Harry Potter and the Founders Vault
Disclaimer: You gotta know this by now...
Year 1: The Hufflepuff Elective
After leaving the stone chamber, Dumbledore had taken Harry to his office giving the Griffin his password and letting Harry go up. Harper and Hermione were already waiting there and been relieved to see Harry safe as they waited.
Harry, Hermione, and Harper knew they had been in Dumbledore office a long time – it was clear when they saw the sun rise outside the window and the room only get brighter. Harry had been petting Fawkes, who didn't seem that well.
"I think he had a Burning Day not long ago," Harry said finally.
"Definitely," Harper agreed.
"How can you tell?" Hermione asked, honestly curious. With the paintings throughout the office feigning sleep, it was just the three of them left to talk.
"His feathers are not as bright as they should be," Harper said.
"And he's smaller than the average male," Harry added. "All indications that he's regrowing."
"Once again, impressive knowledge from the pair of you," the trio had not noticed Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick enter the office. Profesor Dumbledore continued, "Fawkes had a Burning Day several days ago, it is why I couldn't use him to get to and from to London easily tonight, and somehow, Hogwarts' Floo Network went down and with anti-Apparition wards at the Ministry, I was forced to fly on broom." Harper put her hand over her mouth to hide a giggle. "Something funny, Ms. Evans?"
"Just a mental image of you on a broom," Harper said, and Harry started laughing with his sister, also trying to picture that.
"Harper, Harry!" Hermione said.
"It's quite alright, Ms. Granger. I will be the first to admit I am passed the age where flying on a broom is my preferred method of travel – it doesn't do well on the appendages – but it does come in handy," Dumbledore said giving them a small smile and a wink. "But we have matters to discuss. Since one member of each house was involved in last night events, I invited all the head of houses here to hear what happened."
So, this was the moment. The trio had spent the night wondering what was going to happen to them, but also something else had been on their minds.
"Is everyone okay?" Hermione had to ask about Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville.
"Mr. Longbottom is the better off of the four. He sprained his ankle badly and ended up with several wounds made by the enchanted keys, but he should be out of the Hospital Wing tonight. Mr. Thomas lost a lot of blood, had several broken ribs, and a couple of added broken bones, but pressure placed on his wounds stopped him from bleeding out," Dumbledore said giving Hermione a smile at that, "Madam Pomfrey had administered Skelgrow on the boy and he'll make a full recovery. Mr. Finnigan, well Madam Pomfrey noted a Muggle technique was used upon him – it broke several ribs, but it saved his life. Another good job, Ms. Granger."
"Oh, no that was Harper," Hermione said, and Dumbledore looked to Harper.
"I like swimming," Harper said confusing the adults.
"Well, as I always say, Muggle techniques should never be frowned upon," Dumbledore smiled at Harper now, a twinkle in his eyes as he continued, "as for Mr. Weasley, he drank poison. He would have been dead in minutes if someone had not made him vomit the contents out of his system," Dumbledore paused, and Harper and Harry pointed at Hermione. "Nevertheless, some poison still got into his system. We managed to get him out in time for Professor Snape and Madam Promfrey to administer an antidote. The three Gryffindor will be in the Hospital Wing for several days, but all will live."
The trio were relieved to hear that – as much as Ron had annoyed them during the year, they didn't want him to die.
"But we have other matters to discuss. Mr. Thomas had told us about how he, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Finnigan had found out about the Philosopher's Stone – including some loose lips some in this room…" his eyes went to Harry and Harper, and the pair knew their reveal of Vault 713 and the information they gave about Nicholas Flamel had a part to play in this. "Let them figure out what was being guarded and a night out to duel Mr. Malfoy made them discover Fluffy."
"Please tell me it was Hagrid's idea to name the Cerberus, Fluffy?" Harry had to ask at this.
"Indeed," Dumbledore chuckled with a nod. "And it appeared that Hagrid accidentally told them and poor Professor Quirrell how to get passed Fluffy. The three Gryffindors had thought Professor Snape here was after the Stone," at this, Professor Snape made a disgruntled noise which Professor Dumbledore ignored as he continued, "and discovering I was gone, they went to go protect it. Mr. Longbottom told us how he got involved simply for being locked out of his Common Room, and how they got through the trials up to the keys. Mr. Thomas also filled us in on the game of chess in which Mr. Weasley led. But what no one can seem to figure out is how you three got involved."
"I would bet to guess a lot of rule breaking was involved," Snape spoke up, snidely.
"Severus," Dumbledore said warningly. "Considering you have Gryffindor's Sword, Harry, I will assume you three figured out the location and password to enter Gryffindor Chamber and Harry completed the task. May I?" Dumbledore indicated at Harry's neck and Harry nodded, taking the key out from under his shirt. The Professor had long since known the trio were after the Founders' Vault, after all. "It has been very long since I have seen this key when it hung around my own neck. You three are one step closer to unlocking the Founders' Vault."
At this, the trio could see the shock on Professors McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, and Snape's faces. It was clear that Dumbledore had not told them about this. "But the Sword was meant to be left in the chamber…" the headmaster added.
"Um, Professor," Harry said, holding up the sword and showing his name on the opposite side to Godric's name. "The Sword of Gryffindor has chosen a new owner."
Harry was sure he saw shock in Dumbledore eyes for a moment, but the headmaster was clever enough to hide the expression almost as soon as it went across his face. "I see," Dumbledore breathed. "Why don't you start your story from exiting the task, then?"
"I assume everyone here knows about my Invisibility Cloak," Harry asked; the cloak was still in the room, Harry having placed it over a chair earlier.
"Yes, we are aware," Dumbledore said with a nod, the other teachers barely acknowledging this.
"Well, after the task was complete it was after curfew. We didn't want to get caught out of bed, so we were using it to get back to the common rooms unseen," Harry started.
"We saw the three Gryffindors leave Gryffindor tower," Harper said.
"So, we decided to follow them," Harry completed. "Then we saw them force Neville to help them."
"It's no secret there's no love lost between us and those three," Harper muttered.
"But Neville is our friend," Hermione spoke. "Oh no. Now I am doing the completing the sentence thing now too."
"Maybe it would be better if one person at a time talked," Professor Dumbledore chuckled, and the trio nodded.
"Yes," Harry took the lead at this, "we followed them to the third-floor corridor where we discovered Cerberus – Fluffy – guarding the trap door in which the other students had gone through already. Having the sword on my person, I was able to distract Fluffy while Harper and Hermione used their knowledge of Cerberus and Greek mythology to figure out Fluffy's weakness."
"First the Troll and now Fluffy, you do like to take risks, Potter," Professor McGonagall spoke up at this.
"Yes, well…" Harry didn't know what to say to this, so continued his explanation, "Harper figured out that music would enchant Fluffy, allowing us to follow the others through the trap door, so she used a spell mom had taught us–"
"Which spell would that be?" Professor Flitwick spoke up, the Charms Professor intrigued by this one.
Harper took out her wand at this and spoke to words "Memento Musica," and this time 'When You Wish Upon a Star' played from the wand tip.
"Oh, that is marvelous," Flitwick applauded, obviously excited by this spell. "You two must come to my office later and teach me the spell. It would be brilliant to show First Years – especially around the holidays."
"We'd be honored," Harry said with a smile.
"Please continue," Professor Dumbledore indicated to Harry, who nodded.
"Well, after getting through the trap door, we found the Devil's Snare challenge. We knew about the plant, so it was easy enough to remain calm to get out of the plant's vines," a look of pride came across Professor Sprout's face at this. "But then we found Seamus on the side – it looked like once the Snare sufficiently suffocated him, it let him go."
"It was thanks to Harper's use of CRP that saved his life," Hermione spoke up.
"Ah yes, cardiopulmonary resuscitation," Professor Dumbledore stated, shocking Harry, Harper, and Hermione that he knew of this. "Did I not just recently state that Muggle techniques should never be frowned upon? I believe the technique is to push down on the chest and blowing into the patient's mouth to get air back into the lungs, am I correct?"
"Urm, yeah, there's more to it than that, but that's the basics," Harper spoke, still in shock that the headmaster knew this technique.
"So, pushing down on the chest and blowing air into their mouth can help revive someone?" Professor Sprout asked at this.
"Yes." Hermione spoke up now. "You're forcing the heart and lungs to continue what they are meant to do on their own. The hope is if you start making the person's heart pump, the heart will start beating on its own again – same for the lungs. If you force air in and out, the hope is the lungs will start taking air in and out naturally again," Hermione explained. "It doesn't always work though. If too long has passed, for example. It's not a spell, but Harper having known the basic was our only shot at saving Seamus."
"Well, clever Muggles, indeed," Professor Sprout breathed, seeming impressed about the Muggle medical technique.
"So, you saved Seamus and then moved on?" Professor Dumbledore decided to keep the conversation on track.
"Yes," Harry now continued. "We found Neville in the chamber with the flying keys where he'd explained about Ron's plan to get to the Stone. We had to follow to make sure they didn't get themselves killed so once Neville explained which key was the one to open the lock on the door to continue, I was forced to take a broom and get the key," he gave Haper a side-eye at this, he having lost Rock, Paper, Scissors with his sister, forcing him to take the broom to get the key.
"I maintain that you would have made a brilliant Seeker," Professor McGonagall spoke up, a little hope in her voice at this.
"I don't want to play Quidditch. The game is so stupid – and being a Seeker is barely being on a team. I mean you are on your own looking for that stupid little…" Harry began.
"Mr. Potter, maybe you can explain your dislike for the most popular wizard sport in Europe at another time," Professor Snape spoke, and Harry could swear he saw a smirk on the Potion Master's face. He wondered if Snape might assume if Harry joined the Gryffindor team there would be more of a challenge for Slytherin in winning the Quidditch cup.
"Well anyway, it was then that we found Dean, severely wounded, on the giant chessboard in the next room," Harry decided to continue. "Hermione here was the one to suggest keeping pressure on his wound and Neville volunteered to stay with him while we continued on."
"Although, why did the board not reset?" Hermione was the one to ask this, looking to the other teachers.
"I would imagine it would be a mix of a player still being on the board – as our chess pieces prefer to play on a clear board – and the lack of time to reset between Mr. Weasley's win and your arrival," Professor McGonagall stated at this.
"Makes sense," Harper was the one to state this. "It is what we assumed."
"So, once you left the chess board…?" Professor Dumbledore prompted.
"There was a troll," Harry stated. "It was just waking, so Ron didn't have to deal with it, but after distracting it with my sword and Harper with a cutting spell, Hermione here used Wingardiam Leviosa to levitate its club to knock it out."
"Would have been handy to use that back when the troll was in the girls' bathroom," Professor Dumbledore stated, a small smirk on his face.
"The next task was the potion riddle," Professor Snape was the one to speak at this. "How on Earth did you manage to figure that one out? Mr. Weasley obviously didn't."
"That was actually easy," Hermione was the one to explain this. "After I made Ron throw up, that is. The riddle was self-explanatory. There was only enough potion for one person to go forward though, and we figured Harry should be the one to do that, while we used the potion to go back." With Hermione talking, Harry was free to observe the other teachers, and he could have sworn, for a split, second, he saw a look of pride toward Hermione on Professor Snape's face before it was gone. "Which I suppose leads us to you again, Harry," Hermione stated, looking to her friend.
"Yeah," Harry stated. "Well, after being surprised to find Professor Quirrell in the last chamber, I tried to delay him in getting the Stone – there was this weird mirror there…"
"The Mirror or Erised," Professor Dumbledore spoke up now. "It shows the user their truest desires. It explains how you got the Stone, Harry – as an eleven-year-old, with a loving family, no outside pressure, or troubles, you have all you know that you desire. The only thing you could possibly have wanted when facing Professor Quirrell was for him not to get the Philosopher's Stone, which is why you got it and not Quirrell."
"He said he saw it presenting it to his master – to Voldemort," Harry stated, getting why he'd got the Stone now and why Voldemort had wanted to use him to get the Stone. "But he got frustrated, so Voldemort chose to speak to me himself."
"Wait, Voldemort was in the room with him?" Harper was the one to ask this, and Harry realized he'd not explained to her or Hermione what had happened in the last chamber, either – not that he'd avoided it while waiting for the teachers to gather, just that it hadn't come up.
"He's been with Professor Quirrell all year," Harry stated, sighing. "He was on the back of Professor Quirrell's head. Under the turban…"
"Wait, hold on a second," Harper added. "Voldemort was on the back of Professor Quirrell's head?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"Well, that's justified," Harper said, suddenly triumphantly. "My wand didn't send a curse at Quirrell – it sent the curse at Voldemort. It must have sensed whatever dark magic is keeping Voldemort alive and reacted."
"It seems you are correct, Ms. Evans," Professor Dumbledore mused, "as such I can't in good conscious take points away for sending a curse at the Dark Lord. I return the 30 points I took to Slytherin," Professor Dumbledore said, and Harper smiled and so did Snape. "Now Harry, that explains mostly everything, but with poor Quirinus deceased, I'm struggling to put together how our former Muggle Studies professor became host to the Dark Lord – was this explained to you?"
"Yeah," Harry stated. "It was when Professor Quirrell went on his sabbatical – his leave from teaching – that he came across Voldemort. Quirrell said he was weak, and Voldemort showed him strength or something like that."
"He was coerced," Professor Dumbledore stated, sadly.
"Voldemort promised to bring my parents back, told me there wasn't good or evil and just power and those brave enough to seek it," Harry continued. "I countered that great power brought great responsibility and that he wasn't using those responsibilities." With this though, Harper and Hermione both laughed.
"You seriously went Spider-Man on him?" Hermione asked.
"I learned it all from Harper," Harry said.
"I collect DC comics. Spider-Man is Marvel," Harper pointed out, and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Muggle comics aside…" Dumbledore cleared his throat clearly wanting Harry to continue, and again surprising the trio on his knowledge of Muggles.
"Yeah, after that he tried to get the Stone from me, but on touching me, Quirrell seemed to burn up… but I had the sword on me, so I used it to protect myself," Harry muttered, a sad look coming across Dumbledore's face.
"Why did Quirrell not try to separate you from the sword?" It was Snape who asked this question before Dumbledore could comment.
"Oh, that would be me," Harper said. "I told Harry to keep the sword under the invisibility cloak. So, it was a surprise wild card. It seemed to work." Snape gave a nod at this as Dumbledore cleared his throat to continue.
"Harry, you wounded him," Professor Dumbledore confirmed, "but you didn't kill him. Voldemort was the one to do that. Knowing his host was compromised, that he couldn't touch you, let alone possess you, he left Professor Quirrell's body. That is when we arrive," the headmaster looked to Professors McGonagall and Snape, "and realizing what was happening, we were able to banish what was left of Lord Voldemort from the castle. He fled."
"That explains that then," Harry stated, glad that he hadn't actually killed the Professor, but pausing. "Am I going to be in trouble?"
"Why would you? It was clearly self-defense," Dumbledore dismissed.
"I don't understand," Hermione said. "Why couldn't Professor Quirrell touch Harry?"
"Well, that is a very special and unique magic, Ms. Granger," Professor Dumbledore explained. "You see, the very touch of Harry is lethal to the Dark Lord, and that is because of your mother, Harry, your birth mother that is – Lily Potter." Harry raised an eyebrow, noticing Professor Snape shift uncomfortably at this. "She died to protect you, Harry. She gave her life to give you protection from the Dark Lord. That type of sacrifice, the magic she enacted, it leaves a mark in your very blood. It is why I sent you originally to your Aunt Petunia, being the sister of your mother, I presumed that type of magic would continue through your connection to her – it's luck that that magic continued through to your Uncle Timothy Evans, your mother's cousin."
"So that's why Harry was sent to those horrors?" Harper stated, it not being a secret on how Petunia and Vernon Dursley had treated Harry in those few days they had him.
"Indeed. Had I have known how bad they would treat Harry, and on the existence of your family, Ms. Evans, I would have made the arrangements your father did in his place," Professor Dumbledore explained, beyond glad that Harry had found both a loving family to raise him and keep that blood bond magic intact.
"What will happen to the Sorcerer's Stone now?" Harry asked, his use of the American terminology for the Philosopher's Stone not phasing the headmaster.
"I will have to call my old friend, but we have had many conversations before this year. Nicolas and his wife have enough elixir to set their affairs in order, but after that, they are ready for the next great adventure. As such, I am sure he will agree that the Stone has no place in this world anymore," Dumbledore said, a little sadly at the thought of losing his friend.
"What about Fluffy?" Harper asked. "He can't stay in the school, and it would be much better for him to be transferred to one of Newt's Magical Creatures Reserves."
"Excellent idea, Ms. Evans," Dumbledore smiled. "I will contact Newt and see if he has a place for Fluffy. I am sure Hagrid will agree it's for the best – as long as he can visit." Professor Dumbledore had that twinkle in his eye again as he said this. "But there is one last matter to attend to here. The consequences of last night."
At this, Harry, Harper, and Hermione were unsure what was about to happen to them. They had broken several rules but had also saved lives. "For bravery, for intelligence, for loyalty, for cunning, and for coming to the aid of those you had no need to, I am awarding you, Harry Potter, Harper Evans, and Hermione Granger 50 points each – and give you my sincere thanks. Without you, last night could have been much different. The Dark Lord could have returned, and three students could have died." The three smiled meekly at this.
"And now you three may go," Professor Dumbledore continued. "I believe there is a Hufflepuff in the hospital wing who would very much like to see you," he added with a smile; the three got his hint: They needed one more member of their group, a Hufflepuff, and they all knew who that was now. "But, Mr. Potter, maybe leave the Gryffindor Sword in your dormitory before you go. Madam Pomfrey would have kittens if she saw that in the Hospital Wing," Harry chuckled at this as the trio now moved toward the door, Harper taking the cloak, and Harry the Sword. Harry nodded to the Professor as they left the office.
"What does it mean, that the sword of Gryffindor has chosen a new owner?" Professor McGonagall rounded on Professor Dumbledore the moment the students were out of earshot.
"I fear nothing good for the future," Professor Dumbledore mused. "Choosing someone new means the sword not only finds Harry worthy, but believes Harry will need it."
"I've been fearing for years Harry Potter would bring nothing good to this school," Professor Snape spoke.
"Oh, Severus the last seven years before Harry got here weren't necessarily quiet. I mean the Cursed Vaults, after all," Flitwick said.
"This was more contained than that," Professor Sprout spoke up. "Although looking for the Founders' Vault… it's been a very long time since I have ever heard that mentioned."
"You all know it is the right of any student of Hogwarts to try to find the Vault," Professor Dumbledore spoke. "It would be best not to speak of this publicly, however; Hogwarts would not take kindly to anyone interfering in her tasks."
"Very good. I better remind Harry and Harper I want to learn that spell," Professor Flitwick said gave his fellow teachers a nod and rushed out.
"With the Philosopher's Stone no longer needing protection, I think I have some Devil Snare to re-home," Professor Sprout excused herself as well. Snape gave the two a nod as he left without another word.
"Albus," Professor McGonagall spoke now it was just her and the headmaster. "I have been curious over one thing." Professor Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at his fellow teacher. "What do you think happened to Harry's scar? It was there when we dropped him off at the Dursley's ten years ago."
"I don't know," Professor Dumbledore sighed, having been surprised himself when he had saw the lightning bolt scar was gone. "I have been wondering that all year."
"I'd ask him, but with the way he talks about it whenever anyone asks, I don't think he knows the scar was actually real at one point," Professor McGonagall insisted.
"We might need to give Timothy and Cassidy Evans a call," Professor Dumbledore reasoned. "That scar could not have been easy to get healed. They may know answers to more questions than we have."
-Harry Potter-
Harry's trunk had a charm on it to make it slightly bigger on the inside, but even with that, getting the sword into the trunk was hard work – he had to remove several things that he planned on asking Harper to squeeze into her trunk instead, figuring he would have to look into a different trunk for next year. He had always found those multiple compartment trunks fascinating – and with access to the money in his trust vault, he had enough to have one custom made for him, too.
Harper and Hermione had waited outside Gryffindor Tower for Harry to finish, and the trio walked to the Hospital Wing together, running into Professor Flitwick along the way and promising to stop by his office later.
When they entered the Hospital Wing, they saw Neville in one of the beds without curtains around them, and next to him was an older woman. She was tall, thin, and bony, wearing a large hat with a stuffed vulture upon it, and held a bright red handbag.
"Harry, Hermione, Harper!" Neville called, seeing them. "This is my grandmother, Augusta Longbottom. Gran, this is Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Harper Evans."
Augusta Longbottom turned to them, getting off her chair. "Harry James Potter? I saw you once as a baby. Your parents were close to my son and his wife. It's good to see you again."
"It's an honor to meet you," Harry said, holding out a hand which Augusta took.
"I see you're an American now," she took note of his accent at this. "The Daily Prophet wasn't too pleased about that. Personally, I always thought it was a great loss that our two countries drifted apart so long ago. I had a younger brother who actually moved to America against the wishes of our parents and haven't seen him for a very long time. He lives in Florida – something he calls the panhandle? Jeremy Wright. Have you ever met him?"
"We live in Arizona," Harper spoke up, Harry a little bit shellshocked at the forwardness of Augusta Longbottom. "It's not exactly close. Our grandparents do live in Florida but they are more south and also not magical."
"Well, it's been years since I have heard from him," Augusta said, a little sadly, giving a frown. Harry and Harper realized this was something the woman regretted but she also wasn't going to make the first move to contact him. "Anyway, thank you for saving my grandson. He needed it. He's a little bit special, it's just a shame he never made it into Gryffindor like his parents."
"Well, he is special. He's brilliant," Hermione spoke up, Neville turning red on the bed at the compliment. "Besides, well we all need to be saved once in a while," she obviously didn't like the use of Augusta's words to downplay her grandson.
"Besides, Neville did a lot of saving himself," Harry spoke up. "Without him all three Gryffindors would have been killed by Devil Snare, and then he saved them from the flying keys... He was very brave, braver than most Gryffindors I know. And staying with Dean to make sure he didn't bleed out showed his Hufflepuff loyalty. I think he's the best of both. A great guy and a great friend, someone you should be proud to call your grandson."
"I… I didn't think of it like that," Augusta admitted. "But you're right. My grandson was a hero as well – just like his father." Neville had gone beetroot red by now and Harry smiled as it seemed his words had gotten through to Augusta. Maybe she wouldn't be as hard on her grandson?
"It's good to see you. You saved my life," Neville spoke up. "I owe you a life debt."
"You don't…" Hermione started, but Harper slapped her on the back to stop her.
"Of course," Harper said, instead. "It was an honor to save you."
"We just wanted to see if you were okay," Harry added. "But we'll let you get back to your visit with your grandma. We'll talk later." They wanted to get Neville alone to tell him about the Founders' Vault and ask him to join with them, and they didn't want to do it with his grandmother in earshot.
Before the three could back away to leave, they were shocked as a larger woman with red hair ran up and grabbed all three of them into a hug, repeatedly saying 'thank you' as she did.
"What is happening?!" Harper called out.
"How is she fitting all three of us in her arms?" Hermione added.
"Can't… breathe…" Harry mumbled out.
"Molly, I think you can let them go," a male voice, spoke, and the three were let go to see the two red haired adults, the man thin and tweedy with receding hair and glasses.
"You must be the Weasleys," Harry said, taking a breath.
"Arthur Weasley, and this my wife Molly," Arthur said, introducing himself and Molly. "We are very thankful you saved our son. The Weasley family owes you a life debt."
Hermione opened her mouth at this, but Harper put a hand over it to stop her. "We appreciate you acknowledged that," Harry said with a nod. "We were glad to save him. We might not have gotten off on the right foot with Ron but Fred and George are good friends. Consider our families friends," Harry held out a hand, only be to be pulled in by another hug from Molly as both Hermione and Harper got another one.
"I'm having a word with Ron when he's feeling better about his attitude towards you," Molly stated. "All his letters home made it seem like you were being rude to him, but I can see that's not the case," Molly explained. "But you three must come over some day."
"You know it's back home to America for us for the summer, but maybe someday soon. We'll write Fred and George," Harper said as they excused themselves. Molly and Arthur returning to Ron's bedside.
Once out of the Hospital Wing, Harper turned to Hermione. "Have you not read anything about life debts?" Harper asked.
"You never deny one – especially when it's a real-life debt," Harry added as the three started to walk.
"I saw it mentioned in a book once, but no real details," Hermione mused.
"Everyone magically raised knows this," Harper continued. "It's important to know what makes a real-life debt and the consequences of it."
"Well, care to inform me?" Hermione asked.
"First off, someone had to willingly put themselves in danger to save the life of another," Harry said. "So, for example, even though Neville saved Ron and Dean life with the Devil's Snare, it does not make a life debt since Neville was forced to go with them and didn't willingly go."
"Secondly, you don't have to have an obligation to save that life," Harper continued. "So, if Professor Dumbledore had saved them, no life debt would have been made since, as headmaster, Dumbledore has an obligation to protect his students. A true-life debt is not always easy to do since usually there is some type of obligation or enforcement."
"But we went to save Neville, not Ron, Seamus, and Dean. That doesn't stop their life debt to us," Hermione mused.
"Motive doesn't matter. We put ourselves in danger to save their lives and had no obligation to do it. That makes it a life debt," Harry said. "Should our lives be in danger, and they can save us but don't, there would be consequences. This is a naturally formed magical debt. Their own magic would punish them."
"Especially if the person who is owed request a repayment," Harper added for her brother.
"Mr. Weasley said his family owed us though," Hermione bit her lip at this.
"As head of the family, Arthur Weasley took the burden off of Ron solely and spread it to his family," Harper said. "It is possible for family to pay back the debt another member owes."
"It's also possible to pay back the debt you owe by saving that person family – especially if the person who saved you is now dead. Life debts pass to the closest living heir," Harry said.
The three had been walking as they were talking and had ended up in the dungeons, near the potion's classroom.
"You know?!" Professor Snape's voice spoke, and a hand grabbed Harry, pulling him into the empty potion classroom; Harper and Hermione quickly following. "How many people have you told?!"
"I'm sorry?" Harry asked confused.
"I am aware of the debt I owed your father and now owe you, but I don't want many people knowing," Professor Snape snapped now, his eyes dark with hate as he glowered at Harry. "So, how many people have you told?"
Harry looked startled, sharing a look with Harper, who shrugged. "Professor, I wasn't aware you owed my father a life debt. Arthur Weasley and Neville both acknowledged the life debt they owe us and we were explaining to Hermione about life debts."
Professor Snape stared for a moment; his face unreadable. "Don't go spreading that around," the professor hissed.
"Yes sir," Harry said quickly, the three backing away, no one speaking until they were far enough outside of earshot. "I wonder how my dad saved his life?" Harry asked.
"Who knows? Who cares though! This could be useful in the future," Harper mused, and Harry had to agree with his sister. Knowing Snape owed him could be helpful if used at the right time and place.
-Harry Potter-
Slytherin had won the House Cup. There was no real competition; Harry and Hermione might have gotten 50 points, but so did Harper, plus she had been re-rewarded the points lost when her wand had attacked Professor Quirrell. Slytherin had been in the lead before that, anyway – not to mention, Slytherin had flattened all the other teams at Quidditch too.
Besides, Ron, Seamus, and Dean had lost house points the same night making Gryffindor last. Hufflepuff had been third, with Neville not losing house points or gaining them either. Ravenclaw had been second, their excellent grades in classes helping them get points.
Draco had celebrated at the Slytherin table as if he was the sole reason why Slytherin had won, while Slytherins who knew better gave Harper a pat on the back and said 'good job' – especially Daphne and Tracey, Harper's dormmates promising to write over the summer.
It was as they were taking the carriages down to express they finally got Neville alone, the four of them in a carriage down to Hogsmead Station. Harry pausing for a moment as he looked at the carriage. "Thestrals," Harry commented seeing the creatures.
"What?" Harper asked and then realized. Harry had seen Quriell die. He could now see the Thestrals.
"Where are your trunks?" Neville asked taking them back to the matter at hand. Students had to bring their trunks to the train – Harry and Harper only had a backpack with them though.
"Mom sent Helia to bring our trunks and Daisy home," Harper said, already missing her Kneazel cat.
"We're spending the day in London with Mione and her parents," Harry added with a smile.
"Mom and dad found a cinema that's still showing Beauty and the Beast," Hermione said with a smile.
"Good. I wanted to see that," Harper said with a smile.
"Cinema? Beauty and the Beast?" Neville asked, confused.
"We'll explain that another day, but right now we have other things to talk about," Harry said, taking out the Vault book and showing it to Neville. "Have you heard of the Founders' Vault?" Harry asked.
"Actually, yeah, I have," Neville stated, surprising the group. "My gran said it holds the true secrets of Hogwarts lost to the ages."
"How does your gran know that?" Hermione asked, eyebrows raised in shock.
"She knows everything," Neville shrugged. "You met her, after all. Wait, is that what you were doing when you found me and the others trying to get to the Philosopher's Stone?"
"Yeah," Harry admitted, showing Neville the key, he'd gained as he explained. "Four representatives of each house are chosen to go through special tasks to gain a key that unlocks a secret chamber containing, as your grandmother so eloquently says, the true secrets of Hogwarts. I won the Gryffindor key that night, as Gryffindor's representative, while Harper is Slytherin's, and Hermione is Ravenclaw's."
"We've been wondering for some time," Harper continued for her brother, "well, we need a Hufflepuff to join us, and we want it to be you."
Neville seemed stunned at this. "Nev, we're going to be at the train soon," Harry said. "Sorry we're rushing this on you, but you need to decide while we're at Hogwarts. The book will need to know," he had the page open on the page on their names.
"I think I would mess this up on you," Neville said, sadly now.
"Neville," Harry said firmly. "If you just don't want to do it then say no and we'll find someone else, but if you are only saying no because you don't think you're good enough then your wrong – you proved yourself to us Neville, and I think we would be worst off if you didn't do it."
"We definitely would be," Hermione concurred.
"I agree. And think how proud your grandma will be if you help find the Vault," Harper added, making both Hermione and Harry give her a look at this.
Neville looked at the book, thinking it over. Harper was right – his grandmother would be proud of him, but it was more Harry's words. These three had chosen him. They believed in him and he wanted more than anything to be with them. They were his friends.
"Neville Longbottom, Hufflepuff," Neville said, looking at the first page, and his named appeared next to Hufflepuff. "Congratulation on getting people from all four houses. Enjoy your summer. Next year the quest continues," Neville read aloud, turning the book to show them the writing that had appeared.
"Well, that's it," Harry said with a smile and patted Neville on the back as he took the Vault book back. He and Harper were going to keep it on them for the summer.
"Welcome to the group," Harper added with a smile.
Hermione put an arm around Neville as the carriage slowed down. "Looks like it's time to go," Hermione said. They had arrived at the Express.
Harry and Harper smiled. Their first of Hogwarts was done and was a success.
-Harry Potter-
Monica and Wendell Granger had taken them to see the movie, which Harry, Harper, and Hermione were singing the songs to even afterward, enjoying Beauty and the Beast, especially Hermione, who related to the main hero. Harper had even joked that she looked like Belle.
Afterward, they had gone out for a nice dinner before being brought to the Leaky Cauldron where they used their portkey back to Arizona. They had spent some time with their family, but jetlag had gotten to them, and they had gone to bed early.
It was then Harry found himself somewhere that was completely white.
"Hello Harry," a voice spoke, and Harry saw a man in green, a long beard and pointed hat. He reminded Harry of Professor Dumbledore.
"Who are you?" Harry asked, surprised.
"I am Merlin," Merlin explained.
"I'm dreaming," Harry said instantly realizing it. "This isn't real…"
"Of course, it's a dream Harry Potter," Merlin said. "Why should that mean this is not real?"
"Okay, so why… this?" Harry asked, not sure this was.
"Because the sword that is now yours," Merlin stated. "Tell me, what do you know about it?"
"The sword of Gryffindor?" Harry mused "It is said to be goblin-made but that's clearly false now," Harry said, thinking it over. The goblins cannot make a true magical sword like that.
"The sword was made with goblin steel, but no they did not make it. I did," Merlin explained. "Several hundred years before your school even existed."
"But wait, didn't you go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked. It didn't make sense to him – Merlin was meant to exist before Hogwarts, but people in Hogwarts insisted he was a Slytherin.
"That was my heir," Merlin smiled. "No, I existed long before Hogwarts, long before the separation between the magical and non-magical peoples. I made the sword, imbued my own magic into it, and finished it's making using the fire of my very own familiar, a dragon. I then named the sword Excalibur."
"Wait, what?" Harry asked, shocked at this.
"Yes, the sword of Gryffindor and Excalibur are one and the same. I was the first owner of Excalibur until a time of great turmoil. Battles were breaking out over who was the rightful ruler of the Kingdom; I was known as the most powerful wizard, and so I decided to give up my sword for a cause of a great leader. I put the sword in a stone and claimed that whoever could pull it from said stone was the rightful leader. Both magical and non-magical men – and even some woman – came from all around to give their try, but the sword choose Arthur Pendragon. A non-magical man. King Arthur brought about a time of great peace."
"I know the stories," Harry said. "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table."
"There is more than what you have heard, but yes we don't need to get into all of it now," Merlin explained. "You see, when Arthur died and I was gone, the goblins stole Excalibur, believing the sword should be theirs, since it was made from goblin steel. No one was aware they had taken and hidden it and it stayed with them until the sword sense Godric Gryffindor. When it sensed the man, it came to him, it chose a new owner. When Godric saw the name Arthur Pendragon on it, he knew what he had, but he did not want anyone but his fellow Founders of Hogwarts knowing. He knew it could be dangerous in the times he lived in to admit he had Excalibur, so, he hid the name Arthur Pendragon with a charm. After Godric's death, Excalibur managed to avoid being captured again, by binding itself to Gryffindor house and its representatives, and the tasks Gryffindor left behind, allowing any Gryffindor who it found worthy to use it. It never chose a new owner until now – until you."
"I am the new owner of Excalibur," Harry breathed, not believing this.
"You are. While you sleep, Arthur Pendragon, Godric Gryffindor and I will come to you to train you on how to use the sword and the special gifts it gives you now," Merlin explained. "And I will tell you one special gift you have received right away: my special power. The ability to talk to dragons."
"The sword will let me talk to dragons. Wait, how do I know if this is real or my imagination?" Harry asked.
"You need proof," Merlin said with a smile. "That's only fair. When you wake, take the sword in your hand, and say its name. That will be all the proof you need. But, before you wake let me introduce you to your other two teachers."
Appearing out of nowhere was another man – he had blonde hair and blue eyes, wore medieval armor had a crown upon his head. "King Arthur Pendragon. Not magical by nature, but one of the best swordsmen to ever live," he introduced himself.
"Pleasure," Harry said with a nod, thinking just how silly this all was, wondering if it was just all a dream.
"And Godric Gryffindor," Merlin said and Harry recognized the man. He had seen pictures of him before, although his similarity to Arthur was striking, as he too was blonde and bearded, with blue eyes and a very muscular frame.
"Young heir," Godric said, holding out a hand to Harry. "It is good to meet you."
"Heir?" Harry asked, shaking his hand.
"You are my kin, the only successor remaining to my line, and my true magical heir," Godric said.
Harry opened his mouth, wanting to know how, but Merlin stopped him. "I see you have many questions, but time for this visit is running to an end. You shall see us again," Merlin said.
Just as suddenly as the dream had happened, Harry woke up in his own bed, confused.
Taking a moment, he reached over and turned on the bedside light then looked at the time. It was 2am, but with jetlag and going to bed early, Harry didn't feel tired. Not anymore. He pushed Lucy off him, the Crup puppy giving him a moan before laying back down on the sheets. Harry noticed Hedwig was not in her cage as he sat up. She must have been out, hunting.
Harry looked over at the sword. It was leaning against his nightstand now. He held out his right hand and the sword flew into it, knowing Harry wanted it. Harry looked at Godric name and then his own written on the sword.
"Well, let's see if I've gone mad," Harry said taking a deep breath. "Excalibur!"
As the name left Harry's mouth, the sword lit up, red markings appearing on the blade for a moment. The name 'Excalibur' flashed across Godric's own name before vanishing beneath the Founder's name once more.
"Wow," Harry heard a voice and looked up to see Harper was standing in his doorway, jetlag must have gotten to her too as she was in her pajamas but had food in her hand. She must have been coming to see if Harry was up as well. "How?"
"I have a lot to tell you," Harry said as the glow from Excalibur disappeared and he put the sword down. Harry patted the bed, causing Lucy to raise her head momentarily before dozing once more. He knew what Godric had done and letting too many people know he had Excalibur could be dangerous. He could only tell one person and Harper was definitely that person.
Post Chapter Note: And that's year one done! Soon we shall move onto year 2, with Neville fully in the group now and Excalibur officially Harrys.
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