Here is part two of chapter 26.

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Chapter 26b

Birthday Wishes

The Founderettes spent the next couple of days catching up to the present. Neville took Luna to his home to spend some time with Gran, and to 'meet' his parents at St. Mungo's. Although the stiff matron of the Longbottom clan was a bit bewildered that her grandson formally brought home a fairy/witch for marriage, she was soon won over by the girl's wisdom, calmness, and ever-present flock of fairies dancing around her and her grandson. She gave Neville her blessings and his mother's engagement ring to give to Luna, which he did without hesitation.

It took Mrs. Longbottom a bit longer to get use to Neville's new appearance – he had been growing and bulking during the school year, and she hadn't seen her grandson that often. Now, with him gone a year in alternate time, her pudgy and shy little grandson had returned a man. Proudly she kept glancing at him, refusing to cry. If only his parents could see him.

Harry and Hermione, using Goblin disguise, made the rounds, checking with Griphook, the twins, Tonks and Remus, and the Dursleys. They learned that evidently Voldemort had attempted to recruit demons to fight for him. There had been no attacks as of yet, but an all-out battle could be nasty. Demons, dark beings from other dimensions, would have hexes unknown to the wizard world, and resistances to many of their spells.

The Dursleys were doing much better with only a few weeks of therapy, and Harry was surprised to find Uncle Vernon even attempted to be polite. Harry had hopes for them to become a functioning family eventually, although he had no personal goals of being a close part of it.

Another task Harry accomplished that week was to confirm with his father's portrait that he had indeed been killed by another curse other than the Avada Kedavra. The Ministry and Aurors were in turmoil in 1980 due to the death of Voldemort and 'end' of the war, so the official inquest into the deaths of Lily and James was rather rushed and unprofessionally done.

They ended the week back arriving at Godric's Hollow and visiting the elves Tippy, Cookie, Icy, Kiki, and Lolly. Everyone had fully recovered from the abuse and neglect of the Malfoys, and was looking healthy but bored. Tippy was much better, being relieved from manual labor, and had been working hard on Potter history for Harry.

Everyone was sitting in the parlor of Godric's Hollow, chatting in a relaxed and friendly way. Harry glanced around the room and asked Hermione "do you want to settle here when we get married?"

She looked her fiancée in the eyes, and they both shared their innermost thoughts in an instant, and fell away with a startled jerk. "I, um, I thought, but…" was stuttered by both of them in bewildered confusion.

Hermione took a deep breath and started. "OK – we agree. That makes it easier. This feels like your parents house – neither one of us will feel completely comfortable making it into our own home. That's not good for a marriage."

"I think maybe we could just preserve it as-is." He looked out the window, deep in thought. After a moment he turned to Hermione and said "well, I do own another property. We should check it out."

Tippy smiled at the two. "Kind Masters" he spoke up, "your parents lived here at Godric's Hollow off and on. This was their favorite home, but they stayed on the move constantly during the war. They had re-settled here just a mere month before their death. Much of their time was also spent at Potter Manor."

"Can you take us there, Tippy?" Harry asked with excitement, and the elf nodded in agreement. With a call to Winky and Dobby to join them, the full troop of happy elves, Harry and Hermione popped off the Potter Manor.

Potter Manor was simply gorgeous. They arrived on a manicured lawn of immense scope. The gardens spread off into the distance, dotted by 'islands' of ancient trees and occasional ponds or streams. The house itself was timber framed yet huge, with room for dozens of children or guests. The only noticeable negative to the whole initial look was the absence of people or live stock.

When Harry finally found himself able to speak again, he weakly asked Tippy "just how far does my property go?"

Tippy smiled proudly and said "hundreds of unplottable acres, Masters. It has been home to the Potters since the 1300's."

"How many elves keep up this place, Tippy?" Hermione still had her jaw slack and open in amazement as they slowly walked toward the front door.

"The Potter elves all died off except myself" Tippy replied sadly. "The grounds and home have been maintained thanks to the elf network."

"Oh man – do I owe a lot of elves my thanks! How can I ever repay them?" Harry felt floored. He could only imagine what it took to maintain so much property."

"Kind Master" Tippy bowed to Harry, "it is an honor to serve The-Boy-Who-Lived, The Chosen One. You make our lives better. Elves who are bored line up to help on the Potter property – it is not a burden or a debt that needs repaying."

They had at last reached the front door, which was made of thick oak, weathered to perfection and bound with hand-hewn iron straps. The house was perfect in Harry's opinion – grand with room to breathe, but not stuffy or fussy in style, and he was grateful to feel Hermione's thoughts echoed his own.

When Harry had first entered Godric's Hollow last year, he had the unsettling feeling that someone would walk in the door any moment. The house was exactly as it had been left 15 years earlier – 15 year old magazines on the coffee table, his parents' clothes in the closets and dressers, personal belongings that told the tale of a family scattered about. He never felt he could move or change anything without bringing shame to his parent's memory. Potter Manor was different. The furniture was polished and ready for use, the rooms clean and aired, but there were no traces anywhere they looked that showed somebody lived in this house. It was waiting to be claimed, and Harry felt in his very pores it wanted to be claimed.

"Oh kind Master!" Winky breathed with delight, "this is a home fit for you and your wife!" She was peering around door ways, quivering with excitement. Dobby grinned with agreement.

Hermione looked at Winky and laughed. "Go ahead and find the kitchen, Winky! I know that's what you are waiting for!" Winky gave her a look of pure gratitude and scampered off.

The house had room after room of dark wood wainscoting, paintings on every wall surface, whose inhabitants greeted them gladly, and comfort just oozing from every nook and cranny. "We could spend a decade just getting to know all these people in the paintings!" Harry grinned.

"Your grandfather and grandmother Potter are in the private study, Master" Tippy told him, matter of factly. "Potter Manor was their favorite home."

"Wow – I can finally meet some of my grandparents!" Harry was beside himself.

They made their way upstairs, joined by Winky who proclaimed the kitchen to be very satisfactory. The bedrooms and baths were all tastefully decorated and furnished, and again, absent of personal belongings. Harry couldn't wait to move in.

After sharing a lunch the elves brought over from Godric's Hollow, Harry pondered what to now do with all his properties. "Tippy? Can I ask Cookie and yourself to stay at Godric's Hollow? And Icy, Kiki, and Lolly, could you now stay here and keep this place going? I'm sure you will need even more help with the grounds, so feel free to find more elves." They all nodded in happy agreement.

The group went to the private study where Hermione happily inspected the books while Harry introduced himself to his grandparents. Elves throughout the years had kept them informed what was happening in the wizard's world, so they were delighted to finally meet their famous grandson. After a good couple of hours of chatting while the elves and Hermione explored the house more, Harry got ready to say his good byes when his grandfather spoke out.

"Before you go, Harry, I do have a favor to ask of you." The gray haired hazel eyed wizard smiled down at him hopefully.

"Sure Grandpa – ask away!" Harry was really enjoying having a family, even if they were rather two-dimensional.

"Harry, in the library is a portrait of Joan Potter, your great great great aunt, give or take a couple greats" he said. "She was a witch known for her sharp wit and intellect. Sadly, for some unknown reason, her soul on death decided to inhabit her portrait, instead of going beyond or becoming a ghost. I am concerned for her well-being – it's rare to have a soul in a portrait, and very hard on the person concerned. Do you think you could take her with you?"

"Really, Grandpa? Mum and Dad are in their portraits too – I'm sure they would love some company." Harry recalled how awkward threesomes could be at times, and thought maybe Sirius in particular would appreciate some company, even if it was an elderly lady.

His grandfather looked amazed. "Lily and James chose to stay in their portraits at Godric's Hollow? I never expected that!" He looked a bit nauseated, if the truth was told.

"Well, not at first. They did go beyond, but I brought them back with me after a visit – long story" Harry shrugged casually. Both is grandparents raised their eyebrows. "Hey – I had sort of a rough childhood, and evidently the 'powers-that-be' decided to send some guidance back with me."

Harry, with Dobby's help, found the library. He started examining the few portraits in the room, where Hermione was now curled up on a comfy leather sofa pouring over some books, but couldn't see anyone that looked old enough to be a great great anything. Finally, he cleared his throat to get the portraits attention (and Hermione's in the process) and asked "I need to speak to the painting that has her soul?" It felt strange to ask.

"That's me" came a voice from the wall with the fireplace. Harry turned around and gaped. He was expecting an old woman, and the lady in the portrait was young – in her twenties at the latest, with a beautiful face and figure, but dressed in a style a few hundred years old.

Harry walked over, joined by the ever-curious Hermione. "Wow – you are my great great great aunt?" She nodded with a smile. "I'm Joan Potter. And you are…?"

"Er, Harry. Harry Potter. My grandparents in the study said you were in here. I have three portraits at my home that have their souls. Would you like to join them? I'd be glad to take you with us when we return. We won't be moving here until Hermione and I are married when the war is over."

"Could you bring the painting of Potter Manor to my left? I usually stay there, and if you have friends in the same situation as myself, they will need places to stay." She sounded a touch anxious, like a person with an itch they hadn't been able to scratch for quite some time.

"No prob, Aunt Joan" Harry started to take down the two paintings. "They already have a painting of Godric's Hollow, but we could start on a whole town for you guys if you want."

O0o0o0o0o0o0o

It was the last week of July and everyone was relaxing in Godric's Suitcase. Sirius and the Potters were thrilled to be joined by Aunt Joan and Potter Manor, and the four of them got along fabulously. Sirius and Joan, in particular, hit it off immediately.

Dumbledore was pacing his office and shooting impatient glances at the fireplace, so Harry was assuming he was waiting for an important visitor. He propped his feet on the Malfoy the Ottospam, giving it a good kick on occasion, and begged popcorn from Winky using his extremely unfair puppy-dog eyes.

After a wait Ex-Minister Fudge entered the headmaster's office through the floo. He was looking haggard, stressed and angry despite being out of work for a while. His skin had an unhealthy gray pallor to it, and the pouches under his eyes and chin had sagged and multiplied. He glanced over at Dumbledore and sank heavily in the conjured chair, grabbing the bowl of tainted lemon drops without waiting for the customary offer.

"How are you, Cornelius?" The Headmaster twinkled his best grandfatherly pseudo-affectionate look at the man

"How do you think?" Fudge shot back impatiently. "Little old witches and children kick me in the shins on the street, everyone is going on and on about how wonderful that bat Bones is and nobody of any importance will give me the time of day." The man was practically pouting.

"Have you thought about what I said in our last meeting?" Dumbledore's eyes were glittering shrewdly, watching him down candy after candy.

"Hey guys – you might want to listen to this!" Harry called over his shoulder. His three friends swiftly came over and joined him on the couch.

"I've thought of nothing else" Fudge growled at him, popping lemon drops despite the glazed look in his eye. "Do you think it would work?"

"Depends upon your self" the headmaster answered carefully. "I know some of the aurors are still loyal to you, and others could be, ah, persuaded through magical means. Not everyone is taken with the new Minister, nor with my 'Golden Boy'. It would not take much to amass a large enough group to discredit them both.

"Whu….?" Neville blurted out. The four of them watched Dumbledore with steely looks.

"Everyone who remembers Grindelwald will follow me. Everyone who remembers Voldemort during the first war will follow me. I don't want the Ministry – I want to stay here, in Hogwarts. I can do much more good for the wizarding world from here. Bones is too stubborn to take advice and I feel much more comfortable with you in that position." Dumbledore sat back, looking pleased with him self.

After the headmaster's speech Fawkes, his phoenix, trilled loudly. It was not a song of comfort or triumph, but had the distinct sound of a warning. The bird gave Dumbledore a pointed look and turned his back to him.

"What's with your bird?" Fudge asked abruptly.

"Oh, it must be close to burning day" Dumbledore said dismissively

"Hmmmm" Fudge nodded. "What about Potter? The public is crazy about that kid. All he would have to do is mention in passing 'hey – being Minister of Magic would be fun' and BAM – the public would have him there. I don't trust anyone with that kind of popularity."

The ancient wizard raised an eyebrow, and the four could distinctly hear him say in his thoughts "as could I, you silly fool". But he comforted the man with "I'm not sure what Potter's plans are after school. The best I can tell through occlumency is that he doesn't expect to survive the battle with Voldemort, which quite frankly I agree with."

"I thought you were training him to fight that loon" Fudge said, sitting up straighter and looking at him.

"Yes, yes" Dumbledorebroke in, obviously irritated, "but he's proving to have a very stubborn streak, and quite rebellious against authority. If he succeeds in taking out Voldemort, I will make sure his reputation is besmirched to the point that he will have to go into hiding." "First thing I'm going to do" his thoughts came thought clearly, "is going to negate any birth control spells Miss Granger is using the moment I see her. Pregnant out of wed lock will not go over well with most of his older adoring public."

Harry stood up, clenching his fists. "What a paranoid, crazy, manipulative old coot!" he spat.

Hermione looked at the canvas with loathing. "Too bad we aren't doing anything that could get me pregnant. Luna and I will check into those kinds of hexes to make sure it will not harm anyone not using birth control spells. We will also research stronger passive shields for the four of us and our friends." Luna nodded in agreement.

Fudge at this point was too high on lemon drops to be much use, so Dumbledore herded him toward the fireplace. Harry saved the memory of the conversation into Neville's penseive, and started to draw up a plan on whom to share it with. Harry knew Tonks could take it to the aurors and get them protection from Dumbledore, and Remus would handle the Order. What about other magical beings?

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The next morning Harry and Neville woke to a couple of ballistic witches jumping on their beds.

Harry flung himself upright, but stopped just short of hexing the woman he loved, who giggled like crazy.

"Don't worry, dear, I've got plenty of shielding charms on us. GET UP! Oh, and Happy Birthday!"

Laughing, the boys kicked the girls out of their bedroom, showered and dressed. With all the excitement of the summer, they had completely forgotten their birthdays – Neville's was today, Harry's tomorrow. Grinning with anticipation, they flung open their bedroom door to find the trunk crowded with friends and a party going full-tilt.

Remus and Tonks were there, leaning over the penseive with dark expressions on their faces. Hagrid, the twins, the ghosts, Griphook, the elves and even Snape (looking extremely uncomfortable) were there, eating and drinking butterbeers.

The penseive made the rounds, and the tone of the party flip-flopped between buoyant and angry. It was one thing for a room full of suspicious people to have their hunches confirmed, and another thing altogether to convince the rest of the world that their suspicions are right. Although Harry was happy to be with his friends, and impatient to get rid of Tom Riddle, he found himself floundering in despair about Dumbledore and Fudge, though to a far lesser degree. At this point Riddle had the potential to be dangerous, but he hadn't done much lately – the loss of most of his Death Eaters had really hit him hard. But how could Harry fight the wizard who has been the hero of the magical world for the last 120 years? And a wizard so powerful and immoral that he would oblivate or manipulate anyone and anything to get his way?

The party wound down and the well wishers were slowly escorted home by various elves that popped them back to where they came from. Neville and Harry had a pile of various cool gifts – it wasn't everyday one came of age. When the room was finally empty of everyone but the four friends, Dobby, Winky, Tippy and Cookie, Tippy glided his 'wheelchair' over to Harry and gently cleared his throat.

"My Lord, your parents asked me to find this for you at Godric's Hollow. They want you to have it, now that you are of age." He handed Harry a box, about the size of football but square, and wrapped.

Harry glanced over at his parent's portraits with a smile, which was returned warmly. He tore the paper off in excitement, to find a silvery diadem carefully wrapped in soft cloth. It was brilliantly polished – almost painful to look at, with a single large ruby in the front, and made to be worn like a headband. He looked at his parents curiously.

His father cleared his throat – obviously his parents were feeling a bit emotional. "That was Godric Gryffindor's. You really are his heir, Harry. It's been passed down father to son for generations, presented when the son turns of age. Although it hasn't been needed or used in hundreds of years, your mother and I feel sure you do and will."

Harry was speechless. He reverently held the circlet in his hands, turning it this way and that, staring at it in awe.

"Try it on, Harry" Neville suggested. Harry looked at his parents, who nodded in agreement. He placed the diadem on his head, and gave a small gasp. He felt as if every cell in his being was bursting from magic overload. He flung his head back, spreading his arms and legs as he glowed with energy that was almost painful. He fell heavily on the floor after a short while and regained his feet.

"Whoa" he muttered. "That was intense." He took the circlet off and held it with respect.

"What just happened, Harry?" Hermione looked at him fearfully. "Are you ok?"

With a shake of his head, Harry smiled. "Yah – I'm fine. It seems to fill you with amazing strength. I feel like I could run three marathons and cast a hundred patronis's! The feeling is gone when I take it off."

"When you go to battle with Riddle" James Potter spoke solemnly, "be sure to wear it. Most of the time it will merely be a piece of jewelry that is a tad formal for everyday wear. But when one has the need, it will actually take magic from the surrounding area to assist your own.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Winky and Dobby were cleaning up from the party, and Harry and Neville were snuggling on the sofa with their fiancés when a soft pop was heard. They turned around and were surprised to see Lady Hogwarts herself standing in Godric's Suitcase. She gave them stately curtsey.

"Lady Hogwarts! I didn't know you could appear like this out of the painting!" Neville raced over and took her hand. He had the hardest time of all of them coming back to the future.

She smiled lovingly at the bearded wizard and to the rest of them. "Yes, I don't choose this form often – it limits me too much. But the founders wished me to present their birthday gifts to you."

She held out her arms, and with a snap of her wrists was holding two long, impossibly shiny silver swords set with gems. Harry recognized the one as Godric's own sword – the one he had killed the basilisk with in his second year.

The personification of the castle approached Neville, who instinctively knew to kneel. With formal grace she took one of the swords and gently knighted him and raised him to his feet. Handing him the blade she said "arise Sir Longbottom, Lord over that which grows green and runs with fur around this place of learning."

Neville felt himself overflowing with magic – almost as if he would explode from it. He studied the blade she handed him. It was the mirror image of Harry's sword, except it had Helga's name engraved on it and was set with large stones of amber and jet. He nodded in mute acceptance and stepped to the side.

Lady Hogwarts approached Harry who knelt down. She took the sword of Gryffindor, and knighted him, saying "arise Sir Potter-Black, Lord over all that is magical around this place of learning."

As when he put on Godric's diadem, Harry felt himself again filled with magic.

She turned to Luna and Hermione. "We haven't forgotten you, sisters of our fight. Although it is late for your birthday, Hermione, and early for yours, Luna, the need is now. Come here, Hermione."

Hermione knelt down in front of Lady Hogwarts. The granite woman snapped her wrists again, and in them appeared a slender sword and a shield with radiant shine. With the sword she knighted the girl, saying "arise, Lady Granger, Lady over all that slithers, swims, and creeps."

The newly knighted witch accepted the sword and gazed at it in wonder. It was shorter than Neville's and Harry's, more slender in the blade, and decorated with emeralds of amazing clarity and size. It was a weapon to be used in close quarters, stealthily and thoughtfully – not a sword for brute strength.

It was Luna's turn. "I will use Harry's blade, with his permission" Hogwarts reached over to him, and he gladly handed the glittering sword back. Knighting Luna, she said "arise Lady Lovegood, Lady over all that flies, and all that visits our dimension from others. This shield will block any spell directly thrown at it. Use it to protect the four of you in battle. The three blades will shield and deflect most hexes without casting a spell, though not the Avada Kedavra. The shield will deflect anything."

The four lined up; still overwhelmed with awe from the seriousness of the gifts they were given. Lady Hogwarts gave them a smile of encouragement and love. "You are the hope of the magical world, my friends. You are the hope for the future of this school. The final battle is coming, at the time of your choosing. Choose well. Wear these objects of great history when that battle comes, or when you need to prove your lineage to the founders."

With that, she faded away, back into the very fabric of the castle.