Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Reviews welcome. Any advice to help me improve would be brilliant. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Chapter 24 - Finding Your Place

Tired and aching, Harry finally left Gringotts some hours later. He'd been embroiled in arguments between magical beings as well getting his own grilling for what had happened. He gave his answers as well as he could without giving away any classified information.

A consortium of Wizengamot members had been voted into temporary power until there could be a new Minister appointed. Greengrass's death and involvement in the alleged attempt to start a war had come as shock to some who had backed him after the war. The fact he failed caused concern for the many others who were banking on him to be more successful than Voldemort.

Slowly, Harry made his way towards the apparition point at the end of the alley. He would have moved faster if Tonks hadn't already assured him everyone was ok. When he reached a slight nook next to a book shop, he turned on the spot and appeared before what appeared to be a derelict cottage.

The roof on the right-hand side was collapsed inwards and vines had made their way up the walls and through various windows to the property.

Exhaling heavily, Harry rested his hands on the small gate at the entrance to the front garden. He took in the sight that had been left from the night his parents had died whilst whispering a password to himself. 'The last enemy to be defeated, is death.'

The scene changed. After a shimmer of magic, the allusion wavered to reveal the restored cottage it protected. Harry flicked open the catch to the gate and walked along the small, cobbled path which led to the door. After rummaging in his pocket for a moment, he brought the key to the lock which unlocked with a satisfactory click.

The whole place was cast in darkness, and all was quiet apart from the far away snore from one of the Weasleys upstairs. Given the late hour he hadn't expected anyone to be up.

He steadily walked through the small entrance hall, through the dining room and into the kitchen where he found a single occupant with her head rested in her arms on the table before an almost burnt-out candle.

With a wave of his wand, Harry silently set the pot on the stove and filled it with water, whilst two mugs floated out of the cupboard onto the side where a few spoonsful of hot chocolate were deposited into each.

When the water had boiled, Harry filled the two mugs and finished the drinks with some milk and a good stir before depositing them both on the table with a slight clink. It was all that was needed to jerk the kitchens other occupant awake.

She looked up hazily through a curtain of red hair. 'Harry?' She croaked.

'Hmm, hm.' Hummed Harry, nodding. 'Hot chocolate?' He asked, pushing the drink towards her.

'Thanks.'

'How long have you been waiting?' Asked Harry with a bemused smile.

'Since I got back a few hours ago.' Yawned Ginny, cradling the warm mug. 'I didn't think you would be back this late.'

'It all kicked off at the bank. I don't think anyone really knew what to do.'

'You have just killed the minister for magic.' Said Ginny fairly. 'It's bound to cause a stir, I was surprised when Tonks said they hadn't chucked you back in Azkaban.'

Harry smiled. 'They wouldn't dare. Not in front of the goblins anyway.' He said, leaning back into his seat to take a swig from his mug.

Ginny furrowed her brow. 'Why not?'

'I've just stopped a robbery in their bank and outed a plot to start a full-blown war. Even if the Wizengamot wanted me in jail the goblins would have demanded my freedom and took my arrest as an act of war.'

'I see, they would have thought they were siding with Greengrass.' Surmised Ginny.

'Exactly.'

'Well then you're lucky they're tetchy.' She teased.

'I'm not in the clear yet though, when it comes out I'm an agent for the Muggle Government it could turn sour.'

'Do they have to know?'

'Yeah.' Sighed Harry. 'It's how I've got my evidence, they'll want to know why I went poking without an Auror's jurisdiction.'

'It's all a big mess isn't it.'

'Could be worse.' Admitted Harry stretching his back slightly. 'How was it at the Ministry after I left?'

'Carnage, we managed to get the Aurors their wands back, as I imagine you guessed from the scenes in the atrium. When they saw you leave through the phone box, they went mad. Instead of fighting they just started trying to blow the place up.'

'Bloody hell.' Muttered Harry.

'I know.' Agreed Ginny after a slurp of Hot Chocolate. 'We were lucky to only have a few injured and two dead.'

'I'm sorry.' Said Harry, leaning across the table to take her hand.

Ginny half shrugged. 'We all know the risks. We just have to live with being left behind.'

'It's not easy.' Admitted Harry. 'We should make the most of time given to us.'

'Doesn't sound like you.' Pointed out Ginny, half smiling.

'Oh I think it's bollocks.' Ginny spat her hot chocolate out laughing. 'Dumbledore's words just seem a bit more eloquent than mine.'

'They are love, they are.' She assured him, whilst mopping up the spilt drink from the table in front of her.

Unsurprisingly it only took a couple of days for the trial to begin. It was a mess, like the days after Voldemort's fall, everyone was claiming innocence, and no one really knew who to trust. The only difference was that "the" Harry Potter was actually around this time.

That led to a lot of suspicion about his inclusion in the process and word seemed to have gotten around that he was once again involved. That didn't make it any easier.

'Harry Potter, is called to the stand.' Called out Kingsley Shacklebolt, who seemed to be taking control of the situation as much as possible.

Sighing to himself in the hall outside the courtroom, knowing his time in the shadows was over, Harry wearily pushed open the doors. He took some confidence from the lack of a dementor's presence, he had been certain they would be ordered to guard him.

He walked into the centre of the oval room and sat down in the cold chair that was waiting. The courtroom was organised so the seating was around the entire room, much like a small stadium or theatre. The rows went all the way back to the high ceiling, where most were cloaked from view.

Once he sat, the chains moved as if to restrain him before falling limp. Harry eyed Kinglsey warily, who took no notice of the incident.

'Mr Potter.' He began. 'Thank you for coming. Is there anything you would like to say before we begin?'

'No, let's get it over with.'

'Very well then. Hookshall, you may begin.'

An elderly wizard stood from his seat, which happened to be on the aisle, and walked down the stairs towards the floor. He opened a small gate which separated the court floor from the crowd and stepped onto the stone flagged surface.

He eerily paced a lap of the room with both hands clasped behind his back, his beedy, brown eyes never wondering from Harry as he encircled him.

Once the lap was complete, he finally came to rest. Although he still took his time before speaking. 'Mr Potter,' he announced clearly. 'Thank you for showing up, this time at least.'

Any sense of calm Harry had, was instantly erased, this wasn't going to be pleasant.

'Where have you been for the last, what 10 years is it now since Voldemort fell.'

Eleven.' Growled Harry.

'Yes of course, eleven.' Smirked Hookshall.

'I've been as far from the wizarding world as possible.'

'And why is that?'

'I didn't fancy living in your world after you all let Voldemort's followers worm their way so effortlessly, back into power.'

'I see, so you don't like the way the Ministry is being run.'

'No, I didn't. Greengrass was a bastard, as he has proved.'

'Or so you say.' Said Hookshall. 'Eleven years is a long time to plan a murder.'

'If it was planned you would never have found the body.' Said a voice with distain from the courtroom doors. Harry hadn't even heard them open.

'Who are you?' Asked Hookshall, to the intruder.

'My name is Clarke. I work in the governments intelligence office.'

'I don't know you.' Snarled Hookshall.

'Course you don't.' Spat Clarke. 'I work for the muggle government.' She walked forward rested her hand on Harry's shoulder as mutterings sprang in the crowd.

'This can't be allowed.' Shouted Hookshall, turning to Kingsley.

'Why not, this effected the muggles too, or didn't you hear about the murders and kidnappings. As I understand it, she is with Potter so we let her speak with him.'

Hookshall whirled around with a glint in his eye. 'So, you work for the muggles ay Potter? How much of the statute of secrecy have you broken?'

'None.' Answered Clarke for him, coldly. It was a sign for Harry to keep his gob shut. 'He had no choice but to tell me after he managed to save another one of our agents during a mission. They shouldn't have gotten out of there alive.'

'You need obliviating.' Shouted Hookshall, pointing angrily. With some obvious shouts of agreement in the crowd.

'What bloody use will that do? Without that knowledge we would all be at war.'

'How so?' Asked Kingsley above the din.

'I spotted something unusual on a tape that we captured.'

'What's a tape?' Asked Hookshall warily.

'It's a muggle device that works a little like a pensieve.' Explained Harry. 'It records a moment and allows the user to rewatch that moment.'

'Yes, well this tape showed obvious signs of magic, used to kill one of my operatives.' Continued Clarke. 'That was when I got Potter involved.' She turned full circle to look upon her audience as she spoke. 'Without Potter, this plot would have succeeded, he found the link that no one else could. He tracked their operatives, saving countless lives as he did so. Magical and Muggle.

'The world is becoming a darker, murkier place. You should all be grateful that Harry Potter is in it.'

'Why?' Asked Hookshall. 'So, he can topple our government and kill as he pleases.'

'Don't be such an idiot. I heard stories of the one they call Voldemort, it seems no one was able to stop him but a boy and you all then turned your backs on him. Not many would have come back to save you again.'

Clark moved behind Harry only stop on his other side. 'You didn't trust him before, let me explain why that was a grave mistake.'

'Do we have a choice?' Growled Hookshall.

'No.' Came Kingsley's booming voice. 'We don't, please ma'am. Tell us how your investigation was more successful than our own. It seems we have much to learn.'

Authors Note: Thank you very much for the reviews they are all much appreciated!