Chapter 6
Harry and Hermione walked arm in arm through the visitors entrance to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies behind Neville and his eccentric grandmother, behind them walking almost silently were Professor Snape, who was carrying a large flask of vibrant pink potion, and Headmistress McGonagall. All of the group were nervous about the upcoming encounter, whether it would work and the ramifications if it did, Neville was worried that all of the years they had missed would affect his parents ability to function properly once they returned home, Madam Longbottom was concerned that the before unheard of concoction would do more harm than good. Harry and Hermione were worried that they had given Neville false hope, Professor Snape was nervous about how much to give them as the dosage information was based on goblin physiology and there was no known conversion for humans, and Minerva was concerned that with the entire waiting room staring at them as they entered, that the origins of this cure would leaked and Harry and Hermione would be attacked. As they passed into the hospital proper they passed newly qualified healer Narcissa Black who stopped to talk to the entire group, as she spoke to Professor Snape Harry couldn't help but think back to the trial of her only son.
-FLASHBACK-
"Please bring forward the accused." Chief witch Marchbanks called to the Aurors by the chamber doors.
Moments later a sullen looking boy formally known as Draco Malfoy was brought into the chamber in chains, he was crying softly as he was placed into the chair that had risen out of the centre of the floor and his chains were attached to it.
"Draco No-Name you have been brought before this Wizenagmot accused of the assault and attempted murder of the Lord of a Most Ancient and Most Noble house and endangering a soulbond." Madam Bones stated. "Do you have anything to say?"
"My name is Draco Malfoy, I am Scion to the Noble House of Malfoy, I demand you recognise my heritage."
"The house of Malfoy has lost it's nobility and is no longer recognised by this body of representatives, you are Draco No-Name and any further claims to a non-existent house will see you silenced." Marchbanks ordered. "Now do you have anything pertinent to say regarding your charges?"
"No, I've already said I didn't know it wasn't reversible."
"So who..." Bones started to say.
"The Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter requests the use of veritasirum as our Head of House and his betrothed were the victims of this attack." Minerva called out.
"Motion seconded by the Ancient and Noble House of Black, and I give consent for it's use on him as a minor as his former Head of House." Sirius stated.
"Very well." Marchbanks sighed. "Madam Bones please administer the potion."
Amelia motioned to an auror who stepped forward and poured precisely 3 drops of the clear solution onto Draco's tongue.
"What is your name?" Amelia asked as a grounding question to ensure the potion was working.
"You tell me it's Draco No-Name." He replied emotionlessly.
"Which Hogwarts house do you belong to?"
"Slytherin the greatest of the founding four."
"Why did you attack Lord Potter-Merlin and his betrothed?"
"Because father asked me to hurt his pet mudblood to get him to call off his ridiculous demand for money."
"Who taught you the spell?"
"Mother has been teaching me spells since I was 9, she showed me Duro over the Yule break in an attempt to peak my interest in transfiguration, but I didn't hear her tell me it was fatal to living things."
"Do you regret your decision to attack them?"
"No"
"Is it only your choice of spell that you regret?"
"Yes, I never meant to kill anyone, it pains me that I killed the cat."
"I have no further questions Chief witch." Madam Bones stated.
"Very well, administer the antiserum." Marchbanks ordered. "The accused is guilty by confession, all those in favour of levying the maximum sentence raise your wands."
"The count is 52 for and 3 against." The scribe counted.
"Draco No-Name you are hereby sentenced to 6 years in the juvenile wing of Azkaban for your reckless attack on a Lord, and due to your lack of respect for magic upon your release you will be banished from the magical your memories will be left intact but your magic will be bound completely, if you are found to in contact with anyone magical you will be sentenced to life in Azkaban." Marchbanks decreed.
After the session Harry and Hermione were stood talking to Sirius and Arthur about forming an alliance when they were approached by Narcissa Black.
"Good afternoon, Lords Potter-Merlin, Black, Weasley and Miss Granger." She greeted them.
"Hello Narcissa." Sirius smiled at her. "I hope you don't wish my godson any ill will after today's events."
"Not at all." She stated smiling at Harry. "I never loved that vile excuse of a man, he never loved me and preferred to use his whores than lay with me. I am happy to be a Black once more, and Draco was too hot headed and far too close to his father to be a respectable son of the House of Black."
"What will you do now?" Hermione asked.
"Well my future Lady Black, I plan to return to my training at St. Mungo's, I started training at the same time as Andi but Lucius made me stop when I became pregnant with Draco."
"Well until then you can join living at Blackmoor, Harry is having all former Death Eater homes and Vaults searched for dark items by the goblins, starting with your ex-husbands." Sirius smiled.
"Harry I'll send you a full list of the hidden rooms and compartments, there is at least one hidden in every room. What are you hoping to find?"
"Anything dark I'd like the house clear before I give it to Arthur." Harry stated accusing Arthur to gasp in surprise.
"Lucius will be out for your blood for that one."
"I know but they have more need of it than I do and honestly that's kind of the point."
-FLASHBACK END-
"Lord Potter-Merlin it's good to see you again." Narcissa greeted bowing slightly to Harry.
"Narcissa for the tenth time we're family now you can just call me Harry." He stated. "I hear congratulations are in order, for passing your healers exam?"
"Just last week." She smiled back. "Now I'm just looking for a home away from the manor, it was nice to be able to go back again, but I'd like some freedom back."
"Speak to Ranog our account manager at Gringotts, we have more houses than we could ever use." Hermione smiled.
"And if you even try attempting to pay for it, you can forget it, I won't take your money." Harry stated flatly.
"You'd really just sign a house over to me?" Narcissa asked sceptically.
"Like I said we're family now, plus I did it for the Weasley's your old Manor has 9 new residents and they couldn't be happier." Harry replied.
"Then I thank you, I'll pay him a visit before I return to Blackmoor later."
"That was very kind of you Lord Potter-Merlin." Madam Longbottom said as they climbed the stairs. "To gift a home to the mother of your enemy."
"Like I said to her Madam Longbottom, she is family now, and if I am to be Lord Black someday I can't go around alienating anymore of my house, except for Belatrix of course."
"Did I tell you the goblins found something in her vault, after you gifted it to me, that was so dark they only listed it as HX and told me it had been destroyed." The Matriarch said looking at Harry as she stopped on the stairs. "And when I asked for more information I was told it was between the Goblin nation and yourself, would you care to share what could be soo dark I can't even be told about it?"
"Aunt Minnie can you fill Madam Longbottom in later please?" Hermione asked as they started moving again, and enter a corridor full of portraits of previous healers.
"Just as soon as the alliance is formalised I will sit down and explain it to Augusta over afternoon tea." She promised.
"Feel free to use the dragon room at the manor, I'm sure Charlus and Dorea would enjoy seeing an old friend again." Harry smiled as Neville opened the door to a brightly lit ward.
Once they were inside Harry and Hermione realised just how much magic could actually heal, there were only 6 of the 10 available beds in use, in one an old man, with a white beard that rivalled the once freat Albus Dumbledore, sat struggling to complete a child's shape sorting puzzle. Two of the beds held patients with enlarged appendages and sat in the last bed other than Neville's parents a young woman not much older than them with vibrant green snake instead of hair.
"Don't get too close to Delilah the snakes a extremely venomous, they have the anti-venom on hand but I once saw a healer get bitten it took 5 minutes for him to stop screaming even with the antidote." Neville told them as they crossed the ward, causing Hermione to shuddered at the thought of being in that much pain.
"Augusta!" The healer greeted them from behind her desk as the Longbottom regent entered the room. "It's unusual to see you at this time of year."
"Andromeda can I trust you to keep the nature of today's visit a secret?" She asked in way of a reply.
"Of course I'm the head healer for the ward and the only one on right now so I'll lock the doors."
The group congregated around the bed belonging to Frank and Alice who were both stood holding hands and looking out of the window at the muggle street below, Neville stepped towards them and touched his mother's hand, she immediately turned and wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Well the doors are locked and I've locked the doors and erected a few privacy wards from the Black family arsenal." Andromeda said joining them.
"You are a Black?" Harry asked.
"I was until i eloped with my husband, why?"
"I am the named heir of the House of Black, my godfather seems content to pass his title onto me."
"Well long term exposure to Dementors tends to lead to sterilisation, so I'm not surprised." Andromeda sighed. "My grandfather sent me the family grimoire before he passed away last year, his letter said he wanted to keep it out of Lucius' hands. I'll send it to Sirius."
"Actually it would be better if you delivered it to me at Hogwarts." Aunt Minnie smiled. "He plans to store it at Potter Manor along with all of others we are collecting."
"Others?" Andromeda questioned.
"I claimed all of the Death Eater family titles and possessions before Draco's trial." Harry stated.
"And we found Dumbledore Grimoire in my office last week." Aunt Minnie stated.
"Any clues on Merlin's yet?" Neville asked.
"His portrait says it's in his workshop deep under Avalon Castle next to Excalibur." Hermione stated.
"Sounds like a trip there is need over the summer." Madam Longbottom smiled.
"Anyway." Neville said. "Harry and Hermione these are my parents Frank and Alice."
Unsure of what to do Harry and Hermione just stood and smiled at Neville and his parents, before turning to face Professor Snape and Healer Tonks.
"So it turns out one of my ancestors created a potion that can reverse the effects of the Cruciatus Curse, it turns out it was original created as a way to torture goblins." Harry stated. "I've had Professor Snape brewing the potion over the last 2 months."
"Incredible why wasn't this common knowledge before now?" Andromeda asked.
"Because it wasn't needed before Frank and Alice were tortured this extensively." Hermione stated. "That and only Harry could retrieve the grimoire and Albus Dumbledore kept him away from his rightful guardians who would have allowed him to find it sooner."
"I meant no offence Lady Hermione." Andromeda replied turning back to Snape. "Do you know the required dose?"
"Unfortunately not I have those required for a goblin in this condition, but lack the knowledge to convert that for human consumption."
"Let's just try the goblin dose, most potions I've gotten from them are the same in adults, it's only in children that they tend to vary."
Andromeda reasoned.
"So that's 2 standard potions vials each, isn't it Proffesor?" Hermione asked.
"Correct Hermione, and we should see some results within 10 minutes." Snape responded smiling at one of his new favourite students, the other being her fiancé. "Andromeda do you have some vials to hand?"
"Always, our research team is terrible at remembering to bring them." She chuckled as she disappeared behind the heals station desk for a few moments. "Here we go 4 vials, and a glass funnel."
Once the dose had been carefully measured and administered to Frank and Alice, who had been coaxed into sitting on their beds, the group that was gathered around them waited with baited breath. Neville sat between them holding each of their hands tightly, Augusta stood beside her son with a hand on his shoulder, the rest were gathered at the foot of the beds watching closely for any signs that it was working. At around 8 minutes from her point of ingestion, Alice gasped in a large breath and began to shake violently, Snape had to stop the healer in Andromeda from leaping in to stop the seizure.
"It's part of the process." He said calmly. "Her brain had all but shut down and given how long it's been, we were unsure if this would happen."
Frank on the other hand sat a stiff as a board, twitching occasionally first in his eyes the slowly spreading to all of his muscles following no discernible rhythm, but at the 10 minute mark both abruptly stopped moving and slumped onto their beds lifelessly. Neville was initially shocked by this turn of events and began to fear the worst until he felt both of them squeeze his hands firmly moments before they sat up an looked around getting their bearings.
"Alice." Andromeda said getting the blondes attention. "Can you speak?"
"Yes Andromeda." She smiled. "How did you manage to release the fog of pain?"
"We'll get to that in a moment." The healer smiled. "Frank are you with us?"
"Just about, what ever you did I can't thank you enough."
"It wasn't me." Andromeda stated. "You have young Harry Potter here to thank he found the potion in his family grimoire and had a potion master brew it in secret."
"Harry?" Alice queried looking into his green eye.
"Yes Aunt Alice it's me."
"I just wish I'd told you sooner Harry." Neville smiled.
"Oh my Neville I've been trying to get a note to you for years." Alice said pulling him into a tight hug in her lap. "But you never responded."
"You've been passing him blank sweet wrappers for as long I he's been walking in here on his own." Augusta stated.
"Well at least I was giving him something."
"I still have them all mum." Neville said sheepishly. "They're in the draw of my bedside table."
"Good lad." Frank said smiling. "Now are we allowed to leave or do we need to stay for observation?"
"I can see no reason to keep you but I'll be round to the manor to check on you every few days." Andromeda smiled.
"Excellent." Alice stated. "Where are our wands?"
"I've got dad's here." Neville said quietly giving it to his father. "I was using it at the start of the year but I kept it with me once I got my own."
"And yours is in the safe at the manor where I placed it 10 years ago." Augusta stated looking at Alice.
"Up you get Neville, your father needs to transfigure our clothes." Alice said quietly.
As soon as he and his wife were standing Frank waved his wand over them both and their pyjamas became matching shirt and slack combinations.
"Now let's get out of here we have a lot of catching up to do." He smiled. "Harry we heard about your parents, I am truly sorry we were careless in exiting our own seclusion and couldn't raise you as we were supposed to do."
"That's ok Uncle Frank." Harry smiled. "Albus Dumbledore manipulated us all, I saw raised in an abusive home with Lily's sister, but it helped me be who I am today. Plus I have everyone back in my corner now and my beautiful Soulmate's family to boot."
"Soulmates?" Alice asked looking at Hermione. "Truly?"
"Yes Mrs. Longbottom." She replied. "The goblins did an inheritance test of sorts and they confirmed it."
"Well then." She replied pulling Harry and Hermione into a hug. "Welcome to the family, Lady Potter."
"Actually it's Lord and Lady Potter-Merlin." Harry stated.
"2 houses?" Frank queried in disbelief.
"Actually it's 7 but only Potter and Merlin are Most Ancient and Most Noble, but I am also the named heir of the House of Black, which I will be requesting be acknowledged as mine as soon as it is."
"What about the other 5?" Alice asked.
"Former Death Eater houses that I claim as restitutions for them helping Voldemort kill my parents."
"He was brilliant in the chamber." Augusta stated. "He didn't faulted once, not even when Lily was insulted by the Minister's Senior Undersecretary."
"Well she was a Death Eater had she not been Sirius was prepared to step in to duel anyone as my proxy." Harry stated coldly.
Harry and Hermione returned to Hogwarts with their guardian and potions Professor, leaving Neville to get aquatinted with his parents properly. They walked through the halls hand in hand to their quarters and found the rest of the Gryffindor first years waiting outside, minus Ron who still refused to be civil with Hermione.
"How did it go?" Lavender asked as soon as she saw them.
"Not out here." Harry stated. "Hermione."
The entire group entered the suite to find Remus and Sirius chatting with James and Lily.
"Could have asked first guys." Harry smirked cheekily. "I know you're my uncles and everything but this is my private suite."
"Don't look at me I was trying to sleep." Lily said seeing the look on Harry's face.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Hermione asked with her hands on her hips, it was a move that Lily had told her was very effective on the marauders.
"Merlin." Sirius gulped and whispered to Remus. "She's got the Lily stare down to a tee."
"Well don't make her any angrier these two have all of Lily's school notebooks." Remus stated. "Sorry guys Sirius showed up to see you after you'd left and suggested we spoke to James while we waited."
"Do you guys mind if we fill you in tomorrow?" Hermione asked their friends.
"No go ahead you get to see us all the time." Dean replied as the others nodded along.
"Thanks for understanding guys." Harry smiled. "Come here after breakfast tomorrow, and I'll try not to leave you standing outside for too long."
As soon as their friend were gone Hermione pulled 4 butterbeers out of their kitchenette and set them down on the table before falling into Harry's lap.
"So how are Frank and Alice?" James asked impatiently.
"Talking and completely cognitive." Hermione replied. "They've been fully aware the entire time but unable to communicate properly, Alice said she'd been trying to give Neville a note for years."
"It was good to see them come to." Harry stated. "Alice will want to apologise to you mum, they only got attacked by Belatrix because she was rushing out of hiding to get to me, if she'd just waited a few days it could have all been different."
"You did tell her it wasn't her fault I assume?" Lily asked.
"I told her that I do not begrudge anyone for my upbringing, as hard as it was it made me the person I am today." Harry said smiling at everyone in the room. "I may resent The three of them but they taught me how to treat others by showing me what it's like to be on the receiving end of undeserved hate."
"It's a little backwards but if you can put their treatment of you behind you, I suppose I can to." Hermione said kissing him on the cheek.
"Speak for yourself no one is giving me their address." Sirius huffed. "I don't want to hurt them, I just want to speak to them and try to show them the error of their ways."
"Of course Padfoot we believe you." Harry replied sarcastically. "Now what's the reason you wanted to see us today?"
"Well Ragnok contacted me late last night and said they'd found a Horcrux in the LeStrange vault and that they'd finally been able to use it to track the others." Sirius explained. "And they were getting a reading from one of my homes, my mothers to be precise, so I agreed to meet them there this morning and we found it in a display cabinet in the drawing room, it turns out my brother stole it from Voldemort with help from one of our house elves."
"So that's another found." Hermione smiled. "I wonder how many are actually out there?"
"Who knows." Harry sighed. "Oh Sirius you don't need to search for the grimoire anymore your grandfather sent it to Andromeda she's going to bring it here to Aunt Minnie in the next few days."
"Fantastic, but why her she was cast out of the family and I can't let her back in without that book." Sirius pondered.
"She said something about him wanting to keep it away from Lucius." Hermione informed him to which Sirius smiled and nodded.
"Are you ok Uncle Mooney?" Harry asked. "You've been awfully quiet?"
"Just thinking, I've had a really weird feeling all day but I can't place what's wrong." He sighed. "But Wolfie isn't happy."
"Why don't we collect Aunt Minnie and all go for a walk in the grounds." Hermione suggested. "Maybe getting some fresh air will help."
The group walked through the castle in complete silence, it wasn't until they reached the corridor to Aunt Minnie's office that they were disrupted from their silent companionship by the ruckus before them. Ronald was shouting at Dora and Percy.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T SEE MCGONAGALL?" He screamed at them.
"She is busy and asked not to be disturbed by anyone save for her family." Dora replied calmly. "Now please return to your common room."
"BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT I HAVE TO SEE HER."
"Something is wrong with Ron he hasn't behaved like this since before the Yule break." Hermione whisper to Sirius and Remus.
"Wolfie is sensing foul magic, possibly an Imperius and it's incredibly powerful." Remus stated. "Sirius why don't you stun him I can't because of my contract."
"STUPEFY!" Sirius cast and the red ball of light hit Ron square in the back and he crumpled to the floor.
"Mr Black could you please explain why you stunned my brother?" Percy demanded levelling his wand at Sirius.
"It's Lord Black, and we believe he was being controlled." He replied. "Hermione here says he hasn't acted like that since he returned from Yule break."
"Do you have anything to add Professor?" Percy asked not moving his wand off of Sirius.
"I would have done it myself but my contract is worded against me using offensive spells on students."
"Fine." Percy relented stowing his wand inside his robes again.
"Why don't you take your brother to Madam Pomfrey and have him checked over, tell her I suspect the Imperius curse." Remus suggested.
"Yes Professor."
As soon as he was gone Aunt Minnie appeared in front of her griffin with Andromeda.
"What in the name of Merlin is going on out here?" Aunt Minnie demanded.
"You asked me to ensure you weren't disturbed." Dora stated. "And that's what I was doing when the youngest Weasley boy turned up ranting about needing to see you urgently while his brother Percy was trying to calm him down, that's when the rest of our family showed up."
"And I told Remus and Sirius that this was out of character for Ronald." Hermione continued. "Well since he returned after Yule anyway."
"And my wolf has been having a bad feeling all day." Remus sighed. "I could sense the dark magic on him, it was powerful, an imperius I think, Poppy should be able to tell us."
"So I stunned him to stop him causing anyone harm." Sirius finished.
"Very well, why don't you all join us upstairs Andromeda has brought us the Black Grimoire." Aunt Minnie smiled.
"Perfect." Sirius said rubbing his hands together. "Are you ready to be a Black again Andi?"
"What will your mother say?" She asked.
"I honestly don't care the only reason I'm not casting her out is that she's on deaths door as it is it would probably kill her and I don't want the be the cause of her death." Sirius stated as they began to climb the stairs"But Belatrix is another matter."
"I'd say take pity on my sister but she doesn't deserve any. " Andi replied as the walked into the office.
"Harry would you like to do the honours as my named heir you can do this yourself with the right wording?" Sirius smiled.
"I can." He asked picking up the book from the coffee table.
"Page 40 I think." Andi stated and Harry quickly found the statement he needed on page 43.
"I, Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Merlin, and Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Black, hereby reinstated Andromeda Tonks Née Black and all of her descendants into the House of Black until such a time as they are deemed unworthy to carry on our name, so I have spoken so it shall be." Harry commanded and the magic swirled the entire room.
"Well the family magic hasn't felt like that before." Andi commented.
"Well he is Lord Merlin perhaps it's because Merlin created the magic that binds the families in the Wizenagmot?" Hermione suggested.
"It's plausible." Aunt Minnie smiled. "But we won't know until we retrieve the Merlin Grimoire, it's not the only one we need but it is the most important."
"Which ones do we have?" Harry asked.
"Potter, Black, Bulstrode, Selwyn, Malfoy, Role and Dumbledore." Aunt Minnie stated. "So that just leaves Parkinson, Flint and LeStrange."
"You could ask Madam Longbotton if it was in the vault?" Sirius suggested.
"An excellent idea, she coming to afternoon tea in a few days to finalise the alliance it might be prudent for you and Arthur to be here as well."
"I'll speak to him tomorrow but it shouldn't be a problem." Sirius smiled. "I've taken him under my wing and given him some companies to manage see if we can fill the family coffers in a more lasting way."
"Good, Merlin knows if anyone needs the help it's the Weasleys." Aunt Minnie smiled.
"Now why don't we all go on that walk we came here to suggest?" Remus asked.
"Sounds good." Andromeda smiled looking at Harry and Hermione. "It will give me a chance to get to know these two better."
Earlier that morning - Azkaban
Albus Dumbledore was happy to say he had formulated a new plan to regain his positions with in the world, thankfully he'd been able to retain his most prized possession, the Elder Wand, it was hidden in a wrist mounted holster that the wand itself had glamoured no one could break it let alone detect it. Getting passed the dementors was the easy bit as he reasoned that his phoenix patrunos was perhaps the most powerful in the world, and the small amount of human guards by the main entrance was no problem with a notice-me-not and a few well placed obliviations, his main problem was the 30 mile wide appiration ward, he didn't know if Fawkes was still loyal to him, if not he'd need to use a lot of his power to travel the 100 miles to the coast and take a considerable rest before he traveled to the mountains surrounding Hogwarts. He cast a wide silencing charm and quickly unlocked his cell door, there we no dementors anywhere near him so he cast his notice-me-not and began a slow descent of the prison moving carefully so as not to alert the other prisoners, his charm was good but notice-me-nots were not infallible. Each dementor he came across was deflected with a low powered shield he'd not risk his phoenix unless they swarmed him, by the time he'd reached the main entrance he had obliviated 3 guards who would be lucky to remember their own names he was not as careful with his charms as he would normally have been, his next challenge caused him to nearly turn tail and return to his cell, Amelia Bones and a small contingent of aurors were gathered outside of the guards quarters which lead to the main entrance.
"So warden what's the trouble you've been ranting about?" Bones asked.
"It's the young Malfoy boy he's going mad he's talking to people who aren't there." A portly man with greying brunette hair stated as he stepped out of the door. "Honestly I think he needs to see a healer, being here may have broken him, he's only 12 after all, and before you say anything none of the dementors have been anywhere near his cell but you can still feel that they're nearby."
"He's the only juvenile here." Bones stated. "He's basically in solitary confinement, I'll take him to St. Mungo's with constant guard and return him here as soon as he's been assessed and treated."
"I've had Jones sat outside his cell all night." The warden replied. "But it's almost 6 if we don't retrieve him soon he might just leave to get some sleep he's already pulled a double shift to cover Collision's injury."
"How is he anyway?" Bones asked as the group started to walk towards Albus.
"Doing better, the gash was soo deep and long that they're having to repair it layer by layer." The warden stated as he stepped around Albus. "He should be back in a few weeks and we've already replaced the stairs and railing from where he fell, I'm almost positive one of the inmates has been working on their wand less magic and weakened the mortar under the bricks."
"Keep an eye on it, if it seems to be loose again let me know and we can apply the magic suppression wards again, it'll be tough on you and your men around the dementors but if needs must."
"Too right."
As soon as the last Auror had passed him Albus began to move again heading straight for the doorway into the guard's quarters, once inside he found it empty, he almost jumped for joy as he passed through the outer door of the prison and the boat was moored at the jetty. He made the quick decision to hide on the boat in order to conserve his magic, but as he set foot onto it the ferryman stepped in front of him.
"Who's there?" He called. "I can feel a presence on my boat but I can't see you, reveal yourself or this boat goes nowhere."
Albus Dumbledore back-pedalled as quickly as he could while trying not to make any noise, this time he was careful his choice of spell reflected his need to not be discovered, a lack of memory inside the prison might be mistaken for a badly performed kiss from a dementor, but outside it would allude to an escapee.
"Legillimans." He whispered while looking the ferrymen in the eye, he quickly found an innocent memory of the man waiting on the boat and used it to overwrite his most recent one.
Albus sighed to himself as the ferryman returned to the boats cabin, he quickly pushed an enormous amount of power into his wand and propelled himself into the air on a jet of compressed air. By the time he had reached the mainland coast he was utterly spent, thankfully he had touched down far enough from the jetty that he could lose his notice-me-not charm and conserve the little magic he had left, he found a small deserted cabin less than half a mile inland and collapsed into the small camp bed that was set up in one of the corners. When he awoke several hours later he felt replenished but extremely hungry, he riffled through the small kitchenette but found no food he could use, not knowing how to open a muggle can, he left the small abode and quickly appeared in the mountains overlooking his former home. He loved the castle, it had been his residence for more than 50 years, he knew it like the back of his hand, he knew he could get passed the wards using the secret tunnel into the grounds from the Shrieking Shack, but first he needed to eat otherwise he'd be unable to take out Harry if he was with anyone else, his only issue was whether this particular Saturday was a Hogsmeade day for the older students.
"Perhaps Abeforthe will be able to help me." He said to himself.
He cast a disillusion spell on himself and apperated to Hogsmeade station so as not to alert anyone to his arrival and began a slow walk into the centre of the village and out to the Hogs Head, which much to Albus' surprised was full of patrons, he carefully made his way behind the bar.
"Brother meet me in the back room I need your help." He whispered into Abeforthe's ear.
"BAR'S CLOSED EVERYBODY OUT." The near identical man shouted, and the patrons grumbled and moaned as they finished their drinks and shuffled out of the door. "Right dear brother what the hell is going on you're supposed to be locked up in Azkaban."
"I broke out with the elder wand." Albus stated calmly. "I need to deal with Harry Potter before the wrong influences turn him into the next Dark Lord."
"Are you mad?" Abeforthe questioned. "The boy is only 11 and from what I've been able to garner from Severus, he is kind and caring to all, when the Malfoy boy attacked him all he did was shield himself, he didn't retaliate, he didn't even respond to the goading which is why he was attacked."
"Tom Riddle was the same at his age." Albus replied. "I see no other choice I must remove him before he has the chance to turn on us all."
"I will not help you in this, that boy has done more for me as our Head of House than you ever did."
"He has our title?"
"Yes but the house of Potter was elevated to Most Ancient and Most Noble Along with the Merlin name, so he doesn't use ours anymore."
"Who in the name of Merlin suggested that, let alone got it passed?"
"Lord Weasley or at least that's what I'm told, apparently Potter claimed all of the Death Eater seats as restitutions for them helping He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named kill his parents and he gifted some of the voting rights to him."
"So there's no balance in the Wizenagmot?"
"It doesn't need any balance all that achieves is getting nothing done." Abeforthe stated. "Take some food and get out, no doubt that's the only reason your here."
He was rattled by the news that all of the work he had done since Voldemort had disappeared had been undone by a child in just a few short months, no doubt crossed his mind as he set his resolve to remove this petulant child from existence before he did anymore to undo all Albus had worked for his entire life. He apparated directly into the Shrieking Shack and ate the large pork pie he had taken from his brother, before he stole into the tunnel and made his way into the grounds of the school, he exited the tunnel confident that there would be no students nearby as the tree attacked any human who was stupid enough to get too close to it. He was right and he quickly entered the forbidden forest hoping to find a student near its edge that he could get to lure Harry out into the grounds preferably with Minerva and that soulmate of his.
'One of the Gryffindors would be best." He thought to himself.
His luck continued as he spotted the youngest Weasley boy walking around the edge of the Black Lake alone, he quickly disillusioned himself and crept up behind the boy was he walked through an area of loose stones.
"IMPERIO." Albus cast. "You will go and find Minerva McGonagall and get her to come out into the grounds, you will tell no one else about this and you will not remember seeing me."
Ron set off at a run and Albus moved back into the trees to wait for his pray. He got worried when he had been waiting for more than an hour, and was about to go and search himself when Harry and Hermione walked out of the main castle entrance arm in arm, he almost missed seeing Minerva and Andromeda who were not far behind them, he'd have to change his plan slightly and hurried into a bush near their path to lay in wait completely missing Remus, Sirius and Nymphadora who were a few paces behind Minerva.
A FEW MINUTES EARLIER IN THE ENTRANCE HALL
"MINERVA!" Snape called as he rushed down the stairs behind them. "I was with Poppy when Mr Weasley was brought in and with the consent of his brother I accessed his mind, Albus is here in the grounds somewhere, he placed the poor boy under a powerful Imperius so Poppy is having him transferred to St. Mungo's they might be able to help him."
"I'll check our Grimoires later as well." Hermione smiled.
"And we'll help." Remus stated enthusiastically looking at Sirius who nodded dejectedly.
"Never mind that now, what are we going to do about Albus?" Andromeda asked.
"We play into his little game but we all have our wands at the ready." Minerva stated. "You two both know how to cast shields yes?"
"Yes Aunt Minnie." They responded in unison.
"And you remember the spell I cast at Ron?" Sirius asked getting nods from both of them. "Just say that and jab your wand at the intended target."
"We might just see the most powerful stunning spell ever cast." Remus chuckled.
"I'll be ahead of you all under a Notice-me-not." Snape stated. "I might be able to see where he is ahead of time."
Harry waited for a few minutes after Professor Snape disappeared, before he wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist and exited the castle, being sure to stick to the well trodden path towards the lake, although they were both smiling Harry and Hermione were tense, both had easy reach of either of their wands. A twig snapped in a bush as they passed and they both jumped visibly but carried on walking, it ain't until they were a good 5 meters beyond it that they realised the only noise they could hear was the sound of their own feet.
"So nice of you to join me." A voice said behind them. "Now I'm afraid that I'm going to have to kill you, now don't be scared it's for the good of everyone for me to stop you becoming the next Dark Lord."
"Mr Dumbledore sir." Hermione gulped as they turned around. "I believe you are mistaken, my soulmate is a good person, he's doing everything he can to treat others with kindness and respect."
"I truly am sorry but Lord Voldemort was the same at your age." Dumbledore stated. "I cannot in good conscience let him live, and don't worry about the others this is a ward of my own design, it completely block everything but light from penetrating it in either direction."
"Don't worry I'm still here." Snape whispered behind them. "On three one of you shield while the other stuns to stun him hopefully I can get an opening."
"I am Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Merlin, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Dumbledore, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Sylwen, Head of the Ancient house of Flint, Head of the Ancient house of Bulstrode, Head of the Ancient house of Role and heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Black, and as your Head of House I command you to stand down and give up your wand." Harry said.
"A nice try but I am of stronger will than yourself." Dumbledore chuckled.
"PROTEGO." Hermione cast as Harry cast. "STUPEFY."
Dumbledore blinked as he heard the casting and hastily threw up a shield confident that the power of the elder wand would protect him, but he was wrong Harry's spell passed through his shield as if it wasn't even there and the last thing he saw before the spell hit him was his wards begin to fail, the wand had chosen a new master a descendant of it original family.
"See what did I tell you." Remus laughed as the group rushed passed the collapsing ward. "Strongest stunner ever cast."
"Harry." Snape said getting his attention as he cancelled his Notice-me-not. "Albus didn't tell anyone but he was in possession of a Deathly Hallow one from 'The Tale of Three Brothers', I believe his wand, the Elder Wand will now answer to you."
"You're kidding?" Sirius questioned.
"I am not, Harry why don't you pick up the wand." Snape suggested.
Harry stepped up to the unconscious body of Albus Dumbledore carefully and pulled the strangely shaped wand from the old mans grasp as soon as he was holding int in his hand correctly a shower of golden sparks shot from its end and Fawkes landed at his feet.
'I was bound to Albus with that wand through dark magic, only it can release me.' Harry heard in his head.
"How can I help you Fawkes?" Harry asked in reply.
'Simply will your intent to nullify all magics attached to me into the wand and say Finite Incantatum.'
Harry did as instructed and pointed his wand directly at the phoenix's chest. "FINITE INCANTATUM!" The around Fawkes shaped itself into a chain that wrapped around him and connected to Dumbledore, after a few seconds it glowed a brilliant white and the chain shattered and the magic disapated. Fawkes looked up at Harry before he nuzzled his hand and promptly burst into flames quickly becoming a pile of ash.
"What just happened?" Harry asked.
"I think he choose you as his new companion his last burning day was just before Halloween, he wasn't due another for more than a year." Minerva stated.
"We should bring the ashes back to our room." Hermione said calmly.
"Wait here I'll get you a container from the potions lab." Snape smiled as he started to walk away.
"Thanks Uncle Severus." Harry called after him.
"So what was actually wrong with Fawkes?" Hermione asked.
"He was forcibly bound to Dumbledore by dark magic." Harry stated. "And because he used this wand only it had the power to undo the spell."
"Oh the poor thing."
"Here Hermione why don't you try this if it has chosen me you should see if it recognises the bond." Harry suggested holding out the Elder Wand for her.
As soon as the wand touched her palm golden sparks shot from its tip and showered them all in radiant magic.
"Well it's either the bond or because Harry opted to share it with me willingly." She smiled. "Now I think we should only use this in extreme circumstances."
"Agreed if Voldemort doesn't know we have it he can't try to take it from us." Harry stated.
"Or counter it in anyway." Sirius said before he suggested. "Perhaps we should put it in the Potter Vault for now."
"No I'd rather we keep it on one of our persons just in case." Harry replied.
"I'll ask Hagrid if he knows where to get a moleskin pouch or two." Remus said. "He got me one when I needed it during the war."
"A good idea." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Ah here comes Serverus."
"Now then Harry if you're going to insist on an informal name your mother called me Sev." The sallow faced Professor stated. "Now why don't you carefully pick up the baby phoenix so I can collect the ashes in this small trunk."
Harry carefully brushed the ashes away and revealed the bright emerald head of a baby phoenix gaining the collective gasps of all those around him, Harry just smiled and scooped up Fawkes and held him carefully in his hands.
"Well you certainly changed didn't you." He laughed as he held Fawkes up so he could look him in the eye.
'After a true familiar bond all of my kind take on a colour that we believe will best associate us to them.'
Hermione gasped as she looked between Harry and Fawkes.
"Can you hear him?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded.
'You are a pair are you not?'
They both nodded.
'Your bond will form in a few years but as you have found each other my bond was able to connect me to both of you, the same as it did with the wand. Now if what the old man said is true you are the great times a few hundred nephew of that wands original owner, it will recognise this and perform even greater feats than even Dumbledore was capable of.'
"Thank you Fawkes would you like your old perch back or should we get you a new one?" Hermione asked smiling.
'Neither young one, I only ask that you take the little trunk everywhere if I have need of it I will ask to use it.'
"You don't mind if we keep this trunk do you Uncle Sev?" Harry asked as he placed Fawkes inside with his ashes.
"I take it Fawkes likes it?" Uncle Sev asked.
"Decidedly." Hermione smiled.
"Then no I don't mind, I have others I can use."
Later that day after Fawkes trunk had been placed in its new home on Hermione's dressing table and Albus Dumbledore had been collected by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Harry and Hermione were sat at the Gryffindor table with their family and friend chatting about the events of the day. The were disturbed just as Sirius was commending Harry and Hermione on their calmness under the impending danger they had faced, by a unexpected guest and a member of their year from Slytherin.
"Lord Potter-Merlin my apologies for not coming to see you sooner." A portly woman with greying black hair and a slightly hooked nose said as she curtsied to him. "I am Violet Parkinson née Flint, I have just returned from dealing with one of the Parkinson business interests in the Untied States to be told my husband has been arrested and that our marriage was dissolved by my Head of House, could you please explain what this means for myself and my daughter?"
"Well to be honest I wasn't expecting to deal with this myself, but I suppose it means you have 3 options but first I need you to prove to me neither of you have a link to Lord Voldemort." Harry replied standing up.
"While my husband and brother did join that psychopath, I saw through his honeyed words, my grandfather told all of us who he really was and I stayed away from him as best I could the same as Narcissa." She replied pulling up both of her dresses sleeves and revealing her blank forearms. "So you say I have options?"
"Indeed, you can remain choose a name for you both to use going forward, you can remain a Parkinson and try to make tha name mean something else, or you cloud become a Flint once more and attempt to do the same thing, or I can make you both Potters and you can join my family in the light and each use the resources at our disposal to make a different life than you would have had before." Harry stated. "But as I said the choice is yours."
"What do you think Pansy?" Violet asked her daughter.
"What would be expected of me as a daughter of the House of Potter?" Pansy asked looking at Harry.
"Nothing except that you perform academically to the best of your abilities and you stop belittling other people." Harry smiled. "And above you you strive to make amends with Hermione she is the future Lady Hermione Jean Potter-Merlin after all."
"I can do that." Pansy smiled weakly. "But I think I need to be resorted, the other Slytherins won't look at me too kindly after this."
"That is your choice, but I was almost a Slytherin myself."
"So how do we do this?" Violet asked.
"I Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin hereby accept Violet Flint and Pansy Parkinson as Daughters of the House of Potter and name them Violet and Pansy Potter, so I have spoken so it shall be." Harry decreed.
"Thank you Lo..." Violet started.
"No more formalities." Harry stated. "We're family now it's just Harry."
"Well Harry thank you for you kindness, but where ever will we live?" Violet asked. "I was refused entry to Parkinson Hall by a couple of rather rude goblins."
"Well why don't you go and see Ranog my account manager he should be able to set you up temporarily, but you can both move into Potter Manor in July if you like." He smiled.
"I'd like that." Violet smiled. "I'll go now, Pansy why don't you join Harry and his friends for dinner?"
Pansy nodded and Lavender shuffled over to allow her to sit next to her new Head of House.
"I'll be right back." Aunt Minnie smiled. "I'll go and fetch Terrance."
"Terrance?" Hermione queried.
"The sorting hat dear." Aunt Minnie replied smiling, when she return less than 10 minutes later she strode to the head of the hall and stood before the head table. "Good evening everyone, I stand before you to bring about an unusual occurrence, one of our number has requested to be resorted as they believe they are not welcome, or rather will not be after the events of today become common knowledge." There was a murmur of noise throughout the hall. "Would Pansy Potter please join me?"
Pansy stood up and slowly walked to join Aunt Minnie.
"Finally claimed you as a concubine has he cousin you're nothing but a whore." Someone called out from the Slytherin table.
"Marcus Flint for that outburst you will be serving detention with Mr Filch every night until we break for the summer, your quidditch captaincy will be removed, and 200 points from Slytherin." Professor Snape stated as he stood up. "This is the reason she asked to be resorted, because none of you could ever understand the choice she made, and I'll apologise now if I am about to say too much."
"Actually I'll say it." Harry said standing up. "But your continued defence of a student no longer a part of your house is noted, so thank you Professor Snape. Now as many of you, especially the Slytherins here, will know is that I claimed all of the Death Eater house titles during the January Wizenagmot session, I dissolved all marriages and turned all wives and children over to their mothers Head of House, in Pansy's case that is me as her mother was a Flint, I gave her and her mother 3 choices, you don't need to know the details but suffice to say that they chose to leave both of their family names behind and become full members of the House of Potter, Pansy is a Daughter of the House of Potter and I will protect her as needed."
"Thank you Lord Potter-Merlin." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Now Pansy you know the drill please sit and I'll place the sorting hat on you head."
Pansy sat on the stool with the hat on her head for a good 6 minutes before the brim spread into a wide smile.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted and most of the hall erupted in applause.
"Welcome to the Lion's den." Harry greeted Pansy as she arrived back at the table beside him. "I've already asked the elves to move all of your belongings to Hermione's old bed, just follow Lavender and she'll show you how to get to the common room."
"Thank you Harry." Pansy replied weakly. "I look forward to getting to know you all better."