One Tin Soldier

Chapter 12: Send a Message

A bit of Kido on the door to assure privacy and Harry spent the rest of the trip to Hogwarts in a pleasantly empty compartment, without being bothered. Of course there had been several attempts to enter it, but the barrier spell held firmly.

'Thank the Kami for Tessai and Hachigen-senseis,' Harry mused as he watched Draco Malfoy and his side-kicks stomp away in frustration.

Harry met up with Luna again at the station and she blithely told him the creatures that pulled the carriages were called Thestrals and the reason they were invisible to most.

"Only those that have seen death can see them?" he mused and silently wondered if rooming with a substitute soul reaper also counted? Luna nodded her head.

Professor McGonagall was waiting for them at the castle entrance. "Miss Lovegood, please go to your table. Mr. Potter, the headmaster wants to see you after the feast."

"Bye Lord Potter," the blonde Ravenclaw said with a wave.

Harry scowled at his Head of House, showing her the signet ring on his finger. "Professor McGonagall, I received my inheritance this summer and claimed my lordship. I am Lord Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and I will be addressed as such."

"Vera well, Lord Potter," she said with pinch-lipped disapproval as her Scottish brogue thickened.

"Also, if it isn't about schoolwork, and since classes haven't started yet, I doubt the headmaster and I have anything to discuss." He told her without giving her a chance to object. "So I respectfully decline the meeting Professor." As he turned away with a slight bow he could feel Muramasa's approval in his mind.

"Weel, I ne'er! Mr. Potter, ye should ken tha' the headmaster hae always had your best interest at heart." Harry noted that the stern professor had reverted to calling him 'mister' instead of lord.

"The headmaster has not now, nor has he ever had my best interest at heart, Professor. And I prefer Lord Potter," he corrected her as he turned to face her once more.

"Did you know that he witnessed my parent's will? They said, in very bold lettering, that they would rather see me in an orphanage than with my mother's sister Petunia. And he not only ignored their last wishes, but had the gall to have their will sealed! You surely realize, madam, that I should have been made aware of their will at eleven, when I first re-entered the Wizarding World?

No madam. I only returned to take my OWLs. After that, I am my own person. Now, if you will excuse me? Oh, and Professor? I am Lord Potter. Do try to remember that."

Harry walked past the sputtering woman, not caring that several other students had overheard his little speech with the Deputy Headmistress, including his former friends.

Harry made for the Gryffindor table. He noted that Neville Longbottom was sitting by himself. As he moved to sit beside him, Hermione and Ron hurried to bracket him, forcing themselves between Harry and any others. He so didn't want to deal with the pair.

With a sigh, Harry knew he had no choice and refused to make a scene. To do so was unbecoming one of renown and noble birth. He hated his fame, and always would. But if he was to survive this school year, he had to use it.

'Thank the Kami for Byakuya-sama!' He mused silently. At least he could get through the feast with a portion of his sanity in check. Then he heard Muramasa chuckling. 'Quiet you!'

'Of course Harry. I was only thinking of what Ichigo Kurosaki would say if he heard you praising the head of the Kuchiki clan.'

Harry snorted. Ichigo and Byakuya had an indifferent and sometimes almost bitter relationship. They couldn't stand each other, but to everyone's surprise the pair did respect one another.