Chapter 25: Toads, Horcruxes and Hogsmead
While the others followed Dumbledore to the Auror training centre on the Department of Magical Law Enforcement level, Harry and Croaker made their way to the hall of prophecy. Harry hated the dark and creepy place with a passion, memories flooded his mind but he had a job to do, he took a deep breath and carried on.
Harry allowed Croaker to take him to row ninety seven and in seconds the prophecy sphere was exchanged. Harry almost put the real prophecy in his bag, but at the last moment decided that it was too dangerous to keep. He placed it on the floor, raised his wand and vanished the sphere into nothingness. Things were going well. Harry's second ambush of Voldemort was set.
He had sat for hours in his trunk thinking up plans. If Voldemort did escape the graveyard Harry knew that he would attempt to retrieve the prophecy. What was uncertain whether Voldemort would take the prophecy for himself or try to trick him again. Harry had formed plans and back up plans, his goal was to actively hunt Voldemort. The next part of that plan would begin in a few days with another meeting at Gringotts.
As they were walking back to the circular room of choice, which served as the entrance to the department Croaker had a small request of Harry. "After you have finished Hogwarts and once the threat of Voldemort has been taken care of, would you come and see me?" He asked.
Harry was intrigued "To what end sir?"
Croaker smiled at him, "I was wondering if you might like to work for me? It has been a long time since a teenager has impressed me, in fact you remind me a lot of me and like Albus, I too am looking for a successor."
Harry laughed "Thank-you for the offer, I'll promise I'll consider it." Harry lied, he was making plans and most of them had nothing to do with the Ministry. In fact Harry was fairly certain that he would be disappearing for a few years once Voldemort was gone, he just hoped Ginny would want to go with him. He had even asked Kandar to look into buying a private island where he could build a nice home and live in peace. They rode the lift back up the Law Enforcement level and Harry followed Croaker once more, even though he knew the way like the back of his hand.
Croaker opened the door to the Auror training centre; where Harry had worked for the better part of forty years in his other timeline. Dumbledore and the rest were off to the side chatting amongst themselves. Delores Umbridge lay in the centre of the large stone lined room, Harry smiled to himself, this was going to be fun.
Harry didn't enjoy killing, but he rationalised it. It was true that this Umbridge hadn't sent hundreds of muggleborns to Azkaban for 'stealing magic' but she had been instrumental in drafting anti werewolf legislation. He was certain that she would be a thorn in the side of Amelia Bones and everything they were trying to do. In short she was too dangerous to live.
Amelia walked over to him with a slightly concerned look on her face. "Are you sure about this Harry?" She asked, but Harry waved her off.
"Don't worry Minister; this will be over before you know it." Harry answered with supreme confidence that no thirteen year old exuded.
She gazed at him at him for a moment, "I will have a busy afternoon as you can imagine, but could we have a late dinner tonight? I think we need to have a conversation." She looked at him in a hard way that clearly said he didn't have any choice in the matter.
Harry nodded, "Yes we can do that, would you like to meet Sirius as well?"
She shook her head, "Not yet... can you come to my office at ten?"
"I'll be there."
Amelia walked back to the group and saw that Remus Lupin was having a rather intense conversation with Headmaster Dumbledore.
Harry flicked his wand and bound Umbridge, he then he used the Levicorpus charm to raise her into the air by her ankle. He threw her wand at the ground below her head and readied himself for the duel. While it was true he was giving her a chance, he knew that making her angry would mean that she would make a mistake. A mistake that he could take advantage of.
He fired off a quick aguamenti charm that soaked her in ice cold water and then woke her up. Instantly her eyes were open and her head spun as she took in her surroundings. She tried to scream but her lips were still stuck together, a moment later and Harry unstuck them.
"YOU LITTLE BASTARD, I'LL HAVE YOU IN AZKABAN FOR THIS..." She saw the Aurors standing off to the side watching with interest. "AURORS HELP ME!...WHERE IS THE MINISTER?" She screamed like a banshee.
Harry answered in a cool and calm tone that was sure to make her even angrier. "Madam Umbridge, Minister Bones is standing just over there." Harry pointed and gave her a small smile, "Fudge has been removed from office and is facing criminal charges. He will be spending the rest of his life in Azkaban or face the death penalty."
Through sheer anger and the fact that she was upside down her whole head had turned bright pink. "YOU LYING BRAT, RELEASE ME NOW!" She howled.
Harry ignored her tirade, "Madam you insulted a sitting member of the Wizengamot, you then ignored my threat, so I silenced you." He paused for a moment as he watched her face turn into a very interesting shade of red as she became even angrier. "You then raised your wand against me; normally if someone tries to use offensive magic against me they are either very stupid or insane." Harry said coldly, his holly and phoenix wand targeting her head. "However the Headmaster convinced me to at least give you a chance to apologise."
"I WILL NOT APOLOGISE TO A SNOT NOSED UPSTART LIKE YOU! AURORS APPREHEND POTTER!"
Again Harry spoke in a calm measured tone that would infuriate her further. "Madam Umbridge the Aurors don't work for you, they work for Minister Bones... as you have chosen not to apologise, then there is only one thing left to do...as a last resort... an honour duel."
Harry vanished her binding ropes and promptly dropped her to the floor from five foot in the air. Umbridge landed painfully but scrambled for her wand, while Harry stood tall and waited.
Nicholas and Perenelle watched with interest as their thirteen year old friend entered the duel. There was something about Harry Potter that they liked. He spoke with a confidence that most teenagers just didn't have and they both were impressed how he had manipulated the court. Nicholas secretly thought that Harry was much like himself and had been considering offering him an apprenticeship. Perenelle saw a strong, confident young man. Hot having children of their own, Perenelle saw in Harry Potter what their own children could have been like.
Amelia Bones watched for entirely different reasons, Harry had impressed her but he also scared her. He was young, powerful and intelligent; he was exactly the type to be seduced by the dark arts. She didn't want to end one dark lord only to be faced with another.
Remus Lupin was still imploring Dumbledore to put a stop to the duel when Umbridge launched her first curse directly at Harry.
"Reducto!"
They were spaced about forty feet apart; Harry simply took a step to the left so the curse would miss him. Instead of returning the curse, he called over to her in a mocking voice. "That was rather pitiful."
"REDUCTO... REDUCTO... REDUCTO!" She screamed, Harry deflected the curses away with barely a flick of his wand.
"Madam if that is the best you have we are going to be here a long time."
Indignant rage raced across the under secretaries face, "CRUCIO!"
Harry moved at lightning speed, he conjured a slab of stone to intercept the curse, took two steps to the right and raised his wand. He didn't voice his curse, he didn't need to, what happened next would be etched into the spectators minds until the day they died.
Lupin's eyes became as wide as saucers when a huge fire whip sprang from Harry's wand and lashed out towards Umbridge. He stood mesmerised as the whip wrapped around her body, there was a deafening scream then nothing. The whip had become white hot and sliced through her body as if it were butter. In another moment the whip was gone and the body of Delores Umbridge fell to ground in a heap of wet bloody chunks. There was a sound behind him, then suddenly his back was wet and a horrible smell hit his lycanthrope enhanced nostrils. Rufus Scrimgeour had just vomited all over him.
Just as Dumbledore was casting cleaning charms on his defence against the dark arts professor Harry summoned Umbridge's wand and tucked it inside his jacket. He took a deep breath and turned to the spectators and made his way across to them.
He eyed Remus and saw the green look on Rufus Scrimgeours face, "Are you okay Rufus?"
Scrimgeour nodded, "What was that curse? I have never seen anything like it." He managed to gasp after wiping his mouth on a handkerchief.
"It was actually two incantations; one was a standard fire transfiguration, the other causes the fire to become super heated." The group stood open mouthed as the boy in front of them seemed completely undisturbed about what he had just done.
"Minister I apologise for the mess. I believe under the rules of combat as soon as she used an unforgivable curse during an honour duel, I was within my rights to use deadly force to defend myself. Is this correct?" He asked, though he already knew the answer. As combat magic instructor for Auror training, he'd had to learn the law and know what an Auror, or member of the public could do.
Bones didn't speak, she was too busy staring at the mound of chunks on the ground, but after thirty seconds or so she managed a nod.
Harry looked over at the headmaster who wore a rather disappointed look on his face, "Shall we return to Hogwarts sir?"
Dumbledore turned and made for the exit with Harry, Remus and the Flammels following.
The others stood in the duelling chamber for a few more moments; finally it was Shacklebolt who broke the silence. "Damn."
ooOOOoo
It had seemed a lot longer but they had only been at the Ministry for an hour and a half when the group returned to the Headmasters office. Dumbledore sat heavily behind his desk; Harry took a chair across from him with the Flammels on either side of him.
Remus was about to sit when Harry stopped him, "I am sorry Remus but the Headmaster, the Flammels and myself have things to discuss that must remain secret." He passed across a communication mirror from his bag "That's for you to keep, we'll talk later." Remus looked at Harry as if visibly afraid of him; he took the mirror and left the office with the intent of contacting Sirius.
"Was that really necessary?" Dumbledore asked as he glared at Harry.
Harry answered back sharply, "Now is not the time for that conversation Albus! And don't give me that disappointed look, I don't fall for it."
Nick and Perenelle watched the interaction between the two in shock, Nick was particularly surprised. To the best of his knowledge he had been the only person to rebuke Albus Dumbledore like that in a century.
Harry unclipped his secondary wand holster from his left arm and picked up the letter opener and was about to slice his arm open when Perenelle stopped him.
"Men!" She huffed "Always trying to prove how tough you are!" She ran her fingertips over Harry's forearm, instantly it was numbed. In moments Harry retrieved the small pouch and passed it across to Nick. Once more he stood and walked over to Fawkes perch "How about it old friend, care to help me out?" Fawkes looked at him for a moment then dropped his head shedding a few tears onto the wound. It closed instantly, Harry sat back down.
"Nick, Perenelle thank you for coming today, it helped."
"It was fun and well worth cutting short our time in Florida, we are going to attend next week as well. We will do all we can to ensure Fudge pays for his crimes." Nick said with a wry smile.
"I can't thank you enough, not only for today but also for the pensieve, it is proving very useful."
"Think nothing of it young Harry." Perenelle answered as her husband removed the blood red stone from the small pouch.
"Did you want me to continue as the stones guardian in the future?" He asked.
Nick nodded "If you don't mind, I should be able to return it to you by Christmas, which should give us enough time to create enough elixir for several years."
Perenelle looked a bit perplexed at the boy in front of her "Are you sure you are okay Harry? Today must have been hard."
"I am fine; I am a lot tougher than I look."
Nick laughed out loud "Of that I have no doubt, I must say today was interesting. When you threatened to kill Fudge I thought half the court was going to wet themselves, it was a hell of a bluff my boy."
Harry laughed and looked directly into Nick's eyes, "I wasn't bluffing, I would have killed him." He spared a glance at Dumbledore that Nick caught. "The Ministry and the Wizengamot should have been taken into hand years ago, hopefully today will help." Harry checked his watch as his stomach rumbled. "Well its lunch time." He shook Nick's hand and Perenelle surprised him with a small hug, he left the office and made his way to the great hall.
Leaving a rather perplexed Dumbledore in his wake.
oooOOOooo
"Molly! Molly!" Arthur Weasley called out as he came through the Burrow's back door.
Molly Weasley was in the living room knitting one of her famous Christmas jumpers. She was on her feet in an instant.
"Is everything alright? It's not the children?" She asked as she saw the look on his face.
"No, nothing like that it's the Minister. Fudge called a hearing for Harry this morning."
"Oh no! Is he alright? What did Dumbledore say? What is he being charged with?" She asked, her voice rising with every question.
"The charges have all been dropped," Arthur walked across the living room to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a large measure of fire whiskey. "I have never seen anything like it; Harry took Fudge to task and threatened him in front of the entire court." Molly's hands slapped to her mouth in shock.
"He showed the memory of what happened on the express, I have never been so frightened or so proud in all my life! Harry did save everyone on board, of that I have no doubt and he made the Aurors look completely incompetent."
"What about the Dementor?" Molly asked quietly. That was what had shocked her the most when she had read the paper.
"Yes he destroyed one with a sword that he carries! I never thought I would see the day, we finally have a way of killing those foul things."
"What did Fudge say?"
"He's out, currently sitting in a Ministry holding cell awaiting a trial next week. Amelia Bones is acting Minister until an election in thirty days, but she left the court with Dumbledore, Harry, Algie Croaker, Augusta Longbottom and the Flammels."
"The Flammels?" She asked "You don't mean?"
"Yes those Flammels, apparently they are friends with Harry and Nicholas proclaimed him his heir in front of the entire court."
"My word."
"That wasn't the best part." Arthur took a look drink from his glass.
"WELL? TELL ME THEN." She cried.
"Remember that awful witch I was telling you about Delores Umbridge?" Molly nodded.
"Harry cursed her right in front of everybody! Threatened to kill the Minister and told everyone that Azkaban couldn't hold him! It was brilliant!"
Molly Weasley sat down on her armchair hard. "What was Dumbledore thinking? Letting a young boy like Harry do that."
Arthur finished his drink, "Molly, I don't think Dumbledore had much say in the matter. Harry walked into that court and took total control, Dumbledore was right Harry is not a little boy."
Molly shook her head. "How can you say that he is thirteen years old! He shouldn't be fighting Dementors or Aurors and he definitely shouldn't be facing the Wizengamot!"
Arthur knelt down in front of his wife and took her hands, "Molly." He said kindly, "Harry is a very powerful young man; remember what Dumbledore said in his office. He likes our family, but if you treat him like a child he won't for much longer. You remember what happened on the train platform, you saw the look on the boys face."
Molly sighed in resignation, "Okay tell me in detail start to finish." Arthur poured himself another glass of whiskey and told his wife everything.
oooOOOooo
Remus Lupin was having a very different conversation over the lunch time break he had locked himself in his office and called Sirius to explain what had happened.
"And then the chunks just fell to the floor..."
"Fucking hell!"
"I know...! Sirius I don't know how to say this but he frightened me and I am not one to scare easily."
Sirius sighed "I know what you mean, but trust me, talk to him when he's just Harry, not when he's being Harry Potter and there's a big difference."
Remus gave Sirius an odd look, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well from talking to Harry I've seen that he has two faces, one is Harry. He is thirteen, fun loving, kind to his friends and an awesome quidditch player. Harry Potter is his other face, his public one. Harry Potter is mature, skilful and deadly, I haven't been able to beat him in a duel... I am a believer in what Dumbledore told us."
Remus nodded his head, "Hopefully the changes today will help."
Sirius laughed "I am sure they will."
Remus sighed "It was the look on his face though... I am telling you, there was no emotion, he didn't even blink. I have been around killers and Harry is a stone cold killer."
"Maybe," Sirius allowed "but he's our stone cold killer, and as I don't see him offing innocent people I say he's one of the good guys."
Harry had walked to the great hall and found his friends. Starting lunch he was looking over his timetable and deciding when to host the Dueling Association and the Marauders. Whispers and rumours followed everywhere he went, Ron and Hermione both wanted to talk about what had happened, so he'd told them to join him later on the seventh floor to talk with the other Marauders.
0ooOoo0
Lucius Malfoy sat in his study, for the past several hours he had been penning a letter to Harry Potter. Over the past few months he had come to realise that Harry Potter was the best hope for a decent future. The problem was how would it look to the others if the Malfoys were friendly with the Potters?
Sometimes, he decided you have to take a chance.
0ooOoo0
A few minutes after dinner ended Harry found himself in front of the Marauders in the room of requirement. Each of them wanted to ask about the Wizengamot, even those that hadn't been present.
Harry explained in detail, how his family had a hereditary seat and as he had claimed his head of house at age eleven he was eligible to take the seat. He explained that for about a year he had been having a private investigator look into Fudge.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
Harry lied, "A goblin friend of mine suggested I should, it turns out that he was right. We found out about the Harry Potter children's books, from there we found gold hidden away and a number of missing payments to St Mungo's."
Harry paused so that everyone could take this in "Even if Fudge hadn't ordered Dementors onto the express and forced my hand, before Christmas I had intended to bring the case before the court anyway."
"Why you though... and not Dumbledore?" Ron asked astounded at his friends words.
Harry answered as honestly as he could. "Like it or not Dumbledore's time is passing, he admits himself that he may not be around in ten years. The Wizengamot as it stands now is mostly filled with old wizards and witches. Keep in mind that a lot of the younger generation have been killed. For example my father and Susan Bones father, if they had lived they would have their seats now. The Wizengamot desperately needs new blood and will soon have it, but it also needs someone amongst the new members that can advocate change and that someone like it or not is me."
They all took this in for a minute, "What new members?" Hermione asked.
Again Harry answered honestly. "Well me obviously, then Susan Bones, Neville, Blaise Zabini, that's who will be eligible to take a seat at age seventeen which is only a few years away... it will come around faster than you think. Of course for that to happen Minister Bones will have to hand over her seat, but she can't vote as a sitting Minister anyway. Madam Longbottom is a sort of regent and will pass the seat to Neville when he's seventeen, same goes for Zabini."
Once everyone understood what had happened and why, Harry launched into his plans for the Marauders for that year and in teams of two they started running the gauntlet that the Room of Requirement had built.
Ooo0ooO
Harry showered after his time in the Room of Requirement, he had run the gauntlet twice and every muscle was aching. It was true he was a little taller and a little broader now than when he was thirteen the first time. He was getting stronger by the day, the sit ups and press ups he did before and after bed was working. His general fitness was fairly good, but he wanted to take it to the next level for a number of reasons. Amongst them, the triwizard tournament and then fighting death eaters and Voldemort.
Harry dressed and checked himself over; his dragon hide boots, dark jeans, polo shirt and his dragon hide jacket and bag. He made his way back into the bathroom at a quarter to ten and vanished in a flood of flames to the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic.
As it was ten at night most of the day workers were home for the night and only a few dozen worked the late shift and these were mainly oblivators and Aurors. An aide met him at the visitor's wand registration point. This time Harry didn't need to hold Eric the welcome wizard at wand point.
Harry was quickly ushered into Amelia Bones's new office; already it looked different from the ostentation of previous Minister Fudge. The conference table was now stacked with files, the new Minister sat behind her desk wearing a set of reading glasses; she looked up and saw Harry.
The first thought that ran through his mind was that she looked stressed.
"Minister, a pleasure to see you again." Harry said formally.
She gave him a small smile "Harry we have been calling each other by our first names for some time, when we are alone please let this continue."
Again Harry smiled "Of course Amelia, you wanted a meeting, what can I do for you?"
Amelia Bones stopped and poured a cup of tea for herself and a coffee for Harry. "I'll be very blunt Harry, I am worried about you."
Harry took a sip of coffee and raised his eyebrow "Why?" he asked intrigued at what the new Minister would say.
"Harry..." She said with a soft smile "you are thirteen and an incredibly powerful wizard both politically and magically of course I am worried... if you had my job you would be too."
In truth Harry could see her point. "And you think I put myself under too much pressure or you're afraid I'll turn out to be another dark lord?" He asked rather bluntly.
Amelia blinked. It was one of the things she liked about Harry; he cut straight to the point and didn't talk in riddles like his mentor Albus Dumbledore.
"In truth I am unsure."
Harry nodded. "I probably do put too much on myself, but forgive me for saying this but someone had to kick the Ministry into gear. Like it or not I am destined to face Voldemort, and I am not like Dumbledore I refuse to sit on my hands hoping that people will see the light." He added with finger air quotes.
Amelia took a sip of tea and managed to stop a snort of laughter, "You have a strange relationship with him."
Harry gave a small smile, "You have no idea!" He finished his coffee and continued when it became obvious that Amelia wanted a more complete answer.
"I see Albus as a mentor and in many ways as the grandfather I never had. He likes to believe the best in people, and he believes that the worst of our society can be redeemed. While this is an admirable quality, it will not help us in war time. Also he has been chief warlock for over ten years and chief mugwump for even longer. Now ask yourself, what has he really done with that power? The answer is nothing. He didn't go after the death eaters when Voldemort fell, he hasn't brought closer ties with the Muggle or Goblin governments and he hasn't done a thing about many of the bigoted laws that are currently in place."
Amelia took this in, "Are you suggesting that he give up those titles?"
Harry nodded. "His three main titles are all easily full time positions, no matter how brilliant a man is a single person shouldn't hold all three offices. Especially in war time."
Amelia took another sip of her tea, she realised that Harry had a point. "Will he step down?"
"I haven't asked him, but he should, think for a second what would happen if he suddenly died which is entirely possible considering his age. Is there even a succession plan in place? Dumbledore has been one of the icons of our world for so long people have become reliant on him, this must change."
Meeting with Harry Potter was always interesting, he had given her a lot to think about already and she had to admit that he made sense.
"Who would you pick to lead the Wizengamot if not Dumbledore?" She asked as she was honestly interested in his answer.
Harry sighed "As I explained to a few of my friends earlier most of the court is made up of fairly old witches and wizards, and while in the next few years new blood is coming right now they haven't taken their seats. You need someone that the old guard respects, that can and will stand up to them, but who also wants change. The only person on the court that makes any sense other than you is Augusta Longbottom."
Amelia lent back in her chair "Interesting, do you think she would do it?"
"I believe so, I also think now that the Ministry is in more capable hands Albus would be more open to taking a step back."
"We seem to have gotten away from my original question." She said kindly.
Harry nodded "I think I am handling the pressure well, and I have good support around me and as for becoming the next dark lord... well from where I am sitting that's just funny but I understand why you're concerned."
Amelia looked him over intently, she didn't see the teenager, instead she saw a very intelligent young man that was wise beyond his years.
"Why funny?"
"I know I am young but I want nothing more from my life than to find a good woman, have a nice house and raise a handful of children. I have never had a family. So that's what I want... it's what I've always wanted. In all honesty after all this is over I will probably disappear for a while, I have no interest in becoming Minister, nor do I wish to become Headmaster of Hogwarts. I would be more than happy laying on a beach somewhere sipping umbrella dinks and planning what I am going to barbeque for dinner."
That surprised Amelia, "No interest in becoming an Auror then?" She said with a small grin.
Harry laughed, "Amelia, I am not bragging but I am one of the richest wizards in the world, my fortune grows on a daily basis. I can do more setting up foundations and endowments than I ever could as an Auror."
Amelia lent back in her chair again at that statement.
"Perhaps you can help me with something else then, if you're willing?"
Harry poured another cup "Sure... what's up?"
Amelia explained the situation that she found herself in. Over the past several hours she had been going over ministerial records and the budget. "Basically the ministry is over staffed to the point we are very nearly bankrupt, add to that we are supposed to be hosting the Quidditch World Cup next year and I just don't see how it can be done."
Harry thought about that for a second and understood what the main problem was. The British Magical World literally didn't have enough jobs, meaning that in order to bring the budget down Amelia would have to fire possibly hundreds of people. These people would have no other jobs to go to, it would end her career as minister before it even begun.
Harry scratched his chin for a moment. "How much do you need to keep the current staffing levels, prepare for the world cup and expand the Aurors?"
Amelia looked up from the parchment she was holding and examined him closely.
In truth Amelia Bones was a little over her head. Yes she was a good Auror and liked to think she had been a somewhat effective Head of Department but that didn't mean that she was ready to truly lead yet, especially when she was looking at a bankrupt ministry.
"To do everything?"
Harry nodded, "You could transfer some of the ministry into the Auror programme to help with numbers, but yes, how much to cover everything?"
Amelia gulped slightly, it was Harry's tone of voice that set her slightly on edge, she knew that the Potters had gold, but surely he wouldn't put up his own vaults? She asked herself.
"Around five million galleons." She managed to say after a few moments.
Much to Amelia's surprise Harry pulled out a communication mirror and spoke a Goblin name without any hesitation.
"Hello Kandar, sorry to call so late."
"Think nothing of it Harry, what can I do for you?" Amelia heard from across her desk.
"Please arrange for a transfer of six million galleons to the Ministry vault from my accounts."
Kandar nodded, if this is what Harry wanted it wasn't his place to ask questions.
"Password?"
"Mr Puff says I solemnly swear I am up to no good." He said with a completely straight face.
"It will be done first thing in the morning Harry and the meeting for this Saturday has been confirmed by both of your guests." Harry nodded once more, said goodbye and returned his attention to the struck dumb Minister of Magic.
It took Amelia Bones a few moments to recover, but then she felt the need to ask a couple of questions.
"Harry... what do expect in return for this gold?" She asked rather bluntly.
"Nothing as long as you use it as already discussed, I am not Lucius Malfoy Amelia, however I would ask a couple of small favours."
Amelia blinked, unsure how to respond to that, so Harry continued.
"I would ask that you talk to the Tonks family regarding Sirius, they deserve to know that he is innocent and meet him."
Amelia nodded, that seemed reasonable she thought; perhaps these favours wouldn't be so bad.
"I would also like you to interview Percy Weasley for a job as a special assistant to you..."
Her eyes narrowed slightly "Why?" Harry's answer was nothing like she thought it would be.
"He needs a mentor, I would like that to be you but it's your choice. He is a top student, highly organised and I believe he could be a great benefit to you. He would also act as secret keeper for a safe house for you and Susan should you need it."
Amelia sat back and thought about that for a few seconds, the idea did have its merits she decided.
"You trust him?"
He nodded. "I do... don't get me wrong, he's a bit of a suck up and he takes the rules far too seriously, but I believe with the right guidance he would make an excellent addition to your office once he finishes Hogwarts." Harry said confidently.
"I'll think about it, was there anything else?"
Harry nodded "I think we should have dinner at the Leaky Cauldron the night before the election, the Prophet and the Magical Times can do a quick question and answer session and I can pledge my support for you before the vote."
She thought about that would mean and envisioned banner headlines on both newspapers, right before the vote to decide the next permanent Minister for Magic. To the people of the magical world it would be like getting an endorsement from Merlin himself.
"That's if there is an election, if no one runs against me then the Wizengamot will vote me into office for a five year term."
Harry sipped on his coffee; he was unaware of that rule.
"Excellent."
They went over the plan for their talk with the Non Magical Prime Minister, and Harry showed her several ideas that he'd had to improve relations. Amelia couldn't wait to see the PM's face when confronted with Harry Potter.
ooOOOoo
Bill and Charlie Weasley were sat in Gringotts waiting in one of the senior accounts manager's offices at Eleven o'clock Saturday morning. Ten days ago both had received a request to come to the London branch for a profitable business opportunity. In fact they hadn't known the other was invited until they were sat in the same office.
A few minutes later Bogrod, Bill's direct London supervisor entered his office and placed two contracts on his desk.
"Gentlemen, you have been asked here because one of the banks biggest clients has requested your services." He pushed the contracts forward.
"The client wishes to hire the both of you on a contract for one year, he will pay you one hundred thousand Galleons each. I do not know the specifics of what he will ask of you but I am told that you will travel the world, place wards and work on an arithmancy and runic experiment. All expenses will be covered by the client."
Bill was delighted, wards, runes and a large pile of gold seemed right up his alley, Charlie however had questions.
"Why me?" He asked, genuinely interested because as a dragon handler he knew next to nothing of wards.
Bogrod answered "Our client has requested you and Gringotts has arranged for a leave of absence for a year from your preserve in Romania. If you both would like to read over the contracts, and the non discloser agreements. If you decide to take the position I can take you to him and his account manager now."
Bill having dealt with Goblins every day for the past few years read over both contracts very carefully before signing his name, Charlie sighed seconds later. He was not about to turn down a hundred thousand Galleons. They were escorted along the corridor to another senior Goblin.
Kandar invited them to sit and reached for a bottle of fire whiskey. "My client will be here shortly, you are not to discuss his identity with anybody... is that clear?" He asked the brothers.
Both brothers nodded while Kandar poured four glasses. As soon as he poured the last glass the door to his office opened and Harry Potter walked in.
"Hello Kandar."
"Harry good to see you again," Kandar motioned for him to take a seat and turned to Bill and Charlie. "May I introduce you to William and Charles Weasley, they have both signed their contracts."
Harry looked over the slightly shocked brothers; Harry Potter had been the last person they had expected to meet.
"Gentlemen, I have heard a lot about you both, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Bill recovered first, "Yes you too Mr Potter...er shouldn't you be at Hogwarts?"
Harry laughed. "I have an arrangement with Dumbledore, he lets me leave the castle whenever I want and I don't have to sneak out behind his back."
Charlie started chuckling.
Bill wanted to know more so he asked what exactly they had been hired to do.
Harry reached into his bag and pulled a note book, much to Kandars amusement. He passed it to the oldest Weasley brother and started speaking.
"I want you two to visit every country on Earth, engrave forty seven runic tablets for each county and link them to a piece of parchment. Then once that is finished I want you to visit every school age muggleborn in the country, and then place basic protections and an alarm ward at each property. All the details are in that notebook."
Bill was nodding, he didn't understand why Harry needed this done but this was what he was trained to do, Charlie was still curious.
"I can understand why Bill is here, but why am I here?"
"I needed people I could trust absolutely, you have both been vouched for by the rest of your family, Dumbledore and Kandar."
"Dumbledore knows about this?" Bill asked curiously.
"He knows some of it, but not the specifics. Bill, Charlie if you want out now is the time... what is your answer?" Harry asked rather bluntly, he had places to be.
The brothers looked at each other, Harry noticed that Bill gave Charlie a slight nod and he answered for the pair.
"We're in."
"Excellent, Kandar has already prepared a trunk with the marble tablets that you will need, as well as a money pouch for expenses. If you finish before the end of June I will give you each a further fifty thousand Galleons as a bonus, all that I ask is complete secrecy."
"We can do that." Charlie managed to croak in a strangled whisper.
Harry nodded and then downed his glass of firewhiskey, he nodded to Kandar, shook hands with the brothers and left the office.
Kandar sat back in his chair and looked at the bewildered brothers in amusement; Harry Potter certainly made life more interesting.
He pushed a shrunken trunk across his desk and a small money pouch that was tied to a vault specifically set up for this task.
"I suggest gentlemen that you get started immediately." He passed across a folder. "I have arranged travel for you to Gringotts Paris branch, you leave in the morning."
It wasn't until Bill and Charlie left Gringotts that the scope of what had happened actually hit them, they soon found themselves in the Leaky Cauldron downing another shot of firewhiskey. It was late afternoon before they headed to the Burrow for dinner with their parents, they didn't discuss their new job, instead Bill told them that he had earned a large bonus and he and Charlie were going to do some travelling for a year. Molly and Arthur were quite pleased with this as their two eldest had dangerous jobs. Bill asked some delicate questions about Harry Potter and both he and Charlie were astounded at their father's stories.
OooOOOooO
Harry had left the bank and made his way to Tallington Lane to check on Sirius before bringing Remus and Dumbledore that afternoon. Together they had lunch and just spent time together. Harry knew that going back to Grimmauld Place would be difficult for Sirius, but he also knew that it would be good for Sirius as well.
Just as they were finishing their sandwiches Dobby popped in.
"It is finished Master Harry!"
"What's finished Dobby?"
"The tunnel sir!"
Harry was taken aback; he'd only asked a few days ago for an escape tunnel to be built as he wanted to see if that could be a way past the fidelius charm.
"Excellent Dobby... well done." Dobby stood a little taller from the praise, his ears perked up and a slightly greenish tinge could be seen on his cheeks.
"Master Harry is most welcome!" In an instant he was gone.
"I thought you asked him just to call you Harry." Sirius asked quite amused.
"I did... it hasn't worked, he may be a free elf but he works for me and as far as he is concerned I am his master."
Sirius grinned and finished his butterbeer.
After lunch Harry made his way to the Headmasters office, where he met with Dumbledore and Remus Lupin. Together they took the floo to the Leaky Cauldron and then promptly apparated to Tallington Lane. Harry held them back for a few moments and walked to the end of the road.
"I want to run a quick experiment before we go to the house." Harry had explained. Once they reached the street sign, Harry walked behind it and pulled up the manhole cover.
"Remus, I wanted to see if there was a way around the fidelius charm, please can you go down and walk to the end of the passage, if it works you should find a door, open it and you should be in the basement of the house. If you make it call me on my mirror, if not come back out. "
Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully, would that work? He asked himself.
Remus shrugged and started down the hole in the ground, which thanks to Dobby's relentless work the tunnel was the perfect size to stand up in and was spotlessly clean.
Three minutes later Harry's mirror activated.
"It worked?"
"I am in a basement." Remus replied.
"Okay we are heading inside now, I'll come get you." He ended the mirror call.
"It worked, I'll have Dobby collapse the tunnel and then he can start on the one for Malfoy manor."
Dumbledore was smiling "I would have never thought of that." The old wizard admitted.
"There is one more way around the charm that I can think of."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow in question.
"It doesn't affect house elves and they can take someone with them when they teleport."
"Meaning you have a way around any and all wards and enchantments that Voldemort might use... very clever."
Harry just grinned as he opened the door.
The reunion between Remus and Sirius was quite emotional; both men were in tears and hugging as if their life depended on it.
Harry nudged Dumbledore with his elbow, "Do you think they have forgotten about us? Do you think we should leave before they get too frisky?" Harry asked in a stage whisper that was far too loud.
Remus and Sirius sprang apart in an instant as if they had been electrocuted.
"No need for that gentlemen I support your lifestyle." Harry told them with a wide grin.
"I am not gay!" Sirius cried indignantly.
Remus turned on his heals. "Nor am I!"
"Oh... alright then... it's just the way you two talk about each other...never mind." Harry struggled to keep the smile off his face, but his eyes gave him away.
He turned to glance at Dumbledore who was shaking slightly in silent laughter.
Together they sat around the dining table while Dobby served drinks and Harry gave Remus the secret to the house. He then outlined the plan for the day. He told Sirius and Remus about the search of the caves near Dover for one of Voldemorts horcruxes. He was mostly truthful and Dumbledore went along with it as he wanted to help protect Harry's biggest secret.
"So we managed to get the locket, but in doing so we woke the inferi." He took a sip of butterbeer while waiting for them to get over the shock.
"Albus was brilliant and between the pair of us we burnt them to a crisp, unfortunately the locket was a fake and it was put in place by your brother Regulus."
That seemed to stun Sirius completely. He closed his eyes and seemed to shake in anger "Damn it Reggie... you should have come to me!" He snarled at the ceiling.
"We think there is a good chance that the Horcrux is at the Black Family London townhouse or possibly in a vault that belonged to Regulus." Harry told them all. He had to be careful, if it seemed like he had too much information then Remus and Sirius would get suspicious.
"Well if my mother's old elf is alive then he might know where it is," Sirius stood "Let's get this over with I don't want to be in that house a moment longer than I have to be." Harry could only agree with his godfather.
A few minutes later, Harry found himself staring at the house he had once vowed never to enter again. Sirius took a steadying breath and walked up the steps. He touched his wand to the knocker, "I Sirius Black claim this house as is my right as heir to the Black family." The black front door glowed three times, the first a strange purple colour, then silver and finally gold before opening with creak.
He turned to them, "The house has been empty for some time, be very careful." He told them.
He stepped across the threshold.
"WHO DARES ENTER THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK?" The scream could be heard all the way to the square in front of the house.
"Hello Mother!" Sirius answered in a jovial tone, "I am home..."
"UNGRATEFUL, FOUL, LOATHSOME BOY! KREACHER REMOVE THIS FILTH!" Mrs Black's portrait screeched.
As soon as she had uttered his name Kreacher the Black family house elf appeared with a loud crack.
Harry followed the others into the house and closed the front door behind him and looked around quickly. The house was absolutely filthy, far worse than the state it had been in when he had first come to Grimmauld Place in the other timeline. Cobwebs and the skeletons of small dead animals littered the dark and gloomy hallway.
As soon as Kreacher appeared he raised his hands and was about to blast them when Sirius shouted. "STOP! I AM YOUR MASTER AND YOU WILL OBEY ME!"
Instantly Kreacher slumped and almost fell to the floor. "I won't... I won't."
"Yes you will Kreacher, I am the master of this house and you will do as I say... is that clear?"
The ancient house elf looked at Sirius with pure hate and mumbled "Yes master."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and walked to stand next to Sirius with Remus and Dumbledore behind him.
Sirius quickly introduced him. "Kreacher this is my godson Harry Potter, you are to follow his orders and answer his questions truthfully."
Kreacher sagged again, "Yes master."
Dumbledore waved his wand and a pair of curtains covered the portrait of Mrs Black and silenced her.
Harry took another step forward and kneeled so that his eye line was the same as Kreacher's. "Hello Kreacher, we have come here today to talk about Master Regulus and a locket." Suddenly Kreacher eyed him with an intensity he had never seen before.
"I know that Regulus stole a golden locket from Voldemort and that he intended to destroy it, I wanted to know if you knew anything about it." Harry asked kindly.
"Why?" Kreacher croaked, but Harry could see hope in his eyes.
"I want to make sure that it is destroyed and complete the work that Regulus started, will you help me Kreacher?"
Kreacher seemed to sway on his feet for a moment, "Can you really destroy it?" He croaked.
"I give you my word that I can."
Kreacher started to cry, "Kreacher tried so hard, but couldn't, nothing worked." He wailed at them, "for years and years I have tried, how can a boy wizard do what Kreacher could not?"
Harry rested a hand on Kreacher's small shoulder, "You needed a weapon that I have, please Kreacher let me help you honour your master's last wish."
Kreacher looked at him again, "I will get it, but if you are trying to trick Kreacher you will regret it." Kreacher left instantly with a loud crack.
Harry stood, "That was easier than I thought." He told the others, a second later Kreacher was back holding the locket by the chain.
"Thank you Kreacher, you've done very well. Please put it on the floor."
Kreacher nodded and laid the locket down; Harry reached into his jacket and pulled his sword. Kreacher eyed the gleaming sword with awe.
He croaked out, "That is powerful!"
Harry gave him a smile, "Yes it is, everyone should stand back."
They followed his instructions with Kreacher watching him intently.
Harry didn't want to open the locket unless he had to.
"I am going to try and destroy without opening it first." He told them, he raised the sword high above his head and with all his strength brought the sword down upon the locket.
It cleaved the locket neatly in two; a green mist rose from the locket and an echoing scream could be heard all over the house. It was done.
Harry looked at Kreacher. "Thank you Kreacher, you have done the house of Black a great service."
Kreacher stood completely still, staring up at Harry in shock until he finally spoke.
"Harry Potter has done what Kreacher could not. Harry Potter is a powerful wizard and kept his word." He bowed his head to Harry.
Sirius and Remus were dumbstruck; they glanced at Dumbledore who was smiling with pride at what he was seeing.
"Would Harry Potter like some tea?" Kreacher asked with a wondrous look on his face, his huge eyes shining with tears.
"Thank you that would be nice." Harry told the elf.
"Please follow Kreacher." Harry nodded and picked up the locket and made his way further into the house followed by the others.
"What the hell just happened?" Sirius asked Dumbledore.
He smiled back at the younger man, "Harry has a way with house elves." He answered simply as they made their way into the kitchen that was filthy.
Harry started waving his wand to help clean up the kitchen, but stopped when Kreacher snapped his fingers and the kitchen suddenly gleamed.
"That was excellent Kreacher!"
"Thank you Mister Harry, you is welcome."
Harry, Remus, Sirius and Dumbledore sat at the large table while Kreacher went about making tea. As soon as he finished he served and Harry asked him to sit at the table as he wanted to talk to him.
Kreacher looked at him with even more respect and astonishment at being asked to sit like an equal.
"Kreacher, I would like to help Sirius bring honour and dignity back to the house of Black and I wanted to know if you would help us?"
"Of course Harry Potter Kreacher lives to serve the noble house of Black."
Harry nodded and gave him a smile, "First I would like to clean up this house and redecorate."
Kreacher was nodding to this with wide eyes. "I have another house elf that can help you if you like?"
"If that is what Harry Potter wishes, then Kreacher will help in any way he can."
"Excellent, also I think you deserve a reward for helping Regulus and helping me. I know that house elves normally sleep in the kitchens of their houses, but I think that you should have a proper bedroom in this house. Will you accept Regulus's old bedroom and look after his things?"
Kreacher's mouth was wide open at this point; tears were running from his eyes. "Kreacher will be the best house elf for Master Sirius and Master Harry Potter."
"Just Harry is fine Kreacher, it is my hope that we can become good friends."
"Friends?" Kreacher asked quietly.
"Of course, you have already won my friendship by helping us today, it will not be forgotten." Harry turned to Sirius, who was sitting on his chair looking like a codfish, his mouth open in shock, his eyes wide. Harry gave him a pointed look.
"Yes Kreacher, you have done very well." Harry kept giving him a look.
"I know that we haven't always liked each other in the past, but I want that to change, like Harry said I want the Black family to become something we can all be proud of."
Kreacher gave Sirius a nod, while Harry served up another small cup of tea and passed it to Kreacher, who didn't know what to say to this.
After they finished their tea Harry called Dobby and introduced him to Kreacher. The ancient elf and the excitable young elf didn't know quite what to make of each other at first, but quickly bonded over their adoration of Harry. Much to the amusement of Remus, Sirius and Dumbledore, Harry just rolled his eyes. Secretly he was pleased as the eves had been bitter enemies the last time. Harry asked them to start to clean up the house starting with the stairs, hallway and library. Sirius decided that if they were going to redecorate he wanted to eliminate all the dark colours and open the house, so it was light and airy, rather than dank and creepy. Harry wasn't sure what to do about Mrs Black's portrait, but wanted to wait and see if the elves could get it down before he intervened.
As it was nearing lunchtime Harry opened up his trunk and made his way inside with the others. While Dobby and Kreacher were madly cleaning up the house Harry pulled a roast joint of beef from the fridge and started making sandwiches, while Sirius found pumpkin juice and butterbeers.
Harry explained an idea he'd had for some time. "I think we should put this house under a fedelius with Professor Dumbledore as the secret keeper, I also think we should have another house with Sirius as the secret keeper. It gives us back ups and alternative meeting points, we can also use these houses for storage and supply." The adults around him found themselves nodding to his words. They all thought it was a good idea.
Harry finished making the sandwiches and sat down at the table. "I also think that we need to recruit our own private hitwizards. I am talking about taking anyone over the age of seventeen and giving them extensive training. Basically we will be creating a Special Forces unit; this is something that I will be bringing up with the Prime Minister once Amelia wins the election or gets voted in by the Wizengamot."
Dumbledore, Remus and Sirius had temporarily forgotten their lunches and were openly gaping at him.
"Why?" Dumbledore managed to ask.
Harry took a sip of his butterbeer, "So we can be prepared for the worst, what happens if Voldemort returns and he manages to escape us? Hopefully we've at least hurt him and taken his followers away. All this does is buy us time, sooner or later he will recruit either witches and wizards or a hoard of dark creatures, probably both. We have to have a force ready to fight on that level, Amelia will recruit and train Aurors of course but what happens if the Ministry falls?" He asked them. "We have to prepare for all eventualities."
"You're right." Sirius admitted, "right now we have a little time, we should use it wisely... Professor, do you truly believe he will return soon?" Sirius asked quietly.
"I do."
Harry continued as he wanted to get things moving "Our plan right now is to get Sirius a trial just before Christmas, once that happens we can reconvene the Order of the Phoenix. For the time being we can concentrate on training and intelligence gathering. We can confront Peter before the end of the school year and let him escape. I have been very careful what I have said in front of the rat since I discovered him, so he shouldn't be able to give too much away about me. We also need a plan for the defence of the school, Hogsmead and Diagon Alley, I have been working on some things and so has Sirius. Remus if you want to help can you get to know the Weasley twins, I'll speak to them as well. I think between us we can protect the school should the worst happen."
Harry had said all that he had wanted to, Dumbledore was in agreement as was Sirius and Remus, they had also seen more evidence that Harry wasn't your normal teenager.
Remus agreed to help however he could, Dumbledore said about contacting the werewolves but Harry shot down the idea, because until Fenir Greyback was dead there wasn't any point in even trying.
"Are you planning on going to Fudges trial?" Sirius asked as lunch ended.
Harry shook his head, "I'll go if I am needed, but I can't vote because of the conflict of interest, besides I wouldn't want to miss my first defence against the dark arts class with Professor Lupin." He said with a smile.
By the time they left the trunk, they found that the hall way was clean as was the stairs. They made their way to the library and found Kreacher and Dobby washing down the windows. The books all looked like they had been dusted and the wooden floor looked freshly waxed. Harry cast a wide variety of detected spells to ensure the books didn't carry any curses. He's noticed that Remus was looking at him strangely again, while Dumbledore just kept chuckling to himself.
"Sirius, do you mind if I borrow your library for a while?"
Sirius grinned at him, "I doubt I could stop you if I said no, so why not? But Harry some of these books are very dark."
"I understand Sirius, but one day we may need the knowledge that these books provide in order to break curses or undo dark magic that Voldemort may use."
Harry opened his trunk to the stone pit compartment and promptly summoned and packed every book in the library, all ten thousand volumes. Dumbledore said nothing.
Harry handed Dobby a bag with a thousand galleons inside for supplies for the house and told him to come to him if he needed more. It was done so quickly that Sirius didn't even get a chance to protest.
Harry and Dumbledore left for Hogwarts, Remus and Sirius headed back to Tallington Lane so they could catch up in person. Harry was sure a bottle of firewhiskey would be involved.
They had done what they had set out to do, they had destroyed another Horcrux. They hadn't needed to break into the Ministry and have their minds distorted by its evil nature. They were one step closer.
oooOOOooo
The rest of the weekend Harry had fun with his friends, they worked in the room of requirement. Everyone enjoyed learning how to conjure birds that attacked. Monday morning brought the headlines of Fudges impending trial, Harry did his best to ignore the whispers in the great hall and left for his first lesson with Lupin in this timeline.
The class on Boggarts happened exactly as before, except Neville seemed more confident and Snape had been sat in the staff room surrounded by books and parchment roles. After Defence against the Dark Arts the Gryffindor's left for Potions with Professor Slughorn.
The classroom seemed brighter and most of the class were nervous and hopeful regarding meeting their new teacher.
"Welcome class to third year potions, as you all know I am Professor Slughorn and I will be your teacher for this year." Harry smiled across the classroom at the walrus like man. Finally a year without Snape!
After placing the recipe for wit sharpening solution on the black board, Slughorn wandered the classroom talking to the third years. Harry ignored him for the most part while he made his potion. He made a trip across the room to the store cupboard and hoped he would find what he was looking for.
He had checked this particular cupboard twice before and hadn't found Snape's old copy of advanced potions. He had figured either Snape had moved it in the old timeline or Horace Slughorn somehow had the book.
Harry opened the cupboard and sitting under another copy of the book was the ratty copy he was after. He quickly tucked it into his robe and went back to his potion. He had plans for that book as well as the library from Grimmauld Place.
OooOOOooO
Harry woke on Friday morning to a brilliantly clear sky, quickly he did his press ups and sit ups and headed for the shower. He was up early and Ron was still fast asleep, however Neville was up so together the boys went off to breakfast.
A few minutes into breakfast Harry's morning newspapers arrived. He paid the owl and opened the Daily Prophet and smiled at the headline.
FUDGE GETS LIFE!
He skimmed the article and turned the paper to the crossword while he waited for Ron and Hermione. It was then that Oliver Wood found him.
"Harry, I hope you're on form I want to keep the cup for my last year!"
Harry grinned, "Don't worry Ollie, we'll win."
"We better that's why I want three practices a week."
Harry put down his paper. "You can't do that Ollie, more to the point I can't make three practices a week."
"Why?" Wood demanded.
"Well for starters, I am taking OWL's this year, I am also running the duelling club and I have Wizengamot duties as well. So if you want me on the team I can do one practice a week and no more."
"But, but..."
"Oliver I would like to point out that this is your NEWT year and you actually need to study."
Oliver rolled his eyes, "You sound like my mum!"
Harry took another sip of pumpkin juice, in truth he felt rather sorry for Oliver. It was true that he'd had a decent quidditch career in the old timeline, but he hadn't become a coach. Much like Ludo Bagman he'd ended up at the Ministry because he hadn't been qualified to do much else.
"She's not wrong Oliver, we are going to win the cup this year that's a given, what I worry about is next year. We will be losing our captain and we will need a new keeper, I think instead of three practices you could be setting up a reserve team so we have good players ready to transfer in."
That stunned the burly seventh year into complete silence.
Once Ron and Hermione arrived for breakfast, Harry finished his second crossword and they headed off to their first class of the day. Care of Magical creatures, Harry hoped to meet Buckbeak again and somehow stop Malfoy getting hurt.
Hagrid did indeed present Hippogriffs to the class, after Harry had met Buckbeak and flew around the grounds he walked up behind Draco Malfoy and whispered. "If you mess this up for Hagrid, I will make you wish you'd never been born. You have been warned."
Malfoy turned to look at him and something strange happened, Draco nodded and spoke. "I... er wanted to thank you for what you did on the train." Draco didn't stumble over the words, but Harry knew that it was killing him to say it.
Purebloods and their customs... he scoffed to himself.
"You're welcome." He answered simply.
Harry walked over to stand with Ron, Neville and Hermione, his wand in his hand to help protect the students just in case.
That night Dobby delivered a large solid oak book case. Harry set about carving runes and enchanting a blank book. It was an experiment, Hermione had managed to do this in her thirties, she hadn't told him the specifics but he hoped that he could replicate her work. Especially as he would be giving her the bookcase for Christmas if it worked.
Two weeks later and Harry was excited about the first Hogsmead weekend of the year. All the third years were up early to breakfast.
"So you want to head to Honeydukes once we get to the village?" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head, "Actually I have other plans, if I see you in town I'll say hello."
Hermione smiled, "Do you have a date Harry?" She asked carefully.
He grinned back, "Not yet, but I hope to, see you two later."
And with that he was off. Harry stopped in an alcove and checked the Marauders Map. He spotted her in seconds; Ginny was in the common room.
"Hi Harry." Ginny greeted him as soon as he opened the portrait of the fat lady. "I thought you were going into the village with the others." She said rather glumly.
"We are, if you'd like to come too?" Instantly her face lit up.
"How? I'd never make it past Filch or Snape."
Harry gave her a wide smile, "I have an invisibility cloak and I know all the secret passages into Hogsmead, get dressed we leave in five minutes."
Ginny flung herself off the sofa and hugged him, she then ran off to her dormitory to change.
Harry hoped that he was doing the right thing with Ginny, he consoled himself that her occulmency was nearly ready and very soon he would be able to tell her everything. He just hoped that she didn't hate him for it.
Harry showed Ginny the secret passage underneath the one eyed witch on the third floor, and together they made their way to the cellar of Honeydukes and quietly crept past the counter. Harry snuck out of the invisibility cloak and guided Ginny out of the shop. It was a bright day with barely a cloud in the sky, they decided to wander the village.
They walked up to the end of the village towards the shrieking shack, Harry told Ginny the truth of the building and he promised to show her the passage back to the whomping willow when they had to go back to Hogwarts.
Around ten o'clock they made their way to the Hogs Head pub as Ginny wanted to see it. So far they had only seen a handful of students but as the day wore on it would get busier and they would have to be careful.
Harry opened the door to the dingy pub and the smell hit him. Stale ale and goats. He looked around the pub it was empty apart from Aberforth Dumbledore and one patron who was actually Mundungus Fletcher.
Ginny went and found a table, while Harry stood at the bar. "Hi Abe, two butterbears please, whatever Dung wants and one for yourself."
The grizzled old barmen looked at him in near contempt. "So you know who I am do ya?"
"I do, also the Weasley twins speak very highly of you."
Aberforth laughed "Those boys... well anything I can do to tweak Albus's nose." He plonked two butterbears on the bar.
"Waiting for someone?"
Harry grinned and decided to be honest with Aberforth, he wondered if it would get back to the headmaster. "Actually Ginny Weasley a second year is with me under my invisibility cloak."
Aberforth laughed again, "I bet Albus has his hands full with you as well!"
Harry chuckled and mumbled "You have no idea!" under his breath as he took the drinks.
After a bit of prompting from Harry Ginny took off the cloak.
"You do take me to the nicest places." She smirked as she started her drink.
Harry just rolled his eyes "Just think of the history of the place, the Hogs Head is nearly as old as Hogwarts."
Ginny smiled "This is nice, thanks for bringing me."
"You're welcome."
Ginny took a breath "Can you test me again?"
Harry looked up, "I can but we should wait for later."
They talked about little things. How they were doing in class. Oliver Wood forming a reserve quidditch team that Ginny was determined to try out for. Plans for Christmas and what they hoped to do the next summer.
"What I can't wait for is my thirteenth birthday." She told him.
"And why is that?" He asked with an easy smile.
"Mum said, I can have a boyfriend at thirteen."
Harry went slightly pink around the ears. "You need to hear what I have to say first, then make a decision."
Ginny looked like she was going to say something else but Harry stopped her. "Not here."
A few minutes later they spotted Ron and Hermione through the window, they crept outside to join them.
Ginny snuck up behind Ron wearing the invisibility cloak jumped on his back. "Hi big brother!"
"Bloody hell Ginny!" Ron cursed "You damn near scared me to death!"
Harry was bent over in gales of laughter, Hermione was chuckling to herself then realised that Ginny was out of the castle.
"Ginny what are you doing here? You're going to get in so much trouble if you're caught."
Harry saw a stubborn frown form on Ginny's forehead. "Relax Hermione, she won't get caught." Harry told her. "Relax... this is supposed to be fun."
"But... but. Oh alright, but don't say I didn't warn you two." Hermione had her hands on her hips and was giving Harry a glare.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes mum!"
"Where have you been, we've been looking for you." Ron said, giving Harry and his sister a suspicious look.
"We went to the Hogs Head." Ginny told them with a smile, "It was fun."
"Harry, how could you? The Hogs Head is supposed to have a dodgy reputation." Hermione chided him.
Harry shrugged, "You do know that the land lord is Aberforth Dumbledore, don't you? It may have a reputation but it is safe, at least during the day." Harry allowed. Both Ron and Hermione stared at him incredulously, while Ginny started giggling.
It was late afternoon when Harry and Ginny entered the shrieking shack. Ginny looked around, amazed at all the scratch marks on the walls. "So you're dad, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew all used to come here and change into animals?"
"Yeah, there's loads more to the story but yes, they were animagi."
Ginny sat down on a table, "Will you test me again now?"
Harry nodded and pulled his wand. "Legilimens!"
He found a block around her mind, it was very strong but after a few seconds, his probe broke into her mind. It was hard to stay and even harder to look. Suddenly he ended the spell and Ginny panted in front of him.
"That was hard." She breathed.
"You're almost there, I nearly didn't get in."
Ginny nodded. "I'll keep working on it, hopefully in a few weeks I'll be able to keep you out."
"I promise I'll tell you everything, but it will be hard for you to hear, please when the time comes at least hear me out?"
Ginny hopped off the table and took him into a hug, "Whatever it is, I'll listen, I promise you that."