Chapter 11:

Albus Dumbledore had rushed out of the Wizengament meeting so that he could get to Gringotts. It was his last 'shot' in gaining back some measure of control. However, the lines were long and there weren't as many tellers as normal. It took him nearly 15 minutes to reach the front of the line. Then it was another 15 minutes waiting for the Potter account manager, Razorclaw. This was not the goblin that he had worked with previously.

"Many Titles Albus Dumbledore. My name is Razorclaw, the Potter Account Manager."

"Where is Hornblower?"

"My former associate is no longer attached to this office. Now what can I help you with as I fail to see why you have need to see me. I am sure that the notice you received was self-explanatory, was it not?"

"No, it was not! I have been the Boy's Guardian since his parents were tragically killed so I fail to understand what had changed!"

"It really is quite simple."

Razorclaw was laughing on the inside. This famous wizard looked like he was to explode. The goblin was glad that the recording crystals around the room were working. He was going to make a fortune selling the copies of it. It was rare to get one over this particular wizard.

Albus was reaching the end of his rope. He took a couple of deep breaths to try to calm down but, he doubted that it would work.

"I see that I shall have to explain. YOU failed in your duty to your charge. YOU with held all statement to him. YOU failed to give him the Heir ring at the appointed time. YOU sealed a will that should have been executed withing the year of his parents' death and YOU changed said will so that YOU could drain his accounts into your own, PERMANENTLY borrow several things that are strictly House Potters. YOU prepaid Heir Potter's tuition before he even started and took ANOTHER three years' worth to fund your pet Deatheater and your little militia. Have I left anything out?"

Albus was steaming mad. "I had every right to what I did. I was appointed by the Wizengament to be the boy's magical Guardian. Now I WANT everything returned to how I HAD it!"

Razorclaw just shook his head. "As you do not seem to understand let me dumb it down for you. YOU failed to fill out the paperwork that would legally give you that statis. Someone else realize this and did so. That person then came here with said documents and fixed it. We at Gringotts are not thieves, especially when children are involved. You violated so many laws both yours and ours that I can tell you that if you return to this Bank ever again you will not leave it. I have taken the liberty of closing your account, liquidating your assets, and after paying back what you owe House Potter, have what is left of your vault. Your salary will be sent to you via an owl. Let us hope that that doesn't get mislead. Now I bid you a rotten day!"

With that final statement Albus Dumbledore was forced by armed escort from Gringotts. Stunned at what happened he apparated away.

HLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHH

Sirius Black was having the time of his life. He had just been a part of one of the Greatest pranks that had ever been pulled, all thanks to his godson. Not only had he brought down Dumbledore, but several 'good standing' families to boot. He had to laugh at his own addition to the mayhem by revoking Narcissa's and Bellatrix's marriages. It was even legal as both had failed to fulfill parts of it.

Now he and Ted were headed towards the Wizarding Family Office. Ted had the forms filled out and signed by the other Dumbledore, which had sent Sirius into a giggle fit that had required Ted to give him a calming drought, giving his custody of his godson and his two Vassal's. That was a prank unto itself. He had to grin at how James would have been proud that his boy had TWO girls instead of just one. Using the Vassalage this way was brilliant! He couldn't wait to meet them.

It took truly little time to do the transfer. Now to Gringotts. He thanked whatever deity there was that the Dementors had been recalled at that point.

HLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHH

Albus Dumbledore arrived back at Hogwarts just as the Hogwarts express arrived at Hogsmeade station. He had truly little time to clean up and change before the start of the feast. He did make time to tell Severus that for now the vault to cover the potion supply was closed. The sour man didn't take it very well. Thankfully, there was little in the room to destroy but what had been there was not repairable, even by the house elves.

Now in the Great Hall, seated on his Golden Throne, He had the look of calm but inside was seething. His target had finally entered the Hall, with the know-it-all by his side. He watched as they escorted a blonde Ravenclaw to that House's table, saying something to the few seated there, before escorting Granger to their own, helping her sit before taking a seat next to her.

A few minutes later his minions arrived. The youngest Weasley children, thanks to their mother, were at his beck and call. But he was starting to worry as the youngest two seated themselves a little further away from Potter and Granger. He wondered what had happened. Maybe he needed to see if he had been cursed?

HLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHH

Ronald Weasley was not the smartest tool in the shed. He was a glutton. He was a slob. But he was a brilliant tactician. Chess was his battleground, and he used those strategies for Quidditch plays. Now had to use that ability to get information from Potter and Granger. During the train ride he complained, questioned, and rallied against Potter, Granger, and Looney Lovegood to anyone he could. He put Seamus and Dean onto questioning Potter at the feast while he and Ginny would be close enough to listen. But what was overheard was not good.

HLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHHLHH

Harry had barely got into his seat after helping Hermione into hers before Seamus and Dean were asking questions.

"How was your break, Harry?"

"Productive. How was yours?"

"Same as always."

"That's good."

"Umm, Harry?"

"Yes Dean?"

"Care to tell us about what happened with you and Ron?"

"Not really. Why? Did he complain to you?"

"Yeah. Said that you turned pureblood like Malfoy and dropped him like a hot potato."

"Really?"

"If that's what Weasley said then it must be true. After all, Weasley's never lied before now, has he?"

That sarcastic question sent chuckles and giggles down both sides of the table. It was well known that Ron lied all the time, especially to the professors. He embellished every story so that he was the star and savior.

At this point Professor McGonagall opened the main doors and led the first years in. Harry blocked out the sorting hat song to look the hall over. Luna saw him looking and waved at him. He smiled back and noted how several Ravenclaws paled at the sight of his grin.

Casting his eye on the Slytherin table he noted that Draco Malfoy looking quite thunderous or maybe constipated. Harry wasn't quite sure. Hufflepuff looked normal as usual. But the Head Table. That had some looks.

First Snape looked like he was going to take points from everyone, professor included. That man looked like he was going to combust. Remus Lupin looked content to be there.

But Dumbledore's was priceless. The man was rotating from 'grandfather' to 'a demon from hell'.

'His day must have been terribly bad' thought Harry. He nudged Hermione and nodded towards Dumbledore. She leaned into whisper "Doesn't look too happy, does he?"

Harry could only shake his head. If he opened his mouth, he'd probably start laughing.

Soon the sorting was finished. Dumbledore said nothing just waved his wand and the tables filled with food. Several noted that both Harry and Hermione were not eating.

"What's up Harry?"

"With what Neville?"

"You and Hermione aren't eating."

"Oh, that's because we don't trust the food."

Several forks hit their plates.

"Why's that?"

"I discovered that someone has had the house elves place potions in my food."

"The only ones that can do that are the Professor and the Headmaster."

"Right in one Neville me lad."

Neville Longbottom, shy and reserved boy that he was thanks to his strict grandmother suddenly looked like his father when on a mission from the Aurors. That Frank Longbottom was a forced to be reckoned with was legendary amongst the Deatheaters. Afterall, it had taken three of their best to bring him down and they still couldn't kill him.

"WHO?"

'That's the Neville I remember' thought Harry with a grin. He had deeply missed the man he once knew. It had taken twenty Deatheaters to kill Neville in the previous timeline. Of those twenty only one survived slightly whole. Harry had cried the night he heard about Neville's murder.

"Later Nev, I promise. But I'm sure that yours is fine but you might want to learn some revealing spells for the future."

Neville nodded but refused to eat another bite until he knew it was safe. Instead, He asked Harry a defense question that had all three of them discussing the pros and cons for more than twenty minutes. McGonagall Called for attention and the Headmaster stood.

"Welcome to a new school year here at Hogwarts. I hope that your minds have been sufficiently emptied and are ready to refill them. Now off to your dorms and have a good night. Mr. Potter? A moment of your time if you please."

Harry and Hermione remained seated as Luna made her way towards them Neville, left them after he was sure that Hermione didn't need an escort.

"We really need to include him more." whispered Hermione into Harry's ear. Harry nodded his agreement. It took a few minutes for the Great Hall to clear. When the last straggler left, Harry and the girls made their way up front. Dumbledore looked even more angrier than before.

"I asked for you only Mr. Potter! Ms. Granger, Ms. Lovegood you will NOW leave!"

"Headmaster, Ms. Granger and Ms. Lovegood are my Vassals. Swore to me in front of a respectable witness. They stay."

Dumbledore lad a surprised looked before returning to angry.

"That will be investigated. You, however, will answer me as to who your pretend Guardian is! I need a name to turn into the Ministry to have them arrested."

"Then you best present yourself. You're the only one I know of who lied about it. My current Guardian seemed not to like what you had done and fixed it. He even discussed everything he changed and why he had done so."

"I AM YOUR GUARDIAN!"

"NO, YOU ARE NOT!"

"Mr. Potter, if you do not tell me who this pretend guardian is them you are off the Qudditch team!"

"No and go ahead. We're done here."

With that said Harry turned around and led both girls out of the room.