AUTHOR NOTE
Thanks wow. A word of warning this is only 3 chapters long as I didn't want to stretch things too much from the first book. At this point in the revised timeline we are still pretty much running only a few degrees off the original.
ArcVal: Like I said I got ideas for later on and like Ernest and Julio I will bottle no story before its time..lol. Thanks though.
Timekeeper: yeah I always thought Neville got turned into a sidekick too much in the movies. He was there doing some big damn hero stuff all along so he should have shared the limelight with Harry. Lavender gets such a short shrift in a lot of stories. Either a bimbo or comic relief or a cameo at bet. Someone for Ron to lust after and then gone. And yeah at 11 they are starting to get an idea there is something neat going on but not sure what exactly it is and they wind up acting like the dog chasing the car. If they ever catch it then what...
Dennisud: Oh yeah. Luna gets the love as well. She appears in this chapter and you'll see a couple others that will make reappearances later on down the road. He will have a nice gang of friends and allies by the time he gets done. Plus his inner circle.
Knowinsight. Indeed.
Okay now to chapter 2. Where we find out that Harry and his crew make a good team, Luna is a pretty nifty girl and there are revelations from the past. As always not responsible for unsecured loads, please check all traffic laws before reading. Peace.
Reaching the third floor they started sneaking heading for the girl's bathroom when they heard a growling crash. They saw a troll break open the door to the restroom and ducking enter the room.
"Oh crap. Okay guys any ideas?" Harry called out jogging towards the bathroom.
"Stinging spells to draw it out and make it angry enough to chase us?" Hermione said.
"Okay sure." Harry moved forward. Neville though moving beside him with Hermione on Harry's other side cleared his throat, "Uh once we get it mad and chasing us then what?"
"One problem at a time." Harry said looking into the bathroom as the troll was grabbing and reaching for Abigail. He hit it on its large backside with a stinging spell. It leapt up and grabbed at its offended anatomy and spun around with murderous intent. Neville, Hermione and Lavender all three hit it in the chest and groin with spells. It saw them and letting out a terrible bellow came lumbering towards them.
They immediately took off down the corridor towards the main stairs. "Great we got it chasing us."
"Yeah you still haven't come up with a now what." Neville said throwing a stinging hex over his shoulder at the troll to make sure they held its attention.
"I still have time." Harry called out.
They reached the landing Lavender came up with something. "Hermione go up, Neville Down Harry stand by the banister and be ready to slide down it." She then cast a spell that caused a strange thick clear greasy substance to come shooting out of her wand. The troll that had been chasing them went to swing on her when its foot hit the substance and shot out from under it. Sliding towards Harry who leapt onto the banister and slid down it to the next landing as the Troll crashed through where he had been standing and briefly hovered in mid air before gravity asserted dominance and brought the troll crashing down to the stone floor three stories below.
"What is that goo?" Neville called as Lavender and Hermione worked to clean the floor up.
Lavender started laughing, "Its a lubricant she uses as a midwife to help get the babies to pop out. Or for other things to go in. She taught it to me but usually we don't use that much."
Harry and Hermione started laughing as they joined in cleaning the floor up. Neville just blushed and shook his head as he helped. The headmaster, Professor McGonnegal and Professor Flitwick all came charging up the stairs as Abigail and Fay came up to the quartet.
"Perhaps someone could explain why there are the rather broken remains of a troll on the ground floor? As well as the six of you here and not in the great hall as ordered." Professor McGonnegal tersely asked.
"Uh it's like this ma'am Fay and Abigail didn't know about the troll. So we came to tell them only it was entering the bathroom so Hermione got the idea to use stinging hexes to make it mad enough to chase us then Lavender spread a medical lubricant on the floor to cause it to slip." Harry explained.
Flitwick chuckled. Then he started laughing out loud. "Oh my. OH my that is a rather creative use Miss Brown. I have to say worth twenty points indeed. Your mother would be rather proud if she wasn't scared out of her wits by the thought of being chased by a troll."
"Yes Miss Granger the idea of making a troll mad enough to chase you?" Minerva scowled at her.
Hermione held her head down. Harry shrugged, "You have to admit it was effective."
"That it was Harry. The four of you worked together quite well. Minerva I would say they deserve 10 points each for their efforts and a hearty thanks for saving the two young ladies."
"Yes for sheer dumb luck." Her nostrils flared as she said that but she shook her head gently. Turning to Fay and a visibly shaking and wet Abigail she said more softly. "Come along dears. We'll get you to the hospital wing and then some hot cocoa." She led the two off.
"I don't suppose you would happen to know the reason for the young ladies being in the bathroom and not he feast."
"Uh yes sir. It was personal girl reasons. That's why we brought Hermione and Lavender with us."
"Ah very well then. I believe there is still plenty of time to return to the feast. Filius if you could be so kind as to put to rights the bathroom I shall help deal with the redecorated atrium." The headmaster said with a chuckle.
"Yes sir." He said going off with a chuckle.
====xxxx====
By the time the four had returned to the great hall the story was in full blossom that the four of them had single handedly killed a full grown mountain troll. They tried to ignore or deflect any questions but that just seemed to increase the fame as they were just being modest.
When Fay and Abigail came back from hospital the truth about Ron's part in the events came out he was shunned as a pariah. Regarded as a fool who could have gotten six people killed. The fact that he took no responsibility and got angry at Harry for making him look bad did not help his attempts to become a friend with the Potter Gang as they were becoming called.
====xxxx====
The next day Fay and Abigail came over to their table in the common room. They asked if they could join them. Being told yes they pulled over some chairs and sat down.
Fay nervously began, "We just want to thank all of you for what you did. You saved our lives and we owe you."
"No its okay. You don't owe us anything." Harry said with a smile.
Abigail took a deep breath. "No Harry we owe you four a life debt. I can feel it. Because you're the leader of the group we owe you the most. If you hadn't set out to save us we would have died. Our magic recognizes that you were directly responsible for that. Even if you all worked together it was your idea. Our magic recognizes that." she emphasized.
Neville and Lavender seemed to understand what she was talking about but Harry and Hermione were confused.
"So what does that mean? You owe us?" Harry asked.
"It means that at any point for the rest of our lives you can call in that debt and we would be required to pay it off by helping you. You could ask us to do almost anything and our magic would recognize the debt and force us to pay you back."
"Almost anything?" Harry asked with a concerned look.
"Well you couldn't force us to have sex with you or kill someone. Its kinda vague. But if you're in trouble and need help we are here for you." Abigail gave a blushing smile.
"And you can't accidentally activate it. You have to actually be in trouble." She explained seeing Hermione's frown.
"How do you know so much about it?" Hermione asked.
"My father is a solicitor before the Wizengamut. He has to know all kinds of things about oaths, and contracts and debts and such." Abigail smiled.
"Well uh. Thank you for letting us know. We'll try not to get into trouble then." Harry tried to chuckle.
Hermione and Abigail sat and chatted a bit longer about the differences in Wizarding law and Muggle law that she knew about.
===xxxxxx===.
A few days later was the first Quidditch match for Harry. It was going to be against Slytherin and promised to be a very exciting grudge match. He was nervous but Oliver told him it would be fine. Although he did admit he had been knocked out for a week in his first match.
Harry did lazy circle over the whirling and flitting players. Watching for the golden glint of the snitch. Occasionally having to evade or jink to prevent a bludger from clipping him. The Slytherin seeker on the prowl across the field as well.
Suddenly Harry's broom felt like it had hit a wall as it pitched forward and down then back up. Then rolled over and back. It surged forward then dragged backwards. He had to struggle to remain seated. Fight to get it to move the way he wanted it to. The broom acting like it was trying to knock him off.
This carried on for long seconds. Harry was unable to keep track of the time as he was doing all he could to maintain altitude and his grip on the broom. Suddenly it smoothed out and began to respond to him. He had no time to figure out what happened as he spotted the snitch just ahead and below of him. He pulled into a dive and reached out. He was being pursued by the Slytherin Seeker he could feel but he was not going to give up. He reached out and inches from the ground it felt like grabbed the snitch and clutched it close to his chest. He climbed back up and then held it up for the crowd to see. They roared their approval and he felt on top of the world.
====xxxx====
Harry had to endure a sudden and riotous celebration of their win. It took him almost an hour before he and his friends could slip off and find a quiet corner of the castle to sit and relax.
"Wow Harry that was pretty scary when your broom got hexed. Good thing you managed to hang on." Lavender said.
"What my broom got hexed? That was why it was not working right? How? By whom?" Harry was suddenly very grumpy.
"Well I think it might have been Professor Snape but I'm not sure. He was chanting and making constant eye contact. But so was Professor Quirrel. It was obvious that one of them was trying to protect you and the other was trying to attack you." Hermione explained.
"Well that's great. How did you stop them?" Harry asked.
"Well I set fire to Snape's robes which caused him to jump up and flail around knocking Quirrel over." She explained proudly.
Harry chuckled, "Well that was expedient."
"It had the value of being quick and simple." She agreed.
"Good thing no one caught her." Neville grumped.
"Yeah well in that kind of chaos and mayhem with Snape jumping and dancing around then you catching the snitch. She was able to sneak under the bleachers with ease." Lavender proudly explained.
"Thanks that was great." Harry said leaning over and kissing Hermione on the cheek.
Blushing furiously she just grinned.
"So now we know we need to pay attention to whats going on." Harry said moving back but grinning at Hermione still.
====xxxx====
It was the middle of November and the Potter Gang was sitting at their table in the common room as it was becoming known as.
Hermione cleared her throat causing everyone to look at her, "Harry I have been writing my parents and I asked them if you could come visit over Christmas. Would you like to come over for Christmas dinner?"
"Yeah I would but I'll be staying at the castle over Christmas break."
Lavender furrowed her brows, "Why would you stay here? The place is very empty and lonely from what mom has said."
Harry shrugged. "It would just be better that way."
Neville though shook his head, "Harry would you like to come home to Christmas with me? I could get Gramma to agree to it as she always says I don't associate with my peers enough."
"Do you think she really would?"
"Yeah and all the rest of you are welcome to come over for the Christmas dinner we hold too."
Hermione frowned this time, "But my parents are muggles."
Neville shrugged, "Gramma doesn't care about that kind of thing. We live in Ottery Saint Catchpole just south of the village. She has let me go walk up to the village and get sweets at the shop before."
"Well that's nice. I like that Idea. I'll make sure we come. Mom and Dad would be honored Neville." Lavender said.
"Well if that's okay with your Gramma I'll tell mom and dad about that too." Hermione said.
Harry was feeling better. "Yeah I'll make sure McGonnegal is aware of it."
====xxxx====
Harry knocked on the head of house's office door once again a few days later. Neville was standing by him. So when Minerva let them in she was puzzled.
"Is there any trouble gentlemen?"
"No ma'am. I was just wanting to make sure that Harry would be able to come stay with me over Christmas break."
Minerva raised her eyebrows but after a moment shook her head, "I can see no reason why he could not. Augusta has been asked of course I presume?"
"Yes ma'am. She is rather excited to have him stay with us."
"I have no doubt. Well I will place your name on the going home list and make a note that it will be to the Longbottom estate."
"Thank you ma'am." They chorused.
Minerva smiled, "Yes well. Give your grandmother my regards Neville. And Harry be aware that Madam Longbottom is a rather stern but fair woman. She deserves a great deal of respect."
"Yes ma'am. I understand." Harry said.
====xxxx====
During one of their evening study circles the gang had a rather interesting development.
"Gramma had to come to the school and have a rather strong discussion with Professor Dumbledore about letting Harry come visit." Neville began.
"Really that seems odd." Hermione was frowning.
"First he seems upset that I'm not friends with Ron now he is upset I'm gong to another friend's house?" Harry grumped.
"Yeah that's what Gramma was concerned about. She had written Professor McGonnegal about the visit and if you needed anything special only to have the headmaster tell her that you would be staying at the school."
"The headmaster told her I would be staying? When did I say that."
"I know so that's why she wrote me. I told her that you were still looking forward to it and that's when she climbed up Dumbledore's beard." Neville said with a grin.
"That is a mental image I won't unsee." Lavender quipped.
Everyone chuckled. Then got serious, "So what is the result? Am I staying here or going there."
"She got the headmaster to agree to let you come. She threatened to go over his head to the rest of the board of regents. She is the Vice President of the Board so could make things rather unpleasant for him. She's also friends with a lot of people in the ministry and a major voice on the Wizengamut. So making her angry or think she has been insulted is not a good idea." Neville shivered.
Hermione was in her thinking mode. "The headmaster seems to have a rather unhealthy interest in your personal life Harry. That is not usually a good thing."
"No its not." Lavender agreed.
"Well he hasn't directly interfered so I'm not going to worry until I get more evidence." Harry grumped opening his books to get back to work.
Lavender was mirroring Hermione's biting her lip habit.
"Now what Lav?" Harry was beginning to get grumpy.
"Harry mom's a midwife healer. That means she sees a lot of different family lives. I know you don't like to talk about your home life but I need to ask you a question please."
Harry sighed. One of the problems with being friends with very smart and observant people was that they sometimes observed you he was discovering. He sat back and nodded slightly.
Lavender leaned forward to keep her voice low. "Harry is your home life with your aunt and uncle bad?"
Harry snorted, "Define bad." He flatly stated
Hermione sighed and said, "Harry you barely initiate physical contact and then only with the four of us. You flinch when someone other than the four of us touch you. The only clothes you wear that don't look like they came from a trash bin are your uniform. The first time I met you I had to repair your glasses. There is a lot of evidence that added up is suspicious."
Harry took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He wasn't sure if he was getting a headache from the homework or the thoughts. "Yeah it's bad."
Lavender put her hand on his left arm as she was sitting with her back to the room. "I promise you I won't tell anyone unless it's something that needs to be dealt with."
Hermione reached out and took his other arm after he put his glasses back on. "We're your friends. Together forever remember?"
Harry looked at Neville who nodded. Seeming to be lost in his own thoughts slightly.
"Okay. My aunt and uncle hate magic. They deny it exists. Up until I got my letters they said my parents died in a drunken car wreck caused by my dad. I would be locked into the cupboard under the stairs. I'd get fed only if I behaved myself and didn't say or do anything that the Dursleys could even consider magical. And the few times I did any accidental magic I got into trouble and received a beating from Vernon. Petunia tried to hit me with a frying pan in the head once. I ducked so she got me on the shoulder. Dudley was given free reign to beat me up and he and his friend's favorite game was Harry hunting."
Lavender and Hermione both were looking at him with their eyes wide. Neville though had pursed his lips and was looking grumpy.
"Harry have you ever had a magical check-up?" Lavender asked.
"Uh no. I barely had any regular check-ups. Only what the primary school made the Dursleys give me."
Lavender was frowning at him and shaking her head, "That's not right. You're supposed to get a magical examination before beginning school."
"Really I didn't have one either." Hermione pointed out.
Shaking her head Lavender said, "Harry, Hermione I need to tell my mom about this. So when you come over for Christmas can you come early? Like the day or two before. I'm sure Neville and his Gramma won't mind when she finds out about this."
Harry shook his head, "Look its not a big deal. I've gotten used to it and can avoid Dudley and his buddies pretty good. They barely catch me anymore."
"Harry I am honor bound to tell gramma this. Seriously. The treatment you are talking about is criminal."
Hermione agreed, "On either side of the Wizarding world Harry. Starving a child, emotionally and physically abusing them. Neglecting your health and not providing for you. Why would you protect them. I mean it boggles my mind why you would want to live with them."
"I don't want to live with them. I don't consider that my home. I consider here home. You guys are like a family to me now." He was breathing hard and trying not to cry as he remembered things and felt his emotions building up.
Lavender and Hermione both rubbed his arms until he felt better. He smiled at them and squeezed their hands. "Thanks guys. You're the first people I've ever felt safe enough to talk to about this. When I tried to talk to the school about it they brushed it off. I don't know why. Anytime I tried to make friends Dudley and his gang would scare them off."
"Well we won't let you down Harry. We'll make sure we do our best to get you out of there. I need to go write Gramma though."
Harry nodded. "Yeah its about time this came out."
====xxxx====
Just before Christmas break Harry was called to the headmaster's office. He didn't know why or what sort of trouble he was in but his friends said they would wait for him outside the office.
Giving the gargoyle the stupid password he had been told Harry ascended the circular stairs and entered the office. There were gizmos and gadgets all over the place. A bright red bird was sitting on a stand to the side of the office. There was a large silver sword hanging on the wall over the sorting hat on the other. Large cabinets and bookshelves stood on other walls with portraits of old men hung over them.
"Ah Harry my boy. Please come in. Make yourself comfortable. Would you care for a lemon drop?"
"Uh no sir. Is there a problem?" Harry asked as he sat down across from the headmaster.
Steepling his fingers the headmaster leaned back in his throne like chair. "No no real problem. I was just hoping to speak with you about a few things."
Harry just kept quiet and nodded. It was safer doing that as it really didn't agree or disagree with the person. Vernon's rants had taught him that.
Smiling gently the headmaster leaned forward on his desk. "Well it seems you are adjusting quite well here. You've made quite a few friends. Many of them of the female persuasion." he chuckled.
Harry shrugged. "I guess. I haven't really gone out of my way to do so."
"Well then it seems you are a natural at attracting people. Except for a certain select few it would seem."
"Uh yes sir. I don't like liars, rude people or bullies. I won't be friends with them." Harry set his jaw as he knew that Ron Weasley was the subject of this line of discussion.
"Well perhaps if the person involved tried to apologize or worked to do better."
"If you're talking about Ronald Weasley sir I gave him more than enough chances. The best he can hope for is to be tolerated and civil treatment. I see him as no different than Draco Malfoy. I do not see that changing anytime soon."
Leaning back with a sigh Dumbledore lost his smile. "Ah I see. Well what of your family?"
"What family sir? I have jailers and slave masters who beat and abuse me. I don't have family."
The headmaster made a slight tutting noise as he shook his head. "It can't be all that bad now can it Harry? I'm sure you're exaggerating just a little bit."
Harry was getting angry. It seemed that the headmaster just was not going to listen. "Yes it can sir. Those people the Dursleys call my parents drunken wastrels. Petunia talks about my mother in the most disgusting terms. Calling her a bitch and a whore among other things I don't even know what they mean but didn't sound good and that was still nicer than what they called my dad. My parents that I never knew about until I came here. Parents that died protecting me. I took it for eleven years sir. I won't take it anymore. Those people are not my family. I don't want anything to do with them at all. Ever."
As he said that one of the items on the shelf behind the headmaster let out a warble then fell over. Another glowed briefly then seemed to crack. The headmaster briefly showed some concern then pulled his mask back down. Harry though was too angry and too caught up in pouring his feelings out to notice. "Harry please this can't be true."
"Why not sir? They hated me. You weren't there. I was. I was the one they called boy so much that I didn't even know I had a name until I got to school. They beat me. They kept me locked in a cupboard. They let their son and his thugs beat me up and bully me. They took me to a island in Wales to get away from the letters. Petunia tried to hit me with a frying pan because I burned their bacon. Dudley threw a plate at my head because I didn't put enough jam on his toast. You know what Vernon did he tried to correct Dudley's aim. While I got stale dry bread. I hate them. I hate them with all my heart and wish they were turned into toads or something." he then broke down crying with his legs drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them.
Another one of the headmasters gizmos shattered into a million pieces with a small explosion and another stopped spinning. The headmaster looked from the gizmos to Harry in confusion. He had no idea what to do so he called for Minerva.
She arrived a few minutes later. By this time Harry had calmed down to great racking sobs. Minerva's eyes narrowed as she looked at the headmaster with questions on her face.
"Harry has had some emotional distress. Perhaps he could be taken somewhere to calm down and relax. I have to depart to deal with an emergency that has come up."
"Albus?"
"No please I will explain later Minerva. However Harry needs your help right now. I will return in the morning."
She glared at him with her lips pursed and then dismissing him gently guided Harry into standing and walking out with her. She cleaned off his face with a handkerchief she pulled out of somewhere. When his friends saw him with his red eyes and heaving chest they immediately leaped off the floor and grabbed him in a hug. Minerva stepping to the side to let them as she felt their support would be much more welcome and useful.
"Harry oh no. Are you okay? What happened?" Lavender and Hermione were both checking him over and expressing extreme concern for him.
"He asked me about the Dursleys. He wasn't listening to me, he seemed to think I was exaggerating or lying." Harry was shaking his head in confusion and upset.
Neville looked at Minerva with a questioning glare. "I have no idea. The headmaster called me to his office to take care of Harry as he had to go deal with some sort of emergency he claimed."
Neville just nodded at her.
"Perhaps we could adjourn someplace quiet until Mr Potter can compose himself. Ladies I think you can assist him along." Minerva said with a smile.
====xxxx====
Sitting in a comfortable parlor Harry and his friends were calming down. They had been served seltzers and biscuits by a house elf from the school. Minerva did not push Harry to talk but sat quietly until he had regained enough of his composure.
"So are you feeling better Harry?" Minerva asked.
"Uh yes ma'am. I'm sorry to be a bother."
"You are not a bother Harry. I don't know what has been happening but I am sorry I did not follow up on you." She said quietly. Swirling a small glass of a scarlet beverage she did not share with the students.
"Ma'am what do you mean by not follow up?" Hermione asked.
Sighing deeply. "I was there the night the headmaster had dropped you off with the Dursleys. I had spent the day observing them and did not find them to be the most appropriate sort of people but the headmaster over ruled my concerns. Whenever I tried to discus the matter with him he dismissed the matter as well in hand. That he was in control and aware of things going on. I see that I should have pushed harder."
Harry was sad, hurt and confused. He had never seen or heard of Dumbledore before coming to the school. There had been a few strange people around but he wasn't sure who they were or if they had been associated with the headmaster.
"Ma'am. Did the headmaster actually tell you Harry was safe?" Lavender asked quietly.
She pursed her lips and took a drink from her glass. Swirling the red liquid a few times. "The headmaster does not give straight and direct answers to questions. He implies and obfuscates and leaves you almost as confused as you were at the beginning of the conversation."
"That's not right." Hermione huffed.
"No it is not. The headmaster though is a man of advanced age and is accustomed to having his way. It has been such since he defeated Grindelwald and unfortunately I feel that too few are willing to stand up and question his judgment."
"Gramma is one of those though. She says that the Headmaster has grown far too complacent and should back off as he has too many hats to wear for one head." Neville opined.
"Your grandmother is a very perceptive woman. I must caution all of you though that I am the Deputy Head of the school as well as your professor. I must maintain a professional degree of respect for the headmaster and he must be able to have trust and respect for myself. So I implore you to maintain some discretion in this matter."
"Yes ma'am. You can trust us." Harry said with a smile.
"Very well. Do you feel well enough to return to your dormitories?"
Sighing Harry nodded, "Uh yes ma'am. I think I'm okay."
"Very well. I think you may find your own way back without trouble? And remember its only a few more days before Christmas break. So you will have some time to relax soon."
"Yes ma'am." the four chorused as they said their good nights and departed.
====xxxx====
The train ride from the school was uneventful. Draco and Ron both had tried one more time to talk to Harry. Draco being derisive and insulting to his friends while Ron simply ignored them. Neither had any success other than to increase Harry's ire.
Arriving at King's Cross Station the quartet walked up to an imposing older woman. She was tall, boney and while Professor McGonnegal could be stern but held humor and warmth in her eyes this woman looked at the world with cold and measuring eyes. Harry began to understand why Neville was so reserved. She was dressed in an older style outfit straight out of the 1930s with a vulture hat and bright red handbag.
"Good afternoon Gramma. This is Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Lavender Brown.
The older lady inclined her head to the three of them. She seemed to be calculating something about Harry he thought as she studied him. "Very good Neville. Welcome back. Hello Mr Potter. Miss Granger, Miss Brown. Neville has spoken very highly of all of you."
"Thank you ma'am." They politely agreed.
"Miss Granger I have spoken to your parents you and they will be spending the 22 to the 28th with us. Be prepared for the ball as it will be the 26th."
"Yes ma'am. I'll have to get a dress."
"Your parents are well aware of that. I have already informed them of the situation."
"Thank you ma'am."
"Yes very well. Now perhaps you would like to introduce your friends to them before they arrive at the estate. Neville and Harry will need to travel by Floo from the station with me."
"Yes ma'am."
On the way to the other side of the barrier they ran into Lavender's parents coming from an area marked Floo. The two of them looked like the sort of well off upper middle class people the Dursleys hoped to emulate. Mr Brown was wearing a tweed suit with a hat and Mrs Brown was a busty Golden Blonde woman with an immaculate dress, pearl necklace and leather handbag. Harry found it funny that if they didn't know any better the Dursleys would love to try and associate with the Browns and how they would act if they discovered they were magicals.
"Hello Lavender. Who is your charming friend here who seems so amused about something?" Mrs Brown asked.
"Oh this is Harry Potter mom. Harry this is my mother."
"Hello ma'am." Harry said.
"Hello call me Amanda. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of each other in the future."
"Uh okay. Amanda."
The tall gentleman stuck his hand out "And I'm Charles. Lavender's father. Between you and Neville I don't think there are any other boys at the school from the letters we've received."
Both Neville and Harry blushed at that.
====xxxx====
Arriving outside the Barrier the quartet plus the Browns found a pair of adults. Nicely dressed and obviously sharing a lot of genetics with Hermione. The woman was a tall athletic looking woman with flowing wavy brown hair. The man was a tall, slightly balding, brown haired fellow with an easy smile.
"Ahh Pumpkin Welcome home. Looks like you brought the whole gang with you."
"Hi dad. Everyone this is my mom and dad."
"Well we also go by Daniel and Emma Granger." He said holding his hand out to Mr Brown.
"Ah yes I sometimes think children forget that their parents are people too."
"So pumpkin which one of these fellas is the future Son-in-Law?" Daniel asked turning to her.
"Dad." Hermione rolled her eyes in a huff.
The parents laughed. "Sorry dear. But its a universal constant that all dads have to tease their daughters about boys once they reach a certain age."
"Well if you must know I haven't decided yet so may just choose them both." Hermione said putting her hands on her hips and glaring at him.
"Oh I see. How very swinging sixties there Pumpkin." Her dad chuckled but with a slight bit of trepidation.
"Well if you must know this is Harry and this is Neville." Hermione said pointing out each boy. "And this is Lavender. We're all very close friends."
"Yes I can tell by your letters pumpkin. Are there any other students in the school?"
"A few."
"Ok well we have to get back home so say bye to your friends and we'll be seeing them again tomorrow.
"Ok mom." She turned and hugged Harry, Neville and Lavender. With a kiss on the cheek for the two boys to make her dad and Lavender's both chuckle.
"See you guys."
====xxxx====
Harry and Neville came tumbling out of the floo. With his Gramma behind them. The house elves having taken their trunks ahead of them.
The room was a large nice house decorated in late Edwardian with lots of other flourishes.
Harry stood there with his mouth open, "Neville you never said you were this well off."
"Why not Neville? Embarrassed?" Augusta harrumphed. "For your information Mr Potter. Neville is the son of an Earl. He will receive the title on his father's death but until then I hold his proxy on the Wizengamut. The Longbottoms are an old and titled family. We have been long associated with the Potters over the years."
"Your family knew mine?" Harry asked.
"Come let us step into the parlor. Pipsy please bring some tea and biscuits." She called out as her coat and hat flew off to a rack against the wall.
Seating herself in what was obviously her chair with Harry and Neville on the couch nearby Augusta settled herself in as the tea and biscuits arrived.
"Harry, you do not mind if I use your proper name?"
"No ma'am. Its fine." He was happy and glad to be away from the Dursleys so much he wouldn't have cared if she called him mud.
"Well then Harry. My son Frank and his wife Alice served in a little group that fought the Dark Lord the last time he was around. They were members as well as your parents. James and Lilly were close friends with Frank and Alice. Lily and Alice got pregnant about the same time and took turns watching you boys. I walked in one time and Alice was nursing you Harry." She shook her head with a small smile.
"If things had gone right you would have grown up knowing each other like brothers I'm sure. Only The Dark Lord got your parents Harry and his followers took out Neville's. Took a major fight though and they made them work for it. Frank and Alice could take on an entire troupe of those masked devils and make them know they had been in a fight. That's why they worked so well with your parents Harry." She said with a great deal of pride.
Harry had not heard this about his parents. He was listening with rapt attention. "So how did my parents die?"
She looked at him calculating for a moment then started speaking, "They were betrayed. They had taken precautions to hide behind a special Charm called the Fidelius. They needed a secret keeper and they chose poorly. He turned on them and gave their location away to the Dark one. He personally came there that night and did the deed. Until something happened. No one is sure what happened but he vanished."
Harry swallowed. "My parents were killed Halloween night. But Professor McGonnegal said that Dumbledore left me with the Dursleys the next night as she had been watching them all day."
Augusta looked at Harry curiously. "Now that is intriguing. I was unaware of that as I had been in hiding separate from Frank and Alice. Maybe if I had been there I could have saved them instead of arriving just in time to help drive the Lestranges and that nasty Barty Crouch Junior off."
"I mean I think that's what she meant. You were there Neville. Did that sound like what she meant?"
Neville thought then tilted his head in frustration, "Maybe. I think. I'm not sure Harry. We'd have to talk to someone who knows more details."
"Well I'm sure Albus knows the details but aside from a few others that probably would not be polite conversation I doubt there are too many. Maybe Amelia Bones. Whom you will be meeting tomorrow Harry. We can ask her about that then."
"Yes ma'am. That will be fine."
"Good. Then we will have to work on your wardrobe. There is not time tonight but after tomorrow we will definitely get rid of those rags you're dressed in. The Potters are not paupers."
"I wouldn't know ma'am. I just found out about my vault when Hagrid took me this summer for my school funds."
"Oh my dear. There is quite a bit more wealth than just your trust vault. The Potters may not have had a title but they were most assuredly not broke. You should have been told about that by someone a bit more responsible than that fellow Hagrid."
"I had no idea ma'am. He was the one that showed up when the Dursleys ran from my letters."
"Albus probably sent him thinking he would be useful to inspire some cooperation out of the Dursleys." Augusta chuckled.
"Possible I suppose. He did get results."
"Maybe. Oh well. Dinner will be in an hour. You two need to clean up and Harry needs to be shown his room. Neville you can take care of that?"
"Yes Gramma."
====xxxx====
Harry was standing in the middle of a bedroom that was huge. It was well appointed with a bed, writing desk, dressers and a wardrobe. He started laughing which made Neville confused.
"What's so funny?"
"This bedroom is larger than the Dursleys house."
Neville chuckled. "Oh yeah. Wait until you see the main house. This is just the dowager house."
Harry sat down in a chair by a small table. "You mean there is a bigger house?"
Neville sat across from him, "Yeah. Gramma wasn't joking when she said Dad is an Earl."
Harry was uncertain but wanted to know, "So what happened to him?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband Rodolphus, his brother and Barty Crouch Junior broke into the house that mom and dad were staying in. There was a big fight but mom and dad were overwhelmed. They were tortured." He said glumly.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."
Neville shrugged, "No need to be. It is what it is. They are in Saint Mungos and will be the rest of their lives."
Harry stopped talking awkwardly.
Neville sighed, "I'm not ready to tell Lavender or Hermione yet."
"I don't think you'll get the chance as your Gramma doesn't seem to want to hide it."
"I know. How do you think they'll react?"
"Probably be just as supportive as they always have been."
Neville smiled. "I hope so."
====xxxx====
The next day after breakfast Harry was introduced to two new people and Mrs Brown again. Amelia Bones of the DMLE and Anna Smythe also from the DMLE had come to speak with Harry about his treatment with the Dursleys. They asked him a great many questions about his life with them, what he ate, how often, his clothes, where he slept. If he had ever been inappropriately touched. What sort of beatings he received.
After the interview he was taken into a side room and Mrs brown asked him a few health questions then asked him to take his clothes off down to his underwear.
"Ma'am?"
"Well magic is wonderful and can tell us a great many things but sometimes a healer just needs to look at their patient and do things the old fashioned way." She said with a smile.
"Uh okay."
"Trust me the three of us have seen more young men and boys than we ever wanted to. Some of them worse off than you Harry. Nothing funny will happen."
"yes ma'am." He said as he stripped to his underwear. Mrs Brown ran her hand over his back describing a few old wounds. She also said a few things to a quill that was running over a parchment taking down her words. Several spells and a physical examination later she said he could get dressed.
"Well Harry you are amazingly fit given your circumstances. Some scars from old wounds. A few broken bones that healed a bit rough. Those won't bother you for a few decades. A bit malnourished but the school diet has been resolving that. I will still prescribe some vitamins to take for a bit as you're a growing boy. Your magic is strong and not blocked. Although there is something funny about your scar. I'd like to get you into Mungo's to a specialist."
"If you think that would be a good idea."
"Well the problem is we would need the permission of your guardian. Which for the Magical World is Albus Dumbledore. The Muggle world was the Dursleys but I think after today that will be changing."
Amelia Bones stepped up at that point. "With your permission Harry Augusta has said she would be willing to take you as her ward in both world. This would probably be in your best interests so I would recommend you do so."
Harry felt his heart fly off like he was on his broom, "I'd never have to go back to the Dursleys?"
Amelia chuckled, "Well considering I will be doing all I can to ensure that the Dursleys are guests of the crown that would be an accurate statement."
Harry was actually grinning now. "What would I have to do?"
====xxxx====
Harry had spent the last several days having his world changed. He had gone to Gringotts with Neville and Augusta. He met with his accounts manager a Goblin named Rothak. He was told about his family vault, his trust vault and several investments and such in both the wizarding and muggle world.
After that he took enough money out for a new wardrobe. His old clothes being deemed utterly unsuitable. Both muggle and wizard styles and outfits. He also got a new pair of glasses that were slightly more fashionable and durable than his previous ones. The prescription was even better than his old one that the Free clinic had provided. Plus the lenses were enchanted to be impervious to water, fog and breaking. He also spent some time shopping for gifts for his new friends.
====xxxx====
Harry and Neville was in the village the next day exploring when Harry saw a small blonde girl sitting on a bench in the center of the village with a drawing pad. She was wearing a bright yellow pair of leggings, high leather boots and a brown leather jacket with a fur collar. Most people seemed to smile and say hello to her but otherwise ignore her.
"Who is that?" Harry said indicating the girl.
"Oh that's Luna Lovegood. Her dad and her live over the hill on the northwest of town."
"Is she one of us?" Harry asked quietly looking around.
"Yeah."
Harry stepped over to the girl, eager to meet another magical. "Hello."
The girl stopped drawing the church steeple and looked up at him with bright blue eyes that seemed a bit surprised. "Hello. I don't know you."
Harry chuckled at her forthrightness, "No. I'm Harry Potter."
She did seem surprised then. "Hello Harry Potter. Are there any dragons around here?"
"Uh not that I'm aware of."
"Oh then why are you here?"
"At the moment I'm just looking around with Neville."
She seemed to realize Neville was standing next to him at that moment as she gave a slight smile, "Hello Neville."
"Hello Luna. How are you and Xenophilus doing?"
"Father is still buried in his work. I think he is in denial. He is still rather frightfully sad at times."
Harry was feeling a bit awkward but the girl apparently noticed and explained. "My mother died last year. Father has been working rather hard on his newspaper to compensate. I'm afraid he is in a bit of denial about what happened as he keeps acting like he expects to see her in the room when he comes home."
Harry nodded, "Ah. Okay. But You're ok?"
"That depends on the criteria you're judging against. I have accepted mother's death but am still sad by it. I am self sufficient when it comes to cooking, cleaning and otherwise taking care of myself and I am looking forward to going to school next year. So overall I suppose I am ok. I am just rather concerned by father's sadness. He is rather forgetful at times."
Harry had to process her comment for a moment but then realized what she was saying and smiled. "Ah good then. You draw nicely."
She smiled and showed him several more of her drawings and asked if she could draw him. He let her and they talked until it was time for Harry and Neville to go back to the estate and meet their guests.
"So you can get home ok?"
"Oh yes Harry Potter. I am not likely to be eaten by any dragons and the Nargles are too small to carry me off even if they work together."
"Oh good. Well take care then. Hope to see you again."
"So do I." And then she went back to her original drawing.
After they had walked off for a bit out of hearing Harry turned to Neville, "She's kinda neat. A bit out there but in a funny way."
Neville shrugged, "I guess. She has been a bit odder since her mom died. Gramma says her dad has gone completely round the bend but since she can take care of herself there's not much to do. Someone from the ministry goes and checks on them occasionally."
Harry shrugged, "Well I still think she's neat."
Neville just rolled his eyes and laughed.
====xxxx====
Hermione and her parents showed up a bit later that evening. Harry got hugged by her and her mom both. Her dad gave him a hand shake and a knowing grin. "Well looks like you're in the family no matter what there Harry so call me Dan."
"Uh sure Dan."
"Wow Neville this is some place." Dan said looking around.
"This is the dowager house. The ball will be held at the main house which is further down the lane."
"Oh. Wow. Okay." Daniel opened his mouth in amazement. Especially when their bags were taken by house elves and vanished.
Hermione and her parents were taken on the tour by Neville as his Gramma was at a late Wizengamut meeting. He explained what house elves were and how they needed to be bonded to a house or wizard or they would die. That unfortunately not every family treated their house elves like sentient beings but there wasn't much that could be done about it as the laws had not caught up to the general consensus. Most of the good families did treat their elves with respect and as employees. This made Hermione and her mother a bit happier but still not being accustomed to servants at any level just tabled the issue.
Lavender and her parents showed up a bit later and were just as welcomed. Since they were both pure-bloods they were much more aware of House elves and the sort of things that went on in a great house. Charles Brown being landed gentry.
"Technically I don't have a title nor am I a member of the peerage in either side of the barrier. I'm more of a country squire. So its not that big a deal." Charles explained when Dan said he felt way out of place.
"Still if this isn't even the big house I'm feeling very awkward. I just hope I don't pull a Nick Bottom."
The other adults laughed, "Then if we be fools let us be fools together." Charles said smacking Daniel on the arm.
====xxxx====
The kids were sitting in a side room listening to their parents talking.
"Well they seem to have hit it off." Lavender happily said sitting beside Neville drinking a seltzer.
Hermione was smiling, "Dad is in his element. He loves it when people actually get his Shakespeare references. We've been up to Stratford almost every year."
"So that's how you got your name?"
"Yeah Harry. Which is weird because I've read the play and it's a romantic comedy tragedy kind of thing. I asked mom and dad why and dad just says it was a compromise."
"Lavender is mom's favorite flower so that's how I got my name."
"If Hermione's a compromise I'd hate to have seen the other options." Harry laughed.
"Yeah. Knowing dad it could have been anything from Emmaline to Ophelia."
"She's the one that committed suicide cause her boyfriend dumped her?" Neville frowned trying to recall.
"Yeah something like that."
Any further discussion was broken by the Floo alert signaling the return of Augusta Longbottom and her calling out Harry's name.
====xxxx====
Arriving in the Entry Hall everyone say that Augusta was in a very foul mood. She was pacing while Amelia Bones was standing placidly by.
When she saw Harry Augusta turned and looked him up and down then snorted. Harry was not sure what the reason for that was but felt somewhat apprehensive.
"Gramma? Is there a problem?"
"No not exactly. That fool Albus made it a Wizengamut issue as to where Harry should be living and who should be his rightful guardian. A full Wizengamut. He thought he had enough votes to make sure he could dump you off on that madhouse of the Weasleys. Bah." She said grumpily.
Harry was surprised, "Why would he do that. I've done nothing to even show any friendship towards them."
"I know. But the Weasleys are one of Dumbledore's biggest supporters. According to Molly that man could do absolutely nothing wrong. I know I support him and agree with him on a lot of things but there are a lot of other things I disagree with him on."
"So what's going to happen to me?" Harry was worried as his friends stepped closer to him. Like he was going to be grabbed and taken from them.
Augusta stopped and started chuckling, "Well you're going to go get cleaned up before dinner. The man tried to push it in full Wizengamut and failed. SO I took a few chances and you are now a ward of the Longbottom family. Legally and fully until such time as you reach your age of majority. The only thing Dumbledore has any say over is what happens at your school. Nothing more than that. Outside of school you stand on the same footing as Neville in this house."
Harry felt a rush of relief at that. He was smiling when Amelia Bones cleared her throat. Harry felt worried again until she smiled.
"Well Harry I have some more good news. Even if Dumbledore had wanted to return you to the Dursley's they would be unavailable. Vernon and Petunia have been arrested for child cruelty, neglect, as well as a few other things that my investigators were able to turn over to the crown. They are looking at quite a long visit to the crown's custody. As for your cousin he unfortunately is going to be in juvenile detention for some time. He attacked the officer's and was found with some ill gotten gains."
"Sounds like him." Harry shook his head.
"Yes well. You will need to give me some depositions and other than that we will be most likely done. A bit of a rubber stamp and Augusta will be listed as your guardian in the muggle world too."
Harry was surprised but felt happier then even on his broom. No more Dursley's. No Weasleys. He would be staying here."
"Well Harry. Don't you have anything to say or did you get hit by a confundus?"
He started laughing and smiling. He did something that surprised everyone and hugged Augusta. She stiffened then relaxed and patted him on the back. "Alright now lets not get too sappy."
====xxxx====
The Grangers, Browns and Longbottoms all got along rather well. The next day enjoyed by all. Hermione and Lavender went to the village with Harry and Neville running into Luna again. She was pleased to meet the other girls and they had a nice time talking. Although Hermione was grumpy about the Nargles and Wrackspurts until Lavender pointed out that until she came to Hogwarts did she know about House Elves and ghosts and trolls. At that point Hermione had to relax a bit and tried to talk to Luna about the things she saw. This led to Luna being invited over to the Longbottom estate to visit longer.
====xxxx====
The five of them had enjoyed a great dinner and were in the library working on various spells from a few of the books. Augusta supervising and pushing Neville. The Browns and Grangers enjoying watching real magic being performed. Neville was having trouble though and his Grandmother was pushing him to do better.
"I'm sorry gramma. I just can't seem to get it."
"That's a basic defensive charm. I bet even Young Miss Lovegood would be able to get it if she had a wand."
"I'm not entirely sure its Neville it might be the wand ma'am." Hermione said.
"There is nothing wrong with Frank's wand young lady. It served him greatly all his life and it can serve Neville too." She thrust her jaw forward.
Hermione recognized the posture and bit her lip. Lavender though moved forward with her comment, "Uh Ma'am. Ollivander said that the wand chooses the wizard and if uh Frank's wand hasn't chosen Neville then that might explain why he hasn't been doing as good."
"So you think that Frank's wand would not choose Neville?"
Lavender nodded. "It's possible ma'am."
"Maybe Neville could borrow one of our wands and see if it works better?"
Augusta chuckled, "Harry I'll forgive you that faux-pas due to your upbringing. However wands are shared between close family only. And while I think Neville considers all of you very close friends I'm not entirely certain that it'll make the difference. Neville just has to want to work harder."
Hermione tilted her head, "So why are wands only shared among close family?"
"Because they are a very closely,.. personally...attuned...object." She slowly said realizing that she had undercut her own argument. "Very well played young miss. Okay how do you want to test your theory."
"Well Neville cast a Lumos." Hermione stated.
He cast a light. It was about the brightness of a candle.
"Here try my wand and see what happens." She handed her vine wood over to him.
He tried again and a blast of wind shot out the end messing Hermione's hair up but doing very little else.
"Well obviously not even close. Try Harry's" She said handing Neville his wand back.
The two boys smirked a bit as they traded wands. Hermione raised her eyebrow while Lavender chuckled.
Neville tried again and a bolt of lighting shot out of the wand, burst the globe of the lamp over the mantle and leaving smoke issuing from the tip of the wand.
"Geez Harry how do you handle that thing?" Neville said trading back.
Harry shrugged, "Just gotta know how I guess."
Hermione huffed, "Boys! Lavender you and Neville trade."
"I'm afraid to. Besides I don't know if Neville will need to get over handling Harry's wand first." She snicked and guffawed along with Luna. Daniel tried to not laugh and be a responsible adult in the room. Augusta tried to hide a small smile by frowning but cleared her throat and Neville traded with Lavender. The Lumos he produced was flickering between candle and lantern in brightness but it was working a lot better.
"So yeah. Something about Lavender's wand is more compatible with you and your magical abilities than any of ours."
Augusta frowned for real this time. Then sighing, "Very well. I suppose tomorrow since we are going to London anyhow we will go to the Alley and speak with Ollivander."
Neville looked nervous and embarrassed. "Oh uh yeah."
"What had you forgotten?"
"I suppose so gram."
"Are you trying to hide your parents from your friends?"
"No Gram. I just didn't know how they would react."
Turning to his friends Augusta explained what happened in glowing terms of how Frank and Alice held off the Death Eaters that had attacked their home. How they had managed to have good effect even with being outnumbered by two to one odds. How they sent Neville with the house elf to safety then managed to be overcome and tortured into catatonic states that the foolish healers haven't managed to reverse yet. But that they would eventually though and then you'd see how Frank and Alice could be proud of how well Neville has turned out.
The Browns had looked like they were going to be sick while the Grangers were disturbed by the war story. Hermione and Lavender had moved closer to support and comfort their friend and Luna smiled at him in her dreamy smile. "Its Okay Neville."
Augusta was called out of the room by her elf though as someone was on the floo.
Amanda cleared her throat, "Uh Neville. I know this might not be appropriate but how much do you know about the cruciatus?"
He smiled. "I know that mom and dad will never recover. They were held under it too long. I humor Gramma."
"Ah okay. If you need to talk I'll listen ok?"
"Forgive me for being uh. Impolite Neville but how does this spell work?"
Amanda looked at Neville who gave a slight nod and held Lavender's hand. "Well Mr Granger the cruciatus activates every pain receptor in your body simultaneously as if it was on fire. Given how many pain receptors there are inside and out of the body that is rather unbearable. And unlike real fire they do not burn out and cease transmitting. They send these pain signals to the mind as long as the person is held under the spell. The longer it lasts the more likely the mind retreats into a shell. Do it long enough and the conscious mind retreats beyond the point that even the most powerful mind mage is unable to do anything."
"Oh. Wow. So pretty much the worst possible thing a person can do. And anyone can cast this thing?"
Amanda shook her head, "Fortunately no. Its one of three spells that are called the Unforgivables. Casting them gets a permanent life sentence in Azkaban. Plus they are very uh, emotional based. You have to want to cast them. To desire to do the result. It takes a rather unpleasant state of mind. I mean I couldn't do it."
"So the other two of these things. What are they like if the Crucio thing is one of them."
"The other two are the Imperious which removes a person's free will and ability for self-preservation. It could be cast on you and you would do absolutely anything you were ordered to. Kill your family, step in front of a train, rape your daughter. Anything. The other is the Killing Curse. The one that was used on Harry as a toddler. It kills the target completely totally and irrecoverably in an instant. There is no counter curse, no defense, no resisting it known to the wizarding world. You have to block it, or dodge it. That's why Harry surviving it is so special and amazing."
Everyone turned to look at Harry who just shrugged, "I don't know how I did it."
Luna looked at Harry with her unblinking eyes and her head tilted. She walked up and touched his scar. She then put her hand over his heart and sighed. "My mother helped you survive Harry. I recognize the feel of her magic on you."
Augusta walked in on that. "What exactly are you talking about Young lady."
Luna smiled at her with her hand still placed in the middle of Harry's chest. "Harry is infused with a magic that I am very familiar with. Mother used to use her magic on me to help me sleep or make me fly. To show me she loved me. I can feel the touch of her magic in him. It is entangled with another's but it is infused with love."
Augusta and Amanda Brown exchanged looks and Augusta sighed as she settled back in her chair, "Yes well that is interesting Miss Lovegood. As for the call that distracted me. Albus visited Amelia Bones today. He confessed to her why he had been making Young Harry there go stay with those horrid people. Apparently there was a blood ward on Harry powered by his connection to his family. His Aunt being the last living member of his family. The wards that was on his house had collapsed a few days ago rendering the entire situation a moot point. So he has stopped fighting against the guardianship. So Harry welcome to the family."
Harry sat there with a strange grin on his face as he looked around the room. Neville, Lavender and Hermione were all grinning too. Luna had not removed her hand from his chest though with her eyes closed humming what sounded like a lullaby. "Uh Luna. You can take your hand off anytime."
The young girl opened her eyes, "I'm sorry Harry am I bothering you."
"No not really just a bit awkward."
She took her hand off and looked downcast. "I'm sorry its just been so long since I felt the touch of my mother's magic. She must have helped your mother with the wards on you."
Harry took her hand and said, "Hey its okay. I'm not upset I just uh have to go to the loo."
She looked up with her eyes wide. "Oh. I'm sorry. I should not follow you there."
Everyone chuckled, "Uh no I think I can take care of that." Harry said and went off. By the time he got back Luna was back to her normal cheerful self.
"Luna was just telling us that her mother apparently knew yours. They were in some classes and study groups together." Amanda Brown said.
"Yes Harry. I remember mother talking about her some when I was younger. I could ask father as he would know more. I didn't mention it earlier as I did not make the connection between Lilly her friend and Lily your mother until tonight."
"Hey that's okay Luna. I don't mind."
"Well perhaps we should let the children relax and have some free time. I wouldn't mind talking to the adults in the drawing room, please." Augusta said getting up, "Now you five should probably stop practicing spells and maybe read or talk about things a bit. You'll have plenty of time for that tomorrow evening as Christmas is the day after that. Then the ball is in three days."
"Yes ma'am." The five chorused.