Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
A/N: Italics represent flashbacks. Words in bold italics are from Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone.
Big Thanks to Coastalfirebird by co-writer. Although he doesn't work with me anymore. It is only right that I still give credit to him for the parts he wrote.
Headmaster office
It had been a week since Albus had learnt that the stone had been retrieved. He still was puzzled over Quirrell's death. He had investigated it over and over again, but still could not work it out. However, Albus knew he was dead from the start of term; it was only Voldemort's spiritual influence that kept him together. But now Albus had another puzzle: what had happened to the stone? He had cornered Harry and three female accomplices, but none of them were talking. Albus even tried looking their minds, but found all four to have incredibly strong shields. Even Miss Granger's shields were able to keep him at bay, and this had shocked him the most. Where could she have learnt how to do this? He had made sure to remove all the books on the subject from the school library, so he and Snape could read the students thoughts. The only logical guess was that the annoying brat Potter had taught her himself. Albus had just about enough of the young Lord's interfering.
He still recalled the trial of the five Slytherins and the attempted rape of Miss Clearwater. He had hoped to get them off, however the young Lord had to put a stop to that. Albus could recall the verdict clearly.
Flashback
Albus, sat down, as he was pleased with the verdict that have been decided; each boy would get a month in Azkaban for their crimes. The Minister was about to bang the gavel when there was an objection from the gallery. Albus looked up at who had objected and gritted teeth at seeing the young lord who had made is last ten years a nightmare.
"I object, Minster, this sentence is a joke, for the crime these young men have committed. I had hoped I wouldn't have to do this, I had full confidence in this government, however I see I was wrong. As heir of the Peverell family, I am invoking the ancient law set forth for just such an occurrence."
"And what LAW are you referring to Lord Potter?" Albus said through gritted teeth.
"I, Lord Potter, the heir of Ignotus Peverell, am allowed to overturn a verdict if I find it unjust. This is a provision developed because of the rampant corruption in the Wizard's Council, and passed on to the Wizengamot out of fear it would be no better." Albus groaned at the fact the young upstart even knew of this hidden provision. "So I hereby issue the following punishment. Each boy will go to Azkaban for the term of twenty years each, with no chance of parole, so mote it be."
The huge flash of magic that followed the oath blinded the entire court. Once the light had faded, the court was in uproar that was till the Minister banged the gavel.
"Order, order, Lord Potter is well in his rights as the Peverell heir to change the punishment issued by this court. As such, will the five prisoner stand."
The five Slytherins stood; awaiting the fate that the young Potter had sealed.
"By order of the Peverell heir, you have been found guilty of the attempted rape of Miss Clearwater, and are sentenced to twenty years in Azkaban. There you will serve your sentence in full, without any chance of parole. Aurors, take them away, and may the divine have mercy on their souls."
End of flashback
Albus still could not work out how Harry was finding all the loopholes in their laws. Albus knew them better than anyone; the Peverell law was absolute, and once invoked was irreversible. The last time this rule had been used was in 1706. Albus worried if he allowed such a sentence for attempted rape, then what would his sentence be for more serious crimes? Albus shuddered at the thought. He was happy for one reason: it was Yule break; which meant two weeks without the annoying brat. He didn't have to keep an eye on him or worry about interference with any of his other future plans, well for now at least.
Hogwarts Express
Harry, Daphne, Hermione and Tracy sat in a huge suite. Harry had discovered, through research into Hogwarts history, that the train had its own special suite for the heirs of the founders. He had Daphne on his lap while Hermione was reading something with Tracy looking over her shoulder. Harry placed his hand in his pocket and retrieved the small blood red stone. He had decided to send a letter to Mr. Flamel, so he could come and collect it. He also hoped to discover what Albus had actually been using it for. If Harry would have guessed it would be that Mr. Flamel would not be happy knowing his most prized possession had been nothing but a carrot on the end of a string, attached to a stick.
Daphne rested her head into the crook of his neck "What you thinking about Harry?"
Harry turned his head and kissed Daphne gently then pulled back. "Everything that's happened since the beginning of the school year. I mean were just into Christmas break and so much has taken place. I'm basically running the school while our esteemed headmaster sits in his high tower scheming against me. I guess I'm worried what next term will bring."
Daphne kissed him "Whatever that old coot has planned we'll face it like always together."
The train soon arrived in King's Cross, where Harry and the girls disembarked from the train with their trunks and school belongings. Clyde and Martha were there to meet them along with Daphne's little sister, Astoria. The little blonde jumped into Daphne's arms exclaiming. "I really missed you, sister!" She then hugged Harry "I missed you too big brother." The Greengrass' had decided that Astoria would call Harry brother as he was living with them, and they wanted him to feel as close as he could too them. However, he wasn't comfortable to call Clyde and Martha mum and dad just yet. Harry then introduced Lord and Lady Greengrass to Hermione, who gracefully returned the welcome. The four friends agreed that they would keep in touch over the Christmas break. Harry had gotten Hermione a present for her birthday: a cute brown tawny owl that she called Newton, so she had a way to contact them. As the Greengrass' had no idea what a telephone was, or how muggle post worked. The four friends separated, wondering what the Christmas break had in store for them.
Greengrass Manor
The Greengrass dining room was decked out in Yule time splendor. The food smelled magnificent, and it seemed Mavis was holding nothing back given the caliber of guests that would be arriving at the house within the hour. Harry was on pins and needles waiting on the arrival Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. The elderly wizard said he would be arriving to discuss how he and his friends came into possession of the Philosopher's Stone, and Albus, I-don't-know-what-I'm-doing, Dumbledore's role in its care and protection.
A knock on the door snapped him out of his mental review. Mavis was holding the door open for a man who looked to be just a touch older than the headmaster, and the woman beside him appeared to be a little older than the Longbottom matriarch. The man was dressed in regal purple and silver robes, and the woman was dressed in a matching evening dress.
The elderly man walked up to Harry. "I believe you are the young man I need to thank for the retrieval of my most prized possession."
"I didn't do it alone, sir," Harry admitted as he shook the man's hand. "I had the help of my intended and our two best friends."
"Well, I am sure it is a fascinating story, and one that will be enjoyed over dinner." Mrs Flamel said with a smile.
"Yes, it will be a good story to tell over dinner, but as for fascinating I am afraid you will be disappointed, my lady." Clyde said with a slight bow.
The group made their way to the dining room, where they found the table stocked with delicious food, and for the adults the finest wine Mavis could find in the wine cellar. Between bites of smoked ham Harry recounted what had happened in his retrieval of the stone. While the Flamels seemed excited at the start of the tail, but by the end of it they seemed less than pleased.
Nicholas balked at the puzzle involving keys. Perenelle just shook her head at the overgrown chess set. While they conceded it was challenging; Nicholas pointed out that any ten year old could play chess really well if they put all of their spare time into it. The final puzzle with the two potions and separate fires made the Flamels look at one another.
"Is something wrong Mr Flamel?" Martha asked.
"Yes, in fact, there is. That last puzzle is the exact same puzzle that protects the relics of my home. I was certain no one could figure it out." The elderly man said with a worried look on his face.
"With all consideration, sir, the potions set up within Dumbledore's security was almost geared to picking the right one." Harry said with almost absolute certainty.
"What do you mean, Harry?" Perenelle asked.
"Well, if one or two more vials were closer to it in contents I probably would have skipped over it."
"How many vials were there?" Nicholas asked curiously.
"Five, sir." Harry said this with certainty.
The old couple looked at one another once more before excusing themselves to have a private conversation. They walked into a corner of the dining room and erected a privacy ward. They did not seem to be arguing, but having a rather jovial conversation to be honest. At one point Mrs Flamel swatted her husband on the shoulder. When they returned both of them seemed to have come to some sort of conclusion. With one final look to his wife Nicholas told the assembled group of their decision.
"Before I tell you what we have decided, Lord Potter, I wish you to know that there will be no talking us out of this decision. Am I clear on this?" Harry shook his head in acquiescence. "First, I wish to thank you on retrieving the stone from a buffoon." There was snickering travelling around the table at this statement. "Secondly, I wish for you to keep the stone as my wife and I grow weary of living. All I ask is that you put the stone to good use." The stunned look on Harry's face must have been comical to the old man as he chuckled. "I was planning on giving it to Albus, but I am grateful you retrieved it. And if what the Prophet says about you are true, young Harry, I have no problem in leaving the stone with you."
"I do not look a gift horse in the mouth, sir, but why me?" Harry asked.
"My really great-grandchildren are greedy with thoughts of owning the stone, and their children are just as greedy with thoughts of long lifetimes. Leaving it with them would only cause misery, and destroying it would be a travesty. So, thus, I leave it to you, and hopefully it will do some good." Nicholas said as he nodded to Harry.
"Thank you, sir," Harry said while bowing his head. "I will find some way to honor your wishes."
"I am sure you will. I thank you for your hospitality Lord Greengrass, but Perenelle and I must be on our way."
"Of course, Mr Flamel, let me show you out." Clyde said with as much humility as he could muster.
When the aged couple had departed the family gathered around the stone and stared at it for a while. Even Astoria was quiet, which rare for her. Martha and Clyde seemed to be having an unspoken conversation while the children just stared at the stone. Harry wondered if this was Death causing this chain of events, but in the end decided not to dwell on it too much as he could not truly comprehend what the ancient being desired in him. It was the sound of Martha's voice that caused the children to tear their eyes away from the stone.
"I believe there is a person we could use the curative nature of this stone for, but unfortunately no one has seen him since your parents' death Harry."
"All of my parents' friends are fine Martha, saved for the Longbottoms, and I don't think the stone can heal their minds." Harry tried to say this politely.
"No, Harry, I am not talking about the Longbottoms. Your father was good friends with a man in his youth, and he suffers from a terrible disease that cannot be treated with muggle medicine or magical potion. Well it can be alleviated to a degree with a potion, but not completely." She reached over and picked up the stone. "But this may be the only way to cure the man."
"Who are you talking about Mum?" Astoria asked.
"Remus Lupin," Clyde answered.
A/N: Hope you all enjoy this chapter. A Big Thank you to my beta and proof-reader. HowlnMadHowie