A/N - I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters. I only play in the universe. Any ideas that other authors that recognize some of their ideas, I apologize, I have read so many stories that I can't remember where I get some of them. Send me a PM and I will try to give you the credit that you deserve. Also, constructive criticism is welcome, flames are not. If you don't like the story, then don't read it.

Chapter 7

The train ride home was quite boring compared to the leaving feast. No one bothered their compartment and so Harry and Hermione rode the train back to London remembering the fun they had at the leaving feast.

~ Flashback ~

That night at the feast, nearly everyone was talking about what happened down at the lake. The students didn't know what to make of the spectacular display of magic. The adults had mixed feelings. Most of the staff felt that Harry had been justified in his request that Flitwick be the only contact he and Hermione had with the headmaster. But some others felt that he had been more than a bit harsh when it came to what he said to the Potters and their friends. James Potter had been given a place to sit during the meal since he decided to stay with Lily because of her despairing mood.

Through all of it, Harry and Hermione sat alone, in their own bubble, they ignored all that was going on around them. Some students, mainly the Slytherins, wondered where Prof. Snape was, but when they questioned the staff, they were simply given the excuse, "Prof. Snape is busy with prior engagements. He will see you all after the break." Most other students were more than happy with this, even a few Slytherins, though they did not voice it.

Throughout most of dinner, James and Lily Potter tried to catch Harry's eye, but he studiously ignored them. He knew he was being harsh, but he felt he was entitled to be. He realized that it would only be a matter of time before they started again. They would try again to get him to open up to them and he would have to do something similar again. He also knew that the rule he had enacted would only last until the end of the school year. There was a fairly good chance that Dumbledore would try and get that rule thrown out during the summer, but he hoped that he would have a plan by then.

Towards the end of the feast, right when dessert was being served, all the torches in the Great Hall flickered. Not many students noticed, but the entire staff did. Never had the torches gone out with people still in the hall. Suddenly, the entire hall was plunged into darkness. However, before anyone could panic, lights began to appear. After a few seconds they coalesced into a magnificent Stag, a large dog, that bore a striking resemblance to a grim and a giant of a wolf. The images gave off enough light that Harry saw James, Lily, Chris, Ron, Neville, Dumbledore and more than a few staff members all gasp and widen their eyes.

The entire hall was silent, then a roar could be heard and two giant cats dove at the three animals and two birds, a falcon and a Raven dived at them. The birds continued to dive at the original three while the giant cats circled them like prey. The cats stood side by side with the birds on either side of them and the cats roared and jumped towards them while the birds streaked towards them. The Stag, Dog, and Wolf took off towards the staff table and more than a few dove out of their way. The moment before they would have hit the table, the animals dissipated into smoke and the torches came back to life. With the light back in the Great hall, the smoke stayed, but was now black as shadows, as were the giant cats and two birds. The cats sat in the middle of the hall and the birds landed on their heads, the smoke that was the original three animals shimmered and formed words over the four animals, they read, "The House of Shadows".

All of a sudden, a voice sounded throughout the hall, "The time of the Marauders is past, it's time for the Shadows to flourish."

With that the animals and words exploded outwards and covered the whole staff in black liquid, when they tried to clean it off, they found that all their clothes were dyed black, along with their hair. After the initial shock, the Weasley Twins exploded off their seats, and started clapping, this led to other students clapping, however there were still a number of people not clapping, chief among them were the Potters, Dumbledore, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom, though most of the staff wasn't clapping, many had looks of terror and anxiety on their faces.

Eventually, the Twins, with Lee Jordan, went to the front of the Hall and got down on their knees and started bowing, while chanting, "You are Gods among men! Please teach us!" This went on for a little while before the headmaster sent the students to bed.

~ End Flashback ~

Harry and Hermione were about an hour away from London when their compartment door was thrown open. Chris Potter and Neville Longbottom were standing there.

"Well, Daniels, I hear you made quite the impression on my parents. Were you trying to guilt into them taking you back?" Sneered Chris.

Harry snorted, "I suggest you leave before I do something you will regret. I have no problem with you, as long as you leave Hermione and I alone. You don't and things can become... unpleasant very fast."

Chris sneered, "What, the little buck toothed know-it-all needs you to protect her?"

Harry smiled, "No she doesn't, though I am curious, you all keep calling her a 'know-it-all' do you not realize that she is many times smarter than you and probably knows more spells than all of you, including the red headed one, combined?"

Neville paled a bit, but stuck by his friend, while Chris sneered.

Chris said, "I doubt it, I learned from my father, the best auror in the Ministry. I know spells that you couldn't possibly know."

Both Harry and Hermione snorted and got back to their journals, dissecting spells that they had covered during the term.

Chris made to grab Harry's hands and found his wrist wrapped in an iron grip, Harry said, "It isn't nice to take other people's things."

Harry let go of his wrist right when Chris made to yank it out of his grip. The action sent Chris stumbling to the floor, on his butt. Harry and Hermione both ignored them and continued writing in the journals, though they did pull their wands out of their holsters.

Chris' face burned red and he took his wand out, as did Neville, though he did half heartily. The moment Chris sent a stream of spells towards Harry and Hermione, shields erupted around them and the spells were reflected back at the attacker. Towards the end, Harry sneaked in an extra spell that would activate at some point after Chris stepped off the train in London and at random intervals over the break.

He told Neville, "Longbottom, you better get him out of here before he tries something else and we get irritated."

Neville tried to help his friend, whom resembled a cross between some one with chicken pox and green hair that can't stop dancing, while the top half of their body was bound still. After that, they had another while of peace. They laughed at what had happened and talked about what they were going to do for the break.

After a half hour, their door was, once again, thrown open. This time it was Malfoy and his two body guards.

He sneered, "Well, if it isn't the unwanted Potty and the mudblood."

Harry looked him dead in the eye, "Malfoy, I know that the Wizengamot threw out that law I used earlier in the year. I know that you know it too, but what you don't seem to realize is that, with that law gone, I can get revenge and it will be completely legal as long as your aren't permanently hurt. I suggest that you and your two butt buddies leave."

Said "Butt Buddies" stared dumbly at him, not realizing what he had meant by the statement. Draco went red in the face of the insult.

"How dare you say that! I am a pureblood, your just a half-blood mutt and a mudblood."

Hermione interrupted, "Yes, yes, we all know that your mother is also your cousin and your father is also your uncle. We already know that, what's your point?"

Draco drew his wand, "How dare you insult my family! You filthy mudblood."

Hermione snorted and stage whispered to Harry, "Is that the only insult that he knows?"

Harry smirked, "I think so, but it isn't his fault, it's all the inbreeding."

Draco was now purple in the face and his wand tip was glowing. He shot a spell at Hermione and a shield appeared around her. Before he knew it, Draco was on the floor with boils appearing on his face. Harry, again, shot a spell that wouldn't take effect until they got to London and would last the entire break. Again the "Butt Buddies" dragged Malfoy out of the compartment. They only had another ten minutes until they reached the station so they got their things together, took their robes off and put them away. By the time they were completely done, they were pulling into the station and Harry shrank their trunks. They put them in their pockets and were two of the first to get off the train. They had their hair cycling through different colors and looked around for the Grangers.

Almost immediately they spotted them standing off to the side and they walk over to them, when they were halfway there, a shot of blue caught Harry's eye and he turned just in time to see Miku smiling at him. He darted for her and nearly tackled her to the ground.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in India!"

The Asian girl smiled and said, "I was, but you didn't think that I wouldn't see you for Christmas, did you? Jamel and the others couldn't make it, they were all finishing up some work and getting to their families, but they gave me their presents for you."

Harry smiled, "You didn't have to do that. But thank you. Tell them that I will send Gwen with their presents when I get them. Now, come on, let me introduce you to the Grangers."

When they got to the three Grangers, Miku noticed Hermione's hair.

She smirked and said, "Well, I guess Harry taught you that charm huh?"

Hermione smiled, "Yeah, we've been doing it ever since. It's funny to watch people's faces when they realize it changes colors." she laughed.

Her parents looked amazed at the changes in Hermione. Before, she was never this outspoken and happy.

Harry smiled and said, "Miku, this is Dr.s Daniel and Emmaline Granger, and their daughter, one of my best friends, Hermione Granger. Grangers, this is my oldest friend, Miku Sato."

Miku smiled and shook their hands, Dan Granger said, "Please, call us Dan and Emma."

Miku smiled and nodded, then turned to Hermione and said, "I've heard a lot about you in Harry's letters, he just talks about you and the pranks you've pulled at school. Along with the things you are doing with your Journals. Though, mainly you."

Harry blushed and said, "Miku! Keep it up and I'll tell a certain Mike in the US about something."

Miku scowled playfully at Harry and dropped the subject. As they were moving away from the Platform, they saw the elder Potters, Sirius and Remus nearby, looking at Harry sadly. He and Hermione stared blankly at them, then turned away. Miku and the Elder Grangers saw it and wondered about it, Miku knew a little. She knew that they were his old family and they had been pestering him, but that was all. She recognized his "Occlumency Mask" when she saw it, so she knew it was worse then he had let on. Not one minute later, there was a commotion on the Platform, they all turned to see Chris Potter had his shoes transfigured into skates and his legs started to spasm, he was sent sprawling on the ground. Harry snorted and turned away while Hermione giggled and had to hide them in his shoulder. The Grangers were astounded and Miku chuckled.

Chris shouted, "DANIELS!"

Harry put an innocent look on his face and turned to look at him, "Yes, do you need a hand getting up Potter?"

Chris snarled and tried to lung at him, only to be sent to the ground again. By this point more than a few people were laughing.

Harry looked down at him and said, "Well, there's your problem, you have wheels stuck to the bottom of your shoes."

Chris snarled and said, "I know you had something to do with this. You're in trouble now, your aren't allowed to do magic outside school."

Harry smirked, "Would you like your father to look at my wand? Excluding the fact that I CAN in fact use magic outside of school. I'm emancipated, remember?"

He pulled it out and smiled as innocently as possible and handed it to James. He checked it and handed it back to Harry.

"There is nothing on it that has anything to do with spells used on your shoes and legs, son. Just a shield charm."

Harry smiled and took his wand back. Just as he turned back to the Grangers there was another commotion, a loud, high pitched screaming of what sounded like a little girl.

Again everyone heard whoever it was scream, "DANIELS! GRANGER!"

Everyone on the platform turned to look at the Malfoy family as Draco Malfoy screamed and his voice was as high as a little girl's. Again people started laughing as Draco marched over to them and made to take a swing at Hermione. People gasped as his fist started to close in on her face and then again as she pushed his hand out of the way and twisted it around his back, then used his momentum to kick out his legs and he landed on the ground. The adult Potters, Sirius and Remus recognized it as the same move Harry used on James.

Hermione said, sweetly, "Was there something you would like to say, Malfoy?"

Malfoy just screamed in a high voice, "Let me go you filthy mudblo-"

Harry interrupted and said, "Draco, do you not remember what happened last time you insulted us? And again, do we have to remind you about the train conversation."

Lucius stepped in and said, "I demand that you reverse what you did to my son."

Again, Harry and Hermione smiled and handed their wands to James.

He tested them and said, "They have nothing to do with this, the last spells they cast were standard shield spells."

Draco snarled, though it sounded like a little girl whining, "I know they had something to do with this!"

Harry smirked, "Well, Draco, I didn't realize you thought so highly of us. That you believe we can do wandless magic, something that even you vaunted purebloods can't do. It warms me up."

Again Hermione was left to giggle into his shoulder as he chuckled, Miku was hanging onto Harry because she was laughing so much. Sirius, Remus, James and even Lily were impressed that Harry and Hermione were able to do something like that without being caught. It was obvious to everyone with a brain that they were responsible. They were even more surprised with the "Slytherin" response he gave.

Realizing that his son would just embarrass them more, the elder Malfoys collected him and apparated home. Once it was all over, the people on the Platform started to leave.

Harry turned back to the Potter Party and said, "Well, Aurors Potter, Black, Mister Lupin, Prof Potter, clumsy Potter, have a good Holiday. I'll probably see you again when we go back to the castle."

With that, he turned and motioned for the Grangers and Miku to follow. Miku and the Grangers saw the sadness in James' and Lily's eyes, along with Sirius' and Remus' eyes. No one could miss the contempt in Chris Potter's eyes.

Once outside, the Grangers looked at Hermione and Harry questioningly, Harry shrugged and said, "We aren't admitting anything, but if we were responsible, it would be because those two seem to think they can throw their titles at us and think they are better then us. Just because they are the Boy-Who-Lived and the heir of the Malfoy family. We'll explain more at your house, because I know Mr. and Mrs. Sato, and they wouldn't like it if Miku was late and they live in Tokyo. So she has to go."

Miku nodded, "He's right, my parents are expecting me in," she checked her watch, "10 minutes. So I need to go, I just came to see Harry, tell him to have a good holiday and give him his presents."

She handed him a handful of presents and hugged him tight , "It was good to see you Harry, I'll see you next summer," turning to Hermione, "Keep him in line and help him when he needs it. Sometimes, that means knocking some sense into him when he is acting dumb."

Ignoring Harry's mock outraged face, Hermione smiled and said, "Of course. It was great meeting you."

Miku smiled and said, "I know you will, it was nice meeting you too." turning to the elder Grangers, "It was very nice meeting you, thank you for letting Harry stay with you for the holidays. If he wasn't he would probably be on some beach somewhere."

Harry laughed, "I would, Jamel invited me to stay in his bungalow in the Bahamas."

Miku scowled and said, "I'll have to have a talk with him."

Harry laughed and said goodbye. From there, Harry and the three Grangers got in their car and left for home. During the ride to the Grangers home in Crawley, the two kids told the adults about their year so far. The Grangers were amazed at what their daughter was learning. They learned how she and Harry got along in and around the castle and what they did in their spare time.

When they got home they all walked into the house and Harry and Hermione felt themselves pass through the wards. Just by feeling the crackle of magic, they knew that the wards around the house were very good. Once inside Hermione gave Harry the tour and then showed him to the guest room, across the hall from her own room. They enlarged their trunks and Hermione started to collect her clothes and put them away. Harry set his journals on the desk that was in the room and brought out an extra large stand and put it by the window. Almost as soon as he opened it, Hedwig flew in and landed on the perch. He smiled and then walked out in search of Hermione. When he got to her room, he knocked on the door frame and she smiled and motioned him in.

Harry said, "You have a nice room."

He looked around and took in the light blue on the walls and saw that she had 3 medium sized book shelves lining one wall. All three of them were completely full.

He continued, "I wouldn't expect anything different then this Mione."

She smiled and blushed at the nickname, "Thank you Harry. I painted it a year before I got my letter to Hogwarts. So are you ready to go down and explain to my parents how you've corrupted their daughter?"

Harry smiled, "Yup. Lets go, I could tell that they were anxious for answers in the car."

Hermione smirked and closed her trunk and they made their way downstairs. Once they were ready, all four of them sat down at the dinner table to talk.

Dan started it off by asking, "What was going on at the station? Hermione, you've never acted that way."

Harry said, "Hermione had nothing to do with what happened to them. They tried to attack us on the train and we fought them off. During the middle of it, I cast a spell that was time-delayed. It went off on the station because that was when the spell was suppose to act. Chris and Neville tried to intimidate us on the train, though it was more Chris, Neville just sat back. Malfoy and two of his friends did the same thing a while later. At school they are nothing but bullies. So, I prank them. Along the way, Hermione started to join me and now we are pranksters at school."

Emma said, "You aren't getting into trouble are you? And what was with giving your wand to that man?"

Hermione said, "No, we are the top two students in our year right now. We are evenly tied in some classes, I'm slightly better in Charms, while Harry is slightly better in Defense. We are about equal in Transfiguration, Astronomy and Herbology. Potions is different because the teacher is not fair to anyone not in his own house. As to who that man was, his name is James Potter, he's an auror, a magical police man. Harry gave him his wand so that James could check the last spells cast by it. Probably because he suspected Harry of using magic outside school. Regardless of his emancipated status."

Dan said, "What do you mean, and if you are doing all of that, how do you have time to pull pranks? And how did you cast that spell on them if it didn't show up on your wand?"

Harry answered, "Not many people in Britain believe wandless magic is possible, at least not for the more complex spells. That is a lie, most other magical cultures use wandless magic all the time, they just use wands because it is simpler for some and for some spells it makes it easier to cast because of precision and using them requires less concentration. As for the teacher, we mean, that Snape, the Potion's Professor, is a immature child in a man's body. He and my biological father had some sort of feud going on during their school years and he has passed on his hatred of him to Chris and I. I also think it has something to do with my biological mother, if any of the looks that I've seen indicate anything. And as to the time, well, do you remember at the station when I told Hermione that I would teacher how to have perfect recall?"

Dan and Emma nodded and Harry continued, "Well, what I did was make a copy of the knowledge of how to do it, out of my mind and put it directly in hers. She knew how to practice Occlumency before we even got to the castle. It helps us remember everything so there is no need to study."

Emma nodded, "So, concerning this Order-"

Harry interrupted her and waved his hand around the room, all four occupants felt a rush of what felt like static electricity in the room.

Harry apologized and explained, Emma nodded and started again, "Concerning this Order, what exactly has been going on?"

Harry started, "Well, just like Rachelle and Anthony told you, it is an order that is only interested in equality for all magical beings and preserving the peace. We helped during the last war, though no one would know it. We work behind the scenes because it is easier than working in the open. It is completely voluntary and she can leave whenever she wishes. We have set up a completely new identity for her, which is Miranda Grey." Dan smiled at the name, it was his mother's, Harry continued, "Everyone in the Order gets a second identity, and it is all completely legal. She is now both Hermione Granger and Miranda Grey. She has citizenship in nearly every country in the world, under both identities and she has many skills already."

Dan said, "Well, what is your other identity, and what other skills does she have? Also, what other things does this Order do? You said they fought in a war. How so, if they are just mainly in politics?"

Harry answered, "My other identity is Alexander Shadow. As to what she knows, well, she already knows enough magic to pass most of the Mastery qualifications. She knows most martial arts and other military type fighting styles. She can protect her mind better then anyone I've seen besides myself and Ms Cerina, even then, it is just a matter of time before she is better than me. As for what other things the Order does, well, we do a lot of other things. We have some people that are spies within the government, to figure out if there is something that we should know about, some are body guards. Some, a very small number, do the more dirty work of the Order. If there are rouge wizards or other magical creatures that are creating havoc, they are sent out to take care of it, if the countries' government can't or won't. Though, we try and just incapacitate them and hand them over to a government for them to deal with. During the war, Order members tried to do their best to protect people when they could, but we have very few members in Britain because of the horribly corrupt government they have. With the corruption so high, it's very hard to do anything."

Dan let out a long breath, "So this Order is basically a mix of politicians, body guards, soldiers and assassins?"

Harry winced at the tone, "More or less. Our main goal is peace in the magical world, that way, if we ever decide to reveal ourselves, mundane's won't fear us. We help keep conflict down as much as possible. And again, everything is voluntary, they won't kick someone out just because they refused to do something they don't wish to. I don't even have a mission, technically speaking, while I'm here in Britain. They just asked me to see if I could talk to some of the students and make them see that treating other magical creatures the way they are, is not the way and that it will come back to bite them later."

Emma said in a calmer tone, "Is there anything else that we should know about Hermione?"

Harry scratched his head, "Not really, she speaks most languages, the only other thing is that she will eventually not need as much sleep as before. The Occlumency and bonding with her magical core will reduce the required amount of sleep, depending on how powerful she is. She is about at where I was a year ago, which is considerable because she was where I was at when I was six, on the train. She has been bonding with her core every other night to strengthen it and her connection to it. That is how we do wandless magic. It is like raising your arm, completely instinctual, all about our will. If we want something done, we will our magic to do it and if we are powerful enough, it will happen. The only other thing that I can think of is that she will mature, physically, a bit faster. I'm 11 years old, 15 years if you count time dilation, but physically I am about a year ahead. So I have the body of an almost 13 year old. Which is fine because some children mature faster then others in the magical world. It has to do with your core. Your body has to be able to handle a certain amount of magic, so it matures a bit faster. Most, if not all magicals in Britain don't bond with their cores so they stay the same size, they mature normally, but others who bond with their cores regularly, mature slightly faster. One thing that might interest you is that I am still completing work for my mundane education during the summer. I will be starting my third year in High school this summer. This way, after Hogwarts I can still get a job in the normal world too. That is how it is done in America as well. I'll get you the information from the Order and Hermione can do the same this summer."

Dan nodded his thanks and asked, "Okay, I can understand that, but why can't British Magicals perform wandless magic?"

Hermione explained, "Because the purebloods in power found it harder to do over time and didn't like that the 1st generations could do it easier so they banned it and said it was impossible to do and that only the most powerful magicals could do it. Then they started saying that anyone that can do it and isn't powerful like Dumbledore is, most likely using dark rituals and dark magic to get the ability."

Harry snorted, "Dumbledore may be one of the more powerful magicals in Britain, but has he nothing on magicals elsewhere in the world. As of right now, he is the third most powerful wizard in Britain."

Hermione questioned him, "I thought he was the most powerful wizard in Britain, who are the others?"

Harry smiled, "They are currently in this room. Both of our cores are at least half again the size of Dumbledore's, closer to double the size of his, and that's in his prime. As he gets older it will slowly start to shrink, expending more magic to extend his life. Voldemort's core was only a bit more powerful, but Dumbledore has practice and control, whereas Voldemort had only brute force. Now, back to the wandless magic, the ministry can track magic by charms put on wands, but they can't track wandless magic, that is another reason for banning it. It's also a way to give pureblood children an edge over the 1st generation children. The way they track accidental is that it gives off uncontrollable bursts of magic and they CAN track that. But any magic performed in a magically saturated area, like some one's home, cannot be tracked."

Emma said, "It sounds as if this world is very prejudiced."

Harry nodded, "It is, at least in Britain. This is the last place the purebloods hold power. They think that because their great to 'n'th grandparents were magicals it makes them better then everyone else. I'm considered a half-blood because my father is pureblood and my mother is a 1st generation. Malfoy has been giving us problems ever since the start of the term. He found out who I am, then insulted Hermione and told me that I shouldn't hang out with 'mudbloods'. It's a horrible word that most people in the world don't use. It basically is say that the person has dirty blood and they aren't fit to use magic. It would be like a white person calling a black person the 'N' word. Luckily, I had you sign those papers which put Hermione under my protection. I may be a half-blood but I am also the head of 6 Noble and Most Ancient families. They will abide by their own laws which I used against them. When Malfoy insulted Hermione and I twice in one week, I mailed off a letter to his father and he was forced to pay my family G1,500. Given that the Galleon to Pound ratio is 1:5 they were forced to pay 7,500 pounds." he smirked at their open mouths.

Dan finally closed his mouth then asked, "I assume he stopped after that?"

Hermione nodded, "Yes he got a letter from his father that shouted at him in the middle of the Great Hall to not come near us. Though sadly, that law was just thrown out recently so we are forced to get back at them whenever we can, hence the pranks. During classes, we take notes like we normally would and we also take the spell apart and think of new ways we can make it better. We also both have journals that list every 'everyday' common spell we know and different ways we can use them and another journal to list spell chains that we can use in a duel. The knowledge isn't always in our minds. It is only there when we consciously call on it. Otherwise we just learn it like normal and because of the way we learned some of the subjects we still have to read the books and make sure that we understand everything. Oh! And I can turn into a panther and a black raven. Though once I study other animals, I can turn into them as well, just not keep the senses when I am me again. I only get the panther and raven senses."

Emma and Dan gaped, then her father said, "How?"

Harry laughed, "Well, it's one of the hardest things to do in Transfiguration. Every person has an inner animal, not everyone can talk with them, but the ones that can and understand the animal and therefore themselves, can turn into that animal. Hermione is almost done with her Raven, the Panther is different because it isn't her true animal so it will take a bit longer. She just has to try the transformation all at once and keep in control of both her mind and the transformation at the same time. She can already talk with her animal, it is just that it is hard to concentrate on keeping the transformation and also your human mind, at least at first. I am a Peregrine Falcon and a Panther. Though, I'm not sure it is a true Panther, some in the Order argue that it is a cross between a Jaguar and a Tiger."

Emma was amazed, "Can we- can we see it?"

Harry smiled and shifted into his Panther form. The three Grangers gasped at him, Hermione hadn't seen this form because Harry was being careful at school. A few minutes later he shifted back to human, then into his falcon form. Again the two adult Grangers were awed by the display.

After Harry changed back he said, "After Hermione completes the transformation and can stay in it, she will gain the attributes of the animal. For me I gained the falcon's eye sight, my ability in the air to a degree, not much because I was already very good on a broom, I also gained the cat's night vision if I choose to use it, it's speed and a bit of it's strength, not to mention enhanced hearing, balance, reflexes and smell. But I can partially transform and gain even more strength and speed. When I do, I can also follow a person's scent almost anywhere and hear people from another room through normally thick walls. I don't look like the cat but I am nearly as fast and strong as it is. But it's very hard to maintain and go about my normal day. It's a bit like I'm holding it at bay. The same with the bird but I only sharpen my eyesight. My record is seeing about 5 ½ miles away or so."

The adults gaped and Hermione smiled. They continued talking for a bit more, they ordered take out for dinner. After they were done talking about the Order, they started talking about what they had been doing during school. Hermione demonstrated some of the magic, wandless of course. Harry informed them that he would have to go to Diagon Alley the next day and they agreed that they would go as a family. Hermione reasoned that, this way, they could get their holiday shopping out of the way, at least the magical side of things.

The following morning, everyone got up around 8 in the morning and had a leisurely breakfast. They eventually made it The Leaky Cauldron around 11 o'clock. As they entered, Tom immediately recognized Harry.

He shouted, "Hello Harry! Have a good first term?"

Harry smiled, "Hey Tom. It was nice, a bit slow though. I already know most of what they taught, but I'm hoping that it will pick up after the holidays. Let me introduce my friends. This," he motioned to Hermione, "Is my best friend, Hermione Granger and these," he motioned to the elder Grangers, "Are her parents, Dr.s Daniel and Emmaline Granger. They were kind enough to have me over for the holidays. How's business been?"

Tom smiled and said hello to the Grangers, then replied, "Business has been usual. It always is. It was nice seeing you again Harry, haven't had many people to talk to during my off time. I also tried what you said about the Quibbler. You were right, much better than what the Prophet writes. Anyway, I'll let you all get on with your business. Don't be a stranger Harry. It was nice meeting you, Hermione, Dr.s Granger. Take care of him at Hogwarts Miss."

Hermione smiled, "Don't worry, I will." she latched onto Harry's arm and pulled him forward.

As they made their way up to Gringotts Harry explained how he knew Tom and explained a bit about his summer, staying in Diagon Alley. Eventually they made it inside the bank and saw that there seemed to be many people out shopping today. There were lines at all the teller stations.

Harry turned to the Grangers and said, "Stay here, I'll be right back."

With that he walked away. They watched as he stood to one of the few "Closed" stations and spoke with the Goblin sitting there. They watched as Harry bowed and then spoke to the creature. Almost immediately, the goblin jumped off his chair and followed Harry back to the Grangers. Deciding to follow Harry's lead, all three bowed to the goblin when he and Harry got to them. They assumed they did the right thing when they watched Harry smile and spoke to the small being in a guttural, harsh language. Oddly enough, at least the elder Grangers thought, Hermione seemed to understand what was being said.

The goblin spoke, "I am Senior Teller Ironclaw. Please follow me to Director Rangok's office."

They fell in line behind the goblin and noticed all the people within earshot, followed them as they walked. Some shocked and some looked slightly angry. All three Grangers assumed that they were wondering why two muggles and two students got priority over them.

Once inside a lush office, the goblin, Ironclaw, and Harry both bowed to the slightly taller goblin behind the desk. Again, following Harry's lead, the three Grangers bowed to the goblin. Ironclaw nodded to Harry and the three Grangers and walked out of the office.

Harry introduced the Grangers to Director Ragnok and then said to the Grangers, "Mr and Mrs. Granger, Hermione, this is Ragnok, Director of Gringotts Bank, London and War Chief of the Goblin Nation in Europe and most of Asia."

The Grangers were surprised at how much power this one... person had and that they were meeting him. They greeted him and he smiled in return, though they personally thought it was disconcerting, the way he smiled.

Harry nodded, "Anyway, Ragnok is the one who helped me get out of the country when I needed to." turning to the Goblin, "The reason I am here is that I need to go down to one of my vaults and also, I would like Hermione to get an inheritance test done."

At Hermione's questioning look, Harry explained, "When I was being sorted the hat said something to me and I just have a suspicion. Also, the reason that we are here, instead of a normal teller is because anyone who has a vault before the 10th vault sees the bank Director instead of anyone else. Since not many people have access to any of those vaults and I have access to four of them, I have to come here. None of the other tellers are allowed to help me."

Ragnok nodded, "He is correct. One of his vaults has a large portion of the British Wizarding economy so only I may deal with him." turning to Harry, "So, Mr. Daniels, how have you been? Has your old family try anything?"

Harry shrugged, "Yeah, but right before we left for the holidays, I set them straight. Though, the rule that I used might be thrown out by next year, but it has gotten the old man off our backs until the end of the school year. Anyway, I just want to get a few things from my vaults. But could we do the inheritance test first? This way, if I'm right, we only have to go down there once."

Ragnok agreed and pressed a rune on his desk and a second later another goblin came in carrying a large piece of parchment and a red quill. Ragnok explained what she needed to do and she signed her name. A few seconds later, a few names appeared on the parchment, under her name.

Ragnok looked at the parchment and said, "Well, it looks like I will have to be seeing you as well from now on. You have access to Vaults 2, 4, 5, 118 and 543. Vault 2 belonged to Morgana Le Fay. She was in many ways, Merlin's opposite. Though, later in life, she tried to help the other magical species, but could never get rid of being branded a dark witch. It is all nonsense, the burgeoning wizard's council just didn't like the fact that she was a witch and that she was more powerful than they were and that she advocated for creature's rights, her past was against her. Anyway, vault 4 is the Ravenclaw vault. It seems that you are related to her through many generations of squibs, making you the heir by blood and magic. Vault 5 is the Hufflepuff vault, you are the heir by magic. Pertaining to vault 118, you have the same rights as Mr. Daniels. You don't own it, but you are as good as the owners, you may do everything with it, except remove it from this bank. Vault 543 is the Trisfoum family vault. Like the Daniels family," motioning at Harry, "This family died during the first World War. I don't know how they died, just that they died during that time. You are indirectly related to the family about 7 generations back, but because the whole family has died out, you are the sole heir."

The Grangers were shocked, as was Harry. Hermione just sat in the chair and slowly reached for Harry's hand. He held her hand in comfort.

After a few moments, Hermione finally came back to herself and said, "Um, what does that mean?"

Harry smiled, "It doesn't mean anything. You are still you, you just know more about your distant family and have some more money."

Ragnok chuckled, "It is a bit more than that. But in essence, he is correct. On the money aspect, Vault 2 has the same limitations as Vault 1 you can only draw a certain amount out of that account each year because it is a large portion of the economy. I believe the amount is G200,000, the same amount as Mr. Daniels. The total amount of that vault is 5 million galleons and change. The Ravenclaw vault is around G750,000 and change. The same goes for the Hufflepuff Vault, in fact all the founders' vaults have that much, they put their money together and split it four ways, they said it would create more equality between them and this way, no one person could have more say over another in dealings with the school. Vault 118 is worth about G250,000, not as rich as the others, but still a respectable amount, like I told Mr. Daniels, they are more land rich than money rich. Finally, the Trisfoum vault is worth about 1.5 million galleons."

All four humans were gobsmacked. Harry thought Hermione might be an heir but he had no idea that they would find all this out. The Grangers were ready to feint.

Dan had a thought, "What is the exchange rate of Galleons to Pounds?"

Ragnok smirked, "It is 1:5."

Wondering he was joking, he asked, "Is that pounds to galleons?"

Harry smirked, "No that is galleons to pounds."

At this, both adult Grangers passed out. Hermione was near catatonic, just sitting there, holding Harry's hand. Harry was getting a bit worried about her.

After a few moments, he looked at Ragnok and said, "Excuse me for a moment."

Rangok nodded and started going through the paperwork for Hermione's accounts.

Harry bent down in front of Hermione and cupped her face in his hands and said, "Hermione, it doesn't matter. Don't think about it much, it only means that you have a bit more money then most people. No one will treat you differently, they don't with me. That is why I don't tell them which vaults I have access to. Don't let what others think bother you."

When she didn't say anything for another few moments, Harry sighed and leaned in and lightly kissed her on the lips. After a moment, she blinked and came back to herself. When she realized what Harry was doing she responded, tentatively. When he pulled away, she blushed spectacularly.

Harry smirked with a small blush of his own, "Are you with us again?"

Hermione nodded, somewhat shyly, "Why did you do that?"

Harry shrugged, "Well, for one, I wanted to, for another, it was the only other way I could think to get you to come back. I figured that slapping you would not have been a smart idea and mentioning books would probably get me a slap, so I kissed you."

Hermione looked down and smiled, "Oh."

Harry said, seriously, "Don't worry about having more money then you thought. It only means what you want it to. I won't treat you any differently, you don't treat me differently and have more than that. If it really makes you feel differently, then don't tell anyone. It is no one's business but your own. Haven't you noticed at school, when someone asks me how much money I have, I don't exactly answer them. When Flitwick asked, I only said that I have my accounts set up for 'High-Risk, High-Gain'. I never told him how much I am worth. I gave out enough information to let others think they know."

Hermione nodded her agreement and together with Harry, they woke her parents back up. Once that was done, Hermione sat back down, but in the same chair as Harry, who wrapped his arm around her. Emma and Dan noticed this but didn't say anything.

Hermione finally said, "Okay, Ragnok, um, could I do what Harry did? Make my accounts 'High-Risk, High-Gain'? All except the Trisfoum account."

Ragnok nodded, "We can do that. The Le Fay vault has been on 'Low-Risk, Moderate-Gain' for a while, the others have been on 'Low-Risk, Low-Gain'."

Hermione nodded, "You can put the Trisfoum account on Low-Risk, Moderate-Gain'."

Harry nodded, "Could you do the same with the Daniels vault?"

Ragnok nodded. The elder Grangers' heads were spinning.

Dan said, "Wait, how good are the investment deals?"

Harry said, "Mr. Granger, the goblins know three things above all others. Fighting, Metal-working and Money. They know both the magical market and the muggle stock market like no one else does."

Ragnok nodded, "That is correct, but what he failed to say is that if an investor fails and loses a certain amount of gold from one account, they are demoted to dragon duty. Which is one of the most dangerous jobs that we have, 3 out of 5 goblins will not live past a year."

Harry continued, "They can predict how the market will change by what has happened within the company, what is going on in the world and other variables. They are very good with investments. They take care of me and have made me about G900,000 in the 6 years I've had my accounts."

Dan was more than surprised, "Okay, I agree that is very impressive."

Harry and Ragnok smiled, Hermione then said, "What is the investor's cut?"

Ragnok smiled, "The account manager makes 2% of whatever the account makes."

Hermione said, "Make it 5%."

Harry laughed and Ragnok smirked, "That is what Mr. Daniels said when he was told that. I will tell you what I told him, I will not take more than 4%. It is more than adequate and it is not honorable to take anymore from a child."

Hermione nodded her agreement. Harry smirked at the Grangers and then leaned down in Hermione ear and whispered something. The others watched as her eyes lit up and she was nearly bouncing in her seat.

She said, excitedly, "Okay, can we go down to the vaults now?"

At their questioning glance, Harry mouthed, "Books" to the elder Grangers and they laughed. After a few minutes another goblin came in and escorted them to a cart. About 5 minutes later, Dan looked slightly sick and Emma was wide eyed and smiling like a loon. Hermione was the same as her mother and Harry was just laughing at everyone's expressions. The goblin showed them to Harry's vaults first. Harry had argued that she could spend as much time in hers as she wanted to, he knew what he wanted to get out of his.

Once at the Slytherin vault, Harry grabbed books on potions and parselmagic and Salazar's Journal, then proceeded to put them on an empty bookcase and waved his hand over the bookcase. Then they went Gryffindor vault and he grabbed books on Transfiguration and Conjuration and Godric's Journal and again, put the books he chose on an empty bookcase then waved his hand over it. Finally they went to Vault 1 and he went in, giving the Grangers permission to enter like had for the previous vaults. He made his way to the bookcases and grabbed a few on magical theory and magic of different species, then turned Hermione loose. After about 10 minutes she had nearly 15 books. Harry smiled and grabbed them, then put all of the books yet another empty bookcase, though this book case is much bigger than the previous two, and then walked over to the pedestal next to it and the book sitting on it glowed and he picked it up.

After they were done, Harry turned to Hermione and said, "Okay, I am done in this section, we can go see your vaults now."

Hermione squealed and then ran to Vault 2, not asking what Harry had done in his vaults. After opening it, the Grangers were struck dumb at the amount of gold that was sitting in the vault. Hermione quickly got over it, giving permission to her parents and Harry to enter the vault and ran over to the large bookcase off to the side. She started going through them and placing them in a pile for her to take. After 10 minutes, she had about 20 books to take and Harry stopped her.

He explained, "You can't take the whole thing. But you can use that over there," he pointed to a massive empty bookcase that was easily the size of 3 normal bookcases, with a pedestal next to it with book on it, the same setup that was in all of his own vaults, "It is a 'ManyBook', whatever books you want, place in the empty bookcase and it will transfer the words and information to to the Manybook. That was what I did with the other books. When I waved my hand over the cases, I linked them so that I only need to have one Manybook for all three cases."

Hermione went slack-jawed, then started piling books into the original pile and after nearly 15 minutes she had enough books to fill the bookcase.

She turned to Harry, "Is there a way that we could link our Manybooks together so that I could read what is in yours and you could do the same?"

Harry nodded, "Yes, but they can only take as much as can fit in the bookcase. So you would need to leave some books to be read at another time." at her scowl he laughed, "Don't worry, I have some of the books in my Vault that you have in that pile."

They sorted through the books that she had and then put them in the case, leaving room for books from her other vaults. Harry showed Hermione what she had to do to link the bookcases and then she picked up her own Manybook and smiled at Harry. From there they repeated the process in the Ravenclaw vault with Runes, Arithmancy and her Diary and then the Hufflepuff vault with Healing, Herbology, Potions and her Diary. Finally they went to the Shadow vault. Harry again put a few books on a Manybook bookcase and then led Hermione over to a suit of black basilisk armor. He grabbed one and then a Bo staff. He told her that he had the same, he figured she could train with the daggers, throwing knives and sword over the summer. After that they left and made their way to the Trisfoum vault. There wasn't much in the vault, except money, some books on Runes and Arithmancy and a family grimoire. Harry was excited about some of the books on Runes while Hermione was excited about the Arithmancy.

From there they made their way back up to Ragnok's office and he gave Hermione and her parents money pouches similar to what Harry had, along with documents about what she owned.

Dan said, "You should think about using a debit card."

Ragnok replied, "Could you explain that?"

Harry explained, "It is a non-magical thing. It is a piece of plastic with a black strip across the back of it and it allows people to purchase things without carrying around the money. It takes it right out of their bank account. Maybe the magical world could do something similar."

At Ragnok's intrigued look, Dan continued, "They even have a small charge fee. It has to be easier than carrying around all the money and counting out each galleon."

Ragnok smiled, "I like it, I will talk with the appropriate people. As thanks, if it is brought into effect, both of your families will not have a charge fee. Now, Harry, you know your way out. On behalf of Gringotts, have a good holiday."

Harry got up, bowed and said, "May your wealth increase and your enemies be crushed."

The Grangers looked at him oddly but followed his example. Soon they were out of the bank and walking around Diagon Alley. First they stopped at Madam Malkins, where Harry got the Grangers day robes with the Daniels family crest on them. He explained, "So that people know that you are protectorates of my family." After that, they split up, the girls went one way and the boys, another. They shopped for each other and then switched an hour later to buy for the person they were with. With each parent, Harry was questioned about his relationship with Hermione.

Harry answered Dan's question, "She is my best friend. Right now, that's all we are. Do I like her? Yes, I think she is smart, beautiful and brave. The reason we are as close as we are is because we only really have each other at school. We have a few friends in our own house, Padma, Su Li, Terry and Lisa but they are all focused on their grades. They are trying to be the perfect Ravenclaw, only worried about their work. We don't, we always get our work done the day that it is assigned or the day after so we have more free time than the others. We don't really have friends in Gryffindor except the Weasley twins. In Hufflepuff, the students usually are very close to just their housemates. In Slytherin there is only Blaise, Daphne and Tracey. The other students just try and fit in with their houses so they don't make a lot of friends outside their house. Really, we only have each other at school right now."

Emma asked Hermione, "So what is going on with you and Harry?"

Hermione blushed and smiled, "Nothing, we're just friends."

At her mother's disbelieving look Hermione relented, "Fine. We are really good friends. We don't really hang out with other people. We only really hang out with three Slytherins and even then, only rarely. I like him mum. And I think he likes me too. When you and dad were unconscious after you fainted at the bank, I was out of it. I think I was in shock, Harry tried to talk to me but I wasn't hearing anything, the next thing I know, he's kissing me. He's kissed me before, on the cheek. He does that a lot, but this time, it was on the lips. When I asked him why, he said it was because he wanted to."

She finished with a blush. Emma smiled at her daughter, happy that her first crush was a nice boy. She knew that Dan wouldn't have a problem with it, they agreed that Harry was a nice boy and Hermione would be hard pressed to find someone as nice and respectful. Dan wasn't an overbearing and over protective father, he knew his daughter was to independent for that and would never accept it. The elder Grangers were just happy Hermione found someone that could get her out of her shell and help her live a little.

Towards the end of the day they made their way to Flourish & Blotts, where Hermione dashed from section to section grabbing books that she thought looked interesting. Though, she was slightly disappointed about the lack of variety. When all was said and done, they walked out with only 6 books.

Hermione complained, "Why don't they have books on more interesting things?"

Harry explained, "Because the Ministry bans certain things. You can find them in Knockturn Alley though, if you know where to look."

Hermione said, "I read that it was a place for dark wizards, what is it really?"

The older Grangers were surprised and this, more than anything else, showed how much she changed, she no longer believed everything that what was said in books was true.

Harry replied, "It is where the less 'Desirable' people of the magical society go. It is a rough place but once you know how to walk in that place, people don't really bother you."

Emma asked, "What do you mean 'Once you know how to walk'?"

Harry said, "Well, it's all in your body-language. If you walk like you know where you're going, and have an 'intimidating' look, people leave you alone. When I go to places like it and when I went during the summer, it was easy to walk in the place because all I had to do was walk around in a confident manner, in a black cloak with the hood up and exude an aura that was made people stay away. I'll show you back at the house, if I do it here, people will ask questions."

The Grangers nodded and they went home.

As the days passed, Hermione and Harry spent their time walking around her neighborhood just talking and getting to know each other better. Hermione learned more about the places that Harry had been and how he came to think the way he did and Harry learned about Hermione's life before Hogwarts, why she believed that authority figures were always to be listened to and her total belief that what she read in books was true. At night, they would meditate and Harry would help Hermione to perfect her animagus transformation.

Before they knew it, Christmas day had arrived and Harry was up and downstairs earlier than normal. At 8 in the morning, the Grangers came downstairs in their robes and slippers to find the table laden with breakfast. Harry walked through the kitchen doors with four cups of coffee.

He saw them and smiled, "Merry Christmas."

The smiled and Hermione said, "Happy Christmas, Harry. What's all this?"

Harry shrugged, "I wanted to thank you for inviting me to spend Christmas with your family. I made Belgium waffles, Ham and Potato Omelets and French Toast."

The Granger's mouths started to water at hearing what he made. They quickly sat down, to eat. Hermione hugged Harry and kissed him on the cheek, not caring that her parents were in the same room. And thanked him. The moment that the food touched their mouths, all three of them groaned in delight.

During the meal Hermione and Harry talked to each other about the prank they set up the two previous nights. When asked, they explained it to Dan and Emma.

Flashback

Harry and Hermione shadow walked back to Hogwarts. They had to keep the misdirection going. Therefore, the 'House of Shadows' was going to play a Christmas time prank. They made their way to the main entrance to the Great Hall. Once there, they set up aversion wards around the entire area so they weren't disturbed while they worked.

They each took out a piece of chalk. The chalk would disappear after 24 hours, leaving no trace of itself. Harry started drawing runes along the door frame. After about ten minutes he was finished. They shadowed to another entrance and repeated the process another three times, once for each entrance to the Great Hall. After all the entrances were taken care of, they shadowed to the interior of the Great Hall. Once there, they went to the center and each drew a circle of runes. Once done, Harry stepped inside and started casting the spell. A few moments after he was done chanting the spell, a ripple of magic rushed outward and seemed to climb the walls of the Hall and cover the ceiling. Once it was over, Hermione looked around confused, Harry whispered in her ear and she nodded, her confusion cleared. She then started waving her hand around the hall. Snow stareds to fall from the ceiling and vanished 30 seconds after hitting the floor or tables. She waved her hands again and statues of their animagus forms popped into existence, four sets each. Each cat had a small Christmas hat on, while the birds had tiny hats on. She waved her hand one more time, tying the spells together then they both shadowed back to the Grangers.

In the morning, Albus immediately felt like he forgot something, but couldn't seem to remember what. He continued on with his morning routine and made his way down from his office. Once at the entrance hall, he was sure that he forgot something. What few students and staff there were left in the castle, were all congregating in the Entrance Hall.

McGonagall rushed up to him. "Albus! No one can remember where to go to eat. I remember eating somewhere in the castle but not where. What's happening?"

A concerned Albus reassured her and sent everyone back to their common rooms for breakfast. He then informed the house elves where to send the food. He made his way up to his office and flooed the Potters.

James answered, "Good morning Albus, what can I do for you?"

Albus replied, "Good morning James. I have a question, do you remember where we took meals in the castle?"

James opened his mouth to answer, then grew confused, "No, I don't. That's odd. I remember the meals but not where they happened. What's going on?"

Lily walked in towards the end, "What do you mean James? Oh, hello Headmaster, how is your morning?"

Albus sighed, "Good morning Lily, I wish it could be better, we seem to have lost the place where we take meals in the castle."

Lily opened her mouth, then closed it slowly, with a frown on her face, "How is it we don't remember?"

Albus sighed, "I don't know. I guess, for now, we will just take our meals in the common rooms and the staff room. I will keep you updated. Happy Christmas."

The Potters nodded their farwells, still in thought. Albus pulled his head out of the fire and went to sit at his desk.

End Flashback

The Grangers were amazed at what they did.

Emma asked, "Where will they eat today though?"

Harry smirked, "The chalk we used to draw the runes vanished last night around 3 o'clock in the morning, thus, canceling the spell. They should be fine now, though we left a present for them in the Great Hall."

When Dan asked them to explain, they did.

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Albus woke up and again realized something was different. He remembered where the Great Hall was. How could he have forgotten? He quickly got ready and rushed down to the Entrance Hall, where everyone else in the castle was waiting.

Flitwick came up to him, "Headmaster, I believe I know what happened. Someone must have cast a Fidelius Charm on the Great Hall sometime during the night before last. It is the only explanation that fits."

Albus didn't want to admit it but it did fit what happened. But how would someone sneak into the castle and why would they cast it just over the Great Hall. Finally, he walked to the doors. No one had opened them, for fear of why they couldn't find the Hall the previous day. The headmaster threw the doors open and everyone finally saw what was inside.

Everything seemed to look normal, the only thing out of place was the snow falling from the ceiling and staying on the floor and tables for longer than was the norm. Slowly, Albus, the other teachers walked into the Hall. When the headmaster signaled the all clear, the rest of the school walked into the Great Hall and food suddenly appeared on the tables as it usually did in the mornings. Seeing nothing wrong, the inhabitants of the castle all sat down to eat their Christmas breakfast.

The moment the last person sat down, eight giant black cats appeared around the hall and started walking around the table, four falcons and four ravens appeared and started flying around the hall, sometimes swooping down to the table and stealing something off of person's plate. All of the animals were completely black and all had a Christmas hat on.

All of a sudden, Snape jumped up and started singing "Jingle Bells". After a few moments, the students started to laugh. The Weasley twins had to lean on each other to keep from falling over. Even a few professors had a hard time not laughing at the sight of Severus Snape singing Holiday songs. After he was done, he sat back down and snarled at the other students.

Before he could say anything, the castle shook and a voice said, "The House of Shadows wishes all of you a Happy Christmas. We want to thank Professor Snape for taking the time out of his day to sing different Christmas Carols to everyone, every hour, on the hour. And don't think you can hide your talent Professor, you will always find a great audience to hear your Christmas spirit."

As soon as the voice faded, the Weasley twins fell off the bench gasping for air as they laughed. The other students weren't much better.

Albus was shocked, someone had placed the Great Hall under a powerful enchantment just to play a prank?

Back at the Granger's House

Dan and Emma were laughing as they finished dinner. They were amazed at what their daughter could do and how much she had changed.

After breakfast, the three Grangers shooed Harry out of the kitchen and told him, since he made breakfast, they could clean up.

After they were done in the kitchen, they came out to the main sitting room and Hermione started passing around the presents. Hermione received various books from her other family members, her parents got her a pendant in the shape of a book, they explained that it would keep her Manybook safe at all times. No one could remove the pendant except her. She could put any book inside of it, but only one book, she obviously chose the Manybook. Harry got her a communication mirror and a copy of his entire collection on Arithmancy books and a set of new Jane Austin books, she had told him that hers were worn out from overuse. She was ecstatic. The elder Grangers were a little confused about the mirror, but it was cleared up when Harry gave them their own and explained that it would allow them to talk to Hermione whenever they wished. All three Grangers thanked him profusely. He also gave them each a Never-ending Journal. He explained the concept to them and added that the back cover also doubled as communication paper, for when the mirror couldn't be used. And he ended by giving Dan and Emma each a watch, he explained that they would protect them from all types of magical attack, both magical and potion and they had an emergency portkey to get them to safety if unforgivables were used.

Harry received a book on Ancient Sumerian Runes and a complete collection of C. S. Lewis books. Hermione had told them that they were some of her favorite books. The older Grangers got him a set of J. R. R. Tolkien books, he had never had a chance to read them. Harry also opened his gifts from his friends from out of country, from Miku, he got a comb that fixes his hair for the day with just running through his hair once. From Jammel, he got a a charmed dueling sphere. The other gifts he got were various rune books and items for daily use. One gift, from Jean, Harry's old sparring buddy, stood out though, a book that was charmed to show live duels in different tournaments, with the statistics on each dueler on the opposite page as the "screen" that allowed him to watch it. Surprisingly, the Potter family owl showed up half way through their morning. It appeared that they were trying to entice him back by giving him an expensive Nimbus 2000. He wrote them a note saying thank you, but no thanks, he already had a broom, a Slipstream 2000, an American made broom and sent the broom back. Another owl interrupted their morning, however this one was welcome, Ragnok had sent a gift to Harry, a book on goblin runes, as thanks for the Nundu tooth that Harry had sent him.

Harry explained, "I've known him for years, I started sending him a Christmas present when I was 8 years old. I got the Nundu tooth while I was in Africa looking for Blackwood for my wand." he took out his unused wand and showed it to them, "Our party was attacked one morning and we had to kill the beast. It was hard, for normal witches and wizards, it usually takes no less than 20 people to take one out. We only had ten people. The others were just testing their survival training and decided to come along with Shadow and I. No one was killed but one of our guides was hurt. It took him about a week to recover enough for us to move. I wasn't involved directly in the fight, I kept to the shadows and attacked it when it wasn't looking. I mainly provided a diversion and allowed the others to kill it. But because I helped, even just a little, the others let me take two teeth."

The others were surprised and slightly awed, though Hermione was a bit angry and made Harry promise to try not to get into those situations again. After they were done with the presents, they started to clean up and Harry got out three more presents and wrapped them, Hermione had helped give him an idea of what to give the recipients so he wrote her name on the gift as well. He called for Gwen and had her take them.

Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle

Breakfast was finishing up and everyone was getting ready to go about their day when white flames erupted above Snape, making him jump once again. The Weasley twins laughed a this, though it hurt from their earlier outburst. Gwen trilled in amusement, then glided down to the Twins and allowed them to untie a package with their names on it. She then glided over to Professors Flitwick, Sprout and McGonagall and gave them their packages as well.

The twins gasped and started whispering to each other, causing much of the staff to fear what they received.

Ron looked over at the book and read, "'Pranks from Japan; Creative ways to drive your school crazy'. Why would someone send you that?"

The staff stared in horror at the book and the twins snatched it up and ran from the hall before anyone could take it from them.

McGonagall shivered and said, "Why do I feel like someone walked over my grave?"

She then looked at the book she received and gasped, "The Art of Transfiguration; By Godric Gryffindor. How on earth did he get this?"

Flitwick gaped at his own gift, "Probably the same place he got this, Rare and Obscure Animation Charms; No author. There are charms in here that I haven't even heard of!"

Sprout smiled at her gift, "He got me a book on rare plants of the Amazonian Rain forest. I'll have to thank him when he returns."

Ron still didn't understand who they were talking about, "Who are you going to thank, who sent all the books? And why would someone want books for Christmas?"

Percy smacked the back of his head, "Obviously that Ravenclaw, Harry Daniels, sent them. He's the only one in Hogwarts that has a Shadow Phoenix."

McGonagall said, "While I'll thank him when I see him for this, I'll still deduct points for getting the twins that blasted book on pranks."

Flitwick laughed, "I'll do the same, but he and Ms. Granger will make them up and more so their first lesson back."

Potter Manor

The family owl arrived just as Chris finished up opening his presents, Remus, Sirius and his new fiance were there. James and Lily were disappointed to see that the broom they sent to Harry was returned. Lily saw a note and snatched it off the poor owl. After reading it she let a few tears escape.

She read it, "Dear Potter Family,

Thank you for the gift, but I have to decline. I do not accept presents from people I do not know, it sets a bad precedent. Besides, I have a perfectly fine broom, a Slipstream 2000, from America. Though, I am slightly offended that you would think that I could be bought. However, I shall forget this ever happened and merely write it off as a mistake and hope the broom reaches it's intended recipient.

Happy Holidays,

Lord Harry Jackson Daniels

As she finished she let a few more tears leak out of her eyes.

James said, "How could he think we were trying to buy him? We just sent him a Christmas present."

Remus said, "Well, look at it from his point of view, we corner him and try to force him to spend the holidays with us. He says no, and then basically cuts ties with all of us. Then you send him a very expensive broom for Christmas."

Lily says, "When you put it like that it does seem bad. We just wanted to give him a gift to show that we do care."

As she finished, Chris walked into the room form putting his new things in his room. He saw the broom.

He said, "Cool! Another Nimbus 2000, but I already have one. Why did you get me another one."

James said, "We didn't get it for you. We sent it to your brother and he sent it back."

Chris scowled, "Why did you get that idiot anything?"

Lily sternly said, "Don't talk about Harry like that. He's still your brother."

Chris replied, "But why? All he does is hang out with that buck tooth know-it-all and those snakes. All we ever see them doing is studying or talking to each other in another language."

Lily said, "Well, maybe you should study more too. Your grades aren't what they could be. And I thought you would have learned your lesson about insulting her the last time! Maybe if you got to know him he wouldn't be so bad."

Chris shrugged, "Well, that law doesn't work anymore so he can't use it again. Besides he doesn't ever want to do anything but hang out with her. And what about those snakes he hangs out with." as he finished, his shoes once again grew wheels and his legs spasmed and he fell on his ass.

Sighing, Lily helped her son up and James asked, "Who does he hang out with?"

Chris, still scowling at falling, said, "Zabini, Greengrass and Davis. Though he doesn't hang out with them all the time, mostly they just go off by themselves. A few times, me and the boys have followed them and they just seem to explore the castle. They've found places that I didn't even know about, and I've been going to the castle for years. Sometimes, they go down a corridor and when we follow them, they disappeared, and it was a dead end! They must know plenty of secret passageways. More than on the map you made me."

James was surprised, he thought that he and the other Marauders had found all the secrets the castle had. He glanced at Sirius and Remus, who just shrugged.

Lily just said, "It doesn't matter. He seems to have enough time to do his work and still explore the castle. And just because that law was repealed, doesn't mean that you can go back to insulting them all over again."

Chris just shrugged and walked away, intent on having a fly on his broom.

Sirius looked at James and Lily, "So what are you going to do with the broom? I've read about those Slipstreams. They're very good, the American national team uses them, they suppose to be better than the Nimbus series."

Emmeline finally spoke up, "Besides, where would he have put it? 1st years aren't allowed to have a broom."

James shrugged, "I hadn't really thought of that."

Eventually they decided to put the broom away, hopefully they would get another chance to give it to him after they explained.