Chapter 5 Guardianship Tug-a-War

**OO**

Thanks go to my Beta Amycat8733

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Saturday, August 22, 1992

Breakfast

Harry was reading after his morning training with Marius and Mad-eye. The wizards had left, leaving Harry in the comfortable company of his aunties.

Harry waved from the window as Mad-eye, dressed in the local brown robes stopped to talk to a pair of similarly clad aurors on patrol. Alastor much preferred the Scottish version of robes.

'What were the British thinking? I need a bright red coat so that the enemy can see me better to cast at me?' Mad-eye had ranted more than once. The Master Auror only wore red when he was in the Ministry in London or on special duty.

Harry looked up at his aunties working at their own tasks. Never had Harry felt so peaceful at home. This was very nice.

Harry focused on his research. The lad reread the passage in 'Hogwarts, a History' and made a note.

"Why can I walk to school every day except the first and last day? I have to take the train, even though I live in the village here?" Harry asked.

Blanche answered. "Riding the train isn't about getting to school. It's about bonding with friends. Think about it. Wouldn't you like to ride the train with Hermione?"

"Yeah, I guess I can see it. Hermione got her magic detector working. Mine still isn't."

Hermione hadn't taken the class, but had bought the book for it. That girl could actually learn from books! Something Harry struggled with, unless it had good illustrations and animations of wand movements.

"Oh, but you're trying to detect harmful magic right? That's harder. Which is why I am suggesting the break from trying." Esme informed him gently.

"And why I'm rereading this book. Madam Forsyth an amazing potions professor. But she teaches at Salem. There has to be a way out of Snape's class. Or get extra help during the school year. She promised that I could email her, but we don't have electricity. Or a computer."

"Yes, our world here in Britain doesn't keep up like other magical communities seem to do. I hope you spend some time after Hogwarts exploring the world, Harry. You could do so much in the Wizengamot when you're of age."

"And fight evil men like Lucius Malfoy and Thaddeus Nott with words instead of spells." Harry spat, not liking that prospect at all. "Moody and I have discussed ways other than killing to fight dark lords. I don't mind the social programs. But diplomacy? Politics. No Thanks!"

"War is diplomacy's last resort, or some such nonsense." Said a male voice from the floo room.

"Moody! I didn't expect to see you again today. I finished the drills you assigned."

"I trust you, lad. We have been summoned to a custody hearing. Albus is trying to get you back underhandedly. I can't help but feel he is a bit desperate and I have no idea why. Odd witnesses too. I managed to retain a good lawyer."

That led to chuckles as it was clear they would use Cedrella for this.

"She's been trying to stay out of Dumbledore's sight, but this is too important. Counselor Greengrass got the hearing postponed. Albus had called the original meeting for one hour ago, without notifying any of us. Special task force to judge too. A bunch of Fudge's group. Fortunately, Amelia Bones supported Cedrella. It was close. Too close."

Harry looked green at that. Harry Potter awarded to Lucius Malfoy as guardian would severely affect his breathing abilities! Malfoy would likely bribe any amount to get his hands on Harry. The consequences of which were unthinkable.

Of course, would being handed over to Dumbledore actually be safer?

Harry looked at his Aunties, and stood. "Alastor, please listen. If I am taken away from you all, let Pepper close up everything here. Just get them out. Don't tell me where you go. What I don't know, I can't spill. Take them someplace safe. Far away from Death Eaters hitting decent men in public. Far away from headmasters and their cunning plans.

"I will do everything I can to get away from him.

"I don't want to just survive, now that I know what it feels like to live! I want to live, Mad-eye! And live well!"

Harry was clearly terrified that his new family would wind up dead or worse should the Headmaster or Fudge get their way. Just to end this family option for Harry Potter.

"Dumbledore wasted a lot of Potter resources. Bad investments. I asked a wizarding business advisor to look over the books. I just got the report. It's very bad, Alastor." Esme informed quietly, putting said report in his hands.

"Perfect. Well, not perfect in the sense that this is good news. But I will get this to Cedrella. Dress robes everyone." Moody commanded as he went to the guest room where he kept spare clothes on hand for himself.

The ladies were ready in ten minutes, a record that Harry would never mention. But he was touched by their caring.

**OO**

Cygnus came out of the Ministry floos about the same time as Blanche did.

Moody hurried on to his next task, happy to see Cygnus take over escort duties.

"Trying to overturn your custody? What's Dumbledore doing?" Cygnus demanded.

"Albus Dumbledore left a fifteen-month-old wizard with Lily Potter's magic-hating sister and her equally hateful husband. They tried to beat and starve the magic out of the boy." Blanche spat

"You speak truly? This isn't just about Dumbledore trying to force another contract?"

"I'd swear a magical oath, but I have the report with me for this upcoming little fiasco."

"Let me see it. I trust Marius' work and word."

The man crunkled the report in his hand. "If I had died, and someone treated my children like this…"

Esme took the parchment back with a sigh, trying to straighten it.

"It's nearly time. I want Harry to use the loo before we go in."

"Auntie Blanche! I'm not three!"

"But she is right. Let me take him, I swear on my magic I will never harm the boy. Not now, not ever. Family first. Forever. Come Harry." Cygnus commanded.

**OO**

Walking into court, wearing the best robes Harry had ever owned, the Potter heir tried to look confident. He didn't want to come across like some arrogant Malfoy wanna-be.

Just not a beaten house-elf.

Amelia nodded a greeting to Auror Moody. Alastor sat down on Harry's left, and his auror protégée moved into place on Harry's other side.

The switch was very subtle, and it only took a moment, but suddenly Alastor Moody was now at Harry's right, and Mad-eye on Harry's left was gone.

Tonks winked at Harry, but said nothing. Other than the wrong aftershave, she made a decent Moody.

Harry didn't know what was going on, but knew he had a part to play later. He was looking forward to playing 'scare the adults'.

After seeing the memories of what happened with Voldemort and the Philosopher's stone, Director Bones was concerned. After hearing from more than one person about the death threats coming out of Azkaban, and knowing that the Dark one was trying to return, something that made her on edge. It was her duty to protect people.

If Harry Potter was put into Albus Dumbledore's custody, Amelia Bones would act to rescue him. If Harry Potter was given to Lucius Malfoy, no. Dumbledore would use every resource to prevent that. But still, she wanted a bit of trustworthy backup. Which was why she asked Moody to the trial. Huh. She thought he had sat on the boy's other side. Well, Moody was there, and that's what mattered.

Dumbledore tried to get Harry's attention. Part of the agenda was getting the Potter boy's custody back after all.

The 'special' tribunal was cancelled, and Dumbledore's request to overturn Harry Potter's custody was added to the regular Wizengamot session.

The Wizengamot meeting went through the normal opening routine, and for a couple of hours was quite dull. Harry actually dozed on 'Mad-eye's' shoulder for a time. Then suddenly it was Dumbledore's turn on the roster.

Dumbledore's pleas were long, jumbled and full of flowery rhetoric that boiled down to 'Harry Potter was in danger until he was returned to Dumbledore's custody. Tonks scoffed, and reassured Harry in a whisper that the crazy headmaster had just made Cedrella's case for them.

Cedrella Greengrass, Marius' cousin and also another niece of his Aunties, was an unmarried witch who had been in love with Sirius Black since when she was in school.

It was rumored that the seventh year Slytherin girl had taken the Gryffindor fifth year boy in hand, and taught him a thing or two about broom closets.

True or not, she was the one who had been in contact with Sirius, and obtained his signature for the Greengrass aunties to take custody. An action that was going to be challenged now.

"Sirius Black lost his legal rights once he was sent to Azkaban!" Dumbledore concluded. "I should still be recognized as the boy's legal and rightful guardian. I am going to prove that his current guardians are negligent!"

A series of cronies all came up and swore that Albus Dumbledore was Merlin's gift to magic, and the world would be a better place if everyone all just listened to him. After more than an hour of rhetoric, the Wizengamot was getting restless.

Amelia cleared her throat and made a motion with her wand. 'Get on with it!'

Albus Dumbledore called on the next witness.

"Oh Aye! I've seen the boy washing windows on his broom. A more natural flyer, I've never seen! Did a good job too!"

"How much?" a jokester in the crowd called out.

"Five sickles a side, but I only do windows I can reach on a broom." Harry responded with a smile.

"Are you objecting to a child earning pocket money, Mr. Dumbledore? Next, you're going to tell me he can't work in the shop afterschool or summers." Auntie Blanche asked innocently.

The packed visitors' gallery tittered at that.

"The boy could be hurt! He could lose his balance and fall!" Dumbledore objected.

"Oh, did that happen during quidditch? Does that explain one of the thirteen concussions the boy received since he was fifteen months old?" Cygnus Greengrass sneered.

"No, the boy's not been hurt flying. Not even during practice. He is quite a good flyer." Dumbledore admitted.

"So, you want to compare a gentle float of one or two stories to quidditch? The junior league had a ceiling of about ten times that high. And no, Harry wasn't hurt this summer either." Blanche added sweetly, brushing a short blonde curl back.

"But Death Eaters could target him, and endanger others! That's why he needs to be kept hidden."

"Two points. The first is that Master Auror Moody has come up with a rotation that allows more British aurors to go to Hogsmeade in cooperation with the small local force that is already there. No one wants any Death Eater attacks in Hogsmeade after a decade of peace." Counsellor Greengrass nodded to 'Moody' who nodded back.

There was applause at this sensible approach to safety.

"The second is this. We must make sure that anyone caught in any sort of Death Eater raid will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. In the past, people were afraid to take up wands against a Death Eater. The witches and wizards of Britain are starting to understand that to do nothing is to accept rule by terrorism."

Cedrella paused, realizing that she had the Wizengamot's full attention now.

"There was a petition submitted to the Hogsmeade council in Stirling Castle recently to allow the formation of a Scottish militia. This would allow aurors to train reserve unit volunteers to aid in case of serious attacks in the village. No one in Hogsmeade wants to return to a life of living in fear."

Several in the gallery clapped, and aimed glares at several dark members whose gold had kept them from Azkaban.

Counsellor Greengrass was interrupted by Lucius Malfoy standing and shouting. "You don't expect the Wizengamot to just do nothing while the barefooted, ignorant natives of the Highlands threaten the peace? We will never stand for an independent Ministry of Magic in Scotland. Never!"

"The Ministry of Magic Scotland deals with all muggle related court matters, and with mudbloods, I mean muggleborns, sorry my lady. That's the extent of their power." The tall poncy man next to Nott, Edmund Parkinson stated firmly. He and Lucius were sharing a look.

Several dark members shook fists, and Tonks nodded. Both the auror trainee and the lad Moody was training kept a close eye on the ones shouting.

Harry noted that Nott kept his own counsel, and didn't react in the slightest. Interesting. Of all wizards there, Harry thought that wizard might be the most dangerous. Well, after Dumbledore.

Amelia sent off a noise-making charm and brought the trial back to a semblance of order.

Cedrella then refocused her arguments on her main foe.

"You are right, Dumbledore. Several Death Eaters escaped conviction. In fact, did you know that one recently attacked Mr. Potter? Yes, it's true. On school grounds, as he was leaving a summer class." Cedrella continued. "Tried to kidnap him."

Dumbledore hadn't heard of this. "Was the boy badly hurt?"

"Harry Potter? No, not at all. The boy-who-lived used his quick reflexes to get away" Cedrella stated.

The visitors' gallery broke out in clapping and cheers at that.

"And while Mr. Potter could have attacked the man with some kind of deadly spell, as he did get the drop on him, as they say, he used a defensive spell alone. Non-lethal." The barrister added.

"Did the lad file a complaint? This should be followed up!" Head of House Greengrass demanded.

"As a matter of fact, Cygnus, I filed one on his behalf. I don't know if the DMLE is particularly busy, but Harry hasn't been called in yet to testify." Blanche offered.

"And this is what needs to stop! We must prosecute such actions immediately and with penalties that show we as a society no longer condone such actions!" Cedrella demanded.

"Who attacked him?" Several people called, but Dumbledore had twigged, and was trying to push on.

"That is not relevant to this discussion…" Albus tried.

Harry Potter stood in the witness seat, and shouted out. "Severus Snape! He called my girlfriend a very bad name, and tried to drag me back to the muggle world. He would have kidnapped me if I had not escaped. I swear this is the truth!"

A golden glow lit Harry Potter, and even more people could really see him. See how small he was for his age.

Calls for the potion master's head on a pike along with other penalties were floated.

Lucius Malfoy scowled at his own lack of control. He put away his own petition for the boy's guardianship. If he did petition now, with the mood of the crowd, he'd be questioned under Vertitiserum or worse. Lucius did not want to be forced into making some kind of unbreakable vow to not harm Harry Potter. That would be a disaster if his own plans came to pass at Hogwarts.

Narcissa glared at her husband from the gallery, seeing cowardice in his caution.

Dumbledore dismissed his witness quietly, and tried to scramble. Albus had no influence on the council of Hogsmeade! In fact, over the years, they had had more and more people petition to remove him from his position as Headmaster!

The fact that Dumbledore had done everything possible to eliminate the Scottish Ministry of Magic was conveniently ignored by the man.

Cedrella stood. "Mr. Dumbledore, if you are through, I believe it is my turn?"

"Dumbledore? Your next witness?" Amelia called.

Albus shook his head, then put that head in his hands. Nothing was going right! Remus Lupin had failed him, and rumors were that he had fled the country. Lupin had a job to do, and time was running out! Now, more people were seeing Harry Potter as he was.

"Counselor Greengrass, you may begin your defense." Madam Bones intoned.

Cedrella, a Rubenesque witch with honey-blonde hair, with sparkling blue eyes the color of a Mediterranean Sea, was the epitome of beauty in the wizarding world. This alone gave her an advantage in this wizard-dominated arena. They certainly paid attention to her.

The men also tended to disregard her intellect; to their detriment.

"Mr. Dumbledore wants you to think that Harry Potter's new guardians are being careless with his safety, or worse, careless with the safety of Hogsmeade village. The only truly magical village. This village has local aurors running regular Auror patrols. In the shadow of Hogwarts, this village boasts ancient wards. Soon, the village may have its own militia. Those attacked in the past had their houses boarded up, set on fire, and the miscreants would then leave their victims to their fate. Gone are the days of cowering to these monsters! Miscreants snooping around, or casting fire in Hogsmeade will now get it not just from our constabulary but from neighbors and friends! From dear Aunt Sally to Uncle Phelonions! The citizens would band together! Will band together!"

The visitor's gallery clapped in agreement. The village was small, but it was a community.

"Does Hogsmeade want Harry Potter to leave?" Cedrella demanded.

Boos and shouts of 'nays' filled the air. The shops had noticed increased sales due to 'Potter' watching. People were coming out, hoping to glimpse the boy.

"Now, let me quiz young Harry. How do you like living with your aunties?"

"They are wonderful! They are teaching me all sorts of things about the wizarding world I didn't know. Soon, we'll have a shop, and I'll be able to help repair stuff. And when I'm older, I want to learn how to enchant things. Better than my bathroom mirror that keeps telling me I look a bit of a mess and need to brush my hair. I mean, I think I have cursed hair!"

Everyone laughed at that. The Potter hair was almost as infamous as the Potter heir was famous.

"And how do they discipline you if you do something wrong?"

"Well, one thing they don't do is lock me in a cupboard under the stairs for a week with no food. That is not fun, I'll tell you. Well, mostly it's taking away privileges like flying, or having my friends over. I haven't been grounded. Well, at least not yet."

People twittered with that bit of honesty.

"But they feed me every day, and our house elf is always trying to feed me extra snacks. And I get to read and study ahead, and I've already done all of my summer homework. They want me to do well in school. I got beaten to a bloody mess when I did better than my muggle cousin. Oh! I wasn't swearing there, I promise!"

Boos and shouts of 'who wants to go muggle hunting!' were heard in the crowd.

"But my aunties are really proud of my grades this summer, and I want to keep making them proud by doing the best I can."

Again, spontaneous applause burst out, and this time, several people from the Wizengamot joined in.

"Harry, when you were with your muggle relatives, how many times did Dumbledore visit you?"

"Now, Miss Greengrass, that really isn't a relevant question." Dumbledore interjected.

"I think it is. Please answer, Mr. Potter." Amelia Bones declared.

"Never. I didn't know I was a wizard until Hagrid brought me my Hogwarts letter. And that was a strange day I tell you! I thought Vernon was going to shoot him for sure, but Hagrid tied up his rifle into a knot. Then Hagrid took me to the alley, and bought me my owl, and picked up the Philosopher's stone to hide in Hogwarts. And that was another mess. I mean, I had to stop Voldemort from getting it so he wouldn't come back to life…"

The screaming taking place was louder than the shouting, but Alastor had emphasized the importance of getting this bit of information out.

A cannon blast shot brought quiet. "Mr. Potter, are you telling us that you defeated You-know-who again last year?" Augusta Longbottom called out.

"Not just the once, no. I came up against him several times. Oh, and he tried to kill my girlfriend with a troll. Right nasty beast. So, Voldemort deserved to die for that alone. No one tries to hurt Hermione without repercussions."

Gasps and shrieking of the forbidden name hid the signal to Tonks of Moody's return.

Alastor was back.

A fuming and frustrated Lucius Malfoy stood. "The boy is clearly lying. He's enjoying all of this attention!"

"Give me veritaserum, and cast a truth spell! Or better yet, let me call my elf, and show you the memory. I'll swear it's real. Pepper! Bring the pensieve!"

Popping up next to Amelia was a display pensieve. Before anyone could stop him, Harry had the prepared memory playing, from just after he drank the potion to go through the flames.

"So, we meet again Potter. Look at what you have reduced me to." Voldemort said, causing screams and out cries, but when the possessed man was burnt up, there was first quiet then applause.

"Potter deserves an Order of Merlin for that! Well done, lad!" One man shouted. "Wandless magic at his age!" "Powerful wizard" "Why haven't we heard about this before?"

Dumbledore looked crushed.

"Not only that, but Mr. Potter is learning family magics for the first time. Dumbledore never gave Harry Potter access to the Potter Grimoire, and I for one want to show the court that this boy has been learning so much from his summer schooling. Madam Bones? I have a small demonstration." The barrister claimed.

"Go ahead, Counselor Greengrass." Amelia looked confused, but this was too important an issue, so allowed it.

Three dueling dummies were brought in, wearing Lestrange robes, and clearly labeled with the names of the famous Death Eaters.

"Are you sure Miss Greengrass? I don't want to get into trouble." Harry said in a small voice.

"Mr. Potter, I assure you. Even if they were here, they deserve death. They killed beloved members of my family." Cedrella stated flat out.

Harry looked to Madam Bones. "Do I have your permission to cast?"

"In my personal opinion, they really should have been sentenced to be Kissed." Madam Bones started, but was interrupted by the crowd. "They are still dangerous."

There were several people who shouted out denials, but she hadn't been in charge back of the department then.

"These three, along with Barty Crouch Jr and others, slaughtered much of my family, and tortured many others. Good people's lives were destroyed. I think I see what's going on here. You may proceed, Mr. Potter. Do aim carefully."

There were far louder shouts "Go for it, lad!" "Show us what you've got!" "Go Potter!"

Harry took a deep breath and concentrated.

"I was recently warned by several aurors who heard it firsthand that these three want to kill me just as soon as their Master returns and releases them from prison. I won't put up with being threatened! And they hurt my family. This isn't revenge, but a demonstration of what will happen if they try. I will stand up to them. In self-defense and justice!

"For my Godmother and her husband, and the Longbottom family!" Harry shouted, and then whispered a strange incantation.

The witches in the crowd reacted with blushes, the men recoiled, as the magic in the room grew. Then suddenly, all three dummies, one after another, had a hole drilled in the center of their foreheads.

The crowd at first was silent, and then almost all of them were cheering. The ones that weren't looked positively green.

Anyone encountering that spell would be instantly dead, and it wasn't an unforgiveable.

"I want it known here and now that I won't take prisoners if attacked again. I will kill to protect my friends and myself. I won't go out looking for Death Eaters who escaped. But if they come looking for me, they had best be prepared for a fight. I won't hold back. I have been released from bondage. I won't go back." Harry Potter stated.

Harry turned to Dumbledore. "Your muggle stooges couldn't kill me. I tried to transfer to a different school and was told that I had to stay at Hogwarts. I testify to you now that if you try to kill me again, I won't hold back!"

Harry's eyes glowed with power. On cue, a fourth dummy was wheeled into court. This one was labeled Dumbledore wearing what appeared to be a set of his robes.

Amelia Bones took over. "I think that we've seen enough of Harry's capabilities. Moody, can you please remove this?"

'Mad-eye' stumbled a little on the step, but wheeled the dummy back out of the room.

The auror returned, his walk slightly different, but came to rest besides Harry.

The smell was distinctly Alastor Moody. Musky, a bit of wand-polish, and a splash of some manly aftershave. The magic was different too, but most people couldn't sense that.

Moody glared at Dumbledore, who was still in shock at seeing a dummy of him, and Harry ready to cast at it.

"You see? Clearly these Greengrass sisters are a menace, and during the boy dark!"

"Dumbledore, you are out of order. Counsellor, do you have anything else to add?" Amelia was clearly on Harry's side in this.

"I have requested a healer from St. Mungo's to cast a diagnostic spell on Harry Potter to document his improvement since being rescued from his previous legal guardians. I petitioned Harry's health records and proof of immunizations from the matron at Hogwarts. She's done no wellness check, and had not done any preventative measures on Dumbledore's orders. I submit that proof. Harry Potter now is vaccinated against Dragon Pox. A disease that took his great-grandparents, and Potter gold was spent to find a cure. While that cure has not yet been found, a vaccine now exists for a dreadful disease that killed hundreds if not thousands. What a terrible way to pay back this gift of health than to withhold such from their grandchild."

"Discovering the boy had been denied that life-saving vaccine had several healers very angry." The barrister testified, and submitted proof as she spoke.

Dumbledore tried to object, but was shot down.

An older healer in the same hideous green robes that Marius wore, only with the St. Mungo's sigil stepped forward.

"Other than the cursed scar in his forehead that is the same, everything else has improved. You are smart to follow the Healer's plan for eating, young man. Getting the right nutrients is essential for magical growth." The kind woman spun to Dumbledore. "I am putting together a petition that will prevent you from being anyone's guardian ever again. You are far too busy to actually care for your charges. We've seen several muggleborn since this news came out. Lack of vaccines is just one issue. Potion's toxicity from pranks or whatnot at school. All of them unvaccinated. You twit! You arrogant monster! You do not take your responsibilities seriously, and should be removed from your post, young man!"

A silent stinger connected from her wand to Dumbledore's posterior.

Since the witch in question was born when Napoleon was on the throne, Albus to her was young.

"Scribe, make a note to send a letter to Professor McGonagall, and get her to arrange vaccines. This is a situation that could prove deadly. And is easily solved." Madam Bones stated. "Tell her House Bones will sponsor if funds are needed."

Several others offered gold as well, including some of the darker families. Dragon pox was virulent, and could easily spread if not contained. It was to everyone's benefit to prevent an epidemic.

"I'd be happy to help with that effort personally, Director." The healer offered. The healer took down names of those that pledged gold.

"Amelia, there haven't been…" Dumbledore started, but was shot down.

Harry thought that the long lives of witches and wizards made for a very interesting culture, and explained why it was slow to adapt to all of the fast-paced changes of the twentieth century.

"I don't see anything wrong with Mr. Potter's current guardians, but I am certainly dubious about both the muggle and magical guardians that Harry Potter was previously burdened with. Wizengamot. Vote now. Vote now if you want to remove Mr. Potter from his current guardians." Director Bones called.

Three faint wands were raised. That one of them was from the Potter regent made Harry feel sad. Sadder. The man, Elephant Doge or something, a dear friend of Dumbledore's, wouldn't step down. Claiming he had the right to the seat until Harry was of age.

Auntie Esme was working on it.

"All for confirming his guardianship?" Amelia Bones called out.

While there were several abstentions, including Lucius Malfoy, Harry couldn't help but notice that Cygnus Greengrass voted for Harry's family. He nodded to the man, and went over to hug Cedrella Greengrass.

"This case is now closed. There will be a break for luncheon, and the Wizengamot will resume at 2 pm this afternoon." Amelia's wand sent out a short sharp bang.

"Congratulations, Mr. Potter. I hope that you have many happy years with your new family." Cedrella stated. "Me being a part of it too, of course."

"Thank you, Miss Greengrass. I hope that we can add Sirius someday." Harry replied.

"It's Cedrella, Harry. Oh, and remember. One bite at a time, Mr. Potter." Cedrella reminded him. "One bite at a time."

As they avoided reporters, and shook hands with regular people, Esme asked. "What did she mean?"

"It's how you eat a hippogryff. It means while we have a lot of work, we just keep going." Harry explained.

"Mr. Potter, I own the Three Broomsticks. How would you like a job cleaning the outside windows?" One very striking witch asked.

"I'd love to do so. I'll come by tomorrow, and we'll talk."

"First butterbeer is free!" Madam Rosmerta offered.

"Sounds great!" Harry claimed, and ran to the floos, leaving his aunties dodging the crowds.

**OO**

Narcissa's cool look to her husband spoke volumes as she slipped passed him on the way to the floos.

Lucius was willing to try to explain, but didn't feel it was worth the effort. He would talk to his friends at the party planned.

Yes, that was the ticket out of trouble with his lovely wife.

**OO**

Monday August 31, 1992

Afternoon, Hogsmeade house

August was meant to be family time. A lot of parents took off from work. Everyone just enjoyed being together.

The Granger family had gone to the beach for fun. They also went to several estate sales together, and had a wonderful time.

Pepper was going through the magical things that the Grangers had found. They were using Hermione's bracelet to detect magic, make an offer on the item, and Pepper would invisibly pack it home, scanning to make sure it was safe.

There was a surprising number of warm-charmed quilts, and stay-cool glasses for drinks that were just ignored by muggles. Common items that had accidentally fallen into muggle hands.

Anything dangerous was delivered directly to the Misuse of Muggle Artifact office in a special bag Moody gave them.

Arthur wrote a letter of thanks to the Grangers for helping him with his job!

The shop was nearly ready to open. An advertisement offering to buy last years out-grown student robes and used textbooks went very well. The shop shelves were no longer empty.

Pepper was smug about being able to remove stains from soiled robes better than the muggle cleaners.

Harry was going to stay overnight with the Weasleys, a recognition that they were friends and go to school with Ron on the first.

The Weasley parents made it clear that if Ginny made any trouble at all, there would be repercussions.

Since it was likely that they were going to be sharing a common room, at least for the times Harry stayed over at Hogwarts, the lad reluctantly agreed to the plan that his Aunties and Arthur had come up with.

Harry was worried that the Aunties were tired of him, but the truth was that they were concerned about Harry's safety getting to the platform, and Mad-eye was on a different duty.

So, Harry was packing up. The harps were already shrunken, and in his bag. Hermione was staying with her parents for now and they would meet up on the train.

After Harry had given his aunties a hug goodbye, Harry went into the floo. It was the oddest thing. He could have sworn that he saw a bludger heading straight for him for a minute, but the danger passed, and he was stepping out at the Burrow, safe and sound.

That was weird.

Harry removed the power inhibitor that allowed him safer travel, and a smoother exit. It was a bracelet Harry had to wear if class ever had him casting towards others. Just in case. Both he and Tonks had benefited from Marius' lessons using the power inhibiting device, both with the floo and in Fight Club to simulate magical exhaustion.

Though Tonks kept talking about handcuffing Marius for odd penalties that Harry hadn't heard of.

Girls were weird.

**OO**

Tuesday, Sept 1, 1992

About 11:00 am, King's Cross Station

"No Ron! Think! We can floo to my aunties, or to the Three Broomsticks. I'm not going to betray your parent's trust by taking your dad's car! No!"

Harry felt on eggshells around Ron as it was. Now, they were fighting because they couldn't get through the barricade, and Ron wanted to use the flying car.

"But Harry! It's going to be an adventure! Just us!" Ron whined, diving for the keys in Harry's hands that Harry had taken out of the car. Muggle repelling charms had saved the car from being stolen. But Harry intended to warn Mr. Weasley about that practice.

"So that's it! You and Ginny have both made nasty comments about Hermione and I being together. You're still on that. You're jealous of me being with someone! Well, Ron, I hate to break it to you, but I'm not interested in you in that way." Harry tried to make his tone teasing, but he was actually angry.

Harry had never gotten into trouble with his aunties. Stealing a car was bad. Very bad. Muggles, even children, could be sent to some kind of prison for that criminal act. After hearing about Azkaban, there was no way Harry would do something like that. Even if the police didn't catch them, Harry didn't want to think what his aunties would do to him.

Images of a forlorn, glove-wearing house-elf; cold, hungry and sad in the rain came to mind. No!

The youngest seeker in a century easily dodged the larger boy's grab for the car keys.

"Fine! You don't want to come; you don't have to! Give me the keys, get your stuff, and let me go before I lose the train!" The red-head shouted, the need for an adventure with Harry driving him nearly insane.

"Ron! You are being ridiculous! You're twelve! How can you expect to drive that far with no food, no petrol or money for it? And no loo, either!" Harry pointed out logically. "Do you even know how to drive?"

If Ron was thinking, he would have stopped at the idea of no food. Percy had the picnic hamper with everyone's food for the trip that Harry's house-elf provided. The train ride would have been great with all that food and the butterbeers. But Harry was right. The trip would take hours, and they would have nothing to eat or drink. And how could he drive that far without a bathroom break?

But Ron wasn't thinking – he was just angry and jealous. Hermione was stealing his best friend, and now Harry didn't want to go on an adventure without her! It was all her fault!

Ron had stopped trying to get the keys, so Harry had stopped dodging back and forth. Ron extended his hand for shaking and walked slowly forward. The fist coming at his nose was so sudden and so unexpected, that Harry didn't have time to dodge that blow.

Blood spurted everywhere, and Harry fell to the ground. The boys had gone far enough away from the car's muggle repelling field that people saw. A bobby came over, and stopped Ron from hitting Harry again.

"Hey now! What's all this then? Where are your parents, son?" The policeman asked Harry while keeping Ron back.

"He's got my car keys! He stole them, and I want them back!" Ron complained.

"Bit young for drivin', aren't you?" The bobby asked. "I think I see where your parents are."

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came up at that point.

"My word! Harry! Are you alright? Who did this?" Mrs. Weasley was demanding, shouting, but she saw the miscreant as her husband did.

Mr. Weasley had very good observational skills once he got going. He saw the bruised knuckles of his youngest son as well as the bungled nose on their young guest.

"Officer, we'll take over from here. I assure you that Ronald will be punished for punching Harry."

"Where are you parents, son?" The bobby asked Harry, looking around before releasing him.

"They're dead, sir. Killed by a terrorist when I was a baby. I was staying with the Weasleys." Harry pointed to Arthur Weasley.

"I'm sorry to hear that. You don't have to go with them if you feel unsafe. I can take you back to the station house."

The bobby had seen no bruises on Harry's fist, and was clearly worried for the boy.

"The Weasleys have been very nice. Well, most of them." Harry said, standing a little behind Mrs. Weasley."

"We're taking the boys to school. We really must be going." Mrs. Weasley claimed.

"Here's my card, son. You can always call me later." The bobby glared at Ron. "People who hit their friends soon find themselves alone, little boy. Learn from this, and use your words in future. I'll let you off with a warning this time."

Harry handed the car keys to Mr. Weasley, looking very sad.

"Come over to the car, Harry, so I can fix your nose." Mrs. Weasley said kindly. "It was smart of you to prevent Ron from taking the car. Oh, I know without you saying a word. Ron and Ginny both inherited the Prewitt temper. Ron, say nothing except an apology if you speak at all."

Ron glared at Harry behind his mother's back.

Harry asked for permission to go to Gringotts before returning to school. Since the most affordable way to Hogwarts was to either take the Knight Bus or floo from the Leaky Cauldron, a short walk away, they agreed. Mr. Weasley shrunk both trunks.

Harry was glad he had left Hedwig at home in Hogsmeade.

"Mr. Weasley, are there employment agencies in the wizarding world?" Harry asked.

"Why Potter, what to rent a new friend?" Ron sneered, and then yelped as Molly's wandless stinger reached his posterior.

The glares Ron sent worried the Weasley parents, as they thought Harry was a very nice boy, and had been a good influence on Ron.

They quickly agreed to split up and get the boys back to Hogwarts before the train arrived.

They both wondered if this had anything to do with the letter Ron had received from Hogwarts. To them, it showed nothing. No words at all.

Both Arthur and Molly were worried what would happen if Harry no longer wanted to be friends with their son. They were right to be concerned.

**OO**

A/N Story recommendations: the completed Redefining Summer by loralee1.

If you have any favorite fics you would like to recommend, please pm me, VashonBeader.

Thanks for reading!