193 Ch. 192 Plans for Hogwarts

With the new year underway, a sense of normalcy was brought into the tension which had hung over the many students of Hogwarts.

During the summer many had heard of raids, attacks and deaths on both sides of this renewed conflict Wizarding Britain had found itself in, making them mildly fearful. Now that they were amongst friends, with powerful teachers and within one of the most secure buildings in England, they relaxed.

An interestingly positive side effect of the 'war' has actually been the formation of quite a few friendships over the summer. This is mainly between muggleborns and half-bloods who took the offer for Sanctuary, something which is breaking down House divisions.

Except for the top echelon within the Slytherins.

Most were rather demure and even spiteful at times when looked at due to their supposed-to-be glorious take over by purebloods not doing so well.

Vampires were gone, werewolves were not a true threat with Jennifer in place, Giants essentially hunted down, Dementors becoming a non-issue and their 'Dark Lord' was 'defeated' and went quiet for 'unknown reasons'.

Many of their parents were feeling the pressure from the Ministry, and doubt began spreading about their beliefs.

The problem with that was the 'unity' of Slytherin.

Older/stronger or more wealthy/influential students bullied the others into a 'unified front' against the other houses, imposing their beliefs and punishing anyone against them.

Snape can't openly move against this due to his role. He can't risk having Tom hearing that he doesn't allow his support to grow within the house or he would certainly risk his wrath.

The good thing about this is that thanks to Draco's decision to renounce Tom, Theodore Nott's support in joining Daphne Greengrass' 'faction' within Slytherin, the three have begun doing marvelous work in fixing the stupidity running amok in that House and protecting the younger kids as 6th years and Prefects.

Draco and Daphne are rather deserving of the title now, much better than last year when the teen was paired with Pansy.

They were subtly spearheading a small change from within that house, which could potentially help make it what it should have always been: a place for the cunning and ambitious to grow. Not a dumping pit of racism, hatred and oppressors.

Honestly, I am ambitious and not just a little bit cunning, so seeing the students of a house, that is supposed to embody and nurture the traits so necessary for human development, reduced to what it has been for the last 50-100 years was simply annoying.

Thank Merlin, a real Slytherin who became a near god to wizards, a known figure for a thousand years and legendary advisor of Camelot, that Tory was the best kind of Slytherin.

Being cunning doesn't mean evil and neither does being ambitious.

I'm almost certain that the Weasley twins should have been Slytherin with everything they pulled over the years, how they faked their grades to not have their mother attempt even more to force them into the ministry due to 'lacking grades', their ambitions in wanting to not only build a joke shop which would surpass the long established Zonko's but also create all these new pranks, well it really doesn't get more Slytherin.

It would be nice to have that sort of Slytherin more often instead of everyone being so narrow minded regarding the defining traits of the Houses.

I mean, Tory was always ambitious and cunning, but it was more stereotypical. I'll never tell her that however.

Beyond the rippling changes occurring in Slytherin, my own past house seemed to be a bit stuck ever since I graduated, but I hope Luna while help them remember that books may be concentrated knowledge but life is still the best teacher.

They really need to go out more.

Hufflepuff was always stubborn in how they subconsciously snuffed out individual excellence with their 'loyalty', often overlooking the 'hard work' part to focus on their reputation for 'taking the rest' as it were. Cedric was an exception, but his recent graduation would leave the House poorer for it.

Good thing Susan was still there.

Then we have 'do/say before thinking' Gryffindor.

They really need to learn that bravery is not an absence of fear, but the overcoming of it and that recklessness does not equate courage as well.

Harry, Ron and Hermione should be shaping them up as their training bleeds off into their personalities and actions, influencing the rest of the house.

This generation is somewhat of a turning point for the British Wizarding and each of these students are crucial to what is to come. They will shape the future once Tom has been dealt with and his supporters ended. A future where a large number of old houses vanished, powerful bigots suddenly died, and the Ministry already working to rectify old wrongs, all in time for this generation to chose its path.

How this will affect Hogwarts and the British Wizarding world will be rather interesting to observe.

And when the time comes, I'll be able to sit back and watch it happen as I enjoy my life with my love and magic to keep me happy. Maybe stay as a professor to stay boredom and help kids grow.

Sounds good.

But for now, this new year was to begin.

Thanks to my work last year, I received a fair number of NEWT students for my class. Chief among them were members of the fueling club and those who've become more aware of the dangers around them, especially in these sorts of time.

This was the time we would be starting to work on how to handle the much darker and dangerous aspects of the magical, which was for now luckily getting easier thanks to the continued development of White Magic I was personally teaching.

Knowledge on dangerous beings, various undead, vampire society and centers of criminality and how to handle them were all more prominently featured.

A strong emphasize on combat, not dueling, and silent casting was also present.

The only challenges so far would be how the political climate was affecting the situation.

The clear division in Slytherin not standing, some students in other houses, believing in pureblood ideologies and supporting Tom's actions, were showing growing signs of outright rejection of any authority beyond their parents and tensions have been rising as a result.

Stricter punishments and rules were being put in place as a result, all in an attempt to curb possible attacks amongst students who would simply use the rules and laws to get away with such and join their 'Lord' afterwards.

On a more positive side, students were rather pleased with the Headmaster starting to teach NEWT level Transfiguration. His mastery of the subject and his experience were enough to awe 6th and 7th years outright as he lightened Professor McGonagall's workload during her gradual shift to Headmistress.

The Dueling club saw an even better turnout for new members.

Harry and his friends were throwing themselves into their more practical tutoring.

Luna was doing well as the new head of the Exchange.

And preparations for the final conflict were well underway.

"Oh? 'Twould seem your wedding was not the only matter which occurred this summer." The soft voice of my ghostly friend said as she appeared fully over my shoulder while I worked on some matters after my duties were done.

"Preparations are a must for these types of things." I replied as I looked through the numerous reports I held regarding Ministry and Fortress activities.

Everything being done in such secrecy slowed progress down drastically, but it assured Tom and his ilk would not hear of the coming trap. Even Snape was not privy to the information.

"Hogwarts has dealt with many would be conquerors before. Should the headmaster truly need it, the castle's defenses would likely be more than sufficient." Helena told me with an underlying pride.

"I know of some, but are Hogwarts' defenses so powerful?" I questioned with pure interest.

The current warding was a bit lackluster in my view. I could likely bring them down on my own.

"Do not be foolish in believing the everyday defenses to be all Hogwarts holds." She chastised with a grin. "Her siege defenses are, without a doubt, unmatched to this day.

The founders put enormous amounts of effort to create a binding system which would even hold against the combined efforts of beings much more powerful than Riddle and his filth.

Even yourself would require extensive preparations, support and time to even breach some of them, much less destroy them all.

This not counting the counter defenses, hidden artillery and automated defenders.

There used to be more professors and regulations regarding 6th and 7th years participating in the defense of the castle, but I doubt modern sensibilities will permit such things which were required in the past."

That surprised me.

During the two possible/original timelines, the final battle at Hogwarts was held in a very hurried manner to defend the castle against a Tom in full control of the Ministry and possessing significant numbers while Professor McGonagall had just taken control of Hogwarts. It was fully possible that she was not aware of Hogwarts' full defensive capabilities and simply had not truly taken over of castle as its Headmistress to allow for her to either know or activate the defenses.

I will need to check with Dumbledore about these matters. It could help us significantly. Having Helena possible guiding us in this matter so as to not miss any advantage would be ideal as well.

"Now this is very interesting. Does the Headmaster know of these defenses and how to activate them?" I asked the ghostly woman.

"He should be aware. Everything was written down in a special book passed down from one Headmaster/mistress to the next." She confirmed with a nod.

"Hmmm. Would these defenses hamper portkeys and Floo travel?" I asked as this might be an issue for the evacuation plan.

There was no way we would allow students who hadn't completed their OWLs even have the option of staying, no matter what they had learnt. As such, we had multiple means of evacuating them ready.

Special Portkeys permitted by the Headmaster were one of them. It would work like the one set on the Triwizard cup which brought Harry to the Little Hangleton Cemetery, only directed to pre-ordained safe zones and houses. Each student under 6th year would have one which would activate automatically if the Headmaster or Deputy Headmistress ordered it, with older students holding ones which they could activate by themselves should they chose to or if it detected an emergency.

This was the most efficient way we were organizing. As such, it would be imperative to know if the siege defenses would halt students from leaving.

"Not to my knowledge. Portkeys were invented after that era, as such there shouldn't be any specific defenses against them beyond the ones added later." Helena thoughtfully answered. "The wards will stop anyone from coming in, including from the secret passages, but going out is not outright blocked.

Mother and uncle Salazar knew retreat might be the only option available someday and had no desire to see students trapped and awaiting death."

"Then we will need to run tests. The holidays will be a good time to do so." I noted as I acknowledged her answer. "It will also allow for us to gain a proper grasp of the defenses and look for any signs that time might have created a weakness in them."

"The elves and Hogwarts itself would have maintained everything. Aunty Helga was always right regarding how little witches and wizards appreciated our most helpful friends." She said with small smile before her gaze became distant in memory.

It was common for ghosts to be lost in their lives. They are, after all, sentient remains empowered by deep regrets which spurned their magic to form intangible shells to trap parts of their souls. Their memories are some of the only things which truly belongs to them anymore, as such it is both treasured and cursed.

"That's good. Do you think the Centaurs would be open to helping clear the forest from dark creatures like Acromantulas? I don't want to have such wild cards in play when trapping Tom and his forces." I asked her carefully as to not appear insensitive to her momentary loss of focus.

"They will not work with wizards." She answered with a regretful shake. "Far too many insults have been given for them to do so, even if it would be in everyone's best interest.

At best, I would suggest forming an agreement with your goblin friends, your people and the Centaurs to tackle the issue simultaneously. It would lessen their worries if they could work alongside another non-human group."

"*Sigh* After this war I'll have to at least help fix all these really stupid laws harming our relations with literally every other magical race in existence." I groaned in annoyance at how much British laws effectively help create more 'Dark Lords' and followers of such. "But for now I'll send out some messages and start negotiations.

At least I know the Centaurs respect the Headmaster, so we have some leverage there.

Hagrid will have to get over his spiders because this has gotten way out of hand. Aragog is dying this year anyway.

Can't forget about Hogsmeade in all this either. Wouldn't want a dark creature stampede or Death Eater attack over there without any plans in place."

"Hiring others will spare your own manpower as well. Professionals are the best when it comes to dark creatures and you are a wealthy lord." Helena suggested thoughtfully.

"True. I shouldn't limit myself with what I already have. Hiring experts from the colonies would save Fortress and Goblin lives, but I really hope we can work thing out with the Centaurs to at least have them temporarily move so we don't endanger them while clearing the forest." I agreed with a frown.

The tribes in the forest were incredibly stubborn. I might need Christian to come down and help. He has experience with the tribes on our islands and may have advice for me. Hell, I might have to somehow bring an Centaur from over there to talk things out and maybe offer a new home amongst them.

"You worry too much Aedan. Not everything need be done so soon." My floating friend said. " You have told me Riddle will not attack until the end of the year due to various reasons, this also means he himself is occupied with his preparations. You need not rush matters.

Plan with patience as I have no doubt you shall achieve your goals.

If you cannot, simply create a sealing ward to make sure none of the forest's residents may leave until the battle ends."

That was a possibility.

Adjusting some anti-bug wards could be a valid alternative would we not succeed in eradicating the Acromantula colony.

Everything else in the forest is either too far, too stupid or too few in numbers to threaten Hogwarts or be worth Tom's efforts in recruiting them.

"I'll contact James to see if he can set something up for me. It could help us trap the Acromantula during the extermination." I noted as I wrote another set of messages.

"Happy to be of assistance." Helena said with a pleased smile before she turned mischievous. "But I do believe it is getting late and someone is waiting for you."

Those words stilled me.

I quickly checked the time.

6:43pm.

'Oh Merlin. Tory's gonna be pissed I stayed here working too much.' I thought as I immediately stood up and let my magic take care of my office as I grabbed my coat and bolted.

All I could hear on my way out was my ghostly friend laughing at the sight of me as she followed along for her own amusement.