Wednesday 20 April, 1994 Outside the Great Hall

Harry had received a response to his letter and met with the team of Unspeakables and a couple of curse-breakers just after lunch. He gave them all an update on the musings of his and the others regarding Helena's cryptic message. Neville had recommended that the team speak to the castle elves, as they would know most if not all of the castle's secrets.

Minerva had a request as well, "Would one of you curse-breakers take a look at the Defense Teacher's Curse? I have recently discovered that it's been in place since the late fifties and think it's high time that it should be investigated. It should've been done before but we all know that was highly unlikely when Dumbledore was Headmaster and his penchance for secrecy and handling things himself."

Both teams agreed and headed off to their respective destinations. Three hours later a thunderous explosion rocked the castle! The windows blew out and the floor quaked. Students and staff were knocked to the ground by the rumbling. Everyone around the Weasley twins immediately looked in their direction but could see by the looks of terror on their faces, they had nothing to do with the ensuing chaos.

Harry, Hermione and Neville were first on the scene at the DADA classroom and found all the tables and chairs scattered across the room; a couple of the curse breaking team was just climbing to their feet. Minerva and several other staff arrived a few minutes later.

"WHAT WAS THAT? IS EVERYONE OKAY?" she yelled.

The team leader looked over his crew and nodded at the headmistress, "Yeah, a few scrapes and bruises but nothing too serious. That blast was the result of the curse being broken."

"How was it set up?"

"There was a Dark Runic Array etched into the doorframe that was tied into the contract for the position, the room itself and the castle Wardstone. When the teacher entered the room, the curse was activated. We had to destroy the link simultaneously between the Wardstone and the room. Based on our determination, the curse would not have activated if the headmaster or headmistress chose another classroom. I take it that this room has been the DADA class since the fifties?" Minerva nodded. "Then it should be cleared. If nothing else, try locating the class in another room on another floor. I would recommend waiting until the end of this year to be sure. If your Defense teacher is released unfavorably then we'll come back and try something else."

Minerva thanked them and suggested they stop by the hospital wing before leaving to get checked out. She then went in search of the Unspeakable team. The castle elves directed her to the Seventh floor corridor opposite the tapestry of the silly wizard teaching trolls to dance. She found an open door in one wall and an Unspeakable working at a table that had been set up.

"Hello, any news regarding the search?" she asked politely.

"Yes, it's going to take longer than we had originally thought. The Room of Hidden Things is vast. See for yourself." The Unspeakable pointed at the door.

Minerva entered and let out a gasp. The room was enormous! She tread carefully, not touching anything, her eyes wide and mouth open a bit as she tried to comprehend the enormity of the situation.

"Headmistress," Minerva turned at the sound, "Welcome to the Room of Hidden Things." Spoke the Senior Unspeakable.

"I'm stunned and really at a loss for words from what little I've seen," she said, "What have you discovered so far?"

The Senior Unspeakable grunted in an amused manner, "It's more like what we haven't discovered. In the short time we've been in here, we have found broomsticks, cauldrons and other student-related items that are either damaged, broken or in pristine condition. Over there at the first junction, we discovered rows and rows of books. Again they're in various states of condition. One member of my team discovered several buckets of gemstones of a grade and clarity that haven't been seen in a long time."

Minerva goggled at the revelations and possibilities. There was a shout from somewhere in the back,

"Hey! I found something! It's registering the same as the others!"

"Don't touch it!"

"Someone grab him, don't let him get near it! Drag him away by his ankles if you have to!"

Minerva and the Senior Unspeakable rushed over to the location of the commotion to find a team of three Unspeakables trying to drag a fourth member away from a bust of a warlock wearing a wig and a dusty tiara.

"Stay back, Headmistress! We need to get this area warded and secure. Boss, could you handle it while we get Talon situated?"

Minerva wisely stood back from the scene. She felt that if the Unspeakable was affected by whatever it was in that area around the bust, she stood no chance. She told the Senior Unspeakable that she would be in her office if she was needed and left.

Minerva was sitting in her office at the end of the day, a bottle of Scotch sat on her desk. Professor Flitwick was seated in the chair opposite to her with a look of contemplative shock on his face. They both were sipping from their glasses trying to comprehend the discovery made in the Room of Hidden Things.

"I still can't believe it Filius," she began, "after all this time, the Diadem of Ravenclaw was here in the castle."

Filius nodded slowly, "I'm ashamed to admit that I never once thought to ask the Ghost of Ravenclaw for its whereabouts." He snorted softly, "Have you noticed that many of the mysteries in this castle have been solved by Mr. Potter and his friends? Three years and they've discovered and figured out what many over the course of a thousand haven't?"

Minerva gave her grunt of acknowledgement; "I sometimes wonder if Mr. Potter wasn't sorted to the wrong house from the get go. Sebastian? Any insights you care to share?" She looked over to where the Sorting Hat was sitting.

"No, Headmistress. Mr. Potter was sorted properly. He merely has built up the right sort of friends and colleagues. Very Slytherin like." The Hat smirked.

Sunday 1 May, 1994 Hogwart's Library

According to Hermione, now was the best time to start reviewing for their exams. She had worked up study schedules that would maximize their efforts to cram as much information into their heads while still giving them time to decompress and relax. At first, Harry wanted to tease his girlfriend but decided not to. He was experienced with her end of the year exam manic moods and knew that if he teased her, it would end badly for him.

The two of them were sitting at one of the many study tables in the library. Neville had joined about an hour after they had sat down, obtained his schedule from Hermione and got straight to work. Harry was currently reviewing his History of Magic notes, he had the Sorting Hat on his head and the two of them were comparing the histories between what Binns' taught, what the hat knew and what the Goblins said.

Harry still chuckled every now and then as he remembered the look on his Account Manager's face when he asked for the Goblin view of the so-called 'rebellions,' he was sure that the Goblin's brain had thrown a rod. Sharpclaw requested Harry wait a moment while he contacted someone higher up in the hierarchy to see if Harry could access the information.

Sharpclaw had returned with a device and two crystals. He explained how they worked and complimented Harry on his decision to find out the truth rather than just relying on the supposed 'facts' as they had been taught in class. Harry looked over the memory crystal device and crystals and commented that they look very similar to the security system that was installed at Potter's Place. That caught Sharpclaw's attention.

"You already have one of our devices? From whom did you obtain it from?"

"We don't have this exact model. Ours uses a variation of the Remembrall and video recorder." Harry replied. He went on to describe the general overview of how the Memory Spheres operated. Sharpclaw was impressed and asked to meet with the designers of their system. He also asked how old the developers were when they came up with the Memory Spheres.

"I think at the time they were about twelve years old. It was the middle of our second year when we installed the units," Harry commented, "It was a combined team of Ravenclaw and Slytherin house. I don't remember their names off-hand but I can point them out if you and your tech team would like to come up to the school and see it for yourselves."

The Goblins had indeed shown up to the school and were introduced to the students who developed the Memory Sphere security system. The students were quizzed at length and in depth. At the end of the demonstration, the leader of the Goblin tech crew told the kids that should they ever decide to continue this line of work in the future to come see him for a career.

Harry invited the Goblin team to stay for the Beltane Ritual and Ceremony, to which they were appreciative of the adherence to tradition and the magic.

Thursday 9 June, 1994 Great Hall, Hogwarts

It was the last week before the end of year exams and every moment was spent studying. Any free time was reluctantly given up to squeeze that extra bit of knowledge into their brains. Hedwig flew into the Great Hall that morning while Harry was trying to read a section of his Potions notes. She landed in front of him and waited a moment for him to realize that she was there. When he didn't respond, she let out a loud hoot, startling Harry and spilling orange juice all over the table.

"Hedwig! Sheesh, what was that for?" Harry complained.

"Hoot!"

"Sigh…I'm sorry my dear, you're right. I should always be aware of my surroundings."

"Hoot."

"You have mail for me? Thank you. Would you like some sausage or bacon? I think I have some juice left over."

Harry took the letter from her leg and she quickly snatched up a sausage then took off for a nap in the Owlery. He opened the letter to find out that it was from the Senior Unspeakable.

Dear Mr. Potter;

This is an update to the matter in which you charged us to act in your stead. The items from the shack, the vault in Gringott's and the Room of Hidden Things have been cleansed of their taints. They will be available for you to pick up here at the Ministry at your earliest convenience. As far as we are able to determine that makes for five of those evil items. We have also concluded that there is nothing of Gryffindor's that was tainted. We had constructed a sort of Dark Compass to track down any remaining items but have concluded there are no more.

We in the Department of Mysteries feel that should the Dark Lord regains a body then all you have to do is kill the construct and what remains of the soul will perish. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Unspeakable "Croaker"

Harry sat there stunned. It was almost over. All it took now was for him to either use a cutting curse or put a bullet through the bastard's head. He got up and danced a bit of a jig drawing laughter from those around him. He didn't care if they thought the pressure of exams was getting to him. Today was a glorious day! He quickly moved over to where Hermione was sitting at the Ravenclaw table and showed her the letter. She squealed with joy as soon as she finished and comprehended what the message was. She gave Harry a big hug and a chaste kiss on the lips. Harry gave her a goofy grin and a return kiss.

Friday 24 June, 1994 Harry's Dorm, Hufflepuff House

Packing had to be the worst sort of chore to make a child do. How he hated doing it yet on the other hand, he was happy that he had a new destination. He had gotten a letter from Sirius telling him that the Dursleys gave up their right to guardianship of Harry. He was going to be moving into The Kennel full-time! The thoughts of being able to have a normal summer filled him up with such joy that he felt that he'd be able run the entire distance from Hogwarts to Crawley without stopping. On top of that, Hermione lived right next door so they'd be able to see each other whenever they wanted.

Minerva had decided that the Hogwarts Express would be taking them home that Friday rather than waiting until Saturday. After a quick breakfast, the students piled into the carriages for the journey to the rail station. After boarding and finding an empty cabin, Harry pulled out his grades for the year.

Name: Harry James Potter, Third Year Hufflepuff

Passing Grades: Outstanding (O) Exceeds Expectations (EE) Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades: Poor (P) Dreadful (D) Troll (T)

Charms: O

Transfiguration: O

Herbology: EE

Potions: O

History: EE

DADA: O

Arithmancy: EE

Ancient Runes: O

Magical Crafts/Art: O+

Students please note that your grades are the average between the Written and Practical tests.

The others in his year group eventually found their way into their cabin and began to discuss the upcoming Tournament and what they hoped to see with the sideshows, shops and artistry. Draco brought up the Quidditch World Cup and asked if anyone else was going. A few of them mentioned they would, Harry said he'd think about it.

Meanwhile in Central Europe…

Delores Umbridge was sweating heavily. It turned out to be a mistake to travel through these parts. She should've listened to the advice of the locals but it was all moot now. She was faced with the largest snake she'd ever seen before. The snake seemed to be emaciated and shedding scales rapidly, its eyes a glowing red. She felt a pressure in her head and a voice in her ear telling her that her new Master wanted information…

(AN: I just realized that I forgot to include Harry's DADA grade in the report for Year One and also forgot to include the results for Year Two. Oh well, I'm not about to reload them just for that bit. Just assume everything was good according to canon.)