I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, this is merely a work of fanfiction.

I am taking time off to work ahead, and revise some other work that I've wanted to do. This story is so fun, but very big and time consuming. It will help me a lot to take this time off and plan. I may release a one-shot or two if the mood strikes, but it is not my priority during my time off.

I recommend you follow me on IG, or Tiktok if you want to keep in touch during these couple of weeks, as I will still be posting content there daily. Thanks!

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Holly tried her best to sit and wait patiently. After a few moments Draco entered from the door adjoining their rooms.

"Do you know what this is about?" he asked as he sat down next to her on the sofa.

"Not a clue," Holly responded as she hugged Draco Junior to her. She was exhausted from the day's activities. Lord and Lady Malfoy had asked them to stay up so they could talk to them before bed.

Lord and Lady Malfoy entered, and sat on the loveseat that faced Holly and Draco.

"I know you must be wondering what this is about, and I am sorry that we had to keep you up. We simply couldn't discuss this when there were other people in the manor."

Lady Malfoy looked serious. Draco knew that meant he better pay close attention to what she was saying.

"We have been researching the other Founders Heirs. We have found the Heir of Hufflepuff. It is your friend's soulmate, Heir Smith."

Holly gasped and Draco gawped. Memories flashed through Holly's mind, and pieces of a puzzle swiftly shifted into place.

"That's what he acts like that," she said without thinking.

She had noticed that he was more formal than the other purebloods she was friends with. She had only been given leave to call him Zach today. He cared more about etiquette and traditions than most, and adhered to them strictly. It made him seem stuck up to those who didn't know him well.

Lord Malfoy chuckled, "Yes my dear, he is well aware of his heritage and has no doubt been raised to believe he is better than others. It will ebb with time, I am sure. Especially when he realizes he is not the only Founder's heir left."

Draco sighed internally, at least it was someone he already knew. He would have been around Zach one way or the other, since Holly was friends with Hermione. He was suddenly very glad that both Zach and Hermione knew Occlumency.

"It is imperative, of course, that you not tell a soul. Heir Smith will claim his title when he is ready. Lord Black is having this talk with Luna as well, so she understands to keep her foreknowledge to herself on these events."

'Of course Luna would know,' Holly thought.

"There is one other thing," Lord Malfoy began, "there will be a change in staffing when you return. Suffice it to say that Professor Snape had decided to leave Hogwarts."

Draco smirked. He knew it was only a matter of time until his father got rid of the dungeon bat.

"Professor Horace Slughorn is taking his place. He was the potions master for a very long time, and is very well connected. He collects powerful witches and wizards around him, to allow him to parlay influence."

Holly didn't like the sound of that, but listened carefully to Lord Malfoy. There was a reason he was telling them all of this, she was sure.

"He will no doubt try to do the same with both of you, as well as some of your friends. Though I know you will dislike it Holly, it would be best if you let him. He's a harmless old man, and he could be a powerful ally. He practices the Olde Ways and will be your head of house. A mere gift will get him to look the other way on most things."

Holly hugged Draco Junior. She didn't like the sound of him, but she supposed she could play along. If he would allow them to practise the Olde Ways, and ease their way, it would be worth it. Draco didn't particularly mind either way.

"Don't worry, I'll play nice." Holly assured them.

"It is always your choice dear," Lady Malfoy told her, "it is merely our duty as parents to make you aware."

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Glass littered the floor of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore's office. Albus threw yet another glass desk ornament, and watched as it shattered against the stone wall.

The portrait's of former headmasters grumbled in complaint, but Albus ignored them. His greatest pawn had been stolen from him.

When Severus Snape had disappeared a day into Yule Break, Albus assumed he would be back in time for classes to start. It was unusual for Severus to go somewhere without telling him, but everyone was allowed indulgences.

What he hadn't expected was a letter from Headmaster Igor Karkaroff informing him that the Potions master had accepted a position at Durmstrang Institute and would not be returning to Britain. Any response letters he tried to send came back unopened, and marked "Undeliverable". The Durmstrang wards must be impenetrable to foreign owls.

How he was supposed to save the wizarding world without his right hand man, Albus didn't know. Had all his plotting been for naught?

Would the world suffer for his failure?

Albus looked at the letters that now laid on his desk.

The first was from the Board of Governors, informing him that they had elected to appoint Horace Slughorn to the position of Potions master. They had the right technically, though they had allowed him to appoint positions for decades.

There was no explanation as to why they had suddenly decided to exercise their right to hire professors.

The second letter informed him that Heiress Luna Black would be transferring to Hogwarts, due to her meeting her soulmate in Heir Cedric Diggory. He remembered her parents- Regulus and Pandora. They had run away to Paris before they even finished school. They fled from the war like the cowards they were.

Whether this friendship would help or hinder his machinations with Lady Potter remained to be seen.

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It wasn't often that Lord Phineas Nigellus Black was called upon by his family, but the time had come once again.

He had been called to his portrait in Grimmauld Place by Lord Regulus Black.

Regulus informed him of the oath of loyalty he had sworn to young Lady Potter. Such an oath did not technically bond Phineas, since he was a portrait and not an actual man, but the principle was the same.

The House of Black was now allied with the House of Potter and he would do his duty to his family. The Headmaster had been allowed to carry out his muggle loving campaign for too long.

Regulus ordered him to tell him everything he had heard in the Headmaster's office that might pertain to Lady Holly Potter, her parents, the House of Black, or the Dark Lord. He told him all that he knew, though it took several days to get through.

The Headmaster had been plotting for far longer than any of them knew. The loss of his soulmate, father, and sister at such a young age had clearly made him unstable.

With an order to tell no one, and report anything of relevance, Lord Phineas Nigellus Black was allowed to return to his portrait in Headmaster Dumbledore's office.

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Luna tucked a stray curl back into her braid and followed Cedric's lead down the train. As they passed compartments, Holly noticed that several boys stood to crane their necks at the blonde beauty.

As they waited in the corridor for the boys to load their trunks, Luna smoothed out her beautiful periwinkle dress. "Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing Holly? Is it not the style here? People keep staring."

Cedric exited the carriage and glared at a group of gaping boys over Luna's shoulder. "There is nothing wrong with you, Luna. You look beautiful."

Draco exited the carriage, and upon seeing the group of boys, drew his wand.

"There's nothing wrong with you cousin," he said loudly so that the assembled boys could hear, "these idiots just can't keep their eyes in their heads. Heir Diggory and I will be only too glad to gouge out their eyes for them if they can't be gentlemen."

The boys seemed to snap out of their trance, and scampered off in various directions.

"Well isn't that silly," Luna mused as she followed Cedric into the carriage and sat beside him.

"Did that kind of thing happen at Beauxbatons?" Draco asked. He was extremely glad his cousin was where he could keep an eye on her, regardless of if she was older or not.

"Not really. There were several part-Veela like me. The allure may have an effect at first, but most people build up a kind of resistance to it. Since we were all together from a young age, it wasn't really an issue."

"Well, what house do you think you'll be in?" Holly asked.

"Oh, Ravenclaw I think. Though I could really fit in Hufflepuff too," Luna mused while smiling at her soulmate. Draco scoffed.

"Everyone knows Black's are always in Slytherin!"

"And Potter's are always in Gryffindor, and yet..." her eyes shifted to Holly and she smiled gently.

"Things change all the time, Draco. A new age is dawning for the wizarding world. Anything is possible. Besides, Sirius was in Gryffindor."

Draco conceded defeat.

Zach and Hermione joined them shortly after the train pulled out of the station. Their friends stopped by to say hi, and then carried on to their compartments.

After about an hour Neville stopped by, a cocky grin on his face and several envelopes in his hand. It was amusing to see him in such a state, he was usually so modest.

"Our presence is requested at a luncheon," he stated with a great deal of pomp and an exaggerated bow. He passed out the envelopes to Holly, Draco, and Cedric.

They were invitations to lunch with Professor Slughorn in his private compartment. Despite the fact that she had known he would do this, Holly still found it annoying.

The fact that he hadn't invited Luna, Hermione, or Zach grated on her nerves. These were her close friends, all but her brothers and sisters. They shouldn't be snubbed. Zach and Hermione particularly, they were the future Lord and Lady Hufflepuff.

She looked over at her friends. Zach was obviously bothered, though he did his best to hide it. He was a proud person, but Holly could not fault him for it. He was loyal, hard-working, and kind.

Luna was looking at Holly shrewdly. Luna was older than her, she could appreciate all the different angles of this particular situation. She didn't particularly mind being left out of this lunch.

She didn't need the help of Professor Slughorn to get ahead in life, despite what he thought of himself. She was the only Heiress to the House of Black, her soulmate the only Heir to the House of Diggory. Her cousin was the future Lord Slytherin. Still, it would do them well to play nicely with the new head of Slytherin.

He could ease their way in the future.

"Go, Holly. We'll be fine. He will learn to include us, in time."

Cedric looked like he wanted to protest as well, but Luna whispered something in his ear that made him blush furiously and agree to go.

As Holly followed the boys lead she tugged on her gloves to make sure they were secure. They were a particularly stunning green velvet pair that had belonged to Lady Malfoy as a child. Her dress matched them perfectly.

Holly knew her image was important as the future Lady Slytherin, and as the current Lady Potter. People were always watching her, and she needed to do her best to look put together and responsible.

Lady Malfoy made it easy to dress the part, and she admittedly loved all the dresses after a childhood full of Dudley's cast offs.

Professor Slughorn's carriage had clearly been magically enlarged. There was a large table in the middle of the room, with elegant tea sets set out every few feet. Holly suddenly felt very glad that Lady Malfoy had taken the time to teach her how to properly pour tea.

A portly man in fine robes greeted them, and Cedric introduced them. Holly curtsied, and observed Professor Horace Slughorn. He was old, but had aged well, as most wizards did. He clearly had a taste for the finer things in life. The fabric of his robes, and the dragon-hide wingtip shoes gave that away.

"Lady Potter, of course. Welcome, welcome, and Heir Malfoy. Quite the pair! Please, take a seat!"

Holly took Draco's arm and allowed him to escort her to a seat beside Blaise, who had also been invited. Draco took the seat on her other side, and Cedric and Neville sat on Draco's far side. She didn't recognize the other people at the table, however.

Slughorn questioned those around the table about their lives, and various contacts they may have in common.

Holly focused on pouring tea for her boys just as she had been taught by Lady Malfoy. It was a delicate art, and the grateful smile on the boys faces when she handed them a cup let her know that they appreciated her efforts.

She knew Professor Slughorn noticed, though he said nothing. He had that same look in his eye that Professor McGonagall sometimes got, like he was remembering her parents. She didn't love it, but it didn't make her feel uncomfortable like it did with Professor Snape, so she let it slide.

Holly noted that those on the other side of the table and Professor Slughorn had poured their own tea, and finally tuned into the conversation.

"So, Heir Longbottom, how are your parents? Still in the Auror Department? I taught them both Potions, of course. Sharp as a whip, those two!"

Holly noticed the infinitesimal tightening of Neville's shoulders, but doubted anyone else did.

He had confided in her over the holidays that he rarely saw his parents. As joint Head-Aurors they worked nearly around the clock. He had been raised almost entirely by his grandmother. It seemed his insistence on allying himself with her had only strained their already frail relationship. They had quite a nasty fight about it during the Yule break.

"They're very well, thank you for asking. They're still the joint heads of the Auror Department." Professor Slughorn grinned like a small child on Yule.

Draco suppressed the urge to laugh. Slughorn thought Neville was a boon because of his powerful parents, completely overlooking Neville himself. He had gone against his own family to ally himself with Holly. It was a bold move that would have upset them. He had the quiet strength that became dangerous with age. Slughorn should focus his efforts there instead.

"Excellent, excellent!" Slughorn chimed as he moved onto Cedric.

"Heir Diggory, of course I know your father. But you seem distracted..." Holly turned to look at Cedric who was now blushing a bright pink. He was turning his head from the direction of the carriage door. He probably wanted to get back to Luna.

"I believe Heir Diggory wants to get back to my cousin," Draco said teasingly. Cedric elbowed him good naturedly but smiled along.

Professor Slughorn looked absolutely perplexed. "Your cousin?"

"Heiress Luna Black," Holly supplied, "the daughter of Lord Regulus Black. The family has returned to magical London."

Professor Slughorn's eyes went wide. He remembered young Regulus and Pandora. He had seldom seen a couple so in love, unless it was James and Lily Potter. He had been sad to see them leave the country, but it was quite understandable. Professor Slughorn checked his watch, and was shocked at the time.

"Yes, well, right he is. All of you better get going back to your compartments, we will be near Hogwarts within the hour. It was a pleasure to meet you all. Heir Diggory, please bring Heiress Black next time, I would love to meet her."

Cedric agreed and sped out of the compartment. He couldn't wait to get back to Luna.

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As they entered the castle Draco and Holly kept close to Luna and Cedric. Holly could tell Draco wanted to keep a close eye on his cousin until he was sure she would be okay.

Headmaster Dumbledore approached them in the entrance hall, looking as genial as ever. Luna wasn't fooled for a second. Her father had warned her thoroughly about this old man.

He reached out a hand, as if to shake hers. Luna took a small step back, as Cedric shifted slightly in front of her. She looked slightly off into the middle distance as if looking at something that only she could see.

"If you touch me, my father will have your hands cut off."

Holly fought not to burst into laughter. Her voice was so high and airy that one could almost imagine that they had imagined the harsh words. Luna's face certainly didn't give away her emotions. She was still smiling and staring at a blank patch of air.

Albus was sure he must have misheard the young girl. Still, the Black Family was well known for their Dark Magic and it would be in his best interest not to push her. He remembered that her mother was half-Veela. The last thing he needed was her throwing fire balls in his school.

The Headmaster took a step back and put his hand down.

He pulled the Sorting Hat from behind his back, and motioned for Luna to put it on. Students filed past them and into the Great Hall as Luna stood with the hat on her head, slightly out of the flow of foot traffic.

After a few moments, when most of the students had filed into the Great Hall, the hat called out "RAVENCLAW"! Luna removed the hat from her head, raised it to eye level and said, "Thank you mister hat," very seriously.

Then she turned and entered the Great Hall, taking a seat by Hermione. You would never know she was new by the way she strode confidently to her seat

They should have known she would be fine. Every once in a while a boy would stare for too long and Draco or Cedric would send a quiet hex to make them stop.

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Luna took a seat at the Slytherin table. No one tried to correct her. She was harmless, and wouldn't give into their protests had they voiced them.

She placed a long pink box in front of her. She held a macaron in one hand that was half eaten. "Hello cousin, cousin's soulmate," she greeted as she offered them the box.

Holly giggled and took a pink macaron. Draco shook his head in denial, "Where are you getting these? Surely you didn't bring an entire trunk of them from Paris."

"Of course not. Kreacher brings me them every weekend."

Holly and Draco traded confused looks, "What do you mean Kreacher brings them to you?"

"Well, he just pops into the Ravenclaw dorms of course," she responded as she took a bite of yet another macaron.