Chapter 3

Amelia Bones began to review all of the relevant documents that she could find. In the wizarding world, a parent needed to list the lines of succession in specifying guardianship for minor children. In Harry's case that aspect was clearly stated. In the muggle world, an orphaned child with no resources would become a ward of the state. Fortunately Harry had no lack of resources at his disposal.

Harry had been placed in the care of his mother's sister against the specific documented wishes of James and Lilly Potter. They had wished him to be placed in the care of Sirius Black. There was no evidence of any wrongdoing on Black's part at the point in time when Hagrid took baby Harry from the home, and he was given to the Dursleys.

Black was the designated legal guardian, and had never been convicted of a crime. Black's Will, dated 7 May of this year specifically requested that the court emancipate Harry and allow him to take care of himself in the event of Black's death. Even without any resources that might eventually become available from the as yet unresolved Black estate, Harry had sufficient resources to live many years on his own.

The Dursley Will stated that their assets should be given to a sister of Mr. Dursley, and also specifically stated that Harry should be emancipated to fend for himself. Their intent may have been less benevolent to Harry's well being, but it was a legally registered document.

She knew that Dumbledore had an unusually strong interest in young Mr. Potter. There must be more behind it than being an orphaned child of old friends. There were scores of orphaned witches and wizards in Britain who had lost parents to Voldemort. No other Hogwarts student was subjected to a 24-hour guard. As far as that goes, she was considering disciplinary action against the four who threatened Vernon Dursley and most likely started this mess. Potter probably wished for nothing greater than to have a normal summer.

Bones decided to intervene as a friend of the court on his behalf when Potter eventually turned up. At a minimum, she was sure that either Dumbledore or Fudge would try to influence the placement decision. She hoped that wherever he was now, he was safe, healthy, and happy.

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"Harry you need to hold your breath when you are underwater. There's no Gillyweed in the pool." Harry was gasping and sputtering, having gulped down what seemed like half of the Granger's backyard swimming pool.

After a minute, he had regained his breath, and believed that he would live. She tried again. "Take a breath and hold it in. If you have enough air in you, you'll float. I'll hold you. Now float on your back. OK, now tilt your head back a bit. Breathe a bit, but keep some air in you." She lowered her hands from his back where she had been holding him. He remained buoyant. "There. You can float properly. Now kick a little bit with your feet and motor around the pool a bit. I'll make sure you don't sink. Good. Breathe. Good. You can do it."

For a few minutes, Harry did swim around the pool. "It's harder than it looks," he commented.

"Your body density is such that you barely have any natural flotation."

"Huh?"

"Harry, you don't have any body fat, so you need to keep paddling, or you'll sink like a rock. How on earth did you manage to swim all around that huge lake and rescue everyone?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Magic. It's nearly time to start making dinner. Your folks will be home soon. Thanks for the lesson, and thanks for taking me in for the summer. I really appreciate it."

She smiled at him, and looked at him for a moment before replying, "That's what friends are for."

Harry looked at her and smiled back. She had on a high necked white one piece swimsuit. It wasn't the one that she'd bought earlier in the day. Harry wondered if her wound had healed properly.

She followed his eyes and smiled to herself. "If you're staring at my bits, yes they're mine. If you're wondering about the scar, it's almost gone. I have potions to take for three more days, and thank you for being concerned." She kissed his cheek.

Harry looked down. She knew that he felt guilty for everything that happened that night. When he was ready, she would talk about it with him. In reality, she bore him no blame. Everyone who went there that night went of their own free will.

"Come on. Show me that you can make something really good for dinner. What's your favorite?"

"Pizza. We never get it at school."

Hermione was impressed. Her idea of homemade pizza was frozen. "Do you really know how to make it?"

"Yup. Let's see if your mum has the different stuff. Do you like pepperoni, or veggie, or sausage, or green olive or…?"

"Green olive actually, but I know that's not to everyone's taste. How about half and half? Dad likes pepperoni, Mum will be happy with anything that she doesn't have to make. I'll find the sauce if you make the dough. Can you slice the pepperoni and olives?"

Harry laughed. "After five years with Snape? A few olives should be easy."

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As Amelia was finishing with her paperwork, Dumbledore stopped by. Dispensing with the usual pleasantries, he asked, "Have you had any updates regarding Harry?"

Ignoring his question, she said, "I spent the last several hours reviewing the original paperwork, the original Wills and the original child placement paperwork. It appears like you completely ignored James and Lilly's express wishes and did whatever you felt like."

Dumbledore said nothing. Obviously he had his reasons, but only he and Harry knew the full contents of the prophecy.

Bones persisted. She would not get ignored like one of his school children asking a ridiculous question. "Do you have any reasonable explanation?"

"None that I care to discuss. There were good reasons for my actions."

She persisted. "I can't think of any that would suffice." Dumbledore didn't reply.

Her only conclusion was that they were holding separate conversations. How rude. "When he is found, what do you expect to happen?"

"He will be placed in my care, of course."

Amelia was mad at the man. "Dumbledore, I will be as plain as I can be. That will not happen unless Harry James Potter specifically agrees, and I seriously doubt that he would do so. You will not kidnap him. You will not place him in the care of anyone who he does not want to live with." Dumbledore said nothing.

She was still gathering steam. "All of the paperwork indicates that if he has the means, he is to be emancipated. His current assets would certainly cover his expected expenses for the next fifty years, even if his inheritance from Sirius gets swindled away from him, and I have no intention of letting that happen either."

Dumbledore said patiently, "Amelia, you are not the judge in this case." 'She would get this way when she was a student too'.

The anger was rising in her. "And you are not the investigator. What were you thinking of having one of my Senior Aurors break into an innocent family's home. I should have his shield for being talked into that, and your Justiceship for telling him to do it."

Nonplussed, Dumbledore relied on his old standby excuse. "Harry needs protection."

"You – need - to – stop! You have no jurisdiction in this case. You went against the wishes of his parents and placed him in a horrible setting for eleven years. You cannot go against the consistent documented wishes of both his Godfather and his legal guardians, which you personally selected. Go find him if you wish. Do not use my people to do so. Do not take him from wherever he is, unless he is in clear and eminent danger. By that I mean he is currently being attacked by an overwhelming force, or he is specifically endangering himself. Do not force any of your solutions on him. Have I made myself clear?"

"As always. It is important that he be kept away from Voldemort. He is certainly being targeted."

Amelia looked really exasperated with the old wizard. "If we keep this up, his disappearance and whereabouts will become public knowledge and that will effectively force the issue, wouldn't it?"

He hated it when well-meaning people interfered with his plans. "Good day, Director."

"Professor."

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On the drive back from their surgery, Emma was glancing through The Times, and cried, "Oh no."

Dan asked, "What's the matter, Em?"

Emma, sighed and said, "Harry's aunt and uncle, Vernon and Petunia Dursley along with their son were killed yesterday evening in a house fire at their home."

"How did it happen?"

"The paper didn't mention much other than to say that the cause was under investigation and that neighbors had recently seen a suspicious old man in the back garden who had been drinking."

"The kid doesn't catch many breaks does he?"

"He obviously thinks the world of Hermione."

"Well that makes him an unlucky kid who has good taste."

Emma smiled a bit at her best friend. "So you don't hate him anymore?"

"Em, I'm the dad of a teenage daughter. It's my job to hate any teenage boy who comes by."

"He didn't come by. We invited him into our home. I know that you like him." She gave his arm a squeeze. "Dan, your job is to support Hermione's decisions."

In truth, Dan really did like Harry. However it was against the code of protective dad-ship to ever admit anything of the sort. "He's OK. What happens to him now?"

Emma didn't know, but decided to get interested very quickly. "He mentioned a department of magical law enforcement. We can talk with Harry. Let's have dinner first. I'm curious to see what they made for us."

"Me too. If it's good, maybe we can keep him."

"Dan…"

"I'm sorry. Even if he made a crappy dinner, we can offer him a place to stay. He's certainly no bother."

She smiled at the man that she loved so much. "Why don't you just admit that you like him, and be done with it?"

"Fine. I like the kid too."

"Thanks. I love you too."

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Ginny and Ron had rehearsed their discussion. After everyone was seated for dinner, Ron asked, "Where's Harry?"

Molly and Arthur didn't want to worry Ron or Ginny. Molly casually said, "I'm sure he's fine dears. Has he written?"

Exasperated, Ginny said, "Mum, we know that the Dursleys were murdered yesterday. Did you think you could keep that from us? This isn't just Order Business. He's our friend."

Arthur knew they were right. He admitted, "The truth of the matter is he never arrived at the Dursleys. It appears that they left him at the train station in London."

Ginny who hadn't seen the scene that her dad and the others had made asked, "Why would they come for him only to leave him there?"

Embarrassed, but willing to own up to his actions, Arthur replird, "Some of us had a few words with Harry's uncle at the station, and we may have set him off."

Ron said nothing, but the little fireball would not be silenced. "So you all went up and bullied an angry, small-minded man and just walked away when you were done? Then taking the plumbers' shite rolls downhill viewpoint, Dursley laid into Harry, and they drove off, leaving him all alone?" There were tears in her eyes. He wasn't her boyfriend, but she cared a lot about him. "Great plan, Dad. Did Moody scare him with that nasty eye of his too?"

Molly was going to step in. Ginny had no right to talk with her father that way, but Arthur cut her off. "Unfortunately yes. It seemed a rather good idea at the time. It just sort of backfired. I'm sorry."

Ron had been quiet long enough. "So what is anyone doing about it? If this is an Order problem, why aren't you two out looking for him?"

Crack. Molly had slapped one of her own children for the first time that she could remember. "Don't ever talk to your father that way. Go to your…"

Arthur stopped her. "Wait Molly. Tempers just got a bit too high."

Red faced, Ron said, "There are only a few places that he'd go – here, the castle, Hagrid's, the Leakey Cauldron, Hogsmeade, or the Shrieking Shack."

Ginny said, "He'd be at Hermione's."

Arthur said, "Kingsley already looked there."

Ginny said, "Look again. Maybe he doesn't want to be found." A second later she asked, "If the Dursleys are dead, where would he have to go live?"

Ron asked, "Why would he go to Hermione's. Why wouldn't he come here? Why wouldn't he want to be found?"

Ginny shook her head. "And you fancy yourself a master of strategy? Cor, Ron, you're thick."

"Ginny," admonished Molly warningly. However, she wanted to hear her reply too.

"Maybe he wants to be away from the wizarding world for a while. His Godfather got murdered right in front of his eyes a week ago. He got in a fight with Bellatrix and Riddle, and Professor Dumbledore's solution would be to dump him back in Sirius' house. Maybe people should just leave him alone for a few weeks. It's not like he's broke."

"What do you mean?" asked Ron.

'Do I have a brick for a brother?' thought Ginny. "He's loaded. Haven't you ever been to Harry's vault?"

Ron shook his head. Thinking about the way that Harry dressed, Ron hadn't really thought too much about Harry having a lot of money.

"Ron. You claim to be one of his best friends. Don't you two ever really talk? He was abused and mistreated there all of his life."

"Dunno. We talk about quidditch. How do you know about Harry being mistreated?"

She rolled her eyes in disgust and replied, "Ron, you talk about quidditch. Everyone else just nods their head from time to time to appease you. This isn't getting us anywhere. Dad, you should go visit the Grangers after dinner, and ask if they have seen him, or know where he might be. Mum, you should go visit Hagrid's and Madam Rosmerta."

They nodded, having no better plan themselves. Ginny said, "Just one last thing..."

Molly asked, "What is it, dear?"

"If you find him, don't tell anyone. I don't think he wants to be found right now."

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Hermione and Harry had just put the two pizzas that they had created into the oven when Dan and Emma got home. Emma but down her bag and hugged the two teens. Hermione handed her mum a glass of wine. She felt like a queen.

She sat on one of the comfortable kitchen table chairs, took a sip and asked, "How was your afternoon?"

Harry said, "Fun. Hermione tried to teach me how to swim. I think I ended up swallowing half of the pool water in the process, but it turned out all right. I can float on my back now."

She smiled to herself. She was worried that they would have spent the entire afternoon reading. Dan came in. "Smells good. What is it?"

Hermione beamed at her dad and proudly said, "Harry and I made pizza."

Dan nodded and said, "Excellent. What flavor?" The truth of the matter was Hermione's cooking skills needed a bit of work.

"Half sausage, half pepperoni, half green olive, and half cheese. They will be ready in three minutes. You can sit down, and we'll serve."

Impressed, Dan replied, "Thanks. I'll get the glasses. Soda or beer?"

Hermione knew the question was directed at Harry, but answered for him, "Either is fine. Pick out whatever is there." She was a bit surprised that her dad had offered either of them beers.

Dan poured her a half pint, and Harry a pint of Fosters. Harry took the pies out of the oven, let them cool a minute, then sliced and served them.

Emma said, "Hermione and Harry, these look great. Thank you both very much."

They both smiled appreciatively. Hermione's other dinner creations were usually met with a polite response and Harry had never been thanked for making a meal, ever.

They sat in comfortable silence, eating for a few minutes. Hermione sensed that her parents had something unpleasant to say. She hoped that they hadn't changed their minds about allowing Harry to stay. Her other summers had been so lonely. She broke the ice. "What's up?"

Emma began, "Harry, The Times reported that your uncle's home was destroyed in a fire last evening. Apparently everyone was killed."

Hermione hugged her friend, "Oh Harry, I'm so sorry."

Harry didn't know what to think. He asked, "What time?"

Dan said, "The paper said the call to the fire department was about 6:30."

Hermione asked, "If their house was on fire, why didn't they just…?" She had answered her own question. The Dursleys home had intentionally been set on fire and sealed, so no one could get out.

She looked at Harry, who had arrived at the same conclusion. Her unasked question was whether he or the Dursleys had been the target.

Seeing their dark looks Emma said, "The Times article said that one of the neighbors reported seeing a disheveled looking man who apparently had been drinking in the back garden."

"Mundungus," said Harry and Hermione together, knowing that line of reasoning didn't make much sense. They both knew that he was one of the Order guards.

Just then, there was a knock on the front door. Dan went to get it. Instinctively, Harry pulled his wand from his sleeve.

It was Arthur Weasley. He said, "Hello. I'm Arthur Weasley. My son…"

Hermione heard him and said, "Come in Mr. Weasley. Dad, Mum, this is Mr. Weasley, Ginny and Ron's dad. You met a few years ago in Diagon Alley."

Emma said, "Nice to see you again Arthur. I'm Emma, and this is my husband Dan."

Harry stepped around the corner. "Hello, Mr. Weasley."

Arthur's eyes lit up. "Hello Harry. I'm glad to see you. We were worried about you."

Harry didn't want to see the man embarrass himself. He said, "We heard about the fire."

Arthur was surprised that he would have heard. "Yes, I'm sorry too."

Hermione asked, "Mr. Weasley, what happened?"

Arthur wasn't sure how much to say. He answered, "It appears that it was intentionally set."

Harry asked, "Who knows that I'm here?"

Arthur said, "No one. The house was searched this morning, and…"

Emma said, "What do you mean, our house was searched?" There was no smile on her face.

He'd really stuck his foot in the muck this time. He tried to recover saying, "I think Harry was classified as a missing person and some people were simply looking for him."

Dan replied, "That isn't what you said. Wizards or not, you people have no right to search our home. Harry was invited to spend the summer holiday with us, and I intend to see that he stays and my family has a nice holiday."

Harry asked, "What needs to happen? I specifically don't want to go spend the summer at Grimmauld Place, and if the Grangers will have me, I'd like to stay here if I'm welcome."

"Emma said, "Of course you are. You're welcome to stay as long as you wish, Harry."

Harry spoke. "Mr. Weasley, you know where I am and how to reach me. I'd appreciate it if you'd leave it that way, and not say anything to anyone. I really don't want to see the professor right now. We didn't end the year on the best of terms, and right now, I'm not really interested in hearing what he has to say. Apparently his wards aren't all that great."

Arthur knew that he had no say in the matter, and that Harry was safe. Rather than get into a pointless confrontation he replied, "If you ever need another place to stay, you're always welcome in my home. I'll be going now. Good night everyone."

"Cheers," said Dan, not believing half of what the man had said.

After Mr. Weasley left, Emma asked, "Why would they be looking for you, Harry?"

Harry said, "The professor likes to keep me on a short leash. He usually has me under 24-hour watch, or at least he did last summer. I told Moody that I'd check in every three days. It's only been a day and a half."

There was another knock on the door. Dan went to answer it. Amelia Bones was at the door.

"Dr. Dan Granger? I'm Amelia Bones. May I come in for a moment?" She handed him her identification card.

Harry knew Director Bones. She had been at his dementor trial last summer, and she had been one of the few who took the time to hear him out. He came around the corner and said, "Hello Director Bones."

She looked at him, looked around the nice home for a moment and said, "Hello Mr. Potter. Normally I'd be happy so see you, but I have unpleasant news for you."

Hermione said, "We already know about the Dursleys."

She nodded, and asked, "First of all, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," said Harry. He wasn't fine and things weren't getting any better, but he didn't think that she wanted to hear about his personal problems.

Dan asked, "Excuse me for asking, Amelia, but why are you here?"

"Primarily I came to check on Mr. Potter's safety. He had been reported missing yesterday. Second, I came to notify him of his relatives' deaths and third, to see if his current living arrangements were acceptable both to yourselves and with Mr. Potter."

Harry replied, "I don't know who reported me missing, but I'm fine. The Grangers offered to take me in for the summer after my uncle told me that he didn't want me in his house anymore and drove off. I'm happy here." Bones didn't ask about the specifics of the conversation at the train station, and he didn't offer the exact details.

Emma added, "Harry is welcome to stay with us as long as he wishes to. We'll take good care of him, like we do with our daughter."

Bones nodded and smiled at the woman's obvious sincerity. She took a parchment out of her pocket and filled out a small form. Handing them each a copy, she said, "Here is a conditional use of magic license for the two of you, good until you're seventeen. Please keep your wands with you at all times, and exercise good judgment." They both nodded solemnly. She smiled at them and said, "Here is a wand tap activated portkey. It will take you and anyone holding it to a safe place in the Ministry building. Please keep it with you at all times." They nodded again. She said, "Very good. Does anyone else know that you're here?"

Harry said, "Arthur Weasley was here. He left five minutes before you arrived."

Dan said, "Arthur Weasley implied that someone known to him came into my home this morning and searched it. Do you know anything about that?"

She replied, "Unfortunately I do. One of my Senior Aurors performed an unauthorized, illegal search this morning and will face disciplinary action, I assure you."

She pulled a cellular telephone out of her pocket, and handed it to Harry. "If anyone tries to talk you into leaving here, please push 321. That is my direct line to my other phone." She turned to Dan and Emma and said, "Thank you for your kindness and generosity Dr. and Dr. Granger. Miss Granger, it was nice meeting you too. Enjoy your evening." A moment later, she vanished.

"How about another beer?" asked Dan. He handed Emma the wine bottle, opened another oil can of Fosters for Harry and Hermione and another for himself. Hermione filled their glasses and set the quart size can down.

Sounding all too excited, she said, "Harry, this means that we can practice magic this summer. We can get so ahead on our studies. We should try…"

'Shite,' thought Emma. "It sounds like Harry could use some more practice with his swimming lessons, dear. Don't forget to have some fun this summer. You won't have many more summers off in your life. It's best to take advantage of your holidays while you can."

There was another knock on the door. "Maybe we should have gone out for dinner," quipped Dan.

It was Professor McGonagall and Tonks. "Come in," said Dan, wearily. There was no smile on his face.

"Good evening, Dr. Granger, Dr. Granger, Miss Granger. Is Mr.…?"

Again Harry appeared from around the corner. "Good evening Professor, Auror Tonks. How can I help you?"

McGonagall said, "We have come to take you to…"

"No," Harry said simply, but firmly. "I have no intention of going there." He pressed the keys on the cell phone.

"Harry," said Tonks, "You have to."

"Not according to Director Bones," said Hermione. "She was here a minute ago, and specifically told Harry not to go anywhere, and told him to call her if anyone tried to take him…"

At that moment, Bones arrived, and was furious at what she saw. "Auror Tonks, you are relieved of duty until further notice. Professor, do you have school business here?"

"Not really," admitted Minerva sheepishly.

"Good. Then enjoy your evening, and please tell Professor Dumbledore to leave these good people alone. Anyone else arriving on these premises from the Order will be arrested, as will Kingsley when I find him."

Minerva replied, "But Professor Dumbledore…"

Amelia was amazed at the effort that the old wizard went to interfere in Harry's life. "Professor Dumbledore has no jurisdiction in this young man's welfare outside of school. Please leave now while you still have the opportunity to. Have I made myself clear?"

Minerva backed down. "Yes Director. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger."

"Good night, Professor," said Hermione.

"Go home, Auror Tonks. That's a direct order."

"Yes, Director."

After the two Order members left, Amelia said, "As you have surmised Dr. Granger, there are a number of people that have strong opinions as how to best take care of Harry's ongoing welfare. Harry, you may be aware that Professor Dumbledore went against your parent's wishes in initially placing you in your aunt's custody. The legality of that could easily be challenged, but at this point, it's water under the bridge. Both your Godfather Sirius Black, as well as you Uncle Vernon Dursley left specific instructions asking that you were to be legally emancipated upon their death. Mr. Black went as far as drafting the paperwork."

"What can we do to help?" asked Emma.

"If you would be willing, please continue to provide a normal home for Harry for the summer, it would be most appreciated. With your permission, I will be placing three Senior Aurors here, each on a rotating 12-hour shift. If you would allow them to occasionally use one of your loos that would be very helpful. They will be stationed outside in an inconspicuous place on the side of your home. They will not interfere with your personal lives, I assure you. At your discretion, you could elect to have the person on duty accompany you if you go somewhere or you can choose not to."

She continued, "That should eliminate any safety concerns that the professor might have without interfering with your happy lives. Would that be acceptable to all of you?"

Dan looked at Harry and nodded. Harry said, "Director Bones, your offer is appreciated as long as it doesn't involve any Auror who is a member of the Order."

Bones smiled at him. He really was a nice teenager. She hoped that her Susan would meet someone like him. The kid was developing the mental resolve to stand up for himself when he needed to. "That would include Aurors Tonks, Jones, Senior Auror Shacklebolt, and retired Master Auror Moody. Correct?"

Harry nodded.

"Senior Auror Jamie Church will arrive at 9 PM. I will accompany her and introduce you. In the morning, I will return with Senior Auror Connie Hammer. They are both outstanding in their field. Later in the week, I will bring Senior Auror Michael Wood. If that is acceptable, I will return in one hour."

Both teens nodded. Dan and Emma also nodded. Amelia asked to see each of their wands. She took her own out and softly said an incantation, resulting in both wands glowing blue for two or three seconds then returning to normal. She said, "I removed the spell tracking charms. Now Malfalda Hopkirk won't send any inappropriate reports about wand use from either of you."

Getting ready to leave, she asked, "Do any of you have any questions?"

Dan asked, "I know of the wizarding civil war that is going on, but is all of this really necessary?"

Amelia replied, "I certainly hope not Dr. Granger. Mr. Potter is a very well known wizard within our world, and we do want to keep both him and your daughter as safe as possible. Your daughter and Mr. Potter were largely responsible for the capture of eleven dangerous witches and wizards a week ago. In turn, they as well as yourselves deserve all of the protection that the wizarding world can provide. Did that answer you question?"

Dan nodded. In fact, her explanation raised more questions than it answered, but they could wait.

She replied, "Good. I will return in an hour with Senior Auror Church." Again, she disappeared before their eyes.

"Interesting," said Emma.

"It was," said Dan. "What was it called, that she just did?"

Hermione said, "Apparation. It is the mental projection of one's body to another location. I've read several books in the subject."

Harry glanced at a smiling Emma for a moment and said, "It's the method that most adult witches and wizards use to travel. You have to test for it when you get your magical license. Rather like a drivers permit, I suppose."

Not surprisingly, there was yet another knock on the door.

A/N

Thank you for all of the good ideas and encouraging feedback. If anyone has an opinion regarding likely co-operation channels that Bones might use with the muggle courts, please either review or e-mail me. (Disputed custody case) If anyone has a good idea on inheritance disputes, or has read a story that handled it well, please advise.

Thanks again.

O-C