Chapter 10
Summertime
Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling
This fanfiction is not for profit
June 20th 1992 Greater London
The mudblood fuck had led them a merry chase but it was over now. Stebbins had never thought to clear himself of trackers, he had just run like the animal he was.
Flint looked on as the others set the wards, anti apparition, anti portkey. There would be no mistake, not this time. There would be no damn flashing light, no cannon blast. No hundreds of wands would come charging at him. School was out and Stebbins was about to learn some brutal real life lessons. He'd never have a chance to apply them of course. He would die screaming, or maybe not. It might be fun to take his voice before the end.
The wards settled over the gathering, heavy as lead. Lord Malfoy had provided the equipment, all first rate stuff. He wasn't one to leave things to chance, Malfoy.
They formed up into their teams again. Two squads of seven, one of veterans, one of the best of the Hogwarts lads. Malfoy tapped the broken street with his cane ending the low muttering of the waiting Death Eaters.
"We have run our target to it's den and interdicted magical travel. As this is a training exercise I will take suggestions as to our next step."
Flint took his next step into his glorious future. "Sir, we should interdict mundane travel as well. To that end we should surround the structure to prevent Stebbins running. When that is accomplished we penetrate the building and subdue any hostiles before proceeding with the evenings entertainment."
The only sound was the soft rhythmic tapping of Lord Malfoy's cane on the macadam. Flint knew the long silence for what it was, a test of nerve.
"Very well Mister Flint. I think your plan will do quite nicely. I will leave you lads to it as I need to be seen elsewhere. That damn Bones will be sure to have the DMLE sniffing around me after the last Board Meeting. A full report by noon tomorrow, including memories. Mister Flint will lead unless there is need for a more experienced hand."
Lord Malfoy turned and sauntered into the dark of the gloomy alley. Flint cleared his throat and lifted his chin.
"Right. Veterans squad to surround the building and stop any escape attempts. Me and my mates will enter and pacify. I'll signal before the fun. Lively gentlemen, there is drinking to be done yet this evening."
The veterans sniffed and spat but they moved off without a challenge. Flint winced when he realized he hadn't set his entry team to assault both doors. Next time. It's only that bastard Stebbins and his mudblood family.
There was only the soft scuff of a boot, the whisper of heavy fabric as their cloaks fluttered. The Death Eaters spread out and closed on the dilapidated old building. Grimy brick, crumbling masonry, it huddled in the night. The windows were covered in wire mesh, rusting, painted a scabrous green. Flint heard a piercing whistle.
"Blow the door."
A pale sixth year, Palmer, blew the door into the interior with a reducto. It was amazingly loud, the blast and the clangor of the shattered door caroming off the wall.
"Inside lads! It's our turn now!"
They roared, a primal savage sound, leveled their wands and sprinted into the dark. Flint paced after them, a lumos lighting his way. Here and there in the vast space his squad members cast their own lighting charms.
Nothing. Empty. It was a huge open space, rusty iron pillars space uniformly across it to support the roof trusses, the concrete of the floor scarred and broken. Abandoned bits of ancient industrial machinery littered the corners. Several pallets loaded with 55 gallon drums formed a rough circle in the middle of the space; There was a rickety set of stairs on one wall that rose a single flight to what looked to be a dingy office. Flint snapped his fingers and pointed at it. Everyone moved to obey.
"Just two of you. One man to guard each door. The rest work together to see if he's hiding disillusioned."
They formed a line and began spraying jets of water across the floor, watching for footsteps, looking for shapes in the spray.
They had half of the main room cleared when one of the pair that had gone to check the office called down to the main floor.
"He's not up here Flint."
"Right. One of you stay up there. The other to me."
It only took a few more minutes to clear the main floor. Stebbins wasn't there.
"Merlin's bleeding.. Check the trackers again!"
"He's here Flint. He's here somewhere."
"Check the roof trusses. He might be perched up there. Don't worry about hurting him getting him down."
The squad cast stunner after stunner as they worked across the space without finding their prey.
"Bloody hell!"
Flint was red with embarrassment and beginning to sweat when it came to him. There, as plain as day was the manhole cover in the center of the room.
"Lads I think our friend has found a nice little hole to crawl into! Gather round you lot!"
They ran to him, laughing and excited, forming a loose circle around the massive iron plate covering Stebbins bolt hole.
Flint smirked as he cast the levitation charm on the cover.
The circuit was nothing complicated. Jimmy had activated it as he pulled the cover in place. So long as there was power to the coil, the relay stayed open. When the power was cut, the relay closed and sent power to the detonators. As soon as Flint began to lift the cover the relay closed.
Tens of thousands of nails rode the pressure wave with the wall of flame behind. Flint and his squad were vaporized. The veterans who were standing watch outside didn't fare much better as the wreckage of the building annihilated them. The Death Eaters had only a bare instant to know they were dying and it was over. Eleven hundred gallons of Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil going up made a hellish noise, breaking windows for nearly a mile around. Most of the blast force went up, some went out, a little went down.
An instant later, in a fall of rainbow colors, with a heavy whump of pressure and a noise so deep and loud it was a physical blow, Jimmy Stebbins arrived in the little flat, skidding across the floor, smoke curling from his singed clothes.
His eyes were glazed, staring, his mouth open in a silent scream. He scrambled about aimlessly for a few seconds as a trio of seventh year Claws hurried to break the tracking charms on him.
"I'm NEVER doing that again!"
Evening June 20th 1992 Grimmauld Place
Hermione stood from the couch in the Grimmauld library and jittered from foot to foot. Harriet blinked then looked at her friend.
"That time?"
"Yeah." Hermione twisted one hand in the other. "I can stay if you need me?"
Harriet looked at her, a faint smile came to her lips though her eyes were dull. It couldn't be clearer that Harriet was only peripherally aware.
"Do you need me? To stay? Harriet?"
A few seconds passed before Harriet quivered a bit and blinked, "Oh. No. You need to see your family Hermione. I've got my men, I'll be fine."
Harriet levered herself up from the couch and hooked arms with her friend then began to meander towards the front door.
"You're an amazing friend Hermione."
"I'll be in touch alright? You'll be.. OK?"
Padfoot stood behind Harriet, his arms looped around her, rocking her slowly from side to side, his nose in her hair, hands on her shoulders. She reached up and folded her hands into his.
"Yeah. I'll be alright. After all, Padfoot has a plan, what could possibly go wrong?"
Remus groaned at the foolish girl that had just challenged the fates then lifted Hermione's trunk to his shoulder.
"Right then. Ready Miss Granger?"
There was no real reason why the click of the door closing behind Hermione made Hedwig's death more permanent, but it did.
"Padfeet, I'm going to go lay down."
"Right."
Her room was just as she left it except for the accumulation of dust. It was something to do. Harriet gathered the cleaning supplies and began the work.
Evening June 20th 1992 Kings Cross Station
I've missed this so much!
Hermione groaned as she hugged her dad. "Daddy. I've missed you." He kissed the top of her head, released her to her mother's embrace, then wrapped the both of them up in his arms. Remus stood to the side smiling and uncomfortable. Dan nodded to him.
"Good Evening Mister Lupin."
"Mister Granger, it's good to see you again. Ma'am, good to see you as well."
Emma smiled at Remus, "Won't you call me Emma Mister Lupin? Our children are such good friends after all."
He gave them a short awkward bow and a genuine smile.
"I'm Remus then. The girls have made plans to see one another over the holiday. I'm sure we will meet again before very long. Harriet will be looking forward to hearing from you Hermione. You were a great comfort to her today Hermione, thank you."
Lupin faded away into the bustle of Kings Cross. Dan found a trolley for Hermione's trunk then trailed after his ladies. They wiggled through the crowd to the car park and soon enough were buckled in and suffering London traffic.
"How was your term dear?"
Emma looked at Hermione in that special way that demanded full disclosure immediately.
"Term was fine mum. Just fine."
"Hermione, what's wrong? What are you hiding?"
Dan's eyes flicked to the mirror. Yes, she was hiding something. He's seen that look far to often, flashlights under the covers, bullies at recess.
"There was.. an incident at Hogsmeade Station. A man tried to kill Harriet. She's fine, totally fine, a few cuts was all. The man died. Fell from his broom."
Dan cursed and wrenched the car to the side of the motorway in a blare of horns and squealing brakes.
"Someone tried to kill your friend? You saw this?"
"Yes papa. Perhaps it would be better if we got home before we get talk more?"
Emma reached back over the seat and took her daughter's hand, running her thumb over Hermione's knuckles. Dan hesitated, not wanting to wait, but her suggestion made sense so he eased the car back into traffic.
At first the conversation was stilted but before long they were talking more easily about nothing important despite the lingering shadow of a fight to the death. Dan parked and slouched to the boot to begin wrestling Hermione's trunk to her room while Emma started for the kitchen to make tea. Hermione followed her mum.
"Sit down dear. Are you hungry?"
"No mum, not in the least."
Hermione shut her eyes only to see the killing curse rocket towards her, only to hear Quirrell smash to the ground. She jerked and made a soft hurt noise.
"I don't like this Hermione. I don't like it at all."
"Yes mum."
Emma set a plate of biscuits on the table and took the seat next to her daughter while they waited for the water to heat. They listened to Dan clatter down the stairs and hum with satisfaction when he avoided the area rug that often tripped him up for no apparent reason.
He came into the kitchen and took the chair on the other side of his daughter, giving her shoulder a soft pat as Emma rose to brew the tea. His voice was kind, soft, with an underlying layer of fear.
"Take your time dear and don't leave anything out."
They talked long into the night. Hermione told them of the fight at the station, of Hedwig's warning and sacrifice, of the terror and chaos. She told them of Dumbledore revealing himself after it was over and her suspicion that he had been there all along. Her letters home over the course of the term had covered the polarization of the student body and she was grateful she didn't have to explain all that.
Emma and Dan questioned her closely about the shade of Voldemort, what it had said, what it had done. Dan listened carefully then made his decision. He glanced at Emma to see what she thought. Clearly they were of the same opinion.
"We're taking you out of that lunatic asylum of a school."
Hermione nodded. It came as no surprise to her. Her mum and dad had always been very protective of her.
"How will I learn magic?"
"I'm not sure honey. The French school? We can investigate tutors for you as well. You mustn't see Harriet any more. It's just to dangerous to be around her."
"Papa! It's not Harriet! She's my friend, my best friend!"
"It IS Harriet princess. Violence follows her like a lost puppy. She was attacked in London remember, away from that damn school. I wish it weren't so, but it is."
Hermione picked at the hem of the tablecloth and fought tears.
It's useless to argue with him now, his mind is set.
"Can I at least write her? I won't just disappear."
Dan nodded, rose, and moved to stand next to his daughter, pulling her to him in a fierce protective hug.
"I'm sorry it must be this way Hermione. I will protect you. From anything. From everything."
Hermione stood and fidgeted for a moment. "May I be excused please? I'm going to write Harriet."
"Of course honey."
Dan sighed then walked over to Emma and leaned his forehead against her.
"That was very hard Daniel. You're a good man."
"I don't feel very good right now Em."
"No, neither do I."
The Granger's spent an evening in brooding silence, Hermione in her room, Dan and Emma in the study.
Dear Harriet;
First I want to say how sorry I am that you have lost Hedwig. It was terrible, a terrible afternoon. The assault before the holidays was easier in a lot of ways wasn't it?
I'm afraid my parents are being rather draconian. They have decided not to allow my return to Hogwarts as there has been so much violence and danger at school. I'm working on them but it won't be easy and it won't be quick. Parents, right? I'm sure your men are unhappy as well.
I don't expect that I will be able to change their minds before school starts again. If I can change their minds at all.
They have also decided that I shouldn't see you any more. Dad says violence follows you like a lost puppy and I have to say I agree with him, if not with his solution. Of course not seeing you again is not acceptable and I will be overturning the decision as quickly as I may. Until the powers that be come to see the light I'm afraid we will be limited to letters.
I love my parents but they are being totally unreasonable.
Have you finished your summer assignments? Have you begun? YOU BETTER HAVE!
No matter where we go next to learn we need to know all we can about magic and especially combat.
Your best friend.
Hermione
Evening June 20th Greater London
Lucius stood in the Atrium of the Ministry as angry as he had ever been. Word of the disaster in Brixton had made it's way to DMLE. Aurors and Obliviators were being dispatched wholesale while Lucius watched, sweating.
Fourteen stalwart souls blown to hell. Fourteen lost and it looks like they missed Stebbins. It wasn't clear they had even come close.
He gritted his teeth and forced his face back into impassivity. Madame Bones watched him, sharp eyed with a gleam of something suspiciously like satisfaction in her eyes.
"This news troubles you Malfoy?"
"Of course it does Bones. Death Eaters on the move? It's terrible news, just terrible. How is it that DMLE was so soon on the scene of what all reports say was a muggle explosion?"
Madame Bones took a step towards him, crowding him, restricting his movement.
"Do you recall a boy named Stebbins, Malfoy? The boy that you questioned at Hogwarts? Susan warned me that Stebbins was in danger so I had DMLE operatives tag him at the platform. He was very elusive though wasn't he? Quite a slippery eel, Stebbins. I'll be investigating the extremely slow response time of my Aurors after Stebbins went to ground precisely where the explosion occurred. It should be a most enlightening task. Their response time improved dramatically when we got news of the explosion. I'm on my way to thank Yaxley personally."
I've exposed one of the Dark Lord's prize assets in pursuit of a Hufflepuff fourth year!
Lucius fought down a surge of nausea at the thought of the Dark Lord's punishment and promised Stebbins an eternity of agony.
"Yes, how wonderful. As entertaining as a fulsome discussion of your department's shortcomings is, I'm afraid I have serious matters to attend to. If you will excuse me Madame?"
Malfoy gave a short bow, clicking his heels together, then whirled and stalked away. He had retribution to plot. At least there aren't any survivors. No one can link me to the warehouse.
Lucius managed to avoid Skeeter as she trotted into the Atrium and began bellowing questions at Madame Bones while demanding to speak to the Minister. Fudge happily obliged her though Bones did not. Fudge's speech was waffle for the ages.
The DMLE was very interested in having Jimmy Stebbins assist them in their inquiries but Jimmy and his family had vanished along with Mac. Mac and the Stebbins family alternated travel methods between magical and muggle, snarling their trail so completely that they were able to slip out of the country without a ripple.
Aurors began the long tedious process of questioning the coalition while the Prophet camped out in the DMLE, demanding an interview with everyone brought in for questioning. Rita Skeeter hit gold with Summer Rasenby who had just graduated. Skeeter broke the biggest story of her career the next day.
June 21st 1992 Greater London
The Prophet was full of news about the massive explosion that leveled a warehouse in Brixton and killed an undetermined number of wizards. There had been other injuries, broken bones, cuts from flying glass, but no other deaths by some miracle. And they were only muggles after all.
The Minister deplored the deaths and laid the blame at the feet of unnamed radical muggleborn wizards.
Minister Speaks of Brixton Tragedy
"I ask that the citizens of Magical Britannia stay calm and carry on.
At this time the death toll is unknown although Donald Burke and Henry Biswick are known to be deceased. Several other deaths are suspected. The public will be informed once identity is confirmed and next of kin notified.
You have my most solemn vow that your Ministry will leave no stone unturned as we pursue the criminals that have perpetrated this heinous act. I have every faith that the cowards responsible will be brought to justice by our brave Aurors!
In the next few days I shall be bringing new laws before the Wizengamot that will strengthen the ability of the DMLE to apprehend and interrogate criminal elements as your Ministry works to ensure peace and freedom."
Skeeter's bombshell was just below the Minister's statement.
Death Eaters and You Know Who Active Again?
By Rita Skeeter
My dear readers I ask that you prepare yourself for some shocking revelations. In an unprecedented effort to bring you the latest coverage of the ongoing investigation into the Brixton explosion which took the lives of an unknown number of wizards I interviewed Miss Summer Rasenby, a muggleborn who graduated from Hogwarts only yesterday.
Miss Rasenby denied any knowledge of the explosion both to DMLE and to the Daily Prophet. When pressed for further information by your fearless reporter, Miss Rasenby smiled and opined that some Elitists died. The muggleborn witch dared to define an Elitist as "A pureblood who thinks the rest of us are below them."
I immediately suspected Miss Rasenby had been led astray, that she holds our world, our traditions, our very way of life, in contempt. I probed for confirmation and received it when I asked her if she thought purebloods should guide our society. Miss Rasenby responded "not to the exclusion of everyone else."
I asked her how she had come to form such radical opinions.
"Radical Miss Skeeter? Do you really think equality is radical? Did you know the DMLE found Burke and Biswick in Death Eater masks? A report sitting on Auror Dawlish's desk said so. Someone trapped and killed some Death Eaters. I don't feel bad about dead Death Eaters. How about you? Why haven't you reported anything about the fight at the station?"
When Miss Rasenby refused to continue our interview your tireless reporter pursued Ms. Rasenby's mention of a mysterious fight at the station and can now report the shocking truth.
On June 20th Former Hogwarts Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts Quirnius Quirrell died while attempting the murder of Harry Potter.
Potter, who was traveling from Hogwarts to the Express, exited his coach at Hogsmeade Station only to be met by a hail of killing curses. Potter returned fire despite injuries to him and his close friend muggleborn Hermione Granger. Granger attempted to get Potter under cover while Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Alastor Moody and Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt worked to subdue Quirrell who was disillusioned and flying overhead. Quirrell was eventually stunned and died in a fall from his broom.
Albus Dumbledore was immediately at the scene. Multiple sources claim that a wraith claiming to be He Who Must Not Be Named was also present. The Ministry refuses any comment citing an ongoing investigation and security concerns.
At this time there are no further details available.
The Marauders and Mad Eye hovered over the Prophet cursing their lack of solid intelligence. Madame Bones would be much to busy to brief them even if they could think of a reason why she should. They sat discussing the story of the explosion until a Ministry owl fluttered into the kitchen.
"Harriet! Mail call!"
Harriet bolted out of her sinfully comfortable wing back chair and dashed for the door of her bedroom, yelling as she ran.
"Coming! Don't you gits dare read my mail!"
She thundered down the stairs ignoring Petunia's screeching about noise interrupting the telly. She pounded down the hall then jumped the short flight of stairs down into the kitchen. The owl took to wing in alarm and she pursued, grabbing at it.
That turned out to be the least effective method of securing her post. It took a few minutes and more than a few ruffled feathers before she had her letter and the owl it's bacon.
The bird cackled, alternating bites of glorious fatty goodness with glares at the silly little witch.
Remus, being the tallest of her men, was positioned directly behind her to read over the top of her head while Sirius leaned in from her right. Mad Eye hadn't stirred from his seat at the table. He had his eye and years of experience using it, no doubt he could read her mail without moving.
"Should I just read it out then?"
She ripped open the envelope which was from the Ministry and groaned as she read. She was informed that she had cast a Levitation charm on June 20th overturning the proper order of things and steps were being taken. A hearing would be held. Evidence would be collected. Punishment would be administered. Warnings were in hand. Dire predictions were made. Cheerful good wishes finished the letter.
"Bloody fucking..."
Sirius clamped a hand over her mouth, Mad Eye only looked interested in where she was going with it but Remus glared at her and began to lecture.
"Harriet Lily Potter! Your mouth is atrocious! You reject everything about dear Vernon but his swearing. You would be well served to reject that as well! Any more of that and it's soap for you!"
She took a quick poll and knew she hadn't the votes. "Yes sir."
"So. A hearing tomorrow. Will last years dress robes fit or do we need to dash and get you some?"
"I'm positive we need to dash! Yes, yes, a mad dash! Let the dashing begin!"
Sirius was snorting while Mad Eye grinned into his tea. She hustled around, chivvying her men out the door as quickly as possible. They apparated to the courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron and were soon sauntering up Diagon Alley to Madame Malkin's.
After a suitable amount twittering and fussing Harriet picked a very nice robe made of a dark green satin that flowed around her as she walked letting her feel very elegant indeed. Sirius tried to force the matching hat on her but Harriet held firm. Witches hats were the ugliest head gear ever devised, she was sure of it.
She was up early the next day, the hearing was scheduled for ten but Moody suspected the fix was in and they should be there much earlier. Harriet showered and hurried through her makeup, just a bit of mascara, a touch of eyeshadow and some lip gloss. Lav and Pav had their uses. She spent the longest time trying to decide on shoes before picking her favorite stack heel black boots. She stared at her reflection and frowned at the barely noticeable swelling of her chest, the subtle flare of her hips. She looked like a little girl playing dress up.
Any impartial observer would have said she was lovely, her hair a rich deep red, close cut to frame her face while hiding the faint remains of the famous lightning bolt scar, her beautifully shaped eyes a glowing emerald green, long dark lashes, lips that often quirked into a smile. She was not impartial, she was twelve nearly, and a special girl at that, and so was full of self doubt.
They were waiting, Pavlov's dogs. Harriet was home and that meant a home cooked breakfast. They talked quietly as she cooked, the soft murmur relaxing in it's normality. By quarter to nine they were ready, Mad Eye under his invisibility cloak, Harriet with Sirius, Remus to go first. Remus vanished with a soft pop. Harriet took a deep breath and bruised Sirius with her grip as he pulled her through the constriction of apparition.
They came back into normal space in the Atrium and made their way to the security desk to have their wands weighed.
"What happens if your wand is overweight?"
The guard blinked at Harriet, "Bad Things."
Padfoot and Harriet exchanged an eye roll. Remus joined them at the bank of elevators. Harriet could hear the faint tap of Moody's peg leg hovering nearby.
They made their way to the Improper Use of Magic office deep in the darkest depths of the Ministry. Harriet began teasing Padfoot about their last encounter with the Ministry, their post N.E.W.T. seminar in Death by Bureaucracy.
"I think she was falling for you Padfoot. She had that look about her. Could change your luck yeah?"
"You. Not! Know! Look!"
"Padfoot! The cruelty of you!"
The aide at the first desk was not amused.
"How can the Improper Use of Magic Department serve you this morning?"
Harriet bit back a suggestion that minding their own business would be a fabulous start.
"I was sent a notification of hearing for today at 10am. Can you tell me where the hearing is and if the time is correct?"
The receptionist held her hand out. Harriet lifted an eyebrow, shrugged, and took her hand. The woman jerked her hand free then snapped her fingers, irked.
"Papers?"
Harriet blushed, then dug into her clutch for the notice of hearing, extricated it, smoothed it out and handed it over.
"Oh. Oh yes. The Potter affair. This notice has been superseded. Your hearing began three minutes ago in courtroom ten."
She tsked at Harriet's tardiness.
"You had better run. I'll send word that you are en-route."
Harriet and her men rushed for the elevator. Mad Eye became both visible and very profanely audible. By the time they arrived on the ninth floor Moody was back under cover. They hurried down a crude corridor in what was clearly an older section of the Ministry. Remus held the door to courtroom ten as Sirius marched through with Harriet on his arm.
They made an impressive sight, flushed and angry, eyes bright. Sirius was lean, handsome, dark, dangerous looking. Harriet was lovely and fresh. Both of them vibrant, full of life.
Before them was arrayed the full Wizengamot in all it's fussy purple glory. Harriet was pleased to see that the uniform of the Wizengamot continued the Wizarding tradition of terrible hats. Front and center was Dumbledore in one of his exuberant fashion disasters. To Dumbledore's right sat Fudge, his lime green bowler tipped at a jaunty angle. Malfoy sneered from his seat amid a tangle of dour looking men.
Dumbledore didn't look happy. Harriet's mood improved. Fudge ruffled himself up then tapped a pile of parchment into fastidious alignment before addressing Harriet.
"You're late Potter."
Remus answered him.
"Miss Potter's notice states that her hearing was to be in the Improper Use of Magic Office at ten this morning."
Fudge brushed his answer aside.
"The change of venue and time was sent in the approved manner."
The Minister turned to address the Wizengamot, gesturing broadly.
"This proves Potter cares nothing for the law!"
Madame Bones took a calming breath and stood.
"Minister Fudge, I'm sure you will agree that not receiving a notice of change is not proof of lawlessness."
Fudge bristled but only sidestepped the issue.
"Yes, yes. Moving forward. Madame Hopkirk, if you would be so kind as to state the charges?"
Malfida Hopkirk, head of the Improper Use of Magic Department, was a pleasant looking middle aged woman. She seemed to be a bit rattled as she stood to face the Minister and the Wizengamot.
"Minister, there are no charges as such. Miss Potter cast a Levitation charm during the summer holiday."
She paused to glare at Harriet the scofflaw.
"In fact, Miss Potter cast magic barely an hour into the holiday. Children are prohibited from the use of magic outside of school Miss Potter!"
She paused again, her glare at full power, waiting for Harriet's response. Harriet nodded, "Yes Ma'am." Hopkirk nodded as well and turned to the Minister.
"This was her first offense so a warning was sent as is standard procedure."
She returned her stern stare to Harriet.
"You should know, Miss Potter, that you now have a permanent mark on your record. Any further transgressions may result in a hearing to determine your suitability to continue as a member of our society."
Assuming Harriet was suitably cowed, Hopkirk turned her attention to Fudge again.
"I'm not at all sure why your office scheduled a hearing before the full Wizengamot sir. Perhaps you could elucidate?"
Fudge flailed wildly, as if to hail a taxi.
"There you have it! Proof! Proof positive of the Ministry's suspicions! It's clear that deficiencies in Potter's care are leading him to the Dark! He has consistently defied reasonable standards of behavior while exhibiting a notable lack of regard for our finest families and proper wizarding traditions! I insist we address this crucial issue immediately!"
Harriet watched goggle eyed as the Minister finished his ridiculous speech and slammed his palm onto the table before him causing an echoing bang. He liked that, so he did it again. Harriet's voice was soft, reflective, and came amid one of those odd silences that sometimes happen. She was heard by everyone.
"You really are an idiot aren't you?"
There were immediate cries of outrage, fists were shaken and well fed chins wobbled, but the vast majority of those present struggled to hide their laughter behind poorly faked coughs.
Sirius didn't bother hiding, he threw his head back and filled the chamber with his rollicking barking laugh as he scooped her close to his side.
While Fudge and his supporters were going mad some of the members looked a bit ashamed and perhaps a bit thoughtful. Not a few sat back to enjoy what promised to be some first rate entertainment. Fudge managed to maintain his look of outrage while mentally dancing in glee at the thought of the Potter vault under his stewardship.
He's playing right into my hands! I'll be his guardian before the hour passes!
"I am the Minister of Magic and you will show me the respect my august position deserves!"
Fudge pointed at Harriet as if calling down the wrath of the heavens as he thundered on.
"It is abundantly clear to any right thinking wizard that your home life is corrupting you. We all stand witness to your bizarre behavior!"
Harriet frowned at the floor. She still found unhappy adults yelling at her difficult to handle.
She was really frightened by Fudge's clumsy maneuvering to replace Padfoot.
"Yes sir. I shouldn't have said that."
I shouldn't have said it aloud anyway.
She tried to think what would help and recalled dinner table conversations revolving around the Wizengamot's aversion to the truth. Harriet tugged on her godfathers sleeve and whispered him.
"Should I tell them what happened?"
He shrugged then pointed to Remus. "Remus. Tell."
Remus nodded and stepped forward while casting Sonorus on himself.
"I offer an explanation for Harriet's use of magic. I think the truth might help settle any custody concerns."
Remus paused a second to glare at Dumbledore. Albus, resplendent in quince brocade robes, was not twinkling the least little bit.
Have some rope, Albus thought, You'll soon hang.
"This past Halloween night Harriet called Sirius Black, Alastor Moody, Madame Bones and I to Hogwarts. Harriet had killed a troll while protecting herself and another student. Madam Bones began an investigation of the incident. Quirnius Quirrell, then DADA professor, fled Hogwarts under suspicion he had let the troll into the castle. We believe the troll was a diversion for Quirrell's attempt to steal the Philosopher's Stone. Dumbledore had hidden the stone in a school full of YOUR children as bait in a trap for Voldemort."
They reacted as Wizards always did to the name. Harriet rolled her eyes.
"By January Madame Bones was able to convince Dumbledore to actively hunt Quirrell. Dumbledore reported to Madame Bones that Quirrell, who appeared to be possessed by the wraith of Voldemort, was living in the Acromantula colony in the Forbidden Forest, feeding on unicorn blood."
The crowd gasped, shrieked and quivered at the mention of the dread name. Remus gritted his teeth and turned to Dumbledore.
"How about a round of applause for the Supreme Mugwump? He kept Quirrellmort penned in the forest for months. Are there any unicorns left sir?"
Remus gave as much effort to his applause as any royal at Ascot. A few of the dimmer bulbs clapped as well.
"On June 20th Quirrellmort was at Hogsmeade Station riding a broom under a disillusionment charm. He began firing killing curses at Harriet as she left her carriage. Sirius Black, Alastor Moody and I along with Professor Shacklebolt were able to track Quirrellmort's position because Harriet's owl, Hedwig, was circling him. One of us hit Quirrellmort and Quirrell fell to his death. Hedwig was also hit and died. Voldemort's... Ghost? Wraith? Spirit?"
Remus glanced at Sirius.
"What was that thing Sirius?"
Sirius shrugged and pointed at Dumbledore. Remus turned again to the Wizengamot.
"Ask the Supreme Mugwump about Voldemort's form. Good luck with that. At any rate, Voldemort's essence left Quirrell's corpse to attack Harriet but Alastor Moody drove it off with his Patronus. The next time you see Moody, buy him a drink, he's the latest to beat VOLDEMORT!"
With the Sonorus Remus' shout was loud enough to shake the room. All across the chamber people shrieked, hissed and twitched yet again at the Dark Lord's name.
Harriet studied the Wizengamot as Remus spoke, their fear and uncertainty, Malfoy's predatory stillness and the others like him. She raised her hand as if she was in class. Sirius nudged her, whispering, "Talk." He cast the Sonorus on her. Her voice was soft, soft and sad.
"I cast the Levitation charm to place Hedwig's casket in her grave. I have no excuse. She was only an owl, but she was my friend and so brave, braver by far than many of you, whimpering at Tom Riddle's made up name. You should do something nice for Mad Eye. And my guardians? My guardians protected me from VOLDEMORT while the Mugwump watched. A lot like that Halloween."
She glared at them then turned to Hopkirk.
"Madame Hopkirk, are we done here?"
Hopkirk looked to Fudge, who glanced around the chamber. The Minister knew he had lost ground, the Potter vaults would have to wait. He didn't know what else they knew, what else they might say, what other inconvenient truth might be told. He needed to end this. He nodded to Hopkirk.
"Why... Yes Miss Potter, I am quite sure we are done and more than done."
Madame Hopkirk reassembled her sternest glare. She stared at Harriet for a bit to be sure the Ministry's disapproval fully registered.
"No matter the reason you must refrain from using magic outside of school!"
Harriet rolled her eyes and nodded, then spun on her heel and marched for the door with Remus leading and Sirius by her side. Sirius leaned towards her and crooned.
"Smooooth!"
Remus held the door for them as they marched through, Sirius laughing, Harriet's magnified grumbling suddenly ending when Sirius canceled the charm. Lupin turned to face the chamber a last time, giving Mad Eye time to slip through as he bellowed out the name.
"VOLDEMORT!"
He ducked through the doorway, giggling.
Dumbledore felt very much like spanking a little red headed girl. As did Lucius Malfoy. As did Minister Fudge. Matters would most certainly be looked into and due consideration would be given to what was for the best.
June 23rd 1992 Greater London
The Daily Prophet
Potter Out of Control!
By Rita Skeeter
Yesterday the Wizengamot met in solemn convocation to consider the latest excess of our wayward hero, Harry Potter. Potter freely admitted to the use of magic outside of school in clear violation of wizarding law. Potter called Minister Fudge an idiot while his guardians made pointed references to Chief Warlock Dumbledore as an incompetent boob.
Minister Fudge had words concerning Potter's behavior.
"We acknowledge the tremendous burden of gratitude the Wizarding world owes the Potter family. It is in that spirit of gratitude that I, your Minister of Magic, in partnership with the Wizengamot, vow to do all in our power to rescue our young hero! It could not be more obvious that something has gone badly wrong in Potter's life! Potter clearly lacks proper respect for our society and those who lead it! We can only pray that he can be brought back to the true path by a firm guiding hand and traditional wizarding values! The insane coddling of Potter by his convict guardian must cease! We must bring discipline to his life lest a hero of the Wizarding world fall forever to the Dark!"
Social luminary and noted philanthropist Lucius Malfoy refused comment beyond noting that he was involved in efforts to address the situation. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, recently reinstated as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot also declined direct comment on the Potter crisis saying only that several options were being evaluated.
Your reporter has made a determined effort to interview young Harry Potter to no avail.
Harriet handed the Prophet to Moony then paid Sirius the three galleons they had wagered before returning to cooking breakfast.
Mad Eye sat with his back to the wall, the entrances to the kitchen before him. Ever since the Wizengamot hearing he had been sporting a sly little grin. The daughter of his heart had stood before the leadership of Magical Britannia and declared him victorious over Voldemort. That part was sweet. The real sugar came from her calling Fudge an idiot.
Harriet untied her apron, set it aside, then plated the last omelet. She carried the various plates and bowls to the table muttering the while about helpless men with big strong wands who couldn't be bothered to give a girl a hand. They waggled their eyebrows at her.
"Why do you do that? What does that even mean?"
Sirius flailed his arms in an effort to form a complete sentence. He steadfastly refused speech therapy so he remained stuck with only disjointed nouns and verbs as a result of his time in Azkaban. He failed to generate enough lift for take off and his eggs were getting cold. He gave it up with a huff.
"Will they actually do something do you think?"
Harriet pretended nonchalance but didn't fool them a bit. She had hardly slept for worry of losing her men.
"Aye lass. They will. You insulted nearly every one of them. Worse, we told the truth, they hate that. They will hit back."
"Do we have a plan? The hearing, the Prophet, it all sounds like they are fighting over just how to take me from you."
Sirius beamed at her. "Have! Plan!" He nodded frantically.
Remus took another meticulous bite then carefully blotted away any crumbs before answering her more fully than Sirius could. He had beautiful manners.
"We truly do have a plan little one. We would like a few more days for your mum's blood ward to recharge but if we must we can disappear very quickly. We have spent a lot of time and treasure making our next hideaway safe. We will under no circumstances surrender you to anyone, proper wizarding traditions or not. Ministry approved or not. Legal or not. We are yours and you are ours."
She very much liked the sound of that. Remus took another bite before continuing.
"What's coming? Malfoy wants you badly. He's lost the Black fortune to you and Sirius. That must have him half mad. You've thrashed his boy every way imaginable. You just spanked him and his cronies. He won't stand for it."
"Fudge heard the laughter when you called him a idiot. He will be looking for revenge. He's only just begun with that article in today's Prophet"
"Now, the old man? You slipped his leash when Sirius was made your guardian. He's never stopped trying to regain control of you. You snapped his wand at the station, not something a wizard will overlook. You all but called him a coward and did call him incompetent. And you told one of his secrets, that Riddle is Voldemort. It's very interesting that tidbit didn't make the paper. I wonder what else Fudge, Malfoy and Dumbledore found to agree on... Albus will be looking for iron clad control and possibly revenge."
"Sirius' guardianship will be challenged. At the least they will impose some form of oversight. At worst they will revoke Sirius' guardianship."
Remus fussed as he prepared himself another cup of tea.
"Malfoy... Malfoy worries me. He's up to something, something sneaky and vicious..."
"You are not without allies despite our best efforts yesterday. Madame Bones and Madame Longbottom have both promised to defend Sirius. If you were a hundred years older and male I think Madame Longbottom would happily have your babies."
He paused to enjoy Harriet's squeal of horror.
"Madame Longbottom told me a good portion of the light and neutral families will insist that you have some freedom if only to protect their prerogatives and for the amusement of watching us tweak the three stooges."
"All that being said, possession is nine tenths of the law. You are under house arrest until Saturday when we will flee to warmer climes. If they got you, we would pay hell getting you back."
Harriet checked with Mad Eye. He tipped her a wink and nodded. She sighed and nodded back.
"I guess I will go see what I have to wear in warmer climes."
Mad Eye stretched and pulled his wand to direct the dishes in the wash up, his rough voice firm as he gave her his orders.
"Since you are house bound young lady, I expect you in the gym for several hours a day. You can't be playing footie with Ahmed and the boys. I'll let them know you're alright. They've been good about keeping an eye out."
Harriet spent the next few days trying to get her guys to help clean her house, cooking, and working with Moody. The men were very supportive of her cooking efforts, at least in so far as she didn't involve them. Her cleaning efforts they were less interested in. Remus would eventually give in and help but the other two would blithely wade through a clutter of crusty takeaway cartons without a care.
"Come on you gits! Just charm the knife to chop the potatoes! How can this be so hard for you?"
Harriett glared at them, hands on her slight hips, fighting to keep from laughing.
"Maybe I should apply for an exemption under domestic hardship. I have three elderly children to care for and a little magic would be a big help. Now who's ready for their nap?"
It was very good to be home.
July 7th 1992 Wiltshire England
The Malfoy house elves would have disagreed with Harriet about the goodness of being home, wholeheartedly, vociferously. If they had dared. If it was allowed.
The Master was in a terrible rage.
Young Miss Potter had done something to Master weeks ago, something that hurt Master. Dobby prayed she wouldn't be punished but Master was plotting. Nothing good came of that.
The little elf pressed his ear to the wall and strained to hear.
Lucius stood behind his desk, his face impassive, eyes cold as steel.
"There has been no further word on Stebbins?"
Amicus Carrow rested a hip on the corner of Malfoy's desk and enjoyed the spasm of displeasure that flickered over his face.
"You know damn well there hasn't Lucius. Hopkirk's office is a shambles with the detection ward being tuned to Unforgivables. We'll never twig to him that way."
Lucius sniffed, "He's huddled in some muggle hovel. Have the muggles any idea?"
Amicus snorted, "Are you daft man? They're muggles. Do as well to talk to pigs."
Lucius would never have dared to criticize the Dark Lord. Certainly not while Voldemort could hold wand. However, when he reviewed his years as an active Death Eater, he thought that the Dark Lord's freewheeling use of the Crucio was decidedly counterproductive. Amicus was forcing him to rethink his position.
It would be a fine thing indeed to curse the idiot into a piss soaked, drooling, wreck.
Still, Amicus was experienced and he was reliable enough for what they had planned. Just a little confidence building exercise, just a quick pop to Crawley, seal the house, a few incendios and voila! Toasted Granger.
"Are the others ready?"
"They were when I left them Your Grace. Might have wandered off while we've been jawing."
"CRUCIO!"
Lucius released the curse almost instantly. Carrow had to function tonight. Besides, Narcissa hated screaming.
"Get off my floor. Any further disrespect and I will happily orphan your simpleton sister. Am I clear Amicus?"
He was brutish, an accomplished sadist, a lout, and an oaf. He was a survivor.
"Clear, clear as gin."
Malfoy would have the Carrows recruit four more servants to the glorious cause, then he would end them. He had seen what Amicus tried to hide while struggling to his feet.
Malfoy prodded Carrow out of his study, onto the lush grounds of his estate, then outside the wards. They apparated away to a dingy corner of Knockturn Alley. Faint on the moist air drifted the copper taste of blood. It seemed the boys had kept themselves amused. Lucius sauntered towards the waiting group of wizards.
"Gentlemen."
He studied them as he cast a privacy charm. They were a mixed lot, some veterans, a smattering of upper year Slytherins. Purebloods all, true believers. They shuffled and coughed, nervous, unsure.
"Tonight will be easy. Easy and quick. This is a simple raid. We will portkey to an area near the target building, surround it, seal the doors and windows then cast Incendio until building is engulfed. You will apparate away at my command. Be sure to apparate at least twice before returning here for a celebration and to collect your payment."
"Wards sir? Resistance?"
"We are hitting a first year mudblood and family. No wards, any resistance will be sport for us. Gather round. Don't improvise."
Lucius watched Carrow but the brute stayed away from him. Likely the man was too dull to think of a knife during a portkey jump. Malfoy pulled a string from his pocket and tapped it with his wand.
"Engorgio."
He tossed the rope at their feet and watched them scrabble to pick it up.
"Wands at the ready men. Activate!"
Lucius landed on his feet and immediately moved away from the others. He looked around, orienting himself to the area.
"This way."
The hot blood of the hunt coursed in him. The glorious cause was right, it was what must be. But this? This was pleasure beyond the merely erotic. This was power in motion.
"That one."
A solid brick home. A well kept garden. A single light in what must be a bedroom. They spread out, dark dogs in black cloaks, white masks glimmering in the orange tinted streetlights. Lucius gave them a few minutes to get in position then began casting. He could see the flare of the others spells as the house was sealed. He heard the scream of the mudblood warning her parents.
"INCENDEO!"
He was able to cast twice more before it became pointless as the fire shrieked. He could feel the soft breeze of fire pulling air, the heat beat at him. He felt powerful, invincible, the panicked screams of the mudbloods were the best of music.
He raised his wand to the heavens and cast a cannon blast charm, the signal to retreat.
Lucius made three jumps; to Hogsmeade, to the Leaky Cauldron, and finally to the Parkinson estate. Pansy met him at the door.
"How nice to see you Mister Malfoy. May I take you to my parents?"
"Yes, please Pansy. My wife is with them I think?"
"Indeed she is sir. This way?"
Parkinson had an adequate home, nothing like the Manor of course, but then what was?
Pansy knocked and entered. It was a lovely room, silk papered walls, thick rich carpets dotted the gleaming hardwood floor, a cheerful fire snapped in the white marble fireplace. The Parkinson library was not as large as the Malfoy library but it was substantial. Noah Parkinson was seated next to his wife, across from Narcissa, cigar in one hand, brandy in the other, smiling at something clever he had said.
Narcissa looked very bored, and Francis not much better.
Noah asked, "All is well Lucius?"
"Quite well. Very well indeed. Should anyone ask I've been with you the entire evening."
"Yes, of course. Draco has instructions?"
"Draco is an obedient child."
Lucius accepted a snifter of brandy and settled beside Narcissa to endure Parkinson's twaddle.
July 7th 1992 Crawley England
Her eyes hurt. She had a headache. And her hair was working her last nerve by constantly flopping in the way of her reading. She flailed at the wild mass, hoping again to intimidate it into something like order. That hope was proven false only a few minutes later by an especially stubborn lock that insisted on hanging directly in front of her left eye. Causing that eye to twitch in annoyance.
So far Hermione's summer had sucked, to use a Harrietism. Without the gloriously brave Hedwig to carry their letters, post between the girls moved at the pace of the Royal mail interfacing with the Ministry.
Her parents were being totally reasonable which was normal. This vastly displeased Hermione, which was not normal at all. Her mum and dad had sent off for information on Beauxbatons the first day of her summer holidays and had been pleased to get a response only a few days later.
Beauxbatons would be a bit more expensive than Hogwarts but not unreasonably so. The Grangers were invited to visit the school for an orientation July 13th. Her parents put together a driving trip to the school as their big event for the summer holiday. It was all so reasonable and upbeat and well thought out that Hermione wanted to scream.
She missed Harriet badly.
She heard something, an odd echoing squelch of a noise, exactly as if someone had sealed a door with magic. Which was silly of course. She heard it again, and again, overlapping.
She exploded from her desk, screaming for her parents, her heart in her mouth as she bolted across her bedroom, wrenching the door open. The hallway was well lit by the flames.
Her parents bedroom door flew open and they ran to her, alive, beautifully alive. Hermione tried to think what to do but they gave her no time, they just pulled her after them as they stormed down the hallway then down the stairs to the study. The heat was terrible as the windows began to shatter and flames entered the house.
Emma had wrenched open a filing cabinet, looking for something, while Hermione screamed at them to get away from the windows, to keep down, to live. Emma grabbed an envelope from the filing cabinet and pushed her daughter into the lounge, away from the greedy flames.
"Hermione, Bones sent us portkeys!"
Emma ripped open the envelope and looped a thin silver chain over her head. She handed another to Dan and the last to Hermione.
"Hold it and say Activate!"
They were Grangers. They each waited to be sure the others had gone.
"I'm the witch! Go!"
They materialized in the Auror ready room accompanied by a lot of smoke and heat, totally involved in a fierce debate about the proper order for a family to portkey from a burning home.
The Aurors were able to get the volume of the debate lowered but didn't think Merlin himself could end it. Dan paused long enough to give the lead Auror their address and a quick report. The ready squad vanished to Crawley.
The Aurors were back a few hours later. The house was a total loss. It would be blamed on a gas explosion. The muggle authorities assumed the Grangers were dead and would anyone like tea?
There is a certain discomfort built into furniture in public spaces like hospitals, bus stops, Auror headquarters. The seats are too square and usually sticky.
Reality settled in. Dan worried about getting the insurance to actual pay out, Emma tried not to think about a lifetime of memories in ashes.
The Aurors had questions of course. Had they seen anyone unusual? Had they made any enemies?
Hermione answered that one.
"My best friend is Harriet Potter. Of course I have made enemies. I've made a project out of proving just how second rate the elitists are at every turn."
One of the Auror's grinned.
"Harriet Potter you say? A right Tartar that one. Had a rather wonderful dust up with the Wizengamot, just lovely to see..."
He was middle aged and looked a bit soft. He seemed to be a nice man, someones favorite uncle.
"You've answered plain so a bit of advice young lady. You would do better to go softly. It's not a shock this happened since you've acted as you have. I'm not saying it's right mind you."
The Auror sat up a little straighter as he noticed Hermione bristle and bare her teeth.
This little slip of a girl is a bit scary.
"It's not right lass, but it is how it is."
Across the squad room, one of the Aurors would occasionally glance over at the waiting Grangers with a lazy insolent look of pleasure or perhaps satisfaction. The Grangers soaked up information and analyzed, they would discuss and debate later, in privacy.
Dan cuddled his girls through the brief tears they allowed themselves as they endured the long night.
It was easy to tell when Amelia Bones arrived, the tempo of the Auror Department changed as she stepped into the room. Her voice was crisp, firm.
"Good Morning Aurors. What do you have for me?"
"Got the Granger family ma'am. Your portkey idea worked a treat. House was sealed and set to the torch, but they showed up here, right as rain. Bit set on arguing and the little one is a Tartar same as her friend Potter if you ask me."
Madame Bones approached Hermione with a composed smile, her hand out.
"I am Amelia Bones. You must be Hermione? Susan has spoken of you. She admires your abilities. Would you introduce me to your parents dear?"
Dan and Emma took a while to warm to Madame Bones. They felt slighted when Amelia so obviously preferred to deal with a magical child rather than a normal adult. It was another data point, duly filed away for later consideration.
Madame Bones sat behind her desk with the Grangers seated before her and pondered what was for the best. The Elitist's had attempted murder and would know they had failed, she was under no illusion as to the security of her department. Bones knew they weren't safe just as she knew she couldn't hide them, not with the DMLE's security leaks. The Muggle world had proved vulnerable. Perhaps someone else could hide them?
Amelia rooted through her desk before unearthing a battered hand mirror.
"Sirius Black!"
Fog swirled across the face of the mirror before it cleared to show a madly grinning Sirius framed against a beautiful blue sky.
"Amelia! Alright?"
"The Granger family was burnt out last night Sirius. No injuries but their house is a total loss. Can you put them up? They would be in danger anywhere I can think of."
The view in Amelia's mirror swooped madly before firming up to show the very excited face of Harriet Potter.
"Yes! Excellent!"
Amelia gulped as the view shifted wildly again then steadied on Mad Eye.
"Moody! Don't give up that mirror! I will have the Grangers at the DMLE secure apparition point in five or less. Will you oversee the extraction?"
"Aye. I'll hex anyone but you and the Grangers so.."
"Understood. We are moving now."
"Keep the connection open Amelia."
Bones bundled the Grangers through the squad room making careful note of who watched.
Mad Eye had hardly materialized before Amelia was laughing at him.
"I never thought I would see the day that Mad Eye Moody was sunburned!"
"Ohh... Shut it you! Grangers, listen up! The wards will kill anyone meaning harm to any of us. That said, are you ready to go?"
Amelia snorted as the Grangers began to debate the meaning of harm in relation to pranksters.
Moody wasn't one to occupy an exposed position for longer than absolutely necessary. He pulled a bit of string from a pocket, enlarged it, then scolded the Grangers until they took hold. Mad Eye nudged each of them and showed them a slip of paper that read The Gryffin exists. Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody and Harriet Potter live aboard the Gryffin.
The Granger debate raged on as they dissolved in a fall of color.
July 8th 1992 50 Miles South West of Malta
Light, hot and pure, poured over the Granger family. Light and warmth and wind.
The deck beneath their feet rose slowly, steadily, inexorably.
"Bloody Hell!"
The Grangers stood just in front of the deck cabin on a sailboat so large as to be surreal. What looked like acres of teak decking stretched before them. Sea gulls called out over the liquid slush of their passage while the rigging pinged and creaked as the sails fluttered and rustled. It was a fair number of yards to the bowsprit and the netting attached to it, a web suspended over the rush of the bow wave, a web that held a small red haired girl who was staring out into the sea.
Harriet, suspended in that light and wind, spun at the sound of Dan's voice. The girls zoomed towards one another and collided with piercingly shrill squees of delight, dancing in a tangle of knobby knees and wild bushy hair.
Dan looked to the stern. It was further away than the bow.
"Aga Khan would be jealous of this beauty Em."
Given the fire in his eyes as Dan leered at the boat Emma was at least as jealous as Mr. Khan.
An hour later Daniel Granger, son of England, stalwart and honorable man, stood at the helm of the yacht Gryffin, a schooner rigged two masted vessel that measured 170 feet at the waterline.
His chest was thrust out, his eye narrowed in a very salty way, as he scanned the horizon. One hand held a steaming mug of tea, the other rested firm and steady on the gleaming mahogany wheel.
He was completely ready to take on the Armada. He thought of Nelson and Drake. He looked very silly.
Those whose sworn duty it was to tease Dan were shirking their task. The ladies Granger were sprawled on loungers with novels to hand and snacks in easy reach. It was an acceptable level of ecstasy.
Having seen to the needs of her guests, Harriet plopped down on the lounger next to Hermione then rustled in her bag for sunscreen. She lotioned up and arrayed herself properly, lowered her very cool sunglasses, then surveyed the scene feeling as content as a cat. Hermione had questions.
"How did this happen Harriet? How can you possibly afford it?"
"Magic mostly. Padfoot sold some property for the capital to buy and renovate her. He said the biggest cost was the keelstone and the rune engraving on it. He found the gutted hull laid up somewhere just rotting and bought it cheap. Then he hired a magical construction firm to repair the hull and rigging, apply the space expansion charms and install the new keel. The goblins did the keel. You should see the keel weight, it's a single quartz crystal, it's huge! It acts as a magical battery as well as an anchor for the wards and navigation magics. The builders did some of the interior, just roughed it in. We work on the interior when we can. The galley and engineering spaces were finished first. The staterooms were next. The common areas like the dueling chamber, gym, library, and potions lab are what we are doing now."
"We need to be beyond the stupid Ministry's ability to make us do what they say. We hope this boat is out of their reach. If they do manage to reach us the wards will kill anyone who means us harm."
Emma blanched at that.
"Mr. Moody mentioned that. I hoped he was indulging in a bit of hyperbole."
"No Ma'am."
"How repulsive. Have the wards... activated?"
"Not so far. The Death Eaters will try again. Once the Ministry decides just how it's going to mess with us it will make some grand pronouncement that we will ignore. We don't know what they will do after that. The Supreme Mugwump could try to set the ICW on us, but that's not likely. It would be pretty obvious that he was making a personal vendetta into an international incident."
"You can't believe your above the law?"
"Whose law Ma'am? We are not citizens of the Ministry of Magic. We haven't broken the Statute of Secrecy or any law of the United Kingdom that we know of."
"Very clever. If they press you too hard, will you involve those you so charmingly call muggles?"
"Umm. No ma'am. The Statute again. We can't."
"You have more faith in the magical world than I."
"I'm not sure about that ma'am."
July 8th 1992 Wiltshire England
The last of the sun faded from the room, leaving Lucius in the gathering dark. The wards had been pinging all day. Something was trying to get in. He had stalked the borders of his estate looking for whoever dared attempt to invade his manor. There had been no sign of anyone. There had only been the faintest whiff of magic he knew, knew and feared.
The Master was near.
Lucius returned to his study to prepare for the most dangerous meeting of his life.
"DOBBY!"
A faint snap and the ragged wretched creature stood before him, hunched and fearful.
"Master?"
"Whiskey and a sobering potion now!"
Dobby popped away only to return a few seconds later with a fresh bottle of Ogden's and a potion.
"Leave me."
Lucius shuddered at the vile taste of the potion and turned to adjust the manor's wards. Narcissa and Draco were gone. They wouldn't return until he called for them.
He had no warning, he expected none. The Dark Lord hammered at his mind. At his full strength Voldemort would have crushed Lucius' Occlumency barrier with ease. Riddle was far from full strength.
"I refuse to be possessed. What do you want?"
I want what is mine! You! How dare you defy your Lord! All you are, all you have is MINE!
"If you are so lost in madness that you fail to assess our relative positions correctly you are no threat. If you are bluffing, don't. You waste our time."
Lucius rubbed his sweating palms against the fine silk of his robes. Normally he wouldn't have allowed so clear a sign of distress. The Dark Lord though, the Dark Lord always knew. Trying to hide wouldn't work.
"You require a body my Lord. I will not give you mine, nor my families. What other plan can we make? If we could arrange to free Bella I'm sure she would be honored."
Riddle never did have a sense of humor.
In the end Voldemort swore an oath of defense and support to Lucius and his descendants so long as they were loyal to him. Malfoy agreed to position Riddle's old diary properly but that shouldn't be a problem for a eel as slippery as Lucius. Slippery he was, beyond a doubt, smart though? He was not as smart as he thought. Draco would never be loyal to anyone other than himself and Lucius should have known that. After all, Draco was his father's son.