Fed Up with Ravenclaw

by tew101

Summary:

After rescuing a first-year Ravenclaw from her housemates, Harry has had enough. He decides it's time to stop letting the adults who don't do their job get away with it. This leads to both problems and an improved environment for Hogwarts students.

Notes:

A one-shot I've been working on when I'm tired of Council of Thirteen.

Note that I rarely read comments.

23 Apr 2026: Finally updated after a proper spelling and grammar check

Harry slammed his way into Flitwick's office.

The small man just looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Potter, what has you so agitated?"

"You have fifteen minutes to explain to me why." Harry growled.

"Why what? And why fifteen minutes?"

"Why? You allow members of your house to bully, injure, and steal. As for fifteen minutes, that's when people I trust will be sending out letters to the ministry, Prophet, and the head of the Wick clan at Gringotts describing how you allow the thieves and bullies in your house free reign. Letters that will go out unless you convince me, right now, that you aren't the honorless bastard you've shown yourself to be."

Harry hoped the look of shock on Flitwick's face was because he wasn't aware rather than because he'd been caught. Not that ignorance was an excuse.

"Who?"

Harry snorted. "Like I'd give you names that you could use as hostages. If you want to know the victims and those responsible do your damn job and find out. I will tell you that there's an ex-Ravenclaw firstie in the hospital wing. I just barely managed to save her from one of your prefects and her friends. She'll never return to your house, so she's not your concern. Professor Sprout has accepted her into Hufflepuff and set a guard of upper year students to ensure her safety."

Flitwick just stared at Harry.

"Eleven minutes left. You certainly haven't done anything to convince me."

"Mr. Potter, I had no idea."

"Incompetence is not an acceptable excuse."

"Mr. Potter... I will swear an honor oath to look into this. Give me until lunch tomorrow and I will see this resolved."

Harry snorted again. "What makes you think I believe you have any honor."

Flitwick's eyes flared in anger and his wand appeared in his hand. He stared at Harry for a long moment. "Very well." He ground out and raised his wand. "I swear on my life and magic that I will investigate immediately. I will not try to find or stop those who would send out letters about me and I will do by best to report accurately to you on this matter by the end of lunch tomorrow." His wand flashed and he briefly glowed with a white light.

"Adequate for now." Harry said. He turned and sent out four patronus in quick succession. Only two were actually necessary, but he wasn't giving the charms master any more hints than absolutely necessary.

"A word of advice. Stay away from the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey and Hufflepuff house are not happy with you right now." Harry stalked out of the office without looking back. He needed to get back to the hospital wing and help guard a little girl who was fighting for her life.

* * *

Harry rarely came down to breakfast this early, particularly after a short night. Today he needed to eat and get back to the hospital wing to relieve Neville. The upper year Hufflepuffs could handle guarding Abbey from the Ravenclaw bullies. Guarding her from school officials or ministry toadies trying to protect those bullies could require using Harry's celebrity status or Neville's status as heir Longbottom.

Interesting that the only members of staff at the head table were Hagrid and Snape. Most of the teachers were early risers, excepting only Trellawney, Sinistra, and the Headmaster. Before he could finish his hurried breakfast Professor Vector strode in and stood at the Headmaster's usual spot.

"Excuse me everyone, I have important announcements to make."

She waited for quiet, which came quickly. Breakfast announcements were rare and tended to mean something big was going on. "First, there will be no classes today. It's likely there will be none tomorrow as well though I expect everyone to be ready for classes and to be here in the morning for further information." It looked like Snape was surprised by that announcement, interesting.

"Everyone is required to be here in the great hall by noon today for additional announcements. If you see Aurors in the hallway do not bother them and cooperate if they have any questions or instructions for you. A professor or Auror will be here in the great hall if you need anything. Please try to avoid idle speculation, you'll be given more information as we resolve the current problems."

With that the professor strode out of the hall with Snape quickly following her.

Harry grabbed a muffin and headed out himself. Having Aurors in the castle after his little discussion with Flitwick could be good or very, very bad. Time to get back to the hospital wing.

* * *

As he neared Poppy's domain Harry heard loud voices. Not good. He dropped the remains of his muffin and started running.

Umbridge and an Auror he didn't recognize were at the door of the hospital wing being blocked from entering by Madam Pomfrey and Neville. He slowed, hoping to sneak up behind the two possible attackers.

"I said get them out of the way!" Umbridge yelled at the Auror.

"Do it and you'll be lucky if my grandmother merely ruins your career." Neville ground out.

Yay Neville! The wrath of his grandmother was probably why Umbridge wasn't attacking them herself. Of course if they did get past Neville and Pomfrey the three Hufflepuff seventh years should be able to take them out.

"You aren't injured. You have no reason to be here. Leave now." Oh man, Pomfrey was seriously angry. Umbridge better hope she didn't need the healers services anytime soon.

Umbridge pulled her wand. "You're spineless Allenson, let me show you how to deal with something like this. Just take them out and a bit of obliviation is all you need."

Umbridge was stupid, telegraphing her plans like that. What is it with the evil ones, always talking about their plans? Well this had gone on long enough. Harry fired as powerful a stunner as he could at the ugly woman.

Maybe a bit too powerful. Umbridge flew forward, bouncing off the wall next to the hospital wing doors and fell, bleeding from a broken nose.

The auror spun around. Harry raised his hands above his head holding his wand between two fingers. "Sorry about that Auror." He called out. "She was acting out of character for a Hogwarts professor, I had to assume she was under the influence of some kind of compulsion or something."

Not bad for an off the cuff excuse, he'd have to remember that one. He wasn't worried about the Auror, he had his back to Neville who had his wand pointed at the man.

The Auror froze, seeing the boy-who-lived was the one who stunned the undersecretary. Then he relaxed and looked relieved. He lowered his wand.

"I didn't realize it myself Mr. Potter. I think you must be right. What Hogwarts professor would threaten the matron and a student like that?" The man grinned. "One of the downsides of being an Auror you tend to follow orders even when they don't make sense."

Harry put his wand away. "I'll bet the experienced ones don't. I know Mad-Eye wouldn't have assumed she was in her right mind."

The Auror snorted. "I'm not sure Mad-Eye is in his right mind, but I see your point. I'll think on it and maybe have a talk with some of the older Aurors. Might help me get promoted."

"Well let me know if you need my recommendation. You adapted to the situation very quickly once you had more information." Harry said. No harm in being diplomatic.

"I appreciate that Mr. Potter. Now what to do with Madam Umbridge?"

Neville obviously saw through the excuse they were building. "Well, we don't know how she was being controlled. If Madam Pomfrey can heal her injuries, Auror Allenson can put her somewhere secure until she can be tested for mind altering potions or spells."

Madam Pomfrey stepped to the downed woman and started waving her wand, quickly fixing her nose and removing the blood.

Allenson levitated the now healed Umbridge. "There are other Aurors in the castle at the moment. I'll take her to whoever is in charge of that group with the story and your recommendation. We'll likely need a statement from all of you at some point."

"No problem Auror, as soon as the situation with the injured first year is resolved, I'll be happy to give a statement."

As the Auror passed Harry he quietly said. "Keep your guard up."

"Will do." Harry said just as quietly.

Harry hurried forward. Neville put up an arm to stop him before he could enter the hospital wing. "All clear." He called out.

"Wands are down." Came an answering voice.

Neville dropped his arm. "Now we can enter."

Harry looked around as he entered. Two of the Hufflepuffs were standing up from behind cover. The third stayed hidden until Madam Pomfrey closed and locked the door. Someone here knew what they were doing. "Nice job guys, you could easily have handled them if they got past Neville and Madam Pomfrey."

"Neville's idea" Said a sandy haired Hufflepuff sixth year.

"How's Isabella doing?"

"She's recovering." Madam Pomfrey said. "She will have to stay here for at least a week."

Harry waved the Hufflepuffs over. "Let me tell you what I heard in the great hall and we can figure out how to handle it."

They decided Harry would go to lunch to represent the guards and Neville. Neville suggested they not trust the wards to tell Madam Pomfrey someone was approaching. Not only could the headmaster disable those wards, the poor healer was very short on sleep. Instead they recruited some older Gryffindors to act as guards outside the door two at a time . Neville told them to be Moody-level paranoid. Political lessons with his Gran seemed to have given him a head for intrigue.

They spent the remaining time until lunch watching over Isabella and turning away curious students. The Gryffindors had set up their rotations so at least one student of the two guards knew some first aid spells. They were able to take care of the few minor medical issues that came up.

Harry left a bit early for lunch. He wanted to stop by the kitchen and see if he could arrange some extra protection for Isabella.

* * *

Hermione had kept a place free, so Harry took that rather than trying to squeeze in somewhere else. The Ravenclaw table was completely empty. In fact the only Ravenclaw in the great hall was Luna, who had been staying in the Gryffindors dorms the last few days. She was sandwiched protectively between Ron and Lavender.

"How's Isabella?" Hermione asked in a whisper.

"It'll take a while but she'll be okay." Harry answered just as quietly.

"I still think you should have let the professors handle it, but I'm proud of you and Neville for protecting her."

Just before noon a group of subdued Ravenclaws streamed into the hall. A few moments later four aurors came in and stationed themselves around the room, quickly followed by most of the professors. The headmaster and Snape were both absent.

Professor Flitwick stepped up onto the head table and held his hands up for quiet. Once the murmuring died down he began speaking.

"Students of Hogwarts I have several announcements to make. First I must apologize. There were severe cases of bullying in my house, one of which was nearly fatal. It took some students standing up and giving me a metaphorical boot to the buttocks to have me properly investigate and put a stop to the problem."

"In the process several of age students have been arrested by the aurors and another student was expelled from Hogwarts. In addition Ravenclaw house is currently down to one prefect. My lack of action on this matter is inexcusable. I hereby resign my position as head of Ravenclaw."

That caused a stir. The tiny professor held his hands up again to quiet the crowd. "I have two more announcements. One is that I will still be meeting with Mr. Potter at the end of lunch as we arranged earlier. I would also like to introduce the new acting headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor Vector. Please give her your full attention for additional news and announcements."

Professor Vector stood. "I'd like to know if all students are in the great hall as was mentioned at breakfast."

Harry stood. "Professor, there are a number of students currently at or in the hospital wing. They asked me to represent them in this meeting. He listed off the names of the three Hufflepuff guards, two Gryffindor guards, Neville, and after a moment's hesitation added Isabella.

Professor Vector frowned, but Flitwick said something quietly to her and she nodded. "Very well Mr. Potter. Please ensure they are updated on everything that is happening here. Is there anyone else missing."

The prefects quickly reported all other students in attendance. Though Luna had to wave to let Padma, the only remaining Ravenclaw prefect, know she was in the hall.

"Very well. Aurors?"

One auror dashed out the main doors, another closed and locked them. A third auror moved to stand in front of the door used to bring first years into the room.

"First, I want to explain that during the investigation several staff members either resigned or were required to leave Hogwarts. These include Professors Dumbledore, Snape, and Umbridge as well as Mr. Filch."

There were a few ragged cheers and groans, Harry guessed they were mostly about losing Snape and Umbridge. He didn't think anyone really cared about Dumbledore, who most students never interacted with, or Filch who was just an annoyance. Once things quieted down the professor continued.

"In addition Professor McGonagall has resigned as head of Gryffindor house but will remain deputy headmistress. For the next few days an Auror will be stationed here in the great hall, please go to them with any problems that can't be handled by your prefects.

"Classes will resume Friday, though some may be modified or rescheduled. Please be sure to be here for breakfast no later than eight AM tomorrow morning for details."

Vector paused and looked over the crowd. "Mr. Moody, if you're ready."

Mad-Eye Moody suddenly appeared near the end of the Slytherin table. He immediately stunned one of the sixth year Slytherin boys Harry didn't know.

"That one has a nasty cursed object in his left pocket." He clumped over to the Hufflepuff table. "And this young lady is wearing a cursed ring though I don't think she knows it's cursed."

An Auror searched the Slytherin boy, while Moody talked to the girl for a bit and was given the ring she'd been wearing.

Vector spoke up. "Cursed objects are not allowed in Hogwarts except in very specific situations. Right now a team of Aurors supported by Unspeakables are searching every dorm room and trunk as allowed for in the Hogwarts Charter. They will only look for cursed items. Any other contraband will be ignored for now."

That caused some problems. Three more students were stunned, two Slytherins and one Gryffindor sixth year.

"There will be no more bullying in this school. There will be no more dangerous objects brought into Hogwarts. Any infraction of these rules will be punished, including involving law enforcement when needed."

Wow, Vector looked downright dangerous when she said that. There was no doubt she meant it.

"Now let's eat. Take a leisurely lunch, as no one will be let out of this room for at least an hour. Please serve lunch now."

Food appeared on the tables as usual. Harry ate quickly. He needed to meet with Flitwick and then talk to Vector about getting to the hospital wing. If he stayed the full hour Neville would organize a rescue party.

* * *

As Harry moved to the head table to talk to Flitwick, the small professor got up and gestured to a corner where they met.

"I want to thank you Mr. Potter. I had become complacent as head of house, assuming my prefects would inform me of any major problems. Though I have to say your approach could have been more diplomatic."

"Really?" Harry asked with some heat. He was still angry with the charms professor. "You either knew about it and let it happen, in which case you would have deserved everything I was prepared to do or you weren't doing your job and needed that 'kick in the buttocks' you mentioned. Remember that I had to duel three of your upper years to save the life of a little girl just an hour earlier. Honestly it was Neville who convinced me to give you a chance to explain."

A look of pain went over the small man's face. "It seems I own Mr. Longbottom. I should add here that I was going to resign as charms professor and leave Hogwarts until Vector talked me out of it."

Harry took a deep breath. "As upset as I am, I have to admit she was right. You're an excellent teacher and Hogwarts already lost a lot of staff. Now can you tell me what happened?"

Flitwick put up a privacy ward. "Keep it to yourself please, there are still active investigations going and Madam Bones is mad enough as it is."

Harry nodded. "Better give me the short version, I need to get to the hospital wing before the guards decide to come and get me."

"As you requested, demanded really, I investigated last night. I locked down the Ravenclaw dorms and called an all house meeting. I assume Miss Lovegood was somewhere safe last night?"

"She is an honored guest of the Gryffindor girls dorms and will stay there until those girls are convinced she's safe in Ravenclaw." Harry said flatly.

"Good enough. I used a very difficult truth spell on the prefects and got most of the details quickly. I became rather angry. Two of the girls who attacked Ms. Watkins are in DMLE holding cells. The youngest has been expelled. In addition one seventh year boy is a guest of the DMLE and is unlikely to return to Hogwarts. Several other students are on probation."

"When I contacted the DMLE Madam Bones brought a half dozen Aurors and most of the Hogwarts Board with her. Dumbledore tried to interfere, saying it was a Hogwarts matter and just some youthful indiscretions. Neither Madam Bones or the board were impressed with that and Dumbledore found himself without a job and kicked out of the castle. I think he's being held for questioning at the ministry, though I'm not certain."

"To keep this short Madam Bones, the professors, and the board started hashing things out while aurors began patrolling the castle. You heard the results of that meeting. I think Vector will be a decent headmistress and am happy Snape is gone. Umbridge insisted she couldn't be fired by that group as she was appointed by the Minister under some law that got pushed through. You seemed to have dealt with her this morning."

Harry couldn't help chuckling at the memory of the hated professor bouncing off the wall. "Neville, Madam Pomfrey and I took care of her with some help from the Auror she'd grabbed to help her."

"When we have more time, we should swap stories. It's just a rumor now but I heard Umbridge ended up in Saint Mungo's in the violent patient ward. She's being examined by mind healers."

"Yeah, let's swap stories later. I need to get to the hospital wing."

* * *

Flitwick helped convince Vector and the aurors to let him leave the great hall. As he neared the hospital wing he heard loud swearing.

Crap, not again.

He ran as quietly as he could and saw an Auror examining one of the two Gryffindors laying on the ground.

"Stand up slowly." Harry said.

The auror was the one Umbridge had called Allenson. "I found them this way Mr. Potter. They appear to be stunned but I've been unable to wake them."

The auror had done a good job with Umbridge, he'd have to trust him for now. "Have you checked the hospital wing?"

"Not yet, I've been here less than a minute."

"Please stand back and give me some cover. I've got to check on Isabella and the guards."

"I shouldn't let you be the one to enter a dangerous situation." He said uncertainly.

"Well folks are less likely to throw spells at the boy-who-lived than a random auror, besides it's a duty I've taken on and I have to do it."

The auror stepped back. "Works for me."

Harry listened at the door. Nothing. He pulled open the door and dived into the room, then rolled to the right. Still nothing. He popped his head up. The room was a mess.

Neville was down. A Hufflepuff seventh year was on the floor and covered in blood while another was unconscious and leaning against Pomfrey's office door. An older man Harry didn't recognize was sprawled where Isabella's bed used to be. A younger man next to the bloody Hufflepuff was holding a bleeding leg and moving slowly toward a wand lying on the floor.

Isabella, the bed she was in, Madam Pomfrey, and one of the Hufflepuffs was missing.

Harry stunned the still conscious injured man. Maybe not a good idea, as he started bleeding badly when his hand slid off his leg.

Harry called the auror to come in and repeatedly used one of the few first aid spells he knew to close the leg wound. He then switched to the bloody Hufflepuff. He had a bunch of shallow cuts on his chest which were still bleeding. The first aid spells worked better on the shallow cuts. He wanted to give the boy a blood replenishing potion. He had seen Pomfrey use a spell to give blood potions to unconscious patients, but had no idea how.

"Longbottom and the female Hufflepuff seem to be stunned like the two outside. The reviving spell isn't working." Auror Allenson called out.

"Can you keep an eye on this one, he's lost a lot of blood. I stunned the man, he shouldn't be here." Harry called out. "I need to find out what happened."

"Crunchy!" Harry called one of the elves he'd talked to earlier. After a few seconds of no response he frowned and tried again. "Jeeves!"

The elderly elf that ran the kitchen popped in. "Harry Potter sirs calls?"

"What happened here?" Harry asked.

"Crunchy be watching like sirs ask. Three mens come in and shoot many spells. Crunchy take hurting girl and healer to safe place like sirs ask. One guard girl is sitting next to hurting girl so she goes too." The elf said quickly.

Harry relaxed. "Thank you Jeeves and thank Crunchy for me as well. Please keep them safe for now and don't tell anyone where they are. It should be safe for an elf to collect any potions or equipment Madam Pomfrey needs."

Allenson started swearing again. "Potter, the injured man is Fawley, a junior auror. I think he's related to one of the Ravenclaws that was arrested."

"Damn. Jeeves, would you please find the headmistress and Madam Bones and tell them to get their asses to the hospital wing ASAP." Harry said.

"Jeeves do." The little elf said with a grin and popped away.

"He looked way too happy to take that message." Allenson pointed out.

Harry sighed. "Yeah, not sure what that's all about. House elves can be devious sometimes."

* * *

Madam Bones stomped into the hospital wing followed closely by Vector and an auror Harry didn't recognize. He lowered his wand to point at the floor but didn't put it away.

"Allenson, report!" The DMLE head snapped.

Allenson stood straight and gave a terse description of what had happened. Finishing with describing how they'd moved the unconscious people to hospital beds and restrained the unconscious auror Jenkins and the older man. He didn't say anything about the elves.

"Do you know where Madam Pomfrey and the injured first year are?" Madam Bones asked.

"Her name is Isabella Watkins." Harry said before Allenson could answer. "You should know that by now."

Madam Bones focused her gaze on Harry. "Well Mr. Potter, our asses are here. Why don't you tell us what's going on?"

"Stupid elf pranks." Harry muttered. "Auror Allenson covered it. I will only add that a backup plan was used to get Madam Pomfrey, Isabella, and one of the student guards to safety."

"Poppy is safe then?" Professor Vector asked.

"Yes." Harry answered simply.

Madam Bones continued to glower at him. "And where are they?"

"Somewhere safe." Harry replied curtly.

"And where is that?" Madam Bones snapped.

"I don't know, but if I did I wouldn't tell you." Harry snapped back.

"That's not good enough, I need to know."

"Sucks to be you then." Harry replied.

Madam Bones's face turned red. "Auror Allenson, arrest Mr. Potter for interfering with an investigation."

Auror Allenson managed to stand even straighter. "I'm sorry Madam Bones, I'm unable to follow that order at this time. Standing order fourteen requires that I verify an order given by a superior whose judgement is obviously compromised. No one in my chain of command is available to verify the order."

"Allenson!" Madam Bones started before the auror standing behind her broke in.

"He's right Madam Bones. Mr. Potter plainly stated that he did not know the location of the girl. You have no reason to have him arrested other than his being disrespectful. If that's become a crime most of the department should be in prison."

"I suggest you head back to the ministry." The auror continued when Madam Bones turned to glare at him. "Think of the fun waiting for you with the minister bleating about Umbridge being held at Saint Mungo."

The DMLE director's shoulders slumped. "Get a master auror up here." She said before stamping out of the room.

The auror waited until Madam Bones was out of earshot before telling Auror Allenson he'd done the right thing and apologizing to Harry for his boss's behavior.

"I agree." Professor Vector said. "Though Mr. Potter could have been more polite."

"No I couldn't." Harry growled. "I'm through begging for adults to do their damn jobs. I'll be polite once they deserve respect. Speaking of which, Auror Allenson thank you. That must have been difficult."

"Mr. Potter." The older auror said. "I'm auror David Davidson. We'll need a statement from you eventually. In the meantime this is a crime scene, if everyone would leave, I'll fetch a master auror to begin an investigation."

Harry headed out the door, he had things to do. As he passed Auror Davidson he said. "Better tell them to figure out how to revive the students. Madam Longbottom will want to talk to her grandson soon."

* * *

Harry was halfway to the kitchens before Professor Vector caught up to him. "Mr. Potter, a moment if you please."

Harry stopped and turned around. "What can I do for you professor? I'm sorry, it's headmistress now, isn't it."

"Professor is fine." Vector said breathlessly. "Odd as it may sound, I'd like to ask for your advice. This headmistress thing is unexpected and new. You seem to have an idea of what should be done, any suggestions?"

Harry thought for a moment. "Well, first priority would be to make sure things are under control. The Gryffindor prefects are used to handling things without help and Hufflepuff should be good. Slytherin lost Snape, so someone should check on them. The big problem will be Ravenclaw, they have no head and only one prefect. Maybe send the head boy and girl there?

"Oh, and you need to find some way for an injured student to be taken care of. The hospital wing is closed and Madam Pomfrey is tied up with Isabella for now. Honestly Pomfrey needs some rest anyway."

Vector's eyes widened. "Yes, I should have realized."

"Medium term you're down professors for DADA and Potions. You might be able to snag an Auror to fill in for DADA or you could contact Remus Lupin to see if he'll come back. I have no clue regarding potions." Harry continued.

"Long term the bullying has to stop. You need a real teacher for history and there's the whole budget and other paperwork stuff." Harry added. "Come to think of it, I wonder if someone is using this to get back at you for something, it doesn't sound like a great time to take over as headmistress."

"Thank you Mr. Potter." The new headmistress said thoughtfully. "Your insights have been very helpful."

Harry patted her on the shoulder. "Ask for help and advice professor. No one will expect you to handle it all on your own."

She nodded. "You're correct. In fact you could help by letting me know if Gryffindor needs attention."

"I can do that."

* * *

Harry entered the kitchens and was swarmed with house elves offering him snacks and drinks. He thanked them and accepted an apple. He then asked if he could speak with Jeeves. The head kitchen elf chased off the other elves and asked Harry what he needed.

"Well, first of all, I wanted to call you a sneaky little bastard for the way you told Madam Bones I needed to see her. My father would have loved the prank." Harry said with a smile to let the elf know he wasn't really angry.

"Jeeves just repeat message Mr. Potters give him." The elf said innocently.

"Yeah, what's it called when you purposely do what you're told rather than what was meant?"

"Jeeves hear it be called malicious compliance." The elf said. "Jeeves be good at it."

"Great." Harry drawled. "Anyway, I also wanted to ask about Isabella, Madam Pomfrey, and the Hufflepuff girl that's with them, Sophia I think."

"Healer lady be sleeping. Hufflepuff girl be watching Isabella, she say she be staying until it be safe to go back to hospitals. Isabella be not awake yet. Crunchy will let Jeeves know if there be change."

"Thank you Jeeves, and thank Crunchy for me. If you need me for anything just let me know."

"Jeeves will. You listen only to Jeeves or Crunchy. Most other elves do what professors tell them even when it not be smart."

Harry headed to the Hufflepuff dorms and told a prefect about the situation. He didn't know what they'd do if they couldn't find Sophia and didn't want to find out. Hufflepuff loyalty could be scary.

The next stop was the Gryffindor common room. He told those present what had happened, then watched Ron try playing multiple games of chess at the same time. He spent some time watching Hermione who had a circle of first years around her who were asking questions and doing homework. He let her know he was going to take a nap and asked her to make sure he was awake for dinner. She just nodded while answering a question about transfiguration.

When he dropped onto his bed he was asleep in seconds.

* * *

A house elf he didn't know woke him. "Mr. Potters sir must wake. Healer needs you."

Harry sat up and looked around. Four in the afternoon, so he'd only slept for a bit over an hour.

"Thank you. Where should I go?"

"Hospitals." The elf said, then popped away.

Remembering what Jeeves said he called for him and told what had just happened. The kitchen elf frowned and told him to get ready but not to leave until he checked what was going on.

Harry had washed up a bit and changed into clean clothes when Jeeves popped back into the room. "It be safe. Elf was healers elf, not Hogwarts elf. Healers want yous help."

"Thanks Jeeves. I'll go now."

He hurried to the hospital wing, which had Auror Allenson and another auror standing by the entrance. Allenson waved him in.

Neville and the four stunned students who'd been acting as guards were lined up on one side of the hospital wing. The two men were gone. A man in healer robes and the elf that had woken him up were examining Neville.

"Excuse me, your elf asked me to see you?"

The healer turned to him. "Yes Mr. Potter. These students have been stunned with a family-specific stunning spell and they can't be woken by any normal charm or potion. I believe they'll wake on their own in a day or two. I think a very powerful reviving spell may work but I don't have sufficient magical power."

Harry was confused, not sure what this had to do with him.

The healer must have noticed his confusion. "With Albus Dumbledore unavailable and Professor McGonagall indisposed, I contact Professor Flitwick. He told me you were the most powerful magical available. I admit I'm a bit skeptical that a fifth-year student holds that distinction but it seemed worth the attempt."

Okay, that was unexpected. He wondered if this was Flitwick's way of getting back at him. "I'm skeptical myself, but I'm willing to try."

"You know the reviving spell and how to build up your magic before casting?" The healer asked.

"Sure, that's pretty basic." Harry answered.

"Please do Mr. Longbottom first. The aurors are having trouble keeping his grandmother out of the wing."

Harry took out his wand and let his magic build up. After a bit the little elf yelp that that was enough magic and he cast with a murmured "rennervate".

Neville's body jerked and he sat up with wide eyes. "What! Harry, we were attacked by the Fawleys! Where's Isabella?"

"She's okay Neville. I set up a fallback plan and it worked. She, Madam Pomfrey, and Sophia are somewhere safe. I don't actually know where they are but can contact them if needed."

Neville relaxed. "Thanks Harry."

Harry patted Neville on the shoulder. "Let the healer check you out while I help wake the others. We need to talk, I want to hear about these Fawleys."

Harry woke the two Hufflepuffs first and at the healer's insistence rested for a few minutes before waking the Gryffindors. He and Neville didn't get a chance to talk as the aurors wanted to interview him regarding the attack. Harry stayed just outside the wing with Auror Allenson. He had a bad feeling about this whole thing. The attack was odd, how did they get here without the aurors or professors knowing? Maybe Vector wasn't used to the wards yet.

Once Neville was released he told Harry the basics of the attack as they walked to the great hall. "Three men broke into the hospital wing. I recognized heir Fawley and his son from some of the events Gran dragged me to. I think his daughter was one of the people you had to fight off to save Isabella. The third man looked like a relative of theirs but I hadn't seen him before.

"We fought them. Partway through Isabella's bed disappeared with her and Sophia. Then Madam Pomfrey vanished. Heir Fawley, I think his name is Bernard, was injured by one of my piercing hexes. He pulled out a piece of rope and portkeyed out. After that I was stunned."

Harry filled him in on what happened when he showed up. He apologized for not showing up sooner. He might have been able to stop the whole thing if he'd been just a minute or two faster. Neville rolled his eyes at his apology and told him he'd done more than enough.

They paused outside the great hall. "Hey Neville, I thought only the headmaster could make portkeys that worked in Hogwarts." Harry said.

"Yeah, that's what I thought too." Neville answered grimly.

* * *

They didn't get a chance to talk after that. Neville's gran was sitting at the end of the Slytherin table with a group of adults. When she saw them she jumped up and hugged Neville, then dragged him over to the adult group. Harry waved at them and looked around. It was too early for the dinner crowd, though with no classes many students were there. Hermione was sitting with some second years at the Gryffindor table. Based on their books and parchment it was a study session.

He looked around hoping to find Vector to ask about the portkey. No luck, though he did spot an older auror who locked eyes with him and waved him over.

The auror wanted a statement regarding the initial attack on Isabella, which Harry was more than happy to give. He asked to see Harry's wand and did a check on his recent spells. They really should have done that earlier, the auror had to use an enhanced version of the spell to read back further than twenty spells. The spells shown for the fight with the Ravenclaws fit his description, just stunners followed by some of his limited repertoire of healing to stabilize Isabella long enough to make it to the hospital wing.

"No mobilicorpus or levitation spell?" The auror asked suspiciously. "How did you transport the girl to hospital?"

Harry snorted. "Picked her up and ran. That was faster than trying to navigate her while floating along. If I'd been thinking clearly I would have called for a Hogwarts house elf to move her."

"You ran from the third floor to the hospital wing carrying someone?" The auror still sounded suspicious.

"Sure, Isabella is tiny and I'm a fast runner. I did get lucky and ran into Neville Longbottom. He carried her the last bit." Harry answered. "And I think that's the last question I'm answering if you continue to sound like you're accusing me of something."

The auror blinked at that. "Sorry about that Mr. Potter, I'm not accusing you or thinking of accusing you, it's just professional paranoia. Your story fits the evidence we've found except for the injuries on the young ladies accused of attacking Miss Watkins. Your story just wasn't what I expected, not many students could have carried even a small first year all the way to the hospital wing much less at a run."

Harry wasn't convinced but answered the unasked questions. "I may have been a bit enthusiastic with those stunners, I think one of the girls flew fairly far down the hall. As for running with Isabella, well most wizards aren't interested in exercise. Between quidditch training and being muggle raised I'm in better shape than most Hogwarts students."

The auror wrote in his notebook. "Very well Mr. Potter. We may need to talk to you regarding the incident in the hospital wing. That's being handled by a different team."

The auror put his notebook away and looked around before leaning over and whispering. "Watch your back Potter, something's going on."

That was the second such warning he'd gotten. Time to think like Moody. "Constant vigilance, got it." He whispered back.

He spun around, keeping his eyes open for any problems. To be properly paranoid he needed someone he trusted to keep an eye on anyone sneaking up behind him. Ron would do if he wasn't distracted by food or looking at girls. Neville would be good but he was still sitting next to his grandmother and surrounded by people Harry didn't know. Hermione it was. He moved to sit across from her, politely asking a second year boy if he could move down, as he needed to ask Hermione for a favor.

"Sorry to interrupt everyone, but it seems my life is getting weird again and I need Hermione's help." He told the group.

"Should we leave?" A girl sitting next to Hermione asked.

"Up to you." He shifted his attention to Hermione. "I've been told by two different aurors to watch my back. I was hoping you'd ensure no one unexpected comes up behind me while we're eating."

Hermione sighed. "I know you too well to think they're wrong." She shifted her wand from it's place as an impromptu book mark to her sleeve. "Okay, while you're here you can help explain some charms concepts this group is having trouble with."

"Sure." It wouldn't be the first time he'd had to translate from Hermione-speak to non-genius speak.

"Why do you need a flick at the end of the levitation charm?" The boy who'd moved over to give him space asked.

Harry glanced at Hermione. That was simple enough, why... "Let me guess, you tried to explain it using arithmancy concepts."

"Well, yes." Hermione admitted.

"Okay. So Hermione's explanation was correct but not what Flitwick will be looking for. Until you study arithmancy you can often guess the purpose of wand movements by thinking about other spells that use the same movement and build up a set of rough rules that work most of the time. Flitwick is probably trying to get you to think about that."

"Oh. Said the girl sitting on his other side. So let me see..."

Harry tried to help by rattling off a half dozen spells they probably knew that used that motion, easy to do since it was used a lot. "What do they have in common?"

"They're all cast on some distant object!" The girl exclaimed happily.

"Yup." Harry said. "A trick if you're in a hurry or distracted, if you flick toward the object you don't have to concentrate as hard on it."

Hermione frowned. "Professor Flitwick doesn't do that when he's demonstrating a spell. He flicks in the direction of the previous motion or upwards if it's the only motion.

Trust Hermione to remember that level of detail. The second years were all looking at Harry now. He grinned, he hadn't realized Hermione hadn't caught this. "There are situations where you don't want to use the flick toward your target trick and in particular why Professor Flitwick wouldn't want to do so."

That brought blank stares, even from Hermione. "Or I should say why Master Duelist Flitwick wouldn't want to do so."

Hermione's mouth formed and oh as she realized what he meant. She was kind enough not to blurt it out.

"I don't get it." Said the boy next to him.

"Your opponent could watch which direction you flick your wand and see what you're aiming at." Harry explained. "That's probably not a big deal for students or amateur duelists but for international champions like Professor Flitwick it could make a big difference."

"Oh!" The boy said.

"Well I think that should be enough material for your charms essay." Hermione said to the group. "What else do you have coming up?"

The group of second years looked at each other. "Umm..." The boy next to Harry said hesitantly. "We have to write this up, and there are a few chapters to read, but I think that's it for the next week."

All the second years except the girl next to Hermione packed up and ran off, probably to put their books away and have a bit of free time before dinner. The remaining second year, Heather something, started talking quietly with Hermione. Harry heard just enough to realize they were discussing a romance novel. He tried to ignore the discussion and notch up his awareness. He'd let his paranoia slip while talking to the younger students. Constant vigilance!

That's when Hermione's eyes widened as she lifted her wand to cast.

Harry turned just in time to see a spell splash against the shield Hermione must have cast. A fit gray haired man, Madam Bones, and Dumbledore were standing just inside the side entrance to the great hall. The unknown gray haired man had his wand out and was likely the source of the spell. The wand was now pointing up, possibly due to Madam Bones yelling at him from two feet away or maybe because Professor Flitwick had his wand jammed into the man's back.

"Just a stinging hex to get his attention." The man was saying.

Harry stood slowly and calmly. This was likely the thing he'd been warned about.

"And you were unable to call out Harry Potter's name Lord Fawley?" Neville said from behind Harry. "I thought better of your manners."

"I am not here for petty banter." The old man said angrily. "For attacking and slandering my granddaughter I challenge Harry Potter to a duel to the death."

* * *

There was a lot of shouting after that. Neville and Madam Longbottom came and stood next to him. He appreciated the support. He also appreciated Hermione facing away from the arguments to watch for attacks from behind while everyone was distracted.

The results of the argument seemed to be (1) Lord Fawley wanted him dead. (2) You could not challenge children. (3) Harry was not technically a child since he'd been forced into a tournament for adult wizards and (4) Lord Fawley REALLY wanted him dead. (5) It sure would have been nice to know about (3) before it was used to try to kill him.

Neville and his grandmother added commentary. He could refuse the challenge but would lose all credibility in the magical world. Madam Longbottom thought Lord Fawley was trying to keep Harry from testifying against his granddaughter. With only Isabella's word and circumstantial evidence she'd never be convicted. He might even sue to get a chunk of the Potter's wealth for his supposedly unprovoked attack on his granddaughter. With Harry dead or discredited he'd have no trouble winning.

It was Neville who whispered that Dumbledore, who seemed to support Lord Fawley, could have made the portkey used to escape from the hospital wing. He could have had one pre-made or had made it just before he was removed as headmaster.

Eventually Madam Bones and Professor Vector allowed Lord Fawley to approach Harry. "I will repeat my challenge." The man sneered.

Before he could continue Harry spoke up. "No need Fawley. I accept. Tomorrow morning, at the quidditch pitch."

"Acceptable." The man spat. "Albus Dumbledore is my second."

"I will act as Mr. Potter's second." Madam Longbottom said. "If you somehow survive dueling the boy-who-lived you will find yourself facing my wand for your family's attack on my grandson."

The man's eyes widened briefly, then he spun around and stalked out of the room.

Madam Longbottom walked up to Dumbledore and slapped him across the face. "You are scum. Don't try to tell me you didn't talk Fawley into this. Now name what you think are appropriate terms for this farce."

"Go gran." Neville muttered.

After a tense five minute talk with Dumbledore she returned to Harry and Neville. "The bastard wouldn't budge much." She said. "Ten in the morning. International standard rules. Fight until one side is unable to continue. Winner may give the loser mercy but the winner is then owed a boon. Dumbledore hinted Fawley would probably ask for you not to testify against his granddaughter."

"International standard rules?" Harry asked.

"Mostly it's set up of the dueling area and protection for witnesses. I'll get that taken care of. No unforgivables or a few other nasty curses I doubt you know. Time limit of thirty minutes. No potions for twelve hours before the duel." Madam Longbottom said in a distracted tone.

"I'm sorry Neville." She added. "I have things to do now. Will you make sure Mr. Potter is ready and at the pitch fifteen minutes before the start?"

"Sure gran, I can do that."

* * *

That evening Harry had a short but intense briefing on the upcoming duel. Hermione ran to the library to look up the international standard rules. Neville told him what he knew about Lord Albert Fawley and Flitwick came to the Gryffindor common room to share some tips.

The rules weren't difficult. Mostly it was anything goes except for the unforgivables and six specific spells that Harry didn't know. The punishment for using one of those spells in a duel to the death was to be immediately killed by the referee. One interesting rule was that if the duel lasted more than thirty minutes it was declared a tie.

Flitwick's suggestions were based on what he'd seen when Fawley was on the dueling circuit. He was a well-known amateur duelist who put his opponents down quick and hard. Flitwick only knew of Fawley participating in one duel to the death in the past. He was mostly a shielder, meaning he used only minimal dodging. He also focused on charms and curses, rarely using transfiguration.

After listening to Flitwick he asked Hermione to teach him the bird conjuring spell, probably the simplest animated conjuration. The birds were small and mostly harmless and could only be given a single command or purpose when they were initially conjured. Harry thought it might be an easy way to distract Fawley.

He stayed up later than he should talking over strategies and tactics with his roommates. Honestly that was mostly joking around, seeing who could come up with the craziest ideas. He went to sleep having worked out several reasonable strategies and a large number of unreasonable ones.

* * *

Neville woke Harry fairly late, giving him time to dress and get a bit of breakfast before returning to his dorm to properly prepare. Madam Longbottom had provided a dueling robe that fit pretty well. Once he was dressed they still had time to stroll to the pitch, the grassy base of which was now dominated by a wooden dueling stage. Madam Longbottom and Flitwick were standing near the stage talking to a man in a light blue robe.

"The blue robed guy is the referee." Neville told Harry. "When I picked up the robe from Gran early this morning she mentioned that they brought in a professional referee."

Harry was introduced to the referee, a Mr. Moretti from Italy who spoke excellent English. He and Flitwick mostly talked about previous dueling matches.

Shortly before ten Fawley strode onto the pitch accompanied by Dumbledore.

Harry leaned in to Neville. "Keep an eye on things, I'm worried Fawley or maybe Dumbledore have set something up."

Neville nodded. Harry trusted the Longbottom boy to watch his back. Hermione and Ron would no doubt be keeping an eye out as well, but Neville would be down here on the field with his gran. He'd be in a better position.

The referee called them together. He cast spells on them to check for potions or weapons other than their wands. Fawley was told to leave a second wand with the referee, which he did without complaint.

The referee then asked if they could settle their differences. Lord Fawley just growled.

Harry spoke up, after all he was getting nothing from this duel. "If I understand Lord Fawley's complaint, he's unhappy that I stunned his granddaughter. I feel he should thank me as if I had not done so she would currently be charged with murder. I do offer to publicly apologize for using too much force in my stunner."

"Insufficient." Fawley snapped.

"Lord Fawley," the referee said, softly enough so that only Fawley and Harry could hear. "I would like to point out that even if you win you will be thought of as a bully who attacked a fifteen year old boy. This is doubly so as Mr. Potter is thought of as a hero by many. His legal status as an adult will not..."

"Enough. Let's get this over with."

The referee sighed. "Very well. Mr. Potter, Lord Fawley, do either of you wish to back out?"

Backing out would be the same as losing and being given mercy. The other would get a boon. Harry wasn't about to do that. "No."

"Never!"

"Very well. Seconds, please escort the duelists to their positions."

Soon they were facing each other. The platform was as large as it could be without allowing the duelists to be outside of spell casting range. For the first time Harry noticed that the stands were full. It looked like the whole school had turned out to watch. There were quite a few adults as well, so at least some people had come from outside Hogwarts. Harry was surprised Vector allowed it. Definitely a point against her as headmistress.

The judge called out to be ready, then did a cannon blast charm to start the match. Harry shielded immediately. His initial strategy, suggested by Ron and seconded by Dean, was to shield and dodge. The plan was to get a feel for the opponent and hopefully tire him out.

The first spell from Fawley splashed against his shield, not straining it in a meaningful way. Harry dropped the shield and conjured three birds, sending them on diverging paths to attack Fawley's face. He sidestepped the next two spells, neither of which he recognized, then had to shield as a set of three closely spaced stunners bracketed him.

Two of the birds survived to attack his opponent, giving him a few seconds. He conjured a snake, cast disillusionment on it, and told it to bite his opponent. He quickly shielded just in time to catch what looked like a piercing hex. He dropped the shield immediately after and flicked off tripping and punching hexes. Those were nothing but annoyances but if the man didn't recognize them he'd have to shield or dodge. He shielded. Harry used that time to send a weak stunner.

He managed to distract the man until the snake arrived and bit his ankle. The man swore and used an ending spell to get rid of the nearly invisible snake. He was tempted to try to end the duel with a brace of powerful stunners but kept to his plan of sending weak spells and doing simple low-powered conjurations until the man was worn down. Once that happened he'd have options, hopefully forcing a tie by keeping things going for a half hour. He did use the time to send another trio of birds to pull on the man's hair and beard.

They kept that up for several minutes, a very long time in a duel. Fawley was getting slow and sloppy, a sign that he was getting magically or physically exhausted. Another minute and Harry was sure the man was just about done in. He took one of the long pauses between the man's attacks to check the time. Damn, only eight minutes in. Drawing this out to a half hour would be tough.

Suddenly the man seemed to find new strength. He stood straight and started sending a wave of spells at Harry. Harry shielded, putting some extra strength in the spell. Something was wrong. There was no way Fawley had been faking that level of exhaustion. Harry chanced a glance around and noticed Dumbledore smiling and Madam Longbottom moving toward the referee. Great, Dumbledore had done something to supercharge his foe. Trust the old man to cheat somehow.

Harry refocused his attention just in time to have a powerful spell shatter his shield. He managed to twist out of the way of the followup spell, leaving a cut across the chest of his dueling robe. Damn that white bearded bastard, now he had to take the man down and possibly kill him.

"What's wrong Potter, just figuring out that schoolboy spells aren't going to cut it?" Fawley called out. "You're going to die here, if you give up I'll make it quick."

Harry didn't answer. He had no idea how long the man's unnatural energy would last. Against a tired opponent he might be able to force a tie. That was no longer an option. Time to get serious.

He'd been using the trick he'd taught the second years of flicking toward his target. Time to see if the man had noticed. He flicked a stunner to the man's left and then another to his right. Fawley grinned, stood his ground, and sent a hellaciously powerful stunner of his own. Harry wasn't about to see what that thing would do to a shield and dodged. He had what he wanted, now he just had to get an opening to use it.

That took another thirty seconds. The man was throwing out spells like he had unlimited magic. Harry was kept busy dodging and shielding. He finally managed another snake, visible this time, to attack the man. That bought him enough time to send out three of the most powerful stunners he could manage, flicking them directly toward the man, while mentally directing them to bracket him.

Fawley stepped to the left and sent a piercing hex at Harry. Then he frantically tried to dodge the stunning spell that he thought was aimed at his old position. He failed, taking the stunner in the side spinning him around to lie like a broken doll on the end of the platform.

After dodging the piercing hex Harry quickly followed up the stunner with a murmured "incarcerous" and then by summoning the man's wand. He stalked across the platform, eyes on Dumbledore rather than his downed opponent.

* * *

Once Harry reached Fawley he called Mr. Moretti over. "Check him for potions, there's no way that sudden rush of strength was normal."

"Mr. Potter, he was checked before the duel." The referee said, though he sounded uncertain.

"And if someone." Harry looked over at Dumbledore before returning his gaze to the referee. "Spelled a potion into him during the fight?"

"Mr. Dumbledore was the only one near enough to do such a thing. He did not touch his wand during the fight." Again, the referee sounded less than certain.

"And you believe that Albus Dumbledore is incapable of wandless magic?" Harry asked.

The referee looked over at the white bearded wizard who was frowning deeply, his attention focused on Harry. Without another word Mr. Moretti used the spell to check for potions.

"You are correct Mr. Potter." He said quietly. The referee spun around and sent a stunner at Dumbledore in an incredibly fast move. Harry was glad he hadn't had to duel the referee.

The referee then used the amplifying charm.

"Lord Fawley has been found to have potions in his system. He has lost both by defeat and forfet. His second was stunned due to suspicion he was involved. Interference in an honor duel is a crime. Please contact the aurors to arrest Mr. Dumbledore."

Leaving the amplifying charm in place he turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, this was declared as a duel to the death. Lord Fawley's life is yours. You may instead give mercy and claim a boon."

Harry looked down at Fawley. He used the waking charm and looked at the man. He didn't really want to kill him, but if that was the only choice he was given he felt he could do it.

"You lost Fawley. The little trick you and Dumbledore pulled with the potion was discovered and announced, so everyone knows you couldn't win even when you cheated."

"Go to hell Potter."

Harry vanished the man's sleeves. "Hmm, no dark mark, I guess I owe Neville a sickle."

"I don't have to be a death eater to know purebloods are superior."

Harry ignored the asshole. "I'm willing to offer mercy though I demand a boon for doing so."

The man scoffed at him. "You don't have the guts to kill me."

Harry leaned down giving the man what he hoped looked like a hard look. "Do you really think you'd be the first? Hell, I killed a professor when I was eleven and he wasn't as much of a bastard as you. Take the mercy or don't, I don't care which. I think I'll try cutting off your hands, I've heard that bleeding out is quite unpleasant."

Harry needed this to be public, who knew how the Profit would report it otherwise, so he cast the amplifying charm on himself and Fawley.

"Lord Fawley, you have lost the duel. I offer you mercy provided I get a boon to be announced immediately after you accept."

Fawley glared at him and remained silent.

"You have thirty seconds to decide." Harry announced, silently starting a count.

At thirty he announced. "Times up." And raised his wand.

"Mercy!" Fawley cried out when the tip of Harry's wand started to glow.

Harry announced the boon he and Neville had discussed the night before. "Then I grant you mercy. The boon I demand is that you do not interfere in any way with trials of members of your house. No bribes, no threats, you abstain if you're given a chance to vote. The only way you can participate is to give truthful testimony if required by the court. Accept or die."

Harry had raised his wand again before the man answered. "I accept."

Harry lowered his wand and walked away, not bothering to remove the ropes trapping the defeated man.

* * *

Harry left the stage. He paused only to thank the referee and glare at Dumbledore's prone form. He walked out of the pitch followed by cheers and boos from the crowd. At least the cheers seemed to be in the majority.

Neville caught up with him as he left the pitch, Hermione and her little shadow Heather caught up with them halfway to the castle. The group remained silent until they entered the deserted common room.

"You did great Harry." Hermione said once they sat on a pair of couches facing each other. "I was really worried when Lord Fawley suddenly started throwing out spells."

"She started crying." Heather said.

"Quiet you."

Neville clapped him on the shoulder. "I agree. You did the right thing. Granted, Lord Fawley will hate you. At least you shouldn’t have to worry about whoever takes over the family declaring blood feud. More important, you showed you're no one to mess with and managed it without looking like a deranged killer."

"Well I thought he looked pretty deranged at the end there when he talked to the old guy before using the amplifying charm." Heather said cheerfully.

That made Harry chuckle. "I was trying for a tough look to convince him I would kill him if necessary. Maybe I overdid it."

"I'm just glad it's over." Hermione said. "Umbridge and Snape are gone, Dumbledore is gone and in trouble. Lord Fawley isn't likely to cause any trouble at least for a while. Do you think Isabella is safe now?"

Neville shook his head. "Not yet, she needs to be protected until after the trials. After that, well if Harry as Lord Potter declares her as under the protection of his house and with Hufflepuff keeping an eye on her she should be fine."

"Lord Potter?" Harry asked.

"You're an adult, your family has a hereditary seat on the Wizengamot, that makes you a lord. Of course even without the seat your family is important enough to have the courtesy title." Neville said. "You can have a signet ring made if there isn't one in your family vault."

"Okay, that's for later. Right now I need to talk to Vector about the wards."

* * *

Harry had never been to Vector's office before and, according to Jeeves, she hadn't moved to the Headmaster's office yet. He managed to find it though he had called for the Jeeves to give him directions at one point.

The door was cracked open. He stuck his head in "Professor?"

Vector looked up from shuffling through a pile of parchments. "Mr Potter, come in. Or should that be Lord Potter now?"

"Mr. Potter please. I won't be using the lord thing except when necessary. I wanted to talk to you about the wards."

Vector rubbed her face tiredly. "You're not the first. The wards are a mess. It seems my predecessor made some rather odd choices and added a few of his own. I'd spend time on them but the budget is even more of a mess in ways that don't make sense."

"I was going to ask you to adjust the wards to exclude Dumbledore, Lord Fawley, and if possible anyone with a dark mark." Harry said.

"Let me see..." The professor closed her eyes. "Those two aren't here right now. With Snape gone and Malfoy no longer on the board I can try to exclude those with a dark mark..."

She opened her eyes. "Dumbledore and Lord Fawley are excluded. I can't find a way to identify those with a dark mark but I did turn on the intention ward on the castle. That will make anyone with bad intentions toward the school or its students feel pain while in the castle with the amount of pain increasing depending on how bad their intentions are."

"Thank you professor, I'll leave you to your parchment work."

"Wait a moment Mr. Potter. May I talk to you about the problems I'm having? Your advice earlier was helpful and I know you're not one to spread the information around. I should warn you that some of this may be me venting my frustration."

Harry sat down in the chair across from her. It was pretty comfortable compared to the chairs in other professor's offices. "Sure, I can't promise I'll be able to help. I'll keep anything you tell me to myself."

"Thank you." Vector picked waved the parchment she was holding. "This is the information on the operating account that Minerva was handling for Dumbledore. It has barely enough in it to get us through the school year. A bit of arithmetic says there should be a lot more than this, but I can't find where the money is! My note to Gringotts said I did not have access to any other school accounts."

Harry frowned "That's not right, you've been appointed by the board and you have the wards. Maybe there's something else you have to do to be fully considered headmistress? Have you been to the headmaster's office and talked to the portraits?"

Vector frowned. "No, I've never liked going there."

Harry shrugged. "You don't have to use it all the time like Dumbledore, just stop by and talk to the portraits. Let's go now."

Vector got up. "You'll go with me? Most students aren't happy with going to the headmaster's office."

"Most students don't end up there multiple times a year." Harry said sourly. "Your predecessor liked to control me for some reason. Now that I'm legally an adult, that won't continue."

"All right, let's go."

* * *

The gargoyle wouldn't budge.

Vector couldn't control it through the wards, it seemed to have a separate ward like the one on the hospital wing. Even so she should have been able to access it, the headmaster should have access to anything in the castle.

"Professor, may I call a house elf I know? He may be able to help."

"A house elf?" Vector looked surprised. "How could they help?"

Harry shook his head. "You must be a pureblood."

To her credit Vector wasn't upset by that. "Technically, though my family isn't important or rich."

"If you're going to be headmistress you better form a good relationship with the house elfs here. They run the place and know more about what's going on than anyone else. Be kind and polite and they'll be a huge help."

Vector looked thoughtful. "If you say so. I have very little experience with them. We didn't have one when I grew up and I don't really interact with them much as a professor. They tidy up and do my laundry which I appreciate, as laundry was my job when I was young and I hated it."

"Yeah, laundry isn't my favorite either." Harry admitted. "I'll call Jeeves, he's in charge of the kitchen." At her nod he called the elf who'd been helping him with Isabella.

"Harry Potter sirs be wanting Jeeves?"

"Headmistress, I think you met Jeeves when I asked you and Madam Bones to come to the hospital wing but I doubt you've been introduced. Jeeves, this is our new headmistress Septima Vector. Headmistress, this is Jeeves, he's in charge of the Hogwarts kitchens."

Vector nodded to Jeeves. "It's nice to meet you Jeeves."

"Jeeves be happy to meet new headmistress." The house elf said. "Yous should stop in kitchen and say hello to all kitchen elves when yous have time."

"I'll be sure to do that." She said. "We do have a problem you might be able to help with. It seems I'm unable to enter the head’s office."

Jeeves frowned. "That be bad." He walked over to the gargoyle guarding the entrance and started at if for a time. "It be stubborn. It not liking changing to new headmasters."

Harry looked at the gargoyle. He'd never liked the thing. I seemed to only let him into the office when he didn't want to go. "Hey Jeeves, is the gargoyle really important? I mean will it damage the castle if I hit it with a really powerful blasting curse?"

Jeeves turned his back on the gargoyle, which now seemed to be radiating concern. He grinned at Harry. "Jeeves not think so, if that not work Jeeves can get all the kitchen elves here. Jeeves think we be dropping old gargoyle in the lake."

The gargoyle slid aside.

"Thank you." Vector said to the gargoyle and let the moving stairs carry her up.

Harry paused and looked at the gargoyle. "The new headmistress is nice. She'd never send you to the lake or blast you to pieces. We like her. We're not nice. You understand?"

The gargoyle managed to shift open just a bit more.

"Thanks Jeeves. Who should the headmistress call if she needs an elf?"

Jeeves shrugged. "Jeeves will find out."

"Thanks again, I better see if she needs more help." Harry said, heading up the stairs.

* * *

Harry was met by chaos when he entered the heads office. The room was nearly empty containing only the large desk, empty bookshelves and portraits who were all talking and gesturing at the same time. The noise was considerable and he had to lean over to speak into Vector's ear to be heard. "What's got them so excited?"

"No idea, they started as soon as I walked in." She shouted back.

Harry tried to pick out what they were talking about but there were too many voices to make out anything coherent.

"Maybe tell them to shut up?" Harry suggested loudly.

The new headmistress gave him a thumbs up and said "Be quiet!" in a surprisingly loud voice.

They all stopped immediately, looking at her oddly.

"My apologies professors, the noise was giving me a headache. I am Septima Vector, the new headmistress. Can one of you, Headmaster Dippet perhaps, let me know what had you all so excited?"

One of the portraits spoke up. "It was Dumbledore's elf. He came here and took things!"

Vector frowned. "Well of course, he was sacked. I imagine he wanted his personal effects."

The portrait shook his head. "No dear lady, everything was taken. The pensive, all the books and many other things that are entailed."

"I see, just a moment." Vector said, then turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, could you use your influence with the elves to see if those items can be retrieved and the elf kept from returning? I need to discuss some things with these fine gentlemen and ladies."

Harry didn't want to stay under the eyes of the many portraits anyway, and this gave him a chance to get away. "Sure, I'll go to the bottom of the stairs. Yell if you need me."

Once safely away from the office he asked the gargoyle to stay open in case the headmistress needed to call for him. The stone beast stayed open while projecting a feeling of nervousness.

"Jeeves!"

It took the elf a few moments to appear and he was accompanied by another elf. "Harry Potter sir, this be Pippy. Head elf Chester has asked him to be new headmistress lady's personal elf. Harry Potter sir is helping headmistress lady so Jeeves brings him. Jeeves must return to kitchen now."

"Thank you for your time Jeeves." Harry said and the elf popped away leaving Pippy behind.

"Hows can Pippy be helping Harry Potters sir who is helping headmistress lady?"

Harry explained the situation and Pippy looked upset. "That be Buzzy. He not be Hogwarts elf. Pippy be talking to Chester to fix." With that the elf popped away.

"Okay, thanks Pippy." Harry said to the empty spot the elf had been standing.

Shrugging he went up the stairs. Vector was in a discussion with Dippet and two other portraits about budgets and accounts and working with goblins. Harry was just about to interrupt when the desk chair appeared, quickly followed by two comfortable visitors chairs and a small table between them. A few moments later books began appearing on the shelves, popping in one or two at a time.

"It seems you've taken care of the theft problem." Vector said to him. "Come, lunch has started and I think I have enough information for now."

Vector thanked the portraits.

As they walked to lunch Vector thanked Harry for his help and asked if he had anything else he could suggest.

"Other than finding out what's going on with the budget and the things we've already talked about, not much. If you have the money I'd suggest hiring someone to help with the paperwork and administrative tasks. I'm guessing you're going to continue teaching?"

"I want to, and it's hard to find arithmancy teachers, it's too theoretical for most wixen despite its usefulness in constructing magical objects like brooms, wands, and even the vanishing chamber pots that made your family wealthy."

That was interesting, he really had to find out more about his family. "I wish I had taken it rather than divination. That's been a waste for me."

"Then take it. Since you were muggle raised your math is ahead of where the third years are right now. If you want to apply yourself you can probably join the fourth years after the holiday break."

Harry stopped suddenly. "I can do that?"

Vector stopped and turned to face him with a frown. "Of course you can, why would you think otherwise?"

"Dumbledore. He insisted I take divination and he was my magical guardian..." Harry's voice trailed off, not really sure how to describe the situation he'd been in.

"You no longer have a magical guardian. And you certainly can under Hogwarts rules. Even if there was a rule against it you could talk to the headmistress and get an exception, I hear she owes you a favor or two."

They both chuckled at that and continued on to the great hall.

"I'll do it." Harry announced after a bit.

"Great, talk to Professor McGonagall. She's in charge of schedules. If you find she's still indisposed please let me know."

"What's wrong with her?" Harry asked.

"Stress mostly. Unfortunately her way of dealing with it involves whiskey."

"And how do you deal with stress?" Harry asked.

Vector pulled open the door to the great hall and motioned him in. "A combination of hyperventilating and asking you to help me."

* * *

The next day was Friday and classes restarted. He didn't have potions, but heard from the second years that a healer trainee from Saint Mungo was doing an overview of how to brew safely and checking their knowledge of ingredient interactions. Both were topics Snape mostly ignored.

They did have DADA before lunch and Harry was happy to see Auror Allenson teaching the class. After class he had a chance to talk to him and the auror admitted that this was officially punishment duty for "inappropriate invocation of standing order fourteen". Unofficially it was a reward. He'd asked for the duty and this was a way to give it to him rather than a more senior auror.

Harry finished lunch early and ducked into an empty classroom to call Crunchy. He wanted to see how Isabella was doing.

The elf responded this time and let him know Isabella was doing well and was awake and full of questions about what happened. Sophia was going to stay with her until Sunday and if it was safe they'd move back to the hospital wing, probably with a Hufflepuff guard.

Harry promised to visit once they were back in the hospital wing and told the elf to let him know if they needed anything. As Crunchy popped out an older elf Harry hadn't met before popped into the room.

"I be Chester, head elf of Hogwarts." The elf announced.

Harry dipped his head in respect for the elf's position. "I'm Harry Potter, it's nice to meet you Chester."

"You is Lord Potter now. You needs to call Potter elves to you before they die from too little family magic."

"The Potters have elves?"

"Three survived the last war, plus Dobby did a bad thing and bound to you without your permission." The old elf said. "You go outside the wards and call for all Potter elves."

That made Harry suspicious, going outside the wards could open him up to attacks. Well, more attacks anyway. It's not like they never happened inside the wards.

"Just a moment Chester." Harry said. "Jeeves!"

Jeeves popped in and gave a nod to Chester.

"Jeeves, you told me not to trust any other elf. I just wanted to ensure this was actually the head elf."

Jeeves nodded. "This be Chester, he can be trusted and not obey anyone unless it make sense. Yous be smart to check Harry Potter sir."

"Thank you both. Chester, I will do was you say right now. I wasn't planning on going to Divination anyway." He could talk to McGonagall about his schedule later.

* * *

Harry had several choices for moving outside the wards. The quidditch pitch was outside the castle wards but inside the ward around the grounds. Just beyond that and slightly inside the forbidden forest was completely outside the Hogwarts wards. He could also walk around to the far side of the lake, which was quite a hike. Finally he could step outside the gate.

The far side of the lake was likely the safest choice but he didn't really have that kind of time. The gate was the closest. It was also the place where any number of enemies of his could be lurking. The edge of the forbidden forest was just generally a bad idea if you were alone.

He stopped and thought. Maybe he could go ask Hermione, Ron or Neville to join him. Okay, make that just Neville, Hermione would be unhappy he had elves and Ron would be jealous.

"Oh." He murmured when he realized he could just call Dobby to go with him, as he was already inside the castle wards. He had gotten used to avoiding him because he though he worked for Dumbledore.

"Dobby!"

The little elf appeared and bounced around like usual. "Mr. Harry Potter sirs be calling Dobby! What can Dobby be doing for Mr. Harry Potter sir?"

Harry asked him about bonding and the elf stopped bouncing and looked ashamed. He admitted to it. Then Harry asked him about the other Potter elves. That surprised the little elf.

"They musts be in wards or very weaks Harry Potter sirs. You go to gate and wait inside for Dobby. Dobby sees what he can find and comes back."

With that the elf popped away. Harry did as he was told and went to stand by the gate. Five minutes later a tired looking Dobby popped back.

"Potter elves be ready now." He said simply. "Dobby be having to give them some magic so they cans be popping here."

With instructions from the elf, Harry gave Dobby a recharge, something that Dobby claimed was rarely done. Proper elves were supposed to get their master's magic indirectly.

They stepped through the gate and Harry called all Potter elves to him. Three sickly looking elves appeared immediately. Dobby stepped over to stand with them.

They introduced themselves as Jacob, Minnie, and Minty. The last was a small girl elf who was Jacob and Minnie's daughter. Minty said she was born a few days before Harry.

He gave them all a recharge. Minnie seemed embarrassed by it, but all accepted the magic. They looked much better for it. Harry apologized for not being able to spend more time with them. He had to hurry to make it to charms class. He told them to let Dobby know if they needed to pass him a message.

Dobby shook his head sadly. "Dobby be sorry Harry Potter sir, now that Dobby officially a Potter elf he may not stay at Hogwarty. Dobby can be calling Miss Hedwig if needing to send a message."

"That will work. I'll be seeing you all soon."

With that the four elves popped away and Harry when back through the still open gate and hurried to his next class.

* * *

After dinner Harry stopped by Professor McGonagall's office. The woman had been rather subdued at dinner and the same was true when they reached her office.

"What can I do for you Mr. Potter?" His old head of house asked.

"I would like to drop divination and replace it with arithmancy. Professor Vector said I should join the third years for now but expected I would be ready to join the forth years by next term."

The professor frowned at that. "I don't think that's a good idea Mr. Potter. Professor Dumbledore said you needed to understand divination.

Harry matched the frown. "Mr. Dumbledore is no longer the headmaster and is no longer my magical guardian. His opinion on what classes I should take is irrelevant."

"Mr. Potter..."

"Professor." Harry interrupted her. "I think you misunderstand. I am not here for permission or advice. I'm here to work with you to adjust my schedule."

"Mr. Potter, I am still deputy headmistress and I think you should leave your classes as is." Professor McGonagall said sharply.

"Pippy!" Harry called.

The little elf popped in. "Harry Potters sir, what can Pippy be doing for you?"

"Please ask the headmistress to join us here if she has time. There seems to be some difficulty in adjusting my schedule." Harry said.

"Pippy do!"

"Mr. Potter! I do not think you should be bothering the headmistress with such trivial things." McGonagall said.

"Well, you are refusing to allow me to change my classes as allowed for in the Hogwarts Charter. My only other choices are a complaint to the governors or to withdraw from Hogwarts and look for schooling somewhere the professors do their damn job." Harry said with some heat. He was completely fed up with this place and more than ready to walk out.

"Mr. Potter!"

Professor Vector must not have been very far away as she arrived almost immediately.

"What seems to be the problem?" The Headmistress asked mildly. "I thought this was a simple scheduling change."

"I thought so as well." Harry said. "The professor isn't willing to change my schedule."

"Mr. Potter has been quite rude. As for the change, it is against the previous headmaster's policy." McGonagall said angrily. "I was about to assign Mr. Potter detention for his attitude."

Vector sighed. "Both of you to the headmistress's office. The elves have recovered the pensive Mr. Dumbledore stole, I want to see what just happened."

* * *

After watching her deputy's memory of her interaction with Harry, Professor turned to Harry. "Does that meet your recollection of what happened?"

"Yes Professor."

"Please do not swear or use profanity when speaking to professors, even when it's warranted."

"Yes Professor."

"You will have your updated schedule from my deputy in the morning. Right now I need to speak with Mrs. McGonagall privately."

"Yes Professor, thank you."

As he left Harry noticed that Professor McGonagall had turned pale. As he closed the door he heard Professor Vector say. "Minerva, do you wish to continue working at Hogwarts?"

* * *

The next morning Madam Hooch handed Harry an updated schedule, which was odd. His DADA class had been moved to Tuesday evenings, which was also odd. The slot that had been DADA was now filled by arithmancy with the forth years, not what he expected. Along with the schedule was a note requesting he meet with Professor Vector in the headmistress's office after breakfast.

As it was a Saturday the great hall wasn't completely full. Despite that Professor Vector stood and asked for everyone's attention.

"Good morning. I'll make the official announcement at dinner, but I wanted to get a head start on the infamous Hogwarts rumor mill by letting you all know that Madam Hooch has agreed to take a more active role at Hogwarts as the deputy headmistress. She will be working closely with Professor McGonagall over the next several months. For the time being you may contact either of them if you need to speak to the deputy. Thank you, and I hope you have a productive and relaxing weekend."

Well that was interesting indeed.

Hermione seemed upset by the change. "I wonder why Professor McGonagall isn't going to be deputy anymore. Do you think she'll be coming back as head of Gryffindor?"

Harry shrugged. "I doubt it, she was never very active as head of house except when it involved quidditch. Maybe she just wants to focus on transfiguration?"

Hermione nodded, looking a bit happier. "Yes, that could be it. It's been some time since she published anything. She used to write the most interesting articles on transfiguration between different states of matter."

"You're such a nerd Hermione." Harry said fondly.

* * *

Professor Vector was waiting for him at the base of the stairs next to the gargoyle. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Potter.

Professor Vector put her hand on the stone Griffin's head. "Before we go up I wanted to introduce you to Gilford and let him know that unless I explicitly ask him to keep you out you have access to the office."

"Thank you professor!" Harry said. That was quite a bit of trust for the headmistress to extend to a student.

"I hope you realize that also means that if Gilford doesn't let you in there's a good reason and you shouldn't threaten him unless it's a true emergency." Vector added sternly.

"Err...yes headmistress."

"Very well. Let's go up."

They headed up the moving stairs to the office. The portraits looked at them with interest but didn't say anything. The professor gestured to one of the chairs in front of the desk and sat in the other. Harry sat down but didn't lean back. He still didn't know what this was about.

"Mr. Potter, I will be going to Gringotts in a few minutes to discuss the Hogwarts accounts. I was hoping you could join me. We could follow it up with a visit to your own account manager if you wish."

Okay, this wasn't bad. He did need to see his account manager now that he was officially an adult. "Why? I mean, why would you want me along to check the Hogwarts accounts?"

Vector smiled gently. "Two reasons, well three really. First of all you seem to notice things that most magicals do not, thus your point of view and advice would be most appreciated. Secondly you yourself will now need to manage the Potter accounts, which if rumors are correct is substantial. So it's an educational opportunity."

That made sense, though it was still odd. "That was two reasons, what's the third?"

"To get Madam Hooch to take the deputy position I had to promise new training brooms. She suggested I draw on your expertise."

Harry grinned,that sounded like fun. "I'd be glad to, Ron and I have talked about brooms for different purposes, I have some ideas."

Vector smiled and stood, grabbing some floo powder from the fireplace mantel. "Then let's go and see if we can figure out where all the Hogwarts funds are hiding."

* * *

By the time they got back to Hogwarts in the mid afternoon Vector had mostly calmed down.

"I want to strangle that old man with his own beard." Vector murmured as they came out of the floo.

Maybe she hadn't completely calmed down.

"At least you have more funds than you expected." Harry pointed out as he put the stack of parchment and account books he'd been carrying for her, holding on to the Potter account book.

"Not as much as we should have! I can't believe that old goat fucker spent that much on his wardrobe. And now I have to figure out what sort of psychotic accounting system he was using. I have other things I need to do."

Right, she was definitely still angry.

"Pippy!" Harry called.

The little elf popped in. "Yous call for Pippy?"

Harry squatted down so he could talk somewhat privately with the elf. "Pippy, the headmistress is very upset, for good reason, though I think she needs to calm down. What do you think we should do?"

Pippy nodded gravely. "Pippy understands. Harry Potters keep her from breaking things while Pippy brings something to help."

When the little elf popped out Harry stood. He wasn't worried about Vector breaking things.

Harry then yelped in surprise as a trophy from one of the shelves flew past his head. He winced as he heard it hit the wall with a crash and grabbed the bookend that was following the trophy out of the air. He stepped up to the irate professor and grabbed a vase out of her hands.

The elf popped in next to Harry and traded the vase for a potion vial. "Drink!" Harry commanded, holding the vial in front of the professor.

Vector grabbed the vial and for a second Harry thought it was going to be thrown as well. Instead she gulped down the contents then threw it.

Pippy fielded the vial and popped out, returning moments later with a platter that she set on the desk before popping back out. Smart little elf, getting out of the line of fire.

Vector stood with her eyes closed. Harry gently took her arm and led her to the desk chair and helped her sit. He considered making a strategic withdrawal, then sighed and sat in one of the guest chairs. She'd probably want to talk about it.

Vector opened her eyes and stared at the platter in front of her. Harry noticed it was filled with chocolate covered strawberries. She reached out and took one, shoving the whole thing in her mouth, making Harry think of Ron's eating habits. After chewing on that she fished out the stem and took another, eating it more slowly.

"Want to talk about it?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Not really." She growled. Then started complaining about the dozens of separate special purpose accounts with no labels or documentation separated by comments on Dumbledore's grooming and mating habits.

Harry didn't really blame her. Some of those accounts were endowments with special restrictions and some were just left over from earlier budgets that he'd moved out of the general account. A few were even normal operating accounts that certain people could draw on. The problem was they had no idea which was which. Harry started to get an idea of how big the problem was.

Once she ran down he said. "You can't do it."

She fixed him with a stare but didn't say anything.

"Look, if I understand how much work this is you just can't do it. Even if you were just the headmistress you'd never be able to find the time. You have to hire someone who knows how to do this kind of stuff."

"It's not that easy." She said. "As you'll see when you take arithmancy, magicals and math don't mix. Finding a magical who is an accountant isn't going to be easy. Besides that I can't pay them until I figure out where to get the money from and I need the accountant to figure out where the money can come from!"

Harry opened his mouth, then closed it while he worked through that last part.

"Look, I'll have the Potter accounts pay for whoever you find for two months, that should be long enough to get things at least partially under control."

Vector sat up straighter and set down her partially eaten strawberry. "I should say no, but that would be a huge help. Better than trying to get money out of the board."

"As for finding someone, well Ron Weasley once said he had a cousin who was an accountant. Also if you can't find a muggle born who's willing to do it you could hire one of the parents of a muggleborn student if there's a way to let them be in the castle."

"Yes, that could work."

"I'll ask around in Gryffindor for non-magical parents who are accountants or bookkeepers. I'm sure Professor Sprout would do the same in Hufflepuff."

Vector closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I...thank you Mr. Potter. And I apologize for letting my anger get the better of me while you were here. I have to admit I'm beginning to agree with your idea that someone put me in this position as revenge."

* * *

Compared to the last few days, Sunday was pretty normal. He wrote a letter to his account manager at Gringotts to authorize paying for an accountant or bookkeeper for Hogwarts for no more than two months. Hedwig was happy for the chance to stretch her wings.

He also talked to the twins who said they'd pass information about their dad's cousin to Professor Vector.

After lunch Crunchy popped in and told him Isabella and Madam Pomfrey were back in the hospital wing. He and Neville went up to visit her. She looked a lot better but was shy and clung to Sophia.

Harry and Neville sat on the bed next to her and talked quietly. They both offered Isabella their house's protection which made Sophia gasp. Neville had to explain what it meant and what it involved. Among other things it meant they would be paying for her schooling, possibly for a mastery if she decided on one, and had to approve any marriage agreements.

Sophia suggested Isabella think about it for a few days. Maybe the little girl should have been sorted into Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw because she disagreed with Sophia and accepted immediately. Harry did the simple ritual and Neville said he'd come and do it soon, he had to get his Gran's permission which he didn't think would be a problem.

The day ended oddly when Chester appeared next to him after dinner and asked him to join him in an empty classroom. The old elf then called out something in a different language and the tiniest elf girl Harry had ever seen appeared next to Chester.

Chester gestured to the tiny elf. "This be a young elf who is ready to start work in the castle. Since you be helping the headmistress and is a lord, Chester thinking you need much elf help. Jeeves and Pippy being too busy much of the time. You may call on this little one when you need an elf."

"That's quite the honor Chester. I admit I've been bothering Crunchy, Jeeves, and Pippy more than I should recently."

Harry sat on the floor so he could more easily talk to the little elf. "What's your name?"

"I not be having a serving name." The elf said. "Yous is my first wizard. Yous pick name." She squeaked.

"Wow, that really is an honor!" Harry told her. "What kind of name would you like?"

The elf looked at her feet. "Want pretty name, not ugly or silly one."

"Hmmm... so what if I suggest a few names, and you can say if you think they're good ones. Once we've done that I'll name you."

The elf nodded and looked happy.

"Daisy?"

"Nice name but that be my grand-elf's name."

"Ivy?"

The elf shook her head.

"Mia?"

The elf tilted her head. "That not be bad."

"This one was my own mothers name, I think it might fit you. Lily"

The elf's eyes widened. "That be pretty name. Does sir want to give mother's name to elf?"

Harry shrugged. "It's a nice name and I think it fits you. I'm happy with it. I think my mother would be happy for you to have it."

"It very nice name." The little elf said.

Harry smiled at the elf. "Do you want more suggestions or are we good."

"I is ready." The elf said.

"I will call you Lily." Harry said.

"Lily be very happy to serve Harry sir."

Chester broke in. "Thank you Lily, go tells your family and friends your new name. Chester must speak with Harry Potter sir now."

The little elf nodded and popped away.

Chester seemed rather emotional, bouncing a bit on his toes and a few tears gathering in his eyes. "Yous were very kind. Chester is happy he let you be his grandson’s daughter's first wizard."

Harry stood up. "I'm more than happy to have her help. Now I just have to keep Hermione from murdering me when she sees me call her."

"Chester thought knitter give up on freeing castle elves?"

"Not so much gave up, more decided on a longer-term approach." Harry told him. "Hopefully she'll learn more about you before she does something spectacular."

The old elf shook his head. "Chester thanks you for warning."

With that the old elf popped out and Harry headed to the Gryffindor common room. He had some homework to finish up.

* * *

The next few weeks were different for everyone in the castle. Vector and Hooch were very effective in dealing with bullies when they were caught. Hooch as deputy played the tough-but-fair role well and did her best to ensure that Vector wasn't bothered with any but the most difficult behavior problems. There were some difficult detentions, two suspensions, and one sixth-year Slytherin girl who withdrew from the school rather than face punishment.

For Harry the big change involved his one-on-one DADA class with Auror Allenson, Arithmancy, and his status as a lord.

His status caused him to be offered a suite of his own, which he refused, though he did accept a room set up as an office where he could work on 'lord stuff' as Neville called it. It was just an empty room until he let Lily set it up. The tiny elf did a great job, though he thought the paintings and tapestries were too cute. He didn't tell her so.

Lily also arranged for patches to be added to Isabella's robes showing she was under the protection of the Potters and Longbottoms. Between Harry's performance in the duel and Madam Longbottom's reputation everyone was exceptionally polite to the new Hufflepuff.

His status as Lord also caused many of the purebloods to be more polite to him. Draco was still a loathsome toerag, just a more polite one.

Hermione predicted his lord status would have him swarmed by the castle's girls but that was not the case. Harry didn't know if he was relieved or disappointed.

One-on-one DADA with Auror Allenson was great. He'd started him on a physical fitness regimen, had him taking potions to correct some of the problems caused by too scant food when he was growing up, and spent a lot of time talking about strategy and tactics. Allenson said his plan was to get Harry ready to take both his OWL and NEWT in DADA at the end of the year.

Fourth-year Arithmancy was both easy and hard. He'd always been pretty good at math and that put him ahead of the wizard-raised students. What he struggled with was the concepts and application of arithmetic and simple algebra to magic theory. Vector had him sitting in on the class and occasionally helping other students with math. His homework was reading three books Vector had given him and meeting with her once a week to go over the theory.

Hermione insisted he learn some basic runes since designing runic structures was one of the main uses of arithmancy. Fortunately she just gave him a primer rune book and told him to let her know if he had questions.

Of course this didn't last and of course things went to hell on Halloween.

* * *

Harry was paying attention to the arithmancy lecture for once. Professor Vector was talking about what would be on the OWL and NEWT tests and explaining how they'd cover the material. She'd just started talking about what would be expected for those who wanted to begin a mastery when she suddenly stopped and swayed, stopping herself from falling only by gripping her lectern so hard her fingers turned white.

The class was silent for a moment before erupting into a buzz of whispers.

Harry jumped up and moved to the stricken professor. "Professor Vector? Are you well?" He asked.

"The wards." She whispered. "The outer wards are under attack. Brute force, so strong."

"Death Eaters." Harry told her. It wasn't a question.

That got her to look at him. "Yes. Maybe. Definitely not friendly."

"Where's the safest place to send the students?"

The professor took a deep breath. "Common rooms, they're designed to protect the students."

"Move it professor, your school is under attack!" Harry hissed.

"What should I do?" She asked, eyes wide.

He reached forward and shook her, probably harder than he should have. "Protect students, get everyone in the castle, call for help, set the professors and older students up to protect the castle."

"I...yes, thank you Mr. Potter. I need to get to the headmaster's office, from there I can tell the students to head to their common rooms."

"Good start. I'll make sure the greenhouses and Hagrid know to get inside. Call Pippy to take you, it'll be faster."

In a moment the little elf had taken the headmistress to the head’s office. Harry turned to see the class staring at him, starting to look panicked.

"The castle is under attack." Harry told them. That didn't reduce the panic at all. "The headmistress will make an announcement soon. Anyone who wants to help and can run fast stay, everyone else go to your common room."

There was a flurry of movement and in a very short period of time Harry was left with five students, two boys and three girls. "Two of you run to the greenhouses and make sure everyone there knows to get in the castle now. Whoever is fastest run to Hagrid's and make sure any care students and Hagrid know we're under attack."

"I'm fastest." One of the girls said.

"Henry and I can do the greenhouses." One of the boys said.

"Go. Get back here as fast as you can."

The two ran off. Harry looked at the two girls remaining. "One of you go find Auror Allenson, make sure he knows we're under attack and it's likely death eaters, the other run to the library and make sure Madam Pince knows to lock it down."

The two looked at each other and nodded. One of them saluted him before they ran off.

Okay, now what should he do? Right, house elves. "Lilly!"

The elf appeared before him, looking agitated. "You know the castle is under attack?"

"Yes, Master Harry. Elves be knowing. Many be frightened but Chester is calming them."

"Can you take me to the head’s office? Then find Professors McGonagall and Flitwick and tell them the castle is under attack if the headmistress hasn't announced it yet."

"Lily do!" She grabbed Harry and he found himself in front of the gargoyle guarding the office. Lily then popped away.

He leaned on the gargoyle for a moment to steady himself. Popping via elf was not comfortable at all. "Sorry." he told the stone being. "I need to see if the headmistress needs help."

The gargoyle shifted open immediately. He hurried up the stairs as best he could. He opened the door to chaos. Again.

* * *

All the headmaster's portraits were talking loudly. Professor Vector was trying to ask them questions which just seemed to make the discussion louder and more confused.

"Quiet!" Harry shouted. Not only did it do no good he didn't think anyone could even hear him.

Harry shrugged. He pulled his wand and pointed it at a portrait of an ugly sneering man who was shouting at the headmistress. He fired his strongest piercing hex at a corner of the painting. It made a nice finger sized hole. He then stepped forward and aimed it at the nose of the man in that same portrait, who had stopped shouting and was staring at his wand, mouth open and eyes wide.

The talking and shouting of the portraits faded.

"I say, young man..." One of the portraits started to say. Harry's wand swung to point between that portrait's eyes.

"Why no announcement." Harry asked Vector.

"There's a crystal orb that lets the head or deputy make school wide announcements. No one seems to know where it is."

Harry looked at the portrait he was currently threatening. "Tell me what you know about it. Just you."

The old man in the portrait cleared his throat. "No one seems to have seen it for several years."

"Please no talking unless you're asked a question." the Headmistress told the portraits.

"Suggestions Mr. Potter?"

"Spread the word. Castle under attack. Of age students and professors to the great hall, everyone else to their common rooms." Harry said.

"Why... Never mind. I see." The headmistress said.

She turned to the portraits. "You heard, spread the word to all students and professors via the portraits. Now."

Most of the portraits left their frames. Vector then called Pippy and told him to give all professors and the head boy and girl the same message.

"Time for you to go to your common room." She told Harry.

"Not a good idea. If Voldemort is out there you'll need me. Besides, I'm technically of age."

Vector sighed. "We're going to have a talk when this is over. We need to get to the great hall now. The outer wards won't last much longer."

Both having recently experienced elf travel, they walked. As they went Harry had to ask. "Why are they attacking the outer wards? Aren't they set to let people in?"

Vector's answer was in short bursts, she wasn't used to walking this fast. "May have creatures with them. Also dangerous. If caught inside outer wards. When attacking."

* * *

There were still a few students heading into the great hall when they arrived. Most were sixth and seventh years. There were a few younger students, including Hermione, Ron, and Neville.

Professor Vector looked around the room and shook her head. "We're under attack, the outer wards will fall soon." She announced loudly. "Any of age students who want to help defend the castle please stay. Everyone else go to your common room. Also all prefects go to your common rooms and lock them down. Protect the younger students."

About half the students left, leaving forty or so of age students. He noticed the head girl was the only Slytherin.

Vector strode over to Auror Allenson. Harry walked over to the head girl and boy. He had questions.

"Potter." The Hufflepuff head boy said when he approached. "You're to go to your common room."

"I'm of age or I wouldn't have been forced into that duel." He told him before turning to the head girl. "I think it's death eaters, and maybe the big V himself. Have you heard anything?"

The head boy snorted. "He-who-must-not-be-named is dead. You should know that better than anyone."

"He's not." Harry said flatly without looking at the head boy.

"I don't think he is either." The head girl said softly. "I've heard rumors. I think you're right about who's attacking."

The head boy had started to stay something but shut his mouth and stared at the head girl. "Gloria?" He muttered.

Harry hadn't looked away from the head girl. "Now I need to know if there will be any problems from the Slytherin students."

"Maybe." She said. "The worst of them have been pretty quiet recently. The ones I suspect are marked have been complaining about headaches. I think he-who is torturing them for some reason."

Harry grinned. "Couldn't happen to a better bunch. Come on, I expect the Headmistress will have something for us to do."

* * *

The Headmistress and Auror Allenson had been busy organizing things while he was talking to the head boy and girl. Hooch was putting together a group of quidditch players holding brooms. Flitwick and Sinistra were showing four students a spell that shot a silvery arrow. Hagrid was sitting at the head table with his huge crossbow, loading a quiver from a truly impressive pile of bolts McGonagall was transfiguring from silverware. The other professors were talking to the rest of the older students.

Vector waved the three over to join her and Allenson. "Gloria, George, I want you to go to the entrance and set up some barriers. We'll try to hold them there if they breach the doors. Hurry, the outer wards are almost down and once they get past the gate they could be at the castle in ten minutes."

The head boy looked at his female counterpart. "I've got it. Gloria is pants at transfiguration."

"Take a good DADA student and someone who can do a patronus." Harry warned.

"Merlin." Auror Allenson said. "I didn't even think of dementors. Can any of you do a patronus?"

Everyone shook there head but Harry. Allenson knew Harry's abilities from their one-on-one tutoring session.

"You better go with him Potter." Allenson said. "We'll send reinforcements soon."

As they left he heard the head girl say they should put a guard to keep the Slytherins in their common room.

* * *

They'd transfigured stone barriers to protect the students. At Harry's suggestion they'd set them well back and created a few even further back to retreat to if necessary. Unfortunately all that transfiguration had exhausted the head boy, so he switched to etching some simple runes to keep the transfiguration from being reversed easily and let Harry power the runes and cast protection charms.

Four students showed up after a few minutes and helped Harry cast the last few protection charms. They positioned themselves as well as they could given their small numbers. Fortunately a much larger group, including Vector, McGonagall, Hagrid, and Burbage showed up before they were attacked.

They now knew it was death eaters. Hooch had organized two teams of broom riders and one had flown close enough to the gate to get some idea of what was happening. Vector told the group they were facing about fifty death eaters, at least four werewolves and two trolls. They had the two groups of fliers who would harass the group as they moved to the castle and Flitwick and four students using the silver arrow spell and other long range spells to attack the group from the towers.

The job here was to hold the death eaters off until help arrived from the ministry. The only message they'd gotten back from the DMLE was via messenger patronus. It was mostly bad news, they were tied up by an attack on Diagon Alley, they'd come as soon as possible.

"If Diagon Alley is a diversion then they'll try to keep the DMLE busy for as long as possible. Bones and Scrimgeour don't have a big enough force to split it." Auror Allenson told the group. "We may have to hold out for a long time. Be prepared to retreat. Stay in small groups. Use hit and run tactics. If you can head to the hospital ward."

"Don't depend on shields." Harry added. "This group likes to use unforgivables. A shield won't protect you from a killing curse."

There was a moment of quiet as everyone took that in.

Vector winced and leaned over, putting her hands on her knees, breathing hard. "Outer wards are down. Damn that hurt."

* * *

The death eaters moved fast. It was no more than five minutes before they could be heard approaching. The head boy transfigured a ladder and climbed up to look through one of the high windows. He didn't look for long before running back to the barriers. "They're forming up around the door. The trolls are in the front. I... I think he-who-must-not-be-named is with them."

A lot of the students looked ready to panic. "I've faced him before." Harry told the group. "He's dangerous but he can be hurt. He's also a coward, he'll send in his followers to soften us up before he shows up."

There was a loud boom as the doors were attacked. That was followed by Voldemort's high reedy voice.

"Before we ruin these lovely doors, I will give you one chance to surrender. Dumbledore is gone, you have no chance against me."

"Delay." Allenson hissed to Vector.

Vector used the amplification spell. "What guarantees do we have that you won't simply kill everyone here?"

There was an evil laugh. Voldemort did a very good evil laugh. "You must be Professor Vector. I've read your paper on spell simplification using symbolic matrices. We really must sit down and discuss it.

"As for killing everyone, why would I do that? My goal is to rule, not destroy. Purebloods will be treated with respect and care. Halfbloods will be subordinate but well treated as well. Mudbloods will be treated appropriately."

Vector frowned. "And what do you mean by appropriately? Some of my best students are muggle born."

"Fear not professor. Those with special talents will be expected to use them in service to me. Those of no account will have their magic removed, be obliviated and returned to the pathetic lives they had before joining our world."

"The only student who will suffer is Harry Potter. I'm afraid I can't have him running around making people think they can oppose me. I will even spare his life, though he will be imprisoned."

"How kind of him." Harry muttered.

"Let me talk to the other professors." Vector tried.

Voldemort's response was instant and hard. "No. Decide now."

Vector shrugged and replied. "I'm afraid you'll have to do it the hard way."

"So be it."

There was another loud boom as the doors were struck again.

* * *

"Now Minerva." Vector told the older professor.

With a wave of her wand and a murmured incantation Professor McGonagall sent a cat shaped patronus shooting through the ceiling.

"Anyone who knows the reinforcement spell, send it to the doors. Just once, we don't want to overwhelm the existing magics." The headmistress continued. "Once you've done that, do the same to the walls around and above the door."

Auror Allenson shifted to crouch down behind a barrier next to Harry. "Professors Flitwick and Sinistra and a few students are on one of the towers. The patronus is their signal to try to take out the werewolves and any targets of convenience before retreating and joining us here." He whispered.

"Good move. I hope he doesn't have any broom riders."

"Hooch is ready for that."

There were screams from outside and the pounding on the door stopped.

"He's going to be mad now and probably do something dramatic. You should probably tell everyone to get down and what spells to use." Harry said.

The auror's eyes widened then he yelled. "Down! Don't mess around with stunners. Piercing spells, blasting hexes, take them down hard."

Everyone ducked behind a barricade. That was a good thing as the doors suddenly disintegrated with an incredibly loud tearing noise. Splinters and chunks of door hit the barricades and flew over them to hit the wall behind. Harry summoned a pile of the splinters and tossed them next to Professor McGonagall. She'd be able to make good use of them.

Harry started sending wide arcs of cutting curses out, trying to cover the entire open area where the door used to be. They wouldn't do much damage. They would show any death eaters who tried to enter using some kind of invisibility.

It was unnecessary. The first wave was eight death eaters, the most that could go through the opening at once, using overlapping shields. The problem with that was the death eaters on the end didn't have anyone to overlap with.

Harry used a strong piercing hex on the left side. Allenson must have had the same idea and targeted the same side. Harry's piercing spell broke the shield, Allenson's blasting hex turned the half of the death eater not covered by his neighbors shield into a bloody mist.

"Again." Allenson said.

Harry targeted the next shield in line and Allenson followed up with his blasting curse. They got two more before the line broke and the remaining death eaters were taken down by massed fire.

Voldemort had used the delay. A group of about twenty death eaters had moved in behind them. They spread out and started firing at the defenders, forcing them to keep their heads down.

Professor McGonagall had been busy. She'd used the splinters Harry had sent her to transfigure a dozen large cats of some kind Harry didn't recognize. She sent them over the barrier all at once. Harry used the distraction to pop his head up and send as many piercing hexes as he could at the group. He took down two death eaters. He also saw the trolls.

"Trolls!" He shouted. This was bad. The trolls were resistant to magic and could take out the barriers that were protecting them.

"Sticking charm on the handle of their clubs." Allenson shouted. "Then banish the clubs."

Clever. "I've got the sticking charm." Harry said.

Allenson nodded and used his fingers to count down from three. Harry looked around the edge of the barrier and did a sticking charm on the handle of the nearest troll, which was pretty damn near. He managed a sticking charm on the other troll before being forced to duck back behind the barrier.

Someone else did the banishing trick on the other trolls club. They did it very well indeed, as the troll’s club and arm went flying into the wall. The rest of the troll didn't. There were a few cheers.

"Whoa! I've got to find out who managed that." Harry said.

The troll that hadn't lost its arm charged forward again under the cover of a hail of spells. Harry yelped and dove behind the barrier hiding Professor McGonnagall and three students as the club came down on the barrier he and Allenson where using. Once he landed he twisted around and did his strongest banishing spell on the troll's club. He didn't manage to repeat the 'disarming' someone had managed earlier but the troll slammed against a wall hard enough to put it down for now.

He chanced a glance around the corner of the barrier only to see Voldemort enter the castle behind a glowing yellow shield.

* * *

Auror Allenson hadn't duplicated Harry's desperate dive and hadn't fared as well as Harry, taking a fast moving stone shard to this leg.

"Voldemort just entered." Harry shouted.

"We're too exposed here, we need to retreat." McGonagall said.

"They'll cut us down when we move." Harry told her.

"I'll distract them, you yell to retreat and then help me get behind the next set of barriers." With that the transfiguration professor tossed a handful of wood splinters and waved her wand in a wide arc. He heard growling and shouts from the death eaters.

"Retreat to the next barriers!" Harry shouted as loud as he could, then grabbed McGonagall's arm and helped her stumble back. They clumsily dove behind one of the barriers protecting the hallway into the castle proper. They were protected from above by the overhang of the first floor balcony. This wasn't a great defensive position. They could retreat down the corridor but the death eaters could use the stairs to enter the castle on the upper floor. They should have had a few people on the balcony.

He helped Professor McGonagall sit up. "Are you okay Professor?"

"Just tired. A dozen wolves at once is a bit much. Did everyone make it?"

Harry peeked above the barrier. Two wolves were still menacing the death eaters, dodging their spells and diving in to attack. Voldemort had a half dozen dead wolves in front of him. He was ignoring the remaining wolves and looking up at the balcony.

Almost everyone had made it. The head boy and Professor Burbage were still behind one of the forward barriers. The professor was missing her wand arm from the elbow down. Despite that she was grinning wildly and holding a huge knife in her other hand. The head boy met Harry's eyes and gave him a grim smile. He tapped the professor and himself on the head with his wand, causing them both to fade from view.

He reported what he'd seen to the professor, who looked stricken. Professor Vector moved to join them, easier to do here, as the gaps between the barriers were smaller.

"Minerva, we need Hooch." She said.

The older professor shook her head. "I can't manage a patronus now. Mr. Potter, can you send a patronus to Professor Hooch?"

Spell fire began to hit the barriers from the death eaters. It wouldn't be long before Voldemort got impatient and did something dramatic again.

"I can't do a messenger patronus." Harry said.

"Just think about the patronus going to her. She'll know what it means." Professor McGonagall said.

Harry did his patronus without another comment, they didn't have much time. The stag seemed to understand his unspoken need and headed up and out toward the lake.

Harry looked around. Only about half the students were still behind barriers. Auror Allenson was talking to the Weasley twins and pointing down the corridor. One of them looked over at Harry and tilted his head. Harry nodded. Allenson had the right idea, it was time to retreat.

* * *

Hooch's group of fliers flew over the rear of the death eaters still outside Hogwarts firing spells and generally creating chaos. Voldemort and most of the death eaters ran outside to deal with the attack on their rear.

This allowed the rest of the students and professors to retreat into the Hogwarts corridors. He hoped the disillusioned head boy and Professor Burbage were able to use the distraction to escape as well.

He caught up to Auror Allenson quickly as the man was still limping. He helped him move toward the hospital wing for a time until they ran across a third-year Ravenclaw who'd gotten trapped outside his common room. Allenson and the Ravenclaw headed for the hospital wing together while Harry moved cautiously back toward the front entrance.

He used a staircase hidden behind a suit of armor to move up one floor. At least some of the death eaters would have moved up the stairs in the entry hall.

He nearly got skewered by a silver arrow when he met up with Professor Flitwick and two of the students who'd been firing on the werewolves from the towers.

"What's going on?" Harry asked Flitwick. "I haven't run across any death eaters since we retreated from the main entrance."

Flitwick shook his head looking as confused as Harry felt. "We ran across two groups of three death eaters. One group simply ran when we fired at them. The others... they were bad. I mean that they were incompetent at fighting. They seemed to be badly distracted. I think a group of second years could have taken them down."

"Allenson and Vector told the students to use hit and run tactics and head for the hospital wing."

Flitwick looked thoughtful. "Did they say anything about protecting the headmaster's office?"

"Not that I heard."

"Not good. That's where Voldemort is likely to go. Once there he may be able to take over the wards. The other likely target is the ward stones, but those are almost impossible to reach."

"Let's go." Harry said.

"We're likely to face Voldemort." Flitwick said to the two students with him. "You don't have to come."

"V-Voldemort?" The male student, a Hufflepuff six year, stuttered.

Flitwick looked at the two students. "Go to the hospital wing and help protect it. I'm sure I can slow him down."

"Not the first time I've faced him." Harry said. "I'm going."

The two older students decided to head to the hospital wing, though Grace, the seventh-year Gryffindor girl, looked unhappy about it.

"Let's go." Flitwick said. "Fast walk, we don't want to arrive too tired to... Fast walk for me Potter! Short legs here."

* * *

They arrived in front of Gargoyle protecting the office without meeting anyone at all.

"Too quiet." Flitwick muttered. "Could he have gotten into the office already?"

"Gilford is still in one piece." Harry pointed out. "Did you let anyone into the office?" Harry asked the statue.

It didn't move, though Harry could vaguely sense it was worried.

"I don't think it speaks." Flitwick said dryly.

"Not so I can understand. Lily!"

The tiny elf appeared, looking around nervously. "What is Harry Potter wanting with Lily?"

"If things get dangerous you're to go to safety immediately." Harry said, hoping to make her less nervous. "Until then can you find out if Gilford has let anyone into the head's office since the Headmistress and I left?"

The elf stared at the gargoyle. "He's not be letting anyone in. He be locked down to protect the office and be very scared."

"For good reason." Harry agreed. "Thank you Lily, you'd best go. We'll try to protect the office with Gilford."

The elf disappeared immediately.

"You have a personal elf?" Flitwick asked.

"Bit of a story, maybe later. Do you think it's worth creating a barrier?"

Flitwick shook his head. "We both prefer to dodge, a barrier would just get in our way."

They stood silently for a minute. Both tensed when they heard approaching footsteps. "Three I think." Flitwick whispered.

The footsteps stopped just around the corner. Flitwick aimed his wand at head height, Harry aimed low. Harry fired when a rats head peeked around the corner. "Wormtail." He hissed through clenched teeth.

"Just the two of you?" Came Voldemort's reedy voice. "I think I'm insulted. I expected Vector to be here at the least. I so wanted to congratulate her on the use of the pain inducing ward. Of course it does no good to those of us who know occlumency."

Harry realized the intention ward Vector had added when she couldn't find a way to ward against the dark mark had been affecting the death eaters. It explained why the hastily organized defense had done as well as it had.

"Wormtail, you may retreat to the gates. Tell Bella and her team to move inside the gate, as I'll have control of the wards soon."

Harry just heard the "Thank you master." in response.

Voldemort stepped around the corner, protected by the same yellow shield he'd used in the entrance hall. Snape stood behind him. Harry had seen that shield take dozens of spells, he didn't bother casting at it.

Flitwick did something complex with his wand and a grayish-green spell shot to the shield, causing it to waver and spark. Voldemort paused. Harry thought he looked surprised, though it was hard to tell as Voldemort had no eyebrows to raise.

"Fascinating, I've not seen that one before. This may be entertaining. Severance, you may entertain young Harry, I think I'll focus on our charms master."

And with that they were in a fight for their lives.

* * *

Harry managed to send a trio of conjured birds targeting Voldemort's nostrils before he had to focus on staying alive. Snape was good. By blocking, dodging, shielding, and a rare return piercing hex he managed to stay alive. He had very little attention to spare the fight between Flitwick and Voldemort.

After a time he noticed some weaknesses in Snape's fighting. He dodged only when it was easy, he wasted time furling his cape when he turned, and he was distracted when Voldemort moved suddenly. When the man turned to avoid one of Harry's rare piercing hexes at the same time Voldemort dodged Harry took advantage of the tiny break those habits provided to send a pair of blasting hexes sandwiching a shield breaker.

The ex-professor should have dodged the trio of spells which would have given Harry another small opening. Instead he shielded. His shield held against the blasting hex and fell to the shield breaker. That let the blasting hex hit him on the right side of his chest. The results weren't pretty. They were final.

Harry spared only a fraction of a second to understand what had happened before turning to send a piercing hex at Voldemort. He kept that up, dodging the curses the self-proclaimed dark lord occasionally sent his way.

The yellow shield was gone. Voldemort's robe was wet with blood on his left hip. Flitwick was considerably worse for wear. While no blood showed on his robes he was favoring his right side, and that arm hung limply. Fortunately he seemed to be able to cast effectively with his left hand. Despite those injuries the little professor was dodging and casting like the master duelist he was.

Harry's piercing hexes seemed to be distracting Voldemort somewhat but not enough to decide the battle. Impulsively he used an idea from, of all places, one of Lockhart's books and conjured as large a rock as he could a meter above Voldemort's head. On a whim he shaped the rock like an anvil.

He had his usual mixed luck. Voldemort dodged just before the rock dropped, missing hitting him straight on. It did hit his extended wand hand and the wand it was holding, knocking the wand to the ground. Voldemort's hastily dispelled the conjuration and summoned his wand. He immediately pointed his wand at Harry and snarled the killing curse.

Wands were tough. Much tougher than the polished tree branch they resembled. Voldemort's wand wasn't quite tough enough to avoid damage from having an anvil sized rock land on it. It exploded under the strain of the killing curse.

Voldemort stared at his mangled hand for just a moment before Harry's piercing hex and Flitwick's blasting hex hit him.

As had happened his first year a shadowy shape left the body and charged toward Harry. This time Harry had his wand and wasn't surprised. He threw up a shield, causing the shadow to back away. Flitwick tagged it with a spell that caused the shadow to freeze and drop to the ground. He kept casting the same spell at it.

"Patronus!" Flitwick shouted.

Harry struggled to find his happy memory and only got a mist at first. The mist hit the shadow and caused it to shrink. That encouraged him enough that he was able to cast it properly and a glowing Prongs attacked the frozen shadow, reducing it to nothing with a few rakes from its glowing antlers.

Flitwick signed and collapsed. Harry stumbled over to check on him, collapsing to a sitting position himself.

"You okay?" Harry asked.

"Broken arm, cracked ribs, bruises on my bruises. All things considered, I'm doing pretty well." The charms master answered cheerfully. "You should do something about that arm, it's bleeding pretty badly."

Harry looked at his wand arm. No blood, then looked at his left arm. Oh. "Didn't even realize I'd been hit." He used his one decent healing charm a few times and the bleeding stopped.

"That was pathetic. Remind me later and I'll teach you some better healing charms. Don't ask Pomfrey, she's shit at teaching."

Harry looked around at the blood and gore covered floor. "Will we get in trouble for making a mess?"

* * *

Forty-five minutes later a group of three aurors arrived with Headmistress Vector to find the two leaning against the gargoyle and chatting.

"What the hell happened here?" One of the auror's demanded.

"Hey! Nice of you guys to finally show up." Harry replied. "Nothing much, just fighting to protect the castle against a couple dark wizards."

The auror didn't look impressed by that, not that Harry cared much.

Vector broke in before the man could say anything more. "Mr. Potter, you really need to learn to be more polite. Do either of you need to get to the hospital wing?"

"Absolutely." Flitwick answered. "Though I think we can wait a few more minutes. If the aurors would direct their initial questions at me rather than a student, I'd appreciate it. Please keep it to a minimum for now, I really would like a pain potion soon."

The auror took a deep breath. "Yes, of course Professor. Can you start by summarizing what happened here?"

"We came here to protect the headmistress's office from being captured by the invaders. Ex-professor Snape and a wizard claiming to be Voldemort attacked. We won."

"That's... brief." The auror said. "May I check your wands?"

Harry handed his over. Flitwick started to shrug, winced, then handed his over as well. The aurors used spells to check the most recent spells, then used the more advanced version to check additional spells.

"Are we expected to believe you didn't use a single shield spell?" One of the aurors asked Flitwick suspiciously.

Vector laughed. "You didn't attend Hogwarts did you. Master Duelist Flitwick is well known for his ability to dodge rather than shield."

"Not much of a master duelist if he was this injured." The suspicious auror muttered.

Unfortunately for him Flitwick heard. "Auror, once I'm healed, I'll gladly duel all three of you at once." His voice was low and dangerous.

The other two aurors grabbed the suspicious auror and pulled him back before he could reply. There was a brief whispered conversation and the suspicious auror stepped forward looking frightened and confused.

"My apologies Professor Flitwick. I am auror Dale Smith. If you find the time, I and my fellow aurors would be honored to duel with you, though it is not necessary to prove your abilities. I've been... convinced they are considerable."

Flitwick gave the auror a single nod. "Good enough. Given the attacks I imagine we will all be busy for a few weeks, perhaps early December some time."

Vector was smirking at the auror who'd first spoken to them, probably the one in charge of the team.

"We have enough for now. Let's get the forensics team up here and sort through this mess." That auror said. "We'll need more detailed statements from you two eventually. Do you need help getting to the hospital wing?"

"I expect Mr. Potter and I can manage." The diminutive professor replied.

As Harry was helping Professor Flitwick down the hall, he heard professor Vector tell the aurors that, if they were smart, they'd have Bones and Scrimgeour do the interview with Lord Potter.

* * *

The hospital wing was busy. A dozen students and Professors McGonagall and Sinistra mostly filled the wing's beds. Madam Pomfrey and a young woman in healer robes were tending to patients. When Pomfrey saw them she immediately ran over and levitated Professor Flitwick into a bed while Harry moved to sit on his usual bed, which was empty.

The young healer came over to check on Harry. "Lay down Mr. Potter, that will make it easier for me to check you over."

Harry sighed and did so. He watched the young witch for a moment, she looked familiar. "You were head girl my second year, weren't you?"

She smiled at him. "Yes, I was, Mable Gladpole in Hufflepuff. I'm a healer apprentice now. Hold still while I take care of that arm. The first aid work done on it was sloppy."

Once she was done working on his arm he asked if he could leave.

"Sorry Mr. Potter. Everyone needs to be checked by Madam Pomfrey before leaving. I also have specific instructions not to trust you saying you're fine when you showed up."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Annoying but not unexpected."

"Isabella!" The healer called.

The first year Harry had rescued came out of Pomfrey's office and ran over. "Harry! Are you well?" She sounded distressed.

"Pretty sure I'm good." He said, carefully avoiding the word 'fine'. Madam Pomfrey is going to double check when she's not busy."

"Isabella, can you get Mr. Potter and Professor Flitwick water. After that you can keep Mr. Potter company if you like." The young healer said.

Once the girl had run off the healer asked Harry to try to get the little girl to rest. She'd been running around helping since Mable arrived and had exhausted herself.

He agreed and asked if they'd lost anyone.

The young healer looked sad. "A few. Professor Burbage didn't make it, the head boy is very seriously hurt and is at at Saint Mungos along with three other students. I heard that two other students didn't make it, but I don't know who they were."

Harry closed his eyes. "Damn."

"Mr. Potter, I don't know everything that happened here, but from what I've heard it's absolutely amazing that so few were hurt or lost. I also heard you, the head boy, and Auror Allenson were a big part of why that was the case."

Harry shrugged. "I feel like I could have done more."

"I have to go check on the other patients, but something we learn in healer training is that all you can do is the best you can do. Thinking about what you could have done better is useful for the next time but that's to improve the best an older, more experience you can do."

That actually sounded pretty reasonable. "Thank you." He said quietly.

"No problem Mr. Potter. Get some rest. Madam Pomfrey will be by in a bit to check on you."

* * *

When Harry woke the sun streaming in the windows told him it was late morning. He grabbed his glasses from the table and looked around. About half the beds were still full, including Professor Sinistra and Auror Allenson, who he was pretty sure hadn't been there earlier. Isabella was curled up next to him in the bed asleep and looking innocent and cute. Also drooling.

The last he remembered he'd convinced the first year to sit on the bed and tell him what she'd been doing in the hospital wing. She'd been having a check up with Pomfrey when they'd been told about the attack by one of the house elves. Pomfrey had told her to stay rather than taking a chance on not making it to the Hufflepuff dorms before they were locked down.

A tired looking Madam Pomfrey saw he was awake and came over. "You're free to go Mr. Potter. If you'll allow it, I'll hit you with some cleaning charms and you can go directly to lunch, which should be starting soon. Please escort Miss Watkins down as well, as she needs to eat.

Harry agreed and fifteen minutes later was entering the great hall with a sleepy Isabella. The first year was soon collected by a group of Hufflepuffs, though she looked back at him while being dragged to their table. He just smiled and gestured for her to go with her housemates.

There were no open spaces by his friends so he was going to sit at the end with the first years when Hermione's shadow Heather waved him over and let him have her seat next to Hermione. She sat with the other second years.

"Good morning." He said to the group as a whole.

Hermione looked him over. "You look like hell." She said.

Pavati, who was sitting on his other side, looked over at him. "You're right Hermione. I suggest you drag him off to bed immediately after lunch. Yours or his, your choice."

Hermione blushed but didn't respond.

"Or I could take care of it for you?" Parvati said suggestively.

Wait. Parvati wouldn't say that, even to tease Hermione, not after the disaster of their date to the Triwizard Ball last year. He looked carefully at the girl. "Padma?" He whispered to her.

"Oops. Keep it to yourself. Only Lavender and Luna know Parvati and I switch now and then." She whispered back. "I needed a break from being the only prefect in Ravenclaw."

"Your secret is safe with me." He whispered before turning back. The rest of his year mates were watching the quiet exchange between them.

"Uh, just making sure she was joking about the putting me to bed thing." He improvised. Fortunately that worked and the group turned their attention to the head table where Professor Vector was standing and looking over the crowd of students.

"It looks like most everyone is here." She said loudly. The room quieted down and focused on her. He imagined a lot of the students wanted details about what had happened the night before.

"I'm going to tell you everything I can." She continued. "Some details I can't discuss due to active investigations, some because families need to be informed first, and some because I simply don't know yet."

She explained that there was an attack by a group of about fifty to sixty death eaters along with two trolls and a group of werewolves. She explained how Professor Hooch had led a group of broom fliers and Professors Flitwick and Sinistra had led a group of students to attack from the castle towers. She briefly described their defense in the entrance hall and the chaos of the fighting retreat into Hogwarts proper.

"We lost Professor Burbage." She said quietly. "And two seventh year students in addition to three of age students at Saint Mungos in critical condition.

"There were many acts of heroism. I've been told Professor Burbage will receive a posthumous Order of Merlin. The head boy will be receiving a commendation for service to the school for his work on preparing the entry hall defense and his support of Professor Burbage. Mr. Potter will also receive a commendation for his support of Professor Flitwick in protecting the critical head's office from death eaters."

Interesting that there was no mention of Voldemort or even Snape. Though now that he thought about it, that was probably for the best. Unfortunately it wouldn't stop the rumors given how many older students saw Voldemort during the entrance hall attack.

"As I announced this morning, there are no classes today. We hope to restart classes on Monday. Further announcements will be made as we know more. I have decided that the planned Hogsmeade weekend will be held, though you will see aurors, professors and a few older prefects patrolling. Be on your best behavior. I also ask that you be careful when talking to any press who may be in town. If uncertain, have them talk to myself or Auror Allenson. We will both be part of the patrols."

"Thank you all for your cooperation during this difficult time. Enjoy your lunch."

Vector sat down and the table filled with the normal lunch fare. Harry grabbed a fresh bread roll and slices of ham and cheese for a thick sandwich.

"Professor Vector wasn't as calming as Professor Dumbledore would have been. She was a lot more informative though." Hermione said as she picked through the vegetable platter that had appeared in front of her. "Speaking of not being informative, did you see the Profit this morning?"

As his mouth was full Harry shook his head.

"They obviously knew nothing meaningful. About all I could glean from the report was there were about twenty death eaters attacking Diagon Alley, just doing random damage until the Aurors showed up, after which they did a fighting retreat down the alley. They just mentioned there was also an attack on Hogwarts. Of course they said it was just some rogue wizards dressing as death eaters and You-Know-Who hadn't returned."

Harry swallowed and shrugged. "It doesn't really matter now, Voldemort is gone. Flitwick took him out with a very small amount of help from me. He even managed to capture his spirit after his body was killed and we kind of wore it down with a patronus."

He took another bite of his sandwich, then glanced over at Hermione when she was unexpectedly silent. His best female friend was staring at him with her mouth hanging open. He glanced around and Padma looked shocked as well. No one else seemed to have heard him or maybe didn't care.

He shrugged again and took another bite of the sandwich. He was hungry. He wasn't happy with the death and injury from the attack. Yet he had to admit things were better now. They no longer had to deal with Snape, Umbridge or even Dumbledore. He was an acknowledged adult in the magical world, which should get him out of returning to the Dursleys. Best of all Voldemort and most of his death eaters were dead or captured. He even had a sort of little sister to look after and spoil. Things were looking up for him and most of the students.

He found out how much better a few hours later when Hermione and Padma dragged him into an empty classroom and rewarded him with a three way snogging session.

* * *

EPILOGUE, Seven Years Later

Harry stood before what was left of the Fawley clan and pocketed the wand he'd just summoned from Jacob Fawley, the current head of the house.

It was just he and Isabella now. Hermione and Neville had been badly injured in an ambush that had cost the Fawley's their previous head of house and their last remaining allies. Dobby and Lily had popped them to Hogwarts to be treated by Madam Pomfrey and Padma.

As far as he knew the young man, two women, and three children in front of him were all that were left of the Fawleys. Or all that weren't in Azkaban anyway.

If he was wrong, well Isabella was watching his back.

"You started this blood feud, or your old head of house did." Harry growled. "Surrender, take an oath on behalf of your house to no longer attack the Potters or our allies and my reparation demands will be minimal."

The man snarled at him. "You don't have the guts to kill an unarmed man." He said.

Harry put on a puzzled look. "People keep saying things like that. They must have me confused with Dumbledore or something."

The man looked considerably less certain. Then his face hardened and he pulled a back-up wand. Harry's reflexes took over and he put a piercing hex through the man's forehead before the wand could be raised.

"Getting sloppy Harry." Isabella said. "You should have bound him."

"Yeah, yeah." Harry said. "I admit it. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't tell Hermione or Padma."

"No promises." Isabella replied.

Harry sighed. "Okay, who's in charge now?"

The remaining members of the Fawley family shared looks. The older woman was about to speak when a boy, not older than twelve, stepped forward. He slowly pulled his wand and pointed it skyward.

"I, Milford Fawley, there being no other members of the family in the line of succession and our family being in danger of extinction, do hereby declare myself head of house, may magic verify my claim."

There was a brief flash around the boy. Who let out a breath and lowered his wand.

"Lord Potter." The boy said, his voice cracking. "There has been more than enough killing. With your agreement I declare this blood feud ended and will agree to any reasonable oath or reparations."

Harry didn't lower his wand. "Agreed, there's been more than enough killing. Give your oath."

The boy did. Limiting the nonaggression to 'until there are none remaining who remember the reason for the feud'. That seemed good enough to Harry. He lowered his wand and stepped forward, offering his hand.

"Milford, you are wise beyond your years. I accept your oath and will contact you or your regent to discuss reparations once things have settled down."

The boy shook his hand. Harry nodded to the remaining members of the house and turned and walked away. There would be paperwork at the Ministry and interviews with the press. For now he and Isabella had to go see how Hermione and Neville were doing.