Chapter 10
Awakening
"Harry, you're not going to like this, but Dumbledore got off." Death said shaking his head sadly.
"Where are we?" Harry asked, blinking against the bright light.
"In my office. It's 4am and you're asleep in your dorm."
"Son of MERLIN!" Harry cried, suddenly realizing what Death had just said. "How? How is that possible?"
"He confunded Fudge, Umbridge, Tonks, Moody, and Dawlish just as they got back to the Ministry. I told you he's very powerful. He was able to cast the confundus charm wandlessly. Which is no easy task by the way."
"How could you let this happen?!" Harry shouted, barely keeping himself from flying over Death's desk and knocking him out of his chair.
Death sighed. "I have just had this same go round with Tonks, Moody, Amelia, Minerva, Snape, and Tom. Not to mention your parents. I cannot control Fate and Destiny. I am just the messenger here. There are some things I can control, but things like this I can't. They have their reasons, but keep in mind, they are on your side too. I do not know the reasons why they allowed this to happen though, so please don't ask me to explain them. Just know that whatever Dumbledore says, however he tries to spin his release, it's not true. He confunded them all. I have reversed the effects on Tonks and Moody's minds, but needless to say, they are not happy." He said, looking extremely tired even though he had no flesh.
"Did he get to Madam Bones too?"
Death shook his head. "No, he was gone before she got there. He has already returned to Hogwarts though. Amelia is not happy, to say the least."
"Can she just arrest him again?"
"No, I'm afraid she can't. Dumbledore made Fudge sign a magical contract, and they have come to a peace agreement. Umbridge as well. They both have forbidden Amelia to arrest him again. I could, of course undo it, but Fate and Destiny have other plans. My guess is they want to use that magical contract against him at some point in the future. That is how I got Amelia off my tail." He said with a slight smile. "In a plainer sense, Dumbledore, Fudge, and Umbridge are best friends at the moment, and you and the others are their worst enemy."
Harry groaned at that last comment. "So basically Fate and Destiny are letting Dumbledore dig his own grave, so to speak."
Death's smile got bigger. "Essentially yes. Tom came to the same conclusion. He is already thinking up ways to help Dumbledore further that quest."
Harry chuckled, but then he suddenly stopped. "You said Dumbledore is back at Hogwarts. Are we safe there?"
"Undoubtedly." Death said with a firm nod. "He really does think the castle is alive. You all have done a very good job at making it seem real, but do not become lax in your security measures." He warned.
Harry nodded. "You helped in making it seem real though."
"Yes, I know, but you all have done the leg work. I just step in when I need too."
"Salazar and Godric are going to be so angry." Harry said scratching the back of his head.
"They already are. Well, their physical selves are anyway. You are going to have to break the news of this to their paintings. Trust me when I tell you, they have asked me more than once to send them back just like I did with you and the others, but I cannot."
Harry nodded again. "I understand. Sending them back will have way too many people asking questions. They will think it is some form of dark magic or something."
"Indeed." Death nodded. "Now, speaking of paintings, the ones of Merlin, Salazar, and Godric will be laying at the foot of your bed when you awake. As I said, Dumbledore believes Hogwarts to be alive, and is scared of the consequences that Hogwarts laid out. He does not want to be locked in the dungeon again, so he is going to return them."
Harry immediately smiled. "That is some good news at least. Wait until I tell Luna that Dumbledore is scared of her!" Harry laughed. "It's going to be brilliant!"
Death smiled. "She will definitely be amused. You will also have to tell Fred, Neville, and George, along with Luna, Godric, and Salazar about what has happened and why."
"I guess we do have to pull our own weight in some of this, but I thank you for your help none the less." Harry said sincerely.
"There is no need to thank me Harry. After all, you were my Master. Even though you only owned all the Hallows for a brief moment."
"I don't look at it that way."
"I know you don't, but I do."
"Is what Luna said about the prophecy right?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject. He didn't like being referred to as Death's Master. It just felt wrong to him.
Death smiled knowing fully well why Harry looked so uncomfortable. "For the most part. Luna made up the stuff about the words 'live', 'die', and 'survives', but she is not wrong about them by any means. She is 100% correct in the fact that prophecies only come true when people make them, and this one has come true because of Dumbledore. She is also 100% right on the power. Knowledge is the power. Destiny is the culprit for all the different meanings. She allows prophecies because it's a form of entertainment for her."
"Do I have to kill him?" Harry asked nervously.
Death shook his head. "No. You do not need to kill anyone, if you don't want to. The prophecy says vanquish, and that word has several meanings as well. However, be prepared to do so, because it just might end up that way. All prophecies that Destiny allows to happen have many different meanings, and can come true in many different ways. As I said, it's a form of entertainment for her."
"I understand, though I don't like being part of a prophecy."
Death laughed loudly. "You are not the first to say that Harry, nor will you be the last." He said, and Harry chuckled. "But it is very late, and you need a restful sleep. I will not allow you to wake up until you are fully rested, but I promise that it will be before lunch. It's Sunday, so there is no need to worry about classes, and you have already finished your homework for the week, so there is no worry there either."
Harry nodded and smiled sleepily at Death, who chuckled softly at the boy and waved his scythe through the air.
When Harry awoke the next day he did feel fully rested, although the conversation with Death washed over him and made him groan. He rolled over and stretched, but suddenly he remembered about the paintings and jumped up. He threw back his bed curtains, just as Tom did the same. They both got tangled in their respective bed covers in their excitement to see them, and they both fell out of bed and landed with heavy thumps on the floor.
Neville, who was reading in his bed, watched them both and laughed. "I was wondering when you two were going to wake up."
"Do you know what has happened already?" Tom asked, as he tried to untangle his foot from his bed sheet.
Neville nodded. "Yeah, and I've already told Fred and George. I also told Dobby, and told him to tell Luna. I found out because Sirius was yelling for Harry earlier this morning through the mirror, so I answered it. It's a good thing Ron is a heavy sleeper and that Dean and Seamus were already down at breakfast. He told me what Tonks and Moody had said, and their conversations with Death. I'm pretty sure yours was the same."
"I'm guessing so." Harry said, finally wrestling free of his own covers.
"I saw Dumbledore at breakfast myself." Neville continued. "Word has it they couldn't prove anything Hogwarts accused him of, and so they let him go. Sirius said that wasn't true, and told me that Dumbledore confunded them all. He also told me to watch our backs because they are out to get us."
"It's true. That's everything Death told me as well." Harry said, bending down in front of one of the wrapped picture frames. He carefully took off the plain brown paper, but it was just an empty black canvas. A gold name plate at the bottom told them it was Salazar's.
"Is that him?" Salazar asked, as he tried to peer over Harry and Neville's shoulders from across the room.
"No sir, it's yours." Tom answered, as Harry began unwrapping the next one.
"BOO!" Godric shouted from the freshly unwrapped portrait, and almost made Harry drop it.
"You old fool!" Salazar said, appearing in his own painting, but the boys just laughed.
"Turn me around Harry. I want to see him." Godric said.
Harry complied, but Salazar said he shouldn't have, which made Godric threaten him with his sword. The five of them held their breath as Harry took the brown paper wrapping off the last painting.
"He looks a lot like Dumbledore!" Neville exclaimed, as they gazed at the man in the painting.
It was true. Merlin's beard and hair were pure white, and flowed neatly to his chest. His robes were pure white as well, but were trimmed in gold. His eyes however, were bright green like Harry's, instead of blue like Dumbledore's. His face showed one of peace and tranquility, and he was smiling. It wasn't a big smile, but a small one that extended to his eyes.
"Yes he does, unfortunately. You can plainly see the difference though." Godric said. "I suspect that's what Dumbledore wants. Descriptions of Merlin are everywhere, and as you can see, they are all correct."
"I wish that man wouldn't try to imitate him." Salazar said bitterly. "Merlin is not going to like him one bit. That I can guarantee you. Merlin can be your best friend, or your worst nightmare. I can't wait to see what he says about Dumbledore though." He said a bit too gleefully.
"Where can we get the potion ready though? Dumbledore knows how to get into the Chamber now, so it isn't safe to do it, and keep Merlin in there." Harry said.
"Yeah, by the way, how did Albus get in the Chamber in the first place?" Neville asked. "I don't understand that part."
"I think I have an idea." Harry said. "In my future past life, Ron was able to gain entrance to the Chamber by faking parseltongue. He and Hermione grabbed some basilisk fangs to help destroy the horcruxes. I talk in my sleep, so he knew kind of what to say. I think that's how dear old Albus did it."
"A logical conclusion." Tom said, still gazing at Merlin. "But maybe Severus can be of some assistance in this matter. He can set us up in a room in the dungeons hopefully."
"I don't want to get him in trouble with Dumbledore though." Harry said.
"Too late, both Snape and McGonagall are on Dumbledore's 'bad list'." Neville said. "I think he knows where they fully stand. Snape was demoted from Slytherin Head of House this morning. Umbridge has taken his place. She's also High Inquisitor now as well. Also McGonagall has been stripped of her Deputy Head title. Flitwick is now the Deputy Head. It was all announced at breakfast. I think the only reason why Umbridge didn't get the Deputy Head spot is because she's so new."
"Maybe Dumbledore doesn't trust Flitwick either. You heard what McGonagall said yesterday in her office. The rest of the staff thinks low of Albus." Tom said. "That would explain why Umbridge has that position now."
"That's what we are thinking too." Fred said, as he and George walked in.
"You all should be quieter." George said. "We could hear you in the stairway." He said shutting the door.
"Don't worry though. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny are outside." Fred added. "They are pretty smug today. Ginny even laughed at us this morning."
Harry cast the Muffliato charm immediately. "Sorry guys. We just got a little over excited." He said pointing to Merlin's painting. "Where is Snape now?"
"In his office I think. He's not in the great hall though. We just came by there. Umbridge and Dumbledore are though." George said.
Harry nodded and cast his patronus. Over the summer, Moody had taught them all how to make the patronus talk. Harry also found out that it was really Frank who figured out how to make them do it. Albus had secretly taken credit for it after Frank and Alice had been tortured. He couldn't believe that the old man had lied about something so petty though. He had been truly disgusted to learn of that.
"Professor Snape, we have Merlin's painting and was wondering if you could help us find a safe place to house him. We also may need your help in getting the potion ready to bring him to life. Salazar says its very complicated, and even Tom is a little unsure about it. We have only one shot at this, and we don't want to screw it up. Can you help us?" He asked, and then sent the stag away.
Harry knew that this form of communication was safe, because only the recipient can hear what it is saying. Unless of course, you wanted it to say the message out loud so that anyone could hear it. Harry grinned as he watched it gallop away. He had silently left instructions for the stag to charge at Dumbledore along the way.
The great hall fell silent as the stag entered through the wall. Albus watched it curiously as the patronus trotted silently up to the head table. There was no doubt in his mind whose it was, but none the less, he was curious to see what it was doing. Needless to say he got the shock of his life when it reared up on its hind legs and galloped full speed towards him. All the students gasped, and Dumbledore let out a surprised yell as it charged at him, sending various plates, forks, and knives scattering across the head table as it tossed its head around. It even managed to get a plate stuck in its antlers, but that clattered to the ground as the stag disappeared through the floor.
"It is alright everyone." Albus said, addressing laughing students. "No doubt a playful joke. Just go back to your lun…"
He didn't get to finish that sentence though because two small silvery identical weasels came scampering into the hall, screaming at the top of their non-existent lungs. They ran around the Headmaster and the new High Inquisitor, still screaming. Then they took a sharp turn, and headed toward the Gryffindor table. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny had just come in not a minute before Harry's stag entered, but one weasel stopped in front of Ron and the other in front of Ginny.
"WEASELS!" They screamed in unison, startling the two red heads.
"What do you think?" The one in front of Ginny asked, turning toward the other.
"I don't know. They don't look like weasels to me." It said in a sing-song voice.
"Nope they aren't weasels!" The one in front of Ron said, peering into his face.
"We are weasels!" They cried together.
They both started laughing, then they disappeared. Ginny burst into tears and ran from the great hall. Ron turned red with anger, and Hermione just sat there opened mouthed at the whole spectacle.
There was no doubt in anyone's mind who those voices belonged too. Lee Jordan was trying very hard not to laugh, but he was failing. The rest of the Gryffindor table looked shocked, and the entire Slytherin table was laughing hysterically, but Albus and Umbridge looked angry. McGonagall didn't like the tone or implications of Fred and George's patronesses, but as she looked at the mess left behind from Harry's stag, she let out a small giggle.
Just when everyone thought it was over, a doe trotted up through the floor. This one though, seemed to look around before heading through the wall. It couldn't be bothered to cause havoc.
"Potter, bring the painting and everything else down to me. I will gladly help you, and I know of a place where we can hide the painting without him finding it. I'll be in my office."
Harry shrunk all three paintings, and handed Salazar to Tom, though he placed Merlin's in a separate pocket from Godric in his own robes, and they all headed for the dungeons. They met Ginny along the way, who scowled at Fred and George as she passed, but she didn't say anything. The twins just snorted.
As they passed the great hall to get to the dungeons though, Umbridge spotted them. "Potter, Ringo, Longbottom, and Weasleys, get in here!" She screamed.
Tom rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but laugh as they entered the great hall. They all saw the destruction left by Prongs, and snorted.
"Yes ma'am?" They all asked innocently.
"What is the meaning of all of this?" She asked glaring at them. "I know this was your doing somehow."
"Was Prongs a bad boy?" He asked looking around innocently. "I'm sorry about that. He was just delivering a message."
"A message to whom Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked looking shocked, and not grasping the double meaning of Harry words.
Harry smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry sir. Order of the Phoenix business. I'm not at liberty to discuss it. It could have pertained to catching the Dark Lord Dumbledore. It would not be good for you to hear it." He answered loudly, and most assuredly, making something up on the spot.
McGonagall nearly choked on her salad at these words, but she managed not too. Professor Flitwick looked around and grinned, but Dumbledore however, glared at Harry.
"Order of the Phoenix?" Umbridge asked, as Dumbledore scowled at them. "What is he talking about Albus?"
"The Order of the Phoenix is a group of people, whom during the first war, I gathered to fight Voldemort."
"And since we all know Voldyshorts was imperiused by you, we have decided to recreate it!" Tom yelled. "It's just that we know who the real Dark Lord is now!"
"I am not the Dark Lord!" Dumbledore shouted, turning a shade of purple that Harry always associated with his Uncle Vernon.
"Can we join?" Draco asked loudly.
"Anyone can!" Neville shouted to him. "Do we have any other volunteers?"
"I will gladly offer my assistance to the Order of the Phoenix, if you so desire Harry Potter. I will help you vanquish the Dark Lord Dumbledore. As one of my owners, you have special privileges and can also command me. Just like Salazar and Godric."
Harry could have kissed Luna for this spur of the moment declaration. He wasn't sure if this claim was entirely true, but given that Luna said so the night before, and no one objected at the time, he was willing to run with it.
"THANK YOU HOGWARTS!" He bellowed. "I HAVE NOTHING FOR YOU AT THE MOMENT, BUT PLEASE KEEP MONERTORING THE HEADMASTER. OH WAIT, I'D LIKE TO ADD OUR ESTEEMED HIGH INQUISITOR TO THE WATCH LIST!"
"It will be done Harry Potter. Deloris Umbridge has been added to the watch list. Is there anything else?"
"NOT AT THIS TIME! THANK YOU HOGWARTS!"
"You are very welcome Harry Potter. I will be here if you need me."
"You were saying Headmaster?" Harry asked. "Hogwarts does not lie, and given how you have treated me in the past, I'm inclined to believe her over you. You created Voldyshorts, and it was you who made him kill my parents, and every single person whom he has killed. Now, does that mean I agree with everything that he has done? No, because we don't know what he did under the imperius curse, and what he did on his own." He declared loudly, mimicking his speech from the first night in Gryffindor Tower. At least this time though, it was in front of most of the school.
"Harry, you are making a big mistake." Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "Voldemort has you fooled. You must be under some kind of spell."
"I highly doubt Voldyshorts would sink so low as to place a confundus charm on me." Harry said pointedly, and Albus narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Children should respect authority." Umbridge said glaring at him. "You may think you are in charge here Mr. Potter, but you are wrong. We are in charge, and you won't like what happens if you keep this nonsense up."
"Is that a threat?" Tom asked, staring her down.
"Considering her class is a joke anyway, even if she expels all of you, all you have to do is sit in your other classes, and take the O.W.L.s. Hogwarts is right. You own half this castle Harry."
Tom and Harry glanced at each other, and Tom took Salazar out of his pocket.
"Are you sure about this Salazar?"
"Oh yes, very sure." He answered.
"English please!" Godric yelled from Harry's pocket.
"I will fill you in later you old fool! My thoughts on the matter are thus, they can't force you to leave. They can however, make it so that you don't get credit for your school work. I will go into detail later though. I don't want to take the chance that the old man knows parseltongue. He might not be able to speak it, but it may be possible for him to understand it."
Harry and Tom glanced at Dumbledore, who was still scowling at them. However, there was no indication that he understood anything that Salazar had said.
"It's best to err on the side of caution." Tom said, and Harry nodded.
"Well Professor, it's been a pleasant chat, but we really must be going. We have Order business to attend to." Harry said, but then he turned around and strolled out of the great hall, leaving two scowling professors behind.
Snape was waiting for them at the entrance to the dungeons. He looked at them curiously, but motioned for them to follow him quickly to his office. As soon as they were all inside, he barred the door, and cast Muffliato.
"Is Miss Lovegood here?" He asked looking around.
"I don't…" Harry started to say, but Luna took off her cloak.
"Yes sir. I followed you all. I was done with my lunch anyway, so don't worry."
Tom nodded. "We weren't sure if you were here."
"I'm glad you're here Miss Lovegood. We have a lot to talk about, but first, I want to see him." Snape said, looking at Harry hopefully.
Harry pulled Merlin out of his pocket, and returned him to his original size. Harry had only seen pictures of the painting of Mona Lisa, but if he had to guess, Merlin's was about the same size.
"And it has been verified that this is actually him?" Snape asked.
"Yes Severus." Salazar said from Tom's pocket.
Tom pulled him out, enlarged him a bit, and stuck him to Snape's office wall. Harry followed and did the same with Godric.
"It is really Merlin." Godric said with a smile.
"Ok." Snape said with a nod, and continued to gaze at Merlin. Then he shook himself out of it. "Sit, all of you."
They sat in some chairs Snape had conjured when they all came in, but Harry looked at him sadly.
"Professor, I'm so sorry about what happened. I didn't ever think you'd lose your…"
"It was bound to happen Potter." He said, interrupting him with a wave of his hand. "I was prepared for it. I know you all tried to shield myself and Minerva. She also harbors no harsh feelings toward any of you. Though what Minerva said to him last night didn't help her situation at all, and she knows that. Now that all of this has come out, I think he thinks I'm hiding 'Voldemort' from him on purpose. That's why I'm on his 'crap list' for lack of a better wording."
Harry nodded. "I just didn't mean for any of this to happen."
"We know." Snape said. "Now, as far as your request, and given everything that just happened in the great hall, I have changed my mind on the location I was previously thinking of. What I am proposing is this, use the Room of Requirement. It is my understanding that Mr. Longbottom knows that room best." He said, and Neville nodded.
"I was actually thinking about using that room for the D.A. just like before. It's clear now we will need to reform it." Harry said.
"Here is what I am thinking." Snape said. "Given what just took place in the great hall, we use it for both. A house for Merlin, and use it for the D.A."
"It actually might work." Neville said. "I've been thinking a lot about it. The Room of Requirement needs someone to constantly stay in it for it to work properly. Remember during the Battle of Hogwarts when you had to have Ginny leave our hiding room, just so it could turn back into the Room of Hidden things?" He asked, and Harry nodded as he began to understand the problem, but Neville went on to explain. "I could technically lock it down and close all the loop holes every time we meet, but that will take time. If we use Merlin's hiding place to double as our D.A. meeting place, it will make it a lot easier. Not to mention, less likely to get caught."
"I see where you're going with this." Harry said. "Tom what do you think?"
"I think it sounds great. I don't know as much about the room as you all do. I just hid the diadem in that room because I didn't know if Albus knew of it. He wasn't controlling me at that time. The only reason I came here looking for a job was to hopefully, get him to stop using me as his patsy for killing. My thinking was, if I was here teaching, I wouldn't have time to kill anyone. Well, we know how that turned out. I cursed the Defense position, and hid the diadem so he couldn't find it. He knew where the rest of the horcruxes were, but I wanted to have one still out there somewhere. I wasn't ready to die at that point yet. It wasn't until Severus turned to him during the last part of the war that I was ready to die. I didn't relish in killing an innocent child. I just never made it back to Hogwarts because he kept me under the imperius almost constantly after the prophecy was made."
"I think he does know of the Room of Requirement, but I'm not 100% sure." Harry said. "Godric, Salazar, would Merlin mind that? You both know him best. If we explain the situation, do you think he would mind in maybe helping us teach the students in the D.A.? I know he wanted to teach his descendants first, but this is way more important than that."
"He wouldn't mind." Godric said. "He would understand."
"In fact, he would be pleased at your lack of selfishness. He would be pleased that you both would want to share him, before learning all his secrets first." Salazar added.
"Ok." Harry said with a nod. "Professor, that was a very good idea."
"Thank you Potter." Snape said sarcastically, but there was no malice in his tone, and he smiled. "However, given what happened in the great hall, I think we should just change the name from the D.A. to the Order of the Phoenix. Not only will that stick it to the old man, but it's what you all declared up there. Not to mention Mr. Longbottom asked for volunteers."
Harry laughed. "I will admit, all of that was completely impromptu, and made up off the top of my head."
"I just went along with it." Neville said.
Tom sighed with exasperation. "Gryffindors."
"Indeed." Salazar and Snape echoed, but everyone laughed.
"Hey, I went along too." Luna giggled. "I thought it would be funny. Dobby said, Neville said, Sirius said, that Death said," She paused to catch her breath and smile, "that Dumbledore was scared of Hogwarts. I figured I'd go along with them."
Everyone laughed. "Well I think it worked." Fred said.
"Yeah, you should have seen his face when Luna announced she'd help us." George added.
"But this is what concerns Minerva and myself." Snape said. "We are flying by the seat of our pants, making stuff up off the top of our head, and not really knowing if it is all true or not. If Dumbledore forces our hand, we may have nothing to show for it."
"But the part about Tom and Harry owing the castle was not made up." Luna said. "Death told me to say that."
"Really?" Snape asked, and she nodded.
"It's true though Severus." Salazar said. "The boys own the castle. It was all an equal quarter share when Godric, Helga, Rowena, and I built it. When their lines died out, their shares split and went to us. When we died, it transferred to our descendants, though they didn't know that because they never claimed the vaults as per our final instructions. When the boys did that over the summer, they became owners of the castle. If Dumbledore were to check the owner's deed in the Headmaster's office, it would say Tom Riddle and Harry Potter. It automatically changed when the boys claimed the vaults. It's a magical contract and can't be broken." He said, and Godric confirmed it by nodding.
"I did make up the part about Tom Ringo not owning the castle, but just being part of Salazar's family. I did it to protect the 'big secret'." Luna said.
"I understand why you did that, believe me." Tom said. "And I thank you for it."
"And I thought it was all made up." Harry said, still in a daze at knowing he owned half of Hogwarts.
"But what does it really mean?" Tom asked. "Ok so we own the castle. What does that entail?"
"Well, in a sense not much." Salazar admitted with a sigh. "However, since you own it, and this is what I was getting at up in the great hall, no one can make you leave it. No one can make anyone leave it that you don't want to leave. It's technically your home now. If Neville gets expelled for some reason, he doesn't have to leave if you don't want him too. You can still attend all your classes and take your O.W.L.s and for Fred and George, N.E.W.T.s. No one can deny you of that. It's just that they can make it so that you don't get credit for your work. Unless of course the Professor's secretly grade and record your marks."
"What about the wards?" Snape asked. "The protective enchantments and such?"
Godric sighed. "That authority was passed to the first Headmaster after we Founders left, and it has passed to every Headmaster since. There is nothing we can do about that. Harry or Tom would have to be Headmaster to gain full magical control of Hogwarts."
"So we control it physically, but he controls it magically." Harry asked, just to make sure he was right.
"Correct."
"Dumbledore is in a better spot. I hate to admit." Tom said. "How would one of us be able to claim the Headmaster spot?"
"It's a spell that has to be preformed with the current Headmaster's consent. Then, and only then, do the wards recognize the change." Godric said.
"That explains why during the last timeline Umbridge couldn't take full control of Hogwarts. Not even the gargoyle would let her in the Headmaster's tower." Harry said, and the Founders nodded.
"Is there a way to change that spell?" Tom asked.
"We could look into it." Godric said tentatively. "But I can't make any promises."
"Merlin might be able to help us with that." Salazar said.
"True." Godric said with a nod.
"Ok here is what I suggest." Harry said. "First, no more flying by the seat of our pants. It's time we implement a real plan. Fred and George, you're in charge of pranks and general chaos. Enlist Peeves if you can. Neville, you're in charge of the Room of Requirement. Luna, of course, remains as Hogwarts. Professor Snape you and Professor McGonagall are our main advisors along with Salazar and Godric. Tom, let's darken Hogwarts to a reasonable extent. If Tom Riddle, AKA Voldemort, owns half of Hogwarts, let's let Albus know it. As for myself, well I'll just become the cocky, arrogant, rebellious, brat Professor Snape always thought I was." He said with a grin.
Snape snorted. "This should be interesting. However, I think we should hold real Order meetings at Potter manor. It's safer than here for certain. The elves and Fawkes can transport us there."
"I agree. The real Order is those at Potter Manor, along with you and Professor McGonagall. I won't even pretend to know how to run something like that." Harry said with a sigh. "A student rebellion I can handle, a full fledge war strategy I cannot. Although, Tom could."
"I don't want to though. I say we leave it up to the ones at the Manor." Tom said.
"They will want to elect a leader though. Who should I suggest to them…"
"Moody." Everyone said in unison.
"I agree." Snape said with a nod. "And I think Minerva will too. I will inform her of all of this. I will also let everyone at Potter Manor know as well."
"I will get with Draco and tell him to annoy Ginny, Ron, and Hermione as much as possible. However, I will strictly forbid physical harm." Tom said. "I think that is the best thing for him."
"Are we letting Slytherins in the Mini Order?" Luna asked.
Harry nodded. "Yes, but I think we need to have a sign-up sheet just like before."
"With a jinx attached to it?" George asked.
"Yeah, Tom will you handle that?" Harry asked.
"I can. Do you want death or a minor irritant?" He asked with a grin. Harry laughed, and explained Hermione's jinx on the paper last time, and Tom grinned again. "I can come up with something like that, but just a tad more nasty." He laughed.
"Godric, if Tom and I own Hogwarts does that mean we own the elves too?" Harry asked.
Godric shook his head. "No, the elves are owned by the general school population. You can ask them to help you, but if another such as Albus overrides your command, they will have to change."
"That's why they only cook and clean really." Salazar said.
"Ok, so the Hogwarts elves are out, but there are 20 elves at Potter Manor. I was just hoping to have a few more that would be willing to help us. Not a big deal." He said with a sigh, trying to see if there was anything else he could think of. "Luna, is there anything you need from us? Anything at all. Say the word and we'll make it happen."
"No Harry, I think I'm fine. I like my role as Hogwarts. It allows me to kind of stay back and observe. Dobby is a huge help, and we get along great. I think my role in this is fine. We don't want to over use it, but we don't want to underutilize it either. I want to sign-up with the Mini Order as one of the normal students so that I don't cause suspicion. I think that is best. I carry my cloak with me at all times, and I sleep with it too, so if you ever need me, just have Dobby come get me."
"Are you sure Luna?" Harry asked, and she nodded. "Ok then, if at anytime you need to make a change, or if you think of something, let us know please."
"We just want to make sure you'll be safe." Tom said. "You are very important to us, and not just because you're Hogwarts, but because of who you are."
Luna smiled. "It is nice to feel needed. You are all my friends, and I treasure each of you for who you are. I'm a lucky lady."
Harry grinned at her and the others laughed. They all knew how important Luna was too, and not just because she was Hogwarts. All of the guys truly cared for her.
"Neville?" Tom asked.
"I'm good. I won't lie. I've been waiting for this. The D.A…well Mini Order…is what I have been waiting on. The Room of Requirement is my thing, but if I think of anything I'll let you know."
Harry nodded. "Fred, George?"
"We're good!" They said with identical grins.
"We'll talk to Peeves, and we want to bring in Lee. Not to know everything, just to help plan and set things up." Fred said. 'He believes us."
"As a matter of fact, I think all of Gryffindor does. Except for the obvious ones." George added.
"We know Slytherin is with us." Tom said. "Luna what about Ravenclaw?"
"Not a whole lot believe it, but some do. I have heard talk since 'Hogwarts' confirmed it that more people do, but I think we still have a long way to go."
"I'll ask Minerva to ask Pomona about Hufflepuff. I'm not on the best of terms with her, but she and Minerva are really close. That way we can judge how far we have to go with Hufflepuff." Snape said.
Harry nodded, but Tom looked at Snape. "Severus, is there anything you need?"
"All I want, is to see Albus get what's coming to him." He said. "I'll be here if you all need me, and I'm pretty sure Minerva will say the same. However, let us feel out the rest of the staff to see where they really stand before you all let loose."
"Swamps." The twins said together. "There are going to be lots of them, and in the most inconvenient places."
Harry laughed. "Well, I think it's time that I start acting like I own this joint. However, I think I might need help running it. Hogwarts, since Tom Ringo is Salazar's family, does he have the authority to act on Tom Riddle's behalf since he is not here to claim his right?"
Luna grinned at him, and cast the voice amplifying charm. "Yes Harry Potter. Tom Ringo is a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, therefore I can recognize Tom Ringo as an owner, until such a time as Tom Riddle claims his ownership. If that happens, I will no longer be able to recognize Tom Ringo as an owner, seeing as he is not the true Heir of Slytherin."
Harry grinned at her. "Thank you Hogwarts."
"You're welcome Harry Potter. I'll be here if you need me, or if you have any further questions about your joint ownership."
"Harry, are you sure you're not a Slytherin?" Godric asked with a grin.
Everyone burst out laughing.
First things first though, they needed to bring Merlin to life. They all headed up to the seventh floor, but thankfully Snape's presence scared off any on lookers. They did see that Dumbledore and Umbridge was still in the great hall, but they didn't notice Harry and the others sneak by.
When they reached the seventh floor, the others just kind of stood there looking at Neville as he looked at the blank wall. Harry grinned at his friend as he scrunched up his face in concentration, then Neville walked back and forth in front of the wall three times. Everyone grinned when the door appeared.
They walked inside and found the room to be bare except for a table at the very back. Neville began walking around the room and muttering under his breath, while Tom and Harry hung Salazar and Godric on the wall. They left a blank space between them for Merlin though. Now that they were finally safe, Salazar told them what the spell was to make his journal readable, and Tom said it was a good thing they asked for Snape's help. The instructions to get the potion ready were very complicated. They even made Snape nervous, and he read them over multiple times just to make sure he didn't get them wrong. He was getting kind of annoyed though, because the whole time the room kept changing around them.
A dueling platform appeared, along with shelves filled with books. Many of them Harry remembered from his last 5th year. A small alcove with a sitting area appeared and cozy looking fireplace. Some hammocks materialized and formed a small bedroom of sorts, and a bathroom complete with a shower appeared right beside it. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff banners hung from the ceiling. The room seemed only limited by Neville's imagination.
Harry didn't want to take the chance of interrupting Snape and Tom, who were pouring over the instructions, and doing their best to get it right, so he sat down in the sitting area with one of the books. The twins and Luna followed his lead, and sat down with him. Luna looked around mesmerized by the changes taking place, and the twins began thinking up ways to get Peeves in on the chaos.
Finally after three hours, both the room and the potion was ready.
"I think if we don't get Minerva, she will likely never forgive us." Snape said with a smile.
Harry grinned at him and cast his patronus. "Professor McGonagall, if you can, please meet me on the seventh floor. We have Merlin and the potion is ready. I don't think you want to miss this."
He sent it off, and Neville agreed to wait out in the hall for her. She showed up a few minutes later, but she wasn't alone.
"Filius and Pomona both are on our side, don't worry they consented to being checked for spells and other harmful things. They are not imperiused or confunded." She grinned.
"Merlin!" Flitwick breathed as he gazed at the painting.
"I can't believe it." Professor Sprout said in awe.
"Neither can we." Harry laughed.
"Ok Salazar, what now?" Tom asked.
"Every inch of the canvas needs to have the potion spread on it. I suggest using a brush." He said, and one appeared on the table.
"That's handy." Filius said, looking at the ceiling. "This room is curious. I wonder…"
"Filius! Shhh!" McGonagall chided him, but he grinned at her.
Tom looked at Harry. "Do you want to do it?" He asked.
"Nope." Harry said, backing away. "My potion skills may have come along way since summer, but I do not want to take a chance with this. One of you do it."
Tom laughed. "Ok, Professor Snape gets the honors. He's the one who worked the hardest."
Snape sighed nervously and stared at the brush and painting. He very carefully dipped it into the emerald cauldron and began to paint the painting. After several minutes the painting was covered in a thin layer of the silver substance.
"Did it work?" McGonagall asked.
"You'll have to give a minute. It needs to soak in." Salazar said, as he and Godric looked on proudly.
The minutes seemed to drag on into hours, but Harry and the others looked on breathlessly. Finally, after several minutes, the potion disappeared and Merlin's painting flashed a bright yellow. Harry and Tom quickly stuck it to the wall in between Salazar and Godric, and Merlin opened his eyes and looked at all the smiling faces standing before him.
Merlin smiled brightly at them. "Hello my friends. May I ask what year it is?"