Hey All! Just a quick note before the story continues. I'm headed off on vacation so the next chapter will be later than normal (4 weeks instead of 2). Once again I am being held to the no computer rule by my family...boo hiss!

Hope you enjoy the chapter, and as always I own Nothing!

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Chapter 29

Chinthliss walked through the door of the Three Broomsticks into the new morning sun. He'd been thoroughly unimpressed with his first use of the floo, exiting dirty and more than a little dizzy. The thing was worse than one of the rollercoaster's that Harry was so fond of… it wasn't the motion, it was the perceived motion. Every move seemed somehow amplified visually by the system.

He snapped his fingers as he walked and the dust he had gathered from the ride disappeared. He straightened his bronze colored jacket and bolo tie, as his thoughts drifted away from the task at hand.

He peered around the village as he continued up the cobblestone street, and sighed. In his way of thinking this was a sad thing to see, magical humans willing to give up a part of themselves that made them so special. The creativity that had been given to them was such a gift, and while their non-magical brothers had found it in themselves to finally embrace said gift, there were so many that had chosen to stay behind.

So many things these people had denied themselves…would they to be lost like so many of Underhill? Only time would tell if they could save themselves from their own folly.

The gates of Hogwarts stood before him, the castle standing majestically behind them. It looked to be a fine castle, solid, meant to withstand time as well as an army. He stopped momentarily shifting his sight to see the status of the wards and protection. He almost laughed.

They were built on a very old way of thinking, a set of domed rings based with the center being the castle only just passing into the ground below. Some were in disrepair, the demon ward dangerously so, others looked as if they were cared for but could use an overhaul.

A voice chimed in next to him. "Sad shape aren't they?"

Chinthliss turned his head toward the voice; a young James Dean stood next to him with fox feet and a small FX embroidered in silver on the left breast of his leather jacket.

"They are still powerful, but they could be improved greatly," he said to the young fox spirit. "How are you faring FX?"

"I'm keeping myself busy, but I'll be glad when I can go home." Chinthliss looked at him an eyebrow raised. "Even with my peculiar ability at transport, it is just too far on my own if it is not an emergency. From here to Furhold left me exhausted, I needed to rest before I could even manifest enough to do much beyond a basic illusion."

"Is Furhold the closest for… What do you call your ability my young friend?"

FX smiled up at him. "It doesn't have a name, and I'm the only kitsune who has it. I have never been able to explain it well enough for someone else to learn. As for your question, about the distance… It is more about the connection to Underhill, and this country still seems to have a small connection to a few of the realms. It was difficult and I had to jump a lot farther than I normally would be comfortable with but…"

"Harry," Chinthliss said. "How is it inside?"

FX shrugged. "No electricity. The bathrooms are right out of the Roman Empire. There is a heavily warded and protected room hidden under the castle, lord only knows what is in there but if what I found outside is any indication it is some form of gigantic snake…"

"And you can not pass into the area?"

"No the wards are extensive and include spirit forms, and I do not have the power or the ability to break the wards. The only other place I have found that I am unable to enter is the private vault in the Headmaster's office."

"Interesting, anything else I should know?" he asked.

"The place is a nest of vipers… There are some nasty people in there." FX shook his head. "The school's kids are divided up into four groups, or houses. This is done the day that a new student comes to the school. Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin, one for each of the founders."

Chinthliss nodded, as he continued. "Supposedly, each is to exemplify the traits each founder held as being important. Nobility and bravery for Griffindor, learning and intelligence for Ravenclaw, teamwork and perseverance for Hufflepuff, and cunning and ambition for Slytherin."

"All it has done is caused rifts." He motioned toward the castle. "The students barely interact with each other beyond the boundaries of their own houses, especially outside of class. From what I have heard this seems to continue even after they have left here."

"As for classes… The style of magic is different but most of the teachers are not bad… other than the one doing potions… Snape. Severus Snape, he's a nasty bit of work, head of Slytherin, lets his house get away with murder, and cuts the feet out from under everyone else. Seems to get his jollies off of it."

Chinthliss scowled, "And the classes?"

"First and second years have seven classes… Sort of." Chinthliss looked at him oddly, and he smiled. "One of the classes is Flying… for three weeks… on broomsticks." He couldn't keep from chuckling. "And Astronomy is held one night a week from ten to midnight, then there are Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Herbology. I don't know much about wanded magic so I can't say much about most of the subjects, but I learned a few things from Professor Sprout about Herbology. She is a gifted individual."

He continued. "Third year they can add two more classes, Arithmancy (outdated as hell, but still useful), Muggle Studies (so far out of date it's pointless), Divination (a joke of a class if there ever was one), Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures.

"Truth be told they are only in class about five or six hours a day, and average two of homework," he snorted. "If any of them tried Harry's schedule almost all of them would lose it by the end of the first week."

Chinthliss smiled. "Not everyone is as dedicated as Harry. Please keep an ear out, according to what I was told the portals will be ready before the end of the month. With any luck you may be able to use one of our private gates and come home for Thanksgiving."

FX was happy with that bit of news. Chinthliss turned back toward the castle. "In the mean time, Ako is in London with Keighvin, might I suggest reporting to them while I visit the castle? I'm sure they would appreciate any insights you have."

"As you wish Lord Chinthliss," the fox spirit said, snapping a mock salute then fading from view.

"Dragons do not have Lords, Fox!" he said to the now empty air.

He looked over the wards once more then placed his palm against the gate and 'pushed' with his magic. "That should get someone's attention," he muttered.

Minerva McGonagall sat in the seat next to the headmaster's chair; at one time she had considered the man a dear and trusted friend and mentor. But times had changed, she had learned that he had never been the man she thought him to be.

Even now, after all that had happened, he was once again absent from the castle. When he had come to her chambers the morning before, saying that he must go to an emergency meeting at the Ministry, she had once again tried to reason with him only for it to once again fall on deaf ears.

Once again he had put other things before the welfare of his students. She had to admit that he had found a professor to take over the history of magic class till the end of the year, but that was still no excuse for his sliding into old habits. She smirked at the thought of the paperwork that must be overflowing his desk by now, and she had no intention of even entering the office while he was gone, no matter how long that was to be.

She was just finishing her breakfast when she felt the wards flare, causing her to sit bolt upright as if hit by lightning, her lips parting as her normal reserve burst in a strangled cry. She glanced up and down the table at her fellow professors, to see all of them suffering from similar effects. She stood, motioning for Hagrid and Flitwick to join her and the others to stay seated.

As they passed into the entry hall she spoke to the diminutive man on her right. "I do not believe that that was an attack on the wards, it was over too quickly, but it was very powerful whatever it was. In case I am wrong please be prepared to lock down the castle. Hagrid will accompany me." He nodded and sped away.

They passed through the castle entrance at a fast gait, and within moments had a view of the grounds gates. Just beyond stood a lone figure; he bowed slightly as they approached but waited for them to reach him before speaking.

"Good morning! I trust you are part of the Hogwarts staff?" he asked.

"I am the Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. This is our Grounds Keeper, and Keeper of Keys, Rubeus Hagrid." She stopped just beyond the gate, her wand close to her fingertips. "May I ask who you are sir?"

"I am the newly appointed Headmaster of…" He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. "Stanfield Primary, Chinthliss." He smiled widely at her. "A pleasure to meet you dear lady, and you as well Mr. Hagrid. I have dropped by today to look over your facilities, and see if they are acceptable for use by my students."

Minerva looked at Hagrid briefly, then back at the man. "Stanfield Primary…"

"Yes, I believe you have met Harry Potter. He is to be one of my students." If possible his smile grew a little more.

"But… I thought…" She stumbled over her thoughts. "Harry… Mr. Potter is your student?"

"He is."

She gathered her thoughts, then spoke. "I'm sorry to say that I can not allow you entrance without proper authorization, you will need to make an appointment with the Headmaster."

He shook his head. "But I have requested an appointment, repeatedly. I have been here in Britain for several days, and have sent him a message by owl each morning. The last I sent yesterday morning saying if I did not hear from him I would come personally, as a more direct approach."

She groused under her breath, "Damn that old fool!" She then spoke loud enough for him to hear easily. "I am sorry, I was not informed of your impending visit and the Headmaster is currently off the grounds."

"I see," he said scratching his chin. "It seems we are at an impasse. You see I need access to your grounds to see what will need to be included in our travel arrangements to facilitate my students' continuing education. I believe that the other Headmasters, or at least their representatives, have had such access as they prepared for this Tournament. Correct?"

McGonagall nodded her agreement. "My time is much more limited than theirs however, as I have only till the first of the year to be prepared for our arrival, and I need to know what arrangements need to be made. Do you have a way of contacting your Headmaster?"

She sighed, but nodded again. "I will return shortly. Hagrid? Please stay here and keep Headmaster Chinthliss company."

"'llright Professor," the large man said as she turned and walked back up the hill.

He turned back to the man beyond the gates and after a few minutes asked "So ya' be Harry's Headmaster?"

Chinthliss smiled again. "It is a… recent development, but yes."

It took almost half an hour for her to return, and as she approached the talking men the gates swung open. "Please, come in Headmaster Chinthliss. And welcome to Hogwarts. I spoke to Headmaster Dumbledore and he offers you his apologies. He has been quite busy as of late and has not kept up with his correspondence. He has asked that we, the faculty, make ourselves available as much as possible during your visit."

"Thank you for your hospitality." He stepped inside the gates. "It is a most beautiful castle."

They fell onto step together. Walking up the pathway, Chinthliss could almost see the questions bubbling inside the woman's mind. He stopped in the entrance hall looking at the seal and motto of the school.

The seal held the symbol of each of the houses one in each quadrant: a golden Griffin on a red background, a silver serpent on a field of deep green, a badger done in black and white against a backdrop of yellow, and a bronze raven on a sea of blue, all arranged around a stylized H on a placard of gold.

Though what caught his eye was the motto. When he read the inscription he could not help himself, he burst out in laughter. A large booming sound, one more suited to a man Hagrid's size rather than his smaller form.

It read:

"Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus"

Or….

"Never tickle a sleeping dragon"

If only they knew, that was exactly what they had done…..