Harry Potter and the Founders Vault

Disclaimer: The same as usual.

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Important Note 1: This story is NOT an Evil Dumbledore story, so for everything thinking Albus has a hidden agenda or is putting the gang in danger for various reasons or whatever, please just stop. If you're reading this because you like evil Dumbledore stories, please find another story as you won't find that here, but if you're enjoying this for what it is, please continue.

Important Note 2: As you all should know by now, I didn't put Harry and Hermione together from the off – I wanted their relationship to build up slowly, which is why Harry has a girlfriend in Enola and Hermione is dating Dean Thomas as of this school year. Don't worry, though, 'Harmonie' is the endgame, and I intend to get them together by the end of this year – year 4.

Important Note 3: We've recently received some negative reviews regarding the seemingly unfavorable treatment of Magical Great Britian against Magical USA which I want to address and, unfortunately, that's actually what JK Rowling herself presented in her works - the Wizarding World of Great Britain seemed to be firmly lodged in the Dark Ages. So, to get the Wizarding World JK introduced to a more acceptable standard for us, we had to force the story itself to look at the UK's wizarding culture as a whole and force it into advancing into the 20th Century (the story is set in the 90s of course, so still the 20th century). It just so happens that our main characters in Harry and Harper are American and it's tied into these characters that the progression is linked. Had Harry been raised by, say Austrialians or Japanese, it's that culture that would be pushed upon in the UK by the characters instead - it just so happened to be Americans for this story. I hope that clears it up slightly.

An American Arrival

It had been a week since Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs arrived, and the day Grand Canyon Academy was to come. Harper and Hermione had just been in the Room of Requirements; Hermione had a bright idea that Hogwarts would know who put Harry's name in the Goblet and proceeded to ask the statue – to be disappointed when Hogwarts conceded that she could not tell her.

"You can continue asking her until you are blue in the face; she won't tell you," Harper said to Hermione as they now walked down the stairs, heading for the Great Hall.

"I just don't get it," Hermione said. "You are true heirs. Someone is basically trying to kill Harry…"

"And it doesn't matter," Harper said. "The Founders put privacy charms into Hogwarts. She cannot tell us private information about others in the castle."

"It's annoying, right?" It was Harry, coming up a bag over his shoulder and Hermione gave him a smile. "Oh, Harp, Warwick came back with a letter for us. Thanks for letting us use him."

"Anytime," Hermione said. "Is Hedwig back from Newt yet?" Harry shook his head, having sent his own owl to find Newt and ask about Hagrid's newest creatures, The Blast-Ended Skrewts. "I'm going to go grab some lunch."

Hermione left the siblings alone and the two went to an empty classroom to look over the letter they had received. Harry reading it out loud.

"Harry and Harper," Harry read, "well, this was an unexpected pleasure to get mail from someone non-family and the famous Harry Potter and his sister too. What an honor. I saw you at the wedding of my Great Nephew and his new wife. I wanted to come up, but you seemed busy with your friends. I will say the question you asked me threw me off. Ominis Gaunt is a name I have not heard of in a long time. I'm sorry to say I wasn't really friends with him in school – we had very minimal contact with each other. We did have a common friend in Jaiden Blu, however. As far as I know both are long dead though. I wish I could be of more help, but why are you looking for Ominis anyway? It would be nice to hear from you again, even if you don't want to answer that question. The stories I hear about your time at Hogwarts is bringing me back to my own school days. Very fond memories. Yours truly, Garret Weasley."

"Well, that wasn't much help," Harry mused.

"Or any help, at all, but maybe we could find out more about Jaiden Blu and what else happened a hundred years ago that might not be in that field guide/journal," Harper said, reading over the letter again to herself.

"What excuse will you give him on why we are asking?" Harry asked.

"We found a journal Ominis and Jaiden Blu were keeping and would have wanted to return it to them," Harper said instantly. "Best lie in the world is one that has some truth in it. We can use the field guide as a misdirection for Garret."

"My clever sister," Harry said with an approving nod. "Hopefully Hedwig will return so we can send the letters with her and not keep annoying Hermione for Warwick. Of course, if you had your own owl…"

"Oh my god you are like a broken record," Harper said, with an annoyed eyeroll as the two left the classroom and went back to the Great Hall to get something to eat before lunch was over.

Before they got into the Great Hall, however, they noticed there was, once again, a note in front of the hall stating last period would be cut short due to Grand Canyon Academy of Magic's arrival. The pair grinned at each other for this.

Once inside the Great Hall, the two headed to the Gryffindor table – the Fab Four had made sure to spend more time there. Things had calmed down some in the week since Harry was chosen as the Fourth Champion, but some still were giving Harry daggers. It didn't help that the Dailey Prophet was calling him a cheater and a betrayer.

"So, are you two excited?" Neville asked as the two quickly made a sandwich with the food on the table.

Harry and Harper looked at each other. They knew everyone expected them to be thrilled that the Grand Canyon Academy of Magic was arriving and, while part of them was indeed excited, part of them wasn't. It had been their idea to get their summer school involved to avoid diplomatic conflict, but it also felt like their home life and school life were colliding into one and that made them feel a bit… uneasy.

"Excited, anxious, and nervous," Harry decided on.

"I get that," Hermione said with a nod, giving Harry a smile. "It's like if my parents came to the school, my home life and my school life colliding. Don't get me wrong, they've met the teachers…" Hermione's voice trailed off at that. With not much more to say, they finished lunch and headed for their next classes.

-Harry Potter-

At the end of the day, it was like deja vu as Harry dropped his things off in his dorm in Gryffindor tower and came to the front hall to see the four houses as they were the week before, getting ready to greet the schools. The only difference from before was that Beauxbatons and Durmstrang was also lined up, waiting.

"Harry," Professor McGonagall called. "You will be up front with the headmaster to greet the school."

"Harper should be there too. We are both students of Grand Canyon Academy after all," Harry said, instantly.

"I think that sounds like a good idea," Albus Dumbledore spoke, coming up from behind the Transfiguration teacher. "Please go, get your sister and meet me."

Harry nodded, moving over to the Slytherin line finding Harper with Daphne and Tracey. Harper understood to go with her brother without needing a word and they went to where the Headmaster was waiting. With him were the other two schools, heads, plus Barty Crouch, and Ludo Bagman.

Instead of waiting by the doors like they had done the previous week, they walked through the courtyard, further to where the bridge was.

"Probably using portkeys," Harper mused, and Harry had to agree with his sister. That would be the easiest way to get a large group from so far, although the wards on the school would mean they'd have to arrive outside of the school grounds.

It was a couple of minutes of waiting before they heard what sounded like canon fire. Harry gave a chuckle.

"It was the shot heard around the world," Harry whispered to his sister, quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1837 poem, Concord Hymn, about the Battle of Lexington and Concord. He knew his summer school was putting on a big show.

They could see the selected school walking up the bridge. Mato was in the front but unlike the other two schools, he had several other adults with him: his sister Nita, the Transfiguration teacher, Tahatan, and Remus Lupin. Behind them was a group of around 20 students. Harry and Harper recognized them all as friends they either knew from their summer schooling or from junior schooling – the lead student was holding a flagpole with the American flag on top and, below it, the Arizona State flag.

As they got closer, a very familiar tune played, and Harry and Harper stood up straight. Harry taking his hat off his head as they both put their hands on their hearts as the American National Anthem played.

…

Mato took a breath as they walked across bridge; he had been shocked when he heard Harry had somehow entered into this deathly tournament, but knew he had to support his nephew. The American Government and Grand Canyon Academy had a weird relationship at times – since the school was on reservation land, it technically was not a part of the country, but the only way for the school to make any money was to be sponsored by Arizona State Magical Government as their school and the Federal Government of the USA itself. It meant the school had to obey several laws to get the money it needed. It worked well for both the government and the tribe.

It had been made very clear to Mato that he and everyone would be here representing the United States on an international level. Which was why Mato thought having a flagbearer with both the Federal and State flag was appropriate and why he decided to have the students sing the national anthem as they entered.

"Oh, say can you see," the students and adults said together. "By the dawn's early light. What so proudly we hail at the twilight's last gleaming?"

As the students sang, Mato took in the school. There was nothing like Hogwarts in their home country, being the United States was such a younger country and his own people had been more nomadic than builders. Ilvermony, of course, had been built in Hogwart's image but he could see their version paled in comparison to this ancient magical castle. The school was magic, with a lot of magic placed there by its Founders, but it also had a thousand years of magical build up from millions of students passing through its doors. It was almost overwhelming.

"Whose broads strips and bright stars through the perilous fight. Over the rampart we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets' red glare. The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there," the students were still singing.

Mato focused on the song. He had all year to admire the magic of Hogwarts. He needed be a good diplomat right now. His eyes found Harper and Harry up front, singing along and gave a smile.

"Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet wave. For the land of the free and the home of the brave," the group finished singing and the music stopped.

Mato stepped forward, knowing his students were aware not to move until he directed them to. Albus Dumbledore had started clapping and the others followed suit as Mato moved closer, but instead of going to the headmaster, he turned to look at his niece and nephew.

"Well Harry, Harper, are you just going to stand there or come and say hello?" Mato asked, and that got the two to move over to him. Mato put his arms around both of them as best as he could, quickly realizing how big the two had gotten as they both kissed him on the cheek. "Well let me take a look at you two?"

Mato kept one hand on each of their shoulders as he looked over them; he had never seen the two in a school uniform before – neither their junior magic school or his school had required uniforms and the two had never had it on before they left or after they arrived home. They looked like they belonged here in their Gryffindor red and Slytherin green. The robes flowing down, fitting them perfectly, but it wasn't really their uniform Mato had been curious about.

Coming here had meant solving a mystery he had been wondering about since he'd discovered the pair's quick expansions in power nearly two years ago.

He had expected some small connected to their magic forcing it to grow faster. He was shocked when he felt how intertwined the two were with the magic of the school itself. He had never seen people so wrapped up in the magic of a building as these two were. It was like Hogwarts and their own magic were one entity, not three separate things. It was no wonder they had grown so much more powerful here. He would hate to test them inside this school – they would probably be off the charts.

Mato had realized he had looked at them for a bit too long. He needed to cover.

"Well look at you two. All prim and proper. Who are you and what have you done with my niece and nephew?" Mato asked and that seemed to be the right thing as the two giggled. "And how do you get yourselves into these messes?" He added, a little more seriously.

Harper took a step back and pointed at Harry.

"I didn't do it Uncle Mato," Harry said putting his hands in the air as he did.

"Harry, I have known you since the day Cassidy and Tim brought you home. Very close to exactly 13 years ago today. Of course, I know you didn't do it – you are not dumb enough to put your name into the Goblet," Mato said and could see his nephew was relieved he was believed. "You are also not smart enough to fool the Goblet into thinking there were four schools."

"Hey…!" Harry mumbled at the joke from his uncle.

"Go say hi to everyone," Mato said, knowing he had to turn his attention to the actual headmaster of Hogwarts now as the two went right to Nita as Mato turned to Albus Dumbledore. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"Of course, you wanted to reunite with your niece and nephew first. Always good to see family getting back together," Albus said. "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

"Thank you for having us," Mato said.

"No, it we who should zhank you," Madam Maxime stood with Albus, along with Vikor Karkaroff, who remained silent for now, "for making zhis competition fair again, and so 'ogwarts does not have zwo champions."

"Well, I can't let my favorite niece and nephew start an international conflict... At least one I can stop," Mato said. "And you are…?"

"Ah let me introduce you," Albus said. "This is Madam Maxime of Beauxbatons, and Headmaster Karkaroff of Durmstrang; this here is Ludo Bagman, head of the Department of Games and Sports, and Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation," Albus indicated each person as he said their names. "Everyone, this is Headmaster Mato of the Grand Canyon Academy of Magic and, as you may have guessed, Harry Potter and Harper Evan's uncle."

"Really?" Barty said. "You are their uncle…?"

"Yes," Mato said choosing not to clarify it was an honorary title with no blood connected to it. "Let me introduce you to my staff. My little sister Nita," Mato turned to see Harry and Harper and moved over to say hi to the students now. Harry's girlfriend had seemed to grab hold of him and Mato could see the look on the boy's face. He had to remember to have a word with Harry about how to break up with a girl.

Nita, though, moved forward at Mato introduced her. "She will be acting as a student counselor while here and also take my place as head here if I should be needed back at home," Mato had been surprised Nita had asked to join; she had been getting rather close to Sirius Black, but it had worked out wonderfully for Mato, regardless.

"And to keep up with our student's education here are two of my teachers who volunteered to join us. My transfiguration master, Professor Tahatan, and my newest Magical Defense teacher…. I believe you know Mr. Remus Lupin?" Mato said

"Welcome back, Professor Lupin," Albus said to Remus, with a twinkle in his eye.

"You are aware of his condition?" Barty said. Lupin being a werewolf having hit the Daily Prophet the year before after all. There was some trepidation from Barty and Ludo at his appearance.

"If you mean that he is a werewolf, I am," Mato said, a little briskly now. "And so is our entire school. It's no secret in America. He is very qualified to work for us and your invite said I could bring anyone I wanted. I assure you, appropriate measured will be taken on full moons."

"Thank you. There is absolutely no problem," Albus said, a little forcefully as he looked to his fellow British adults, giving Barty a look. "Now, our kitchen is preparing a welcoming feast."

"That is very kind, but we ate breakfast before we came here," Mato said. "It is a seven-hour time difference."

"I always forget," Albus admitted.

"If you could just show us where we can set up our camp?" Mato said, indicating the bags they brought, knowing they had to make their own headquarters on Hogwarts ground, the group had decided to bring tents and make a camp site for their school.

"Hagrid can…?" Albus Dumbledore began. "Did you bring anyone else…?"

"No why?" Mato said.

"Someone else is coming across the bridge," the headmaster indicated, taking out his wand, just in case, and stepping closer, but gave a smile when the figure came into view. "Newt!"

"Albus," Newt Scamander said. His trunk was following behind him perfectly. "Mato, what are you doing here?"

"Long story," Mato said back. "I thought you were in Africa or something, chasing down some magical creature?"

"I was, but then I got some very interesting mail," Newt said, his eyes finding Harry. "I brought your owl back. She's in the trunk." Harry gave a nod at that, glad Hedwig was having a bit of a rest. "Now will someone tell me what a Blast-Ended Skrewt is?"

The entirely of Hogwarts turned to look at Hagrid, who, if it was possible, tried to make himself hidden despite his size.

…

Hermione had watched the scene from her spot with the Ravenclaws. After Newt asked the question, everything seemed to move faster as they were now being directed back inside.

"Guess that's the girlfriend," Padma said, indicating the girl practically attached to Harry's hip.

"Yes," Hermione said, barely opening her mouth so it came out very sharp and almost hiss-like. She didn't know why she had an instant, intense hate for this girl.

"You know, if you wanted Harry could be yours," Padma said.

"Don't be ridiculous. Harry is like my best friend, my brother, and I have a boyfriend," Hermione said. Padma gave a chuckle.

"Sure Mione. Keep telling yourself that," Padma said, patting Hermione on the shoulder as they went towards the Ravenclaw table. Just because the Grand Canyon Academy students weren't hungry, didn't mean they couldn't eat.

-Harry Potter-

Harry sat on his bed in his Gryffindor dormitory that night with his communication notebook in his hand. Usually only Harper, Hermione, and Neville's pages were available here and since Harper had given Cedric one of those books for his birthday, he was on here too, now.

Tonight, though many pages were going off as his friends from Grand Canyon Academy were writing. Most of it was random.

'Come on Harry, ever explored this so-called Forbidden Forest?' one wrote, and Harry gave a chuckle. The Grand Canyon Academy campsite was set up right near the Forbidden Forest.

'It is forbidden,' Harry wrote back, not really answering the question.

Harry noticed Harper wrote something to him and turned to her page. 'You think they would realize it's late for us and we need bed?' Harper's words were on the page.

'I guess they are excited,' Harry wrote back and noticed he got a message from Enola. He ignored it. 'I can't believe Enola is here. I didn't want her here at all.'

'Dump her,' came Harper's response and Harry knew his sister had a point. The dread at seeing her compared to Harper's own excitement when she reunited with Cedric was obvious. He didn't care for Enola the way he should.

Harry flipped to her page. Enola was asking about dates. Harry was trying to think of what to reply and how to tell her he just wanted to be friends when he got another message from Harper. He turned back to Harper's page. 'Not over the book. In person, you coward.'

'Hey, I am in the house of the brave,' Harry wrote back, not going to ask how she knew he was going to write it – his sister knew him too well sometimes.

'Jumping on trolls' back you can do; knowing how to handle girls, you are bad with it,' Harper responded, and Harry couldn't help but admit his sister was right. 'And I am going to tell everyone to stop including us in the messages, since we need to sleep. Remember Quidditch Club tomorrow. Saw the schedule. We both have games.'

Harry was glad of that as Harper sent a mass message out to everyone to remember the time difference and she and Harry had to head to bed. Harry decided to take a cue from his sister and sent a good night to everyone and put his book away. He could figure out what to do with Enola tomorrow. Tonight, he should dream and hope to get some training with his mentors in.

-Harry Potter-

Harper was in a dream with Hogwarts, holding up the dream sword as she fought her opponent.

"You are getting better with each dream," Hogwarts said; she was in the form of Rowena again, her favorite form as it seemed. "I would suggest you get down to the Chamber without Harry and hold a sword for real."

"I go down a lot to check on the eggs so I definitely can do that," Harper said, taking a breather.

"When are you moving forward on your challenges for Hermione and Harry?" Hogwarts asked.

"I don't want to rush it. I might make it too obvious. Besides, I need to buy some things for both challenges and do some prep work. Unfortunately, Harry has some big plans for next weekend, which is Hogsmeade weekend for the two of us. He already told Cedric no date," Harper mused. "So, I might need to owl order – and using Hedwig or Warwick is a little tricky for these. I can't rely on a school owl, either."

"Maybe Harry has a point about getting your own owl," Hogwarts said back, and Harper rolled her eyes. "You have a time limit."

"Hermione will be done after the 1st ask. Harry maybe after the 2nd. If that all works out gives a solid amount of time for the three to take in what I did, to understand and to forgive," Harper said, and Hogwarts gave a nod.

"Well, I am sure Hermione won't have the puzzle box solved until after the 1st Task and then the clue after is hard," Hogwarts said, and Harper gave a nod at that. "Let's continue..." Harper nodded and held up the sword, ready to continue the practice fight.

-Harry Potter-

The next day Harper sat in the stands of the Quidditch pitch next to Cedric. Harry's team was playing the Durmstrang's team. Krum had kept his word and was not on the team as a seeker, so the match was pretty even between them. Harper found herself looking down at the field every so often – for some reason the grounds of the Quidditch pitch attracted both her and Harry's eyes. They didn't understand why.

"You know if Harry would take the official position of Gryffindor's Seeker, that team would be hard to beat," Cedric said, watching Harry play.

"It's a miracle we got him to do this club," Harper pointed out.

"Hey, where are all the students from Grand Canyon Academy?" It was Hermione who was behind the two who asked.

"Probably asleep. That seven-hour jetlag is a killer," Harper said back to the question.

"Are they going to be making a team?" Cedric asked.

"Not a clue. Maybe, but none of them have ever played or watched Quidditch. It's not really a big thing back home, remember?" Harper said and Cedric gave a nod as Harry held up the Snitch. His team had won.

"And Harry Potter catches the Snitch! Today's winner is the 4th Year Griffins," Lee Jordan had chosen to be announcer for these games as well, which people were thankful for, as the both teams landed and went to shake hands.

"He is good," it was Krum walking up to them. He had been a few rows down watching. "The tournament won't be as easy for him though."

"We'll take your word," Harper said, knowing Krum was being friendly.

"Our next match will be the Marauders against the Cunning Snakes," Lee Jordan announced.

"That's us," Cedric said. "All Slytherin team, over there. They are good but I think we can get this one," Harper gave a nod as the two moved to head down to the field. Their brooms and equipment were already down there.

Harper gave Harry a smile as she got to the field and started putting on some defense equipment a Keeper would wear. "Hey Har, maybe we should convince Grand Canyon to make a team?" Harper said.

"I'll mention it to Greg. He's a sports guy. Maybe he would want to try this out," Harry said with a nod. "Luck."

"Thanks," Harper said taking her broom and joining the others of her team up in the air, ready for anything.

-Harry Potter-

Albus enjoyed the Quidditch Club himself. He sat in the teachers' section every weekend when he wasn't busy, watching the students play and have a good time. He enjoyed seeing the joy on their faces and the atmosphere that the club gave.

"Albus," it was Alastor Moody, clunking up the stairs. "We need a word."

"Yes, my friend," Albus said indicating a chair.

"Why is Harry and his sister being removed from my class?" Alastor said, and Albus sighed. He knew when he had sent Dobby to Alastor with the message this morning it would end up being an issue eventually, but he was hoping not so soon.

"Mato wants them to join his school for their Magical Defense class. We arranged it with him, so it won't interrupt any of the other classes the two attend here," Albus said back. "The two have taken most of their Defense classes by Grand Canyon Academy; even in their second year here that school provided the work for them. It seemed reasonable to allow them to join their fellow Americans in Defense."

"How am I supposed to watch him if he's not in my class?" Moody asked.

"You can still keep your eye on him," Albus said. "Just not in class. And Mato is also offering any 4th Years who want to join them for Defense to join. I am going to give the students a choice – interestingly, Remus Lupin was a very popular professor too. I wouldn't be too surprised if you lost some students. I am sorry, but I also didn't think you would find it a big deal. It's one year agreement, after all."

"Of course," Moody grunted, but didn't sound convinced.

"Sit and watch with me. You always enjoyed a good Quidditch game," Albus said

"Yes, I do," Moody said sitting and turning his attention to the game as he took a sip from his flask.

-Harry Potter-

Minerva McGonagall, as advisor of the Quidditch Club, stayed down on the field, watching for anything against the rules – especially with Hooch on sabbatical. It was refreshing for her to be monitoring a Quidditch game and took her back to her youth.

"Minnie…?" Minerva had to smile at the voice as she turned to see Tahatan had come over.

"Tah," Minerva said, with her own little nickname for the teacher. "I am very glad you came…"

"When I heard about this, I had to come. One time you said you would show me around Hogwarts," Tahatan said, "and well… here I am."

"I remember," the Professor said with a smile. "We have several more games scheduled for today, but after dinner I could give you a tour."

"That would be nice," Tahatan said putting an arm on Minerva's back. "I've never seen Quidditch before. It's an interesting game."

"I used to play when I attended here," Minerva added, "I contemplated a Quidditch career in my youth… but other things got in the way," she left this sentence stray as the two momentarily watched as the new game start.

"Oh, and Tah, I have organized a secondary Transfiguration class for 4th years and up for this year," Minerva added. "Animagus training. The same way you do it. Some of my students have found forms – the Weasley twins managed to turn an arm into their form and back. They might be the first full transformations. Would you care to come and teach with me?"

"I'd love to – and some of the students from my school might just want to join," Tahatan said.

"That would be a wonderful way to increase co-operation between the schools. They are welcome," Minerva said. "I was a little disappointed neither Harry nor Harper joined... I thought they would – especially Harper." Minerva's attention was on the game that she didn't see the surprised look her boyfriend gave her, but then he hid it.

If the siblings hadn't told their Professor about their Animagus forms, it wasn't his place to tell her.

Post Chapter Note: Well then, I hope you liked this. The Americans are at Hogwarts and I will be getting into the Tournament soon, now …I hope. I've got a few more chapters before the 1st Task, though – got to do the Weighing of the Wands, introduce Rita Skeeter, and have a Hogsmeade visit first, after all – with my own twists added, of course.

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