Chapter 23 - Summer Surprise

The attack on Malfoy Manor started well enough. Being old hands at this sort of work, the Clan knew that information was essential, and that sometimes it was the smallest of details that you missed that could ruin everything. The same evening they had discussed the proposal, they had asked Dobby to take them to Wiltshire, five miles away from their target. The little guy didn't want to be involved on an attack on wizards and they didn't push him. Not only would it have been wrong, he was a complete unknown in combat.

The Clan set up a small underground camp and made their way stealthily to where Dobby had described the Malfoy's residence. As they got close, Harry's parents all started to go weird, mentioning that they were sure there things they needed to be doing. Recognising this effect from his studies as the Muggle Repelling ward, Harry guided them one by one across the barrier and inside. Once inside the perimeter, they looked and saw the rather boring attempt at architecture. Indeed, the place was cliche in how Evil TM it looked. "How gauche," was how Shizune put it, while they spread out, leaving clones to keep watch on the property and everyone in it.

A quick test showed that once was enough to immunise the Clan against the ward's effects on them, though they expected that wouldn't hold true for all warded areas, only this one. Magic was weird like that.

After leaving clones on site, they were taken one by one back home, and Harry felt guiltily relieved that he would not be needed further. The clones took note of who arrived and when, what each person did and said in any room with a window, and generally gathering all the information they could without entering the house. The first clone to try that was ripped apart by the house's own wards.

The Clan had tried to find information on wards, but there wasn't much available yet, and what they'd found was often contradictory or plain nuts to their way of thinking.

After a week at the Manor, their opportunity struck. Only Lucius was home since Narcissa and Draco had both been invited around to a dinner held by the Parkinson family matriarch. Her husband was originally supposed to attend Lucius in his home but had to deal with something at the Ministry. Best of all, a thunderstorm was coming in which would provide some cover for their attack. They intended to make it look like storm damage to any investigators. Since the only investigators would be magical, if they didn't find any magic involved the hope was that they would write it all off as a natural catastrophe.

The sun set and Malfoy was sitting facing one of the bay windows as the storm came in. The rain started, pouring down on everything except for those under shelter. If Malfoy had been able, he would have spotted odd pockets where the rain should have fallen but didn't. Unfortunately for him, that sight was denied both by the poor visibility but mostly due to the Illusion techniques the clones employed.

The clones advanced slowly, performing a sweep to make sure of their target before they unleashed their offensive, starting off with the biggest lightning display in England's history, hundreds of lightning bolts striking at the Manor in unison! Along with the lightning came dozens of Fire techniques from the simple to the complex, guided by wires close to the mansion.

It was worse than useless.

The fires were frozen as soon as they touched the buildings, dying down swiftly due to lack of heat to sustain them, leaving watching clones frustrated that there was so little damage.

The lightning was even worse. Instead of striking the roof and walls, the energy had been sucked as they watched, drawn to what looked for all the world like lightning rods that now glowed, crackled and hummed with power, power that had brought the wards into the visible spectrum at last. Cursing to themselves, a few tried to launch themselves at the place, only to be torn apart well before they got into position as the magic reacted to their intent.

The remaining clones looked at each other and faded back into the night, taking up observation posts after getting a message from the Clan to abort the attack.

Lucius Malfoy had noticed the attack, of course. It was hard not to when he saw a veritable wave of lightning strike just in front of him, closely followed by sheets of flame. The connection to the wards shouted into his mind about the number of strikes, but the Flame Freezing ward hadn't used much magic, and the Lightning Power ward had done its job perfectly.

Lucius dropped his brandy when he checked the Manor wards' power levels. He'd never been able to upgrade the wards as much as he liked, not even during the Rise of the Dark Lord, as very few wizards had the spare power and the inclination to bolster his home's defences. Now, he no longer needed that help, indeed his Manor now had stronger wards even than Hogwarts.

The bad news was that it appeared he would need them. Whoever the attackers were, they had left without losing any of their number, and they clearly had power to spare. It would not do for him to be caught undefended. Not at all.

Whether it was the brandy or the attack, he wasn't sure, but his mind went down a new path. He considered calling in his old friends, and even those disgusting climbers who had escaped being sentenced to Azkaban on the strength of the Malfoy money. There was strength in numbers, after all, and if they were prepared to attack Lord Malfoy in his own home, then surely they would attack Malfoy's friends. Thanks to the newly empowered wards, Malfoy could offer them a safe haven. Yes. He would provide both the problem and the solution, gathering favours and power. His mind was already weaving new plans.

After all, Lucius Malfoy was a Slytherin.

Amelia Bones' Aurors were called in only to confirm that an attack had taken place. They were only allowed to stay long enough to note the fire damage for their reports before they were ever so politely requested to leave to allow the family to deal with the invasion of their property. With no magical signature for the attacker, no physical evidence, there were no good leads for the investigation. She was suspicious when Lucius allowed the investigation to die at that point, but there was little she could do.

Already there were rumours that Sirius Black was behind the attack on the 'pillar of their community', though naturally there was no proof that he had even been in Wiltshire. When she'd visited Harry, Sirius had freely given an Oath that he had nothing to do with the attack, and Harry supported him.

Most of the Clan's focus was on the Lily Potter Foundation anyway. They had built a settlement on mostly worthless lands, hooked up power and sanitation and otherwise made the place liveable. The attack did prompt them to ask Amelia for any details she could share on magical defences.

"After all, with any adult wizard able to Apparate and launch a sneak attack, there have to be defences that were created to stop it," Naruto added, explaining their interest.

Amelia gave them a fairly well summarised version of the standard lecture to Auror recruits. "In short, there are wards against Apparating, against Portkeys, against hostiles, against Muggles, and a number of others trying to gain entry. There are also offensive wards designed to respond to attackers, but these are required to be cleared with the Ministry so that our people aren't hurt by mistake. Naturally, I suspect there are people who don't give a full account of their home's protections, not all of them Dark families either."

The Clan just nodded at that. Giving away all the secrets of your defences epitomised stupidity to them.

"The wards are sustained by spells that soak up ambient magic, but those at best only help maintain the strength of the defences. The wards gain their strength most of all from a ward invented by the Founders that soaks up lightning, converting it directly into pure magic that gets directed. It's a slow process, since we have to wait for lightning strikes."

"And how do you take them down when you need to gain entry to a Dark Wizard's fortified home?" Sakura asked, eager as always for new knowledge. The Clan had already worked out that they screwed up somehow. What mattered was fixing the problem.

"There are specialists who do that work for us. I would rather not go into details, and you wouldn't be able to employ their methods." Amelia frowned.

"That's fine, thank you for what you have shared, Amelia," Harry smiled earnestly at her. "Please forgive my parents, they can go overboard looking for things to learn sometimes." He added a glare at his parents. He didn't expect it to do any good, but that didn't stop him trying.

"Can't we all?" Naruto grinned disarmingly, helping to break the tension. The Clan had the information they wanted and they didn't want to alienate the woman. Passing it off as a mistake didn't hurt any. They had enough adulation at home and were enjoying the relative anonymity here of being just normal fallible people. The Lily Potter Foundation - or the LPF for short - helped to keep them from getting rusty, and it gave them something to hand down to Harry when the time came.

During the last weeks of August, there were a frenzy of preparations to be made. Remus had already informed Harry and his friends and allies of the DADA booklists as soon as he finalised his choices, letting them get that bit of shopping out of the way in a fun day out for the group. The shopkeepers welcomed them all, and their spending spree, with open arms, and Minerva was happy to see the soon-to-be Third Years happily getting the next set of Transfiguration texts. She recommended a couple of books for extra reading for those interested, which saw Harry head back in, returning with copies for everyone, starting with an eager Hermione.

The Alley was a different place with the added Aurors stuck on patrol duty. Amelia had complained that while the place looked safer, crime was the same as ever since the criminals had discovered that the Aurors had been forbidden to follow up anything suspicious by the Minister since that would mean fewer of them on display. She would have blamed that on Malfoy's influence but it seemed to be Fudge's own initiative aimed at making him look good for how tough he was on crime.

Before they knew it, though, it was time to return to Hogwarts. That meant another party with Harry's family for all those who could make it. The Clan had invited along other locals, warning their guests that they didn't know about magic yet, though they were considered trustworthy in case of an accidental exposure.

The guys were delighted to see new faces there, especially new female faces attached to pretty girls who weren't interested in Harry. Add in the coaching they got in how to fit in, the party games and free food and drink, and they all had a great time. The girls were Glebelands students who had become friendly with Harry, but didn't want to get involved in any sort of harem.

After the party and subsequent overnight stay, they all headed to the station, the Clan had hired a bus to take them together, another lesson in British culture for some of the wizard-raised, seeing all the people, all the bustling activity, before heading through the Portal to the Hogwarts Express. For all of them, it was an experience to remember, but for little Astoria Greengrass, it was her first time through as a student, heading in for her first year at Hogwarts. She vowed that this would be a year to remember.

Stepping through the Portal, Astoria was filled with energy and excitement, bouncing along. Sure, she had seen the train before when Daphne was going to or from school, and they were learning the muggles had all sorts of different trains, even ones that went a lot faster, but none of that mattered. This time, she would be taking the Hogwarts Express, one of the icons of their society, off to school for the first time. She even knew what the Sorting would entail, having used her pouts and puppy dog eyes on everyone until a smiling Harry was caught in the effect.

Harry had checked with Daphne before telling Astoria. "Daphne, we both know that the tradition isn't to tell incoming students how they are sorted into the Houses." He gave a lopsided grin. "You also know how I felt about being ambushed by a mind-reading device in front of hundreds of strangers."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "Harry, I think all of our friends could tell that story in our sleep."

He blushed on command, "Ok, so what do you think of letting Astoria know ahead of time?"

"I think if I did it, she wouldn't trust me. There's another tradition for older siblings to mislead the First Years. I don't know why." She sighed, she didn't like the flaws of her world being exposed any more than anyone else did.

Harry pulled her close, rubbing her shoulders as he comforted her, letting her relax in his embrace. "It'll be ok, Daphne, trust me." He stroked her hair, giving her love and comfort.

Astoria's reaction to Harry telling her was predictable, she beamed at him and was really pleased with herself too. "Thank you, Harry!" She gave him a hug and held it longer than her parents would have preferred. She wasn't worried about her mind being read, she knew the Hat wouldn't pass on her secrets and all it would really see was her feelings about the handsome older boy. If that was the price for her being able to learn magic and stay in an actual castle with Harry, it was cheap enough.

On the train, Harry and his friends took a bunch of compartments. Harry had a clone in each one with his friends, and one clone for each of his girls to cuddle, something they enjoyed as much as he did.

Conversations turned to their new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Remus Lupin. The consensus was that they hoped he would be a good teacher like McGonagall or Flitwick, but based on experience they were afraid he would be as bad as Binns. They also discussed their new electives.

Harry had decided to skip Muggle Studies as for fairly obvious reasons he didn't need the class to help him blend in, and it was unlikely that it would be able to teach him anything new. For Daphne and the other wizard raised in his growing circle of friends, though, it was a must. They were hopeful that the course would be useful, though the Muggle-raised held little hope having seen how badly most wizards tried to fit in. Likewise, Harry didn't take Divination. Professor Trelawney was notorious for predicting a student's death each year, predictions that had failed to come true but it was still depressing at best to hear.

Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy all at least sounded interesting and useful, especially Care given Harry's plans to raise some for ingredients, and the teachers for each of them had at least a neutral reputation among the older students. Nym had been most helpful, giving her opinions to the group as had the other older students they knew, but Nym had done the most, spending a lot of her time over the holidays with the girls.

For her reward, Nym had demanded "Food!" with a grin, and by that she meant meals spent at the Kitsune Compound, bringing her mother and father along as often as not, since the Clan didn't worry about the expense.

Instead, the Clan took notice of her clumsiness and offered to help her improve her balance. When she mentioned there wasn't much time left before she had to leave, Anko grinned. "Oh, don't worry about that, Harry will be able to take you in hand and give you what you need."

Tsunade joined in, asking how she loved Harry's sausage, and Nym's hair turned as red as any Weasley while she realised once again just why she could never out-do Harry at teasing. 'Oh well, at least we're not bored.'

Once they were on the train and settled in, the sound of their stereos attracted other students who were curious about the noise that spilled out of their compartments. Since that time Harry had brought a portable stereo, the girls had been thinking to bring in their own ones. Miyuki had already consented to bring in batteries as needed, while the Clan were working on a solution to allow Harry to recharge the batteries via a Lightning technique, which would make them closer to self-reliant.

The wizard-raised were far too surprised for Harry's liking at just how much 'them Muggles' could do without magic. "Don't you learn about this in Muggle Studies?" he asked, trying to keep the question neutral.

As it turned out, that class was entirely theoretical, reading up on a society that they lived alongside. Even the most fanatical about blood purity were still living in settlements where they were usually outnumbered by their non-magical neighbours. It was only their xenophobia that kept them ignorant, and their ignorance fed their xenophobia.

Harry resolved that the class would have to change, and he wasn't the only one. Ravenclaw House had known for years that Muggle Studies needed to be updated, though they could never get their proposals to pass the Board of Governors which had been under the thumb of Lucius Malfoy and those like him. For a start, they wanted to make the course compulsory for all students, ensuring that their world didn't expose itself by accident, but that aspect made it easy to reject on budgetary grounds. In the interim, Ravenclaws usually took the class but got tutoring from Muggle-borns in exchange for informal lessons on wizarding society.

Not long after that on the train ride, about half-way to Hogsmeade, the train was brought to a halt with a jolt and the temperature started to drop precipitously as the rain picked up. That was followed by screams along the train and depression slipping in. Ignoring the cold, Harry got up, ready to bring violence at a moment's notice as he started hunting the source of the screams. All the lights went out as he left the compartment, but that didn't slow Harry down though it did cause more problems with people moving about trying to find their way.

Harry's hunt was short-lived, and for a moment, Harry wished that it wasn't when he discovered the source of the problems.

In fact, he found it far too easily, there were Dementors of all things on a train full of children!

They were going from compartment to compartment, obviously performing a search. What on Earth they expected to find, Harry didn't know, but they were supposed to be in Azkaban. He could feel their magic trying to push into his mind, trying to bring up bad memories, and he pushed back, past the pain, ejecting them completely and grinning maliciously as he saw them recoil from him. He advanced on them, unleashing his Killing Intent on the creatures which caused them to retreat faster.

His clones had felt the spike and investigated, finding Harry stalking the undead monsters, and added their own. The cloaked monsters found themselves herded off the train as the clones acted like sheepdogs, their anger and bloodlust creating a chakra-based fear serving to repel the Dementors, whether because of the emotions they were forced to feel or due to the chakra burning them up from the inside. Harry's clones weren't visible to the Dementors. All they could see was one very pissed off young boy whose presence caused them the pain and terror that they caused to others. The turnaround was not welcome, not at all!

They broke and fled from the train, flying at the best speed, allowing the train to get underway again. The clones returned to their places, explaining quietly to his friends and his girls. "Dementors on the ruddy train, they left, though, and I don't think they'll return." At that news, even the guys gave him hugs, still off-balance from having their worst memories dredged up, while the girls insisted on keeping him near them, whether they were his girlfriends or not.

Eventually, they all settled down again and the cart lady's tour of the train certainly helped, producing a run on anything with chocolate after the rumour quickly spread that it acted as an antidote to the monsters' effects. For once, the rumour seemed to be right, and didn't even mutate too much, though Harry felt the variant "Chocolate is the cure to everything" was just plain amusing and "Chocolate is the perfect diet food" was an overly optimistic one started by hopeful witches.

Conversation and rumour were of course rife about the Dementors and why they had visited. Harry participated just like anyone else, somewhat frustrated that he didn't have the answers yet. Astoria came into the compartment shared by Harry, Hermione, Justin and Susan in her Hogwarts robes, just as the announcement came on warning the passengers they were approaching Hogsmeade. "Well, how do I look, Harry?" Justin rolled his eyes, and Susan admonished her. "Hey, we're here, too, Astoria."

"Oh, hello. So, Harry?"

The older students laughed and Astoria laughed with them after doing a pirouette for Harry. She was more serious about her flirting than Harry was truly comfortable with, but it helped that she was cute and that she didn't take herself so seriously. It was only with Harry around that she came out of her shell this much so her parents had taken to encouraging Harry's presence, hoping that this would help even more. It was similar to how the Grangers had felt about Hermione in the beginning.

"You look like a real Hogwarts student," Harry returned, smiling.

"I am a real Hogwarts student!" Astoria protested.

Justin put his nose in the air, "Ah, but looking the part is important, my dear. One must keep up appearances before the little people like the Malfoys, or else they might think you're just like they are, and that would never do!" He had put on his best snooty voice for the occasion, spoiling the effect by cracking up at the end.

The image of the Malfoys as 'the little people' and more importantly the Malfoys' reactions to Justin's comment, was priceless. Draco would be sure to whine something like "When my father hears about this!"

Harry mused 'Actually, thinking more about it, Lucius Malfoy really wouldn't react well. The Clan has already asked for, and received, permission to station clones on guard duty with some of our faction and were hopeful that the rest would agree without needing an unfortunate incident to trigger it. The Clan were trying to track down enough ward specialists to get to work on setting up defences, but the work itself was slow and difficult, and for some reason most of them had recently taken up other contracts.'

Harry relegated those thoughts to the back of his mind, gave Astoria a smile before shooing her and the girls out so the guys could get changed, then standing out in the corridor with her and Justin while Hermione and Susan changed into their robes.

Astoria stayed with them for the short time until the train stopped and the quartet guided her out onto the platform and shielded her from the crush of students. Daphne arrived, giving her little sister a big hug and a smile. "Now, be careful on the path, 'Story, it's dark and wet and you wouldn't want to miss the Feast because you were clumsy."

Nym happened to overhear that, "Hey! I only did it the once!" She grinned. It hadn't been at all funny at the time as she had only narrowly missed cracking her skull on the sharp stones, but years later she could joke about it. With the training she was getting, she was making progress on her balance, too, so she looked forward to never tripping again.

Hagrid's voice boomed out, calling for the First Years and Astoria went with the crowd. Harry and his friends drifted over to the carriages pulled by the thestrals. Susan and Hannah gave Luna a hug as she seemed to need it at the reminder of her mother's death. They rode up to the castle, heading inside and waiting. Daphne and the other girls demanded a hug before heading to their tables while the Hufflegirls gave them the space, getting their own when Harry arrived at their House table.

At the Sorting, Harry and his friends cheered when Astoria was called up and sent to Slytherin, the only departure from the usual cheering whenever a new student was put into their own House. The shy girl blushed briefly before getting it under control, walking proudly over to her new table and taking her place. She was bombarded by questions from other Slytherins who hadn't yet heard about the Greengrass alliance with the Boy-Who-Lived. Thankfully, one of the 7th Year students came over and set them straight. Mark Wilkinson hadn't been made a Prefect, but he was still happy with how his life was shaping up. Now in his sixth year as a student, his star was rising, he had interest from some of the prettier girls, and his career prospects were better than ever. 'Yes, I'm glad I offered Harry my friendship. That alone has opened doors to opportunities, and the Lily Potter Foundation is shaping up to become truly influential.'

The Foundation was still only in its infancy, but the company was already expanding again. Using a first-year spell to make serious money was inspired and as an ally of The Potter, his family had been given the opportunity to invest from the start. It also meant that he had the chance to go into business management decades before he expected, or various other roles. Job security was far more important than allowing upward mobility to most businesses in the Wizarding World , but already the Foundation was tipping tradition on its ear.

Firstly, they were openly recruiting outsiders, something that had caused friction with their allies at the outset. What was the point of being allied if you could get employment without the hassle? That only lasted long enough for the Clan to point out the size of the Foundation. Hundreds of wizards and witches? There was no way they could get so many people just from their allies, so they were mollified, understanding that recruitment was a necessity not any sort of insult.

Secondly, they were moving quickly into the marketplace. The gossip that had spawned was intense, sometimes vicious from people jealous of their ability or upset at the flouting of tradition, but mostly positive. They were glad of the proof that the Boy-Who-Lived was getting involved in their world again.

Lastly, instead of public spectacles like the Malfoys' donation to St Mungos, the Foundation were on the streets, giving out charity directly to those who needed it. For now, it was only small things like cheap, hot meals, though many of the beggars had disappeared, working for the Foundation directly and earning their keep.

"Thanks, Mark!" Astoria's voice brought him out of his musings, and he smiled at the girl, checking that the others had calmed down enough before he returned to his friends.

Albus Dumbledore stood up, showing energy belying his great age, and started his speech.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candle light shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast. …"

There were derisive sounds from all the House tables at that. "I wouldn't call this crap 'excellent'." was a common theme to the comments, mostly from the Muggle-raised and from Harry's friends and allies. While they had gotten used to the food, that didn't mean they had to love it.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."

He paused, and Harry wondered just whose stupid idea that was. Harry seriously doubted it was Amelia Bones. She wouldn't put Dementors, XXXXX creatures whose very presence caused misery, near children let alone when her own niece was one of them. He did wonder if any official would ask why the Dementors had fled the train with their search incomplete. He made a mental note to tell Amelia the next time she dropped by for dinner with the Kitsunes.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumble dore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises — or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, Harry letting that just wash off him. He had already proven he could get rid of the foul creatures, and it looked like he would need to use clones as guards for his friends yet again at this bloody place.

"It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the de mentors," he said.

Dumbledore paused again, he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound.

"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.

"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was some applause from Harry and his friends as well as from more of Hufflepuff. Professor Lupin looked somewhat uncomfortable wearing robes again, though the quality of his fit in with all the other teachers in their best robes.

Professor Snape, the Potions master, was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, but even Harry, who knew about the rivalry between the Marauders and Snape, was startled at the expression twisting his thin, sallow face. It was beyond anger: it was loathing. Harry knew that expression only too well. It was the look Snape wore every time he had a particularly inept student.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."

Harry, Susan and Hermione stared at one another, stunned. Then they joined in politely adding their applause, which was tumultuous at the Gryffindor table in particular. Harry watched Hagrid, who was ruby-red in the face and staring down at his enor mous hands, his wide grin hidden in the tangle of his black beard.

"We should've known!" Susan lamented, pounding the table. "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?"

The Weasley twins were the last to stop clapping, and as Professor Dumbledore started speaking again, they saw that Hagrid was wiping his eyes on the tablecloth.

"Well, I believe that's everything of importance." said Dumble dore. "Let the feast begin!"

Under the cover of the Feast, the Third Year Hufflepuffs discussed the news, though they were by no means alone in that. "You know, Dumbledore had months to find a new Care of Magical Creatures teacher but he still chose a man who never finished school and who has a disastrous taste in animals to take the class, entrusting our safety to a man who thought an Acromantula would make a cute and harmless pet. He didn't even advertise for the position, just gave it to someone loyal to him."

Hannah just nodded. "Of course, that's how things are done."

"Well, it's not how they should be. He's responsible for keeping us safe and giving us a good education. That's what we pay for, not for him to pass out positions like favours to his faction." Justin added. Any respect for the Headmaster had died with the revelations of just how much he endangered all of them by keeping the school open and refusing assistance with the Chamber of Secrets.

Hermione nodded sadly. "In the real Great Britain, there is no slavery and schools are required to advertise for positions so they get the best person for the job." At the looks, she added, "I know it doesn't always work out that way, but they are trying. I don't know if I want to stay in this society if people aren't even trying to improve it."

"You would turn your back on magic, on us?" Ernie McMillan demanded.

"No! I would never betray my friends, and magic is fascinating. You have to admit, though, that a lot of the people aren't that good. Just look at Malfoy and the rest of those hateful fools. They think they're better than me because my parents can't do magic. Well, none of them can get by without it. Take their wands away and they're helpless, more so than a 'Muggle' is, and yet they think they can rule the world. They need to learn how to count, first. And the rest of the wizards and witches don't do anything to stop them. They don't even care about the people who do live here unless they have a wand. Why should I want to be part of a society that dismisses my family as not really human?" Hermione wound down from her rant, the other Hufflegirls already hugging her.

"I'm sorry, my parents work really hard for what they have, helping people and making the world just that little bit better, and yet, none of that matters to those idiots since neither of them have any magic. I wonder if they would respect astronauts or dismiss anyone who's had the privilege of walking on the Moon as 'dirty muggles'."

That claim was met by disbelief by the older purebloods of their extended group, purebloods who were then angry at the Muggle Studies teacher for failing to teach them about it when Hermione pulled out the picture of the Earth as seen from the Moon. The course was still more about how to hide away from regular people than it was about understanding those same people and their lives. Even there, though, it was failing specifically because it made little attempt to understand.

Without an understanding of fashions, of the ubiquitous technology and its impact on society, the wizards were often revealed as out of place just as soon as they stepped onto the street in their robes. Witches were little better off, as even if their choice of clothing was ignored, their ignorance of pop culture, of television and movie stars and everything else tripped them up shortly after.

For the few who passed those hurdles, unfamiliarity with the money, cars, buses, the crowding in the cities, or simply their ignorance of maths meant that fitting in was about impossible for any real length of time. Judged based on results, the Muggle Studies teacher was a failure just like History, Potions and DADA was. While Harry and his friends were hopeful that Remus Lupin would fix the DADA course, they couldn't blame the older students' pessimism in that regard.

It would be ironic if the supposed non-human was the first in years to teach the wizards and witches where the Pureblood wizards in good standing had failed, in a course where they were taught how to defend themselves from so-called Dark Creatures like the teacher. Remus gave Harry a pained smile soon after the food arrived, having to leave the Hall and get to safety before he started his transformation. Few saw him leave or Snape's minute relaxation.

The students were eventually released from the Great Hall, and Harry's group found a deserted classroom to use for their own meeting before heading off to their Houses. Once there, the girls gravitated to Harry and his clones, cuddling only since they had others present.

"Ok, Harry, just what did happen with the Dementors?" Mark was the first to raise the issue. "I heard the screams, and Daphne passed along the report that implied you know what got rid of them."

Harry double-checked there were no portraits or others available to listen in. Dobby was a treasure in that regard, able to keep other house elves away and warn if anyone approached. "Well, as it happens, I do know. One of the abilities I have learned from my parents is to project Killing Intent, it's kind of an illusion, where the caster focuses their desire for the target to die and pushes it at the target. I just pushed all my anger at what they were doing at them, and it seemed to hurt them. When my clones added their own efforts, pushing more chakra-woven illusions into them, they fled. I kept a lookout for the rest of the journey, just in case they returned and I had to do it again. That's why I said they wouldn't be back.

"I'm more concerned with having the monstrous creatures stationed at the entrances to the school. That is just asking for trouble! And even if they don't kill anyone, their presence alone will make this a bad year. You know, for once I agree with that old man about the Ministry's interference in Hogwarts."

"There's a first," Hannah giggled and snuggled closer. "I didn't think you would ever support him."

"Alright, so you can keep them away from us?" Mark interrupted, and everyone was listening closely to his reply.

"I can, as long as I'm nearby, and as long as what I did works again. If not, well, I have other things I can try but I can't offer any guarantees." Harry looked around at his friends. "I will do my best, and I can do quite a few things, but I don't want to mislead anyone.

"However, I am willing to have my clones watch over anyone who wants it. Same deal as last year, really, except this time we know what's around. I'll be trying to keep my abilities quiet," Harry added, getting approving smiles from the Slytherins and acceptance from the rest, "but if it comes down to it, I'll do whatever I have to and we can make up a story later. How's that?"

The girls agreed first, surprising no one, and Justin added, "Ok, ladies first. Now, Harry, I'll also accept your offer. I know you'd try to protect us, same way we would protect you if we could."

Harry, mindful of his lessons from his parents, smiled and offered the guys a way they could do just that. "You can protect me by helping to keep my secrets. I may have to do something anyway and an alibi would be useful if I'm spotted doing something impossible. I was lucky with that mountain troll, firstly, someone could have been hurt, secondly, well, rumours of what I did could have caused problems and my parents had warned me against making a splash."

"Well that went out the window in May, didn't it?" Justin grinned.

"Too true. It was different, though, I had precious people worth protecting, and no way to do it without causing a stir. In a choice between your lives and a low profile, it was never any contest."

There were thanks from all present for that, and soon enough the others drifted away leaving just Harry and his girls who were doing their best to show him their appreciation for him and his efforts. The kisses and caresses helped all of them deal with the scare on the train, and they went to bed content.

Harry's clones were stationed by each of the Common Rooms while more started raiding the Library, something Harry had hoped to get done earlier. The extra time off school over the summer meant he got in more training which as always meant he could sustain more clones. Setting four clones as guards, that left sixteen to rummage through the Library for new books in already checked sections and to move onto new sections, memorising and copying all that he needed. Naturally, Harry had already put into memory the textbooks for his year and the years below, and was set to practice each spell as he mastered the previous one. The project continued, though. At this rate, Harry estimated he would be done sometime next year, at least he hoped so.

There had been so many deadly dangers already at what Dumbledore laughingly called the safest place in Britain.

The next morning, Harry went about his morning exercise routine. Ten minutes in, the Hufflegirls started watching while warming up, then taking a walk on one of the paths. All of them were intending to do well in Quidditch this year, and the exercise program was a big part of it. The fitter they were, the longer they could last and the harder they could push their brooms. When the team practice restarted, they could work on their skills, too.

Susan had come up with the idea that if they could improve themselves enough, they could make the Snitch irrelevant to the game. It appealed to her sense of fair play for the game to be more about the six players who had a constant role than about the Seeker whose only requirement was to find a little golden ball.

Cedric was a good sport about the idea, adding that maybe it would stop his Dad from boasting about him all the time. Having met the elder Diggory, the rest of the team weren't sure anything short of the Killing Curse would perform that particular miracle.

At breakfast, Harry was glad to see his friends at his table again. To accommodate them, older Hufflepuffs had started eating meals on the other House tables, something that had led to increased understanding between the Houses. Sadly, nothing had yet made Slytherins and Gryffindors welcome at each other's tables, but the other two Houses provided a sort of neutral ground for them to meet.

Harry was glad to see it continuing this year, too. With those Dementors around, they would have more need than ever of the extra friendships that were developed. He and his friends mingled, moving around and talking to each other. He spotted the Heads of Houses moving out to hand out the schedules to their students, and the annoyance each of them exhibited at having the job made a little harder now that their charges weren't all neatly lined up by House and year. 'Well, that's one reason they didn't think to encourage it before, I suppose,' Harry mused. He didn't think it was worth the price they all paid, however, and besides, they could have done it the night before at the Welcoming Feast and avoided the extra work.

The food was the standard Hogwarts fare, rather unappetizing after the freedom to cook up his own meals that summer had afforded, but the morning run meant he was hungry and between the Dursleys and the Clan, Harry would not turn his nose up at any food as long as it was no more than mildly poisonous. (The Clan were working on his poison resistance, but they were taking it slow.)

After the schedules were all handed out, Harry found himself surrounded by some of his female friends. Sally-Anne came over with Lavender and Parvati, followed by Tracey and Sophie and lastly the Ravenclaw girls Cho Chang, Sue Li and Lisa Turpin with Luna Lovegood at the back.

Nym was grinning at him, he could feel it, while the girls hastily glanced at each other before Tracey and Sophie went first, thanking him for the meals over summer. "Daphne thought it would be good to keep quiet about how the cooking at her place had improved so much. She only let slip today that every time, it was you cooking for us. Anyway, we wanted to thank you for the delicious food. And I, we, wondered if there was a way that maybe that could continue?"

"I would have to look into that before I could give you an answer, and even if I can, there is a price to it," Harry warned the pair.

"Naturally!" Sophie replied, smiling. "And naturally, there will be negotiations."

Harry smiled, "I hope we can come to an acceptable arrangement."

Sally-Anne was next after making sure the Snakes were finished, "I wanted to ask if I could sit in on more meetings with you, and if you will be willing to give me what you're giving Lavender and Parvati."

Lavender blushed and Parvati whispered urgently to Sally-Anne, "Oh, I mean the help, of course!" she added with a smile, not blushing in the least.

"Sure, I'll do what I can. I'm not exactly sure what help I'm not giving you, though."

"I, um, I was thinking of the massages."

Their curiosity piqued, the other girls looked hopefully at Harry who smiled. "Sure, whenever I have time. And yes, that offer is open to the rest of you girls if you are interested." The girls relaxing and smiling told him he had guessed right.

Lastly, Luna spoke up. "And we Ravens were looking to play more games with you, they were ever so much fun!" Her smile lit up her face as she continued, "I find the little boards fascinating, and wonderful questions that are opening a whole new world to me, to us," she corrected, seeing the nods from the others.

"Though I still don't think it should be called Trivial Pursuit..."

The conversation drifted off from there as they often did, especially when Luna was involved. The girl was strikingly honest and would talk about anything that interested her, and lately what interested her was everything. As a result, conversations with her could best be described as random. The Clan were delighted by her, too. She was a constant source of novelty.

Unfortunately, conversations had to be cut short as classes were set to begin. A look from his Hufflegirls and a quick word saw them head off to their dormitories, grabbing books and supplies to get ready for Muggle Studies, for those of them taking the class. They were all meeting up with their friends back at the Hall and headed up as a group, still chatting away, to the classroom. While Harry had decided against taking the class, Hermione wanted to explore how their society was taught in Hogwarts. She had heard the warnings from the Ravenclaws, but stubborn as she could be, she held firm, wanting to see for herself.

Harry was simultaneously proud of her for wanting to discover the answers herself and concerned for her. If the Ravenclaws were right, then that knowledge would hurt her, and even if they were wrong, that could mean the truth was even worse.

The first core class for the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws was History of Magic, where even Hermione and Padma, always eager to learn, had taken to bringing in their own books to read. Binns, the ghost, didn't even know their names, much less care to teach the subject properly, instead still giving out the same lectures, the same wrong lectures, that he had for decades.

Even in First Year, when the students should have had the most difficulty, Harry and the others had noticed Binns confusing one goblin's name for another, and while that might have been less important if the ghost was teaching about all history, goblin wars ("rebellions") were all he mentioned.

Harry had chosen to bring in a selection of books to that class this year to keep from falling asleep. As usual, he had a clone assigned to write the notes so that he didn't have to pay attention to the sleep-inducing drone.

Copies of his notes were available to all his friends, too, whose marks in the subject improved even as some, like Neville Longbottom from Gryffindor, took to bringing pillows to the class. "It's the only time I can sleep without that horrendous snoring," Neville explained.

Thank you for all your support. Just noting that yes, the version on HPFanFicArchive is uploaded by me. From the next chapter, some scenes will be edited here to conform to site rules but the full version will be available at HPFFA, same name but user name Achilles. And as always, thanks to my betas and feedback is appreciated. Lastly, MWRANDOM sent me a question but has PM's disabled. Short answer: The Clan did the best they could but there was no perfect solution.