Harry Potter and the Founders' Vault
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not owned by me, but the Founders' Vault idea is.
Note 1: I know I usually update on a Tuesday, but considering the theme of this chapter, I wanted this up this week because of Christmas so didn't want to delay it a whole week when my beta had this chapter edited by yesterday anyway. So, happy Wednesday haha.
Note 2: Also, a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope you all got what you wanted for Christmas and are looking forward to a better 2022.
Year 2: A Very Surprising Christmas
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, can you stay for a moment?" Professor McGonagall called out, surprising Harry and Harper, but they waited until everyone was out of the room anyway with class now over.
"Did we do something wrong?" Harry asked his Head of House.
"No, you two have been on your best behavior lately," Professor McGonagall smiled – and it was true; with the whole school still not comfortable with Harper, the four friends had decided to keep a low profile. "Plus, your grades in both this class and Defense Against the Dark Arts have been perfect. No, I was wondering if you two could do me a favor?"
"Sure," Harper said, confused and as their Professor took a package out of her desk draw. It was wrapped in very neat Christmas wrapping paper.
"This is for Tahatan," Professor McGonagall said, simply.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"I think he's a teacher at Grand Canyon Academy," Harper supplied before their Professor could, having heard the name before.
"He is," Professor McGonagall confirmed. "Their Transfiguration teacher, in fact. We met over the summer, and we have been staying in contact. The present is a little fragile and I don't trust an owl to take it so far. Could you two deliver it?"
"Not a problem," Harry said, smiling now and taking the box; part of him wondering what was in it, but he wouldn't ask or violate his teacher's privacy.
"Thank you. Five points for Gryffindor and Slytherin," Professor McGonagall smirked at this as the students made their leave.
Once they were out of the room, however, the two looked at each other. "What just happened there…?" Harry asked.
"I think we set our teacher up," Harper commented back with a shrug. "Go. Drop that off in your trunk, carefully, of course."
"Of course," Harry smirked.
"Helia is supposed to come tonight to take our trunks home. I'll go to Myrtle's bathroom and see if Mione and Neville have arrived yet," Harper concluded, to which Harry gave a nod and headed off in the direction of the Gryffindor Tower.
Harper, meanwhile, went the familiar path to the second-floor bathroom; Neville and Hermione were already waiting there, and she noticed the potion was no longer on the boil, but was now poured into a vial. "So, we're finally done with it?" Harper asked, with a smile.
"Yes. But we can't make heads or tails of the next clue," Hermione frowned, giving the book to Harper.
"Congratulations you have come far, but as for potions there is but one more. Fore, the recipe you seek is behind a painting of a knight of great honor," Harper voiced. "Not the best rhyme," Harper mused before looking up at her friend. "But… wait, aren't all knights honorable?"
"What knight has a painting here?" Neville asked. "Knights were mostly muggles."
"There were magical knights. I mean, long ago even wizards used swords and other weapons now classified as strictly muggle," Hermione pointed out thoughtfully.
"But as for being here, who knows? We'll ask Harry if he has any idea. Knights are more his thing," Harper added with a shrug. "Myrtle, Rowan, have a Merry Christmas."
"Thanks," the two ghosts said together, having been floating above the sinks, watching happily.
"Tell Harry I'll miss him," Myrtle spoke, fluttering her eyelashes as she said this. Harper raised her eyebrows at this.
-Harry Potter-
The next day the entire school had to board the Hogwarts Express as the school was closed over Christmas, after all. Harry and Harper only had their backpacks and Lucy with them, while Helia and Fawkes had both come to take their trunks back home while Harper had put Daisy in her carrier for the birds to bring her home, too.
Harry, Harper, Hermione, and Neville were sharing a compartment with Susan Bones and Ron Weasley – who decided to come and visit them. They had spent most of the journey playing card games and eating chocolate delivered by the Trolley Witch.
When they were leaving the train they wished Ron a Merry Christmas, and once on the platform, they wished Neville a Happy Christmas as he met with his grandmother. Then, they activated Lucy's glamor to hide her second tail before heading through the barrier and into the muggle world.
Monica and Wendell Granger were waiting for them and greeted them all to a hug. Wendell even went to pet Lucy, but she gave him a growl.
"Oh, sorry she's a crup," Harry said, forgetting that crups didn't like muggles, but he had taught her how to behavior around them. "Lucy, muggle," It was the command to tell her to be on her best.
"A crup?" Wendell asked as the adults led them out of the station to their car.
"They don't like anyone non-magic," Hermione informed her parents as her father put her trunk and the twos bags in the back.
"But Lucy is well trained," Harry reassured the two. "Don't pet her and she'll be good. I promise."
"Okay," Monica said, looking a little sad that she couldn't pet the dog, but the three kids and one crup crowded into the backseat of their car anyway.
Harry and Harper were a little nervous at first, since any time they had been in a car it had been on the opposite side of the road, but it was quickly easy to adapt to as they took in the various British locations and scenery around them. It wasn't like the Knight Bus took road laws into consideration, so that didn't count to them.
They were happy when they finally got to the Granger's house, though.
"I'll take the trunk and bags in," Wendell told Hermione as he opened the backdoor to the car to let them out. "Why don't you show your friends around, Hermy?"
"Thanks dad," Hermione said, as they got out and walked away from the car. "Well, this is my house," Hermione started; Harry and Harper shared a look as they took in the very normal-looking British house, detached, much like the ones around them. "We…"
"Oh look, it's Hermione Granger," a voice called, and Hermione groaned. A boy Harry and Harper could only describe as a human whale – he was wider sideways than he was head-to-toe – was walking towards them down the street with some friends. "And you have friends…? What did your parents do, rent friends for the day?" The whale-boy laughed along with his friends.
"Mione, who's the human whale?" Harry asked aloud, glaring at the boy as Lucy gave a growl herself.
"Just ignore him. It's not worth wasting a breath on a Dursley," Hermione said quietly, and Harper's mouth dropped opened as Harry's eyes narrowed.
"Dursley?" Harry asked, the whale boy frowning at him.
"Dudley Dursley, yeah. What of it?" the whale boy introduced himself.
"Oh wow," Harry breathed, stepping forward.
"If you have popcorn, now would be the time to get it out," Harper said, confusing Hermione.
"Are your parents Petunia and Vernon Dursley?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Dudley said, obviously confused as he frowned at Harry now.
"You have a stalker, Dud," one of Dudley friends said.
Harry ignored the friend and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, cousin," Harry said in false brightness as Hermione turned to Harper, but Harper was staying a step behind Harry, obviously ready to back him up should something happen.
"Cousin? I have no cousins," Dursley said. "My Aunt Marge is childless."
"My mom and your mom were sisters," Harry explained, lowering his hand, seeing Dudley wasn't going to take it. Lucy gave a growl. "I'm not surprised they didn't tell you about me though, the way they treated me for a week. By the way, this is Harper. Her dad and our moms are cousins." Harper gave a nod at the boy Harry introduced her to.
"Duddy-kins…?" It was a tall, thin woman with blonde hair much like the boy's, who's physical appearance looked somewhat like a horse. She was coming out of the house next to Hermione's own home. The woman gave Harry a look as she paused.
"Mom, he claims he's your sister's son!" Dudley said, going to his mother. His friends quickly dispersed now, seeing the drama about to unfold.
Petunia's eyes went wide, though. "No, we sent you to Tim…" Petunia muttered. "What are you doing back here?"
"Oh, don't worry Aunt Petunia, I am not here to see you," Harry said, with a very sweet tone. Hermione didn't know what to do but stand there and watch. "See, me and my sister here are spending the day with our friend Hermione before heading home for the holidays."
"The Granger girl?" Petunia asked, her eyes going to Hermione who took a step back. Hermione had never much liked her neighbors – Dudley had always been a bully to her, and his parents weren't much better.
"We met at school. You know the same one my parents went to," Harry said with emphasis, and Petunia's eyes widened, as she seemed to take a half-step back, but Harry was fast as he moved forward. He went up to Petunia and made it look like he was leaning in for a hug. "If your son and his friends continue to bully Hermione, I will handle them the way only my kind can. Got it?" Harry hissed to her through the fake-hug before stepping back and putting his hand to his wand in its holder. He lifted it slightly so only Petunia could see the wand. "Good to finally meet my mom's sister. Hope we understand each other?" Harry was back to being fake-sweet to his aunt.
"Dudley, leave them alone," Petunia said coolly, worried as she grabbed her son's arm, practically dragging him into the house next door.
Harry turned back to Hermione. "You shouldn't have any more problems from my cousin and aunt and uncle, but if you do, let me know," Harry said to Hermione.
"They are really your aunt and uncle?" Hermione asked, amazed.
"Unfortunately. Professor Dumbledore left me with them originally, but they sent me to mom and dad in America," Harry explained. "Afterward, I heard they moved to get away from any witch or wizard finding them. Seems they moved next to you."
"Small world," Hermione sighed, looking next door, finding it odd she lived next door to Harry's aunt and uncle.
"More like small country," Harper said, both turning to look at her. "What? That would never happen in America."
"It still could do, regardless of the country's size," Hermione spoke, almost distracted now. "England may seem small to you, but it is still huge in terms of population."
"Anyway, you were giving us a tour?" Harry asked as Hermione shook herself out of her reverie.
-Harry Potter-
The Grangers were very nice, and Wendell had a good laugh when Hermione told them the Dursleys were related to the Evans and at what Harry had done. The house was already decorated for Christmas with a real seven-foot pine tree with delicate decorations on, but there were a few last minutes things the trio offered to help set up. Then they spent the rest of the time watching Christmas movies and had a celebratory Christmas dinner with the family – even though it wasn't Christmas for another week.
It was after dinner when Harper looked at the time. "Har, we better get going. Dad will be arriving soon to pick us up," Harper reasoned.
"True," Harry said with a nod, a little sad to go. "Thank you for letting us spend the day."
"Anytime," Monica said happily. "Hermy said you missed the train at the beginning of this year?" The two looked away, a little embarrassed about that. "Come here the day before term starts. Spend the night and we'll take you to the train. It'll avoid any mishaps."
"Oh, that's a good idea," Harry said, the thought of spending more time with Hermione making him smile.
"Maybe next summer you can spend a couple of days here, too," Hermione added, excited at the prospect – and having a feeling Harry showing up here more would definitely keep Dudley away from her.
"We'll ask mom and dad," Harper said with a smile. "Want to exchange presents before we go?"
"Good idea," Hermione said with a smile, going to grab her presents from her trunk she had yet to unpack. She hadn't yet sent it to America yet, and this would save on needing to go to back to London and Diagon Alley to get an owl. She came back with two wrapped presents, while Harry and Harper each took a present out of their bags and then a third gift.
"For you two," Harry said of the third present, giving it to Monica and Wendell who seemed shocked but smiled when they opened it and saw a moving picture of Harry, Harper, and Hermione at Hogwarts.
Hermione gave them each their gifts as Harry and Harper gave her theirs. Hermione opened hers first. "What's this?" Hermione asked, seeing what looked like a snow globe with a Beauty and the Beast theme. The problem was, nothing happened when she shook it.
"You push your wand to it, and it will turn on," Harper said, the gift having been her idea. For Hermione's birthday, which had been right after term started, the two had given her a couple of books about Magical Disney and Harper had decided to continue with the Disney-themed gifts.
"Since you can't do magic outside of school I would look and see if this would count before doing it outside of Hogwarts…" Harry added. Harper frowned, having not thought of that before but Hermione gave her a hug regardless. "Open my gift, will you?" Harry added, urgently now. Hermione raised an eyebrow at this but opened it, regardless. It was a decent size book.
"A Guide to Magical Abilities," Hermione read aloud.
"You seemed impressed by our abilities," Harry explained; Hermione had asked them a lot of questions about speaking to snakes and dragons. "Just because you're muggle-born," he nodded to Monica and Wendell, "doesn't mean you haven't developed additional abilities – or will develop one."
"Thank you," Hermione said, looking at the first page. "There are even tests to see if you have any. It says not to try before you're 13. Better results at 15…"
"Hermione, you can read it later," Harper chuckled as she went to open her gift. There were two things in the wrapping: one was a book about magical snakes, and the other was a toy snake – a Runespoor; a magical snake, native to Africa with three heads. Harper gave a laugh and a smile. "Nice." Harper opened the book as she picked up the toy. The book had charmed pictures that moved and hissed. The publishers must have copied real snake hisses, but not knowing the language, to Harper's ears they were saying nonsense.
"Let me guess…" Harry said, opening his as he saw he had a dragon book and a toy dragon of a Norwegian Ridgeback. "Ah, a Norbert. Should send one of these to Hagrid." Harry voiced, remembering the year before when Hagrid confessed to having hatched a Norwegian Ridgeback in his hut. It was part of why Neville had ended up serving detention in the Forbidden Forest and had come across Voldemort there.
"I actually did send him a copy," Hermione said as Harry flipped through the book. It had the same problem of Harper's book as the book had charmed pictures to move and speak, but not knowing the language, these pictures were saying nonsense – but Harry loved it.
"Thanks, Mione," Harry said, giving her a hug, which Harper did as well. The two put their presents in their bags and Harry took out their portkey.
"Do we need to bring you anywhere to use that?" Monica asked.
"It's a legal portkey and you all know about the magical world, so just close the curtains," Harper said as Harry called Lucy over and grabbed her while Wendell and Monica closed the curtains so no one could come in as Harper took the other side of the portkey. The two said the word to activate the object and they were gone.
"I don't know if I will ever get use to that," Wendell sighed as Hermione gave him a smile, already starting to read the book Harry had given her.
-Harry Potter-
Tim had met them after they'd arrived at the British Embassy in America and got through customs before apparating them home.
"Before we go in, Harry can you take the color changing off your contacts?" Tim asked Harry, who was confused but did as his father wanted, changing the blue to his natural green. "Okay, we have someone for you to meet – he will be spending the holiday with us and probably more holidays in the future."
Harry and Harper looked at each other and shrugged as Tim opened the front door. Cassidy and Boyd were in the living room along with a man they didn't know. He looked ragged, his face slightly scarred and like he needed a good sleep, but otherwise quite pleasant as he stood up to greet the group.
"Oh my…" the man said as he stared at Harry – they noted the British accent, "if I didn't know better, I would think James had walked into the room. But those eyes… those really are Lily's eyes."
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Harry asked.
"I almost wasn't expecting the American accent," he added, but gave a smile, "but I should have, I guess."
"This is Remus Lupin," Tim introduced. "We decided to reach out to him – we figured it was about time."
"Oh, wow," Harry said, knowing instantly who Remus Lupin was to him and his own family, not sure if he should go and hug the man or not, but after a moment's hesitation, and a push from Harper, he went and did so Remus seemed surprised but returned the hug. After they broke apart, Harry gave a smile. "You have to tell me everything about my father and mother. Hagrid likes recounting stories and sometimes I can get a teacher to tell me something, but you were his best friend. You have to know so much!"
"I've got a story or two," Remus said with a small smirk.
"Should I call you Uncle Remus?" Harry now asked, honestly curious.
"No, you don't need to," Remus said, shaking his head.
"But just calling you Remus would be weird and I can't call you Mr. Lupin," Harry pointed out.
"What about that nickname? The one all four members of your father's group of friends had?" Harper suggested.
"Moony," Remus said with a small smile "You can call me Moony, if you want."
-Harry Potter-
Harry and Harper's grandparents, Annika, and Lewis Janeway, had arrived on the morning of Christmas Eve and now the house was packed with Remus, Annika, and Lewis all staying there, but no one cared.
Christmas Day started out normally enough though, with everyone opening their presents; Harry and Harper had received the next set in their build of Hogwarts model they were working on and several other presents including some fun spell books, comic books and toys for Harper, too, and baseball cards and a new bat for Harry. The two were surprised that, not only did Fred and George send them gifts but Molly Weasley had sent them a handknitted sweater each, maroon for Harry and green for Harper, while Ron sent Harper a Hippogriff stuffed animal and Harry, a book on chess strategy with a note saying that Harry could beat him if he studied. The pair hadn't sent Ron anything, so they decided they needed to go shopping before the holiday was over to get him something. Their other British friends had sent gifts as well, such as Tracey and Susan. Hedwig had delivered all their gifts to their friends before flying back to America – she was exhausted now.
It was around noon when Harry was going over a defensive spell book Remus had given him when Newt came in with his son Rolf and Barnaby Lee. What made everyone pause was that they were all carrying containers that clearly held creatures.
"Newt, what's going on?" Cassidy asked.
"Well," Newt said as the three put their many containers on the floor – there was a spell on them so no one should see what was inside, but Harper had an idea as she heard whispered voices coming from them. Newt waved his wand, and all the containers were revealed to have snakes in them.
"Newt!" Cassidy called, standing now. She may own and run a magical creatures reserve, but there was a limit on when and where said creatures could appear at home.
"Harper is a Parselmouth. I think she should test this ability," Newt explained as Harper's mouth dropped open. Barnaby and Rolf had been carrying two containers each and Newt only had one, meaning they had brought five snakes.
There was a Horned serpent – or as Newt liked to call it a Sisiutli – that was hissing death threats from its own container; then there was a Boomslang too, while the last three were an Adder, Black Mamba, and a Boa Constrictor. The cases didn't seem big enough and Harper suspected there was a spell on the inside to let the snakes fit in comfortably. It was a Newt's specialty, containment magic, after all.
"I will kill you old man for containing me…" the large Horned Serpent hissed from its container.
"Hey," Harper said out loud, causing all the snakes' eyes turned to her. "No one is killing anyone. You got that?"
"Speaker!" all the snakes seemed to say at once, but then all the snakes started talking, making it impossible for Harper to tell who was talking or what they were now saying.
"One at a time!" Harper demanded of them.
"Oh, this is brilliant!" Newt said, excitedly, making eyes go to him.
"How is she a Parselmouth?" Remus asked; he seemed paler than usual at this reveal.
"Dumbledore thinks she developed the ability naturally by her magic growing. He says it happens with muggle-borns and their kids," Harry explained.
"Why aren't I one?" Boyd asked, frowning now.
"Because when abilities develop naturally, siblings don't necessarily develop the same abilities," Mato explained, coming into the room, and clearly hearing the end of the conversation. "Harper takes after Tim when it comes to magical abilities, while you, Boyd, take after Cassidy. Your magical cores are completely different. If you develop a magical ability, it will be different to Harper's." Boyd gave a frown but turned back to his presents now.
"Newt, we're going to have a full house. Take those snakes back," Cassidy said, greeting Mato now, but then paused. Harper was already sitting in front of the cases talking to the snakes and Harry had sat beside her, watching the snakes interact to Harper's hissing. Newt and Rolf gave Cassidy a look. "Okay then. An hour, and then they go back."
"Got it," Newt promised. "Harry, eventually I will take you to a Dragon Sanctuary to test your dragon speech. Snakes are a lot easier to take places, of course," Harry gave a smile and nod. He had talked to the few dragons in the local Sanctuary, but it would be nice to go to a place with a lot more dragons. Harry then turned to look at Remus – he could give away that Harry didn't inherit this power from his father, but the man didn't seem to comment on Harry's ability, which Harry was thankful for. Remus seemed in shock anyway.
After an hour later, Newt had kept his promise and had the snakes sent back.
"Thank you, Newt," Harper said, giving him a hug. It had been interesting to talk to all those snakes and calming the Horned Serpent down from his aggressive state.
"If you want one of the snakes, let me know. A Parselmouth can handle even the most dangerous ones," Newt explained.
"Newt…" Cassidy warned, to chuckles from everyone.
"Hey, Newt, has Dumbledore been in contact with you about the beast from the Chamber of Secrets?" Harry asked while Rolf and Barnaby took the snakes out of the house.
Eyes turned to Newt at this, all curious too.
"He has," Newt said with a nod. "I sent him a list of known creatures who could live this long and do this. It's not a long list, however."
"What about a Basilisk?" Harry asked, and Harper turned to look at her brother.
"A voice only you can hear, and Basilisks live a long time. I mean, it's possible. How it's getting around the castle though…" Harry frowned at this, unsure how a giant snake could get around the castle without being seen.
"Definitely could be, since it could hibernate in-between the Chamber's openings, but the Basilisks stare kills, not petrifies," Newt pointed out. "The last I talked to Dumbledore, he was starting to think the beast of the Chamber was, in fact, a curse that the heir of Slytherin could control. Apparently one of those Cursed Vaults did something similar a few years back."
"My 6th year," Barnaby supplied with a smile, coming back in with Rolf, both now snake-free.
"Dumbledore was even asking Gringotts to send the curse breaker who took out the Cursed Vaults while in school to investigate," Newt supplied.
"MC," Barnaby said, his smile growing bigger.
"What did happen the last time the Chamber was opened?" Harper asked.
"Newt…" Cassidy said quickly, in warning. Newt had told Cassidy and Tim before, after all.
"They have a right to know, Cass," Newt sighed, and Tim agreed. Cassidy's eyes narrowed, but she remained quiet for now. "It started a lot like now; students, muggle-borns, were petrified, but then a student was killed – in a bathroom, I believe. The school was going to be closed down because of it, but then some… student," Newt paused at this, obviously choosing his words carefully, "claimed he caught the culprit and scared the creature away. With no more attacks, the student was expelled, but with no proof he actually did anything, Dumbledore stepped in and stopped the culprit from going to jail. He gave him a job, in fact."
"Hagrid," Harry and Harper said together.
"Wow. You two are fast," Newt said with a grin as Barnaby seemed confused and Remus raised an eyebrow. "I have spoken to Hagrid about it since – it's not a topic he likes, but he never stepped foot in the Chamber of Secrets. The creature Tom scared away was an acromantula, anyway."
"A giant talking spider," Harry groaned, knowing of Hagrid's love of insane magical creatures.
"Hagrid was raising it in the school. Not the best choice in the world but definitely not the Creature of the Chamber," Newt said.
"Then why did the attacks stop?" Harper asked.
"The best guess is that the heir of Slytherin was just trying to scare muggle-borns out of the school. When what he was doing killed someone, he stopped and sealed the Chamber, letting Hagrid take the blame," Newt said.
"Then it's possible–" Harper started
"It's time for dinner," Cassidy interrupted abruptly, deciding to end this conversation, and Newt and Harper sighed, but knew better than to try to talk more on the Chamber of Secrets now.
-Harry Potter-
The day after Christmas, Harry, Harper, and Remus were at the grounds of the Grand Canyon Academy. Harry and Harper had taken Remus to some of the local sights too and had also gone shopping for a present for Ron Weasley. They had ended up buying two books; one about wand making and the other about magical wand cores and woods to use in wand making; after all, they had to be better books than the ones Ron had taken out of the school's library. They had also asked to use Helia to send the presents to Ron, so he would get them as soon as possible, rather than wait on Hedwig.
Mato had then asked them to come to the Academy, so they were showing Remus the school too, the man fascinated by another wizarding school, having only ever attended or known Hogwarts.
"Thanks for coming," Mato was now saying to the siblings.
"Honestly, getting out of the house was nice," Harper said.
"Mom and dad are fighting," Harry supplied.
"About?" Mato asked.
"Mom wants to take us out of Hogwarts," Harper sighed.
"Due to the Chamber," Harry explained. "After Newt's discussion on who opened the Chamber last time…"
"Mom got annoyed. She wants us to come here for normal school terms, but we want to stay at Hogwarts," Harper continued.
"And dad is saying that if we want to stay there, we should," Harper said, but Mato didn't comment on any of this. He only frowned.
"Okay you two. Come on," Mato said, surprising them and leading them from his office and through the halls; Remus was busy elsewhere in the school.
"Oh, we have to give a present to Tahatan," Harry said. They had brought Professor McGonagall's gift for the man with them, so Mato stopped at the Transfiguration teacher's office to see that he was in for a few hours. It was lucky, too, as Remus was in with him. Harry gave the teacher the gift and Tahatan gave him one to give to their Transfiguration Professor in return, asking them to be careful because it, too, was fragile. The two shared a look but said no more as Mato lead them off already, Remus deciding to follow.
"Wait, is this the raw magical ability test room?" Harper asked when they reached their apparent destination.
"We check our students every once in a while, to see if they are advancing in power," Mato responded, leading them into the room.
"I am sorry, what test?" Remus asked.
"Raw Magical Power," Harry said. "It's a test we took in Junior Magic School. It tests your magical power on a scale of zero to ten."
"Zeros are muggles or Squibs," Harper supplied.
"One to four have magical powers, but not powerful enough to go to magical schools. These are some of those too-good-to-believe magicians. Some are muggle psychics. Their children, sometimes, head to magical schools, as their powers are greater," Harry explained.
"Five to seven are normal wizards and witches," Harper continued.
"And anything above a seven is most powerful. Very rare to get there," Harry said.
"We believe Lord Voldemort was an Eight or Nine, at least," Mato stated, Remus shuddering at the name – the Headmaster forgetting that the Dark Lord's name was taboo in the United Kingdom. "Professor Dumbledore has to be a Nine, though," Mato added, realizing Remus's reaction to Voldemort's name, so changing tact quickly.
"So, what did you two test as?" Remus asked the children.
"We don't know," Harry and Harper said together.
"We took a test a few years ago," Harry added to this.
"But Mato never shared the results with us," Harper added, giving the Headmaster a look.
"These tests are only a metric, given to the schools they apply to," Mato explained. "It's kept secret to not discourage people who might score low or inflate egos of people who score high. Especially since some fours can do spells and grow into a five so they do sometimes get accepted into magic schools, but if anyone knew they scored a four…"
"I understand," Remus said with a nod, knowing how nasty children could be at school. It was one of his regrets to be associated with some of those types back in his Hogwarts days.
"I want to test you two," Mato stated to Harry and Harper.
The siblings looked at each other but shrugged. "Ladies first," Harry indicated.
"Oh, such a gentleman," Harper teased, going over to the middle of the room, where, what looked like a very old crooked wand sat on a spindly table. Remus was momentarily reminded of the Sorting Ceremony as Harper picked up the wand, but nothing seemed to happen.
"Continue until you're tired," Mato said, surprising Remus as he couldn't see anything happening from Harper or the wand.
"I remember," Harper stated quietly, wincing now as her hand twitched on the wand. A few moments later though, she dropped the wand back onto the table and backed away. A second later, the wand itself flew up, produced a small piece of paper, and then settled back down onto the table. Mato moved toward and took the paper before pocketing it.
"Sit down Harper, grab some chocolate," Mato said, directing Harper to a seat now as he magicked a bar of chocolate for her. "Harry, go for it," Mato now added as Harper took a seat on the other side and grabbed the chocolate bar as Harry moved forward and repeated what Harper had done until he, too, was tired. He stepped away from the stool and ancient wand, and then sat beside Harper, taking a chocolate of his own. Mato moved forward and grabbed the second piece of paper the wand had produced for Harry.
"Now, you two rest up here and take Remus to my house later, I want to have a word with him about something," he gave Remus a knowing look at this as he headed to the door. "I'll see you later."
"Okay," the two children stated wearily as Mato headed for the door.
"Mato," Remus called quietly, following him out anyway. "Those results… they aren't average, are they?" he asked, out of Harry and Harper's earshot now.
"Nothing about those two are average," Mato chuckled. "I need a word with Cassidy and Tim. Please, keep them busy," Remus gave a nod as Mato hurried away.
-Harry Potter-
Mato arrived at the Evans' house to hear the argument still going strong – it seemed Cassidy and Tim were still going at it – and upon entering the property, it was to find Annika, Lewis, and Boyd were not there, so Mato assumed the grandparents had taken the young boy out to avoid hearing his parents fight.
"I simply can't believe…!" Cassidy was saying, but then paused at seeing Mato.
"I've got information," Mato said simply, both parents having fallen silent at his presence. "And I believe this is important for this fight."
"We're not fighting, we're having a lively debate," Cassidy stated, quickly.
"I've known you two too long for that lie," Mato couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, what is it?" Tim snapped, likely assuming Mato would agree with Cassidy to transfer the children to Grand Canyon Academy permanently.
"I had Harper and Harry take another raw magical ability test," Mato explained, ignoring Tim's attitude. "Now, as you know Five to Seven is average. I am a Six, Cassidy you're probably a Six as well. Tim, last you were checked you were a Seven. Boyd, for reference right now, is probably a Five which is normal for his age."
"Okay," Cassidy said, not sure where this was going.
"Harper and Harry, when they were tested before school were both Sevens," Mato said, taking the tests out of the folders he was now carrying to prove it. He could see the adults surprise at that reveal. "Now they are both Eights…" Mato showed the new test, "nearly both Nine."
"So…?" Tim asked, shocked his children were now so powerful. "Wizards and witches go up as they practice magic."
"Not this fast," Mato explained. "Something else is at play here. Whether they realize it or not, the two have let something in to help them, something connected to their magical cores and unlocking their hidden potential faster than natural. Something at Hogwarts is doing this and they welcomed it. If they are taken away from it without their consent, their magic could go backwards. In fact, it could damage their magical cores so much they might not be able to practice magic. I'm sorry, Cassidy, but Harry and Harper can take as many classes as they want in the summer here, but I cannot in good conscious accept them as transfers. They need to go back to Hogwarts."
"Then the matter is settled. I am taking them back to Hogwarts at the start of term," Tim said, and Cassidy sighed.
"Fine," Cassidy stated, deflating. She wanted them away from the danger of this Chamber of Secrets, but if she took them away from Hogwarts and their magical cores were damaged, she would forever blame herself.
-Harry Potter-
Professor Dumbledore sat in his office. The Christmas break hadn't been pleasant for the staff of Hogwarts – the Ministry's Aurors had searched the entire castle, top to bottom, had gone through everything, but like with every other search for the Chamber of Secrets, nothing had been found. The Headmaster and his teachers had added more protective charms and wards to the castle to get ready for the students to come back, however, but even now Professor Dumbledore wondered how many parents would send their children back from the Christmas holidays with the threat unsolved.
A noise of some of his objects falling over alerted his attention.
"Sickleworth!" the familiar voice snapped that brought a smile to the Headmaster's face as, standing in his office was none other than Mallory Crusher, the Curse Breaker of Hogwarts herself. The Headmaster knew he could have asked Curse Breakers with more experience, but over her years at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore had seen Mallory Crusher's extraordinary talent and heard that it had continued onto her job with Gringotts, so had asked for her help specifically. "Sorry about him," Mallory directed this comment at Professor Dumbledore as the older Niffler came to its owner and Mallory picked him up, "he's never been fond of the Floo Network, but it was the quickest way to get here from Professor McGonagall's office."
"Oh, that's quite alright, Ms. Crusher," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile, looking at his former student. The young girl had grown into a woman over the years – she had long, dark, red hair and blue eyes with pale skin. She always wore glasses and was wearing trousers and a short sleeve shirt with a jacket around her waist. "I always found it very touching you decided to take in the Niffler of the woman who betrayed you."
"Well, she might have been evil, but he wasn't," Mallory said, holding up Sickleworth. "Besides, we bonded long before Rakepick showed her true colors. And what with Ben Copper going rogue, I wasn't going to let him suffer because of them."
"Very true. Well, then?" the Headmaster asked after a moment. It was the day before spring term started and it was time for Mallory Crusher to give her own report.
"Well, I looked over the petrified students and the cat and investigated around the entire castle. I used every method of curse finding I have learned, and even ones Bill and I made," Mallory started. "And there are some… weird things in this castle, but what else is new? I am 95 percent certain I proved the Defense Against the Dark Arts position is cursed, but there is nothing that would cause this new strain petrification. Besides, the petrified students don't show signs of a lingering curse, so whatever did this is not a curse. I'm sorry Headmaster."
"Ah, it was worth a try," Professor Dumbledore sighed, "and please Ms. Crusher, you're not a student anymore. You may call me Albus," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile.
"That will take some getting use," Mallory chuckled. "In that case, please, it's either MC or Mallory. With the last name Crusher, well…"
"I will remember," Albus chuckled. "I thank you for coming."
"Well, you can thank Gringotts for agreeing to let me come. Without their permission I couldn't," Mallory stated.
"I have heard they are very impressed by you," Albus said, a twinkle in his eyes. "Do you have any plans while you're back home?"
"Not really. I am the last person my mom would want to see," Mallory said with a frown, but Albus decided not to pry. Mallory had never gone home during holidays here and never got letters from her mother, while her father was a complete unknown. "And with my brother in Azkaban…"
"Well yes, the less said about poor Jacob, the better," Albus sighed; when Mallory had been in school she had been obsessed with finding her brother, Jacob. The relationship with them had always seemed close, but that had all turned south when Jacob ended up in the wizarding prison last year. "What about any friends? If memory serves, you had quite a lot."
"They're scattered across the world now," Mallory explained. "But I heard Chiara and Penny got a place in Hogsmead so I am going to go drop in and say hello before heading back to Egypt. Bill is waiting for me."
"You and Mr. Weasley are a good pair," Albus smiled. "And know, you are always welcome here at Hogwarts. Please, let me walk you out."
"Thank you," Mallory said as Albus lead her to the door of his office. "I'd offer to try to break the curse on the Defense position but considering who you have teaching it, I'll leave it in place for now…" Mallory added; Albus tried not laugh but couldn't help but chuckle anyway.
-Harry Potter-
Tim and Remus had brought Harry and Harper back to England the night before term started and dropped them off at the Grangers. Tim and Wendell had traded phone numbers so they could arrange the next school year's bringing of Harry and Harper to them early. Tim thanked the Grangers before he and Remus left.
The train ride back to Hogwarts had been uneventful, apart from meeting back up with Neville, and Ron coming to thank them for the books. When they got back to Hogwarts though, Harry and Harper smiled at the feeling of welcoming they felt from the castle. They had grown to enjoy this feeling and missed it when they were away from it.
Professor Dumbledore had made an announcement at the Welcome Back Feast, announcing that nothing had been found but new protections had been put in place, and then everyone went off to bed. Harry had made sure to drop off Tahatan's gift for Professor McGonagall, though, before he headed to the Gryffindor Common Room.
The next morning Harry woke late, figuring he was the last one asleep. Ron and Seamus were already out of the room and Dean was sitting at the window, looking out at the grounds through the glass.
"Hey Dean, we better go get breakfast or we'll be late for class," Harry yawned, looking at the time and noticing he had overslept. Hermione, Neville, and Harper had all written to him in his notebook asking where he was. He quickly wrote back to all three he was on his way.
"Dean, come on," Harry added, noticing Dean hadn't moved and so took a pillow and threw it at the boy, but Dean didn't react to catch the pillow or throw it back.
"Dean…?" Harry asked, now less in a hurry and more concerned as he slowly went to the boy and put a hand on his shoulder, but Dean still didn't react. Harry now tilted his head, so he was looking at Dean's face, noticing he wasn't moving at all. Dean's eyes were narrowed, as if curiously looking at something Harry couldn't see, but otherwise he was stiff as a board.
"Oh no..." Harry mumbled, realizing that Dean had been petrified.
Post Chapter Note: Poor Dean! Another petrification. I hope you liked this chapter – much longer than the previous ones. And once again, a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
Karry Master OUT!