Proud Parents

by RobSt

Despite how impossible it seemed, Harry was sure his dad had saved the three of them from the dementors. After Hermione's time turner took them both back three hours, he was desperate to discover if who he'd seen casting that patronus was truly his dad. Harry certainly wasn't disappointed when his mum turned up instead, and changed the entire course of his life. Harry/Hermione

10. Longest Day

Proud Parents

A/N Going on holiday so next chapter will be at least a couple of weeks away

Chapter 10 - Longest Day

They were waiting until the platform was empty before portkeying to Italy, though watching Molly fawn loudly over Ginny - telling her how pretty she was becoming, and how she would make a wonderful wife for someone one day - had Harry had Hermione wanting to leave right away. Noticing the adverse affect Molly's hastily staged production and loud broadcast were having on Millie, Hermione slid up alongside the clearly worried girl for a quiet word.

"Don't worry about Mrs Weasley's rant. That touching performance is purely for Harry's benefit - trying to make him see the mistake he's making in dating me instead of Ginny - and nothing to do with you and Ron. We think she and her daughter have had Ginny's wedding to Harry planned for years. Ginny is rather obsessed with Harry and, as we all just saw, her mother is hardly discouraging that obsession."

Embarrassed at being so easily read, Millie still really appreciated Hermione's kind words. She'd initially thought Ron's mum was having a go at her, for not being pretty enough to date her son. Hearing that Hermione - who Millie thought was very pretty - faced problems because she was dating Harry was a revelation for the girl with absolutely no self-confidence. There was also something Millie desperately needed to find out from this girl.

"Hermione, why are you being so nice to me? We've never been friendly, I was horrid to you back in second year…"

"That's in the past, let's leave it there. I'll be totally honest with you, Millie, if you'll do the same for me. The whole school knew I had two best friends, both boys, and one of them I'm now betrothed to. You don't need to be a genius to see the potential for things to go very bad between the three of us after I got together with Harry. Ron is a very good friend, Harry though is the only one for me. You now being with Ron took all that possible conflict and anxiety away. Hanging about as two couples balances us back up again. So we hope to use this holiday to get to know you better, because Ron is still our best friend. Now it's your turn, why Ron?"

Millie's eyes focused on the boy his mother was now fussing over. "I'll be honest too, but it's just so hard to put into words. I look at Ron and my insides are full of butterflies, he smiles at me and I melt. I'm not explaining this very well…"

Hermione was the one who was now smiling. "You did just fine. He is still one of my best friends though, so don't hurt him. He hurts you, come to me and we'll kick his arse together."

This actually had Millie giggling as she nodded in agreement with Hermione. Their little chat felt like being accepted into the group, something Millie was desperately hoping would happen.

Remus and Sirius had a length of rope that was their portkey to Italy. They were threading it through all the luggage, so people would only have to concentrate on holding on and not worry about their bags. They intended to take an end each, with everyone travelling spaced between the luggage and them. After the twins had finally managed to escape their mother's smothering, Fred and George grabbing onto the rope completed their group. Sirius activated the portkey and only the parents were left on the platform, taking their children's school trunks home with them.

-oOoOo-

The train may have barely arrived at the platform in King's Cross but, back in Hogwarts, things were already settling into holiday mode. Albus sat back in his chair and surveyed his office in peace and quiet, that quiet was rather unsettling though. The special charmed items that had monitored the wards at Privet Drive for over a decade were silent now, and Albus had grown quite used to the soothing whirring over the years. Harry must have let his family know he wouldn't be returning, causing the wards to crash. Albus still wasn't sure how he felt about that, but had no more time to ponder the problem as an owl arrived with even more bad news.

After reading the letter, an angry Albus crumpled it into a ball and tossed the parchment out of the window - just missing the now rapidly retreating raptor that had delivered said letter mere moments ago. Poppy Pomfrey had just resigned from Hogwarts too. Her stating that she didn't require a reference for her new job prevented Albus from even discovering where she had gone. Knowing that replacing Poppy would almost be impossible, but was required by law, just made his already busy summer that much more frenetic.

Had he known that Pomona and Filius were currently in Hogsmeade, preparing to activate their portkeys to Italy, Albus would have had a fit.

-oOoOo-

The portkey delivered them onto a terrace that ran the entire length of a magnificent villa. The terrace protruded over the side of a cliff and provided a breathtaking view of the Bay of Naples, with the gigantic active volcano, Mount Vesuvius, lurking ominously in the background. Even spotting Professor McGonagall sitting having tea with Madam Pomfrey wasn't enough to drag their eyes away from the magnificent display of nature at its finest that surrounded them.

Remus introduced the two house elves that had come as a package deal with the building, Brutus and Cindy. Remus had already allocated rooms to all their guests so called them to order as the house elves began popping away with their luggage.

"Listen people, if you follow me I'll show you to where you'll be staying. The elves are already placing your luggage there and will have dinner ready for us on the terrace at eight."

"But that's two hours away, I'm starving."

Smiling at her friend, Hermione pointed out his understandable mistake. "Ron, we're in Italy now. They're an hour ahead of UK time. You all need to put your watches forward by an hour."

"If I put my watch forward two hours, can I get my dinner now?" Dobby appeared beside Ron, giving him a pastry to munch on as he and Millie fell in line with the rest of the group behind Remus.

Harry and Hermione were joined by Sirius as they made their way over to the two witches having tea. Minerva rose as they approached.

"Mr Potter, Miss Granger, I can only apologise for my behaviour…"

Harry was having none of that. "Professor, that wasn't your behaviour. You behaved exactly as Dumbledore wanted you to, and he used his wand to ensure that you did. We actually saw him obliviate the Minister of Magic, so no apology is necessary. You can stay here for as long as you like. We even have a job offer for you, teaching in our new school."

Before Minerva could answer, Pomona and Filius arrived by portkey. Filius rushed directly over to see how his friend was, while Pomona ran a critical eye over everything she was seeing while making the same short journey. From her widening smile, Harry was assuming she liked what she saw.

The building looked fantastic, and the view was nothing short of spectacular. That same famous view also gave the professor information on their location, information that she was liking very much. "A mild climate, so greenhouses are more about containment than heat. Volcanic soil which, with the addition of a little dragon dung, is the best growing medium in the world. Lord Potter, so far you've impressed the herbologist in me - mind you no more Scottish winters would be enough to do that - now let's hear the rest of your plans?"

As Pomona sat down with the rest of the group, Harry and Hermione realised they were facing another meeting here - one they thought was a few days away and hadn't prepared for. With their three professors all waiting on answers, Harry started off winging what they hoped would be a winning presentation.

"My first point is an obvious one, Hermione and I know practically nothing about setting up and running a school. It would be our intention to pick the right people for the job, and then provide the resources to let them get on with it. Our school days are supposed to be some of the best times of our lives, they shouldn't see us having to fight for those same lives while supposedly in the school's care."

Hermione took over seamlessly from her betrothed, after giving Harry's last comment a moment to sink in. They had spent hours in the infirmary, talking over their bond about what they wanted the Potter Institute to be. It was now time to air those conversations out loud. "Taking into account our time at Hogwarts, we have a much bigger list of things that we certainly don't want to see in our new school. A Headmistress that hides behind a gargoyle and unknown password is a big no-no. She should be at the very heart of the school, and accessible to all."

While that appeared to go down well, Harry thought his next point would be more controversial to three Heads of House. "There will be no division amongst the students, other than the necessary gender ones for dorms and such. No houses, this school and its students will be their family. We don't think labelling eleven year old children, a label that lasts their entire life, helps build a school spirit - rather four separate house ones."

Backing her betrothed to the hilt, Hermione also pushed hard for something that was central to their plans. "We're looking at yeargroups of around twenty students, totalling one hundred and forty by the time we reach seventh year. The Potter Institute is being set up as an alternative to Hogwarts, not in direct competition. We could never replace Hogwarts, there's simply not the room here. If we can open in September, there will be a maximum of eighty students attending the Potter Institute. With that small number, no one should be able to slip through the cracks and get lost. The change in Luna just typifies what we want to do here, Millicent too. Being sorted in different houses forces an expectation of behaving a certain way onto children, children who are really too young to know what they're buying into at that point. Sitting watching an eleven year old Harry almost die at his first quidditch match was not my idea of entertainment, yet the whole incident appeared to be forgotten about because he caught the snitch."

Harry gave a chortle at that point. "We didn't push it because Hermione set Snape's robes on fire and stopped the curse - well a flaming Snape flailing into Quirrell stopped the curse..."

This generated a lot of chuckling, and led Harry nicely onto his next point. "There will be no bigotry allowed here, or bullying of any sort. Arguments on who supports the better quidditch team are one thing, calling someone a 'mudblood' because of who their parents are is unacceptable - full stop. Entering the magical world is a life-changing experience, it's full of wonder, awe and of course magic. Hagrid showing me around Diagon Alley for the first time is still one of my most treasured memories. The darker side of that world can't be ignored however. We witnessed that darker side in the infirmary a few days ago. Poppy?"

The intensity of the emotions Harry was displaying caused two of the professors to miss Harry calling Poppy by her first name, they were far more interested in what their friend had to say. Poppy didn't disappoint.

"Walden Macnair was a Death Eater, he confessed to it. He also confessed that he couldn't remember how many people he'd killed as a Death Eater, and that it was impossible to take the Dark Mark while under the imperius curse..."

Both Filius and Pomona understood immediately that last piece of information was a game changer for magical Britain. It was Pomona who asked the questions they really needed to know the answer too.

"What happened to Macnair, and why haven't we heard about any of this?"

That Minerva answered those questions wasn't nearly as shocking as what she said. "Macnair fired the killing curse at Mr Potter, who somehow sent it straight back to him. I would surmise that Fudge is keeping everything under wraps, trying to protect his friends. I don't know for certain as I was in St. Mungo's, trying to have all the damage Dumbledore did with his compulsions and obliviate spells on me reversed."

Poppy's hand was now resting on Minerva's shoulder. "Min, don't beat yourself up over this. We three watched Dumbledore obliviate the Minister of Magic, only Harry and Hermione saved me suffering the same fate that night."

Pomona turned directly to Harry. "Lord Potter, I find myself unable to return to Hogwarts. While I'm certain I could find alternative employment, even without a reference from Dumbledore, I'm becoming more and more intrigued by your offer. Nothing you or Miss Granger have said here has changed my opinion, rather reinforced it. My main questions though are can this be done, and do you have the considerable resources needed available?"

"We arrived moments before you, so have yet to have a look around. Remus assures me there is a large tract of land behind and to the side of this building, more than enough room to erect a school. After meeting Ragnok this morning, you have my word that funds are in place for anything you need. He has also promised help in any way the Goblin Nation can, including introductions to all the local businesses and..." Harry stopped as Flitwick had just fallen from his chair. The little professor got back on his feet, but needed to hold onto the table for support - his legs were still shaking.

"You met with Ragnok, and he agreed to help? Lord Potter, have you any idea of the enormity of what you just said?"

Answering with a smile, Harry then confirmed that he did. Harry also confirm the offer included design and building aid. Filius immediately accepted any type of employment Harry was offering before turning to Pomona and urging her to do the same. "With that quite unbelievable backing, this project will happen - Gringotts full support is a cast iron guarantee of that. We have a chance to design and build a school the way we want it, without a thousand years of tradition and downright stuffiness hanging over our heads. This is an opportunity to drag our students into the twenty-first century, rather than the nineteenth that the Ministry and Hogwarts seems determined to keep them in."

While on the cusp of accepting, Pomona wasn't being rushed into anything without getting all the details. "Lord Potter, is there anything else up your sleeve that you think we should know about?"

"Only two things. One, it has been made abundantly clear by the majority of pure-bloods that they don't want muggle-borns tainting their society. I want to contact every muggle-born and make them aware that there is an alternative to Hogwarts. Again, I'm not sure how we do that..."

Harry found himself being interrupted by McGonagall. "Mister Potter, that wonderful elf of yours offered to fetch my belongings from Hogwarts. I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but he also brought the book of names - containing details of every magical child in Britain. It will be missed though, so we would need to copy all the information before returning it to Hogwarts."

Harry and Hermione were in no doubt. Dobby knew their plans, and how important this was to them. Both felt the little guy probably made that offer to the professor in the hope of being able to take that book too.

Nodding, and agreeing that book would need to be copied as quickly as possible, Pomona returned her attention to Harry. "Ok, Lord Potter, that's one problem solved. What was the other one you wanted to mention?"

"Only that you stop calling me Lord Potter. Harry, or Potter in class, works for me."

Sirius had sat quietly waiting to see how this would all unfold. He could see both teens were now running on empty but still couldn't help but burst out laughing at that. "This is our fourth meeting today, I'm knackered so you two must be exhausted, yet that's all that's bothering you?" Getting serious, Sirius then gave some vague figures that would nonetheless reassure the group who Harry was asking to change their lives here.

"Professors, I watched in awe as my Godson set aside millions for this project. These two could easily have arranged a few tutors for them and their friends, it's just not in either of them to take the easy option. I am so proud of them for the decisions they're making, and the path they've chosen to walk. Both are very serious about this, something you will have to be to if you sign up. Remus and Poppy are already on board but we don't need decisions tonight. Filius made a fantastic point about building a school the way you want it to be. Even if you decide just to treat this as the holiday you were originally offered, we would still like those ideas to help our plans. Make no mistake, this will happen. I just know the people around this table have the knowledge to take this idea and fly with it - creating something wonderful here."

Harry and Hermione were left blushing at Sirius' praise, that it also got them three tentative yeses meant he was forgiven. The couple understood those yeses would solidify along with their plans. Since these people would have a massive influence in those plans, it should become harder and harder to walk away from something they helped design.

Seeing how well the professors had reacted to Sirius mentioning figures, Harry gave them another one. "Remus has been our lead on this, and will be far more able to answer any technical questions. Remus has clearance to make purchases for the institute, up to and including one hundred thousand galleons. More names will be added to the account as the institute gains staff. Anything higher, needs mine or Hermione's signature. We've just arrived and already I love how warm and light it is here, we should try and use that in the new building."

Again Hermione took over seamlessly from her betrothed. "Remus has pictures, plans and drawings of schools and such, buildings that are specifically designed to work in this climate. Our intention was to sit down and look at them to see what suits our needs. The only thing off the table is we won't be building another castle here, anything else will be considered."

That generated smiles all round, then Harry gave an indication of how fast they needed things to move. "We already have a meeting arranged with Madam Bones for Monday, we can meet again anytime after that. It will give us time to look around, and also refine some of our ideas. Sirius, we really are knackered, and couldn't possibly eat anything after our meal in 'Ambrosia'..."

This had everyone but Sirius staring at them. "You ate in 'Ambrosia'? I've always wanted to try there, but it's almost impossible to get a booking..."

Harry then handed Sprout another incentive. "If we get the Potter Institute open for September, the entire staff will eat there - my treat. Can I say that none of our friends know about the school yet, but most of their parents or guardians do. We don't want Dumbledore to find out about this until we're ready, so I'll let you work out which parents we deliberately didn't tell."

Everyone immediately got that Harry meant the Weasleys. Hermione asked Sirius to apologise to their friends for them, and say they would see them at breakfast. They called for Dobby to show them where they would be staying.

As they walked away, Minerva couldn't help but pass comment to Sirius. "They really are serious about this."

"Yes, including a trip to 'Ambrosia's' for everyone. I'm still getting to know those two but already I get the impression they never do anything by halves." The three professors and the healer all agreed with that. More discussions would have to wait though, as the students had began drifting down for dinner.

-oOoOo-

Luna was standing on her balcony, watching the setting sun and thinking that her chat with Hermione had paid dividends. Luna didn't mind rooming with someone, she had just requested that someone not be Ginny. Harry was becoming a brother-like figure to Luna, and she would rather not spend her time listening to someone constantly lusting after him. Should Ginny begin bad-mouthing Hermione, Luna wasn't sure what she would do. Hermione was her friend, probably her best friend, so she couldn't stand back and let a jealous Ginny gossip maliciously about her.

With Susan and Hannah sharing a room, putting Luna in with Millie would leave Ginny as the only girl with her own room - no one seriously considered Ginny rooming with Millie. The simple solution was to give all three girls their own rooms, and that's what happened.

Hearing someone knocking on her room door, Luna shouted it was open and to come in. She hadn't looked around, not taking her eyes from the beautiful scene in front of her. It took Luna a moment to realise that no one had spoken, despite her hearing the door opening. She turned and saw Neville staring at her, making Luna smile.

Entering Luna's room, Neville immediately spotted her standing on the balcony. The way the setting sun illuminated Luna, Neville thought an angel was standing there - she took his breath away. That this was Luna, a girl he liked and could talk to without stumbling or stuttering, made this revelation all the more startling. When Luna turned and smiled at him, Neville felt his stomach do things that had nothing to do with him needing fed.

"Are we ready to go down to dinner?"

Neville could only nod in answer, though he did offer Luna his arm. Taking that arm saw Luna's smile grow even brighter, and caused Neville's palpitations to shift up into his chest. Having friends was almost a new experience for Neville, was he now ready to start thinking about a girlfriend?

Luna's bubbly chatter all the way down to dinner at least answered one question for Neville. If he was ready to begin thinking about having a girlfriend, Neville already knew exactly which girl he would be asking.

-oOoOo-

Ron went to collect Millie, and found his girlfriend with tears in her eyes. Ron had no experience of dealing with crying girls, especially ones who smiled while they cried.

"It's so beautiful here, things like this don't happen to me. I want you to pinch me so I know I'm not dreaming. Not on the bum though, or we may miss dinner."

Stepping forward, Ron placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Will that do instead?"

"Your kiss will do it every time, and anytime you want more I'm right here."

"I think we better head down to dinner, before I take you up on any of those offers. You know I would love to, but I don't want to push Harry's hospitality. I've got a feeling Ginny is going to push his hospitality to the limit - and beyond. There's just no talking to her on the matter of Harry." Offering Millie his arm, Ron lead his girlfriend down to dinner.

-oOoOo-

Another couple were also enjoying the sunset. Dobby had led them to the master suite, with Hermione having a room next to Harry's. The windows and balcony had the best views over the bay, sitting on his balcony with Hermione in his arms meant Harry was really enjoying those views.

"That felt like being ambushed, and just finished a truly wonderful day."

Hermione didn't need the hint of sarcasm in Harry's voice to know he wasn't serious about the wonderful part. "Who knew meetings could be so exhausting. I hope our friends will forgive us but I really am shattered tonight."

"Ron will have food, and Millie at his side, he probably won't even notice we're not there. I do feel terrible though for inviting them here and then promptly abandoning them."

Hermione couldn't believe she was suggesting this but knew for certain it would help Harry put a very stressful day behind him. "We really need to get to know this place as quickly as possible. What about a nice gentle broom ride around the property, then we can join them for a mug of something before bed."

"You would go flying with me?"

"I believe I used the phrase 'nice gentle ride', that I'm up for."

Dobby popping in with Harry's Firebolt settled the matter. Dobby had already made it plain to Brutus and Cindy that he would help whenever he could, but that his main duties were to look after his master and mistress. Being elves, they could all see the sense behind this arrangement.

-oOoOo-

Ginny was sitting at dinner quietly fuming. She'd found a smart new dress in the clothes her mother had packed for this holiday, a smart new dress Ginny was now wearing. All it got her though was teasing from her twin brothers, since their host, Harry, hadn't bothered to turn up for dinner.

They were just about finished eating when laughter disturbed their dessert, laughter coming from someone not sitting at the table. Harry swooped down onto the terrace, with a laughing Hermione sitting behind him on his broom. Her hair was splayed out behind her like a pennant, an indication of the speed Harry was pushing the broom - yet Hermione was loudly laughing while her arms wrapped around his chest.

There were two round tables in use on the terrace, not surprisingly one held the adults whilst the other had all their friends sitting around it. As they landed on the terrace next to their friends, it was Ron who whipped around and posed the question they all wanted to know the answer to. "Since when did Hermione like flying with you? She hates flying, and refuses to go anywhere near a broom."

"Hey, this was Hermione's suggestion. It surprised me too."

Spotting Ginny staring daggers at her, Hermione laid it on rather thick. "Any children of Harry's will probably fly before they can walk. So their mother will need to improve her broom riding skills. My Harry is a brilliant flier and a great teacher. Sorry we missed dinner but a rather late and very large lunch left us not feeling hungry. We took a quick fly around the property and then Harry headed out into the bay. We flew over the sea, barely skimming the waves, and the beach below this terrace is fantastic. We shot up the face of the cliff with the broom almost vertical, I think Harry just wanted me to hold on tight to him - it was so much fun."

Sitting with Millie and having just enjoyed a fantastic dinner, Ron was in a brilliant mood. Seeing Hermione enjoy being on a broom only added to those positive emotions. "Hey, you think she might try out for chaser? I'm going to take a shot at the keeper vacancy. Imagine the three of us on the team, Gryffindor would be unstoppable…"

They shared a quick mental conversation and instantly reached a decision. They might not want this information getting out right now, but neither could stand there and be part of Ron making plans that had zero chance of coming to fruition. Harry and Hermione knew this news would get out soon anyway, and it certainly wasn't worth lying to Ron over.

"Sorry mate, but I won't be playing for Gryffindor next year. I won't be playing quidditch because I won't be at Hogwarts next year…"

Having managed to hold off exploding at hearing Harry's first sentence, the second took all his anger away. "I thought you were looking at tutors?"

"We would basically be living at Hogwarts, but having all our classes tutored. We decided to open our own school, and have already convinced some of the professors sitting here to join us."

Now the cat was out of the bag, Hermione gave them the good news. "We're hoping you can all join us here at the Potter Institute. Well actually, not all of you…"

Seeing this bitch glance in her direction as Granger mentioned not everyone could attend was the final straw for Ginny. Her middle name was Molly and Ginny was channelling her mother as the redhead's temper shot well past boiling point and erupted - scalding everyone.

"You think you're so clever, Granger, trying to keep my Harry to yourself. Leaving Hogwarts to set up your own school, with the only other girls being beastly Bulstrode, Loony Lovegood and two Puff witches who are so into each other to be no competition for Harry either. My mother won't put up with this, she'll make sure Dumbledore stops all of you. Harry's been promised to me for years, and he saved my life - he's mine!"

Switching from a voice that would have shattered glass to one dripping honeyed words, Ginny then attempted to entice her target. "Harry love, surely you can see what she's up to? The bitch is trying to keep us apart. We belong together..."

Moving to place herself in front of Harry, hoping to stop him roasting Ginny for insulting her, Hermione was almost assaulted by the wave of anger coming from her betrothed. She could see only one possible way to deter Harry's temper from exploding. Hermione grabbed her betrothed and kissed him - hard.

This was like waving a red rag to Ginny's bull, her wand was out and a curse heading for Hermione before anyone could stop it. Harry waved his hand and a shield protected Hermione, with Ron stunning his sister before Ginny could do any more damage.

Their whole night had crashed and burned in a matter of seconds, and so unexpectedly that everyone had been caught flat-footed. When Hermione had managed to focus Harry's anger away from the girl now lying stunned on the terrace, they broke their kiss but still rested their foreheads against each other.

"Thanks, love - you might have saved a life tonight. You too, Ron. My spell would probably have blasted Ginny over the cliff - something we'll need to look at warding against."

Nodding, Ron was more concerned with a crying Mille in his arms. Hermione tried to help.

"Millie, I told you Ginny was obsessed with Harry. Look around you, listen to Ron - none of us believed a word she said. That goes for what she said about Susan, Hannah and Luna too. We didn't want Ginny here, purely because of the way she behaves around us - around Harry. Her mother wouldn't let Ron come on holiday without Ginny being included too. Fred and George, I was going to say our school will open with only first to fourth years - sorry guys. Ginny would have qualified for a place..." Hermione found herself being interrupted by an angry Pomona who, like the rest of the adults, had made her way over to join them.

"Miss Granger, if I am Headmistress here, there will be no invitation for Ginerva Weasley. We all spoke earlier about the behaviour we would expect from our students, her behaviour just now crossed way over any line acceptable to me."

Having a student hit with a stunner saw Poppy swinging into action, her wand had been assessing the damage while they spoke. Her first conclusion was that the girl was merely stunned when she picked up on something else. After triple-checking the result she was seeing, Poppy needed to tell someone.

"Harry, we might have a major problem here. Her reactions were just so bizarre tonight, and with our recent experiences, I scanned for compulsions. I'm afraid I've found some, and need permission to do more."

A worried Ron was first to react. "Who would do something like that, and whose permission do you need?"

While a number of people around the table had their suspicions as to the first part of Ron's question, Remus dodged it in favour of answering the second.

"Ginny's here as a guest of Lord Potter, her parents' signature gives him the right of 'in loco parentis'. You can give Poppy permission to treat her."

It was a shocked Harry who answered. "I almost cursed her, I was about to throw Ginny out of my home. Poppy, do everything you can for her. Anything you need, any help is yours for the asking."

"This is not my expertise but I'll see what I can do. Maybe Remus could get in touch with the nearest mind-healer?"

Nodding, Remus made to rise. "There's a magical hospital in Naples. Will I head there now?"

"Tomorrow should do, I want her to sleep tonight. I haven't even got my infirmary picked, never mind set up..." Dobby appeared next to Poppy with her medical bag.

"Dobby has put an extra bed in healer's room, Dobby knows healer likes to be close to her patients."

As Poppy conjured a stretcher to take Ginny to her room for tonight, Harry and Hermione joined their friends sitting at the table. "Guys, do you know if your parents took Ginny to a mind-healer last summer?"

There were blank looks coming back at Harry from the three Weasley brothers before Fred asked a question of his own. "Why would they do that?"

Hermione couldn't keep the anger from her voice. "Perhaps because Ginny spent most of last year being possessed by Lord Voldemort. If ever anyone needed a reason to see a mind-healer, I would say that one was right up there - wouldn't you."

While the rest of the table were flabbergasted at that news, Poppy was now casting more scans. "I was sure I could see at least two magical signatures here. Surely Molly isn't stupid enough to let Albus try and fix something as complicated as a possession?"

A still angry Hermione couldn't help herself. As Harry had said earlier, they'd had quite the day. "Molly thinks Dumbledore farts rainbows, of course she would let him do anything he said he could. Dumbledore wanted the whole Chamber of Secrets kept as just that - a secret. He wouldn't want a mind-healer examining Ginny in case awkward questions were asked - like how a first year walked about Hogwarts with the darkest object imaginable on her person and Dumbledore didn't know anything about it."

All could see the truth in Hermione's conclusions, leaving Harry no choice but to ask her brothers another question. "If what we suspect has happened, sending Ginny home won't get her the care she needs. You know your mother though, I won't be able to keep Ginny here indefinitely. Your dad did nothing last time, I don't see him helping now. We need another option here..."

The three brothers answered as one. "Bill."

Ron still had Millie in his arms. She had long ago calmed down but neither wanted to move. It was Ron who clarified their answer. "Bill is Ginny's favourite, and he dotes on her. Anyone harming Ginny is in a world of trouble from Bill."

Having been Head of House for all the Weasleys, Minerva of course knew the eldest brother. "Contacting Bill is a great idea. I think we should wait until we have more information however. Ginny really needs to see a mind-healer before we find out exactly what the problem is, and the extent of it."

With Remus confirming he would go first thing in the morning, Poppy levitated the stretcher and followed Dobby as he led the healer to her room. Having just arrived today too, Poppy didn't want to get lost while taking a patient along with her.

Slouching back in his chair and closing his eyes, Harry let out a groan borne of frustration and weariness. "Hermione, can we adopt Ron's method and put our watches forward until it's tomorrow? I just want today to end."

Knowing he didn't expect her to answer, Hermione turned her attention to their friends. "Luna, Neville, Susan, your family know what we're doing here and are mostly supportive. At the moment all we've got is the idea, the people staying with us are going to be working like mad to make that idea a reality. Susan, your aunt's visiting us on Monday. It's for a totally different matter but I can't help feeling she'll become involved with Ginny's case too."

The twins were all for that happening. "Whoever did that to Ginny needs to pay.."

"Dumbledore, mum - even dad. If their meddling, or doing nothing, made Ginny act like that then they need to pay."

Still holding onto Millie, Ron agreed with his brothers. "That was like watching mum's evil twin. I didn't recognise Ginny in there at all, and she was bang out of order with what she said."

Noticing Luna was clinging onto Neville's arm almost got a smile out of Hermione, almost. "Remus spoke with your dad and gran, both will be coming here in a couple of weeks. We hope at the very least to have some plans and a timetable of work to show them by then. Both will wait until they see what's happening here before even thinking about committing to send you here. Hannah, we didn't have time to contact your parents. Millie, we had even less time with you. We're kinda playing everything by ear at the moment, so I suggest a day spent relaxing at the beach for all of us tomorrow. We'll need Remus to take us shopping the first time, I have no idea where the shops even are. After that, I'm sure we'll find our own way."

More than anything, that promise of shopping cheered up the four girls who had publicly suffered under Ginny's tirade. Harry congratulating Hermione over their bond for a job well done cheered her up no end too.

-oOoOo-

Harry and Hermione weren't the only ones having a bad day, things just kept progressing down the road from bad to worse for the Malfoy family.

Since Ambrosia was without doubt the premier restaurant in magical Britain, and Lucius considered the Malfoys to be Britain's premier family, it was vital that they were seen eating there on the busiest day of the year - the day the students returned from Hogwarts.

It was hardly a pleasant meal though, with Narcissa refusing to speak to Lucius and Draco harping on throughout the entire meal about how Harry Potter had gotten the best of him again. Those weren't exactly the words Draco used, but both his parents understood that's what would have happened. Entering the restaurant to see a large picture of the owner standing beside Potter and his mudblood should have warned Lucius this was not going to be a good night - and that same picture was more than enough to initiate Draco's rant.

Things then took a sharp turn down shit street however when the bill refused to accept payment from Lucius' house ring. Three times Lucius tried in vain to pay their bill by his normal method, his growl at the waitress getting louder with each unsuccessful attempt. Eventually the owner was forced to intervene. After listening from the background to the young Malfoy whelp decry Lord Potter for the entire meal, the owner demanded immediate payment by whatever method they could manage.

Having to ask his wife and son for gold to help with meeting the bill did not improve Lucius' mood any, and his wife was mortified with embarrassment for the second time today. Leaving the restaurant, the Malfoys headed straight for Gringotts. Discovering that they no longer had an account manager, and had to get in line to see a teller, almost saw Lucius draw his wand.

Narcissa had a tight grip of his wand arm, and was muttering orders to her husband without appearing to do so.

"We'll visit the vault, then sort this out. You draw your wand in here and I'll be a widow - because you'll be missing your head."

Lucius never uttered a word, leaving Narcissa to speak with the teller. Sitting in the cart, there was so much running through his head - mostly that this couldn't be happening to him.

The goblin cart drivers were currently having to draw lots, each wanted to be the operator who took these pure-bloods down to their now empty vaults. While how and why they had been emptied was a closely-guarded secret, moving that much gold and heirlooms around underground was never going to be a secret for long. The goblin who had drawn the Malfoys wasn't disappointed, closely watching the family as he opened the door to a now empty vault.

Both parents just stood there and stared, though Draco of course had something to say. "This stupid goblin has taken us to the wrong vault."

Spotting the letter, though ignoring the knut sitting beside it, Lucius burst open the wax seal.

I entrusted one of my greatest treasures into your care

You deliberately gave it away to a little girl

This has already cost you everything your family own

It will soon cost you your life - and family line

For this unforgivable failure, that is the price I will extract

Nothing less than the annihilation of the Malfoy name.

LV

Having access to all Tom's memories allowed Hermione to do a reasonable copy of his handwriting and turn of phrase. It would certainly be reasonable enough to convince his followers it was actually written by Lord Voldemort.

Narcissa finally found her voice to correct her son. "If this was the wrong vault, the key wouldn't have opened the door. It's the right vault, just empty." Lucius handing over the note left Narcissa feeling empty inside too.

His mother's reprimand ignited Draco's anger. "This is Potter's doing. He said we would be nothing without our money, and he's taken it all away."

Not in the mood to put up with his son's perpetual whining, Lucius lashed out at the teen. "Talk sense, Draco. How could Potter do this?"

A belligerent Draco wasn't for backing down. "He wasn't on the train today, but I saw him at breakfast in Hogwarts. Severus has been chasing him for days, without catching up with Potter. Potter told the entire school Severus was a Death Eater, and he wouldn't be taking his potions classes again. Potter's even taking that troll Bulstrode on holiday with him. Things have been nuts in Hogwarts lately - McGonagall disappeared too."

Something at the back of his mind prompted Lucius to ask Draco a question. "Did you once tell me Potter was a parselmouth?"

"Oh yes, that was brilliant - the whole school turned against Potter. I set a snake on him…"

Lucius had already tuned Draco out. The note Narcissa held was a death sentence - for all of them. Potter was certainly aware of the diary incident, leaving Lucius clutching at the flimsiest of straws. If there was even the slightest chance Potter could have been involved in this, meaning the note was a fake, Lucius thought it was a chance he had to take. If it was Potter, there was a possibility of not only killing the little bastard but refilling the Malfoy vault - also adding Potter's gold to his own substantial pile. If this actually was his master's note and actions, fleeing the country promptly - and no doubt penniless - was really his only chance to live.

"Draco, this is very important. How would I go about finding Potter?"

There was no hesitation from Draco. He understood exactly what his father was asking here, and had the very answer his father needed. "Granger. Find Granger and Potter will either be there, or quickly come running. He would do anything for her. Can I help, please can I help?"

Lucius knew he had at best a couple of days to save his family. By that time, word would have gotten out that he didn't have the gold to back up any of the promises he intended to make for information leading him to Granger. Lucius also expected that they would be getting evicted from their manor soon too.

He would task Narcissa with raising whatever cash she could in case they were forced to flee the country, allowing him the time to concentrate on getting his hands on Potter. Even if Potter wasn't involved in this legalised robbery, killing the little shit would at least provide some personal satisfaction before the Malfoys had to flee Britain with their tails between their legs. If his master did do this, killing Potter just might be the only thing that could possibly see their master showing them some generosity - and sparing their lives.