"...I believe we have a clear picture now," Dumbledore said speaking over the squabbles. "Now we must determine the path forward. Miss Randle, I believe three weeks detention and 50 points deduction is appropriate. Miss Edgecombe, Miss Turpin, five weeks detention and 75 points deduction each. Mr. Flint, you are suspended until the end of this year. If you wish to finish your education at Hogwarts you will need to either schedule your NEWTS by the end of the day, or return – again – next year."
"You can't be serious," Flint's father scoffed. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
Snape sneered at the man and Harry found himself in the odd position of rooting for one of the men he utterly despised. "A somewhat connected individual. Nothing more. Your son has already been held back once for failing his exams and has started numerous fights with many complaints leveled against him. He is a disgrace to Slytherin House and you should count yourself lucky that he has not already seen his wand snapped! And seeing as how he has managed to earn the ire of several Noble Houses – including the Head of the DMLE – I would not expect such an oversight to continue for long."
"Severus," Dumbledore said softly.
"Albus be quiet!" McGonagall thundered. "You have already used your authority to prevent us from acting against these women, you cannot protect that boy. He is of age and will be brought to task. You, sir," the Scott turned her withering glare on the elder Flint, "would do well to keep your tongue from wagging. Count how many witnesses are in this room before you attempt to bribe or threaten your way out of this and ask yourself if he is worth it!" The man scowled but remained quiet.
Dumbledore sighed. After a short uncomfortable silence he said, "Very well. If there are no further complaints..."
"You're seriously only giving them three and five weeks of detention?" Hermione asked incredulously. "That's it?!"
"Miss Granger I have taken a great many points from – "
"Oh the bloody point system is a joke and everyone knows it!" Hermione snorted. "They assaulted a younger student and stole private property multiple times. They admitted it! You're barely even slapping them on the wrist!"
"Everyone deserves a second chance, Miss Granger," Dumbledore intoned sadly. "I am disappointed that you do not understand this."
"Don't bother, Hermione," Harry sighed. "It's worth wasting your breath. He's not going to listen."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. "Miss Edgecombe, Miss Turpin, Miss Randle, Mr. Flint, you may leave. If the others will please stay for just a bit longer." The Headmaster waved the rest out of the room and as they left, he looked at Luna with a tired gaze. "I am sorry for what you have experienced, Miss Lovegood. I urge you not to harden your heart, but to allow them the chance to redeem themselves."
"Only people who repent deserve the chance for redemption, Headmaster," Luna said. "Before we depart I request a re-Sorting."
Dumbledore jerked back in his seat and Sprout flinched. Flitwick sadly nodded having obviously expected this as had Shiva and McGonagall. Snape scowled but didn't say anything.
"That seems rather extreme, Miss Lovegood," Dumbledore tried to plead with her.
"Not really. Extreme would be calling Susan's Aunt on the other three as well as the majority of the House." Dumbledore paled at her calmly delivered threat. "No, all I want is to feel safe in a House that wants me. Any of the other three would work. I have two allies in Ravenclaw now. In Gryffindor, I have at least six but likely far more. In Hufflepuff I have at least two but again, likely more. Even in Slytherin I have at least four allies."
"Five. Don't forget my sister," Daphne said softly.
"My apologizes, five."
"This is a most unusually situation, Miss Lovegood..." Dumbledore said.
The choice was taken from him a moment later as the Hat spoke up from its perch. "Well, little Luna Lovegood, I stand by what I said two years ago. You would do well in any House. Your loyalty is beyond reproach, your cunning is quite impressive and your bravery is commendable. Feel free to choose for yourself."
The teachers were looking at the Hat in awe. Shiva was the first to shake her head and chuckle, "You know I really shouldn't be surprised to hear you speak. You did help Harry last year after all. Of course you'd help another friend of Hogwarts." The Hat bobbed its brim at her and went back to senescence.
"Thank you, Hat." Luna beamed at her friends who all smiled back. "I think I would like to go to Gryffindor. Harry was the first to be nice to me besides Ginny and I would enjoy spending more time with him."
Dumbledore could only nod. "Very well, Miss Lovegood. I will ensure your things are moved to the 2nd Year dorm in Gryffindor Tower."
"Welcome to the Lion's Den, Miss Lovegood," McGonagall said warmly.
That evening around curfew Harry was sitting on his favorite armchair looking at the Marauder's Map. This map was amazing and he really wished someone could tell him how the enchantments had been added to it. It was only the first time he had activated it himself, but he didn't want to take the time to examine it in detail at the moment. It had been a long day and all Harry was looking to do was ascertain that his friends were all safe – that no one was going to try anything against any of them in reprisal for the hornet's nest they had stirred.
Harry checked the Slytherin dungeons and nodded, seeing Daphne, Tracey, Millie and Blaise all sitting in their beds with no one slinking up the stairs. Glancing at the Hufflepuffs, he saw Susan and Hannah also in their beds without anything suspicious nearby. He breathed a sigh of relief as he found Ravenclaw and saw Su and Padma both in bed as well. With an amused thought Harry turned to Gryffindor searching for himself.
And he froze solid forgetting even to breath for a few moments.
Peter Pettigrew was lying in bed with Ron Weasley.
A white rat about this big.
This is Scabbers. He's my pet. Been in the family for ages.
Scabbers. Pettigrew. Scabbers was Pettigrew. Ron's pet Scabbers...was...an...animagus...
Sirius was a large black dog somewhat resembling a Grim.
He's a dog Shiva. Not an evil mastermind. If he was an animagus trying to kill me he could've done it when I first ran into him the other night.
Okay, Snuffles it is.
His sorta pet Snuffles was Sirius Black.
"Well, bugger..."
*The Atlantean Micro-dragon is a creature from 'Luna's Animal' by erbkaiser. A totally hilarious oneshot and I loved the imagine of her thinking the komodo dragon was a magical beast.*
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF with more than 400 chapters, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/gokublack444🎉