[a/n]BJH must've read my mind, I'd already started pt3 with OotP getting informed.
Harry Does Different CCCXDVIIIaae
Scar-Bones by phantomace13 III
"Six hours! Where are they?" demanded a panicked wife and mother Potter. She glared angrily at their leader then at the eldest Weasley child "And what about you? You were there!"
Molly jumped in defense of her brood "Don't you go all banshee on my son!"
"It's alright Mum, I can handle this." Bill placated her then addressed his accuser calmly "You know full well, Lily, that Gringotts called me in right as I brought down Harry's wards. I simply couldn't stay any longer. Bad timing, couldn't be helped."
There was about to be another round of cross-complaints, but Lily looked into the air and said "Someone is at the outer ward seeking access. Whoever it is isn't a threat. Johnny, go see."
"Madam Bones and Mr. Moody." John Potter introduced the visitors to the worried group sitting in the kitchen of Potter Manor at nearly midnight.
Eager hostess offered "A bit late for visitors, but you're always welcome. Firewhiskey?"
Madam Bones took stock of her audience "No thank you, Lily. On duty. Most everyone we would be visiting tonight, eh Moody? I'm sure we're all aware of what he says about coincidences."
"Just some concerned citizens, Amelia." Said Dumbledore, affecting a tired yawn and heaved himself out of his chair "We wanted to discuss current events. As you know things are quite tense. We were, in fact, finishing up. Time got away…as it were. Potters, I thank you for hosting this evening. I think we have overstayed our welcome somewhat."
Most times that would be an indication the persons at the door should move aside. Neither new arrival took a step out of his path. She said "A few minutes, Albus. I come bearing sad news, and other announcements. First, Harry Potter's apartment was assaulted by members of your Order of the Phoenix, Albus. He captured Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin, a Junior Auror, you may want to let Mr. Lupin know. And Mundungus Fletcher, an occasional occupant of Ministry cells."
"Then what happened to- - -" Lily began to ask, then slapped her hand over her mouth.
Amelia withdrew into her official demeanor and announced "I regret to inform you that Kingsley Shacklebolt, Emmeline Vance and James Potter were killed in the attack."
"Why?" "How?" "What?" were the assorted expressions of shock anger and general distress.
Severus, with a hint of a smile, and his Slytherin mind working through the likely turn of events, offered "The boy is better than I thought."
"That's my Dad you greasy git!" shouted John angrily. He'd never liked the Potions master and graduating only allowed him to return the bad blood.
The Headmaster still acted like he was John's "Enough of that, young man." Then addressed the visitor "This is beyond disturbing, Amelia. Harry has always been rather rebellious, but I am sure none of us took him for a murderer. I assume he is in custody. Hopefully he will be well defended."
"Harry is not …let me rephrase… Harry is filing a report about the incident." The response was noncommittal.
John turned on her "What!"
"Now now Mr. Potter." Dumbledore's tone was both firm and placating "I believe I see. Madam Bones is merely concerned with the political fallout of prosecuting the brother of The-Boy-Who-Lived. Let me assure you, Amelia, I would be glad to offer my support and …I imagine… that of Lily."
"I have in fact, based on information so far, accepted Moody's resignation …effective immediately after this meeting. And were it not for his long service, he would be facing charges of dereliction of duty." Amelia gave her mentor a disappointed look "Fletcher and Tonks-Lupin are facing attempted murder charges."
Ron, supporting his best friend, snapped "And what! You're just having that rotten bastard write lines?!"
"Calling your friend's twin a bastard is amusing boy." Moody chortled. This caused him to wobble on his unrepaired stump.
This naturally brought attention to it. The audience looked assorted versions of shocked curious and amused.
"Shut up Alastair." Amelia snapped impatiently "And, no, Dumbledore I do not require political cover here. If the complete investigation …once it lands on my desk… supports witness testimony, it is more likely YOU, and by that, I mean everyone in this room, will need representation."
Molly Weasley interjected "I should watch my tone young lady! Albus Dumbledore is a great man."
"If I am not mistaken you and I were in Hogwarts at the same time." Amelia was quite dismissive of the scolding "Lily and John Potter, on behalf of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, I extend our heartfelt condolences. You will be kept informed and certainly included in the final report. As an aside, all of you will please keep yourselves available in case we need information. And …aaahhmm… I have taken the precaution of suspending your international travel licenses."
To this, Ginny protested "Don't you know who HE is?"
"As if you're a major world traveler, girl." Snorted Moody.
Amelia ignored it and formally addressed the sobbing widow "Lady Potter, on behalf of myself, the House of Bones, and the Ministry, I extend our deepest condolences in the loss of your husband. James was one of the best."
"Oh Johnny, it must be true." Lily choked back emotion as she clutched her son "You, my son… you are now Head of the Family."
The grandfatherly wizard smiled sadly "Certainly, Johnathan and Lily, I can assure you of my absolute support. I will stop at nothing to see the guilty punished. We will make plans later. For now, mourn your losses. Well, obviously, this gives me a great deal to do. If you will excuse me." He gave the mourning Potters an embrace and headed for the floo.
"Those travel restrictions I mentioned, Albus" for all its softness, Amelia's voice had a quality of repressed fury "they are applicable to you."
Dumbledore didn't deign to offer a reply as he departed. He knew his followers would defend him. And they did, led by Mrs. Weasley who was smothering a sobbing Hermione "Amelia! One does not speak to a wizard like Albus Dumbledore that way!"
"There are changes coming, Molly. Big changes. You would do well to be on the right side of history." Madam Bones didn't bother to conceal her contempt "Madam Potter, please notify the Wizengamot if you wish a full state funeral. Again, my sympathies."
Abcij
The story put out was that unknown assailants attempted to kill Harry Potter, the brother of The-Boy-Who-Lived, and that the casualties were actually defenders. The search for the assailants was ongoing, but Death Eaters were suspected. Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody announced that he was clearly too old for the position and would be stepping down. Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin was judged incompetent in the incident and 'suspended with intent to terminate'
Magical Britain was a small place so everyone knew that Harry was the black sheep of the Potter clan. No real comment was made about his choice to attend the state funeral for the three dead Aurors with his girlfriend's family among DMLE's official delegation. Reporters covering the event were naturally eager to catch any soundbyte of conversation between the estranged family members. All they got for their spying efforts was earfuls of static. What they did get was barely the tip of the iceberg. While the famous twins were standing with their Mother and Godfathers, the two women in their lives spoke briefly. Ginny was catish "Ah the plaything of the spare!"
"You know the papers always say how much alike they look." Susan retorted matching the taller redhead's effort to squeeze her hand "I could always tell the difference. Harry is a million times handsomer and John…well if he was ten times the wizard he is, he still wouldn't be even half the man mine is."
Amelia intervened with a political smile "Girls. You're holding up the line. Miss Weasley, I know James wasn't yet your Father-in-law. You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. And that of the Department."
"I don't need…or want…your false sympathies." Sneered Ginny, she didn't deign to touch the proffered hand.
This paled in comparison to the discussion amongst the Potters who were having a private moment. It started almost instantly with John sneering "You got a lot of nerve even showing your face you sonufabitch."
"That's very funny, dear brother." Harry's expression was identical, literally "You hear that, Lily? Your son called you a bitch. Not that I disagree." He paused then added "Well, unless you were talking about the scum in the box."
Sirius almost pulled his wand, having to be cautioned by the widow "Not here, please. Not the time or the place."
"Yeah, down boy." Harry mocked him "Obey your mistress."
This brought Remus into the fray who, as discreetly as he could, stepped between his surviving best friend and his Godson "Not today of all days, you two! And CERTAINLY NOT with about a million onlookers! And, Harry, I was hoping to have a moment to discuss Dora's situation with you. In private."
"Don't know what I can…or even should do about her, but I'll listen, Moony." Replied Harry. "Though, I won't be at the wake."
The widow looked deeply saddened "Oh Harry, please. I don't blame you…not really. Please come home. After everything and now this…a chance to forgive and be a family."
"Not even my earliest memories …madam… makes me think of Potter Manor as home." The long-neglected twin complained bitterly, not even budging on the day of his father's funeral.
The long-favored twin glared at his brother and shot back "Once I'm formally Head of House you'll never be welcome anyway!"
Lily Potter only had eyes for her son as he rejoined his girlfriend and her aunt. Only as the church doors swung shut did she burst out in tears and collapse.
Far away from that sad scene, or maybe not so far, as only a few knew of its location Lord Voldemort was contemplating the situation
