The Founders' Intervention
By: Sheltie
I still don't own Harry Potter at all
Chapter 2
Harry was pleased that the founders liked his friends, but he wanted to talk to Rowena about something personal.
"Um, Rowena, can I talk to you?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"Sure Harry, what is it?" Rowena asked.
"Well, um, this is odd. But I've been feeling really weird around Hermione. I mean I like her and all, but there's something else that I can't put my finger on" Harry said.
"Well Harry, if you tell me what you feel I can help you" Rowena said gently.
Harry took a deep breath then told Rowena his feelings when he was around Hermione. Like how he did everything he could to be close to Hermione and that he'd get a strange feeling around her that made his stomach queasy. Rowena was surprised by this and could only come up with that Harry had feelings for Hermione. When she told this to Harry, he was shocked and denied that he had those kind of feelings for Hermione and that he and her were just friends. Rowena smiled.
"Harry, you're young, so it is only normal to say that you don't have feelings for someone who you see as just a friend, but when you get older you'll understand. Just keep an open mind," Rowena said sagely.
Harry sighed and nodded.
Rowena sat back and smiled. So far things were changing for the better. She knew that Harry's feelings for Hermione would now evolve to something more since there wasn't any interference of a certain redhead.
/Scene Break/
Meanwhile Dumbledore was sitting back and thought of what was going on. Harry had disappeared from the house he placed him in and then suddenly appeared here in Hogwarts. He tried to probe the boy's mind, but found that he couldn't, there was a solid wall blocking him. He even tried to have Severus probe the boy's mind, but again a failure. He remembered the conversation he had with the boy a week ago.
"Harry, my boy, how are you?" Dumbledore said smiling.
"Fine sir, but what am I doing here, am I in trouble?" Harry asked.
"No Harry, you're not in trouble, I just want to know where you've been the past couple years" Dumbledore said.
"What business is it of yours, headmaster?" Harry asked sternly.
Dumbledore was slightly taken back by Harry's tone, but that didn't detour him at all.
"I'm your magical guardian Harry, I placed you with your aunt after what happened to your parents to protect you" Dumbledore said.
"Really professor, then maybe you can explain why the people you left me with beat and starved me," Harry said.
"Now Harry, you are exaggerating," Dumbledore said with his eyes twinkling like mad.
Harry took out his wand and placed it to the temple of his head and a projection appeared. It showed the abuse Harry suffered. Dumbledore was shocked at what he was seeing, but he remained steadfast that was the only place Harry could stay and be safe.
"Now Harry, I'm sure you're just exaggerating, they love you," Dumbledore said in his grandfather voice.
"Professor, where I live I'm loved and cared for and there's no way I'm going back" Harry said firmly.
"Now Harry, you have no choice since I'm your legal magical guardian you have to obey what I say" Dumbledore said as he showed the piece of parchment that said so.
"That's nice sir, but that was signed on August 20th and I was emancipated on my birthday" Harry said.
Dumbledore was totally shocked by this and Harry left with a smirk.
/Scene Break/
Back in the founder's chamber the founders were discussing what had happened in the headmaster's office.
"Harry, you must be careful around him. He is a very powerful and can make your life horrible if you let him" Helga said.
"I know Helga, but he acted like he had total control of my life and I don't like that" Harry said pouting slightly.
"Yes, I know," Helga said with a sigh.
"Moving on, I think we're making good progress with your friends Harry" Godric said.
"Really, that's great" Harry said happily.
"Yes, Neville has a real aptitude in Herbology and I want to encourage him in it. Not to mention he is a powerful wizard, he just needs self-confidence" Helga said.
"Daphne is pure Slytherin, she is what a Slytherin is supposed to be and not what that greasy git has made it. She shows great knowledge in the political arena, which you will need Harry. I want to help her along in that aspect as well as train her into an advisor role to you" Salazar said.
"Hermione is absorbing knowledge faster than I can put out. She is going to be the most powerful witch of this age. I want her to continue with this, but I will need to rein her in when she gets bossy. Since that will only turn people away" Rowena said.
"You chose your friends wisely Harry, they will stand by you through thick or thin. Treasure them and never take them for granted" Godric said.
Harry nodded.
/Scene Break/
Hermione was thinking how her life had changed since she got on that red train and met a certain black-haired green-eyed boy. She had no idea that he'd offer friendship and then after that it just snowballed. She met the founders and they began to teach her things that she never thought possible. She loved knowledge and wanted to know everything about everything, but now she had something else on her mind. Harry Potter was a enigma of sorts. He acted mature and way beyond his years at times and then on a turn of a dime he'd act his age and laugh and be carefree. She didn't know which side she liked better, the serious Harry or the child-like Harry.
/Scene Break/
Neville was extremely happy, he had good friends and a wand that worked for him. His confidence in himself was now showing and everyone around him noticed. He walked with his back straight and he didn't cower from insults made by Malfoy or Snape anymore, the two were unable to get under his skin anymore. He had all of this thanks to one person, Harry Potter. He knew that his mother is Harry's godmother and that Harry's mother was his godmother. He didn't know if Harry knew this, but he'd tell him. He enjoyed the time he had with the founders as he learned things that were advanced for what is in the first year curriculum, but he understood it and got it. Yes, he couldn't wait for the next training session.
/Scene Break/
Daphne always had a cool exterior to detour any boy that tried to make a move on her. Even at only eleven she was showing to be a striking beauty. With her blond hair and clear blue eyes, she had beautiful written all over her. She liked her friends very much. She didn't really have many growing up. Her only one was Tracey Davis, and even then that was a little forced as their fathers were business partners. But now she had friends that liked her for who she is. She didn't feel like she had to put on a mask with them. With them she was herself. She very much loved her lessons with the founders, especially with Salazar since he was her house's founder. He taught her what a true Slytherin was supposed to be and not what her head of house was doing. She couldn't wait for her next lesson.
/Scene Break/
It was a nice day and Harry and his three friends were enjoying their weekend. They had all finished their homework and now just wanted to relax. Well, most of them, Hermione wanted to work ahead and that meant Harry and Daphne had to drag the girl away from her books.
"Such a nice day" Daphne said.
"Yeah, days like this I just want to do some gardening" Neville said.
They were all outside near the lake resting.
"Potter."
Harry groaned as he got up and looked behind him to find Malfoy and his two bookend bodyguards.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked in a bored tone.
"I'm giving you one more chance to accept my offer" Malfoy said.
"And why should I?" Harry asked in a bored tone.
"You should know Potter that the Malfoys are a very prestigious family" Malfoy said with his nose in the air.
Daphne snorted at this.
"What so funny Greengrass?" Malfoy sneered.
"Oh, nothing Malfoy, but you should know that the Greengrass family is more prestigious than yours. In fact the Potters are even more prestigious than either mine or yours" Daphne said.
"What kind of nonsense are you talking about, the Malfoys are the most prestigious" Malfoy said in a very arrogant tone.
Neville fell back laughing at this.
"What are you laughing at you squib" Malfoy sneered.
Neville stopped laughing and glared at Malfoy.
"Careful Malfoy, Neville maybe a Hufflepuff, but that doesn't make him any less dangerous" Hermione warned.
"Shut up Mudblood" Malfoy said.
This got Harry on his feet and his wand out.
"You call Hermione that name again and I'll hex you to oblivion" Harry snarled.
Malfoy was about to retort when he saw the look in Harry's eyes. The Malfoy scion actually saw his death in Harry's eyes. This scared him, but he had to act tough.
"Whatever, I gave you one last chance Potter, that's all you get" Malfoy said and walked away.
Once Malfoy was gone they all relaxed.
"The bloody ponce, he was scared. I could see it in his body language" Daphne said.
"Yeah" Neville agreed.
"Thank you Harry for standing up for me" Hermione said.
Harry smiled at his friend.
"Anytime Hermione" he said.
/Scene Break/
A couple days later
Harry took a deep breath, he needed to talk to the two of the greatest pranksters in Hogwarts history, but where to find them was the hard part. He decided to head to the Gryffindor tower, he knew where it was. He found the Fat Lady and bowed.
"My lady Esmeralda, how have you been?" Harry asked bowing.
"Mr. Potter, I've been doing well. What brings you here?" Esmeralda asked curtsying.
"To see if the Weasley twins are in" Harry replied.
Esmeralda paused for a moment then smiled.
"They are in" she said as she opened up for him.
Harry bowed, "Thank Esmeralda."
"You're welcome Mr. Potter."
Harry went in and found the Gryffindor common room somewhat populated with students either doing homework or goofing off. Once he stepped in everyone in the room froze. How did Harry Potter get in here? was on everyone's mind.
"Hello everyone, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need to talk to Fred and George Weasley" Harry said.
He walked passed ignoring the stares and whispers until one that couldn't be ignored.
"How'd you get in here Potter?"
Harry turned and found it was the youngest redhead glaring at him.
"I just asked the portrait, she's very nice" Harry said.
"Bullshit Potter, you must've used some dark magic on it" Ron said.
"Weasley, I know as much dark magic as any first year, except for probably Malfoy" Harry said.
Ron glared at Harry and was about to say something when Percy Weasley jumped in.
"Enough Ron. Mr. Potter, I want to know how you got in here" Percy said in his bossy pompous tone.
"Like I told your younger brother, I just asked Esmeralda to let me enter" Harry said.
"Who's Esmeralda?" Percy asked.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"The one called the fat lady, you didn't think that was her real name did you? I mean that's a horrid name to call anyone" Harry said.
Percy's ears turned a bit red.
"I have to report this to the professor" Percy said firmly.
"For what, I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm just here to talk to your brothers Fred and George, that's all" Harry said.
"This must be reported to a professor" Percy said persistently.
"Quit being a stick in the mud Percy. You'll never get a girlfriend with that stick so far up your ass" Harry said.
Gasps and then chuckles were heard in the room at this.
"I have a girlfriend" Percy said firmly.
"Oh yeah, Penelope Clearwater, she a very nice girl. I don't know what she sees in you" Harry said shaking his head at the end.
Percy's glare at Harry harden at this.
"What that's supposed to mean?" he asked with a bit of heat.
"Well Penny is so nice, kind, sweet, and hell, if I were older I'd want to date her. So, I don't see what she sees in you since all you care about is rules and brown nosing" Harry said.
Harry nailed it on the head of Percy's personality. That's all he cared about, rules and sucking up to get ahead. Harry remembered the founders saying that Percy should've been in Slytherin because of his ambitious nature, but Dumbledore blocked them.
The Gryffindors had no idea what to do or say since they never heard a first year talk this way to a fifth year, let alone a prefect.
"I think I'll have a talk with Penny, she's smart enough to see reason" Harry said tapping his chin.
Percy was enraged by now and pulled out his wand ready to hex Harry, but Harry was ready for this and his wand was in his holster ready to go. Percy opened his mouth to call his spell when Harry had his wand out and disarmed him. This stunned the room, a first year had disarmed a fifth year, and Prefect too.
"I'm going to have to talk to professor McGonagall, she won't be happy that a Gryffindor prefect tried to hex a first year" Harry said and turned to leave the room.
Ron took this as an opening and grabbed his wand and fired a hex at Harry. Harry sensed this and rolled out of the way.
"Firing a spell while my back is turned, that's a low move to do. Not to mention a coward's way. How you were sorted into Gryffindor is a mystery to me. I guess I have two things to tell professor McGonagall. Oh, Fred and George Weasley please meet me in the library tomorrow after classes, thanks" Harry said as he exited the room.
The rest of the Gryffindors were not happy with two of the Weasleys' behavior and gave them the cold shoulder for the rest of the day.
That wasn't the end of Percy and Ron's troubles. McGonagall was livid hearing the accusations, and the fact that their house sided with Harry in the allegations just made her even more angry at the two Weasleys. She threaten to strip Percy of his prefect badge if he got into another altercation with Harry and both he and Ron lost a hundred points each. Percy also lost his girlfriend. Penelope was angry at Percy for trying to hex Harry and wouldn't even listen to him as he tried to explain himself.
/Scene Break/
Founder's chamber
"Harry, you really don't do small do you?" Rowena asked.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Harry, you just turned an entire house on two of their own" Rowena said.
"A worthy move of a Slytherin if I don't say so myself" Salazar said beaming with pride.
"I just went in there to talk to the Weasley twins, how was I to know that was to happen" Harry said.
"Well it did, so you have to be more careful from now on Harry" Godric said.
"I will, I promise" Harry said.
"Good, now let us get started at making plans for your friends next training session" Godric said.
Everyone nodded.
Harry made contact with the Weasley twins and after Harry checked them out by scanning their minds he found them to be loyal enough. He talked to the founders after his meeting with the twins and they agreed to invite the twins. The first training session with the twins was remarkable. The twins took everything in stride and even though they joked around a lot they were serious in training. Their Occlumency shields were okay, but needed to be improved for the secrets that were going to be told. Rowena enjoyed the twins inventiveness and creativity an encouraged them to start a joke shop. The other founders enjoy the little pranks that the twins pulled also.
/Scene Break/
Hermione was very hyped up for her next training session with the founders, she wasn't the only one though as Neville and Daphne were the same. Harry led them along with the Weasley twins to the founder's chambers. Once there they got to work. They were worked hard for several hours until Godric called for a break.
"Aright, we promised full disclosure and we never broke a promise. So gather round" he said.
The six students found out why the founders left their souls here and were shocked at the possible future.
"Why are you telling us all this?" Hermione asked.
"So you won't make the same mistakes, but the future has already changed so much that we needn't worry too much" Rowena said smiling at her pupil.
"So Hermione married Weasley, that can't be right. She can do so much better than him" Harry said.
"Thanks Harry" Hermione said blushing.
Daphne and Neville saw this and smiled, they both could tell that their friends had a thing for one another.
"Yes, but since the timeline has changed already we have less to worry about, but we must still be careful since who knows what new changes might occur" Rowena said cautioned them.
The students nodded.
"Very well, let us get back to training" Godric said.
The training resumed now with knowledge of a future that could've been and how they all planned to make sure that that future never comes to pass. All the students put their heart and soul into their training knowing they had people they needed to protect.
Hermione couldn't believe that she would marry that loud mouth bottomless pit red haired git. She thought of herself better than to sink to that level. But she realized that she probably buried her feelings for Harry since he never returned them. That won't happen, she wouldn't let that happened. She knew she felt something for Harry and she was going to make sure she didn't bury these feelings.
Neville was amazed at how he changed in that possible future. He had a feeling that he was already changing into that Neville at this moment, and at much faster rate. His confidence was rising every day he spent with his friends and he vowed to stick by them no matter what.
Daphne was amazed at what was shown. She made a promise to herself that she'd not let her little sister Astoria marry Malfoy. No way would that arrogant prick touch her little sister. She just didn't know how to go about it since she knew that they've already changed many things, but she knew deep inside that some things might stay the same.
The Weasley twins, who usually could turn a dark situation and turn it light with a joke or prank were very serious. They knew that they couldn't afford t goof off on this. Fred was scared a bit since he knew that he had died in the possible future and planned to not in this one. George vowed to do everything in his power to keep his brother alive. They both agreed that they'd do what they could to protect their family and friends.
Harry knew a little of this, but learning the whole thing was amazing. He knew one thing that he would not walk into the forest and get himself killed. That was not an option this time. Also that now he had a good hold of his feelings and could make a move on Hermione, but he was still a eleven-year-old boy that hadn't a clue about girls. So he decided to stay friends with Hermione and see how things go for now.
/Scene Break/
The group was back in classes and it was hard for them to pay attention since they learned so much more from the founders than in their normal classes. Though they did their best to fly under the radar and not show that they knew more than what was being taught.
The days went by and soon it was Halloween. Harry was sullen since it was the day that his parents died. Hermione did her best to comfort her friend. And hey, anytime she could have to just to be close to Harry she'd take. She knew she was still too young to be thinking of Harry like that, but her body was on the edge of the change from little girl to growing woman. And that meant her budding hormones were slowly rising to the surface.
Neville did what he could to be there for Harry since he felt for his friend and brother. Neville's mother was Harry's godmother and Harry's mother was Neville's godmother. So they considered each other brothers in all, but blood though they might've been connected by that also somewhere in their lineage.
Daphne also comforted Harry. It was a new thing for her since she never had to do this thing before. But she wanted to be their for her friend.
The twins did what they did best to help Harry. They joked and pranked their two other brothers to cheer Harry up.
During the Halloween feast the defense professor Quirrell came in shouting about a troll then fainting. Harry saw right through this and snorted at the bad acting job. Hermione gave him a look and he told her he'd explain it to her later. She nodded. Soon they were escorted back to their dorms and had the rest of their meal there. That night Harry wasn't able to get back to his bed in the Founder's chamber due to the tighten security, but he found out later from Rowena, who created a connection with Harry mentally that the troll was brought in by Quirrell to distract the teachers from the third floor corridor. Sadly the distraction didn't work and Quirrell failed at whatever he was trying to do. According to Rowena, Snape stopped Quirrell from getting into the third floor corridor.
The next day Harry gathered his friends together and told him his thoughts about Quirrell's performance last night. The others agreed after looking back at it. Harry then added what Rowena told him and this got the others thinking about what could be so valuable on the third floor corridor. The founders said nothing about it, but the group knew that the founders knew what it is.
/Scene Break/
Soon Christmas was upon them and Neville decided to leave and see his Gran and visit his parents in St. Mungo's. Daphne decided to stay since her parents were going in vacation and told her she wasn't going with them. Fred and George were staying also since their parents didn't have enough money to take them to Romania to see their brother. Harry was going to stay since Hogwarts was his home.
That left Hermione. She was stuck since she didn't want to leave Harry during this time, but wanted to go home to see her parents. Her parents decided to make the decision for her and told her they were going away for the holidays and she would have to stay at Hogwarts. Hermione was pleased that she was able to stay though sad that she wouldn't see her parents.
/Scene Break/
On the first day of break Harry and his friends enjoyed a nice time with the founders. There was no studying at this meeting just some R & R. The founders thought that the kids deserved it since they were working so hard.
"It's the holidays, you should relax. You all have been working very hard" Godric said.
Hermione pouted since she wanted to continue on with lessons even on break.
"Come on Hermione, we can't work all the time or we'd be as grumpy as Snape" Fred said.
"Yeah, and just thinking of a female version of Snape is scary enough" George said.
Everyone cringed at the mental image of a female Snape.
"Thank a lot you two, now I'll be having nightmares" Daphne said.
"Sorry" the twins said.
"Fine, I'll try to relax" Hermione said crossing her arms.
"That's all we want" Harry said smiling as he threw an arm around Hermione's shoulders.
Hermione blushed slightly at the smile.
/Scene Break/
The holiday went well the group enjoying their time together. They had snowball fights, which ended up being Harry, Hermione, and Daphne chucking snowballs at Ron and Malfoy and his cronies. They enjoyed their fun as they disillusion themselves so their victims wouldn't find them.
Daphne and Hermione spent their nights sleeping in the founder's chambers. Since there weren't many students in the castle no one would be there to report them. This gave them more time with the founders and they heard many stories from the them.
On Christmas Day Harry and Hermione opened their presents together along with Daphne. Harry got a nice load of presents from all the founders and from his friends too. But the present that caught his eye was the one that came with a note, but no signature.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked resting her head on his shoulder.
"I don't know, but the note said it belonged to my father" Harry said looking at it with reverence.
"That's an invisibility cloak, they are very rare" Daphne said in awe.
"Harry, you should check it for any charms or spells" Godric cautioned.
Harry nodded and laid the cloak down and with a few waves of his wand he canceled the charms on the cloak.
"I count three tracking charms on it" Harry said.
"That's not good Harry, be careful when you use the cloak" Rowena said.
Harry nodded and put the cloak away.
After that the three friends talked and enjoyed their Christmas. Soon the twins joined them and they all had a good time and headed to the Great hall together laughing along the way.
New Years came and went without any big thing. Though Harry kissed Hermione on the cheek when the clock stuck twelve. Hermione was red the rest of the night. Harry also kissed Daphne on the cheek, but she just smiled.
/Scene Break/
When Neville came back and school resumed they were back to their usual routine. But one day while they were training Godric had them stop.
"What is it Godric?" Hermione asked.
"We've discussed this at length and have decided to tell you what is in the third floor corridor" Godric said.
"What is it?" Daphne asked curiously.
"It's a very special artifact, it's called the Sorcerer's Stone" Rowena said.
Rowena with the help of the other founders told the group about how the stone was hidden and protected by various traps. Now the founders had no clue what the traps were, but were confident that the group could get through them with ease with the training they have. Their mission was to get to the stone and bring back here then they'd decided to what to do next.
End of chapter
A/N: This one was supposed to be shorter than it is ow, but I found out while I was working on the next chap that I left a very big gap in between that needed filling. I also apologize for the crappy ending to this chap. Thanks for reading and please review.