Chapter 5: Education and Rewards

*AN* *Disclaimer* I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. The OC's belong to TheWoman1114 and me! Also minor mentions of past abuse in this first part, nothing outright stated, but it is mentioned.

*AN: 2* *TRIGGER WARNING* Brief mentions/memories of abuse.

*AN: 3* Also to the wonderful Miss/Mr. CatPeach, (I won't assume for fear of getting it wrong) The answer to your review may be answered in either this or the next chapter. You'll just have to keep reading XP! Also, the mastermind behind Lord Halikorne thanks you for your compliment! He was proud that you liked him so much!

_OO|O|OO_

Previously on HPBR:

After conjuring cover after cover, Halikorne was now within 10 yards of Lucius. And it appeared that Lucius' venting since the start of the duel was coming back to bite him. He was becoming exhausted.

Then without notice, Halikorne rushes from his screaming as he did so, his kilt and cape billowing from the sheer speed of his rush.

A putrid green light exploded from Malfoy's wand, only to be deflected by the charging Scot with his shield. He was then met by the swing of his sword in a quick counter.

The blade hit its mark.

Numerous Lords and Ladies stood with gasps of shock. With even Albus himself peering over his podium to get a better look.

And Lord Halikorne simply walked away.

That was when Lord Malfoy started screaming about his hand and wand.

That was when Albus finally saw the damage. And it was much tamer than he thought it could have been.

Lord Malfoy was missing most of his hand and his wand was severed in two.

"I win." Lord Halikorne stated simply, causing the dome to collapse around them.

Silence, apart from the whimpering, whining, and crying of the wounded Lord was all that was heard within the still elongated chamber.

"Well... now that honor has been settled, let us continue with the meeting." Albus calmly concluded as he motioned to the Aurors, "Aurors please take Lord Malfoy to the infirmary and Lord Parkinson will take over for him in absence. Seeing as he is the second head to the Malfoy-Parkinson blood alliance."

A small bit of murmuring greeted the chamber.

"Any objections...? No...? Then we will have a brief lunch break and reconvene in an hour."

_OO|O|OO_

Somewhere in the bowels of Gringotts: September 8th, 1991

Albus Percival Wulfric "Brian" Dumbledore could not help but be continually amazed as he ventured deeper and deeper by the sheer magnitude and greatness by which the Goblin people used magic to construct their subterranean metropolis of which they lived and worked in. As the Goblins, or the "Cobalus" in their language, have made do with the restrictions that have been forced upon them.

He was not even certain that the entirety of the wizarding population of the world could achieve what the Goblins had under the same circumstances.

Regardless, today was not the day to let his fascinated musings get the better of him. He had business with the Chief Banker of Gringotts. Ragnok the Unifier, so named for unifying the entirety of the scattered Goblin peoples across the globe under the banner of Gringotts. A legendary duelist, master craftsman, and banker. He was cunning, smart, and ruthless but also fair, straightforward, and of a hearty disposition.

Finally approaching the door which led to the Heart of Gringotts, Dumbledore was greeted by two golden armored guards with Halberds larger than their bodies.

"Identification." The left one demanded, tightening his grip on his mighty weapon.

Bowing his head to the guard, Albus produced the required papers from his robes and handed them to him.

After looking over them and back at Dumbledore he let out a satisfied grunt, "You may proceed. 'Headmaster.'" Which caused the ornate stone door to slowly heave itself open.

As Albus entered inside, he was greeted by a bedrock throneroom that held the massive statues of all the previous directors and leaders of Gringotts. With ornately armored guards silently watching over the room next to each of the statues.

And then there was a simple mahogany desk and chair where the director sat as he went through the numerous papers that lay upon his desk.

"Good afternoon Albus." The Director greeted without looking up, "Are you here about your most recent withdrawal?"

"No, I am not, old friend," Albus sighed, "I am here because I seemed to have made a grave mistake."

That seemed to get the old Goblin's attention, as he immediately stopped all movement of his quill.

"A mistake?" Ragnok called out with growing amusement, "The 'Great' Albus Dumbledore? The one who defeated the dreaded Grindlewald in single-combat?" He guffawed with growing sarcasm, "I thought it not possible."

"Yes, yes, laugh it up, you old sponge," Albus replied with far less amusement. "I remember quite a few of the 'Almighty Unifier's mistakes in his many years of leadership."

Standing from his chair, Ragnok gave a deep throaty chuckle. "So, I assume this about the boy then?"

Albus flinched, despite his clamping down upon his Occlumency barriers.

"Ha! I figured as much," He stated merrily before shaking Albus' hand, "Griphook owes me a few galleons then."

Albus could only sigh in defeat.

"I did warn you, Albus, all those years ago." Ragnok stated, shaking his head, "' Sending that boy to those blasted muggles, despite what the Potters' wills stated, is going to come back and bite your wrinkled ass Dumbledore, mark my words!' And they did... just like I said."

The shame must have been painted all over his face, despite the Occlumency, as all Ragnok did was let out a sigh.

"How bad is it, Albus... do I need to get my Deep Healers for this?" He asked with genuine sincerity, "Because they will not be ready until the summer."

All Albus could really do was nod, "That would be for the best."

"Then I'll contact them immediately." Ragnok stated firmly, "Expect to be contacted around early July."

"Thank you, old friend," came the reply with a weak smile, "That is all I can ask."

Ragnok only waved him off with a 'Bah'. "Now, is there any other business you have with me?"

"Indeed," Albus replied, straightening his robes and posture, "I'll need you to give permission for young Harry to start receiving the information required of him as the Heir Apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. This includes the bank statements to both the Potter vault and his trust fund until he comes of age."

Ragnok simply nodded, *It shall be done.* Ragnok stated in Cobaluan. *May your gold be everflowing...*

*And the vaults of your Horde be filled to the Brim.* Albus responded with a slight accent, Cobaluan, otherwise known as Gobbledegook by the bigoted and ignorant, was the language of the Goblins and was something that he learned in the 40s shortly before the fall of his former friend... and lover.

"Lockfist, Iceblade, and Stoneblood. Lead our guest back to the surface." Ragnok ordered, which received an immediate trio of 'Yes, director!'s as three of the golden guards broke formation.

As they led him out of the office, Albus steeled himself for the conversation that he was going to have with the boy. After Lord Knottley's class and dinner, he'd have Fillius bring him to his office, being his Head of House after all.

_OO|O|OO_

Back at Hogwarts: Professor Knottley's Classroom

Harry was early. He knew that. It was Sunday. But Hermione was insistent. She was just too excited, and he couldn't say no. They had been there since lunch at noon. But she wanted to make sure that he sat next to her. The entire 1st year was going to be there, so she didn't want to be stuck sitting next to someone like Ron Weasley or Draco Malfoy. He understood that, but they had been there for around two and a half hours. Regardless, they studied in the downtime and the whole group from the train were all sitting next to each other now.

The room itself was rather intriguing, it was located on the seventh floor and had some really weird tapestry in the hallway leading up to the door to the room. However, on the inside, it had a really warm color scheme. Many deep brown wooden furniture were situated around the room next to numerous tables, while the walls were painted in vertical stripes of all the House colors. The pattern being Hogwarts black, then Hufflepuff yellow, then Gryffindor red, then Ravenclaw blue, and finishing with Slytherin green. There were also two Hogwarts sigils on the left and right walls, bringing the room together as more of a universal common-room than a true classroom.

"Tempus!" Harry stated clearly, whilst doing the proper clockwise rotation with his wand. Thus causing the time of 15:57 to show up clearly before him.

'Brilliant. Only a few minutes now before the professor gets here.' He thought to himself before looking over at Eevee and Bonnie, 'I wonder how they are going to react with their dad being here?'

As if on queue, Professor Knottley entered as a grandfather clock in the corner of the room chimed four o'clock.

"Good afternoon class!" The well-dressed professor greeted enthusiastically.

"Good afternoon professor." A majority of the class responded.

"Alright, welcome to Wizarding Society Etiquette!" He began, "I am Lord Johnathan Knottley of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Knottley. You may all call me Professor, Professor Knottley, or Lord Knottley. Whichever you choose is up to you."

'He seems really genuinely happy to be here.' Harry smiled to himself, noting the really bright smile the professor had maintained since entering the classroom.

"Now, any questions about my title from those, as of yet, uneducated?" He requested as he studied the room.

Two hands went up.

"Alright, you first! Miss...?" He stated, clapping his hands together.

"Granger. Hermione Granger." She stated meekly.

"Oh, no need to be shy! What's your question?"

"Erm... By your title, does that mean you are part of the magical nobility?" She asked, blushing slightly.

"A wonderful question! Five points to Ravenclaw!" He cheered lightly, which made her sit up a bit straighter and got her a few quiet cheers from her friends as well.

"And you? Mr...?" He continued, looking expectingly at a Hufflepuff boy.

"Finch-Fletchley, J-Justin." He called out nervously.

"And your question?"

"Can anyone gain the title of Lord? Because in muggle society... you can if you're appointed by the Queen."

"Ah! Another wonderful question! Five points to Hufflepuff!" The excited professor exclaimed, "Now class, which question should we answer first? And I would prefer it if one of our Pureblood students answered for our two societal newcomers!"

Harry was slightly surprised when Cassius raised his hand.

"Yes, Heir Cross?" He asked, giving the young raven-haired boy a small friendly smile.

"For the first question," He began after clearing his throat, "Yes Hermione, he is a Lord of the Wizarding nobility. The 'Noble and Most Ancient' comes from how long the Knottley family has been around in Wizarding Britain. With the Knottleys particularly having been here since its founding by Merlin centuries ago. Of those here in this room, my family, the Crosses, the Potters, the Bones', the Longbottoms, the Abbots, the Greengrass', the Halikornes, the Macdougals, the Macmillans, the Smiths, and the Weasleys all have been in Britain just as long. Which earned them all the title of 'Ancient', however, to become Ancient AND Noble a family must make at minimum 1 million galleons a year in family salary. This is why the magical family of Malfoy is considered a 'Noble' family. However, to become Ancient, a family must fave existed for a minimum of twenty generations, or 600 years. Though it only takes 4 generations, or 120 years, to become a magical family." He then politely sat down after finishing.

Some of the purebloods in the room snickered at the bewildered faces of the muggle-borns at the sheer amount of rules that were common knowledge amongst the houses. However, Professor Knottley simply started clapping.

"Brilliant explanation Heir Cross! Bloody marvelous that is! Forty points to Slytherin!" A few boos echoed throughout the room, in addition to the cheers of the Slytherins present, "Answered both questions in one explanation! Now... can any of the muggle-born in this room guess as to why I called him 'Heir' Cross? And not by his first name?"

The silence lasted a little while before Harry raised his hand.

A gasp echoed across the room.

"Heir Potter?!" Professor Knottley exclaimed in surprise, "You are in the same position as my godson! Why is it that you have raised your hand?!"

Standing up slowly, whilst blushing in embarrassment, Harry began to speak, "I-I was muggle-raised sir... This is the first time, apart from the train ride here, that I've ever heard of this terminology before..."

Apparently he said something wrong because most of the non-muggle-borns were gaping in complete outrage at him. Even some of his friends looked surprised.

"I thought that you had just forgotten..." Cassius started with a pale shock covering his face, "Harry. That is incredibly wrong considering your status. Not only are you, like me, the heir apparent for a Noble and Most Ancient House, but you are the last surviving member!"

"Heir Cross is indeed correct... I... I will need to speak to the Headmaster about this." Lord Knottley stated whilst massaging the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer fingers, "Oddment!" He then suddenly called out, causing a small pop and a neatly uniformed House Elf to appear.

"Yes, Porfesser Knottles?" The Elf asked expectingly

"Please go find the Headmaster and inform him that I need to speak to him?" He asked, kneeling down to the Elf's level.

"Of course Porfesser Knottles!" He exclaimed, giving a quick salute.

"Thanks, Oddment." He smiled and stood up as the elf popped away. "Now... what time is it? Tempus!"

The spell showed 16:45

"It seems we still have ten minutes," He said thoughtfully just as Oddment came back.

"Porfesser Dumbelywhiskers says that he'ses already knowses and that Porfesser Knottles should be at the meeting tonights anywayses." The jumpy elf proclaimed, nodding so that his rather large ears flopped around wobbly.

"Good. Thank you again Oddment, you may go now." Which prompted the Elf to bow his head and pop away in an instant. He then turned back towards the class, "Erm... Class dismissed! See you all this time next week! No homework as of yet! Heir Potter, Heir Cross, Heir Greengrass, Both Knottleys, and Miss Granger please stay after for a bit, I need to talk to you all."

'Oh great.' Thought Harry with a growing pit in his stomach as the rest of the class poured out through the door, 'More focus on "The-Boy-Who-Lived".'

Once the room was solely vacated, save Harry and his friends, it became truly and very awkwardly quiet.

That was until the Floo roared to life and a rather tall woman of tanner complexion rushed through the expanded fireplace.

"Oh my, John! How vas yoor first class?" She asked enthusiastically, "It was good? Yes? Yes?"

'She's excited.' Harry thought to himself, 'Wait isn't she-...?"

"Mommy!" The twins screeched as they rushed the woman and hugged her joyfully. "What are you doing here?!" They again asked in perfect unison.

After smiling at, kissing, and hugging her children, she lifted them both up into her arms with surprising ease.

"I vas comingck to visit yoor fazher! But my babbies vere here too!" Their mother responded.

However, the joyous reunion did not last long after she made eye contact with Harry, which caused her to set down the twins and look him up and down with a slight blue glow to her eyes.

She then suddenly gasped and ran up to him.

"Oh, my child! Yoo is damaged! And skinny! I make you food now! Yes?!" She stated, asked, and demanded, all somehow at the same time, before rushing back over to the floo and yelling out "Knottley Manoor!"

Silence then filled the room following the sudden departure.

Without even having to turn around, Harry knew that everyone was looking at him.

Particularly his friends.

"Harry...?" Came a worried voice from behind him. Causing him to turn towards his bushy-haired friend. "What did she mean by d-damaged...?"

'Should I tell them...?' He thought nervously, 'Madam Pomfrey said that I should tell those who are close to me... that it would help my mind heal... that's what those weird tasting potions were for... as well as some of those ointments he was putting on the scars... and the weekly meetings he set up and-'

"Harry?!" Someone said loudly pulling him from his thoughts. It was Cassius.

"Mate did someone... hurt you...?" His friend asked gently, "You're pale as snow and you spaced out something fierce... We're your friends, and you can trust Lord Knottley, he's a really good person. I promise."

After looking at all of their worried faces for a few seconds, he took whatever courage he could muster and took a leap of faith.

And so he told them. He told them everything.

After letting in the headmaster early on into his story, both Professors Knottley and Dumbledore cast spells all around the room. They had called them 'Privacy Wards'.

By the end of Harry's story which brought him to his first interaction with them all at Platform 9 3/4's, Hermione was holding him in a gentle embrace, Daphne had also taken a spot right next to him whilst holding his hand, Cassius AND both Professors looked ready to kill, while the twins were both holding each other.

"That's... that's everything." Harry finally finished, "Even some of the stuff that I didn't tell you about earlier Headmaster..."

"It's alright my boy, no need to apologize." The Headmaster was quick to respond, "The only thing I recommend is making everyone in this room take a magical oath, if only to protect young Harry from letting this personal information spread about the school."

Everyone quickly agreed with the sentiment and swore oaths on the spot.

However, it was not soon after that the somber atmosphere was brutally interrupted by Lady Knottley bursting through floo with a multitude of platters of all sorts food.

From European to Middle Eastern to Asian cuisine, it was all there and it looked rather delicious.

"Aç ve istismara uğramış bir çocuk, saatime mi?! Ben öyle düşünmüyorum!" She called out in rather agitated Turkish. Or what Harry thought was Turkish.

"You! Child! Eat!" She then firmly demanded. Which caused Harry to look back at his friends questioningly.

After noticing that each one of the Knottleys were pale and nodding their head fiercely.

"Erm... Thank you... I am rather hungry..." Harry finally answered meekly.

This seemed to break Lady Knottley out of her, what would later be dubbed 'Angry Mom Mode', and caused her to brightly smile and pat his cheek as she then began to serve him the food plate after plate.

"First! You must drinck zis." She said before he could take his first bite. Before then handing him a brown potion. "I am doktor. And you are needing zis."

"What is it?" Harry thought curiously.

"Yetersiz beslenme tamiri." She said firmly, "Mal-Noor-ish-ment Repair Potion"

Nodding his head, he quickly took the potion after looking to the Headmaster for an Okay signal, which he did by nodding.

'Tastes like beef gravy.' Harry thought to himself with a small smile. However, said smile did not last as he suddenly and very urgently got EXTREMELY hungry.

"Bloody hell..." he said quietly to himself before ravenously tearing into the food in front of him.

After patting him on the head, Lady Knottley then headed her way over to her family and the Headmaster. After greeting "My bootiful John ze Cold" and her daughters, she then began talking to Dumbledore in Turkish.

Soon after he had eaten three out of the eight platters, the others joined Harry in his feast.

Surprisingly enough, after getting all of Dragon Shite that had bothered him for quite some time throughout his life, he hadn't felt this light and relieved in, well, forever! After thinking about it some more after his fourth tray of food, he finally came to a conclusion.

'Having friends is quite nice' He thought with a smile.

_OO|O|OO_

A short time later...

After finally eating enough to appease lady Knottley, Harry and the others headed back to their respective dormitories as they no longer hungry were and thus, had no reason to go to the Great Hall for dinner.

However, Harry was stopped by the Headmaster before he could join the group with the others.

"Yes, Headmaster?" Harry asked curiously, "Is something wrong?"

"No, no, no. I just wanted to inform you that your Head of House, Professor Flitwick, wanted to speak with you in his office." The Headmaster stated before patting Harry on the shoulder. "It has something to do with some sort of flying incident?"

Harry paled significantly, 'Shite.'

"Seeing as you've already eaten, I see no reason to not meet with him now. Also, have you ever experienced apparition before Harry?"

"I've used a portkey before sir?" Harry answered.

He didn't get to say anymore as his world spun for a brief moment before he was suddenly standing in the Charms Professor's office.

"Good evening Albus, and... Mr. Potter?" The Half-Goblin Professor said, standing from his desk. "I thought that we were to converse after dinner?"

"That was the plan Fillius, however, young Harry here ran into your motherly former Ravenclaw. The now Lady Knottley?"

"Ah. Such is the reason that he isn't at dinner then." Professor Flitwick chuckled, "I assume that Miss Iristraa took plenty of care of you?"

"She gave me a Malnourishment Repair potion... I ate five trays of food..." Harry answered sheepishly. Which made the diminutive Professor laugh heartily.

"How she wasn't sorted into Hufflepuff... Very bright girl, she was good friends with your mother."

Harry's eyes brightened greatly at that, "She knew my mom? Do you think that she would tell me stories about her?" Harry asked with great hope in his voice.

"Harry, I myself have many stories of your mother. She was my star pupil after all!" Professor Flitwick declared proudly, "However, that is a discussion for another day. Now, we have a discussion that needs to happen about the events of Thursday's flight lesson."

Harry's dropped into his stomach.

...

...

...

The silence was deafening. And so was the anticipation.

"That was a really nice thing you did for the Malfoy scion. Did anyone reward you for such a brave action?"

The Professor's response completely shocked Harry. "Wait a minute... I'm not in trouble?"

"I'll take that as a no. Before I do what must be done in these sort of circumstances, I'd like you to know that Lord and Lady Malfoy are visiting their son, specifically tomorrow afternoon once classes have all finished before dinner starts." He stated firmly, "They would like to meet with you as well."

Harry could only nod in response.

"In response, I have two things to tell you. One, congratulations! For your actions, I award 50 points to Ravenclaw! Two, would you like to play Quidditch for the house team?"

Harry's eyes widened dramatically. Looking to Professor Dumbledore for confirmation for this sudden change of events, he was suddenly filled with joy when he received a confirmatory nod by the Headmaster.

"I-I would love to!" Harry exclaimed, "Quidditch is the game played on the brooms right? Madam Hooch talked about it a bit during class."

"Indeed, she is our referee after all." Professor Flitwick responded, "Knowing your answer, I'll inform Captain Malachai that he'll need to expect you during the team's tryout next weekend!"

As the conversations continued, Harry asked question after question about both Quidditch and, eventually, his mother as well. However, it eventually was all cut short as the warning chime for curfew rang throughout the school.

"Well Mr. Potter, I believe it is time for you to head back to your bed, you do have classes tomorrow and a meeting with the Malfoys. So off to bed we go, I'll escort you there as to not attract any trouble and protect you from the curfew.

"Aw… alright, professor." Harry responded with a disappointed frown, "Will we be able to talk more about this later?" He then asked as they made their way to Ravenclaw tower.

Thinking for a brief moment whilst twisting the curls of his mustache, "Tell you what, how about we meet every Friday and I'll even bring pictures next time. Sound good?" The short professor asked with a small smile adorning his face as Harry bobbed his head furiously in agreement.

After telling him a bit more information about Captain Malachai, and finally arriving at their destination, Professor Flitwick bid him goodnight and apparated to his own quarters for the night.

"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?"

After thinking for a moment, Harry then answered: "An Echo", which then allowed him in.

Upon entering the common room, he was then suddenly tackled to the ground by an irate bushy-haired torpedo that took him to the ground with a solid "Oof!" before Hermione immediately began rambling away.

"Oh my gosh, Harry! Where were you?! We couldn't find you and I 'we' got so worried and so we searched and searched for you after you suddenly disappeared and we heard you return with Professor Flitwick and so I thought you might have gotten in trouble and-"

"Boop."

Hermione froze in place, quickly putting her hand to her nose and very soon after changing to a very dark red blush.

"Holy shite. You found her off button Harry." Eevee snickered.

"L-l-l-langu-gu-guage!" Hermione stuttered out after a great effort.

This only set the Knottley twin off laughing on the floor.

"W-why did you d-do that Harry?!" She finally demanded after realizing that she was straddling him and got up.

"Because you were being adorable and were getting worked up about nothing," Harry stated with a small smile. Which only seemed to cause her to blush more and sprint off to her room.

"I think you broke her Harry." Eevee declared after finally recovering from her laughing session.

"Well, I knew that she would never suspect the Spanish Inquisition," Harry said whilst chuckling to himself, "It's from a Muggle comedy." Harry then clarified after seeing the twin's confused expression.

"Well, anywho, best be off to bed. We all have to get up early and I've got two important meetings tomorrow!" Harry then declared as he stifled a yawn.

"I hope that you know that you'll be clarifying that in the morning." Eevee mock threatened whilst waving a finger at him.

"All good news I promise! Night!"

Because he certainly did have a big day ahead of him.

_OO|O|OO_

*AN* Sorry for the slightly shorter chapter and the longer time for which this was posted! On the bright side, I have the story planned out all the way to 5th year! And I'm looking forward to implementing my plans into this story further! I know that this was a bit more of a filler chapter, but, hey, it's prepping for the next chapter. And it will be a doozy, it will include Harry's first Wizengamot meeting, a meeting with Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, Quidditch, and Halloween! Whilst also revealing the schedule of the Quidditch season and how Gryffindor faired against Slytherin without Harry!

*AN: 2* I hope that everyone is having a Good School Semester/Work schedule/New Year so far/Severe Lack of Coronavirus/and an all-around good day today!

*EN: I hope Slytherin wins the Quidditch match. -TheWoman