Alrighty then! I'm back in business and I have begun putting Part 2 of HFLP up at AoOO. For the sake of convenience, I have decided just to update on the same story thread instead of making it a separate book. HFLP Part 2: The Goblet of Doom: Chapters 30 and 31 are now up.

Go to the second link on my profile here for a link to the entire story.

From Chapters 30-31:

The car ride back to #4 Privet Dr from Kings Cross with Aunt Petunia and Dudley had been a silent one. Petunia and Dudley were both subdued and shamefaced. Petunia kept her tearing eyes firmly on the road and avoided Harry's perplexed gaze. But Dudley's apologetic eyes kept darting back to find Harry's. Harry felt extremely awkward, and Hermione tightened her furry tail (still wrapped in the invisibility cloak) around Harry to comfort him.

Harry and Petunia had spoken briefly at the station when Harry had introduced them to Hermione, but not since then.

"I'm sorry, but it'll only be for a week alright. I'm not going anywhere without Hermione... And... and I can pay if you..."

Petunia stopped Harry right there, her eyes widening and filling with tears.

"NO! I... that's absolutely not necessary Harry. It is awkward and unexpected, but I... well... I owe you so much-and my... sister so much-already. I'm s... sorry, SO sorry about Vernon... and... and for ev... everything horrible I've ever done to you Harry." Petunia gave a sob and dabbed her eyes with a tissue as several emotions crossed her features and she recalled how she had almost hit him on the head with a skillet. "Lily and I... we never got on, and I hate m... m... magic, but... but I never should have taken it out on you. You and Hermione are welcome to stay..."

Then Petunia pursed her quavering lips and went silent. Dudley's large round face turned red and his eyes cast down as he mumbled and stuttered an apology of his own. Harry didn't know what to say; his stomach clenched. He opened his mouth but nothing emerged, so he simply nodded his acceptance.

Harry unloaded his and Hermione's trunks from the boot of the car once back at #4 Privet Dr. He was startled when Dudley even offered to help.

"I'm sorry Harry... if I'd known that you were bringing a friend to stay, I would have redone the guest bedroom." Petunia said with a hint of sharpness as they crossed the threshold. She felt dreadful about things, but years of dislike didn't change overnight, and the lack of notice was upsetting.

"No, I'm sorry..." began Hermione.

Harry interrupted her. He had been dreading this moment. He knew that Petunia wouldn't understand, most adults wouldn't, but he also knew that he wasn't going to allow Hermione to be separated from him.

"Hermione's not just a friend, she can stay in my room with me. She's my wife."

Petunia gasped, and Dudley dropped the bag of groceries which they'd picked up at Tesco on the way home, breaking all of the eggs and a jar of spaghetti sauce. Hermione looked at Harry in surprise. She had thought that they were going to hide it.

"Even... even in the wizard world I know that's ridiculous." Petunia huffed, "Children don't get married..."

"It's the truth." Harry said firmly and calmly, despite the anxiety he felt. "Dumbledore emancipated me in the wizard world so that I could defend myself without getting in trouble. And he emancipated Hermione so that she could protect herself too, because of this..."

Hermione's fluffy ginger cat tail came into view as Harry gently unwrapped the invisibility cloak. Petunia felt faint, and put her hand against the wall for support. Dudley just stood there gaping, and reached a hand behind himself to touch his own backside.

Harry regarded Petunia with beseeching eyes. He needed her to accept this.

"Look, we'll only be here for a week alright. Please... we won't be any trouble, and I promise we won't snog in front of the neighbours. But I love Hermione... and... and that's final. I wouldn't be here to put you out at all, but Dumbledore..."

"I know..." Petunia nodded curtly, then her expression softened and her lips trembled again, "I know why you're here Harry. Though Lily and I never saw eye to eye... she was still my sister, my blood. Yes, you can still call #4 your home. Just please... please be careful-the neighbours..."

~o0o~

Minister Umbridge was furious, but what else was new!? She was often furious these days. The Headmaster of Hogwarts had categorically refused to allow Dementors to search Hogwarts for Sirius Black. She had approached the school's Board of Governors, but with Lucius in Azkaban, she had nobody to bully them into forcing Dumbledore out of his post, nor even to accede to her wishes to place Dementors on the premises.

Nobody particularly liked the new minister. She didn't have enough political clout yet, and there were not enough Slytherins on the board to overrule the others. Dolores Umbridge would need another plan to get a foot in the door at Hogwarts. She took out a self-inking quill, and began to scribble a memo to Ludo Bagman and Bartemius Crouch Sr.