Harry gently removed the hat and strode confidently towards the table of green and silver. The hall was utterly silent, until finally the Headmaster, new as he was, collected his wits and began to applaud. This spurred the rest of the staff into action and they began to applaud as well, though one, Professor Snape, looked as if he were going to be ill. Potter was in his house. He just knew there would be no shortage of secretive hijinks that he would have to curb if he desired to have any peace within his house. It was probably for the best that Potter's status as King was not to be announced until the end of the feast.
With a shake of his head to clear the wool gathering, Severus returned his attention to the sorting just in time to hear the last one go into Ravenclaw. A chorus of polite applause guided the young man to his seat amongst the eagles as Fillius stepped up to the dais to give his opening speech.
"Welcome Students to Hogwarts. I am the newly appointed headmaster,Professor Flitwick. Professor Dumbledore, our previous head, has found himself in legal trouble that no longer allows him to act in his former capacity. More on that will be revealed after the feast. For now, let us eat our fill and get to know the ones around us. They are your fellow students and housemates. Let the feast begin."
Harry immediately began preparing himself a plate of roasted duck in plum sauce with numerous veggies on the side. He found that his appetite was rather large for his age, likely in an effort to correct the years of unintentional mistreatment at his relatives' hands. He made small talk with his fellow first year slytherins save for Ms.Parkinson, who just turned her nose up and sniffed anytime he attempted to address her. Blaise Zabini was quite the entertaining enigma. He spoke freely enough but Harry sensed the boy was hiding something, even as he spoke of how his home compared to Hogwarts when it came to food. Hogwarts appeared to be a great deal more satisfying, though Blaise would never tell his own elves that, for fear of a mass panicky desire to punish themselves. He also spent some time discussing the blatant favoritism shown by teachers to certain houses with a couple of second years. Harry vowed to himself to address that immediately. As the food disappeared, replaced with the dessert course, Harry once again filled his plate with all matter of delicacies, attempting still to sate his voracious appetite.He was particularly fond of the treacle tart and ended up eating four slices himself.
As the tables once again cleared, Professor Flitwick resumed his place on the dais and prepared to speak.
"Well then, now that we have all soothed the savage beasts of our hunger, please allow me to address some changes our returning students have no doubt already noticed. Beginning with my elevation to Headmaster. Earlier today, it was announced before the Wizengamot that a new King has risen to the throne of Avalon. Our new king immediately ordered the arrests of several Wizengamot members, including Minister Fudge and Chief Warlock Dumbledore. As this obviously meant that Dumbledore was no longer able to act as headmaster and as the King also happens to be the founder's heir, giving him control over the castle and all its inhabitants, the King has appointed me to the post. The two of us as well as my selected Deputy Head, Professor Vector, share control of the wards. On top of appointing me to the post of Headmaster, the King has made some staffing changes. Effective immediately, Professor Binns and Caretaker Filch have both been released from their positions within the castle. Professor Silvanus Kettleburn has decided to retire and his post shall be taken by Rubeus Hagrid beginning next year. In the meantime, Professor Grubbly Plank will be filling in. History shall now be taught by newly appointed Professor Florean Fortescue. I will continue to teach charms this year as I seek a replacement for the next year. The new head of Ravenclaw House is Professor Bathsheba Babbling. Now I would like to allow our newly anointed King to say a few words. Please show him the proper reverence. Presenting King Hadrian James Charlus Michael Arturo Potter Gryffindor Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Slytherin LeFay Emrys Pendragon." Flitwick finished with a bow as once again the great hall was stunned into silence, none more so than the Slytherin table, where the newly revealed King was slowly rising to his feet and making his way back up to the dais. As one, the entire great hall rose and bowed towards their king. Harry smiled and with a soft voice that carried out over the silent room began to speak.
"Thank you, Professor. Your excellent summary of today's events assures me I made the correct choice for Headmaster." he said before turning to face the stunned students. "My comments will be brief. I did not seek the throne or the crown I now bear. Mere weeks ago I was simply another first year student, going to gather his Hogwarts supplies. However, upon completing the inheritance rites that all eleven year old children must endure I was declared King. And a Lord many times over. Since then it has been a whirlwind of training in temporal rooms and learning all I needed to know in order to rule. And with that comes responsibility. To the Professors I say, there will be no more favoritism lest I become displeased. Points are to be awarded and taken in a fair and even manner. I will be watching. To the students… I lost my chance at being a child. So now I beseech you all… treat me as you would an ordinary boy. Allow me these few months out of the year to be just another student. Treat me not as a king who is above you but as a boy of eleven, fascinated by the world of magic he now finds himself in. I was raised muggle. I am no haughty pureblood. I hold no opinions on blood purity as a measure of power. Treat me as one of you and allow me to prove myself worthy of the crown I bear. Be my friends and my confidants. I want no special treatment. Do not bow and scrape but joke and jest with me instead. Let me be just Harry for a little longer, I beg you."
It started at the Slytherin table but soon the wave of applause was roaring around the Great hall. Calls of Long live the King rang out across the room as his fellow students all realized that at his heart, Harry was humble. Professor Snape was actually smiling as he saw the cunning behind Hadrian's speech. By doing what he did, he showed that he was above the masses but made it appear as if he was reluctant to act as such. And by ordering the end to the rampant favoritism amongst the professors, he showed that he was willing to fight against those who had power over him for what was right. It was a masterfully done show of his own power. Perhaps the brat was a true Slytherin after all.
Meanwhile, four students once again could think of only one thing. The boy at the front of the great hall made their instincts scream to protect him.Here was their mate. They sensed each other as well and with a few glances that spoke more than words ever could agreed to work together to watch over their young mate until he reached his second maturity and his awakening.
Once the applause died down, the students were dismissed to their dormitories. Harry and his fellow first year snakes were led down into the maze of dungeons, turning in a seemingly random manner and often doubling back. Finally, they stopped at a bare section of wall. The prefect who had led them spoke a password and the wall opened into an extravagantly furnished common room and the first years were made to gather on a soft carpet in front of a roaring fireplace.
"Alright you lot, listen up. I'm Icarus Zedler and I'm the seventh year prefect in charge of making sure you all know the house rules. First and foremost, outside these walls we present a united front. We in Slytherin get a bad rap from day one so look out for one another. Second, between the hours of four and six, we work on our school work. After supper is more relaxed but school work comes before pleasure. Anyone caught slacking will find themselves serving a lot of detentions with our head of house, Professor Snape. Curfew is strictly observed as well. For firsties, that's nine o'clock. Third, all students will have a physical check up with Madame Pomfrey, starting with you lot tomorrow before breakfast. Nothing serious. Just a baseline health check to make sure you all are as healthy as possible. Anyone put on a potion regime will get their potions directly from Professor Snape at meals as needed. Finally, Professor Snape will be meeting with each of you individually to discuss how he can best help you acclimate to life at Hogwarts. Expect to be called to his office within the next few days. The password is the same as the common room: Asphodel. Now, firsties off to bed. Ladies to the left. Boys, the right. Classes begin tomorrow and you all need your rest."
Harry and three other boys quickly took the hallway to the first year dorm and entered. Inside were four beds, one for each of them. Harry found his trunk and immediately flopped on the adjacent bed.
"So obviously you all know who I am" he said with a grin, "But might I know your names."
"Theodore Nott."
"Blaise Zabini"
"Eridanus Black"
Each boy introduced himself, none of them able to resist giving a small bow as they did so.
"Black? Any relation to Sirius Black?" Harry questioned the final boy, a slim, shaggy haired lad.
"He's my father, though I have never met him, seeing as he's been in Azkaban all my life.Why do you ask,Your Grace?"
"None of that. All of you. Here and now I'm just Harry. And I ask because he's my god father, which makes you my god brother. Also, your father is no longer in Azkaban. I found proof of his innocence and immediately had some of my personal guards go and rescue him. He's currently being seen by the finest healers St. Mungos has. I hope to live with him at least part time during the summer. I guess that means I'll be living with you too, seeing as he's your dad and all."
Eridanus was stunned. His dad was innocent. And free. Did Aunty Andromeda know yet? Or Aunty Narcissa? And did this mean maybe Aunty Bellatrix was innocent too? It was too much for him to process, so he just stood there, jaw hanging open. One question was above all others.
"When can I meet him? When can I meet my Father?" he beseeched, longing clear in his voice.
Harry smiled at his newly discovered god brother, knowing all to well the longing he must be feeling. Their lives had not been that different after all. one had grown up treated as mud and unwanted, the result of heinous spells. The other had grown up shunned because of what his father was believed to have done. Accepted and loved only by family, while being shunned by the rest of wizarding society. Neither boy had experienced an easy childhood.
"We will visit him as soon as he is well enough, brother. He would not wish us to see him as he is currently. Patience, brother, your father will soon be returned to you.Who is your mother?"
"Her name was Deianeira Nightfall. She was an American auror who came to help fight he who must not be named. She died giving birth to me. I was raised by Andromeda Tonks, my cousin though I call her Aunty. Aunty Narcissa visited often as well, so I grew up alongside Cousin Draco, who went into Ravenclaw. He was my only friend."
Harry nodded sadly, familiar with the loneliness he heard in his god brother. "Well, now you have me as well, brother." he said with a morose grin before turning back to the other two occupants.
"What about you, Theodore, Blaise? Tell me more about yourselves."
With a quick glance between the two of them, Theodore decided to go first.
"Well, my name is actually Theodore Nott Jr. My father is Theodore Sr and my mother is Polydora Bulstrode. Millicent is actually my cousin, though she prefers Millie. I was raised as a typical pureblood. House elf nannies, weekend social meetings with others my age, tutoring during the week in basic reading, writing and math as well as proper ingredient preparation for potions, though I have never actually brewed a potion myself. Please call me Theo." Harry nodded and turned to the final member of his dorm room.
"I'm Blaise Zabini. You all can call me Blaise. Sorry if I seem broody. Kinda in my nature. I have a creature inheritance. I'm a gargoyle and we're always sorta quiet and broody until we meet our mate. I grew up pretty isolated. My mom is a little overprotective of me but I'm pretty easygoing."
"Millie inherited a gargoyle as well." Theo chimed in, "Maybe the two of you will wind up as mates." Blaise considered that and found he wasn't too against the idea. Sure Millicent was built rather boxlike but once she hit puberty the potential for some pretty great curves was there.
"Or you could be one of my apparently multiple mates." Harry groused, standing from his bed and releasing his wings. "I'm a drake and all my inheritance test said was that I have multiple mates, who I will recognize when I turn 14. So on top of being king, I have to have an apparent harem of lovers." Harry groaned as he stretched his wings, glad that he wasn't the only creature in his dorm or even his year, though he didn't know about the other houses.
Meanwhile, the other three were stunned. Harry was a creature thought to be extinct. And he needed multiple mates. That indicated that his magical power would be off the charts. The more mates he took the stronger he was. And that power was shared with his mates too.Arthur himself had four. Merlin,Guinevere, Lancelot, and Morgana. Alone, any one of them was a fight you would be lucky to win but the five of them together were unbeatable. How many mates would Harry need?
"Oh well," Harry shrugged, " No sense worrying about it now. That's still three years away and there is a lot to do to sort out this mess of a kingdom I inherited. Good night, guys. Sleep well." Harry retracted his wings again and lay down to sleep, drawing the curtains round his bed closed. His three dorm mates stood stunned at the casual mention of power before finally shaking their stupor and each going to bed themselves.
The next morning, Harry woke before his roommates. He quickly showered, grabbed his case with his familiars inside, and made his way out into the common room before summoning his nearest bodyguard.
"Arnak, status report."
"Mercury and Raelyn report that Sirius Black is doing well. His mind is as sharp as if he had never been thrown in that awful excuse for a prison. His memory is a bit damaged but otherwise he is fine. They'll bring him this weekend. Jace reports that the interrogation of those wizengamot members is stalled. All save Dumbledore are pleading pureblood privilege to avoid veritaserum. The wizengamot spent most of the night debating on whether to overturn those laws. You may need to step in again. And Atreus has discovered a nest of acromantula, approximately 500 in number within the forest. The local centaur herd has done their best to curb the numbers but are very much fighting at a disadvantage, given how many young they birth at one time.
Harry nodded as his bodyguard filled him in on the necessary information. He sighed as he realized he was going to have to go deal with the fools in the Wizengamot once more. And the number of acromantula in his forest was shocking. He would definitely need to get that number thinned out immediately. But first, he wanted some breakfast. If he had to deal with those fools on an empty stomach heads would likely roll. With another nod to his silent guard, Harry departed the common room and confidently began navigating the maze of dungeons until he reached the entrance hall. The doors to the great hall were directly ahead of him. Harry looked inside to see that only the Headmaster as well as a few professors were present and no other students were up yet. With a shrug, he made his way inside to a food laden table and sat down to eat. Twenty minutes later, having eaten his fill, Harry strode forward to speak with the Headmaster about his impending departure.
"Good morning,Professor. I hope you slept well."
"I did indeed,Your Majesty. Thank you for asking. Now what might I do for you this morning?" Flitwick squeaked, as he set his goblet of coffee aside.
"I'm afraid I must leave the castle temporarily for matters of state. I should return before breakfast ends, but if for some reason I do not, could you please set aside my class schedule for me?" Receiving an affirmative nod as well as wishes for good fortune,Harry departed to floo to the ministry building as the first students began trickling in for their own breakfasts, one of his guards close behind him.
Harry stormed from the floo, still dressed in his school robes, Arnakhumner close behind, and strode toward the lifts in the ministry, immediately beginning his journey towards the Wizengamot chamber. A few waves of Arnak's wand had him dressed in regal robes, befitting his position. Reaching the doors to the Wizengamot chamber, Harry paused and opened his case, freeing the familiars inside. A quick explanation of his purpose here and it was decided Illuvor would accompany him to address the stubborn idiots. Nothing quite puts a point on things like having a full grown dragon over your shoulder to back your words up. Once they were ready, Harry had Arnakhumner throw open the doors to admit them into the chambers. He might have been a mouse for all the notice the Wizengamot took of his entrance.
"Illuvor, would you mind getting their attention?" Harry asked, already protecting his and Arnak's ears from the dragon's roar.
[ It would be a pleasure, Hadrian] Illuvor growled, smoke curling from his nostrils. He threw his head back and bellowed. The walls shook with the force of his roar and many in the room soiled themselves in fear as they all finally noticed just who stood in the door and what he had brought with him. Illuvor gave a satisfied growl and set his head back down beside Harry in the doorway.
"Would someone care to explain why my prisoners have not been dosed to the gills with veritaserum yet? I would very much like to know if there are any other subjects of mine who might attempt a coup." Harry spoke softly, voice carrying in the deathly silent room. "Or perhaps why are you all still meeting at all? I do believe that the way the law is written, the Wizengamot serves only at the monarch's pleasure. MY pleasure. And I don't believe I gave any such instructions for you all to do so. Someone better start talking before I decide to start collecting heads." A shaken but composed Lucius Malfoy elected to answer his king's demands.
"We are still meeting because we felt it best for the realm as you are still in school, Your Grace. We had hoped to lighten the workload for you during your school years. As to why the prisoners have not been interrogated to ascertain any potential threats to your personage, some of my esteemed colleagues do not agree to the use of veritaserum as many of those you had arrested are of pureblood status which according to current laws makes them exempt from veritaserum interrogation."
Harry considered that explanation and realized he never actually told the Wizengamot they were no longer needed. He had just announced himself, sworn on his magic he was being honest, and ordered the arrest of several members. And the idea behind their continued assemblage was actually a good one, though he wouldn't trust them as they currently functioned. Perhaps he should form a smaller advisory council that would see to the daily needs of Avalon and who he could meet with regularly to ensure his kingdom was ruled properly. That bit about pureblood exemptions being a prime example of something he did not want to occur.
"Thank you, Lord Malfoy, for explaining. Now please allow me to explain a few things myself. Firstly, I am the King, young as I may be. My word IS LAW. And I have no care for blood status. I want each and everyone of those prisoners interrogated under Veritaserum immediately. All prisoners of the crown, no matter their blood status, will be subjected to veritaserum interrogation. This matter will be handled by the current DMLE. Secondly, the Wizengamot was correct in thinking I would like someone to handle the day to day tasks of running my kingdom but wrong in assuming it would be them. This body is henceforth permanently disbanded to be replaced by a smaller advisory council at a later time. Now, is the Head of the Department for the Control of Magical Creatures currently present?"
Outraged muttering sprang up around the room as the members of the Wizengamot were essentially fired. None dared protest though when their king had a dragon at his side. A strong looking, short, middle aged man stepped forward and in a surprisingly strong voice spoke. "That would be me, Your Grace. Amos Diggory at your service." Harry looked him up and down before speaking once more
"The Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts is infested with some five hundred acromantula. I need you and your department to clean them out. With that many so close to the school, it's only a matter of time before they decide to attack and I will not have the students in danger. Please collect the silk and venom and send it to the goblins to be sold. All proceeds are to go towards funding the school. Coordinate with Madame Bones for extra manpower"
Amos stiffened. His son was currently a fourth year at Hogwarts. His son was in danger. He nodded to the King and immediately began to seek out Bones to see how many men she could spare. A nest that size was no easy task but he would see to it that they were eradicated.
"Now with all of that settled, I intend to return to Hogwarts for my first year of school. I intend to appoint my advisory councils no later than Samhain. If you are selected for a seat on the council, expect an owl at or near that time. Good day to you all"
Harry turned and left the room, closing the doors before once more opening his case and allowing Illuvor to return to its depths. With a quick nod to his bodyguard, he once more entered the lifts, riding up to the atrium where he quickly flooed back to Hogwarts and re-entered the great hall just as the professors were distributing the schedules. Harry took a seat at the slytherin table and eagerly accepted his schedule.He quickly glanced at it and saw that every moment was accounted for.
MONDAY
BREAKFAST 7-9
Transfiguration 9 - 11
LUNCH 11 - 1
Herbology 1:15 - 3
DADA 3:15 - 5
DINNER 5 - 7
TUESDAY
BREAKFAST 7-9
Potions 9 - 11
LUNCH 11 - 1
History of Magic 1:15 - 3
Free Period 3:15 - 5
DINNER 5 - 7
Astronomy 8 - 10
WEDNESDAY
BREAKFAST 7-9
Transfiguration 9 - 11
LUNCH 11 - 1
Herbology 1:15 - 3
DADA 3:15 - 5
DINNER 5 - 7
THURSDAY
BREAKFAST 7-9
Potions 9 - 11
LUNCH 11 - 1
Flying Basics 1:15 - 3
Free Period 3:15 - 5
DINNER 5 - 7
FRIDAY
BREAKFAST 7-9
Transfiguration 9 - 11
LUNCH 11 - 1
Herbology 1:15 - 3
DADA 3:15 - 5
DINNER 5 - 7
He liked that he had two free double periods a week. That gave him plenty of time to complete his homework and also begin to run his kingdom. His first priority was deciding on his advisory council. He knew he wanted Granny Gussie and Madame Bones but who else would he be able to trust. Lucius Malfoy seemed loyal if not a bit oily. He would likely make a good advisor, albeit one who would need careful monitoring. Who else could Harry trust though? He wanted seven council members and he only had three. Was Diggory trustworthy? He had certainly seemed that way in their brief encounter today.Yes. Diggory would be offered a place on his council. And now that he thought about it, who better to advise him on finance than a goblin. Stinkblast would make a fine, albeit smelly addition to the advisory council.Headmaster Flitwick was ideal if not for Harry's desire to keep the running of the school separate from the running of the Kingdom. But perhaps he might have a suggestion for his other two council members. Harry resolved to discuss it with him at his earliest convenience. For now, he had best go grab his school books. Classes started in twenty minutes.