Chapter 4 – Where are you, you little snot?
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"Albus he's gone, he just disappeared." Molly was screaming into the fireplace.
"Have you looked everywhere, maybe he just went for a walk."
"No Albus the kids have searched everywhere and he is just gone."
"I will call in the Order and start a search. That little snot can't be like Longbottom and do as he is told. I'll get right on it Molly."
/Scene Break/
Meanwhile at St. Mungo Minerva McGonagall has just had several memory charms removed from her brain. Even after a headache potion the headache was formidable and that is when her Order of the Phoenix ring notified her of an emergency meeting being called. One irate Professor was heading to Hogwarts with thoughts of a few hexes mingling with her headache.
/Scene Break/
The majority of the Order had assembled and taken their seats when a very upset McGonagall entered yelling. "Albus Dumbledore! You mangy low imitation of a flubber worm! If you ever put another memory charm on me I will be pressing charges with the DMLE is that understood."
Dumbledore was raising a shield to block a number of hexes from Minerva.
"AND you are not Harry Potter's magical guardian I am and have been since he was a baby. Now where is he you…"
"Now Minerva I have only done all this to ensure his safety and the Greater Good…"
"Where is he Albus?"
"Err that is why this meeting has been called, it seems the little snot has disappeared…" Albus was now shielding several serious curses.
/Scene Break/
Just on the off-hand chance…yes! Vernon's automatic payments have left the lights and the phone still connected. I wonder where they are? And that gives me an idea.
Let's see 192 for directory enquiries domestic I think. "Yes last name Grangers they are also Dentists." Many minutes later I had a headache and faded to their front door. Thankfully they knew nothing of my escaping and being wanted by Dumbledore's club.
The fun was on for the summer around the pool. The photo's took are something the Dailey Profit would pay a lot of Galleons to get. Appearing in one photo we are all sitting in lounge chairs all with tall drinks with little umbrellas. The Grangers, Harry Potter, Hermione, Daphne and Dobby all in skimpy bathing suits sunning by the pool. Dobby had snapped his fingers and the camera had followed us around, magic was awesome sometimes.
/Scene Break/
A fire call was made to many homes but they knew nothing of Harry and they must have forgotten the Grangers because Muggles don't count or maybe it was the lack of a 'floe' connection.
"Harry it's the middle of August and we find out that we missed your birthday." Daphne chided me.
"My birthday was not ever a big deal so you all don't worry about it." That reminded me to start increasing my size. I needed to look twelve after all.
"We are going to do something special even if it's too late." Hermione asserted. "I know what we can do". Hermione raced from the pool and into the house.
"Look out Harry I think you are in for it now."
Hermione raced back and breathlessly stated, "Mom and Dad said its fine and they can drive us there, it will just be so much fun.'
"What?" I asked.
"Why M&D's in Scotland of course."
/Scene Break/
It was the middle of August when we went to the amusement park and the Dailey Profit got a picture of us three getting off the Big Wheel. That of course was front page. Luckily we had enough notification for us all to head to our homes before the Order arrived. The park solidified my idea and I now need to head to Gringotts.
I got to Privet drive and got the stone, tossed into my trunk and had Dobby disappear with it; I wasn't picky as to where he disappeared too. Later at Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlor we compared note over large chocolate sundaes.
"Harry I was so proud of my parents. When Kingsley Shacklebolt showed up with another Auror my father requested the local constabulary be present. I think they were going to use a memory charm on him when I reminded Shacklebolt that if he did that to muggles who knew about magic he would have to do me also and was he prepared to do that to a minor witch which is illegal. Then my dad said this sounded wrong and requested Shacklebolts boss to be present that got them scared."
"Dumbledore came to Greengrass Manor because my father is on the Wizengamot. They got in quite an argument over Dumbledore's authority to be there at all. He's only the Headmaster at Hogwarts or the Chief Warlock and his "Greater Good" wasn't welcomed in Greengrass Manor with any kind of demands. I caught hell from my parents for not telling them I was at the park but it was no big deal."
"Well I had the most fun as I returned to Privet Drive...I had company. I made myself invisible and was sitting on the stair's banister as they entered. I knew that Dobby was also invisible and sitting on my invisible trunk. He has got to tell me how we did that as being invisible and seeing ourselves just doesn't sound right even if we are talking about magic. Dobby and the trunk was hovering up by the ceiling when this strange guy with a funny eye and a peg leg comes in with this girl whose hair keeps changing colors. He also brought Snape and another woman."
"The strange guy was probably MadEye Moody an old Auror." Daphne added.
"Well they started looking around and I just couldn't help it and I started giggling and when I tried to muffle it with my hands I made some noise like a fart."
"How did MadEye not see you? That eye of his is special and he can see people who are under invisibility cloaks and disillusionment charms." Daphne asked looking at me in a strange way.
"I don't know maybe he missed me or maybe Dobby added something. MadEye never saw Dobby either so Dobby got in the spirit and let out a moan which got me to laughing out loud, I just couldn't stop myself. I know I shouldn't have done it but I jumped onto the stairs and stomped up to the top as loud as I could and then let out the loudest high-pitched scream that I could manage."
"What did they do? They just didn't just stand there I am sure." Hermione was of course right.
"Oh! They started throwing spell left and right which made it all the more funny. I ran to Dudley's room and got out of the window and back to the front door which they left open. Dobby was now into the fun all the way and he let out this blood curdling scream. The spells made a mess of the walls and ceiling. When I made the front door slam shut they panicked and blew the door off its hinges and headed down the street and 'apperated' in fount of all the neighbors."
/Scene Break/
While Hermione and Daphne with their parents were in Diagon Alley buying school supplies and robes the Order was following to make sure I didn't make an appearance. I was buying my supplies and robes at Dervish & Banges in the Hogsmeade Village branch, it was almost a one stop shopping experience. I had been keeping up my slow growth pattern and maybe a little more, so new robes were needed.
/Scene Break/
At Kings Cross on the 1st of September the major excitement was Minerva waiting for me to hug to death and explaining about the memory charms St Mungo had found. I think she wanted to have a few choice words about Dumbledore but just said, "You are never to be alone with that man. You will come for me so I may accompany you to his office."
/Scene Break/
On the train ride to Hogsmeade Station I fell asleep and was having one weird dream. I dreamt that I was in the land of violence. I had visited a few lands but dreaming I was in one was weird. I was met by two people dressed like ancient times. One was a female who was built like a muscle-bound hippo. The man was decked out in metal armor and had a sword on his waist, he also looked to be part giant. At first they introduced themselves as two of the founders of Hogwarts and were here to give me knowledge and later I was to actually visit the land to receive training.
"I appreciate the offer..." I was saying when she hits me with a spell of some kind which caused big boy to draw his sword and point it to the heavens.
As the big guy is spouting something like, "By the lady of the lake...death too..." I recognize the sword as one being in my vault.
She then states, while big guy is still doing his thing, "You now have the knowledge to strike down your foe and kill all his minions" or something to that effect.
I was yelling about that time that I wasn't going to kill anyone as I had seen enough of Riddle's memories tied up in black ribbons when I woke up with one hell of a headache.
/Scene Break/
Second year was boring as the only thing was Neville found the elusive chamber of secrets. Apparently someone had left the door open, it was just an empty chamber that Salazar Slytherin had built. Nothing special was found. A bit later Ginny Weasley does a screaming fit and starts throwing curses around the Great Hall and yelling some weird things like she was some super villain. They carted her of to St. Mungo because they figured she was being possessed. Luckily no one was seriously injured in the Great Hall.
The year progressed to summer. Minerva, Daphne, I and Hermione joined the Granger adults in going to France at my expense.
/Scene Break/
Third year was something that would make the history books. Dumbledore had arranged for the tri-wizard tournament. The first thing was the train ride to Hogwarts.
"Potter my father says you are going to die this year." Draco had arrived.
"Well its very unobservant of him, he must be a squib in hiding to make that remark."
"How dare you insult my father and the great house of Malfoy." Draco ranted.
"Well let's see, beside your father is a boot licker for Voldemort there is the fact that your family fled France to escape the guillotine and magical confinement."
"Lies… you half blood."
"Of course you really are a squib that you father is covering up for." I laughed.
Malfoy stomped off and a short time later Ron 'the mouth' Weasley showed to add his two knuts. "Hermione why are you sitting with snakes, have you no respect?
Nott followed by a repeat of Malfoy's threats of my death this year which gave me a premonition that my death was being planed. It was too bad that they all were way too late in that prediction. I did wonder if the killing curse hit me in my solid physical form if anything would happen.
Upon arrival at the Great Hall, "The house cup and Quittage has been suspended this year for our upcoming event, the tri-wizard tournament has been arranged for your entertainment." Dumbledore was standing with his arms extended to show this all-encompassing grandeur.
Oh crap I thought, another stupid plan made by the great Dumbledork. Merlin and all the entities help us this isn't a disaster in the making. Dumbledore then had to explain what the stupid tournament was and in the end never said who all the unknowns were that had ever attained "eternal glory".
/Scene Break/
Well age line or not Krum got chosen, followed by Fleur and then Diggory. I awaited the next name and was not surprised that it was Neville Longbottom. So much for my thinking that Dumbledore had his hand in the drawing. I was reassured that he did indeed have his hand in it as a moment later my name came out of the goblet.
I smiled as it was just enough of "can you believe it" as if everything else that happened in the magical world was magic and not by design.
The next morning I entered the Great Hall to tell everyone that they could kiss my ass as I was not going to participate in this lunacy of a stupid tournament.
Dumbledore stood and said, "It has become a large debate and speculation as to what made-up schools the two extra champions belong to and what they did to get past and infallible age line. The Goblet has selected the contestants and they must participate or lose their magic or in the extreme die."
That tore it for me yet it gave me an idea. "Thank you General Obvious, for your infallible age line and my school is Hogwarts the last I looked. Professor McGonagall I have just developed a need to visit Gringotts to make out my last will and testimony any time today would be suitable."
I was of course turned down, therefore I just found an empty class room and faded to Gringotts.
/Scene Break/
"Master Goblin I would like to speak with my account manager or whoever handles emancipations."
"Oh it's you again, Griphook take this wizard to SharpBlade."
"As before, you assistance has been most inspiring." I turned to Griphook, "I see they keep the most talented running errands and keep the idiots in charge."
That got a grin from Griphook and a "follow me please".
After a walk down several corridors I was escorted into SharpBlade's office. "Your business wizard?"
"I would like to become emancipated based on some events."
"Griphook take care of this matter and bring me the paperwork if there is any truth to his claims."
Just outside SharpBlade's closed office door, "Griphook was that my account manager?"
"Indeed it is Master Potter."
"Griphook if you will bear with me I would like to do that paper work for emancipation but ask is there anyone else that could sign those papers and afterwards who do I see about changing account managers?"
"Master Potter I can only try but there is one Goblin who could do all this but it might be a bit uncomfortable for both of us."
After obtaining a desk Griphook asked, "On what basis are you making the request Master Potter?"
"The Headmaster of Hogwarts and the Chief Warlock has stated that to get past the infallible age line he personally drew one must be seventeen or older. Since I have been selected by the Goblet of Fire, a magical artifact, magic has determined me to be seventeen or older. I have been selected and must participate or lose my magic or in the extreme die, I therefore assert that I am of age and should be emancipated."
"Sign her Master Potter and let's see that person I was talking about earlier."
"Oh! Please accept this as my gratitude for your time regardless of how this ends." I handed over a handful of Galleons.