School Begins

DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you’ve seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$

A/N: It hasn’t been two weeks so you only get one this time.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: SCHOOL BEGINS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 nd 1993

It might have seemed logical considering that students never got to their dormitories before nine in the evening on their day of arrival that they would have the next day off to get settled in for the coming term. It would make even more sense for the arriving First Years who did not and could not know their own way about the Castle. But for whatever reason, this was not how things were done at Hogwarts. If September 2nd fell on a weekday, then they began classes immediately, although exactly when would be determined by their class schedules which were handed out during breakfast their first morning back. It gave students little or no time to find their classrooms if they did not already know where they were so it was not unusual for First Years to be late for their first class of school. Apparently, this was also true of Third Years if they had one of the new electives First Period and had not bothered to learn where the classroom was previously.

Harry and his Ladies had spent the night in the Trunk. It turned out the Access Trunk worked fine, for Ginny was with them as well and rather than jump right in as had been the case, they spent a day in Time Compression before needing to face the rest of the school. They all knew that their status as married students (aside from Ginny) would come out certainly no later than their first role call in their first new class. This meant that unless a general announcement were made, which was a possibility, only Luna would be Luna the next morning assuming she did not opt for Gryffindor colors. (Daphne was not about to remain a Slytherin in any way, shape or form.) It may well have come out at least to Gryffindor House that night, but apparently the Married Student quarters had a separate entrance such that it was not necessary to parade through the Gryffindor Common Room to get to their quarters although you could also access the married dormitory from there. This, apparently, was an accommodation for the witches who had spent years in another house so that their friends could visit.

“Where were you and Neville last night, Harry?” Ron asked as he sat down at breakfast. “Setting a record for the fastest time to the Hospital Wing?”

“Different accommodations,” Harry said as he buttered his toast.

“What’s that?”

“That meeting last night was about where I’d be sleeping this year. Had you sat with us on the train, you’d know that.”

“Ginny said it was you and a bunch of girls. Didn’t sound like loads of fun, if you ask me.”

Harry shrugged as he was eating toast.

“Morning Harry,” several voices said. Ron looked as two girls sat on either side of Harry and Hermione to the side of one of them. His sister sat down next to him and across from Harry and…

“You’re a Hufflepuff!” Ron said as it was Hannah who had sat next to him. “And you’re a Slytherin,” he said to Daphne who was on one side of Harry. “And you’re Looney!” he said to Luna.

“It’s not nice to call someone names, Ron,” Ginny said. “And before you say it, that’s not her name.”

“But they’re not Gryffindors!”

“They’re dressed like Gryffindors,” Harry observed because they were.

“But… but they weren’t! The Sorting Hat…”

“Maybe the Hat changed its mind,” Harry offered.

“It doesn’t do that!” Ron protested.

“And how would you know?” Hermione asked. She had sat down next to Daphne.

“It just doesn’t! Everyone knows that.”

“I see. Everyone knows that. Well, I didn’t know that.”

“Well, of course you wouldn’t know that…”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you’re Muggle Born…”

“And I read, unlike you. And if you read Hogwarts a History you would know that there are situations where people change Houses permanently. You could also know what those circumstances are and would know that these Ladies are now your Housemates and will be for the rest of their time at school. And considering they’re up there near the top of our Year and Luna is at the top of hers, their joining us means a better chance at the House Cup which, I might add, no one won last year.”

“We won it our First Year without any help,” Ron grumbled.

“Did we? Dumbledore piled on the House Points at the Leaving Feast didn’t he? What if we never went after the Stone? Where was Gryffindor before then?”

“Um…”

“Dead last! That’s where we were and Neville, Harry and I were the reason! Lost a hundred and fifty points in one go, remember?”

“But…”

“Don’t say Daphne’s a Sytherin and evil,” Harry said. “I won’t like it.”

“But…”

“And don’t call Luna names, either.”

“But…”

“Is he always like this?” Daphne asked.

“You mean grumpy or not liking Slytherins?” Harry asked. “You have to admit the only Slytherins who talk to us normally are Malfoy and his types and what’s there to like? You and Tracy never talked to us so how could we know there were any decent Slyterhins? As for Grumpy and a little thicker than usual? He hasn’t eaten yet. Hermione says it has something to do with blood sugar, whatever that means.”

“Blood doesn’t have sugar,” Ron commented.

“Not even gonna try,” Hermione said. “Eat something, Ron.”

“You’re attention please,” McGonagall called out.

“Guess we’ll see who ran off and got hitched, eh?” Ron said.

Announcements were not a common occurrence at breakfast or lunch mainly because it was rare that all the students were there at the same time. Breakfast normally ran from six thirty until nine every weekday and even later on weekends and most students tended to eat later rather than earlier. Of course if they had an eight o'clock class (the First Period which had all sorts of derisive nicknames), they needed to eat earlier. This first morning back was the exception every year. As this was when everyone received their class schedules for the year, they all had to be in their seats by seven. Likewise, the first breakfast of the new school year was when any over the summer marriages were announced. The newlyweds were introduced and stood to “face the music.” This was something Harry was hoping to avoid but was pretty sure he could not be that lucky. The first names called were two Slytherin Seventh Years.

“That’s got to be an arranged one,” Ron sniggered. “They’re both trolls.”

“It is and they are,” Daphne said.

The next couple was a Hufflepuff boy and a Gryffindor girl, also Seventh Years. The girl was at Huffelpuff table and in Hufflepuff robes although apparently Ron did not catch that. Nor did he catch it when there was a similar Ravenclaw / Hufflepuff couple.

“Next,” McGonagall intoned, “Lord Neville Longbottom…”

“You must be joking,” Ron said as Neville stood.

“Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom; Earls of Pendle, Colne and Marston; Barons of Halden Moor and Tulhume and his wives…”

“Did she say wives?” Ron asked.

“Lady Sarah Countess Pendle, formerly Miss Perks of Hufflepuff; Lady Padma Countess Colne, formerly Miss Patil of Ravenclaw; Lady Tracy Countess Marston, formerly Miss Davis of Slytherin… ;”

“That’s how you change Houses, Ronald,” Hermione whispered.

“Lady Parvati, Baroness of Halden Moor, formerly Miss Patil of Gryffindor and Lady Susan Baroness of Airwryn, Regent of the Ancient and Noble House of Bones, formerly Miss Bones of Hufflepuff.

“And finally Lord Harry Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, Earls of Finchely, Hereford, Abengale and Hwicca; Baron of Loch Sheen…”

“Bloody hell,” Ron gasped as Harry stood trying not to look embarrassed. “… and his wives Lady Hermione, Countess Finchley, formerly Miss Granger of Gryffindor; Lady Luna Countess Hwicca, formerly Miss Lovegood of Ravenclaw; Lady Daphne Countess Abengale, formerly Miss Greengrass of Slytherin and Lady Hannah, Baroness of Tinworth, Regent of the Ancient and Noble House of Abbott.”

“This is a joke, right?” Ron asked.

“Professor McGonagall joking?” Ginny said.

“Um…”

“For the record,” McGonagall continued, “and before any wild and baseless rumours start as I’m sure they would were I not to explain, none of the young ladies are expecting. For further explanations as to why they are married before age sixteen and why the two gentleman can have more than one spouse, I refer you to the Library were you will find copies of our marriage laws regarding conditions for marrying under age sixteen, aside from pregnancy and rules regarding sole, surviving heirs of Ancient and Noble Houses. Thank you.”

“This isn’t a joke?” Ron asked when Harry sat down.

“Nope,” Harry replied.

“Bloody hell! Why wasn’t I invited?”

“Wasn’t a wedding,” Harry said. “That’ll come later and probably not for a few years. Went to Gringotts, went over a bunch of contracts and stuff, then in comes the girl and her family and the Goblins says a bunch of legal stuff and it’s done. Not exactly memorable, ‘cept to those of us who did it that way.”

“It’s not what a girl dreams of,” Ginny said.

“And how would you know?” Ron asked.

“Um… ,” Ginny replied.

“You’re not married too, are you? That’s not why you were… That’s not why you missed out on Egypt.”

“I’m not married, Ron.”

“Good.”

“That’s next summer,” she said just as he took a sip of pumpkin juice and spat it all over his breakfast when she did.

“Don’t joke like that!”

“I’m not.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

“Who?”

“Why?”

“No reason.”

“You probably want to know ‘cause either you’ll try and get the Twins to prank him or something equally annoying and prat-like. Well, it’s not gonna work since the Twins know and know better than to try and prank him.”

“Some old guy, then? Bloody one of those Pure-blood arranged deals, right?”

“So were mine, Ron,” Harry said. “My parent’s set them up.”

“So you’ve known about this?”

“Not ‘til this summer.”

“None of us did,” Hermione said. “Well, Hannah did, but she knew it was…”

“Bit of a long shot, really,” Hannah said. “It was a Line Continuation, you know. Means our kids will be Abbotts not Potters and Harry had to be married for his line first. There were some conditions before any of this could happen that… well, were so uncertain it almost wasn’t worth worrying about.”

“Problem was it was about me,” Harry smirked. “If it can’t happen to anyone else, it probably will happen to me for some reason.”

Ron chuckled. “Harry luck. Can’t call it good luck. Can’t call it bad luck. But it’s Harry luck.”

“Required all kinds of things to happen,” Harry said. “When I was born my parents were told I had compatible magic with Hermione which meant we might bond one day, not that we would. When Luna was born, same thing. Again, nothing says it would happen. My parents were friends with Daphne’s and they were afraid that she might be pursued by the typical Slytherin types so we were betrothed to stop that and that was almost it. If I bonded with Hermione and Luna then we would marry.”

“Was it both or one?” Daphne asked.

Harry shrugged. “Doesn’t matter seeing as I’m bonding with both. And Hannah’s needed me to marry two of the others as well and that assumed that she had no younger brothers or sisters and that I didn’t either. That younger sibling thing applied to Daphne’s contract as well. Well, only to me. She has four younger sisters. Seems my parents wanted to make sure House Potter wasn't…”

“I get what they wanted,” Ron said. “Not totally clueless you know. I knew there was a House Potter, just didn’t know you were it. Figured you to be from a distaff line.”

“There’s a big word,” Hermione chuckled.

“It’s not big and I know what it means. It means in Harry’s past there’d be a Head of House Potter ancestor but he’s too many generations removed to be the next heir. It’s how lines die off. Since Harry wasn’t struttin' ‘bout like Malfoy and a few other gits like that, I figured he wasn’t all that.”

“And what about Neville?”

“He said he has and Uncle or Grand-uncle or such. Figured he’s in the Line of Succession, just not next in line.”

“That guy’s not a Longbottom,” Harry said. “It’s Neville’s Gran’s brother.”

Ron shrugged. “None of my business really, is it?”

“I’d expect you to be upset by this.” Hermione said.

“Why? Harry’s says he knew nothing ‘bout any of this 'til he got home after last year, right? I have no reason to think he’s lying. You gotta admit he was even more clueless about stuff than I was and I know that’s saying something. He was Muggle Raised which explains a lot of it. And he didn’t write this summer, not that it would’ve matter much seeing as I was away for most of it. Had he known this all along and never said anything about it, I might be upset. But he didn’t know. And before you say it, I’d’ve been upset if he had known 'cause he didn’t tell me. But if you think I’d be upset 'cause he’s married four times over, why would I be? Better him than me. Sorry Mate.”

“No worries.”

“Feel sorry for him really. Don’t think there’s enough money…”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Hermione asked.

“It means I’m thirteen, right? You got this bonding thing happening. No idea what it is, but you have to be married ‘cause of it. Answer this, if you were told without that that you had to get married this summer, what would you’ve said.”

“Depends on the boy,” Luna said. “Then again, I am biased.”

Daphne snorted. “I wasn’t given any warning. No regrets here, but that’s because I got really lucky. Before this summer… I was looking at probably having to date a Slytherin. I hope you can see past what that Hat did two years ago, Weas… Ronald. But I can’t really blame you. That place is a pit. Think of this school when you’re older and interested in girls, and then think of it where the only girls who would date you are like Parkinson or Bulstrode.”

“Please,” Ron moaned. “I’m trying to eat! Yeah. I get it I guess. What I mean is, I can’t see myself married now. Add to it Hermione…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hermione said.

“Please! We’re better off as friends and you know it. As friends, if I skive off an assignment you’re upset with me, but you don’t take it personal like. And I know I can say stupid things and sometimes you do take it personal like even when I didn’t really mean it like that. But now, we can go off and get over it and all that. But if we were… We’d be mental in a week. Oh, I get it.”

“What?” Hermione asked.

“You lot’re asking if I’m jealous, right? Of what? Harry’s got money. It bothers me sometimes that I don’t not that Harry does. And I mean that I don’t, not that my family doesn’t.”

“Really?” Harry asked. “It sometimes sounds like…”

“Yeah? Well, I’m not good with words ‘bout some things. I’d like to have money. I’d like to be able to use my money to buy something 'cause I want to. But it’d have to be my money. I don’t think money’d change Mum at all.”

“You don’t?” Ginny asked.

“You know what she’s like. As long as I can remember, we’d go shopping and I’d see something I wanted and even when I knew it didn’t cost much I’d get the lecture about how I didn’t need it and it was wasteful and what I already have was more than enough or just as good or something and how did this lecture always end?”

“Besides, we can’t afford it,” Ginny said.

“Exactly. Now give Mum more money than Gringotts and you know what the difference would be?” No one answered. “The lecture would not end with ‘besides we can’t afford it.’ But she’d still not buy it. We had plenty of money for the trip to Egypt and even after. It never changed. Saw a two knut picture postcard I thought of getting and sending to you or Hermione. Never got ‘round to figuring out which of you. I even had the two knuts and Mum saw I was thinking 'bout getting it and I got the talk… again. And I didn’t get the postcard.

“And as for the girls thing? Too young. Told you that already. Not sure I could ask one out to Hogsmeade…”

“What if one asked you?”

“Is she pretty?”

“Does that make a difference?” Hermione asked.

“Course it does! I mean please! Given a choice between a pretty girl and Bulstrode? Then again, any girl and… well, maybe not Parkinson… or Runcorn come to think of it. Draco’s the one who should be jealous ‘cause that’s what he’s stuck with. Nah. Bit put out you got all the pretty ones, Harry, even Green… Daphne here even though the Hat did think she was a Snake. And Neville didn’t do too bad that way either. Oh well.”

“You’re not jealous then?” Harry asked.

“Not about that.”

“So you are then?” Hermione asked “Is it ‘cause he’s famous?”

“Yeah, like I’d want the world’s worst nutter after me, and his boss come to think of it. The only things I’ve been jealous about have to do with flying. Been flying since I was five, haven’t I? Harry’s never seen a broom in his life… not the flying kind anyway and he hops on one, does stuff I didn’t even know was possible his first time and makes them look easy and even I know they’re not. Makes up for it by being a brilliant Seeker. But he still gets a Nimbus 2000 for it from an anonymous fan.”

“McGonagall got it for me.”

“Figured as much and I can’t say it’s a waste, unlike those 2001’s Malfoy got. You heard they’ve stopped making them?”

“Harry told us this summer,” Ginny said. “Even told us why when he got us some for touring. He got six brand new ones for five galleons…”

“Each?”

“For the lot.”

“And how do you know? I thought you were off with some Mind Healer…”

“Um… fine! Harry and I are betrothed. I spent the summer with them, okay.”

Ron though about that for a while then nodded. “Didn’t meet his relatives, did you?”

“No. He figured a way around that. Saw his room, though. It’d be smaller than any room in the Burrow.”

Ron nodded. “Good.”

“What is, that I’m betrothed?”

“Haven’t decided ‘bout that, although it is to Harry and I’m okay with that. No, it means you had a good summer. You needed one after last year.”

“Thanks Ron.”

“Uh oh,” Ron said.

“What?”

“Harry? Incoming Pit Slime.”

“Great.”

“Oi! Weasley!” Malfoy said. “Seeing as Potty and the Squib’ve taken all the easy losers, Blood Traitors and Mudbloods off the markey, looks like you’re left looking for a dirty Muggle,” he added with a laugh.

Ron sat there in silence.

“Guess he knows it’s true,” Malfoy laughed.

“No,” Ron said. “I just was wondering how to be more insulting. You managed to insult a dozen people at once, not to mention four Ancient and Noble Houses. Must think you’re pretty smart.”

“Gotta hand it to you, Malfoy,” Harry said, “you really know how to keep your family bottom feeding. That’s what? Eighty votes on the Wizengamot in one go. Over a quarter of them all at once. Then again, you are French. Can’t expect you to figure that stuff out in only two generations.”

“My family’s been here since…”

“Round 1789. Yeah. Mine’s been here certainly since the 600’s and probably much, much longer. And more important, ‘til you’re Granddad managed to find some desperate British tart willing to sink so low as to get marry frog spawn, you’re family’s been importing French brides. You didn’t think you could keep that little family secret, secret, did you?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Potter!”

“He seems to have learned a few things they don’t teach here, doesn’t he,” Ron said. “Like that you can get a brand new Nimbus 2001 for less than a Galleon.”

“Not any more as I think I bought the last of them. Make pretty good touring brooms those 2001’s.”

Ron shrugged. “Wish I knew that before you bought them up. Even I could afford to buy my way onto a team with those, although it’d be a stretch and it assumed a team dumb enough to think they got a good deal. How much did it set your family back to put a legger on the Quidditch Team? But as to my dating opportunities, Malformed, I happen to prefer humans.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Weasel?”

“Asks the girly ponce with a cow, sheep and pig hanging all over him. I said I prefer human girls, not farm animals! And before you say something else stupid, yes I may know a thing or two about farm animals considering I live on one and that means I know a cow, sheep and pig when I see one.”

“You calling my betrothed a cow?”

“Which one is it?”

“Parkinson!”

“No, that’s not a cow. You really are an idiot, you know. Everyone knows that’s a pig! Although it needs fattening up. Bit too scrawny for bacon. Too scrawny for breeding stock as well. You do know they need weight to breed, don’t you?”

“You should consider yourself lucky you’re on the other side of the table, Weasel or I'd…”

“You’d what?” a new voice said. Neville was walking towards the Slytherin gang.

“What do you care, Squib!”

“I tell you what, Malfoy. You apologize to me, my Ladies, Harry, his Ladies and Ron and I might forget you were here. You don’t and I will be upset.”

“And you’ll do what?”

It happened so fast almost no one saw it. They saw the result as Malfoy’s head snapped back and he fell to the floor. Malfoy’s usual bookends might have been big and not terribly bright, but they also were not foolishly brave, either. They turned and left.

“Okay,” Neville said. “That smarts a little,” he added shaking his hand.

“That’ll be fifty points and a month’s detention, Longbottom, for fighting like a common Muggle,” Professor Snape said having just walked up.

“Whatever that was, Professor Snape, it certainly was not common,” McGonagall said. She was nearby handing out class schedules. “And did you forget last night? The detention and loss of points is rescinded, Lord Longbottom. Fifty points from Slytherin and Mr. Malfoy for… provocative speech, insulting the Heads of Ancient and Noble Houses without cause, insulting Noble ladies and overall lack of judgment seeing as he did all of that while I was not far away handing out schedules and a month’s detention with Filch for the same. Severus? You may inform Mr. Malfoy of his punishment when he comes around in the Hospital Wing. And they say Slytherin is the House of the cunning. Salazar himself surely is spinning in his grave.”

“You’ll do nothing for this?”

“Ah yes. Ten points to Lord Longbottom for not declaring a Line War. You can’t say Mr. Malfoy’s not been heading in that direction Severus, although that line has not been crossed. Ten more points for defending the honour of his Ladies. Ten further points for defending the honour of House Potter. And… oh yes, ten points for whatever that punch was seeing as he did not have to use magic to get his point across. Now Severus, be so kind as to have your Prefects clean up this mess,” she added indicating Malfoy who was still out cold. Snape seemed ready to argue or worse, but then turned and left. “Your schedules,” McGonagall said as if nothing had happened.

“That was bloody brilliant, Neville,” Ron exclaimed.

“Mr. Weasley, do not think that what happened this morning in any way is meant to encourage such behavior.”

“I wasn’t, Ma'am. I’m just saying that was brilliant. That and I’ll say the ponce deserved it.”

“Be that as it may, Mr. Weasley, I would hope it does not come to such again.”

“Yes Ma'am. Oh look! Divination’s first up.”

“Not for me,” Harry said. “Got Runes.”

“Thought you were taking Divination.”

“Never said I was. Didn’t make my mind up ‘til just before I left. I have a thing against that course, Ron. We’ll leave it at that. Figured Runes would be better for stuff. That and 'cause I don’t see myself as some sort of Fortune Teller. And this summer… I figured Runes was more useful.”

“It’s also really hard,” Ron said. “At least I’ve heard that. My brother Bill works a lot with Runes but I don’t see you needing to be a Curse Breaker so what good is it then?”

“Can’t Harry take it because it’s interesting?” Hermione asked.

“But he said it was better for stuff,” Ron replied. “Just want to know what stuff is all.”

“Wards,” Harry said. “It’s got other uses too, but I’ve learned a bit about wards this summer and want to learn more and to do that I need to learn about Runes.”

“Makes sense, I guess. Better than Arithmancy…”

“Hey!” Hermione began.

“Do you really see me as a spell crafter or such?” Ron asked. “I don’t. Well, not one of those ones who work it all out on parchment first. I know you’ll say just trying something and seeing if it’ll work’s dangerous. You are talking to me, Hermione. When have I done the safe thing?”

“He has a point, Hermione. He flew that car to school last year for one.”

Hermione shrugged and let it go for once.

“You’re taking Creatures, right?” Ron asked Harry.

“Yeah I am. ”‘Bout the only course they have here that teaches 'bout the magical world. Herbology’s another and that’s okay. I suppose History could be called a third if you could stay awake in it."

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 rd 1993

“Tah dah!” Hagrid beamed. Harry and the rest of the Third Year Care of Magical Creatures Class stared into the paddock, a large area of mostly open ground surrounded by trees. Ron had been complaining about Divination as their Professor had predicted no less than four deaths of family members, pets and one of the students. There they saw what Harry thought were the strangest creatures he had ever seen. He really had not seen all that many if he thought about it. But he certainly had seen nothing remotely like these. Their front half was like a bird, specifically like a bird of prey given the shape of the beak. It stood almost as high as Harry at the shoulder, if that was what that part was called. Just behind that bit were two massive wings. The front legs resembled those of a hawk or eagle down to the massive talons except that the legs were far too long as compared to those of any bird except maybe something like an ostrich. The rear of the beast including the tail looked like that of a horse, complete with horse like hooves, tail and short fur. “Aren’t they beautiful? Right then, open your books…”

“And just how are we supposed to do that?” Malfoy asked. He and his group stood behind all the others.

“You ‘ave'n figgered out how ter open yer books?” Hagrid asked.

“You just stroke the spine, idiot,” Ron said. “Seems everyone but you lot figured that out.”

Malfoy shot him a glare before stroking the spine. “Wait ‘til my father hears that oaf is teaching classes.”

“Forget something, Malfoy?” Harry asked. “Your father was sacked from the Board of Governors end of last term, wasn’t he? I was there when he was informed, or did I miss something?”

Harry hadn’t and Malfoy turned red but said nothing.

“What are those, Professor?” Parvati asked.

“These are hippogriffs! Figured they’d be a right intro ter this course, right then… ,” and Hagrin launched into his lesson. “Hippogriffs are a naturally ‘curring spieces. Tha’ means they existed in the wild without witches, wizards er Muggles messing with em ter make em what they are. Fer exams, tha’s one thing yers need ter know: whether the beastie is natural er whether it exists only ‘cause we bred other beasties ter makes 'em exist. Hippogriffs 'ave been 'round as long as we 'ave records so they’s considered natural. They’ve been known ter Muggles for thousands of years, although I don’ think a Muggles seen one in ages. You’ll find pictures of ‘em in Muggle Heraldry and such. Now, their natural range, where they likes ter live in the wild, includes the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Low Contries, Northern Germany, 'round the Baltic and Russia. Another thing yers expected ter learn for natural beasties is where they like ter live in the wild. Countries is one part o’ it. But things like forest or fields or mountains an' such are another an' these beasties prefer forests. Don' seem ter care if there be mountain er it be flat, long as there being lots o' trees. It’s safer fer their young ‘uns which er called "chicks.” Nother bit yer should know. Terms fer young an’ groups of beasties. A group o' these beasties is a flock as opposed to herd er sommat else. They’re carnivorous, meaning they eat meat an' hunts it catchin' their food with those large talons in front. Tha’s another thing you needs ter learn in this course: what a beastie eats. After all, yer can’t care fer a beastie if yer can’t feed it. This lot’s partial ter ferrets, although they don' mind bats on the wing fer a snack. Hippogriffs don' eat humans, not even human carrion. Carrion being already dead beasties and Hippogriffs take after bird of prey like tha'. Most o' them are carrion eaters even if they hunt live stuff. Tha' goes back ter the feedin' I don' feed ‘em live ferrets an’ they don' mind. They’ll even eat raw steaks if I lets ‘em…"

The lesson went on and most of the student thought it was one of the best lessons they ever had at Hogwarts. Some wondered how much their groundkeeper really knew, but he knew about Hippogriffs and was very prepared. He went on to talk about how intelligent they were. Older one’s could learn to understand human language if they were around it enough which may or may not be a good thing depending upon what was said. They had, as Hagrid put it, no sense of humor at all. It was not wise to joke with a Hippogriff. They were very proud creatures and did not like to be insulted and a joke could be misunderstood as an insult. He told them that insulting a Hippogriff could be the last thing a person ever did. He then went on to explain that perhaps because they were so intelligent, many people thought they were at least semi tame, which he said was “cadswollop.” They would never see humans as their betters or masters although a respectful human might be seen as a friend or something like an honourary member of their herd.

Hagrid then asked if anyone wanted to approach one of them. Harry was surprised to learn that he had volunteered which was not the case at all. He thought he might, but he did not want to be the first. But when Hagrid asked, the rest of the class stepped back and Harry did not so it looked like he stepped forward to volunteer. Much as he did not want to, he also did not want to let his friend Hagrid down so he went through with it. He was told to bow. In addition to a sign of respect, it showed humility because it showed a willingness to open oneself to an attack. If the Hippogriff felt comfortable, it would bow back, which the one Hagrid called Buckbeak did. The “beastie” seemed to like Harry, if it’s nuzzling was any indication and before Harry could utter a protest, Hagrid had hoisted him up and sat him on Buckbeak’s back just behind the wings saying something about going for a ride. Before Harry could protest - he had yet to go horseback riding on his own farm - Buckbeak took off. Literally. Harry found himself riding a flying horse/bird thing around the school and surrounding grounds. Whatever reluctance he had vanished in seconds. It was even better than a broom, he thought and wondered how fast it was.

“That was brilliant!” Harry exclaimed sliding off the Hippogriff’s back. The rest of the class seemed in awe of it all with one exception.

“Not so hard was it,” Malfoy proclaimed as he strode towards Buckbeak. “Not so dangerous at all, are you, you great, ugly chicken…”

There was a screech and Buckbeak reared up lasing out towards the boy with its talons. Hagrid moved quickly, grabbing the beast and trying to force it back as one of the talons caught Malfoy’s arm causing him to fall over. He lay on the ground clutching it and moaning that he was dying as Hagrid gained control over Buckbeak, leading it away to the back of the paddock. Hagrid then went over to Malfoy and took a look at the arm with a look of genuine concern for all of a second. His face then changed to disgust.

“What’re ya on about, Mr. Malfoy?” he said standing up. “‘Tis barely a scratch.”

“Bloody bird nearly took my arm off, you oaf!”

“Aye. ‘E could'a done tha’. Yer own bloody fault, in'n it? Told yer lot not ter be insultin' ‘em an’ ya go straight at it, din' ya? But e' didn' take off yer arm. It’s barely bleedin' an’ll probably be done afore ya could get ter the Hospital Wing.”

“You’re just going to leave me here? What about my arm?”

“Yer not needin' it ter get up an' walk. Yer wanna be a… Nah. Ya know where the Hospital Wing is, don' ya?”

Malfoy was able to stand on his own. Cradling his arm, he stormed off muttering something about his father. Hagrid called after him almost as an afterthought: “Five points, Mr. Malfoy fer disrespectin' a teacher. Five more fer not payin' attention in class. An' five more fer malingerin'. An' where you two think yer goin'?” he added. The class saw Crabbe and Goyle were trying to follow Malfoy. “Tol' Malfoy ‘e could go ter the Hospital Wing. Di’ na' ‘xcuse yer lot an’ e' don' need an escort! Get back here, less yer be wantin' a detention!” The two boys reluctantly did as they were told.

“Right then,” Hagrid continued. “Thank’s ter the deaf student, yer lot saw what can ‘appen if'n yer insult a Hippogriff 'though I’ve seen students more torn up by their kitten’s than what he’s suffered. But, tha’s another lesson. Never assume any Beastie, even a kitten, canna be dangerous! Right then. We gotta half hour left an’ I think ya all should write out what yer saw in this class. Desks are over there,” he pointed.

And the end of the class he collected the papers from the student. Most of them complimented him on a great lesson before they headed back to the castle.

“That was brilliant!” Ron said. “So glad I signed up for this one. Loads better than Divination!”

“Malfoy’s not having a good week,” Harry observed.

“Who cares?”

“What was with that paper he asked for?” Lavender Brown asked. “I was hoping for more on the Hippogriffs.”

“Maybe we’ll get more in the next lesson. It’d be so cool to get to ride one,” Ron replied.

“Despite what Malfoy said,” Hermione commented, “Hagrid’s not stupid. He knows as well as we do Malfoy’s going to make a big deal about what happened. Those papers are evidence of what we all saw. I think most all of us wrote about a very different class than what Malfoy’s going to say.”

“Hermione’s right,” Daphne added. “And the best bit is, those few who might support Malfoy either wouldn’t’ve thought to lie, or didn’t ‘cause Malfoy didn’t tell them what to say, or did and it will be very different than Malfoy’s version. Three things will come out of this, that’s for certain.”

“What?” several voices asked.

“First, you don’t mess around in Hagrid’s class. He doesn’t tolerate it. Second, he knows his stuff.”

“And third?”

“It’s a really good class.”

“What’s ‘malingering’ mean?” Ron asked, although it was clear he was not the only one who did not know.

“Faking being sick or injured to get out of doing something you’re supposed to do,” Hermione said. “It’s in the rule book.”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 th 1993

Ron stood in a small living room. There was a small fireplace with small and narrow windows on either side. There was a couch and a couple of chairs and some end tables. There were no portraits or anything on the walls. It looked shabby.

“This is where you’re living?” he asked.

Harry nodded. “Welcome to married student quarters,” he said. “We think they’re all like this. The rules say we can decorate it as we like, but it’s on our vaults to do so. Otherwise, this is it. Okay, there’s a bedroom through that door and a small, private bath which I guess is a bit of a luxury here at school, but nothing fancy. The girls think it’s like this so that guests, such as you, take one look and will think twice of wanting to get married just to live here.”

“Makes sense. How do the five of you… You can’t fit in here really, you know.”

“I’ll show you in a bit.”

“Where are the others?”

“Where I’m taking you, but we’re waiting on two more guests. Fred and George were the first aside from your parents to learn about Ginny and me, but you’ll be the first aside from your parents to see how we manage at least in your family. I was worried how you’d react to all this and what’s happened…”

“I suppose. I mean I guess I can see why you might’ve been. You know I can be a bit… But thanks.”

There was a knock at the door. Harry opened it allowing Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin to enter.

“You haven’t done much,” McGonagall began.

“No need,” Harry said. “I figured you had to wonder how we can manage here. It’s a bit… tiny.”

“And Spartan,” Lupin said.

“We could redecorate, but figured why bother,” Harry said. “This way.” He led them to the bedroom. Aside from three trunks on the floor, there was no indication of any occupant. Harry opened the middle trunk. “You’re keyed in for today,” Harry said. “Just climb down. Ladies first?”

Harry was the last down and closed the trunk behind him.

“An apartment trunk?” McGonagall asked.

“A little fancier,” Harry said. “I… well I tricked Malfoy’s dad into freeing one of his elves the morning after what happened in the Chamber of Secrets…”

“I don’t remember that. I remember him being there with his elf, but… ,” Ron began.

“It was after you left to send a letter to Azkaban about letting Hagrid go.”

“Oh, right.”

“Anyway, he became my Elf and I told him I wanted a way to stay at my relatives where I didn’t have to deal with them at all and he went out and bought this place… with my money of course but I can’t complain although it’s a bit much. You remember the Valley, right Professor Mooney?”

“This is like that?”

“Similar, but not the same. No mountains for one. I call it Potter Farm. Right then… ,” and Harry opened the door into his home.

“Bloody Hell!” Ron said as he looked around the Entry Hall.

Harry then told them where they were. “I guess it could also serve as a Ballroom, but some of those doors lead to trunks that lead to the Outside. Don’t ask me where Inside is. I don’t think it’s in the trunk we came through. I don’t think it’s really anywhere. This place is part of what’s billed as a Deluxe Travelling Manor Trunk. I’m told there’re only twenty of them in existence anywhere. That’s what the bloke at the Trunk Emporium in Diagon Alley told me when I went in for some… accessories. My parents had two and they’re now part of the combined Estate. Granddad had two as well. Well, four actually as he had two others that were not finished yet. They are now. Dobby bought this one and there was another that my family bought not long after I was born that they apparently intended to give me as a wedding present. In addition to this house, there are also grounds. Each of the eight trunks has forty thousand acres…”

“Forty thousand? Bloody hell Harry, my family only has a couple hundred and we rent out a fair bit of it!”

Harry nodded. “And your family’s farm probably would cost more to buy than one of these forty thousand acre trunks. That’s not saying this wasn’t expensive and they don’t take credit nor can you get a loan to buy one. But it is dirt cheap in comparison. Thirty-five thousand or so for the basic construct which includes basic furnishings, and another five thousand or so for planting and other stuff. The other trunks are all connected to this part of the estate. Total area’s five hundred square miles…”

“How can you maintain all that?” McGonagall asked.

“House Elves,” Harry replied.

“It would take a lot…”

“Working staff is around fourteen hundred. Little less than that but more than thirteen-fifty. Including the young ones, the total Elf population of the Estate is about twenty-two hundred. That’s probably one of the reasons why there aren’t many of these. You can get the trunk and everything you need… mostly… in Diagon Alley. The Elves, however… Most of the ones here were born here.”

“So, you and the others are living here?” McGonagall asked.

Harry nodded. “Have been since the day we married or, in Ginny’s case…”

“The day we were told she had a break down and was taken off to a Mind Healer?” Ron said.

Harry nodded.

“Morning Harry!” a voice called out. Harry knew who the two people were. To McGonagall, they looked familiar but she couldn’t place them. The other two had no clue who they were.

“Mr. and Mrs. Granger,” he said, “this is Ron Weasley…”

“Ah yes! Hermione’s other first friend,” Mr. Granger said. “Saw a bit of you at Diagon Alley last summer, but mostly spoke with your Dad. Interesting chap.”

“Um… pleased to meet you.”

“This is Professor Lupin,” Harry continued. “He’s teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year, although we haven’t had him yet.”

“Any relation to Remus Lupin?” Mrs. Granger asked.

“I am him.”

“Good to meet you. James, Lily and Sirius speak highly of you. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to know you’re here.”

McGonagall did not understand that statement for what it was. After all, portraits in the Wizarding World had the essence of the person depicted imbued into them and were both animated and could talk. No one knew whether they truly remembered, but they seemed to. Remus did not know if that statement meant James and Lily were here. He did wonder about Sirius. Sirius was a fugitive after all and Harry had not told him much about Sirius’s whereabouts.

“And you’ve met Professor McGonagall,” Harry said.

“She brought us Hermione’s Hogwarts letter,” Mrs. Granger said. “You can imagine we were a little skeptical about this magic stuff when she began.”

“Turning into a cat like that erases any doubt,” Mr. Granger said. “Have you seen Hermione? I promised I’d go riding with her and Rose today.”

“Er… I’m pretty sure she came here right after breakfast. I hope so,” Harry said. “Petal?”

There was a pop and an Elf maiden in a dress appeared. “Yes Milord?”

“Is Lady Hermione here?”

“She’s in her apartment reading ahead in one of her courses, Sir.”

“Right then,” Robert Granger said. “See you at lunch?”

Harry nodded.

“Good morning Harry,” a woman’s voice said.

“Mum? Dad?” Ron asked. “How’d you…?”

“Professor McGonagall,” Mrs. Weasley continued. “I’m pleasantly surprised. You managed to get through the first week without posting us about Fred and George.”

“It was only two days,” McGonagall said. “And the fact I’ve had no need to yet does have me worried a little.”

“And we haven’t met,” she added looking at Remus.

“Remus Lupin, Ma'am. I’ve just started as Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.”

“Really?” Mr. Weasley asked. “Arthur Weasley, by the way. I dare say from what we’ve heard you’re an improvement over the last few years. Unfortunately, that alone is not much of a compliment. Our post owl would be an improvement and he’s not much good at his chosen profession.”

“After what the others told us,” Molly said, “I suppose I was expecting… Well, I’m sure you can guess. Fred and George aren’t here are they, Ron?”

“No.”

“Last thing we need is them meeting up with the Marauders, wouldn’t you say Professor McGonagall?”

“The thought scares me,” she replied. “Remus was the more… restrained one. That and his marks were the reason I had him named Prefect for his year. I had hoped he might reign the others in. He did. A bit.”

“Ginny’s upstairs then?” Molly asked.

“What? Didn’t come here to see me?” Ron snarked.

“Oh we did. But we did have you all summer. We’ll be ‘round and see you at lunch for certain.”

“Mr. Potter, do you mind explaining how they got here?” McGonagall asked after the Weasleys left.

“Good question Mate,” Ron added.

“This way,” Harry said. “Think we should get out of the Entry in case any others show up.”

“Others? Anyone can just come and go?” McGonagall asked.

“No Ma'am. You need to be keyed into the wards and then I have to unlock them, so to speak,” Harry said as he led them into the Great Room. “I don’t have to unlock them for my Ladies as they have unlimited access. But their parents can also come and go if I’ve unlocked the wards to allow them to visit. And you three are on a one time access for now. It was easier to do it that way and doesn’t require a drop of your blood. Some of the wards on the Trunks are Goblin wards, you see.”

“How do they…?” McGonagall asked.

“Access Trunks. Basically, little different than where we came in from Hogwarts, except they don’t have all this, just access to this. The controls are in the Trunk I entered. It’s what ties into this place and ties all access trunks in as well. All of them are as warded as this place but the controls for those wards as well are in the main trunk. Aside from Luna’s Dad, all my Ladies parents have one and I have three others in use. The other two in our married quarters are access trunks. We learned trying to move the lot of us in and out of a single trunk can be… interesting if we all need to move in or out at about the same time. Wasn’t a big deal during the summer, but with classes and all, this way’s easier. The other one is Ginny’s. So she lives in her dorm as far as anyone else knows, but really she lives here with us.”

Harry led them to one of the Salons. There were three adults in the room. Ron did not recognize any of them, but could tell right away that Professor Lupin did. He rushed over and started hugging them apologizing and saying he believed something and couldn’t believe it when he was told it wasn’t true and a few other things that made no sense at all. He looked and saw that Professor McGonagall also seemed to have no idea who those people were or what this was about. Then he saw Ginny had entered with his parents. She began saying strange stuff about everything people believed was a lie and the truth was very, very different. Then he understood. The man with the glasses and the woman were Harry’s parents. They had not died that night. Through some kind of magic they wound up alive but in stasis and had been that way for nearly twelve years. Everyone in the Wizarding World thought the other man was about as evil as You-Know-Who and was the reason that night happened and yet everybody was wrong. The man was (mostly) innocent. He had escaped Azkaban, which was impressive if Ron thought about it, not to find Harry to kill him, but to protect Harry from the real killer…

“Peter Pettigrew,” Ginny finished.

“You or I should say we knew him as Scabbers, Ron,” his mother said. He looked at her in shock. “Your father and I learned that the morning after we thought he ran off. He didn’t. Ginny had an Elf take him during the night. We couldn’t tell you because that information, just like what you heard about Harry’s parents and Sirius Black, is under a Fidelius Charm and Ginny is the Secret Keeper. It means we can’t tell anyone. I don’t mean we shouldn’t. We can’t. The magic prevents it.”

“For now,” Harry added. “This will be made public. Sirius will be first unless Dumbledore tries something. Either way, Sirius will be before the end of this month.”

“Why so soon?” McGonagall asked.

“So long as our world believes Sirius is what they say he is and is or may be coming to Hogwarts, those Dementors will be here. Do you think even allowing those things anywhere near this place is wise?”

It was clear that she did not.

Ron and Harry were alone in the Game Room after lunch playing Wizards Chess. Harry almost wondered why. As far has he knew no one had ever beaten Ron at this game. He thought that Ron must have lost at some time; certainly when he was just beginning. But in the two years he had known Ron, those closest Ron had come to losing was arguably when they were after the Philosopher’s Stone and that was one with what was in Harry’s mind a very modified rule. That rule was losing the King’s side Knight or Queen side Bishop or Rook was worse than losing the game seeing as Ron, Harry and Hermione were those pieces and, while setting up an easy checkmate of the other side, Ron had to sacrifice himself.

“All this is pretty intense,” Ron said.

Harry knew what he was talking about. Over the last few hours Ron and two other had received an overview of things that he had learned relatively at his leisure over the summer. He had thought it was all intense when he learned it. It must be worse all at once in some ways. The only major things that were not revealed were the Flamels or the future memories.

“This place bother you?”

Ron shrugged. “Not really. There’s a lot a kid could envy about you. But then you see all the other stuff that goes with it and… well nothing is worth that. You’re life’s pretty messed up, you know?”

“I’d like to think it’s getting better.”

Ron nodded. “You deserve something other than mad nutters after you and all that. Still, it would be nice. Not all the wives. Wouldn’t want that. I’d say better you than me, but that’s not wrong ‘cause I don’t dislike you.”

“It’s not so bad…”

Ron shrugged. “Don’t know Gree… Daphne or Hannah. They seem okay for girls. Luna’s been… She doesn’t seem that way ‘round you though. Couldn’t imagine being with Hermione like that. I’d go spare in a week. But you two always got on better than she and I did. And my sister is right out. Not just 'cause she’s my sister. She doesn’t take crap from anyone, you know? She was off last year. That wasn’t her and we knew it but… well, it’s hard to help someone who doesn’t want it, you know? I should’ve thought of it…”

“What?”

“That somehow she was involved in what was going on. It never crossed my mind that her being so different might be related, though. I thought it was just being at school, you know? Some kids do have a problem with it at first. Deep down, I knew she couldn’t be the type; the type to want to open the Chamber I mean. Then again, I didn’t know You-Know-Who could possess people like that or even what that was. I mean it wasn’t at all like Quirrell, you know?”

“None of us figured that out, Mate.”

“Guess that’s why we’re in school, eh? Good as we’ve been, we’re not ready for what’s out there.”

Harry nodded. “‘Course, I could solve your money issues.”

“Don’t want your money, Harry. It’d always be your money to me, you know?”

“Not what I meant. You ever hear of the Rules of Conquest.”

“You mean aside from the Rule that you can’t beat me in Chess?” Ron quipped. “Check, by the way.”

“Nah. That’s more a law than a rule. Rules can be ignored or broken. Laws are harder. I meant something else. What’s underneath the Castle?”

“Chamber of Secrets,” Ron said without hestitating.

“And what’s in it?”

“Don’t know. Never got that far. The roof collapsed.”

“A big, dead basilisk. I’m thinking of taking some people down to see it. You too if you want to. But those Rules of Conquest say it’s mine ‘cause I killed it. It further says I am obligated to reward those who helped.”

“Okay. I guess that makes sense. But so?”

“It might be the largest one of those things ever known. Basilisks are all kinds of valuable even dead. Worth more pound for pound than any dragon. I got an estimate that says it’s worth more than a million galleons at least and probably a lot more. I’m required to keep half of that. Don’t think I need that at all, but…”

“Yeah, sucks being you, don’t it. Check again.”

“Got some people who can teach my elves how to… well cut it up so any valuable bits can be sold, you know? I’ve agreed to pay them a small fee for teaching the elves and aside from some bits I may keep - don’t ask me what - I’ve already arranged to sell the rest to the Goblins. In the long run, I’d probably make more if I sold it myself, but the Goblins offered a million minimum and more if there’s more there than they think. Still, I don’t need a million. I have a half million to give away or something. You’re entitled to a share ‘cause you helped with the Quest. Hermione did as well, but she made it clear that 'cause she’s my wife in many ways I’d just be giving that money to me anyway. I was also going to give Ginny a portion for all she went through, but the same thing, sort of. She’s going to be my wife as well. So, what I decided is to divide what’s left into shares. Figured I’d use a small part of it to start a scholarship fund for Muggle Borns and families like yours so future Dumbledores can’t do what he tried to do. Colin, Justin and the Clearwater girl will get one share and you’d get the remaining five.”

“Don’t want to sound greedy but how much are you talking about?”

Harry shrugged. “Assuming it’s only the million the Goblins have guaranteed, and figuring a fee to the people teaching the elves your cut’ll be at least 200,000. Maybe more. Haven’t done the maths really.”

“Bloody hell! You’re talking Galleons, right?”

Harry nodded. “And that assumes I don’t get more.”

“Um, not to sound greedy or anything but… when?”

“By the summer, for certain,” Harry said. “Maybe sooner. You know you could get a place like this with that and still have a lot left over?”

“I suppose. I’d probably have to think about a lot of things.”

Harry nodded.

“Checkmate,” Ron said.