As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys.

All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life.

#

Ginny woke up late; this was the first Hogsmead weekend of the school year. Any plans that she had for getting with Harry were dead in the dust. When Harry told her on the train that there was no chance of a relationship between them, she should have realised then that Harry was serious.

She lay in bed the curtains drawn; a slither of light had managed to find its way through a gap and was illuminating the headboard above her face. She watched as the dust danced on the morning sunlight, perhaps if she stayed here then everything would be as she wanted it to be.

She didn't want to get up, to face humiliation knowing that he would be there with her, or that Ron had lied about everything. Why had she believed him?

It dawned on her that Ron was the cause of her current predicament.

'You're a complete arsehole, Ron' she whispered before she got up.

Ginny threw the curtains of her bed open and focused on getting her clothes out of her trunk for the day ahead. A shower then some breakfast would be the first steps, then perhaps she would see how things go from there.

#

Ron woke to find that, once again, Harry's bed was empty.

He sat up and found that he was alone in the dorm, smiling to himself he said 'Now I can get some payback.'

Ron got up and went over to Harry's bed space. He looked about and saw nothing of importance lying about, so he opened the truck at the end of the bed.

'What's he got in here then?' Ron said the empty room.

He began pulling out large tatty clothes, some with holes, others with frayed edges. There was nothing new in the truck. Ron looked at everything he had taken out with confusion. 'I thought he was loaded?' Ron sat there for a moment, wondering if he missed something before he repacked everything into the trunk.

'Jeez, he's got even less money than me. Ginny should be thankful that she's dodged this pauper.' Ron smiled, thinking that he had more ammunition to use against Harry. Hermione would undoubtedly pick him over penniless Harry any day of the week. For Ron Weasley, this was going to be an excellent Hogsmead weekend!

#

Director Ragnok entered the chamber and saw everyone getting up from the floor,

'What happened here?' he barked out his question.

'Director, the Gods spoke. After the ritual, the gods claimed His Grace as their chosen one; this is unheard of.' Said Aglig

'Their Chosen one?' asked Ragnok uncertainly

The other healers all nodded in unison. 'Your Grace' Ragnok looked to Harry and dropped to one knee 'Your Grace, the Gods have claimed you as their chosen one. The nation will recognise you, your mate, and her family as Kin, we have not recognised a wizard as Kin since the days of Merlin.'

Harry struggled to sit up, whatever energy he had was expelled during the ritual. Hermione put her arm under his shoulders and helped pull him up to a sitting position. '

'Director...' Harry began before exhaustion claimed him. Hermione pulled him into a soft hug and kissed his forehead before lowering him back on the altar.

'Forgive me, Director, is there somewhere we can take Harry so he might rest?' she asked.

'Sister Hermione, we will take him to a recovery suite. You will be able to attend him; we will bring food and drink for you both. Headmaster, would you willing to bring Sister Hermione's parents to the back? we have much to discuss.' Asked the Director.

Albus replied 'Certainly Director, if I may be so bold, His Grace will require his friends, with your permission I would like to have Professor McGonagall and Mr Longbottom attend, while I return to Hogwarts.'

'A wise suggestion Headmaster, please see it done.' Said Ragnok before leaving the chamber.

Hermione stood to one side as the healers, lead by Aglig, carried Harry to the joining recover suite. She stood unsure of the protocol before the last of the healers turned and beckoned her to follow.

#

Albus quickly got dressed before heading to the Granger residence; Dan and Emma where happily sitting in their kitchen having a light breakfast and reading the newspaper when they heard the unmistakable sound of someone Apparating.

Dan shot to his feet and rushed outside to see who had arrived.

'Mr Granger, I presume?' the stranger asked, Dan, nodded, 'I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I have been asked to escort you and Mrs Granger to Gringotts Bank.'

Dan's eyes widened in panic.

'I assure you, there is nothing wrong with Ms Granger, great honour has been bestowed upon her and her family by the Goblin nation.' Said Albus trying to ally Dan's fears.

'Dan, what's going on?' asked Emma as she came into the garden.

'Emma, this is Albus Dumbledore, Hermione's Headmaster. He wants to take us to the bank .' explained Dan.

'Why?' she inquired of the elderly man in front of her.

'It is an interesting tale; unfortunately, it does not paint me in a particularly good light I'm afraid. However, that said, your exceptional daughter is perfectly well and currently tending to His Grace the Earl of Monmouth, of course, you know him as Harry Potter.' explained Albus.

Both Grangers said 'Harry! what happened?'

'Time is of the essence, Mr and Mrs Granger. While neither of them is in any danger, Director Ragnok has requested for you both to attend. If you could give me a moment, I have to send my deputy a message to meet us at the back.' said Albus as he drew his wand.

#

The Grangers rushed into the house; Emma started to clear things away when Dan stopped her. 'Love, seriously?'

'What? Oh... eh, I'll just grab my bag.' Emma rushed off.

'Dan picked his wallet up off the worktop where he had left it when he came back from the shop. When he turned around to head back to the garden, he was confronted with Dobby standing on the kitchen table.

'Harry Potter's Mister Grangey, Dobby can be helping.' Said the house-elf

'Dobby? Did Harry send you?' asked Dan

'Before Harry Potter and his Graney went with professor kitty, he told Dobby to stay with his mister and missus Grangey, to help. Dobby will help.' Dobby snapped his fingers, and the breakfast dishes disappeared. Just then Emma came back to the kitchen and absent-mindedly said 'Hello Dobby' before walking out to the garden.

She stopped, turned around and walked back into the kitchen and asked, 'What are you doing here Dobby?'

'Harry gave him instructions to be here to help us, and here he is. We are all Harry's Grangeys' said Dan smirking.

#

While Dan and Emma were in the kitchen, Albus cast his Patronus 'Minerva; it was a success, please attend the bank as soon as possible and bring Mr Longbottom with you. There is much to discuss.' His Phoenix Patronus flew off to find Minerva.

#

Dan and Emma came into the garden, Albus was admiring some of the plants that Emma had grown. 'Your Ice and Fire roses are particularly beautiful Mrs Granger' complimented Albus.

Emma smiled and said 'Thank you, Hermione thought that I would like them.'

Albus held out both his hands, 'if each of you would take a hand, I will side along with you both to the bank. I must warn you, your first experience of Apparition is not usually very pleasant.'

Without much more of a warning, he turned, and they vanished.'

#

Minerva was sitting alone in her office when the message arrives.

'Whit mess have yer got yersel, intae this time, Harry.' she wondered out loud. With a sigh, she got up and went to find Neville.

Neville sat with Hannah at the Gryffindor table; they had an old copy of Culpeper's complete herbal between them. 'All I'm suggesting is that there might be something to think about.' suggested Neville.

'Why, though? What possible benefit could we get from this hyperpodicks thing?' asked Hannah.

'It's called Hydroponics. Think about the composition of soil for a second; its made up of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. The majority is minerals, water, and air; there was a non-magical man in the sixteen hundred's called Francis Bacon that suggested that plants could be grown without soil. It wasn't really until the thirty's that non-magical's managed to develop Hydroponics. Of course, there were several others between Bacon, and the guy's in the thirty's. The water holds the minerals required for the plants. The need for soil is removed, think of the possibilities.' Explained Neville.

Ron wandered over to the couple and picked up the book, and said 'what's this rubbish? And what the hell is a badger doing sitting here?'

Neville grabbed the book from the Red-heads hands and said 'This is one of those new inventions that everyone is talking about, it's called a book. You store information on it; it's quite clever! And for your information, Hannah is my guest.'

'I know what a book is you squib! and I don't care if she is your guest I say she's not allowed so she can beat it.' Ron's new confidence was making him feel very brave.

Hannah stood to leave when Fred and George, who had heard the entire conversation, took hold of their brother by the ears

'Now, now mister...'

'That's not how...'

'We treat guests...'

'In our house...'

They both said 'What would mum say?' before dragging him to the other end of the table.

Both Hannah and Neville were becoming increasingly pissed off with the Weasel of the third year. Something would have to be done about him, Neville was about to get up and make his annoyance known when Professor McGonagall came into the great hall.

She marched towards Neville and Hannah with the air of someone frustrated and ready to erupt.

She stood behind Neville and said 'Mr Longbottom, I am afraid that whatever plans you had for today will be postponed. Please follow me.'

At the far end of the table, Ron stood and laughed 'I told you, the badger isn't wanted here. Ha-Ha-Ha enjoy detention loser.'

Minerva glared at Ronald, causing him to stop talking instantly.

'Twenty points from Gryffindor for your childish and immature attitude, and one week of detention with me starting tonight Mr Weasley.' Ron quickly sat down and ignored the glares coming from his house.

Minerva looked at Hannah who was on the verge of tears and said 'Twenty points to Hufflepuff and Gryffindor for fostering a new sense of unity between houses. To avoid further confusion, members of any house can sit at any table for any meals. Only official school functions demand that pupils sit at their designated house tables.'

Neville stood, and the professor said 'I'm afraid that we will be heading to London, Mr Potter has requested that you be in attendance.'

Neville asked 'Can Hannah come too? She is also friends with Harry and to be honest ma'am I would feel more comfortable with her being there.' He lowered his voice 'Harry told me what was happening this morning. Please, Professor?'

'Very well. Ms Abbot, please inform Professor Sprout that you will be leaving the premises with me. We will meet you at the grand staircase in ten minutes.' said the deputy Headmistress.

Hannah beamed at Neville and headed off to speak with her head of her house.

As Neville and Minerva made their way out of the hall, she asked Neville, 'What exactly did Harry tell you was happening this morning?'

Neville looked alarmed, 'he eh... he said it was something to do with his scar.'

'Don't worry Mr Longbottom, neither you nor Harry is in trouble. I am pleased that you are both exploring this new friendship. I don't know how much your Gran has told you, but I was there when both your mothers underwent the godparent ritual. I think that both Lily and Alice would be very proud of how you both turned out.' Said, Minerva.

#

Black island was a hive of activity in preparation for the trial of Sirius Black, formerly of Azkaban prison. Since Remus had advised Ted, Andi and Sirius of the upcoming trial, they had been in battle mode. Every conceivable angle was covered, no stone left unturned, they even managed to get Sirius to register his Animagus form with a European ministry and have it backdated to the late seventies. A sizable donation to aid orphans of Romania helped grease the wheels of bureaucracy; this would prevent any come back on his "alleged" crime of being unregistered.

'Is there anything else that you might have left out, overlooked or simply forgotten?' asked Ted.

'How would I know if I've forgotten it! Come on, Ted. You've gone through my Auror service record; you've checked out every report that I have submitted for every arrest I was part of and picked apart the transcripts of every interrogation I was involved with. What else could they possibly look through?' Asked Sirius

'They will use whatever they can get their hands on to discredit you.' replied Ted.

Sirius was tired; they had been going at this for days, he sat and racked his brains for something that might have been significant. Relief came in to form of Remus calling on the mirror.

'Moony, What ho!' called out Sirius, the tension flowed from his face at the sight of his old friend.

'Harry is in the recovery rooms at Gringotts.'

The colour drained from the old marauder's face; his eyes widened in panic.

'What happened?' asked Andi

'He underwent a goblin ritual. There was dark magic embedded in his scar, and this was the only way to have it removed. ' said Moony

'You look far too chipper to be delivering bad news, Moony, spill the beans. What really happened?' demanded Sirius.

'Exactly what I said, he is fine. Hermione is with him; he'll be up and about in a few hours. The Goblin healers what to make sure that there are no residual effects of the dark magic. And get this, he has also been recognised as Kin to the nation as has Hermione and her family. ' Remus smiled as he delivered this news.

All the worry and tiredness Sirius had been feeling left him. It was unprecedented; the nation never accepted wizard-kind as Kin. To bestow an honour like this was ground-breaking.

'I think that this calls for a drink.' Said Andi.