September 1st. London. King's Cross station. Platform 9 3/4.

The train platform which served as the main and seemingly the only route to Hogwarts was packed to the brim with new and returning students with their families, as well as all the foreign exchange students and their families that were present there. They were bidding their children good luck and giving them farewells on their way to Hogwarts, which many of the foreign students, including Mordred, Pyrrha and Fleur, along with their parents found strange.

There have been multiple times when parents and students had asked their guide, namely Minerva McGonagall, as to why they couldn't just use a floo portal to get to Hogwarts, or a Portkey. Her response was the same as always, which was that taking a train to Hogwarts was a tradition of their school and Headmaster wished it to be persevered even with exchange students. Some understood from which angle she was coming from, while others thought that it unnecessarily time consuming and tedious, as it also forced all of the exchange students, with some of which being as far as Finland and Russia, to travel all the way to London and then to load up on the train, where they would spend even more time travelling to Hogwarts.

In other words, there were a lot of people who already didn't have any positive thoughts about this whole exchange program, and Mordred with his family couldn't blame them. After all, he himself wasn't all that thrilled at the idea of going by the steam train to one place he literally has nightmares about. Even if he did use Occlumency to suppress the memories, it would be all for naught as the mental shields would be down once he fell asleep, and young silver-haired Pendragon felt that he wasn't going to get much sleep inside Hogwarts. Good thing that Raven has trained him to go on without having sleep for over 4 to 7 days without negative effects, another perk of Occlumency and also draconian blood of Pendragons. Still, Mordred was going to Hogwarts to do his duty that he chose and nothing was stopping, and his parents and family knew it, as they've come with him to wish him well and see him off. The first one to do so was his mother, who hugged her son tightly.

"Oh, Mordred, if it becomes too hard to be there or if there is something wrong, don't hesitate and come straight back home. And don't forget to send us daily updates and write how you are doing in classes, oh and also to which house got sorted in." Aries instructed her son, before letting him go.

"Is it really that important for you to know into which House I'll be sorted in? I always thought this system kinda outdated and dumb, no offence. And sorry, Mom, but I doubt I'll end up in Ravenclaw, despite how much Sona and Grayfia had spent time with me in the library." Mordred told her.

"I wouldn't mind if you were a Ravenclaw, Mordred, but I know that where I am a person of thought, you are a person of action, and those aren't often found in Ravenclaw. I will be happy with you being in any House, since all of them have their own distinct positive sides. Even Slytherin." Aries assured Mordred. "Just try not to fall into any of the traps that Dumbledore and his cronies will set up. Stay always close to Pyrrha and Fleur or Aurors from other countries, and don't trust British Aurors, they are on Dumbledore's side first and foremost. And most importantly- try not to fall dead asleep on one of Binns' lectures about goblins and giants." That got a chuckle from Aries, Mordred and Arthur.

"I'll do my best, but if what you two have told me about that Binns character is true, then I'm not making any promises." Mordred told them, before his mother suddenly remembered something and gave him an envelope.

"This is from Grayfia, Raynare and Sona, since they couldn't be here, so they've asked me to give you this. Make sure to read it and reply on it when you get to Hogwarts, and don't forget about it. You know how worrisome they can get." Aries said, with Mordred nodding to her and taking the envelope, before he continued to his father and Gawain.

"Good luck in Hogwarts, son, and in case you do up in Gryffindor, try not to make McGonagall too mad at you. That woman can be almost as scary as your mother when she gets serious." That earned Arthur an elbow to his ribs. "Ow, sorry, honey. But in all seriousness, Mordred: maintain vigilance and don't let them catch you off-guard."

"I'll remember it, Dad." Mordred promised to him, before turning to Gawain. "Hard to believe that you've taken time to see me off, brother. I thought you were practically married to your job."

"You make it sound like I'm a workaholic, Mordred. I'd never miss such an event, and I believe I still haven't." Gawain chuckled to him, before hugging him for a bit. "You take good care of yourself and girls out there, Mordred. And if you need any help, or there will be something wrong happening in Hogwarts, let me know through Valerio. We'll have you and everyone else out of there in no time."

"Will do, Consul." Mordred jokingly said, before turning to Morgan and Charlotte. "Any words of encouragement before I'll be off?"

"Nah, just get on the train and go teach those suckers what it means to mess with Pendragons." Morgan flashed her brother a predator-like grin. "And if you happen to see Tonks there and she tries to mess with you, just do what I did to her throughout the year she was in my class."

"And what's that?" Mordred asked her.

"Punch her in the face, obviously." Morgan and Mordred laughed at that one, with their parents and Gawain only shaking their heads at that one, before Charlotte coming closer and hugging her brother.

"I'll write to you every day and I'll pray that God be on your side, brother. Just make sure to come back to us safe and sound and as soon as possible." Charlotte said in a vulnerable tone of voice, with Mordred hugging her closer. "Do you really have to do this, Mordred?" She asked for the last time.

"I do, little sis, and I'll be back home before Christmas, if all goes well." Mordred told her, letting her go.

"French and Germans thought the same in 1914, and what came of thinking like that?" Charlotte reminded her brother. "Best you don't tell the Lord your plans, lest you want to entertain him with your future misfortunes."

"I'll keep that in mind, and I'm not going off to fight a World War I, only steal the single most dangerous artefact in existence from a veritable fortress." Mordred jokingly said, before the train was starting the boarding procedure. "Well, it's time for me to be off. See you all soon!" Mordred decided not to say goodbyes and instead went on ahead to board the train.

Among the crowds of boarding students, Mordred managed to navigate his way through the hall and find himself an empty compartment. Before he entered inside, he used a little bit of magic to inscribe on the door a special rune, invisible for most that see it, but visible for Pyrrha and Fleur, so that they may find him. They've already decided to ride together and this was their way to ensure that they've found each other. And while Mordred was waiting for the girls to make their way to him, he decided to read what Grayfia, Raynare and Sona had written to him, as he opened up the envelope. To his surprise, there was only one letter inside, a silver ring with an emerald in it, and an oddly familiar locket, which Mordred took immediately and examined.

It didn't take him long to recognize the locket of Salazar Slytherin, the very same thing that Kreacher had tried to use to take revenge on Mordred for dissolving House Black. And while the memories of that incident were unclear in Mordred's mind, he did recall some of it and it was enough to make him feel uncomfortable. But he quickly brushed those thoughts aside as he noticed that the locket looked different from what it used to be.

The locket wasn't just made out of gold and emerald as it was before, but now had also platinum in it, and emeralds were replaced with rubies. The letter "S" in front of the locket was replaced with a Welsh Dragon made of the rubies, with no trace of the previous owner on it. On the other side there was now a figure of a robed woman, made out of platinum and only two small emeralds placed where her eyes are. The locket was clearly remade with some very exquisite craftsmanship and there was strong magic felt in it, one that wasn't of the malicious type. As for the ring, Mordred saw that there were very small runes inscribed on inner side of it, as well as that the ring was also enchanted, though not as strongly as the locket. Having examined them, Mordred finally opened up the letter and began to read it.

"Mordred,

First off, I would like to apologize from all of our staff, including Raynare and Sona, for not being at the station to see you off, as well as for Lady Pendragon deliver it to you. It wasn't my intention to have you deceived, only to make sure that the information that is stated in this letter does not fall into anyone else's hands.

I am certain you have noticed the two pieces of jewelry that were in the envelope with the letter and have questions as to why they were there and of their magical properties. The locket, as I'm certain you have already guess was once Slytherin's locket, was remade by a friend of mine and completely purged of all traces of Slytherin magic in it, as well as Voldemort's spirit. It now possesses several enchantments, which I believe will be quite useful in Hogwarts.

The first one is a shielding charm, that will block any attempts at reading your mind by anyone, even someone of Dumbledore level. The second enchantment is a very powerful stealth charm, or Notice-Me-Not charm, as British call it. It works through enveloping you in an aura, that masks your presence from all, with neither smell, sound or any magical trace being leaked from you. This will allow you safely navigate Hogwarts and its grounds, without anyone noticing you. The two charms do not work at the same time, so if you wish to activate one, then turn the locket whichever side you need. The side with dragon on it is for mental enchantment, the other side with robed witch is for stealth charm. Once you wear it, the charms will activate.

There is also another enchantment that was placed upon it, which can only be activated when the locket is open. To open the locket, you would need to say in Parseltongue "I require assistance, Grayfia", and it will activate a Portkey that will transport me to your location, without any wards interfering with the travel. Once there, I will do whatever you need to be done, but please use this only as the absolute last resort.

Now, as for the ring, it also has an enchantment upon it, which is a highly sophisticated and precise potions and charms detector. The stone upon the ring will turn purple if the drink or food you hold in your hand or by a spoon is spiked with some form of relatively harmless potion, red if there is as a love potion or any other amorous potion used in it, black if there is a poison, white if there is some kind of mind altering potion, and yellow if there is some kind of charm on. The last one applies also to the places, so if you are standing near something charmed for some kind of very specific purpose, like to hide something, then the ring will notify you of it and a yellow line will extend from the stone to show you where that charm is.

Mordred, once you arrive in Hogwarts and get yourself settled in, I need you to do something for me. It is paramount that you do exactly as I tell you, for it will serve to expedite the completion of your mission. I need you to find a certain place in Hogwarts, and that is the Room of Requirement, a room which can generate anything that the seeker may wish for. The room is located on the seventh floor in the left corridor of the Hogwarts castle and has a hidden entrance opposite the tapestry depicting the attempt of Barnabas the Barmy to teach trolls ballet. The way to open the room is to walk past it three times thinking about what you need, and the door will appear. You must be very specific and very clear about what you require, and what you need to think about is to find the source of Hogwarts' power. Think of it and only of it, do not think of anything else. As for what that source is, it will be best if you encounter it yourself, but trust me when I say this: it shall be your most valuable ally in Hogwarts and most definitely will become your foremost protector while you are there.

Mordred, I want you to know that over the years I have known and cared for you, you have become like a son to me, and like your mother, I am too not denied the fear for your safety and life. I implore you to be as careful as you can be and not give into your worse impulses, despite how much people around you may try to provoke you. Trust only in Pyrrha and Fleur, for they are as loyal to you as your parents are loyal to each other, and do not be haste to trust others in Hogwarts, even if you know them, like with Daphne Greengrass. While people like her may not be on the side of Dumbledore, they may still help your enemies without even realizing it, and you should keep it in mind.

Please be safe, do your duty and return back home once the Stone is gone for good.

Sincerely,

Your loyal and caring friend

Grayfia"

Mordred read the letter and while he didn't hold any anger or grudge over what Grayfia did, he was certainly intrigued by what she had written in there. He will definitely investigate this Room of Requirement and find out what that source of Hogwarts' power is, and he will definitely keep the presents that Grayfia had made to him. He put the ring on his finger, and locket on, hiding it beneath his clothes. Once he was done, the door into his compartment opened up with Fleur and Pyrrha getting in.

"Finally, I was starting to think if you've forgot to board the train with the rest of us." Fleur huffed, as she entered the compartment with Pyrrha, putting her baggage in place. "Do you have any ideas just how many boys from the ages of 14 to 18 have tried to make a move on us, while we were looking for you?"

"I don't know, but I'll wager that the two of you had every boy's attention, when you've passed him." Mordred replied, with the girls taking their seats, with Pyrrha sitting in front of Mordred, while Fleur took her seat next to Mordred. "Hopefully, they weren't too persistent or loose with their hands."

"Why? Would it make you angry if they were even a little bit loose towards us?" Fleur teased Mordred a little, with Pyrrha shaking her head at that.

"It would, and it would a good enough excuse to teach them some manners when dealing with ladies as beautiful and precious as you are." Mordred told Fleur, with her smiling to him, while Pyrrha felt a little bit of heat rising to her cheeks. "These British wizards may play quidditch well and proper, but they are as improper with ladies as they are upstart. And they have no business trying to get close to you."

"You always know just what to say to make a girl feel loved and cared for, Mordred." Fleur said with a wink to him, before Pyrrha replied.

"There were a few improper students, but none that tried to impose themselves upon us with unwanted attention, not after we've told them that we are your friends." Pyrrha told Mordred, before Fleur had another chance to try to flirt with Mordred. "The moment they heard about it, they've back off completely, or treated us with rather unfriendly looks. Something tells me that we won't make a lot of friends while we are there."

"I personally am not looking forward to making any friends there, or being sorted into any of their Houses." Fleur commented. "What kind of medieval system is that, to divide students by their personalities instead of their academic potential and talents? And don't even get me started on that racism and prejudice that rules over Hogwarts. Did you know that there have been no Veelas, Nephilims, or hybrids studying there? The non-human rights in this country are border-line fascistic, with my kind and many others not even allowed to set foot on their precious island, because they believe us to be Dark creatures."

"Well, if we go by their logic, then they should also deport me, along with you, Fleur, since I'm ¼ Nephilim." Mordred commented. "But you are right about the prejudice and racism in here. These people are quite close to being considered fascist, if you take into consideration what laws they have in regards to non-magical population or first generation Wizards and Witches. I can't even imagine how did my father and grandmother could live in such a close-minded society."

"How about we change the topic, so as to not sour the mood?" Pyrrha offered, and the other two agreed. "Mordred, I've noticed you now have a ring on your left hand. Since when do you wear jewelry."

"Oh, it's a present from Grayfia, along with Raynare and Sona. It's an enchanted ring that will inform me if my food or drink are spiked with something, or if there is some kind of enchantment or charm near me. She also gave me a locket that will shield my mind and can also act as a stealth generator." Mordred pulled out the locket, with girls looking at it with unhidden interest.

"Wow, sounds very expensive to make, and looks just as expensive as it sounds." Fleur said, looking at the locket. "Grayfia must've borrowed a lot of money from your parents to have it made, because I don't see how a simple maid would be able to pay for it."

"Well, Grayfia isn't a simple maid, but head maid of Pendragon household, and she has been in this position for a very, very long time. She must've amassed a fortune over the decades she worked for Pendragons." Pyrrha said to Fleur. "I heard from my mother that Grayfia has been in Pendragon household longer than any other Nephilim maid or butler. She even said to me that she couldn't imagine House Pendragon without Grayfia in it, since she must've served more than a century in the household."

"Grayfia told me that she served House Pendragon since the end of the Great Magical War, and hasn't left her post since." Mordred told them, surprising them both. "According to Raynare and Sona, Grayfia is among the oldest living Nephilims, being almost a thousand years' old and have even witnessed the times of Merlin, King Arthur and Mordred the Avenger. Sona even speculated that Grayfia was either a student or even a teacher to Morgana Le Fay herself."

"That's got to be just rumors. I can believe that Grayfia is old enough to have known Morgana Le Fay, but to be her student or even a teacher? I don't buy it." Fleur said.

"I once tried to ask her about it, and all that Grayfia replied to me was that she doesn't want to talk about her past and that I would do best not to ask." Mordred told them. "She sounded… sad and hurt when she spoke of those times. I think that Pendragons weren't the only ones who had it rough in those times. But as for that rumor about being apprentice of Morgana, I think that one might be true, because Raynare and some other Nephilims have told me that while Grayfia may not be the eldest, but she is definitely one of the most powerful Nephilims in history, and her magical abilities are unique to her alone."

"What do you mean by that?" This time, it was Pyrrha who asked him a question.

"I mean, that she has far more knowledge about some of the most obscure and even forgotten types of magical arts, like necromancy, time manipulations, geomancy and so forth. She is even proficient in the Old Way to the point of Raven even saying that she wouldn't dare to challenge Grayfia to a fight in the Old Way, and she isn't someone to say something like that lightly." Mordred told them, impressing the girls. "And that's not to mention her knowledge of more commonly used magical arts, like transfiguration, charms, curses and spells, the stuff that wizards and witches use today. And she knows them all better than even Sona does."

"Nephilims don't usually learn to utilize human magic, much less master it." Fleur mused, before deciding that it was time to put into motion the plan she had in her head. "Mordred, why don't you grab us some tea? The ride is going to a long one, and I doubt that there will be any stops, so what better way to spend our time than with tea and a good company?"

"Well, I may not be able to read the tells, as Raynare once told me, but I do know when ladies wish to be left alone. I'll see what I can find in here." Mordred chuckled, before rising up and leaving the compartment.

"Fleur, what's this about?" Pyrrha immediately caught on that Fleur had some kind of plan in her head. "I hope it's not another one of those pranks of yours. Remember how Mordred reacted to the last one?"

"Calm down, it's not about that. I just wanted to make sure that we would have a few minutes to talk privately." Fleur told Pyrrha, taking a breath in. "Alright, no point of avoiding it or beating around the bush. Pyrrha, do you love Mordred?" Fleur asked with full seriousness in her voice, shocking Pyrrha.

"Wh-what kind of q-questions is that?!" Pyrrha shouted out at Fleur, rising up on her feet. "I-Is this another one of y-your games, Fleur?! If so, then I have no intention to…"

"Pyrrha, I am completely serious with you, and I am asking you this question because I need to know." Fleur told her. "Because I've long understood to myself that I love Mordred, and I wish him to be happy and to with those that he can love and care for. I, obviously, wish to be one of those special people, because I love him with all my heart, and I also need to know if you too love him, Pyrrha." Pyrrha knew Fleur all too well, and she knew that right now she was completely serious.

"Do I love him?" Pyrrha asked Fleur, once she took a breath and calmed down. "Do you really need to ask this question, Fleur? Of course I love Mordred, more than anyone and I would follow him to the debts of hell just to keep him safe. He was my first friend and had helped me become who I am, and without him in my life, I can even picture myself. He is like a part of my being, source of my courage and resolve to move forward and strive to be better. He is like the air that fans my fire, and I wish to preserve it, no matter what."

"You know, have you ever thought about poetry? I think you might actually have some talent in you, behind all that Amazon princess exterior." Fleur chuckled a little, while Pyrrha glared at her. "I'm just saying, nothing more, but I am glad that we've sorted this one out so quickly, because now you and I have a problem we need to deal with. I believe you know which I'm referring to?"

"Which one is going to be with Mordred." Pyrrha voiced it. "No matter what happens, I'm not backing down, and no matter what you have to say will not make waver."

"I'd be sorely disappointed if you did waver and quit, because that would mean you aren't even capable of fighting for your happiness with him." Fleur stated to Pyrrha. "But I am glad that you aren't backing down, because I am exactly the same way."

"Then, what are we to do then? Let Mordred make his choice between the two of us?" Pyrrha asked Fleur, before answering to that herself. "Mordred cares equally for both of us, we are his oldest and closest friends and he would sooner hurt himself than see one of us in tears. I fear that he might just choose to not be with either of us, and if that happens…"

"Then both of us will be in tears, and that isn't acceptable to me." Fleur said to Pyrrha. "Which is why I propose a compromise."

"What compromise?" Pyrrha looked at her curiously, before figuring it out herself. "Wait… You don't mean that we… Share Mordred? Fleur… S-Such a thing hasn't been done in Wizarding World f-for years now! I-it would be seen as improper and…"

"And what, Pyrrha? Polygamy, while not the most popular thing in our Wizarding world, but it had always been a part of it, in one form or the other. Even if nobody likes to talk about and just prefer to keep quiet about, but it is still a fact that it is a part of our life that nobody has tabooed." Fleur told Pyrrha, who was starting to calm down again. "True, it hasn't been practiced for a long time in the wizarding world, including in Pendragon bloodline, and there are reasons as to why this hasn't always worked out, but between us and Mordred, I believe we that we can make this work, considering that the three of us are practically already a family, and I do think of you as a sister, in much the same way as I see Gabrielle."

"I am touched, Fleur, and I do too care for you as if you were my own sister, but are you certain that we can make this even work? I mean, you are a Veela, at least partially, and Mordred is…"

"One quarter Nephilim, with the body and mind of a young man, as well as magical aptitude equal to that of legends. If anything that Raynare and Grayfia had told us about the Nephilim-Human hybrids is true, then Mordred wouldn't oppose to being with us both at the same time." Fleur argued her point to Pyrrha.

"And what about his father? He is half-Nephilim from his mother's side and he is only with Lady Pendragon. I doubt that Lord and Lady Pendragon would be thrilled to know that their son will be married to two girls at the same time." Pyrrha argued back.

"Lord Pendragon's Nephilim side is a more dormant one, if Grayfia is to be believed, while with Mordred, it is a more active one, equal in influence and power to his human side, which is why he is that much more powerful than a normal wizard." Fleur reminded to Pyrrha. "And I think your worries on the subject of Lord and Lady Pendragon are baseless. Their first priority will be to see Mordred happy, and let's be honest, do you really think that either of us would tolerate any other hussy being near him?" Fleur crossed her arms on her chest with her brow elegantly pointing upwards.

"No, I wouldn't." Pyrrha admitted, before giving up and leaning back. "Alright, let's say we do this thing, then how do we set this up? I mean, we will be married to him, in the future, right?"

"That is my objective, though there might be some things we need get sorted right away." Fleur told Pyrrha. "First and foremost, my status with Mordred."

"Naturally you would start with yourself beloved." Pyrrha said in a teasing manner.

"I started with me because my situation is a bit more precarious than your, Pyrrha. You marry Mordred, you'll take either the name and title of Pendragon or whatever name he chooses, if he decides to establish his own House." Fleur told Pyrrha. "As for me, that's not as simple as that, because of House Delacour's rather interesting status it finds itself right now. My House has no direct male descendants to continue on the name of Delacour, and it only has two daughters, me and Gabrielle. And that is a dangerous position to be in, Pyrrha, and I don't want for my House to come to an end."

"Then what is your plan to see it prosper?" Pyrrha asked of Fleur.

"Well, it's quite simple really. While you would marry Mordred in a patrilineal marriage, I would marry him in a matrilineal marriage, so that our children with him would bear the name of my House. I would continue being the heiress of my House, as will my children be, while Mordred will assume the role of Regent, in case my father steps down or, may the God protect him, dies." Fleur explained to Pyrrha, who understood now what Veela had in mind, before Fleur sighed a little. "Although to be quite honest with you, my mother would much rather see Mordred not just as a Regent, but a full on Delacour, with all of his treasures and possessions in the hands of House Delacour, or more precisely, hers. I sometimes even question the soundness of her mind, when I hear of her ambitions and how she will make them into reality."

"What do you mean by that, Fleur?" Pyrrha asked of her. "You don't mean to say that your mother would deliberately force Mordred…"

"Oh, I believe she would, if she had the chance to do so, but instead she settled on me going to Hogwarts with you." Fleur told Pyrrha, who was in a light shock after hearing of it. "Pyrrha, Veelas are a highly possessive race, and one that has little regard for certain concepts, especially when it comes to their chosen mates or to power, whether magical or political. And because of that, House Delacour has always been a rather problematic House for Pendragons to deal with. More often than not, my House had found itself as an enemy of House Pendragon, and only relatively recently did our relations improve, thanks to Lord Arthur and my father's friendship. My mother, unfortunately, doesn't seem to notice how her plans may jeopardize the trust my House has restored with such hardships. I'm trying to make sure that my House both prospers and doesn't once again become pariahs."

"I didn't know it was that important for you, Fleur." Pyrrha admitted to her. "Fine, if Mordred doesn't mind this, I'm prepared to talk to my mother about this arrangement. But only if Mordred is also on this."

"Naturally, I would never… What is that sound?' Fleur said, as she and Pyrrha rose up and went to the door, opening it up.

"Ungrateful squib! You have some nerve, to show your face in here!" That voice, while unknown to Fleur and Pyrrha, was shouting at Mordred, who looked rather impassively at the owner of it. "What, didn't you have enough of my family's misery? Just you wait, once we are in Hogwarts, I'll make sure you pay for every knut you and your whore of a mother stole from me!"

"Quite big words, coming from a wet behind his ears child." Mordred commented, before turning to his left. "Oh, Pyrrha, Fleur, sorry I couldn't find us tea. Instead, I found these three ticks sticking to me and trying to piss me off." Mordred pointed towards the trio of what appeared to be first years, consisting of a bushy haired girl and two red headed boys, with one having emerald eyes.

"What did you just call us?!" The second red head shouted at him. "You should be more respectful to us! I'm a Weasley, and this is your brother right here!"

"Brother?" Fleur cocked her brow up at that one, looking at Mordred, before taking a glance of the boy in question.

"Yes, this almost-Weasley is my former younger brother and so-called Boy-Who-Lived, Jamie Potter." Mordred pointed at him.

The boy had the facial features of James Potter, but his hair and eyes were of his mother, Lily Potter, and both Fleur and Pyrrha found that Mordred and Jamie looked practically nothing alike. One looked like a fairy tale prince, while the other looked like a spoiled, bitter and arrogant boy that didn't know his betters, and also one that clearly kept a not so interesting company. The other boy was clearly the youngest of Weasleys, most definitely a lackey and someone who tried to use his position to better himself. Such was the way of Weasleys for ages, ever since they've been driven out of France and their original Noble name was forgotten and removed from all records.

The girl looked rather unimpressive and not very interesting, aside from her longer frontal teeth and bushy brown hair, along with a look that spoke of someone who took great pride in herself. Both Fleur and Pyrrha could see it in her eyes and posture, that this girl thought herself if not superior, then at least better than the two companions she had here with her. And as for the reason why she with them, all three of them guessed that it was either to get into good graces with Jamie Potter and to make him her friend, or to show off, not that it mattered to them.

"Excuse me, but he is the Boy-Who-Lived, and as such you have to show proper respect to him. After all, he is the one who destroyed He Who Must Not Be Named." The girl stated with a pride in her voice. "It is a universally known fact that you, Harry Potter, are a thief and if not for your diplomatic immunity, you would be arrested and sent to jail."

"I am sorry, but who are you, exactly, to call my friend and thief and threaten him with jail, little girl?" Fleur didn't take kindly to her words, as she moved in front of the girl, menacingly. "Why don't you and your two companions run off and leave the grownups to their business, instead trying to show off and make a fool out of yourself."

"Show off?! I am Hermione Granger, and I will have you know…" Suddenly, Hermione's voice gone, but her lips continued to move, as she ranted and didn't even notice how she wasn't even heard by others.

"What a rude girl. I don't think she has a lot of friends." Pyrrha commented, after she casted her silencing charm without a wand.

"Hey, how did you do it? Nobody can do wandless magic! You must be a dark witch!" Weasley shouted at Pyrrha, who stood flabbergast at his proclamation. "I'll report you to the Aurors and have you arrested! And then they…"

"And then I'll have you three put in your compartment without the right to leave." Suddenly, Valerio Medici spoke up, as he appeared behind the trio of first year students, with two more Aurors behind him. "I believe it was made crystal clear, that Hogwarts students weren't allowed in this passenger car, since it is used by the foreign exchange students. Since you three have clearly broken the rule, you'll be reported and I'll see to it that you don't cause any more trouble to anyone." He motioned to his two companions to get the kids out of here.

"This is not over yet, Harry! You'll pay for stealing from me and my family!" Jamie stated to Mordred, seething hatred and malice towards him.

"Good luck with that, thief." Mordred told him back, before nodding to Valerio. "Thanks for getting him and his friends out of here. Though I fear that these three tick will be sucking my blood for a long time now."

"Aren't you afraid that he or his parents might do something to you?" Valerio asked of Mordred, who shook his head.

"Nah, they won't. If they like living as much as they hate me, then they'll not do anything. They are still under the magical contract, so even if they plan something against me, they'll just end up killing themselves." Mordred told Valerio, who understood and recalled it.

"Right, now I remember. Well, I now have to go and explain why did I just put their celebrity under house arrest. I'll come by to talk some time later." Valerio told them, as the trio were starting to get back into compartment.

"And grab us some tea or coffee while you are at it, big brother." Pyrrha asked him, with Valerio giving her a bemused look, as she closed the door behind her.

"You know, sometimes I have to remind myself, that he is your brother, and not your butler." Mordred chuckled.

"Well, if you want, you could always be our butler, Mordred." Pyrrha jokingly offered.

"Yes! You always look fantastic in a suit, and the butler one's would look just as fine! But we'll need to do something about your hair though, not the color, but how it is made…" Fleur made a serious face as she thought about it. "A ponytail, with a black ribbon made into a bow. You would look just so classic and also so…"

"In your dreams, girls. In your dreams." Mordred simply told them, as they laughed and returned to their seats.

The rest of the trip to Hogwarts went relatively quietly and without any trouble for the trio. Valerio did come by later, with a tray filled with snacks and tea and coffee, a gesture that was greatly appreciated by the trio, especially by the girls. They stayed for hours, just talking and spending time together as a family would, and Valerio was most definitely a family to Mordred. A couple of times they've spoken of the mission, but it never was at length or in a particularly deep manner.

They simply exchanged a couple of remarks and nothing more, with none wishing to develop the discussion beyond that point. Valerio didn't press them, simply telling them that he has made sure that his Aurors didn't give them trouble when they go looking for the Stone. Along with that, he instructed them to be extra careful around their British counterparts and teachers, as well as not to trust them. There was also a standing order for them all to look for any unusual things happening in the castle, as those could point them towards Voldemort, who undoubtedly would be somewhere in the area, if not inside the castle proper. Mordred told Valerio, as well as the girls, that if Voldemort does appear in his proximity, even if he is masked or hidden, Mordred will still identify him. When asked how will he know, Mordred simply replied that one never forgets the man that tortured his mind for two years. After that, the questions on that topic seized.

Hogwarts.

After hours and hours of non-stop riding, the train had finally reached its destination and stopped, allowing the students to disembark it. All of the students were leaving the train already dressed in robes, including Mordred, Pyrrha and Fleur, with all three not very impressed or liking them, as they've grown up wearing more comfortable and functional garments. Mordred in particular found robes to be stuffy, difficult to maneuver in a combat situation or of any use when it came to battle.

Having been trained in the Old Ways by Raven, he grew to appreciate garments not by their looks, but by their pragmatic value and functionality, and robes sorely lacked in those. He felt constrained in them, with his movements being just the tiny bit more sluggish-like than they usually are. For a normal wizard, there wouldn't be much of an issue or trouble in this, but for Mordred, who grew up always being ready to fight… Even a slight detriment the speed and reflexes of his body could make all the difference between winning or losing the fight. Raven taught him that lesson all too well.

Once everyone had left the train and were organized into groups, the returning students were going to Hogwarts via what appeared to be enchanted carriages. From the first glance, Mordred believed it to be so, but then he also felt that it wasn't the case and had used his magic to sense if there was something more about those carriages. Turns out, Mordred was correct, as the carriages were being pulled by thestrals, bony and grim looking horse-like creatures, that were invisible for those who hadn't witnessed death and hadn't accepted its reality.

Mordred have read and learned about these interesting creatures from his family's library, as well as from Sona and his mother. His own wand, made out of ebony, possessed a two cores, combined into a singular one, with one being made of the unicorn hair tail, while the other thestral's hair tail. Such a combination would be considered heretical by the British wizards and witches, but in France, it wasn't as uncommon as one would think. While combined cores were very hard in production and only someone of great skill could work with them, Nephilims had hundreds of years in their disposal, and some have used them to become masters of their crafts, like wand making. Mordred's own wand with its cores was now not just very powerful, but also without flaws in performance and power regulation. Even though Mordred had hardly ever put his wand to use, he did take good care of it, as there might come a situation in which he will require it.

While the returning students were going to Hogwarts via carriages, the newcomers, including foreign exchange students were travelling via boats across the lake. The reason as to why the exchange students were making their way via boats alongside the first years was because of Dumbledore's request, so as to allow the newcomers to experience the splendor and magnificence of Hogwarts, just as all those that come here for the first time do. While some were impressed at the sight of the great castle rising above the lake, Mordred wasn't one such person, as his eyes weren't filled with awe and astonishment.

Behind his blue eyes, there was a fire of hatred and fury burning, as well as a ghost of past suffering resurfacing. Hogwarts was the place where he had been magically mutilated and then tossed out like trash, this was the place where his very being and soul had been put through purgatory, before being sent to hell, and yet he survived. And now he was back, forged anew and stronger than ever and he will see his job completed, even if he has to tear this place down one brick at the time. A part of him was more than willing to do so.

Once the boats have reached the shores and students had been allowed to disembark, they've went to the entrance of the castle. It was then when Mordred reached the first steps of the castle that he sensed how the magical energies were starting to encroach on him. He felt as if thousands of the invisible tendrils were starting to crawl upon his skin, a feeling of disgust and anger was spreading through his being. It was clear to Mordred that the castle's energies were trying to get a read on him, to connect with him and reveal his secrets to the master of these energies, Dumbledore.

Young Pendragon wasn't going to allow such a thing to happen, but as he was preparing to unleash a small wave of his energy, he felt how the tendrils suddenly withdrew from him and Hogwarts's magic suddenly shifted around him. He felt like was now standing in the middle of a hurricane of potent magical power, formed by Hogwarts itself, which now seemed to flow around Mordred and sever all the attempts at getting to him through magic. He couldn't quite understand it, but it seemed as if Hogwarts itself was now protecting him from any sort of harm and probing. Mordred speculated that this had something to do with the source of Hogwarts's power, mentioned in the letter by Grayfia. Now he knew for certain that he will investigate it as soon as he has the chance.

Soon after they've entered the castle and right before they reached the doors into the main hall, they were greeted by Minerva McGonagall, who stopped the group and spoke up.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." She greeted them all. "In a few moments you will enter the main hall and join your classmates, but before that you all must be sorted. The Sorting will determine which house you will belong to and with whom you will live while studying here. The Houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin." She said the last part looking at Mordred, who didn't react to it in any way.

"The House you will be sorted in will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points, while your failures will take them away, and at the end of the year, the House with most points shall be awarded the House Cup." She continued. "These are the same rules both for the newcomers, as well as our guest from other countries. Once the Sorting ceremony has been completed, you will be sorted into your classes in accordance to your age. The ceremony shall begin in a few moments." With that said, she immediately left them.

"Sorting into 4 different, obviously competing Houses? What is this, medieval times? Oh wait, it is, at least in these parts of the world." To Mordred's left, spoke up a handsome raven-haired young boy with blue eyes, on whose lips played a light smile, as he turned to Mordred. "And it looks like the Mrs. Deputy Headmistress got her eye on you, Mordred. I'd watch out if I were you, 'cause she seems like the last person you would want to piss off."

"I'll keep that in mind, but who…" Mordred was about to ask, but the boy interrupted him again.

"Whoops, sorry. I sometimes let my mouth get ahead of my brain." He laughed it off, before offering his hand to Mordred. "Blake Rosier, we've actually met some 7 years ago. We were in the same class, back when you attended Beauxbatons, before… Well, before you decided to do something more awesome, from what Charle told me." Mordred shook his hand.

"Yes, I remember you, and I didn't know you were friends with Charlotte. She only lets her friends and family call her Charle." Mordred noted out with a bit of an edge in his voice, at the mention of his surname. "I didn't know she was friends with someone from the Rosier family."

"Yeah, not a fan of the surname either, but I didn't pick it up. I prefer most just call me Blake, and you can relax about me being a member of House Rosier and all that Death Eaters stuff." Blake told Mordred directly, with the latter not sensing even the slightest hint of lies in him. "Never knew much of my father and his family, since he was killed in the war or something like that, and since mom died in childbirth, I was raised by my grandparents in Spain, away from all the nonsense. By the way, out of curiosity, what are you even doing here? I mean, you aren't a student at the Academy, so how did you get roped into all of this?"

"Politics." Was all that Mordred answered, with Blake nodding to him.

"It was one of the conditions of Dumbledore, to have Mordred here if the program was to have a green light." Fleur spoke up, as she came close to them along with Pyrrha. "So you can blame Mordred for us being forced to spend our year here."

"Really? What did you do to the old geezer? Kill his favorite parrot or something?" Blake asked Mordred.

"Among other things, including robbing his favorite arselickers of their money." Mordred replied with a small smirk, which got a laugh out of Blake.

"Yeah, I've heard that one, and from what my grandparents told me, they deserved it." Blake noted, with Mordred nodding to him "So, any guesses to which House you will be sorted to? I personally hope for Hufflepuff."

"Really? Not Gryffindor or Slytherin?" Mordred asked, with Blake blowing a raspberry at the mention of those two Houses.

"These two are overrated, if you ask me, and from what I heard, the one produces prideful, self-centered gits, while the other pumps out scheming, lying sycophants, so no thank you." Blake explained his reasoning. "As for why the Hufflepuff, folks there seem to be the better ilk then the most here, and they actually have a pretty awesome symbol in ratel."

"You mean their badger is awesome?" Pyrrha asked of Blake, who nodded to her.

"Yup, didn't you know that? I mean it's actually the most awesome one of the four, Helga Hufflepuff must've really liked the idea of putting the single beast that neither of the other three can't even kill as her House's symbol." Blake told them. "Ratels, or honey badgers, are some of the most wicked creatures in existence. Their skin and fur are so dense and thick that not even lion's teeth and claws can't pierce, and it can shrug off a bite of a cobra before tearing it to shreds with its claws, literally, plus no bird will ever even be able to grab it, thanks to the fur and skin. I mean, this has got to be some genius level of trolling right there." Blake laughed as he thought about it.

"Now that I think about it…" Pyrrha was about to state her thought, when the doors into the hall opened up and the group was led inside.

The main hall was just as Mordred had remembered it to be, with only now tables and seats placed here, instead of it being completely empty from the last time he was here. The moment he passed the very spot where he Dumbledore and Potters had performed their inhumane ritual upon him, he involuntarily shuddered, being reminded of that event once more. Pyrrha and Fleur saw how uncomfortable he was, and moved closer to him, putting their hands in to his, so as to calm him down. The motion helped and Mordred was glad that they were here with him right now.

Aside from the students, there was also a number of Aurors, both British and foreign, watching the procession pass the hall and heading towards the head table, where all of teachers and senior staff members were seated. Mordred immediately noticed both Potters glaring at him, while he simply answered to their angered looks with his own smirk, as if to challenge them to do something about him. But they didn't, and Mordred didn't pay them much of a mind, before his attention was fixed upon Dumbledore, who looked at him carefully, with a twinkle in his eyes. Already, Mordred could feel that the old goat was trying to pierce his defenses and get inside his mind, but both Hogwarts' protection and his new amulet were stopping him. It was clear that the old man wasn't happy at not being able to read Mordred like a book, but he did hide it well enough, as he rose up to give his speech.

"I have a few words to share, before we begin." Dumbledore began. "First of all, I would like to remind all first year students and our guests that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden for all students to visit. And I would also like to remind everyone that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds for everyone who does not wish to die the most painful death. That is all." He finished, leaving more than a few people guessing as to why he mentioned that floor, except for Mordred.

'The third floor on the right hand side… Is this supposed to be a bait for me, Jamie or Voldemort, or for all of us at the same time?' Mordred thought to himself, before his senses suddenly picked up something that immediately made him tense up, as he sensed an overly familiar presence. 'That presence… He is already here.' But before Mordred could turn his head towards the source of that presence, he suddenly heard how McGonagall spoke up his former name.

"Harry Potter!" She called out, with the hall in murmurs, while Potters, teachers and Dumbledore, as well as some others, have had their sight fixed upon Mordred, who obviously missed the beginning and some part of the sorting ceremony.

"Harry Potter, would please come here to get sorted?" Professor McGonagall called him out again, with Mordred letting out an irritated sigh, but not stepping out, while other students, including many of the first year olds, were starting to glare at him.

"She is calling your name, you should go and get sorted!" Hermione Granger said with force, though to Mordred it seemed more like a joke, but he decided to do so, just to put a quicker end to this.

"Just for the record," The moment he stepped close to Professor, he suddenly grabbed the list out of her hand, shocking most of the hall, including her and Dumbledore, before he conjured up a pen and crossed his name there. "My name is Mordred Arthur Pendragon, son of House Pendragon and if you forget it, Professor, I'll be only glad to remind you." Once he stated it, he shoved the list back into her hands, with his real name written there instead of his former one.

"H-how dare you…" The experienced professor was nearly beside herself at the gall of Mordred, but Mordred didn't care for her ramblings, as he took the hat and placed it on top of his head.

"Oh, what do we have here… Mordred Pendragon, heir to the lines of King Arthur and Morgana Le Fay, and one that seems to be getting an unusual amount of attention and favor from Hogwarts itself." The Sorting Hat spoke in Mordred's mind in an amused tone. "Hm, my how prepared we've come here to me. It has been ages since I met someone whom I couldn't read completely, and yet I can't even see the smallest thing about you… How vexing."

'Like I would reveal a single thing about myself to something like you. Especially given the fact of you being an instrument of Dumbledore's use.' Mordred remarked to the hat, internally happy that it couldn't read him. 'Just get this over with, hat.'

"Well, usually I have to read the mind to understand to which House the student would be best suited for, but unfortunately for you, the choice was made for you already." The Hat revealed to Mordred, who understood that that he was about to be put into one House he didn't want to go. "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Of all the… Bad move, Dumbledore, bad move." Mordred said loud enough so that the headmaster and his deputy heard him loud and clear, before he took the hat off of his head and gave it to McGonagall. "You have my sympathies, Professor."

"Why would I need your sympathies, Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked of him, still fuming at his gall.

"Because I will probably make your life a living hell, as a thank you for forgetting my real name again, and for being placed into one House, where I'll probably have to murder everyone just to get some peace and quiet." Mordred told Professor, who was left shocked at his proclamation, as Mordred walked away from her and headed towards his table.

No applause had followed him, as he sat at the free spot with the students around him giving Mordred some space, which was appreciated. Not that he was interested in any of them, as he recalled sensing a presence that he was about to investigate, before being called out. Once seated, he shifted his gaze around the table, following his senses and, ignoring glares and curious gazes of others, Mordred's vision came upon one of the teachers, who had a turban on his head. The teacher himself was trying not to look at Mordred, and it showed, but it wasn't the man himself that Pendragon was interested in.

It was the parasite that was hidden behind his turban, whose reeking presence Mordred recognized the second her sensed him.

It was Voldemort, and he was here for the Stone, just like he was.

Phew, been a while since I've written such long chapters, but you guys deserve it so I hope you enjoy it. As you can see I did decide to go with the harem route, so as to not leave any of the ladies crying and not cause any form of Pendragon-Delacour conflict or something like that. Not much for me to say at the moment, safe for the fact that you can expect Voldy to be leaving sooner than later.

Oh, and if you have any suggestions about what that source is, feel free to write me in the reviews. Always appreciate your opinion on the subjects.

Next time: Meeting of the enemies; Dragon vs. Serpant