Harry Potter stood in the Champion's tent at the First Task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. At just 14 he was supposed to have been three years too young to enter the competition. He looked back, maybe for the last time if his plan didn't work, at the last month.

Halloween

Harry sat alongside his fellow students, nearly quaking in excitement over the selection process. While he had dreamed of being a Champion, he was looking forward to a calm year at Hogwarts.

Krum, from Durmstrang. Fleur from Beauxbatons. And Cedric from Hogwarts. The Champions were chosen, Dumbledore began his send off speech when the Cup flaired to life again. A new name flew from the flames, Dumbledore caught it as it drifted down.

"Harry Potter." He called out. The whole of the school looked to the Boy-Who-Lived. "HARRY POTTER!" Dumbledore called again. Hermione poked Harry in the side before sending him up toward the trophy room.

Harry had barely sat down when the head's of each school and the Ministry officials came storming in.

Harry didn't remember most of the conversation, right up until the one question that changed his year completely.

"What school is on that?" Professor Snape pointed at the sheet in Dumbledore's hand.

The old man looked, flipped the sheet over. "Potter's School for Warlocks. Well, this does present a much larger problem than I thought."

"How do you mean Dumbledore?" Asked Barty Crouch, one of the Ministry officials.

"Harry James Potter is no longer a Hogwarts student."

The room was quiet.

"The Cup represents a binding Magical Contract, Harry has to compete as this is his name, but if he is to compete he cannot be a student at Hogwarts. Even more of a problem, and I admit I am only revealing this since he is not my student, is that, as he is now participating and the contract is sealed, Harry James Potter is a legal adult in the Wizarding World."

"He is only 14 Albus!" Shouted Ludo Bagman, the other Ministry Official.

"And due to the rules agreed upon by all of the schools, only Wizards 17 and up or otherwise made legal can compete in the Tournament."

"What is the bottom line here then Dumbledore?" Asked Bagman.

"Harry is now, legally speaking, the owner of a school, which grants him rights grounds as large or larger than those here at Hogwarts, provided by the Ministry, and also an adult. Free to use Magic at will, and for any reason. I am sure Harry will do his best to use this freedom responsibly."

November 1st

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione, who had informed him that Ron was furious with him for not letting him in on the secret that got Harry into the Tournament. Harry hadn't been allowed back in the Tower as he was no longer a student of Hogwarts. He had slept in the Hospital Wing at Dumbledore's request.

"So the Cup did all of that? But it is just a Magical item, how can it found a school and kick you out of Hogwarts?" Hermione asked, confused.

"I don't know Hermione. All I know is that it wasn't disputed by the Ministry so it is official." Harry held his head between his hands. "What do I do now?"

Hermione sat in silence, her face screwed up in thought for mere moments before she took off toward the Staff Table, leaving Harry alone once again.

Harry had just started a conversation with Neville when McGonagall and Hermione came up to him. "Professor Potter, would you please come with me?"

Harry's very confused face must not have changed McGonagall's desire to talk as she walked away, assuming he would follow her.

They arrived in the Professor's office in short order, none having talked the whole way. When they got there Dumbledore was already sitting in a chair to one side of the desk.

"Sit Professor Potter, please. You too Miss Granger." McGonagall said as she took her own seat. "Harry, you are aware of your new responsibility as the Head of a Magical School, however, I want to explain what that really means."

"Perhaps I should do that Minerva." Dumbledore said, leaning forward. She nodded. "Harry, as of last night, you have not only responsibility over yourself, but of any students you wish to enroll, and you will need students, at least 10, to remain free of Ministry fees and fines and possibly time in Azkaban. You won't need them until next year, however, Hogwarts would like to help with that, but we shall come back to that.

"Should you allow a Muggle-Born into your school, you will become their Magical Guardian, the same goes for students without parents such as yourself. While they may live with other relatives or their God Parents, you will ultimately be responsible for them. You will also have to find teachers as your student body grows, decide what subjects you teach, and find ways to fund your school.

"Hogwarts was founded to be run by a group, your school is an anomaly, as such you have complete right of control. Now, back to your student body. Technically, as the Champion for your school you are a student, but that will only last for the year. I will be talking to several students, some you know, some you don't, that I think could make a huge mark for your school. If they wish to go, I will talk to their parents or Magical Guardian to see if they will be allowed.

"Until the Ministry gives you grounds, which I doubt they will before Summer, you will be allowed to remain here on the Hogwarts grounds. We can work out details this evening. For now, Miss Granger has come to Professor McGonagall and myself with a request I am tempted to grant, assuming her parents allow it. She has asked to be allowed to transfer from Hogwarts to Potter's School for Warlocks."

"HERMIONE!" Harry bellowed in surprise. "You can't do that, I don't have the means for you to get a proper education. I don't even have books or…"

"I can help with that Harry, don't worry about me, you need someone in your corner right now. I know at least five other people who will join us as well. If you'll allow me to talk to them Professor Dumbledore."

The elderly man nodded, a twinkle in his eye. "I am guessing you can come up with a few teacher's as well Miss Granger?"

Hermione bit her lip, a worried look on her face. "I think so."

"Then it is settled for now. I will speak to your parents, some students, and make a few allowances. I will have something set up for your school this evening Harry, and we will meet again then. Now, Hermione, I suggest sending letters to those teachers first would be good, and then talking to those friends you have. Harry, I recommend to you, that you start formulating plans for your school. Everything else can go on hold for now. As you know, all Magical Schools use Houses, so you should start there."

Effectively dismissed, Harry and Hermione left the office, hearing McGonagall start talking to Dumbledore as the door closed behind them.

"Who are you going to talk to Hermione?"

"I don't want to make any promises yet Harry, can I use Hedwig?"

"Sure… Hermione, you know you don't have to do this right? All of this can be cleared up later, I'm sure."

"I know I don't have to. But this can't be cleaned up Harry, binding Contract remember? I'll meet up with you in the Library in a few hours, okay?"

And Hermione took off at a run down the abandoned hall.

November 1st End of Day

Harry arrived at Dumbledore's office just after dinner. Hermione was beside him, nearly dragging him through the door as they entered. They took the two chairs opposite Dumbledore's desk.

"Harry, Miss Granger, I have tasked some of the Professors to construct a small building on the grounds, near the Forbidden Forest, for Potter's School to use. I have sent owls to some families, and wrote slips of permission for some students. Miss Granger, do you have a list of those students you spoke to today?"

She slid a folded piece of parchment across the desk. "These are the ones who agreed."

Dumbledore's eyebrows raised as he read the list. "Indeed? Very interesting list. I shall make arrangements. A fair few more said yes than was expected but I shall honor my desire to help. Now, Harry, have you designed a system for your school? Houses and symbols?"

"I believe so. The Phoenix, The Basilisk, The Dragon, and The Thunderbird."

"That is… interesting. Their characteristics? You will need something to make decisions based on."

"Phoenixes value the ability to change and grow above everything. Basilisks value secrecy and hidden talents used to their highest point. Dragons value control and strength. Thunderbirds value knowledge and status."

Again Dumbledore's brows rose. "You'll allow secrecy in your school?"

"Not secrecy. I want students to be able to use any talents no matter how the rest of the world would see them. Talents like Parseltongue."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, seeing Harry's point. "Your choice of course. I am guessing those traits shall get better defined by time. I will ask Professor's McGonagall and Flitwick to create something special for the selection process. Once those Houses are more concrete you can rebuild the process."

"Thank you Professor." Harry said, nodding his thanks.

A sharp knock came at the door. "Enter." Called the Headmaster.

Professor McGonagall stepped into the office. "Everything is set Albus. Would you like me to escort Potter and Miss Granger down?"

"Yes, please. Thank you Minerva."

The three moved down the castle and into the dark grounds. Their wand tips glowed as they travelled across the grounds, toward the Forbidden Forest. Harry saw, as they got closer, a large two story building. It looked small on the Castle Grounds, but it's two stories and separated wings, it would look in place only on a large patch of its own land. Harry wondered just how many students Dumbledore thought he would get in just a year.

They entered the building into a large, open entrance, tables spread through the room with long benches along the walls. In the center of the room were bookcases, empty but large. Sitting at one of the tables were two people Harry hadn't thought he'd see for some time.

"Sirius! Remus!" He ran up and hugged each man. "What are you two doing here? Wait, Sirius you can't be here. You'll get caught!"

"Relax Harry, I invited them. They are here to help teach. Sirius won't be caught, he can use polyjuice for now, we can figure everything else out later. Harry, I'd like you to meet Remus Lupin, Professor of Charms, Potions, and History of Magic. And Sirius Black, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology."

Harry looked back and forth between Hermione and the two men. "He… but…"

Sirius let out a barking laugh. "Calm down Harry, I will be using a muggles hair to transform for the remainder of the year. I will be working with a friend of mine to get this mess with the Ministry cleared."

Slowly, Harry nodded, accepting the strangeness. He turned back to McGonagall, "care to show us around?" She smiled softer than Harry had ever seen from her.

"I will let you discover the rooms yourself. To the left and right on this floor are classrooms. The stairs behind the bookcases lead directly to the office of the Headmaster, and to the right of that are the boy's dorms, girls to the left. You'll all be able to eat at the Castle so there is no kitchen or mess hall. Simple layout. Get rest Harry, we trust you. Trust yourself."

McGonagall left without another word. Harry sat down with the others in the room and started catching up, organizing what to do, and learning what he could.

November 10th

Harry had just finished breakfast when Hedwig flew in and landed beside him. She held her leg out while he took the rolled parchment from her leg then took two large pieces of bacon and flew off. Harry read the letter quickly, Hermione reading over his shoulder, which he had quickly become accustomed to while ordering things they would need for the School.

They gathered their things and swiftly left toward the new School Building. Harry would have found it odd that Ron didn't say anything but the hot headed boy still hadn't talked to him and Harry was in no mood to care. They booked it directly to Harry's new office and were greeted by Dumbledore as he turned from looking out the rather large window behind the desk.

"Thank you for meeting with me at such short notice Harry. I just received the last permission for transferring students this morning and wanted to start the sorting as soon as possible. Here," he held out a list. "Are all of the students with permission to transfer to Potter's School for Warlocks."

Harry took the list and read through it quickly, noticing several things. First, there were many students Harry didn't know. Second, there were students from each House. Third, there were students from various years but not all.

Gryffindor:

Neville Longbottom

Ginny Weasley

Pavarti Patil

Colin Creevey

Denis Creevey

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Angelina Johnson

Katie Bell

Ravenclaw:

Luna Lovegood

Cho Chang

Su Li

Padma Patil

Hufflepuff:

Susan Bones

Hannah Abbott

Zacharias Smith

Slytherin:

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Tracey Davis

"Wow… that... that is a lot of students…"

"I know Daphne and Tracey from Runes, they aren't like most Slytherins if that helps."

Harry gave her a look then turned back to Dumbledore. "Were the Professors able to create something for us to sort them with?"

Dumbledore pulled four coins from his pocket, alongside a sheet of paper. "The coins will duplicate with the correct House, allowing them a token to carry with them for life if they want. They simply place their hand on the sheet. Not as fancy as the sorting hat, but I am sure you'll find something. The students are waiting for you in the Hall."

Harry found himself a bit nervous as he looked out over the faces in the Hall. These students chose to follow him and leave Hogwarts to help him in some way. Harry spoke nervously to the crowd, "Welcome, each of you, to Potter's School for Warlocks. You have all been told that this was forced upon me by the contract of the Cup, and seem to believe that I do not want this. I thank you for coming and choosing to stand beside me, even at a school with no past, reputation, or indeed, students.

"I would love to give a large speech, but we all have things to do today, most of you will be settling in here instead of the Castle. Professor's McGonagall and Flitwick joined together to craft these." He held out the coins and paper. "Like Hogwarts and most other Magical Schools, Potter's School will be separating students into Houses. Here we will have the Noble Thunderbird, desiring of those whose status and knowledge feed their lives. Then we have the Mighty Dragon, strength and control will bring you satisfaction. The Royal Phoenix takes only beings of change. While the deadly Basilisk adopts those whose talents would otherwise be hidden from the world.

"As I have to be a student to compete in the Tournament, I will be serving both the role of Headmaster and student this year. We are small in number and our sorting is not yet perfected. I will get sorted first, that way you can see how it works, then we shall go from oldest to youngest." He set the coins in a semicircle around the page and placed his hand on it. Each coin duplicated and stacked, then duplicated and stacked, six times this continued before the Thunderbird stopped duplicating, two more and the Phoenix stopped, following that so did the Dragon, leaving a large pile of Basilisk coins, the top of which floated down to land next to Harry's hand as the other coins seemed to melt away. Harry picked up the coin, the robes he was wearing glowed softly in a white light until they settled into a deep emerald green color with a large basilisk etched in white on the back.

Harry looked down at himself when the light finally faded. "Now that is awesome Magic." The golden coin in his hand melted and slid its way up his sleeve, disappearing from view until it slowly poured itself through the front of his robe in a similar Basilisk as the one across the back of his robe, forming a crest.

Excited whispers broke out among those gathered in the room for a few moments, before the students arranged themselves by age in front of him.

Fred came up first and set his hand on the paper. The coins grew in size until the Basilisk coin came to his hand. "A snake? I guess… no changing it now…" he said dejectedly as his robes changed as Harry's had.

George came up only to, almost immediately, get a Basilisk coin as well, causing giggling to come from the girls as he made a show of moping, his brother patting him on the back.

Angelina came up next, setting her dark hand on the paper. At first nothing happened. The coins began to vibrate softly, wiggling around the table before they started duplicating and becoming towers. One coin finally flicked high into the air. She reached out and caught it, a blazing dragon on its front. He robes blazed out from her, looking like brilliant flames before settling back against her, scorched at the bottom but resembling dragon skin starting black at the bottom and lightning to red at the shoulders. A dragon, in opposite colors shown on the back. The coin melted up her sleeve, creating a golden dragon wrapping its way up her arm, its head coming to rest across the front of her shoulder.

"Wow… the feeling… wow…" she said, a wondrous look on her face as she took in her new robes. Her smile grew across her face as she stepped aside.

Cho stepped forward next; she let her hand rest on the paper. The coins glowed brightly one at a time before they duplicated skyward. The Dragon and Basilisk stopped at just three coins, the other two rising past twenty before the Thunderbird slid into her hand. Bright white light engulfed the girl, slowly dissipating. She stood in a white robe, trimmed in black. On her back was a purple thunderbird. Her coin melted and made its way up her sleeve, three golden bolts of lightning making up the crest on the front of her robe.

Breathlessly, Cho made her way to the others, a slight tremble from the Magic shaking her hand.

Katie came next, coins rolling round and round the sheet before settling one at a time between her fingers. As they duplicated the balanced end on end until the Thunderbird came to her hand. The same bright light surrounded her, before she stood in similar robes to Cho. She was also left breathless as she moved to the side.

Hermione stepped forward barely touching the paper before the Dragon flipped into her hand. The flames that surrounded her were a brilliant purple before she came out in robes matching Angelina's.

Daphne came up next. The coins sat still for a long while before they started making a soft whistling sound. One after another they duplicated, going round and round until the Dragon stood up and rolled into her hand. Bright gold flames burst from the hem of her robes, burning swiftly up, leaving her in the Dragon robes.

Zacharias had a massive smile on his face before resting his hand on the paper. The coins flipped themselves back and forth over his hand, he flinched as though he wanted to reach up to catch each but he was firmly held to the page. they split in two each time they flipped over his hand before one of the Phoenix coins landed squarely in his palm. As he closed his fingers around it a soft song could be heard from the coin. His robes seemed to melt and shift on his body. Finally, flames burst out from his center, causing the room to flinch. When attention was returned to the boy he stood in ruby robes, a blazing silver Phoenix spread from shoulder to shoulder. Where his Hogwarts crest had been was now another Phoenix, flames surrounding it.

"That was awesome. The rush. It was like… like nothing I've ever felt." The room remained silent, smiles on most people's faces until he stepped aside.

Next up was Tracey. She closed her eyes as she sat down. The coins stood on end before starting to spin, faster and faster until they began to split one at a time. Two collided when the table ran out of room, throwing a Thunderbird coin into her hand. The show was just as extravagant as it had been for the others in that House, leaving her in brilliant white robes.

Pavarti rushed forward as Tracey moved aside. She set her hand on the paper. The clins began to stack themselves, each duplicating as it moved to the top. The coin tower toppled, leaving a Basilisk in her hand. Her robes changed as the other Basilisk House member's had, leaving her in emerald. Her eyes lit up as she stepped to the side.

Before Padma sat down Harry noticed Pavarti playing with her coin though he had seen it melt away. "Pavarti? How did you do that?"

She looked at her hand, she was rolling the coin between her fingers. "I just… just thought about it…" she looked at the coin and it melted kts way up her sleeve again. "Cool!"

Each of the others were slowly bringing the coins to hand. "Wicked!" And various other responses came as they examined them.

"Can we continue?" Padma said irritably.

She placed her hand down. The coins melted and shaped into statues of their House symbols. The statues broke into fights, duplicating everything they landed a hit. The Basilisk slithered into her hand and shifted back to a coin. She stood up and stepped aside in her new emerald robes not even waiting for the color to settle.

Hannah came up and placed her hand on the page. The coins started each shooting smaller versions of themselves from the mouths of the symbols. The small armies grew and grew until each couldn't grow anymore, the Thunderbird having the most miniature versions of itself was carried by its copies to Hannah's hand.

The light flashed brightly, settling into the white robes of the House before she stepped alongside the others.

Su sat down next. The coins became miniature catapults bearing the symbols on the sides. They flung small coins at each other until the Basilisk was the only one left. It melted back into a coin and rolled into her hand. She kept quiet as she moved to the side.

Susan came next, shifting in the chair as he rested her hand on the paper. The coins molded themselves into small wizards, tiny details showing each House's robes. The flung spells back and forth, little bits of gold flying in all directions. The Dragon was the last one standing. He walked over to her hand and bowed before becoming a coin again. She felt the black flames changing her robes, a minor heat. Once the change was done she moved beside her fellow students.

Neville came up, his hands shaking. He set his hand on the paper and waited. The coins stood on their ends, stacking while they spun. The duplicates shot out in different directions before the Phoenix landed in his hand. His robes began changing just before blue flames burst from him, leaving him in the Phoenix robes. He smiled and moved beside Harry.

Luna, an airy lack of emotion about her settled in the chair, resting her hand. The coins gave of different colored bubbles that floated and joined together slowly forming each symbol. The first symbol completed was the Basilisk, who's coin flipped instantly into her waiting hand. She moved aside before the robe change even started allowing Colin to step up.

He sat, an excited bounce in his leg as he watched the coins. A click came from one coin, accompanied by a flash. Then each coin clicked and flashed, the process speeding up more and more before it was almost impossible to see which was and which wasn't flashing. Just as quickly the process slowed before there was one last bright flash from the Phoenix. A brilliant violet flame that encompassed the boy as he caught the coin. It faded leaving him in Phoenix robes.

Ginny was the last of her age up to the chair. Her hand rested nervously on the paper. The coins melted into each of their own symbols. The various beasts came to her fingertips and nibbled, bit, spit fire and ruthlessly attacked them. Finally, the Basilisk slithered into her hand and solidified into a coin again. Her smile was shining as she moved aside in her new emerald robes.

Astoria came up quickly, an excited smile on her face. The coins instantly split into sets of three. The coins all started changing into random items. None the same. Flashing faster and faster between items that it quickly became impossible to recognize everything. Suddenly, they all stopped. Only one set of three Wands were the same, all other pieces were different. The Wands formed into the Basilisk coin which rolled into the girl's hand.

Dennis came up, the last of everyone and the only First Year student. He placed his hand on the paper. Each of the coins glowed brighter and brighter before vibrating their way toward each other. They combined in a brilliant flash to show a Phoenix flying above his hand, dropping its coin into it. He flashed in a black flame, emerging in his new Phoenix robes.

Dumbledore began clapping. "Wonderful. Amazing. I have never seen another school's sorting before. Thank you Harry for allowing me to witness this. I shall leave you all to your day, if you need help Harry, please just ask. You all will be amazing additions to the Wizarding World. I will see you all in the Hall for lunch or maybe Dinner." And with that the greatest Headmaster of his age left.