I don't own anything with regard to Harry Potter. It's the property of JK Rowling and WarnerMedia.
This story, to which I extend my intellectual property rights, starts from the premise that Harry says something before Vernon rips up the first letter that was delivered 24th July 1991.
Thanks Alix33 for your reviews and comments. If it makes you feel any better for the purposes of my fan fiction the dragonskin worn for the missions is from Hebridean Blacks and Common Welsh Greens hunted to almost extinction a long time ago, think Middle Ages. The Old Houses have armour made from the skin of Horntails and Ironbellys taken from the Knights of Walpurgis. The skin from other dragons doesn't make armour. It's made into very, very expensive clothing, instead.
To the reviewer who pointed out that Harry had already collected the Wills and had them entered as evidence at Sirius' trial. You are absolutely correct. Harry had. Dumbledore, in an action not yet explained, had a House-elf steal the time turner back from Amelia Bones and used it to change time so that the incident involving himself and Quirrell never happened and the time turner did not fall out of his pocket and Harry was not involved. A confundus on Harry, later, and he did not collect the Wills and they weren't entered as evidence helping to clear Sirius. This was why Sirius had found himself back in Azkaban. It took a certain amount of prodding from Remus Lupin before the trial transcripts were read and Sirius' innocence established. I am sure that Sirius' sudden return to Azkaban had many readers wondering what was going on. Dumbledore will make a return to the pages of this chapter
Harry James Potter had his magic training condensed into Sunday afternoon. He still had his reading to do. By the time it came for his assignments, he just copied from the textbooks, almost verbatim. He had to get ready for ordinary school on the morrow.
The following morning, he left the assignments for Remus and a note saying he was going to visit Gringotts as there was something he needed to check. He added that he wanted to see the Bones' and Neville again.
School was great, again. Harry got to take games that Monday. When he got back to school, he found Amelia Bones waiting. He'd rather have done his homework, but she seemed fairly insistent on talking to him. They found an empty classroom.
"Lord Potter," Amelia began, "I wanted to apologize for the actions of my Department last week. Dawlish has been suspended pending investigation. Dawlish has not volunteered any information on how he knew where to find you. In other news, I regret to inform you that Quirinius Quirrell has been hired as DADA professor, again, due to no other choice being available. Both Augusta and I have protested. McGonagall insisted her hands were tired. Quirrell has once again taken to wearing a headdress and his stuttering has returned."
"I'll ask Sirius to add the weight of the whole alliance behind that objection to the man's re-hiring. You were very good to me, when I returned to wizarding society. You opened your home to me and I feel that I have neglected Susan, Hannah and Neville. I feel I owe you for your actions. I certainly don't want them to think our friendship is over, because it is not. My parents left 25000 galleons to Remus Lupin, but the payment was never made. How can I find out where the money went?"
"Gringotts. They'd know. I can fetch the three you named for a meal tonight. Technically, it's not really allowed, but Susan has asked me about you. You were very stand offish when you were at Hogwarts. She was upset. I can owl Sirius, if you'd like and take you to Gringotts."
"I take pleasure in accepting your most generous offers," Harry said, bowing low in one smooth motion. Amelia nodded in response. Amelia watched as Harry did his ordinary school homework. He'd finished in the time he had before it was time to go to Gringotts. Amelia would wait for Harry whilst he attended to his business. She'd sent the messages off that she had needed to.
Amelia had a cloak that Harry could wear. He might have caused a stir had he entered Gringotts in his muggle school uniform. Longaxe met him in his Account Manager's office.
"Lord Potter-Black, what brings you to Gringotts?"
"I'm sure you already know. My parents left Remus Lupin 25000 galleons. He never received them. What happened to them?"
"The money was added to your account."
"So the 20000 the Weasleys received came out of that?"
"Yes. The other 5000 went to Snape."
"Snape. What for? Murdering my parents?"
"You'd never pin that on Dumbledore. It would be interesting watching. We put in a request to have that money paid to you out of Snape's estate."
"It's up to me to pay Remus the money?"
"You've got it in one."
"Will my bottomless bag carry that sum for Remus? Anything else he should have had that he didn't receive?"
"His parents left him their property in a round about sort of way. They sold it to Charlus Potter in return from Remus and his heirs to live there in perpetuity. Ted Tonks will be able to get that returned to him."
"I'll take the 25000 galleons today."
Goblin magic filled his bag. Harry left with the bag and money. Longaxe knew they would receive the other 5000 galleons on the morrow. The young wizard was easy to deal with. Harry would eventually ask who had ordered the misspend. Longaxe had the documentation ready to go. There was a certain propriety to observe and a whole sheaf of treaties between Goblins and Wizards. He looked forward to Dumbledore getting his due. He grinned, baring his teeth.
Amelia took him to Bones Manor. Harry had spent many happy hours here, just in the summer now gone. He was even more pleased to see Susan, Hannah and Neville. Amelia was happy to see Susan's face break out into a smile. They all hugged. The conversation was just 4 kids catching up. Harry kept sensitive information out of the conversation.
Harry told them that the three of them represented the Alliance in school and they'd receive the same briefings that everyone else did. The three straightened in their seats. Harry was giving them a big responsibility.
"Can you look after Hermione Granger?" Harry asked.
"No go, Harry," Neville said.
"She doesn't let us answer a single question," Susan said.
"I've heard her professors say that if they ask for a foot, she'll give them three feet, most of which is regurgitated from her text books," Hannah said. She had to look regurgitated up to see what it meant.
Harry was shocked. He felt bad in that doing nothing he was increasing her desire to leave Hogwarts, but these three were adamant that they weren't helping her. Harry wasn't sure what it took to turn Hufflepuffs off a person, but Hermione must be really setting their teeth on edge.
"Can't you talk to her?"
"Talk to her," Hannah said. "She doesn't listen. I know enough about etiquette that if she weren't protected by your House, we'd be insisting on punishments." Hannah was fuming.
"I'm sorry, Hannah, I had no idea," Harry said. "Is this official notice?" he asked.
"No, Harry it is not, but we think she should leave Hogwarts," Neville said. Behind the words Harry sensed an 'or else'.
"That's in hand," Harry said. Now it was Susan, Neville and Hannah's turn to sit there open mouthed. The meal eventually ended and Amelia returned the three to Hogwarts. She returned and had a word with Harry.
"I am sorry Harry that Sirius was returned to Azkaban. The trial transcripts referred to Wills that were not present. He was released once your steward explained that Sirius is your godfather and had made the oath that made treachery fatal. He had to point that out several times in the trial transcript. Fudge meant well. His arrest of Sirius Black propelled him into Office as Minister. He doesn't want anyone looking too closely at that arrest."
This was news to Harry. He suspected Dumbledore of using the time turner, but had no way to prove that. He smiled.
"It's sorted, now," he said. "Remus should have received some property and it's going to take Ted Tonks addressing the Wizengamot to sort out. Could you add the item to the agenda for October's Wizengamot meeting?"
"Of course. I'll ask Augusta to add it." Amelia wondered, if Cornelius Fudge knew the shitstorm that was going to be heading his way. It wasn't her problem. Amos Diggory was the faction's choice for next minister, not her.
After Harry returned to Grimmauld Place, he got the riot act read to him. He asked, if they'd received the Bones' owl with the message. They had. Harry then gave Remus his 25000 galleons. Harry did remember to tell the pair about Quirrell being rehired. Harry began preparing Wolfsbane for Remus. He liked comparing the Abbott's recipe with that of the potions' inventor. He had his own thoughts about improving the recipe. Remus'd be going wolf 22nd – 24th September. Harry skimmed the pages of the books he'd bought or rather Remus had bought. He sent an owl to Ted Tonks asking him to attend the Wizengamot's October meeting to secure property for the Potters and Remus' use. He read through his homework to make sure there weren't any spelling or grammar mistakes. He got marked down for those. He scanned the 'heavens' with his telescope, wondering, not for the first time, what was out there.
Harry did not fall asleep as soon as he got into bed. He was worried about Hermione. She was going to have a bad couple of weeks. He hoped she would not do anything stupid with anyone who wouldn't be as forgiving as three Hufflepuffs.
Remus Lupin was his steward. Harry felt that the man was a long way from the Marauder he'd been at Hogwarts. Remus had made a new life for himself in Australia. He'd only returned, cause he, Harry, had come back into the Wizarding world. He'd found acceptance with other werewolves there.
Sirius was in downtime, taking the time to decide whether or not to return to the Aurors or his Deaprtment. He had to make a decision before Yule. Harry knew that being in this house was painful for Sirius. Harry thought Sirius should not return to the Aurors, but spend a year at a Spa the Black's owned in the south of France. Harry had observed that Sirius stared blankly into space.
Harry came to the conclusion that both men were here out of a sense of duty to his parents. They weren't necessarily here for him. It was with that cheery thought that Harry fell asleep.
Somewhere in the London Underground, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was chuckling. He'd had a good meal and his quarters were certainly adequate. He had his possessions or most of them. A street urchin had stolen some coins and items from his pocket, whilst he'd been explaining to a muggle police officer why he was in fancy dress. He'd sent Mundungus out to acquire him suitable muggle attire. One of the items he'd lost was his irreplaceable de-illuminator that was surveillance device and means of communication. He felt that loss as keenly as he had his time turner. Strictly speaking, he'd acquired (stolen) one from each of Charlus Potter and Gellert. He'd already re-acquired the time turner once and managed to have Sirius sent back to Azkaban. A minor change to the order of events, not one enough to bring him to the attention of Croaker. Sadly, Sirius had got out again.
Albus felt bad about dear Severus' death. If only Harry had not known about Life Debts. Harry was to have been a pig raised to slaughter. It had been a brilliant plan, if Albus did say so himself. Then Harry had a thought and he was now building a political reputation. He had removed Albus from his positions of power and smear him all over magical Britain. He'd even got out of attending Hogwarts at all, negating Albus' effort of acquiring his blood as a baby and linking him into the wards. Not that anyone would know.
Albus could no longer remember exactly where the Potters lived in Godric's Hollow. He couldn't remember where in the Swiss Alps that Nurmengard was. Of course, it had been Tom who had cancelled the Fidelius' he'd placed on both locations. Speaking of Tom, he was once more possessing poor Quirinius and would be going after the Stone at Hogwarts. Albus was pleased about that. Now, he just had to make sure Harry would be there. Albus would have to try to regain control of the Elder Wand. He wasn't sure how the Wand had ignored the change to time that he'd made, but it had. Perhaps there was something to the Deathly Hallows being made by Death. Death was, after all, timeless.
Not for the first time, Albus wondered if he could palm Dumbledore Castle off onto Harry Potter. He hated the place. It would settle the debts he owed and would need 5 million galleons to refurbish and rebuild. Albus could ensure that Harry had to spend that money, too. He still had friends in the Wizengamot who would bring forward the relevant Law. Kingsley Shacklebolt was his most high-profile member of the Order of the Phoenix. He was still a member, despite Amelia's instruction for all members who worked for the Ministry to leave the Order. Other than Mundungus, the only people still his order were Daedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge and Emmeline Vance. They were only members because of the Ministry's incompetence. Albus would be meeting Mad-Eye up in Hogsmeade in a day or two. Moody had to be made to see reason. Harry needed Dumbledore's guidance to ensure Tom Riddle was permanently killed. That Harry had killed Severus meant Harry had to be reined in, before he ruined a decade of Dumbledore's planning. Harry wasn't supposed to know how to call a Life Debt due, let alone do it. The animosity that Snape had towards the Potters had been part of Albus' strategy. It had only been a minor part, though. More crucial was the part Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were to have played. Ron Weasley was to have kept Harry from thinking and Miss Granger was there to do Harry's thinking for him. Her slavish devotion to authority figures would have meant she'd have done anything he asked of her – all for Harry's benefit, of course. Albus laughed.
Albus had taken steps to render the Executors impotent. Edgars and Magruder had gone off to start a new practice in Exeter, Albus believed and Cartwright who was already in his 70s had agreed to retire. Even if he were still practicing law, he'd be a doddering 80 something year old muggle, incapable of coherent thought.
Albus had ensured Harry would receive no help from MACUSA by swapping Petunia for Lily's details, making it appear as if James Potter had married a muggle. Harry had overcome that, too. Albus had heard from his MACUSA contacts that MACUSA was going to help Harry and that they were trying to prevent that. Albus still had his supporters, outside of magical Britain. Harry had done a number on his popularity in magical Britain. Harry had help, Albus was sure, to remove him from being Britain's representative to the ICW and thus eliminate him from the position of Supreme Mugwump. His attack on Albus' actions left Albus kicked out of the position of Chief Warlock. Harry's faction had booted him from his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts. Albus had carefully built-up Harry's status as the Boy-Who-Lived and now the boy was using Albus' work against him.
Harry had muzzled Molly Weasley. Arthur had finally found a pair of trousers and used his family magic to force her to silence. That, frankly, Albus thought he'd never see. Arthur had been going to marry a nice sweet girl. Quite how a girl as ambitious as Molly Prewett had been in Gryffindor, Albus didn't know. Albus had recognized a kindred spirit and amortentia later and Arthur was ensnared. She had enthusiastically supported Albus' breeding plan for purebloods. Arthur was just a sperm donor. She wanted the Potter wealth and Albus had been more than happy to share it with her.
The Weasley children were interesting in their own right. Bill Weasley was a Gringotts cursebreaker who must have seen that his father was under a curse and had moved out as soon as he could. Charles Weasley had moved to Romania. Percy, named for him, was a future Minister. The twins had delusions of being the next Marauders. Albus had allowed the Marauders to operate. It kept Lily Evans from getting together too early with James Potter. In the short time they did live together, she was turning James Potter against him. Pettigrew had performed his role so well. No one would ever believe Peter, if he said that Dumbledore had made him do it. Peter's interest in ritual had been his undoing. Remus might have been able to figure it out. He wasn't as intelligent as James and Sirius, but he was certainly wiser. Albus had been tempted to allow Greyback kill him, but the wolfman just wanted to adopt him as his son. Albus had made Remus Lupin fear his wolf side. It had been the shock, when he'd nearly killed dear Severus that had done it. It had been so easy to set up.
Hermione Granger wasn't having a good week. Yes, it was her birthday during it, but she never liked those. She never had a party and only had presents from her parents. Her lessons weren't going great. She was earning lots of points for Ravenclaw, but her professors were commenting that her essays were too long. She thought the rules on etiquette were pretty dumb. She'd thought wizarding society stuck in the Victorian era, but the rules didn't make it into the 18th century. Hermione paid attention. Only in Slytherin House did the half bloods wait until the purebloods had finished putting food on their plates before serving themselves. Those from the higher status nobles started serving themselves before the ordinary nobles. Pureblood supremacy crap. McGonagall had said that was a thing of the past. Sure didn't look like it. She hadn't had any tips from her mentor Albus Dumbledore in the last few days.
By the time Thursday 19th September came around, Hermione was ready to go home. Hermione received an owl. She had a present from Harry Potter. It was a book she'd wanted. She got a portkey with note. It was a mission impossible note. She had time to see the word Harry, before it self-destructed. Another letter explained that she was being withdrawn on October 1st 1991 at 7pm. She was to follow the instructions to get out beyond the Hogwarts wards and speak the word for the portkey, whilst holding it. That was if Hogwarts stopped her from leaving. She should make sure her trunk was packed and securely locked. There was another letter that she should give to the Headmistress, unopened. Her hopes soared. Less than a fortnight and she was out of here.
Hermione presented the letter to McGonagall, during her break, and waited for McGonagall to say yes. Hermione was to be bitterly disappointed. McGonagall read the letter and pursed her lips and then said,
"I am sorry Miss Granger, but as your magical guardian, your education requires that you remain at Hogwarts."
Hermione didn't bother trying to answer any questions, in class. This was most unlike her. Others got an opportunity to answer the questions. They were happy about that.
Remus Lupin received Headmistress McGonagall's response. As Steward for both House Black and Potter, he was furious. Almost as furious as Sirius. Both knew that it was likely to happen, but having it actually happen was not was they had wanted. Harry began making the wolfsbane. He also started reading his mother's journal about a ward scheme for just such a house. Moving into a two-bedroom cottage, almost, as his parents had, made that plan moot. Harry thought it would be perfect for the Grangers. Harry would be off all Tuesday October 1st from school. He loved attending Saturday morning to catch up on his lessons. It did put pressure on his magic studies.
Harry had always liked working hard. Almost getting killed handing over his report card just before he was seven taught Harry quite a lot. First was don't show the Dursleys any report cards. The second was to do Dudley's homework. After he won Dudley some prizes at school for his work, Dudley stopped hunting Harry as much. He did keep up appearances, but Dudley liked the presents his parents bought him and didn't want them to stop. Vernon and Petunia had so many clubs they were members of, several they didn't even know they had applied for membership of, that they never had time to attend meetings with the teachers. Dudley really liked his presents that he got Harry to tutor him. Dudley even got a buzz from having his own work praised. Dudley wasn't stupid, but he was lazy. Harry reflected that Dudley liked presents more than being lazy.
The previous year, with Dudley not needing so much tutoring, Harry suggested boxing. They acquired some equipment for various sources. Dudley liked the idea of using Harry as his punching bag without having to run after him. He didn't land too many punches on Harry. Those he did land he could boast about, which pleased Vernon. When Dudley complained about his lack of enough hits to satisfy him, Harry pointed out that those opponents Dudley fought away at Smeltings would not move as fast as he, Harry, could. So when Dudley got his Smeltings acceptance letter and told Vernon that he'd be taking up boxing, Vernon beamed with pleasure and Dudley got more gifts.
Harry had volunteered to do cooking at school to help out with lunch. Cooking was something Harry enjoyed doing and he was very good at it. It could just have been a coincidence, but soon after Harry joined the cooking staff, complaints about school lunches ceased. That freed up a considerable amount of time for the staff. Teachers and pupils alike began to look forward to school lunches. Once people had worked out what Harry had done, it soon got back to Vernon and Petunia. He told them that they'd encouraged him to cook. It seemed unfair to Harry that they got praised for his efforts, but it did mean that St Brutus' ceased to be mentioned. It didn't mean get moved out from his cupboard under the stairs or got clothes that fit him. He did get slightly more to eat at 'home' and he could eat all he needed to at school. Harry was normal for his age. He was thin, but not too noticeably. He was, after all, born after the school year ended. He had more in common with the year below than he did with his actual year.
Harry was looking at the Black family tapestry, whilst Remus was 'indisposed' and he was struck by the fact that even those blasted off the tapestry had their date of death, but not Bellatrix. This alarmed Harry. She'd supposed to have been amongst a dozen Death Eaters executed at Azkaban. If she hadn't been, had the others actually been executed?
Fudge had been busy, too. Whilst Harry was looking at the Black tapestry, he was issuing pardons for the Crouchs, both of them. He re-appointed Barty Senior to the post he'd previously had as Head of the International Magical Co-operation department. Barty Junior was another who had been executed, supposedly. The Daily Prophet almost didn't publish this news. Even that newspaper doubted the veracity of the story. Editor Cuffe had to have several stiff drinks before he could print the story.
Remus had received an official notification from the Ministry. As he wasn't available, Harry opened it. It was a complaint that Sirius had not attended to the duties of his department, since taking over from Ludo Bagman. Sirius hadn't remembered he had a job at the Ministry. Harry had spoken to Sirius about it and Sirius had replied that he was under medical leave until the end of the year. Harry was concerned about the state of Sirius' mind. His memory appeared to have been damaged in Azkaban. When Remus had returned to normal, he sent a reply stating that Sirius was medically removed from work until the end of the year. He, too, was concerned that Sirius' memory had been damaged.
On Thursday, Neville Longbottom sent a communication via owl that Daphne Greengrass had filed a complaint against Hermione Granger for a serious infraction of wizarding etiquette that was still a serious infraction even between two members of different Houses of the same rank. Harry groaned. The Greengrass House was a major component of the alliance. Neville said that he and Hannah had stopped Hermione from being arrested and had done their best to get Daphne to drop it. They had also taken Hermione under their wing and explained to her what she had done and why it was so serious.
The Death Eater attack on the school on Friday was almost an anti-climax. Muggle repel charms kept the teachers and pupils away from the three avenues the Death Eaters chose to attack. Remus and Sirius got attacked by 4 Death Eaters each. Harry got attacked by six, of course he did. The famous Potter luck. The spell the three threw was a confundus charm that all the other Death Eaters were traitors. Harry got his six off and the Death Eaters used the killing curse on each other. The muggles were none the wiser. There were no cameras that needed special attention and the three hadn't killed anyone. The bodies were removed, statements taken and the charms removed.
The Daily Prophet allowed Rita Skeeter to go to town on the 14. How was it that the Ministry employed Death Eaters, she asked in her article? She eviscerated Minister Fudge for this fact. Harry thought Rita was trying to plunge wizarding society into civil war. Whatever Remus and Sirius thought, Harry thought they weren't ready. The Muggleborn weren't organized and the Death Eaters were inextricably linked to the Pureblood Supremacy nonsense. Sirius wasn't healthy, either – as far as Harry was concerned.
Tuesday 1st October rolled around and Harry got up early. He was excited. He thought about skipping breakfast and then thought again. He had a busy day and needed his food. Sirius and Remus apparated Harry to the Granger's house, which he protected using Lily's ward scheme. Sirius and Remus watched as he worked. Remus would grade Harry on his work later.
Around 11am, Harry or rather Sirius held the faction meeting. From the outset, it was clear that the agenda of the Wizengamot meeting was not on the minds of the faction's members. It was the claim by House Greengrass against Potter-Black for the infraction of wizarding etiquette by the protectee Hermione Granger. As the meeting broke for lunch, Harry spoke with Amelia Bones.
"Madam Bones, Minister Fudge pardoned Barty Crouch Junior. Wasn't he one of 12 Death Eaters sentenced to death, earlier this year? What happened to the other 11?"
"Yes, he was. I think I shall take aurors I trust to Azkaban to check up on them."
"Good. If they are still alive, you can bring the other 11 back, take Junior into custody and we can send all 12 of them through the Veil." Harry stalked off. The only good thing to come out of the Greengrass debacle was an agreement to meet privately after the Wizengamot.
Harry could barely eat lunch. He was very nervous. He made sure Ted Tonks was present, though Ted was fuming that Harry hadn't told him 'why'. Augusta had kept the deaths of 14 Death Eater employees of the Ministry off the Agenda. Harry couldn't understand why. The Daily Prophet and its letter pages had not stopped going on about it.
Augusta banged her gong dead on 2pm. Amelia Bones had just made it in time. Harry did not know what that meant. He also did not know why McGonagall was attending for Hogwarts.
"Madam Chief Warlock," Amelia began. "A few months ago, 12 Death Eaters were sentenced to death. We were told the sentences were carried out. It turns out that the 12 are still very much alive today. Indeed, the Minister recently went so far as to pardon one of them. Considering this man was supposed to be dead, that is not legal. I call for a vote of the Wizengamot to reconfirm the original death sentences and revoke the Minister's pardon."
"Seconded," Lord Greengrass said. Harry did the calculation. 34 votes in favour would be needed. They did not have enough. Yet, Amelia Bones seemed confident.
Augusta Longbottom called for the vote. That in itself was unusual. Normally the Dark opposed every vote the Light called, no matter what it was about. Harry was gobsmacked as 34 votes were duly recorded in favour. The 50 members then went to the Veil room and witnessed the executions, administered by Croaker and the Department of Mysteries. After everyone was settled back in their seats, Harry checked his watch. It was 3pm, already. Time was ebbing away.
Augusta went through the 12 agenda items at a brisk pace. She finished before 4pm. Harry still could not understand why the Dark faction was so quiet. His faction voted their 30 votes on every issue.
Harry rose to raise his first business under Any Other business. Augusta indicated that he could speak.
"I shall require my lawyer, Mr Ted Tonks, to take the witness stand, Madam Chief Warlock."
Augusta agreed and Ted Tonks took the witness stand. He hoped against hope that Harry would not bring up the wizarding etiquette infraction. Harry wouldn't win.
"My Steward Remus Lupin finds himself without his family's property. Could you tell the Wizengamot what happened to it and what should have happened?" Ted was visibly relieved.
"Yes, Lord Potter, I can – on both accounts. Like your parents' property, it was seized by the Ministry."
"Hem, hem," Senior Undersecretary Dolores Jane Umbridge said in her faux schoolgirl accent. "Surely, Mr Tonks, you are not suggesting that the Ministry committed a crime?"
"Why Madam Senior Undersecretary, no I am not. I am stating the Ministry committed two crimes. One seizing Lord Potter's property without proper authorization and one seizing the property formerly belonging to Remus Lupin's parents."
"So you admit that Remus Lupin didn't own it," Umbridge said, triumphantly.
"I witnessed the deed of sale between the Lupins and Lord Charlus Potter. Remus Lupin and his heirs were to enjoy the right to live at the property and farm it, in perpetuity. This property also belongs to Lord Potter. Lord Potters' birth home has been used by the Ministry; visited by paying sightseers."
"Please file the necessary paper work to have those properties transferred to me and recompense made," Harry asked.
"Indeed, Lord Potter."
"Now see here," began Cornelius Oswald Fudge. "The Potter home is a National Treasure."
"No, it was not, Minister." Ted cut Fudge off. "It is not mentioned in the Wills of the Potters and nobody ever asked Lord Harry Potter. Expect to see the paperwork by the end of the day." Ted made to leave the witness stand.
"Mr Tonk, Remus Lupin was left a bequest of 25000 galleons in my parents' Wills. What became of it?" Harry asked.
"It wasn't paid. 20000 galleons of it were appropriated by the Weasleys. You've taken steps to recover that money. 5000 was allocated to Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts? Allocated by whom?" Harry asked, confused.
"By Remus Lupin," Ted said, to gasps of shock in the audience, not least from Remus himself.
"When did that happen?" Harry asked.
"The date on the allocation means the document is a forgery as Remus Lupin was not in the country on the date he is said to have allocated the money. Have you paid the bequest?"
"Yes, I have paid the bequest. In full. I want that 5000 galleons back." Harry was indignant.
"Hogwarts will repay you," McGonagall said.
"Why thank you, Headmistress. Hogwarts can do something right. Had you acceded to the withdrawal of our protectee, when we requested it, the infraction of wizarding etiquette would never have taken place."
"You're bringing that matter before the Wizengamot?" Ted asked, incredulously.
"No it will be dealt with between two Noble and Most Ancient Houses," Harry said. Ted looked relieved and Lord Greengrass looked happy.
"Mr Tonks, the Minister pardoned Lord Crouch. What effect does that have on House Black's control of the assets of that House and voting rights in the Wizengamot?" Harry asked.
"By what right are you asking," Ted demanded.
"I am Heir Black," Harry said.
"The pardon restores Lord Crouch to control over House Crouch and its voting rights in the WIzengamot."
"In that case, I put to the Wizengamot a motion to revoke the Minister's pardon."
"Seconded," Sirius said. Harry was both surprised and relieved to see 34 votes in favour.
"One final thing, Mr Tonks. The department over which Lord Sirius Orion Black was appointed as Head put in an official complaint about Lord Black. Since he's off on medical leave, I don't understand why a complaint was submitted."
"It is curious, isn't it," Ted said. "The department in question had a copy of that medical leave sent to it. Would you return to Ministry service?"
"The Minister does seem to have a personal animus against Sirius, sorry, Lord Black. I wouldn't return whilst Minister Fudge is still in office." Harry sat down and Tonks left the stand. Ted tried hard not to smile. Harry's last statement, said so guilelessly, had just put the final nail in Fudge's political career.
Lord Amos Diggory, the faction's choice as Minister, rose and moved a motion of no confidence in Minister Fudge. He spoke, rather too long for Harry's taste in favour of the motion. Lord Greengrass seconded the motion. Augusta asked for those opposed. No-one. The motion passed unanimously. Fudge looked ashen. Umbridge, when she realized her political career was over, was also ashen faced. Aurors escorted the pair out of the chamber. There was also an auror escort for Lord Crouch as he was to be returned to Azkaban for the remainder of his sentence or death which ever came first. Sirius shook his fist at Barty as he left a dejected shell of a man. Lord Diggory was elected Minister.
The meeting was over. Remus went off to bring the Grangers to 12 Grimmauld Place. Portrait Walburga let everyone know that she was displeased that Muggles were in her home. Remus reminded her that scores of muggles had been inside 'her' home down the centuries. Few had ever left. Portrait Walburga smiled, evilly. Remus showed the Grangers into the lounge.
Sirius and Harry waited for Lord Greengrass and Heir Daphne. Harry turned to Sirius and said, "Sirius we need House Greengrass on board. The alliance needs them."
"Yes, pup, we do need House Greengrass," Sirius said. Sirius and Harry were unaware that Daphne and her father were outside the room, listening in. The Chambers the Wizengamot used had many places for eavesdropping.
"Is there anything we that is you can offer them that would settle this matter?" Harry asked.
"There's a concession that is worth about 10000 galleons a year to us, but to them could be worth up to one hundred thousand galleons. We could fight this, pup," Sirius said.
"We fight this, we'd fracture the alliance. You've seen how effective they've been with the more Grey families. They are being strengthened and that is good for the alliance." Sirius nodded.
"It's a lot to give up. Don't you feel angry with Hermione and Daphne?"
"No, Sirius. We tried to get Hermione out of there, but couldn't. Daphne just did what she had to boost the fortunes of her House. Offer that concession. You know it is what they want. We're not here to haggle, but to reaffirm our alliance."
Lord Greengrass entered the room, with Daphne in his wake. "That, Lords Potter and Black, is what House Greengrass desires."
"Please take a seat and let's get down to business." Sirius was all business. Lord Greengrass and his daughter sat down.
"Thank you, Lord Sirius Black. What are you prepared to offer in exchange for settlement of the infraction?"
"There's a concession your House has been after regaining for quite a while. That's what we are prepared to offer in settlement."
"That is acceptable. A pleasure doing business with you." The Greengrass delegation departed. Sirius would draw up the documents transferring the concession on the morrow. Daphne didn't let the smirk she felt like showing appear on her face.
Sirius and Harry returned to 12 Grimmauld Place. They went to meet the Grangers. Kreacher began supper. The adult Grangers stayed silent. The silence was a bit awkward. It wasn't Harry's place to speak. He was very tempted. It was Sirius' place to speak first.
Hermione Granger had packed her stuff up, used the shrinking spell on her trunk successfully, placed it her pocket, put her cloak and gloves on and followed the instructions to leave Hogwarts. She was close to the exit from the wards covering Hogwarts when up popped Fred and George Weasley.
"Well, well, look what we have here?" Fred enquired.
"I do not know, my slightly less attractive twin," George said.
"It would appear that Hermione Granger is leaving Hogwarts, brother mine," Fred continued.
"It does indeed," George said. Hermione kept walking toward her freedom. She bit her lower lip. This was worse than primary school. She'd usually made it.
"Should we let her go without a favour, my brother?" Fred said.
"I think we should stop her," George said.
"Indubitably," Fred agreed.
Hermione was now outside the ward. She touched the portkey and said, "Harry." And vanished.
Hermione reappeared in the lounge of 12 Grimmaud Place.
"Welcome Protectee Hermione Granger," Sirius said.
Hermione curtseyed and replied, "Protectee Hermione Granger thanks you for your welcome and invitation to stay in your house, Lord Black. My I unpack my trunk?"
"You may." Hermione got her trunk out and Kreacher returned it to normal size. Sirius told Kreacher to take it to her room. The adult Grangers looked concerned. Kreacher vanished.
"It's alright, Mr and Mrs Granger, Hermione will be staying with us. Steward Lupin will be teaching us Wizarding Etiquette every evening. Hermione will be attending the school in Crawley she would have done had she never attended Hogwarts. I go there as well. Your home has been warded." The adult Grangers looked relieved.
"Miss Granger, Kreacher will show you your room. If you'd like to change, we are ready to eat and would be most appreciative if you would grace us with your presence," Remus said.
"I should be delighted, Steward Lupin." Kreacher apparated Hermione. No-one heard the yelp Hermione let out, except Kreacher who grinned. Hermione changed and followed Kreacher back down to the dining room. She took her seat and they ate.
"We had a good day today, Remus," Harry said. "You're going to be able to make your permanent "home where you grew up. I'm getting 5000 galleons back. We kicked Fudge and that toad of a Senior Undersecretary out of office and got Amos Diggory elected Minister. We are up to a total of 26 Death Eaters executed."
"You're forgetting Snape. He was a Death Eater. That's 27 of them removed." Sirius seemed very happy. "I did lose a concession worth 10000 galleons a year to settle an infraction of Wizarding Etiquette, but the alliance is now stronger as a result." Hermione went red in the face.
"Why is the infraction such a serious matter?" Mrs Granger asked.
"It matters to Pureblood wizards and witches," Sirius explained. "It governs how we interact with each other. We have to break the link between the Death Eaters and Purebloods and it doesn't help that Death Eaters are, in the main, Purebloods."
"It sounds like you're at war," Mr Granger said.
"We are," Sirius said. "McGonagall not explain that?"
"No she did not explain there's a war going on. She didn't really explain that much. Nothing about being home schooled." Mr Granger looked disgusted. "Nothing, either, about the class based nature of wizarding society."
"It's more of a cold war, right now," Remus said.
"Peter's dead, right?" Harry asked. "He was sent through the Veil, we all saw it, but Dumbledore was there. Did he keep the betrayer of my parents alive? Why would he do that?"
"I'll check the Wall of Life, when I am in the Ministry, tomorrow," Remus said. He and Sirius exchanged a glance.
After the meal, Remus took the Grangers back home and explained the rules concerning the wards. Harry grilled Hermione on Hogwarts. Hermione explained she was almost stopped by the Weasley twins. She'd asked how they could have known where she was. Sirius who was eavesdropping had a fair idea. They turned in to separate bedrooms.
The following morning, Remus left early to attend to business at the Ministry. He had the concession to transfer to House Greengrass, received 4500 galleons from Hogwarts for Hermione Granger and 5000 to Harry Potter. The Wall of Life confirmed that Peter Pettigrew was still alive. Remus ground his teeth in frustration.
Amos Diggory started his first day as Minister. He appointed Arthur Weasley as Senior Undersecretary. Remus smiled, congratulated those involved, which secretly was aghast at the new minister's decision. Remus went to Gringotts and deposited 5000 galleons into Harry's account and put 4500 galleons into a new account for Hermione Granger. He pocketed the key.
He returned to 12 Grimmauld Place and informed Sirius about Arthur's promotion. Sirius kept his face straight. He'd sent owls off to Hogwarts to the Junior faction with the outcomes of the Wizengamot meeting and asked for their opinions. He saw Remus off with Harry and Hermione.
Remus arrived at school and enrolled Hermione Granger. Harry went off to class, handing in various homework assignments. Enrollment took longer than Remus was expecting. It wasn't until 11am that Remus was able to return to 12 Grimmauld Place. When he got back, Sirius was pacing, looking very angry. He pointed at the Daily Prophet.
Remus read that Lucius Malfoy was no longer supporting paying the Minister nor the Ministry's operations. That was a 600000-galleon hole. Remus could understand Sirius' anger. The second article explained the reason why Sirius was so angry. Lucius Malfoy had gifted Hogwarts with 500000 galleons. He and Crabbe and Goyle seniors were back on the Board of Governors and their sons back in Hogwarts. This was a most unacceptable state of affairs.
A/N In case anyone wants to tell me that Snape had Harry's 5000 galleons, please note that Harry asked who got the money and not the audit trail. Hogwarts received the money and paid over the money to Snape. Hogwarts owe Harry 5000 galleons, which have been repaid. Gringotts will recover the 5000 galleons from Snape's estate and will reimburse Hogwarts with the full amount.