Thank you for the reviews. Thank you also to the reviewer who replied to my question in the previous chapter. I genuinely had no idea that's what 'Slash' represented on the Fics. To me it's about pairings but if it's what you said it is then I can understand somewhat
That being said a review I received last night left me feeling sad. To quote my own movie reference "I confess myself, disappointed". You're perfectly entitled to your views and while it was respectful, I don't have the same opinions. I will leave it at that
I have also been over my previous chapters and edited certain details. The main ones being changing numbers to words for e.g., 10 is now 'ten' etc. I've left some as numbers are quite lengthy in word form. I have also corrected a few more issues but they weren't major, the story hasn't changed for those who have already read to this point. I really need a BETA but haven't a clue as to how to go about getting one
I've written out bits of the next few chapters already. Just need to flesh them out. I didn't intend for it to be this long to start with but I'm having fun writing it, so we'll see how far it goes. Oh, and I'm from the North West of England so its Breakfast, Dinner and Tea. Nuff said
Again, I own nothing
The Great Hall
The great hall was buzzing with noise as Harry entered at dinner time. There was immediate silence as he walked past the Hufflepuff table to sit at the Slytherin table. He sat down in his spot, a spot that he had had since his first year and started pulling various items on his plate and began to eat. Gradually the noise rose again as people realised he wasn't going to acknowledge them. Pulling out the book Walking with Death he began to read as he ate. It was incredibly interesting. Reading about the history of the Elder Wand was fascinating. Over the centuries it was believed that less than fifty people had held the Elder Wand, each of them though had very different experiences with it, some said that the Wand spoke to you, others recalled how the wand sang to them, some that it never gave them the power that was promised. It seemed that the wand didn't have to be won in a duel after all, just taken from its master in a visible way. It switched allegiances every single time it had changed hands too. Why would someone want an item that had no loyalty, was the power it provided that outstanding? He thought of his own two wands and couldn't imagine no longer using them. They had become an extension of himself, and they had never let him down. No, should he get his hands on the Elder Wand, he would hide it. His own wands provided him with more than enough power
Power. That was something Harry had noticed a sharp increase in lately. Every time he used spells, he had noticed a rise in its impact. He was beginning to run through his test dummies at an alarming rate. Thank Merlin for repairing charms. He knew he was powerful; he had read the results of his Merlin Index scan and was told by Madame Pomphrey and Albus that he'd top out at just above 700. At this rate though he was suspecting it would be closer to 750 and that worried him. It was getting more and more difficult containing his magic. Masking it was becoming a major issue and he wondered just how Albus had managed it. Maybe he should relax it more often. It may make it easier on him. He hoped that after he had reached his Magical Maturity on his next birthday that it would settle, it's what all the books told him anyway.
"Reading a blank book Potter?" came a snide voice from just down the table "not even you are that gifted"
"It has an intelligence charm on it Travers" Harry calmly replied not looking up, turning over a page and continuing to read "only those three and upwards are able to understand it"
"You think you're so superior to us don't you Potter?" Travers spat "you think you're so special!"
Finally looking up and over at Travers he replied "it's not that difficult being superior to you Travers. I suspect even Mrs Norris has a higher intelligence quota than you"
Hearing chuckles radiate from around the room Travers turned bright red and pulled his wand out and said "I could end you right now Potter"
Putting his book down Harry fully turned to him and replied "go on then, take your best shot Travers. But you better be accurate because my reply will take your head off your shoulders"
"Just what is going on here" came a silky voice from behind them "causing trouble yet again Potter?"
"I thought you'd been sacked Snape?" Harry asked looking surprised, creating murmurs around the Great Hall "I could have sworn the headmaster told me last night he was sacking you"
"You obviously heard wrong Potter. Now what is going on?" Snape said sneering at Harry
"What's going on is that Travers here is going to lose his head in a minute if he doesn't put his wand away" Harry said matter-of-factly
"Such arrogance" Snape started to say before he was interrupted by Harry who stood up and stared Snape down
"Arrogance, father, ego yada yada yada Snape. You know you really need to come up with some new phrases. They're getting really boring. Now unless you have something substantial to say I suggest you take your greasy head over to the staff table before I remove the lips from your face"
The entire hall was silent. The entirety of the student body was in shock. No one had ever had the nerve to stand up to Snape like this. And it coming from Harry Potter was equally as shocking. The Slytherins didn't know whether to back their Head of House or Potter. Clearly the dynamics of the house had changed, the power struggle between Potter and Snape that had been going on for six years seemed to have come to a head and if it's one thing Slytherins understood it was power. It seemed Potter had won the battle.
"How Dare you!" Snape said withdrawing his wand but before anything else could be said he was disarmed so quickly and silently everyone nearly missed it. Not only that but with Harrys second wand movement he sealed Snapes lips. As if waiting for the cue the entirety of the staff table emptied with McGonagall at the head
"Mr Potter" she started "Just what do you think you are doing? Assaulting a professor. In all my years here, I have never seen the like"
"Do not start professor" Harry said shocking her into indignant silence "you have had six years to stop him bullying me. Six years of him insulting my parents and getting away with it. Six years of being hexed by students and him protecting them while you lot sat back and let it happen. As far as I'm concerned you and the rest of the staff are entirely complicit in this bastard and his bullying! I warned him this morning that I won't tolerate his attitude anymore, just as I warned everyone else yesterday that I was done rolling over for people. If you don't like the new Harry Potter then that's tough shit isn't it. I'm done with his nonsense Professor" turning to Travers he asked "now, do you have something to say? No? Good. Keep it that way or I swear I will take your head clean off your shoulders" turning to the student body he continued "I'll repeat what I said this morning to the Slytherins in the common room. If any of you have the mark, are thinking of taking the mark or want to serve that madman in any capacity then I suggest you go to Gringotts and make a will because you've chosen your side. You're just unlucky enough to have chosen the wrong one" with that he picked up his book and walked out of the room
"You just couldn't help yourself could you Severus?" Dumbledore stated removing the hex looking resigned "you couldn't go a single day without antagonising Mr Potter, could you? I gave you yet another chance yesterday during the staff meeting to have the opportunity to change your ways. And you couldn't even last twenty-four hours. My terms that I stated yesterday for your probation are cancelled" holding his hands up at the rest of his staff before they could say anything "you are fired. You have exactly three hours to pack up all your belongings and remove yourself from my castle. I will meet you at the entrance hall at that time. You have no one but yourself to blame for this Severus though I'm sure you'll come up with some excuse to blame Mr Potter. My last bit of advice before you go is to not try anything. After yesterday he will not hesitate to end you and feel absolutely no remorse for doing so"
With that Albus led the staff back to the head table where they all sat down looking grim over the silent hall. Severus picked up his wand and left with as much dignity as he could. Walking down to his office, now his ex-office he struggled to comprehend just what had happened. What was he going to do now? Packing up his personal effects didn't take as long as he thought they would. He didn't keep much here. All his important items were at his home on Spinners End. Sitting down on the chair at his now ex-desk he contemplated his current life. Two days ago, his life was in order. He had a job. He had a steady income. He had a home that was secure. He was able to do just whatever he wanted because he was Dumbledores spy. He was indispensable. And now he had nothing. All because of Potter. He loathed that boy with a passion. He had hoped that by keeping the boy downtrodden that he could gain some form of revenge on James. And over the past five years he had gained some modicum of that. He had just pushed it too far. A pop of a House elf appearing brought him out of his musing "Headmaster Whiskers is waiting for you at the entrance hall"
Sneering at the miserable little creature he stood up and looked at the picture that lay on his packed suitcase. It was a photo of a young Lily Evans and himself. Picking it up he strangely felt nothing. Picking up his suitcase he threw the picture onto the bed and walked away. Arriving at the entrance hall he saw that a crowd had gathered along with the staff. At the doors stood Albus Dumbledore
"I am truly sorry it has come to this Severus. I had hoped for the situation to be different. Alas they are what they are. I thank you for your service to Hogwarts but as of this moment you are released from your teaching oaths. As soon as you exit the wards, they will deny you entry unless invited here by myself or Minerva. Goodbye Severus" Dumbledore finished holding out his hand to shake. Ignoring it Severus sneered and walked out of the doors stopping very suddenly. At the foot of the steps stood Harry Potter with his wand in his hand
"Come to gloat have you Potter? Well, I have no interest in hearing a single word you have to say" starting to walk again he stopped when Harry raised his wand and spoke
"I Harry James Potter-Black, Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter and Black hereby absolve Severus Tobias Snape of his life debt owed to the House of Potter. So Mote It Be" a big flash of blue light surrounded both Harry and Severus with a golden thread appearing connecting them. With a slash of his wand Harry severed the connection and the light and the thread disappeared. "I want it made plain Snape. You owe me nothing, I owe you nothing and if I should see you outside these grounds wearing that fancy white mask on behalf of your master, I will not hesitate to end your life"
Walking past him Harry didn't even stop to acknowledge the students or staff and made his way to the Chamber, going to the ritual circle and performing his usual meditation finally relaxing. Snape on the other hand left and apparated to his home where he unpacked and wondered what was next. As if on cue his mark burned. Voldemort was calling him
The Chamber
As soon as he left the Great Hall Harry made his way to the Chamber. Taking a seat at the desk in Salazars quarters he read over the missive he had received while he was in the meeting with Albus. Picking it up he read it again
Mr Potter
I am writing as a daughter of House Black to request a meeting with yourself as early as possible. I believe you already know what it is about so I won't waste the ink. Reply back with a time and a place that suits you. Hopefully as soon as possible
Narcissa Malfoy
Lady of the House of Malfoy
Sometimes Harry could not believe the sheer arrogance of some people but it was the wording that made him pause. By invoking the Black name he was duty bound to meet with her. Even if it was to tell her to simply piss off. Pureblood standards and practices must be maintained after all he thought sneeringly. Interestingly enough though this gave Harry an opportunity. One he wasn't going to let go. Picking up the letter he made to leave when Dobby appeared
"Are you ok Dobby?" Harry asked "is there anything I can do for you?" he owed the House Elf a great deal. Without Dobby Harry would not be half the wizard he is now. Dobby had come in clutch for him so many times over the past few years that he considered the little elf a brother. Telling this to Dobby had had an interesting reaction though. Instead of the wailing that usually occurred Dobby had gone through a change. A minor one but for those who knew the reason why it was a significant one. Dobby had stopped stooping and now stood a proud 3 foot 3 inches tall, gone was the rags he had to wear instead being replaced with a deep blue toga with the Black and Potter emblems on the shoulders. He had also filled out somewhat. Harry told him he was a fine specimen of an Elf and he was sure that every female elf would be throwing themselves at him. Dobby was more than happy with Winky and laughed it off every time
"Yes, Harry sir" Dobby replied "Winky has just informed me that Professor Greasy is being banished from the castle. The elves of Hogwarts have instructions for him to leave at 3 o'clock"
"Interesting" Harry mused "well hopefully I'm back before that happens. I must see that. I'm about to go to Gringotts Dobby. Can you ask Griphook to set up a meeting please. There are a few things I need to go over him with. By the time I leave the grounds and apparate there he should hopefully have had enough time to do this"
"Straight away sir" Dobby replied popping away
Throwing on his invisibility cloak Harry made his way to the third floor to the Humpback witch, giving the password he made his way out of Hogwarts to Hogsmeade where he apparated to Diagon Alley. Taking off his cloak he began making his way to Gringotts. Ignoring the curious looks from passers-by he made his way to the big white marble building and queued up at one of the lines waiting to be served. Reaching the front, he said "Harry Potter requesting an audience with Manager Griphook please" receiving a surprised look from the Goblin he was in line with. Usually, wizards were arrogant but here was a polite one. Flagging down a runner goblin he issues the request and the runner went to find Griphook. "Take a seat Mr Potter and Griphook will be with you as soon as he is able" giving a nod and a thanks Harry exited the line and sat down
Twenty minutes later the doors behind the tellers opened and six armed goblins flanking a regal looking goblin exited the doors causing every teller and Goblin in the hall to stop what they were doing and bow. Reaching a curious Harry, the Regal looking goblin stopped in front of him and said simply "Follow me" turning away as if expecting Harry to comply.
"No" Harry said shocking every Goblin in the bank "I have no idea who you are and why I should follow you. I am waiting for my manager Griphook"
Recovering from the shock of being denied the regal goblin simply stated "you will follow me Mr Potter"
"Again No" came the reply "I will not follow you until you introduce yourself as common courtesy dictates"
"Please Mr Potter" cam a voice from at the side of him anxiously glancing at the regal goblin. It was the teller from before "please just follow"
"No, I don't think I will" Harry replied obstinately "I have had enough of people believing they can order me around without telling me why. I lost my Godfather a few months ago because of an old man with delusions of grandeur failed to tell me the relevant information in time and I will not put myself in any situation where I don't know the details. I came here to see my manager. Who is he anyway? The King?"
"Yes!" the teller anxiously said
"Well bloody hell" Harry said laughingly "King Gringott himself"
"Yes, I am" came the angry reply "Now for the third and final time, you WILL follow me"
Giving Harry a push the teller went back to his desk. Relaxing his magic a bit Harry followed. He may not be allowed to use wands in Gringotts without war breaking out but he'd be damned if he wasn't going to use his wandless magic to escape. Following down the halls he took notice of the various tapestries on the walls. Each seemed to depict a battle that had happened between Wizards and Goblins. They looked incredibly interesting. He wondered how many wizards other than himself had seen these tapestries. Probably very few. Coming to the end of the hall he saw Gringott enter a door on his left. Walking into a room he saw Griphook standing in front of a chair looking extremely nervous.
"Hello Griphook" Harry started ignoring everyone else in the room "I hope I find you in excellent health?"
"Hello Harry" Griphook answered giving the King a nervous look "as healthy as I can be"
"Good, now what is this about? I asked for a meeting with you and then all of a sudden I'm strongarmed into following someone who claims to be the King" Harry stated giving the other Goblin a look
"I AM the KING!" Gringott shouted "You will show me more respect, or I will have your head!"
"And I am Harry Potter!" Harry replied "and I am done with being ordered around by anybody! I have absolutely no issue cutting my way out of this room should I need to do so!" looking at the guards who were lowering their pikes Harry continued "Do not test me on this. I have dealt with enough arrogance to last me a lifetime. Now will someone tell me why I am in this office rather than my managers office"
"Please Harry" Griphook started looking at his seething King "Peace. You're here because you called Blood Feud against five other families. Gringotts stands to lose a lot of gold over this as they're five prominent pureblood houses"
"Ok, so what?" Harry asked
"So" the King interrupted glaring at Harry "when it comes down to five big accounts versus one, we usually go with the five. And given your attitude today I'm struggling trying to find a reason not to"
"And right at this moment I'm wondering whether I should transfer all my accounts to the Gnomes in Italy and leave you without six!" Harry replied standing up "so why don't you give me a reason not to!"
"You would dare threaten us like this?" The King asked
"You threatened my life! Harry replied "you know what, I'm done. And I'm taking my account with me. Goodbye!"
"Mr Potter" a voice came from behind him causing Harry to spin round a release his wands. He took two steps to the side and got into a defensive position. He was past caring at the consequences of doing such an action at this point "peace. Please" said the Goblin walking to the King he simply said "Move". Surprisingly to Harry that's just what the King did who went and stood in the corner with his head bowed. Sitting down in the seat he nodded to the wands and opened his hand pointing to the chair "please" came the repeated question
Putting his wands back in his holster Harry remained standing and asked confusedly "what is going on?"
"It seems you were correct Griphook. He is a highly unusual wizard. Mr Potter I am Lord Gringott. The Goblin that was in my place is my nephew. He WAS in training to take over me after I am gone. I now see the folly in that" Lord Gringott said making the other goblin look away in shame "you have Gringotts apologies for such behaviour" turning to his nephew he said "make this a learning experience. Blind arrogance could very well cost you and your subjects their lives if you don't know who you're dealing with. You are lucky that I was observing this meeting, or you could have caused Gringotts to burn. Now Mr Potter, you were not brought here because of the possibility of us losing gold. We say such things because most wizards expect that of us. While profit is important to us, revenge against those who have slighted us is of much more importance. While we have been reduced to being bankers, we are still a warrior class and are still highly capable of waging battle. We have many issues to discuss so please, sit"
Sitting down Harry asked "why the subterfuge then? Why the antagonism?"
"It was not subterfuge Mr Potter" Lord Gringotts said "As I stated Ironfang is in training to be King in the future. My wife died a few years ago and I have no children. We goblins mate for life. And the antagonism was unplanned too. I'll call it the rebelliousness of youth and move on. I hope you can too. Now, we called you here into my office because of the Blood Feud you called. My nephew was telling the partial truth. The ending of five pureblood lines is of great importance to us, especially as the Malfoy and Nott names are part of the Sacred 28. Tell me Mr Potter just how this came to be"
Deciding he'd had enough antagonism for one day he explained to Lord Gringott just what had happened at Hogwarts over the past few days and how and why he had called Blood Feud. As he finished there was silence in the room. Ironfang had come to sit down while Harry was relating the story and was listening intently. Perhaps his uncle was correct with regards to this wizard. Anyone who could casually talk about ending five pureblood lines must obviously have the power to back it up. While not strictly protocol, he asked before his uncle could say anything "why give them a week? Why not end their lives there and then? Magic declared them guilty after all!"
"I gave them a week for several reasons" Harry replied "one: there were innocent wizards and witches present in the Great Hall who do not need to see the reality of war just yet. No one their age should have to witness death. Two: it lets them get their affairs in order and lets them spend their last days with their families. Not everyone is so lucky and finally giving them a week makes them nervous, puts them on edge, it's all they think about, it lets them think of finding a way out of the situation and when the time draws ever nearer you can see the hope leave their eyes until finally, they realise they're going to die. I have not told anyone else that final reason, my friends would be aghast, Dumbledore would think me turning Dark and the sheep of the Wizarding world would believe me to be the next Dark Lord. And normally while I have no worries about what people think I plan someday to adopt a child, there are far too many orphans for my liking, and I would like for them to be able to walk down the street and not have people fear them for who their father is"
"All very valid reasons Mr Potter" Lord Gringott stated "very well. I will get the ball rolling on the closing of their accounts"
"I'd hold off on that for now" Harry interrupted "I'm still unsure on whether Magic will demand their spouses' lives or not. I've been unable to find any accounts on the matter as usually the wizard that called Blood Feud ended the lines"
Nodding Lord Gringott said "Our business is concluded here then. Griphook you may use this office to hold your meeting with Mr Potter. Come see me once you're finished showing Mr Potter out. Goodbye Mr Potter" standing up Lord Gringott and Ironfang left leaving Harry and Griphook to conclude their business. Once they were done Griphook showed Harry to the door. "I shall see you tomorrow at 2pm Griphook. Tell Lord Gringott that I quite like him. I appreciate the bluntness a lot. Getting to the point saves a lot of time"
"Goodbye Mr Potter" came the reply "may your gold ever flow"
Leaving to make his way down Diagon Alley he called into the Owl office and sent a reply to Narcissa Malfoy letting her know he will meet all the mothers and their children, not just her tomorrow at 2pm in Gringotts. Apparating to the gates of Hogwarts he made his way up the path just as the front doors opened to see Severus Snape leave. Taking out his wand he made a decision.
The Great Hall- Again
Later that day everyone was again gathered in the Great Hall. Dumbledore had told everyone at dinner to be here for 9pm. Curfew would be excused just this once because the meeting was to be of some importance and the entirety of the student body was required. Slipping in just as 9pm hit the doors to the Great Hall closed and Dumbledore stepped up to the podium to talk
"This meeting was called by myself on behalf of the staff of Hogwarts. I have been at Hogwarts in some capacity now for roughly sixty years. And in those sixty years I have been very privileged to have seen many excellent students become adults and make their way into the wider world. Some have gone on to play bit parts in our world, some made significant strides in various departments, some even ascended to become Minister of Magic. But throughout it all I have been aware that a lot of students have been dissatisfied with certain aspects of the Magical World. I have seen purebloods discriminate against muggleborns for refusing to adapt or believe them to be inferior, I have seen muggleborns refuse to adapt to our culture and traditions and try to make our world like the muggle one. It's a vicious circle" pausing to let that sink in he carried on "it has created an atmosphere at Hogwarts that has spilled over to the Magical World at large into adulthood and then passed on to the next generation of Witches and Wizards creating an endless loop of bigotry and hatred. A war is being fought this very minute because of those beliefs. I have been made aware recently that I had the power and positions in our world to put a stop to this a long time ago and didn't. Perhaps the situation could have been changed but alas it is what it is
But only one person needs to stand up and be counted for change to happen. And with the limited time I have left in this world I intend to be the one who starts the ball rolling as it were. I started it today with the sacking of Severus Snape. While regrettable it was necessary. For the past ten years he has encouraged Slytherin house to change the very ideals that the sorting hat looks for upon your very first visit to Hogwarts. Ambition and Cunning has somehow become Avarice and Cruelty. Well starting tomorrow that will no longer be the case" walking up and down the central path between the tables he continued
"I have issued your Heads of Houses with instructions to post a list on your common room walls. This list will comprise of many rules that are being enacted at Hogwarts. Some are long overdue. The main rule being any, and I mean any form of bullying will be dealt with most harshly. Your family names mean exactly nothing as long as you are under these wards and in these halls. If you don't like the list of rules then you are very welcome to write to your parents and I will be happy to transfer you to a different school. If you're planning pranks then ensure they're not malicious in design, if you have taken items that do not belong to you, I suggest you give them back tonight before I enable the wards. This will not be a strike system. All staff members will convene and deliberate and the majority vote will rule.
Life is preciously short. And the world is more than big enough for us all to get along. I am not saying we all have to be friends" looking over at the Gryffindor table he said "Dark does not necessarily mean evil" looking at the Ravenclaw table "being smart does not equate to being wise" to the Hufflepuffs "Blind loyalty can lead to disaster" and finally looking at the Slytherins "traditions can become outdated and leave us panicking to catch up with the rest of the world. Classes tomorrow will be cancelled due to us needing a new defence professor so I suggest you discuss these new rules with your fellow housemates. A good night to you all"
With that he waved his hand and the doors opened and the exodus began with mutterings heard as they made their way to their common rooms. Tomorrow promised to be very interesting.