I don't own Harry Potter or any rights pertaining thereto. This story will start with Harry Potter in the King's Cross Waiting Room and be AU to canon. Pairings may or may not be canon. Events may not be as first published by JK Rowling and are not intended to suggest new canon.
The moon set at 18:30 on 6 June 1994 and was a waning, not full moon. For this story the date will be kept as published as a full moon in The Prisoner of Azkaban and moonrise will by 18:30, when Remus Lupin began to change into his werewolf form. The sunset at around 21:00 will be 21:40 in story to reflect Hogwarts northerly location.
As per the request of a reviewer, I have uprated this story to an M for a few episodes, starting with this one. I should also flag the previous episode for underage sex. I hasten to add that no sex occurs in that chapter, though there is one scene that may be construed as a sexual situation.
Harry James Potter awoke sweating like a pig. It was 24 July 1994, a Sunday. It wasn't that his usually vile relatives were doing something nasty to him. It was what Harry, a wizard, had been doing. First, he had cast a spell that nearly exterminated the Goblins. The Dwarves had completed that task in retaking Gringotts. Harry's Charms Professor, Professor Flitwick was a half-goblin. Harry hadn't spoken with him since and did not have a clue what to say. 'Sorry I nearly wiped out your people, I didn't mean to' didn't really cut it. Harry's most recent set of killings had been up close and personal defending his Protected from a bunch of year mates who wanted to finish the job they had started with an earlier ambush. That was 7 teenage wizards and witches to add to the innumerable number of Goblin deaths. He'd been angry with the Goblins. That didn't make it right, but it was understandable. Hell, who was he kidding? He'd been told he was a weapon of war and someone had done just that and used him as one. If he'd not lost his temper, he couldn't have been used that way. He could do something about it, in the future, so he didn't nearly wipe another race out, accidentally.
Harry had no choice with the Hogwarts 7. It was a matter of upholding his family honour. It would be the same, when he faced their parents. Duty and Honour would be his reasons for killing. It would be kill or be killed. That was a relatively clean reason for killing. Did that justify it? His conscience said it didn't. They'd been children, no older or not much older than he. Did they understand what they had died for? They'd been brought up to believe in Pureblood supremacy.
What he had planned for Dudley and his gang and his relatives was revenge. No other word for it. He'd even enjoy their deaths. That was going Dark, for sure. They had liked Harry Hunting; now he'd turn the tables. He'd give them a chance, which was more than they'd ever done for him. Harry was taking the chance to wipe the slate clean. That's why he'd come back. Sirius needed Pettigrew caught to be free. Alive, but not free left him wrapped around Dumbledore's little finger. Sirius was now free, beyond Dumbledore's power to manipulate.
How could Hermione who was so very smart not see that He, Harry James Potter, had to be emancipated in order to set things straight? Until he destroyed that damned de-illuminator, Hermione could never be free of Dumbledore. Her life was sacrosanct. Harry would have to train her to fight. She had not fought and that had taken Dobby out of the fight. Dobby had to protect Hermione. Hermione had sent her parents away after Dumbledore had died. That meant Dumbledore had held them over her, whilst he lived. That meant Harry couldn't ward their home and business offices with wards he'd learned off Hermione, who had probably learnt them off Dumbledore. He'd have ended up setting wards that Dumbledore could easily bypass.
One other death Harry had been the proximate cause of was that of Gellert Grindelwald. That man should have died at the end of the second world war. He'd been sentenced to death, by Tribunal, and had been kept alive by Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore broke that law and numerous others that he had sworn to uphold by virtue of his offices. Harry felt no guilt about killing Gellert Grindelwald. The treasures of Nurmengard were now his. Harry was depriving Dumbledore of a lot of resources in the process. If Harry were very lucky, Dumbledore would think that Grindelwald had escaped from the magic that had been placed on him.
Amelia Bones had sent Aurors to arrest Dumbledore. Dumbledore allowed himself to be arrested. The Daily Prophet reporters were in attendance. Dumbledore was whistling as he entered Amelia's office.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Hermione Jean Granger and Harry James Potter."
"Amelia, I don't know what you've been told or by whom, but I have never attempted to murder either of those children." Dumbledore hadn't wanted to kill either of them. He wanted Harry to be used to being thrown into dangerous situations to prepare him to sacrifice his life against Tom, when the time came.
Amelia had forgotten that veritaserum was not infallible. The subject would say what they believed the truth to be. Ron was mistaken as to Dumbledore's intentions. Dumbledore rubbed it in.
"I was immensely proud that Harry risked his life to save Hermione Granger from a mountain troll. That pride has, I am afraid gown, as he risked it all to defend the school against a basilisk and I am almost overwhelmed by the loyalty he must have shown me to get Fawkes' help. I did expect him to use Buckbeak to free Sirius. I am saddened by the loss of Sirius Black, a man who was later shown to have been innocent. I am also saddened by Harry's first failure. I am not seeking his life for that."
Amelia Bones had been sucker punched. She couldn't even arrest Dumbledore for the things he was admitting. He could claim his actions were perfectly logical in defence of the Greater Good. Amelia Bones had to release Dumbledore with the full and certain knowledge that this was going to come back and bite her and the Ministry. She could already see Rita Skeeter writing the story that would eviscerate her handling of this case. Ron had been mistaken about this, what else was he mistaken about? There was no point re-interviewing him. In the first place, Ron's beliefs would remain the same and in the second place, he was now prepared. Ron Weasley was ordered released. Rita Skeeter would also interview him. Amelia would have to hope Fudge was in a good mood. Somehow, she doubted that. All the goodwill the Ministry had generated from Sirius Black's exoneration, she had now lost or would once the Daily Prophet hit the streets on Monday.
Ron Weasley hadn't enjoyed his overnight stay in Ministry holding cells. He resented all the money spent on Ginny. So did the rest of their siblings, except Bill. All those expensive Young Harry Potter books. Ron had read them and that's why he'd wanted everything that Harry Potter had and had shaken hands to that effect. It hadn't taken him long to realise that the real Harry Potter was nothing like he was in those books. The real-life Harry Potter was friendless – okay that was because Dumbledore had told him to keep Harry from other people – passive and just accepting of whatever Fate threw at him. (Fate felt like intervening. She wasn't throwing anything at Harry Potter.) Dumbledore kept throwing Hermione and Harry into dangerous situations. He just had to want them dead.
Wear hand-me-downs Ron had been told. Make friends with Harry Potter and do whatever it takes. Lie to him, whatever. That was the one and only time Ron ever wore hand-me-downs. He had to snore in the dorm; he never snored at home. He had to have the table manners of a pig or worse and he never ate like that at home.
Ron knew enough wandlore to know that his wand wood indicated that he had the greatest unfulfilled potential of any of his siblings. His wand core showed a melancholy that came from knowing he'd never achieve his potential, if he carried on being Dumbledore's catspaw. Ron had tried. He'd suggested Potty get a practice girlfriend. Harry wasn't interested in girls despite Hermione being all over him like a rash. Harry wasn't interested in boys, either, despite Creepy being all over him like a rash. Ginny was going to be Mrs Potter (Lady Potter-Black) because she looked just like his mother. Ron loved his mother, but he had no wish to marry her. Her knockers just weren't of a size Ron wanted. Now, Bones and Greengrass had equipment in that department that looked like they would qualify. Lavender Brown was showing early promise. The twins kept talking about bases. Ron wasn't sure what that meant. Bill and Charlie had never dated in school. If the twins were to be believed Charlie was. No wonder he'd needed a new wand and went overseas. Percy had dated Penny Clearwater for three years. If the girls' gossip, Ron had overheard, was correct, Percy hadn't touched Penny in three years. She considered him to be a waste of space. She wouldn't continue the affair now their stay at Hogwarts had finished.
Ron was delighted that Harry, Hermione and Neville had transferred out of Gryffindor. Dumbledore's instructions towards Hermione had been even more bizarre. She had to earn the house points, had to be allowed answer questions first, had to be allowed to perform the spell first. Ron had to allow Hermione to argue with him and he had to allow her to write his essays for him. Ron was seriously considering home-tuition with Aunt Muriel. Perhaps that solution was preferable. Ron was the butt of the jokes in the family. He should have been a girl. That's what the medi-witch had told his mother right up to the point of actual birth. Bill, Charlie and soon-to be Percy didn't live at home or go to Hogwarts. The twins had a set of undistinguished OWLS or would have, Ron was sure, and could go get jobs at Zonkos, before branching out and setting up their own business. Ron couldn't see why he'd got the blame for not noticing Ginny was not herself in her first year. There had also been three other brothers at Hogwarts who knew her a lot better than he did.
Ron was escorted out of the building by two aurors. That was their plan. Rita Skeeter, the poisoned quill, intercepted him. Ron decided to slate Dumbledore. He said that Dumbledore had to want to kill Hermione and Harry the number of dangerous places he'd put them. Then he confessed to working for Dumbledore and the things he had had to do. He also slated Snape. Rita might cut some things out and Ron so wanted the stuff about Dumbledore to stay in.
Ron was taken home by an out of work father. Officially, he was on unpaid garden leave. Molly demanded to know what had happened. She was in the mood to send a howler to someone.
"Amelia caught us section heads with a surprise veritaserum test. I got caught as an Order of the Phoenix member."
"But you resigned. We both sent Albus a letter."
"Yes, Mollywobbles, we sent the resignation letters, but our magic still regards us as members."
"That's evil, Arthur."
"Albus would no doubt argue it's defence against a member being ordered to resign whilst under the Imperius. We know that happened to poor Daedulus Diggle in the first war. Magic saw that he never truly intended to resign."
"But we want to resign. Don't we?"
"I DON'T HAVE A JOB, IF I don't resign," Arthur began by shouting.
"We'll send a more strongly worded letter of resignation each," Molly said. "Hello, Ronniekins, glad to be home." Molly hugged Ron. He should have heeded Harry's advice and avoided the ribcrusher.
"I really hate being called that, mum," Ron said. "I had an interesting night in Ministry custody. I gave an interview slating Dumbledore to the Daily Prophet." Ron disengaged himself and rubbed his ribs. I want to be home-schooled. You should let the twins go work at Zonkos."
"We've talked about this before, Ron. Aunt Muriel is far too much for your fragile nature to take," Arthur said.
"I've burnt all my bridges with Dumbledore. I'll take my chances with Aunt Muriel. Something that hasn't hit the street yet. Maybe it has. I've been out of circulation for a night. Yesterday. Harry Potter defended Hermione Granger in the school infirmary against seven Slytherin. He killed them all."
"I've seen nothing about this," Arthur Weasley said. "I've heard nothing, either."
"Harry Potter doesn't like me. I'm not safe at Hogwarts," Ron said.
"Very well, we'll withdraw you from Hogwarts," Arthur said. Molly nodded her agreement. Whatever Ron had done was no excuse for Harry's actions, especially after all they'd done for him. She definitely felt the need for a howler coming on.
"Getting out of a Charm? Your best bet is Filius Flitwick," Ron said. Then he dragged his trunk up the stairs. Molly cast a quick look at the family clock and true enough Ron's clock hand was pointing at 'in mortal peril'. Her open hand wizzed across to her mouth, in horror. She'd be sending Harry Potter a howler. Molly went off to compose it.
Arthur Weasley thought about the predicament that Percy was now in. No new Department Head meant he'd have to organise the two sporting events magical Britain would be hosting this year; the Quidditch Word Cup and the Tri-Wizarding Tournament. Crouch's assistant, Bertha Jorkins had had to delay her trip to Bulgaria until after the Quidditch World Cup to help Percy. She called him Weatherby, just like Crouch. Harry's take down of House Crouch had been old-school Pureblood. Ron had reason to fear, Arthur thought.
The recipient of the howler, oblivious to the fact a howler would be sent his way, had finished breakfast and been thanked by the police. A man had been arrested. That would tie Dumbledore down for a while. Harry Potter had retreated to his bedroom. After the police had left, Harry was locked in. Being nice hadn't lasted very long for the Dursleys. Kreacher came when called.
"What can Kreacher be doing for the dirty, filthy half-blood who is now his Master."
"I shall require your assistance, Kreacher, on how to restore House Black. Right now, the study at 12 Grimmauld Place is my desired location."
"Kreacher will do." Kreacher did and moments later Harry found himself in his study. Remus and Mad-Eye had finished their negotiations. Sadly, no agreement had been reached.
From the long-faces, Messrs Lupin and Moody were unable to come to an agreement. Moody, the DADA post is once again free. Harry thought he had summed up the situation.
"Thank you Lord Potter-Black. Whilst the opportunity would have paid well, I am in fact taking up the position of DADA professor." Moody showed himself out.
Harry knew that Crouch Junior had impersonated Moody for most of the year. This time perhaps Moody would be the Defence Against the Dark Arts (DADA) professor.
"Kreacher, find and destroy all the charms and locators that Moody left in the property." Kreacher did so and reported 30 such items destroyed.
"Dumbledore?" Remus asked.
"Dumbledore," Harry answered.
"Why didn't you save Sirius, Harry? Dumbledore said it would be easy for you."
"Driving off over a hundred Dementors took it out of me. Sadly, I am not infallible."
"Partially true, Harry."
"The Sirius you knew at Hogwarts as students was gone. Sirius couldn't stay away from you at Hogwarts and the rat. No, my parents would not have wanted either of you to kill Wormtail. That's my job. Sirius could have come to rescue me at any time. He didn't. That just made him a tool of Dumbledore. To do what I need to do, I have to have all this and be emancipated."
"Why don't you accuse me?"
"You had to keep working and you didn't know where I was. You couldn't afford the time off to find me. You probably found opportunities overseas that kept you away from these shores. It's not like you babysat me on a night you transformed, now, is it?"
Remus looked sheepish. "There was the one time I did and you just calmed me down and I called you cub thereafter. I got an earful from James and Lily and, surprisingly, Sirius."
"I could have done with knowing that the night I didn't rescue Sirius."
"I couldn't tell you. Dumbledore's orders."
"You and your wolf have to resign from his Order."
"I did, the night I decided I had to leave Hogwarts. I was just bait for you and Sirius. I was so angry. If I hadn't come to Hogwarts, Sirius would have stayed on his tropical island and recovered and you wouldn't have had a bad year."
"Sirius would have come. Dumbledore arranged for Fudge to visit Sirius with a newspaper that had a picture of the rat in it."
"I didn't see that edition. I was out of the country, arranging my return. He wasn't the old Sirius, Harry. Oh, he gave glimpses, but that is all it was. I shouldn't say this, but he's better off dead. He is now cleared and had his name restored. What's next?"
"Taking control of the possessions of House Crouch. Still in professor mode?"
"Yes, I admit it. I enjoyed being your professor. I'll talk to Gringotts and then go visit the property of House Crouch, today."
"That sounds like a plan, Remus. Don't forget to arrange for your supply of wolfsbane."
"That supply has been arranged, thank you," Remus said, cheerfully. "What will you do?"
"I am going to go by the Daily Prophet and give my side of the story, even if it's 'no comment'."
"Is Hogwarts usually this dangerous for you, Harry?"
Harry told Remus all the dangerous things that had happened to him at Hogwarts. Remus went from disbelieving to angry before Harry had finished his tale.
"You enjoyed all those chocolates from well-wishers in your first year?" Remus asked.
"Nope. All the cards had gone before I left the infirmary. Dumbledore took them. All the chocolates, well I had help from Ron eating them. I didn't get to eat any, myself. I plan to make Ron regurgitate them, next year."
Remus was now shocked. Harry could tell this. Just not what Remus was shocked about.
"You're shocked, Remus?"
"Yes, Harry. Where's the rest of your mail? I wrote twice a year."
"Wherever Dumbledore redirected it to."
"We'll pick this up later, Harry." Remus departed on his tasks.
Harry called for Kreacher. "The filthy half-blood calls for Kreacher."
"Kreacher, how'd you like to fulfil Master Regulus' last order to you?"
Kreacher vanished and moments later reappeared with the locket. Harry summoned the Sword of Godric and handed it to Kreacher. "I'm going to open the locket and when I do, you stab it with the sword."
"Open," Harry said in parseltongue. The locket opened and Kreacher brought the sword down on the locket, shouting, "For Master Regulus." The locket gave up its puff of black smoke. Remus looked horrified. He thought he recognized what the object was and not just that it was a Founders artefact.
Harry went through to the room with the Black family tapestry. All those Blacks who had been blasted off the tapestry. Harry was glad to Sirius' name was back on it and his own, of course. Now for Bellatrix Lestrange.
Harry annulled her marriage to Rodolphus Lestrange, reclaimed the dowry and all her possessions for House Black, all the items to be placed in Alphard Black's Vault 711 and cast Bellatrix out of the Black family. Kreacher looked daggers drawn at him and nearly skewered Harry with the sword.
"There's always a way back, Kreacher. You can't have any contact with her, Andromeda and Narcissa without my express permission." Kreacher realised Harry could have used the Black family magic to kill Bellatrix. "Now we build a House Black, Master Regulus would be proud of." Kreacher handed the sword back to Harry and it went back to where ever it went when not needed. That was one useful spell, Harry thought. He should learn it himself, once he'd found it.
Remus side-apparated Harry to Gringotts. Harry met the Dwarves who were now his account managers and took a trip to Vault 711. There, it was a quick stab of the sword and the Hufflepuff Cup was normal piece of junk barely recognizable as a cup made by Helga Hufflepuff. Harry left Remus, who was in conversation with Dragut, the main Black account manager.
Harry went to the Daily Prophet. Rita wasn't interested in his protecting the rights of his House line, at all. Harry then went the Bones' Manor for lunch. He brought everyone up to speed with what had been happening. Amelia confessed her mistake with Dumbledore and Ron. Harry told her that he didn't blame Amelia for wanting to nail Dumbledore and Ron. Hermione started. Susan realised that what Harry had done was a very big thing and not something those families would take lying down. They had lunch. Amelia's eyes had narrowed when Harry had mentioned the Locket and the Cup. Hermione noticed.
Harry was back in Little Whinging before 2pm. His relatives kicked him out of the house 'til late. That suited Harry just fine. He went to the park. He cast Expecto Patronum. Prongs looked slightly put out as Harry shrank him to a helpless little deer – a fawn. Harry explained that his cousin and his four friends were bullies who'd killed cats, dogs, rabbits, squirrels and anything they could get their hands on. It was time for payback. If they tried to torture and kill Prongs, Prongs could turn full size and treat them like Dementors and kick them dead. Prongs settled down to wait. Harry went to see Mrs Figg.
Harry greeted Mrs Figg. He explained his relatives had kicked him out for the afternoon. Mrs Figg welcomed him to stay.
"It so happens that I recognize Kneazles, thanks to Hermione buying one," Harry said in a friendly tone. Mrs Figg looked like she had been shot. The look of sheer terror on her face that said she was screwed. One word to Amelia Bones and she'd be in Azkaban.
"What do you want Lord Potter-Black?" Mrs Figg was truly scared.
"I think you should sell up and move by the end of August, this year," Harry said.
"What about Dumbledore?"
"Don't tell him about moving. Just keep doing what you've being doing. Then disappear."
"That's all. I've heard what you did."
"You could have done a lot to help me, but you didn't. I think, if you had been called on to help me, you would have. Sell up your kneazles and just breed cats."
Mrs Figg had nodded. They spent time with Mrs Figg telling Harry everything that had happened in Little Whinging since he'd left for third year. Harry could not believe that Mrs Figg was giving him a blow-by-blow account. When she'd said everything, she had meant everything.
Around 5pm, there was a knock on the door. It was the police. They came in. Harry was asked what time he'd got there. Mrs Figg confirmed the time he'd given. The police told them that Dudley, Piers, Malcolm, Dennis and Gordon had been killed by the stag that was on the loose. Harry was to return home, immediately. Harry thought that 4 Privet Drive wasn't home and never had been. He had to remember to set the wardstone to doing nothing. He couldn't afford to have his magic drained this summer.
Before going in, Harry set the wardstone to neutral. Petunia and Vernon were distraught. Harry set about preparing them a meal. They ate in silence. Harry made himself a sandwich. Monday morning and they were back to normal, well normalish. Harry got accused of killing Dudley using his freakish ways. Harry explained that he'd been with Mrs Figg all afternoon and that he'd explained this to the police. The Dursleys accepted what Harry said, reluctantly. Harry could say that he was sorry for their loss. Petunia said they'd be holding the funeral service for Dudley on July 31st. Harry couldn't be attending. He could go celebrate his birthday with his freakish friends. Harry would do his chores and then spend the days out of the house, since he wasn't welcome in it. Harry had no remorse for killing Dudley and his gang. Had they not wanted to kill a little defenceless Prongs, they'd still be alive.
Harry took the Knight Bus to Hermione's parents' house. Someone had ensured they had received the morning issue of the Daily Prophet. He didn't have a friendly greeting. They did invite him in, eventually. He explained the story. He'd killed 7 of his year mates who would have killed Hermione. Mr Granger asked him, if he'd kill others for Hermione.
"Anytime," Harry had replied. Harry explained why he'd taken Hermione and her parents under the protection of his Houses. He didn't expect anyone to attack them and anywhere they went they should keep secret from Hermione. The Grangers decided to take a year out. They called their substitutes and told them they were going away and were leaving their Dental practice in their hands. The Grangers had always wanted to spend time in Australia. They travelled under the name of Dickens. He was the favourite author of Mrs Granger. Harry was not going to tell Hermione.
Harry spent time with Amelia Bones. He practiced duelling with Amelia, Susan and Hermione. Harry was pleased to see that Hermione moved throughout the practice. Amelia had been placed on leave. Officially, she was taking a few days off to be with her niece. It had been the words of Ron Weasley, in the Daily Prophet that had kept the failure with Dumbledore from being fatal to the career of Amelia Bones and highly destructive to the standing of the Ministry. Amelia Bones was prepared to admit the irony of the situation. Amelia had disabled the bugs and locator beacons that Hermione had dispersed about the Manor. She did not tell Harry.
Dumbledore learned from the Order members that he had stationed at 4 Privet Drive that Harry Potter was not in residence. Dumbledore was not in a good mood, when he ran across Remus Lupin, Harry's Steward. The howler had arrived in Hogwarts in the location that all of Harry mail had gone to since his parents were murdered. Molly Weasley's voice was especially loud.
"Remus, Harry isn't at Privet Drive. Do you know where he is? It is imperative that he reside with his relatives."
"I am not aware of Lord Potter-Black's location. It is not your business, Headmaster, as to where Lord Potter-Black currently is. His name to you is Lord Potter-Black. Lose the familiarity."
"Remus, you are a member of the Order of the Phoenix. You will help me locate Harry and return him to his relatives."
"I resigned from your Order. I don't have to do anything for you."
"I am ordering you to do it."
"You really are nothing. Someone from a lower social class is attempting to kidnap the Head of House of a Noble and Most Ancient House and attempting to suborn his Steward into performing the act. You, Dumbledore, can expect a charge of line theft coming your way."
Remus went to the ministry and filed the charge of line theft against Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore. That made Fudge and Umbridge's day. Naturally, Albus Dumbledore ensured the item did not make the August meeting's Agenda.
Saturday and Harry met up. He went to 12 Grimmauld Place. Kreacher didn't insult him, which was progress, Harry thought. Remus explained how he was in the bar the night Trelawny gave her prophecy. The story that came out left Harry fuming. Snape heard the first two lines of the 'prophecy' delivered in Trelawny's own voice. Albus Dumbledore sent Snape off to tell Moldie. Only the fact Remus couldn't be imperiused saved his memory as everyone there was imperiused to believe they heard a genuine prophecy, but could not remember the words. Since Dumbledore had told Harry that Trelawny had made two genuine prophecies, what was the real prophecy she'd given him in private?
Harry remembered what Sirius had told him that he'd sat in street waiting to be arrested. Just like Aberforth Dumbledore. The four Death Eaters who attacked the Longbottoms also waited to be arrested. Now, Remus told Harry that Aberforth Dumbledore had said that he'd only told Albus Dumbledore where he was going to be that night. That made Albus Dumbledore the prime suspect for the other two events. That would mean Sirius was under the imperius to go after the rat. Harry felt rather sad. Sirius was programmed to go after the rat and to not rescue him. That put Sirius into the 'controlled by Dumbledore' camp. Sirius would never have been able to stand against Dumbledore. Harry believed that vindicated his coming back to allow Sirius to die. He couldn't believe that his younger self had agreed with Hermione to stay out of Hogwarts Castle 'so as not to be seen'. Harry had returned and not done what Dumbledore suggested. He'd made sure they'd eaten. He recognized the threat. Compulsion. Dumbledore was the Master of that subtle art.
Harry hoped Hermione wasn't placing herself at risk by doing what Dumbledore was suggesting. You had to be very strong willed or a werewolf to resist Albus Dumbledore. You also had to want to resist Albus Dumbledore. Remus now did. Hermione had a natural belief in authority from her primary school days. She had a natural desire to believe Dumbledore. She'd been given that time-turner to reinforce her belief in authority and to do what she was told. He expressed this opinion to Remus. Remus agreed that Harry would have to invoke the rights conferred by Protection, to his Houses. Remus explained what those were.
Harry bought a box of matches from a muggle store on his way back to 4 Privet Drive. He'd had an idea about how to fight werewolves. First year transfiguration, first lesson, was the key. Vernon and Petunia were not talking to Harry. Harry noticed his door had been replaced. Gone were the cat flap, locks and bars on his window. Harry reckoned they'd come back from Dudley's funeral and kick him out. Marge and Ripper would be attending the funeral as well. That made Harry very happy that he wasn't attending.
Harry had a birthday party on his birthday 31st July 1994. He was 14 or he was 18? Harry was unsure about how to count birthdays, now. He had been nearly 18, when he came back. He made preparations for his party. He had neatly packed what he'd change into at the party and placed the clothes into the bottomless bag he'd had Dobby pick up for him. That was where his wand was, too. He dressed in his Dursley best; a big t-shirt, big trousers, darned socks and falling apart trainers – all courtesy of Dudley out-growing them.
Before he was allowed to leave, Harry had to say goodbye to Dudley. The Dursleys had kept the coffin, open, on display in their lounge for a week. Harry said the words he had to say and left. He had a visit to make to Knockturn Alley. He was going to buy himself a present. Two presents. There was a bookstore of sorts in there and a wandmaker. Remus had mentioned them to Harry. Harry travelled there by Knights Bus. He entered the bookstore and bought the never published 13th Edition of A History of Magic for Hermione. This was the edition Dumbledore had stopped from being published. Some nonsense about the number 13 being unlucky. Harry bought a wand from the wand maker: a Redwood wand 9- and three-quarter inches in length with a thunderbird tail feather core. The wandmaker's lease expired that very day and he would return to the US on the morrow. The current principals of Potter Inc wanted to stay that way and had hired a wandmaker to sell Harry Potter that particular wand that a Seer had said was not suited to him.
Harry also picked up the complete Young Harry Potter series from Flourish and Blotts that he had haggled the price down to 10 galleons. That was one way to spend 210 galleons. He placed his purchases in his bottomless bag. Then he went to Bones Manor. Portkeys were useful. There he met the children from his 10 allied Houses. Harry noted that there were 13 children present, including himself. Their parents were also present. That wasn't surprising. The August meeting of the Wizengamot would take place on Monday afternoon. They needed to work out a common position.
Luna looked at Harry. The Lovegoods had been added to the Wizengamot, when another family was removed from it. They had fallen to some blackmail that Dumbledore had triggered. The young Ogden and Marchbanks were home-schooled. That was why Harry didn't recognize them. Amelia moved amongst adults and children effecting greetings and introductions. Luna looked like she had a message for him. Harry didn't understand why Xeno Lovegood wouldn't give him the information.
Harry had given Hermione the big book and the Young Harry series. She had gone off to read.
Harry explained to the adults that Hermione Granger was under his Protection. She had been attacked, survived and was attacked again. Harry had acted in defence of his House. Had the seven not attacked Hermione again, he would have let it ride. He expected to be challenged to a fight to the death at the Wizengamot meeting. The challenge was illegal, Amelia Bones had explained. Harry said he expected Dumbledore to let it proceed. They talked for an hour hammering out a common position on the Agenda items. The adults then left. Amelia Bones had some work to complete in the office.
Harry explained the meaning of his clothing. He went to his room and changed. He disillusioned the bottomless bag.
"That's advanced magic, Harry."
"I expect you can still see exactly where it is. What is it you wanted to tell me?"
"My father thinks Dumbledore has the Elder Wand."
"Tales of Beedle the Bard. Aren't those stories made up?"
"My father believes Albus Dumbledore took the wand off Grindelwald. You know, according to the story, that the wand cannot be fairly won. Oh, and go easy on Hermione. It will backfire on you badly, if you take her to task. Be supportive."
"For you Luna, anything."
"Is it what friends do?"
"It is, Luna and you are my friend." The two went down to the party room together. Hermione re-emerged. Tears were streaming down her face. Harry hugged her. The children chatted and they were serious. Harry explained the politics that had just happened. He explained that Greengrass and Zabini had been attacked for not telling Harry about the plot. Harry had explained what he and Hermione had agreed. He hadn't gone looking for the perpetrators. Since he'd never asked Blaise and Daphne what they knew, their families were in the clear. Harry said he'd no intention of revealing he had Slytherins on his side, before he had to.
Hannah Abbott laughed, "That's a very Slytherin thing to do, Harry."
"The Sorting Hat told me I'd do well in Slytherin. Unfortunately, I'd already met Draco."
Astoria was about to say something, when she caught her sister's eye and she stayed silent. Daphne and Blaise were already working out how to leverage that information throughout Slytherin. It would be a very good way to further undermine the Malfoy's influence. The Boy-Who-Lived could have been in Slytherin.
Harry enjoyed his party. There were presents. That was a first. He had a cake with 14 candles on it and he blew them out. It took him a few tries before he got them all. The last cake he'd had was one that Hagrid had brought him on his eleventh birthday. Dudley had eaten it all. The party was a success. The parents came about 5pm to collect their children and depart. Harry, Susan and Hermione played some wizarding games other than wizarding chess or exploding snap. He went back to 4 Privet Drive feeling happy. The Knight Bus was almost a familiar form of travel for Harry.
Before he entered, Harry turned on the wardstone. Harry wondered why the house was empty. About 10 minutes after he had returned, the police knocked on his door. Harry frowned. He'd already explained where he was when Dudley had been killed. It was not about that. The officers came into the lounge and asked Harry to sit down.
"At 17:45 today, the vehicle in which Petunia, Vernon, Marge Dursley and their dog Ripper were travelling was hit by an articulated lorry at a junction. All four were killed instantly. We'd like for you to be at the police station tomorrow at 10:00."
"I'll be there, officers."