Harry Potter and the Founders' Vault
Disclaimer: We definitely don't own Harry Potter but do own the Founders' Vault idea and those associated with it.
Year 2: Professor McGonagall's Tour
Minerva McGonagall knocked on the door of the pleasant looking house in Phoenix Arizona one more time. Due to the mix up last year, instead of sending the second-year letters by an owl, the Professor had decided to come deliver them herself. She also had an ulterior motive of exploring a bit of this country and their educational system, but Harry Potter and his sister were more important at this moment.
It looked as though no one was home and the Professor groaned to herself. She should have called ahead to make sure someone would be home; she would have to return later. As she stepped away from the house though she heard a familiar voice and turned to see Harry Potter and Harper Evens walking up the street with another boy.
Harry Potter, a tall boy for his age, had scruffy hair, hidden under a cap, a pale complexion, somewhat athletic-looking but otherwise very healthy. His resemblance to his father was striking, even down to the blue eyes – which Minerva knew were magical contact lenses that changed the color of his irises – although his father wore glasses. Harry's sister, Harper Evens, was slightly shorter than her brother, with dirty blonde hair, cut just below her shoulders and rosy cheeks. They hadn't changed too much since the Professor had previously seen them.
Now though, Minerva noted that Harry and the other boy they were with were wearing similar uniforms – some type of sports uniform – and both had bats and gloves in their hands. They were also both wearing those hats Harry loved which Minerva had to tell him more than once to take off in class. Harper was wearing normal clothes, but she had a dog on a leash with her.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked as they came up, looking shocked to see his British teacher in the United States.
"I came to personally give you your Hogwarts letters," Minerva explained. "Did you just finish a match?"
"Practice," Harry nodded. "The park is a few blocks away. Jon, this is Professor McGonagall, our transfiguration teacher. Professor this is our friend, Jon."
"Nice to meet you," Jon said with a smile and nod to the Professor. "I'll see you at the party later Harry. Happy birthday!"
"Thanks," Harry said with a smile as Jon gave a wave and ran up the street.
"Well, come on in," Harper said as she walked up to the house and used a key to open a door.
Minerva followed the two into the large empty house. She had been aware that the Americans went all out on their properties, so wasn't surprised at the size of the place, and had to smile at the family photos on the walls and shelves in the entrance hall. Harry, meanwhile, gave a wave and mumbled something about a quick shower before disappearing up the stairs. Harper had let the dog off the leash in the meanwhile, and then touched her wand to his collar. The professor was surprised by the dog's tail suddenly doubling and she realized she had been taken in by a Glamor Charm.
"Is the Glamor Charm in the collar?" Minerva asked her student.
"Technically the crystal in the collar acts as the charm," Harper said, indicating a small crystal that was disguised as a decoration in the collar. "Just need to push your wand to it and it turns it on and off. It's needed for owning a Crup to hide their second tail from muggles." Harper gave Lucy a pet. "Although nothing can be done about their natural dislike of Muggles," she sighed at this.
"Back home, we remove the second tail when they are puppies," McGonagall mused; she had never been fond of the practice but hadn't seen any other way. Maybe she would have to get one of these collars while here and see how they can be reproduced at home? Minerva did love animals after all – all animals – although was mostly fond of cats.
"That's a bit barbaric when there are non-surgical ways to hide the tail," Harper remarked with a frown, somewhat copying McGonagall own thoughts. "Do you want something to drink? We have juice, water, soda. Sorry, no butterbeer here. We do have rootbeer. I think they are similar…"
"Water would be perfectly acceptable," Minerva smiled politely as Harper led her into a kitchen, surprising her professor when the girl pushed a glass to the over-large refrigerator for it to produce water before she handed it to the Professor. Harper herself took some juice while Minerva was pleasantly surprised by the chilled, filtered, water.
A few moments later, Harry had rejoined them, his hair wet and in different clothes, obviously having jumped in and out of the shower to clean himself off and change. "Sorry about that," Harry said but Minerva gave a smile at it – she understood getting dirty after a practice.
"I quite understand," Minerva smiled politely. "Many a time when I was a student I had to clean off after a Quidditch practice."
"You played Quidditch in school?" Harper paused at this, simply unable to see her professor playing the sport.
"I was quite the player back in the day," Minerva nodded, but avoided Harry's eye at the conversation, knowing his dislike of the sport. "But that's all in the past now. Harry, it's unusual to see your hair, it's always hidden under that hat of yours," Minerva added to the boy.
"Well, still wet," Harry shrugged, sharing a look with Harper.
"Anyway, your Hogwarts letters," Minerva moved on, removing the two letters from her small handbag, and handing them to the pair. "I also want to remind you that since you are in 5th year Herbology and Astronomy classes due to your advanced knowledge on the subjects, you will be taking two OWLs this year."
"Is it not a bit concerning to you that we can take two of your advance tests from basically just our pre-schooling and two years of actual school?" Harry pointed out, voicing the professor's concerns.
"It honestly does," Minerva admitted, surprising Harry and Harper at this reveal. "I have been very impressed by your levels of knowledge – it's, in fact, another reason why I came here as I desire to look at some American schools. I plan on taking a tour of Ilvermorny." Both Harry and Harper groaned at that. "What?"
"Ilvermorny is not the school an average witch or wizard would go to," Harry said.
"Only Legacies get in," Harper added. "Those who family have been going for ages."
"Or anyone rich enough to buy their way in," Harry completed.
"A former student is headmaster there," Minerva pointed out, and Harry and Harper gave each other a look. That was unusual. Britain and America magical governments didn't have close relations anymore. Newt had immigrated over here long ago, and he had brought Barnaby Lee here. Barnaby a bit too… simple to realize the sour relationship between the countries. It seemed odd to hear about another immigration over here – and then to take charge of a school.
"Well, Ilvermorny, is the most like a British school," Harry voiced, shrugging it off.
"Which adds, do you think the only school in America run by a former Hogwarts student is really the best American school to visit to see the American education system?" Harper asked and Minerva had to concede that they had a point.
"There are around 50 magical school in this country," Harry pointed out, something their professor had not realized.
"Any you would suggest to visit?" Minerva asked.
"Well, if you want to stick to Massachusetts, there's the Salem School of Sorcery there," Harper stated.
"Our friend Jon, who you met, goes to Warren School of Charms in California," Harry added.
"Aurora School of Mystic Arts is also a pretty high-rated school. All the way in Alaska though. It's why we didn't even consider it," Harper said.
"Your mother, last year, said you were choosing between two schools," Minerva voiced, remembering when Cassidy Evans had told her the two children had to decide between their two choices if Harper was not accepted to Hogwarts. "What were they?"
"Keala Magic School," Harper said with a smirk. "It's in Hawaii on Aumakua – a completely magical island, hidden from the non-magical world. If you're going to spend some time in America, you should go check it out."
"As for the other one," Harry said, and then gave his sister a smile, "it's nearby. Let's show you. Harper, call for a cab."
Harper went over to the phone. Minerva had seen the muggle device in Muggle Studies before but had never seen a magical person use one before. Harper pushed a couple of buttons and after a moment, requested a cab be sent to this address.
"Come on," Harry said, grabbing something out of a drawer. "Cabs get here fast."
Harper took her keys and Minerva decided to follow her students outside. It was just after Harper locked the door that a yellow cab pulled up right to the front of their house.
"You might want to take a window seat," Harper commented, confusing Minerva as the three entered the cab.
The Hogwarts professor had been concerned it would be tight inside, but it was comfortable, and she figured there was must some type of spell on it. This was confirmed upon Harry's request to the driver.
"Where to?" The driver asked.
"Grand Canyon Academy of Magic," Harry said.
"No problem," the driver stated, and the cab was off.
Minerva had been on the Knight Bus – the United Kingdom's form of public transport for wizards and witches, which sped through towns, cities, and countryside at top speed – once or twice, and this ride was very similar to that. The cab ignored the traffic rules of the road as buildings, trees and poles had to jump out of the way of the car.
"Look out the window," Harper said after a while. "Slow down a bit, she's never seen the Grand Canyon before," she added to the driver, who compiled with the request.
Minerva looked outside, wondering why Harper wanted her to see so much; she was glad she did when she saw the giant canyon, a massive crack in the earth – there was good reason for it to be called the Grand Canyon. The crack was far bigger than anything McGonagall had ever seen, it was almost impossible to take in, and she couldn't believe how beautiful it was. The colors, the shape, the pure size…
"This is the only place I like flying my broom," Harry commented to Minerva, surprising the professor.
"Although it's a very long drop if you fall," Harper joked, and Harry laughed. Minerva turned for a moment to give them a warning glance. "It's a joke. There are special areas to fly brooms away from the sight of muggles. There are guards and protection spells in case of a fall, too."
"I have not been on a broom for a very long while, but I might have to fly around one of these areas," Minerva admitted as she turned back, but soon the cab came to a stop.
"I accept muggle money or wizarding coins," the driver commented; Minerva was surprised on that. In Britain no magical transport or shop accepted muggle money.
"I got it," Harry said, taking out some green notes which Minerva reasoned must have been muggle money. She had some money transferred to American wizarding money; it didn't look like that – although it seemed the American wizards preferred to use paper money over coinage. "Keep the change." Harry told the driver as he got out. Harper and Minerva following.
They were in front of what looked like a store to the professor that was in front of the edge of the cliffs. "There are some muggles around so act casual," Harper muttered to Minerva as they walked in. "Just going through." Harper called to a woman behind the counter as they came in.
The older woman gave a nod to Harper and Harry, then smiled at the two, letting them go through the back and out a back door. They were standing in front of the cliffs. Minerva was reminded of the Leaky Cauldron back in London – through it, a witch or wizard could access Diagon Alley, much like it seemed the Grand Canyon Academy could be accessed through this shop.
"Okay this is important, see the green flags?" Harry explained to his professor.
There were two greens flags right on the edge of the cliff, about a meter apart. "I see them," Minerva nodded.
"You have to jump between the flags," Harry said.
"Excuse me?" Minerva thought she had misheard her student.
"Like this," Harper explained, and ran and jumped right between the flags. Minerva was startled for a moment as Harper vanished from sight.
"Make sure to jump between the flags," Harry said as he followed his sister and jumped off the cliff.
Minerva stood there for a moment. She knew her two students didn't just commit suicide so there had to be some type of spell on the cliff. She took a breath and then followed her students – for a moment she was falling, and then she felt what could only be described as a hand or netting surrounding her, slowing her fall as, below, buildings seemed to appear as if from nowhere and, a moment later, she was on her feet on the dirt.
Instantly, Minerva eyes were directed upward; the canyon she was previously looking down on, she was now looking up at. Looking around, she noticed the buildings that had appeared seemed to be a small village, but she herself was in the grounds of what was clearly the school – the grand structure producing from the very rocks that made up the cliff.
"Well done, professor," Minerva's attention was drawn to her two students, who stood before her, smiling now.
"Follow us, we'll bring you to the headmaster's office," Harry added, and Minerva wondered for a moment why Harry and Harper felt so comfortable here as it was a lot more comfortable than two students should be, particularly as they had applied to this school but had not gone.
-Harry Potter-
Mato was in his office, looking over paperwork, when there was a knock on the door.
"Uncle Mato," a familiar voice called, and he smiled to himself.
"I didn't think you two had class today," Mato said, without looking up.
"Class?" An unfamiliar British voice spoke, forcing Mato to look up to see Harry and Harper were with an older woman in green robes and a pointed hat. "You two are taking classes here?"
"Summer classes, yes," Harper said with a nod. "In defense."
"Why?" Minerva asked, somewhat offended two Hogwarts students had chosen to take classes in the summer.
"You never sat through a class with Professor Q-Q-Q-Quirrel," Harry joked, making fun of their former teacher's stutter.
"Mr. Potter, it is not appropriate to make fun of people who stutter," Minerva pointed out, "particularly one who is now deceased."
"But it was fake stutter to hide the fact he had Voldemort on the back of his head," Harry defended, which their professor could not disagree with.
"Harry, Harper," Mato said, causing attention to come back to him. "Care to introduce me?"
"Uncle Mato, this is Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall, this is our Uncle Mato. He's headmaster here," Harper explained.
"Uncle?" Minerva asked, looking the two of them over and then a Mato. He did not look like either of them; his features were different, and his skin tone somewhat darker.
"Term of endearment," Mato explained, getting up from his desk to shake Minerva's hand. "I have been friends with Tim and Cassidy since we were all in this school together. And besides, Harper is my goddaughter." Mato put an arm around Harper who laughed. "And it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Professor McGonagall wants a tour of American Education," Harry explained.
"We brought her to you," Harper added.
"If you could spare a minute to talk to me and give me a tour of your school…?" Minerva added, realizing she was imposing without an appointment.
"For my favorite niece and nephew's favorite teacher, of course," Mato said. Minerva held her expression as she however raised an eyebrow to look at the two students, who seemed a bit embarrassed their uncle had revealed that. "When these two mentioned wanting to take some summer classes here I decided to make sure they didn't need anything else but defense. They gave you and their Charms teacher Professor Flitwick high praise – they called you two the best teachers in Hogwarts." Minerva tried not to smirk or look too pleased at this reveal. "Now, these two had to prove to me they were not falling behind in potions to not take a course there."
"We told you Professor Snape is not really a bad teacher," Harry pointed out
"He's just… unique," Harper completed.
"Well, that's the best explanation of Severus Snape I have ever heard," Minerva stated, knowing many students had a hard time with his style of teaching. She had tried many times for him to change, but the man was not having it.
"Why don't you two go to the dueling grounds and see if there is anyone there who can actually beat Harry?" Mato decided, and the gave a smirk. "Leave your teacher to me." Harry and Harper gave a nod as they ran out of the office.
"Dueling grounds?" Minerva asked.
"Supervised field for dueling," Mato explained. "Their defense course includes dueling instruction;. Harry is on a bit of a winning streak. No one has beaten him. Harper's the one who got the closest. Harry has a talent for defensive magic though Harper does not."
"Harper has a great talent in transfiguration that Harry does not," Minerva added as they walked now. "Harry is a good student, but it comes very easy to Harper. Considering the wand that choose her though, I am not surprised."
"I am assuming one of the main things you wish to see is how our junior schooling makes our education different?" Mato asked, to which Minerva gave a nod. "Considering Harry's party is later; I can't take you through every single course. But let me introduce you to our Transfigurations teachers."
"You have more than one?" Minerva asked.
"Of course," Mato said. "Some of the bigger schools could have up to 5 teachers for each course. With our class sizes, we find for Transfiguration two are enough. One takes the younger students to start them on spell casting and one is for the more advance courses. Right now, we have a summer school temporary teacher as well, since one of our normal teachers are away. Our advanced teacher is in. He loves his summer course. How about I introduce you?"
"That would be nice," Minerva said, and Mato led her out of his office and through the halls. The Hogwarts professor couldn't help but look inside some classrooms as they passed; doors were open and she briefly saw the magic they were practicing, passing what seemed to be a Charms class making paper birds fly and a herbology class growing vegetables.
They came to a room where there were no desks, however. The students were sitting on blankets on the floor and seemed to be mediating. There was a falcon sitting on a desk.
"Professor Tahatan," Mato spoke, and the falcon gave a soft call before it changed into a human male. He had a similar look to Mato only a lot older, somewhat closer to Minerva's age, short hair and an unusual tattoo on the side of his face. "This is Tahatan. He is actually one of the elders of our tribe. He's been teaching advance Transfiguration courses here longer than I have been alive. Tahatan, this is Professor Minerva McGonagall," Minerva was surprised Mato knew her first name. She had not mentioned it to him. "She is Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts."
"A pleasure," Tahatan said, bowing his head.
"She is interested in our schooling. I thought introducing her to you would be a good way for her to see the differences our countries pre-schooling has had on our education," Mato explained.
"Are you teaching them Animagus transformation?" Minerva had to ask as she saw one student's hand change into a paw and change back.
"I am," Tahatan said with a nod. "This is our summer Animagus training course."
"You do it the old fashion way. No relying on a potion," Minerva observed.
"Potion simplifies the process, indeed but doesn't allow them to feel the Transfiguration or really connect with their animal," Tahatan explained, which Minerva had to agree with – she had learned the old way herself. "We do use some Native American mediating techniques to help them find their animals and learn the transformation. Everyone here has a confirmed animal. They are just learning how to transform."
"I would love to teach my more advance students Animagus transformation," Minerva mused, knowing full well several students had done so behind her back and brewed the potion themselves regardless. "What ages are the students?" Some of the students seemed ready to graduate while others seemed younger.
"I take ages 13 to 18 into this class," Tahatan confirmed. "You are an Animagus yourself?" McGonagall gave a nod. "Would you show the class?"
"I'd be pleased," Minerva said and Tahatan got the class attention.
"We have a Transfiguration mistress here who has agreed to know us her Animagus form," Tahatan said. "Pay attention."
The student's eyes turned to Minerva, who easily transformed into a cat – the same cat that had once observed Petunia Dursley for a whole day. In this form, she walked around, jumped onto the desk before transforming back. The students applauded.
"Now, a lot of you have made good progress. I am sure we will be getting full transformations soon, but for now, you are dismissed. Remember, do not try the transformation without some supervision of an adult who knows what they are doing and could help you should you get stuck. Not until you are comfortable transforming and transforming back on your own," Tahatan implored.
"Yes professor," the student chorused as they slowly grabbed their supplies and left.
"I'll take Professor McGonagall from here," Tahatan told, Mato who gave a nod. "It's been very long since I have looked at the lower-level circulation. We recently hired a new Transfiguration teacher for our lower grades after our former one retired. I think she changed the curriculum, but it will be easy to look at her lesson plans. They should be on file in my office. If you would follow me."
With that, Minerva followed Tahatan out of the classroom while Mato excused himself back to his office. "I have heard a lot about Hogwarts. I have heard they have a great transfiguration teacher as well," Tahatan spoke. "They never said she was as beautiful as you."
"Thank you," Minerva voiced, blushing a little. "I never heard of your school before today, but the views impress me. Have you ever been to Britain?"
"I have never left the reservation," Tahatan admitted.
"Well, should you ever come. I would be honored to show you around Hogwarts. It's not at the bottom of a grand and beautiful canyon but it's beautiful in its own right," Minerva continued.
"I might take you up on that," Tahatan said as they arrived in his office and the American professor spent a moment looking through papers and then gave McGonagall a course catalogue to look over. He then brought out the lesson plans.
Minerva spent the next few hours looking through the lessons; the spells started the same, but the pre-schooling allowed them to go faster than her, students having ideas of what to do with their wands and words already, knowing the theory behind magic. By the middle to end of the fourth year, they were already done with everything she taught for OWLs.
The advanced course Tahatan taught impressed McGonagall; things she could only dream of teaching her students without taking on an apprentice. Animagus training was a yearly summer course and sometimes, if there was enough interest, during the normal school year as well. Then there were advanced transfigurations Minerva herself had not touched in years – including self-transformation. The Hogwarts professor remembered when a student had tried to perform a self-transformation into a Thunderbird and had instead became a Flobberworm and couldn't transform herself back. Another student had tried to help but turned her into a Puffskein. She wished she could offer these advanced classes, so that curious students could experiment safely.
"Part of me wonders why Harry and Harper are at our school," Minerva finally voiced, realizing that the education here was so different to Hogwarts, it made her school look like they were years behind.
"That's because we like it," she was shocked by the voice and looked up to see Harry and Harper standing at the door.
"Sorry to spy," Harry added, "but my birthday party is about to start, and we were wondering if you wanted to join?"
"I'd like that, indeed," Minerva confirmed with a nod and got up to follow them. She had a lot more questions about curriculum here, but they could wait. "Thank you, Tahatan." He gave her a nod and smile as he left with the two pre-teens.
-Harry Potter-
Harry's birthday was taking place in the creatures' reserve Cassidy ran; Harry had had his party there every year for as long as he could remember – even the year before they had a party there, but not on the day of his birthday, since he, Harper and Tim had gone to Diagon Alley that day. Today, Harry, Harper, and Minerva had arrived together with Mato.
Once there, Harry and Harper ran right into the arms of two older people they called 'grandma and grandpa', then they introduce the professor to their parents and grandparents before running off with friends who had already arrived; Minerva was surprised to see House Elves, small creatures that lived to serve their witch or wizard masters, wearing some type of uniform – Cassidy was paying one.
"Whose House Elves are they?" Minerva had to ask Cassidy, curious.
"No ones," Cassidy said. "House Elf slavery was outlawed by the 13th Amendment." This confused Minerva, who didn't know what Cassidy meant by amendment, but gave a nod of her head and wondered if she could ask Harry and Harper to make their history paper about this. Last year, both had handed in a history paper regarding different aspects of the American Revolution's magical side, and she had found it fascinating.
"So, could you explain a bit about how Harry ended up the owner of a magical sword?" Tim asked.
"What did they tell you?" Minerva asked now, suddenly on alert at this. Last year Harry, his sister and friend had taken up the Founders' Vault quest, and Gryffindor's task. During the task Harry had been chosen as the new owner of Godric Gryffindor sword.
"Well… just that some fellow students were in danger because they went into a forbidden corridor and they went to save them," Tim said, and Minerva almost had to sigh at the very small explanation the two had given their parents. She decided to go into further details – including telling the parents that their children were looking for the Founders' Vault.
"That does explain why they are so interested in Hogwarts," Tim mused, knowing Harper loved of hidden magical myths and legends.
"Should we confront them about this?" Cassidy asked, a little worried their children had not told them.
"Let them have their fun," Tim said dismissing it. "I doubt the Founders did anything that will actually kill someone looking for their Vaults – especially students. Besides, we got into a lot of trouble when we were their age and away at school and didn't tell our parents."
"Do not worry, I am keeping my eyes on them," Minerva assured, which relieved Cassidy a little bit.
"Minerva McGonagall?" She recognized the voice of Newt Scamander as she turned and smiled at the man. A younger teenager whom Minerva assumed was his grandson was with him, but the teenager ran off to talk to Harry instead. "Oh, it's very good to see you again."
"You too," Minerva said with a smile; the professor was younger than the old man, but the pair had run into each other several times over their lives. "I see you got your dream. A proper magical creatures reserve – not in your little briefcase," she stated, knowing the man had started out with an expanded briefcase containing a whole reserve inside.
"I have several of them," Newt said. "I'll give you a tour of this one, but first I want to hand the Birthday Boy his present. Harry!" Harry turned and ran towards Newt at the call, who took out a small package. "This is for you..."
"A dragon tooth bracelet like Harper?" Harry asked as she started unwrapping it. "No… this is a snake fang necklace."
"Horned Serpent technically," Newt explained. "Although I prefer its other names, such as Sisiutl. Did you really think I would give you and Harper the exact same present?"
"Considering I can talk to dragons, yes," Harry pointed out.
"You can talk to dragons?" Newt asked, turning to Cassidy. This was new to Minerva too, who frowned at this.
"I figured I would let him experiment on his own before you were told and took advantage of it," Cassidy joked, and Harry gave Harper a look. She was the only one who knew exactly how he got the power. Everyone else thought it was just a new power he had discovered he inherited from his father.
"This is cool. Thank you," Harry said, putting the necklace around his neck, giving Newt a hug before going back to his friends.
Minerva enjoyed the party; Newt had taken her on the tour he had promised, and she was impressed by the wide variety of creatures in the reserve. She had also been pleasantly surprised to see Barnaby Lee working there. She was also happy to see Harry's life had turned out better – glad, once again, someone else had taken Harry instead of those horrible Dursleys she had observed as a cat.
Once the party was over, Mato gave her a list of schools she had requested.
"We compete with them in sports a lot. Their headmasters and mistress are nice and willing to give you tours and you're welcome back to our school anytime," Mato explained. "Tahatan said he would give you another tour." Mato gave a smirk as he said this and left. Minerva ignored this as she looked to the list and tilted her head at 'Mount Rushmore Academy of Hidden Arts'. She would go see that one maybe next.
-Harry Potter-
It was late when Harry and Harper got home with their family, but the pair headed for Harry's room. "Don't stay up too late!" Cassidy called. She was bringing Boyd up the stairs and to bed, Tim was grabbing the TV remote.
Harry and Harper mumbled an 'okay' as they walked to the kitchen and towards Harry's downstairs room. "You think you will have another dream with them tonight?" Harper whispered; Harry turned back but Tim was watching TV now and Boyd and Cassidy were out of sight.
"Not a clue," Harry said. He didn't have his training sessions with his new mentors every night.
"And Godric Gryffindor will not tell you anything about the Vault?" Harper asked.
"He is very cryptic," Harry said of his dreams with Godric. "'You must pass our tests on your own. Your real life is not for my interference'." Harry quoted; Harper giggled. "Better than Arthur: 'As our names are down in history and myths so too will the name…'." He stopped as he saw what was standing on his bed, waiting for him.
"Harry Potter!" It was a House Elf; the most decrepit House Elf Harry had ever seen, with bulging green eyes, a long, pointed noise and large, bat-light ears. He was also wearing a pillowcase, with rips in for his arms and legs. "So long has Dobby wanted to meet you, sir! Such an honor it is…" he squeaked loudly.
"Um…." Harry said confused. "Thanks… did mom forget to pay the caterers or something?"
"Harry have you ever seen an American House Elf wear that?" Harper asked, bemused. "Or speak with a British accent? He must be from Britain."
"Yes, mistress," Dobby said now to the girl. "Dobby heard the great Harry Potter has a sister. Such an honor!"
"Not that I am not pleased to meet you," Harry said. "But is there a reason why you are here? In my bedroom? In America?"
"Oh, yes, sir, yes!" Dobby said, earnestly. "Dobby has come to tell you, sir… it is difficult, sir… Dobby wonders where to begin…."
"The beginning is always a good place to start," Harper spoke, leaning against a wall.
"My sister has a point. Why don't you just sit down and tell us why you're here?" Harry said.
"Sit down? Sit down?!" Dobby practically wailed at this. "Never… Never ever…!"
Harry gave Harper a look who shrugged, not understanding this behavior. "I'm sorry. You can stand if you want?" Harry decided.
"Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard before. Like an equal!" Dobby explained.
"You're in America now," Harry said, knowing a bit about house elf slavery in Britain. "We're different here and I don't mean to rush you, but me and my sister had some plans." Harry pointed towards a nearly finished model of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They had ordered a model of the school during the summer and had started building the main building. They planned on buying the other sets that could be connected to this one to make the whole castle eventually.
"It is Hogwarts I have come here to talk to you about," Dobby stated, quieter now. "Harry Potter is brave and bold. Dobby has heard you went up against He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named again last year and survived, but Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts this year!"
"I'm sorry?" Harry asked, confused.
"There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," whispered Dobby as he trembled. "Dobby has known for months. Harry Potter must not be put in danger. He is too important."
"Dobby, don't worry," Harper said quickly, taking a piece of paper off of Harry's desk. "See, we're going to Grand Canyon Academy of Magic." It was some of Harry's defense homework that had the name of the school on it. Harry played along.
"But… Dobby's masters…" Dobby started, seeming confused.
"We went to Hogwarts last year," Harper said, leaving out they were going back.
"Dobby is pleased Harry Potter will be safe," Dobby said with a small smile, and with a pop he had left.
"Should we have not tried to get more information about this plot?" Harry asked
"For all we know he's nuts," Harper shrugged. "Besides, if he heard his master talking about it he couldn't tell us any more anyway. He will probably have to punish himself for just coming here since it doesn't seem he has a good master." The two frowned at that, but then shrugged. They couldn't do anything to save the House Elf, after all – only his master giving him clothes would free him and let him speak his mind.
"Come on, let's continue," Harry said, a little shaken. "I want to get this section done before we go back," Harry went to grab some pieces of the castle facsimile.
Post Chapter Note: And there you have it. The beginning of year 2. Hope you like.
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Karry Master OUT!