If anyone had been watching the students board the Hogwarts' Express the next day they would have wondered who died, they would not have believed that this was the end of the school year. Most students still had the words on their foreheads, and most didn't raise their eyes past other people's waists. The oldest students had used glamor charms to hide theirs but many below sixth year weren't capable of the complex version required to hide the word.
Harry shared a compartment with Aaron, Cassandra, and Neville. Aaron handed Cassandra and Neville each a vial of potion. "Once you're away from the station drink that. The words will disappear. Everyone else will have to wait for what they ate at the feast to clear their digestive tracks, another day or so."
"So Harry, I didn't look at the boards for the firsties. What was your placement?" Cassandra asked.
"I tied for second with Padma Patil. Granger got first. Boot got third, Bones and Corner and Goldstien tied for forth. Neville here tied with Malfoy for fifth. Great job by the way, Nev. Grenngrass and Davis got sixth along with Brocklehurst. After that I didn't notice."
"That's impressive. Most years you don't see that many ties. I have to ask, rumor has it you two were behind the last minute point losses is that true?" Cassandra said.
Harry and Neville both winced. "Guilty."
"Why? How? What did you two do?" Aaron groaned.
"Well… we kinda told off the Heads…" Neville started.
"And let's not forget the Headbastard himself." Harry finished.
"One question. Why?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, why?" Cassandra asked.
"Well remember how at the first of year feast…" Harry started. He recounted all the details of Dumbledore's test pointing out how it endangered the students.
As Harry came to an end, Neville pointed out the massive inequality about the way points were given and taken by the teachers and how despite headmaster saying inter house unity he had been pressured all year to give up his friendship with "that Slytherin". Concluding, "I could do what is easy and say nothing, or I can do what is right and speak up. Of course when I get back to Gran I may regret having opened my mouth, because I think she'll be angry with me. But what's done is done, and can't be changed."
"Speaking of changes Harry did you contact the goblins, about my working for you?" Cassandra asked.
"Yeah, I can pay you twenty two galleons a week and provide an apartment. It's not much, but it should allow you to get by. The apartment is muggle though so it will probably be an adjustment for you."
"That's actually really good pay by wizarding standards, especially with a flat thrown in. So what is it I'll be doing?"
"The biggest thing I'm going to want you to do right off is coordinate getting Potter Manse rebuilt. Which will mean helping me figure out what it should look like finished, soliciting bid's from contractors, buying supplies that sort of thing. Aunt Petunia suggested that she stay with you the next few days to make sure you understand all the muggle stuff in your flat while I stay upstairs with the elves. It's the same building just different floors. I, I mean, we'll be pretty busy with court stuff at the ministry for the next week. Oh um, Mr. Corner had some paperwork that both of us need to fill out and sign, I'm not sure so don't ask me. Have you told your Dad yet?"
"This might be cowardly of me, but no."
"Are you going to?" Neville asked, he was only partly privy to what was going on.
"I'd rather just disappear. Because I think my dad will go crazy, Jasper Houghton offered a huge settlement."
Harry smirked, "I've an idea. Write him a note. Aaron can deliver it on the platform and I'll loan you my cloak you'll be able to watch his reaction."
....
"DEAREST FATHER,
If you want the settlement from Jasper Houghton that badly, marry him yourself. I have a job and do not have to do as you say! Love and kisses Cassandra!
"How dare she! That is it! Angelica that squib has defied me for the last time she is no longer a Yaxley!" Robert Yaxley bellowed as he read the note from his defiant daughter.
....
Marcus Flint knew he should be furious with Harry Potter for losing Slytherin the House Cup, but as he watched the fit his uncle threw because his favorite cousin had slipped out of her father's grasp some how he couldn't help but grin about the Boy-Who-Lived. He wondered if Harry had been behind the end of year prank it lacked the Weasley twins' lighter more amusing touch. Harry had shown a dab hand at putting together a difficult prank. Forcing people to be honest at least with themselves after the long months of being treated poorly struck him as something Harry would do. For the moment the twins were getting the grief but sooner or later people would remember the prank payback on the twins and figure out it was him.
....
Stephen Corner and Horace Ogden were nervous. Tomorrow they were beginning what would probably be a make or break into the big time case for their firm. They were also nervous because their premiere client had chosen to hire as a personal assistant, the child of one of the second scariest non imprisoned Death Eaters. Between the trustee board members they had decided for his safety they would ask the young woman for an oath of loyalty to Lord Potter. Hopefully she didn't take offense.
....
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