A/N: I, in no way, form or fashion, own anything to do with Harry Potter; except for some really classy boxers. The far more savvy and intelligent JK Rowling owns this stuff. Thanks to several of you (primarily, but not all inclusive (Sinyk, librarywitch, Blue Leah and robst) for giving me the confidence, insights, tweaks and little twists to attempt this effort. Same goes to a couple of friends who unknowingly fine-tuned the concepts in my head. I skipped Fred's funeral, awards ceremony, and innuendoes of comfort as they were done by several thousand others.
Feel free to critique. This is my first effort, please keep that in mind. If I have stepped over someone's story let me know. I read several hundred stories, but I refuse to attempt to read 1,250,000 stories just to make sure I didn't inadvertently plagiarize.
Chapter 1 – Reactions
The castle, his refuge, Hogwarts, was reminiscent of some apocalyptic movie from the television at his Uncle Vernon's house. Harry had gathered Snape's memories from the Pensieve before leaving, what he still considered Dumbledore's office. As they left the Headmaster's office, Harry was looking around at the charred walls, broken glass, piles of rubble – blood on the floor from his friend Lavender Brown where she was attacked by Fenrir Greyback. Doors hanging from their hinges or in piles of tinder lying in distant corners from being blasted out of their frames. The scene matched his state of mind.
Harry had just, well sort of, died. His mentor, Dumbledore and Voldemort, his most hated enemy, had changed places in his mind. His mentor of the past six years confirmed he had manipulated Harry and set him up to die. Was it because he had expected to live and wanted the glory instead of dying early? He knew that Dumbledore had only provided information that was necessary to kill Voldemort within the past year, AFTER he was cursed and dying. Dumbledore had informed his antagonist of six years, Severus Snape, of that fact.
And what of Snape, the long term focus of his anger? For a third of his short life, Snape had made his life a living hell. Six years of harassment, hazing and generally snide remarks had all been an act. Well not all, Snape still took out the hatred of his father on Harry. Since Harry's mother, Lily, had died though Snape had lived in constant fear and threat to his life to ensure Harry lived. He had also only found out in the past year that Dumbledore had kept Harry around to die at the hand of Voldemort.
Still not sure of his feelings, Harry continued down the steps to the rows of bodies and grieving friends and relatives. Ron and Hermione followed closely, holding hands but silent. Worried what Harry would do now that Voldemort was dead.
Harry walked up to his surrogate family that had also been fooled by Dumbledore. He stood in the doorway looking at Ginny. Ginny, what should he do now.. Bill, gently holding Fleur, George and Percy hanging their heads over Fred who had died in the fight standing next to Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Arthur and Molly, who had basically adopted Harry were holding each other and looking at what remained of their family. Ginny was the first to notice the three standing in the doorway.
Her stare was noticed first by Bill, then the remainder of the Weasleys. Arthur Weasley beckoned for them to join in their silent vigil. Harry slowly walked to them, knowing he would need to join, but reluctant. Harry had caused this, well not really, but he had understood everything. The prophesy, the horcrux, the Hallows, everything … earlier. Harry had to work this out in his mind.
He edged up to the family, looking at Fred's torn body, dust from the explosion still clouding his face – tears welled in his eyes. "I am so sorry about, Fred," he moaned.
Mrs. Weasley, moved from her husband and hugged Harry. "Thank you dear. Thank you for everything."
Harry nodded dully, again-everything, and hugged her back. He knew he needed to leave before everyone started their mass of handshakes, hugs and general acclimation. He was drained and exhausted, he had to get out of here before this all started over. Evidently dying was helped with physical exhaustion though. His mind going over, everything, was reviewing what had happened and what needed to be done to fix his life now that he didn't have the death sentence of the past eighteen years still hanging over his head. Where to go?
Can I go to Grimmauld Place now? I sure as hell am not going to the Dursley's. I do NOT want to intrude on the Weasley's grief at the Burrow. I am not staying here.
Bill did the 'Fidelus Charm' at his home and he can keep his mouth shut. Kreacher is here at Hogwarts, I saw him fighting alongside the Hogwarts house- elves. Maybe…..
"Bill, can I talk to you?" Harry asked. Everyone looked at him startled. Ron and Hermione, looking at Harry like he might run again, alertly watched the two walk aside.
"What's up Harry?'
"Bill, I need to get away from this, this…. The Prophet will be here soon wanting interviews, I cannot deal with anymore handshakes and attention. I need to get away from this, can you help? No one knows where you live except for people I can deal with… I.. I think I need to go to Grimmauld Place once I figure out if it is safe, Yaxley knew about it."
Looking around at all of the stares and anticipated movement, Bill understood. "Yeah, OK, I understand. How can I help?"
"Kreacher!" *POP*
"Yes, Master Harry, how can Kreacher serve?"
"Kreacher, I need you to check out Grimmauld Place. I need you to not be seen. Find out if anyone is still there and if not, is there any way you can seal it from anyone but me entering until I get there? If it is empty, seal it, and come back."
"Kreacher can do this, but the spell do not last long… Kreacher can ask one of the other house-elves to come let Master know. Kreacher must remain to hold the spell."
"Umm, OK. Bill, can you teach me to do the Fidelus Charm? How long does it take?"
"Harry, it isn't an easy spell," Bill looked around chuckling. "But considering the level of core magic you evidently have, you should be able to pull it off. It will take about two hours.
"You realize no one will know where you are or how to get to you, no one?"
"After I set the Charm, I will write out several sheets of parchment for you to give a select few. Will that be ok?"
"Yeah, OK. Let's tell the family though, and Hermione or everyone will be mental."
"Uhmm, yeah OK. Kreacher, please check the house, take your time. Also, check outside and make sure no one is still watching."
"Yes, Master. Master.."
"Yeah, Kreacher"
"Kreacher thanks Master Harry. He finished what Master Regulas started."
*POP*
"Looks like you won him over, Harry." Bill turned and walked back to the family.
"He still won't say Potter though, I am a Black to him," mumbled Harry.
"Mum, Dad." Everyone looked up as they walked back to the group of mourners. "Harry wants to leave before the Prophet and assorted idiots show up, we're going to reset the Fidelus Charm at the old house (avoiding the actual location for those trying to listen in).
"Since Ron and Hermione already know the location, we'll take them for extra security." Bill was running over what needed to be done in his head while Ron and Hermione breathing a sigh of relief that Harry wasn't going to just run off on his own. "Harry will send the address back with me when we're finished so you can go later. I hate leaving George, but Harry needs a safe place now. What is left of the Death-Eaters might come looking for him."
Arthur looked at the two of them. "I quite understand, and it makes sense. Harry, you've matured over the past year. Your head is still clear even after all of this… You two need to talk about the charm before you leave, the last thing you need is to be ambushed while you are consumed trying to teach that to Harry."
Both nodded and walked over to a quiet corner to await the return of the house-elf.
About twenty minutes later, Winky popped up next to them. Winky looked much improved since the last time Harry had seen her.
"Master Harry, Kreacher says all is safe for us."
Surprised, Harry replied, "Thanks Winky. Us, Winky?"
"Winky is deciding that Master Harry has avenged Winky's Master Barty and will come serve Master Harry. Winky will take Master Harry when Master is ready." She sat down and looked at Harry daring him to insult her.
"OK Winky, we can discuss this at home." Harry was a just a bit startled and uncomfortable at this display of loyalty.
Bill just chuckled and shook his head. "There was a quote from Muggle studies from some American baseballer named Lasorda, 'You give loyalty, you'll get it back.' Thanks Winky.
"OK Harry, do you think you have it?"
"Yeah, Bill. We can go," still trying to figure out how to fix this house-elf issue before Ron who would be jealous and Hermione who would become incensed.
The four of them popped into the front room, Kreacher was meditating in the room surrounded by an aura. The four stared at Kreacher.
"Master must do his spells as soon as possible, this drains a house-elf and is not done unless needed."
Hermione gasped, understanding the meaning soonest and started towards Kreacher. Winky jumped in front of her stopping her with a snap of her fingers. "Miss Hermy must not interrupt, it will kills Kreacher is she does."
Unsettled at this statement, Harry took charge. "Okay, Hermione stop. Winky release her. Everyone else out front.. Now!"
Ron and Bill headed to the door; Hermione after another quick, disgruntled look turned around and followed.
Wands out, they opened the door. Bill and Hermione cast some detection spells, but only found muggles. Ron and Hermione headed across to the park to watch the area while Bill stood on the curb close to Harry who began the spell.
Harry was amazed at the understanding and strength of the spell he cast, on his first try. A bit startled, be began the other enchantments that Hermione had taught him during the year long on the run from Death-Eaters along with the two others Bill had taught him. After thirty minutes it was done.
"Bill, it's done," …nothing, no sound. Turning around he just saw Bill looking blankly at – nothing.
He stepped away from the house to the curb towards Bill and tapped his shoulder. Startled, Bill turned around, "Harry, lost track of you, must have worked!"
Harry wrote down the address and gave him the slip of paper, echoing Moody's actions previous and Bill nodded. "Okay, I can see it." He waved Hermione and Ron back. They hurried across the street looking a bit disgruntled, knowing something was there, but not seeing it. Harry passed the note to them.
Bill did a couple of detection spells he used as a curse breaker and raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. They headed back into Number 12, Grimmauld Place now that everyone could see it. Winky was looking shakenly at Harry and asked, "Can I's let Kreacher knows you is done, Master Harry?"
Harry nodded and looked at Hermione from the corner of his eye, waiting for the question that quickly came.
"Master Harry?" she asked.
Bill interrupted, "Okay, everyone sit." Complying, they headed to the sitting room.
Bill continued, "First, before we get side tracked. Yes Hermione, Winky has determined that Harry is her new master. House-elves can pick who they want to serve, which family they wish to serve. They are self-determinate to some degree. I much rather it be Harry, than the Malfoys." He gave her a hard look.
"You saw how it affected her when Mr. Crouch freed her, so that is the end of that tirade. House-elves will die if they are not 'attached' to a family or household. Harry will care for both of these elves; they will NOT be his servants. Can you honestly think Harry would treat any creature with contempt or hatred?"
"Well, no. But, still, it is degrading and horrible for them to be forced.."
"Stop there! Winky, did Harry ever ask or in any way force you to select him as your Master?" Bill asked.
"No Sirs, Winky made that decision. Winky picks Master Harry. Winky tells Master Harry. Winky picks Master Harry because he cares for house-elves and does not to offends or hurts or insults house-elves by forcing clothes like Missy." She said all of this while standing with her little hands on her hips looking at Hermione.
"Uhmmm, okay. I guess I understand, but I still think.."
"Drop it," Bill and Ron both said simultaneously. Hermione, bit her lip, but nodded.
"Harry", Bill started and Harry looked at him, "your wards are different than I expected. Not only are they very intense, they seem different than most spells. Did you do anything different while casting or learn something while you were on the run?"
"No, Dumbledore told me at one point that Voldemort and I had gone beyond what Wizards knew as magic, but didn't explain what that meant." Harry looked up befuddled realizing what he had said and realized he was dead when this happened.
"What?" all three asked confused.
Shaking his head, "Nothing, I have to work that part out yet. That was one reason I wanted to be here and not at Hogwarts or the Burrow. I need to work some things out in my head and trying to find some books to research this… issue." Ron was startled, Hermione was pleased.
Hermione started to dig into her beaded bag while looking around for a book shelf when she was interrupted by Harry's groan, "Gringotts."
All three of them looked at him in horror, Bill stated to laugh, "Yeah, the goblins aren't going to be too keen to see you soon, Harry. Let me think."
After what seemed hours, Bill started up again, "Well first thing, you are now an adult and have access to the main Potter vault and not just the trust account. If I am not mistaken, that will be sizable considering your family is one of the old and noble families. Second, you also now have access to the Black vault, and maybe a few others. I will have to check on that.
"Third, you saved a Goblin's life during a battle when you could have abandoned him. That means a lot to them. They are very big on honor. Okay, give me a couple of days to ask around. I think this might work out. Charlie might have to be brought in because of the dragon, but you just save our world I am pretty sure people will make a stink if the goblins get too offended asking for reparations."
Bill stood, "Ron and I need to get back to Hogwarts to help the family. Harry, write the names of who you want to have this address on the back. I'll burn it once I'm done."
Harry took the slip and turned it over. The Weasley's (all of them), Neville, Luna, McGonagall, Kingsley. "That's, all for now. Just let them know I need some space for now. I'll consider others later."
"Okay, maybe consider Andromeda Tonks later, she has your God-son. But, I don't really blame you for a short list right now," replied Bill.
They shook hands then Bill, Ron and Hermione left. She turned around at the door and said, "See ya Harry, I left some of my books in the study. I'll be back after I think of some more to help you out."
Harry just smiled and waved, shutting the door behind them.
Harry turned around and went into the kitchen. Noticing a sleeping Kreacher, he him up and moved him to the sofa. He asked Winky to look after Kreacher and walked upstairs to check on the damage done during the past several months.
Looking into the first room, he signed, pulled out his wand and began repairing the turmoil and rubble left by the Death-Eaters after they needed to abandon their safe house. The next two months would be filled with events. He knew there would be a ceremony at Hogwarts, several funerals, he needed to clear Snape's name and stuff he hadn't even thought of yet. At least this would be cathartic.