Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N):

Chapter 5

Coming of Age

Harry's eyes sprang open, his mind singing. An idiotically wide grin had plastered itself across his face. He found his glasses and slipped them on as he stood, shaking with anticipation. Glancing to the window he realized the sun had only just now risen. He smiled at it with the same crazy grin, nearly dancing to the window sill.

He was an adult in the wizarding world. It was his birthday and he had come of age. It was only through a tremendous exertion of will that he didn't wake Ron to help him celebrate. After taking a minute to regain some control over his twittering nerves he rapidly got dressed and tore from the room before temptation could get the better of him. Just before leaving he quickly cast a pair of spells. The first cleaned out the absent Hedwig's cage and the second rapidly packed all of his things in his trunk.

Plans within plans were spinning though his mind. Mr. Weasley had arranged for him to take his apperation test today along with Ron having his second try early this morning in Diagon Alley, after which he needed to do some shopping and possibly buy supplies. The governors' meeting had gone long into the night and he expected notification sometime today as to their decision. After that was the birthday party Mrs. Weasley had planned for him at Order HQ during which he had a couple surprises of his own planned. It was his birthday and he was going to have one hell of a day.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs he beamed at Ron's parents who were already up. Arthur grinned back at him from behind a paper and Molly from the stove. Arthur set the paper aside as Harry sat down, his muscles still slightly twitchy with excitement.

"So m'boy. Happy birthday! Not every day you come of age."

"Thank you sir." Molly slid a large plate of breakfast in front of him.

"Happy birthday Harry." She glanced at Arthur for a second and he responded with a nod. "We got you something Harry. Thought you might want to open it early." She slid a small slim package over to him. He removed the dark red paper carefully and was at first confused by what appeared to be an arrow with his name on it. After a moment he realized it was a clock hand. A single tear formed at the corner of his eye as he held it.

"Thank you…"

"We've always thought of you as part of the family Harry. And we're damn proud of you. You may not be our boy, but you'll always be our son." Molly sniffed away a tear at her husband's words and with a flick of her wand the arrow rose from Harry's hand and attached itself to the clock, immediately swinging to Mortal Peril with the others. 'Someday,' he thought, 'they're going to be somewhere else.'

"I don't know what to say…"

"How 'bout good morning mate?" He turned to find a clearly drowsy Ron stumbling into the kitchen. "'appy birthday."

"Thanks Ron." Molly smiled back and forth between them as her son took a seat as well. Dropping a similarly loaded plate in front of him, she stepped back.

"Well come on then! Eat up. Don't want to be late for your test appointment." Ron immediately became more lucid at that.

"Blimey…that's right. Totally forgot." Despite the slightly sick look he took on after this revelation he still finished breakfast in half the time it took Harry. As they finished Arthur glanced at his watch.

"Well, we'd best be off. Lot's to do. We're due in the Alley in a few minutes." All three rose from their seats and headed for the fireplace where Arthur handed the two younger wizards each a bit of floo powder. "Now remember, we're heading to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes." Ron stepped forward and intoned the name, disappearing in a flash. Harry followed next and finally Arthur after smiling at his wife for goodbye.

Harry emerged in the darkened back room of the twin's shop and only stumbled a little from the journey. He found Ron a second later, already nodding off again. He shook his friend awake as Arthur appeared from the fire. Motioning for them to follow they headed to the front of the shop and were slightly surprised to find Fred already awake with a clipboard in his hand taking inventory. He turned as they emerged from behind the counter.

"Morning all." The dreary look on his face told them he was still tired himself. "Happy birthday Harry."

"Thanks."

"Birthday treat, anything you want, on the house." Harry glanced around and noticed several new items for sale. One drew his attention. Stepping over to it he picked up what appeared to be wand.

"What's this?" Fred glanced over from the shelves.

"Rebel Wands. If you try to cast a spell they break loose and tear around casting random, relatively harmless, spells at you. They've only got about six good zaps, but it's a blast while they do." Harry stared down the prank wand and carefully set it aside.

"So, see anything you like?"

"Maybe later Fred. Thanks though."

"Right. Well, you'd best be off. I've still got to finish this up before we open." Sliding past him to the door they stepped out into early morning on Diagon Alley. Harry was dismayed to see a number of shops still closed, though a couple had reopened since his last trip. Only a couple shops were open now and just a handful of witches and wizards walked the street. After a second Harry realized many of these were aurors, guarding the alley. One though looked up expectantly and greeted Arthur warmly. After a second Harry realized it was Amos Diggory.

"Arthur! Good to see you. It's been too long. And your boy Ron! And of course Harry. Happy birthday." He greeted each of them with a warm handshake.

"Thank you sir." Harry had been apprehensive about meeting Cedric's father again but the man seemed amiable though Harry noticed a touch of sadness when Amos looked his way. Undoubtedly he was reminded of his son.

"Finally of age. Ready for your apparation test?"

"Yes sir. Are…are you going to be giving the test?"

"Aye. I'll be here to make sure you don't leave anything behind. A couple of our other friends from the ministry are waiting at your destination to make sure you arrive in one piece and fix anything that might go wrong." Harry nodded at this information, Arthur smiled and Ron looked slightly sick. Arthur clapped both of them on the shoulder.

"I'm sure you'll both do fine. Why don't you take a moment to prepare? I need to talk to Amos anyway." Harry pulled Ron off to the side and grabbed his shoulders. He could see the anxiety in his friend's face.

"Harry…what if I screw up again? What if I never get it right?" Harry shook him hard to snap him out of it.

"You'll do fine Ron. Now…no pressure…but I really need you to get this right. The three of us need to be able to do this so we can go…certain places. To find…things." Ron eyes lit up at the realization of what Harry was saying. "Now…you got this?"

"Yeah. I'm ready."

"Good."

"Ron! Let's go!" They turned to see Arthur waving them over. "Now, your destination is right in front of Gringott's, about 4 meters from the door. There's that little emblem on the walkway. That's your target." Amos swept his hand to indicate the ground in front of him.

"Whenever you're ready Mr. Weasley." Ron nodded and stepped forward. Glancing once at Harry for support he took a deep breath and…pop. He was gone in a puff. Amos quickly scanned the area where Ron had been standing. After a minute's meticulous searching, he smiled. "Looks good on my end Arthur. Why don't you run ahead and check how he came out. Tell Will I'll be along after Harry goes."

"Right Amos. Good luck Harry." With that he turned and began quickly striding toward Gringott's.

"Alright Mr. Potter, same destination, whenever you're ready." He stepped back as Harry moved to the same spot Ron had started in. He took a deep breath and focused on the spot he wanted to end up, visualizing it clearly in his mind. Though he had already done this with Dumbledore, without the adrenaline focusing his mind he found it harder to set his destination. Finally he got it. With the slightest of turns he felt himself compressed through space and pop out the other side.

As the world focused he smiled up at Gringott's directly in front of him and then down at the emblem surrounding his feet. After a moment a pair of wizards he recognized from the wedding were looking him over and checking for any spliching. Feeling no discomfort himself he turned and found Arthur just arriving. He stepped over to one of the wizards as Harry rejoined Ron.

"So? How'd it go?" Ron shrugged in response.

"Don't know yet. They still have to check with Mr. Diggory before they'll certify us. I must have ended up okay though or they would have failed me immediately."

"Yeah…same here."

"So…what else you got planned while we're here? I was going to take a look at the new brooms."

"Sounds like a good idea. I'll come with you. Then I have some other shopping to do. I've got to remember where I saw that furniture store…"

"Furniture? Oh…for your house?"

"Yeah. Don't tell anyone though. I've got a couple surprises planned and I'd hate to ruin them."

"Not a word mate. Cross my heart and all that."

"Harry! Ron! Come over here!" They started toward Arthur and noticed Amos had arrived and joined the other three in a little conclave. They now turned to the pair, faces carefully neutral. Ron and Harry glanced at each other, wondering what the verdict would be. They came to a stop and with a wave of his wand Amos summoned two pieces of parchment. Each of them grabbed one. "Congratulations boys! You passed!" All six of them broke into wide smiles as Harry glanced over the paper. "Those are just temporary permits. You'll get your official license in a week or so."

After a round of well wishes the testers bid farewell and headed for parts unknown. Arthur clapped them each on the shoulder. "Well. I dare say I knew you could do it. Now…what's next for…today…?" Confused, they turned to follow his eyes where he was looking past them back down the street. They both started in surprise at finding Headmistress McGonagall striding quickly toward them. "Minerva! To what do we owe the pleasure?" She came to an abrupt halt in front of the trio.

"Arthur, Molly told me I'd find the three of you here. I just came to tell you the news. The governors have finished their debate and voted." Harry stared at her with anticipation.

"And?"

"By the narrowest of margins, 7 to 6…they've decided that Hogwarts will remain open this year." All three of them smiled in response. "And I wanted to bring these to you personally." Reaching into her robes she handed a sealed letter to Ron and Harry and two to Arthur. "Those are for your daughter and Miss Granger. Now Harry, if I could have a moment of your time?"

"Sure Professor…" He followed her a few meters away while tucking the letter into his pocket. "What do you need?"

"Harry…even with Hogwarts open, convincing parents to let their children come without Dumbledore is going to be difficult. I, along with several other professors, am going to be spending the next several days going door to door to convince parents that Hogwarts is the safest place for their kids. Now…I hate to put you in this position but…that claim would be a lot stronger in many people's minds if the Boy-Who-Lived was going to be there as well." She hesitated before continuing. "Dumbledore, or rather his portrait, told me you are on some kind of mission this year and he suspected you wouldn't want to return."

"That's right. Can't say I fancy being used like a charm either."

"I don't want to Harry. But look at it from where I'm sitting. You know Hogwarts is the safest place for underage wizards, as do I, but convincing people isn't going to be easy and I'll use every aid I can to accomplish that. I can make certain exceptions for you…and your friends to pursue your mission…but only if you return to the school." Harry's mind raced. If he left Hogwarts he knew Ron, Hermione and most likely Ginny would follow him. In the castle he would have to accept certain restrictions but he, and his friends, would be safer. In a moment he weighed all the possibilities and came to his decision.

"Then you can tell them I'll be there Professor." She let out an audible sigh of relief.

"Thank you Mr. Potter." He nodded in response. "I'll let the other professors know immediately."

"Very well. Oh, professor…did you speak with professor Flitwick?"

"Yes. He's agreed to come to the party. I still don't understand why you want him there."

"Just a little idea I wanted to check with him."

"Then we'll see you there." With another nod she stepped back and dissapperated. Harry turned and found only Ron standing near the front of Gringott's. He glanced around but the elder Weasley had disappeared.

"Dad took off. He needs to pick up a few things for mum. Then he's going to grab Ginny's supplies and head home to deliver those letters. Not that we'll need them. Right?"

"Well…actually…" Ron's eyes widened and darted to the place McGonagall had been standing.

"You mean we're going back?"

"Yeah. McGonagall made a rather convincing case. And I figure, if we ever need to, we can just apperate away."

"Good point." He pulled out the letter from his pocket. "Guess I'd better open this then." Harry followed him in tearing into his Hogwarts letter. It was rather a less pleasant version of the letter in the new headmistress's stricter hand. Harry imagined others were getting less direct letters. He glanced through the rest and came to his supplies list. It was rather short and required only a couple books and a few other things. A note at the bottom told him that class schedules had yet to be determined and that the school was awaiting enrollment confirmation first. Holding onto the supply list he packed the rest into the envelope and returned it to his pocket. Ron did the same but held out two pieces of paper and a shell shocked grin.

"Ron? What is it mate?" Ron handed him one of the sheets.

"I…I've been made Head Boy."

"Good show mate! Always knew you had it in you."

"Yeah…" Helping Ron walk off the shock he half dragged him into Gringott's. While Ron stood there whispering 'head boy' to himself every few second, Harry approached the counter and gained the attention of one of the goblins.

"Excuse me…I'd like to make a withdrawal. I have my key right here."

"Very good sir. Please follow me." Again dragging Ron along, he followed the short attendant to the carts. Due both to how early it was and apparently some refinements in the process it took only a little over half an hour to get through the rigorous security protocols. To speed up the process Ron had agreed to wait in the lobby. Given his current state Harry very much doubted it mattered. A battery of tests and devices flew over him to verify his identity and the half dozen goblins finally approved and allowed him to follow Griphook to the main departure point.

A quick and brutal ride later they skidded to a halt in front of his vault. 687 looked exactly the same as it always had and, Harry suspected, always would. Rising from the crazy transport he held the lamp aloft for Griphook. Handing the key to the goblin he stepped back. The door's magimechanical locks disengaged and swung slowly open. Harry stepped in and looked around.

"Uh…excuse me…Griphook?"

"Yes sir?"

"There…there's more here than there should be…" There was at least double what had been here the last time he had seen it. With a start he realized how long ago that had been. Maybe triple. He looked over one of the small galleon mountains. Maybe more. The goblin pulled out a short piece of parchment and consulted the list on it. After a few moments he looked up.

"Yes…much of this was moved in just this morning. Since you've come of age you are now entitled to the contents of a vault belonging to one Sirius Black, which was willed to you on his death. You were also awarded a measure of gold by the late Professor Dumbledore in his will along with a few other items currently in the protective custody of one Minerva McGonagall." Sirius and…Dumbledore… Harry took a moment to process that.

"Oh…well…thank you." Harry began to fill a pair of bags with an assortment of coins for his supplies and whatever else he might need. Given the state of security and how busy he was going to be, he wanted to make sure he didn't run out.

"Also, since you are now an adult, you may sign notes of payment which will remove the coin directly from you account. Though getting them accepted outside of Diagon Alley is a bit of an iffy proposition. Makes larger purchases a bit easier."

"Thank you Griphook."

"Yes sir." Cinching the bags and placing them in his pockets he returned to the cart. Racing back to the lobby he and Ron, who had finally recovered, bid farewell to Griphook and headed out into the Alley. Harry glanced at the clock and realized it was only a quarter to ten. Still early for all they had done. Ron returned the Head Boy notification to his pocket and glanced over the supply list.

"So…where to next?"

"Well…how about we get our school stuff now…then we can get something to eat at the Cauldron. Then we can do the fun shopping this afternoon."

"Oh good. Food."

With their supplies bought and stowed at the Cauldron under Tom's care and a fresh meal in them they began the task of window shopping for what they wanted. The first stop was to look at brooms. While Ron was staring at the latest Nimbus model Harry was more interested in a Firebolt. As the clerk kindly shrank the packaged broom so Harry could carry it in his pocket he slid a slip of parchment over to him.

"Sign here please." Using the offered quill he quickly signed his name. As he did the script glowed for a moment before settling into the paper. At his surprised glance the clerk explained. "Authenticity charm. Makes sure you are who you say you are. Polyjuice potion and master forgers can't fool it. Only the Goblins know how to do it. Won't tell anyone else."

"Oh…thank you." Placing the package carefully in his pocket he found Ron still staring at the new brooms. Shaking his shoulder he snapped his friend out of it. "Come on Ron." Stepping back into the afternoon light Harry was still dismayed at the small number of people walking the streets. Putting that out of his head he continued on.

They stopped in a number of shops along the way looking at this and that. They even ran into Neville collecting a few things for his grandmother on top of his supplies.

"There was no way she wasn't going to send me back. Dark Lord or no she's going to see me graduate if she has to teach every class herself." After promising to see him the first day they moved on down the street. It was a few minutes later when they came to the store Harry had been looking for.

"Finnegan's Fine Furniture. You don't suppose they're related to Seamus do you?"

"I doubt it Ron, but we could always ask." Entering the shop they were surprised to find only a small area with a counter and a couple shelves of toy furniture. "Somehow I was expecting something bigger."

"Hello?" From the back came the voice of a middle aged man. He strode through the curtain and eyed the two new arrivals. "Good afternoon. I'm Sean Finnegan. How may I help you?" Harry could just make out the smell of sawdust as he approached.

"Hello sir. This is Ron Weasley and I'm Harry Potter. I'm looking for some furniture for a house. A bedroom specifically." The man stared at them, evidently surprised.

"Ron and Harry? M'boy Seamus has told me all about you. Didn't figure I'd see you here." Ron and Harry looked at him, stunned.

"You're Seamus's dad? But he said you were a muggle! What are you doing here?"

"Making furniture. I may be muggle but I'm a wood worker by trade. It was a bit of a shock when I first came here, but even witches and wizards appreciate a good handcrafted chair." Comprehension dawned as he continued. "Now…a bedroom you say. What would you like to see first? The bed I suppose." He leaned down behind the counter as Harry found his voice again.

"Uh…yes. Do you have a show room or something where I can look them over?"

"Of course. You're standing in it." Standing back up he set a large tray of toy beds on the counter. "Ah, here we are." Harry approached and looked over the wide selection.

"Then these are…display models?"

"What? Oh, no…no sorry. These are the real thing. My wife is particularly good at shrinking spells. I make it, and then she shrinks it. Makes it much easier for the customer to take home. And it saves delivery." Ron laughed at the simplicity.

"That's bloody brilliant."

"Yep. Just cast the restorus spell once you've got it home and it instantly and permanently regains its size. So…were you thinking a double? Or something larger?"

It was another hour later and rapidly approaching 3 o'clock when they returned to the Cauldron and collected their packages. At the bottom of Harry's stack was a large padded case containing a bed, desk, chairs and a few other pieces for his new room. He had never considered what he would put in his own room and thought long and hard about what would be perfect. Stepping into the open space behind the pub they glanced at each other. With a nod they simultaneously turned the smallest part of a degree and dissapperated.

The world refocused and Harry found himself back in Ron's room. Ron appeared right beside him a split second later. Stowing his packages, Harry turned to his mate.

"Remember…not a word."

"You got it."

"Ron! Harry! Is that you?!" Mrs. Weasley's voice tore through the house to find them.

"Let's go. She probably panicked wondering if we're okay."

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.