Runaway Wizard 55
Ok, I know it's been a while. Thanks for your patience. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I have another. When do you want me to post it? *g*
Title: Runaway Wizard
Chapter: 55
Rating: Mature
Disclaimer: Except for the few original characters, all characters in this story are the property of J. K. Rowlings, who has kindly allowed me to play with them.
Warnings: Probably a little of everything. Fighting, Living on the streets with everything that entails, Spanking, Bondage, Blood, Gore, Bad Language, and Pissy Snape.
Parings: H/D eventually
Beta: 50ftqueenie Brit picker: purpledodah
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Then next morning saw Draco, Lucius and Harry return to their usual routine. Severus wandered down, dressed in casual robes and gazed at them in disgust.
“You're all way too energetic for so early in the morning.” He snorted as Lucius threw Harry halfway across the room with a shoulder throw boosted with a bit of magic. “Ouch! That's going to leave a mark.” He then ambled out to find breakfast.
Harry scrambled to his feet, wand in hand. He winced and grumbled, “You didn't have to throw me so far.”
“No, I didn't, but would you have learned not to stick your wand arm out like that if I hadn't?”
Harry sighed, a rueful expression on his face. “Probably not.” he heaved himself to his feet. “Are you going to let Severus get away with not exercising?”
Lucius smirked. “He got plenty last night. And he does work out, just not where students can see.”
Harry looked at Lucius, trying hard not to flush, but the heat in his cheeks told him he'd failed.
Lucius looked insufferably smug. “What? I'm only 40. Severus is the same age your father would have been, 38.”
Harry remarked acidly. “And the thought of someone old enough to be my father bumping uglies with my father? I'm scarred for life.”
Lucius raised an eyebrow and remarked with some acidity of his own, “And the thought of my son bumping uglies, as you put it, at all is more than a bit disturbing.” then he laughed. “We're wandering into realms best left alone.”
Harry agreed with him, so they changed the subject to Quidditch and spent breakfast discussing the chances of the Chudley Cannons making it to the finals. They all agreed that they were slim and none.
After breakfast both Harry and Draco retired to the master library to work on their assignments. Draco grumbled, “And why anyone gives assignments over Christmas Holidays is beyond me.”
Harry just settled to work.
It took them all day to get it done. They were dragged out of the room for lunch, during which they grilled Severus for information for their Potions assignment. He tried to refuse, but Harry pinned him by reminding him that he'd said they could use, 'all available resources'. He muttered a bit, but allowed that he was a resource and answered their questions.
Dinner was another 'lost' meal as they ate at their desks. Lucius asked Mimsey to take in a tray and make sure that both Draco and Harry ate. She went one better and took Gerard with her. The two elves badgered their respective masters until they'd eaten a sandwich, and had a cup of tea each.
Severus finally told Lucius that they'd better send the young men to bed before they fell asleep in the ink pots.
Severus went in and looked the ink stained couple over. “I don't see why it's taking you so long to do your assignment.”
Draco muttered, “And you think you're the only bloody one who assigns something? Ass! We've got 24 inches for you, 18 for Flitwick, 20 for McGonagall, 20 for Vector and a 24 inch translation for Babbling. It's damned unfair, I say. We're supposed to be on holidays.”
Severus' arrested look was everything they could have wished. “But, that's ...” he stopped to make a quick calculation. “nearly thirty hours of work. I think I'll bring that up in the next staff meeting. Go to bed ... and sleep.”
Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes, his contacts were dry again. “Like we have the strength for anything else. This is definitely interfering with our love life. Come on, Draco.”
Draco scowled at his godfather, grumbling, “Coming.” he glanced at Severus who was standing, gobsmacked, in the door. “Harry, I think we broke him.”
They ducked around Severus, who recovered just in time to aim a half hearted smack at Draco, and scurried up the stairs to bed.
Severus turned to Lucius. “Luka, those boys are going to be the death of me yet. Or the making. I'm still not sure which.”
Lucius just chuckled and took him by the hand, murmuring, “Come on. Bed for us too. And no messing around. We've got a hard day tomorrow. We've got to see that their work is done then get Harry to work with Merlin's staff more. I don't want him going back to Hogwarts without knowing what it will do as a stave and a wand.”
Severus just grumbled and followed him up the stairs.
.
Then next morning was a bit different, they exercised then Harry and Draco went directly to the library to finish their work. They were having some difficulty, as they had to write essays different enough that they weren't accused of cheating, but they were using the same resources so they were depending on wording to keep them out of trouble. It was really hard as there were only so many ways to say something.
They worked hard and were done with the last essay at about 10 am. Harry rolled the last scroll up with a sigh, “Well, there we are. All done. I want to work out with Merlin's staff as a wand. I'll need those skills first, and then as a stave. I really don't want to use it as a staff within Hogwarts. I don't like the idea of blowing a hole in a wall by accident.”
Draco also rolled up his last assignment, replying, “Dumbledore would really have a tizzy at that. Give me your stuff and I'll put it away, then we'll find Father and ask him where you should work out. I believe the dueling arena in the donjons would do, but we better make sure.”
Harry nodded, looking a bit concerned, “You're right. I really, really don't want to hear the ass reaming I'd get if I blew a hole in the Manor. Severus would chew me out for a week, after Papa got done belting my ass.”
The voice from the door made them both jump. “And why would I belt you?”
Harry grinned, “I don't think you'd like it if I blew up part of the Manor, experimenting with the staff.”
Lucius shook his head, smiling, “In deed, I would not. So ... the dueling arena should contain your excesses. As long as you don't use the staff as a staff. I'll come along to keep an eye on things and bring them to a stop if you get carried away. Come along then.”
Draco stretched then stood up. He glanced behind his Father then asked, “Where's Uncle Sev?”
“Brewing. He decided to get a jump on Poppy's demands. He's been brewing all the potions for Hogwarts, of course, but those kids use them up at an amazing rate. Should I get him?” Lucius looked at Harry.
“No, I don't think so. Let him get his assignment out of the way. You don't want an owl from Dumbledore for keeping him from his duties.” Draco smirked at his Father who just grinned back.
They went down into the donjon, stopping at the distillery to tell Severus where they were going. He just nodded absently, lips moving as he kept count of his stirs.
Harry worked several spells with the wand mode and stave form. They found that the wand was just a bit more powerful than Harry's old wand, while the stave was up to three times as powerful. It was a relief to find that Harry couldn't overpower it in either form no matter how he tried. It just refused to carry an overload, shifting into the form that could carry the power without damage.
He finally shrank the staff down into a wand, and tucked it into his sheath. “Ok, that's enough. I'm hungry. Any questions, suggestions, emendations or comments?”
No one had anything to say. Lucius was, frankly, awed by Harry's power and control. Draco was satisfied that his spouse wasn't going to burn out the staff, blow unwanted holes in something or hurt himself. Severus hadn't seen anything, still stuck in the distillery brewing.
They retired to lunch and discussions of what the young men needed to take back to Hogwarts with them.
Harry was adamant that every stick of furniture be removed and replaced with their own. When asked why, he just shrugged and replied, “It gives me the creeps, I want my own bed.”
Draco called Gerard and gave orders. Gerard just nodded and popped away to do as he was asked. Mimsey popped back in to ask what linens they wanted, then announced that they would need another trunk. Lucius told her to use one from storage, and she went to find something suitable.
The afternoon was spent in finalizing all their plans and having the two elves take care of arrangements at Hogwarts. This was easy as they just popped in and out as needed; Hogwarts ban on flooing, apparation and port keys not applying to them. Harry also suggested that Mimsey stay at Hogwarts with them, she could just stay. Dumbledore could complain all he wanted about Hogwarts rules.
.
New Years came without much fanfare. Lucius had decided not to have his usual party as most of the people who should be invited were trying to kill either him, Harry, Severus or Draco. Or some combination of them if not all of them.
Instead, they went to the Weasleys for the evening.
Lucius greeted Arthur politely, then avoided him for the rest of the evening.
Harry and Draco joined Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny to hang around with the twins, Fred and George. They were working on setting up a fireworks display, helped by Bill. Charlie couldn't make it from Romania and Percy was still being a prat.
Molly called everyone to table for a dinner of finger foods and drinks that they carried around with them, cocktail party style. Harry found himself standing next to Severus, watching Draco try to teach Ginny the foxtrot with Hermione and Ron helping.
Harry shook his head, “I don't think Ginny is really interested in dancing, do you?”
Severus watched for a moment then shook his head, “I don't either. I'm sure it's Molly's doing. The woman means well but she's a pusher. Ginny is going to be just like her when she grows up. I swear Arthur is the only man stubborn enough to bring either of them to heel.”
Harry's disbelieving look made him sigh. “Arthur is not the sort to yell and throw a tantrum but you'll learn that he's not one to be trifled with, despite his easy going nature.”
Harry just said, “Oh. Well.” and went to get some more food while he thought about that one.
They ate, drank and visited until five minutes until mid night. Then Arthur called everyone into the back yard.
The fireworks started and were a perfect example of the twins work. Dragons chased their tails across the sky and wyverns flapped their wings creating showers of sparks. Harry worried a bit about the neighbors but decided to forget that as no one else seemed to be concerned.
At five seconds to midnight the fireworks started a count down, each numeral bursting into a shower of sparks that revealed the next number. The numeral one burst in to a huge 'Happy New Year!”
Everyone congratulated each other on the new year. They drank Champaign toasts and finished the last of the food.
Then they apparated home, calling, “Happy New Year!” just before they went.
.
The next day, they all slept in, waking in late morning to breakfast served on the sideboard under warming charms.
Harry spent the rest of the day making sure that all the preparations for their return to Hogwarts were done. Draco made sure that all their work was done and acceptable. He cheated a bit and got Severus to help him. Lucius just stayed in the Library, attending to some business he'd put off for the holidays.
That night, Harry crawled into bed with Draco and cuddled up to him. “Draco, we have to be really careful of Dumbledore. He's ... something's not right with him, so we have to watch out. Who knows what he's liable to do when he realizes that I have Merlin's staff.”
“You think he might try to take it?” Draco rolled over so that he and Harry were face to face. “I'd think there's some bane on the staff to prevent that.”
“I think there is, but I'd really rather not take chances. We're taking all the same classes. I don't want you more than three feet away from me ... ever. OK?”
Draco sighed and snuggled down in the warm eider down mattress. “Ok. I think you're being paranoid but Moody said just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you.”
He laughed a bit when Harry barked, “CONSTANT VIGALANCE!”
“Exactly. So, we stay together. We also tell Ron, Hermione and Neville to never go anywhere alone. Right?”
Harry tangled his fingers in Draco's hair. “Right.” He kissed Draco good night and they snuggled down to sleep. This bed would greet them in their private quarters at Hogwarts tomorrow night.
.
The next morning was controlled chaos as not only did Draco and Harry have to get ready but Severus as well.
The house elves scurried around, squeaking to each other in their pidgin English. Severus stood in the entry room, scowling at his pocket watch while Harry and Draco just leaned on either side of the floo. Neither one of them really saw the sense in taking the floo to London then going from the Leaky Cauldron to King's Cross then taking a train all the way to Scotland, but there you were, adults were insane and that was all there was to that.
Severus looked up as Lucius walked into the room. He had to smile at him, he was as calm, cool and put together as usual but he had a rather wild look in his eye. “Are you alright?”
Lucius sighed, then allowed, “I'm fine. It is just getting harder and harder to let them go. I really want to keep them both here, where I can keep an eye on them and keep them safe.”
Severus snorted irritably, “Keep Potter safe? Only in your fevered dreams, that young man finds trouble in the most innocent of places. I'll keep my eye on him, but I am not promising anything.”
Lucius took Severus by the arm. “I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with that.”
Severus patted the hand on his arm. “We better be going.”
So they stepped into the floo, two by two, and flooed to the Leaky. The walk to King's Cross took no more than thirty minutes so they were at the station in plenty of time.
Harry and Draco strolled casually up to the brick arch and right through it without a hitch. They were followed, one at a time, by Lucius then Severus.
The platform at 9 ¾ was a mad house, as usual. Students ran around, trying to find their luggage for one last check, trying to either find or get away from parents and in general creating chaos. Parents added to the furor by calling to their children to, “Come here.”, “Get on the train.” or “Stop running.”
Harry stood next to Lucius with Draco between them. Severus stood behind and to one side of Lucius looking like he'd like to hex the lot of them.
“When those little vandals get on the train ...” He trailed off when Hermione showed up.
“What, Professor?”
Severus morphed from a reasonably polite man into Professor Snape. “I should have said, 'If' I believe. Take the lady's baggage to the luggage car, please.” The elf he'd addressed just snickered a bit and did as asked. “There. Now, the lot of you need to get on the train now. You'll never get a proper compartment otherwise.”
Draco just nodded. “In a moment. I'm looking for Neville. He should be here soon. I don't want him wandering around the platform alone.”
It took only moments to see him, along with his Gran. That formidable woman was taking no nonsense from anyone. She was like a great ship amongst dinghy's, everyone scrambled to get out of her way. Neville just followed in her wake.
She spotted Severus and made her way to him. “Professor Snape. Pleased to see you. Will you take these two young one's off my hands?” He nodded and she continued, “Wonderful. I'll be leaving you then. This noise is impossible.” She turned to Neville. “I'll see you end of term, then. Be careful.” She bussed him on one cheek, patted Hermione on the shoulder and apparated away with a crack.
Severus nodded to her then advised, “Find a compartment now and stay in it.”
Hermione just nodded but Harry asked, “What about Ron?”
Lucius pointed in the direction of a mob of red heads. “I don't believe that's going to be a problem. Although everyone in their way may have one.”
It was true, Molly was leading the way, guided by Bill who's greater height made it easy for him to see over the heads of the milling students. When he pointed, she made her way to them and huffed in annoyance.
“You'd think the twins were here along with one of Charlie's dragons the amount of noise those kids are making.” She smiled at Lucius. “Would you mind taking charge of Ron? I'm a bit concerned with him making it to Hogwarts. He has a bad habit of taking off without telling anyone exactly where he's going.” She gave Ron a glower which he returned half-heartedly.
Lucius just chuckled a bit. “No, Severus is going to see that they all get on the train then apparate to Hogsmeade to see that they get off again.”
Severus just nodded to her, saying mildly, “Molly.”
She laughed a bit then said, “I can see that you are just thrilled.”
“Ecstatic. Luggage?” He glanced around for trunks and such.
Molly shook her head. “No, we saw to that earlier.” She nodded to Hermione. “Hermione, dear, a pleasure to see you.”
Hermione blushed a bit, the knowing look Molly gave her making her cheeks heat. “Ma'am.” She nodded then took Ron's arm. “We'll see that Ron makes it to school.”
Ron just patted her hand and started for the train. The rest of them trailed after him, saw them into the train and milled around for a bit.
Lucius just stood, tall and proud, in the midst of all the chaos and waited. Severus stood at his side, also waiting, a bit impatiently, for the train whistle to blow.
When it blew, Severus took Lucius' hand for a moment then stepped aboard the train. He waived at someone up front then disappeared into the train. Lucius gazed after him for a moment then turned away.
Molly, catching sight of this, smiled to herself then gathered up her brood and chivvied them away.
Lucius followed in her wake, taking advantage of the eddy caused by their passing to leave the platform without trouble. He used a small alcove to apparated back to Malfoy Manor. He was exhausted and it wasn't even noon yet.
.
Harry flopped down in a seat, absently counting heads. Everyone was there, Hermione, Ron and Neville all looked back at him with questioning expressions.
“Just me being paranoid. I ... need to see each of you. Silly but there you are.” Harry grinned at them a bit shame faced.
Hermione just shrugged. “We understand. I counted heads as you came into the compartment. Now, Merlin's staff. Let's see it.” She fixed him with that intense stare that meant she was in research mode.
Harry obliged by producing it out of his sleeve. His new sheath could actually shoot the wand into his hand, all it took was to bend his wrist back hard. “There. No one touch, it doesn't like that much anymore.” They'd found this out by the simple action of Lucius picking it up without asking Harry first. It had given him a nasty shock. Now, Harry was leery of anyone handling it at all.
They all looked at it but it really didn't look like much. It was just a wand made of light wood, banded with darker bands. Then Harry said, “Méadaigh”, and they were looking at the stave form.
“I'd grow it again but I don't fancy trying to maneuver a staff in a railway compartment.” He held the stave so that everyone could see it. “Hermione, there's a line of runes carved in it that I want to translate. I'll read them off to you soon, then we'll all have a crack at it. What do you say?”
Hermione preened a bit. “I say ... bring it on.” She eyed the stave a moment then said, “Maybe you should put that away for now.”
“Right.” Harry shrank the stave back into a wand and put it away. “Neville, I'd like to know more about your Gran's plans for after Tommy boy is nothing but a bad dream.”
They spent most of the trip discussing how to help Augusta realize her new dream.
When lunch time came Neville drew a huge picnic basket out of his pocket, enlarging it from the size of a pack of cards to full size with a tap of his wand. “Here we are. Pay special attention to the hand pies, they're apple. Daphne and Millicent made them from scratch.”
Neville went on to tell them who had made each dish. He also warned them about the egg salad. Unfortunately, one of the younger girls had made it and it was very runny and the eggs had been boiled long enough that they were actually tough.
They were eating when Ginny stuck her head in the compartment door. She was a year behind them and Ron had made the decision after the incident of the Chamber of Secrets that she was to be kept separate from the Hogwarts Horrors. He didn't want anything happening to her.
“Hi! Have you seen the latest copy of The Wizarding Times yet?”
Harry shook his head. They'd been much too busy for the last week to read the paper. He was planning on catching up next weekend. Draco shook his head and answered for all of them. “NEWTS. As well as one thing and another. Come in and unburden yourself before you burst.”
Ginny smiled at Draco. “Well, thank you so much, I'm sure.” She gave a little flounce as she settled in the remaining seat. Draco gave her a Malfoy smirk and eased over a bit more. “As I was going to say. If you had had time to read ... don't you think the Parkinsons are just too much. And the Browns aren't much better. I mean, really, everyone knows that those two did the thing. And that their fathers dueled you ... but now their lawyers are claiming that they had a 'laps of mental clarity'. And what's that?” Her smirk showed that it was a rhetorical question.
Draco sighed but answered seriously. “It's ... just short of temporary insanity. And it won't float. Pansy and Lavender have already been locked up. Their father's are ruined. I saw that Ostrange woman give Mr Parkinson the cut direct. Turned her back on him in the middle of the street in full view of Merlin and everyone. Brown is in just a bad a mess. I think we should just forget about both of them. It's this sort of gossip that causes problems.”
Ginny pouted a bit, she really wanted to 'hang' with the older group, but they kept pushing her back into the group of kids her age that she was friendly with. “Well, you're just no fun at all.”
Ron sighed. “Gin-gin, don't be that way. We're too old for you. Why do you want Mum to kill me?”
Ginny snarled incoherently then snapped, “I'm only a year younger than you, Ronald Weasley.” her attempt at a smack on the arm failed as Ron dodged her, even in the tight quarters of the compartment.
Ron gave her a weary look and returned, “We're old in experience. I don't want you to have that sort of experience. Go back to your friends. Shoo.”
Ginny took one look at her brothers tired expression and scurried out.
Draco sighed. “Ron, I don't get it. She knows about ...”
Ron shook his head before Draco could finish. “She had one brush with Tommy, I don't want her to have another. I want her to ... avoid having to do some of the things we've done. She's my sister. I want to protect her.”
Neville just nodded his head in solemn agreement. Draco and Harry could only smile a bit sadly. Hermione sighed and hugged Ron.
The arrival at Hogsmeade Station was as chaotic as the departure had been. House elves scurried around, retrieving luggage and bags, students called greetings to each other and the noise was incredible. Also, it was snowing.
Harry retreated to the carriages along with his friends. Now they could all see the thestrals. Ron just blinked, gulped and shook his head. “Damned ugly creatures.”
They rode up to Hogwarts in silence, watching the snow fall.
Harry stopped at the door to look back down the path from the front gates, it was already covered with a foot of snow and the clouds looked like dumping another foot or so on them. It was beautiful in the way all fresh snow was.
Draco noticed him and returned to his side. “Harry? You alright?”
“Yeah, just ... something bad has happened. I can feel it. I just can't tell what it is. Maybe I should have kept my connection to Tommy boy.”
Draco gave him a gentle shake. “Don't say stupid stuff. We're all better off for you being rid of it. Now, come on, I'm hungry.”
Harry laughed. “Me too. Neville's basket is brilliant but it never lasts long enough.”
They heard a dour voice from behind them say, “That's because you all have a hollow leg. Go on in now.” They turned to see Snape standing behind them. Harry gave him a cheeky grin and led the way into the Great Hall.
The announcements that Dumbledore made were even more nonsensical than usual. Draco gave Harry a wide eyed look and whispered, “I swear he's getting nuttier by the day. I'm writing Father tonight.”
Harry gazed at Dumbledore, an assessing look that took in his tired eyes and slumping shoulders. No one else would notice, the twinkle hid his eyes and the slump could be passed off as age. Harry wondered and made a mental note to include his questions in the letter.
That done, they addressed themselves to their food with a will. Ron happily stuffed himself with some of nearly everything while the rest of the group ate more moderately.
When they were dismissed, with the usual warnings about the Forbidden Forest, Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes and ignoring curfew, the whole group headed for Harry and Draco's quarters.
.
Harry flopped down on the couch and sighed. “I'm stuffed. The food is always good here. But not as good as at home. Anyway, I know you're all just about to burst so, here it is.” He pulled the wand from his sheath and held it out for them all to see again.
Hermione eyed it. “It's just weird, that's Merlin's staff? I mean, I know it is but ...” She trailed off, trying to organize her thoughts. “And we still haven't found Ravenclaw's Diadem.” She rubbed her face wearily. She'd spent most of the evenings of her holidays, the ones that hadn't been spent on family activities, doing research on the diadem.
Harry enlarged the wand into Merlin's staff and put it on the coffee table. “There. And, again, I'd really rather no one touched it.” He turned to Hermione who was obviously bursting with information. “Ok, talk, you're about to overflow with data.”
Hermione grinned. “I found a book in Paris. It was written by one of ... well, he was the great grand son of someone or other. He got all his information via anecdotal evidence.” Puzzled looks brought an explanation. “Family stories. It seems that the staff will tune itself to its owner. Until it's tuned, no one should touch it. After it's tuned, no one else can use it. So ... we really shouldn't touch it. Harry can just move it around for us.” She pulled a notebook from a pocket and settled with a mechanical pencil to copy the runes. “If you'll turn it for me, Harry.”
Harry held the staff upright as Hermione copied off the runes.
They'd just finished looking them over when Dobby popped in.
Harry was delighted to see the elf and gave him a quick hug. Hermione insisted that he have tea which made him shed tears of joy.
“Now, Dobby, while it's nice to see you, what do you need?”
Dobby smiled over his cup. “Master Harry Potter, sir, is so good to Dobby. Dobby is sorry to be so bad an elf.” He sighed into his cup. It was a constant source of embarrassment to him that he just couldn't bear to come to Harry at Malfoy Manor. Harry never said a word about it but Dobby knew it was very inconvenient that he had to have his reports delivered by owl.
Harry just shrugged this off easily. “Don't worry, Dobby. I've been reading your reports. You're doing a great job. Everything seems to be in good order so what do you need?”
“Dobby is needing permission to evict several tenants who is not paying rents on time ... or at all. Dobby is not wanting to make the decision for himself, it is being too important.” Dobby retreated behind his cup again, a miserable expression on his face.
Harry nodded then glanced at Draco. He had no idea what to do about this. He hated to deprive anyone of their home, but people couldn't be allowed to just take advantage either.
Draco thought for a moment then said, “Why don't you tell us about each tenant and we'll decided individually. If that's alright with you, Harry.”
Harry brightened. “That's a really good idea. Hermione? Any ... remarks.”
Hermione thought for a moment. “Not yet. Dobby?”
And so Dobby told his tales of woe. One tenant just refused to pay, saying that he'd been living in his cottage for years without paying rent and didn't see any reason to start now. The cottage was in terrible shape, as he hadn't spent a Knutt on it and he was actually insisting that Harry pay for repairs.
The next case was rather sad, as it was an elderly lady who had lost her entire family, mostly to Voldemort. She was living on a pittance and just couldn't make repairs and pay rent, never mind eating properly.
Several other cases were similar to either the first or second one. Still others were business who just refused to pay.
Hermione nibbled at a cake, while Draco and Neville quietly discussed things. Neville and Ron kept their own counsel and just drank tea.
Finally, Harry asked for advice from the whole group. Draco advised that those who were elderly and truly couldn't pay, be allowed to stay in their homes, repairs made and arrangements made for checks on them on a daily basis. Ron and Neville both nodded at this and Hermione said that she was surprised at Draco's attitude. Draco raise an eyebrow at her and said softly, “What? I'm not allowed to have a heart? Granger, I'm crushed.”
Hermione turned scarlet, apologized and subsided. Harry just squeezed Draco's hand and went on.
“I think that's a very good idea. Those that can't pay should be helped, those that won't pay get 24 hours to get out.” Hermione opened her mouth but got a glare from Harry, and an explanation. “This isn't the muggle world, where it takes forever to get someone out. I'm actually being nice in giving them a day.” He turned back to Dobby. “As to the businesses, those that are going bankrupt, buy out and get solvent. Those who won't pay, seize and run for me. There's no reason for the employees to suffer because administration is a bunch of greedy idiots.”
Dobby nodded. “Dobby will do. Dobby is glad that Master Draco is learning things from Master Harry Potter, sir.” Dobby hopped off his chair and put the cup on the table. “Dobby is thanking kind masters and mistress for the tea. Dobby will go now.”
Before he could pop away, Harry gave him one last order. “Dobby, from now on, you are to send a copy of your reports to my Father-In-Law and another directly to me. Make sure that no one gets their hands on one except for the two of us. I'll share mine with whom ever I think needs to see it. Got that?” Harry patted Dobby on the shoulder and smiled at him.
“Dobby will see to it. Good-bye.” And with that, he popped himself away to return to his duties.
Draco found himself amused by Dobby rather than insulted and said so.
After some more discussion of the events they returned to the study of the staff. Hermione got all the runes copied down and everyone got a good look at the staff, stave and wand modes of Merlin's gift.
Harry eyed the clock on the wall and said wearily, “Look, it's nearly midnight. We all need to get to sleep now. Tomorrow is going to be hell, no matter how you look at it. And, you're all out of bounds. Damn it!”
There was a sharp knock on the door which made them all jump. Harry got up to answer it, grumbling.
Professor McGonagall stood outside the door with an annoyed expression on her face. “Well, gentlemen, and lady, it's past curfew and you're all still here. Come along, then. Neville, Ron, Hermione; I'll escort you back to Gryffindor. This once.” She peered over her glasses at them. “I trust there's a good excuse?”
Harry eyed her for a moment then nodded. “Yes, ma'am, there is. I have something to show you. I'd prefer that you keep my possession of it secret until I chose to reveal it.”
“I think I need to know what it is before I can promise total secrecy but I'll not tell anyone who doesn't need to know.” Minerva nodded once.
Harry smiled and grew his wand into the staff. “Behold! Merlin's Staff!” He knew it was a bit melodramatic but he couldn't help it.
McGonagall gaped like a girl a third, or less, her age then had to sit down. “Oh, my. Well,” she swallowed a bit thickly. “that is a surprise. And I can warn you now, do not let Dumbledore see that before you are perfectly bonded. He'll try to claim it for sure.”
Draco scowled at that. “He'd better not. It'll sting him for sure.” Everyone nodded at that. Draco had gotten stung early on and not forgotten it.
McGonagall just nodded, absently accepting a cup of tea from Hermione. “Thank you, Miss Granger. But ... Harry, how are you going to keep it secret?”
“I'll just keep it in wand form until something happens and I have to enlarge it. You'll keep my secret?”
McGonagall nodded, saying firmly, “That I will. Now, the rest of you come along with me. I'll escort you back to Gryffindor. And straight to bed, the lot of you. Morning will come early. And you'll be getting your timetables.” She rose, put the cup down and shook out her robes.
She led her 'cubs' to the dorm and made sure they went up the stairs. She shook her head in wonder then sought her own bed.
.
Breakfast was gobbled down quickly and the whole group gathered near the huge doors of the Great Hall to get their timetables.
The first one was delivered by Professor Snape, who gave Draco his with an odd smile and the observation that Dumbledore was to thank for it.
Draco opened it as Snape waited. He wasn't pleased by what he read. He started to say something but Severus just put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Wait.”
Harry received his timetable from McGonagall with a note from Dumbledore. He just tossed the timetable on the floor, snarled, “Unacceptable.” and stormed off.
Draco followed, along with both professors and Ron and Neville. Hermione just picked up all the timetables and settled at one of the tables to make corrections that she hoped would be acceptable to them all.
Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was headed for the first of several falls.
“Dumbledore! What the hell do you mean by this?” Harry Black-Malfoy-Potter stormed into his office and got right into his face.
“Now, my dear boy, what's all this upset about?” Dumbledore twinkled at his student and inclined his head. “I do think you could be a bit more polite.” He gave Harry a stern, grandfatherly look and waited for him to quail.
It didn't happen. “I want to know what you're playing at. You've separated me from, not only Draco, but Ron and Hermione as well. Just exactly what do you think you're up to?”
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. “My boy, they're simply not a good influence on you. You need to make better friends than them. The Longbottom boy for instance, or ...”
Harry interrupted, “You've separated me from him too. This isn't going to happen. Do you understand me?”
Dumbledore showed a bit of temper at that. “Mr. Potter! Contain yourself, if you please. We can discuss this calmly.”
“No! We can't. You don't listen! You never listen. What the hell do you think that ceremony was all about? Draco and I are spouses. We're married!” Harry yanked on his braid in agitation.
Dumbledore looked confused. “It was an espousal. You're only engaged. Don't think to pull your tricks here. Now, if you'll calm down, I'll be happy to ... repair this situation.”
Harry eyed Dumbledore for a moment then realized what he was doing. “Sure, you will. To my never ending gratitude. I don't think. And Draco and I are married, I told you.”
Hermione, who had finished her work and come up to Dumbledore's office, after threatening the gargoyle with Harry, cleared her throat. “Ahem. I've fixed the schedules. Here, Professor McGonagall, as Deputy all it takes is your signature.”
Professor McGonagall just signed the timetables without looking at them, much to Dumbledore's disgust. He started to say something but was interrupted by two things. McGonagall glowering at him like a basilisk and Professor Snape, who just snarked, “Give it up. It wouldn't have worked, even if they didn't kick over the traces. Luka would have your head on a platter. Excuse me, I have to get ready for my first class.”
Professor McGonagall snorted and followed him out, calling over her shoulder, “We all have thirty minutes. Move it.”
Everyone scrambled to get down the stairs and to class while Dumbledore wondered where he'd gone wrong again. All he wanted was for Harry to have the proper friends and classes, classes that kept him from getting into the same trouble his father had. His training to fight Voldemort could wait until he was older. The threat could be contained for another year or so.
He ate a lemon drop and thought about what classes Harry should take after graduation, NEWT's and so on. When he signed up for Auror training, as he had been pushed into since he was 11. When Harry entered Auror training his real training would begin. Until then, he had to be kept contained, out of trouble.
As Dumbledore settled down to brood, Harry was checking over their timetables with Hermione and Draco, both Ron and Neville had said that they would accept anything that the other two thought was appropriate.
Hermione had managed to set their schedules so that they all had classes together and only had two classes most days. Harry smiled at the classes; only Neville had Herbology, while they all had Ancient Runes and Arithmancy except for Ron, everyone had Potions, Defense, Transfiguration, Defence and Charms.
“Ok. Very good, Hermione. We all have Potions next and we're going to be late, whether we run or not. Snape will probably give us all detention so let's go.”
They hurried but didn't run. When they entered the classroom, all the other students turned to stare at them. Professor Snape just pointed to the places that were left open. They were all in the front but none of them minded that.
“You have an excuse ... this time ... for being tardy. Do not make a habit of it.” The professor glowered at them for a moment. “Granger, you and Longbottom. Potter and Malfoy.” He eyed Ron for a moment then looked at Draco who just shrugged. “Weasley, you will be with ... Novinger. But one mistake and you are out. Do. You. Understand?”
Ron gulped and nodded. He knew this wasn't going to work but Hermione had put his name down and McGonagall had signed. He didn't know why he was even in this class, except that he was inclined to be an auror, or play Quidditch. And to be an auror, he needed potions.
“Um ... Professor Snape? I didn't take potions last term.”
Snape gave him a disgusted glower. “I am well aware of that. Borrow Miss Grangers notes. Mr. Malfoy will tutor you. Cooperate,” he turned to the blackboard then back again. “or else. Do I make myself clear?”
Ron nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” Ron eased into his seat and turned to eye Novinger. He was a Ravenclaw with a meek demeanor and pale complexion. “Ok, what now?”
Novinger just sighed. “Hope you don't blow both of us to kingdom come.”
Ron started to deny this possibility then gave up. “I'll try. Why don't I just follow your instructions. You say, I do. Should at least keep us from sudden death.”
Novinger sighed again and started on the potion that Snape had put on the board while they were discussing their system. Ron wondered why he hadn't said something to them about talking.
He soon found out as Snape leaned over his shoulder and said in his ear. “Next time you talk while I am, will be two detentions. Do I make myself clear?”
Ron nodded. “Yes, sir. I am sorry. And ... thank you for allowing me in this class.”
“You are welcome. Do not make me regret it.” And with that he stalked to the front of the room to glower at everyone.
Class actually went well, everyone completed their assignment with various levels of success. Hermione and Neville's potion was a bit less than perfect, but Professor Snape allowed that it was 'tolerable'. Harry and Draco's potion was perfect, Snape curled his lip but accepted the labeled vial without comment. Surprisingly, Ron and Novinger's potion was 'not poisonous' which meant it was at least an A.
Harry looked at his timetable and realized that Hermione had taken advantage of the opportunity to give them plenty of free time. All their classes were doubles, which meant that they only had them once a week. It also meant that there was a ton of homework. With it being NEWT's year - Harry just folded it and stuffed it into a pocket. He wasn't going to worry about them now.
Lunch was spent in discussing how the devil Ron and Neville had gotten accepted into Potions, in second term, no less. No one could offer more than 'it's a miracle.'
Harry finally allowed that it was easier to just go with the flow than try to figure it out. He checked his timetable and announced, “Oh, goody. Defense. Which Professor Useless do we have now?”
Hermione consulted her timetable, she'd annotated it heavily in less than five minutes of grilling Professor Flitwick before she'd come to Dumbledore's office. “I asked Professor Flitwick. He said it was going to be monitored self-study until they can get someone to teach it. It seems that the Auror who was supposed to teach the first two weeks got himself killed. Ugh! I swear, I really wish someone would fix that damned curse.” She stuffed the parchment back into her bag and stomped off.
The rest of the group followed after her grinning at each other over her attitude, self-study was usually easy, just sit and read. Harry wondered if they were ever going to really learn anything in that class. He wasn't the only one.
After the prefect took role he settled at a desk in the back to work on his own work and ignored the whole class.
Harry took the opportunity to pace the room, trying to find the location of the anchor for the curse on the class. He was sure it was here, somewhere, at least he hoped it was. If it was in the professors quarters, he'd never find it. And he was determined to do exactly that.
Draco joined him, casting charms to try to find any source of dark magic. A curse like this could only be dark.
Harry paced, Draco cast; they kept at it for about twenty minutes then put their heads together at the lectern.
“I think it's around here somewhere. There should be some sort of carving, ink lines or something like that for an anchor point.” Draco examined the lectern carefully. “I don't see anything. You?”
Harry shook his head. “I don't see anything either. This is just really, really annoying. I know it's here. I can feel it. And I'm practically standing on ... it.” Harry looked down at his feet. “Flagstone is considered a perfect anchor stone, right?”
Draco looked down too. “Yes, it is. What are you thinking?”
Harry patted the stone under his feet with one heel. “Help me turn this over.”
Draco snorted. “It's cemented in, prat.”
“I know that, but it's lighter than all the other flagstones.” He knelt down and started prying at it with his fingers.
Ron noticed what he was doing and got up to help. “What did you find? Treasure? The ... thing?” Harry winced but realized that Ron had caught himself before he'd said too much.
“I just want to turn this over. I've got a nasty feeling about what might be under it.” Harry explained to Ron that it's lighter color made him think it was newer and he wanted to see what was under it.
Ron just nodded as he eyed the stone contemplatively. “Well, magic isn't going to lift that. I think they put some charms on the flagstones to keep kids from flinging them at each other. We need a tool.”
Hermione took a letter opener out of her bag and transfigured it into a crowbar. Ron took it and said, “Thanks, Mione.” He pronounced it 'My own.'
Hermione said, You're welcome, Ron.” then leaned over to see what they were doing. When she realized that they were prying a stone out of the floor, she gasped. Then she took a deep breath and said, “Before we all get expelled for destruction of Hogwarts, what are you doing?”
Harry explained and she nodded, stepping back to get out of their way. She also kept a close eye on the prefect, who had his nose stuck in a book.
Ron pried the stone up enough that Harry could get his fingers under it, which he did very carefully. After he was sure he had a good hold, Harry nodded his head for Ron to take another bite but Hermione, realizing that the mortar was now loose, waved her wand and levitated it out of place. They flipped it over to find the underside carved with runes.
Harry eyed them then said, “Ron, go get Professor Snape. I don't care if he's teaching class or in the loo. Get him. Now! Neville, floo Papa from McGonagall's office. I don't care if you have to break down her door to do it. This is ... dark. Go!” they hurried off.
The slam of the door brought the prefect out of his blue study with a sharp, “What?” He got a good look at what they'd done and yelped, “What do you think you're doing? I'm telling Professor Dumbledore.”
Harry eyed him with some disgust. “Please go right ahead. Then explain to him how we managed to do this without you interfering at once. Idiot!”
The prefect, no one bothered to remember his name, hurried out, calling over his shoulder, “You'll be sorry. I'm telling.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.” She leaned over to look at the carvings and sighed. “I really don't like the looks of this. That's ... Oh, it says, 'a bane be on this place, none shall stay the seasons round.' Yikes!”
Draco frowned, “It doesn't scan. But, who ever wrote it knew their stuff. It's a curse of some power.”
Harry just eyed the stone with a scowl. “I wonder who put it there. Voldemort? Or one of his stooges?” He grumbled under his breath for a moment then said, “Well, never mind, it's what to do with it now that counts.”
Ron returned just then with Snape who eyed the destruction with a jaundiced eye, until he saw the carvings. “Well, well, what do we have here? Interesting. Very interesting.” He glanced at Harry. “Have you sent for Dumbledore?”
Harry shrugged a bit irritably. “No, I sent for someone better.” Snape raised an eyebrow. Harry replied with one word. “Papa.”
Snape examined the stone again and started to copy off the runes, mumbling, “Well, at least I can figure out what this says.”
Ron just smirked at him a bit and said politely, “Why not ask Mione? She already read it.”
Snape glanced at his proud expression and then at Hermione. “Miss Granger?”
Hermione repeated her translation adding, “But maybe you should do it too. Just in case I made a mistake.”
Snape put his parchment and pen away. “I see no reason to waste my time. I'll do a diagnostic instead.”
He was just about to do that when Lucius walked in followed by Dumbledore and Neville. Neville was still trying to explain what was going on to Lucius, while Dumbledore interrupted at every turn.
Lucius just walked away from him and demanded, “What is going on, my Treasure? Neville seemed very upset. And that idiot prefect ... well, I sent him to the right about at once.”
Harry snickered then pointed to the stone. “There. Read that and tell me I'm crazy.”
Lucius leaned over to read the stone, turned an odd shade of gray and sent everyone out of the room except Harry, Dumbledore, Draco, Severus and Hermione. Ron and Neville cooperated fully, chivying the other students out the door, ignoring their demands for explanation.
They were so uncooperative that Ron finally barked, “Stuff it! You lot are actually telling me you'd rather stay in class? Get out of it. Garn!” with that he let loose with a string of stinging hexes that sent everyone scrambling.
Neville helped with a few stingers of his own, laughing like a loon all the while. He then announced, “Ron and I are going down to the kitchens for a snack. You need us, send an elf.”
Lucius just eyed Neville for a moment then said, “That boy becomes more and more like Frank everyday. Well, let me get a good look at this thing.”
He levitated the desk out into the middle of the room while Severus charmed the student desks to grow feet and walk to the sides of the room out of the way.
Dumbledore finally managed to get a real word in, but he just rambled on about all the different people who'd filled the position for the last thirty years or so, everyone more or less ignored him.
Severus and Lucius took turns casting diagnostic spells at the stone while Harry, Draco and Hermione watched with interest.
Finally, Lucius nodded then turned to consult with Dumbledore and Severus. Dumbledore had snapped to after about two minutes of spell casting by Severus and started watching with close attention. They spoke quietly for several minutes then Dumbledore nodded.
He settled his robes and said, “Well, now that we're sure that it is dark but not a blood curse, I'll dismiss it.” He started waving his wand mumbling a counter.
Harry grabbed Draco and shoved him towards the door, dragging Hermione after. Lucius realized exactly what Dumbledore was using and snatched at Severus. He needn't have bothered as they were neck and neck in their dash for the door.
None of them tried to stop Dumbledore, well aware that he wouldn't listen.
The explosion blew a chunk out of the wall and reduced the door that Lucius had slammed shut into splinters.
After checking to be sure that none of them were hurt, they re-entered the room to find Dumbledore seated on the floor amid the fragments of the stone. He was dazed and filthy, covered in scraps of the desk, parchments, book leaves and dust. He had a cut on one cheek and his glasses were broken.
He blinked several times then said mildly, “Well, that was ... exciting.” He started to stand but Lucius put a hand on his shoulder. “Oh? Am I hurt? I don't feel any pain.”
Lucius just returned gently, “I am not sure and I would rather err on the side of caution. Madam Pomfrey is on her way. That explosion ensured it.”
Madam Pomfrey was only a minute behind this remark and bustled into the room, wand in hand. It didn't take her long to do her work and hustle Dumbledore off to the Infirmary. Before she got out the door Lucius stopped her and said, “Perhaps you should do the test we discussed at Harry and Draco's ceremony? I believe it is time.”
She looked sad but nodded then bustled out.
Lucius sighed. “Well, that was anticlimactic.”
Severus nodded, “In the extreme.”
Harry scowled at them then announced, “I'm not asking. Would you like tea?”
Lucius shook his head. “No, I thank you. I will be late for a meeting if I do not leave at once. Excuse me.” He hurried out, stopping for a moment to just look at Severus.
Harry smiled and whispered to Draco, “They're so cute.”
Draco gave him a look and walked away.
Title: Runaway Wizard
Chapter: 55
Rating: Mature
Disclaimer: Except for the few original characters, all characters in this story are the property of J. K. Rowlings, who has kindly allowed me to play with them.
Warnings: Probably a little of everything. Fighting, Living on the streets with everything that entails, Spanking, Bondage, Blood, Gore, Bad Language, and Pissy Snape.
Parings: H/D eventually
Beta: 50ftqueenie Brit picker: purpledodah
Banner code for RW
Then next morning saw Draco, Lucius and Harry return to their usual routine. Severus wandered down, dressed in casual robes and gazed at them in disgust.
“You're all way too energetic for so early in the morning.” He snorted as Lucius threw Harry halfway across the room with a shoulder throw boosted with a bit of magic. “Ouch! That's going to leave a mark.” He then ambled out to find breakfast.
Harry scrambled to his feet, wand in hand. He winced and grumbled, “You didn't have to throw me so far.”
“No, I didn't, but would you have learned not to stick your wand arm out like that if I hadn't?”
Harry sighed, a rueful expression on his face. “Probably not.” he heaved himself to his feet. “Are you going to let Severus get away with not exercising?”
Lucius smirked. “He got plenty last night. And he does work out, just not where students can see.”
Harry looked at Lucius, trying hard not to flush, but the heat in his cheeks told him he'd failed.
Lucius looked insufferably smug. “What? I'm only 40. Severus is the same age your father would have been, 38.”
Harry remarked acidly. “And the thought of someone old enough to be my father bumping uglies with my father? I'm scarred for life.”
Lucius raised an eyebrow and remarked with some acidity of his own, “And the thought of my son bumping uglies, as you put it, at all is more than a bit disturbing.” then he laughed. “We're wandering into realms best left alone.”
Harry agreed with him, so they changed the subject to Quidditch and spent breakfast discussing the chances of the Chudley Cannons making it to the finals. They all agreed that they were slim and none.
After breakfast both Harry and Draco retired to the master library to work on their assignments. Draco grumbled, “And why anyone gives assignments over Christmas Holidays is beyond me.”
Harry just settled to work.
It took them all day to get it done. They were dragged out of the room for lunch, during which they grilled Severus for information for their Potions assignment. He tried to refuse, but Harry pinned him by reminding him that he'd said they could use, 'all available resources'. He muttered a bit, but allowed that he was a resource and answered their questions.
Dinner was another 'lost' meal as they ate at their desks. Lucius asked Mimsey to take in a tray and make sure that both Draco and Harry ate. She went one better and took Gerard with her. The two elves badgered their respective masters until they'd eaten a sandwich, and had a cup of tea each.
Severus finally told Lucius that they'd better send the young men to bed before they fell asleep in the ink pots.
Severus went in and looked the ink stained couple over. “I don't see why it's taking you so long to do your assignment.”
Draco muttered, “And you think you're the only bloody one who assigns something? Ass! We've got 24 inches for you, 18 for Flitwick, 20 for McGonagall, 20 for Vector and a 24 inch translation for Babbling. It's damned unfair, I say. We're supposed to be on holidays.”
Severus' arrested look was everything they could have wished. “But, that's ...” he stopped to make a quick calculation. “nearly thirty hours of work. I think I'll bring that up in the next staff meeting. Go to bed ... and sleep.”
Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes, his contacts were dry again. “Like we have the strength for anything else. This is definitely interfering with our love life. Come on, Draco.”
Draco scowled at his godfather, grumbling, “Coming.” he glanced at Severus who was standing, gobsmacked, in the door. “Harry, I think we broke him.”
They ducked around Severus, who recovered just in time to aim a half hearted smack at Draco, and scurried up the stairs to bed.
Severus turned to Lucius. “Luka, those boys are going to be the death of me yet. Or the making. I'm still not sure which.”
Lucius just chuckled and took him by the hand, murmuring, “Come on. Bed for us too. And no messing around. We've got a hard day tomorrow. We've got to see that their work is done then get Harry to work with Merlin's staff more. I don't want him going back to Hogwarts without knowing what it will do as a stave and a wand.”
Severus just grumbled and followed him up the stairs.
.
Then next morning was a bit different, they exercised then Harry and Draco went directly to the library to finish their work. They were having some difficulty, as they had to write essays different enough that they weren't accused of cheating, but they were using the same resources so they were depending on wording to keep them out of trouble. It was really hard as there were only so many ways to say something.
They worked hard and were done with the last essay at about 10 am. Harry rolled the last scroll up with a sigh, “Well, there we are. All done. I want to work out with Merlin's staff as a wand. I'll need those skills first, and then as a stave. I really don't want to use it as a staff within Hogwarts. I don't like the idea of blowing a hole in a wall by accident.”
Draco also rolled up his last assignment, replying, “Dumbledore would really have a tizzy at that. Give me your stuff and I'll put it away, then we'll find Father and ask him where you should work out. I believe the dueling arena in the donjons would do, but we better make sure.”
Harry nodded, looking a bit concerned, “You're right. I really, really don't want to hear the ass reaming I'd get if I blew a hole in the Manor. Severus would chew me out for a week, after Papa got done belting my ass.”
The voice from the door made them both jump. “And why would I belt you?”
Harry grinned, “I don't think you'd like it if I blew up part of the Manor, experimenting with the staff.”
Lucius shook his head, smiling, “In deed, I would not. So ... the dueling arena should contain your excesses. As long as you don't use the staff as a staff. I'll come along to keep an eye on things and bring them to a stop if you get carried away. Come along then.”
Draco stretched then stood up. He glanced behind his Father then asked, “Where's Uncle Sev?”
“Brewing. He decided to get a jump on Poppy's demands. He's been brewing all the potions for Hogwarts, of course, but those kids use them up at an amazing rate. Should I get him?” Lucius looked at Harry.
“No, I don't think so. Let him get his assignment out of the way. You don't want an owl from Dumbledore for keeping him from his duties.” Draco smirked at his Father who just grinned back.
They went down into the donjon, stopping at the distillery to tell Severus where they were going. He just nodded absently, lips moving as he kept count of his stirs.
Harry worked several spells with the wand mode and stave form. They found that the wand was just a bit more powerful than Harry's old wand, while the stave was up to three times as powerful. It was a relief to find that Harry couldn't overpower it in either form no matter how he tried. It just refused to carry an overload, shifting into the form that could carry the power without damage.
He finally shrank the staff down into a wand, and tucked it into his sheath. “Ok, that's enough. I'm hungry. Any questions, suggestions, emendations or comments?”
No one had anything to say. Lucius was, frankly, awed by Harry's power and control. Draco was satisfied that his spouse wasn't going to burn out the staff, blow unwanted holes in something or hurt himself. Severus hadn't seen anything, still stuck in the distillery brewing.
They retired to lunch and discussions of what the young men needed to take back to Hogwarts with them.
Harry was adamant that every stick of furniture be removed and replaced with their own. When asked why, he just shrugged and replied, “It gives me the creeps, I want my own bed.”
Draco called Gerard and gave orders. Gerard just nodded and popped away to do as he was asked. Mimsey popped back in to ask what linens they wanted, then announced that they would need another trunk. Lucius told her to use one from storage, and she went to find something suitable.
The afternoon was spent in finalizing all their plans and having the two elves take care of arrangements at Hogwarts. This was easy as they just popped in and out as needed; Hogwarts ban on flooing, apparation and port keys not applying to them. Harry also suggested that Mimsey stay at Hogwarts with them, she could just stay. Dumbledore could complain all he wanted about Hogwarts rules.
.
New Years came without much fanfare. Lucius had decided not to have his usual party as most of the people who should be invited were trying to kill either him, Harry, Severus or Draco. Or some combination of them if not all of them.
Instead, they went to the Weasleys for the evening.
Lucius greeted Arthur politely, then avoided him for the rest of the evening.
Harry and Draco joined Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny to hang around with the twins, Fred and George. They were working on setting up a fireworks display, helped by Bill. Charlie couldn't make it from Romania and Percy was still being a prat.
Molly called everyone to table for a dinner of finger foods and drinks that they carried around with them, cocktail party style. Harry found himself standing next to Severus, watching Draco try to teach Ginny the foxtrot with Hermione and Ron helping.
Harry shook his head, “I don't think Ginny is really interested in dancing, do you?”
Severus watched for a moment then shook his head, “I don't either. I'm sure it's Molly's doing. The woman means well but she's a pusher. Ginny is going to be just like her when she grows up. I swear Arthur is the only man stubborn enough to bring either of them to heel.”
Harry's disbelieving look made him sigh. “Arthur is not the sort to yell and throw a tantrum but you'll learn that he's not one to be trifled with, despite his easy going nature.”
Harry just said, “Oh. Well.” and went to get some more food while he thought about that one.
They ate, drank and visited until five minutes until mid night. Then Arthur called everyone into the back yard.
The fireworks started and were a perfect example of the twins work. Dragons chased their tails across the sky and wyverns flapped their wings creating showers of sparks. Harry worried a bit about the neighbors but decided to forget that as no one else seemed to be concerned.
At five seconds to midnight the fireworks started a count down, each numeral bursting into a shower of sparks that revealed the next number. The numeral one burst in to a huge 'Happy New Year!”
Everyone congratulated each other on the new year. They drank Champaign toasts and finished the last of the food.
Then they apparated home, calling, “Happy New Year!” just before they went.
.
The next day, they all slept in, waking in late morning to breakfast served on the sideboard under warming charms.
Harry spent the rest of the day making sure that all the preparations for their return to Hogwarts were done. Draco made sure that all their work was done and acceptable. He cheated a bit and got Severus to help him. Lucius just stayed in the Library, attending to some business he'd put off for the holidays.
That night, Harry crawled into bed with Draco and cuddled up to him. “Draco, we have to be really careful of Dumbledore. He's ... something's not right with him, so we have to watch out. Who knows what he's liable to do when he realizes that I have Merlin's staff.”
“You think he might try to take it?” Draco rolled over so that he and Harry were face to face. “I'd think there's some bane on the staff to prevent that.”
“I think there is, but I'd really rather not take chances. We're taking all the same classes. I don't want you more than three feet away from me ... ever. OK?”
Draco sighed and snuggled down in the warm eider down mattress. “Ok. I think you're being paranoid but Moody said just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you.”
He laughed a bit when Harry barked, “CONSTANT VIGALANCE!”
“Exactly. So, we stay together. We also tell Ron, Hermione and Neville to never go anywhere alone. Right?”
Harry tangled his fingers in Draco's hair. “Right.” He kissed Draco good night and they snuggled down to sleep. This bed would greet them in their private quarters at Hogwarts tomorrow night.
.
The next morning was controlled chaos as not only did Draco and Harry have to get ready but Severus as well.
The house elves scurried around, squeaking to each other in their pidgin English. Severus stood in the entry room, scowling at his pocket watch while Harry and Draco just leaned on either side of the floo. Neither one of them really saw the sense in taking the floo to London then going from the Leaky Cauldron to King's Cross then taking a train all the way to Scotland, but there you were, adults were insane and that was all there was to that.
Severus looked up as Lucius walked into the room. He had to smile at him, he was as calm, cool and put together as usual but he had a rather wild look in his eye. “Are you alright?”
Lucius sighed, then allowed, “I'm fine. It is just getting harder and harder to let them go. I really want to keep them both here, where I can keep an eye on them and keep them safe.”
Severus snorted irritably, “Keep Potter safe? Only in your fevered dreams, that young man finds trouble in the most innocent of places. I'll keep my eye on him, but I am not promising anything.”
Lucius took Severus by the arm. “I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with that.”
Severus patted the hand on his arm. “We better be going.”
So they stepped into the floo, two by two, and flooed to the Leaky. The walk to King's Cross took no more than thirty minutes so they were at the station in plenty of time.
Harry and Draco strolled casually up to the brick arch and right through it without a hitch. They were followed, one at a time, by Lucius then Severus.
The platform at 9 ¾ was a mad house, as usual. Students ran around, trying to find their luggage for one last check, trying to either find or get away from parents and in general creating chaos. Parents added to the furor by calling to their children to, “Come here.”, “Get on the train.” or “Stop running.”
Harry stood next to Lucius with Draco between them. Severus stood behind and to one side of Lucius looking like he'd like to hex the lot of them.
“When those little vandals get on the train ...” He trailed off when Hermione showed up.
“What, Professor?”
Severus morphed from a reasonably polite man into Professor Snape. “I should have said, 'If' I believe. Take the lady's baggage to the luggage car, please.” The elf he'd addressed just snickered a bit and did as asked. “There. Now, the lot of you need to get on the train now. You'll never get a proper compartment otherwise.”
Draco just nodded. “In a moment. I'm looking for Neville. He should be here soon. I don't want him wandering around the platform alone.”
It took only moments to see him, along with his Gran. That formidable woman was taking no nonsense from anyone. She was like a great ship amongst dinghy's, everyone scrambled to get out of her way. Neville just followed in her wake.
She spotted Severus and made her way to him. “Professor Snape. Pleased to see you. Will you take these two young one's off my hands?” He nodded and she continued, “Wonderful. I'll be leaving you then. This noise is impossible.” She turned to Neville. “I'll see you end of term, then. Be careful.” She bussed him on one cheek, patted Hermione on the shoulder and apparated away with a crack.
Severus nodded to her then advised, “Find a compartment now and stay in it.”
Hermione just nodded but Harry asked, “What about Ron?”
Lucius pointed in the direction of a mob of red heads. “I don't believe that's going to be a problem. Although everyone in their way may have one.”
It was true, Molly was leading the way, guided by Bill who's greater height made it easy for him to see over the heads of the milling students. When he pointed, she made her way to them and huffed in annoyance.
“You'd think the twins were here along with one of Charlie's dragons the amount of noise those kids are making.” She smiled at Lucius. “Would you mind taking charge of Ron? I'm a bit concerned with him making it to Hogwarts. He has a bad habit of taking off without telling anyone exactly where he's going.” She gave Ron a glower which he returned half-heartedly.
Lucius just chuckled a bit. “No, Severus is going to see that they all get on the train then apparate to Hogsmeade to see that they get off again.”
Severus just nodded to her, saying mildly, “Molly.”
She laughed a bit then said, “I can see that you are just thrilled.”
“Ecstatic. Luggage?” He glanced around for trunks and such.
Molly shook her head. “No, we saw to that earlier.” She nodded to Hermione. “Hermione, dear, a pleasure to see you.”
Hermione blushed a bit, the knowing look Molly gave her making her cheeks heat. “Ma'am.” She nodded then took Ron's arm. “We'll see that Ron makes it to school.”
Ron just patted her hand and started for the train. The rest of them trailed after him, saw them into the train and milled around for a bit.
Lucius just stood, tall and proud, in the midst of all the chaos and waited. Severus stood at his side, also waiting, a bit impatiently, for the train whistle to blow.
When it blew, Severus took Lucius' hand for a moment then stepped aboard the train. He waived at someone up front then disappeared into the train. Lucius gazed after him for a moment then turned away.
Molly, catching sight of this, smiled to herself then gathered up her brood and chivvied them away.
Lucius followed in her wake, taking advantage of the eddy caused by their passing to leave the platform without trouble. He used a small alcove to apparated back to Malfoy Manor. He was exhausted and it wasn't even noon yet.
.
Harry flopped down in a seat, absently counting heads. Everyone was there, Hermione, Ron and Neville all looked back at him with questioning expressions.
“Just me being paranoid. I ... need to see each of you. Silly but there you are.” Harry grinned at them a bit shame faced.
Hermione just shrugged. “We understand. I counted heads as you came into the compartment. Now, Merlin's staff. Let's see it.” She fixed him with that intense stare that meant she was in research mode.
Harry obliged by producing it out of his sleeve. His new sheath could actually shoot the wand into his hand, all it took was to bend his wrist back hard. “There. No one touch, it doesn't like that much anymore.” They'd found this out by the simple action of Lucius picking it up without asking Harry first. It had given him a nasty shock. Now, Harry was leery of anyone handling it at all.
They all looked at it but it really didn't look like much. It was just a wand made of light wood, banded with darker bands. Then Harry said, “Méadaigh”, and they were looking at the stave form.
“I'd grow it again but I don't fancy trying to maneuver a staff in a railway compartment.” He held the stave so that everyone could see it. “Hermione, there's a line of runes carved in it that I want to translate. I'll read them off to you soon, then we'll all have a crack at it. What do you say?”
Hermione preened a bit. “I say ... bring it on.” She eyed the stave a moment then said, “Maybe you should put that away for now.”
“Right.” Harry shrank the stave back into a wand and put it away. “Neville, I'd like to know more about your Gran's plans for after Tommy boy is nothing but a bad dream.”
They spent most of the trip discussing how to help Augusta realize her new dream.
When lunch time came Neville drew a huge picnic basket out of his pocket, enlarging it from the size of a pack of cards to full size with a tap of his wand. “Here we are. Pay special attention to the hand pies, they're apple. Daphne and Millicent made them from scratch.”
Neville went on to tell them who had made each dish. He also warned them about the egg salad. Unfortunately, one of the younger girls had made it and it was very runny and the eggs had been boiled long enough that they were actually tough.
They were eating when Ginny stuck her head in the compartment door. She was a year behind them and Ron had made the decision after the incident of the Chamber of Secrets that she was to be kept separate from the Hogwarts Horrors. He didn't want anything happening to her.
“Hi! Have you seen the latest copy of The Wizarding Times yet?”
Harry shook his head. They'd been much too busy for the last week to read the paper. He was planning on catching up next weekend. Draco shook his head and answered for all of them. “NEWTS. As well as one thing and another. Come in and unburden yourself before you burst.”
Ginny smiled at Draco. “Well, thank you so much, I'm sure.” She gave a little flounce as she settled in the remaining seat. Draco gave her a Malfoy smirk and eased over a bit more. “As I was going to say. If you had had time to read ... don't you think the Parkinsons are just too much. And the Browns aren't much better. I mean, really, everyone knows that those two did the thing. And that their fathers dueled you ... but now their lawyers are claiming that they had a 'laps of mental clarity'. And what's that?” Her smirk showed that it was a rhetorical question.
Draco sighed but answered seriously. “It's ... just short of temporary insanity. And it won't float. Pansy and Lavender have already been locked up. Their father's are ruined. I saw that Ostrange woman give Mr Parkinson the cut direct. Turned her back on him in the middle of the street in full view of Merlin and everyone. Brown is in just a bad a mess. I think we should just forget about both of them. It's this sort of gossip that causes problems.”
Ginny pouted a bit, she really wanted to 'hang' with the older group, but they kept pushing her back into the group of kids her age that she was friendly with. “Well, you're just no fun at all.”
Ron sighed. “Gin-gin, don't be that way. We're too old for you. Why do you want Mum to kill me?”
Ginny snarled incoherently then snapped, “I'm only a year younger than you, Ronald Weasley.” her attempt at a smack on the arm failed as Ron dodged her, even in the tight quarters of the compartment.
Ron gave her a weary look and returned, “We're old in experience. I don't want you to have that sort of experience. Go back to your friends. Shoo.”
Ginny took one look at her brothers tired expression and scurried out.
Draco sighed. “Ron, I don't get it. She knows about ...”
Ron shook his head before Draco could finish. “She had one brush with Tommy, I don't want her to have another. I want her to ... avoid having to do some of the things we've done. She's my sister. I want to protect her.”
Neville just nodded his head in solemn agreement. Draco and Harry could only smile a bit sadly. Hermione sighed and hugged Ron.
The arrival at Hogsmeade Station was as chaotic as the departure had been. House elves scurried around, retrieving luggage and bags, students called greetings to each other and the noise was incredible. Also, it was snowing.
Harry retreated to the carriages along with his friends. Now they could all see the thestrals. Ron just blinked, gulped and shook his head. “Damned ugly creatures.”
They rode up to Hogwarts in silence, watching the snow fall.
Harry stopped at the door to look back down the path from the front gates, it was already covered with a foot of snow and the clouds looked like dumping another foot or so on them. It was beautiful in the way all fresh snow was.
Draco noticed him and returned to his side. “Harry? You alright?”
“Yeah, just ... something bad has happened. I can feel it. I just can't tell what it is. Maybe I should have kept my connection to Tommy boy.”
Draco gave him a gentle shake. “Don't say stupid stuff. We're all better off for you being rid of it. Now, come on, I'm hungry.”
Harry laughed. “Me too. Neville's basket is brilliant but it never lasts long enough.”
They heard a dour voice from behind them say, “That's because you all have a hollow leg. Go on in now.” They turned to see Snape standing behind them. Harry gave him a cheeky grin and led the way into the Great Hall.
The announcements that Dumbledore made were even more nonsensical than usual. Draco gave Harry a wide eyed look and whispered, “I swear he's getting nuttier by the day. I'm writing Father tonight.”
Harry gazed at Dumbledore, an assessing look that took in his tired eyes and slumping shoulders. No one else would notice, the twinkle hid his eyes and the slump could be passed off as age. Harry wondered and made a mental note to include his questions in the letter.
That done, they addressed themselves to their food with a will. Ron happily stuffed himself with some of nearly everything while the rest of the group ate more moderately.
When they were dismissed, with the usual warnings about the Forbidden Forest, Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes and ignoring curfew, the whole group headed for Harry and Draco's quarters.
.
Harry flopped down on the couch and sighed. “I'm stuffed. The food is always good here. But not as good as at home. Anyway, I know you're all just about to burst so, here it is.” He pulled the wand from his sheath and held it out for them all to see again.
Hermione eyed it. “It's just weird, that's Merlin's staff? I mean, I know it is but ...” She trailed off, trying to organize her thoughts. “And we still haven't found Ravenclaw's Diadem.” She rubbed her face wearily. She'd spent most of the evenings of her holidays, the ones that hadn't been spent on family activities, doing research on the diadem.
Harry enlarged the wand into Merlin's staff and put it on the coffee table. “There. And, again, I'd really rather no one touched it.” He turned to Hermione who was obviously bursting with information. “Ok, talk, you're about to overflow with data.”
Hermione grinned. “I found a book in Paris. It was written by one of ... well, he was the great grand son of someone or other. He got all his information via anecdotal evidence.” Puzzled looks brought an explanation. “Family stories. It seems that the staff will tune itself to its owner. Until it's tuned, no one should touch it. After it's tuned, no one else can use it. So ... we really shouldn't touch it. Harry can just move it around for us.” She pulled a notebook from a pocket and settled with a mechanical pencil to copy the runes. “If you'll turn it for me, Harry.”
Harry held the staff upright as Hermione copied off the runes.
They'd just finished looking them over when Dobby popped in.
Harry was delighted to see the elf and gave him a quick hug. Hermione insisted that he have tea which made him shed tears of joy.
“Now, Dobby, while it's nice to see you, what do you need?”
Dobby smiled over his cup. “Master Harry Potter, sir, is so good to Dobby. Dobby is sorry to be so bad an elf.” He sighed into his cup. It was a constant source of embarrassment to him that he just couldn't bear to come to Harry at Malfoy Manor. Harry never said a word about it but Dobby knew it was very inconvenient that he had to have his reports delivered by owl.
Harry just shrugged this off easily. “Don't worry, Dobby. I've been reading your reports. You're doing a great job. Everything seems to be in good order so what do you need?”
“Dobby is needing permission to evict several tenants who is not paying rents on time ... or at all. Dobby is not wanting to make the decision for himself, it is being too important.” Dobby retreated behind his cup again, a miserable expression on his face.
Harry nodded then glanced at Draco. He had no idea what to do about this. He hated to deprive anyone of their home, but people couldn't be allowed to just take advantage either.
Draco thought for a moment then said, “Why don't you tell us about each tenant and we'll decided individually. If that's alright with you, Harry.”
Harry brightened. “That's a really good idea. Hermione? Any ... remarks.”
Hermione thought for a moment. “Not yet. Dobby?”
And so Dobby told his tales of woe. One tenant just refused to pay, saying that he'd been living in his cottage for years without paying rent and didn't see any reason to start now. The cottage was in terrible shape, as he hadn't spent a Knutt on it and he was actually insisting that Harry pay for repairs.
The next case was rather sad, as it was an elderly lady who had lost her entire family, mostly to Voldemort. She was living on a pittance and just couldn't make repairs and pay rent, never mind eating properly.
Several other cases were similar to either the first or second one. Still others were business who just refused to pay.
Hermione nibbled at a cake, while Draco and Neville quietly discussed things. Neville and Ron kept their own counsel and just drank tea.
Finally, Harry asked for advice from the whole group. Draco advised that those who were elderly and truly couldn't pay, be allowed to stay in their homes, repairs made and arrangements made for checks on them on a daily basis. Ron and Neville both nodded at this and Hermione said that she was surprised at Draco's attitude. Draco raise an eyebrow at her and said softly, “What? I'm not allowed to have a heart? Granger, I'm crushed.”
Hermione turned scarlet, apologized and subsided. Harry just squeezed Draco's hand and went on.
“I think that's a very good idea. Those that can't pay should be helped, those that won't pay get 24 hours to get out.” Hermione opened her mouth but got a glare from Harry, and an explanation. “This isn't the muggle world, where it takes forever to get someone out. I'm actually being nice in giving them a day.” He turned back to Dobby. “As to the businesses, those that are going bankrupt, buy out and get solvent. Those who won't pay, seize and run for me. There's no reason for the employees to suffer because administration is a bunch of greedy idiots.”
Dobby nodded. “Dobby will do. Dobby is glad that Master Draco is learning things from Master Harry Potter, sir.” Dobby hopped off his chair and put the cup on the table. “Dobby is thanking kind masters and mistress for the tea. Dobby will go now.”
Before he could pop away, Harry gave him one last order. “Dobby, from now on, you are to send a copy of your reports to my Father-In-Law and another directly to me. Make sure that no one gets their hands on one except for the two of us. I'll share mine with whom ever I think needs to see it. Got that?” Harry patted Dobby on the shoulder and smiled at him.
“Dobby will see to it. Good-bye.” And with that, he popped himself away to return to his duties.
Draco found himself amused by Dobby rather than insulted and said so.
After some more discussion of the events they returned to the study of the staff. Hermione got all the runes copied down and everyone got a good look at the staff, stave and wand modes of Merlin's gift.
Harry eyed the clock on the wall and said wearily, “Look, it's nearly midnight. We all need to get to sleep now. Tomorrow is going to be hell, no matter how you look at it. And, you're all out of bounds. Damn it!”
There was a sharp knock on the door which made them all jump. Harry got up to answer it, grumbling.
Professor McGonagall stood outside the door with an annoyed expression on her face. “Well, gentlemen, and lady, it's past curfew and you're all still here. Come along, then. Neville, Ron, Hermione; I'll escort you back to Gryffindor. This once.” She peered over her glasses at them. “I trust there's a good excuse?”
Harry eyed her for a moment then nodded. “Yes, ma'am, there is. I have something to show you. I'd prefer that you keep my possession of it secret until I chose to reveal it.”
“I think I need to know what it is before I can promise total secrecy but I'll not tell anyone who doesn't need to know.” Minerva nodded once.
Harry smiled and grew his wand into the staff. “Behold! Merlin's Staff!” He knew it was a bit melodramatic but he couldn't help it.
McGonagall gaped like a girl a third, or less, her age then had to sit down. “Oh, my. Well,” she swallowed a bit thickly. “that is a surprise. And I can warn you now, do not let Dumbledore see that before you are perfectly bonded. He'll try to claim it for sure.”
Draco scowled at that. “He'd better not. It'll sting him for sure.” Everyone nodded at that. Draco had gotten stung early on and not forgotten it.
McGonagall just nodded, absently accepting a cup of tea from Hermione. “Thank you, Miss Granger. But ... Harry, how are you going to keep it secret?”
“I'll just keep it in wand form until something happens and I have to enlarge it. You'll keep my secret?”
McGonagall nodded, saying firmly, “That I will. Now, the rest of you come along with me. I'll escort you back to Gryffindor. And straight to bed, the lot of you. Morning will come early. And you'll be getting your timetables.” She rose, put the cup down and shook out her robes.
She led her 'cubs' to the dorm and made sure they went up the stairs. She shook her head in wonder then sought her own bed.
.
Breakfast was gobbled down quickly and the whole group gathered near the huge doors of the Great Hall to get their timetables.
The first one was delivered by Professor Snape, who gave Draco his with an odd smile and the observation that Dumbledore was to thank for it.
Draco opened it as Snape waited. He wasn't pleased by what he read. He started to say something but Severus just put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Wait.”
Harry received his timetable from McGonagall with a note from Dumbledore. He just tossed the timetable on the floor, snarled, “Unacceptable.” and stormed off.
Draco followed, along with both professors and Ron and Neville. Hermione just picked up all the timetables and settled at one of the tables to make corrections that she hoped would be acceptable to them all.
Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was headed for the first of several falls.
“Dumbledore! What the hell do you mean by this?” Harry Black-Malfoy-Potter stormed into his office and got right into his face.
“Now, my dear boy, what's all this upset about?” Dumbledore twinkled at his student and inclined his head. “I do think you could be a bit more polite.” He gave Harry a stern, grandfatherly look and waited for him to quail.
It didn't happen. “I want to know what you're playing at. You've separated me from, not only Draco, but Ron and Hermione as well. Just exactly what do you think you're up to?”
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. “My boy, they're simply not a good influence on you. You need to make better friends than them. The Longbottom boy for instance, or ...”
Harry interrupted, “You've separated me from him too. This isn't going to happen. Do you understand me?”
Dumbledore showed a bit of temper at that. “Mr. Potter! Contain yourself, if you please. We can discuss this calmly.”
“No! We can't. You don't listen! You never listen. What the hell do you think that ceremony was all about? Draco and I are spouses. We're married!” Harry yanked on his braid in agitation.
Dumbledore looked confused. “It was an espousal. You're only engaged. Don't think to pull your tricks here. Now, if you'll calm down, I'll be happy to ... repair this situation.”
Harry eyed Dumbledore for a moment then realized what he was doing. “Sure, you will. To my never ending gratitude. I don't think. And Draco and I are married, I told you.”
Hermione, who had finished her work and come up to Dumbledore's office, after threatening the gargoyle with Harry, cleared her throat. “Ahem. I've fixed the schedules. Here, Professor McGonagall, as Deputy all it takes is your signature.”
Professor McGonagall just signed the timetables without looking at them, much to Dumbledore's disgust. He started to say something but was interrupted by two things. McGonagall glowering at him like a basilisk and Professor Snape, who just snarked, “Give it up. It wouldn't have worked, even if they didn't kick over the traces. Luka would have your head on a platter. Excuse me, I have to get ready for my first class.”
Professor McGonagall snorted and followed him out, calling over her shoulder, “We all have thirty minutes. Move it.”
Everyone scrambled to get down the stairs and to class while Dumbledore wondered where he'd gone wrong again. All he wanted was for Harry to have the proper friends and classes, classes that kept him from getting into the same trouble his father had. His training to fight Voldemort could wait until he was older. The threat could be contained for another year or so.
He ate a lemon drop and thought about what classes Harry should take after graduation, NEWT's and so on. When he signed up for Auror training, as he had been pushed into since he was 11. When Harry entered Auror training his real training would begin. Until then, he had to be kept contained, out of trouble.
As Dumbledore settled down to brood, Harry was checking over their timetables with Hermione and Draco, both Ron and Neville had said that they would accept anything that the other two thought was appropriate.
Hermione had managed to set their schedules so that they all had classes together and only had two classes most days. Harry smiled at the classes; only Neville had Herbology, while they all had Ancient Runes and Arithmancy except for Ron, everyone had Potions, Defense, Transfiguration, Defence and Charms.
“Ok. Very good, Hermione. We all have Potions next and we're going to be late, whether we run or not. Snape will probably give us all detention so let's go.”
They hurried but didn't run. When they entered the classroom, all the other students turned to stare at them. Professor Snape just pointed to the places that were left open. They were all in the front but none of them minded that.
“You have an excuse ... this time ... for being tardy. Do not make a habit of it.” The professor glowered at them for a moment. “Granger, you and Longbottom. Potter and Malfoy.” He eyed Ron for a moment then looked at Draco who just shrugged. “Weasley, you will be with ... Novinger. But one mistake and you are out. Do. You. Understand?”
Ron gulped and nodded. He knew this wasn't going to work but Hermione had put his name down and McGonagall had signed. He didn't know why he was even in this class, except that he was inclined to be an auror, or play Quidditch. And to be an auror, he needed potions.
“Um ... Professor Snape? I didn't take potions last term.”
Snape gave him a disgusted glower. “I am well aware of that. Borrow Miss Grangers notes. Mr. Malfoy will tutor you. Cooperate,” he turned to the blackboard then back again. “or else. Do I make myself clear?”
Ron nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” Ron eased into his seat and turned to eye Novinger. He was a Ravenclaw with a meek demeanor and pale complexion. “Ok, what now?”
Novinger just sighed. “Hope you don't blow both of us to kingdom come.”
Ron started to deny this possibility then gave up. “I'll try. Why don't I just follow your instructions. You say, I do. Should at least keep us from sudden death.”
Novinger sighed again and started on the potion that Snape had put on the board while they were discussing their system. Ron wondered why he hadn't said something to them about talking.
He soon found out as Snape leaned over his shoulder and said in his ear. “Next time you talk while I am, will be two detentions. Do I make myself clear?”
Ron nodded. “Yes, sir. I am sorry. And ... thank you for allowing me in this class.”
“You are welcome. Do not make me regret it.” And with that he stalked to the front of the room to glower at everyone.
Class actually went well, everyone completed their assignment with various levels of success. Hermione and Neville's potion was a bit less than perfect, but Professor Snape allowed that it was 'tolerable'. Harry and Draco's potion was perfect, Snape curled his lip but accepted the labeled vial without comment. Surprisingly, Ron and Novinger's potion was 'not poisonous' which meant it was at least an A.
Harry looked at his timetable and realized that Hermione had taken advantage of the opportunity to give them plenty of free time. All their classes were doubles, which meant that they only had them once a week. It also meant that there was a ton of homework. With it being NEWT's year - Harry just folded it and stuffed it into a pocket. He wasn't going to worry about them now.
Lunch was spent in discussing how the devil Ron and Neville had gotten accepted into Potions, in second term, no less. No one could offer more than 'it's a miracle.'
Harry finally allowed that it was easier to just go with the flow than try to figure it out. He checked his timetable and announced, “Oh, goody. Defense. Which Professor Useless do we have now?”
Hermione consulted her timetable, she'd annotated it heavily in less than five minutes of grilling Professor Flitwick before she'd come to Dumbledore's office. “I asked Professor Flitwick. He said it was going to be monitored self-study until they can get someone to teach it. It seems that the Auror who was supposed to teach the first two weeks got himself killed. Ugh! I swear, I really wish someone would fix that damned curse.” She stuffed the parchment back into her bag and stomped off.
The rest of the group followed after her grinning at each other over her attitude, self-study was usually easy, just sit and read. Harry wondered if they were ever going to really learn anything in that class. He wasn't the only one.
After the prefect took role he settled at a desk in the back to work on his own work and ignored the whole class.
Harry took the opportunity to pace the room, trying to find the location of the anchor for the curse on the class. He was sure it was here, somewhere, at least he hoped it was. If it was in the professors quarters, he'd never find it. And he was determined to do exactly that.
Draco joined him, casting charms to try to find any source of dark magic. A curse like this could only be dark.
Harry paced, Draco cast; they kept at it for about twenty minutes then put their heads together at the lectern.
“I think it's around here somewhere. There should be some sort of carving, ink lines or something like that for an anchor point.” Draco examined the lectern carefully. “I don't see anything. You?”
Harry shook his head. “I don't see anything either. This is just really, really annoying. I know it's here. I can feel it. And I'm practically standing on ... it.” Harry looked down at his feet. “Flagstone is considered a perfect anchor stone, right?”
Draco looked down too. “Yes, it is. What are you thinking?”
Harry patted the stone under his feet with one heel. “Help me turn this over.”
Draco snorted. “It's cemented in, prat.”
“I know that, but it's lighter than all the other flagstones.” He knelt down and started prying at it with his fingers.
Ron noticed what he was doing and got up to help. “What did you find? Treasure? The ... thing?” Harry winced but realized that Ron had caught himself before he'd said too much.
“I just want to turn this over. I've got a nasty feeling about what might be under it.” Harry explained to Ron that it's lighter color made him think it was newer and he wanted to see what was under it.
Ron just nodded as he eyed the stone contemplatively. “Well, magic isn't going to lift that. I think they put some charms on the flagstones to keep kids from flinging them at each other. We need a tool.”
Hermione took a letter opener out of her bag and transfigured it into a crowbar. Ron took it and said, “Thanks, Mione.” He pronounced it 'My own.'
Hermione said, You're welcome, Ron.” then leaned over to see what they were doing. When she realized that they were prying a stone out of the floor, she gasped. Then she took a deep breath and said, “Before we all get expelled for destruction of Hogwarts, what are you doing?”
Harry explained and she nodded, stepping back to get out of their way. She also kept a close eye on the prefect, who had his nose stuck in a book.
Ron pried the stone up enough that Harry could get his fingers under it, which he did very carefully. After he was sure he had a good hold, Harry nodded his head for Ron to take another bite but Hermione, realizing that the mortar was now loose, waved her wand and levitated it out of place. They flipped it over to find the underside carved with runes.
Harry eyed them then said, “Ron, go get Professor Snape. I don't care if he's teaching class or in the loo. Get him. Now! Neville, floo Papa from McGonagall's office. I don't care if you have to break down her door to do it. This is ... dark. Go!” they hurried off.
The slam of the door brought the prefect out of his blue study with a sharp, “What?” He got a good look at what they'd done and yelped, “What do you think you're doing? I'm telling Professor Dumbledore.”
Harry eyed him with some disgust. “Please go right ahead. Then explain to him how we managed to do this without you interfering at once. Idiot!”
The prefect, no one bothered to remember his name, hurried out, calling over his shoulder, “You'll be sorry. I'm telling.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.” She leaned over to look at the carvings and sighed. “I really don't like the looks of this. That's ... Oh, it says, 'a bane be on this place, none shall stay the seasons round.' Yikes!”
Draco frowned, “It doesn't scan. But, who ever wrote it knew their stuff. It's a curse of some power.”
Harry just eyed the stone with a scowl. “I wonder who put it there. Voldemort? Or one of his stooges?” He grumbled under his breath for a moment then said, “Well, never mind, it's what to do with it now that counts.”
Ron returned just then with Snape who eyed the destruction with a jaundiced eye, until he saw the carvings. “Well, well, what do we have here? Interesting. Very interesting.” He glanced at Harry. “Have you sent for Dumbledore?”
Harry shrugged a bit irritably. “No, I sent for someone better.” Snape raised an eyebrow. Harry replied with one word. “Papa.”
Snape examined the stone again and started to copy off the runes, mumbling, “Well, at least I can figure out what this says.”
Ron just smirked at him a bit and said politely, “Why not ask Mione? She already read it.”
Snape glanced at his proud expression and then at Hermione. “Miss Granger?”
Hermione repeated her translation adding, “But maybe you should do it too. Just in case I made a mistake.”
Snape put his parchment and pen away. “I see no reason to waste my time. I'll do a diagnostic instead.”
He was just about to do that when Lucius walked in followed by Dumbledore and Neville. Neville was still trying to explain what was going on to Lucius, while Dumbledore interrupted at every turn.
Lucius just walked away from him and demanded, “What is going on, my Treasure? Neville seemed very upset. And that idiot prefect ... well, I sent him to the right about at once.”
Harry snickered then pointed to the stone. “There. Read that and tell me I'm crazy.”
Lucius leaned over to read the stone, turned an odd shade of gray and sent everyone out of the room except Harry, Dumbledore, Draco, Severus and Hermione. Ron and Neville cooperated fully, chivying the other students out the door, ignoring their demands for explanation.
They were so uncooperative that Ron finally barked, “Stuff it! You lot are actually telling me you'd rather stay in class? Get out of it. Garn!” with that he let loose with a string of stinging hexes that sent everyone scrambling.
Neville helped with a few stingers of his own, laughing like a loon all the while. He then announced, “Ron and I are going down to the kitchens for a snack. You need us, send an elf.”
Lucius just eyed Neville for a moment then said, “That boy becomes more and more like Frank everyday. Well, let me get a good look at this thing.”
He levitated the desk out into the middle of the room while Severus charmed the student desks to grow feet and walk to the sides of the room out of the way.
Dumbledore finally managed to get a real word in, but he just rambled on about all the different people who'd filled the position for the last thirty years or so, everyone more or less ignored him.
Severus and Lucius took turns casting diagnostic spells at the stone while Harry, Draco and Hermione watched with interest.
Finally, Lucius nodded then turned to consult with Dumbledore and Severus. Dumbledore had snapped to after about two minutes of spell casting by Severus and started watching with close attention. They spoke quietly for several minutes then Dumbledore nodded.
He settled his robes and said, “Well, now that we're sure that it is dark but not a blood curse, I'll dismiss it.” He started waving his wand mumbling a counter.
Harry grabbed Draco and shoved him towards the door, dragging Hermione after. Lucius realized exactly what Dumbledore was using and snatched at Severus. He needn't have bothered as they were neck and neck in their dash for the door.
None of them tried to stop Dumbledore, well aware that he wouldn't listen.
The explosion blew a chunk out of the wall and reduced the door that Lucius had slammed shut into splinters.
After checking to be sure that none of them were hurt, they re-entered the room to find Dumbledore seated on the floor amid the fragments of the stone. He was dazed and filthy, covered in scraps of the desk, parchments, book leaves and dust. He had a cut on one cheek and his glasses were broken.
He blinked several times then said mildly, “Well, that was ... exciting.” He started to stand but Lucius put a hand on his shoulder. “Oh? Am I hurt? I don't feel any pain.”
Lucius just returned gently, “I am not sure and I would rather err on the side of caution. Madam Pomfrey is on her way. That explosion ensured it.”
Madam Pomfrey was only a minute behind this remark and bustled into the room, wand in hand. It didn't take her long to do her work and hustle Dumbledore off to the Infirmary. Before she got out the door Lucius stopped her and said, “Perhaps you should do the test we discussed at Harry and Draco's ceremony? I believe it is time.”
She looked sad but nodded then bustled out.
Lucius sighed. “Well, that was anticlimactic.”
Severus nodded, “In the extreme.”
Harry scowled at them then announced, “I'm not asking. Would you like tea?”
Lucius shook his head. “No, I thank you. I will be late for a meeting if I do not leave at once. Excuse me.” He hurried out, stopping for a moment to just look at Severus.
Harry smiled and whispered to Draco, “They're so cute.”
Draco gave him a look and walked away.