Chapter 12
"So after I accepted the bond with Winky, Sirius went for an early morning swim with me." Harry and Ron had relocated after eating breakfast with the others in the kitchen.
The combination of greenhouse and sunroom on the top floor was a wonderful surprise. All four walls seemed like they were made of glass but Ziva had told him it was just a transparency spell. Each corner held a small collection of plants and in the center was a grouping of furniture.
"Wait!" Ron's face twisted in confusion. "Did I miss something? What about the dream? No before that - whatever happened with the thing in the water?"
Harry grinned to himself. Ron's adventurous nature would bring them together again soon.
"The 'thing in the water' was the illusion spell Rowena Ravenclaw put up." Harry smirked at his friend. "I'm getting there, but the dream hasn't come back yet...not sure what to do without more information."
The redhead sighed impatiently but allowed him to continue.
"So Sirius and I were splashing and swimming around when something shiny caught my eye." Harry explained. "I signaled to Sirius that I wanted to go down to look at something but he pulled me up and made me learn the bubble-head charm first. Then we both went down. It was a chest made of metal and it was covered in a mixture of seaweed and gillyweed but the locking mechanism had caught the sunlight and it was shaped similarly to the portkey."
"The Loch Ness monster..." Ron whispered as his eyes widened with fascination.
Harry nodded. "So we pulled it up onto the dock we'd jumped off of and opened it up. Inside was a book which turned out to contain an explanation of how Lady Ravenclaw had heard of the sightings of Nessie and came searching for whatever the creature was. She found the place - the cove and it's island. She found evidence of Vikings having lived or at least sheltered there and then she found Nessie who was living in an underwater cave below the water level. To protect the cove and Nessie, she cast spells to make it unplottable and added layered illusion spells."
"Well, yeah..." Ron's strategic mind went to work. "She'd need the cliff face to blend into the shore and the lake water would need to be seamless... From above she probably just extended the trees."
"She did extend the trees a bit but what really does the trick is that she broke a large crystal she'd found in the cove and cast a series of spells on the shards." Harry explained enthusiastically. "Keeping the biggest piece in Nessie's cave, she buried the shards in a pattern around the edge of the chasm from above. The spells keep muggles away and I think they somehow interfere with the muggle technology so they think that area is just forest. That's what it looked like when Remus bought a map of the loch for me."
"Why did she keep the monster rumors going though?" Ron crossed his arms. "Why not give fake proof that the 'monster' was fake?"
"The explanation for that goes back to when she received her baroness title which she did by saving the life of the King of England's godson who also happened to be the Earl of Northumberland's heir. She requested land in her home territory and they gifted her with the title and the property rights to most of the east bank of Loch Ness and up into Loch Dochfour." Harry told him. "Well, several years later, Nessie died from a wound after one of the sightings when they chased her. I'd imagine the monster rumors kept the perpetrators scared to think she was still alive and wanting payback for the wound. I'd imagine it was a small form of punishment to begin with." Harry revealed softly. "Also, the rumors are good for the area's tourism and she loved her home so she would've tried to find a way to allow the people who lived there to thrive - like Mac's family. Overall, I think the illusion spell - which is tied to the chest I told you about - is just to memorialize Lady Ravenclaw's friend."
Ron's expression twisted his face. "Friend?"
"I swear, Ron; you have the emotional range of a teaspoon!" Harry sighed with obvious exasperation, knowing that Hermione would've been fascinated by the story that seemed to be confusing Ron. "Nessie was her friend...or maybe like a pet... anyway, Nessie's illusion now only shows itself to people who have magical ability. So, we put the chest back where it was but the spells hiding the cove were incredibly complicated so we copied the book before putting it back and I've asked Remus to help me learn them in case it comes up in the future."
Ron sighed, shaking his head. "I wish I'd been there."
"You were missed." Harry said in a hushed tone. "You're one of my closest friends, Ron, but you said you needed space and I respect that. Being associated with a person who is in the public eye can be overwhelming. I'm still getting used to the title and the treatment I've been receiving as...well - you know."
"Yeah..." Ron stood awkwardly. "I need to finish my erm charms essay."
Harry nodded. "Alright. Talk more after dinner?"
Ron didn't meet his eyes as he nodded and hurriedly made his way down the spiral staircase.
Harry sighed sadly. He thought of all the interesting things he and Luna had found in the library and the beautiful paintings in the gallery. Several landscapes that had been painted by Ravenclaw herself were hung next to lost Monet works and some stunning paintings from renaissance times. He'd hoped one day he'd get to share it with Ron and Hermione but that was not looking too promising. The more likely scenario was that he'd find a boyfriend and get to share it with them before his friends felt close enough that they could ignore his sudden windfall of luck and power.
He waited a little while before going down to his room where he wandered onto the balcony and saw Sirius relaxing on a lounge chair with his arms around Remus who was lying back on top of him. Harry smiled, happy that some of his favorite people were finding pleasure and peace in such times. He quietly began to retreat until they called him back.
"Pup?" Sirius called, not opening his eyes.
"Yes. It's me." Harry answered, coming back out. "Ron's got an assignment to finish so our conversation was cut short. I didn't want to disturb you. Do you know if the twins are back?"
"No. Let's ask Ziva." Sirius grinned eagerly as he began to prod Remus into a sitting position. "I can't wait to hear Korlag's news."
Harry called for the little elf and was taken aback by the state of her attire. Her uniform was wrinkled and the bow she usually wore around one ear was missing.
Harry was instantly concerned. "Ziva, what happened? Are you alright?"
Ziva squeaked as Harry rushed to her side and began fiddling with her little apron's ties.
"Are we under attack?" Harry asked without giving her time to answer the previous questions.
Ziva's face flushed pink and she took Harry's hands. "Master Harry? Is you having a special somebody?"
"No." Harry frowned, not making the connection until he glanced over at his amused godfather who was hugging Remus. He quickly swung his gaze back to Ziva in shock. "Do you?"
Her tiny pink cheeks darkened a bit as she nodded. "Ziva has met him only recently." She fidgeted and bit her lip.
"Are you telling me...?" Harry's mind raced to connect the dots. "Dobby?!"
The former Malfoy elf popped into the room causing Sirius to begin laughing loudly since his tiny mismatched suit of clothes was just as messy as Ziva's uniform.
"Ziva, I'm not going to object as long as you don't let it distract you from your duties, but Dobby..." Harry sighed and shook his head. "I'd like you to reconsider joining my household. I'd feel better about your safety and Ziva's if you bonded with my family."
Dobby looked bashful for a moment. "Bonding with Harry Potter would let Dobby work better for him and he could spend more time with Ziva?"
Harry suppressed a sigh as he nodded.
"Dobby and Ziva could mate?" Dobby asked, ducking his head.
"If that's what you both want..." Harry paused to look at each of them. After both elves nodded eagerly, Harry agreed. "I have no problems with it, Dobby."
Dobby began to sing the elven bonding spell and all the Potter elves in residence appeared beside Harry as the song went on but then something interesting happened - Harry felt the urge to call Roody. A moment later he appeared at his master's side. The collection of elves came together and welcomed Dobby into the fold.
As the spell ended, Roody's lips curved into a grin as he bowed to Harry. "Master Harry called?"
"It felt like you should be here..." Harry mused. "I don't know why but my magic felt off ... like this was happening while an important piece was missing."
"You is spending several weeks in Roody's care, Master." Roody explained. "The magic knew that to welcome new elf member, all elves bonded to the master should be together."
"Why were the Potter elves not called to the Roost when Winky joined the family, then?" Harry asked the wise old elf.
"Roody's guess is that your bond with them wasn't fully formed. Master spent four weeks in Roody's care. We is fully bonded." Roody looked up at Harry with wide eyes. "How long is Potter elves knowing Master?"
"Two weeks." Harry said, nodding as he saw this as a logical answer. "Well, since you're here, please take the opportunity to meet the others. You already know Dobby and Winky. Ziva is head of the Potter elves and she can introduce you to the others."
At his words, the Potter elves welcomed Roody as enthusiastically as Dobby.
"Dobby?" Harry called his attention and the usually energetic, eager to please elf suddenly seemed calm and more thoughtful.
"Master Harry?" Dobby blinked and giggled, quickly taking a place in front of his new Lord. "Dobby is liking that!"
Harry smiled kindly at the elf. "Anything new at Hogwarts?"
"No, Master Harry, but Dobby is having some new ideas to try." Dobby's eyes suddenly held a new intelligence. "Dobby will come to you at Hoggy-warts after the feast."
Harry nodded his approval for Dobby to leave but waved Roody over. "Roody, is there a book about house elves at the Roost?"
"Many, sir." Roody answered with a strange twinkle in his eyes.
"Please put a few of them near my bed at Hogwarts." Harry requested as he watched his little friend go off with the other elves. "I have a weird feeling I'll need them."
Roody looked up at him with knowing eyes and nodded before popping away.
Fred and George came in just in time to see Roody leave and asked about it, causing Harry to rehash the day's events.
"So if we'd gotten back on time..." Fred began, glancing at his twin who picked the thought right up.
"Ziva and Dobby wouldn't have gotten caught." George smirked at Harry.
"And therefore they wouldn't be mated." Fred winked at his brother.
Harry chuckled. "True but let's not make a big deal of it, eh, mates? Just fill us in on your meeting with Korlag."
Sirius and Remus were clearly still amused by the elven drama as they attempted to join the younger men in Harry's room.
Harry looked around and waved for the twins to sit on his bed while the couple took the small sofa. Harry, then, turned his desk chair to face them and waited to be filled in on the latest news about the business. The conversation that followed made everyone in the room ecstatic.
Korlag had found an ideal shop location in Hogsmeade and helped to secure it. Lee and his father had been in contact with Korlag and the twins, and the whole reason Fred and George were asked to go down to the bank was to see the site via memory in a pensieve and sign more papers if they approved... which they did. That night they planned to pack up all of their experimental materials and current projects to be moved into the basement of the shop. The next day they'd place the wards. Sadly this meant that they'd be meeting Harry, Ron, and the girls at the Hogsmeade station instead of traveling with them.
Harry was happy for his friends and wished them well but, since he and Ron had yet to fully patch things up, the twins' presence would be missed.
They left the room loudly shouting for their siblings and managed to convey all of the information the others needed to know by the time everyone met up in the drawing room to say goodbye.
Once they'd gone, Ziva announced lunch and everyone hurried to the kitchen.
Ginny and Luna sat next to each other, giggling between bites until Ron sighed dramatically and caught Harry's eye. "Girls... eh, mate?"
Ginny made a face at him and asked Ziva to bring their plates to their room before pulling Luna away by the hand.
"So Dudley, tomorrow's the big day!" Ron was trying to sound encouraging but came across as awkward.
"Yeah. Harry's taking me through for my orientation so we can meet with the Headmistress." Dudley confirmed. "I'm living here, though, so I'll be able to say goodbye on the first."
"Remus and I will be withdrawing from the order as soon as we can." Sirius reassured Harry. "We'll make sure he's safe while you're at school."
"Arthur has suggested bringing Bill and Charlie in to replace us." Remus chimed in.
"What? Why?" Harry objected to putting his cousins in Dumbledore's reach.
"When we resign, he'll be curious and I think he'll start getting suspicious soon after. With Charlie and Bill there, he'll be distracted." Remus suggested. "If that's the case, then he might make a mistake and we'll find out what's going on with him."
Harry considered this for a moment before approving. Bill was a curse breaker for Gringotts as far as he knew and Charlie worked with dragons so they must have some skill. He'd met them each a time or two and figured that he could trust them to take care of themselves and each other.
"I'll write to them." Harry answered. "I haven't done that since the discovery of my ancestry this summer."
"You've done it before?" Ron asked.
"I have." Harry nodded once. "I sent Charlie a card at Christmas and I wrote to Bill after your letter came back... just to see if I could."
"And?" Ron asked.
"It came back to me unopened - just like yours." Harry told him, trying not to be defensive. "Bill would've told you anything I said to him if it got through."
"Oh. Yeah." Ron quietly went back to eating his plate of chicken and rice.
Harry ate his portion quickly and excused himself to 'take care of a few things'. Dealing with the stubborn redhead was so difficult lately. As he climbed the stairs, he realized that he and Ron needed to have another difficult conversation soon. He'd never told Ron outright that he was gay. It also wasn't something he planned to advertise...unless he found someone he wanted to date. Harry sighed as he reached his bedroom and wondered if they'd ever get their friendship back on track.
The rest of the day went quickly as the Hogwarts bound students concentrated on making sure they had everything they needed before the final meal of the day was served because Remus had told them at breakfast that he would make a trip to Diagon Alley for any bits and bobs the next day.
After puttering around the house Harry became bored. He wished they were at one of the other properties. There was so much that they couldn't do in London. There was swimming and running and flying and Luna had said she knew how to play piano so they'd even be able to dance if they went to the Wiltshire house. There weren't any mysteries to look into here either. He sighed heavily and lay back on his bed until there was a knock on his door.
He was bored and feeling a little lazy but he still wanted to know who was there so without thinking about it, Harry reached out his hand and made a doorknob turning motion.
There was a rush of air and to his surprise the door swung open allowing a very confused Sirius to poke his head in. "Pup? What are you doing over there? Did you spell the door open?" He walked in and sat at Harry's desk, noticing as he did so that Harry's wand was nowhere in sight.
Harry stared at his hand in a daze and then looked up at his godfather. "I didn't spell it, Siri...I wanted the door to open and I reached out with my hand...I made the motion...there was a slight wind... and the door opened."
Sirius stared at him. "That's something to get a handle on then."
Harry snorted his amusement but nodded. "I seem to have found something to do while I wait for dinnertime."
"That's the spirit!" Sirius grinned. "I came to give you these."
Harry reached out to accept a small stack of envelopes. On top was one with a ministry seal so he opened it first. It folded itself into a small man and came to life before his eyes.
"Lord Potter, Earl of Inverness
I am Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic. I'd like to begin by welcoming you to the wizengamut. I'm sure you're eager to do your part and participate in the governmental processes behind the wizarding world. The next session will sit in the beginning of October, but you will receive a formal announcement with the pertinent details. I hope you will feel free to call upon me for any questions you might need answered."
The little paper man unfolded and ripped itself into nothing.
Harry laughed at the pompousness of the communication. "I didn't know they could do that!"
Sirius laughed with him. "It's a complicated variation of the speaking letter spell. He probably has an assistant do it for him."
Harry shook his head at his godfather's sarcastic remarks. "I can't believe he has the audacity to send me something like that after calling me a liar in the newspaper!" He paused and picked up the next envelope. "It's from Professor Mcgonagall. She wants to meet with me after the feast ... something about housing issues."
Sirius gave him a sly grin. "They've housed regular students and they've housed heirs to lordships. Maybe they don't know what to do with a full fledged lord."
"It's most likely the way I got the lordship." Harry's chuckle sounded slightly bitter. "Well, maybe I've got a special suite hidden somewhere."
Sirius laughed. "It would serve them right. Who is the last one from?"
Harry ripped open the envelope and scanned the letter. "My solicitor. I'd asked him a few questions in my last letter and he found the answers."
"Oh?" The older man was curious.
"Points of order and how the sessions of the wizengamut work and so on. Nothing interesting." Harry shrugged and tucked away his letters. It actually held the process of getting Sirius a trial.
Across the room, stood his bookcase. He concentrated on a random book and pulled with a surge of magic. This resulted in the entire contents of the shelf jumping toward him and falling haphazardly on the floor. Harry huffed in frustration.
"At least the one I was trying to pull came too ... right?" Harry commented as he went over to pick them up.
"That's the spirit, pup!" Sirius lightly punched Harry's shoulder. "A bit of practice and nothing will stop you."
"I'll write to you, Remus, and Dudley weekly... like we talked about." Harry said to his godfather, trying not to get emotional.
"One of us will get back to you as fast as we can, pup." Sirius sighed as Harry stood up into a tight hug. "I won't let us lose each other, Harry. I promise."
Harry nodded and backed up as a knock sounded at the door which opened to reveal Molly Weasley who was being given a tour of the house.
"Since Fred and George aren't here to look after Ginny on the trip to the train station, I decided to come early." Molly explained with a smile. "I've brought a casserole."
Ziva smiled at the older woman. "Miss Molly is staying in biggest bedroom on third floor and thanks to casserole, dinner will be served soon."
Harry switched to host mode and offered to show Molly the top floor while the elves finished the meal.
After she asked about his school work and how he was handling the lordship she seemed satisfied. Just after Ziva announced dinner, Molly hugged him. "Please don't hesitate to call me or Arthur if you need anything, alright?"
"I promise, Molly." Harry shook his head.
During the meal, Ginny and Luna told Molly all about Raven's Roost and she told the whole group about the plans Bill and Charlie had made since coming home from their jobs. Charlie was happy to be home but was hoping to get his own apartment in the nearby town while Bill had been made head of his fellow curse breakers at Gringotts and was looking to find a life companion before choosing a place to share.
"A what?" Ron asked around the food in his mouth.
"Honestly, Ronald." Molly scolded as she tossed a clean napkin his way. "You've known Bill was bisexual for years."
Ron wiped his face and didn't notice how interested Harry was in the answer. "Yeah, but I figured he'd pick one eventually and marry them and then he'd have a wife or husband. I wasn't expecting 'life companion'."
Harry felt his jaw clench at the mocking tone and use of air quotes.
Ginny spared Harry a glance but her lips pursed as their mother shook her head at him and treated the room to a rant about being respectful of everyone until they weren't respectful to you, and a person should ask about another's beliefs before assuming anything especially when that person is important to you.
"Emotional range of a teaspoon, Ron." Harry said quietly as he stood up to leave the room once Molly had finished speaking.
Ginny and Luna weren't far behind him as they followed him up to the top floor. The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes, looking up at the stars.
"The city lights drown out the stars." Luna commented softly as she sat beside her cousin. "The sky at Raven's Roost was lovely."
"Even at home the night sky shows more stars." Ginny added lightly and, as she took the spot next to Luna, their hands met.
"Potter's Grove is like that too." Harry murmured.
"Oh, look!" Luna smiled as she pointed out a group of stars. "It's Pavo!"
Ginny smiled at her. "You like that one?"
Luna sighed happily, laying her head on Harry's shoulder. "I do. It reminds me of my uncle's estate."
Harry glanced down at her. "Malfoy?"
The blonde hummed. "Uncle Lucius loves peafowl. Draco and I used to chase the peacocks in hopes that they'd show us their tails."
Ginny giggled but Harry just stared up at the stars. "The Malfoy estate borders Potter Grove."
Luna smiled at him. "Really?"
"How do you know?" Ginny asked.
"I saw him through the hedge." Harry mumbled, trying to ignore the warmth building in his cheeks at the memory.
"That's funny." Ginny frowned. "The wards shouldn't allow people to see through them."
"There are many kinds of protection wards, Ginny. Most ward spells only allow someone with power equal to or greater than the caster to see through them." Luna commented, with a slight smirk. "Some wards are able to sense people's intentions, while others detect creature blood."
Harry hummed as the thought turned itself over in his mind. "I haven't told Ron yet."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Told him what? Did I miss something?"
"I have to tell him that I'm gay." Harry answered with a pained sigh. "I don't want him to be blindsided when I eventually start dating boys...men."
"Hmmm, probably a good idea." She grimly agreed. "That temper of his is going to make him difficult."
Harry snorted and began to stand. "I'm off to bed."
"Good night, Harry." Luna smiled as she let Ginny draw her attention back to the stars.
His room was spacious but somehow felt cozy as he settled in under the covers. As he tried to fall asleep, his thoughts turned to the one girl he'd fancied - Cho Chang.
She was officially Cedric's girlfriend after the Yule Ball and that was the main reason that Harry had evaluated his feelings about his dating preferences. That and his behavior toward his date from that night. Parvati Patil and her twin sister were pretty girls. If he was straight or bisexual, he probably wouldn't have ignored her the way he did.
He'd realized that he saw things in Cho that he liked and there would be others in the world with similar attributes. She was in Ravenclaw house and was therefore intelligent but she was also kind and helpful with a confident air about her. She liked quidditch and played as seeker for her house team so they had that in common but, in terms of her looks, he found that her slim build and small chest weren't far from boyish.
He'd heard other boys...straight boys... talk about girls and their breasts and knew he didn't feel the same way. Then he'd heard Dean and Seamus talking about sex and male quidditch players and he was easily able to imagine the feel of a flat chest and six pack of abs pressed against his own lightly toned body.
Now he knew he was healthier than ever before, and with the added benefit of the money, title, and properties, he could probably have his pick of men. Those things carried risks of their own, though, so he would have to be careful to find someone who wanted him and felt that the other things were just a bonus...perhaps someone who had money of his own.
On that note, Harry drifted off to sleep but the next day, he felt like a tornado had hit him. As soon as he woke up, Ziva delivered breakfast to his bedside and while he ate, he watched her pull out clothes for him to wear. He had barely swallowed his last bite when she began recounting his schedule for the day. He and Dudley were expected at Zebrawood Conservatory at ten for a meeting with the Headmistress. It was just a formality which would allow Dudley's classes to begin the next day. When leaving the school, they would floo home for lunch allowing Harry to go to Arthur's office at the ministry where he'd get a full tour of the building so that he would know where to go in October. He was certain that his head would be spinning by dinnertime.
Harry dressed quickly and hurried to meet Dudley and Remus at the floo. "Ready when you are, Moony."
"Actually..." Molly Weasley stepped into the room behind him. She was dressed in one of her best dresses. Her hair was arranged neatly and her brown eyes held a strange light. "I'll be accompanying you instead of Remus, Harry. When I heard the name of the school, I knew I had to."
Harry frowned. "I don't understand."
"Zebrawood isn't a widely known school, Harry. It's actually got a secret. I'll clear things up when we get there." Molly called as she threw the powder. "Zebrawood Conservatory, Headmistress's office."
Dudley went next and Harry followed them.
Stepping out of the fireplace, Harry's eye was drawn to the simple lettering on the window of the door to his left.
It read - Headmistress Vera Prewitt.
"Prewitt?" Harry asked in shock.
"That's why I had to come." Molly said quietly. "I have to explain. You see, Mason Prewitt is my 2nd cousin. I'm sure Ron's mentioned him; he's an accountant with the Royal bank of Scotland. Vera is his wife and they are squibs."
Harry looked at her with new interest. "And she runs a school for them?"
"Only a handful of people know about Zebrawood Conservatory, Harry. It's extremely exclusive. There's a long interview process and a long list of requirements to fulfill." Molly told him seriously. "Dudley is only being admitted this quickly because of his familial relationship..."
Harry's outraged expression hurried her along.
"Not to the Earl of Inverness, or the boy who lived, but to Edith." Molly smiled.
"My..." Harry glanced at Dudley. "Our great great grandmother...?"
"Yes, Lord Potter. Hello, Mr. Dursley." A woman in her mid-fifties walked in wearing muggle style clothes. "Hello, again, Molly."
"Vera." Molly nodded to her as she ushered the boys into the office.
"Lord Potter, please take a seat and allow me to tell you a story." Headmistress Prewitt smiled kindly at him. "A long time ago, this school was founded by Helga Hufflepuff's granddaughter, Gunnora. She'd just been introduced to her own granddaughter..."
"Edith." Harry answered in an awed whisper.
The older woman smiled with a nod. "This school was created sometime during the twelfth century in preparation for Edith Ollivander's education but it has benefited many other squibs in the UK, as well."
"Ollivander?" Harry breathed; his head was spinning. "My twice great grandmother was an Ollivander? We were so concerned with the founders of Hogwarts being on the family tree that it didn't occur to me to notice the other families that appeared."
Dudley cleared his throat. "Is that important, Harry?"
"The Ollivander family has been making wands since the second century." Harry informed his cousin. "The wandmaker who sold me my wand was the most recent generation of the family, I suppose."
"Then you've met him?" Dudley asked.
Harry nodded but it was the Headmistress who answered. "I should say so, Mr. Dursley. You see, every wizard needs a wand and the Ollivander family has many experts in the field."
Dudley blinked a few times as this sank in. "I never imagined... and this school was made specifically to teach Edith?"
"At the time, the interests of one female squib wouldn't have mattered to wizardkind, Mr. Dursley." Headmistress Prewitt told him regretfully. "There was even precedent among the pureblood families, during that era, to abandon or kill a squib if one appeared to 'taint' the bloodline."
"But it obviously mattered to Gunnora." Harry deduced instinctively. "And perhaps, her husband?"
"Gunnora was a widow before her daughter married but Edith's education did indeed matter to her, Lord Potter, and the result is what you'll see here." The older woman nodded.
"You're married to my cousin. However distant the connection, you may call me Harry." Harry told her as he ran through his memories of the family tree in his mind along with things he recalled being mentioned in passing. "What happened with Gunnora's husband? Warin, wasn't it?"
"Not much is known about that on our end, Lord... Harry. Unfortunately, squibs aren't kept well informed about the activities of such elite persons as the family members of Hogwarts' founders." Headmistress Prewitt shrugged helplessly. "The only reason I know what I do is that each head of Zebrawood has passed the story on to the next in hopes that it will one day reach one of Edith's descendants."
"And now it has..." Harry mused. "Please go on...unless Molly has anything to add about Warin Ravenclaw...?"
"You already know the important bits, Harry, dear." She answered quietly. "He lived long enough to marry Gunnora and sire Felise but died too young to accept his mother's title or see his daughter marry."
The headmistress gave an approving nod once Molly had finished speaking. "Now, Edith's father was of the opinion that she would be better off in the care of muggles but - when Gunnora found out that he planned to place her in an orphanage - she took custody of her granddaughter and traveled to the African colonies for several years. There were many discoveries during that time and one of them was the wood this school was named for. When they returned she tried to surround Edith with supportive, like-minded people."
"Like-minded..." Harry gritted his teeth. "As in they saw value in the existence of squibs?"
She nodded once and continued. "At some point after young Edith began attending Zebrawood, Gunnora passed away and gave the Hogwarts' Headmaster of the day guardianship over her. Nobody alive today knows the exact circumstances but we know that it was a mistake that resulted in Edith's marriage to a man from outside the magical community."
Harry was outraged. "Is that why the ministry dictates limited contact with the Headmaster of Hogwarts?"
"Yes. Our Headmistress at the time made an impassioned plea that won over a majority of the wizengamut." The older woman informed them.
"Well, I know you haven't asked yet but as Earl of Inverness, I have a seat on the wizengamut and, as long as your students are well treated and gaining useful knowledge in a safe environment, you have my support, Headmistress." Harry told her.
"As you're allowing me to be informal, I will afford you the same courtesy, though only in private." Her head dipped gracefully. "What we need is secrecy, Harry. The wizengamut, as a whole, doesn't know what I am about to tell you."
"Why tell me then?" Harry asked in alarm.
"Because of Edith." Vera said simply. "And because you and Mr. Dursley are the proof that she lived long enough to continue the line that discovered the key to squibs' true power."
Harry's eyes widened. "What does that mean?"
"Wizards and witches can use any wand with any core to cast active magic. They can cast spells and charm objects and transfigure things." Vera waved her hand back and forth with a light flourish while glancing between Harry and Dudley. "We squibs have a more subtle... unseen magic. We are empaths, historians, and theorists. We have talent in several wizarding subjects as well."
"Really?" Harry was fascinated. "Like what?"
"In divination, we can use arithmancy, tarot cards, numerology, and astrology - which relies heavily upon astronomy. Many potions only require the preparation and mixture of ingredients with little active magic involved. Speaking of ingredients, we have many skilled herbologists in our ranks, although it's quite obvious that the more active plants need active magic to deal with them." Vera explained. "Healing or defense can be performed with rituals or with crystals. But the biggest difference is that a squib's magic is only accessible with a Zebrawood wand combined with a kneazle whisker core, which we give them here."
Harry's jaw dropped. "That's why there's a mandate for no wand!"
She nodded as she pulled out the chain around her neck to display a small wand. "In Africa, Gunnora had witnessed Edith's reaction to holding a branch of zebrawood and sent samples back to be studied by Edith's other grandparents who were, of course, the wandmakers of the time while her father was still an apprentice. When they realized the potential, they gathered the supportive people who helped set up this school, while keeping her father in the dark due to his previous reluctance to accommodate Edith's needs."
"It's so small." Dudley commented.
"Yes, well, it isn't meant to be waved, you see." She smiled kindly at him. "We utilize our powers just being in contact with the wand."
"That's incredible!" Harry said softly. "What else do your students learn here?"
"Everything." She answered. "All the muggle subjects are taught as well as the magic. Part of the defense training program includes the crystals I told you about but we also have several versions of self defense lessons that they pick from."
Harry's excitement was only growing. "That's wonderful."
"We have a creature course as well." Vera went on. "We only keep owls, kneazle kittens, and crup puppies on premises but we bring in other animals or take field trips to a nearby magical zoo."
"I was taught that crups hate muggles and squibs." Harry stared at her.
"Our crups are born here and have never been introduced to muggles or wizards. They receive wonderful care and firm training from the faculty as well as the students taking the course." Vera told him matter of factly.
"Nurture over nature." Harry's eyes widened.
"Precisely." Vera said proudly.
"This is... I'm incredibly impressed. I'm shocked, of course, but impressed nonetheless." Harry shook his head while trying to process this and one detail didn't seem to fit. "Wait. Why - if her father's parents were involved with the school - would Gunnora give guardianship of Edith to Hogwarts' Headmaster?"
"They died before she did, Harry." Vera explained calmly. "She obviously thought he was a friend."
"I see." Harry nodded sadly. Apparently, the betrayal of friends was not uncommon in his family. "So Dudley's classes begin tomorrow."
She nodded once and looked sharply at her new student. "We won't be advertising your connection to Edith, Mr. Dursley. The teachers will know but we don't want to draw attention to the school if we can help it."
"I understand, Ma'am." Dudley said solemnly.
"There is no age limit for admission to Zebrawood." Vera explained patiently. "We test all students on their first day to be sure they're able to keep up with their age group in the muggle material. Then we give out the wands and introduce them to certain aspects of the magical courses to see which they have an affinity for."
Dudley was barely interested in the academic side of things. "When do I get to pick a self defense form?"
"As soon as we know the magical courses you're compatible with, the teachers can tailor the curriculum and find the right defense program to make the most of your skills." Vera explained. "For example, if your build was more lean with less muscle or weight, you'd be better suited to the crystals and a form that relies on quickness and agility."
Harry could see the wisdom of such a process. "So, by Saturday, you'll know what classes you're taking."
"That's not quite correct, Harry." Vera told them. "Tomorrow morning, Dudley will be taking the tests. After lunch - which is provided here - we continue the process I described earlier. By the time you go home tomorrow, you'll know what grade level you're in for the muggle subjects. The faculty will discuss each new student on Saturday and send the schedules home via owl on Sunday. You'll speak with your defense teacher on Monday to discuss options."
"There's more than one test?" Dudley asked, now worried.
"We like to know what, if anything, students know about the magical world." She answered with a kind smile. "There's the test that covers the muggle subjects and one about the wizarding world, covering the last twenty years or so. We update it every summer."
Harry sighed, knowing he was definitely on it a few times.
Vera glanced at him sympathetically. "You might want to fill him in on anything that is historically important from this past year."
Harry chuckled as he stood up. "Alright. Dudley, it looks like we'll be talking about my years at Hogwarts tonight."
"Can it wait till after dinner?" Dudley asked. "I promised to write..."
"Mr. MacLeod?" Harry asked, interrupting his cousin.
This jolted Dudley with a reminder that communication between him and his mother was not really allowed by the ministry mandates for his emancipation. He just nodded to tell Harry that he understood.
"Oh, do you know Conall MacLeod?" Vera asked excitedly. "He was here during my brother's year."
"Yes." Harry smiled. "We took a boat tour of the loches this summer."
They chatted about Loch Ness for a few minutes longer and then said goodbye to floo back to the townhouse. Harry ate his lunch alone to think about things. On a piece of parchment, he wrote out a list of things to talk to Korlag about and then another list for the solicitor.
Before long, he was rushing through the floo again and spinning out into Arthur's office. The tour of the ministry went quickly and with only two small glitches.
The first had been a toad shaped blob of pink who was introduced as Madam Delores Umbrage. She hadn't seemed to find pleasure in either the introduction or the five minute conversation they shared. In fact, Harry had the distinct impression that she hated him.
After that was an odd run-in with Lucius Malfoy and the minister which happened when Arthur had brought Harry to see the courtrooms. He'd peeked in to see which seats he'd be occupying and had come out to find the eldest Malfoy whispering with Cornelius Fudge about prophecies.
Feeling brave and slightly clever, Harry had greeted the pair and casually asked after his summer and Draco. Lucius answered just as casually that visiting relatives had made it busier than usual and could he relay a greeting to Luna as this was the first summer she'd spent away from family. It had been incredibly bizarre and Harry felt dazed as he tumbled out of the floo in his drawing room.
He changed clothes and dinner was served soon after. Over the meal, Harry told everyone about his day and what he'd learned. He kept the school's secret, only divulging it to Sirius and Remus later, but Ron found out that the Headmistress was his mother's cousin's wife. He'd seemed impressed but, when Harry said he was planning to tell Dudley about the last few years at Hogwarts, he became distracted from that and immediately offered to help. After filling Harry in on the story behind Delores Umbrage, Remus scolded him for his stunt with the minister and Mr. Malfoy but Sirius laughed with him about it.
Only as Harry fell asleep that night did he remember that he'd wanted to come out to Ron before going off to school again. Oh, well. He figured that there might be time on the train tomorrow.