Chapter Eight - Ravenclaw's Gift

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!

A/N: Thank you, all, for your kind words of late. And, yes, as many have pointed out, I made an error with Oliver Wood's year - he should have graduated by now. But, it's such a small thing that has no bearing on the story so I'll leave it as it is and claim that, in this AU, he's a year younger.

Chapter Eight - Ravenclaw's Gift

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After they spent time just talking at the edge of the lake, the three reviewed what they'd managed to so far accomplish.

"Alright," began Hermione. "The horcruxes. The diadem horcrux has been cleaned and is ready to hand back to the school, once this is done. We either need to get Sirius to get us the locket horcrux so we can put it to the same ritual... then get him to see if he can get the cup horcrux from the goblins from Lestrange's vault... or I go to the goblins and get it direct. Dumbledore still gets the ring. And Nagini is for later."

"I'll see if I can deal with Nagini at the graveyard in June," said Harry. "She's already the final horcrux, so I can deal with her now, rather than later when she'll be much harder to get. I also need to practice wandless summoning to summon my wand back to my hand. I don't want to be without my wand in the graveyard, again."

"We'll organise a second wand for you during the Christmas break," Daphne cut in. "One that you can keep hidden in the sleeve of your right arm and you can pop into your hand if you're bound."

"That's a good idea," said Harry. "Thank you, Daphne."

She merely nodded back.

After a nod of acceptance as well, Hermione continued, "The Hallows. Harry is now the rightful owner of the Elder Wand, even if Dumbledore has it back in his possession. We'll get the stone from the ring later, once Dumbledore has it. And Harry already has the cloak.

"Sirius. Daphne's father is organising a solicitor for us, and Harry now has Dumbledore actually starting to work at getting Sirius a trial. We can't do anything further on that until we speak with the solicitor.

"The press. Harry has already put the hard word to the staff about how he get's treated, without actually saying so, once his name comes out of the Goblet. A solicitor with defamation experience is also being organised by Daphne's father. As we've got almost two months until Halloween we've got plenty of time to deal with that issue.

"The basilisk. Daphne's father is also organising for that to be rendered down. From that we'll save enough hide to ensure the three of us, at least, have full body suits of armour."

"Good," Harry firmly said. "I'll be one Hell of a lot happier if I know both of you are protected from most curses and hexes."

"The latest issue is a new one; Harry's mail." Hermione turned to look at Harry directly and said, "Did Dumbledore ever tell you he had your mail in the castle?"

"No," Harry growled. "Clearly, he didn't think it important enough to tell me."

Daphne snorted in an unladylike fashion and said, "It's more likely he was worried that, if you knew about it and had read some of it, you wouldn't have gone ahead with your little suicide at the wand of V-Voldemort."

Harry smiled back and gently placed his hand on the blonde girl's leg. He gave it a gentle squeeze of assurance, and was pleased when she didn't flinch away. She was clearly beginning to trust him; and that he wouldn't take things too far. It was progress.

"What are we going to do about the prophecy orb?" Hermione asked. "We really don't want to leave it in the Dee-oh-Em."

Harry thought for a moment and replied, "I want to go and get it this Christmas but I don't know if we'll have time. If possible, I also want to replace it with a fake containing a false prophecy. As long as we keep the first two lines intact, we can 'fiddle' with the rest and make it seem like, if I can get hold of him, Riddle's toast; and there's nothing he can do about it."

Hermione giggled and said, "The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches... born to those who thrice defied him; born as the seventh month dies... And the dark lord shall mark him as his equal; but, he shall have power the dark lord knows not... and the one with the power will kick the dark tosser's arse into the next millennium, where he shall forevermore burn in the fires of Hell... The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord shall be born as the seventh month dies."

Harry roared with laughter while Daphne grinned back at Hermione. "Descriptive," she smiled. "But, not exactly prophecy material, is it?"

"I'll work on it," Hermione laughed. "If we're successful, it'll make Riddle panic."

"Yes, but we have no idea what he'll do as a result," said Daphne. "He may flee Britain completely. Or, he may decide he no longer wants to be the one who takes Harry out; and puts a bounty on his head."

Calming down, Harry said, "It's still better than him getting the full prophecy."

"It shall end where it all began, as the chosen one defeats his foe," Harry murmured after almost a minute of silence. "It's descriptive without giving anything away. It'll drive Riddle nuts trying to figure out what 'where it all began' means, so he can stay the Hell away from the place. And, once the Prophet starts calling me 'The Chosen One', it'll demonstrate to him the prophecy is real."

Hermione hesitated a moment before she said, "As I said, I'll work on it. But, I like the way you're thinking."

After sitting staring at the lake for a few minutes more, Harry said, "Ladies, I'm sorry that you missed your class on Ancient Runes. And, Herbology this afternoon, when it comes to that."

"Don't be silly, Harry," Hermione gently scolded him. "It's not as if we've not gone through this before. We've all already completed our sixth year of education. Daphne almost completed her Seventh Year. For us, it's all just revision."

"Hermione's right," said Daphne, supporting her bond-sister. "Anyway, we should think about heading back to the Headmaster's office. We'll be joining you when you go to look at your undelivered mail."

Harry nodded and the three stood before walking back to the castle.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

As they approached the Headmaster's gargoyle, they arrived just in time to see the other Professors come down.

"Ah, Mister Potter, Miss Greengrass and Miss Granger; you're just in time," said Professor Flitwick, the first to spot them.

"If you don't have class now, Professor," said Harry. "Would you care to join us? I think I speak for the three of us when I say we believe we'll be in your House by the time we sit for dinner."

Surprised but clearly pleased, the diminutive Professor said, "I'd be delighted to. And, I must say, I'd be quite pleased to welcome you into the House of the eagles; if that's where you end up being sorted."

"We've decided to have a chat with the Hat, Professor," said Hermione. "Your House is the one into which we'll be requesting it sort us."

"Well, that pleases me, immensely," the Professor beamed, before his face dropped into one of sadness. "I have also investigated what you told the Headmaster about how Miss Lovegood is being treated by her Housemates. I assure you, it is currently being dealt with. You shall hear more of that at the evening meal. I also apologise I was not aware of it before now."

"Luna is such a gentle soul, Professor; she could not find it in her heart to complain about her treatment," replied Harry. "I take it she told you it was something like Nargles or Wrackspurts responsible?"

"That she did, Mister Potter," said the Professor. "I have also come to understand she uses those... mythical creatures... to mask her pain."

"Yes, Sir," said Harry. "Those creatures are her way of bonding with her father since the passing of her mother. It's something she and her father can share, as if it's all some big secret. However, if she was properly tested, I believe you'll discover she naturally sees magical auras. That's why she often seems so spaced out. She's looking at things very few other people can see. And, even then, they can only see when they activate their mage sight.

"What she sees and calls Nargles, Wrackspurts and the like; I believe is something to do with her natural mage sight. Just saying, Sir."

The little Professor stared up at Harry with a slight frown on his face before he gave a small nod and said, "Thank you, Mister Potter. I believe that's also something I'll investigate further."

The three teens and the little Professor finally headed back to the Headmaster's office.

When they entered, the Headmaster said, "Welcome back. I was just about to send for you, Mister Potter. I take it we are all heading for the storeroom?"

"You take it correctly, Sir," replied Harry. Harry was surprised the old man didn't try and dismiss anyone again. It was a pleasant surprise.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

The Headmaster led their little party up to the seventh floor and into a tower that Harry thought was currently unused. Just inside the Headmaster stepped to the left, drew an old key from his robes, and unlocked a heavy wooden door. The hinges squeaked as he swung the door, inwards.

After the old man stepped within, Harry followed. He was just in time to hear the Headmaster mutter in surprise, "Oh, dear."

Harry stepped right in to clear the doorway for the rest of their party to follow. Inside, the room was filled with shelving. Opposite the door was a window with a surmounting owl window.

The shelves were literally covered in mail. There were large and small envelopes; large and small packages.

"Bloody Hell!" muttered Harry, looking around. "That's a lot of mail."

The Headmaster moved over to the shelf on the far left and said, "If the charms I placed on the room worked properly... Ah, yes."

Turning back to Harry, he said, "The mail arrives via owl on that centre table with the owl perch on it." He pointed at the table. "From there, the owl is automatically relieved of its burden and allowed, even encouraged, to depart immediately afterwards."

Professor Flitwick moved to the table and began to make intricate gestures with his wand, frowning and grinning at odd times.

"Once the mail is released," the Headmaster continued. "The magic in the room, driven by runes, then sorts the mail according to quite simple commands.

"It is all sorted in chronological order, starting with this shelf over here." And indicated the first shelf he'd approached. "Letters, cards and the like go on the upper shelves; while packages go on the lower shelves." He pointed out each.

Turning back to Harry, he said, "When I first set up this room, I expected it to be about ten times more than I would ever need. However, now looking around, it appears I almost didn't plan for enough. There is, almost literally I'm afraid, about ten times more mail than I originally anticipated.

"I had expected that the 'fame' of the so-called Boy-Who-Lived would wane within a few years. However, that does not seem to be the case." He moved to the opposite side of the room and began to look at various items of mail. "If anything, it appears your fame has increased with time; especially, over the course of the last three plus years."

"It's a lot of mail," said Hermione, quite awed by what she was seeing.

"Indeed," said Professor Flitwick.

"Where do we even start?" asked Daphne, also awed by what she was seeing.

"One letter at a time, right from the beginning," said Harry. "The walk of a thousand miles begins with a simple, small step; and is merely repeated over and over again."

"Yes," said Professor Flitwick, pleased with what Harry said. "But I believe magic can help a lot with this massive task."

"And house elves," said Daphne.

"We need a plan to deal with this," said Hermione, clearly thinking furiously. "We need a system."

Harry grinned back at her, knowing this sort of thing was what she enjoyed doing. He prompted, "We'll need to create form letters. Then use dicta-quills to copy them over and over; for as many as needed. Different form letters based on the intended audience, the original; and on what it is they sent."

Hermione nodded and said, "Lots of parchment. Lots of parchment. And ink." She began to nibble on her bottom lip and continued, "We'll have to hire a lot of owls, too. The school owls are for all the students. And, it'll be unfair to deprive the rest of the students of them. Owl post would also be swamped and unable to handle the load, depending on how fast we worked through it all."

As she talked, Harry looked at Daphne and grinned. She smirked back.

"We'll need a bigger room," Hermione continued. "We'll need to move all this to something like a large unused classroom, shelves and all. Then, set aside part of the room as the work area. It'll also need to have a large owl window for outgoing flights and returning owls. Plenty of roost spaces, too; near the window."

"It can be a project for our house elves to handle in their spare time," said Daphne.

Hermione glared at her for a moment before her expression softened. "So long as they promise not to work too hard at it, I can live with that."

Seeing the odd expression on the Headmaster's face at what Hermione said, Harry told him, "Hermione is very concerned about the way house elves are treated, their health and welfare."

"An admirable quality," the Headmaster replied, giving a small bow to Hermione. He then handed the key to Harry and said, "I shall have the redirection ward removed within the next couple of days. And, don't worry, your aunt and uncle will never know I was there."

Harry accepted the key and nodded back, "Thank you, Headmaster."

With that, the Headmaster said, "I shall see you at the evening meal," And swept out of the room.

Professor Flitwick said, "I look forward to seeing you at the sorting." And followed him out.

Once both adults were gone, Harry turned to the two girls and sighed. "Contrary to what I said earlier, how on Earth am I going to handle all this?"

"We, Harry," Hermione said, almost offhandedly.

"She's right," said Daphne. "We're in this together, remember?"

"This," said Harry, waving his hand at all the shelves, "I doubt very much was under consideration when you agreed to the return."

"No," Daphne replied with a shrug, moving closer to hold his left arm at the elbow. She tilted her head to rest it on his left shoulder. "But, I think it could be a fun project."

"Students," Harry suddenly said, coming up with an idea. "We hire students looking to make some pocket money. I've got plenty in my trust vault, at the moment. It won't run me short."

"Trustworthy students," said Daphne, understanding. "Hufflepuffs?"

Checking to make sure the adults had truly left, Harry turned back to her and said, "Cedric Diggory, remember? He becomes the true champion."

"I remember," said Daphne, as if he'd insulted her. "However, the Headmaster has assured you... us... he will make sure everyone understands you're in the Tournament unwillingly."

"Some of the 'Claws might be willing to do the work, too," Hermione pointed out. "We're going to need seniors to check each item for potions, enchantments and the like, anyway. Such people are usually found in Ravenclaw."

"I'd offer the chance to the twins; but, I don't want to find out they use the opportunity to pull pranks," Harry sighed. "Then, I'd have to fire them. We're having enough Weasley trouble, as it is."

After they stood there for a few moments longer, Hermione huffed and said, "Alright. If we wait to move everything until after the Headmaster removes the mail redirection wards that gives us time to organise a large classroom with a lockable door... and get it warded.

"The classroom needs to then be stripped of most of the furniture to allow room for the shelving in here... letters, packages and all... to be moved to the new room. The classroom also needs to have a large window with an existing... or, with the option to have fitted... a decent sized owl window."

"Depending on where we get sorted, the classroom should be near our new common room," said Harry. "That means we really can't go looking for a new home for all this until after we've been sorted, and learn of where we can find our common room."

"We get Dobby and Winky to move all this to there," Hermione continued as if she hadn't heard what Harry had said.

"Then we can organise the rest of the space as a work area," she mused. "One area for checking the mail, one for opening it and setting it out for others to read and judge which of the form letters best suits a response, one for drafting the responses, one for finalising everything and, where necessary, for Harry to sign the response, and one for then sending out the response and dealing with the owls."

"You're thinking of a production line," Harry muttered, amused.

Hermione turned to him with a big grin and said, "I am, aren't I?"

"You also need a section of your line that works out how to deal with the now responded-to mail. There are going to be a great many gifts of all sorts, in there. We need to figure out what we're going to do with them."

"Noted," said Hermione, again thinking about it.

"A job for another day, then," said Daphne. "Come on. Let's go back to our... current... apartment and relax for a while."

"Current?" asked Harry.

"I daresay we'll need to be re-housed in an apartment closer to the Ravenclaw tower; or, down near the Hufflepuff burrow, if we're sorted into there."

Harry snorted and said, "I didn't even think of that. You're right, of course."

"Of course I am," she smirked. "I am a Slytherin, after all. Well, for next couple of hours, at any rate."

Harry turned more fully towards her and hugged her. "You'll always be a Slytherin, Daphne. You'll just be wearing Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff colours, is all."

"Do you think we can ask for an apartment with more than three private rooms?" asked Hermione, coming over to join them.

With a shrug, Harry replied, "We can always ask. We'll need a good enough reason to have more than three, though."

As they made their way out of the room, and Harry locked the door before dropping the key into his pocket, Daphne said, "For visitors... guests. We can explain how we want our various families to come and stay for short durations so they, too, become comfortable with our three-way bond."

"I don't know if my parents can come," Hermione quietly said, as the three headed back to their apartment in their usual formation. "What with the muggle repelling wards."

"There's ways around that," explained Daphne. "All it takes is a charm in the short term; or an enchanted object in the longer term. We'll sort something out for your parents, I promise."

A much happier Hermione brightened up and said, "That would be marvellous! I've wanted my parents to see Hogwarts for the longest time."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After returning to their apartment, Hermione ducked across to the Gryffindor common room to collect homework assignments for the classes they missed that day. For Harry it was just COMC. For the other two it was COMC and Arithmancy for Hermione, and just Arithmancy for Daphne.

In the time between when they returned, and before going down for the evening meal, the three worked on their assignments. Harry even paid attention to the Arithmancy assignment the girls worked through, as he was trying to work through the Ancient Runes exercises.

While working, Harry casually mentioned to Hermione, "You know how you suggested we can get Winky to help us move my mail to a classroom?"

"Uh-hmm," Hermione almost absently replied.

"None of us have bonded her yet," he explained. "She's probably currently down in the kitchens getting drunk on butterbeers."

Hermione's head snapped up with a look of horrified comprehension. "We forgot about her!"

With a nod, Harry replied, "We did."

"Pardon?" asked Daphne looking up. "Who's Winky?"

"Crouch's ex-house elf," replied Hermione. "He gave her clothes at the World Cup because she was unable to keep Crouch Junior from running off. It wasn't her fault, though. It was Crouch's fault and he blamed her."

"Dobby!" she called.

With a pop Dobby appeared. "Yes, Miss Grangy?"

Ignoring his name for her, she asked him, "Can you bring Winky here, please? I know you've been looking after her."

With a little look of fear, Dobby popped away. And, a few moments later, he was back. With him he brought Winky; looking dishevelled, drunk, sad and weepy.

"Winky is a bad elf," the little female elf sobbed. "Why does Dobby's Miss Grangy want to talk to a bad elf?"

"Because you are not a bad elf, Winky," explained Hermione. "Your old Master Crouch gave you orders you could not meet, even with your elf magic. He was the one at fault, and he blamed you for it. He was being very unfair. Even the other wizards there, told him so."

"Master still gave Winky clothes!" the elf sniffled. "Winky is not wanted by a family now."

"Rubbish!" Hermione shot back. "I have a family and I want you."

With a look for a hope, the little elf looked back at Hermione and plaintively asked, "Y-You do?"

Dobby was looking very excited. He said to her, "Miss Grangy is family with the Great Harry Potter Sir and Miss Daffy!"

Winky looked at Dobby with awe before looking at Harry, who smiled and nodded, and at Daphne, who also smiled back; before she once more turned her eyes to Hermione.

"You want Winky?" she asked again.

With a bit of frustrated sigh, Hermione said, "Yes. However, you have to accept the same pay as Dobby, accept the same conditions of employment, and no more drinking butterbeer."

"Winky can do that," replied the little elf, slowly nodding her head in wonder.

"Good," Hermione firmly stated. "Now, come and show me how you can bond with me."

A quick house elf bonding ceremony later, and Hermione owned her very own house elf.

Harry started giggling behind his hand, trying not to laugh.

As Dobby took Winky away, again, to explain the conditions of employment, and help her choose a uniform, Hermione scowled at Harry. "What?" she snapped.

"There goes Spew!" he laughed.

Hermione glared at him for a little while before she took on an aloof air and harrumphed at him, "Well, I know better now; don't I?"

Harry laughed while Daphne smiled. After a few seconds, Hermione decided he'd laughed enough and threw a wadded ball of parchment at him. "Hush, you!" she mock-growled.

He eventually calmed down and the three returned to their homework.

With plenty of time before the commencement of dinner, the three checked their rooms to make sure they had everything sufficiently packed for a quick move to a different apartment. Of course, the house elves would have taken care of everything, but Harry and Daphne were making that little bit of an effort for Hermione's peace of mind. Then headed down to the Great Hall.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

As Ron and Ginny Weasley were still in the school and sitting at the Gryffindor table, the three bondmates went and sat at the Slytherin table as everyone began to settle down. Of course, the school gossip-vine had been in full swing all day. It was even more noticeable as the entire Ravenclaw table sat in sad silence, not even looking around.

As they were sitting down together, Tracey was sitting opposite with Horace and Blaise. She lean forward towards Daphne and asked, "Rumour has it something big is going to happen tonight. It has something to do with you three, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Daphne replied. "There're a couple of big things, actually. And I'm sorry I wasn't able to give you a heads-up about it before now."

Frowning and clearly a little worried, Tracey asked, "What's going on? The 'Claws look like all their Christmases have been cancelled."

"For a start, we're being re-sorted," Daphne replied, a little worried about her friend's reaction. "These two..." indicating Harry and Hermione, "... need to get out of the Lion's Den because of what happened with the two youngest Weasleys. And, because they're being re-sorted, so am I."

Tracey appeared to think about that for a little while as Blaise asked, "Any idea into which House you'll go? Or, is that what's got the 'Claws so down?"

"Ravenclaw, Mister Smarty Pants," Harry spoke up, grinning at Blaise. "We've decided to ask the Hat to place the three of us into Ravenclaw. And what has the 'Claws down, as you put it, has nothing to do with that. That's something else."

"We'll miss you in the Snake Pit," said Tracey, a little sadly to Daphne. "And, I'll miss our late night talks."

"You'll still be able to have them, occasionally," Harry said, trying to soothe her. "Hermione and I don't mind if you spend the occasional night in our apartment with us. I'm sure we can sort something out."

Tracey smirked at Harry and asked, "Trying to get me in bed with you, Mister Potter?"

Harry just gently laughed back and said, "Definitely not, Miss Davis. We'll be speaking with Professor Flitwick about a larger apartment."

"We're asking for one with four bedrooms," explained Daphne. "We're using the excuse that, because a three-way soul bond is such a big and unusual thing, we'd like our families to stay with us for the occasional night, here and there, so they can also become comfortable with our new relationship."

"Clever," said Horace.

They were interrupted from chatting further when the Headmaster stood up and moved to his lectern.

Though he had almost total silence descend on the hall during the time he stood and moved to the lectern, he still said, "Quiet down, please."

Once the last of the chatter died off, he said, "We have a couple of items of business to attend to before we start tonight's meal. We'll get them out of the way now, so you won't have to hold back after you've filled your young tummies and have become sleepy.

"For the first announcement, I call on Professor Flitwick to address you."

The Headmaster stepped aside from the lectern and conjured a smell set of steps where he'd stood as Professor Flitwick came around the head table and took his place at the lectern.

Allowing a moment for the light chatter that had arisen as he walked to the lectern to die back down, Professor Flitwick said, "It has been brought to the attention of the senior staff we have been quite lax, or simply blind, to what's been going on in a few areas.

"One of those areas is that a member of Ravenclaw House has been the victim of long term ongoing and systematic bullying. This afternoon, I held a full House meeting in the Ravenclaw tower common room to investigate just how bad it had become. I was both shocked and appalled to discover it was even worse than even I could imagine.

"As a result, I made a number of sweeping changes, and handed out quite a number of punishments. One: all Ravenclaw prefect positions have been stripped from those who held them. It is an important responsibility of the prefects to both protect House members from just this sort of thing, as well as act as a conduit between the Head of House and the students under their care. That not one of them even informed me of what was going on, that some of them were even involved, and that it took a member of another House to inform me, speaks to how badly all Ravenclaw Prefects were remiss in their duties. I will endeavour to select new prefects for Ravenclaw House over the coming week who better understand their responsibilities.

"Two: Because of the great number of members of the House who were involved in the bullying of one of their own, let alone anyone else, I hereby deduct one thousand points from the Ravenclaw tally for the House Cup. Though the House Cup is not running this year, having the loss of points displayed for everyone to see... including the delegations from our soon-to-be visiting schools of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang... I hope will stand as a stark reminder of their shame, and my disgust with them.

"Three: Again, though the Quidditch Cup is not being held this year, all members of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team have been stripped from their positions. I shall select a new Team Captain, and task that captain with developing a new team, later in the school year. With the exception of two existing members of the team, the rest of the existing team is now forbidden from playing until further notice.

"Four: In my shame in not being aware of this bullying within my own House, I offered my resignation as Head of House for Ravenclaw to the Headmaster. However, he has chosen not to accept it. So, instead, I offer my most sincere apologies to you all, to the staff, but... most especially... to the victim herself. Miss Lovegood is a wonderful person and a true Ravenclaw. She has Ravenclaw's Gift. If there is anyone who deserves to be a 'Claw across the entire school population, it is Miss Lovegood. And, as a mark of my own shame, I have offered myself to her as her Personal Champion."

That made quite a few of the students, who knew what he meant, to gasp in surprise. Even amongst those Harry and his bondmates were sitting with, there was shock. A Personal Champion was effectively both bodyguard, as 'shield', and meter of justice, as 'wand'. It was the responsibility of the Personal Champion to act as defender and warrior for those to whom they were Champion. If Luna was to be challenged, Professor Flitwick would stand in her stead.

"Did you know about this?" Tracey demanded in a whisper.

"About the bullying; yes," Daphne whispered back. "But not the Champion thing."

Further discussion was cut off as the Headmaster, once more, took the lectern. "The bullying, however, has not been limited to just one person within one House. It has been most clearly impressed upon me that we, the staff, have been entirely too lax in dealing with this abysmal behaviour across the entire school.

"That ends now. As of now, all bullying will be punished most harshly. Personal slurs, such as 'Loony', 'Scarhead', and the like, are now forbidden. Likewise, are generic slurs such as 'Mudblood', 'half-breed', 'filthy snake'... and 'dunderhead'."

As he said each, the Headmaster looked at the main perpetrators of those slurs, including Professor Snape; before he turned back to face the hall, at large.

"How punishments and awards are issued has also been addressed. The staff and I are in the process of reviewing how such are handed out. We're setting down a system that will see fairness return to the point system; as well as to detentions. We're aware that many of you have become... disillusioned... with the point system; and have, as a result, developed the behaviour of just ignoring the point system entirely. You feel it is a waste of time; and, having now reviewed the ledger that lists down each and every point deduction and award, it does not surprise me. It is my hope the new methodology will see you, once again, respecting the point system for its fairness.

"To aid us, and you, we're also implementing a review process. If you feel you have received unjust point deductions, or another has received unjust points awarded, you can take the matter to your Head of House. The matter will then be reviewed. However, be warned, abuse of this system could see you punished, as well.

"As you're aware, we'll be hosting delegations from both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang starting from a few days before Halloween. And they will remain here until late June. In many cases your behaviour has been appalling. This new point system should go a long way towards rectifying that. However, for those who feel they can ignore this directive, I point out that the castle is going to need a good spring cleaning between now and when the delegations arrive; and for the time they are here. I'm sure Mister Filch would love to have your assistance in getting the castle cleaned and ready for our guests."

The Headmaster then paused for a few moments to let the chatter die down again before moving on to the next item. With a nod towards Professor McGonagall, who rose from her place and ducked out for a moment through the staff entrance, the Headmaster said, "As you'd also be aware by now, three of your fellow students have found themselves in a unique situation. They are involved in a three-way soul bond.

"On the very rare occasions of when a soul bond or binding occurs between current students, when both... or, in this case, the three... reside in different Houses. They are offered the opportunity to be re-sorted. After wisely having considered it for some time, Mister Potter, Miss Granger and Miss Greengrass have decided to accept this offer.

"This is not to be considered a slight on their current Houses. These three students wanted to make sure you're aware of that. This is just something that all three, after much consideration of the implications, felt needed to happen. I believe the current relationship between the Houses of Gryffindor and Slytherin went a long way towards this decision. I have also been made aware that, when sitting at Gryffindor table, Miss Greengrass was the victim of abuse of at least one member of that House. And, when they sat together at the Slytherin table, Mister Potter and Miss Granger were the victims of similar abuse.

"This is appalling behaviour from those who should know better. If it had come from those who are muggle-raised, and therefore have a lesser understanding of wizarding life, it may have been somewhat understandable; though, still not acceptable. That it came from those who have been raised in the magical world, and therefore have a greater understanding of the issues involved, is shocking in the least. I am quite disappointed with you."

While he'd been talking, Professor McGonagall had brought around the Sorting Hat and its stool, and placed them where it usually went for the beginning of year sort of First Years. She enlarged the surface of the stool, then stood back and waited.

Seeing that Professor McGonagall was ready, the Headmaster looked at Harry and his two bondmates and called, "Mister Potter, Miss Granger and Miss Greengrass; please come forward to be re-sorted."

Harry and the two girls rose from where they were sitting at the Slytherin table and he led the two girls over to the stool.

The Professor quietly picked the Hat up and said directly to Harry, "Sit on the front of the stool, Mister Potter. Then I want both ladies to sit either side of you."

Once they were organised, with both girls sitting almost back-to-back and Harry sitting back-to-shoulder with them, Professor McGonagall lowered the Hat. As she did so, the brim stretched right out and encompassed all three of their heads.

Watching it happen, the students were surprised and talked excitedly amongst themselves about what they were watching. Even the Ravenclaws were talking somewhat animatedly about it.

Knowing what to expect, Harry waited as the Hat was placed on his head; and listened intently for the Hat's 'voice' to enter his thoughts.

'Ah, the three-way soul-bond re-sort the Headmaster warned me about,' said the Hat.

Harry 'heard' Hermione politely think, 'Put us together in Ravenclaw, please.'

'Hermione?' Harry thought, shocked.

Daphne's mental voice mused with a chuckle, 'Well, this is a surprise.'

'Harry?' thought a just as surprised Hermione. 'Daphne?'

'Stop that, you three,' the Hat scolded. However, Harry could also sense that their surprise amused the Hat, no end.

'Sorry,' all three thought back.

'It's still incredible,' thought Hermione. 'I'd love the opportunity to investigate this further.'

'As would I,' thought Daphne. 'I can even sense your emotions.'

Harry was happy for the two of them and amused at the Hat's grumblings in the background of teens with too much curiosity. Harry was mentally chuckling at the Hat's annoyance. 'Well, this is a school. We're supposed to be curious. There's no need to be miffed about it.'

'You'd be miffed, too, Mister Potter, if you had to put up with what I have to put up with,' grouched the Hat.

'Harry?' thought Daphne. 'You really do care for me... for us... don't you? I can feel it.'

'Of course,' thought Harry. 'Why wouldn't I?'

'Enough!' the Hat mentally raised its voice. 'Let's get this out of the way. You can talk about it between yourselves later. Angsty teenagers annoy me.'

Suddenly, a fourth presence appeared within the collective mental landscape of their minds.

Almost instantly, the three teens felt the presence of pure love wash over their very beings.

'Hello, Gryff,' said the presence.

The three felt the hint of amusement wash through them from the presence.

'Mi-Milady?' stuttered the Hat, seemingly shocked.

'You know who I am, do you not?' asked the presence.

'Ye-yes... of course,' replied the Hat.

'I know that Albus Wulfric wants you to sort these three into Gryffindor,' said the presence, Harry had come to understand was an angel. 'However, you will be sorting them into Ravenclaw. Am I clear?'

'Y-yes, milady; of course,' said the Hat.

Harry thought he'd figured out who it was who had 'intruded' into the sorting. 'Della?' he asked.

'Yes, baby,' replied the presence, Della, quite amused. 'I would have thought it would have been one of your bondmates... Ah! I see both had already also figured out who I was, but were hesitant to ask.

'Never fear, my babies. You need not fear asking a question of me. However, I may not be able to answer; but, will tell you, if that's the case.'

'Thank you,' thought Daphne. Hermione immediately followed with her own as Della softly withdrew.

'Th-that was...' stuttered Gryff.

'An angel; yes," said Hermione, almost chuckling with amusement.

Still amused himself, Harry thought back, 'Now that Della's gone again, just shout out "Ravenclaw!" and we'll be done.'

'Yes. Ravenclaw, please, Gryff,' thought Daphne as Harry felt Hermione mentally nod.

With a sigh, the Hat thought, 'Fine! I've got one job to do, and you blasted kids enjoy denying me the privilege. And now I also have to put up with one of the Heavenly Host putting their two knuts in. I already know Albus is going to be giving me a serve of his anger, ranting at me after the meal. I'd best figure out what to tell him.'

"As little as possible," thought Harry. 'He's not in the know.'

'I know,' replied Gryff. "RAVENCLAW!"

With that, Professor McGonagall whipped the Hat off their heads as the Ravenclaw table half-heartedly applauded.

A quick look around and Harry could see the Hufflepuff table seemed quite disappointed but were curious and still pleased for them; the Slytherins were a mix between pleased and disappointed. Some were visibly angry. And, Gryffindor table were all very disappointed. Oliver Wood, however, looked like he was sobbing into his hands while Angelina Johnson was trying to soothe and comfort him.

'Oh, yes,' thought Harry. 'I won't be able to be the Seeker for the Lions anymore. Sorry, Oliver.'

There was a significant space opposite Luna Lovegood at the Ravenclaw table, so the three made their way to sit there.

Once seated in their usual order, Hermione leaned in and whispered, "Did you see the looks on the faces of Ginny and Ron?"

"No," Harry replied. "I was watching Oliver Wood being consoled by Angelina Johnson. Ollie's figured out I won't be the Gryffindor seeker any more."

"Well..." she began to say when the Headmaster spoke again.

"Now that the announcements and the re-sorting are completed, I believe it's time for dinner." He gave a swish of his wand and food immediately appeared on all the tables.

As she was loading her plate, Hermione tried again as the background hubbub of dinner conversation rose. "Well," she said. "Ginny looked both really sad and annoyed. But, Ron looked almost murderous."

Thinking for a few moments, Harry said, "Tomorrow. We'll need to test our ward breaking skills and go down into the Chamber tomorrow. If we leave it any longer, Ron's going to make his move."

"It's a pity we didn't know how quickly the Headmaster was going to return to the castle," mused Hermione. "I thought we'd have had more time."

"So did I," said Harry.

"Hello Harry," said Luna, interrupting.

"Miss Lovegood," Harry replied with a smile back.

"Did you know you three are giving off a slight silvery glow?" she asked.

"No," he replied with a smile. "I think that's part of the soul bond you're seeing."

"I do, too," she said. "You know you still need to finalise it, don't you?"

Daphne, who'd been talking to another of the 'Claws but was listening in, suddenly snorted and broke into a small coughing fit.

Harry moved his hand to her back and gave it a slight massage as she calmed down again a little red in the face. She stared at Luna as she gulped down some pumpkin juice from her goblet.

"I told you," Harry softly whispered to her so only she could hear.

Turning back to Luna as Daphne settled down again, he said, "Yes, Miss Lovegood; we're aware of that. However, you must also be aware it's a private matter?"

"Yes," she replied with a small shrug. "Will Hermione and Daphne also be initiating the bond between them?"

All three teens now had their attention focussed on Luna. "Pardon, Miss Lovegood?" asked Harry, somewhat confused. "What do you mean?"

"You've initiated the bond between you and Daphne," Luna calmly replied. "And initiated the bond between you and Hermione. But, you've done nothing about initiating the bond between Daphne and Hermione."

The three teens stared back in shock at a clearly unperturbed Luna, who was happily looking at her plate and building a dinner for herself.

First to find her voice, Hermione said, "Well, I think that's something the three of us are going to have to talk about between ourselves."

"Errr... yeah," said Harry, quite stunned.

"Good," Luna happily replied. "You need to. I don't think you're going to be able to reach a full bonding until you do. It's a shame your guardian angels never told you that."

Harry raised his hands to rest his elbows on the table and rested his forehead on his clasped hands. It was an almost identical gesture to what the Headmaster did that morning. "Luna," he half-whined. "That's a very big and private secret."

"Oh, do not fret so, Harry," she softly said. "No one else pays attention to what I say." Looking back up with an almost shy smile, she said, "You're different, though. Thank you for paying attention. It seems the wrackspurts do not bother you."

"No, I dare say they don't," said Harry.

The rest of the meal was on lighter subjects, and some of the other nearby 'Claws came over and welcomed them to the House.

One of the fourth year 'Claws, Michael Corner, asked Harry, "Will you be moving into the dorm with us, tonight?"

Harry shook his head and replied, "No. We have a private apartment for the three of us because of the bond. We need it to help the bond strengthen and be maintained, for now."

Almost on cue, Professor Flitwick approached them and said, "If you've a moment, you three, we need to discuss your sleeping arrangements."

Harry nodded back and said, "Of course, Professor." And the three rose and followed the little Professor off to the side and away from the listening ears.

Once apart, the Professor asked, "I believe you three currently have an apartment with three bedrooms just down from the Gryffindor common room; yes?"

"Yes, Professor," Harry answered for the three of them.

"Though you may not want to, I feel you should be moved closer to the Ravenclaw common room," the Professor said. "Is this agreeable with you?"

"Yes, Sir," replied Harry. "However, we'd like to know if we could have a four bedroom apartment, if that's possible. We feel, due to the highly unusual nature of our bond, we need to have family members stay over as our guests on occasional nights; so that they, too, can start to get comfortable with our unique relationship."

Professor Flitwick thought hard about that for a few moments before he looked up and said, "Your concern is quite sound and understandable; so, if such an apartment is available, I don't see why not. However, it is a privilege not to be abused."

All three teens shook their heads. And Daphne said, "It won't be, Professor. This is too important to us to put it at risk."

The Professor gave a firm nod accepting the explanation before he said, "Then I shall speak with the house elves and get them to see if something can be organised for you before it's time to head off to bed. In the meantime," he said, reaching into his robes and drawing out three small pieces of parchment and handing one each to the three of them. "I had a strong feeling you'd end up in my house. So, I've already prepared your class schedules so you can join the other 'Claws in class starting tomorrow morning."

Accepting them, each teen said, "Thank you, Professor."

"Alright, then," he said. "You may return to your meal and I'll collect you when your apartment is ready.

"Thank you, Professor," each said again as they headed back to the Ravenclaw table.

Sitting down, Harry said, "Well, that went well."

"I'm ever so pleased," said Hermione, a little excited.

"Don't get your hopes up, just yet," said Harry. "It's not to say we can actually have a four bedroom apartment. He only said he'd try to see if one was available."

"Still," said Daphne. "It's nice he's even willing to go that far."

"I think he might be trying to apologise over... you know," said Harry.

"True," said Daphne. "But, as Hermione said, it's nice all the same."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After dessert, where Luna was obviously very happy to find pudding as one of the dishes served, Professor Flitwick approached the three again and asked, "Ready?"

"Definitely, Sir," replied Harry with an almost-sigh.

The three rose and followed the Professor from the Hall.

Walking in silence, the Professor led them all the way up to the seventh floor and over to the west side of the castle; before leading them to the entrance to the Ravenclaw tower.

Walking to an alcove where stood an eagle with it's wings widespread as if launch in flight on a tall pedestal, the Professor explained, "The entrance to the Ravenclaw common room is through here. The eagle will ask you a riddle... which you have to solve... before you'll be allowed in. I suggest you come back and explore when you have chance; as, for example, the Ravenclaw library is quite unique."

Harry could see Hermione about to ask a battery of questions, and quickly placed his hand on her shoulder. When she glanced up at him a little curious and annoyed, he gently shook his head and mouthed, 'Later'.

She sighed with a look of slight regret before she sadly nodded her head in agreement.

The little Professor led them down the same passageway before he came to another alcove along the same wall. This time it was almost completely filled against the back of the wall with a life-sized statue of a scholarly looking man.

Looking up at the face of it, Professor Flitwick said, "Good evening, Professor Whittaker."

The statue suddenly tilted its head down to look back at the Professor and said, "Good evening, Professor Flitwick. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"These three are for the apartment behind," replied the Charms Master.

The statue then looked up and from one to the next of the three. He hesitated a moment and said, "Very well." And the statue stepped to the side to reveal a door, behind.

Professor Flitwick gave the statue a slight nod before stepping through and opening the door. The three teens followed him in with Harry bringing up the rear.

Once the three were inside, Harry closed the door behind him as the Professor began to describe the features of the apartment. They were standing in a 'living' room similar to the one over near the Gryffindor tower. However, this one was trimmed in blues and bronzes.

On the far, outside, wall there was a large fireplace with two large windows either side. Harry immediately noticed Hedwig's portable roost was sitting next to the one on the right similarly placed to how it was in the Gryffindor apartment. And Crookshanks was curled up on one of the armchairs, apparently asleep.

The big difference - besides the twinned windows - was there was also four study carrels or stations; with two either side of the entrance door and along the front wall.

"As you requested, this apartment has four bedrooms," instructed the Professor and drawing their attention back to him, and to the indicated two doors on each side. "Each has it's own bathroom beyond that."

Indicating the large fireplace in the centre of the outside wall, he said, "There is a Floo connection in here. However, for the time being, it is only connected with a protective password. You may not use it to leave the castle without prior permission; and you may not use it to bring family or friends into the castle. They must enter the castle, as per usual, through the main gates; unless they've made arrangements to arrive or leave through the private office of one of the Professors.

"All other rules, as per your time within one of the Gryffindor apartments, applies. One of you will need to set a password with Professor Whittaker, outside," the Professor said, turning to face the three of them. "My office is in the same place, further along the corridor at the base of the west tower. If you need anything that needs my attention, please don't hesitate to come and knock on my door."

As the three teens responded in the affirmative, the Professor said, "And, with that, I shall bid you good night and see you at breakfast." Before he departed.

Turning back to face the two girls, Harry saw they were moving about the room doing their detection charms again. So, instead of waiting, he ducked out through the door and, after checking for anyone listening in with a wand swish and a mutter of Hominem Revealo, set the same password as they had on their previous apartment.

When he walked back in, the girls had moved into the bedrooms and were casting their detection charms. So, Harry just waited them out.

Curious, he moved over to the room which would have been his in the Gryffindor suite, and stuck his head in to have a look.

Sure enough, from what he could see, this was 'his' room. He moved over to the bed and immediately enlarged it ready for sleeping.

He rejoined the girls in the living room and asked, "Well?"

"There was a very old listening charm in here affixed to the centre coffee table," Daphne replied. "I don't think it had anything to do with us or the current staff. So, I removed it."

"Other than that, we're good," said Hermione. "Just as Daphne did with the other apartment, I've set up an alert ward on the door that'll alert us if anyone comes into the apartment when we're not here."

With a nod of acknowledgement, Harry said, "Well, I've found my room. I take it your stuff has been moved into the corresponding rooms here, as they were back there?"

"Yes," both girls replied.

"Excellent," said Harry. "Now, before we go to bed... and you're both, of course, welcome to join me in mine and it's already enlarged... I think we may need to talk about what Luna said when we first sat down at the Ravenclaw table. We need to clear the air about that."

Both girls blushed but also nodded; and the three of them moved to take seat at the couches in front of the fireplace.

When they were sitting down, Harry started things off. "You both know what Luna meant, right?"

Hermione blushed again and looked away. But Daphne asked, "How likely is it she's pulling a prank on us?"

"Highly unlikely," Harry sighed. "When Luna pranks, she always mentions a fantastical creature as part of it. And she's too much of a sweet and gentle soul to prank us about this. One thing she most definitely is not, is cruel or heartless. And pranking us about this would be cruel."

"It makes sense, you know," Hermione softly said. "For it to be a true three-way bond, rather than two separate two-way bonds with one person being one end of both, this is the sort of thing that would need to happen."

"But, how do you finalise such a bond?" Daphne asked; curious, yet still embarrassed. "I mean... you know... we don't have the right equipment."

"I've been thinking about that, and I don't think it's a matter of having the right equipment," Harry offered aloud. "I think it has more to do with the intimacy of the moment. If you think about it, it's a physical act where two people, basically, emotionally open themselves right up to one another. It's that intimacy that finalises the bond, rather than the physical act.

"When we sleep together and just cuddle, that's a symbol... an act... of intimacy. That's why it helps our bond to strengthen."

"You're thinking it has to do with levels of intimacy rather than levels of the physical acts," opined Hermione. Surprised, she said, "That's actually quite logical... and profound thinking."

"You don't need to sound quite so surprised when you say that, love," Harry half-snarked. "I am capable of logical thought and positing a workable hypothesis or two."

With another embarrassed blush, Hermione quickly said, "Sorry! I wasn't meaning to imply you aren't. I was meaning to imply I was surprised I hadn't already thought of it. After all, I'm the one who seems to be somewhat famous for making those leaps of logic."

Before things could get out of hand, Daphne said, "So, you think it's more to do with the various levels of intimacy. Just how far would we have to go to test that?"

Glad that Daphne had got them back on track, Harry smiled at her and said, "I think we need to see if we can judge for ourselves the various levels. Because, I think it's a direct reflection on how we feel at each level that decides intimacy.

"For example... and I'm sorry to raise this so clinically, Daphne... but you cannot consider rape to be an intimate moment. I don't think rape could ever finalise a bond. It's a violation; an act of total dominance of one over another. So, I don't think it's the physical act that finalises it."

"Again, that makes a lot of sense," said Hermione, still thinking about it to herself. "If Luna can see auras... especially the aura of our bond... I wonder if she'd be willing to help us by telling us when she sees the bond getting stronger. That way, we can see how well we're doing."

"I don't want to be the subject of an experiment, Hermione," Daphne said with a frown, clearly getting upset.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Harry quickly said waving his hand in a warding off gesture. "I don't think that's what Hermione means; and it's certainly not what I mean, either.

"I think, with Luna's help, she can visually monitor our bond and let us know if we're in trouble or improving. Plus, I think she may even be able to tell us if and when the bond is finalised; and that may be able to occur without... coitus. I mean, it has to be the case, if Luna is correct that there is a latent bond between you two.

"Of course, if she makes a determination like that, we could then approach Madam Pomfrey for a medical determination; so, we're not just relying on Luna's opinion. And, I also think the way to approach this is, if we can set aside our embarrassment, we calmly discuss what we consider intimate and see if we can progress matters in a way that is comfortable for the three of us."

With a sad but resigned sigh, Daphne said, "You're right. I'm being silly."

"No, you're not," Hermione disagreed. She moved to sit down next to the other girl and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. "This is all both quite confronting and exciting for the three of us. We're all handling it to the best of our abilities given our history. We may, together, make mistakes; but, we'll do them together and learn from them.

"If Luna really can see the aura of our bond... and Harry, at least, seems to think she can... then we have someone who can watch out for us and let us know if our bond is in trouble. It means we don't have to worry about losing it and end up rushing things. We may be able to slow things down, if any of us feels they need to."

"Exactly," Harry confirmed.

"Do you think this has any reason to do with why Della was firm with the Hat... Gryff... for us to be sorted into Ravenclaw?" asked Hermione.

"I think it's pretty much a 'given'," he replied with a shrug. Starting to get up, he said, "Anyway. If everyone is comfortable with where we are, at the moment, I'm heading to bed. After the talk we've just had, tonight I'm asking you to join me. I think the three of us just need to cuddle a bit before going to sleep. Or, at least, just be in each other's company."

Both girls looked up at him and nodded. And Harry headed for bed while the girls head for their own rooms to get changed.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

While the three were discussing the latest news about their bond in their new apartment, Dumbledore walked into his office. As he walked in, he allowed his anger to show.

Walking to his desk, he sat down behind it and turned to glare the Hat.

"Tell me why you failed to obey my instruction, and sort Harry and the other two into Gryffindor," he demanded.

"It is my role to sort the students, Headmaster," replied Gryff, with a verbal smirk. "I sort them based on matters of which you are to remain unaware.

"However, you should know that there are... players... who have vested interests in this little chess game of yours of which you cannot even fathom. And their powers are far greater than your own. I strongly advise you to withdraw from the board; lest they decide your meddling is so much of a nuisance it would be best to remove you entirely."

Dumbledore almost physically reeled back in shock. The Hat's words shocked him to the core.

"I... Wh-what do you mean?" he stuttered.

"I mean," returned Gryff. "There are powers involved in the lives of those three you have no hope in standing against. And, if you do not withdraw from meddling with their lives, are likely to take a direct hand in stopping you."

"Who?" asked Dumbledore.

"I cannot tell you," the Hat smugly replied. "It's not that I don't want to... even though that is the case... I simply cannot tell you."

That, more than anything else, sent a chill of fear down Dumbledore's spine.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ