Chapter 15 – First Plans

August 8th… (Jayson Wrightson journal continued…)

McGonagall here again - Jayson was highly interested in my meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore and the others that gathered at Hogwarts about the 'Harry Potter' situation. I spoke with Jayson at length when I returned home but he requested that I write in his journal again so that he could go back and refer to it if he needed to. So here's my account of those meeting(s):

I flooed directly to the Headmaster's office as I am authorized to do so as his Deputy; most others have to be invited through by Dumbledore himself. Upon arriving I noticed two very significant changes. There was absolute silence in the room and the Headmaster appeared to be slightly rocking back and forth on his heels in absolute concentration. Clearing the embers off my robe with a wave of my wand, Dumbledore turned and nodded at my presence and then returned to staring silently at an empty shelf that was usually filled with small trinkets that whirled, lit up or sounded some small noise on a continuing basis. Today, that shelf was silent as the knick-knacks were either silent, broken or missing.

Dumbledore's voice seemed very tired and feeble as he spoke: "Ah Minerva, as punctual as usual. We seem to have a problem of unusual proportions."

"Just one problem?"

"This is not a laughing matter. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the Boy-Who-Lived has come up missing. Every monitor that I had on the boy and the wards at Privet Drive have been obliterated. I don't understand this came to be; the wards were perfect. Nobody with evil intent would be able to approach that home. And it's not like the boy has the knowledge or ability to come to Hogwarts to end these safeguards."

"You dispute the findings that the Daily Prophet speculated about or the rumored Auror reports ?"

"There is no way under magic or nature that Harry Potter could have ben attacked or killed under the protections that I cast on his residence. He must have been captured or abducted by the followers of Voldemort."

( Dumbledore never considered evil intents from within those wards Jayson. And he never considered visiting Harry Potter at all. All those years and he reassured me every time I asked that the Potter boy was in a loving home. I apologize again for taking his word about it. )

"And what of the magical signature of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named that was reported at the scene by the Aurors?"

"I cannot explain it; it must be some kind of obscure and evil, fiendish copy. Voldemort was vanquished by Harry Potter on that Halloween many years ago, but his death or disappearance may have severe repercussions for magicals that we can't even imagine. Minerva, you must tell me everything that occurred to you two nights ago and what you observed."

I sat down at the chair next to Dumbledore's desk and waited patiently for thirty seconds until the Headmaster realized he was still staring at the ruined shelf. He sighed as he turned and called out. "Edsel".

The Hogwarts elf that was the Headmaster's usual attendant popped into the office. "Something I may do for the Headmaster sir?"

"A pot of tea with two cups with all the fixings for Professor McGonagall and myself. And there will be a need for four pots of tea in the teacher's lounge in about an hour."

"Yes, Headmaster.." The elf popped away and Dumbledore finally sat down in his ornate chair but held up his hand to indicate he wanted to wait for any conversation. It was all of thirty seconds before a tray with the tea service appeared on the corner of his desk. Before I could rise to serve myself, Dumbledore waved his hand and the teapot rose to fill the two cups and a dash of milk and one sugar was added to the cup that floated over to my hands. I stirred the teacup with a spoon and took a sip before settling back and taking a relaxing breath.

I concentrated on looking at my teacup as I told my friend(?) Albus everything that happened from the call from the frantic Arabella Figg to my being stopped from further investigating the bodies at 4 Privet Drive by Senior Auror Bones. Dumbledore waited patiently until I had finished before asking questions.

"There were 4 bodies at the scene – two adults and two children? Are you sure?"

"I was close enough to see them myself, but not close enough to identify anyone. Well, maybe Mr. Dursley as he has… sorry, had a quite distinctive shape, even lying down."

"When did the name of Harry Potter come up in the investigation? Surely you didn't volunteer such a piece of sensitive information to the Aurors?"

"No, you think I would volunteer something that has been kept secret between us these many years? I believe that one of the investigating aurors overheard the muggle police questioning one of the many neighbors that had shown up in response to the explosion about the occupants of the ruined house. He reported back that identification to Auror Bones without noticing that I was present at her side. It was such a shock to all of us."

"It is NOT conceivable that Harry Potter is dead. There has to be another explanation. Was the body retrieved for identification?"

"Not by the Ministry as far as I know. The notification of 'WHO' was dead was passed back to the Ministry of Magic and every possible supervisor and Department Head soon showed up and started causing more chaos and conflicting orders. Even Cornelius Fudge was called in to see if he had any reasonable explanation for the explosion. From what I saw, he was totally gobsmacked at the scene and had to be held up to keep from fainting."

"A stalwart man at all times is our Director Fudge" Dumbledore remarked with a small grin that faded quickly. "But what else did you see?"

My interrogation continued on and off for another half-hour. None of it malicious toward me but plenty of suspicions by Dumbledore on the reason(s) for the destruction of 4 Privet Drive. Little was said about and the repercussions of the disappearance (and/or death) of Harry Potter. All too soon, an alarm went off in the office and the Headmaster and I left for the Hogwart's teacher's lounge to meet our contacts.

(MM : I will not commit to this record the name of the organization that operated under Dumbledore's guidance against the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort. Nor will I list the members by name as there are allies and descendants of the Dark Lord that would have their revenge against the Forces of Light even today.

An exception, however, is usually the norm for absolute statements like I just made. It light of very recent events, I will say that James and Lily Potter were very active in fighting the Dark Lord and his followers both as members of the Ministry of Magic and part of our vigilante group. Until they took their son, Harry, into hiding and lost their lives. They were not the first to die out of our group but they were officially the last killed by Lord Voldemort. They however were not the last victims of that war.

You have to remember, Jayson, that our dedicated mission for the war effort was gathering information and trying to fight against the forces of Dark Magic. To gather the most kinds of intelligence, there were people from all the various levels of magical society; from the lowest of the dregs of society to members of the Ministry of Magic itself and magically titled individuals. They all worked together for the common cause of defeating evil. )

There were only 10 people waiting for us in the room where we went and I was very sure that Dumbledore was disappointed by the turnout. I believe that he had spent a considerable time that morning contacting all the survivors of the former group. However, he didn't let that show on his face or in his demeanor as he went around the room greeting the various people who had shown up.

After a short while, Dumbledore strode over to the large table in the room and waited patiently for the remaining individuals to either sit themselves or become quiet. Some refilled their teacups before they settled down. The Headmaster looked everyone in the eye again as he scanned the room and began speaking. "I want to thank you all for responding to my abrupt summons so promptly. There are a few individuals who thought themselves too old or uninterested in the plea I made to respond. A few others have quietly passed along and I regret their absence and abilities to help us in our hour of need. A couple of our fellow members, like our esteemed Potion Professor Master Snape, are out of country and will not return for another week or so. Nevertheless, we must press on with a new effort to help guarantee the safety and security of our own and our society's future."

"Of what urgent need are you talking about Headmaster?" came from a corner of the room.

"I'm talking about the missing or kidnapped Boy-Who-Lived", Dumbledore said calmly.

I watched the reactions from the people in the room that encompassed denial, hope, outright despair and disbelief. Many questions were raised and the level of confusion in the room grew rapidly until Dumbledore shot off an explosive sound from his wand to gather their attention again. "In spite of the reports or investigations about the Class V incident that was reported in muggle London, I am convinced that Harry Potter is still alive."

"Then where is he?" came the question from a witch who was sitting with her husband. I had noticed that they each came wearing a black armband with the white initials HJP printed on it. It was the wife who had stood and questioned the Headmaster.

"I do not know Molly, thus the reason for this meeting. I would like all of you to search, however discreetly, for evidence of where he went, where he may be held, or who may be holding him. Mrs. Figg is making the rounds in the muggle neighborhood where he lived in order to see if young Harry has been taken in or has had emergency treatment as a result of the explosion."

"Why do you believe he may be still alive despite evidence to the contrary Albus?"

"The protections I established around Harry Potter's house would not allow anyone magical to enter his area with hostile intent."

"Then what has happened to the boy?" came the question again from a different corner.

"For once I don't know but I am leaving once this meeting is over to check The Ministry of Magic for the evidence which was gathered and to talk to Minister Bagnold about releasing such an inopportune and premature press release. I'm afraid that it will only cause panic and unwise speculations. I hope I can count on all of you to help determine the truth of the matter."

"And what if the truth of the matter is the facts reported by the Daily Prophet?" came a gruff voice from the doorway. A well-respected former warrior for our cause had finally made an appearance to the meeting.

"Then Merlin help and guide us all Alastor."

The tone of Dumbledore's voice made everyone quiet again and Dumbledore handed out assignments. We were all supposed to report back to him in another meeting he would soon call. Or sooner, if anyone turned up something of note.

I went around myself thanking the remaining people for their response and help. I shared my 'news' that my American grandnephew had started showing signs of magic. And that his parents might be interested in providing him a magical education at Hogwarts. A few congratulated me before heading for Hogsmeade or the school's boundaries to start their investigations.

As soon as I was sure that Dumbledore had left the castle, I went to my office and checked on the Recording Book. The Recording Book, a legacy from Hogwarts Founders, lists the birth of all magicals born in Great Britain and Ireland and the year that they were supposed to start instruction at Hogwarts. I was relieved to see that Harry Potter's name had faded off from the ledger (That would be a fact I would let Dumbledore know about - I wonder if that would cause him to faint?) and Jayson Wrightson's name had been added as the newest future scholar. I closed the book up with a smile and prepared to go on the assignment that Dumbledore gave me.

I was to observe and report the reaction to the 'Potter situation', as Dumbledore called it, in the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley. Nothing too stressful but a little time consuming. I called for Bitty and she appeared to take the message home that I would probably be delayed for a few more hours more. Bitty said my grandnephew was occupied reading and talking to the pictures around home. Knowing that would probably keep him busy until I returned, I let Bitty return to fix lunch and an afternoon snack (with potions of course) for Jayson

Little did I know then there was a remarkable surprise awaiting me when I finished my assignment.

MM)

**** ******* ******** DPC ********* ******** ***

Aug 19th, 1989

I can't believe I hid this journal so well that I forgot where I stashed it. It's been almost a month since I've written in it. I hope I can 'briefly' catch you up on what's been happening

**** ******* ******** DPC ********* ******** ***

Aug 8th, 5:30

Aunt Minerva stepped from the flue and waved her wand removing the dust and cinders from her journey from Diagon Alley. She unfastened her cloak and watched it float to the nearby coat rack that was installed for the specific task of holding such coverings. She smiled when she saw me stand up from the easy chair where she saw I had some papers that I had been reading.

Bitty came walking out from the kitchen and asked if anyone wanted to eat or drink anything before supper was served. Both of us said 'No' and Bitty said that the meal would be ready in about twenty minutes.

"I'm sorry for abandoning you your first day here Jayson."

"It's okay. I made myself more familiar with the house and watched Bitty do her chores for a while. Then I walked up to the top of the hill and back to get some fresh air. The paper was delivered just after you left; a special edition of The Daily Prophet containing more news about…well, Harry Potter's disappearance and 'death'. There were a lot of letters and interviews from all sorts of the magical public about what everyone thought about me and the news. I'm not sure if I should be mad or embarrassed about my nickname. It's not like I remember doing anything extraordinary so long ago."

"You don't sound happy about that."

"I'm not. It's just a horrible reminder about losing my family."

"I'm sorry. But I am trying to make it up to you as best I can."

"That's the reason I stopped crying. After a little thought I realized that you, Aunt Andie, Bitty and all the others I've met have been especially kind and supportive. I'll apologize if my emotions seem all over the place for the next couple of weeks."

"It's perfectly understandable Jayson. You can always talk to me if things get too overwhelming for you."

"I'll try to remember that. Can I ask a question seeing as we have some time now?"

"Of course."

"A pink flamingo came about twenty minutes after the owl delivered the Prophet. It was carrying a copy of 'The Quibbler'(?) and the note attached to it was addressed to me."

"What? Which you? Hardly anyone knows who and where you are Jayson. Let me see that note if you still have it."

I dug the note out of my pocket where I had folded it up and handed it to her. She unfolded it and I saw one eyebrow arch up as she read what I had gotten:

Jayson

Welcome to your new home. I hope you don't mind me being forward and sending our paper edition that covers the awful news regarding scion Harry Potter (WINK!) . I realize he may never be seen again but the Shrimpled Potloches may release him from the Shadow Realms if ever he is desperately need again. I look forward to meeting you either at Hogwarts or at your Great-Aunt's indulgence.

Luna Lovegood

"I tried looking up 'Potloches', 'Shrimpled' or otherwise, with the books around here but couldn't find a reference. Bitty didn't know either. And what's a scion?"

"A scion is the heir and future head of a family; that term is not used much anywhere in the muggle world these days. It's certainly confusing, isn't it? The Lovegood family have a history of having seers run in their family. This is strange however that I believe that Miss Lovegood herself is even younger that you Jayson."

I was saved from further confusion when Bitty walked into the room and announced that supper was served. Bitty stood a little way from the table and served different dishes as Aunt Minerva and I talked about the day's events and observations. I was moved to tears a few times as I recounted some of the letters about the faith and hope that Harry Potter's survival seemed to mean to people of magical England. She put down her fork and knife at one point and came around the table to hug me until I had got over the urge to get mad or cry. We finished supper as she described her mission from Headmaster Dumbledore and I asked her about the stores on Diagon Alley.

We had finished supper and moved back to the living room. Bitty had followed me out with a tray with two potions for me to take. I had picked up one to take a smell of it and Bitty tried to smother the giggle she got at the expression on my face.

"Have you learned a Scottish word today?" Minerva asked. ( I had volunteered to learn some of the language to help talking with potential schoolmates or her when she slipped into it. Or to understand Aunt Minerva when she swore under her breath. There was a Scottish-English dictionary amongst the books in my room and I hope to be able to talk Scottish with her within a year.)

"Yes. 'Haver'" .

"Which means what grandnephew?""

"To talk foolishly or babble on. Something I hope you'll never accuse me of doing."

Minerva nodded. "Not if you know what's good for you. You could ask any of the students who have ever taken a class from me about that. And now that we've had supper and relaxed a bit, perhaps the other members of my household could inform me what exactly is setting on the edge of the mantle?"

I paused in mid-swallow and looked at Bitty. She switched rapidly from looking at Aunt Minerva to me and then back again. She had built it but it had been at my idea and questions that prompted its existence.

"I… well, I mean to say… It was an idea I ha… but don't go blaming Bitty as she…I was just trying to help…"

"Bitty?"

"Master Jayson had a wonderful idea after you left to go to Hogwarts. We talked about it and we built and placed the experiment where it sits now. The young master thinks you will like it."

"Jayson?

"Yes, Aunt Minerva?" I didn't recognize until later that I had stood and gathered myself together at the tone of voice from my guardian.

"Explain to me in less than twenty words what it is."

"It's… it is a floo connection specifically designed for conversations. Standing up."

I saw an arched eyebrow as she thought about my reply. She stood up and took steps to stand beside me. "Then show me how it works then. I'm assuming you made some safety precautions?"

I had a glimpse then of how attending her class lectures might go. "ME ? I don't know anybody to call."

"You already know about a half dozen individuals. Let's call Ted Tonks since he was working on your case. Explain this device's usage."

I stepped up beside the simple half-meter cube of what Bitty swore was polished multi-colored bricks such as you find in a regular hearth. The side facing the room was open and big enough for anyone to stick their head in. There was a handle on one side and a small dish fill with floo powder sitting on top of it.

"Anytime you are ready Jayson. Describe what you are doing for me."

"Okay. First you move the handle on the side from the down position to the up position and make sure it stays locked in. (CLICK !) That diverts the floo magic from the main hearth up to the box. Then you grab the floo powder from the bowl on top and throw it into the box calling out the address of the person which is what I hope is the regular way. Which is….?"

"The Tonks Residency."

I called out 'Tonks Residency' as I threw the powder. The green flames emerged instantly but I felt no heat on my face or arms. After an encouraging nod from my guardian, I fought off all common sense, lowering my head into the flames while firmly clenching my eyes shut.

"Call out the name you want" came the prompt from Minerva.

"Aunt Andi? Uncle Ted? Nymphad… Tonks? Anyone home?"

"Yes. Hang on a second – be right there." I was so surprised that I got an answer that my eyes popped open. I backed up slightly as Aunt Andi's face appeared like three inches off my nose.

"Oh Jayson, it's you. Are you feeling okay?"

I felt a tug on my shoulder and I was soon replaced in the conversation with Aunt Minerva. "There's nothing wrong here but I wonder if your family was open to flooing here for a small discussion. I 'll have some tea and biscuits waiting if you can."

I heard a shout asking about chocolate from the teenager and guessed that Tonks approved of the visit.

"We'll be there in a few minutes. Thank you Minerva for the invite." Aunt Andi's head disappeared from the flames and they died out.

Minerva leaned back and then looked at me. "And then return the lever to the down position when you finish?"

I nodded and watched her slide the lever back to its original position (CLICK). "You should probably make the lever either bigger or a bright color. It would be a huge problem if it ended up in the wrong position after use. A person might splinch themselves or get forced to another floo."

"Splinch? Sounds painful. No, I hadn't thought that far. I just wanted to make it so people weren't getting up and down from their knees all the time."

"That's very commendable Jayson. I appreciate you thought of something useful for me and every other wizard and witch over sixty."

"I did NOT make any comment about anyone's age!" I was happy to receive a chuckle in return for that comment. Aunt Minerva directed Bitty to get the incoming guests the usual provisions. She walked away towards the kitchen but by then the floo had lit up and the Tonks family was stepping through the connection one at a time.

Aunt Minerva waved her wand clearing off the soot and embers from the trio and then invited everyone to have seat. Andi and Ted sat on one of the couches but my new 'cousin' came over and perched herself on the arm of the chair I sat in. I gave her an exasperated look and was rewarded with her ruffling my hair.

"Dora! Play nice, we're company now."

"Yes Mum. I don't think I could make his hair any worse though."

As I make-believed glared at Tonks, Ted coughed and reached into an inside pocket of his robes and pulled out a couple of thick envelopes. "I managed to 'find and retrieve' your official papers from America from the International Floo Office at the Ministry of Magic. I took the liberty of making a few extra copies – one each for Minerva and you, one to file at the Ministry's Education office, and one for my office records as I'll be representing you if the legal need arises in the future."

"Thanks you Mr. T… Uncle Ted." I felt the thick envelope and wondered how long I had to memorize the details of my new 'old' life.

"Miss Tonks."

"Yes Professor?"

"My grandnephew has just moved into a new room all his own. I wonder if you might give him some advice on making it personalized to his liking. Jayson, show the young lady your room."

"Now?"

"Yes, I have a few things to talk to Andi and Ted in private. If you please."

"Okay. C'mon Tonks." I managed to push the smirking girl off the arm of the chair and ran up the stairs while she was picking herself off the floor. Aunt Andi and Uncle Ted were chuckling at my behavior and I could see that Aunt Minerva was a little undecided about my rudeness.

I was halfway up the stairs when I heard a growl behind me and chanced a glance back. Tonks was running up after me but had transformed her face into resembling a wolf with a long snout and fangs for teeth. I knew she had the ability to change but I now knew just how radical(?) her talent could be. She reached the top of the stairs but caught her boot on it and tripped. I barely made it to my room before her but couldn't hold the door closed against her outweighing me.

I was pushed/shoved back to sprawl on my bed as Tonks examined the room. "Cool digs Jayson. Nice try though. When you get to Hogwarts you'll learn the locking spell. 'Colloportus'. You've got a nice sized room here."

Tonks then proceeded to take a good poke around my room, opening drawers, examining my desk and book collection, peering out the windows and inspecting the loo. I hid my journal under the mattress while she was trying the taps there. She came back and sat down on the bed next to where I was still lying. She spoke up. "Try getting a wireless set so you can listen to British bands and singers when you're spending time in here. They occasionally play some groups from the states or British groups you may already know. I'd get some Quidditch posters but I don't know if you are a fan or not. The Holyhead Harpies are my favorite team. All their players are females."

"Quidditch?"

"You DON'T know Quidditch?"

"Recently turned magical… remember? Couldn't tell you anything about Quidditch"

"I have a book or two at home you can read. Maybe dad can get us tickets for a game sometime. I think you'll like flying around for whatever house you are in."

"Flying? House? I'm already in a house."

Tonks giggled at my response. We spent the next 20 minutes asking questions of each other. I asked about Hogwarts and the classes she was taking. Tonks tried finding more about me but I confessed to being 'very homesick' and not ready to talk about my family or life in the states. She was okay with that but promised she wouldn't stop asking. (I hoped the next interrogation would be at least a week or two away to give me time to memorize 'where' I had come from.)

We were discussing the supposedly nasty teacher that taught Potions at Hogwarts when there came a knock on my door. When I said 'Enter', Bitty pushed the door open and said that we were both wanted back downstairs. I refused the offered piggyback ride from Tonks as I thought she would just dump me somewhere.

When we got back to the living room, Tonks took the easy chair that I was setting in. I became a little nervous with the looks the three adults were giving me.

"What did I do wrong now" I asked.

Aunt Andi, Uncle Ted and Minerva started chuckling. "You have to quit assuming the worse when people pay a little attention to you." Aunt Minerva said. "Actually we are all quite impressed with your idea."

"What idea did this shrimp have?" came the question next to me. My response was finding out that Nymphadora Celestra Tonks was ticklish. Very ticklish. It immediately became a tickle fight and we ended up on the floor.

"Enough you two", came from my guardian. Tonks and I untangled and helped each other stand to retake our seats. It was Uncle Ted who spoke next.

"Your idea about this…. What are you calling it again Jayson?"

"Oh, I hadn't really thought giving it a name. High Talk? Elevated Gab? Voice Hail? Face Box? Any suggestions, anybody?"

Tonks, sitting next to her parents on the couch was grinning when she shouted out "Rainbow Connection".

Uncle Ted shook his head. "I doubt the Ministry will object to that Dora but I can't see any muggle-born witches or wizards will use it without laughing."

"Oh dad, you are such a kill joy."

"Don't talk to your father like that Nymphadora!"

"MUM!"

Minerva and I were both trying not to laugh out loud at the exchange but she then straightened up and looked at me thoughtfully. "How about Easy Chat, Jayson."

"Ooh, that's both simple and descriptive." I said.

"Easy chat it is then", said Ted after seeing the nods from the others in the room. "So, I'm going to formally submit this Easy Chat idea and construction to the Ministry of Magic, specifically to the Floo Network Authority Division. The Under-Secretary, Hal Jordon, was one of my housemates in Ravenclaw, is a fair and progressive wizard. He'll love this."

"Why do I get the feeling this is more important than I think it might be?", I asked./

It was Uncle Ted that answered me. "Jayson, I've been a lawyer for almost 25 years and this is only the third innovation that I know of that will probably get approval from the Ministry. The last one was 17 years ago and involved space expanding charms for the pouches the paper-delivery owls have attached to them."

"And?" I was very confused at this point.

"Jayson, a properly applied for and granted innovation is treated like a muggle copyright. You'll get paid for every time this 'Easy Chat' is installed in a home or office. The Ministry calls it "Fiscal Judiciousness' after they take their cut for the installation and idea."

"Even to me, a kid?"

" An account governed by your legal guardian, Professor Minerva McGonagall", said Uncle Ted. "You'll be rich very quickly."

"You are so becoming my favorite little cousin Jayson", said Tonks with a grin

"DORA"!

"Nymphadora!"

"TONKS!" I yelled as I dumped the giggling girl out of my chair.

What an evening!

(Author Note - A resubmitted Chapter with finishes that I liked better. Sorry for the delay)