Ancestry 16 - Some People Never Learn But Some Learn Very Well. by Voracity2

Ancestry 16 - Some People Never Learn But Some Learn Very Well.

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Ancestry 16 - Some People Never Learn But Some Learn Very Well.

Ron looked at Harry. "Think we could all run away this summer?"

"No," Harry admitted. Then he smiled. "I don't think I can allow people at the castle. You can go camp at the old house."

"No thanks. Maybe I won't go help Bill this summer since apparently he's going to try to beat my arse." He sighed, looking at Hermione.

"As Xander put it, my parents aren't that mad. I'm not in therapy or an inpatient setting in a mental help center."

Ron blinked a few times. "They can do that?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Dad knows a few law enforcement sorts who can help him too. So we'd better all hide whatever we have to do this year until we come back to school. Or else I'll have to learn to camp."

"You could go to Xander's hellmouth," Harry offered with a grin. "But you'd have to learn how to stake a vampire."

She blinked a few times. "I don't mind visiting the States."

Ron considered it. "Me either. Think he'd let us camp in his yard?"

"With the self defense tentacle plant? Maybe."

The duo shared a look then nodded. Yes, they needed to do that. Quickly. Straight from the train probably. Harry just grinned at them. He could hide at the castle. He hoped.

Neville looked down the library table at them. "It's nice there's been no howlers."

"Headmaster made sure they can't get through," Ron quipped with a grin. "Ginny and I are both really happy with that."

"So are the rest of us," Hermione admitted. Ron shrugged at that. "It's not very good."

"No it's not," he sighed. "But you can't really tell your mother to quit embarrassing you, Hermione."

"You can. I had a total fit at mine about her talking to someone else about my upcoming puberty changes and how she didn't know where to help me look for a bra. Had a total girl fit and stomped off to sulk."

"Glad I didn't have that. The Dursleys probably wouldn't have taken me," Harry quipped. "I wonder if there's a world where I was a girl."

Ron looked at him oddly. "You know, with magic you can do that."

Harry grinned. "That's one way to hide."

"Point. Would I mind being Ronella?" He considered it instead of his homework. "Well....."

Hermione giggled. "You can try some polyjuice to see if you can handle it, Ron." She looked at Harry. Who shrugged.

"As long as it's not me," Neville said dryly as he wrote something. "Someone suggested to Grams that I could date Harry." He looked at Harry. "Sorry, but I had to tell her I liked squishy things that could someday give her great-grandchildren. She got much happier," he finished dryly then smirked.

"That's fine, Nev. Not my idea of fun either." He waved a hand. "Wouldn't know what to do with one." Neville grinned at that. "Not asking for suggestions either. Someone will want me to give them some practical practice time." Hermione giggled at that, shaking her head a bit. "Seriously! I got offered some fun times by someone yesterday during the morning mail. I had to write a nice turn down letter about how I wasn't doing that until after the war." He frowned. "Any ideas yet?"

"Not heard a thing," Hermione admitted. "You?"

"Not yet." They sighed together and got back to homework.

Finally Hermione had enough. She closed her books then looked around. "We need a fun night," she announced. The other gryffs in there near them all stared at her. "An hour or so playing games would help ease the brain rot we've all got from homework. Tonight or tomorrow?"

"We have a test in two days," one of the fourth years complained.

"Will you be awake to take it?" she asked. "We could all use the stress break, Higgins."

"Point I guess. An hour isn't so bad to rest. Though my Mum will kill me if my grades slip."

She stared at him. "A break will help your brain refocus and remember things better." That got a nod from a few kids. "Let's do that tomorrow night. I'll get some games set up." She went to talk to the other Prefects, who were with the idea since they were so bored too.

***

The headmaster looked at Hermione the next morning in her head of house's office. "A free night?" he asked dryly.

"Yes. To ease the strain of studying. Otherwise we'll never remember a single thing. It helps when you're overly tired of studying. An hour or two cures many things in life."

"Point I suppose. What are we doing?"

"A few games and a tournament."

"Prizes?"

"Two of my better quills and a box of paper."

"That's fine I suppose." He stared at her. "I'd hope it didn't ruin your grades either."

"I'm six weeks ahead!" she complained then snorted. "I deserve some time to have some fun and so do the other students, especially those with tests at the end of the year."

"Fine." She walked off, happier now. He looked at McGonagall, who nodded she agreed. "Is that normal? I'm used to that at the beginning of the year to get to know each other and the new students."

"It happens infrequently. She's right though, it should happen more often." He grimaced but nodded. "I see nothing wrong with it."

Someone knocked then walked in. Harry handed her a letter. "I've sent back three different remarks saying that I wasn't going to meet her to have some fun of any sort or another. My last one was rather rude to Neville when I had him proofread it to make sure I said what I meant. How do I stop that woman?"

She blinked, staring at the letter. "That's distasteful."

"Yes it is." He grimaced. "I've tried and I'm about to sic Ginny on them."

"She has manners."

"When she wants to use it," he said dryly. "I'd ask Hermione but I doubt they need to commit suicide."

"Have you talked to your cousin?"

"No. I haven't wanted to get him into this because he's leading up to a battle."

She blinked a few times. "Why?"

"An ascension apparently."

She swallowed. "Oh. That sounds nasty." She cleared her throat. "Do you wish me to write her?"

"Please." He smiled. "Before I have to sic all the girls on her?"

"Gladly, Harry." She took the letter back to fold and put into her pocket. "I'll make her desist bothering you."

"Thank you." He left, going to class.

She shook her head. "I've never seen so many mash notes as that boy gets." She got up to go to her desk and write out a response saying that she had confiscated the letter because she had upset Harry so much while the headmaster went back to his office.

She noted sending such suggestions to a school boy was not a good idea and if one more appeared she'd have to tell some proper authorities. Or Molly Weasley. She was a good threat to use at this point. She sent it off and got back to her grading. It was a much nicer time at the school these days.

At least until she heard crying so went to look. Some girl, crying on the stairs.

Ron walked past her. "Want me to paste him for you, Bethy?"

"No," she pouted. "It wasn't my boyfriend. My mother's *horrible* and mean." She pouted at the teacher. "My mother's a shrew and she should turn herself into one to fly off!"

"What's happened?" she asked, leading the poor girl off to talk to her about her mother's issue this time. Her mother had a few over the last few years so it wasn't surprising. She got to write another snippy letter to another middle aged woman about her daughter not becoming a nun as she didn't believe in a religion that went that way. Some parents really did have bad ideas.

***

Draco got a letter from the family's barrister and sighed. "What now?" he muttered, opening it to read. He stared then looked around. "Fuck," he muttered, putting it into his pocket and finishing dinner in a hurry to go call his mother. She was not happy when she answered the floo. "I got a letter from Hubert, Mother."

"Yes, as did I. I'm leaving for France in a few moments, once I have the elves finish packing."

"What am I doing?" he asked.

"That I have not decided upon. For now you're to stay at school, Draco." Draco pulled out the letter to show her. She read it and winced. "So that was a ploy to get you instead of one against Lucius."

"Apparently. What am I doing? Beyond going to press charges against him tomorrow?"

She considered it. "That would out you and get many more like that onto you, son."

"You'd rather I let him try to do this to Father?"

"He does deserve such treatment for his past misdeeds."

He stared at her. "Mother, I'm fairly certain I knew that." She winced again. "I'd rather draw a tiny bit of attention to derail this problem than to have to fight against it and go running to some other sort to protect myself. Or Potter as the Black head of house."

She sighed. "That may help you. Ask him if he can. At least he can protest without outing your heritage." She hung up.

Draco huffed and went to find Potter, who was still at dinner. He walked over to him. "I need to speak to the head of my house," he said quietly. "Immediately."

"Okay." He finished his last bite and sipped some water then followed him into the back hall. "What's happened?" Draco handed him the letter. "Is your Mum at Grimmauld again?" he asked, looking at him.

"No, she's hiding further away."

"Are you going to join her?"

"Not that she's planned. I want to go protest this and she thinks it'll set attention on my...heritage."

"Okay, I remember what you were reading up on this last fall," he agreed quietly. "Do you need to hide at Grimmauld?"

"I may. I may need some support as well to do this properly."

"Even if I don't like your father that's wrong to put him in jail to blackmail you."

"Thank you," he sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"We can go do that tonight if you want. I'm pretty sure someone around here knows an auror's floo."

"Please."

Harry went to talk to Flitwick, who he liked more than most teachers. "We need an auror to take a blackmail letter from someone," he said quietly. "Draco was made aware of it."

"Is it that bad?"

"Yes. They've thrown a student's father in jail to force a mating."

"Oh, fuck," he muttered in Latin. Harry grinned and nodded. "I'll call one right now."

"Thank you. Draco will be with me." That got a nod. He went to get Draco and bring him back out. "You're with me until we've figured it out. That way you're safe."

"I can't go into Gryffindor."

"I can go to the library."

"You're having some sort of house party."

"We're having a stress breaking and studying night. I can miss playing cards. It's too important." Draco grimaced at that. "It really is. If they can do this to you they can do it to others. I've had to stun one of yours who suggested Ginny Weasley should have to marry Voldemort since that possession came out."

"Yes, let's stop that idea as well," Ron said as he joined them. "What's went on?"

Harry looked at her. "Tonks, you make a crap Ron," he said dryly. "You talk too nicely." She giggled, letting herself change back. He handed over the letter. "His mother's fleeing."

"I can see why." She looked at Draco. "You okay with this? It might get out."

"I'm not going to be blackmailed and have him kissed to protect my own arse," he said bluntly. "My mother and I will be speaking however since she's not helping me."

She nodded. "Sometimes you gotta look out for yourself, Draco."

"Yes but family should be more than that."

"True." She patted him on the cheek. "Let's go make a report. I'll try to keep it subtle and see what's up with your dad's charges. Thanks, Harry."

"Welcome." He looked at Draco. "Let me know. I'll do what I can, including letting you borrow a locked down property."

"That's actually a great relief right now." He followed Tonks to the office to use the floo with her. She ran into the head of the aurors and held up the letter for her. Bones took it to read and looked at him. Draco grimaced. "I'm not putting up with blackmail. I'll destroy him first."

"Good. We can handle that, Mr. Malfoy, and keep that out of the press." She led him back to go over the paperwork and a few other items. Including charging the family's lawyer with fraud and a few other nice things that would get him a cell next to Lucius.

***

Draco walked into the trial, looking at his father. Who looked upset to see him. He moved closer, ignoring the auror in his way. "I got his letter and had a fit," he said quietly. "Mother's safe. I'll be safer." Lucius sighed but nodded. "But I'm not going to let anyone blackmail me, Father. Good luck."
He went to sit down in the audience with Potter near him. Harry had insisted. Draco knew that they could ask Lucius anything under truth serum and he'd be forced to answer. It could still end up with him in prison on various charges.

Harry was writing on some charmed parchment at someone, getting notes back. He sighed in pleasure at what he saw. Draco looked over. "Two of those were overturned by Fudge," he said quietly.

"They got returned when Fudge went to jail." He looked at him. "It's Xander."

"He'd know the ins and outs I suppose."

"Probably." He looked at his lawyer, who Alex had hired for them both to sue everyone. "Here." He let him see it.

"He's right, two were overturned but are back in semi-legally gray areas," he noted, nodding at what he saw. "Your cousin is quite devious."

"I suppose that comes from the family," Harry quipped with a grin for him.

"Yes, it probably would." He looked at Draco. "How far are you willing to take this?"

"I'll kill him myself," he warned.

"That's actually a legal alternative for you, Mr. Malfoy." He made his own notes and got up when they announced the start of the trial. "Ma'am, I'm one of his defense team," he said, stepping forward. "His son has asked me to help with this matter as it hinges on a bit of blackmail going on."

The judges looked at each other. "Blackmail?" one asked.

"Yes. They arrested Mr. Malfoy to get his son to mate to him." He handed over a copy of that letter. The other was in evidence. Lucius burst out swearing. "Calm yourself," he warned quietly. He looked at the judges again. "Mr. Malfoy, the younger, is in a livid state about all this. He's about to manifest." He looked smug. "I move to end this trial as it was put in under fraudulent means. Drop all charges and undo this travesty of blackmail."

The judges held a conference. "There were other charges brought after these were filed," one told him.

"Is that legal since the original ones were put in under fraudulent means?"

"Not exactly but some of them are serious charges."

"Would they hinge on the evidence already presented to get the first bit of charges?"

"Yes," one admitted. "Most would. One charge would not and it's rather serious. The question of how that journal got to Ginny Weasley. Which he admitted he had in his possession before he bumped into her."

"Which he has stated was an accident, Madam."

"True," she agreed with a nod. "He did. But that charge is still a separate charge brought to us. It does not hinge on the other evidence." She looked at the other two, who nodded that was fair. "We will be dropping the other charges thanks to this bit of blackmail. Have we verified the sender?" The lawyer smiled and handed over the notes Tonks had made for them.

"Oh, I see. He took that to an auror to press charges against him for the blackmail and all this. Wonderful. We can hear his trial today as well." She put it down, looking at Lucius. "That is still a serious charge that hangs over your head, Mr. Malfoy. We will be hearing that one."

"It was still an accident. I had no intention of Ginny Weasley having charge of that journal."

"We shall determine that legally, Mr. Malfoy." She looked at the two lawyers, who were hissing at each other. "Are we prepared to start?"

"Yes, ma'am," they both agreed, nodding at each other about how to handle this single charge.

The prosecutor got up to get that evidence to look over, grimacing at it. "I can agree to that change, Your Honors." He put it down. "I'm prepared to start as I was told about that one earlier."

"Good." She banged the gavel. "We start this trial against Lucius Malfoy now."

They dosed him and started to ask him questions until an auror came to grab Draco, calling him a 'thing'.

Draco knocked him away from him. "I'm not a thing. My great-grandmother has nothing to do with who I am. It was latent until recently." The man tried to grab him again but Harry got up to brawl with him.

"You *dare* touch a member of the House of Black?" he demanded as he kicked the guy around. "How dare you debase your family that way!" He kicked him in the face. "Do not make me dishonor my own family to prove yours has none." The man moaned and passed out. He looked at the staring people. "He's sorry he interrupted. Sit, Draco." He sat down as well, looking pissed off.

"Ring?" Draco asked quietly.

"Yup. Arcturus is pissed. Charlus is too." He grinned at him. "They're both livid he tried that. Said something about Alexandrian laws and Noble Houses and a whole lot about I should tell Xander."

Draco swallowed. "He'll bring down the building."

"Perhaps it's a good thing." He shrugged. "I don't care one way or another at the moment thanks to them." He stared at a staring auror, who backed away slowly when Harry crossed his arms over his chest, showing off the heirs rings on his hand.

"Mr. Potter, thank you for not violating the law by pulling a wand," one of the judges called. "But do leave them able to beg for mercy of me later please."

"He'll wake up and just be sore, ma'am. Sorry I made a slight mess. Should I clean it up?"

"No, we have a house elf here, Mr. Potter." She smiled at that move. So much like Charlus Potter's temper.

Lucius looked back then at his son. "He'll be safe with Potter." He suddenly winced and held his arm. "Oh. No." He hadn't been told that they were going to use him as bait to get into the Ministry or to get Potter.

Harry looked at that then at Draco. "Apparate back to the school, or use the camp moving spell, go to Dumass lands," he said in a whisper. Draco looked horrified. "Now, Draco. Call the others." He nodded, hurrying to do that from the nearby floo and then head out before anyone could grab him. "I believe that means that we're about to have another testimonial," Harry said, standing up. "Which I hate." He looked at Lucius, who was pale and shaky. "Will you live?"

"I'd better. You'll turn my son," he growled. He got free and stood up to face him. "He comes."

"I figured that." He shrugged. "Not the first time. Does the Ministry have emergency procedures?" he asked bluntly to the aurors staring at him. They fled to handle that. Bones went to handle it too. "Sorry to interrupt again," he said dryly.

"No, if You-Know-Who's coming here, stop him, Mr. Potter."

"If I can. I'm just a guy." He ran off to help the aurors defend the building. He hit the coin for DA. It was too coincidental. The school was vulnerable. He wasn't there. Maybe he was paranoid but he was Harry Fucking Potter, things like that happened to him.

***

In Defense, Hermione felt the coin going off and flinched, pulling it out to read the message. "Shit and fucking hell," she said. "Ron, move the kids, now. It's attacking the Ministry." Ron flinched, staring at her. "Now." He nodded, going to start the evac. "Prefects, move your kids. Now!" she ordered as she stood up and grabbed what she needed. "Padma, do ours for me."

She nodded, running off to start that. "Dobby, ring the damn bell," she ordered. She ran to the front steps to check things. McGonagall was following. She spun to look at her. "Lucius Malfoy's trial got interrupted by Voldemort going to visit him." She winced at that. "Move the kids." She looked at Ron as he stomped out. "You ready?"

"Nope. Never am." He sent off a few things to warn others. He looked at McGonagall. "Can we have some adults to help? Like the Order?" She nodded, going to alert them. "Shit, of course they used Lucius as a sacrificial lamb," Ron muttered, considering it. They watched as the shields around the school flexed. "That's not good." He looked at Hermione. "Been nice knowing you."

"You as well." She looked back at the sound of feet. "Everyone else evacuated? Including Slytherin?"

"Yes," one panted, nodding. "I ran into Pansy and told her. She's gotten the kids to a friend's house. She had the years split so some went one place and others another." That got a nod from Ron. "The last of ours are going now. There's the great cat hunt in Ravenclaw."

"She can get a new cat," Hermione noted calmly. The shields flexed again. She took a deep breath, looking at everyone. "Surround the school. Hit the second plan to defend it." She looked at Ron.

"Hit the third," he noted. "The one side is pretty bare of entries. Just hit the major hot points and we can shift if we have to. We might get one or two intruders but it'll be safer." They nodded, taking off to do that. Ron swallowed and looked at Neville. "You should be safer."

"Like hell. It's my duty if Harry's not here." He shrugged. "Even if I hate it."

"Me too," Ron said, punching him on the arm. "Could really use the brothers." He sent a quick message at the twins, who could summon others. Of course, everyone would be protecting the Ministry, not the school.... Which was typical. They never saw an adult in front of them. He sucked in a breath when the shields went down. "Neville, I doubt he's here."

"Yup, oh well!" He pulled his wand and prepared for the fight coming up. He hated to fight but sometimes...you really had to defend yourself and others.

***

Harry looked at the forces. Every single auror was there. "Who's guarding the school?" he bellowed. "It's only the students!" A few aurors looked stunned. "Hermione said the shields just got brought down, people!" A few ran to help with that situation too. Harry sighed, pushing his hair back.

"Great. Just marvelous." The first Death Eater came in strolling and Harry bound him then hit him with a stunner. The guy yelled and brought more so they stunned them. And the rest that were trying to get in while the rest of the ministry evacuated behind them. He saw Arthur and Percy step in and nodded.

"Percy, go guard the school. They could use you there. You remember where things are." Percy flinched, staring at him. "Now, Percy. Right now." Percy nodded and went to do that with a few of the staff from near his own age. Harry hit one particularly hard and he exploded. "Huh, that's what that does. Des's journal just said it was nasty."

He did it a few more times. That stopped the attack pretty much cold. Harry fled back to the school to help there, getting the lines behind them. No Voldemort. He wasn't at the Ministry either. He sensed like Xander had taught him and winced. He was nearby. In the town. He sent a few aurors to town to clear it while he fought his way forward. Suddenly everyone left. Harry looked around. "Okay, did they run?" he called.

"Yeah," an auror called. He pushed back his sweaty hair. "The Ministry, Potter?"

"Standing. They were all down." He looked around. "Clean up the injured. They shouldn't have to stay out here. We have doors that lock until aurors can take the bad ones and the rest need the infirmary." They got them up there with the help of St. Mungos' staff. Harry went to find his buddies, finding Hermione having a bit of a stress cry on Neville's shoulder and him awkwardly petting her. Ron was kicking the school. "We all good?"

"He wasn't here," Ron said, looking at him.

"He was in town." Ron winced at that, nodding once. "The Ministry survived, we survived. We'll figure out how to handle it from here," he said as he swallowed. "I hope." He looked at Hermione, who hugged him. "Shh, you're okay." He let her finish her stress crying and let her go. "You okay? Need medical?"

"No, I'm good," she decided with a nod. She wiped her face off. "That was stress."

"It happens. I want to cry too," Neville said.

"It's good stress relief," Harry admitted. "So do I." He looked at the headmaster stomping over. "Everyone safe? They all get away?"

"They did," he agreed. "Is the Ministry still standing?"

"It was when I left. He didn't show up there. He was in town." He looked at a nearby auror, who called the boss to tell her that. "Xander taught me earth sensing." That got a nod and they added that. "He's gone now."

"Good!" He sighed, going back to the clean up. He would keep down how much this sucked.

Hermione looked then at Ron. "Two less than the Ministry last year," she said quietly.

"We had nineteen at the Ministry," Harry said, pushing his hair back. He looked out there. "Nineteen here."

"We'll handle it and make better plans," Ron reminded him. "Just like most years."

"We're the adults," the headmaster said firmly.

Ron looked at him. "Then why are there students on the field needing treatment?" The man flinched at that. Ron looked at Harry. "You stable?"

"Very, very mad."

"Yeah, me too. Malfoy?"

"Safe. Lucius, not sure."

"Okay." He nodded. "Go tell him to meet up with others."

"I guess the students who appeared there would have." He shrugged. "He'll be fine as long as he's not snatched."

"Good." A ghost came floating over. "Ma'am," he said with a nod.

"Grandma Des," Harry said with his own nod. "Draco safe?"

"Yes, dear. He's fine. We put him in the treehouse by himself. It's a bold plan to move them that way."

"Xander said so."

"Good! Though it's just like that boy to invite people over and not tell the rest of us so we could've had things set up. He did that with a huge family of neighbors that had a fire. Twenty-one people and we had no idea so had nothing on the fires and no beds ready." Harry grinned at that. "Where is he?"

"Sensing things....I can't sense him. He's on protected ground somehow, Grandma Des."

"There's a few of those. How far is your range?"

"I've learned to connect to the magic. He's not near a ley line or the tiny hellmouth we have by Devon."

"Then he must be on Fey protected grounds," she decided. "We'll figure it out. The ghosts can help if you ask."

He grinned. "Please? We'd love some help."

"Agreed. Go throw up, Harry. It's what warriors do." He nodded, holding it down. "Go ahead. Like stress crying, nausea is normal after a real battle."

"Not my first one," he sighed. He rubbed his forehead. Then looked around. "There's an artifact here." He went to find it and picked it up with his wand tip. "Hey, guys. Why do we have a soul capturing device here?" he called. The aurors all turned to look at him. He held it up. "It said it's to capture lost souls." They came to get it and put it safely with the bank for now.

"That means he's got a plan to use the deaths to hype him or a spell," Hermione realized, looking at Ron.

"Can we even do that?" he demanded.

"Xander identified the Dark Mark as Ancient Egyptian wandless magic," Harry said, coming back. "So maybe. In that type of magic, energy is energy."

"Shite!" he said loudly. "How dare he not use a wand like everyone else!"

Harry snickered. "Well, sometimes you gotta learn new things," Neville quipped.

"Can we ask someone who'd know about that type of magic?" Hermione asked.

"I have no idea who would," the headmaster said, looking confused. "Where is your cousin, Potter?"

"The hellmouth in California. Fighting beside a slayer." He grinned. "Mr. Giles is out there he said, and he went here."

"We know about him," one of the aurors said firmly. "We'll go ask him tonight."

"Their graduation is having a battle," Harry warned.

"That sucks for them." He reported that and let Bones go ask him about that artifact and how it'd be used.

Harry touched his heir's pendant when he found Des staring at it, flinching. "Oh, it connects us."

"Yes it does," she said bluntly, smiling at him. "He's a bit livid."

"Yeah, I can feel that." He sent at Xander, who said he needed a book. "He said he needs Morgana's thought journal, Grandma Des? They'll need it to look up that artifact. Some have a time limit built in."

"The bank should have a copy but I'll go tell them to look it up for him." She floated off to do that. She smiled at the goblin warrior she ran into. "The Dumass heir said that artifact is probably in Morgana's Thought Journal. I know that's a special book's name among the cursebreakers."

He called that in and one came out with the book to look it up. "Sure is," Bill agreed. "Got a ten month time limit." He looked at her. "Des."

"Bill." She smiled and patted his cheek. "The asshole wasn't at either battle. He was in town. Harry sensed the artifact and that one. He's on protected ground. Harry said his sensing gifts allowed him to connect to ley lines."

"Great. Xander teach 'im?"

"Yes he did." She smiled at that.

"Good!" He closed the book, finger in place. "My idiot brother okay?"

"Stressed. Thinking hard to come up with a plan."

"That's an auror's job and you can tell him I said that." He stared at her. Then at the nearest higher up in the horde. "It's got a ten month limit. The oldest's about six months. We have a timeline."

"Got it," that one said, passing that back. "Does the school stand?"

"Some injured students but I don't think they lost anyone yet. The hospital's people showed up to help."

The goblin bowed to her. "Destina, I hope your great-great-grandson is worthy enough."

"Of course he is. He has been so far." She smiled. "And he's not alone either. Even if I do have to wake myself up." She floated off, considering that.

Bill grinned. "She was always such a pisser. Great woman, just had a right hook to avoid." He went back to the meeting. He showed the senior cursebreakers that entry, letting them make plans on how to break it. That way the souls were freed and couldn't be used. "Big hammer?" he offered.

"Needs to be cut by a blessed weapon," one complained.

"Ask Xander?" he suggested. "He knows a lot of 'em I'm sure with his new calling." They shared a look then at him. He grinned. "He does. He's in Sunnydale."

"He may have one." They sent a message to him. Bill got to relax for a few minutes while they made plans, checked the bank over, and made sure the Ministry was still standing. His father showed up to nag him a bit but that meant he was fine.

***

Draco came out to come back to the school, appearing in front of his head of house. "Is my father alive?"

"No. They killed him for daring to fight against them." Snape looked at the boy, who grimaced but nodded. "Your mother is safe."

"Yes and she left me here," he said bluntly. "I'm about to cast her out of the family." He walked off. "I need to go to the bank."

"Yes, you do," Harry said as he walked past him. "But Blackrock is here with the heir's ring for you." He grinned. "You're not the only one. Nev got his today too. Library, Draco. And if you can find Sistema, he's here for her too."

"I have no idea. I'm just back." He sighed. "That land has a lot of protections."

"They used to have a unicorn herd." He grinned. "Plus Alexander's work area."

"I noticed. It glowed in the dark." He went to the library. Harry went to find Sistema himself; that's why he had been on his way to Snape's office. He bowed to the goblin. "I'm told my father is no more?"

"Yes. Your mother has challenged you taking control of the family."

"It's me or a banished aunt," he said dryly.

"She thinks it may reject you."

"I reject her since she fled and left me here."

The goblin blinked a few times. "That would activate the apocalypse clause, Mr. Malfoy."

He sighed. "I don't want to do that. Though I don't want to see my mother right now."

"That's reasonable. You're angry as you should be." He held out the pillow with the ring. "You can try."

Draco took it to put on. It didn't resize but he was being chewed by the spirit in it. He stared at it. "It's me or an old aunt who's well past child bearing age or it sets off the apocalypse clause. Which do you want?" It shut up and resized to fit him. "It will go to an heir I have. He was upset about my great-grandmother apparently."

"That's not your fault. That one in the ring bedded her for twenty-three years while they were married," the goblin said smugly. "That's his doing."

Draco looked at the ring then nodded. "He's swearing it was her fault, she charmed him. I personally think that a real man keeps control of his dick." He glared at the ring. "And if some people didn't control their own dick that was their fault. If that being should cause the family to disappear, then that being will be cast into the afterlife to meet up with all that he screwed up." The ring got snug but stayed there. He smiled at the goblin, who smiled back. "Anything I should know that he won't tell me?"

"The soul keeping artifact was one of your family's."

"I have no idea about any of that. Did my father gather it or his?"

"Yours. I have no idea why."

Draco shrugged. "Do a seance?"

"We'd probably need to. We will be destroying it."

"Good!" He nodded with a grin. "I don't need to hold souls so I can do some sort of rite."

"Point. I'll let the warriors know that you've agreed it can be removed."

"Did that barrister go to jail?"

"He didn't survive either, Mr. Malfoy."

"Excellent." He smiled. "Absolutely wonderful. One less stress in my life."

"You may still need to find sanctuary," Blackrock warned. "Just in case."

"I have an idea. Well, a few. You always have to have a backup plan." He smiled and bowed again before leaving him to talk to the other heirs today. Neville was arguing with the ring he now wore. "Smack it. Potter does." Neville did that and it quit. "You okay?"

"The ring's a pain. It thinks we should let students fight."

"No, they shouldn't have to. None of us should have to." He walked around him. "Good luck."

"You as well. Yours complaining?"

"Ever so much but it's me or the apocalypse clause." He shot him a smirk. "They don't want that."

"No, no one probably does." He considered it. "Do we have one of those?" The ring told him what it was and how it was started. "Oh, charming. Well, I'm the last in the family. There's me and Grams. And my father laying in a hospital bed." He went to talk to the ring in private. He had to make some plans now. He had no heirs. The Longbottoms couldn't die out on his watch. Hermione might have an idea or two about that.

***

Xander walked into the library and to the book he wanted, handing it to Giles around the auror complaining at him. "From what we've seen he learned that style of magic. So it's got to be in there or in Morgana's Thought Journal."

"How do you even know about that?" the auror demanded.

"I'm a direct descendant of Allisandra Dumass. How do you think since she taught me?" He grinned. "Hi, I'm Xander, head of the Dumass family." He held out a hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Auror Smythe. I've seen your picture before." The man weakly shook it. He looked at Giles. "They'll need a blessed weapon to break the damn capturing device. Do we have one?"

"Your axe," Giles said. "A few swords. Can it be pierced or does it need to be cut better?"

"I have no idea. I was told to come ask you where to look for what he was planning."

Giles opened the book to skim and marked a few pages. "Those most likely. Unless he's power raising to enshrine himself as a power close to Death."

"An interesting note," Xander said. "Harry mentioned the Headmaster had the Elder Wand."

Giles stared at him. "Why would he?" he demanded.

"He stole it off a Potter. The same as the cloak. Which Harry may have. I have no idea where the wand is."

"Have Potter summon it," Giles ordered. "It's his family's he can summon it."

"Okay. I'll let him know." He grinned at the auror, who was flinching away from him. "Want me to come cut it?"

"Please, Mr. Dumass."

"Harris actually. Xander Harris." He grinned again. The auror shrank down, shuddering. "I'm not that mean. Mostly." He got his axe to unhide the magic on it and went with the auror before anyone else saw them leave. He walked through the curse breakers at the bank. "Scuse me, people." He found the artifact and braced it better, sticking it in place with a wad of gum.
He swung and broke it, making a lot of light as the screaming souls were released. He waved. "You're free. Go be free." They fled the bank. He looked at the top cursebreaker. The axe went on his shoulder. "Morginstern. Or Abelda. We know he's used that sort of magic. Giles had a book the auror took." He smiled. "Let me go talk to my fellow heir." He strolled off.

The head cursebreaker swallowed hard. "He's alive?"

"He's listed as a shade," Bill said. He looked at the nearest warriors. "Are there others? Do we have the books?"

"We know who would have a copy," the king said with a nod. "We really must fix his classification." He walked off. "Clean up the mess, bless the area." They rushed to do that. He sent a message to a hidden wizard who knew more about weird magic than most did. Philip Callahan knew more about ancient magics than most scholars did. He'd be able to figure it out.

***

Xander strolled up to the school, nodding at Neville. He looked at the ring. "Keep it up, watch me make him gay." It shut up again. He grinned at Neville. "Tell Harry to summon the family's property from Dumbledore. Especially the wand," he said quietly. "It's entailed to the family."

"I can do that. You're his cousin."

"I am and I broke the capturing urn. They know where to look to see what he wanted to do with it to make plans against him." Neville grinned at that. "Tell Harry soon. And whoever's manifesting inside, tell them to go meditate before they break out tragically and become the stress relief." He gave him a pointed look before disappearing.

Neville went to find Harry to tell him that. He ran into Draco and sighed because he seemed to be glowing with magic. "Harry's cousin Xander said to tell whoever's manifesting a gift right now to go meditate before they become the stress relief." Draco winced but went to meditate. Neville had no idea what was going on there but they'd handle it. He found Harry. "Your cousin appeared, said to summon the family's property from Dumbledore," he said in his ear. "He said it's entailed to the family."

Harry grinned. "Not a bad idea." He went outside to summon the wand. It wasn't nearby. Voldemort had stolen it. It came to his hand finally and he petted it. "You're safer now," he told it. "We'll hide you. That one won't get you." He went to hide it for a bit. "Did anyone check on Dumbles?" he asked McGonagall as he walked past her.

"Is that the headmaster's wand?" she demanded.

He stared t her. "No, it's stolen Potter property via the Peverell family." She winced at that. "Did he have it? Yes. It was stolen during the battle apparently." She went to call him then have someone check on him. Harry hid the wand in a trick area that the house had. Then he went back to making plans with Ron.

Ron was trying not to think for a few minutes so Harry settled in to play some cards. The rest of the students were coming back the next day however they managed it. Or maybe the day after. Once they made sure it wasn't another attack soon. Ron looked at him. "How did the evacuations go?"

"Better than I expected," he admitted. "We can keep that plan. Maybe switch where they're going. They were a bit scattered but that protected a lot of kids."

"Good. We'll go over those plans again in case it's needed." The prefect in the house with them looked over. "That way we can tweak anything that was slow."

"A few missing familiars."

"That happens. Just look at Trevor and his amazing hiding ability." Neville came in shaking his head but smiling. "He good, Nev?"

"At home. In the garden. Happily eating bugs I guess. It was safer and he couldn't escape again." He sat down with a sigh, looking at Ron. "Headache?"

"Yup. Lots of one. Infirmary's packed though."

"My trunk, second compartment on the top," Harry said with a point. "Headache powder I took for a few days after the surgery, Ron. Commercial and muggle but works. Tastes foul."

"Thanks, Harry." He went to dig it out and mix some up to drink with a grimace. It did taste nasty and chalky but it was helping. He got more water to wash it down and came back down to go over what ideas they needed.

Hermione walked in looking pissed off. "I just got chewed on for daring to be a girl who protected others. Not even about this battle, just overall." She huffed. "I lost my patience a bit. Sorry if we get owls about my language." She smiled at the boys, who grinned back. "I sounded like a right gutter snipe. My mother would be appalled." She went to tell on herself in a letter to her mother. Who'd probably agree but oh well!

Harry grinned at the boys, who smirked back. "Hermione's in a better mood too." They got down to plans for DA and how to defend the school. If a teacher actually asked they'd let them know and pick their own spots to defend.

***

"Mr. Potter," the headmaster said at breakfast, at the very diminished tables. "Do we have ideas on how to make it better?

"Have more people," he said, sipping his coffee. The headmaster glared. "It's the only way. Or have a called battle somewhere far from the school and civilization. That's my idea. Ron hates it, sir."

"We can't guarantee he'll be there, Harry."

"True. But we can piss him off enough that he does that instead of attacking the school." They shared a look.

Hermione cleared her throat. "If you call him out he's probably arrogant enough to show up. We'd simply have another split offensive. We'd have more time to make plans though."

Ron nodded. "That's my thought and I'm not sure it's not a bad idea. Spring solstice?"

Harry shrugged. "Fighting in the snow?"

"Point." He considered it. "He might just sneer about it. Has he figured out you've gotten rid of the scar?"

"I have no idea. It's been in the papers plenty of times though."

"True," Hermione agreed. She buttered a bite of toast and ate it. She sighed in pleasure. "There's no mail."

"We restricted it for the day," the headmaster said. "It'll be in with tomorrow's and the students as well." He stared at them. "Where did we send them?"

"Ours went to the former Dumass Glen," she said. "Mostly. Some of the prefects used their own houses. The other houses sent their kids somewhere safer. I suggested a place they could think up when it was an emergency. Somewhere they knew what it'd look like. Some probably hit the alley."

"One tried to get into the Ministry but the aurors knocked them cold then asked them why. She told them and about her mother being in there. They agreed, running to get help was a great idea, just that was a bad time with the prior attack." Harry grimaced. "I like that they're not going to the same places and we don't know where everyone's going. Even if they force us to answer somehow we won't know so the kids are safer."

The headmaster nodded. "That's not bad thinking, children." He cleared his throat. "How do we handle the other parts?"

Ron looked at him. "If a teacher actually asks they can be put into the plan for defense. We've got a few worked up." Draco strolled in. "Your house's kids make it okay?" he called.

"Yes. All of them thankfully. Pansy had them split up so the ones with special skills went to somewhere more hidden and the general students went to one's house and could floo home from there. Thank you for that spell, Professor Flitwick."

"It's a necessary thing in today's world, Mr. Malfoy. I'm only glad I could get you all to learn it. I know we had a problem with familiars."

Hermione smiled. "My cat was under a bed. He didn't come out until after midnight." Ron snickered at that. "He was hungry."

"Familiars have a way of surviving even a building falling on them," Harry said. "Kids over pets."

"True," she agreed with a nod. "I agree with that idea. Not everyone will."

"Can you train cats to come on command?" Ron asked.

"Not likely," Hermione said, looking at him. "I have no idea how you would even try."

"Well, figure that out so it doesn't happen again?"

"We can figure that out. Maybe ask Charlie?" She shrugged and ate another bite of egg and toast. Then chewed slowly.

Neville looked at her. "Why do you always eat that way?"

"My parents are dentists, Neville. Of course I chew slowly and carefully." She smiled. "They made sure I knew how to chew properly."

"That's weird. I can't see why anyone would want to deal with mouth problems."

"Someone's got to," she said dryly then smiled at him. "Best to let people who want to do it. Like the ones who take care of feet."

"True I guess." He looked at his hand then at Harry. "Have your rings started to complain about heirs?"

"No," he said with a smile. "Not yet. Thankfully. Then again, I'm a bit delayed there."

"Mine's been nagging that we don't have heirs yet. I've pointed out that I'm still in school and don't even have a wife yet. Did they want me to just go knock up some random witch? That got them to quit complaining but I got it again last night as a dream."

Malfoy looked over. "I had to note it was me or the apocalypse clause," he told him. "The ring's not pleased and hopes I have a normal heir soon. Preferably within a year. I have no idea how I'd do that since I have no idea about arranged marriages or how to find one." He grimaced, looking at Potter.

"Don't ask me, I have no idea how to find you one either, Draco. Did your mother leave you notes?"

"Not that I've seen at the house. I've asked a house elf and made sure they all stayed. Mother tried to dismiss them. I need to go to the bank to banish her for the next five years. The widow's contract says I can't do it more than five years at a time."

Harry shook his head. "So glad I don't have one of those."

Draco looked at his ring. "Keep it up. Watch me go flirt with the senior Dumass heir." That shut them up again. He sighed in pleasure. "The ring is not really worth it sometimes." It fell off his finger. "That's your doing. Not mine." He put it into his pocket. "I'll talk to the bank later." The headmaster looked at him. "I am the only heir to the family."

"Point. I suppose you can go there and right back here, Mr. Malfoy."

"Of course. What else would I do? It's not time to shop for a new outfit."

"No treats either," he said.

Draco snorted, but looked amused. "I can order those." That got a sigh of displeasure.

"You can?" Ron asked. Draco nodded. "Huh, didn't know they took owled in orders." He made that note for himself. So did Neville.

A single owl flew in but it was a Ministry owl. "Seriously?" Hermione demanded when it landed in front of her. She took it and fed the owl some bacon, letting it fly off. She opened it and then sighed. "They're saying now if I don't find myself in a legal relationship within two months they're going to kick me out of the community. Well, gee, I can take my NEWTs today." She wrote back a nasty note and let the headmaster have it with a smile. "Here, sir, can you proofread for me? The last one's ideas are spreading."

He read it then looked at her. "That's snotty sounding, young lady."

"Good. I'm tired of them attacking me because I'm not a subservient witch." She huffed. "I should take my tests this week."

"Next testing time is going to be announced tomorrow," he said. "For the students who don't want to come back because of the attack."

"Not our doing," Harry said. Then stuffed his mouth. He had the funny idea of Ron, Hermione, and Draco going to hide behind Xander and considered it then touched the pendant to send that to him. What he got back was a lot of swearing and a lot of complaining about that idea so Harry sent back a 'happy morning' to him too. "I suggested it to Xander but he swore he'd take down the ministry."

"It's not a bad idea," she admitted.

"His cousin?" Neville asked.

"No, taking down the ministry." He snickered at that. "Really, they could be better to witches." She ate another bite and chewed harder this time.

The headmaster just looked at her. "You can take them and pass them but not come back, Miss Granger."

"Don't tempt me! I'm tired of having to fight off aurors." She ate another hard chewed bite. Harry patted her on the shoulder to calm her down again. "Ron, want to go hide in Sunnydale? Let me know so I have time to pack my books."

He nodded. "If I can and I'm not running from my mother." He ducked his head but ate.

Harry got a tickle of thought so told Xander why that had been suggested. That made him swear at others instead of him, which was nice. And Xander agreed, the ministry could fall in and he'd be pleased. And if Draco needed a protector he could do that but not date him. Harry looked at Draco. "The cousin said he'd protect you but not date you."

"Thank you for asking him."

"I asked him about Hermione and my funny thought that those two and you all went to hide behind him to be protected out there." He grinned. "The American aurors never go near the hellmouth."

"Sounds delightful," Draco agreed. He ate and thought about that idea. It'd save him from whatever plots his mother had.

The headmaster shook his head. He did send that letter for her. Not to the intended person but to someone who would go slap her upside the head.

***

"Young lady, you can only take the NEWTs once," the examiner said patiently. "You're too young."

"I know that. I'm taking them early. That way no one can try to force me to do things." She stared at her. "If I fail then that's on me, isn't it?" The examiner huffed so she smiled. "I'll do fine. I've been studying anyway."

"It's covering things you haven't learned yet."

"I'm Hermione Granger, Ma'am. I've gone through the seventh year books. Last year." The woman winced. "Please get out of my way so I can take my tests. That way no one has any hold over me and where I end up in college." The woman huffed but got out of the way.

"Thank you." She sat down and put her pencils down to arrange them and her sharpener. She accepted the test packet with a smile and a nod. When the time started she opened it and went over the first question, answering it. She was sure she did very well.

***

Hermione came back from her last day of testing happy. She smiled and hugged McGonagall. "They didn't want to grade it on me. Complained about my age. I made them do it anyway and I did pass rather well."

"You could have endangered your future career," she said.

"Yes but now no one has a hold over me." She stared at her. "At all. I'm of age to be an adult in the community. I've passed my NEWTs in a manner that's more an acceptable. I passed my A levels for college as well. Did exceptional there." She smiled at her. "The only thing I don't have is a driver's license and I'm getting that this summer." She went to sign in and then go up to relax for a bit with some fun reading.

Her scores were delivered the next morning, with a letter saying they protested her being able to take them but she had clearly passed the tests. She smiled at her marks, going to show the head of her house. Who stared in horrified awe. "Yes, but ..." She changed the page to the actual scores. "I did pass."

"You got twelve NEWTs," she said, staring at her oddly. "How?"

"I did take all those electives, ma'am." She showed the headmaster when he looked at her. "I believe that will clear up a few people's nosy intentions about my bedroom."

"Yes, it does mean that you're eligible to quit school and go to college."

"I'm considering it but not yet. My mother was not amused. She'll be ecstatic that I did so well though." She showed Flitwick, who smiled at her for it. "Thank you, sir." She sat down and put the paper in her bag for now.

Harry looked at her. "Miss any too far?"

"One was only an average. Enough to pass but not exceptional." She smiled at him. "I passed what I took."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you." She dug into her meal. Neville was staring at her so she shared her grades with him.

He shook his head, handing them back. "You're nutters, Hermione."

"Yes, but that means that little letter that threatened to end my independence again is no longer an issue. They can't do that to me now." He smiled at that. Ron was shaking his head. "I won't brag to your mother, Ron."

"Thanks. She'll expect me to do better." He dug in again with a sigh. Ginny was giggling.

Harry was pleased she had done so well.

***

Hermione smiled at the Minister for Magic, who was glaring at her across the courtroom. "Please pull my examination records, Minister. I think it'll cure a lot of what's making you scowl if some bran muffins don't. Fiber is an essential part of a good diet after all. Helps clear up many internal issues." One of the others in the Wizengamet coughed to hide his laughter.

An auror was sent to fetch it and brought it back then stared at her oddly. She looked and smiled, nodding. "Yes, I've taken them already. By law and by age I am a fully adult member of this community. Anyone who tries to force me to copulate with another being is going to die by my hand. Which I would've done before I passed my NEWTs with twelve."

The minister spluttered, taking the form to stare at then at her. "You're too young!"

"I'm seventeen." She shrugged. "I was ready to take it. I had already went over the seventh year's books in all my electives. I'm presently choosing to stay in school but I'm well past my need to panic about my future. Do you want to see my A levels as well, sir? I did almost perfectly there. One and a half points off perfect." He glared at her. She stared back. Then smiled again.

"We women know our own minds about things. The forcing us to bend to someone's will just makes us stronger. I'm a legal adult by this community's laws. I'm actually legally emancipated in the muggle world as well. My parents did that in case they got another threat from the Ministry over my future choices." She stared at one person, who shrank away from her.

"Threaten my mother again, watch her end you. I learned many things from her." She looked at the minister again. "So your demeaning and threatening sneering is actually counterproductive and really stupid of you. You made sure I passed it early to render your viewpoint invalid in my life. As it should have been all along. Is there anything else you wish to demand of me that I'm going to ignore and sneer about?"

"You'll still do what you must, young lady. Or we'll throw you in prison."

"For not being raped repeatedly? I doubt that'll be legal."

"We make the laws," he sneered.

"Yes and the world courts would still overturn it when I took it to them. As I have all of this mess you started and tried. Really, they're not amused." She shrugged but smiled at him. "Some of us are used to finding out how to get around people who have idiotic ideas and fixing them. You've made sure I sharpened that skill heavily over the last year and a bit.

"Yes, they've had that case for the last six months and I send all updated notes from you and others to them. Including this one and my response. My lawyer has already gotten the testimony from today to send over. I hear they're going to rule in a bit." He growled, standing up to loom over her. She stared back. "I've faced down Death Eaters, sir. You're not that scary." He flinched back, shaking his head. "Is there anything else you wish to try that I'll have to sneer about?"

"I'll see you properly made into a witch!"

"I'm a witch of the community I grew up in. Welcome to England in the twentieth century," she sneered back. The few others in there shuddered at that. "By the way, the camera works here too. It is American mag community made." She smiled and took the camera from her bag to wave it then sent the tape to her lawyer, her mother, and the lawyer over there.

"Well, I suppose we'll have to wait to see how the international courts deal with this issue." He was spluttering again. She put the camera back in her bag and sealed it up again. "Do have a better day, sir." She walked off with her bag to go back to school, with a stop for some candy. She was seventeen, she wanted some sweets.

The minister was raging and shouting while throwing paperwork. Neville's grandmother sighed. "Shut up!" she bellowed, making him flinch. "You're acting like a toddler! Do you want me to spank you as one?" He glared at her and tried to slap her but she got him with her handbag across the face instead. He went down and moaned. "Do behave like a *man* instead of a boy."

She sat down with a huff. "That felt rather good." She smiled at the others. "Are there other toddlers waiting to have a fit in here?" No one said anything. "Good, then let's dispose of this odious moment and go onto the real business of the government. Not threatening young women with prison or rape." She looked down. "That's a good way to lose most of the men in this country." He slunk back to his seat. "What's next on our agendas?"

"Two trials," the speaker said. "And waiting to hear from the International courts apparently."

"It's good she knew to do that since she couldn't trust her own people," she said. "The muggle courts would have had us for dinner."

"Oh, they know," Amelia Bones said happily. "I got called to testify about that. They're about to disband our community based on our treaties." The others in the room shouted at that. "I've talked them out of it but one more incident...." She waved a hand at the minister.

"It's within their rights as we're sheltering among their peoples. We've broken many of their laws, as we weren't allowed to do by the treaties. We've created a lot of problems for them. They're very tired of us at the moment. So I would suggest we have no more issues for a bit." They all nodded at that wisdom. "Which trial is first?" She pulled up the files from beside her desk.

***

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