On Monday morning Harry went with Hermione to see a doctor. Michael also went so that he could be checked over. That had been more Hermione's idea than Harry's. The doctor assured them that they were completely safe as far as secrecy was concerned and he went so far as to make a wizard's oath with them. If he broke his word then he would lose his license to practice healing. They really had no choice but to accept it. Hermione was pronounced pregnant and Michael was pronounced healthy. If the doctor was surprised that Harry was a father of one baby and another on the way, with two different mothers and all by the age of seventeen, he didn't say. He treated the Potters like everyone else with the exception of allowing them to floo directly to his office, instead of going through the waiting area, due to Harry's celebrity status. Harry relaxed after hearing that.
They had flooed back to Hogwarts and Harry put Michael down for nap as Hermione started studying for her NEWTS. He asked Dobby to watch the family and make sure that Hermione ate some lunch. He had business else where.
"I need to see someone about the money that was stolen and how I can press charges against them. I want you to stay here. Dobby will bring you some lunch. Don't study too hard." He kissed Hermione goodbye and returned to the floo.
"Be careful and try not to lose your temper."
"I will and I'll try", said Harry. "Brown and Smith" he yelled, throwing some floo powder into the fireplace. He arrived in a very luxurious waiting room. The secretary greeted him warmly and offered refreshments. Exactly three minutes later the office door opened and the secretary told Harry that he could go in. The two men behind the desks stood up to greet him.
"Mr. Potter, a pleasure to meet you. My brother and I have followed your progress for years. It is a pleasure to be serving the Potter family again. Now how may we be of service", asked Mr. Smith
Harry told them everything, about Dumbledore stealing the money, lying to him, and trying to use him. Also the fact that the man was still alive. He left nothing out and showed them the report that Gringotts had provided.
"This is very interesting, Mr. Potter. Exactly how far do you want to take this" asked Mr. Brown
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"Do you want not only your money returned but compensation as well? Do you want the offenders to be prosecuted with the possibility of serving time in prison? There are several persons on this list, not to mention the entire Ministry and Hogwarts as a school" said Mr. Brown.
"What would you suggest?"
After a brief conference together Mr. Smith said, "We believe that those involved, who knew of the money, should be prosecuted. That would mean the Weasley's that have been named, Albus Dumbledore, and Minister Scrimgeour. Hogwarts and the Ministry itself to compensate you. As for the Order of the Phoenix, since it is controlled by Dumbledore, he will be forced to answer for that. All will have to make restitution to you as well. Do you wish for us to proceed with this?'
"Yes. They need to learn that I am no pushover."
"We will start proceedings immediately."
"Thank you. I trust that this will be discreet?"
"Of course, Mr. Potter. We are always discreet. Is there anything else that we can help you with", asked Mr. Brown.
"How good are you in dealing with muggles?"
"In what capacity?" asked Mr. Smith.
Harry explained about his childhood and how his relative had treated him. Mr. Brown produced a pensieve and had Harry place several memories of his treatment by the Dursley's in it. Both men were shocked at what they saw. No child should have been raised in such a manner, be they muggle or wizard.
"I think that I can speak for the both of us when we say that those 'people' will be dealt with, Mr. Potter", said Mr. Smith, clearly angry at what he saw.
"I leave it in your capable hands gentlemen." Harry rose from his seat, shook hands with both men and flooed home.
Hermione was in the same spot as when he had left, only with an empty plate and glass beside her, indicating that she had at least eaten. Michael was awake and Harry went into the baby's room and played with him until dinner. After dinner Hermione went back to studying, while Harry went to talk to his two ancestors.
"Harry, Rowena has a suggestion that you might want to listen to", said Godric.
"What would that be?"
"That you take over the control of the school."
Harry looked at her like she had lost her mind. "How, exactly, would I do that?"
"Well since you have actually finished your education and you do have our blood in you, you could take control by melding with the Heart of Hogwarts."
"The WHAT of Hogwarts?"
"The Heart of Hogwarts."
"What's that? I hope it's not an actual heart. That's just gross."
"No it's not a real heart. It's actually a special shield in a small room off the Great Hall. When ever there is a new Headmaster appointed, that person must place their hands on the shield. This allows the wards around the school to be under their control."
"But, what does that have to do with me?"
"When Dumbledore 'died', he did not tell his successor to do this. Since the man is supposed to be dead, the wards are being controlled by no one. If you take over the wards, you can control the school and technically be the Headmaster. Thus protecting the innocent students, your family, and yourself. The evil wizard of Salazar's line wouldn't be able to touch anyone in here if you did. Even if he has a founder's blood in him that should let him in no matter what."
Harry paled at the thought that there was no protection around Hogwarts right now. Voldemort could walk right in and meet absolutely no resistance. Dumbledore, in his bid to control everything, failed to consider that Hogwarts herself would think that he was dead. Here was a chance for him to protect several people that he respected and loved. The betrayer wouldn't know what had hit him. The only problem would be getting into the room undetected. He would have to wait until the middle of the night before make an attempt.
Harry told the portraits 'good night' and set about getting Michael ready for bed. That took almost an hour and when Harry finally got to leave the room his son was fast asleep. Hermione however was harder to get to bed. In fact when she heard about the plan that he and the founders had come up with, she wanted to come.
"No. I won't let you."
Hermione came over and climbed on his lap, her fingers stroking his chest. "Harry. Yes, we are married and I know that you are worried about me, but I would feel better if I could go along and watch your back." Then she gently kissed him. She heard a sigh escape from him and knew that she had won this time.
"Alright, but if it gets too dangerous you are to make you way back here as fast and as safly as you can and you're wearing the invisibility cloak, promise?"
She was going to argue but the look of determination in Harry's eyes stopped her. "I promise."
They dressed muggle for their excursion. It was practical and comfortable. Harry would start until after midnight. All prefects on patrol should be done by then. That left only the teachers and ghosts to avoid. They used the map and took the most direct path to the Great Hall. Using the directions provided by Rowena, they found the secret room behind the only suit of armor that had the Hogwarts coat of arms on its shield. They made it into the room just fine.
The room was completely bare except of the huge shield that hung on the opposite wall. The shield had been divided into four parts. Each part had a symbol of one of the founders, a snake, a griffin, a raven, and a badger. Harry walked up to the shield and placed his hands on the raven and the griffin. The shield lit up with a bright white light that seemed to grow, filling the room. Harry heard the wards snap into place.
"What does the new master need?" Harry heard the voice inside his head.
"Who are you?" he asked back silently.
"I am the spirit of the school, Hogwarts" the voiced answered back.
Harry had no idea that he would be able to hear the school's spirit. "I need to protect the students and my family. Dumbledore want to hurt them and me. He needs to be kept away from myself and my family. Can you do that?"
"Yes new Master. I can keep the old man contained to his quarters and general areas of the school. No one will be allowed into your office without permission, except your wife. Is there anything else that needs to be done?"
"Yes there are some students, possibly teachers that have a dark mark on their skin. Can you stop them from entering the school and kick those out that have it?"
A few minutes went by before Harry heard an answer. "Everything will be done as you asked new Master."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
Harry released the shield, turned to Hermione and said "It's done."
In another part of the castle Albus Dumbledore woke up. The magic around the school had changed. He tried to access the school and found that it wouldn't answer him. He feared that he knew who was to blame for that.