Chapter Eight: New Beginnings and Old Haunts

August 29th

7:25am

Gringotts Bank, London

The Minister

The cold light of the English morning sun shone upon the steps of Gringotts, illuminating the path to accepting defeat as he saw it. Inside awaited Lord Greengrass and Harry Potter to finalise the 'ministry contract' that had been drawn up to circumvent the lords and law of this nation. His correspondence with the Greengrass patriarch had been an uphill battle and he had known it from the start and he had eventually caved to the offer of aid.

'I may have failed as a minister but at least with this deal there is hope that my successor is not a Dark Lord,' Scrimengour thought.

Upon entering the bank, a goblin led him and his two auror escorts through the halls of Gringotts to the conference rooms which had been suggested by the other party for discretion. The goblin left them and Scrimenogur told the two aurors to wait at the door. Receiving their affirmatives, he crossed the threshold of privacy wards and into the room. Sat at a long wooden table before him was Damien Greengrass, Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass, who had been mid conversation when he walked in. They noticed him almost immediately and all of them stood in unison, but Potter was the first to speak.

"Minister, it's good to see you," he greeted whilst offering his hand for a handshake.

Rufus shook the offered hand and replied, "likewise and to the two of you as well." Damien and Daphne nodded in greeting to the minister, and he sat down. "So, let us finalise how this is going to work."

Damien took out a parchment from his robes and handed it to the minister. "This is the most recent contract I've drawn up in line with what we discussed via owl. No persecution for any members of P & G Securities and a monthly donation to the ministry to be used for the aurors. You will share intel with us and in return we will offer manpower and any intel we deem necessary to share."

Rufus nodded as he read the contract before asking, "and after the war?"

"After the war you can null the contract and any crimes committed will be punishable offences," Potter replied. "Only you or I can make this contract void and should that happen I doubt the war will still be going on."

"What about the imperius?" Rufus questioned looking at Harry.

Potter looked displeased and Daphne replied for him, "Harry withstood Voldemort's imperius, we have it on good authority that you're uniquely resistant to it as well," Daphne divulged coyly. "If either of you should break the contract for reasons other than your own then it isn't likely your intel could be trusted anyway."

"Hmph, true enough," Rufus acquiesced. "Anyone have a quill?"

Damien reached into his robes once more and pulled a quill out. Handing it over to the minister, he took it and went to sign, quill hovering over the paper he tried to find a reason not to go through with it. 'Caught between two losses, I can not fight the corruption in the ministry without losing the war and I can not fight the war without losing my honour.' Raising his eyes to Potter, he asked, "can you do it? Can you beat him?"

Potter's face set in resolve and he intoned, "you've seen my work, it speaks for itself."

Rufus remembered the paste on the death chamber's floor which was later identified as Avery and the permanently crippled Dolohov sitting in a cell in Azkaban. He thought of the destruction in the atrium from the fight with Voldemort and the right arm of Bellatrix Lestrange. He decided that Potter was right, no amount of words could speak to the deeds Potter had already accomplished, no other person had so actively opposed Voldemort in recent history and certainly no one with such a high survival rate. With all of this in mind, he let the quill make contact with the page and signed his name, resolute in the fact that even though he was fighting dirty he could confidently say that he was fighting on the right side.

September 1st

10:42am

Kings Cross Station, London

Harry

Platform 9 ¾ had always been a mess on September 1st since its introduction in 1936. Parents running late causing unnecessary mayhem and kids, eager to return to Hogwarts, congregating with their friends on the platform. Harry's contingent arrived as late as possible so that the window of opportunity for an attack was lower and so that it was less likely they were mobbed.

Their portkey had them arrive at King's Cross Station at 10:45, fifteen minutes for their goodbyes and boarding was more than enough time. Harry, Hermione and Daphne said their quick goodbyes and left for the train, there was no need for long drawn-out goodbyes because they had already planned to have a meeting in Hogsmeade in a few weeks.

Harry and Daphne entered the train together, pushing past onlookers and oblivious teens, the two managed to find a compartment together whereas Hermione went on to prepare for the prefect's

"Not embarrassed to be seen with me anymore?" he joked to Daphne. He knew that wasn't the case and it was just a bit of banter.

"Oh no, still embarrassed," she replied in a mock serious tone, "just enduring it for the people."

"Sure, sure, you tell yourself that, whatever helps you sleep at night."

Daphne smirked and dug up an old insult, "I will sleep mighty fine in my own room, there will be no snoring or late-night study sessions to keep me up."

He rolled his eyes, and they took a seat and asked, "are you ready to start the advanced classes?"

"Am I ready? Are you?"

Harry ran his hand through his hair, 'am I ready to train teens to do battle again after Ron? No. But it doesn't really matter if any of us are ready because we're out of time and at least it gives them a better chance of survival.'

"Ready enough," he replied.

Daphne perked up before replying, "good because we're about to have company."

On queue the compartment doors were opened to reveal Neville and Luna. "Oh, ahh hi Harry and ahh you too Greengrass," Neville stuttered, noticing Daphne for the first time. "Do you guys mind if we sit?"

Harry smiled, happy to see his friends, "of course, come grab some seat I wanted to talk to you too anyway."

Neville and Luna took their seats next to Harry and Daphne. Harry took great amusement in Daphne's discomfort when Luna chose to sit next to her for which Daphne gave him a glare. Once the two had settled in and they had all exchanged pleasantries, Neville spoke first.

"I'm excited to get back into the DA this year, are you going to open it up to everyone Harry?"

Daphne and Harry shared a look which went unnoticed by their peers before Harry replied, "well, you see Nev' there isn't going to be a DA this year." Luna's disappointed look was incomparable to Neville's who looked like his heart just broke. Harry decided to end his suffering early and continued, "because I'm going to have my hands full with the war and managing an advanced class where only a select few people will be invited."

Neville was still dejected as he said, "I understand, I'll see if some of the old crowd want to get together for something then."

"Neville, you're one of the ones we're inviting," Daphne deadpanned.

Neville's sour mood vanished, and his eyes lit up, "oh! That's fantastic! Sorry, I haven't quite figured out the self-confidence thing yet but I'm working on it."

"With a work ethic like yours I'm sure you'll have it no time," Harry responded kindly. "You're invited too, Luna. Also, we won't be using the coins to communicate, it will be more scheduled this year."

"Wonderful, I'll be able to keep an eye on the nargles who steal my things, it was very difficult with the chaos of last year," she said with a seriousness not felt by anyone else in the compartment. Harry did find it odd though that a supposedly magical creature seemed to only target Luna, that being said the word 'odd' was a fair description of anything to do with Luna so he didn't dwell on it.

"Who else will be joining us?" Neville asked.

"Hermione and Blaise Zabini, no one else," Daphne replied. Seeing Neville's confusion she continued, "it's going to be more focused on self-defence and magical warfare then the DA was. I'm planning on splitting the four of you up into pairs so that Harry and I can impart on you what is effective and what is not."

"So, you're training us to fight in the war?"

"No," Harry replied strongly. "The four of you will not be asked to join any missions besides the defence of Hogwarts. I doubt very highly that, even with my training, any one of you would be prepared for large scale combat."

"But… I was at the ministry," Neville mumbled, unsure of himself.

"So was Ron, as much as I wish he wasn't," Harry harshly rebutted. "I knew bringing you guys along was dangerous, but I needed backup right away. If I can avoid sending more teenagers to die for me then I will."

Shaking his head, Neville said, "it's not just for you Harry. I have people to avenge, Ginny too and Hermione."

Daphne piped up hoping to ease the tension, "it's not about vengeance either. Vengeance clouds your judgement and makes you sloppy. The ones with clear heads are the ones that keep them. Would you be able to keep your cool around Lestrange?"

"No," Neville replied truthfully.

"It takes a good man to admit that Neville. Keep the students safe, if the war continues after seventh year, you'll be able to join our merry band of fighters.," Harry offered. Neville seemed to accept that and backed down for the moment. The ride continued with some small talk and snacking for nearly forty-five minutes before Hermione came knocking with a person in tow. Neville opened the door for them and in walked Hermione and Blaise to the surprise of everyone.

"Hello everyone," Hermione greeted, taking a seat next to Harry. Blaise stood whilst the rest said their own half-hearted greeting back to Hermione, more focused on why the Slytherin boy had come before they had the chance to invite him.

Blaise answered their questions by speaking, "hello all, I was in my normal compartment waiting for Daphne when I realised, she might be sitting with you Potter, space for a sixth?" There wasn't much space left but Luna scooched over so that Daphne could make space for him on their side.

"Where's Tracey?" Daphne asked confusedly.

Blaise took his seat and glanced at Harry before replying, "her mum pulled her from Hogwarts this year, said it was too dangerous to return with her father's murder returned." The occupants of the compartment faintly nodded their understanding, as sad as it was, none could blame Tracey's mum. Daphne frowned but recognised she wouldn't have had much time for her this year anyway, so it was better she was safe.

Harry noticed Daphne's intent gaze on him and tilted his head to show he didn't understand. She then moved her eyes to the left towards Blaise, somehow capturing the emotion of frustration and urgency in one glance. Harry realised what she meant and locked the door, drawing the privacy curtains as well just in case.

Blaise looked at him oddly but showed no indication of distress. 'How do Slytherins always seem so unphased, it's like they're able to turn their faces to stone just to annoy people,' he thought. "Blaise," he began, "Daphne and I want to offer you a place in a small group dedicated to defending Hogwarts and the downfall of Voldemort, if you're game."

Harry could feel the disappointment rolling off of Hermione and Daphne in waves, but the only approval he needed right now was from the Italian boy in front of him.

Blaise looked at Daphne then back to him, "why me?"

"Daphne says you're a capable and intelligent student and most importantly, you're good at keeping secrets," Harry replied, recalling what she had said to him a few months ago.

Raising an eyebrow and a corner of his lip he said, "high praise, coming from the Ice Queen." The papers had seen the icicle used to dismember Bellatrix Lestrange and had assumed that it was Daphne who had done thus dubbing her the Ice Queen. Harry had found the whole ordeal hilarious as now he wasn't the only one with a ridiculous moniker.

Harry snorted as Daphne schooled her features, knowing that if Blaise agreed to join that he was likely in for a world of hurt. "So, what do you think?"

"I think that I could see myself joining you, it would be nice to be associated with someone famous other than my mother," he admitted. If he could be seen hanging around Potter, then the name Zabini might be slightly less foreboding. "I saw your speech in the prophet Potter, I must say it caused quite a stir in the international scene."

Daphne, who figured she would have heard about this, replied "what do you mean?"

"Many of the ministries in Europe are embarrassed of England, our inability to keep the Dark Lord dead has looked bad on us. Compounding that with the fact that a teenager is one of the people spearheading the defence of our island has made Britain somewhat of a laughingstock in the higher circles."

Hermione scoffed and replied, "who are they to laugh when their ministries allowed Grindelwald to take half of Europe? The way I see it, they shouldn't be so quick to judge." Blaise looked as if he wanted to reply but seemed to think better of it. Hermione picked up from where she had left off and said, "all ministries are the same, more concerned with public image than what is actually going on in front of them. Vol- you-know-who recruits from many of the countries that likely snicker at Scrimengour's administration."

"Too right," Harry said, "it's unlikely they'll laugh when Scandinavian Giants or Romanian Vampires are found to have migrated across the ocean to fight Voldemort's war."

Blaise put his hands up and said, "it's just what I heard. I do agree though, men in power tend to be particularly predictable if only by their hypocrisy."

With the introduction of Blaise to the group, the six of them spent the rest of the train ride getting to know those they didn't, swapping stories like Blaise's time in Italy or Harry and Daphne's many duels and how she's yet to win any of them. Luna made no vague predictions this time which Harry was grateful for, he knew it to be a gift but it was still unnerving to witness.

Hermione seemed to cheer up if only slightly, engaging Daphne and Blaise in conversations about international politics and the like. Harry realised that Hermione had never really had any friends that would be interested in talking about this kind of thing and it must be refreshing to gush about how the sixth minister of some random ministry affected wizarding economics across the world. It both saddened and pleased him to see her be able to interact in such a way because he knew it was something he and Ron had failed to do as friends.

Harry for the most part thought about how to structure the year, with so much to juggle he was worried that it might be too much for him alone to handle. 'But I'm not alone,' he thought looking at his friends, 'not even close.'

A/N: Oh my goodness this took forever, if you want to skip to the part where I talk about the chapter then just ignore this paragraph because it's going to be about why this took so long. SO I've spent the past working on polishing the first fic because I figured a lot of people wouldn't give it a chance due to the formatting massacre that occurred on my files. That being said, there were also major grammar mistakes, plot holes, unnecessary sentences, poor word choices and a whole host of other problems so the polishing turned it much more than that. I'm also moving out with my partner and that is taking up a lot of time too.

Good news: first fic is readable, and I'd say maybe 15% better quality than it was.

Bad News: I had no time to update the sequel

Great News: Full speed ahead on ATFS now that the ATFW is sorted.

With that out of the way, our favourite vigilantes are now legitimate… yay! I had a few names for the company or Harry's group to be called which may develop through the story, but P & G Securities seemed fancy enough and subtle enough not to be noticed by third parties. Really considered saying stuff the ministry but like with Dumbledore, it's all about making mature decisions that get Harry closer to his goals. By stuffing the ministry, he could invoke their wrath which would mean a fight on two fronts for him. If he can bring them into the fold however… well, you'll see where that goes :)

Really excited to bring Blaise into the mix and plan to use his character in tandem with another's journey (I'm sure you can guess). This does not mean the story is now about these six by the way, Harry and, to a lesser extent, Daphne are still the main characters. I didn't know how to include Tracey, so I wrote her out of the story with a convenient occurrence from the books and movies. Parents were pulling students out of Hogwarts, and it wasn't ever stated that she wasn't so tada.

This chapter's recommendation is 'Honour Thy Blood' by TheBlack'sResurgence. A really fleshed out story with a cool mentor/student relationship between Harry and an unlikely saviour. Harry/Daphne pairing and Sirius/Harry power duo taking on the world.

Hope you enjoyed it :)