Chapter 8
Dear Mr. Potter,
You can, of course, switch from Divination to Study of Ancient Runes. As for the Resorting, I apologize that I did not notice your abhorrence to loud noises. Once the first years have been Sorted, I will call you up to the Hat.
I'm sure Miss Granger can share her Ancient Runes books with you until you can order them, as it is a bit late for you to buy them before arriving at school tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
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Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in their usual compartment, along with the kittens, Smoky, and Lily. Remus was asleep, Crookshanks curled up on his lap. Regulus had Apparated directly to Hogwarts to set up his office and personal quarters.
"There's a lot I have to talk to you about," Harry said quietly so they didn't wake Remus.
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances, then turned back to him expectantly.
"I told you in my letter that Gringotts doesn't let you access your vault without a key," Harry reminded them. "So, I had to take a Blood Test to prove who I was." He handed them the Blood Test.
Hermione took it and leaned over so Ron could read it, too. Ron's eyes widened, but Hermione looked confused as well as worried.
"What's a compulsion?" she asked.
"It's a piece of magic that makes you do something or change an aspect of yourself," Ron explained flatly. Hermione looked horrified.
"Keep reading, I'll show you my Magical Aura Test in a minute," Harry told them.
They did.
"Wait," Ron said a moment later, "Hunter is Sirius' Black's brother?"
"Why did he fake his name?" Hermione demanded.
"I'll... explain later," Harry sighed. "But you can trust Dad, I swear."
"I know that," Ron insisted.
They finished reading the Blood Test. Ron's eyes widened comically when he read all of Harry's heirships.
"When I took that test," Harry said quickly, not wanting to see Ron's jealous reaction to Harry's power and money, "the goblins told me to take a Magical Aura Test, so they could figure out which Blocks and Compulsions I had." He handed them the Magical Aura Test.
"Harry," Ron said quietly but firmly, "I... I am jealous, but I'm not going to let that get in the way of our friendship. You're more important to me than that. And it's not either of our faults that I'm poor."
Hermione's eyes misted, and Harry turned red. "Thanks," he whispered. "There's, uh... a lot of information in this, so, maybe wait until you're done reading to talk about it."
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances again, then turned to the Test. Their expressions of surprise slowly turned to shock, then horror, then a mix of horror and anger.
When they'd finished, Hermione frowned. "What's a Horcrux?"
"A carrier for a piece of soul," Harry said with a sigh. "The goblins said the piece of soul is so small it won't do anything," he assured them when he saw their shock. "Although with the block, it would have made it so Voldemort's mind would be connected to mine without Occlumency, and it would cause me pain whenever he was angry. Now it doesn't do anything except make me slightly resistant to death."
"And with the shit luck you have," Ron joked weakly, "you'd need that."
"Language!"
"Ouch, Hermione!"
"Shh," Harry warned, glancing at the sleeping pets and Remus. Remus was the only one who stirred, but he went back to sleep.
"Why is he so tired all the time?" Hermione asked curiously, concerned.
"That's for him to tell you," Harry replied.
"What's a Naga?" Ron said after a small pause.
"According to Dad," Harry said, "their half-snake, half-human. They mated with humans, and their descendants are Parselmages and Parselmouths. Like Slytherin," he added. "I'm actually descended from English Naga, not Irish, which are the ones Salazar Slytherin is descended from."
"'High Forest Elf?'" Hermione asked.
"High Elves are -- you've watched The Hobbit and read the Lord of the Rings, right?" Harry questioned. Hermione nodded, but Ron looked confused. "They look like that, but there are a lot more species in the wizarding world. High Forest Elves are like Legolas' people."
"What's the Lord of the Rings?" Ron asked.
Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out five books. "Read Silmarillion first."
Ron gave the books a bewildered look but set them aside.
"Did you find out who put blocks and compulsions on you?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"No," Harry replied. "Their magical signature was masked. Ron, do you know why I was forced to trust your mum?"
Ron sighed and put his face in his hands. "She's a little overbearing," he said in a muffled tone. "She has expectations about all of her children and gets angry when you don't live up to them or do something that she doesn't approve of. She was really mad when Charlie took a job in a so-called 'Dark' country, and she's really mad that Fred and George want to open a joke shop instead of take jobs at the Ministry or Gringotts." He looked up. "She... she's also homophobic, she almost threw Percy out of the house when she found out he was dating Oliver Wood. Charlie never told her he was dating a guy."
"I thought Percy was dating Penelope Clearwater," Harry frowned.
Ron smiled weakly. "Ginny lied to Mum. She wanted to protect Percy. She's never had Mum's wrath directed at her, she's the favorite."
Harry was about to respond when he saw Hermione's blank look. "Hermione?" he asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"My parents..." she said cautiously. "They're not... accepting. Of queer people."
"And... you...?" Harry whispered.
Hermione closed her eyes. "I... I read up on the LGBTQ+ community in the Muggle world, and then again in the wizarding world. I don't agree with my parents."
"Then what's wrong?" Ron said.
"I..." Hermione swallowed. "I think I'm bisexual."
Ron hugged her, and she curled into his arms, shaking a little.
Isft and Ma'at leaped onto her lap, and Isft wriggled under her arms, purring raspingly. Hermione laughed hoarsely, pulling both kittens to her chest.
Harry took a deep breath. "I'm... I'm bi, too."
Ron grinned. "I kinda guessed. You blush whenever you see Cedric," he added when Harry gave him a confused look.
Hermione giggled.
"How did you find out you were bi?" Harry asked Hermione quickly.
She blushed. "I noticed that I was attracted to both girls and boys," she explained. She quickly changed the subject. "Ron, you wondered what Lord of the Rings was about?"
Harry put away the Blood and Magical Aura Tests as Ron rolled his eyes but patiently nodded. Hermione began explaining the story, and Harry decided to take a nap. Hermione's voice faded out, and he fell asleep.