Disclaimer – Harry Potter is not ours. We just let our imagination play in JK Rowlings world.

2nd Disclaimer – Our imagination ran dry on house elf/goblin names. We've started borrowing names from a book we have by Vonda N McIntyre which is based on a screenplay by Harve Bennett. The movie was Star Trek III. I couldn't help the association of the ears with some Vulcans vs. house elves.

Chapter 18 Dealing with Dursleys

Unfortunately for Harry, Thursday turned out to be a longer day than expected. Harry had gone to the office on the second floor to get a quill and parchment to write a note to Ginny to let her know what was going on, then asked Winky to get his trunk from Hogwarts. Harry was hoping Ginny would sneak away for a visit to him.

When he was notified that dinner was ready, Harry reluctantly went to bring his relatives down. Dudley walked confidently, but Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon seemed quite nervous of what they would find. Harry had to admit he was quite amused by the reactions some of the pictures caused. Harry had some landscapes in the hallways. Every so often a herd of horses or other type of animal would be wandering around or eating in them. Dudley assumed they were similar to a television, but Aunt Petunia was very freaked out. Vernon just turned a deeper shade of red. When they reached the stairs to go to the second floor and they could see out the huge picture windows to the scene outside, they all caught their breath. Harry smirked a little to himself. You couldn't help but be impressed by his view.

In the dining room, Harry took his place at the head of the table. He was going to make sure the Dursley's were well aware that this was his house and he was the one in charge here. Taking his place at the head of the table was a nice, non-verbal emphasis of that statement. Vernon and Petunia took the seats to his right and Dudley to his left. When food suddenly materialized in the bowls and on platters, his aunt and uncle gave shrieks. Dudley grinned and started in. Aunt Petunia started to reach across to stop Dudley.

"You don't know what that is, Diddy." She turned to Harry. "Don't you have any normal food here that we can eat?"

"The food is normal food. It's just…transported…here differently. It is all exactly the same as you would get at the grocers."

Dudley looked confused. "How does that work?"

"The house elves prepare the food. They have a table that matches this one in the kitchen. They set it all up and somehow 'send it up' so to speak. Kind of like a dumb waiter right to the table."

"Cool." Dudley turned his attention back to his ham and potatoes. Harry saw his Aunt Petunia shudder.

Silence reigned until Dudley started to finally slow on his third helpings. He seemed to like to watch as he emptied a bowl of something and it would fill itself back up. Aunt Petunia tried not to watch. "So, Harry, you said this was one of your houses. What's your other house like?"

"The other's a townhouse in London. I share ownership in that one with Remus Lupin, one of my father's friends."

Aunt Petunia perked up. "In London? Why don't we stay there? We could go out during the day."

"You could. But the house is being used for something and witches and wizards come and go at odd times during the day and night. I think you'd be more comfortable here. I will ask Professor Dumbledore about shopping in London tomorrow, though. I guess I hadn't thought of it, but you will need clothes and such."

Vernon finally spoke. Anger vibrated through his voice. "Too right, we will. And you'll bloody well pay for them, too! If you've got the pounds to have a place like this, you can be paying us back for some of what we've spent on you over the years!"

Harry began to get angry. "Spent on me? If you had treated me at all like family should, I would be more than pleased to share anything I had. But you're not family. You're just relatives."

Vernon's face started turning purple. "We've kept you for almost all your life! Our house was destroyed because of you! My sister was murdered because of you!"

Harry's face grew still, but his eyes blazed. "First, you 'kept' me? You kept me in a cupboard for ten years. You kept me in Dudley's old, worn-out clothes. You kept me doing your chores. You sometimes fed me, and never enough. I more than worked off any debt for your keeping me! Second, I will admit that Voldemort destroyed your house because of me, but you have insurance. I imagine you only have the basic insurance so I will pick up the difference between your insurance and the cost to get your house as it was before." He smiled a little sarcastically. "The only difference will be that Dudley's second bedroom won't need a lock or cat flap for cold tins or stale food to be pushed through. I'll contact a goblin at my bank to work with yours for transferring any money." Harry laughed to himself at the way their mouths all worked at the word 'goblin'. Then he got serious again and continued, "Third, I take no responsibility for Aunt Marge's death. She was not forced to drive when she was drunk. That was made very clear by her losing her license a few years back. That was something she was accustomed to doing, unfortunately for those others who died because of it."

Uncle Vernon looked surprised Harry knew that, but he did not dispute it. Silence fell at the table again until the dessert appeared. Treacle Tart. Harry smiled. He really liked his house elves. They all had different personalities and he enjoyed getting to know them. He knew that most of them looked to him as their 'last chance' and felt gratitude for providing a place for them to live and work. Their gratitude let them overlook his 'strange ideas'. Harry didn't care if they thought him a bit strange. He'd been different for all his life. He had begun to accept that he always would be. He thought some of the house elves might feel a bit more than just gratitude, though. Winky, Gilly and Kreelo especially. They didn't act nervous around him anymore.

As they were leaving the table, Harry told his aunt, "I'll write that letter now to ask about tomorrow. You may want to make a list of what you need to get right away to tide you over until you can go shopping properly. I'll find some regular paper and a pen for you to use."

They returned up the stairs. Vernon and Petunia seemed uncomfortable with Harry's house and they dragged Dudley with them. Harry went to his room to rummage through his trunk to look for muggle paper and a pen. When he found it, he closed his trunk lid and turned around to find Dudley in his doorway.

"Hey, Harry, do you have a telly here?"

"I'm afraid not, Dudley. At least I haven't seen one yet. Maybe that's something you could buy tomorrow. There are a few books in the library you could read."

"Nah. I'm not much of a read…" Dudley's eyes widened and focused on something behind Harry. Harry turned and saw the trunk lid open and Ginny climb out.

"Harry!"

Harry walked over to her and gave her a hug. "Ginny! Great to see you. I was hoping you'd come by."

Dudley was pointing at Ginny. "She j-just came out of your trunk."

"Stop pointing, Dudders. It's not polite. Ginny, meet Dudley, my cousin. Dudley, this is Ginny Weasley, my girlfriend." Harry smiled and looked at Ginny. He saw she was smiling, too, at his introduction.

"But…but…you keep her in your trunk?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Of course, he doesn't. I have a matching one and we can use them to travel back and forth to each other no matter where we are."

Dudley's eyes started to leer at Ginny. "Handy that. So you travel to each others bedroom much?"

Harry's eyes snapped together and he frowned at Dudley. "Be careful what you say, Dudley. You'd better be respectful when you speak about Ginny." His tone made the leer in Dudley's eyes disappear instantly.

Ginny took his arm. "Calm down, Harry. I'm sure he'll know to speak better from now on. If not, I can defend myself, you know." She was lightly fingering her wand. Dudley's eyes now looked like a mouse transfixed by a cobra, staring at her wand. "Are all your relatives as pleasant as him?"

"About the same. I've got to bring some writing paper to my Aunt Petunia. I'll be right back. Coming Big D?" The last question was as much a command as a question. His tone clearly said he was expected to go back to his parents' room.

Harry started to lead the way back to the room his aunt and uncle were using when he suddenly heard a muffled sound, like a hit, then a painful whimper. He started to run. When he opened the door to his aunt and uncle's room, he couldn't believe what he saw. His uncle was standing over Fossa with his leg drawn back to deliver a kick to the fallen house elf. Harry boiled over.

"Petrificus Totalus!" His uncle's arms and legs snapped together and he fell backwards. Aunt Petunia, who'd been standing behind him screamed and leapt to the side, letting him fall with a thud to the floor.

Harry ran over to Fossa. He was holding the side of his face, softly whimpering. "Tiz?" Tiz popped into the room and Aunt Petunia screamed again. "Fossa's been hurt. Can you help him?"

"Of course, Harry Potter, sir." She took hold of Fossa's hand and they popped away.

Harry turned with a growl to Aunt Petunia. "What happened?"

"That…that little…thing appeared in our room. It was by our bed and Vernon said he'd get it out!"

Harry looked to the bed. There were a couple of items of nightwear lying on it. "He was bringing you night clothes to wear tonight! You have no right to harm anything or anyone in MY house!"

Harry cast a bending spell on Vernon so he was now sitting up. "Listen up, Uncle Vernon and listen good. I will not put up with your behavior as long as you are in MY house." Harry turned away and called, "Tubow?" When the head elf appeared, he said, "Call all of the house elves that can, to come here right now." Tubow closed his eyes and snapped his fingers. Suddenly there were eleven house elves standing in front of him. All except Gilly and the new elf Grenni were there. "Winky?" When she appeared, Harry continued, "I want you to hear this, too. This is an order. Do not allow anyone to harm you if you can help it. I've seen Dobby use his magic to throw his previous master, Lucius Malfoy, down a flight of steps before so I know you can do it. You don't have to throw them somewhere, you can freeze so you can get away, but do something in your own defense. I do not want anyone to harm any of you. Understand?"

The elves nodded their heads with wide eyes. "I also do not want any of you to enter this room any longer while the Dursleys are staying here. Do not bring them food or anything to wear. If they need something, Dudley can get it for them." Again nods of the heads at his command. "That's all. Thank you." The house elves popped away.

Now Harry turned his furious glare on his aunt and uncle. He started casting some illusion spells around the room. The door to the loo vanished, bars appeared across the window, the door grew a heavy lock and a small cat flap appeared in it. Harry's voice was low and dangerous when he spoke. "Do you know how easy it would be? Force you to live like you forced me? Lord Voldemort grew up in a childhood similar to mine. When he was able to freely use his magic, he went and killed his living relatives. When he was looking at you, you were probably seeing memories of how you've treated me in the past, weren't you? That's why he believed I would willingly kill you. He saw how you've treated me." He could see fear in his relative's eyes.

Ginny came up behind him and touched his arm. "Harry?" Her voice calmed him down a little.

"Lucky for you, I'm not like him. I choose to make different choices." He waved his hand and cancelled the illusions, but did some other spell on the door. "But, Uncle Vernon, you will not leave this room unless I give you permission. Aunt Petunia and Dudley, you may, but you will not harass my house elves. They now will defend themselves. And you remember that Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy? Even he was afraid of what a house elf could do to him when it was no longer under his control, so I would advise to you to treat them very carefully and with respect."

Harry removed the body bind from his uncle and turned away to leave the room with Ginny. His uncle's voice floated to him, full of bravado. "So who's the trollop with you? No common decency."

Harry turned ready to throw a hex at his uncle when Ginny's hand caught his to pull it back down to his side. She growled up at him, "Allow me."

She threw her hand forward and the bat-bogey hex hit his uncle. His nose started running and huge flapping wings grew from it and started beating him about the face. He started yelling and hitting his own face trying to swat them away.

Harry started to laugh. Aunt Petunia was screaming and Dudley was looking at Ginny like she was some sort of poisonous snake that he had narrowly escaped when it decided to strike the person next to him rather than him.

Ginny smiled with satisfaction up at Harry. "I've been wanting to try that wandlessly to see if it would work. It does. Not quite as well as with a wand, but good enough for me.

Harry was still laughing, but calmed enough to say, "Much as I hate to say it, you probably should stop it." Ginny performed the counter curse and Harry stepped back over towards his relatives who now were cowering away from them. "Stop with the insults. Ginny Weasley is someone I care very much about. You only have to stay here a few days, then you'll never have to see me again. I'll try to stay out of your way as much as possible, but don't you get in my way either. There will be no physical abuse and no insults in my house. You are now walking in my world. I'd advise you to tread very carefully." Harry turned and walked out of the room with his arm around Ginny's shoulders.

Harry guided her to the office on the second floor. A fire flared up in the hearth when they walked in. Harry and Ginny sat on a leather couch in front of it. Harry was beginning to feel bad about losing his temper with his relatives. Ginny was holding onto his arm, idly tracing designs with the tip of her finger on it. "You know, you have quite a protective streak in you. You can be quite scary sometimes when it matters to you. Like making sure your house elves will be treated right. But you're also very strong."

Harry snorted. "Strong? Just because I can intimidate my relatives now by using my magic?"

"No. Strong, not powerful. You're a powerful wizard too, but you're a strong person." Harry gave her a confused look. Ginny tried to explain. "It's like what you said. It would be so easy to treat them like they treated you. It would be easy to go back later, like Tom did, and kill your relatives, just because you've become powerful. It's not easy to just turn your back on it and let it all go. That takes strength. That's why you're strong."

"I don't feel strong. I feel like I just lost my temper and embarrassed myself."

"Well…" She grinned impishly up at him. "You did lose your temper. But I'm not sure there is any other way you could get through to those dunderheads." She moved the arm she had been drawing on and placed it around her shoulders. She snuggled into his side. "You know what else I liked?" He looked at her inquiringly. "You let me defend myself. You let me stop you defending me and handle it myself. I know this wasn't some massive confrontation with Death Eaters, but I know some guys would try to smother me even with the small things. It means something to me that you didn't. I know you were willing to if I'd wanted you to, but you were willing to step aside for me to do it myself."

Harry gave her an amused grin. "I guess they know now not to mess with either of us." He gave a sigh and got up and walked to the desk.

"What are you doing?"

"I'd promised Aunt Petunia that I'd write a note to Professor Dumbledore about them shopping in London tomorrow."

Ginny grinned at him. "See? A strong person. You let your word stand above what just happened."

"I reckon they'd see it as a weakness."

"Well, I don't."

After Harry wrote his letter and sent it off, he wrote a second one to Griphook outlining what happened and asking to meet the next day if possible. After that, Harry and Ginny spent the rest of the evening just relaxing and enjoying the fire.

After Ginny left for the night, Harry got out his mirror and talked to Remus. He didn't want Remus to worry if he heard about the attack from someone else.
Professor Dumbledore did approve a shopping day provided two members of the Order went along. Harry was calmly sitting in the breakfast area when Fawkes delivered the message. Dudley had just joined him for an early breakfast. He jumped about a mile when the flash of fire appeared.

"Good morning, Fawkes. I hope you are doing well today?"

Fawkes piped his affirmative. Dudley just watched in shock. Harry removed the attached scroll and offered Fawkes some melon slices. Scanning through the letter, he quilled his agreement with the proposed arrangements and re-attached it to Fawkes leg. A moment later the fiery bird was gone.

"Wh-what was that?" Dudley had momentarily stopped eating to just stare in surprise and what he'd seen.

"That was my Headmaster's phoenix, Fawkes. He approved of the shopping trip as long as we take along some protectors."

At that time a loud yell of pain came up the hallway. Harry's smile turned a little sadistic. Uncle Vernon must have tried to leave the room and got shocked for his efforts.

Harry calmly got up and walked up the hallway to his aunt and uncle's room. Dudley followed with curiosity. Aunt Petunia was fussing over Vernon. He was trying to shake her off. When he saw Harry standing outside their door, he got up and went to throttle him. Once he reached the door he again yelled in pain and retreated to the bed once again.

"What have you done, you freak? I can't leave this bloody room! How am I supposed to eat? What? You're going to starve me to death?" Uncle Vernon was glaring at Harry.

Harry calmly looked back at him. "I told you last night, Uncle Vernon, you aren't allowed to leave this room without my permission. Aunt Petunia and Dudley can bring food back for you. There's a table just up the hall that will always have some type of food on it and a tea trolley to make it easy to bring back and forth. I don't trust you to roam free in my house. There's a library if Dudley or Aunt Petunia want to bring you books to read. Also, Professor Dumbledore has made arrangements for all of us to go to London in one hour. You may want to keep in mind that you will have the rest of today and tomorrow to entertain yourself in this room. Hopefully, Sunday you will be able to go to Aunt Marge's house and we can say goodbye."

Harry started to turn, then stopped to add one more thing. "In one hour, some of my house elves will be transporting us to London. You had better be good to them or else I can make your stay here a whole lot more unpleasant!"

Harry finished his threat and turned to go back to his breakfast. He took out the Daily Prophet and started to read. After about ten minutes Aunt Petunia came out and loaded two plates with food from the table and wheeled it on the tea trolley back to their room. She never looked or said anything to Harry and he had been glad to return the favor.

After the hour had passed, Harry returned to their room. He gave his uncle permission to leave it and led the three to the main entrance. Tubow met him there with four house elves that would be transporting them to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry took a careful look at Fossa's face. There was a slight bruise still there. Harry felt another flash of anger at his uncle. He stood by Fossa. Grissom was lined up to take his uncle. "Be on your guard, Grissom. Remember, you have permission to stop any abuse however you wish to."

Grissom grinned a rather frightening grin. At least Uncle Vernon seemed to be frightened of it. Harry was glad.

He lifted up the hood on his cloak to somewhat conceal his features right before they were to leave.

"Why're you doing that, Harry?" Dudley asked.

"I'm rather well known in the Wizarding world and it would be better if I weren't recognized."

Dudley snorted. "You say you're well-known? You think everyone knows you or something? Don't think much of yourself, do you?"

Harry looked at him scornfully. "It really has nothing much to do with me, it's just a fact. Yes, everyone in the Wizarding world knows who I am."

The house elves all put their hands on a member of the shopping party's arms and popped them away.

Mad-Eye Moody limped up to them in the parlor room that had been reserved for them that they had appeared in. Uncle Vernon squeaked as he recognized him. "The other escort is watchin' the bar. Why don't we get a move on? A stop at Gringotts first I reckon?"

Harry nodded and his house elves popped away. They would return when Harry called them at the end of their shopping expedition. Harry pulled his cloak hood up further around his face and exited the room. Moody followed behind him, followed by the Dursley's.

When Harry reached the bar entrance, he paused and looked around. He found Remus standing in a corner keeping watch over the room. Harry got a big grin on his face and hurried over to him. "Remus! What are you doing here? I thought you were out of the country?"

Remus smiled, but didn't say his name. "After what's happened, I decided I wanted to be here for a while."

Harry suddenly heard Dudley's voice float across the room. "Isn't that 'Harry Potter'?"

Harry whirled around. Dudley was smirking. He thought he could show Harry's lie about being known for what it was. There was a sudden stillness in the room, then mutters of "Harry Potter!" started to make its way across in muttered excitement. Dudley's smirk started to falter. Harry heard Moody mutter a muffled curse and Remus gave a jerk of his head to indicate for Moody to get the Dursley's out of there. Moody started to hustle them towards the door.

Meanwhile there apparently had been a photographer and reporter among the patrons of the bar. A flashbulb burst in Harry's eyes and he was being asked questions. "Mr. Potter, can you tell us what you're doing in Diagon Alley? What comments do you have about the government recalling Madam Umbridge's Decrees? You haven't been seen in public since the last Press Conference. What have you been up to?"

Harry shook his head. It seemed rather obvious. He'd been at school. What did they expect? Remus started to clear a path to the door and guide Harry out. "Mr. Potter has no comments at this time." Harry was grateful Remus was there. They managed to get into the Alley and practically ran to Gringotts.

The reporters stopped their pursuit at the majestic bank's doors. This was goblin territory and they were not allowed to pursue their quarry inside. Harry looked across the vast marble hall and saw Mad-Eye was guarding the Dursleys in a far corner. He looked angry and they looked intimidated. Harry walked up to the nearest goblin.

"I'd like to see Griphook if he's available."

The goblin sneered down over his counter. "And whom may I say is requesting an audience?"

Harry tilted his hood back a little and said in a low voice, "Harry Potter."

The goblins eyes showed recognition. "One moment please, Mr. Potter." The goblin got down off of his high stool and made his way over to one who seemed to be supervising the tellers. He leaned over to speak with him and they both looked back at Harry. The supervisor nodded and left the room. He returned shortly and made his way over to the counter where Harry was.

The goblin smiled with his pointed teeth. Harry personally thought their smiles tended to seem rather more predatory than pleasant. "Mr. Potter, Griphook is free to meet with you. If you would follow me."

Harry paused for a moment. "I have more in my party. Is it all right if they come as well?"

The goblin narrowed his eyes, but nodded. "Of course, Mr. Potter."

Harry motioned for Mad-Eye and the Dursleys to come as well. From the expressions on the Dursleys faces, Harry would bet that they were debating if shopping was worth being in this…this…He could just hear them not being able to even describe it.

Mad-Eye decided he would keep watch in the hall. Harry, Remus and the Dursleys followed the swarthy faced supervisor into one of the many doors that led off the hall. This door led to offices.

There were many doors leading off the sides of the hall and many more hallways that branched off in different directions. Harry noticed that none of the doors seemed to have any names on them.

After getting totally lost by taking turn after turn, they were escorted inside a conference room. They seated themselves at a large oblong table. "Griphook will be with you in just a moment." The goblin gave a brief nod and left the room.

Harry was still angry with Dudley. "So tell me, Dud, what was that all about, huh? What part of 'it would be better if I weren't recognized' didn't you understand?" Harry's eyes flashed with his anger. "You realize we might just have to call off your shopping trip? They'll be waiting out there for me now. If it should spread across the wireless, Death Eaters could be waiting, too."

Dudley was nothing if not stubborn in his belief he didn't do anything wrong. "Well, how was I to know you really were famous? What kind of crazy world is this to have that kind of reaction to a runt like you?"

Harry narrowed his eyes. Dudley gulped. "Because I told you so. I'm not the one who exaggerates things. Am I Big D?"

Harry hadn't noticed but Griphook had entered. "Are you having some trouble, Mr. Potter?"

Harry sighed. "Nothing too bad. My cousin here didn't believe my name was well known in this world and said it aloud in the Leaky Cauldron. Now the reporters know I'm here."

Griphook's eyebrows rose in disbelief. He turned to the Dursleys. "Mr. Potter is in all the history books, and not only wizard ones. Every magical being knows his name."

The Dursleys had such looks of disbelief and amazement on their faces that Harry had to laugh. "Anyway. Griphook, I'm glad you were able to meet with us. We have a situation. My relatives home was destroyed when Voldemort came to visit. They have some insurance, but I intend to make up the difference so they can rebuild their home just as it was."

Griphook's eyes stared hard at Harry. "Will this be using funds from…?"

"NO! It will come from my personal vault." Remus looked a little curious about this exchange, but Harry just proceeded. "I need to find out what the cost difference is for rebuilding and what insurance will pay them. Can you help with that?"

Griphook got a calculating look in his eye. "We have assessors here who could give you exact amounts." He turned to the Dursleys. "Who best knows everything that was in the house?"

The Dursleys looked at each other. Harry sighed. "I would guess Aunt Petunia would. She was there the most and had access to every room."

Griphook turned to Harry's aunt. "Would you consent to a scan?"

Aunt Petunia looked panicked. She turned to her husband with a pleading look. Uncle Vernon puffed up. "We don't hold with any of that unnatural freakiness that the boy does!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You will if you want any money from me."

Uncle Vernon turned back to Aunt Petunia. Silent communication passed between them. Aunt Petunia sighed and her shoulders slumped a little. Then she straightened, "I suppose if I must."

Griphook gave a nod of acknowledgement. "What is the address of the dwelling?"

Harry gave it to him. Griphook wrote it down and took a few other notes. When he finished he rose from his seat and walked from the room. He returned in just a moment.

"Kruge will be here in just a moment to perform the scan. I have Warrigul checking on the insured coverage they have in place."

A smaller goblin entered. This one had dark slanted eyes and a pointed beard. He came in carrying a rolled blueprint. He spread it out on the table and Harry was surprised to find that it was Number 4.

Griphook motioned towards Aunt Petunia. "The female is the one to scan."

Kruge pulled out a stool near Aunt Petunia and got on it. Aunt Petunia was looking at him with revulsion, but didn't move away. The goblin touched her temple with one long finger. With his other finger he touched a room on the blueprint. Instantly unknown words and symbols started to fill the room he was touching. Harry could sort of tell where the furniture was by where the symbols went. He could tell where storage areas where because they had the largest concentration of words and symbols.

After a minute or two the flow stopped and he moved to another room. After the inside of the house was done, he continued with the shed, garage and greenhouse. Very little showed with the yard. The whole procedure took less than twenty minutes. When he was finished, he rolled up the blueprint with all the notes, gave a nod to Griphook and left without a word.

"Kruge and Warrigul should have an exact figure ready for you by the end of the day, Mr. Potter. Kruge is one of the best. He is able to tell what style of carpeting was originally purchased for any given room so a comparable one can be obtained to replace it."

Harry smiled at Griphook. "I like it." Harry turned to his uncle. "That way if you want to make any changes, like no fireplace in the living room, you may, but my part would already be done." His uncle nodded stiffly in agreement.

Harry decided it was time to figure out how to pay for the muggle items they would be purchasing today if they could get past the reporters. He told Griphook the situation and Griphook left the room for a moment then returned with two items. The first was a plastic card which worked like a credit card. It was charmed so that merchants would believe ID had already been verified. The money could be easily deducted from the amount Gringotts would be coming up with for the Dursleys settlement. The second item was a wallet that Harry could carry that was linked to his personal vault. If he wanted to purchase any items, it would provide the pounds or galleons, depending on which he needed. It was keyed to his touch and magic so only he could access it.

At the end of his explanation Griphook paused for a moment. "Mr. Potter, there is another detail I'm a little hesitant to bring up. I'm not sure this is the correct moment, but you should be made aware…."

Harry had never seen Griphook tentative on any subject. He was curious. "What is it?"

"Approximately one month ago in mid-February, Godric's Hollow became visible again. We now have the exact address of the property back on our records."

Harry froze. His eyes flew to Remus. He too was looking shocked by the news. Harry supposed it made sense since Wormtail died then and he had been the secret keeper, but….

Griphook continued. "I was able to discretely send a representative for you to collect any personal items that may still remain. There wasn't much. The building was pretty unstable after being left alone for fifteen years. What items there were I had removed to your vault. They have now completed the demolition to make the area safe for passing muggles. Now all that remains is the question, do you want to rebuild?"

Harry looked across at Remus. He seemed lost in memories. "It's not exactly an unknown location anymore, is it? There probably wouldn't be much privacy there."

"The exact address is not publicly known, only the village name. You could put unplottable spellwork on the location so the address does not become known."

Harry heaved a sigh. "Please do arrange for it to be made unplottable. I will probably rebuild it someday, but it can wait a few years. There's no hurry. Is there anything else?"

"Nothing else that needs your attention, Mr. Potter."

Harry turned and offered his hand to Griphook. "Thank you for all your help, Griphook. You've come through for me again." Harry turned to Remus. "Remus, do you think Mad-Eye could put some kind of disguise on me before we leave? Maybe we could get to London unnoticed that way."

Griphook paused by the door. "I may have one more thing I can do for you, Mr. Potter. It is not commonly known, but our tunnels do have some exits to muggle areas. They cannot be opened by any but a Gringotts goblin, but I could get you into muggle London without being seen."

Harry looked interested. "That would be great! We'd need to get Alastor Moody from the lobby. Would that be a problem?"

"No problem whatsoever. Follow me." Griphook turned and led them back through the unmarked hallways. Eventually they made their way back to the lobby and Remus collected Moody. They left through another door and went into the tunnels. The Dursleys were back to being thoroughly intimidated and were making no noise.

The ride on the carts was short, but sweet. Harry loved those cart rides. As it was rounding the last corner and beginning to slow, Harry heard a roar. It sounded quite close.

Sure enough, just ahead of where the track stopped was a dragon. Vernon Dursley would definitely need to shop for new clothes. Harry believed that his current ones had been soiled one too many times.

He was looking at the fifteen foot, copper colored dragon in terror. "Wh-what is that thing?"

Harry looked at him as if it were obvious. What else would have fangs, wings, scales and black ridged markings across its back? "A dragon, of course. But what kind? It's so small?"

Griphook grinned nastily. "We keep many Peruvian Vipertooths in our tunnels for security reasons. They are one of the most venomous dragons there is and also the fastest. If you weren't with me, you would be dead."

Dudley looked at Harry with wide eyes. "C-couldn't you shoot it with your stick?"

Harry shook his head. "Dragon hide is very resistant to magic. That just makes them mad." Remus, Moody and Harry did keep their hands near their wands, though.

Griphook led the way to a blank wall. There was one indentation that looked as if a small stone had fallen out that he put his finger against. He slowly started to drag his finger straight down and an opening in the wall appeared as if he had just unzipped it.

"This portal works similarly to your portal at Kings Cross Station. Once you pass through, you will be in the Underground station at Charing Cross. You can take the Underground to wherever you wish in muggle London."

Moody was staring through the portal with his magical eye. "All right, Lupin you go first and secure the area. I'll send the Dursleys through when you make the signal, then the lad and I will come last."

Remus looked at Griphook for permission and he nodded. Remus stepped through and disappeared. Shortly after that Moody gave the okay for the Dursley to go through. They were nervous, but they did so. Aunt Petunia seemed especially anxious to get back to 'normal' London.

When Moody went to usher Harry though, Harry stopped for just a moment. "Thank you, Griphook. If there's ever anything I can do for you, just let me know."

Griphook nodded in acknowledgement and Harry let Moody guide him through the Portal.

Shopping seemed quite anticlimactic compared to the morning. They took the tube to the Oxford Circus station and exited to do their shopping on Oxford Street. Oxford Street had it all. The shops ranged from specialty boutiques to large department stores. They found a large department store that Aunt Petunia thought would have most of the essentials they would need to last the weekend. First off was a new outfit for Vernon Dursley. The scourgify charm only could clean so much. His older clothes were discarded in a rubbish bin.

After the initial purchase, the party split up. Harry stayed with Remus and Moody in a cafeteria while Aunt Petunia hunted down the clothing departments and Vernon took Dudley to the electronics department. Moody got a few strange looks drinking from his flask rather than making a purchase, but overall Harry was enjoying this quiet time with the other two men.

The other two knew that Griphook was working for Harry, it was in the papers after all, but they were surprised by how well they apparently got along. Both were amazed, as was Harry himself, actually, that Griphook allowed them to exit through a secret portal in the tunnel. They were willing to bet that no other wizards had used it in centuries.

Later Harry saw his Aunt Petunia making her way into the cafeteria. "I've had the clerk hold the items I want purchased. All she needs is the payment."

Harry nodded and got up along with Remus and Mad-Eye. They followed Aunt Petunia back to the sales clerk. The mound looked huge to Harry's eyes, but most of the clothing itself was huge since they had to fit such large people. The clerk rang it up and Harry paid for it. Remus, Moody and Harry took the many parcels and stepped outside of the store and found an empty alley. Remus and Moody shrank the items and they returned to the store.

They found the Dursleys in the electronics department debating which telly's to get. They knew they needed at least two to survive the weekend. Dudley didn't want to miss his shows and Vernon certainly wasn't going to miss his. After the choices were made and a few other necessities picked up Harry paid for those purchases as well. Again, they wheeled the purchases out to the nearby alley and shrank them.

Harry had a sudden thought. "Remus, I don't think there are any outlets in my home. What are we going to do?"

"You can leave that to me. I'll come with you and set it up. I helped James do something similar for a record player Lily wanted back at Godric's Hollow. I'm sure I can remember how."

Harry smiled in relief. "Thanks, Remus. They'd be unbearable otherwise."

Emergency shopping concluded, the Dursleys were herded into the empty alley. Harry called for his house elves and Winky. Harry said goodbye to Moody and the rest of the party popped away to Potters Place.

After Winky dropped off Remus, he got to work on the Dursley's room. The telly's were set up on opposite sides of the room. He was even able to get the same stations as Little Whinging had.

Uncle Vernon was again confined to the room and Winky returned with some of Remus' items so he could stay the weekend. This was happy news. As much as Harry liked his house, he liked it better with Remus.

Friday evening Hermione came with Ginny to drop off homework for Harry to work on over the weekend. Harry thanked her, but really felt he wouldn't have minded waiting until next week since he had the excuse he wasn't there to do it. In the end it worked out well, though. Harry worked on homework Saturday and Sunday morning and spent time with Remus in the afternoon.

Dudley was amazed Saturday morning to see Harry's face plastered all over the Daily Prophet. He'd wanted a break from his parents and needed something to look at while he ate. Since there wasn't a telly in this area he had grabbed the paper. The photo was a black and white picture showing Harry mostly hiding behind Remus. Remus was running interference between Harry and the crowd, but every so often you could see a smile pass between the two. The article mentioned that Remus was a friend of Harry's parents.

Early Sunday evening Professor Dumbledore came with news. The warding was done the previous evening on Aunt Marge's home and early this morning Lucius Malfoy had attempted to attack the Dursley look a-likes that had moved in. He, himself got away, but they were able to capture two other Death Eater's that had accompanied him. The Professor thought it would be as safe as possible for the Dursleys to move in at this time. He did not believe Lucius Malfoy would make the attempt again.

Harry felt like cheering. The news was well received by the Dursleys too. They quickly packed up what they had and Professor Dumbledore shrank it. He took a hanger and made it into a portkey. He instructed the Dursley family to each touch a portion of the hanger. Dumbledore himself would go along to bring their possessions and to see them settled in their temporary home. Dumbledore offered to make another portkey to bring Harry to Hogwarts, but Harry declined and said he would rather make his own way there. Professor Dumbledore gave a chuckle and told him he'd see him soon.

Harry looked at his relatives. He supposed he should be feeling some type of regret or something at their possibly never seeing each other again, but he just couldn't feel it. "I hope you have a happy life. I hope you can reach that point were you can stick your head back in the sand and forget this past weekend ever happened. The money's in your account. Goodbye."

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia didn't seem to know what to say. Time ran out and they all disappeared.

Harry just stared at the spot the Dursley's had vacated for a moment. Then he shook himself and looked over to Remus. "What are your plans?"

Remus gave him a one-armed hug and walked with Harry back to his room. "The full moon is only a little more than a week away, so I think I'll just stay around town. I'll leave again after the full moon."

"That's during Easter holidays this year. I don't know yet if I'm staying at school or coming here or Headquarters. I guess I'll wait until Dumbledore tells me."

Harry finished the last of his packing. His homework was in his trunk so he shrank it down. Remus looked at him in amusement. "So how are you getting to Hogwarts? Are you going to have a house elf take you?"

Harry just smirked at him and changed to Flame. Remus shook his head, laughing. "I'd forgotten about that. I suppose that works just as well."

Harry changed back again to give one last hug to his father's friend. "Thanks for coming, Remus. I'm glad you were here."

"You know I'd always come, cub." Remus smiled at Harry. "Keep in touch."

Harry grinned and backed away, turned into Flame and disappeared in a little ball of fire.

Harry reappeared inside his four poster in Gryffindor Tower. He changed back and checked to see if anyone was around. The dorm was empty so he was able to get out without questions. He re-enlarged his trunk and made his way down to the Great Hall for some dinner.

His friends were happy to see him. He assured Hermione his homework was completed and after the meal they decided to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather outside.

The sun was beginning to set and it cast a reddish glow on the horizon. Harry relaxed, listening to his friends talk quietly around him. He lay back on the blanket they had conjured to sit on and let the sounds of their voices float around him. He closed his eyes.

Harry could feel a terrible rage inside of him pulling him onwards through space. He opened his eyes and saw he was in a room filling with Death Eaters. He was in a dark corner behind a pacing figure. Finally the one the figure had been waiting for apparently arrived for the pacing stopped. One by one the Death Eaters crawled forward to kiss the hem of their master's robe.

The Dark Lord started coolly, "I see we are missing a couple of loyal Death Eaters tonight. Lucius, do you care to explain why Crabbe and Goyle are not here, or why you are limping?" Some of the rage boiling inside of the monster escaped with his last word.

One Death Eater stepped forward. Harry could see gray eyes through the mask holes. He kneeled. The smooth tones of Lucius Malfoy reached Harry's ears. "Master, I thought only to finish your plan with those muggles of Potters as you had promised to me. We went to attack their house, but the Ministry must have realized they were still a prime target because they were well protected. I managed to get away, but Crabbe and Goyle did not and they were captured by Aurors."

"Did you or did you not hear me say that there was a change in plans! Let the Ministry waste their personnel guarding those muggles. I do not want them touched!" There was some surprise coming from the Death Eaters at this statement. "Remove your mask." Lucius seemed to become frightened at those orders, but he took his mask off. Everyone else seemed to take a step back. "Potter hates those muggles and I will do him no favors in ridding the world of them. Let him do it himself!" Voldemort took a moment to compose himself then turned his focus back to Lucius. "Lucius, you have disappointed me one too many times. I have been patient with you but your continual failures will be tolerated no more. Running from my Dark Mark before my rebirth, being captured at the Ministry and allowing the prophesy to be destroyed, allowing Potter and the muggles to escape. My patience has run out."

Lucius was trembling. Harry had a bad feeling in his stomach. "Master, I most humbly apologize, please…." He looked up and Harry could see the fear in his gray eyes.

"Avada Kedavra!" A flash of green light and Lucius slumped over, his eyes now glassy and lifeless. Harry felt a flash of internal satisfaction he knew came from Voldemort. Harry himself just felt sick. He definitely didn't like Malfoy, but to see him killed….

Voldemort turned to his other Death Eaters. "Now is there anyone else who has decided they wanted to think?"

"…Harry? Wake up, Harry!"

Harry could hear the distant voice calling him through the pain in his scar. He was breathing heavily and slowly opened his eyes to see his friends faces over him looking at him in concern.

Ginny was looking worried. "Do you need to go to the Headmaster, Harry?"

Harry's eyes were watering from the pain. He kept his palm pressed tightly against his scar. "Yeah, I reckon I'd better."

His friends went with him back to the castle. They found the Headmaster near the Great Hall. "Professor, he just killed Lucius Malfoy."

The Headmaster looked up sharply. He focused intently on Harry's strained features. "Come to my office and we'll have a talk."

Harry left the Headmaster's study tired and rubbing his aching scar. It was still twinging. He'd told him everything he could remember of what he'd seen. He was just letting his feet guide him back to Gryffindor Tower when he was suddenly pulled into an empty room.

Draco Malfoy was alone and had his wand aimed at Harry's head. "You'd better tell me what's going on, Potter! Pansy said she heard you tell the Headmaster that someone killed my father. What were you talking about?"

Harry froze. He didn't want to be the one to tell Draco his father had been killed. He slowly lifted his hands up in a placating gesture. "Look, Draco, she must have misunderstood."

The blond-haired boy's eyes narrowed and turned nasty. "Since when have you called me 'Draco'? I don't think she misunderstood at all. You will tell me what you were talking about." He sent a partial immobilizing curse at Harry so he couldn't move.

Harry's body was immobilized, but he still could talk. "Look, Draco, you don't want to hear this from me. Just let me go."

Draco didn't lower his wand at all. "Start talking, Potter. You were rubbing that scar again. What happens when it hurts you? Something happens. It happened that day in Defense class. You knew when Umbridge was killed. How?"

"I didn't know what happened that time. I can sometimes feel Voldemort's strong emotions. He'd been broadcasting like crazy that day."

"You didn't know 'that' time. You do this time. What happened? You won't be leaving here until you tell me and if you don't start talking soon, you're going to start getting hexed."

Harry could tell Draco wasn't going to back down. His gray eyes were a mixture of hatred and fear of what he might hear. Harry closed his eyes. "Sometimes I see visions. Lord Voldemort can plant some that are not true, but most of them are. This past week Lord Voldemort gave your father an assignment. Your father completed the first part, but it was frustrating for him. As a reward Lord Voldemort promised him some muggles to torture and kill.

"The assignment was progressing as planned and then something changed. Lord Voldemort decided that those particular muggles were to be killed by someone else. The assignment fell apart shortly after that and the muggles got away. I assume your father thought they were fair game again and went to collect on his original promised torture and killing. Unfortunately, he couldn't get to the muggles and Crabbe and Goyle who went with him were caught by aurors this morning."

Harry paused for a moment. "Draco, let me stop here. Not everything I see in visions is real."

Draco's eyes flashed. "It was real enough to bring to the Headmaster. Keep going."

Harry sighed. "In the vision, Lord Voldemort was angry. He called your father up before the others and had him explain what happened this morning. He then said he'd run out of patience with his failures. He made him take off his mask and then killed him with the killing curse."

Draco was breathing hard. "You're lying. He wouldn't kill my father. My father has always been loyal him. He doesn't kill his own Death Eaters!"

"He always has. He killed your mother's cousin, Regulus Black who was a Death Eater years ago during the first war. He killed Wormtail, who helped bring him back, just last month. Seeing his death is why Ron and Hermione can now see Thestrals. He doesn't tolerate disobedience even when he didn't explain his orders well."

The blond stared more intensely at Harry. "You seem to know this story pretty well. You're more involved in this than you let on, aren't you?" Harry didn't say anything. "You live with muggles. You were even gone last week because of some death in their family, weren't you? The Dark Lord hates you and has said he was going to kill you. You're in this thing up to your neck, aren't you, Potter? You're the reason things went bad for my father!"

Draco's voice was rising and Harry started to get angry. Draco was pushing at the secret guilt Harry always carried. "I didn't kill anybody! I'm not the one who says the curse. It's that maniac Dark Lord of yours who's killing everybody off!" With the surge of anger Harry felt, he was able to throw off the immobilizing curse.

With a loud bang, the door slammed open and Snape strode into the room. "Potter, Malfoy, what is all the shouting in here? It's late and you're out of bounds. Fifty points from Gryffindor, Potter, and get back to your tower. Draco, you come with me."

The sneer was in full place when Snape looked at Harry, but he wondered if there was something more in his expression when he looked at Malfoy. Pity? Compassion? Harry wondered if he had been there tonight.

Draco gave one more glare at Harry then left with Snape. Harry slowly made his way back to his common room to report to his friends.

Monday morning at breakfast a school owl landed in front of Harry. He removed the message and started to read.

Mr. Potter,

I would advise you to tread cautiously around Mr. Malfoy. He has taken the death of his father very hard and rightly or wrongly, is blaming you for it. Do not let yourself be caught unaware.

Professor Snape

Harry glanced up at the Head table. Snape wasn't looking his way. He looked over towards the Slytherin table and saw that Malfoy was ignoring his friends and staring intently back at Harry.

Ron was sitting next to Harry and had read the note over his shoulder. He, too, glanced around and noticed Draco's stare. "Hope he don't turn in to Stalker #3," was his muttered comment.

"If he does," Harry replied, "I think he'll be much worse than one and two ever were."