A lone boy stumbled out of a fireplace, drawing many stares from the patrons of the London pub. In most such establishments of the city it would be because normally unaccompanied children to not vault from fireplaces. Slightly less common when at a place of drinking. Most of the states came in this instance because of his attire and the renewed fame attached to the face of the child.

Harry had been unable to keep himself out of the papers, "rags" as he knew them, even before beginning his plans the previous summer in this very same pub. It had slipped his mind that being involved with the public defamation of a wizarding elite would end up being so attached to himself. In his discussions with Daphne and Remus about politics they had only passingly talked through the dynamics surrounding The Press. He had surely though that one bloody giant steak would be enough to feed the hounds. Had he not been so dismissive of journalists he would have realized that their appetite was insatiable.

"Good day, Mr Potter!" Waved the cheerful barkeep Tom. After finding they were of distant relation, even if several bloodlines removed, Harry had taken to chatting with the man when himself and his Godfather would stop in for meals on slow evenings. The old wizard certainly had many more tales to tell than he ever would have guessed. His retirement had been spent guarding the entrance to the most important wizarding site in Britain and his younger days as a curse breaker, with the in-between as a fighter against the forces of Grindelwald on the mainland. Not missing on opportunities as he would have before this had lead to some exchange of knowledge that would not be easily found in a book. Mostly it just made him more determined to avert another war if only from when discussions would be averted away from the two the wizard had fought in.

"Good day to you as well, Tom. I'll be stopping in the Alley for a while but hope to be back for a late lunch." Most of the Wizards and Witches gave him friendly gestures as he made his way through the bar. Still, some scowled a bit as his chosen outerwear for the day. While he liked to wear an over-robe of deep blue with red lining of fine materials, underneath he had embraced a style common with muggle business fashion. He personally thought it made him look quite dashing and blended together nicely. Some of the more traditional types had yet to warm up to any sort of change. Between the two types of welcomes he received were the glances he was most interested in; jealous minds and plotters. He made note of the faces, especially those that would have heard his plans for the day.

"Of course you would be a welcomed guest. I believe we will be serving a hearty mutton stew with fresh summer greens, if that would do?" As with most men of his trade he found the man cleaning a glass with a towel. Both were spotless as usual.

"Nothing sounds better, unless the weather here is not as English as usual?" He had not even needed to open his curtains to tell that the perpetually cold Grimmauld Place was even more chilled from days of a summer storm.

"Aye, not even the enchantments on the Alley can hold off a storm this long. Would you need a repelling charm for the rain?" This too raised a few eyebrows, and caught a glance, from eavesdroppers. Tom was friendly with nearly all of his guests but in the wizarding world it was an offer made only between family or those trusted to nearly that extent.

"My Godfather placed one for me before I left, but I thank the offer." This brought a grin to the mans face.

"Knowing Lord Black, I expect you checked that was all he cast on you?" They both shared a laugh at the suggested antics.

"It only took a few days to know Sirius rarely takes out his wand unless it is to make a joke."

"Aye, and me only five minutes of him being through my door after he grew out of The Trace. Best be going soon then for your business before the crowds arrive." Tom placed the glass on a peg above and grabbed another that was just as clean to work in his hands.

"Indeed, thank you as always for your hospitality." Harry saluted a farewell and made his way to the exit, offering courteous gestures to others as he did. Yet again he reflected how his former self must have seemed rude for his shyness. While he still disliked being the focus of so much attention it was nice to have much more of it positive than before. His lessons on etiquette had also helped in this regard. Especially after the first few articles written about him and his run-in with Lord Malfoy of this time the previous year, wherein he was painted out to be somewhat of a snob and most definitely rude.

Gringotts, as always, was as shining on the outside as it was gloomy inside. Though the common demeanor of the goblins had grown less off-putting as he had dealt with them more frequently. It was in their custom to make it as difficult for a wizard to tell a friendly greeting from a veiled threat as it was for toad to understand its stool. His love for the cart rides alone had softened most of the goblins to himself, if it could be called that. They at least did not mutter curses around him or spit into their hands unless after signing a profitable contract. Most magical humans tended to treat them just as rudely in their own ways. It may also have helped when he "accidentally" exposed a ring of traitor goblins working with House Parkinson to defraud the bank on an annual basis. Truly, it had started as him slipping into a private meeting room under his cloak to spy on the brother of Lord Parkinson. It was likely that the Goblins only partially believed he did not intend to bump into the wizard just as a group of auditor goblins were on their way to lunch. Not when he had made such a show of asking them for help picking up the papers that had spilled from the mans hands.

His stop at the Apothecary was sandwiched between visits to see his briefcase serviced for an annual upkeep of its rune work and wards. Even after a year he could only barely work out there were any at all even with the help of his surrogate Uncle Remus. Most of his visit to get new potions supplies and an update to his kits instruments for third year was just for show. He was no master of the art but was quite good at what potions he needed and all of them were well above his year. He had refused yet another discount from the couple running the shop. They seemed ever grateful to him for having bought over their business when Lady Nott had fled the country. The tax evasion on their books was nearly blamed on them until it was shown that only their supply of Basilisk Venom three months ago was fully legitimate. He only reminded them that it was his accountant, Griphook, who had raised an appeal. Goblin pride had prevented the former teller from sitting by and letting his first major account from being attached to a sullied business. The investigation had quickly found itself before the Wizengamot, what with the Lord of House Black getting involved as Reagent for House Potter.

Harry shuddered to think about all the goblins involved in those two conspiracies. The Nation was not against underhanded deals so much as it was unforgiving of any goblins caught making them. The large murals and wall decorations in some offices of Goblins spoke to them having a very violent way of dealing with internal affairs. This earned him a sigh from the stern witch hemming his robes at Madame Malkins.

His stay at Flourish and Blotts was elongated as well. Two of the summer workers were current classmates in his upper year and had stopped to make conversation over their holidays. He was then obligated to spend as much time as unreasonable sorting through the shelves for books someone his age wouldn't normally have access to. It still did not hold up to the amount of time he had spent waiting there while Aurors asked himself and other witnesses about what had happened there a year ago. He had spent most of that time wishing they had a Pensieve to simply take the memory and save him the circus. It was more his sour mood over that than anything which caused the reporters outside to take his response to their questions the way they did, or so he told himself. If he had embraced more of his Slytherin side that day he would have found the scheme a more complete success. As it stood, a stay in Azkaban had been a definite blow against the power of House Malfoy. It's scion had yet to really feel any of it if his behavior their second year was any indication. Draco would be thankful he got off with only a few pranks for his Public bashing's of The-Boy-Who-Lived.

Without fail, his entrance into "Black Books, Baubles, and Bangs" was greeted by an uproar of sound. Most who entered only received a cheerful twinkling of bells to welcome them in. Since the beginning of that Summer there had been a change to the wards after two young wizards were interviewed for positions at the newly opened store. Harry suspected that single suggestion by the Weasley Twins had earned them their jobs over the holiday. Sirius had certainly been quick to adapt the idea and have them back working there as soon as he had convinced their mother it was an excellent idea to work for an ex-convict and his werewolf shopkeep. This visit had the whole store covering their ears at the raucous sound of hundreds of vases breaking, likely of the potted variety, filling the air.

"Look here!" Came a shout from one end of the store, a Twin at the register bagging an item.

"Our great and powerful-" Began the other from the other side of the shop with a duster in hand.

"Don't forget handsome!" Interjected the first.

"Who would, with those dashing robes-"

"And roguish good-looks!"

"All worn by Lord Potter!" Came a final shout, followed by enthusiastic applause from the two. Most of the customers took up the clapping with smiles. While not entirely a shop for jokes it mostly served those on more cheerful visits to the alley. With it being a busy day of students picking up supplies for school there were many fully aware of the typical behavior of the Twins. Harry gave them a playful scowl and chatted with acquaintances from school while he waited for moment to speak with them. Both of them had taken wildly to their jobs and had long since been entrusted with the hourly running of the business. Uncle Remus was not ever the most sociable man but had the business running well into the black. Most of its products now were invented by himself and Sirius with a growing line of "Weasley Wizarding Wheazes" taking up a shelf. Wizards never tired of clever bits of magic and new fireworks to amuse themselves with, and a spot to pick up light reading was a draw to nearly a quarter of wizarding Britain.

"Out on another adventure today? Any signs of a Basilisk?" Asked Fred or George. They had just handed over a receipt to an elderly witch for a few books and a quill which Harry though spoke aloud what it wrote.

"Don't tell us you're about to cross paths with another Death Eater? You're like to them as a black cat or broken mirror." Said George or Fred. Harry could only grin.

"So long as it isn't a buffoon making me write fan letters I would welcome either. But today I was just visiting after doing my school shopping."

"Ah, no story in the Prophet tomorrow then? We were just discussing how it might be time to get a subscription."

"Never would have thought the day would come. This lovely job does have us planning to spend our money on frivolous things like that." Harry could guess that they were not doing anything of the sort. When he had given them a thousand Galleons the investment had rapidly grown into a partners share in a successful business within two years. He never did get a clear answer how they had managed that without having graduated from Hogwarts but there had been a Wizards Oath to prove it had not been through any overly nefarious means.

"I'd rather suggest you spend it on the Quibbler but I'm sure Uncle Remus wouldn't mind you reading the copies we sell now." He had been convinced by their cover article about the effectiveness of the Wolfsbane potion. Besides some odd comments over the Rotfang Conspiracy he had complimented it on being overly factual. It was for sale on their shelves the next week.

"You just missed the Lovegoods an hour or so ago. We have a thanks for the little blonde about the idea for your new entrance. Very clever that one is." Harry had decided to label this twin as George for the conversation. It was only a guess but would help him prevent them too easily switching places on him.

"They purchased a whole set of our Wheezes'. Said they would be on the mainland for a commune and planned to show them off for some of their international friends."

"Would have given them some of our newer stock not on the shelves but we made a promise to the boss not to let anything untested out." Harry could only imagine what they might be.

"Most likely he means to use them on Sirius before the old dog catches onto them. Anything good?" Harry asked in a mock whisper as he leaned over the table as if to share a secret. They both leaned in as well with glances over their shoulders.

"Something more powerful than a Sorcerers stone," Fred started.

"Rarer than a blue moon," George continued.

"And more loved than sunny day." They finished with grins. Harry raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"Well, it can't be an answer now is it?" They both gave a laugh.

"Oh, he does know us well brother."

"No secrets of our are shared outside this mind of ours."

"Not without a profit." They both gave him a wink and leaned back as a father with two small children showed up at the desk. Harry gave them a polite smile. The boy returned one while the girl gave him a shy smile. Their father seemed in good cheer.

"I will let you get back to your work for now. Ask your mother if I can come over soon for a visit. Her cooking is marvelously better than Kreachers." Once the locket had been destroyed the House Elf has become much more proficient in serving but his age had began to show. Dobby, for all of a great elf he was since having joined House Potter, was not much of a cook at all. He also enjoyed spending time with the family who welcomed him as much as they had before. Although Ron was not his best friend they had still become kindred spirits in their love for flying. Ginny too was not as worshipping of him with the disaster in the chamber never happening. Bill had himself treated him like a younger brother when he had begun sending him letters asking about curse breaking. Charlie always sent him updates on the health of Norbertta and had arranged a visit to the dragon reserve the next year despite the rarity of such a thing being allowed.

Harry had made his way into the back to see Lupin hunched over a parchment with a large lense in one hand a quill in the other. He waited for a few minutes until the werewolf took his focus off the small spiral of runes he had been writing. Even a small mistake when transferring a rune could lead to disastrous results if you weren't careful and he was in no rush to be he cause of one.

"No need to hold your breath, it's just ink on paper. You know I lock down the workshop if I'm doing anything dangerous." His uncle stood and gave him a brief hug. Something else that the former Harry would not have been accustomed to the way he was now.

"But what if you use the copy later and the mistake backfired while the room is sealed?"

"Then I would hope there's not too much structural damage up front. I'm quite fond of the way the twins are running it and would hate to interrupt them."

"I doubt that would be much of a stopper to their show. They would probably keep it that way through the memorial service." Remus gave him a slightly odd look at this and Harry gave himself another mental kick. The raggedly dressed werewolf still seemed to bring out a bit of his older side having spent time with him during the war. There was a familiarity he had with few others from his past self as the man had changed little even after his son had been born. Harry was a little bit saddened yet mostly relieved to see that Tonks was this time looking at Remus as more of a uncle, like himself. With Sirius free so soon from Azkaban the young metamorph had only just left Hogwarts when the two met. Before she had been in her twenties and an Auror when their romantic interests had started. Remus had certainly told him that even then it took a few more years of her chasing after him before he had started to see her as a grown woman. The slightly odd look had turned to a worried one now that Harry had lost himself in thought for a few moments and he gave himself another mental kick.

"You know, Padfoot was telling me he was expected at an overnight conference with the Wizenmagot next Thursday. How would you feel like a camping trip out in Ireland? I'm certainly feeling cooped up here in London and I think we could spend some man time talking over some of what has happened this last year. We do worry about you, sometimes." The Marauder had turned fully away from his work to give Harry his full attention. His tone was definitely meant to be casual but the young man was good at reading people, if anything.

"That actually sounds fantastic. I've only-" Harry had to catch himself, almost revealing that he had not had much fun when camping. "I've only ever heard others talk about it. Isn't it all cooking over a fire and living in a tent?"

"That's the most of it. Although we could do some hiking through the woods."

"How about howling at the moon? Not many Wizards get to say they had the pleasure to do so with a werewolf." Remus swatted him on the arm with a roll of parchment from the table and ignored his tease.

There's very ancient forests there with rare species of magical creatures. Definitely some dangerous ones but my scent alone would drive them off." This did bring his mind to the Lovegoods again. Maybe their constant sojourns into the wilderness had inspired his uncle for the idea.

"We'll have to let Sirius know. I'm sure he will be disappointed he won't be along." Moony let out a chuckle.

"Oh, im sure he won't mind too much. He has been talking openly with a few choice Ladies in the aristocracy. By the time he would be missing us at least one would have him distracted." Harry hid a smile with a practiced boyish grimace. Sirius had yet to entertain any witches over for dinner at Grimmauld but he was glad when the man would mention he would be away for an evening on the occasional weekend. Playing matchmaker was definitely out of his field of experience but he was prepared to nudge some of his older friends in the right direction if he needed to.

"Well, I should be off. Sirius wanted me to go with him to the Ministry to shake hands. Madame Bones has some sort of dinner party for us to attend." He felt that the occasion was going to be mostly spent avoiding being paraded around by Fudge. He mostly just disliked the man for having such a weak spine but if Umbridge began to make herself a nuisance at some point he did always have Basilisk venom on hand. Remus mistook the slight smile on his face at the thought.

"Looking forward to seeing Ms Bones? Or perhaps it was the Greengrass daughter you might be looking to see there?" This time he certainly did not need to fake his frown.

"They are just friends, Moony. I have more important things to be doing than chasing girls." He spoke honestly.

"James would be disappointed in you, Prongslet. At least until Lily had started scolding him. If that does change though, we are available for a refresher on our chat at the beginning of the summer. I think Amelia might even be able to consult if needed." Harry stood and covered his ears.

"Don't even joke about that. I'm still planning my revenge on you two." He could hear the man laughing through his hands and down the hallway as he exited out to the front of the shop.

After exchanging a few more words with the Twins and making his way back towards the Leaky Cauldron, he carefully double checked that one of the faces he noted earlier was still following him. With all the glass windows in the shops he did not even need to use the reflection charms on his glasses to see behind himself. Whoever they were had been keeping tabs on his movements for nearly the whole summer as he had invariably visited Diagon Alley. Polyjuice and Glamour charms did not remove the way a person held their own face even though they wore the mask of another's. Tonks was unlikely to have the time to be waiting around for him to show up and Alastar Moody was much better at staying undercover than this mysterious person. Anyone else was not worth him taking anything but drastic measures at this point. He had far too much at stake to risk a friendly tail being uncovered when there was a great possibility they were anything but altruistic with their intentions.

When he had sat down for his late lunch he was casual in mentioning to Tom that he would have to head back to the Alley afterwards for something at a shop called "Calibrans", which was specifically near a side entrance to Knockturn Alley. By the time he had finished his meal he had noticed his follower exit through the Floo and return as someone else a minute later to make straight back out into Diagon.

Portkeys that could get through the wards in the alley were notoriously regulated and difficult to get ahold of he had learned. This of course meant that anyone who really wanted one could find a way to get their hands on them. Apparition was strictly blocked except at certain places where Aurors guarded. Portkeys into the wards were also only allowed into designated areas, normally storerooms, but from what he understood of wards it was impossible to prevent them exiting from anywhere if they were made with the same permissions. It was the type of magical conundrum he expected Hermione might be able to find a solution for if given the challenge and a few more years of school. This knowledge gave him an advantage of knowing the most likely way someone might try to kidnap him. An assassination was also a possibility but this particular threat did not seem to be going for that kind of angle. Still, he made sure to wear dragonhide under his robes when out in public and always kept a tight focus on constant vigilance. Hopefully he would one day not end up entirely like Mad-Eye. Although he might enjoy being able to scare the pants off annoying fans with only a whirl of his eye and clunk of a metal leg.

There had been no obvious sign of someone in wait at the edge of the cramped corridor between two shops but a well timed stop at a few nearby storefront to browse had afforded him time to wait for a moment that would be opportune to snatch him as he walked by its entrance. He even stepped further out of his way to avoid a scowling crone of a woman and turned his gaze in the other direction to look like he was staring at a shop up above on the other side of the main alley.

Between his reflexes as a seeker and his glasses showing a clear enough picture of what was behind him he was able to casually swing his bag from shopping up to smash all over the person behind him. There was a loud crash of breaking glass followed by a loud bang as the contents exploded. He was dazed for a moment on the ground with his ears ringing despite the wax plugs stuffed into them. Shaking the momentary daze away he moved his ears up in a practiced motion to remove them while seeming to just be rubbing out the soreness. His eyes had already taken in that the person was writhing on the ground, moaning and covered in all types of nasty looking boils. In one hand was still clutched a piece of a table leg. A look around saw many people staring in shock and he could already hear Aurors blowing whistles and yelling for people to clear the way.

"Sweet Merlin, what was that man doing?" Exclaimed the first wizard to rush forward to check on Harry and the now smoking figure on the ground. They had stopped shaking and had begun moaning loudly. Their voice was changing pitch and features were becoming bubbly even under the reddened puffy skin. "Is that Polyjuice!" They said as they bent down to check on them.

"Mr Potter, are you alright?" Asked a witch who had also crouched down to check on him. He could hear her fairly well but gave her a look of confusion and rubbed at his ears again. "Poor boy doesn't seem to be able to hear. That does look like Polyjuice." She added after looking down at the figure halfway sprawled into the alley proper.

"Clear the way! Clear the way!" Boomed a voice now enhanced by a Sonourous charm. Red Auror cloaks spilled all around.

"I'm a mediwitch!" Exclaimed another bystander, who pushed their way forward. One Auror had replaced the woman kneeling next to Harry, a young man with a neatly trimmed beard and hat that seemed slightly too small for his head. The mediwitch was down next to his attacker with a burly looking woman in an Auror cloak. She was waving her wand over the man and muttering spells Harry could not make out.

"This is a portkey!" Exclaimed the Auror with a burly appearance. Two more red cloaks joined her while two more started clearing more space around what they were now calling a potential crime scene.

Harry was helped up by the young bearded Auror and sat on a bench across the alley while the mediwitch cared for the person on the ground. By the time he was seated the Polyjuice had been dispelled to reveal a pale, scraggly faced man that seemed ill-fitted in what remained of the robes that hadn't been burned off. Harry was upset to note that his own attire was similarly damaged apart from his dragonhide. With his head more clear he was beginning to feel the burns and boils on his hand and neck. The smell in the alley was a mixture of burnt hair and smoking skin.

The Portkey was quickly levitated into a thick leather sack while a second Auror had their wand trained on the assailant. The Mediwitch was relieved a minute later by an Auror with an armband of white with a red cross. She turned her attention to Harry, muttering a few spells with her wand waving around him. In a moment he began to feel the aches from his injuries lessen and the last of the ringing in his ears clear.

"How are you feeling, Mr Potter?" She asked with concern in her voice. He could see most of the Aurors look over at him and some of the questions of bystanders quiet down.

"Much better, thank you. What in the name of Merlin happened?" He made a pointed look at the remainder of his bag on the ground and the person he had hit it with. "Are they okay?"

"They should be fine, I would say. Nothing more than a bad reaction from whatever was in your bag. The Polyjuice in their system had a negative reaction to them however." She gave a look at the man which was a mix between concern and a scowl.

"Im Auror Beltlaw," introduced an Auror which had replaced the younger one. Their hat fit much better but their beard was far less better kept. "Do you have any idea what happened, Mr Potter?"

"Im not sure. I was just on my way over to a shop and I think I went to swing my bag of shopping up on my shoulder. I could have sworn there was nobody next to me." He gave a scared look. "What is Polyjuice? Did I hit that man with it? It was full of potion ingredients." He put his head in his hands. "Professor Snape is going to be furious with me for being so careless." It was certain that the grease git would make no end of harassing him for this.

"It is likely, but we do have reason to believe that they were trying to sneak up on you." Said the Auror in reply. They put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "Give is a few minutes to gather some information here and we can take you to St Mungos to be checked out, okay?" Harry nodded glumly.

As with anything to do with him in public it seemed like hours before he was left alone. There were several more questions asked before the moaning man had been taken off to be better treated. He followed soon after, assuring the Aurors that he could walk as they moved to a Floo. He was already through a third and fourth round of questioning while sitting in a hospital bed when Sirius came crashing into the room with an appearance of disheveled panic.

"Pup!" He shouted, his shoulders relaxing at the smile Harry gave him. "Are you alright?" The healer in the room allowed Harry to answer.

"So far, but Healer Aurora here is taking care of me." She gave him a comforting smile and turned to his godfather.

"Yes, he does seem to be doing well. Only some minor exposure to a bad mixture of potion ingredients. His dragonhide jacket protected him from almost of the damage, but he will have a sore hand for a few days." Harry was wearing a conjured white shirt with said jacket sitting on a table next to the bed he sat up in.

"Well that is a relief to be certain. When did you start wearing dragonhide?" He had his worried look on, although less so than when he entered.

"About a week after that encounter with the Basilisk." He lied. "It seems like I keep getting into accidents like this. I had the idea after last summer but didn't take it seriously until then."

"You're right to be a bit worried." His godfather ran a worried hand through his long hair. "The Aurors think that you were nearly kidnapped by the bloke you hit with that bag."

"Why would he want to take me?" Harry felt bad for making the man so worried. He knew that his actions were not entirely necessary but he had not wanted to risk them thinking of something more clever to steal him away. Setting himself at an advantage had been somewhat necessary and his method would deter anyone else for a little while. It would also excuse a sudden increase of his wariness when out in public after this. If the flashes of magical cameras had been anything to go by he would also be in the press for this. A little more public sympathy could never hurt.

"The Aurors arent sure yet but there are a lot of reasons it could be. We will have to be more cautious from now on when we go out. At least until we get the full story." He came over and gave him a tight hug when Healer Aurora had stepped away. "It would be ruin for me if anything happened to you."

"I'll be more careful, I promise." Harry replied into his shoulder with a sniff.

Bloody damn little boy feelings. He thought to himself.

MODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMOD

-AN-

An update to the story. Still not sure exactly what twists and turns I want this to take. There are a few ideas I'm thinking about for later down the line. Between here and there I am not sure the exact path I will be taking. Feel free to leave any criticisms, advice, and general feedback in a comment.

I apologize for the, still, very rough writing of the story. My previous edits were all shit and this thing is full of mistakes.

Thanks again,

Fumbls