Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter characters.

Chapter Ten: Time to Change the World

The Harpies won the cup even though Cho Chang caught the snitch. Not surprisingly, Ginny Weasley was named most valuable player of the game after scoring eighteen goals and committing a nearly a dozen assists. The Harpies chasers were simply too much for the Dragons to overcome though they fought it out till the bitter end.

As a member of last year's champion team and most valuable player for the World Cup, Harry was called upon to present the trophies for this year's Cup and MVP. He enthusiastically presented handshakes of congratulations for the recipient. He then proceeded to the Dragon side and did the same, only kissing the hand of the Dragon's seeker, earning himself a glare of absolute contempt from one Ginny Weasley.

At this point Ginny's ire was a source of great amusement and he promised himself to seek her displeasure at all available avenues.

If he was truthful with himself, she was as much a part of the reason they were apart as her Father's ultimatum. He had no intention of kissing and making nice, not after putting his heart on the line time and again only to have it broken at every avenue. All he knew was that he had tried to win her heart several times and always came up empty. After talking with Fleur and realizing there might be other options available to him, he was done chasing after the Chaser. It was her turn.

Some day down the line, either she would get her head out of her arse, or she wouldn't. Either way, he was done beating a dead hippogriff. Love, passion, or whatever it was he felt aside, he had things to do and places to go.

In view of recent events and plans requiring immediate attention; Harry offered the Chang's the comfort of his home as he wouldn't be making use of it for the foreseeable future.

Harry and Gringotts hit the ground running, completely overhauling the Chinese Magical Ministry and consequently making themselves instantly popular among public opinion.

New avenues of commerce were explored and instituted not only with Europe, but also with the West. The Chinese economic system flourished opening new job opportunities and avenues for highly profitable enterprise. The ministry coffers filled to overflowing.

Harry opened a branch of Knight Way, providing relief for the poor and homeless, but especially for the orphaned children of magical China. His two partners in crime immediately came on board, also opening two new satellite locations of WWW. Apparently the Chinese magical world had had little to laugh about previously and were eager for a change; one that the twins were only too happy to fulfill for a modest profit, the majority of which was funneled right into the Knight Way relief effort.

Thanks to his elemental abilities, Harry was able to travel home to England whenever he had a free moment, though he chose to spend more time than was necessary in China. The Chinese people made him not only feel needed, but welcome. He found himself considering England less and less his home. He was needed there too, but here he was at least appreciated.

Harry spent the majority of his time in England attending to duties at Gringotts, overseeing their planned joint venture to take place beginning November first. He visited the Changs, who found his elvin family as delightful and inviting as he did.

McGonagal and Pomfrey saw him frequently, as did the Grangers. He was distancing himself more and more from the Weasleys, as this would make the coming separation that much easier all around.

Neither Ron nor Hermione were too pleased with his seemingly cavalier attitude regarding them, a change that he was honor bound to not divulge the reasoning for.

Toward the end of October he, somewhat reluctantly, escorted the winner of the Magical Night/Knight contest out for a night of dining and dancing. Though wary, he approached the date with a positive attitude after his potential date confided that she hadn't really expected to win and was mainly donating the few galleons she'd spent to Knight Way, a charitable enterprise that she readily supported. She considered withdrawing, but after talking with Harry on the floo reconsidered, as long as he kept their date simple and out of the limelight.

His date, one Carrie Hartford, was a twenty-six year old muggle born who worked in the artifacts restoration department of Gringotts Scottish Division. Carrie was a short brunette with a rather athletic frame and pert features that gave her a pixyish look that he found wholly endearing.

The night had gone comfortably well, so much so that he was tempted to ask for an encore, but his current predicament loomed on the horizon, making any long term commitments involving pursuit of a relationship on English soil out of the question.

He explained his dilemma as best as he could without divulging too many details, trying to impress upon the witch that he was refreshingly interested in seeing her again, but prior commitments would not allow for the pursuit of a long term relationship.

Being that she was an employee of Gringotts; she was, to a degree, aware through interdepartmental gossip that he and Gringotts were entering into a serious undertaking that would entail his relocation abroad. Whatever that entailed, it was a closely guarded secret known only among the higher echelon of Gringott's and Harry, himself.

Though initially disappointed, she genuinely understood and was quite flattered that he was at least interested in her in a more than a platonic sense.

She was also greatly surprised by his gentle nature and crisp sense of humor, not to mention the gallant gentleman he proved to be.

The fact that he was 'drop dead gorgeous' did little to sway her negatively, especially in view of the fact that he was wholly unaware of how attractive he really was.

Carrie hadn't known exactly what to expect, but Harry wasn't anything like she'd feared he would be, quite the contrary.

They paused at Carrie's door neither knowing quite how to end their date.

Actually, Harry knew exactly how he wanted to conclude the evening, but didn't think Carrie would appreciate him sweeping her into his arms and planting one on her mouth.

Instead, he took her trembling hands in his and thanked her sincerely for giving him the chance to just be "Harry" for an evening.

He placed a chaste kiss upon her hand and said something that she would never forget.

"I find myself wishing more and more that I was just "Harry", now, more so than ever."

He turned and vanished into the night before she could so much as thank him for a wonderful evening.

The next day, Carrie found a modest bouquet of flowers waiting at her desk with a sweet note attached. If nothing else , she would have a treasured memory to share with her grandchildren and the card to prove it.

On the twenty-fourth of October, the magical newspapers were filled with advertisements announcing that Harry Potter was performing in concert live and for no charge; Saturday, October thirty-first at Chudley Stadium. The concert was detailed as being a personal gift from the Magical Knight in a show of appreciation for the people of Magical Britain.

On the twenty-sixth of October, the Wizengamot voted down purposed bill titled: E.L.F. Equality, Liberality and Freedom, by a vote of 48-10, condemning British elves to continued indentured service. The minister himself had voted for and lobbied for the bill, but public opinion, backed by years of pure blood supremacy and bigotry, could not be swayed.

The Magical Knight himself, along with the upper echelon of Gringotts attended the session and left without comment, other than disappointment etched on their faces.

Harry had walked by Arthur Weasley, at the legislature doors, without so much as even passing recognition, despite Arthur's strained assurances that his staff would pursue other means by alleviating the elves plight.

Only Raynock showed even a hint of interest over what Arthur had to offer, stating: "You delude yourself, sir. Grateful, though we are; it is sheer folly, if not madness, to expect some semblance of an open mind among today's wizarding population."

Arthur Weasley paled at that, watching impotently as the Goblin delegation passed him by without so much as a glance of recognition. No one among them had any allusions that the bill would ever pass, but still, one could hope that some modicum of sanity would prevail at some point in Wizarding society.

A dejected and weary Arthur Weasley returned home that night seeking the comfort of his wife and her fabulous culinary abilities. He didn't need to tell her the outcome of the vote, the papers had been full of it, a special afternoon edition of The Prophet, already rested by his place at the head of the table.

They ate in silence for the most part. It was only he, Molly and Ginny; who was staying with them prior to the start of the Quidditch practice set for the middle of November.

At length, Ginny was the first to enquire sheepishly, "Daddy, did you get a chance to talk to Harry after the vote today?"

Her father sighed wearily before returning. "No, honey; he and the goblins were understandably disappointed by the outcome of the vote and I think they just wanted to put it behind them after a trying morning."

Ginny nodded her understanding.

"He hasn't so much as floo'd since we got back from China, Arthur?" Molly worriedly reminded her, all too aware of the fact, husband.

Harry's stance was not surprising to Arthur in the least, not in light of the banishment he'd enforced upon Harry. It was a 'gentlemen's agreement', which he had kept his wife blissfully unaware of for her own sake and sanity.

He hated himself for what he'd done in a moment of weakness, wondering himself if the position of Magical Minister was cursed. He still couldn't believe he had pressured Harry into a position of having to banish himself from his own homeland. After a great deal of introspection, Arthur arrived at the startling conclusion that he had evicted Harry for doing the right thing, further punishing him for helping someone while still trying to prevent any harm that may occur to his own family by future association with Harry. As of November first, Harry Potter might possibly exile himself from all British shores and the nation would lose its greatest treasure. England was no longer Harry's home, (as far as he was concerned), or these still his people; the same home and people which Harry had saved, time and again, without receiving a hint of gratitude in return. They'd awarded him the nation's highest citation: The Order of Merlin First Class, albeit posthumously, when he was masquerading as Alan Brandt. Since that time no effort had been put into presenting the award in a personal ceremony. Hell, the damn medal itself still hung at the entrance of the Ministry, only the plague had been changed from "posthumously awarded" to a generic accolade.

Arthur felt low, dirty. Despite he and Molly having denied Harry the right to court Ginny, he'd pushed things another and more final step further. He knew he'd gone too far. Harry was much like James; his father, with hints of Sirius thrown in and even a bit of his grandfather, Charles. All were good men. Like all good men, they would only bend so far, and he had pushed Harry too far. He tried to call off their agreement; but Harry neither answered his floo and all owls he sent returned with their post undelivered.

Arthur had beseeched Bill to intercede on his behalf at Grigotts, but Harry was never available, and he doubted that Bill had tried very hard as he was still angered over Harry having spirited his wife away to parts and for reasons unknown, at the Chinese Ministerial Ball. Fleur's unwillingness to impart what had transpired between her and Harry, only served to fuel Bill's displeasure.

In a last ditch effort, he even went groveling to Hermione's parents, trying to get them to contact Harry on his behalf, but he was met with polite, yet cool rebuff. Neither was of a mind to forgive him for interfering between Harry and Ginny, in the first place. If they knew what he had done now, he would probably need to flee for his very life from Jane's wrath.

Though innocent of current circumstances, Molly still suffered the absence, perhaps even the loss of her close friend. Jane Granger was nearly as cross with Molly as she was with himself. He couldn't blame her. He was wrong for the right reasons, but still wrong. He knew that now. He'd known it all along if he was honest with himself.

Ron had put things in cool perspective and shown him for the hypocrite he was.

Nearly daily, Ginny had asked him and Molly to reconsider. He might have, he wanted to even, but as things stood now, he wasn't sure that Harry would be receptive to the idea.

Arthur coddled and lied to himself that it was only a bit of time; a short reprieve to give Ginny and Harry the chance to explore for themselves and maybe even move farther apart, Merlin willing.

All these poisons ran thru his mind as he watched his only daughter poise herself to make yet another plea for them to reconsider.

Ginny, bless her,…some part of her still loved Harry. She'd had it, lost it, found it, fought it and now finally… was beginning to embrace it. You could see it shinning in her eyes and hear it in her pleading voice.

He had no doubt that some part of Harry, despite all that's happened, still felt the same; though he doubted Harry's legendary stubbornness and pride would allow him to admit it,… even to himself.

He had to find a way to stop Harry from leaving and in so doing, avoid a tragedy on many fronts.

Here it comes…

"Mum,…daddy…I want your permission to date Harr…?

BAMF!

A bluish fire ball erupted in cloud of purple tinged smoke and the smell of fire and brimstone, scaring Mrs. Weasley half out of her wits.

The smoke cleared and...

"What the bloody hell is that!" Mr. Weasley blurted out pulling his wand from the folds of his robe.

A greenish-purple hued little,.. well, whatever it is, it looked nothing so much as the likeness of a miniature dragon. It had a sinuous body with a long ridged tail that came to a devil's point. It had leathern wings, and a horned head tapering to a fanged snout that seemed to puff purple smoke in exasperation over the family alarmed hysterics.

The most startling thing of all is that it had glowing emerald green eyes that looked just like…

"Harry's eyes!" Ginny remarked excitedly.

The little beast squealed at the mention of Harry's name and scrabbled across the table in Ginny's direction excitedly.

"Ginny don't…!"her mother tried to warn, but too late.

The creature launched itself toward Ginny, gliding up and landing smoothly on her shoulder and slithered across the back of her neck around and under her arm before perching against the side of her face and rubbing its little horned head affectionately against her cheek, its tail curled lazily around her neck, anchoring itself in place.

"That tickles." Ginny giggled delightedly. She reached up and scratched gently behind the creatures pointed ears and around the base of its miniscule horns.

The creature's eyes closed lazily, wisps of purple smoke puffed from its nostrils as it began to…purr?

"Heavens,… what in the world…?" Mrs. Weasley questioned in stunned disbelief, gaping at the bonding going on between her daughter and that,… well whatever it was?

Mr. Weasley's eyes shifted in consternation, back and forth between his wife and that thing curled affectionately around his daughter's throat.

He was just about to ask the obvious when…

"Poof" A flaming note appeared in the air and fluttered down to rest smolderingly on the dining table, while ashes floated away lazily across the room.

Mrs. Weasley snatched up the note and immediately scanned the page, stopped, gasped and shifted her gaze to the creature purring at her daughter's throat, then read the note again. She chuckled to herself and proceeded to read the note out loud to her family:

Everyone,

I'd like to introduce you to "Lockheed". Lockheed is, to my understanding,…a draconum.

Draconums are an ancient magical breed of miniature dragons long thought extinct. They're wrongfully considered demonic in origin, but are actually- creatures of the light.

There method of travel is a bit noxious, but you get use to it in a week or two.

They're highly magical, excellent judges of character and readily bond to worthy wizarding folk, tending to be rather overzealous in their affections!

Lockheed is quite capable of hunting his own meals and cleans up after himself in a rather catlike fashion, (though he doesn't like the comparison).

He squeaks and squawks and grumbles and growls but his tones give him away and he is generally very affectionate,… but fiercely protective. If he starts to growl, he has good reason to; so be wary of who's about. He's a living sneakoscope!

The goblins found his egg in an old abandoned vault they were renovating and presented it to me as a potential familiar. Unfortunately, it's a bit soon for me having so recently lost my beloved, "Shadow".

I thought, perhaps, that he might find a better home with Ginny if she'd willing?

Molly paused as Ginny let out a squeal of delight, hugging her new friend to her cheek, cooing his name.

Molly continued to read:

He hatched almost instantly on contact with my palm. Initially his eyes were black, but they quickly seemed to mimic my own, green ones. I don't know if it's permanent or if he adjusts his eye color to mimic his chosen familiar. He could do worse than chocolate brown, if you ask me?

Molly paused her reading, noting Ginny's furious blush at Harry's intimation that he liked her eye color.

"I like the green." Ginny told Lockheed, stroking him fondly. The draconum stretched and extended his talons- catlike, to show his pleasure as he purred deep in his throat puffing miniature purple clouds of smoke.

Molly shared a knowing glance with her husband, who for his part looked gratified.

Molly finished the note:

I send him to you, Ginny, with a full heart. He will make an excellent protector and companion.

I have taken the liberty of leaving tickets for all of you at the box office for this Saturday's performance as a show of my continued affection despite all that's happened between us.

Please come, Harry

Molly gently folded the note and tucked it into her apron pocket. She would press it into her albums as she did all of Harry's missives. Arthur knew it was her secret wish to share them with her grandchildren one day…Harry and Ginny's offspring.

Molly turned hopeful, beseeching eyes on her husband. Arthur sighed, smiling his agreement.

"Ginny?"

Their daughter was so excited over her new , er.. familiar, that she was jabbering to the little critter and twirling about oblivious to her father trying to get her attention.

"Ginny?" he raised his voice startling her. Ginny's head twisted in their direction.

"Sorry" he apologized for surprising her. "You have your mother's and my blessing, pumpkin."

"He won't be any bother, you'll see. I'll take care of him. You won't have to do a thing, I swear." she rushed to reassure her parents, not understanding their context.

"You won't even know he's here."

Arthur chuckled at that. "Somehow I doubt that?"

Molly's eyes were shinning in amusement.

"But that's not what your mother and I mean. We mean you have our blessing to pursue a relationship with Harry if that's what the two of you want."

'Oh, Daddy, Mum!" Ginny squealed, throwing herself at her mother.

Molly faltered a bit before drawing Ginny into a hug, nervously trying to avoid the side her, er,.. thing was perched on before hugging her daughter affectionately.

Molly pulled out of the hug after several moments, eyeing the critter curled about her daughter.

"Isn't he wonderful mum?" her daughter gushed.

"Hmm?" Molly considered uncertainly. She waggled her finger at the draconum, warning: "Now listen here you? I won't have you mucking about in my cupboards upsetting my kitchen. And another thing…"

"Rowwrr" Lockheed growled, but in a playful fashion, pouncing on Molly's finger, nipping it affectionately.

"Well, er,.. he is rather sweet isn't he?" she melted. "You're a charmer you are,.. and those eyes!" Molly simpered appreciatively.

Arthur cleared his throat, gathering their attention. "Er,.. welcome to the family, er,..Lockheed, is it?"

Harry strolled casually down the main block of Dagon Alley incognito. He was dressed in jeans and a black jumper with white trainers. A Chudley Canons cap covered his famous scar.

He paused in front of the twin's shop mulling over his plans in his head.

Hmmm,…WWW's going to have an entirely new meaning come Sunday morning.

Schooling his features to their most innocent appearance he stepped into the twin's shop.

The walls and aisles were filled with every type of brightly colored contraption and gizmo the twin's overactive imagination could conceive of

A pair of witches were checking out the twins new concoction innocently advertised as "Party Peppermints"

One witch poured a couple of the seemingly benign mints into her hand popped one into her mouth and gave the other to her curious friend.

Harry waited for it…

The first witch turned flamming red and grabbed her throat as she gasped out a six foot gout of flame. Seeing her friend's predicament the second witch spat out the mint which burst into flame as it went 'squealing' across the counter, throwing itself into a nearby cup of water that hissed and steamed on contact.

Harry chuckled under his breath and made his way to the counter.

George was going over a ledger and had yet to look up asking, "Just give us a minute sport?"

Harry waited patiently and moments later, George signed off in his ledger and looked up smiling brightly.

"Now then what can I do for you good, si….Nooo!" his smile faltered and he took an involuntary stepping back, hissing apprehensively.

"Morning George." Harry greeted with a charming smile, seemingly oblicious to his friend's guarded behavior.

"Fred-Code One!" George shouted in warning.

His twin bolted into the shop with his wand in one hand and what appeared to be a muggle fire hose in the other.

Immediately upon seeing Harry, he dropped his wand and grabbed the release nozzle of the hose, aiming directly at Harry.

Harry held his hand out in a non threatening gesture. "I come in peace." he reassured the two.

"And you can go in pieces!" George spat back.

"Now is that any way to treat and old friend and partner?" Harry returned feigning hurt.

"That's how we treat old gits and devious prats." Fred spat back warily.

Harry sighed and shook his head disappointedly. "Here I come to offer an 'olive branch' and this is how I'm treated?"

Harry hand moved toward his back pocket as he spoke, Fred held up the water nozzle threateningly.

"One false move and you won't need to brush your teeth for a week!" he warned.

Harry nodded his understanding and gently pulled two gold tickets out of his pocket and placed them hesitantly on the counter in front of his two suspicious friends.

Both twins took a wary step back.

"What're those?' George growled suspiciously.

"Two tickets two my concert this week- front row, of course." he added.

"Any particular reason you want us to use those particular two tickets?" Fred speculated, his brother nodded, narrowing his eyes next to him.

"They are the best seats in the house. I thought you and the family deserved only the best." he amended sincerely.

"To true" George agreed, but showed no inclination to accept Harry's would be 'generous offer'.

"You must think were complete gits?" Fred scoffed.

"Idgits of the first order?" his twin added.

"You are" Harry agreed with a chuckle.

"Even we're not gullible enough to grab up those pair of port keys to Merlin knows what horrors await!"Fred scoffed ignoring the added slight.

"Hose 'em, Fred!" George barked.

Harry blurred to the side, perching himself directly in front of their fireworks display, knowing that if they cut loose with the hose, they'd destroy a lot of valuable merchandise, not to mention hard work.

"Don't-Don't!" George nearly screamed in alarm.

Fred's hand paused on mid pull of the nozzle, his eyes wide in alarm over the danger Harry's location presented.

"You black hearted fiend-you." George growled at Harry.

Harry shrugged his shoulders." It's a new sweater." he returned innocently, adding."My offer is genuine. The tickets are exactly as I've claimed."

"Thanks, but no" Fred refused flatly.

Harry grimaced. "Tell you what? I'll leave a block of seats up front for the whole family. You all can pick at random whatever seats you'd like. Despite any, er, personal history between us,… you know I'd never risk pranking you're mum or dad or even the Grangers, right?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Right" George agreed with some trepidation.

"Please, I'd really like for you to come? I'd mean a lot to me." Harry pleaded with his eyes.

Softening, the twins shared an uncertain look before Fred asked. "If this is a setup, things'll start getting nasty." he warned.

Harry nodded his understanding, seemingly relieved that they agreed to come. "You won't be disappointed, I promise."

"Alright then" George accepted. "Keep the hose on him till he's outta sight, Gred." he instructed his brother.

Harry backed his way out of the shop, bolting out the door when a new patron came in.

Both twins sighed in relief when he'd gone.

Harry smirked evilly.

Now to see to the pranking of our dear esteemed Minister. He plotted, fire traveling to the Headmistress's office at Hogwarts.

"Harry, what a delightful surprise." Minerva McGonagal rose, holding out her hands, which Harry took and returned charmingly…

"The pleasure's all mine, Minnie."

"And what mischief, pray tell, are you about this morning?' she recognized the cunning twinkle in his eyes.

"That transparent, am I?" he chuckled.

"You've a look that I used to often see on your father and that hound, Sirius."Minerva noted.

"I was, er, hoping to kill two or three birds with one stone so to speak?" he suggested.

Intrigued, Minerva raised an eyebrow, "Go on…"

"How'd you like a respite from one pesky poltergeist and a simpering-sad ghost?"

Minerva smirked. "Who do I have to kill?"

Minutes later….

"Why should peevsy bother helping you, wee potty?"

Harry crossed his arms considering the pretentious poltergeist.

"Two reasons. First of all, I am the Magical Knight charged in the service and protection of the Magical races and they in turn are beholden to me to render assistance should I have need. I believe ghosts and, er, poltergeists fall into that category?"

Peeves blew an ectoplasmic raspberry in Harry's face to show his disdain.

"Alright then, on to the second."

Harry flicked his fingers at the little pest, summoning a mini-cyclone that he tied to the poltergeist's energy signature.

The harsh winds blew the poltergeist about the armory they were standing in, sending the pest careening into walls, knocking into ancient weapons and sending suits of armor clanging across the flagstone floor.

After several moments, Harry cancelled the elemental cyclonic charm and with a 'snap' of his fingers, righted the room.

"How's that for a motivator?" he asked the panting poltergeist.

"What must Peevsy do for his noble knight ship?" the poltergeist whined in defeat.

Harry brushed his fingertips across his shirt sleeve, pausing to innocuously consider his fingernails. "Er, nothing much, except pay a little visit to our Ministry?"

Peeve's ghostly eyes went big as saucers. He clutched his hands together in pleading fashion. "Mayhem, milord?" he begged, not daring to hope.

"Mayhem?" Harry scoffed, dashing the poltergeist's hopes."I- WANT- CHAOS!" Harry demanded.

Peeves snapped to attention with a ghostly fist across his heart. "Long Live House Potter!" he cried with the utmost respect.

Harry nodded, leaving him cackling madly in his zeal as he zoomed around the ceiling singing Harry's praises as the 'greatest wizard ever'.

That accomplished, Harry made his way to a familiar; witch's washroom.

He poked his head in the door… "Oh, Myrtle?"