They touched down on the pier outside the Wards.
Tish exploded from the Pouch and darted the rocks beside the gateway.
Fawkes trilled happily as she perched on his right shÀoulder as the witches stepped away.
Harry twirled Maggie and holstered her on his hip.
"How are you able to dress like that?" Sue rubbed her arms.
"Oh… because we are from the colder climate, going through spring and into summer. We are not as far South as Hogwarts is North… but only just. Being surrounded by the water mellows out the chill and the Storm blocks any wind chill… Hermione noticed that Sue had gone blank in the eyes. "Don't worry. The Dragonhide is all you need for here. And Dobby will make sure they are clean."
"Dobby?"
"My House Elf." Harry sighed as he watched Ward walk across the courtyard. "I got him from Malfoy."
"So you have returned." The Combat Healer spoke as he came to a stop two strides short of the Ward Line. "And you brought another…"
"If the Headmistress will allow her to join, she will be folded into my housing group. If Not… I can send her back to Rio. She has no idea where we really are."
"And why would I consider allowing her to join my Academy?" The Headmistress appeared out of thin air.
"Headmistress." Harry bobbed his head. "May I present my contracted bride…" Susan stepped forward.
"Heiress Bones." The pale woman was suddenly in her face. "It has been some time since your House has sent me a practitioner." She looked at Harry. "I almost pity you… I am afraid to ask… Are you bound to the House of Bathory?"
"Not to my knowledge." Harry scratched the back of his head.
"Greengrass." Susan coughed.
Harry snapped around. "You got to be Fucking Me! I left a Daughter of the Bloody House of Bathory with Sirius? That's not including what my Kitten will pick up."
"We thought you knew." Susan smiled at the lad. "Your gifts…"
Hermione started laughing.
"And you didn't bring her because…" the Headmistress allowed her eyes to bleed through her glamour.
"She Preferred to stay in Rio. If you want, I can send Fawkes for her… but give her a week or two… and she should jump at the chance to escape two Gryffindors."
"Professor Lupin is not that bad." Hermione protested.
"Was not counting him." Harry smiled. "Kitten is only so cute."
"Oh Dear Merlin, Poor Professor McGonagall!" The Lass's ears exploded upright. "The little terror raised by the five of you…"
"I can't tell if this is a comedy routine or…"
:No… this is just the life of Potter.: Tish yipped.
"It should drop away once classes begin with real teaching." Hermione smiled as she one arm hugged Susan.
"Why do you have the Hertasi riding in the Pouch?" Ward asked, frowning.
"I am standing on a gift for Grymsythe." Rhal smirked. "And can we get a move on?"
"Bones, Granger. You're with me." The Headmistress stepped away, and as the two witches fell into step behind her Vanished, taking the witches with her.
"Do I still need a watcher? Or is Rhal enough."
"Let's see. If you can get to Grymsythe and to the Common room without incident…" and Ward returned to his Infirmary.
The Wizard led the way to the Crypt.
"What do you want…Boy?" The Crypt Keeper Sneered.
"Got a gift for you." Rhal grinned at the Instructor. "Ok, everything out." She swatted his head.
"You've been wanting to do that all day. Haven't you?" Harry drew Maggie, spun her to her staff mode, and closed his eyes. Rhal was lifted out of the pouch and set gently on the floor… before a fountain of bones exploded from the pouch and piled up before the man.
"And what do you expect me to do with these?"
"You're the Boneshaker." Harry smiled at the man. "I'm just the baggage bitch. These bones have been soaking in the Magical run off of a magic school…"
A skull jumped from the pile to his hand. "Human… no, not human… a cross-breed…"
"Most likely, a Centaur." Harry answered. "There is a herd in the forest near the school. Now how they died… they were found on the way to the Basilisk nest."
That snapped up the man's head. "What Basilisk?"
"The one I just went to deliver to the Harvester Guild. Don't worry… I will get you a bone or two…"
The twisted scowl on the man's face was almost humorous. "You still are going to die…" He waved them away. He stamped his staff and the bones started to pull themselves together into their original alignment.
Harry followed Rhal out of the Crypt.
Twenty feet short of the Common Room, a Massive Headed Maul was swung down at Rhals head. Harry kicked her forward out of the way, as Maggie jumped into his hand, shifting to her cane form, as he drew the dagger in his left hand.
The Massive Lizard sneered. "I'll kill you first… then I will kill it!"
$ Not on my watch, egg-sucker!$ Harry hissed back.
Maggie's eye hit the Brute's chest… and the brute impacted the alcove wall where he had been hiding…
"Excrement!" Rhal had picked herself up and inspected the body. "You crushed every bone in its spine. This hunk of meat is worthless now."
"I don't know…I heard somewhere that Alligator is a good meat." Harry looked at the body.
Rhal glared at him. "So is pork."
Harry looked at her and laughed. "Point made… I will wait for the other food to run out first." He slide the dagger back in the sheath, before he tapped the Maul with Maggie casting a feather light charm, and gripping the weapon just below the head and led the way to the common room.
"Harr Okay?" Trogg grunted as he filled the doorway.
"A little tired, buddy. Got you a new toy." He set the hammer down and removed the feather light charm.
Trogg grunted his approval as he picked it up. "Heavy."
Rhal just walked under the Grunn, as she hurried to her quarters.
"So… where is your Female?" Trogg withdrew into the room.
"Registering my second Female." Harry collapsed on the closest coach.
Trogg grunted. "Trogg knew Harr was a strong warrior."
"Yeah… I am going out in two weeks to see if number three wants to join us."
Suddenly Trogg was in his face. "Harr needs three Females? Harr must be very strong."
"If I survive the coming year… I fear it will be more like four or five." Harry pushed the blunt muzzle out of his face.
Trogg 'fump'ed down across from the young Battle Mage. "Trogg is Battle Brother to a Five Wife Warrior." He wiped a tear from his eye. "Trogg is blessed.
"You there! You Cowardly Ape! Why did you kill Ruk?" An alligator-like male roared from the doorway at Trogg.
Harry thrust himself to his feet. "One… I am not an ape… I am a pig. Two, the only Cowardly one was Ruk, attacking from the Alcove I left him in. Three … I take offence to those who try to kill me and my companions." He scratched the back of his head. "I didn't mean to Kill him that way…"
The Male glared at the lad. "You war wizard?"
"That is one name that was tossed my way. I am registered."
"Righteous kill." The brute nodded. "Righteous Death. Ruk's Skullcrusher?"
"Battle Trophy. Sign of my Trust in my Battle Brother." Harry hooked his thumbs into the sash.
"Then I will wait to claim from your corpse." The scalely snout dipped in a nodding now of the head, and the brute swung about and tromped off.
"I expect to see his head hanging off your belt, by the end of the year." Harry patted the Grunn on the shoulder as retired to his room.
"Hey there Verra. You're looking a little flustered." Harry leaned on the door jam,
"My molt has come… and I…"
"Dobby!" Harry Called.
"Master Great Wizard Harry Potter Sir Returned!" Dobby latched onto Harry's knee.
"Dobby. Calm." He smiled at the little guy. "Why is Verra in need of care?"
"Miss Gryphy not ask." Dobby pulled his ear. "Miss Gryphy a guest… not family. Need orders to do more than clean and feed."
"Verra, just ask. He does great care of bird and cat. You are covered by Guest Rights." Harry rubbed Dobby's head. "You have seen my form… he bathes both of us. In fact… let's have a bird bath." Harry undid the Pouch harness and handed it to the Elf. "Come." He placed Maggie in his teeth as he blurred into the Black Griffin.
With Maggie in his beak, he led Verra and Tish into the Tent and up to the Baths.
: Looks like Steel-lotus and Star are getting clean.: This snickered.
A voice raised in excitement…
:With Kyra. One wonders if she is just a fun friend or something more.: The Kyree doggy grinned as she pushed into the next bath.
Harry splashed into the pool, as Tish flopped on a warm stone in the 'Sun'.
Verra sat and flared her wings. Dobby began to tug on the pinions to see what was loose…
SPRB
Hermione led Susan into the tent. "And here is the… " she trailed off as she watched a Kyree, A puma and a Gryphon sprawled around the room, soaking in the heat from the fire in the middle of the room. The Kyree and the Puma were belly up. "Here is the living room. The Gryphon lives in the other room outside. You already know Tish and Harry, so allow me to introduce Verra."
"Hello." The Gyrfalcon Gryphon gurgled.
"Hey." Susan was looking at the sprawling puma. "You said that was Potter?" She pointed at the black cat.
"Harry. Up. Human." Hermione Commanded.
£ Don't Wanna.£ Harry purred.
"Now." She Growled. "You can go back after we get the sleeping arrangements settled… unless you want to be exiled to the couch."
Puma Harry whined, as he rolled over and stood up and up. "I doubt Trogg is sleeping on the couch."
"No… Trogg is seeing to his ladies needs. Needs you are not ready to provide, seeing to. Not that we are Needing to be seen just yet."
"Why do I feel like I am missing a big chunk of information?"
: You are. Trogg's a Grunn. He is breeding his females each night. Harry might be sleeping in the same bed as Hermione… but there is no breeding or playing:
Sue blinked at the 'wolf'...
"Actually, Hermione is sleeping in my bed … hers is being used to incubate a pair of eggs." Harry grinned, before frowning. "I knew I was forgetting something. I needed to talk to Hagrid."
"No." Hermione spoke sharply. "No telling him anything. Before you ask… Blast-Ended Skrewt. Norbert. Fluffy."
Harry opened his mouth to object… closed it and sighed. "Yes my Queen."
He turned to Susan. "Now, Female Number Two. Your answer will decide not only where you sleep, but the level of Command you have over me. Where are you sleeping? Right now If I am Human, Hermione sleeps on my shoulder. The other shoulder is open. Night clothes are worn, and the Tree is kept warm. Now are you claiming your rights to sleep with me, I do mean sleep, or do I need to empty a room for you?"
Turning to Hermione, Sue asked, "How are his hands?"
"Usually he holds my lower back or hip. He only grabbed my ass once in a dream state… it drew him from a nightmare… and he began to Purr."
"Purr?" Susan frowned.
Hermione smiled as she began to Purr. Harry joined in.
:Throw in the half breed Ratha.: Tish wagged her tail from where she was on her back. : You will either be up all night, or sleep through the Coming Storm.:
Harry sat on the stool nearest him. "Dobby. My harness please." Dobby appeared with the harness, before trading it for Harry's knee. Harry rubbed Dobby's head as he smiled at the little guy.
He opened the pouch and began to pull things from within. The Trailer and sidecar… the Soft tail… bags of candy and dried fruit and nuts. Then there were the books. He set the Togs on the counter.
"Dobby. The trailer and sidecar go with my bike. The Soft tail is Sue's. She will need your touch on the fuel tank." He scratched behind the Elf's ear. "Do you have any advice on the sleeping arrangements?"
"Eggs moved to Heart Chamber. Open Grangy's Room." Dobby snapped and vanished, taking the bike and accessories with him.
"You are sleeping with him?" Susan asked.
"Yes. Like he said, just sleeping. It allows me to imprint my scent and feel on him. You saw the cat. He is also a registered Battle Mage. We are the only ones who can call him off, once he gets going. Also… if we get harmed… he will burn the world to get us back."
"And sleeping with him will allow me better control of him?" Bones stalked towards Harry.
"To a point." Hermione smiled.
"Okay," Sue stopped before Harry, before she bounced on her toes, causing her bust to bounce as well… and Harry looked her in the eyes. "I think I will try sharing the bed." She tried twisted back and forth to jiggle the girls.
"Please stop that." Harry whined. "I am trying to respect you as a person, not a personal sex toy."
"So … that's all I am, a sex toy?" There was an edge to Sue's voice.
"No… not only a sex toy. Besides I don't get to play until Hermione says I get to play." Harry grinned at the redhead.
"Besides." Hermione smiled at the redhead. "You are going to want to work on your yoga. On New Year's Eve I plan to be screaming his name."
"New Year's Eve." Sue licked her lips. "And you are planning on just the two of you?"
"Everyone sleeping in the bed." Hermione turned to glare at the Kyree. "Humans only."
Tish just wagged her tail.
"So… What classes did you get?" Harry asked.
"Potions, Combat Arts, Combat Healing, Necromancy and Blood Magic." Bones sighed. "Adriana wants me to keep it light. She thinks Grymsmythe will be claiming me as an apprentice."
"Speaking of Apprenticeships. I need to check in with Smythe." Harry stood, slinging his harness on. "Give your trunk to Dobby. Keep your wand and dagger. I will take you to see if your wand is enough or what…"
Sue pulled out her shrunken truck, passed it to Dobby, and checked her robes, finding her wand and dagger where she left them.
SPRB
"Ah, Amelia!" The Old Fool had arrived. "What Brings you to Hogwarts on such a fine afternoon!"
Amelia turned slowly, noticing that Arthur was talking to his wife under a dome of silence. "Headmaster Dumbledore. It has been brought to my attention that you have misplaced two Heiresses of Prominent Houses. What can you tell me?"
"Two Heiresses?" He turned to look at McGonagall.
"Heiresses Bones and Greengrass are no longer in the School. It seems that they were removed shortly after Lord Potter arrived."
"Harry Potter has not taken up his rings… he is not of Age." Albus offered 'Grandfather smile number three' as he stroked his beard.
"Yeah… no." Amelia Bones grinned evilly. "It seems that He was declared to be of Age… when he stepped into the Arena with the Dragon."
"But…" The Headmaster sputtered… "How?"
"The Contract with the Goblet." Bones smirked. "And you not only allowed it to manifest, you pushed for it. As the contract was declared for those of Age… he was fully of Age when he stepped into the Arena."
"It gets worse." Hammer smirked as well. "By him taking his Rings, it triggered the Contracts between Greengrass and Black, between Bones and Potter."
"Lie!" Draco Malfoy roared as he thrust himself to his feet. "I am Heir Black!"
"Maybe by Ministry Decree," Tonks spoke up, "But Sirius Black was never convicted. Lord Black has already named his Heir… and her name is not Malfoy. Now cousin, sit down and shut up."
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Malfoy sneered.
"Tonks of House Black." She smiled at the boy. "Lord Black Returned Mom to the Family Tree and folded House Tonks into the fold."
"So…" Shacklebolt sighed. "What's this about two witches missing?"
"Potter kidnapped Heiresses Greengrass and Bones." Runcorn grunted. "And they were in Dumbledore's custody. As he didn't report it or even know that they were missing when we showed up…"
"Just why are you here, Amelia?" Albus was tired of the games.
"Prepare. You are hereby called before the School Board. You will answer the questions put to you or you will vacate the Castle… one way or another." Bones turned on her boot heel and exited the Hall.
But Albus would not face the board for a Week… something else was set to happen.
TBC