For Disclaimer see Chapter 1

Chapter 4

Thursday morning Harry found himself on the bench. His missing the start of practice earlier this week had him watching his team's game against West Ham's U12 team for the first time in over a year. He wasn't happy having just been promoted to the U12 squad. The goalkeeper he'd hoped to replace gave away three goals, two to a tall drink of water named Dean Thomas. Unluckily for Harry's chances for getting in the game Southampton had already scored four goals by the time Dean kicked his second in just moments before the final whistle. Giving the Southampton U12 team a 4-3 win.

Exiting the locker room Harry met the Creevey's who commiserated with him at being benched before he and his tutor walked into an alley in Southampton before apparating to a bathroom stall in the Dover hovercraft terminal. An hour and a half later he was walking with Thomas Clarke in Graide Belgium. He led Harry up to what appeared to be a small shed attached to a stone house as he got close he noticed a small unobtrusive sign over the door, "Laperriere Wands."

"Bit out of the way," Harry said as he followed Clarke through the door then down a set of stairs set just to the left where he thought the side of the house should be.

"I like this small village. Though my father preferred to move after having two wars run over him here. As for my shop being here, magic does make travel easy and my items are not the type of thing one buys on a whim. So why not live where I like?" The wand-crafter said looking Harry over for a moment before asking, "If I may what brings you to my wand shop. My understanding was Ollivander's supplied all the British wizards. Not to add his wands are a bit shall we say less costly than my custom ones."

Harry look to his tutor who replied, "Harry has a bit of a problem with Diagon Alley and to also be frank with you; the superiority of your custom craftsmanship has attracted attention in certain circles."

The wand-crafter nodded in either understanding or agreement it was hard to decide before saying, "Let's get started then."

"Yes sir," Harry replied.

Forty minutes later Harry or rather Harry's magic had chosen his wand's casing, cores, both of which raised eyebrows, and after a discussion with the wand-crafter settled on a length and adornments. "This will be a most interesting wand to craft Mr. Potter if all goes well it should be ready in a few days. However you will need to return then to pick it up."

"Then it will have to be next weekend at the earliest," Harry replied.

"Oh, that should give you two weeks before Hogwarts starts then," The wand-crafter said.

Harry started to reply but caught a shake of his tutor's head and stayed silent, "Let me know if there's any delays," Mr. Clarke said ushering Harry out.

Back at the Creevey's Clarke said, "I'm going to go check out the training room. If everything is satisfactory I'll show everyone around afterwards."

"Where's your wand Harry," Colin asked.

"He's making it Colin. It won't be ready until next Thursday."

"Oh," Colin replied his disappointment obvious.

Just as Pat was starting to worry about him Clarke emerged from the furnace room saying, "Harry all I can say is the Goblins must like you. That is one fantastic set up you have down there."

"Can we see it?" Colin asked.

Harry waited to get a nod of approval from Pat before nodding his own agreement. Clarke led them all downstairs and with Harry's hands on Dennis and Colin allowing them access took everyone down a long stairway that emptied into a high-ceiled cavern. "Wow," Colin exclaimed.

"Yes, wow," Pat echoed his son.

"How is this possible? Are we under the other houses?" Anna asked.

"No, this is all under your home. The Goblins have very good space expansion rune schemes. Though as I said they must like Harry. Not only did they give us this space but follow me," Clarke said leading them down another noticeably shorter stairway into a corridor off which rooms branched all located directly under the cavern above. "We have enough space down here for specialized classrooms. They even included showers in there so Harry should be presentable when he emerges after training," Clarke joked.

"That should ease the pressure on our bathroom then. I can send a few down here to get ready on those days we are all getting ready at the same time," Anna said then added, "It's getting close to dinner everyone wash up and head to the table."

Naturally Harry, Colin and Dennis had to use the bathroom in the training room. With Pat staying officially to assist them leaving unofficially it was to insure the boys cleaned not only themselves but the bathroom too.

As they emerged from the cellar Anna asked, "Thomas will you be joining us?"

"No, Mary is waiting for me."

"Oh, I didn't realize you were married."

"Yes for two years now," Clarke replied.

"You must bring her around sometime. I'd love to meet her," Anna said.

"She has expressed curiosity at meeting your family. Perhaps it will be possible once we've established a routine," Thomas Clarke said.

"Okay I'll hold you to that," Anna replied as Clarke left.

That bathroom saw action again the following morning as Pat took the boys down after breakfast not emerging until every male was ready for Church. Anna had initially wondered why but after having the bathroom to herself for the first time in over a decade she felt a bit guilty as she took the opportunity to indulge herself before meeting the rest of the family in the hall for their walk to Church.

"Is mom okay?" Dennis asked.

"Why do you ask?" his father countered.

"Mom isn't yelling at us or anything."

"Oh I think she's just relaxed after having us out of the way while she got ready," Pat Creevey said.

"We should do it again next week," Dennis said firmly.

"We just might Dennis, we just might."

Monday brought the normal routines back the only difference from the week before was Harry didn't miss any training time this week. As a result Harry found himself back in goal for Thursday's game. It was a tough game the defense of their opponents stifling his striker and forwards. It took four acrobatic saves along with more than a few normal ones for Harry to hold his team to a nil one loss. Leaving the pitch Harry said, "Sorry coach I just couldn't stop the one that got through."

"Don't let it bother you. I doubt Gordon Banks could have stopped that one and he stopped Pele's header in 1970."

Harry nodded but still his head drooped. In the locker room their manager said, "You did great today. They were just the better team today, it happens.

"If their defender continues to develop sometime in the next twenty years or so you'll be able to say you played against Ashley Cole. Of course it would be even better if after our next match against him you were able to say your team beat his. Hold your heads up you all played a great game today."

Harry's mood only picked up after Clarke apparated him to Laperriere Wands and Harry saw "His" wand.

"Oh my," Clarke said when he saw Harry's wand sitting on a cushion.

"Well pick it up," the wand crafter said anticipating this reaction.

Harry did as directed and felt an energy flow from him to the wand before it reversed flowing back into him. This repeated for several cycles before settling down, "Oh that was an odd feeling," Harry exclaimed.

"Ready for your first bit of magic with your wand?" Clarke asked.

"Yes."

"This will be simple. The spell to produce light at the end of your wand is Lumos, Nox will stop it."

"Do I have to do anything special?"

"Based on your wand's reaction to its master I don't think you will," the wand crafter offered.

"Not master more like a friend," Harry replied unconsciously before saying, "Lumos," producing a spotlight effect from his wand. "Nox," followed a few moments later.

"Not bad Mr. Potter, not bad at all. I would say that's 100 galleons well spent," Mr. Clarke said before escorting home.

When Harry returned to the Creevey's Colin was out of his seat running to Harry the instant he saw him asking, "Can I see your wand?"

Harry proudly held it out for Colin's and everyone else's inspection.

Seeing Colin reaching for the wand Clarke said, "I wouldn't touch it right now as it's still bonding with Harry. After a day or two of him casting spells it should be alright to handle then, but only after I insure it will be safe, occasionally a wand doesn't like to be handled by anyone other than its owner."

"It doesn't look like Mr. Clarke's wand," Dennis noted.

Sensing a teaching opportunity Thomas Clarke spoke up. "Did you know a wand's wood and core are thought to reveal things about their wielders?"

"Oh," Harry commented.

"Take mine it's cherry with a dragon heart-string core and was made by Ollivander in Diagon Alley. The cherry combined with a dragon heartstring indicates I supposedly have extreme self-control and strength of mind. Now Harry's wand is an odd one by British standards."

"So what is it made of?" Colin asked.

"Well mine isn't made of wood like Mr. Clarke's is. This one is made from a Hungarian Horntail Dragon's tail spike. And has two cores, Augurey Tail Feather and Thestral Tail Hair," Harry announced.

"Harry's horntail wand is probably unique, but the Horntail is noted for being fiercely protective particularly of it's young, Possibly one of Harry's character traits. The two cores are again unusual. Augurey Tail Feather indicates a miss-understood wizard while the Thestral Tail Hair indicates a powerful but temperamental nature," Clarke replied.

"Sounds like you got the right wand Harry the way you play football," Colin joked as Clarke lead Harry downstairs into the training room for the remainder of the afternoon while the family stayed upstairs only leaving when Pat came down to summon Harry for dinner.

From then until school started from wakeup to bedtime Harry was either eating, at the football academy, or in the training rooms working on his magical education. Once school started on September second the only change was normal school was added to the list of places Harry could be.

HPF

On September 2, 1991 Daily Prophets' banner headline was, "Where is our Savior?" The story below it was no less lurid. "Harry Potter has not appeared at Hogwarts despite this being the year he should begin his wizarding education. Reports emerging from Hogwarts via various means state Harry's name was not even called during the sorting that occurs for the incoming class.

"We attempted to contact Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore for his comments but he was not taking floo calls. We had previously received several reports from alert subscribers of Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall escorting Harry in Diagon Alley earlier this summer but no sightings have been reported since. After checking with various merchants we are unable to find anyone who has sold Mr. Potter his school supplies. We should note there is also a rumor that Albus Dumbledore stopped a ministry obliviation squad sent to bind an individuals magic and obliviate them of all knowledge of the magical world. Did Harry Potter lose enough of his magic when he stopped He-who-must-not-be-named to be rendered a squib and therefore unable to attend Hogwarts?

"We here at the Prophet will not rest until we have the complete answer to provide our loyal readers."

At Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore fumed slowly as he read the story contributing to his anger was the need to partially dismantle the obstacle course he'd planned as a confidence builder for Harry. Dumbledore already had Hagrid move the Cerberus out of the castle. He'd then gone in and sealed the trap door in the floor hiding it using his best concealment charms leaving the rest intact should they become useful in the future. Dumbledore consoled himself there were now ten months for him to devise a strategy to bring Harry to Hogwarts for his second year.

HPF

A month after school started Anna Creevey had given up on Harry realizing his plate was too full and put her foot down with Sundays becoming Harry's rest day unless he had a game. The entire day was spent with family first at Church then doing things together. Sometimes it was a trip to see something other times it was spent around the Creevey home. When Harry looked to Nick for help escaping he found Nick was on Anna's side he even added one night off every other week for Harry to relax. This continued until Christmas school break when Anna intervened again forcing a study and training stoppage except for Harry's football commitments.

Boxing day brought a surprise. With all the boys being busy watching a match on the telly Anna answered the front door to find Minerva McGonagall standing there. "Well this is a surprise come in. I assume you're here to see Harry," Anna said opening the door wider.

"Only partially to be honest, more to request a favor from you and your husband."

"They won't be fit to talk with until half time so if you've got the time why not join me in the kitchen. I was just about to whip up some snacks for them and you can tell me what you want from my husband and I," Anna said leading her guest into her domain.

True to her prediction halftime brought a rush of males into the kitchen to grab snacks. Harry stopped short at seeing McGonagall again, "Madam," he said with a nod towards her.

"Professor McGonagall came to ask favors of us and I've already agreed to the one she asked of the Creevey family," Anna said drawing a raised eyebrow from a silent Pat Creevey.

Minerva squared her shoulders saying, "Mrs. Creevey has agreed, subject to your approval Mr. Potter, to allow Mr. Clarke's use of the training room below this home to tutor a second student. What I am asking of you is to agree with her decision and consider the possibility of joint lessons."

"Why does that individual need tutoring?" Harry asked concerned about the presence of another student being used by Clarke to push him into spending more time on his magical studies.

"The young lady in question was a first year at Hogwarts this year. She was injured and when her parents saw her get off the Hogwarts Express they immediately withdrew her from Hogwarts. She is quite the brilliant student and to be honest I would hate to see her magic bound and her family obliviated."

Harry knew he couldn't let that happen so quickly agreed hoping this didn't turn out to be a total muck up. He then joined the other males in the rush to get back to the game.

"That was quick," Minerva commented.

"Football mad the lot of them. They needed to get back before the second half started," Anna said with a smile adding, "When will we meet this remarkable young lady?"

"I've already sorted things out with their tutor and he is just waiting word so he can set up a schedule. However her parents want to meet everyone involved before they agree and this needs to get sorted quickly. Would you mind meeting her this Saturday?"

"Harry has a game that day. Though I suspect she could meet us there and at least Pat and I could meet her. Do you think her folks would bring her around?"

"Give me the details and I'll let you know after I talk with them," Minerva said pleased everything appeared to be working out.

HPF

Saturday morning Anna was in the small stands overlooking the pitch were Southampton's younger teams played all the while keeping an eye out for new people. When she saw a couple assisting a girl about Harry's age who was moving slowly while entering the area that passed for stands she headed over. Holding out her hand she said, "Hi, I'm Anna Creevey."

A relieved couple recognized the name the woman taking her hand as she replied, "Hi, Mrs. Creevey I'm Jane Granger and this is my Husband Robert and our daughter Hermione."

"Please call me Anna all of you. The one over there riding herd on those two boys is my husband Pat with our boys Colin who is ten and Dennis who is eight."

"Which one is being tutored?" Robert asked thinking they were younger than his daughter.

"Oh that's Harry, He's the one in goal over there," Anna said pointing him out.

Hermione's quick mind put several facts together evaluated the result then asked, "He wouldn't be Harry Potter would he?"

"Yes, My that was a remarkably quick deduction young lady. But perhaps that discussion should wait until we're a bit more private."

"Perhaps we can discuss everything later at your home?" Jane suggested looking at the crowd around them.

Anna caught the hint realizing it would be best she replied, "Certainly, why don't you follow us home after the game?"

"That sounds like a good idea. We'll pick up lunch. We wouldn't want to be an imposition," Jane added.

Dean Thomas was enjoying his break from Hogwarts watching some of his former teammates as West Ham's U12 team played Southampton's U12. Well the game would be a bit better if his mates could score against Southampton's goalkeeper. He'd noticed Hermione Granger arriving and wondered why she was even here given her dislike for all sports though given the way her father was cheering he might have dragged her away from her books for the day.

It was the Southampton fans around him cheering a great save by the goalkeeper the younger half yelling, "Great save Harry," with the older ones screaming out "Potter." That had him looking close at the goalkeeper wondering if he was the wizard everyone had been looking for at the start of the school year.

Hermione sat watching the game wishing she'd brought a book. While she'd watched the occasional game with her father she was not the fan he was. Her mother always said her dad was the one who put fan in fanatic. Watching him right now she could tell he was enjoying this game immensely. At halftime with the game one nil to Harry's team the first half was all he could talk about.

The second half saw Harry pressured as the opposing side tried repeatedly to slip the ball past him. Harry had made two saves in what seemed to be five seconds when a third shot headed for the top corner. Harry's left foot appeared out to the jumble of players in front of his net nudging the ball up and over the goal into the stands for a corner kick. Robert Granger jumped out of his seat yelling in excitement at Harry's save. After he'd calmed down he turned to Jane saying, "I'm coming to more of these games. There is more action in one of these than in any two pro games combined."

Harry's team ended up winning two nil scoring their second goal in the eighty eighth minute as Dean's team was mounting a full press to gain a tie Harry drove a clearance down the field springing his front three for a three on one attack resulting in their second goal.

Dean watched Harry approach the group containing Hermione getting hugs and handshakes from several of the adults. That solidified it for Dean. Just where Harry Potter was and what he was doing Dean decided was no one's business. If Harry would rather play football then go to Hogwarts that was fine by him. Although Dean wondered if he should make the same decision and just drop out of Hogwarts and give football a real chance.

At the Creevey's everyone settled down with the take-a-way they'd picked up for lunch on the way here. "So Hermione here needs a tutor and a place to practice her magic. Professor McGonagall suggested you might be amenable to helping us out with that problem."

Harry thought for a moment as he normally did however Hermione thought the delay in Harry's response had another cause. As she started to berate him he held up his hands saying, "Whoa, relax I'm on your side. Hermione is it?" Harry said getting a nod before he continued, "I was just wondering if we would take classes together or not. Believe me I know about the whole obliviate and bind thing. My magic was bound and they were getting ready to obliviate me when some old guy named Dumbbore stopped them."

"It's Dumbledore. Why would they do that to you? You're Harry Potter," Hermione asked.

"I don't know. Believe me I know how they view 'Harry Potter'. Just one trip into that alley of theirs was enough to put me off ever returning there," Harry replied.

"You not showing up at Hogwarts was a big deal. Dumbledore announced you were receiving additional training at the welcoming feast and it was all over the paper the next day," Hermione said.

"Well if they expect me to show up next year they'll be sadly mistaken. Now I have to ask, you've been there and all I've done is visit Diagon Alley is Hogwarts really that different from a normal school?"

"Oh yes, think of England in at least the eighteen hundreds if not earlier. With all the 'I'm descended from Lord and Lady Witcheypoo, you are not so you are beneath my notice and should bow down and kiss my shoes should I ever defer to notice you exist.' Not to mention they have no idea of safety. Hogwarts has stairs that randomly shift from landing to another and no safety barrier pops up to prevent you from just walking off the edge if you don't notice it. Another thing is there are no safety instructions in any class. All they say is do it this way. There is no real background on why. Just do it like they tell you.

"I'll give you an example they start the school year with a welcoming feast the night you arrive. The first thing that occurs is they sort the new students in to houses then they have the feast. After the meal Dumbledore stood and said entering the adjacent forest was forbidden due to the various creature's in there I mean who in their right mind has a dangerous forest next to a boarding school?"

"So you were hurt in the forest?" Harry inquired.

"No I was hurt when a troll wandered into the school and trapped me in a Girls bathroom. Also there was a set of twins in the upper years that were always playing tricks and mean pranks on the younger students including me. The professors just brushed any complaints away not even bothering to look in to them. Though after I was hurt they finally left me alone."

Harry was not sure what to say next so only managed an "Oh," before Hermione continued.

"I'm only doing this studying to keep my memories. If I can pass one O.W.L. exam then I can keep my memories and my magic. Not sure what I'd be able to do magically once I've gotten that owl but I need to keep my memories if for no other reason than I might have kids someday. The odds are at least one might be magical and I will need to insure they are safe."

Harry had recently considered stopping his magical studies to free up some time for other things, but Hermione's reasoning struck a cord with him. Deciding she might be right he changed his mind about giving up his magic. Looking at Hermione he could see she was biting her lip trying to avoid asking a question only for Harry to say, "Go ahead, ask away."

"I saw most of your game. Did you use magic to help you?" Hermione asked causing everyone to look at her, not that her rant hadn't had the same effect.

"No, since the magical bobbies now know about me I have to wear a wrist band while playing that will notify their ministry if I use magic at all. They watched a game after I started wearing it and thought it was defective and took it back. They returned it a few days later saying it was working perfectly. I am just that good," Harry said the smile on his face as he ended along with his barely contained laughter allowing everyone to realize his "boast" was his attempt at humor.

"So do I join you?" Hermione asked.

Harry looked to Anna and Pat before turning to face Hermione, "Of course, that is if you don't mind spending time with a rising football star," He said finishing with a cheeky smile.

"Not a problem I'm sure you ego can be quickly deflated. Is it possible for me to see your training room?"

After checking with Anna and Pat Harry said, "I don't see why not. Why don't you and your folks follow me down there," before heading off

"I'll stay here with Colin and Dennis. Harry don't forget you and Pat will need to be holding onto all three Grangers to get through the door." Anna stated.

"Yes Anna,"

"Mum we'll be okay you and dad will be just downstairs. We won't answer the door or anything just sit here or in the living room," Colin offered.

Anna thought for a moment then said, "You go down to the furnace room and yell if you need us agreed?"

"Yes Mum," both boys said in reply.

"Looks like I'm joining you," Anna said as Pat led the way to the furnace doorway.

"This is the first set of stairs," Pat said opening the door.

The group followed him down to the furnace room with the rest trailing behind.

Pat held Roger and Hermione's hands while Harry held Jane's allowing them to pass through the training rooms doorway without problems. Robert saw the long stairway heading back under the house awaiting him and whistled saying, "Hermione this should have you back in shape in no time."

Hermione nodded her agreement then with a grimace took hold of the handrail and carefully made her way down the stairs.

Once in the room Harry walked over unconsciously taking Hermione's hand allowing him to adjust his pace to hers as he led her around the training room to see the various areas before approaching the stairs to the lower level leading everyone down a level to see the classrooms and other facilities the Goblins had created there.

Walking with Harry Hermione said, "It's a good thing there are no Quidditch players here they'd be flying a broom up and down those stairs and all around your training room."

"Witches really fly brooms?" Anna asked as she followed along with Jane while their husbands sat together talking.

"Yes all witches and wizards fly on brooms. Their main sport, in fact I think it's their only sport, is played on brooms.

Harry again took her hand leading her around to see the various rooms while asking, "You flew on a broom?"

"Mandatory class. Did it, passed, don't ever plan on doing it again," Hermione said sharply.

After wandering around for a bit they return to the house proper were everyone gathered around the kitchen table Hermione, who'd needed her father's help to ascend the stairs, a bit winded. Anna placed the tea and biscuits on the table before saying, "Sunday is Harry's rest day. Monday to Friday he's at school from nine to three thirty. Monday, Wednesday and Friday he attends football academy after school until roughly seven, depending on what they are doing. Harry studies magic on the remaining nights during the same time period. On Saturday he has football from seven in the morning until noon and magical studies from noon until six in the evening if football doesn't interfere. He does his homework either after seven, in the mornings, or occasionally during his free time on Saturdays.

"I take it football is his priority," Jane inquired.

"Definitely, Anna and I have been his host family since he signed a contract with the Southampton Football Club's Training Academy at nine," Pat answered.

"Bit young for that wasn't he? I didn't think they would sign a kid until they were a few years older?" Robert asked.

"Yes, but he's talented and there were extenuating circumstances," Pat countered.

"I agree he is obviously talented. Couple of top draw saves this morning lad,"

"Thanks sir," Harry replied doing his best not to blush as they talked about him.

"I take it he has the Holidays off," Jane observed.

"Christmas break he's off all but football. Summer finds both the football and magical studies increased to occupy most of his free time," Anna replied.

"So how are you dealing with Hermione's schooling?" Pat asked trying to shift the focus a bit.

"When school starts back up she will become a member of Care Gwent House at St. Swithun's School in Winchester where she has been accepted as a day student," Jane replied obviously pleased her daughter would be close by and home at night. The discussion then delved into the logistics of Hermione attending magical lessons with Harry before a phone call was made to Clarke to confirm his availability and agreement regarding additional compensation for the extra student.

HPF

Monday January sixth Hermione and her dad met with Thomas Clarke at the Creeveys where he tested her abilities. Two hours later the three of them were sitting around the training room's table talking. "Miss Granger I'm astonished. For a person with only four months at Hogwarts your knowledge is at least at a second year's level if not mid third. Your spell casting is excellent. I can tell you will be a joy to teach. Now Professor McGonagall said Professor Flitwick had visited your home and created a hidden cupboard for you to house your magic books and items."

"Yes Professor Clarke."

"It's just Mr. Clarke Hermione, or to your father I'm Tom. As it will be only you and Mr. Potter I'm tutoring you should bring your cauldron and such here. You can bring the books you'll need each day. I wouldn't want to deprive you of studying at home. Also I'd suggest muggle notebooks, pens and such for note taking. They are far less likely to stand out and should anyone inquire you can pass them off as items for a game of Dungeons and Dragons you're playing here."

"That is an excellent excuse!" Hermione exclaimed interrupting.

"Glad you like it. Now do you have a computer at home?"

"Yes I use it mostly for homework."

"Don't use it for anything magical. I don't believe it's that secure and wouldn't want you to get into trouble with the authorities on either side," Clarke advised. After a bit more discussion about the logistics of her taking class with him he asked, "Harry's first class after the break is tomorrow would you like to start then or would you like to have a few more days to settle in at your normal school before starting here?"

Hermione looked to her father then said, "I'd like to start tomorrow if it's alright."

The following day Anna answered the door saying, "They're training before heading to the furnace room where she put her hand on Hermione so she could pass through the magical entrance once down the staircase she found Harry and their tutor already at work. She was quickly incorporated into the lesson and everything proceeded from there.

Harry worked with Hermione for a bit before asking, "Have you had a normal doctor look you over to see if you're okay?"

"My parents talked about it but as it happened in a magical school we haven't figured out a way to explain what happened to me without mentioning magic let alone trying to explain why there's no pervious hospital or police reports about it," Hermione replied.

"Harry thought about the problem for the rest of the workout session. At the end as they were returning he asked, "Do you want me to check with my Doctor to see if he will see you?"

A shocked Hermione asked, "He knows about magic?"

"Yes,"

"Harry you're not suppose to tell anyone who isn't a close family member about being magical."

"Oh that's okay then Dr. Covey is my medical guardian. So he's like a parent," Harry stated.

"You have a medical guardian?"

"Yup, I initially had three guardians but my relatives signed off their part so now It's just Dr. Covey for my medical needs and Nicholas Angel for everything else," Harry explained.

"Oh," Hermione replied suppressing her natural curiosity after all the problems it had caused her at Hogwarts. However after her mother picked her up that night she said, "Mum, Harry has a doctor who is his medical guardian and knows about magic."

Jane thought for a moment as a medical professional she realized for Harry to have a medical guardian meant sometime in his past he had been medically neglected. "We'll talk it over with your father but don't get your hopes up. I have no idea what he could do for you that hasn't already been tried. However I agree it wouldn't hurt to meet with him," She said after a few minutes while continuing to drive home.

HPF

Nothing more was said between the preteens about her injuries until their normal schools had Easter break and their magical schooling increased to full days. It was as they sat down to lunch Harry commented, "You seem to be moving better."

"Yes, my parents took me to see your Dr. Covey and he did a complete workup on me and was able to get me some therapeutic treatments that fixed me up."

"I'm glad you're getting better," Harry said sincerely.

"I gave up a lot to go to Hogwarts and I thought I couldn't go back to what I was doing but now it looks like I might be able to." Hermione said.

"Do you mind if I ask what you were doing before Hogwarts?"

"No, but please don't make a big deal about it. I was nine when I won an audition to play what they called "Little Cosette" on stage in the west end. Naturally at first I was the understudy." Seeing a look of confusion on his face she elaborated, "I was the backup I studied and prepared at first playing first "Young Eponine" because she doesn't sing before moving onto Little Cosette. There were three of us. Being so young we rotated playing the parts but I was on stage for over two years.

"Really, you performed on stage and everything?"

"Really." Hermione echoed seeing a bit of lingering doubt in Harry's eyes she started singing, "There is a castle on a cloud I like to go there in my sleep…."

Harry sat with his jaw hitting the floor as Hermione got into the parts falling back into the gestures and body moves she made while playing Cosette on the stage. When she stopped Harry applauded saying "That was fantastic. I can't believe you gave that up to go to Hogwarts!"

"Well I was going to have to give up the part in a while anyway as I was," she hesitated for a moment to think about how to say developing without actually saying it continuing with, "getting a bit old to play a young girl."

"Isn't there another part you could have played?"

"Yes, in fact I was told once I turned fifteen I could join the ensemble but there was nothing to match young Cosette until I was eighteen or so. In fact one of the boys who played Gavroche and I had an agreement, once we were old enough we'd return and he'd play Marius while I played an older Cosette." Hermione said in a self-depreciating tone. Now that I've healed up I've re-started my different dance and voice classes to get ready for a career in the theater.

"Hermione are you coming to my birthday party Wednesday?" Colin asked running into the kitchen from wherever he'd been playing.

"I'm not sure Colin. I'll have to check with my parents," Hermione replied.

"Okay," the perpetually chipper Colin said.

"Are you looking forward to attending Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

"No, I want to stay here with you and Harry."

Not wanting to spoil things for him she said, "Colin I just had a bad experience there. A lot of kids had great ones and enjoyed living there. Please don't let my problems stop you from attending."

"I've listened to you and Harry talk about Hogwarts when you thought no one was around or weren't paying you two any attention. I know they called you and most everyone who wasn't born in the magical world names and picked on them especially you because you're so smart. Why would I want to go where they are going to pick on me and constantly put me down because of my parents?" Colin countered.

Hermione wanted to refute Colin's statement but in all honest couldn't. "You are right but Harry is a special case and I managed to find a loophole in the rules. I think they are going to force you to attend. I checked after I was hurt and Hogwarts is the only magical school allowed in Great Britain. If you don't go they'll bind your magic and obliviate you," she finally said.

Colin sighed as he nodded his understanding before leaving the two older kids to say their goodbyes as Hermione headed home.

It was the May 12th meeting of the Wizengamot when Dumbledore made his move confident there was no way a muggle-born could teach at anywhere near the level of his highly experienced not to mention mostly pureblooded staff. He had Sturgis Podmore introduce a bill to the Wizengamot requiring any student who was tutored instead of attending Hogwarts to pass exam by the Wizarding Examinations Authority equal to Hogwarts end of the year exams. Dumbledore smiled as Pureblooded head of house after pureblooded head of house jumped up and added amendment after amendment all wanting to insure it did not interfere with the home schooling for those daughters whose betrothed did not want them exposed to the muggle born or other creatures who inhabited the wizarding school chancing the ruin of whatever plans they had in place for future generations.

The more astute observers watched Dumbledore as these were proposed and accepted without his objection other that a occasional re-wording coming to the realization who it was aimed at they jumped on board, most more to be viewed favorably by Albus Dumbledore than any ill will towards Harry Potter. When the more intolerant Purebloods attempted to amend the bill to include expelling anyone who failed these exams from the wizarding world including binding their magic and obliviating them Dumbledore only expended enough effort and political capital to modify the bill to require those students to repeat their entire failed year at Hogwarts while disqualifying their Tutor from ever tutoring a witch or wizard again. At a head nod from Albus a further amendment was proposed delaying public announcement of the new law for a week to allow the Wizarding Examinations Authority time to develop plans and procedures to administer the required exams.

The bill with all amendments in place passed by a large majority Dumbledore suppressing a smile enjoying the irony as Podmore cast the Potter vote in favor of the bill.