Chapter 5: Precautions

"Sir, Madam Bones wishes to enter to speak with you on an urgent matter."

Harry paused mid-kata. "Did she say what it was about?"

"No, sir, but she was very insistent that you listen to her."

Harry abandoned his martial-arts practise and strode to the edge of the mats. Pausing to bow to the symbol of the Zod Clan (who had created the martial art he was still learning), he stepped off the tatami and started to make his way to the library.

"Let her through, Jor-El. Have one of the elves offer her refreshment and escort her to the library."

"As you command, sir."

Harry walked to the library and entered to find Gilligan finishing setting up a tea-set on the table.

"Madam Bones is being escorted by Herriet, Lord Potter." He stated and Harry nodded.

"Thank you, Gilligan."

The House-elf beamed, then vanished as the main library door swung open.

"Madam Bones, Lord Potter." Herriet introduced the guest, then stepped aside to let Amelia Bones sweep into the library.

"Lord Potter." She said with a nod of respect.

"Director Bones." Harry replied, noting that she was in her full Auror regalia, indicating that she was visiting him on official business. "Please, be seated. May I offer you some tea?"

"Thank you, Lord Potter." Amelia responded with a slight smile, lowering herself into the indicated chair. "Black with a slice of lemon, if you please. No sugar."

Harry took his own chair, then reached out and proceeded to pour the tea for Amelia and himself. Passing her cup over, he waited until Amelia took a sip.

"I assume that this is an important matter?" He noted and Amelia nodded.

"Have you seen today's Daily Prophet?"

"Jor-El?"

"The main story is that the Dark Lord Grindelwald has escaped from his prison cell in Nurmengard." Jor-El supplied as his avatar materialized. "Fingerprints found at the scene indicate that the person who liberated him was most likely Millicent Bagnold."

Amelia's eyebrows shot up momentarily, then she nodded.

"An excellent summary, Jorel. Traces of rat-fur were also found near Nurmengard's Wardstone…"

"Peter Pettigrew?" Harry asked.

"Yes. His fingerprints were found as well. We believe that he has somehow managed to either place Bagnold under an Imperious, which is very unlikely given her willpower, or that he has persuaded her to join forces with him."

"And since she blames me for uncovering how she tried to lock Sirius away without a trial, thus losing most of her wealth, she's almost certainly looking to gain revenge on me. Right?"

"Correct, Lord Potter." Amelia sighed. "Due to her former position as Minister of Magic, Bagnold had access to almost every part of the Ministry, with the partial exception of the Department of Mysteries. She also served in the Floo Network Authority for half a decade early in her career…"

"Meaning that she might be able to sabotage the Floo if I try to use it." Harry finished. "Wouldn't be the first time that happened to me… long story and everything worked out fine. Fortunately, I have other methods of transport available."

"You do?" Amelia asked before she could stop herself. "Never mind. I probably don't need to know at this time. Can you reach platform 9 and ¾ without needing the Floo?"

"I can walk from the Leaky Cauldron." Harry offered and Amelia shook her head.

"No, the Ministry will provide a car for the journey and an Auror to act as an escort."

"Tonks?" Harry asked and Amelia shook her head, although she did smile.

"Junior Auror Tonks isn't quite experienced enough for a mission of this importance. With your permission, I would like to assign Auror Shacklebolt to guard you… at least partially so you don't need to use that no-magic field thing you used a few months back."

"In my defense, it was something of a last-ditch defence given that I was facing the killing curse." Harry pointed out.

"Quite… anyway. Auror Shacklebolt is highly experienced in protection duties. He will be here in two hours time and if you decide to go out, whether to Diagon Alley or anywhere public, he will escort you for your own safety."

"Who are you assigning to guard Sirius?" Harry asked.

"Alternative measures have been arranged for Lord Black and Mr Lupin."

Harry blinked. "Alternative measures?"

.

.

"That's right, pup." Sirius grinned as he sprawled on the chair in the Floo room. "I had intended to oversee the renovation of Black Island, but I was persuaded otherwise. You see before you the most incredible and amazing Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher for the coming year."

Harry turned his gaze to Remus, who nodded in confirmation.

"He's right, and I'll be there to help rein him in. Since Dumbledore will be aiding the international task-force being set up to capture Grindlewald, McGonogall will be acting as Interim Headmistress. I'll be there as Temporary Deputy Headmaster, dealing with the paperwork for her."

"He's good at paperwork." Sirius nodded sagely. "In addition, Jor-El's finished scanning the Black Library and now, I have instant access to all my books on this pad as well as suggested lesson plans that Jor-El retreived and modified from the Kryptonian Education programs!"

Sirius waved the touchscreen in question briefly before returning it to his inner robe pocket.

"We're heading for Hogwarts tomorrow and we'll be safe behind the school Wards." Remus supplied. "Padfoot's arranged for the DADA and Potions books to be supplied free-of-charge to the students as well as potions kits and ingredients."

"Repaying Professor Snape." Harry realized, earning an approving nod from his dogfather.

"Making a start, yep. I've also arranged for extra potions reference books to be supplied to all four Houses as well as the school library. I wrote to Snape and asked which books he would recommend, then sent the order to Flourish and Blotts."

A chime sounded and Harry looked round to the Floo and the green flames filling it. A head appeared and looked round.

"Lord Potter? I'm Auror Shacklebolt. May I come through?"

"Jor-El, let him in."

"As you command, sir."

The floating head vanished and a moment later, a tall, dark-skinned man strode through, his eyes taking in the entire room in an instinctive sweep.

"Kingsley!" Sirius waved and the new arrival nodded in reply.

"Lord Black, Mr Lupin. Good to see you both."

"You too, Kingsley." Sirius bounced out of his chair and shook the proffered hand, then turned and shook Harry's hand as Remus sighed.

"Damn it, Padfoot." Remus groaned as Kingsley cracked a slight smile.

"Still haven't grown up, I see. You really do like to fool around."

"Hey, that's not true!" Lord Black protested. "I'm always Sirius!"

Both Remus and Kingsley face-palmed at the bad pun, then Remus used his wand to lift Sirius into the air.

"We need to finish preparing for the transfer and we'll be taking one of the linked Trunks with us in case you need us back fast. Kingsley, look after him, please."

Remus towed the protesting Sirius into one of the small rooms, the door swinging open a moment later to reveal that the room was empty. Catching Kingsley's bemused look, Harry explained.

"Those doors are switching rooms. That one leads to Sirius' place, that one to the Diagon Alley flat which in turn links to some of my friends houses and the third one is still to be assigned. The Flat is Warded almost as well as the Pottery and should those Wards be breached, the Switching Rooms will instantly be disabled."

"Impressive." Kingsley admitted. "I had been concerned about how to get you to Diagon Alley for your school shopping. This will simplify matters greatly, but I'll still need to check it out. I also checked your records… you're an Animagus?"

Harry transformed into Krypto and back again, causing Kingsley to raise an appreciative eyebrow.

"Nice. You must be one of the youngest Animagi on record, although Jinelle Shafiq has you beat by a couple of years. She's starting at Hogwarts this year."

"I met her at the Longbottom Ball, but you've piqued my curiosity. You know this… why?" Harry probed cautiously.

"The other Wolf Animagi back at the department mentioned her, they were happy that she was able to attend Hogwarts." Kingsley shrugged, then he looked round. "It might be best for me to remain on the premises in case anyone tries to attack at night…"

"Jor-El?"

"I have assigned a suite for Auror Shacklebolt's temporary use, sir." Jor-El said as his avatar manifested. "I have also informed SssSthss about our new guest."

"Wait, what?" Kingsley shook his head. "Informed who?"

"Me." SssSthss replied from the doorway just behind him and Kingsley took one look at her before fainting.

"You've been hanging around Sirius too much, haven't you?" Harry sighed as he picked up the Auror. SssSthss slithered out of the way as Harry carried Kingsley through the door, then followed him, hissing with amusement.

.

"Welcome back."

Kingsley's eyes slowly opened, then he jolted into a seated position.

"Snake! Giant snake!"

"It's alright, she's my giant snake." Harry tried to calm the Auror down.

"Why did it have to be Merlin-loving snakes?" Kingsley groaned, burying his head in his hands. A moment later, he lifted his head up and looked around in confusion.

"Um, where are we?"

"Your quarters, for now." Harry chuckled. "I had Gilligan check your pockets, he found your shrunken Trunk and unpacked your clothes, they're in the wardrobe over there. En-suite bathroom is through that door and that corner there is a micro-kitchen in case you want to do your own cooking."

"Wow. You don't do these things by halves, do you?" Kingsley marvelled as he swung his legs off the bed. "Sorry about that, I didn't expect your… Basilisk?"

"SssSthss is a Basilisk." Harry confirmed. "She wears a special visor that stops her gaze from killing unless she decides it's required."

"That is one hell of a defense." Kingsley agreed. "That and the Wards… yeah. You're definitely safe here… hang on. That thing in Little Hangleton… there wasn't any sign of your Basilisk there…"

"She was resting after eating a couple of cows." Harry shrugged. "SssSthss goes into a torpor after eating a large meal, it would have taken her too long to regain her full energy… about two days too long. She's changed her eating habits since. Smaller meals, but more often."

"Oh… thanks for explaining." Shacklebolt said as he stood up and went through a couple of stretches. "So, anything else I need to know at this point?"

"I've also been talking to Hermione and Neville." Harry said. "They'll be joining us tomorrow for our trip to Diagon Alley… as will Neville's parents."

"The Longbottoms were excellent Aurors before Lestrange." Kingsley nodded. "Even though they're apparently not up to their old standards yet, they'll be formidable reinforcements. Is Madam Longbottom coming too?"

"Frank didn't say, so probably not." Harry mused.

"Thank Merlin." Kingsley sighed. "That woman terrifies me."

"Me too." Harry agreed.

"Pardon me, sir, but Miss Granger is on her way."

"Hermione?"

.

"Harry!"

"Hey, Hermione!" Harry replied as the bushy-haired missile glomped him, earning a chuckle from Shacklebolt. Hermione looked at the source of the laughter, then quickly released her victim.

"Hermione, meet Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt." Harry waved one hand towards the tall man. "He's been assigned to protect me until we reach the Hogwarts Express. Kingsley, this is one of my two best friends, Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her year."

"Harry!" Hermione half-protested before turning to face Kingsley and bobbing in a slight curtsey. "A pleasure to meet you, Auror Shacklebolt."

"The honour is mine." Kingsley replied smoothly.

"Umm, not that I'm complaining," Harry prefaced his question, "But… aren't you a little early?"

"Power blackout at home." Hermione sighed. "Mum and Dad were making jokes about candlelit dinners, so I decided to leave them to it. Is that room still available for me?"

"Always." Harry smiled. "Do you want Herriet to bring your things over so you don't disturb your parents?"

"That would be nice. Thanks."

"Consider it done." Harry grinned. "I assume you've got your list?"

"There aren't any Potions or DADA books on it." Hermione fretted, pulling said list out of her pocket. "Look, it doesn't even have Potions Kits on the list… Harry, why are you smiling like that?"

"Let's just say that I've already met this year's DADA teacher…" Harry smirked.

"Ha-aaarrry…"

.

.

"Lord Black."

"Narcissa." Sirius replied as Remus backed out of the room, leaving the woman he had escorted from the front gates of Hogwarts alone with him.

"I heard that you had accepted the position of Defense Professor."

"Your sources are very good." Sirius noted and Narcissa briefly smiled at the subtle compliment, then she held up a medallion.

"This was given to me as protection against the curse on the DADA position. It will prevent the curse from acting on you, but only so long as you serve only a single year."

Sirius accepted the medallion and carefully placed it on the desk.

"Why give it to me?"

Narcissa sagged. "I have already lost too many members of my family. I would prefer not to lose any more."

Rather than verbally reply, Sirius walked over and gave his cousin a hug.