Chapter Text
Harry let the broom float lazily in the cool autumn breeze. Below him sprawling walls traced lines of mossy gray through freshly clipped verges of thick green grass. A large flat circle of stone, inlaid with the Peverell crest was a epicenter of the roads. A stone shelter at one side held a large floo for deliveries and a smaller one for human traffic. A rectangle marked in yellow stone indicated the Knight Bus stop.
One narrow road led towards the bridge over the moat, and the outside walls of Peverell Keep. The other stone paved road wound a short distance away through stone walled fields to the newly rebuilt Peverell Village. Charlus had spoken truly when he said Harry would need several dozen staff, and Harry had the sinking feeling that more would appear over time.
Just cleaning and rebuilding the outbuildings had taken several dozen men, even with Harry and some others helping with magic. Like any medieval Keep, there had been not only a village outside the walls but everything a village needed to survive. Coopers, tanners, grain storage, lumber storage, animal pens, butchers, smokehouses, stables and barns and pens of all descriptions. With the passing of centuries most if not all of the wood was gone, but a few stubborn preservation spells had hung on.
A small stone hut turned out to have been expanded on the inside to the size of a warehouse and filled wall to wall with fine wool, spun and dyed skeins and woven cloth. More unexpected treasures had turned up as the work crew had inched their way along the old roads. Chests still awaited a curse breaker to open, and Harry now had a collection of fine old wizarding stoneware dishes, many proudly bearing the Peverell crest. The old vegetable garden was merely humps of ground, but the potions garden and its tall iron topped walls was a tangled mass of wild greenery that Harry had set aside to deal with later. Possibly with fiendfyre, Harry wasn’t entirely sure anything else was going to subdue that devils snare.
His first farmers were already working on the new kitchen garden and fields. Autumn it may be, but they wanted to prepare the fields before the frost set in, and plant some winter barley and such. If nothing else it would give them much needed fodder for the motley collection of livestock that Harry had acquired.
When word had gone around to the purebloods, some large estate owners and well off farmers sent along animals or materials. So Harry had been gifted with oddly colored horses, elderly ponies, extra roosters and so forth. They might be the odds and sods of the farmyard but Harry didn’t mind. He certainly had the money to buy more if they needed, but the gifts were a good sign already that his sanctuary was accepted.
Apparently most wizarding villages grew a vast amount of their own food, not trusting muggle sources. And Harry pondered, who could blame them? Even now in the 1930's it was disgusting what muggles did to their food. Not to mention that even normal plants grown in a high magical environment carried the energy that wizarding needed to mature properly. There was a reason that first year muggleborns always struggled their first few months at Hogwarts.
Harry had sat down one rainy day with his new butler and gone over projections for how much would be needed for just his existing staff and then adding in teachers and children. The amount a castle full of people ate in a week was astounding. And that was without taking into account candles, clothing, soap, wood for the fireplaces, floo powder ….. running a castle was definitely a full time job. Harry was glad that John J James had been one of the first squibs that Harry had interviewed.
Luckily for Charlus's accounts, Harry had brought his own money with him from the future. Not just his, but the Malfoy wealth, the Longbottoms and in short as much of Gringotts as they had been able to dig up and pour into a bottomless pouch. Harry only put a tiny fraction of it in Gringotts, and kept the rest in the pouch or sent small amounts as anonymous donations to other institutions and companies. Harry had a goal, a serious goal, and if money would help him get there, money he would use.
Today’s goal though was nearly a vacation for him … he was going to fly the boundaries of his estate for the first time. The wards seemed solid, but Harry felt it best to make sure he had checked everything personally. Harry turned the broom lazily over the village. Far below him a man guiding a pair of horses waved at him. Harry waved back, thinking it was probably Farmer Chalmers, judging by that hat.
The village they had restored petered out next to the still remaining ruins. Harry figured that it would take them years to clear away the destruction of centuries. But they had time. Beyond the village and the fields the road narrowed down to a simple dirt path that led to the Peverell cemetery. Harry had been surprised, until he realized this was the village cemetery and the Peverells themselves were interred in the mausoleum below the Keep.
As he flies over scrubby forests, the remains of overgrown fields, which give way to heavier forest and then again to solitary trees dotting the sides of a ridge of mountains, sometimes Harry wonders how muggles reconcile the chopped up geography of England. He knows his estate is unplottable and hidden entirely from Muggles and has been for centuries, and assumes many more vast estates are similarly hidden.
Perched on a flat plateau on the side of the mountain Harry sees his first goal. A standing circle. As Harry guides the broom around the circle he amended himself, a falling down circle, really. Not as big as the Great Circle at Stonehenge but still more than big enough for his research.
Harry lands the broom gently, outside the overgrown ditch circling the stones. He walks slowly onto the flat grassy area. Here the grass is merely knee high. Around him several of the stones have tipped but only two have fallen. He can feel the eddys of magic in the air. Repairing this entirely will have to wait til the summer solstice, nearly a year away. Harry knelt before the flat stone in the center, still clean and smooth, and lay his hands on it. The magic rose to him like a kitten wanting to be stroked.
The stone is rooted deep in the ground and even now, without its true capacity, Harry can feel the great current of magic buried in the earth, as the currents of magnetism float in the air. Dark magic, earth magic. That is where wizardry comes from, and it was as vital to the earth itself as it was to wizards.
Without the wizards to spur it on and add to it the great field of magic would dwindle away. With no magic, the very electromagnetic currents of the earth would falter and fail. That was the fate of his world, the one he had left behind. Day by day, with so few wizards left after the wars the magic seeped away.
Harry pushed the bleak thoughts from his mind.
It was not going to happen. If he had to stun every wizard and keep them in an endless sleep to keep the magic alive, that is what he would do. Harry refused to let the earth die again. He fleetingly thought that it was likely that seeing his entire planet and species die probably hadn't done good things to his moral values. So be it.
Harry rose from the ground. Before he left the circle, he used his belt knife to cut his left palm over the life line and offered three drops of blood to the earth. After he had mounted his broom and left, a small red flower sprang from the ground, its petals bouncing merrily in the breeze.
As Harry followed the leylines down the mountain he finally encountered the edges of his properties. He could feel the edges of the wards, like lines drawn in air. Outside the wards is an area of empty land but even here, not much further off he can see the scattering of muggle roads and buildings. Harry’s lip curled. Muggles. Messy creatures.
Harry turned the broom and followed the line of the wards widdershins. Mountains and forest and meadows. He saw a flashing of white and dropped the broom lower. He was surprised and glad to see a small group of unicorns near a narrow meadow brook. 'Magical animals already here, that’s a good sign.' he thought, pleased.
It was late in the day when Harry came within sight of Peverell Keep again. As he did, a small group of owls darted away from the castle and surrounded him, clacking their beaks. Laughing he circled and came in for a landing on the back courtyard where Charlus was impatiently waiting.
“Harry! Where have you been? I've been waiting half the afternoon.” Charlus cried before Harry had even dismounted
“Walking the bounds dear cousin. Well, flying the bounds at least. “ Harry dismounted and swung the broom up onto his shoulder. He was windburned and he had to confess a little chaffed in the saddle regions, but he hadn't felt this great in years. He had forgotten how much he loved to fly.
“And you were wrong; only two circles, a greater and a lesser. The lesser is just over the rise, I think it was the family chapel more or less.”
“No time to chatter old man, I and therefore you, are having supper at Hogwarts tonight!”
Harry is surprised. “I what?” he blurted as Charlus all but dragged him through the hall past the kitchen. He could smell fresh bread being baked. You had to love house-elves. Drop them in a falling down hovel with two sticks to rub together and they’d have dinner done by seven.
“Well if you had gotten my owl this morning when I sent it, instead of flying around the countryside all day, then you would know. C'mon, wash! Dress! The upstairs maid has your robes set out all ready.” Charlus pushed Harry in the direction of the sweeping wooden stairs that lead to the first floor of the keep and Harry’s rooms.
In the month that Harry had been at Peverell Keep, Charlus had only visited twice. Mind you both times Harry felt like he'd just escaped a whirling dervish. But he supposed, that’s how relatives you don't mind are. You love to see them, but can not wait until they leave.
Harry rushed through a quick bath and used a spell to dry his now respectably waist length hair. As a Lord and a Headmaster, mid back was the shortest he could possibly get away with and be respected by old purebloods. Muggleborns never understood that … but then, to them long hair was a chore and an ornament for women. They didn't understand that to a wizard, long hair was a sign of a powerful magical core, as the stronger the magic, the faster the body healed and the hair grew.
Harry contemplated the robes Charlus had ordered laid out. Not just formal robes, but the full on Headmasters robes, with his lordship chain and the mantle with colored edgings indicating his masteries. So a full on political do at Hogwarts. Lovely. And here he'd been thinking about relaxing in the bath with a book and maybe some numbing potion.
Harry swept down the stairs, tall pointed hat in hand.
“I say Harry. You do clean up well.” Charlus said, as he stared up at him.
Harry paused on the steps. “The robes I can accept, the mantle I can accept. But the pointy hat I don’t think I can manage without hurting someone with it. Possibly you.”
Charlus laughs. Harry has noticed he is holding his hat as well.
“Well the good news is you have to wear it for about five minutes. Then the house elves whisk them away. The rest though, you have to bear for the whole visit. And we should hurry, it would be terribly rude to miss the sorting feast.”
“We've been invited to the Sorting?” Harry raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t realized it was that late already.
“Indeed. One of those owls has an invitation from the Headmaster, to the Headmaster of Ambrosius. He wishes to discuss the fate of the orphans enrolled at his school.”
By now the house elves have caught and relieved the owls of their letters. The poor birds must have been chasing Harry around the property all afternoon trying to make their deliveries. An elf brought Harry the letters on a small silver tray. He ignored most of them and went straight for the letter tied with a purple and black ribbon and marked with the Hogwarts seal.
As they walked through the large hall to the door Harry glanced through the letter.
“Well as you say cousin, Dippet invites us to attend the sorting feast and be introduced to the students. Well this should be an interesting evening.”
Harry tucked the letter in an inside robe pocket. He quickly checked to make sure he has everything .. money pouch, belt knife, potions supply case, wand, second wand, knife down a boot, shrunken sword, floo powder. 'Well that’s probably enough to be going on with' he thought.
“Oh Charlus, visitors gift? I haven’t the faintest idea of protocol between headmasters.”
“Gift for the castle, a book or small historical item would do and a bottle of Potter vino supplied by me in your name. I picked out one of your collection of old stone plates,with the Peverell crest on it and shrank it for you.”, Charlus hands him the now dollhouse sized platter.
Thus supplied they strolled outside to the private apparation courtyard. The wards inside are blocked from aparration by any but Harry or another direct Peverell. The second layer of wards blocked almost everyone else and public aparration was to the village circle only. The ancient Peverells, it seemed, were very serious about their security.
“Need a side along old man?” Charlus asks.
“Technically not, but for the sake of appearances, yes. After all, Harry Peverell has never been to Hogwarts”
Harry stretched out his right hand and Charlus laid his right hand on it, as they turn and apparrate away. They appeared at Hogwarts a moment later with a pop.
Charlus had apparated them just outside Hogwarts' main gates. They have a few minutes walk as they traveled up the hill to the main door. Harry is surprised and unsurprised ... Hogwarts looks very much like it did when he was here as a child. Since that was only fifty years away, and Hogwarts a very magical castle, it should not be surprising.
But since his last memories of Hogwarts were of the faded old ruins left after the magic had leaked away; he is shocked and gladdened to see it shining brightly on its hill... On the lake below them they could see the lanterns of the First Years gathering on the far lake shore.
“Hurry up Harry, we should just beat the students in.” Charlus walked faster
The great gates are open, as always. Harry pauses as he steps inside Hogwarts. The castles inner wards gently enfolded him. He has a sudden, strong feeling of home and pushes down the distraction.
“Lord Potter! There you are!” A slender old wizard emerged from the passage way leading the to Great Hall.
“I don’t mean to rush you, but if we step lively this way, we can shelter in this conference room until the stampede has passed.” Dippet guided them into a small room just to the side of the Great Hall. Sure enough it has a large table and several chairs.
“My apologies that we arrived so late Headmaster” Charlus began
Harry interrupted “Actually it was my fault entirely Headmaster. I was out on the grounds all day and none of the owls found me until after he had, barely a half hour ago.”
Headmaster Dippet chuckled. “Oh I'm not offended Headmaster! After all I responded to your cousins letter weeks late as it was for exactly the same reason. Running a school, even one as established as Hogwarts takes more time than any three people have at hand.”
Harry smiles at Headmaster Dippet as he leans against the conference table. He can hear the chatter of childish voices outside. It was hard to take exception to Dippet, but Harry reminded himself, that this man is the one who allowed Dumbledore to start shaping the Slytherin vs Gryffindor hatred and to leave orphans like Riddle in muggle orphanages. Wizard fighting wizard is the last thing Harry wants for his world.
“We will have to speak more after the feast, but quickly now Headmaster Peverell.”, Dippet turns a serious face to Harry.
“You intend to take in magical orphans, correct? Regardless of parentage and other standings?” Dippet asked.
“Yes of course Headmaster.” Harry answered letting his voice be almost shocked and entirely questioning.
“I have several students currently enrolled at Hogwarts who are in the muggle child care system. It has preyed on my mind, if you could take them in I think all parties would be most grateful. Not now of course” Headmaster Dippet continued “But certainly at the end of the year and holidays as usual, and you can stand as their magical guardian while they are here at Hogwarts.”
Harry is delighted.
“Of course Headmaster. I presume many of them are on scholarship?”
“Yes. But of course as wards of a Sanctuary we will waive their tuition Headmaster Peverell, as long as you are certain you can handle clothing, school supplies and so forth?”
“That is certainly not an issue.”
“Lovely! Lovely … and also …. you intend to take in muggleborn children as well?”, Dippet queried.
“Of course Headmaster, magical children need to have long term contact with a magic rich environment so that their magical core develops properly, everyone knows that. If a muggleborn's parents cannot take care of their child, of course Ambrosius will help.”
Dippet waves away his concerns “ Oh I know that and you know that but the Ministry never listens. 'children need to be with their parents' Well frankly not all of them. The poor things... some of what I've seen Muggles do.” He shakes his head sadly.
“But with no place to send muggleborn children that was the best we could manage. I tell you Guardian, my staff and I were very happy to hear of your Sanctuary. “, Dippet paused.
“And as to that matter we would like to ask you to take over the oversight of all our muggleborn and orphaned students, both current students and the ones on the List. That includes removing them from unsuitable situations at your own judgment.”
Harry raised his eyebrows. “Are you certain the Board of Governors would approve?”
Dippet chuckles. “Of course dear boy! It was their idea. But I agreed wholeheartedly, yes most whole heartedly.”
“Well then Headmaster, I will be more than happy to stand as Guardian for these children. I will need to arrange meetings...”
Dippet nodded, “...and see their health and school records.”
“Of course , of course. I'll have all the paperwork sent over in the morning. In the meantime, I think its time for us to enter the Great Hall. I can make the announcement and your introduction then Headmaster, I trust?”
Harry bowed and agreed.
Dippet led the way out of the room, and Harry darted a glance at Charlus, who gave him an enthusiastic grin and then wiped his face expressionless again. Charlus was enjoying this plot so much, Harry almost felt sorry for Dumbledore. Apparently stealing Harry’s birthright was going to have unforeseen consequences, Harry couldn’t wait.
Harry had forgotten exactly how loud a large stone room full of teenagers could be. He muttered a fast muffling spell at himself, to the amusement of the Headmaster.
Dippet leaned in towards Potter “I keep one of those on my robes. Only way to hear oneself above the din.”
The students hush as the Headmaster and his unexpected guests enter the Great Hall. Some of them recognize Lord Potter, Harry can guess by the whispers. Gryffindor house is the loudest of course, as always.
Dippet led them round the great teachers table on the dais. Harry passed a very young Flitwick, a live and breathing Binns and several professors he did not recognize in the slightest. At the end of the table he sees an already portly but less gray Slughorn.
Charlus took the empty chair to the furthest right of the headmaster, and Harry was motioned to he chair directly next to Headmaster Dippets, which was identical in design to Dippets, although upholstered in the pale green and black of Peverell House as a sign of respect.
“Good evening students and Welcome to Hogwarts!”
The children cheered loudly and it is a few moments before there is quiet.
“After the new students are brought in I have a few announcements before the sorting, so please hold your curiosity for a moment” beamed Dippet.
The large doors of the great hall swung open and a still ruddy haired Professor Dumbledore led the students in. To Harry’s eye they looked tiny. Was he ever so small?
Albus motioned for the students to stay and he stands in front of the teachers table.
“Thank you professor Dumbledore.” Said Dippet.
“Dear students. Welcome all to Hogwarts.” another pause for the noise. “I am very pleased to introduce my fellow Headmaster of the Ambrosius School and the Guardian of the Ambrosius Sanctuary for Magical children, Lord Harold Peverell”
Harry bowed to the school, just enough to acknowledge them.
A mutter of whispered questions rustled among the students.
“For those of us who may not know, a Sanctuary such as Lord Peverell's cares not merely for orphans but for any magical child who asks for sanctuary, regardless of parentage or other situation. Lord Peverell will be taking over the care of such magic orphans as are enrolled in the school and will also in the future be looking after the interests of all our Muggleborns. He has asked to meet with all his prospective wards during the start of the school year, so some of you will have your chance to question him yourself personally later, or decline his Guardianship and continue as you have been; and now for the Sorting”
Dippet sat down and the rest of the teachers table followed. Harry is very satisfied. This was the perfect excuse for him to start filching orphans, squibs and muggleborns. And most importantly of all, one Thomas Riddle, now eight years old.