[a/n0]The twins would never admit the truth of the LT. For one thing, it's a good prank, but maybe it's better for the timeline and they worked out Harry is LT.

[a/n]It started with HDD#222, Pixel inspired SoHDD#31, title credit Jake Crepeau

Harry Does Different CCXCIII

One of yours, I take it?

Lt. Commander Gambon was under orders to report to HQ Offices, Whitehall, London in the most rapid manner possible. Based on his last briefing with his CO, he figured he'd go out in style. So he was approaching the Admiralty in a US-built F16 Eagle, quite enjoying the experience. Upon landing, he saluted the pilot "Lt. Radcliffe, nothing beats travel by fighter. Thank you for that little detour."

"A pleasure sir. Logging my hours." Replied the raven-haired pilot returning the salute. He lovingly patted his wingtip.

After the ritual of getting through security, with a full report under his arm, the unfortunate destroyer XO was escorted to an unmarked conference room. He did not presume to sit and only snapped to stiffer attention when the door opened "Admiral Wright!"

"Correct, Gambon." A woman with red hair and wearing a dress uniform that had a thick gold braid and two matching the junior officer's sleeves. She pushed the door shut and extended a hand peremptorily "Your report?"

Gambon stood ramrod straight while the Second Sea Lord sat, and read through the engagement report. He was far too junior to sit in her presence without explicit permission.

"You and Captain Spall stand by the accuracy of this report?" she asked, coldly.

He nodded stiffly "Aye sir. Though the captain has only my report from the away team investigation to go on."

"Yes Gambon, you and Spall do seem to have a mutual admiration society." Wright offered, venom in her tone.

The Commander flinched but maintained a dignified pose "Sir, all of my actions were by the book based on the information available to me at the time."

"Did I give you permission to speak?" the Second Sea Lord snarled "Your own report says you killed a British citizen. We are still working on identifying, by the way. And you used a GBP1,000,000 missile and enough explosives to sink your ship to do it?"

Gambon knew full well the missile did not carry a large enough warhead to sink the HMS York, unless by lucky hit, but didn't dare argue that. Instead "Sir, a massive object in restricted airspace, refusing to obey orders and supporting sighting from Ens. Henderson and her crew.

"I've half a mind to relieve the lot of you and place Ens. Henderson in command." Wright stood, she was noticeably smaller than her subordinate, but her personality made up for it "You ARE restricted to this building until the investigation is concluded. You are not to discuss this incident outside this room. I am not inhumane, however, family visits are authorized. Dismissed."

Gambon saluted stiffly "Aye sir!" and left the room. He let out the breath he'd been holding that the intimidating woman hadn't torn his two-and-half stripes off his shoulders. He didn't need to be told to requisition temporary quarters on base. Nor would he waste his time.

Abcij

A greying man stalked into a small room incongruously equipped with a fireplace and decorated with a single painting. It would surprise all of his associates when he spoke to it "Tell Minister for Magic Fudge the Prime Minister requests his presence. Code word Thatcher."

"Yes sir." That the woman in the painting nodded her head and vanished from the painting would have panicked almost everyone in #10 Downing.

In minutes the fireplace flashed green and a portly man stepped through. The instant the light faded he demanded "You need something Major?"

"My title, Minister, is Prime Minister." John Major pointed out "A subtle, but important difference in title. Do you not agree? Now, one of yours, I take it?" he handed the visitor a thick sheaf of notes.

Fudge pushed his glasses around on his nose as he read, finally pulling them off and tucking them away "Not directly, no." he admitted, trying to gain time "A boy, yes one of us, living with one of you had a little outburst of accidental magic."

"Little accident?" Major scowled "Eight thousand miles is NOT my idea of little! And I have a dead woman's family to eventually notify … well, when we identify her."

Fudge gave a nervous laugh, something no competent politician would do, replied "Well I can help with that. The name of the young wizard involved is Harry Potter, age 12 I believe. He is a nephew …by marriage… to the …ahhhhh…. unfortunate woman."

"A preteen did this!?" the PrimeMinister was appalled "What could POSSIBLY cause a little boy to do something like this to a family member?"

Cornelius' anxiety rose visibly "NOnonono what you have to understand is it was entirely accidental. An argument, or too severe a chastisement, such things happen all the time. Hogwarts teaches children to control and channel their abilities. But of course, a boy -"

"Is the cause of his aunt being killed?" John interrupted incredulous.

Cornelius didn't like the tone "Actually, Major, I believe it was your miskites that killed her. That is in the report I just read."

"They are called MISS—I-LES, Fudge." John corrected with irritation "Clearly your school is lacking in proper education techniques. And exactly how did this boy send this woman eight thousand miles away? And where was your Ministry on this?"

Cornelius' harsh stance collapsed at the accusation "Ahh…well…you see, I admit to a little administrative slip there. Which I will address I assure you. Our DMLE has a division that reverses accidental magic and prevents disclosure to the Muggle world. Looks like they came up a little short."

"There it is again quote LITTLE unquote" the PrimeMinister complained harshly "There is the LITTLE matter of a DEAD woman. And yes, there is some responsibility on our part. HOWEVER the Falklands are a sensitive military region, as I am sure you are aware."

The Minister for Magic waved that off "Not especially, no. Be that as it may, I find a little money, call it reparation if you like, would settle most any issue."

"Highly callous." Major was most disapproving "But your people WILL accompany MY people to explain FULLY the truth about what happened."

Again, that set the Minister for Magic on the defensive "I expect you will acknowledge your portion in this matter."

Abcij

"The least pleasant duty we have to perform. Particularly when a civilian is involved in a military incident." Admiral Bonnie Wright complained as the party marched up the walk of #4 Privet Dr.

Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt was equally mournful, he was attired as a police captain in dress uniform to blend in "I feel a great weight. Accidents of this kind are one of the main reasons I have a job. This must have been preventable."

"VERNON! Some highly important people! Looks like!" and the door opened before the visitors could even ring the doorbell. "Please come in. Dudley!"

The large teen thundered into the hall and obsequiously bowed "Ma'am, sir, may I take your coats."

"Such a …solicitous …young man, wouldn't you agree, captain?" Wright offered a smile.

Kingsley nodded, but made no move to remove any of the uniform "Not at this time." He said solemnly "I wonder if we can all assemble in your-"

"But of course." Replied the woman, eager to please "This way ….. I'm Petunia Dursley, Dudley my son….. and husband, Vernon."

The admiral gave a slight bow "Mr. Mrs. Dursley, Dudley. Thank you for your courtesy. I am sorry to say we are here with news concerning Marge Dursley. Your sister, correct, sir?"

"You found her!" Vernon exploded in relief "OH! Thank God! She's been missing for a month! Ever since that freak-"

Kingsley blanched and stiffened "Freak?"

"I am Admiral Bonnie Wright Second Sea Lord of the Royal Navy." The female visitor steered attention her way "I am afraid the news is not good. Mr. Shacklebolt is actually a wizard policeman and we are both here to explain just what happened in-"

Vernon colored angrily "ENOUGH OF YOU FREAKS IN MY HOUSE! WHERE IS MY SISTER!"

"With respect, sir. Incarcerous!" ropes lashed out from the black man's wand, binding the homeowner before he was halfway out of his chair "I understand more fully what happened. To put it politely, the argument of a month ago here caused your nephew Harry to blow off some tension. The cause of that, unfortunately, being your sister. A bout of accidental magic caused by undue stress, inflated your sister, a Miss Marge Dursley to float away from here."

The admiral took over "Please Auror, release Mr. Dursley…..And sir, please control yourself, this is painful I do understand. Here is where the Royal Navy became involved. About three days ago there was an encounter between a warship operating in The Falklands and an unidentified flying object that refused to respond to communications. Under the circumstances, the crew had to fire. Evidence and with the help of the Ministry of Magic, we confirmed your sister's identity."

"YOU FREAK MURDERERS!" yelled Dudley in a rage, he attacked the woman. He was smart enough not to charge the muscular man.

Bonnie instantly dropped into a defensive crouch, and as soon as a bare contact occurred, she spun and stuck out her foot in an elementary move. She straightened as the teen fell over the coffee table and spoke tightly "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, doing our duty does not cover assault. Both the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Magic apologize for your loss. And are willing to discuss redress. This folder includes my office number. Mr. Shacklebolt I think we should leave."

"Smooth." He commented with a grin, once they were outside.

She looked displeased "You, Mr. Shacklebolt, go back to your Ministry and I must go back to the Prime Minister with this cock up."

Abcij

"Good afternoon, Lt. Commander Gambon." the Second Sea Lord approached the man and his wife in the park a short distance from the headquarters building "Would you excuse us, Mrs. Gambon?" It might have been worded as a question, but it wasn't.

He fell in beside her and they almost marched in lockstep "Do I still have … has a decision been made, sir?"

"You and Captain Spall are to forfeit one year's pay." She declared "Other than that, nothing happened."

He almost fell over a nonexistent crack in the cement and exclaimed "Beg pardon ma'am!"

"Militarily, I am properly addressed as sir." She chastised as if to a child "Mr. Gambon, this is so classified you do not have the security clearance to know its classification. And you never will. You can still have a full career. Go back to your ship, tell your captain and crew forget it. Rewrite the ship's logs. Delete any computer records."

It was the first time he even considered disagreeing with her "Begging the admiral's pardon, that is a violation-"

"I believe you hold a C7 computer rating, second highest in the fleet. You would also need to obtain any records from that radar station." She interrupted his protest "Say goodbye to your lovely wife, you leave at 0500. I envy you Lt. Commander, supersonic travel is something I haven't experienced."

There was no mistaking that for anything but an order, Gambon stopped, faced her, saluted and acknowledged "Yes sir."

Abcij

"Now can someone tell me about the cereb-" Defense Against the Dark Arts was quite enjoyable for Harry and his friends this year.

The classroom door opened and McGonagall entered "Excuse me Professor Lupin, may I borrow Potter? He likely will not be back for the period."

"Of course. I am sure his friends will inform him as to the assignments." Said the teacher, offering a friendly smile.

As Harry gathered his robe and books Malfoy and Parkinson blew sneering kisses at him. He purposely fell into Pansy as he passed, jamming his textbook into her nose. He apologized profusely the while flashing Ron an amused smirk.

"I am afraid, Harry, we have some very unfortunate news." Professor Dumbledore was also there, but hadn't entered the classroom "Your Aunt Marge-"

Harry cut in "I don't really think of the hag that way. Just my aunt's husband's sister."

"Potter! This is serious!" McGonagall scolded without any real heat.

Dumbledore waved it off "Irregardless, Marge Dursley regrettably died a few days ago. On behalf of the school we are deeply sorry for your loss."

"How did it happen?" asked Harry, not sad just curious.

Dumbledore stoked his beard as if contemplating what to say, seeming to come to a decision, said "Magic was indirectly involved. It seems your accidental inflation charm over the summer was never truly corrected."

"But Minister Fudge said-" Harry cut in.

The Headmaster chuckled briefly "Ahh yes …the curse of governments everywhere… the left hand never seems to know what the right hand did. Back to the matter at hand, apparently Miss Dursley floated out of Surrey and quite some distance away. Cornelius related to me the Falkland Islands, I am not familiar with that place."

"Really!" Harry burst into laughter, instantly remembering his words to his uncle as Marge bounced out of the dining room that evening. "OH! Too funny!"

McGonagall suppressed an urge to give a detention "Mr. Potter! Please! This is NO laughing matter!"

"Yes, a most unfortunate incident." Dumbledore went on unperturbed "Seems a British warship decided it was under attack and fired on her. Apparently some new-fangled cannonball. She was killed."

Harry's response was decidedly inappropriate in the educators' opinion. Still smiling he wanted to know "Did they get Ripper too? Her nasty mutt?"

"This is most unsettling, the woman is dead Harry." Dumbledore lamented "And at least indirectly, some responsibility does fall on you."

Harry shrugged, still smiling "She might not be as bad as Voldemort, but that's only because she wasn't a witch. Believe me, the world's a better place."

"Well then, I suppose you need no time to mourn." McGonagall did not look pleased "You may as well return to Defense."

As Harry, still smiling, turned to go the Headmaster said "Another concern, my boy, it seems however incorrectly your Aunt …and most loudly… your Uncle have laid sole blame for her loss at your feet. There was nothing I could say or offer. Even some trust money didn't-"

"Wait? You offered THEM some of MY money?" the boy wizard's mood changed in a flash "Well! You could just bloody forget that! I wouldn't give them a rusty Knut!"

This was too much for the Head of Gryffindor "Mind your language, Potter!"

"A matter of little importance, Minerva." Dumbledore waved her off "As I was saying, my boy, your family was MOST insistent on the matter. I must find alternative arrangements for your summers in future as they do not Quote Want him to darken our doorstep."

This made Harry forget his previous anger. He ran back to the classroom cheering all the way, and skipping "WHOOOOPPIEEEEE NO MORE DURSLEYS! WHOOOOPPIEEEEE NO MORE DURSLEYS! WHOOOOPPIEEEEE NO MORE DURSLEYS! WHOOOOPPIEEEEE NO MORE DURSLEYS! WHOOOOPPIEEEEE NO MORE DURSLEYS! WHOOOOPPIEEEEE NO MORE DURSLEYS!"

"I seem to remember, Albus, mentioning they were the worst sort of Muggles imaginable." Minerva reminded him of that long ago conversation.