Chapter 14
Harry and Hermione spent the next month working with everyone they could with knowledge of duelling and Belatrix's fighting style, it was exhausting but they knew it would be needed, it was theorised that Dumbledore would go to ground and try to undermine them from behind the scenes with a few trusted scapegoats, Peter was probably going to head straight for which ever hole Voldemort was living in, and Belatrix would go for havoc, she would want to prove to her master that she never gave up on him. Viv, Violet, and Petunia had done their best to distract them during their off hours but it seemed to Harry and Hermione that they were responsible for the position Magical Britain found itself in. Working hard was also the name of the game for Dudley who was determined to bring himself up to the right level in time for the start of the school year in third year, and Neville who was worried about what happened to his parents being repeated by the vile witch and been right alongside Harry and Hermione in their training, after the Longbottoms had all relocated behind the newly improved wards of Potter Manor.
The only day the occupants of Potter Manor weren't working hard was the 25th of August, they spent the morning surrounded by aurors while they completed the shopping for the year ahead, and the afternoon preparing for Amelia and Sirius' wedding that was to take place as the sun set. Harry and Hermione were surprised to be called before the officiator before Sirius and Amelia to have their union blessed, Hermione was about to complain that they had not had time to make good on a promised invitation when she spotted Garrett Ollivander smiling at her from the back of the Drawing room of Grimauld Place, the venue Sirius had insisted upon as they didn't want that many people to have access to the manor. There were gasps and squeals from the guests as they completed the standard vows and were showered in a rainbow of stars, they didn't understand the significance of this until they saw the golden stars shower over Sirius and Amelia.
As they entered the platform to board the Hogwarts express with Dudley, Pansy, Neville and Susan behind them, Harry and Hermione could not help but feel uneasy, they were surrounded by their family and the platform was lined with aurors, but something was giving them a bad feeling. Hermione had a death grip on Harry's hand and he was gently caressing hers with his thumb, they had already spotted several people being questioned by the Aurors for various things, and they could see a few people that Amelia had informed them had been Death Eaters during the war that had been released after using the imperius curse defence.
"We should have traveled to school with Aunt Minnie." Dudley stated as the neared the train.
"What's wrong Dud?" Harry asked.
"Just a really bad feeling about this." He stated.
"You and me both." Harry sighed. "But we have to take the train, it's part of the tradition, we use it as time away from family as well or are you forgetting that most of ours lives in the castle with us?"
"Good point." Dudley sighed.
"Right you lot." Amelia said as they moved into an empty carriage. "This carriage is for you and your friends, the Weasleys, your quidditch team, and the rest of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff of your year will be funnelled here, this is for their protection as much as yours, the dementors have been given orders to hunt down the escapees and kiss on sight, you can all cast a patronus, if the dementors board this train you need to drive them off."
"Who gave them such loose orders?" Hermione asked. "People are going to get hurt."
"I'll give you three guesses, but the first two need to be wrong answers." Sirius stated.
"Tell Aunt Minnie I want a vote of no confidence in the next session." Harry stated. "If he isn't out of office by next month I'm going to pay him a visit with Sidhe."
"Threatening the minister Lord Potter-Merlin?" A gruff voice asked.
"I don't make threats Mr Moody, only promises of actions."
"Good lad." Moody smiled. "Now I'm gonna be at the front of the train and Shacklebolt is at the rear, so far we have no sign of them anywhere near the platform, but if the Dementors show up we'll do our best."
"So will we." Hermione and Susan said at the same time, as Moody stalked off shaking his head as he went.
"He has no idea what you've taught us does he?" Neville asked.
"Obviously not." Remus chuckled. "He's in for a surprise."
"Everyone is in for a surprise if the dementors show up." Amelia sighed. "I still can't believe they've let them roam around without any handlers, apparently I'm not in a position to argue as they escaped my men during the magic pulses."
"Sorry about that." Harry said.
"It's not your fault but the minister is ignoring what everyone is telling them about them, all of the senior personnel at the ministry know the cause but he keeps insisting that someone did it to help them escape."
"Seriously how stupid can a person be?" Hermione asked.
"You've met him." Harry chuckled. "He doesn't use his own brain he lets other people think for him, the only question is whose paying him this time."
"My bet is it's actually connected to his former undersecretary, he used his status as minister to reduce her sentence and move her into the low security wing, he's been visiting her at least once a week." Amelia shuddered.
"Reduced by how much." Susan asked.
"She'll be out and working again by next summer."
"Working?" Remus asked as the children began to settle into the compartment.
"Oh she still holds a paying position in the ministry, if he is still in charge in June she goes right back to her old position."
"How did he get away with that?" Pansy asked. "She's a marked Death Eater isn't she?"
"Her testimony said she was coerced by her brother, who was killed in the final days of the war in a skirmish with Aurors."
"Anyway let's think of brighter things." Hermione said changing the topic. "So Dudley which house are you hoping for?"
"Any but Slytherin are fine by me." He replied causing the others to chuckle.
"You'll do fine no matter where you are." Sirius stated ruffling Dudley's hair affectionately. "Now I'll see you all tonight and remember to call Velma for chocolate as you need it we have enough at the house for everyone."
After the adults left they all set about getting comfortable and pulling out their planned activities, Harry and Hermione pulled out books on ancient runes, Dudley was quickly rereading the third year charms spell book, Pansy had her nose in the latest copy of teen witch weekly, Susan was reading a book about rare magical creatures, and Neville was tending to a small potted plant on the table which every so often made a small contented noise. They were alone with their activities for only a few minutes when the quidditch team arrived sans Fred and George, who in all likelihood would be the last to board the train.
"Hey guys." Katie greeted them. "I hear congratulations are in order Mr and Mrs Potter."
"Thank you Kat." Harry replied setting down his book. "How was your summer?"
"Great mum and I spent it with Angi and her parents." She replied.
"What happened?" Hermione asked. "I thought you were going to stay in Italy all summer with your parents."
"Mum caught dad cheating with another muggle." Katie stated. "So she divorced his arse and we decided to go fully magical from here on out."
"It's been nice having her around." Angi smiled. "So any ideas why we were funnelled to this carriage?"
"Do you know what happened on my birthday?" Harry asked.
"Other than your bonding?" Oliver queried, Harry nodded. "Not a lot."
"We produced a lot of magic, most of which was benign." Hermione stated. "Like gifting magic to some squibs, like Harry's cousin Dudley."
"Hi." Dudley smiled at them.
"Or strengthening our wards at the manor." Hermione continued. "Some of it was less helpful."
"We destroyed all of the trace detection stones across Europe maybe further." Harry said. "And we caused all of the dementors of Azkaban to retreat deep underground to their hive chamber, which allowed three prisoners to escape, all of which are being hunted by the dementors who have been given orders to kiss them on sight."
"Bloody hell." Alicia stated.
"Who was it that escaped?" Katie asked nervously.
"Albus Dumbledore, Peter Petigrew, and Belatrix LeStrange." Susan stated. "All of which have something against Harry and Hermione, plus Auntie thinks the dementors will board the train as they are being allowed to roam without handlers."
"Oh bugger." Oliver swore. "Do any of you know the patronus charm?"
"All of us know it but only Harry and Hermione have cast it successfully." Pansy replied.
"Ok if it happens I'll need you two to help me ward them off."
"You can rely on us captain." Harry smiled.
"Alright we'll take the compartment nearest the back of the train for now." Angelina stated. "No doubt there'll be a lot of switching later."
"Wouldn't surprise me." Harry nodded.
The quartet were immediately replaced by Luna and her father.
"My Lord and Lady Potter-Merlin." He bowed to them. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last I am Xeno Lovegood Chief Editor of the Quibbler, and renowned magizoologist."
"It's a pleasure to meet my godsister's father." Harry said standing up to give Luna a hug. "Let me introduce everyone, my wife Hermione, my cousin Dudley Evans, daughter of my house Pansy Potter, my godbrother Neville Longbottom, and my honorary sister Susan Bones."
"Honorary sister?" Xeno asked.
"Harry's godfather blood adopted him when he was but a baby." Luna stated as she sat next to Neville. "And he married Susan's aunt and guardian less than a month ago."
"Right my apologies." Xeno smiled. "Now I'll leave you in there capable hands MoonFlower, have a good year and remember to seek help if you feel overwhelmed."
"Yes Daddy." She smiled.
"Isn't it weird that there are no trunks in here?" Susan noticed.
"Mine is in my bag." Luna stated.
"And we're having Velma bring ours over later." Harry said.
"She's doing the same for Dudley and I although if she's moving your joint trunk maybe I'll ask Fredrick." Pansy stated.
"Mum said she would send mine with Janey." Neville added.
"Should have guessed." Susan laughed.
"Any room for us?" A voice asked at the door.
"Lavender!" Hermione exclaimed jumping out of her seat to greet her and Parvati. "It's good to see you again, and you Parvati."
"It's only been a month Hermione." Parvati chuckled. "You would think it had been years."
"Sorry it feels a little like it has, it's been a hectic month." Hermione sighed as she hugged them both.
"Don't worry I'll fill them in." Pansy smiled as she got up. "I'll move next door with them and wait for the boys to show up as well."
"Is it ok if Padma joins us Daddy wants us together." Parvati asked.
"She'll be safer with us so of course she can." Harry smiled.
Seamus and Dean arrived next and after a quick hello joined the girls in the next compartment, over the next half an hour Susan friends drifted in and after Hannah arrived she left to sit with them, as predicted the Weasleys arrived with less than five minutes until departure and were ushered onto the train by the Aurors after a quick goodbye from their mother, they appeared at the door after the train was already moving.
"Hi guys." Harry smiled. "How was your summer?"
"Weird." Ginny sighed. "The only normal day was Neville and Rose's party."
"Mum's gone a little crazy since she lost Ron." George explained.
"She's nervous around everyone who isn't family." Percy stated. "It's why she came with us to your party."
"It's understandable." Hermione nodded. "We offered her some help from our Grimoires but she has been reluctant to accept it, I just hope the lady's lunch mum invited her to at the manor tomorrow can convince her she needs it."
"Anyway." Ginny said. "Going back to better topics, Bill says you've been stronger since the bonding?"
"Undoubtedly." Harry smiled. "I broke his ward scheme in under 30 seconds during our last session."
"Bloody hell." Percy swore. "It takes me an hour to get through his test schemes."
"Harry seems to have an instinctive intuition when it comes to runes." Hermione stated. "He makes leaps it takes me a few minutes to confirm."
"So the link isn't constantly there?" Luna asked.
"No we shared memories during the bonding and occasionally we share dreams but there's no telepathy or anything like that." Hermione stated. "I can sense where he is at all times but that is just our linked magic."
"And we've been able to pick up emotions from the other, and if they're in pain but not much else." Harry added.
"Still awesome though." Fred commented. "Dad taught us all the Patronus charm I assume there was a reason."
"There is a chance Dementors will board the train." Neville sighed. "If you could use the compartment near the front of the carriage that would be great."
"I'm on it." Percy smiled. "Penny is already waiting there for me."
"Say hi for us." Hermione called after him as he moved away.
"I'm joining you." Ginny said moving into the compartment. "I don't need to be near their overly affectionate displays."
"We don't mind." Hermione chuckled. "But you'll have to put up with Harry and I kissing every now and then."
"I don't mind you two but seeing Percy do it is just weird."
"We're looking for Oli and the others." George explained.
"Any ideas?" Fred asked.
"Last compartment of the carriage." Harry informed them.
So this is how they spent their journey north, never moving from their compartment but with their company changing every so often, they enjoyed talking quidditch with their team as Oliver went over the new training schedule he had come up with only for Harry to shoot down his daily training regimen stating that they needed time to study as well, which Angelina agreed with as it was her O.W.L year, in the end they agreed on thrice a week if Oliver could get the pitch that often. They met Susan's friends from Hufflepuff in a more relaxed environment than they ever had before, and while they were unaware of the potential danger they were in it was a nice change of pace for Harry and Hermione. At about three in the afternoon, while they were sat with their fellow Gryffindor third years the sky began to darken unexpectedly as storm clouds covered the sky, then slowly a chill began to run through the air becoming so cold it frosted over the glass on the external window, and they could see their breath. Harry, Hermione and Neville all knew what this meant and calmed their friends while Harry and Hermione readied their wands and moved to stand in the centre of the compartment facing the door.
"On three?" Hermione asked Harry, they had been practicing dual casting and while this spell hadn't been one of the many they had gone over they could feel it was time to make it work.
"Three." He replied.
"Two."
"One."
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" They cast loudly together.
The Gryffindors in the compartment around them sat watching in awe as their dragons appeared, the dragons nuzzled each other before splitting up one headed north and the other south, they could feel their magic as it moved through the train until there was no dementors on board at all. They let out a joint sigh of relief, as Lavender cleared a section of the window and looked outside, she motioned them over unable to speak.
"Dear Merlin they're swarming the train." Hermione stated. "There must be hundreds out there."
"I'm going to have to use our second wand aren't I?" Harry sighed. "So much for that secret."
"The one you used to make all those dragons last year?" Dudley asked excitedly.
"Yes." Hermione nodded. "We'll do it together."
Harry didn't wait for a second as he retrieved the elder wand from its hidden holster, they held it together with the handle pressing into both of their palms and their fingers interlaced, Harry rested his forehead on hers, looking directly into her eyes, she kissed him and tapped on his chest with her free hand, once, twice, thrice.
'EXPECTO PATRONUM!' He thought knowing she was doing the same.
Their dragons were life sized as they shot out of their wand in search of prey, they were far too big to even be seen by the occupants of their compartment who only saw a blinding light, after five minutes of them calling forth their protectors the chill in the air dissipated and Moody and Shacklebolt appeared at their door with surprised looks on their faces.
"Did it work?" Hermione asked when she stopped kissing Harry and they let the cast go.
"Blow me down lass." Moody said. "That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen and you're acting like it was any other spell."
"Same as casting our normal patronus." Harry stated as the wand disappeared into its holster. "When we cast together like that things tend to be amplified. Now answer the question, did it work?"
"Yes Lord Potter-Merlin." Shacklebolt nodded. "The swarm is moving off and so will the train when the driver gets the boiler going again."
"How are the other students?" Hermione asked.
"Better for your Patroni." Moody said. "But getting some chocolate to em wouldn't hurt."
"VELMA!" Harry called out. "Distribute the chocolate, one bar per person to every compartment on the train."
A pile of 12 bars appeared on their table making Harry and Hermione chuckle.
"Want some gentlemen?" Harry asked.
"Aye, that would be grand." Moody laughed. "Now I'd say you knew this was coming."
"Well my new mother is Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Harry stated. "So she had a bad feeling about how Fudge is handling the dementors and their hunt."
"No wonder she put you in the very centre of the train." Shacklebolt sighed. "And I suppose the solitary dragon that chased the dementors off of the train was yours as well?"
"They were our solo casts." Hermione stated. "One went north the other south."
The moment the train started moving the aurors moved back to their positions encouraging everyone to eat their chocolate as they went. Harry pulled out his communications mirror as the train built speed.
"Padfoot." He said looking at it.
"Pup." His godfather replied excitedly. "Is everything ok?"
"It was an entire swarm of them there must have been hundreds of them out there." Harry stated.
"WHAT?!" Amelia exclaimed moving to be in view of the mirror. "Harry, Sirius and I alone in his office tell me what happened."
"Well to start with it was like a normal appearance." Hermione stated moving in to cuddle Harry and get into the view of the mirror.
"But after we cast our patroni we could sense there were none on the train any more but Lavender looked outside through a patch of glass she had cleared and we could see so many of them circling around outside." Harry continued.
"So we did a joint cast with our second wand." Hermione stated. "That seemed to drive them off."
"What of my Aurors?" Amelia asked.
"They appeared at our door after we had joint cast." Harry sighed. "I assume they were moving through the train checking on students as there wasn't much they could do about the swarm."
"And don't worry we distributed the chocolate to everyone."
"Good." Sirius smiled. "I'll let Minnie know you've saved the entire school again."
"Don't…" was all Harry could get out before a cackling Sirius disconnected the call.
"So another award in your future then?" Neville chuckled. "Isn't that 3 in 3 years?"
"School years yes." Hermione said proudly. "But 3 in two calendar years."
"Oh bloody hell." Harry sighed looking at Hermione. "If I'm going up there so are you."
"So it's only my second."
"By the time I finish school my name is going to be the only thing in that room at this rate." Harry sighed.
"Well done Harry." Percy said opening the compartment door. "Moody told me it was your patronus that saved us, I can't thank you enough I couldn't even get mine to work neither could Penny, the twins or Oliver."
"It was a joint effort with Hermione." Harry said defensively eager not to be in the spotlight alone.
"Excellent." Percy beamed. "What are your patronus forms anyway?"
"Dragons." Dudley said excitedly. "Almost life sized."
"Bloody hell no wonder you drove them all away." Percy swore. "Right anyway I've been informed the train is travelling at twice its normal speed they want us in Hogsmeade while it's still light out."
"Let's all get changed then." Hermione stated throwing up some screens for everyone to change behind.
She and Harry quickly pulled their robes from his bag and began to don their uniforms, once they had confirmed everyone was done she lowered the screens and everything returned to normal. As the train pulled into the station it was clear something was happening, the platform was full of aggressive looking Aurors, and Fudge appeared to be having an argument with Amelia and Aunt Minnie.
"Let's get out there." Harry said to Hermione.
"Agreed this is probably about us."
They exited the train and walked straight into the argument.
"They destroyed irreplaceable Ministry property, they must be arrested and questioned for what they have done." Fudge stated forcefully.
"They used a patronus charm." Amelia stated. "How were they to know it would destroy some dementors?"
"Excuse me but maybe we should move this argument into a private setting." Hermione smiled.
"There they are Aurors arrest them." Fudge commanded.
What happened next defied belief as every auror on the platform bent the knee placed their hand over their hearts in fealty to Harry and Hermione.
"I don't think they came with you for that Cornelius." Aunt Minnie chuckled.
"Aurors you don't owe me anything, stand and do you duty."
"Yes Lord Potter-Merlin." They all replied in unison half of them broke off and began to search the nearby area for the escapees, and the other half began to help people off of the train.
"Antechamber off the great hall now." Aunt Minnie commanded.
"After you minister." Amelia smiled.
The carriage up to the school was a tense one as Fudge glared daggers at Harry and Hermione, and they ignored him.
"What did you do to my loyal Aurors?" Fudge demanded as soon as they were inside.
"Nothing." Harry replied civilly. "They bent their knee's to me as a sign of respect, I simply asked them to return their attention to their duty."
"Their duty is to do as I command." Fudge stated.
"No it isn't." Hermione sighed. "An Aurors duty is to protect the public from harm, protect them from dark magic where they can and to assist those in need, your duty is to protect the ideals of our country and ensure none of its citizens come to harm by your orders. Which had Harry and I not cast our patroni your orders would have caused harm to students on that train, students not able to protect themselves, had you gotten your way that swarm could have wiped out the entire next generation of this country."
"Swarm?" Fudge asked. "There were only supposed to be 10 dementors near that train, and we found the remains of 8 of them."
"This is what happens when there are no handlers." Amelia stated. "You weren't in control, so the dementors took your orders as a free for all buffet, my Aurors tell me a story that matches Lord and Lady Potter-Merlin, there was a swarm of hundreds around that train, and these two joint cast using their joined magic, they produced enough patroni to fight the dementors one on one."
"You expect me to believe they are that powerful?" Fudge scoffed.
"Indeed they are." Aunt Minnie smiled. "These two are joined soulmates, they share the largest magical reserve ever seen, and are you forgetting he is the heir of Merlin."
"Right yes of course." Fudge gulped.
"I have one thing to say to you Fudge." Harry said coldly. "Step down with dignity, nominate Amelia as your replacement, and retire to your home without a peep, or I will destroy your reputation to the point your name becomes a reference for incompetent behaviour, am I clear."
"Y… y… yes My Lord." Fudge grovelled. "I will call a press conference for the morning, blame it on ill health."
"Good man, now get out I wish to speak with my mother and grandmother."
"Yes sir." Fudge sighed as he quickly left the room.
"Where did that come from?" Amelia asked. "You just channeled pure Arcturus Black."
"He left a section for me in the Grimoire he gave to Andi." Harry chuckled. "He used to pour his magic into his voice, gave extra weight to his words, it makes for a wonderful tool."
"Indeed it does." Aunt Minnie chuckled. "Grandmother?"
"Sorry seemed like the right use of words." Harry sighed.
"Good." She smiled. "Perhaps Nanny would be more appropriate now that you have Amelia as a parent as well."
"I like it." Hermione chuckled. "Now Sirius teased about awards, he wasn't serious was he."
"Of course he was I have them here already you'll be given them after the sorting."
"So that's 3 for Harry now isn't it?" Amelia asked.
"Indeed."
"I think that calls for a celebration." Amelia exclaimed. "I'll set something up with Sirius and Remus."
"Don't you have more important things to do?" Harry asked. "Like getting ready to lead a country?"
"Of course but this is more fun." Amelia laughed. "Besides isn't embarrassing my son part of my job as your mother?"
"I knew there was a draw back there somewhere." Harry chuckled. "Fine bring it on, but I reserve the right to cancel the event if it's too over the top."
"Agreed." Nanny smiled. "Now let's get on with the sorting."
"You handled that well." Hermione said to Harry as they made their way to the Gryffindor table.
"What can I say your confidence is rubbing off on me." He smiled back at her. "Not to mention your ability to digest books at a rate of Knots."
"Hey guys." Dean greeted them as they reached the table. "What happened?"
"Fudge wanted to arrest us for ridding the train of dementors." Harry sighed.
"His idiocy knows no bounds." Hermione stated.
"Welcome everyone." Nanny said as she reached the head of the hall. "To another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I am sorry for your disturbance on train, it will be addressed after our sorting, now before we call in the first years we have a late bloomer into their magic, he has been working hard over the summer and has passed his second year exams not 3 days ago, please give a warm welcome to Dudley Evans, cousin to Lord Potter-Merlin."
There was an eruption of applause as Flitwick lead Dudley into the hall alone, he looked somewhat nervous as everyone's attention was fixed firmly upon him, as they reached the head of the hall Nanny motioned for him to sit on the stall, he stiffened as she placed the sorting hat on his head, after a few moments the hat seemed to come alive.
"Oh an early arrival." It said. "Let's see here."
Dudley shook his head, making Harry chuckled remembering his own conversation with the hat.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat called out.
"Well he was always loyal." Harry chuckled. "Just not always to the right person."
"So no surprises then." Lavender smiled mirthfully.
They stayed quiet while the first years were shown in and sorted greeting each of the Gryffindors who joined them at the table, of which there were more than they expected, it wasn't long before Nanny was addressing the hall in her role as the headmistress.
"Welcome to the start of your magical education young ones." She smiled. "Now it is time to address the happenings on the train during your journey here today. For those of you unlucky enough to come face to face with a dementor I apologise, they were not supposed to be anywhere near your train but our illustrious minister for magic had them searching for the escapees from Azkaban without their handlers, but as you may be aware several patroni were cast that were strong enough to repel the swarm that had formed around you, what you do not know is that those guardians were cast not by the Aurors aboard the train, but by two of your fellow students, would Lord and Lady Potter-Merlin please join me."
"How can they be married?" Someone at the Slytherin tabled demanded.
"They're soulmates Warren." Daphne stated. "Their bonding is what caused all the magic over the summer."
"Thank you for believing Daphne." Harry smiled at their blonde friend as they reached the front of the hall.
"50 points to Slytherin." Nanny smiled at her. "For defending a friend from another house, and a new record for the fastest house points earned after the start of a new school year."
"Well done Daphne." Hermione said. "How about a round of applause?"
There was a flurry of laughter as the Potters appeared to have taken over the Headmistress's speech before they all began to applaud the now blushing Daphne.
"Anyway back to the matter at hand." Nanny said bringing the room back to order. "These two in defending all of you from a fate worse than death have been granted awards for Services to the School, Lord Potter-Merlin's third and Lady Potter-Merlin's second."
The applause was deafening this time around, and slowly died down to a level which allowed for a question to be heard.
"But how did they save us?" A voice asked from the Ravenclaw table. "All I saw was a wave of white light."
"We used a spell called the Patronus Charm." Hermione stated.
"It's a complicated charm that requires you to harness the power of strong emotion as you cast it, in this case happiness or love is all you need to focus on." Harry stated.
"Due to the amount of Dementors around the train some of you in the upper years will have noticed your casts failed where you've not had a problem before." Hermione continued. "Harry and I use our love for each other to power our Patroni, so as long as we can feel each other nearby our casts cannot fail."
Harry nodded at her and they pulled out their standard wands.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" The cast together while holding hands just as they had the first time, their dragons flew into the hall looking for the danger, and being unable to find and settled in around Harry and Hermione letting off plumes of spectral fire over the heads of the students.
"We would be happy to help anyone learn this useful spell." Harry stated. "But our teachers are sat behind us, Professors Lupin, and Black taught us if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask any of us."
"Thank you very much for the demonstration." Nanny smiled at them. "Now as you heard they are now married under the eyes of the law and magic, and those of you here last year know the consequences of interfering with their relationship, for those who have forgotten, 6 students who started the year last year did not finish it, one fled the country before formal charges could be laid upon them, one is being schooled inside the Department of Magical Law Enforcement under constant guard, another is in the care of the Department of Mysteries as they are not allowing those underage to serve their sentences on Azkaban island, and another 3 are serving life sentences in maximum security for attempting to murder one of them, this is the only warning you will receive this year."
"And I would like to add some very specific advice." Uncle Sev said standing up. "Any behaviour altering potions will not work on these two their joint magic overrides them completely, so if you do choose that route they will know who you are and their partner has the right to kill you for attacking their bond mate, this is within the law, and all anyone can do is ask them not to make a mess."
"And for those of you about to point out my multiple houses and my right to take multiple wives." Harry stated. "I have a soulmate, my heart's one desire there is no room for anyone else, she is the lady of all my houses."
"Without further ado, let the feast begin." Nanny stated before talking to Harry and Hermione quietly. "Well done with that, I should have mentioned I was going to announce it properly."
"It's ok." Hermione smiled. "We needed to make them aware, do thank Uncle Sev for his input."
"Of course now go and eat." She smiled at them.
The next morning Harry and Hermione awoke in the familiar surroundings of their suite, they knew it was earlier then they were usually awake but neither of them could figure out why until the walked into the main room of the suite and found the now fully grown Fawkes with his golden plumage perched on top of a parcel addressed to them.
"Hey Fawkes." Harry smiled at the bird. "Finally feeling like yourself again?"
'Indeed young one, while being green was interesting I've always proffered warmer colours.'
"Is that Grandpa?" Hermione asked.
'I believe so.'
Hermione slowly unwrapped the parcel to find a portrait of her grandfather dressed in his bright red guards dress uniform, with his bearskin tucked under his good arm and a bayoneted rifle at his side, as she removed the last of the paper he moved slowly at first but quickly becoming more alive.
"Cuddly Bear." He greeted her. "Zeus sends his regards, but alas I am only a copy like a normal magical painting."
"That's ok it's nice to be able to feel like I'm talking to you again." She smiled as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Where should we hang him?"
"Next to mum and dad." Harry smiled at her. "He can join my grandparents when we get back to the manor for Christmas."
"What's going on?" The portrait of Lily yawned as she woke up.
"We were gifted a portrait of Hermione's grandfather while we were in Elysium during our bonding we just had to wait for Fawkes to recover from his burning day to bring it to us." Harry stated.
"How wonderful." Lily smiled as she settled baby Harry. "I assume we'll be sharing a wall then?"
"Indeed." Gregory smiled. "Major Gregory Granger at your service Ma'am."
"Welcome to the wall." Lily smiled. "I'll pop over once you're properly hung and you can meet baby Harry."
"Sounds like a grand idea."
After that everything continued as if nothing was wrong outside the castle, Harry and Hermione participated in their classes, studied with their friends, completed Oliver's ridiculous training schedule, and ran the grounds in animal form with a large black dog and a magestic grey horse. By the time the next Wizengamot session came around they had all but forgotten about the escapees, Harry and Hermione spent the entire day secluded from the rest of the school in their suite as they had not spent a great deal of time alone since their return to the castle, at about 4 in the afternoon there was a worried pounding on Merlin's frame.
"It is Professor Snape, he appears to be alone." Merlin told them.
"Ask him what's going on." Hermione instructed as she and Harry entered their bedroom to change out of their pyjamas.
"Someone has gotten passed the wards." Merlin told them. "They tried to get into Gryffindor tower."
"Let him in." Harry sighed palming his wand just in case.
"Thank goodness you're ok." Uncle Sev said as he entered the room.
"I need assurances you are who you say you are." Harry stated. "What was your first private lesson with me and Hermione?"
"Pepper up potion, the 2nd of November 1991, I regaled you with stories of your mother, and when we were done you made yourself look as close to her as you could." Uncle Sev replied.
"Good enough." Hermione smiled as she entered the room. "I assume a search of the castle turned up nothing."
"Unfortunately not." He sighed. "As I am the only Professor currently here who knows about your map I would like to borrow it."
"It's in Nanny office." Harry stated. "I gave it to her after Amelia had Fudge pull the dementors back to Azkaban before he stepped down."
"I believe she has had the portraits watching it." Hermione stated. "Shall we go and ask if they saw anything?"
"You two follow me under your father's cloak." He nodded.
Their trip through the school was uneventful, they passed only a handful of ghosts and they simply ignored them, as expected the griffin moved to the side as it sensed Harry and Hermione and the trio ascended into the office and a cacophony of noise as the portraits argued with each other. As soon as the door was closed and Uncle Sev had locked it Harry and Hermione threw off their cloak and moved into the centre of the room and began to look at the map.
"Can I have quiet please?" Harry asked quietly after a few moments.
"Of course Lord Potter-Merlin." A portrait replied as the rest fell silent. "How did you get in here the door was locked and the griffin knew not to move?"
"I am the honorary grandson of Headmistress McGonagall." Harry stated. "Her office is always open to me, now to whom am I speaking?"
"I am Phineas Nigellus Black, Headmaster of this school between 1880 and 1926." The portrait replied.
"Lord Phineas, it is an honour to meet you your section of the Black Grimoire made for enlightening reading." Harry smiled at the portrait. "I am heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, will you answer me truthfully?"
"As heir to my house I am bound to speak what truths I know."
"Who was seen on this map that had you all arguing?" Harry asked.
"Albus Dumbledore, attempted to enter this office." Phineas stated. "And Belatrix made for Gryffindor tower, she left the castle after failing to enter it, we lost Dumbledore near the seventh floor near the hideous tapestry of the trolls if my memory serves."
"I will investigate you two stay here." Uncle Sev stated. "Send Fawkes if he reappears elsewhere."
They waited patiently scouring the map for any sign of any of the escapees but not a glimpse of them could be seen, while they watched the map they continued their conversations with the former headmaster's portraits, after Severus had been gone for more than an hour Hermione had her eyes glues to his footsteps on the map, and Harry was so busy scanning the hidden entrances that they didn't hear the Floo flare or their family return through it.
"Is something wrong?" Nanny asked.
"Indeed Minerva." Phineas answered for them. "Both Albus and Belatrix made it into the castle today, they used different entrances and made for different locations, Albus tried to get in here before going to the seventh floor and disappearing, Belatrix made for Gryffindor tower and fled after an unsuccessful attempt to enter, she ran into the forest."
"So why are these two here?" Sirius asked.
"Uncle Sev came to us for the map." Harry stated. "I told him it was here so he brought us here to look it over."
"I'm following him." Hermione said. "He's searching the seventh floor for Dumbledore, near the weird troll tapestry, and he's just disappeared."
"Fawkes!" Harry called out, the phoenix flamed in in a flash of gold. "Go to Uncle Sev, bring him here if he's in any danger."
Not five minutes later Fawkes arrived back with an unconscious Severus in one talon and a tiara in another.
'Do not touch the diadem, it is one of the items you seek to defeat Tom.'
"Thank you Fawkes." Hermione smiled as the phoenix set Severus down in a chair. "Nobody touch the tiara we need the Horcrux potion to destroy it first."
"Fawkes place it on the desk please and I'll ward it." Harry stated.
"Can you two act your age for once?" Sirius asked.
"It's the bond." Hermione replied. "When we have to we can completely focus on an issue, which we are right now."
"Wake up Uncle Sev please someone." Harry said as his ward snapped into place over the tiara on Nanny's desk.
"ENVENERATE." Remus cast.
"What… where… how…" Severus said in confusion.
"It's ok Severus." Nanny said. "You are in my office, Fawkes brought you back, are you ok?"
"Yes thankfully." He shuddered before shaking himself and sitting up properly. "Dumbledore wanted me alive, he seems to think he can prove Harry is a dark wizard just like Tom, he said the tiara was the key, that all he had to do was place it on Harry and his true nature would be revealed."
"That is my Diadem." A regal female voice said from high in the tower.
"Are you sure, Lady Ravenclaw?" Nanny asked.
"It was unique and of my own design I would recognise it anywhere." The voice stated. "It would not have worked as Albus stated, its only function is to impart my knowledge to the wearer."
"Thank you my Lady for confirming I was right to argue the point with him." Severus smiled weakly. "So you think it's a Horcrux?"
"So Fawkes says." Harry sighed. "He's given me no reason to doubt him yet
"Agreed he has proven loyal to you both." Sirius smiled. "So where is the potion we need to destroy it?"
"In my personal store under stasis." Severus stated.
"I'll get it." Nanny said placing a hand on his shoulder. "You rest for a while."
"Where did Dumbledore go?" Hermione asked. "Is he still in the room we can't see on the map?.
"He was fixing a vanishing cabinet when I found him." Severus stated.
'He used it as I was flaming out of the room.' Fawkes trilled at Harry and Hermione.
"He used it as Fawkes got you out." Harry sighed.
"Fawkes drop it in the lake please." Hermione said looking at their familiar. "That way he can't use it to get back in and with any luck if he attempts it, it will rid us of him."
"Merlin Hermione remind me not to get on your bad side." Sirius chuckled as Fawkes left the room
"What those cabinets can't be traced, and there's no way I'm going to let any of you try to follow him to who knows where." She retorted. "Because I know you were thinking about it."
"She is right it wouldn't have been wise to follow him." Severus sighed. "What I don't know is why he only stunned me."
"He wants to use you like he did last time." Sirius stated. "At least that's my guess."
"It would make sense." Hermione nodded. "Your position within our family could be played off as you getting close with us to pass information to Tom, if he were to return he would be down a great number of his supporters due to what we've done, and even if he brakes them out of Azkaban they no longer have access to the finances he needs, which affects how useful they really are to him."
"Exactly right, Malfoy's main use to the dark lord was his money." Severus agreed.
"Right I've got it." Nanny said as she entered the room holding the flask of clear potion tightly to her.
"Excellent." Severus smiled. "Now Harry and Hermione have taken care of the breach Dumbledore used to escape by dropping the Vanishing Cabinet into the lake, now all we need to do is find a way to remove my dark mark and we can raise the dark magic wards to keep dear Belatrix out as well."
"Antioch's section of the Peverall Grimoire might hold a clue I'll have another read tonight." Hermione advised them.
Nanny conjured a deep crystalline bowl and filled it with the Horcrux potion, Harry carefully removed wards on the item that had prevented any of them from trying to wear the diadem, Hermione gently levitated it into the potion which after a few seconds turned a sickening shade of green and began to spew forth thick clouds of black smoke, magic began to swirl around the room creating a maelstrom of wind that tore at the walls, rattled the cabinets, wiped parchment into the air, and caused all of them to have to hold onto the heavy furniture to remain on their feet. After nearly 10 minutes the gathering cloud of smoke let out a deafeningly loud scream that shattered the windows of the office before it dissipated into nothing, all it left in its wake was carnage, chairs had been tipped over, paintings were askew (but protected by ancient wards), books and parchment were strewn around the room and all six of the rooms occupants were covered in cuts and bruises.
"Well that was certainly more dangerous than the last one we destroyed." Sirius stated.
"Is everyone ok?" Remus asked.
"Fine just cuts and bruises." Harry stated. "Although I'm struggling to tell which are mine and which aren't."
"Not the only one." Hermione said gripping her side.
"Let's get you two to Madam Pomfrey." Nanny stated as she wiped some blood from her own cheek.
"What should we do with this?" Severus asked pointing to the diadem in its empty bowl.
"Velma." Remus called.
pop
"Yes Steward Remus?" The elf asked as she appeared.
"Place that tiara in the hidden reading room and lock it to all but the Lord and Lady of the manor." He instructed her. "And tell the others not to worry about the clock and that we got another Horcrux."
"Yes Streward." She nodded before turning to Harry and Hermione. "Should I be doing anything for Master and Mistress?"
"I forgot my comfy pyjamas." Hermione stated. "I was going to wait until Christmas, but as you're here."
"Of course Mistress."
pop
The tiara was gone in an instant.
"Why are your elves so quiet?" Severus asked as the group made their way out of the office.
"Because we asked them to be." Harry stated.
"And it helps them because it uses less of the magic to appear quietly, then it does if they're loud or silent." Hermione added.
"Of course it does." Uncle Sev chuckled. "All creatures great and small is your new family motto then I take it?"
"Unofficially." Harry and Hermione said together as they exited the office.
Madam Pomfrey healed them one wound at a time after receiving their consent, it was a strange experience for all involved as they documented their abilities to feel the others pain, at one point Hermione realised that Harry was more injured than he had let on and was holding a lot back from their link, she forced him to let her feel his pain and she came to know just how much Vernon Dursley must have done to him for him to be able to focus in that much pain let alone walk. When he asked her about it she only said that seeing a memory is one thing but feeling the pain is another. That night they returned to their suite and with the go ahead from Nanny and their family they stayed there for a few days, luckily they were still working a great deal ahead of their classmates, so no time would be wasted catching up.