AN: Sorry about taking so long to get back to this story. My muse wouldn't concentrate. I now have twenty stories about half done. At least twelve are Potter fan fiction. I plan to publish as they approach done.

Thanks

Holdred

Disclaimer – I don't own the characters from the Harry Potter novels, JKR does.

Chapter 10

The summer was over. All three kids thought it had been wonderful. Harry had brought Dora up to speed in several classes she wasn't taking so she could take her NEWTs in them. All three kids wanted to take all the NEWTs available except magical history.

Dimi had kept him busy all summer. With the knowledge that the stone would eventually stop working Harry complied with the eccentric little elf's demands. God only knew how many chests Dimi had forced Harry to fill. Potter Mines would be in business for a long time. He worked five hours almost every day converting metal. He also had a large supply of elixir of life available in stasis.

At the train station, the Tonks family and the Granger family got together to see them off, even though they would be seeing Andromeda at the feast. Sirius was stuck at the ministry with something that had come up. Everyone was teary eyed.

The train ride was nice. Without Malfoy and his goons, Harry didn't hide his compartment. Soon he had to expand it. Everyone from his study group met there. Daphne and Tracy both gave Harry big hugs.

"Harry, do you have any idea how bad it would have been for us without your help?"

"No not really, I just did what I could to help a friend."

She continued, "Those contracts were a real piece of work. My sister and I would have been slaves to Malfoy's slightest whim. Not only did it give him our money and businesses. It gave him our Wizengamot seats forever as well. Mom would have been a whore to his father and dad would have been killed. Saving us may not have qualified as a life debt but it was as close as you can get."

Harry took Daphne's hand then Tracy's. He looked in their eyes. "My dear ladies we are good friends. You are also my vassals to protect. How could I do anything less for you?" He didn't realize it at the time but both girls almost melted and looked dazed for a while.

Hermione looked at Dora, "He doesn't even realize what he just did, does he."

"Nope, he was just being Harry the most gallant boy in school and maybe the most clueless."

With classes starting again, Harry started the study group again. This time he also chose to accept the lords quarters offered. Tonks and Hermione joined him of course. The only exception to the study group was that Tracy and Daphne talked him into letting them study together on Wednesdays just the five of them and the group still on Sundays.

Tracy and Daphne approached McGonagall, "Professor," Tracy started, "you know we finished pretty high in the class standings last year. Could we do two years worth of work this year? Our year and housemates aren't that friendly to us. With the Potter study group's help, we should be able to do it. We would then be in a different year group and we could get away from some of the mini-death eaters."

"Would you be attending normal classes next year?"

"Yes ma'am, we are smart but not brilliant like Hermione, please Ma'am."

"We figure by being a year ahead the classes will be more of a challenge."

"What we will do is. You will join your elective classes now with the third years. For your core classes you will attend with the second years until Christmas. At which time, you will test. If you pass, you can start the third year's work. I want you caught up to the third years by spring break. After spring break you will join your new class mates for the rest of their lessons."

Tracy forgot a minute and hugged the stern old witch. "Oh, thank you ma'am," suddenly she backed off. "I'm so sorry professor. We just wanted to get away from those horrible boys. With Malfoy gone, it's better but they still act like they own the castle."

"That is quite all right Miss Davis. It makes me feel good to be appreciated. Very few students tell their professors thank you so nicely."

In a few weeks, Hermione finally admitted that she was having problems. It wasn't that she was having problems understanding the material. It was that her magical core wasn't mature enough to handle the higher intensity spells. Some class such as Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Potions, Runes, Arithmancy, History and Astronomy were no problems. Charms, Transfigurations and Defense were the problems.

That night she broke down crying while holding Harry. "Harry, I don't have enough magic to do some of the new spells. I don't want to lose you or my friend Tonks. You will both have your NEWTs and I will be missing some of mine."

He pulled her over to the couch in their common room. He pulled her onto his lap and started rubbing her back in a calming circular motion. "Hush, this is something we can't fight. My magic is a lot stronger than yours is yet it feels stressed sometimes with these new spells. Part of our problem is that we are second years doing sixth year magic. If we slow down and only do one year this year and one next year in the magical classes that will be fine. We can do some of our NEWTS this year and some next year. That won't cause as much stress."

She hiccupped, "but what about Tonks. Will she hate me?"

Tonks had come in the room and had been listening. She sat by Hermione too. "Sweetie, we both like you or I should say I like you and Harry loves you. In fact, he loved you before he knew me. We will be fine. Maybe I can become an apprentice to Flitwick for a year. If we get permission, maybe we don't have to kill ourselves to take the maximum NEWTs all at the same time. You and I can get better grades that way. We won't talk about Harry."

This got Hermione to giggle. Then she started thinking again. "What are we going to do with Daphne and Tracy? I think they love Harry a lot. In fact most of the study group, love Harry but those two have it bad."

Now it was Harry's turn to be embarrassed. "I wasn't doing anything special. I was just trying to protect them. I didn't want them hurt."

Tonks turned sharply to Harry. "All right Mr. Potter, listen up. You are by far the best boy in your year or maybe all of Hogwarts. You think of others. You are not selfish. You aren't trying to feel up all the witches you can instead you are respectful. None of those traits involves your history, wealth or position. You have saved those two twice. Can you begin to understand why they are so devoted to you?"

Suddenly Harry was terrified, "What should I have done? If I hadn't acted, they would have been hurt badly twice. I didn't want anyone but Hermione then you became part of our lives and it is wonderful Dora. Now two more really nice girls want to be involved, what do I do?"

Tonks continued, "Well Lord Potter Black this is quite a dilemma you have gotten yourself into. My guess is that you have no recourse but to ask them politely to become consorts to your Houses. If you are nice, they may not even kill you."

"Dora, I am trying to be serious here. You are just trying to make it worse."

"The future lady Black has been doing research. I will let her explain."

Hermione said, "Having magical children is somewhat hard on a witch and decidedly uncomfortable during birth. Many pure blood women choose to have only one or maybe two when in reality they should have at least three or more to compensate for the idiot dark lords popping up killing so many magicals. The laws allow the last of a line to have several females to try to bring back that line. You my dear betrothed are the last of two lines if not more. You can have a dozen or more females before anyone would care. Now I recommend being very careful. Only allow someone in the family if the rest of your family likes them and you all get along."

Harry now looked depressed. "I wanted a normal family and to be normal. I have an idiot dark lord bothering me that I will have to destroy. I have found two wonderful beautiful girls that love me and I love. Now I have two more girls that love me. I respect them but I don't love them."

Tonks calmed him down. "Harry, didn't you say whoever it was sent you back to have a better life? Maybe they are stacking the deck so you are more loved this time."

Harry sighed, "One person loving me for being me would be infinitely more than I had before. All right I won't run away from them but right now I am not dating them."

That settled life became a little calmer. They had an appointment with Professor McGonagall. "How are our star pupils doing?"

Hermione looked down she didn't want to disappoint her favorite teacher. Harry said, "Ma'am we have run into a snag in our plans. We are smart enough to learn all the theory in time. Dora and I could do most if not all the newts we wanted. Hermione's core is a little more normal. Doing the sixth level spells fatigues her. Seventh year spells will be even worse. We are going to take at least one extra year. We thought about doing some non-spell NEWTs this year and doing the spell ones next year if her core is up to it and Madam Pomfrey agrees. Sometimes my core gets tired as well. This is probably better for both of us."

"Lord Potter Black, Miss Granger, Miss Tonks this is a very responsible attitude. I completely approve. I have been meaning to talk to you about Miss Davis and Miss Greengrass. They continue to have trouble with some occupants of Slytherin House. You lords quarters has bedrooms available for vassals. For their safety, could they sleep there? The laundry house elf caught one of the girls putting some chemical or potion in their clothes. They could have been damaged. Their clothes were all cleaned and returned to them without them knowing. I am suggesting this as a means to prevent even more problems in Slytherin."

Harry was horrified. How could anyone intentionally try to damage someone else? "We will speak to them and suggest it. I won't mention the incident unless they say no."

Hermione asked, "Has Daphne's sister had any trouble in Ravenclaw?"

"She and another first year, Luna Lovegood have been defending each other. I expect the pair to do very well. Some of the bullies have been pranked badly."

"Please allow both of them to know we are willing to help. Astoria is Daphne's sister and from what I have read, the Lovegood family and the Potter family have always supported each other."

"Thank you Harry."

The next week Harry suggested that they approach some of the new first year students to see if they wanted to join their study group. Daphne helped by asking Astoria and Luna Lovegood. Susan spotted a couple of Hufflepuffs Laura Summers and Jean Rose. Ginny Weasley and Mary Higgins came from Gryffindor. Tracy even found a Slytherin that seemed good, Justina Dole.

The new first years now had two tables. All the students from the previous year were good at explaining the first year questions.

It was close to the beginning of October when Justina came in sobbing and went to Tracy. "Tracy, what do I do? Some of the people in my year are horrible. Katrina Rosier seems to lead most of them. I disagreed with her and she had three of the boys beat me up."

Tracy said, "Justina, let's talk to Harry about this."

"I would be too embarrassed. He and his family are wonderful for allowing me to study here. I am doing better than anyone else in my year in Slytherin is. I think that is why they were picking on me. Katrina wants to be the best Slytherin in my year."

Hermione wandered over. She had heard everything as had Harry. "Justina aren't we friends with you?" The girl nodded in embarrassment. "Then let us help you. We can do this politely first if you want. First, you need to give Harry some of your blood. He will make you an amulet of protection. We all wear them. You can ask Tracy and Daphne if they work. While he is doing that, Miss Tonks and I are going to see your head of house, Professor Tonks."

"Why would you help me? I'm just a first year and a half blood."

Hermione led the girl to where Harry was waiting at the lab bench. "Last year, I was just a first year and a muggle born. The other two decided that I was worth befriending. People in here have been wonderful ever since."

The three girls left after Harry had the blood he needed. Tonks said, "Cheer up Justina, my mom is a neat lady. After we talk to her, we can see Madam Pomfrey. The way you are walking says you have some bruises at least."

They got part way to Professor Tonks' office when Justina fell. Dora did a quick scan and started cussing. Hermione called, "Ari." When the elf arrived she said, "Ari, take Justina here to Professor Tonks office without touching her. Gently settle her into a chair. We will be there as fast as we can. If Professor Tonks isn't in tell her there is an emergency in her office."

Ari disappeared with Miss Dole. They appeared in Andromeda's office. She asked, "What is going on?"

Ari answered, "Professor Tonksey, this girl be hurt. Your Tonksey is coming and Miss Granger. They be telling you what is wrong. I be supposed to make her comfortable."

"Alright Ari, I am going to call Poppy."

"Professor Tonksey, if you want I can bring nurse lady."

"Do it Ari."

The elf disappeared. In the infirmary, she appeared to Madam Pomfrey. "Nurse Lady, Professor Tonksey has a hurt student in her office. I offered to bring you. It be a friend of my master."

Poppy had seen the pert little elf before in the Potter livery. "Can you pop me over there? It will be quicker for me to get to my patient."

Both were soon in the potions office. The healer started running scans on Miss Dole. Just then, Hermione and Dora showed up.

"Mom, your Slytherins beat up Miss Dole. It seems she got a better grade than Miss Rosier and Miss Rosier didn't like it. I know Miss Rosier is the daughter of death eaters or at she is least related to them. She seems to be the boss of the first year Slytherins."

"Oh dear, I was afraid of that. Cousin Armando was always a pain and strict pure blood bigot. I'm not surprised his daughter turned out the same. Poppy what can you tell me as her head of house?"

"Andi, she has a lot of soft tissue damage. A few potions and rest will take care of that. A few nights in the infirmary will also get her out of Slytherin a while. Her ankle is borderline sprained. It should be fine by the time the bruising is gone."

Andi turned to Justina, "Miss Dole, I will talk to the trouble maker and see if we can't solve it politely. Did she mention why she attacked you?"

Justina sniffed, "It was a penalty for me a half blood doing better than her pure blood class mates. They are all so stupid. For me to do worse than some of them I would have to intentionally make dumb mistakes. I like studying. I especially like studying with our study group. Even the Gryffindors in the group treat me better than my own Slytherins do."

Andi closed her eyes and pinched her nose. "This isn't going to be easy. I have to follow channels. I assume she was smart enough to not punish you where others could see."

"No ma'am they dragged me into an unused classroom. No one saw but her group."

"Then it is their word against yours. Unfortunately, truth serum can't be used on minors that young. It isn't safe. It could damage their magical core. An oath is an absolutely last resort. It would be better if we could catch them in the act. The adults or upper years could then testify to their misdeeds."

Justina started shaking, "I don't want beat up again."

Hermione stepped forward. "Justina, Harry is making you a defensive amulet. It will tell him if you are attacked. He can come and rescue you. You can talk to Tracy and Daphne about their experience and rescue. He would save any of his friends. I want to warn you as his betrothed, he isn't looking for another girl friend."

Justina stuttered, "Y … yes ma'am. Will I be at least mostly safe?"

Both Dora and Hermione gave the terrified girl a hug. Dora asked, "Mom, can she sleep in one of our extra rooms a few days instead of the infirmary. No insult Madam Pomfrey, but a lot of students don't like being in there more than necessary."

Poppy didn't look happy. "She must take all of every potion I give her and stay off her feet except for the loo for three days. I will visit every day. If there are any indications she is getting worse she will be moved to the infirmary post haste."

Hermione hugged the shivering girl, "Do you want to stay with us a few days. Our group can make sure you get notes for your classes."

The girl still looked very uncertain, "I guess that would be ok. It is definitely better than being in the Slytherin dorm." They had an elf pop her to a bed in their suite.

They made sure that one of them was with her all night. Hermione even stayed in the room with her.

In the morning, Harry, Dora and Hermione all hugged the poor girl. She was doing a little better. Dora levitated her to a couch in the study room. Harry said, "Justina, Your amulet is about half done. I was up most of the night. I don't want you to leave until it is finished. We are going down to breakfast. I don't want anyone in Slytherin to guess where you are. Our elf will bring you breakfast. When we finish eating, we will be back. We have to do some studying everyday for us to stay on target. You can study as well."

After breakfast, Madam Pomfrey showed up with the others. She asked Justina, "How are you feeling."

Justina said, "I'm doing better. That crazy elf won't let me do anything. If I get up to go to the loo, it moves me so I don't need to walk. These three have been very nice."

Pomfrey scanned the girl, "You are doing better than I expected. Your ankle is also doing well. Continue doing minimal movement and take these potions."

Justina made a face but took the potions anyway. "Why do they have to taste so bad?"

Pomfrey smiled, "Partly so students don't like to take them. There is also a component in the magic that the stronger they are the worse they taste. We can't seem to get around that."

Harry mentioned, "Skelegro is truly horrible. Do your best not to shatter your bones. It works but my mouth tasted bad for over an hour." Harry cringed.

Justine smiled at Harry's reaction, which was his intention. After the matron left Harry asked, "Would you like to be sort of our sister? We all like you and I don't know how many others you know here in school. None of us has any brothers or sisters."

Justina half smiled at that, "I don't have any brothers or sisters either. I would like that." After several shared hugs, Justina felt better again. Her nightmares were forgotten for now.

A couple of days later, Pomfrey declared she was fine and could go to class. She left the study area with her new amulet around her neck. Classes were doing fine. Justina was happy. In charms, she was the first person in her class to succeed with the new spell. She got her mostly round rock to roll on her desktop and follow the tip of her wand.

She didn't notice that the other Slytherins looked at her poisonously. Miss Rosier was especially angry. It seems that miss half blood hadn't learned her lesson yet. She would need another session.

On the way back to the dorms, several Slytherin first years pushed Justina in an empty classroom. She grabbed the amulet and shouted Harry. The other students paused a minute. Nothing seemed to happen. They got ready to pound on Justina. Two had her arms while another boy was ready to hit her.

Katrina Rosier stood in front of her, "You little bitch. I thought we taught you what would happen if you did better than I did again. Detrick hit her."

The boy brought back his arm. It went forward. Just before it connected, the boy froze. In the corner of the room appeared two people, Professor Tonks and Harry Potter.

Professor Tonks said, "I am ashamed of my Slytherins again. Miss Rosier I will see what the headmistress wishes. My suggestion is to expel you. You others be glad it appeared that you were doing her wishes. Otherwise, you would be expelled as well. Instead that is ten points apiece and detention with Filch for a week. Come along Miss Rosier."

Justina had run over to Harry and was hugging him. "You saved me. I thought the magic didn't work."

"I heard you right away. I got Professor Tonks and we arrived invisible. We had to wait for them to do something. Otherwise, they would have escaped to do it a different time. I hoped the petrification spell would stop his fist and it did. This way we can punish them."

Harry told his elf to put her stuff away and he escorted her to supper. Susan and Hannah noticed Justina right away. They took her to the Hufflepuff table to eat with them. The entire study group sat around them for support.