Disclaimer; I own nothing, but I am clever enough to steal properly.

Ooooooo

"The offer will remain unless the situation changes. Well let's get down to the business of sorting out the details. We will begin with you Mr. Potter." Green gestured to Harry.

"MR. POTTER? HARRY?" The others rounded on him. Harry grimaced. This was going to be a long conversation.

"Um… Hi guys."

"Oh… That's rich." Greene looked to Harry, "You managed to live with your closest friends for two months without them finding out? You may have potential if you ever learn to keep a low profile."

"Harry James Potter! Why have you been lying to me all this time? You made me think you were all over the place when you were sitting next to me at breakfast everyday! How could you?" Hermione was slightly indignant.

"Do you want me to obliviate them? I didn't mean to blow your cover." Green pulled his wand from his holster but didn't point it at anyone.

Harry considered it for a moment. "No I really don't want to tamper with my friends memories. Is there a way we can lock the information to prevent even accidental spreading, say through legilimancy?"

"Such charms exist; we use them for anyone working on sensitive projects. I guess I am obligated to do it since I screwed the pooch on this one."

"Thank you." Harry returned to Hermione who was less than pleased at his talking around her. "Yes, I lied to you. However before you get mad, try to see it from my side. Everything I told you I later heard back through my spies in the Order. You've already told me and swore to me that you did not tell them, but you were still a way to deliberately mislead Dumbledore and the Order. I lied to you and I used you, but until just now it was too dangerous to me to tell you the truth."

"I still don't like it, but I will admit you had a good excuse."

"Luna!" Ginny looked at him hard. "Luna knows doesn't she? She called you Harry once."

"She can see auras, she had me found out moments after meeting me. We've got an understanding, and she won't intentionally reveal me."

"Hmm… That makes sense really," Ron said thoughtfully, "You were one of only two friends she had, and then Simon just slips into that role easily. I thought it was just because you were new and she was odd, but thinking about it there were little signs that you were not what you seemed."

"You two aren't mad?" Harry asked them.

"I understand why you did it but you better not try it again." Ron told him.

"Just don't hurt Luna, and give me time to change my bet."

"Honestly Ginny, can you think of nothing better to do than bet on Harry's love life?" Hermione berated her.

"Are you forgetting your own bets in that pool?" Harry reminded her. "You already admitted to participating so you can't complain. But anyway we are wasting Agent Green's time let's answer his questions and we can catch up later."

"Thank you Mr. Potter. Now would you please give me your account from the moment you realized there was a problem until when you arrived here?" Green activated the dictation quill.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny explained everything they could remember in excruciating detail, often backtracking to answer Green's questions. Over the three hours it took to explain everything to his satisfaction, details Harry had not previously considered sank in. He had killed six people, permanently maimed Snape, and ordered the maiming or killing of eight others. While he had nightmares the night before, it had not sunk in to his rational mind that he was a killer, and that he asked his friends to do the same.

The others all thanked him for masterminding their escape and providing the tools that kept them alive. Hermione was especially grateful claiming he saved her life at least twice by getting her out and giving her the armor that blocked the killing curse. Harry brushed it off humbly but mentally marked Sirius' debt as paid. 'Rest in peace Padfoot, I've got this end taken care of.' Harry thought to himself.

The armor she had used was of particular interest to Green and the Agency as a whole. The healer had given them a detailed report of her wounds and Green examined the vest and removed shrapnel. The healer had called her survival a one in fifty miracle but acknowledged that without the armor she would definitely be dead. There might be some long term scarring related to the dead tissue surrounding each of the puncture wounds, and the effects on the nerves in the area were completely unknown. The Agency, healer, and Green agreed that the combination of the dragon hide and steel plate while not completely blocking it, did diminish the spell's deadliness. The Agency would acquire a few dozen more units and set their researchers on improving the effectiveness ratio. Maybe a perfect defense was impossible but even one in twenty was better than one in history for a survival rate. Most would have looked at the shredded vest and called it a failure, but a survivor meant that there was potential for improvement.
The other weapons used did not phase Green, though he gave a nod to their resourcefulness. The guns were only semi-automatic and still required real ammunition rather than conjuring their own, so they were not taboo in the States. The stun baton could have been acquired in almost any security store in the States. The Raiden unit was a rare find but no more illegal than an invisibility cloak. It would probably be called Dark in Britain because it had no peaceful use, it was a weapon through and through and one that used muggle ideas to boot.

Before he left, Green gave diplomatic passes to the others not only for them, but for their families as well. He restated the offer of assistance if they wished to flee the war. They weren't offering any real support or help, just a place to run to if things became too bad. He cast secrecy charms on all of them concerning Harry's identity and their actions during the battle.

That afternoon there was a long talk between the friends about Harry's secret keeping and what they needed to do about it. They knew Dumbledore was waiting for them in Britain, and they needed only one story.

Ooooo

It was Thursday morning before the group of friends managed to return to Britain. The others wanted to leave as soon as they got new wands, but Harry was insistent that they wait until he and Ginny were healed and off potions. Hermione would need to take a series of potions for a while yet but they couldn't wait for her. The first stop they made was to Hermione's parents. The scene at the Granger residence was something they had not expected.

Mrs. Granger opened the door and immediately latched onto her daughter. crying loudly. Mr. Granger came to investigate what had set his wife off this time and stopped in shock when he saw their visitors. While Mrs. Granger was still sobbing and mummering incoherently into Hermione's shoulder, he regained his senses.

"I think everyone needs to come inside." He said.

His wife looked up to see that there were indeed others on her doorstep before dragging them all inside. "They told us you were dead!"

Hermione gave her parents a much cleaner version of what happened over the last week. Much hugging and crying ensued as she recounted her brush with death and her miracle. Dan Granger served them tea since Hermione's mother wasn't moving from her daughter's side.

Emma Granger was incensed, "Well that settles it! You won't be returning to that school. These people came after you and tried to kill you just because of who you were friends with. And it sounds like one of your professors not only knew but helped. It is not safe there anymore if it ever was."

"But Mum, I need a good education if I want to want to become successful."

"You need to stay alive if you want to be successful. There must be other schools farther away from this war." Dan told her sternly. "Your mother and I have always pressed you to succeed and be the most you can be, but sometimes the best course is not the conventional one. We want you to be safe and happy first and foremost. The best schools and a top job are pretty far down the list."

"But where would I go? Unless I am going to teach myself at home there isn't anywhere to go in Britain." Hermione asked them.

"I have an idea." Harry announced. They looked at him. "You said it yourself Hermione, there isn't anywhere for you to go in Britain. And more importantly it wouldn't be safe if there was. The war is about to tear magical Britain apart and you've been given an out. You're dead Hermione. The Death Eaters won't be coming for you, Dumbledore has already written you off, and the Ministry will never believe you survived a killing curse. Take advantage of it."

"You're saying we should leave England?" Dan Granger asked.

"The American Government has already offered refuge for your family. I've got a place in Atlanta Georgia that I am not using during school and enough money to make everything happen if you want to accept. In the mean time you are welcome to use my home in London. I can pop over and set the wards to only allow your family. I think that the Order and I are about to have a serious break." He informed them.

"Why are you offering this? We're grateful, don't get me wrong, but you're offering thousands of pounds like it was nothing."

"I owe you. And debts aside, Hermione is the sister I never had. She is family to me and if my last pence is what it takes to keep her safe it is yours." He said with conviction.

"Son, you brought her back to us. Your family's debts are paid." Dan Granger told the younger man.

Harry canceled his glamours, "Two down, eight to go sir."

"You're dead!" Emma screeched.

"What was I supposed to say here? Oh yes, 'Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.' I guess Hermione can say the same now."

"Give us some time to think your offer over as a family. This is too important to rush. Thank you Harry, or Simon, or whoever you really are."

Harry smiled and gave her a cocky bow, "I am both, neither, and many more. I can be whoever you wish me to be. No thanks are necessary, I do what I have to."

Ron stood up and Ginny followed suit. "Let's get moving mate. They need time as a family and if we hurry we can make it back to Hogwarts in time for lunch."

"If you didn't say that last, I might think you were becoming sensitive." Hermione hugged Ron before moving to Harry then Ginny. Harry reapplied his glamours and joined the others. They thanked the Grangers for the first proper tea they had enjoyed all week before walking out the door.

Standing on the front step Harry looked to his friends, "Do you guys feel like making an entrance?"

They grinned at him and he was reminded that the Twins' sense of fun was a family trait.

Ooooooo

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was enjoying a quiet lunch that Thursday. The attack on Hogsmeade had shocked the small community, and the loss of four of their own galvanized three quarters of the school. When the Potions Master managed to drag himself to the Groundskeeper's hut on Monday morning, the whole school mourned the loss of at least one of their brightest stars. Though not everyone knew her well, news of Hermione's death brought the war home. The fact that her body was not recovered, and that her friends had not been seen since bred an aura of anxiety.

It was into this tense atmosphere that the three returning heroes appeared. The skylight charm in the ceiling suddenly grew ominously stormy moments before an enormous bolt of lightning and a deafening clap of thunder rocked the hall. Those who looked up saw a giant bird with a fifteen foot wingspan clutching three children in its talons. The heroes whooped and screamed as if it were the best thrill ride they had ever been on. Perhaps it was. The massive thunderbird did a few aerial acrobatics before dropping the three at the end of the Gryffindor table.

"Thanks Sparky! You beat out a phoenix any day." Harry scratched the bird on top of its head. The thunderbird gave a great cry that inspired a warrior's fire and disappeared with another crack of thunder and lightning, though less intense than the first. Had Fawkes been dining with the rest of the school it would likely have taken offense, but as usual he was not to be seen.

As soon as the great bird was gone, the school erupted in cheers to welcome home their own. Luna ran over and latched her arms around Harry's neck while he spun her to disperse the momentum. Surprisingly they managed to eat lunch before Dumbledore approached them.

"Mr. Black, would you and your companions please accompany me to my office so we may speak about your experiences?" He asked kindly.

"Why don't we discuss it here Headmaster? I'm sure that it would be best if the students heard the truth straight, rather than letting rumors ferment. And I know they want to hear it." Ron and Ginny nodded as the students around them cheered. They were heroes now and heroes could do no wrong.

Dumbledore looked slightly nervous, "I think it would be best if we discussed it privately. There are sensitive issues we must consider."

"Nonsense," Harry called happily. "Don't the students deserve to know the truth? We'll answer almost any question anyone cares to ask. Come on, let's hear them everyone!"

Dumbledore and McGonagall both frowned, but they couldn't forbid it without looking bad in front of the students.

A fourth year Ravenclaw asked the first question. "Where did they take you?"

Ginny answered, "We don't know for certain. They threw us in a dark hole after taking our wands. Voldemort came and tortured Simon before we managed to escape. I think we were in someone's basement but I didn't ask the Death Eaters who was responsible for the décor."

"How did you escape?" Someone asked.

Simon stepped forward. "I killed everyone between me and the door and we ran for our life."

There were assorted gasps.

"What? Did you think Death Eaters were invincible juggernauts incapable of being harmed? They are pitiful excuses for wizards who only succeed because you fear them. They merit nothing more than my scorn and hatred. They can be harmed and they can be defeated!" His voice rang with conviction and a fire that the students respected.

"How did Hermione die?" Lavender Brown asked.

"She was fighting with Bellatrix Lestrange when she was hit in the chest with a killing curse. But she was avenged! Within moments of her being hit, I personally sent that bitch to hell! Bellatrix Lestrange is nothing but a memory and a greasy stain on my robes. Hermione, my father, the Longbottoms, and hundreds of others can rest now."

Neville walked over and shook his hand with a positively feral glint in his eye, "Thank you."

"We know Professor Snape was injured trying to rescue you but he won't tell us how. Did any of you see it?"

Dumbledore moved to cut them off. "The nature of Professor Snape's injuries is strictly confidential. Please respect his privacy." He said to the assembled students.

"What? That's the worst load of shite I've ever heard!" Ron yelled.

"Let me tell you exactly how "professor" Snape received his injuries!" Simon was incensed. "Your precious professor was there alright, but he wasn't trying to save us. When I shattered his knees he was busy trying to curse Ginny in the back, Did I mention he was wearing a Death Eater uniform at the time? It was because of him that I could not turn to help Hermione before she was hit with the killing curse. After we finished with everyone else in the room he refused to tell us the way out and I was forced to extract the answers in a more painful manner. If he is still here tomorrow and not rotting in Azkaban where he belongs I hope you will all have the sense to ask yourselves why."

"He was trying to kill us not save us!" Ginny added.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Dumbledore yelled over the sudden roar. "You three will see me in my office now!"

"Just a moment Headmaster I have only one last thing I need to do first." Harry walked over to the Slytherin Table and stood before a particular blonde student. "I have a message from your father. What was it? Oh yes, I remember now…" Harry grinned evilly and whined in a piteous voice. "Please, I beg you. Don't kill me!" Then Harry dropped the Malfoy family ring on the table and tossed his parting shot to a stunned table. "Dieing on your knees is so pathetic, LORD Malfoy."

Ooooooo

In his office Dumbledore was raging, "How could you publicly compromise Professor Snape in that manner? You are all aware of his importance to our side in this war!"

"He faced me in battle and lost. When he called himself my enemy he lost any consideration I may have given his position." Harry answered coldly.

"He attacked us when we were outnumbered three to one!" Ginny said with particular venom.

"How did you acquire wands and weapons while being help captive?" was the next question.

"We are not going to answer that."

"Must you be so uncooperative?" McGonagall snapped.

"Would you tell me the intricate details of your plans or methods? I am not part of your Order and I will not divulge my secrets to anyone who is not worthy."

"Where were you between Sunday evening and today?" Dumbledore asked with only the barest courtesy in his voice.

"I took everyone to a safe house I had set up in case I needed to run. I called one of my contacts and we were treated by a healer for our wounds. After we had acquired replacement wands and I was no longer stuck with a sling on my left arm we decided to return."

"Where is this house and which healer treated you?"

"Oh hell no! I am certainly not revealing that information."

"Are you set on being against me in this matter Mr. Black?" Dumbledore was all business now.

"I am afraid I have nothing to say that I will not say in front of a crowd."

"Mr. Simon Black you have admitted to kidnapping two of your fellow students for four days to an unknown location. You have admitted to knowingly attacking and causing permanent damage to a professor of Hogwarts. You have refused to help us in the war against the Dark Lord Voldemort, and have ruined our only spy within his forces thereby putting his life in jeopardy. You have fought my authority at every turn. There is no longer a place for you at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. From this moment forward you are expelled, you will hand me your wand."

Harry handed over one of the captured wands which Dumbledore and McGonagall grabbed opposing ends of before snapping it.

"Very well Professor. From this point forward I will not render you any aid or assistance. You and your associates are forbidden from entering any of the properties I control. Anything left inside will be placed on the curb of the street for you to collect. If you did not need to control every little detail we could have worked well together."

Ron placed his hand on his friend's shoulder in support. "Headmaster, as of this moment I am withdrawing from your school. I cannot agree with your judgment and I will not be returning while you are in charge. Simon, I'm with you to the end. Lead me and I will follow."

Ginny was about to speak up when Harry put his finger on her lips and whispered in her ear. "Not yet. Complete your OWLs and look after Luna for me would you? Remember how Hermione contacted me? I'll set up something similar for you as soon as I can."

Ginny glared for a moment before looking determined and nodding her agreement. "Ron, you know Mum is going to kill you. I won't tell her anything we didn't already agree on but you know this will really light her fire."

"Good day Professors." Harry and Ron left the office. Two men forced to grow up to soon, brothers in arms and bound by shared demons. It was decided the golden trio would rise from the ashes and seek new grounds to raise hell in.

Oooooo

With Hermione's help they broke the Fidelius at number twelve and replaced it with his own. The hardest part was completely erasing the runes which had been carved into the foundation of the building to anchor the charm. Thanks to Hermione's extensive skill in Runes they were able to begin re-carving them almost as soon as the spell fell. Four hours later Harry could feel someone beating against the wards of the house as they managed to raise their own Fidelius around the property. Yet again Hermione's brain had saved them from potential trouble. The wards might not have held long enough to retry if the first attempt had not been textbook perfect. If it was cast wrong or the anchors were misaligned the runes might explode and need to be carved yet again.

When the Grangers eventually made their decision, Harry had to put in a call.

"Yuri, good to speak to you my friend. I feel like spending money and I hope you can help me. I've lost some records and need your help finding them… My sister, Olya Markarov, age seventeen, one hundred seventy centimeters brown hair brown eyes, she was a top student. Do you think you can help me locate her lost records?... No, thirty five hundred is perfectly acceptable. While we're talking money I need a triple order of all those interesting supplies you helped me find back in August… Hmm… I don't remember it being that bad before. Fifteen thousand is a bit expensive. I'll give you twenty if you throw in two more pairs of glasses. Let's try for something a little less noticeable this time. One pair of lady's reading glasses and some sporty sunglasses. Does that sound fair?... Ok, I can do twenty one. Thanks Yuri, I knew you were the best that's why I came to you first… Yeah I know I owe you one, we can talk about it when I stop by next week to pick everything up."

Harry hung up the phone and turned to the Grangers. "Good news, I've fixed Hermione's living impairment. I hope you don't mind becoming my sister?"

"Of course not. I really don't want to know about the other half of that conversation do I?" She replied.

"Probably not," He agreed, "But I did get you a spiffy pair of glasses that act like Moody's eye except they can't see through clothing. You'll need to learn Russian and Japanese if you are going to pass as my sister though. I'll pick them up when I get your new identity."

"Umm… Harry? When you said you'd pay thirty five hundred, what currency were you using?" Mr. Granger asked. "We're grateful for your help but you're spending a lot of money on all. We are not poor, but we are proud."

"It was galleons. Throw in all the other stuff I just got her too, and we're looking at seven thousand galleons, thirty five thousand pounds… Perfect grades and a completely legitimate passport don't come cheap, nor do all the other essentials. We're through the looking glass now sir, the rules just got thrown out the window."