Chapter 8:

Current Time

London, England

Potter Penthouse

Potter Penthouse was located mere blocks away from Buckingham Palace and the Parliament Building in the Whitehall District of Muggle London. Many magical folk would be worried about being so close to muggles, but Potter Penthouse was very well warded and protected. It also helped that the entire building was owned by one of the Potter Family's muggle front companies.

Currently the penthouse was playing host to Lord and Lady Potter and their family. Max, the penthouse's official house elf was thrilled to be serving a master and mistress once again.

"Max is very happy to see you Lord Potter. It has been many years since I had last seen you. You were a small lad at the time. It was shortly before Master Charles passed away."

"Max, you speak very well for a house elf." Hermione said.

"I and my ancestors were required to study and learn by Master Arthur Potter when he first bought this building one hundred years ago. Since that time, we has been serving the Potter line. I is the only elf left here though." Max said somewhat sadly.

"Max, how many generations of my family have you served?" Harry asked.

"Well over fifteen generations, Lord Potter sir. I myself was a wee elf when Master Arthur brought us here from Potter Manor. I have been tending to the penthouse alone since Master James and Mistress Lily were killed. With Lord Potter returning, I can now see Potter Manor again."

"Why have you been unable to leave?" Ginny asked.

"Because when Harry's parents left Lionfire Hall, it went into sleep mode. Anything bound to the Manor was placed into stasis." Remus said. "When they were killed, all of their properties entered sleep mode."

"That is not completely true Mr. Wolf-man. Potter Manor is sleeping, but the grounds are still active. Master Griphook runs the farm and the business side of Lionfire Hall." Max said.

"Max, have any of my family members ever had a senior elf; someone who was in charge of all the elves?" Harry asked.

"Of course Master Harry; Lenny was the Potter Family Head Elf, but he died three years ago."

"Would you like it?"

"No Master Harry. I am too old to be a good Head Elf. If it is alright, I would like to remain here. This is my home."

"Very well" Harry said.

"Harry, may I make a suggestion?" Professor McGonagall asked. She had been nursing a butterbeer and talking to Remus about something Harry was not sure about.

"Of course."

"Harry, Dobby has not settled in very well at Hogwarts. Because of his wish to remain free, Winky and he are often times ignored by the other elves. I think he would make a perfect Head Elf for you."

"Professor Dumbledore, would you mind if I stole two of your employees?" Harry asked.

"No Harry I do not. Especially since they are your employees because of your position as the High Lord of Hogwarts" Dumbledore informed the young man.

"Dobby, Winky, I need you!" Harry called out.

Two small pops signaled the arrival of the two elves.

"What can Dobby and Winky do for you, Lord Harry Potter sir." Dobby asked.

"First off, you may call me Harry Potter or just plain Harry. Secondly, Dobby I would like you to be my Head House Elf. I am now Lord Potter and am the head of many different families including the Blacks, Gryffindors, Flamels, Potters, and also the High Lord of Hogwarts. I need someone whom I trust to be in charge of all the elves and the properties. Do you want the job?"

"Yes Harry Potter sir. I's be honored to be Lord Harry Potter's Head House Elf. But I's only be having one request sir." Dobby said.

"And what would that be?"

"To bound Winky and Dobby as Elf Couple" Dobby said nervously.

"Done. In fact Winky, I want you to serve as Dobby's executive secretary. That means that you will control his life. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No Master Lord Harry Potter Sir. Dobby is a bad elf and needs Winky to tell him what to do." Winky stated firmly.

Harry stood up, but remained silent as he thought thru the memories he had been given by the different Signet Rings he had been given and also by the founders and their ritual. Finally after a full minute he knew the correct wording for what he wanted to do.

"I, Lord Gryffindor, Harry James Potter, Lord and Head of the Houses Black, Flamel, Lestrange, Malfoy, Potter, and the High Lord of Hogwarts, do hereby adopt the House Elf named Dobby and the House Elf named Winky and make them official members of my families."

A bright red light surrounded Winky, Dobby and Harry. When the elves touched the ground, their clothing was changed and looked very similar to the dress robes Harry and Ginny were wearing, including the House Crests.

"As per my power as the High Lord of Hogwarts and Lord of the Houses of Potter and Black, I now officially bind you together as husband and wife. I pronounce you Elf and bride." With that, a strong blue binding light surrounded the elves, making them husband and wife.

"Dobby and Winky Potter, by the ancient magic, I hereby declare you, Dobby Potter, Head Elf of the Houses of Black, Flamel, Lestrange, Malfoy, Potter, and of Hogwarts and you Winky Potter to be the Executive Secretary for the Head Elf." Dobby and Winky's robes were changed once again, this time they included the official insignia of the Head Elf and executive secretary.

"Now, as members of my family, you are to pick out any suites you wish. I would prefer that you both live at either Lionfire Hall or at Hogwarts in your own suite. Also, I need you to make contact with all of my properties and house elves. I want to know what is going on with them. We are in need of at least one house elf for Grimmauld Place." Harry stated.

"Harry, if you are sending them to your properties, might I suggest they also secure the Malfoy and Lestrange holdings?" Dumbledore asked.

"I already did, but there is something else I want them to do. Dobby, I want all of the Malfoy and Lestrange properties to be searched for dark and illegal items as well as anything else you think might be evil. Also, I want to have a meeting between you, Ginny, myself, and the head elves of each property. "

"Very well Harry Potter Sir." And with two pops they were gone.

That done, Harry sat down at the dining room table. Seeing this action, everyone else in the room sat down as well. Harry wanted answers and he was going to get them come hell or high water.

"So can anyone tell me what in the hell happened between Ginny and me?" Harry asked.

"I think I should start Harry." Dumbledore said. "It seems that the Weasleys, Professor McGonagall, Miss Granger, Nymphadora Tonks, and Remus Lupin care about you better than I have over the years. It was not until Godric Gryffindor pointed out how my actions might be interrupted that I realized how badly I have failed you. While I was preparing to retrieve you from your relatives, the Blood Wards imploded upon themselves. By the time I was yelled at by Nicholas Flamel and Godric Gryffindor, you had already been taken by Perenelle Flamel to Gringotts."

"We've already made peace with the past Headmaster; let us go on from here. Do you know what happened at Privet Drive?" Harry asked.

"I think William and Ginny are the best to answer that question. But I will tell you that that myself, the Weasleys, Miss Tonks, and Remus were discussing taking you away from Privet Drive including destroying the Blood Wards. Shortly after we made our plan, Miss Granger was able to contact us at Headquarters saying that she was attacked. William and Ginevra made their way to Privet Drive while the rest of us made our way to the Granger's House." Professor McGonagall stated.

"I was the first one thru the floo. When I arrived I saw absolute destruction. The house was on fire and huge pieces of the walls, ceiling, and floor had holes in them from spell damage. It looked a million times worse than the Hall of Prophecies did after our reductor curses. I engaged some Death Eater when I saw that bitch Bellatrix kill Hermione's parents. She didn't use the killing curse; she used two very strong cutting curses that separated their heads from their necks."

"Bellatrix always preferred Diffindo Maximus. It is what she used to kill Edgar Bones and Fabian Prewitt." Remus said, looking apologetically at Molly.

"Anyway, I know for a fact that I will always remember their bodies and the look of horror on their faces. But the look on Hermione's face as she was forced to watch her parents being executed is the one thing that I will never forget." Ron said.

"When my parents' heads hit the floor, something snapped inside of me. I stopped struggling against my captors and turned to face Ron. I must have scared him because he looked like he did when Harry was seriously pissed off at someone or something." Hermione said flatly.

"Yeah, she looked like you alright Harry. I mean the look in her eyes, I'd swear that she was going to kick Umbridge's or Voldemort's ass." Ron said before taking a breath and pushing on. "Suddenly it looked like someone cast a lumos spell all over Hermione because she began to glow, startling almost everyone in the room, including me. But that was the distraction I needed because I started to fire curses faster than I had ever done before. I have no idea what I was casting, the only thing I knew was the Hermione was in pain and there was no way in hell anyone was going to hurt her anymore. At some point everyone else who had been at Grimmauld Place arrived and they all took on the other Death Eaters both inside and outside the house.

"After I dropped my 4th Death Eater, I noticed that Hermione had finally reached Bellatrix because there was a path bigger for Hagrid to walk thru between us and there was a lot of blood and body parts strewn around. They were in the backyard and I knew that one of them was going to die that night. And I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Hermione would beat Bellatrix."

"The four minutes that their duel lasted were the longest four minutes of my life." Molly said. "I had seen my brothers, Gideon and Fabian, duel; I had even seen Dumbledore duel, but what I saw out of the duel between Hermione and Bellatrix is something that I will never forget."

"As you are well aware, Hermione here is not only a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, but a powerful witch to boost. Because of this, she used dozens of different curses and spells; some dark, some light, but all very lethal on Bellatrix. Bellatrix tried to defend herself by conjuring barriers, summoning objects, and doing everything that I am sure that Voldemort had ever taught her but it was no use. She was no match for Hermione who was chanting something." Arthur said with a smile.

"I kept chanting all of the names of the Bellatrix Lestrange's victims. Each time I chanted a name, I felt as if I was powered by more magic. I have never felt anything like that before, even with so much rightful anger coursing thru me, I still chanted. I wanted her to know pain she caused me and her other victims. I wanted her to suffer." Hermione said as she cried into Ron's shoulder.

"You were also casting spells wandlessly too Hermione. And these were not simple spells. You conjured spears, stakes, and caste a deep purple spell that ripped Bellatrix open from her neck to hip. You are brilliant, love, but scary." Ron said as everyone laughed. Hermione kissed Ron tenderly as a thank you for making her laugh.

"By the time the fight was over, Hermione had killed Bellatrix Lestrange and five of the Death Eaters who joined her inside the house. I killed one and permanently incapacitated three more. The remains of Bellatrix Lestrange and her wand looked as if someone had melted her into a pool of goo, which was pretty much the truth." Ron said.

"By the time I reached her, she was in shock. McGonagall quickly created a portkey and took her to Saint Mungo's while the rest of us got cleaned up and headed back to Headquarters where we found Kreacher's remains. After changing, we went to Gringotts and met up with you." Ron finished. "By the way, it is time for your next potions." He said to Hermione.

Ron expanded the trunk, gave Hermione her potions, and put the trunk away as Bill and Ginny explained what had happened at Privet Drive, including the condition of Harry and the small closet where Bill discovered the Ward Stone and the aftermath of the dropping of the wards, including being transported to Gringotts.

"So when you entered the house, Harry was in pain?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes sir. Bill said if it was a later in the summer it wouldn't have been so bad." Harry replied.

"That cannot be Harry. Nicholas and I built those Wards ourselves and they were powered by two ounces of the Elixir of Life. There should have been no way for them to hurt you."

"What about the protection from my mother?"

"We used seven drops of blood on the ward stone and five drops from you. The wards only needed you and either Petunia or Dudley to be in the house with you for a month for them to work properly, but the power came from the Elixir."

"Could you have made a mistake Albus?" Minerva asked.

"You know Professor; there was something weird about the Master Ward Stone. It was black like onyx and had a number of protective spells on and around it. Many of them were quite lethal." Bill said.

Dumbledore thought for a moment and then his eyes went wide as he mumbled one name "Fudge!"

"What did that fool do now?" Harry asked.

"Shortly after the Blood Wards were erected, Nicholas and I were called away to a meeting of the ICW. The wards were still in a state of flux at the time. To be honest, I thought I might have to move you because there seemed to be no love in the home. I asked Fudge, who was in charge of the Obliviators, to see to the wards and if necessary, contact Minerva and have you stay at Hogwarts until I returned.

"Fudge must have done something to the wards because when I returned, the Wards were no longer in flux. I checked the devices that were tied to your health and they showed fine. I questioned Fudge and he said that Vernon had received some bad news at work and that he was upset. After a few days, he calmed down and so did the wards."

"That fucking bastard! I'm going to kill him. That's it!" Harry bellowed.

"Professor Dumbledore, what about this soul bonding? Can you tell us anything about it?" Ginny asked, trying to get Harry to calm down.

"It might be easier if we saw your memories. Max, did Charles leave a pensieve here by chance?" Albus asked the elf.

"Of course sir; Lord Harry, would you like me fetch it?" Max asked his master. Harry nodded his head.

"Wait what about the pensieve from the Flamel Vault!" Ginny said.

"Good point. Let's see what the pensieve has to say." Harry said as tapped the pensieve on the table. This was not a normal pensieve. It was a one time use pensieve, which was why no one thought about it earlier.

The images of Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel rose from the pensieve and spoke.

Hello Harry, Ginny, Albus, Minerva. If you are watching this, then we are truly gone. If everything went according to plan, then you witnessed the four founders of Hogwarts give all that they were to Harry and Ginny before leaving this plane of existence.

As Albus and Minerva are learning, what we call magic is part of the natural evolution of humanity. Our predecessors, called Alterrans, first developed this ability millions of years ago. When they left our plane of existence, they seeded Earth with a genetic code that created the next evolution of our kind, humans, or better known throughout the galaxy as Tau'ri.

What you call purebloods are the last descendants of the remaining Alterrans and the first of the Tau'ri to develop our gift. Muggleborns are some of the first to evolve to this state.

We are telling you this because Perenelle and I ascended to this higher plane and so the past, the present, and the future. Harry and Ginny are going to be instrumental in saving the galaxy. Soon you meet those who have already ventured out to the stars. Become their friends and let them aid you. When the time comes, aid them in their fight.

If you want to learn more, talk to Albus and allow you to look around the Room of Knowledge. Farewell and we will see you soon during the Next Great Adventure.

The image faded and the pensieve shriveled up and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Is it true?" Harry asked Dumbledore.

"Yes. But I only learned about the Room of Knowledge mere hours ago so please bare with me."

"Very well. Let us finish with this business before we move on then." Harry said.

A few minutes later the entire group entered the pensieve Max brought in and watched Bill's, Harry's, and Ginny's memories of the events of Privet Drive. Twenty minutes passed before the group exited the pensieve. When they sat down Dumbledore, Percy, and Bill looked at each other in shock.

"It is a soul bond, of that I have no doubt. I have read about them, but what else was released?" Percy asked.

"If I didn't know better, I would say that there was a piece of a soul in Harry's scar." Bill commented.

"Harry was a horcrux. Well at least his scar was a horcrux." Dumbledore mumbled.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other, communicating in silence. After a moment Ginny spoke to the group. "Tom Riddle was obsessed with immortality. In his quest, he made horcruxes, seven of them in fact." Ginny said.

"Though six of them were intentionally made, the one in my head was an accident I would assume." Harry said.

"Agreed. Anyway, as we all know, 7 is the most magical number. He thought if he made six horcruxes, splitting his soul seven times, then he would be immortal and strong. Thank god our bond destroyed the piece inside you Harry." Harry said.

"Albus, but a soul bond needs an outside magic to seal it. How did Harry and Ginny's bond seal?" McGonagall asked.

"I believe that when the Wards fell, it created a magical backlash. Because of the love and magic contained within Lily's blood, which is what the wards were based on, it passed thru anything that contained her blood. Dudley and Petunia could not handle the amount of pure love that shot thru them and passed out before being ejected thru the front window. However, when it encountered Harry, who was already bonding with Ginny, it entered them and not only sealed the bond, but matured it to the point where it is stronger than Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel's bond and they had been bonded for well over five hundred years."

"So what does this mean?" Tonks asked.

"That Harry and Ginny are married and considered adults; also that my time as the Leader of the Light draws to a close. With Harry now an adult, I can take a step back and allow him to lead." Dumbledore said.

Before anyone else could say anything Max reentered the room. "Lord Potter, there is a Kingsley Shacklebolt outside the wards who wishes to speak to you and Lord Dumbledore. He said it is urgent."

"How would Kingsley know we are?" Harry asked Dumbledore.

Dumbledore held up his phoenix pendant. "This allows all members of the Order to apparate or portkey to one another. Each pendant is tied to one person by their blood. If the pendant is ever lost, it turns to dust and crumbles. The only places where they do not work at are Hogwarts, a location under a Fidelius Charm, or any highly warded property. Even Unplottable locations we can get to."

"Potter Penthouse and all Potter family properties have wards that will not allow to apparate or portkey in without your permission Lord Potter. Only a phoenix is immune to these wards." Max said.

"Max, show Mr. Shacklebolt in, but check him for any tracking charms and remove them if there are." Harry said.

"Of course Lord Potter."

Ten minutes and fifteen different charms later, Kingsley Shacklebolt was sitting in the sitting room of the penthouse.

"Damn Fudge. I knew he didn't trust me, but this is ridiculous. Seven different tracking charms is a little much. I need to be more careful from now on. Who knows how much information Fudge has gathered?

"Anyway, Albus, Amelia fire-called me at home about an hour ago; the Secretary of Magic for the United States Department of Magic has requested a meeting with her tomorrow morning to discuss Lord Voldemort. Evidently they have some information on Voldemort that they wish to share with us."

"How is she getting there?" Dumbledore asked.

"Amelia and Susan took off from Heathrow on a chartered British Airways flight with Prime Minister Blair. Albus, this is big. I do not know how big yet, but I have a feeling we might be getting more help."

"I hope so Kingsley. We can use all the help we can get."

"Also, I finished checking out the wards on Downing Street, there were some holes in them. I've strengthened them the best I can, but I really need a ward and curse breaker to look them over."

"I'll go. I also need to contact Gringotts. If the wards around Downing Street have been compromised then they need to check out Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle." Bill said.

Before Bill even stood, the front door opened and Griphook walked in. "Lord Gryffindor, please excuse the interruption but this important."

"Master Griphook, please sit down. We have much to discuss with you as well. Would you like anything to drink?"

Griphook nodded "Earl Grey Tea with a touch of Firewhiskey, if you would please Max."

"Griphook, Kingsley Shacklebolt has informed us that the wards around Downing Street have been weakened. We are worried about the safety of the Queen." Harry said without any preamble.

Griphook nodded as he sipped his tea. "I know. Lord Ragnok has already dispatched some of our finest wardmasters to rebuild the wards around Downing Street, the Parliament Building, Buckingham Palace, and Windsor Castle. As you are the High Lord of the Council of Twelve, you are to be informed of any issues regarding our charges."

"That makes me feel much better. What about the items we discussed?"

"The Malfoy and Lestrange Vaults have been cleaned out and all of the dark artifacts have been catalogued and placed in a high security vault. The Hufflepuff Cup has been exorcized, the soul fragment within it gone. It is no longer a horcrux. The remaining items are being collected as we speak and dealt with appropriately. Nagini is proving difficult to obtain though."

"Excellent work Master Griphook. Please pass my thanks to Lord Ragnok and your entire staff for their strong work ethic." Harry told the goblin.

"It is an honor to work with wizards who treat us as equals. Also, William Weasley, you have officially transferred to Lord Ragnok's personal staff. You are hereby the liaison for Lord Gryffindor and the Order of the Phoenix to Gringotts. Miss Delacour will join you on the staff when she returns from France."

"Thank you sir."

"Also, we have sources in the American Muggle Government that say that the Americans have become very interested in Lord Voldemort. They believe that he is even worse than we have thought."

"I just made them aware of this Master Griphook. My wife, Amelia Bones, was asked to brief the Secretary of Magic for the United States Department of Magic. Amelia and our niece went with Prime Minister Blair to America." Kingsley said.

"Excellent. Then I shall return to Gringotts if there is nothing else." Griphook finished his tea and departed.

"Well then, I believe that we have other things we should be doing today." Minerva said to the group.

"I agree. I want to go to Lionfire Hall and see my ancestral home; Hermione do you need to go anywhere?" Harry asked.

"Master Griphook said that they would take care of everything. I just need to go to the office and empty out the safe and collect the personal affects. And I think I need to go to the house and see what is left."

"There is nothing left of the house, but your father's car shed was in tact." Arthur said.

"Harry do you know where Lionfire Hall is?"

"I know where it is. I take it you want to drive the Aston Martin there?" Remus asked.

"Yes. I learned how to drive two summers ago and received my license last summer." Hermione said.

"Well it is a pretty long drive. Lionfire Hall is just outside Godric's Hollow, so I would say about five or six hours from your parents' house." Remus stated.

"Hermione, I would prefer Ron, and if they are willing, Remus and Tonks to go with you. Worse case scenario is that they simply shrink the car and you portkey to Godric's Hollow." Dumbledore said.

"But the Aston Martin only seats two comfortably." Hermione said.

"Hermione, I saw the car shed and checked it out. The Aston Martin was there as well as a newer Mercedes Benz. We can take both cars. Remus and I can take the Benz and you can follow us, we can stay in communication by way of a communication charm." Tonks said.

"Ok." Hermione said.

"Excellent. Professors, I think you can return to Hogwarts and take care of my school. By the way, as the High Lord of Hogwarts, I would like to do a top to bottom review of all Hogwarts records for past century. Also please inform the Board of Governors that they are officially fired.

"Arthur, I think it would be a good idea if you, Kingsley, and Percy returned to work and see what Fudge is up too. Forge, Gred, go to work. Molly, Charlie, I would you to accompany my wife and I to Lionfire Hall and check it all out. Charlie, I know there are a lot of magical animals at Lionfire and I would like you to check them out. Molly, you can make sure the Manor itself meets your approval for your daughter to live in."

Harry did not give Molly a chance to argue with her. Ginny was his wife and there was nothing that anyone could say or due about it.

"Harry I do not feel comfortable—" Molly started to say.

"Molly, we are married! Ginny is my wife! Get used to that idea. Now, you can either play nice, or you can go home. Though beware, I do not forgive easily. I'll give you thirty seconds to decide." Harry said as he watched his wristwatch.

At the end of the thirty seconds, Harry spoke up. "Everyone has their assignments; we'll meet up for dinner at Lionfire Hall tonight. Everyone but Molly Weasley will be welcomed." Harry then stood up from the table and made his way to the floo.

Ginny rose and spoke to her mother. "This is your fault. And by the way, be glad that Harry likes the rest of the family. Charles Potter, Harry's grandfather, gave Daddy the money to buy the Burrow on a forty year payment plan. We've been late for the last five years. It is well within our rights to take the Burrow. Daddy, Bill, Percy, Twins, Professors, we'll see you at dinner. Charlie, let's go."

Charlie followed her and was gone. Professor Dumbledore turned to Molly. "What part of a soul-bond did you not understand Molly Prewitt?" Dumbledore stood and let his aura flare. "They are bonded in a way that only be completed by true love. Harry has undergone untold horrors at the hands of the Dursleys, Voldemort, and his Death Eaters. The one thing that brings him joy is your daughter. Get over yourself Molly. I know the truth that was spoken at Gringotts" And with that Dumbledore apparated away, straight thru the wards.

Everyone else but Arthur left, without saying a word. "Molly, I thought that I knew you. But after hearing what I did at Gringotts, and now this action, you have tied my hands. As the Head of the Noble House of Weasley, I order you, Molly Weasley nee Prewitt, restricted to the Burrow until such a time that you have learned your lesson." Arthur said before he too left.

Now alone, Molly did the only thing she could do and floo'd back to the Burrow.