Harry Potter And So It Begins

During the second week of July their O.W.L.S. arrived and everyone was excited to find out they had at least passed most of their exams. As the new Head of Gryffindor, Raven looked over everyone's results. When he came to Ron, Harry and Neville's results in Potions he looked worried. "Well," he began, "you three easily qualify for most of the classes needed for Auror training but... I'm going to be honest. It won't be easy to get you into Potions and I'm sorry Neville but my Aunt is going to be even harder to convince to let you into her class."

He saw the look of defeat on their faces and Neville looked like he was about to cry. "Hey," he continued, "I said she'd be harder, I didn't say she was impossible," he smiled. "If you really want in the class you'll just have to work at it. I think I can convince her to give you private lessons on the weekends and an equivalency test before school starts. If you pass the test to her satisfaction, then she should let you in." Neville thought about it and agreed to the terms.

"Now Snape's going to be a problem for you three," Raven told them. "I'm going to ask him to make an exception in your cases but... the only way I can think of him going for it would involve a lot more humiliation and work. So I need you to be absolutely certain that this is what you want." They all thought about it for a few minutes but agreed that this is what they wanted. "Okay, so the terms will be that your work will must remain at minimum an 'E' or you will be dropped from the class. That will include homework, classwork and exams." They all groaned.

"It's either that or you find new career choices." At that they shut up. "Okay then, I can guarantee that he will grade your work fairly and by N.E.W.T. standards. In addition, neither he nor anyone under his direction or knowledge will sabotage your work. Though if the Slytherins do something without him having any clue about it, that's another story." They agreed to the terms and began to mentally prepare themselves for the coming year.

They spend the next couple of weeks learning hand-to-hand combat and doing their summer homework. Neville was so determined to follow in his father's footsteps he had talked Raven's Aunt into giving him extra lessons after training. In addition, he spent his free time either in the basement or one of the two libraries.

The following week Raven began teaching them how to incorporate their wandless magic with their hand-to-hand skills. "This is the most effective and deadliest form of magical combat." He demonstrated on a log that Charlie levitated in front of him. "As you make contact, think about the spell and feel it flow through you and into the target. "REDUCTO." Their eyes widened as they watched the log reduced to splinters.

They continued to work on this for the rest of the month and had all agreed to use the stunning spell instead. This resulted in them being able to continually deliver a knock out punch every time. This in turn taught them to combine the shielding charm with their blocks.

For Harry and Neville's birthdays they were given the day off and had a daylong celebration, which ended in a huge party that night. Neville was doing so well in his lessons that Relina told Raven she didn't foresee a problem with Neville passing the test and continuing with her class upon their return to Hogwarts. "He's so much like Frank," she told him. "He has to work harder than others, but once he sets his mind on something he'll do whatever it takes to reach his goal."

The next morning at breakfast Raven was reading the Daily Prophet when he suddenly got up and left the table. "Free day, I'll be back late," he said before disappearing.

The teens quickly went to see what was in the Prophet that could have set Raven off like that. Hermione read the front page and gasped. As the others gathered around her, they saw what it said on the front page.

"They can't be serious," Ginny said.

"This has to be a joke," Ron added.

"If it is then it's the worst one I've ever heard of," Susan chimed in.

"I wish it was," Harry added sadly.

"They can't do this again." Neville was worried. "Can they?" he asked sadly.

Raven Apperated right in the middle of the Ministry of Magic and ignored the guard as he went in search of the Minister's Office. Several Aurors soon greeted him as he made his way to the elevator. Among them were Shacklebolt and Tonks, who looked like she was just waiting for an excuse to jinx him.

"Raven," Kingsley said trying to defuse the situation he knew was about to happen. "You need to check your wand with the guard."

Raven just smirked. "I haven't had a wand since Hogwarts, Kingsley. Now please let me through so I can have a few words with your boss." He watched Tonks as her anger grew. His heart ached to see her again and though he did still love her, he knew he lost any chance at a life with her the day he walked out of her life nearly ten years ago.

"You still need to check in at the desk LORD Raven." Tonks said with venom in her voice.

Her words cut him like a knife. She never used his title before, knowing how much he hated to be reminded of his station. With his best-practiced smile he politely replied. "I'm sorry. I forget. You see I'm a bit of in a hurry. Now if you'll forgive me, I believe the Minister is expecting me."

He gave them a parting nod as he said, "Deslegrate demoria tempra et intervalia." In a blinding flash of flames, he was gone leaving Tonks fuming.

"Hurry up," she yelled at the others. "He's gone to Fudge's office."

"How do you know?" Dollish asked.

"I was engaged to the bastard," Tonks snapped. "I know his spells. NOW MOVE!" Her voice left no room for arguments. The Aurors boarded the lifts and proceeded to the Minister's floor.

You haven't changed one bit, she cursed him. Always having to show off and walking out on me again. Tonks had spent years trying to forget Raven and she almost had until she found out a few months ago that he was back. He had sent her a letter of condolence after her parents' death along with a bottle of elderberry wine. He had known how much she had loved the elfin made wine and his letter had been truly heartfelt, but none of that had mattered to her. She burned the letter and sent the wine back with a rather nasty reply. The truth was that as much as she hated him, right now she needed him and Charlie more than she ever had at school.

If he would just talk to me, apologize for leaving, I'd forgive him. she thought sadly. None of her relationships since he left her had lasted more than a few weeks. A string of failed relationships and one-night stands had left her alone and bitter. She found comfort in her family and work. Charlie wrote to her regularly and would occasionally visit, but since Raven's return Charlie had only visited her a couple of times. She knew Charlie was helping Raven train Harry and the others like Dumbledore had asked, but that hadn't made it any easier to deal with.

Meanwhile in Fudge's office, Fudge was having a VERY bad day indeed. Raven had appeared in a blaze of flame and in his true Fae glory. "Ah, Minister" he spoke in a musical voice, "so kind of you to invite me for a visit."

Fudge nearly fell out of his chair as the half-elf appeared before him. "I... I..." he stuttered trying to compose himself. "Who are you?" he managed to ask.

Raven gave a polite bow. "I am Lord Raven Sirius James Remus Ravenclaw-Shantor. The Lord of Ravenclaw, heir of Rowena Ravenclaw, exiled Prince of Avalon, New Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the new Head of Gryffindor House," Raven smiled using his full title.

"I am here at your invitation to discuss the Minister's newest Educational Decree." Raven locked his golden eye on Fudge. "I am sure that as the Minister of Magic that you are fully aware of the bylaws of Hogwarts Charter."

Fudge puffed himself up with as much dignity and self-importance as he could muster and spoke with what he felt was the dignity of his office. "I am aware of the bylaws and as the Minister of Magic I am well within..." Fudge's face turned a ghostly pale, as his voice was suddenly gone.

"I apologize Minister, but I do not have much time and wish to make this as brief as possible," Raven told him as his Elvin hearing picked up the Aurors approaching the floor above them. "The Charter clearly states that the Ministry may make such decrees as it deems necessary Only with the full support of the board of Governors." He paused long enough to see the smug look on Fudge's face. So the board is in on this as well. Raven made a noted mentally.

"However," Raven continued. "The board ONLY has authority in the absence of an heir of one of founders," Raven mentally smiled as he saw the look of defeat on Fudge's face. "Since I am Rowena Ravenclaw's heir, my authority supercedes that of the Ministry and the Board of Governors. So I would be grateful if you would rescind the Decree and kindly inform the Board that their services are no longer required as I will consult the Headmistress on ALL matters that pertain to the operation of Hogwarts."

The Minister's door burst open and Raven smiled as Tonks and the other Aurors entered. He bowed to the Minister. "I bid you good day Minister." He turned to Tonks and speaks in her mind, "I'll be in the carriage house if you wish to talk." There was another burst of flames as Raven left.