Harry stepped out of the floo with ease, as Atreus continued to secure the room. He immediately felt the wards settle on him as the rightful owner of the castle. HE could also sense several holes in the wards which would need to be fixed urgently, as well as at least one possessed person. "Atreus, send a message to Arnak and have him come meet us here. I wish to have as much security as possible before I address the faculty."
:Harry, this phoenix is covered in dark spells and bindings: Zarek hissed agitatedly, sniffing the air around where Fawkes, Dumbledore's supposed familiar, was resting. Harry immediately sprung into action.
"Atreus, subdue the phoenix. It's covered in dark spells." With a quick wave of his wand, Atreus had Fawkes surrounded in a cage of golden lights as he began casting diagnostic spells, desperately trying to discover exactly what spells were on the majestic bird. Arnakhumner entered the room as this was going on and immediately drew his wand, and stood protectively in front of his king.
"Arnak, start casting as many space expansion charms as you can on the room. I want all of my familiars out in case I need them." Arnakhumner immediately followed his lieges orders, sending expansion charms flying around the room until it was at least one hundred times the original size, about four times the size of the Great Hall. Seeing the room was now large enough, Harry opened his briefcase and called out.
" Midori, Illuvor, Xenos, Vortex, please come out. We have a phoenix covered in dark spells. I could use your senses to help determine what to do with it."
Like a wave, the four familiars all flowed out of the open case, each landing in a defensive posture around Hadrian.
( Who would dare defile such a pure being?) Midori screeched, enraged at the thought.
[ One must truly have a dark heart to do such a thing to such a noble creature.]Illuvor rumbled, angry at the mere thought of such an abomination occuring,
{ I'd like to give them a good bite in the pants but the taste would sicken me} Xenos snarled, fangs bared.
I will be their death for this outrage Vortex whinnied, stamping her hooves agitatedly.
"Atreus what can you tell me?" Harry asked, concern for the phoenix evident in his voice.
"This is some of the darkest spellwork I have ever seen. I can't unravel these spells without risking the animals' death." Atreus reported grimly. "I recommend we call in the goblins. Their curse breakers would have the best chances of saving the poor creature's life."
Harry immediately turned back to the floo, throwing powder in before calling out "Gringotts, Curse Breakers Division '' and awaiting a response. Soon a weathered goblin face appeared in front of him.
"How may I help you, Your Majesty?" Snoutmiser, the head of his department, inquired with a deep bow
"I have just discovered that Dumbledore has forced a false familiar bond on a phoenix. No one here is able to unravel the spells without risk to the creature. I need the assistance of your department immediately." Harry spoke quickly, not wasting time on pleasantries.
"Laiarstykxx" Snoutmiser swore in his native language. "Please allow me to step through, Your Majesty. I will handle this personally."
Harry stepped back with a nod and Snoutmiser immediately came through and went over to inspect Fawkes. With every gesture of his hand, he seemed to get more and more agitated. With a final wave of his hand, Fawkes immediately fell off his perch, stunned. Snoutmiser turned and with a bow addressed Harry once more.
"My people will be able to successfully free the creature, but it involves a series of complicated rituals, including one which will force a burning day on the poor bird. We will charge the costs of these rituals to the lairstykxx who bound the poor creature. If you will excuse me, Your Majesty, I must return to the bank and begin making the preparations." With another bow, Snoutmiser quickly grabbed the stunned Fawkes and departed through the floo.
Harry sighed as the weight of just how far Dumbledore was willing to go in order to secure power weighed heavily on him. With another sigh, he took a seat behind Dumbledore's desk as his familiars all arranged themselves around him, presenting a regal appearance. Atreus and Arnak each took a position in opposite corners while the two auror guards who had come with Harry took the remaining corners.
"Would somebody please summon the staff for me? There is much to discuss and little time left until the students arrive."
Atreus quickly drew his wand and sent a summons to the Hogwarts staff to gather in the Headmaster's office, which was still greatly expanded in size.
Minerva McGonagall was the first to arrive, followed closely by Severus Snape. Both looked indignant at the sight of what appeared to be a first year student seated at the Headmaster's desk, but the four wands pointed their way, not to mention the dragon, direwolf, thestral, thunderbird, and occamy inside the greatly expanded room, made them hold their tongues. More and more staff began to fill the room until finally the last member, Rubeus Hagrid, entered. It is worth noting that of all the staff, only Hagrid and Fillius Flitwick were unafraid of the creatures inside the expanded office. Flitwick because he was half goblin and already knew much of what was going on. Hagrid was unafraid because he was half giant and also loved creatures no matter their size. He was in fact bouncing in place excitedly at the sight of so many rare magical creatures. His dream was to have a dragon and there was one in front of him, though he didn't recognize the breed.
"I will be brief as I can see the confusion on many of your faces." Harry began speaking, "My name is Hadrian James Charlus Michael Arturo Potter Gryffindor Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Slytherin LeFay Emrys Pendragon. I am the rightful KIng of Avalon and owner of this and several other castles. I have made an oath in the language of magic, before the Wizengamot,which is now defunct, to this effect. Albus Dumbledore has been arrested for crimes against the crown as have several other people including Cornelius Fudge."
"This leads me to the reason for summoning all of you here. Effective immediately, Fillius Flitwick is Headmaster of Hogwarts School. He is free to select his own Deputy. The three of us will all share control of the wards. Argus Filch is hereby released from his position as caretaker. That's what we have the house elves for. He shall be allowed to remain in the castle until Winter term or he finds suitable lodging, whichever might come first. You will be given a very generous pension in recognition of your years of service. I shall not cast anyone out with no place to turn.
LIkewise, Cuthbert Binns is hereby released from his position as history professor. This position is to be offered to Florean Fortescue with haste. To ease this transition, I recommend relocating the History classroom.
Silvanus Kettleburn, I am aware of your desire to retire so I hereby offer the position of Care of Magical Creatures professor to Rubeus Hagrid, on the condition that he complete a one year internship with Newt Scamander as well as follow an age appropriate curriculum. No hippogriffs in their third year. In the meantime, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank has agreed to fill in for the coming year.
Sibyl Trelawny, either stop getting drunk off sherry or find a new job. You know as well as I there are other, more acceptable ways of opening your inner eye. Divination will no longer be an elective anyway. If someone shows signs of having the sight, they can be tested individually.
Now I believe the Express shall be arriving in roughly twenty minutes, so someone needs to go and prepare to greet the first years. No mention of my status is to be made until the papers announce it. With luck, Madame Bones has been able to ensure that does not happen until the end of term. So I bid you all a good evening and formally surrender partial control of the wards to our new Headmaster. Now if someone could please escort me to the train platform, I wish to slip into the crowd of first years and pretend I didn't have to do all of this seven years ahead of schedule."
Harry finished with a morose sigh. His two bodyguards slipped out unseen as his familiars all returned to their previous places, within the case or around Harry's neck. Straightening his spine, he strode confidently from the room without looking back.
"Blimey!" Hagrid exclaimed, "Me a professor. And Little Harry is the king?!?!"
The other professors all nodded confused at what had just occurred. An eleven year old boy had just told them he controlled the castle, as well as being King of the Magical Country of Avalon. And he had sworn it in front of the Wizengamot. In the language of Magic no less. They all looked at one another and knew there would be many conversations over firewhiskey tonight. But first, as the king had said, it was time to start a new school year.
"Well then,Septima I would like you to fill the role of Deputy Headmistress." Flitwick squeaked from where he stood, as he quickly adapted to the ward's weight and sorted through the information he was receiving. "I'm sorry, Minerva, but three positions is too much for one person and I know how protective you are of your lions."
Professor McGonagall nodded with a relieved sigh as the wards left her and transferred to Professor Vector. She had been feeling the strain of trying to help manage the running of the castle as well as teach. Truthfully, she had been rather neglectful of her cubs in Gryffindor. Now she was able to correct that.
With that bit of business out of the way, Fillius sent Hagrid off to collect the first years one last time before he left for his internship and the other professors all made their way towards the Great Hall, ready to begin another year at Hogwarts.
Harry slipped out of the shadows of Hogsmeade's station as a flood of students exited the train. He discreetly joined a group of what appeared to be first year students as they milled about in confusion. A tall, gangly, red headed older boy with a P pinned to his robes was trying to gather the first years into some semblance of order, seeing as they wasn't a staff member anywhere on the platform. This was soon rectified as the huge form of Hagrid appeared out of the clouds of steam the express released.
"First years, First years this way. FIrst years follow me." Hagrid bellowed, making himself heard over the ruckus of hundreds of excited students. Harry meandered along with the other first year students, easily slipping between Neville and a red haired girl who was already showing signs of puberty and curves at her young age. The group of roughly fifty eleven and twelve year olds was led down a cobblestone path towards a large lake, gently lapping at the shore, with a number of small boats waiting on its surface.
"NO more'n four to a boat." Hagrid bellowed, taking a boat that appeared to be twice the size of the others for himself. Harry and his two companions all boarded the same boat, and were joined by a gangly redhead boy, who appeared to have wallowed in mud if the state of his robes and face were anything to go by.
"Everybody in?" Hagrid asked, checking to see that all the students had successfully boarded a boat. "Right then, Forward." he exclaimed, tapping his boat with what appeared to be a pink umbrella. As one, the group of boats began to glide gently across the surface of the giant lake.
"You'll get your first glimpse of the castle in a minute. "Hagrid called out from his boat at the front of the group. Soon gasps rang out as the magnificent castle came into view. Even Harry, who had in fact just come from inside the castle, was awed at the sight of the numerous towers and windows of the castle, all alight as if the castle itself were welcoming the students inside its walls.
"Everyone mind your heads." Hagrid called out, as they drew close to a curtain of vines hanging in front of them. With a wave of his umbrella, the curtain parted to reveal a hidden alcove with a narrow staircase leading upwards toward the castle. With a gentle bump, the boats all beached themselves within the hidden cove, and students rapidly began disembarking onto the narrow shore. Checking to see that everyone had made it safely across the lake, Hagrid turned and began leading the students up the staircase in a single file line.
Reaching the top, the students saw a set of massive doors, which Hagrid wasted no time banging on with one of his meaty fists. The giant doors swung open silently, revealing a kind looking, thin woman.
"The first years, Professor Vector." Hagrid rumbled before quickly stepping aside. He had to catch the express before it departed to return to London. He was eager to intern under someone as great as Newt Scamander. No telling what kind of marvelous beasties he would get to see.
"Thank you,Hagrid. And Good luck." Septima Vector said,smiling at the half giant before turning to address the newest Hogwarts students. "Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone. My name is Professor Vector. I teach Arithmancy, which you will have the opportunity to learn beginning in your third year. Before the feast can begin, we must first get you all sorted into one of four houses here at Hogwarts. They are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Gryffindor. Each house values different character traits but no one house is better than another. The four houses compete against each other in the house cup, which is awarded based on points earned for various good deeds, academic achievements and so on. Points can be lost by being caught breaking the rules here at Hogwarts or failing to complete your assignments in a timely manner. The house with the most points at the end of the year receives the cup as well as each member receiving a plaque with the Hogwarts Crest to commemorate that year. Now we aren't quite ready for you so please take a few moments to freshen up in the meantime." Vector sent a firm glance to the red headed mud boy at that comment before departing through a side door.
As soon as she left, excited chattering broke out among the children.Harry took this time to survey his fellow first years. Some of them could wind up being his mates. He saw a blonde boy, who had a sharp angular face like he himself had. A girl who bore an unfortunate resemblance to a pug and another who appeared to have stuck her fingers into every electrical socket between here and London.That poor girl needed some serious help with her hair. There was a boy who had the appearance of a hungover leprechaun in the corner and another who exuded a mysterious aura, almost as if he wasn't quite real and was in fact a figment of Harry's imagination. Before he could investigate the mysterious boy further, Professor Vector returned from wherever she had gone. She was now carrying a three legged stool and a tattered old hat that looked like it was long overdue for a wash.
"We're ready for you. Please line up and follow me." She said, turning toward a set of humongous doors which were even at that moment swinging silently open to reveal the hall full of people beyond. Staring around in awe as he followed his fellow equally awed classmates, Harry marveled at the ceiling, which at that moment was showing a moonlit starry sky. He overheard one girl comment on the enchantment being done by Rowena Ravenclaw herself, according to Hogwarts, A History.
Within the hall itself, four people suddenly stopped talking and stiffened. A boy seated in a sea of yellow and black and another along with two girls in a sea of red and gold. All four had the same thought. "MATE". Somewhere in the new firsties was their creature mate. Now they just had to wait and discover who it was and subtly protect them until they turned fourteen.
Once they reached the front of the hall, Professor Vector turned, set the stool down with the tattered hat on top and took a few steps back. The firsties all looked confused until suddenly a rip in the hat opened up into a mouth and the old hat started to sing
Young witches and wizards
and all of that
Listen closely to me
The Old Sorting Hat
Welcome to Hogwarts
A place where you'll find
students of all sorts
Armed with
Valor,
Cunning,
Loyalty or
Wit
Be Sorted where you most fit
Be it Gryffindor
Full of Valor and Courage
Or Slytherin
Where cunning ambition
certainly wins
Be it Ravenclaw
Full of Intelligence and wit
Or Hufflepuff
Where those who are most loyal
and hardworking sit
Now have a seat upon this stool
And begin your journey
In this Magic School
"When I call out your name, please have a seat on the stool and place the hat on your head. Then please proceed to the corresponding table once you are sorted.
Susan Bones"
"Hufflepuff"
"Draco Malfoy"
"Ravenclaw"
A shocked murmur went through the crowd.
"Seamus Finnegan"
"Hufflepuff"
"Blaise Zabini"
"Slytherin"
"Millicent Bulstrode"
"Slytherin"
On and on it went as more of the first years were sorted. The mud covered boy was Ron Weasley and he went to Gryffindor. The pug faced girl was Pansy Parkinson, who went to Slytherin. The walking fuzzball was Hermione Granger and she was quickly sorted into Ravenclaw though she did not seem to be happy with that. Finally the name everyone had been waiting on was called.
"Harry Potter"
A hushed murmur went through the crowd as Harry stepped up and put on the sorting hat.
"You have a heavy burden on your shoulders for one so young,Your Majesty. The only advice I can give you is not everything is as it seems that night eleven years ago. Search your mind for the memory and you shall see what I mean. Now as to your sorting… Better be….
Slytherin."