Chapter 9
Harry's arrival caused much excitement in the Weasley household. The twins were the first to approach and Harry watched them come closer in horror as he realized he'd forgotten to speak with Korlag about the investment in the twins joke shop. "Mates, I'm so sorry! We were so busy with legal issues and I forgot to ask Korlag to draw something up for us!"
"Can you believe that Silverling lady thought Harry kidnapped me?" Dudley chuckled as he and Remus followed Sirius in his dog form out to the yard.
Fred shared a look with George. "Would you look at this bloke?"
George grinned back. "He becomes an Earl and thinks that we'll forget he's..."
"As human as us!" Fred shook his head at Harry and winked. "You've got a lot to be getting along with, little cousin."
"There's always tomorrow!" George finished.
Harry sighed in relief. "Alright, then. Let me say a proper hello to your mum, dad and Ron so the party can start."
"Before you do that..." George's smile slid into a frown.
"You need to know that one of your cousins is a right prat." Fred said in a low voice.
"We don't mean our nifty neighbor." George smirked at him.
"And we don't mean our little brother." Fred dropped the tone of his voice to the point of a growl. "Or the squib that ran away from home."
This time Harry's sigh was made of severe disappointment. "I've barely met him. I've heard things, of course. We're in the same year at school after all...and he was a bit pompous at Gringotts...but I didn't want to make assumptions. What's he done? Has he been rude? Made a scene?"
"You know, of course, that as an Earl you'll be expected to keep better company than the Weasleys." Zacharias sneered at Harry through his wineglass as he interrupted the conversation.
"I'm not really concerned with what's expected." Harry frowned at the other boy while discretely waving the twins off. "The Weasleys are family. There's nothing anyone can do to change my relationship with them."
Zacharias wore a smarmy grin that reminded Harry of Gilderoy Lockhart. "True, but any respectable lord knows that relationships with their poorer relations are kept under wraps while the relatives who are high-born and present themselves with appropriate class are brought into the spotlight."
The orange shade of Zacharias' blond hair was irritating Harry's eyes which brought to mind the pleasantly pale gold shade of the Malfoy family and then the slightly more silver tone shared by Xenophilius and Luna. He wondered how the Lovegoods measured up in this git's opinion but decided that it wasn't worth contemplating. Harry stepped up close so Zacharias couldn't help but hear but anyone else wouldn't. "If I'm not mistaken, we're in the same year at school. Yes?"
Zacharias nodded, continuing to smirk.
"I'm sure you remember the second task of the tournament since it wasn't that long ago ...and how Ron was taken for me to save? He's my best friend; practically a brother to me." Harry smiled as the other boy nodded once. He let a bit of fire flash in his green eyes. "However many branches on the family tree there may be between Ron and me ... however many arguments we may have, the Weasleys are more family than you are."
Zacharias' confidence quickly became caution. He took a step back and nodded tightly to let Harry know he understood.
"Luna Lovegood's parents and mine were friends too... make of that what you will but consider your words carefully the next time we meet." Harry's grin remained sharp edged as he stared the other boy down. "It's really too bad you don't have more respect for others. I acknowledge you as a relative but you and yours will not replace anyone in my eyes nor in the public eye. Must I make it any clearer?"
Zacharias paled, shook his head and barely pieced together his dignity to approach his hosts and make excuses before leaving.
As soon as Harry saw the arrogant arse disappear through the floo, he went to greet Molly and Arthur. He thanked them for the gathering before moving on to speak with Ron.
"I heard what you said to Smith." Ron mumbled when he figured Harry was close enough. "I saw it get tense and didn't want anything to get out of hand."
Harry held his breath.
"We've got your back and it's nice knowing you've got ours but the changes are piling up too fast." Ron's gruff voice rang with frustration and regret. "I'm not abandoning you. I'm just saying that I don't know how we fit anymore. I need time to figure it out."
Harry's eyes closed of their own volition as he took this in. He took a deep breath and nodded as he opened them. "So you don't want to join me for a trip to Loch Ness?"
"I don't know." Ron stared a moment. "Do you think it's a good idea - going to a place like that when we're barely being civil?"
Sadly, Harry had to agree. "Well I suppose that's true. I'll let you know when I'm headed back to London for school shopping and such."
Feeling strangely bereft, Harry took himself into the next room to speak with Ginny and Luna.
When asked about her father, Luna told Harry that he'd gone home to write the official article for the Quibbler about Harry's lordship and that he'd given permission for her to join Harry on his trip to Ravenclaw's estate.
Harry nodded absently to accept the information until he realized that he hadn't asked her to accompany him yet. His eyes refocused on her face just as she winked at him and giggled.
Shaking his head, Harry smirked. "Who else is going with us, Luna?"
"So glad you asked, Harry." She giggled again and named the twins and Ginny along with Sirius, Remus and Dudley. "Oh, and don't forget Sigmund!"
Harry frowned. "Sigmund?"
"How do you expect to integrate him to the wards of all of your homes if you don't bring him along?" Luna grinned; her eyes wide with innocence.
Harry shook his head slowly. "How would I ever get along without you, Luna?"
Luna giggled again before skipping off.
Harry watched in bemusement and followed in her wake.
The yard was in chaos when he opened the door to join the rest of the family. George was showing Dudley how to chuck gnomes in the garden. Ginny and Luna were pointing and giggling at his attempts, while Fred was demonstrating his own unique technique. Ron was caught out by his dad while trying to sneak a piece of his mother's famous chocolate cake before it was time and for some reason, Remus was trying to catch Sirius by the tail while Molly stared at it all in horror as she struggled to keep hold of the tea tray she was holding.
Harry let out a belly laugh and hurried to help Molly carry the tray in her hands.
"Oh! Thank you, Harry, dear." Molly smiled at him breathlessly. "That goes on this table here."
Harry sighed as he put the tray in its place and used the next few hours to relish this time with his family.
His thoughts wandered until the sky began to darken. Arthur lit the candles on the cake as Molly started everyone off on a round of 'happy birthday'. The birthday boy blew out the candles and left the slicing to Molly as he was badgered into giving a speech.
"Thank you all for being there today to show your support as I took my next steps into adulthood. So much is changing in my life..." Harry's voice trailed off for a moment as he recognized the echo of Ron's words and glanced in his friend's direction. "You know, change doesn't have to be a bad thing. I'm older; yes...but I'm really just seeing the world in new ways and gaining control of my life. Everyone needs to take those steps one day and it may be that it's happening earlier than you think it should but I feel ready."
Fred and George cheered.
"Ever since I rejoined the magical world, it feels like every year is a new adventure." Harry confided to the group. "That's all this is ...a new adventure."
Molly dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief as Arthur wrapped one arm around her but nodded that she understood. The twins pretended to be a marching band with trumpets and drums. Ginny had a proud smile as she dug into her cake and Luna winked at him.
"On the theme of adventures, I'm going to Loch Ness tomorrow to explore one of my new properties. I'm fairly certain which of you will take me up on it but I want it clear that you're all welcome." Harry smiled at the group as he sat to enjoy his cake.
"I'm in!" Ginny piped up.
"Oh..." Molly bit her lip.
"No worries, Mum!" George popped up from behind her left shoulder and she gasped.
Fred joined his twin. "We're going too!"
Molly gritted her teeth and glared at the pair of them but agreed that if they went, she wouldn't object to Ginny going with them.
"Well, then Sirius, Remus, Dudley and I will spend the night at Potter Grove and meet you all here at noon with the portkey." Harry grinned and sipped his tea.
It was near midnight before most of the party-goers became tired and, even though he didn't remember going through the floo, Harry smiled as Ziva helped him get to bed. "Thank you, Ziva. You've been great. You, Tilly, Bisbee, Kipsey and Landy... I'm going to miss you while we're away."
"Ziva will miss you too, Master Harry." The little elf smiled as she brought the covers up. "But do not be forgetting, we will be seeing each other again in London."
Harry nodded as his eyes closed.
/*/*/*/*/*
Harry looked around but couldn't see past the fog. He took a step forward and managed to make out the outline of a castle but it wasn't like any castle he'd ever seen. He walked closer to see that there was a large lake next to the castle. A lake he knew very well. Could this actually be Hogwarts? With new eyes he looked at the castle again and then the surrounding area. Hogsmead was just barely visible through the fog. He was quite disconcerted to find that the only reason he hadn't recognized it was that it wasn't finished. Indeed, the foundations had barely been laid...or had it been razed?
Harry looked closer to find that the foundation, which was made of many colorful stones, was broken - worse than broken... it was crumbling.
/*/*/*/*/*
"Harry! It's time to wake up." Remus called from the outside of his door. "Don't forget we're visiting Korlag before the trip."
He barely reflected on his dream since it hadn't involved Voldemort or Dumbledore. He simply got dressed in a set of basic dark blue robes and shrunk his trunk to carry it in his pocket. "Ready! I told Hedwig to find me in a few days!" He called to the others as he walked down the steps into the foyer. "I just need to grab Sigmund and then we can go."
"The snake on the door?" Dudley asked.
Sirius was curious as well so he looked at Harry. "How will he be able to protect Potter Grove if he isn't here?"
"Luna said I need to integrate him to the wards of all my homes. She seems to have a sort of seer ability and I feel like I should trust her...therefore he must join us. I'm sure Ravenclaw's castle will have a library - maybe even her private library." Harry shrugged. "There ought to be something to tell us how to do that." He opened the door and took hold of Sigmund. "Hello, Sigmund."
"Greetingsss." The snake hissed as it came to life.
"I need to bring you to a few places and integrate your magic into the wards." Harry explained.
"But thisss isss your home. Am I not meant to protect it?" Sigmund asked.
"You will. Somehow you'll be able to protect all my homes." Harry told the guardian snake. "I've been told that there is a way. I just have to find it."
"I wasss created to protect you and your family. If there isss some way I can assissst, I will be ready." Sigmund replied before going back to his dormant state.
Harry smiled at the silver snake and slipped it into his rucksack barely noticing that the lion's teeth hadn't closed. "Sigmund is packed. We're off to Gringotts."
/*/*/*/*/*
Korlag looked troubled as he came hurrying into the lobby. "Is everything alright, Lord Potter?"
Harry nodded but his frustration was visible in his eyes. "Yesterday - with all that paperwork and Ms. Silverling, I forgot to talk to you about an investment I'd like to make."
Korlag took them into the office where the arrangements were made to create a company called Marauders Ltd. Fifteen hundred galleons were set aside to be deposited into the vault dedicated to the company and the transaction would take place as soon as the paperwork was complete. Harry, Sirius, Remus and the Weasley twins would have exclusive access.
"Take this form and have them sign it. Owl it to me as soon as you can so I can move the money." Korlag's grin was almost dripping with satisfaction.
That handled, Harry felt free to move on and the group once again left Gringotts. They arrived at the Burrow with plenty of time to spare and Harry made a beeline for his business partners.
"I have a form for you to sign. We need to owl it before we leave so Korlag can get everything ready by the time we get back from Inverness. He's even going to scout locations for a shop." Harry said quietly.
Fred and George looked at each other and then at Harry. "If we had a shop..."
"Harry, that's the dream..." George stared in shock. "But mum would be devastated if we didn't finish school."
Fred interjected, putting a hand on George's arm. "So we'll finish but if we had a shop, we could do all our experiments there with the appropriate wards and not make Mum worry the way it does when we set fire to our room."
George began to nod slowly. "We're of age so we don't need permission to buy property and supplies..."
"Lee's dad would probably be ok with setting our wards." Fred suggested. "Lee's going to be working with us anyway."
George started to get more enthusiastic as his lips curved into a mischievous grin. "And we'll be set when we've taken our NEWTs."
"Wonderful." Remus asked, coming up behind Harry. "Are we settled then?"
The twins shared an excited smile and signed the form. They borrowed Erroll from their mother and sent the contract to Korlag. Then they gathered in the yard with the rest of the travelers.
Harry pulled out the portkey with the sea monster fob and enlarged the ring. "Aright, everyone please take hold." He said and he watched as each one placed one hand on the ring. "Loch Ness monster."
/*/*/*/*/*
They landed on a stretch of grassy land with a shed. There was a sandy beach nearby with a dirt road leading off toward the water.
Remus took charge. "Padfoot, check the road in that direction. I'll check the shoreline. Fred, you're with me. George, you go with him."
Fred and George gave a mock military salute and headed in opposite directions to what they'd been told. Ginny and Luna stayed with Harry and Dudley. Their eyes were watchful and alert but nobody was around.
Just as Sirius and Fred returned, George was seen jogging in their direction. "There's a boat yard that way. Remus sent me to bring everyone."
"Magical or muggle?" Harry asked carefully.
"Squib, actually." George reported lightly. "He took one look at me and knew I was a Weasley. Well, actually, he knew my mum's brothers. Anyway, c'mon."
Harry was a little bewildered but took this twist in stride. The boatyard was made up of a large lot of land and a small shop. A one level castle tower was situated at either end of the lot but it was unclear what their function was.
When he entered the small store, Harry saw the elderly man speaking with Remus look at him with wide eyes.
"Harry Potter!" He spoke softly with a reverent tone. "An honor, it is!"
Harry felt his face warm as he approached the men. "Hello."
"Conall MacLeod, sir." The man said tapping his chest before reaching out for a handshake.
"Wonderful to meet you, Mr. MacLeod. I'm sorry to say I'm not quite sure where we are." Harry smiled kindly. "My group traveled here by way of a fairly old portkey."
"Well, now, lad, my little corner of the world is just outside of Loch Ness, which is to the south a-ways." MacLeod informed them and gestured toward the water. "That there's Loch Dochfour."
"Hmmm...I don't suppose you know where we go from here...do you, sir?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Ye can call me Mac. Nearly all the magical visitors do." Mac said quietly, scratching his short graying beard. "Now, I don't precisely know what yer purpose is... so I can't rightly give adequate advice."
Harry sighed and made a split second decision but just as he was about to speak, Luna came bubbling up to them. "Do you have anything interesting in your files, Mac?"
George followed her closely. "Anything you can't make sense of..."
"That's old..." Fred continued, popping up behind Harry.
"To the point of ancient being an understatement?" George finished with a wide grin.
The man looked down at Luna speculatively, not bothering to acknowledge the twins before going over to his desk to meet an owl as it glided in to land on the back of the chair with a box.
Harry considered for another moment how much to tell MacLeod.
"Well, I'll be..." The older man was staring at the now open parcel. "Looks like I have some ideas after all ...Lord Potter."
Harry came closer to find that the box contained several copies of The Quibbler which featured Harry on the cover and listed his official title.
"That boathouse; there on the south edge of the lot? It's warded to the teeth but it's been locked up for a good long while and there's an envelope that's holding a key that doesn't fit any lock in this place..." Mac glanced warily at Luna as he rifled through a drawer in his filing cabinet. "...and it's all listed under an odd name."
"Has your shop been running long?" Harry asked to pass the time.
"This shop?" Mac asked, his eyes widening as he finally found what he'd been looking for. "My family's been running it since the late nine hundreds. The name has changed a time or two but it's always been the same business. We rent boats to muggles and magicals alike. We also run a sightseeing tour of the nearby loches." He held out the envelope allowing Harry to see the label.
"Earl N Verness." Harry murmured, shaking his head in surprise.
"Your title is easily inferred from that, Harry." Luna grinned at them. "Especially since nobody around these parts is named Earl. Isn't that right, Mac?"
"Indeed, lass." MacLeod was obviously amused as he motioned for the group to follow him.
Harry looked at Remus, who nodded and subtly signaled Sirius and the others. The old man led them to one of the small towers and showed Harry the lock on the thick wooden door.
Harry shook the skeleton key out of the envelope and into his hand. It was old and made of bronze. There was a bird at one end with his wings outstretched encircling a deep blue sapphire and it carried with it a sense of something about to happen. He stuck the envelope into his pocket but held the key up to show the others before pushing it into the lock.
The door in front of them dissolved from solid wood into an iron gate. As soon as he turned the key completely, the gate opened to allow entry.
Inside seemed like another world. There was a single two sided dock and in the water sat a beautiful boat that reminded Harry of an old viking ship.
Beside the young lord, Mac drew in an amazed gasp. "That's a birlinn, that is!"
"I've only ever seen reproductions of this style of ship." Remus stepped closer to get a look at the dragon head at the bow. "It looks like it hasn't aged a day!"
The others spread out to see if they could find a way to board while Snuffles pressed close against Harry's legs. Dudley stared out onto the water in wonder.
"Found a gang-plank!" George shouted.
Fred popped up next to Harry. "All aboard?"
Harry stared at his new boat. "Do you think we'll all fit?"
Mac pointed out the oars as George lowered the board into place. "Twelve oars. Should be plenty of room for nine people and a dog."
Harry patted his 'dog's' head and looked over at George. "Let's find out if she's seaworthy."
"Well, she's afloat and not listing to either side." Remus pointed out as the twins proceeded to extend the plank. "That's a good sign. There must be some powerful preservation charms on her."
"Harry?" Fred called from the edge of the dock.
Looking over Harry was startled to see him on the gangplank but not on the boat yet.
"Something's blocking me from boarding. I can't take another step." Fred told him.
"Come back to the dock." Harry waved his hand. "Maybe it's a blood ward. Luna can you go all the way onboard?"
Luna took the few steps forward and was able to stand on the deck of the boat.
"Alright, Fred, George, let's see if you can join her." Harry watched carefully until his entire party was on board.
"Lord Potter, can I be of any further help?" Mac asked, almost breathless. "Ye'll be needing life jackets at the very least and supplies if yer staying any length of time."
"I'd appreciate the life jackets, but we're expecting to find an island, Mac. The portkey I received at Gringotts led us here and it listed Lady Ravenclaw's hidden island estate." Harry divulged as he followed Mac to the gate where he pointed out the locker across the lot. He cast Alohomora and Accioed the life jackets which came through the air in a netted sack. "There should be a household waiting for us and some of us are old enough to apparate so we'll owl you if there's need. Thank you for your help ...and please keep this boathouse for our use. I'll pay rent."
"Dinna be ridiculous, laddy." Mac shook his head as he watched Harry's black dog drag the sack of life jackets to the side of the boat where Remus brought it over by hand. "T'was held for ye this long and it'll continue to be held for ye. There's something I didn't tell ye before, lad. My family has long been loyal to the Ravenclaw bloodline. The lady herself was the one who gave my ancestor the land and money to build this boatyard. She used magic to steady the shoreline and tame the waters to allow the safe building of the docks."
"That's..." Harry stared at the man for a moment and then reached out a hand. "Thank you for telling me, Mac."
Mac shook Harry's hand and urged him over the gangplank. "Now's the day. Now's the hour."
Harry handed out the life jackets as the twins pulled in the gangplank and waved to Mac as the enchantments began to awaken. He felt something in the back of his mind click and, as the oars lifted, he was able to calm his friends. "The boat knows where we're going."
Now's the day. Now's the hour. - quote from Robert Burns