-Great Hall ~ Sorting Ceremony-
"Hey Penny, where do they keep the Sorting Hat during the year?" Harry asked as one of the new First Years got sorted into Hufflepuff.
"In the Headmaster's Office, why?" Penny whispered back curiously.
"I need it to keep an agreement I made." Harry whispered to her.
"What kind of agreement requires the Sorting Hat?" Penny questioned quietly.
"I just need to return something." Harry looked at her knowingly.
"Oh, are you giving it back?" Penny asked curiously.
"More like getting it back to its rightful owner." Harry told her before he clapped as a new Ravenclaw started walking towards their table.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Harry." Penny remarked.
"I have an idea that could very well hinge on this." Harry smiled back. "If it works out I'll be able to free up quite a bit of time."
-September 4th ~ Saturday-
The first weekend of the school term saw Harry making his way to the Headmaster's Office. He'd gotten confirmation from Sirius about the part of the plan his Godfather was in charge of. He'd also heard back from Drad Erdunn and was pleased as could be that the Dwarf, and his father King Erdunn, would be meeting him shortly. Sirius had already sent ahead a letter to Dumbledore stating that Harry had a meeting in Hogsmeade. Penny, as Head Girl, would be escorting Harry to the village to meet with Sirius. Dumbledore had been curious about the meeting but had let the matter rest when Sirius had said it was for Harry's Professional Enchanting. Interfering in the Business of another was punishable in court if the Business owner pressed charges.
"Ice Mice." Harry spoke to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's Office. Why Dumbledore had that set as the password was a mystery to Harry. The gargoyle moved aside and Harry stepped onto the revolving spiral staircase. Once at the Office door Harry was about to knock before he heard Dumbledore.
"Come in, Harry." Dumbledore welcomed as the door opened by itself. Harry stepped into the large office and took note of the multitude of odd devices. There were bookshelves filled with heavy tomes, and several cupboards along the walls. Sitting on a perch next to the Headmaster's desk was the same Phoenix from the Chamber. Oh Harry would very much like to get some more samples of Phoenix materials for his research! But for now he'd have to focus and do what he came here for.
"Good morning, Headmaster." Harry greeted politely.
"Good morning to you as well, Harry." Dumbledore smiled. "I was a bit confused that you said you needed to meet with me before your Business meeting in Hogsmeade with Sirius. If you're hoping to ask for business advice I'm afraid I don't have much experience." The old man joked.
"I actually need to ask your permission to speak with the Sorting Hat, sir." Harry informed Dumbledore of his reason for meeting him.
"The Sorting Hat?" Dumbledore questioned curiously. "Why would you need to speak with it? You aren't trying for a Re-Sorting are you?"
"Is that a thing?" Harry questioned. He'd never heard of it after all.
"Rather rare, Harry, but it has been needed in the past a few times." Dumbledore admitted.
"Well, that's not why I'm here." Harry shook his head slightly. "I need to ask the Hat for something."
"An odd request, Harry." Dumbledore mentioned as he levitated the Sorting Hat off the top of a bookcase and onto his desk.
"Thank you, sir." Harry thanked the old man before focusing on the Hat. "I have need of the sword." He spoke clearly and the Hat moved a bit. Dumbledore's eyes widened a bit at the term 'sword'.
"Where did you leave it?" The Sorting Hat questioned as it faced Harry. "I'm not a Post Owl you know."
"I apologize, but where it is right now is inaccessible to me." Harry informed the relic in front of him.
"Fine, fine, just give me a moment." The Sorting Hat brushed off before it straightened up and a dull thud was heard from within it. Harry reached under the hat and took hold of the handle. Pulling back the Sword of Gryffindor was in his hands once more.
"Harry?! Is that?!" Dumbledore almost choked at seeing the legendary sword of Godric Gryffindor in the Third Year's hands.
"Yes sir, it is the Sword of Gryffindor." Harry admitted. "The Sorting Hat can explain the details to you, but I need this for my meeting."
"I don't understand?" Dumbledore looked very confused. Harry stood up and pulled his Invisibility Cloak out of his inner robe pocket.
"The stories you've heard about Godric's sword have been greatly altered Dumbledore." The Sorting Hat spoke up and the old man turned his attention to the ancient hat. While the Sorting Hat was telling the Headmaster the true history of the blade, Harry wrapped the Invisibility Cloak around it. The sword vanished from sight and Harry turned back to Dumbledore.
"Thank you, Headmaster, but I must be on my way to my meeting. Have a nice Saturday, sir." With that Harry left through the still open door and down the spiral staircase.
"Harry? Harry wait!" Dumbledore stood up from his desk.
"Don't!" The Sorting Hat spoke loudly, stopping Dumbledore from taking a step. "The sword does not belong to you, to Hogwarts, or even to Mr. Potter. Now that Gryffindor's Line is gone that sword belongs to the Line that forged it. No one has any right to stop Mr. Potter from returning it."
"But it's a Relic of Hogwarts, one of the lost items of the Founders." Dumbledore stated and the Sorting Hat did its own equivalent of a head shake.
"It is no longer the Sword of Gryffindor. That Family Line is gone from this world. It is the Sword of Erdunn now, just as it should be. Do not make the mistake of thinking you have the right to dictate where that sword goes." The Sorting Hat stated with a tone of finality.
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