Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all the rights except for Lauren, Jacob & Mandy Potter who are my own creations

Authors Note: To everyone who has already read the chapter and is wondering why I replaced it I had to make two changes, one of which was pointed out by JeanetteRachaelT and centred around the colour of Lauren's hair while the second is a much bigger plot error centred around events in Flourish and Blotts near the end of this chapter.

Chapter Twelve:

Harry Potter, now twelve years old, lay on his bed deep in thought.

He had been doing a lot of thinking since the 4th of June with most of it being about the horrible battle against Quirrell and his master Voldemort.

Everyone he had talked to told him he had only done what was necessary and not to feel guilt for it but Harry couldn't help feeling a little guilty for he had taken a man's life.

He shuddered as he replayed the scene in his mind again. The scene that haunted his dreams as Quirrell unwrapped the turban to reveal the horrible visage of Voldemort clinging to life on the back of his head like some kind of parasite.

The wand fire, Quirrell burning and then crumbling to dust and Voldemort fleeing the chamber after knocking him unconscious.

He had been grounded by his aunt for two weeks after getting home for his recklessness and as much as Harry had wanted to complain he admitted she'd had a point. And besides, he told himself he had managed to get all of his summer homework done and ready for the new term in September.

The new school term was another thing that was at the front of Harry's mind for while Ron had come over a lot and he had visited The Burrow a lot over the past two months he had had no contact whatsoever with Hermione or Neville.

The pair had not even sent so much as a birthday card.

This turn of events not only confused him but deeply hurt him for he had believed that Hermione and Neville were friends to he and Ron.

When he had told Ron about them not replying to his letters he had told Harry that maybe they were just very busy or perhaps they had decided to break off their friendship but were too chicken to tell Harry and Ron this.

Whatever the truth of it all it was definitely a mystery.

Harry sighed and decided to kick the duvet back and get under the covers. He yawned, turned towards his bedside table and flicked the switch on his lamp.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness he got the fright of his life as a pair of large green eyes, very bright ones, stared at him out of the darkness "argh!" he shouted in a combination of fear and surprise, fumbling for his wand and glasses as he flicked the lamp back on.

His heart hammered in his chest as he aimed his wand at the short creature with batlike ears and large tennis ball shaped eyes that were looking at him curiously.

He recognised the creature from pictures he had seen in books. It was a house elf, creatures bound to serve one family or institution forever "who are you and what are you doing in my bedroom?!" Harry demanded loudly of the creature who suddenly looked very nervous.

"Apologies Harry Potter" the elf said in a squeaky voice as he lowered his eyes "I had to come here tonight to warn you!".

"Warn me? warn me about what?" Harry asked him feeling very suspicious.

"It is...difficult Sir...Dobby wonders where to begin" the house elf answered 'ah so that's his name' Harry thought and then said as he lowered his wand a fraction "why don't you sit down on that chair over there?".

To his surprise and horror Dobbies eyes widened and filled with tears "s..si...sit down?" the house elf replied as he burst into very noisy tears.

In spite of how much they loved and cared about Harry he knew it would be awkward having to explain the presence of a house elf in his room to Uncle Jacob and Aunt Mandy so he made a shushing motion with his hands and said "Dobby please be more quiet!. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset or offend you!".

The house elf looked stunned "oh you didn't offend Dobby sir" Dobby replied with a small smile even as he sniffled "it's just that...Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a witch or wizard".

Harry grinned "you can't have met many good witches or wizards then" he replied jokingly.

Dobby laughed a little "no I haven't" he replied easily.

Then, suddenly, before Harry could react the house elf's eyes widened in horror and he clamped a hand across his mouth as he ran over the bed, leapt upon it, seized the bedside lamp and began banging himself over the head with it "bad Dobby! bad Dobby!" the elf shouted.

"Dobby no!" Harry cried out as he grabbed hold of Dobby and the lamp.

Once he had set the lamp back in its proper place and checked Dobby over he said "my family are kind people but they don't want to be woken up this time of night!".

"Apologies once again Harry Potter" Dobby said sounding very sorry indeed "but I had to punish myself sir for I almost spoke ill of the family I serve sir".

Harry nodded having heard how some families required this of their house elves. Personally he found it disgusting to treat another living being so bad.

"Why exactly are you here Dobby?" Harry asked the house elf wondering just what could be so bad that the elf would come to him of all people.

"I came here because I must warn you Harry Potter that there is a plot afoot" Dobby looked round as if expecting someone to jump him and then said much quieter, almost in a whisper "there is a plot Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts this year".

Harry frowned "what plot? who's involved?".

He intercepted Dobby who was about to hurt himself again "alright, I get it!" he said in frustration "you can't say who it is...is it your master?".

Dobby said nothing and so Harry said "if it is then just blink once". Dobby blinked once and then ran at the wall which he bounced off of making a loud noise.

Harry heard a loud noise in the bedroom next to his and he froze, listening intently, but Lauren merely continued to snore.

"What is this plot Dobby?" he asked the elf desperately.

Dobby shook his head and wrang his hands despairingly "Dobby cannot say sir for it would break the house elf code but it is bad Harry Potter, very bad".

"if it's so bad then why come to me?" Harry asked him "why not go to the Minister, or someone else within the Ministry?".

"I dare not Harry Potter for my family do not know I've been here!" the elf realised he'd given too much away and began to cry again.

Once Harry had calmed him down he said "well what do you expect me to do about it? I'm just one boy".

But Dobby's head shook so hard that his batlike ears flapped about "no Harry Potter you are not just any boy, you are the saviour of the wizarding world and must be protected. That is why I have come, to urge you to stay at home this year".

Harry shook his head "I can't do that Dobby. As much as I love my family I need to be at Hogwarts, to learn and grow as a person, it's one of the places that's like home to me".

"Even though your friends don't write to you?" Dobby said slyly.

"Well I admit I am a bit..." Harry looked at the elf in suspicion "how do you know I've not been getting any letters?".

The house elf looked very embarrassed and worried as he answered "Harry Potter must not be angry with Dobby. Dobby thought that if his friends had forgotten him he wouldn't want to go back to school".

Harry stood up "you've been intercepting my letters!" he shouted "I thought they'd forgotten me and it was your fault all the time!".

Harry was furious as another suspicion popped into his mind 'how do you know this isn't some sort of plot?' his mind said.

"You were put up to this weren't you!" he yelled as he lunged at Dobby who sprinted away.

"Dobby must be going!" the house elf raced to the door, flung it open and ran onto the landing "come back here!" Harry shouted as he sprinted after him.

The two hammered along the landing and down the stairs into the hallway.

Harry eventually managed to corner Dobby in the living room and grabbed hold of him "your plot didn't work Dobby! and whoever your working for, because I've got a friend who lives nearby and I've been talking to him regularly so whatever game you and your master are playing it ends now!".

"It's no game Harry Potter!" Dobby squeaked insistently "I was doing it for your own good, to keep you safe!".

"Well I'll be safe enough at Hogwarts now tell who's behind this plot!" Harry yelled but Dobby just shook his head, clicked his fingers and was gone with a loud pop.

Harry gaped at his hand in shock "wh...what?!" he exclaimed before recalling that, of course house elves could apparate at will.

As Harry was trying to work out what had happened a voice from the living room doorway said "Harry what are you doing down here in the dark?".

Harry turned to find his cousin Lauren there.

He shook his head "I'll tell you, Aunt Mandy and Uncle Jacob in the morning Lauren" he said suddenly feeling rather tired and worried.

As Harry returned to his bedroom he settled back down in bed but as the hours ticked by sleep failed to claim him with his mind turning over the events of that night.

The next morning Harry felt totally exhausted as he descended the stairs into the hallway. He yawned widely as he headed into the kitchen.

As he sat at the table he mumbled "morning" not really paying attention to who was in the kitchen "is that any way to greet your favourite godfather?" an amused voice asked.

Harry perked up at once as his eyes locked on his Godfather Sirius Black who was standing near the kitchen table grinning at him.

A grin lit up Harry's face as he ran over to his godfather and hugged him "Sirius!" he pulled back after a time and asked "what are you doing here?".

Sirius smiled "Jacob and Mandy had to head into work so they asked if me and Moony could take you and Lauren to Diagon Alley to get your school things and meet them there".

"Yes!" Harry was ecstatic for any day out with Sirius and Remus was always a good day.

"What are you so..." a voice asked from the doorway before shouting "Sirius!" and a blonde haired blur launched itself across the room as Lauren hugged Sirius tightly.

"Hey kiddo" Sirius said in an amused voice that was muffled by her hair.

"Why are you here?" she asked as she pulled back.

"Sirius and Remus are taking us to Diagon Alley to get our school things today. Uncle Jacob is meeting us there" Harry told his cousin.

"Awesome" she said enthusiastically and Harry grinned.

A few moments later the fireplace flared up and a man with grey flecked light brown hair, of slender build and wearing a worn but pressed clean brown suit stepped out muttering about soot getting everywhere.

Harry and Lauren didn't hesitate as they rushed over to one of their favourite uncles and both hugged him at the same time "hello you two" Remus said as he got his breath back "I take you're both excited to go to Diagon Alley".

They both nodded happily causing Remus to smile fondly.

"We'd best be heading there then" said Sirius "we can get some breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron".

"Alright!" both children shouted.

The Leaky Cauldron's cook made some of the best meals they'd ever had. Not better than Hogwarts or Molly Weasley of course but just a shade better than Mandy Potter...not that Harry or his cousin would ever say so.

Harry had travelled by floo powder quite a few times but he didn't enjoy and was certain he never would. As he took a pinch of floo powder from the jar kept in the kitchen for just such a purpose he threw the powder down, prepared to say his destination and then accidentally coughed as some of the powder got into his mouth and up his nose.

Harry tried to say Diagon Alley but even as he said it he knew it had come out wrong and had a feeling he would not end up in Diagon Alley as he had wished.

He spun round and round for some time as he flew past many grates of fireplaces before at last he landed with a thud, fell over and shot out of a fireplace in a place he knew not where.

After a moment or two of cursing himself for getting the words wrong Harry picked himself up and began to dust himself off as he looked round and his surroundings.

It was clear to him at once that he had definitely not arrived in the Leaky Cauldron pub as intended. Instead it looked to Harry like some sort of shop.

The room was rather dusty. There was an old counter that ran along the front near the fireplace but no one was standing behind it ready to serve.

Harry walked through the shop towards the door as he gazed round at the various items on display.

The first one he saw was a group of shrunken heads which made him inhale a deep breath.

He saw several more horrible displays including blinking eyeballs in glass jars, body parts including waving hands and in a central display case was a very bony hand holding a candle which caught Harry's eye and said on the case information plaque "hand of glory, aid to dark wizards. Price on request".

That did it for Harry. It was confirmation if anymore had been really needed that he was in a shop for dark wizards and needed to get out of there immediately.

He shuddered and then froze momentarily as the shop bell tinkled.

He ran to the door and hid behind it as two people walked in.

One of them was dressed in very fine dark green robes, was holding a long, thin, black cane and had long, very blond hair and carried himself with much arrogance.

The other person was far shorter, had short, very pale blond hair and a pale complexion. He seemed very interested in the shop and it's contents as he looked around.

As Harry watched he realised who the boy was. It was his Hogwarts rival Draco Malfoy which meant that the man he was with was most likely his father Lucius Malfoy.

Harry had heard nothing but bad things about Lucius and his wife Narcissa from his aunt, uncle, Godfather Sirius and Uncle Remus who had told him of the former pairs support for and helping of Voldemort during the wizarding war and they're subsequent claim of having been imperiused which, according to his family and Hagrid amongst others, was total codswallop.

"Leave the hand along Draco and come here!" Mr Malfoy snapped at his son.

Draco looked sullen as he strode over to his father and stood next to him.

In moments an elderly wizard of average height, stooped and with very grey hair, entered the shop from some back room or other.

The man bowed obsequiously to Mr Malfoy which meant, Harry knew, that the Malfoy's were likely regulars.

"Good morning Mr Malfoy" the man said in a weedy voice "and what can I help you with today? selling or buying?" he said the last part hopefully only for his hope to be immediately dashed "selling Borgin".

"Oh...I see" the man named Borgin said with a touch of disappointment "well what have you got for me then?" he asked.

"Well as you know Borgin wizarding blood is counting for less and less...".

"Not with me Mr Malfoy, I can assure you of that" the man cut in.

"Or with me" replied Mr Malfoy "however it is with the Ministry and as such I'm sure you aware of the various raids by Aurors and others that have been carried out certain prominent families recently".

Mr Borgin nodded "well let us just say that here in my possession I have a few items that would cause a few...problems, should they be found by said Aurors and as such...though I am loath to part with them, it is practical to do so".

"Well let's inspect them then shall we?" Borgin said as Harry took the chance to slip out of the shop thankfully unseen.

Luckily his glasses had not been damaged in his fall just a bit scratched up but as he walked through an alley he had never seen before he began to get scared for there were making shops selling dark objects and many rough looking witches and wizards hanging about the alley.

"Where am I?" he muttered to himself as he tried to keep his fear in check.

"Lost are you dearie?" said a woman with a leer as she showed her yellowed teeth in what was supposed to be a smile "come with me eh?" she grabbed his arm and Harry was about to wrench it free as a welcome voice bellowed "Harry what are you doin down here?!".

Both Harry and the witch turned at the voice and Harry could have kissed Hagrid for his timely arrival "Hagrid!" he shouted. The witch had let go of his arm as she stared at Hagrid which gave Harry the chance to run over to the large man who grasped him protectively and steered him along the alley and up a set of stone steps.

"What were ya doin in Knockturn Alley!" Hagrid exclaimed as he steered him down Diagon Alley "it's a dodgy place it is Harry" he said.

"I didn't mean to be there!" Harry said defensively "I said got some floo powder in my mouth back at the cottage and accidentally said..." he stopped in the middle of his explanation "if it's so dodgy what were you doing there Hagrid?" he asked.

The half-giant suddenly looked a bit embarrassed but soon recovered his composure as he pulled out of a jar "flesh eating slug repellent" he told Harry "don't like goin down Knocturn usually but no other place sells it and the school cabbages have been infested somethin awful with em lately".

Harry got the feeling that Hagrid was not being entirely truthful in his reasons but decided not to press it as it was none of his business.

"Harry!" a happy and relieved voice exclaimed.

Harry grinned as a bushy haired girl ran up to him and pulled him into a brief hug "it's so good to see you!" she said as she let him go "we were all so worried. I was already at the Leaky Cauldron with my parents when your family arrived asking if if anyone had seen you".

"I'll leave you to it then Harry" Hagrid said with a smile "I daresay you'll be alright now. Morning Hermione" he said as he smiled at her too.

As they said goodbye the half-giant walked off down the street whistling widely "it's good to see you too Hermione" Harry eventually said to her.

"Why haven't you written to me or Neville this summer?" she said as her relieved tone changed to one of annoyance.

"Not my fault" he said "but I'll explain in a bit when we catch up with Ron and Neville because it's very weird".

"Neville's gran already did his shopping with him" Hermione explained as they walked towards the Leaky Cauldron.

"Damn" Harry said "I was hoping to tell the three of you all at once so I wouldn't have to repeat it".

"Harry there you are!" Remus exclaimed sounding relieved. He pulled Harry into a hug as Sirius asked "where did you end up Harry?" he sounded amused but also a concerned.

"Knockturn Alley apparently" Harry replied. The amusement instantly vanished from his godfathers face.

"Bloody hell" Sirius swore "please tell me you got out of there as quick as you could" he pleaded.

Harry assured him "don't worry Sirius, I managed to get out of there quickly enough with Hagrids help. I saw Draco Malfoy and his dad there though".

That perked Sirius interest for he was an Auror and always interested in information of Deatheaters even ones that claimed to have been innocent.

"Where did you seen them?" he asked Harry sharply, his grey eyes lit up.

"I'm not sure what the shop was called but it had all these dark objects in it and a man behind the counter called Mr...Mr..." he had to think for a moment as he had been scared "Mr...Borgin I think".

"Borgin and Burkes" Sirius murmured "a rather dark place for one who's supposedly not a Deatheater".

"Was he buying or selling?" Remus asked them and Harry knew it was more than just curiosity for Remus had a job as an Auror too, a position he owed to Sirius who had refused to take his place there unless Remus was given a job too.

"Selling" Harry said at once "he said...he said he had some items he didn't want the Ministry finding at his manor".

"So he's worried then" Sirius said in satisfaction "good" he turned to Remus "we should inform Mad-Eye and get him to organise a search...he'd love to catch old Lucie out".

"You'd better not let Moody hear you calling him Mad-Eye" Remus said with a smile "you know how much he hates that nickname. Remember when you and James called him that in Auror training?".

"How can I forget it?" Sirius responded, grimacing "he used a spell to turn our skin stripy and we had to go about that way for a whole week until we agreed to use his proper name".

Remus, Harry and Hermione laughed at this story as Lauren exited the Leaky Cauldron and gave Harry the same enthusiastic greeting as Hermione had "there you are!" she exclaimed before punching his arm "where did you get to?" she demanded and Harry relayed the story once again.

After Harry had finally had some breakfast the group, after introductions to Hermione's parents, had headed off along the alley towards Ollivanders Wand Shop where Harry, Sirius, Lauren and Remus were to meet Jacob and Mandy.

Sure enough as they reached the wand shop Jacob and Mandy were waiting outside and hugged their daughter and nephew.

Harry once again told the story of how he'd ended up in Borgin and Burkes and what he'd seen to them as his uncle nodded "no surprise at all, but I'm glad you saw him Harry. We may finally be able to get something on him now".

"Well enough of that it's time to get Lauren's wand" Many said with a smile.

"I'll take Harry off to get his new school book's and we'll get Lauren's while we're there" Jacob said and after giving his wife a quick kiss and ruffling his daughters hair he led the way further down the alley until the remaining members of the group reached a building with a bright painted sign that proclaimed "Flourish and Blotts" in bright gold lettering.

"What the hell is up with all these crowds?" Sirius muttered looking at the vast number of witches and wizards inside the shop.

"Didn't you hear Padfoot old chap?" Remus said with a grin "it's your favourite author" Harry caught the way he said favourite and his huge grin.

Sirius groaned "oh you're joking!" he said with a scowl "not Gilderoy Lockhart!...not today!".

"Yep" Remus replied not sounding the least bothered.

A voice from nearby shouted "Harry!" and Harry grinned as his best friend Ron Weasley ran over followed by the plump Mrs Weasley, Ron's mother and his father Arthur Weasley as well as Ginny, Ron's younger sister and Lauren's best friend.

"Hello dears!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed as she hugged everyone in sight in her usual bone crushing but kind manner while Ginny said "hi Harry" to Harry said a polite hello to the adults and Hermione who she had not met before.

"I am glad to see you all..." Mr Weasley paused in his introduction as he saw Mr and Mrs Granger in amongst the group "but...but you're muggles" he said and his face split into a wide grin as the Grangers looked very nervous "but that's marvellous!" he exclaimed "I have so many questions!, I...".

"Not now Arthur" Mrs Weasley said firmly as she pushed him towards the open doorway "my apologies for my husband" she said to the Grangers "he gets very excited when he meets muggles".

"You can say that again" Ron mumbled "what about his lawnmower engine collection?".

Harry sniggered next to him having found both the exchange and Ron's comments very funny.

"I'll get my books, mum, dad, you may as well wait here" Hermione said to her parents before entering the bustling shop which was abuzz with loud chatter.

Harry and the others walked a short way into the shop as the chatter continued.

Suddenly a curtain behind the counter was flung aside to reveal a clean shaven man with very curly fair hair and a gleaming smile dressed in flamboyantly coloured blue suit.

Harry had seen pictures before of the man and knew that it was Gilderoy Lockhart.

As they stood there a man with a camera rushed past them knocking Hermione over "out of the way I'm with the prophet!" the man said irritably.

"Oi!. You knocked our friend over!" Ron shouted at the squat man who ignored them.

He and Ron helped her up just as Lockhart said loudly "my word...I can't be...Harry Potter!".

And just like that everyone in shop, save his friends and family, was staring at him. There was much muttering and whispering.

Harry groaned.

He had never liked being the centre of attention and liked it even less for it being as a result of something he had not actually intended to do.

Before Harry knew what was happening Lockhart had rushed through the sea of people which parted for him and was grabbing hold of Harry, pulling him towards the counter.

Ron, Sirius, Remus and Jacob had all made a grab for Harry but had been unable to grip hold of him in time and gave him apologetic looks.

Once they were in front of the camera Lockhart beamed widely at the crowd and put an arm around Harry's shoulder.

Harry wanted nothing more than to kick him as the man began to speak "when Harry Potter came into Flourish and Blotts today all he was expecting was to get a copy of my autobiography, magical me".

"It wasn't" Harry tried to protest "I was getting my school things".

"You're much too shy Harry. No need to pretend" Lockhart said with a chuckle.

Harry glared at him as Lockhart continued "so imagine his surprise as I give a free copy of said book to him and his friends, personally signed by myself!".

There was loud applause at this announcement and then Lockhart murmured "smile for the camera Harry".

Harry had just enough to say "what?" as a flashbulb went off.

Finally Jacob managed to get through the crowd while his aunt and Mrs Weasley said "we'll get the books signed for you and all your school books".

as Harry reached the front of the shop a disgusted voice drawled out "bet you loved that eh Potter? you always do like being the center of attention" Harry rolled his eyes recognising the voice of Draco Malfoy.

He turned to face the pale boy but before he could speak Ginny had spoken up "leave him alone!".

"Oh, got yourself a girlfriend eh Potter?" Malfoy drawled in amusement as he looked down his nose at her.

"Sod off Malfoy" Harry and Ron said together.

"Well the stupid little runt should keep her nose out" Malfoy said hotly

"You've pushed it too far now Malfoy!" Ron shouted as he and Malfoy made to lunge at each other.

Ron was held back by Hermione and Ginny while a man with blond hair held Malfoy back...it was Lucius Malfoy. Harry glared at the pair of them.

"Now now Draco" Mr Malfoy said in disappointment "that is not how we behave in public is it?".

"No father" Malfoy muttered sullenly while his father surveyed them.

"The great Harry Potter" he said softly "I wondered when I might meet you. So famous for one so young".

"Back off from my godson Malfoy" it was Sirius and while his voice was calm he sounded angry.

"Now now, no need for unpleasantness" Mr Malfoy said in amusement "I just wished to have a little chat with him".

"Well you've had one Lucius...now leave" Remus said warningly.

"I don't take orders from filthy half-breeds or those who disgrace the name of wizard" Malfoy shot back venomously.

"I think we have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard Malfoy" Arthur Weasley jumped in.

"Yes we do. Leave my nephew and his friends alone Malfoy" Harry's Uncle Jacob jumped in.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Jacob Potter. Hello Jacob" Mr Malfoy said with a cold smile.

"Lucius" Jacob said somehow sounding civil though just barely.

"I would have thought someone of your standing as an Auror and a pure-blood would have the good sense not to mix with...these people" he indicated the Weasleys and Remus.

"Then again...you did disgrace your name by marrying beneath you to a muggleborn of all things".

That did it.

All hell broke loose as Jacob lunged at Malfoy followed shortly by a furious Mr Weasley due to a remark made by Malfoy to him about the Weasley family.

There were shouts of "Arthur, Jacob, no!" from Mrs Weasley and yells of "get him dad!" and give him a bunch of fives!" from Harry, Ron, Ginny and from Fred and George who had entered the shop while Percy stood back looking appalled at the scene.

Before long a new voice was calling out break it up now gents! break it up!". It was Hagrid and he pulled both Mr Weasley and Lucius Malfoy apart while Sirius and Remus held Jacob back.

"Get off me!" Lucius Malfoy said furiously to Hagrid who let him go "Draco we're leaving!" he said angrily before thrusting a black book into Lauren's cauldron with her other books "yours I believe" he said coldly before he stormed off followed closely by his son.

The group exited the shop and once outside Hagrid said "you two shouldn'ta done that, you know how powerful he is".

Sirius snorted "well we happen to have the power to search his house".

After what had just happened Harry sincerely hoped his uncles found something at Malfoy Manor because the Malfoy's needed taking down a peg or two.