Chapter 12

There was a lot of gossip at dinner that night. The Headmaster was back and he did not look well. He looked like he had been held hostage and fed bread and water.

Which wasn't too far from the truth.

After dinner Harry cornered his new minders.

"Greg, Vinnie, take a seat." Harry instructed as he conjured a pair of arm chairs in the common room for the boys. He then threw up a Muffliato.

"AAAAHHHHHH!"

Everyone in the room turned as the same boy screamed and ran out of the room.

Agatha, who was sitting at a table helping some first years, immediately ran after him.

Harry shook his head and returned his attention to Gregory and Vincent.

"So… boys! Why have you taken to following me around like you did Malfoy? Not that I don't appreciate the company, that is! I'm just curious." Harry asked with a smile. He didn't want to hurt the boy's feelings if they just wanted to be his friends.

Greg and Vinnie (and they really liked the nicknames Harry gave them) shared a look.

Greg looked at Harry and stated simply: "It's what we're supposed to do."

Going out on a very slight limb, Harry asked. "Because someone told you to?" He received a confident nod from them. "Alright, tell me the details. Who gave you the instructions and what did they entail?"

Vincent sat up straight and said with pride. "Our fathers instructed us to guard the Malfoy Heir until the Dark Lord returns."

"Ooookay." Harry drawled. "So why are you following me?"

"Our fathers said we had to watch Draco until you killed him or tossed him out of Hogwarts."

The two boys seemed so… innocent, to Harry.

He couldn't help but wonder if their dads had more brains than them.

"Are your dads Death Eaters?" He asked casually.

Both boys nodded.

He was beginning to doubt it.

Harry leant back in his chair tiredly and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Harry had a thought and dropped the muffliato.

"Guys, being a Death Eater is about the most horrible thing a person can be." As he had hoped, people began to pay attention. "I'm not talking about the murders they commit or the torturing they do… I'm talking about what they go through themselves.

"Lord No Name enjoys torturing people himself. He likes to do it to his Death Eaters. Ask your dads if he ever used the Crucio on them.

"But that's not the only downside. You see, being a Death Eater means that you are a criminal. Like Draco. You can't go out in public. You can't go and have an ice cream at Fortescue's or a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.

"You spend your life on the run or in hiding… waiting to be told who to kill or to be summoned before Lord No Name and tortured… just because he's bored.

"And what about when you are told to kill someone? It could be anyone. It could be Millie, or Missus Farley… and he won't put them back together like we did with Mister Griffy."

"You keep talking about the Dark Lord, Potter. What about the rewards?" Lucian Bole challenged from one of the sofas. "What about what the Dark Lord stood for?"

"What did he stand for?" Harry asked calmly.

"Purity of blood! He stood for Purebloods everywhere to make sure that we aren't overrun by mud-" Bole froze as Harry's wand appeared in his hand and pointed at him. "Muggleborn."

Harry's wand relaxed… but he didn't put it away.

"They are a plague trying to steal our magic and our way of life!" Lucian finished passionately.

"Lord No Name was born to Merope Gaunt, a squib, and Tom Riddle, a muggle. He was less than a half-blood. He was also raised in a muggle orphanage."

"You can't prove that Potter! I've checked your claims. There is no record of Tom Riddle Junior changing his name to Lord Voldemort." Lucian smirked triumphantly.

Harry tried not to laugh as Terence dropped his head onto the table he was sitting at with a loud thud. "Of course he didn't you plonker!" His muffled voice said in irritation. He then sat up and glared at Lucian. Well… he did after he ripped off the parchment stuck to his forehead. "Voldemort is a made up name! Even his followers had to know that."

Harry spoke up before Lucian could undoubtedly say something to Terrence that would get him hexed. "If you want proof then ask Dumbledore. He taught Riddle and he met with him when he started going by Voldemort.

"I think Professor Snape might be aware of this too."

"All people who opposed the Dark Lord." Lucian dismissed his reasoning.

Harry changed track slightly as he realised that Lucian would never believe him. "Why did he keep killing Purebloods then? Bones, Prewitt, Longbottom, Potter… there were plenty more. When he was here last year at Halloween he threatened to kill Hufflepuff Purebloods.

"He's not interested in blood purity. He just wants power."

"Nothing wrong with power, Potter. But it should be wielded by those who deserve it."

"Like Purebloods?"

"Exactly."

"And why do Purebloods deserve it?"

"We are the original magicals!" Lucian snapped irritably. "We have been magicals for generation upon generation!"

Harry wrinkled his nose in thought for a minute. "Dobby?"

*Pop*

"Yes Harry Potter Sir?"

"Could you nip up to my library and get me the book on the table?"

The elf vanished and reappeared so quickly that there was only one pop.

"Thanks."

Dobby nodded and vanished.

Harry held the book up for all to see. "Do you recognise this, Lucian?"

The older boy smirked. "That is the Pure-blood directory. It contains the names of The Sacred 28. The Noble and Most Ancient Houses that have not dirtied themselves with mud- muggles."

"So this book contains the names of those who are entitled to magic?" Harry queried.

"Exactly."

There was another thud and Lucian had a slight doubt about his air-tight argument as he saw Terrence with his head, again, planted on the table.

He turned back to Harry and his worry increased as he saw the boy smirk.

"So, Millie, Daph, your names are in this book." He smiled at the two girls, Bulstrode and Greengrass. "Lucian's isn't. Bit of a disgrace really, that a Bole, an 'un-pure' is not only attending our school but is also standing in our noble house, wouldn't you say?"

Millicent Bulstrode was just a few shades smarter than Greg and Vinnie. She also had a lot of respect for Harry; He treated her like an equal, even though she was one of his vassals.

This meant she was intuitive enough to let Daphne respond.

"Whilst I have nothing against muggleborn and no particular desire to… deny or restrict their access to our world, I do find it to be very poor taste for such a minor family (not even a true House) such as Bole to be dictating the wishes of such great institutions as The Sacred 28."

As it was the heiress to one of Bole's precious Pure-blood families that had spoken, he had very little choice but to keep his trap shut on the matter.

Harry sat there with a thoughtful frown. Daphne was not being rude or condescending. She wasn't a bigot or held to any of the Pure-blood superiority… but something she said didn't sit right with Harry.

"Harry?"

The displaced time-traveller looked up, he realised that they were waiting on him.

"Well… Lucian, even if you have no respect for myself and my position, by your own word you should respect the opinions and decisions of a member of The Sacred 28."

There were a few frowns. Harry was now very subdued. There was none of the charisma that had been there when he had begun to talk with Greg and Vinnie.

Harry stood up and patted the two boys on the shoulder before walking off to his quarters without a word.


Filius flooed into Harry's quarters a few minutes later to find him working on carving runes into a simple wooden chair. He was hissing away as he talked to Blinky. The conversation seemed to include them all. Owl, basilisk, phoenix and human.

"Harry?" He asked softly. "Is everything ok? Your housemates were worried about your… departure."

"They were?" Harry frowned.

"Apparently Mister Higgs suggested that Miss Davis ask Dobby to get me to come and check on you."

Harry shook his head in mild frustration. Mainly at himself. "Ember, why don't you go and visit Tracey and tell her to let everyone know I'm fine, just thinking."

The little phoenix jumped off her perch and vanished in a flash of flame. Ember was a big hit with the decent members of Slytherin house.

The rest were very uncomfortable around her… especially when she sang.

"So what are you thinking so hard about?" Filius asked as he settled into his armchair.

Harry sighed, pausing in his carving for a moment. "We were having a discussion on Riddle and blood purity. Lucian was arguing for Tom and Pure-bloods. I pulled out the Pure-blood Directory and pointed out that his family wasn't in it. I put Daphne and Millicent on the spot about what they thought of Bole's attitude and presumptions."

"And the girls crumbled under the pressure of dealing with a much older student." Filius nodded in understanding.

Harry laughed. "No, Daph put Lucian… well, she practically buried him under his place.

"No… Daphne didn't do anything wrong… but something she said. She commented on how she had no prejudice against muggleborn and muggles, but… what she actually said was something to effect of having no desire to restrict or deny their access to: 'Our World'." He finished with finger quotes.

"You have a problem with her phrasing?" Filius asked, he didn't understand what Harry was having trouble with.

"Uncle Fil… you were born and raised with magic. So was Daphne. I have absolutely no problem with you and those like the two of you claiming a sense of ownership of your way of life.

"But it means that first generation magicals are being forced into the role of immigrants. Leaving the non-magical world for the magical. They don't have a choice.

"And because they weren't born into this world of magic they are looked upon as parasites and thieves who steal the jobs, the houses… the potential spouses."

Harry stopped and went back to his carving… just for something to do.

"Are you upset because you have just realised this or because you don't know what to do about it?" Filius asked quietly.

Harry gave him a small smile. "I already know what to do about it, Uncle Fil. I'm just… annoyed that it exists."

"I dread to ask… but what do you plan to do?"

"Conquer Magical Britain."

Filius couldn't bring himself to believe Harry was joking. It wasn't the first time his adopted nephew had made such a declaration and despite his obsession with going into space, he was very careful to pay attention to his role as Lord Slytherin.

He didn't get a chance to question further before there was a knock on the door to the common room.

Dobby instantly appeared. "Mrs. Farley is here sir."

Harry rolled his eyes. In many ways Dobby was dead useful and a godsend. But he was very selective in which orders he chose to follow. Harry had told him that other than making sure the animals were all good, he could do what he wanted as long as he helped now and again.

'Now and again', for Dobby, translated into 'all the time'.

"Let her in."

"My Lord." She said with a curtsey.

"Agatha-" Harry growled out. He was constantly telling her to drop the formalities. He gave a resigned sigh. "Have a seat and tell me what I can do for you."

In the manner of a true lady, Agatha Farley settled herself primly on the edge of the sofa with her knees together and slanted slightly and her hands folded in her lap.

"It's about Jonathan Dempsy, My Lord."

"Harry."

"My Lord Harry."

Harry was banging his head against his project so he missed the shy smile of amusement she sent to Filius who was trying hard not to laugh.

"Is there a problem with our young first year, Mrs. Farley?" Filius asked. "I understand he is a half-blood, but I assume he is not being harassed, someone would have painted the Slytherin Common Room, Gryffindor Red with blood!"

"No Professor. Nothing as serious as that." She assured them. "Jonathan was the boy who ran out of the common room screaming, Lord Harry. I checked on him and he told me that he has a crippling fear of bees and wasps. He heard a loud buzzing and panicked."

Harry began banging his head on his chair again. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"

"Harry!"

"Not Johnny, Uncle Fil. Me." Harry assured him. "Agatha, can you go and bring Jonathan up here, please."

She quickly stood, curtsied and left.

"Dobby!"

*Pop*

"Yes Master Harry Potter Sir?"

"Can you go and ask the Sorting Hat if he wouldn't mind joining us here for a quick meeting, please?"

"Yes Master Harry Potter Sir."

*Pop*

Harry spent a good thirty minutes with the poor boy explaining that it was just the muffliato charm. He also promised not to use it if Jonathan was around. They also spent some time with Filius and the Sorting Hat explaining how to add his own charms and wards to his room and clothes so he would be safe from the evil little kamikaze bastards.


"WOOOOOHOOOOOO!"

The first years in the courtyard turned in wonder to see Harry Potter go flying past on a floating chair whilst he screamed in joy.

"I'LL KIIIIILLL YOOOUUUU POOOTTTTEEEERRR!"

The first years in the courtyard turned in wonder to see Hermione Granger go flying past on a floating chair whilst she screamed death threats at The Boy-Who-Lived.

"Heh heh. This is fun."

The first years in the- ok so now it was getting ridiculous as Crabbe and Goyle floated by on chairs at a rather sedate pace.

"Mister Crabbe! Mister Goyle!"

The two boys stopped their forward momentum and turned to see Professor Sprout marching up.

"What on earth are the four of you doing?" She demanded.

"We're testing Harry's chairs." Vincent answered politely.

Pomona Sprout was a little taken aback at being addressed like that by a boy who rarely spoke and was sitting with perfect posture in a floating table chair.

She quickly rallied herself though. "I assume you agreed to aid Mister Potter, but what about Miss Granger?"

"She agreed as well." Vincent nodded.

"I think Harry… fiddled with hers." Greg frowned.

Considering the screams and death threats echoing back over the castle grounds… she was hard pressed to disagree.

Pomona knew there wasn't any way she would be able to talk the rambunctious young lord into a more reasonable set of actions… so she sent a messenger spell to Filius.

She passed the buck.


"Honestly Harry, involving the students in your… 'projects' is really a bit much." Filius chided as he helped a shaky Hermione from her chair.

She seemed to be having trouble standing.

"It's perfectly safe and fun." Harry said obstinately.

"Miss Granger would appear to disagree." Filius frowned as he saw the girl still trying to stand.

"This is part of her 'extra tuition'." Harry explained. "I've assigned her a project: To Learn to Have Fun!"

"She seems to be failing." Filius retorted dryly. "Miss Granger!" He snapped lightly. "You can't be that traumatised!" He said as the girl still couldn't stand.

At this point Greg and Vinnie had rolled up.

"Did you remember to release the safety rune, Hermione?" Greg asked curiously.

Hermione's flushed face turned even redder as she reached over her right shoulder with her left hand and tapped a glowing rune on the backrest.

"Harry, can we… ?" Vincent asked with clear childlike hope.

"Have fun boys. Just remember to come tell me all about it and to tell me if there is anything wrong with them." Harry grinned.

"WOOOHOOOO!"

Filius looked on in shock as the two Slytherin boys shot off far faster than Harry or Hermione had been travelling. They also weren't flying at ground level as they shot into the sky and began spinning in any direction they could.

"Harry… what safety features did you add to those chairs?" Filius asked as he swallowed hard.

"Well, you saw the safety belt rune. The chairs are also charmed unbreakable. There is a monitoring set of charms that will portkey them straight to Poppy if their health fails for any reason."

"Could someone call Madam Pomphrey please." Hermione said as she stood shakily on the firm ground. "I might need a healer."

"There are also charms to negate the effects of gravity: G-Forces." Harry added, ignoring his friend.

Filius looked Hermione glibly. "Suck it up girl. If you are this queasy with Harry's chairs, you'll never survive the Floo or Portkeys."


Albus was sitting in his office.

Well… it was the small broom cupboard he had appropriated.

He was currently reading over the latest reports from the ICW. He would have a meeting to attend the following week and he wanted to make sure he was up to date on everything.

Magical Britain was completely ignorant of the world beyond its borders. Not by choice, precisely, it was more that the papers and wireless didn't print anything.

As such the general magical population had no idea that the magicals of Tibet were still working on their resistance against the Chinese.

They didn't know about the issues between the US Magicals and the US Muggles.

But it was Albus' job to not only know these things, but to be able to mediate between entire countries and civilisations to prevent war.

He was jerked from his musings as the door opened to reveal a fairly sheepish Argus Filch.

"Need the plunger." He explained shortly. "Bloody third years have gone and clogged the second floor bathrooms. There's shi-"

"Thank you! Argus." Albus interrupted quickly.

Argus just shrugged and pointed to the corner behind Albus. "Need that one."

Albus tried not to grimace as he picked the clearly 'used' plumbing apparatus up with two dainty fingers and handed it over.

Argus left without a word, closing the door.

Albus turned back to the papers detailing the troubles in the world he would need to fix.

"Sweet Merlin!" Albus dropped the papers and ran for the bathroom as he realised his hands were not… clean.


Harry was sitting in his quarters late in the evening and reading a fifth year text on Ancient Runes. Lying in a messy pile across from him was a third year text on Arithmancy.

He had thrown it there when he couldn't understand a single thing and his frustration got the better of him.

There was a knock at his door so he calmly, yet tersely put his book down and answered it.

He was met by a very stern and tense looking Minerva and Filius.

"Oh for Merlin's sake!" Harry exclaimed in exasperation. "She's a bloody twelve-year-old girl, not the Queen of England! Learn to say no!"

Both professors visibly sagged as they rolled their eyes.

Filius gently pushed Harry back inside.

"We aren't here about Miss Granger, Harry." He assured him.

"Right." Harry clearly wasn't convinced.

"However, we are here about another student and would like your input and opinion." Minerva admitted.

Harry was curious… but wary. "Alright, I'll bite. Who?"

"Ronald Weasley." Filius said with a tired sigh.

Now Harry was confused. "I barely even know him this time."

"Which may be part of the problem." Minerva explained. "His grades are abysmal. He rarely hands in homework and spends most of his evenings in detention."

"He was always a bit of a slacker." Harry admitted.

"A bit? Harry, the boy refuses to do the work. He actually puts more effort into trying to convince others to do his homework for him!" Filius exclaimed.

"Well... usually Hermione would badger us into doing our homework. Although Ron still had barely passing marks."

"So perhaps a tutor would help?" Minerva asked hopefully.

Harry just laughed. "Nah, he would drive a tutor nuts. A tutor won't fix his apathy and laziness. Plus… Ron always had a sense of entitlement. He was always jealous of my wealth and fame despite the fact I lost my parents to get it. He doesn't realise his brothers work hard for what they achieve, but he's seen his sister doted upon by his parents."

"We need to do something or Ron Weasley will be the first student in a century to be expelled for failing grades!" Minerva exclaimed.

Harry sat thoughtfully for a while. His honorary aunt and uncle knew this look… usually it led to stress for them… but they gave him the benefit of the doubt this time.

"We could do a Malfoy on him." He eventually suggested.

"Draco or Lucius?" Filius asked quickly.

"Draco. We give Ron a taste of what his slacking and laziness will get him."

"We'll need to discuss this with his parents first." Minerva said in resignation. She never enjoyed a meeting with parents like this. Especially not when Molly was one of them.


"Ron, do you realise how much it costs us to send you to Hogwarts?" Arthur asked his son. He was disappointed at what he had heard from Professor McGonagall but had no trouble believing it. "The cost is why we can only afford second hand things."

"Bill's got money. Why doesn't-"

"Ronald!" Arthur barked angrily. "Both your brothers willingly give money towards supporting their family. Money that they earned through hard work!

"How do you think you will get by in life if you don't earn a living?"

"You mean 'work'?" The look of horror and shock on Ron's face would have been hilarious if the situation wasn't serious.

"Where do you think your brothers and I get the money to keep us fed?" Arthur asked, he couldn't believe his youngest son was this… dumb.

"A suggestion was made on how to teach Ronald the lesson he has failed to grasp, if you are interested, Arthur." Minerva offered from behind her desk.

Arthur looked at her and gave a sharp nod.

"At his current rate of effort, when he leaves Hogwarts he will be lucky to have achieved even a single OWL. The most he could hope to achieve in life is a position as a cleaner. Probably for one of the seedier establishments in Knockturn Alley." She didn't bother to hide her muttered opinion. "It has been proposed that Ronald be assigned as an assistant for Tom at the Leaky Cauldron. He will be paid one sickle an hour for every hour he works."

There was a greedy little gleam in Ron's eyes.

Minerva quickly moved to stomp on it.

"That money will be used to pay for food. The rest will be used to pay for his room at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Why can't I live at home for free?" Ron whined.

"Because this is about teaching you to what will happen if you don't buckle down and start working!" Arthur said irritably. He turned to Minerva. "I will need to speak with Molly and Tom but the idea has my support. I will try and get back to you by this evening."


Christmas finally arrived. This time Susan and Amelia spent their holiday at the castle with Harry. It was simply easier when you considered he now had several families to look after.

On Christmas Day he made a special trip to see Dudley. The boy was doing a lot better. He was far from happy as he was well aware that he was a prisoner, but he was no longer being bullied and had actually made a few friends who shared an interest in comics.

"Whoa! You lost a ton of weight!" Harry exclaimed as he entered the visitor's room.

Dudley was clearly pleased about this but also embarrassed. "Yeah, they don't let us have too many snacks and the food… it's not as good as Mum's." He said with a hint of a conspiratorial whisper.

"I think they do that on purpose so you don't over-eat." Harry admitted.

Dudley was shocked and exclaimed in quiet awe. "Diabolical!"

Harry tried not to laugh. He had never in his life (both of them) heard Dudley use such a fancy word. "Come on Dud', let's get your shoes and coat. I managed to convince them to let you spend Christmas Day with me. Just have to have you back by tomorrow evening."

"Really?!" Dudley was clearly excited.

"'Course! Just remember, you're going to be with my sort of people."

Dudley's hands unconsciously moved to his buttocks.

Harry frowned. "Dudley, if anybody tries to use magic on you then they will have to deal with me. You have my word that I will protect you."

"Promise?"

"Promise."


Of course, Harry wouldn't have been able to take custody of Dudley himself as he appeared to be only twelve. He had enlisted Sirius and Filius to come with him.

Most people tended to ignore Filius' size. A simple charm on his coat made people think he was simply a Little Person.

Dudley was obviously nervous at the diminutive professor, he was easily able to figure he was one of the 'special people' from the magical world, as Harry liked to call them.

They were soon spinning like a top as they portkeyed back to Hogwarts where Dudley stayed glued to Harry's side.

He might have been nervous around Filius, but he was clearly terrified that someone was going to pull a wand on him.

Harry led him up the path towards the castle, the Christmas snow crunching under their feet. As they reached the walls they heard laughter and screams of delight. They soon saw the students who had stayed for the holiday having a snowball fight and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Minerva and Pomona were nearby, bundled up in furs and nursing steaming cups of hot chocolate.

Warming charms were convenient but they ruined the winter atmosphere.

The trio's approach was soon noticed and several of the children ran up to greet them.

"Easy there." Harry warned his friends. "This is my cousin Dudley. He's never really seen magic and he doesn't know any of you."

"Is this the same Dudley that used to beat you up?" Terrence asked with a dark look.

Dudley was once again feeling that fear as he cowered behind Harry.

"How did you hear about that?" Harry asked with a scowl.

Terrence looked at Filius and Sirius with a nod. "What happened to you was bad enough that we could hear Lord Black shouting angrily when he met with some of the professors in his quarters."

Harry turned and looked at Sirius with an angry glare. "What else have you discussed at volumes perfected for eavesdropping?"

Sirius stood there, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. He was shocked at this revelation.

"We'll discuss it later." Harry said curtly. He turned back to Terrence. "Yes, this is the same Dudley. He is trying to change, which is why I brought him here. He's been doing good but I wanted to show him what the world has to offer.

"Now, Dudley, why don't you go and have some fun with this lot. Greg, Vinnie, you keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get lost or get into trouble."

The two hulking boys towered over Dudley, despite being the same age. Dudley was big… just horizontally as opposed to vertically.

Terrence released a breath of displeasure before he turned and followed the others. Dudley was being led away by the two larger boys to where there was a pile of perfectly formed, cricket ball sized snowballs.

"Are you sure he'll be safe?" Sirius asked worriedly. "It's bad enough he's a muggle, there are a lot of pure-bloods there."

"The magic and blood issues won't be a problem." Filius shook his head. "The… fierce loyalty of the Slytherins to Harry, however, might be."

"Greg and Vinnie will keep him safe." Harry had complete confidence in the two boys. He had spoken to the Hat and discovered they were more suited for Hufflepuff, they were only placed in Slytherin to protect them from their fathers.

That was something Harry intended to deal with soon. He hated being connected to these despicable people who would hurt their own children and sell them like cattle.

Harry sat with the other professors and Sirius as they watched the children enjoy themselves. It was Luna who was the most influential in getting Dudley to relax.

In a typical 'Dudley Moment', he had looked at Luna as she said something about something infecting him. "You're weird."

There was no malice, just confusion from Dudley. But he had spoken without thinking and everyone stopped with the snowballs and waited for a reaction.

Luna just smiled. "Thank you!"

She then tossed a snowball at his chest.

And the snowball fight resumed and the moment was forgotten.

Except by Dudley who subconsciously realised that Luna wouldn't get mad at him when he was stupid. He stayed near her… just in case he had another brain fart.

Eventually dinner arrived and Dudley was once again scared stiff. He was confronted by the man who gave him his tail.

"Mister Dursley, Sir. I just wanted to apologise for hexing you. Was a terrible thing to do to a child and I am rightly ashamed of myself."

Despite the very contrite, nervous and embarrassed person in front of Dudley… it was still a bloody giant who gave him a tail.

He stayed cowering behind Harry.

Sirius saw this but also knew that Hagrid was sincere and would never hurt anyone… unless they threatened someone he cared about.

He immediately threw an arm around Hagrid (he only reached his stomach) and began joking and laughing.

Luna was still with him along with Greg and Vinnie so he began to relax.

Harry was leaning against the wall of the Great Hall closest to the Slytherin table and watching Dudley interact with the students. He smiled slightly, there was a hint of relief and hope that maybe Dudley wouldn't need a dementor to make him see the error of his ways.

"I am quite relieved to see you put your animosity for your family behind you."

Harry's hope and relief pretty much packed up and moved to cooler climates.

"Albus, you are a sanctimonious arsehole. I hate my uncle and aunt. They are sitting in prison, rotting away like they deserve. Dudley, however, is young enough that he can be rehabilitated. It helps that he can't really be blamed for the way his parents raised him.

"That blame rests entirely with you." Harry turned and glared at his arch-nemesis. Voldemort was just a pest compared to Albus Dumbledore.

Albus chuckled in amusement. "I fail to see how I had anything to do with how young Dudley turned out. I'd never met the boy."

"No, but you placed a magical child with his parents. Parents who had made it very clear they hated magic and anything to do with it… including Petunia's own sister.

"As a result, they went out of their way to treat their son like a prince so he would know he was better than the 'problem' they kept under the stairs.

"If I hadn't been forced to live with them then they would have treated Dudley like a regular child. Despite how they raised Dudley and treated me, they both had a strong work ethic. Dudley is a… nearly as lazy as Ron Weasley.

"So yes, Albus. It is entirely your fault that the Dursley's are the way they are."

Albus gave a sad sigh.

Harry tried to refrain from punching the bastard.

"It is sad that you seem to feel the need to assign blame to me for things beyond my control."

"So, Albie." Harry was getting very snarky. "If I could get the Dursleys out of prison and back home, would you still make me live there?"

"Ah, Har- Mister Potter." He quickly corrected himself as he saw Harry's glare. "You underestimate both the danger you are in and the strength of the wards that I erected."

"You mean like danger from Death Eaters?"

"Exactly."

"And Lord No Name?"

Albus gave a tired sigh. He thought that name was entirely too childish. Even if it was legally apt in the Pure-blood world. "Yes, Mister Potter. Even Tom Riddle."

"And you were responsible for those wards and me being there?"

"Again… yes. I erected the wards based on your family's love and the blood that you and your aunt share."

"And you are responsible for my safety here?"

"That is my duty as headmaster to all students who attend Hogwarts." He corrected.

"You seriously can't see where I'm going with this?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"I assumed you realised that everything I have done is to keep you safe." Albus frowned.

"Unbelievable!" Harry exclaimed as he stomped off leaving a confused Headmaster wondering what he said wrong.

Albus looked around and saw Minerva and Filius glaring at him before they too stomped off.

He decided to retire to his broom closet to review his memory of the conversation in his pensive… provided Fawkes hadn't 'used' it again.


"So, you had a good time, Dud?" Harry asked as they arrived back at the special home the following day.

"It was… epic!" Dudley grinned. Then he looked around and the sadness came over him. "But I'm back here."

"Dudley, I am not a cruel person. I didn't show you my world today just so you could see what you couldn't have. I showed you everything to give you a reason to be the best person you can be.

"You are getting good reports here. Your work is average but that isn't an issue as far as I am concerned. The reports that interest me are the ones on your behaviour. My people are talking to the people in charge and we reckon that you could be out of here by July. After that you could come live with me."

Dudley looked like he would burst with excitement. "You mean live in the castle?"

"Live in the castle but attend a normal school." Harry nodded with a smile. "I want you to get the best normal education you can so that when you get older you can help other people like me who don't understand how the normal world works."

"You want me to be a teacher?" Dudley, like most children, only went to school to be with his friends… he'd much rather not go at all.

"I want you to be whatever you want to be, Dud. But if you have a normal education then you can help magicals fit in with the normal world. Just like my friends were trying to help you fit in the magical world today."

Dudley frowned thoughtfully as he nodded.

Harry chuckled. "Relax, Dudley. I'm not asking you to decide now. You're stuck here till the summer. Use the time to make your decisions and work towards being the best human being you can be.

"I'll be back next week for another visit."


A few weeks after the New Year, Harry approached Albus in his broom cupboard… office.

"Albie!" Harry greeted him cheerfully.

Said Albus just sighed. "It is common courtesy to knock before entering a person's office, Mister Potter."

Harry just shrugged. "This is my castle and this is certainly not your office."

Albus still refused to go back to the Headmaster's office whilst the portraits would be spying on him. Of course Harry had no interest in having them spy.

"What do you want Harry?" He asked tiredly.

"A bit informal there." Harry chided with a grin.

"You called me 'Albie'." Dumbledore retorted dryly.

"Well… since it's just us, I'll allow it." Harry kept his grin. "Next year you are being banned from the castle." Albus was about to argue but Harry jumped in. "It's just for the year. You will still be headmaster but I want you to take a sabbatical."

"And just why are you so concerned about me all of a sudden?" He asked suspiciously.

"Because everyone says you are a good man. Unfortunately, everyone also says you are making some really dumb mistakes and looking like a fool.

"So, you are taking a sabbatical. I recommend leaving the country and having a long lie on a hot beach.

"I suppose you could also focus on your roles at the Wizengamut and ICW."

"And who do you intend to take over my responsibilities whilst I am gone?" Albus was more amused than insulted.

"Aunt Minnie can handle most stuff. Uncle Fil will pitch in. I can even get Nicky to help out. He does still owe me after all." It was true. Perenelle had threatened bodily harm on her husband if he ever tried to fulfil Harry's request to cast the Killing Curse at him.

"You could go and visit other magical schools and see how they do things. The Quidditch World Cup is in '94, you could start working on making sure it goes smoothly."

Albus examined the young lord shrewdly. "I'll think about it."

Harry laughed. "Albie, come August you will be out of the castle for a year. The only decision to be made is whether you leave voluntarily or you get the boot."


Albus was suitably stroppy for a few days. Mainly because he was given an ultimatum. In reality he was actually looking forward to doing a few of the things that Harry had mentioned.

There were some things that could use his undivided attention in the ICW so this would be the proper opportunity. He would also enjoy visiting other schools.

Ron Weasley had returned to the school a changed person.

He was terrified.

"It was horrible! There was glass and blood everywhere! And the vomit! Oh- gurp!"

The students in the Great Hall watched as Ron ran from the hall with his hand over his mouth as he tried to hold in the puke.

"Where was he to see all that?" Tracey asked Harry, she was a bit shocked herself by Ron's story. He was not known for speaking quietly.

"The Leaky Cauldron." Harry smiled. "New Year's Eve is pretty… exciting."

"That would scare me straight." Pansy said with a shudder.

"Nah, he was shook up by the night but that isn't what woke him up." Harry grinned. "Whilst he was working for Tom he met the manager for the Chudley Cannons. The man laughed in Ron's face when he said he would give up school so he could replace the current Keeper.

"Andy, the manager, told him that all his players had at least Acceptables in five OWLs. He also pointed out that as they were at the bottom of the league, they didn't make much money and they all had to hold down a steady day job."

"Really?" Blaise asked from the Hufflepuff table, this was news to them all.

Harry chuckled. "The Chuddley Cannons' players are the worst Quidditch professionals in the country. But they are some of the best at what they do in their day jobs.

"Apparently the Keeper is a solicitor and their Seeker is a Hit Wizard. There are even rumours that one of the Chasers is an Unspeakable."

"Wow." It was an expression that was mirrored in all their faces. They were astounded at what they were learning.

"Yeah, it's only the higher league players that don't need a second job. But they still have qualifications to fall back on." Harry nodded.


The year trundled on without much bother.

Remus was a hit with the DADA. On those specific days when he needed a break his classes were covered by Sirius or Albus.

Harry worked hard with his team of professors to create a viable space craft. They had everything they needed to make a trip to the moon. The plan was to create a base there and then spend their time trying to develop a method of travel between galaxies.

Harry had forbidden Aurora from telling Bathsheda or Septima just how far it was to another system… let alone another galaxy. He didn't want them hindered by thoughts of 'impossible'.

Towards the end of the year he received a knock on his door.

What greeted him made his blood run cold.

"Hi Harry!"

The six chirpy voices of the Padma, Pavarti, Luna, Tracey, Pansy and Gemma did not help.

"What do you want?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Can we talk?"

Harry was now mentally planning his escape from the situation. He had heard horror stories from Dean and Seamus about those three words.

Pavarti rolled her eyes at his indecision (and blatant fear) and pushed past him.

The three Slytherins timidly followed as Luna skipped ahead, dragging Padma with her.

Harry was extremely nervous as he sat in an armchair facing the array of girls on his couch.

"Do we have plans for the summer holidays?" Pavarti asked, clearly the more outgoing of the group. Also one of the few who took Harry seriously when he said he didn't want them treating him like he was a lord… just a twelve year old boy.

Who owned a castle.

"Not as a group." He answered slowly. "I have some things I need to do but nothing set in stone."

"We want to go to Africa!"

Harry looked at Pansy with amusement. He could relax now.

"Let me guess… it's got a big nose and floppy ears?"

Pansy blushed as the other girls tittered.

"I can set something up for you." Harry promised. "I'll talk to your parents and some of the adults and see if they can take you."

"My Lord-"

"Tracey… it will be a very bad day when you need to use my titles in private." Harry interrupted her. "I'm still just Harry and I am still your friend first. Ask me what you want and I'll consider it and if appropriate, I will make it happen."

"Well… see… IwashopingtoinviteDaphneandBlaise."

Harry had to take a moment to process what she had said. He then shrugged. "Let me see if I can arrange the trip to Africa first, if I can then I'll get the adults to talk to their parents, ok?"

She was still a bit flush from nerves and embarrassment but she had a big smile as she nodded.

"I'm assuming you will be coming too?" He asked Luna.

"Yes please." The young blonde said meekly. "Could we invite Hermione and some others?"

Harry sat back and let out a large breath. "Wow… that's a lot of people." He admitted. "And all of them are underage so far."

Harry felt so guilty when the girls began to look crestfallen.

He was just happy they weren't pouting.

"At the moment, the number of people you are looking to invite would make this a school trip. But that would be unfair to the professors as this is their holiday as well.

"Let me talk to the adults and see if they can work out a suitable amount of responsible adults for a trip. Okay?"


Apparently the girls had no idea just what they were asking for when they said they wanted to visit 'Africa'.

They had quickly pulled out an old atlas from the library before running off to Professor Flitwick in a panic.

"Calm down girls!" Filius pleaded as they stormed into his office. "Now, Miss Farley, please explain what has you all in a tizzy."

"Sir, we asked Harry if we could visit Africa this summer." She explained. "He said he would look into it. We went to the library and found this atlas… but the drawings are all wrong."

It was clear the girls were upset about this. They had been so excited to start planning, they were going to put a presentation together to convince the adults if they needed to. But when they saw the ridiculously inaccurate drawings they realised they didn't have any other books to use.

"Could we go to Diagon Alley to get a proper book, Sir?" Tracey practically pleaded.

Filius frowned as he thumbed through the pages. "I can't see a problem with this book. Granted there is no colour and the entire thing appears to have been drawn with a quill… but the information is accurate enough."

"But Sir! Look! According to this England is… an ant to and elephant!" Gemma argued.

Filius looked at them and frowned. "You mean because the book says that Africa is so much larger than England?"

"Exactly!"

The half-goblin let out a tired sigh. It was hardly the children's fault that they weren't taught basic geography. But to not even know the basic shape of the planet? He was tempted to ask if they knew the Earth was round… but decided he probably wouldn't like the answer.

Harry was going to be so smug about this.


The summer holidays rolled around and quite a few people were experiencing mixed emotions about it.

The girls were ecstatic as they were going to Africa and most of their friends would be going with them. They were a little apprehensive when they heard how big Africa was and that Harry wouldn't be there the whole time.

Harry was being unbearably smug about the state of the British Wizarding World's education system but he was also fairly tense about some of his up coming plans.

Filius was exceptionally grumpy due to Harry's smugness but he was looking forward to the trip to Africa.

Albus was feeling melancholy due to his impending one year exile. But at the same time he was looking forward to accompanying the children to Africa. He would enjoy the chance to just be a teacher again… he just hoped Draco would behave.

Harry was currently dealing with a nervous Dudley Dursley.

"You're sure it won't leave part of me behind. Gemma said that that could happen."

"What? No! That's only with apparition and only if the person doing it isn't focusing. What you will be using is… think of a rollercoaster. You will be taking a rollercoaster to Africa." Unfortunately, Harry's metaphor was not well received.

"But that's thousands of miles! I don't think I can ride a rollercoaster that long." He then looked a little embarrassed. "What if I need to pee?"

Harry couldn't help the fond smile he had for his cousin. Over the months of weekly visits they had developed a brotherly relationship. Harry was clearly in the role of the older brother (despite being physically younger), they were finally becoming what they should have been during Harry's first time through.

Family.

Harry looked around and picked up a small rock. "You see that wall over there?" He pointed to a castle wall that was about twenty metres from where they were sitting in the middle of the courtyard. "Run over there as fast as you can. I'll time you."

It showed how far Dudley had come in the past year that, despite Harry holding a rock in his hand, Dudley began running.

Once he arrived, Harry called him back over. "Ok, under five seconds. Now, throw this rock at the wall hard. I'll time it."

Dudley threw the rock as hard as he could.

"Less than a second." Harry announced.

"Harry! Is there a reason you are throwing rocks?" They turned to see Minerva marching up.

"I'm just explaining Portkey travel, Aunt Minnie."

Minerva gave a little huff. "This ought to be good."

Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to Dudley. "You running to the wall is like taking a plane or broom. It takes a while. But Portkeys are like the rock. A fraction of the time."

Dudley looked at the remains of the rock dubiously. "I won't smash like the rock, right?"