A/N: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

A/N: Again, thank you for the response. Over 850 likes and 1500 follows. I hope to keep entertaining you.

-oOo-

Chapter 8

-oOo-

March 21, 1994

Azkaban Prison, North Sea

It had been more than a week since his newest court-appointed Solicitor had visited.

"You presentable, Dumbledore?" an Auror guard asked.

"It's not like I have any other wardrobe," he snapped at the Aurors. A month and a half here had done nothing but made his temper short and his old body ache from the cold and moisture of the place. He had never felt so old.

When the door opened, he just glared at the woman.

"You are a tougher man than I thought to keep in here," Amelia Bones said with a little mirth on her voice.

He huffed and stood. "I take it someone finally was able to get me freed?"

She shook her head. "I won't say some haven't tried, but no. Fudge and others are content to leave you in here for now, but like I offered, I can get you to a different holding area. One without the guard above and with better food and accommodations. You just need to tell me what you know about Tom Marvolo Riddle and Harry Potter."

Albus swallowed. How had she found out about that? Unless... "So, Harry has told you everything?"

She frowned. "No. He is still holding out on somethings, but his Mind Healer is helping him. What you have done to that boy is unforgivable. But he has told me enough that I have found out more about Voldemort than I think almost any other. Almost any other than you. So, you are going to tell me what is between those two and what your plans were to protect my ward."

"And if I do not?"

Amelia shrugged. "My investigations are still ongoing. It could take up to your trial date in June to finish them. But, if you are willing to cooperate with the DMLE, then you can get off this rock."

He glared at the woman. For over fifty years he had worked in the high offices of the British Ministry and the ICW. He should already be out and back in his school, but that had been denied him also.

"I can not, Amelia. If certain people were to find out what I know, then we could all be in a danger you can not comprehend," Albus replied.

Amelia's good humour evaporated. "You mean like a not-dead Dark Lord? I have seen Harry's memories. That was not a spirit or ghost that fled that night two years ago. And where is the diary that once contained a soul fragment of Tom Marvolo Riddle? Harry said he gave it to you. Given the fact Harry had a soul fragment in his head, there was the diary and the thing that fled Quirrell, it is hypothesized that there is at least one more. That was far less than a third of a soul in Harry."

MERLIN'S BALLS! "Who have you told? How many know? It is imperative this knowledge stays hidden," he ordered.

Her steely look would have made most tremble. "Who I have told is immaterial to you, Albus. What is important is if you will help me. Either way, I am going to rake you over the coals for what I have found so far. Your only decision is how you are going to spend the last days of your life. If you don't help, I will seek the veil. I am willing to be lenient, unlike those that you have done wrong by."

Her hard look had him silenced for the moment.

"I will be back in two weeks. If you change your mind, you can let the guards know."

-oOo-

March 30, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

As had been for the last four weeks, Harry didn't really say much to Professor Lupin when he met him. They got right to work.

He had been able to throw off the boggart three times with a shield with very little side effects.

"This is remarkable progress Harry. I think that you deserve this and we can call it quits for the night," the man told him holding out a bar of Honeydukes chocolate.

Harry shook his head. "I am going to get this. Amelia said there may be dementors at the trial and I will not let them get the better of me," Harry said determinately. Maybe he wasn't choosing a happy enough memory? For a while now he had used the memory of when Daphne took his hand. What other memory did he have that was better?

He wracked his brain until he came up with the memory of Hermione and Daphne giving him those strange looks in the hospital wing. There had been that funny, nervous fluttering in his stomach, but there had been something else. Something that had stirred more when he woke to find Daphne sitting at his bed side. It was the feeling of those that truly wanted him around... ones that really cared for him... ones he really cared for. Was that his happiness? The feeling of people that cared for him.

As he nodded to Professor Lupin to open the trunk, Harry knew something was different this time. He felt it. It was like a light of hope and good feelings to think of his friends. Daphne, Hermione, Neville and Tracey. They had all become good friends.

"Expecto Patronum!" he cried out.

The shield came out of his wand and then it did something it never had before. It kept growing. It took shape. His eyes widened comically as a mostly formed stag charged the boggart, which dissipated into a cloud of black wisps as it tried to flee. After a second, the stag stopped, pawed the ground as though annoyed there wasn't anything else for it to do and then it dissipated like the boggart, but this time into wisps of white.

Harry looked at the spot for a moment.

"Merlin, Harry," Professor Lupin said in some awe. "That took some power."

Harry had a broad smile come over his face. "Healer Devon said I might start seeing some more power in my spells now my magic is not supporting any more growth or nutrition potions."

Professor Lupin raised an eyebrow. "Harry, I am pretty sure the only reason you had not produced a corporeal patronus yet was that your magic hadn't matured enough. I think you should report back to Healer Devon or Tonks tomorrow. That was impressive. That was also exactly what your father looked like in his animagus form."

Harry regarded the man. "My dad... he was an animagus?"

"A big stag, just like your patronus," the professor confirmed.

Harry had warring emotions in him. It was the same he always felt around the man. Anger at him for being a coward. Inquisitiveness about who his parents were. For once, the later emotion won. It still did not mean he was ever going to forgive Professor Lupin, but he really wanted to know. "Professor Lupin," he said a little uncertainty. "What was my dad really like? Everyone always says he was a great man and a prankster, but no one really says what he was like."

Professor Lupin nodded his head. "Eat that chocolate and I can tell you some before you go back."

Harry sat in a chair and opened his chocolate.

"Before I really tell you anything, I want you to understand that James, Sirius and Peter were my best friends. About the only friends I ever had. They were all good people. At least at one time or another," the man said.

Harry sneered. "Yeah, Pettigrew was a good friend, wasn't he? He was the only one that could have sold out my parents."

Professor Remus closed his eyes and growled. "I do not know what happened to Peter. He did something that is unforgivable and there are places in Hell reserved for traitors like that. When we were in Hogwarts, Peter was with us on all our adventures. He was different then. After we left, the war splintered us. That is not what I am trying to get into tonight though."

The anger that had been so near the surface when some people were around broke through. "I have to go. It's near curfew and I have to complete the Transfiguration homework that McGonagall gave us."

"Harry, wait. There is a lot I want to tell you."

"Maybe next time. I'll see you after Easter," Harry snarked and walked out of the room.

By the time he made his way back to the portrait of the Fat Lady, he was chastising himself some, but if the man had abandoned Harry all those years ago because of guilt and now he was trying to defend Pettigrew, Harry didn't want to know about his parents from Professor Lupin. How could he know what was truth and not?

Walking into the room, he found Hermione sitting at a table doing some work. He huffed as he sat. "Where's Neville?"

"He went up to your dorm not long ago. Not sure if he is going to bed early or not," she told him, looking up. Her brow scrunched. "Didn't go that well tonight?"

He sighed. "Actually, it went very well. I actually made a patronus. It's a stag. Professor Lupin said it looks just like my dad's animagus form," he told her dejectedly.

Her eyes were just as wide as his were not long ago. "Harry, are you serious? You really produced a corporeal patronus?"

"Yeah. It was a little wispy and not as solid looking as I think it should have been, but yeah."

Her smile was huge and she jumped from her chair to hug him. He returned the hug, but only halfheartedly. When she pulled back, she didn't look as pleased. "Why do I feel you are upset with this?"

He briefly let a small smile onto his face. "No, it was actually really cool. I royally buggered it with Professor Lupin. He tried to defend Pettigrew and brought up again how good friends they all were. Friends don't leave your friends kids like that," he said angrily.

Hermione sat back down, a hand finding his. "Are you seeing Healer Anne soon?"

He let out a deep breath. He had seen the mind healer thrice now. She was trying to help him sort through years of just a shity life. Harry hadn't realized how bad it was until now.

"Next week. Tuesday I have an appointment with Amelia."

Hermione nodded. "I think you should talk with her about this."

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I'm not changing my mind on Professor Lupin."

"I am not asking you too, but you should work on that anger," she remarked.

Harry just nodded.

-oOo-

April 2, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

The last week had been another flurry of headlines that had sent the school into a tizzy. News of Sirius capture came Sunday. Then Monday morning it broke that he had never had a trial. Tuesday was a busy day, as always, with a Quidditch practice to top it off. Wednesday the hall was abuzz again as the Daily Prophet reported that Sirius Black was actually Regent Black and would be claiming his Lordship. The fact that the Regent Black had been sent to Azkaban without a trial was starting to make a large headache for the Minister, who had tried to give Black a pardon, but Black insisted on a trial to clear his name.

It was Thursday morning when a regal looking eagle owl landed before him, followed quickly by Hedwig. Harry took the letters from both, handing one to Hermione, who used Hedwig to write her parents many weeks. When he looked at them, he wasn't surprised to find one from Amelia. She wrote to him and Susan at least every other week, even if they forgot to reply.

The other letter was a surprise. It had a green dollop of wax with an elaborate crest in the center of it. It was address to Scion Harry Potter with no return address. Looking at the crest, he recognized it as the same one on Daphne's ring. Harry looked up and saw her give him a quick look from across the hall.

"Who is that from," Hermione had asked.

"I'll tell you later," he told her.

Hermione followed his gaze before smirking. "Does it smell like perfume?"

Harry knew his face heated and Neville chuckled. "I hope not. That is a Lord's seal," Neville commented.

Harry chuckled at how Hermione was a little flustered after that.

By the time Susan, Hannah, Neville and Hermione were boarding the train home for the Easter Holidays with him, Harry was feeling the best he could ever remember. Ron didn't join them. Harry found he didn't really care as Ron mostly spent his time with Seamus and Dean now.

With the train only half-full, it was easy to find a compartment in the middle of the train, where they all made themselves comfortable. "You are going to love Grace Hall," Susan told him for the hundredth time in the last few weeks.

"You should have Tipsy make him those honey cakes," Hannah supplied.

"Is your Aunt having a ball again this summer?" Neville asked towards Hannah.

Hermione had her eyebrow raised at Susan, Hannah and Neville, who had been going on for a while with each other about Susan's home, Harry's new home, and all the types of gatherings that the group were part of. Harry had always thought Neville an inept social pariah, but it seemed he was just extremely shy and cowed by his Gran many times. "If you want, mum and dad said you can come over this week," Hermione told him.

Harry gave a nervous laugh. "I may need the get away," he replied worriedly.

Hermione snorted. "You may need to run away."

Harry laughed. "That too."

While they were talking, a knock came at the door. Harry looked up to see Daphne and Tracey. He couldn't keep the smile off his face as he got up and opened the door. "Good afternoon, Heiress Greengrass and Ms. Davis."

Daphne returned his small bow with a curtsy. "Good afternoon, Scion Potter. Would you mind if Tracey and I join you for a bit? We have some questions on the Defense Against the Dark Arts revision."

Harry had no issue, but still looked in. No one else made a peep or indication it was not wanted.

Moving to the side, he motioned for them to join them. Tracey sat on the end of the bench with Hannah and Susan. Neville moved to sit next to Susan while Hermione moved to the window with Daphne sitting next to her.

Harry sat after shutting the door and looking at Daphne. "Is this alright to be seen with us?" he asked her in a low voice.

"You are helping me study, so there is nothing inappropriate," she responded, letting her mask fall.

Tracey shook her head. "Daphne just wants to make sure you accepted her father's invitation for this week."

"Tracey," Daphne scolded her friend.

Susan and Hannah laughed. "You don't have to act around us, Daphne," Susan told her. "Auntie said we would be coming over Wednesday afternoon."

Daphne glared at Susan. "That was not going to be my question."

"Yes, I will be there for the study sessions Monday and Friday," Harry told Daphne.

Daphne had a smile come to her before Tracey blurted out, "You didn't tell me about those. I thought we were only meeting on Wednesday."

All eyes turned to them. Harry licked his lips as Daphne stiffened. "I didn't lie that I wanted to ask Harry about our DADA and other homework." He didn't miss the look from Hermione and pleaded with his eyes for her not to say anything. "Ms. Granger, I would also like to let you know my mother will accompany me to your house on Thursday and then we will go back to Greengrass Manor."

Hermione gave a big smile now. "I look forward to it. Do I need to wear or bring anything special? I have never been to a wizarding house."

"You are a guest. It is not formal. Wear what you want. Ms. Davis, Ms. Abbot and Heiress Bones, you are invited as well. Will eleven be acceptable?"

Hermione nodded her head.

"I will ask Auntie about Thursday, Heiress Greengrass," Susan informed Daphne. Daphne nodded her agreement.

"I'll be there. Is eleven-thirty good?" Tracey questioned.

"It is," Daphne supplied.

"Oh, I also got a letter from mum this morning. If you all want, you can come over Saturday," Hermione offered.

"That sounds like fun," Susan replied.

"I can make it, if you want," Neville offered.

Daphne replied, "I will not be able to attend. Perhaps next time?"

"Sure, Daphne," Hermione replied.

Tracey gave a look to Daphne. "I will not either, but I would like another invitation. Perhaps this summer?"

"I will talk to my parents," Hermione said brightly.

"Saturday I am going to see the Harpies take on the Hornets," Hannah spoke up. "I can talk to my parents, maybe I can have a sleep over for the girls one night."

Susan brightened. "In your barn again?"

Hannah shrugged. "If you want."

"What is so interesting about a barn," Tracey asked, not looking pleased about the idea.

Susan and Hannah grinned. "There is the old stable hands apartments above the stalls. Mum and dad don't care how loud we are and we can stay up as long as we want," Hannah told them.

"Can I come," Hermione asked, uncertain whether she should be involved or not.

Hannah smiled. "I'll send an invite to all of you once I find out which night."

Daphne nodded. "That sounds amenable."

Tracey gawked at her friend. "How are you going to convince your parents? They barely let you sleep over my house."

"I am hoping some of our social circles will change soon. Getting to know the other children of a group my parents are interested in courting for an alliance will be an easy sell," Daphne told Tracey.

Susan laughed. "And here I thought you were warming up to us?"

That was one thing Harry liked about Susan and Hannah. They didn't hold back unless they needed too. They had also been talking with Daphne and Tracey more as their study group met three or more times a week.

Harry chuckled, earning him a look from Daphne. He held up his hands. "You have made it very clear how I am to act and the expectations you have."

Daphne nodded while Susan and Hannah looked at them with interest. "So, what should I bring?" Hermione asked. He cast her a thankful look as Daphne and everyone turned to Hannah.

Daphne and Tracey stayed about an hour. When they left, Hannah was the first to ask, "So, what is going on with you and Greengrass?"

"I would like to know too," Susan put to him.

"Nothing. We are just study partners," Harry replied.

Neville looked away with a smirk on his face.

"Yeah, and I'm a flobber worm," Hannah retorted dryly.

Hermione cracked a smile. Susan eyed him. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Harry didn't want to admit he saw Daphne as a friend. One he had to be very careful around because of whatever politics there were in Slytherin, most revolving around blood status and standing.

"Auntie has said she is moving a little more towards the Neutral side to see if she can get more votes to help change things. The meeting we are having Wednesday at the Greengrasses' is more important than you think, Harry, and I think whatever this is has a lot to do with you and Daphne," Susan informed him. "Especially if Daphne has been given permission to have Hermione over. I really don't mean any offense, Hermione, but I didn't think the Greengrasses that progressive."

He looked at Susan shocked. As bubbly and air headed she could act at times, every once in a while this other side came out, and Harry was starting to think Susan knew a lot more about politics, blood status and other things than he thought.

"You may be surprised," Harry spoke up before Hermione did.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head. The conversations he had had with Daphne were between them. "You should ask her when you go over," Harry told her.

Hermione eyed him. "I think I will."

"I will convince Auntie to let me go. You shouldn't be there alone the first time," Susan told her.

Neville turned back into the conversation. "I agree with Harry. I think Daphne and Tracey are not what you think."

Hannah was keeping her mouth shut when Susan went on. "Daphne, Tracey, Blaise, Millicent and a few others have always been invited to Auntie Amelia's big parties, and us to theirs. We have gotten to know them some outside of school, but in general we all ignore each other or play it off while at Hogwarts. It is one thing to interact where others can't see you, quite another when they can see you. For people like the Greengrasses, who still play in the Blood Supremacist circles, it can be dangerous to be seen with the wrong person."

"Are you saying I shouldn't spend time with Daphne? I don't want to make it bad for her."

Susan shook her head. "I am not saying that. What is going on between you two?"

Harry kept his mouth shut for a moment. Neville surprised them all by speaking up. "The Greengrasses are trying to move their allegiances. They aren't the only ones. Many around the Greengrasses are starting to move. Something has changed in the last few months and that group of grey houses have started numerous talks with more light-neutral or even light Houses. Gran has sent me a few letters and asked if I could tell her anything about our new friends."

Hannah nodded. "Father has said the same. Tracey and her parents are scheduled for a tea on Monday."

Hermione looked at them. "Why is all this so important? It is just a tea. Harry is just going over to study with Daphne. Who cares we are seen with anyone of them in the halls?"

Harry shared her sentiment, but was coming to learn that things were not that simple.

"It is important, Hermione," Susan told her. "Hogwarts House alliances or friendships can lead to alliances in the Wizengamot. Auntie has been trying for years to change laws regarding Muggles, squibs and even muggleborn. With the support of the Greengrasses, that would put almost a quarter of the votes at her disposal. It isn't hard to get most those that consider themselves light Houses to vote for bills like that, meaning close to six out of every ten votes would go her way."

"So it's like the House of Lords?" Hermione enquired.

Neville, Hannah and Susan looked confused.

"From what I understand, yes," Harry answered her.

"So, I have to ask what is going on with you and Daphne," Susan put to him again.

Harry sighed. "I don't know. I just like being her friend," Harry finally admitted.

"I think you want more than that," Hermione said below her breath and he gave her a glare.

Hannah and Susan didn't miss Hermione's comment. "Will you just drop it," Harry snapped at his best mate.

Hermione gave him a satisfied smirk. "Sure. She is pretty, you know."

The other two girls laughed to see the colour that came to his face.

By the time they got to London, the five of them were excited for the week. Harry was excited that he might actually get to be a normal person for once. With Sirius having turned himself in, the search still on for Pettigrew -with him missing for many weeks now-, no sign of Voldemort and he would never have to see his relatives again, Harry felt like he was free of everything for once. It was a heady feeling.

Amelia met them on the platform. Daphne gave him a small nod as a man that could only be her father regarded him for a moment before they moved towards the end of the platform.

They said their goodbyes to everyone else, and Harry made plans to see Hermione on Saturday. His week was now full. When Amelia walked past the barrier, Harry had to catch himself. Susan stopped and looked at him. "Aren't we going through the barrier?" Harry asked.

"Why would we? There are floo fires and a apparition point this way," Susan told him.

Harry looked at her confused. "But the Weasley's and I have always come through here."

Amelia nodded. "All muggleborn or raised are required to enter that way. If you were with the Weasleys, that was probably why. Come this way and we will take the floo network."

Harry blinked a time or two then followed along. At the end of the platform he watched a few families apparate away while they entered a small room with six fireplaces. "Our destination is Grace Hall. Susan, you go first."

"Yes, Auntie Ami," Susan replied.

A few minutes later, Harry was standing in a large hall. It had columns that went up two stories with a fountain at one end and a wide staircase at the other. Numerous doors interspersed the marble walls. There was a pattern in marble of various hues that made a large Bones Crest in the center of the hall. The fireplace they had come through was to the left of the stairs and a large set of double doors lay directly across from it.

He looked around in wonder.

Susan and Amelia were looking at him with amused expressions when he noticed them watching his reaction. "Is this Grace Hall?"

"Welcome to the hereditary house of the Bones, at least for the last five generations," Amelia told him. "Susan, do you mind giving him a tour? I have some paperwork I need to complete and then I will be available for you two most of the week."

"Yes, Auntie. Where is Harry's room?"

"I set him up next to you. I don't want either of you wandering out into London until we can give him a tour of the neighborhood. Harry, if you find you need anything, let me know and we will get it this week. Monday morning we are going to the goblins to get your accounts settled and to get your Scion status sorted," she informed him.

"I have been invited to the Greengrasses Monday afternoon at two. Do I need to tell Heiress Greengrass I will be late?" he asked her.

Amelia's eyebrows rose and Susan gave him a smirk. "I wasn't aware we were meeting with them before Wednesday," Amelia stated.

"It is a study session," he told her.

"Lord or Lady Greengrass will be there?"

He made a face. "As far as I know."

Amelia nodded her head. "In the future I would appreciate you ask before you just make plans," she informed him.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Uhm, I have alot of plans for the week," he said, not used to having to ask or even having the opportunity for such events.

He felt Amelia's eyes on him. "Dinner will be in an hour. We will talk about your plans. Do you have plans too, Susan?"

"Hannah invited me over for a sleepover one night this week, but she was going to send an owl to confirm. Hermione Granger also invited Harry and I to Harry's house next Saturday. You already approved all my other activities," Susan responded.

Amelia gave her a curt nod. "Show Harry around and I will see you both for dinner."

"Yes, Auntie." Susan nodded as Amelia went for a door off the main hall.

"That is Auntie's study. We are only allowed in there if she invites us or gives us permission," Susan told him.

"Are there other areas I should stay away from?"

"Auntie only wants us to use the potions or practice rooms if she knows we will be in there. She usually asks one of our elves to watch over me," Susan told him.

"Practice rooms?"

Susan smiled. "Come on," she told him, heading for the left side of the stairs. "Auntie was Lead Auror until she jumped to become the Head of the DMLE about four years ago. She has been training me for years." There were two doors behind the stairs.

"This one is the workout room." Susan opened the door on the left. Inside was a full Muggle work out center, except some of the equipment looked like it belonged in Victorian times. "Auntie only makes one of the elves watch me if I am doing any of the bench weights, otherwise she doesn't care."

"Does that treadmill work," he asked looking at the iron work and slat floor.

Susan chuckled. "Auntie had to get someone in Diagon Alley to build that for her. This room is the one we have to have supervision for."

When Susan opened up the other room, he noticed the mats, dummies, a wooden pole with other sticks of wood on it, a wall with a mirror and lots and lots of swords, knives, spears and other hand-combat weapons. "Auntie is a bit of a non-traditionalist. She has trained most of the hit-wizards in the last decade and she likes to mix magical and muggle fighting."

"Wicked," Harry said, itching to get in here.

"I'll ask her if we can practice in here later."

As they walked though the house, Susan showed him the formal and family dinning rooms, a ball room capable of fitting two hundred or more, two tea rooms and finally the kitchens.

"Missy Susan," a small House elf called to her as it worked over a pot. This house elf looked healthier than the only other one he had seen before. She had some dark hair on her head and fluffy, well-groomed hair in her ears. Her grey eyes were watching what she was doing and the elf was wearing a dress that looked to have been made from a curtain material. It was finely sewn and a small patch with the Bones crest was on her left breast area.

"Hello, Tipsy. Have you seen Minsy or Teacher? I would like to introduce Harry."

"Minsy was making sure the new Master Harry's room was ready and Teacher is helping Mistress Amelia. Oh, is this Master Harry?" The elf commented when she looked up before she stepped off her stool and bowed. Harry copied her.

"Nice to meet you, Tipsy," he said.

Susan looked at him oddly and Tipsy blinked in shock. She looked to Susan who just shrugged. "Harry, most wizards would not bow to a house elf."

"Why?" he asked confused.

"It is not proper, sir," Tipsy responded. "The elf serve the wizard. The elf do as the wizard demand."

Harry pursed his lips. "I will never treat you that way, Tipsy, or any house elf."

Tipsy smiled. "Tipsy not believe your elf how great a wizard you are, but Tipsy see it. Missy Susan, you should get cleaned up. Dinner will be ready very shortly."

"Thank you, Tipsy. Come on, Harry."

Harry was looking at Tipsy. "Tipsy, what do you mean my house elf?"

"Dobby, sir. Dobby has been here a few times to help Minsy get Master Harry's rooms ready," Tipsy told him.

Harry stood there stunned for a moment. "Dobby? I haven't seen him since..."

There was a small pop and Dobby was standing before them. His green eyes looked duller than Harry's, he wore an odd sock on each foot, his pillowcase was bright white and tied like a toga. A small patch was on his left breast. The hair in the house elf's ears were clean, fluffy and nicely brushed out. Harry didn't miss the way Tipsy suddenly stood tall and brushed her dress straight.

Where Tipsy seemed to subconsciously groom herself, Dobby grabbed his ears looking guilty. "The Great Harry, sir," Dobby greeted him.

Harry just stared at Dobby for a moment. "Dobby, why is Minsy saying you are my elf?"

Dobby pulled on his ears. "Dobby is the Great Harry's elf. Dobby vow to serve the Great Harry Potter," Dobby replied.

Harry just looked at Dobby dumbfounded. "Harry, didn't you know?" Susan queried.

"Not the foggiest," Harry replied.

Dobby wasn't looking at them and the way he was wringing his ears had to hurt. "Dobby, don't hurt yourself. When did you become my elf? I thought you were a free elf?"

"When Dobby saw the Great Harry come back to Hogwarts. Dobby has been taking care of all of the Great Harry's things," Dobby told him.

"Right," Harry replied. He looked to Susan. "What does this mean? I don't want to own Dobby if he wants to be free."

"I don't know. Dobby, do you want to be free?" Susan put to the house elf.

Dobby's green eyes finally looked up. "Dobby want to serve the Great Harry."

"Can you just call me Harry?"

"Dobby will try, Great Harry."

He sighed. "Dobby, let's talk later. I won't treat you like the Malfoys and I don't want you working all the time."

"This was the Malfoy's old elf? Auntie may want to talk to him," Susan said with wide eyes.

Dobby crouched and backed away. "Old Masters very bad, very sneaky. Don't make Dobby tell. Dobby can't. Please don't order Dobby to tell."

Harry saw it and he crouched down to Dobby's level. "Dobby, it is alright. I won't order you. I do want to talk later. I would have liked to known you did this. You aren't in trouble though," he added quickly to see Dobby reaching for his ears again. "I don't want you hurting yourself. Do you understand?"

It took a moment, but Dobby shook his head.

"Good."

"Missy Susan and Master Harry, you should go now. Supper will be in about fifteen minutes," Tipsy told them as she moved off to the stove.

"The Great Harry," Dobby called as Susan and him were leaving.

"Yes, Dobby?"

"Dobby didn't mean to do bad," the elf said dejectedly.

"Dobby, you didn't do bad. We will talk later."

Dobby nodded.

Susan took him out of the kitchens and up to the first floor. Susan's room was at the front of the house. "Your room is right there. We will share a bathroom or there is another two doors down. You should get washed up and Auntie likes to be dressed in nice clothes for important meals."

"Ah, sure," Harry told her. She went into her room and Harry opened the door to his.

It was a large room with light blue walls below a molding about waist level and a marbled stone above that. The room was pretty plain right now. There was a large double bed, a small fireplace with two chairs and a small tea table, a desk, an armoire, a bookcase and two other doors. He opened one to find a small walk in closet with lots of built in draws, shelves and hanger space. There were three sets of robes. One was an attractive burgundy with a crest on it that matched his ring, the other two were the traditional wizarding black. There were a few folded shirts, trousers, jumpers and vests. Below them were four pairs of shoes.

Harry blinked. There were more new clothes, and ones that looked like they fit, than he had ever owned. They all looked like nice clothes. Harry was wondering if Amelia wouldn't mind taking him to a muggle store. He would like some jeans and other shirts. Something he never would have dared to ask for before, but if this was his room and house, he wanted to be comfortable and make it look like he lived here. His relatives tried to erase any sign two boys lived at their house.

He took off his clothes and put on a nice pair of trousers and a button down shirt. He wasn't sure how dressed he was supposed to be, but he thought he looked nice in the mirror.

A knock came at the door and he opened it to find Susan had her hair pulled back with a jade comb in her hair. Her green dress highlighted her red hair and developing form. Harry looked at her. He had never known she was that good looking with the uniforms and typical clothes she wore. It wasn't a Daphne pretty, but she was pretty...

WAIT! DAPHNE PRETTY! He caught himself...

"Auntie will be waiting for us. You look nice," Susan said, a little bit of red mingling into the few red freckled on her cheeks. It had a very attractive quality that his thirteen-year-old mind liked.

"Lead the way," Harry offered, closing the door behind him.

The family dining room was a smaller room next to the kitchens. It had a more intimate feel, but still showed off the wealth of the Bones with a huge gilded mirror, silk wall linings, some expensive looking antique furniture and an oval table that could easily accommodate six people.

Amelia sat at the head, facing the door to the main atrium, while Susan and him sat on the sides. Even with the more formal feel to the meal, Harry found it rather nice. Amelia asked them about their semester, and Harry found himself talking more than he usually would about his friends. It was a surreal experience for him compared to his relatives.

They were waiting on desert when Amelia finally broached the subject that all three had been dancing around. "So, you made lots of plans for the week Harry? What is it you are doing?"

"Lord Greengrass has invited me over Monday and Friday afternoons for tutoring sessions with Daphne," Harry hesitated as Amelia's eyebrows rose. "Hermione has invited Susan and I over on Saturday and I was hoping to go to Longmarche to see Neville if I can. He was going to talk to his Gran."

"I think that can all be arranged. I would appreciate you letting me know about your plans before hand in case there are other plans I have for you. I usually will let you and Susan do what you want, but you are a scion of an important House and there will be tutors, meetings and events you will be required to go to. Like tea on Wednesday at Greencross with the Greengrasses and Friday there is a trial set for Regent Black in the morning I thought you might like to attend."

Harry looked up at her. "Sirius is getting a trial? I thought you said that might take a few months," Harry questioned. Sirius had been arrested only a week ago.

"It seems the Minister wants to push this through as fast as possible to get some good publicity. To send a Lord of the Wizengamot to Azkaban without a trial is bad, even if he hasn't taken his seat. To keep them there for over a decade is worse. Grumblings from other Lords about the possibility of it happening to their own houses is devastating to certain Department Heads and the Minister," Amelia commented casually.

"I don't understand why? Fudge wasn't in charge at the time."

"No, but he is in charge now and many have started to look at his policies and who he associates with. This brings me to two large points I would like to talk with you about. First, are you opposed to me acting your Regent and representing your vote? Second, I would like to know what exactly your relationship is with Heiress Greengrass."

Harry swallowed. Susan sat up and was looking between them with rapt attention. He wanted to avoid Daphne at the moment. "Uhm, what do you mean Regent and representing my vote?"

Amelia seemed to get his reticence with how Susan was looking at them. "What ever we discuss tonight is House business. Susan, that means you do not say anything to Hannah."

Susan flushed a little. "I know what it means when you tell me it is House business, Auntie."

"Sometimes I question that with what Gretchen tells me she gets from Hannah," Amelia held Susan's eye.

"I never do anything that wouldn't be considered alright for an ally to know and Hannah never tells anyone besides her parents," Susan countered.

"House business, Susan. This isn't just our House and allies tonight. It is Harry as well. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Auntie." Susan looked properly chastised.

"Regency would mean I would act as the head of your house until you come of age or beyond if you want, Harry. Being your Regent would allow me to manage your accounts and estates, any contracts of Alliance or other official business of your family and would allow me to claim your vote in the Wizengamot. Currently the vote of House Potter is not in use, and it could be used to help many of the goals myself and many of your old allies, and probably new ones, would like to achieve," Amelia told him.

Harry frowned. "You mean you would just be able to do anything you want with my stuff and vote?"

She shook her head. "No. I would not be able to do anything you do not approve of. You can be as involved or not as you want. Being Scion, you will have the permission to meet with me whenever you want while at Hogwarts, either in the school or in Hogsmeade. I would never do anything that is not in the best interest of you and your family. It is the same I do with Susan. She is the rightful heiress to the Bones, and I am only her Regent."

"Oh," he replied. After a moment, he turned to Susan. "Does Amelia let you into all these decisions?"

"Since last summer when I turned thirteen. Auntie always explains everything and what she sees as the possible decisions," Susan told him.

"That is why you know so much about the Wizengamot and the Purebloods?"

Susan nodded. "Auntie always tells me what she knows and encourages me to understand before I ask her to vote or do something in a particular way."

He nodded, still not fully understanding it all, but Amelia had done nothing to show she was untruthful or had any intentions of leading him wrong. "What happens if I don't make you my Regent?"

"Nothing. It will keep your accounts and everything else locked until you come of age though, only managed by the contract your parents signed with the goblins to maintain everything. I would advice it is not prudent to not declare a Regent," Amelia told him.

"I have a choice in Regents?"

"You can contract or declare anyone a Regent, but since I am your magical guardian, I would recommend you let me help you," Amelia recommended. He didn't feel like she was trying to push him, and she was being open and honest. It was a trait that both her and her niece and had.

After a moment, he nodded. "I will agree to have you my Regent."

Amelia gave a nod of acceptance. "We will work out the contract with the goblins Monday morning when we go to Gringotts."

"Is a contract necessary?" Harry asked.

"I think it best to define what responsibilities you would like to give me and what powers I have over your House. Like I said, I will not do anything disadvantageous for you."

A small plate of desert was placed before each of them. Amelia and Susan had some type of cake while he looked down at a treacle tart.

"Now that is settled, I would like to talk with both of you about the Bones position in the Wizengamot, and the potential of many Neutral Houses looking to change their politics. This will have an impact on what I would advice for your vote, Harry," Amelia told him.

"Auntie, you know I won't ever support any bigoted laws, but I support you in a more moderate approach right now," Susan put in.

She nodded to Susan. "I know, Susan. This does bring up the possibility of us being more moderate by working with the Greengrasses and their allies. So, I need to ask you, Harry, what is the relationship and intention towards Heiress Greengrass?"

Harry had taken a forkful of his treacle tart while listening and held it halfway to his mouth. He wasn't sure what exactly he was being asked, but he had a feeling that his friendship with Daphne may hinge on this conversation. "Uhm," he started.

"Harry and Daphne have been studying and having chaperoned outings," Susan started and silenced when Amelia gave her a look.

He put his fork down. "What exactly are you asking, Amelia?"

"Harry, I will not do or advise you to do anything disadvantageous. I also realize you really don't understand the politics around the potential relationship you are starting with Daphne, but it could be a very powerful alliance we will talk about Wednesday, one that could be made more so if the Potters side along with the Greengrasses. The House of Bones would back the alliance, as would many others. It could lead to the destabilization of the Pureblood movements that have dominated the Ministry and our world for decades now," Amelia informed him.

He blinked. "Uhm, sure. I don't understand why I would be at the centre of this alliance or why I would side with the Greengrasses. Shouldn't I have my own opinion?"

Susan looked like she wanted to speak but bit her lip with a look from Amelia.

"Of course you have your own opinion. What I mean by standing by the Greengrasses, is that the Potters and the Greengrasses would be the centre that the other Houses would align with. The last time a Potter or regent took a vote was in nineteen-seventy six. In the time since then and now, many things have changed and you are an unknown to everyone, Harry. I know the Potters have always been more of a Light-neutral House, and if you were to continue to stake that position, or even turn Neutral, that would allow other Houses that have always followed your family to do the same. The Bones, and most likely the Longbottoms, being among them. For the Greengrasses, to move more towards the Neutral-light by aligning themselves with you, would have the same effect."

"What do you mean my House was a Neutral-Light? I thought we always stood with those that opposed the Blood Purist and the psychopaths around Voldemort," he put to her.

Susan took in a sharp breath. Amelia just nodded. "You have, which is why the Potters were always considered towards the light, but much of their politics were always in the middle ground. They voted with all the major blocks, depending on the legislation or when they had to sit trials. It was your ancestors sense of justice that always put them towards the centre. The Potters would oppose the zealots on both side of the spectrum. Well, that was until James. He refused to take up his Lordship on the Wizengamot for reasons I will never know. I don't know what your father's politics were. We were never close cousins, not like James and Sirius. I think that may have been our age difference with me being almost a decade older. I do know he was always trying to protect you, your mother and his friends. I worked with him for three years as an Auror before he was killed. James was a good man and a good Auror."

Harry sat for a few, working to go through all this information.

"Auntie, is this all prep work for the tea on Wednesday?" Susan enquired.

"This is more so Harry understands his position in all this. I do not know how to prep you both for this tea at the moment except to say be on your best behavior, let the adults do the talking unless asked and expect the unexpected. I have a feeling this will be a start to something that will shake the foundations of our society," Amelia told them.

"Why is a tea so important? Wouldn't you just meet and hash out a deal or a handshake?" Harry asked.

Amelia chuckled. "That would be a nice way of doing it, but many of those that follow the old and pureblood ways don't work on a more modern concept of politics or society like in the Muggle world. To tell you the truth, I am not well versed in the Muggle world myself, but I know it works much differently. Teas, galas, balls, even something as simple as a birthday party can have a great significance. We are having tea with five Houses on Wednesday, six if you really do want me to be your regent. All us are high on the social pecking order and the Wizengamot. This will not be a simple tea. Lord Greengrass is a nice man, but a very shrewd politician, a believer in the old ways and always looking for the most potent alliances or deals. He has already assumed that I am your Regent and has broached the potential move of his allies. The tea will be as much of a formal tea between equals as it will be the opening of negotiations for the alliance," she informed him.

"Who is going to be there?" Susan asked.

"Madam Longbottom, Lady Zabini, Lord Davis, obviously the Greengrasses and us. It is the senior members of our two current alliances. The current scions or heiresses will be there as well," Amelia answered.

Harry felt a pit in his stomach. He was not ready for this. "Maybe I should just stay here."

"And miss seeing Daphne?" Susan asked in a coy way.

His cheeks heated a little. "I would rather not embarrass Heiress Greengrass at such an important event."

The knowing smirk Susan gave him had the hard pit turn into a hard stone.

"Tomorrow and Tuesday we will go over the most important rules for the tea and coach you as best as possible. When in doubt, just be quiet or refer them to your Regent," Amelia instructed.

He licked his lips. He wanted to run from this, but he would never be able to look himself in the mirror again if he did. He was a Lion and would find a way to forge through this, and hope Daphne still wanted to be his study partner after it.