(A/N: Thanks for everyone who reviewed. It seems the end to Voldiewort worked for people. Reviewer "Tork01" was the first to mention the intention I had when writing that chapter: Proper planning prevents poor performance. Harry pretty much blindsided and surprised Tom with a curse that couldn't be blocked; that plus having so many people waiting in ambush and focusing on only 1 person … Tom never really had a chance. I'll probably miss a few things, but let's start the wrap-up by looking for a friend.)
=Aftermath Part 1=
[Sun, Dec 22]
Minerva McGonagall approached the Headmaster at breakfast. "Albus, Severus doesn't seem to be in the castle. Do you know where he is?"
"Not specifically," Dumbledore replied. "I had a very quick message last night that he was needed elsewhere. He's probably brewing some potions for Tom, but I wouldn't worry. I'm sure he'll be fine and there are no Slytherins staying here for Christmas."
McGonagall wasn't feeling so confident, but what could she really say?
— — —
Harry had exchanged Christmas presents with the Longbottoms that morning. Lady Longbottom had found another book on building magical structures, while Neville had spent the entire time he'd been gone the day before searching their old pictures to find a few more of Harry's mother and he'd even found a few with his father in front of the Potter estate house before it'd been destroyed. Harry had found yet another rare plant for Neville and he'd kept his friend's greenhouse in good order and the plants healthy while Neville had been away at school.
The presents he'd purchased yesterday were for his other friends and Stolli would be delivering those on Christmas morning. He was tempted to take his presents to the Weasleys, but held back for some reason had trouble naming.
Now he was off to see who might be his best friend. The airport in London was large so he felt a little lost, but he was early so he had time. When he boarded, he was pleased to have a larger seat near the front and was glad he'd spent the extra money to get one and to get a window seat. It was strange to be so high in the air as they flew, he thought.
At the airport in Boston, he exited the plane with rest of the passengers in first class. As he followed the signs to Customs, a few others from another flight came to join the herd, including a man in a dark suit and tie with a white shirt.
The man walked over near him but didn't crowd him, so Harry ignored him until the man said quietly, "Mr Potter."
Surprised, he looked over and didn't see anything unusual as the two kept walking, though the man moved a little closer as if they knew each other.
"Pardon me for intruding, but would you come with me? I'm from the State Department," the man paused, "Division M. I'll help you get through Customs."
Harry suddenly stopped, almost causing the man behind him to run into him, so he received a glare from the stranger. He had no idea what the State Department was, be he did wonder about the "M". "I'm sorry, I have no idea what that means."
The man beckoned him over to the side of the walking area to get out of the way of the herd trying to get to their destination. "The 'M' means what you think it does. We just need to go over a few details with you before you're on your way."
As Harry had his Occlumency shields up and hadn't felt a probe, he had to assume it was the obvious question he should have asked. "All right."
"If you'll follow me." The man led him back into the throng of people. A few minutes later when everyone else was turning left, the man led him the other way and then through a door marked "Security Only". Beyond the door was another corridor.
"We can talk freely in here," the man said. "I'm Agent Davidson. We're surprised to see you here Mr Potter. In fact, if our filters on the airline manifests hadn't caught your name, it would have been a total surprise and various people don't like surprises like that."
"Oh," Harry said, "I'm just visiting a friend for the holidays."
"That's not the problem, Mr Potter. We welcome visitors and tourists; come see the sights and spend as much money as you'd like," he said with a bland smile. "The problem is that you didn't file the appropriate paperwork."
As they neared another door, Harry said, "I'm sorry, but what paperwork are you talking about? When I purchased the tickets, I was told that my passport was all I needed for a short visit."
The agent looked at him with doubt, but said nothing as he opened the next door and waved him into an office area, with multiple people behind desks doing work. "If you'll put your bags on the table please, we'll take care of the Customs part. Your passport please?"
As Harry sat his bags down, an older woman came over. "Anything special to declare? Any plants or creatures?"
"No," Harry answered as the woman scanned the bags with a spell, while the first agent inspected his passport and then stamped it.
"I find a wand and at least two other magical items in here," the searcher said looking at him expectantly.
"Christmas presents, no plants or creatures," he answered.
The searcher pushed his bags to him and returned to her desk. Agent Davidson said, "You can leave those there for few minutes; we're not expecting anyone else soon. If you'll follow me, Director Meyers would like a word before you go to meet your friend."
He was ushered into an office where he saw an older man behind a large desk covered in papers. Davidson handed Harry's passport over with a note on top to the man, who had a name plate on his desk that read "Director Ulysses Meyers".
"Have a seat, Mr Potter," Meyers said as he looked at the note before dropping it beside him, probably into a bin, then he looked at the passport then at Harry. "It looks like you but I have a problem with this passport, Mr Potter. While you're not as famous over here as in your homeland, even we know when your birthday is and this is wrong. Would you explain why before we discuss my other concern?"
Harry thought the man's accent was interesting, but that didn't help him with the question. He decided honesty might be the best policy here. "It's what was given to me. I'm told it's an official passport."
Meyers reached over and pushed a few papers aside before he pulled a manila folder to him. Harry was surprised the man found anything on his desk quickly. Meyers looked inside and then grunted. "It does match what we got from the British non-magical government. Why the discrepancy with your real birthday? It doesn't put you in good standing."
"I was told it would create fewer problems for me when traveling," Harry said, wondering if he'd get to see Hermione or not. He also tested the area by reaching out with his magic and found there were no Disapparation wards at least, but his wand was in the bag out in the main room, not with him. Perhaps a quick double-jump to get his bag first was possible, but where would he go?
Meyers looked at Davidson who shrugged. "He has a point," the younger man said. "If we hadn't caught it and known who he was, he would have walked through the normal system. Also this way he wasn't treated as a minor."
"I'm sorry, but what's the problem," Harry asked, working to remain polite.
The older man dropped everything on his desk and leaned back. "The real problem, Mr Potter, is that while we really don't care that you come to visit, it is common courtesy to alert other governments when you travel … and you didn't."
"Err, why and who should I have told me?" he asked, still not really understanding.
Meyers gave Davidson an incredulous look while Davidson remained casual and didn't look like he had a care in the world. "Because," Meyers said raising his voice a little and leaning forward, "people like you are supposed let us know so we don't think you're here to start a rebellion."
Harry was taken aback. "Are you a blood purist?"
"Sir, may I?" Davidson requested casually.
"Be my guest," Meyers said gruffly as he threw up his hands and fell back in his chair looking upset.
"Mr Potter," Davidson said calmly and in a gentle voice, "while we have our own problems, we really don't care about blood purity here. However, I do need to know how did you get your tickets to come here?"
"I used my mobile phone to call British Airways and purchased them, why?"
"I see. And your passport, did a magical create it or a non-magical?" Davidson asked in the same manner.
"A non-magical who works for the government, or so I understood," Harry answered, trying to phrase it carefully so it didn't come out as a lie.
"And to come here this morning?" the agent asked.
"I Apparated to London and took a taxi to the airport, where I checked-in and boarded the airplane. Isn't that how normal people do it?" Harry asked.
"Ah, I think we're getting there. One last question or maybe two I think. Do you work for someone back home and did you tell them you were traveling here?"
"Well, yes, I told my manager when I asked for the time off," Harry admitted.
"I'm sorry, but I must also ask does he or she know your magical index and do you?" Davidson said, still just as matter-of-factly.
"My what?" Harry asked while knowing what was meant and now having an inkling of what was going on.
"Your magical index, a rating of how magical you are?" Davidson said leaning forward ever so slightly.
"I know I'm above average." Harry looked at him and asked, "Why is that a big deal? By definition, half of everyone is above average?"
Davidson leaned back in his chair and smiled. "Quite true, Mr Potter." He turned to the other man. "Director, I believe this is a simple case of misunderstanding. Mr Potter is young enough not to know all the rules like this and his manager, of a small shop I would assume, probably doesn't know all the rules either."
He looked at Harry. "Mr Potter, our scanner in the terminal shows your magical index is very high, as in the top half percent of all magicals. It is common courtesy for people such as yourself to file paperwork with your destination country before you arrive at best, or at least bring it with you to give to us at worst."
"Why?"
"As the Director suggested and I hinted at earlier," Davidson smiled slightly, "some people become nervous when extremely powerful people come for a visit. I'm sure you're skeptical as you only came to visit a friend, and honestly almost everyone else is just like you, but some people are a little … nervous you understand, when borders are crossed. Not to be insensitive, but I understand your home country has a problem currently with a powerful magical?"
Harry noticed Meyers bristle a little, but kept quiet for the moment. The older man still didn't look happy.
"Director, how about I fill out the paperwork this time and I'm sure Mr Potter won't forget for next time he comes to visit?" Davidson looked pleased with himself for the idea.
"Very well," Meyers said after a moment. "We'll let you off this time, but don't forget next time!"
"Err, where would I send the paperwork?" Harry asked, a little relieved he wasn't going to have try to sneak out.
"With your Department of International Relations at the Ministry is the easiest way, or just get the form from them and give it to the US Embassy in London. Either will work just fine. If you'll follow me?" Davidson rose.
Harry looked at the Director who gave him a nod and handed his passport over, which he stuck in a pocket.
In the main room, Davidson grabbed a form and put Harry's name on it and placed it before him. "Sign the bottom please and fill in the dates."
Harry filled it out with the dates of his travel before signing the form that really was about travel of highly magical individuals across borders.
"Grab your bags and follow me," Davidson said and then led him out of the office and down another corridor. "I hope you'll not think badly of the Director. He's not had a good few months and he's heading towards retirement. I doubt he'll be here if you come next Christmas."
"Sure."
"I also must stress that we do expect you to keep the secrecy of magic. You can do magic if it's hidden like in your friend's house while there are no visitors, but please don't require us to send the Obliviation Squad; the paperwork for that is a nightmare. Their director is even more grouchy." He smiled conspiratorially and chuckled, causing Harry to chuckle with him.
"I have to work over the next week, but will you be enjoying the time off?" the man asked.
"Yes," Harry said and he had no plans to elaborate.
After a moment of almost uncomfortable silence, the agent easily asked, "So long time friend or maybe girlfriend?"
"Yes, to friend. I see Hermione more like a sister or cousin," Harry answered, happy to back on safer ground.
"Hmm, Hermione, an unusual name, I think I may have met her before. What was her last name?"
"Granger, Hermione Granger," Harry told him.
"Yes, that does sound familiar. If I didn't meet her then I'm sure I saw her name on some paperwork. So much paperwork," Davidson said as they came to a door. "Through the door and to the right. Normal customs is on the left, so people will be coming from that way. Go with them towards the exit and you'll soon find your friend waiting on you, I'm sure. It's been a pleasure, Mr Potter, and I'm sorry for the mix up."
"Thank you for your help back there," Harry told him sincerely.
"It was no problem at all; it's part of my job. Have a good holiday and Merry Christmas," the man said with a smile.
Understanding, Harry smiled, "Happy Christmas to you." He went through the door and to the right as directed.
— — —
A moment later, Davidson walked back into the office then the inner office.
"Did you find out where he's going?" Meyers asked, not so gruff now.
"Yes, sir. He's going to see and stay with one Hermione Granger, just as we thought. Seems like good kid."
"Good kid or not, his passport issue is going to cause a headache, but we've seen so much worse too. Nice job on playing good cop and getting him to trust you," Meyers told him. "I hate playing bad cop but I guess someone has to do it."
"I don't think it was needed for him, but I supposed it does have its advantages. I'll send out the alert for agents in area of the Grangers, though I really doubt he'll cause any problem," Davidson replied.
"Did you find out what he's been doing?"
"Other than working, no," Davidson said with a look that said 'you can't win them all'. "He was very tight-lipped about that. It leads me to believe it's somewhere special, like maybe the Aurors. They could easily hide him in a training facility until he's a full adult."
"Good one. Be sure to add that to your report," Meyers told him. "Did his answers match?"
"Yes sir, his answers to me before you saw him and his answers to you were essentially the same so I believe he was telling the truth."
Meyers waved him on so Davidson left to finish the paperwork on one Harry Potter.
— — —
Harry walked through the final door with a few others from normal Customs. Ahead he saw his best friend was standing there looking at her mother and looking bored. He saw when her father noticed him as the man smiled. He walked over just in time to hear his friend say, "Which of your friends are we supposed to be meeting?"
"I said a friend," her mother said with a smile noticing him too.
"Do I count?" Harry said with a grin.
That caused the girl's head to whip around and shout, "Harry!" She rushed the few steps to engulf him in a hug; he managed to drop his larger bag that was in his hand so he could hug her back. Finally, she backed up and looked at him, though her expression turned stormy. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Surprise?" he said lightly.
"Prat," she returned good-naturedly.
"I can't tell you how good it is to see you," he told her, not able to lose his smile. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," she said happily before looking at her parents. "You could have told me."
"What? And ruin the surprise not to mention miss your complaining?" her mother asked teasingly.
"I wasn't that bad," Hermione complained.
"Just a little," her father said as he stretched out his hand to their visitor. "Harry, it's good to see you again." Her mother welcomed him too and gave him a brief hug before leading him away towards the car.
Once they were driving, with the two teens in the backseat of the car, Hermione looked at him and smiled again. "It really is good to see you. How have you been? What have you been doing? I hope you haven't been getting into trouble. You better have been continuing your sixth year work like you told me."
Harry smiled at her. It was so like being back at school with her checking up on him. "I've been well, but some of my news will have to wait until we get to your home."
She gave him a slightly demanding look at having to wait.
He couldn't help his chuckle. "Hermione, I'm sure your parents will care about some of it and want to be able to talk too, and that doesn't seem fair to your father now."
"Honey," her mother spoke up, "also remember that Harry might want to go to bed early this evening. He's had five more hours in his day than you have. Remember what your first day here was like?"
Hermione looked resigned but nodded in acknowledgement.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you the most important parts before I go to bed," he told her. "The rest isn't too hard. I have been reading through my books and practicing, plus I've been learning a lot. I've been learning a lot outside of work too and we can talk about that later, probably tomorrow if you don't mind.
"What was the other one? Oh yes, trouble." He grinned at her. I've had very little trouble since you left in August, so maybe you were the trouble magnet?"
She huffed and gave him an indignant look, causing him to laugh. "Oh you," she said shaking her head as she realized he'd been teasing her.
"What have you been up to?" he asked her as they drove on.
"Mostly school," she told him. "I stay there Monday through Friday and come home on the weekends. I've found I like that and my parents do too."
Her mother looked back and smiled and Harry could see her father smile suddenly in the mirror.
"Interesting, go on."
She looked down for a moment and then sighed before looking at him. "I think I mentioned that I'd starting having doubts about Hogwarts." At his nod she continued. "Some like Flitwick and McGonagall could not be beat by anyone over here. But some - many - of the others wouldn't compare as well." She sighed again. "I can't tell you how hard that is to admit."
"I can understand a little," Harry told her. "After you'd first mentioned your doubts, I started examining my experiences and thoughts. For me now, while most of my learning is on my own, I have several people who help me when I get stuck or just to talk about the material. One of them has sort of become my mentor, I guess you could say. He's a Curse Breaker and really smart."
"Oh," Hermione perked up, "does he know Bill Weasley?"
"I asked," Harry smiled at the expected question, "and he says he knows of Bill but hasn't met him personally."
Harry shook his head slightly. "But yeah, I know what you mean. I do miss Flitwick and McGonagall's teaching, but the rest … not so much. I definitely don't miss Potions and Snape."
"Yes," Hermione agreed with a nod. "Snape is still a brilliant Potions Master, but I've learned he's not a good teacher because I really like the one I have now."
"What about your friends you told me about?" he asked.
"They're doing well. A new boy has joined us, Darrin," she answered. Hermione spent the rest of the trip to the restaurant talking about her new friends and a few of the things they'd been up to - all very boring things.
Harry was glad she'd made friends here and hid his feelings for now.
They stopped by a restaurant on the way to their home. Harry learned that her parents had been working for a large practice as assistants for a short time as they recertified. Now they were back to their usual work at the same place. They sounded like they were fitting in as well.
They finally arrived at a nice looking but older home. Hermione carried his little backpack while he carried his larger bag. Mrs Granger led him up to the room he'd be staying in so he could drop his bags off. Hermione practically pulled him back to the living room much to his amusement. Mr Granger had tea for all, which he was grateful for as it allowed him to have a moment to center himself for probably the second most important conversation of the trip.
"So, what can you tell us?" Hermione asked in her usual tone when she was in hot pursuit of information. "We get some news from back home here in the Wizarding newspaper, but it isn't much."
Harry took a sip then just held the warm cup to warm his hands from the cold of outside. "You need to know that this is all second and third hand information, even if the general public doesn't know it."
She nodded but asked, "Then how do you know it? Is it because of your job?"
He smiled slightly. "Some of it comes from people there, but it's mostly because I'm The-Boy-Who-Lived so people tell me things sometimes." He didn't think it was a stretch because he still thought that was a large reason why Croaker had hired him.
At her nod, he said, "I don't know if you've heard, but since about September there have been one or two attacks per week against those that would oppose Voldemort, and in the last two months it's usually been two attacks per week. Yet there hasn't been an attack for almost a week; last Monday night was the last I believe."
"They could just be planning something or just taking a break because it's Christmas time," Mr Granger said.
"Could be, or maybe they resumed this evening after I left," Harry allowed, "but that's not what some people are saying, people who probably know better. There's also rumors that some very prominent people are missing." Croaker had told him there would be reports of people missing and he thought it was be an amusing time to watch.
"Who?" Hermione pounced.
"People who claimed they were forced to do bad things in the last war and purchased their pardons when we all know they weren't really forced," he replied solemnly.
"That really happened?" the father asked with a touch of incredulity. "They escaped justice with bribes?"
"Yes, everyone knows it but because it wasn't," Harry made air quotes, "proven - then they got off and the incoming Minister fifteen years ago was their new best friend."
"Now?" the mother asked.
Harry smiled slightly. "The current new Minister as of about six months ago wants them put away, but hasn't been willing to put himself forward to do it. Now, he'll probably continue not doing much which means the Aurors won't look too hard for the bad guys that have disappeared - probably. Not great, but I suppose it'll work out." The Aurors will never find them no matter how hard they look, he told himself.
"So if all of that is true," Mrs Granger looked at him seriously, "then it'd be safe to go back home?"
Harry shrugged. "I did say rumors. Hermione should finish out her school year here. If Voldemort and the Death Eaters really have disappeared and aren't back by summer, them it's probably safe to return if you want." He looked uncomfortable but continued. "I could also understand waiting a little longer too."
"Harry-" Hermione all but growled before being cut off.
"Hermione," he said forcefully to stop her. "If it was up to me I'd take you back with me when I leave, but that's between you and your parents. There are also at least two good reasons not to come back immediately." He looked up and saw surprise on both of the parents' faces.
"Why not?" Hermione asked quietly, also surprised.
"Hermione, I'm sure changing schools was difficult and you've only got one more year after this one, assuming they only do seven years like Hogwarts." She nodded that it was so. "You might decide it's better to finish here," he told her.
"That's reasonable," her father said. "What the other reason?"
"To give everything a little more time to settle and see what's going to happen," Harry replied. "Look, let's pretend all the bad guys really are dead, however that might have happened. Now what's going to happen? Can you predict the changes and some of them are almost certain to be major? I can't and I talked to my manager about it and he says we're in for some interesting times during this year."
Hermione worried her bottom lip for a moment before sighing and seeming to deflate. "No, I don't have enough information."
"So you're saying," Mr Granger said, "that a year and six months would be enough time to know how your world is changing and who the new players are?"
Croaker had said something of that affect to him. "Yes sir, that's a reasonable way to put it. I'm not saying don't come back this summer because," he looked at his friend now, "I'd like to have you back in England so we can all get together again; but I can also understand waiting to move until after you finish school in a year and half too. Neither answer is wrong."
There was silence for a long moment before Mrs Granger spoke up. "We don't have to decide now; in fact, we have months. However Harry, you look tired. Why don't you go get some sleep, feel free to sleep late if you want, and you two can talk tomorrow."
Harry nodded. "Thanks." He looked at his friend. "Are you good with this for now?"
She gave him an understanding smile that looked only a little forced. "I am for now. Go get some sleep. I'll ask my other hundred questions tomorrow," she teased.
Harry stood up and grinned at her. "So it'll be like normal then. Good-night!" He went up to bed feeling like he needed a long sleep. He also felt like that had gone rather well - all things considered.
— — —
Emma Granger made a hand motion to her daughter so she'd stay where she was and then looked at her husband, who looked to be thinking carefully. "Well, what are your first thoughts?" she finally asked quietly when she was sure Harry was in his room.
Dan Granger looked at his wife and then at his daughter. "I appreciate him presenting that in a balanced way."
"Dad, I want to go back and the sooner the better," Hermione told him.
"Your friend gave a good argument for staying until you finish school. Wasn't it you who said that overall Salem has better teachers than Hogwarts?" he asked lightly.
Hermione looked determined but said nothing.
"Your Mum's right, we don't have to decide this now. We aren't returning before this summer no matter what, so we have months to consider this," he said with a look at his wife who nodded.
"Fine," Hermione said with a resigned huff before standing. "I think I'll go read in my room. Good-night."
When Hermione was well gone and her parents had sat there longer, Emma looked at Dan. "What about now?"
"Don't think my answer changes," he said, "we have months to think about this. Do you really want to go back that badly? Sure, I miss a few things, but we've been doing well here."
"It is difficult; I can see it both ways," Emma finally said, getting a nod from her husband.
[Mon, Dec 23]
Rufus Scrimgeour heard a knock on his door and looked up to see Amelia Bones, though there was no meeting scheduled and his secretary hadn't announced the Head of the DMLE. He wasn't too surprised to see her stopping by though; they had a good working relationship, especially since she'd been his manager six months ago.
"Amelia, what's happened?"
She looked at him for a moment before she closed the door behind her and took a seat in front of his desk. "Sorry for dropping in unannounced, but I told Kathleen this was really important. We've had a … development."
The Minister harrumphed. "It sounds ominous when you say it like that."
Bones smiled slightly as she pulled her monocle off and started to rub it with the cuff of a sleeve. "We had a report yesterday afternoon from Victoria Nott that her husband and son were missing, that they'd left Saturday evening and they should have been home when she contacted us. By itself, it's meaningless and easily explained away that father and son were off doing something that she hadn't been informed of. We took a report and said we'd keep an eye out for each of them."
"Reasonable enough," the Minister agreed casually.
Bones inspected her monocle with her good eye and put it back in front of her bad eye, satisfied it was clean. "This morning, we've had reports from the Carrow, Yaxley, Flint, and Dolohov families about a missing person or persons, someone they expected back Sunday evening at the latest and there was still no sign of them even this morning. In addition, I've heard that Walden McNair didn't show up for work this morning."
Scrimgeour sat up straight in his chair. "That's a very interesting list of families."
"I also saw a worried Martha Warrington walking into the DMLE just as I was leaving. It's not hard for me to guess that family will be added to the list also. I haven't heard any rumors to explain this." She looked at him questioningly.
"No, neither have I," he said slowly as he thought it through. "It also seems like it's been a week since we've had an attack."
"Seven days, or really six nights ago," she answered.
"Do you think someone else has stepped up and taken care of some of them? Maybe Harry Potter since there was the prophecy about him," he half-stated half-asked the last part.
"Some vigilante group is far more likely," she allowed. "Hmm, I do know someone I can ask about that. As for Potter, I haven't heard much about him lately other than he's not at Hogwarts and only rarely seen in Hogsmeade for short visits."
"I still wished," Scrimgeour said a little upset, "we could get him to work with us."
Amelia Bones had an idea as to where Potter was spending his time based on a conversation she'd had with Algernon Croaker some months back, but that was speculation and it wouldn't help anyone to mention it now. "I don't think it will matter about Potter. As to this development, I don't have anything to go on. Hell, I've even had one of our Muggle-born check out the Muggle newspapers and there's nothing that could be attributed to Death Eaters there. It's like these people just disappeared and with a little planning, the right few spells, and a very large dose of luck to find them, that's easily done during a Christmas party - ignoring the illegality. As you know, we haven't been able to bring them in because we can't prove they are ones doing the crimes."
The Minister snorted. "This is going to change the make-up of the Wizengamot," he said thoughtfully. "Not all of the suspected Death Eaters were the Head of their family, but a number of them were … enough it might be easier to pass some legislation now. Perhaps we could even do that before the Heads are declared dead and so are replaced?" he speculated.
"That's your problem," she said as she rose. "You like politics more; it's why I didn't want to be Minister. I have enough of it in my present position."
"Please keep me informed," he requested, still thinking this change through.
"I will," she said as she left.
— — —
"Albus, can I come through?"
"Of course, in a few ticks of the clock if you don't mind."
After a count of ten, Amelia stepped through the Floo Network and quick wave of her wand cleaned her robes before she put it away and then took a seat.
"Amelia, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Albus Dumbledore said congenially.
"I'm looking for some information in relation to the Death Eaters."
"Oh?" he said. "Feel free to ask but I'm not sure I have much for you."
"We'll see," she said as she watched for some indication he knew more and was coming up short so far. "It seems that at least ten suspected Death Eaters are missing at the moment, or at least I have missing persons reports stating that. As the head of the only vigilante group that I'm aware of, I wondered if you would be willing to share what you've been doing." It was all stated casually and friendly, but each knew that wasn't totally so.
Amelia noticed that for the briefest of moments a true indication of shock in the widening of eyes before they were schooled back into his usual look. Damn, she thought, he's not the source.
"I'm afraid I can't help you as our organization is for gathering information and we've heard nothing of missing persons," he replied calmly.
Neither mentioned last June and the break-in to the Department of Mysteries.
"Most unfortunate," she returned. "What of your spy? Any useful information from him?" She noticed a twitch, perhaps an aborted wince.
"I have nothing to share from him. In fact, I haven't talked with him for a few days," said Albus.
Amelia blinked in surprise and had to ask, "When was the last time you spoke with him?"
"Saturday afternoon, I believe," he answered.
She leaned forward. "Do you have a way to know if he's still alive, some sort of monitoring perhaps?"
"I'm afraid not as that could put his life in jeopardy," he stated.
Amelia leaned back and nodded for a moment before standing. "If the pattern continues, I suggest you start looking for his replacement now."
Albus stood up quickly and looked down at her slightly. "What do you know?" He was a little demanding.
"Just what I've said. I have no information on him specifically, but a pattern is developing. Thank you for your time, Albus." Amelia walked to the fireplace and grabbed a pinch of Floo Powder from the bowl on the mantel to return to the DMLE.
Albus sank into his chair and contemplated the information carefully, but felt he could do nothing at the moment.
— — —
Several hours after Amelia Bones added Severus Snape to the list of missing persons, Harry Potter dragged himself out of bed to wash his face and get dressed. It was a little after nine in the morning for him.
"You're up," Hermione said as he entered the kitchen. "Sleep well?"
"I woke up around four. When I realized what time it was, I managed to turn over and go back to sleep. I'm a bit tired but it's not too bad," he explained.
"Here, Dad made it and I've kept it warm with a charm," she told him as she pushed a plate in front of him. "No pumpkin juice but I have orange juice and milk."
"Milk please."
Hermione set that in front of him and retook her place to look at the newspaper as he ate.
"Your dad does a good job," Harry said as his plate became half empty in short order.
"That's the only meal he does and he's done it for years. He claims the early morning is his time," she said with a shrug. She watched him for a long moment as he finished off his breakfast. "Harry, can you tell me anything else now that it's only you and me?"
He shoveled the last of the eggs into his mouth and then washed them down. "No, not without breaking promises." He snagged the last strip of bacon before leaning back to nibble on it slowly. "I personally think it would be safe enough for you to come back now, but I can't guarantee that officially either. Then there's always the problem that the Wizengamot could do something horrifically stupid, but I guess that's always a hazard," he said with a grin and took another bite of bacon.
"That is true," she agreed and stood and picked up his plate to put it in the sink. "Let's go sit in the other room; it's more comfortable."
Harry shoved the rest of the bacon into his mouth and took his milk with him. It was time he decided, and it didn't feel any easier than when he'd first had the idea to talk with her.
As they settled into chairs, Harry screwed up his courage and went for it, before she could start on some other topic. "Hermione, I need to talk to you about something."
"Oh? I'd wondered if you had another reason for coming," she told him breezily with a small smile as if she'd just scored a top grade. "It must be big if you aren't waiting."
He shook his head before he drained his milk. So like old times he thought with a mental grin. "I need some advice, or at least someone to talk to about a problem."
"Yes," she said with a hint of excitement.
"I'm thinking of returning to Hogwarts, maybe only part-time though." There, he'd said it.
Hermione looked shocked and just blinked at him for a five count. "That was not what I was expecting you to say. Why? What changed because you seemed very adamant about not returning before."
Here we go, he thought. "I, uh, well, I never realized how lonely I'd get. I mean, I have people around me at work and I live at Longbottom Manor so there's always his grandmum; but it's not the same."
"Wait! You went to live with Neville? Why and why am I just now hearing about this?" she scowled at him.
"I didn't tell you before because it was a secret, but that may be about to change. If it makes you feel better, you're the first to person to know outside of those who made it happen and Neville." After he said it, he realized Betty and Dupree knew too, but he wasn't going to mention them as that would start questions he wasn't allowed to answer.
"Keep going, why there?" she encouraged him.
"Because a relative of Neville's found out about me living with the Dursleys and rescued me from there," he explained, which was mostly the truth. "Did you know that Neville's mother was my Godmother and should have taken me in if Sirius hadn't? So instead of being raised with Neville, I was taken away and placed with my relatives who hate magic by someone who had other plans for me."
Hermione just blinked at him as she processed that. "But, but…" she started lamely but couldn't seem to finish.
"I know, it really shakes your faith in a certain person. Sadly, a day or two later after I was placed at the Dursleys, Alice Longbottom became unable to care for me and Augusta Longbottom had to take time to deal with that disaster. In her own words, by the time she was able to come to grips with everything that had happened in her family and make the appropriate arrangements and then became aware of what was going on with me, she had been neatly prevented from helping me out and so I stayed where I was.
"Now, I'm close enough to being an adult it wasn't too hard to help me walk away and who's going to complain? The only person who might is the one who put me there in - what did she call it - yes, dubious circumstances. So Dumbledore could have complained to me and tried to guilt me into going back, but he couldn't go to the DMLE about me not being at the Dursleys because of his actions fifteen years ago. Of course, none of it matters now that the Dursleys are dead, as I mentioned to you on the phone months ago."
She seemed to be just staring at him as she processed all of that.
Harry sighed. "I wished I'd know this during my first year at school as I'd never have returned to the Dursleys then."
"That's…wow," she said finally. "That's interesting, but why do you want to return to Hogwarts? Dumbledore will be there too. Oh, what about Professors McGonagall and Hagrid? They were there when you were placed at the Dursleys you said."
Harry shrugged. "I'll ignore Dumbledore at school. As for the other two, I don't hold living at the Dursleys' against them. I doubt they knew the truth and I believe they were merely following Dumbledore's orders. Think about Hagrid."
"True," she agreed with a sage nod about their very loyal but not overly bright friend.
"McGonagall has helped me a little here and there over the years in ways I don't think Dumbledore knew about. For example, back in early September I received a personal note from her telling me that she was sorry I wouldn't be there but she understood, and if I ever needed to talk to her she was available. It felt like I was being treated like someone who'd finished his seventh year. It was really unexpected but I appreciated it."
"All right, that's explains that part, but you still haven't said why you want to go back," she reminded him.
He looked down for a moment, not fully sure why this was so hard to say. "I'm lonely," he said finally. He didn't hear her move, but he felt her sit beside him on the sofa and put an arm around him.
"I have people around me, but it's not the same except for the summer when Neville was there," he confessed. "I never had friends before Hogwarts, but once I went then I got used to it. I experienced a little isolation during summers, but it was only two months a year and I could put up with that. Now for months on end, it's harder - a lot harder."
She rubbed his shoulder with the arm that was around him. "Is there more?"
He could tell by her tone she expected there to be. She knew him so well. "Err, it'd be nice to have a girlfriend; I don't have to but it'd be nice." He sighed. "Problem is, how do I know who wants to date me versus who want to date The-Boy-Who-Lived? I think the saying is that I can count the ones I know who would treat me as Harry on one hand and have fingers left over."
Hermione giggled and pulled him to her for a sidewise hug. "Yes, that's the saying. So, who do you think would treat you right?"
"Besides you, my sort of sister? I have trouble naming anyone," he confessed.
Now she sighed. "Well my sort of brother, the list is longer than that. For example there's Ginny."
He considered that. "You did say she got over me. Does that really mean she's over The-Boy-Who-Lived part or she doesn't want to date me anymore? I guess I kind of assumed both when you told me. I will admit she was pretty normal around me last year and the few times I've seen her this year." He also admitted silently that Ginny was turning into a lovely young woman. Also, there was the issue of Dean.
"Hmm, an interesting question. Based on my talks with her over the summers," she looked at him such that he understand this was never to be mentioned to Ginny so he nodded, "I'd say more the first. I think she'd go out with you if you asked, but she's not going to wait on you to ask anymore. There's one more obvious girl."
He searched his thoughts and said, "Who?"
"Luna," she said matter-of-factly.
He grinned at her. "That might be a lot of fun but I'm not sure my sanity would survive it."
Hermione giggled and then laughed while he joined her.
When they pulled themselves under control, Harry said, "Luna is a dear friend and I wouldn't want her to change, but I don't believe her personality and mine match well enough for her to be my girlfriend or anything beyond."
She smiled at him and dropped her arm that had been around him. "I know the two of you wouldn't work out like that, but I know she would treat you like 'Harry' and not a celebrity."
"Any others you know about?" he asked. "If there's some in hiding I'm unaware of them."
"Not any that are easily identified," she admitted. "Although, you might look at the Hufflepuff girls; Susan Bones might be a good candidate."
"She also wore one of those buttons in fourth year," he said pointedly.
"That, my sort of brother," she teased, "is something you're going to have to get over. Yes, it wasn't fair to you," she said quickly, cutting off his protest, "but you also have to look at it from their point-of-view as you appeared to stealing Cedric's thunder and they had no reason why until near the end of the year. She and a number of Hufflepuffs did join the DA so they worked through what happened with the Tournament." She eyed him. "Why are you bringing that up?"
He looked down again. "I generally have worked through it, but if I'm going to be dating someone, is that history I really want?"
"Tosh, Harry, it's water under the bridge; everyone makes mistakes and it's really pretty minor everything considered," she admonished him. "No one really knew the truth of why you were in the Tournament until the end of the year."
"I'll think about it," he replied.
"Just don't pursue Cho, that would be a bad choice," she told him, a hint of her smile returning.
"Definitely agreed," he said.
"There are probably a few other good ones in hiding," she teased him. "So, you'll be quitting your job to return to school?" she asked.
"No, I can't really do that as I made a promise to stay there for a while, but I was thinking of asking to do something like what you do. I thought maybe I didn't have to live there and could go only for the few classes I'd like to take," he explained. "Maybe only on the weekend too. So I'd take a few classes and then could spend time with friends when they're not in class."
"That schedule is possible logically," she allowed, "but only if they agree to something like tutoring. What classes?"
"Ancient Runes and Arithmancy so I can understand spells and other magical theory," he replied sheepishly. "I'm finding that would be very helpful."
"What? You wanting magical theory? Are you all right?" she put her hand on his forehead and then grinned as he pulled his head back.
"This is what I miss," he said seriously. "Talking and acting like a teenager with friends." He looked out the window for a moment. "I know I'm practically an adult and am in many ways, but there are still a few things I want to experience first."
She put her arm around him and pulled him close. "I'm sorry I'm not there. I would be if I could."
"I know," he told her and put an arm around her. "I'd kiss you now if it didn't feel so wrong."
"Thank you for not doing that," she said equally as seriously before she teased him again. "If you want to kiss a girl, I've got a friend who doesn't live too far away that could help you out. She'd love to kiss The-Boy-Who-Lived."
He dropped his arm and pulled back. "That's all right."
Hermione just laughed at him.
They talked of memories and fun times for the rest of the day. It was fun being a teenager again. It made him look forward to spending time with Ron and the others at school. Finding a girlfriend would be a real bonus.
.