A/N The invisible coat that Neville got is not the Potter heirloom but a regular one that Dumbledore got him. Harry got back his cloak in chapter 4 (chapter 5 if you include the prologue in the chapter count).

Thank you for all my reviewers especially my regularly reviewers.

Reviews by Sweet Evil Angel, Jedipranster, Afro-Mau5, ceo55, bookaddict19 inspire me by telling me what they like. I can't always add more because if I did try to make it more humorous my storyline would just get lost. I might do a series of one shots as another story of the pranks that Peeves and the Weasley twins do to keep Ron, Neville and Draco away from Harry.

Like tying Ron and Neville's robes together when they are spying on Harry and Hermione near a staircase. Then hooking it on the staircase so when it moves the two are left hanging from the staircase scared shitless.

Or the Weasley twins charming Draco's robes with different slogans like "I am Dumbledor's back door buddy", "Snape is my idol.", "Next Generation of Snape". The embarrassment of the slogans who force Draco to go back to his dorms to get it removed.

Chapter 25

The fortnight before the final exams were hectic for the pair. Participation in Hermione's study group final exam preparation sessions was considered the sign of popularity among the First year Hogwarts students. Draco was only included after his father wrote a plea on his behalf to Harry which they reluctantly agree to after they decided that it is better not to burn any bridges. Ron was banned no matter what he tried to do to get in. Including trying to get the twins to vouch for him which they refuse to do as they know how much Harry and Hermione despised him and his antics. Ron then tried to get Percy to try to crack down on them saying it was an illegal club but Professor Flitwick put a stop to that line of reasoning by giving his approval for the continuation of the study sessions.

Cashing in on the popularity of the exam preparation sessions, Hermione created a competition where the student who provide her the most samples of magical plants for her new "garden" she would allow them entry into these sessions. The competition was run for three weeks and was extremely popular amongst the first year students. It was so popular that some of the current members of their study group also joined in on the competition. To reward the participation by these members Hermione offered the additional prize of an extra hour of one on one theoretical training with her and the same with Harry but focused on the practical aspects of their education. They collected so many different samples of rare and exotic plants that Harry did not even have to raid the glasshouses because they had received a specimen of every single species of plant found at Hogwarts. The Herbology professors at the Granger Institute was ecstatic with the specimens and the books that Hermione had copied on how to nurture the plants. They sent Harry and Hermione a thank you card, flowers and a big bowl of fresh fruit. The competition was won by Neville in the general classification while Padma won the members only category by providing plants specimens native to India. Padma made use of those private sessions by bombarding the pair with a deluge of questions. At the end of the private sessions, Harry and Hermione both vowed never to offer something like that ever again to Ravenclaw students. As they both got migraines from the questions that Padma had asked.

Study group sessions for the final exam was extended to 2 and a half hours per day at the request of the study group members. Discussions on previous sessions were banned as Harry and Hermione wanted to prevent the knowledge that they knew the mind arts from being discovered by the temporary members. Draco without his posse was quiet well behavioured and Neville without Ron was bearable. The sessions were broken down into one hour of Theoretical work lead by Hermione followed by one hour of practical taught by Harry (except Potions which Hermione also lead) and half an hour of question time where anyone could answer. At the end of the first week of final exam preparations Hermione had given a list of fifty questions that they had to answer as homework that included all the exam questions from last time but rephrased. Harry had taught most of the spells required for the final exams based on what they had last time.

When the final exams arrived, Harry and Hermione was not concerned about the performance of any of their friends. In fact after the first exam, a lot of the study group members thanked them for their preparation. Even Draco and Neville thanked them halfway through the exams for the fact that they were so well prepared. They asked if they can become permanent members of their study group. Harry and Hermione politely decline the request saying that it could lead to tensions that they rather avoid. Neville became down cast but accepted their decision. Draco however did not like it one bit. He hated not having the edge over the other students that the study group provided calling Hermione a mudblood and Harry a Blood Traitor as he stormed off.

On the night of the final exams, Harry and Hermione with the help of Doug and Emily moved the Vanishing Cabinet from the Shrieking Shack to the Chamber of Secrets at the same time as Professor Quirrell tried to steal the Philosopher's stone. The next morning their was no mention of the successful relocation of the Vanishing Cabinet by any of the students meaning that it was totally over looked. All talk was centred on the fact that Professor Quirrell died after battling Professor Dumbledore. While Ron and Neville were in the infirmary from being attacked by flying keys and falling from their brooms too many times trying to catch the correct key. Dumbledore announced at dinner that night that Ron and Neville each received 200 points for their house for trying to prevent a thief.

That Saturday was the big reveal of the new Granger residence. Harry and Hermione arrived early with Dan and Emma already awake and ready when they arrived. They were quickly joined by Alice, Emily and Ashley where they talked about the exams that Harry and Hermione just completed while they waited for Doug. At 10 am, Doug finally arrived to show them the fully renovated house. Alice had hired a van to take everyone at the same time to see the property. The first thing they noticed was the electronic gates with intercom for security. As soon as they went through the gates, the perfectly trimmed trees lined either side of the driveway obscuring the magnificent garden that the property had. Upon seeing the garden, Emma grasped and asked.

"Did you expand the grounds? It seems a lot more spacious than when I last came here."

"Yes we brought one hectare of land from the neighbouring farms to restore the estate to something closer to its original size before the previous owners sold parts of it off to pay the land tax."

"How could you afford to pay for such a purchase?" Dan asked.

"Do you know the savings we made from doing things using the magical way?"

"Yes."

"We used that to fund the purchase of the additional land."

"You agreed to this Alice?" Dan asked.

"Yes. You were worried that they were going to sell off the lands destroying the views you had from the house. So we thought this was a good solution to that concern. Did we overstepped the authority you gave us?"

"No. I loved that you two were so thoughtful." Emma said as she hugged Alice and Doug.

Doug then said. "You have not seen anything yet." At that moment, everyone in the van looked in awe at the house that just came into view. It was restored to its former glory. The exterior of the house was predominately Georgian in style with some of the earlier Gothic period features still on display such as stained windows for some of the rooms.

"The house looks great." Hermione exclaims.

"You don't know how many reparo spells were used to achieve repair those walls but it was way cheaper than doing it by the normal way." Dan said.

"Do you like the magical way of renovating, Dad?" Hermione asked.

"By God, yes. It is a lot faster and easier than doing it the normal way. The reparo spell is a godsend and the feather-light spell was invaluable. When the electricians and plumbers came to install the modern features they were amazed at the speed of the renovation."

"You allowed them to see magic. We are in so much trouble." Hermione asked concerned that the secret of magic was inadvertently revealed by her father.

"Do not worry. They did not see anyone do magic. The tradesmen thought it was a brilliantly organised renovation. Doug timed their visits so that nothing magical was done while they were here. He was watching them and cracking the whip when they were slacked off to give them the impression that he was a task master. He was like a conductor of an orchestra." Dan stated from the front passenger seat.

"It was a lot of fun telling those tradesmen to get on with it." Doug added from the seat directly behind Dan. He wanted to sit in the front seat to act as the tour guide (since he could not drive) but Dan refused to let him. So he was stuck in a normal passenger seat explaining features in the garden and the house. Alice was driving them past a newly installed fountain straight to the main doors of the house. She was driving since she had a drivers licence and had previously visited the site so was aware of all of the changes that had been made unlike Dan and Emma.

Everyone got out of the van to admire the house. Dan turned to Doug and asked as they got out of the van.

"Where did you get the stained windows and this glorious fountain?"

"Here and there."

"Tell me you did not steal them."

"I won't."

"You got to take it down now and return them to their rightful owners." Emma said in outrage.

"Just kidding. I did not steal a single thing. You can ask Alice, she checked every item to make sure I did not steal anything. Ashley, Emily, Alice and myself spent most of our free time looking through all the magical books we have collected searching for pictures that show period features like carved marble fireplaces, decorative staircases, ornate ceilings, antique furniture, paintings, architraves, etc.

I would then try to locate the original with help from Sirius. Once I locate it I would either convince the owners to let us buy the originals for galleons, allow us to copy the feature or we have it recreated from the pictures in the books." Doug explained after he finished laughing at Emma, Dan, Hermione and Harry's outrage expressions after his initial comments.

"Who did the recreations?" Emma asked with interest as she admired the fountain.

"It was a variety of artists connected to the Outcast Organisation. They wanted to help make this house was special as they know that it is going to be used to help further their cause. So I recommend you don't show it to any historians or they will have the house heritage listed faster than you can blink an eye. The architraves in the rooms are from different James Stuart design magical houses so Grade 1 listing will practical be guaranteed." Doug further elaborated.

"Wouldn't the experts tell the difference between the new recreations and the originals?" Hermione asked.

"We are talking about magical done recreations that are as close to the originals as it is humanly possible. They would be hard press to find any differences and even if they do it can be put down to restoration work. You are going to see the work of some of the greatest artists in all its original glory including many designs created by James Stuart."

Emma and Hermione practically dragged everyone into the house when Doug said that. As they were being dragged to the ornate doors which Dobby had conveniently opened. Dan asked.

"Who is James Stuart and why is he so important?"

"Dad, he is a famous British Architect and artist. He was a pioneer in the neoclassicism movement that swept England in the 18th century. His house designs are supposedly very grand." Hermione explained.

As soon as they walked into the entrance hall, they could see the beauty was carried through to the interiors of the manor. The house was a perfect union of historical features, period furniture and decorations (such as paintings on the walls) with subtle modern touches such as double glazing, underfloor heating/cooling, electric lights, phones etc.

The central feature of the room was a beautifully decorated marbled framed fireplace with a newly painted non-magical portrait of the four of them just above. Potter family crest could be seen proudly displayed next to the Granger Family Crest periodically through the room. As soon as Harry saw all this he started to cry.

"Harry, we wanted you to feel part of this family which is why you are included in the family painting and your family crest is displayed next to ours. I hope you don't mind." Emma explained.

"I don't mind at all. I love it. Thank you." Harry said as he sobbed uncontrollably.

"There is another reason. In the magical world, the Potter family has a lot of authority and respect by displaying your crest it implies your support. I hope that does it change your opinion." Dan explained. Harry could only shake his head as he was still over taken with emotion. He was part of this family now. Something he always wanted and this was his new home.

While Harry was recovering and the Grangers were examining the entrance hall, Doug commented to Harry.

"You should have been here at the beginning of the renovations. There was a great big debate as to whether to turn this room into a library or not as it is the biggest room in the entire house." Hermione and Emma both gave Doug evil stares. Harry also got the same stares when he laughed at Doug's comment.

Dan then asked Doug to show them around the new house. They started on the ground floor where Doug explained the origins of the different features of the room such as the architraves (at the insistence of Hermione and Emma), the paintings, furniture and etc. Hermione and Emma both had a tendency inspect the various carvings and furniture by softly caressing the various surfaces. This dragged out the tour tremendously at the detriment of Harry and Dan. It reminded Dan of shopping trips he you to have with his wife and daughter.

When they reached the dedicated library which was currently empty. Hermione and Emma both looked at the space with plans already beginning to form on how they will fill this room. It took so long inspecting the ground floor that Dobby had to serve lunch before they start looking at the upper floors, the cellar or the grounds. As Dobby was serving lunch, Hermione said.

"We should hire some more house elves as we don't want to wear poor Dobby out trying to maintain this massive property."

"Dobby don't mind. Dobby loves the work." Dobby said excitedly as he appeared just as Hermione mentioned his name.

"We want you to be happy but we don't want you to work too hard and hurt yourself."

"Dobby is young and strong." Dobby stated proudly.

"Don't you want house elves friends working with you and maybe a family of your own someday?" Hermione said as she continued her campaign to try to change house elves.

"Yes." Dobby said uncertainly.

"You need house elves friends to help you so that you can have time to have a family without leaving Harry. You know how much trouble he can get into when he is left to his own devices" Hermione said as she smiled at Harry. She then continued. "We have a lot of extra work that needs to be done but we have not got you to do it because we did not want to overwork you."

"How many extra house elves do you need?" Dobby said still unsure.

"A lot, you seen the size of this new property, we are keeping the old one and additional work from our businesss we need help with. Do you know of any unbonded house elves or house elves that are being mistreated?"

"A few."

"Why don't you start looking for unbonded house elves to help us?" Hermione said. Dobby immediately popped away and return with 5 house elves. Two in dreadful condition. As soon as Doug saw the house elves he said.

"I can bond with the house elves if you like."

"I don't trust you to treat them properly. Alice, Emily Ashley do you mind bonding with one each while Harry and I will take the sick ones." They all agree straight away. So they started the bonding immediately. Once they were bonded, Dan said.

"Why don't we take them down to the cellar. We have specially designed house elves quarters?"

Hermione looked at her father with surprise.

"How did you know I wanted more house elves?" Hermione asked her father.

"I have heard you talk to Dobby about helping the other house elves and the look in your eyes when you talk to him. Emma has the same look when she gets outraged about something. We want to help and this way you can help them and still live here."

"Thank you, Dad, Mum." Hermione said as she hugged both her parents. The coughing of one of the sick house elves ended the touching moment.

Hermione quickly picked up one of the injured elves while Harry carried the other. They all went down into the cellar past all the wine shelves until they reached the back wall. The back wall was in fact a hidden door to a secret passage way that lead to a second massive kitchen, the house elves quarters, a bomb shelter/panic room, a vault for storing valuables, a library and a large storage room. The passage way also lead to the power generating units and all the outbuildings including the one that provided all the water via magical means.

During this excursion, no one paid any attention to the surroundings they were all focused on the sick elves. Doug apparate away and returned with the magical healer that the Outcast Organisation always use. Who quickly examined all the new house elves. His prognosis for the two sick house elves was good and the other house elves were in great condition. The sick house elves were prescribed a lot of rest and a lot of good food to recover. He left them with the names of potions that will aid their recovery. Hermione ordered the house elves to care for their sick colleagues and to get settled in to their new quarters. This allowed the inspection to recommence.

As soon as Hermione went up the stairs she noticed that the ceilings felt higher than last time. So she asked.

"Did you raise the ceiling?"

"We raised the ceiling of every floor except the ground floor by half a foot to keep the rooms consistent in height. It was a nightmare trying to find stones that match the existing stonework. We ended up replacing one side of the house with all new stones. Then we used the old stones we recovered from that side of the house to add height to the other areas. We had enough old stone to add an extra floor." Doug explained.

The house had a lot bedrooms upstairs even after they converted some of the bedrooms into ensuites or walk in wardrobes. Every bedroom in the house had its own ensuite. Some of these ensuites were ultra modern while others had carried some of the period charm to the fixtures and fittings in the bathroom. When they reach the bedrooms closest to the master bedroom. Dan tapped Doug on the shoulder and whispered.

"I will take over from here if that is alright?" Doug acknowledge it by swiping his arm in front of him.

"Harry, this room is your new permanent bedroom in the house. You are a part of this family now and we want you to feel like it." Harry broke down again as he hugged the Grangers. The bedroom was not the largest but it had its own modern ensuite and walk in wardrobe.

"Hermione has the same size room except we put up a lot of extra book shelves for her."

"We don't want sibling rivalry." Emma added in jest.

At the end of the tour of the upper levels was the master bedroom. It was the grandest of all the bedrooms with its own marble fireplace, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite with a jacuzzi, two person shower and double vanity. After they inspected the master bedroom in minutiae detail Emma announced.

"We expect all of you to come around often to visit and stay."

"You could not keep me away if you wanted to." Doug said partly in jest.

"Since we are expecting you to stay, we are hoping for your help in refining the decorations in the spare bedrooms that you like to use. Except Doug. He can stay in the house elf quarters." Emma said with a straight face until Dan laughed and she could not hold it. Emma continued after she got control over her laugh.

"Just kidding. Doug great work with the house. Why don't we head to the dining room for dinner? We can order in since I don't want to disturb Dobby." At the mention of his name, Dobby appeared.

"Dobby can cook." Dobby stated.

"We don't want to take you away from your sick colleagues." Emma explained.

"Dobby can cook and there are more than enough house elves to look after the sick."

"Okay you can cook dinner for us but only if you have dinner with us."

"Dobby cook dinner now." Dobby then disappeared.

"Why don't we wait in one of the sitting rooms for dinner to be prepared and we can continue with the tour of the grounds and outbuildings tomorrow or after dinner?" Emma suggested.

"Shouldn't we help Dobby with dinner?" Hermione asked.

"NO!" Everyone but Harry responded.

"You don't want to be in the same room as he is when he is cooking. He is very possessive." Emma explained.

Once they were settled in the sitting room. Hermione asked.

"How did the second Auction go?"

"It went great. We made well over 10 million pounds from the auction which is more than cover any tax bill we get plus allow us to buy a lot of media."

Emily, Alice and Ashley were all astonished with the amount of money they made. Doug however could not let such a golden opportunity go. So he said.

"Does that mean we all get raises?"

"No but you will get a smack on the head if you continue. What are going to do with you." Emma said in fake display of frustration.

"Speaking of that. What is Doug going to do now that the renovation has been completed?" Hermione asked.

"Doug has finished with the renovations for a few weeks now. Alice was the one dealing with the final touches and getting the power units Harry designed up and running. He has been helping Emily with the mining techniques ever since you have been busy with school. We were planning to have him start training the new mining employees we getting."

"You brought a gold mine?" Hermione asked excitedly.

"Yes. After the successful auction we decided to buy a mining company using money from both the Auction and the joint venture with the Outcast Organisation. The outcast organisation helped us hire a new management team to let go staff and try to retain personnel that have useful skills at the gold mining company we acquired. The latest forecast suggest that the mine operating should be up and fully operational by your birthday, Harry."

"That is great."

Dobby then arrived announcing that dinner was ready. Dinner was served in the formal dining room where conservations turned to different people's past. At the end of dinner it was decided that they would retire for the evening and continue the tour of the beautiful gardens and out buildings some other day. After checking on the house elves one last time, Alice drove them all back to the Grangers old home where they all went their separate ways.

On arriving back at the dorms Harry and Hermione were swarmed by their Ravenclaw year mates.

"Did you hear? " Lisa started excitedly.

Isobel continued it by saying. "There is going to be an official investigation into the death of Professor Quirrell."

Lisa then added. "Professor Dumbledore is mad as hell and has been on the war path ever since. He tried to stop the investigation but failed so he has been looking for the two of you all day. We covered for you as much as possible even though it was not easy."

"Thank you for doing that. Do you know why is he looking for us? Since we had nothing to do with the death or the attempted thief." Hermione said.

"Everyone knows that the two of you do not trust the headmaster. This has lead to the current trend of people not blindly listening to him which he is desperately trying to dis-encourage. It is generally believed that he was going to make an example of the two of you. So keep a low profile you two. I don't want to lose my best teachers." Lisa joked.

"Thank you for the warning and the advise. We will try to keep out of the way and out of sight tomorrow." Harry stated.

"Do you think we should stay around tomorrow in case they need to interview us?" Hermione asked.

"No need. The investigation will begin on Monday. Once the investigation begins then you should be alright because I doubt Professor Dim as a Door would do anything while an official investigation is going on within Hogwarts." Lisa said.

"I like your nickname for him. We are rubbing off on you." Harry said as he wrapped Lisa in a hig.

"We can see why you don't trust him. But we are no where near as bad as the two of you. Calling him, Professor Drumstick up the back door when you are really angry."

"We better get to bed so that we can get up early and avoid the headmaster." Hermione said.

Harry and Hermione said their farewells and retired to bed.