NOTE: Sometimes I get complaints for sticking to close to canon and others for being too far away. So this is your warning, I'm about to leave canon in the dust. There will still be canon stuff but the main plot is shifting away. This is your last warning. (chapters will be slower now because I've only one or two chapters ahead of this one - sorry no more daily updates.)
Now on to the story!
The next morning at breakfast Harry was sitting with his friends, Ginny was at his side. All of them were laughing and having a good time. They didn't even notice Professor Flitwick hurrying into the room. He made his way to the head table and pulled the professors into a huddle and spoke quietly. It was only as Harry leaned back to laugh at something Seamus said that he noticed the group.
"I wonder what's going on?" He commented.
The rest of the table stopped talking and turned to the group breaking up and stepping around the table and towards the students. Each had a piece of paper and was checking tables. Sirius was the one checking names for Gryffindor. As he neared them Harry started to ask. Sirius looked him in the eye and shook his head before he could speak.
"Who are you missing?" Poppy came up behind him and asked.
"All Gryffindors are accounted for." Sirius made his last mark, "Everyone stay in your seats please."
It took another ten minutes to find anyone who was missing from the other tables. A few were in the hospital but they would just have to miss the announcements. Minerva arrived a few minutes later with Minister Bones and a host of aurors and other Ministry officials. As they walked through the hall Harry caught the Minister glancing his way. He then sighed knowing exactly what this was about.
"Attention." Minerva called as she made it to the head table. The announcement was completely unnecessary since everyone was quiet and watching the group entering the room, "Minister Bones is here to speak to you about something very important."
"Thank you Minerva." She smiled then addressed the students, "Something remarkable happened last evening and we have one of you to thank for that."
"What did Harry do now?" Seamus yelled out. Chuckles flitted across the room.
"What makes you think it was him?" Bones turned on the young man.
"If something big has happened Harry either did it or had a hand it in." Seamus shrugged.
"Well you are correct." She bowed her head at him, "Last evening I was supposed to have a meeting with Mr. Potter but he was late. He was sidetracked when Voldemort attacked the Ministry. Mr. Potter has succeeded in ridding us of Voldemort once and for all."
She was interrupted from giving her speech as the hall broke out in cheers. Harry even noticed most of Slytherin cheering before he ducked his head embarrassed at the outbreak of cheers and pats on the back. A few bangs from McGonagall's wand quieted the students who still didn't resume their seats or stop talking entirely.
"Mr. Potter please come to the front." Amelia called. Harry stood and made his way to the front of the room, "On behalf of the Ministry and all of magical Britan I thank you for your service. I am awarding you the Order of Merlin first class and you will receive the sum of one million galleons for the award of capturing or killing the wizard known as Voldemort."
Harry shook her hand and said into the silence than had descended onto the room, "His real name is Tom Riddle. He was named after his muggle father. I think you should make it known that he was a complete fraud that took advantage of people's prejudiced views to further himself. Maybe it will prevent anyone from doing it again. Maybe it could even help stop the prejudice that exists. As long as some think they are better than others because of their lineage we will still have problems."
"Well said." Amelia smiled at him as she began to speak she was interrupted when a goblin popped into the hall.
"Good everyone I need." He said, "Headmistress may we convene your office. Minister if you wouldn't mind accompanying us along with Mr. Potter and his guardian."
"Griphook, can my friends come?" Harry asked.
"You may have anyone you wish. They should be trustworthy because this is big." Griphook had an odd look on his face.
"I told you so." Seamus called out, "Everything big Harry is in on it somehow."
Kingsley and Tonks accompanied Bones. Flitwick took over directing the students and other ministry personnel as Minerva lead the way to her office. Sirius and Remus joined them along with Harry's friends. They trekked through the school quietly.
"What's going on?" Sirius asked as they all arrived in the office.
"I don't know." Griphook apologized, "They only told me it was big. I assume everyone here can leave to go to Gringotts?"
"Yes." Minerva stated but it sounded like a question.
"Mr. Potter do you wish to have anyone else from outside the school?" Griphook asked,
"As many of the Weasley's as can make it." Harry answered.
"Except Percy." Ron added.
"I'll go get them if you all will floo to this address." Griphook handed Kingsley the address, "It's a meeting room."
"I'll go first." Kingsley said after the Goblin left, "If I don't send a patronus don't follow."
"I trust them." Harry offered.
"As long as that was really a goblin then I trust them too." Kingsley offered, "Glamor can hide most anything."
Once the group assembled at Gringotts they were shown into a large room. Harry noticed Hoberk there along with several others dressed like him and quite a few guards and other lower but still high up goblins. The Weasleys were the last to arrive but they all greeted Harry. Even Charlie was with them this time.
"Thank you for coming and supporting Mr. Potter." Hoberk addressed the group, "Lord Black, Mr. Lupin will you join Mr. Potter please. I think this will affect you just as much."
"What have you found?" Harry asked.
"I'm sorry this has taken so long to find but you must understand he had it buried very, very deep." Hoberk addressed him, "There is no easy way to say this, your parents didn't die on October 31, 1981." Harry was glad he was sitting because that knew would have driven him to his knees. "However they must be dead now because we wouldn't have been able to open their will if they were still alive. Gringotts has teams searching the area he put them. We are hoping to give you more information as soon as it's available. We brought you here because we will have information soon."
"Can I go?" he gasped out, "Can I go see where they were?"
"When we find evidence we will take you." Hoberk agreed.
A goblin ran into the room and spoke quickly in gobbledygook. Even though most of the humans couldn't understand him they still looked to the one talking. Hoberk nodded to the goblin and he exited the room again.
"We have found where they were." Hoberk offered, "But there is another surprise there."
"What?" Harry asked bewildered.
"A female child resides there and claims to be your sister." He offered, "We will make sure she is before she meets you."
"When…" Harry sobbed, Sirius and Remus each put a hand on his shoulder, "When can we go?"
"I'm having portkeys brought here." He replied, "Everyone will be able to go. Cursebreaker Weasley is already on the scene with a team checking for problems in the area."
"Thank you." Harry managed to choke out as he tried to get his emotions under control. He knew he was slipping when the table started to rattle.
"This portkey will take you to a safe place to let it out." Hoberk handed him a key, "A goblin will watch from a safe distance and bring you back."
Harry grabbed the portkey and disappeared before anyone could stop him. He landed on the grass on his knees and glanced around a moment to make sure no one was close before he let out a scream reminiscent of an injured animal. He paid no notice to the amount of magic he was letting loose, but he found he still had an unmanageable amount after the first scream. Two more did the trick and he found himself breathing heavily on his hands and knees. A hand touched him and he looked up sharply into the face of a goblin.
"Are you better?" he asked.
Harry nodded pushing himself onto his knees and then standing before he looked around. He was in a hole and there was no more grass around him and several trees were on their sides, "Were the trees already down?"
"No." the goblin chuckled, "You took out about a mile circle of vegetation. And you've dug a hole about four feet deep."
"Oh, I thought it was already here. Sorry." He apologized sincerely.
"It's no problem, that's why we brought you here." He said, "We'll send a crew to regenerate the vegetation. Are you ready to return?"
"Yes." He sighed then smiled slightly, "Thanks for helping me."
"No problem." The goblin held up a key. Harry touched it and was whisked away.
He dropped down back in the room with an anxiously pacing Sirius who grabbed him into a hug as soon as he landed, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I just had to burn off some anger at Dumby." Harry took a deep breath, "Did you find out anything while I was gone?"
"Yes." Hoberk answered, "The child is the offspring of James and Lily Potter. She is your ten year old sister, eleven in another week. She has quit the story to tell and so far there have been no lies. An adult couple has been able to confirm everything with memories of their own and a set of pensieve memories left by your parents. They have been her guardians since your parents passed."
"How long ago did they die?" Harry managed to ask.
"You father died two years ago." Hoberk said, "He never recovered from the injuries he sustained. Your mother died shortly after giving birth to your sister. She was in no shape to give birth but refused to abort the child."
"What's her name?" he whispered.
"I will let her introduce herself." Hoberk replied, "We have brought her and her guardians along will everything in the house. They expressed in one memory that they didn't want you to see where they lived."
"When can we meet her?"
"I think it would be best if you meet her alone at first." Hoberk offered, "Young children don't always do well with such a large crowd."
"Alright." Harry agreed readily, "Can we go now?"
"Follow me." Hoberk led the way but at the door he was stopped.
"Can I come too?" Sirius almost begged, with Remus right beside him with the same pleading look.
"You can follow but we'll let Harry meet her first then you two can follow in later." Hoberk consented, "Then the three of you can bring her back to meet the rest."
Sirius and Remus jumped up and nearly ran to the door. Harry chuckled at their eagerness. The trio followed Hoberk down a hall to a door.
Hoberk turned to the two adults, "Wait here and I'll let you follow in a few minutes."
"Good luck." Both men said as Harry reached for the door.
He pushed it open slowly and looked in. He spotted a girl, about the size of most first years, sitting at a table with two older adults and several goblins. He stepped fully into the room and the girl turned to face him. Her eyes went wide and she gasped.
"Hi, I'm Harry." He said softly trying not to scare her.
"You look just like dad." She whispered, "Except your eyes. You have my eyes or I guess I should say mums eyes."
"What's your name?" he stepped closer.
"Roselyn Hope Potter, but call me Rose." She replied, "Nice to meet you Harry. I've heard a lot about you, but all of it is from your birth until you were fifteen months old."
"I'm sorry, I don't know anything about you." He sighed, "But I want to know."
"Ok." She grinned, "An exchange of information then?"
"Hey aren't you just ten?" he asked, "That sounds more like fifteen. In fact that sounds like Hermione."
"I'm almost eleven, is Hermione your girlfriend?" she asked with a wicked grin.
"No just one of my best friends." He laughed, "Ginny is my girlfriend."
"I knew you had to have one." She laughed with him, "Dad said if you were any kind of Potter at all you'd have at least one girlfriend and if it was serious she would have red hair."
"Her hair is very similar to yours." Harry pointed out, he was sure she was as much a duplicate of their mother as he was of their father. Her red hair and green eyes made a striking combination.
Rose stood from the table and walked over to Harry. He bent down to put himself at her level. They talked for a few minutes before the older couple interrupted.
"Rosey our time is up." The woman said.
"Already?" she cried and ran to give hugs to both of them, "I'm going to miss you so much."
"We'll miss you too. But we knew this day would come." The man said, the woman was crying too much to speak.
"What day would come?" Harry asked.
"We only get to watch her until her big brother comes for her." He smiled wistfully, "But then we are required to stay away."
"Why, I don't want you to have to leave." He offered.
"They are muggles." A goblin stated, "Lord Potter asked them to relinquish custody and not to search her out if you came."
"Why?" he asked confused.
"They will be in danger and being muggles they can't protect themselves." Rose explained, "If any our enemies come after us they are sitting ducks. It's for their safety."
"But Voldemort is gone, I've stopped him." Harry proclaimed.
"But his followers are still around." One goblin stated, "Even once you round them up how long till someone tries something else?"
Harry nodded reluctantly and stood next to his sister, "Thank you for taking such good care of her. I would like to give you some money as a thank you."
"No need." The woman patted his arm, "We are well to do ourselves. You seem to be a sweet young man. Take care of her."
"I will." He shook their hands and they gave Rose another hug before they were escorted out, "Do you feel like meeting more people?"
"Padfoot and Moony?" she raised one eyebrow and Harry nodded, "Yes, I've heard so many stories about them. But I'm sure you've heard all about mum and dad from them. How was it being raised by those two delinquents?"
"I wasn't." Harry tried to explain, "Some things came up and I had to be sent to another place."
"Longbottoms or the Weasleys?" she asked.
"No." he shook his head.
"Then who?" she asked confused.
"Did mum or dad tell you about mum's sister?" he asked.
"Oh." She replied shocked, "They put you with Petunia."
"He did, Dumbledore did." He relented, "He told me there were blood wards up to protect us but that was a lie. I only found out this year that she was adopted. No one else knew."
Rose launched herself at her brother and hugged him tightly, "It had to be awful. Mum is rolling over in her grave. I can't believe Dumbdork sent you to them."
"Dumbdork." Harry chortled, "And I thought I was clever thinking up Dumby."
"It was dad's name for him, I didn't think it up." She giggled, "I like Dumby too. Anyway you have Pads and Moons now don't you?"
"Yes Sirius is my guardian now. I guess that makes him yours as well." Harry shrugged, "How about we let them in?"
"Ok, but we will be discussing what happened to everyone else who was supposed to be taking care of you." She agreed and Harry stood up and picked her up as he went, "Hey!"
"Hush you." He chided and reached for the door.
"Uh… hi." Was all Sirius could manage when he saw Rose for the first time.
"Real articulate Pads." Remus cuffed the back of his head, "Hello, I'm Remus."
"No your Moony and he's Padfoot." Rose grinned, "You guys look old."
"Hey." Sirius objected.
"I'm used to seeing your pictures from Hogwarts." She shrugged, "Harry's old too from what I'm used to. Where's the rest?"
"Rest of who?" Remus asked bewildered.
"Longbottoms and Weasleys." She said, "I expected everyone."
"We thought we break you in a little at a time." Harry said, "But they're all here plus a few extras."
"Great, put me down and we'll go see the rest." She directed, "After that we can get to know each other. I've been kept out of the loop for a while."
"You and me both." Harry grumbled but followed a chuckling Hoberk.
The introductions went as well as could be expected. Rose was shocked that Neville's parents were injured so badly. She was thrilled with all the Weasleys, especially Ginny, Luna and Hermione were thought to be outstanding, McGonagall, Bones and Shacklebolt just received shy smiles and waves, last but not least was Tonks. Rose loved her, just like Harry did. She was immediately adopted as an older sister by Rose and Harry agreed to the idea whole heartedly. When they were nearly ready to leave a flash of fire caught everyone's attention.
"Fawkes!" Harry watched the bird land on the chair in front of him, "How are you doing? I haven't seen you for a while."
Harry reached out and stroked the bird, it leaned into his hand. Rose had backed away and was watching with some apprehension, "Harry do you know who that bird belongs to?"
"Fawkes doesn't belong to anyone. Not anymore." Harry spoke with some heat in his voice but then calmed, "I understand your concern when I first thought of him after the truth came out I wondered how such a symbol of light could be fooled by him. Then I wondered if all the information I had ever heard about the Phoenix was incorrect. But I found out that Dumbdork was controlling him with potion laced fruit. It kept Fawkes from being able to break away once he had been caught."
"Dumbdork?" Ron chuckled, "That's new."
"It was Dad's name for him." Rose offered.