Two uploads in two days what!? :o

A recent review shook me to my core. I understand that some are scared that this will wade through the swamp of lordship and power. While I feel it had to happen anyway. Power it is NOT a priority of Harry's, so the story will spend as much time on it as nessessary to build the world.

If Lordship becomes a driving force, send me to the gallows as it will be all I deserve. But with that out of the way. Enjoy!

Family and Fear

A wild and long cart ride later he found himself in a familiar space. The circular area lined with pillars that signified the deepest part of the Bank, just this time Dragonless. Looking closer at each of the massive Doors he realised they had names on them. Malfoy. Longbottom. Potter. McMillan. Nott. Abbott. Black. Talongrey walked over to the Potter vault and traced a fingernail down the door, which then opened slowly to reveal a corridor with two doors either side. With his best friend following him he opened the first Door on the right, which held the most Galleons, Sickles and Knuts he had ever seen in his life.

In a day full of shocking events, the money was the least surprising as he had read the number just before. He was more interested in what was in the other rooms so he didn't dwell in the doorway for long, as he made his way to the room opposite and opened the door to find an assortment of Jewels on expensive antique looking Dressers and Tables. All of the Jewellery looked very old. He looked at Hermione who was running her hand over the wood. "You can look in the draws too you know. Help me find something interesting." There's her helping me again. As he looked carefully through the draws himself he find a two small boxes. One with the Potter Coat of Arms embossed on it, and the other highly polished wood.

Opening the former box revealed a heavy looking gold Ring, no diamonds but a smooth black face with a streak of maroon through it, and an outline of Potter Family Crest in gold. Realising this must be the ring needed to access the Manor he put it on his right pinky finger as it looked too small for his other fingers. He fully expected something dramatic to happen once he put the ring on but nothing happened. As there was no strange happening to explain to Hermione he opened the other box to find what looked like an engagement ring of some kind. It looked silver with a single diamond in the middle, and on either side, smaller ruby's and sapphires extended from either side of it. With no explanation to even himself for his actions he pocketed it. A small "oh" turned his attention to the other set of draws to find the witch staring at a pendant.

She noticed Harry looking at her "It's gorgeous Harry, are you going to give this to Ginny?"

He started at the unexpectedness of the question and replied without thinking. "No." He looked away to try to figure out his reasoning, but coming up with nothing. It just didn't seem right to give something that was most likely his mother's to Ginny, he pictured it and it just looked wrong. He turned back to her to see her biting her lip looking at him the in most curious way. She then asked the question he already knew she would.

"Why?"

"I dunno, it just doesn't seem right. We aren't even together anymore."

"You're going to get back with her though aren't you?"

"I... don't know. It's not the same as our sixth year, I... Can't be anyone else anymore."

Her eyes narrowed at this. "You need to explain that one Harry."

He looked around to see if Talongrey was around but he seemed like he was still outside the vault. "Being with Ginny then was... Like I was someone else, it was normal. I knew she had liked me for so long so It just seemed like a chance to do normal things with someone that didn't worship me. Well, anymore."

Her eyes hardened. "So you used her."

The need to sit overcome him and he fell into a sitting position against the wall. "Yeah I think I did." He looked up to see Hermione looking at something he could not see.

"I helped her you know. She asked me advice on how to get to know you, get close to you. And of course you found her attractive so I told her. And it worked didn't it? I thought you actually liked her Harry and..." her voice raised slightly. "You think you used her? How can you not be sure about that? I'd hate to think you were lying to me, after all we've been though."

He sighed, this aggressive form of introspection was a lot more comprehensive than he own ponderings. "I have no idea what a real relationship is about. I think I know what love is but only in the way that I feel it. I have no idea what it looks like. So yes now I realise I did use her." He felt the need to cry but his eyes remained dry. "No one had ever shown interest in the real me until Ginny started acting normally towards me and I could only tell that because of her obvious crush on me when we were younger. Everyone I know had gotten with someone at some point. You and Krum, Ron and Lavender, Neville and Ginny. Cho and I weren't really even a thing she spent the whole time being angry at me or crying on me. I just wanted to feel normal before I went after Voldemort, I was fairly sure I would not survive the war, so I never planned for actually living after it. So living in the now felt like my only option."

Hermione had her eyes fixed on his. "Then what changed?"

He took a shaky breath. "I... Died, but then survived, then actually beat him. And all of a sudden, I had to live. Not for a cause, but for myself. It just feels like she isn't the one, though I don't know what the one looks like." He coughed and laughed at the same time. "Maybe she could be as loyal as you." He stood up quickly. "I have to thank you for all you've done for me, I've been a terrible friend. You kept me alive and kept me sane for so long, I owe you now."

She had tears in her eyes now and stepped back. "Thank you Harry, you're the only one that has thanked me." Her eyes became merry. "Now I expect quite a lavish birthday gift now." She elbowed him. "You AND Ron."

He straightened and mock saluted. "Yes ma'am, I'll start on it right away."

She giggled and pushed him towards the door. "Now, get going. We need to visit the Ministry as well today. No dallying."

After stopping by the Black Vaults to retrieve the Black Family Ring they bid farewell to Talongrey and exited the bank. Hermione checked her Watch and gasped, "it's nearly Twelve! We have to get my new wand before we see Kingsley!" and before he could answer she just about dragged him all the way to Ollivander's. A couple minutes of buffeting the way through the crown later and she finally let him go. As she darted in he took some time to inspect the shop from the outside, It looked back to normal at least. Shaking off the memories of the Deatheater attack he followed her into the shop.

The first impression he got when he entered was emptiness. There was none of the boxes that usually lined the walls, it did look cleaner though. Hermione spared him a glance as Ollivander handed her a wand, he returned the wand she had with a shrug, she looked at the new wand and gave it a wave. Nothing happened, then he saw her eyebrows, which she had turned yellow. He couldn't hold the mirth in and burst out laughing, as he drew his own wand to fix the damage the old man took the wand from her distracted hand. After a wave of his wand to return her brows to their natural attractive colour. She took a new wand that was offered and a wind suddenly ruffled her hair and her eyes shone with relief.

"Ah ha, Elm and Unicorn Hair ten and three-quarter inches, quite precise. Eleven galleons miss. Granger."

"Thank you Mr. Ollivander, it truly is great to see you healthy again."

He looked at them solemnly. "No, thank you both."

They both nodded to him and exited, the only noise coming from a jingling bell on the shop door.

...

"A crack later and the both of them appeared in an unfamiliar alleyway. He was about to ask her where she had taken them but then he caught sight of a familiar telephone box. "How did you know where the visitors entrance was?"

She glanced at him as they crossed the road. "I came here before my holiday in France, to make sure there wasn't going to be any problems with the Ministere des Affaires Magiques."

He opened the door of the box for her, "Sounds complicated."

She entered and placed her hand on the dial as Harry entered himself and closed the door behind him. "Yes, there's a rather lot of red tape for us Muggleborns." She dialled the number and the box suddenly lurched and Harry had to hold himself steady on the glass to keep himself from falling onto her. More to break the awkwardness of how close he was to her he cleared his throat.

"I don't like it when you refer to yourself like that." He continued quickly as she made every indication that she was about to argue the point. "Bella may have carved the name into your arm but you'll always be Hermione to me." She looked at him for longer than he was comfortable as the booth floated to the floor of the atrium.

"Thank you Harry." To avoid eye contact he looked out at he crowd below and exited quickly when they hit the floor. They made their way through the throng to the elevators. He only noticed a few double-takes as they reached the wrought iron monstrosities as he had come to know them by. "Level one please," she said to the operator and after a moment of recognition the contraption rattled to level one. As the lift shuddered to a halt, the typical elevator voice rang out. "Level One, Minister of Magic and Support Staff."

They stepped out into the small ante area and he led the way down the corridor. They passed Umbridge's old office and the memory of his amateur James Bond subterfuge both made him want to chuckle and grimace in anger. The resulting noise he made sounded like "psshhtt."

"What?"

"Just thinking of all the typists I scared."

She rolled her eyes at him and took lead. At the end of the corridor there was a simple desk with a woman behind it. As they reached it she looked up and immediately blushed at Hermione. Undeterred Hermione spoke, "Hermione Granger and Harry Potter to see the Minister."

The receptionist looked down quickly at a list in front of her and inspected Harry. Though not as much as he expected, this intrigued him as he watched her inspect his friend. Taking much more time than he thought was rather necessary, she was looking at Hermione like Ginny did him in his second year. Holding back his laughter as they were guided into an inner waiting room that looked like a royal sitting room. He turned to Hermione as the receptionist left with a longing look at his friend. "I think she likes you."

"Ha ha, no Harry."

"I'm serious. She looked at you like I look at treacle tart." He continued, "If you and Ron don't work out I'm sure she will love to date you." This earned him a slap as a deep voice came from the door opposite the one they entered.

"It's good to see you still have your levity Harry, though I should warn you that what the lady can do with a wand scares me."

Hermione turned to smile at Kingsley. "That was against Deatheaters Minister, this dolt would get much worse."

While Harry spluttered Kingsley looked at them both. "Please come in. Minerva mentioned you two would be coming and although I could cancel a fair chunk of my day for 'The Boy Who Conquered', I could not cancel everything." He gestured the two in.

With the two of them seated, the Minister leant against the desk. "Now, what can I do for you?"

She took the lead without so much as looking at Harry. "I need to go to Australia to bring back my parents. We need an International Portkey and this one-" she waved towards Harry. "-Needs papers. We came to you, because we don't trust the Ministry yet."

"Understandable, I'll contact some trustworthy people and get this organised. Is there anything else?"

"No, but I understand you wanted to speak to the both of us?"

"I did. Now I understand I should call you Lord Potter-Black Harry?"

The wizard in question squirmed uncomfortably. "Harry please Kinglsey."

Kingsley chuckled. "Hmmm, now for your part in defeating Voldemort I would be run out of office for not rewarding you for it. Now I know that you will not want any such bequests, but the both of you will receive Orders of Merlin First Class. And the Ministry will give you a leg up so-to-speak when you both decide on your careers. What are your plans?"

Hermione answered first. "Well I'm going to get my NEWTS before I do anything." She looked at Harry.

"Err, I'm not really sure what I want to do yet. Apart from take a holiday."

Kingsley nodded. "As do I Harry. When you decide, let me know."

He looked at the Minister. "Did you offer this to Ron?"

"Of course, I visited him rather than wait like I did with you two. They would very much appreciate your presence at the Burrow Harry."

"That's where we were headed after we got this sorted."

"Good, and before you go. When did you want this Portkey for?"

Hermione answered this one. "We will need tomorrow to pack, the day after."

"Consider it done. Oh and by the way," he pushed a slip of paper forward. "Hermione, can Harry Apparate?"

Looking confused she replied, "Yes, why?"

"Sign here Harry. It's your apparition licence." Harry signed the parchment and it vanished. "Now, Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Harry looked at her and she shook her head. And was about to say the same when a thought occurred to him. "Just one. Who should I ask about this lordship business?"

"Hmmm, I would consider Augusta Longbottom, either her or... Andromeda Tonks."

Harry rose and instantly the Minister joined him, Grinning at him. "Thank you Kingsley, I hope you keep the job, you're good for it."

Hermione shook after Harry. "Seconded Minster Shacklebolt."

Kingsley chuckled. "Off with you both. I shall owl you the necessary items so you don't need to wait around here all day." As they left, (The receptionist staring at Hermione as she went by) she looked at her watch.

"It's not even one. Did you want to visit Neville or Andromeda before we go to the Burrow?"

"Yeah, I'd like to see little Teddy."

After another journey spent mostly with his head down, they found themselves in an alleyway near the public toilets that were the entrance to the Ministry. Hermione pointed out something he had somehow forgotten about. "Do you know where they live?"

"Err, no but I'll figure it out." He held out a hand to her and the moment she grasped it, he shivered. Ignoring his body's best efforts to distract him he focussed on the house that he remembered after his escape from Four Privet Drive. The familiar suffocating feeling later and they appeared at the front door of the cottage. Feeling excited he made his way to the door and knocked. After a few moments the door opened to reveal the mother of Tonks.

"Harry!" She hugged him tightly "How are you my dear?"

He wanted to answer but his throat had closed up and he couldn't. The second closest thing he had to a family had her arms around him and he had no idea how to feel. "You need a drink my boy, Inside, there's a bottle of Firewhisky in the pantry." He headed inside as he heard Andromeda greet Hermione. After finding the bottle and three glasses he placed them on the country and poured a measure for the three of them. They seemed to be taking a while as he waited by the counter, wondering where Teddy was. After what seemed like forever, they both made their way into the room. After looking at Hermione he could see that her eyes were slightly red and watery, but before he could ask her what was wrong, he was interrupted. "Ah! one for each of us how thoughtful." She held her glass aloft, the teens copied her. "Hmm what shall we toast to? To a new beginning."

They again copied her. "A new beginning." Once the liquid was drained, (Hermione coughing down her share) Andromeda Andi engaged Harry in conversation. He answered vaguely, His brain on autopilot when he noticed his friend looking left out.

"Hermione, Tell her about Australia. As she excitedly regaled Andi on how she had been preparing to visit the country, Harry's mind drifted, taking in everything that he had learned that day. He was now obscenely rich and the Lord of two powerful families. But had no direction, no family and no... he didn't even know what, but he WAS missing something. Maybe he would feel better when they bring Hermione's parents back, or once they had the service for all those fallen in the final battle. Maybe then he could move on, go back to how it used to be. He imagined getting back together with Ginny and it just... Didn't feel right, those feelings he had a year ago, just weren't there. Like there had been a mandrake pulled from it, leaving a gaping hole.

He just needed someone like, someone like... Hermione. His eyes widened as it came to him. Always there, always caring, always attractive. What did I just think? No, I can't think that. She's with Ron and we are just best friends. Ok? Ok. He jumped when a hand touched his arm. It was Hermione. "Harry? Andi is bringing Teddy down so we can see him." Harry just nodded, still shaken from where his thoughts had taken him. He glared at the Firewhisky. Bloody Firewhisky. She turned to him "What was that?" Did I just say that?

"Um nothing. Did Andi have any advice about Australia?"

"Mainly just to watch out for the Billywigs, there's a slight pandemic of them in the northern parts of the country. But we're heading to Melbourne anyway which is in the south so we should be fine."

"Ah good. I don't fancy floating around when I finally meet your parents." Her giggle turned to something he'd never hear come out of her mouth as she looked past him.

"Awww, he's so cute!" He turned to find Andi smiling at her and he looked at his godson.

Andi held him out to him. "Hold him Harry." He instantly complied and suddenly he had he had an armful of blankets. The child inside had light brown hair which change to jet black as he looked up at Harry, just about the most innocent thing he had ever seen. He looked at Andi who seemed to read his mind. "He's got Dora's talent." Again, his throat closed up and he shook his head handing the child back the Andi.

"The Firewhisky," He muttered as he nearly sprinted out of the kitchen and out the front door. Nearly collapsing on the picket gate, he started to pant, all he could see what Remus and Tonks every time he looked the baby. Why they weren't there with him, if he had just gone to the forest earlier, they might be alive. His breathing came in shaky raps, all those people. The pain, it was worse than when Sirius died, he was beyond smashing up someone's office. He needed to vent but he couldn't cry, it was beaten into him at a young age. Crying is useless and annoys people, but what could he do? There would be no one, Hermione will get with Ron and the both of them will disappear. Just him the hero, bringing up little Teddy by himself, constantly reminded of his failure to act.

He leant against the gatepost and dwelled. Maybe he wasn't supposed to survive the battle, after all he never gave any thought to what he would do after the war. His mind went blank as fragments of thoughts appeared, then dissolved just as fast. His confusion was so complete that his mind could not produce any ideas about moving forward, moving on. A voice broke him out of his trance. "I lost them too, And my Husband." He half turned and looked at Andi, there was a sad look on her face but no tears. "The service for the fallen will be soon, we will grieve, then we will move on Harry, because it's the only thing we can do. And you've got a girl that cares about you a lot."

The corner of his mouth twitched at the irony. "She has Ron, then it'll be just me."

"She stayed with you at Hogwarts."

He pondered this. "Only because there was no one else there."

"Why would anyone else be there? When she would take up all of your attention anyway?" The pronouncement shocked him into silence. "Remus mentioned as much to me. You cannot live without her being such an important part of your life, he told me he had never seen loyalty as fierce as hers. I'm sure, that given the number of dangerous scrapes you've been in together over the years, protecting each other has become seconds nature. You're going to have to start opening your eyes soon harry, life is harder when you have no idea where you're going."

Silence stretched between them. He turned fully and slowly closed the distance between them, and hugged her. Maybe this is what a mother is like. She guided him back inside.

...