Chapter XIX

July 5, 1992

"We move in on three – ready the disapparition jinx and portkey ward. One, two... THREE! Magical Law Enforcement, throw down your wands!"

"Kiss the floor!"

"Get on the ground, now, now, NOW!"

Two dozen red-robed aurors flooded into the warehouse, wands drawn and shouting at the workers to get down. Occasional red flashes of light lit the space, as Stupefying Charms lanced out towards those that were slow to comply with the order.

"Take everyone to holding cells. If they have any outstanding arrest warrants, we can book them at the DMLE." Rufus Scrimgeur called out, employing a sonorous charm. "Aurors, listen up! Arthur Weasley will be reading a list of suspected contraband. You are to assist him and other staffers from the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office in searching every crate, barrel, box, shelf, desk; every nook and cranny. Let's get to it."

A tall, dark haired man struggled against his restraints as he was led away. "On whose authority are you impounding my goods?"

"Easy there, Greengrass, wouldn't want your lordly robes to get wrinkled resisting a lawful order, signed by the head of the DMLE."

"The Wizengamot will hear of this!"

"Auror Scrimgeur, over here!" Rufus stepped away from Lord Greengrass, striding over to where Arthur Weasley and two aurors stood next to a crate that had been busted open. "Sir, look at this, here. More cursed objects than Knockturn Alley could sell in a month!"

"My, my, my. Lucas Greengrass, you're under arrest for smuggling prohibited contraband in an unsecured muggle area. Better get on the Floo to your barrister."

"For what? I am perfectly within my rights to transport those artifacts. This is an outrage!"

"But not if they are in a muggle area. Take him away! Weasley, good work on the tip off."

"This isn't over!"

"Ah, home sweet home!" Norm dumped their considerable luggage just inside the door.

Harry and Diane shared a smile at Norm's dramatic entrance. Norm began to take their suitcases to their respective rooms, while Harry followed Diane into the kitchen.

"So did you have fun on the trip?"

Harry nodded. "Not as much fun as you did, though."

Diane paused opening the cupboard, a smile forming on her face as the new engagement ring on her finger caught the light from the window. Norm had proposed to her on the overlook at the Grand Canyon. "It was a good trip! Fancy a cuppa?"

"Sure! Need any help?"

"No, just some company." She set the kettle to boil and prepared three cups, removing sugar cubes from the cupboard. "Sorry we don't have milk, but I'll pick some up at the market this evening."

Harry waved away her concern, handing her three spoons. "Is it all right if I take the Tube to Diagon Alley tomorrow? I'll need to send an Owl Express to Neville to have him send Hedwig back to me."

"Okay, that's fine. Do you want me to come with you?"

He paused, the tea set in his hands. "You? But you've never been to Diagon."

"I know, don't you think it's time for me to experience some magic outside of this flat?"

To be honest, Harry didn't. He rather liked having Norm and Diane being his refuge away from the pressure of the magical world.

"But, you don't know the culture, how to blend in. It could be dangerous."

The kettle began to boil, and Diane motioned for him to follow her to the dining room table. As they took a seat, Norm came out of the bedrooms accepted a cup of tea from his fiancée. "What are we talking about?"

"I was thinking of accompanying Harry to Diagon Alley tomorrow."

"Sounds like a lovely outing." They'd obviously discussed this before. "Be a dear and pick us up some more owl treats for Hedwig, will you?"

"No problem, honey."

"Wait, wait, you're okay with this, Dad? After everything that happened in Hogsmeade a few years ago?"

Norm blew on his tea to cool it before answering. "It was a different situation. Muggle parents are permitted in Diagon, even if it's not always common. Besides, if Sam can blend in with his robes in the MACUSA, certainly Diane can in Diagon Alley."

"But..." Harry was at a loss. Given the situation, he was unable to appreciate the irony that this was part of finally having parents.

Thankfully, for him at least, Hedwig appeared at the kitchen window, tapping it with her talons. "Hey girl!" He rushed over to the window and let her in, stroking her plumage as she hopped onto his forearm. "How was Neville's place? Did he take good care of you?"

Walking Hedwig over to see if she'd like a drink from her water dish, he returned with the owl to the dining room table where Norm and Diane waited silently. "I guess Hedwig solved that problem. She's such a smart girl!"

"She is, indeed," Norm said. He was honestly nearly as grateful as Harry was for the distraction.

"Harry, I'd still like to discuss this."

He passed Hedwig an owl treat, nuzzling her head with his own. "Discuss what?"

"My coming to Diagon Alley with you. Don't you have to do school shopping next month?"

Harry sat pensively for several moments. "Yes."

"And is there a reason you wouldn't want to me to accompany you?"

"What about Sam? He usually goes with me."

"Well this time I'm going with you. Call it a mother's prerogative."

Norm broke in at this point, advising Harry, "At this point, it's best to just say 'yes Mum', trust me."

"Okay. Is it all right if I go to my room? I need to send Neville a note saying thank you for taking care of Hedwig while we were gone."

July 9, 1992

"I really don't understand how you think that I can help you."

Lucas swallowed the angry retort he wanted to give. "Lucius, you owned the warehouse. I was simply overseeing the shipment of goods that you allowed me to store-"

"A shipment that I allowed you to store, on my property, free of charge. That was the arrangement that we had made." Despite it being early afternoon, Lucius was enjoying a tumbler of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey. "If I recall correctly, you had asked me for that arrangement as a favor between our families."

Lucas clutched his hair in frustration. "Yes, I remember. And I am grateful for your assistance. But I have been censured by the Wizengamot following my arrest, and investors are cashing out of Greengrass Imports as we speak. We're barely going to stay in business as it is."

"Again, I don't know what you expect from me." He waved away the tray of cucumber sandwiches that Narcissa levitated to him.

"If you could just grant me a loan, enough capital to keep me in the black the rest of the summer, I know I will be able to arrange a new line of credit..."

Lucius set down his whiskey and leaned forward. "It doesn't seem to be a very good investment, Lucas. Sometimes things don't work out. It was merely an unfortunate set of circumstances. You can ride it out."

"Lucius, please." Lucas' breath hitched. "My daughter, Astoria, her treatments. Between paying the DMLE fines, and buying the shipment out of the Ministry's impound, our vaults are empty. St. Mungo's won't allow the treatment on a credit basis, and Astoria will not survive the end of the summer without them." He lowered his head, placing his hands flat down on the ornate redwood table. "I'm begging you. Just enough Galleons to keep her alive."

"Lord Greengrass, I sympathize with your situation, truly, I do." Despite his words, Lucius' face showed anything but sorrow. "However, I must serve the interests of House Malfoy first and foremost. Bailing out a sinking ship is not practical."

"There must be something I can do!"

"You have nothing to offer. I'm sorry."

Lucas' mind whirled, trying to come up with something, anything. "What about information?"

"It would depend, then, on what the information is regarding."

Several hours later, after Lucas Greengrass had left, Draco entered his father's study. "Mother told me that you wished to see me?"

"Draco, come in. I apologize that we have not spent much time together this summer."

"A man of your stature has to work very hard. I understand, Father."

Lucius lifted a parchment out of a folder on his desk. "A diplomatic answer. Do you know what this is?"

"No sir."

"It is a letter regarding your First Year at Hogwarts from your godfather. I asked him to send me personal observations beyond merely your academic scores. Would you like to guess the things that he wrote here?"

Draco didn't respond, but sat straighter in his seat.

"Severus says that you embody all of the qualities of a quintessential Gryffindor. Brash, outspoken, bold. That you lack even an ounce of subtlety or cunning. He tells tales of you starting fights, making challenges in public, of inopportune insults. Tell me, Draco, is he lying to me?"

Draco's face went pale. "Father, I... I will strive to do better. To be worthy of the Malfoy name."

"I daresay you had better." A clenched fist was the only visible sign of Lucius' displeasure. "Still, we all must play to our strengths. If you're going to act like a fool, charging into conflict at the first chance you get, then we'll simply need to think of a properly Slytherin way to capitalize on that. It just so happens that I may have such a way."

"Whatever you wish, Father. I will not fail you."

"Any more than you already have, you mean." Draco winced. "I'll be accompanying you and your mother to Diagon for your school supplies. I'd like you to tap into your Gryffindor nature and engineer a scene."

"A scene?"

"Yes. An argument, or a fight will do."

"But, the Underage Magic laws..."

"Not with your wand, you idiot!" 'It must be his Black blood. They're all insane.'

"You mean like a muggle?!"

"Draco. I am asking you, as your father and as your Head of House, to assist me. Are you really going to refuse my request?"

Draco's indignation vanished instantly. "It will be done."

His fireplace burst into green flames. "Albus?" He knelt before the fireplace, quickly identifying the face that was calling.

"Augusta? I hate to be rude, but what is this about? I'm very busy."

"I'm sure. I just thought that I'd extend you an invitation to my grandson's birthday party."

"Madam Longbottom, really-"

She continued as though he had not spoken. "It promises to be quite the social event. The confirmed guest list contains many prominent names."

A twelve-year old's birthday party was not what the kind of social event that Dumbledore had any interest in. "I'm sure that Neville will enjoy himself."

"I'm sure he will also. Especially since a good friend of his, Harry Potter, sent back his RSVP today, confirming his attendance."

Albus' eyes flew open. "Truly? He will be there?"

Augusta laughed at his sudden focus. "Be sure to bring a present, Headmaster. The party begins at two."

July 30, 1992

"Are you excited for the party?"

"I think I would be if this dress fit better! Do you think I'm getting fat?"

Hannah rolled her eyes. "Oh shut up. You're so lucky. You're probably the first girl in our year to have a figure."

"If you like them so much, you can have them. My clothes don't fit right, thanks to this stupid bra."

"Is your aunt going to attend the party?"

"I don't think so. She hasn't responded to my letter yet."

Hannah gaped at her friend. "Seriously? You sent it over a week ago! And she didn't come to the solstice celebration, either!"

"She's really busy at the Ministry, Hannah," Susan said defensively. "You've seen the Prophet, the deliberations over the Muggle Protection Act have been going on for weeks. Auntie's the one who introduced it."

"Still," Hannah murmured. "Not that I don't love having you around, but it's been a few years since you spent the whole summer here."

"Can we talk about something else?"

"Right, sorry." Hannah slipped her own dress on. "Zip me, and I'll get yours?"

"If you're strong enough. I wish we had time to go to Madam Malkin's to get this resized."

"I swear to Circe, if you don't stop complaining about having boobs I'm going to strangle you, Susie."

Susan giggled. "Shut up and come do my hair, you hag!"

Sam and Harry slipped on their robes, and pulled open the door to the Leaky Cauldron. "I really didn't need an escort, Sam. I've ridden the Tube alone loads of times."

"I know that, but Diane would prefer you didn't. Besides, I was going to pick up a few more books anyway."

"Why is she suddenly so interested in where I go?"

Sam's easy smile masked whatever he actually thought about it. "Don't sweat it, kiddo. Just let her be overprotective, would you? It'll make things easier on everyone."

"Whatever, Sam. You're going to be all right from here on? I'm going to use the Floo here."

"Sure, have fun. I'll see you next week."

"You're not coming to my party tomorrow?"

"Sorry, my company is sending me tomorrow to check out a new lab in Germany they're interested in buying out. I'll be back before you head to Hogwarts, though, don't worry."

"Oh. Okay. Well, safe travels."

"What's that look for? Don't worry, I left your gift with Norm. Now get going, your friends are waiting."

Harry tossed some Floo powder in the fire place, and called out "Longbottom Manor!" before stepping through. He emerged in a parlor that screamed 'old money!', and was greeted by a house elf wearing a cleanly pressed toga.

"I is Elmer. May I's see your invitation, please?"

Harry dutifully handed the invitation to the elf, wondering what kind of spells were involved in keeping the home cool. It was a warm summer day, after all. "I be right back! Please be waiting here." The house elf vanished with a 'pop!'

Deciding against taking a seat, despite the obvious quality of the leather furniture in the room, Harry awkwardly stood for just over a minute before Neville came hustling into the room, dressed in short sleeved collared red shirt and pants. "Harry! Glad you to see you, mate. I'm really happy you could come."

Exchanging handshakes, Harry held out the birthday boy's gift. "Happy birthday, Neville. Er, would you like this now? Or..."

Neville graciously took the gift, and handed it to Elmer. "Place this with the others, please." Turning back to his guest, he motioned for him to follow. "Come on, my Gran asked to speak with you when you arrived." They walked through the manor, coming to a stop outside of a closed door. "This is the Lord's study; I guess she's on a Floo call. Just wait out here, she'll open the door when she's done."

"All right. Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?"

"I'm sure it's fine, but I don't honestly know what she wanted to see you about. I have to get back outside to attend to the other guests. I'll see you soon, Harry!"

Harry leaned against the wall, settling in to wait for Madam Longbottom. As he did, he heard a raised voice from inside, one that sounded familiar, and very upset.

"Please! I'm begging you."

"Stand up, child." That must be Madam Longbottom. "I understand your plight better than anyone. My son and daughter-in-law have been in the Janus Thickney Ward for over a decade. House Longbottom can offer no assistance."

"I'll do anything! No one else will help; Father's business associates won't even answer his Floo calls! Mother's family won't help; I think they'd be happy if she were to die. You're my last hope, please!"

"No, I can't imagine that the Rosiers would have much pity. I'm sorry, dear. I really am. I will put out some feelers among the Conservative faction, but after your father's censure, well... I don't think that there is much hope that someone will respond positively."

What followed was the sound of muffled crying for awhile, long enough that Harry began to feel uncomfortable. Finally, he heard Madam Longbottom again.

"Let me clean you up a bit. There, you can hardly tell you've been crying. Now, if you'll excuse me-"

The door opened, and Madam Longbottom caught sight of Harry outside her door. Over her shoulder, Harry could see Daphne, eyes red-rimmed, but looking calm, despite her wrinkled dress and mussed hair. "Mr. Potter, please come in. Miss Greengrass was on her way to the party."

Daphne stared hard into Harry's eyes as she passed, but made no remark other than a nod of greeting. Harry let her pass, then stepped into the study, Augusta closing the door behind him.

"Take a seat, Harry." As he did so, Augusta asked, "How has your summer been?"

"Rather brilliant, really." He wanted to ask what was happening with Daphne, but was afraid to admit to the intimidating woman that he'd been eavesdropping. "Have you and Neville enjoyed yours?"

"It's been somewhat routine. I asked you in here because I was not sure how this will play out, and I did not want to make a scene at my grandson's birthday party." Rather than sit down, she stepped over to the fireplace, threw some Floo powder in, and called out "Hogwarts Headmaster's Office!"

No sooner had the connection been opened than Albus Dumbledore stepped through. "Harry!" He quickly walked over and crouched in front of Harry, his hands gripping the boy's shoulders. "Where have you been?"

"I went on holiday with my family, sir. What's the matter? Why are you here?"

"Don't lie to me, Harry, I know that you have not been living with your family for the last year. Now, I need you to tell me where you were, and who you were with."

Perhaps if Harry had not just seen Daphne, he would not have immediately thought back to her warning about the wizard that attacked him likely stalking him and his relatives; or had he not been so viscerally reminded of the danger that wizards posed to muggles during his trip to the MACUSA; regardless, Harry was not eager to talk about his new living situation.

"I don't know what you're talking about, sir. I live with my family, in the muggle world." He shrugged his shoulders, trying to get Dumbledore to release his grip.

"I checked with your family, you have not been there. Your aunt did not know where you've been going during your Hogwarts breaks."

"The Dursleys aren't my family! They hit me, and starved me!" Augusta, nearly forgotten by both of them, gasped in the background.

"I'm sorry, Harry, you leave me no choice. I have to guarantee your safety." Harry suddenly felt a pressure between his temples, just like he had in the MACUSA office in Boston. He lashed out with his magic, knocking the Headmaster backwards, breaking the legilimency probe. "Ow! What did you do to my head?"

"Albus Dumbledore! You would dare use mind magics on a child, in my home?" Augusta, unlike Harry, recognized what had just taken place. "Get out of my house! Elmer! Tad! Take Dumbledore outside the ward line!"

Before he could could even stand up, two house elves appeared, each latching on to one of Dumbledore's arms, and disappeared with the Headmaster. "Are you all right, Harry? On my family's honor, I had no idea that Albus would attempt such a thing."

"What was that? It felt like someone was using a crowbar on my brain."

"What Dumbledore did was legilimency, it is a form of magic that allows the caster to see the memories of the target." Harry's jaw dropped.

"He was reading my mind?"

"Yes, or at least trying to. Eye contact must be maintained for the spell to function. It is quite an unpleasant experience. Elmer! Bring Mr. Potter a Pain-Relieving potion immediately." Seconds later, Elmer popped back with a vial, which Augusta unstoppered and handed to Harry. "Drink this, it will help with your headache."

"Thank you, Madam Longbottom. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been here."

"Dumbledore asked me to speak with you, but I never would have guessed he would act in such a manner. Has he done this to you before?"

"No, never. Someone else did, though, over the summer when I was in America. It hurt worse that time."

Augusta blinked. "Well, I'm grateful you're all right. If you're feeling better, Elmer will take you to the party. Again, I beg your forgiveness. Please do not think less of our House for this lapse in hospitality."

"It's okay, ma'am." He walked out of her office behind Elmer and started the trek towards the Manor's front doors, only to pause as he caught sight of Daphne in the Entrance Hall.

"Daphne! Are you all right?"

She gave him a small smile at his enthusiastic greeting, responding, "I could ask you the same thing, Harry. Your hair looked much better going into Madam Longbottom's study than it does now. Shall I inform Witch Weekly?"

Harry made a face at her insinuation, but had trouble keeping a smile off his face. "It's nice to see you. How has your summer been?"

"It's been, well; Harry, have you been following the Prophet?"

"No, I was out of the country for June, and have been in the muggle world since. Is this when you tell me about another outrageous headline about me?"

Daphne seemed to shrink, wrapping her arms around herself. "Harry... Aurors raided one of Lucius Malfoy's warehouses. My father was there, overseeing a shipment of our business' goods, and he was arrested."

"Okay, so is he going to jail or something?"

"No, members of the Wizengamot have to be convicted by a majority of a full session. He was fined, and censured." Harry, not being the elder Greengrasses biggest fan, didn't react. "But the loss of reputation meant that many of our investors pulled out of the business. Between that, paying the fines, paying the Ministry to get his clients' goods released, my family is basically bankrupt."

"I'm sorry, Daphne. Will you be okay?"

She shook her head. "Even before this happened, we weren't doing great. That's part of why my father was involved with Malfoy to begin with. We've been paying for Astoria's treatments for years," Daphne took a deep, shuddering breath, "and now, with this, we can't afford them any longer."

"But she's sick! What does that mean for Astoria?"

"If w-we can't f-find the Galleons, the healers say she's g-going to di-" She couldn't go on, bursting into tears, her knees giving out. Daphne sobbed, on the floor of the Entrance Hall, her loud, wailing cries echoing on the high ceiling.

Harry wasn't used to comforting others, but Diane had been there enough for him over the years that he tried to emulate her. Gently gathering Daphne in his arms, he held her as she clutched tightly at him.

"Is there anything I can do to help? I have some gold in my vault, but I don't know if it's enough."

Her head whipped up so fast she nearly clocked him in the jaw. "You'd do that?" Her grip on his robe softened. "If... if you want, I mean, I've seen you looking at school. My family would never approve a contract, but as long as I remain pure..."

Harry was confused. "What are you talking about, Daphne?"

She tried a different tact. "If you're able to help, what would you want in return?"

He suddenly caught on to the vague proposition she'd just made. His face red, he sputtered, "Daphne, I care about Astoria. That you'd even think I'd try and force you to do that.. god, I'm not even twelve years old!"

"I'm sorry, Harry. It's just, you're my last hope. We've already had to check her out of St. Mungo's. She's too weak to even get out of bed!" Her expression went from shame and embarrassment to determination. "If you think there's anything I wouldn't do to save my sister's life-"

"I get it, Daphne. Come on, let's go." He lifted her up and dragged her towards the parlor he'd entered.

"Wha-? Where are we going?"

"Diagon Alley. I need to go to Gringotts."

"But, the party! They'll wonder where we went!"

"It's fine. This is more important."

She had no arguments against that, and felt a warmth in her chest at his urgency. Finally, someone actually cared enough to do something. Using the Longbottom's Floo, they appeared in the Leaky Cauldron, practically running to Gringotts.

They waited in line for an available teller, where Harry removed a key from a chain around his neck and asked for a balance statement. He looked at the bottom line, reading off the figure to Daphne.

"I have 4,827 Galleons. How much are Astoria's treatments?"

Daphne had a crestfallen look on her face. "The new method they are using requires very rare potions ingredients, and she'd likely need to be hospitalized again while she recovers from missing the last treatment-"

"How much is it? Do I have enough?"

"I don't know the exact number."

"Fine, then let's go to St. Mungo's." He paused. "Should I go to my vault and get what's there? Are there checkbooks in the Wizarding World?"

"St. Mungo's allows for draft payments. They'll have the paperwork."

"Okay, come on."

This time it was Daphne leading him back to the Leaky Cauldron, where Harry left a handful of Sickles for Tom as payment for his frequent use of the tavern's Floo powder. A quick trip through the fireplace, and they found themselves in the lobby of St. Mungo's.

"It's this way, Harry." Daphne led him to an office with a placard reading "Treatment Options and Billing". It must have been a slow day, as there were no other patients waiting inside.

"Miss Greengrass, hello again." A snooty looking wizard with thick rimmed glasses sat behind a reception desk. "As I told you and your father earlier this month, St. Mungo's cannot accept promise of payment, you must provide the gold upfront."

Harry leaned over the desk, reading off the name plate. "Hello Mr. Gillies. I'd like to know the full balance for Astoria Greengrass' treatment."

Trevor Gillies sighed. "It's quite steep. For one month stay, and a regimen of potions, the total comes to ĞĞ2,175."

"Very well, draw up a payment draft for me to sign."

Daphne reached out and touched Harry on his shoulder. "Harry, I'm scared to ask this, especially because it's almost everything you have, but Father said he doesn't expect to have new investments until September, so-"

"So you need two months of treatment. Mr. Gillies, please add that to the bill."

"Harry, that's almost everything you have!"

"Okay, here's the bill. I'll need your signature here, initials here, and you'll need to provide a drop of blood here."

"You don't understand, Harry-" But before she could even finish her sentence, Harry had taken the quill, pricked his thumb to draw blood, then inked the quill to sign and initial the payment draft. "Harry! Hogwarts tuition isn't paid until August 1st!"

"Thank you, Mr... Potter? Wow, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Ignoring the suddenly polite Mr. Gillies, Harry turned to Daphne. "Wait, what are you saying?"

"I don't know that you'll have enough left in your vault for tuition!"

"Oh." He looked stricken for a moment, but thought of the application scroll to Ilvermorny, forgotten in his trunk. "It'll be fine."

"How can you say that?"

"Let's walk and talk, Daphne, we need to get back to the party." But Harry's pace was much slower than before, as though he were wading through water. They made their way back to the Floo, and he waited while Daphne first fire-called her father to tell him to bring Astoria to the hospital to begin her treatment.

Arriving back at Longbottom Manor, Harry no longer felt very festive. Rather than celebrating Neville's birthday, he felt almost as though it were a going-away party. Not even bothering to clear away the ash from his robes, he sat heavily on the parlor couch.

Daphne took a seat on the cushion next to him. "Do you regret it?" She asked quietly.

"No. I mean, not when I think about what the consequences would have been if I hadn't done it. How much is Hogwarts' tuition, anyway?"

"I don't know."

They sat quietly together for a few moments. "Harry." He looked up from staring at his hands, his emerald green eyes meeting her violet orbs. "I don't know how to thank you."

Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. 'When had she gotten so close?' Barely six inches separated their faces. Daphne slowly began to close the distance, her eyes fluttering closed as she did.

"Oh!"

Jerking apart, Harry and Daphne looked towards the door, seeing Hannah staring at them wide-eyed. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt," she began, before turning and hurrying away.

Wetting his lips with his tongue, Harry stood up from the couch. "We should probably get back, I'm sure it seems rude that we've been gone so long."

"Actually, I think I should go home. I know Father will expect an explanation where the gold for Tori's treatments came from."

"Right, that makes sense. Bye Daphne."

She smiled, before tossing a pinch of Floo powder into the fire. "Bye Harry."

He stared into the fire for another moment, before turning to head out to the party.

A/N: Damn, wanted to keep going. Lots to cover, can't believe I'm still in the summer before 2nd year! Not sure I'll even make it to the start of the school year in the next chapter. Yikes!

Everyone give a hearty welcome to my beta, anakvita - the story is already improving, in my opinion! I'll let you know when I've added in the rewritten early chapters.

Another big thank you to OfInkandQuill, who was the one to provide the idea for Lucius/Arthur's animosity. Some of the ideas were... very interesting, to say the least, but I went with the one that would provide the most plot potential to the main characters.

Next chapter: Harry's broke, new mentor (I'll get to him, i promise!), shopping with Diane. Maybe back to Hogwarts? Maybe not? Stay tuned :D