Harry noted Tom heat some muggle tinned goods and conjure some plates and cutlery with ease. They were holed up in a dingy room off Knockturn Alley. Tom had explained about having safe places to stay and bolt holes across Britain and Europe. Even at the height of his power Tom had not trusted even his own inner circle. This was one of his bolt holes, warded for all except those who could speak parseltongue. Harry was too tired to care and ate mechanically, stripped of his grimy school uniform and slept, uncaring at the other boy sleeping in the same bed as him. Tom stroked the messy black locks of the younger boy. He knew the practicalities of the Potter Estate had been barely covered. No Lord of an Ancient and Noble House would ever allow his heir be brought up by muggles. Tom understood how he had fallen through the cracks and the manipulation of Albus Dumbledore to keep him humble and in his place, but Narcissa Malfoy or Andromeda Tonks should have brought up the Potter Heir as Cousins of both Harry's Grandmother and Grandfather. Even Minerva McGonogall had a right of regency. It did not make sense for them to abandon the boy and keep him ignorant of his birthright.
Harry woke in a cocoon of warmth and familiar magic. He had never felt so protected and safe. He was touching another, hugging his brother. Harry sat up to see Hedwig perched outside on the narrow window sill. Opening the small window, Harry let in his owl, his friend and he stroked her beautiful feathers and let her nip his fingers affectionately. He sat and saw red light glisten off the tall buildings in muggle London. Hedwig put her head under her wing perched on the one chair in the room and Harry crawled back into his cocoon of warmth, snuggling close to Tom and fell back to sleep.
...
Hogwarts had closed early. Albus sat in his brother's bar and tried to take stock over the events of the last few days. Cornelius Fudge was no longer Minister of Magic for his ineptitude and misuse of power. Albus had been reinstated as headmaster and Lucius Malfoy had been thrown off the Board of Governors. Hagrid had been freed but was inconsolable in his grief for Harry. Ginerva Weasley had told the story of an enchanted diary and writing to Tom Marvolo Riddle all year, her black-outs and her loneliness. The fact that Harry had also written in the diary was found out by talking to Ronald Weasley and the newly revived Hermione Granger had found out about the basilisk. Albus now was certain that Harry had been possessed by the spirit in the diary. He had lost control over the prophecy child, who had a good pure soul. The boy's magic would have restored Tom to his full power. Lord Voldemort had returned.
He still had much to do. the Potter inheritance would be a legal nightmare. Albus was sure he could persuade the Wizangamot to assign it to a fund managed by himself. The wills of Lilly and James would still be sealed. Everyone trusted Albus Dumbledore to act in societies best interest. It was a shame about the Weasley girl, she would have made the perfect wife for Harry, she had been prepared for that role since the contract had been drawn up in 1982, signed by Muriel and Molly, matriarchs of the family. Most assumed men arrange marriages where it was the women who sought out the best matches for their daughters.
...
Amelia Bones had been sworn in a neutral candidate for Minister, she was neither in Dumbledore's or Lucius Malfoy's pocket. She would play both groups against each other to her advantage and she had several defectors from the old coots camp to help her. Arthur Weasley and Amos Diggory were no longer enamoured with Dumbledore after the debacle at Hogwarts this year. He had held the wards to keep the students safe even after Malfoy badly thought out attempt to oust Albus as Headmaster and still five students had been hurt and one was missing, presumed dead. She had spoken to Madam Longbottom, who now held the chair of the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Changes would be made at that school, no longer would second rate teaching or teachers be acceptable.
Amelia had her first meeting with the department heads. She had moved Arthur Weasley out of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office and he mow headed the Goblin Liaison Office, a smart move considering his son was a highly thought of Curse Breaker. Crouch had been retired and his decisions and actions in the Ministry were being investigated on the quiet by Chief Auror Moody. The New Head of the Department of International Cooperation was Amos Diggory.
...
Arthur Weasley nodded respectfully at the head of the bank, Bank Manager Ragnarok was Head of the Goblin State, and Arthur was making waves as he suggested the Goblins reject the moves of Albus Dumbledore to take control of Harry's legacy.
The Goblin smiled cruelly as he was surprised by the wizard who was man enough to think for himself. "The Potter Steward is in control of the estate and he has removed the Lord Potter to have him educated privately. The fact the Heir of both the Potter, Evans and Black estates was placed in mortal peril at that school was his justifucation for removing him. As you daughter is betrothed to the Potter Heir, may I suggest you educate her at Beaubatons or Salem, as the Potter estate is paying for her schooling."
"I beg your pardon? Ginny is not betrothed to my knowledge. None of my children are." Arthur was too poor and inconsequential for such pure blood politics. He and Molly had eloped straight from school for her to break her own contract.
"Your great aunt and your wife signed the contract with Albus Dumbledore in 1982." The Goblin handed over the original document "The Steward of House Potter is reviewing the Terms and Conditions at the moment. A finalised Contract will be presented at the Engagement Ball." The Goblin knew as the ranking house the Contract would be in the Potters favour. "Do not worry the Bride Price has been dropped and you may give your daughter her bequest for her own use." Normally a chest of linens, clothes and jewellery were provided by the bride's family for their daughter. Arthur wondered if they would have to transfer his youngest sons to apprenticeships to be able to afford to give Ginny a chest worthy of her future status as Lady Potter-Black.
...
Sirius Black sat in his dog form and whined. The guards had taunted him that the Boy-who-Lived was dead. Killed at Hogwarts by a Basilisk. Sirius lay down and drew what little magic in the core to himself and meditated. The bond to his God son was still there. Harry was still alive. Sirius looked at the bed. He jumped from it and scrambled to the high window. He was skinny enough to squeeze through the bars as an emaciated dog. The guards had though he was on hunger strike. Now he was out of his cell. The main drain led to the sea. There he would either drown or make it to the mainland. Sirius would find answers to why he had been abandoned by the Order and find out why Harry had left Hogwarts and let the world think he was dead.