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"We meet again Mr. Potter. Not up to any mischief I hope?" The Sorting Hat said, sitting on his stool.
"I try not to. I think I know why I'm here, and its not for any mischief making." Harry said, answering the Hat. Harry thought talking to an inanimate object was somewhat strange, but strange had been the new norm since he first came to Hogwarts, so he let it slide. The Hat could talk back after all.
"Oh, I'm merely pulling your leg, seeing as I have none of my own." The hat chuckled at his own joke before continuing. "Saw you looking at the portraits, would you like to know more?"
"Always!" Harry said with a smile.
"That's what makes you a Ravenclaw, though I stand by that you'd have done great elsewhere too." The Hat said, before continuing. "Every portrait you see here is of a Former Headmaster of the school, normally they stay asleep until that Headmaster dies, then they wake up and act as an advisory board for the current Headmaster. Normally none of these would be sleeping at the moment, given that Dumbledore's predecessor, Armando Dippet left us a few decades ago. Something seems to be bothering them though."
"Brilliant…" Harry said, looking at the many sleeping portraits. He saw the one labeled Armando Dippet, but failed to recognize any of the other names.
"The sword you saw earlier is one of the two remaining artifacts of the founders of Hogwarts, yours truly being the other. It is the Sword of Gryffindor, a powerful enchanted sword constructed by the goblins and then enchanted by Sir Godric Gryffindor himself. It's said that it becomes stronger with every enemy it fells." The Hat said, looking very pleased with itself.
"What happened to the other artifacts?" Harry asked.
"Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem vanished shortly after her and her daughter's death. Slytherin's Locket vanished within the past two hundred years, and the same is true for Helga Hufflepuff's Cup. Each of them were powerful artifacts capable of great things. For example, if you were to wear Ravenclaw's Diadem, it would bestow you with enhanced cognition, allowing you to think more clearly than normal. It's said that the objects would appear before a Hogwarts student who was a true example of their house in their time of need. Perhaps you may find one someday Mr. Potter." The hat said.
A loud fwoomsh echoed throughout the room as a red bird appeared on a perch Harry hadn't noticed. The bird appeared almost eagle-like, but much thinner in the face, with a longer, straighter beak.
"Ah, Fawkes, our esteemed Headmaster is not intending on keeping this young boy waiting much longer I hope?" The hat asked, the bird trilled. "Fawkes here is a phoenix, a very rare magical bird. He's the familiar of our Headmaster."
"Wow, man, Luna would love to meet you." Harry said, looking to the phoenix.
"Yes, Ms. Lovegood would rather enjoy a chance to sit down and converse with the phoenix here. A special one she is. Destined for greatness I'd say, much like you, and the rest of that club of yours. Well done on that my boy, I haven't seen such inter-house cooperation in many years." The Hat said, as Dumbledore entered the room.
"Ah, young Harry. Having a delightful conversation with the sorting hat I hope?" Dumbedore asked, moving to his seat, before grabbing a sweet from his candy bowl. "Lemon drop?" he offered,
"No thank you sir, not a fan of sour candy." Harry said politely.
"Mores the pity then. Do you know why you are here Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked, his twinkling eyes focused on the young man in front of him.
"I believe I'm here to speak with you about the duling tournament in Dublin? About how Professor Flitwick wants me to compete." Harry said, hoping he was correct. He don't know what he'd do if he was in trouble.
"Quite right. Filius has been telling me how well your dueling lessons are coming along. I initially had some reservations about you having them. You have however, performed spectacularly and kept up with your schoolwork on top of it. I am very impressed. Now, in order for me to ascertain whether or not I will allow you and Professor Flitwick to go to this tournament, I must insure that you are not the individual who has been attacking students. I do not believe that you are, but for posterity I must determine this objectively. Do you understand?" Dumbledore asked, his face going serious.
"Yes sir." Harry said, tensing up.
"Good, let us start with the night of the first attack, Halloween. What were you doing that day?" Dumbledore asked.
"That morning I had woken up and gone about my normal routine, brushed my teeth and changed into my casual clothes since we didn't have classes that day. I went down to the Great Hall for breakfast, and Neville stopped me. He asked If I wanted to attend Sir Nicholas's 500th deathday party with him. I talked with Hermione and Padma and we said we would go. Luna also decided to join us. We left breakfast and went to the Sphinx Club room to study from 10 until 2, and then we left to meet Neville, Parvati, and Lavender at the bottom of the staircases. From there we went through the dungeons to where Nick was holding his party, we stayed for a few hours until they started their feast, when we were suggested to leave. As we were walking out, I heard a strange voice saying "kill" so I ran after it to make sure no one got hurt. From there we found Ms. Norris and the message. After that I spoke with the teachers about what happened and then went to bed." Harry said, breathing heavily once he finished.