quickly untied and opened it to find the following message, which she quickly showed to the other four,

Pav,

Massive influx of refugees in Hogsmeade. Situation in Diagon Alley has just turned disastrous. McGonagall knows, but I don't want for her to tell the rest of the DA because these people need that much help. Make sure Harry gets this message. I suggest the High Street outside the Three Broomsticks as the rendezvous point. Hope to see you very soon and safe!

Love,
Pad

"Jesus..." Harry breathed, his voice carrying both fear and fury. Seeing the others looking at him, he took his cue and flew into action, saying,

"Let's get the word out to the other members. We need to be ready to administer aid as best as we can while we keep things safe, so all hands on deck. Be combat-ready as well – I wouldn't put it past some bastard to try and rub salt into the wounds or worse. We'll take Padma's suggestion and rendezvous outside the Three Broomsticks."

The others nodded smartly. Alex and Dean ran off to get sets of acromantula silk Hogwarts robes that they had hidden reinforcements and enchantments, while Parvati quickly wrote the corresponding reply to Padma before doing the same. Hermione then asked, "What about Ron, Ginny and Luna?"

"I'll work on letting them know myself," Harry replied. "That's assuming Mr. Weasley doesn't get to them before I do."

---

The Hogsmeade High Street
Dumbledore's Army Command Post

Dumbledore's Army had assembled to a grim scene. The chaos on Diagon Alley had started when some residents and shoppers felt overly provoked by some Ministry employees and officials – a claim that was reinforced when memories had been examined using Pensieves. Scuffles had broken out, and when they escalated, Ministry employees and officials had used force. Instead of and near-riots had ensued, and as a result, a number of the newcomers were nursing injuries. Many had fled using Floo and emergency Portkeys, and the understanding was that Diagon Alley was largely a ghost town.

The Dumbledore's Army command post had been hastily constructed, especially seeing as they hadn't done such a thing even during the struggle against Voldemort. It had started outside the Three Broomsticks with a large tabletop perched on top of a pair of casks of butterbeer and the banners of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff next to it (seeing as there were no Slytherin DA members). However, it had quickly also included some of the excess supplies brought by DA members and their families for the new arrivals. It had also included shipments that the friendly Hogwarts Board of Governors had sent, and while the sight was heartening, there always seemed to be even more people in need.

Fred and George were in front of the table, with Harry behind it flanked by Hermione and Ron. Alex was also there, and Harry and Ron had gladly introduced him to the Weasley twins, who had then told more about the events. Ron had also promised to tell Harry, Hermione and Alex what had happened at the Burrow once things had quieted down a bit more.

"The bastards were like a pack of mad dogs," Fred said. "Way too many people on their side. who delighted in making others suffer. I'd say we were lucky no one on our side was killed because I saw a few Dark curses."

"Thankfully, just about every shopkeeper – not just us – managed to make it here already," George said. "With the exception of Gringotts – and the Ministry would have a very hard time trying to get them to leave."

"We were able to keep our shop intact thanks the added wards and protections you suggested – as a matter of fact, a lot of people were able to get out through our fireplace," Fred added.

"I heard that you helped a lot of people out," Harry said. "You should be proud of yourselves."

"The least we could do, Harry. Permission to set up shop and resume business, sir?" Fred asked.

Alex, Ron and Hermione all smiled at the twins, but Harry's smile was the biggest. He said, "As if you ever had to ask! If you're intending on having me as a general or something, though, I do have an order. No, scratch that, a request."

"Whatever it is, say it," George said eagerly.

"We're at your service and always have been," Fred finished as they bowed theatrically.

"I want the two of you to return fire as best as you can using anything you are able to recover from the shop or think of. Do your worst. Need I say more?" Harry asked, the Marauder glint now in his eye.

"Consider it done!" Fred said enthusiastically as he and George wrung Harry's hands. Ron especially grinned at that.

"Wait a moment, boys. Can I ask for a couple of favors on top of that?"

"Say the word, milady," George replied.

"Thanks," Hermione said, blushing, before she explained, "If you two are up for it, see if you can go back to Diagon Alley and recover supplies not just from your shop but from the Three Broomsticks and elsewhere that were left behind. The thought of the Ministry gits confiscating or ransacking what they find makes me sick."

"Great idea," Harry said. "That'll also give us some more to work with – not to mention it'll do a world of good for the shopkeepers to be able to keep working and know their goods are safe."

Alex and Ron nodded at that. Fred then asked, "We're all for that. What about the other request?"

"Where's Professor McGonagall? We need to see her to touch base with her about things and figure out how we're going to hit back. I know this is going to result in more open conflict, but we can't possibly sit around doing nothing else," Hermione said.

"Actually, I heard from some others that coming this way," Alex said.

"We heard the same," George agreed. At that moment, Alex drew out the box, which now had seven of the keyholes along the side lit up.

Harry, Hermione and Ron all smiled at that, and George asked, "Oh, is that–"

"–The box we've been hearing so much about?" Fred finished.

"Yes, it is. Do you two want in?" Alex asked.

"Yes, but how do we work it as well as you, Harry, Hermione or even ickle Ronnie?" George asked in reply.

"Feel it," Alex replied with a smile. "Whatever's in it will react to you. I like to think it gives inspiration in that regard."

This time, Hermione was the first to line her wand up with one of the keyholes and turn it to produce a click. Alex, Harry, Ron, Fred and George followed in that order.

"Wait, there's one more. Who do you think that could be?" Alex asked.

"I have an idea," Hermione said. "I'm going to guess it's Professor McGonagall – let me try this."

She lined up her wand with the last keyhole and turned it. As she did so, a light that flickered between blue and gold bathed the end of her wand not unlike a less intense Wand-Lighting Charm.

Alex then turned the crank, and they saw light coming from under the lid as he slipped it back into the robe pocket where it had been.

Nearby, the Frog Choir, which had been nearby singing various songs as a diversion and treat, began to sing as Harry, Hermione and Ron came out from behind the desk and even more into the open,

Eye of newt and toe of frog
Wool of bat and tongue of dog
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing

Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
Double, double, toil and trouble
Something wicked this way comes!

The four Gryffindors then started, and even more people who remembered what had happened in the Three Broomsticks trained their eyes on them.

[Alex] As a kid in the Caribbean, I wished for a war
I knew that I was poor – I knew it was the only way (To rise up)
[Harry] If they told my story
I was either going to die on the battlefield in glory (Or rise up)
[Ron] I will fight for this land
But there's only one person who can give us a command (So we can rise up)
[Hermione] Understand? It's the only way
(To rise up, rise up)

"There she is!" Hermione exclaimed, pointing. It was short of a shout, but it was loud enough for others to notice.

Fred and George were unable to stop a grin, and as the attention switched to them, they intoned, with the choir's help,

[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[Fred] Ladies and gentlemen!
[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[George] The moment you've been waiting for!
[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[Fred] The pride of Caithness!
[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[Fred/George] Minerva McGonagall!

Harry, Ron and Alex grinned at the twins in spite of the situation as McGonagall appeared. Meanwhile, Hermione flicked her wand in McGonagall's direction, and the excess magic shot out like a hex and landed on her. There were no visible effects until McGonagall began,

[McGonagall] We are outgunned!
[Frog Choir] (What?)
[McGonagall] Outmanned!
[Frog Choir] (What?)
[McGonagall] Outnumbered, outplanned!
[Frog Choir] (Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck!)
[McGonagall] We have to make an all-out stand
And I am going to need a right-hand man
[Frog Choir] (Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck!)

Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
Double, double, toil and trouble
Something wicked this way comes!

They watched McGonagall go down an alleyway and turn a corner, clearly in need of a moment alone. They hurried after her, but instead of going around the corner, they utilized some Extendable Ears that Fred and George had brought and heard,

[McGonagall] Can I be real a second? For just a millisecond?
Let down my guard and tell the people how I feel a second?
Now, I'm the model teacher, but I'm not a general
The hallowed Head of Gryffindor House with charges lining up to put me on a pedestal
Writing letters to relatives
Embellishing my elegance and eloquence
But the elephant is in the room
The truth is in your face when you hear Diagon Alley go "Boom!"

"I haven't heard her talk like that before..." Hermione said, distressed.

"Not since Voldemort, anyway," Harry said gravely.

"You know Professor McGonagall much better than I would since she was Head of Gryffindor up until just before I came here. What can you tell me about her?" Alex asked.

As they went back in front of the Three Broomsticks, Hermione took charge of this because McGonagall had also been her favorite teacher and arguably her first friend at Hogwarts before she befriended Harry and Ron after the troll incident during their first Halloween at the school.

As she did so, Harry and Ron checked with some of the other Dumbledore's Army members who had come back to the front of the inn and pub to report in personally, including Luna and Ginny. They found that as they feared, McGonagall was a willing ally, but she had to deal with her primary responsibility – making sure Hogwarts remained safe, which meant she only had so much time to give, even if she were to use a Time-Turner like Hermione and Harry once had.

When McGonagall came back in front of the Three Broomsticks, Hermione offered her a gillywater that she had procured from Madam Rosmerta and Tom for her, knowing it was one of her favorite drinks. McGonagall accepted it gratefully but made sure she had a shot of firewhisky that she already had before turning to the gillywater.

"You know, Miss Granger," She remarked, "Even with this going on, I'm quite surprised that you haven't been approached with more offers once you graduate, even if you have over a year and a half left to go. I did hear about Flourish And Blotts and Scrivenshaft's saying they would take you on."

"To be their secretary? I don't think so!" Hermione said with a harsh laugh.

"Now, why are you upset?" McGonagall asked, though she clearly knew at least part of the reason why.

"I'm not..." Hermione lied, uncomfortable at her minor outburst.

"It's all right you want to fight back, Miss Granger," McGonagall replied. "You remind me a lot of me when I was your age...a true Gryffindor, ready to fight for what she believes in, and if need be, die like a martyr..."

Hermione nodded, her mouth slightly open. She was remembering how the Sorting Hat had nearly placed her in Ravenclaw before deciding on Gryffindor.

"Let me tell you something not all Gryffindors learn soon enough..." McGonagall said seriously after a sip of firewhisky. "Dying is easy, Miss Granger. Living is harder."

Harry nodded slowly and solemnly, and Alex did similarly. Hermione, however, asked in an almost pained voice, "Why are you telling me this?"

McGonagall continued to meet her gaze as she replied,

[McGonagall] Let me be honest...
We're down to merely half of what our Governors have promised
We are a powder keg about to explode
I need someone like you to lighten the load! So?

She had also made sure to meet Harry's, Ron's and Alex's eyes as she finished. Hermione, however, looked behind her, saw determined expressions mirroring her own, and nodded meaningfully as they answered,

[Harry] I am not throwing away my shot
[Ron] I am not throwing away my shot
[Alex] Ay yo, I'm just like my country – I'm young, scrappy and hungry
[Hermione] I am not throwing away my shot

McGonagall looked at Hermione with a mixture of shock and indignation as if Hermione had uncharacteristically given the wrong answer in Transfiguration. Hermione, however, was unmoved yet perceptive.

[McGonagall] Miss Granger, we are
[McGonagall/Frog Choir] (Outgunned, outmanned!)
[Hermione] You need all the help you can get
And you have friends – Harry, Ron, young Alexander Schuyler! Now, what else?
[Frog Choir] (Outnumbered, outplanned!)
[Hermione] We need some spies on the inside
Some toad's men who might let some things slide – Luna!

"Yes?" Luna asked eagerly, coming alongside them. Hermione replied, turning to her,

[Frog Choir Boys] (Boom!)
[Frog Choir Girls] (Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh, oh-oh-oh)
[Hermione] Send out the Quibbler – tell them we need supplies
We'll rally the guys and master the element of surprise

"Yes, marm!" Luna responded with even more energy, going off to take down information for one or more articles.

Hermione, Harry, Ron, Alex and quite a few onlookers smiled at her before Hermione turned back to McGonagall and finished,

[Frog Choir Boys] (Chicka-boom!)
[Frog Choir Girls] (Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh, oh-oh-oh)
[Hermione] We'll rise above our station, organize our information
'Till we rise to the occasion of both of our nations – Marm!

Taking some inspiration from how Luna had addressed her, she saluted as she finished. She smiled as she saw Harry, Ron and Alex joining her in no time flat in doing so, and even McGonagall was unable to resist smiling. The scene seemed to inspire those around them, and suddenly there was a tangible echo of the first Hogsmeade weekend when Alex had made his outburst.

[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[Hermione] Rise up!
[Ron/Fred/George] What?
[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[Harry] Rise up!
[Ron/Fred/George] What?
[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[Alex] Rise up!
[Ron/Fred/George] What?
[Frog Choir] Here comes the Headmistress!
[Hermione] What?
[McGonagall] And her right-hand men!
[Frog Choir] Boom!

"Wow, Hermione!" Ginny, Parvati and Lavender exclaimed almost all at once. All around, many were looking at McGonagall and the DA – especially Hermione, Harry, Ron and Alex – with awe and renewed confidence.

"Thanks, girls," Hermione replied, her smile growing even bigger. "Right then, back to the matter at hand..."

She turned back to Fred and George. "Are you two ready?"

"Still ready and willing, Captain Granger," Fred said smartly.

"Excellent," Hermione said. "I know the two of you are capable, but I'd rather you not go alone. Let me see who we can spare as reinforcements..."

Meanwhile, Ron said, "I'll go with Luna and help her get the material for the articles."

Harry and Alex nodded at him as he went off with Ginny, clapping Fred and George on the back as he left.

McGonagall then turned to Alex and said, "Schuyler, I'm glad you are here, but I have some news for you. Potter, you may want to stay for this."

Both Alex and Harry held their breath as McGonagall reached within her robes.

Closing Author's Notes
No one's dying, don't worry...but there will be a scare. The following chapter is going to be a little more somber music-wise...and your hints are that Double Trouble will also be used again while another major Hamilton song appears. Any guesses? I'm also rearranging things so that part of what would have been here is going to be in the next chapter, so that should cut down on the time until the next update. I also liked writing in Fred and George even though I hadn't originally planned it – I got the idea from both James and Oliver Phelps visiting Orlando this weekend (along with Bonnie Wright and Natalia Tena) for the Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando.