Chapter 2—Testing and new laws
.
I finally connected my holding a wand and being able to learn the spell or charm that had passed through the wand. Then the old man's elf taught me a few tricks. The elf didn't mean to but on one trip I held the elf's hand when he 'slid' to a delivery address. I now could 'slide' rather than 'apperate'. The old man had about sixty used wands in a box so I received more shocks as I tried each one. I was learning this stuff at a fantastic rate and some of the old skills increased when I got hold of a wand of someone who was better at that subject, spell or curse.
A day finally came, "So Jimmy what you are going to do about your education? You do know you have to go to school under your real name" the old man grinned.
"Old Man your shitting me, aren't you?"
"Nope, whoever you become eleven you get an owl from Hogwarts. If you do not respond they will follow-up and then the Ministry will be notified to find you; everyone had to be trained to OWL levels."
"Shit!"
The good news was that in England no one had identification until they reached sixteen and that was a national driver's license. Provincial driver licenses were no good in a lot of areas. You could get a passport but who ever went traveling? So I could attend under my current name and Harry Potter could disappear. I laid that on the old man and he responded,"Yep you could try but they use anti-cheating quills during end of year tests and OWL testing so you have to put your real name down on the papers."
After a few nights of what ifs and sleepless nights I headed down to the Wizarding Examinations Authority. "Yes Miss I would like some information about taking my OWLs."
"The next testing is in a week, just show up with fifty Galleons and you can sit the test." replied the bored receptionist.
It was great to be ignored by almost everyone, I could not imagine the attention I was going to get when I appeared as Harry Potter. I walked into the Ministry and out of the Ministry and no one paid any attention to me, I was going to miss this being Mr. nobody.
I no sooner get back to my loft when SharpKnife's owl arrives. I need to be in his office now!
/Scene Break/
"SharpKnife what's the hurry?"
"Since you showed up I've had our research department looking into your affairs. I also had an audit done on all your accounts, just to check after these areas have been idle for long."
"And?"
"Everything is above-board even though Dumbledore has applied for access to your family faults many times. What research found, that under law, we can now add the Slytherin and Riddle vaults to your account. This is old law under conquest and your being an off shoot of the Slytherin line via the Pervell Family but this will allow you to file paperwork to get you emancipated. As an adult your problem over going to Hogwarts is mute after your OWL testing."
"What do I have to do?" I was just about ready to jump out of my skin in happiness.
"Your signing here makes your application effective 31 October 1981 and the youngest ever to be emancipated."
/Scene Break/
I showed up at the Ministry's and put on my Potter 'glamor' charm before entering the Wizarding Examinations Authority room. I almost cried having to put down my name as Harry James Potter. At least the quill didn't mess with my glamour charm which showed spiky black hair, glasses and a lightning bolt scar.
The multiple written tests over the next few days were a breeze. The practical exams were childish, I mean having pineapples tap dancing? Professor Marchbanks asked at the end of the practical if I had any special talents or accomplishments that I wished to produce for extra points. I must have over done it when I turned into a Panther as she fainted. After Professor Tofty revived the poor lady I then showed my Patronus, and then conjured six musical instruments to play a waltz. I was told to register my animigus form next door if I wished to stay legal. Another transfer into a Panther and twenty Galleons I had my license. I wondered over to the 'apperation' section and that cost me thirty Galleons for the license. I really have no idea why all these turkeys were so excited, wasn't that part of being a wizard?
The fire place lit up at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Arthur Weasley came out babbling. "Albus Harry Potter just was at the Ministry and you should hear them talk."
"Yes I'm sure someone so famous showing up at the Ministry would cause a commotion even if he should not have been there."
"Albus he just registered and was licensed as an animagus and he got his 'apperation' license."
"Surely Arthur those are just wild rumors over a famous person showing up at the Ministry."
"Check yourself Albus I have to get home and tell Molly that Ginny's betrothed is so talented." Author jumps into the fire with the shout "The Burrow".
Albus Dumbledore was furious; he would put armed guards around Privet Drive and keep that brat locked in that house if anything Arthur said was true. At the Ministry he gave a kick at the Goblin he almost tripped over getting to the proper offices. It was too bad he didn't know that the same Goblin was carrying the Harry Potter final paper work for emancipation. The guards went up at Privet Drive an hour later.
/Scene Break/
Privet Drive the next morning:
"Yes what do you want?" Vernon Growled.
"I wish to see you and …"
"Well I don't want to see you, your undoubtedly trash the way your dressed." Vernon was having a bad day.
"Is Harry available I…"
"He left years ago and now it's your turn!" Vernon slammed the door in Dumbledore irate face.
Dumbledore organized his plan of entering the house, checking on the status of Harry and then 'Obliviating' the whole lot of them. He could not have Harry remembering anything he learned beyond Privet Drive.
That plan went south as Vernon and his car came racing out of the garage as he was late for work. MadEye Moody was later sent to guard and confirmed that there was no sign of Harry Potter at Privet Drive.
/Scene Break/
Gringotts Bank London:
"Yes I wish to file this marriage contract with the proper office." Dumbledore had a plan. With this contract he might be able to access the Potter Family vaults as a representative of Ginny Weasley.
"That will be one hundred Galleons wizard." Dumbledore happily paid the money as he could almost feel the gold in his pockets. Now the only thing he needed was to get some laws passes. Lets see, national treasure, must be trained by expert me, yes next week at the Wizengamot and a set of new laws. Harry Potter would be rounded up and put under the kindly rule of Molly Weasley.
The Goblin deposited the money and delivered the contract to SharpKnife. He knew there was a good chance of blood being spilled over this document.
SharpKnife broke into laughter, someone was in trouble and not his client. He dispatched an owl to Harry and awaited the explosion. Harry he knew was a well rounded adult in an eleven year old body. Living in Knockturn alley at that age and still alive only meant fights and that Harry had probably killed already if rumors were correct. Residents of that alley were closed mouthed about what went on in Knockturn Alley. One thing was true, they protected their own, the rest just disappeared.
SharpKnife's FLASHBACK:
"Master SharpKnife there are reports of a fight in Knockturn Alley!"
"Why would that concern us AxSmasher?"
"The ministry will be coming for vault confiscation as at least two were marked with the Dark Mark."
"I fail to see why this rates such excitement on your part AxSmasher,"
"SharpKnife there was four adults in the fight and a wizard child."
"I fail to see…"
"The kid is said to be about ten years old but killed all four of the adults, the Aurors are looking for the kid as he disappeared."
END FLASHBACK:
An hour after the marriage contracts submission:
"SharpKnife we have to stop meeting like this, someone is going to start talking? I thought a little joking was needed; there was trouble in this call from Gringotts.
"Harry take a seat this is going to take some scheming to get even."
"Huh?"
"Dumbledore has some weird plans for you or he just hates you. He just filed a marriage contract as your magical guardian. It's not worth the paper it's written on but it's the fact that this is line theft and is a very dangerous game to play."
I was pissed but anger never got me anything, "So what do you suggest I do, don't do or who do I kill?"
"Knowing he is an enemy is a plus but first I would do nothing over the marriage contract. Find out as much as you can but do nothing. They will think they have a hold over you while you plan their failure. You will also have something to hang over their heads if they box you into something you don't like."
"I can't do that from the Junk Shop and the Ministry will be of no help." I was not getting anywhere the way things were currently .
"You may want to play spy in their midst."
"SharpKnife you have a suggestion so just spit it out."
"Go to Hogwarts, that's were Dumbledore is and see what you can see, you are an adult and can walk out at any time."
"I would be more like a cat among the pixies but I don't have a better plan. He has all the power yet I don't have any leverage against him and maybe I can learn something there. Where is the closest town to Hogwarts and can I rent a place there?"
"Actually there is a village called Hogsmeade Village just outside of Hogwarts. You have no need to rent as there is a cottage you own that's been vacant for a while, I will have renovated for you. I also have a permission slip sighed by your aunt for student weekend visits. She sign it an a general release form for only a few pounds. This will stop anyone who doesn't know that you are an adult. I also will provide you a permanent port-key to Hogwarts from your cottage and back again."
"You of course just thought of this just this second, did you?" I laughed.
/Scene break/
I paid the old man a years rent just in case and then the fun began. I went on a buying binge. The cottage was on the main street of Hogsmeade but way down the main street. With no serious magic in the area I could load up on muggle TVs etc.
The most fun was shopping for school supplies in Diagon Alley. I looked like myself and not Harry Potter described in the books while the Dumbledore gang stood out like red robes on a snow bank. I had one woman who just got super nosey right next to me.
"Have you seen Harry Potter by any chance?" asked a pink headed girl while I was in Madam Malkins.
"Sorry honey never seen him ever!" After she answered the girl turned to me and asked who I was.
"Me? I'm Jimmy and you are." She of course didn't answer but Madam Malkins added,
"Jimmy Johnson don't you get fresh with the Auror she is just doing her job."
"Can't seen how, this Potter, has he become a public enemy or something that makes him arrest-able?" I was having fun.
"Actually he has, there is a new law out that says he must attend Hogwarts so Professor Dumbledore can train him up or until he becomes an adult." She growled.
"Under that old 'has-been' no wonder that Potter bloke is hiding out." That pissed her off good but before she could reply I turned to Madam Malkins and asked when my clothes would be ready for pick up." It seems that I had made a good decision to go to Hogwarts and spy. The Auror stomped off tripping on the door jam.