A/N:

My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Nachtrae for taking the time to read, edit and comment on this Chapter. She does amazing work and I'm lucky to have her as my beta.

Chapter 27

Blackmail

That Friday morning, Harry sat at the bar, in the Leaky Cauldron, disguised as his alter ego, sipping a glass of water. Tom had been more than happy to provide a private room as a meeting place. When five hundred galleons had been dropped in to his hands, Tom had kept his word and the premises was empty, except for Harry and a number of disguised Goblins, dotted around the establishment. The goblins had seen to the necessary wards to ensure that the meeting stayed private.

Harry waited, a few minutes before ten. Harry was not surprised to see the headmaster present, but the headmaster had dragged all of his friends along: The twins, Neville, Ginny, even Colin Creevey he noted with a touch of ire. What surprised Harry was the presence of one Ronald Weasely.

"I guess, I forgot to specify, a private meeting," said Harry, with mock politeness. Dumbledore sighed. He knew it would be difficult at best to talk to Harry. A trio of Goblin's flanked Harry, and Dumbledore felt confident that with his friends here, and the Order waiting just outside, he would have no problems in convincing Harry to let the past go, and fulfill his destiny as the weapon to defeat Voldemort.

The gathered teens had moved ever so slightly away from a sulky Ron as they watched and waited for the other shoe to drop as the Beacon of the Light and the Boy-with-too-many-over-hyphenated titles stared at each other. "It is clear Harry, that I have made numerous mistakes," said the Headmaster carefully. His position was precarious at best, "If you would collect your belongings, we can go somewhere to discuss this quietly."

"Not happening." Said Harry calmly, "In case that needs clarification: No."

"Harry, you are not safe here. I would like to conclude this discussion with you in private, especially what to do about the Ministry's Disciplinary Hearing about using magic in front of a muggle - even if it was your cousin - and then get you back to Privet Drive, where you would be safest, or the headquarters of the Order."

"I don't think anyone else in the room failed to understand me. So let me make this clear: No. I am not leaving with you. No, I am not going anywhere with you." Harry's voice never rose from their initial soft tones, but the hardness in his eyes and the firm set of his mouth spoke volumes.

Harry noted his friends had placed a subtle distance between themselves and the headmaster, "Harry. You will come with me," the headmaster said firmly, "Your Goblin friends, may be able to defend you. But I do not think that you want to force a confrontation here, not here, not with your friends present." he paused, and snapped his fingers, "The Order of the Phoenix, has at least three times the number of wands. We will take you with or without a fight."

"First things first," said Harry calmly, "That thing standing by itself with red hair is not my friend. It is an oath breaker." That pronouncement alone was enough to cause a great deal of consternation amongst everyone present. "Second, I came here to talk. And you open your side of the discussion with threats," said Harry shaking his head, "People, the Daily Prophet, Snape even, calls me hot tempered, spoilt by fame and a lot of other things, but I'm not the one threatening violence."

The door to the Leaky Cauldron slammed open on its hinges as a number of witches and wizards filed in. He recognized the parents of his friends amongst them: The Weaselys, Xenophilius Lovegood and Remus Lupin as well. Harry shook his head and first addressed his friends, "I'm sorry it has come to this," he said, "You know me. You trusted me once, and I failed," he admitted, "I failed to protect her, and I failed, to protect all of you from that. I will carry that stain on my soul until I die. I would have you do me one last favor, because we are, or," Harry drew a shuddering breath, "were friends, because of what he is going to force to happen here." The adults in the room were holding or fingering their wands, worried about what exactly they had just walked in to as Harry pointed out the door, ironically in to the sunlight, "Walk away."

"This is my battle, my war, my responsibility." He said quietly, "Don't… get drawn in to this." There are people, who are natural born strategists and tacticians. There are those that kill plants with as little as a glance, "I don't want to force you to choose sides." There are those who can inspire loyalty. "I don't want to put any of you, at odds with your parents, over me. I'm not… worth that." Moreover, there are those who can inspire fanatical loyalty and never understand what it is they do to inspire it.

The gaggle of six teenagers looked at each other, muttering to themselves then muttering to each other, and then Ginny nodded, the twins agreed. Neville's nod was firm, Luna wore the same dreamy smile she had always worn but was in clear agreement. Colin hesitated for only a moment and then they had reached a consensus. An agreement: They began to walk.

They walked across the Leaky Cauldron, away from the gathered members of the Order of the Phoenix, away from the adults, away from parents and family. The six teenagers ignored the wands that rose as they walked. Faces changed, from surprise, to shock, some bore a trace of horror, but all had the same tinge of disbelief. Six teenagers stood in front of Harry Potter.

"The Slytherins called us your Honor Guard," said Fred, "And my dear brother of mine and I did try to get in to the Potter Harem."

"They were trying to poke fun of us or some such," cut in Ginny.

"…and that was a lifetime ago…" continued George in agreement with his siblings.

"…but there was something the Goblin's once said… how did, it go?" asked George, looking at the other five.

"Something about honor?" suggested Luna dreamily as she swept a lock of hair behind her right ear, discreetly palming her wand.

"Something else about loyalty," said Colin, Harry noticed the young boy's hand was in his pocket, and clenched.

"Honor and loyalty," said Harry, "Before profit."

The six nodded to each other, one last time, and to Harry's utter amazement, turned to face the adults, took a step back until they were standing in line with him, "Harry leaves here one way: Over my dead body," growled Colin, the youngest of them all.

"If he doesn't want to leave," began Fred, bringing his wand up.

"Then he doesn't have to." completed George as he mirrored his brother.

"We'll make sure of that," added Ginny.

Remus Lupin nearly had a heart attack right there: Harry had been doing more than grieving. It was as if he had set this up. Then he saw the look of dumbfounded disbelief upon Harry's face. That made it clear to him that Harry had nothing to do with this.

Dumbledore stared in disbelief, unable to process that a group of teenagers would stand up to him. They had agreed to help! To help him! However, Dumbledore realized that these were teenagers, and would side with one of their own over any adult. Dumbledore, however refused to be cowed and spoke as if he had all the authority and power he would ever need, "Nothing changes Harry. You are coming with us."

Dumbledore raised his wand slightly and suddenly he found himself, in the crosshairs of six teenagers and three goblins. "Don't," said Luna quietly, "Harry has said he will not go with you," There was firmness in the quiet Ravenclaw that made it clear she spoke for them, "So, he will not go with you."

It was that moment from the movies, the classic Mexican standoff where the good guys and the bad guys stared each other down, waiting for somebody's trigger finger to get a little too itchy for its own good. Molly Weasely, prevented that when she erupted, ""Harry James Potter! Stop this nonsense immediately!"

Harry just stared at her, and said nothing, "Mrs. Weasely," he said firmly, "You have been the closest thing, to a real mother that I have ever known. However, I cannot." he shrugged, "I swear to you," his wave encompassed all of his friends, "I did not plan this."

Molly stared at her three children, and remembered how once upon a time she had been so proud that three of her children and Harry had called each other friends. Now she wondered whether that had really been such a good thing. Her screeched demand for them to lower their wands were met with polite, but firm refusal, and no wand was lowered, "I'm sorry mum," said Ginny clearly, holding back her tears, "I...we've chosen. We're doing what is right."

Molly started crying, as Arthur looked thunderstruck. George looked at his mother, "We've chosen. Harry leaves over our dead bodies." The other five nodded firmly, resolute, "All of you who feel you're on the wrong side of the room, this is your time to declare. I know nobody here wants a fight, but if this kicks off," George shrugged, "It kicks off."

The ardent fervor of the adults in the room cooled, and wands wavered. Arthur held his wife close, listening to her sobs as three of her children stood ready to defend Harry Potter. Under age, risking prison, Azkaban, having their wand right revoked and death if it came to it. Arthur shook his head in disbelief, "What kind of child… man. What kind of man can command this level of not just loyalty, but respect?" he asked himself. "The entire world calls him crazy, yet they refuse to move. They stand by him."

Xenophillius Lovegood was the first to walk across the room without a backward glance. He paused next to his daughter, "Are you sure about this Lu? Do you understand what you are doing?"

"I do, dad, I do," she reassured him with the classic dreamy Luna smile on her face, ""Honor and Loyalty, before Profit." Not your words, but it's still something you taught me." They hugged each other briefly, and he made his way over to Harry, holding out his hand, "Harry Potter." He said it as if he had just met an old friend in the street.

"Mr. Lovegood," said Harry, shaking the offered hand, "I'm…"

"No need to say anything," he said with a smile, "I know the truth about you. I believe you." Colin moved to the left, and Luna shuffled aside, creating space for her father, who stood alongside them. He was as carefree as his daughter was, and raised his wand, in an almost casual fashion, as if he was reaching out to shake a hand, but it was clear where he stood.

Ron Weasley fingered his wand idly as he stared in amazement at his family, as three of his brothers and sisters sided with his former friend. This actually played to his advantage, he realized as he pocketed his wand. Let his brothers and sisters stand with Harry. He would stand by his parents, and he would be the one in a position to get everything when…

Remus met the eyes of Arthur and Molly Weasely, and he shrugged. He did not have much choice. Neither of the Weasely parents had a choice. Remus knew he owed it to his friends, to Sirius, to James. They crossed the room, to stand alongside Harry and his friends. The reunions were short but the point of it was that another three wands rose in Harry's defense, "Harry, perhaps now would be a good time, for a show of strength?" suggested Marinashka.

"Daharum Barak!" ordered Harry. The odd dozen or so bystanders shed their disillusionment, invisibility and other camouflage charms. The Order had brought twenty wands to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry had eleven wands, fourteen goblin war axes and nine War Magi, all of them with the silver axe clutched in a red claw battle standard of the Axe Masters in full war gear lead by Senior Accounts Manager Griphook, the Commander in Chief of the Armies of the Bhazak Kha-Dorath.

Out gunned, out maneuvered and out played once again by a teenager. Dumbledore lowered his wand and pocketed it, and nodded to the gathered members of the Order. They were sighs of relief as they followed their leader's example, and the tension dissipated, evaporated as an ice cube chucked in a blazing fireplace. "Very well then Harry, perhaps we can, talk about this… in private."

Harry grunted and handed his wand to Griphook, "Hand your wand to one of your own."

"Surely Harry, that is not necessary…"

"Your wand!" barked Harry, his eyes blazing. It was taking every ounce of his self-control to keep himself from hexing the headmaster, "Give it to someone else. Otherwise, we skip negotiating and go to the burying." Even without a wand in his hand, he could channel enough raw magic to obliterate probably everyone in the room, on both sides. Dumbledore realized that he had no recourse but to comply.

A few minutes later, they took seats on opposite sides of a table in the Leaky Cauldron's private room, and Harry leveled his gaze upon the headmaster. Marinashka stood behind and a little to his left, "What shall we start with Harry?" asked Dumbledore, amicably. There was, he felt, still some hope, if the boy was willing to talk.

"You know what I know, and so does my entire legal team," Dumbledore cringed ever so slightly at that, and Harry knew he had the headmaster right where he wanted him, "Bottom line: I don't trust you. I doubt I will ever again."

"You are willing to blackmail me Harry?"

"Yes. My demands are not negotiable, but I doubt you'd find them… unreasonable," said Harry, "There are two demands. The first is my emancipation. The paperwork was filed with the Ministry this morning, and there is one o'clock meeting with the Department of Family Services. You," he said calmly," will support the petition."

"And if I refuse?"

"Marinashka?" she smiled and laid out the paperwork before the headmaster of Hogwarts. He studied the documents for a moment and could not believe that this was the boy that a year ago had looked up to him, trusted and idolized him, the great Albus Dumbledore. He read the document once, then a second time, realizing that it was a complete catalogue of names, dates, people, events and places for the past fifteen years. It began with his ignoring the last wishes of Lily and James Potter. Then hiding the Philosopher's Stone in a school, reckless endangerment of children, the incompetent defense professors, dereliction in his duties as headmaster, Severus Snape as Potions Professor, the charge of unwanted mental intrusion, the spells he had cast on Hermione Jane Granger, and charges of mind rape."You would do this Harry?" said Dumbledore quietly, "Fracture the side of the light? Divide us and hand Voldemort victory?"

Harry laughed, "I've read the history of the First War: The Light had to wait for an infant to fight and win for them. Fracture the light? Wake up! The Order of the Phoenix of those days was passive! Reactive! Useless! Worthless! You'd stun a god damn Death Eater in the hopes of reforming it in prison while the rest of the gue'la animals torture, rape and kill their way in to power!"

The headmaster frowned at the use of the curse. It was clear that Harry was spending too much time with the Goblins, "But they deserve a second chance…"

"They deserve nothing!" spat Harry, "Death in battle would at least grant them a measure of honor. Azakaban would be too kind! Getting a kiss from a Dementor, would still be too kind! They are worthless scum! And get this in to your head: They will all die."

"Where will you live for the rest of the summer?" he changed subject, hoping to give Harry a few moments to calm down, and to perhaps regain some control of the situation, "The Dursley's can be convinced to let you…"

"Good luck convincing them of anything," said Harry with a laugh, "My lawyers can confirm, and maybe I'll get them to write a note or something to let you know they're alive and well and do not want to have anything to do with me, magic or the wizarding world, ever again."

Dumbledore thought over everything he knew, about Harry, everything he had seen, all of his plans. All was lost now: Harry had taken the fateful step. He was walking the path Tom Marvolo Riddle had walked, so many years before. It had started out in a similar fashion. Tom had recruited his friends and made them his Death Eaters. Harry had recruited his friends as well, and had even turned several members of the Order against him. "It seems that I have no choice Harry," said the headmaster heavily, "I will be at the ministry this afternoon. I promise."

"Your word means nothing. Just be there." The meeting was over, and Harry turned and walked out, stopping in front of his friends, he noted the faces of Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix as they left on foot, through the floo or by apparition. Once he was confident they were alone, he turned to his friends and asked, "Why?"

"You have fought for each us, all of us. I could say it's time to return the favor," said Ginny. There were nods all round, and Harry looked confused, "Chamber of Secrets," explained Ginny.

"Getting me out of Ravenclaw, showing me what friendship is supposed to be," said Luna.

"Making sure someone," Colin squeezed Luna's hand, "was there for me."

"Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes," said Fred, "Our products are going to blow Zonko's away, partner."

"You own one-third of the business," said George, "And if you don't want it,"

"We'll hex you," they chorused, "We know some good ones now!" Harry cracked a smile.

"You gave me a chance to be… more than just a shadow in the background," said Neville, "You saw something in me, and believed in me, and you still do."

"All of you… thank you. I know, it couldn't have been easy for some of you to stand up the way you did," he was talking about the Weaselys and Luna, "How about lunch? I'll buy."

The meeting concluded, Dumbledore exited the Leaky Cauldron and with a thought, summoned Fawkes to him. With a flash of irritation, he called to the phoenix again; only to have his summons either unheard or ignored. With a flask of irritation he apparated to Privet Drive, emerging in the alley and to his shock, found that the wards around Number 4 were simply gone, with only the residual traces of magic to mark their presence.

He walked up to the front door, unchallenged as he knocked on the door and it swung open of its own accord. He entered cautiously, only to find that the heavy marks where furniture had once stood, a light patina of dust on the floor with the built in cupboards hanging open. Harry was right. There was no trace of the Dursleys or their belongings.

He drew his wand, "Illustro Semita," the globe of energy should have begun moving, and ideally, out the door towards wherever the Dursleys were living now. He stared, mouth open in surprise as it simply hovered for a few long moments and then dissipated in to nothingness. "Goblins," sighed the headmaster. If only there was a way, he could curb their influence, or remove it completely but he had no influence or way to influence the very insular Goblin Nation, let alone any one of its tribes. Dumbledore pulled his pocket watch and frowned at the time. He did not have long before his presence was required at the Department of Family Services.

That afternoon, Harry stood with his lawyers once again, awaiting the arrival of Albus Dumbledore who arrived precisely on time. They knocked and a wizard ushered them in to the offices of the Department of Family Services where Director Sheppard awaited them and, as was her custom, got right down to business. "Good afternoon gentlemen. In the matter of Harry Potter's Emancipation, as filed by Marinshka Thaz-Dom on his behalf, this petition has already received the approval of your muggle guardians, a Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Mr. Potter, I have to ask what plans you have made for yourself regarding accommodation and so forth."

"Director Sheppard," Harry began, "I plan to finish my summer holidays where I currently reside: Gringotts, with Griphook and Marinashka Thaz-Dom, who have opened not only their home but their hearts to me." Harry gave Dumbledore a look that would have frozen water. "I will be returning to Hogwarts to complete my OWLs, and then later on my NEWTs. I am currently searching for a property to call my own home."

Melinda Sheppard nodded. It was clear that Harry had thought his through, and had covered most of his bases right off the bat, "Albus, do you have anything to add?"

The headmaster eyed Harry for a long moment and wondered whether Harry would go through with his threat, if Dumbledore blocked this petition. However, he knew what would happen and simply could not risk it. "I have nothing to add. I do not oppose this petition."

"There appears to be no reason why your petition should not be granted. The fact that you will be at Hogwarts to complete your OWLs is certainly influencing my decision, as is your current living arrangements," she said, "However," she produced a length of parchment, "I received this from the Misuse of Magic Office, Mr. Potter," he nodded. He had wondered whether this would come up and now he knew. He glanced at Dumbledore but the headmaster said nothing, "Can you explain it?"

Wordlessly, Harry held his wand to his temple, "Repeto memoria" he said. The memory floated and took shape and form. It began with Harry's last words to a defeated Dudley Dursley, and Harry froze the replay, "That, is my cousin after having the stuffing beaten out of him," he met director Sheppard's gaze and held it, "I won't deny that I administered the beating. But, the Ministry has no say over muggle affairs, especially when no magic was involved." He resumed the playback, showing the arrival of the pair of Dementors, and himself summoning the Patronus to drive the creatures away. "That is why you hold that waste of parchment in your hand, Director," said Harry simply, "I saved his life, and probably the lives of a number of muggles and ensured that our world stays a secret from them. If anything, I upheld the Statute of Secrecy."

It was enough for her, "Mr. Potter, you are hereby granted adult status in our world. Just bear in mind that you are still a minor in the muggle world and that we have no jurisdiction over what events transpire there. You will, however still have to attend the hearing at the end of August…"

Harry wondered if she was perhaps hinting at the "educating" of Dudley, but a wave of her wand cast a duplication charm, making copies for the Department, the ministry archives, Dumbledore and Harry, "Thank you, Director Sheppard," said Harry, shaking hands with the Director. He walked out, Marinashka at his side only to come face to face with the headmaster, "What?"

"Harry," said Dumbledore, very cautious, "Is there any way we can discuss what to do about the disciplinary hearing?"

Harry simply shook his head, "I have legal counsel." The corridor was like that of any muggle office building, except for tubes filled with scrolls that zipped back and forth overhead, in and out of elevators. Otherwise, it was the daily ebb and flow of ministry employees going back and forth.

"Harry, be reasonable …" he was talking to air as Harry had left, and had entered the elevators leading back in to muggle London. Dumbledore knew that the coming year was going to test him in many ways.

"I would suppose," said Marinashka, "that you are going to celebrate you victory?" Harry nodded, "Just do not do so by beating up your cousin again," she warned him.

"Nah," he replied, "Over and done with. I will not be home for dinner tonight, I have, something I have to do."

She grinned, "I hear French…" she raised an eyebrow suggestively and Harry laughed as the doors chimed and they walked out of the phone booth together.

"A gentleman never tells," were his last words on the subject to her, given that there was not much to tell.

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