The Boys Who Lived

CHAPTER 19

Everyone was gathered around the breakfast tables at Hogwarts, the Riders were gathered at one table together were a little quiet at first but that was before Cedric cleared his throat and said, “You know, I know what all we saw yesterday was rough, and if you were like me…you probably had nightmares. But I have to say, yesterday is one of the reasons that I became a Rider. It isn’t only about just catching the bad guy, but its about helping the good, saving the innocent, protecting the helpless, saving lives, and taking care of those who can’t take care of themselves.”

“Well said Cedric, that is exactly what being a Rider is about. Most people hear about the catching the bad guy parts and forget about the saving the good guys part. But we won’t. We know. When everyone else has forgotten we will remember and that is all that matters. That we are proud of ourselves and what we do.” Harry said with pride.

Harry couldn’t help but remember a conversation he had with Neville that morning:

“You’ve changed you know.” Neville stated.

“How so?” Harry asked, and was it for the better, he wondered silently.

“Your more serious, and it’s like you know things. Like the fact that a Rider’s bag and trunk are sacrosanct. When we were eleven you never mentioned that, but now it’s like you just know this, and it’s as if you are positive of it and it seems so logical.”

“Like the ten rules you made up, where did those come from, they are brilliant by the way, but where did they come from? We never discussed them.”

“And the Truth, Justice and Honor slogan. I knew that the Riders were the good guys but I didn’t know they had a slogan or anything. I agree with it totally but wow…”

“Then the helping the orphans and all, you were like some super hero out there. Where does it all come from?”

“Most of it comes from Storm. When I go down to the stables he and I have long conversations while I am brushing him out, and it is like I can hear him in my head. We talked about the trunk and the bag and how they could save a Rider’s life someday as long as no one knew what was in them or what they were like so we had to make them sacrosanct and every Rider had to have one of each. And the ten rules we just got on a roll after that, until there were ten of them. Then the Truth, Justice and Honor is something he is always saying so I just kinda borrowed it and made it our motto.” Harry admitted.

“The orphans was something we both came up with, he said that in the past that Riders used to help out the widows and orphans of an area and were well known for it. So he suggested we adopt an orphanage as part of being a Rider. You know fix it up, go visit them, play with them, make sure their all right, spend the day with the kids, take the Darcorns to visit them. Things like that. And he also told me that the Goblins were making sure that that gold from the basilisk was never going to run out. He said that people would start contributing money to the Riders soon, to help out, and that we should put it all in that account to help pay expenses but also to help others like the orphans. The goblins are still selling that stuff from the basilisk and the last calculation I was given from them, we each have about seven million in our accounts. They still have one third of that damn beast to sell too. Oh and I have spoken to Sirius about getting the new Riders a full set of battle gear as well. We should still have more than enough hides to make two more sets for all of us once for when we reach puberty and once when we reach adulthood. With all those shed skins and the original hide we have it made. Cedric and the twins can get one of the ‘hit puberty’ sets and the rest of us just get a standard that we can keep for about three years until we hit puberty and then when we hit a huge growth spurt we get a new set. And I am not some super hero or anything. It is just that being a Rider seems to give me courage, and strength of heart that I really didn’t know I had.” Harry though didn’t like being called a hero, but even he had to admit he did pretty damn good that night.

“Courage is right, you stormed that sex shop like a mad man, and what you did to that owner, geez. When are we going to take all that gold and stuff down to Gringotts?” Neville asked.

“We should be going today, I think…at least I hope so. I don’t really like being in charge of this much stuff.” Harry admitted

“Last night Storm suggested we pop he and Thunder with you and I, over to the orphanages and let the kids meet a Darcorn for real. Let them get to know what it means to be a Darcorn Rider really. I think he just wants to make sure the kids are okay for himself, but I think that it is a cool idea, what do you think?” Harry asked.

“I think it is brilliant. Have the kids come out and see what we are talking about when we call our selves a Rider, yeah let’s do it. When do we do it?” Neville asked excitedly.

“Why not today, we don’t really have anything better to do, do you?” Harry asked.

“Nothing that I can think of.”

“Well then we can pop you and I and our mounts over to East Wales Boy’s Orphanage first, spend an hour or two there and then go over to Twin Oaks and spend an hour or two over there. Do we take any of the others with us?”

“I think anyone who wants to go this time can go, we can have the elves pop us this time, and we can make a day of it. While the kids are oohing and aahing over Storm and Thunder, the others can play with the kids if they want to.

“Do you have any more big Rider secrets that you have to tell me that you haven’t unloaded on me yet?” Neville asked.

“The only one that I haven’t mentioned is that Storm thinks we should have full potions kits made up at all times. You know head ache medicine, stomach soothers, nausea potion, throat soothers, cough syrup, alertness potion, sleeping draught, muscle relaxant, burn cream, skele-grow, anti-bacterial, blood replenisher, anti-diarrhea, new skin potion, skin soothers, toothache tamer, antidotes level one, two and three, bruise cream, essence of dittany, nutrient potions and a few others that I can’t remember right now I’m sure.” Harry ticked off the potions that he remembered he and Storm discussing and thought he mentioned them all but he wasn’t sure any more there were so many.

“Wow, that’s a lot to have in stock. But I guess he is right, if we are going into Merlin knows what we should each be prepared for it. If we hadn’t had the access to the medical personnel we did yesterday we would have been in a lot of trouble, and look at when Hermione slit her wrists, or when George fell. We just aren’t prepared for things like that to happen. We need to be better prepared by far. He IS right.” Neville nodded.

“Yeah, and in two weeks the train bringing the kids back to school comes back. Merlin where has the time gone. It was like just yesterday we had all of summer and now it is just two weeks away. We have so much to do and so little time to do it in. So today we go visit the kids in the morning and in the after noon go to Gringotts to put this stuff in the account and then we come home and start working on the potions.” Harry nodded, that sounded like a plan to him.

End of memory

“Okay folks we are going to be fairly busy today, we’re going to go take Storm and Thunder over to the orphanages and let the kids meet a couple of real Darcorns. And we’re going to check on things and see how they are going over there, Then we have to stop by Gringotts bank, and then we are going to be making a shit ton load of potions, I didn’t like the fact that we didn’t have even a portion of the potions we should have had on hand yesterday, if it hadn’t been for the medi-witches and wizards that came through with their supplies we would have been sunk. I want us to have those supplies ready when we need them. Everything from anti-bacterial cleanser to blood replenisher and everything in between, most of what we need we have made before either in class here at Hogwarts or with Professor Lovegood at other times. The big ones that will be harder to work with are skele-grow, level three antidote, and the nutrient potion. Other than that we should be able to cover it, those three I think Cedric and the twins have covered in their classes if I am not mistaken.” At Cedric’s nod he continued, “Skin mend it also one that is tricky but I think the twins have made it before, I remember them saying something about it once before,” and the twins nodded to that, “So that is covered, but we need to get the ingredients to make all of this stuff today, and anything we think the apothecary might have in stock that we might use later that we can’t make, we might as well get as well. Hermione I’m going to set you up on a large batch of polyjuice potion, to start to work on it. It is shelf stable for six months so plan out to make some every six months for us, you are our source for that girl, and right now our expert, so we’re counting on you.” Everyone who didn’t know the reason for Hermione knowing how to make Polyjuice potion immediately turned and looked at her in shock. And she just sat up proud and nodded, the wrote something down in her notebook.

“Alright then we have a few of the major ones taken care of, does anyone know of any other major potions we need to carry that needs to be worked on or should we just see what the apothecary has and work from there?”

“Dreamless sleep is one we need to have on hand and it is a little rough to do but I can do it,” Cedric said.

“We will try and buy what they have in stock and then have you make up what we can’t buy. I think a weeks worth for each of us is the max on those, there addictive and should be given out with caution. Cedric I am putting you in charge of our higher level or ’addictive’ potions, you are to keep a tract of them and who has taken them when, I want to know if someone is taking too many pain potions or dreamless sleeps or anything like that. People will be allow to keep one in their trunk for emergencies, and if they use it, they simply have to go to you to restock. They have to hand in the old potion bottle to get a new one though. I don’t want anyone hoarding them or misusing them. Anyone caught doing that will be taken off duty until further notice. And they are medically cleared. Plus they will get a demerit on their permanent record for doing so.”

“The same goes for alcohol; every now and then is okay, but if it interferes with your duty as a Rider… then you will get a demerit on your record. Either potion or alcohol consumption that interferes with your ability to carry out your duty as a Rider will be considered dereliction of duty therefore you will get a permanent mark on your record.” Harry stated firmly and with a frown.

Everyone nodded and understood the reason for that regulation and agreed with it.

“Something else I was thinking about last night. I want us to start working on a formation. I want a first tier, that will be me, Neville, Luna and Pavarti to be the heavy guns. We go in and secure a location, we have to plow the field basically, apprehend any hostiles and rescue any innocents or bystanders there are on site. If there are any that is. We make the site safe for entry. And call in help when needed, like Amelia Bones or Medical Assistance.

A second tier which will be Cedric, Fred, and George to be our immediate back up. Second tier you are to follow close behind us, you are our immediate back up, keep sharp, you may be called in at a moments notice. You need to know things like distraction, diversion and decoy. You may be going in to cover us or you may be going in to grab a body, to get someone out of a sticky situation for medical help. Keep you eye on us at all times. If we can’t call for the assist, it is your job to lend help when needed. I would normally state don’t come in unless you are called in, but if you see a Rider down, I will say override and assist.

And third tier which is Padma, Susan and Hermione. Third tier is our back up, they watch our back and come in with medical assist if we need it, so medical training is very important for you three. I know Padma and Susan were already planning on going into the medical fields which is why I put you two back there, and Hermione is there to lend cover when you are tending to wounded.” Harry stated as he counted out the information in his head.

“I want everyone to focus on the duties that will assist in their area of expertise. Cedric you’re in charge of second tier. Susan you’re in charge of third tier. And I am in charge of first tier. Now does anyone have any questions about that.”

“Why am I not in charge of third tier?” Hermione asked pouting.

“Because Susan has been training with us since she was six years old, she has been taking taekwondo classes and sword classes with us since then, plus she has had training with her Aunt as well. She is actually more trained than Pavarti here, but she wants to be a healer not an Auror, so I put her there so she can put those skills to use.” Harry explained.

“Anyone else?” Harry asked again.

No one said anything so he went on with what he was saying. “If your not happy where you are, change your skill set. Being in a tier doesn’t mean you are better or worse than any one level or the other it means you have the skills needed to be in that tier and you would best serve in that tier. You want to change tiers, change your skills set.”

“Also if there is an area of expertise you are wanting more training in or wanting to go into, let me know I will arrange a tutor for you. Like for instance, Cedric if you want to learn Archery, let me know and I can hire an archery tutor and have them come out to Hogwarts on Saturdays and Sundays for you. Same with you Sue, if you want Medic/First Aid training let me know and I will see about extra classes for you on the week ends.” He smiled and then thought about something. “Neville and I are already taking Karate and First Aid this year, anyone wanting to join in on those two classes can. They are both on Saturday only at this point if I am not mistaken.” He stated.

Cedric spoke up then. “I would love to join in on those two and the Archery sounds good too, I think I can swing those classes, since I am giving up Quidditch this year. I have been wanting to get Archery classes for years, but never had the opportunity before now.”

Susan spoke up. “I want the First Aid class and the Archery class as well. If that is possible that is.”

Padma spoke up as well. “I’m in on the First Aid class.”

The twins nodded and waved their hands “Us too, we want First Aid and can we come to the Karate classes. Also if we are going to carry a sword we need to know how to use it, can we take classes on Swordsmanship?”

“Of course. Anyone can, and should really, it builds up a whole different set of muscles unlike regular exercises and the Karate classes. Why not everyone write down what classes they want to take and give me the list, and I will make it happen. Oh and I think I am going to ask Sirius if he can find someone to give us all on basic survival skills, you know like tracking skills, trap building, booby trap building, weather watching, shelter building, hunting and fishing skills, shooting our wands while riding on our Darcorns, cooking in the wild, scavenging and what to eat and not to eat in the wild, emergency first aid in the wild. Those kind of skills and maybe some I have forgotten. I think we should all take those classes as well. We may not get around to those classes this year though but I want to get them set up for some time. It may have to wait until the summer and we can all take a huge camping trip together.” Harry smiled.

“Also we will be moving into Potter Mansion this summer, it will be Rider Hall and where the Darcorns will be housed when not here at school. Each of you will have a room assigned, and there is enough room that if parents want to join they can. Mrs Diggory is the House Mother and she is already there getting things ready, she will be available anytime you need her.

Now once you pick out your room, it is your room, you can decorate it any way you want to, and live in it forever for all I care. You will have full access to the floo network so if you wanted to get a job somewhere and floo back and forth, you could. The same with additional schooling or training. Fred and George wanted to open up a Joke Shop, well they can and live at the Rider Hall and then floo back and forth every day to get there without a problem.

Susan I am going to have a complete medical lab set up there for emergencies so think of all you would like to see in one and we will get it, maybe talk to Madam Pomfrey on that one.

There is also going to be a master library there. I am going to put copies of all of the potion books and other books that I have gotten in the main library there and everyone else that wants to do the same can, but don’t feel obligated to do so, it is strictly a voluntary thing. I would like to see our master library to be something that is envied by all, by the time we finish with it. Something that people dream about and pray that someday they get a chance to go through. That is something else. Anytime we are out and find old books, if it looks interesting, grab it for the library. We can always find a place for it, even if we have to add another room onto the library we will. I mean what I say, hell if our library someday rivals Hogwarts library, I will be happy. Anytime you come across a book somewhere or hell even a library, if you don’t want to take the book, copy it and bring the copy here. We can teach you how to copy the books easily, so that it doesn’t interfere with copywriter laws, and it isn’t sketchy either. It is an old spell for when a library wanted to put the original book in a vault or safe and put the copy out for the general public on the shelf, this spell would allow them to do it. Since the book will be going into a library, although private, it still qualifies. And the spell will work.

Everyone was excited about that idea, they were all talking at the same time about books they already had in their trunks and wanted to put into the Rider library, which brought a smile to Harry’s face. They were just as excited as he was. Cool.

“Alright folks, let’s head over to Eastern Wales and see how the kids are doing. I’m just going to let Sirius and Remus know what we are up to and see if they want to come along.” And with that he headed over to the other table and leaned down between Sirius and Remus and gave them the lowdown of what the plans were for the day. Both men nodded and began to stand up, so did Frank and Alice, Xenophilius and Persephone. Apparently all the adults wanted to see the orphans again. After a few minutes they were all headed down to the stables to pick up Storm and Thunder. Harry and Neville were going to have the House Elves pop them over with them as they apparated to the gates of Eastern Wales and then Harry and Neville would ride them in through the gates with everyone else.

Once they were at Eastern Wales Storm and Thunder lowered themselves down so that Harry and Neville could climb up on top of them, and then they began to make their way over to the rod iron gates waiting for someone to open the huge gates so that they could enter. Both Darcorns were tossing their heads back and forth and prancing about excitedly, as if they knew what was coming. Sirius opened the gate and everyone walked on through with Thunder and Storm in the lead. As they got closer to the building they could hear the excited squeals of the children the had just spotted them and came rushing up from the playground to greet the Riders. Then they spotted the Darcorns and the squeals became cheers. Soon the doors of the old castle opened up and dozens of children came pouring out of the building and several shocked attendees, and a frazzled looking Miss Faithright, apparently she got caught up in the rush of children who were in a hurry to see the Darcorns.

“What do we have here?” Miss Faithright asked as she got closer to the Darcorns.

“These are our Darcorns. This is Storm and Neville’s Darcorn is Thunder.” Each Darcorn took a bow as it’s name was mentioned eliciting a round of applause from the children. At the applause both Darcorns nodded their heads and whinnied as if saying yes that’s right we’re wonderful. This caused the children to clap and laugh and giggle, even more.

“Oh they are magnificent. How old are they?” Miss Faithright asked.

Both Thunder and Storm pawed the Earth four times.

“Apparently four years old Ma’am” Neville said with a smirk. And this brought a laugh from Miss Faithright.

“Oh how smart you two are. How brilliant! Do they know any other tricks?” She asked.

Both Darcorns bowed down onto one knee, and then they got back up and took a couple of steps back and then rated back on their hind feet and waved one hoof at the children. Who were clapping madly at the Darcorns with each trick.

“Whoah there big fella,” Harry gasped in surprise as he held on tight to what Storm was doing, He had never asked Storm if he knew any tricks so this was all new to him. And it was brilliant.

Then the Darcorns settled back down and began to dance about to a rhythm in their head but they were both keeping time to it. Then they stopped that and began to march in time back and forth for the children. And finally the stopped back in the original place.

“Well let’s see apparently they can count, bow, wave, dance, and march, as well Ma’am.” Harry said with a smile. “Oh there is one other thing that Thunder can do, here,” And he reached into his trench coat for a piece of meat and handed it to her. “Now put it on the end of his muzzle and tell him to ‘wait for it’

She did as instructed “Now tell him it ‘okay’ “

When she did Storm tossed the meat piece into the air and caught it on the way down and munched away at his treat. Then nodded and whinnied. Wanting more.

Harry handed her another and told her to just hold her hand out flat and hold it out to Storm, that he is very gentle.

She did and Storm picked the piece of meat up of her hand with his lips and ate it with a nod and a whinny very happy with his treat. Then Harry handed her a couple of pieces for Thunder as well. She held her hand out to him and he gently picked the pieces up from her hand one at a time and whinnied and nodded his head letting her know he was pleased with his treat as well.

“They are magnificent. I can see why you love being a Rider.” Miss Faithright stated.

Harry and Neville got down from their Darcorns and stood beside them. “They are half the reason. A big half to be sure. But the other half is what we can do for people like here.

“And like at the Twin Oaks. We’ve read all about that. The children that you all rescued, and that sex shop that you shut down. It’s all over the news. I can’t believe they were selling children and that they were trafficking the children to a sex shop. Dear Merlin I am so glad I sent you to that place. I knew they treated their children poorly, but not like that, I could never have even imagined that if I lived to be three hundred years old.” Miss Faithright stated.

“We had a lot of help with us. But that is what the Riders do. When we see an injustice we make sure that it gets taken care of and help is given wherever we can. If it is a new roof or rescuing some children from a sex shop, what ever it is we are here for the people.” Harry stated.

“I am beginning to believe that.” Miss Faithright stated with a smile.

They hung around for about an hour more then headed over to Twin Oaks, and like they expected, no children were outside, but at least the outside yard had been cut down to a manageable level instead of the jungle it was before. So Harry and Neville headed inside to see what the kids were doing and found them in class. They went up to the teacher in the first room and told them that they had brought the Darcorns for the Kids to see and they wanted to know if they could take a break and come look at them. The teacher nodded and got the children to form an orderly line and follow Harry outside. Once there there were cheers and clapping all around. A few were afraid of the huge beast until Harry got Storm and Thunder to show off a little for the kids which they did happily. And then they got their treats. Class after class and even those to young to be in a class were brought out and got to see the pretty Darcorns. Most of the children loved them. Some of the children remembered the Riders from rescuing them and rushed over to hug one of the Riders as soon as they saw them. It was all so touching it made even the adults tear up. The little twins that Harry had helped up the stairs rushed over to him and threw their arms around his waist and held on. He picked one up and had it hold out a piece of meat for Thunder to take and the dark haired little boy was just giggling away at the feel of the Darcorns lips on his tiny hand. He did the same for the other twin boy.

He found out that their names were Mathew and James Black. And looked over to Sirius who gave him a curious look. Harry had Sirius come over and stand next to the boys and did a paternity spell on the boys and sure enough Sirius was the father to the two little boys. He should have guessed it he suppose really, I mean how many dark, wavy haired, silver-gray eyed little boys do you see running around now days, but he really didn’t think about it at the time. It really seamed to shock the Hell out of everyone else too. Sirius was definitely a flirt but he was usually a very careful individual with his indiscretions and to the best of his knowledge he had never fathered any children but apparently that was wrong. So he headed inside to the new matron to talk to the matron about the twins while Harry played with the twins. Apparently he had a pair of four or five year old little brothers now. Woo-hoo! He had liked the twins the moment he had seen them and he had felt something of a draw to them, but had put it off as just them being orphans and them needing him.

Two little brothers. Oh wow, what are they going to do with two little boys while Sirius is teaching and he is in classes. They have Misty, but she is watching the babies already. Could she handle two, four year old little boys as well? They could get a nanny elf… but would that hurt Jeeves and Misty’s feelings?

Thoughts were running through Harry’s head right now and he had no clue of what to do.

“You okay Harry?” Neville asked in a whisper. He had realized that spell and what it had meant when the blue mist had shown up around the two boys and Sirius.

“I don’t know actually. I am thrilled with the boys mind you, both for them and for us. But what are they going to do while we’re in classes? He works and I’m in school and so we don’t have anyone to watch them while we are in classes.” Harry said.

“You do like everyone does with kids that age. You put them in prepatory school, they will spend their days learning their ABS’s and numbers, and colors. Stuff like that. They will play with other little kids their age and all. It’s what everyone does at age four. They will love it, trust me.” Neville said with a smile as he patted Thunder’s muzzle who was nodding his head to the idea. Apparently he liked that idea as well.

Harry laughed and nodded. Then hugged the little boys close to him. Then Harry saw the Matron and Sirius coming back out of the building together and heading their way and turned towards them to wait and see what was going to happen.

When they walked up to them the matron did the same paternity spell on the three of them, Sirius and the twins that is, and sure enough it again glowed blue and the woman nodded and shook Sirius’ hand, then approached the little boys and knelt down.

“Boys I have something very important to tell you.” And the boys both gave her their most adorable serious looks. “We have found out who your father is and he wants to adopt you and for you to go live with them. Would you like that?”

The boys looked over to Sirius curiously and each grabbed hold of Harry’s pants leg as if they wouldn’t let go. Then Harry knelt down next to them as well and smiled. “Matthew, James, my name is Harry. That is Sirius, and he is my father too. So you would be coming home with both of us. I would be your big brother. Would you like that?”

At that both little boys threw their arms around Harry’s neck and started to sob. Harry wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing but he just patted their backs and let them cry. But looked over to the matron with a questioning look on his face, asking what should he do now? The matron pulled away one of the boys and looked at his face, he had a mile long smile on his face and was reaching for Harry so apparently this was a good thing and they were very happy about the whole thing. When the boys had cried themselves out, Harry stood up and motioned for Sirius to come back over, closer and reintroduced him to the boys. This time they both wrapped their arms around his legs and held on.

Alice was standing over to the side and shook her head. “Can’t take you any place can we Sirius?” She laughed teasingly.

“How old are the boys?” Asked Remus curious now.

“They just turn four, August eighth.” Sirius stated as he looked at their paper work which he held in his hand. Apparently the matron had given him both the boy’s files with all the information they had on them. There was no parental father and for mother it was listed as a Lizabeth Star. Which didn’t ring any bells with him, so it was probably a fake name. She had brought them to the orphanage when they were two, and dumped them with nothing but a note pinned to their shirts of their names and date of birth then sighed it Lizabeth Star.

When Sirius signed the adoption papers he changed their names slightly, he made Matthew, Matthew Franklin Black and James became James Remus Black. Then he made their Godfathers the men they were named after. And for their Godmothers he made Alice, Matthew’s Godmother and Minerva, James’ Godmother. He knew that Minerva would love the twins the moment she saw them, even if she would tease Sirius non stop about his indiscretions.

So Harry and Alice headed in with the twins to help them pack their things and get ready to leave, while Neville watched the Darcorns and Sirius talked to the matron. It only took a few minutes since they didn’t have all that much, but Alice conjured a suitcase for each boy and they each filled it with what the boys wanted to take and what little clothes the boys had the wasn’t something gray and dingy looking. They had gotten new clothes that morning but only three pairs of pants and five new shirts so it wasn’t much but it was more than they had ever had in their whole life to call their own. They had gotten one package of six socks and a brand new pair of shoes too. They were so proud of it all they wanted to take everything.

Harry was actually very surprised at how fast the new matron was getting things done around here and was very pleased with her work so far. He knew that Sirius would want to take the boys to Madam Malkin’s to get them a new wardrobe set up and probably down to Flourish and Blotts and get them some new books, and maybe to a toy store to get them some age appropriate toys. Yeah they had the plushie, a set of matching teddies, that Harry had made them the night that he had rescued them. And they had a couple of balls, but that was it, no puzzles or dragons, or other plushies, or tops, or puppets, or anything else. Just a Teddie and a couple of balls. Well that would never do, thought Harry, his little brothers were going to have the things he always had when he was little. The building blocks, and train set, the coloring books, and colors, paint sets, pads, dress up costumes, dolls, and dragons, animals and water toys for when they take a bath. Everything. Even a toy broom.

Oh brother Sirius was definitely going to be getting these two their first broom today probably.

Harry sighed and nodded to Alice to let her know that he and Matthew had packed all his things and were ready to go. So the four of them headed back out to Sirius and the Darcorns.

“Sirius we need to get going if we are going to stop by Madam Malkin’s and get these two a new wardrobe set up today.” Harry stated.

“You’re right they need a full wardrobe and we need to see about a few other things for them too.” Sirius smiled at the boys. Who were smiling back. Yeah they were his sons, they had his exact same smile without even knowing it, Harry noticed for the first time.

So Harry called for Jeeves and had him take the Darcorns back to the stables and the boy’s suitcases to their room, then the rest of them headed over to Diagon Alley.

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Everyone split up when they got to Diagon Alley, Harry and the Riders went to Gringotts bank along with Remus and Frank, while Sirius and Alice headed over to Madam Malkin’s and Persephone and Xenophilius headed down to the Apothecary.

Harry headed up to one of the tellers and waited until he was next in line and then explained that he was Harry Potter Black her to do Rider business. At that the teller looked up sharply and nodded, he jumped down from the stool that he was sitting on and rushed across the bank floor and entered a tall door on the left side of the lobby and within a minute or so he came rushing back out and motioned Harry to follow him, so Harry and Neville followed the younger Goblin teller into an almost majestic office and stood before a magnificent desk with a well dressed older Goblin behind it.

“Greetings Rider, I am Ragnok. The Head of this brach of Gringotts. I understand you have some business you wish to conduct with us today?” The Goblin stated.

“Yes Friend, we wish to make a deposit into our Rider account.” And with that Harry reached into his bag and pulled out three pillow cases about half full of gold, and placed them on the desk, and the pulled out the lock box as well. “This we will need an estimate on the value of it’s contents, then transferred it to gold and have it deposited into the account.”

The Goblin opened the lock box and peered inside almost at once an eyebrow shot up and a frown formed on his face. “You realize there are some Goblin made pieces in here?”

“Of course, that’s why we came to you instead of a jeweler out there on the Alley somewhere. We knew you would give us at least fair market value for the pieces.” Harry stressed the last few words a little so the Goblin would understand what he meant.

And he did, the Goblin rummaged through the container of jewelry and jewels and picked out eleven pieces. Two broaches, six rings, two bracelets, and a necklace and set them aside then instructed for the little Goblin who was still there to go get him three appraisers, good ones he stressed. A few minutes later three distinguished looking Goblins walked into the office behind the young goblin. They came up to the desk and he pointed two of them to the box and he pointed the final one to the Goblin jewelry. They all took out jeweler’s eye pieces and began to examine the jewelry closely. They took out pads of paper and began to write some number down on it. Harry was watching what this one Goblin was marking down and called a halt to everything.

“That’s enough, if I had known this was going to be treated as a joke I would have just gone to the jeweler down the street like I almost did, please pack up the items and let me be on my way.” He stated as he began gathering up the Goblin made items into a separate bag by themselves.

“Wait!” Ragnok stated and asked to see the pads of the other two, one of the appraisers was indeed quoting the price for knuts on the galleon and he immediately got removed from the room. Leaving the other two to finish the job. “I ask that you give us an opportunity to do this correctly.”

“I came here to get ‘fair market value’ this money is going to help the orphans of two separate orphanages and for the Riders. This is serious and I expect it to be treated as such. When I bring in something for the Riders I expect Truth, Justice and Honor, for that is what you shall always get from us. I though the Goblins treasured those qualities.” Harry stated sounded rather gruff with the Goblins.

“Always. If you ever find a Goblin that is giving you anything less than the best of service to you, come to me immediately and it will be taken care of. Now let us do business this day.” Harry knew he wanted those goblin made items so he sat the bag with the Goblin made items back on the desk and allowed the appraiser to go back to work. Then Ragnok called in three more Goblins who came in with a little cart filed with empty bags and went over to the three sacks of gold and they began to count out the gold, placing hundred gold in each bag. By the time they were finished they had two hundred and eighteen full bags and one partial bag of gold. Wow, that’s a lot more than he thought he had.

Ragnok explained that some of the gold was in ten, twenty and fifty gold galleons pieces, so one coin was valued at a lot more than just one galleon. Each bag was weighed and marked as its value, then set aside accordingly. So his total count in gold was right at two hundred and thirty-one thousand in gold. Geez that is a lot for one a haul, and they still hadn’t finished with the jewelry.

Finally the two remaining appraisers were finished and they handed Ragnok their pads. He looked at them then nodded. Turning to Harry he quoted him a price, Harry quirked an eyebrow and quoted a price three times as much, after much haggling they came to an agreement that was somewhere in the middle, which is where he assumed was fair market value actually was for the pieces was. And with a nod more gold was added to the already full cart and it took four Goblins to pull the cart out of the office and down the hallway to the lifts.

“It’s been nice doing business with you Ragnok. May your gold ever flow.”

“And your enemies faint at the mention of your name, and it has been for us as well. These Goblin made items will be treasured by their families once again. Thank you for their return.” Ragnok stated.

“We will always try and return the property of the Goblins, to the Goblins if we can.” Harry stated firmly.

Ragnok nodded in appreciation. And with that Harry and Neville were escorted to the lobby of Gringotts. Harry was whispering the total of the haul they had gotten from the sex shop to the Riders when all of the sudden they heard screams. Screams coming from the Alley. Harry rushed over to the doors of Gringotts and opened them just enough to peer out. Outside in the street were maybe a dozen Death Eaters in full regalia, slowly moving down the street, firing curses at anything that moved, even firing into the stores at random, catching everything on fire.

Harry turned to his people and said. “First Tier with me, second Tier on the steps, third Tier on standby, watch close we will be needing you.” With that he, and Neville headed out with Luna on his left and Pavarti on Neville’s right. They headed down the stairs and into the heard of screaming people. “Dark Green?” Harry asked, “And Orange.“ Neville replied. And the two of them loaded their hands with colored balls and began firing them at anything that had a wand raised at the crowd.

It wasn’t until they got down to the last three people that he saw them, a mother and three little children huddled in an alley, Harry raised his arm and motioned for Tier two to move in and take up position around them and guard them, which they did immediately. Then Tier two motioned for Tier three to move in and they came rushing out of Gringotts toward them with Susan in the lead and Hermione lending cover. They got over to the mother and children and apparently the mother had been hit and the children had been hit by flying glass or something but they had cuts all over them. Susan and Padma immediately got to work while Hermione stood guard.

Cedric and the twins began to join in the fray and were right behind Tier one when the final man was taken down. Harry turned to them and stated. “Go down the streets and through the buildings and check for wounded Set up a triage area over by Susan and Padma. Then clear the streets, set up a barrier at the opposite end of the street for the Aurors. We will gather the Death Eaters to this end of the street and call Amelia. Remus can you go and check on Sirius, Alice and the boys. Frank can you go and check on the Lovegoods, they should be in the Apothecary. Everyone nodded and went and did as instructed without question.

Harry used his patronus to contact Amelia and informed her that there were a dozen or so Death Eaters in the Alley, people were wounded, fires started. Help was needed immediately.

Then Harry and Neville started rounding up the Death Eaters, hitting them with a light yellow ball that lifted them up, one feather light charm and they could push the sphere along to the end of the street where the others were. Once Harry and Neville encased a Death Eater in a sphere and cast a feather light charm on the sphere, Luna and Pavarti began pushing them along to the front of the street to be with the others and allow Harry and Neville to move onto the next Death Eater. They counted fourteen all together that were in the Alley that they had managed to bring down without any wounded to their side. Pretty damn good, if he did say so for himself.

Then the Aurors started showing up. Amelia in the lead, with Mad-Eye right behind her, and Shackelbolt followed by Tonks hot on his heels. By that time they had nine of the fourteen piled next to each other at the front of the Alley and were heading back for more.

Instead of a firefight like she expected, it was the aftermath of one, with wounded carefully being helped over to one side of the Alley, perps being lined up on another side of the Alley and fires being put out where ever they were at. Wait a minute these perps weren’t dead, they were asleep.

“What’s going on here?” Amelia asked.

“Auror Bones, the Riders, were in Gringotts conducting business and we heard screaming, I looked out the doors and saw a stampede of people followed by these individuals firing into the crowd and into the shops starting fires. I set up my people to deploy and we went in to defend the Alley and the people within it. We used spell balls to take these individuals down and have set up a triage section over by Flourish and Blotts, we are having the wounded moved over there, we are doing a shop by shop search for wounded as we speak. We should have the numbers on that front in a few minutes.” Harry stated.

Luna and Pavarti pushed the last two bad guys to the front and parked them at the end, then popped the bubbles and allowed them to fall heavily, hitting somewhat like a bag of wet cement, but who cared, they were Death Eaters.

“Well let’s see who we have here,” said Moody and he walk over to the start of the line, taking the mask off each one as he went. “Parkinson no surprise there, Goyle, Crabbe, again no surprise, Carrow…lookie here we got both of them, and surprise of surprises we have Severus Snape himself, ole Dumbledore’s Mr. Innocent isn’t so innocent any more, Yaxley…”

Moody went down a list of known and not so known Death Eaters most of them Harry had never heard of. The others he had only heard of because they had kids he was going to school with.

Amelia walked over to Harry and leaned down and whispered, “You realize your suppose to let us help with the bad guys don’t you?”

“Um, yeah,” he said as he kinda looked toward the line of bad guys lined up for her to take in. “We were just gift wrapping them for you.” Harry joked.

“You realize that you just turned thirteen and we are the adults around here, this is our job, not yours.” She tried again.

“But we’re the Riders Ma’am, it is our job, just like that orphanage was our job, and that sex shop was our job, this was our job too. Where innocent lives are at stake we have to help where we can, it is our mandate. We know how old we are, we also know how much experience and training we have, and what our abilities are. That is why we do the things that we do. Not out of carelessness, or glory seeking, but because we know that we can do it and we know that we are the only ones available to do it at the time. If you were here at the time, it would have been your show, but you weren’t. So we had to handle it. We are good at what we do, none of my people we’re injured and as few civilian populations possible were risked. We don’t take unnecessary risks Ma’am, we are not stupid, or have a death wish, or glory hounds, we merely do what needs to be done. Although we would like to go a while without any more excitement if at all possible.” Harry gave her an imploring look. Which caused her to laugh at him.

Mad-Eye was putting port keys on each of the sleeping Death Eaters and sending them on their way. Then Amelia realized, “You two are going to have to stop by headquarters to wake this batch up for us you realize?”

With a heavy sigh Harry nodded and motioned that they would be along in a little while. About that time here comes Sirius racing down the street with carrying one little boy while Remus was coming at a slower pace carrying James, Harry thought. Alice following along behind them looking worried herself.

“Harry! Harry what in the world? What did you do this time? Death Eaters? Where did you find Death Eaters? What are you doing fighting Death Eaters in Diagon Alley on a Tuesday for?” Sirius blasted off the questions in quick succession.

“Don’t ask me, ask them. There the ones that were firing first. We just put them to sleep to make them stop. Their lucky we didn’t stick them to a wall somewhere too. Just to be mean about it. But no we just put them to sleep and tied them up. Nothing more, then we sent for help for the fires and the wounded. Not a drop of our blood or their blood was shed by us at any point. Just sleep.” Harry explained hurriedly.

“What?” Sirius was confused now.

“Their asleep, we just blasted them with dark green balls and put them to sleep. Then used orange balls to tie them up, then light yellow balls to lift them up and a feather light spell on each one so that Luna and Pavarti could move the DE’s up here with the rest of them. That’s it, nothing more. No big theatrics or anything. Just simple sleep balls, then tie up balls once they were asleep, then lift up balls to move them. It was all plain and simple, toss and move on, no life threatening situation, no endangering ourselves, no taking risks, just toss and move on. They dropped like flies and it was over with in all of five minutes. It was only the last three that even aimed a wand at us and they were easy to dodge, no one even got close to us. I guess since we are shorter than what they are used to fighting, or they underestimated us or something, oh well their loss, no blood loss on their side, none on our side. I think that is a damn good score don’t you?” Harry rambled on, a little tired of the adults around questioning him and his Riders.

“Well, ah…yes…but still… you could have been killed.” Sirius tried.

“So could you, Alice and the boys. They were setting fires to the shops, if we hadn’t stopped them when we did you could have been killed.” Harry said his voice back to strong and sure.

“He’s right Sirius. They were only three shops away from Madam Malkin’s when the Riders stopped them. A few more minutes and you and the boys could have been hurt or killed.” Remus stated calmly. “And Alice of course.” He added .

“I know, but it doesn’t stop me from shaking on the insides. I think if this happens much more I am going to have to start wearing adult nappies.” Sirius grumbled.

This brought about a round of laughter and Harry went over and hugged his dad and smiled. He knew his dad would always worry about him, and in a way it felt good to have someone that would actually worry about him even if it was a nuisance at times.

“Okay folks the medical people are here so let’s gather up Padma, Susan, and Hermione. We have got some shopping to do still. And then we have to head over to Auror Headquarters and wake up all these people for them. After that were headed home, enough excitement for the day. Cedric head over and gather Tier three and then we can head to the Apothecary.” Harry stated. About that time Xenophilius and Persephone came up to their group. Looking over to the row of Death Eaters in disbelief.

“What in the name of Hades did we miss?” Persephone asked.

“Oh it was great fun Mummy. There were Death Eaters that started a stampede of people, they were firing curses into the crowd and hurting as many people as they could, then they started firing into the shops and starting fires. We came out of Gringotts and Harry and Neville fired sleeping balls at them and put them to sleep, while Pavarti and I provided cover fire for them. Then about halfway down the Alley there was a woman and some children in a side street that were hurt and Harry called in second Tier to guard them, they got there and realized that they were all hurt real bad and called in third Tier to take care of them. By that time we were down to three people and it was getting fun, they were actually firing at us instead of into the crowd now, but all it took was three balls and they were out as well, between Harry and Neville they didn’t have a chance. Then Harry sent for Amelia and we set up a triage center around where Susan, Padma and Hermione were. Then Harry and Neville cast lift up balls around the fallen Death Eaters and cast feather light charms on each one so we could push them down the Alley and into line with the rest of them. He had Cedric, Fred and George go store to store and check for wounded, and had Cedric set up a perimeter on the Gringotts end of the street. Then everyone started moving the wounded over to Padma and Susan with Hermione watching their backs. Then the medical personnel got here and so now Susan, Padma, and Hermione are free to come with us to finish up our shopping.” Luna stated all in just a few breaths she had just described everything down to the last hiccup of what had just happened. She didn’t glamorize it or leave anything out, just plain hard facts that even a Auror would have been proud of.

“Ah yeah. Well I have already gotten what I need from there, I am going to head over to Flourish and Blotts, Sirius are you going to go with me? I know you wanted to get the boys some new books.” Persephone asked as if it was just a walk in the park on a nice spring day today.

Sirius took a deep breath and nodded. All the excitement was over with, Amelia was here and there were no more Death Eaters out there to cause problems so, why not. “Yeah, these little guys need some picture books, reading books and coloring books, and maybe some activity books too. We’ll see what all they have and pick you two out a bunch of them.” The twins who had looked confused with everything that was going on around them now looked very interested, books they could understand, they loved books. They were just learning their letters and some words too so they could almost read some. They both nodded excitedly and smiled real big at that idea. The new clothes had been okay, but books was another thing all together.

“Okay then, we will take care of what we need to get over at the Apothecary and then meet you over at Flourish and Blotts in a few minutes.” Harry said with a smile. And with that the Riders took off for the Apothecary and the rest split up to go where every they needed to go next.

Once they got to the Apothecary Harry went over to the counter and introduced himself. “Greetings, my name is Harry Potter Black and we are the Riders, we have a large order and we would like to see what prepared potions you have available as well. The man handed Harry a list of potions and he called Susan over and between Susan, Cedric, and himself he picked out several pre-made potions and several cases of nutrient potion. In fact they took all the man had of that. He looked a little shocked at that and Harry stated they had ten Riders and they liked to have a months supply on hand at any given time. So Harry was sorry about the inconvenience but yes they were taking all eight cases that he had. They picked up a bunch of the ones that they had already mentioned with a few others including some allergy potions, hive soothers, snake bite draught, concussion draught, bone mend, burn mend, fever reducer, cold remedy, flu begone, ear ache drops, nerve tonic, sleep easy. and ulcer tonic. Susan and the girls also got potions for cramps, mood swings, hormones, and pregnancy potions (just to be on the safe side). Harry had all the guys get pregnancy potions as well, never can be too careful now days. Especially seeing as to the fact that he now had two little brothers that Sirius never knew existed.

When the clerk finally had the order filled Harry paid with his Rider ring and everyone packed what ever boxes and bags they could into their bottomless bags and they would worry about sorting it later. Then they all headed over to Flourish and Blotts to meet up with Sirius and the rest of them.

Harry couldn’t believe the stack of books that Sirius had for the twins, wait a minute this was Sirius, yes he could believe it. The stack was almost taller that the twins themselves and they were just little thin books too. Books of every kind you could think of, about just anything and everything. Some fairytales, some activity books, some coloring books, some short stories, some that were educational, some with morals, some with rhymes, you name it Sirius found a book about it. The twins were in heaven, they didn’t even know that they made so many books, and so they were just about going nuts over them all.

Harry looked around a bit and found several new books as well, some for the classes he was taking, specifically runes and arithmancy. Even though he had been studying those classes since he was eight years old, he still wanted to be ready for what ever they might put before him. At least it won’t be like he, Neville, Susan, and Luna wouldn’t be starting Arithmancy and Runes fresh for the first time and Padma and Pavarti had some experience with it too from their school they took before they came to Hogwarts. The only one that had no experience with it at all was Hermione and she had been reading about both subjects all summer long. So she probably has the first two years memorized by now too.

Then Harry found a few books in the Defense section he wanted. A couple in the potions section, as always. And he found a few in the law section, a couple in the magical animals and beasts section and a few in the magical creatures and races section. He found quite a few in the medical and first aid section. He even found some in the Herbology section he wanted to get. He was serious about getting more books for the library. And he wanted his library well rounded. And with as much recent information as possible. He found several periodicals to boot, everything from Transfiguration Monthly to Potion Weekly and everything in between practically something about every subject he was taking at Hogwarts had a periodical about it so he got them all. He even got today’s paper with its head lines about the Riders in it, He just had to see what they had to say about them.

So far everything that either the paper or the wireless had said about his Riders had been positive. So they had been really lucky. Harry really didn’t want the media to ever take a bad view on the Riders but he knew it was inevitable at some point, Every one gets bad press at one time or another. He just wasn’t looking forward to the day that bad press was in the Riders future.

After Harry made his purchase and put it away in his bag they decided to go to the Non-Magical side of things and pick up the boys some toys and some regular clothes. Only one place to do all that, Harrods. So they got several taxis and headed over there. Sirius was looking for play ground equipment for the boys. He intended to put it down near the stables so it was out of the way from the rest of the school. So the other students couldn’t break it mainly. So he got a sandbox, a teeter-totter set, and a swing set complete with jungle-jim and slide. All that was age appropriate for four to six year olds mind you. He had bought them a play house from the magical side, so it was a lot like a magical tent, it had one bedroom and a living room a play kitchen and a bathroom in it. But it was real small only six feet by six feet, on the outside. It had all the safety bells and whistles too, like the oven wasn’t real but the cold box was. So they could make sandwiches but not soup. But they had a hot box that their parents could load up with pre-cooked meals and they would stay warm for days and not go bad. So that was something. They could have friends over or what ever and play house in their little club house, or use the bathroom when ever they needed to when they were playing outside. Or play outside even if it was raining, so Sirius thought the boys would love their little play house.

Harry and Remus stuck to getting the boys things to play with inside. The got them a train set, blocks, jig saw puzzles, coloring books and crayons, paints and pads, stuffies, wizards and dragons sets, building sets, some action figures including Merlin and the knights. And several games and cards sets. They had so much stuff picked out they thought they had gone over the top but really there was two of them so it wasn’t too bad really. At least that was the excuse that Harry was going to use. Ha Ha Ha.

Then they went to pick up a bunch of Non-Magical clothes for the twins, mainly play clothes. Although Alice did insist on one suit for each boy. By the time they got about half of the clothes picked out Sirius and the twins came over to the clothing area, and Alice had them sit down and start trying on shoes immediately. The magical world had a lot of great things, but shoe variety was not one of them. So Alice and Sirius wanted to get each of the boys a good variety of shoes and even some little dress boots too. Some play shoes, some sports shoes, and some dress up shoes, then a couple of pairs of cowboy boots.

Clothing section and start the boys trying on clothes, shorts, slacks, dress shirts, t-shirts, and jumpers, pants, undershorts, undershirts, socks, pajamas and robes. They picked out everything for the boys, and the pile kept getting bigger it seemed. Rain coat, dress coat, and cold weather coat. And hats oh the little hats they picked out, apparently the boys liked hats; beanies, caps, berets, you name it the boys liked them all.

Soon they were ready to go and they were all carrying out bags and bags of things out of the store, at least until we could get to an alley and shrink them and put them into our bags. Then we went and got pizza, it was the boys first experience with pizza and boy did they enjoy it as well. Both almost made themselves sick on the stuff they loved it so much, oh to be four again. Ok, Harry could do without the pepperoni in the hair bit, but the rest of it looked fun. Just being a kid again.

By the time they got home the little guys were fast asleep on Sirius and Remus’ shoulders and didn’t even wake up when they were put down for a nap. Sirius needed to set up another room for them and put their things away after all. All the playground equipment he had gotten the boys he had had them take out onto the loading dock, and told them that he would go get his truck and he and his friends would load it, then he shrunk it all down and put it into his bag and just walked back into another door from the outside of the building as if he was coming in through the parking lot. So he just set the boxes aside for now and took out all the rest of the things they had gotten the twins and began to sort through it all. Right now the boys were sleeping on Harry’s bed while a whole new room was being set up for them. The house elves said it would only take a few hours, gods love the house elves.

Harry and Neville unloaded their bags and then headed back out to The Ministry of Magic to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement with Alice and Frank taking them since Sirius and Remus wanted to stay with the Matthew and James.

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Harry and Neville walked into the first interview room and it had someone by the name of Aletcto Carrow in it. Harry simply pointed his wand at the person and stated ‘up’ and the stocky little woman snapped to searching all around trying to figure out what was going on. Totally confused about where she was and where her brother, Amycus, was as well. She started asking all kinds of questions but was soon silenced and Harry and Neville headed over to the next interview room.

This one was apparently that ones brother, Amycus if looks had anything to say about it, because this one looked like a male version of the first one. Well this time it was Neville’s turn and he just pointed his wand and stated ‘up’ and the man woke up, just as confused as his sister and asking for her just as she had asked for him. On to the next.

The next one Moody had introduced as Percival Parkinson, yes it was Pansy’s father. Unfortunately. Since that meant that her house arrest will be watched by her mother and only her mother. But perhaps they could hire someone to tend to her, a guard of sorts. Someone that wouldn’t allow her to walk all over them like her mother would. Well Harry woke the man up and he realized immediately where he was he just didn’t know how he got there. But when he saw the boys he didn’t need much more of an explanation.

Corban Yaxley was the next one in line, and he was one ugly man. Neville quickly cast the ‘up’ and they got out of there, he was actually frightening to look at too long.

Antonin Dolohov was another who wouldn’t win any beauty pageants but Harry did the spell and the man woke up growling. Which was weird. Both boys backed away and just headed to the door as he dove towards them, luckily he was handcuffed to the table and couldn’t reach them, didn’t stop them from hurrying out the door though.

Dave Legeno one of Greyback’s top lieutenants was the next to wake up, it was evident he was a werewolf by his mangy appearance but in comparison Remus was a kitten. This guy was brutal and savage in appearance and Remus had a gentleness that was no where to be found on this man. Neville did the ‘up’ from as safe a distance as he could get and the spell still work. Then they both left the room since the man was growling and drooling and snarling everywhere.

Severus Snape was the next one in line and he too growled when Harry woke him up. What is it with this growling thing? Is it something they all plan at their Death Eater meetings or at Death Eater training camp. How to growl when you first wake up? Weird. Severus started making all kinds of demands as soon as he woke up and he was the only one that seemed fairly intelligent, go figure. He was talking about a Barrister and demanding to speak to one before he said a single word and all that. Oh well they headed to the next room.

Greg Goyle Senior who was snoring loudly in there, Neville woke him up and he snuffled around and mumbled then realized he wasn’t in his bed at home but in an interrogation room at the Auror Headquarters. To say he was shocked was an understatement. Mostly he just looked around and stared at everything and nodded when people asked him questions.

Vincent Goyle wasn’t that much better off, he was dazed too when Harry brought him around. He kept looking around and pointing and mumbling under his breath as if he was trying to put pieces together but he didn’t have all the puzzle there to work with.

Walden Macnair was one that had shocked quite a few people, since he worked in the Minister in the Department for the Committee of the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures as an executioner. Neville brought the beast of a man around and they both left the room quickly.

The next one Harry recognized because he had his son in his classes, Theodor Nott Sr., and he brought him around and waited to see what he would do, the man was confused and then he looked down at them as if he was trying to memorize them or something. At that point Amelia urged them outside the room. Not feeling comfortable with the boys in the room any longer.

Thorfinn Rowle looked like some average Joe, like no big threat or anything, but from what Amelia stated he had killed plenty of people and just always seemed to get away with it, but now they had him, finally they had him. And this time he wasn’t getting away. Neville woke him up and he looked around the room as if he didn’t know why he was there, he pretended as if he had been imperioused and didn’t know why he was there, so she had Neville do his truth spell on the man and he spilled all the beans. Everything. No going back now.

Augustus Rookwood woke up and tried to use wandless magic to free himself but soon realized he was in magic restraining cuffs. Then he tried to reach a dart that was up his cuff sleeve that no one noticed and hurl it at Harry, but Harry dodged out of the way. Okay another count of attempted murder on his plate. Soon they had him in a body bind and his was motionless but able to talk so they used the truth spell on him and pumped him for information and Harry and Neville went on to the last one.

Damiun Rosier this one was drooling on himself in his sleep but they didn’t care they just wanted to get out of there by now, so Neville woke this one up and the two of them headed to the door without looking back. Thank Heavens they could be out of there now.

With the last of them now awake Harry and Neville headed out of the Interrogation rooms and down the hallway to the main area, apparently there was some big to-do about the capture of all of these Death Eaters going to be in the papers because as soon as they stepped into the main area of the flash bulbs from cameras went off and people began asking them questions.

Harry and Neville tried to weave their way through the reporters but it wasn’t easy, finally they made it out to the front doors and out of the building. Where Alice and Frank grabbed them and apparated them back to Hogwarts. Harry liked it when the Riders got good publicity but he hated reporters with a passion. They didn’t understand the idea of personal space or privacy. And they thought any thing you said was a direct quote that could be published even if it was something you were saying to someone else and not to them. So they had said nothing and just got out of there quickly. Hoping that nothing they said or did would show up in the papers tomorrow, oh Harry knew his and Neville’s pictures were sure to be in the paper but he prayed not. But it was a pipe dream, and he knew it.

As they made their way back inside Hogwarts, Harry had never been so happy to see the old place in his life. For all of it’s faults it had become a home to him over the years and he loved the old girl.

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Once inside the rooms Harry found Sirius still going through the stuff they had bought that day and sorting it all out trying to see if there was anything they had forgotten.

“So what did Jeeves and Misty think of the boys?” Harry asked.

“Huh?” Sirius looked shocked, okay there was definitely something he forgot. “Jeeves,”

Jeeves popped into the room, “Is Misty where she can come over here as well?”

Jeeves popped out of the room and both of them popped back into the room a moment later curious about what Sirius needed them both for.

“Okay guys, I just found out today that I am the father of two four year old little boys, twins to be exact. They are in here. Their asleep but I want you to meet them.” So Sirius led the way into Harry’s room where the boys were sleeping.

Jeeves instantly took to the boys as did Misty, she thought they were adorable, especially when they slept, all curdled up hugging one another. Each with their teddies in their arm.

After a few minutes of watching the boys sleep everyone went back into the sitting area and Sirius explained. “Their mother didn’t tell me about them she just turned them over to an orphanage when they were two years old, with nothing but a note of their name and birthdate pinned to their shirts. The one on the left is Matthew Franklin Black and the one the right is James Remus Black, I added their middle names when I adopted them this afternoon. James’ hair is just a little bit more wavy than Matthew’s that is how I can tell them apart. Now they are four years old so I will be putting them in preparatory school, starting Monday. The other elves are creating a new room for the boys right now and so they will be staying down here with us. And I have bought a bunch of stuff that needs to be gone through and put up in their new room. And they need all their room fixed up once it is set up. I think letting the boys pick out what colors they want the room done in is best, so once they do, can you guys help me set that up?”

“Two new babies! We have two new babies! Hooray!” Apparently Misty was thrilled with the idea of more babies to take care of.

Jeeves nodded and stated “Jeeves can do that Master Sirius Sir. No problem, Let me see how the other elves are doing on the other room and let’s see how long it will be.” With that Jeeves popped away.

“Now having the twins isn’t going to be a problem with you taking care of the other babies is it Misty?” Sirius asked.

“Misty only have to take care of the little babies during the day while everyone else is working, I do not have much else to do, now I will have lots to do with two more babies, they will need me lots. Oh boy!” She said with a mile long smile.

Harry couldn’t help but think that Sirius’ had just given this little elf a Christmas present early the way she was acting.

Jeeves popped back into the room and announce that they were almost done with the room and that they were making a private bathroom for the boys to use as well as a bedroom and that that was what was taking so long. But they were almost done with it.

About that time a new doorway and door appeared on to the right of Sirius’ which was opposite of Harry’s. Harry’s room was to the left of Sirius’ and closer to the main doorway to the rooms. Sirius went over to the door and opened it, sure enough there was a nice sized room, exactly the same size as Harry’s. It had two big windows with window seats that looked out to the quidditch pitch and the Black Lake. Inside were two standard issues twin beds with curtains and all. Two wardrobes and two desks with little chairs. There was even a space to put a small sofa and a couple of over stuffed chairs to sit in. Sirius went over to the other door in the room and sure enough it was a small but functional bathroom. It had a nice big tub and shower set up and two sinks, with a toilet in a little cubby that had a wall between it and the rest of the room. Nice very nice. Thought Sirius.

“This is really nice. The boys are going to love it.” Harry stated.

“I know, let’s get their stuff put up and then we can change the colors to what they want it to be when they get up.” Sirius agreed.

With a snap of her fingers all the clothes and shoes were unpacked and put away neatly in their wardrobes, most everything was put in the drawers but there were a few things that needed to be hung up, like the little suit that Alice had insisted the boys needed a few of the cloaks as well and the jackets they had gotten. So in the end the hanging area was full as well. Even the little area for shoes was packed full, having three rows of shoes and boots.

“Do you think you can find a toy bin for their toys? Or maybe another chest of drawers, just something to put all these toys in.” Harry asked Jeeves.

Jeeves popped away and a couple of minuted later he popped back with both items. A nice size toy bin and a small chest of draws with five drawers. Jeeves put the items over between the two windows and he and Harry began deciding what goes into the chest and what goes into the bin. After a few minutes it was done. Everything was sorted out and put away nice and neat.

“About the only thing the boys need now is a small table that they can do their puzzles on or drawing and stuff like that.” Harry stated. Looking about the room.

Again Jeeves popped out and returned with a nice sized coffee table which they placed over by the sofa, it fit perfectly. “Brilliant Jeeves, absolutely brilliant! I don’t know what we do with out you.” Sirius said as he looked at the knew fixings with approval.

Harry nodded and watched as the little elf blushed but smiled at the compliment.

“Oh bitty Masters are waking up!” Misty whispered excitedly.

“They are? Well let’s go introduce you to them and then we can show them their new room.” Sirius stated.

So everyone went into Harry’s room and sure enough the boys were sitting in there awake and staring around as if they were unsure of where they were. When Sirius and Harry came into the room they remembered everything and smiled real big.

“Matthew, James, I have two friends I would like you to meet.” Harry started. “This is Jeeves and Misty. They are House Elves. They took care of me when I was little and took care of my father when he was little too. Now they are going to help take care of you. They are friends and family to us so make sure you treat them like it, they are very special to me, okay?” Harry stated.

At first both boys looked at the House Elves curiously then when Harry said they are special to him they went over to the elves and gave each one of them a hug. Which brought a tear to Jeeves and Misty’s eyes.

“Thank you boys, I appreciate that, you will grow to love them as much as I do. When ever you need them just call for them they will always be there for you.” Harry stated.

“Boys we have a surprise for you.” Sirius said with a little boy smile on, “Why don’t you come with me and see what it is.” And with that he led everyone into the twin’s new room. Sirius opened the door to the room and escorted the boys into the room only to have them look around confused. “This is your new room boys.You boys can make it any color you want to make it and do any thing you want to it, as long as you don’t go breaking things that is.

All of the sudden it hit the boys like a ton of bricks, they really were staying here, this really was their new family, this really was their new home, they really didn’t have to go back to the orphanage, and both the boys rushed over to Sirius and began to cry all over him. Sirius maneuvered them over to the couch and sat down with them. He began to pat their backs and whisper softly to them encouragingly, soon they were able to come out of it and look around the room better. They notice all the toys in the toy bin and looked at Sirius in wonder.

“Yes those are your toys. There are more in that dresser, all kinds of toys to play with. Just remember to share with each other and you can play with any of it you want.” Sirius smiled. And yes Sirius had even gotten the boys their first broom, which was leaning against the little chest of drawers, and they noticed them and looked back at Sirius curiously.

“That is your very first broom, Harry and I will take you boys out later and show you how to fly on them. But for right now why don’t we first see wha colors you want your room to be. Do you have a favorite color?”

“Red.” Both boys said at the same time.

“Okay red it is. and with that they’re bed spreads and bed curtains were done in red. The boys clapped their hands and smiled. And for the next hour they went around the room changing the color of different things and it became a bright pretty room with soft yellow walls and Gryffindor yellow sheets and pillows and golden couches and chairs. The wardrobes were done in sapphire blue and the toy chest and chest of drawer were done in emerald green and the coffee table was done in black. They had some black throw pillows on the golden chairs and sofa to match the coffee table and the carpet was done in a nice creme and gold mixture that went real well with the sofa and the beds. Soon they were finished. And all around was color and happiness, just what Harry wanted to see. Not a single gray anything to be seen. Even the curtains were done in creme with Darcorns on them. Which made Harry smile. His little brothers were perfect.

Oh crap look at the time, it was getting close to lunch time, “Sirius it’s lunch time and the boys probably didn’t get much for breakfast.”

“Yeah let’s head down to the Dining Hall and I will introduce you to everyone else.” Sirius offered each boy a hand and they all headed down to get something to eat. Jeeves and Misty stayed behind to finish up with the room and to get rid of all the boxes, bags and wrappers the clothing and toys had been in and then go check on the other babies.

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Everyone had gathered in the Dining Hall and were talking with each other when Harry, Sirius, Matthew and James walked into the room. Minerva who was sitting at the head of the table, since they were using the school tables instead of the main table, the teachers were sitting in the Gryffindor tables, and the Riders were sitting in the Ravenclaw section. Right across the isle.

“Well, well, well. Who do you have there Sirius?” Minerva asked, her cat like curiosity getting the better of her.

Sirius headed over to stand with the boys beside Minerva, the boys tried to hide behind Sirius but it didn’t work, he pulled them around front so Minerva could see them. “This is Matthew Franklin Black, and this is James Remus Black, my sons. And before you ask, no I didn’t know anything about them until today. But we have done all the appropriate test and these are my sons. They are four years old as of August eight. Matthew, James say hello to the Headmistress of this school, my boss and a very dear friend.”

Each one mumbled out a Hello, but they said it. “Now Minerva I didn’t ask you ahead of time so I kinda am doing this backwards but would you like to be James Remus’ godmother?” Sirius asked as he put his hand on James’ head.

Minerva placed her hand on her chest and looked at the little boy, oh heavens…a godmother… “Of course, I would be honored to be his godmother.” And she raised her arms out for James to come to her, with a nudge from Sirius he went over. And Minerva introduced herself properly and told Jame he cold call her Aunt Minny but only he and his brother could do that, to everyone else she was Minerva. She even showed him her cat animagus which he loved and not to be outdone Sirius had to show off Padfoot. Which the boys adored, and were practically riding right there in the dining room. But Alice came over and lifted them off of Sirius and sat them down at the dining room table so they could eat, even thought they would much rather play with the kitty and the big puppy. Sirius was just grinning up a storm at that and told them they could play later if they would good. So the two of them calmed down and began to eat the food that was put on the plates before them happily. Both of the boys had mile wide smiles on their faces and Minerva couldn’t help but notice.

“Oh you can definitely see who their father is when you three are sitting side by side like this. So tell me all about it….”

Harry walked over to the Rider’s table and sat down, glad to have some piece and quiet for a change. “We managed to get a lot of the potions that I didn’t even think about right from the dispensary at the Apothecary, so we have a lot more to shuffle through and stock up on than I thought we were going to. So after lunch I guess we head up to the room of requirements and see about getting it all sorted out and given to the right people.”

“Given to the right people, I thought everyone was getting the same things?”Hermione stated in a huff.

“Do you honestly thing Cedric and the twins need something for monthly cramps and mood swings, or hormones?” Harry asked, sometimes Hermione could be a pain, like now. Afraid she was going to miss out on something good or something.

“Oh! Well no of course not. I didn’t know you meant potions like that…” She blushed and looked down at her plate of food before her.

“I don’t intentionally give one person better or more than another unless it is something they need, like those potions, we guys don’t need them but you girls will. So we got them for you. We also got birth control potions for both genders just in case. I know that it is probably way premature but they do have a two year shelf life so I thought why not get them now and have them just in case. Better safe than any more little brothers running around you know…” Harry stated. “Now I expect each and everyone of you to behave with honor when it comes to your dalliances, in the Riders we don’t care if it is same gender or opposite gender as long as it is consensual that is all that matters to us. Now I will say that if I find out that any of my Riders have acted in a disrespectful manner towards their partner I will step in, other wise your romantic life is private unless you bring it to me.” Harry did state this though. “I will state one thing though, remember you are a Rider at all times. People will want to take advantage of you, get information from you, reporters will use any ploy to delve into your private life and yes they will even use sex to get a peak into you trunks so unless you have a firm commitment from a person don’t let them in your trunk, that space is sacrosanct for a reason, if word gets out what it looks like or what is in there it could not only mean your life but the lives of all the Riders. If we have to and something like that does happen we will resort to Obliviating the individual rather than risking our Riders. Keep that in mind.” Harry didn’t like to be this gruff with his Riders but they needed to know how serious this could end up being. “So take it to an Inn or their place, or any place, but not your trunk until your practically married. Got it.” Everyone nodded.

“So next topic, we need to keep medicine for the Darcorns in stock as well, we should probably go to Professor Lovegood for that and get a list, I hadn’t really thought about that until I was thinking of all our possible injuries and I thought ‘but what if our Mounts get hurt, what do we do if they get sick or hurt.’ Yeah they can practically heal themselves with their horns but what if we are out alone on assignment, which I never plan on doing mind you. Always two at least going out, never just one, even on a simple messenger call, I don’t trust people not to try and ambush us to get our goodies if not just cut down our numbers, or kidnap one of our own to try and get the rest of us to come get him or her. Anything they could think of to try and capture and kill the Riders. Especially now that we are making a dent in the DE’s we took out fourteen of the top of the line DE’s. That is saying a lot about our strengths and our abilities. They are going to want to test us. Unfortunately, one way they will probably want to test us is by attacking Eastern Wales and Twin Oaks now that it has been in the papers that we are trying to fix those places up, that we care about those two orphanages. I gave the matron of Twin Oaks, Beverly Shomaker is her name a necklace just like the one I gave the Miss Faithright. If they have any trouble we should be notified immediately and be able to send help then if possible to go there ourselves.” Harry stated and everyone nodded to that.

Harry decided that was enough deep talk for the evening so he gathered up what he wanted to eat and began to eat his dinner.

Susan decided to bring up something interesting though, “Something we haven’t though about but need too, is bandages, and stuff. While our Darcorns can heal most everything we run up against what about the little ones, they can’t heal anything yet. And we can never guarantee that the mothers will have the energy to heal everything or that the stallions are around to heal the mares. Or even worse, what if we have to heal Non-Magicals. We can’t just go and use magic on them, we have to have bandages, gauze, splints, packing, and tape, for Non-Magicals we might have to offer medical assistance too.” Susan was on a roll now and Harry just let her go.

“You’re right, make up a list of what each Rider should have in a bandage and first aid pack and we will get to work on that as well, things such as a sling and eye patch, gauze, tape, bandages, splints, plasters, maybe get with Madame Pomfrey, tell her about your idea and see what she suggests and we will make it up. I hadn’t even thought about having to help a Non-Magical at some point.” Harry just shook his head and then took a bite of his baked ham. There was so much that he was missing and it was just being brought to light, but thankfully it was being brought to his attention before they actually needed it.

“What would a Non-Magical think of our Darcorns though? A black unicorn is not exactly something you see everyday you know?” Padma asked.

“According to Storm whenever they are around Non-Magicals all they see are regular horses, they don’t see the red eyes or the horn, for some reason the Darcorns are able to ‘mask’, if you will, their horn and eyes so that Non-Magicals see only horses, big, beautiful black horses, but still just horses.” Harry stated.

“That is what Ventus was telling me, she said that the Non-Magicals see what they want to see, and so they can’t see their red eyes or horn. How silly of them. Now sometimes a rare child can see them for what they truly look like but it takes a special child, usually a New-Blood and not Non-Magical. That is how the Darcorns have managed to travel across country without getting killed or hunted. The Non-Magicals don’t see anything but horses and the Magicals know them for what they are and most people are afraid or at least leery of them. Or they know their history and respect them as being Darcorns without Riders and sometimes even try and get them to see if they can become a Rider themselves. They will offer fresh meat, and water to them and try and get close to them to see if they might possibly be able to become a Rider. Most of the time it doesn’t work, but on occasion it does. She said there are about a dozen Darcorn riders out there right now, some with different herds, some have gone off on their own. She also thought that at some point we ought to look up the other Riders and see if we could introduce ourselves to them, we might learn somethings from them or them from us.” Luna stated as she made a mashed potato sculpture and covered it in gravy.

Harry didn’t know that Luna could talk to Ventus like he talked to Storm, but he should have assumed she would, if anyone could… she could. He wondered if all Riders would eventually be able to talk to their mounts the way he and apparently Luna could. He wished that Neville could hear Thunder, he knows if he just tried his brother could do it. Maybe if he just started talking to Thunder like Harry had with Storm, and all the sudden it was like he could hear another voice in his head answering back, and when he asked who he was he admitted to being Storm it was amazing. He ought to spend some time with his brother and Thunder and Storm and teach him how to listen to Thunder. He bet Neville could do it too.

If he could teach his brother how to talk to his Darcorn then he could teach each one of them how to talk to their own mount. Although it may take a while for Justice, Karma, Mayhem and Mischief to be able to figure out how to speak to their person it was worth a try at least.

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Harry had brought everyone up to the room of requirements and they all brought out their trunks, they had created a huge potions lab room for those who would rather not work in their trunk. The place has six stations so several people could work at once and each station was exactly like the one next to it. Fully equipped and ready to go.

Then they had a couple of tables with all the ingredients they had picked up laying on it. Alphabetized of course. To make things easier to find. Harry also told people to take what you need but only what you need, don’t take the whole bag of black beetle eyes unless you need the whole bag of black beetle eyes, which was an impossibility, no potion required more than maybe a tablespoon of the nasty little things. Harry even supplied the manila envelopes to put the ingredients in. Then there was a table for the finished potions that were labeled and dated and ready to divide up.

They had been working on the potions for a few hours now and slowly but surely the finished potion table was getting filled up and the ingredients table was starting to dwindle down some. People were bringing up between six and twenty four finished bottled up potions and heading over to gather up what they needed for their next potion. Harry was doing quadruple batches of everything and just making the same thing three times, hoping that would be enough to go around, Then moving on to the next potion and starting up on a new potion. They kept up this pace until dinner time when Jeeves popped in and reminded them it was time to eat. Harry just thanked them and all of them that could leave left at that point the rest kept working on their potions until they were finished then went to dinner.

Harry wasn’t sure if the room would hold their place or not so he created a bunch of boxes and put all the potions in them and Jeeves help him put them in his trunk and the same with the ingredients. Then he too went to dinner.

His brother had to tell him all about the day they had had, getting to wander around the castle with their dad and godmother. They went and looked at the foals, which were adorable by the way, according to his brothers. They liked Mischief and Mayhem the best.

The next two weeks flew by working on potions and with the Darcorns mostly. The got everyone a complete first aid kit set up, including a stethoscope and blood pressure kit, full emergency surgical kit and full Non-Magical first aid kit set up.

Harry worked with Neville and Thunder on how to listen to Thunder and it took a while but he could now talk to his Darcorn and hear what he was saying, first time it happened he nearly fell flat on his face. And he heard Thunder laughing hysterically and he thought he was imagining things until he started talking to him on a regular basis and getting answers and it was like bam it hit him, that voice in his head really was Thunder. Neville was so happy about it he went and told everyone and they decided to try and now both Padma and Pavarti could hear their Darcorns as well. Now the only one that couldn’t hear their Darcorn in the original group was Hermione and she was very upset about it. But she said she tried but it just didn’t make sense to her. Harry told her to go down there and read to Procella and see what Procella has to say about it. She did and she was so focused on the book she didn’t realize when she started talking out loud about the book and a voice agreed with her that it was Procella, at first she didn’t realize it, it took her about twenty minutes of discussing the book and its faults and praises that she realized that the conversation she had been having wasn’t just in her head, she really had been having a conversation with someone, and she went over to Procella and asked what she thought of the book and Procella told her. Well, ever for the dramatics Hermione fainted on the spot. Procella screamed and rushed to find someone who could help her person, so she told Storm who told Harry what had happened and they rushed over to Hermione and revived her. When she asked what happened, Harry said that she had been talking with Procella and that when she realized she was doing it she had fainted, and it all came rushing back to her. Hermione got back to her feet and immediately wrapped her arms around Procella, and said “I heard you. I really really did, didn’t I. I heard you.”

Procella nodded her head and pawed the earth, as if to say ‘of course you did silly’. Hermione squealed and laughed and hugged Procella for all she was worth. Then apologized when the mare apparently said it needed to breathe.

So finally all six of the original Riders could hear their Mounts and it was only two days before school started again.

And they got news from Mr Weasley, they may have to testify at the trial against Mrs. Weasley, but it should be weeks away, according to him she was still saying it was just a stinging hex and that it was George’s own fault for running down the stairs that caused him to fall not her stinging hex. Even if it was a way over powered stinging hex. He shouldn’t have been running in the first place. So its all his fault. Evidentially the woman was delusional and she didn’t have a barrister yet either, so they didn’t expect the trial to take very long at all.

Plus Matthew and James got enrolled in preparatory school and loved it, they went from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. Sirius had searched around until he found a place that offered the hours that he needed and were accepting new students at this time.

And Sirius finally found out about the new transfiguration that Harry had come up with at the orphanage when he made the kids all the plushies, Calculus-Villosum-Ludibrum, turning a pebble into a plushie, any plushie the person could envision they could make it. Harry gave half the credit to Neville but Neville refused to take it this time he said it was all Harry. But Harry said he wouldn’t do the article without Neville in it so they compromised and set it up so that Harry was the primary and Neville was secondary. But the main focus was on Harry. They did a lot of different plushies as examples and gave them to different orphans when they were finished with them. Minerva was through the moon, she loved it, it was inventive and something no one else had done before, but it was useful too. Sirius had gone and made each of the plushies that they had given the kids at the orphanage permanent so they wouldn’t just turn back into a pebble one night in their sleep or something. And they took several pictures of the plushies with the children and sent them all in to let the magazine pick which ones they were going to show in the magazine. The kids ended up getting one big picture of them, and all their splushies in the magazine and eight separate pictures of individual orphans, then they did eight pictures of individual plushies that Harry had made without an orphan in the picture. All in all it was a huge spread in the magazine. The magazine absolutely loved the story about the fact that Harry had created the transfiguration so that a bunch of orphan kids could have a plushie to hold onto and not be frightened anymore. They ate that stuff up. But then again so did McGonagall. She was practically crying when she found out why he had come up with the spell and saw the faces of the kids holding their plushies so proudly. By the time she reached the end of the pile of pictures she was crying. She said that when school started she was going to award him sixty point for his new transfiguration.

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Harry was excited about his new classes he was taking this year. At the opening feast he had the twins point out his new teachers to him, for Arithmancy he had a Septima Vector and for Ancient Runes he had a Bathsheda Babbing, Professor Vector sat next to Hagrid with long straight black hair that went well down her back, Harry had heard she could be as strict as Professor McGonagall used to be as a teacher, but he had never had Minerva as a teacher so he wouldn’t know how strict that would be. He just knew her as a person and he liked her in general. So he figured he’d give Professor the benefit of the doubt. If she was good at her job, that was all he cared about really, was could she teach. He and the other three had studied Arithmancy from way back and so it was like child’s play to them more than likely, at least the first four years or so. Seventh year might be challenging but we shall see.

Bathsheda Babbing was a pleasant looking woman, brunette, who looked to be in her mid to late forty’s but with Witches who could tell. At least she was smiling to the students, which says a lot in Harry’s handbook. She was even waving at some of her returning students and they were returning her wave excitedly. So that must mean they enjoyed her class or at least her as a teacher.

Harry was so excited about getting his new class schedule tomorrow, it was sure to be a full week with everything from the new classes and Karate and First Aid Classes, the weeks are going to be full up mostly. And Harry couldn’t wait. That was something Harry loved about his old school when he was younger, he always had something to do, either classes or homework, or studying. But always something. Never just sitting around doing nothing or looking for something to do. He hated just hanging around doing nothing, unless it was like right before it was time to go to bed and he liked to read or sometimes draw to relax himself before going to sleep. And here he felt he had too much time on his hands sometimes. But maybe that would be different now.

He had managed to get a list of Riders and the classes they wanted to take to Remus and he had said he would see about getting tutors for them set up as soon as possible, some classes were easier than others, Swordsmanship, Archery, Field Medic, Basic Martial Arts/Self Defense and that class on Survival Skills. That one seemed to be a big hit, almost as big a hit as the first aid class had been.

This was going to be a fun year, Harry couldn’t help but think, two new teachers in two new classes. Twin little brothers running around causing mischief, and all the Darcorn stuff to worry with. Oh and the boys absolutely loved Lillian, they thought that she hung the moon. They sat and played with her for hours at a time, until they all had to go to bed unfortunately. Harry could just imagine the mischief those three were going to get into when they got older. They already wanted to take her outside and let her play in their play house and on their play ground equipment. They also loved Sebastian and Astraea just it seemed they had a special connection with Lillian that seemed to go really deep. Go figure, another unique connection in this family.

After dinner everyone headed down to the Gryffindor and as soon as he, Neville, Luna, Pavarti, Fred and George got into the commons room the questions started.

“Are you guys really Riders?”

“Did you all really rescue all those kids?”

“What’s it like being a Rider?”

“Can I see your trunk?”

“What does your motto mean?”

“Did you guys really fight all those Death Eaters?”

“Did you really capture all of them unharmed?”

“Did you really raid a sex shop and rescue all those children there?”

“Do you really have an orphanage you are taking care of?”

The questioned were being fired at them so quick that the couldn’t even tell who was asking the questions. Harry had to shout out above the crowd that was closing in on them to get them to back away and stand back. “Stand back! We aren’t some side show freaks, we are students just like you. If you don’t like that, we have somewhere else we can stay. Now back off!” Harry shouted. But they didn’t back up much.

“But you’re the Riders.” One first year stated.

“Yes, but we are people first, and we expect to be treated like it, with the same rights and privileges offered to everyone else. And that means the right to privacy and to be treated with respect.” Harry tried.

“But Riders don’t get privacy, you’re heroes.” A second year stated, Harry didn’t recognize this one either.

“Since when does being a hero mean you aren’t privileged to privacy? When did that law go into effect? I want to know where you kids are getting your information, because it isn’t based on reality. If this was the reality of things out there in the adult world, there would never be a hero, I can tell you this much. There would never be an Auror, never be a firefighter, never be a doctor, none of it, for each is a hero in their own right. Yes, we are Riders but we are people too, and as people we have certain inalienable rights including the right to privacy. Now if you people don’t want to give us those rights then we will leave now and go stay somewhere else.” Harry came back with it.

Finally, Harry got fed up with it all and just shouted out, “Riders with me,” and waved his arm over his head and headed for the door, leading everyone back up to Sirius’ apartment. When they got there Sirius wasn’t exactly surprised to see them since Cedric and Susan were already there, as were Padma and Hermione. Apparently they were the last holdouts, and now everyone was back together in Sirius’ rooms.

“What’s this all about guys?” Remus asked.

“The other students don’t seem to understand that just because we are Riders we are also privileged with the same rights and privileges as everyone else, like the right to privacy. Like the right not to be mobbed as soon as we step foot into our doom, like the right not to be asked dozens of invasive questions. See the trend here? We no sooner got into the Gryffindor commons that they started firing off question after question at us and wouldn’t stop until I shouted at them. Then when I told them that we had the right to privacy just like anyone else they said we didn’t because we were heroes and that was all I could take, we turned around and came back up here.”

Apparently it was the same way in each of the Houses, since all of the Riders showed up and asked if they could stay there until calmed down some. “I can’t believe these kids, don’t they understand you’re just kids like they are? You deserve your privacy just like they do. I’m going to have a discussion with Minerva tomorrow and see about her making an announcement about it to Hogwarts in general, if they can’t respect you in your Houses, who knows what they will do when you’re in class or outside of class. The last thing we need is a bunch of groupies or fan girls or boys for that matter.”

“Yeah, I didn’t sign up for this shit,” Harry mumbled,

“Harry!” Luna swatted Harry’s arm.

“Well! I didn’t do any of the stuff I did to have a bunch of kids driving me nuts with questions, none of us did. I sure didn’t do it to have them interfering with my education, I did it because it was the right thing to do. If they can’t accept our privacy and give us some space, then we are just going to have to get medieval on their ass.”

“What does that even mean?” Luna asked, “You are picking up too many Non-Magical phases again Harry.”

“It means get rough with them Luna, sorry.” Harry wasn’t sorry in the least, he thought that t-shirt was hilarious.

“Well why didn’t you just say that in the first place other than using some silly slang, get medieval on their ass, I bet you’ve been waiting weeks to get a chance to say that.” Luna rolled her eyes at him.

“I have not, I only got the shirt a few days ago.” Harry smiled at Luna, who shook her head exasperated.

“Let’s go set up our trunks and go to bed, I for one, am tired.” Said Padma as she yawned, her eyes at half mask listening to those two.

“Yeah, I guess we had better, tomorrow is going to be here before we know it.” Neville stated and with that he headed into Harry’s room, followed closely by the twins and Cedric. Harry paused long enough to hug Sirius good night.

———————————————————————————

Morning seemed to come much too quickly for Harry, in fact it seemed that he had just laid down and all of the sudden it was time to get up again. But according to his clock he had slept for almost seven hours so he guessed he shouldn’t complain. Harry got up and got around, showered and all that jazz. Then met everyone outside their trunks. They were just shrinking their trunks when he popped out of his own.

“I thought we were going to have to come in after you brother.” Neville teased.

“Nah, just slow moving this morning, it seems like I just went to bed and poof its time to get up. I don’t know if I slept to hard or what. But boy did I sleep.” Harry yawned. As he shrunk his trunk and tucked it away in his bag.

The boys headed out of Harry’s room and into the living room only to be met by the girls all ready to go, cool. “You guys ready to head down to breakfast?” Harry asked.

“And to get our schedules.” Pavarti clarified.

“True, I can’t wait to see what our schedule is like this year with the new classes, bet it is going to be a big change than what we are used to.” Harry agreed. “From what I heard every class is a double starting third year, no more single hour classes. So there is that we can look forward to.”

“I actually like that better, especially in Potions… most potions take longer than an hour to brew, so if there is any lecture at all it is two or three classes to do one single potion. With it being a double on potions you at least get to brew the potion all the way through on one class most of the time.” Luna pointed out.

“I agree, the same is for transfiguration, you may get to do the transfiguration once in a one hour class but you really don’t get to be creative or use your imagination very much unless you have a two hour class.” Neville stated.

“Yeah, oh well, let’s go and see what our schedules are like, maybe we can get there early enough to beat the crowds.” Harry said. And they all headed out, Tier one in front followed by Tier two, and Tier three brought up the rear. Harry didn’t really realize they had naturally fallen into formation until they were heading down the hallway and he couldn’t help but smile at the way they all walked along as if they were heading into battle or something.

Once they got there they headed to their respective tabled, Cedric guarding Susan and sitting next to her of course, Padma and Hermione sitting next to each other on the end, and the Luna sitting on the end with Harry next to her, Neville next in line and Pavarti next. Across from Harry and Neville were Fred and George. Right behind Harry and Luna were Susan and Cedric. Right across the isle from Fred and George were Hermione and Padma. Harry, Neville, Luna and Pavarti had a clear shot at the doors if anything happened, just in case. Again Harry didn’t realize he had sat down that way until he thought about it, or that Cedric and Susan were guarding his and Neville’s back either. Strange how some things they do, they are doing so damn natural now. As if they had practiced it for years, but somehow it just comes natural to them now. He would have to think about this and ask Storm about it later.

Soon Alice was passing out class schedules and Harry had his first look at the next several months of his life…

MW 8a-9:45a Charms(R)
MW 10a-11:45a Transfigurations(S)
MW 12a-2p Lunch
MW 2p-3:45p Defense Against the Dark Arts(S)
MW 4p-5:45p Arithmancy(R)
TTh 8a-9:45a Herbology(H)
TTh 10a-11:45a History of Magic(R)
TTh 12a-2p Lunch
TTh 2p-3:45p Potions(S)
TTh 4p-5:45p Ancient Runes(S)
Thu 10p-11:45p Astrology(H)
Fri 10a-11:45a Care of Magical Creatures(H)
Sat 10a-11:45a Karate
Sat 2p-3:45p First Aid

“Well it looks like our Thursdays are packed full this year. And we have Creatures with Hufflepuff instead of Ravenclaw like last year. Plus we start earlier and have classes later each day too. Wow!” Harry stared at his schedule and wasn’t sure if he liked some of the changes, but then again we shall see.

“Yeah and they put out electives in the same slot on different days, that’s just weird. I wonder if that is just how it worked out or what?” Neville looked at his schedule and wondered.

“Plus one elective is with Slytherin and one is with Ravenclaw, that is a weird coincidence. I wonder if that is that way because so many people take those two classes?” Luna pondered.

“Oh well, it doesn’t matter. We have got Charms class to get to so let’s head out folks.” Harry took one last drink of his tea and sat it down then got up and waited for the others to rise. And they headed out.

Thankfully they had gotten to the Dining Hall before most of the people were even there and so they didn’t have much of a problem, other that it seemed like everyone was staring at them while they ate, which annoyed Harry somewhat. He was kinda used to that the first week of school, with the whole Boy-Who-Lived crap and all. He honestly hated being famous, he just wanted to be who he was without all the fame and glory, just to be himself. But that didn’t look like it was going to happen anytime soon.

Charms classes first that morning and what a class it turned out to be. They had it with the Ravenclaws so Harry expected the normal serious kinda boring class that it usually was, but no not this time. Today they were going to learn the Cheering Charm, that’s right folks the charm to help cheer you up if you are feeling a little low. Great for around the finals time and you are getting a little depressed about the studying you are having to do, bad when you are half nymph like Luna and stay in a perpetual state of cheerful most of the time anyway.

Everyone came in and found a seat, of course the four of them picked front seat center as always, their usual line up. Luna on the end, then Harry, then Neville and finally Pavarti. Since Hermione wasn’t going to be in this class Harry suggested to Dean and Seamus that they should invite Susan to sit with them, that she was brilliant in charms too. So they did, and she was happy to oblige with helping the two boys. She usually gets a little bored in this class anyway now that Hannah wasn’t here any more.

So Professor Flitwick was showing everyone how to do the cheering charm, with a swirl and flick motion or your wand, and he asked for a volunteer, well you guessed it, Luna volunteer. Well to see Harry and Neville having to carry her wiggling, giggling mass of happiness back up to her seat again, and poor Professor Flitwick staring at the end of his wand, wondering just how powerful he hand made that one, it was a pretty cheerful site for the whole class.

Poor Luna was giggling so bad she couldn’t properly do the spell when it came to her turn to do it she just smiled and giggled then hugged the little Professor and giggled some more. To say he was shocked would be an understatement. But he just put her back in her seat and went on to Harry who performed the charm just fine, so did Neville and Pavarti.

“I was going to have you each attempt to do the charm on each other so that you would know what the charm feels like, but do to circumstances as they are,” Looking over to Luna, “I think we shall wait on that one until we really need a little cheering up in class to actually try that out.”

“Oh pooh…” Luna said as she giggled more.

“Gentlemen if you could take Miss Lovegood down to the Medi-Ward and get her perhaps a calming draught before her next class, it might be helpful. I am afraid she will be quite useless in class unless you do.” Professor Flitwick motioned towards Harry and Neville and they took one look at Luna and nodded, they had another half hour before the next class so hopefully they could make it there and to the next class in time.

They gathered up their things and Luna’s and packed her’s away for her because she was having too much fun playing with her hair to help much. Wow, over juiced Luna, totally wiped all the braincells she had right out the old window. Got to remember that for the future, never over juice Luna, she goes Brilliant to Zero in five seconds flat with a cheering charm on her.

Harry and Neville helped Luna down the hallway to the Medi-ward and once there tried to explain that it was only the one hit with a cheering charm that made Luna ditz that was currently present before her, although Madam Pomfrey had a hard time believing that. Luna just giggled and nodded and tried to hug Madam Pomfrey which irritated the Matron slightly as she had to wrestle her wand back from her patient.

“Let me get that calming draught, it should do the trick.” A ruffled Madam Pomfrey huffed.

She came back a few moments later with a potion bottle in hand and said “Drink this please, and no argument.”

Luna argue right now…not happening, if you gave her a sledge hammer and told her to pluck her eyebrows with it she probably would. But she drank down the draught and the effects were nearly immediately, thank goodness. Harry loved Luna, but he wasn’t so sure about the dingbat that had just been sitting on the medical table a minute ago. A couple of deep breaths and the first words out of her mouths were, “I laughed so much my sides hurt, and I smiled so much my face hurts. This sucks.” They went from ditzy Luna to grumpy Luna in the blink of an eye.

“I assumed as much, here is a mild pain relieving potion, it should take care of the residual pains you are left with.” And Madam Pomfrey pulled another potion out of her apron and handed it over to Luna for her to take. With a smile she sighed as the mild pain potion took effect, ok normal or as normal as possible Luna was back, Harry thought.

“Five minutes before Transfigurations Class we had better head out, thanks Madam Pomfrey, I mean it, thanks.” He said over his shoulder as he hurried Luna out of the Medi-Ward.

Harry, Neville and Luna rushed towards the Transfigurations classroom and got there just as the other class was releasing, so they weren’t late at all. They went up front to their normal seats and sat down next to Pavarti who was saving seats for them and smiled.

“How’s our happy little friend doing?” Pavarti asked Luna.

“A lot less happy, thankfully. While it was fun at first, quickly lost its appeal after about twenty minutes or so.” She said with a frown. “Too much smiling can make your cheeks hurt you know.”

Pavarti gave her a sympathetic look and nodded, poor Luna had learned the hard way that not all good experiences are actually good. It was a rough reality check for the normally happy go lucky young woman, but sometimes reality bites. There really is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Like too much death by chocolate ice cream, which she didn’t think was possible until she ended up with a stomach ache from it. One stomach soother and that was all taken care of, but it doesn’t make the experience any more pleasant to begin with. Oh well, live and learn.

That was something else they needed to store in their trunks at all times, calming draughts. Harry hadn’t rally thought about that before but they came in damn useful today, and the same when Susan fell from her broom. So they need to make sure they have those in stock at all times as well.

“Okay folks we are starting a new form of transfigurations today. Today we are going to start organic to inorganic. By that I mean a living creature into a non-living object. This is a very complicated area we are going to be working with starting today. You are not actually killing the organic life form but you are altering its general appearance and make up to make it into something else. The first one we are going to work with is turning a mouse into a teacup. Now can anyone tell me what might be the issues with this transfiguration?” Professor Black asked.

Neville raised his hand. “If you are going to use the teacup properly then you have got boiling hot liquids touching the exposed surface of the teacup, it could have severely burned the mouse if the transfiguration is returned to its original state.”

“That is right, the hot liquid wouldn’t harm a teacup but would harm a mouse, and so you are left with a problem here of wether you can actually use the teacup from a mouse or not. Personally I would have a problem drinking from a mouse, I don’t know about the rest of you but for me that just sounds gross. And trying to forget that it used to be a mouse would be rather difficult too, try as I might. Now giving your mother-in-law the mouse-teacup sounds like a bloody brilliant idea, and I would be smiling away the entire time I served her tea, and she would have no clue what was going on, so there are some good reasons to have just exactly this transfiguration in your arsenal of spells even if they are few and far between. For that boss that passed you over for the second time for a promotion, for that friend that keeps harping about fifty gold that they say you owe them that you know for a fact you paid back two years ago, for the girlfriend you found out that cheated on you, or the boyfriend that gave you a sexually transmitted disease, for the father-in-law that still mispronounces your name even though you have been with his daughter for eight years now or the barrister that ended up giving your ex everything and still charged you an arm and a leg for it then you find out that they had been sleeping with your ex the whole time. There are a lot of very good reasons for a mouse-teacup but I am just not going to ‘knowingly’ drink out of one.” By the time Professor black finished his list of examples, everyone in the room was laughing and nodding at the thought.

“Now the spell is ‘Muspoculum’, so I need you all to pronounce it with me. Muspoculum, good again Muspoculum, excellent. Now the wand movement for this is a circular motion clockwise about the mouse slow and steady as you are saying the incantation. I am going to be handing out stunned mice, yes stunned mice they aren’t dead or anything, I just don’t want them running all over the place while your trying to get this right.” Then Professor Black proceeded to hand out a little white mouse to everyone, and went up to the chalkboard and wrote the incantation on the board, showing where the stress should be at on the pronunciation.

After a few minutes practicing the way to pronounce it people were starting to try the transfiguration, Seamus’ was a little off. His had hair and a tail still when he finished. Definitely not something you would want to drink you afternoon tea out of.

Harry closed his eyes and focused for a minute and then opened his eyes and “Muspoculum” he said, waiving his wand in a circular motion over his mouse, and sure enough a white tea cup with a bunch of black cat paw prints all over it appeared in its place.

Luna giggled at that and closed her eyes, a minute later she opened them and “Muspoculum”, a cute cuddly kitten was on the front of her t-cup.

Pavarti was laughing at those two but she wasn’t much better, her tea cup had the Cheshire Cat on it and it was just grinning up a storm, as if it knew some hidden secret.

Neville laughed at her teacup and closed his eyes for a minute then opened his eyes and “Muspoculum”, his mouse turned into a teacup with a small black kitten chasing a mouse around and around the cup. And somehow he had gotten the picture to move too, so it was in perpetual movement, around and around the cup.

Sirius noticed that they had finished their cups so he went over to see what they had done and he broke out in his loud barking laughter. “Okay, we have some people that have some warped senses of humor up here. Let’s see, we can a teacup with cat paw prints on it, one with a big fuzzy kitten on it, one with the Cheshire Cat on it, and one with a kitten chasing a mouse on it. Some real comedians we have over here.” Professor Black chuckled.

Malfoy had finished his transfiguration and sat there staring at it, it was almost a perfect replica of the Malfoy china used at his home, even down to the gold rim at the top.

“Beautiful work Mr. Malfoy as always, exquisite.” Professor Black stated the teacup truly was well done and moved over to look at Mr. Nott’s cup.

Mr. Nott had a interesting teacup with a basic rose-wood pattern on it, and a central rose bouquet in the middle.

Miss Greengrass did a teacup of horses grazing on grass in a meadow, and Miss Davis did a teacup that was white with black music notes around the top boarder. Everyone seemed to be doing quite well with this transfiguration quite a bit. Well except Seamus and his still squeaked from time to time. He had to start all over again but that wasn’t anything unusual.

Luna raised her hand and Professor Black called on her. “What do we do if we want to keep the teacup?”

“We could perform a permanent transfiguration spell on the teacup and it would merely keep the mouse in a state of suspended animation indefinitely.” Professor Black stated.

Luna thought about it for a minute then shook her head, no… a pretty teacup was not worth destroying an animals life like that. So she had him reverse the transfiguration and sat there and stare at the stunned mouse for a while and smiled. Poor mousey.

Well poor mousey was saved and no one wanted to keep their teacup permanent like, so in the end it turned out well for the little guys. Still stunned but none the worse for wear.

The bell rung and it was time for lunch, everyone headed over to eat lunch and oddly enough they formed the same formation that they had at breakfast, down to the person. Everyone was talking excitedly about their classes, the twins had had their first Runes class and loved it. They had memorized all the runes in both Futhark and Ogham runes; the names and the meanings, so they were right about where the rest of the class was at right now. They were just getting ready to study rune sets, or sentences if you will. Basically it was putting together three or more runes to equate out to be a spell or the primary wording of a spell. It worked excellent on wards and protection spells but could be used on some other forms of spells if written correctly. Deciphering a list of five letter runes, was their first set of homework they had to do. Tzaq12wsx
hey had to decipher the runes and guess at what the runes were meant for or what they could do. Both of the twins were very excited about it and looked forward to the challenge.

Cedric who had taken Runes and Arithmancy last year nodded, he had loved the puzzle homework as well. It was always so exciting to him. He turned around in his chair and was talking to the twins, letting them know if they needed any help he would be glad to help them. Which they thanked him for the offer and asked if he would mind checking over their work later, which he smiled and said he would.

Runes class was beginning to sound better and better all the time, Harry could hardly wait until tomorrow when they had their first class on runes. He loved it anyway, it was like learning a new language but it was mostly written down, they just had different names for their alphabet. He couldn’t even begin to wonder how they pronounced words or names.

Throughout lunch everyone talked excitedly about their classes and their teachers, what they liked and didn’t like, was it hard or easy, what kind of home work had they been given, all kinds of stuff, and every one was chattering away while they ate.

Soon it was time to head out to Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Harry was excited about this one. This year they were suppose to learn actual curses, and how to defend against them. Not little jinxes or hexes like what they learned first year, or about creatures like last year, this year was suppose to be about real curses and getting better at making shields and stuff.

Everyone filed into the class as normal, they had it with Slytherin like they normally do. Harry couldn’t help but wonder if that was done on purpose, put the two houses that are suppose to have such harsh feelings towards one another in the same Defense class, thankfully for the most part Professor Longbottom allowed like Houses to work together. And with Parkinson gone now that made it so that Slytherin didn’t have an odd number, so that meant that one of the Gryffindors were going to have to fight against Professor Longbottom. Or possibly a threesome sort of.

“Alright let’s get settled now, everyone get in their seat please. Come on Mr. Finnegan, it’s the same seat you had last year so it shouldn’t be hard for you to find, unless you wish to change the seating arrangements that is.” Professor Longbottom urged.

Seamus hurried over to his seat and sat down quickly. Then checked around to make sure that everyone else was sitting down to and they were, apparently he was indeed the last one to take his seat, drat.

“This year we are going to be going through some basic curses and blocks, shields, and counter curses. We have a lot to cover and not a lot of time to cover it all so I want to get right into it. The first curse we are going to work with is Depulso or the Banishing Charm. One user of note that should be mentioned is in eighteen-ninety Herodiana Byrne used Depulso to banish a Graphorn to save a group of orphans, and for defeating a Dark Wizard in the Alps, she is historically known as ‘the single greatest Depulso master of all time’. “ Professor Longbottom started.

“Now the thing about this hex it that it is designed to push away or toss away who ever is near the the opponent at the time of the spell being cast. It is a lot like Flippendo in that matter only stronger, and more focused. In fact it is believed that Depulso basically replaced Flippendo as a better curse when it was invented due to its strength and focus. There Flippendo could push someone back maybe five feet, Depulso could push someone back maybe twenty feet if the caster was strong enough and the pathway was clear. If it wasn’t clear then the individual would usually smash into what ever was blocking the pathway.” He continued,

“Now what I want if for each team to gather together and attempt to use the spell, one to cast the other to block, make sure to put up your best shield for this one folks, your going to need it. I am going to let you pick your own partners this time, but remember who you pick because they will be your partner for the rest of the year, so choose wisely.

Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass

Theodor Nott and Draco Malfoy

Blaise Zabini and Melisa Bullstrode

Harry Potter Black and Luna Lovegood

Neville Longbottom and Pavarti Patil

Seamus Finnagan and Dean Thomas

And that left Lavender Brown with out a partner so it looks like she gets to partner with Professor Longbottom, that was until Professor Longbottom asked Dean Thomas if they would mind making their duo into a trio. And they didn’t seem to mind so she joined their duo and that saved her from having to work with the Professor. Also each of the three of them were at about the same level when it came to being able to bring up a shield so they all got tossed across the room by who ever was casting the spell, pretty much.

Neville managed to get a lucky hit in when Pavarti was surprised by a flying Lavender Brown that went flying past her, and there went Pavarti smash right into the wall right along with her. Neville felt horrible and rushed over to help her up but she just swatted away his hands and laughed saying it wasn’t his fault, she shouldn’t have gotten distracted in the first place. Lavender however just laid there and moaned for a few minutes until Dean came over to help her up and apologized, she got her revenge though and sent him sailing next and smashed him into the very same wall next so Harry guessed it was even.

Thankfully that was the only smashing into walls for their team for the day though, so no more splat thankfully.

“Ok folks. I want you to read pages eighteen through twenty one on the Depulso charm and give me a twenty inch report on it by Wednesday. Oh the next charm we will be working on is Diffindo, so if you want to study ahead then you might want to look that one up. Professor Longbottom told the students right as the bell tolled for the next class.

Alright now was the time for the very first class in Arithmancy, Harry thought. Yeah!

They all walked down to the Arithmancy class room and made it there right on time, they of course took seats right in front. They were having it with the Ravenclaws so it was like everyone wanted to sit up front but they got there first and they took the front row to the left side, this time they sat with the girls in the middle and Harry and Neville on the outside.

It took a minute or so for Professor Vector to acknowledge the class but she finally did, the information began to move quickly. They started with the Agrippan/Pythagorean Method, this is where each letter in the alphabet is given a subsequent number it is associated with, numbering one through nine. Such as ‘A’ equals one and ‘B’ equals two etc. Until you get to the end in which ‘Z’ equals eight.” She started to explain and began to do the diagram on the board to show everyone how to make the matrix up for this method.

A=1 B=2 C=3 D=4 E=5 F=6 G=7 H=8 I=9
J=1 K=2 L=3 M=4 N=5 O=6 P=7 Q=8 R=9
S=1 T=2 U=3 V=4 W=5 X=6 Y=7 Z=8

Then she said if your name is David you take D=4, A=1, V=4,I=9,D=4 and add them together which would be twenty and two together and you have four, so your personality type would be a four. You would find the best matches for those that understand the number four, that are sympathetic to it, which would be another number four. Or someone that would compliment it, which would complete the number four, that would be a number six. A number that would bring the total down to a ten which we would add the one and the zero together to get one and that is the number one. The number of new beginnings, independence, and fresh starts. They are Goal-oriented and innovative and nothing can keep a number one back for long, where others see a wall they see a door that just needs to be opened. A couple that is a number one will achieve every dream that they have and reach every goal they set before themselves. Where others see challenges they see opportunities, where others see obstacles they see adventures, roadblocks don’t exist for the strong willed number one couple. Do you understand how this works on the Agrippan/Pythagorean Method?” Professor Vector asked the class and she got nods from all around.

“Excellent, now I want you to find out what your name means according to the Agrippan/Pythagorean Method and see what your parter number would be.”

H=8, A=1, R=9, 9=9, Y=7 =35=8

L=3, U=3, N=4, A=1 =11=2

N=5, E=5, V=4, I=9, L=3, L=3, E=5 =34=7

P=7, A=1, V=4, A=1, R=9, T=2, I=9 =33=6

Before she could so much as take a step towards her desk Neville raised his hand and she pointed towards him, “Yes Ma’am, what would a number four couple be like?”

“Interesting, that would depend actually. If it formed on a number thirteen, some eastern beliefs feel that thirteen is an unlucky number and doomed to failure. But if you bring it down to a number four well that is something different all together. Fours are there when you need strength and efficiency, they come to the rescue. They are extremely dependable and stable relationships and prefer to stick to the tried and true methods in a relationship instead of venturing out into attempting something new but together they can accomplish great feats. They have a very strict sense of right and wrong and tend to see things in black and white with very little grey area at all, they stick to their values and holds tight to their morals, nothing can shake a firm four once they have something painted in their hearts. Once they are committed to a relationship they a loyal forever, the never even consider straying, they strive to form a firm solid foundation and move up from there, they are practical and have a very realistic outlook on life. They aren’t the niffler that goes for the shiniest object around, they go for the most practical and most appropriate for the job, tried and true always.” Professor Vector stated.

“Magically speaking they are well versed in all areas and well rounded in each, they fine ease of use and control in each element and no one element is more drawing to them than another. It is associated with the planet Rahu and indicate energetic, knowledgeable, clever, and confident individuals with leadership skills. Good at keeping secrets, love creativity, and have a sharp memory. Their tend to be rebellious and overconfident at times which can be both good or bad depending on the circumstances. They excel with wards and protective magic, always striving for perfection when it involves someone they care about. They are hard workers so new spells come easy with number fours and as a team they are unbeatable. Balanced in all elements, all houses, all directions, and all qualities.

Neville smiled at that and looked down at his paper that he had been figuring on. Pavarti looked over his shoulder and saw what he had written down and smiled. “Know any number four couples do you?” She asked bumping his shoulder with her own. This caused Neville to clear his throat and grin a little at her.

“Alright then do we have any number ones in the class?” Professor Vector asked, and no one raised their hands, “Well what about number one couples? I know you are still a little young for that but I just wanted to check.”

Harry and Luna raised their hands proudly and Professor Vector smiled at that, if any two could equal out to be a one couple it would definitely be those two.

“The number two in a relationship can be means they are blessed by being sensitive to others, kindness and have a harmonious nature about them, they often have a deep impact on the lives of those around them. This Number is ruled by the Moon and these people are very intuitive, they live by their instincts and their sixth sense works really well for them but sometimes that can get in the way of their emotions and can lead to problems. They always compromise when things turn ugly in their relationships, they would rather compromise and give a little than argue and upset the one they love. Together they make good healers, counselors and child advocates.

When it comes to the magic, potions is where they excel in, anything to do with the potions is easy and enjoyable, even herbology as long as the end result is associated with potions it is great. They do well with energy and working with raw energy is a breeze, they are inventive and imaginative so spell crafting is also something that they would excel in. Bouncing ideas off each other would create magnificent ideas.

Luna raised her hand and asked “What about a team that had the number six as its total?”

“In numerology the number six is called the ‘Mother’ of all numbers since it keeps people together. They are trustworthy, sympathetic, gentle and loving. Their family protective nature might make them good at Auror or working in the Department of Mysteries. These couple have huge hearts and some times that translates into huge heartbreak but normally they come out on top. Once they have put you under their wing they are always there for you, no matter the cost to themselves. Their biggest flaw is sometimes they forget to prioritize and remember self-care. They want to save and protect the world, and forget self-preservations and balancing that in there somewhere.” Professor Vector stated.

Both Luna and Pavarti looked and Harry and Neville and grinned. Both boys looked off in opposite directions, avoiding the girls eyes.

“What I want each of you to do is to use the Agrippan/Pythagorean Method and give me a twenty inch essay on what your name means, do your first name then your full name. I want a comparison between the two. Since you go by your first name with those people you care about the most and rarely go by your full name, see if it makes a difference in your personality chart, and the way you treat others, and how you confront problems.”

Just as she said the last statement the bell rang and it was time to leave, unfortunately. Harry had enjoyed this class immensely, he had taken a lot of notes too. It was interesting to see how the dynamic of he and Neville worked in comparison to he and Luna, but both had been dead on. That pretty much freaked him out. The whole save the world without saving himself thing was a little annoying though. But it was still right.

And that was the end of the first day back at school, wow what a day, the classes had been interesting and fun to say the least and he had enjoyed them all. He didn’t understand why everyone thought Professor Vector was so strict, she seemed brilliant and just amazing to Harry. But we shall see.