Chapter 15
Harry followed his head of house into her office and took a seat when she offered it.
A small table appeared in front of him and after a moment, an elf popped in with a dish of flapjacks and an assortment of fruit. Harry topped his breakfast with berries and took the bull by the horns...or rather, the lion by the mane.
"Professor, before we start, I'd like to say that I appreciate you using my title in public... but in private, please feel free to be informal with me." Harry told her, quietly using his fork to cut his flapjacks. "You're my head of house and you know me well and you knew my parents. I don't want the title to come between us."
Mcgonagall allowed her lips to curve slightly as she looked at him. "I'd hoped that your new status wouldn't affect your behavior too much."
"Oh, it's affecting quite a bit of my behavior, Professor." Harry said proudly as he slipped a small triangle between his lips. "It's made me grow up...more than a kid my age usually has to."
"How do you mean?" She asked while he squeezed a lemon wedge into his tea.
"I spent my time this summer worrying over my health and going over the textbooks from the last four years." He explained and then took a sip. "Oh, I went swimming, practiced quidditch, and had fun too but I'm caught up in all my subjects. I've become a business investor... I'm thinking about the future."
"I see." Mcgonagall's small smile didn't leave her face but Harry could tell that she wasn't as happy about that as he was. "Your father didn't start maturing that way until the middle of his sixth year. It was around that time that your grandfather took sick and James had to think about what would happen if he died."
"Oh?" Harry frowned. He'd never heard that story before.
"Your grandfather recovered but not for long and when he did pass away it was just after James graduated from Hogwarts." She explained. "Your grandmother passed not long after him and James handled it as well as he could. He got a job as an auror and the barony would've conflicted with that so he followed the advice of many people and put it off for a few years. He and Lily married and had you...you know the rest."
"Do I?" Harry murmured, momentarily flashing back to the graveyard with Voldemort.
"Your parents didn't believe me when I tried to convince them that Dumbledore was the real danger..." Harry's distant cousin had said. "Dumbledore...the real danger..."
"Was Dumbledore one of the people telling my dad not to take the barony title?" Harry asked carefully.
She nodded silently.
"I suppose I should thank him, then... but who knows what might've happened if he hadn't listened." Harry's voice took on a longing tone. "Anyway, your time is valuable, Professor. I don't want to take too much of it."
Her smile disappeared as she handed him a book. "These are Hogwarts' by-laws. Lords who attend Hogwarts as students have certain rights and privileges not afforded to other students. One of those is a private apartment...you already knew about that. You are also allowed to bring one house elf from your personal staff to live with you on premises and one elf from Hogwarts staff will liaise with them to be sure that you have everything you need for both school and any ministry business you're dealing with. The school elf will be Dobby."
"I see." Harry nodded thoughtfully, taking the last bite of his breakfast as he suppressed his amusement. As heir to all four founders, the castle and grounds actually belonged to him which meant that the house elves that worked there were technically his too. "May I ask about the extra bedrooms in my apartment?"
"Oh, yes. We're getting there, Potter." She nodded once and went on. "Your separate owlry and the floo-call only fireplace is there for your convenience to allow for expedience of ministry business."
Harry nodded to acknowledge this information but he was eager for the next tidbit.
"Since you haven't any siblings, you can invite your closest school aged relatives to live with you in the suite if you wish. If there are four or more occupants, the school will assign a second elf." When Harry grinned, she made sure to point out that only blood relatives or future spouses were allowed to live there - not just good friends.
"I understand." Harry nodded earnestly. "I have six cousins currently attending Hogwarts. I'll ask them when we meet for tea this afternoon and let you know."
"The guest room is reserved for an advisor or bodyguard." Mcgonagall told him before asking if he had any questions.
"Do you know the floo address for my suite, Professor?" Harry asked.
"Hogwarts floo number ten." She answered with a frown. "Since you're related to all four of the founders, you'll be given your own password to access all of the common rooms. Don't abuse these privileges, Potter."
Harry met her gaze with a respectful nod. "If there's nothing else...?"
"Actually, Potter..." She held up one finger to keep his attention. "The snake on your door ...it wasn't there when I last looked."
"Is there a question there?" Harry asked innocently.
"Do you know where it came from?" She asked.
"I do." Harry informed her letting his newly improved skills of observation take in her expression and body language.
"Do you know what it does?" She asked and was answered by a silent nod from Harry. "I would be remiss in my duties as deputy head of the school if I didn't ask...will it interfere with Hogwarts' wards?"
"It isn't harmful...if that's what you're asking, Professor." Harry said as he stood to leave.
She looked worried but she let him go without another word.
Harry walked along the halls on his way toward the apartment and slipped into an alcove with a window. The sun was out and he could see people in the courtyard below enjoying themselves.
"Voyeurism, Potter?" Malfoy stood behind him.
"Missing the innocence of the past few years, actually." Harry chuckled. "What are you up to today?"
"I was bored after finishing my summer assignments." The blond said. "So I went for a stroll with Blaise and we saw you duck in here. I wondered if you'd put any thought into the hat's prophecy so I followed you."
"I have some ideas." Harry grinned, seeing the other boy behind the Malfoy heir.
Draco looked startled. "Really?"
"The puzzle pieces are a mystery but the rest is...well let's just say I've been having some interesting dreams lately." Harry found it rather easy to talk to the blond and reminded himself to watch what he said to certain people. "If you'll excuse me, my cousins are due to join me for tea."
Draco nodded thoughtfully as he strolled away.
Harry walked to the doors of the great hall and leaned casually against the wall as he waited for his cousins to arrive.
"You know, an elf could've met us." Zacharias said as he sauntered up.
Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. "I like to walk the halls, Zacharias. It clears my mind."
The other boy made a face. "Call me Zack... cousin."
"Well, Zack, I hope you've thought about our conversation at the Weasley house." Harry looked at him without expression.
"I did." Zack said quietly.
"And?" Harry allowed one eyebrow to rise.
"I feel the way I feel, Lord Potter." Zack turned so as to lean next to Harry. "I believe different alliances would benefit you more than the one you've formed with the Weasleys ...that being said, I will not attempt to interfere in your familial relationships from now on."
"And you'll try to get along with them?" Harry asked.
"Of course he will, Harry!" Luna giggled as she approached the pair.
Harry frowned at her bare feet. "Luna, why aren't you wearing shoes?"
"I can't find them." She giggled. "The nargles like to play tricks on me sometimes."
"I see..." Harry murmured, noticing that she was also only wearing one earring.
Zack drew his attention and shook his head while hiding his smirk.
"Answer my question, please." Harry commanded softly.
"What question is that?" Zack laughed as Luna wandered over to look more closely at a statue which seemed to be holding her other earring.
Harry gritted his teeth as he watched her put it on. "Will you try to get along with the Weasleys?"
Zack turned quiet. "Yes."
"Hmmm." Harry eyed him suspiciously.
"Hey, Harry." George grinned as he and Fred walked up.
"Hey, Gred." Harry said to them while keeping his eyes on Zack. "I think you're a little too amused by Luna's suffering. Her 'nargle pranks' are more than likely just bullies picking on her because she's different." He waited for Zack to say he was wrong but the words didn't come. "Well, I won't stand for it."
The blond began to look worried. "What are you going to do?"
"First, I'm going to take away the opportunity for them to do it again." Harry allowed his cousin to see his displeasure. "Then I'll find out who it was and make my feelings known."
"Harry!" Ginny came running up with Ron right behind her.
"Perfect timing. I was about to send Dobby to find you." Harry greeted them warmly even though Ron remained quiet. "Now that we're all here, I'll show you the apartment. Follow me."
Ginny caught Luna's attention and became the tail end of the group as they murmured to each other.
They came up to the door and waited for Harry to say something but he didn't.
Luna smiled and pointed out the prints on the door. She also noticed Sigmund.
"Zack, you haven't yet gotten to meet Sigmund." Harry smirked. "He's a guardian for the Potter bloodline."
He stepped up next to Harry and looked closely at it.
"Sigmund, my cousins are visiting." Harry hissed watching to see Zack's reaction. "At some point they will leave for a little while, but when they return they will touch your head. Please let them in. We will discuss a password later."
The Hufflepuff jumped in surprise at the sound of the parseltongue language and his eyes widened as the snake lifted his head and nodded to them.
"I don't fear the snake language, Zack." Harry told him quietly. "I'll tell you about him later."
The others followed him into the apartment and looked for seats. When Harry realized that he and two others had no place to sit, he smiled. "Dobby, please find another sofa?"
Dobby appeared and snapped his fingers bringing with him an ugly sofa.
Harry made a face. "Before we begin, I'd like to redecorate a bit. Dobby would you please transfigure the sofas and armchairs to be similar upholstery? Something neutral."
"Dobby can try, Master Harry, but others are better at it."
Harry sighed. "Ziva?"
The Weasleys looked at him in shock when she appeared.
"Ziva, I've just been informed that as a lord, I'm allowed a house elf from my personal staff to live here with me." Harry explained to the group. "I'd like it to be you."
Ziva stared at him becoming more teary eyed as the seconds ticked by. "Oh, Master Harry! Ziva is so happy to hear this! Ziva promises to be such a big help here!"
"I know you will be." Harry allowed his affection for her to show in his eyes. "Now, before you tell the others, I'd like you to do something for me. Dobby has found this sofa and it doesn't go with the others. Could you transfigure them?"
"Of course, Master Harry! Please to be standing up a moment, young ones!" Ziva positively beamed as she looked closely at each piece once the others were out of her way. Dobby hurried to whisper in her ear but she just giggled. "Of course, silly!"
She snapped her fingers and suddenly he had two matching sofas in a soft champagne color. "You put in place, Dobby. Ziva will work on armchairs."
Harry directed him to place one sofa against the far wall and the other facing the fireplace.
The armchairs became cushy brown leather and Harry was happy. "Dobby, please bring a tea cart and some sandwiches or biscuits."
Ron muttered to himself. "Or both."
"Dobby, bring both please." Harry corrected himself with a chuckle and a shake of the head. "Now, just before meeting you, I was speaking with Mcgonagall." He placed the book of by-laws on the low table for them all to see. Luna was the first to scoop it up but she only skimmed through it. "The basics of it amounts to the fact that my privileges can be minimally passed on to you as my relatives."
"How?" Zack asked, without hesitation.
"I get one of my own elves as well as a school elf." Harry eyed him as Dobby reappeared with the tea. "There's room here for all of you to live with me if you'd like, and if at least three of you do move in, we get a second school elf. There's a private owlry and the fireplace can send and receive floo-calls."
"Do we get our own rooms?" Ginny piped up as she accepted her cup.
"No, it's dorm style." Harry told her with a knowing look. "One for girls and one for boys. Blood relation to me is the only requirement."
"We're pretty close to..." George began.
"All of our year mates, Harry, and..." Fred took over and shared a look with his twin.
George frowned at Harry. "We can't conspire with Lee about the shop very well..."
"If we're not living in the same room." Fred finished.
"Alright. Let me know if you change your minds." Harry grinned and turned to Ron and Ginny. "How about it guys?"
"Well..." Ron hedged.
"I'll be taking you up on it, Harry." Ginny broke in with an exasperated sigh. "I'd love to have more space and be able to floo-call mum and dad on their birthdays and Christmas ...if we're not home."
Harry noticed that she didn't mention the more pressing reason for her acceptance - her nightmares had been easier to handle with Sigmund watching over her during the summer.
Harry remained silent as his best friend struggled to find words to explain why he didn't intend to move in.
Luna cleared her throat and told them all that the nargles seemed to disappear by the door to the suite. "And I've yet to see a wrackspurt get past Sigmund so I'll be much more comfortable here than Ravenclaw tower."
Harry nodded, happy that he didn't have to convince her.
"I don't know Harry." Ron grimaced. "I wouldn't get to see Hermione or Seamus and Dean, not to mention Neville."
"We can have visitors here, Ron." Harry told him quietly.
"Well...I guess that's true, but Hermione's not very happy with you so she'd probably..." Ron said trailing off.
Harry took a deep breath and suppressed his disappointment. "That's fine. I still have access to the Gryffindor common room... I can visit you. Oh actually, I have access to all the common rooms."
Zack reacted visibly as well as verbally. "I only have a single good friend among my year mates, Lord Potter. As none of the Weasley brothers are taking the offer, I'll have the room to myself."
"You can use my name, Zack." Harry said graciously but his eyes hardened as he continued. "And if they change their minds, you will make room for them."
"Of course." Zack said patronizingly. "Luna, shall we take a look at our new rooms?"
"The hallway is just past the vase. There's a bathroom, and the next two doors are the dorm style rooms." Harry directed them wondering why Zack was allowing him time alone with the others. "After them comes the guest room on the opposite side of the hall, then the owlry and my room."
Once they were out of sight, he waited for the sound of the door opening. "People are bullying Luna."
"Already?" Fred asked.
George piped up. "It's only the second day we've been here."
"She's missing several items already. She says nargles pranked her." Harry glared when they smirked. "I say bullies and thieves stole her things."
Ron looked gobsmacked. "I wouldn't go that far, mate."
"Someone took her shoes today, Ron, and I don't know if it was the same person but someone hid one of her earrings, too. I'm not going to allow it." Harry looked at Ginny. "The both of you should join me as soon as possible. Did you sleep alright, last night?"
Ginny nodded and her eyes widened as her protective side came out. "I'll be ready by tonight."
"I'll ask Roody to help find her things." Harry told them. "Ideas for punishing the bullies?"
"We'll sleep on it, mate." George had a determined look on his face while Fred only nodded in agreement.
"Roody?" Harry called and Luna and Zack reentered the room just as he appeared. "Please bring Luna's things here from her dormitory..." Harry motioned the elf to come closer so he could quietly add. "If any of her belongings are in strange places or someone else's possession, take them back and make a note of who had it."
"I'll go get my things...Harry." Zack told him quietly.
The young Lord nodded. "Sigmund will let you back in if you touch his head."
Zack accepted this and hurried away. Ginny followed suit and the others just enjoyed what was left of the tea as Harry wrote a note to his head of house. He informed her of which cousins were moving in and requested Roody as the secondary school elf citing Luna's familiarity with him.
/*/*/*/*/*
Harry sat doodling at the desk when he heard Zack return. He waited to see if his cousin would try to talk to him but he didn't, passing by only to be snagged by Ginny for help with a bit of charms homework. Harry grinned as he turned the sconce above the desk triggering the secret passage he'd found between the sitting room and the guest room. From there he snuck into the boys dorm room and sat silently on one of the beds in the darkness.
Several minutes had ticked by when suddenly the door opened. Zacharias walked in and placed his trunk beside the door. Then he dropped his messenger bag on the nearest bed.
Harry waited another thirty seconds before he reached out a hand toward the door and a rush of air slammed it closed.
Zacharias whirled to look at it and then whirled back when Harry spoke.
"Did you think I wouldn't find out?" He lit a candle on the dresser with a glance. "The way you laughed when your own cousin stood barefoot in the corridor outside the great hall! You're a disgrace to the house of Hufflepuff."
"H-Harry. I..." Zacharias stammered.
"I have personal experience with a bullying cousin, Zack. I'm still in the process of forgiving him." Harry's voice hardened as he stood. "You will return the purple woodpecker quill in the morning and apologize for borrowing it without permission."
"Or...?" Zacharias bluffed.
"Or you'll not be welcome in this apartment... nor any gathering that includes Luna or myself." Harry promised with a steady gaze.
Zack stared at him, probably wondering if Harry had the power to back up his threat.
"Hmmm..." Harry mused with a thoughtful look. "How do you think Malfoy would take the news that his only cousin was bullied by a member of her own family?"
"You...you wouldn't tell him." Zack's eyes widened and he shook. "Would you? You don't even like him!"
"I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't know him enough to like or dislike him. He's done some bad things in the past few years... but so have I. " Harry admitted with a smirk. "One thing I know we agree on is Luna."
"Alright." Zack said softly. "I'll do it. I'll give it back."
"And you'll apologize." Harry's tone brooked no argument.
Zack nodded.
"And it won't happen again...will it?" Harry glared until Zack shook his head. "This is a list of things with her magical signature that an elf found in other people's possession. Do you know who stole them, Zack?"
"A couple of them..." The boy muttered. "I saw one of her books get nicked by a Ravenclaw student this morning at breakfast."
"Which one..." Harry asked through his teeth. The bedclothes moved with a barely perceptible breeze. "...and I don't mean the book."
"Corner. Michael Corner. I know him, but not well." To his credit, Zack looked ashamed. "Her Bubble Bow Booster kit was in the pocket of her cloak when she loaned it to a firstie."
"Luna remembered lending the cloak but forgot the kit was in the pocket. The elf who gathered her things was approached while doing so." Harry nodded sadly. "She's a muggle-born and her parents hadn't gotten her a cloak. Luna lent the little one hers and was going to ask her father to send an old one to give permanently."
Zack sighed, guiltily.
"I've ordered her a new cloak. She's sweet and kind-hearted...if a little kooky." Harry growled and, as he paced, the earth rumbled beneath them. "She doesn't deserve to be treated the way people have been treating her."
"Her socks..." Zack cringed. "I like to take a walk before breakfast while the weather allows, and I happened to see her wading in the lakeside. A friend had accompanied me, bringing along his friend from Ravenclaw house. They thought it would be funny..."
"Tell me." Harry commanded softly, candle flaring.
"Ernie summoned the shoes. The socks were inside them." Zack confessed. "Roger Davies - the Ravenclaw - he took her socks and they decided to hide them around the castle."
"And you didn't stop them. Where was your family loyalty? Your kindness? What kind of Hufflepuff are you?" Harry gritted his teeth trying to calm his frustration. "Did you know she only brought one pair of shoes to school? They're the best she owns. What happens when it snows? Would you find it funny to visit her in hospital when she's got pneumonia or hypothermia?"
Zack shook his head in shame. "No. Of course not."
"Did you tell Ernie about my intentions?" The young lord asked.
"No." Zack murmured.
"Good. I expect you to learn from your mistakes... and from your lack of punishment for this..." Harry informed him. "Do yourself a favor, Zack. Be better in the future. The others face a small punishment for bullying her. That's nothing compared to what you face if you do it again."
Zack remained silent as Harry walked toward the door.
"Your apology and return of the quill cleans the slate, giving you a chance to make a new first impression." Harry said quietly. "Please, try to remember the house and family name you represent...and their values." His gaze held steady even as the door closed between them.
/*/*/*/*/*
The next morning Harry woke to the sounds of chaos. He didn't bother to change out of his pajamas before hurrying out to find Luna curled up on an armchair watching Ginny yell at Zack.
"What's going on here?" Harry shouted over them.
"Ginny is attempting to defend my honor, Harry." Luna giggled.
"Ginny, we talked about this yesterday. Did he apologize?" Harry asked gently.
The redhead nodded grudgingly.
"Did he give the item back?" He looked at Luna who was holding up her purple quill.
Ginny nodded again.
"Then, it's over unless it happens again...at which point, you have free reign." Harry told her matter of factly. When Zack's eyes widened, Harry smirked. "Just part of what you face unless you follow the advice I gave you last night."
Zack frowned at Harry, grabbed his bag and left in a huff.
Luna sighed sadly. "Do you really think the nargles were just people who don't like me?"
"Anything is possible, Luna." Harry shook his head. "Don't let my theories ruin yours. Don't let the world change you...help me change the world."
She smiled at him and went with Ginny to get breakfast.
Harry sighed and went to get dressed.
As he was leaving the apartment, Fred and George walked up. "So, we came up with something to punish Luna's bullies but Gin has another idea and we kind of like it."
Harry nodded encouragingly. "What've you got?"
"Well, my idea was to make them unknowing test subjects for experimental Wheezes but George thinks that the business might be affected by that kind of practice." Fred pouted.
"I thought we should put banned objects in their belongings and let them get caught by Filch." George grinned allowing his teeth to show.
"What's Ginny's idea?" Harry asked, not seeing anything wrong with the last one.
"Ginny said that the banned objects could backfire and get us in trouble rather than them." Fred told him.
George nodded. "She's found a potion recipe that acts like tar but it's invisible."
"So one of us gets them with the potion and then the others get them with feathers or leaves or something." Fred continued.
George pointed out. "Actual tar and feathers were used in the old days to punish thieves and that's what Corner, Davies, and Macmillan did to Luna."
"I'm sorry...?" Draco broke into their conversation. "Who did what to Luna?"
Harry looked at the angry blond. "People are bullying her. A pair of Ravenclaws and a Hufflepuff."
Draco growled. "Who?"
Harry found Malfoy's anger intriguing. "Ernie Macmillan, Roger Davies, and Michael Corner."
"Let me handle Davies." Draco smirked. "I'm curious, what did he do to her?"
"He and Macmillan stole her socks and shoes while she was wading in the lake and then hid them in the castle." Harry told him. "I didn't witness it."
"Who did?" Draco asked.
"Another student." Harry said, keeping his cards close to his chest.
"And the witness did nothing to stop them? I suppose that's not a crime in itself." Draco gritted his teeth.
"The witness has already been spoken to. He had a minor role in this but he was convinced of his folly." Harry told Draco. "He returned the item he'd taken and apologized."
"Smith, then." Draco smirked and licked his lips.
"Good show." Harry smiled at him but held up a hand to forestall Draco's response. "He's on probation with me. I've warned him that the next time it happens he'll be punished along with any others so I want what we do to Corner, Davies and Macmillan to be enough to make him scared."
"I've got something on Davies. I'll blackmail him." Draco smirked and looked like Christmas had come early.
"Macmillan and Davies endangered her health." Fred pointed out. "Corner only took a book. Maybe we could go easy on him."
Harry grinned. "The old 'punishment to fit the crime' philosophy. Alright...dungbomb in his bag...?"
They all grinned in agreement.
"Go on, Forge." Harry said. "I have questions for Malfoy."
Draco's eyebrow lifted as they left.
"What do you know in regards to Davies, Malfoy?" Harry asked as he began making his way toward the great hall. "How do you know it?"
"I dated him for a few months last term." The blond admitted, falling into step. "As for what it is...you'll only find out if he doesn't cooperate."
Harry was suddenly breathless and he stopped. "You're...?"
"Gay? Yes. What of it?" Draco asked with a glare, beginning to get his back up.
"Nothing...Me too..." Harry grinned as he started forward again. "...but, last year... Didn't you go to the Yule ball with Parkinson?"
"She's a good friend. Blaise had a date but the two of us waited too long to find dates so we went as friends." Draco explained, having calmed down upon hearing Harry's words. "I think you went with one of the Patil twins, wasn't it?"
Harry nodded. "Yes. It was a terrible date. It made me rethink my preferences entirely."
"And you just decided you're gay?" Draco asked.
"It's my sexuality, not a decision. What I decided was that my perspective was skewed." Harry confessed.
"How so?" Draco questioned.
"I had a tiny crush on a girl but when I listed what I liked about her, the attributes could be applied to both sexes." Harry shrugged. "So I considered it further and decided that the person matters not the body...but then I looked at a magazine that showed a supposedly attractive womanly body and realized that breasts aren't something I'd enjoy touching. I read more about the female body and didn't feel very interested at all. The signs are all there pointing to me being gay."
Draco bit his lip and nodded. "Good thing there's options for gay wizards in the magical world."
Harry nodded thoughtfully and reached to open the door. "Going to breakfast?"
"I've eaten." Draco shook his head. "Good day, Lord Potter."
"Good day." Harry said softly as the blond spun elegantly on his heel and walked off.
He sat down beside Ron and Ginny with a smile and stood up in silent shock as a dungbomb went off under the Ravenclaw table and Michael Corner raced out of the room holding his bag. "That was fast." He commented under his breath.
"We thought it best not to let too much time go by or they might not realize why it was happening." Ginny smirked. "What kept you?"
"A pleasant conversation." Harry grinned.
"Well, the potion only needs a couple minor ingredients and Fred can brew it tonight." Ginny whispered. "When can you get into the Hufflepuff common room?"
"As soon as I have the password." He glanced up at the head table where Mcgonagall had just folded a small piece of parchment and stood up. "Looks like it'll be soon."
"Lord Potter, this is for your eyes only." She said quietly. "Please memorize it as the parchment will not remain intact for long."
"Understood, Professor." Harry said politely.
"The headmaster or I must be informed when you receive the wizengamut schedule in order to arrange an escort." Mcgonagall told him.
"I've already made arrangements to floo into Arthur Weasley's office." Harry replied. "He's family and I trust him."
"I see." Mcgonagall nodded thoughtfully. "I will inform Albus."
As she walked off, Harry whispered to Ginny with a smirk. "I'll go tonight...as soon as the potion is ready."