Runaway

Me: I'm back! I admit, I'm surprised by the reception this story has received! You all warm my heart. Here's the next chapter! I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 2 New Life

Claire woke slowly. Then blinked a few times, just to be sure. Yes, she was still in the Norway Black Manor, her magical friends and escape from Britain had all been real, the house was real, she was free and safe.

She turned her head to the right. Her room had window that had a view of the ocean, although the complete beauty could be seen from the balcony. The water would be cold because they were fairly far up north, but the beaches would still be a sight to see. Her CD player was sitting on her desk exactly where she'd left it before she went to sleep.

There was a clock in her room and it read 9:00. She couldn't remember the last time she had been allowed to sleep in that late. Then again, she couldn't remember a time when she didn't have to sleep in a cupboard under the stairwell. And this was no cupboard.

She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She had fallen asleep in the clothes she'd worn yesterday, having been too tired to change out of them. Claire could also tell that she needed a bath.

As if in response to her thoughts, there was a crack and Missy, one of the house elves from their arrival, appeared.

"Can Missy help you Missus Potter?"

"Uh, yeah, I really a bath, is there-?"

"Oh yes, Young Master had us draw bathwater for all the young masters since you didn't have one yesterday."

"Thanks, can you show me where?" Claire asked, grabbing some of the muggle clothes she'd bought after running away.

The pure astonishment of this manor hadn't worn off yet. Even the bathroom was something expensive and impressive, marble and gold and with running water. Claire, with some satisfaction, noted that she could probably fit both of Dudley's bedrooms into this bathroom alone. Missy helped her wash her hair and put some soothing ointment on old scars and bruises. Claire scrubbed her skin clean of dirt and felt like she was also washing off her old life.

"Are the others awake yet Missy?" Claire asked.

"Young Master Draco is awake, as been so for twenty minutes Lady Claire." Missy said. "Young Mistress Luna is still asleep and Mistress Ginny is also having her bath. Dobby is helping her and Kreacher is making breakfast. Young Master Draco was wondering when you'd be down."

"Right. Tell Draco I'll be there in a few minutes." Claire said. Missy smiled brightly and disappeared once again.

Claire let the water drain, dried herself off and changed into her clothes, which consisted of black stretch pants, an orange shirt with a cat on it saying 'I'm just kitten' and a jean jacket. She considered tying her hair but opted to leave it down. Then she stepped out of the bathroom, feeling like a new girl entirely before walking down the stairs.

The grand staircase lead into the main room, and Claire got a little lost before Kreacher was kind enough to direct her to the dining room. Claire liked Kreacher the least of out all the house elves they worked with, Draco had apparently ordered him not to call her names but she could see him muttering them. Draco explained that the last Black head of house was a pureblood fanatic and it rubbed off on her house elves.

"You said you used to be one," Claire said, "could you tell me what the pureblood agenda entails, completely? Just so we know to be on the lookout for those kinds of people."

"Sure," Draco said, though he didn't look happy about having to discuss it, "Let's get breakfast though."

Claire nodded and sat down at her place.

A while later they were joined by Ginny and Luna. Ginny was still looking as though she couldn't believe what she was seeing, while Luna looked as though she was still waking up and murmuring about how it was good they were close to the water because the nargles wouldn't be able to find them here.

"Good morning!" Draco said cheerfully. "How'd everyone sleep?"

"Like a baby," Claire responded. "I love my room."

"Very well, thank you Draco," Luna said.

"Amazing. This is so brilliant." Ginny said dazedly.

The four of them started to eat breakfast. "So, what are we going to do today?" Luna asked.

"Finish moving in." Draco said. "Firstly – finances. Claire, I'll help you handle your money and vaults. Being the last remaining Potter makes you Head of House, incidentally that makes you the first female Head of House in six generations. Ginny and Luna, I've finished the living arrangements. Officially, you'll be declared dead in Britain in a few days."

"I've never been declared dead," Luna said, "Does that mean that everyone thinks we're dead and therefore can't see us?"

"It means they won't look for you." Draco said. "Secondly – seriously, this place needs to be spruced up. Claire, the music room's yours. There's an art room and a ballroom. My great-great-great-something grandfather Robert Black was a fan of the arts when he owned this house, hence why it's so tasteful. Thirdly – we'll go out to the beach. There's a fairly good chance dragons will be dancing down there. It is mating season."

"The goblins won't have a problem with me being a Head of House?" Claire asked. "I'm only nine after all."

"They'll be fine with it, during wartime it was common for people to ascend very young due to their parents dying in battle. In any case, if you don't claim it before you hit seventeen the goblins with liquidate it because none of the Potters have claimed it."

"Right." Claire said. "Is there a way to magically create a generator for electricity?"

"My dad mentioned that a whole bunch of times, it's possible but no one in the ministry is interested in funding him." Ginny said.

"The elves will take care of that." Draco said. "Why, what's the interest?"

"Then we can have running electricity here as well as magic, trust me you guys will love TV if the elves can safeguard it against magical interference." Claire said in a confidential tone.

"Great! Then we've got a schedule, Missy get the car." Draco said cheerfully.

Claire was thrilled. They also had a magic-driven car.

Missy could masquerade as their mother if need be. She could also drive cars and buy groceries. It was brilliant. It was perfect. Claire watched the scenery as they were swept into downtown magical Norway. It really was a living fairy tale.

Missy showed them to the bank. Gringotts was large and entirely run by goblins; Draco warned her to be polite when dealing with them as they had their own strict set of rules, and you really didn't want to get challenged to an Honour Duel. They were fairly short and vicious looking, though they were quite civil when they addressed their clients.

"Draco Black," Their goblin, Greeva, said in a gravelly tone, "Can I assist you today?"

"I'd like to have some gallons transferred to muggle currency, there are some things I need to buy sir." Draco said. "But apart from that, nothing. I was just showing Miss Claire Potter in."

Nervously Claire approached the desk. "I-I wish to confirm my status as Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter." She said carefully.

Greeva examined her for a moment before shouting at another goblin to see to Draco's exchange. "Come with me," he said briskly. Claire glanced back at Draco and Missy before nodding and following Greeva back into an official-looking room where a desk, a large box and two chairs were waiting.

"Please sit down," Greeva intoned, sitting down and gesturing to the other chair. Claire slowly sat down, unsure of how to proceed.

Greeva went straight to business, "It's is pleasing to see you alive and in one piece Lady Potter, Britain has been in a right state of chaos since you left,"

"One would think oddly, but I had no reason to remain there. Whatever problems Britain has are its own, and my own problems are separate from theirs now." Claire said politely and careful to keep her tone as neutral as possible.

Greeva nodded and might have smiled a bit, "A smart decision made by one so young. Now, business." He paced a big stack of papers on the desk and said, "To become Head of House I need to to sign these documents, and I will need a drop of your blood."

Claire shivered a bit but signed where she needed to. She winced a bit when the blood was taken, but it was over quickly.

Greeva gave her the Potter ring and said, "Now, in other matters. Though Draco Black is officially the Head of House of Black, your godfather Sirius Black despite being in Azkaban had categorically required that you receive a certain amount of allowance from the Black vaults. Had he not been thrown in Azkaban he would have blood adopted you and you would have had a stronger claim to the House of Black than your distant cousin Draco. However, everything as it may be as it may you are still entitled to this allowance, which is in a separate vault from the main Black vault. Only your key can access it." He placed these papers in front of her.

Claire was stunned. Sirius Black was her godfather? But that couldn't be right. In her dreams her godfather was giving her to someone so he could look for the one who betrayed her parents, if Sirius Black was her godfather than he couldn't have been the betrayer.

It was a puzzling thought, one she'd have to share with the others later.

Greeva handed her the will of her parents and let her read through it.

"Next, there have been some irregularities and out right illegal dealings that you'll want to look into now that you are Head of House. Now, your former magical guardian Albus Dumbledore-" Claire was getting dizzy, Dumbledore was her magical guardian too? What else didn't she know about her heritage? "-had accepted on your behalf a marriage contract from one Molly Weasley. If you do not contest this when you turn fifteen you will be magically bound and married to Ronald Weasley."

"WHAT?!" Claire just barely managed to avoid shrieking, she'd heard plenty or horror stories about Ron Weasley from Ginny, and even if he hadn't been him she didn't want to be married before she finished school. Why would he do that?

"Do you wish to dissolve this contract?" Greeva asked, eyebrow raised slightly from her outburst.

Claire took a calming breath. "Yes, I wish to dissolve it."

"Understood. It will be terminated before noon." Greeva had her seal the document and handed it to a nearby goblin. "On a related note, when this contract was discovered it also came to our attention that 250,000 gallons had been yearly removed from this account by Albus Dumbledore and sent to the Weasley account, as well as a sizable dose of both Amorita, a highly powerful, dangerous and illegal love potion, and Lyrax, a loyalty potion that in high doses can destroy the mind."

Claire's jaw dropped. "You're kidding." She managed. When Greeva shook his head no, she said, "Can I retract these transactions?"

"Yes, it is your right now." Claire wasn't used to having this kind of power, it made her feel much better. She had that signed and sealed, not using her name but simply leaving it as Head of the House of Potter.

"To continue with this," Greeva handed her yet another letter. Claire accepted it and scanned it, she had some trouble with the official language used but she got the gist of it. She owned property – she could hardly wrap her brain around the thought. Only some of it has been seized. "I recommend not only retracting the property used by Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix, but also fine them for it."

"Okay, but please don't bankrupt them if it would, just leave them enough to live by if it comes to that," Even though Albus Dumbledore had clearly meant to brainwash her Claire couldn't bear the thought of consigning anyone to the lifestyle she'd lived with during her tenure with the Dursley's.

Greeva looked surprised but nodded. "Understood. Done and completed, this notices will be sent to Britain."

Claire frowned, looking back down at the will, "It says here there is a man named Remus Lupin who would have been my uncle and guardian had the Ministry not barred him from even contacting me, is he alive?"

"Yes, he is." Greeva said.

"Why did they refuse to let him raise me?" Claire asked, trying to keep the anger out of her voice and mostly succeeding.

"Remus Lupin carries the misfortune of being a werewolf." Greeva replied bluntly. "The people fear him, they would have refused to let him around any child, nevermind a daughter of an Ancient and Noble house like yourself due to allegedly being a danger to you."

Claire felt tears prick at the edges of her eyes, she knew what it was like to be treated like a freak and monster despite being kind-hearted, "Is he poor?"

"He lives on the edge of poverty," Greeva confirmed. "It is hard for him to keep a job and he is ostracized by many who know his secret."

At this, Claire's decision was solidified, "I hereby sell Remus John Lupin Shell Cottage and the surrounding forty-acre woods, no rent required. I also state that he be sent 50, 000 gallons every year from the Potter Family Vault."

Greeva nodded. "Of course Lady Potter." He had a goblin collect these deeds and have them forwarded to the werewolf immediately.

With that settled, Claire smiled. Perhaps she'd sent Mr. Lupin a letter and ask him about himself and her parents. She turned her attention back to the letter and looked at the guardian list, "Who are Frank and Alice Longbottom? It says here that they would have been my guardians if Sirius Black had died."

"They were aurors during the war against the Dark Lord Voldemort." Greeva said, "Less than a day after your parents were murdered they were attacked by Death Eaters and suffered from prolonged exposure to the Crutioutos Curse, a forbidden curse that causes extreme agony. They currently reside in St. Mugo's for permanent care."

Claire squeezed her eyes shut at this, how horrible, was there anyone who Voldemort hadn't hurt? "What else do you know about them?"

"They have a son, Neville Longbottom, who's your age. He lives with his grandmother Augusta Longbottom in Britain."

Claire asked, "I wish to send him some books, and I wish to make a donation to St. Mugos. 100,000 gallons will do. Also, is it possible for a muggle bank account to be connected to this one?"

"It shall be done. And yes, it is possible." Greeva said.

"Good. Then I would like to set up one of those as well."

"As you wish Lady Potter."

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Claire walked out of the bank with a certain weight on her shoulders after hearing what happened to her godmother, she wished she could do something more conclusive to help Neville Longbottom but where she was that was the best she could do.

Missy, Draco, Ginny and Luna were waiting for her at the steps. "You look serious. What's the matter?" Luna asked. Claire told them about all the things she had discovered, and about Remus and the Longbottoms.

Draco grimaced. "Merlin. I heard from my ex-father what happened to the two Longbottoms. Bellatrix never should have left St. Mugo's herself, something happened after Hogwarts that drove her completely insane. Look at what happened."

"It was very nice of you to buy those things for Mr. Lupin." Luna remarked. "I'm sure he'll be glad to have them. People aren't nice to werewolves."

"I can't believe mum and Dumbledore were going to do those things to you," Ginny was appalled and horrified, "I'm so sorry Claire."

"Don't worry about it, I took care of it." Claire said.

"Right. Now that that's settled, let's go to the music shop. I've got Dobby and Kreacher working on the electricity generator." Draco said. The girls brightened when they heard that and got back in the car.

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Claire was in heaven. So was Ginny. They had such a good time that Missy eventually had to put a bottomless spell on the trunk of the car.

Claire bought a sound system, a guitar, a microphone, a drum set, a couple smart phones, a TV and a DVD/Blue-Ray player. Then they went into a paint shop to get paints and boards. Then Ginny took them through a tour of both muggle and magical clothing. Claire, Luna and Ginny couldn't believe it, they had beautiful dresses, first-hand clothing that fit them, and actual opal jewellery.

Draco brought them fully into the magical stores. They got themselves wands and text books, and a book on Fantastic Creatures and How To Handle them, the sequel to Where to Find Them.

Finally, loaded down with treasure, they headed home.

They stopped for lunch before getting to work.

The group agreed to split up and handle different sections. Ginny and Draco peeled off to the Entertainment Room, Missy disappeared upstairs with the clothing while Claire and Luna went straight to the massive music room. The music room was just as good as all the other rooms in the building, complete with a slightly raised stage and chairs for an audience at the back.

The electric generator was finished, and she had Dobby and Kreacher move and implement the sound system.

"Right. No, more to the left, perfect." She smiled as it was all put into place. "Dobby, be a dear and bring the piano in here. Kreacher, please assemble the drum set."

She plugged in the microphone and set it up in the middle of the stage. She put the guitar on the side and moved back. Perfect. Luna played a few notes on the piano and smiled at Claire, "My mummy taught me how to play."

Ginny and Draco, meanwhile, and been going through the hassle of getting the TV implemented and set up in one of the three entertainment rooms. Much creative dancing around curse words ensued until Draco finally figured out which wires went where and Ginny worked out how the remote worked.

They met up in the art room. They set up the paints and the canvases, which were now ready for use at a moment's notice. They then pulled out their smart phones, putting each other on the speed dial lists. Draco then called Dobby, and a moment later their phones were impervious to magic, something that left both Ginny and Claire very smug.

Then, as one, they went upstairs and observed their wardrobes. "Hey guys?" Claire asked conversationally.

"Yeah? Are we the best or what?" Draco asked dramatically.

Ginny chuckled, "I'm inclined to agree with you Draco, but I don't think that's what Claire was getting at."

"Yeah, remember when I said I don't care about the Dursleys anymore?" Claire asked. "Well, I can't help but look at all these beautiful things and want to thank them for spurring me to make the best decision of my life so far."

Three jaws dropped in tandem before Draco smirked and started laughing, "Oh, you do have an evil side Claire! I LOVE it!"

"I think I see your point too Claire, I mean I haven't written to my mum yet. I should send her something nice, shouldn't I?" Ginny asked with a false innocent smile.

"Missy!" Claire called. The small elf appeared. "We want to put on a fashion show!"

So, for the remaining hours before dinner, the four friends tried on clothes. Claire, who once lived in fear of being slapped for being too pretty, posed in front of her camera in an expensive dress with ensemble ruby jewellery that Petunia wished she could have, in a house that the Dursley's life savings couldn't buy. It was a fiery red and suited her nicely. Luna also looked beautiful, with a dress as silver as her name that complimented her eyes. Ginny was wearing an exotic outfit with dark glasses, sapphires in her hair and embroided high heels. Draco was also looking sharp in the suits he had purchased. They went through their wardrobes, wearing different outfits on the balcony and in front of the house, though they were careful nothing that could identify where they were was included in the pictures.

The laughing kids printed their pictures and began packing them into several separate envelopes. Claire attached an unnoticeable monitoring device to the ones to the Weasleys and Dursleys. "Please make sure these letters can't be followed back here," they told the post office man. The man nodded and sent them off via Floo.

They went straight back home and Draco had the screen temporarily moved to the dinner table so they could watch the chaos while they ate. Vengeance is sweet.

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Remus Lupin couldn't believe it.

It was a hoax, a dream, it had to be. The Head of House Potter – who on earth could that be? - had sold him Shell Cottage and the woods around it? No rent demanded? He/She were giving him 50, 000 dollars a year? His poverty would just vanish and suddenly he would have a stable, even hopeful living, an impossibility for a werewolf.

Who would do that for him? His only friends were dead, another had betrayed them and was in prison, and little Claire Potter had just gone missing. How? Why?

Cautiously, he made his way to Shell Cottage. If this was a prank, it was a cruel one.

But no. Shell Cottage had no traps and no one inside waiting to evict him, there was just a pile of documents and a package sent from Norway. Norway? He didn't know anyone from Norway.

Remus took the documents and sat down on the couch, wondering what on earth was going on. He was grateful to be sitting when he reached the end of it. The Head of House Potter was none other than the missing Claire. She was safe somewhere and had become Head of House, and she was the one giving him Shell Cottage and the allowance that had hit his bank account.

Hands shaking, Remus put the documents aside and opened the package. Several pictures fell out of it, clearly taken from a muggle camera, and Remus almost fainted. It was the eight-year-old Claire, laughing and holding hands with Ginny Weasley, Draco Black?, and Maia's daughter Luna, wearing dresses that certainly didn't come cheap on the balcony of a beautiful house. The last picture was just an image of Claire alone, smiling back at him, long black hair freshly washed and lying against her pale skin. She looked alarmingly thin but otherwise happy.

There was also a letter:

Dear Mr. Remus Lupin

I'm sorry I didn't send you a letter sooner, but I wasn't even aware of my heritage until three days ago, and I had to find out about you from my parent's will. It's too bad the Ministry wouldn't let you take care of me; I would have loved to have you for a guardian. I read about you from my mother's letters, you sound like such a wonderful person, despite being a werewolf.

It's not your fault, but I think I should tell you why I left. I ran away from the Dursleys because they treated me horribly. I had to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs, they hardly fed me and Dudley would beat me up. I just couldn't stand it anymore and ran away. I went to Norway on my uncle's credit cards, so that'll show him.

I'm really sorry if I worried you by disappearing, but I couldn't stand that place. Anyway, by chance I ran into my friends Draco Ginny and Luna. Draco isn't a Malfoy anymore because his dad murdered his friends and disowned him for protecting his Italian friend from him. Unfortunately by doing that he and Narcissa (good name for the harpy) accidentally forfeited their shares of the Black fortune. And serve them right! Ginny ran away because her mother tried to sell her for a higher position in society, and Luna went with her because she didn't want to have to live her life in St. Mugo's after her parents died.

Also, be careful around Dumbledore, I found out some bad things about him. I think he wants to use me so please don't tell me you got a letter from me, I don't want him to possibly find me. Please, he stole money from me and tried to give me Amorita and Lyarx.

I hope I can see you sometime soon, but I'm too afraid to come back to Britain. It's not safe for us. But I hope what I've given you can make you happy.

All my love

Claire Potter

Remus set the letter down, not wanting to smudge the ink with the tears that suddenly blurred his vision.

-With Dumbledore-

"What do you mean, illegal acts?! I am the greatest Light wizard ever! How could I have done anything of the sort?!" Dumbledore demanded, his grandfatherly persona slipping badly, it was bad enough that he'd been evicted from Potter properties but now he was being sued?

"Sir," the goblin said, sarcasm dripping off the word, "we've found heavy doses of Amorita and Lyarx at the house of one Molly Weasley, the Amorita keyed to her youngest son and the Lyarx keyed to you. The intention of this is obvious and we'd like you to resign as Chief Warlock with your dignity in tact before we have to forcibly throw you out of the Wizamgot. You will have to be investigated as well."

Dumbledore was visibly knocked back for six. He had told that woman to keep the potions hidden! Had the girl discovered this when she became Head of her House? A female head of house! That was unheard of!

Regardless, she must have discovered some of his plans when the goblins unsealed her will. He couldn't afford an investigation, they'd find out about Black's innocence and potentially his decision of the girl's fate. He'd have to withdraw manipulations for now.

He just had to find a way to get the runaway girls back to Hogwarts.

-With Molly Weasley-

"You can't do this to me! I'll go straight to Dumbledore, mark my words!" Molly Weasley's legendary temper had erupted an hour ago and had been raging nonstop, leaving her youngest son Ron, currently the only person at home, cowering in his room. And a good thing too, Bill, Charlie, Arthur, Fred and George were furious with her making Ginny run away, they didn't need to know about the potions and Ron's intended bride had been.

Something, somehow, had gone wrong. The little girl had become head of house Potter – a girl, head of house! That was completely unprecedented! -the marriage contract had been dissolved, the yearly paychecks had been refunded and the potions discovered. She was going to have to sell almost all the sparkling new things she'd bought for herself and Ronald to get him to do his tutoring in politics to pay off the debts.

Molly had been so deep in her fuming that it took her several long minutes to notice that there was an envelope waiting for her in the mail. Thinking it was from Dumbledore, she ripped it open and was confused when several muggle pictures fell out. Then she read the note.

Immediately she snatched the photos off the floor and stared bug-eyed at each of them for several long minutes.

A minute later, there was a spectacular explosion of furious magic and a ranting Molly Weasley had to be hit with a silencer when the boys came home. When the brothers and fathers saw the pictures, they breathed identical sighs of relief to know that Ginny was safe, where ever she was.

-At the Dursleys-

"THE LITTLE BITCH!" Vernon Dursley was brought scurrying into the living room by his wife's shriek of shock and apoplectic rage.

Petunia was shaking, literally shaking, holding what looked like a letter and several pictures.

"She's mocking us, honey! The little bitch is mocking us! Just – just look at her!" Petunia shoved the pictures under Vernon's nose. Dudley was standing nearby, holding a few and just gaping, his mouth hanging so far open that it was in legitimate danger of falling right off.

Claire Potter was standing in mansion that they could fit their house in several times over, with clothing, jewellery and equipment that cost more than Vernon made in a good six months. She looked beautiful and healthy and above all, cheerful and smug in her knowledge that she was more better off than them now by a very large margin.

The girl cheerfully explained in her letter that she was grateful for them scaring her into running away, she had discovered her magic and the fact that she, as her father's daughter, was a multimillionare. So now she could buy anything she wanted, oh and this balcony had a beautiful view of the Norway sea, didn't it?

Vernon had to think of that for a few minutes before it hit him, he had had under his control a girl who was the heir to a fortune and by treating her like a freak spurred her to run away and discover this. So instead of them using the fortune he felt was rightfully theirs for taking the freak in, the girl had gotten away and now they were in credit card debt instead of living like kings.

The police men who came to take them to court over lack of payment charges had to knock Vernon Dursley out, the man had gone completely nuts.

Irony is a bitch.

End Chapter

A little shorter than the last one, but I wanted to establish Claire, Draco, Ginny and Luna's new home. A note on Dumbledore, he'll do whatever he thinks is necessary to defeat Voldemort, and he believes there's only one way for that to happen. Hence the potions.

Read and Review please!