"Headmaster Dumbledore is here to see you. He has brought quite the entourage with him."

They were sitting in one of the meeting rooms in Gringotts, due to Alex's certainty that Dumbledore would bring as many people with him as possible. Clearly the solicitor had the measure of the Headmaster, given Bludaxe's warning.

"Show him in if you would Bludaxe, and please, remain for the meeting."

"Of course Lord Potter. One moment please." Bludaxe gave them a feral grin before he left the room.

"Remember Harry, no matter what he says, keep your calm. It will work to your advantage," Alex reminded Harry, for what seemed like the tenth time that day.

Harry nodded, pulling his mind barriers in even tighter than they already were. He was nervous, not about what Dumbledore could do to him, but rather what he would do to Dumbledore should he let his anger get the better of him.

There was a plan, and losing his temper and killing Dumbledore in a fit of rage wasn't a part of it.

A second knock on the door told them it was showtime, and they both stood to welcome their guests.

Dumbledore came in, disregarding Bludaxe, who was holding the door open, and walked up to the chair directly facing Harry's. Professors McGonagall and Snape followed him in, heading up a line of people.

Mr and Mrs Weasley, Bill, Charlie, the twins, Ron, Hermione, Mad-eye, Kingsley, Remus and Tonks stood behind Dumbledore, while McGonagall and Snape took seats either side of the Headmaster.

Harry and Alex sat down as Bludaxe took a seat next to Harry. Alex raised an eyebrow at Harry to start the meeting.

"Hello Headmaster, Professors," he greeted, with a polite smile. "I hope I find you in good health. This is Alex Jackson, the solicitor on retainer to the Potter Family. This is Bludaxe, my account manager."

"Hello Harry, Alex. It's a pleasure to meet you. Bludaxe, a pleasure to see you again. Harry, you've had us all quite worried about your whereabouts, as I am sure you are aware given the article in the Prophet a few days ago."

There was censure in his tone, and Harry was sure it was a sly dig about Harry not getting in touch immediately when the article was published in the paper, rather than waiting a few days.

"I wasn't aware that I had to inform you of my whereabouts during the summer, Headmaster. You've never been worried about it before," Harry replied, shrugging slightly. "I'm sure the rest of the students don't send you letters about sleepovers and such."

"It's not as simple as that, as you are well aware, Harry. The blood wards have fallen, you're going to have to reside there for the rest of the summer now to recharge them enough for next year," Dumbledore replied, a disappointed air around him as he looked at Harry.

Harry barely refrained from rolling his eyes.

"My apologies for interrupting," Alex said, a small frown on his face. "But you seem to be labouring under the illusion that my client will be returning to live with the Dursley family. I find that most amusing if it's a joke, and perhaps even more so if it's not. The only time my client will be seeing the Dursley family again will be in court when he has them arrested for child abuse." Alex paused to let his words sink in. "I assure you, we have a very compelling case against them."

Dumbledore paled slightly, and Harry saw some of the Order shift as they watched, all feeling uncomfortable. Remus, in particular, seemed to be attempting to catch Harry's eye.

"The blood wards protect you in a way no others can, you must go back there to ensure your safety," Dumbledore pressed. "Harry, I understand that they are not the most loving of guardians, but really, threatening to take them to court is a little far fetched, don't you think?"

Alex raised his eyebrows at Bludaxe, who stood silently and turned to a cabinet behind them. From inside the cabinet, he pulled a pensieve, which he brought to the side of the room and pulled down what looked to Harry to be a projector screen.

"Lord Potter-Black," Bludaxe said respectfully. "If you place a memory in here, it will play up on the screen so that everybody may view it at once."

Harry's eyebrows raised, and he glanced at Alex, who nodded. Standing, Harry thought about his childhood and pulled out a memory strand from his temple with his wand, before he placed it carefully in the pensieve bowl.

On the screen, an image of a young Dudley pushing a young Harry down the stairs appeared. Vernon stood back and laughed, before he noticed the blood Harry had leaked onto the carpet; when he did notice it, he shouted at Harry for staining the carpet and ordered him to clean it up.

Harry was eight years old at the time.

Harry took the memory back and returned to his seat, Bludaxe following behind him.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked softly, ignoring the rest of the room for a moment. Harry grimaced but nodded, tapping his fingers on the table.

Dumbledore was still staring at the now blank screen, and while he looked horrified, Harry suspected it was because he'd shown such a brutal memory. Any support he may have had to get Harry back to the Dursleys had been shot down with one fell swoop. The others were all staring at Harry with varying degrees of pain, disgust, astonishment and horror on their faces.

Alex turned back to Dumbledore. "You'll understand now, I'm sure, why my client won't be returning to that house, and that we do, in fact, have a strong case for neglect and child abuse should Lord Potter-Black decide to go down that channel." His eyes narrowed. "You should also remember, Headmaster, that as Lord Potter-Black is now an emancipated adult, he has the final decision on anything that affects his life."

Dumbledore seemed to rally at that. "Yes, about that, Harry. That was an extremely dangerous and downright careless thing to do, young man. Becoming emancipated has taken away any protection under the law that you had as a minor. It has also made you responsible for anything bad that happens to you, meaning I cannot protect you in the future."

"You didn't protect me much last year, if I remember it, Sir. I was given a full trial, therefore, I was tried as an adult for a simple case of underage magic. You forced me to take part in a tournament meant for only over age students, when I wanted no part of it, and you could have gotten me out of it," Harry said, shaking his head. "I've done a lot of research, Headmaster, and as it is, I could have taken an oath, swearing that I had nothing to do with my name being in that goblet, and it would have negated the contract."

Dumbledore opened his mouth to protest, but Harry pressed on.

"It would have also taken away the magic of the person who did submit my name, so Voldemort wouldn't have returned so quickly either, since Barty Crouch wouldn't have been able to get me to the graveyard. If that is what your protection offers, then I think I'd prefer to look out for myself."

Dumbledore looked down, the perfect picture of a hurt man, apparently wounded by Harry's comments.

Alex took over with a subtle nod of his head to Harry. "If we can get down to business, Headmaster, that would be helpful. Lord Potter-Black has other things to do today. We also have a list of things to settle while we're here, so if there's nothing else, perhaps we can get on with it."

Alex took a folder from his briefcase and set it on the table in front of him.

"My concern was for Harry's wellbeing," Dumbledore said softly. "Since he has emphatically told me that he's well, I have nothing else for the moment."

Taking point, Alex opened the folder and pulled out a contract, laying it on top of the file. He looked directly at Dumbledore. "I have a list of items and monetary transactions you've made on my client's behalf from this bank, that my client never asked for, agreed to, or even knew about. It has been totalled at seven hundred and eighty-six books, ranging in subject, from three different vaults, and slightly over one hundred and twenty thousand Galleons, taken from the Potter Family vault over the years since his parents were murdered. Can you explain where the books are, and what the money was used for?"

Dumbledore stared at him for a long moment, as though the last thing he'd expected when he arrived was to be called out for his own misdeeds.

"The books were taken to replenish the stock of the school library. The money, for the most part, has been used to fund the Order."

Alex shook his head. "The Order of the Phoenix has only been reinstated for the past year. Only one transaction of twenty thousand galleons has been taken from the vault in that time. The others are from before then."

"I knew that there would be a time when the Order would need to be able to function again, and so I opened a vault for that benefit."

"So you opened a vault for something that wasn't even running, and took money from my client, without his permission or knowledge, to fill said vault. I apologise, but that sounds very unconvincing to me." Alex shook his head. "Against my legal counsel, my client has decided not to pursue the money, as long as all of his books are returned within a week. I've taken the liberty of writing up a contract stating as much."

Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, the library has more need for the books than you, surely you realise that? Will you really penalise an entire generation of students because of some vendetta against me?"

"Why I would like my property back is again, none of your concern, Headmaster, though I will point out that what you're calling a vendetta is simply me taking back something that was taken from me without consent, and I think I'm being quite generous by not demanding the return of the money as well. If you choose not to sign the contract, then I will of course, be suing for the return of both the books and the money."

"You're not leaving me much of a choice," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. He held out his hand. "May I read the contract before I sign it?"

"Of course." Alex replied, handing the contract across the table.

While Dumbledore perused the contract, Harry left his seat at the table to greet the members of the Order behind him.

"Harry, dear, you should have come to us," Molly Weasley said in greeting, as she pulled him into a rib-crushing hug. "We'd have helped you as best as we are able."

"I know, Mrs Weasley," Harry replied softly, squeezing her back before she released him. "This was something I had to do for myself. Do you understand?"

"I can't say I like it," she admitted, stroking his cheek. "But I understand, dear. I think most of us do now." He saw her glance at the empty screen where his memory had been displayed. "You'll come and see us before the summer is over?"

"Of course I will," Harry replied, looking at his best friend. "I'll owl Ron."

Ron stared at him for a long moment and then stepped forward and pulled Harry into a tight hug. "You ever disappear on me like that again, you're in for a whole world of pain. You're my best friend, Harry. I might have learnt that the hard way, but I did learn it."

"I know, mate," Harry replied softly. "You know why I had to do it this way though?"

Ron nodded. "I get it. I, uh." He lowered his voice. "I need to talk to you privately, when you're done here. It's important."

Harry stared at him for a moment, before nodding. "I'll sort it out."

Remus was the next one to approach Harry, tear tracks visible on his face as he tried to control his emotions. "I am so, so, very sorry, Harry. I understand I've let you, Sirius and your parents down, but is there any chance you can forgive me?"

"Of course Remus." Harry saw Alex trying to get his attention. "It appears I'm needed, but I'll owl you about meeting up before school starts."

Harry returned to his seat, and Alex handed him a piece of parchment.

Harry looked down to read it and had to count to ten to calm his anger. I think Remus has a compulsion charm on him, and a loyalty charm. Hermione appears clear, and I haven't checked Snape. Ask him to remain behind.

He handed the parchment back to Alex with a stiff nod as Dumbledore finished with the contract and signed his ridiculously long name along the dotted line, before handing it back to Alex.

Alex duplicated it and passed one back before filing the original in his briefcase.

Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Well, I've done as you asked, Harry. What happens now? Are you turning your back on me? On the war?"

"Of course I'm not turning my back on the war," Harry replied, firmly. "Not only would Voldemort stalk me anyway, I know that fighting him is the right thing to do. I just choose to do it without someone else pulling my strings. When I fight him, I want it to be on my own terms. If that's alongside you and your Order, then I'm okay with that. If it's not, then so be it."

Harry shrugged.

"I'll be training both with private tutors as well as at school. I'm not going to just sit back when more people are murdered, or hurt, or have their livelihoods and homes taken away from them by a mad man with a god-complex."

"An admirable sentiment, my boy. I trust I can help with your training? I may be old, but I am still rather able."

"I'm sure you have much to teach me, Sir," Harry replied with a small smile. "But I must request another teacher be present at all lessons. After all, it would be of no benefit to me should you decide to replace the power blocks on my magic, would it?"

"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about, Harry," Dumbledore said, tilting his head slightly.

Harry's smile widened. "Well, I'm sure that'll be a fascinating discussion when the time comes then, Headmaster. If that's all?" Harry stood up, followed by Alex.

Dumbledore looked annoyed at being dismissed, but since he didn't have anything else to bring to the table, he didn't say anything. He stood up and held out his hand, first to Harry, then to Alex. They both took it, shaking hands in a very civilised end to the meeting.

As people began trailing out of the room, Harry asked, "Professor Snape, Ron, could you both remain behind for a moment please?"

The Headmaster looked back curiously, but forced himself to continue walking along with the others. When the room was empty apart from those asked to remain, Harry cast privacy charms around the entire room, pushing more of his power into them than strictly necessary.

While Alex gestured to Snape to rejoin them at the table, Harry crossed the room to meet Ron. "What was it you needed to tell me, Mate?"

"Hermione is spying on you for the Headmaster," he blurted out, wincing when he realised just how blunt he'd been.

Harry smiled at his friend. He was glad that Ron had decided to tell him, even if he'd already suspected as much.

Ron frowned at the lack of reaction, and Harry explained, "I thought so. Dumbledore seemed to know a lot of what was going on last year, and the only people I really spoke to were you and Hermione. She was always on my case to open up to her, and today, today she ignored me completely and stood directly behind Dumbledore. Thank you for telling me though, Ron. It means a lot."

Ron nodded, seemingly relieved that Harry wasn't angry. "She was staying at my house all last week while everyone was out looking for you, and I heard them talking. Dumbledore was telling her off for not giving him any inclination that you had anything like this planned."

Harry just shook his head. He was a little sad that she felt he needed a minder, and that five years of friendship wasn't worth it to her to just be his friend, but he'd already decided that he wasn't going to lose any sleep over people that he couldn't trust.

Ron glanced at Snape and then looked back at Harry. "I should go, but make sure you send me that owl, okay?"

Harry nodded. "Will do, I promise. It'll be in a few days, okay?"

Ron smiled and then left the room, closing the door behind him.

Harry turned his attention back to the table, where Alex and Snape were sitting with Bludaxe. He quickly retook his seat and glanced at his most hated Professor.

"Professor Snape," he addressed politely, determined that this wouldn't devolve like all of their usual conversations did. "I know we haven't gotten along in the past, but please listen to what I have to say before you dismiss it."

He waited for Snape to nod stiffly, and continued.

"When I first came to Gringotts, Bludaxe asked my permission to do a full magic scan on me. I allowed it, and a compulsion charm was found, one amongst many things, to feel disgust, hatred or fear whenever there was a Slytherin in my presence. I'd already somewhat broken the charm, but the rest has been taken away now, of course. The signature on the spell was the Headmasters."

Harry sighed. "We asked you to remain behind because, and I will admit that this may be something of wishful thinking, we wanted to run a scan to see if you have any compulsion charms on you to make you hate me, or Gryffindors in general."

Harry held Snape's gaze, unwilling to give into the deep eyes as they stared at him.

"There is no need," Snape replied eventually, though his usual sneer wasn't present as he did so.

Harry's heart fell as his hopes slipped away. He'd truly hoped to have Snape help with his training—while he'd never been his biggest fan, he couldn't deny that Snape was magically strong and entirely formidable.

Snape, apparently reading something on Harry's face, decided to elaborate.

"There's no need to scan me because I've already cast off the charms that the Headmaster saw fit to try and hold on me. Over the years he's cast a multitude of charms on me, but it's almost impossible to thoroughly hide a compulsion charm from a master Occlumens. I'd long since decided it was pointless to hate a dead man, but when you began school in the September after you turned eleven, I found myself with a sudden, deep seated hatred for James Potter once again; and you by extension. Similar things happened in your third year, with Black and Lupin. While I'll never hold any affection for either of them, I've long since put that particular rivalry out of my mind."

Harry was silent for a moment, before he realised what Snape was saying. "You have to act like you completely hate me so that the Headmaster thinks his charms are still working on you?"

"Perhaps you are not quite as dense as I thought, Potter. Your Occlumency has increased by a thousand percent as well, I can't get even a simple read on you. Care to explain?"

"The Headmaster was blocking Harry's natural ability for Mind Magic," Alex said, shaking his head. "Along with half of his natural power, and a few other gifts that would have come in much use for him over the years, I'm sure."

"Manipulative old bastard," Snape said, shaking his head. "I wondered about it last year. I was so frustrated because you should have inherited your mother's talent for mind magic; she was a telepath."

Harry frowned. "Are you a telepath, Sir?"

Yes.

The answer came in Harry's head, and he laughed, replying, me too.

Snape nodded before he stood up. "I must go, or the Headmaster will burst in here, wondering what's going on. We will discuss lessons soon, Potter, there is a lot you must understand if you are to defeat the Dark Lord."

"Thank you, Sir," Harry replied respectfully.

Snape shook Alex's hand before leaving, and as he closed the door behind him, Harry let out a sigh of relief that it was over and done with. Round one, it appeared, had gone to him, but it was only one battle in what was sure to be a long war with the Headmaster before it all came to a head.

"Rita, you can change now," Alex said, amusement colouring his tone.

Harry blinked when Rita appeared in front of them, just slightly off to the side of the meeting room, not a curl out of place, a wide smile curving her painted lips.

"Send me a copy of the article before you print it," Alex said, quirking his eyebrow at her. "Do well on this, and you'll get an exclusive interview with Lord Potter-Black before the end of summer."

Alex gestured to the door for Harry to precede him from the room, and the pair of them left with matching grins on their faces. The Daily Prophet was about to explode.