Disclaimer: All Harry Potter™ characters and settings are the sole property of JK Rowling. No money is being made with this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended. All that belongs to me is the plot!
Spoilers for all five books. It's rated at PG-13 for now and there are no romantic pairings at the moment, but that is subject to change depending on future plotlines. Comments can be sent to jewel_of_atlantis@yahoo.co.uk
Chapter 3: A Letter From Percy
Harry approached the opaque dome yet did not touch the surface. For almost all, to touch the dome would mean instant pain, but this was not the case for Harry. Slowly he raised his right hand and moved forward until it rested upon the dome. A shiver ran down his spine, but otherwise Harry gave no outward reaction. He closed his eyes and concentrated.
If there could be an outside observer, they would have seen Harry glow with a faint blue-white colour. They would have also noticed that the area surrounding the point of contact between the dome and Harry was charged with magic. They would have heard a crackle of energy as it was funnelled into the dome. However, there was no outside observer to experience these things since it was a visualisation of Harry's mind.
Harry had entered into a meditative state while sitting on his bed. The opaque dome represented the barrier Harry had created to stop any unwanted mental attacks, whether from Voldemort, from bitter Professors, or manipulative Headmasters. The energy that Harry was channelling into the dome was supplied from his own inner core, his own magic and it served to strengthen the barrier. Harry periodically checked it and strengthened it, having learnt the lesson the harsh way.
Many times, he had wondered what if? What if he had learn Occlumency? What if Dumbledore had told him about the mere existence of the Prophecy? What if Fudge had admitted to Voldemort's return? What if Harry had not fallen for Voldemort's manipulations? What if Harry had opened Sirius' package and used the mirror? What if ... what if?
It was a chain of thoughts that led him nowhere but in circles, yet like a chain, it was hard to break. However, today was not a day for such thoughts. It was meant to be a day of happiness and bittersweet memories for it was Harry's 16th Birthday. Harry's greatest desire was that he could share it with his parents and Sirius, but that was not to be.
Harry finally broke contact with the barrier and moved back to the centre of the dome. Here resided his thoughts, his fears, his memories, his dreams, and his knowledge. A side effect of his mediation, or perhaps his Occlumency training was that he found it much easier to retain information and facts.
In fact, the dome was slowly starting to resemble a small library. Many books were dedicated to Defence Against the Dark Arts, others to Charms, Transfiguration, and there was even one on History of Magic much to his surprise. What intrigued him what that there were several books without titles, nor would they open. Harry rolled his eyes. Another mystery and this time it was something inside his subconscious!
Of course, the dome representing his mind had meant that his connection to Voldemort was also present. It was represented by a black swirling vortex. Harry had noted that when the connection between himself and Voldemort was active, the vortex became larger in radius, yet when it remained idle, it seemed to fade into the background, yet always there, outside his dome.
Harry had prodded at the shrunken vortex during a previous session, and succeeded in increasing it's radius by a small amount, yet the dark energy that it exuded had caused Harry to become ill for many hours and it had been an experiment he had not been eager to continue.
Harry had not explored the full extent of his mental subconscious, though he had spent many hours there over the last few weeks. However, that time had mainly been spent creating and strengthening the barrier. There were many things to discover but Harry would not be getting an opportunity to do that today.
Shouting from the hallways seeped into Harry's unconscious and he recognised the shouting to be his Uncle Vernon. There was only one thing that provoked that type of reaction and it usually involved Harry and his 'unnaturalness'. Harry began to process of coming out of his meditative state and a minute later, was hurrying down the stairs, to be faced with Tonks and Moody who had his wand pointed at him.
"Potter" the ex-Auror growled. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE! What if we were Death Eaters"
Harry winced. "Alright. Look I had my wand here, but I knew you two were coming anyway"
"We might have been disguised"
Harry shrugged. "You'd have killed Uncle Vernon rather than argue with him" he said. "I could hear you upstairs." With a start, Harry remembered that Uncle Vernon was also in the hallway, but when he looked around, he could not see him. Harry blinked in surprise. "Where is Uncle Vernon anyway?"
Tonks snorted in a rather unladylike manner. "Umm"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Well he was being an idiot, yelling at us and everything so Mad-Eye here..." Tonks trailed off here, looking rather smug yet uncertain at the same time.
"What did you do?" Harry asked, with a rising sense of worry. Especially since he had to live with the Dursleys after the Order left.
"Moodytransfiguredhimintoafish" Tonks said in a big rush.
Harry started at the blue-haired Auror. "Pardon?"
"Moody transfigured him into a fish" she repeated, though at a slower pace.
Harry winced. "Moody?"
"Well I did warn him" he muttered in his own defence. "Don't you worry boy, I'll turn him back"
"Right ... well. Umm?"
"What I would like to know though" Moody continued. "Is how you knew that it was us who were coming to get you"
"Remus told me" Harry replied.
"He told you?"
"Yes"
"Damn. I'm going to have to have a word with him. Constant Vigilance! Anyone could have intercepted that letter!" Moody muttered while Tonks rolled her eyes.
"He didn't mention your names" Harry reasoned, defending his former DADA Professor. "Just a keyword so to say"
Moody just grunted as his magical eye spun around in its socket. "Well come on Potter. We don't have all day!" he said. "Go grab your cloak and stuff and we'll be on our way"
Harry started to walk back up the stairs before a thought occurred to him. "You mean everything? Trunk and all?"
Tonks gave him a huge smile. "Yup!"
"What about Uncle Vernon?"
"We'll turn him back. Hopefully teach him a few manners too"
"Wouldn't bet on that" Harry muttered before hurrying to his room. He started to gather the few things lying about his room and the presents he received that morning and put them into his trunk. He scoured the corners of the room and checked the floorboards under his bed for any forgotten items before turning to his trunk. For only five years, Harry had amassed a fair few possessions. Of course, amongst the most precious were the photo album from Hagrid, his father's invisibility cloak, and the Firebolt from Sirius. Harry grabbed a robe and double-checked his wand was in his pocket before locking his trunk.
Having collected all of his possessions, Harry started to drag his trunk to the stairs when to his surprise, his trunk gently floated ahead of him. Harry sent a smile to Tonks who was using her wand to direct the trunk. A moment later he joined her in the hallway.
"Harry. I've put a featherlight charm on it" she said. "All we got to do is take it to Figg's house"
"Mrs Figg" Harry asked.
"Yes" Moody grunted. "We're taking the floo from her fireplace"
"Where to?"
"You'll find out" was Moody's only reply. Harry turned to look at the young Metamorphagus who rolled her eyes.
"Fine!" Hary snapped before grabbing his trunk and making for the door. "Goodbye Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley. See you next Summer I guess!" Harry shouted as he left the house. Not waiting to see if his guards were following, Harry dragged the magically light trunk to Mrs Figg's house.
A few minutes later he reached the house in question and walked up to the front door. Harry knocked and waited for a reply, while looking at Tonks who was just walking up to the house and Moody who was still walking along the road. His attention was suddenly drawn to the front door, which had opened, revealing Remus Lupin.
Harry smiled though there was a bittersweet quality to it. He looked awkwardly at his former Professor and friend of his parents and Sirius. Luckily, Harry's indecision was answered by Remus who grabbed him in a one armed hug. Harry stiffened for a second before allowing himself to relax into the embrace. The remained locked in their positions, an unspoken exchange of emotions and understanding that only someone who had lost something precious to them could even begin to understand.
For Harry, it had been the first time after the event of the summer that he had seen someone who could possibly understand the depth of pain and loss he felt. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Mrs Weasley, and anyone else who had tried to sympathise with him in his letters had been met with words that would have made even Mundungus blush. In that instant a bond, deep, unquestionable, and unbreakable was formed between the young messy haired, green eyed teenager and the older, brown-eyed man.
"What are you doing out there Lupin!" a cross voice shouted. A moment later Mrs Figg also appeared at the door. "Oh it's you. Come on in then, before you get a chill"
Harry and Remus looked at one another in amusement since it was a lovely sunny day outside with clear blue skies and a bright hot sun. With a shrug, Harry hauled his trunk into the living room, which smelled of boiled cabbage as usual. Setting his trunk down, Harry turned to see Tonks walk into the room holding Hedwig's empty cage.
She put it ontop of Harry's trunk but tripped on the edge of the aforementioned trunk, with a curse Tonks fell to the floor, bringing smiles to the occupants of the room. Harry held a hand out for the blushing Auror, who took it with an annoyed glare. "Watch it you lot" she warned. "I am an Auror and I can curse you into oblivion"
Remus raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that Tonks?"
Tonks looked haughtily at Remus and sniffed. Harry had the distinct impression that Tonks was mocking Narcissa Malfoy with her gestures. "Why?"
"Since I'm a Defence against the Dark Arts professor" he replied easily. "Moody is perhaps one of the best Aurors of recent times, and Harry here ... well need I go on?"
Tonks scanned the room before shrugging. "It's not like I'm never going to trip over again so I guess not. Anyway, I may lose against you, but at least I'll get a few hits in first!"
"You know" Harry said, interrupting the mock glare that Remus was sending Tonks. "You really reminded me of Mrs Malfoy just then"
"Harry!" Tonks cried dramatically. "How can you compare me to that stuck up bi..."
"Tonks!" Remus shouted.
"Bitch?" Harry finished
"Harry!"
"What Remus? I'm not saying anything that most of us haven't thought anyway" Harry argued.
Remus shook his head. A strange owl, however, interrupted any reply he was about to make. Moody who had seen it using his magical eye was the only one not surprised by its appearance. Harry's eyebrows rose as he realised that the owl was making its way to him. As it settled on a table near him, Harry noticed that the letter it carried the seal of the Ministry. Instinctively Harry knew that whatever it contained was not going to be good news.
He untied the letter and the owl flew off without waiting for a treat or thanks. Harry broke the seal and started to read the letter, aware of the curious gazes of the four adults in the room.
Dear Mr Potter,
The Ministry is currently proposing several changes in policy that will affect you once the Wizgamot and Ministry Legislative Officials approve them. As part of the process, we are required to inform you as to how the changes will affect you.
As the sole remaining heir of the Potter estate, you stand to inherit the estate and all its monies upon your coming of age. According to our records, you have also several other inheritances that will come into effect upon your 17th birthday.
As such, under the new plans that are being proposed, your finances will be held in trust by a newly commissioned special department. The intention being that you will be able to gain an insight to your inheritance over the forthcoming year. This will ensure that when you come fully into your inheritance, you will be at a stage where you have the skills and knowledge to deal with the estate in an efficient manner.
The Minister of Magic has introduced the proposals in an attempt to ease the transition that would happen upon your coming of age. The Minister and Ministry of Magic appreciate that the last war and event thereafter have left a great many witches and wizards without the support they would normally have. The belief is that these proposals with bring the Wizarding community together in order to fight You-Know-Who.
Your support would be greatly appreciated and you shall be fully informed of future information regarding the progress of these proposals. Once it becomes a legal decree, a document will be sent to you post-haste.
Yours sincerely
Percival Weasley
Assistant to the Minister of Magic
"What the hell?" Harry growled.
"What's wrong?" Remus asked.
Harry passed the letter onto the werewolf who quickly scanned it. Remus' face became blank as he absorbed the information. "What is Fudge trying to do? Can they do this?" Harry asked. "That vault is all I've got. How am I supposed to pay for Hogwarts if the Ministry take control of it?" he continued, not noticing the frowns that the adults wore. "I don't understand! Shouldn't Fudge be doing something about Voldemort?"
Mrs Figg was the only one in the room who flinched at the name of the Dark Lord. Tonks sighed. "The idiot thinks he is actually doing something with this load of trash!"
"Going after my vault is doing something?"
"That's just a small thing. Fudge's main goal is to get control of the Death Eater's vaults" Remus explained as he massaged his forehead.
"So why try to get control of my vault?" Harry almost shouted. "It was in the Prophet. I wasn't sure whether to believe it at first, what with all the lies last year. The paper said that Neville would be affected as well. How that helping anything?"
Remus let out a sigh and Harry saw the tiredness that was hidden in his brown eyes. "Personally, I don't think it's got anything to do with Voldemort," he said.
"Aye" Moody agreed. "There's no point in it and it's taking away resources"
"So why then!"
"It's just a guess mind" Remus replied. "But it seems likely to be a way at getting back at you. After last year, Fudge may have admitted that you and the Headmaster were correct, but he took a big hit. It's hurt his pride and he's trying to get some sort of revenge"
"WHAT!"
"I know" Remus said wearily. This stopped Harry from exploding. Harry recognised the weariness and tiredness that came from mourning and he did not intend to purposely make it harder for the sole remaining true Marauder. "There is another possibility though"
Harry had no idea what to say so gestured for the older man to continue. "It could be that he thinks since you've already defeated Voldemort the first time, you might be likely to do it again"
Harry winced and the pain in his chest grew. He knew that only he and Dumbledore knew the contents of the Prophecy, but it would be a long guess to figure out that there was more to it especially considering the mess he had orchestrated in the Hall of Prophecies.
"If he takes control of the Potter estate as he's proposing" Remus continued, his sharp eyes not missing the distressed look, "Then if you do manage to defeat Voldemort, he can rake credit"
Harry suppressed the urge to fidget. "What makes you think I'll defeat Voldemort"
Remus looked at him for a long moment and Harry felt as though he was laid bare. It was not in the same cold and cruel manner that Snape often employed, or the manipulative way that Voldemort and even Dumbledore managed. It was sympathetic and warm. "I'm not saying that. I'm saying that it might be what Fudge is thinking. First and foremost, Fudge is a politician. Always remember that Harry"
"And in this case" Tonks continued, "He's losing public confidence and respect. He'll try to do anything to get it back"
"He's in love with the power the position offers him and he's become blind to almost everything else" Moody growled from the window.
"He probably thought it was an unexpected benefit if he could get his revenge by controlling your assets. Merlin only knows how he thinks he can get away with that. There are several strong objectors. It's unlikely that it will pass. He'll likely not get control of your finances, but the whole situation with the Death Eater's estates and vaults is less clear. However, If he manages to get the legal stuff sorted and the proposal passed, he then has the problems with the goblins who run Gringotts" Remus explained.
"Not to mention the International Confederation of Wizards" Tonks interjected.
"Though he could claim Voldemort's return as a justification for that one" Moody argued.
"True enough" Remus said. "The main worries we have about that is Fudge's refusal to believe that Sirius is..." A pained looked crossed his lined face before determination took its place. "...was innocent"
"Like hell" Harry growled. "Fudge will announce that Sirius was innocent if it's the last thing I do. I won't stand for it"
"Me either" Remus agreed. "However we have to do it properly and it's not going to happen just because we tell him so, but we will get him cleared. I promise. Anyway, as I was saying. The goblins that run Gringotts won't likely give the Ministry access to the vaults just like that. No-one knows how Fudge plans on getting past that little problem, not even Dumbledore"
Moody grunted. "Let's hope he's not daft enough to incite another Goblin war. That'd be all we need right now"
"Why doesn't everyone get rid of Fudge?" Harry asked in exasperation.
"Because very few people know what he's really like. His public image doesn't reflect his love of power" Remus explained. "Besides which, it's not a good idea to have a government in upheaval right now. It might just give Voldemort the opportunity he needs"
"We're all going to hell in a hand-basket aren't we?" Harry asked out loud, causing Tonks to giggle. A lop-sided smile formed on Moody's disfigured face while Remus and Harry shared a look. "Anyway, will you now tell me where I'm going?"
"Ah well" Remus started, as he got up and straightened his robes. Harry noticed that while not the best, they were nowhere near as shabby as his other robes. "We are going to try and sort out your first problem, including that letter you just got from the Ministry. Have you got some robes to wear?" he asked.
"Umm. Yeah" Harry replied. "Just give me a moment" A minute later, Harry had put on his green dress robes. Harry watched as Remus shrunk his trunk until it was the size of a wallet. Harry slipped it into a pocket while wishing that he could do magic during the summer. "Now what?"
"Well we are going to floo somewhere where we can hopefully sort out your problem. We're going to see the law firm who've been managing the Potter estate for years and see what they say about Fudge's proposals"
Harry was stunned and confused about this new information, especially since he had no idea that he had a lawyer. 'Another thing Dumbledore forgot to tell me I guess' Harry thought. "Are all three of you coming?" Harry asked.
"I'm not coming" Moody replied. "I'm going to stay here for another hour or two to make sure everything's safe. Remember, Constant Vigilance Potter!"
"Yes Moody. So it's just you two then?"
"Lucky you" Tonks grinned.
Harry smiled back but his mind was racing as he thought about what Remus had just told him. He did not notice when Remus magically created a fire in Mrs Figg's fireplace, nor when he threw in a pinch of floo powder. However, his attention was drawn to the cry of "Claude, Schneider, and Austin, Swiss branch"
Remus span out of sight and a moment later Harry found himself repeating the directions. Holding his glasses in his hand and tucking his elbows in, Harry repeated Remus' directions in a clear loud voice. He span at a terrifying speed, passing many grates before finally slowing. He came to a stop in a large fireplace and stumbled out, grateful that he had not fallen on his face. He quickly replaced his glasses as Remus took his elbow and moved him away from the fireplace, and looked around the room where he had arrived.
~~~~~~~~~~
Many thanks to the wonderful reviewers so far: Alan, FondyCheesehead, RogueFanKC, captuniv, Black Vengeance, padfoot, Briana Rose, David M. Potter, LL, and Silver.
Silver - Don't you really want to hate Fudge! Unfortunately, he'll be around for a while … he is a politician after all!
LL - Thank you. Gringott's is independent to the Ministry, but like in RL, you can seize assets belonging to certain individuals, but it usually requires a court order. Harry will have too much on his plate to concentrate on flaming Fudge, but he may get around to making his views known about certain individuals later. Fudge will be staying, I mean, it's so satisfying making him suffer!
Padfoot - Hmmm. The situation with Sirius is about to get quite complicated so I won't get into it now since it'll ruin the surprise. However, the truth about Sirius will come out.
Black Vengeance - No comment! *smirk*
Captuniv - Almost there. Fudge is basically out to try and screw up life for certain people by any means possible. After all, politics is a tricky and messy business.
RogueFanKC - Your odd feeling is quite spot on. If you were Fudge, would you forgive the one person who made you look like a fool, forgetting the fact you are one! *smirk* Poor Harry. Politics is a messy business. Actually, I had read it, but only the first couple of chapter. Had a look so to try not to go along that route, but as with anything, there may be similar aspects. I'm trying not to copy anything. This will (hopefully) be more about Fudge, Dumbledore, and his manipulations and how they affect Harry as he starts his Sixth year.
Alan - My first reviewer! Thank you! Hope I can keep up with your expectations.