POTTER v AUTHOR – First Year
Author Note: This is Story 2. Lesson learnt from first publishing Story 1 (Potter v Author - Prologue) on here. 'Little and often'. I uploaded over half (18) of the chapters at once, and they got muddled. Probably my fault, and I received many reviews pointing out my error. Most were polite, others not so. 'guest' especially so.
This is fantasy and fiction, suitably rated, but it didn't meet their expectations. Well, they have a choice ...
JKR is the acknowledged IPR owner of the PotterUniVerse. I'm pleased that we are able to write in her 'world'
My scribbles are rated mature. 2 reasons, I don't write for young children and the subjects are veering towards borderline adult. Comments are welcome, especially if I fumble something.
Chapter 1. Founders
"Thank you for waiting Mr Potter and Miss Dagworth-Granger. The ghost, Lady Hogwarts will guide you to the founders quarters that have been set aside for the heirs of Hogwarts castle historically. I trust that you will be content to settle yourselves into your quarters. I believe that the chambers have been kept in a state of stasis, clean and ready for any heirs to use when required. It has been some considerable time since they were last inhabited, so some caution should be used. Hogwarts, a history gives what details are known of the founder quarters; I trust you have read that since it was listed on your book list. If you have any doubts or concerns, you may of course call for one of Hogwarts house elves should you require anything. I will call by as soon as I have the staff meeting finished and will bring along the DMLE Aurors to discuss the issues from today, and any other issues you may have.
As founder heirs, and with you especially Mr Potter, the death of your parents, you now have the nominal titular rank of Lord, head of house Potter. You have the right to have two nominated members of your household accommodated within Hogwarts castle. Please inform me if that is your wish and I will make arrangements accordingly. For the moment, I will assume that Miss Dagworth-Grangers parents can stand as household members until ratified. I understand as young children, this may all seem a little confusing and strange, I will attempt to explain it further on my return. However, as you know, there has been a number of unexpected changes in today's schedule that require my immediate attention and I regret that I must attend to them first.
I do however wish to offer a very warm welcome to the both of you, as current Founder heirs on the return to Hogwarts school of magic. My sincere apologies on the behaviour of the former headmaster and my congratulations on your handling of the situation as you did." Minerva gave the slightest twitch of her mouth, the closest she dared to acknowledge a successful plan accomplished. There were still a few of the professors lingering in the hall, so Minerva was constrained to say anything about the success of the conspiracy.
"Mr Filch, you will kindly remain here and escort the members of the Press, the Daily Prophet and the building contractor staff to Hogwarts boundary gates. They will return to this hall in under 30-minutes. Remember that they are Lord Greengrass and Lord Davis and their respective Ladies, so treat them with all due respect. The Dagworth-Grangers will accompany their daughter and act as nominated household members, guardians to Harry Potter. You will then report to me in the headmaster office where I will assign you further duties"
Argus Filch wasn't happy to be told directly what to do by a witch, even one who seemingly had assumed the post of headmistress. He was surly to Professor McGonagall at the best of times when she was deputy head, he resented her even more so as now as the Head. He started muttering something unheard. Minerva was going to set things straight immediately.
"Mr Filch, you will acknowledge my requests to you in a polite manner, in so far as I am now Headmistress, you work for me. At the moment anyway. Do I make myself clear ? Well do I ?"
"Yes, Headmistress McGonagall, I'll do as you instruct." All surliness had evaporated, and if Argus Filch could ever be considered to be able to stand to attention, despite his general 'stooped-slouch', he straightened and gave his best response.
The headmistress turned her attention to the group of professors who she wanted to vacate the hall and probably were waiting to discuss the events of this evening. Setting her shoulders back and with a firm upright stance she moved off towards the staff quarters, professors and other staff following along in her wake.
{Gryph, did you see the look on old Filch's face, I though Minerva was going to hex him right there on the spot.}. Hermes pitched her comment to Gryph, Harry & Hermione.
Lady Hogwarts smiled, gave a modest curtesy, turned towards the lake entrance and led the way to the rear of the hall, bypassing the recently added fifth table, where, sitting quietly were three parents who had only been given direction as to where to go, as a part of the caretakers orders. They knew problems would be encountered; conspiracy members expected Dumblydore to react at the sudden revelation of two of Hogwarts founder heirs. But to go full-on and attack young students, pre-teen children with an unknown magical spell had the three twitching to react. Andromeda had pre-warned them that they must remain as observers only, with so many wizard and witches and protean students, let alone the possessed person of professor Quirinus Quirrell and the spirit of Tom Riddle. Any action by unknown witches or muggle husband could prove disastrous.
Minerva and Serena would both act if there was any real danger to Harry or Hermione, with Gryph and Hermes both riding along and all their spell practice in shield work especially; the risks were considered low. Harry, directed by Gryph had proved to be adequate to the task. Certainly the very fastest. Others had their wands out and were moments away from casting as well, despite the attacker being the headmaster. There had been some hesitation on their parts, more so from three senior students. Nym and two fellow 'puff students who all aspired to become Aurors had been enjoined to act as watchful observers to Harry and Hermione. The two 'Puffs, not conspiracy members, but they had agreed to assist Nym as she had declared a family connection to Potter and welcomed their assistance. They had casually been the last of the student body to leave the hall, surreptitiously tucking wands away again.
There had been two pre-teen children, attacked by a 100 year old wizard who was being ousted from a controlling position. The three parents had been given calming potions to ensure they maintained and resisted any action on their parts. Emma had been rather careful when arriving in the hall before the feast, ensuring that Dan had no firearms secreted about his person and that Liz had nothing offensive that could be thrown or even fired. But this was a recently adopted boy and her own flesh and blood daughter that were in the firing line of that maddened maniac headmaster.
Lady Hogwarts led the two young founder heirs and three subdued parents from the great hall, down the staircase to the entrance hall, and then right, towards two large golden statues. One of which, obligingly moved aside, revealing a bright well-lit and expansively furnished corridor, into which they followed a brightly glowing ghost.
~~~~~~~~~~
In a cave. In a cave ! An aged wizard furiously flung spell after spell in his rage at the rock walls surrounding him. He had sought shelter from the heavy rain that was lashing the Western Highland mountainside where Ffawkes had deposited him before abandoning him. Despite several attempts to call his familiar back to him, he failed to get the result he required. It had been an eventful evening, with no hint that this was to be anything other than another first years welcome feast. Except of course Harry Potter was coming to Hogwarts. The day had been spent reading all the correspondence that had arrived during his four-week holiday. Then a gentle stroll down through the castle to the great hall as the returning students had been assembling for the feast. Then his entire world had turned sour and then ejected him. This was all down to his deputy, Minerva, she had somehow usurped his position. Zambini being called first to the sorting hat should have warned him something was going on. Minerva had diverted him, successfully, until just Harry and another witch were left to sort into a house.
Less than ten minutes later, he was on a cold, wet and windy mountainside, being soaked and near threatened being blown off this mountain edge. He'd tried to climb over to the lee-side to get out of the wind and rain at least, but there was a magical invisible shield in place, one he couldn't break through. Wizard clothing, long, natural materials, soaked up the cold rain, dragged him down as he tried to move. Making slow progress on the treacherous ground, he followed the highest part of the mountain edge. Was the whole bloody valley, Glen Hogg, blocked off by this shield ?
The sorting hat must have been charmed to utter that ridiculous claim of Hogwarts returning founders heirs. Utter poppycock, James Potter had come to Hogwarts over a decade ago and no such claim or utterance had been made then. Bad enough that Potter had been proclaimed Gryffindor heir, but then to make matters worse, that muggle looking girl, Granger, being declared Ravenclaw founder heir, was dragonshit. The only founder heir that walked this Earth was Lovegood, and he'd tried his best to kill her already, defeated by b'damned goblin spawn. Something he was planning to rectify this Autumn. In fact, now calming slightly, he realised that she, Serena Lovegood had been sat at the staff table during the sorting ceremony. The far side of Hagrid; that immense buffoon could hide almost anything. Minerva must have invited her secretly and somehow knew of her eminence.
He'd been threatened by Bones and her DMLE henchman; arrest him, him ! in his own bloody school. How dare she ! He would instruct Fudge to fire her immediately and rescind any such threat. Then wrest back control of his school. Imperio Minerva before making her suffer for her impertinence and then ejecting her from Hogwarts itself.
Of course ! That was how he'd been ejected and also why he was blocked from getting back to Hogwarts ! He'd called Fawkes, returned to his office to prepare to call upon all the magic portraits of headmasters long past to wrest control of the castle back again to It's rightful master. Instead, he'd been forced from the castle by magic, he had attempted to apparate to Hogsmeade, but found himself upon this ogre forsaken mountainside. Then blocked from even seeing into the valley, let alone getting there, even by his most strenuous efforts of his most powerful spells.
The weather was making him shake, was that cold ? or was it rage ? Either way, he had to get out of the weather, this cave, fortuitously gave a solution. He'd attempted to heat the cave walls and warm and dry himself, he always carried a spare wand, but the mountain was partly within Glen Hogwarts, it resisted him. In contempt he'd attacked the cave walls themselves. Glen Hogwarts had magic imbued in It's fabric for thousands of years, even the very mountains, right up to their peaks had been reinforced by the power of magic. It reacted against this raging wizard who had been cast out.
A stasis field was created around the mountain cave, all action, all life was stopped within, as if time itself had halted. Dumblydore never knew this of course. For him, time had halted. It would be some considerable time before he was to be seen walking upon the earth.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Harry, you own this castle, these are your quarters. They're magnificent". Liz spoke softly, Emma and Dan, too amazed by the luxury, the sheer sumptuous quality of, well everything within this chamber. If likened to a royal palace, it would have been favourably judged.
"Hermione's too, she has a quarter share in the ownership, Serena too, though I guess I might be considered to have half, when I finally defeat Tom Riddle. Did you see the look on Professor Quirrell's face when it was announced that I was a founder heir, then shock when Hermione was announced too. He was shaking and his face went very red. I guess he didn't like that part." Gryph was carefully diverting attention away from Harry and Hermione being seen as multi-Galleon heirs with this comment.
Their small group were clustered at the end of the short passage from Hogwarts main entrance hall, the chamber before them was mostly circular and that was an observation from the large table centred before them. Four large chairs were quartered from one another, large gaps between them, enabling the semi-circular padded benches around the wall to have clear view of the table and the occupants of the four chairs. The backs of the four chairs were pierced by ornate but discernible individual letters. G, S, R and S clearly indicative of their owner occupiers. If that were not enough indication, the four were adorned with the predominant colours associated with that house.
Gryph and Hermes felt quite at home in this place, all the others however were awestruck. "It's like a throne-room, but with four thrones". Liz's comment whispered, as if to not disturb the hushed magnificence of the room they found themselves in.
Emma had quietly moved and stood behind one of the chairs, surprisingly, it wasn't as large as a throne could or might be. "It's quite modest really, ornately carved, and the leather seat cushion lightly coloured blue, but there's an absence of what a throne from our world would be. There's no gilding, no ornate embellishments, no gold or silver to make the throne look important. It's as if the seat itself is simply somewhere to sit, somewhere that reflects the importance of the occupier. It looks quite comfy, the back is curved but not padded, though the arms are covered in the same, blue-coloured leather as the seat. I wonder who sat here ?"
"That would have been Rowena Ravenclaw's seat". Lady Hogwart quietly prompted, and then continued, "Now of course the seat will welcome your daughter." At Hermes direction, Hermione was urged forward and as she approached; the chair smoothly slid back, she stood next to the table where the seat had been. The chair moved back to It's original position, the seat cushion against the back of her legs, an automatic reaction, Hermione sat. A low bell-tone was heard in the room and a quarter of the tablecloth turned that same light blue. There was a sound of air whistling through the upper reaches of the room, then silence fell as Hermione took a deep shuddering breath.
"Are you all right Princess, you look a little pale ?" Her suntanned look achieved over the last few weeks, seemingly overcome, she did indeed look pale. Dan had watched his only daughter sit in a place of honour that had both a physical and emotional impact on her.
"Aye father, I feel canny". There was a strong Scottish brogue evident, to both Hermione and her parents surprise. "That was odd, a curious warmth and feeling of comfort and of being, well, 'home'. I suspect that Hogwarts, the castle, this chamber and this seat itself has confirmed that I am indeed an heir of one of the four founders. Rowena Ravenclaw seems to have conferred her agreement on my accession, or simply put, happy to have me sat here.
Your turn now Harry, that's Godric Gryffindor's chair opposite me, the red one with the 'G'. Take your seat Harry." Hermione gave a broad smile and as Harry was prompted forward by Dan, a broadly grinning and increasingly proud adoptive stepfather.
The red leather, 'G' carved seat moved away from the table at Harry's approach, though as he walked around the table, the 'S' carved chair trembled though did not move back. Harry gave the 'S' chair a knowing look but didn't pause, as had Hermione. Harry stood next to the table, the 'G' chair moved gently back into place, touching his legs, Harry sat as another quarter segment of the tablecloth changed colour to the deep red associated with Gryffindor house. A feint symbol of a rampant lion faded into view, matching the outspread wings of the eagle now visible, opposite on Hermione's Ravenclaw quarter. Again, a low bell tone was heard in the room, but no other sound.
"All right Harry ?" Dan queried.
"Arp" Came the surprised response. Harry looking as surprised as everyone at the odd sound.
"West country phrase, rural lingo, essentially relates to the affirmative." Emma surprisingly giving a dialect lesson. At the astonished look from Dan, she continued. "I have a dental patient, he's from Exexetor, sorry, Exeter. He's barely understandable sometimes. Given I also have tools in his mouth at the time, I guess. Sorry Harry, how are you feeling dear ? You look sort of powerful, the two of you sitting there. Lord and Lady of the castle sort of thing. Well, I guess you 'are' the Lord and Lady of this castle after all."
"What's through that doorway, looks like a kitchen !" Hermione pointed out the open doorway.
"Working area, says Gryph, It's where the founders used to create potions, research charms and spells and create 'stuff' during the day. It's worth a look, but Gryph tells me, well us, not to touch anything as there are few safeguards. Some of the items can be dangerous and we need to read and get advice from the future before we start using any of it. It's not dangerous to look, and Hermione, although there is a considerable library of books, you're not to read or even touch any of them unless you have Hermes running 'safety' for you. That's a dire warning from Gryph you understand. The four wizard and witches who worked here were extremely powerful and experienced individuals.
Me, I want to have a look around the founders chambers in this tower, Gryph tells me that in their time, the upper parts of this tower are wrecked, attacked by deatheaters before anyone had entered this tower in over a thousand years. Our future selves are survivors from that ongoing war and they are sheltering in the lower chambers in this tower. Especially somewhere called the 'Heart of Hogwarts'. There's a Ward stone down there that is the central focus of all Hogwarts power, it keeps the castle safe. It needs topping up from the energy fields that the wizard and witches who reside here, a bit like a magical battery. Gryph says there is a ritual whereby we can directly top-up our own magic and increase the ward stone a lot. It's been running on the reserves that the founders built in, then on a trickle-charge from the staff and students since then. But Gryph and Hermes, they have never seen the founders own chambers, so there is a request from them to go there first.
I guess that as the headmistress has directed us here and we have Lady Hogwarts as our guide, we can see where we'll be staying whilst at school for the next seven to eight years." Harry was on an upbeat moment and he'd communicated this to their parents.
"Prithee Founders, which of your chambers wouldst thou care to visit first?" The ghosts enquiry was polite and broke the air of tension that had grown, from the parents at least. Talk of a ritual and topping up magical batteries had caused some worry, Hermes and Gryph both reassured Harry and Hermione that there was no need for concern. No blood-letting, no pain or harmful effects associated, but quite a bit more than just taking vitamin tablets and holding wires.
Day by day, Harry's own exuberant character was developing stronger and more confident, and he'd had over a month of supportative family interaction to bolster and increase that feeling. In consequence, and with more than a nod towards Hermione's quirky traits.
"Lady Hogwarts, is there any form of library or extensive bookshelf in Rowena Ravenclaws chambers by chance ?"
"Indeed Lord Gryffindor, there is a large library, well over a thousand books, tomes, scrolls and grimoires and other writings."
"Decision made then; we'll go to my quarters; we'll never get M'ione out of her library once we let her in there." Though to be fair to the girl sat opposite, she did raise a smile, then laughed aloud when she saw the wide grin Harry expressed. Taking the jibe in the manner offered, she countered in return.
"Perhaps when Harry is otherwise occupied with others of his many wives, I may slip away to find something to read." Hermione started to rise and her chair magically withdrew to enable ease of egress. Harry followed and they moved towards the appropriate doorway, easily defined by the red hue and the lion rampant figure, and the embossed 'G', removed any doubt. The door swung open as they neared, revealing a broad staircase spiralling clockwise, right, upwards to another floor.
Dan, in a gentlemanly fashion, hung back, allowing his children, wives and the ghostly Lady Hogwarts ahead of him. Eyes following the ascending stairs, he looked up, a high ceiling, pierced by a central lightwell rising to the ceiling rafters faintly visible through a similar star filled night sky to the great hall. Though no floating candles this time, chandeliers hung from a mezzanine floor that encircled, balcony wise. Perhaps the founders chambers were on that balcony level ? Then his practical mind started imagining they overall tower shape and the view through into the working area. This tower wasn't round; more likely oval, with two round sections within. Perhaps there was another floor over the working area ? The balcony above didn't include any over workroom space.
"Dan, you coming up ?" Brought back from his musings, Dan hurried up the stairs, clockwise he noted, favoured any right-handed wizard standing above, holding a wand, and exposed any opposing intruder ascending. A bit like medieval castles, favouring sword wielding defenders.
"Dan". A hint of reprimand creeping in now. "Coming dears" His second 'wife' Liz, urging him to attend. Was a steep spiral and he'd put some effort into his ascent, and barrelled through the ghost who'd stopped just inside the stairwell at the top. Wow, cold feeling and hairs on neck reacting. "My apologies". The ghost seemed to have taken on a bit more substance, hmm.
The balcony level indeed, through windows in this hallway - lobby area, could be seen to have an encircling balcony. Four sets of chambers evidently also had doorways onto this balcony, saved going down to floor level and then back up again to another chamber. Doors were being opened by others, several bedrooms off this hallway, several bathrooms too, all generously decorated, red of course being the ever present theme. The master bedroom was quite a surprise, four poster, canopied and big ! room for a small party at the very least. The adults were a little withdrawn on seeing this, after all they were products of their own upbringing. Marriage was between a couple, man and wife, but then of course, Dan, Emma & Liz had already broken down one of those moral ideals. Though these were children, their children, both blood and adopted, and now soul-bonded, married in the eyes of Magic itself.
Add to that mix, Aine, Daphne and Tracy, Susan too; well, the bed needed to be big then. They were sensible children, well aware of their youth and being guided by twenty-year-old selves. This was a whole different world and rules and guidelines quite at odds with the muggle ideals. Then again, Dan, Emma and Liz were products of the relaxed seventies, when age old morals were suspended and in some cases thrown away entirely. Hermione and he was sure also, Harry were not going to rush any physical issues in their relationship. Relationships ! he realised, Dan's own arrangement was described as a Throuple. He had no idea of what name to use for Harry's family, simply that Harem seemed most apt.
Whilst he had stood there starring at the enormous master bed; Em, Liz, Harry and his princess Hermione had been going through all the rooms. Lots of bedrooms it seemed, but there were how many wives now ? There was even a small kitchen area, a generous dining room and a rather comfy looking 'snug' lounge with overstuffed armchairs and tables. Dan smiled, as student accommodation, this was quite superb, there was even a separate study with a brightly lit desk and armchair to sit and read and research. Far better than the cheap kitchen table and plastic chairs that he and the girls had studied in, and then achieved their graduate degrees in dentistry. The food here would be so much better too he thought as they were congregating in the dining room finally.
"M'ionne, do you know how we might call for a house elf ?" Harry casually asked.
Thought to action was almost immediate, an elderly, matriarchal looking house-elf popped into view. "Good evening young founders, I am Kasandra, the Hogwarts Chatelaine or chief elf. Headmistress McGonagall has told me that you may be calling for an elf at any time and that you may not be aware of the traditions of the founders and Hogwarts elf family. First let me ask how I may be of service ?"
"May we be able to ask for refreshments please, something to drink whilst we await Headmistress McGonagall and Madam Bones, Kasandra. Tea, maybe some biscuits and juice, perhaps not pumpkin though, that's a little dense and heavy."
Action as fast as the request, elves were popping into the dining room carrying a variety of teapots, cups saucers, little jugs of milk, sugar pots and exquisite multi-tiered plates of biscuits placed onto the table. Moments later, they were all gone, bar Kasandra herself.
"At your command founders, would you require anything else ? No. Then I have a request of our returning founder heirs if I may be so bold. It has been almost a thousand years since a Hogwarts house elf has been able to ask for this boon. Headmistress McGonagall has said that our request would be favourably received, which is why I am able to ask. At your convenience, would you consider offering the founders bond to enable Hogwarts elves to bond with Hogwarts. Till now, a secondary bond to the heart stone was all that sustains us, with a founders bond, all Hogwarts elves would be stronger and totally committed to the founders and Hogwarts herself. This would of course enable us to overcome the bond that old headmaster enforced, one that we did not like nor care for."
There was a keen look of excitement exhibited by Kasandra at that moment, and a hopeful smile.
"I'll talk to Minerva and arrange for the bonding after we are finished with meeting her and the DMLE this evening. Would that suit you Kasandra ?" Hermes was delighted, this was so very different from her first run through at Hogwarts, there was going to be no SPEW programme with the whole giving or hiding of clothes for elves this time then. She hadn't given up on the whole idea of 'freeing' house elves entirely, but with hindsight, she was going to plan their release from perceived slavery in a modern and acceptable fashion.
"May I suggest to the founders that should they need elf assistance at any time, simply say the word 'service'. That will alert an elf to attend immediately, there is always an elf ready to respond to any Hogwarts professor at need. Within the founders quarters, here, the elf who responds will always be visible. Anywhere else in Hogwarts, the responding elf will not be seen, but will be there regardless. At headmistress McGonagall's command, all the Dagworth-Grangers adults have been accorded professor status. A 'service' request will alert and call an elf on demand." Kasandra was brimming with excitement; founders, heirs, were back in Hogwarts Castle again and had agreed to bond all Hogwarts elves soon. Was going to be a very good year.
Dan, was exploring whilst the others were pouring tea and tasting the variety of fruit juices having been offered. He opened a half-glazed door, walked out onto the balcony and gazed down to the floor below.
It gave a very clear view of the table, centred below. Just four seats, but room for so many more ! The tablecloth, though two quarter coloured now, was almost see through from this height. The table shape caught his imagination, then by carefully squinting, he could make out ornate writing, around the edge of the table, sectioned off into shoulder width partitions.
This furniture had to have been here for centuries, and that table triggered an odd memory. An old, large, round table …