# # #
Harry, with Hermione walking beside him, walked back down the lengths of the tables. Once again, students stopped what they were doing and watched them.
Both walked past the Hat and approached the table on the opposite side from the staff. The staff watched them come.
Harry placed his hands on the edge of the table and leaned forward. Keeping his voice low, he said, "Acting Headmistress, when the feast is complete, the students are to remain here until the aurors come to collect them. They will be escorted, by the aurors, to each of their common rooms.
"Once the students have been escorted from the hall there will be a staff meeting, right here. You're all, quite clearly, shocked about what has happened. Even we didn't expect this to happen... yet. You deserve an explanation, so we will be giving it to you. At that time we will also be available to answer any questions you and your staff will have.
"For now, the aurors are in the process of going through the castle from top to bottom, including the dormitories. They are removing dark and dangerous items, and removing a couple of creatures that should not be in a castle full of children."
The Acting Headmistress went quite pale. And there were murmurings from some of the other staff.
Harry went on, "One of us will get back to you, to let you know how things are progressing. We will also inform you when the aurors are ready to start escorting the children to the dormitories. We want them out of harm's way."
"As for the meeting, tonight," said Hermione, frowning, "some of you are going to have some explaining to do. I suggest you start thinking of suitable excuses."
Harry was about to turn around and leave, when he suddenly thought of something. "Oh, and classes for tomorrow morning are cancelled. All students will be given a single class, here, in the Great Hall, at 9.00am. They, too, will be informed as to what is going on. Do you understand these instructions as they have been given to you?"
"Yes, Lord Slytherin," replied McGonagallfirmly.
Harry gave a sharp nod, and then he and Hermione strode back down the hall and back out into the Entry Hall. As they left, Harry could hear The Acting Headmistress beginning to make sure 'her' staff were aware of what she'd just been told.
Harry and Hermione joined the others. He said to the others and Amelia, "The staff have been told students will be escorted to their dormitories once the meal is completed, and it's safe for them to be moved. They've also been told there will be a staff meeting once the students have exited the Great Hall. We'll be holding it in the Hall, and you're more than welcome to join us, Madam Bones."
"Oh," replied Amelia firmly, "I think that's a given."
He said, "I'm also asking you to arrange for a Master Healer to be brought in. I want to know who, if any, of the Staff have been obliviated. And if they can tell who did it, when, and how bad it is."
Amelia looked back at Harry with a questioning look. "May I ask why?"
"Yes," he replied with a bit of cheeky smirk. "But I'll answer the question before you do, anyway. I believe they'll find members of the staff have been obliviated; especially, Healer Pomfrey and Acting Headmistress McGonagall."
"What?" blurted Amelia. She then physically regained control of herself before turning to one of her aurors in the Entry Hall. She said to the woman, "Go and get me a Master Healer. One who's skilled in dealing with people who've been illegally obliviated. Tell him or her they're needed on auror business and bring them directly here!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" replied the woman. Then she was gone.
Neville said to Harry, "You'll be interested to know the Cerberus - named 'Fluffy', by the way - and the Devil's Snare have been removed. There was also a couple of other 'puzzle traps' that looked like they were being set up, or had been set up. And there was a red, uncut crystal sitting on a stool at the end of the series. We think it's the Philosopher's Stone."
"'Fluffy' will be something to do with Rubeus Hagrid," said Amelia frowning. "I'll definitely be having words with him about that; and with Pomona Sprout about the Devil's Snare. I don't know what Dumbledore and the rest of the staff were playing at, but it looks like quite a few of them were involved."
As they were talking two aurors came down, with one of them holding an unconscious rat by the scruff of its neck.
"Oh, and two of my aurors found the Mirror of Erised in one of the old, unused, classrooms in the basement," said Amelia. "There was nothing stopping anyone from finding that. Any student could have walked in and been... ensnared... by it. It has now been secured by Unspeakables, who'll be taking it back to the Department of Mysteries."
Harry, looking toward the two aurors that now joined them, said to the assembled aurors and a couple of who he guessed were Unspeakables, "Anyone here know how to knock someone out of their animagus form?"
One of those stepped forward and said, "I do."
"Well, said Harry indicating the rat, "have at it."
The Unspeakable told the auror to place the rat on the ground and gestured for everyone to step back.
A quick incantation and shot with a wand, and Pettigrew, the original form of him, grew out of the rat. He was in a fetal position on the floor, still unconscious.
"That's Peter Pettigrew!" exclaimed one of the aurors.
Amelia looked grimly down at the little fat traitor and ordered, "'Cuff him with anti-animagus cuffs, take him back to the Ministry and stick him in a cell alongside Dumbledore. We'll deal with him tomorrow."
The two aurors who brought him down secured him, levitated him, and apparated with him out of Hogwarts.
"Neville," said Harry, turning to his friend, "You'd better ask Ron Weasley to join us for a few moments. Oh, and you'd better ask Percy Weasley to come, as well. He's both the oldest brother still here and is a Prefect."
Neville nodded, and disappeared back into the Great Hall.
Turning to the remaining three heirs, Amelia said, "The search through personal effects is moving quicker than I thought it would. However, there's a number of trunks that are warded and cannot be unlocked, so the owners of those will be taken through first and told to unlock them. Two aurors will be on hand to search each trunk when it's opened.
"Plus, we've found two dark arts items in the trunks of two of the students; both Seventh Year Slytherins. The items have been seized, and I'll want to speak with both students before they're allowed to leave the Hall."
Harry nodded and said, "Let me know who they are and I'll make sure they're held back. Anything else?"
Amelia hesitated before answering, but was interrupted before she could by the return of Neville and the two Weasleys.
Amelia turned her stern look upon Ron and asked, "Mister Weasley; how long have you had your pet rat?"
Startled, Ron hesitated a moment before saying, "Just the last few weeks. I got him off Percy when Percy got his owl."
"Mister Weasley?" she asked, turning to the older brother.
The older Weasley frowned and said, "I think it's been about... nine years, Ma'am. I can't remember where I got him from."
Amelia nodded and said to them, "Do not be alarmed, but we've now seized your... pet... and have taken it back to the DMLE. We thought you should know so you wouldn't be upset when you couldn't find it when you get to your dormitory."
"But, why?" asked Ron, somewhat plaintively.
Amelia's face softened a bit before she replied, "It's an auror matter, Mister Weasley. You will be notified 'why', in due course. For now, your pet is safe."
Looking to both, she said, "You may return to your meal, gentlemen. You are not to discuss with others what we have discussed here with you. It's for your protection. I'll be speaking with you two, and your twin brothers, about this probably tomorrow. For now, you are to stay silent. Understood?"
Ron nodded, while Percy replied, "Yes, Ma'am." And both re-entered the Great Hall. Both were quite clearly confused.
Turning back to the four heirs she said, "As for the search of other personal effects, so far there's been a number of... prank... items found. But, as there's nothing illegal about them, the aurors didn't remove them. Three students in Gryffindor seem to have the majority of prank items."
"Let me guess," replied Harry. "The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan."
A little surprised, Amelia said, "Got it in one!"
Harry sighed and said, "Well, as long as they're not harmful to themselves or other students it's just innocent fun. Leave them be."
Neville chuckled. "Those three are going to require careful watching," he said.
"Oh," said Harry. "Another thing. I believe the Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom, or the private rooms of the Professor for that classroom, are cursed. If you have any curse breakers, I'd love for them to have a bit of a look-see,when they get the chance."
Amelia asked, "What sort of curse?"
Harry replied, "The sort of curse that means no DADA Professor will stay for more than one school year. I'm pretty sure Tom Riddle put one on it when he applied for the position of DADA Professor and Dumbledore knocked him back."
Amelia nodded and said, "I've got just the man."
Once the personal effects, dormitories and common rooms of each of the Houses - plus, the routes to each - were searched, the way was now clear for students to be escorted back to their dorms. After the meal was completed, they were accompanied by two male and two female aurors each.
The students were to be taken to their common rooms and held there. Then the students with locked trunks would be individually taken to them and told to open them. Harry heard, later, that there was a fair bit of loud complaining from some of the students about the property search.
None of the students with locked trunks had anything they shouldn't have had. Unless you claim loads of chocolate in one as something they couldn't be allowed. The aurors left it all alone.
The two Seventh Year Slytherins were held back from leaving the Entry Hall. Harry, as their rightful Head of House, Amelia and a couple of her aurors took the two older boys aside and they were told to explain. One said it was an item his father had, and he just wanted to bring it to school to show his friends. The other refused to talk about it and claimed he was a minor and couldn't be asked questions like that.
"Bullshit, Mister Jones," Amelia firmly retorted. "You cannot be in seventh year and still be a minor. Or, did you forget you had a seventeenth birthday not that long ago?"
Both were taken back to the DMLE for further questioning, and for their guardians to be summoned.
Once the students were all dealt with the four heirs, Amelia and a couple of her aurors entered the Great Hall and walked towards the other end. Some of the staff were standing just behind the head table and chatting quietly, or were still sitting at the table and chatting.
As soon as the party entered the Hall, all the staff fell silent and watched them come.
While they were walking up, Susan said, "I think we should all sit at the Hufflepuff table. There'll be more room."
Hermione said, "That's a good idea." While Amelia, Harry and Neville nodded.
Towards the head end of the Hufflepuff table, Susan called towards the staff and said, "I think it would be best if you were joining us, here, Professors."
The staff hesitated a moment before walking around the head table and making their way over to sit on the benches at the Hufflepuff table. They spread themselves even between the two sides. Amelia sat with them.
The other three heirs stood with Harry at the head of the table. He pulled Susan's chair out of the way.
"Okay," he said. "First, I apologise that this has all hit you folks cold. What happened at the end of the sorting was not what was supposed to happen."
Susan said, "What was supposed to happen is, we'd be sorted as per normal. We'd then enjoy a year as normal First Year students. This would give us the time to enjoy being ordinary students for a year. At the end of the school year, at the Leaving Feast, we would... then... show ourselves for whom we truly were."
Hermione next said, "That would have given us the time to help you accept that the heirs of the four founders had finally returned to Hogwarts, to take up their roles. However, Lady Hogwarts was not prepared to wait."
"No," said Neville. "As soon as we crossed the wards on the other side of the lake, Lady Hogwarts attempted to hand us the wards immediately. We, through Lord Slytherin here, refused her."
"However," said Susan, once more taking the conversation, "That did not deter her from forcing us to take them through a different way. She couldn't say the four heirs had arrived, herself. So, she used the Sorting Hat to do it for her."
The Sorting Hat, from where it was still sitting on the stool before the head table, suddenly spoke up and said, "And it was my distinct pleasure to do so!"
Harry sighed back at the Hat and thought to the castle, 'Can you please make it go away?'
The Hat and stool disappeared.
Turning back to the Hufflepuff table he said, "That gets rid of the 'big mouth', for now."
Hermione said, "Lady Hogwarts was deeply concerned about the welfare of the students. It's her job to be. She had been notifying the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, of the problems of which she was aware... such as one of the Professors being possessed... but the Headmaster failed in his duties to immediately act."
"So she did," said Neville. "The arrival of the four heirs... us... gave her the opportunity to go over the Headmaster's head. But, she couldn't do it until we took up our titles, here, in the Great Hall. So, she forced the issue. And we had no choice but to go along with it."
Harry asked, "Before we continue, are there any questions on what has been explained to you, so far?"
Professor McGonagall coughed to clear her throat, and asked, "You're telling us that the castle is alive?"
"No," said Susan. "It's sentient. However, it came as a big shock to us, too."
"So, Potter," sneered Professor Snape. "We're supposed to let children dictate to us?"
Staring right back, Harry said, "Firstly; it's Lord Slytherin or, My Lord, as I am the Lord of your House. You will remember that. Secondly; no, Potions Master Snape, children will not be dictating to you. Magic and Law emancipated us. We four are adults and it will be fully recognised as such." Harry held up his right hand showing his Slytherin ring. "And it is your employers, who will be dictating to you.
"What this means is the following: We four own Hogwarts; the school, the castle, the grounds it sits upon for many miles around, and the town of Hogsmeade. And we own it outright, to the point it is effectively sovereign land and, by Her orders, we operate under the direct authority of Her Majesty, the Queen."
Hermione said, "That's to what Harry... sorry, Lord Slytherin... was referring when he instructed Headmaster Dumbledore to accompany the aurors or he'd be fired. We have that authority."
Professor Snape tried again to be surly. "And who gave you all this supposed authority?" he asked.
Neville replied, "Our authority comes direct from Her Majesty, the Queen, as per Royal Decree and Treaty of the 1st of January of the Year Ten Hundred. It was signed by the then King of England, King Kenneth the Third; and the then King of Scotland, King Ethelred the Second."
Susan took it up again, "By their authority the lands of Hogwarts was set aside for the four founders to run their school of magic. The four founders were given dual-recognised titles in both courts of the day. And it predates even the formation of the Wizengamot, by centuries. The Earl of Gryffindor, the Earl of Slytherin, the Countess of Hufflepuff and the Countess of Ravenclaw... for those unaware, a Countess is the same rank as an Earl... are recognised in both the magical and non-magical worlds."
Neville said, "That means only Her Majesty has authority over us. And also means, while you are here on Hogwarts land, we are your Lords and Ladies. And it is only Her Majesty who can overrule a decision we make or an action we take."
"However," said Harry. "We also understand all those 'Lord this' and 'Lady that' is just stupid. So, in classes... those we attend... we shall only be known just as any other student; Mister Potter, Mister Longbottom, Miss Bones or Miss Granger. We will also not interfere with the day-to-day running of the school. That's the Headmaster's, or Headmistress's, job."
Hermione said, "But, we will be, before too long, altering the curriculum of the school. It is our responsibility to do so. However, we will be seeking a great deal of input from the staff."
Professor McGonagall said, "But, you're only children; even if you have been emancipated!"
Susan said, "We recognise that students will not be comfortable coming to us with their problems. Especially, the older students. So, those of you who fulfilled our role for us as nominal heads of the Houses, you are welcome to remain and fulfil the roles of House Counsellors. The remit for the position remains the same."
Neville said, "The staff will handle the day-to-day running of the school, but we will run the Houses. We expect those who accept the positions as House Counsellors to take their proper position at meal times sitting in the chair at the foot of the table where the senior students, at least, can talk to you during meals." She indicated the chair that had appeared at the foot of the Hufflepuff table, "Such as that one down there."
Hermione said, "If you are going to be a part of a House, then you will sit with the House. We will be doing the same, at this end of the table," indicating the chair Harry had pulled out of the way. "This is so the students better understand we are approachable. We don't bite."
Harry said, "So, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout and Professor Snape; if you accept the positions of House Counsellors, you will be sitting at that end of the hall, during meal times." And he pointed to the other end of the tables.
"I will not!" snapped Professor Snape.
"In that case," said Harry firmly. "I thank you for your time acting as Head of House Slytherin. Your services, in that position, or in the position of House Counsellor, are no longer required. I shall be seeking a new House Counsellor for the students of my House."
"You're an arrogant child, Potter," snarled Professor Snape. "Just like your father!"
Harry shot back, coldly, "I will write off your comments, Professor, as those of a man in shock. You will hold your tongue if you are unable to use it in a civil manner. Should you fail to do so, you will be escorted from this room. Perhaps even from the castle. Dumbledore is not here to protect you from your own actions!"
Before another word could be said in anger, Neville said, "Acting Headmistress McGonagall. As of only a short time ago, you now are responsible for four positions within this castle; Acting Headmistress, Deputy Headmistress, Transfigurations Professor and the acting Head of House Gryffindor. I wish to retain you as House Counsellor for Gryffindor, but Lord Slytherin rightly informed me your current four roles is too excessive for one person to hold. I seek your counsel on what we are to do about it."
The woman auror sent off to collect a Master Healer came in and passed a note to Amelia. She read it, nodded to the woman, and placed the note in her pocket. Harry noticed it, knowing it's meaning.
Professor McGonagallthought about it for a few moments before saying, "I hope the position as Acting Headmistress is only for a short period. And I want to retain my role as... Counsellor of House Gryffindor. How soon do you need a decision?"
Amelia spoke for the first time, "I wouldn't bet your only being Headmistress is for a 'short time', Minerva. Mister Dumbledore is in a great deal of trouble with my office, at present."
Harry asked, "If I may offer a suggestion?"
Professor McGonagallhesitated a moment, but nodded.
"You're going to be quite busy filling the roles of Acting Headmistress and House Counsellor. I'd like for us four to make Professor Flitwick Acting Deputy Headmaster, and have a temporary teacher brought in to fulfil the role of Transfigurations Professor. Plus, we already need a new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor."
Professor Flitwick exclaimed, "Oh! I say!"
Hermione asked Harry, "You're thinking of Remus and Sirius?"
Harry nodded.
Frowning Professor McGonagallsaid, "I like it. But, how are you going to get Professor Flitwick approved by the School Board?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Susan. "I thought that would be obvious. The services of the School Board of Governors are no longer required. We make the decisions, remember? The Board has become... superfluous."
That got a few of the staff muttering and talking among themselves.
Professor Sinistra said, "They're not going to be happy hearing that. Some of those people consider their roles to be hereditary."
"Tough!" said Neville. "Their role was supposed to be as guardians of the school. And those roles only existed as the founders, or their heirs, were no longer available. However, over the years, that role has become... corrupted. Now they just 'approve' and 'disapprove' matters when they're not happy with decisions that were made by staff, especially the headmaster. We are the ultimate authority. Therefore, the Board has become... defunct."
"Plus," continued Harry, "as they're supposed to have been the guardians of the school, they're just as liable for the crap Madam Bones's people are currently dealing with, as is the Headmaster. I'm wondering how much wailing and gnashing of teeth they're going to be doing once that's brought to their attention."
Amelia snorted. "Thank you, Lord Slytherin," she said. "I was wondering how I was going to deal with them."
"So," said Harry, trying to get things back on track. "Remus as Transfigurations Professor and Sirius as DADA Professor?"
The other three nodded. He turned to McGonagalland asked, "Do you have a problem with me asking Remus Lupin to temporarily hold the fort as Transfigurations Professor, and Lord Black as DADA Professor?"
McGonagalljust shook her head.
"Great!" replied Harry. "I'll contact them both once we're finished here. They should be packed and here by tomorrow morning."
Harry then said, "I have nothing else for the staff to know, tonight." Turning to the other three he asked, "How about you folks?" He only had shaken heads.
Susan said to him, "They can always think about what questions they want to ask and ask them after we address the students at 9.00am tomorrow morning."
Harry nodded and said, "A most excellent suggestion." Turning to Amelia, he asked, "Madam Bones, I believe there's a matter you wish to raise?"
Amelia nodded and said, "A couple, actually, Lord Potter. But, first, I want the staff to follow me to the Infirmary. There's something there we need to take care of."
"Certainly, Madam Bones," he replied. Looking to the staff he said, "Well, folks, it looks like we're all going to the Infirmary. Come along, then, please."
He saw a number of frowns on faces as they all began to stand. Madam Pomfrey asked, "Is there someone hurt?"
Amelia replied, "We believe so, yes."
The staff, the four heirs and Amelia started to make their way from the Great Hall.
Madam Pomfrey said, "Then I must hurry!"
"No need," said Amelia, "It's non-life-threatening and it's being taken care of."
As they passed through the Entry Hall, Amelia was handed another note. She read it, frowned and put it in her pocket with the first one.
# # #
As they arrived in the Infirmary on the second floor, two aurors closed the doors behind them and took up guard positions.
Harry had the other three hang back with him. He whispered to them, "This is Madam Bones's thing. It's best if we stay out of it, okay?"
The other three nodded. They moved to stand on the other side of the room to watch.
While they were moving, an older wizard started speaking to the assembled staff. "I'm Master Healer Jenkins," he said. "I've been asked to examine each of you to detect if anything... magical... a magical attack has been made upon you."
"I don't think that's necessary," said McGonagall, with a frown. "I assure you, I have not!"
The other staff were also not happy about this.
"Then my passing a wand over you will not matter, then," he replied.
McGonagallfrowned even deeper. Then she sighed and said, "Very well!"
The Healer passed a wand over her. "Thank you. Please, go stand over there!" he said indicating a spot off to the left.
McGonagall, still frowning, walked a little apart to the left.
Madam Pomfrey then stepped forward and said, "You can do me, next."
The Healer passed a wand over her. "Thank you. Please, go stand over there with the Professor!" he said indicating looked at Amelia with a very grim look, before turning back to what he was doing.
He then moved through the staff slowly. Almost all staff were sent off to the right. Professors Snape and Hagrid were sent to stand with McGonagalland Pomfrey. Those four were the ones Harry figured would be the only ones. He just thanked God there weren't more.
Healer Jenkins then said to the others, "Thank you for your patience, you may go." Two aurors escorted them back out of the infirmary.
Turning to the four he said, "I now require you four to take one bed each."
"Sir, I assure you..." started McGonagall.
"No, Madam, you do not," said the Healer, matter-of-factly. "One to a bed, please. You have each been magically attacked. In fact, you've each been attacked at least once."
"What?" roared Snape. "Who would dare?!"
"That, Sir," said the Healer, "is what we're about to learn! Now, one to a bed. Please!"
He had them each lie on a bed, side by side and each separated by a transportable curtain. The heads of the beds were turned up so the patients were partly sitting up.
Harry and the other three came closer, to stand next to Amelia. However, they remained out of the Master Healer's way. There were two witches with him. Harry assumed them to be medi-witches.
Healer Jenkins started with the first patient, Acting Headmistress McGonagall. With his two medi-witches in support, he carefully made a scan of her head. He spent quite a while.
When he stopped, he said to her, "I'll be back."
Then he moved on to Madam Pomfrey on the next bed. Same check and he moved on to Snape, then Hagrid.
Then he came over to speak with Amelia. "May I speak with you in private?" he asked.
Amelia grimly shook her head and said, "These four remain. It is their staff you're examining. Now, what's going on?"
Healer Jenkins looked at the four heirs, hesitated a moment, and said, "All four have been obliviated in one form or another. Medi-witch Pomfrey has a significant hole in her memories going back about a decade, as does Mister Hagrid. Mister Snape's is more recent but it's more of a... attitude adjustment... than a memory obliviation. The worst is Missus McGonagall's. She has the same decade old obliviation, but she also has a number of others, with memory modification, over the course of the past same decade."
"And what can you do, Master Healer?" she asked.
"Very little, I'm afraid," he replied with a shake of his head and sigh.
'Damn it!' thought Harry. 'Well, bugger!'
"If I remove the blocks on their memories I'm likely to cause damage," said the Healer. "It may be irreparable."
"What's going on?" called Snape.
The old Healer turned to Snape and said, "I'll be with you in a moment, sir."
She asked, "Is the magical signature the same?"
He grimly nodded.
Harry said to Amelia, "Madam Bones?"
She looked at Harry and cocked an eyebrow.
Harry looked back grimly and said, "I'm... we're... going to need the people in this room to take a magical vow of silence. Then, I'll explain why."
Amelia frowned at Harry for a moment. Then, he could see she suddenly understood.
She turned to the two aurors who were still standing guard at the door. "You two," she called. "Stand outside and bar anyone entry. The rest of you, except the medical personnel, the four patients and the four heirs, leave the room immediately."
The two aurors plus a couple more that were inside, left the room.
After they were gone, she said softly to the four, "This doesn't include you four." Then, she said to the room, "I now require each of you to give a magically binding vow you will not discuss with anyone what's about to happen in this room over... for the rest of the evening!"
"Madam!" exclaimed the Healer. "I took an oath!"
"This will not impinge on your oath," she replied. "You're about to learn something I cannot allow anyone else to know."
"Very well," he grumped. He drew his wand and made the oath. All the others, including the four patients did the same.
"And what about these four?" the Healer asked, indicating the four heirs.
"They're the reason for your oath," she replied.
Harry said to the old Healer, "Tell them what's going on, Sir. And you may as well tell all four of them together, now."
The Master Healer frowned at Harry, but turned to his patient's. He said to them all, "My apologies for the delay. I regret to inform you, you have each been obliviated or mind-altered, at least once."
"What?" they all, except Hagrid, roared. Hagrid said, "I don' rememba tha' happ'nin'!"
The others all tried to ask questions or make demands at the same time. Harry just walked forward, raised his right hand and said, "Stop!"
They all quieted down. Snape glared at him, Hagrid was frowning in confusion, Pomfrey was in tears and McGonagall was displaying shock and anger. Pomfrey and Hagrid were lying back while Snape and McGonagallwere sitting right up.
Harry said, "Let the Master Healer finish what he has to say."
Healer Jenkins walked to stand between the feet of the beds of Pomfrey and Snape. "One of you has had their... attitude... adjusted using a combination of an Obliviate Curse and Legilimens attack. Two of you have been obliviated once, and the obliviation erased a significant portion of time back about a decade ago. The fourth person had the same obliviation but has also had multiple attacks since then."
He then sighed and said, "There's very little I can do for you. The damage is too old."
Harry stepped forward and said, "Now, I'm going to step you through when I believe it happened, and by whom. That is, if you can't figure the second part out for yourselves."
He headed over to stand at the foot of Hagrid's bed. "Hagrid. The night my parents died. Dumbledore told you my parents were dead and told you to go and get me from the cottage where they were staying. You collected me from the cottage nursery. Then you went downstairs. You jumped on Sirius Black's motorcycle and left. Where did you go?"
"Errr... Ummm... Harry... errr Lord Slytherin, sir... It... it's best not to speak o' such things..."
"Hagrid!" barked Harry. "You will speak of it. You were riding Sirius Black's flying motorcycle. Where did you go?"
"I... umm... came back 'ere to 'ogwarts."
"Then what happened?"
"Then... ummm... Perfessor Dumbledore, he 'ad me take you to another place."
"What place?"
"I... ummm... I don' remember."
"When you brought me back here. What happened when you arrived?"
"I... I took you to... I took you to that other place."
"You came here, and then immediately took me to that other place?"
"I must've."
Harry nodded and moved on to Madam Pomfrey.
"When Hagrid brought me back here, did you examine me?"
She replied, "I don't ever recall seeing you before this evening, Lord Slytherin."
Harry nodded and went to Professor McGonagall, who appeared to be in shock with what she'd just heard.
"That's not how you remember it, is it, Ma'am," said Harry.
"Definitely not!" she replied. "Hagrid brought you here the night your parents died. I know that. But he didn't deliver you to your aunt and uncle's place until the next evening."
"Were you here when Hagrid arrived?"
"Yes, I was just leaving. I headed for your aunt and uncle's place."
"So, you were at my aunt and uncle's place for the rest of that evening and through to the next evening?"
"Yes. I went there to check them out. I wanted to be sure it would be a safe place for you."
Harry nodded and asked, "And what was the weather like that day?"
"I... I... don't remember!"
"Okay, so you were there when Hagrid showed up. How did he arrive?"
"He arrived riding Sirius's motorcycle with you tucked inside his coat."
"And how did Dumbledore arrive? Did he arrive before or after Hagrid?"
"Before... and... I don't remember how he arrived."
"What happened next?"
"We left."
"So, I was still inside Hagrid's coat?"
"No, we must've left you behind, first."
"Do you remember it?"
"N…no."
"Have you ever considered going back to check on me?"
"Of course!"
"And did you?"
"I... I don't remember."
Harry nodded. He turned and looked back to the Master Healer. He said, "Now we know what was taken. The knowledge of their actions relating to me on the nights of the 31st of October and the 1st of November 1981. And the knowledge of either visiting me, or wanting to visit me, over the past near decade by Acting Headmistress McGonagall, here."
Harry walked over to stand at Professor Snape's bed. "Now, I'm pretty sure I know what's been altered in your attitude."
"What would you know of it, Potter?" the Professor snapped at him. "You're just an arrogant git, just like your father."
"That's what's been altered," replied Harry. "Your attitude towards me."
Stepping across to stand with the Master Healer, who was in shock himself, over what Harry had just done, Harry said to all four of them, "Here's what actually happened. Dumbledore had monitoring charms on the Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow. He saw them go off. Instead of contacting his Order of the Phoenix, and or the aurors, and letting them know the Potters were under attack, he summoned Hagrid to his office.
"He then sent Hagrid via, I think, portkey to the Potter Cottage to collect me. He knew my parents were dead and that I was still alive. Think about how he managed that. Hagrid arrived and found me in the Potter Cottage remains up in the nursery, alive but with an injury to my forehead. Hagrid carried me outside and found Sirius's motorcycle where Sirius had left it when he went off chasing Peter Pettigrew. Instead of risking another portkey with an injured infant, Hagrid stuffed me in his coat and took the motorcycle. He rode it back to here.
"It was sometime around then that Professor McGonagall, under Dumbledore's orders, left to go to Little Whinging in Surrey to check out the home of my aunt and uncle. Dumbledore had told her that was where he was going to place me. However, my mother had told her what her sister and husband were like. She stayed all night and through to the next evening in her animagus form of a tabby cat. She did not like what she saw.
"When Hagrid arrived at Hogwarts, because I was injured, he brought me directly to this very room. Madam Pomfrey examined me and found that I had a soul leech stuck in my head, attached to my wound," he said, indicating his scar.
There were quite a few exclamations of shock. The Master Healer immediately waved his wand over Harry's forehead. "There was definitely something there. But, it's gone now."
Harry nodded to the Healer and pressed on. "Madam Pomfrey wanted to take me immediately to Saint Mungo's. Dumbledore had arrived in the infirmary by that time and either then or later, probably later, hit Madam Pomfrey and Hagrid with an Obliviate Curse. I was kept here for about twenty-four hours.
"The next evening Dumbledore sent Hagrid with me, again, in his coat down to where my aunt and uncle lived in Surrey. Hagrid was riding the motorcycle so Dumbledore was able to bide his time. Later, Dumbledore arrived in Little Whinging through apparation and was met by Professor McGonagall. Hagrid arrived a few minutes later.
"Dumbledore then took me from Hagrid and placed me on the bloody doorstep - in the middle of the bloody night, in late Spring - and stuck a letter on my chest for my aunt and uncle. He didn't even bother to knock or ring the bell to let them know I was there. Then he, Professor McGonagall and Hagrid left. He, again, obliviated you both to my being delivered there."
Looking to McGonagall, he said, "And I believe he's also obliviated you whenever he found out you had visited, or were about to visit, the Dursleys to stop you from doing so and planting the suggestion you had, and that everything was okay."
Looking at Snape, he said, "And I think he's altered you to make you somewhat hostile towards me. He's able to do that by playing on your... dislike... for my father."
McGonagall was leaning forward with her head in her hands. It sounded like she was crying. Madam Pomfrey definitely was. She was weeping openly, as was Hagrid. Professor Snape was frowning away and muttering curses.
Harry allowed them a few moments to digest what he'd told them, and to come to terms with it.
Healer Jenkins said, "I wish I could do something for you all. The only thing I can do is offer you sedative potions. At least now, if Lord Slytherin is right, you all know what happened."
"Well, this is where the magically binding vow comes in," said Harry. "With the help of Susan, Neville and Hermione, I can recover a lot of those memories that were removed without harm to any of you."
"What?" asked the healer with a frown. "That's impossible!"
"No, sir, it is not." said Harry firmly. "What I need you to do is be ready to sedate each of the patients when I'm done. At the very least, they're going to come out of what I do to them, very dizzy. It may take them a while to... reabsorb... the memories."
Harry then turned to the other three heirs and said, "We'll start with Hagrid."
The four of them walked over to Hagrid's bed. Harry was standing the closest to Hagrid's head on the side opposite Snape.
"Okay, guys," he said. "Magical medicine. The Obliviate Undo charm."
The other three frowned for a couple of seconds before Harry could see they'd each found it.
Harry then drew his wand and looked down at Hagrid. "When I do this, a lot of images are going to flash through your mind, then sound and the other senses. It may take you a while to sort through it. Give yourself time and don't try to sit up, or you may fall out of bed. Okay?"
Hagrid looked a little afraid, but he said, "I trust yer, 'Arry!"
Harry smiled and nodded at the man.
"Okay, guys. I need your magical support," he said.
He raised his wand and said, "Obliviatus Obscura Revealus!" And tapped Hagrid lightly on the forehead with the tip of his wand.
They waited a few seconds while Hagrid's eyes darted about, not focussing on anything. He stiffed and shook a bit before he let out a cry and suddenly bursting into renewed tears. "Oh Merlin!" he cried. "What did we do to yer, 'Arry? What did we do?"
"It's okay, Hagrid," said Harry, patting him on the shoulder. "It was all Dumbledore."
Hagrid was still bawling as Harry and the other three left the side of the bed. The medi-witches then hit him with a sleeping draught.
The three heirs then approached Madam Pomfrey's bed. "Madam Pomfrey? Do you want us to do this?" asked Harry.
Madam Pomfrey grimaced but gave a firm nod.
"Okay, guys," he said. "Same again."
Harry still had his wand in his hand and gave the same explanation as he gave to Hagrid.
When he asked her if she wanted him to go through with it, Madam Pomfrey nodded again and closed her eyes.
Again, he raised his wand and said, "Obliviatus Obscura Revealus!" And tapped her lightly on the forehead.
A few seconds later she drew a deep breath and held it. Harry could see her eyes dancing about under her eyelids. "Aaaahh!" she cried. Then she shot up to a sitting position. Harry had hold of her by her shoulder as Neville stepped forward and grabbed her by the other. She swayed about and Harry forced her to lie back again. He held her down, this time.
Her eyes then shot open and she looked straight ahead. Tears started welling in her eyes again. "Oh, Merlin!" she sobbed.
Once Harry was sure she wasn't going to try and sit up again, he let her go. He and the others moved away from the bed.
Moving around to McGonagall'sbed, Harry said, "Acting Headmistress McGonagall, because you've had multiple obliviations across the past decade, your reaction is going to be quite stronger. Do you want me to do this?"
McGonagalllooked right back with fire in her eyes and said firmly, "Yes, Lord Slytherin, I do!"
Harry gave her the same explanation and asked her if she wanted him to continue.
"Yes, Lord Slytherin," she replied with a firm voice.
Once again, he raised his wand and said, "Obliviatus Obscura Revealus!" And tapped her lightly on the forehead as she closed her eyes.
McGonagall's reaction was almost immediate. She stiffened right up and let out a small cry. Her eyes were going crazy behind her eyelids. Harry reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. Neville did the same from the other side.
"Don't fight it, Minerva," said Harry. "Let it come. It will not harm you!"
Then she'd suddenly relax and let out an explosive whoosh of air, before stiffening up again and drawing a deep breath.
They stood that why for a while. McGonagallslowly relaxed and just laid there sobbing. Harry and the others moved away from the bed. The medi-witches then moved in to do their thing.
Once Harry was sure the three were going to be okay he went back over to Amelia. "They should probably rest for the night; especially Acting Headmistress McGonagall. They've got a lot to think about."
Amelia nodded.
After checking on Professor McGonagallhimself, the Master Healer came over. He asked, "What was that spell you used, My Lord? I must have it."
Harry replied, "Well, you can't tell anyone where you got it from; but, okay." Turning to Hermione he asked, "Can you step Master Healer Jenkins through the mechanics of the charm, 'Mione?"
She nodded and led the old Healer aside to instruct him.
Harry thought for a bit and then walked over to Professor Snape. He said, "I'm pretty sure I know what to do with you, Professor. But it's something I'd really rather not do."
"And just what do you think you could do, Potter?" sneered Snape. "I'm a Master Occlumens!"
Harry sighed and said, "Then you can go into your own mind and fix the bloody problem! However, the fact you're an Occlumens is really not going to matter one whit if I have to do something about it. And it's still Lord Slytherin! However, I now know your... sucky... attitude is not entirely your own fault. So, I'm going to cut you a bit of slack... for now."
He left the man spluttering and muttering.
Harry went to turn about before hesitating and turning back. "Remember this, though. If I really was anything like my father, you'd already be gone by now. I'm much more like my mother. Her eyes are not the only part of her within me I inherited." Then he walked away.
He rejoined Amelia and Master Healer Jenkins. He said to the Healer, "Professor Snape is going to be far more difficult. There's something I can do but it's going to be quite... rude... of me to do it. The man's a Master Occlumens, so I want to see if he can adjust his own attitude, first. Other than that, unless you need him for anything else, you should release him for now."
"Well, I can possibly recommend an Occlumens therapist that can help him find and repair the damage. But it's up to him," said the Healer.
"Offer it to him," said Harry. "It's up to him to take it or not. But, it'd be best if we leave the room. As the modification is based on me, I think my presence may influence his response."
The Healer nodded and went to talk to the Professor. Harry, the other heirs and Amelia headed out of the infirmary.
# # #
Back down at the Entry Hall, Amelia's aurors were finalising their search. The castle had been searched and they'd only found two more dark items. One was in the castle library and behind a locked case. Harry told her to leave it, if no one could get to it. And the other was in the owner's suites in the rooms allotted for Lord Slytherin.
That surprised Harry. He hadn't even thought where he, and the other three, would be sleeping that night. The idea there was owner's suites appealed to him.
However, they'd clearly not been able to search either the Room of Requirement or the Chamber of Secrets. That meant they hadn't found Rowena's diadem or the basilisk.
Amelia said, "Well, it looks like the castle is now clear, thank Merlin!"
Harry nodded and said, "That leaves just the grounds. But, that can wait until daylight and when there's more time."
Amelia looked askance at him and asked, "The grounds?"
"The Forbidden Forest," he replied. "I know there are a number of dangerous creatures in there. And we don't like them this close to the castle."
"What sort of dangerous creatures?" she carefully asked.
Instead of answering, Harry asked, "Do you really want to know, right now?"
"Yes, I think I had better," she replied with a sigh.
"Well, for one, there's a significant acromantulan nest somewhere in the middle of it. And there are hundreds of the buggers there. The largest, Aragog, has a body about the size of a small horse. With its legs spread, it would easily fill the floor of this Entry Hall. It's been there for almost fifty years."
"Oh, sweet Merlin!" she said, putting her face in her right hand.
"Something to deal with in the broad daylight, Amelia," said Harry firmly. "Oh, and leave the centaurs alone. I know they're considered dark creatures, but there's an unwritten treaty with them. They can live there, so long as they behave themselves. And, I don't want any creature that isn't harmful to children removed, either.
"But, as I said, something for the daylight hours. There's no rush."
"Alright, then we'll be back at about lunch time tomorrow, then," she said. She walked off to talk to her aurors muttering, "Acromantulans, hundreds of them, less than a mile from the castle. Why me?"
# # #
Just before Amelia and her aurors left for the night, Harry and the others sent the staff off to bed. They already knew the four still in the infirmary had been magically attacked, and that they were going to be alright. Harry told them he was quite sure they'd be down for breakfast, the next morning.
Then he told Amelia they'd leave the Entry Hall open as an apparation point, for now. There really wasn't any reason for one not to exist in the castle during a time of peace, anyway. But he'd definitely find a better place for it. One where it'd be out of the way and securable.
Susan called for an elf, and asked it to show them the way to the owner's suites. Harry thought she was really starting to assert herself. Hermione was also starting to take a firmer role in matters, but Neville was still lagging behind a little.
'Ah give them time, ya bully!' Harry thought. 'They'll get there, even Neville.'
When they walked in to their suites on the second floor, which were quite spacious, they found a common room with a large fireplace. The decor was quite antiquated, but Harry still considered it quite opulent. The set of suites led off it. There was each of the House crests on one of six doors leading out of the room. One of the doors was the set of fancy double doors through which they entered the room, there was one to each of the four houses, and a sixth one. The sixth led to a communal kitchen and some storage space; plus an individual toilet and wash-up area.
Harry entered his Slytherin suite. Again, very opulent but antiquated. He had a huge master bedroom, a private wash facility, a large walk in robe, and a private combined office library. He checked the bed and found it had freshly laundered sheets ready for him to climb into and sleep. His trunk was also in the room and his school uniforms were hung up ready. He also had a second set of the silk robes he was wearing, plus a set of student's robes with the Slytherin colours.
'Well, so much for buying those expensive bloody trunks for each of us,' he thought.
The library had all his books on the shelves, adding to the scrolls already there. He wondered if he'd even be able to read them, or they'd just crumble. His potions, potions ingredients and the three hundred plus copies of his 'auto' biography were still in the trunk.
He went back out into the common room to see how the others had found their rooms.
Hermione was already there. She said, "Harry, the rooms are gorgeous! And the bed is just so huuuuge! I've got my own office and bathroom, too!"
Harry smiled and said, "Same here. But, I don't know if I like the decor. For one, everything is just so old. For another, my room is mainly decorated in green."
"Oh, Harry," she said. "But the colour matches your eyes so well!"
Neville had walked in and only heard Harry's last comment and Hermione's reply. He snorted. "Ooohhh... Haaaarrrryyy!" he gushed in a little girl's voice. "You have such beautiful eyes!" And broke into laughter.
"Nev," said Harry ominously. "Have you ever wondered what the inside of a toilet waste pipe looks like?"
Hermione just harrumphed.
"Alright, we've got folks to call," said Harry. "I need to call Sirius and Remus, Hermione needs to call her folks, and Nev needs to call his grandmother. Let's be about it, then."
However, first things first, they needed to eat. None of them had eaten much of anything, except snacks, since breakfast that morning. The house elves brought them a large serving of fresh meats and fruit, plus tea and pumpkin juice. They ate while they talked on their mirrors.
Hermione's parents were quite shocked that their little girl had 'come out of the closet', so to speak. Neville's grandmother couldn't make up her mind whether to be joyous or upset, so settled for both in equal measure. One second she was congratulating him; the next, she wanted to berate Harry for getting her grandson into this. And Sirius and Remus were both happy for him, and the others.
However, Harry's next move came as a shock to both of them. "You heard me, Professors. We need you here tomorrow morning. 9.00am sharp, please. You may want to arrive earlier as you'll need to move your stuff in, first, and review the materials Quirrell and Professor McGonagallhad set for the term."
"Harry, please," begged his godfather. "Have a heart. I'm a humble man, newly released from Azkaban."
"Oh, sorry, Sirius," said Harry, voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Would you like me to book you back into Saint Mungo's for a bit of rehab? I'm sure your bed in room 49a is still available."
Sirius sighed and said, "That's low, Pup."
Harry said, "I really am sorry, Sirius; but I need you. You can't tell me you're not one of the best skilled defenders against the dark arts, there is, who isn't already an auror or an Unspeakable. Acting Headmistress McGonagallhas already given the nod for you to do it. Same with Remus."
"Alright, Prongslet," replied Sirius, surrendering. "We'll both be there in the morning."
"Thank you, Sirius," said Harry. "I knew I could count on you."
After disconnecting from Sirius and Remus, Harry heard Hermione reviewing what had happened for her parents. They had their heads together peering back into their own mirror. Seeing Harry peer over Hermione's shoulder, Dan asked, "So, your cover's blown, then?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry. "Myrrdin and I had no idea the castle was sentient. We should have thought of that, though. It makes sense, when you think about it. After all, the Sorting Hat is sentient, why wouldn't the castle be?"
Dan said, "Harry, there's an old army maxim. No plan survives much beyond first contact with the enemy. Then, it's in God's hands."
Harry replied, "Well, Sir, I hope Her Majesty understands that when I send her a report on what has happened via Sir David at MI5."
Harry," said Dan, gently, "she's the Queen. Of course she knows that."
Harry nodded and said, "Well, it's now publicly official, Sir. Your daughter is a Countess. Congratulations. I bet neither of you had these dreams for her."
Emma snorted. "We couldn't be happier, Harry."
Harry left Hermione to chat with her parents. Neville had already finished his call to his grandmother. And Susan had been waiting on everyone else, but had also talked with Neville's Gran.
He told them Sirius and Remus would be arriving the next morning to take up their new duties. Both of them were looking forward to seeing them in the castle. Even though it was only a little over a few, long, hours ago they'd seen them at Kings Cross Station.
Not too long after Hermione finished her call, all four of them sat together to draft the letter to the Governors notifying them they were, in effect, fired. Harry offered to go to the owlery to send out the notices.
"Before that, though," he said. "I want to clothe the elves similar to how I have them clothed at Potter Manor. Are there any objections?"
Three head shakes and Harry called for an elf. "You called an elf, Master Slyth'rin, Sir?" it asked.
"Yes," replied Harry. "I want to talk to the elf in charge of... what elves do what in Hogwarts."
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" the little elf said before popping away. A moment later, a new elf popped into place.
"So, you're in charge of the house elves, or just in charge of scheduling?" asked Harry.
"Both, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!"
Harry nodded and said, "Are the same elves tasked with the same jobs all the time? Or do you rotate them around?"
"All elves work together, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" replied the elf. "We knows what to do and gets it done."
Nodding again, Harry said, "Well, I don't like how the elves are forced to wear rags. I want that fixed. You know what my desires are by looking at me, yes?"
"Oh, yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!" And the elf was suddenly wearing black slacks, a white shirt, a black pseudo-sports jacket with the Hogwarts crest on the pocket of both jacket and shirt and black slip-on shoes. Harry thought it actually looked quite smart.
Looking up at the other heirs he asked, "Well, gang? What do you think?"
Nodding, Neville said, "I like it; fitting and functional."
Hermione and Susan agreed. But, Hermione added, "The girl elves can all wear knee length skirts of the same colour, though."
Looking at the now smartly dressed elf, Harry asked, "Are you under instructions to remain hidden from the denizens of the castle?"
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!"
"Well," said Harry, "when you need to be seen from now on, you may allow yourselves to be so, okay?"
"Yes, Master Slyth'rin, Sir!"
"Make sure the other elves also know of these changes," instructed Harry. "Off you go!"
Sighing, Harry said, "And that's me pooped for the night. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Harry," the other three replied; though, none of the other three left the room.
"When do we tell him?" asked Susan.
"Soon," replied Neville. "Leave him happy in his ignorance, for now."
"You know he's going to go mental, when we do tell him, don't you?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah," said Neville. "But, we'll make sure Sirius and Remus are nearby when we do. He can rant and rave all he likes; but, he won't be able to do anything about it, anyway."