Chapter Four: Potter Place

"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore, welcome to our home," said Hermione, opening their back door to allow her Headmaster into the Grangers' home. "Daddy, Mum, and Harry are in the sitting room, so please follow me."

"Thank-you, Hermione," said the said the aged wizard, entering the Grangers' home.

"Professor, may Harry and I watch you place the wards around our property?" asked Hermione, as she and Dumbledore passed through the Grangers' home.

"As I will be using magic from your soul-bond and having the two of you assist me means the two of you need to be present when I set the wards," said Albus, as they entered the sitting room. "I am going to use a combination of Runes and Charms to build the wards, and doing so should be quite educational for both of you. However, before I build the wards, there are several items I wish to discuss with you, Harry, and your parents."

"Professor Dumbledore, would you like a cup of tea while we have our discussion?" asked Jean.

"Yes, I would Dr. Granger, thank-you," replied Albus, accepting a cup of tea. Taking a sip, he commented, "Ah, Earl Grey, one of my favorites, thank-you. The first item I wish to discuss concerns Harry's godfather, Sirius Black. Last evening upon the conclusion of our business at Gringotts, I traveled to the Weasley homestead where I discovered our suspicions in regards to Ronald Weasley's pet rat were well founded. This rat is indeed Peter Pettigrew, and, under the influence of Veritaserum, he confessed to being the Potters' secret keeper, betraying them to Voldemort, and framing Sirius Black for his murder and those of a dozen innocent Muggle bystanders. I tried to secure Sirius's immediate release from Azkaban, last night, but was only able to get him released for a trial to be held this coming Wednesday morning at 10:00."

"Could we go to Sirius's trial?" asked Harry.

"I am afraid not, Harry," answered Albus. "Unless they are summoned to be part of the proceedings, underage wizards and witches cannot attend Wizengamot sessions. Although, you and Hermione are now considered to be of age, we still wish to keep your status secret, so I ask you not to attend this trial. Rest assured I will do all I can to secure a full acquittal for a wrongfully imprisoned man."

"Okay," said the disappointed tweenagers.

"Can we at least meet Sirius, tomorrow?" asked Hermione.

"If I can secure his acquittal, I will take him to be checked over thoroughly by Madam Pomfrey and depending on her findings I will then arrange for you to meet Sirius here or at Hogwarts," said Albus. "The next items I wish to discuss are the Wizengamot seats the two of you are now entitled to hold. Altogether, the two of you can claim four seats, one each for the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Peverell, and Potter houses. However, if we are to keep your status secret, then I ask you to name representatives to hold all of the seats but the Potter seat for you. Using my status as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot I can claim the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Peverell seats without revealing who actually controls them. The Potter seat can only be claimed by the current Potter Head of House, and I would rather most people did not know of your status. The two of you should select people you trust, as they will be casting your Wizengamot votes for you until you can take the seats for yourselves. The only requirement is that they must all be of at least half-blood status."

"How soon do we have to decide?" asked Hermione. "Other than Hogwarts staff members, neither one of us know very many magical people."

"You have until September 1 to choose," said Albus. "However, if you could have your representatives in place before Wednesday, then we would have three more votes to secure Sirius's acquittal with."

"What about Ron's dad for one?" Harry asked. "I've never met him, but the all Weasleys I know are really great people, so he must be a trustworthy person."

"Yes, Arthur Weasley would make an excellent choice," commented Albus.

"How about Professor McGonagall for another?" Hermione asked.

"Professor McGonagall has been asked several times to hold a seat in the Wizengamot for someone, but as Wizengamot duties would interfere with her teaching duties at Hogwarts, she has declined every such offer she has received," answered Albus. "If I may, I will make several suggestions. One name that comes to mind is Andromeda Tonks."

"You mean Dora's mum," squealed Hermione.

"Yes, she is young Nymphadora's mother," said Albus. "How do you know of her?"

"We met Dora this morning when we went to her dad's Eye-emporium, so Harry and I could get eye exams and for him to get some new glasses," said Hermione. "While we were there, we found out we both have Metamorphmagi talents that were awakened by our soul-bond. Dora even volunteered to help teach us how to control them."

"Really, can you two show me some of your talent?" asked Albus. Seeing Harry change his face to one more time resemble Hagrid, and Hermione change her face to look like Ron Weasley, the elderly wizard clapped his hands in delight, as he said, "Amazing, simply amazing. You will not go wrong with Miss Tonks teaching you how to control your new talent. If you are able to master this talent you could conceivably go anywhere in the magical world without a soul recognizing you. The next name that comes to mind is Augusta Longbottom."

"Is she Neville's Gran?" asked Harry.

"Yes, she is," said Albus. "Augusta Longbottom is a most formidable witch, and would make an excellent ally to hold one of your seats."

"Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Tonks, and Neville's Gran are all acceptable to us," said Harry.

"Excellent," said Albus. "If I could have both of your signatures on this parchment I can proceed with your appointments. The final topic I wish to discuss is, that after you help me set the wards surrounding this home, for the two of you to refrain from your emotional outbursts which have sent magical shockwaves throughout magical Britain each of the past two days."

"Sorry, Professor, that was my fault both times," said the blushing Hermione.

"Professor Dumbledore, when going through my Potter family holdings, I read where I own a home that Fordyce thinks isn't too far from his and Jean's surgery and I was wondering if that might be a better and safer place for us to live," said Harry. "If you can get Sirius freed, then maybe he could live there at least until he recovers from the years he's spent in a prison cell."

"Yes, that may be a most viable alternative to your living accommodations, but I no longer know anything of this home," said Albus. "I believe at one time I may have known of this residence, but with the passing of your father and his father I no longer remember whether or not I knew of your home. I suspect that only the current Head of House may provide the location and access to your home and as you have never been there you, yourself cannot provide such at this time."

"How do I find out exactly where this house is?" asked Harry. "Gringotts gave me a map of the general location of the house, but the map doesn't show exactly where the house is."

"May I see your map?" asked Albus.

"Sure, I'll be right back with it," said Harry.

"Ah, this map is part of a general description of the home," said Albus, looking over the map. "On the parchment attached to the map there is some writing I cannot read, that you should be able to read."

"It says here, that the house has four floors, a basement, and a dungeon, more than three acres of land, and borders the northern edge of Regent's Park near the zoo," said Harry. "It says there are at least four House-elves maintaining the house, and that a House-elf named Saunders is the Chief elf."

"As you are now the Potter Head of House, perhaps you could call Saunders to you," Albus suggested.

"How do I do that, sir?" asked Harry.

"Simply say Saunders, would you come here, please," said Albus.

"Saunders, come here please," said Harry.

"Master Harry, it is wonderful to see you again," said a primly dressed House-elf, appearing in front of Harry. "How may Saunders be of service?"

"Do you know how we could get to the house described on this parchment I got from Gringotts?" asked Harry.

"Master Harry, I can take you to Potter Place, and once we get here, you can by your word give others access to your home," said Saunders.

"Can Hermione go with us when you take me there?" asked Harry.

"I can only take you and your spouse," answered Saunders.

"Hermione's my soul-bond mate, does that count?" asked Harry.

"Master Harry, your great-grandfather, Master Joseph, your grandfather, Master Hollingsworth, and father, Master James, will be most pleased," said Saunders.

"My great-grandfather, grandfather and father, are they still alive?" asked Harry.

"No, Master Joseph, Master Hollingsworth and Master James must inhabit Potter Place as ghosts until they can pass on," answered Saunders.

"Could you take us there, tonight?" asked Harry.

"I can take you whenever you want to go," answered Saunders.

"Daddy and Mum, may Saunders take Harry and me to Potter Place?" asked Hermione.

"I don't know; is it safe?" asked Fordyce. "I mean, we really don't know Saunders enough to determine if he's trustworthy or not."

"Drs. Granger, as Harry was able to summon Saunders to him, then you can rest assured he is quite trustworthy and will do these two no harm," said Albus.

"Saunders, after you take them to Potter Place, can you return here for the rest of us?" asked Jean.

"I can return for the rest of you, if Master Harry gives you permission to enter his home after I take Mistress Hermione and him to their home," answered Saunders.

"If you take them to Potter Manor and return here for the rest of within five minutes, you may take them," said Fordyce.

4

"Welcome to Potter Manor, Master Harry and Mistress Hermione," said Saunders, Apparating into the sitting room of Potter Place with the two tweenagers in tow.

"Wow, Harry, this house is more like a palace!" gasped Hermione.

"Young lady, what would be your name, and how did you come to be my grandson's wife at such a tender age?" asked one of three ghosts, floating into the room.

"Dad, Grandpa Potter, and Great-Grandpa Potter, is that really you?" asked the misty-eyed Harry, walking up to the three ghosts.

"Yes, my son, we are you father, grandfather, and great-grandfather," answered James. "Would you please introduce your young wife and tell us how you came to be married at such a young age?"

"Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, it gives me great pleasure to introduce my soul-bond mate, Hermione Jean Granger-Potter," answered Harry.

"At long last, I, Joseph Harmon Potter may take my place next to my lovely wife Beatrix in the Potter Hall of Portraits," said one of the ghosts, fading away.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry, you never really got to meet your great-grandfather," said Hermione.

"Do not be sad, young Hermione and Harry, for my father's essence has joined that of my mother in the Hall of Portraits located on the fourth floor of our home," said Hollingsworth.

"Grandpa Potter, before we continue, could you tell me how I can give other people permission to come here, so Hermione's Dad, Mum, and Professor Dumbledore can join us?" asked Harry.

"In the office hidden behind the fireplace on the third floor, that only the two of you can enter, you will find a magical quill and parchment," answered Hollingsworth. "To give others permission to enter this home you simply have to write their names on the parchment. If either of you decide to revoke this permission, all you have to do is say I hereby ban from Potter Place, followed by the person's name you wish to ban. Doing so shall cast the said person back to their own home, erase their name from the magical parchment, and make said person forget the location of this home and who lives here."

"Okay, we'll do it," said Harry. "How do we get in to the office?"

"Take some floo powder from the self-replenishing pot on the mantle of the fireplace in the third floor hallway, throw some into the fire, step into the flames and say, Potter Place Head of House office," said James. "All others trying this will simply find themselves standing only in the flames."

"Ooh, I've read about floo networks but I haven't used one, yet," said Hermione, as she and Harry approached the fireplace in question.

"You're one up on me; this is the first I've ever even heard of a floo network," said Harry, reaching into the pot. Throwing the powder in the fireplace, he stepped into the green flames, and said, "Potter Place Head of House office."

"Bloody hell, that takes some getting used to," said Harry, sliding out of the fireplace and skidding to a stop in front of a large bookcase.

"Ooh, I didn't like that at all," said Hermione, skidding into Harry and knocking the young wizard into the bookcase as he was picking himself off the floor.

"I'll say," he replied, using his Quidditch reflexes to catch a very old book before it hit his soul-bond mate on the head.

"Oh my, thank-you, Harry," she squealed, seeing the book stop mere inches from her face.

"You're welcome," he replied, extending a hand to help her off the floor, as he set the book on a large mahogany desk. "I wonder where the magical quill and parchment are."

"I think this is them right, here," she commented, seeing a quill and parchment on a table near a window. "Ooh, Harry, look out this window. I can see the London Zoo from here."

"Blimey, we'll have to go there someday," said Harry.

"Maybe we could invite Ginny to go with us," said Hermione.

"Not Ron," said Harry. "You know he'll be really hacked off if we invite his sister and not him."

"I know, but if he's being a real git like Ginny says he is, I really don't want to be around him," said Hermione.

"How do you spell your father's name?" asked Harry, picking up the quill.

"F-o-r-d-y-c-e," she answered.

"Great," he said, writing her parents' and Dumbledore' names on the parchment.

"Good, let's go back to the sitting room so Saunders can go get Daddy, Mum, and Professor Dumbledore," she said, looking for some floo powder. Frowning she said, "Hey, there's no floo powder in here. I wonder what we have to get out of here."

"I don't know," he replied, as the tweenagers began to search the room for clues. "I don't see anything in here about how to get out of here, either."

"Well, if we got in here, surely there's a way to get out," she said, furrowing her brow and biting her lower lip.

"You know, you really look cute when you do that," he commented.

"Harry, now's not the time to flirt with me," she said, starting to get scared. "What if we can't get out of here?"

"Maybe all we have to do is say a room's name in this and we'll get out of here," he suggested. "Take my hand, and let's say sitting room together."

"Okay," she said, holding tightly to his hand. "Let's say it on the count of three; ready, one, two, three."

"Blimey, Dad, they set a new record," said James, beaming at his son and daughter-in-law.

"What do you mean; a new record?" asked Harry.

"The first time all new Potter Heads-of-House and their spouses enter the Head of House office they are told how to get in, but not how to get out," explained Hollingsworth. "James and Lily were the previous record holders, but you two beat their time by more than five minutes."

"Master Hollingsworth, as I recall you and Mistress Gwendolyn set the record for the longest time getting out," commented Saunders. "It is interesting to note that Master James was born about nine months later, as well."

"Now, Saunders, I believe you have several others to bring here," said Hollingsworth.

"As you wish Master Hollingsworth," said Saunders, winking at James.

"You know, son, I oft times regret taking Sirius Black into our home," said Hollingsworth.

"Sirius did teach him it was okay to joke with us," added James.

"As I recall you and Remus helped nurture Saunders rather dry sense of humor, as well" said Hollingsworth.

"Mr. Potter, I noticed a very old copy of the Adventures of Peter Rabbit in the office when Harry and I were in there," said Hermione, as Saunders returned with Fordyce, Jean, and Albus. "Does your family have any more Muggle literature in this house?"

"Young Hermione, first I must correct you," said Hollingsworth. "My family is now your family, so I insist you call me Grandpa Potter. To answer your question, my dear, in our library on the fourth floor we have quite a large selection of Muggle Literature, but the copy of the Adventures of Peter Rabbit you saw in the Head of House office is the original copy of that book. There are many other original copies of books by the same author in the office library, as well."

"Wait a minute, your father said his essence was going to join his lovely wife Beatrix," said Hermione, starting to get very exited. "That means Beatrix Potter was your mother, wasn't she?"

"No, dear, my mother was a Muggle-born witch that was named after Beatrix Potter," said Hollingsworth. "Her maiden name was Conway, and Dad always joked, that the only reason she married him was to change her name to that of the famous Muggle author. The book you saw in the Head of House office was my father's first Christmas gift to my mother after he began courting her."

"Wow, Harry, that book you caught was the original copy of Peter Rabbit, and you now own it," said Hermione.

"That's great," said Harry. "By the way, as far as I'm concerned, everything in this house belongs to both of us, so that book and all the others here are yours, as well. Just don't break your promise to your Dad and Mum and spend the rest of the holidays trying to read every book in the house. Remember, I saw the book you checked out of the Hogwarts library for what you said was a bit of light reading, and I well know how you can be."

"Son, I remember having a similar conversation with your maternal grandparents about your mother's reading habits, and it appears fate has given you a girl much like the one that married your dear old dad," said James.

"Dad, I feel like I'm the luckiest bloke in the world to have Hermione, the best girl in the world, as my soul-bond mate," said Harry.

"Ooh, Harry," squealed Hermione, kissing him and sending out another magical shock wave.

"Dad, did you feel that?" said James.

"Yes, my boy, I did, and from the looks of things so did Albus, Saunders, and young Hermione's parents," said Hollingsworth.

"Master Hollingsworth and Master James, what just happened/" asked the oldest of three other House-elves, appearing in their midst. "We just felt something pass through our bodies, and all of my aches and pains are gone."

"Lucinda, I do not know what just happened, but it was caused when my grandson Harry's soul-bond mate kissed him," said Hollingsworth.

"Hollingsworth, every time young Hermione expresses her emotions to your grandson in this manner they emit a most powerful magical shock wave," said Albus. "The first time they did so, it destroyed the instrument the Ministry of Magic uses to monitor the underage use of magic."

"Daddy, Mum, and Professor Dumbledore, look at your hair in that mirror," squeaked Hermione.

"Look, Jean, I don't have any more gray hairs on my head, and, Hermione, you need to look at your own hair, as well," said Fordyce.

"Mum, our hairs aren't bushy messes any more," said Hermione. "Look at Professor Dumbledore, his hair is auburn colored, now."

"My hair hasn't been this color in more than three decades, and like Lucinda I no longer have any of the aches and pains associated with age," commented Albus.

"I wonder why it happened here and not at your house," said Harry.

"This home has many wards, runes, and other protective magic all though it and around it, and I believe this more or less placed a magical containment field which absorbed and repelled much of your shock wave," said Hollingsworth. "James, we need to check the wards to see if any damage was done to them."

"Dad, the wards and protective magic throughout and surrounding this house are at least ten times stronger than the used to be," said James. "They're so strong now, that the runes we charmed to measure them are at their maximum. Lily's the expert on runes, but I'd say these wards are now stronger than those of Hogwarts, Gringotts, and the Ministry of Magic building"

"Maybe we could get someone to bring one of Lily's portraits down here so she can have a look at them," said Hollingsworth.

"You mean Mum has a portrait here we could move and talk to," said Harry.

"Yes, my son, she does," said James. "All Potter spouses have portraits that can be moved."

"Can you show them to me?" asked Harry.

"They are on the fourth floor," said James, pointing to the grand staircase.

"Did you see how fast those two can run?" asked Jean, as they watched the soul-bonded pair run up the stairs.

"Mum!" said Harry, as he and Hermione entered the Potter Place Hall of Portraits.

"Harry, my darling angel-boy," said the misty-eyed Lily, seeing her son and his soul-bond mate tearing down the hallway. "Please introduce your pretty young friend to your mother and the rest of the Potters."

"Mum, this is Hermione Jean Granger-Potter, my lovely soul-bond mate," said Harry not even breathing hard after sprinting up four flights of stairs.

"Your soul-bond mate," gasped Lily and the occupants of the other portraits.

"Yes, Lils, my dear, his soul-bond mate," said the grinning James, floating up to his wife. "They broke our record for getting out of the Head of House office by almost five minutes, to boot."

"That is not all," added Albus. "They broke the record for longest initial soul-bond kiss, as well. When Hermione initiates their kiss filled with loving emotion they set off a most powerful magical shock wave that has destroyed the instrument used by the Ministry of Magic to monitor underage use of magic."

"It's about time that infernal monitor was out of commission," said Joseph Potter from his portrait. "The only magic that thing measures is magic performed in Muggle areas, and then it can only detect the magic and not who performed it. It will serve us all much better if you kiss and send out a magical shock wave on a regular basis and keep that thing out of commission."

"Joseph, my friend, while in principle I agree with you, sending out such magical shock waves will direct too much attention at young Harry and Hermione," said Albus.

"Not if the do so on a random time table and from random locations," argued Joseph.

"Sir, wouldn't something like that cause widespread panic throughout magical Britain," said Hermione.

"The young lady has a point there, my dear," said Beatrix Potter. "Now, I think introductions are in order, and it is the task of the current Potter Head of House to do so."

"Gran Potter means you, Harry, dear," said Lily, smiling at her son.

"Er, uh, sorry," said Harry. "Potter family, this is my soul-bond mate, Hermione Jean Granger-Potter, her parents, the Drs. Fordyce and Jean Granger, and Professor Albus Dumbledore."

"Your soul-bond mate, how old are you and your soul-bond mate?" asked a Beatrix.

"I just turned 12 two days ago, and Hermione will be thirteen this coming September 19," answered Harry.

"That makes you two the youngest soul-bond mates in our family's history," said Hollingsworth's wife Gwendolyn. "What was your time exiting the Head of House office for the first time?"

"Dear, they set a new family record of two minutes and forty-nine seconds," answered Hollingsworth.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to be rude, but could all of you we don't know please tell us your name the first time you talk to us," asked Harry.

"I am your grandmother, Gwendolyn Potter, and would you please tell us more about yourself?" asked Gwendolyn.

"Like what, Gran?" asked Harry.

"I am your great-grandmother, Beatrix Potter, and I would like to know who raised you," asked Beatrix.

"Harry was sent to the Dursleys…" said Hermione, when Harry didn't answer straight away.

"The Dursleys!" shouted James. "What buffoon did that?"

"I did, James…" answered Albus.

"Our will specified that the Dursleys were not to have any contact with our son," said Lily. "How could you do this to him?"

"I left Harry with Petunia when I used your sacrifice to build blood wards…" answered Albus.

"Dumbledore, the blood wards you based our heir would only have worked had Petunia lovingly taken Harry in, and from the reactions James and Lily gave I would gather this was not so," said Beatrix.

"His aunt doesn't love Harry even a little bit," said Hermione. "When he lived with the Dursleys, Harry never had any birthday or Christmas presents until Hagrid gave him an owl on his eleventh birthday?"

"What happened to Sirius?" asked Lily.

"Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban without a trial for betraying your family to Voldemort," answered Hermione.

"Sirius insisted that we perform the unbreakable vow when we named him Harry's godfather, and he would have died if he'd betrayed us," said James. "We named Peter as our secret-keeper, and if anyone betrayed us it was the rat."

"Peter Pettigrew was found alive, confessed to everything, and Sirius Black is to stand trial before the Wizengamot this coming Wednesday morning," said Albus.

"Why didn't Sirius get a trial in the first place?" asked Harry.

"Good question, Harry," said Hollingsworth.

"I'd like to know why James, Lily, and Harry were hiding in Godric's Hollow instead of this home or one of our other highly secured properties," said Gwendolyn.

"I can tell you the answer to all of our questions," said Joseph. "It was because of Albus Dumbledore and that bloody for the greater good nonsense he believes in."

"Joseph, recent events have caused me to see the error of many of my ways, and please rest assured…" said Albus.

"Dumbledore, we shall no longer take your word on much of anything, without first hearing what we shall determine as being an adequate explanation," said Joseph. "Additionally, be forewarned, that as young Harry and Hermione, by her soul-bond mate, status, are now Heads of this Noble and Ancient House, they no longer are subject to your whim or that of the Ministry of Magic. Now, tell us what has caused you to, as you say it, see the error of your ways."

"Gringotts recently performed the heritage test on them, and it has been determined they are both the heirs of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw," said Albus.

"That is already known to us, is there more significance to this than we already know?" asked Joseph.

"Only time will tell, but there is a prophecy foretold by Rowena Ravenclaw, only know by the Hogwarts current Head and assistant Head that may pertain to our young soul-bond mates," said Albus. "While I cannot utter the entire prophecy, I can tell you how the heirs shall be recognized. The foremost is that heirs of all four founders must attend Hogwarts at the same time and must not have an age span greater than two years."

"I was born on September 19, 1979, so for the prophecy to pertain to us the other two heirs would have to be born by Sept' 19, 1981," said Hermione. "If we are two of the four heirs, then we'll know either this September 1, or next year. Ooh, I hope it's this year."

"How will you know when the heirs of all four founders have enter Hogwarts?" asked Gwendolyn.

"They will all bond with a Phoenix," said Albus. "Gryffindor's heir shall bond with a Scarlet Phoenix, Ravenclaw's with an Azure Phoenix, Hufflepuff's with an Amber Phoenix, and Slytherin's with an Emerald Phoenix. I cannot tell you what the Heirs are prophesized to do until we know for sure they are among us. As, it is now getting rather late; I must be getting back to Hogwarts."

"Sir, what about our representatives in the Wizengamot?" asked Harry. "Don't we need to meet them first, before we can name them as our representatives?"

"If you wish, you can give them access to this home, and I will bring all three of them here to meet you, tomorrow," said Albus.

"They are of age, what need do they have of representatives?" asked Beatrix.

"Professor Dumbledore wants us to keep our soul-bond mate and heirs' status secret for now, and we agree with him," answered Harry.

"How many seats are you claiming in this manner, and who are your prospective representatives?" asked Hollingsworth.

"We are claiming the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Peverell seats," answered Harry. "Our prospective representatives are Arthur Weasley, Andromeda Tonks, and Augusta Longbottom."

"Three excellent choices," said Hollingsworth. "Can you tell us why you are not claiming the Potter seat, as well?"

"We can claim the other three seats anonymously, but the Potter seat we cannot," answered Harry.

"So you wish to play a secret role in Magical politics, it's about time we had another Potter with a Slytherin streak in them," commented a Wizard who had not yet spoken.

"Yes, Charlus, I quite agree," said the witch next to him.

"Well the Sorting Hat did say I'd do well in Slytherin, but I talked it into sorting me into Gryffindor, instead," said Harry.

"I thought I was the only one to do that," commented Albus.

"The Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Ravenclaw, but I persuaded it to put me in Gryffindor," said Hermione.

"That's what I did, as well," said Lily.

"I persuaded the hat to put me in Gryffindor, so I could get to know Joseph better, so perhaps persuading the Sorting Hat to put you in the house of your choice is more common than you thought, Albus," said Beatrix.

"I shall ask the hat when I return to my office," said Albus. "Before I return to Hogwarts, I would like to settle the living accommodations for Harry and the Grangers…"

"It shall be for Harry and the Grangers to decide, not you," interjected Joseph. "This family has seen enough of your meddling ways, and as Harry and Hermione are now of age, who lives here and who does not is their choice."

"If they want to, I'd really like for the Grangers to live here with me," said Harry. "Now, that I can make my own decisions, I want Hermione and me to live in one of my family homes with Fordyce and Jean if they want. As far as I'm concerned, I never want to see the Dursleys again, much less live with the plonkers."

"Harry, we'd be more than happy to live here with you until at least school starts," said Fordyce. "The only thing we'd like in return, is help keeping our own home in order, because someday would like to live there, again."

"My sentiments, exactly," said Jean. "Hopefully, this gives us a chance to the gives a chance to learn at least part of what our little girl and her crush have learned in the magical world."

"As the living arrangements have been settled, I shall bid you all adieu," said Albus. "If no one has any objections, I shall make every effort to return here with Arthur, Andromeda, and Augusta, tomorrow evening at 7:00."

"Professor, would it be okay if Ginny, Dora, and Neville come with them?" asked Hermione.

"If Harry gives them permission, then I do not foresee any problem," said Albus. "May I ask why you chose Miss Weasley and not her brother Ronald?"

"Ginny sent us an owl about how Ron was being a real pain about Harry coming to stay with me, and we'd rather not see Ronald at the moment," answered Hermione.

"I see," answered Albus, with a look that said he knew more about their friend. "Until tomorrow, I bid you adieu."

"Saunders, could you take us back home to get some clothing for the evening?" asked Fordyce. "As we have too many appointments at our surgery to close for the week, we will have to wait until next weekend to begin moving our things."

"The House-elves can help you move your things," said Beatrix. "All you have to do is show them what you wish to bring here with you, and they can move it with you. As Muggles, we trust you have at least one automobile, and you may park them in the garage Joseph had built to accommodate my parents when they came for visits. "I believe there is enough room in our garage for at least six or seven more full sized automobiles. However, to find the entrance to the garage, you must first have Harry or Hermione as a passenger to see it. From that point forward, unless either Harry or Hermione revokes your knowing of this home, you will have no problem seeing it."

"Saunders, please take us back to our home, and we'll return by car in the next thirty minutes or so," said Fordyce.