Harry Lord of Slytherin

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/28744458.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: F/M, Gen, M/M
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Relationships: Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, Harry Potter & Slytherin Students, Harry
Potter & Malfoy family, Theodore Nott & Harry Potter, Harry Potter &
Salazar Slytherin, Theodore Nott/Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy/Fred
Weasley, George Weasley/Blaise Zabini
Characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore,
Gringotts' Goblins, Salazar Slytherin, Ginny Weasley, Molly Weasley,
Godric Gryffindor, Ignotus Peverell, James Potter, Ernie Macmillan,
Narcissa Black Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Minerva McGonagall, Theodore
Nott, Bathsheda Babbling, Regulus Black
Additional Tags: Betrayed Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore Bashing, Ron Weasley
Bashing, Hermione Granger Bashing, Ginny Weasley Bashing, Molly
Weasley Bashing, Inheritance Test, Other Additional Tags to Be Added,
Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Alternate Universe -
Canon Divergence, Red-Haired Harry Potter, Mentor Salazar Slytherin,
Good Slytherins, Not Beta Read, Good Narcissa Black Malfoy, slight
Rubeus Hagrid Bashing, Good Draco Malfoy, Smart Harry Potter, Good
Percy Weasley, Good Fred Weasley & George Weasley, Adults acting
like adults, Slight Neville Longbottom bashing, Genius Theodore Nott,
Regulus Black Lives, Idiots in Love
Language: English
Collections: Dark n Light Pairings, Why I’m up all night, Ongoing fic, Theos Potter
Must Reads, My Fav HP fics all in one place, Angels Will Read Again,
Amazing fics to reread, hufflepuffdemiwizard's completed works,

🫧 🫧
Completed HP fics, Hpficssssssss, readable, Mirage664's Read and
Loved, Lux's fav fics , Best Harry Potter Crossovers, Potter
favorites (rheos), Dark/Grey Harry Potter (who is smart) love him, best

Stats:
🤌🤌
fics to ever exist, Todo lo que puedo llegar a OLVIDAR, Emiko has read
this , harry and his gay dads
Published: 2021-01-14 Completed: 2022-04-26 Words: 109,771
Chapters: 29/29
 Harry Lord of Slytherin
by Graydove71

Summary

After blowing up his Aunt Marge Harry spend the rest of the summer before his Third Year in
Diagon Alley. Having heard about Inheritance Test he decided to take one only learns about
the betrayals from his friends. Only to find out that what they had done caused even more
harm they could imagine.

Notes

I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters. Nor do I write this for anything other
reason than to get it out of my mind.

See the end of the work for more notes

 Betrayal and Lordship
Chapter Summary

Harry finds out he has been lied to after going in for cleansing and tries to claim his
Heir/Lordship rings.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Harry was utterly furious and devastated as he looked down at the results of the Inheritance
Test he had just taken. Having arrived at Diagon Alley just last night, after he had run away
from home after blown up his Aunt Marge, Harry had decided to head to Gringotts to take the
test. Having overheard Seamus telling Dean that by taking the test it could reveal if the
Muggleborn boy's absent father was in fact Magical as well as line he might belong to. Harry
decided to do it in hope of finding out more about his family than what most people tended to
tell him, which usually was that he looked like his Dad but had his Mother's eyes, or that his
dad was good at Quidditch.

He had gone in to take the test his second day in the alley which seemed to make the Goblins
happy as they told him they had been trying to reach him for the last two years but each of
their letters to have been returned unopened. Harry had been mystified for he had not known
of any mail that he had not gotten from the Magical World after his Uncle had tried to outrun
his Hogwarts' letter. Harry was lead into a back room where the test took place before the
Goblin left him alone with his results to set up a cleansing for him.

Harry James Potter

Parents:

James Potter (Deceased )

Lily Potter nee Evens (Deceased)

Godparents:

Sirius Lupin-Black (Wrongfully Imprisoned-Escaped)

Alice Longbottom nee Bismarck (Mentally Compromised)
Gregory Smith (Deceased)*1
Narcissa Malfoy nee Black
Family Lines:

Potter
Gryffindor
Peverell
Slytherin (by right of conquest)

Enchantments/Potions on the person in order of age:

Horcrux (bonded to Soul)

Magical Core Blocked 58%
Poor Eyesight jinx
Hair/eye Color Changed Jinx
Martyr Jinx
Distrust of Authority Jinx (except for Albus Dumbledore)
Mail Ward
Wand control Jinx*2
Glamor
Eros Blade (Keyed to Ginevra "Ginny" Weasley.
Hatred Potion Keyed to anyone in Slytherin House, a Dark Core
Trust Potion Keyed to Albus Dumbledore, Gryffindor House, Rubeus Hagrid, Ronald
"Ron" Weasley, Hermione Granger, Molly Weasley, Ginevra "Ginny Weasley,
Intelligence Dampening Potions (Once a Year since July 1991)

Vault discrepancies:

1,500 Galleons a Year transferred to the vault of Albus Dumbledore starting in

November 1981
500 Galleons a Year transferred and exchanged into Muggle currency to the accounts
of the Dursley family starting in November 1981
500 Galleons a Year transferred to the personal vault of Ronald "Ron" Weasley started
in July 1991
500 Galleons a Year transferred to the account of Hermione Granger starting in
October 1991
Numerous tomes and books removed from family vaults to the possession of Hermione
Granger in October 1991
600 Galleons a Year transferred to the personal vault of Molly Weasley starting in July
1992
400 Galleons a Year transferred to the personal vault of Ginevra "Ginny" Weasley
starting in July 1992
Sword of Gryffindor was not returned to the vault after its removal by Harry Potter
taken into personal possession of Albus Dumbledore in May 1993

Harry could not believe that his two best friends have been stealing from him since before
they even became friends, let alone Mrs. Weasley and Professor Dumbledore who had shown
him more love and kindness than any adult he had ever meet. Also, he could not figure out
why there was a spell on him to change his eyes or hair color and what it could accomplish.
Harry of course knew about the Glamour spell being on him having applied it on himself
before he had gone to his First-Year at Hogwarts to hide the signs of abuse his family had
done to him. He was glad that the Goblins had offered to give him a cleansing just based on
the length of his results as he was to get the cleansing. As he was getting ready to go through
the cleansing a Goblin informed him after he woke back up he would also be given his
Heir/Lordship rings which should have been done during his first visit giving him another
reason to distrust Hagrid more than just having the large man being on his results of someone
he was enchanted to trust.

Seething with anger at all the betrayal that had been done to him Harry fell unconscious to go
through the cleansing. He was still angry when he woke up in a warm bed and the smells he
associated with the Hospital Wing. Other than the anger he was still filled with Harry felt
lighter and more powerful than he ever felt before. Swinging his legs over the bed he was on
he saw that someone had set up a mirror beside his head. Climbing to his feet he walked over
to the mirror and gasp at seeing his normally black rat nest hair now a deeper red than any of
the Weasleys and now hung smoothly down to his shoulders. The only other change he saw
was that his eyes were no longer vivid green but bright blue it took him a few moments as he
took in his new look before he realizes that he was not actually wearing his glasses.
Unfortunately, the lightning bolt scar was still there, as were several scars given to him by his
Uncle peaking out over the top of his shirt. He wished he could apply his Glamor but did not
want to cast underage magic and get in trouble again.

"Ah Heir Potter you are awake I hope you feeling better now," a Goblin in pale green robes
said peeking their head into the room. "If you follow me Account Manager Fangtooth is
ready to give you your Heir/Lordship rings." Harry followed what he assumed to be a Healer
Goblin to an ornately carved door and pushed who pushed it aside to reveal a well-dressed
Goblin behind a desk with four rings, one black, one gold, one silver, and the last one an
emerald one.

"Welcome Heir Potter I am the Account Manager of the Potter Family, Fangtooth. You are a
little late in getting your rings but as you Humans like to say no time like the present,"
Fangtooth said as Harry took the seat across from him. "Now as you place each ring on your
finger you will be judged by it to see if it accepts you if the ring takes to you you will gain
your proper position in the family line. As most of these lines are close to ending leaving you
as the only person that can claim them. We shall start with the Potter family ring," Fangtooth
said as he pushed the black ring forward.

Harry lifted the ring finding it rather cold as he slips it onto his left ring finger. For a moment
it felt as if large needles were being jammed into the finger making him pass out.

"I can't believe you, son," a voice said making Harry snap his eyes open and look upon the
face he only recognized from the photo album that he got at the end of his First-Year.
"Dad?" Harry asked.

"Yeah hello," James said with a smile that quickly fell of his face. "I was chosen of all the
family to talk to you since I would be the only one you would know. If it was up to me I
would let you take the ring, but unfortunately, I can not since you had money taken from you
and trusted the thieves."

"So does this mean I am no longer a Potter since the ring is to be denied to me?" Harry asked.

"Not yet the family has some guidelines if you wish to prove your place in the family you
must either get the money back with no help from the Goblins or make them pay for taking it
for you," James said before he vanished.

Finding himself back in the normal office Harry slipped off the Potter ring and set it aside
while the Fangtooth looked surprised as he pushed the second ring towards him. Once more
the ring was cold as he slipped the gold band around his finger. Rather than needles this time
it felt like his finger was being bitted off as he once more lost conciseness.

"How dare you let someone claim my Sword," a large muscular man wearing furs called out
as Harry opened his eyes.

"Godric Gryffindor I assume," Harry said.

"Don't be an idiot. You want to lead my family get my sword back and gain some allies
which can help you stand against your foes," Godric said as he smacks Harry waking him
back up.

"Again how strange," Fangtooth said as he placed the Gold ring back into the box next to the
black ring of the Potter family. Taking up the silver ring Harry was not feeling good as he felt
the familiar cold before placing it on his finger. This time he felt nothing at all but still passed
out.

"To think my family line came to this," a tall skinny man said.

"Who are you?" Harry guessing this was the representative of the Peverell family.

"I am Ignotus Peverell and if you wish to take your place in our family you need to hold
multiple lines that come from my family lines you have failed in gaining any as of this
moment but there is still a chance to get one line," Ignotus said as he gently pushes Harry
who found himself back in the Goblin's office
"This has never happened before," Fangtooth said running a hand over his head. "If this ring
does not take I am sorry to say I will have to cut you off from all your vaults." Harry was not
sure about this ring even if it was his last chance not wanting to be associated with the blood
supremacist. As he picked up the ring, however, unlike the others he found it slightly warm to
the touch, and as he slipped the ring onto his hand it felt warmer yet.

"Ah hello, young Heir I hope you take your role in our family more seriously than your
immediate predecessor did," a slim man in a dark green robe said smiling as he leaned on a
short cane.

"Salazar Slytherin?" Harry asked.

"Indeed young Heir you have gained your place with talent with Parslemouth, and your
victory of the previous Heir and my Familiar, Sharus. Not that I like that but after how the
previous Heir corrupted him away from his real purpose of protecting the school."

"You had a giant serpent whose very gaze could kill someone as a protection for school
children?" Harry asked.

"Well he was not to be around the students but there in case some outside force ever tried to
attack," Salazar explained.

"So you did not have an issue Muggleborns?" Harry asked.

"No of course not my own mother was what you call a Muggle," Salazar said making Harry's
mouth fall open at this fact.

"As Lord of my House, you can claim one-fourth of Hogwarts Castle and enter Slytherin
portions of Hogwarts without having to use any passwords. And since I sense you do not
know such things wearing a ring that has you have bonded with it will let you know if
someone is trying to dose you with any potion or cast a spell on you without your knowledge.
The ring will also protect you from them short of the Unforgivable Curses," Salazar said.

"Unforgivable Curses what are those?" Harry asked.

"Wow, the teaching at the school has gone downhill since we started it," Harry heard Salazar
mutter to himself. "Alright, there are four spells that are considered the worst of the worst.
One that kills another person which is Avada Kedavra which can only be stopped by an act of
true love from another person the curse is cast on within one day. The next is a spell that
causes pain to a person's body in ever-changing ways. that can drive someone insane if it is
used long enough called the Cruciatus Curse. Third, there is a basic mind control spell which
if used makes the person it is used on becoming the caster's puppet known as the Imperius
Curse, and only by having a strong will and some great luck can this spell be stopped. The
last one's status has been changed from my day but it is a spell which akin to the Imperius
Curse, but rather than make someone a puppet changes their personality to make them fall in
love with someone known and is Know as Eros Blade. This spell only needs to be cast once
on a person and the only way to remove it is through the most powerful cleansing.
"Would that include a cleansing done by the Goblins?" Harry asked recalling such a spell
being on his results.

Salazar tilted his head to the side for a moment before responding, "You don't have to worry
to get rid of the Horcrux the Goblins performed a cleansing that rid you of that spell. One last
thing young Heir if ever you need help that you think I can provide rub your ring and call my
name and I shall come," Salazar said before bowing to Harry.

"Ah at least one ring has accepted you that is good," Fangtooth said as Harry once more
found himself back in the Goblin's office. "However, as I am not in charge of the Slytherin
Vaults I must take my leave of you."

"Wait while the rings were judging me I was told that I could have a chance to take my place
in the families later how do I do that?" Harry asked as the Goblin made to leave the room
causing him to stop as if hit by a freezing spell.

"Did they now? How interesting," Fangtooth said stroking his chin. "If that is correct if you
pass some challenges or do some task that the ring approves of it shall appear for you and
you shall resume your place in the house."

"Thank you," Harry said.

"Don't mention it Heir Slytherin may the blood of your enemies floo like rivers at your
passing," Fangtooth said.

Harry was horrified by what the Goblin said but the response entered his mind with a warm
flash from his ring, "And may your coffers never be empty." Fangtooth smiled at him as he
left the room, but as Harry was not told if he should head out as well he stayed in his seat.

It turned out good that he did as the door opened a few minutes later and a second Goblin
came in. "Hello Heir Slytherin I am Bonecrusher your Account Manager I have been told that
you have had quite a bit of money taken from you I assume you would like my help getting it
back," the Goblin said taking the seat that had been vacated by Fangtooth.

Recalling his father's task to earn his place in the Potter family Harry said, "No thank you I
think I need to do this on my own."

'Very good Heir Slytherin, though I might suggest you find some allies to not go at it alone,"
Bonecrusher said leaning forward.

"I think that is sound advice," Harry said nor revealing that that was one of the tasks he had
been given to claim the Gryffindor Heir/Lordship ring.

"Good now is there anything else you might need today?" Bonecrusher asked.
 "Yes according to my results my Godfather Sirius Lupin-Black was wrongfully imprisoned
and has now escaped is there a way to prove his innocence or to contact whomever he
married to take care of it?"

"I will look into it Heir Slytherin is there a place I can reach you for the time being?"
Bonecrusher asked.

"I am staying at the Leaky Cauldron for the time being before I head back to Hogwarts,"
Harry said as the Goblin took down the room Harry was staying in.

"Anything else?" the Goblin prompted.

"Yes is there a way I could get a Glamor cast on me to hid the signs of abuse I had one in
place myself but the cleansing clear it from me," Harry said. Bonecrusher just leaned forward
and spoke some words that Harry assumed were his species language before he felt his
Glamor return on his body. "Thank you, Master Bonecrusher, that is all I needed," Harry said
and slowly got out of his chair in case the Goblin had anything to add before he left the room.

Heading back to the Leaky Cauldron he spoke to Tom the landlord to explain his change of
appearance before heading up to his room to take a nap. As he laid in the bed he tried to think
of any allies he had, but Ron and Hermione had basically cut him off from everyone else in
Gryffindor House. The only one that they had not seemed to mind him spending time with,
other than themselves had been Neville, but while there had been nothing on Neville in his
results the pairs seeming alright with the other boy raised some flags. He hoped he could see
some of his classmates in the alley before it was time to head back to Hogwarts to hopefully
start making some real friends or at least some allies.

Chapter End Notes

*1 I just needed a second male to be Harry's Godfather so it is just a dead NPC

*2 A spell that forced him to only bond with a certain wand.

So it seems I have picked up a troll on my stories, so I am going to explain a few things.

First, all troll comments will be deleted without a single second of thought. Two I tag
very clearly my couple and usually who is the top and who is the bottom in the
relationship, I prefer a bottom Harry, so if you do not like it do not read it. Also since the
troll has assumed my gender I will reveal I am a Cis-male who is a Homoromantic-
Asexual.
 Some new allies
Chapter Summary

Harry takes another trip to Gringotts and makes some new allies.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

As Harry slept he was once again visited by Salazar Slytherin. "Alright just to let you know I
can access some of your memories, so I know to gain the Potter Heirship and future Lordship
you could not ask the Goblins to get your money back from those that betrayed you. This
does not mean that you should let the payments continue," Salazar said leaning on his cane.

"I guess I did not even think about that having other things on my mind," Harry said.

"Now that is understandable my Heir which is why I am bringing it up now. You should also
grab some books dealing with the duties of an Heir/Lord as well as some on the procedures
of the British Wizengamot. Not to mention a brand new wand since the one you have now
was forced on you," Salazar said.

"Alright I shall pick them up with my school books for the coming year," Harry said before
pausing for a moment. "I think I should also make some changes to my classes as I chose all
my electives based on one of my betrayers."

"Just make sure you write a change of class form for your Head of House," Salazar said.

"I don't think that will be enough I think the best way to do it would be to contact all four
Heads, through the Owl Post in the alley and send a second letter to Professor Flitwick
through Gringotts having heard some of the older students say he had some Goblin blood in
his line," Harry said as if making a plan to storm a castle.

"Ah, there is the stereotype of our family line at work. Good work my Heir," Salazar said
lifting his cane to hold with his arms as he clapped at Harry's idea.

"You can just call me Harry, Sir," Harry responded.

"Alright Harry as long as you call me Salazar," Salazar said.

"Alright than Salazar," Harry said holding the hand in which the Slytherin ring was on to
shake the man's hand.

"Now all you need to do is wake up Harry," Salazar said giving his hand a single pump as the
sound of the alarm clock in the room he was staying in went off.
As Harry turns onto his side to shut off the alarm he is shocked as his magic shots out and
smashes the thing flat. Harry gulped having not meant to do that and afraid of an Owl from
the Ministry come flying into the window. For while the Minister himself forgave Harry for
accidentally blowing up his Aunt Marge he did not think it would happen again from just
trying to turn off the room's alarm clock. When no Owl came flying in as he laid in bed for
nearly five minutes he finally decided to climb out of bed and hastily threw a cloak over his
form lifting the cowl over his face. Doing his best not to get noticed by anyone, Harry left the
pub and made his way down the street and into Gringotts. "I would like to see Bonecrusher if
he has time," Harry said once he had made his way to a free Goblin. The Goblin was about to
ask what the human wanted with the current Goblin Prince only to notice that the hand Harry
was using to keep his cloak on tight showed the Slytherin ring.

"Ah, Heir Slytherin I was about to send for you. There have been some developments,"
Bonecrusher said as Harry was shown into the Goblin's office.

"I have something to discuss with you as well Master Bonecrusher but I used some Underage
Magic so I might be getting an owl at some point," Harry said.

"Where did you do this magic?" Bonecrusher asked.

"Um in the room I am staying at the Leaky Cauldron, by accident mind you, I went to turn
off my alarm and accidentally crushed the clock," Harry explained.

"Ah, that deals with one of the things I wish to discuss with you today. It seems that
Fangtooth had been so distracted when the three rings did not take to you he forgot to give
you this," Bonecrusher said pulling out what looked like a simple leather cuff covered in
runes before passing it over. "Due to you having some of your Core blocked off for a while
you will have trouble controlling your magic. This Modulator Cuff will help you control it as
well as slowly allow you to get used it your higher lever. As soon as you can fully control
your magic the cuff will instantly return to us here at the bank. As for the worry about using
any underage magic that can only be detected areas with a low level of Magical use such as if
you are alone in the Muggle world."

"So I could have cast the Glamor yesterday myself?" Harry said astonished.

"You could of, thought based on your magic it is a good thing you did not who knows what
may have happened," Bonecrusher "now was there another reason for you to come back?"

"Um yes while I would like to get the money stolen from me back for myself I forgot to
mention that I would like to stop all payments that they are using to steal from me,"

"Easily done," Bonecrusher said not even making any form of a note. "I actually stopped the
payments last night after you left. I would also like to teach you how to access your funds.
Now unfortunately since you could not claim the rings of the Potter, Gryffindor, and Peverell
lines all you will be able to access those vaults, for the time being, is the trust vaults your
parents had set up for you. If you can not claim the rings before you come of age, that is
seventeen years old, you will be unable to claim your lines and the main vaults. You do have
full access to all Slytherin Vaults which not only includes a trust vault but three main vaults
all of which have well over 71 Billion Galleons in them as well as numerous family
heirlooms and artifacts that belong to the Slytherin line, which if you choose to sell could be
up to over 849 Trillion Galleons," Bonecrusher said making Harry's mouth fall open in shock
at how much money was in the vaults. He had thought that the money in the vault which he
now guessed was the Potter Trust Vault had been a lot of money but that could hardly be
more than 100,000 Galleons. For the next ten minutes, Bonecrusher showed him to both
make out a money order and use a Vault key to make a purchase, after giving him a whole
new set of keys for his trust vaults. As well as how to use his Slytherin ring to make even
larger purchases than could be done by money order such as buying properties.

After Bonecrusher had finished his explanation he moved on to the next order of business.
"Now I have some good news and some bad news Heir Slytherin," Bonecrusher began.
"Unfortunately, we were unable to locate your Godfather's husband nor would the Ministry
listen to our claims that Sirius is innocent. We were, however, able to find your parent's Wills
which for some reason have been sealed which we think would clear his name."

"That is good news," Harry said smiling at as Account Manager only for the Goblin to shake
his head sadly at him.

"While that is good news we can not open the wills for whoever sealed them made it so they
could only be opened by the Potter family ring so until you can claim the ring they are still
blocked from us," Bonecrusher said.

"Well fuck," Harry said.

"My thoughts exactly Heir Slytherin, but I do have some good news we were able to get in
contact with the last of your Godparents and they are willing to come to the bank and meet
with you. They have scheduled the meeting for around noon if that is alright with you," the
Goblin said. Harry was sort of conflicted having never really gotten along with Malfoy at
school, plus what his dad had caused with the opening of the Chamber. He could not figure
out why his parents would have chosen Mrs. Malfoy to be one of his Godparents, but he
knew the only way to find out was to actually meet with her so he agreed to meet with her.

"Um before I go do you know of any other place that sells wands besides Ollivanders?"
Harry asked.

"Well there is Master Treyco, but his shop is in a different alley, there is also Crone Ophelia
but she tends to add a little darkness into each of her creations letting her have some small
access to a person's wand. But we Goblins also know some Wand craft if you wish to get one
from us," Bonecrusher said.

"I think I would prefer to get it here then," Harry said.

"Very good I will send for one of our Wandmakers," Bonecrusher said as he left the room to
go get one of the Goblins who could craft magical artifacts such as wands. He did not say it
but the wand purchased from the Goblins while being a little bit superior to a human-made
one was a lot more expensive though he knew the boy could afford it, not that it mattered as
due to what they had failed to prevent in the theft of the young Heir's property. The Head of
the European Gringotts Branches had decided that the cleansing, as well as any issues on the
boy's results, would be free of charge if take care of by the bank.

Four minutes after Bonecrusher left a Goblin came in dressed in red robes with the symbol of
a magnifying glass with a gemstone under the "glass." "Ah Heir Slytherin I was told you
wished to have a wand created," the Goblin said.

"That is correct," Harry said bowing to the Goblin.

"Alright I am Artifector Slashvolt and I am here to guide you in the creation of your new
wand," the Goblin said as he pulled off a bag and placed it onto Bonecrusher's desk. Harry
assumed the bag was magical as the Goblin began to pull numerous large cases out of it
placing them before Harry. "Now unlike Human Wandmakers rather than blindfold you and
have you find items that call to your magic all you have to do is place your wand hand on
each of these cases. Each case has an undetectable expansion charm on it so anything that can
be used to create a wand is inside it. Once you place your hand on the top of the case your
magic will summon the item itself to you," Slashvolt stated as he pushed the first case
forward.

Taking a deep breath Harry placed his right hand on the case and barely two seconds later he
felt something thump into the lid under his hand. Slashvolt reaches out and taps the case with
a single gnarled finger as a panel opened up and he pulls out two chunks of wood. The same
thing was repeated for each of the five cases some of which he was unable to collect an
object. When he was done Slashvolt informed him that his magic had selected both Cedar
and English Oak as the wood for the wand to be crafted out of. Harry's wand would not only
have two kinds of wood but two cores as his magic drew forth hairs from a Grim as well as a
Thestral with the last item he had brought forth which Slashvoly had told him was a focusing
Gem and was a rare crystal that was both black and white looking like a Yin-Yang symbol.
After he collected all the items that would be used in his new wand's creation the Goblin also
took some measurements from Harry to determine the wand's length and flexibility. Slashvolt
informed him that by the time he returned for his lunch meeting with his Godmother the
wand would be finished.

Leaving the bank Harry feeling hungry as he had left the Leaky Cauldron this morning
without eating, and had spent almost the entire day yesterday at the bank due to his cleansing
he had not really eaten since the morning before. Stopping a small café Harry ordered a full
English breakfast as he wrote the five notes to inform his change of plans for his electives
with him dropping out of Divinations and Care of Magic Creatures in favor of Study of
Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Harry sealed each letter addressing two to Professor Flitwick
and the other three to one of the other Heads of House apiece. As he finished off his meal he
went to the Owl Post and sent all but one of the letters for Flitwick out using the last of his
physical money.

Once his letters were sent he decided to go get his books heading into Flourish and Blotts and
was nearly pushed aside by one of the shopkeepers. "Coming for your new books?" the man
asked as he started to put on some heavy-duty gloves.

"Um yes though I am not sure of my full list," Harry said making the man pause and turn to
look at him.

"What do you mean?" he asked one glove held in his arm.

"Well I recently decided to drop two of my class choices and take other subjects," Harry said.

"What subjects," the man said with a small wince as the sound of tearing was heard from the
front of the store.

"I decided to add Ancient Runes and Arithmancy just this morning so I do not know what
books to get," Harry said and saw the man break out into a smile as he put the gloves aside.

"Oh thank Merlin I was afraid you were taking Care of Magical Creatures the fool who is
teaching it this year chose the Monster Book of Monsters to be their coursebook. Nasty
things I know the owners do not wish to stock them ever again," the man said as he used his
wand to separate said books two of which were trying to pull apart a third. "As for finding
books for those subjects don't worry Hogwarts as well as other local schools send us their
book list so if anyone loses theirs we can help them get the right books," the salesperson said
as he helped Harry pick out all the books for his new classes.

Rather than go to check them out Harry put his books into a basket and went to go search for
the books that Salazar had mentioned he should get. Finding an entire section he had never
noticed before dealing with duties of an Heir/Lord/Ladyships as well as about the
Wizengamot he began to look for ones that he thought could help him. As he skimmed
through the numerous volumes he was not really paying attention to his surroundings so he
ended up bumping into someone. "Sorry about that," Harry said rubbing his head where he
had bumped into the person.

"It is alright," a familiar voice said making Harry look up to see Ernie Macmillian.

"Oh hey, Ernie," he said.

"Do I know you?" the Hufflepuff asked taking a good look at Harry's face. "Bloody Hell
Harry? What happened to you?"

"Oh had some time so I went to Gringotts and underwent a cleansing," Harry said.
"Why did you need a cleansing?" the normally pompous boy asked.

"Well it seems I had had some spells and potions placed on me after my parents had died,"
Harry said seeing the other's mouth fall open in shock. "Oh by the way it turns out you were
right after all I am the Heir of Slytherin, though not by blood but by Rite of Conquest.":

"Seriously Bloody Hell," Ernie said, "but you were not the one sending the monster after
everyone right?"

"I was not," Harry said.

"Can you tell me who was, I mean Headmaster Dumbledore said you had taken care of it but
had never told us anything else?" Ernie asked. Harry almost hesitated not wanting to talk
about it before he realized that the truth might be a way to get some revenge against Ginny.

"Oh sure, the truth was that it was Ginny Weasley," Harry said.

"Really but wasn't she taken into the Chamber by the person who had opened it?" Ernie asked
confused.

"Well in a way you see somehow Ginny got a cursed book which over the course of the year
she had written in letting the spirit resting in it to take over her and opening the Chamber,"
Harry explained.

"Wait over the course of the year? So it did not happen all at once and she did not report it?"
Ernie said sounding both angry and shocked.

"She said she was worried that she would be kicked out and did not want to get into any
trouble having wanted to come to Hogwarts since her eldest brother went there," Harry said
hiding a smile as he sees the Hufflepuff's reaction to the news.

"That does not make it right. From what my Mother told me, apart from Hermione and Heir
Clearwater, the students who had been petrified had to either repeat the last year or go
through tutoring over the summer," Ernie started only for Harry to interrupt him.

"How would your Mother know something like that?" Harry asked.

"Oh she is a member of the Hogwarts' Governors," Ernie said with his old pompoms attitude.

"She is a Governor so you were threatened last year to be cursed?" Harry asked a little
shocked.

"Wait What?" Ernie asked once more sounding confused.

"After getting out of the Chamber, Ron and I took Ginny and Professor Lockhart to Professor
McGonagall's office where Dumbledore was waiting. When Draco's father came in
wondering what Dumbledore was doing thereafter he had been voted out," Harry said doing
his best not to call the man Dumbles or any other childish nickname in front of the other boy.
"The Headmaster said he had come back after all the Governors apart from Mr. I mean Lord
Malfoy had begged him to come back. He said that the Governors told him that Lord Malfoy
had threatened to curse the families of his fellow Governors if they had not voted him out in
the first place."

"The bloody idiot he was voted out fairly, from what my Mother told me and only brought
back by the narrowest of margins," Ernie said as he balled his hands into a fist. "As I was
saying how is it that Ginny did not get any punished for not reporting the cursed book? She
should have at least been suspended for a couple of months."

"Yeah instead she joined her family on a trip to Egypt," Harry said recalling the article Ron
had sent him with his birthday present.

"That is correct. I know she is your friend but I think I should have to talk to my Mother
about this so she does not get off scot-free for not reporting her interaction with the book,"

"Go right ahead no one is above the rules," Harry said. As he said this he noticed something
from the corner of his eye causing him to look to the side, where what looked liked the Potter
and Gryffindor rings be on one of the shelves for just a moment before they vanished.

"You know I was not expecting that," Ernie said, "by the way why are you looking at the Heir
and Wizengamot books?"

"I just trying to figure out my what to do as an Heir only finding out I was one yesterday,"
Harry said shocking Ernie more than when he told about Ginny being the one to open the
Chamber.

"You did not know, but we were always told you were informed about our world.... by the
Muggles you lived with. Wait that makes no sense now that I think of it," Ernie said.

"Yeah I was told nothing about it even by the Weasleys," Harry said. "I don't even know what
is happening to my families' seat.

"If I had to guess, it is just a guess mind you, is that whomever your Magical Guardian is the
one to cast your family's vote," Ernie stated with a small shrug of his shoulders.

"A Magical Guardian?" Harry said in confusion.

"If memory serves I think the Headmaster is your Magical Guardian," Ernie stated. Harry
saw red thinking that the man that was responsible for stealing and enchanting him was also
in charge of his votes in the Wizengamot. He hoped that the Goblins could help him remove
the man from his seats in the Governing body. With Ernie's help Harry was able to take some
of the better books for Heirs/Lordships and the Wizengamot and add them to his order before
wishing the Hufflepuff boy goodbye Harry decided to go get some new robes since all he had
was his school robes and if he was an Heir he should probably get some better quality and
different robes like all the Magicals on the books of the Wizengamot were wearing.

Avoiding Madam Malkin's since he did not actually need any new school robes he went to a
robe shop he had found on his first day of expiration of the Alley called Radagast's High-
Quality Robes. Stepping into the shop he had to groan a little for just like his first time in
Madam Malkin's shop standing on one of the platforms and getting measured was none other
than Draco Malfoy. "Isn't this place a little out of your price range Weasley or are you finally
starting to spend Potty's money. I should warn you Mother and Father said he is staying at the
Leaky Cauldron so he might see you and wonder how you can afford shopping here."

"Does everyone knew they were stealing from me?" Harry asked feeling flabbergasted.

"Potty?" Draco asked his eyebrows shooting up into his blonde hair.

"Malfoy," Harry responded.

"What happen to you?" his school rival asked for once with no hint of his normal arrogance
in his voice.

"Let see, inflated my Muggle Uncle's sister, rode the Knight Bus, meet the Minister of Magic,
took an Inheritance test, found out my so-called friends were stealing from me and I had been
enchanted oh, and your Mother is my Godmother, so nothing much," Harry said laughing a
little at both Draco and the sales people's expressions after his statement.

"So that is why Mother brought me here today," Draco said after he composed himself and
Harry had taken the platform next to him to get measured for his new robes.

"Yes I have a meeting with her around noon," Harry said as the salesperson began to takes
notes as the magical measuring tape took his sizes.

"Why would anyone enchant your hair and eyes though, apart from making sure you don't
look like a weasel?" Draco asked.

"Your guess would be as good as mine, to be honest," Harry said with a small shrug earning
him a disapproving look from the salesperson.

"So I am guessing it was the bunch of Blood Traitors that enchanted you then since you have
not got on my case for referring to them as Weasels?" Draco guessed.

"Well they did not all do it but I was evidently slipped Potions which would make me trust
some of them as well as Granger," Harry said.

"I did warn you about them if you recall," Draco said smirking over at him.
"Yeah yeah, what you want a cookie or something," Harry shot back.

"A cookie is that some sort of Muggle tradition? Being proved to be wrong give the person
who told you so a treat?" Draco asked actually making Harry start to laugh.

"No it is just an expression," Harry said after he was able to compose himself.

"Muggles are rather strange," Draco said shaking his head.

"You will get no argument from me on that one though of course Magicals are just as
strange," Harry pointed out.

"True," Draco said, "you know it feels strange to be both agreeing with you on something but
also not changing barbs."

"Indeed," Harry said as the bell at the entrance to the shop rang out.

"Draco dear are you not done yet it is almost time for my meeting at the bank," a voice
called.

"Just about but don't worry about it," Draco said shooting Harry a look.

"Now you know how I feel about punctuality Draco we can not be late for this meeting," a
woman who Harry now assumed was Narcissa Malfoy said.

"It will not matter if you are late Mother," Draco said looking as if he was stopping himself
from laughing.

"Why do you think that Dragon?" the woman asked as Harry took her in seeing she was
around six foot tall with her hair, which was both black and white in color, in a braid that
hung down to the middle of her back and was dressed periwinkle blue robes.

"Cause the person you are having the meeting with is standing right beside me," Draco said
who it seemed had reached his limit and began to laugh which much to Harry's surprise
included a couple of snorts.

"Ah yes, very funny Draco, I was told I was meeting my Godson I know you are not a fan but
that is no reason to try to make me skip the meeting," Narcissa said looking anything but
impressed with how her son was acting.

"He is not lying Lady Malfoy your meeting is with me," Harry said turning to her and lifting
his bangs out of the way so she could see his lightning bolt scar.

"Good Avalon,*" Narcissa said clutching at her chest.

"Sorry about that Lady Malfoy," Harry said in apology "I know I look rather different than
what I have done before now."
"You have your mother's hair and your father's eyes," Narcissa said in shock.

"Yeah I still don't know why anyone had them reversed," Harry said stepping off the platform
since the worker was done taking his measurements.

"If I had to guess it was for Severus," Narcissa said after a moment of thought as Harry began
to pick out some material for his robes to be made from as well as the color of them.

"Why?" Harry asked looking away from a forest green that matched his old eyes.

"Well both Severus and myself were your Mother's best friends while we were at Hogwarts,
but he always hated your Father so it could be that someone wanted him to see James rather
than Lily in you," Narcissa hazarded a guess.

"So that is why you were chosen to be my Godmother you were her friend?" Harry asked.

"Indeed it was and we would have taken you in if nor for," she started only to realize where
they were "maybe we should head to the bank before I continue."

"Okay," Harry said a little mystified as he placed his order for his new robes which would
hopefully be done by the time he returned to the bank.

"So how is Gregory Smith?" she asked as Harry and the two Malfoys walked to the bank.

"Who?" Harry said recalled having seen the name on his results but never having heard of the
man before.

"Gregory Smith, the person you were sent to live with after James and Lily died. We were
told for your protection you were to live in the Muggle world and as Gregory was your
mother's favorite Uncle he had been chosen to take you in.

"Um I was brought up by my Mother's sister, Petunia, and her family," Harry said as Narcissa
stopped in her tracks.

"Not Tunafish, Lily would never have wanted you anywhere near the beast. Not after the
childhood, she had," Narcissa said shaking her head solemnly as Harry tried not to laugh at
the nickname for his Aunt.

"I don't know what happened I just know they took me in and according to the Goblins my
Mom and Dad's Wills are sealed so they can't tell what was really meant to happen to me
after they died," Harry said. Hearing this Narcissa grabbed both his and Draco's hands and
speed to the bank. She did not even wait for a free Goblin as she leads the two mystified
thirteen-year-olds out a back door and down a corridor to a well-appointed meeting room.

"Ah Lady Malfoy you are early and I see you have found your Godson as well," Bonecrusher
said looking up as the three entered.
"I have indeed now what is this about Lily and James' Wills being sealed.

"As I explained to Heir Slytherin since they were sealed so long ago they can only be opened
by a Potter family Heir or Lordship ring which he, unfortunately, does not possess,"
Bonecrusher said "I am surprised you had not mentioned that to her Heir Slytherin."

"It had not come up yet," Harry said slightly blushing.

"Wait you really are Slytherin's Heir?" Draco asked his voice rising a little in shock.

"What do you mean he does not possess a Potter family ring?" Narcissa asked.

"It did not accept me, neither did the Gryffindor or Peverell rings only the Slytherin ring that
I gained through the Rite of Conquest accepted me. I was given some task to take care of
before I earn the right to them though," Harry said seeing both Malfoy's mouths fall open in
shock.

"Alright fine I can only assume this is the reason you called for this meeting today Prince
Bonecrusher," Narcissa directed at the Goblin.

"Indeed it is Lady Malfoy," Bonecrusher said before turning to Harry " do you mind if I share
with her your results.

"Might as well it would save us some time," Harry said as the Goblin pushed over a copy of
the results of Harry's Inheritance test followed by a glass of what looked like water as her
face paled.

As Narcissa read the results and took time to calm down Bonecrusher also passed over
Harry's new wand which was eleven inches long and highly flexible. "Master Bonecrusher is
there a way to remove the Headmaster from the control of my family seats in the
Wizengamot even if the rings rejected me?" Harry asked.

"There is a way but it is slightly underhanded," Bonecrusher said with a savage smile. "As of
right now only the four of us plus Fangtooth knows that the Potter, Gryffindor, and Peverell
rings did not accept you. And while you are not an Heir your status could be considered a
trial family member which still gives you the highest claim on the seats. And while you can
not claim them for yourself until you are the heir or Lord of the House you can decide who
can use them, or in this case not use them."

"So I can just declare that Albus Dumbledore does not have access to the Potter, Gryffindor,
Peverell, or Slytherin seats and he can't use them?" he asked.

"Actually by saying it like that you just did," Bonecrusher said with a rough laugh which
would have been creepy to Harry but for the moment found himself laughing alongside the
Goblin.

"You said I could also put someone in the seats as well," Harry asked "What happens if I just
leave them vacant?"
"Well as the Headmaster had used those seats to gain his Party's Majority in the Wizengamot
the Light Party would drop in ranking and ousting him as Chief Warlock," Narcissa said
having finally calmed down.

"Who does that leave in charge?" Harry asked.

"It usually goes to the eldest person of the leading party and since the Dark Party was just a
few seats lower than the Light Party that would mean Lady Greengrass would be the new
Chief Warlock. That is unless you wish to add your seats to another Party," Narcissa stated.

"I think for right now I will leave the seats vacant. Let's make him wonder what's going on
for a bit and give me a chance to find someone I can trust to fill them," Harry said.

That is surprisingly devious," Draco said nodding in approval.

"So what were you saying in the Radagast's earlier about why you did not take me in, besides
having me live in the Muggle Worlds? Harry asked.

"Ah yes you see most people thought and well still think that my husband was a Death Eater,
a supporter of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named," she added seeing his confusion. "But in truth,
he was working as a spy for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for one of your
father's old friends, Amelia Bones." Harry suddenly recalled Ron talking about Draco's Dad
being always in the Ministry.

"Um, if he was a spy why did he use Riddle's Diary?" Harry asked.

"Ah well, some of the Death Eaters remained free and had put pleasure on him to use it, so to
keep his cover he had slipped it into the cauldron of one of the Weasleys knowing that Arthur
being head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office would have instilled on his kids to report
the Diary once they noticed it was enchanted. He never would have imagined that it would
have actually be used to open the Chamber," she explained.

"Yeah I was talking about that with someone earlier but it seems we all overestimated the
Weasette," Harry said making Draco laugh at the nickname he had started for the girl while
his mom tried to give Harry a disappointed look that was ruined with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Oh that reminds me," Harry said snapping his fingers "it may be too late for this now but it
would be a good idea to clear out the chamber beneath the drawing-room."

Both Malfoys' eyes widen at his words as Narcissa asked, "And why shall we do that?"

"Well, when my former friends and I thought Draco was opening the Chamber the Weasel
and I used some Polyjuice Potions to sneak into the Slytherin dorms as Crabbe and Goyle.
Draco you told us about the Ministry raiding your place and then let it slip about the hidden
room. I know for a fact the Weasel was going to send a letter to Mr. Weasley but we were
busy so I don't think he ever did it but he might have told him this summer. And since you
say Lord Malfoy is still working as a spy for those Death Eaters which are still free it would
raise some concerns for people who don't know his status."
 "Why thank you Harry I shall let him know when we get home," Narcissa said bowing her
head slightly.

Chapter End Notes

*akin to saying Good Heavens sort of like saying "for the love of Merlin/Morgana"
would be "for the love of God"
 Breaking Free and Putting on a Show
Chapter Summary

Harry leaves Diagon Alley to stay with his Godmother before going to Hogwarts

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

"Speaking of homes where are you staying at the moment for I do not see Tuna Fish or that
rotten apple of a husband of hers letting you come to Gringotts and finding all this out,"
Narcissa asked tapping the results of Harry's test.

"I have been staying at the Leaky Cauldron after I accidentally inflated my Uncle's sister,
Marge," Harry said.

"By yourself?" Draco asked with a hint of jealousy in his voice.

"Yes, after the Minister let me go for my use of underage magic," Harry said.

"That man always has been a fool he left you with no protection or minder?" Narcissa asked
rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Well he did say that Tom was going to be keeping an eye on me," Harry said.

"Oh yes, for the man has so much free time running a bar/inn that he can keep track of you as
you got through the alley. Yes, he is worried about you being found by Sirius but there are
actual Death Eaters that still walk free. Not to dismiss your skills Harry, but you are still a
kid, and it would not take much for them to hit you with a spell to force you to follow them
down a deserted side street and harm you. I know you may not fully trust me or members of
my family but I would like you to come to stay with us for a couple of weeks before you head
back to Hogwarts," Narcissa said patting his arm.

"But won't I get in trouble the Minister himself told me to stay here?" Harry asked.

"You will not if anyone tries to I will point out that I am your Godmother and we had recently
found out about it. If they still have problems with that we can have them talk to the Goblins
about it," Narcissa said as Bonecrusher, who was working in the corner to not interfere with
their conversation, gave a nod of confirmation as he cracked his knuckles.

"If you are worried about staying with us we have plenty of room so you don't have to even
see us," Draco said misreading Harry's silence.
"What do you want in return?" Harry asked knowing that most people would want something
for taking him in.

"Nothing," Narcissa said sounding horrified that he had felt the need to ask. "We have House
Elves to take care of most things all you need to do is be a kid for once in your life."

"But won't Lord Malfoy be angry at me for freeing Dobby?" Harry asked since she brought
up House Elves.

"Who?" Both Malfoys asked giving him confused looks.

"Dobby the Malfoy family Elf who warned me about Riddle's Diary as well as trying to keep
me away from Hogwarts," Harry said wondering if they were really these so-called Death
Eaters and were trying to trick him to come to their home.

"Bartholomew," Narcissa said leading to a House Elf pop into the room. Harry looking at the
Elf saw the way he was dressed was vastly different from Dobby for rather than a toga this
Elf was dressed in a small smartly dressed suit with what he assumed was the Malfoy family
crest on his right breast pocket.

"You called for me Madam?" the Elf asked letting Harry notice another change as
Bartholomew spoke in a slightly posh voice.

"Yes Bartholomew is there an Elf named Dobby as part of your crew?" she asked.

"Not to my knowledge," the Elf said snapping his fingers and summoning a roll of
parchment, and began to look through it. "No Madam I have no record of a Dobby. Is this a
new Elf you would like to add to the crew?"

"No thank you just checking on something," Narcissa said.

"But he accompanied Lord Malfoy to meet with the Headmaster at the end of the last term I
freed him when I handed him Riddle's Diary with my sock in it," Harry said mystified.

"No Elves accompanied Master Malfoy to Hogwarts the current Headmaster does not
approve of Elves that do not work at the castle to be on grounds young Master,"
Bartholomew explained.

"Um, just out of curiosity could you cut off the barrier between Platform 9 3/4 and the rest of
King's Cross, cause a Bludger to single a person out, or take letters from a person with a Mail
Ward on them?" Harry asked the Elf.

"I could maybe do the letters if it was a member of my Master's family involved but the
others one would need overall permission from a high placed member at Hogwarts to shut off
the barrier or have access to a Hogwarts' Bludger," the Elf said.

"What is up Harry?" Draco asked finding the whole line of questioning strange.
"Those are the ways that Dobby tried to keep me away from Hogwarts last year, he collected
letters from people who sent them to me trying to make me think I had no friends, which
turned out to be true I guess," Harry said. I was rescued by the Weasel and the twins, but
when we went to get on the train the barrier did not let us through, and then you recall the
Bludger in our match last year."

"So this Dobby was working for Dumbles," Draco guessed.

"I can only assume," Harry said with a shrug before turning to Bartholomew and asking "are
you treated alright?"

"My entire crew is all treated very nicely," the elf answered with a small smile growing to
like this human.

"Alright I will stay with you though I need to pick up the robes I had just got measured for as
well as the rest of my stuff in my room," Harry said.

"Very well Bartholomew be a dear and get a room ready for Harry. Maybe in Abraxas' old
wing for the time being," Narcissa said dismissing the Head Malfoy Family Elf. "Now we
shall go get your robes and show Fudge that he made a mistake by not leaving you any
protection by spiriting you away from here right under Tom's nose." Narcissa suited actions
to words as she leads Harry and Draco back to Radagast's shop to pick up both Harry and
Draco's robes before they headed to the back door of the Leaky Cauldron where she told
them her plan.

Her plan had Harry going up to the room he was staying in while she stayed outside and
Draco made himself the center of attention in the pub complaining about how dirty it was and
being a basic brat. Once in his room, Harry would only collect his Invisibility Cloak and
bring it outside to Narcissa where she would put it on and follow him back to his room. She
would shrink all of his possessions for easy travel. Harry would once more leave the pub,
with Narcissa invisibly holding onto his shoulder to go get some ice cream and work on some
homework as Draco walking out, unless he had already been tossed out, and join the pair of
them at the side street leading where the trio would Apparate away. Narcissa's plan worked
almost to perfection though Draco was thrown out of the place when Harry walked out the
first time to deliver the cloak to Narcissa, which they both saw had the Blond smiling as he
was lead out by Tom.

Arriving at the gates to Malfoy Manor Narcissa led Harry up to the front doors where they
were greeted by both Bartholomew and Lucius. "Narcissa dear? Lucius asked sending a look
at Harry who was looking in wonder at the large foyer which could have fit both the bottom
floor of the Dursley's home as well as their attached garage easily inside.
"Lucius honey I would like you to meet Harry Potter," Narcissa said seeing her husband's
eyes widen at the redheaded boy's identity. "It seems we have been lied to, Luci, Harry had
not gone to stay with Lily's Uncle in fact he is dead. It could have been from natural causes or
not I haven't looked into it yet. And I was not just going to let my Godson stay at the Leaky
Cauldron with only the barmen to look out for him. So he will be staying with us until term
starts," Narcissa said in a tone that broke no argument. Harry actually had turned back to see
if Lucius would but saw him slightly cowered by his wife.

"Yes dear," Lucius said before turning to Harry. "I assume my wife has informed you of my
status as a Ministry Spy within His ranks?"

"Um yes Lord Malfoy," Harry said.

"Good, now every once and a while some Death Eaters who are free stop by the manor so
you will need to be out of view during their visits," Draco's father said.

"It is alright I have plenty of experience doing that," Harry said thinking of the times his
Uncle would either lock him in his old cupboard or just shut him in his room while there
were "important" guests over. "If I may ask if you are a spy and you know they really
supported Him why are they still free?"

"Ah well, some believe that the man did something to stave off death and would come back
so Madam Bones and I agreed to let some of the less powerful of them walk free in hopes
that they will lead us to whatever form he may be in at some point," Lucius explained. "Also
since I am a spy I have to act a certain way even in public so I apologize for the way I treated
the Weasleys I know from what Draco has told me you are fond of the family," the man said
evidently trying to make Harry comfortable in his home.

"There is no reason to apologize for how you treated them, even if you were acting some of
the family deserve it and more some," Harry said clenching his fist.

Lucius was about to ask more when Harry, who had not had lunch yet stomach began to
growl. Bartholomew stepped forward and offered to take him to the dining room which after
a nod from Narcissa let himself be lead away. "What was that all about?" Lucius asked his
wife and son after the door closed behind their new temporary ward and the Elf.

"It seems that what we were told was partiality true for he did grow up with Muggles but
rather than Gregory he was living with Tuna Fish," Narcissa explained making Lucius groan
having heard stories about the Muggle woman from both his wife and Severus. "But what is
more having run away from her he had decided to get tested, evidently not doing it before his
First-Year due to the Headmaster I suspect. Anyway, it seems that Molly and her two
youngest, as well as the Muggle girl who is near the top of their class, have been stealing
from Harry along with the Headmaster himself." Lucius felt his skin crawl and saw his wife's
Godson had been right about the Weasleys deserving worse than what he had given them it
was a clear case of Line Theft that even a new lawyer could not fail at winning a case with.
The only problem was to retain his position as a Spy he could not take the case or bring it up
within his firm without questions being asked. He doubted even if he could play it off as him
trying to free Harry from Dumbles control to bring him to His camp for there were still many
Death Eaters who wanted to kill Harry just cause that is what He wanted. "There is some
good news, however," Narcissa said with a smile.

"What is it?" Lucius asked worriedly knowing full well what that smile sometimes meant.

"Dumbles is no longer Chief Warlock," she said laughing a little when his mouth fell open in
shock. "Yes, it seems he had been using Harry's seats which Harry has now claimed and left
them vacant, for the moment. Lucius felt like dancing knowing full well what that meant for
while some claimed that the Dark Party was full of Death Eaters who had wiggled out of
getting caught in truth only maybe one or two members were actual supporters of Him. The
majority were normal Magicals who had Dark Cores and were trying to keep Magical
Traditions alive and those with Creature blood free from persecution.

Harry marveled at the dining room as he was brought into it and fed, what Bartholomew had
called, a simple meal which to him had been a real feast chatting with the Elf to find out more
about his kind. Bartholomew seemed to like the positive attention as he cleared up some of
the things Harry had learned from Dobby. Yes, a House Elf could be freed by presenting it
with clothing, but no the clothing had to be knowingly given nor did it apply to large amounts
of clothing. Harry was slightly disappointed to learn that bit for when Dobby had told him
clothing could free Elves he had pictured Draco being forced to do his own laundry. Neither
did the House Elves consider their service as a form of slavery but as a form of duty to their
families which took them in. Harry listened in fascination barely paying attention as he ate as
the Head Malfoy Elf told him that unlike most beings Magical and otherwise House Elves
were sustained by Magic itself and while they could live off pure Magic it sometimes caused
them to get sick so they would turn to Humans and other Beings who used Magic so it would
be filtered through them before reaching the Elf. Harry suddenly had the vision of Draco as a
coffee filter and Bartholomew taking the coffee from the pot after it had been made. Harry
snorted a little into his food leading to the Elf giving his back a could of smacks as he nearly
choked on his mashed potatoes.

A few days later Harry saw that Draco had been right about the size of Malfoy Manor for
even without trying to he had not seen another living human for hours on end. Though he did
see the Malfoy family Elves quite a bit as they would help make sure he did not get lost as he
moved about the place. Not that he did no his first full day there having only gone to one out
of seven libraries, according to the Elves, that the manor contained so he could finish off his
Summer homework. Even then the room was so large he had not realized that Draco was
doing the same thing until they had both went searching for the same book. Thereafter the
pair decided to work together to finish their work that much sooner with each helping the
other out Draco correcting Harry's Potions work and Harry pointing out some of the mistakes
Draco had made in his Charms paper. If someone told him on his birthday that he would start
to see Draco as a friend he would have told them to go see Madam Pomfrey, but it was
happening even if they still traded barbs with each other now and then.
In the short time that Harry was at the manor, he had been told to keep to away from the main
rooms, due to "visitors," no less than four times not that he minded for having finished his
homework and having the potion to reduce his intellect out of his system Harry had taken to
spend a lot of time reading books. It had started with the books Salazar and Ernie had him
check out but he soon finished them as he also discovered he had a near-perfect memory
when not enchanted making him able to recall the majority of the books. After finishing his
homework, the books on being an Heir/Lord, and on the Wizengamont Harry just started
going through the library nearest the room he was staying in and taking out piles of books on
various subjects to read. Some of which he wished he had read earlier like William Chang's
The Muggle in Court: A Muggleborns' Guide to Pureblood Society, or I Cast You Out: a
Study in the Historical/Philosophical Use of Spell Casting and Crafting.

That did not mean to say he avoided the others as every couple of days he would join Draco
on the Malfoy Family Pitch and the pair would just fly around some times in a quick Seeker's
game but mostly just showing off their skills on their brooms to each other. When Narcissa
was free, having learned that she was a high-ranking Healer at St. Mungos, she would tell
him tales of his parents during their time at Hogwarts as well as later in life. She even told
him about meeting both Vernon and Marge as she had accompanied Lily to Tuna Fish and
Vernon's wedding. "They were a nasty lot I can tell you," she said taking a sip of her hot
cocoa "Marge keep harassing your mother and me just cause I came as Lily's date, this was
due to your father being called away for a surprising training session. For some reason, the
woman just kept calling us dikes?" Narcissa said shooting Harry a questioning look but he
preferred not to explain having dealt with the Homophobic leanings of the Dursleys for years.

It had taken him time to get over it and admit even if it was just to himself that he fancied
males rather than females. It had confused him when he would sometimes get a feeling in his
gut around Ginny at least until his results and Salazar telling him about Eros Blade. For a
while, he thought he might be Bisexual but with the spell cleared from his system he was
pretty sure he was only into males. Though of the males he spent the most time with he did
not see himself falling for them for one Ron had never been his friend and was most likely in
it for the money and fame that came from being his "friend." The twins while nice he just did
not see happening for sometimes they were too wild for him. Percy while being calmer and
collected, not to mention rather handsome, from what he heard had a girlfriend and even if he
did not most likely would not want to date someone so much younger. Neville while also
calm was too timid in Harry's mind for whenever Harry pictured himself going out with
someone he could not see himself taking the lead all the time, and he had to admit that might
have been from the Dursleys. Then there was Draco and while they were becoming what,
frenemies, he could not see himself dating the blonde due to both their history but also how
active Draco was. Harry could admit his ideal date, at the moment at least, would be to
snuggle up with someone as they read books together, or maybe his partner reading to him.
He did not really interact with Draco's dad that much usually at meal ties when no visitors
were there and most of the time they just shared polite, but overall meaningless, conversation
about what had happened that day. Though one day a group of visitors had been to the manor
arriving at nearly eight in the morning and leaving well past midnight the man had shown up
to the room Harry had been sleeping in. Lucius had then proceeded to show Harry something
he called a "Dark Mark" which looked like a Skull eating a python tattooed onto Lucius's
right forearm. Lucius explained that all of His servants were marked thusly though he and a
few others had found some ways to alter the mark a little. "If you find someone with an
altered mark it means like me they are one of the various spies against Him. I know of only
two others, besides myself, who were spies Severus who worked for Dumbles and Regulus
Black who was working for his own Father after his mother had forced him to join," Lucius
explained pointing out the differences between a real mark and his altered one in great detail
letting Harry memorize it all.

On the day that Harry and Draco were to head back to Hogwarts Narcissa brought Harry and
Draco in as soon as the Barrier would allow thus getting Harry there with few witnesses to
him being with her and Draco. Rather than find a compartment right away Harry decided to
take out one of the books he had borrowed from Malfoy's library and began to read it giving
other students a chance to arrive. After nearly an hour spent reading Harry finally started to
look for a place to sit as the train was only a half-hour away from leaving the station. He did
not want to sit by himself, just in case Ron and Hermione showed up and somehow able to
know it was him despite his new look, so he skipped all empty compartments. He also
skipped a compartment that had ragged looking man placing his luggage up in the rack not
trusting why an adult was taking the train. He of course avoided Draco's compartment as well
to keep up the idea that they did not get along. He was just wondering if he should find some
random people to sit with when he found Ernie's compartment. "Hey Ernie mind if I sit with
you guys?" he asked sticking his head in.

"Oh hey Harry fine with me anyone has a problem if he joins us?" Ernie asked his friends,
which Harry saw included Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, and Justin Finch-Fletchley, who all
gasped at his new look but agreed they had no issue of him riding with them.

"So why are you not going with Ron and Hermione?" Susan asked as Harry lifted his trunk
into the rack.

"Well I have spent the last two years with just them, basically, I thought it might be a good
idea to meet and hang out with some new people," Harry explained.

"Oh Harry I never got a chance to tell you I was sorry to think you were the Heir of
Slytherin," Justin said reaching out to shake Harry's hand. Both Harry and Ernie let out a
small chuckle at that. "What?" Justin asked as Susan and Hannah also looked confused.

"Sorry over the Summer I had an Inheritance Test done and I found out I am actually the Heir
of Slytherin by Right of Conquest. It seems that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was the
previous Heir and when he came to kill me and was stopped I claimed the title," Harry
explained only to see the three other students begin to shiver in fear.

"Are you saying He was responsible for opening the Chamber last year?" Hannah asked her
voice coming out in a sort of croak due to her fear.

"No it seems that the Chamber was opened by a cursed object which enchanted Ginny
Weasley to do it," Ernie said. "I heard from my Mum that when that bit of information was
shared and Ginny not receiving any punishment from the Headmaster the Governors were
beside themselves in anger."

"So does that mean she got punished?" Harry asked shocking them with a hard glint in his
eye.

"Yes according to my Mum she got a six-month suspension as well as mandatory meetings
with a Mind Healer, not only due to the possession but also to find out why she never
reported the object in the first place," Ernie said seeing Harry's face break into a huge grin.

Harry had the most fun he ever had during that trip getting to know the four Huffelpuffs
thinking that if he had done this before they would not have suspected him of being the one
to unleash the Basilisk on the Castle. Thinking maybe that is why the Headmaster made his
former friends basically prevent him from getting close to anyone else so that they would
turn on him just like they had the last two years. He was going to make sure it did not happen
this year at all making a vow to himself to follow Godric's directive by making some friends
or allies in each of the four Houses. He decided the best way to start it off was to tell Ernie
and his friends the truth about what he had gone through not only with entering the Chamber
but also the events of the First-Year and the stone.

He must have lost track of time for the train seemed to be stopping, but he saw Ernie look at
his watch and Susan wipe the window showing that rather than Hogsmead Station the train
was in a forest. Harry and the others watch as the window seems to frost over as with a
sudden stop the lights go out, well most of them. Justin gasp as he points at Harry's hand
making him look down to see that the Slytherin family ring was glowing slightly giving off a
greenish light in the almost pitch black cabin.

Harry was about to ask Salazar what was going on only for his body to suddenly feel as if he
had jumped into a freezing lake. He almost felt as if he was about to pass out when his ring
glowed even brighter and what looked like a shield surround his entire body letting the heat
come back to him. Harry and the others watched in horror as a skeletal hand pulls their door
open revealing a dark creature in a black covering making Harry think of the Muggle idea of
the Grim Reaper. The dark form took a ragged breath as if trying to suck the very heat from
all of them. Seeing the four Huffelpuffs beginning to shiver Harry reached over and took
Susan and Ernie's hands which seemed to expand the shield to them as well. Justin and
Hannah were soon brought in as well as the five of them stared down the creature which
floated before them for another minute before leaving them alone. "Thanks for that Harry,"
Susan said squeezing his hand before she let go. "I wish my Aunty had told me the
Dementors would be searching the train."

"Why would they do that?" Harry asked thinking that no child should have been put in such a
situation as meeting one of these Dementors.

"Why to search for Black of course," Susan said, "though I do admit I wish they did not need
to."

"Are you alright in here?" the man who Harry had seen earlier storing his trunk asked as he
stuck his head into their compartment.

"Yes sir we are fine," Justin said in a slightly shaking voice.

"Here have some chocolate it should help," the man said snapping off a bit of chocolate and
handing it to Justin before offering some to the others. Harry only took some when he saw
Justin relax a little after eating his piece, and not getting any type of warning from his ring.
He was still having the old "not taking candy from strangers" lessons in his head which he
was going to keep to not get enchanted again.

Arriving at the station Harry joined the four in the horseless carriage up to the Castle. "Will
you guys help me pull a prank?" Harry asked as an idea came to him.

"Doing what?" Susan asked not wanting to do anything that would cause a lot of trouble.

"Due to my new look I know that not many people would be able to recognize me so I just
want to sit with you at the Hufflepuff table to see how long it takes for them to see I am
gone," Harry said giving her a gentle and innocent smile.

"I guess that does not sound too bad," Susan said as the others agreed to let him sit with them.
In truth, Harry was doing it to see who would be the one to report him being missing as well
as how long it took. If Ron and Hermione were the ones to report it, Harry saw it, as them
letting Dumbles know they lost track of him, but if they let someone else report him being
gone, it showed they were not really his friends. So no matter what happened the pair were
doomed, but if someone else did it it would show where he could find allies if it came from
Gryffindor House.

Arriving at the castle Harry walked with Ernie and his friends over to the Hufflepuff table
and sat down as everyone talked about the Dementors on the train. Harry sent a glance and
Draco catching the blonde's eye and giving a small wink. Draco gave him an almost
imperceptible nod of understanding as he talked to his friends. Looking around the hall Harry
saw the man from the train sitting beside an even angrier than normal Snape, but when he got
to the Gryffindor table he was shocked to see Ron sitting alone making him wonder where
 Hermione was and causing him to think without the funds she was stealing from him she
might not have been able to afford to come to the school.

Hermione, unfortunately, did show up as Professor Flitwick put the Sorting Hat away,
Professor McGonagall having also been absent from the event. As Dumbles stoop up to start
the feast there was a gasp as for the first time in anyone's memory he was interrupted.
"Professor Dumbledore we have a problem,"

"Yes, Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked in a kind voice but Harry saw his eyes had turned to
steel as he gazed upon Percy Weasley who was standing up at the Gryffindor Table.

"It seems, sir, Harry is missing no one has seen him I am worried he has gotten hurt," Percy
said making Harry almost smile for while the twins playfully teased him, and Ron and Ginny
made fun of him in a negative fashion Percy was a good guy. This is why Harry had a slight
crush on him as he had been the person to finally get Harry to realize he was gay.

Dumbles' demeanor changed in an instant as his full "grandfatherly" persona was back and
the man next to Snape seemed to tense up a little. Dumbledore pulled out his wand and with a
flick of it caused two rolls of parchment to appear. The entire hall watched as he tapped both
rolls with his wand as they started to unfurl for a bit letting him read something on them.
"Harry is listed as being on the train as well as having entered the castle so he can't be too far
maybe he has just gone to use the bathroom," Dumbles said with a smile which Harry now
saw as false as an American three dollar bill. Looking over at Draco he saw the blond almost
drawing blood as he bit his bottom lip to stop himself from laughing. Harry wondered what
Dumbles would do only for Ernie to nudge him with his elbow making Harry roll his eyes a
little before standing up.

"I am not missing I guess I was just got so wrapped up in my conversation I went to the
wrong table," Harry said running his hand over the back of his neck as if embarrassed as he
headed to the Gryffindor table. There were some laughs accompanied by gasp and mutterings
as everyone took in his new look as he walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down not
next to a flabbergasted Ron and Hermione but Percy and the other Seventh-Year Lions.
Looking back up at the Head Table Harry took in Snape's shocked look at his new look, while
the man beside him gave him a smile and a friendly wave. Harry had to imitate Draco and bit
his lip to stop himself from laughing seeing Dumbles who looked as if he had just downed
two full cups of Skele-Grow with a Lemon Drop chaser.

Chapter End Notes

By the way, Harry just has a slight childish crush on Percy this will not be who he ends
up with.
 Pest 1 and Pest 2
Chapter Summary

The first night in the dorms with Pest 1 and 2 being a nuisance

Harry ignored the talk about his new look as he took an open seat close to Percy and the other
Seventh-Years utterly ignoring his former friends though he once more caught Draco's eyes
to see the blonde also acting in surprise, winking at him when he saw Harry looking. It took
Dumbles a moment to remember himself as he starts spouting something about to banish the
darkness all one had to do was turn on the light. Harry just picked up the silverware before
him as he waited for the feast to start. Once the food finally appeared Harry began to load up
his plate filling it more than normal, as he was for once not having to wait a few days before
his stomach could handle it after being starved at the Dursleys.

"So how was your Summer Harry? I see that your family let you, oh what's it called? Oh
yeah dye your hair and give you I think they're called contacts?" Percy asked

"They did not I actually ran away from home," Harry said starting on his meal making the
Seventh-Years around him, apart from Percy, look confused having always told he lived like
a Prince at home.

"Why would you run away?" one of them asked.

"Well it all started with my Uncles' sister came over and started bad-mouthing my mom and
dad leading me to accidentally use some underage magic and inflated her," Harry said
making one of the Seventh-Year boys who he was sure was named Thomas Duncan snort into
his mashed potatoes.

"What did you Aunt and Uncle do?" Percy asked placing a comforting hand on Harry's back
having heard from the twins about how Harry had been living last year.

"I did not give them a chance to do anything as my magic unlocked the cupboard where they
had stored my stuff before doing a runner," Harry said as he told Percy and his friends all
about ending up in Diagon Alley and having an Inheritance Test. Letting them all know that
he had been enchanted but not the full extent or even the fact that Percy's Mother and
youngest siblings had been stealing from him. "So how was your Summer Percy? I think I
read that your family went to see your older brother in Egypt was that Bill or Charlie?" he
asked after he had finished.

"We went to go see Bill, and it was fun at least until we got back," Percy said.

"Oh, how come?" one of the other Seventh-Years asked.

"Well it seems the board decided to suspend my sister for her part in opening the Chamber
last year," Percy said as his friends' mouths fell open. "And to be honest Fred, George, my
father, as well as my older brothers and I think she got off easy for they could just as easily
expelled her for not coming forward. This news came to us when we arrived at Diagon Alley
to pick you up," he said looking at Harry. "But when we could not find you Mum got even
madder than when Ginny got suspended and Dad was worried for you. If you do not mind me
asking where were you?"

"How did you know I had been in the Alley?" Harry asked thinking there were two ways they
could have learned of it Fudge or Dumbles.

"I think Dad got a letter from Fudge asking him to have us take you to King's Cross due to
our previous relationship with you and Dad working for the Ministry. And you are avoiding
the question," Percy said arching an eyebrow at him making some butterflies seem to flutter
in Harry's stomach.

"Well, when I got the Inheritance Test the Goblins got me in contact with one of my
Godparents and I stayed with them for the rest of the Summer. They seemed to think it was
safer than having me stay with minimal supervision in the Alley." Harry explained making
sure not to mention who his Godparents were that he had stayed with.

"As long as you were safe," Percy said reaching over and giving his shoulder a quick squeeze
making Harry blush a little.

"There you are Harry we save you a seat. Why are you sitting by Perc?" Ron's voice called
out from behind him making Harry clench his hand under the table lest he acted out on his
anger at the other boy.

"Oh, I just thought I would sit by someone who actually noticed I was gone. I saw it was
Percy who brought up that I was not at the table, not you or Hermione," Harry said through
gritted teeth.

"Oh, well I thought you had been told to talk to Madam Pomfrey having heard that you
passed out when the Dementors checked your compartment," Ron said trying to squeeze into
the spot beside Harry.

"I have no idea what you are on about Ron I did not pass out from them," Harry said shifting
in his seat so no matter what side Ron tried to sit on there was no room.

"I had not heard that anyone passed out from the Dementors either," Percy said arching an
eyebrow at his youngest brother.

"I heard Malfoy and his cronies laughing about it," Ron said which Harry knew was a lie for
while he and Draco were not great friends, at least yet, the blonde would no longer come up
with a story like that about him.
"Well then he needs to get his facts checked and you should know not to believe everything
he says," Harry said turning back to his meal.

"Oh come on Harry, Hermione wants to see you," Ron said placing a hand on his shoulder.
As Harry shrugged it off he felt a small tinge from the Slytherin Ring which he recognized as
a warning that some spell was being cast on him.

"Well she can see me later after all the feast is nearly ended," Harry said before turning back
to the Seventh years around him. "By the way Percy Congratulations on becoming the Head
Boy. I hope you can handle it."

"Handle it?" Percy asked confused.

"Well, I know your N.E.W.T.S. are this year so you will be studying for them as well as being
one of the top students in the castle I don't want to see you overwork yourself. Just remember
to delegate if you need to," Harry said giving Percy a somewhat shy smile.

"Thanks, Harry that is very kind of you," Percy said giving him a smile in return making the
butterflies in his gut feel like they had become a tornado.

Ron looked like he was about to say something but Dumbles got to his feet and gave a small
cough to signal his start of term announcements forcing his former friend to head back to the
spot by Hermione. As the man spoke Harry started to zone out a little at the same old
messages, only to snap his eyes open as he heard the new teachers. Hagrid and someone
named Lupin, who he guessed was the man sitting next to Professor Snape. Thinking back to
his results he wondered if the man was related to his living Godfather's Mate and made a
mental note to ask him about it when he got the chance. As Dumbles had them sing the
school song Percy leaned down and gave Harry the password to the Common Room so he
could get in right away after they were dismissed without waiting for a Prefect.

As soon as Dumbles finally let them go Harry left with the rest of the hoard of students and
using his knowledge gained from his late-night trips around the castle, as well as some
passages ways that seemed to appear as he got close to them, he was the first to come to the
Fat Lady's Portrait giving her the password Percy had given him. Rather than wait in the
main Common Room for his Housemates Harry rushed up to the now Third-Year male dorms
and went inside. Seeing that his bed was as usual between Ron and Neville's Harry called for
a Hogwarts Elf. Rather than an Elf with a Gryffindor crest on his uniform like what Narcissa
told him would happen the Elf had a Slytherin Crest. "How may Linka help you tonight Lord
Slytherin?" the Elf asked with a slight bow.

"Um hello, I was wondering if you could rearrange the beds so I am between those two?"
Harry asked pointing out his stuff before pointing out Dean and Seamus' belongings.

"It shall be done young Lord," Linka said snapping his fingers. "Are you aware that there are
high-level wards around your trunk young Lord?"
"I know Linka I had someone put it on so others may not go through my belongings," Harry
said.

"I can help you with that as well young Lord," Linka said "I can put on a spell so that
anytime you touch them you will receive a report on who tried to access them, as well as
making it that no one else can shift the beds to how they were before."

"Thank you very much Linka," Harry said with a bow making the Elf beam at him before he
popped off. Harry then reached into his trunk and pulled out one of the books he had
borrowed from the Malfoy Family library, about famous Magicals from the time of Merlin
and the Founders, before heading back down to the Common Room.

Getting down there Harry saw people slowly coming into the room as he took a seat in one of
the back corners to start reading his book before Percy gave the start of term notices. He had
learned that in the other Houses, thanks to both Draco and Ernie, their Head of House gave
these same notices, but he guessed since Professor McGonagall was Head of Gryffindor
House, Transfiguration Professor, and Deputy Headmistress she could not find the time to do
it herself.

As Harry read the book he felt something jump onto him making him peek over the cover to
find a large fluffy orange cat, that sort of reminded him of the comic strip cat Garfield, had
curled up on his legs. Not recognizing the cat, but knowing it had to belong to one of his
classmates, possibly bought over the summer Harry reached down and scratched its ears,
producing a purr, as he went back to his book. "Hey Harry I see you meet my new cat
Crookshanks," Hermione said making him look up from his book. He was actually surprised
by this. Not only that she had gotten a cat, but based on what happened when someone
disturbed her reading that she would do it to him. He gave a non-committal grunt before
shifting his eyes back to his book and starting to read again only for her to ask, "So have a
good Summer?"

"Hermione I am trying to read before Percy gives the announcements for the year," he said
sort of wishing he could adopt her own tactics against her and using his book as a bludgeon
on her.

"Yeah but we have not seen each other for the whole Summer," she said pulling a seat over to
him "I was surprised that I did not see you in Diagon Alley."

Harry shut his book with a somewhat loud smack and gave her a small glare. "Considering
that you get angry anytime Ron, or anyone else talks to you while you read you would think
that you would not talk to someone else as they are in the middle of reading," Harry said
noticing some nods from some of the people around him who had looked over as he snapped
his book shut.

"Well that is because I read for our school work Harry," she said seeming off-put by his
statement.
"Oh, I am sorry if my reading for my own enjoyment is not the same as it for you reading for
your homework. Merlin knows you have to be well-read so you can basically copy the
material of the book for your homework," Harry said glaring at her as he gently moved her
cat off his lap before leaving his seat. Hermione started to follow but the crowd closed up
behind him as they let him through to get away from her.

This time he headed towards where the Twins and Lee Jordan were sitting as the twins told
about trying to trap Ron in one of the tombs. Harry laughed at that as he sat down and
greeted the three as he was pulled into a tight hug by the twins. "Must say Harrikins loving
your new look."

"Thanks, Fred," Harry said earning him a smile from both twins being one of the few people
who could tell them apart. Which granted did include the other members of the Gryffindor
Team, Lee Jordan, and Percy but that was about it in the House. He knew it sort of irked the
twins that last year Ron, Ginny, or even Hermione had been unable to tell which twin was
which. "I must say it was back luck that your plan did not succeed," Harry said giving them a
smile making Lee let out a laugh as George pulled him in and giving him a playfully noogie.
George stopped as Percy got everyone's attention and gave the start of term notices such as
Wood still being the Quidditch Captain and was trying to schedule time on the pitch for their
first practice. To Harry's shock Percy actually brought up Ginny's suspension, though that
could be to explain her absence for those who had not heard about it. There were some gasps
as Percy told everyone the suspension had to do with failure to report a cursed object with a
reminder that if anyone found such a thing to let one of the staff know about it right away.

As Percy sent them all to bed so that everyone would be well-rested for their first day of
classes Harry went to his dorms smiling as he got his sleep clothing out of his trunk and
began to change. "Nice new clothing Harry," Dean said who was now the bed on his left.

"Thanks, I got them over the summer and finally got rid of the circus tent that was my
Cousin's old clothing," Harry said slipping into the satin sleepwear Narcissa and Lucius had
helped him pick out when he started staying with them.

"Thank Merlin, those things looked sickening I was always afraid you would catch something
from them," Seamus said as he slipped on his own sleep clothing which had patterns of the
Irish National Quidditch team on them.

"Tell me about it I am just glad I did not get sick when I burned them," Harry said making
Dean and Seamus laugh.

"What's going on who moved our beds?" Ron asked as he stepped into the room to find that
he was on the opposite side of the room's heater from Harry's bed, between Dean and
Neville's beds.

"How would we know it was like this when we got up here," Dean said rolling his eyes.
"Yeah maybe Hogwarts decided that since we are in our Third-Year it would change things
up a little," Harry said hiding a smirk as he climbed into his bed and picked up where he left
off in his book. When Ron would not stop grumbling and basically begging Dean to change
beds with him Harry just rolled his eyes and closed the hangings around his bed before dong
a low-level Warding spell which would block out all the noise from the room as he could
finally read his book in peace.

The next morning feeling well-rested since he had not stayed up late with Ron as his former
friend liked to do the day before their first classes for some reason. Harry got out of bed and
quickly dressed in his school robes leaving the room without bothering to wake up Ron at all
as he headed down to breakfast. Sitting with Dean and Seamus, Harry was a little shocked to
learn that just like Ernie, Seamus' Mum was a member of the Hogwarts' Governors. Seamus
told them about the vote to suspend Ginny, which according to his mom had been rather close
and suspension had just barely beat out her getting expelled. Harry had to bite his lip a little
to not laugh at the thought of the girl getting expelled for what had been done to him with the
Eros Blade spell as well as the "Singing Valentines" from last year. As the three were talking
Hermione came into the hall half-dragging an annoyed Ron behind her as the pair sat in the
last open spots on the table, which were thankfully far away from Harry, Seamus, and Dean.

As Professor McGonagall handed him his schedule Harry looked at it with a small scowl
seeing that he was still down for Care of Magical Creatures and Divinations. "Um, Professor
didn't you get my message saying I was dropping these classes and taking up Ancient Runes
and Arithmancy?" Harry asked pointing at the classes on the schedule.

"I did not but it is too late now the last day to change classes was a week ago," she said
sharply as she handed Dean and Seamus their schedules.

"Professor Flitwick, did you get my message about them?" Harry asks as the Charms Master
moved past handing out his own Houses schedules at the next table.

"I did Harry though I could not figure out why you were sending the message to me through
the bank," Flitwick said looking over at him.

"I did it just in case this happened," Harry said showing him his timetables.

"Ah, I see," the Charms Master said "very prudent of you I assume you sent one to Professor
McGonagall as well?"

"I actually sent one to each Head of House not sure whose permission I would need to
approve the change. And just to be on the safe side I also sent you two one through my
Account Manager and the other through the normal post," Harry explained.

"How very interesting," Professor Flitwick said "I will have to check on that, but in the
meantime hand over your schedule and I will fix it for you."
"Now Filius just a moment," Professor McGonagall said as Harry handed his document to the
Head of Ravenclaw who tapped it with his wand to fix it.

"He sent the message to us almost a month ago which is in the proper timeline to change
courses Minerva, it is not our fault that we did not receive them. It is just a good thing he sent
out more than one request form in various ways," Professor Flitwick said as Harry bowed to
him in thanks.

"I have no issue with that Filius. I was more thinking that as his Head of House I should also
be involved in looking for the reason I did not receive his notice," Professor McGonagall
said. The two Heads decided to look into it together as they passed out the rest of their
students' timetables.

Looking down Harry saw that he had Arithmancy first thing in a classroom on the sixth floor
west side of the castle. Saying goodbye to both Dean and Seamus who were both taking
Divinations Harry made his way to his new class. Despite heading out as soon as he got his
schedule he was not the first to arrive as he noticed a familiar blond head of hair sitting at one
of the seats. Harry had known Draco was taking this class due to their talks over the Summer
he just wished he knew who else was going to take it. By the people Draco was sitting with
there were at least three Slytherins, besides Draco, but there was a scattering of Huffelpuffs
and Ravenclaws as well. Knowing that Hermione had shown interest in the class Harry
decided to sit among the Slytherin students to hopefully ward the pest away from him. As he
sat down he got an arched eyebrow from Blaise Zabini and Millicent Bulstrode, while the last
Slytherin, Theodore Nott II did not even seem to notice him with his head already in the class
book. Giving Draco a gesture the pair had come up with over the Summer to say "Hello"
Harry also took out the coursebook and waited for class to begin.
 Star Wars and Bogarts
Chapter Summary

Harry's first day of classes of his Third-Year.

Chapter Notes

I used the class schedule for Harry for Thursday as shown in

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/588233-third-year--
schedules#:~:text=THIRD%20YEAR%20SCHEDULE%20Number%28s%29%20befor
e%20each%20class%20tell,the%20Dark%20Arts%203-
4%20Charms%20Friday%3A%201-2%20Potions for reference

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Ignoring the looks most of the class was giving him Harry took the seat behind Theodore
both for him being the only Slytherin, beside Draco, who had not reacted to him coming over
and the hopes that his larger size would hide him from Hermione if she ended up taking the
class. As Harry waited for the Professor to come along to start the class he pulled out one of
the three-course books and began to peruse it one-handedly while bringing out a notebook
and some quills. When the Professor, who introduced herself as Septima Vector, came in she
called the class to order right away informing everyone of them that as her class was more
intellectually bent than most at the school they usually would not require their wands.
Professor Vector then explained how she would be grading their homework, most of which
she assured them would be projects they could do by themselves or in a group of no more
than groups of five.

She was just handing out her class syllabus which showed what topics they would be
covering for the month when the door opened and Hermione walked in. Most of the students
arched their eyebrows at her while Professor Vector told her off for being tardy, however,
Hermione did not even seem to take offense at being told off as she saw Harry in the room.
After being told to take a seat the bushy-haired Witch started towards Harry only to take in
who he was sitting next to and angle towards the area by the Ravenclaws. As Professor
Vector finished with her introduction she gave them all a simple worksheet to do where they
had to use Arithmancy, with help from the first chapter of their books, to set up a ritual circle
permitting them to work in groups if they wished.
As everyone got started Hermione got out of her seat and came over, "Why don't you join me
Harry after all we are the only two Gryffindors here, plus you will need my help to pass the
class."

"Yeaaaaaah, I am gonna have to have a hard pass at that Hermione," Harry said.

"What why?" she asked seeming startled by his refusal, as were Blaise, and Millicent.

Harry really wanted to bring up what he found out over the Summer but knew it would put
Dumbles and the other bastards in his life on the edge, so he said "I know we spend a lot of
time together but I think I need to make some friends in the other Houses. You know for
when we leave Hogwarts."

"But that is still years away," she said as if he was an idiot.

"True but as the old saying goes it is never too early to start," Harry said as he turned away
and tapped Theodore on his shoulder.

"Um yes?" Theodore asked turning around.

"Do you want to work together on this?" Harry asked knowing it would really irk the Witch
off as Theodore and she was always ranked in the top spots of their year.

"You want to work with me? Why?" Theodore said arching an eyebrow as if expecting some
sort of prank from Harry.

"No reason just thought it would go faster," Harry said with a nod of his head showing that
most of the other students in the class were working in groups as well.

"Very well, but if you hold me back I will end it," Theodore said.

"I would have it no other way," Harry said before looking up at his former friend "is there
something you need Hermione if not let us work." The bushy-haired Witch grunted
annoyance as she headed back to her seat to start on her own form.

Harry actually had a great time working on the measurements of the runic circle with
Theodore, who told him to call him Theo. It seems without both the Intelligence Dampening
Potions and not caring if he out-performed Hermione, he had no issue with the work. So
despite the pair of them starting after all but Hermione they were the first to get their work
done. As Professor Vector informed them earlier that if they worked in groups she would cast
a charm on any group projects handed in to make sure the members were pulling their share
of the work. When they handed it over to them she smiled seeing they had both had done
near equal work, though Theo had done a bit more having written everything down so it
would be more legible, and gave them a passing grade for the day. As there was still a few
minutes before the class got over with Harry asked about the book Theo had been reading
before class, since it had not looked like a coursebook. Theo had blushed as he pulled out a
well-read copy of Star Wars Heir of the Empire. To say Harry was shocked would be putting
it mildly as he looked at the Muggle book the other was reading. He of course knew about
Star Wars but had never had a chance to see any of the movies or read any of the books and
comics about it, and Hogwarts was not a place he would have expected to run into it. "Is it a
good book?" he asked as Theo put it away.

"I guess, I mostly read it for the villain of the series reminds me of Sherlock Holmes," Theo
said with a shrug. "Also the last book in the series just came out so I started to reread the
others two before starting it."

"Do you read other Muggle books?" Harry asked making Theo actually scoff at him.

"As if the world of literature is divided into Muggle books and non-Muggle books. I know
most families have large selections of books written by Muggles that they will read for fun,"
Theo said which confused Harry who had not come across any in Malfoy Manor but of
course, he had spent most of his time in only one of the seven libraries of the place.

"I guess that makes sense," Harry admitted, "does Hogwarts also have some I have always
wanted to see what the fuss was all about Star Wars."

"You never read or watch Star Wars, but I thought you lived with Muggles," Theo said with
his turn at being shocked.

"Yeah and treated like a House Elf," Harry said.

"Not sure if Madam Pince has any of the books from the Universe but I will write home for
my dad or Granddad to send me a copy. No one should not know Star Wars," Theo said as the
bell rang to end the class. Harry offered him a quick thanks, giving a quick sign to Draco as
he headed to Transfigurations.

Harry was glad that he had somehow lost Hermione on the way to class as he entered most of
his classmates already there. As it was a plain Gryffindor-only class he was the last person to
enter seeing Hermione somehow having beaten him to the room and was now sitting next to a
scared-looking Ron. Just a month ago he would have asked what was wrong with him but
instead just headed to one of the empty seats in the room by Dean and Seamus. It seems the
entire class was distracted as Professor McGonagall performed some spell which amazed
Harry but the others did not even seem to notice in the slightest. Asking about it Parvati
mention that the rest of the class had come from Divinations. Professor shocked everyone as
she asked who was going to die, which Harry thought was a little harsh for how casual she
had said it. She then explained that the Professor from the class would always start the class
by predicting one of the student's death a year. In Harry's mind, her explanation seemed to
show that whoever was teaching the class was as big as a fraud and Lockhart making him
glad he had dropped it. However, the rest of the class was unconvinced as Parvati whispered
to Lavender something about Neville and a cup. If Harry had to guess based on Neville's
history the teacher had guessed Neville would break a glass or something and it had
happened which had "proven she could see the future." Harry wanted to roll his eyes but
rather just got back to the lesson.
After Transfiguration Harry situated himself in between Dean and Seamus as they headed
down to Potion. For the first time since his first Potions class, Harry did not have any
trepidation making his way down to the dungeons. He was the only Gryffindor feeling that
way he soon left the others to fall behind going as slowly as they could to put off the time
with Professor Snape and the Slytherins. Thus Harry was alone as he walked past a blank
stretch of wall and his ring glowed. Stopping in place, he wondered why the ring was
glowing when he suddenly realized he was at the hidden entrance to the Slytherin Common
Rooms. Recalling Salazar mention that he would be able to access portions of the castle
without Passwords he wondered if he could enter the Common Room itself. He almost
checked it out raising his hand towards the wall only for the sound of his trailing classmates
to reach his ears. Quickly lowering his hand Harry hurried on to the classroom with his left
hand safely hidden in his robes to hide the glow.

Entering the classroom and seeing that the Slytherin students were already there Harry made
his way over to one of their tables to once more not sit by his former friends. It was only after
he had sat down did he realize that he was once more sitting beside Theo, Draco, and Blaise.
"Again Potter?" Draco said in an annoyed voice that Harry was sure would not fool anyone
since the blonde had called him Potter other than "Potty" that he normally would call him

"Hey I meant what I said in Arithmancy about spreading my wings and making friends in
Houses other than Gryffindor, Malfoy," Harry said loud enough that the Slytherins who had
not been in the class with them would know why he was seated next to his nominal school
rival.

"Very well, but don't expect us to fawn over you or help you with your Potions," Draco said
with a board-sounding drawl.

"Like I could trust you to give the proper help you would tell me the wrong thing just so I
would ruin my Potion," Harry shot back hiding a small twinkle in his eye.

"As if you need my help with that," Draco said with an answering twinkle.

"Oh would you two just knock it off already," Theo said in an exasperated voice rubbing the
bridge of his nose. "Draco if you don't stop I will no longer help you in History of Magic, and
Harry though I don't really interact with you if you keep it up you can forget about borrowing
A New Hope."

Draco and Harry pretended to hesitate for a moment before they gave in and quickly shook
each other's hand as Theo gave a sharp nod of approval and Blaise looked on in shock as if he
had just witnessed a miracle. Truth be told Harry and Draco had been trying to think of a way
for them to look as if they buried the hatchet in front of everyone; they just had not expected
it to happen so soon. As Harry and Draco ended the handshake and brought their hands back
to their sides the members of Harry's House finally entered the room and looked on in shock
to see him sitting beside Theo across from Draco and Blaise. Through their shock was
nothing compared to when Professor Snape entered the room to see Harry sitting with his
Snakes rather than his fellow Lions.

For the entire lesson, Professor Snape did not seemed to know how to treat Harry, though
Harry was not sure if that was based on his new look or where he was sitting. In the end the
Potions Master ended up acting as if the seat where Harry was at was vacant like it normally
was making Harry shoot a look at Draco who gave him his usual superior smirk having
guessed that would be the man's reaction. Harry also found that without Snape breathing
down his next, or the Slytherins messing with his work, something that Draco informed him
they would often do during a conversation the pair had at Malfoy Manor, Harry was actually
able to produce the desired results of the day's assignment. Once more Professor Snape
surprised Harry by not taking points off accusing him of cheating off of his tablemates but
just marked it down with an EE, the highest grade Harry had ever received in the class.

Harry was looking forward to the afternoon, as he left the Potions class since after lunch all
he had was D.A.D.A before having the rest of the day off as the Study of Ancient Runes did
not meet until tomorrow right after lunch. Harry had thought about packing his bag slowly
letting his former friends leave before he did but saw them also going slowly evidently
waiting for him. Changing tactics Harry finished packing in a hurry as he walked up to the
Great Hall with the Slytherins asking Theo about Star Wars. As they walked Harry realized
he had never really heard the tall pale-skinned male speak that much. For though just like
Blaise the pair were considered, at least among his fellow Third-Year Housemates, part of
Draco's "gang" neither boy had joined in teasing or bullying the other students as Crabbe and
Goyle did. Harry found Theo's voice quite nice just a tad low and clipped but also formal
making him think of Percy when he was explaining the rules to someone, usually the twins,
in the Common Room. Harry was almost disappointed to say goodbye as they reached the
Great Hall for lunch. Spotting the twins and Lee Jordan already at the table Harry made a
beeline towards them and without even asking the twins made a space between them for him
to sit.

"So young Harry how are your electives going?" Fred asked.

"It is going fine," Harry said making himself a plate of food of two, foot-long hot dogs in
buns and some ranch flavored chips.

"Oh don't tell me old Trelawney picked you as this year's death?" George asked.

"Who?" he asked

"I thought you were taking Divinations with Ron and Hermione?" Fred asked a spoon of the
soup he was having halfway to his mouth.
"Oh no I dropped that class before school started and took Arithmancy," Harry said causing
the three Fifth-Year students to let out low whistles as he wondered about Hermione taking
Divinations since she had been in class with him that morning.

"Well hope you do better at it than we did," Lee Jordan said "the three of us barely lasted a
month before we had to drop the class based on how tough the classwork was.

"I don't see myself having a problem I always did well in Maths back at in my Muggle school
and the assignment for today my partner and I got the only O in class," Harry said making the
three mouths fall open in shock.

"Good on you Harry," George said slapping Harry on the back. "But if you think that is good
wait until you have your Defense class."

"Why," Harry asked as he took a sip of his drink.

"Well for one Professor Lupin is actually competent, and for another well, we don't want to
ruin the surprise," Fred said raising an eyebrow at Harry's reaction to the Professor's name.

The only downside of lunch was while Harry sat between the twins and Lee was across the
table from them when Ron and Hermione showed up they sat next to Lee. Ron started to
complain about Professor Trelawney finding the Grimm in his teacup. Having no idea what
that even meant but guessing, by the twins and Lee's expressions that it meant Ron was this
year's student who was going to die, Harry just ignored the other boy. To his slight surprise,
Hermione did not ask about Ron's problem not being in the class as well. in fact she did not
mention anything about their class either. Which Harry saw as a good thing for it meant she
was not getting on his case for getting the O with Theo while she had only managed an EE.

After about only ten minutes of non-stop complaining, unless one counted the moments Ron
was shoveling food into his mouth as if it was about to disappear from the table Harry had
had enough so he pulled his bag onto his shoulder and left the Hall heading up to the
D.A.D.A. classroom. Though as he got closer he realized he could also use his early arrival to
ask Professor Lupin if he had any siblings which might be his Godfather's spouse only to find
the man was not there. At least on the upside, the man had kept the single desk arrangement
like Lockhart had set up the room rather than the small tables from under "Quirrellemort."
Granted that would do nothing to stop Ron and Hermione from sitting next to him it would
offer some space between them. As an added precaution Harry took the seat in the front row
at the end so he could only be blocked to the side of his non-writing arm and the back. If it
was another class he might have sat in the back row to prevent say Ron from sitting behind
him and kicking his chair, but he actually liked Defense Against the Dark Arts even after the
two horrible teachers they had had so far in the subject.
As he had predicted Ron took the seat behind him and Hermione to his left when they entered
the room before the class started. Thankfully they were barely sitting five minutes, which
Harry was able to avoid any conversation as he pulled out one of his Arithmancy books and
looking through it until Professor Lupin showed up. After quickly greeting the class he had
them put all but their wands away and follow him out of the room. For once Ron and
Hermione did not act like pests as they along with everyone else wondered what was going
on. Professor Lupin just smiled at them as he leads the group to the teacher's lounge and had
a quick and terse talk with Professor Snape before the man left. The Potions Master once
more gave Harry a strange look as if not sure what to do about him any longer as he left
making Harry miss a little as Lupin tried to build Neville's confidence. Telling the class they
would be facing a Boggart which after hearing about what it was made Harry sure it was the
inspiration to the Muggle boogeyman. Without really paying his full attention Harry was able
to answer one of the questions the Professor put to him about the creature before they were
told to think about what scared them the most.

For less than five seconds Harry thought about Voldemort, but that was soon replaced by
Dumbles who himself lasted just under ten seconds. Harry decided what he really feared was
disappointing his father and losing the three family rings that had rejected him. Sure he felt as
if they were being a little unfair since he had no control of getting hit by the spells or douse
by the Potions he had been under, but he knew they were acting on old family Magic,
according to Narcissa, which failed to take into account his special circumstances. It was still
a scary thought that he would let his father and the other Rings down but he could not figure
out how to make them less "scary" besides proving his worth. Something he did not want to
show in front of a class that contained two maybe three of Dumbles's pawns.

Thankfully when it was his turn and the Bogart started to change forms from the Mummy
who had found both their feet wrapped together Professor Lupin leaped forward to become
the next person the Boggart focused on. As the class looked around his Boggart was spotted
as an orb floating just above his head. When Professor Lupin cast his spell in a board voice
Harry was confused why the others felt that the item had been a crystal ball when it was
obviously a representation of the moon. After all how many crystal balls floated above one's
head and had what looked like clouds around it. At his spell, the Boggart was sent back into
the wardrobe from whence it came so that the other four Houses could tackle it before the
Professor let them go. As Harry was the only student who did not have to rush off to his next
class, with this one being his last one for the day, he stayed behind to talk to the Professor.

"If you are wondering why I got in your way Harry I just did not think it would have been a
good idea for Lord Voldemort to appear within the school grounds," Professor Lupin said
once the pair of them were alone in the room. Harry was slightly shocked to find that the man
actually said the Dark Lord's chosen name rather than He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named or some
such thing.
 "Actually he was not the thing I felt scared me the most, and I had not come up with a way to
face it, at least one that I wanted to show everyone," Harry said making the man give him an
odd look.

"Than what is it Harry?" he asked.

"Do you have a sibling or cousin perchance?" Harry asked.

"Um, not really I am an only child and all my cousins are Muggles like my father had been
before finding out he could do magic. Why do you ask?" the man asked.

"Well before school started I got an Inheritance Test and it listed my Godfather as Sirius
Lupin-Black so I was wondering if he was your brother-in-law or something," Harry said
seeing the shocked look on the man's face. "Well if he is married to one of your Muggle
cousins or something you can let them know that according to my results he was wrongfully
imprisoned," Harry said before he left the stunned man alone in the room.

As he left Harry, he was unaware of the battle going on inside the mind of his newest
D.A.D.A. Professor. For the man knew the only person that his old friend could have married
to gain the name Lupin was himself, but he had no memory of ever getting married at all. He
also marveled at the fact that Harry had stated Sirius had been wrongfully imprisoned though
the only way that could be possible was if Peter had betrayed Lily and James. Biting his lip a
little he wondered if someone had somehow placed some enchantments on him despite how
hard it was to cast them on a Werewolf. Though of course, it was only hard not impossible,
and as the old Professor who helped him gain his Mastery in D.A.D.A. liked to say, "With
Magic, even the Impossible becomes Possible and Hard is nothing but a walk in the park."
Deciding the next chance he got he would go in for his own test Remus Lupin headed back to
his classroom for his next class.

Chapter End Notes

If you could not guess at the moment I am leaning towards a Theo/Harry pairing not
tagging it as of yet so I can build their relationship a little.
 Blood Traitors and the Slytherin Alarm System
Chapter Summary

Harry enters the Slytherin dorms and learns some facts about the Magical World.

As he had no class for the rest of the day Harry decided to go test to see if he could actually
get into the Slytherin Common Room without knowing the password, or if his ring had just
glowed to let him know where it was located. Thinking that most students would have a class
now, such as Draco who was taking Care of Magical Creatures using the book Harry had
gotten for his birthday, Harry headed down to the dungeons. Reaching the wall in which the
Slytherin Dorms used as an entrance his ring began to glow again. Working from the memory
of last year Harry put his hand on the wall. As he laid his hand flat on the stone the Slytherin
flashed green and Harry once more found himself before Salazar.

"Testing out the family ring already?" Salazar asked with a slight smile.

"Yes for you told me earlier that I could access Slytherin parts of the school without having to
use passwords, so I was checking to see if the ring's glow is just pointing out such spots or if
it is also the key to them," Harry said simply.

"Very well reasoned Harry, also you do not need to worry about the glow, as I sense you have
doubts about in your mind, only you and anyone you chose to can see the glow at all,"
Salazar explained. "Now are you sure you want to go into the dorms there will be no going
back from this?"

"I am sure after all from the way Ronald and Dumbles speak they tend to easily make
enemies of your Noble House so where better to get some allies," Harry said as he once more
spotted a flash of the Golden Gryffindor Lordship ring before it vanished. Rather than
answering Salazar used one hand to tap his walking stick on the floor while he snapped the
fingers of the other making the fake wall open up to let Harry inside.

Harry had barely passed the threshold when he saw that unlike what he had thought would be
an empty room held several older years as well as Blaise and Theo. Harry bit his lip knowing
not to show any weakness as he walked deeper into the room as bold as brass. "Potter?"
Marcus Flint asked crossing his arms over his chest right below both his Slytherin Quidditch
Captain and Prefects Badges. "Now how in Morgana's sagging sports bra did you manage to
get into this room without setting off any alarms?"
"Alarms?" Harry asked confused recalling no alarms going off last time when he and Ron
had snuck in under the Polyjuice Potion.

"Yes alarms, Potter, you know the kind that goes off if a student enters a dormitory that is not
theirs. Now stop playing dumb and answer the question," Marcus ordered cracking his
knuckles menacingly.

"First off I am not playing dumb I never knew about any sort of alarm like that. And secondly
as to how I got in," Harry said with a smile as he lifts his left hand and shows off the
Slytherin Lordship ring.

"Holy Milking Sith," Theo ejaculates as the whole Slytherin House went silent at the sight of
their Founder's ring on the Gyrffindor's Golden boy.

"Rightly put," Marcus said running a hand over his forehead. "So you really are Slytherin's
Heir?"

"Only by conquest and I only found it out this last summer," Harry said slowly lowering his
ring. "Would that prevent the alarms from going off?"

"It would since as the Heir or Lord of Slytherin this would be considered part of your domain
in the school," Marcus said seeming to be in a state of shock that prevented him from even
thinking about lying.

"Um, would the alarm go off if I was not wearing the ring or say under the influence of
Polyjuice?" Harry asked.

"That was oddly specific why do you ask?" Theo said who seemed to be the only one beside
Marcus who seemed to be able to process Harry's new position.

"Well last year when everyone thought I was Slytherin's Heir I and a former friend snuck into
here under a Polyjuice Potion.

"Alright first of all not everyone thought you were the Heir, no one here ever believed it,
which is why they all seemed to have trouble with it now," Theo said the last part in a
whisper as he indicated everyone else in the room. "As for being under a Polyjuice Potion if
you had not been the Heir, yeah the alarms would have gone off as soon as you entered, but
as it were you were not only able to pass but bring Weasley in as well."

"How did you know I meant him?" Harry asked giving the other boy a searching look.

"Elementary my dear, Harry," Theo said making several of the students roll their eyes at him
making Harry think he was witnessing a normal event from the normally quiet boy.

"Seeing how you have reacted to Ronald so far this term, as you went out of your way to sit
with Draco, Blaise, and myself, plus the fact the cold shoulder you gave him at the opening
feast makes it easy to spot that you had a falling out with both him and Granger."

"Remarkable," Harry said impressed.

"Child's play," Theo said waving away the complement though Harry noticed with a slight
blush and beginnings of a smile. "It was also easy to spot that you and Draco had become sort
of friendlier towards each other based on the looks he sent you during the feast and how
quickly you both accepted to shake hands and makeup during Potions earlier." At each
statement, Harry nodded along showing that the almost six-foot-tall Third-Year was correct.

"While that is all rather interesting why did you come here in the first place?" Marcus asked
to hope to end more of Theo's analyst over Harry's relationships.

"Well when Slytherin's ring accepted me I was informed that it would allow me to have
access to Slytherin parts of the castle without trouble and I wanted to test it out," Harry
explained.

"Fascinating, but wouldn't you find it easier to do the same with the Gryffindor ring since the
Potter line is derived from it?" Theo asked. Harry wanted to know how the other boy knew
that, based on startled looks from the others in the room showed that it was not common
knowledge, but instead shared his story of what he had learned over the summer as well as
the three family rings rejecting him based on what had been done to him. Many of the
Slytherins believed the Potter ring had acted too harshly since being raised by Muggles he
would never have had access to his own Vaults, and when he did he had been closely watched
by those who were betraying him. And while they disliked how the Gryffindor ring reacted
they did see it having some small point in getting angry at Harry turning over such a priceless
artifact from the House to the Headmaster.

"So let me get this straight," Blaise said after Harry had finished his story, "the Potter ring
said YOU can not rely on the Goblins but what about a secondary party working through the
Goblins?" Harry was not sure so he rubbed the Slytherin ring in hopes of some form of
confirmation or denial.

When he saw in his Mind's Eye Salazar smiling and nodding at him he said, "That could
work but who would want to do something like that?" To his surprise, almost every person in
the room raised their hands. "What why?"

"Well to think a Muggleborn, and several Blood traitors stealing from a Noble family is just
sickening," Theo explained.

"Not all the Weasleys did it," Harry pointed out.

"Wow, the Headmaster did not want you to know anything about our world did he?" Marcus
asked shaking his head with a look of shock. "While Ron and that banshee of a Mother of his
like to say their whole family is blood traitors it is in truth just a few of them. The Twins,
Headboy Percy, their older brothers do not have that stigma attached to them. Mr. Weasley
has only a partial stigma attached to him since he utterly refuses to take up the Position as
Lord Weasley letting his upstart second-cousin hold the position."

"Why does that matter?" Harry asked getting rather into this having never really learned what
was the direct cause of the Blood Traitor stigma.

"Well, his second-cousin in hopes of holding onto the position of Lord Weasley tires to
besmirch Arthur's name in the vain hope that it would prevent Arthur from taking the role
from him. Not that it would work for if he wanted to Arthur could easily claim the position
which would make the current head into the real Blood Traitor, but from what you said
Arthur might not take it to keep the power and money of being Lord Weasley away from his
wife and two youngest kids," Marcus stated.

"So how are Fred, George, Percy, and the others not considered Blood Traitors while Ron,
Ginny, and Molly are?" Harry asked as he moved to one of the chairs in the room tired of just
standing in place during this whole conversation.

"Well, let's see, I believe Molly earned her status as a Blood Traitor when she got pregnant
with Arthur's kid while they were still in school thus forcing him to break a Marriage
Contract with the Greengrass Family," Blaise said.

"Wait if the contract was broken by Percy's eldest brother why was Mr. Weasley not given the
status as well? Harry asked looking around at everyone.

"Well when a contract is broken it also shows if one or more of the people involved were
under the influence of any spells or Potions," Marcus said "from what I recall hearing about it
as my mother gossiped about it at a party a few years ago. Mr. Weasley had been under a love
potion which had led him to produce the child with Molly, now if he had left her and the
child everything would have been fine, but he could not bear to leave his son alone so had
agreed to marry her. From what my mother had shared at the party, every couple of years
after the child's birth she would douse Arthur with another potion to produce another child
evidently thinking he would come to love her." Harry recalled the time he had spent at the
Burrow the summer before last and in hindsight saw that while Mr. Weasley loved his
children there was some tenseness between him and his "wife."

"Another reason Molly, Ron, and Ginny have earned the stigma as Blood Traitors is their
turning back on our old customs for even without Arthur being the Lord of the house the rest
of his kids pay tribute during all the major holidays and have made pledged themselves to the
House of Weasley. Molly and your two former friends have not, following our Dear
Headmaster's belief in getting rid of the rituals and pledges for a more "equal" society." Theo
said using finger quotes as he said "equal."
"Wouldn't that make me a Blood Traitor as well since I have never taken part in any of the
rituals or pledged myself to my House?" Harry asked a hint of worry in his voice.

"Not actually," Theo said gently "since you were Muggle raised some exceptions are given to
you until you are of age. Also as a Lord of a House, you do not pledge to it you control it."

"I guess that makes sense," Harry said nodding when suddenly an alarm went off.

Thinking of what Marcus had said when he had first entered the room he turns to look at the
entrance but saw no one there. Rather all the students in the dorms had become tense as they
turned to look at a small desk in the corner as a Quill without a hand holding it wrote
something down before it returned to an inkwell. Marcus used his wand to summon the sheet
over to him and quickly read it to himself before turning to Blaise and Theo. "Draco has been
sent to the Hospital Wing you two better get going."
Without a word, Blaise and Theo got up and rushed out of the room, as Harry followed them
wanting to make sure Draco was alright.

"What was all that about I thought the alarm rang if someone from a different House
entered?" Harry asked as he caught up to the other two, who due to their larger sizes were
moving quicker than he was. Theo looked around before nodding to Blaise as he pulled Harry
into a nearby empty classroom.

"You are correct about an alarm being raised if an intruder enters the dorms but due to how
Slytherin students are treated by several people in the Castle ever since the Headmaster had
come to this school spouting how evil our House is. At the start of each year, the Head of
House cast a spell that lets us know if anything happens to a member of the House which
lands them in the Hospital Wing, apart from Quidditch injuries.

"That sounds like a good idea," Harry said receiving a sad smile from Theo.

"You do get I am only telling you this due to you being Slytherin's Heir right. This is not to
be spread around for some students might look for a way to bypass the spell and attack us out
in the main school. It is also for this "fear" of attack," Theo said once more finger quoting on
the word "fear" before he continued "that has Professor Snape tell us to always travel in
groups as we go about the castle."

"That is horrible that people do that," Harry said recalling last year when students had sent
curses and jinxes his way whenever he traveled alone and was out of sight of a teacher.

"I have a feeling you know of that yourself," Theo said making another observation.

"I do and don't worry I will keep this to myself no one should fear just going to class or
walking around the castle," Harry said getting a nod and another smile from the dark-haired
boy, which to his slight surprise made butterflies flutter in his stomach like when Percy
smiled at him. Doing his best to prevent a blush from forming Harry nodded to the door to
signal they should get moving.

Arriving at the Hospital Wing Harry saw that all the Third-Year Slytherins were waiting in
the room as Madam Pomfrey worked on, who he assumed, was Draco behind some curtains.
Beside Blaise the gathered students gave him a weary look as he entered the hall right beside
Theo. Pansy gave him a quick once over before she said with a dark tone,

"You can leave now Potty just cause your Blood Traitor friend told you about Draco does not
give you the right to come and laugh at him just caused you skipped the class."

"First of all Ron can jump into a boiling cauldron of poison ivy and frog livers, secondly I did
not skip the class I had dropped it, and finally I would never laugh at someone's pain no
matter how I feel about them," Harry said not even raising his voice.

"Yeah right Potty being all noble and everyone's friend, get lost," Pansy sneered.

"Drop it, Pansy," Theo said sharply making the pug-nosed girl goggle at him.

"Oh does Theo have a little crush on the Boy-Who-Lived?" she asked in a mocking tone.

"You know my preferences Pansy, and Harry is correct he did not learn it from Ronald he was
with Blaise and me when the message came through," Theo said quelling the girl with a look
through making some of the other gathered students start when he mentioned the message.
Harry had a feeling they would have asked for some more information if they were not
gathered in the Hospital Wing. Harry himself could not help but wonder what Theo had
meant by "his preferences" but did not want to ask it leaving the group just standing around
in awkward silence waiting for the Matron to finish working on Draco.

It took Madam Pomfrey almost a full twenty minutes, from when Theo and Harry entered,
for her to finish up with Draco and let them all come forward to see him. She did arch her
eyebrow at seeing Harry in the group but made no mention of it as she headed back to her
office to give them all some privacy with the blonde boy. "How are you doing Drackypoo?"
Pansy asked in such a love-sick voice it was all Harry could do not to start laughing as he
saw Theo and Blaise roll their eyes at her.

"I am fine, well not really but it was not my bloody fault," Draco said giving them all a series
look. As Pansy moved to fluff his pillow she sent Harry a look as if she expected him to start
making fun of what had happened to him.

"So how did you get hurt?" Harry asked.

"It was that former friend of yours complaining that you were not in class doing a perfect
imitation of his mother," Draco said as everyone looked at Harry to see his reaction to the dig
at Ron.
"And his shrill voice caused the creature to attack you?" Harry asked.

"Well, no but he made it hard to hear "Professor" Hagrid as he told the class that the creatures
we were working with were proud beings who answer any insult with deadly force. And
when he called for volunteers no one stepped forward, though more than a few stepped back
leading to my being chosen. It was all going well, I bowed and got a bow in return and was
just petting the hippogriff when I accidentally insulted it leading it to slash open my arm,"
Draco said holding up his arm in a cast, which thankfully was not his wand or writing hand.

"I am so glad I decided to drop that class you know I did tell you it would not be worth it,"
Harry said shocking the Slytherins which had not come from their Common Room.

"And I told you I need the class so I can become a Wand Maker, just cause you thought
taking up Warding would be fun does not mean I would," Draco said making Pansy, Crabbe,
and Goyle goggle at seeing the pair's almost playful banter. Which only increased as Draco's
parents entered the hall and actually greeted Harry with smiles on their faces.

"Draco how could you have done something so unintelligent?" his father asked.

"It was not my fault I did not hear all the instructions or even volunteer myself to meet the
creatures," Draco shot back to his father.

"Draco honey why are you in a cast your arm should have been easily healed," Narcissa
asked as Lucius threw an arm around Harry's shoulders to not overcrowd Draco on the bed
who was being looked at by her.

"Madam Pomfrey said that a hippogriff's talons sometimes have a paralyzing agent on them
so just until she can make sure it did no lasting damage to me she is making me wear the
cast," Draco said with a slight shrug.

"Very well but just make sure you drink plenty of orange juice to replenish as well as eating
foods with high concentrations of vitamin E and iron," Narcissa said finishing her quick
examination of him.

"I know Mother," Draco said somehow pulling off a bored and happy tone at her
overbearingness when it came to his health.

"And I know you know but I can't help myself," she said ruffling his hair a little making him
blush as it was done before all his friends and Housemates, even though no one apart from
him and Harry looked the slightest bit disturbed by the interactions between mother and son.
Harry for his part felt like he was intruding on a private event and hastily made an excuse to
leave the room.

As it was nearly time for supper Harry decided to just head back down to the Great Hall for
the meal. Walking in he received some discreet nods from several Slytherin students as he
took a seat next to Dean and Seamus. A moment later he wishes he had chosen to sit by the
twins as Ron and Hermione showed up followed by Neville. Ron had instantly started to
share while laughing harshly, the story of how Draco had gotten hurt in Care of Magical
Creatures. All the while Hermione had gotten on his case for skipping classes as well as
taking some that he had not signed up for at the end of last year. Harry did his best to ignore
them both, which was hard when Ron was sitting beside him elbowing him wondering why
he was not laughing at Draco's misfortune, or as Ron put it the bloody snake getting what he
deserved.

Harry had finally had enough after about just five minutes as he caught Ron's elbow from
going into his side again telling the redhead to knock it off before setting Hermione straight
about his change of classes. She scoffed and said he should not be able to change it after he
had selected it making him just shake his head and stand from his seat and go over to the
twins who quickly made a space for him between them letting him have his meal in peace. As
he ate to not look at Hermione and the youngest Weasley he turned his attention to the top
table and was shocked to see Professor Lupin was not there making him believe that the man
must be out of the castle passing on the message he had given him after his class. Thinking of
messages he thought that both the Twins and Percy had a right to know what he had learned
over the summer so in a voice that he knew would not carry to any other student asked them
to meet with him after supper in the closest unused classroom to Gryffindor Tower and to
bring Percy along as well. The Twins shared a look before they both shrugged, in unison, and
told them they would meet him there.
 Coming forth and Coming Out
Chapter Summary

Harry shares what he learned over the summer with the twins and Percy

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

As Harry having done most of his homework in class it did not take him long to finish what
he had left, so he headed up to his dorm room to avoid Ron and Hermione who were still
doing their own homework. Going to his trunk Harry started to open it up and take out his
cloak, but as soon as he touched it a roll of parchment appeared on top of his stuff. Unrolling
the parchment Harry saw that both Ron and Hermione had tried to access his trunk making
him thankful that Lady Malfoy and Linka had put protections on his stuff. Unlocking a new
hidden compartment where he had started to store the Invisibility Cloak. He had been
worried that he would be unable to use it since the Potter Ring had rejected him, but during a
conversation with Salazar over the summer, he had been informed that the cloak was not
from the Potter Family but came from the Peverell Family, and that not only was Potter a
branch from the line but so was Slytherin.

Throwing the cloak over his shoulders Harry closed the chest and feeling thankful that the
Third-Year male's rooms were at the top of the tower and the only door between him and the
Common Room would not be able to be seen as Harry walked back down to the room. Going
over to the twins he passed behind Hermione who was for some reason was doing, what he
assumed was, Divination homework. His first thought was that she was "helping" Ron with
his work but then he noticed that she had signed her own name on the paper's top. Deciding
to look into it later, Harry went over to one of the twins and whispered, when Fred was not
writing something to cause him to make a mistake, that he would be waiting for them in the
classroom.

As he was under the cloak Harry had to wait until a student came in before he could leave the
dorms undetected. Thankfully he had only had to wait two minutes before the back of Fat
Lady's Portrait swung open letting Neville into the room. As Harry made his way past the
other boy he tried to once more think about what he felt about him, for while he was not
listed as someone Harry had to be loyal to, he was the only person Harry had really hung out
in his own year thanks to Ron and Hermione keeping everyone else away. Just by that fact
alone for whatever reason for the forced "friendship," Harry was inclined to not trust him at
least for now.
Once he was out of the Gryffindor Dorms Harry did not take off his cloak until he was
actually in the classroom before he settled down to wait for Fred, George, and Percy to show
up. He was glad that he bought a book along with the results of the test as it was another
thirty minutes before the three Weasley siblings to appear. "Sorry it took us so long Harrykins
but we already have a mountain of homework thanks to O.W.L.s," Fred said.

"And then we had to convince Percy to step away from his own homework and duties as
Head Boy," George added.

"So why did you want to meet us here, Harry," Percy asked with a gentle smile on his face
making Harry gulp a little.

"As I told you earlier that during the summer I took an Inheritance Test, but I found out more
than just my appearance had been changed. I had been under some spells that forced me to
trust various people. I am sorry to say include your mother, and younger sibling," Harry said
expecting them to get mad a little maybe deny his accusations as he reached for his results,
but was shocked when the three older males just nodded a little as if his news was nothing
new to them.

"I know it might seem out of line but do you mind if I look over your results?' Percy asked.

"I was planning to show them to you all anyway in case you did not believe me," Harry said
handing the results over to them.

The three older Weasley siblings leaned in close to each other to read through the list as
Harry sat somewhat uncomfortably until they finished. He could tell just from their body
language that the more they read the angrier the three were becoming. Percy himself felt a
moment of both clarity and actual full-blown rage at what had been done to Harry. "What is
a Horcrux?" Fred asked after a bit causing all three to look to Percy.

"I don't know I have never come across the term," Percy said with a slight shrug. Suddenly
Harry's ring began to flash attracting all their attention to it.

As Harry rubbed the Slytherin Ring he was surprised as an image appeared out of the ring so
that he could be seen by the three Weasleys. "I can actually answer that Harry," Salazar said
shocking the three Weasleys. "A Horcrux is an old piece of the evilest magic that a Magical
could ever create. It involves an ancient ritual, which I would never share, nor would I feel
most sane people would, which allows a Magical to transfer a part of their Soul into an
object."

"Not to be rude but who are you?" Percy asked shaking his head at the man's appearance.

"I am Lord Salazar Slytherin, but that does not matter at the moment, Messer Percy Weasley.
What you need to focus on is that to be able to transfer a part of a person's Soul it has to first
be broken," Salazar said as he shows that he had been a teacher as he let the four reach the
next obvious question.

"How does one break their Soul?" Fred asked earning him a smile from the Founder.

"There are two main ways to break a Soul, the first of which is using an old Magical Bonding
ritual which would allow you to exchange parts of your Soul with another thus making you
Soulmates. Using this method will not make it easy to create a Horcrux. The second method
would and that is killing someone. Now I know that sometimes during a duel, battle, or in
defense of your own life you may accidentally kill someone, and while this would break your
Soul over time it would heal. If, however, you kill for your own pleasure the damage to your
Soul takes longer to heal, and if you perform the ritual in such a state the smaller bit of your
Soul would be transferred to another object," Salazar explained.

"So that is how he survived since he had a part of his Soul in Harry so even if his body was
gone he could still come back," Percy said.

"If Harry was cleansed of this Horcrux does that mean that he really is gone now?" George
asked gripping Harry's shoulder gently.

"I wish that was the case Messer George Weasley but it seems the man who had been my
Family's Heir before Harry took his place as Lord of my House had other created. I know of
at least two others that the man had created," Salazar said.

"How can you know of them?" Harry asked.

"Well I know of one from your memories I can access, the item being the Diary you
destroyed in my Chamber for that is the only way that the object would be able to access the
Chamber and overlap young Ginevra is if it contained a part of the man's Soul. As for the
other object while I have no recollection of it being actually made there is proof of its
existence for a few generations after I died the main Slytherin Line died out changing into a
family known as the Gaunts. This means since you had gained power over my House you
should have also gained that House as well. Since you did not I can only assume that the one
you call Voldemort had used the House Ring to hold a piece of his Soul for whatever reason.
That fragment within the ring would prevent it from passing over alongside mine from your
Right of Conquest,*" Salazar said which he evidently thought was enough as his form
vanished back into the ring.

"Alright too much info about Hocrux and old Voldyshorts than I ever wanted to know, to be
honest," Fred said before he turned back to Percy. "But what is this Eros Blade?" At the
name of the spell, Percy clenched his fist wanting to attack both his little sister and most
likely his mother.

"It explains something that I had wondered about," Percy said as his mind shifts back to the
summer before his Sixth-Year at the castle.
Flashback (Percy's POV)

Percy unlike most of his younger siblings was an early riser, but he also knew that if his
mother spotted him as she made breakfast he would be forced to help her. So most mornings
he would either stay in his room doing his summer homework or sneak downstairs and hide
in the single chair that could not be seen from the kitchens and just read one of his books. So
it was that Percy was reading a book as his three younger brothers snuck into the house
accompanied by Harry. For once it seems the twins were not careful enough as almost as
soon as they walked into the place their mother appeared and began to scream at them. Percy
being used to this took the time to study Harry wondering how he had gotten their catching
small bits of information from his brothers. Percy could not stop his eyebrows from lifting in
shock as he heard the twins say Harry's family was starving him and then Ron mentioned
bars being on his windows. Their mother responded that Ron better hope, she did not put
bars on his windows. Percy, as well as the twins, knew this was not a true threat. Since Ron
lived at the top full story of the Burrow it was pointless to put bars on the windows.
especially as the family ghoul would most likely just break them anyway. But no matter how
their mother was acting now all three older Weasley boys knew that she would never
seriously punish either Ron or Ginny for they were her precious "babies" who could do no
wrong.

Percy did look to see how Harry took the threat and saw that the small boy thought their
mother was being utterly serious about it. As their mother turned to Harry, Percy saw him
back away from her not towards Ron but to the twins, but she did not get on his case acting
all sweet to him as she had him sit at the table to make him some breakfast. Percy knew he
could join them now if he wanted to but decided to sit and observe a little more something
feeling off to him. As the twins tried to get her to listen to them again about how Harry had
been living at his relatives' house she just told them to quiet down with the promise to tell
their father.

When their Dad did arrive home at the time that their mother had filled Harry and Ron's
plates while placing very little on the twins Percy decided to enter the area as if he had just
come downstairs to see how what his mother would say to their Dad. Taking his place at the
table Percy just arched an eyebrow as if just noticing Harry as he listened with half an ear to
how his mother would explain his presence to their Dad. Rather than talk about bars on his
window or his family starving him his mother just told their Dad that the twins (with no
mention of Ron) had flow the car to Surrey and back to pick him up. Only to get mad at her
husband when he became excited asking about how the car had handled. Percy tilted his
head seeing a small easy-to-miss smile on his mother's face seeing she had distracted her
husband and the twins from the talk about the abuse Harry had received at his home. He was
about to bring it up himself when Ginny showed up and upon seeing Harry at the table
caused a small scene causing Ron to laugh and their mother to give the twins, Ron the
"punishment" to de-gnome the garden. As most of the family saw the activity as a game
there was only minor muttering, due to the trio's lack of sleep, as Harry followed after them
as he volunteered to help out. As the four younger males left the table Percy once more
turned to his Dad to tell him about what the twins had said about Harry's living conditions at
home, only for his dad to let out a large yawn and head up to bed to sleep off a long night.

Percy had found no further chances that day to try to talk to his Dad that whole day and was
thinking maybe he could tell him tomorrow since it was a full day off for his Dad, As usual
Percy had woken up early and had once more gone downstairs to read in his chair when by
chance he looked out the window to see Harry leaning against one of the posts to the small
cordoned off area his siblings had set aside to fly. Wondering why Harry was up so early
Percy waited until his mother was distracted by a part of her cooking and snuck out of the
house to go talk to the younger boy. "Your up early," he said leaning against the post next to
Harry's.

"Actually I slept in for once I am usually up much earlier than now at home," Harry said not
looking at him.

'Why is that?" Percy asked hating to pry but wanting to hear about the other's home life in his
own words.

"I tend to make my family breakfast each morning," Harry said simply still not looking
towards him but to the sun as slowly rose over the horizon.

"Even this summer when they put bars on your windows and locked you in your room?"
Percy asked gently seeing the young boy start and wrap his right arm over his body and grab
his own left elbow.

"How do you know that?" Harry asked in a voice almost too low to be heard.

"I was in the living room when Fred, George, and Ron showed you in yesterday morning. Is
everything right at home Harry?" he asked.

"No," Harry said but said no more.

"Have you tried talking to someone like Headmaster Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey, or
Professor McGonagall?" he asked.

"I tried to tell the Headmaster when he was visiting me in the Hospital Wing at the end of last
year but he just said it was best I go back for my family loved me they just had a hard time
showing it properly," Harry said making Percy actually given an undignified snort.

"That is not love, Harry, no one locks someone away or forces them to make their meal while
they starve. That is abuse plain and simple," Percy said gently putting a hand on Harry's left
arm. "Is that the only reason you are up so early, and out here?" Percy asked.
"Well when I got up I headed down to the kitchen out of habit and found your mother
cooking, I even offered to help her but she said she did not need it," Harry said which
confused Percy a little for apart from his Dad, Ron and Ginny if his mother caught someone
in the kitchens while she was making food they would always be roped into helping her. "So
I decided to just come out and watch the sunrise having never really watched one before.'

"They are lovely," Percy said throwing an arm around the younger boy's shoulder and feeling
him tense up a little before he relaxed a little.

"Hey, Percy can I ask you something?" Harry asked after a moment of silence as the pair
watched the sky brighten over the hill.

"You can ask me anything Harry," Percy said with a smile thinking he wanted to know
something about Hogwarts or the Magical Worlds since he had been raised by Muggles.

"Is it wrong to like different sorts of people?" Harry asked his voice going low again as if
ashamed of his question.

Percy did not really understand what was being asked so he tried to better understand what
Harry meant. "Do you mean people from different Houses at Hogwarts, or Muggle and
Magicals?"

"No well you see...." Harry said as Percy noticed a slight blush on his face. "Before coming
to Hogwarts there was one person in my school who hung out with me that my cousin could
not frighten away. I had felt that I saw him as a friend but one night I had a dream where we,
um, kissed," Harry said.

"And?" Percy prompted.

"Well one of my Uncle's favorite activities to do besides punishing me was to complain. A

few days before my dream he had this long rant about Homosexuals. Having never heard the
term before I looked it up while hiding from my cousin in the library. It was the night after I
found out it meant people who liked the same sex as themselves that I had the dream about
my friend. Does that make me a freak in the Magical World?" Harry asked looking up at him
with pleading eyes.

"Oh Merlin, Harry no, I have heard Dad talk about some of those beliefs that the Muggles
carry and for the most part Magicals are more accepting of almost any relationship," Percy
said as he began to tell Harry about Magical Triads and Mateships of various sizes, how there
were some Magicals which only preferred to "mate" when they were in their Animagus
form. "And then there are people like my older brother Charlie who is an Asexual so while
he may end up with someone he has no actual sexual desires, he prefers Dragons, um but not
to mate with. So no liking someone that is the same sex as you is not wrong." Percy saw
Harry relax a little at this news.
"But what if I also like females as well as males?" Harry asked.

"That is what is referred to as being bisexual and it is also perfectly normal," Percy
explained.

"That is good for I have liked the dream but was too afraid to tell anyone," Harry said.

"What about the dream with girls?" Percy asked wondering if he was prying too far into
Harry's personal stuff.

"Not girls per se, for while I have had the dream with kissing various males over the years I
had not really had one about a girl, but for some reason, I had one last night involving
Ginny," Harry said looking away again.

"You have never dreamed of a girl before last night?" Percy asked a little alarm bell going off
in his head.

"No, just the one with your sister," Harry said confused by the question. Percy did not like
the sound of that as he knew growing up his sister had gotten rather attached to the idea of
Harry before even meeting him at Kings Cross last year. And from what Harry said it
sounded like he had drunk a low-grade Love Potion keyed to his sister.

"Um I going to see if breakfast is ready yet," Percy said and quickly headed back to the
house. Once there he peeked in to make sure his mother was distracted again before going
over to a Healer's case and pulling out a Cleansing Potions that his Dad keeps in stock due to
the twins sometimes experimenting on Potions for their pranks. Hoping it would clean any
Love Potions the younger boy might have drunk he pocketed the vial and made his way back
to Harry again. "She said it would be a few minutes but felt from what the twins told her you
should drink some of this," he lied handing out the vial of Cleansing Potion. It sort of broke
Percy's heart knowing what his relatives were like that Harry was so trusting when he took
the clear Potion from Percy and downed it in one gulp. "So how do you feel?" he asked.

Harry just gave a small shrug and answered, "Mostly the same." Percy was rather confused
by that for the Cleansing Potions his Dad kept in stock were actually quite potent for while
his mother disproved of the Twins and their pranks, Dad did not and showed his support by
making sure they did not get too hurt as they test out their own product. The Potions
themselves were part of the twins' allowance for the stuff they did around the house over the
summer and were thus the best the twins could afford, or even make themselves. Thinking
that maybe Harry had some other Potions in his system that were more harmful than the Love
Potion the Cleanser worked on them first. Percy hoped it would not be something too
powerful otherwise the cleanser would be unable to get it out of Harry's system no matter
how many the younger boy drunk. He knew the cleanser the twins focused on was the anti-
poison variety and while false Love could be considered a poison of the heart and spirit the
Cleanser might not be keyed to work that way. What he needed was a real Love Potion
antidote but he would only be able to get it at Diagon or one of the other Magical Alleys.
Plus they were rather expensive more than the money he currently had on him at the time.
He guessed he would just have to wait until they went to Gringotts to pick up some money
from his personal vault.

That turned out harder than he thought for when they all went to pick up school supplies it
had been a disaster, first Harry who had never used the Floo Network before was made to go
by himself rather than have someone guide him, and had nearly gotten lost coming out in
Knockturn Alley. And when they went to Gringotts his mother directed the Goblin to only
take them to Harry's vault and for some reason his older brother Bill's old trust vault. Percy
was not the only one in their family that was confused as the twins shared a look as they
arrived at Bill's old vault he had used to go to school which due to not having been used since
he had left Hogwarts had barely anything in it. Percy still could not understand why they did
not go to the main Weasley family vault which while not as stocked as many other old
families still kept them all slightly comfortable for how many people were in their family.
Not knowing what their mother was playing at but not wanting to get into with her about it
Percy tried to think of another way to get the antidote that Harry might need.

He did find a clue on how to make such an antidote in a use book store in a book about
Hogwarts' Perfects latter careers as one such Prefect was Professor Snape and had been the
youngest Potions Master in a century had gone through a process to revamp the current Love
Potion antidotes, but as Percy turned to the page where the Potion had been written out he
had found a giant smudge making the process unreadable. Percy then decided to just ask the
man himself when they got back to Hogwarts but one thing after another made him forget it
all.

End Flashback

I know you both know what a Love Potion is correct," Percy asked the twins.

"Sure it makes someone fall in love with someone," Fred answered cheekily.

"Actually it all depends on the strength of the potions a low lever one makes the drinker feel
as if they have a crush on the person the Potion is keyed to. While at the other end a full-
strength Love Potion makes a person fall madly in love with the keyed in person. There is
also a variant known as a Lust Potion which does not have a certain person in mind so that
when it is drunk it fills the drinker with an urge to have sex with the first person they see no
matter the personal preference," Percy explained.

"Kay," George said hesitatively "and what does this have to do with Eros Blade?"

"Well, the Eros Blade is an old spell once considered so bad it was in league with the
Unforgivable Curses. For not only would someone enchanted by it love someone, but it also
had the power to change their own preferences. Now Asexuals are immune to all forms of
Love Potions, except the lowest leveled one, can be made to love and want to have sex, even
if they are sex-repulsed like Charlie, with someone if they are under this spell. It is nearly
impossible to break only able to be taken off someone if they go through a full cleansing at
Gringotts for even St. Mungos can't do it," Percy said making the twin finally understand and
become as mad as he was. "Um Harry do you mind if I share with is our Dad?"

"But won't your Mom also see it then and let Dumbes and the others know I am aware of
what they have done to me?" Harry asked narrowing his eyes in mistrust for a moment.

"Oh don't worry Harrykins we have a special way to send letters to Dad that she does not
know about," Fred said cracking his knuckles.

"Yeah we normally use it for advice with our pranks, since Dad was a prankster himself at
School," George added also cracking his knuckles. When Percy still saw Harry was unsure
he set the results down on one of the desks in the empty room and tapped it with his wand
creating a copy of the document. Unlike the original, the copy did not show Harry's name on
it at all but just showed that section dealing with Vault discrepancies and only those that dealt
with the Weasley family.

"Is this better?" Percy asked passing over the original as he showed Harry the copy.

"I guess," Harry said before all there of the males pulled him into a tight hug.

"We want you to know we had no idea whatsoever that this was being done to you at all,"
Percy said as the twins gave sounds of agreement.

"Thank you," Harry said with some tears in his eyes as he placed his head on Percy's chest.

"But now we come to a small problem, as Headboy I am not comfortable with letting you
sleep in the same room as someone who you were enchanted to react to in any way," Percy
said breaking away from the hug as the twins still held Harry between them. "I would like to
talk to Professor McGonagall to see about you getting your own room, and since you are the
Heir of both Gryffindor and Slytherin it should be no problem."

"Actually I am just Lord of Slytherin House the other three lines rejected me," Harry said
stopping Percy in his tracks as he was pacing before them.

"Wait what your own family line rejected you?" the twins as in perfect sync with each other.

"Well at the moment though each of them did give me a task or two to do," Harry said before
explaining the task he needed to perform. To his surprise, the twins smiled as he said he had
to get Godric's Sword back from Dumbles office. "How is that something to smile about?"
he asked them.
"We think we have something that will help you not only know when the office is empty but
how to get into it," the twins said with smiles of unbridled chaotic plans in their eyes.

"You do?" Harry asked.

"Oh yes we do we don't have what we need on us at the moment but it will help," Fred said
rubbing his hands together.

"Yeah, it is getting too late to us it tonight as it is," George said.

"By Merlin, you are right, look at the time I will have to talk to McGonagall tomorrow
maybe you should join either me or the twins in our rooms tonight," Percy suggested. Harry
almost agree thinking about spending the night with Percy in his rooms, but as the spells on
his trunk showed the betrayers would still be after his stuff.

"I think I have another idea about that," Harry said simply

"Which you are not going to tell us about right?" Fred asks teasingly.

"Nope," Harry said with a smile.

"Alright as long as you get some sleep," Percy said.

"Don't worry I will," Harry said as he started to pull his Invisibility Cloak over his shoulders.

"Wait before we go we need some nicknames for each other," George cried out.

"Um, why?" Percy asked.

"Well that way we can speak without little Ronny and Granger know of our plans," George
said.

"Fine but nothing over the top alright," Percy said with an air of having done this sort of thing
many times with the twins.

"Right as usual I am Chaos and George is Random. Percy you can be Balance and Harry
how about Fang due to you living after being bite by a Basilisk," Fred said as Percy just
rolled his eyes and Harry smiled in approval.

Harry gave the three one last goodnight as he slipped on his cloak and made his way down to
the Slytherin Dorms again. Reaching the entrance to the dorms he placed his hand on the
wall and let it open up. Several people looked over to see the opening but saw nothing as
Harry hastily entered while still under his cloak and made his way to the Third-Year male
rooms. He was a little shocked as they were separated into two with Crabbe, Goyle in one
room and Draco, Theo, and Blaise in the other. Turning the nob to Draco's room he entered
before pulling off his cloak.

"Merlin, Harry what are you doing here," Draco said with a start at Harry's reappearance.
 "Sorry do you mind if I crash here tonight?" Harry asked to the utter shock of the room's
inhabitance.

Chapter End Notes

*A shout out of thanks to 1LetieryElias who pointed out that since Harry had gained the
Right of Conquest over the Slytherin Family he should also be in control of the Gaunt
Line as well. Rather than editing early chapters to bring it into the work, I decided to
explain why Harry had not been given the line.
 Sleepover and meeting with McGonagall
Chapter Summary

Harry spends the night in the Slytherin dorms and his second day of class

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

To Harry's surprise rather than ask any question right away, the three moved away from their
beds as Draco pulled out his wand and gave it a small wave. All three mattresses floated
away from their frames as space was made in the center of the room. As the mattresses came
to rest in the newly cleared space Draco and the others started to arrange the blankets and
pillows on them creating four spots for each of them. Only after the combined bed was
finished did Draco ask, "So what do we owe you staying over tonight, Harry?"

"Well I just told my tale to the Twins and Percy," Harry said missing a look shared between
the three Slytherins as they noticed a slight blush creep onto Harry's face when he mentioned
Percy.

"And?" Theo asked sitting on one edge of the combined bed*.

"Well they said they would contact their father for me, but Percy thought it would be a good
idea if I did not sleep in the same room as Ronald tonight," Harry said.

"So why not sleep in the other dorm room?" Blaise asked taking the corner parallel to Theo.

"The girls? I don't think that would be allowed at all, plus that would just put me in with
Hermione," Harry said shaking his head at the other.

"No I mean the other male Third-Year dorm," Blaise clarified.

"We don't have one," Harry stated.

"They have all five of you in one room that has to be tight," Draco said taking the next
corner, wincing a little thanks to his cast, leaving the last one for Harry.

"It is even without the room's heater in the middle," Harry said sitting down at the last corner.

"Ouch," the three Slytherins said at the same time.

"So you not spending the night there is going to be noticed," Draco said wisely.
"Oh that reminds me," Harry said before calling for Linka to collect his trunk so he would
have his stuff. "Percy said he would talk to Professor McGonagall about getting me my own
room since I am Lord of one of the Founders he thinks it should be easy for me."

"If that does not work you could always request a re-sort," Theo said as with a flick of his
wand summoned a pile of books that he read from before going to sleep.

"A re-sort?" Harry asked confused.

"It is an old practice where a student who no longer feels like they belong in their House ask
for a transfer. According to the school charter, one can only ask for a re-sort in their Third-
Year, but after the re-sort, a student can not request another one so it is considered a last
resort as it were," Draco said with a small laugh at his own joke as the other three just rolled
their eyes.

Rather than comment on the blonde's attempt at humor Harry, Theo, and Blaise started to get
ready for bed. Harry was further shocked as the Slytherins allowed him to use an Ensuite
bathroom to change so he would not have to do it in front of them since they were basically
strangers to one another. Harry nod at them in thanks as he grabbed his sleep clothing,
thankful that during the summer Narcissa had taken him shopping for some actual pajamas
rather than being stuck with Dudley's old clothing. As he changed Harry wished that
Gryffindor had a similar setup rather than having to use the bathrooms on the landings
between the Gryffindor dorm room floors. Once he was done and went back into the main
room he saw that the corner of the mattresses which he had sat on a color change charm had
been cast to make the dark forest green sheets take on the deep ruby that the bedspread he
was used to. Slipping under the covers Harry also found a book resting on his borrowed
pillow. Just by looking at he knew it had to be from Theo for it was the novel version of Star
Wars: A New Hope. "I am just letting you borrow it got it," Theo said with a smile as Harry
nodded his understanding.

Before he started to read the book the four boys chatted for a bit letting Harry get to know
Blaise and Theo a little better. Thus he learned about Blaise' Mom, Adriana, and the truth
about her infamous reputation of the so-called Magical World's Black Widow. Blaise shared
that his mother's first husband, his father, had been the love of her life but had been killed by
a jealous suitor, something that his mother had not discovered until the man had killed off her
next four husbands. Finding out what was happening to the men she had fallen in love with
Adriana had finally married the suitor and had bided her time for a full year before she had
turned him into the Italian Ministry of Magic leading to his death. Since then she had stopped
dating for a while to focus on a campaign to become the Minister of Magic for Italy. Blaise
confirmed that his family had been neutral during the last seven or eight wars between the so-
called Dark Lords and Light Lords of Magic.
As for Theo, Harry learned, that his mother had died during his birth leaving him to be raised
by his Father, Theodore Nott the first, and Grandfather, Legvistus Nott. Theo explained that
just like Draco's dad his father had been a spy within Voldy's ranks, but rather than working
for the Ministry the elder Nott actually worked for the ICW due to both Legvistus'
connections overseas, as well as his late wife's family being from Switzerland, the primary
location of the ICW headquarters, had ties with the organization. Theo had told that while his
dad had to act like he believed the blood purity junk Voldy would spout their family actually
spent a lot of time in the Muggle world which is where Theo picked up his love of both
Sherlock Holmes and Star Wars as well as an interesting series called the Magic of Xanth.
Hearing the taller pale skin boy go on about the books made Harry anxious to actually read
one, something Theo picked up on leading him to call it quits for the night and began his own
reading, giving Harry an excuse to start reading A New Hope.

Harry only got through about ten pages before he found himself falling asleep making him
hastily create a bookmark from a scrap from an old notebook from last year. He had always
hated it when he would read a library book to see someone turn the corner of a page down to
mark their place and had no desire to do it to Theo's book which while looking well-read
were in great condition. Placing the book over the side of his corner of the combined mattress
Harry rolled over and was soon fast asleep.

Later that night as Severus was doing his rounds checking to make sure all his students were
asleep on time, something he did nightly for the first week, before dialing it back to only one
day a week at random. As he checked in on the Third-Year male's dorm he saw the mattress
on the floor making him smile glad that Theo and Blaise were being so supportive with
Draco in his cast. He knew that to the rest of the school his students tried to act aloof and
cold to the other Houses to protect themselves, but they were still kids after all and he never
judged them for doing this as a means of combatting homesickness or showing each other
support. He was about to close the door when the shift of his body let in some light letting it
fall on one corner of the bed revealing a mane of red hair. Severus had to rub his eyes
thinking he was just tired, for there was no way Potter or a Weasley would be down here.
When he shifted his body to get a better look at the sleeping redhead Severus could make out,
just barely the famous Lightning Bolt scar. This only confused him more for not only should
Potter not know the password to get into the Slytherin Dorms, and even if he did there would
be no way he, or Draco for that matter, would be sleeping peacefully in each other's company.
Yet after rubbing his eyes the boy was there still on one side of the combined mattress his
body outstretched a little with one hand above the covers mere inches from Theo's hand as if
the pair had been holding hands when they had gone to sleep. He was about to go into the
room to wake the four boys up when he suddenly recalled the strangeness of both Lucius and
Narcissa in the last month before school had resumed on how they had not wanted him to
visit them due to a guest they had staying at the manor. It had confused him at the time for
Severus knew all their contacts and friends and no one would have an issue with him visiting
them, but seeing Draco and Harry able to get along well enough to somehow sleep in the
same room as well as where Potter had sat during Potions made him think his old friends had
hosted Potter at the Manor. For his own sanity, Severus decided to leave the room and try to
get in contact with either Lucius or Narcissa despite the lateness of the hour.

Harry woke up to the sounds of other people getting ready forgetting for a moment where he
was and wondering why it was so quiet, for a moment, before he recalled coming down to the
Slytherin Dorms and spending the night with Draco and his friends. Not knowing how late or
early it was Harry hastily changed into his school robes, underneath the covers, before he
shrunk his trunk and put it into an inner pocket of his robes he joined the others in leaving the
room. Since he had packed his Invisibility Cloak after Linka had brought it last night he was
not wearing it as he left the Third-Year dorm making several students, who had not seen him
yesterday in the Common Room, eyes widen in shocked surprise. Paying no attention to them
he ask Theo if he wanted his book back but the other boy told him to keep it until he was
finished, create further shock from the Slytherins for Theo hardly let others borrow his books
unless it was for class.

As Harry went to the Great Hall for breakfast he found himself in the center of the Slytherin,
something that years previously would have scared him but now he felt safe as if they had all
adopted him as one of their own. There was some muttering from the Slytherins but it was
more of them passing on what Harry had told many of them the day before to those who had
missed it. Arriving at the Great Hall the Slytherins let him pass as he headed towards the
Gryffindor Table raising a few eyebrows from the students of both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw
House before he sat down once more by the twins.

"So that is where you headed last night," George said in a conspiratorial whisper.

"How did you manage to get inside?" Fred asked. Harry just smiled at them and tapped his
nose with the finger the Slytherin Ring was on making them both laugh.

"So how was it in the Tower?" he asked.

"Well our dear brother," George said emphasizing the words "dear brother" as he spoke them
"raised quite a fuss when you and your trunk were missing."

"Put Percy stepped in and put a stop to it," Fred said.

"So do you have this thing which is supposed to help me?" Harry asked the twins.

"Not now," George said.

"And defiantly not here," Fred added "if you do not return to the dorms tonight we will find
you tomorrow,"

"How?" Harry asked but only got matching grins from the pair as a response.
The Potions class first thing after breakfast was much the same as it had been the day before
with Harry sitting at the same table as Theo, Blaise, and Draco. The only real difference was
that he was helping Draco, under the blonde's complete supervision to prepare all the
ingredients for the second stage of the Potion they had begun the day before. Draco had
started to tease him that he took direction well before he suddenly realized why Harry did so
making the smile slide from his face with a quick apology. Harry had just given him a shrug
as he focused on cutting up one of the roots for the Potion. Harry was actually quite thrilled
for this setup as under Draco's direction he was learning the proper ways to actually prepare
the ingredients; even more so when he had been tutored when he had been staying at the
Manor since he had to do it perfectly by himself. And even though he and Blaise had
basically switched Potions for the lesson Harry according to Draco had brewed something
that should earn them both either a high EE or a low O grade for it.

After class Harry made his way up to Charms wishing his new friends from Slytherin
goodbye. Thankfully this year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were taking Charms together letting
Harry sit with Ernie and his friends so he could avoid the pair of pests. Since it was the first
class of the year Professor Flitwick began with a quick refresher course on some spells that
they had been taught in the previous years which they would be shown a new way to cast
during the year. It seems that this year Charms only meet once a week on Friday so even
though it was basically a review class they were given plenty of homework to do before the
next lesson.

At lunch hoping to throw his former friends off by not sitting with the same people over and
over again went to sit by Oliver Wood to talk Quidditch. Oliver had smiled at him as he went
into an in-depth report of some new strategies he had in mind for that year. "I see you are
spending some time with the Slytherins that is not going to be a problem is it?" Oliver asked.

"Of course not Oliver just cause I have friends in other Houses does not mean I will give less
than my best during a game. You are not the only one who wants that cup," Harry said
making Olive laugh as he thumbed Harry on the back.

"That's the spirit Harry," he said with a large grin on his face. The pair were soon joined by
the rest of the Gryffindor team, who had thought it would be a good idea to get any
information out of the way so things would not happen like last year. When Oliver had
woken them all up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday and had spent four hours going over
strategy. Surrounded by his team Harry smiled as it gave no chance for Hermione or Ron a
chance to sit by him once more.

After lunch, Harry headed to the sixth floor for his first Study of Ancient Runes class. Seeing
the class had single desk seats again Harry took one along the right-hand wall far from any
windows. He was not sure if he would like the class for the course books to be historical as
well as guides to how to "write" runes, so he did not want a seat by the window to hopefully
focus more on the class. As his fellow students began to show up he noticed a majority of
them were Ravenclaws, but after a while, Theo showed up as well and took the seat next to
him which was just as well for shortly after he arrived Hermione showed up, though she did
take the desk right behind Harry. Shortly after the last student arrived Professor Bathsheda
Babbling showed up bounding into the room with an arm full of books and rolls of parchment
as she introduced herself. Professor Babbling was a Witch who appeared to be in her early
fifties, though it was hard to tell with Magicals who had a longer life than Muggles did, with
her golden blonde hair in a French braid down her back and a set of startling deep red irises.
She also had a face that showed she was more likely to smile than frown as she handed out
the books in her arms to everyone as well as a roll of parchment. "Well I think the best place
we can start is to see how well you can do in producing a rune," she said with a voice like a
gentle wave hitting the shore. She had them open up to any page from the book she had just
handed out and try to follow the steps on it to produce the rune it showed. She told them to
write the page number they were using on the back of the parchment so she could check it
against their final results.

Harry had not had any set idea in mind just opening the book at random to find out his rune
was one for home protection. Laying out his parchment he stuck his tongue between his teeth
and began to follow the directions as best he could, wished he had a Muggle protractor so he
could get the angles right within his design. He did his best to focus on his own work even
somehow managing to cut off Hermione randomly kicking his chair as she worked behind
him. If he had been aware of it he might have noticed that her kicks were planned when he
came to an edge of his design as she tried to throw off his work, but after all the times he had
to do choirs at the Dursleys where Dudley would randomly come around to interfere with
him his hands remained steady as he worked at his task.

After about halfway through the hour-long class Professor Babbling clapped her hands
together to have them stop. "Don't worry I will not be grading any of these," she said with a
laugh as she used her wand to collect everyone's work. "I will just be checking to see how
well you can both follow directions as well as transcribe a rune." Harry's rune was not as
cleanly done as some of his classmates, mostly due to his somewhat sloppy handwriting, and
Hermione kicking his chair, but he was not discouraged as Professor Babbling showed the
rest of the class his work pointing out a few minor mistakes but saying that whoever
transcribed the rune since she was not giving out anyone's names, would do well in her class.
According to the Professor no one had made a perfect rune, not that she had expected them
to, and only one had shown no actual talent in transcribing runes due to the rigidity of their
work. Harry had been able to tell the work that the Professor was showing off, due to how
often the same such penmanship had ended up on some of his homework over the last few
years, belonged to Hermione making the girl huff in her seat.
For the next part of the class, Professor Babbling gave an overview of the different types of
runes they would be covering that year before assigning them a roll of parchment for them to
discuss the type of rune they had transcribed in class to be done by their next class Tuesday
morning. As the last D.A.D.A class of the day was a Gryffindor/Slytherin joint class Harry
and Theo walked to class together discussing their runes. Harry was surprised to find that his
new friend had been the one to transcribe the rune that Professor Babblings had said was
nearly perfect, as he congratulated the other boy. Since they had their practical lesson
yesterday today's class was the history and other knowledge related to Boggarts. Harry was
not the only one who noticed that Professor Lupin seemed a little distracted during class as he
sometimes lost his place in the notes he had prepared and at other times stuttering a little
making them all recall Quirrell. He finally managed to pull himself together with only five
minutes of class to go much to almost everyone's annoyance as he did it right before telling
them about their homework due on Monday.

At supper, Harry sat with even more different people as he sat next to Lavender, Parvati, and
Lily Moon knowing that Hermione hated her dorm mates. Knowing the trio were also the
Queens of Gossip in their year Harry got to find out what people were saying about his new
look and attitude. "Well from what we hear Harry," Lavender said when asked "most people
like your new hair."

"Yeah we can actually see the board if we sit behind you for once," Lily teased playfully
punching his arm to show she did not mean it.

"That is good to know," Harry said rubbing his arm where the green-haired Witch had
punched him.

"But what is more everyone is surprised that you seem to be avoiding Ron and Hermione,"
Parvati said.

"Well, I have hung out with them, basically alone for two years now and not really anyone
else. I just want to get to know everyone a little better," Harry said having no desire to let
these three, at least, know the real reasons for him getting away from his former friends.

"Yes but the Slytherins?" Parvati asked incredulously.

"I know Ron was always going on about them being evil and on He-Who-Should-Not-Be-
Named side but come on we are all kids here. Do you really think someone our age could do
anything that would be classified as really evil?" he asked.

"Well someone did send the monster out last year," Lily pointed out.

"Yes and they have been caught, dealt with, and the person who allowed it was punished,"
Harry said arching an eyebrow a little surprised the three did not know the story about it yet.

"They were?" the three girls said in unison.

"Wow I thought you would have heard it by now," he said actually shocked and not just play-
acting.

"We have not so spill it, Potter," Lavender said warningly. Harry once more spent the rest of
supper telling the tale of Ginny being possessed by the Diary and that being the reason the
younger girl was not at Hogwarts for the moment being suspended. Seeing the looks on their
faces he was sure this would be the last time he had to tell this particular story as they most
likely would spread it to the rest of Hogwarts.

As the meal ended a note appeared beside his plate, and opening it up he saw a quick
message from Professor McGonagall asking him to stop by her office. Thinking it had to do
with him sleeping in the Slytherin dorms last night he quickly placed his plate in the section
of the table where it would be sent to get cleaned before he headed to see his Head of House.
She wasted no time, for barely had the door closed behind him than she started, "Mr. Potter
first off I have found no reason why no one received your letter about your class change. But
I have received some troubling news is there a reason you were not in your dorms last night?"

"Didn't Percy come to see you?" Harry asked.

"I have not seen him today no," she answered lifting an eyebrow at him.

"Last night I shared with him about things I learned and he thought it would be better if I did
not stay in my normal rooms tonight and even said he was going to talk to you about me
getting my own rooms," Harry said.

"And why do you think you deserve your own room Mr. Potter?" she asked sternly. Seeing
nothing for it and hoping she was not too far in the Headmaster's camp Harry slid over the
results of his test, as well as the scroll of parchment that showed that both Hermione and Ron
and tried to get into his belongings the night before. Harry sat silently waiting for her to
finish reading absentmindedly spinning the Slytherin ring around his finger hoping he could
trust her not knowing what to do if she turned out to be another of Dumbles' pawns.

"That is rather disturbing, no doubt," Professor McGonagall said her stern manner vanishing
in an instant when she had finished with both bits of parchment. "And while you as an Heir
of a Founder, let alone two, you would have access to a private room there is one small
problem," she said.

"Let me guess, said problem has half-moon spectacles, a large white beard, and no fashion
sense whatsoever?" he said and saw her trying to fight a chuckle at his description of the
headmaster.

"Unfortunately yes he made it a rule a fell years ago, actually right before you started here,
that the only students who could have private rooms are the Headboy and girl," she said
giving him an apologetic look.
 "So you can do nothing?" he asked.

"I am rather sorry Harry," she said and truly looked it.

"So my only options are to stay in the same room and House with those that betrayed me or
ask for a re-sort," he said making her gasp.

"Are you sure about this Harry?" she asked.

"I don't see I have much choice I already know I can not trust them and since I can't get away
from them any other way unless I sneak out each night a re-sort is my best option," Harry
stated as matter of fact.

"Speaking of sneaking out where did you sleep last night Harry?" she asked reaching across
the table and placing a hand on his arm. He gave her a smile touched by how worried she
sounded for him.

"It was not bad I did not sleep in an empty room or anything like that. Since I hold the
Slytherin Family ring I went to their dorms and slept with the other Third-Years," he said and
saw her eyes shoot open in shock.

"And Severus did not find out," she said a little amazed she had not been told about it from
the Potions Master who she knew checked in on his students after they fell asleep at the start
of the term.

"I don't think so, no," Harry said with a shrug.

"Well as a re-sort has to be done in the Great Hall during a mealtime if you go down there to
sleep tonight let him know about it," McGonagall said as she began to fill out the paperwork
for a re-sort. She had only filled out a few lines when she stopped wondering why Severus
had not informed her that Harry had spent the night in his House last night. After all with the
man's feeling for the lad, he would have raised a might stink about it, and knowing the man's
habits of checking on his students almost religiously during the first week of class she just
did not see how he had missed Harry in the Third-Year male dorm room.

Chapter End Notes

* As I see the beds the students sleep in not really changing size during their time at
Hogwarts since they are all Third-Year students the three beds are more than big enough
for the four boys to sleep comfortably on.
Harry's schedule:

Monday:
Free Period
Arithmacy
Transfiguration
Lunch
Potions
D.A.D.A

Tuesday
Study of Ancient Runes
Potions
Lunch (and afternoon off)
Astronomy

Wednesday
History of magic
Lunch
Herbology

Thursday
Arithmacy
Transfiguration
Potions
Lunch
D.A.D.A
Free Period

Friday
Potions
Charms
Lunch
Study of Ancient Runes
D.A.D.A
 A Head's Duty
Chapter Summary

Minerva McGonagall starts to make life better not only for Harry but the whole
Gryffindor House.

Chapter Notes

I would like to thank my wonderful readers many of you were supportive of the
possibility of Harry getting a resort, but the truth is I had not really wanted to do it,
hence the whole class Schedule I had created for a Gryffindor Harry at the end of the
last chapter. That being said I would like to thank Euphoriapotion for their comment
which gave me an idea on how to keep Harry in Gryffindor.

Still finding it hard to believe that Severus had not come to report that Harry had spent the
night in the Slytherin Dorms she decided to talk to him about it before finishing the forms for
Harry's re-sort. Thinking it would be just a quick meeting she left the start of the form on her
desk and made her way to the dungeons to talk to the Potions Master before he went to bed.
Heading right to the man's room she knocked to be let in. "Ah Minerva this is a surprise what
can I do for you?" he asked as he let her in.

"I wish to discuss with you some events that happened last night Severus," she said entering
the room and taking the offered armchair before the fire.

"And what events are you referring to?" Snape asked from his personal kitchen holding up a
cup silently asking her if she wanted a cup of tea.

"No thank you. And the event I am talking about is one of my students sleeping in your
dorms," she stated as he poured himself a cup with his back to her.

"That is quite impossible, as you know Minerva," he said not wanting to give voice to the
strange apparition he had seen last night of Potter of all people sleeping in the same room as
Draco and the others.

"Well it seems this student would not set off the alarm due to him being the Heir to the
Slytherin line so he could enter without setting off the alarms," Minerva said leaning forward.

"Potter can not be related to Slytherin neither Lily nor his father held those lines," Severus
said.
"Shocking that you knew it was Harry since I had not told you which student had spent the
night in your dorms," Minerva said arching an eyebrow and a smile playing at the edges of
her mouth.

"Alright fine I did see Potter but I thought it had been just due to stress with the new school
year, Lupin and everything," Severus said setting his cup of tea down on the small side table
between their two seats. "But in my defense besides the stress of the situation, it could have
been another one of my students coming to spend the night with the boys."

"Did you not count the number of students in the room Severus?" she asked with a smile

"Yes but that does not mean anything Messor Crabbe or Heir Goyle could have decided to
spend the night with them rather than Potter," he said and was shocked to see her confused
face.

"Why would those two have a different room from the rest of their year?" she asked making
the Dour Potion Master give her a look as if she had just grown a second head.

"I would never expect you to joke like that Minerva," he said after he had taken a moment to
compose himself with a sip of tea.

"I was not joking Severus why do Messor Crabbe and Heir Goyle have separate rooms from
the other males in their year. Albus forbad the use of Heir and Lord rooms just three years
ago?" she asked giving him her normally stern look.

"Oh Merlin, you are not joking are you," Severus said running a hand over his face. "It is not
an Heir/Lordship room that the pair are in but due to their size and availed space in the rooms
I had Hogwarts create separate rooms for the group, just like I have done multiple times as
Head of Slytherin for various reasons."

"That is remarkable," she said.

"What are you on about?" he asked her. "All Heads of House can do it not just me. I know
Filius has had the castle create multiple rooms for his students during their Fifth and Seventh-
Years so they could easier study for the test, and Pomona has done it when some of her
students just did not get along with each other."

"I am going to have to look into that thank you for your time, Severus," she said with a nod
as she left the armchair to leave the room.

"If you like, since you do not seem to be fully aware of everything a Head of House can do,
something I blame both Albus and Professor Brinkmann for, how about I call the others over
so we can explain it all to you," he asked.

"That sounds like a good idea, but I need to head to my office for a moment I left some
important documents out thinking this would be just a quick chat," she said giving him a nod
as she left his rooms.
Knowing it would not take him that long to get the others she briskly walked back to her
office only to stop a short distance away when she saw the door open knowing she had closed
it when she had left. Thinking it might be Percy finally coming to see her like Harry had said
he had been planning she walked forward only to see not the redheaded Headboy but Albus
sitting on the edge of her desk looking over the re-sort form. "Ah Minerva I had been wanting
to speak to you about why you changed young Harry's classes, but what is this about Harry
getting a re-sort?" he said giving her a disapproving look.

"He asked for a re-sort after finding out some students in Gryffindor tower have betrayed
him," she said not saying anything more knowing that from Harry's results that the man
himself was also involved.

"I am sure it is just a simple misunderstanding. It is these interactions with his fellow students
that are all just part of growing up," the man said giving her his best Grandfatherly smile. She
knew that no matter what she did now he would do everything in his power to prevent Harry
from getting re-sorted, and with how most still saw him the one who stopped Gellert
Grindelwald rise to power and the only one He-Who-Must-Be-Named feared he would get
his way.

"Alright than Albus," she said hoping Severus was correct about the power she had as a Head
of House. "As to why I changed his classes it seems that earlier this summer, and well within
the time frame where he could change classes, he sent multiple notes about wishing to change
them. Though for some reason only Filius had received the notice which is why he was still
listed as taking the classes he had dropped until yesterday morning." Minerva said thinking
that the Headmaster himself had prevented them from getting the messages of the change.
Making her rather thankful that Harry had sent a fifth message through Gringotts.

"Ah I see," the man said the twinkle left his eyes for just a moment "it is a good thing that
one of them got through then. I shall wish you good night Minerva I have a meeting with
Warden Snoke about the protections during the upcoming Quidditch game."

As soon as Albus left she waited a few moments before she shut, locked, and w\Warded her
door before she went to the fireplace and used the Floo to get back to Severus's rooms. The
Potion Master raised an eyebrow at her as did the others in the room as she stepped out of the
fireplace. "Is there a reason for the Floo?" Severus asked as he cleaned the soot from his
floor.

"Albus made had some issues with Harry's schedule change but also made it clear that he
would not approve of a re-sort Harry had requested," she explained as she took a seat as well
as the cup of tea this time.

"He should not do that," Pomona said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"Harry requested a re-sort?" Filius asked at the same time.

"The reasons were shared with me in strict confidence through a Gringotts document, which
as you know means I can not go into any detail about it unless Harry clears me to," Minerva
told her fellow Heads of House. "Not that it matters for Albus basically told me that he would
prevent Harry from changing Houses making it seem as if Harry was just mistaken about
what was on the document. So please tell me as a Head of House if there is anything I can do
for him," she asked pleading with them.

"Well since Albus has got rid of the Heir/Lordship rooms those are out of the picture but
nothing is stopping you from adding rooms among the students. Severus has informed us you
have never done so?" Pomona asked.

"That is correct the rooms, while separate among different years, had always been one male
and one female room when I was a student and then after I took over as Head. I had thought
that is just how all the Houses were," Minerva said.

"That is strange I know for a fact Anna had two rooms for all her student while she was
Head," Filius said rubbing his chin in thought.

"As I stated as soon as I took over each year had only the two rooms each, is it hard to add
rooms?" she asked.

"Not really as you know Hogwarts as a Magical building can add when it needs to but if you
don't want to have the students deal with learning new rooms you can also have the school's
magic separate them while still occupying the same space. Like the legend behind Rowena's
workshop at the school or the so-called Come and Go Room the Elves talk about," Severus
stated.

"I think I will do with the second option," Minerva said agreeing it would not due to have the
older students now have to find new rooms within the tower. "Alright now tell me the rest of
it what else can I do as a Head of House?" she asked and sat back to listen to her colleagues
tell her everything that she could actually do as a Head. Some of which she herself had
started when she had taken over as the Head of Gryffindor only to have to drop when she was
also promoted to Deputy Headmistress. It was late into the night, or early next morning when
the four finally ended their talk making them all glad it was Saturday so that they did not
need to get up early for classes the next day.

That being said after learning everything she had Minerva decided to make some changes to
her House and the first thing she deiced that it was time to ask for some help in doing her job.
So after only a few hours of sleep and a Wakefulness Potion, she started to put her plan into
order as she sent a message up to both the main Gryffindor Common Room notice board but
also each of her Prefects and Percy. All notices relayed the same message that she would like
to meet everyone after breakfast in the Common Room for a House meeting. After sending
all the notes she stopped by the office of one of her old classmates to ask for help in the next
part of her plan.
Apart from the meeting after Quidditch had been canceled last year a Gryffindor House
Meeting had not been called for since she had been promoted so it surprised the students
who, while complaining about it cutting into their weekend, still all showed up on time.
"Hello everyone I know you are all surprised that I call for this meeting," Minerva said as she
stepped through the portrait hole and into the room. "There is a perfectly good reason for this
meeting, so I do apologize for cutting into everyone's free time."

"Was Black, spotted close by?" one of the Second-Years asked sounding scared.

"I do not actually know if he has I am sorry to say. No the reason I called this meeting is due
to the fact I have let you all down," she said and saw everyone giving her shocked looks and
even a couple saying she had done no such thing. Minerva held up her hands to quiet them all
down. "I really have, but what is worse is that none of you may even be aware of it. I had
Gryffindor House stay the same way it was during my time at school, and what I thought had
been under my predecessor, but I was mistaken. First off due to the Magic of Hogwarts it
should be possible for each year to have multiple bedrooms for both males and females.
Something I have decided to change, but don't worry you will still use the same door to your
rooms but you will no longer have to share with everyone in your year. Starting next year I
will allow you to choose who you will bunk with, but this year it has been decided who goes
to which of the two possible rooms due to complaints I have been given throughout the years.
Also with some help from Professor Flitwick, we have made it so that in the rooms
themselves you can raise partitions between your area and your roommates rather than just
close the curtains around your bed. The partitions are soundproof which should make it easier
if you wish to study in peace.

For that is another mistake I have made since I was promoted to Deputy Headmistress. You
see when I started as just the Head of Gryffindor I started both mandated study groups,
weekly visits to see if anyone needed any help in classwork, but finding it too much to look
over I let both of them slide to the Houses disgrace," Minerva said.

"What do you mean our disgrace?" Katie Bell asked.

"Well as the other three Houses do that they tend to do better in exams as well as normal
homework assignments. For apart from a few outliers Gryffindor is actually ranked bottom in
most academic areas. And I know while that does not mean much to some of you who think
that your grades here will make little difference out in the real world that is a lie for some
tops spots in the Ministry as well other high paying jobs like students with good grades. A
good indication for how bad Gryffindor does academically is the Position of Headboy and
Girl," she answered.

"What about them?" Percy asked leaning forward a look of concern on his face.

"Well, the position takes not only from previous Prefects but can also be the topped rank of
their year. Now some of you might have noticed that apart from Headboy Percy there has
been neither a Headboy of Headgirl that has come from Gryffindor since Heir William
Weasley had graduated almost seven years ago. Think on that in seven years with two
possible positions available not a single one had come from Gryffindor between William and
Percy Weasley." An utter silence meets her pronouncement as the Sixth and Seventh-Years
realized she was correct.

"Another indication of our standing with grading is points and the House cup. As I hope all of
you realize that most of the time one is rewarded points due to your activities in your classes.
Points are usually are taken from breaking rules but given all for classwork. Apart from the
last two years, Gryffindor had not won the House cup in almost a decade," she said producing
another stunned silence from her gathered Lions. "In fact, truth be told we did not deserve the
cup the last two years either," she said holding up her hands to stop any protest, yet none
came as everyone was still shocked at her news. "The Headmaster actually broke regulations
by rewarding us all those points during the end of term feast two years ago and if you check
it out as the points had already been decided the House Cup was still listed as going to
Slytherin. And as for last year, he gave all the points to us thanks to what a couple of students
did, but he also gave them special rewards of service to the school. An old bylaw states one
can not receive both during the same school year, and since he gave the rewards first the
points that won us the cup did not officially count which means the cup really belonged to the
Huffelpuffs. I myself did not know either of these two cases until I was informed last night by
the other Heads of Houses, so I can honestly say I was as shocked as you are.

I really blame all this with how much I have on my plate so I have decided to take on some
help so let me introduce you all to the new Co-Head of Gryffindor House Professor Babbling
from Study of Ancient Runes and Intro to Warding from Fifth-Year on up. As she was in her
Fifth-Year when I was a First-Year and is from Gryffindor she has agreed to step in as my
Co-Head," Minerva said as the woman bound into the room with a large smile on her face
waving to various students who were in her classes. "Now not much will change with
Professor Babbling being Co-Head it just gives you all someone else to come talk to if you
ever need help. We have also agreed that we will alternate weeks where after supper for an
hour or two we will come here to see if anyone needs any help on anything," she said before
moving aside to let her new Co-Head speak.

"Hello everyone as Professor McGonagall said I am Professor Babbling or if you like, and we
are not in class you can all call me Bathsheda or Batty if you like," the woman said producing
some chuckles from students who had or were taking one of her classes. "I hope we can all
get along with each other if you need anything related to the House, or help with homework,
apart from an extension on something from me without a good reason, my door is always
open. Eighth-floor lakeside corridor 2C room #17. Even if you just want to chat I will shot
the breeze with you though depending on if I am grading papers I may ask you to leave. I do
however have one rule that I had put in place this year. Heir Wood, I know you like your
team but I am sorry you must actually have tryouts this year not just sticking with what you
have," she said catching the Seventh-Year Quidditch Captain's eye before taking a step back
to let Minerva take over again.

"That is really all I, well we, had planned to share with you today. Though since we are here
anyone with plans to go to the village this year that is of age you can turn your forms in now
rather than wait for class to do so," she said as most older students got to their feet to get their
Hogsmead approval forms. Minerva caught Harry's eye and gave him a nod when he looked
to hesitate at the foot of the stairs and Ron bound up them two at a time.

Harry trusting Professor McGonagall since he had not been visited by Dumbles for his desire
to change Houses climbed the stairs and opened the door to the Third-Year Male's dorm.
Even though Ron had run up the stairs before him the redhead was nowhere in sight. As
Harry looked around he only saw two other beds rather than the normal five as he approached
his trunk and pulled out the approval form signed by his Godmother. He smiled as the door
opened and both Dean and Seamus walked into the room who smile back at the now less full
space their room had become. Not wanting to meet Ron going down the stairs Harry stayed
around a bit seeing what looked like stripes of red and gold between the three beds. Looking
over his stuff he saw a little placard sitting on his bedside table which explained how to
summon/create the partitions. On a whim, Harry performed the spell on the placard as the
two lines nearest him shop up creating a red wall between him and Dean and a Gold wall
between him and Seamus. He let them stay up for a moment before he did the Counter Charm
to let them down. "Now that was wicked," Seamus said as he also tested the spell out. "Did
you hear anything?" the small Irish boy asked as his walls came down.

"Um, no should we have?" Dean asked.

"I was screaming curses out for no reason," Seamus said with a chuckle.

"Well we heard none of it," Harry said.

"This is sweet,' Seamus said before the three of them made their way down to turn in their
forms. As they handed them to Professor Babbling, since McGonagall was surrounded by the
others the three heard their fellow Gryffindors talk about the new bedrooms most of them
sounding happy. The only ones who did not sound happy that Harry could actually discern
were Lily Moon who had been forced to be Hermione's roommate, which only made sense as
otherwise, Hermione would have a room to herself. From what Harry had learned of last
night at supper Lavender and Parvati had not liked sharing with Hermione which had only
gotten worse when she had gotten Crookshanks, with Lavender being deathly scared of cats
and Parvati being allergic to it. The other one who Harry could not help but notice was Ron
who was complaining that he was not in the same room as Harry. Seeing Harry with
Professor Babbling he tried to get Harry to change rooms.

"I am sorry Messer Weasley is it?" Professor Babbling said stepping into the conversation.

"That is correct Batty," he said as if seeing if she had been just joking around with them.
"Well, Messer Weasley as Professor McGonagall said you can change your room assignments
next year but this year we took into account various reasons why some students should not be
roomed together.

"But I am Harry's best friend," Ron shot back with a whine.

"You will have to speak with Minnie I mean Professor McGonagall about that she was the
one who mostly decided the room knowing you all better than I do at the moment," Professor
Babbling said with a shrug. Harry hid a smile of thanks at her as she caught his eye and made
a slight motion with her head. Taking it as she wanted to talk to him alone he got away from
Ron, avoided Hermione, and made his way out of the common room with a crowd of other
students. Heading to the nearby classroom he had met with Percy, and the twins in he waited.

A short time later both Professor McGonagall and Babbling entered the room. "I guess you
got my meaning then?" she asked with a small smile.

"I did Professor," Harry said perching on top of one of the seats.

"Well I have some bad news Harry," McGonagall said "before I had the meeting with my
fellow Heads of House Albus found the form for your re-sorting and blocked it from
happening. Hence why I made sure you are not in the same room as Ron."

"Why is that precisely? If you and Messer Weasley are such good friends as he said?"
Professor Babbling asked.

"I guess since you are also the Head of House now I should share it but please keep it secret,"
Harry said handing over his results of the page to her.

"I see," the new Co-Head stated as she finished the form and handed it back to him. "You can
count on me from keeping it secret I will also try to make it Miss Granger does not bother
you too much in my class."

"That you Professor," Harry said with a bow as he tucked the parchment into a hidden pocket
of his robes which Narcissa had made for each of his new school uniforms which would
make it impossible for the page to be summoned or detected and would allow only him to
remove it.

"Also in case anyone asked you can inform them that I separated you and Ron due to your
perchance to get into trouble together. I will also tell Albus if he asks," Professor McGonagall
said directing her statement to her new Co-Head "that I separated all the rooms as a
precaution just in case Sirius finds his way into the castle." Even though the three of them
knowing thanks to Harry's results that Sirius had been falsely imprisoned. Harry thanked her
for all her help as he saw the Weasley twins peeking into the room and left the room to meet
with them so they could tell him how they were going to help get the sword back.
 "No Albus"
Chapter Summary

Harry sees the item which the Twins think will help him get his Ancestors' sword back.
While the Headmaster deals with not getting his way.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

With a nod and smile at his Co-Heads of House Harry leaves the room to find not only the
twins but Percy as well. Without a word he let the trio of redheads lead him away from the
Common Room in case Ronald or Hermione came out of it and started to look for Harry. The
twins took the lead making their way through corridors seemingly at random until to Harry's
surprise they stopped in the empty classroom that had once held the Mirror of Erised during
his First-Year. "Well, Harry you ready to find out our plan to help you get the sword back?"
Fred asked with a smirk on his face.

"Does it involve calling for the sword itself?" Harry asked thinking of the suggestion that had
been brought up when he had spent the night in the Slytherin dorms.

"No it involves this," George said as he pulls out what looks like an old bit of parchment.

"But if you want to try that calling thing go ahead," Fred said with a smile as George spread
the rip and stained parchment onto the one desk in the room.

"I would if I could, but the only time I had succeeded in doing it I had done it without
thinking of it while facing the Basilisk," Harry said crossing his arms and pouting a little. He
was annoyed that he had not found any sources either at Hogwarts or Malfoy Manor which
had explained how to summon a family treasure outside the use of a Blood Bound
Ownership* form from Gringotts, but that would require him to turn to the Goblins for help.
Something which he did not want to take a chance with, in case it worked against him in
getting the Potter family ring.

"Well you may scoff but this thing has been more helpful than all the teachers combined,"
George said tapping the map with his wand.

"I find that rather hard to believe," Percy said arching an eyebrow at the blank page.

"Well then you should know I Solemnly Swear I am Up to No Good," George said breaking
the twins' normal alternating speaking method as he talked again before Fred. Harry was
about to ask about the change in the norm only to get distracted as from the point of George's
wand lines of ink began to appear on the parchment. He was not the only one surprised as
Percy goggled at the filling-in item as well.

"It's a map," Percy said after a bit.

"Not only that is is magical and shows where everyone is at as well as the passwords to every
secret passage," Fred said as dots appeared on the map labeled as inhabitants of the castle.

Percy instantly snatched the map from the desk and took out his own wand before casting
several spells on it as the twins watched with bemused expressions. "Did you learn nothing
from Ginny's suspension?" Percy asked waving the map at the twins. "Who knows what type
of mischief this thing can do?"

"How dumb do you think we are we cast all the spells Dad taught us as soon as we first found
out how to access it," George said as Fred nodded in confirmation neither of them making
any moves to get the map back from Percy until he was satisfied.

"So far the only thing we have ever seen it do besides creating a map is to come up with some
rather good insults," Fred said taking out his own wand and casting a spell on the map
making the vanish as words began to form on the page.

Messer Padfoot thinks that Percy Weasley should stick with things he actually knows.

Messer Wormtail suggests Percy look into getting some contacts so he would look less like a
red-feathered owl.

Messer Mooney thinks Percy should keep his nose out of the realm of pranks.

"That is cool," Harry said grabbing the map to see if he could get insulted by it. As soon as he
took hold of it his ring flashed as the last of the creators of the map words came into being.

Prongs would like to say "Hello" to his future son. I am glad you found the map created by
me and my friends. I hope you know them all Padfoot is my brother in all but blood Sirius
Black. Wormtail is a friend out old family ally Peter Pettigrew, and Mooney is the one who
brought us all together in creating this map is Remus Lupin.

The four males looked in wonder at the words that had been written on the parchment until
they vanished returning to the map configuration. "Well that was new," George said before he
and Fred turn to Harry and began to bow to him.

"We are not worthy, young Prgonslet," Fred said as his and his brother's action make him
think of the American sketch show Saturday Night Live segment of Wayne's World meeting
the celebrity guest.

"Knock it off you two," Harry said with a blush. "So how does this actually help me get the
sword back by the way?" he ask to change topics back to the reason they had met.

"Like this," George said as he stopped bowing and took the parchment and used his wand to
shift it back into a map as well as shifting the section of the castle being shown. The new
section was labeled as Headmaster's office and for the moment was utterly empty. "See you
can pay attention to when old Dumblesnorts is out of his office for a bit and using your
parent's map to get the password to go into go and collect the sword. Harry thought that
actually might work thinking about doing it right then only for five dots to enter the office
showing that Dumbles was meeting with the now five Heads of House.

"Don't worry a meeting with the Heads doesn't usually take that long and then maybe he will
leave the office with them," Fred said seeing the look cross Harry's face.

Suddenly the door to the room opened making Harry and the three Weasleys jump and point
their wands at the door as Draco, Blaise, and Theo burst into the room with their wands
aimed at the three older students. "You alright Harry?" Draco asked keeping his wand pointed
at Fred.

"Yes, why would I not be?" Harry asked confused lowering his wand, though he was the only
one who did.

"Well, we saw you surrounded by the Weasleys one of which seemed to be holding
something under their robes. We thought they had shown to be as bad as their younger
siblings," Draco said still holding his wand to Fred while Blaise was in a stand-off with
George and Theo against Percy.

"It is alright, they were showing me something that will help me to get Godric's Sword and
thus earning me two more of the Heir rings," Harry said which caused his three new Slytherin
friends to finally lower their wands quickly followed by the Weasleys.

"So what is this that will help you?" Blaise asked only seeing a bit of parchment on the desk,
but due to the distance could not see what was on it.

"A magical map which shows where everyone is at so he can see when the office where the
sword is located is empty," Percy explained.

"That sounds like an interesting bit of magic," Theo said sounding impressed taking a step
closer to get a look at the map. "Fascinating, an updating monitoring charm and what looks
like a spell to bypass secrecy lockouts. Your work?" he asked turning to the twins.

"You can tell that from just a look?" George asked sounding impressed.

"I have partial Mage Sight which allows me to read spells on most magical objects," Theo
explained. "It also comes in handy during class when learning magic."
"That sounds rather cool," Harry said.

"That is strange," Fred said drawing everyone's attention to him.

"What is strange?" Percy asked.

"Well usually when Dumbles meets with the Heads, that we have witnessed on the map, it
last only a few minutes and usually have the four Heads seated around his desk while he
paces before them, but from the looks of it Dumblesnorts is seated and Flitwick and
McGonagall are the ones pacing," Fred said pointing it down on the map.

"Does the map have ways to communicate either written or audio?" Draco asked looking
down at the map before looking between Theo and the twins.

"Not that we know of," the twins said in unison.

"I can't see anything like that on it," Theo added.

"Dang to be a fly on the wall to know what they are talking about," Draco said shooting a
look at Harry guessing the topic under discussion.

As Fred pointed out it was strange for Albus to be the one sitting during the meeting, but he
was more than sitting down he was getting dressed down by the five Heads. "No Albus I will
not go back on my decision on the student's dorms," Minerva said feeling quite angry at the
man's stubbornness on the issue. "Not only will the change make it easier for my students to
study but, Merlin forbid, Black breaks in it would make it harder for him to reach Harry."

"I am sure that the Fat Lady would prevent him from getting into the Dorms," Albus shot
back.

"That makes no sense Albus. You had all those different protections on the stone a couple of
years ago now we have someone actively targeting a student and the only protection you have
in place is a Magical Door that as a former Gryffindor he knows where it is at. Minerva is
right that this is a good defense, but you really have no control of it as Head, well now Co-
Head, of Gryffindor House she could do what she wishes in regards to the House without any
approval from either you or even the board. The only one she would ever have to answer to
would be a Lord of any of the Founder's lines," Filius said glaring at the man.

"Yes, Albus you should know all this having been the former Head of Gryffindor House
yourself. Which brings us to our next point with you not informing Minerva about the tools
she had at her disposal as a Head of House," Severus said leaning against one of the books
shelves doing his best to hide a smirk as the Minerva and Filius dressed down the man as if
he was a student rather than the Headmaster.
"Well, as most of you are aware Anna's leaving as she did shortly after the attack on the
Potters happened during a time which was rather chaotic with all the trials and such," Albus
said.

"Even with that being true, Albus, after all, that was over with you should have done your job
and told her or if you had plans gotten confirmation that Anna had done so," Pomona stated
without the normal smile on her face rather than lips set in a firm serious line.

"I had been told she had done it," Albus said.

"Oh come off it Albus you know what sort of woman Anna was she might have said she had
done it but until you had absolute proof, you could not trust her," Bathsheba stated.

"Batty is correct I had more students complain about her classes than any other, short of
Lockhart, that have been here since I started," Filius stated.

"She was a great teacher," Albus shot back.

"No, Albus she was not if she had been teaching anything other than Muggle Studies I think
the board would have just fired her. I recall students in her class complain that one day for no
reason she talked about cats, how she loved them but was allergic to them. Or another day
when she bemoaned the death of some of her friends and a family member and actually
stopped the class to pass out a "Sorry for your loss" card for them to sigh to herself," Filius
said shaking his head at the utter foolishness of the woman.

"Not to mention she was the only person who annoyed Argus more than Peeves did when she
would distract his Kneazles from their rounds around the school while she herself was meant
to be out on patrol after the student's curfews," Pomona said.

"Getting back to it due to your oversight the five of us have decided that once a week we will
be meeting to go over how each of our Houses is doing as well as any changes we might
bring to the board for improvements to them," Severus said.

"Now I am sure that is not necessary," Albus protested.

"Once more you are incorrect Albus," Minerva stated. "And one of the issues we will be
bringing to them is the rule against Heirs and Lord/Ladies no longer getting their own rooms
while at the castle. Do you realize what problems you may be causing by forbidding this? If
some document a student Heir, Lord, or Lady is working on for the Wizengamot is left
around it could not only be seen as a breach of security but we could get heavily fined."

"We will also be informing them that you decided to suggest that a student that had requested
a re-sort was to be denied. Do you know what that could do to the school Albus?" Filius
asked.

"I am sure nothing too bad," the old fool said not knowing or really caring what would
happen.
"Wrong again," Filius said cutting back his desire to add "you old fool" as he took a breath to
center himself. "If the Goblins ever heard you had prevented a re-sort after it had been
officially called for they could not only cut off our access to the school vaults but in fact close
the school down itself. Only opening, it back up after getting approval of the Founders' lines.
And as of right now we only know of two Harry due to the Potters being descendants of
Gryffindor, and then there is Tom Riddle who you take delight in saying is not dead, being
the Lord of Slytherin. So you would need at least their approval as well as any other living
Head of the Founder lines approval to reopen the school," Filius stated almost smiling as he
saw the color drain from Albus' face.

"Surely not," Albus said his voice actually cracking.

"They could and most likely would show no hesitation in doing so," the quarter-Goblin
Charms Master stated with utter certainty.

Albus could not let that happen for his plans to work he needed both the power and prestige
that came from all three of his positions and with the mysterious events a couple of weeks
ago which ousted him as Chief Warlock and replaced him with High Lady Greengrass. He
needed the school to remain open and still under his control. Not to mention that as the
Headmaster of Hogwarts he could influence the next generation of Magicals towards his
cause. He already had some proper candidates at the school now, but some students took
almost to their final year or after to turn to him so he would help them get the jobs they
desired, especially the students for Gryffindor due to their lower grades than the other three
Houses. "Very well I will allow Harry to get re-sorted if he wishes it," Albus said with a
smile knowing he had no choice in the end.

"Well, it seems that Harry decided to stay after I added the new room set up and he was able
to get away from a student that was mistreating him. Though if you try to find a way to
revoke it he may change his mind again," Minerva said with a half-smile seeing Albus
actually breathe a sigh of relief that Harry was staying in the Gryffindor House. It had irked
him a little when he had overheard a discussion between Harry and the Sorting Hat last year
that the blasted thing had wanted to send his weapon into Slytherin House which if a resort
did take place the boy most likely end up in. Which would have been bad due to all the
rumors he spread about the inherent evilness of the House as well as anyone who was in it.

Having nothing further to discuss with the Headmaster the five Heads began to head towards
the door before Minerva stopped. "Oh yeah I almost forgot after the meeting we collected all
the Gryffindor students' Hogsmead forms," she said taking a stack of forms and putting them
on Albus's desk. By some chance, Harry's form was on the top of the stack letting the
Headmaster see that he had been approved to go to the village by Narcissa Malfoy of all
people.
"I do not think Harry should go to the village," Albus said stopping the Heads in their tracks
and having them turn around to look at him.

"And why not?" Bathsheba asked.

"Well as we discussed earlier Sirius might be after the boy I think it will be much safer for the
boy to stay at the castle. I am sure his friends can bring him treats and souvenirs from the
village back after their trips there for him," Albus said with a twinkle in his eye.

"No he is going," Minerva said simply.

"Now Minerva you were worried enough about the boy to change the set up of rooms for
your entire House why would you want to put him in danger by having him go to the
village?" Albus asked.

"Well for one Hogsmead as a Magical village would have people who would recognize Sirius
if he showed up and could do something about it," Minerva said. "And secondly when has
death threats and the like prevented someone from going to the village. I recall shortly after I
became Head of House many students who were found to have a relative that was a Death
Eater would receive not only death threats but also cursed letters, yet you had no problem
with those students going to Hogsmead." Albus wanted to curse of course she would
remember that being all over-eager to do her job and some of her new Lions getting some of
the letters. It had been that plus those darn study groups she had started that had led him to
also promote her to Deputy Headmistress after only a couple of years as a Head of House.

"Very well he should be able to go to the village," Albus said making the Heads turn to the
door again. "If you can tell me why his permission form was signed by Lady Malfoy,"

"What?" Severus asked in shock at the news.

"Well, that is actually easy to explain," Minerva said with a smile as she placed a comforting
hand on Severus' shoulder who looked rather startled by the news.

"Yes, what is it, Minerva?" Pomona asked intrigued as well.

"She is his Godmother," Minerva said.

"No his Godmother is Alice Longbottom, Merlin, rest her soul," Albus said as he bowed his
head for what happened to the woman.

"Albus there was a war going on James and Lily knowing that two of their Godparent choices
for Harry worked basically on the front lines against He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named had
chosen two others just in case. A Muggle relative of Lily, Gregory Smith, as well as Narcissa
Malfoy who as you recall was a close friend of Lily while they were at school together,"
Minerva explained trying to sound as if this was old news and not something she herself had
recently learned thanks to Harry's test results.
 "Ah, but why not have Gregory sign it then?" Filius asked knowing that to keep Harry safe
after his parents had died the boy had been sent to grow up in the Muggle worlds.

"Gregory had died at some point leaving Harry to be brought up by Lily's sister," Minerva
said having researched all this after she had seen Lady Malfoy's signature on Harry's form
even going as far as contacting the woman herself.

"For how long?" Severus asked through gritted teeth.

"I would say he died before James and Lily did for Albus had me checking out Petunia the
day after the events at Godric's Hollow," Minerva said and saw the Potions Master turn to
glare at the Headmaster.

"You said he was taken care of and treated like a prince. There is no way in the nine realms of
Hell that Tuna Fish would ever do such a thing," Severus said making as if to head back
towards Albus, who actually gulped at the murderous expression on Severus's face, only to be
held back by the other four Heads of House.

"I was assured she did treat him right, he seemed happy during the times I visited him there,"
Albus lied. Severus chewed on the inside of his lip for a moment, still being held back by the
others, before he turned on his heel and left the office muttering about needing to make a
Floo call. With the other Head leaving shortly after him leaving Albus alone in his office who
for a long while did not move from his throne-like chair.

"Well it seems like the meeting is over," Fred said as she sees the five Heads of Houses leave
the room during his time to watch the map. For even if Harry had turned out to be the son of
one of the Maunders he and George were reluctant to hand the map over to him completely
yet. So as the meeting had been going on the three Weasleys, Slytherins and Harry had taken
terns watching the map. Rather than just sit in awkward silence for who knew how long until
the meeting broke up the group had tried to hold some polite conversations with each other.
Currently, Percy, Theo, and Harry were discussing the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit books, a
book series Harry had actually read, Blaise and George had been discussing different
Charms. And surprisingly Fred, while keeping an eye on the map, had been having a rather
interesting conversation with Draco on potions.

Chapter End Notes

* read about this idea in the story Harry Potter has come to Durmstrang from
Anikley_lunagood and sounded rather like a good idea.
 Sword, Hat, and Rings
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

While Harry and the others waited for Dumbles to leave his office after the Heads had headed
out they began to work out a strategy on how to get the sword. Harry, of course, had to be one
that went into the office but it was decided that Percy should come with him so Dumbles
came back they could use his position as an excuse for being there. Using the story that Harry
had come to Percy after overhearing Sirius Black was after him, Meanwhile Fred would be
watching the map so he if saw Dumbles approaching he would use his twin bond with
George to get his twin from pulling a prank near the office in hopes of distracting the man
from returning. As it was a Twin-created prank it was hoped that those in the office would be
able to hear it and be prepared to wrap it all up or expect the man from showing up.

"While that is all well and good what about us?" Draco asked.

"Well I did not think you would want to be involved," Harry said.

"Well think again Potter," Draco said as he reached over and flicked Harry's forehead "You
have earned our friendship it will take more than a spot of possible trouble to make us turn
away. Plus it would make sense that we were involved that way George has someone to pull
the prank on."

"Plus, Theo's Mage-Sight might come in useful to see if there are any Magical protections on
the sword if he wanted to tag along," Percy pointed out.

"I would, plus as not may Slytherins get to see the Headmaster's office I have not been able to
get a full picture of the man yet," Theo said as Blaise and Draco roll their eyes a little.

"A picture of the man what more do you need after hearing what he did to Harry?" Fred
asked.

"A reason why or how deep it goes into his psyche," Theo said simply.

"Theo can come if he is willing," Harry said with a smile at the three Slytherins.

The new plan had the twins working in pairs with Draco and Blaise. With George teaming up
with Blaise so as they waited for the signal to start the prank they could continue their
conversation on different charms that they found useful. While Draco would be helping Fred
watch the map that way they could keep track of both Harry's progress but also where
Dumbles was. While Theo would come up to the office with Percy and Harry though they
were not sure how to explain his presence if Dumbledore arrived back to find them inside.
'Why not just punch him?" George asked.

"What?" Harry and Theo asked.

"Yeah punch him make it one of the reasons Percy brought you both to the office as if you
overheard some Slytherins talking about Sirius Black not only being after you but also your
Godfather. You could have begun to freak out and ended up punching someone and Percy
seeing it brought you both to the office to give a report knowing what a close eye he tends to
keep on you, as well as Molly's orders," Fred explained.

"Do I really have to punch him though?" Harry asked.

"Yeah it is out of Harry's character to give in to physical violence it would be more incline for
him to maybe have a little panic attack so to help focus him I ended up having to slap him,"
Theo said. "Or not," he added when he saw Harry's reaction to the suggestion "maybe Percy
sees me about to slap him and stops me before bringing us to the office." Harry smiled at the
addition to the plan not wanted to hit anyone or get hit himself.

"That seems like it would work," Percy said rubbing his chin in thought admiring the young
Slytherin with his change to the plan when he had noticed the small flinch Harry had done
involuntarily at the mention of getting hit. It was such a small thing that Percy would have
thought that only someone who was really paying attention would notice it that Theo did
spoke volumes about the young man for both noticing it but also giving a suggestion that
made Harry feel better.

It was another fifteen minutes before Dumbles left his office leading to the group to watch
him for a bit more before they put their plan into effect. Harry headed up to Dumbles office
alongside Percy and Theo, with Fred and Draco following under the Invisibility Cloak, which
Harry had started taking everywhere with him. George and Blaise headed out separately to
unused classrooms near the man's office to start setting up the prank in case it was needed.
When they reached the golden gargoyle Fred took a look at the map before passing on the
password "Chocolate covered grasshopper" letting them up to the office while Fred and
Draco moved a different empty classroom on the office's other side to settle in and watch the
map.

Theo was amazed as he rode the moving staircase behind Percy and Harry before they
entered the office itself. At a first glance, it looked rather impressive until one really looked
around where they would see all the impressive-looking machines were nothing more than
perpetual motion devices that would make random moves, noises, or unleash puffs of
different colored smoke. Most of the books shelves lining the various walls were either
copies of similar books, Muggle phone books, but also to Theo's surprise Dark Magic Books
which were on the ICW most watch list.
"What do you think you students are doing here?" one of the Portraits of old Headmasters
asked.

"I am sorry for disturbing you all but I have come for something that belongs to my family
line," Harry answered.

"And what makes you think you have the right to do that?' another asked with the name of
Headmistress Reinbeck.

"Well as I said it was from my family but also without knowing its connection to me I was
the one to hand it over to him," Harry said.

"Ah so you are taking back a gift you handed to the school there are proper procedures in
place for that," another shouted.

"Show them your ring," Theo suggested without looking away from his inspection of
Dumbledore's desk and chairs. Harry held up his hand showing off the Slytherin Lordship
ring.

"Fascinating, utterly fascinating," a portrait of a dark man in Slytherin colors said leaning
forward with a nameplate of Phineas Nigellus Black. "I was unaware that there has been any
donation of Slytherin Artifacts to the castle in recent years... or ever actually."

"Well I am also a member of Godric Gryffindor's Line," Harry said.

"Than why present us with the Slytherin Lordship ring?" Phineas asked.

"Well, it seems that since I gave up his sword to the Headmaster the ring of Gryffindor would
not recognize me until I got the sword back," Harry said noticing from the corner of his eye
that Theo had finished his examination of Dumbles desk and was now giving the Sorting Hat
a strange look.

"Well that makes sense," one a Headmistress with the nameplate of Helga Ravenclaw said.
"Sounds like something Uncle Godric would have on his ring he loved that sword." Percy
perked up hearing her refer to one of the Founders as Uncle that along with her name might
mean she was one of the first Heads at the school after the Founders. Distracted by her words
and the implications of them he almost missed as she made a gesture to above their heads.
Turning to look Percy saw what had to be Godric's sword in a glass-fronted case right above
the door to the office.

"Harry I found the sword," Percy said indicating the sword above the door.

"Thanks, Percy," Harry said pulling out his wand to cast Alohomora on the lock a the bottom
of the glass case, but as he lifted his wand Theo reached out and took hold of it.

"Don't Harry, that lock is a fake it will actually activate a caterwauling charm," Theo said
who thanks to his limited Mage-Sight had seen the spell but also the real lock. "Aim your
spell here," Theo said aiming Harry's arm and wand at the blank upper left-hand corner of the
case. Though after what he had been found out what had been done to him one would think
Harry would find it hard to trust people, yet, he was learning to trust the taller pale-skinned
boy as he cast the spell at the exact point from where Theo had aimed his hand. As the shot
of reddish-white magic hit the unmarked part of the case went through the Glamor Dumbles
had in place as with a click the glass front fell forward on a hinge letting them have access to
the sword.

Harry gave a smile to Theo, who missed it as he had gone back to staring at the Sorting Hat
as he bit his lower lip, as Percy stood on his tiptoes and was just barely to touch the sword to
bring it down. Percy had explained about this during the planning stages that since Harry had
not been able to call the sword back to him like he had the first time it would seem Dumbles,
or the enchantments that were natural to the sword, might have made it that it could not be
summoned by Magic, and would have to be handled by a physical way. Feeling like the
situation called for it Percy held the sword of the Founder of his House by both the hilt and,
with extreme caution, the end of the blade before he presented it to Harry.

Harry reached forward and wrapped the fingers of his right hand once more around the hilt of
the sword as he took it from his older friend and crush he felt a wave of magic wash over
him. When the magic wave ended Harry noticed a familiar gold ring just sitting at the edge of
Dumble's desk. Reaching forward with his left hand Harry slipped his middle finger, the
same place the Slytherin Ring was, into the band. Unlike last time where it had felt as if his
finger was being bitten off, there was a gentle warmth coming off the ring.

"Very good young Heir you accomplished your task I had set aside for you to take your place
in the family," Godric said as Harry once more found himself back in the Judging space for
the Rings.

"Thank you, sir, I could not have done it with allies I had made," Harry said.

"Too right one should never stand alone against an enemy force. I would also say it would be
a good idea to follow the issue your new friend is dealing with at the moment," Godric said
as he left bringing Harry back to himself in the Headmasters' office.

"What's up Theo?" Harry asked seeing the other boy still looking up at where the Sorting Hat
was stored.

"I am not sure I think there is some spell or something on the hat," Theo said.

"Wouldn't that be the spell that allows it a sort of mind that allows it place the students in
their House?" Harry asked.
"Yes but it seems more than that. The last time I was this close to the Hat was during my
sorting before my Mage-Sight came in, so it could be that spell but something tells me it is
not," Theo said.

"A bee in your bonnet young man?" The Hat asked making Theo actually jump a little having
not considered the Hat could say anything other than the names of the Houses out loud.

"I guess I was just wondering about the spells on you," Theo said after he collected himself
again.

"You are correct some of the Charms on me were placed after the Founders created me to
help sort the students of this fine institution,' the Hat said.

"And the others?" Theo asked after a bit of pure silence.

"That I can not say," the Hat said but it seems he would not or could not go into further detail
as the flap near the top that functioned as its mouth stopped moving.

"Is there a way to take the additional spells off or are they helpful for Sorting the students?"
Percy asked.

"That I can not say," the Hat said.

"So in other words no. Otherwise, you would not have an issue with stating what the spells
on you were," Theo reasoned.

"I am afraid I can not say," the Hat said again seeming to wilt a little.

"You know there are stories that the Sorting Hat once belonged to Godric maybe your new
ring would work," Percy suggests. Harry shrugged as he reached for the Hat and once he
touched it there was a flash of a golden aura of Magic that went from the ring through the hat.
Suddenly the old dusty look of the hat changed making it look like it was new of a light baby
blue shade with multicolored stars along its pointed top with a black rim.

"Jolly good it has been ages I felt like myself again," the Hat said with what sounded like a
laugh. "Thank you Harry Potter seems sending you to Gryffindor rather than Slytherin
worked out in the end. Now I should be able to send the students where they are truly meant
to be such as your companions."

"What do you mean?" Theo asked.

"Well young Theodore Nott II both you and Messer Percy Weasley both could have ended up
where I sent you but also have done quite well in Ravenclaw. I would have had a hard time
placing you if not for several enchantments Albus has placed on me. One which would cause
all children of Molly Weasley nee Prewett to be sorted right into Gryffindor. Which is a
shame for your younger twin brothers I had seen would have been better in Slytherin. As for
you Theodore Nott II you ended up in Slytherin for having both a parent which was a member
of the Death Eaters, even if he was a spy and for having a Dark Magical Core," the Hat said.

"Bastard," Theo said always wondered why so many of His supporters had ended up in
Slytherin even though some always seemed to be better suited for one of the other Houses.
Like Marcus Flint for instance who when he was not playing Quidditch was one of the nicest
students Theo had ever meet and had always thought should have been in Hufflepuff.

"So you can re-sort everyone then?" Harry asked.

"I am afraid not for while you banished the spells that had been placed on me I can not re-
sort someone until they call for it, and from what Albus was saying last night he would make
sure no re-sort would happen anytime soon lest someone discover the spells he had put in
place," the Hat said.

"Wouldn't he see that they are gone as soon as he sees you looking like that?" Harry asked.

"Good point," the Hat said before making a sound like a whistle. "Fawks be a dear would you
good chap." At the call, the Phoenix took flight from its perch and flew over the Hat letting
one of its tail feathers rub over it.

"Um nothing seemed to have happened," Harry said as Fawks flew around the room and
came to rest not back on its perch by Harry's shoulder.

"Ah but that is because I am allowing you to see past it. Now pay attention, my lads," the Hat
said as for an instant it changed back into its former ratty appearance.

"A Glamour I dare say," Percy said impressed having never seen one so well made.

"More than that is the Magic of the Castle to protect itself again with the approval of Godric
and Salazar's Heir," the Hat said giving Harry a little bow as he also used his tip to point at
the glass case where the sword had been making them all look. If Harry was not still holding
the sword in his right hand he would have thought that it was back in the case; for with the
case closed there appeared a duplicate Sword of Gryffindor.

Harry was about to say more when a large explosion was heard from below. "I am guessing
that is George and Blaise," Theo said as they all paused to listen only for the three students to
hear someone climbing up the stairs.

"Bloody fools if Molly would not throw a fit I would get rid of them," Dumbles' voice said as
the footsteps got closer.

"What do we do? He does not seem to be in a good mood and the Prank did not stop him?"
Harry asked the two taller boys.
"Easy," the Hat said, "Theodore Nott II and Percy Weasley if you would be so kind to take
hold of young Harry Potter it will be quickly sorted out." Following the Hat's suggestion
having no time to come up with one of their own. The three Humans were startled as Fawks
spread his large multicolored wings and with a flash of Phoenix Fire whisked them away and
into the classroom Fred and Draco were watching the map.

"Bloody Hell how did you manage that?' Fred asked as he and Draco moved apart from
where they had been standing shoulder to shoulder looking at the map.

"What's with the Phoenix?" Draco asked as both Harry and Theo noticed a small blush in his
cheeks.

"This is Fawks I was told that he was Dumbles bird but I think he is actually connected to the
school itself," Harry said as Fawks gave his shoulder a quick squeeze which Harry read as his
guess had been correct as he flashed back to the Headmaster's Office. As the Phoenix
vanished Harry felt something roll down the shoulder Fawks had been using as a perch and
slide into one of his robe pockets.

Reaching into the pocket Harry was shocked as he withdrew the Silver ring of the Peverell
family and slipped it on. "Very good my lad as you have gained control of the Gryffindor
Line that brings up your total of two of my family's branching paths letting you take your
place as Lord Peverell use it well," Ignotus said with a smile having not bothered to enter the
Judging space but appear before everyone in the room.

"Well Godric approved you getting the sword I see," Draco said approaching Harry from the
left side and giving the sword a wide birth.

"He did now all that leaves is what to do with the Sword?" Harry said as the Gryffindor Ring
flashed a little as Godric appeared before him.

"I would suggest you send it back to my Vaults like it had been resting in before you pulled it
out of my hat in Salazar's Chamber," Godric said as all but Harry stared in amazement at him.

"Um, good idea how do I actually do that without going to the bank?" Harry asked.

"Gods the teaching has gone downhill since I left hasn't it. Use a Transference Ritual and
have the endpoint be at Gringotts they will see to it, especially if you attach a note," Godric
said with a slight huff.

Harry was about to point out he had no idea how to perform such a ritual when the others
spoke up saying they would help him perform it. So as they waited for George and Blaise to
get back from their prank Harry watched as Draco, Theo, Percy, and Fred began to use some
leftover chalk to place a large rune on the floor. While he had perused much of his class book
on runes he did not recognize the one that the others were putting into place making him
think it was a common one that Magical Families might use from time to time. When the
rune was complete the others had Harry step inside of the design, making sure not to smudge
any of the design, before he laid the Godric's Sword in the very middle of the rune. Harry was
then instructed to kneel before the sword and place his left hand, since it had his rings on it,
on a specific place before he was told to repeat after them. "I Harry James Potter Lord and
Heir of the Bravest House of Gryffindor transfer this, my ancestor's sword back to the vaults
of the British branch of Gringotts Banks," once Harry stated this there was a bright flash as
the sword vanished as did the markings on the floor.

Performing the Transference Ritual also took a bit of his magic making Harry places his head
in his hands and take a few deep breaths to regain his strength. As his head was down he also
witnesses the three rings on his finger merge with the single ring seeming to flash between
the looks of all three rings before it stopped and looked like the Slytherin Ring again. The
ring flashed making Theo, and Draco gasped as Salazar appeared in the room. "My Great
Granduncle Iggy, Godric, and I thought it would be best to make it look like you only still
had the ring you have been wearing rather than a new one," Salazar said once Harry was able
to lift his head to look up at him.

"Thanks," Harry said still a little breathlessly as he tottered in place. Before he could fully
collapse the others rushed forward and pulled him up as Percy transfigured one of the room's
desks into a couch and laid Harry in it. "And thank you, Percy," Harry said with a smile as he
closed his eyes when his body entered a meditative healing state.

As the group had agreed to all meet up together after going after the sword as Harry rested
the others waited for Blaise and George to arrive before they left the room. After a while, the
door creaked a little as George's voice stated, "I think we have a problem Dumbles entered
his office a while ago and even left it again but there has been no sign of Harry, Percy, or
Theo."

Without opening his eyes Harry heard what sounded like a blow to flesh making contact with
other flesh before Fred's voice stated, "It is alright they are back you can come in."

"How did they get past us?" Blaise asked as the door opened and the sound of footsteps was
heard.

"It seems besides getting the Sword Harry made a new friend," Draco's voice explained.
"They got a lift from a Phoenix." This statement was followed by the sound of a whistle
forcing Harry to open his eyes to glare at them a little.

"Yes Fawks seemed rather happy to help out once the Sorting Hat asked him to," Harry said
pushing himself into a sitting position on the couch.

"Fawks and the Sorting Hat seems your part of the plan was interesting," Blaise stated.
"And how did you two get off? We heard the Headmaster come right up the stairs after your
prank go off so you did not manage to keep his attention," Percy asked.

"Yeah and it was such a waste since I had the prototype swamp go right off when he was in
the middle of it, but all he did was wave his wand and get rid of the grime covering him. I
think in our version we should make it so they can not be affected by magic," George said.

"At least that is an easy fix," Blaise said, "all would be required would be adding an over-
reaching Anti-Magic Charm on the swamp in its inert state."

"So he just let you go without punishment that seems unlikely," Percy said arching an
eyebrow at the pair.

"Well he didn't but Filch certainly did," George said with a larger smile than most would have
while relaying the news of getting detention with the man.

"And that is a good thing is it?" Draco asked.

"Well his idea of a detention was for us to come back tonight and clean up the mess we made
without using Magic," George said still beaming.

"Apart from that meaning the swamp is left in front of Dumbles office until then I don't see
it," Theo said while Fred started to laugh a little.

"You see as we do some of the work on our products at home which means we had to find out
a way to get rid of everything quickly before Molly would come and try to confiscate all of
our work," Fred explained.

"That explains why no one could ever find out the sources of bangs and noises coming for
your room," Percy said impressed with both the twins' foresight and ingenuity in their work.

After they finished congratulated themselves on a well-executed plan the group decided to
head back to their respective Common Rooms, for now but promising to meet up again
having found the whole experience rather fun. As Harry and the older Weasley made their
way up to Gryffindor Tower he was filled with hope since only the Potter family ring was left
to collect meaning he just needed to either get his money back or make those that had
wronged him pay for their actions against him. As they approached the Fat Lady's Portrait
rather than wait for them to give her the password Harry's ring flashed causing the entrance to
open on its own. The twins shared a look as they hardly patted Harry on the back before
moving in to shield him just in case their younger brother or Hermione was in the room.
Thankfully, they were not, letting Harry reach the door leading to his new room and go
inside. As soon as he walked into the room the wall behind Harry's bed began to glow a little
making it look like the shape of a door before it vanished. Thinking it was odd that a door
just happened to appear when he returned to his room after he gained the Gryffindor ring.
Wishing he had the map to see if Dean or Seamus were anywhere close to returning to the
 room Harry walked over to the area and pressed his palm on the wall on in the area as the
outline had been. As soon as he touched the wall it swung open, and even though he was in
the tallest room in the tower which only had a single wall between the room and the outside
he found another room on the other side of the open doorway.

Chapter End Notes

Ending it here for while I know the room Harry found is the Founder's room I don't have
any idea of how to decorate or what should be inside yet.
 Room for a prank
Chapter Summary

Harry enters the Heir room and later George and Blaise decide to pull a prank together.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Harry just marveled at the magic of Hogwarts as he took in the room that should not be
where it was unless of course he and everyone missed a room the size of a hotel suite
attached to one of the tallest towers of the castle. Inside the room turned out to be a full-on
study with empty bookshelves lining the walls. As he stepped into the room the door slide
shut behind him Harry looked over his shoulder to see at least on this side the door looked
like a real door with a nob and everything. Moving forward to take a look Harry took a step
back as a podium appeared out of nowhere in front of him. He had to snort as he read the
cover which listed the book as a sign-in book. Flipping open the cover Harry read a list of
names in various hands which not only stated who had visited the room but also had which
Founder line they were associated with. The pages of the book began to turn on their own
until it stopped on a page that only was half filled out. With a start, Harry saw that one of the
last people who had signed the book was his own father seeing that just like him James had
the same looping strokes on his "a" and "p." Taking up the quill that was laying under the
book Harry signed his own name right under the last name that had been signed into the
book. As he finished signing the book shut itself as it and the podium it was resting on
vanished as the bookshelves began to fill up with volumes with red and green covers.

As he grabbed one of the books at random he found that they appeared to be journals from a
past student. As he had grabbed a red-covered book he decided to take down a green one as
well and found that just like the Hogwarts Houses the journals were color coded with the red
covered being written by the Heirs of Gryffindor while the green was from Slytherin.
Wanting to take some time to read them he looked around for a place to sit he suddenly laid
eyes on a comfortable-looking chair which he knew had not been there a moment ago.
Deciding it was part of the Magic, of what he wanted to call the Heir Room, Harry just
walked over to the chair and settled into it. Opening the book he began to read about a
Gryffindor Heir that had been sorted into Hufflepuff. He was so lost in the journal and Kieran
Potter and her time at school and beyond that, he has unknowingly created a desk so that he
could read the book in a better position. Once he became aware of the new item Harry took a
moment to study the desk finding it was made of solid redwood and large enough that he
could lay out and open all of the Hogwarts' school books he owned and still have room to
spare to do his homework on it. Right now, however, there was only one book laying on the
desk. Seeing a bookmark next to the book Harry marked the place in Kieran's Journal to take
a look at the book. As Harry read the new book he saw that it was about the room, which
evidently based on a room created by Rowena Ravenclaw herself, would create almost
anything an Heir would need to study for classes. That at least explained the desk and chair
appearing when he had wanted them to. The room itself could only be called for from either
the Heir's dorm room or from the location where Rowena's Room was located, though the
book did not state where the room was. There was also an asterisk leading to a note that
specified that the room could only be accessed when one had access to all Founder Heir
status that they held, which explained why the room had not appeared to him before today. To
stay hidden the room could not be opened if others were in the main dorm room, at least
conscious. Though as the book stated the room was to be used for study only and while it
could create most things it was prevented from creating a bed for the Heir to use as a
secondary dorm.

Reaching the end of the short book Harry was surprised to find an insert like a poster that he
had seen come out of game guides Dudley would get. Pulling out the insert Harry opened it
up and found a magical map like the twins had in their possessions, but unlike theirs, it
showed the Gryffindor's new divided dorm rooms. Harry spent some time watching the map
and seeing the dot labeled Ronald Weasley go in and out of the door to the dorms making
Harry guess he was trying to get into Harry's room. Each time Ron left his dorm room and
tried to gain access a speech bubble would appear over the dot as Ron tried to cast a different
spell trying to get inside. Harry could only guess that someone had given the redhead the
spells for he recognized none of the spells his former friend was casting thought that means
they could be from Hermione, his mother, or Dumbles. Watching Ron move back and forth
he noticed that the redhead was not alone as the dot with his name attached to it was larger
than the others that Harry could see in the main Gryffindor Common Room.

Wondering why Ron's dot was bigger Harry saw if he could get the map to zoom or
something by tapping it with his wand. He could not help but smile as he saw it actually
worked as the surface of the map moved to cover only the stairwell and the two Third-Year
male dorms. Now with a more focused view, Harry was able to see that Ron was not alone
someone by the name of Peter Pettigrew was with him. Recalling the name from the twins'
map, which had to be either based on or inspired the one he now held. Well, at least that
explained the spells Ron was using Peter must be sharing them with his former friend. Harry
decided to talk to the twins later to find out how their younger brother knew Peter, but also
seeing Dean and Seamus coming up the stairs Harry put the map down on the desk and left
the room lest he gets trapped in the Heir room until the pair left or fell asleep, which based on
the time it was Harry thought was the more likely outcome. Either that or Dean and Seamus
would spend time worrying about where Harry was which could lead to some complications.

Back in the dorm room Harry takes out A New Hope and went back to reading it on the bed
as if he had spent the day like that. Knowing that Ron had been trying to get into the room
Harry looked up as the pair walked in to see if he could see the redhead on the stairs. Shifting
his body a little and repositioning Theo's book so it would not seem strange that he was
looking at the door he was able to catch a small glimpse of red hair but no one else seemed to
be there beside him making him wonder if Peter had an Invisibility Cloak or another way that
made it so he could not be seen. With the door, open Ron started to follow Seamus and Dean
as he started to say, "Hey Ha.." Only to vanish from sight as he stepped through the door.
Harry had to smile at these new rooms and the Magic of the Castle for it really knew its stuff.

As Harry settled in to read some more of the book he had borrowed from Theo, and his
roommates got ready for bed George and Blaise were being directed by Filch to clean up the
Portable Swamp they had set off a couple of hours ago. "I have other students working off
detentions elsewhere in the castle so I shall leave you two to it, but be warned I will be back
randomly to check your progress," the man said with a sneer before turning a corner waiting
ten seconds and popping back again. "I am always watching," he said pointing at his eyes and
them a couple of times before leaving for real. To keep up the charade that it was hard to
clean um George and Blaise were using the provided cleaning supplies to scrub the floor for a
bit before George pulled out the Marauder's Map to make sure the caretaker was far enough
away before he moved over and made the swamp revert to its carry stage.

"So how do you suggest we spend the time?" George asked the dark skin Slytherin boy once
they had placed the Anti-Magic Charm on the inert swamp.

"Well we could read a book," Blaise suggested with the corners of his mouth raised in a small
smile "or we could pull a prank."

"Really Slytherins prank?" George asked with a small laugh.

"Of course we do we just are better at not getting caught, and for good reason," Blaise said
smugly.

"Oh, and what reason is that?" George asked.

"An old Slytherin House bylaw that if a student gets in trouble from any member of staff
other than our Head of House we have to serve a detention with them as well the next night,"
Blaise said going to sit down on the box containing the inert swamp.

"So you have detention tomorrow with Professor Snape?" George asked with a wince
thinking if he had known that he would not have tried to get Blaise in trouble as the
distraction.

"Not really for I was not the one who pulled the prank I was only given a detention for
having "set it off" so Professor Snape said I did not need to serve a detention," Blaise
explained with a small shrug.

"Yeah who would guess that you were part of the planning stages with me," George said
sitting down next to the younger student marveling again that the Slytherin was a little taller
than he was. "So what type of prank do you have in mind?"
Blaise smiled as he reached into his robes and pulled out a bottle of what looked like clear
water. "While talking with Draco and Theo after supper tonight we thought about using this
on the old windbag's Lemon Drops," Blaise said passing over the bottle.

Taking it George popped the top and gave it a sniff only to not smell anything before asking,
"Alright I will bite what is it?"

"This is a time-delayed truth potion, it does not have the strength of say Veritaserum, but it
would get the job done," Blaise said taking the bottle back and putting the stopper back in
place. "We brewed it after we left you guys earlier it is both odorless as you saw, but it also
has no taste. We thought if we dose the lemon drops the windbag is always popping into his
mouth we could get him to spill the beans on random stuff. We put a time-delayed on it in
case he takes one before bed or right after waking up."

"An interesting idea but I think I can improve it a little," George said rubbing his hands
together making Blaise believe what the Sorting Hat had told Theo about the twins suited for
Slytherin was correct.

"Yes and?" Blaise prompted.

"You said you helped brew the potion right," George asked leaning in and pressing his
shoulder into Blaise's.

"Yessss," Blaise responded hesitantly.

"So you would be able to tell me if the potion would have a negative side effect if it was
combined with a Babbling Hex?" George asked with a smirk making Blaise start to laugh as
he realized what George had in mind.

"Oh, that could work," Blaise said still laughing a little as he handed the bottle over to
George again as he glanced at the map. While George added the spell to the potion Blaise,
seeing Filch returning on the map pulled George off the box and reactivated the swamp using
his broader body to block any splash from the swamp so it would not hit either George or the
Potion.

Blaise then went back to "scrubbing" the floor clean of the swamp as the caretaker popped
around the corner as if expecting them to be goofing off. Thankfully with some of the aspect
of the swamp blocking him from view, George was able to finish enchanting the potion and
get back to "work" before Filch saw him. Filch stayed to watch them for a bit giving them
orders like "but your back into it" and "I want this floor clean enough to eat off of." Or just
generally complaining that Hogwarts never should have gotten rid of punishments like
hanging the students by their ankles or whipping them. This confused both teens who had
Parents and Grandparents who had gone to Hogwarts but had never mentioned any
punishments like that. As Blaise was cleaning a bit of muck by the wall he sort of figured out
why Filch wanted those types of punishment as he noticed the caretaker eyeing George's
backside as he had the redhead scrub some grime off the floor. For some reason, Blaise
wanted to knock the man's lights out seeing the lecherous look he was giving his new friend.
Especially as Blaise saw the man lick his lips as George, who was having trouble getting rid
of a bit of grim was putting some effort into it making his robe-covered bottom wiggle back
and forth. Blaise had a feeling that if Filch was not a Squib the man would be using magic to
take advantage of the students he had to watch over during detentions and then using memory
charms on them to make them forget he had done so.

Having enough of the man's basically fucking George with his eyes, Blaise went to get some
fresh water for his mop bucket only to "accidentally" drop his bucket containing dirty swamp
water near Filch and messing up the man's pants and shoes. Filch glared at him saying he
should get another detention for his actions before the old pervert ran away to put on some
clean clothing. As soon as the man was gone Blaise reverted the swamp again and told
George about what he had noticed from the caretaker, making George shiver in revulsion
before turning to where the man had left from and made a rude gesture. The pair made sure
Filch was actually heading to his office/room on the first floor rather than heading
somewhere else to get cleaned before they checked on where the windbag was. Blaise let out
a small curse seeing the man was still in his office before George pointed out that the
Headmaster's office was more aligned with Filch's since it doubled as the man's rooms as
well, unlike the other members of the staff who had both a room and an office.

George and Blaise huddled together over the map as one watched Filch and the other
Dumbles to see what they were doing. George seeing Filch move to a small room inside his
office thought the bastard was possibly taking a shower to clean the swamp water off of
himself. George could not help but smile a little at Blaise's actions making the man leave for
lewdly checking George out. Said male, was watching the old windbag and saw a speech
bubble appear over his head as the man cast "Nox" in one of the rooms in his office. When
the man's dot stayed in the same spot for a while he assumed Dumbles had gone to bed and
wished he knew how long it would take for the man to fall asleep or how deep a sleeper he
was.

As both the caretaker and Headmaster's dots stayed in the same spot for over ten minutes the
pair decided to go douse windbag's lemon drops. Which thanks to the Hex George had put on
them would make the man unable to stop spewing the truth even if no questions were asked
of him. Making both males think of it as diarrhea of the mouth as he would be unable to stop
it. George had even added an Anti-Magic Charm, after making sure that would not alter the
potion with Blaise so that the fool would have to wait for the potion to run out of his system.
That plus the potion being activating only after a certain amount of time would make it hard
for windbag to know how he had got it in his system.
 As they approached the Gargoyle which blocked the entrance to the stairs leading up to the
office George snapped his fingers with a bout of inspiration before casting both a Notice-Me-
Not Charm and a Muffling spell on the pair of them so they could get into the office without
the Portraits that the others mentioned being in there from noticing them as they doused the
lemon drops. Blaise gave him a nod of thanks as they used the map to check the password to
the office. Rather than ride the moving stairway both ran up the stairs smirking as they found
that Dumbles in his arrogance did not even have any charms or protections on the door to the
Headmaster's Office/rooms letting them go right in rather than have to use an Alohomora on
the door. Both winced a little as the door squeaked but as no other sound was heard they went
into the room.

Unknown to the pair was even with the spells they had put in place to not be seen or heard
had no actual impact on the inhabitants of the Portraits on the walls. However, as they were
not the only students to ever sneak into the Headmaster's rooms they assumed the pair were
in the middle of some prank, which depending on its nature they would not interfere with.
Most of the Portraits actually smiled to see that once again rather than just students from a
single house. Such as the times the current Head met with the young bushy-haired witch and
the two young redheads, who appeared to possibly be younger siblings of one of the
pranksters. These two like the young Heir's party were from different Houses. Seeing one of
the pranksters pull out a bottle of potion one of the Portraits, that of Helga Ravenclaw,
surreptitiously used their wand to make sure the contents of the bottle were not poisonous;
Getting the results back on her wand she gave a slight head nod to her fellow Portraits to say
it was alright while trying not to laugh having seen what the Potion would do if ingested. She
had to actually bite her lip as she saw the pair go to Albus's desk and pull out the man's
supply of lemon drops. The dark-skinned student pulled out a small bowl from inside of his
robes and the pair poured the entire bag into the bowl before having them soak in the Potion.
Seeing this the Former Head who had made sure the potion was not a poison had to go visit
one of her other Portraits so she could actually laugh finding her sides were starting to hurt
from keeping the laughter in. By the time she had returned the pair of pranksters had poured
the enchanted candies back into their original container before they left the office. Knowing
that Albus put up silencing spells so he did not have to hear anything going on in his office
when he slept the other former Heads began to bombard her with questions asking what the
potion had been. When Helga told them the whole lot burst out laughing, having long ago
lost any respect for the current head of the Castle. Well, most Portraits laughed the only one
that did not was Albus' immediate predecessor, Armando Dippet, who Albus feared telling
the truth about how Dippet had been forced out of the school, in the end, had placed a
Silencing Spell on his Portrait. Dippet did smile though at the news of what the candies
would do to the man thinking it was just dessert, as it were.

Chapter End Notes

A small shout out to Rowenasheir for the idea of using truth potion-laced lemon drops,
even if it was for another one of my stories.
Also, the whole idea of Filch's preferred punishments to the students made no sense to
me as we had never heard about it ever happening during any scene or story that takes
place in the time before Harry was at the school. With tales of James and Sirius using
the mirrors to stay in contact with each other during detentions. Or even times during
Tom and Hagrid at school no such punishment was ever talked about. This makes me
think Filch just wants to do it to bind up the students for either a power play or his own
twisted pleasure hence the lecherous stare at George's ass as he cleaned.
 Dumbles' Confession #1 Family Matters
Chapter Summary

George and Blaise's prank starts to pay off.

Chapter Notes

As you can guess from the chapter title I am planning to do multiple chapters of
Dumbles having to spill the beans due to the truth potion on his lemon drops. This way I
can keep the story going longer rather than having the man tell-all about stealing from
Harry and his minions.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The day after George and Blaise doused the Headmaster's lemon drops during their
"detention" they let the others of their group know about the prank, and since Dumbles was
asleep coupled with the time release of the potion it would not come into effect no earlier
than at lunch. George and Blaise also brought up the idea of meeting up again in the Mirror
of Erised room after breakfast to their groups. While Harry, Fred, Draco, and Theo were
amenable to the idea Percy could not make it due to having a date scheduled with Penelope
where they would use the fact that they were both of age to go to Hogsmead. Harry felt a shot
of jealousy at the Ravenclaw girl but he knew Percy would never see him as anything other
than his younger brothers' friend.

"Alright first things first," George said as the group had assembled in the room. "You three
have proven worthy so I think you need to get some codenames like the rest of us."

"And what would those happen to be?" Draco asked bracing himself as if fearing the worst.

"Well Fred is Chaos, I am Random, Percy is Balance and Harry is Fangs," George said
showing that once again when they were with people they really trusted they would not
alternate the speech patterns as twins.

"So what do you have in mind for us than " Random?" Theo asked rolling his eyes a little.

"Well, let's see we want names that fit with your characters but can be misinterpreted by
others. So I was thinking for Draco we go with Hairspray, Blaise can be Muscles, and Theo
as Bookwyrm that is W Y R M, not W O R M," George said.
Surprisingly it was not Draco that raised an issue with his codename but Theo. "No
absolutely not," Theo said crossing his arms and glaring at the redhead.

"And may I ask why not?" George said having thought the name was rather clever.

"A Wyrn is a water dragon," Theo said as if his issue was easy to see. "Water and books do
not go well together. So if you want to go with my love of reading go with a Literary Drak or
LD." George looks mystified at the explanation while Harry could not help but start to laugh.

"Alright, Theo is Literary Drak or LD than anyone else have any issues with their code
name?" Fred asked for his still mystified twin.

"Fine by me," Blaise said with a smile flexing an arm.

"Sure whatever," Draco said.

"That settles it then we are really allies," George said holding his hand out to shake the
Slytherins students' hands.

"I have a question for you," Harry said turning to the twins.

"Shoot," Fred said arching an eyebrow at him.

"How does Ronald know Peter Pettigrew?" Harry asked.

"Why would he know Peter, the man's dead Harry," Draco said.

"That was one of the creators of the map, and friend with your Dad right?" Fred asked at the
same time

"I don't think Peter is dead," Harry said before he shared with everyone about finding the
Heir Room and another version of the map in which he saw Ron trying to get into his room
alongside the man.

"Let us check that out," George said as he pulled the map from where it had been secreted
within his robes. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." At the code phrase, the map began
to fill out. Once it was fully rendered Fred and George activated the search function to find
their younger brother. Just like Harry had seen on the map in the Heir Room the twins saw
that Ron's marker was a little larger than the others on the map. Fred reached down and
tapped the map with his finger causing it to zoom in on Ron's name showing that once again
the redhead was not alone but was with Peter Pettigrew.

"How is that even possible?" Blaise asked.

"I don't know but maybe Professor Lupin would since according to the map he was also one
of my Dad's friends," Harry said leading them to search their new D.A.D.A. Professor but the
man it seemed was not in the castle for after searching for five minutes they had been unable
to find him at all.
After being unable to find the man the group decided to go their separate ways to not raise
questions from the other students wondering where they were and making someone come to
look for them and find them all together. Harry wanted to spend some time in the Heir Room
with more of the journals, but he did not want to head back to Gryffindor Tower lest he ran
into the pair of pests. So he decided to head to the library and see if it contained any other
books on Lordships or maybe see what "Muggle" books the castle had. He found that Theo
had been correct about there being no Star Wars books, but Harry had found the other book
series Theo had mentioned as he pulled down the first book to see how it was. Thankfully
with the Intelligence damping potions out of him, Harry had already finished all his
homework for the weekend so he could just read the book he had found. However, he also
knew that if she did not find him in the Common Room Hermione might come to the library
to do some of her homework so he had to make sure that he sat at a table that either had no
room for her or with people she would never join. He knew she would not join if he sat with
some Slytherin students, but he wanted to play into the idea that he was trying to gain
friends/allies in other houses. Spotting a table mostly filled with a mixture of Ravenclaw and
Huffelpuffs reading non-class books. After making sure they were not having a meeting or
something he took one of the open seats and began to read the story. If either pest had shown
up Harry was not aware of it as he read the book until the others left the table to head to
lunch.

Recalling the words of the twins Harry headed to the nearest open seat by the Head table to
see if he could see if Dumbles had taken any of the Truth-Potion dosed lemon drops, where
he was soon joined by the twins as well as Percy, while at the Slytherin table Draco, Blaise,
and Theo also sat as close as they could to the man at their own table.

Albus was in a bad mood after the meeting with the four well now five Head of Houses the
day before. After the meeting, he had to head out to the Hogshead to get a free drink at his
brother's pub. He was a little tipsy when he got back but that did not stop him from easily
going past the swamp that one of those blasted Weasley twins had created before his office.
Still too distracted to do much work he had stewed for a bit before he had called it a night.
Waking up he noticed all the portraits in his office were giving him strange looks but he had
learned not to pay attention to them much long ago. Feeling as if he had deserved it he
grabbed two lemon drops and popped them into his mouth. Deciding to skip breakfast Albus
worked for a while to find any sort of way that would allow him to bypass a Head of Houses'
powers to make his weapon take the classes he needed to take to both stay ignorant of the
Magical World and for him to hear the second "Prophecy" from Sybill about Voldemort
coming back. He also wanted to make sure that Harry was moved into the same room as
Molly's brat and his secondary weapon. Yet by lunchtime, he had failed to make any headway
in finding the bypass so he decided to take a break for lunch in the Great hall and maybe use
Minerva's normal seat next to him to put some compulsions on her.
"Hello, Albus how are you doing today?" Minerva asked in her normally friendly tone.

"I still feel a tiny bit guilty about killing my little sister, Ariana when I was younger," he said
only for his eyes to widen when he realized what he said.

"What was that?" Minerva asked.

"I killed my sister when I was younger and for some reason, I feel a little sad about it," Albus
said unable to stop himself.

"Okaaaaaay," the Deputy Headmistress said.

"It was during an argument with my toerag little brother shortly after I graduated Hogwarts
about spending too much time with my boyfriend, Gellert Grindelwald. He wanted me to take
care of Ariana rather than look for the Deathly Hallows. Getting sick of him and that mind-
addled sister of mine I pulled out my wand to just end them. I only managed one spell in the
chaos but it still killed her. I was easily able to convince both Gellert and my brat of a brother
that they were her possible killers making Gellert flee the country, which was good for me for
he was starting to bore me," Albus said figuring out that he must have been slipped a truth
potion in his meal and would have one of the House Elf's heads for this,

"Um okay I guess in the heat of the moment you could have just made a mistake," another
member of his staff said.

"Oh, I knew full well what I was doing. It was all because of her I could not travel the world
and meet some of the Magicals I had been corresponding with at school. Though I guess it
was a good thing for after she died I was able to at least get out of the house and use my
inheritance. Even if all it allowed me to do was gain an apprenticeship with a Master in
Charms. I helped him find out the twelve uses of Dragon Blood but before he produced his
results I sent the list to some of the people I had written letters to in school leading to them
giving me the credit for it. And rightly so I might add," Albus said wishing he could stop but
he found that not only did he keep speaking but was unable to bring up his hands to block his
mouth.

"Are you feeling alright Albus?" Poppy Pomfrey asked.

"I did not see Gellert until years later when I was called to put a stop to his darkness. It was
actually quite easy as I played on his love for me, the fool, and the idea planted the idea that
he had killed Ariana leading him to not put up a fight letting me easily stop him and claim...."
Albus found he could control his mouth again making him snap it shut before revealing he
had possession of the Elder Wand. Albus decided to play the whole thing off as if he had
been pranking his staff as a means to get them back for disagreeing with him yesterday as he
pushed aside his tainted food and left the hall.

George caught Blaise's eye seeing the dose of Truth Potion end with a slight sigh of
disappointment seeing that the fool had not shared about messing with Harry's life or why he
was relying on Molly, Ron, and Hermione, not to mention his former reliance on Ginny, to
help pull it off. The twins knew they had to find out a way to keep track of what Albus let
slip after each time the potion took effect. George thought about the prototype object he and
Fred were working on but he doubted the Extendable Ears would work. First off it would
show that they were behind the potion but also as the man could be anywhere when he
spouted off the truth the ears would be hampered if Dumbles was in his office.

Meeting up in their now normal room George brought up how to make sure that they were
able to know what Dumbles said anytime the truth potion took effect. Fred agreed the ears
were a bad idea, but Blaise suggested detaching the ear from the line and enchanting it with a
Parrot charm so that the ear itself could repeat in the man's own words what he said back to
them. "If you do that why not change it from being an ear to something less noticeable?"
Draco suggested.

"Yeah since the Parrot Charm does not need to be on a large object why not cast it on some
ABC gum that Dumbles stepped in or something," Harry added.

Snapping his fingers Fred came up with an idea as he pulled out the prototype joke product
and transfigured it into a small box that could easily be slipped into someone's robes. Casting
the spell to attach the Parrot Charm on the box Fred held it aloft and pronounced, " Let me
introduce you to the Chatter Box, name and product not final or for sale."

"Give me that," Blaise said snatching the box from him adding a couple of spells to the
object.

"What did you just do?" George asked.

"I made it breakable. Rather than slip the box into Dumble's robes we set it in his path so that
he steps on it. Where it will change into nothing so much as a stain on his boots while still
keeping the Parrot Charm in effect. I also added a recall function so that by casting the right
spell it will appear before you, in box form, that way you don't need to collect Dumbles'
shoes just to see if he spouted off more truth. Then all you need to do is either make a copy or
use a Quick Quotes Quill to get his hidden secrets before you set the box before him again. I
also added another charm that prevents him from getting rid of the stain by either Magical or
Muggle means," Blaise said simply.

"Damn," the twins said as they and even Percy look impressed at his spell work making the
dark-skinned Slytherin blush a little.

"I also think we should slip some Truth Potion to Filch to see if what I saw last night was
correct or not," Blaise said.

"What did you see?" Percy asked having never liked the man.

"Well to put it honestly he was having George work on a particularly hard to clean bit of
floor, but rather than looking at the cleaning job his eyes were locked on George's ass in a
 lewd way that I am quite familiar with due to the suitors for my Mom's affections," Blaise
explained.

"We also want to find out why he keeps threatening students with BDSM punishments as a
detention as well," George added as the pair had discussed this in length after they had
doused Dumbles' lemon drops and waited for Filch to return to dismiss them from their
detention.

"The bastard," Percy said shocking the twins and Harry for the older redhead was not one to
swear. "Agreed and since he does not have the protection of Dumbles lofty position or much
public support let's hope this gets him fired and maybe even arrested."

Chapter End Notes

The group is doing the Truth Potions route with Filch not knowing if the man has
Dumbles support or not so want concrete proof of the man's nature rather than say
telling Professor McGonagall or one of the other Heads.
 Another Heir
Chapter Summary

The crew plans to douse Filch some Truth Potion and Harry meets another Hogwarts
Heir

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Having heard from Blaise about Filch's lewd looks to George made the group decided to see
if they could slip him some Truth Potion to the man as well. Fred laughed when Harry
brought up making a second Chatter Box for the man. "What is so funny," Harry asked.

"We won't need that. We just need to share with Peeves about him getting the Potion and I
think the Poltragist will do the rest," Fred explained making the others laugh as well.

"There is just one problem," Draco said leaning a little into Fred's body.

"And what is that, Hairspray?" Fred asked looking down at the blonde who Molly had always
said had come from an evil family.

"Hairspray?!?" Percy asked confused letting the others fill him in on the nicknames given to
the three Slytherins while he had been on his date with Penelope Clearwater.

"Well while the old fool has his lemon drops habit that made them an easy target for the
potion, what does Filch have?" Draco asked making them all draw a blank.

"Maybe we should actually bring in Peeves now, for if anyone knows about the man other
than Mrs. Norris it would be him," Theo pointed out.

"We'll do it," the twins volunteered, "after all, we sort of have a working relationship with
him."

"I don't even want to know," Percy said rubbing his brow.

"Might be for the best, Balance," George said.

"We could brew up some more potion, might have to tweak it a little just in case he shares the
item we douse with Mrs. Norris," Draco said.
"As well as adding the Babbling Hex during the brewing so that it will last longer unlike
what happened to the Windbag," Theo added.

"And what would Percy and I be doing during all this?" Harry asked.

"That is all up to you, Fangs, maybe you should just go into the castle while doing your best
to avoid Granger and our delightful little brother," Fred said.

"Yeah and, Balance, should take care of his Headboy duties," Draco said.

"That is a good point I have sort of neglected them lately," Percy said with a slight blush.

"For shame," the twins said "tsking" at him in a playfully teasing way.

"Oh put a sock in it you two," Percy shot back though with a smile on his face making Harry
and the three Slytherins chuckle a little at the friendly relationships between the Weasly
siblings since Harry and the others were all only children.

As the group broke up to take care of business Harry decided to just explore the castle for a
bit, making sure he greeting everyone he came across no matter the year or House they were
in. His real purpose was to see if he could find Rowena's room that had been mentioned in
the book he had found in the Heir room. As he could search for it on the way to his classes
come Monday and he had not found it on the way past the library to the meeting room, he
decided to check out areas of the castle he did not travel to that often.

Having heard from Dean and Seamus about the out-of-the-way place the Divinations
classroom was he decided to head to that one first since it was in a location he would never
have a reason to go to. He was just traveling through a seven-floor corridor on his way to the
room as the wall opposite a tapestry of a man getting beat by Trolls in tutus the outline of a
door appeared. Making sure no one was around Harry pressed his hand to the spot on the
outline where a doorknob would be on a real door. The door swung open at once revealing
the same room that he had found in his dorm room. With one small difference. "Hey, Harry, I
was wondering when you were going to show up. I was expecting to see you before now,"
Ernie said getting up from the seat he had been in as the bookcases along the walls started to
add red and green books to the yellow-colored books that showed that the boy was Heir to
the Hufflepuff Line.

"Your name was not in the sign-in book," Harry said a little confused.

"Oh, from what my mother told me it is old protection to prevent the Heir's identities secret
from each other just in case over the years some bad blood developed between the four
Founder Lines," Ernie explained. "So our names, as well as Ravenclaw's Heir if they are at
the castle, will not appear until we actually leave."
"I guess that makes sense," Harry said. "Did the book that appeared explaining the room have
a map to the school in it?"

"You mean this thing?" Ernie asked pulling out the parchment from his robes. "Yeah what
about it?"

"Well I was wondering if it appeared to me due to my father had created a similar map, or if
he and his friends based their map after this one," Harry explained.

"If I had to hazard a guess I would say Hogwarts took its cue from your father since my
mother made no mention of such a map being in the Heir room when she had come here,"
Ernie said looking at the map with some new appreciation.

"Can I check something,' Harry said as he had the room bring the map back since he foolishly
not taken it when he left the room last night.

"What's up?" Ernie said as a desk appeared so he could roll the map out on top of it as Harry's
soon joins it.

"Well, when I was looking at the map I found last night I saw someone who I have been told
is not alive. Granted I have not checked out how or even if the ghost appeared on the map I
wanted to see if your map detects them as well," Harry explained as he used the search
function for Peter Pettigrew on his map. Once more finding the man's dot hanging around his
former friend. Seeing the location Harry's map had focused on Ernie directed his map there as
well to find the same thing of Peter and Ronald being so close their dots had merged.

"You are correct that is strange, and having used my map since our First-Year I know they are
hard to fool," Ernie said.

"Can I see your map for a moment," Harry said thinking of something else when Ernie share
he had access to his map for two full years.

"Um, sure," the other boy said moving out of his way. Harry gave him a quick nod as he
moved the map's focus away from Peter/Ronald and to the place on the map where the
Chamber of Secrets was located only to find it blank.

"What?" Harry asked feeling confused.

"What's up Harry?" Ernie asked.

"Your map does not show the Chamber of Secret on it," Harry said pulling his map over and
laying them on top so Ernie could see the Chamber on his map.

"Strange... Do you have Helga's study on yours?" Ernie said shifting the focal point on his
map to a small room located behind a space labeled Kitchens. Harry shifted his map to the
same spot but found no evidence of the room on his.
"Huh," Harry said as a thought came to him. "Maybe they don't appear on our Maps due to
we don't come from those Lines."

"Makes sense," Ernie said with a nod, "is there a special room for the Gryfindor Line?"

Thinking it was a good question Harry had Ernie help him look over his map to see if they
could find any such room. After a while, the pair was almost ready to give up having not
found any trace of it within the castle itself before Ernie directed the map to show the
grounds, though Harry could not see how a special room could be located anywhere but
inside the castle. He was thus shocked as they located such a space in what looked like in the
middle of the Dark Lake. The only issue was that the map did not show any way to actually
reach the room itself. "I wonder if anyone since Godric has been able to access it?" Harry
said looking up at the red-colored books lining the walls of the room.

"Why not ask him yourself?" Ernie questioned.

"I keep forgetting I can do that," Harry admitted as he called forth the Gryffindor ring and
summoned Godric.

"Ah hello young Heir Hufflepuff it is good to see the line still going strong," Godric said
bowing slightly to Ernie as the boy gave him a bow in return. "So from your memories I see
you both wish to know how to access my personal study," Godric said seeming to tap his
sword on the floor.

"That is correct Godric," Harry said.

"Well good on you, but unfortunately it can only be accessed one of two ways. The first is
having an aquatic Animagus form such as I had, or the use of my familiar," Godric told them.

"Well, we have not learned how to become an Animagus yet so who is your familiar?" Harry
asked.

"You've met them both times after you have handled my sword," Godric said arching an
eyebrow at Harry as if saying he would not share anything else around Ernie.

"Is there any actual reason I need to go into your study?" Harry asked not wanting to take his
chances of sneaking into the Headmasters office again.

"Not really no, but I would suggest you at least try once before you graduate," Godric said as
his form began to fade out.

"Wait, Lord Gryffindor," Ernie called out causing Godric to turn to him.

"Yes, Heir Hufflepuff?" Godric asked.

"If you don't mind me asking what was your Animagus form?" Ernie asked.
"Ah, I was the original Giant Squid that was in the lake. I had used it so often that my form
had become a main part of the school so before I died I found a family of the creatures and
brought them to the lake where they have flourished," Godric explained.

"Fascinating," Ernie said rubbing his chin as Godric faded out once more.

After Godric faded away Harry summoned his own seat as the pair began to talk about being
Heirs to the Founders. Harry was saddened to learn that while Ernie was considered an Heir
he could never be considered the Lord of the House, due to an event when his mother was
young when the last Leader of the House his Great Aunt Hepzibah Smith had died
unexpectedly without naming an Heir. While that was not good it got worse when Helga
Hufflepuff's cup had vanished. The entire family had gotten together and had decided that to
be named the next Lord/Lady to lead the Hufflepuff Line they had to gain possession of the
cup, making Harry think of how he needed Godric's sword to take over that line. But at least
Ernie and the rest of his family still had Heir status in the Hufflepuff line which allowed his
new friend access to this room.

As Harry met Ernie in the Heir room the Weasley twins meet with Peeves to see if the
Poltragist wanted to help them rid the castle of Filch. "Oh what a delightful idea, but I can't
help but wonder why now?" Peeves asked floating upside down before them.

"According to one of our sources he was lewdly checking out some of the students," George
answered.

"And by sources you mean young Heir Zabini who saw the caretaking ogling you out last
night?" Peeves asked shocking them both.

"Fine yes but we also think it is a good idea due to him always saying he wants to hang any
trouble maker by their ankles and whip them," Fred said as his twin blushed.

"You know it was all so noble of Heir Zabini after he saw Filch eyeballing you last night.
Due to my nature, I can read you, humans, like a book, and Heir Zabini, looked as if he
wanted to curse or throttle the man yet all he did was dump swamp water on him," Peeves
teased.

"That is neither here nor there, will you help us or not?" George said blushing even deeper
hearing about what Blaise had wanted to do to the perverted caretaker. George could admit to
himself that the young Slytherin was rather handsome, well hot if he was being honest to
himself, and sure unlike his twin he tended to be more submissive but Blaise was just acting
on their new friendship with the Slytherins.

"Of course I will help you get rid of the man I have been trying for years," Peeves said.

"Really?" the twins asked in unison.

"As I just stated I saw his treatment to you during your "detention" last night. I do the same
thing anytime a student has detentions with him due to his threats," Peeves answered showing
he was being utterly serious as he turned his body so he was floating right side up and
appeared to be floating above one of the desks in the room they had found him in.

"Why have you never told a member of the staff about this?" Fred asked eagerly since the
pair of them had gotten a detention a month since they had started Hogwarts.

"I tried, I really did," Peeves said shocking them as he placed his face in his hands. "But I
gave up when Headmaster Dumbeldore informed me that he thought I was lying to get the
man fired, and even threatened to exercise me from the castle if I did not stop. As I could not
exist outside of Hogwarts due to the Founders creating me to give the school a sense of child-
like glee mixed with mischief I had to submit. This did not stop me from making the man's
life a living hell for trying to mess with my students," Peeves said lifting his head from his
hand and giving them a look filled with righteous fury.

"The bastard," Fred said balling his hands into his fist for even after hearing all he had done
to Harry it still shocked him that the Dumbass would willingly allow a man such as FIlch to
be around kids and young adults.

"Why the fuck would he not get rid of Filch?" George asked filled with even more anger than
his brother.

"It took me years of asking myself that same question before I found out myself," Peeves said
making the twins who had started to pace stop and look over at him.

"Well don't just keep it to yourself out with it Peeves," they said in unison.

"The reason the Headmaster keeps FIlch around is since he is his father," Peeves said
shocking the twins for out of everything they had expected that was not it.

"Mother Fucking Bitch Ass Cunt Sucking Assholes!!!!," George said shocking, Fred who
has never seen his twin lose it like that for George was usually the more gentile and kinder of
the pair of them.

"Rightly so," Peeves said lifting a hand as if he was toasting the redhead.

"Alright just to let you know we are also working to get rid of the Dumbass as well," Fred
said as George punched one of the walls to help calm himself down.
Peeves chuckled at the twins' name for the Headmaster before he asked, "Is that why he was
spewing out about killing his sister at breakfast?"

"Yes we slipped him some Truth Potion along that had a Babbling Hex so he would be forced
to admit messing with Harry's life," George said through gritted teeth from both the anger he
felt at the man but also the pain in his hand for punching the wall.
"Oh, you never aim low do you, boys?" Peeves asked giving them an approving laugh as he
tipped his hat to them.

"No we do not, not when our friends and family are involved," Fred said gently taking
George's hand and casting a simple healing charm on it to help relieve the pain.

"So I take it you are trying to dose Filch with a similar Potion as well?" Peeves asked.

"Yes as soon as our friends brew it and we can find something to use it on," George said as he
arched his eyebrow at the poltergeist as a question.

"Well unlike his daddy Dumbass our dear caretaker likes to pop two kinds of Muggle treats.
A nasty marshmallow thing called a Peep, and a pure sugar item called candy corn. The man
has filled the bottom drawers of his desk with both treats and when no one is around he will
gobble them down like there is no tomorrow," Peeves informed them.

"Thanks for the info Peeves," George said as he turned to the door thinking they should
inform Blaise, Draco, and Theo about the item in case the trio need to alter the potion.

"Would you mind helping us out a little with the Dumbass as well?" Fred asked having made
no move to the door.

"What do you need?" Peeves asked.

Fred pulled out the Chatter Box from his pocket. "We just need you to place this somewhere
where Dumbass will step on it. It will allow us to keep track of what he lets slip when the
Truth Potion activates. We will also use one on FIlch after we douse him with Potion as
well."

"Remarkable work. A little bit better than your usual items but I am guessing that has to do
with the spells Heir Zabini placed on it?" Peeves asked wiggling his eyebrows at George who
blushed a little.

"Yes he is helping us out a little at least in this," Fred said. "So will you help with this bit as
well?"

"Oh yes, threaten to expel me from the castle which would kill me, not to mention not
properly caring for the student's safety. I hope you do your worse/best on him boys," Peeves
said as he snatched the Chatter Box from Fred's hands and zoomed away to place it in the
Dumbass's path.

The twins trusting Peeves would do what he said he would and not place the Chatter Box in a
place where it would be used on someone else they pulled out the map and located Hairspray,
Muscles, and L.D. both a little surprised that on the map the trio's names had actually shifted
 to display the codenames. Taking note that the three Slytherin Third-Years were in one of the
secondary Potions Labs they also checked on Percy and Harry to see if their names had
changed as well.* They were easy to find Percu, seeing his name had changed to Balance, as
their older brother was in Gryffindor tower surrounded by a group of students. The pair
guessed Percy was leading one of the new study groups as the names around him showed
them to be a mix of First and Second-Year students. But of Harry there was no sign, they
were worried for a moment before they saw the Third-Year male dorm in Gryffindor showed
their younger brother and Granger inside it. Having found that the map only showed one of
the now two rooms per year inside Gryffindor tower the pair thought Harry must have headed
up to his room to avoided the pair.

Making sure no one saw them Fred and George slipped into the room where their new
Slytherin friends were brewing the Potion for Filch. The pair almost chuckled for it seems
Draco was doing most of the Brewing while Blaise handed over the ingredients and Theo just
sat reading a book. Though they had made no noise entering the room, even closing the door
without an audible snap both Draco and Blaise looked up at them and smiled. What was
strange was as soon as the pair were noticed without a word being said between them Fred
took Blaise's place in helping with the Potion as he quickly informed the blonde what items
the potion would be used on, while Blaise had gone over to George. "So did Peeves agree to
help us out?" Blaise asked as he and George took seats at a nearby table to give Fred and
Draco room to brew.

"He did, as well as some interesting news," George said sharing what they had learned about
the caretaker's relationship to the Headmaster.

"What happened to your hand?" Blaise asked as George curled his hand into a fist again on
top of the desk.

"I punched a wall," the Fifth-Year redhead said with a small blush. Blaise just shook his head
as he pulled out his wand and cast a healing spell on George's hand which heal the damage
done to it from the punch as well as getting rid of the last hints of pain that had not been
soothed from Fred's earlier spell. "Thanks," George said blushing a little deeper but making
no move to remove his hand from Blaise's and actually leaning into the taller, younger boy as
the pair watched Fred and Draco switch places as Fred took over brewing the Potion with as
Draco worked on preparing the ingredients for the final potion.

Chapter End Notes

* This is due to an enchantment I see that is on the Map where it will show the name a
person thinks about the other is called when they look at it. I see this enchantment being
put on it when the Marauders learned that some Hogwarts students did not like the
names their parents gave them so had chosen their own names. Such as in the case of
Andromeda who preferred to go by Andy or any student who had a deadname from
being born the wrong sex than they knew they are.

Thus as the twins were just discussing their plans to oust Dumbles and FIlch everyone's
nicknames replaced their real name.
 Black Message
Chapter Summary

Several teachers leave a message for Sirius with the Fat Lady's Portrait.

Chapter Notes

Some of this chapter is a flashback from after Remus learns about Sirius.

Gladys is the name I am giving to the Fat Lady, which I think is strange, and slightly
rude that she is never given a proper name.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

While Harry and his friends waited on the Chatter Box they had placed in Dumbles path and
the chance to slip the Truth Potion mixture to Filch, Professors McGonagall and Babbling
were planning what to do about it Sirius. Since they both knew the man was innocent they
could not think of why he was heading to Hogwarts. They had decided that maybe he was
trying to reach Harry to prove his innocence somehow. Also, since they had separated the
dorm rooms, they had gotten rid of the nameplates meaning Sirius if he managed to get into
Gyrffindor Tower could end up in any room. "Maybe we should prevent him from entering
the tower at all," Batty suggested.

"And how do you suggest we do that?" Minerva asked.

"Well on the off chance he manages to make it into the castle he would most likely try to do it
when the path to the tower was clear. So why don't we leave a message for him with
Gladys?" Batty asked.

"That could work. I really don't trust Albus's protections to prevent him from entering the
castle nor the Dementors not going overboard," Minerva stated. "Gladys could at least pass
on a message to meet us at a certain location to find out what he really wants."

"I would suggest your office Minnie, after all, he would recall you from his time as a student
as being the only Head of House," Batty said.

"Why my office and not some random classroom?" Minerva asked.

"If we plan a classroom we would a) have to pick one of the numerous unused rooms, b) have
to Ward it which might attract someone's attention, and finally c) we can never be sure which
rooms students don't use themselves. While if we use your office it would not seem strange
for you to Ward it. Plus as we have no idea when Sirius will show up so would not know
when to check the classroom," Batty explained.

"While if he went to my office he would either find me already there or I would find him
soon enough," Minerva finished seeing the logic of the plan.

"Precisely," Batty said with a smile.

As most at the castle still believed Sirius was one of He-Who-Should-Be-Nameless Minerva
and Batty waited until after curfew as well as a time when there were not Preferts or other
teachers whose patrol routes were nowhere near Gladys's portrait. "Isn't it a little late for a
House meeting, or is this a surprise inspection?" Gladys aka the Fat Lady asked,

"Actually we came to see you so you could pass on a message to Sirius Black if he ever
showed up," Minerva said.

"Ah, so you want me to raise an alarm and summoned someone to come take him in?"
Gladys asked.

"Actually no," Minerva said. She then used something she learned from the other Head of
House as she said, "By order of the Head of Gryffindor House I hereby override the
entrance to Gyrffindor Tower." At her words, Gladys appeared to go into a trance.

"How may I work to protect the students of Gryffindor House?" Gladys asked in a monotone
voice.

"If Sirius Black shows up you are to give him the following message," Minerva said.

"Speak the message to be recorded," Glady said in the same monotone voice.

"Sirius I have learned you are innocent, but going after Harry will not solve anything. Please
go to my office and wait for me there. If I can I will help you but only if you come to see me.
From Minerva "Minnie" McGonagall. Please repeated the message back," Minerva ordered.
She then watched as Gladys opened her mouth but rather than either her normal voice or the
monotone voice she had been using Minerva's own voice came out to deliver the message she
had left, all without Gladys actually moving her mouth. "That will do Gladys you are to
forget this conversation or any meeting with Sirius Black," Minerva ordered.

"Isn't it a little late for a House meeting, or is this a surprise inspection?" Glady asked as she
came back to herself.

"We thought we would just come to check to see how the students were dealing with the
room change," Batty said with a smile as Gladys's portrait opened to let them inside.
While they did not know it Minerva and Batty were actually second to leave a message for
Sirius with the portrait the guarded the entrance to Gyrffindor Tower. The first had been
Remus shortly before Batty had become the Co-Head of House.
Flashback

It had all started when Harry had informed Remus about Sirius being both innocent and
married to a member of the Lupin family. Remus had waited until his last class of the day had
ended before he left the castle as if he was heading down to Hogsmead to check out the
village again, but as soon as he passed the protective line of Dementors stationed outside the
Hogwart's Wards he had Apparated to Trap Street. For while the main branch of Gringotts in
Brittian was located in Diagon Alley, Trap Street was more accepting of Magicals with
creature blood both inherited or forced such as his werewolf. Not having to hide what he was
Remus had headed to the small branch office of the Magical bank. Another good thing about
Trap Street was the fact that the bank knowing that some creatures were ostracised and did
not have access to funds that other Magicals did offer some services free of charge that other
branches would charge for.

"Hello sir, how may I be of service today?" the Goblin asked when Remus had made his way
to the front of the queen.

"Hello, Master Goblin. I was wondering if I could get an Inheritance Test today," Remus said
pulling out some of the money he had received for taking the job at Hogwarts and placing it
on the counter before the Goblin.

"You are aware sir, that an Inheritance Test is free for a Creature Blooded Magical at this
Bank correct?" the Goblin asked making no move to take the money before him.

"I am aware but I also want a more in-depth test than a simple test will show," Remus
explained.

"May I ask the reason for getting this test today?" the Goblin asked still making no move to
take the money, though seeing it sidelong looks.

"I had one of my new students inform me that he had a test done at a different branch which
stated one of my old friends was not only innocent of some charges against him but also that
he was married to a member of my family. As I don't see this old friend being with a member
of my family due to it being mostly Muggle, they could only be married to me, but I have no
memory of it happening," Remus said.

"I see," the Goblin said taking some notes on a pad before him, "just for our records can you
give us the name of the student who informed you of this."

"Nothing will happen to them for me sharing this information will it?" Remus asked.

"That all depends sir. If they gave you accurate information nothing will come of it, but if
they mislead you we would have to charge them for causing you to waste your funds which
could be seen as bigotry against you," the Goblin said smiling up at him.

"I don't think he was lying, after all the person who told me this is the son of another old
friend, Harry Potter, is his name," Remus said.
Hearing the name the Goblin looked up at him with a startled expression. "Very well sir,
please pick up your money and follow me," the Goblin said getting down from his stool and
heading to a door in the back of the room. Bemused at what was happening Remus grabbed
his money, placing it back in his bag, as he went to follow the Goblin.

Remus had been surprised as he was led into a room with a Goblin travel mirror as his guide
got in contact with someone on the other side of the mirror. After a quick conversation with
the Goblin on the other side of the mirror his guide turned to look at him, "Go on through Mr.
Lupin, Prince Bonecrusher will explain everything," Remus had to duck a little to get through
the mirror as he finds himself in what appears a more prosperous branch of Gringotts.

"Hello, Mr. Lupin please follow me," a Goblin, Remus assumed to be Bonecrusher, said as he
turned on his heel and left the room. Remus was shocked to find as he left the mirror room
that he was in the main British branch of the Magical Bank based on the decor in the corridor
he was walking through.

"Um, Master Bonecrusher, I don't mean to be rude but what is this all about? I just came in
for a simple Inheritence Test?" Remus asked catching up to the Goblin.

"About a month ago a young Magical came to the bank to also go through what was meant to
be a simple Inheritence Test, but after running it to our shame we found that we had failed in
our duty to protect our client. My father, King Bonecrusher the Sixth, decided that any issue
that was listed on this young Magical's test would be taken care of by us free of charge. So
when you came in for an Inheritance Test by stating it was my client who directed you to do
so based on information from his own test you will be given the highest quality test we can
give you," Bonecrusher explained leading Remus into a well-appointed office. "Now
normally test done at his branch are done using a treated silver blade but as you are a
werewolf we will have to get creative," Bonecrusher said taking a seat at his desk and pulling
out a small blade that appeared to be made of a single piece of a red crystal which Remus
could not identify. "This is a special material known as Red-Steel and has similar properties
to our silver blade but would not hurt you due to your wolf," Bonecrusher explained seeing
the look on Remus's face. Remus took the blade from the Goblin using it to make a small cup
in his wand hand's palm. Being told to let no less than ten drops fall onto an enchanted
document, Remus did as he was told and watched as his results began to print themselves on
the document.

Remus Jarrod Lupin-Black

Mate;

Sirius Lupin-Black (Wrongfully Imprisoned-Escaped)

Child (Sire)

Romulus Regulus Lupin-Black (Name changed after illegal Blood Adoption to Neville
Francis Longbottom)

Family Lines:

Lord Lupin (Claimed but later abandoned)

Lord Ravenclaw (Claimed but later abandoned)
Consort Black (Claimed but later abandoned)

Enchantments/Potions on the person in order of age:

Trust Potions keyed to Albus Dumbledore, Peter Pettigrew

Memory Charm keyed to Mateship with Sirius Black, Lordships, and Consort status of
any House, Birth of Romulus Regulus Lupin-Black, blood being taken by Augustus
Longbottom for Blood Adoption of Romulus Regulus Lupin-Black
Spelled to isolate self from other Werewolves, and straight Magicals (Due to the
isolation and loss of mate, child Inner Wolf worked into a feral state during
transformations)
Spelled to not seek out Harry James Potter or Romulus Regulus Lupin-Black
Wolfsbane Potion (off and on over last four years further damaging Inner Wolf)
Incorrectly brewed Wolfsbane Potion (for the last month forcing Inner Wolf to become
more Feral)

Vault discrepancies:

1000 Galleons a year transferred from Lupin family vaults to vault shared by Agustus
and Algie Longbottom starting in November 1981
500 Galleons removed from Lupin family Vault by Albus Dumbledore July 1993 (some
of it returned as "payment" for working at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry)
2000 Galleons a year transferred from Black Family vaults to vaults shared by Agustus
and Algie Longbottom starting in January 1984*

Remus was so mad he could not even think of a proper adjective to explain his anger as he
looked over his results. No wonder his change had hurt him so much as he had been forcibly
separated from his family. But the fact that he was being paid to work at Hogwarts from his
own vaults made him want to rip Albus' throat out with his bare hands even though he was in
human form. "What about my son?" Remus almost growled at Bonecrusher who did not even
take offense.

"Longbottom, Longbottom," Bonecrusher said obviously in thought as he tapped one gnarled

finger against his bottom lip. After a moment the Goblin prince began to tap his fingers on
his desk as if it was a Muggle computer keyboard. Remus thought this was another way the
Goblin was using to gather his thoughts until after Bonecrusher finished "typing" a roll of
parchment appeared on the desk in a puff of smoke. Bonecrusher unrolled the document and
read to himself for a bit. "Now according to this shortly after Lord Frank Longbottom and his
wife were attacked by Death Eaters causing them to lose their minds, Dowager Longbottom
came to the bank with their son. She said that her son and daughter-in-law had not had the
time to introduce the boy to the Magical World before the attack. It seems that the Goblin
they saw ran a blood test and it showed the child was her grandson," Bonecrusher said. "Now
it could be that since your test shows that you had blood taken from you for a Blood
Adoption Dowager Longbottom or someone could have used the blood to dilute the results of
the boy's test which if mixed with her own blood during the adoption process would make it
read that he was her grandson. Let me see if I can find who she dealt with during this visit.
Troubling very troubling," Bonecrusher said as he found the Goblin who had been in that
meeting.

"What is troubling Master Bonecrusher?" Remus asked.

"Well according to this the Goblin Dowager Longbottom met with was Griphook, who after
the test of young Harry we found was the one who had helped steal from his vaults. He has
since been executed, but if he was the contact with Dowager Longbottom he might not have
run a full test but faked it so that it shows he was Lord and Lady Longbottom's Heir,"
Bonecrusher said. This bit of news actually made Remus feel a little better for he was having
a hard time thinking of either Frank or Alice doing this to his family.

"I would like a cleansing and to reclaim my Lordship rings if at all possible," Remus said.

"Very well and since this is still technically connected to issues found from young Harry's
results it will be free of charge," Bonecrusher said standing up.

"No," Remus said still seated.

"What was that?" Bonecrusher asked a little shocked at Rems's denial at the process being
done to him free of charge.

"While it is a generous gift Master Bonecrusher I will not accept it," Remus said. "As I am
going through my cleansing I will want the funds taken from by vaults returned and the bill
for cleansing and money transfers can be sent to Dowager Longbottom."

"Oh that does sound like a lovely idea," Bonecrusher said with a smirk as he rubbed his
hands together as he thought of a way to list it on the old bat's bank statement that would not
immediately make her suspicious. By the time Remus had finished getting cleansed and
reclaiming his Lordship and Consort rings it was well past midnight, which was too late to
talk to Severus to find out why the man had brewed the Wolfsbane potion incorrectly, as well
as ask why his results showed the normal potion was hurting his wolf.

Being cleansed of what had been done to him caused Remus to have a fitful night's sleep as
he tossed and turned while his dreams were filled with Albus arrived at his and Sirius's home
after Sirius had gone to check on James, Lily, and Harry. Albus informed Remus that
Voldemort had been defeated by Harry, making Remus wonder if he and Sirius would be
getting Harry to be brought up with their son. It never happened, however, as he found
himself facing Albus's wand and getting enchanted by the bastard. Due to his lack of sleep,
Remus had to rely on his notecards to teach his classes. He did not have any issues until his
last class of the day in which his kidnapped son and Harry were in attendance. He was a little
sad to see that Romulus and Harry were not great friends, with Harry seated with the
Slytherins rather than his own Housemates.

Remus planned on meeting with Severus after supper that night but when he went to go see
his old schoolmate he found Professor McGonagall on her way to see him. Thinking he
would talk to the man later if Severus would speak to him, that was, since he had been trying
to apologize for his and his friends' behavior from their time as students at the school but had
only received the cold-shoulder from the man. While Remus had not really kept up to date on
current events, due to the spell that forced him to become isolated he had only recently
learned about the reasons for his mate's escape from Azkaban. Having read the article which
stated Sirius had escaped to possibly kill Harry, Remus assumed that his missing Mate would
be coming to Hogwarts. Though both his and Harry's results stated Sirius was innocent of the
charges that sent him to Azkaban in the first place made him wonder why Sirius was coming
at all. As Harry was in Gryffindor if Sirius was coming to see his Godson for some reason he
would head to the tower Remus thought of a way to get to Sirius first.

That night while he was patrolling the castle Remus would check on the portrait of the Fat
Lady which unless things had changed since he was in school still guarded the entrance to
Gryffindor Tower. At nearly one in the morning, his vigilance paid off for the Fat Lady had
left her portrait. Not sure how much time he would have Remus approached the empty
portrait and used a spell he and his friends had come up with to pass messages to each other
when they got locked out of Gryffindor Tower while exploring Remus left a message for his
Mate. "Hey Bambi, I don't know why you are trying to reach Harry, or maybe our own son,
but the way you are doing it is not helping your case. I now know of your innocence come see
me rather than do anything reckless. Love your Wolf-Daddy." Remus actually blushed a little
using their old pet names which had come about after Lily had taken them all to see the
Dinsey movie Bambi mixed with Sirius having always been the submissive one in their
relationship. Keying the message to play when Sirius showed up even if the Fat Lady was
present or not Remus quickly hurried away.

End Flashback

Harry and the others were disappointed when they listen to the first Chatter Box they had
attached to Dumbles. For while they did learn that the man had enchanted his own brother to
make him unnaturally fixated on goats so he would not share how their little sister had died.
While the story was interesting it revealed nothing of why he was messing with Harry. Fred
had wondered if the bastard had submerged the memory and thoughts about it and would
only tell the truth when he was asked directly about it. If so it made finding the man's plans
 for Harry's life almost impossible to find out since none of them were willing to ask him
directly. Harry did share some good news with the group, which had started to call
themselves the SG workgroup in case someone overheard them talk about meeting with each
other. Theo, Blaise, and Draco asked about it as Harry took off his backpack and turned it
around.

"What you got a new accessory for your backpack so what?" Draco asked looking at the new
addition to the pack.

"Well, it is more than an accessory. Think of it as a pest repellent," Harry said as he and the
twins let out a chuckle.

'I don't get it," Blaise said tilting his head to look at the stuffed tarantula now hanging from
Harry's backpack.

"While I applauded you for the idea isn't it going a little too far to use Ronald's biggest fear in
such a way," Theo asked rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I am not using it to chase him away or anything I am just keeping it in plain sight so he will
leave me alone. After all, fear can be a powerful tool as Tarkin said," Harry responded.
Harry felt rather proud of the tarantula which was a stuffed copy of the pet of the twins'
friend Lee Jordan's tarantula.

"Fine but you better not go all the way with the Tarkin Doctrine and try to blow up a planet,"
Theo said making Draco and Blaise's mouths fall open in shock to see Theo joke around in
such a teasing manner.

"Oh, yes that is so on my to-do list right after I get the Potter ringback and dance down the
main staircase in my underwear," Harry teased back.

Chapter End Notes

* As Remus is the Consort of Sirius any issues with the Black Family holdings are listed
after his own holdings.
 From the eyes of the Watcher
Chapter Summary

Sirius shows up at Hogwarts and gains an ally.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

He hated his owner, sure she had given him a reason to leave the Magical Menagerie and not
be sent back to it. The only reason he had ever been there in the first place was after forcing
his way through an Anti-Apporation Ward he had almost drained his Magical Core. Worried
about his safety from both the forces of Voldyshorts and Fumblebore he had used what little
magic he had left to change into his Animagus form before passing out. Due to his Animagus
form as a mix of a Muggle cat and a Kneazle when someone had found him passed out they
had brought him to the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley. He really admired the
shopkeeper of the place for taking care of him using her own funds to bring him back to full
strength. Unfortunately, she also seemed to have bonded to him as she healed him and when
not trying to sell him to a good home she brought him home with her at the end of the night
not giving him a chance to return to his normal form.

He had thought that once someone "bought" him he would finally have more freedom and
would be able to get away so he could become human again and find out if his task had been
finished successfully. It seemed, however, that he came on too strong and scared everyone
away. That was until just under a month ago when resting on the top shelf of the Menagerie
he had seen a pair of customers come in to have the shopkeeper look after a pet rat. As soon
as he saw the rat he not only recognized a fellow Animagus but what was more he actually
knew who the rat really was. Knowing that the man had been a supporter of Voldyshorts he
could not help himself as he pounced on the rat. The shopkeeper pulled him away as the boy
who Peter was pretending to be the pet of left. He breathed a heavy sigh figuring that the
shopkeeper was going to put him in his "basket" leading to another day where he could not
try to get someone to "purchase" him, but to his surprise the girl who had come in with the
boy who was looking after Peter. The girl actually decided to purchase him, and based on her
clothes she was a Muggleborn which would make it all that much easier for him to get away.

Things did not go as planned for the shopkeeper through in his "basket" when the girl
"bought" him. The girl it seems was staying overnight at the Leaky Cauldron before heading
to Hogwart the next day. The girl, who he learned was called Hermione, evidently had never
had a pet before for she went to sleep she locked him in the basket. It was bad enough he had
to be trapped in the basket overnight without having access to a bathroom, but the fact that
the next time he was let out was on the actual train to Hogwarts. He wanted to curse and rage
for he recalled special Wards had been added to the school to register an Animagus changing
within the castle after Peter had graduated from the school, why they were added then and not
before he had never been able to figure out. Hermione and the boy Peter was acting as the pet
towards, who as it turned out was the youngest Weasley boy were both complaining about
Harry being nowhere to be found and had not come to their compartment. Hermione's main
complaint was that the missing boy was being very rude and disrespectful, while Ron seemed
to rage against the Slytherins which had been his old House so had to prevent himself from
growling at the boy. Rather than revealing he was more than a Kneazle to the pair of young
Magicals he started to watch Ron's pocket detecting Peter's scent coming from it and ignoring
the pair's conversation.

He was happy to find out where the Gryffindors had their Common Room and actually being
inside it something no one in the seven years he was a student had managed to do from
Slytherin House. An hour later, after the Welcoming Feast, the current Gryffindor students
started to show up at the tower, One of the first was to arrive really caught his attention for
the boy looked like James Potter, though with Lily Evens's hair color. He was so shocked as
he watched the boy head up to his rooms for a bit before coming down and starting to read in
one of the armchairs. Knowing this had to be Harry Potter based on what he had heard from
Sirius about his Godson he hopped on the boy's legs and curled up. Harry had smiled down at
him before scratching his chin and returning to his book. Unfortunately, Hermione showed up
and began to get on Harry's case leading Harry to gently lift him off his lap before getting
away from Hermione. As several Gryffindor students prevented Hermione from reaching
Harry, he was able to see a dark look flash across the girl's face as she went to sit next to Ron
and have mutter conversation with him as they ignored what appeared to be the Headboy and
older brother of Ron. He wondered why Professor McGonagall was not giving the messages
rather than leave it to the Headboy.

At least that night Hermione did not store him in the basket, thanks to one of the girls in her
dorm. He did see that the other two girls in the dorm were avoiding him with looks of fear on
their faces. Not wanting to cause them any discomfort in their rooms and as a way to get
away from Hermione lest she wait until the others were asleep before putting him in the
basket he ran from the room. Wanting to finally get free he ran from Hermione's shared
bedroom, down the stairs, and thankfully out of the dorms.

Not wanting to shift back into his human form inside the Wards and raise attention for
Fumblebore, he used his knowledge of the castle to make his way outside and headed to the
forest knowing it was only a few meters past the start of the trees where the Wards ended and
his human form could be achieved. He was almost to the tree line when he came to a stop as a
form stepped out from behind a tree. As the moon shifted out from behind a bank of clouds
he recognized the form instantly and rushed forward. he was once brought up short as Sirius
barked at him saying it was alright and he would not hurt him. Fearing that something had
happened to Sirius's mind or had been enchanted, he could not speak as Sirius explained he
was after a rat hiding at the school going into Peter and what he had done. It broke his heart
to hear that James and Lily had been killed thanks to Peter, but what was worse it seemed
Sirius had somehow forgotten that he was married and had a child of his own. He instantly
agreed to help Sirius reach Peter in the dorms even though it would mean that he would have
to stay as Crookshanks a while longer. But when the family needed you a Black would never
turn away from them and while Sirius had left home thanks to their mom, Regulus was not
going to hold it against him.

Regulus tried to reach Peter over the next couple of days, but the man showed he was just as
ratlike as his form as he avoided him every time. His take got even harder when Professor
McGonagall came to the tower a few days later and made some changes as she added a Co-
Head of House. Now every time Regulus tried to reach Peter's dorms he found he was sent to
Harry and two other boys' rooms. Regulus wondered if it was due to Harry being Siriu's
Godson that caused Regulus only able to travel to Harry's room. What was worse Peter
seemed to understand Regulus was hunting him and had not left Ron's room alone, and the
redheaded boy was on his guard whenever Regulus was around.

After a second meeting with Sirius, where his slightly mind-addled brother shared with
Regulus his belief that Peter was planning on kidnapping Harry at some point to turn over to
the Death Eater. Regulus, not sure how his older brother's mind would take his true identity,
shared the news of the split bedrooms and his inability to reach Peter under the guise of
Crookshanks. Sirius had ranted and raved at him for a bit after learning the added protection
to Peter but there was really nothing either of them could do about it.

Surprisingly something changed the very next day as Regulus was exploring the castle as
Crookshanks, avoiding Mrs. Norris lest the true Kneazle realize he was really a human,
Regulus came across his older brother's husband pouring over a document in the D.A.D.A.
Professor's office. Wanting to see if Remus had his mind messed with or enchanted like
Sirius, Regulus had lept onto the desk and got in the way. While Remus had not seemed to
detect who he really was Regulus had gotten a quick look at the document Remus had been
looking over and had seen they were the results of a Gringotts' Inheritence Test. What was
more it mentioned his nephew was actually sharing the same room as Peter and Ron. As
Regulus had been working under the assumption that the reason he kept being sent into
Harry's room was the boy's relationship with his older brother, Regulus wondered what
would happen if he entered the Third-Year male dorm rooms now.

That night after Hermione and Lily Moon, who Regulus liked more than his "owner," had
gone to sleep he had slipped out of the room and headed up the staircase to the male dorms.
Reaching the very top of the tower Regulus used his squat and flatten nose to push the door
open as usual only to stop as before him, lay two identical paths with a second set of doors at
the end of them. Not wanting to make the wrong choice Regulus relied on his enhanced scent
of smell due to his form and gave both paths a sniff. Having spent time around all males in
the Third-Year, Regulus was able to pinpoint which path Ron had used and bounded down it
and pushed open the door. As he had never really tried to get Peter when the students had
been asleep before the dorm rooms had been separated Regulus was fairly shocked to see
Ron, who he was coming to dislike as much as Hermione, was actually sleeping with Peter in
his arms as if the rat was a teddy bear. Regulus was glad that he actually had a more robust
stomach than a human for he was sure he would have barfed seeing the redheaded boy
snuggle up with the transformed man who was old enough to be his father based on the fact
that Ron and Harry were the same age and Peter had been James's school mate.

Regulus moved as silently as he could his eyes locked on Peter to make sure the man's ears
did not twitch from possibly hearing him. If the situation was not so serious Regulus would
have laughed as he felt like he was playing the old childhoods game of Weeping Angle as he
froze anytime, either boy moved or Peter so much as twitched any part of his body. It took
almost half an hour to reach Ron's bed as Regulus readied his body to spring into action when
he came up short for he realized Ron would most likely wake up if he landed on him giving
Peter a chance to escape. For the next ten minutes, Regulus stayed where he was trying to
work out what to do when an idea came to him.

Throwing stealth out the window Regulus ran from the room to the area of the two paths. He
was not sure i this area was protected by the Hogwarts Wards or not which would register
him changing back, but he was not planning on doing that anyway. Once he was sure the door
to his nephew and Ron's room had closed Regulus sent a silent call to a Black Family House
Elf. A pop sounded as none other than his personal House Elf Kreacher appeared. "Who calls
for Kreacher?" the Elf asked looking around before spotting Regulus. As Kreacher had
helped Regulus in gaining his Animagus form after learning that Sirius and his friends had
done it at school the Elf knew what he looked like. "Master Regulus you is alive," Kreacher
cried out with tears in his eyes and he scooped Regulus up and gave him a tight hug. "Where
have you been? Why not contact Kreacher, oh I knows youse upsets I failed at task youse
given me." Regulus placed a paw on the Elf's chest to help ground him and help him focus.
This also helped them communicate a little better since Regulus could not fully talk like a
human in this form.

"Calm down Kreacher it is alright," Regulus sent him. "We can worry about that later I have
another task for you to do."

"But what if I fail it like I did the last one?" Kreqacher asked with a sniffle.

"This task is easier," Regulus sent in a comforting way. "Beyond that door is my nephew who
has been enchanted so even knot knowing your connection your bond should be strong
within. Also inside is a rat that is really Peter Pettigrew I need you to collect him and use
some of your Elf Magic to prevent him from changing form on his own as well as block any
Wandless Magic skill he may possess. I want you to collect Peter and take him to the Black
 Family Account Manager at Gringotts and explain what he really is before changing him
back into a human and leaving him with them," Regulus ordered.

"I shall do it, Master Regulus," Kreacher said gently placing Regulus on the ground and
entering the room to follow his new orders. Regulus quickly ran to the door and peeked
around it as he saw Kreacher easily enter the room and summon Peter to his outstretched
hand. Regulus smiled to himself seeing his Elf had cast a spell to silence Peter who had
woken up as he zoomed through the air yet had made not a single sound until his small form
impacted against Kreacher's hand. Unfortunately, Kreacher did not leave the room physically
before he popped away making Regulus flinch a little, but at least Ron had not woken up.
The same could not be said for Regulus's nephew who sat up at the pop and looked around
the room. Regulus quickly back up letting the door close with a small click which he hoped
the boy would misread the pop and door closing as Professor McGonagall or Batty doing a
room check as they had done the night before.

Chapter End Notes

I recently watched a video talking about random HP theories that some fans have shared
and after hearing about this one I wanted to add it to one of my stoires.
 The Origins of Filch
Chapter Summary

Harry and his allies hear Dumbles talk about the birth of his son.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

While Madam Bones had basically given Peter Pettigrew on a silver platter she and a few
trusted Aurors were keeping it a secret as they researched everything they could think of
before they made it public knowledge. Regulus made sure to keep his ears open knowing that
when the news of Peter being found and being the Potters' Secret Keeper was made public he
would hear about it. He would then be able to pass on the news to his older brother which
would hopefully allow both of them to resume human form and stay that way.

Not knowing this Harry and his friends still met at least once every couple of days in the
empty classroom that once held the Mirror of Erised to listen to any Chatter Boxes that had
been filled up. After they had gotten the first Chatter Box back and found it had only
contained a small bit of Fumbledork spilling some secrets while the rest was his normal day
Blaise had helped George enchant the boxes so that it would read the small bit of magic that
would be given off as the truth potion left the man's mouth when it was activated so they
would only have to deal with his basic confessions on random shit.

Albus was both annoyed and furious for even after checking every food and drink he had
taken in these last few weeks he had been unable to find the cause of him sharing his secrets.
He had been rather lucky so far as only the first instance had been in front of witnesses after
that he had either been alone or had been able to slip into an empty classroom as he found
himself being unable to stop speaking. Adding to his annoyance was that when he was being
forced to speak he could not cast any type of spell to end it, speaking obviously was easy to
see why but even when he was screaming in his own mind telling himself to shut up he had
been unable to cast non-verbal spells at all.

He had even gone to Poppy to check to see if she could find out what was going on. He had
no fear of her outing his issue knowing her loyalty was absolute. When she had informed him
that she could not find the source of his strange affliction he almost stomped all the way back
to his office and swallowed a literal handful of his lemon drops, missing the smirking faces of
the previous Heads of Hogwarts as he did so. "It has to be her fault somehow," Albus said his
mind focusing on Poppy as the Truth Potion laced lemon drops latched onto that as the next
topic of his forced confessions

A few hours later Albus was walking the ground of Hogwarts having felt something shift in
the Hogwarts Wards the night before and was making sure none of his changes had been
effected. Thankfully all of his additions to the Ward that he had added over the years were
still working, including the one he had added for this year alone which if Harry was taking
part in a Quidditch game it would allow the Dementors to breach the Wards and hopefully
target the boy. That way his weapon would go about trying to find out about the Patronus
Charm giving him another weapon to use against Tom's forces when the man eventually
returned. Albus was just walking around the lake on his way back to the castle when the
Truth Potion kicked in with a focus on Poppy.

"I knew I should have just gotten rid of the bitch. I mean how dare those old fools that ran
this place think that she would have been a better Headstudent than I was," Albus said
screaming inside his own mind as he starting speaking and unable to stop himself. "It had
been a dumb rule anyway. The Headboy and Girl could not be from the same house to not
show favoritism. If that rule had not been in place this would never have happened, or if they
chose me instead of that goody-two-shoes Mary Poppins. But they did so of course I had to
correct their mistake. It was not even that hard after seeing her on the shortlist during the last
meeting of our Sixth-Year to become the Head Girl, ranked higher than I was on the list for
Head Boy. Just a Confundus Charm on her as we boarded the train and told her that it might
be a good idea to look at her father's records to see which Muggle families had signs of a
child coming into Magic soon.

It was almost too easy to get her confounded mind to brew some Aging-Potion to appear
older and got and show the kids some magic that would be part of their lives. Even better
thanks to my ally Griselda Marchbanks placing the straight Muggle family Banks at the top
of her lips. That had been a fun summer even when I had to use some Polyjuice Potion to
watch her cast magic around the Banks family which she had moved in with for a time. As
they were a straight Muggle family the Ministry would not send her owls warning her against
the casting of spells until she had left them.

I know one of the kids actually passed the story on and the Muggles even made a movie
about it getting her in even more trouble. It was funny as hell when she wrote to me telling
me that thanks to over forty warnings, as well as cease and desist orders from using Magic in
front of the Banks family she had been kicked out of Hogwarts and had her wand snapped. I
had of course consoled her while smiling internally as with her out of the running my name
rose to the top of the Headsboy list. I even talked her into saving the pieces of her wand and
placing them in her parrot-headed umbrella, something I would mention to Hagrid as well
years later.

Due to her breaking the Statue of Secrecy even if it had been only to a couple of
prepubescent brats and a crazy Squib chimneysweep everyone started to shun her making her
rise to power grind to a halt before it even began all thanks to me. But it got even better as
she turned to me for help just cause I consoled her after she had gotten in trouble in the first
place. It had been almost child's play to convince her to let me place her under a stasis spell
until everything blew over as I lied to her saying I would try to convince everyone it had all
be a big mistake. I, of course, had no such plan rather I began to cast far-reaching
enchantments on her making her utterly loyal to me to such a high degree her own wants was
suppressed as long as she made me happy. Also not wanting to deal with her goody-two-
shoeyness anymore I suppressed her morals. Not wanting her to awaken with the same
intelligence as she had before I confounded her. I knew that she had always taken the number
one ranking to my second-ranking during our test I had also cast an intelligence leech on her
expanding my intelligence helping me develop several of my plans as well as ways to trick
others if they had the audacity of making discoveries before me so I could take the credit
away from them. The best thing was I was able to access her intelligence even when I had her
under stasis even though the spell I used to put her under prevented anything else from
happening even her aging normally had stopped.

After I got done enchanting her I also took some time creating a new identity for her knowing
that she could no longer go around as Mary Poppins so I used part of her name to form her
new persona. I felt so fiendishly clever making her new being Poppy Pomfrey knowing no
one would ever compare the two one being the top of her class and one whose records I
created made it look like she barely passed. Mary many believing would follow in her
family's footsteps and one day become the Minister of Magic, while Poppy aimed to become
a Medi-Witch just because I needed one that would take care of the students I wanted her to
and in the way I preferred.

Though I had not planned on that the enchantments on her would lead her to become a sort of
stalker after I finally brought her out of stasis and got her a new wand. I can say she sure
proved to me that I had no interest in women, especially waking up one night to find she had
paralyzed me and had her way with me so I could give her a child.* I still shudder at the
thought of it but it did lead me to lesser her love and devotion to me after that. Too bad it was
already too late finding out later that she had put herself on fertility potions so that one night
was able to get her pregnant.

I still have no idea if the brat she gave birth to was born a Squib due to the enchantments I
had put her under, or if it happened due to her trying to force the birth with a gay man/
Whatever the reason I instantly hated the brat placing Memory Charms on "Poppy" again so
 she would forget about ever giving birth and sent the brat to an orphanage. I could never have
even imagined that he would have been adopted by a magical family due to them detecting
some magic on him. Even worse the family that took him in did not disown him when they
found out he was a Squib letting him get enough training and education that he could actually
apply to work at the castle. I of course knew who he was the moment I laid my eyes on him. I
almost didn't hire him until he started rambling about wanting to punish the students by
basically torturing them. Seeing this as a way to make me look like the kind-hearted old man
who stood between them and his punishments. And if certain students like those with Dark
Cores ended up getting his chosen punishments I would just cast a spell on them to make sure
they could never talk about what really happened in their detention. I am rather glad that I
never told the Squib this for I had found out the reasons he wanted to torture the students
besides being jealous of their magic was to try to molest them making him just like his
mother. Thankfully I was actually able to prevent him from doing this to any of the students;
though I was tempted several times just to reward him for his service at what he did for my
reputation among the students."

Later when Harry and his allies listened to this they were horrified at Filch's origins. None of
them could figure out if they should feel sorry for Dumbles getting basically raped by
someone he enchanted. Harry of course was shocked having heard about the Dinsey Movie
about Mary Poppins and never would have guessed she had been a real person let alone a
former student at Hogwarts. Percy had even proved this by using his Headboy status to
summon a book that listed all precious Hogwarts Prefects. Using a search spell they had
found Mary Poppins had been a Prefect in Gryffindor at the same time as the Headmaster and
according to records within the book really had been the top-ranked student at the time and
was on her way to becoming the Headgirl only for criminal charges being laid against her
before he final year got her expelled.

Chapter End Notes

After the chapter dealing with the idea of Regulus being Crookshanks, my mind went
back to another theory of Mary Poppins having gone to Hogwarts.

* Though Dumbles does not state it due to having high protections yet in place to
discuss any secret involving Harry. This action leads him to choose Ginny to get
together with Harry.
 Reappearance of the Brothers Black
Chapter Summary

News of Pettigrew's capture is revealed leading to Regulus to go collect his brother.

Harry was still dealing with the fact that Dumbles had turned Mary Poppins into the Madam
Pomfrey, who after talking to his new friends in the other House found out that she ignored a
student from other Houses for a set of time. In his distraction, Harry sat in an open spot at the
Gryffindor table and not by Fred, George, Dean, or Seamus. This allowed Ron and Hermione
to sit beside him for the first time in a while as they sank into the seats on either side of him.
Hermione began to tell him off for changing his classes without letting her know and saying
he should drop them and take up his first choices. Ron for his part spent a lot of his time
stuffing his face with any food he could get his hands on, seriously Harry had to cast a
Warding charm the twins had taught him to prevent the redhead from taking food from
Harry's plate. When Ron was not eating he was complaining if not about how Harry was
treating him and Hermione, it was about how he had not been able to find Scabbers at all that
day. Just for some peace and quiet from the pair ganging up on him, Harry latched onto some
news he had heard from around the Common Room. "So does that mean that Crookshanks
finally got him?" Harry asked. Ron's mouth fell open in shock having never even thought of
that scenario.

"He better not have," Ron growled looking past Harry to glare at Hermione. "Where was
your blasted cat last night or this morning Mione?"

"I don't know out of the room as usual," Hermione said.

"You let that little monster wander around without keeping track of it," Ron shot back his ears
going red in anger.

"It is not my fault, Lily Moon prevents me from putting it in its basket every night,"
Hermione said. Under the table, Harry clenched his fist in anger that Hermione would do that
to her pet and made a note to himself to find some way to thank Lily Moon for preventing
such animal abuse. It did take all his willpower not to tear into Hermione for doing
something tantamount to what the Dursleys had done to him to her cat.

Harry almost smiled to himself as the pair of annoyances spent the rest of the meal bickering
with each other about their respective pets. Neville did show up at one point but he just sat in
silence eating his meal, though he did say hello to Harry. Still not sure about the other boy
Harry responded in a gentle tone finding the quiet boy at least a break from Ron and
Hermione's grating voices. There was a sound of shock as for the first time in all student's
memory there was a flock of owls burst into the hall when breakfast was not being held. All
the owls turned out to be those carrying issues of the Prophet dropping off issues to both
students who got the paper but also issues that parents sent to their kids. The conversation at
all tables came to a halt as everyone bunched up to see why the paper had been sent.

Darkness's Return

Never in the memory of anyone short of the late Nicolas Flame, has an Order of Merlin ever
been rescinded after it was awarded posthumously, that is until now. Early this morning
Madam Amelia Bones received a visitor from Gringotts Banks. While this is not a new event
as the Goblin Nation often passes on any forms dealing with possibilities they have noticed to
Magicals tampering in the bank. Such meetings had led to several arrests since the Goblin
Nation started to be allied with Humans. Madam Amelia Bones was shocked as rather than
the normal Goblin who would show up to deliver the notices from the bank. She was greeted
by Prince Bonecrusher and Account Manager Spikehammer, for those who do not recognize
that Goblin they manage the vaults of the Black Family. Madam Amelia Bones while shocked
did not hesitate to ask about their presence. The pair of Goblins informed her they had come
to deliver a gift to her from an unnamed source before they pulled out a small cage. From
what was told to this writer she was confused at seeing just a common variety rat inside the
cage.

When she asked about it the pair of Goblins placed the caged rat on the floor of her office
before using some Gobbledegook to create a ritual circle around the cage. Madam Amelia
Bones had informed me that the rat being awake was busy chewing the bars of its cage as if
trying to get free but after a few more words in Gobbledegook from Account Manager
Spikehammer, the ritual circle glowed a shade of green as the cage and rat vanished. This
writer was surprised to have Madam Amelia Bones let out an embarrassed laugh at this point
in our interview as she told that her shock at what happened next caused her monocle to fall
from her eye. For in the place of the rat and cage was a long thought dead hero Peter
Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew, once he had returned tried to run away only to be thrown back by
the Wards surrounding the Ritual Circle.

After Madam Amelia Bones was finally able to recover from her shock at the man's presence
she turned to ask him where he had been all these long years. Getting no response from the
man who was still fruitlessly trying to escape from the Goblin's Ritual circle she asked the
two representatives from the bank. Account Manager Spiikehammer took over as he informed
her that last night one of the House Elves that held allegiance to the Black Family arrived at
his office with the rat. The House Elf informed the Goblin that a member of the Noble House
of Black had found evidence that the escaped Prisoner Sirius Black was innocent and the rat
was the proof. The Elf proved his statement was correct as he used magic inside the bank to
change the rat into Peter. Normally these actions alone would cause said Elf to face Goblin
Justice but having learned of Heir Sirius Black's innocence earlier this summer and allowed
it to correct what they saw as a mistake made by the British Ministry. As the House Elf had
suppressed Peter Pettigrew's ability to use Magic the Goblins were easily able to take the
man in for testing to prove his true identity.

Account Manager Spikehammer then produced Peter Pettigrew's results and shared them
with Madam Amelia Bones. The results showed that the rat was Peter Pettigrew, and the only
spells and enchantment which had been in his system were those that would come about when
one spends too much time in their Animagus form. The test also showed that Peter Pettigrew
had been the Potter's Secret Keeper after all thus proving Sirius Black never held the
position.

Armed with her new knowledge Madam Amelia Bones summoned some Veritaserum to use on
Peter Pettigrew. Using some low-powered version of the potion she asked only a few
questions. Through one question she found out that it had been Sirus Black who had tracked
down Peter Pettigrew after the death of the Potters. Peter had then used his wand that he had
hidden behind his back to cause the eruption of a Muggle gas line while used some wandless
magic to cast an overpowered cheering charm on Sirius Black before he had shifted into his
rat form and escaping into the sewers leaving behind a finger he had cut off beforehand. This
information caused Madam Amelia Bones to rescinded the man's Order of Merlin, but her
questioning was not done. She asked about the man's plan in regards to the vanquished Dark
Lord. Under the truth potion, Peter could not but share that he had taken He-Who-Shall-Not-
Be-Named's wand out of the Potter's ruined House. He had managed to hide it away before
Sirus Black caught up with him. Madam Amelia Bones did not share the location Peter
Pettigrew had given her she did share with me that she had sent some of her officers to
collect the wand, which has now been destroyed by Fiendfire. Peter Pettigrew also shared the
belief that his master had not died but was still alive somewhere, while he was speaking his
own truth but with no proof, Madam Amelia Bone sent one of her officers to the Ministry
office of Life and Death to check on his claims.

It is my unfortunate duty to inform all my readers that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named's Death

Certificate was not found. This news sent the Ministry into alert status as workers were sent
to search for any signs of the man's continued presence in Brittian. As this was going on
Madam Amelia Bones asked her final question to Peter Pettigrew about where he had been
hiding all this time. He mentioned informed her that he had been staying with a Magical
family but as far as he knew they had not been aware of his true identity so Madam Amelia
Bones would not share the identity, though she would be questioning them just in case this
was proven incorrectly herself.

Vincent Cheswick: Daily Prophet Correspondent

As there had been no one who received an issue of the Prophet anywhere near them Harry,
the two pests, and Neville had no idea what was going on. As a way to get away from his
former friends, Harry left his seat to ask someone who had the paper arrive to find out what
was going on. And to make sure the pair of pests did not follow him he headed to ask Theo,
under the guise of talking about one of their joint assignments in Arithmancy. Slipping into
place at the Slytherin table between Theo and Draco asked a random question about the class
before seeing if he could read the article everyone was talking about. Passing over the paper
to Harry, Theo found himself leaning closer to the Gryffindor in what he told himself was to
read Harry's reactions to what had been revealed. As Theo suspected Harry showed no
reaction to the reveal that the man who killed his parents was still alive, but of course Harry
had told them all about facing a Parasitic version of the man at the end of their First-Year
attached to Professor Quirrell's body. Theo noticed the only reaction from the article was the
mention of Pettigrew leaving a finger behind at the scene of his escape. "Do you want to
discuss our project somewhere else?" Theo asked knowing that some in the hall were giving
them strange looks.

"Oh yeah sure," Harry said suddenly becoming aware of the same thing as he followed Theo
out of the hall and to the library to "work on their assignment."

"So care to explain your reaction to Pettigrew cutting off his finger?" Theo asked.

"You saw that and knew exactly where I was at in the article," Harry said sounding
impressed.

"You continue to be impressed by something anyone could do if they put their minds to it,"
Theo said though with a small bit of red in his cheeks.

"And I say you are wrong not everyone has the mind of a Sherlock Holmes," Harry said.

"I shall take that comparison as a compliment, and you still have not answered the question,"
Theo said.

"Can I ask you a question?" Harry asked.

"Always," Theo stated.

"The article stated that Pettigrew cut off one of his fingers which finger was it?" Harry asked.

"I believe it was his right pointer finger, why?" Theo asked.

"Well that clears up how Peter was with Ron on the map," Harry said before clarifying,
"Ron's rat Scabbers was missing that corresponding toe on its right front paw."

"So the family Pettigrew was staying with was the Weasleys?" Theo asked.

"I can only assume for Ron was complaining Scabbers was missing through lunch when I
accident gave him room to sit beside me," Harry explained.

"Oh I would love to see his reactions when he finds out Pettigrew was his rat," Theo said.
"I don't I hate vomit," Harry said seeing a confused look on Theo's face. "While Ron had a
cage for "Scabbers" he rarely used it and mostly slept hugging him like a teddy bear."

"I see your point he is going to react even worse than I first thought, my Watson," Theo said
catching even himself by surprise by the nickname.

"Elementary, Holmes," Harry said smiling at him.

"Well isn't this a lovely scene?" Blaise asked making both Harry and Theo jump a little being
so wrapped up in their conversation they had neither realized the others had approached nor
how close they had been to each other.

"What's up Blaise? Harry asked

"Well, you guys said you were working on that assignment for class we thought we would
come as well since we had not finished it yet either," Draco said sitting down at the table.

"And we asked the twin terrors for some tutoring in the subject," Blaise added as George sat
down beside him and Fred took the last seat on the circular table between his twin and Draco.

Harry opened his mouth to point out that Fred and George had dropped the subject during
their Third-Year only for one of the twins to start speaking. "So do either of you want to share
what you were talking about that you could not do in the hall?" Fred asked as the group
began to pull out their books and supplies to make it look like they were studying.

"Thanks to Theo, I was able to figure out why I had seen Pettigrew's dot merged with Ron's
on the map. He was not invisible as we suspected whispering spells into Ron's ear as your
brother tried to reach my dorm," Harry said.

"So what was going on?" the twins asked in unison leaning forward to put their hands on the
table. Both blushing a little as Fred's put his right hand on Draco's and George his left on
Blaise's hand. Theo took a moment to register a blush come to Draco's smiling face as well
while Blaise smiled did not blush at the unintentional hand contact from George.

"It seems that Pettigrew's rat form was Scabbers," Theo answered them.

"Oh dear, Molly is going to have kittens when she is informed of this," Fred said as he and
George leaned back into their seats but without moving their hands from the young Slytherin
boys' hands they had accidentally grabbed.

"Yes, her poor little baby sleeping with Pettigrew," George said.

"When you say sleeping with?" Blaise said shifting his hand so that his hand was on top of
George's while still holding it.

"Like a teddy bear," Harry, Fred, George, and Theo all said at the same time.

"Harry just told me," Theo explained seeing his friends raise their eyebrows at him.
"I am shocked your father did not have Wards around your place that could detect him, after
what happened last year," Draco said turning his hand around but keeping it under Fred's so
he was grabbing it.

The twins were about to respond but stopped as they saw Madam Pince coming around one
of the stacks. "Now that is what I like to see a little inter-house unity," she said as she began
to straighten some of the shelves around their table. With the librarian being so close the
group turned their discussion to classwork and let go of each other's hands. As she worked on
her precious books Madam Pince smiled to herself seeing the group of students acting overly
normal and quickly moving their hands apart as many new couples she had seen during her
time at the castle who had come from different Houses. Not wanting to interrupt their group
date, she worked as quickly as she could to let them be alone again.

"We went on vacation over the summer," Fred said once Madam Pince was far enough away.

"And when we got back we received word from Fumblebottom that Harry was in Daigon
Alley so we went there," George said with a slight blush on his face reached over under the
table, and took Blaise's hand again.

"Father was rather mad about that by the way," Draco said biting his lip as he debated with
himself to see if he wanted to take Fred's hand again.

"Why?" Fred asked as he reached over and took Draco's hand himself giving the blonde a coy
smile.

"He got mad once he learned that rather than getting punished for the Riddle Diary your
parents took Ginny out of the country for a vacation," Draco said his pale skin turning a deep
red with a blush as Fred began to use his thumb to rub circles into the back of his hand.

"That was Molly's idea she thought Ginny need it, after what she had gone through last year,
Dad was against it but he has always had a hard time saying no to her," George explained.
Harry felt a little jealous seeing the others resume opening hands while he and Theo just sat
there but he still had not worked up the courage to ask about the "preferences" that Theo had
mentioned to Pansy after Draco had been injured in his Care of Magic Creatures class.

Up in the Gyrffindor Common Room Hermione and Ron had stopped bickering about their
pets as they leaned in to read over a discarded copy of the Prophet they had taken from the
Great Hall. Both were in shock to find He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named was alive, sure
Headmaster Dumbledore had told them this as to why they were to hang out with Harry, but
this was the first real proof they had on the subject. Neither of them had believed Harry had
faced the man in the First-Year to prevent him from getting the Philosopher's Stone having
thought that it had just been Professor Quirrell who had wanted the stone for the unlimited
gold it could produce. They also did not think Harry had stopped him with Hermione sharing
with Ron that Quirrell had made a mistake that had lead to his own death and Harry being the
arrogant prick they both saw him as just took the credit. Having read the article Hermione
had instantly concluded that the Pettigrew had been hiding out as Scabbers since Ron's rat
was missing and knowing her cat had not done anything to it. It was rather easy to work out
after all thanks to the missing finger/toe on the same appendage along with the rat's
disappearance.

She was debated with herself over to tell Ron or not just so he would lay off her pet, and by
extension her, but also knowing how close Ron was to it she did not want to handle the fall
out of it along with everything else she had to deal with taking every single class. She had
thought she would easily be able to handle it while remaining in her top position in her year.
This would have been easy if not for the special tutoring session with Professor McGonagall
and Batty had everyone in the dorm take. Hermione now had to work even harder to stay in
her place meaning she was working on two and a half hours of sleep a night, something she
had not planned to happen until the time for their final exams, so she was finding it hard to
focus some of the time. Instead, she focused on another part of the article. "I wonder what
Professor Dumbledore is going to do with Sirius being freed?" she asked not bothering to
keep her voice low since they were the only humans in the room.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked making her roll her eyes at him.

"Don't you recall some of our meetings with the Headmaster, Harry has to stay with his
Muggle family so he will act the right way and they can help make sure they slip him potions
during the summer?" she asked,

"Oh, yeah," Ron said as if he had not completely forgotten the fact.

"So what do you think he will do?" Hermione asked trying to stop herself from losing her
cool and yelling at the idiot, sure Ron was good at aspects of strategy but when it came to
usable brainpower his mind was akin to a slotted spoon.

"Well if I had to guess he will try to work out that due to the time Sirius had been in Azkaban
he might not be in the right mental state to take care of Harry," Ron said surprising Hermione
while making Regulus who had been listening in the corner to hiss at the redheaded bastard
for the slight against his family. Regulus was glad to hear the pair talking about his brother
being proven innocent as he made plans to go talk to his brother that night.

Back in the library Fred and George were rather impressed as Harry, Theo, Draco, and Blaise
started to work on their Arithmancy homework seeing that unlike them the four younger
students had no problem understanding the work of the class. As if sensing the twins'
confusion Blaise and Draco leaned into them and began to walk through their current
assignment in a way that the twins could understand. The four of them sending hidden smiles
as Harry and Theo also leaned towards each other working on their assignment together who
had worked in unison since their first day of class. Harry and Theo were talking in soft voices
as Theo, as usual, filled out their assignment their bodies so close that if either boy looked up
they could easily share a kiss. Blaise was almost tempted to kick the back of Harry's chair to
bring it about but while he knew Theo was starting to like Harry after spending time with the
Lion he could not be sure how Harry felt about Theo. Draco also wanted to kick the back of
Theo's seat to get the pair to kiss, but while he suspected Harry liked Theo, having gotten to
know some tells from Harry when they were together over the summer. Along with knowing
that Harry had worked his way into Theo's Demisexual heart, Draco knew he could not do it
for he did not have enough strength to move Theo's body enough to get the kiss to happen,
and at most his kick would possibly ruin the scene.

When the study session ended and everyone put their stuff away in their bags to head down to
supper, Fred, Draco, Blaise, and George wanted to bang their heads on the table for the pair
of oblivious idiots having caught both Theo and Harry give each other happy looks if they
would look up from their work without the other one being aware of it. As if wanting the pair
to finally make their moves to each other as they headed down to the Great Hall Blaise held
Georges's hand and Draco wrapped his arm around Fred's shoulder. The four only let go of
each other when they were a floor up from the hall lest they be seen by Ron and have to deal
with the issue he would make. Fred and George placed Harry between them as they sat down
at the Gryffindor table finding open places that were parallel from where the other three sat
down at the Slytherin table so they were all facing each other from across the room.

When Ron and Hermione had left the Gryffindor Common room for supper Regulus slipped
out behind them and using his knowledge of the castle made his way down to the Front Hall
and managed to slip through that door as Hagrid came in for the meal. Flat out running to the
forest Regulus tried to think of where his brother might be at the moment for the pair had
usually only met after student's lights out. Finding no trace of his older brother's Grim-form
at their normal meeting spot. Regulus spent a couple of moments pacing the clearing trying to
think where Sirius might be at the moment. After concluding that if he remained in the forest
Sirius would have to remain in his animal form lest he is found by either Hagrid or any
intelligent creature that called the forest home his brother would be somewhere else. It only
took Regulus a moment to recall the secret passage that led to the place the school sent
Remus when he changed. It took him a few more moments on how to get past the Whomping
Willow to reach the passage which he had been able to work out on the way to the Willow
itself.

Due to his small size, Regulus was able to move below the notice of the Willow itself and get
into the passage spotting the knot in the bark he would have to press to freeze the tree if
Sirius was at the end of the passage itself. As he walked down the passage Regulus felt
himself pass through the Hogwarts Wards making him stop in place. Sirius in his mentally
addled state had come to recognize his Animagus form he was not sure if his older brother
could take his human form any better, but maybe that could work for him as well. Taking a
deep breath Regulus let his magic flow through his body as he felt the fur being pulled back
into his body as his limbs began to lengthen and change into normal human arms and legs.
When the change reached the time when he could stand on just his feet Regulus sighed as he
stretched out and popped his back a little as his clothing separated from his flesh. With a
large smile on his face, Regulus wiggled all his fingers before checking his pockets as with a
sigh of relief pulled out his twelve inches Elm wand casting a quick spell to check on the
state of his magic. Seeing the spell go off perfectly like normal Regulus pocketed his wand
again and finished working down the hidden passage.

"Hello Sirius," Regulus said softly finding his older brother back in human form gnawing on
some chicken bones.

"I must have finally snapped," Sirius said looking up at him with almost dead eyes.

"You have not brother," Regulus said moving slowly over to the ragged-looking man holding
out his hands as if approaching a strange dog.

"You are dead," Sirius said simply, "what is next, are Lily and James behind you so you can
all remind me of how much of a mess I made?"

"No, for I am not dead, but I have come to bring you back. Pettigrew was found and your
name has been cleared," Regulus said.

"And Harry has been named England's most eligible bachelor," Sirius said sardonically
before turning back to the chicken bone as he tries to get more sustenance out of it having
decided Regulus was a figment of his imagination.

"I don't think they would award that to a thirteen-year-old," Regulus said as a joke but Sirius
just ignored him. "Oh, for the love of," Regulus said as he cast a spell to dump a bucket's
worth of water on his brother's head like he had done sometimes to get him up during the
summer when they were kids. Sirus sputtered a little shocked at the water before looking up
and seeing no hole in the ceiling above him.

"Regulus?" Sirius asked in a small quiet voice as if he still did not believe it.

"Hello brother, are you ready to come home?" Regulus said before wincing thinking his
words could be misread as if Sirus was dead and Regulus was there to take him to his
afterlife. "I mean do you want to head up to Hogwarts to see Harry, and everyone?"

"Harry is there?" Sirius said in a sad voice making Regulus see that his brother had come to
the conclusion Regulus was escorting him to the next life.

"Yes, he is," Regulus said no longer fighting it just hoping his brother might follow him now.

"How do I look, I mean I know I must be bad but if I am seeing Harry, James, and Lily I have
to be presentable," Sirius said standing up and tugging his robes to reduce the wrinkles in
them.
"I will fix you up once we go through the passage," Regulus said feeling if he cleaned them
now by the time they got past the Willow they would just get dirty again. Sirius gave an
understanding nod as he followed Regulus out. Not wanting to change back into
"Crookshanks" again Regulus cast a stunner on the Willow once they reached the Hogwarts
end of the passage and led Sirius out into the open air.

Moving Sirius out of the Willow's reach Regulus first cast a simple cleaning charm on his
brother's clothing making them feel freshly pressed and warm which produced an almost
moaning sigh from Sirius. While his brother was distracted rubbing his hands over the now
clean robes Regulus summoned an issue of the Prophet and handed it over to Sirius to read.
As the former escape convict read the paper Regulus took hold of his arm and led him up to
the front doors of the castle, seeing by both the lights and sounds coming from the Great Hall
collecting Sirius had not taken that long. Sirius looked up from the paper a look of surprise
on his face just as the pair reached the bottom of the stairs leading up to the front doors.
Regulus just smiled at him as they walked up the four stairs to the door and pulled one of
them open and entered the castle. While Regulus was more of an introverted person than his
brother he was still a member of the Noble House of Black and thus knew how to make an
entrance. Letting go of Sirius's arm Regulus placed both hands on the double doors to the
Great Hall and pushed them open with such force they banged off the walls drawing
everyone's attention to them. Sirius gulped a little seeing everyone turn to look at them but
Regulus said in a loud carrying voice, "We are the brothers Black, and we have returned!"
 Some Truths Comes out.
Chapter Summary

Regulus assumes the Lord of the Black Family, even if it is temporary, to protect his
family. While Hermione starts to really lose it.

As the doors to the hall banged open unexpectedly many in the hall jumped a little and if they
were bringing food to their mouths ended up spilling it a little on themselves. Almost as one
everyone turned to the doors to see who had arrived seeing two men with long shaggy black
hair. The one who appeared to have opened the door called out in a carrying voice, "We are
the brothers Black, and we have returned." While very few other than the staff recognized the
speaker everyone in the hall recognized the other male. It seems that some students had
neither read the recent article in the Prophet nor have heard the most recent news as they
screamed in fear seeing Sirius Black standing there. These students would almost say he was
standing there as bold as brass but seeing all the people looking at him Sirius made himself as
small as possible as he huddled behind the other male.

"Calm down everyone," Albus called from the top table unable to stop a look of fury from
flashing across his face seeing Sirius in the door frame somewhat cowering behind Regulus.
The fact that Sirius had gotten off on all charges, meaning he could step into the role of
Harry's Godfather if a Mind-Healer approved of it, but what was worse was seeing Regulus
Black alive which Albus had not known about at all. That fact that Albus had not known
about it pissed him off more than his current condition of randomly being unable to stop
himself from sharing his secrets.

Albus's fleeting look of anger did not escape Regulus's notice as he began to wonder if he had
made a slight miscalculation in making their presence known in front of everyone. Regulus
while not normally as flashy as his older brother had always been flexible when it came to his
plans. Not trusting the glint that had come to Albus' face after the look of anger passed
Regulus decided he would have to disappoint Sirius in his desire to meet Harry again at least
for the moment. "Remus, get over here," Regulus ordered as he reached down and
straightened his robes. "Due to the circumstances for the moment I am assuming the role of
temporary Head of the Ancient and Nobel House of Black. And acting under its authority to
protect my family I, Regulus Black, am removing my brother's family from the school,"
Regulus said.

"Now just a moment," Albus started to protest.

"No Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," Regulus said glaring at the man who dared
to mess with his family. "With the power given to me as temporary head of the Black Family
thanks to the Sacred Twenty-Eight, I am removing my brother, his husband, and child from
here until I deem them fit enough to return. KREACHER!!!," Regulus called out as his
Personal House Elf appeared and with a snap of his fingers Regulus, Sirius, and to everyone's
shock Neville vanished from the hall.

As soon as Kreacher also vanished from the Hall everyone broke into conversations about the
whirlwind that Regulus Black and his actions. "Why did he take Longbottom, though?" was a
question many students asked. "He can't be Sirius's son? Can he? Wait Professor Lupin is
gone as well does that mean Longbottom is Sirius and Professor Lupin's kid?"

Some Muggleborns as well as some ignorant Half-Blood and Purebloods, such as Ron
Weasley ended up asking, "I wonder which of them was the woman?" This caused the people
sitting around them to give them all disgusted and disappointed looks.

"Are you an idiot? One of the most likely took a Bearer Potion to let their body able to give
birth, or one of them could be a natural Bearer," the students explained. Most of the students
who had asked about the Sirius and Professor Lupin's love light took the message to heart,
but some such as Hermione and Ron were not convinced. Hermione saw that any relationship
between two people of the same sex was wrong while Ron was trying to figure out who
would be the "woman" in the relationship between the D.A.D.A. Professor and the former
prisoner. He finally decided that since Sirius had gone to prison while Lupin was just a
teacher Lupin had to be the woman. Hermione was also angry at Professor Dumbledore for
him making her have to befriend the brat that was the offspring of such a union of sin. If she
was going to keep acting like the abomination's friend she was going to have to not only ask
for a raise but also make sure that when she got home either during the Yule or end of the
school year she was going to have to go to church and get a full spiritual and body cleansing
from her family's priest.

Albus tried to regain control and stop the discussion about what had just happened but no one
was paying attention to him. He even tried to use is want to make the sound of fireworks
going off but nothing happened. Unknown to him each Head of House at Hogwarts had been
approached by a student in their House complaining about the firework sound used a few
years ago, as well as Howlers being sent to the school they had used the power they
possessed to protect their students to prevent either event from happening again even going
as far as having got it approved by the Governors. As Albus was seething in rage at being
ignored and his spells to get everyone's attention not working, Minerva was a little confused
for while she had not been the best Head of House before now she had made it a habit of
following her Lion's lives once they left the castle even if it was mostly just keeping track of
who married who. Yet she had no memory of Sirius and Remus's wedding which was
worrying. Beside her Severus was in a state of shock, sure he did not really care if Remus and
Sirius were taken to Azkaban for life, but seeing Regulus a little older than he remembers
was amazing.
St. Mungos

"Regulus? What about Harry?" Sirius asked finding they were no longer at Hogwarts.

"I must admit this turn of events is a little surprising," Remus said looking at his brother-in-
law.

"What am I doing here?" Nevile asked utterly confused and unable to figure out how he had
left Hogwarts as Hermione always talked about it was impossible for anyone to Apparate in
or out of Hogwarts, and as he had no interactions with House Elves he had no idea of the
power such creatures possessed.

"Alright one at a time," Regulus said using his wand to send a summoning to Narcissa. "I
thought before you meet Harry it is best if we make sure you are perfectly healthy first.
Remus, I know for a fact that you at least know what is going on, but if I take Sirius and
Romulus see another Healer, even a Goblin, I would never hear the end of it."

"Yeah I can see that being the case," Remus said with a small laugh. "And that is if you were
lucky."

"Um I still have no idea what is going on," Neville said raising a hand as if they were in class
and he had a question.

"In short, you have been lied to about who you are," Remus said.

"And who am I?" Neville asked.

"This might be easier to accept after you get Cleansed but you are in fact my nephew
Romulus Regulus Lupin-Black," Regulus said, "and your parents are these two mutts."

"Mutts?" Neville asked tilting his head in confusion.

"Later," Remus said sending Regulus a dark look.

"Romulus?" Sirius asked confused himself.

"And that is why we are here," Regulus said getting tired of waiting and led the group
towards the stairs in search of Narcissa. Regulus only managed to get up half a floor before
he almost literally ran into Narcissa who was rushing down them. Narcissa muttered a quick
apology before she pushed Regulus out of the way and pulled Sirius into a tight hug.

"Sirius I am so glad you are free again," Narcissa said hugging him and getting a little
worried about how he was almost just skin and bones.

"Cissa?" Sirius questions having never seen his cousin lose her Pureblood Mask in public
before. "Remus, Regulus I am dead aren't I?"
"Regulus?" Narcissa said looking up and her mouth falling open in shock seeing Sirius's
brother who had been missing for almost thirteen years and who everyone had assumed had
been killed by the Dark Lord after he found out Regulus had been a spy for the last Lord
Black.

"Hey cousin," Regulus said with a small wave. Narcissa immediately let go of Sirius and pull
Regulus into a hug, but unlike when she hugged Sirius, Narcissa pulled Regulus's head into
her chest like she had done when they were younger. "Knock it off Cissa," Regulus said as
Narcissa found herself letting go of him thanks to the Black Family Magic he commanded at
the moment as interim Head of the family.

"So what can I do for you?" she asked a little startled to find her body reacting as she did but
knowing what it meant.

"I need a Cleansing for both Sirius and Romulus," Regulus said nodding to his brother and
nephew, " I would also like you to arrange for both of them to be seen by some Mind-Healers
that you trust absolutely."

"Aren't you the Longbottom boy?" Narcissa asked recognizing Draco and Harry's classmate
from his yearly trips to the Janus Thicky Ward to see his parents.

"Yes, I am," Neville said a little thankful that someone recognized that he did not belong here
even if the person was Malfoy's mom.

"He is actually Sirius and Remus's son and I suspect he is under some enchantments,"
Regulus said as he starts walking up the stairs as a large group started to come up from the
ground floor.

"Like what happened to Harry," Narcissa said taking out her wand and casting a Diagnostic
Charm on the boy.

"Harry?" Sirius asked perking up slightly at the name of his Godson.

"That explains his new looks," Neville muttered to himself.

"Did something happen to his looks?" Sirius asked recalling seeing Harry before he started
his long journey to Hogwarts but when looking around the Great Hall had not been able to
spot his Godson anywhere.

"He went from having brown hair and green eyes to red hair and blue eyes," Neville
explained.

"Someone swapped Lily and James's features," Sirius, Regulus, and Remus said in shock

"We believe it had to do with Severus," Narcissa said and instantly regretted it.

"Snivilus? Why would he factor into this?" Sirius said in a growl which would not seem out
of place if done in his Animagus form.
"Bambi," Remus said in a warning tone, which might have worked if Sirius had been
Cleansed but did nothing to the man at the moment.

"Enough, Sirius," Regulus said putting the power as Lord Black into his voice. "We will
discuss it after you and Romulus are cleansed," he said sending them all a look and
motioning for Narcissa to lead them to the proper rooms for his brother and nephew to get
cleansed.

Hogwarts.

Professor Dumbledore finally managed to get everyone's attention and sent the students to
their Houses for the night while calling for a staff meeting. As he called the meeting he for
once was on time leading his staff to the room. "For the moment I will allow what Lord
Black did taking Remus and a student out of the castle but I will still be reporting it to the
Governors," Albus said without preamble as he took his seat at the head of the table in the
meeting room.

"I don't see that doing anything Albus," Minerva said, "after all he assumed the role of Head
of his family which allows such thing under the order to protect his family."

"I was not aware Neville Longbottom was a member of the Noble House of Black," Albus
said.

"If he was taken he must be," Professor Vector said having no contact with the boy so did not
really know.

"That or Regulus is confused, after all, we have no idea where he has been all these years,"
Albus said hoping to place a seed of doubt in his staff for both Regulus and Sirius to prevent
either from somehow gaining control of his weapon.

"I think Headmaster Dumbledore is correct," Filch said supporting his father.

"I shall give them all a test when they return unless this is a plan of the pair to kidnap Neville
and Remus," Poppy said voicing her support of Albus.

"I doubt that will be necessary, Poppy," Severus said, "from what Regulus said I feel he is
taking Remus, Sirius, and Longbottom to either Gringotts or St. Mungos to be checked over."

"Which just goes to show he is not in his right mind right there I could easily do such a
thing," Poppy said sounding annoyed. All but Albus and Filch share a look knowing that as a
Medi-Magical she would not have the necessary skills to perform any sort of Cleansing if
they needed it.

"I am sure it is not a slight against your skills, Poppy," Flitwick said in a placating manner,
"after all as taking Lord of the Black family he most likely headed to St. Mungos and see
Narcissa Malfoy nee Black to use a family resource."
"Very well I will not bring this up to the Governors, but I think we should cancel the
Hogsmead weekend that we had planned for next week," Albus said still trying to find a way
from Harry from leaving the castle so

"Do you know how much trouble that would cause Albus?" Minerva asked. "Having already
sent the notice to the businesses in town so they would have the supplies for the students to
arrive we could face charges. As you know we had been only been able to find two weekends
that would work this term and since our next scheduled weekend is not until the week before
the Yule, some of their supplies might be spoiled by then."

"I am sure they could sell everything beforehand," Albus said.

"Maybe for Julie at the Three Broomsticks that would be possible, but for Sam and Max at
Zonkos or Tidus and Yuna at Honeydukes, this would be impossible for the students are their
main clientele so they usually stock more than they could sell in three months for a visiting
weekend," Minerva stated.

"Very well the students can visit the village," Albus said before he suddenly comes up with
an idea. "As discussed in an earlier meeting I thought we would change something though
only students who are managing High A's in all their classes and have permission will be
allowed to go," he said knowing that since Harry relied on Hermione to help him in his
classes and Severus's hatred of the boy his weapon would not have the grades to get to the
village thus alienating him from his fellow students again,

"That is not a bad idea," Minerva said, "I second it." After the rest of the staff had voted the
motion passed almost unanimously with only FIlch voting against it preferring all students
that could leave the castle being able to do so thus making less work for him during the day.

The next day in all the Common Rooms, as well as the notice boards within the library and
Great Hall the Hogsmead Weekend, was announced for that weekend making students
thrilled that it would be taking place on Samhain/Halloween. Most missed the small note on
the bottom of each poster stating that one had to have an Upper A grade in all their classes to
be allowed to go to the village. Harry, along with the other members of the SG Workgroup
did see it but none of them were worried at all. Granted if Harry was still under enchantments
to reduce his intelligence and memory as well as letting Granger help him with his homework
he would not have been able to go, but since those were all things of the past his ranking had
increased to the fifth highest in his year. Right under Hermione who was number four with
Draco at number three, Blaise holding the second-highest grades, and of course Theo at the
very top of the class. The twins were not worried either for while they were mostly associated
with their pranks they had both been ranked in the top ten students of their year since they
had started Hogwarts. Percy, of course, was the top-ranked in his year just like Theo was.
Hermione was another one that noticed the note about the grade requirement to head to the
village. This made her rather annoyed for while she was a good student in Divination she was
earning a low A almost a P, and due to her workload, she was also falling behind in Muggle
Studies and even Transfigurations. The other students in her year, apart from Ron, were now
getting higher marks due to the study sessions being offered in the dorms making her rely on
the Time-Turner even more and having her get only two hours of sleep a day, and considering
her schedule most days had her taking three classes at once her one day was akin to three
days and the two hours were just not cutting it anymore. What was worse was that after being
sent to her room last night Lily Moon wanted to discuss what happened at supper while
Hermione had just wanted to go to sleep. As a means of doing so, Hermione left the room to
summon Crookshanks with the Accio spell that Fourth-Year students were taught only for her
cat not to come zooming to her by the spell. Heading back into the room Hermione used the
barriers to block out Lily Moon but rather than go right to sleep she began to work on her
mountain of homework. But for a little while, she could not focus on it her mind once more
wondering why it would still be considered homework when she was technically doing it on
the school grounds. After nearly fifty minutes of her mind focusing on this Hermione felt as
if she was seriously cracking up. So despite the fact that she had four essays due for class
tomorrow not to mention wand movements to practice she decided to call it a night and
hopefully get a full night's sleep for once. Also as soon as she decided to do so Hermione's
body shut down with her face still in the book she had been trying to read and using it as a
pillow forgetting to change her clothing, sent an alarm on her wand, or even remove the
Time-Turner so it would not break or anything as she slept.

Hermione's body needed sleep for without the alarm set to her wand she did not wake up
until lunchtime. Lily Moon, while not liking her, did not get her up either since Hermione had
left the barriers around her up making the other girl believe Hermione was not feeling well
enough to go to class. Something Lily Moon utterly believed due to the state Hermione had
been in lately. Getting up Hermione was horrified she had slept so late but had also drooled
over her Ancient Rune's book, making the page she had been on and a few pages after it hard
to read. Without even thinking Hermione headed right to lunch where Ron began to badger
her about where she had been for their morning classes. Hermione hated herself for if she had
used the Time-Turner she could have still attended the classes but since she meet with Ron,
her missing the classes had to stay as it was. "I overslept alright," she said annoyed at herself,
him, and the whole situation.

"Overslept my eye, trust me I know oversleeping and you doing it just doesn't work," Ron
said shaking his head at her. "So what were you really doing?"

"Um, I was looking for Crookshanks, I did not see him at all last night," Hermione said for
the moment forgetting who she was talking to even with the sleep making her halfway to her
normal mental state.

"You lost that beast. I bet it is off somewhere chasing down Scabbers with a few birds or
other student's rats," Ron said as he angrily speared some food on his plate and seethed at his
dead rat for the rest of lunch.
Throughout the rest of the day, where Hermione returned to using the Time-Turner to make
sure she attended all her afternoon classes as well as talking to the teachers for her morning
classes, she would randomly try to summon Crookshanks to her but her cat never reappeared.
While she had slept for almost sixteen hours, Hermione was not back to the same mental
normal that she had the previous two years at the castle so going through six classes after
lunch with no breaks for food she was nearly back to the state she had been the night before.
Her mind also settled onto the idea that the reason Crookshanks was not being summoned to
her was Lily Moon must have done something to prevent it. Arriving into the Gryffindor
Common Room after supper she confronted the other girl. "What did you do to
Crookshanks?" Hermione asked her voice rising a little due to the stress.

"What do you mean?" Lily Moon asked unable to think of anything she had done to
Crookshanks besides preventing Hermione from forcing the part Kneazle to be forced into a
traveling basket every night.

"You must have put a charm or some sort of spell on him so he would not come to me when I
summon him," Hermione said unaware that the entire House was watching the conversation
due to Hermione's raised voice.

"When you say summon?" Lily Moon asked.

"Like this you ditzy air-head," Hermione said losing her patients and using Accio to summon
one of the darts from the room's dark board to her hand. Some of the older students gasp at
seeing her know how to cast the spell, but Hermione for once ignored the accolades that
might have come from her knowing a spell a year before she was meant to learn it.

"How would I know a spell to block that we have not even studied that spell in classes yet,"
Lily Moon said.

"I don't know maybe you did some research to learn it due to the jealousy you have that I am
such a better witch than you," Hermione said.

Harry from where he was standing by Fred and George leaned in and whispered to the pair,
"A bitch more like," which caused the twins to snort a little.

"One I am not now nor ever been jealous of you, two I will admit if I knew the spell I would
have used it to prevent you from abusing Crookshanks anymore," Lily Moon said definitely
at the brown-haired know-nothing-know-it-all. "How you treat that cat is wrong Hermione,
you can't just put it in a basket at night cats need to be able to move and go the bathroom.
How would you feel if someone trapped you in a room with no food, drink, or bathroom for
so long?" Lily Moon asked making the animal-loving members of Gryffindor House glare at
the Third-Year girl.

"Maybe she should have kept it, if not in the basket at least in your rooms so it would not
have killed my rat," Ron said jumping a little to Hermione's defense.
"Oh, shut up about the damn rat Ron, he is not dead," Hermione said finally losing her
patients about hearing Ron complain about "Scabbers.:

"If he is not dead where is he then?" Ron shot back.

"Use your mind you idiot, the article talking about Peter being found mentioned he had a rat
form that was missing a toe. Does that sound familiar to you at all?" Hermione shot back
making Harry, Fred, George, and Percy all wince.

"Are you saying Pettigrew had been sleeping in our dorm the last two years here?" Seamus
asked as Ron's face took on a nasty greenish tint as things clicked into place. Putting a hand
to his mouth Ron turned and ran to the nearest bathroom to throw up as his mind filled with
memories of sleeping with Scabbers held tightly to his bare chest.

"What is going on in here?" Professor McGonagall asked arriving for her now weekly visit to
see everyone still looking horrified at Hermione as the sounds of Ron throwing up were
easily heard in the near-silent room. As Percy hurriedly filled her in McGonagall decided she
would need to work with Bathsehda to improve the Wards to Gyrffindor Tower so they could
register who was in the tower, and due to what had happened over the last couple of years
with students sometimes sneaking out of the place at night making sure it would track any
student who left after curfew. "Ms. Granger, follow me," Professor McGonagall said having
the girl follow her out of the Common Room and to the same classroom she and Bethesda
had looked over Harry's Gringotts test results.

"What is the matter, Professor?" Hermione asked.

"Ms. Granger I am going to have you drop some of your classes so that you have a normal
schedule again," McGonagall said.

"What why?" Hermione asked.

"You clearly can not handle the pressure for it sounded like you lost it at Lily Moon and then
shared some private information about another student to the whole House," McGonagall
explained.

"What just caused I shared Ron's rat was Pettigrew?" Hermione asked in utter disbelief.

"In a word yes Ms. Granger. If you read the article about Sirius being found innocent you
would have seen that the Magical Law Enforcement Office had heard where Pettigrew had
been living as a rat but had not disclosed that information. Even if you concluded yourself,
you could be charged for leaking sensitive legal information to the public. So I am going to
be taking the Time-Turner back and I shall want to hear what classes you are dropping by
breakfast time at the latest," McGonagall said and without waiting for Hermione to hand over
the Magical Artifact she summoned it from the girl's robes. Even though she had used a
Summoning Charm to retrieve the artifact Minerva cast a spell on it to make sure it was the
real item. While her spell showed it was a Time-Turner, Minerva was horrified as her spell
showed that the beginnings of a crack had developed on one of the segments of the magical
hourglass. If the crack had developed more it could have done some serious damage. Seeing
that she had been correct in taking it from the girl, Minerva used a spell to send the Time-
Turner back to the Ministry so it could be repaired. Something that shocked the Department
of Mysteries member whose desk the artifact landed on for the Time-Turner that Hermione
had been used had originally been stolen from the Ministry by Albus nearly fifty years ago
for one of the man's plans.
 The Hogsmead visit
Chapter Summary

A sort of date in Hogsmead between Harry and Theo.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

As Hermione followed Professor McGonagall back to Gryffindor Tower she tried to think of
which classes she should drop. To have a normal class schedule she knew she would have to
drop at least three classes, but the only one she thought she was alright to drop was
Divination for the class and the teacher was a joke. As she and her preferred Head of House
returned to the Common Room she found the rest of the students of age were discussing the
upcoming Hogsmead visit. "You should check out the Corner Store, Harry," one of Ron's
older brothers said though Hermione was not sure which one it was.

"Yeah it should have something that would help you pay him back from the match," the other
twin said. This just confused Hermione who thanks to her workload and trying to make sure
she kept her place as the top student she had forgotten to attend the Quidditch Match.

"What happened at the match?" Hermione asked stepping forward but Harry and the twins
just ignored her. "What happened during the Quidditch match?" she asked again but they
continued to ignore her. Not liking that they were not answering her question she kept asking
it as everyone began to pull out their books and homework for the study session.

After about five minutes Katie Bell finally got sick of her asking as everyone tried to do their
work she finally answered. "During the match due to the deluge of rain Harry had been
unable to see the Snitch, and at one point when Oliver called a time out one of his friends
came over and placed a charm on his flying goggles to repel the raid and let Harry catch the
Snitch winning us the game.* Also, Harry, I agree with Fred the Corner Store would not only
have something for your friends but you could see if they had any gear to prevent the issue
with the rain again." Hermione wanted to ask the name of the friend who had helped Harry a
little miffed knowing he should be relying on her for stuff like that if only the idiot was not
avoiding her and Ron for some reason. Due to this new distance between Ron, her, and the
idiot Professor Dumbledore was threatening to stop paying them. She was going to have to
find out who this friend who helped Harry was.

This means that she now had the classes that she would be dropping so she could have the
right grades to go to Hogsmead. As she was had the lowest grades in Divinations,
Arithmancy, and Muggle Studies. She had thought Muggle Studies would have been a
cakewalk as a Muggle but it was actually rather harder than most of her classes with weekly
essays with subjects of various Muggle inventions, scientific theories, and famous people
from all over the world. It made the Advance Placement classes she had when she went to
Muggle school look like she was in the special needs class. Hermione having made her
decision of which classes to drop made sure to inform Professor McGonagall before she left
for the night so that her grades for the three classes would not be counted against her when
she went to Hogsmead.

On the morning of the first Hogsmead visit, Hermione waited in line with the rest of the
students to be cleared to head to the village. She had heard from upper years the check
usually took at least ten minutes but it had taken fifteen so far as Filtch had to check not only
to see if a student had permission to go to the village but also that their grades were high
enough. Hermione could only roll her eyes as some students seemed to have missed the
message that their grades had to be in the High A's as they tried to argue with the Caretaker
that they had permission to go to the village only for the nasty Squib to order them back to
their Common Rooms. Every time a student was sent away Hermione could not help but
smirk at how dumb they all were. When she finally reached the front of the line Hermione
strutted forwards secure in the knowledge that she had the necessary grades to go to the
village. Filch took one look at her and then at his sheet before he looked up and said, "You
don't have high enough grades to go to the village go back to your Common Room and work
on your homework."

"That can't be right I have EE's in all my classes," Hermione protested.

"According to my forms you have a D in Divinations, and low A's in Arithmancy and
Muggle Studies," Filch informed her.

"But I dropped those classes," Hermione protested again.

"Yes in the last week which means they are still registered in your grades. Now back to your
Common Room with you," the Squib said gesturing back at the castle.

Harry had to hide a laugh as he saw Hermione being told she could not go to Hogsmead as he
waited for Theo after getting through the line himself. Having heard from Percy and the
Gryffindor Quidditch team that the Corner Store sold both books and Quidditch/flying gear.
Fred had told him that it was not a place most students went to so it would not be a crowded
place unlike Honeydukes, and the Three Broomsticks. What Harry was not aware of was that
Fred, George, Draco, and Blaise had come together to try to find a way for Theo and Harry to
be alone having seen them missing each other's looks when the group had been in the library
yesterday. Thus the four had said they should split up into groups of two during the visit
before they gathered together at a later time at the Three Broomsticks to see if they could find
a place after the initial rush of students visiting the village.
When Theo finally got through the checkpoint Harry and Theo walked to the village together
talking about random stuff and enjoying the fact that Hermione and Ron would not get on
their case since neither of them was allowed to come. "So where to first?" Theo asked.

"The twins suggested a shop that we both might enjoy," Harry said.

"Well, it can't be Zonkos for neither of us are into pranks as those two are," Theo said.

"True but they told me of a store owned and operated by the parents of Michael Corner that
has a location in town," Harry said not wanting to share what he had been told the store sold
wanting it to be a surprise.

"Alright lead the way," Theo said giving Harry a corney and playful bow making Harry
chuckle a little. While most of their fellow students kept on the main street heading towards
Honeydukes, Zonkos, Scrivingshfts, the Three Broomsticks, and the other ships, Harry and
Theo headed down a side street to a medium-sized red building which despite its name of
Corner Shop was in the middle of the street. Walking into the shop Harry found some
Extension Charms had been cast on the place for rather than the small storefront it reminded
him of stepping into Barns and Noble. Just like the members of his team told him there was a
full quarter of the store dedicated to flying equipment. Harry saw that he and Theo were not
the only Hogwarts students in the place as except for Fred and George the other member of
the Gyrffindor Team was there. As Wood had followed Batty's orders in giving tryouts for the
team, Harry and the others had remained on the team while Wood had found some promising
new flyers as for the first time since Harry had joined the team there was now a second string
of players. Seeing a line of flying goggles Harry headed over to find a pair that not only was
his size but also had the right enchantments on them since the one Theo placed on his current
ones had only been a short-term one. Finding a pair that had not only Water-Repelling
Charms but also was enchanted to not fog up no matter what Harry took them off the hook
and turned to Theo.

Harry was a little shocked to see the other boy was nowhere in sight, but then again Theo had
stated that he was not really a fan of Quidditch at all. This did make Harry wonder why he
had come to the Gryffindor/Hufflepuff match especially with how bad it was raining if he did
not like the game, but it was just one of the growing list of things that both confused Harry
but also drew him to the quite Slytherin. Guessing Theo had gone in search of a book Harry
looked around to see the different sections. Seeing the Sci-fi/Fantasy section he headed that
way knowing that besides Sherlock Holmes, which Theo already had all the books of, Theo
liked Star Wars. Harry smiled to himself as he found Theo on the section already with a pile
of books in a shopping basket. "We were apart less than five minutes how did you find so
many books you don't already have so fast?" Harry asked.

"Oh these are not for me, they are for you," Theo said as he took another book off the shelf
and added it to the pile.

"That explains why most of them are Star War's books since I thought you told me you have
them all already," Harry said as he reached for a copy of A New Hope seeing that despite all
the books Theo had gathered he had not collected that one yet.
"You don't need that one," Theo said placing his hand over Harry's to prevent him from
placing the book into the almost overflowing basket.

"Yes, I do you have not put one in the basket yet," Harry said.

"You can have my copy of it," Theo said with a small blush.

"But I never asked for that, won't your collection be incomplete then?" Harry asked.

"I know you did not ask for it, that is why it is a gift. And my collection would not be
incomplete for that is just my main copy of the book. My father a couple of years ago got me
a Signed copy of it for some reason," Theo said rolling his eyes making Harry recall a
discussion they had on how pointless he saw signed copies or getting someone's autograph
was.

"Thanks," Harry said letting go of the book.

"Don't mention it," Theo said as he took his hand of Harry's to grab two copies of a book
entitled The Last Command. "Oh good, they finally released it. I was afraid I would have to
wait for the Yule to get a copy.

"Is that the one that you told me about at the start of the year with the villain who reminds
you of Holmes?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I can't wait to see how it all turns out," Theo said giving Harry a smile that was rare
outside his close friends making Harry glad he could be counted among that group now.

"Than I shall get it for you, in exchange for A New Hope," Harry said sending him a smile
back. "Though I hope you are not planning on buying all this for me," Harry said indicating
the books in the handcart swinging from Theo's right elbow.

"Um, no I was just gathering them to show you in case you wanted to build your collection,"
Theo said with another slight blush.

"And you did not want to pile all them in your arms if I took so long in the flying supplies so
you would not drop them. So, of course, you put them into a shopping basket for easy
transport," Harry teased him.

"Well I did not know how long you were going to be looking at the Quidditch supplies or if
you were going to chat with some of your teammates for a bit," Theo said.

"I came here for just one thing for Quidditch," Harry said placing his flying goggles into the
basket. "So are there any other books you think I should read?"

That question turned out to be a small mistake on Harry's part for having picked up one copy
of all the Star Wars books for sale, Theo began to gather some Star Trek books, though only
one of each series, or crew as Theo told him. He had done this since Harry had never seen or
read any material from that franchise yet so Theo did not want to pick out too many of one
crew and find out Harry did not like them. Harry of course was not surprised as after getting
the Start Trek books Theo took him to the Mystery section and got him The Complete
Sherlock Holmes volumes one and two. What did surprise, and make Harry rather happy, was
Theo taking him by the hand as they went from the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section to the Mystery
Section. After Theo had placed both volumes into the basket it was Harry's turn as he took
Theo's hand and led the taller male to a section dedicated to humor and comics picking out
some books of Charlie Brown and Peanuts as well as some Garfield books. Harry had been
surprised to find out with everything Theo had read the other boy had never read either of
those comics. As Harry recalled reading them at the Dursleys and laughing at them, the few
things that could make him laugh at that place, he wanted to share them with Theo.

After adding the pair of comic collections to the basket Harry caught sight of his watch,
making him realize it was almost time to meet up with the others at the Three Broomsticks.
He had not even realized that Theo and he had spent nearly two and a half hours in the place
most of which was picking out books. Before they reached the front of the line they had to
spend some time separating their purchases from each other for besides the Garfield and
Peanuts books Theo had also found some new Star Trek books to add to his collection,
though this still had Harry with the majority of the order not that he cared for he had the
money to pay for it. Due to the Slytherin Ring having accepted him right off the bat he had
chosen to make that his main vaults to live off of later in life so he decided to pay for his new
books from one of the other accounts. He knew it would not happen but due to how his other
rings had turned their backs on him for something he could not control he would not mind if
he drained all the money from their vaults with random purchases, leaving only the name to
be passed down to his kids, if he had any. Of course with the amount of money in the vaults,
he knew he would find it hard to do in his lifetime unless he lived to be the same age as
Nicolas Flamel was when he passed away last year. Even with purchases of over four
hundred Galleons a pop as he did when he purchased all the books Theo had found for him.

As Theo and Harry walked out of the Corner Store Theo suggested Harry read the other two
books that Thrawn appeared in so that they could read The Last Command at the same time
and discuss it. Harry agreed, liking the idea which would keep him in contact with Theo even
during the coming holiday break. Harry was still not sure what his plans were for the break,
for while he could head back to Malfoy Manor to stay with his Godmother and family with
Sirius being found innocent the man might want to meet him or spend the holiday with him
as well. It was hard to say for, ever since the man, Professor Lupin, Neville, and someone
Draco identified as Regulus Black had vanished from the Great Hall no one had seen them
since, at least at Hogwarts.

Arriving at the Three Broomsticks Harry and Theo found the place so crowded they did not
see an open seat available. They were about to leave when they heard their names called and
saw Fred waving them over to a large booth. Going over they saw that the others had saved
some seats for them as they scootched down the line of the booth to let Harry and Theo sit
next to each other. The places were so crowded Fred used a spell to shrink the purchases from
the Corner Store to give them more room. Though Harry still found himself pressed to Theo's
 side at the end of the seat scrunched in so as to not be hit by any of the passing crowd. A
server came over and took their order as Fred called for Butterbeers for the whole table. The
server nodded but got the wrong impression as they came back with three drinks with two
straws sticking out of each of them. Though it was not really their fault for as Fred, George,
Draco, and Blaise had been waiting for Theo and Harry the four had been acting like the
couples they were slowly becoming, and when the server had come to take their order they
said another couple was coming along shortly.

Harry and Theo did not know what to do as they looked at the large mug of Butterbeer placed
before them with the two straws angled at each of them, while the others had not minded the
drink as Fred and Draco shared one mug, while George and Blaise shared the third. Both
Harry and Theo blushed a little as Theo rubbed the back of his neck neither of them wanted
to make a scene of telling the server of their mistake with how busy it was there. "Should
we?" Theo asked.

"I don't have a problem with it if you don't," Harry responded as their friends stopped
drinking to see what would happen. Almost at the same time, Theo and Harry bent down and
started to drink from one of the straws bending forwards slightly with twin blushes on their
faces. Fred thought this was good but it could be better as he pulled out his wand under the
table and used a spell to reduce the size of the straws, without changing how much went
through them, forcing Theo and Harry to lean further forward. Theo reached for the mug to
move it closer, but George got to it first as he cast a spell to stick it to that tabletop for a bit.
To study themselves Harry and Theo placed a hand on the table making their friends smile
for just like what happened in the library to them, Harry and Theo's hands found each other
on the tabletop.

Harry and Theo blushed even deeper turning redder than even the twins' hair as with a little
movement the pair shifted their hands so they were holding each other's hand. Blaise arched
an eyebrow at the other three at the table as under its surface some money was past his way
for betting that before their group left the Three Broomsticks Harry and Theo would hold
hands for whatever reason. Fred, George, and Draco did not mind losing the bet for they had
all seen how Harry and Theo had been looking at the other lately and felt the pair need a
slight push to realize they liked each other.

Chapter End Notes

* Just like his Lordship ring had done on the train Harry was protected from the
Dementors during the match thus was able to catch the Snitch before Cedric.

A friendly reminder that Harry, thanks to his Cleansing at the start of the story no longer
wears glasses.
Also, I realize that the Gryffindor/Hufflepuff game takes place after the Hogsmead Visit
but I wanted to give Harry a reason to spend some time with Theo during the trip, so I
made Theo be the one to cast the spell on Harry's glasses to block the rain from them.
 Family Rings and Loopholes
Chapter Summary

James and the other Potters keep track of Harry's progress in the task to achieve the
Potter Family Ring

Chapter Notes

The first part of this chapter will be some information about Family (Lordship/Heir)
Rings just so that the second bit makes sense. This chapter was once again inspired by a
random Harry Potter fan theory.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Excerpt from the book: A Muggleborn's Guide to Magical World by Doctor C. Baker
Sixth Edition.

Family Rings

Family Rings sometimes referred to as Lordship, Ladyship Rings are magical artifacts that
show a Magicals person high rank in a family. Family Rings are normally worn by the Head
of the Family while a lesser ring, referred to as Heir Rings, will be worn by their chosen
successor. The one chosen to wear Heir Ring does not necessarily have to be the oldest child
or even a child of the Head of the Family. This can be down to the wishes of the Head of
House Hold or if the Family Ring itself finds the proposed Heir lacking in the qualities the
Family had set aside to indicate a member should lead it. A recent example of this is the
Lovegood Family Ring where Casopeia Lovegood chooses her eldest daughter to take over in
this Matrical line. When Helena Lovegood put on the ring when she was declared the
Lovegood Heir the Family Ring found her lacking and denied her placement. Casopeai tried
her other daughters as well but only her youngest, Pandora Lovegood was found to be
accepted by the Lovegood Family Ring making her the default Heir.

The origin of Family Rings has been lost to time with old and powerful families the world
over claiming to be the first ones to put such items into use. What we do know is that the ring
just like a family's Grimoire (see page 45) are items that the family protects above all others.
But while a Grimoire holds a record of all Spells, Potions, and Rituals that a family has
created since its formation the Family Rings holds records of all the Magicals who wore the
ring. If a Head of House ever finds themselves in need of guidance in matters of the family all
they need to do is call upon the experiences of those who wore the ring before them. This
special brand of magic is often used extensively if a Head of House dies when the family Heir
is very young or if some accident causes most of the line to die out. If a Head of House holds
multiple Family Lines and Rings any Ring can be used to bring them forth. This is most
useful if one is the Heir of a family with a parent who holds multiple lines but due to some
accident loses one of the Line's Family Ring. Calling for advice from one who had previously
held both rings to ask where the missing ring can be found.

Due to the potential crime of Line Theft, all Family Rings hold protections against most
forms of Mind Manipulation Magic as well as giving a sign, usually through the heating of
the ring, when in the presence of similar potions or lethal poisons. These are in place so a
random person can not take control of the House by enchanting the holder of the Family
Ring. There have been some issues when due to a tragedy created by an outside force or
other Magical only one member of the family is left alive. If the survivor was not the family
Heir or had received any Family Ring yet they could end up getting dosed or enchanted in
someone's plans to take over the Family Line. It is due to this that all who try to take control
of a Family Ring are tested by those who came before them. If the former Head of the Family
finds the person willingly let themselves be put under another's control the Family Ring may
pass on to another or let the Family Line die out. If on the rare occasion that the former
Heads of the Family find that a person either lacks knowledge or already has enchantments
placed on them they may set tasks for the Magical to perform to prove their worth to lead the
Family.

When a Head of a House gets married a third type of Family Ring shall be formed. This ring
is referred to as the Consort Ring and signifies the wearer as the Mate of the Head of the
House. While one may wear a Consort Ring they are still to be called the Lord and Lady of
the House. If the Head of House dies with no Heir the Consort Ring shall become what is
known as the Ring of Steward. While wearing this Ring the Magical shall lead the House
until the Heir is of age to take over the House themselves. When two Heads of House marry
each will receive a Consort Ring to the other's House. Unlike a union that only contains one
Head of House if one of the unions should die the survivor is not considered a Steward but
the Lines are combined into one, It is common practice that in such an event that the Head of
the new combined Houses chooses Heirs to lead the multiple lines so they families may be
separated once more.

Each family has its own rules of who can hold the Family Ring and lead their House. Some
common rules are families being Patriarchy, Matriarch, or the Family Ring being won
through some sort of contest. Some outliers can be seen in evidence in Families such as the
Prewett Family which since its formation has only let the ones leading the line be twins and
when none are available the leader is the Steward. Another such family is the Flamel family
which after Nicolas Flamel created the Philosopher's Stone after having taken over as Head
of his family has not changed or had an Heir Ring in use for over three hundred years
without dying out.

There are only two ways a Family Ring can be passed on. The first is the death of the Holder
of the Ring letting the Heir take their place. A more rare event happens when two Heads of
House or the last remaining member of a Family end up in a Duel to the Death. When one
wins, even if their adversary does not die, an old Magic called Rite of Conquest takes place
letting the victor claim the other's Line and Family RIng(s.

End of Excerpt

James Potter was annoyed at all the previous Heads of the Potter family for giving his son
such hard tasks to accomplish to take over as the next Lord Potter. Though for all he knew
they were the type of tasks that were normally given for one who had been enchanted to
claim the Family Ring, but being forced to get all the money back without using the Goblin's
help seemed like it would be utterly impossible. James was rather glad his ancestors had
agreed to his suggestion that another way for Harry to claim the Potter Line was to make
those that betrayed him regret their actions by any means necessary. James had smiled when
his son had started right away by telling of the young Weasley's girl's actions with the cursed
diary and letting out the Basilisk to go after students at Hogwarts leading her to get
suspended for a time. It was not making her pay but it was a start.

What surprised James, as well as the other former Lords and Lady Potter, was despite Harry
only talking to the Goblins to get them to stop the payments being given to the thieves the
Goblins themselves go into action. As the Goblins of Gringotts knew that if a Ring did not
respond at first to a Magical they would be given tasks to claim the Ring they had not been
that surprised to being told that Harry was going to take care of getting his money back
himself. That did not stop them from working to protect one of their clients. The Potter Ring
had watched as Bonecrusher meet with Leaders of the European Bank and explained their
failure in protecting Harry. The European Goblin King and his Council decided that for any
issues that had been found done to Harry under their watch the bank would correct them free
of charge. While this did not mean that they would get the money stolen back under orders of
Harry's wishes they did put some plans in place to deal with those that had stolen from Harry.

A day after Harry claimed the Slytherin Lordship the Goblins were pleased as one of the
thieves walked right into the bank. Seeing it was the Muggleborn girl, and that from some
upgraded Decttion Spells in place saw the girl's parents had enchantments on them.
Bonecrusher pretended to be a normal teller as he greeted the family who had come in to get
some money out for the girl's next year at Hogwarts. "Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Granger according to
our records you have been accompanying your daughter the last couple of years to the bank
to get money for her school supplies is that correct?" Bonecrusher asked as if he had just laid
his eyes on some paperwork.

"That is correct," sir," Mr. Granger said.

"Than I must inform you that it is the procedure of this bank to put you all through a health
check to make sure that as Muggles you did not fall prey to a Magical illness," Bonecrusher
said getting down from the teller's bench and motioning the three Muggles to follow him.

"I have never heard of this from any other Muggleborn," the thief protested.

"That is because most don't mention anything since it is rather rare to get infected, but we
still perform the test just to be on the safe side," Bonecrusher lied. Getting into the Gringotts
Halls of Healing Bonecrusher moved over to the Chief Healer, Silverwing, and told her what
to do in a quick conversation in Gobbledegook. She gave him a curt nod of understanding as
she began to cast a spell not to check for any illness but for enchantments that the Muggles
might have on them. Once the spells had been cast and the information had been compiled
Silverwing and Bonecrusher showed no hesitation in sharing it. Gringotts was an open
institution that did not keep secrets from the people who came to use their services. The pair
of Goblins, as well as the watching former Potter Lords/Ladies, smiled as Mr. and Mrs.
Granger saw what had been done to them not only by the Headmaster of Hogwarts but their
own daughter. The pair had been enchanted to forget that their daughter had been given a
Gringotts vault set up by Albus Dumbledore, had made to not ask questions on where any
extra Magical money had come from. They both had been put under magical hypnosis so that
if their daughter said certain words or phrases it would cause them to do certain things such
as leaving her alone or buying stuff for her. Silverwings test revealed the pair turned out to be
Squibs with some magical skill, but they had leeches on them giving what little they had to
boost their daughter's skill. But worst of all was that they had been forced to forget that
Hermione was not an only child. A child they had been forced to send away to live with
Harold Granger's sister. "Oh, dear that was the wrong test, but don't be worried we can get all
these out of your system," Bonecrusher informed the Grangers.

Harold Granger and his wife were not even paying attention to the Goblins as they glared
between the list of what had been done to them by their daughter. "You wanted to be left
alone, Hermione?" Harold asked his eldest child. "You shall have your wish, when we are
done here we will be going back home and so you can get your belonging and after that, you
are on your own. I don't want you anywhere near us ever again."

"But Daddy," Hermione began but saw a hard look in his eyes so turned to her mother.
"Mummy talk some sense into Daddy."

"I think he is speaking sense here Hermione. You told us that Magic was not something to be
feared, after our last trip here, but from the dates on this document, you have had us both
under spells since you were ten years old. Maybe magic is not to be feared but you are. I hope
that the money you have in whatever vault you have will last for you will see not another
farthing from us. I can barely look at you now, how do you think either of us will feel once
we have these spells off of us?" Madaline Granger asked. The pair soon were Cleanseds by
the Goblins and drove off with the thief making Bonecrusher both a little upset for messing
up their family, but also experiencing fierce pride at dealing with one of the thieves.

What he did not expect was for the girl to show up again a day later dragging a trunk and
looking incredibly tired and dirty. Once the girl got to a teller she demanded to get some
money out of her vault. Wishing he could deny her access to the vault or say there was no
money in it, but Bonecrusher could not as he took her to the vault and let her take some of the
money out. Bonecrusher who had not seen her vault before saw she must have been getting
more money than she had stolen from Harry since the vault contained more than the thousand
Galleons thus far removed from Harry's vaults. The thief gathered over seven hundred
Galleons in a bag before having him take her back to the surface. During the ride back she
complained loudly that she had to pay for an expensive room at the dirty inn and still have
enough to get her books. It seems the girl like to either hear herself talk or did not recognize
him from the day before as she tried to gain some sympathy. She told Bonecrusher she got
some last bit of revenge on her parents for kicking her out as she took all the money from her
mother's purse and father's wallet and she was going to use it to buy the pet they had never
allowed her to get even under enchantment.

Lady Holly Potter put it to a vote to see if what had been done to the Muggle girl should be
counted towards Harry's task since he did not really do anything. Some were in favor of it
counting since the only reason that Harry had not been permitted to claim the Potter Family
Ring was that after James and Lily's death he had been sent to live in the Muggle Wolrd and
had no idea of his birthright or what had been done to him. Some of the oldest Lords and
Lady Potters wished for it not to count and to keep with old traditions of Harry having to do
it all himself and even be penalized for having the Goblins helping him out. "Harry did not
ask for their help they did it on their own, as a way to repair the honor they lost for what had
been done to our family. Something I would think you would approve of," James said and
saw the naysayers back down earning Harry some progress in his task from the family. When
school started Harry did start to get back at Hermione without even realizing it as his actions
led to the return of the Gryffindor Study groups causing the girl to start losing it.

When Harry was able to claim the Peverell and Gyrffindor Family Rings, James hoped that
his son had learned that since both families were connected to the Potters he would be able to
call James to talk to him. But it seems Harry either had not known that fact or was too busy
with other stuff, for James and the other former Heads of the Potter family saw the start of a
relationship with the Nott Heir. Something that made James's father rather happy for he had
been best friends with Theo's grandfather, Legvistus when the pair had been at Hogwarts
together.
While the others watched Harry see if he was making any more plans on getting back at those
who had stolen from him and betrayed him, James watched as Remus found out he had been
enchanted and gone to get himself Cleansed before trying to reach out to James's brother in
all but blood Sirius. Even James was surprised when he saw Hermione's pet turned out to be
the Animagus form of Sirius's little brother who thanks to trying to get Remus's attention was
able to find out a way to prove Sirius was innocent. Regulus removing Sirius's family from
Hogwarts right in front of Albus was a prank worthy of a party, the only bad thing it was not
brought out thanks to Harry for it would have done his task progress some good.

Once more while the rest of his family continued to monitor Harry, the bit of James that
remained in the Potter Family right watched his two best friends as they went to St. Mungos
with their enchanted son to be healed by Lily's best female friend Narcissa Black. The
process of healing was hard on both Sirius and Romusuls due to Sirius's long-term exposure
to Dementors while Romusuls was just as bad due to the number of spells that had been
placed on him. It took the pair nearly a full week to get healed all the while being watched
over by Narcissa, Regulus, and Remus. James gave a whoop of joy as Sirius finally opened
his eyes and was able to remain awake and lucid for the first time since he was brought in. It
took a full day of being confined to bed before Narcissa let him free, but she had a reason for
it as she shared what had happened to Harry to the family. Sirius hearing what had happened
to his Godson was furious as a wave of wild magic caused the three unoccupied beds in the
Ward he and Romusuls were in to get crushed into cubes the size of Muggle dice.

As Romulus was still locked in a Magical Coma, Sirius made plans to protect his Pup and
baby. Talking Narcissa into letting him out by having her accompany him to get some fresh
air, Sirius led his cousin to one of the Hospitals fireplaces and Flood to Gringotts. Dragging a
slightly confused Narcissa along with him Sirius asked to speak to Harry's account manager.
Feeling something was up James called for others to join him in watching what Sirius
planned on doing. Three-Quarters of the former Heads of the Potter Line tuned in to what
James was watching as Sirius and Narcissa meet with Bonecrusher.

"Lady Malfoy it is a pleasure to see you again," Bonecrusher said greeting the human Healer.

"To you as well Master Bonecrusher," Narcissa responded.

Rather than offer up any form of greeting Sirius got right to the chase. "Narcissa informed me
what has been done to our Godson. She also told me that he did not want the Goblins to act in
getting any of his money back."

"That is correct Heir Black," Bonecrusher said calling Sirius an Heir due to Regulus still for
the moment having temporary control of the Black family line at least until Sirius was fully
healed.

"As his Godfather since he is underage I would like to overrule his orders and have you get
all the money taken from him back," Sirius said.
"Can he do that?" Zach Potter asked.

"The real question is do we allow this to count towards Harry's task?" Clyde Potter asked in
response.

"Why not you had me inform Harry that he could not ask the Goblins to get his money back,
well he is not and since Sirius has not seen him since before my death he did not ask Sirius to
do so either," James called out.

"A loophole," Flemont Potter said with a small chuckle. All the Lord and Lady Potters turned
to look at Solarius Potter, the originator of the line to see his views on the subject.

"I will allow it," Solarius said making James give a small cheer.

Bonecrusher was hesitant knowing that the most likely reason his client refused to allow the
Goblins not help him get his money back from the people who stole from him was not due to
lack of trust in them but most likely a task that had been given to him so he could claim one
of his Family Rings. He was about to protest Heir Black's request when something seemed to
catch his eye. Seeing a Family Ring resting on a shelf behind the two Godparents of his client
and recognizing it as the Potter Family Ring Bonecrusher saw he was getting a message to
allow it. Giving a slight cough to collect his thoughts he turned to Lady Malfoy. "Do you
agree with this request Lady Malfoy?" he asked her.

"Yes please return all the money, with interest taken from Harry," she said with a predatory
smile on her face.

"How much interest are we talking here?" Bonecrusher asked.

"How much you got?" Sirius asked, making Bonecrusher chuckle as they started to settle on
the interest they would charge those who stole from Harry.

James breathed a sigh of relief seeing Harry would be getting his money back earning his
place as the rightful owner of the Potter Family Ring. Thankfully for Harry's friends the
Weasley Twins, the members of the Weasley family which had stolen from Harry had placed
the stolen funds in separate accounts that had no connection to the Weasley main accounts so
it would only affect the thieves and not the entire family.

Harry and his friends were working on homework in the library again, and this time Harry
and Theo were holding hands under the table as well have become more open since the
Hogesmead weekend a couple of days ago. As Harry went to turn a page in his Ruins
workbook he let out a gasp of surprise as he saw the black Potter ring sitting right on the
page. The others turned to look to see what was the matter as Harry let go of Theo's hand and
 took hold of the ring before slipping it onto his finger. He felt the ring instantly accept him as
it merged with his other Lordship/Heir rings.

Chapter End Notes

A while back I saw a theory that Hermione left home and had been living on the streets
long before she placed Memory Charms on her parents in the Deathly Hallows. As it
sort of makes sense with how she joined the Weasleys for the World Cup, and lived at
the Head Quarters of the Order of the Pheonix for a while, yet had supposedly a good
and happy family. Sounded like an interesting idea so once again this story became the
nesting grounds for another HP theory.

Also just because Harry has the Potter Family Ring back does not mean this story is
coming to a close, for he and his friends/allies are still going to take Albus down.
 Moving on and Samhain Party
Chapter Summary

Harry may have all his Family Rings now but that is not going to change his plans on
getting even with his betrayers. Also Harry and the older Weasleys attending Hogwarts
get invited to the Slytherin Samhain Party/Ball

Chapter Notes

I know it is a little late but the idea just came to me and thought it would be a good way
to get Romulus into the group and get everyone in some outfits.

As soon as the Potter Ring merged with the other Harry found himself back in what he
thought of as Ring Space, but unlike his previous "visits" there he was meeting more than one
person. He found himself sitting at a small circular table with each of the family members he
had met during his first attempt to wear their Ring joining him. "Congratulations Harry,"
James Potter said beaming at him as he reached over and grabbed Harry by his shoulder.

"Yes well done my lad," Godric added nodding.

"Good job of it my boy," Ignotus Peverell said.

"I for one never had any doubts," Salazar said.

"I guess thank you, though to be honest, you all suck," Harry said looking at his dad, Godric,
and Ignotus. "Okay, I get you wanted to make sure I was fit to lead the families but you gave
me work to do it without any offer of aid. I have heard some of the older Slytherins I have
become allies with suggesting I transfer all your holdings, and vault contents over to the
Slytherin family and let your lines die out." For their credit, the three flinched a little but
could not really deny his annoyance at the task they had assigned him.

Surprisingly it was Salazar who spoke up, "That would be a mistake Harry, and not just for
the loss of power for your line in losing such influential seats in the current governing body
of Brittian. I will point out that they had no choice even if your father had lived until this last
summer right before you took up your Family Rings. If you were enchanted you would still
have to undergo the Ring's trials, though most likely not have been told to leave the Goblins
out of it to get your money back."
"Speaking of which how did I earn the Potter Ring already?" Harry asked looking away from
Salazar to his dad.

"It was your Godparents Sirius and Narcissa as soon as Regulus got Sirius Cleansed he
dragged Narcissa to see Bonecrusher and had them get all your money back with interest. As
you had not asked him to do so the originator of the Potter Line agreed it was enough of a
loophole to let you have access to the Family Ring. Salazar is right none of us wanted to test
you but it is an issue in all Family Rings the world over when a chosen Heir or Head is found
wanting," James said.

"May I ask, my lad what are your plans now?" Godric asked making Salazar let out a small
chuckle having never heard his old friend sounding so demure.

"I guess one of the first things is to unblock my parents' Wills," Harry said making James
smile at him. "After that, I think I am going to continue with part of the task you all gave me
as I make allies and get revenge on those that betrayed me."

"Bravo," Salazar said clapping Harry on the back.

"Good show," Godric said.

"Your mother and my Will will give you some more ammunition against Albus," James
stated. Ignotus just nodded his head.

Having said his piece Harry thought the meeting was over, more so as Salazar, Godric, and
Ingotus left the table. Yet James stays making the space shift from showing the small table to
Harry and James sitting in some recliners before a fire. "I am rather proud of you son you
handled yourself very well," James said still smiling.

"Thanks, Dad," Harry said a little confused. "Why are we still in Ring Space?"

"Well first of all, so I could tell you that even though I have only been able to talk to you
know thanks to the Family Rings I have always watched out for you. I tried to help out as you
grew up with Lily's horrid sister and her family, though I had not been able to do much. At
most I was able to reduce the power behind some of the blows they threw at you and one
time I was able to affect Tuna Fish's mind when you used Wild Magic to shrink that horrible
sweater she tried to force you to wear. I did lend you some of my Magic as you grew up
bolstering your own and activating your Magic sooner than a Magical child normally does,"
James explained.

"Thanks," Harry said.

"On a happier note, one of our family wants to meet with you," James said as a third chair
appears and an old man who had Harry's nobby knees appeared sitting in it. "Harry this is my
father your grandfather, Flemont Potter."

"Hello," Harry said with a slight bow to the man wondering what he had to say.
"Greeting and Salutations, Harry," Flemont said.

"Um, what can I do for you?" Harry asked.

"No, no, no I have not come to you for another task," Flemont said shaking his head with a
smile on his face. "As our family has watched your progress to regain our Family Ring I have
noticed your growing relationship with that young Slytherin boy."

"What of it?" Harry asked. "If you don't approve you can stuff it just leave. I have enough of
my ancestors dictating my life with the Trials I will not have you go after my friends.:

"You misunderstand me, Harry," Flemont said while James laughed seeing the same fire in
Harry that Lily possessed. "The Magical World is not like the Muggle World you had been
forced to live in. As your friend Percy told you all forms of love are approved of in our
World. I know for a fact that Ignotus himself was married to a male and they had several
children one of which was Godric's father. No the reason I bring up the Slytherin boy was
that I was friends with his Grandfather while I attended Hogwarts, sort of like you and Hiers
Fred and George Weasley. Due to our friendship, our lines had become allies only for it to
end when James and your mother died, I am just glad to see it grow again."

"Oh," Harry said, "sorry for jumping to conclusions."

"Think nothing of it, Harry, it is perfectly understandable due to those Muggles and even
your Ring Task," Flemont said evidently that was all they wanted to talk to him about for
Harry found himself out of the Ring Space and back in the library with his friends. It seemed
his time in Ring Space had not been noticed for no one at the table was looking at him in
worry as he lowered his ring hand to Theo's hand and took hold of it again.

"Congratulations for getting the Potter Ring, Harry," Theo said leaning in and making Harry
blush a little.

"Thanks, Theo," Harry said.

"Did you meet with everyone?" Fred asked looking up from some of his homework.

"Yes I did, I even showed them my distaste of having to get tested, but Salazar stated it would
be a bad idea to let the other lines just end. He did not say anything about transferring their
vault contents and property though," Harry shared.

"Did they at least apologize?" Draco asked leaning towards Fred with only the place they
were at and the groups' homework preventing him from curling into the older redhead's body.

"Not in so many words," Harry said with a small shrug.

"Well, you need to celebrate gaining all your Rings," Draco said a smile coming to his face
and sending a look to Theo.
"Ah yes," Theo said a small bit of red coming to his pale cheeks. "How would you like to
come to the Slytherin Samhain costume party?"

"Samhain is the Magical Worlds equivalent to Halloween right?" Harry asked.

"Basically though it is also a time to remember loved ones that have passed on," Percy shared
from the other end of the table where he and his girlfriend were working. The pair had joined
them after one "study session" in the library when Ron and Hermione had come across the
group and had made a fuss over Harry, Fred, and George hanging out with "a nest of slimy
snakes."

"I have never been to a costume party before," Harry said.

"Well it is not a practice done in the Magical World, and I doubt your relatives would want
you to do it either," Theo said.

"Your Sherlock is showing," Harry teased.

"As is your Watson for pointing it out," Theo shot back with a smile on his face which was
becoming a more frequent event the more time he and Harry spent together.

"So why is the party involve costumes then?" Harry asked.

"Ten years ago," Blaise said wanting to share the information without Theo and Harry
basically flirting with each other and making it go longer. "A Muggleborn was sorted into
Slytherin House and during their First Year, they came to the party. Not understanding the
real difference between Halloween and Samhain they had come in costume. It caused quite a
stir but the girl had not minded and proceeded to have some fun at the event. I am sure you
know by now that many Magicals love a good party so seeing her have fun they decided to
make it a costume party/ball from then on."

"Yeah it is fun to see what everyone comes up with each year," Draco said as he shifts his
gaze from Harry to Theo, "that is if they dress up."

"When is it?" Harry asked.

"Well as Samhain is the same day as Halloween this year and that falls on a Friday the House
has decided to throw the party on the following Saturday," Theo said rolling his eyes a little
at Draco's dig at his lack of costume at the previous two balls.

"I think that is enough time to come up with a costume," Harry said smiling.

"It sounds fun," Geroge said a little wistfully.

"Oh. don't be like that we were going to invite you as well," Blaise said wrapping an arm
around George's waist and pulling him in close making the older redhead beam at him.

"That goes for you two as well," Blaise said looking at Percy and Penelope as well. Both
Headstudents gave him a thankful nod having assumed he had just meant the twins since they
had started to go out with the two Slytherin students. Percy had teased the twins about it
having come across both boys randomly during some of his patrols holding hands and even at
one point kissing the two younger students, making him think of how Ginny had come across
him and Penelope the year before.

"It will sure beat last year's Death Day Party," Harry said with a laugh.

"Yeah, for one there will be some food you could eat, not to mention possible dancing,"
Draco teased wiggling his eyebrows at Harry making him blush a little.

"I might need help on the dancing thing," Harry said making the other chuckle at him in a
good-natured way.

On the week of Halloween/Samhain Sirius and the newly healed, Romulus came back to the
castle. A couple of people were not thrilled with their return. Albus of course hated it not
wanting Sirius anywhere near Harry whatsoever lest he removed the boy from Petunia's
home. Dean and Seamus also did not like it for armed with the results of what had been done
to Romulus showed that like Harry he had some enchantments placed on him geared to Ron
it required a shifting in the Third Year male rooms. To make sure Romulus was no longer
near Ron as well as prevent him from having a single room Dean and Seamus now had to
share a room with the redhead nuisance while Romulus and Harry became roommates.
Having found out that similar things that had been done to him had been performed on
Romulus, Harry began to repair their strained friendship having thought he had been in on
Ron and Hermione's plans for him. Harry also commented that Romulus was no longer going
to get teased as much for his looks anymore. For gone was Neville's cherub-like face small
stature and bits of baby fat, and in their place was Romulus who had a lean form that was
now almost as tall as Theo and Blaise. Neville's mop of brown hair and muddy brown eyes
were gone as well as Romulus had deep black hair that hung to his shoulders and had eyes of
the same green color that Harry had possessed before his Cleansing. Romulus's personality
had not changed at all and he was still introverted. After the second night, Romulus had been
back Harry had gone to ask Theo and the others if it would be alright if he invited Romulus
to the Samhain Ball as well so he could see the Slytherins were not as bad as Ron liked to say
they were. Draco was quick to agree wanting to apologize for how he had treated the other
boy during the last two years which he had to do to keep up the charade that his family had
supported Him since Draco's ex-Aunt had been the one to send the Longbottoms to St.
Mungos, and not just due to them being related to each other as second cousins.

Romulus had reluctantly agreed to accompany Harry, Fred, George, and Percy to the party.
He had not wanted to dress in a costume but as Harry had heard Theo did not usually dress
up told him that it should not be a problem. Harry of course had dressed up for the party
working into the somewhat teasing nicknames they were using with each other Harry had
used his magic to change some of Dudley's old clothes, which had somehow not been found
when he had been staying at Malfoy Manor during the summer, into an outfit that looked like
something Dr. Watson wore in an old Sherlock Holmes movie he had seen. Fred had chosen a
costume that made Harry think of the phantom from Phantom of the Opera with a mask
covering half his face and a red and black cloak thrown over his shoulders. George on the
other hand wore clothing consisting of tight leathers and multiple belts containing multiple
pouches of various stuff. George had also used some hair changing position to dye his red
hair black for the event and slicked it back. When Harry asked about it George said he had
dressed up as what he envisioned Arragon from the Lord of the Rings looked like. Percy's
costume had made Harry's heart skip a beat for the older male looked like he was going to the
ball as Prince Charming from Disney's Cinderella and when they meet with Penelope she had
a white dress that complete the look from the movie.

Since Fred, George, Percy, Penelope, and now Romulus were coming the Slytherins had
decided to move their party from their Common Room so as not to set off an alarm in the
case at one moment one of the group had to leave before coming back. The party Harry saw
ended up being in the same roomy dungeon from the Death Day Party from last year. They
were greeted at the door by a student Harry could not recognize due to their costume of a
hunchback with a grotesque face mask on. As soon as they entered the rest of the SG
workgroup came to greet them. Blaise had also dressed up as a somewhat warrior but while
Geoge wore tight leathers Blaise wore what looked like actual armor including a shield with
a "sword" strapped to his side. Based on the crest that was on the shield Blaise had come
dressed as King Arthur. Draco wore an outfit of green tights with a bow on his back making
Harry think he had chosen to dress as Robin Hood. "Hello, Doctor Watson I presume," Theo
said as to Harry's shock he had actually dressed up. Harry knew instantly who he was for
while Theo loved Sherlock Holmes he was wearing a pure white uniform with a block of
medals on the right breast, Theo had used magic to change his skin tone to a deep blue as his
hair had been slicked back was now bluish-black.

"Hello Grand Admiral Thrawn," Harry said with a playful bow.

"Your eyes are a little creepy," Romulus said finding it hard to look away from Theo's eyes
who as Thrawn appeared to be utterly deep blood red.

"Goes with the outfit," Theo said with a small shrug.

"They really put you in character," Harry said, "I am surprised you did not come as Sherlock
though."

"I thought about it, but since I introduced you to Star Wars I thought it would be more
appropriate," Theo explained.

"Not that I am complaining, Thrawn as some more acceptable behavior than the drug habits
of Sherlock," Harry said making all but Romulus, who looked rather shocked at the pair, roll
their eyes.

"I quite agree studying art is better than having to carry around a needle for costumes
authenticity's sake," Theo said.

"So are you carrying some "artifact" to study then?" Harry asked looking to see if he could
spot a bulge in one of Theo's pockets indicating some random item he could study.
"Don't need one," Theo said.

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"I have the best looking piece of art right here," Theo said as he reached forward and took
Harry's hand. Harry blushed so much at the compliment his face matched red hair.
 Having a Ball
Chapter Summary

Harry and his friends having fun at Slytherin's Samhain Costume Party

Chapter Notes

Some more dating fluff moments involving Theo and Harry.

Neville, no Romulus he reminded himself, watched in shock seeing Harry letting the taller
Slytherin pull him onto the dance floor. Sure Harry had told him that he was beginning to see
Theo as more than a friend it was something else to see them together. Let alone to see the
Weasley twins joining other Slytherins onto the dance floor.

Harry let Theo pull him onto the dance floor, and since he had never danced before let Theo
show him where to place his hands. Theo had Harry place his right hand on Theo's right
shoulder while using his left hand to hold the taller boy's right hand. Rather than having the
same hand placement as him, Theo placed his other hand in the middle of Harry's back
causing Harry to blush slightly. "Don't focus on the music just follow my lead," Theo directed
as he showed Harry the non-verbal signs he would use during their dance and what they
meant. Harry knew that many people would be put off by Theo explaining every little detail
but Harry found it rather endearing. He did not pay much attention to the others on the dance
floor except for noticing that everyone seemed to be dancing in whatever way they wanted
that did not always match up with the music. Theo was leading Harry in a very simple two-
step with an occasional spin now again leading the whole time, not that Harry minded.
During one spine Harry laid eyes on Fred leading Draco in a wild tango even going so far as
having his wand in his mouth in place of a rose. George, on the other hand, was being led by
Blaise as the par danced the Cha-Cha. Percy and Penelope were dancing an elegant waltz in
the small area they had gotten themselves. Romulus was still standing there awkwardly but
was on the receiving end of various appreciative glances from several Slytherin students in
attendance.

"Do you want to try taking the lead, Harry?" Theo asked.
"I guess I can give it a try," Harry said as under Theo's direction shifted his grip to match the
hold Theo had been using. While Harry had found he usually master most spells and had
easily mastered flying he found he just could not master all that was needed to lead someone
during a dance. Unlike when Theo had been directing them Harry ended up stepping on
Theo's feet rather frequently, and while Theo did not say anything Harry saw him wince each
time it happened. "Sorry I guess I need more practice," Harry said in apology.

"Don't worry about it you did well for a first attempt," Theo said.

"Tell that to your feet," Harry teased.

"Nothing a simple spell or potion can't solve," Theo said being utterly serious.

"Still it will be better if you return to leading," Harry said.

"Can do, after a short break," Theo said as the pair left the dance floor so they could get some
drinks.

"Nice costume Greg," Harry said seeing Goyle dressed as a Muggle American Football
player.

"Thanks... um, Doctor Watson correct?" Gregory Goyle asked.

"Elementary my dear Goyle," Theo said.

"You can't stop showing your Sherlock even while you are Thrawn can you," Harry teased as
he playfully elbowed Theo's side.

"Well not may recognize my Thrawn compared to my Sherlock," Theo said, "Harry is right
Gregory that looks like authentic Miami Dolphins uniform. Chosen for your love of the
animal mascot?"

"Indeed," Goyle said with a slight blush looking to Harry.

"You like dolphins, Greg?" Harry asked.

"You got a problem with that?" Goyle shot back.

"No just curious," Harry said.

"Yes I like them, an aquatic mammal who some think have the same level of intelligence as a
human. Plus they are really cute," Goyle said with a large smile on his face.

Getting their drinks and some snacks Theo lead Harry to a small table to eat before they
returned to the dance floor. "I recognized that look you are surprised by Gregory's last
comment."
"Elementary," Harry said.

"While he may not look it Goyle loves things that are soft and cute. If you can ask him to see
his and Vincent's room sometime you will see Gregory's side of it not dedicated to his school
stuff is filled with stuffed animals and fully pillows," Theo explained knowing by now that
Harry would not share that information with anyone that would use it against the Gregory.

"And Vincent's side?" Harry asked.

"Well Vincent has two major fixtures in his side not school-related a set of wights and a
sewing machine," Theo answered.

"I never would have guessed, how good is he I would love to pick his brain having to use a
Muggle machine to fix clothing when I lived at the Dursleys," Harry said.

"He would most likely answer any question you ask him if he knows you are not making fun
of him," Theo said, "but do it later I want to spend some time with you and I have a feeling if
I let you two chat you would be at it for hours."

"You could always read a book, Draco told me that is what you normally do at this thing.
Well for the short time you attend it," Harry said.

"While true but I never had anyone to spend it with before," Theo said as he got up and
pulled Harry back to the dance floor.

Ron POV.

Ron could not figure out where Harry, Neville, and his older brothers had disappeared to
earlier. As it was Saturday he thought maybe they had slept in and for some reason avoiding
him since he could not get into their rooms, but a student in the main common room told him
that Harry and the others had left around eight in the morning with bags filled with
something. Hermione was being no help still steaming that she had been barred from
Hogsmead and her still missing monster-cat, she had not even calmed down when he pointed
out that he had not been allowed to go either. She acted like it was a given that she should
have been allowed to go and he would not have been allowed in the first place. Then there
was Neville and all the new attention the other boy was getting just cause he got a new look
and people were calling him an edgier new name. Could they not see that he still behaved
like the looser he had always been. But the worst of it all was a few days after Neville had
come back along with his mother Professor Lupin and father the criminal Black, Ron tried to
place an order for some sweets from Honeydukes since he had been unable to visit the
village. The owl had returned not with a bag of sweets but a notice saying he did not have the
funds available to place his order.
Ron had pulled out his special bank book that was tied to the Gringotts vault that Professor
Dumbeldore used him to be Harry and Neville's friend. To his combined shock and fury he
found that the vault was completely empty with not even a single knut left within. With
Hermione being distracted Ron had taken a look at her book as well and saw all her funds
had been drained as well. He had not told Hermione this yet she was hard enough to deal
with at the moment without her freaking out about their money being gone as well. He tried
to go up and talk to Professor Dumbledore but the man had changed the password to his
office and had forgotten to pass on the password to it. Ron had contemplated sending a letter
about his funds going missing to his mom, but he was worried she would raise a fuss and
send a Howler to Professor Dumbledore or the Goblins making everything worse. No, he was
going to have to find a way to deal with this himself, and for the moment that meant finding
out where Harry and the others went. He wished he had been close enough to find out who
had come to Harry's aid during the Quidditch Match against Hufflepuff having heard the
person was a friend who made it possible for Harry to catch the Snitch.

Ron figured the person had to be in Ravenclaw for asking around the person was not in
Gryffindor and there was no way in hell that Harry could have friends in Slytherin. Sure the
idiot was sitting with those slimy snakes during the classes they shared with the future Death
Eaters, and Hermione and he did come across Harry and the twins working together with
Malfoy and his gang in the library, but that was just a tutoring session. Ron could believe that
knowing those snakes would need all the help they could get to pass their classes compared
to the likes of Hermione and him. Though he was a little surprised when they declined
Hermione sitting in to help them. though a little understandable with how much crazier the
girl was acting this term. At least they were getting some competent help with Percy, for
while Ron's third eldest brother was a stick in the mud and a total arsehole he was good when
it came to studying. More so now with the forced study groups, they had to take part in.
Heading towards where he had been informed the Ravenclaw Common Room was located
Ron set up an observation point hoping to catch Harry or the others entering or leaving the
area. Knowing that as long as someone entered the riddle to get in they could enter the room,
after waiting for over an hour Ron thought about going into the room himself and dragging
Harry and Neville out if need be.

Making sure no one was around Ron went to the Eagle doorknocker and used it to make the
wall provide him with a riddle to get into the room. He knew the Ravenclaws were smart but
there was no way that they could be smarter than Hermione, and with all the studying he had
been forced to do lately he was sure he could handle any riddle the door could give him that
he would be unable to answer.

You can have me but cannot hold me;

Gain me and quickly lose me.
If treated with care I can be great,
And if betrayed I will break.
"That is easy," Ron said confidently "fortune" The blank wall that was the door to the
Ravenclaw rooms suddenly had a glowing red "X" on it as well as a small line appears by the
doorknocker. "Alright, the answer is fame." Another red "X" appeared and a second line
appeared. "Okay the answer was not fame for fortune then it has to be life."

This time after the red "X" appeared a voice said, "The answer was Trust first riddle attempt
failure. Preparing second chance."

The less of me you have, the more I am worth

Treat me with care, as I will you-
And both of us will share our time on earth
What am I?

Ron decided to think about it for a moment before trying to answer this time. "The only thing
I can think of is food," Ron said speaking to himself. Despite him only trying to work out the
answer and not give one he got the "X" again. "I got it a home, for with a large family you
would have room but you have to take care of it," Ron said giving the dumb door a reason for
his answer yet his answer was still not accepted. "So neither food nor a home what can
someone have a small amount of but still be worth a lot?" Ron said tapping his chin in
thought, "um body or one's health?" Ron attempted.

"The answer was Friend/Friendship as you are not a member of the House you are blocked
from trying again for another day," the magic door said as it refused to give Ron any more
riddles. Not that that stopped Ron as he began to pound on the magic doorway hoping
someone would open up and let him in to get Harry.

"What are you doing Ronald?" a dreamy voice said from behind him.

"Oh hey Looney," Ron said recognizing the strange girl who lived near the burrow. "I was
trying to get into Ravenclaw Tower to collect Harry and Neville so we can work on some of
our homework.

"I shall check to see if he is here," Luna said giving him a small glare for the use of the
nickname as she got her riddle.

It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,

Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt.
It lies behind stars and under hills,
And empty holes it fills.
It comes first and follows after,
Ends life, kills laughter.
"The answer is Darkness," Luna said leading the door to swing open to give the girl entrance.
As the blonde girl headed into the room Ron tried to follow her only to be stopped from
entering by a Ward, and when he tried to force his way through Ron found himself tossed
backward and a piece of parchment appear in his hand to inform him that he had earned
detention for trying to illegally enter another House without proper approval. Peeking her
head back around the door and seeing Ron slumped against the opposite wall Luna smiled as
she told him, "Harry and Neville have never been in this House, sorry."

Normal POV

Harry was surprised he had not gotten tired of dancing with Theo after almost two hours as
he let the taller boy lead him on their small bit of dance floor. Theo did not even seem to
mind that Harry had laid his head on the shoulder his hand was not placed on. Though of
course none of the non-Slytherin students had missed a chance to dance. Even Romulus had
started dancing. The only difference between him and the other students from Gryffindor was
that Romulus had not had the same partner more than once. Romulus was also starting to
relax a little as he danced with the likes of Pansy, Daphne, Millicent, Astoria, and a couple of
male students as well showing no less interest in any student over another no matter their
year, or gender. Harry had noticed that the first time Romulus had danced with a male he had
a nervous look on his face making Harry guess that the Longbottoms, at least the ones he had
been forced to live with had the same thoughts of same-sex couples as the Dursleys had. It
was Harry wanting to show that such ideals were not as prevalent in the Magical World that
had first led to Harry laying his head on Theo's shoulder. He knew a kiss would make the
message clear but he was not yet at that stage with even Theo even if it was to the other boy's
cheek. Plus Theo's shoulder was surprisingly comfortable and with the other boy leading their
dance, Harry felt so safe and secure he could almost see himself falling asleep and trusting
the other boy to take care of him.

But Harry refused to fall asleep lest Theo or anyone else get the wrong impression of the act
so to combat to urge to fall asleep Harry began to softly hum to himself, or at least that was
the idea, but due to where his head was located he was humming right into Theo's left ear.
Rather than get annoyed or upset Theo began to softly sing along to the song Harry was
humming. "I can show you the world. Shining, shimmering, splendid Tell me, Prince, now
when did. You last let your heart decide?"

Without even thinking Harry stopped humming and actually answered the question in the
song though it had not been meant for him, "Never."

Theo decided to adlib a little as he continued to softly sing so only Harry could hear him, "So
let me show you the way. Every day until you see it. A Prince like you. Deserves a view of
the world in perfection." Lifting his head a little Harry looked into Theo's warm brown eyes,
Harry had not even been aware of his friend taking off the enchantments on them that had
given them their red look for his Thrawn costume.

"I think it looks good from where I am standing," Harry teased back seeing a slight blush
come through Theo's blue turned skin. With a warm smile and using the fact that Harry was
not leaning his head on the shoulder at the moment spun Harry before pulling him back in.
Harry beamed at the other boy returning his head to Theo's shoulder. "I must have found a
lamp without knowing it to find someone like you," Harry whispered into Theo's ear,
continuing with the Disney Aladdin references.

"Do we need to give you both some new nicknames?" Fred teased, "maybe something along
the lines of Prince and Knight?"
 The Prince and his Knight
Chapter Summary

Theo defends Harry from a former friends

Chapter Notes

This chapter was inspired by a comment from daithi4377 from the last chapter

Hermione's POV

Hermione felt like she was losing it with her parents kicking her out of her home over the
summer. If it had not been for her vault filled with the money she had earned for keeping tabs
on Harry for the Headmaster and making sure he did not do too well in class or find out
certain things about the Magical World she would have not been able to get all the course
books for her classes. But now Professor McGonagall, who Hermione had always respected,
had ordered her to drop some of her classes and return the Time-Turner she had been given.
Granted it did help her improve in the classes she stayed with but not by as much as she
wanted due to the new study groups that were mandatory in the tower. After she had been
forced to drop her classes and give up the Time-Turner Hermione had actually led some of
the groups but had been quickly removed from the position due to Percy not liking how she
disciplined the idiots who she was helping out. The younger brats even had the gall to say she
had been giving them most wrong answers and making them fail their History of Magic
Homework. After all, if they did not do their own research was their own damn fault this was
for school, not some hippie-dippie love in which everyone was equal one had to fight to
claim the top spot in their year so in the future could become a Headgirl or boy.

Having no faith in the study groups Hermione, while having to attend them, did not
participate as she continued to do her work. She wished she still had the Time-Turner for the
idiots who took part in the groups were starting to inch closer to her in ranking, and in some
cases somehow got higher marks than she did. Like Harry for instance something that should
have been impossible with the potions the Headmaster had her slip into the idiot's meals.
Even Ron was catching up to her in Charms and that was just unacceptable. She thought
about using the Intelligence Dampening Potions on him as well but he was already so much
an idiot she did not want to make him go brain dead or something.
She also suspected that someone had done something to the cat she had bought with the last
of the money she had taken from her parents before they threw her out. Truth be told she did
not really care for the thing but she had seen that Harry liked it and since he was for some
reason avoiding her it would have given her away back to him if the blasted thing had not
gone missing. She suspected Lily Moon but the girl was not talking and had even caused
Hermione to receive detention when she tried to force the issue.

Her being barred from going to Hogsmead had been a blow. Hermione had not cared about
the likes of Zonkos, Honeydukes, or even the Three Broomsticks for she had heard some
students talking about a book store in town that had Muggle and Magical Books that she was
dying to get her hands on. She knew the contents of her vault would be enough to get her
most books she wanted from the place and since she had not received a notice from the
Headmaster that he had stopped paying her would allow her to not worry about the school
supplies until she graduated Hogwarts, or forced her parents to take her back.

But then came the letters from the Ministry and Gringotts. She had been furious to read that
due to her telling Ron that Pettigrew had been his rat Scabbers she was being charged with
leaking privileged information in an ongoing case. The fines she had been hit with had been
over three thousand Galleons over twice the amount of money she had in her vault before she
had been forced to buy her own school supplies that year. As she ripped open the letter from
the bank Hermione planned to get in touch with Professor Dumbledore to see if he would
give her a loan to pay for the fine. Her plan vanished in a wave of anger as she saw the notice
from the bank informing her that the Ministry had already tried to collect the fine from her
vault which had been emptied a few days ago. There was no way the vault should have been
emptied unless Potter had stolen her money somehow. This was the straw that broke the
camel's back for her she was going to make the idiot pay, not only for treating her like she
was trash this whole year but also for taking the money she had rightfully earned. Ron had
sometimes joked that her anger would scare You-Know-Who and right now she was going to
use it to put Potter back in his proper place, under her thumb while looking to be the one
leading the Golden Trio. His school work might be getting better but when it came to casting
spells she knew she had him beat already using spells that most would not be taught until
Seventh Year at Hogwarts. Going to bed that night her mind decided she was going to do it in
front of everyone at breakfast so they could all see how weak and pathetic Potter was.

Normal POV

Harry was still getting teased by Fred and George about the dance yesterday and Theo
singing to him, but he did nothing to stop it knowing that if he wanted to he could tease them
back from what happened at the event. Having seen Geroge also dance with his head on
Blaise's shoulder and Fred having shared a very quick and chaste kiss with Draco. As an
agreement, the three of them were not teasing Romulus for his actions at the event having
seen how nervous the boy had been in dancing with both males and females as if afraid
someone was going to come in and drag him out of the room. After the party, Harry, Fred,
George, Draco, and Percy sat Romulus down letting him know that unlike what Dowager
Longbottom and the rest of the people he had been living with had believed in the larger
Magical World no one cared who someone ended up with as long as they loved each other.
Draco even shared that most kids whose parents were Death Eaters did not even have an
issue with a kid falling for a Muggleborn or non-magical human as long as they were happy.
Though he pointed out this did not apply to all of them mentioning his Aunt Bellatrix who
would have blown a gasket if she knew he was starting to date Fred due to the family being
considered Blood Traitors. Romulus sort of wanted to send a message to Bellatrix in Azkaban
to let her know of the relationship due to having heard she had been the one to bring the
people he had been told was his parents to insanity, but did not want to cause any issues with
Draco or Fred down the line.

The teasing stopped as they approached the Great Hall for breakfast so people would not
learn that Harry and the others had gone to a Slytherin House-only party, or even share the
tradition that the House held of it being a costume ball, lest it "ruin" Slytherin reputation.
Harry had barely stepped into the Hall when someone yelled out his name. "HARRY
JAMES POTTER! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY MONEY?!?!" Hermione
yelled at him her hands balled into fists her face contorted with anger.

"What money?" Harry asked a little mystified.

"THE MONEY FROM MY VAULT!" Hermione screeched at him marching over to him.
This caused many onlookers from the now silent hall to start talking among themselves
wondering how Hermione, a Muggleborn, had a vault, to begin with.

"I never took a single Knut from you, Hermione, you must be thinking of yourself and the
money you stole from my vaults," Harry said not raising his voice at all during the exchange.
This caused the muttering among the crowd to turn angry at the thought of a Muggleborn
taking money from the vaults of an old family.

"I STOLE NOTHING I EARNED EVERY PIECE OF THAT MONEY BEING YOUR
FRIEND AND HELPING YOU IN CLASS!" Hermione screams now a single foot away
from him and for the moment at least without her wand out.

"For one thing being paid would mean that you were never my friend, and are you kidding
me helping in class. I have looked over some of the assignments you "helped me" with and
you gave me incorrect information to turn in. Or if we were doing a group project would not
allow me to help as you told me off for not doing so and hitting me with books and the like,"
Harry revealed making those students who had been in Hermione's short-lived study group
nod in agreement at the girl's idea of helping.
Up at the top table, Minerva and Batty had caught each other's eye being the only two
members of staff who had seen Harry's results from his Gringotts test. They kept an eye on
Albus to see what he was going to do with one of the students he had made into a pawn
causing a scene in the Great Hall in front of everyone. But to their surprise, the man was
more interested in a letter he had been sent that morning pouring over it his face rather pale.
Sitting right next to him Minerva tilted her head a little and invaded his privacy a little to take
a peek at the letter. By the look of it, it had been sent by the Ministry of Magic's Department
of Mysteries and it mentioned a fine for stolen property that he had kept for over fifty years.
Minerva gulped seeing that the price of the fine, with interest, was over a million Galleons
making her wonder what he had taken from them that had cost so much.

"OH DON'T GIVE ME THAT CRAP AS IF ANYONE WOULD EVER BE YOUR

FRIEND IF NOT FOR THE MONEY OR RECOGNITION YOU CAN PROVIDE
THEM," Hermione cried with a small scoff as she reached up grabbing the collar of Harry's
robes. "NOW GIVE ME BACK MY MONEY YOU PATHETIC IDIOT." Suddenly there
was a flash of red light as Hermione was blasted with a Stunner sending her flying bodily
from Harry and crashing into the ground a few feet away. Everyone looked on in shock
seeing neither Harry, the Weasley twins, nor Romulus had their wands out.

"You would not know real friendship if it bite you, Granger," Theo said entering the hall his
wand out showing everyone that he had been the one to cast the spell. "Though from what I
have witnessed about your behavior that makes sense as you seem to be what Muggles refer
to as either a sociopath or a psychopath. I would suggest a Mind Healer though I guess this is
all a moot point since you are unconscious," Theo said before turning to make sure Harry was
alright.

"You just can't help going Sherlock can you?" Harry said with a small smile.

"Hey at least I analyzed her after I stunned her," Theo said with a chuckle.

It was at that moment that Ron finally came down to breakfast and saw Harry smiling at a
slimy snake as if they were friends. As he got off the main staircase and was able to see into
the hall Ron also saw Hermione, unconscious being held up by a couple of students. Taking
note of the wand in the snake's hand Ron concluded that he had attacked Hermione and was
now joking with Harry about it. The snake must had douse Harry with potions for there was
no way Harry would spend time with one of their types, it also explained why Harry was
avoiding him and Hermione this year. Smiling at the fact that he had yet been noticed Ron
pulled out his new wand and aimed the snake. Not knowing how to cast a stunner or any spell
that could just cause pain to the slimy boy making moves on Harry, taking Ron's place as his
friend, Ron used a spell he had seen in one of his older brother's books as he cast Bombarda
Maxima. It was as if a bomb exploded at the exact spot Harry and the snake had been
standing, making Ron wince a little for he had only been aiming at the snake.
There was a cry from the hall as the giant fireball covered the place Harry and Theo had been
standing as everyone worried for their safety. The explosion even got the Headmaster to look
up from his letter from the Ministry and began to worry hearing about who had been standing
in the point of impact. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the explosion dissipated to reveal
Harry and Theo perfectly alright with a small green glow surrounding them from Harry's ring
as it acted to block the attack. Both boys rather than smile at their friend glad that they were
alright were glaring at Ron for having cast the spell. Harry recognized his former friends'
voice in the casting, and Theo identified the spell itself. Both teens had their wand pointed at
Ron who gulped a little seeing the angry look on both their faces. "Harry, what's wrong?"
Ron asked having put his wand away as everyone had focused on the explosion.

"You and Granger are what's wrong Ronald," Harry said. "I was feeling so happy after the
weekend I had but you both had ruined it as you have done with a lot of my life here."
"Stop joking around Harry," Ron said tugging a little at the collar of his robes.

"Joking am I? Did you not think that when I was sharing my room with Seamus and Dean
they would not have told me that you and Granger let everyone in Gryffindor of our year
know that I did not like them and thought they were beneath me. No wonder no one had any
problems thinking I was Slytherin's Heir last year with the way you drove them all away.
Well, I have wised up and I don't need the likes of you are me anymore. And in case you did
not notice it like Hermione did it seems that the bank has gotten the money you stole from me
back as well as all the money everyone else had taken," Harry said shooting a look up at
Dumbles up at the head table. The Headmasters pale face got even paler to learn that the
funds he had removed from Harry's vaults had been reclaimed by the brat, more so now that
without them he was going to find it harder to pay the fine over the stolen and somehow
cracked Time-Turner that Mineva had sent back to the Ministry.

"You know what I lost my appetite this morning," Harry said with finality as he lowered his
wand, "and you are not worth it Ronald." Grabbing Theo's hand Harry left the hall for their
first class of the day, Arithmacy. While Theo did receive a notice that he had gotten detention
for his Stunning Hermione he did not seem to care as after the display in the Great Hall it felt
like he and Harry had let everyone know they had started to date. It also helped that Theo had
been told by Professor Snape that having seen what Theo had done to earn the detention he
would not have to have a second one with his Head of House like usual.

While Theo had gotten detention for "attacking" Hermione without provocation as the slip
from Filch had said, Ron and Hermione got off worse in the end. Even Dumbles could not
prevent Ron from getting a suspension and a hearing for using a Bombarda Maxima against a
fellow student. And with the reveal that Ron and Hermione had been taking money from
Harry had led numerous students to write to their parents, outside of Slytherin House who
had already known about it, which got the Ministry involved. None of the Slytherins had
contacted their parents about the theft, due to a promise they had made to Harry earlier in the
year. Both of Harry's former friends had been charged with not only embezzlement but
possible Line Theft and had been hit by massive fines. Hermione who already had the fine
from the Pettigrew situation now had to pay over half a million Galleons which by the look
of it means she would have her wages garnished for years if she managed to stay in the
Magical World after that year. As Gringotts also dealt with Muggle banks if she got a job in
the Muggle World her pay would still be used to pay her fines. Ron was not even thinking
about future wages as he was more concerned with something his father told him that due to
his spell if he lost his hearing by the Hogwarts Schoolboard and got expelled for his actions.
Something Ron's Mum tried to stop him from learning.
 Free period relaxation.
Chapter Summary

With the two pests out of Hogwarts for the time being, and making a very clear showing
that they had started to date Harry and Theo relax before their Arithmancy class.

Chapter Notes

I made one slight edit to my chapter realizing that I had it take place on a Monday yet
had Harry and Theo head to Study of Ancient Runes yet in the class schedule I had
worked out they have a free period before having to attend Arithmancy.

Also, this chapter takes place right after Harry and Theo left the hall so some of the
information shared at the end of the last chapter has not happened yet.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Harry had pulled Theo almost halfway to class before the taller Slytherin boy brought him to
a stop. "You do realize we have a free period at the moment and no class to get to until nine
right?" Theo asked.

Blushing Harry turned to his boyfriend, "Sorry, it is just I can't believe Ronald did that. If not
for my Ring we both could have died or been seriously maimed," Harry said.

"You know what you need?" Theo asked.

"To go back to the Great Hall and knock Ronald's block off?" Harry asked making Theo
laugh a little.

"Good idea but no," Theo said pulling Harry into a tight hug, "a chance to relax. Would I be
correct in assuming that you don't have any homework that you need to finish up?"

"Elementary my, Dear Holmes," Harry said with a small smile as he leaned into the hug
laying his head on Theo's shoulder like he had done the day before.

"Quite," Theo said giving a little indulgent smirk. "How about the Star Wars or Sherlock
Homes Books have you got that far into them yet?"

"I read A Study in Scarlet and finished A New Hope other than that no," Harry said lifting his
head off Theo's shoulder and giving the other a somewhat confused look.
"Then I have the perfect plan to help you relax," Theo said as he pulled away and took
Harry's hand. "Using my Mage-Site I was able to find a hidden room during our Second Year
and discover something remarkable."

Holding Harry's hand Theo lead the Gryffindor student up to a seventh-floor corridor
opposite a tapestry showing a man trying to teach a group of Trolls to dance. "You'll like
this," Theo said as he walked back and forth three times before a blank bit of wall three times
until a door appeared in it.

"What did you just do?" Harry asked.

"If I am not mistaken this door leads to a special room created by the Founders and referred
to the House Elves as the Come and Go Room or the Room of Requirement," Theo said
opening the door with a small bow to let Harry enter into it.

Harry walked through the door and stopped in place at what looked like a small lakeside
shoreline inside the room complete with a large oak tree and a dock. "How?" Harry asked.

"It's part of the special magic of this place it can create most things a person can want, apart
from food. I did not expect it was capable of producing live flora or actual water. I was sort of
expecting something like a fake television show set piece," Theo said in amazement as he
stuck his hand into the water.

"I can't guess at the tree, but if I had to with the water it could be that since Hogwarts has
plumbing that can reach the bathrooms and access to the lake," Harry began.

"It can borrow the water from there," Theo said nodding along. "Brilliant hypothesis."

"I have my moments," Harry said rather pleased that he had spotted something Theo might
have missed. He did not think the other boy was just humoring him in letting him take credit
for something he had always figured out that was more Ronald's style never Theo's.

"More and more since you had gotten free of what had been done to you," Theo said.

"So what is this big plan of yours?" Harry asked.

"Something both simple and easy. We are going to just sit and read," Theo said walking over
to the tree and sitting at its roots before patting the spot next to him. "Or more precisely I am
going to read to you."

"You just don't want to have to wait for me to catch up to start the final book of the Thrawn
Trilogy, do you?" Harry asked with a slight chuckle as he sat down next to Theo leaning into
his side.

"That too," Theo said with a chuckle as he reached into his bag and pulled out the Heir to the
Empire and began to read.
Harry was soon lost in the story as Theo's read it to him. Letting the other boy's soft baritone
voice wash over him and closing his eyes picturing the events of the story. He did learn some
spoilers which he had assumed such as Luke and the others winning the war against the
forces of the Empire, but also stuff he had never seen coming such as Vader being Luke's dad
and Leia being his sister. Theo also gave a brief description of some characters Harry had not
read about yet such as Lando, Mon Mothma, and Admiral Ackbar Harry was not too upset by
the spoilers though knowing that Theo would just share the bare minimum so he would be
able to better understand the story. With his eyes closed and the combined sounds of Theo's
voice and the small waves hitting the shore soon lead to Harry entering a somewhat dream-
like state. Having never seen the movies of The Star Wars in his mind he began to picture
people he knew as the main characters.

Theo stood in for Luke Skywalker as he faced off against a group of unknown attackers in the
marketplace, looking so dashing and heroic as he used his lightsaber.* Though he would
never share it, and even with the cover art showing some characters, Harry could not help but
see Draco as Princess Leia and Han Solo's part being played by Fred. He felt a little sorry for
Blaise who stood in for Lando, though just due to the fact Harry didn't know if had a love
interest for George to appear as. Harry softly chuckled as he pictured Ernie as the protocol
droid C-3PO while R2- D2 was Romulus. Even the enemy forces were not immune to being
played by people he knew. Though he did not have anyone be Thrawn since Theo's costume
at the Slytherin Ball yesterday he could not picture either Granger or Dumbles in the role.
Rather Thrawn's right-hand man Pellaeon was played by Granger while some creature called
Rukh had the distinct pleasure of being played by Ronald. A person known as Talon Karrde
ended up being played by Marcus Flint.

Harry was getting really into it when he suddenly woke back up as Theo closed the book with
a small snap. As Harry opened his eyes he found that at some point he had shifted position
from leaning against Theo's side to laying his head in his boyfriend's lap. "Sorry to wake you
Harry but we have to get to class," Theo said for while he had found it rather nice to have
Harry's head in his lap, and running his fingers through Harry's red locks he could not just
skip class. "Also sorry that my reading caused you to fall asleep rather than hear the story."

"I didn't miss a word," Harry said stretching a little as he sat up. "You did so well I was able
to picture everything in my mind," Harry admitted blushing a little.

"Why the blush?" Theo asked.

"I sort of pictured people I knew in all the parts," Harry admitted.

"And I was Thrawn?" Theo guessed.

"No you were Luke Skywalker," Harry said his blush increasing.

"What really?" Theo asked in shock a little surprised Harry, in his own mind, had cast Theo
rather than himself as the Hero.
"Yeah sorry, just don't ask me who everyone else was," Harry said rubbing the back of his
neck.

"As long as you did not have the Headmaster as Thrawn. If you did don't tell me I don't think
I could ever finish the story if I got that image in my head. It would also ruin Sherlock as
well," Theo said as the pair got to their feet to head to class.

"Oh no, I could not picture anyone else as Thrawn after the party but did not want to double
cast you as the hero and villain. And while I have only read the first story of Holmes there is
no one else for him beside you with me as your Watson," Harry shared as he placed a hand on
Theo's face to hold him in place for a moment and give the other a quick chasten kiss, their
first even if it was just to Theo's cheek

At the quick and gentle peck to his cheek, Theo stopped in place. "Sorry was that too much?"
Harry asked after he walked a little past the other boy.

Shaking his head as if to clear it Theo answered, "No, it is just that I did not see it coming.
You always seem to be able to throw me for a loop Harry Potter."

"You give me too much credit, from what Draco says all I was able to do is to pull you a little
out of your shell. Nothing more and after you blasting Granger it is not that hard to see you as
a hero," Harry said grabbing Theo's hand and pulling him forward. While Harry had seen
some couples walk through the corridors hand in hand he had never really done it himself
before that morning yet for some reason it felt right to loop his arms through Theo's and walk
to class together. Using all his willpower to stop himself once more placing his head on
Theo's shoulders.

"There you two are,' Draco said as the pair enter the room. "You missed quite the after-show."

"Did we now?" Theo said taking his normal spot before Harry as the pair turned to Draco and
Blaise to get the scoop on what happened after they had left.

"Oh, yes Ronald was escorted out of the Hall by all four Heads while Granger was sent to the
Hospital Wing," Blaise explained.

"She had to be moved from there," Millicent said leaning into the conversation.

"How do you know, Milly?" Draco asked.

"I had to deliver some Pepper-Up Potions to Madam Pomfrey from Professor Snape since he
was busy with Ronald. It seems hearing that she had been stealing money from you some of
our classmates went to go see her with not-so-friendly intentions," Millicent explained. "Also
you might want to share that it was only the Blood Traitors members of the Weasley Clan that
had been stealing from you for I heard some nasty comments aimed at George, Fredrick, and
even Percy."
"Thanks for the advice," Harry said wanting to clear it up as soon as possible not wanting his
friends to suffer due to a misunderstanding. Neither did Draco or Blaise want it to hurt their
boyfriends. Since Profesor Vector had not arrived yet Harry got out of his seat to talk to the
Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students in the class to explain that it had only been Ronald,
Ginevra, and Molly that had been stealing from his vaults not the rest of the family.

The class was the same as normal with Professor Vector just handing back their homework,
Theo and Harry earning another O in the class. Like normal, a lot more was able to be done
in class since Hermione had dropped it before the Hogsmead visit a while ago since she could
not interrupt Professor Vector with endless questions or got mad at everyone else when they
asked a question. The day's lesson turned out to be a little easier for all the students who were
taking Ancient Runes for the subject was working out formulas that helped someone create
runes leading to Harry getting done faster than normal, including his homework. Since
Professor Vector had told everyone that as long as they did not interfere with the other
students a person was free to do whatever they wanted to after they had gotten their work
done. Rather than pull out a book to read Harry spent the rest of the period just people
watching. He had to bite his lip as he looked at Draco ticking his chin with a quill as the
blonde tried to work out a problem and saw him with buns in his hair like the book described
Leia as having. Looking away from his friend lest he started laughing in class Harry turned to
Blaise and pictured a small mustache appearing on his face as Theo had described the
character to have. Blaise also being done looked over to Harry giving a jaunty wave-making
Harry recall the cocky attitude Lando had. Still biting his lip he returned Blaise's wave before
turning his gaze forward.

This turned out to be a slight mistake as a sunbeam came through one of the classroom
windows and was hitting Theo making him look like he had a golden aura about him and
very heroic. Harry could not take it anymore as he quickly pulled out The Empire Strikes
Back and started to read it. But due to his earlier experiences in the Come and Go Room as
he read the story he still pictured the characters as his friends. He even had someone come in
for Vader due to what Theo had told him of the events to take place further in the story. The
Empire's dark enforcer was no longer an imposing man but rather chunky as the face mask of
the character was banished from Harry's vision of the man letting him see that it was his
cousin Dudley under the mask. While Theo had told him that Vader was Luke's father he had
decided to separate Vader from Anakin Skywalker lest he pictures his cousin being Theo's
father. Theo having shared that the Emperor also appeared in the book, and unlike what the
New Hope said about the man being manipulated as the ruler of the galaxy was really the
villain. Harry, while not having any idea of what the character was described to look like
thought that either Dumbles or Uncle Vernon would be perfect to cast for the role inside his
head.

When class ended and the students headed out of the room they found Filtch waiting for them
to hand Theo a detention notice for the night for hitting Hermione with a Stunner that
morning. Theo barely reacted as he accepted the notice, though he did mutter that he disliked
that he was going to miss a couple of nights of reading because of the detention as well as the
one he would earn from Professor Snape. Harry apologized profusely to Theo for it was due
to reducing him that Theo had gotten detention. Turning to Harry, Theo said, "I would not
mind missing a year of reading if it meant keeping you safe." Theo then returned the cheek
kiss that Harry had given him earlier, making some of the students give them some wolf-
whistles as the pair separated to head to their next classes.

The Burrow

Arthur was livid as he brought Ron home, not only for having to take off work to do so
despite Molly having nothing to do besides wake Ginny up take her through some lessons
they had been sent after his daughter's half-year suspension from school. Something he had
found Molly did not do much with after Ginny let slip that Molly let her sleep in until noon
every weekday. Arthur was also made that it had now become public knowledge that his wife
and two youngest had been stealing from Harry. Since he had received a letter from George,
Percy, and Fred after the first week of classes Arthur had been trying to find the accounts that
the stolen money had been put into before he confronted Molly and Ginny about it.

"Ronny, what are you doing home?" Molly asked as Arthur lead Ron into the Burrow.

"You should be well aware of what he is doing home Molly since you are the one who got the
message from Hogwarts and told me to go pick him up," he said unable to keep a tone of
exasperation from his voice.

"Not now Arthur," Molly chided him. "I want the real story not what those liers at school said
he was being suspended for."

"Suspended are you serious Molly?" Arthur asked. "He attacked some of his fellow students
with a Bombarda spell he was lucky he was not expelled on the spot. It was only pure luck
that one of them was wearing a Family Ring with such powerful protections on it lest they
both had died. By the Nine Circle of Hades, he could have been sent to prison for it. He still
might if he can not properly explain his actions at the hearing."

"Now Arthur there is no reason to say that I am sure it is all a misunderstanding. Albus will
get to the bottom of it in no time. I am sure Ronny just got tongue-tied and said the wrong
spell. And we don't even know why he did it those other students could have been bullying
him and he was defending himself," Molly protested placing her hands over Ron's ears as if
she did not want to let him hear all this.

"By Merlin's left sock, Molly he did not get tongue-tied nor was he defending himself.
Minerva said that Harry and Theo were not even looking at him as he cast the spell without
warning from outside the Great Hall," Arthur said annoyed at his wife.
Molly was knocked aside as Ginny rushed into the room and grabbed Ron by the collar of his
robes. "Harry, My Harry?!?" Ginny screamed in her older brother's face. "You Attacked
My Future Boyfriend and Husband?!?" Ginny yelled shaking Ron by his robes as if she
wanted to strangle him.

"I was not aiming for him, he was just caught in the blast radius. I cast my spell having seen
some Mini-Death Eater from Slytherin blast Hermione. He had also either dosed or
enchanted Harry for the pair of them were laughing about it," Ron said trying and failing to
pry his younger sister's hand free of his collar.

"See Arthur he was acting to protect his friends, I am sure the Governers will see it that way
as well," Molly said as if it proved anything.

Arthur ran a hand down his face before he responded, "Molly even if he was defending his
friends he cast a Bombarda Maxima spell in the middle of the crowded Great Hall he will not
be getting off scot-free. As I said the least amount of punishment that he will be getting most
likely will be expulsion from Hogwarts. And since you are his mother you can not cast a vote
during the Governor's meeting at all, or even come to his defense."

"But Dad," Ron started.

"There are no buts Ronald you are going to have to face the consciences of your actions,"
Arthur said before taking in his daughter and wife as well. "All three of you are."

"What do you mean Daddy?" Ginny asked.

"When I went to Hogwarts to collect your brother I was informed by Professor McGonagall
that the news that had come out after the spell had been cast about you three stealing funds
from Harry," he said shocking the three of them.

"Now Arthur that is just not true it is most likely someone spreading rumors about us just as
they call us Blood Traitors," Molly protested.

"Don't give me that Molly," Arthur said his voice going as hard as steel. "I received a
message from Percy, George, and Fred earlier this term with a copy of a Gringotts test that
had the name and most information blacked out, but the info it did show was that all three of
you are getting money from the person's vaults." To prove he was not lying Arthur added,
"Molly you have been getting payments of 600 Galleons a year, Ron has gotten 500, and
Ginny 400."

Molly started to protest which did not go well for Ginny started shaking Ron again as she
yelled. "How Dare You Get More Money Than Me, I am the Future Lady Potter!?!"

"I have to congratulate you, Molly, "Arthur said in a sarcastic tone ignoring Ginny shaking
Ron. "Wherever you hid the money was very well done for even Bill was unable to find it.
Though he did send me a message today before you did to inform me that his bosses having
him noticed him looking for it told him that all three of the accounts had been shut down."
 "WHAT!?!" Molly screeched as she rushed to one of the kitchen cabinets and began to pull
cleaning supplies out of it before using her wand to unlock a secret compartment that
contained a bank book. As she looked through the book the color drained from her face
seeing all the money in her secret account was gone.

"Once Bill notified me of this I contacted some old friends in Magical Law Enforcement.
There is going to be an investigation," Arthur said as he turned to leave. Reaching the door he
felt a wave of magic wash over him making him turn back. "Whatever that was or what your
plan was it will not work Molly. After receiving the letter you stealing someone's money I
saw you doing something when I confronted you about it. So I decided it was time to take my
real role in the Weasley family back." Arthur lifted his non-wand hand as he removed the
Glamor revealing the Weasley Family Lordshhip Ring. "I had hoped we could have dealt
with this easy but it is too late now. I will let you stay here as long as you wish, or until you
are found guilty and sent to prison I will be moving back into Weasley Hall and taking the
others with me."

Arthur then placed his hand on the door frame and with the permission of Fred and George as
the Heirs to the Prewett line, since the Burrow was technically owned by that line, prevented
Molly, Ron, or Ginny from entering anyone else bedroom but their own or messing with
anyone belongs that were still in the house. As he removed his hand and started to leave
again he heard the sound of something metal softly hitting the floor causing him to look back
just in case anyone inside had been using something that had belonged to him or his older
children. What he saw shocked him for while neither the twins nor he had removed his wife
or two youngest from the family lines their dials had fallen off the Weasley-Prewett family
clock.

Chapter End Notes

* For those of you who might be familiar with the Star War's non-Disney Canon and
Luke ending up with Mara Jade this does not mean Harry will see himself as her for it
takes quite a few books for Luke and Mara Jade to end up together.
 Protesting to the Governors
Chapter Summary

After a chat with Salazar Harry brings a case to the School Governors

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

As Harry made his way back to Gryffindor Tower he noticed his ring flashing a green light.
Taking it as a sign Salazar wanted to speak to him Harry headed into the next empty
classroom and brought forth the man. "Quite an interesting day Harry," Salazar said leaning
on his walking stick.

"I guess," Harry said a little confused about why Salzar would want to chat about the day's
event after everything else that had happened since he got the ring. "Thank you by the way,
for protecting Theo and me in the Great Hall this morning."

"Think nothing of it, Harry," Salazar said. "Now one thing does confuse me about today."

"And that is?" Harry asked.

"Since young Theo was acting to protect you I am surprised neither of you contested his
getting detention," Salazar stated.

"And what good would that do?" Harry asked still puzzled.

"My friends and I placed it in the charter that no student should be punished for protecting
another from harm, especially when no staff member comes to the endangered student's aid,"
Salazar said striking the classroom floor with his walking stick and creating a projection of
the Hogwarts' Charter for Harry to look at.

"You can not touch it, Harry," Salzar said with a small chuckle as Harry went to grab it, "but
it is accurate and up to date. I would suggest you read this paragraph very closely." Harry
leaned in and read the area the Founder indicated with his staff. It not only stated exactly
what Salazar said about it being an acceptable action that a student could use magic against
another to protect others from harm, as long as the attacker was not maimed or killed. But it
also listed several offenses and actions that could lead to a student getting expelled from
Hogwarts that were still active in the present day. Harry could not help but smile seeing that
the list included dosing another student in love potions or the use of Eros Blade on them, as
well as any actions that could be read as Line Theft. As his former friends and Ginny had all
done such things he could use the Hogwarts Charter to get them expelled from Hogwarts
rather than just suspended. Granted they would still be able to go to one of the foreign
Magical Schools Draco had told him about during the summer but he did not see how Ron or
Ginny could afford it or Hermione's parents letting it happen.

The only downside of the passage that Salazar had indicated was it made no mention of any
punishment towards the staff if they did similar actions to a student at the castle. Also due to
the hour, Harry doubted he could stop Theo's detention which had been listed as starting right
after supper. "If we protest the detention and win what happens since Theo is serving that
detention now?" Harry asked.

"He will be compensated by either getting House Points, his next detention being served in
advance, or depending on what his detention is could be paid a little from one of the school's
vaults," Salazar explained.

"And how does one lodge a protest?" Harry asked.

"One can either talk to their Head of House or go directly to the School Governors. One
could also do both," Salzar said with a knowing smile.

"The only Governor I know of is Lord Malfoy but after last year he was forced to resign,"
Harry said more to himself than to Salazar. The Slytherin House Founder brought his cane up
and tapped the Hogwarts Charter letting it unroll a little. Harry smacked a face as he read the
names suddenly recalling both Seamus and Ernie informing him that they had parents that
were Hogwarts Governors.

"You are right just like the suggestion that I send my change of classes to multiple sources I
think a multi-vector attack would work here as well," Harry said.

"Good plan my boy," Godric said appearing out of nowhere.

"Leave us," Harry said rubbing his ring sending the man away to continue chatting with
Salazar. Inside the Family Ring space, Godric fumed a little while several others chuckled at
him having found similar things had happened to them when they tried to offer advice to
Harry. While he was not letting the lines die out it was perfectly clear which one Harry
favored for he never banished Salazar while he had even sent representatives of the Potter
line, apart from his own father, away.

Harry while feeling Salazar's suggestion was a good one, as always, did not want to do
anything about it without Theo's approval since it was Theo's detention they were protesting,
even if he had earned it by protecting Harry. Harry felt that if he decided to protest it without
approval he would be no better than Dumbles and his peons. So before the Study of Ancient
Runes, Harry brought up the idea to his friend. Theo was rather intrigued by the idea deciding
the first bit of free time he had he would go check the library to find out if he could find the
Hogwarts Charter to read himself. Draco who like Blaise was listening in gave a wide smile
for even if the Charter made no mention of how to possibly oust a member of staff like it had
on expelling students they could use the opportunity to pass on the confessions the Babbling
Truth Potion had shaken loose from Dumbls. Granted they still did not have a confession as
to why the Headmaster was focusing so much attention on controlling Harry what they did
have showed some alarming things concerning several members of staff. "I shall send it to
Father so that he can vet it for us and present it to the Governors if need be," Draco
volunteered as Professor Babbling came in to start the day's lesson. Harry, Blaise, and Theo
shared a look knowing Draco was volunteering as a reason to go see Fred since he and
George were the ones keeping the confessions hidden somewhere in the castle and had not
told anyone else where they were.

After the class, Theo and Harry approached Batty, since she was Co-Head of Gyrffindor
House to discuss the protest on the detention Theo had gotten the day before this was mainly
to start the ball rolling for the protest. They also did not do much more than talk to her about
getting a meeting with the Governors since they were also going to talk to Professor Snape
after Potions as well. They would have talked to him before class but they had been too
shocked to see Granger back in class glaring at them, but thankfully made no action. Though
that could be that since their class was neither the first one after breakfast nor lunch Professor
Snape had been waiting to start class inside the room.

"Today class, we will be working on a Strengthening Solution. Which of you dunderheads

can tell me what said potion does?" the Potion Master asked as the bell rang and everyone
had taken their seats. As usual Granger's hand shot up but Professor Snape ignored her. After
her outburst at breakfast, the day before no one was sitting at her table leaving her with no
one to hit and take her frustrations out on when Professor Snape asked Romulus for his
answer.

Professor Snape neither bullied nor got impatient with Romulus letting the boy come to the
answer in his own time, as a means to show that the Potions Master was trying to not harass
the former Longbottomer Heir anymore. Harry kept a watch on Granger as she looked like
she was mad enough to snape her notebook in half at being ignored and Romulus taking so
long to come up with an answer. Harry almost laughed as he saw her open her mouth to cry
out the answer only for her to grab her throat when nothing came out making him guess that
Professor Snape had seen her about to speak and cast a non-verbal Silencing Charm on her.
As Granger glared at the Potions Master, Harry saw a rip appear in her notebook making him
think of the person who rips apart phone books to prove how strong they were. While it was a
little impressive, Harry could not help but smirk knowing that when she realized what she did
she was going to be mad for wrecking her own notes.
When Romulus answered the question he was amazed to be told he had gotten it right, and
Snape did not even tell off Harry and some other Gyrffindor students to pat him on the back
in congratulation as he was rewarded five points for answering the Potions Master. Snape
kept up the less than normal harshness as everyone got to work on their potions wanting to
put Romulus at ease during class. Severus had decided to do this for a couple of reasons, one
of which had been finding out that Harry had been left with Tuna Fish and seeing Albus lie
about it. Since Albus wanted him to bully both Harry and the boy formally known as Neville
for some random reason over their safety, Severus did not trust the Headmaster in regards to
the boys anymore. The other reason came up after Remus had returned to Hogwarts after
Regulus and Sirius Black reappearances. Remus had shared with Severus what the boggart
that his son had faced in class was and how it had been Severus himself. During the meeting,
Remus had shared some stories that his stolen son had informed him and Black as they
recovered after their Cleansing in St Mungos. Remus pointed out that even after all the
Longbottom family had put Romulus through he had not feared them but Severus, which
shamed the Potion Master more than he cared to admit.

All during class Severus tried to remain as calm as possible as he walked among the students
and gently corrected them if they made a mistake in their brewing, At one point even gently
took Romulus's hand to prevent him from adding the wrong ingredient before sitting down
with the boy to give him some one-on-one time in how to properly cut and prepare the
ingredients needed for the day's potion. So that by the end of the lesson while Romulus had
not made a perfect Strengthening Solution neither had he made the worst in the class and as
an added bonus not a single person had melted or destroyed their cauldron. As he let
everyone go at the end of class for their lunch he was a little surprised to see Theo, Draco,
Blaise, and Harry stay behind to chat with him. "If you are worried about getting your normal
secondary detention for breaking rules I will wave it this time due to your actions being in
defense of another student," Severus said as they approached his desk.

"That is a little on what we wanted to talk to you about Professor," Theo said taking the lead
since it was his issue.

"And what is it?" Snape asked.

"Well according to the Hogwarts Charter a student should not receive detention for protecting
another student especially when none of the staff respond to the danger," Theo said reciting
what Harry had shared with him that Salazar had pointed out in the school charter.

"I see and you wish to protest the detention even though you already served it?" Snape asked.

"That plus file some complaints which also fall under the Charter's guidelines," Harry said
speaking up.

"I see I have some classes after lunch but if you wish we can discuss it before supper tonight
for a ruling," Snape said.

"No offense sir, but we want to take this to the Governors," Draco chimed in.
"I see," Snape said tapping his lips in thought.

"We already brought the protest up to Professor Babbling since the event leading to Theo's
detention involved me as well," Harry said.

"It might take a couple of days to arrange a meeting you understand," Snape informed them.

"We are well aware and willing to wait," Blaise said speaking up at last.

"Very well I shall contact you, and Harry I expect one of your Heads of House shall get ahold
of you with a time to meet the Governors. Now off to lunch the lot of you," Snape said
ushering them out so he could get some food before his next class.

Harry did not hear any news about the upcoming meeting with the Governers until Thursday
at the end of Transfiguration when Professor McGonagall passed him a not that would allow
him into the Governer's Meeting room that had been scheduled to take place Friday after
supper. Confirming with his three Slytherin friends that they also got the invite Draco
informed them that he had sent Dumble's confessions to his father in prep for the meeting as
well. Harry wondered if he needed to dress up for the meeting since he technically was next
in line to lead two of the Founders Lines. "Unless you want to take possession of the parts of
Hogwarts that your lines control at this time I would say you don't need to wear anything
special," Draco said.

After supper on Friday Harry was escorted to the Governor's meeting by his two Heads of
House, while Theo was guided by Professor Snape. The pair were led down a corridor that
Harry had never used before on the lakeside eight-floor up to a Portrait that showed a
landscape of the Hogwarts Grounds with each side of the frame depicting the colors of one of
the four Houses. Rather than a passphrase like the Fat Lady's Portrait or an action like Fred
had shared as the means to enter the Hogwarts Kitchens, Professor McGonagall pulled out an
iron key and moved aside Hagrid's hut in the picture revealing a keyhole. As she used
unlocked the Portrait it swung open revealing a hidden meeting room where several people
were already waiting. Off to one side, Ronald and his mother sat in conversation while at the
table beside the remaining Heads of House and Dumbles there were six people Harry did not
recognize and Lucius Malfoy.

On the way to the meeting Professors, Snape and McGonagall explained that usually there
were only six parents of current students to vote on issues alone with the four Heads of
House and the Headmaster. But since Batty had become a C0-Head of House they had to up
the number of parents to seven to not have an even number of votes and thus less likely to
have a tie. The current board included not only Seamus and Ernie's parents but the father of
Cho Chang, Pansy's Aunt, Marcus Flint's father, and the newest member and the third
member of the Light Cored grouping, Cedric Diggory's mother. Since one of the issues of the
meeting pertained to Ron's punishment for using the Bombarda spell against Theo and Harry
in the Great Hall Molly was not allowed to vote, so to keep the number of votes at an odd
number Lady Diggory was also unable to vote at this time. Severus had shared that Dumbles
had tried to make it that either Madam Parkinson or Lord Flint could not vote instead but had
been voted down.

"What are they doing here?" Molly asked seeing Theo and Harry enter the meeting room and
being unable to recognize Harry due to his red hair and better lack of glasses.

"Heir Nott and Potter have come to protest the detention Heir Nott received on Monday,"
Severus said leading the pair over to the side so they were close to Lucius. Molly's mouth fell
open as she was told that the red-headed boy was Harry not sure if she wanted to get him to
see reason or yell at him for taking her and her baby's money from them. In the end, she
managed to shock a fair number of people present as she held her tongue and refrained from
commenting at least about them.

"And what are you doing here Lucius, you were ousted last year for threatening the
Headmaster?" Molly asked.

"He did what know?" a woman that looked to be related to Seamus.

"He threatened Albus, and us to get Albus out of the castle during the events of the last term,"
Molly shared.

"You told me Lucius stepped down due to his increased workload at the Ministry when you
asked me to take his place," a short man Harry assumed to be Marcus Flint's father.

"He told me to leave saying that he received a letter from all of you stating that I had
threatened your families if you did not join me in voting him out last year," Lucius said
making most of the Governors shoot dark looks at Dumbles.

"We can discuss this all later," Professor McGonagall said shooting her own dark look at the
Headmaster. "When students are not present."

"Very well," Seamus' mom said glowering at Albus.

"The two topics of today's specially called meeting is to deal with young Mister Weasley's
punishment for his actions in defending his friends and Theo's complaint about the detention
he received for his unprovoked attack on young Miss Hermione Ganger," Dumbles said
making Theo and Harry glared at the man for the obvious leading of his opinions of how
everyone should vote on the events.

"My baby should not be suspended for standing up for his friends," Molly said in a loud
voice that seemed to echo around the small room.

"Molly, I must remind you to be quiet since as this deals with your son you can not
participate in this vote or discussion," Profesor McGonagall said sending the redheaded
woman a warning look. "Now which order of business should we handle first?"

"If I may," Lucius said speaking up before anyone else.

"What is it Lucius?" a woman that looked to have similar colored eyes as Pansy asked.

"As I was asked to help my wife Godson's in their case I think if we deal with Heir Nott's
protest on his detention we can handle both items at once," Lucius stated.

"And how do you propose to do that?" Molly asked.

"Molly one more word and I will have to ask you to leave," Professor McGonagall warned.
"Though her point does still stand, Lucius."

"I was asked to take a closer look at the Hogwarts Charter, another reason I was asked to help
out here since neither Heir Potter, Nott, nor my son could find a copy in the Hogwarts
Library," Lucius said pulling out a physical copy of the document.

"And why were you asked to look over the Charter?" Dumbles asked leaning forward and
steepling his fingers on top of the table the Governors were sitting at.

"Someone informed Heir Potter that there was a clause in it that would excuse Heir Nott's
actions that were the cause of his detention," Lucius explained.

"A detention that Mr. Nott already served so I don't see a need to return to it," Dumbles said

"I for one would like to hear what Lucius found," Chp's father said.

"I second Decon's motion," Professor Flitwick said as others nodded in agreement.

"Very well. Lucius, enlighten us with your findings," Dumbles said in a borderline sarcastic
manner.

Unrolling the charter with a flourish Lucius began to read. "If any inhabitant of the school
comes to the aid of another when they are in danger as long as the attacker if it is a student, is
not maimed, killed, or dealt a blow leading to lasting damages there should be no form of
punishment against them. Now from what I have been told of the event, Heir Nott acted
within the confines of this as he prevented Miss Granger from physically attacking Heir
Potter. And as it was done in the Great Hall where no member of staff reacted in Heir Potter's
defense Heir Nott should be compensated for serving the detention he received."

"He attacked Hermione and enchanted Harry," Ron called out from his seat.

"Heir Nott defended Heir Potter from Miss Granger, as several memories of the event I have
witnessed showed. Some of which were members of staff including all but Headmaster
Dumbledore in this room," Lucius responded.
"Harry doesn't need a snake to stand up for him he can handle the likes of You-Know-Who,"
Ron shot back.

"Messer Weasley please be quiet unless you are called upon," Professor McGonagall said
sending him a warning look.

"Young Ronald is correct though. If Harry felt he was in danger from his friend Miss Granger
he could have acted to stop her himself," Dumbles cut in.
Harry looked over to Lucius, Babbling, and McGonagall to get permission to talk before he
said anything. Getting a nod from his Head of House Harry shared, "I don't like to hurt
people unless I have no other choice. And since Her... Granger looked like she was going to
attack me with her body rather than magic I am sure I could take it for I doubt she could hit
me harder than my aunt using her frying pan, uncle's belt, or Dudley just using his fist."
Harry noticed that the Governors he had not met before this meeting of all had started looks
at his statement while his teachers and Lucius gave him sympathetic looks. Dumbles and
Molly both had looks that look startled and sympathetic but it did not reach their eyes.

"If I may speak?" Molly asked after a moment.

"Very well," Professor McGonagall said after her own moment of thought.

"Lucius said this would deal with not only Harry and the Knott* boy's detention but also have
a bearing on my son's punishment," Molly said glaring at Lucius.

"And it does," Lucius said with a small quirk of his lips as if he wanted to grin at her. "Before
she attacked Heir Potter, Miss Granger accused him of stealing money from her vaults. As
Miss Granger was a Muggle-born an investigation was called for. We found that Heir Potter
had not stolen anything, in fact, thanks to the work of my wife and cousin-in-law Sirius Black
the money that was in her account and several others were returned to their proper place in
Heir Potter's accounts."

"While this is a tragedy," Dumbles said sounding a little heartbroken, "I fail to see what that
has to do with anything."

"I was just getting to that Albus," Lucius said the grin starting to develop on his face. "As I
read through the Charter it stated several reasons in which a student would be automatically
expelled from Hogwarts. These include casting the four Unforgivable Curses on another
student, cheating or bribing an examiner during an O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s, and lastly
attempted Line Theft. While the stealing of funds from Heir Potter's account is not much,
many countries and Magical Creature Kingdoms consider that to be the first step in plans for
Line Theft. I also have evidence from the end of summer when my wife found out that her
Godson was had been left alone without any protection in Diagon Alley which shows that
Heir Potter had a curse known as Eros Blade on him geared to young Miss Ginevra Weasley,"
Lucius said.

Rather than any gasp or sign of the information of the statement, Lady Diggory asked, "And
what is this Eros Blade?"
 "Eros Blade is an extremely powerful Love Spell that can not only force a person to fall in
love with whomever it is geared towards but can even change a person's sexual preference
and even manages to get past the special magic that Asexual people have on them," Professor
Flitwick explained. "It has in recent times fallen out of use but during the time of the
Founding of Hogwarts it was in the same level as the three Unforgivable Curses we know of
today."

This explanation did lead to a gasp of shock as Decon Chang said, "I call for the immediate
expulsion of Miss Granger, Ronald, and Ginevra Weasley. Providing Lucius has proof of this
that is."

"I have proof," Lucius said passing over a copy of the test Harry had taken at Gringotts,
which Harry had passed along through Draco, permission to use.

Reading the list the Governors' faces turned thunderous as once again they turned to glare at
Dumbles. "I call for a vote to dismiss Albus from his position of Headmaster and remove him
from the castle," Lord Flint said.

"Now see here. I must be able to defend myself," Albus said.

Chapter End Notes

*this is not a misspelling or auto-correct it is the only way I can show Molly slightly
mispronouncing Theo's name.

Once more sorry for the sudden end but the next chapter is Dumble's defense as well as
the evidence Harry and the others have gained from his confessions. Due to how long
this one ended up being already.
 Dumble's "Defense"
Chapter Summary

Dumble tries to protect his job and his freedom

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

"Now see here. I must be able to defend myself," Albus said. As the Governors discussed
whether they should allow Dumbles to defend his actions with such a clear example of him
overstepping his authority, Harry leaned down as if he was about to tie his boot back up. Of
all the people in the room, only Theo noticed Harry placing his left hand on the floor as
Harry's Family Ring flashed. Theo and Harry both predicted that if they pushed Dumbles far
enough he would try to enchant everyone, which even with him losing the Elder Wand he
might have succeeded with. Salazar had offered a solution as when Hogwarts had been
founded to prevent the discussion from getting out of hand and possible violence the Meeting
Chamers, which were now used by the Governors had Wards in place to prevent anyone from
using any form of magic on another. No one put it past Dumbles to have found out about the
Wards and at some point disabled them, but with Harry being the next Lord of both Slytherin
and Gryffindor he should be able to return them. If he could not do it alone he would have to
reveal his trump card.

"Very well, Albus please enlighten us, why you placed Heir Potter under these potions and
spells," Lucius said who had slipped into his old role as leader of the Governors.

"You have no right to take control of this meeting," Molly sneered at him.

"I hardly you are in a position to talk Molly after all your name is on this list as well so you
and Albus will need to convince us that you did the right thing or you will not just be fired
but we will make sure you get sent to prison," Mrs. Finnigan said causing Molly to sputter
out indignity.

"We are waiting Albus," Lucius said placing his elbows on the table and steepling his fingers
as he looked at the old fool.

"All I did and ever do is for the greater good," Albus said with speed out of character for
someone so old he pulled out his wand and aimed it at Lucius.

"Ah, you want to turn in your wand in a gesture of good faith,' Lucius said as he plucked the
wand from Dumble's unresisting grip as the old fool looked utterly confused.
"Um, yes," Dumbles said after a moment which he took to collect himself. "As I said it was
all for the Greater Good."

"How was stealing from a child you always informed everyone you were the Magical
Guardian for, as well as placing potions and spells on him to make him loyal and trust you
work towards anything good?" Mrs. Macmillian asked.

"He most likely took the money to help care for Harry," Molly interjected.

"Did you?" Severus asked her shutting the woman up.

"While we can only see that you had a hand in possibly two of the numerous spells on Harry
they are pretty damming," Lucius said pointing to the two items to which Albus was listed as
being connected on the results. The man, being exempt from a spell that made Harry distrust
authority figures and one of the people the Loyalty Potions Harry had been under being
geared towards.

"Well um," Dumbles said.

"Before this meeting, after I was giver permission to pass on Heir Potter's results I had also
learned that you have become stricken with some strange ailment is that correct?" Lucius
asked.

"I don't know what you are talking about Lucius," Dumbles said.

"I have received several reports and memories from various sources of you talking to yourself
about some very serious things over the last couple of months," Lucius said technically not
lying since he had received the old bastard's confessions from all the members of the SG
Workgroup.

"I think someone is trying to pull a prank on you Lucius," Dumbles said.

"Is this aliment the reason you talked about killing your little sister a few months ago?"
Minerva asked recalling the rather random lunch conversation she had had with Albus.

"I don't recall," the fool said.

"How about I play a few to see if any of them sparks your memory then," Lucius said pulling
out a hand full of vials that hid the Chatterbox's normal shape. Tapping his wand to one of
them to activate the Chatterbox, Lucius pulled out the cork to allow everyone to hear
Dumble's voice tell the story of how he had enchanted Mary Poppins into becoming Poppy
Pomfrey as well as the birth of Filch. The second vial had Dumbles explain that he had been
the one to get James and Lily to make Peter their Secret Keeper, as well as being the one to
cast the spell. "You knew Sirius had been innocent and still allowed him to be sent to
Azkaban without a trial," Minerva said clenching her fist and wanting to punch Albus in his
crooked nose. Her interjection did not stop the confession coming from the disguised
Chatterbox as Albus' voice mentioned placing spells on Sirius and Remus to make them
forget they were together and kidnapping Romulus.

"You bastard," Pomona Sprout said shocking everyone who had never seen the woman look
so angry as she heard about one of her favorite students who was not a member of Hufflepuff
House being taken from his parents and given to Albus's cousin. This confession had
happened after Regulus's surprising return for Dumbles made mentioned that he had been
shocked to find the man still alive.

"So let's see we have you stealing from a child you say is your charge as his Magical
Guardian, placing that child under spells and potions. Letting a Lord of a House be sent to
Azkaban without a trial not to mention messing with that Lord's family," Lucius said
counting down everything that had been mentioned so far. "Is this all for the greater good of
everyone or just you?"

"Now see here," Molly began but was ignored as Lucius pulled out the third vial and tapped
it. While Harry and his friends had not been able to get a confession from DUmbles of why
he was messing with Harry's life the third vial contained a close account as they got. The vial
contained Dumble's confession of why he had chosen the Weasleys and Granger to be Harry's
"friends."

Dumbles's voice stated he needed to find some people that he could easily manipulate that
would make sure Harry learned only what he wished him to learn. It seemed that the man had
chosen Molly and her two brats due to how poor the Weasleys were and because it had been
Molly who had prevented Arthur from taking his position as the Head of the Weasley Family.
Dumbles did not see Molly as an ally but as a pawn which could distract people from him
due to her holier than thou attitude as well as her beliefs which mostly aligned with his.
Knowing all he had to do was give her a nice bit of money and she would think she was his
right-hand woman. Hearing this both Molly and Ron glared at the bastard. The confession
was not done stating he had picked Ron as the boy was the same age as Harry so would have
an easy time becoming Harry's "friend."
All Dumbles had needed to do to get the "idiotic boy" to work with him was to point out that
by being "friends" Ron could become popular, rich, and famous. Ginny, according to
Dumbles, had been even easier to convince for all he needed to do was to make sure the girl
believed she would marry Harry.

Granger, it seemed had been a little harder to convince to become Harry's friend for she had
not, at the time, needed any of the money Dumbles would pay her. It was only after he
promised Granger numerous magical tomes and books from Harry's vaults that got the girl to
become his pawn. At least at first, the girl then began to demand other perks in staying
Harry's "friend" such as Wards placed around her place so she could cast magic during the
summer, enchanting her parents so they would listen to her and most recently allowing her
the use of a Time-Turner so she could attend every class Hogwarts offered. The Governors
listening to this vial saw that it was had been collected in the last day or so for Dumbles
talked about he was glad that some of the truths about the girl had come out so he could
actively cut ties with her.

The fourth vial showed everyone that Lucius had not put them in any particular order, for it
contained the confession which McGonagall had brought up earlier as Dumbles told of
killing his sister. The non-staff members of the Governors gasped as they heard Dumbles talk
about being in a relationship with Grindelwald as well as stealing credit for the twelve uses of
Dragon Blood. But it was the fifth and final vial that shocked all but Harry and Theo since
Lucius had not listened to them beforehand. The contents of the vial revealed that Filch was
not Dumbles' only child as he had a daughter. The Chatterbox told the tale of Dumbles going
to sometimes visit Grindelwald in his prison and had gotten the evil magical, who seemed to
be a natural bearer pregnant. During Dumbles' next visit he had found that Grindelwald had
given birth to a daughter which the imprisoned Magical had named Rita. The old bastard had
been talked into taking his daughter out of the magical prison so she could live a normal life.
While Dumbles had taken his daughter out he did not do the second condition as he just
passed the four-year-old girl to the Skeeter family. Thus putting the family in his debt for
they had been trying and failing to produce a child for years without success.

As Rita could use magic, Dumbles actually kept track of her, unlike Filch who Dumbles had
abandoned until he had shown up at Hogwarts seeking a job. As Rita had gotten older
Dumbles became his secret daughter's patron as he pointed the young journalist at the targets
he wanted letting her get the dirt on many of his rivals so that he could blackmail them.
While he would sometimes make public shows of disgust at Rita's articles he could not be
more proud of his daughter for helping his plan along. Not that the confession went into what
the plan was.

By the end of the last vial, Dumbles had no support left among the Govorners. "Anyone
opposed to firing Albus Dumbledore as Headmaster and turning the evidence we have just
gone over to the proper authorities?" Lucius asked. No one spoke up for even Molly glared at
the man upset that he saw her as nothing but a pawn, and had used her babies. And to be
honest she was upset to find out that Rita was his daughter having hated the woman for years
for her bad-mouthing Arthur's department, the redheaded banshee forgetting for the moment
that Arthur had kicked her to the curb for what she had done. "As there are no objections
Albus Dumbledore you are to vacate the castle within the next twenty-four hours or face
heavy fines," Lucius said.

To everyone's shock Albus rather than looking annoyed or angry just gave a self-satisfied
grin. "I thank you, Lucius," the man said.

"And why is that Albus?" Lucius asked.

"Well as you are not a member of the School Govorners anymore and since you lead the vote
and then made the announcement of me getting fired it nullifies both of them since you broke
protocol. Any similar votes can only be done after a year has passed. So I will remain where I
am, my wand back please." the old bastard said with a superior smirk. Lucius looked angry
with himself seeing that the Hogwarts Charter which due to the school being created before
the British Ministry had been formed. Made the ruling take precedence so they could not fire
or send the man to jail at least for another year.

"Just a moment Professor," Harry said with a smirk on his face.

"What do you want Potter?" Dumbles asked with a sneer all Grandfatherly kindness gone
from the man.

"You might be able to get off from the Governor's decision but there is still one group that
outranks them, the Founders and their Heirs," Harry said with a smirk.

"Ah, but to oust me one would need at least three out of four, Potter," Dumbles said.

"True," Harry said as he lifted his left hand and let his Family ring project Salazar and Godic
who moved to stand on either side of Harry as if they were bodyguards.

"I know you are not the best student Potter but those are only two of the Founders not three
or even four," Dumbles said with a harsh laugh.

"Also true, but you see something happened when my Godfather was proven innocent. Sirius
not only found out that I had money stolen from my vauts and getting them back to me did an
audit of all Black family holdings," Harry said.

"So what?" Dumbles spat while the rest of the Governors looked on with varying degrees of
hope on their faces.

"Well, in the vaults belonging to one of their cousins and the sister-in-law of Lord Malfoy the
Goblins doing the audit found something interesting. When I first got tested as the results
Lord Malfoy shared just a bit ago it stated that I had something known as a Horcrux attached
to my soul. Now I have been told that Horcurxes made from the same source give off similar
Magical Signatures. So the Goblins finding an object in Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black's
personal vault that had the similar signature of the Horcrux that had been in me they
extracted the Horcrux from the object.

Now, my Godfather, Sirius had no idea what to do with the object and had passed a message
to me, due to the Horcrux, about it through his husband Professor Lupin. Now as it happened
I had heard about the object earlier from a classmate who told me about a missing treasure
belonging to his family. So Lady Mcmillian I would like to return this item to you," Harry
said as Theo removed his backpack and pulled out a golden cup. Ernie's mom let out a gasp
as she laid eyes on Helga Hufflepuff's Cup. With trembling fingers, she took the cup from
Theo as the Hufflepuff Lordship Ring's mission to its Heirs was finally accomplished letting
Lady Silva Mcmillan become High Lady Hufflepuff.

Up in the Hogwarts Heir rooms Ernie who was doing some research into some of his
ancestors who had been at Hogwarts turned as the door to the room opened. He was rather
surprised as he knew that Harry was attending a meeting with the Governors at the time
making him wonder if he was about to find out about Ravenclaw's Heir or see another
Hufflepuff Heir like himself. He did not recognize the blonde-haired girl that came into the
room. It was obviously not her first visit as the sign-up book did not appear. "Hello, I am
Ernie Mcmillan one of the Heirs to the Hufflepuff line," he said holding his hand out to the
girl who appeared to be a Second Year.

"You are mistaken," the girl said in a dreamy voice.

"How is that?" Ernie asked.

"You are not one of the Heirs you are the Heir. According to the castle, your mother has just
become the Head of the Hufflepuff family. With a little help from Lord Slytherin/Heir
Gryffindor Harry James Potter," the girl said coming over with an almost dance-like
movement before she created a chair for herself.

"According to the castle?" Ernie asked arching an eyebrow at her.

"If you don't believe me look at your ring," she said getting into the newly created chair but
crouched on it with her knees close to her face rather than sitting on it normally.

"By Merlin's left wand holster," Ernie said in shock seeing his Hufflepuff Heir ring had
changed as it lost the marks on the outside of it denoting the numerous Heirs to the line. The
ring showed he was the primary Heir of the Hufflepuff family.

Realizing he was being rude Ernie asked the girl, "Who exactly are you?"

"I am Luna Franchesca Salvadorae Lovegood from the noble line of Rowena Ravenclaw
from my mother's side and Second Cousin to the current Lord Ravenclaw Professor Lupin,"
Luna said showing off her Ravenclaw Heir Ring.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Heir Lovegood-Ravenclaw I am," Ernie began.

"Oh, I know who you are. Thanks to my Ancestor's gift my line has a special connection to
Hogwarts letting me know wonderful things. Though most of the time I tend to block them
out for I don't see a reason to know how many detentions or points someone has earned from
their entire time at Hogwarts," Luna said as she pulled out a cup of coffee from a pocket
Ernie had not noticed and began to drink it in the strangest fashion he had ever seen holding
the handle of the cup with just her thumb and forefinger pressing into it rather than wrapped
around it.
"So why reveal yourself now? For if you do have some connection to Hogwarts wouldn't that
reveal when either Harry or I was in this room?" he asked her.

"It would and did," Luna said as she took out a handful of sugar cubes, maybe six or seven,
and dumped them into her cup mixing them into it. "I did not make my presence known for
unlike the other Founders' lines after Rowena and her eldest child passing our family has
stayed out of the limelight as it were and just help maintain the castle. Something that has
been hard to do for the last fifty-seven years since Albus Dumbledore had come to the castle
as a member of the staff. We don't know what he did but he somehow, even when he was just
a teacher, found a way to alter Hogwarts' Wards and place spells in places that should not
have been possible. But thanks to Lord Slytherin/Heir Gryffindor's actions at the Governor's
meeting a little bit ago I have found my family has resumed control of the Wards. Through
my connection to Hogwarts, I also see that Dumbledore will soon be ousted from the castle
once and for all. Our power is also returning with Professor Lupin taking up his role as Lord
Ravenclaw again.

"Why?" Ernie asked.

"You were informed of the younger Weasleys actions towards Lord Slytherin/Heir Gryffindor
but the one truly behind it had been our soon to be fired headmaster," Luna said drinking her
coffee before pulling out some strawberries and popping them into her mouth.

"The bastard," Ernie said.

"Don't worry he is about to get his just desserts," Luna said with a smile.

"High Lady Hufflepuff do you agree with me to remove Albus Percival Wulfric Brian
Dumbledore from Hogwarts?" Harry asked Ernie's mother.

"I do indeed Heir Slytherin/Gyrffindor," she responded.

"To make this all legal I must inform you I am actually Lord Slytherin and Heir Gryffindor,"
Harry said with a small nod.

"Then Lord Slytherin/Heir Gryffindor I the new High Lady Hufflepuff agree with your
decision to removed Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore from the castle and turn him
over to the proper authorities," Silva Mcmillan-Hufflepuff responded.

"Now Albus as we have agreement from three of the four Founder's Lines you are to leave
the castle," Harry informed the old bastard.

"What about my wand?" Dumbles asked through gritted teeth.

"Oh, I think Lord Malfoy should keep hold of it since most likely you and your accomplices
should be arrested soon," Harry said.
Chapter End Notes

We are soon approaching the end, my dear readers. As of right now, I think I have
maybe a couple of chapters left for this story both of which I have planned as sort of
Epilogs one for the rest of the year, the other for things further into the future.

Made a slight edit to the chapter as someone pointed out that I listed Lupin as Lord
Ravenclaw, so Luna is from the secondary line of the Founder's family.
 Epilogue 1:To the end of the year
Chapter Summary

The major events that take place during the rest of Harry's Third Year

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

"You little," Albus said as he lunged at Harry his hands outstretched as if he wanted to wrap
his hands around Harry's throat and choke him. His action caught everyone surprised and
with the Wards, in place, no one could cast any spells to stop him. With most Magicals, this
would be a problem but with Harry's history, he was easily able to evade the charge and do
something he had always wanted to do to his fat cousin punched out at his attacker. Just as
McGonagall had wanted to do earlier Harry's fist smashed right into Dumble's crooked nose
making him move back in pain. "You struck me," the man said in utter bewilderment.

"Don't act so surprised you were going to choke me. I have a right to defend myself," Harry
said wiggling his hand a little not used to punching anyone.

"You Brat!" Dumbles called as he made another attempt only for it to be a feint. His plan
might have worked if not for everyone getting over their shock at his earlier actions and his
arms being grabbed by Lucius and Theo. "Let me go I will see you all out of here."

"You first," Harry said.

"Not so fast," Snape's voice rang out making several people turn to see Molly and Ronald
trying to make their way to the exit as everyone was distracted. "Harry, Silva do I have your
permission to use magic in this room?"

"Um, sure," Silva said not sure why he was asking as she was unaware that Harry had put the
Anti-Magic Wards in place earlier.

"Yes,' Harry said holding up his ring to adjust the repaired Wards to allow Snape alone to cast
magic at the moment.

"My thanks," Snape said giving them both a bow before pulling out his wand and creating
ropes to wrap around Molly, Ronald, and Dumbles holding them in place as someone went to
summon someone from the Ministry.
Before they arrived, however, someone else showed up. "So what's going on?" Remus asked
walking into the room.

"Remus?" McGonagall asked in shock seeing him enter the room.

"Hello Minny," Remus said.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I got two messages to come here. One from my second Cousin before she went to deal with
some other business and another from my Ring," Remus explained holding up his hand to
show off his ring. With a flash, the Spector of Rowena Ravenclaw came into being standing
at his side as Godric and Salazar stood at Harry's. Sending a look down at her ring Silvia
lifted it and summoned Helga into the room as well.

"Well, this is quite an unexpected reunion," Salazar said as he took in the other forms of the
Founders.

"What is going on?" Flitwick asked.

"With the ousting of this man from his position as Headmaster and with all four Heirs and
Lords of our line at the castle it is up to you to decide who should take his place," Rowena
explained to the current Head of Her House.

"None of them are worthy to shine my boots let alone take my spot," Dumbles called out still
struggling to free himself from the ropes wrapped around him. Snape just rolled his eyes and
shot a Silencing spell at not only him but Molly and Ronald as well.

"Do we get a choice in all this though?" Flitwick asked. "For if it all the same to you I would
rather remain where I am."

"Me too," echoed the other Heads of Houses.

"If that is your wish," Rowena said as a list of all the teachers currently working at Hogwarts
appeared with lines through the four Heads of House as possible candidates to become the
next Headmaster/mistress.

"Is there a way for us to remove the enchantments placed on someone in the castle?" Harry
asked the spirits of the Founders.

"Who do you have in mind?" Helga asked while Salazar and Godric shared a smile being
able to detect Harry's surface thoughts and plan.

"As one of Dumbledore's confessions let us know he enchanted Mary Poppins into becoming
Madam Pomfrey is there a way to return her to her proper self? Since he stated that she was
on his level when they were in school together," Harry asked.
"She would have to be on probation since she might not have the necessary skills for the job
at first," Rowena said.

"As if we did when we began?" Salazar asked.

"Point," Rowena conceded.

"If no other instructor wishes to take up the post we will allow it," Helga said getting nods of
confirmation from the others.

"But first we need to get rid of the enchantments placed on her," Godric said. "She must be
summoned here for it to work."

"I will go get her," Professor Sprout said not feeling rather useful at the moment.

Before she returned with the enchanted woman, Mrs. Finnigan showed up with someone
from the Ministry. Both stopped in their tracks seeing the visions of all four Founders in the
room. "Um, what did I miss?" Mrs. Finnigan asked as Amelia Bones head of the Department
of Magical Law Enforcement went over to take custody of Albus and the others.

"Please leave Albus for a moment," Salazar told her as Madam Bones began to pull Dumbles
to his feet and take him from the room.

"The reason being?" Amelia asked.

"We will need him to remove the enchantments he has placed on a member of staff at the
castle," Salazar said before shaping his fingers as if he had just recalled something. "Since
you are here we also need to arrest Argus Filch-Dumbledore for his punishments and for
molesting some of the students."

"What!?!" Amelia asked in shock.

"Oh, yes Argus turns out to be Albus's son and after getting a job here Albus placed some
enchantments on him to allow him to use the students whose memories would, unfortunately,
be blocked of such events. If the student was strong enough to throw off the memory charms
a secondary enchantment would activate placing a Secrecy spell on the student so they could
not tell anyone what had happened to them. Thus why there have been stories of students
talking about the man's threats to hand them by their ankles in his office and whip them,"
Snape explained. Hearing this Amelia showed off one of the reasons both Dumbles and
Voldy feared her as she cast a spell that acted as a lasso to catch Filtch and bring him to her.

Filtch arrived kicking and screaming at the same time Professor Sprout returned followed by
a bewildered Medi-Magical. "Let me go," Filtch bellowed as he was dragged into the room
only to be hit by a Silencing Spell like the other soon-to-be arrested individuals.

"Um, what is going on?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Just a moment," Godric said to her before turning to Harry, Remus, and Silvia. "To use our
help to Cleanse her each of you will need to place one hand on Albus and the other on her to
form a Magical Circuit." The three did as he instructed, though Harry did not really want to
touch Dumbles more than he had to just place a finger on the man before placing his other on
Madam Pomfrey's left wrist.

Once the circuit was formed the four Founders' spirits move in and began to cast a spell that
not a single person present understood. As they chanted the words for this unfamiliar spell a
vision of chains seem to appear wrapped around the Medi-Magical's body with the highest
concentration around her head. The chain stretched out to Dumble's bound form as well. As
one, the four spirits lifted their arms before bringing them down in perfect unison onto the
magical chains shattering them. As the chains fell away a wave of magic washed over the
woman changing her form as she resumed her natural features. Turning to Albus the woman
glared at him, "You bastard," Mary said making a move to attack Albus only to be held back
by Remus and Silvia as Harry got out of the way, sort of wanting to see what she would do to
Dumbles.

"Calm down Madam," Salazar said, "he is going to be punished."

"Calm down, don't tell me to calm down after what he did to me. He made me love him so I
would give birth. He took my virginity and kept me imprisoned in my own body for almost a
century. I want to see him get kissed," Mary Poppins said.

"It will not happen," Madam Bones said, "after some of what I was told of his crimes we will
need to work out a full history of his actions before we can even go to a trial before he is
fully punished, but don't worry it will happen."

"Madam Poppins," Helga said making the woman turn to her. "Your name has been put
forward as a possible replacement for the Headmistress of Hogwarts. Assuming that no other
member of staff wishes to claim it. Would you accept it if that turns out to be the case?"

"I am not sure. I do love this castle but after so long under his enchantments I am not sure
how I feel about it at the moment," she said.

"Well please think about it as we check with the other candidates," Godric said.

"Whatever," Mary said as she turned on her heel and left the room to think about her future
not only personal but any that took place at the castle.

With everything, for the moment, having been done Amelia helped by Snape and Lucius
removed Albus, Molly, Filtch, and Ronald from the castle. But not before the decision was
made to offer Lucius his position back since everyone now knew the reason for his dismissal.
Lord Flint even offered to step aside to allow him back to keep the number of votes for each
Core the same. Lucius, much to everyone's shock turned down the offer saying he actually
like the new amount of free time since he had to stop being a Governor and just told them to
find a replacement for Molly. Amelia's party also made a small stopover to remove Hermione
from the premises as well since she was included in the charges agast Harry for possible Line
Theft. As they were removed from the castle Ronald shared with Hermione about what
happened including Dumble's confession dealing with how the man thought of them.
Hermione turned a glare at Dumbles, who like Molly, was still under a Silencing spell as they
were escorted from the school.

Within a week Molly, Argus, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny had been tried by the Wizengamot.
Argus had been found guilty of both child abuse and endangerment putting him in a Magicial
Prison for a minimum of twenty years. Molly and the others had been tried for Line Theft
earning them a sentence of fifty years minimum. Hemione due to her misuse of a Time-
Turner, which she should never have been given in the first place was also charged for misuse
of a Magical Artifact earning her an additional twenty-five years. Molly on the other hand
due to her enchanting Arthur and slipping him love potions to produce their kids had two
counts of Line Theft meaning she was sent away for one hundred years. Due to being under-
aged Hermione, Ronald, and Ginevra were placed in Voggek or Magical Juvie until they were
of age and could be legally sent to a full Magical Prison. The only upside for all of them was
that due to their crimes not being down to the use of Evil magic none of them were sent to
Azkaban rather they were sent to Naofumi Penitentiary. Apart from Filtch due to their crimes
being Line Theft there was no chance of early parole due to good behavior.

Dumbles took a lot longer to be taken to trial since it took Amelia and her department nearly
six months to get a full history of all the crimes the man had done during his long life.
Hearing his sentence Harry did not think that the man even if he somehow discovered a spell
or potion to make himself as young as a First-Year student would live to the end of it. Being
charged with several counts of Line Theft, Child Abuse, and Endangerment, Ebezelment
from Hogwarts, Misuse of Power in not only the Wizengamot and Hogwarts, but also ICW,
use of banned magic and potions, and finally possession of dangerous artifacts. In the end, his
full punishment was totaled to be nearly seven hundred and ten years and due to the Evil
Magic involved he was sent to Azkaban, unlike the others.

The selection of the new Headteacher for Hogwarts took nearly as long as Dumbles to appear
for his trial. For while most of the staff decide to stay in their positions Mary kept going back
and forth on whether she wanted the position. After meeting with a Mind Healer for a couple
of months she agreed to take up the position temporarily, just to the end of the current year so
she could see if she could handle it. Thanks to helping from Minerva who was still the
Assistant Headmistress and the rest of the staff she was able to perform her job rather well.
As they waited for Mary Poppins the governor's task was to find replacements for Filtch and
a new Medi-Magical. Thankfully Harry was not asked to take part in that decision just
because he was Lord Slytherin/Heir Gryffindor. It had been decided that a man named
Samuel Brooks was to take over as Hogwarts' new Medi-Magical. The first thing the man did
was to change the infirmary making it less severe replacing the small uncomfortable chairs
with mini-arm chairs at each bed. The bedding had also been improved as Harry would find
out the next time he visited the place. Which would be due to a Quidditch injury rather than
any issues caused by Dumble's plans. When it came to replacing Filtch the Governers
decided to make a change as they allowed the House Elves to take a more active and visible
role in cleaning the school while also having a woman named Angelica move in along with
her husband Charles "Chuckie" Finster to take over the job of being in charge of detentions.

Not having anything to do with the decision Harry just enjoyed being a regular student for
once without having to worry about Dumbles and the others. And since Ron, Hermione, and
Ginny were not coming back Fred and George did not have to hide the fact they had started
to date Draco and Blaise. Granted Fred had some issues with Pansy for taking her "Dracey-
poo" but after the red-head pranked her she backed away, much to both Draco and Fred's
relief.

With Hermione out of Hogwarts, the Third Year Gyrffindor girl's dorms returned to what they
had been previously since there were only three girls in the year. The male dorms had not
changed leaving Romulus and Harry in one room and Seamus and Dean in the other though
they gave each other permission to enter the rooms if they wanted.

During the Christmas/Yule holiday Harry was given the choice to head back to Malfoy
Manor to spend the break with Godmother's family or to join Romulus in going to his place
since Sirius was his Godfather. Harry chose to go with his roommate knowing that Romulus
still was a little shy around his folks and worried something might happen when they were
away from Hogwarts. It was the best holiday both boys had ever had as they celebrated with
Romulus' parents. Harry did leave Lupin-Black Manor at one point having been invited to go
see Theo during the break.

Harry was able to meet Theodore Nott Sr, as well as Theo's grandfather, Legvistus for a
surprise. Harry was taken to a small apartment the Nott family owned in a Muggle building
to watch Star Wars curled up with Theo. Granted by that time Harry was halfway through the
Empire Strikes Back he did not care that they watched all three movies. Harry did like them
even if the characters were not how he had envisioned them. Theo even showed Harry what
he called a rare find as he popped in a tape for the Star Wars Holiday Special. While it had
nothing to do with the plot of the movies it was rather strange so Harry liked it a little.
When Harry and Theo had exchanged gifts the Slytherin boy was amazed for Harry had
given him a portrait that Harry painted, with some help, of Theo as Luke Skywalker. At just a
tap with a wand, the picture could be changed to Theo as Thrawn and even Sherlock Holmes.
Theo had a harder time getting a gift for Harry, mostly due to help him pick out most of the
Star Wars books and many others at the Corner Store during their Hogsmead visit. He had
found Harry a gift in the end as with his dad and grandfather's help was able to locate a book
discussing the Potter family genealogy as well as a spell that would allow Harry to either
create or locate his family tree.

When they returned from the holiday Fred and George shared tales of heading to the Weasley
Manor after picking up their belongings from the Burrow. "It was fantastic, for the first time
Fred and I actually had separate rooms," George said leaning into Blaise's form as the group
chatted in the twins' Potion lab.

"Granted we did end up sneaking into each other's room when we found it was too quiet to
sleep but still," Fred added.

"There was also a potions lab," George said," granted our now disgraced Blood Traitor
Second Cousin Dan had not kept it well stocked but we had fun filling it up as a family after
we moved in.

"He left the place in a right state," Fred said, "the Wards were a joke and some of the House
Elves were in bad shape due to him not being the rightful Lord of the family thus being able
to properly sustain them."

"Yeah thankfully our oldest brother, Bill was not only able to repair them but improve the
Wards tenfold," George said, "not to mention helping us out in increasing our magical skill in
Charms, and Defense."

"Dad even got us all these," Fred said as the twins pulled on a chain around their necks
pulling out a necklace. "It is enchanted to protect us from some spells and even heat up if
someone tries to slip us love potions that have been altered so they are not detected by our
Heir Rings."

One of the big events of the second term was the final Quidditch Game of Gryffindor vs
Slytherin. Oliver Wood, before the game, pulled Harry, Fred, and George aside making sure
they understood that he would not have an issue screaming at them later if they went easy on
the Slytherin team just cause they were all dating members of that House. It took the twins
dying his eyebrows bright purple to make him understand that the three of them had no plans
of going easy on the other team. Harry did have a tough time at it as he tried to outfly Draco's
superior broom during the match but he won out in the end.* Thanks to their undrafted
winning streak that year the Gryffindors team won the cup making Wood actually cry as he
pulled everyone into a large group hug. But what was more shocking was as they
congratulated the Slytherins on their game Wood kissed Marcus Flint causing some gasp and
wolf whistles from the stands. Oliver admitted he and Marcus had been secretly dating for a
year but due to Dumble's Anti-Slytherin measures they had thought they would be unable to
announce it until after Marcus Graduated next Year.

Hearing this Harry went to discuss something he had forgotten to mention during the
Governors Meeting the last term. Going to see Professor McGonagall he informed her about
the visit Theo, Percy and he made to the Headmaster's office to retrieve Godric's Sword.
Harry informed her about the spell they had found on the Sorting Hat leading them to go up
to Mary Poppin's new office to remove the Glamor on the Hat. That night after she thanked
the four House Teams for their good game that year, Headmistress Poppins informed
everyone about the spell that had been on the Sorting Hat that possibly altered their House
placement, giving everyone the option to be re-sorted if they wished to. Apart from a few
people, no one took her up on the one having made friends in the Houses the Hat had sent
them to. And with Dumbles gone there was more inter-House unity than before.

Having learned about the enchantments Dumbles had placed on the Sorting Hat,
Headmistress Poppins and the Hogwarts Govorners decided that to make sure students both
new and returning would have all the facts about the four Houses they would send small
information books out with the next Years Hogwarts Letters. This plan lead to Harry helping
out as he and the other Founder's Heirs summoned the spirits again to find out their original
plan for each of the Houses, not just what the Hat sang to everybody their plan was. at the
start of each year.

This was just one of the small number of changes that the Headmistress and Governors ended
up doing. They had returned books that Dumbles had removed from the library making
Madam Pince happy. And were deciding what classes to bring back to the castle as well.
Thanks to a suggestion from McGonagall the Divination class was removed since a class on
the subject would only ever be useful for people who had the gift for it. And those that had
said gift did take the class in the first place. Since the professor of the class had been at
Hogwarts so long rather than kicking her out she was given the option of remaining at the
castle and helping out in the library alongside Charles Finster and Madam Pince. Classes on
Magical culture and laws were added to the curriculum and made into mandatory lessons.
The culture class being taught alongside the Muggle Studies would join the core classes for
the First and Second Years and become electives after it. While Magical Law would be taught
to all students in years Six and Seven. The Muggle Studies class had also been updated since
Headmistress Poppins found the class under Dumbles' orders had not handled anything more
recent than the Muggle World War One.

At the end of term, Harry and Theo spent some time apart, outside of class, from each other
to not flaunt the fact they could. Since Draco and Blaise could not spend their free time with
 Fred and George as the pair got ready for their OWLs. Harry really missed his boyfriend
during that last month of the term but it was better than possibly making Draco and Blaise
jealous. Plus it made the party the twins decided to throw after they had finished their last
OWLs exam all the better for the reunion of the three couples. The party while being more
private than the Samhain party last year did raise the three couples' spirits as they got back
together after a month apart from each other. Just like last time Percy and Penelope had been
invited as well. This made the party both a celebration for the reunion of the three
Gryffindor/Slytherin couples and also a party for Percy getting the highest number of OWLs
offered at Hogwarts and being named Valedictorian. Percy was a little disappointed that he
was going to miss out on the Magical Law classes that were to start next year. This leads to
the twins teasing him, but promising to send him copies of their books, notes, and homework
assignments so he could see what he would be missing. Percy was so overcome with emotion
that he pulled the pair into a tight hug knocking their heads together and crying his eyes out.

Headmistress Poppins made another change from Harry's last two years as she rewarded the
House Cup during lunch of their final full day at the castle. After lunch, she invited all the
students to attend the Seventh Year Graduation ceremony rather than have it take place the
day the rest of the students headed home. Harry and the others came back to the Great Hall
for the ceremony to find the House tables gone and in their place massive amounts of chairs
set up. Harry, Theo, Draco, Fred, George, and Blaise took seats in the front row after the
blocked-off section for graduating students and their families. They were joined by other
students some like Dean who had witnessed older relatives' Muggle Graduations and wanted
to see how it was different in the Magical World. While others were students like the twins
who had older siblings or relatives that were graduating and wanted to cheer them on rather
than have to miss it because they were on the Hogwarts Express heading back to London.

Harry who had never been to a Graduation before could not tell if it was different from the
Muggle kind as he watched the four Heads of House and Headmistress Poppins give some
speeches before calling Percy up to give his. Not sure if it was what he was meant to do or
not as Percy stepped away from the podium after he had finished speaking Harry began to
clap his hands at his former crush leading others to join in and the twins to let out some loud
wolf whistles. When the Seventh Years were called forward to accept the results of the
NEWTs a member of the Governors would call their name and they would get their document
from their Head of House before Headmistress Poppins would shake their hands in
congratulations before tapping their school crest with her wand altering it from the normal
Hogwarts Coat of Arms so that it was now surrounded by a golden thread while their House
Crest would change to the animal of their house now having a roll of parchment in their
mouth or in the case of a Ravenclaw student in the Eagle's talons.

Chapter End Notes

* A reminder, due to the protections from his ring Harry never fell off his broom against
Hufflepuff thus Sirius had not needed to go out and get him a Firebolt for
Christmas/Yule
 Epilogue II: Leading up to this
Chapter Summary

Harry thinks back on how everything lead up to this moment.

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

"Quite squirming so I can work," Draco ordered as he helped Harry into his outfit.

"Funny I don't recall you being able to stay still before it was your turn," Harry teased his
friend.

"True but I was in a normal robe, how you talked Theo into this I can not even begin to
guess," Draco said.

"Who said it was my idea?" Harry shot back.

"Oh yeah, I can see that happening," Draco said as he put the last stitches into Harry's dark
brown robes and put the sash on with Harry's wand in the special holder for the ceremony.

"He did, right after we asked each other after graduation," Harry informed his best friend.

"Yes, but why this theme rather than Sherlock Holmes?" Draco asked.

"It might have to do with what I shared with him of who I had seen everyone portray before
he showed me the movie," Harry admitted.

"So it is thanks to you I am wearing this?" Draco asked in mock outrage gesturing down at
his pure white gown.

"Hey at least we did not have you copy the hair," Harry said.

"I would have killed you, your wedding day be damaged if you had tried," Draco shot back
though with a teasing twinkle in his eye.

Harry could not help but smile as he looked at Draco and him in the room's mirror. Except for
the wand holder, Harry's outfit could pass as a normal work robe in the Magical World it was
only when one looked closer at a patch above the heart that one would see a special symbol.
Draco on the other hand looked like Harry's old vision of the blonde as Princess Leia that
came to his head every time he read a Star Wars book. Well, a Leia that was male had blonde
hair and a short beard that is. As Harry gazed into the mirror he could not help but think how
glad it was that everything had led up to this. Who would have thought that asking Theo just
to annoy Granger would have such an impact on his life. His memory shifted to the first
Slytherin Samhain party and his first chasten kiss on Theo's cheek and the real start of their
relationship when they had finally really admitted they liked each other as more than friends.
This was soon followed by the memory of Theo standing up for him against Granger as well
as Ronald's attack.

With Granger and the two youngest "Weasleys", no longer at Hogwarts. Harry and Theo fully
moved into the open in their relationship. Walking through the halls arm and arm and even
going on several dates over the years to Hogsmead village. They were not the only ones as
Fred and George, who had not hidden their relationships with Draco and Blaise respectively,
no longer had to tone down their PDA with Ronald and Ginny no longer coming back to
Hogwarts. It was thanks to the twins dating the two Slytherins that the pair had not tried to
enter the Triwizard Tournament in Harry's Fourth Year leading to their group splitting their
focus in cheering for Cedric Diggory and the famous Quiidtch Player Viktor Krum. It had
shocked all of them, however, when the Beauxbaton's Champion Fleur Delacour had come
out on top.

The Tournament had been fun to watch but the thing that Harry really remembered of that
year had been the Yule Ball. Having the Goblet put out on Samhain there had been o
Slytherin Party that year so everyone had gone all out for the Yule Ball. Harry recalled
dancing with Theo at the Ball, his boyfriend wearing a pure white robe reminiscent of the
Grand Admiral's uniform from the year before. Harry had chosen his favorite color for his
robes, even if he did not feel that he had the proper skin tone to pull off a bright sun-shine
yellow. Harry and Theo had ignored the slight teasing from their sort of mismatched robes
having too much fun dancing with each other and wolf-whistling at Romulus who had been
asked to the dance by Krum himself.

The only downside of Harry's Fourth Year was that somehow Dumbles had pulled some
strings and got himself an interview with a reporter. Rita Skeeter had written about Dumbles
ranting on how the Dark Lord was coming back soon and something about a prophecy where
only one person could defeat him. The asshole had stated in the article that Harry was the
prophecies one to stop the Dark Lord, leading to a storm of owls being sent to Harry about
the whole thing. After the Second Task in the tournament, it blew up even more when a
Ministry Worker, who was later to be found as one of Dumbles' supporters did admit that
such a prophecy existed. With all the press on the prophecy, Cornelius Fudge sent for Harry
to come to collect it. Harry had been forced to go to get the small orb, accompanied by Sirius
and Narcissa since only people the prophecy was about could touch the damn thing.
Fudge had wanted Harry to just pick up the glass orb that contained the prophecy before
handing it over to him. Harry had not even needed his Godparents' advice to not do so
pointing out that since it concerned him he should see what it said first by himself. Granted
Harry knew that Riddle had survived having fought a shade of the man in his first year the
prophecy stated there would be someone born to defeat him, and as he had done so when the
monster killed his parents he had fulfilled the damn thing as far as he was concerned. Still, to
be on the safe side he met with the Goblins about the prophecy. The Goblins had also known
Riddle was alive thanks to the Horcrux that they had removed from Harry when he had gone
through his Cleansing as well as the one found in Hufflepuff's cup. Sirius's younger brother
Regulus had also been involved since he had found out about another Horcrux and had tried
to get rid of it. Comparing the magical signatures from the one removed from Harry and the
locket Regulus had collected with Kreacher's help the Goblins had managed to track down
the remaining Horcruxes created by Riddle. This action led to Harry gaining the Gaunt
Family Ring since Riddle had used it as a vessel for a Horcrux.

While they had not discovered what had happened to the Dark Lord's essence Regulus had
pointed out that since the Horxruces had been collected and Harry had defeated the man as a
baby his role in the prophecy was finished. Even if it wasn't Regulus had pointed out that if
Harry did not put any trust in the prophecy it would not come true in any case, hence why
there were so many unclaimed prophecies in the vault that Harry had retrieved his from. With
this bit of information, Harry finally talked to one of the papers in Brittian the one owned by
the father of Neville's cousin Luna Lovegood. Without talking about Horcruxes Harry had
told about the prophecy saying he would defeat You-Know-Who and since he did so as a
baby it was over, no matter what Dumbledore believed.

Harry's Fifth Year was much like his Third, with the only real difference being that the
amount of homework increased in all his classes due to the upcoming OWLs. Also by the end
of the year, Fred and George had exchanged courtship rings with Draco and Blaise since it
was their final year.

Draco and Blaise had been surprised the next year on the second Hogsmead trip of the year,
neither had gone on the first one missing the twins, to find Fred and George had opened a
joke shop in the village. Draco being Draco had not been able to hold back asking how the
pair had afforded the place after opening another shop on a side street in Diagon Alley. The
twins had shared a look before informing the four Sixth Years that they had gotten money
from the lawsuit against Ludo Bagman having won a bet against the man from the Quidditch
Cup the summer before. Like many others who had won bets with the man, they had filed a
class action against the man leading to everyone getting refunds. With the money, they had
already made from their Diagon Alley shop and due to them leading the charge against
Bagman the Goblins had approved a loan for the second shop.
After his seventeenth birthday and passing his Apparition Test Harry had been able to go on
some dates outside of Hogwarts and Hogsmead with Theo. Theo had even tracked down a
drive-in theatre who were showing the Star Wars Trilogy since it had just been announced
that George Lucus was working on a new Star Wars movie set to be released in a couple of
years. While Harry had finally been able to see what the characters looked like in the movies
he still saw his friends whenever he read the books, or Theo read them to him. This did lead
to Harry finally revealing who he had seen as the other characters to Theo making the taller
boy laugh to hear that Harry always pictured Draco as Leia.

During his Seventh Year when not focused on his studies Harry had asked Draco and
Romulus for help in getting a Courtship ring for Theo. Harry wanted to have one specially
made rather than take one from one of his vaults, Harry wanted a ring that showcased Theo's
intelligence as well as their common love of Sherlock Holmes, Star Wars, and other books
series. Romulus who had grown to be the best student in Charms of their year had created a
small book-like item for the ring which could open up would act like a Priori Incantartum
spell and show off an image of a particular book or character above the ring. The ring itself
had been made with some help from Draco as a project and sort of interview for his
Wandmaking Master. The ring's body was created from the shavings of a Catoblepas tusk
coated with some scales taken from the Basilisk corpse Harry had killed in his Second Year.
Harry himself had inscribed several protection runes on the ring, as well as a message, "You
are my Sherlock."

It had taken until graduation for Harry to work up the courage to ask Theo to finalize their
courtship with a bonding ceremony. Harry had no idea that Theo had the same idea and as he
came down from the stage after giving his Valedictory speech Theo had approached Harry
and with all eyes on him had gotten onto his knees to ask Harry to marry him in the Muggle
way. The whole hall had fallen silent waiting for Harry to respond only for Harry to start
laughing as he pulled out the ring for Theo and got onto his knees as well to ask the same.
The thunderous applause from his classmates, and the crowd was louder than it had been at
any other part of the ceremony as the pair had gotten to their feet and shared a kiss. Harry had
thought he heard either Fred and George or Dean and Seamus catcalling and wolf-whistling
for the pair.

It had still taken a couple of years for Harry and Theo to plan their ceremony and in the
meantime, several of their friends had gotten married themselves. The earliest one had been
Percy Weasley and Penelope Clearwater who had bonded a year after the pair had graduated
Hogwarts and after Percy's first year working in the records department for the Wizengamot.
Percy had even earned a promotion due to his work discovering some of the corruption
involving several laws that had been voted on during Dumble's tenure as Chief Warlock.
Oliver Wood and Marcus Flint happened shortly after becoming the Flint-Wood family as
Marcus even talked Oliver into starting a Quidditch training center for young kids rather than
try out for one of the national teams. This led to the pair starting a youth center that Magical
kids could go to during the summer or before they were old enough to go to one of the
magical schools.

While several bonding and marriage ceremonies happened after Marcus and Oliver's bonding
the next one that Harry had a role in was the one between Romulus and his long-time long-
distant boyfriend Viktor. As Harry had lived with Romulus since, after the Third Year, Harry
had seen the other boy as more of a brother than a friend at that moment and had not been
surprised to be asked to fulfill the role of best man for Romulus. The only sad part was that
Romulus was moving to live with Krum in Bulgaria and was starting a greenhouse there so
Harry would not get to him that much anymore, only during holidays and the occasional
long-distance Floo call.

Fred and George when they got married to Draco and Blaise shocked everyone by not
performing a double ceremony. Rather the two bindings were performed a week apart from
each other, allowing Blaise and George to go on their honeymoon before coming back to take
part in Fred and Draco's ceremony. Harry had thought Lucius was going to faint when Lord
Tony announced Fred and Draco after their ceremony since the pair had not told Draco's dad
that his son's married name was going to be Draco Weasley-Prewett-Malfoy. Lee Jordan had
joked it was easier to tell the twins apart after their bonding on their Purple and Orange robes
for their joke shops Fred had the initials F.G.W.P.M. while George thanks to taking Blaise's
name had his marked with G.F.Z.P.W.*

Each twin now ran one of the two main stores they had set up. Fred ran the one in Diagon
Alley where he would meet his husband for lunch as Draco worked under Ollivander to learn
wand creation and lore. George meanwhile was in Hogmead where Blaise would return after
his day under Professor McGonagall as he apprenticed at Hogwarts to earn a Masters in
Transfiguration.

And now today was Harry and Theo's turn for their Bonding. Having surprised all their
friends and family who were invited to attend and take part in the ceremony by having it be a
themed bonding. The theme being Star Wars. Theo had come up with the idea of letting the
guest decide on their outfit but planning the wedding party's clothing from what Harry had
told him about who he saw as each character from the books, with one exception. Besides
planning their wedding Harry and Theo had discussed what they wanted to do afterward,
both having sort of been just living on their own living off the money from their vaults as
they planned the wedding rather than work anyplace. Due to their shared love of history and
learning the pair had used some of Theo's family connections to get a job with the ICW to
travel to all the magical schools both the main twelve but also several small ones to look into
them. Theo's job was to make sure all the schools followed the standardized rules set up by
the ICW, while Harry was going to take notes of the schools' history and differences to write
a book on them.
As the music started to signal the start of the ceremony Harry brought himself back to the
present as Draco did some last-second adjustments to his robes before leading the way out of
the room. Harry stood back and watched the wedding party make its way up to the front
where Theo was waiting for him in a dark cloak with its hood up. First to walk down the aisle
was Romulus dressed in an outfit that resembled C-3PO pushing a stroller containing Harry's
pseudo-Nephew, Constantine Frank Krum-Lupin-Black. The stroller had been enchanted to
look like R2-D2. Constantine had been given the role of Harry and Theo's Ribbon holder or
ring bearer in a Muggle ceremony. Next came Luna, dressed as Mon Mothma, who was by
herself as she danced down the aisle spreading flower petals and fairy wing scales as a sign of
blessing for the event. Harry's first groomsmen lead Theo's first up the aisle neither of them
looking that happy about being paired up or maybe their outfits. Ernie had never really been a
fan of Pansy but had been willing to walk up the aisle with her for Harry's sake. Ernie, since
Constantine's stroller was modeled after R2, was dressed in an outfit similar to Hagrid's
horrible hairy suit that had been modeled after Chewbacca, while Pansy was a character from
the books was dressed as Mara Jade though with her normal hair color.

Next came George and Blaise dressed as Lobot and Lando Calrissian respectively, followed
by Fred and Draco as Han and Leia. When it was his turn Harry walked up the aisle his eyes
upon Theo who was still wearing his dark cloak with the hood up. Theo only lowered the
hood as Harry came to stand beside him as he removed the cloak entirely to reveal Thrawn's
white Grand Admiral uniform. As he took his place beside him Harry pulled a single string
on his robes, making Draco let out an audible groan, as his robes fell away and Harry was left
standing dressed as Doctor Watson just like he had when he had first kissed Theo. Lord Tony
had even gotten into the fun as he had dressed in a pure black robe where he kept the hood up
and a small light spell illuminating his face making him look like Emperor Palpatine.

Their ceremony was not that long for neither Harry nor Theo liked being the center of
attention knowing for their Bonding they would have to be. When Lord Tony had asked if
there was anyone who had an issue with their bonding Fred had jokingly replied that the only
issue was that Harry and Theo were dressed as people from two different stories. As Theo
had predicted one of their friends would bring that up, since they had kept Harry's outfit a
secret from everyone, and had given Tony the response to Fred. "Yes, they are from two
stories or universes if you will but isn't that what we are all different stories or lives that find
parts that complete us with those around us. Harry and Theo are but two stories whose
chapters are now joining together to finish their tale. The couple had thought of no better way
to showcase that than the outfits they had chosen to wear for the ceremony," Tony said to
some applause as Fred sent a look at Theo who gave him a small wink.

As the ceremony ended Harry and Theo turned away from Tony and towards their friends and
family as they were introduced as Theo and Harry Nott-Slytherin. Harry and Theo waited a
moment as their wedding party moved into position along the aisle pulling out their wands
 that like Harry's had been were in special holders. Casting Lumos caused the holders to look
like lightsabers which were held aloft creating an archway that the newly married couple
walked through as they left the building.

Chapter End Notes

* Fred Gideon Weasley-Prewett-Malfoy and George Fabian Zabinin-Prewett-Weasley

End Notes

The idea of this story came from the fact is that in the stories where Harry goes up to get
either his Heir or Lordship rings, at least in the stories I have read, the rings always accept
him. This lead to an idea of what if the rings did not accept him, at least right away.

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