Chapter Seventy One - Back to School
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!
Chapter Seventy One - Back to School
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The last of their party to arrive on the platform at Kings Cross was Justin. The Finch-Fletchleys were brought direct to the platform from their home in Bedford by Raggy via house elf apparation. The two adult Finch-Fletchley's would be returned to their castle home the same way. Then, once the train reached Hogsmeade, Raggy would join Justin at the school.
Tracey almost immediately glommed onto him as soon as he appeared. Justin's mother seemed amused by it.
Because he wasn't there early, it was left to Harry and Neville to be the gentlemen to carry on and load into the overhead racks all seven other trunks, besides their own. Both boys were just glad that all the trunks now had featherweight charms on them, so they weren't too heavy to move; just awkward. While the trunks might now be light, they still had the same mass. That meant, while moving them, they felt as if they were being pushed from behind, no matter the direction in which they were moved. And that movement took a fair bit of concentration to counteract.
However, at any rate it didn't take that long. And all nine spread across both 'interconnected' compartments fairly evenly. With part of two of the benches removed to allow the doorway to exist, seating was restricted to six or seven in each compartment. Still, it was enough. And meant no one had to sit on someone else's lap for the trip.
Because CeeCee wouldn't be starting as a first year, but as a third year, she did not have the option of hunting down others wearing non-House school robes, showing they were in the same year as her, to make friends with before they arrived at the school. Besides, she really didn't want to do that, anyway. She want and chose to sit with them.
That was a decision Harry was very much in support of as it meant he and the others would be in a better position to protect her while on the train.
After saying goodbye to family remaining on the platform, just before 11.00am the group boarded and found their seats in the twin compartments.
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Once the train left the platform and was on its way, the ten began to talk about what they'd been up to over the past couple of weeks and what they thought the year coming would be like.
It was during this early part of the trip Harry learned that CeeCee had chosen Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as her electives. And also learned he was the only one of the Potter four who did not know that.
"Something you lot talked with her about during one of your girls' talk sessions?" he asked.
"Yes," they replied, and didn't elucidate.
During the last few days and on their return to the Black Townhouse from Greengrass Manor, CeeCee and Sarah had joined the girls in their sessions, after Dorothy had told them not to talk about specifics about sex. As far as Dorothy was concerned, just because CeeCee was now a teenager, did not mean she got to talk about sex acts.
He did know, though, that CeeCee had been sat down by both her mothers, adopted and by blood, and given 'The Talk'. And Narcissa went further with specific potions she should now begin to take. Though Dorothy, apparently, was against it, Narcissa assured her that Ne Gravidas would be strongly recommended by the school medi-wizard... and why. Reluctantly, Dorothy acceded, but also demanded Stephen not be informed.
Narcissa had smiled back and replied, "You'd be surprised how many mothers make that exact same demand relating to their daughters regarding their own husbands."
Harry knew of it because his three had been brought into the discussion to speak with both Dorothy and CeeCee about it, together with their own experiences relating to why the potion was important. Then they told him the 'highlights' that wouldn't embarrass him. He didn't know anything about, for example, talks regarding Maiden's Relief, books the boys read to try and get into a girl's knickers, spells and charms to help a witch protect her modesty, that sort of thing.
Of course, with the exception of the return trip only a couple months earlier, the train ride was unusual as they did not get the somewhat obligatory visit from the now late Draco Malfoy and they did not have the grizzling and moaning of Ron in the compartment with them. Harry was worried the latter boy would immediately seek him out. However, he was thankful he did not.
The one visitor they did receive, then bid stay, was Ernie MacMillan. He was wary when he approached and asked to speak with them, but relaxed after a while when he was given no cold shoulder.
However, he did remain somewhat quiet and rarely spoke except when directly asked a question. He did, though, ask how everyone's holiday went and hoped they were looking forward to another year at Hogwarts.
Other visitors were a couple of female Slytherins who were checking to see if CeeCee was onboard. And they weren't half-obvious about doing so.
As soon as they left, Harry said, "By the time we reach Hogwarts, every student at the school of a dark family will know CeeCee's attending this year."
That then led into Harry firmly telling CeeCee, "Remember: We're here for you. Any problems... and I do mean any... come and find one of us."
Neville piped up and said, "That includes one of us, too."
Over the past couple of days, using his still-somewhat-broken Marauders' Map - which had Sirius and Remus scratching their heads trying to figure out why it no longer worked - Harry had diligently worked on drawing up a map of the castle that showed the path from the grand staircase to the Lords' Quarters on the fifth floor, the classrooms and the offices of staff. He also included the apartment numbers of the three groups of Alliance heirs, plus the one occupied by the two seventh year Slytherins. Then presented it to her, in front of her parents, Sirius, Remus and Narcissa, explaining what it was.
"Keep that on you at all times," said her mother, to which the other adults all agreed.
A little surprising to Harry, the temporary door between the two compartments remained for the entirety of the trip. As they disembarked and just so it wouldn't annoy whoever would be coming along to inspect the train later, he overpowered a Finite at the doorway, which reverted it back to 'wall with bench seating'.
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Once at Hogsmeade, Harry was set to lead CeeCee to Hagrid for the traditional crossing of the lake in those little boats, but was corrected by Hermione.
"She travels on the coaches with us, Harry," she said. "Headmistress Lady Marchbanks couldn't see the point of her arriving by the boats."
With only a slight hesitation, he gave a nod and led the way to the thestral-drawn carriages. Even then, they had to split into two groups again.
When they arrived, it was to see Professor Goodstone keeping an eye on things in the entrance hall and outside at the disembarkation point. Harry led CeeCee directly to him and introduced the Professor to her.
After giving her a relaxed and warm greeting, the professor said, "You'd best stay here with me, then, Miss Malfoy; or, do you prefer Miss Wilkins?"
Surprised, CeeCee quietly replied, "Miss Wilkins, if it's not too much trouble, Sir."
"Not at all," he smiled. Then he turned to Harry and said, "I have her from here, Lord Potter. She'll be safe with me."
"Thank you, Professor," replied Harry, with a slight head nod. Then turned to smile at CeeCee. "You'll be safe with Professor Goodstone. The only thing wrong with him is he's a fan of Quidditch."
"Lord Potter!" barked the amused and semi-affronted professor. "Five points from Gryffindor for your besmirching of our noble sport!"
He grinned back as CeeCee blushed and snickered in amused embarrassment.
However, he'd accomplished what he wanted; calming CeeCee down a little. And he could see the Professor knew that from the slight curling up of his lips in a suppressed grin.
He gave a courtly bow to both, together, and said, "Yes, Professor." And made his way inside.
As he walked to the doors of the Great Hall, he heard the professor say, "I certainly hope Lord Potter has not poisoned your mind against Quidditch, Miss Wilkins. That would be a true crime."
Harry didn't hear her reply, as he was then too far away and she spoke too softly for him to hear it.
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Hermione and Neville saved him a seat at the Gryffindor table. When he looked about for Fleur, he could see her sitting at the head table, but right out at the end, even outside of Hagrid.
He gave her a nod and blew her a kiss as he was sitting.
"Why's Fleur sitting at the head table?" he asked the two.
"The Headmistress asked her to sit there for the Opening Feast. She'll be able to join us for all other meals, though," replied Hermione. "It's something about an issue with the school rules and sitting for the Opening Feast."
"We have to sit at our own House tables," said Harry. "And, as she's not a student any more, plus she'd be sitting at Ravenclaw if she was, I guess it makes sense for her to sit up there."
"Makes sense," echoed Neville.
Of course, Harry wasn't with the other boys in his year, as he didn't want to sit anywhere near Ron. Hermione and Neville knew that and had, instead, chosen to sit at the end of the table closest to the head end, while still leaving room for about a dozen new Firsties.
Looking around, Harry noticed that Ron was sitting back with Seamus and Dean, while Ginny was sitting with the girls in her own year. He also noticed Dean was wearing the boys' fifth year prefect badge.
That caused him to give a little start in surprise. He'd completely forgotten prefects would be chosen from their year, this year. Looking to Hermione, he looked to see if she was surprising him by not telling him in advance she'd made prefect. However, she wasn't wearing the badge.
"Hermione, I'm sorry," he softly said to her.
Surprised, she asked, "Whatever for?"
"You're not the new fifth year Gryffindor female prefect," he sadly said.
"Oh," she smiled. "No, I'm not. I suggested Sophie Roper for the position."
"Why?" he asked.
"Why not me?" she asked back. When he nodded she replied, "Because we no longer live in the Gryffindor dorms. It wouldn't be fair for me to be the prefect if I'm rarely, if ever, in the dorms of an evening."
When he turned to see the quiet Miss Roper, he could then see the slight glint of the bronze badge on her robe lapel.
"Still..." he sighed. "It was your dream to go on to be Head Girl."
"Dreams change, Harry," she said. "Besides, the Head Boy and Girl are not always selected from the current crop of prefects. I believe your father was one such. Moony was the current Gryffindor prefect for the boys at the time, wasn't he?"
Surprised he hadn't remembered that, he said, "You're right. I forgot that."
She just tapped him on the back of the hand and said, "Besides, I got something a lot better than a shiny metal badge. I got you."
That had him smiling back.
Once the new Firsties, plus CeeCee, were led in and arranged before the head table, the Hat launched into its song. This one was all uplifting and joyous about the defeat of 'both' Dark Lords the previous year. That had quite a few wondering what he meant by both, as there were many who were unaware Dumbledore had 'officially' been outed in the press as a Dark Lord, though the Ministry still refused to confirm that.
This year was a 'bumper crop' of Firsties, with about fourteen for each House being sorted. Finally, CeeCee was called forth by the Deputy Headmaster. As per tradition, the Deputy was handling the Sort.
With no hesitation he declared, "This year, we have a new student transferring in to third year. She is under a relationship agreement with one of our existing fifth year students. Wilkins, Charlotte!"
As CeeCee, last to be Sorted, smiled and walked forward to sit on the stool as Goodstone held the Hat aloft, Harry heard quite a bit of surprised mumbling from the students, together with more annoyed grumbling coming from the Slytherin table. That drew a very pointed cough and scowl from Professor Grimfield, who sat almost closest to the Slytherin table on the head table.
A few looks in her direction from the Slytherins and the table settled again.
CeeCee's Sort went on for a little while and, looking closer, Harry could see she was sitting rigid with a firm jaw. He knew that look. She was having a full on argument with the Hat.
"She's arguing with it," Hermione muttered, who had obviously also seen it.
Before Harry could verbally agree, the Hat called "GRYFFINDOR!"
Instead, he chuckled and clapped as the Hat was removed from her head and she turned to look at him with a wide and happy smile. Again, there was some grumbling and scoffing coming from the Slytherin table - all ignored.
As she sat closest to the head end, Hermione immediately turned to the new firstie Gryff' boy sitting next to her and asked him to slide up a bit. Apparently, he was happy to do so as a gap quickly appeared between he and Hermione. Harry remembered him to be the first Firstie Sorted; Ian, he thought, Abbercrumble or something.
Seeing it, CeeCee made directly for it, as Goodstone picked the stool up in the hand that wasn't already holding the Hat and moved them to the side of the Hall.
As Hermione was snickering towards her CeeCee, clearly relieved, sat in the gap.
That then had the Headmistress rise to her feet.
The only important announcement, Harry thought, was that there was no change to the teaching staff. That, if nothing else, convinced him the curse on the DADA position was now gone.
There were also no announcements about something being life threatening in some part of the castle, dementors circling the school, escaped convicts, life threatening blood-sport Tournaments, or similar. He was quite relieved.
Instead, they had the usual announcements about banned items, no casting of magic in the corridors or anywhere else outside of previously sanctioned areas within the school, that sort of thing.
But one announcement did perk Harry up. Filch was gone. Officially, it sounded like he'd chosen to retire. However, he knew Marchbanks despised the man; not because he was a squib, but because he was such a bitter and twisted old man who tried to take his bitterness out on the students every chance he got. He would not be replaced; instead, one of the senior house elves would 'officially' become senior caretaker.
'Woohoo!' he thought. 'No more getting viciously jabbed by that damned Probity Probe of his, whenever they returned from a Hogsmeade weekend.'
Once the food appeared on the table and he'd made a start on filling a decent plate for dinner, he leaned around Hermione and asked CeeCee, "Okay, 'fess up. Where'd the Hat want to Sort you? Not Slytherin, I hope?"
She gave a little blush and replied, "Ravenclaw, actually. It wanted to Sort me into Slytherin; however it felt Sorting me into that House, at the moment, would have been too dangerous for me. That's why it was going to Sort me into Ravenclaw."
He smirked and said, "And you used it's own argument that, if it wasn't going to Sort you into Slytherin due to the danger, it may as well Sort you into Gryffindor?"
"Yes," she smiled.
He laughed and said, "As a Ravenclaw would say, 'Well reasoned, Miss Wilkins'."
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When the Feast wrapped up, the only announcement was a reminder to be down for breakfast and finished before 8.30am. That would be when the class schedules would be handed out.
When everyone stood, both Thomas and Roper came down to collect all the Firsties
Roper looked to CeeCee and said, "I'll be escorting you up, too; since you're new."
Hermione quickly said, "Actually, Sophie; no."
When Roper turned a slight frown on her, Hermione quickly explained. "CeeCee... Miss Wilkins... will be in the Lords' Quarters. She's in a relationship agreement with Lord Finch-Fletchley... Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff. Same year as us."
"Another one?" blurted Thomas.
Unknown to them, Justin had already walked across and was standing a little back from Roper. "Which is why I've come over," he smoothly said.
Surprised, Roper turned to looked at him for a moment before she stepped a little out of the way and said, "Oh. Sorry. I didn't know."
"No reason you should have," smiled Hermione.
Physically shaking her confusion off, Roper gave Hermione a nod and turned back to the Firsties "Alright, you lot. Follow me if you want to find your beds for tonight." Then indicated Dean and said, "Dean will be following so we don't lose any of you on the way. Come along."
With the Firsties following Roper with Thomas bringing up the rear, the dozen plus all headed for the doors.
Once they were clear, Justin smiled and said to Hermione, "Thank you, for that."
Hermione almost unconsciously replied, "You're welcome." It was the approach of both Daphne and Tracey, plus Susan and Hannah, that had her distracted. She didn't even notice they were joined by Fleur.
Looking about, Harry asked, "Anyone missing?"
When they all looked about, Hermione was the first to reply. "No. We're all here."
With his own ladies joining him, Neville said, "Then, let's go."
The group of ten were about to leave when Professor Sprout stopped by. To Justin she asked, "You're aware you're now in Apartment 9, Mister Finch-Fletchley?"
"Yes, Professor," he smiled.
"Remember how to add others to your apartment?" she asked.
"I think so, Professor," he replied.
"We'll help him," said Harry. "Have no fear, Professor."
She smiled back at Harry and said, "Thank you, Lord Potter." And made her way off again.
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Keying the new 'Finch-Fletchley' apartment with permissions for Justin, Tracey and CeeCee was almost old hat for Harry. As well as his own two apartments, he'd also helped Neville with his.
They were just about to head in when a seventh year male Slytherin, who had to be Ross Gibberd as there were only he and a seventh year female Slytherin who were allowed into the Lords' Quarters corridor, almost tentatively approached and said, "Lord Potter."
"Heir Gibberd, right?" asked Harry.
"Indeed," the boy gave a nod. "I wonder if I may trouble you―"
"You've not been shown how to key the door to your apartment and ask of me my assistance?"
Showing a little relief, the older boy again said, "Indeed."
Harry gave a nod and said, "Not a problem." And followed the boy back up the corridor. The others all hung back and had his back just through watching.
As they walked up, he said, "Your Head of House should have been up to show you how to do this. I'd have words with them tomorrow, if I was you."
As they'd already reached the door, the other boy remained silent, as did the girl, who only stepped aside to allow Harry to approach the door.
Harry gave her a nod before turning back to Gibberd and stepped him through how to 'claim' the apartment and provide access to his bonded.
Once he was done, he said, "That's all there is to it. You just need to warn any of your friends not to try and open the door from this side if they're not keyed in. If they do, they'll be stunned and the professors will be immediately informed via the wards."
"What about charms, such as Alohomora?" asked his lady, Phylis Whitehead.
"None will work," he replied. "You must use your hand to turn the knob. It's part of the magic."
Smiling to her, he said, "Do not worry, Miss Whitehead. No one, except your Head of House, the Deputy Head and the Headmistress can enter without you letting them in. Even then, they can only enter by asking the castle itself for access. And, I've been assured such will not be granted except in emergency. That feature is built into the very foundations of the wards of the school for privacy and security purposes.
"Further, as I did I believe you'll logically surmise that the door is locked to magical signatures. It now has a... 'taste' of your two magical signatures, so opens to your touch. However, anyone who tries to open it that doesn't have your magical signature, no matter what charm or curse they attempt, will find themselves waking up on the floor out here with a professor or two frowning down at them."
Clearly relieved, the girl smiled back and said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he said.
When it was clear they had no further questions, he said, "Well, I'll leave you to it to explore your new apartment and sort out matters. Good night."
"Good night, Lord Potter," they both said.
As Harry turned to walk back up the corridor, he had no problem turning his back to them, as he knew the others had his back if there was the slimmest of chances they'd risk hexing him.
They didn't and he was extremely sure they wouldn't anyway. He saw no hint of ire directed towards him in either of their expressions or body language for the entire time he was with them.
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The next morning the Potter four were all up and dressed, ready to go, at just after 7.30am. This time, they beat the Longbottoms to knocking on doors. And this time they also included the Finch-Fletchleys.
Harry went and knocked on the door of the Longbottoms while Hermione and Daphne went to the Finch-Fletchley apartment. They realised they must have been making a little too much noise when Gibberd stuck his head out the door of the Gibberd apartment to see what the ruckus was.
"Sorry!" called Hermione, noticing. "Just getting our group up and moving."
Gibberd gave a nod back and withdrew.
As Neville and his two and Justin and his now two exited their apartments, Gibberd and Whitehead exited their own.
"Mind if we join you on the walk down?" he asked.
"Not at all," replied Harry.
As they all walked out of the Quarters, Harry hung back a little to talk to Gibberd. As they walked he quietly asked, "I hope I didn't come off as rude, last night. I know you're at least Heir Apparent, but don't know if you've actually taken up your Lordship. Further, I do not know the... status... of the relationship between you and your lady."
Gibberd looked at him in surprise before he replied, "You did not give offence." He hesitated for a moment before he explained, "I am Heir Apparent of the Noble and Ancient House of Gibberd, as you clearly knew. Phylis is my betrothed. Our handfasting is scheduled for the forthcoming Yule break."
As they walked, Harry said, "So, the correct form of address for her is still Miss Whitehead?"
Gibberd nodded back.
Harry said, "Good to know. Thank you. I'll make sure the others all know, too."
Gibberd gave a nod back and Harry rejoined the others walking a little ahead.
As he joined them, Neville sidled over and quietly said, "Aren't you afraid one of them will try to hex us in the back?"
"Nope," he replied. "If they try anything in the corridors, the wards will instantly detect it and record it in the ward book in the Headmistress's office. She made that quite clear, again, last night. Both of them are of age and neither of them is stupid."
Relaxing a bit, Neville nodded back.
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As it was a first day back and a new year at the school, the group decided to make it easier on the Heads of Houses and had breakfast at their own tables. That way, they'd be there for when class schedules were handed out. They'd also decided to sit at the Hufflepuff table for lunch, as it was the House least likely to get annoyed by it upon first seeing it again; or seeing it for the first time, when it came to the Firsties. No longer a student, Fleur sat with him at Gryffindor. She was dressed in British quality casual in muted tones so her dress didn't stand out too much.
Besides, Harry didn't want to risk getting confronted by Weasley again for having now two Slytherins, Daphne and Tracey, sitting with him at the Gryffindor table; especially not for lunch and not so soon. However, dinner that night was a good possibility.
When the schedules were distributed, Harry took one look at his and almost had a panic attack.
"Gahhh!" he exclaimed on first seeing it. Then he dropped his head to the table and moaned.
Hermione looked pleased.
As he looked almost completely out of it and wasn't responding to her concerns, Fleur simply reached over and plucked Harry's out of his fingers. A moment later, she quietly muttered, "Merde!"
'Seven class periods, now," he moaned. "Seven! They're trying to kill us!"
He never noticed Fleur had turned to one of the Firsties and asked to look at their timetable for a moment.
She handed it back and said, "The First Years still have only six periods a day."
One of the second years sitting on the other side of Harry said, "My older brother told me the first through fourth years all still have six class periods a day, while the fifth through seventh now all have seven. I guess you're fifth years then, huh."
"What's the problem, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Exhaustion!" he called. "And we haven't even started yet!"
With a smirk, Fleur simply handed Harry's schedule to the other girl.
A moment later, she snickered and said, "Oh, my. Yours is about on par with my own."
"And you don't have the added pressure of issues related to the upkeep of a Noble and Most Ancient House," he whined.
Harry's schedule had all bar three class slots filled. The only three unfilled were first thing Wednesdays and Thursdays and the one immediately after morning tea on Fridays. Plus, he also had Astronomy on Wednesday nights - or, rather, early Thursday mornings. No longer did their schedules have both first and second periods clear the next morning after Astronomy. Now, it was only the first.
Finally lifting his head with a sigh, he accepted his offered schedule back and said, "I'm going to have to drop Muggle Studies again. Otherwise, I simply won't have the time to get everything done I need to get done."
"If you must," said Hermione. "However, I hope you also decide to self-study it. At least that way you still have the option to sit the OWL for it at the end of the year."
With another sigh, he checked the schedule over again and silently nodded.
Four class periods a week for Charms, DADA, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration; and three a week for History, CoMC, Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies. Thank God there was still only the single for Astronomy. It was no wonder they were now on a seven class periods a day schedule.
If he dropped Muggle Studies that gave him an extra vacant slot on Wednesdays and two on Fridays, thereby doubling his vacant slots to six. As the two on Fridays were also the first two periods, it meant his Friday mornings were now clear until the fourth period of Ancient Runes immediately before lunch. However, both Monday and Tuesday would remain full, with all seven slots occupied with classes. That would given him six slots to accomplish the work related to both the Wizengamot and his estates.
'Yeah, I can do this,' he mentally declared.
After another think through it, he verbally added, "Yeah, I have to drop Muggle Studies."
Hermione looked like she was about to disagree, but then noticed his expression and sadly nodded. "But, you're still going to study it independently, right?"
"Yes," he replied. "You know, though, that I'd pass even if I didn't, yeah? The study will just see me hopefully gain an 'O-plus' in the subject. Or, at least an 'O'."
She shrugged and said, "I do not doubt it."
As it was a Thursday, Harry didn't have a class for the first period. It then meant he had time to finish his breakfast before returning to the apartment to collect what he'd need for the day: CoMC with the Hufflepuffs, for second period; Potions with the Ravenclaws, for periods three and four between morning tea and lunch; History, one period with the Hufflepuffs again immediately after lunch at fifth period; and a double of Charms with the Slytherins to finish up the day - six of seven class periods. And this would follow a late night on the Astronomy tower with the Ravenclaws.
Hermione also didn't have a class for first period; but Daphne, who had come over to show her own, did. However, Fleur offered to escort her and CeeCee to their first classes for the day. An offer gratefully accepted.
Once the mail came in and Harry received his copy of the Daily Prophet, he was unsurprised to see one of the articles being on CeeCee attending Hogwarts. It also included both her names and that she preferred to be call CeeCee - as it was a nickname that applied to both her adopted and birth names, together.
Recently, some overly-officious flunky in the Ministry had tried to force her to use only her birth name. However records from magical Australasia, showing her name to be registered with them as Charlotte Claire Wilkins, put paid to that. As she was also listed as a citizen of magical Australasia, not magical Britain, Ted was easily able to block it by threatening to take the matter to the Australasian Ministry. The British Ministry, after first trying to claim back citizenship of her, caved; especially when the new Minister, Brunt, was looking to make 'Brownie' points with Harry and added his authority to the opposing claim.
That was why, though born a Malfoy, Hogwarts easily accepted her as 'Miss Charlotte Wilkins' on their student rolls.
Marchbanks had also assured them that the rolls for each class would have her name listed under Wilkins, so none of the Professors would make a mistake by slipping up in the calling of their rolls for each class.
For now, at least, she was Heiress Apparent Charlotte Claire Wilkins of the Magical House of Malfoy, magical ward of Narcissa Venus Malfoy and Sirius Orion Black.
Not being born into that House, Narcissa claimed she had no problem with it.
The newspaper at least got those points right.
What it didn't have was that Sirius would very soon also be recognising her as a daughter of the House of Black. She didn't need the stipend, as Narcissa had already organised such from the Malfoy fortune as Heiress Apparent for the Magical House of Malfoy, but the protection of being a recognised daughter of a Noble and Most Ancient House wouldn't go astray.
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By lunch, the Heirs fully understood they were in their OWL year. The assignments had started already. And, they were already long ones. Two feet on this magical creature; three feet on the reason and uses for that potion. Plus, in both classes, they were given a reasonably long-winded talk on just how important that year would be for them all; as if they didn't already know that.
At lunch and just as planned, the entire group - including CeeCee, now - congregated and sat at the Hufflepuff table.
While there and when they knew the Hall would be at it's busiest, Harry had CeeCee call for Fawkes to put in an appearance and alight on her shoulder for a while. Harry had organised with Fawkes in advance for this to happen and why. Fawkes was all for it, as it meant it would help in keeping his new human companion safe.
Looking around, Harry saw how busy it was and quietly said to CeeCee, "CeeCee, now would be a good time to call Fawkes to join you."
She gave a simple nod back, sat up straight and closed her eyes for a moment.
Suddenly, there was a flash of phoenix flame in the middle of the Hall just above the level of the candles and Fawkes appeared singing a joyous refrain in full flight. While his arrival startled just about everyone but the Heirs, his singing of phoenix song almost instantly had everyone settling down again.
A few moments later, the large but light bird ducked below the level of the candles through a gap and swooped in to land on CeeCee's left shoulder. CeeCee was already laughing about it.
"What's so funny?" asked Hermione, leaning in closer.
"That song you all heard?" she'd asked back. "He was actually calling everyone not-nice names."
Fawkes apparently thought it was funny because the bird was clearly phoenix-chuckling along with CeeCee.
After she offered the bird some ham off her plate, which he happily accepted, Fawkes then took off back into the air and flamed away again.
Harry grinned at her and said, "Good. That'll set tongues wagging. It should stop the 'dark witch' accusations before they properly get a foot hold, if they were going to."
"And it sets in their minds that Malfoy should now be considered a 'Light' House," said CeeCee. "I remember."
He smiled at her and said, "Good."
As they were waiting outside their next class, Potions with the Ravenclaws, Harry, Hermione and Neville were all questioned about why CeeCee had a phoenix.
"Don't ask me why the birdbrain chose her," he snorted. "When I asked him that exact question he told me to 'mind my own business'."
"He talks?" asked one of the 'Claws - Turpin - the new fifth year female prefect for Ravenclaw.
"Yeah," he shrugged. "But, CeeCee had to translate for me. Even then I knew somewhat of what he'd replied. The overgrown flaming turkey blew a raspberry at me, of all things!"
That had Hermione snickering. "He did, too! I was there and saw it."
The one thing he could trust of the Ravenclaws who weren't simply gossips, they did not embellish facts when possible not to. He knew Turpin to be one of those. Therefore, with Turpin helping to spread the truth and correct knowledge when the Chinese Whispers effect started to warp the information between tellings, it did not take long for it to become known that CeeCee had a phoenix companion. However, no one was clarifying that Fawkes was once Dumbledore's companion, or that the phoenix that was now the companion of CeeCee was even named Fawkes.
The few people at the school who had spent enough time around Fawkes while he was Dumbledore's companion, were already told by Marchbanks not to say anything. They were Flitwick and Sprout. Hagrid, Sinistra, Burbage, Babbage and the others very rarely interacted with the man and hardly ever, even at those times, when Fawkes was also present. They usually met with him in the Teacher's Lounge or conference room for the full staff meetings.
Flitwick and Sprout, as Heads of Houses, met with Dumbledore in his office often when the phoenix was also there.
As for the Wizengamot and the ICW, at both places Fawkes never stayed after dropping off or picking the old man up before and after meetings of those bodies.
The only real way you had to 'get up close and personal' with the bird was to visit Dumbledore in his Hogwarts' Headmaster's office while Fawkes was also there. Even then, they might or might not recognise him. After all, just how different did phoenixes look from one another?
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
That evening, as they'd planned, the group sat at the Gryffindor table. As they walked in, Harry wondered whether or not Weasley would be able to contain himself.
As they walked up the length of the table, Harry's eyes landed on Weasley. This time the boy was already sitting at the table. Thankfully, he had not seemed to have noticed them yet; therefore, their eyes did not meet.
Walking further up the table, they only had to ask the new Firsties to slide up a bit to give them enough room. Four on one side and five on the other meant they needed a gap of at least eight to ten feet, both sides, to have the room. Twelve feet was more preferable.
As they were sitting, Hermione said, "We either have to arrive first thing for meals, separate into smaller groups or start sitting at the other end of the tables, where we know there's always room enough.
"It is unfair of us to ask people to move to give us room. Especially when we really don't have the right to."
"Hmmm," said Harry. Looking about at his friends, he asked, "Thoughts?"
Daphne gave a firm nod and said, "Two other choices are; we eat in our apartments or we start sitting at just one table and in one spot all the time."
Justin immediately stated, "Hufflepuff will always welcome us."
"Yes," said Tracey. "But, sitting in one spot all the time brings with it the risk one of us could be attacked by a timed curse at our places that's put in place between meals, due to activate when the attacker knows we'll be in the Hall."
Daphne was quick to acknowledge and agree with that.
Surprised, Justin asked, "They can do that?"
"Yes," replied Fleur. "A timed rune sequence is the obvious one, potions are another. There are others, of course."
Harry went through in his mind all the calculations and permutations he could think of before he offered, "How about... we plan to start arriving before the meal is even served, so we can sit anywhere we like. If we don't manage that, we see if we can find a section on one of the four tables that's wide enough for us to all sit together, irrespective of where it is. And, if we can't manage that, we sit at the other ends of the table, further down that even the seventh years."
Daphne, for one, smirked and nodded back, "That sounds like a workable solution."
"How about," offered Neville. "If we haven't decided to come down as a group at that time, such as coming to lunch during a school day, whoever is here first hold a suitably wide enough space for the others. That is, if they can."
"Good idea," said Susan. Everyone agreed.
Daphne said, "It sounds like we have a plan to tackle this problem in future."
While that had only taken a minute to discuss, Harry was still somewhat surprised Weasley had not already come down to 'berate' him for having 'slimy snakes' and 'dark witches' sitting at the Gryffindor table. As surreptitiously as he could, he looked to see if the boy was getting angry about it. What he saw was what he'd come to recognise as the flat expression of fully activated Occlumency. He sometimes saw it on the faces of both or either Daphne and Hermione when they were angry with him, but didn't want to display it at that time.
Surprised, he turned to Daphne, sitting on his other side, and said, "It looks like someone's taught Weasley Occlumency."
Daphne immediately looked around him and pretended to be looking for a platter of something on the communal plates.
A moment later, after picking up a fresh banana from off one of those plates, she said, "Definitely. He's now good enough to have the Occlumency shields engaged, but not good enough to not have it reflected in his expressions. Either that, or he's that angry he simply can't maintain the pleasant expression."
Harry nodded and said, "I guess I don't really care if he's angry or not. I only care if he opens his mouth in a negative manner towards any of us; or, otherwise does something I'll have to act upon. As long as he keeps his opinions about me... you... us... to himself, I'm happy to leave him alone.
"However, I'm going to try to talk to Dean Thomas at some time, just to make sure he's not saying things in the Gryffindor Tower I would take offence towards."
"And, as Thomas is now the fifth year prefect, you have every reason to speak to him," she nodded, seeing his reasoning.
"Exactly."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The boy being discussed was oblivious of what was being spoken about him. He'd only checked to ensure for himself that 'Potter' was still keeping company with the others, was still housed in the Lords' Quarters, was still 'Lording' it over everyone and otherwise didn't interact with him. He knew if he tried something overt too soon, his father would be here in a thrice to pull him back out of the school again.
Instead, he was making his plans for when he'd finally get to deal with the 'bastard' and take back what was rightfully his - Hermione.
He'd already been to 'suss out' the corridor where the Lords' Quarters were located, but had to be careful. He wasn't sure if the aurors were still invisibly patrolling the school or not - they were - and had not yet mastered the revealing charm. Besides, he didn't know if casting the revealing charm was one of those that would be detected or not and, even if it wasn't, if the charm would identify for him if an auror was there or not. He knew aurors had many charms and curses that were supposedly available only for them.
So lost in thought behind his Occlumency, he was, that he almost missed something Thomas had said to him.
'Jee-zus, Ron!" the boy said. "You're 'zoning out', again."
"Sorry," he mumbled back. Thinking quick he remembered what that muggle term meant and replied, "I was thinking about that assignment for Potions we've got to do."
"The Wiggenweld one?" asked Thomas. "Yeah; that's going to be a nightmare. Started it yet?"
"Just an idea of what to write for it," said Ron. "My Aunt Muriel taught me how to write a proper assignment. It was one of the only things I appreciated."
When he thought about it he then realised she'd taught him quite a bit that was useful. Occlumency was another and was probably the best of the lot. Besides saving him from having his clock hand keep switching to 'In Danger', let alone to 'Mortal Peril', the Occlumency made it a lot easier to concentrate on and get done assignments.
The length and difficulty of assignments of even these early days had clearly demonstrated for him he doubted he'd pass the year without that useful skill. It would have been: 'No Hermione, no pass'.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
That night, the Finch-Fletchleys joined the Potters in the Potter apartment directly after dinner. They were then joined by the Longbottoms.
Of course, the girls were 'interrogating' CeeCee on how her first day of classes went.
"It was cool!" she replied. "I think I'm going to like my class mates in Gryffindor." Then her expression changed to one of mild annoyance. "Except one. She's already making me think she's a bit of a cow."
"Who?" asked Hermione.
"Romilda Vane," she scowled.
"She's an unrepentant gossip," said Hermione. "Sorry, but we should have warned you about her last night."
"I think I'd already figured that out," said CeeCee. "She got me in trouble in History with Professor Goodstone. She kept demanding information from me about me and... well... us." And indicated everyone with a wave of her hand encompassing the room.
Justin, who'd overheard the last part of that, frowned and asked, "Do I need to go and deal with her?"
Harry was pleased hearing that. It was very obvious the boy was taking his role as primary protector of CeeCee very seriously.
"I don't think so," CeeCee sighed.
"Hmmm..." said Hermione. "I had two like her in my dorm until last Christmas; Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. Here's how to handle her and those like her..."
Then the girls all huddled and, before too long, there were a lot of giggles and snickering going on coming from them.
Justin looked concerned at Harry and Harry quietly said to him, "Let's see if the girls can handle it, first. If they can't, then a couple of Lords are going to go all feral on her arse."
That seemed to satisfy the other boy. He gave a nod and muttered, "Good idea."
Again, Harry was happy to see the Hufflepuff taking seriously the task of protecting both girls.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
On the Saturday night at Harry's 'obligatory' dinner in the Potter apartment, where Dobby again had to employ elf transfiguration on the table and chairs to have enough for everyone to sit, one of the main topics of discussion around the table was Fleur's offer from Gringotts. They'd accepted her application to 'apprentice' under a Journeyman Cursebreaker, who himself was working under a Master Cursebreaker, within their human workforce. She'd be starting on the first of the month in October.
The employment contract was negotiated on her behalf through and with Ted Tonks. Contrary to what others might have thought, the goblins appreciated it; as it meant they'd be dealing with someone who had both expertise in contracts and would not try to make unreasonable demands, or allow themselves to be 'conned'.
The goblins knew and understood her Veela life debt meant she'd have to remain in London, or be able to quickly come and go from Hogwarts when and as necessary. And the contract reflected that. However, they insisted on a Secrecy Oath to protect their secrets, which Fleur and Harry had no problem with. However, Ted included a stipulation in the Oath that relieved her of the Secrecy provisions for what she learned 'professionally'; that is, what she learned as a Cursebreaker, rather than what she specifically learned as an employee of Gringotts. Otherwise, she would not be able to use the skills acquired as an apprentice so as to remain a professional Cursebreaker if she left Gringotts' employ.
Many of the questions fielded by the others related to just what was meant by that.
Another subject discussed was about what CeeCee had done to get Vane and her shadow, Thelma Holmes, to back off.
"It turned out quite simple, actually," she explained. "They tried to interrogate me, again, while we were outside the door and waiting to go into the Potions lab. I told them how Lord Potter likes to think of me as his little sister and that I was in a relationship agreement with Lord Finch-Fletchley. And that both told me I was to tell them if anyone gave me any trouble. Then asked them if they were giving me trouble.
"When they then immediately back-pedalled, claiming they weren't, I said, 'Well, if I think you're giving me trouble, even if you don't think you are, I'll still be telling them you are.' I think Vane was about to cry when I said that.
"As soon as they quickly moved off to the other side of the crowd, Natalie... that's Natalie Fairbourne... came over and offered to sit with me in the lab. She was very happy with what I said to Vane and Holmes. Apparently, they cause trouble for everyone who don't engage in gossip with them. I think she may be a good friend to have."
While the girls all laughed, Justin quietly said to her, "If you think she'll be a good friend and you want to spend time with her, you can do so. Just don't let yourselves be caught anywhere alone; alright?"
She smiled at him and said, "Thank you."
She was unaware that Justin was using Raggy in the same trick for which Harry used Dobby regarding Tracey and Astoria the previous year and just Astoria this year. Justin had Raggy keep an eye on both witches, just in case.
For the first time, Harry had specifically invited Ernie MacMillan to join them for Saturday night dinners. He gratefully accepted and was sitting with them even now. It brought their numbers up to eleven.
Wanting to make sure the boy was included, he turned to him and explained how the girls had given CeeCee some ideas on how to handle the undue attention directed her way, especially from the gossipers.
MacMillan looked surprised and replied, "You won't step in and deal with it?"
"Only if the girls can't," he replied. "Then Justin, as her bonded, gets first shot at 'em, anyway."
That had Justin firmly nodding back.
"It's been made clear to me I'm not to act as if I'm the only one who could fix these problems―" he added.
"Damned straight," declared Hermione, who'd overheard.
"Buuuut... I will if no one else can handle it; or, it's an emergency," he said.
He had no idea it would be less than twenty-four hours later that both he and Justin would have to step in.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
A/N: Yes, I know; a little bit of a 'cliffy'. However, now that I've finished 'Harry Potter and The Old Friend' this story will go back to a twice-weekly posting schedule. That should make up for it; yes? This story next updates next Tuesday around lunchtime - GMT +0800.