Chapter 3:

That night at Potter Manor a small party with the family's closest friends had gathered. The celebration was not at all hindered by the cryptic visit to Ollivanders, however, that didn't mean it wasn't on the mind of all who had attended the wand shop that morning.

The Potters had a pretty good day after the wand shop incident. A large pickup game of quidditch was played, where Sirius, Remus, Neville, and Tonks, played against Harry, James, Jack, and Rosalie. Where the Potters had easily come up victorious when Harry swooped over Neville to snatch the snitch. James had gloated that age was of no concern in quidditch when you had the raw Potter talents!

Rosalie was hanging out with her Godmother Emmeline, with whom she was really close to. Jack was doing the opposite speaking with his Godfather Remus, who was the youngest Potter son was closest to.

Harry thought everyone had favorites in the family, and that was fine with everyone, so that way no one ever lacked the need for attention. It kept the family close together because while they all had different relationships there was no love lost in the family.

After that the party had settled down a bit, Harry was conversing with members of the Order of the Phoenix that still hung around to monitor the death eater movement, but mostly the group was there in title only.

The recruitment outside of the families that were already in it was non-existent for now, as the signs the Dark Lords' followers had dispersed. Yet Dumbledore still led the group to ensure that if another Dark Lord were to rise, that they would have some type of initial defense set up. Whether people agreed with that was no matter, as they were always going to follow their leader of the light.

As Harry grew older he began to question things Dumbledore did, but his idle complex of the man was simply too high. He had witnessed the aged headmaster do incredible magic. At the age of ten, he witnessed a furious duel between Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick, which left a tremendous amount of respect and awe over the two men.

As the night began to wound down he said goodbye to his cousin Tonks, and Aunt Andromeda, while the adults were clearly discussing some type of politics that Harry had no interest in. Something about the Ministry pushing the goblins too far, Harry had a good relationship with the Goblins so he never felt the need to worry about them, however, he respected their military power, which he learned about from the Goblin Leader himself.

Neville and Harry were sitting together in the boy's bedroom which was covered with quidditch memorabilia, and training gear, along with pictures of his family, and himself. The boys were discussing the up times of Hogwarts, and the Gryffindor house they would undoubtedly be sorted into, "When we join the house of lions, maybe Mccgonagal will cut us some slack for sleeping in her classes since she knows how far ahead we are?"

Harry looked at his best friend like he had just told him that the sky was really green, "Neville mate, I don't think there is anything in this world that would convince Professor Mccgonagal to cut us some slack. Besides, professor Flitwick said the best way to perfect technique is to be able to teach it to others and learn it again each time you teach it."

Neville waved this aside, "We will be the most powerful first years, and I have heard Malfoy is going to try and lead a power struggle in the Slytherin house because his 'Daddy Dearest' has so much power. If we are going to stop him, then we will have to stop him with force."

Harry shook his head, "I don't know Nev, Dumbledore always taught us to lead by example, not by power. It's how he leads the light."

"Mom says that even Dumbledore is not always right." Neville pointed out.

Harry sighed, the two had been through the argument a hundred times, "But that is what makes him our leader, it's not that he's perfect, but that he isn't. It makes him human, and you aren't a good human or wizard if you don't learn from each mistake. Mum says that to me all the time."

Neville shrugged, "It's going to be snakes vs. lions, and maybe the badgers, will join us, or maybe the eagles will, but regardless it always come down to the light and the dark. You know that, right?"

Knowing better than to argue with Neville when he thought he was right, he wisely just nodded his head, "Just remember, no matter what house the two of us end up in, we are still friends right?"

Neville laughed, "Unless you're a filthy snake!"

Harry countered, "You never seemed to be able to say that to Daphne, you always get flustered when she comes over and speaks to us at the formal events."

Turning red as a tomato Neville yelled, "She is a claw, no doubt. She is too smart, Harry, there is no way she will be a Slytherin."

"Her whole family was Slytherin, but they weren't death eaters. I am just saying we shouldn't base being friends with someone because of what house they are in, that's just stupid." Harry spoke logically.

The Potter's oldest son had always been the voice of reason, and he had convinced his best friend of many things, but one thing would never change, and that was Neville's discontent with Slytherin. The way he saw it was that Slytherin Death Eaters came into his house and took his dad from him, while The Dark Lord himself was the supposed heir to Slytherin.

The two turned their conversation to their friends that they had met at the balls over the years, and where each of them would end up. Most were fairly easy based on their families, while people like Daphne, Tracy, Mandy, Anthony, and Zacharias were questionable. While others were really obvious like Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, Weasley, and Malfoy.

It came down to the fact that the purebloods were generally pretty easy to sort, while half-bloods and muggle-borns were a lot harder to sort. Jack popped in at some point joining the conversation about Hogwarts and how jealous he was going to be with the two boys going off on an adventure without him. That was until a Patronus came in the room telling the boys to come downstairs for the cutting of the cake and to say goodnight to everyone.

When they made it down most of the adults had gathered in the kitchen with smiles, but some were clearly unhappy with where the previous conversation had gone, but Harry tried not to pay too close attention to that as the Headmaster was standing by his dad, "Glad to see you again headmaster, were you recovering from our happening this afternoon?"

Harry joked about their duel while some looked confused the headmaster merely chuckled, "It is good to feel young again my boy, and when we have these so-called happenings it reminds me of better days."

The green-eyed boy knew he was talking about his best friend growing up Gellert Grindelwald. The headmaster had told him many stories of an idealistic young man he grew up with, however he never really and truly understood the impact of those words, and that moment wouldn't come for many years. He of course knew that Dumbledore had defeated the man, but the importance of that moment in 1945, would follow the oldest Potters son for his whole life whether he realized it or not.

A quick chorus was sung of Happy Birthday and the cake was cut, which led to a rather hilarious comment where Dumbledore took a bite exclaiming, "Lemon cake!"

The headmaster and pupil had always taken amusement in their favorite flavor being something so sweet, which made some adults grimace and others chuckle. Finally, Dumbledore stood up, "Now I wish to say a few words before I head off. First I would like to wish Mr. Potter a happy birthday. His training is nonstop and tireless in his efforts to help become a figure for the light one day. I would also like to congratulate Mrs. Potter on her acceptance to the Hogwarts staff. She will be replacing Professor Babbling for Ancient Runes this year. It was her hope to keep her family close for as long as possible, and with her credentials, I dared not deny her, in our search for a new Professor, congratulations Professor Potter."

Harry's eyes lit up at the prospect while he turned to his mom looking for some confirmation, and she merely nodded her head, "Jack and Rosalie will be staying in the Potter home outside of Hogsmeade. Remus has agreed to continue their tuition out there, as long as he could have his old room.

While I will be the only Professor not living in the castle, I will still be able to spend time with you kids and work the job I have always wanted. I can floo to and from home when I am needed, and Remus is very capable of teaching Runes if something were to happen to your siblings."

Neville and Harry both looked at the Matriarch of the Potter family in awe. The oldest Potter also realized that it made a bit of a political statement. He had been studying politics since he was old enough to read, due to being the heir to the Potter family, and this said that the light family would stand together.

Alice Longbottom then came forward, "I too have decided to move to take a job in Hogsmeade Neville. I thought it would keep us all close over the years, and now that you won't be home all the time, I can go back to work, but still be close enough to come to visit on weekends or something along those lines."

The two boys exchanged looks, something was up. The adults were making some power moves, while this was supposed to be a time of peace. Harry looked at his father, "There is something you aren't telling us. Mom loves her job with the unspeakable, she wouldn't leave it, unless she had to. I also know how much you two love Potter Manor, but to activate the Potter family home in Hogsmeade would mean that you need to stay close, not that you want to. You could've activated a number of houses much closer to Hogwarts, but you chose the closest one. So what is happening that is requiring everyone to move? I recognize a power play when I see one."

Sirius whistled, "The kid is eleven years old, and he is putting all of you on the spot."

Lily and James both glared at the Godfather in the room, while Lily spoke softly, "Sweety you know I have always wanted to work back at Hogwarts, the first place in the magical world I ever really knew. James never felt the same attachment to it after what happened that Halloween or he probably would try to teach at the school as well. We really just saw the opening, and I wanted to take it. My bosses have seen it as beneficial that they could put someone of my caliber in Hogwarts in order to bring more efficient spell casters. Not to put down Professor Babbling, I had her as well, but we need inventors and young minds teaching, which is why I approached the Headmaster the moment I heard the job was open. I didn't tell you because I didn't know if I would get the job."

Harry's eyes narrowed, he recognized a lie when saw one, he was after all taught Occulmency by the very two best, Snape, and Professor Dumbledore. Looking to the Headmaster he seemed to be watching with interest, and nothing more than indifference.

This allowed Harry to calm down a moment, and look at the situation with a calm mind, which his training allowed him to do. He searched conclusion by conclusion in a matter of seconds, before he looked at the Headmaster, "So who is you don't trust at Hogwarts Headmaster? Are you really going to send me into the dark? That is clearly why you hired mum, Unspeakables are out of the Hogwarts budget, but bringing in one of the few known unspeakable researchers, then it makes whoever you are worried about cautious. I could make a few deductions, and that leaves me to think it's our new Defense teacher?"