Chapter Text
Harry was quickly able to go through all of his homework thanks to a little help from his new guardians and even from Celia and Jeffory. So the homework that should have taken the majority of summer to finish, he had finished in less than a week. This left Harry a single week before his second year was to begin. Harry had spent his free time at his new home learning about his mom from Celia, Jeoffory, and his mother's writings from her notes and journals that had been left at Evans' Haven. After going through some of them, Harry called for Tumbus and asked the Head Elf to find any other journal and writings that the House Elves could find of his parents. The House Elves went at the job with gusto as the night after Harry had asked them to look for his parents' writings, his Mother's old desk was soon overflowing with books and parchments with several falling to the floor when Harry closed the door to the room.
When he was not reading his parents' journals and old notes, Harry further explored the house. He also took the time to look through the pictures that were hanging in the entrance hall. All the pictures held either one or both of his parents with various people. Celia and Jeffory helpfully told him the names of the other people in the pictures. Thus he was able to give names to some of the people in the photos from the album Hagrid had given to him at the start of the summer. He learned that the two shaggy-haired men in the pictures were his Godfathers Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, the red-haired woman who was not his mom was his Godmother, and Neville's Mom, Alice Biswick nee Longbottom. What surprised Harry though was a blonde-haired male who turned out to be Draco's father and a dark-haired youth with a pointed nose who was in numerous pictures of his mother in her youth was Professor Snape.
As Harry explored Evans' Haven and read through his parents' journals, his new guardians would pop out every once and a while to head back to Hogwarts to make sure everything stayed the same as when they left the castle to collect Harry. On one such trip, the pair also talked to Hagrid, Minerva, and Poppy about their interactions with Harry. It raised their eyebrows when Hagrid did not even ask why they wanted to know why they were asking about Harry before he started sharing stories about delivering Harry's Hogwarts letters and the time they had hung out during the school year.
At least Minerva and Poppy had asked why the pair had a sudden interest in Harry making the pair share their new status as his Magical Guardians as bestowed upon them Gringotts. As Minerva asked for details about their new status Charity and Bathsheda handed over the note Harry had sent that led to them going to rescue him. "Those people," Minerva said as a bout of anger caused her magic to set the note on fire, not that it did much since the Goblins had enchanted it to be impervious to almost all forms of magic so they could use it as evidence later on.
"What do you mean, Minerva?" Charity asked having only seen her old school friend lose control in such a way only once before, where Minerva's husband had died during the last war.
"Harry had been living with Lily's sister, correct?" Minerva asked ignoring the note burning in her hand.
"He had been," Bathsheba said.
"Albus had me watch them after He-Whose-Name-Shall-Never-Be-Used had been stopped, and I found them to be horrible people. I tried to talk Albus out of leaving Harry with them, after all, Sirius had not yet been found to be a Death Eater, and Remus was still available, but he pointed out that they were Harry's only living family. I discussed with him about checking in on Harry every once and a while, but Albus told me he was doing it personally and that the Dursleys were treating the boy right and taking good care of him," Minerva said standing up and beginning to pace the room.
"If I recall from last year's start of term feast, Harry did not look that much cared for," Charity said having used some magic when she had first become Harry's Guardian to recall any memory of him while he was at school, which as he had only been a First-Year meant it was usually just of seeing him at mealtimes and the Sorting Ceremony.
"I know," Minerva said dropping the still-burning parchment and placing her head into her hands. "When I asked about it, Albus said that Harry had become ill due to the vacation his family had taken when Hagrid tried to get him his Hogwarts letter. Hagrid did confirm that when he reached Harry, the family was staying in a small shack in the middle of a lake and Harry had only a thin blanket to protect himself against the cold."
"Yet Harry only went to see Poppy during the winter to get a Pepper Up potion due to a cold," Bathsheba said as she and Charity met with Poppy before coming to see Minerva.
"He did not go to his initial check-up?" Minerva asked in shock.
"Poppy had complained to us about that, but when she asked, Albus he informed her that before term started he had taken Harry to St. Mungos to get tested," Bathsheda explained.
"We have something else to discuss about, Harry," Charity said once Minerva called down a little.
"I dread to ask what more you have to share," Minerva asked wondering if she should summon a Calming Draughts.
"Well, while Harry's relatives were bad, they had not initially been as bad to him as the state we found him in. It was down to a visit from a strange House Elf named Dobby who used magic in the home. The Ministry did not take into account that a strange House Elf would come to the home so they sent Harry a warning for underage magic. Learning that Harry could not use magic, something he told us he was threatening to use on them to protect himself from them, led them to lock Harry up," Charity stated.
"It is a good thing he sent a note then," Minerva said.
"I was not bringing this up to discuss why we were called to rescue Harry," Charity said. "He informed us that this Dobby warned of trouble possibly happening at the castle. We are not sure if this was a ruse for why Dobby was trying to keep Harry from returning to Hogwarts or if it is actually true. So we thought we should mention it."
"Oh, and I know it is highly irregular but having heard what Hagrid had been told to tell Harry about Hogwarts, as well as a hint from his Account Manager to share information about the Hogwarts Houses, we think he might need a Re-Sort."
"You are quite right it is not only irregular it is also against school policy to do a Re-Sort until a student is in their third year," Minerva said.
"A fact that we are aware of, but Harry's Account Manager suggested it himself and said something about it being alright," Bathsheba said.
"While I respect the Goblins of Gringotts I don't see how he thinks his suggestion means anything," Minerva said.
"It might have to do with Harry's lineage," Bathsheba pointed out, "after all doesn't the Potter Line have its origins within the Gryffindor Line?"
"Alright, Harry's Account Manager might know what he is talking about with it not mattering since Harry is an Heir of one of the Founders," Minerva agreed with a shake of her head. "But more importantly, did Harry actually ask you about getting a Re-Sort?"
"Not in so many words he hasn't, but I think that is due to him not knowing about the practice. He was raised in the Muggle World after all," Charity said.
"Be that as it may, we can not perform a Re-Sort until he asks for it, and neither of you can tell him to do so," Minerva said giving them both a hard look.
As both women were old classmates of hers the look did not have the same effect as it would on a Hogwarts student. "If we can't direct him about a Re-Sort why don't you come over and talk to him for a bit to see if you agree with his Account Manager's advice," Bethesda suggested.
"If it came from the Goblins why did they not mention it to Harry himself? I assume that you had gone there with him in order to meet the Account Manager?" Minerva asked.
"While Master Bonecrusher could not share with us everything that happened to Harry, he did give me some advice when Harry was getting Cleansed of some pretty nasty stuff," Charity said.
"If he did not share what had been done to Harry why do you say some nasty stuff was on him?" Minerva asked.
"I can only assume since his Cleansing took maybe three hours," Charity said making Minerva gulp having been witness to a couple of Cleansings during her time as Head of Gryffindor House but each had lasted at most thirty minutes.
"Very well, I shall come over to see Harry when I get some time," Minerva said.
Surprisingly Minerva finally found some time on the second to last day of summer. Arriving at Evans' Haven she even joined them for lunch. Harry guessed that she had been there before as Jeffory came out with a plate of food for her and she thanked him by name. During the meal, Professor McGonagall asked him how his summer was going, and how he liked living with Charity and Bathsheda (though she called her Batty) if Harry had finished his summer homework and other various things. Harry answered her questions honestly a little shocked for she had always seemed so unapproachable at Hogwarts it was nice to see her hair down as it were.
When dessert arrived Professor McGonagall began to question Harry about his First-Year at Hogwarts. "Most of the classes are fun, I just don't understand the reason behind the point system. When I was told I was a Wizard and was going to learn Magic, I was so excited, but to find out that Hogwarts promotes a rivalry between the Houses. I mean for Quidditch a rivalry would be normal but for simple classwork, it makes no sense. I get that like most schools there is a ranking system for the students but that is more on an individual basis not for people who go to the same House. Also not to be rude or dismissive but to be chosen for a House makes no sense so if one is brave they are a Gryffindor but if they are intelligent they would be in Ravenclaw, at least from the simple descriptions of the Houses when Hagrid came to collect me. Maybe when the acceptance letter is sent to everyone for their first year a little information book could be sent to describe all about the Houses," Harry said.
"That is a good idea about the information booklet, I shall suggest it to the School Governors at our next meeting," Minerva said knowing that some incoming students focused on one small bit about the Houses it sort of threw off where they should have ended up. She loved all the students of her House like children and Grandkids, but she knew that some of them had been miss-sorted. The Weasley family was a prime example of this happening. Sure she was happy they all ended up in Gryffindor, but while William and Charlie had the right traits to fully belong to the house their younger siblings did not. Minerva knew that Percy would have been better sent to Ravenclaw while the Twins would have done well in both Slytherin and Hufflepuff Houses. Young Ronald she was not really sure of for sure when it counted the youngest Weasley son could be brave and was a great strategist, but he was also lazy, and from some of the complaints she had received from Dean, Seamus, and Neville that Ronald was somewhat of a bully none of the traits that a Gryffindor nor any other House should possess.
"Hogwarts is run by officials?" Harry asked having never really given thought to who ran the school.
"Not really, Governors is just the title used for the group who make decisions for the school. The group is made up of all four Heads of House, the Headmaster, and six parents of current students. The only rule for a parent to be a Governor is that as I said have a student currently attending the school but also that they maintain a balance between their Magical Cores. Of the six parents they are separated into pairs two with Light Cores, two with Gray Cores, and two with Dark Cores to better understand any issue that could come up for the students, castle, or faculty. We purposely have an odd number so that there is at least one person who can break a tie."
"Seems logical," Harry said.
"Glad you approve," McGonagall said with a small chuckle.
"Now speaking of which, how do you feel about the other Houses or students from them?" McGonagall asked him.
"I don't have any issue with any of them?" Harry answered with a shrug.
"Even, young Malfoy?" she asked raising an eyebrow at him having heard of the pair's antagonistic relationship during the last school year. To her surprise, Harry blushed a little.
"No, not even Draco, though I do sort of wish I was given a more complete description of the Houses," Harry said.
"And why is that?" Charity asked.
"Well from what you told me at Gringotts, I don't think I would be most suitable to be in Gryffindor House, but from having to live with the Dursleys, and from the Sorting Hat told me I believe I should have been sorted into Slytherin," Harry said shocking the three woman.
"The Sorting Hat really told you this?" Minerva asked.
"Yes he, if a hat can be given a gender, said I would do great in Slytherin and would find some true friends there," Harry said as he thought that if he had followed the Hat's advice he would not have made friends with people who were being paid to betray him.
"The Sorting Hat said you would be good in Slytherin," Harry heard Professor McGonagall to herself. "Thank you for the meal, I need to take care of something." Professor McGonagall set down her silverware next to the remains of the flan they had been having for dessert and left the room to return to Hogwarts.
Glad that term was starting shortly and her fellow Heads of House were at the castle, she called them to a meeting in her office. "What is going on Minerva, I have some last-minute brewing to take care of that Albus just assigned to me," Severus asked in an annoyed tone. She quickly filled her fellow Heads of House in on the situation. Pomona and Filius both look horrified at Harry's living conditions while Severus looks angry enough to kill someone. "That old bastard," he growled.
"Seveurs?" Minerva asked.
"Only one person would ever think it would be a good idea to send Potter to live with Petunia," Severus said his anger causing his magic to make her desk shake as if an earthquake was happening, causing a tin of Ginger Newts to clatter to the floor.
"Harry has been removed from that hostile environment and has been placed in the care of Charity and Bathsheda for the time being. Also, I would like to bring Harry in to get a Re-Sort," Minerva said.
"For what reason," Filius asked.
"First his Account Manager suggested it, he is an Heir of one of the Founders, but mostly because during a meeting I just had with him, Charity, and Bathsheda he told me he had not been given a full description of the reason a person would be sent to a specific House. Also, it seems that the Hat itself tried to send him to a different House last year but due to his lack of knowledge, he argued against it. So technically all we would be doing is to let the Hat do the job it was designed to do," Minerva explained.
"He also offered a suggestion, I would like to pitch to you so you could think about it before the next Governor's meeting. No matter an incoming student's blood status we send a small info booklet to give a history and detailed description for each House. I know that many of you have students in your House that you don't think really belong there due to most students getting one descriptive factor for each House, so they try to force that through during their Sorting to end up in a House they think they should belong to."
"I think that is an excellent idea," Filius said, "I shall of back you when you submit it to the group."
"Thank you, Filius," Minerva said.
The next day as most students were finishing their packing to head to Hogwarts on the marrow, Charity and Bathsheda guided Harry through the Floo to arrive at the Castle, inside Charity's office. Harry was a little shocked to see the four Heads of House waiting for him with the Sorting Hat and the three-legged stool from the Sorting Ceremony of the year before. "What is going on?" he asked looking between the four Heads and his guardians.
"A procedure that is known as a Re-Sort to make sure that you ended up in the right House while you are here at the castle," Professor Flitwick said as Harry was told to take a seat on the small stool before the Hat was put on his head again.
Just like the year before the Hat slipped down to cover his eyes and he heard its voice in his head. "Hello again Harry," the Hat stated.
"Um, hello Sorting Hat," Harry responded in his own mind.
"Don't worry this will be just like your Sorting from last year. I take it you don't want to fight me this time?" the Hat asked. "But before that, I would like to answer a question I see bubbling in your mind. The reason I am given male pronouns is because I once belonged to your ancestor Godric Gryffindor, so I tend to be given the same pronouns that he had."
"Thanks," Harry said this time aloud making the six teachers wonder why Harry was thanking the Magical Hat.
"Don't mention it, Harry. And as I said last year, I think you truly belong in Slytherin and not just cause that is where your betrothed is," the Hat said before it announced to the room, "SLYTHERIN."
After the Hat called out his new House it was removed from his head, Harry saw Professor Snape's mouth open in utter shock as Bathsheda and Charity clapped him on his back in congratulations. Charity also removed his shrunken trunk from her robes for she and Bathsheba saw no reason to Floo to the castle today only to head back so that Harry would have to ride the train back to Hogwarts the next day. It seemed they had worked this out with the four Heads for everyone turned to look at Professor Snape.
"Follow me, Potter I shall show you to the Slytherin Common Room, as well as fill you in on some of the ground rules of the House," the Potion Master said taking Harry's shrunken trunk and turning to leave the office trusting Harry to follow him. After getting a nod from Charity and Bathsheda, Harry left the office to follow the man. Snape did not talk to him at all as he led Harry down to the dungeons and passed the Potions classroom. Stopping at a solid wall Snape tapped it with his wand to open it up revealing a large room with bay windows looking out into the Dark Lake. Once the door had closed Snape had Harry sit at a small table in the room and took the other chair at it.
"When classes start there will be a password just like you are used to up in Gryffindor Tower," Snape explained for the first time in Harry's memory the man did not look at him with a look of scorn on his face. "Also you may not believe me, but I am sorry that you had to be brought up by Petunia, or as your mother and I called her after our Second-Year Tuna Fish." Harry could not stop a small chuckle from the childish nickname for his Aunt. "I know Lily would never have wanted you anywhere near her after the childhood she had with her, and I can't image time has mellowed that... anyway, I would also like to apologize for how I treated you last year, I saw you as your father in miniature, but hearing that you grew up with Tuna Fish I know that could not be the case."
"You were my mom's friends weren't you?" Harry asked.
"Until I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life yes, I was. A mistake that led me into the Dark Lord's camp until it was already too late to do anything for Lily and your father," Snape said. Harry wanted to ask more but thought it was not the time for it.
"Anyway the rules for members of Slytherin House, I will give you a sort of condensed version as I also inform everyone after the Welcoming Feast," Snape said. "First of all as I know you have had a few detentions unless you get detention from me, or if you are given detention from Filch for a prank that someone pulled on you. There will be a second detention you will serve with me at a later date. Unless you are going to the bathroom during class, you are not to travel alone around the castle. I am sure you noticed last term that some students have a very Anti-Slytherin mindset thanks to the Dark Lord once being a member of Slytherin House and students wanting revenge for what he and his followers had done by attacking, cursing, or sending hexes at members of the House."
"I had not noticed that," Harry admitted truthfully though he had similar issues when Neville, Granger, and he lost all the points last year thanks to Norbert.
"Hmm interesting, I was informed that one of the perpetrators sending spells to students in your year was your friend, Mr. Weasley," Snape said.
"Well he did not do it when I was around," Harry said not wanting to share with Snape that after everything he learned in the last few weeks, he was no longer Ron's friend.
"I shall trust you on this, since I did not receive notice from any of your classmates of you doing it yourself. Besides not going around the castle and grounds by yourself, on the first night of term, I cast a spell on everyone in the House so that if they get hurt outside of Quidditch, or a certain level in classes, we will be notified of it. I also keep some health potions in the dorms, which I will show you tomorrow with the rest of the newcomers for emergencies.
Another aspect of Slytherin House that might be a change from what you are used to is that I have a strict bedtime for all students as a Second Year you are to be in your rooms no later than ten pm and in bed by ten-thirty on school nights. During weekends you are allowed to stay up as late as midnight. As most students who are sorted into Slytherin come from Pureblood or Mixed families, we also maintain strict protocol in our interactions with each other. I can understand that you might not know this so I will tell everyone to give you some leeway for a bit until you can learn it. Basically, it means that unless someone gives you permission you are to call them by their title, or if you are not aware of their title use their last name. I know you have some experience with this having overheard some conversations with Heir Malfoy," Snape said with a marked smirk. "Let's see I usually have come by once a week to check in to see how students are doing in their classes for an hour or two. Which would be a good time for you to meet with me to work out a schedule for some Potion tutoring."
"Speaking of potions," Harry said gulping a little as he interrupted Snape.
"Go on," Snape prompted looking down his pointed nose at him.
"For the next week and a half, I will be having potions given to me during mealtimes to fix some medical issues that the Goblins found when Charity and Bathsheda took me from Tuna Fish and her family."
"Professors Burbage and Babbling, Harry, now that you are back at school," Snape said in a gentle reminder. As the rest of what Snape had to tell Harry retained to classes and Quidditch try-outs, he showed Harry to the new Second-Year dorm rooms surprising Harry who saw that unlike in Gyrffindor Tower there were two rooms for the males in his year. Leaving with a warning for Harry to stay out of trouble until his classmates arrived for the opening feast, Snape left Harry to choose his own room. Knowing they had a history but also knowing that his parents had set up a Marriage Contract with him, Harry put his supplies into the room that Draco's name was on and saw a bed, desk, and wardrobe appear in the room. Seeing the wardrobe Harry took out his shrunken trunk calling for Celia to unshrink the trunk so he could put his clothing away for the school year.
As Harry did not have to get up early to catch the train, he slept in for a bit before he went to get some breakfast with his guardian. After a quiet breakfast, Tumbus popped in making the three jump a little. "I am sorry Cub," Tumbus said giving them an apologetic bow. "I have just come to inform you that we have captured Dobby. it seems that he was skulking around the entrance to Platform 9 3/4 most likely to do something to you as you tried to get to the train. What do you want us to do with him?" Tumbus asked.
"Please find out who sent him and why he was trying to prevent me from coming to the castle. If you find the threat he warned me about is possibly true, please let one of the proper people know about it," Harry ordered the Head Potter family El.
"I will Cub," Tubmus said giving them a slight bow before popping out again.
Harry spent part of the day exploring the Slytherin Common Rooms and trying to prevent the Headmaster from knowing he was at the castle early in case the man tried to reapply the spells Harry had been Cleansed of at the bank. He resisted the urge to go visit Hagrid or the library just to avoid the man. He also wondered what everyone's reactions would be when they saw him at the feast.
Around six-thirty, Harry slipped on some of his school robes seeing that they had already been changed to Slytherin colors and crest in place. Making his way up to the Great Hall he did not hear any voices, meaning he was a little early so he sat at the empty table Slytherin table waiting for the rest of the school to arrive.