Chapter XX

July 30, 1992

Daphne emerged from the fireplace at Verdant Hills, her family manor, moments before her mother and father stepped out of the fireplace after her.

"We just returned from taking Astoria to St. Mungo's. The healers said it is unlikely she'll be up for visitors until tomorrow, given the urgent need for treatments right now."

She nodded, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was not a long wait.

"The healers also said that her treatments have been paid in full for the next two months. Where did you get the money, Daphne?" Her father's tone was light, as though they were discussing what to have for dinner.

"It was Harry."

"Harry Potter?" She couldn't recall her father ever sounding so surprised. Daphne looked at him seeing a horrified look flash by his face, replaced by an expression that she struggled to identify. 'Was that shame?'

"Yes. He had been on holiday with his family for much of the summer, and was unaware of the events that took place at the start of the month. When he heard about what Tori's chances were without the treatments, he insisted on paying."

"I see." Lucas abruptly walked to the liquor cabinet, removed a bottle of scotch, and left the room. The confusion on Cecily's face matched that of her daughter, before she quickly schooled her features and gestured for Daphne to take a seat.

"I can't recall ever being so proud of you, Daphne. Especially after all of your recent rebelliousness, I had despaired of you ever being anything but your father's daughter." She gave Daphne the most affectionate look that she could ever recall seeing on her mother. "Aunt Druella always bragged to your grandmother that it was her daughter that landed the Malfoy fortune; oh, how I wish that bitch were still alive to see how my daughter was the one to wrap the Boy-Who-Lived around her finger, and at twelve years old, no less!"

Daphne recoiled at the sheer ecstasy her mother expressed at the thought of her deceiving Harry. "It wasn't like that, not at all!"

For the first time in years, Cecily walked to Daphne and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "Of course not, my dear," she said, her dark blue eyes sparkling with mirth. "I understand it was just an act of generosity, from one 'friend' to another." Cecily tried and failed to contain her chuckles, the cruelty in her words not affecting the perfectly feminine pitch of her tinkling laughter.

Daphne was stunned into speechlessness at the exuberance that her mother emoted. Not that Cecily minded, as she continued speaking without giving her daughter's silence a second thought. "What would you like to do, honey? We can do anything you like! Why not go shopping? I'll buy you something so lovely that boys in their Seventh Year will be picking their jaws up off the floor come the equinox celebration!"

"But our vaults are empty, after everything that happened with-"

Cecily waved her hand as though shoo-ing away such concerns. "Your father made an arrangement with the Malfoys, to obtain a tidy sum of gold in exchange for nothing more than a single memory. He finalized the deal just this morning, in fact."

"Harry practically gave me every Galleon he had, Mother!" Daphne's face went pale as ash, a wave of nausea passing over her.

"Did he really?" Cecily giggled again. "Even I never could have managed that when I was your age. You are an exceptional gi- no. An exceptional young woman." She squeezed her daughter's shoulders in pride.

Daphne's mind was awhirl with the emotion of the day. From her sheer desperation, begging Madam Longbottom on her hands and knees to no avail; to Harry rescuing her like a hero straight out of the adventure novels that bear his name; reassurance at the knowledge that Astoria had a fighting chance of living to see her tenth birthday; and the unexpected and weird, but strangely welcome affection from her always distant mother.

It had been the worst summer of her life, watching Astoria waste away. The relief she felt was nearly as staggering as the fear she'd been living with for the last month. It was all just too much for the young girl.

Daphne hesitantly returned Cecily's embrace, enjoying the physical affection so rarely present from her parents. She could hate herself tomorrow, after all. "Sure, that sounds like fun... Mum."

Cecily pulled away for a moment, as if to gauge whether or not she was being sarcastic; detecting none, her smile grew broader and she led Daphne back towards the fireplace, planning aloud where they could make reservations for dinner.

"Well? I can't believe you don't have anything to say!"

"What do you expect, Hannah? Besides, I didn't see it; neither of us know for sure what's going on."

"They were kissing in the parlor! Nobody saw either one of them the whole afternoon until I caught them." She stood, arms crossed expectantly. "Well?"

"'Well', what, Hannah?"

"What's your plan going to be? You can't tell me that after everything that happened last year that you're not upset over Harry getting together with Daphne."

Susan, trying to undo her hair from the ornate braid that Hannah had prepared earlier, gave up and looked at her friend's reflection in the mirror. "It's exactly because of last year that I'm not upset. We're Second Years, it's not like they've signed a betrothal contract."

Hannah's skeptical expression didn't waver. "Right. And that's why you spent most of last year mooning over him."

Susan blushed lightly, but kept her gaze steady. "I like Harry," when Hannah rolled her eyes, she continued to prevent any interruptions. "And because I do, I'm not going to do anything."

"And what if you lose your chance? It seemed like you two were pretty chummy during Eastre. Maybe it's worth reminding him of that."

"Hannah, two things will happen. Either Harry and Daphne walk around the Black Lake and hold hands a few times, maybe snog a bit and that's it – which, for the record, is the most likely outcome. We're twelve years old, after all." She tugged at the intertwined braids again, wincing as she did.

"Or?"

Her hands paused, and Susan thought about that rushing green light heading for her, about Harry stepping from behind his defenses and promising to protect her. "Or he and Daphne stick it out, and I do everything in my power to make sure she makes him the happiest wizard in Britain. It's the least I can do after what he's done for me."

Susan slipped her dress off, the green dress that she'd picked out to match Harry's eyes, and put on a a pair of pajamas. "I'm tired. I think I'll head back to Auntie's."

"Suz, she's not home. I saw you try to fire-call her earlier. If you want to be alone, you've got your room here. Why go sit in an empty manor?"

"It's fine. I just want to sleep in my own bed tonight. I'll see you later, Hannah."

She worriedly watched Susan leave the room and head to the parlor. Maybe her Mum would have some advice on how to cheer up her surrogate sister.

It was well past midnight when Amelia Bones reached for her mug of coffee, grimacing when her fingers wrapped around the cold ceramic surface. She drank it anyway. 'How many cups of this sludge have I drank today?' Her secretary, who'd long since gone home, wasn't available to brew another pot and the Ministry elves had never figured out how to make a good cup of coffee.

The fireplace flared, and Albus Dumbledore stepped out. "Good evening Amelia. Or are we able to say 'morning', yet?"

"I don't think it matters much at this point."

"Spending your days arguing before the Wizengamot doesn't leave much time for your DMLE duties, does it?" He peered at the straight-backed chair in front her desk, waving his wand to transfigure it into his preferred floral chintz-patterned recliner.

"No, it doesn't. I actually find myself admiring you for holding down three positions for so long."

"Delegation, my dear, not hard work, is the root of all successful people. Now, I'm sure you're busy enough as it is. Have you reconsidered my requests?"

"That's not why I asked you here. You're going to unite your Conservative faction into backing the Muggle Protection Act. I know most of them support it, anyway."

"And why would I do that?"

"I had a very illuminating fire-call with Augusta Longbottom this afternoon. Plying your mind magic against an underage Heir from a Noble House? Congratulations, you've graduated from muggle-baiting to assault, Albus."

"And I assume that you'll make this go away if the Muggle Protection Act passes?"

"That's right."

Dumbledore smiled genially. "Blackmail is beneath you, Amelia. Unfortunately, I recently spoke with Augusta, and she's agreed that it's best that the entire matter be handled privately."

"Did she. And what did it take for you to gain that remarkable favor?"

"The fees for Frank and Alice Longbottom's care for the next year will come from my vault."

"Bribery is beneath you, Albus."

He chuckled, summoning a Ministry elf and asking for a cup of tea. "And so we've come full circle. Now, perhaps there's a deal to be made between us? You want this bill passed, and I want information that can only be securely obtained from your office."

"I notice you haven't considered asking our esteemed Minister for help."

Accepting his tea from the elf, who subsequently popped away, Albus gave her an amused glance with an eyebrow raised. They both laughed.

"I'll consider it. I'm curious, though, what changed your mind about this bill. Arthur told me it was you that requested it be shelved. I recall you being a vociferous proponent of it."

"The timing didn't seem to meet the political climate."

"Arthur says that you asked him during Yule. I seem to recall some uncomfortable sessions in the Wizengamot for you during that time."

Dumbledore leaned forward, placing his now-empty cup on to Amelia's desk, where it vanished seconds later. "I'm sure you're reading too much into this. Regardless, I've made my offer and now must take my leave. Good morning, Amelia." He walked to her fireplace, threw a pinch of Floo powder, and left the office.

By Merlin, she hated politicking.

August 1, 1992

"I never imagined... and this has been here for hundreds of years? Right under our noses?"

"Yep. The Ministry of Magic is somewhere in London also, though I've never been."

"It's all rather marvelous. Look at all these shops! Where shall we go first?"

Harry was acting almost sullen, as though he wished he could be anywhere but shopping with her. "Gringotts. The bank."

Diane sighed. "Harry, I know you'd rather be here with Sam-"

"It's not that. Really, Mum. Come, it's this way." The two walked to the ornate marble building, slowing now and again to account for Diane's rubbernecking at innocent, everyday acts of magic. She gawked at the goblins staffing the bank as they waited in line.

"Key please."

Harry handed it over from the chain around his neck, seeming unsurprised when the teller told him his vault had defaulted. They followed the directions that the teller provided to go to the Delinquent Accounts Office, with Harry frantically explaining the situation to Diane in hushed tones.

"So you spent your inheritance on medical treatment for your friend's sister? Harry... you really should have spoken with us first. You're very sweet, but that was extremely irresponsible."

"I know."

"We'll discuss this further with Norm when we get home. For now, let's see what kind of a mess we're in."

Entering the office, they approached the sole goblin that occupied it. "Harry Potter, Vault 687. Defaulted on a charge of 750 Galleons for a year's tuition at Hogwarts. Your balance stands at negative 293 Galleons, including the twenty Galleon penalty for lacking sufficient funds for a payment." The goblin peered over the parchment he was reading from, glaring at Harry. "That penalty will continue monthly until your debt is settled, Mr. Potter. Your vault access is suspended, pending a year's payment of vault fees, upfront, to ensure that your... fiscal irresponsibility will not continue."

"Very well. May I have a moment to speak with my son?" The goblin nodded, the smile on his face showing that he was savoring their distress like one would a fine wine. "Harry, I can't think of any other way except for Norm and I to pay the balance."

"Mum, no! That's..." Harry frantically did the math in his head. "almost 15,000 pounds!"

Diane's jaw dropped. Apparently Sam had not shared the currency conversion rate with them. "We uh, we may be able to cash in some investments. Norm has money from his mother's life insurance payout."

"No! It's not right. This is my fault." He looked back at the goblin. "What happens if I close my vault?"

The goblin's eyes narrowed, a wicked-looking curved dagger appearing in his hand. "If you are no longer a Gringotts client, then all debts must be paid in full before you leave this building." Harry, despite his youth, had faced much worse than an angry goblin. His expression didn't change at all, which was disappointing to the small creature. "Did the tellers explain the nature of your trust vault?"

"I know that there is another, the main Potter vault, but that I can't access it until I am 17."

"Or until you or another of Potter blood attain the level of regency for your House, yes. Your trust vault refills to 5,000 Galleons every year, on the last day of the Hogwarts term, per the conditions your parents set. The 20 Galleon penalty repeats every month your account is in default, so by the time your vault refills, your charges will be more than GG200."

"More than?"

"That's 10,000 pounds of fees!" Diane was stunned.

"Gringotts is a bank, we charge interest. Now, the year's maintenance fee that you would be required to pay upfront only adds up to 35 Galleons."

"Bringing his total obligations to?"

"GG528."

"Harry, how much is each Galleon converted to pounds exactly?"

"One Galleon to fifty pounds."

Diane gave a light moan and sat back in her chair.

"All right, I understand my debts. I'll find the gold that I owe." He stood from his chair. "Are we free to go?"

That dangerous smile returned to the goblin's face. "Of course. Don't forget, Mr. Potter, Gringotts always collects on its debts. I hope you aren't thinking of attempting to run."

Once more dismissing the goblin's threats, Harry helped Diane to her feet and led the shocked woman out of the bank.

"Harry, I never knew... 30,000 pounds, my god... I don't know where we'll find the money."

"You don't need to. My trust vault will pay the fines next year when it refills."

"And what about Hogwarts? Your tuition has to be paid."

Harry looked around the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, full of school shoppers going to and fro, collecting their requisite supplies. "We never told you, but there's a lot about the MACUSA that is really ugly and horrible."

Diane knew that Sam had been holding information back! "What do you mean? What does that have to do with anything?"

"The Headmaster at Ilvermorny offered me a full ride – tuition, fees, and supplies included. I have the offer and application in my trunk at home."

"You can't go to school in America, Harry! How would you get there? And Norm and I don't have the proper visas to even seek work in the States."

Harry's face twisted like he'd bit into a lemon. "I think they'd send me an international portkey. You guys would stay here, the MACUSA is way too dangerous for muggles. I don't think I'd be able to come back for breaks, though."

"No! Why don't we just find you a school in our world? You can keep practicing your magic with Sam, like a self-study."

He shook his head. "It doesn't work like that. The Statute of Secrecy was the first thing we learned in history class; any muggleborn student that abandons their magical education prior to completing their Ordinary Wizarding Levels has their magic bound and the student's and their family's memories wiped."

"Good heavens!"

"It's all right. It's just a year, Mum, I'm sure I'll be able to come back to Hogwarts after that."

"Okay, slow down, Harry. We'll talk this over with Norm, there's no need to make any decisions just yet. We've got some time."

Harry nodded slowly. That was true. They trudged back towards the Leaky Cauldron, neither up for much conversation, when someone called out for him.

"Susan? Hi, how are you?" As was typical, the Hufflepuff was accompanied by Hannah.

"Good! I shouldn't be surprised to see you, but I'm still glad we ran into you. You aren't done with your shopping, are you?" she asked, noting the lag of any bags or packages with the two. "Hi, I'm Susan Bones."

"Sorry, I should have introduced you. This is my mum, Diane Malone. Well, soon to be Diane Peters." She shook hands with the two girls, who exchanged a look at Harry calling her 'mum'.

"Nice to meet you, Harry's told me a great deal about you both; especially you, Susan." Both Harry and Susan's face lit up in vibrant blushes. "Are you here with your parents?"

Hannah replied, "We both came with my father. He stopped into Slug & Jiggers to discuss their next order. Our family business supplies them with most of their potions ingredients." She added, for Harry and Diane's benefit.

"Oh, I see," Diane replied, a bit disappointed she wasn't able to meet the parents of Harry's friends.

"We were just going to Flourish and Blott's for our book list, you have to come with us. Gilderoy Lockhart is having a book signing!"

Harry didn't particularly care, nor did he recognize the author's name that had them so excited, but Diane gestured for him to go along with the girls. He needed to be around friends with after the way their morning had gone.

The bookstore was packed. There was a large crowd waiting when they arrived, so many that the numbers spilled outside. A large cheer erupted at the arrival of an extraordinarily handsome blonde-haired man. His smile was like a spotlight, blinding every witch whose gaze he met, and he shook hands with and waved at the crowd as he passed through the entrance to the store.

"Let's see if we can get closer! Come on you guys!" Susan gave Harry a small smile at her friend's exuberance, but nonetheless followed her, worming their way through the crowd to the front, where Lockhart had climbed onto an elevated stage.

"Thank you, thank you! I can't tell you the enormous gratitude I feel to see so many fine wizards and witches taking an interest in the actions of a humble adventurer such as myself." Lockhart spoke with the ease and eloquence of a famous movie star. "I've been assured by Mr. Blott that this store has enough copies for every customer of my autobiography, Magical Me, which includes experiences never before told to the public." He paused allowing the wild applause to wash over him for nearly a full minute before holding his hands up to quiet the crowd.

"What you don't know is that- my word, could it be?" Lockhart jumped off the stage, grasping Harry's arm and practically yanking the boy back onto the stage with him. "Harry Potter, everyone! I invited Mr. Potter here today so that Britain's favored son could learn, along with all of you dear friends, that he – along with every other student – would not only be getting Magical Me, they'll also be getting the real me. I have, as of last week, accepted the position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts!"

This time the applause was deafening, the roar of the crowd continuing unabated for several minutes. Lockhart himself seemed powerless to quiet them, as he tried several times unsuccessfully to settle them down. Finally, the noise reduced to a low hum. "Now, I promised I would read the introduction to my new book, and so I shall. I will also personally sign every copy that is purchased here today, should you desire. Before I begin, though, I promised young Harry that I would arrange a few advanced lessons for him. Just a moment, friends!" Lockhart pulled Harry behind the bright purple curtain on the stage, while the store's proprietor called out for calm and for the crowd to arrange themselves in an orderly fashion.

Harry jerked his arm out of Lockhart's grasp. "What was that about? Who in the bloody hell are you?"

"Harry Potter, as I live and breathe. I don't suppose you have any idea what an opportunity this is, do you?"

"What are you talking about? Why did you pull me back here? My mum is waiting for me, you know."

Lockhart leaned down to eye level with Harry, his 'magazine cover' smile turning to a feral grin. "I've read about you, you know. Stuck with muggles, no idea about our culture or our world. You don't have any idea what kind of influence you could wield as the Boy-Who-Lived, do you? If I had the advantages you do, I'd be the richest wizard in the world by now!"

"Get off of me- wait, what do you mean?"

"Oh? You find the idea of wealth appealing, don't you? There's nothing like it, Harry. Do you know how much I made off of my last book? So many Galleons I could have filled enough tubs to bathe in gold in a different one every day of the week!"

"Bully for you, but I don't see how that helps me."

"Relax, Harry, relax."

"You don't understand, Mr.-"

"Professor, Harry, remember? I'll be your DADA teacher this year."

Biting back his annoyance, Harry continued. "Okay, Professor, but as it stands I won't be coming to Hogwarts. I don't have the Galleons to pay for tuition or school supplies."

Lockhart was perplexed at the news of Harry's financial distress, but seized the opportunity that presented itself to him. "How much?"

"What?"

"How much do you owe Hogwarts?"

"293 Galleons for tuition. I don't know how much for supplies."

Lockhart removed his wand and summoned a small booklet, along with a quill and inkpot. "And If I were to make that problem go away?"

"Why would you do that? What's in it for you?"

"What's in it for us, Harry. Just go along with me when we go back out there. Big smiles, happy waves, and I'll make us so much money that instead of paying off debts, you'll be paying Gringotts to double, no triple the size of your vault! Agreed?"

As slimy as this man seemed, Harry couldn't deny he was obviously successful. "Agreed."

Lockhart signed something in the booklet with a flourish, tearing the page out and handing it to Harry. "Here. This is a Gringotts draft for GG350. That should be more than enough to pay for your tuition and get your supplies." He looked Harry up and down critically. "Hair is okay, glasses are fashionable, oh. You must have grown over the summer. Just a mo'." He quickly wrote another slip, this one for 60 Galleons. "Go to Twilfitt and Tatting's, get yourself some acromantula silk robes. Silver. You'll need them this year. Now, let's get back out there. Remember, positive vibes, big smiles."

They emerged from the curtain to renewed applause. "Thank you, friends! I was merely checking with young Harry whether or not he and I should let you fine people be the first to know our little secret." The crowd hushed expectantly. "You see, since Harry reentered our world following his tragic absence, he has been under my tutelage. That's right, I, Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin Third Class, member of the Dark Force Defense League, have taken on the Boy-Who-Lived as my apprentice!"

Harry practically felt his robes billow at the sonic output from the crowd's cheers. A nudge from Lockhart reminded him to wave and 'smile big'. It went on for several minutes, with Lockhart this time making no move to quiet them. He made a big show of putting a fatherly arm over Harry's shoulder, posing for multiple cameras that suddenly appeared amongst the crowd.

Eventually, the gathered witches and wizards settled down. "I know that Harry probably thought that today couldn't get better, but I'm sure hearing the joy from all of you fine wizards and witches was as exciting for him as it was for me. As my apprentice, I of course will provide him with a free set of the Second Year booklist," Mr. Blott, the proprietor, raised his eyebrows but reluctantly nodded. "even though after a year of corresponding with me has left him much more advanced than this material." Lockhart gave an exaggerated wink to the crowd, really hamming it up. "Run along for the rest of your supplies, Harry, we'll meet a bit later. "Now! Who's first for their autograph?"

Harry hopped off the stage with his new books, seeing stars in Hannah's eyes and a strangely disappointed look in Susan's. He gave them a quick wave, slipping through the crowd thanks to a distraction caused by a fist fight near the entrance between Ronald Weasley and Draco Malfoy, meeting Diane just outside the bookstore.

"What was that about, Harry?"

"That was a business deal, Mum. Come on, let's go back to Gringotts and settle my debt."

A/N: Shorter chapter. Wanted to get through summer. Also, i have to admit, I need to majorly brainstorm for Second Year - besides Lockhart, almost none of the plotlines I've set up will be resolved until 2nd year is done.

Thanks to heli0n for correcting my mistake last chapter! I appreciated it.

Thanks for the kind words from my reviewers! I'm impressed at the insight of several of you, wanted to say a few general things. Yes, Harry is naive and handing over all his money was dumb. A good reason to not let 11-year olds control that much money.

Harry's not 'crossing the pond' just yet - after this year though? Well... we'll see!

JKR claimed years after the series that Hogwarts is free. Okay. It's a pretty common theme in fanfics that it isn't. Even state boarding schools (far from elite) in the UK charge for room & board. As for St. Mungo's there's zero evidence it is free. If you consider that any wizard/witch can make their own healing potions and potentially cast their own healing spells, it makes sense they'd charge for their services.

I always loved Lockhart, even when I was reading the books for the first time. I feel like he often gets a bad rap; people focus more on his cowardice and magical incompetence, and not on how he successfully ran a con that got him government awards, public adulation, and (I assume) a princely fortune, all basically just by being charming. Someone like that is no idiot.

Daphne is quickly becoming my favorite character in this story. Hope you all don't judge her too harshly.

Thanks everyone. It was pointed out to me recently that having 500 follows and 250 favorites in one month is a pretty impressive feat. I'm grateful!