Chapter 11 –Alles ist gut, vielleicht
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Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners i.e. J.K. Rawlings, etc. The original characters and plot are the property of their author i.e. J.K. Rawlings, etc. This work is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Not for sale or profit but at least I can give it away. Maybe?
The summer couldn't start without visiting Aunt Jackie where we also found Aunt Mini. After explaining what happened in the minutest details, as required by our Aunts, we were allowed to relax. We explained that we were going to have a lot of fun but we would also stop by to have a chat or have dinner every so often.
"I don't think they still believe that we are bonded." Daphne sighed.
"It's not what they know but what they want to believe, that is causing the problem. We're their kids and we're never supposed to grow up in their eyes."
"Well tomorrow we are going to go to the amusement park that has that superfast ride, and then you can take me out to dinner." Daphne gave me the smile that said she knew she was going to get what she asked for.
The morning after the amusement park I expected to sleep in but, "Come on lover boy we need to go shopping down in Muggle London."
A few groans later and after a hot shower I was hustled down the alleys and onto Charring Cross Rd., to hail a cab. Daphne decided that we both needed new outfits. This of course took care of the entire day.
The next morning was like the last however today it was robes and such in Knockturn and Diagon alleys. That evening it was to be a steak and fine dining at Gaucho Tower Bridge, and for some Argentine steak, there on the Southbank of London.
"You know Harry I appreciate you bringing me here. I think the view is fantastic and the food is top class."
"You my dear deserve the best and I can't rave enough about the steak."
"So do I rate above or below the steak being served here?"
"I have talked myself into another corner haven't I? Well to tell you the truth right now this steak is the most important thing gaining my attention. But I must say that in my life the most important thing is you. I'm only a klutz with a fantastic steak in front of himself and the most gorgeous girl accompanying him."
Daphne dropped the banter and I was informed, "You need to invite your Aunts out for dinner tomorrow night so they will not feel left out." We enjoyed the rest of the evening just being in each others company.
/Scene Break/
It was kind of hilarious how the denizens of Knockturn alley remembered us when we had obtained Daphne a promise ring and how they avoided us still. I was still chuckling over that fact as we entered Diagon Alley when I saw an almost complete set of Weasleys plus one Hermione Granger.
Within the herd of the Weasley party several arms went up with fingers pointing at Daphne and I. Somewhere in the herd someone yelled, "There's Potter!"
The first thing I noticed was the red headed mother started a thunderous charge directly at us; the second was a number of others in the Alley, not Weasley related, that were also headed in our direction. I didn't take any of these people as Harry Potter fans but probably part of Dumbledore's "Order" if we were lucky.
I could've 'POPed' us back to our flat but I wanted to watch their confusion when they lost "Potter". I grab Daphne's arm and "POPed" to the alley between the Stationary shop and the Quality Quidditch supplies shop. I figured with Granger around heading to any alleyway close to Flourish & Blott's was asking for discovery.
Daphne started giggling as a number of people in the street seemed to be in confusion over where we went when I heard a pop behind me and found myself in magical ropes.
"Nice bit of 'apperation' Potter but not good enough to get away from me." MadEye was definitely full of himself.
I had to force myself from laughing. I was not using wizard techniques to do magic and elf magic was based on thinking or concentration or whatever. When I waive my hand it was a way of concentrating. I could wiggle my toe and obtain the same results. MadEye now found himself wearing his own magical ropes as I "POPed" Daphne to our flat.
/Scene Break/
Dining at Gaucho Tower Bridge was well worth the Quid but Daphne was not happy in what happened in Diagon Alley which tends to ruin the day "Harry what are we going to do about those idiots?"
"Daphne I'm sure you realize that Dumbledore is behind all this but the problem is that we need to go to school until we finish our OWLs. Even if we change schools I would probably bet my vaults that between Dumbledore or Voldemort we get kidnapped or killed or both."
"So what's the answer Harry?"
"Unless we want to break the law and try to disappear, I think our best bet is to go back to Hogwarts and finish our OWLs next year. After that we can legally disappear."
"Well I guess if you can put up with Snape and Dumbledore we can hide out from everyone most of the school year in Gryffindor's quarters."
"Now that my picture has appeared in the Dailey Profit the only safe place is away from any magical area. As you remember the last time I 'POPed' us out of my adoring crowd we took two fans with us that were grabbing me at the time."
"Harry I do want to look into disappearing next summer after we finish our OWLs. Let's look around to find someplace that we can enjoy this summer."
"Daphne are you sure?"
"I think there are enough troubles revolving around you. Finding a nice flat in France or Germany would be a great place to escape to if things really got seriously bad. Besides it would make a fantastic vacation for the two of us this summer."
Daphne was right and that's what we did. We wandered around France and took in the tourist sites. However the place and the people just didn't feel right so after a couple weeks in France we headed off to Germany.
A few minutes out of Frankfurt a.m. we found a small town. The people were friendly and they kept their noses out of our business. The houses in the middle of town were very old, like ancient. Daphne and I were having a beir and zwei Portionen Pommes frites in the local Kneipe. The barmaid was polite and talked with us so after we explained we were looking for a flat she turned around and introduced us to the man sitting at a corner table.
After finding someone to translate for us we found he had inherited a house across the street. His father died recently and he had moved into the upper floor but was looking to rent the bottom floors of the house. We stepped across the street and found an old, unfurnished, four rooms, of nothing but ancient rooms. The wallpaper must've been ninety years old. The bathroom had modern fixtures, recently installed, but the floor was still being worked on and was still dirt. We found out later that this part of the house use to be part of the attached barn. Daphne and I fell in love with it and knew that Dobby was going to be extremely happy fixing the place up. Herr Jungman only asked three hundred marks a month so we gave him a year rent.
"Dobby we want you to treat this place as a part-time job, there is no rush so take your time." Daphne and I were only going to be there for about a week so our rented room over the bar was fine for our remaining stay. That was like telling the Mona Lisa not to have a smile painted on her canvas.
Whether it's my magic or Dobby's magic transfigurations only lasted for a bit of time, so Dobby was having trouble getting real wood, marble and stone to install rather than to use transfiguration. Besides him having a fit over not having everything done already, he had transfigured enough to allow us to reside in the bottom part of the house regardless of our earlier thought on the matter.
Daphne and I found that this was really a place for us. Not only did we get to walk around the town and be ignored but we found that Germans like to have the Völker März. These were organized walks in parts of Germany to show off the area or a town or just to wander in the peaceful forests.
Daphne and I were on the second Volswanderrung at Hattersheim A. Main that weekend and had just stopped at the first stop. We were sitting with a Heineken beir that was caressing our tongues when an official looking owl dumped a letter in my lap.
The contents read:
Dear Mr. Kelly
We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at thirty minutes past seven this evening in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle in Little Whinging.
The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand.
As you have already received an official warning for a previous offence under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on the twelfth of August.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper use of magic office
Ministry of Magic
I read this letter through three times in quick succession thinking that this was just some crazy joke. I just handed it to Daphne and tried to wrap my mind around this insanity.
"Dementors made an appearance..." I paused before adding…"In Privet Drive?" Shaking my head…"But muggles can't see Dementors! Besides when have I ever been to Privet Drive?"
"Harry you know we were not close to Little Whinging but however you wish to view this, it's a trap of some sort." Daphne grumbled.
"Who do you think wants me under their control, Dumbledore, the Ministry or the Minister of Magic?"
"It really doesn't matter does it?"
"No I guess it doesn't. Let's scrounge up some paper and a pen so we can send off some replies." Daphne dug into her rucksack and I started writing.
While the ministerial owl did not like it, it got two letters to deliver. The first was to Dumbledore with the Ministerial letter we had received. The second was for Mafalda Hopkirk and the Improper use of Magic Office. The letter read:
Dear Mafalda;
Are you under the Imperius Curse? Not only do I not have a wand but I have never been to Little Whinging. Further I would think that whoever is attacked by Dementors would be justified in using under age magic under your International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy,
I'm afraid that your disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on the twelfth of August shall not be privileged with my presence.
Should your office or any at the Ministry of Magic continue this harassment I should be forced to take action. I'm sure my legal representatives will find this quite entertaining should the Ministry persist in this harassment.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Kelly
Lord of House Gryffindor, Black, Potter and Slytherin
/Scene Break/
We had decided to extend our stay as Daphne and I were enjoying the local ice skating ring, the spa in Baden-Baden and of course the cozy walks in the many forests. We were quite unaware of the continued articles in the Daily Profit. Nor the uproar in the Ministry caused by my letter. We deftly didn't know that we were wanted criminals throughout England. That is until the middle of August…
My magical homemade doorbell called my attention that someone was at the front gate and was asking for attention at the lower front gate of the house. As I exited the main door of the building I turned to my left and just shook my head. The front gate was a solid piece of metal that stood about 6 feet high. Through the ornate metal scroll work on top of the gate I saw a blue pointed hat with stars and comets spinning around the hat. I knew that Dumbledore was just on the other side of the gate.
"Morning Mr. Dumbledore what can I do for you?"
"Inviting me into your home and offering a large bottle of German beir that this locale is famous for would be most appreciated. I'm afraid that I must have a word with you and your lovely wife and also deliver some upsetting news."
I led Dumbledore into the kitchen where he again seemed impressed, "Oh, how quaint."
Dumbledore was referring to the kitchen table or the seating that surrounded it. The seat or bench was 'U' shaped and covered two sides of the wooden table and rested against the wall. Cushions covered the seating as well as the back of the bench and contained many pictorial German scenes. The whole thing was space saving as it snuggled into the corner of the kitchen.
"Stein or glass Mr. Dumbledore?
"You must indeed observe the local customs and I feel a Stein would be most appropriate."
As Dumbledore was pouring his bottle of beer into the Stein so as to traditionally not produce a foaming drink, I started, "So what brings you here Mr. Dumbledore?"
"Ah! Most refreshing, German beer is a most delightful acquired taste. I, however, have come, hat in hand, with an Olive branch from the Minister of Magic."
"Harry this is quite difficult but both of us must endure. Fudge will not accept nor understand the idea that Voldemort has returned. I have convinced him to let you return to Hogwarts and he is to take you off of most wanted list. I have convinced him that once you've completed your owls that you will leave England. All he demands is that you are no longer publicly opposing him nor continue to say that Voldemort has returned or mention his soul jars."
Dumbledore pulled out a stack of documents and laid them on the table in pile. "Unfortunately, the Minister insisted that you document this agreement and your signature is needed for your reinstatement to Hogwarts. They just need your signature at the bottom.
I was mulling this over in my mind. Dumbledore was not making any demands and I could live with Fudge's demands. The problem was that I just knew that there had to be some catch someplace or other problems. After a private discussion with Daphne she and I agreed. I still wondered what Dumbledore was planning. There was however the restricted library at Hogwarts that finalized our decision.
"OK Mr. Dumbledore we shall be returning to Hogwarts and will abide with the Ministers request. As for the paperwork, please drop them off with Knifethruster at Gringotts. The Goblet of Fire has taught me never to sign anything without legal review."
It was obvious that Dumbledore was not happy with this but maintained his grandfatherly approach. "I must also inform you of a sad tragedy that has occurred. The Dementors had indeed entered Little Whinging and they administered "The Kiss" to your beloved Dursley family."
/Scene Break/
We were finishing off our summer break by returning to our apartment and Knockturn alley. Dobby was unpacking and sorting our stuff so we decided to go to Diagon alley for an ice cream.
I was enjoying my banana split at Fortescue's ice cream parlor but my mind was in La-la land. I was staring into my banana split with a stupid grin on my face, Voldemort had wanted soul containers…I had this idea I really liked."
"Harry? Are you all right?" Daphne asked and as I looked up I was startled to find Ron and Hermione standing by our table. Ron Weasley was allergic to anything Slytherin but there were times when Hermione would butt into places where she had no business putting her cute nose into…this was one of those times.
"I'm sorry." I said slowly. "But...why exactly are you again sticking your cute nose in my life?" I could've laughed at her expression.
"I-I'm just asking." She stammered, clearly not used to having me speak to her that way. Thankfully Ron threw a few insults based on his jealous nature and dragged her away.
"Are you alright Harry?"
"Absolutely Daphne, I've been theorizing about a peachy keen way of getting rid of the Dark Lord. Come over here and give your brilliant significant other multiple kisses."
