Chapter 24 – Courting a Princess
**OO**
Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
Hedwig will not be in any scenes anytime soon. She has temporarily relocated to Washington State for safety reasons.
I saw her this morning flying around.
(In all seriousness, we occasionally get a snowy owl or two, and I saw one this morning. So beautiful.) (B/N: True! We were texting when it happened! Wish I'd seen it! ;-( )
**OO**
Thursday, October 29
Afternoon school, planting and FORGE practice, Second Chances
Moody, who was supposed to be on bed rest, came into the shop to report to everyone about the Wizengamot meeting.
Tonks had run them through a fast but thorough workout. Harry thought she was mad, as she couldn't dispel the magic of the peanut butter curse. Harry asked for advanced metamorph lessons in exchange for him canceling the spell, and she agreed.
"Hey! That wasn't a finite!" Tonks complained.
"You are correct. If someone did cast that, they would then be cursed. It stops people from casting at you."
"Is that real peanut butter?" The auror demanded. "It tasted like it. Actually, it tasted fine."
"It's conjured, so I doubt that it has food value. But yeah." Harry admitted.
"Earnest, may I please have a small glass of milk? That was very sticky, Harry. Great job!"
One glass of milk and a messier head of hair than Harry started with, and Tonks took her leave.
**OO**
And the students were starting to pull out their homework.
Harry popped a couple of meal vouchers to Marius via Pepper. Just in case, he wanted to treat her to the Goblin place. Yum.
Alastor wanted to discuss what happened with Dumbledore, and they watched the memory.
"I don't like that American much, Harry," Alastor stated.
Harry snorted. He was quite sure that the story had been 'improved' in the telling, but somehow Tonks was tied up in Dodgers' secret experimental lab when Marius came in wielding Death Eater party tricks to rescue his love.
And carried her to his quarters, where she amply rewarded him for his timely rescue. Harry wasn't old enough for those stories yet! Maybe next year. Harry focused on the memory.
They got to the part about the fine, and Hermione scoffed. She turned to look for Esme, but she was running an errand to Gringotts or something.
Hermione's petition hadn't even been sent on to Amelia Bones, but she had worked on it at school.
Someone was spying, that was certain. A hundred galleons? At least they weren't spying on her at home or Harry's house, or the fine would have been more.
Hermione had felt so very guilty over the eighty galleons delivered to her the other day. She felt that she was the reason for Auror O'Neal's death, and handed over that gold, and promised Alastor the rest as soon as she could get to Gringotts.
"I'll take it to Amelia meself…" Moody started.
"You'll do no such thing!" Blanche stated.
"You watched over the children today in their planting, and before that, he snuck out and went to the Wizengamot. You are lying down on the couch now. You have a choice of beverage. Other than using the loo, you are staying there!"
"We'll send Pepper to Gringotts. Let one of their people pay the fine."
Moody was pulled to the comfy couch, had a very warm blanket put over him, and was handed Pepper's hot chocolate. And he didn't object at all, which meant he was done in.
"Thank ye, Blanche. You're a good witch."
She hmmm'd, admiring the Honeydukes basket while pulling out needlework. The trio returned to their studies, and Harry multitasked.
He would hold a crystal and charge it while reading up on his next project.
The Keep was going to offer homes to families of all kinds. Not all of which had magic to power the runes that lit rooms, acted as alarms, all sorts of things. Harry really should be paying the goblins more, as they were teaching him so much! Many of the 'lesser' crystals from the hill could hold a magical charge, and be recharged when empty. Placed into a setting of magical wood, it should be enough that a muggle or squib would be able to control the magic.
He couldn't wait to show Dan and Emma the finished ones. This was gonna be epic!
Luna's tongue was sticking out cutely as she worked, and Hermione was hyper-focused on her work.
An elf showed up later to talk to Pepper and popped out. Pepper came over to Harry to hand him the note. Harry read part of it and passed it onto a curious Hermione.
Harry wrote a note in his notebook. He needed an adult who had a strong presence to make decisions in the Keep.
"What was that, Harry?" Blanche queried.
"The Americans are late back to the Keep from the Wizengamot meeting. One of the ones missing is CM Dodgers. The other is someone from the same University who came to see if they could help." Hermione stated. "Naomi Kerns. She seems nice, actually."
"Wait! This is the guy that testified against Dumbledore?" Harry demanded.
"Harry! Dumbledore is too smart to act against anyone in public." Blanche stated, shaking her head. She had been very grumpy with him lately, and he wasn't sure why.
Harry looked to Moody for support, but Pepper had spiked his chocolate. The man was asleep, his nearly empty cup spilling. Blanch went over and tucked him in and put the cup safely in the kitchen.
**OO**
Far Away
Unbeknownst to the trio, or anyone else in Hedwig's Keep
Lucky for Dodgers and Kerns, the new scientists, the Americans had equipped their people with emergency portkeys. If they were rendered unconscious magically, they would be portkeyed to Auror Command in the nearest Allied facility.
Since the scientists were banished to Dover, that meant their portkeys sent them to the aurors in Paris, France.
The very expensive, highly magical device that Dodgers had saved up for was drained dead. Not a micron of magical energy left in it. It was supposed to last for generations. The orb was intended to read a wizard's or witch's magical power levels. It was still in his pocket, as they hadn't actually hit the water yet.
The arrogant scientist had nearly provided the magical power for his own doom.
**OO**
About dinner time, Auntie Esme went to her bedroom and came out wearing very different clothes. She was clearly bundled up for the cold; a shawl was over her head.
Blanche was working in the shop while the students were working on their homework at the table. Moody was clearly in a supervisory mode; his soft snores soothing to Harry, who worried about his recovery. Sawing a small forest like that proved he was on the mend.
She came into the living room to talk to Harry and sat down next to him, making sure she had his attention.
"Harry. Spurnik and I have been seeing a lot of each other recently. Well, tonight he invited me to go watch Troll Wrestling."
The snoring was stopped and worse, Blanche had just come in the door.
"No! You're going to give people the wrong impression!" Blanche stated.
Moody stood and tried to calm the elder sister. "What do you mean by the wrong impression? That she can't be friends with a goblin."
"Ohh! You! So smart, Master Auror! And yet you know nothing of goblin rituals! Well, our father drilled us in them! He did! And Troll Wrestling is the event that goblin males take their mates to! It's a nation-wide date night! They have them at least once a month. All the most junior people man the counters."
"Wouldn't that be goblin, the counters?" Luna asked innocently.
"Being seen at his side there will have everyone thinking that they are courting!"
Esme nodded at Harry and the two girls. "Good, just so we're clear. Goblins don't have courting rituals like humans. Something like this is the equivalent of a proposal of marriage. And I accepted. If all goes well tonight, we'll have dinner with his parents soon, and we'll be wed.
"I do love you. We've talked of moving to the Keep anyway. We'll just be adding an extra person. Plenty of room. Unless you object?"
"Me? Why do I get a vote in your happiness! Spurnik better be good to you, though, or… Oooo, Ragnok is going to be so jealous!" Harry sobered a moment. "You aren't under any pressure or anything, right? This is what you want?"
"It is."
"Then go have fun."
Esme kissed Harry's forehead.
"Don't wait up for me. Good night." She headed for the floo.
Blanche told Pepper to shut down the fireplace, but he looked to Harry, who refused to keep Esme home if she wanted to go.
"Have a wonderful time. Come on, Hermione? Luna? Doesn't this sound like a great date night? I bet we could still get tickets."
Blanche puffed and looked ready to scold. Moody was pensive.
Hermione looked up at Blanche who she respected who was shaking her head. "No, thanks, Harry. We have that dinner with Remus, remember?"
Luna also declined. "The poor trolls."
Esmeralda Hillcrest née Greengrass had never been troll wrestling before. But it was her second invitation. This time, her parents were not blocking her happiness. She wasn't going to miss this opportunity. Without another word of argument, she left.
**OO**
"Auntie Blanche! Auntie Esme is an adult! If she wants to date someone or marry them, does she need to ask your permission? Or Cygnus?"
Moody laughed. "Technically, you Harry. With the family document, you signed. For most Houses, they are patriarchal. And you told Pepper to let her go. So you approved the date."
"Auntie Blanche, I don't want to be mean to you. Can you explain why you are unhappy?" Harry asked. "Maybe you're hungry? You've been working a long time without tea. Let me fix you…"
"You don't get it! She is married to her husband! He's dead, but they are still connected." Blanche lied.
Luna spoke up softly. "If people could only love one person at a time, we'd have very unhappy families."
"I think I know what the problem is," Hermione spoke up. "You're afraid of the change. If she marries and moves away, your life will change. But we're moving to the Keep. It's changing anyway."
Harry spoke up. "That's right! If they decide to get married, we'll work it out!"
Blanche looked at Harry with near Petunia-like scorn for a moment. "That is not the issue," she hissed. "I'm going to go wash up for dinner."
**OO**
Harry was angry and didn't want to eat with someone who was angry with him. It brought up sad memories of his childhood.
"Moody, I'm going to pick up Moony at the Three Broomsticks and go to the Food Court for dinner. I still have a bunch of vouchers left."
"That might be best lad. Why don't you three take your homework? Remus used to tutor too, you know. Before he'd get caught out for being sick too much. He and Lily, top of their year; the hat offered both Ravenclaw." Alastor shared.
"Me too," Hermione confessed.
"Me three," Luna shared.
"But Luna, you are… never mind." Hermione stopped herself before going down the rabbit hole. With Alice. Again.
Moony was found, and they left the Weasley clan to eat together as a family while they sought out what was new. The Food Court was slowly filling up, as were the shops, and there were starting to be more humans than goblins running around.
Cages, empty of pets and any waste pads, were going into a shop named "The Wee Timid Beastie" according to its new signage.
Luna clapped at that and made Harry write a note for Katrina to tell Widow O'Neal that Luna would be available soon to volunteer in her store.
The goblin restaurant's sign was missing, and it looked like someone had hit it with an axe. BloodRage in his cool goblin armor was waving and swearing in goblin. A man in a hurry.
He appeared to put his arm next to someone who was invisible but audible. Odd. The place was closed and under repairs. That was very odd.
Harry made a note to Katrina to look into it and order a new sign for Grabthar's Grub if this was some kind of anti-goblin crime.
After everyone had food, they chatted about little things, but Harry's mind kept getting caught on the fight between his aunties.
Partway through their meal with Remus, Harry asked a very serious question. "How can we, at Defeating Dark Lords, Inc., fight against prejudice when it's in our own homes?"
The scarred man patted Harry's hand. "This is the battle, isn't it? About fair judgment of what is good and what is bad. When people we trust, our parents, leaders, mentors tell us to beware of someone because they are evil.
"And others, at the same time, will say, 'No! Evil is good, and good is evil, and your eyesight is flawed'. And you doubt your own judgment. So who is right? Who is wrong? And how can we judge?
"By the fruits. Look at the ones accusing good people who help, do service, and labor. If good people are being judged evil, you'll know it. We are born with an innate sense of right and wrong. Use it."
Harry thought about it and nodded.
"Goblins and humans are different; different cultures, but we have a lot in common. And Spurnik is good! Oh, I've made him so mad, I thought he was gonna hit me! But he hasn't. And he's given me goblin treats and treated me more like a son than anyone but Moody has. No muggle has ever been so nice to me! So it's not about magic or pure-bloodedness that makes people good or evil. Or race. Or color. Our choices do." Harry concluded.
Hermione kissed Harry's cheek. "That was very profound, Harry."
"Yeah, well, how do I talk Auntie Blanche into adjusting her judgments?"
**OO**
Thursday, October 29
6:30 Gringotts London
There was Dharma Briokz!
Staying true to her wizarding traditions, Spurnik was providing a proper chaperone for all encounters with this lady and spending no time alone with her in inappropriate places. He had become quite fond of the witch. It was time to nail his intentions to the post!
They made it to their seats, and she was given a program for the evening. There was a name she recognized; BloodRage was in the third round, doing axe throwing against someone she didn't know.
"That is the brother of your goblin cook in the Keep. If BloodRage wins, he gets to court the sister."
"You know, someone was telling me that the Black Watch has axe throwing at their games festivities in the summer. We didn't know about them; we were staying pretty close to home with Harry. But next summer it would be fun to go. If you were interested in that sort of thing."
"Very much. How does Harry do at axe throwing?"
"Oh, Blanche found out that Charles Montgomery was going to teach the lad, and she was very unhappy about it. He does have a dagger and knows how to use it well. He really should know all the bladed arts. Unfortunately, I didn't learn much as a child."
"YOU taught him how to use a dagger?" Spurnik goggled. He thought only goblin females learned such things.
Esme smiled. "A little. And I taught him how to throw one. That he can do very well."
Spurnik smiled and focused on the betting. She placed a galleon or two on most, but ten galleons on BloodRage. And ten on Spurnik's Troll.
There were other events going on here, and they rotated each Thursday night. Friday was the Goblin's rest day, so low-level goblins attended the counters at the bank. Ragnok and his mate were here, as were many other Account Managers. Getting Friday off was a sign of being well-placed.
Spurnik would only work on a Friday if there was an emergency. Too bad, Ian McMurray was currently at the Gringotts counters to make a morning appointment for Spurnik that he wasn't aware of.
But Auror MacMurray was worried about what happened to Neville, and was going to track this down! Of course, he hadn't received the owl yet from Neville's caregiver at Cherry Hill.
The goblins, male and female, cheered their favorites. There was also some good-natured jeering for opponents. Several of the goblins came in, who sported banners that they stuck to the sides of the deep-sanded colosseum-like arena. Show-horses would have trouble with that surface, she was sure.
The first event was brutal: Two trolls, wrestling, wearing nothing but loin cloths and rough tanned goat hide jerkins.
The winner's arm was clearly broken; the loser had to be carted off the field by four of his mates.
"Don't worry, my dear. Healers will have them both in top fitness for next week."
Esme felt bad for winning gold on so much pain.
They got to the axe throwing. A short and scrawny-looking goblin went up against the powerfully built guard.
Targets were set out, and three sets of three axes were thrown. It was no contest.
BloodRage was clearly the winner.
"Yes! I will send the boar's head in the morning as is proper. The sacred rest-day. I will gift her with a shawl of the softest lamb's wool, and bring her braids of garlic, onion, and herbs as is proper."
"No! No! I won't have it! NO! You must have cheated or used magic! My sister is too good for a fraud like you!" The beaten goblin stated.
Just then, a female goblin in armor came out. "I told you brother that I want this warrior. He beat you fairly! You would have me marry into the clans of Egypt for our family wealth. But I have a shop of my own here! I am making far more gold than you ever brought the family! And that is why you try to sell me to foreigners! You are jealous!"
"Is this true, beloved?" BloodRage demanded.
"I swear!" The female stated.
"You have no honor! You lost. You will face me now in an honor duel!" BloodRage demanded.
The arena was cleared of the targets. BloodRage was careful, but he knew that this fight meant everything to this goblin. If the brother won, he could claim BloodRage's gold in conquest.
Of course, if BloodRage won, he would have his sister as a mate.
The brother spat out insults and slurs, but the warrior didn't react in the least. Suddenly, the shorter and faster goblin was inside his guard, a dagger at his throat! BloodRage grabbed the brother's arm and slowly twisted it until it bit deep into his opponent.
BloodRage's armor was covered in goblin blood!
The other goblin dropped, and the victor waved to the healers to attend the fallen.
"I won't have you in the family!" The goblin threw the dagger with the last of his strength, and it bounced off.
Esme quickly put away her wand, and only Spurnik knew the truth. He said nothing.
In the delay to get help, the disgraced goblin expired, and the sister stood.
"We all saw the dishonorable way my brother behaved. Let BloodRage be named the head of my House, and let him decide on the House gold."
There was much cheering for that proposal, and Ragnok nodded. A shawl, clearly planned in advance, was delivered by a helpful elf. Putting it on right then and there, the female sat down, beaming at her future mate.
BloodRage bowed, blood dripping, and went to get some healing himself. Not all the blood on his armor was his opponent's.
Spurnik watched Esme the rest of the night. She was clearly enjoying the matches. As they made their way back to the floo, Briokz a respectful distance back, Spurnik spoke. "I enjoyed today very much."
"I did as well. I enjoy spending time with you. I feel I leave a part of me behind when we separate."
"Me as well. That makes this easier for me to say."
Spurnik cleared his throat and pulled a sharp dagger, cutting his hand a small bit. A blood oath!
"I intend to talk to your Head of House if that would please you, Esmeralda. You know the rituals if he approves, and what it means? Do you accept me? My blade, my heart to be yours? Now and forever?"
"I personally accept your suit. I will need some help with the rituals, but yes, love. I want to marry you. I love you too."
She healed him wandlessly with a kiss to his cut hand. They shared a brief kiss of the lips.
"I will send the prepared items in the morning. You will be mine soon, if Cygnus approves."
In an undertone, Esme murmured. "He'd better, if he wants to continue breathing." She told him, and so much more with her sparkling eyes than with her lips. "Thank you, Spurnik, for a most enjoyable evening. Sleep well."
She made a motion for Briokz to come closer and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for tonight and being a good chaperone."
"Until tomorrow, my love." Esme waved to Spurnik and left through the green flames.
Briokz said something to Spurnik in their native tongue as she spun away that she didn't catch. She was going to have to work on her language skills. And maybe some cooking ones as well. Not that she had to cook, but she wanted to cook for her husband. Marriage! How unexpected.
Auntie Esme didn't make it home until very late and snuck into her room smelling of goblin ale and smiling wide.
**OO**
1:00 AM, Friday, October 30
St Mungo's Hospital
Headmaster Dumbledore had exhausted himself after the Wizengamot meeting and had been portkeyed unconscious to the hospital. No one had looked for him or missed him yet. His habit of leaving places unexpectedly was a disadvantage that night.
A crying baby from outside his open door woke the exhausted administrator.
"Shut that brat up or I will!" Albus had called out. What was an elfling doing so close to his quarters, anyway?
A sting to his posterior and a rough East London accent accosted him. "I don't care who you are, gov'. Me baby's sick! Sick, and no one cares about anything but gold! Trying to charge me two hundred. They're crazy!"
That was odd.
The wizard called an elf to bring Pomfrey here.
"Poppy, this woman's house-elf is sick, can you please help her." He was very confused and out of it.
The woman did look like she was holding a green-skinned house-elf. Unfortunately, it was a baby with dragon pox.
"What medicine has she been given so far?"
The matron ignored the child's wails with angelic patience.
"None! They said two hundred galleons! It can't be dragon pox! I have no way to pay such a princely fee."
Dumbledore unwisely stunned the crying child. She did stop crying, but Albus fainted.
"He had no reason to do that!" The mother shouted.
The healer thought desperately. "They can't sell the cure for that amount. It's provided to the public, the vaccine, and treatment through the Potter Foundation. I know! Go to Gringotts!"
"Won't the goblins just kill her?"
"NO! I know that they have extra doses in stasis in their dark caverns. It's the perfect place. And healers that help anyone for a fee. I'll provide it. Here's my name and floo address. Goodness, me it's late, well, early. But they are always open. Here's some money for the floo powder." Poppy helped the mother to the floo and scowled when an accounting wizard tried to keep her from leaving before paying her bill.
She scoffed at the parchment. "What is wrong with you people?"
"New management, new policies." The angry wizard stated.
"You'd best publish those policies" Poppy stated before returning to the Headmaster who was still on the floor. No one had helped him.
Poppy tutted over the man and had him transported to his own quarters. He wasn't sick or injured. Why take up attention and bedspace.
She had an elf check on the woman with the sick baby and sent her some blankets, food, and a bit of gold.
The elves noted this kindness and would later remember it. She treated house-elf babies and human babies as babies, and treated both with love, kindness, and empathy in their sickness or injury.
She called for an elf to put Dumbledore in pyjamas and put him to bed. The efficient Jam knew what was and wasn't the Headmaster's and gave the foreigners' belongings to Juniper who gave them to Pepper who put them in the inbox for the Minister of Magic Scotland.
Juniper then stopped by with the same forgetfulness draught the murderous 'administrator' had fed the first set of aurors on Monday.
He lost about four hours of his last memories, including his 'triumph' in court.
**OO**
Friday, October 30
5:45 AM, Gringotts London
Harry had been waiting in a meeting room since 5:30 that morning. He had a 6:00 am appointment, but being early showed respect. Auntie Esme blinked tiredly and sipped tea.
And despite everything, Harry was a wizard, a child, and had bad news. Not a good combination.
Esme distracted him from his dark thoughts.
"Harry, there's something I need to talk to you about. I'm sure that you have noticed that Spurnik and I are attracted to one another. Well, last night went well. He's going to ask Cygnus' permission to marry me. I know we talked a little last night, but I do love you too, my boy."
"You and Spurnik? Cool! He's so smart and scary and clever! And he really, really likes you. Oh! Now I can learn axe throwing! I bet he's wicked at it! But wait. What about Moody? Don't you like him?"
"My sister does like Moody, but he's devoted to his work. I don't think that he ever married, and only had the one child. He'd be about our age now. Um. Maybe if Alastor isn't interested, maybe his son."
"Calvin." Harry supplied.
"Yes, Calvin might be. But we were talking about Spurnik and me. Would you welcome him to live in the Keep with us? Be part of our family?"
"Of course! Of course! You'll have to help me with an appropriate wedding gift. I know that courtships are short. You declare interest and have a short courtship and then marriage."
Spurnik and Dharma Briokz came in together. Esme perked up and Spurnik bowed to her.
"I didn't mean to overhear that last comment, Harry, but it is correct. So, you have no objections to the marriage?"
"None at all, sir! Umm. 'You are a warrior and worker worthy of our House. You have my blessing upon you.' Was that right?" Harry worried.
"Close enough. I'm very pleased. I will seek out Cygnus' blessing this morning as well. Good day, beautiful lady. Let's catch Harry up here."
Everyone took seats, but Auntie Esme stayed away from the table, choosing a nearby armchair and taking out her needlework.
"Goldrub lost, so the dragon property is going to the Potter Family," Spurnik said in delight. "Which I claim is fair since it was gifted to Harry Potter, not House Black."
Spurnik got up and started pacing, ideas racing in his head.
"Dragon Isle. So, your troll won? I tried to talk to the girls about going. I don't get witches. It sounds like fun to me"
Spurnik gave a quick look to Esme, who smiled.
"Of course, it is! But perhaps they didn't tell you that you only get to watch. Not as much fun as doing the troll wrestling yourself!" Spurnik teased.
"I knew how many spells?! Lumos, Nox. Wingardium Leviosa." Harry defended.
"So, you tried to stun him through his nose and accidentally killed it. I heard from Flitwick that this trick worked very well. No wands allowed for wizards in the Colosseum, Harry."
Spurnik gave Esme an enigmatic look that went over Harry's head. She sipped tea and borrowed Harry's innocent look.
Harry blushed. The memories that McGonagall showed them had to be true, but it was hard to accept that he had either killed or knocked out a fully grown mountain troll on his own with his magic bound as it had been. Fortunately for Hermione and himself, it worked.
The Dark Lord Dumbledore would one day be taken care of.
Hmmm. Maybe Harry could make him some emergency portkey socks? The conniving old codger wanted socks last year for Christmas… And send the man to the island with some nice steaks.
No, that would be mean. To the dragons.
Harry remembered and pulled two scales from his bag, reached deep down, and pulled out a third.
"I wanted you all to have a dragon scale as a memento. Aren't they beautiful?"
Spurnik plopped in a chair. "Potter! I thought we discussed this! One does not give away wealth like this! Not even to family!"
"Sorry! Sorry, sir! Right, um. I am selling these, right now, to you both. And one for Goldrub. Ten galleons?" The goblins shook their heads. It was against their honor to take advantage of a child, but clearly, the Potter heir wanted to offer physical proof of the sacred dragons.
"One hundred galleons. That is at a 90% friends and family discount," Dharma Briokz fairly appraised.
"And you have to advise me on how to get a great manager for Dragon Isle. Watching those dragons; it was healing, a blessing. I don't know what happened. Why the goblins lost it, but we need to share it with all magicals. The centaurs too. I bet seeing them would have helped Moody."
"You give us these scales at one hundred galleons and hire a goblin who will work with others to manage the property. One of my apprentices, perhaps." Spurnik sounded it out. Esme's small nod was all he needed to be happy.
Dharma Briokz nodded. "Agreed."
"Deal!" Harry said. "We had such a good time watching the dragons. Just being there. Well, until I had to stun Neville. But he was caught in some kind of magical feedback loop. That wasn't good."
"We want to know what happened to Mr. Longbottom," Briokz said firmly.
Harry had brought a Pensieve, his memories, and Neville's. Neville went home after the vampiress had got his magic levels under control. The same matron hired to care for Neville's parents was now taking care of Neville. Harry sent for Neville's memory of his training and what he remembered from the island.
The goblin solicitor was most upset.
"That was not the Master Earthman that Neville met with, nor do I think he was given the right spells."
The knock at the door was no surprise. It was the elemental goblin in question. He looked at all the evidence.
"The goblin that was killed was seen talking to the Master Earthman just moments before his murder. Treachery most foul here. If it is proven that this being set up Mr. Longbottom for death, the goblins' gold will be confiscated and given to Mister Neville Longbottom in compensation. Said goblin was recently demoted and had been working with the Malfoy family." Briokz stated.
"Goblins are meticulous when it comes to audits, but it will not be fast, hu-mon. I am the Master Earthman. That is my title, not my name, so do not feel an honor that is not given."
Harry stood and bowed. "Master Earthman. My godbrother was nearly killed yesterday. He does need to learn properly. The place we thought would be a good place to learn has Eirwen. They are attracted to magic, and presumably residing there is one of the reasons that the muggles abandoned the island. I don't think it would be safe for Neville to be doing high-powered magic around them."
Spurnik's nose twitched. He had one of the scales! He could just cut it up into tiny pieces and make a fortune! The sacred dragons, indeed! If they could arrange tours, goblins would pay to view them. They would pay dearly just to watch the memories of Harry Potter feeding them! Part of him wanted to hand off managing gold to some of his more adept apprentices and handle the Dragon Isle alone.
"You have property in Wales that is remote." Spurnik offered.
The elemental goblin agreed. "I could train the Longbottom lad there. Nothing but ruins."
"Then we have a place. The healer wants Neville to rest a week or so before doing serious magic." Harry informed.
"I will give him four lessons for free, and another four at a deep discount. My honor demands nothing less."
Harry stood and bowed again. "Neither my godbrother nor I hold you at fault. Please call for Pepper or Earnest to convey any messages. They are trustworthy elves."
The older goblin started to leave the conference room. "I would like to see what the boy did. I have a survey of what the island was like before he started. Also, please relay to him that I am grateful that he is well. Such an amazing talent needs to be nurtured."
Harry handed over one of the portkeys he had made and told the goblin what the keyword was. The goblin sneered and left.
Not everyone had Luna's sense of whimsy, Harry guessed.
That went better than Harry thought it would. Spurnik gave Auntie Esme a fancy braided thing of garlic. And another of onions. And some kind of spices that Harry didn't recognize. It was very neatly and beautifully done.
She pulled out a small picnic basket and gave him a cup of her homemade beef-bone soup with mushrooms. Auntie Esme didn't offer Briokz or him any, either.
Harry loved her soup but didn't think of it as a breakfast food. The goblin bowed them out, Dharma Briokz looking a bit stunned but smiled at the couple. The Dharma pulled Harry along.
Harry felt bad that Auntie Esme had only brought the one cup. Harry offered to get his solicitor a scone or something, but the goblin waved it off. Surely Esme wasn't prejudiced because of Briokz club hand? The rest of the goblins other than Spurnik and maybe Goldrub were always saying cruel things that he carefully ignored.
The young mage was quite sure he was missing something again, but it was early.
Goldrub walked by, bowing his head to Harry and Briokz, and turning it the other way at seeing Spurnik.
Harry ran to catch up with him and handed him the blue dragon scale. There were other goblins around this time.
"My good manager, Goldrub. In recognition of your friendship, I offer to sell this to you at a 90% discount of one hundred galleons and want you to know that as soon as we can arrange it, I want you to see the Eirwen."
The scale had bits of sand and other detritus on the surface, and one edge was cracked. Oh, no! Was he going to reject it? What if that meant something bad in goblin culture?
"I accept, Mr. Potter. Thank you."
"I'm no one special, sir. Please call me Harry. Oh, wait until you see the memory! They are so beautiful."
"I look forward to it. Harry." Goldrub bowed. He saw Esme behind them and bowed to her as well. He might be a bit jealous of Spurnik, but he seemed accepting of Esme and Spurnik being together.
Auntie Esme stood at a distance. When had she put on that shawl? Was she cold, covering her head like that?
"Good morning, Account Manager. The English will arrest my ward if we are late. Let us depart, Harry."
The manager bowed to her, and they moved out.
Harry wanted to shout. Yes! Progress. His managers were calling him by his first name!
**OO**
Something was happening to the money being donated to St. Mungo's from the fountain in the ministry. Was it pranked? Was someone stealing from a hospital?
All the gold donated to help the needy was disappearing as it was taken from the fountain, and St. Mungo's pleas to its wealthier donors were falling on deaf ears.
The problem was unintended consequences. When Spurnik encouraged Harry to prank Death Eaters with leprechaun gold to hide the fact that Harry now inherited not only the Pettigrew house but all the Dark Magic items inside, it was only meant to hurt their ability to buy weapons, mercenaries, etc.
But any time that gold got near a Dark Mark, it would disappear. And even Death Eaters needed healing.
And the Ministry of Magic was blaming it on worthless muggleborn beggars, stealing.
**OO**
Friday, October 30
7:00 AM, Home of Cygnus Greengrass and family
Cygnus heard the scream from the floo room and went running, wand in hand.
No one should be up this early.
Was that a boar's head? It looked – and smelled – pickled.
The platter it was on was goblin steel. It was a goblin-made platter! That would last for generations and was worth a fortune!
Cygnus' manners kicked in when he saw his second wife on the floor.
"Sorry, love. What happened?"
"Goblins! In the floo! Left a note for you! Something about Esmeralda. The platter and such are for her as long as he has your approval! WHO GIVES PEOPLE PIG'S HEADS AT 7:00 AM?"
"Dorothy, you are distraught, my dear. Besides, this isn't a pig's head."
"IT LOOKS LIKE A PIG'S HEAD TO ME!"
"Technically, it's a boar's head. Nobles used to go hunting them. Imagine, flying astride an Abraxan, getting ready to take down a boar…"
"I can think of a different bore that I would like to hunt!"
Dorothy had never liked the Malfoys. Smart witch.
"Darling, I think you need to take a calming potion. You are still distraught. It's just a…"
"Distraught? Distraught! Ohhhh! A. Pig's. Head! I'll show you distraught!" His wife stomped off to the West Wing, where she ruled. The door separating the wing from the general family area slammed shut. He could hear the locks being thrown. Not that he couldn't get around them. It was a way for a witch to show her displeasure. But for once, Cygnus wasn't responsible for this upset.
Sigh.
So nice having a large home on mornings like this.
Cygnus wondered if it was too late to take a time-turner back a few minutes, so he could stun himself and prevent the whole thing.
Probably not.
"What do we have here?" The head of the family asked, and picked up the dropped note.
Cygnus had to retrieve a book from the library. He wanted to laugh. Spurnik, a goblin. A wealthy goblin. Wanted to court the pureblood Princess Esme. No, not just court. Court and marry. Interesting.
How did he really feel about it? She was unlikely to have more children. A goblin in the family could be very advantageous. Using the book, he wrote out the ritual phrasing of the blessing, leaving off everything about children. He would deliver that to the bank in person and arrange a small vault as a dowry. It was more the symbolism than anything. Esme was an adult, after all, no maid still at home needing to set up a household for the first time.
Cygnus then wrote two letters. One to Blanche and one to Esme. And called for Pepper.
Cygnus pointed to the offending platter.
"Can you please take this to your home? Perhaps cover it, if it's going to distress the ladies? I bet Harry will love it."
He knew he would have loved such a thing at that age.
Chuckling to himself, he made copies of the letter for his wives. Such a fun topic needed to be shared.
Maybe Dorothy would forgive him before the party tomorrow as well.
Oh, the pranking potential missed out because of being an adult!
Part of him wanted to put it right into the punch bowl at the Ministry. Perhaps shrunken so it popped up full-size unexpectedly.
That would have been fun.
Part of him wanted to send the elves to buy a brand-new boar's head for just that purpose.
He weighed the consequences as he returned to his own room to bathe and prepare for the day. There was no way he was getting back to sleep. Might as well share the good news with Spurnik now.
**OO**
Friday, October 30
Breakfast, Private dining Room off Food Court
Remus Lupin had been busy at Dragon Isle. They had built a temporary blind to watch the sacred dragons, and he and Charlie were going to consult with the Romania Dragon refuge about the best way to keep it both a natural habitat and allow for visitors.
A Potter elf had brought an 'Accommodations" trunk that had an entrance big enough for Hagrid, food for weeks, extra wands, and emergency supplies that everyone had access to. Right now that was being kept in the stone underground area where the castle used to be. It was within the 'safe zone' of the dragons, supposedly, but no one was going to test that overmuch!
Harry wanted to invite his largest friend to the island to see the dragons. Remus smiled at that. Hagrid had been friendly to the Marauders and even supplied them with some non-standard potions ingredients back in the day.
The students were meeting them at the Food Court to share stories before going up to school. Hermione had walked with Harry, but Luna hadn't been at home, and left a note saying she would meet up with them in Hedwig's Keep.
Luna showed up late. She was covered in fresh green grass.
"Checking on the fruit trees, love?"
"No Harry Potter. I was helping a few new residents get comfortable. The lawns here are ever so nice for grazing. Did you know?"
"As a matter of fact, I didn't. Well, we planted apples, cherries, figs, and all sorts of other fruit trees. The various nut trees. Even date palms on the Florida golf course. Now, I can't wait to try those."
Luna looked at Remus and smiled. "Have a nice family dinner tonight."
They had a lovely breakfast together, but Moony was sure that Luna had seen something. But she smiled her little smile and listened with a journalist's eye for detail.
These were stories of her children's grandparents and their friends, after all, and she needed to be able to repeat them accurately.
Harry shared the good news about Esme and Spurnik with the girls on the way to school. Hermione was clearly surprised, but Luna just smiled and hummed.
"When are they getting married?" Hermione asked.
"Tonight. With mixed marriages, it's common for the goblin family to do their rituals separately, and then have a wizard ceremony. But Esme says she doesn't want the fuss. She's had her big wizarding style wedding and just wants to get quietly married. We were planning on moving to the Keep as soon as the family suites are ready. We'll all be happy and together!"
Hermione looked dubious about that.
**OO**
Friday, October 30
Justice Center, Hedwig's Keep
Now that the lifts were complete and connected, Siobhan was curious about the Keep. Katrina had taken her on a tour. The children's center was going to be wonderful. She had taken the opportunity to visit the new Owl Postal service (one of the shops) and had just returned from posting a letter to Amelia Bones.
No charge to her since it was a subscription service for the residents. Siobhan suspected Katrina had been told to give even more to the Justice Center. That boy! Monies were starting to come in. But she had a new problem.
The missing Americans had been found but had originally been banished to Dover. Just like the Black Watch and Scottish Aurors.
Only this time there was no Harry Potter to save them. Fortunately for them, their government had supplied life-saving equipment.
She wasn't surprised to hear that CM Dodgers was flying on an aeroplance, no, aeroplane back to Nevada. Good riddance! She couldn't stand handsy men in the workplace. She would talk to Kerns about arranging for his personal belongings to be sent to him with a note of reprimand.
She was pleasantly surprised to find out that Miss Kerns was planning on returning to her duties after recovering for the weekend. She had sought out a mind-healer and was asking for a small advance to cover costs, as she had lost her purse somewhere in the scuffle.
A purse that had been anonymously returned to Minister Stewart. No one but an elf could get into her office once she had left it.
Minister Stewart sent the funds directly to Gringotts London, knowing that they had an in-house system that was faster than any owl.
She also sent along a note and promised that they would petition the government again about this.
She took her sharpened sword off the wall that had been her mother's. The women in her clan had defended hearth and home back in the bad old times with wand and sword.
Who could she get to spar with her, that wouldn't hold back?
**OO**
Friday, October 30
9:30 AM, Hogwarts
The Headmaster looked at the clock on his side table. No. The ornate thing was saying it was well past breakfast and classes had started. He had wanted to talk to Harry Potter first thing. What was it about?
He couldn't remember.
He got up and dressed, and looked at the magical calendar on his desk. Yes! Halloween! The boy had to stay at Hogwarts for Halloween! That must have been what it was.
Getting dressed, he noticed he felt particularly fatigued.
He needed Fawkes back. He needed Harry Potter back, and he needed to get rid of a few pesky girls.
Something told him that someone else already had that well in hand, and he needed to do nothing but stay back and be ready to pretend to mourn at the right time.
**OO**
Friday, October 30
10:00 AM, Second Chances
Alastor was woken by angry voices in the living room. What time was it? No!
Somebody had dosed him again!
Throwing on a dressing gown, the man snuck down the hallway on cat foot.
"Esmeralda Evangeline Greengrass! What are you thinking? What would Father say? What would your husband say?!"
"You knew who I wanted to marry, and begged Father for. He refused to even think of it! I went to Cygnus' father and was refused also. Well, I learned to love both of those men; my father, and my husband and forgave them. I just feel I deserve a bit of happiness. This wasn't a secret sister! No more than your mooning over Moody!"
"I don't know what you mean!"
"Of course, you don't! You don't even listen to your own heart! You may be the eldest, but Cygnus would be the only one who could possibly stop this. This is a goblin proposal! And I said yes! I accepted the garlic, the onions, the spices, and the Boar's Head. And the gift of the shawl. I'm sending him my letter of intent and making the homemade candles and cake myself. We'll eat with his family, and then we will be wed."
"NO! I WON'T ALLOW IT!"
"Why would you interfere with someone's happiness?!"
"I won't live with a goblin! It's bad enough feeding them and watching them slurp up worms! I won't have them splitting the table or random visitors in half, spitting on the floor, or any of the other terrible things that they do!"
"Then you can have a separate room in the Keep. You don't have to live with a goblin if you don't want to."
"There won't be goblins in the Keep! It's Harry's home!"
"Harry approves! And just like this shop, it's his home! Why don't you live here and keep the shop, and I will make and sell my jewelry? Then you don't have to live in a place infested with goblins!"
Alastor had backed away quietly, and returned by thumping down the corridor. "Good morning. Couldn't help but notice the fight here. Let's talk about this. We've been working quite well together these last few months. And this is your first big row."
"Good morning, Alastor. Sorry if our row woke you. We'll talk more later, sister." Blanche stated firmly.
"No, we won't. The decision is not yours, except what family you live with. Or not."
"But Harry…"
"Spurnik loves Harry like a son! He's said more than once he wished that he could have adopted him. He plans on teaching the boy! As for Harry, he plans on living in the Keep. He has rooms for us all; little miniature suites that are part of a wing of family suites. He has one set aside for Sirius and Cedrella. And his elves."
Blanche took a breath and dived in. "Esme is planning on marrying Spurnik. Tonight! I am totally opposed, but as she says, I have no power to stop it. I accept what you said, Esme; I will live here. You take all the findings and everything you need for jewelry. As Dan and Emma and our other buyers bring those in, I will send them to you. I will stay here and do the rest. And sell in the Keep via catalog as we've been doing. You can have that shop space that Harry meant for us there."
"Sister, I know that you are angry. I never meant to blindside you. His proposal was unexpected. I'm sorry that your feelings are hurt. I'm happy to repair any magical tapestries you get in."
"No, you have been doing that alone. The jewelry and tapestries are yours."
"That's not what I meant! Blanche, we've always been friends! Please don't shut me out like this!"
Moody wanted to say something to heal the breach. But what could he say? This was about deep-rooted prejudice. Either Blanche would accept the situation or she wouldn't.
Blanche moved a few things from the couch and pulled Moody towards it. There was a tray of shrunken furniture. From very elegant to very modest; something for everyone's taste and budget. Nearly all of it from the Grangers or gifts and fixed by Harry.
She physically turned her back on her sister and focused on the auror.
"The catalog needs updating. Would you like to help me, Alastor?"
It was a low-magic activity suitable for a convalescent. She had checked with Marius.
"Thank you for asking. I would. Just out of curiosity, is that a pickled boar's head on the table?"
"It is, and it's for a different family dinner tonight. I will be joining you all for a time with the others, and then going to Gringotts. Alone. I will be spending the night there." Esme replied firmly. "I'll go to the memorial tomorrow as planned. I'll talk to Sirius and Cedrella about staying here and keeping Harry company while I'm gone. The traditional goblin honeymoon is a week. And we will likely go to Egypt."
Blanche's eyes narrowed, but short of a war, she didn't see how she could stop this.
Esme went to the kitchen to make her great-grandmother's fruit cake. Apparently, actually eating a slice became a test of goblin male-manliness. She didn't know how or why, but it was now a part of courting behavior. Too bad it didn't have time for the rum to really soak. Wait!
"Pepper? Do you know anywhere that I could age something for a few months quickly?"
Pepper smiled. Indeed, he did.
**OO**
Judge Seamus McGinty was getting ready to go for his regular morning exercise routine – a quick 18 or sometimes 27 holes depending on the caseload of the day.
The prosecution wasn't ready yet to present Dougal's murder. That man's death was so unnecessary! The man trained crups, and had been the Head Auror in charge of the local lads and lasses. He'd kept the peace.
Each hole, the man would say a little prayer of gratitude and remember his friend.
It was on the eighteenth that he had his first hole-in-one on the golf course. The problem was that when he went up to pick up the ball from the shot, a baby unicorn pranced across the green as though celebrating with him.
He looked around. Aye, Neville Longbottom, or someone with his magic, had surely been by as the trees were near full height and some were sporting flowers. Bees hummed in the air. Yes, the judge could see the bee-houses.
Fresh pear honey! Now that was a treat to look forward to.
Then he saw the mother grazing on the back nine, her colt trying to get in a nip as she gently walked forward.
He wanted to scream in frustration!
The minute that he showed these memories to prove he wasn't lying, they would tell him he'd clearly been drinkin'.
Because, how could a unicorn get inside a closed hill without stepping through one of the portals on that level?
**OO**
Friday, October 30
Early dinner, Pasha's, Hedwig's Keep
Everyone came – the Weasley's, Remus, his Aunties, Moody, his ladies, Tonks and Marius.
It was a great group of people, and they were the first customers in the new Indian Restaurant in the Keep.
Unlike the Food Court, where meals were served and people ate at random tables or one of the side rooms, this was an elegant, hosted actual restaurant. Magical of course, but a restaurant.
Pasha Patil came up and shook Harry's hand warmly as the boy came in.
"Thank you! Thank you! The furnishings! The place! This is fabulous."
Harry looked around. There were little alcoves built into the walls where various sizes of round tables were. Some were very small, the seats looked like little mushrooms. Some huge.
Pasha led them to the perfect table. Everyone wanted to sit next to Harry, but he chose Remus for a reason.
He wanted to try to talk the man into coming back to Britain. They were eating an early dinner as the Headmaster had changed the rules and was enforcing them with aurors.
All classes had to be held within Hogwarts castle or grounds to be counted as a Hogwarts class. So, Harry had to go to Hogwarts for Potions class. And FORGE lessons. Ugh!
Luna kissed his cheek, and Hermione reminded him to enjoy the moment.
"Life is a collection of little moments. So, make as many precious ones as you can, Harry Potter." Luna stated.
Luna took a seat next to Esme, as Blanche was sitting next to Moody and appeared to not notice her sister's presence in the least.
Harry Potter took Luna's advice. Eating and laughing with friends. Watching Molly's face as she tried the rich nut and rice mixture with some veggie curry. Fred and George had somehow made it to the meal, and Harry was dodging questions about it.
"What do you mean? I wanted to hear the Marauder stories. So, we got the Marauders together. Moony, me, the terrors, and of course Mr. Weasley. That pranking genius had to come from somewhere." Harry teased.
"Me? Oh, no. Pranking was the outlet of Molly's brothers." Arthur defended.
Moody, Molly, and Moony all raised a glass in remembrance, and it turned into several toasts. "To Family."
Blanche glared at Esme during the toast to her and Spurnik. Molly certainly looked askance. Harry took the opportunity and passed Esme an envelope. It was a certificate for the nuptial daggers that were normally commissioned by the bride's family. Harry had used his linked notebook to send Katrina to Dharma Briokz for help.
She kissed his forehead in thanks and gave him a warm hug.
"So, will Uncle Spurnik really give me axe throwing lessons?" Harry asked innocently.
Fred and George chimed in with interest for that; Molly and Blanche were adamantly against it.
Blanche hadn't had a chance to tell Harry yet that she had no intention to move to the Keep yet. She wouldn't spoil the family dinner. She needed to do it soon, though.
She didn't realize that, by not supporting Esme and Spurnik, Harry wouldn't choose to live with just her. And she was going to force the boy to make a choice of one or the other. No more goblins in her home!
**OO**
"Fresh Fruit" Golf Course, Hedwig's Keep
6:00 PM, October 30
Auror Peabody was stunned. Her friend, Conor Doyle, Irish auror, was up next, and a unicorn foal pranced across the green. He did not take well to that.
"I knew it! I knew this whole thing was a prank! You can't have such a large place inside."
Justice was standing very still. Gently, she walked forward. She had a treat for a puffskein in her pouch and pulled it out.
The foal came up to her completely unafraid, took the treat and the pets offered, and then retreated to his mother at her call.
Still a bit stunned, she came up to him. "I petted a baby unicorn! Did ye see him! All golden and soft! He's beautiful!"
She shook her head. "Ye best be going on with it, Conor. I don't know when Judge McGinty is getting back. He's been playing these courses like a demon, determined to become the Grand Master."
"McGinty? McGinty. Nay! He could go against both our scores combined, and we'd still win."
Conor's shot was long and true. The unicorns were off in the forest on the edges of the green.
"He was a very cute little one, wasn't he?" Conor agreed. Then the taller auror bent and kissed her cheek. He whispered softly in her ear. "And you weren't just blowin' me off. Ye really are waiting for marriage. Color me impressed."
**OO**
About 6:30 PM, Headmaster's Office
Esme had taken her leave of the meal at the same time that the loud Weasley twins and Harry were escorted to Hogwarts by Percy. The Prefect had shown up looking for the twins and stayed for a little of the food.
Harry wanted to come for the wedding ceremony, but she waved him off. "I'll see you tomorrow at the memorial. I'll move into the Keep in a week or so. I'm spending a week in Gringotts. We might travel a bit."
The students walked up to Hogwarts together, and Percy waited for his moment, proving that he too was a Marauder, if a Slytherin one.
While Percy pretended to scold his prankster brothers, Harry and an invisible Oliver went up the stairs.
This was not what Harry wanted to be doing! After a fun family dinner at Pasha's with Remus, the Weasleys, and everyone; Auntie Esme getting married! Harry just wanted to bask in the joyful feelings of family.
Not being on edge and being pushed to break his promise to Luna! Harry refused to wear his inhibitor around this wizard, nor any of his enchanted items. Proof he had 'gone dark' or was 'too powerful' or something.
Moody had given him permission, away from the aunties, of course, to save up all of his "teenage" angst and take it out on Dumbledore.
That was what he was planning to do!
"Come in, Harry, my boy. Minerva, no need to stay. I am well aware the boy has Potions in a few minutes. This won't take long."
Harry crossed the room to the empty perch and felt the ashes there. Rubbed them facing towards Dumbledore but certainly not looking at his eyes.
The nest was so cold; it hadn't been used in a long time.
Harry was nearly mocking the man. He was so very angry with the old wizard and wanted to just be done with him forever.
Oliver lurked under his cloak nearby as bodyguard and backup. Tonks had offered to come with Harry, but Bill had suggested meeting up with some of his friends and invited her to go. Bill then invited Marius to go as well, causing Molly to try to suggest that Marius was tired.
That decided the young people, and they were off. Harry felt bad for Remus, but he was going to write to Padfoot and use Harry's quick mail service to the island. Harry promised to make him a set as well.
The young Enchanter had too many ideas and not enough time. School was such a waste of that time for him right now, and being here trebly so!
Harry then wandered over to the bookcase. One row had a rope across it. Harry pulled his wand and cast a certain spell.
Several books jumped, but the rope held them in place.
Dumbledore frowned at that but continued to say nothing.
Harry then went to the portraits of previous Headmasters and Headmistresses and started to chat with a few.
"Harry, my boy, I asked you here for a reason!"
"You did? You haven't said anything."
"You haven't looked at me!"
"That's because while I am learning Occlumency, I'm not a master at it, so no eye contact for you. How did you enjoy your time on Privet Drive? I've got a dozen other memories ready for you. Just as special as the first. Oh… maybe a Halloween one."
"Halloween. Yes. I wanted to let you know, Harry, that you must be here for the feast tomorrow. It's a school rule."
"I am well aware, and that's why I applied for an exemption weeks ago. Approved by the Deputy Headmistress. As you well know from your spies that tried to kill us Wednesday, I have extended family visiting this weekend."
"Harry, my boy, I am hurt that you think that I had anything to do with what happened to Neville the other morning before school! This is why students should stay inside the castle! In fact, the governors are talking about changing the rules so that even students from Hogsmeade have to board."
"And who would pay for all of those extra meals? Hmm? The parents? Like you do with wealthy muggleborns? I will appeal to the House of Commons if you do. It makes no sense. As for tomorrow, we have a special memorial planned. My godfather and his wife are coming, my family is coming. And I followed the correct protocol. See?"
Harry pulled out the signed permission letter and started to walk it over the headmaster's desk.
Without a word of warning, magic lashed out towards Harry! The Headmaster had set the letter aflame with a silent wanded spell. Harry quickly dropped the burning parchment before his fingers were hurt.
"Albus!" Minerva objected to that act.
"This weekend, I plan on sharing special memories with you. You say that you are old enough to make guardianship decisions by yourself. Well, you can learn some responsibility to go along with that!"
The man was seething in anger again. Harry felt Dumbledore's power was significantly less than it had been even a year ago.
The Headmaster had been siphoning off Harry's power for himself. And Neville's. At a minimum. Now that Harry was gaining power, the Headmaster was losing his.
The windows started vibrating. Neither Harry nor Alastor put their faith in any oath being enough to prevent enemy action, after all.
Harry closed his eyes, wishing he was on Sirius' private island with blue-green clear warm water. Pure white sugar sand beaches and brightly colored fish to swim within the cove that had shark wards to keep it safe. His laughing godfather turning into a big dog and chasing a thrown stick into the water on instinct.
Tomorrow. He'd see the man tomorrow.
"Does this have anything to do with my being a student here? Yes, or no?" Harry demanded.
"No, not exactly, but it does…"
"Excuse me, sir. If you had offered to share memories in any sort of conversational tone and asked to do so on any other day, I might have said yes. But you tried to command and manipulate. Again. And on that day of all days? I just wanted to have a private little memorial with my family, but fine. I'll come here, and cry in public, and be sad for Draco Malfoy and all his death-eater wanna-be buddies to mock. Do you know what he said last year at Christmas? Do you remember? About how sad it was that some people didn't have parents? Didn't have a family that wanted them?
"How many students here don't have parents because of Draco's and his friend's parents? I'm forced by law to attend side-by-side with the children of murderers, and you. You. Let. Them. Mock. Me.
"So, no. I don't want to see your memories, or even be in the same room as you. And since it has nothing to do with school, you can't punish me."
Harry was angry and on edge. Suddenly, a bright flash of flame entered the room, and sang soothing music, dropping on Harry's shoulder.
Harry pointed to the shelf, and the bird burnt the rope, and Harry recast the same family summoning spell. All the books on that shelf jumped into his backpack.
McGonagall had learned to trust a bit. "Potter?"
"My family's books, ma'am." He pulled one and showed the signature of Lily Potter. Fawkes trilled softly and rubbed his head on Harry's cheek, reminding him of his wonderful owl.
"Albus! I canna' abide a thief. What are ye doin'?" McGonagall was mad – she had her Scot's brogue on full power.
"A misunderstanding. Lily loaned me those books."
"And you received a letter asking for them back nicely. And then they were summoned back, but some are still missing. This isn't all yet, either." Harry asked softly. "Oh, and I will be here tomorrow, but only for dinner. I will go to the memorial as planned. There, now your spies don't have to look for me. I warn you, though. Several of the members of the Black Watch are coming. Pipers too. They don't seem to like you very much for some reason.
"I wonder why," Harry said, staring daggers at the man's beard.
"Or since you gave an oath not to kill me, you'll just kill one or more of my remaining family members, hmmm? One of the Weasleys not named Ron or Ginny? Fred perhaps? Padfoot? That's Sirius Black to you, of course. Maybe Remus Lupin. You'd know his weaknesses since you let him go to school here and never really helped him since! You don't help the good guys! You HURT THEM!"
Dumbledore had forced the students back to eating in the Great Hall but made a point to not be there at the same time as the deputy. Things were tense between the Headmaster and the Transfiguration Professor. And still clearly tense with this boy who wouldn't bend an inch!
Harry always appeared older to her eyes, and now, for just a minute, he appeared to be the young boy he was. Battered and abused because of this man, stolen from, manipulated. How did her student maintain any kind of control at all on his temper?
"Professor McGonagall? I'm forced to be here at this school where this fine administrator is the headmaster. I don't want to be. May I please be dismissed?"
As she was about to say yes, Albus made a quick dash towards not the boy, but the bird. But Fawkes had learned and flamed away, somehow scorching Albus, but leaving Harry intact.
"That was a neat trick! Let me add to your day, and give you this warning. Leave. Me. Alone."
The memory spell was cast, the one where Petunia hit him with a hot frying pan over some perceived slight or other. A seven-year-old Harry's hand wound up badly burned.
Maybe this time, with the actual burn, the man would listen. And learn from this memory spell of Hope Lupin's.
Leaving behind a screaming man and an angry Scot, Harry left, almost forgetting to let Oliver go in front of him down the stairs. Harry was wondering how Luna and Hermione felt about Alaska.
After all, Sirius lived there, so it wouldn't be bad.
He thought that was in the Southern United States, but maybe Mexico. Or something.
But it was far away from here.
In all the stress, Harry forgot one thing on his to-do list he wanted to take care of himself. Offer Hagrid a job on his private island in the Hebrides, taking care of acromantulas and dragons.
**OO**
Same Night
Spurnik's Home, Gringotts London
Spurnik rose from the ornate carpet as Esme entered the room. Briokz, as his second, had escorted the witch.
"Is this the bride of your House?" Briokz asked ceremoniously.
"This is my bride! I accept Esmeralda née Greengrass into my House. Thank you for seeing her safely to her new home." Spurnik responded.
The lawyer bowed and offered Esme a small smile. Normally, a goblin bride would have her family there. But her parents were walking higher halls.
After Briokz left, Spurnik turned to his parents.
"I would like you to meet Esmeralda Hillcrest. Born into the Greengrass clan, she is now a member of our House This is my mother, Brethe, and my father SilverClaw; the rest of my clan are dining elsewhere."
"Thank you for inviting me. I have a simple dish for tonight, and a customary dessert. I also have a small gift."
Spurnik was concerned. This wasn't part of the script! But Esmeralda loved making jewelry of all kinds, and the Grangers had bought up lots of broken bits for her to play with.
She handed over two simple pendants that had a small bit of bright blue scale. "My adoptive son found some scales shed by the Eirwen and gave them to me to work into my jewelry. I have my own shop; I fix broken ancient magical tapestries; I make unique jewelry from gold and silver bits that others would throw away. I try to keep a clean home. I discipline my future daughters-in-law and teach them the stories they need to know for our clan. I am not perfect, but when I do wrong, I make it right as best I can and go forward."
SilverClaw stood. "My son had a goblin mate promised to him as a young man; she was killed by a Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy. Evidence was brought to the English court, and they did nothing. There are young goblin cubs that have lost their parents. Would you consider adopting so that Spurnik could have an heir other than Harry Potter? No offense meant, but he would not want to be, nor be accepted as a goblin Account Manager."
Esme was prepared for this question thanks to her talks with Spurnik. "I would. I plan to volunteer for the new Children's Center that is nearly complete. Staff is hired. I do believe that Harry's petition in the hybrid court is the last obstacle. I would be happy to nurture any of Spurnik's cubs and defend them with blade (she pulled out her hidden dagger), wand, and wits."
She then bowed low.
The mother of the family walked over and tasted bits of the food with her clean hands.
She then sliced a piece of the fruitcake.
Spurnik's face, when he took a bite, was unreadable. He savored the treat and bowed low to Esme.
"Let it be posted that Esmeralda and Spurnik are mates!" Brethe announced.
SilverClaw examined her jewelry and looked at the bank book she brought. He walked over to the meal she had made, examined the candles, and tasted the food.
"This bride can cook, knows the importance of being industrious, and is more than solvent even before her clan gift. Let it be posted that Esmeralda and Spurnik are mates."
Esme gave her beloved a small smile. He took her hand in his and pressed it close.
"I have a small wedding gift for you."
She had made him a silver pendant of blue dragon scale on a silver chain. She put it on him, and he nodded in appreciation.
"Well, shall we eat?" SilverClaw offered.
Esme was very grateful that she had eaten before she came, and the goblins accepted that she was taking ceremonial bites only.
By the time they left Spurnik's parent's quarters, they both were wearing their new pendants, Esme had another shawl to wear to cover her hair when in Gringotts, and she wore a bracelet that spelled out she was now Spurnik's mate.
He walked her to their new quarters and welcomed her home with a warm embrace, soft kisses, and a promise to love her and care for her always.
**OO**
Friday, October 30
Shortly after Harry left Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts Infirmary
"Harry Potter did what?" The matron demanded moments after Dumbledore came storming into the infirmary, interrupting her conversation with a young lady who blushed as the older wizard tried to push his way past the screens that fortunately magic held in place.
"The boy is out of control! He attacked me, and burned my hand! Get out here and treat me!"
The matron summoned the Deputy Headmistress, who was in charge of discipline. In any sort of attack where a student was hurt enough to be sent to the infirmary, Pomfrey would write a report.
This time, she wanted the lady here in person.
Promising the student that she would be right back, she exited the screens in a way that preserved her privacy and sent one of her aids in to help the child.
"What do we have here?" Poppy murmured, recording the results. This was no spell! A device? Hmmm.
Minerva swept into the room, her phasers no longer on stun. "I told ye to go to St. Mungo's! You tried to attack a phoenix and ye got burned for it! You're going to need a specialist. Now! Ye Sassenach!"
"But Albus said that Harry Potter attacked him! That's why I asked you here. To take his report!"
Minerva went over to Harry Potter's file and made a copy of his medical report that had been sent to Poppy, Minerva, and several others, they would know what the boy had suffered under this man.
"Here! Here's a bit of light reading to enjoy while you're treated! You are responsible for this! Harry ne'er attacked you. He shared some of his memories. And Fawkes protected himself!"
Dumbledore took the report and headed for the healer's floo to go to St. Mungo's.
The man would stop by Diagon Alley afterward. He had an international express bird to send to one Sirius Black.
Pity. The contents would interfere with his healing, sending him into a depression. Who knows what could happen after that?
If the ladies had seen his cunning smile as he entered the fireplace, they would have been afraid. Very, very afraid.
**OO**
A/N Harry was punished for doing better than Dudley in school, so yes, he has a bit of catching up to do. Like the difference between Aruba and Alaska.
Story recommendation: Reader sfjoellen: "'Harry Potter and the Witch Queen' is good."
Story recommendation: Reader etokayba2n quote "'Let's Try Again' by DayDreamer315 on AO3, A slow-building time travel with one of the biggest bashing of Ginny and Ron that I found."
Thank you, kind readers, for your list of recommendations!