The Founders' Intervention
By: Sheltie
I still don't own Harry Potter at all
A/N: I apologize for how long this chap took. Very busy with my other stories. As well as working on the political aspects of this chap and beyond them. Just so you know I don't care for politics and so it's hard for me to do it in writing.
Chapter 14
Harry, Hermione and their friends got on the train knowing that there was a heavy auror presence on the platform due to Lestrange's escape. Neville was ready though, he was almost praying to meet the evil witch that took his parents from him. He knew this part of him was crazy since he knew didn't stand a chance against her at all.
On the train they found a compartment and Hermione opened a book about the Patronus charm and all its functions.
"Mione, you know that that spell is an above N.E.W.T. level spell" Daphne said.
"I know, but we still could learn it, and it would be useful to know" Hermione said.
Susan took Daphne's hand and shook her head when Daphne wanted to argue a bit more. Daphne sat back and pouted.
"As long as those Dementors keep their distance and not bother any students then I'll be fine" Harry said.
"What about if the students come in contact with the Dementors and not the other way around?" Susan asked.
"They will be warned and it will be their own fault" Harry said.
The others nodded.
Luna was swinging her legs and humming as she read her Quibbler. It was decided that the Quibbler would continue even after Xenophilius Lovegood's death. They got someone to run it and Narcissa took the helm of the business until Luna became of age.
Soon the compartment door opened and there was Ginny.
"Um, hi, can I sit with you?" she asked shyly.
"Of course Ginny, I have a spot open beside me" Luna said.
Ginny frowned slightly since the spot Luna was offering was the farthest away from Harry. This would not help in her getting Harry. She had a lot of long talks with her mother getting advice of how to get a boy to notice you. Ginny of course didn't tell her mother that the boy was Harry Potter since they have been at odds with him before and they didn't need anymore. She was a smart girl and knew the workings of the pureblood society.
"So how was your summers?" Ginny asked as soon as she sat down.
"It was great. The muggle world has a lot of things that the wizarding world lacks" Daphne said.
"Yeah, the pool was amazing" Susan said.
Ginny was very envious hearing their summers. She was stuck at the Burrow with her mother and brothers while the rest were having a ball. Now she wasn't like her brother Ron, who'd be all jealous and stuff. No, Ginny's mind was working how to get in on this.
"How are you Luna. I heard about your dad's death?" Ginny asked changing the subject.
"I am doing better Ginny. Thank you for your sympathy" Luna said.
Susan, who was sitting by Luna wrapped the lithe blond into a hug, which she returned.
/Scene Break/
The crimson train made its way, but was stopped short of the Hogsmeade station.
"We can't be there yet" Hermione said looking at her watch.
"Something is boarding the train" Neville said peering out the window.
"Be on guard everyone. Occlumency shields up" Harry said firmly.
They all pulled their wands out ready for the slightest provocation. They heard shrieks and screams along with crying.
"Doesn't sound good" Susan said.
"I'm going to kill Fudge" Harry growled.
"Don't jump the gun, Harry. It might not be what we think it is" Hermione said calmly.
Soon the compartment chilled down dramatically and everyone could see their breath. All the windows covered with frost. Ginny let a squeak of fear and nearly dropped her wand.
"Push her back, Luna. She's going to be a liability" Harry hissed.
The little blond grabbed the back of Ginny's collar and tugged back til she hit the wall under the window.
"What are we going to do. Harry? None of know the Patronus charm" Daphne asked.
"We'll do everything we can" Harry responded.
The temperature really chilled down now and they saw a skeletal grimy hand through the frost covered window. The compartment opened and a tall cloaked figure glided in. It stuck its head up and began sniffing, then sucking something out of the air.
The entire group felt weak. Like their strength was being zapped. Not only that, but they felt something else a bit more chilling. Their mental shields, as strong as they were, were untested against Dementors.
"Please, not Harry. Anything, but Harry."
"Stand aside you silly girl."
Harry then heard a scream.
The next thing he noticed was waking up. Hermione was kneeling by his side looking very pale and worried.
"Are you alright, Harry?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah. Who screamed?" Harry asked.
"Nobody screamed Harry" Susan said.
Harry frowned. He was sure he had heard someone scream. But that wasn't important right now.
"Where's the Dementor?" he asked.
"The new DADA professor scared it off. It was probably the patronus charm" Neville said.
"We're learning that this year" Daphne said firmly.
Everyone nodded.
"Come on Harry, lets get you up and give you some chocolate" Hermione said.
The rest of the train ride Harry nibbled on chocolate as he began thinking of taking down Fudge. Sending Dementors on a train full a children with no supervision. That's a shit for brains move if he ever saw one. The talk in the compartment was how they felt with the Dementor and how they never thought they'd be happy again.
/Scene Break/
At Hogwarts Harry was fussed over by madam Pomfrey then was cleared since all he needed was a good night's sleep. Harry had a feeling Rowena would be coddling him tonight.
The feast began and then Dumbledore gave the normal notices as well as warning about the Dementors and not to provoke them at all.
Harry made it to the founders' chamber with his friends and as soon as he entered he was engulfed in a huge hug by a very worried Rowena.
"Oh Harry, are you okay? When I heard I wanted to hex the living daylights out the fool who placed those foul things" the founder of the house of smarts.
"I'm fine Rowena. Just need a good rest, that's all" Harry said trying to calm his surrogate mother.
Rowena looked Harry over and frowned.
"Helga will check you over to be sure" she said in a tone that said this wasn't negotiable.
Harry just nodded. He knew there was no point arguing.
"So what happened on the train?" Godric asked.
The group took their seats and they told their story. Once finished Rowena looked ready to kill, and she would if she were alive. Helga tried her best to calm her friend, but it didn't seem to be working.
"Don't worry Rowena, I vowed I'd take down Fudge if Dementors hurt anyone and they did. He's going to get sacked and worse" Harry said.
Rowena nodded in approval.
"That's good, but now with that you'll have to deal with the politics of purebloods. This isn't going to be easy since they will want one of their own in office so they can get their way still" Salazar said.
"We'll counter with selecting Amelia Bones for the post" Daphne said.
"That will paint a big target on her back" Salazar said.
"Auntie won't like it. She doesn't want the job, but she'll take it if the right pressure is given. Plus, we can talk to the goblins to reinforce the wards as well as check them too" Susan said.
They talked some more til it was almost curfew. The group parted this time using special portals that led to their specific dorms. It was a gift from the founders so they wouldn't be caught after curfew if they accidentally stayed in the chamber too long.
/Scene Break/
Classes soon began and the group were excited to see how this new DADA professor will be. Since he could produce a patronus then he had to be more than adequate. The lessons were fun since the professor taught them about magical creatures they might encounter in life and what spells they could be used to defend yourself. Hermione though had one question she wanted to ask, but she'd wait til after class to ask.
"Yes Miss Granger, is there something you need?" professor Lupin asked.
"Yes sir, we were wondering if you could tech us the Patronus charm" Hermione said being the spokes-witch for the group.
Lupin frowned. He didn't see why they needed to learn such an advance spell. Well, yes there was the threat of Dementors, but still it was a very hard charm to learn and he didn't think they'd be up to it.
"I would like to teach you, but this spell is very advance and I don't think it could work for you at this time" he said.
"Please sir, consider it. We think it would help defend not only ourselves, but others as well" Daphne said.
"Fine, I'll think about it" Lupin said with a sigh.
"Thank you sir" Harry said.
The group left and Lupin sat back. Harry looked so much like James, but he had Lily's eyes. Merlin, he seemed to have a combination of the two within him. He had talked to his old head of house and found out many things about Harry. He was not only Lord Potter, but the heir to the founders too. Yet, the lad acted like any other boy his age, except for the fact that he was betrothed to Miss Granger. He feared of getting close to Harry and when he found out about him being a werewolf that he'd be shunned. It was a fear he lived with everyday along with the curse he's had since he was a child.
He was friendless til he boarded the Hogwarts Express and befriended James, Sirius and Peter. The four became great friends and called themselves the marauders. They pranked the teachers as well as the students who picked on those who were smaller than them. They also went after the dark families who they knew were in leagues with the dark lord. It was their own form of warfare against the darkness. Yes, Sirius would be the instigator of most things that involved James' rival, Severus Snape.
But they were kids at the time. It shouldn't be held against them to have petty rivalry with other students. It was a part of being kids.
Lupin sighed as he remembered how his life was so lonely when James and Lily died. He left the country a little after that. He cursed Sirius' name for betraying James and Lily. He drank himself almost to death several occasions. He wasn't able to find work in the wizarding world due to his curse so he worked in the muggle one. He was able to get by, but just.
It wasn't til he got an offer to teach at Hogwarts then he finally returned to Britain. He was shocked at the news of Sirius being free and that he wasn't the one to betray the Potters. That it was Peter who did it. He knew he had a lot to do, but right now that could wait. He needed to get settled first before talking to his old friend.
/Scene Break/
Sirius read the letter from Harry and was shocked. This couldn't be the same Lupin, could it? He had to find out. He decided to write his old friend a letter and meet him at Three Broomsticks some weekend. He hoped Moony would get the letter and they could reconnect.
/Scene Break/
Meanwhile the aftermath of the Dementor debacle was at a head. Harry was practically wanting to spill Fudge's blood if he didn't step down. Fudge bumbled around mainly since he didn't have Lucius whispering in his ear anymore. He was useless. So he resigned thus began the campaigning for a new Minister of Magic. Amelia was already put in place as temporary Minister while the elections and the sorts were being held.
Amelia hated pureblood politics since it was so messy and a few ended up dead in the end of it. But she knew Harry would want her in the office so she bit her tongue. She talked to the goblins to upgrade the wards around her home to protect herself as well as Susan during the summer months.
It did help Amelia's bid that Harry was behind her, but there were others too.
Dumbledore had his candidate all set. It was a man that Dumbledore could easily manipulate.
The dark families also had their selection too. So this election was bound to be a messy one.
/Scene Break/
Lupin made his way to Three Broomsticks and found the booth and saw he wasn't the first one there. Sitting there was his old friend, Sirius Black.
"Moony, you mangy wolf" Sirius said getting up.
Lupin smiled and he grabbed Sirius in a brotherly hug.
They then sat down and ordered.
"So Moony, what have you been up to?" Sirius asked.
"Nothing much really" Remus said.
"Nothing much. Remus, you're a teacher. Just when did you become respectable?" Sirius said.
"Unlike you Padfoot some of us can rise above the straw filled kennel" Remus said.
"Oi, that hurt" Sirius said with mock hurt.
Remus rolled his eyes. He felt great being around his old friend. It felt like old times almost.
The two chatted about things and caught up with what was going on in their lives. Remus was amazed that Sirius was now head of the Black family and that Narcissa was living with him in Potter manor. He was also surprised by what he was learning about Harry. It only made him make up his mind about teaching Harry and his friends the patronus charm.
/Scene Break/
With Amelia temporary in office she ordered the Dementors out of Hogwarts stating that they had no reason to be there in the first place. She knew that this would help her get voted in by the witches and wizards who have children in Hogwarts.
/Scene Break/
As for class for the group, they decided to take on Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Care. They decided that these were the best taught at Hogwarts. The founders agreed. Divination was useless unless you had the gift and that was a rare thing to have even to be part seer. So that was out, besides Hermione saw it as all hogwash since she was a practical person, though her interested was piqued at that kind of magic.
The classes were great with their new teachers taking a liking to the group and how knowledgeable they were. They soon rocketed to the top of those classes.
Hagrid, who was the new Care teacher showed his tendency in more dangerous creatures with showing them a hippogriff in their first class. Harry was the only one to volunteer to approach the mighty creature. Once he showed he was able to do his friends joined in. Of course Malfoy antagonized the proud beast and was almost slashed, but Harry saved his by summoning the blond ponce away.
"Why'd you do that Harry?" Daphne asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to see Malfoy get hurt" Neville said.
Hermione smacked Neville in the shoulder.
"What?" Neville asked.
"Because, then Malfoy will bitch and moan and become a problem for Hagrid. I won't let that to happen. Besides, now he owes me" Harry said.
"Sneaky Harry, I approve" Daphne said.
"Thanks Daph" Harry said.
/Scene Break/
The political climate escalated as supporters of both sides squared off. While Amelia's supporters used more civil means to garner support the other side had no qualms in threatening the opposition into submission. They used every tactic they could from threats to blackmail. It was turning out to the dirtiest race for the Minister's seat ever.
Amelia was under constant threat and her auror took it to be their personally duty to protect their boss. They wanted Amelia in since that meant she could bolster support in their ranks, which had been lacking since the end of the war.
It also helped that Sirius was chatting with old friends and making them support Amelia due to old alliances that the Black family had. He also worked and used the Potter connections since Harry was in school. Sirius was named as Harry's proxy and he took his job, well, seriously.
Even with that Lucius and his ilk still threw in wrenches as much as possible to damage the momentum that is building.
/Scene Break/
Soon it was late October and Harry and his friends were pretty much settled. They were enjoying their classes with a new teacher in potion made the once dreaded class a joy. Professor Marie Caldwell, who was an American was one of the most renown potion mistress. She taught them with zeal and enthusiasm that made every want to learn more. Only a small faction on Slytherins didn't like this. But Caldwell knew this group thanks to some very helpful colleagues and took no guff from them at all no matter who their parents were.
DADA was also the best class to go to also. To have a teacher that was knowledgeable about the subject was rare for those who've been in the class a certain amount of years. They were finally learning something good.
/Scene Break/
As for Harry and Hermione, they decided to actually start dating this year. It helped that they had permission to go to Hogsmeade this year. They did make a few ground rules. Mainly, a study session is not considered a date. A Quidditch match isn't considered a date. This limited them in options, but knew they could make it work somehow.
Their first date in Hogsmeade was nice and they enjoyed their time. They went to Honeydukes, Zonko's, and the Three Broomsticks where they met their friends, minus Luna. They chatted about how much they were enjoying their first Hogsmeade visit. The twins, who had been regaling them with tales of the village for previous years were glad their friends liked Hogsmeade as much as they did.
Soon it was time to go and the group headed back to the castle feeling good. This was a great break from their studies.
As for Harry and Hermione, this was just the beginning of their dating as they both thought of more date ideas.
End of Chapter
A/N: sorry for the short chap here as well as to how boring it is. I wanted to go longer, but I've found that this third year will be a trial like I had when I wrote the third year for Lily's Plan. I think there will be probably one more chap of third year before the summer begins. I just have trouble doing third year. Oh, I'll be doing some Neville/Daphne in the next chap and doing more Harry/Hermione too. Thanks for reading please review.