Harry Potter

What were you thinking

You old fool?

This water is awfully cold, Harry was thinking as he swam through the Murky water of the Black lake. What Idiot sets a task in a half frozen lake in February, for Merlin's sake? Just proving no one in the wizarding world had any common sense. As the water began to clear near the bottom of the lake, Harry could hear the singing of the Merpeople off in the distance and began to speed toward its increasing volume. It was not too much longer when he saw four people tied to a statue. Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, A little blond girl he didn't know, and Cho Chang.

Harry swam straight for Hermione, but was pushed aside by a half shark half man that snatched Hermione and swam away. As he quickly puzzled over this Cedric Diggory made his appearance cutting loose Cho and began swimming away.

Left with only Ron and the little girl and no sign of Fluer, Harry cut loose both Hostages and made for the surface.

As Harry dragged Ron by the scruff of his shirt and carried the little girl in his other arm, her head on his shoulder, He saw the bane of his existence, Dumbledore.

The Old wizard walked up to Harry. "Well done my boy!" came from the Old Fools mouth.

Harry's Green eyes had taken on the color of the Killing curse. "What did you think you were doing?"

Before Dumbledore could speak, Fluer came running from the medical tent. "My sister….You saved her!" As she kissed Harry's cheeks and pulled her little sister from his arms.

Harry then turned back on Dumbledore. With out realizing what he was saying he screamed. "You put the woman I love more than anything in this world for some one else to rescue. Then you insult me with some one who betrays me at every turn with his damn jealousy. EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"

Dumbledore doing his best to look contrite spoke. "Harry, Ronald is your best friend." Harry raised a hand to silence the old man.

"Well I guess it goes to show how little you know. We haven't even spoken since the night my name came out of that cursed goblet. Asking me how I got my name in it. I still have no idea how it got there. I know this much. The only person in this school I trust is Hermione. If it were anyone for me in that lake it should have been her."

At that moment, Hermione broke from Victors grasp and ran to Harry throwing her arms about his neck and kissing him soundly. "I love you too!" she spoke loud enough for all to hear.

Dumbledore wanted none of this. "Miss Granger, I thought you were in love with Mister Weasley?"

Hermione took one look at the Old man. "You must be completely delusional, me love Ronald, what a joke….you really must be kidding me!" She said with no mirth in her voice at all.

Ron had had enough at this point, and put his foot in his mouth and blew Dumbledore right out of the water. "You are promised to me!" He shouted at Hermione. "Dumbledore even set up a betrothal contract as your magical guardian!"

Harry's magic was swirling now if it were not for Hermione holding him the old fool would be dead.

"What right do you have interfering in our love lives? Who do you think you are? I for one am headed to Gringotts right now! I'm going to see just what you've been up too. Come on Hermione!"

Dumbledore stood at the edge of the black Lake, the castle in the background seeming to mock his very existence. His Occlumency shields making him appear as perfectly calm while inside his temper ragged.

Harry had not forgiven Mister Weasley as he expected. He was straying from the path he had set for the boy from before he was born. If Harry got his parents, will all would be lost. He shuddered to think what more the Goblins could inform him.

Harry and Hermione rushed out the main gate before the old fool could get his bearings and walked directly to the three broomsticks. They waved at Madame Rosemerta, threw a galleon on the bar jumped in the fireplace calling out the Leaky Caldron!

When they arrived, they immediately slipped out into Diagon Alley headed for the bank.

As they began their stroll down Diagon Alley, other witches and wizards were giving them odd looks. Hermione gave a quick glance at Harry realizing he was still in his swimming costume and dragged him into Madame Maulkins. After more than a few embarrassing moments, they emerged fully dressed in new robes, and shoes. Harry also bought a western hat to cover his scar.

They moved quickly and quietly towards the bank, avoiding Kingsley and Tonks who seemed to be looking for them. 'Damn Dumbledore' came to Harry's mind. They moved to the nearest open teller, who was examining some precious stones and patiently waited to be recognized. It was only a few moments yet felt like forever, for the goblin to speak. "What do you want wizard?" He spoke, with not a little petulance.

Harry remained calm and polite. "Good Teller, I need to speak with some one about the Potter accounts."

Still with a petulant attitude, the Goblin asked. "Would Mister Potter have his key?"

Harry Hemmed and hawed for a few seconds. "Dumbledore has my Key." He said quietly, with a hint of embarrassment.

The Goblin looked at Harry. "No one should have your key but you!" It was said, with more than a hint of anger. "I will see how we can help you, wait here!" The goblin huffed before walking down a hallway at a trot.

Harry and Hermione waited patiently discussing nothing of importance for what seemed like hours, but it was only a few minutes.

When the Goblin returned, it was with a very impressive looking goblin followed by five Goblin guards in full armor holding very shinny Battle-axes and swords. The Teller then introduced him. "Mister Potter, this is Ragnok, director of the bank, and Head of the Goblin nation." Harry Bowed and Hermione curtseyed, Then Harry held out his hand to shake Ragnok's hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you sir." Harry said with no smile yet still with all the respect he could muster.

Ragnok took Harry's hand gently but firmly. "The pleasure is mine, Lord Potter, Come we have much to discuss." Ragnok then asked Harry. "Will the young lady be accompanying us?"

Harry Replied. "Sir I would trust Miss Hermione Granger with my life. I go very few places with out her wise council."

Ragnok seemed to chuckle a bit. "Like your father you are, bring her along."

They followed the entourage down the hallways of the bank until they reached a Large Golden door to be ushered inside. The Office was very opulent with furnishing it seemed from every era for a thousand years, and yet it felt quite welcoming. They were taken to a small side room like unto the living room at the Dursley's but much more inviting. As they sat on the sofa, a small Goblin Harry recognized hustled into the room carrying several large accordion files and two ring boxes. Harry acknowledged the goblin. "Hello Griphook, it's been a long time."

Griphook nearly dropped everything in surprise. "You know my name?"

Harry tried not to smile but was losing the battle. "You are the first Goblin I met returning to the magical world. You treated me so well, how could I ever forget you?"

It is very disconcerting to see a goblin blush but Harry accomplished it.

Griphook was very amazed. "Thank you, Lord Potter that is very high praise."

He bowed as he said it and you could tell it was heart felt. Griphook then set the folders down on the table, and asked. "Will there be any thing else my Lord?" Ragnok looked at Griphook. "Not at this time, I will be discussing your position with you later." Ragnok dismissed Griphook with a wave of his hand.

He turned to Harry and began. "Lord Potter we should begin with your emancipation." Ragnok removed several sheets of Parchment with glowing spaces for Harry to sign. Harry had one question.

"How did I get emancipated?"

Ragnok smiled, "When you were forced into the Tri-wizard Tournament, You had several government officials and the heads of three schools declare you of age for you needed to be an adult to compete. When you competed in the first task, you confirmed it. Now we just need to turn in the ministry paperwork and remove the trace from you."

Dumbledore's Office Hogwarts

While talking with Severus Snape on ways to bring Harry back under his control, A small silver item on his shelves stopped began to shake and let out a puff of black smoke. The wards on Privet Drive just Fell.