Amelia Bones asked, "Mr. Potter, are you familiar with the Cruciatus curse?"
Harry nodded again. He'd had it cast upon himself a few times, and had unsuccessfully attempted to cast it once himself against Bellatrix.
"Do you understand the reasoning behind the penalties that have been imposed against the use of the Cruciatus curse against another human being?"
Harry nodded.
She continued. "Half of witches or wizards subjected to this level of pain for more than two minutes develop long term effects. After four minutes 90 percent develop nerve paralysis lasting a year or more, even with our newest treatments. We currently know of two witches and wizards who were subjected for over thirty minutes. They have exhibited over fifteen years of persistent vegetative behavior. Do you know of them Mr. Potter?"
"I've met Neville's parents," replied Harry preparing himself for the sledgehammer that he felt ready to strike him.
Bones sipped her tea. "The complicating factor in your case is the lack of a witness. It seems that Ms. Lestrange failed to answer the invitation that we sent her to interview her regarding her version of the events of the evening of 28 June. As such, there is no formal complaint filed, only circumstantial evidence based upon your as yet untested wand."
"The other document that I have on the table behind you is a temporary conditional use of magic license. It would authorize you to use magic in situations where an adult wizard would be authorized to use magic, valid until your seventeenth birthday. These would include daily household activities, including transfiguration of inanimate objects, charms such as carrying objects from one place to another, and the creation of light magic potions. The use of hexes and curses used in an unprovoked offensive situation is specifically prohibited. Use of defensive light magic would of course be permitted."
Harry nodded, not believing his good luck.
"The granting of the license is, of course, conditional. You need to be free of any criminal felony level magical charges at the time of its issuance. I also need your word Mr. Potter, your wizard's pledge that you will not go looking for trouble." She smiled for an instant. "It finds you easily enough as it is. Finally Mr. Potter, I have one last condition. I need you to at least consider my personal invitation to enter the Auror training program after school and the successful attainment of NEWT level certifications in Charms, Transfiguration, Defense, and one other class of your choosing."
Harry couldn't believe his ears. No charges, a magic license, and a personal invitation into the Auror program. Christmas indeed had come early! "I accept. Thank yo,u Director Bones."
"Harry, please ask Auror Tonks to come back in and close the door again."
"Auror Tonks, please help me move this bookcase over a few feet." Tonks walked over to the table and picked up her wand. With a swish and flick movement that reminded Harry of another young lady, she said Wingardium Leviosa, and moved the bookcase two feet to the left. Tonks put her wand back on the table. "Auror Tonks, I changed my mind, would you move it back please." Tonks repeated the wand movement and the bookcase floated back to its original location.
Tonks put the wand back in her wrist holster. It didn't fit. She pulled it out again to examine it. "Sorry, Director Bones, I must have used the wrong wand to move the bookcase."
"Auror Tonks, you are suspended without pay for two weeks for the unintentional tampering with evidence in a criminal investigation. The loss of pay is the only penalty in this case. This action will not impact your future career opportunities within the department. Put the other wand back on the table and wait outside."
"Yes, Director Bones. Sorry again. Thank you, Director Bones."
"Auror Tonks, send in Auror Hammer and Senior Auror Shacklebolt."
"Auror Hammer, please perform the Priori Incantatem test on each of the wands on the table and record the results."
Wand marked property of Ronald Mulciber - Portus
Wand marked property of Anton Dolohov – Flame cutter
Wand marked property of Augustus Rookwood – Avada Kedavra
Wand marked property of Walden McNair – Avada Kedavra
Wand marked property of Rabastan Lestrange- Imperious
Wand marked property of Peter Crabbe – Jelly legs
Wand marked property of Rodolphus Lestrange - Reducto
Wand marked property of Greggory Jugson - Cruciatus
Wand marked property of Stephen Nott – Avada Kedavra
Wand marked property of Lucius Malfoy – Avada Kedavra
Wand marked property of Harry James Potter - Wingardium Leviosa.
Wand marked property of Neville Longbottom - Inoperable
"Thank you Auror Hammer. Please file the report on the wand tests."
"Yes Director Bones."
Amelia Bones got up and walked to the table behind Harry. She signed her name to the document and handed it to Harry. She burned the other document, and made the ashes vanish.
"Lunch is ready in the conference room across the hall."
Kingsley, Tonks Harry, and Amelia sat in that order around a round table. Sandwiches, coffee and tea were on the table. Percy left and closed the door.
Amelia started, "Harry, this lunch is informal and off the record. You can ask any questions, and answer any questions freely without any consequences. I have two questions for you, then you may ask anything that you wish. My first question is how did you find yourself needing to get to the Department of Mysteries in the first place? My second question is how did you make it out without any serious injuries?"
Harry decided to be completely candid with her. "Voldemort had been planting visions of the Department of Mysteries in my dreams for a month or so. At the same time he was trying to use others to steal a prophecy that had my name on it. It never occurred to him that I knew nothing about it, and couldn't connect the dreams to any location that I knew of. The afternoon of 28 June, he planted a vision that my Godfather had been taken there and was being tortured. The short of it was that there was no one available at school who could help me, so I decided to go alone. The other students insisted on following me."
Amelia nodded. Tonks and Shacklebolt remained motionless in rapt attention.
"Leading to the second question, once I got to the location where I believed Sirius to be, we saw a sphere with my name on it. After I picked it up, the Death Eaters appeared. I don't know where or how they were hiding. None of us had seen them earlier. Malfoy and Bellatrix talked for a minute trying to get me to give it to them. I didn't have any idea what it was, but knew that if they wanted it, they probably shouldn't be allowed to have it. I whispered to Hermione to create a diversion on my command, she whispered to the others while Bellatrix was spewing her trash. We knocked over a shelf. I think it fell on McNair. We started running in different directions."
Harry sipped his coffee. "That was as far as we planned, so the six of us were split up. I had downed four or five of the Death Eaters in the next fifteen minutes, but I didn't know how to keep them down, so they kept coming back. At that point my only goal was to get everyone out alive."
Amelia listened to his story for a moment, having increased respect for the young man sitting across from her eating his sandwich. "Harry, you did remarkably well given that you were on no where near a level playing field with them. You were trying to stun a bunch of killers with the best tools that you possessed. Kingsley and Tonks would probably agree that you possess excellent leadership skills, and think remarkably quick on you feet."
Kingsley spoke up. "The Death Eaters were probably expecting you to come alone, and set the odds for the match overwhelmingly in their favor, twelve against one. However, beyond grabbing the prophecy, and probably kidnapping or killing you, it doesn't appear that they had an alternative plan. I'm presuming that you ran from room to room using cover as you could until you were forced into the arena of the death chamber where we met you. Amelia, I doubt that many of our current Aurors would have done as well, let alone better. Harry, you did the best that you could with what you had to work with."
Tonks spoke up. "The Death Eaters are certainly ruthless, but they aren't soldiers. Once their initial plan had been broken, their next plan should have been containment and capture. Splitting themselves into a half dozen groups showed how little concern they had that any of you posed a serious threat. They were wrong. While it would have been destruction of evidence, the only thing that I could have seen you doing was to snap their wands, once you had them stunned. I'm surprised that they weren't carrying spare wands."
Amelia nodded, "Good observations, both of you. Hopefully everyone here can learn something from this for next time. Harry, what can we tell you?"
"How many Death Eaters do you think there are? A year ago, I ran into about thirty of them."
Amelia shivered at the thought of what he had just said. "I wish that we knew for sure. The group that created the breakout from Azkaban was estimated to be from twenty-five to thirty. Voldemort can't really run a position offered advertisement in the Prophet, so I assume that they are quietly recruiting members. To answer your question, probably from thirty to forty, net of the ten that you helped capture.
Amelia got up to conclude the lunch. "Harry, you have another appointment soon, so we should probably get going. Your objective was to get you and your five friends out alive. You accomplished that objective, and should be happy about that."
Harry, Tonks and Director Bones walked to the lobby past the fountain of magical brethren. It had not yet been repaired. The yellow and black crime scene tape still marked off the area. Tonks excused herself to go to the WC.
"Harry, there is a wizard's debt to be paid out of this."
"I understand. I'll…"
"No, Harry. Mine to you. You succeeded in something that my department was unable to do for the last year. You exposed the return of Voldemort to the wizarding world and helped capture ten Death Eaters."
"At a cost of a life."
"Harry these are dangerous times. My department averages three injuries per every two captures. One in three captures during the last war resulted in the death of an Auror. Death Eaters never come in quietly, but I need to improve on that ratio. There have been twenty-three deaths this year that we attribute to Voldemort's Death Eaters. Actually the number is twenty-four, including the death of your Godfather." She looked him in the eye. "Harry, I am sorry for your loss. Dumbledore has pleaded Black's innocence several times with me over the last two years. I promise that I will take posthumous action if Pettigrew is ever found. Harry, please remember that seven of the Death Eaters captured last week are convicted or charged killers. Dolohov wasn't trying to tattoo your friend Hermione. He was trying to cause her a slow, extremely painful death. How many other lives do you think would have been lost if those men were still out on the street?"
Tears were welling in Harry's eyes.
She held his arm. "Harry, I owe you a debt for the help that you have given my niece Susan. Their house was attacked the night after you all returned from school and Susan was able to hold off her attackers until help arrived. She attributed her success directly to the training that you had given her. I'll have a set of Auror training books sent to you when school starts. Use good judgement with the information in them."
They looked at each other, and nodded in understanding. Harry wiped his face with his sleeve. A minute later, Tonks rejoined them.
"Auror Tonks, please escort Mr. Potter out of the building and to his appointment at Gringotts."
"Yes Director Bones. I'll see you in two weeks.
"Thank you for lunch, Director Bones."
"Anytime, Mr. Potter. Remember, we have another appointment in two years."
"Yes, Director Bones."
As they were walking the three blocks to Gringotts, Tonks poked Harry in the side and said "Harry, you owe me 192 galleons for two weeks pay. I hate to bring it up, but I don't have a lot of extra money."
"You got it. I'll transfer it to your vault this afternoon. Thanks, Tonks."
"No worries, kid. Thank you."
The time at Gringotts went by like a blur for Harry. Tonks and Harry met Remus in the lobby. Tonks said that she would wait for them to finish their business. Remus and Harry were escorted into the office of one of the Estate Officers, Griphook. He was the goblin that Harry had met several years ago the first year when Hagrid took Harry to Gringotts.
The documentation regarding the Will seemed endless. Griphook produced deeds, charts, spreadsheets and Sirius' death certificate. The Will was read, but Harry really wasn't listening. He was remembering Ron telling Harry that Sirius must have really loved him to live off eating rats the year of the tri-wizard tournament.
"Are there any questions Mr. Potter?" asked Griphook, drawing Harry's attention back into the room.
"Sir, could you briefly summarize it for me again?"
"Harry Potter, after taxes, you will receive 2,000,384 Galleons, title to a 1969 Triumph motorbike, and a small property in Crawley. 1,000,000 Galleons and the title to the Grimmauld Place property go to Remus Lupin. The two of you are to split or distribute Sirius's personal property as you see fit."
Harry nodded.
"Do either of you have any questions? Good. Let's proceed. The two of you need to sign here, here, here, here, there, there, here, here, here, and there. Good. Mr. Lupin if you would wait outside, I have a few minutes of additional business with Mr. Potter."
Remus indicated that he would wait in the lobby.
"Mr. Potter, we have a few more documents that need your signature." Harry looked at the small card. It was a Learning Drivers Motorcycle License indicating that Harry had passed the test. The other document was a certification of insurance.
"But sir, I'm not quite old enough." Harry reread the documents. His birthday had been misdated by two years.
"Consider it to be an early birthday gift from your Godfather and your friends at Gringotts. Please drive carefully, Mr. Potter. You can bring them back in a few years and have them corrected. We want you to be our customer for many, many years. Good luck."
"Thank you sir."
Harry excused himself to attend some business with one of the counter goblins. Tonks asked Harry to wait in the lobby while she was escorted to her vault to get some money.
Ten minutes later, she walked up to him looking dumbstruck. "Harry I went to my vault to get my rent money, only to find that someone had just transferred 1 million 192 galleons into my account!"
"An interesting amount Tonks. As someone once told me, "Use it well."
Her blue eyes met his emerald ones. "You didn't have to do that. Thanks Harry."
"You risked your career to save me today Tonks. It was the least I could do."
"No problem kiddo. I need to floo you and Remus back to Hogwarts now."
On Tuesday Remus took Harry to see his home in Crawley. Sirius had purchased the property right out of Hogwarts, but had never lived there. The description that Griphook had given him indicated that the building on Barnfield road had a neighborhood muggle pub on the street level with a living area above the pub. The 1,600 square foot living area had never been occupied. The pub area had been leased to a tenant for many years, and generated a modest monthly income that more than covered the expenses of the taxes and upkeep for the entire building.
Remus drove down the A2219 and turned left on Barnfield road. After about a half mile, he parked the car across from the pub. Harry got out of the car and a huge smile pasted itself on his face. The Black Dog pub. Over the front of the pub hung a red painted sign with a picture of a shaggy black dog. They walked into the building and climbed the back stairs to the living area. Harry used the key to unlock the heavy oak door. The living area had a kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms and an open area with a fireplace. The open area was well lighted, as there were fourteen windows across the street side. The polished oak floor gave the space a very homey look. Since it was a muggle building, there were electric lights, and outlets.
As the place was empty, they would need to get some furniture. "Harry, before we think about furnishing the place, let's have lunch."
They ordered their lunch in the pub downstairs. The food was good, and Tim the barman was friendly. Remus looked unusually serious. "Harry, I need to talk with you about something."
"Sure Remus, what's up?"
"While you were at Hogwarts last week, your aunt and cousin were involved in a car accident on the M4 motorway. Apparently they were driving back from London, and smashed into a lorry that was stopped on the road. They both were killed. Their funeral was held on Monday when you were seeing Director Bones."
"Bullocks."
"And then some. As such there's no real reason for you to return to Privet Drive. All of the protection that was afforded you there was based on your aunt and cousin being there and has dissipated. As Vernon Dursley never adopted you, you find yourself more or less without a legal guardian."
"More or less?"
"Last month Sirius asked me if I would look out for you in the event that he was unable to. I gave him my wizard's oath that I would do my best. The choice is up to you, and you have a few options. If that doesn't sound…"
Harry grinned at him, "Thanks Remus. That would be brilliant! Where should we live?"
Remus looked relieved. He'd had serious doubts that Harry would want him around. "Well, you really have a little more than a month left before school this year, and then there is next summer. My own cottage in Nottingham is too small. That really leaves you options of staying here or Grimmauld Place. The full moon is this weekend, but after that, I would be happy to help."
"Remus, if you wouldn't mind, I'd rather stay here. There are too many memories at the other place, and running into Snape usually ruins my day."
"I hear you."
"The Grangers invited me to stay for the weekend. It sounds like the timing might work pretty well."
"OK. I'll let the Order know where you are, so someone can be assigned to guard you. My owl is in the back of the car if you want to send Hermione a note. Harry quickly wrote a note.
Dear Hermione,
Yes, I would like to stay at your house for the weekend. Could I come sometime Friday? I have a lot of news and most of it is good. Can you give me driving directions from London? Remus can drive me.
Love,
Harry
Harry went back to the car, and gave the owl the note. "Please wait for a reply, as she doesn't have her own owl. Thanks." The owl flew into the air.
Remus paid Tim and they walked back up to the stairs to Harry's new home. Looking around the space, Remus commented on the quality of the space. "Harry, you are starting with an empty canvas here. You should take your time and think about what type and style of furnishings you want. Some of the stuff we could transfigure, or bring over from Grimmauld Place, but you have a few days of shopping ahead of you too. Perhaps the Grangers could help you pick out the basics. Hermione seems to have excellent taste."
On cue, Harry's face turned red. He nodded.
Surprisingly quickly, Remus's owl was tapping on the window. Harry opened the window and took the note from the little owl.
Harry,
Anytime Friday is fine. I will be home. Driving directions are as follows.
From London take the M23 motorway into Crawley. Take the A2219 to Barnfield road going left. Make a right onto Wollborough road for ¼ mile till you get to Cobbs Crescent. We are the first house on the right.
I miss you Harry, and I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Hermione
Harry glanced at the note and handed it to Remus. Remus took it and told Harry that they needed to go to Grimmauld Place for a few days.
Remus and Harry stepped up to the door at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, unlocked the door and walked in.
"Harry, if you would like we can make a list of our friends who knew Sirius and go through the house to find an item to give to each of them to remember Sirius by."
Harry nodded. The task of sorting through everything seemed overwhelming.
"If there are items that we don't want, we can either give them away, leave them for the Order's use, or get Mundungus Fletcher to sell them on our behalf for a good price. You don't need to feel guilty about that. Remember Sirius only grew up here. He didn't personally purchase most of these things and had no particular attachment to 95 percent of the stuff in this house."
It took a few days to go through each of the rooms, the basements, the garage, and the attic. Harry asked what they should do with the glassware, china, goblets and the silver service that had the Black crest on them.
Lupin admitted, "Harry, I've led a very simple life. I have no use or desire for such things, and having the silver in the house wouldn't be a good choice for me. You may decide to keep it as is, transfigure them to have the Potter crest, or we could ask Mundungus to sell them. You don't need to decide today or even this year."
Harry replied, "Remus, I'm kind of overwhelmed by all of this right now. I've lived most of my life either in a dark cupboard or a 6 x 8 room at the Dursleys. We're splitting up an estate worth millions, and I only have three shirts that fit me. Before Hermione bought me those things last week, I didn't even have a pair of decent underwear. We don't need most of this stuff. Let's sell most of what you or the Order won't need. There are a lot of people out there who are getting hurt in this war and could use some help."
Remus was impressed with Harry's attitude. He really was a well-grounded young man. "Harry, you're right. We could establish the Sirius Black Victims Relief Fund, and help put some lives back together again. It would be a pretty good legacy for Sirius. I'm certain that he'd approve."
Harry nodded. "Some of the jewelry looked pretty valuable. If it'd be OK with you, we could sell most of it."
"OK, but I want to select something each for Molly, Tonks, Ginny, Hermione, and Mrs. Granger. There are some loose diamonds that would work"
"That would be great. Could we find something for Diane, Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall too?"
Remus nodded. "Of course. Good idea."
"What does the property list look like so far?"
Wine celler – Moody
Collection of muggle weapons – Shacklebolt
Black family tree tapestry – Donate to Hogwarts
Painting of Mrs. Black – Burn
Furniture – Keep with the house for use by the Order
House elf heads - Burn
Sirius' clothing – Remus
Pensive – Harry
Books – Harry/Hermione/Remus
Potions equipment and ingredients – Donate to Hogwarts
Artwork – Sell/Allocate the proceeds between the Weasleys & Victims Relief Fund
Mrs. Blacks belongings – Sell/Proceeds to be used by the Order
Loose diamonds – Molly/Ginny/Tonks/Hermione/Emma/Diane/Poppy/Minerva
Other Jewelry – Sell/Sirius Black Victims Relief Fund
Collection of magical weapons – Decide later
Piano - Remus
Liquor cabinet - Mundungus
"Harry, I'd like you to sell the china, glassware, and the silver and keep the money for your use."
"Remus, I'm not going to defeat Voldemort with an even bigger bank account.
"You're right. Having a war chest could help if Shacklebolt's home or the Weasleys' burrow were to be destroyed tonight. It will be a lot easier to get witches and wizards to join our side if doing so didn't potentially cost them everything in the event of a loss. Your parent's home was completely destroyed in the last war, and there wasn't a similar fund to help rebuild it. Most witches and wizards don't bother to acquire muggle insurance for their homes. In most cases, 10,000 galleons could really help put their lives back together."
Remus continued. "If you're not willing to take the proceeds from those items, I did find Sirius' emergency travel fund this morning. It is in Pound Sterling bills, so you should be able to spend it looking for furniture and things that you will need. Please at least take it, as a housewarming gift."
"OK. Are you sure about each of the distribution decisions? I am."
"Me too. I'll get Mundungus on it tomorrow after I take you to Hermione's house."
"Remus?"
Anticipating the question, Remus replied, "I'll go shopping for more clothing next week, if you will too."
"Agreed, although we may end up shopping at different clothiers. I'm not sure that either one of us would care to look like Gred and Forge matching twins."
"Understated elegance, Harry. Understated elegance."
… - …
Friday afternoon, Emma opened the door and waved to Remus, as he drove off. "Harry, you're certainly looking better than the last time that I saw you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger. I feel a lot better now."
"Hermione's in the kitchen making dinner. She wanted it to be a surprise and do it herself. She will be out in a few minutes."
"God save us," muttered Dan.
"We are all sorry to hear about the loss of your aunt and cousin," said Emma.
"Actually, Mrs. Granger your experience with my aunt was quite typical. They never treated me like a member of their family. They made me live in the broom closet under the stairs until they found out that I was a wizard when I was eleven. It must have been quite a clever joke to them. I'm sorry when anyone dies, but they weren't my family, they were relatives. My uncle's biggest wish in life was to get me out of the house. It looks like he was granted his wish."
"Harry, what are your plans?" asked Dan.
"Sirius left me a small property that I can live at for the rest of the summer. Remus offered to stay and keep an eye on me until school starts. It's not furnished, but I'd like to get it fixed up."
"Where is it?"
"Sir, the building is on Barnfield road, not too from here. There is a pub called the Black Dog on the street level. I would live in the upper level flat."
Emma was surprised. "Diane and I had lunch there last week. That's less than a mile from here."
"Hedwig will be happy to not have to go so far to deliver letters."
"Dan looked at Harry with some concern. "Harry, you're still a student. Without trying to pry into your personal business, do you have enough money to live on? Speaking for Emma, if you need a place to live, you'd be more than welcome to stay with us."
Harry rubbed his palms on his jeans. "Mr. Granger, I can't explain how much that the kindness that your family has shown to me this summer has meant to me. I've come to realize that I was in a very bad way at the end of the school year. I allowed myself to sink into a pretty deep hole of guilt and depression. With the help of Hermione, your wife Emma, her friend Dr. Turnbull, my friend Neville, my Dad's friend Remus, and Healer Pomfrey, I can see the daylight of a happy life again."
Harry continued. "All my life with the Dursleys, they could only think of taking or keeping things away from me. They would make me do most of the household chores to make me pay for some real or imagined sins. Your family has done exactly the opposite – constantly offering to help me. Sir, to answer your question, and I'll answer any question that you have, between the money that my parents left me, and the money that I received from Sirius' estate, I have about one and a quarter million galleons. I did receive more than that, but I had some legal obligations to clear up. I've always had some money from my parents, but until now I never really had access to it. Sir, I promise to dress properly when I come over to date Hermione in the future."
Hermione came to his aid. "Harry, I never cared what you wore at school. I just knew that it bothered you, that's all." She had come out of the kitchen, and was looking embarrassed for her friend."
Dan looked at Harry and his daughter realizing what "good friend" was coming to mean. "Harry, how can we help you?"
"Sir, you have a very lovely home. I was wondering if Mrs. Granger and Hermione could spend a day helping me shop for furniture and some household items. I don't have any experience with those things, and could use the help. I don't need to get a lot of stuff yet, since we'll only be there a few more weeks this summer, but I could really use some guidance."
Emma said, "Harry, we would be delighted to help."
Hermione said, "We can talk about it over dinner. Please sit down everyone."
Dinner consisted of spaghetti, French bread, a salad, water and a glass of wine for Dan and Emma. Harry and Hermione had cokes.
Harry smiled. "Hermione, this looks great. Sir, what is the wine?"
"It is a Cabernet. Did you want some?"
"No sir. I was just laughing to myself. I gave away an entire wine celler this morning. Remus didn't want it, and we knew a retired Auror who deserved to have it."
Dan enjoyed wine and fancied himself something of a connoisseur of red wines. "Really. What was in it?"
"About two thousand bottles." Dan quietly moaned. "Remus and I decided to pretty much sell off the contents of the Black household. We are each keeping a few things, and leaving some things with the house. We made a list of people to give some things to. A few things will be donated to Hogwarts. Neither one of us wanted to live in a dusty museum. For the most part, we're selling the stuff to create a trust fund to help Voldemort's victims."
After dinner, the four of them went for a walk around the neighborhood. After a few minutes they reached the Black Dog Pub. Harry greeted Tim the barman, and they walked up the stairs to the second floor flat.
"Harry, this is huge," said Hermione quite surprised at the size.
"Remus said that it looks a little larger right now because it is empty and all of the windows. Let me show you around."
They looked around the place commenting on the nice view from the windows, the size of the different rooms and the well-made stone fireplace. The woodwork was crafted well and in exceptional condition. The number of windows along the long wall gave the large room a bright atmosphere. Harry thought that he would be very happy living there.
They talked about different furniture pieces that might work in the various spots. Emma took the time to explain some of the different style options to Harry, who had next to no personal experience with household furniture styles. Harry decided that he really would like a lighter oak finish, and would try to have that as a theme throughout the house. Hermione was beaming at her friend. She was so happy for him. They walked back to their house and called it a night.
Saturday morning, Harry awoke to the smell of coffee, pastries, waffles, and bacon. Mr. Granger seemed to be very at ease in the kitchen. "Good morning, Harry. Emma and Hermione are out back talking with one of your escorts. If you wouldn't mind, please tell them that breakfast is ready."
Harry went out, and invited them all in. Moody and the other guard refused, citing the need for "constant vigilance."
After breakfast, they brought plates out for the guards, told them that they were going shopping at Harrods, and would be gone for most of the day. They stopped to pick up Diane and arrived by the 10 AM opening time. They selected a number of pieces, each in a light oak finish. They selected two similar comfortable bedroom sets, dressers, nightstands, lamps, comforters, pillows, and several sets of soft cotton sheets.
For the family area, they selected a nice television, CD player, DVD player, and an entertainment center to put everything on. For furnishings, they selected an area rug, two futon sofas and two comfortable squashy chairs. Hermione found some plain oak bookcases. She suggested that he get six units that the sales person estimated would hold about 600 books. Harry wasn't sure that he'd be able to fill them up. Hermione seemed to have other ideas.
For the kitchen, Mrs. Granger suggested a rectangular oak butcher-block table. Harry decided on eight chairs. Hermione also talked Harry into getting a cellular telephone.
Emma gave the address, and they arranged for a Monday morning delivery. When it came time to total the bill, it came to 15,900 Pounds Sterling. The sales clerk turned to Dr. Granger and asked, "How will you be paying your bill?"
Harry answered, "I'm your customer, and I'll be paying cash." He pulled four bundles of bills out of his old summer jacket pocket. Each bundle contained 100 crisp fifty pound notes. Harry counted 18 notes from the fourth bundle, stuffed the rest back in his jeans pocket, and handed the stack to the gobsmacked salessperson.
"Harry," Diane whispered. "We need to talk. You can't go around doing that. How much cash did you bring?"
"50,000 Pounds," Harry answered. Diane just shook her head. "This was Sirius' quick get-away cash. Remus told me to use it to help furnish the flat." The clerk handed Harry his receipt, confirmed the delivery time, and thanked him.
Emma said, "Harry, I think that is enough shopping for the morning. Let's get a quick lunch." They had sandwiches in the store restaurant. After lunch they decided to split up for a while to save time. Diane and Emma offered to look at kitchenware. Hermione said that they wanted to shop for a watch.
Hermione insisted that Harry get himself a nice watch, telling him that the plastic five quid watches were for little kids, not famous wizards. In the men's jewelry department, Harry found his watch. It was a blue faced, stainless steel case Rolex "Submariner model." It was 5,000 Pounds! Harry hesitated and looked at Hermione. It was unquestionably a lot of money for a watch. "Go for it Harry. It will look great on you." Harry paid for the watch, and Hermione carried the bag.
Harry and Hermione both liked the patterns that Diane and Emma had picked out on the stoneware, glassware, mugs, and stainless flatware for sixteen. Harry paid the bill and made arrangements to have them delivered at the same time as the furniture.
When they all got back to the Granger house, Mr. Granger told Harry that Mundungus Fletcher had dropped off a rather large, wrapped package for him. Harry excused himself, went to the guest room, and opened the box. Inside were eight identical jewelry boxes, another small box, two letters and a small wooden crate. Each of the jewelry boxes contained a pair of two carrot diamond stud earrings. Harry read the note.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I had these set for you. Each box is the same, as the diamonds were all excellent quality between 1.9 and 2.25 carrots. Any of the 4 remaining stones would be perfect for either a diamond pendant, or engagement ring should the occasion present itself. Keep them safe. Mr. Potter, I can't thank you enough for your generosity. Also please find a half case of absolutely exquisite brandy for you to give to Ms. Granger's father. The other note contains a tally of the property disposition per your instructions.
Harry, I want to thank you for this opportunity. I know that I let you down last summer and it almost cost you your life. All I can say is I'm sorry.
To your health,
Mundungus Fletcher
Harry put everything in the closet. He opened the other note.
Dear Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin,
Per your wishes, I generally sold and disposed of the property according to your instructions. Moody's magical eye popped out when he saw the lorry full of wine bottles! He only had room for about half, and asked that you find another home for the remainder.
I delivered the collection of muggle weapons to Kingsley. It would be an understatement to say that he was absolutely delighted.
I sent the potions material and historical Black family tapestry to Hogwarts. Professors Snape and Binns were also delighted. The estimated value of the donation was 50,000 Galleons.
Mrs. Black's belongings and the jewelry that you asked me to sell were well received on the market. The total proceed was about 600,000 Galleons for the lot. The artwork was also easy to sell. The total from the sale was just over 750,000 Galleons. The china and silver service sold for 82,000 Galleons.
I did not do anything with the book collection. When you are ready, I will deliver the appropriate crates to Mr. Potter's residence and to the location designated by Ms. Granger.
Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin, I can not thank you enough for the gift of the Black liquor supply. The 119 remaining bottles of 120 year old Napoleon Brandy will warm my heart for many an evening to come. I did send a bottle to each of the Order members and Hogwarts instructors in your name and also a half case for Ms. Granger's parents.
Please let me know how you would like the remainder of the wine distributed. Perhaps Ms. Granger's parents would consider taking a portion. You may change your mind and wish to keep the remainder yourself. The Galleons are all in a trust account in your name at Gringotts, except for the 100,000 that I already deposited to the Weasley vault pending your instruction regarding the final distribution.
At your service,
Mundungus Fletcher
Harry brought out the tally sheet from Mundungus and showed it to the Grangers and Diane. Diane spoke first. "Harry, you and Mr. Lupin seem to be trying to outdo each other in giving away the Black estate. I don't know Mr. Lupin but are you doing this because you don't need the money, don't want it, or because you mistakenly feel that you don't deserve it."
"Dr. Turnbull, not counting the property, the after tax value of the estate was about 17 million Pounds. Hermione says that I have a "saving people" thing. The fact is that I'm able to be here talking with you today because a lot of people have a "saving Harry" thing. Hestia Jones and Bill Weasley are outside guarding the house standing in the rain right now. I don't know Hestia very well, but a young French woman is sitting home alone waiting for Bill. It feels right to be able to give something back to the people that have risked their lives, their careers, or just given their time for me."
"Remus and I also wanted to use some of Sirius' money in an attempt to right people's lives after encounters from Voldemort or his thugs. A lot of the money in the trust fund will likely get used in the next two years. This war will create orphans, and broken families. I know about both, I don't want another kid to have to go to Hogwarts in cast off clothes, or not be able to go because they can't afford the tuition."
"Bottles of old brandy, fancy goblets, old artwork, or a ruby the size of a golf ball don't have any real value to me. Helping someone who needs a hand means everything." He paused for a few seconds. "Does that make sense?"
There were tears in the three women's eyes. They all nodded. Hermione put Harry in yet another bone crushing hug. "I love you," she whispered. "I love you too," Harry replied, a bit louder than he intended. Diane and Emma both smiled. Harry excused himself for a minute. He came back with the gifts for the Grangers, and Dr. Turnbull. Individually and collectively they were stunned with their gifts.
"They're beautiful."
"Wow."
"Oh, Harry."
"I didn't know such a thing existed."
"You didn't have to."
"I love them."
"Me too."
"I hope 1876 was a good year."
"Thank you," they all said together.
It was about dinnertime, and Diane had to get home. Harry thanked Diane for her help and she thanked Harry for everything that he had done.
Saturday evening was the sort of evening that Harry had wished for his entire life. They popped popcorn, played cards, told stories, and listened to music. About nine, Dr. and Dr. Granger excused themselves for the evening and Hermione and Harry found themselves alone in the family room. Hermione brought in two large mugs of cocoa to have with their popcorn, and quietly shut the door. "OK Potter. Give it to me. Now."
Harry didn't have a clue what she was asking for. "Hermione?"
"Now Potter."
"Are we talking about the same thing?"
"Obviously not, Harry." She looked him in the eye, and sat down on the carpet cross-legged facing him. She held his hand in hers. "I'm ready."
"What?"
"You told me that there were to be no secrets between us. Right?"
"Right."
"But you have a big one. You specifically said that you've got a huge secret to tell me. Right?"
Harry understood, somewhat relieved. "If you want, I'll show you in my pensive tomorrow, but here is the short version. After I got back from the Department of Mysteries, I had a little discussion with Dumbledore. The prophecy was originally told to Dumbledore six months before I was born. Here goes."
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… Born to those who have thrice defied him, Born as the seventh month dies…And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have powers that the Dark Lord knows not… And either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other survives…The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."
"So far, three people have died over this thing. Besides Dumbledore, you and I are the only living people who know all of it. Voldemort learned of the first two lines of it sixteen years ago. That was the reason that my parents were killed."
Hermione closed her eyes for a few seconds and sighed. "What did you do or say when Professor Dumbledore told you?"
"I yelled at him, swore, and smashed almost everything in his office! I really didn't take it too well. I guess more than anything, I was pretty upset that he hadn't told me about it earlier, or let me know that Voldemort might be looking for it. Maybe I would have been too young for all of the details, but… No buts. It's done."
"You really smashed his office?"
"Yup. I flipped over his desk, broke a table, and smashed those goofy silver things that he keeps on his desk. He let me run out of steam. Then he told me that he had too many possessions anyway, and that I could keep going if I felt like it. Then he apologized about a dozen times. That was it."
Hermione put Harry's hands around her waist. "Harry, look at me. I've told you before that I love you. Right?"
"Right."
"This prophecy doesn't change that. Right?"
"Right. Thanks. I thought that you would hate me. I either have to become a killer, or he will kill me. That's not a little thing to gloss over. It has eaten at my insides every day and night since I've heard it. Hermione, I honestly don't know what to do. Dumbledore gave me this big mission for my life, but he hasn't given me a flipping clue how to do it. Director Bones at least gave me some hope, but I don't know where to start."
They sat looking at each other for a minute. She scooted over to sit on his legs.
"It's late Hermione. Maybe we should get some sleep."
"Could we just sit here for a while longer?"
Harry nodded, holding Hermione tightly. "Thanks for being my friend, Hermione. You mean everything to me."
"Thank you for being my friend, Harry Potter. You mean everything to me."
Down the hall they could hear, "It's late you two. Get yourselves to your beds."
"Yes Mum."
"Goodnight Mrs. Granger."
"Goodnight, kids."
Harry gave Hermione a goodnight kiss. They hugged. Neither one wanted to be the first to let go.
In his room, Harry decided to write a quick letter before going to sleep.
Mr. Fletcher,
The diamond earrings were very well received. Hermione's Dad seemed to really like the brandy bottles that you sent him. If it's not too much trouble, could you arrange to send over the rest of the wine too? I think he would appreciate it as well.
Thank you for your help.
Harry
Hedwig hooted a soft hoot as she took off.
The monsters left Harry alone that night.
Sunday morning at 9:30 the doorbell rang. It was Diane. "Hi Harry. I just dropped this jumper off for Emma."
"She said that they would be right back. Can you come in for a minute?"
"Sure."
"Coffee?"
"Thanks. So how are the monsters today? Did you sleep OK?"
"Better."
"Harry, let's see if we can get rid of one of them this morning. What do you see as the top monsters in your life? Before you name any, I hope you aren't going to have me feed any of them again." She smiled at him.
Voldemort
Anyone trying to hurt Hermione
Anyone trying to hurt the Grangers
Bellatrix
Dementors
People keeping secrets
"OK, let's talk about them in order. Professor Dumbledore told me a bit about Voldemort when I was visiting you at Hogwarts. It's doubtless that he qualifies as a monster. What can you do about him?"
"Improve my magical skills."
"I can't help you too much there."
"Number two was anyone trying to hurt Hermione. What did you mean?"
"The Death Eaters have targeted her. They don't believe that witches whose parents were not witches and wizards themselves deserve to live. They are deranged enough to practice their own version of genocide."
"It could be the result of inbreeding. What can you do to save her?"
"As much as possible, be with her, and help get her the skills to protect herself."
"Good answer. She's not helpless. Number three was anyone trying to hurt Emma and Dan. When did this make your list of fears?"
"This summer. Now that Voldemort's out in the open, his thugs have started their attacks. Another friend on mine was attacked the night we got home from school. The Grangers have a public practice and they're listed in the telephone book. If someone wanted to find them, they wouldn't have to try too hard."
"That makes sense. What would you have them do?"
"Take a year off and take a year long driving trip through the States."
"Harry, that may be a good idea, but it's not your decision to make. Have you talked with them? Do they know the risk?"
"I don't think so. I really don't know what Hermione has told them. I haven't said anything yet."
"Don't forget about it. They're good people. I don't want to see them get hurt either. Number four is Bellatrix – what are your specific concerns with her?"
"Aside from the fact that she tortures people for fun, and killed Sirius, she bugs the crap out of me."
"She probably talks trash to people to cause her opponents to lose focus while fighting with them. Or it could be that she is just a lunatic serial-killer. How long has she been at this?"
"Most of her adult life. She was in wizard prison for fourteen years until Voldemort broke her out three months ago."
"Number five is dementors – I don't know what they are."
"They are real monsters. They attack you by making you re-live your worst fears and then try to suck your soul out."
"Gross! What can you do about them?"
"I have been trying to teach the other students a spell that drives them away. It's really difficult to master. Most people can't do it."
"What makes a spell easier or harder?"
"The amount of mental discipline and concentration required to use it, I suppose."
"I might be able to help you with that. How many people have you taught this to?"
"A bunch. Four are able to do it so far."
"And your last monster is people keeping secrets from you. Why do they do that?"
"They think I'm too young."
Diane nodded. "Harry, as I understand it, you have been developing mental discipline under adverse circumstances since you were one. You have more mental discipline and strength of character than 99 percent of the adults on the planet. You do have a higher level of pent up anger, which while deserved, isn't doing you any good. I recommend that you rationally hold a discussion with the person or persons who you believe are keeping secrets from you. You need to explain that the risk of their keeping things from you outweighs the risk of you knowing the information."
"Thanks. I think I understand what you are telling me. Diane, you said that I could ask you anything. Why are you so interested in helping me?"
"A lot of reasons. You mean a lot to Hermione and Emma, you're a great teenager who deserves some help, and you are an interesting person."
"Thanks. What do you mean?"
"Harry, most of the teens that I talk with are worried about their makeup, what part is or isn't pierced, how they did in Dungeons and Dragons, or being pregnant. I don't see any makeup, you have no obvious piercings, I haven't heard you talk about silly games with dragons, and I have every reason to believe that you and Hermione behave responsibly. Neither you nor anything that you did caused your issues. Besides, I really love flying with you."
"I understand. By the way, dragons are real."
"Oh. I'll remember that. Harry, last week, you passed on one of my questions. Do we know each other well enough to go back to it?"
"I suppose."
"OK Harry, so how do you get from where you are to being a fulfilled, happy, adult wizard who lives happily ever after?"
"I have to keep Hermione safe, and kill Voldemort."
"Why you Harry?"
"It's my prophesized destiny. I'm supposed to kill him, or be killed by him."
"You mean that you have a choice in this?"
"I hadn't thought of it that way. I suppose that I do. Thanks."
"Oh, hi Diane." Emma was a bit surprised to see her friend up so early on a Sunday.
"Hi Grangers. Em, I dropped off your jumper, and I wanted to talk with Harry for a few minutes."
"Who's outside?"
It was Mundungus. "G' morning, Mr. Potter. I have a delivery for Dr. Granger." Outside were forty cases of rare and exceptional wines – Grand Cru Burgundy, Pomercold, Margaux, and Chateau Lefite – Rothchilds bottled in various years. "Where'd you like 'em Guv?"
"I have some storage racks in the basement. Harry, these are fabulous." The three men started carrying the cases from the driveway to the basement. After about seven trips there was a commotion outside.
Pop! "Harry!" It was Hestia. Pop, pop, pop, pop.
Harry looked out the window. There were five Death Eaters in the back garden. Kingsley and Hestia were laying in the yard. Three of the Death Eaters looked huge. The other two appeared to be women.
"Get out here, mud blood," a loud voice drawled.
Harry was quick to act. He handed Emma Director Bones' business card. "Mrs. Granger, call this number. Tell Bones that there are five Death Eaters in your back yard!"
The kitchen window shattered.
Harry stood up, pointed his wand at one of the Death Eaters, and yelled "Stupefy." A red light shot from his wand and hit one of the smaller Death Eaters. She went down. Harry ducked, as several jets of green light flew through to open window and over his head. Hermione crouched next to Harry, as another window shattered. "On three Harry, 1,2,3." They both stood up and fired. Unfortunately they had both aimed for and hit the same person, the other woman. She went down. Harry and Hermione scooted over to the other window and popped up. No one was in sight. They did not notice the old rat Pettigrew scurry away into the next yard.
Boom! The front door was blasted open. Two hulking figures lumbered through. Thunk, smash, "stupefy," "stupefy." The two lugs fell over. "That's how you throw a bottle Harry!" Emma was looking very pleased with herself.
Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. "Stupefy", "stupefy," "stupefy." The Aurors had arrived and downed the fifth Death Eater.
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger are you in there?" It was Director Bones.
Harry and Hermione stood up. "We're here. We're OK."
"Tie up these goons. Harry, where are the others?"
"In here," Hermione shouted. "We have them."
The Aurors quickly tied up the still unconscious Death Eaters. Several more Aurors arrived. They attached anti-apparition manacles on the Death Eaters, and began unmasking them.
"Peter Goyle."
"Some kid."
"Merlin, its Bellatrix Lestrange! Stupefy." The Auror hit her again, just for good measure.
They dragged out the two lugs from the house. Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle. The side of Crabbe's face was bleeding badly.
Harry looked outside. He saw Lestrange, Goyle Sr. and Draco Malfoy unconscious in the back garden.
While searching the Death Eaters and the back garden, the Aurors found a total of eleven wands and also found a length of rope with a hangman's noose at the end.
"These are an interesting bunch that you have collected here Dr. Granger. I'm Amelia Bones, from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Thank you for your call. Can you tell us what happened?"
Emma related the story in detail, hearing Hestia shout a warning, and the vulgar call to come out. She described windows shattering, the green lights coming in the window, blasting holes in the walls and the actions by the kids. She explained how the front door smashed in, her and her friend Diane throwing the wine bottles, and how Harry brought down the other thug, finishing when the Aurors arrived.
"Dr. Granger do you have anything to add?"
He mentioned the bravery of the kids, and described seeing Mundungus being hit with a jet of green light and falling on the floor of the garage. Bones directed two of the Aurors to check it out.
"Miss. Granger, do you have anything to add?"
Hermione identified Draco as the Death Eater who had called her to come out of the house.
"Mr. Potter, I'm sorry to keep seeing you under official circumstances, but I'm delighted that you were not hurt. Are your recollections the same as the others?"
Harry affirmed that they were complete and accurate. One of the Aurors came back and talked with Director Bones in a whisper. When he was finished, Harry asked about Mundungus.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Fletcher's in a most unusual situation. It appeared that the curse missed him, instead hit the crate that he was carrying. Mr. Fletcher fell over, smashing a case of very old Cognac on the floor. He's still unconscious, and smelling like a distillery. Since he's in his element, we thought that we would leave him for a few more minutes. Perhaps some of that very expensive Cognac will at least soak into him."
They both smiled at each other, and began laughing. Obviously Fletcher's reputation as a scoundrel was deserved.
"Dr. Granger, if you would like to take everyone out for lunch, we'll have your house cleaned up and fully repaired by the time that you arrive home."
Diane suggested either the Black Dog or the Snooty Fox pubs. They decided to go to the Black Dog.
The food was excellent. Dan ordered half pints of Fosters for the women, and pints for himself and Harry. He explained, "a kid or a lady would always order a half pint at a time. Men order pints."
The women were having their own discussion, leaving Dan and Harry to themselves.
"Harry, we live very different lives compared to you and Hermione. Emma and I have our practice. Thanks to you, we still have our daughter."
"You and Hermione have your magic. Hopefully there's a lot more to it than blasting each other, and blowing up houses. But we have a lot of common ground. We both believe in right and wrong and try to always do the best that we can. We both make mistakes, and if they're big enough, someone can get hurt. We're both pretty well grounded in terms of our beliefs, and of course we both share a love and respect for a very special young woman."
Harry nodded.
Dan continued, "I don't know you as well as I want to, but we can fix that, and maybe learn from each other."
"Thank you, Mr. Granger. I'd like that."
Dan smiled. "Me too. Thanks for lunch Harry," handing him the check. "Just kidding." They both laughed at each other.
Meanwhile, back at the Granger residence, the Department of Magical Reversals unit was finishing the repairs on the house. Amelia had gotten preliminary statements from the Auror team. They were getting ready to transport the captured Death Eaters. Tonks, Jones, and Dawlish were checking at anti-apparition manacles, when the features of Bellatrix began to change, the hair darkened, the facial features enlarged. Tonks yelled,
"Director Bones, come over here. I don't believe it."
End - Part 1
… - …
The old scribe recalled that this report was made long before horcruxes or hallows had been invented.