AN: So here we go! haven't been able to write since the Hubby and I got chest colds. Hacking and coughing not good for working on things, but as we are both much better (and almost done with the gunk) he was able to head off to play practice, which means i have the blissful silence to write in :) So here is the next installment.

For those who do wonder I am working on writing more often as NaNo WriMo is just next month, for those who haven't heard of National novel Writing Month, let me say it is a blast, and stressful, and rewarding, and daunting. The goal is to write at least 50k in 1 month... the month of November. That was where i started this story last year, and where i will continue it this year. I also get very hyped up by trying to match the word count of my friends and try to get ahead of them :) So please come join us for that and check out the nano website ( )

And now, please enjoy!

Somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains sits an old gas station trading post, surrounded by wilderness, a singular light over the ancient pumps. As for the building itself, the trading post looked like a stereo-typical log cabin, with a double wide trailer attached off to one side of it. A sign hung above the whole place, shrouded in shadows and all Fate could do was sigh, ' Luck Would Have It ' .

As she walked the paces towards the shop she saw the goddess of luck come out to greet her with a big smile.

" Oh it has been far too long !" she squealed like a young girl and ran to give Fatima a big hug.
" This isn't a pleasure visit Chancie. This is about the wool you helped pull over even my eyes, and the fact that you are aiding Discord in keeping me from knowing what is going on, " she began to pry herself from the grasp of the woman before her. " Can you please act like an adult here ?"
"Fuddy Duddy, " she replied after sticking her tongue out and beginning the casual stroll back tot eh shop. " Really the whole thing is quite simple, you started the snowball rolling, " she shrugged.
" What do you mean by that ?" now nervously eyeing the woman next to her, watching as her brown hair shown the silver and gold strands that represented her station.
" Simple, " she grinned devilishly at her companion, " you said you wanted to tie up loose ends and prophecies that hadn't been completed yet. Your predecessor left you quite the mess, and I know you have not really gone through all of them, I mean frankly that would take a millennium. So Chaos came and asked me to help see if any others could be found to tie up with what you have going on with the Potter Problem. "
The two sat on a log bench outside the store and Chance looked up at the moths darting about the light. Silence stretched on, the only sounds that of the breeze through the trees, and somewhere a bobcat calling out to its mate.
" And ?" Fatima almost shouted after too much time had seemed to pass.
" And what ? We found a few more prophecies and decided to give you a helping hand, " her smile was saccharine sweet, and tone conspiratorial.
" What prophecies, " she snarled.
" That would be telling, and we need to stop this talk here. I have a customer, " she said rising to her feet and brushing off her pants that shifted into a handmade skirt.
" What are you talking about ? There is no one around here for miles !" she stood shouting out pointing at the trees as proof.
" Look there, " she smiled pointing at the road from the north, and true to her words there came a rusty car held together by a prayer and some duct tape. Fate blinked stunned by the fact that anyone would even be in the woods at this time of night.
The car rolled into the station, on fumes by the way a bump in the road gave it the last bit of gas it had in the tank. The woman inside the car looked beaten to a pulp, and the three young daughters looked scared, even though they were sleeping.
" Evening, " the goddess said as the woman got out of the car. " Oh dear me, you in need of some help love ?"
"I, " the woman was startled and not sure about the two women now looking at her. " I just need a tank of gas. "
"I think you are needing more than that dear, " Chancie said and moved to fill the woman's tank up. " Now you just let me give you a hand, and all those nasty troubles you got on your mind will melt away. I know a little family run inn down the mountain here. You let me ring them up for you and they will have a hot meal set up and waiting for you and your girls. I know it may sound odd of me to say all this to you, but i really don't get many visitors here, so you just let me do the rambling on. "
The woman nodded, as Fate sat and watched the scene play out before her. Frankly she had never seen the goddess at work except for those instances at a distance with luck, this was different. It obviously meant something to the other deity.
" Now that couple that runs the place, oh they are a sweet pair ! Their last child moved away about ten years ago, and they have a heap of grand kids, but don't get to see them much. Parents work all the time just to make ends meet. Four years ago they buried one of their girls, and a grand babe with. Husband was a mean drunk, got a ham fisted on the sauce. Well, long story short, they don't think any lady need be treated like that and they want to help any that have been. Now you look like you been through the ringer tonight, and your girls there are gonna need something to make it all seem alright. Now this inn they run has two parts to it, one is the bed and breakfast in the house. The other part is they got some land, so they bought a bunch of trailers and done them up as little private inns for people staying a long time.
" Now even more in your favor, they have helped so many that they actually know a really good divorce lawyer who lives down the road. Plus the neighbor is a doctor, works their own private practice. All these people have been touched by what you have been going through, and right now you could use some good luck, stead of the bad you been dealing with.
" So once I finish filling your tank you can be on your way to a bit of well needed piece of mind and rest. Fae, could you go and get this nice lady some drinks and toiletries ? Also bring me that small blue book from the register ?"
Fate took her cue and went to collect the items from inside, though she had looked at the fates of all that the other goddess were dealing with. Until now their fates were all dark, but the fact they made it here, and what little meddling was going on, meant that the youngest would still live a full life. This was what the gods were supposed to do, try to help when they could, and the lives of those three girls would someday change the lives of others for the better when they got older. The butterfly effect had started, and the good was far reaching so long as another block like the husband didn't pop up too soon.
Returning she handed the woman a fabric bag filled with bottled water and some juices, toothbrushes and the other toiletries that the four would need. Not enough to last forever, but enough to get them through a week.
" No, you don't owe me a thing dear heart. you just get yourself down to the inn, and look after yourself and those girls of yours. " Taking the book she pulled out a card and handed it to the woman, " here is the address. " As she handed the card over a soft silver glow moved to the injured woman. " Wont be hard for you to find, you just keep heading south from here, and you will get back out the main roads. You be safe now, and you just pay the goodness forwards. "

The two watched the woman crying her thank yous and promises, get back into the car and drive off down the road. Once more they were enveloped with the quiet of the woods.
" So this is what you do ?" Fate inquired still staring at the southern road.
" I can't help everyone, but when their luck needs me the most, they find me. I set their luck back on track, and try to get things back in order. Someone keeps mucking up with things, and it isn't Discordia. I am hoping that by fulfilling some more of these prophecies the balance will sway back to where it needs to be. "
"I really hate not knowing. "
"I know, and that is why. If you knew what was about to happen, you could have tried to stop us. Now that it is in motion, you need to trust me. I looked at the options, and I found a balance. "
With a sigh Fatima nodded slowly, " fine. i will trust in you. "

In a very particular castle in Scotland, on a brisk Friday morning Amelia Bones climbed the steps to go speak with the assistant headmistress. She was determined to ask some very interesting questions, based on the evidence of things she had received so far, but would have to be careful not to make this seem like an interrogation.
"Amelia ?"
Said woman turned around and saw just the person she was looking for heading to the same office where she had hoped to find her.
" Minerva, so good to see you, " she said warmly and truthfully.
" It is good to see you as well, " the elderly woman said and stepped in stride with her companion as they made their way to the office. " What is it I can do for you ?"
"Ah, well there is a story behind this that I really cannot disclose all the details at the moment, so please bear with me. " Once both were seated and with a cup of tea she continued, " as much as you know me, and my job, I do not want this to feel like or be an interrogation. It may turn out to feel that way, and for that i want to apologize ahead of time, " she take taking a sip of tea.
" I understand, you have a brusque way sometimes, and i will answer as much as I can. Did something happen to one of the students ?"
"No, " she said then paused, " actually, yes. A lot has happened to one of the students starting this year. No not Susan, she is ready as can be, and bursting with excitement at the idea of finally getting to come to school. " The woman chucked at the thought of her niece and then sobered up with a deep breath. " Minerva, who makes out the letters for the students ? The first year students ?"
"The Hogwarts Roster Book, " she said with a nod and questioning look.
" Do you review the envelopes of those letters before they are sent out ?"
"Only those for the Muggleborns, and those I sort out and have a few other teachers help me speak with the families about their children coming here, " she said calmly.
" Did you view the address of Harry Potter's envelope ?"
"No, it never came across my desk, " she said her face turning white as worst case scenarios played in her mind about those horrid people and what they may have done to him.
" To your knowledge did anyone oversee Harry's letter being delivered to him ?"
"Albus said he would see it done personally. Why are you asking this ? Has something happened to Harry ?" Minerva was absolutely terrified now of what could be going on.
" Calm yourself Minerva, Harry is just fine. My next question is, when do the letters stop going out for this school year ?" she leaned forwards to set the cup upon a small table.
" Letters will stop next week, though if a child is a late bloomer an emergency letter would go out immediately. "
"As soon as it is found out the child has magical potential ?" she asked and received a nod in the affirmative.
" Amelia, if i may be so forwards with you, what is this all about ?" the Scottish woman asked being very concerned about her school and where this was all going.
" Minerva, you know I hate asking people to take oaths, but if you really want to know then i will have to have you take one. I can tell you that you are not in trouble, but Albus is at the moment. In fact where is he ?"
"He left for his month trip to the continent for the ICW meeting on the thirtieth of July. He wont be back until the morning of September first, which I told him is not enough time to go over any changes that need to be made, but he always assures me that things will be just fine, " she huffed. " I'll take any oath you want me to Amy. You know that this school and the children come first to me, so let's get to the heart of the matter and fix it. If he wont be here to get things straight and fix issues then in his absence it is my duty to see it done, even if he doesn't like it. Since the head of the DMLE is asking for it as well, how can I say no ?" she said with a conspiratorial tone.
" Brushed off your suggestions again has he ?" to which a very curt nod was given. " Well then, before we get to oaths, let's go see this roster, because i have a new magical ward, and he has yet to get his letter. " She nodded at the older woman's shock, " oh indeed. So i am wondering if there might be a problem with the letters going out. I am also thinking that we may need to stop letting the letters for all students go out, and instead have a teacher visit each home. "
"That would take us ages, " Minerva replied as she pulled out a set of keys from a drawer. " I even told Albus that this year we will need to start looking into getting more staff, since the number of children are going to grow each year. "
"What was his response ?" she inquired as they left the office on a new walk.
" That i should not worry about such things, and that it will all work out. That when we need new teachers he will hire then, but not before. " The woman huffed as she walked thinking about how she had been brushed off on that point countless times before.

The two walked in silence until they reached a rather old looking door, covered by a non-magical tapestry of an English garden in bloom.
" Here we are, " she said unlocking and opening the door.
" Do you check this room often ?"
"I haven't a need to, " but the next words died on her lips as they looked at the mess in the room.

A pile of shredded envelopes and letters was being made near a fireplace, that was being fueled by such items. Three house elves worked diligently at taking each letter filled envelope and either shredding it, or handing it to an owl, depending on the name of recipient. For all their work keeping up with the letters that were being redone over and over again by the school roster which was desperate to have letters go out, the elves kept at their never ending job.

" Stop !" Minerva said as she ran into the room, once her brain had processed just what she was seeing here. " What on earth do you think you are doing !?"

The elves stopped but for a moment to see who was commanding them, and then unspoken two began back at their job, while the third stepped forwards to talk to the two women. He was an exhausted looking creature, panting for breath, and filthy from the soot and paper fragments that had gotten stuck to his filthy uniform.
" We be making sure that only the one needed come, assistant headmistress, " the little thing managed to pant out.
" Who gave you these orders ?" Amelia asked as she noticed a small pile of owl bones and feathers in one corner.
" Headmaster gives us the orders. He be saying that only the worthy can come, and not to let any in, not on his list, " he responded slowly getting his breath back.

The two women looked at one another and both took deep breaths trying to keep their cool at this information.
" Just how long have you been doing this duty for the headmaster ?" the eldest woman asked coolly, after all it was not the fault of the elf for following bad orders.
" We be doing this for, " he stopped and began ticking years off in his head and on his fingers, every so often touching a ragged ear. " We be doing this for twenty-six years. Headmaster be swapping us out every few days to get rest. "
"Well you are to stop doing this. Every letter from here on must go out !" Minerva said grabbing a letter before an elf could and handing it to an owl, that greedily took it and shot out of there as fast as possible.
" But we can no be stopping, " the little one wailed. " It was order of headmaster of Hogwarts, and we can no go against his orders. "
"As the headmaster is not here, that makes me in charge of this school. i hold the title when he is not here and so I order you to let these letters be sent, or so help me, i will be giving you each full sets of clothes !" The transfiguration professor was more livid than Amelia had ever recalled seeing her, even when dealing with the marauders.
Her shouted demand had the desired effect on the three elves who stopped dead in their tracks and looked at her with their saucer sized eyes in terror. With the pause in destruction the letters did as they were meant to do, once sealed it rose up and an owl took it in beak and flew out the window.
" As the person in charge of Hogwarts I demand you clean up this room, and that no elves shall do more than clean this room. IF any elf dare go against this law of the school, may Hogwarts herself gift the elf with a full set of dress clothes, shiny and new. " the three elves threw themselves at the witch's feet all crying out for mercy.
Somewhere deep within the school a bell chimed nine times. The sound rang through the entire castle, and with each chime a pulse of magic. This caused the three to stop their begging, and sit on the floor glancing at the letters and the mess. As the final chime began to fade they hastily got to their feet and began cleaning the whole room from ceiling to floor.
" Minerva ? What what that chime just now ?" Amy asked picking her monocle back up from her breast and placing it back on her face.
" I believe that Hogwarts has agreed with my law, and made it so. This means, if i am correct, Albus will never again be able to make such an order as the school itself will not allow it. " Smugly she smiled, " if only it were that easy to get the rest of what i want done, but this is a good start. "
"No wonder he didn't think he would need more teachers, he was controlling the number of students, " the younger woman said with a shake of her head. " The founders would have their own brand of justice for him i am certain. While this is damming evidence, only the school board could take issue with this. "
"Yes, " the Scottish woman's lips went into a pinched thin line, " and we don't want them replacing him with their own choice right now. The last thing we need is for them to choose some pompous figurehead, or worse a blood purist. For now, i will not say anything, but, " and here the woman was drawn up short as she suddenly noticed the growing stack of muggleborn letters that were going to need someone to deliver.
" I am so sorry Minerva, but it seems there are going to be a great many new students this year. Since the headmaster is currently away, the duty will fall to you to make certain you have enough teaching staff, " she smiled devilishly. " While I know that this is a lot of people to visit, especially for the small number of staff that volunteer for this task, I think i would like to help out. "
"You want to visit new students ?" the other woman blinked somewhat stunned, " but you have so much work yourself don't you ?"
"I have the ability to delegate a great deal of my work to others whom I trust to get it done right the first time. " This time her smile was warm and genuinely happy, " while i am wanting to head to the ICW and strangle that man with his own beard right now, the idea of him coming back to a much larger first year class sounds so much better. You of course will have to share with me what his face looks like when the large number come through the doors for the sorting. "
"Oh that will be quite the face I am sure, however what am I supposed to do for teachers ? With this number of students the school will need more teachers, " she was still smiling at the thought of this sweet revenge.
" First, we find out how many of these students will be joining us, and then I will help with teachers. I will even go so far as to promise you an Auror to teach upper years Defense Against the Dark Arts. I have a few who are close to retire, but I think they would prefer teaching over a desk job for the final bit of the job. Help them relax from field to civilian life again, " she smiled.
" How can I afford to say no to that offer, " she smiled. " Do you have any other questions for me, or would you like to help me start sorting these letters by region and city ?"
"Let's get an elf to sort them, and while they do that you can explain to me how you explain things to the parents. Though I may ask a muggle parent that I know to help me explain things to them as well, " she said as they began the trek back to the office.

For the Granger household Friday had been quite the bit of messy fun in the kitchen all day. Baking biscuits, scones, cakes, and even a number of small tarts had been the day's reward. While some of the items were a bit on the ' cosmetically challenged ' side, they still tasted heavenly by all who tried them.
Hermione didn't know if she had ever seen Harry cook in the last go round, but she was amazed at his ability in the kitchen. Her mother on the other hand was thrilled to have someone else to work at her own speed with, and to also help Dudley and Hermione begin to understand the basics.
This was one thing Harry had a good lead on her in skills, so noted when a soft ping was heard and the skill was awarded of Cooking: Basic, where as Harry's skill bar had barely moved in his Cooking: Specialty, though he was getting awful close to the Mastery level.

It wasn't until after Hermione knew her parents had both gone to bed that she set the world on pause. Tossing on her bathrobe she went to Harry's room and knocked on the door.
" Come in, " was the reply.
" We need to talk, " she started as she moved in and sat with him on the bed.
" What about ?"
"The shopping trip, " she looked at him confused as to why he would think it would be anything else.
" I thought it would be quite simple. Mrs. Bones comes and gets us all, we learn to use the Floo, and we go get Dudley's things along with our flying leathers, and maybe some more books. What else is there to talk about with it ?"
"Well, first off we may have to go to the bank. If we do I think I might ask to take their ancestry test, since seeing you get yours done, though we don't know what the results are, I have been rather curious about my own. I mean spending the day cooking things from that cookbook, and knowing that they are Gram's favorites, it got me thinking. "
"You thinking !? Sound the alarms !" he laughed as she took his pillow and hit him with it.
" Prat, " she said with a grin. " I'm just saying it got me wondering, what if I am from a line of squib ?"
"It might explain some things, but it doesn't change who you are. I mean you are the brightest witch of her age, even more so since you are going to know all the assignments ahead of time, and everything that is on the tests. "
"You'll still love me, even if I am related to some horrid dark family ?" she shifted nervously.
" Hermione, " he said taking both her hands in his own. " You are my best friend, and soul mate, and no matter who you are related to will change who you are. So yes, I'll still love you, even if that happens. I mean do you like me less after finding out about my relatives ?"
"Of course not !"
"So don't worry about it. You are you, no matter what your family tree looks like, " he said taking her in for a gentle hug. " Now go to bed. I actually want to go shopping tomorrow, and I want to see the look on my cousin's face when he sees, well, everything. "
"Alright, " she said getting up and heading for the door. " Thanks for that talk Harry, I needed it. "
"Anytime, " he smiled back as she left him to drift to sleep.

Saturday morning was a whirlwind of activity as the kids quickly devoured their breakfasts and took their potions without any trouble. It was obvious to everyone that Dudley had begun to lose some weight as he actually had to tighten his belt another notch, and this was a happy surprise to him.

At half past nine the Floo activated and Amelia stepped out to see three children poised and ready to go.
" Eager are we ?" she laughed at the three.
" Yes !" they chorused.
" I can't wait to show my cousin the alley !" Harry added quickly.
"Oh and we have some questions for you about school supplies, " Hermione added breaking out her trusty notebook.
" Well then as we wait for your parents to join us, let's see if I can answer some of your questions. " Taking a comfy armchair as her seat and motioned for her to begin.
" Well we know that the school wants us to get parchment for assignments, but would it be alright if we used notebooks like this to take our notes in ?" she offered an empty pad to her to look at, with the metal spiral down the side.
Casually she looked over the pad, and nodded.
" I see no reason that there would be an issue, but I can ask the assistant Headmistress to be certain about that. "
"Fair enough. Please take that with you to show her, because if we can then we'd like to get more of them before we head off to school. The next question has to do with choice in writing implement. " She glanced to the boys who merely nodded to her to continue with it. " Actually the three of us are certain this will go for anyone not raised in a magical home, none of us have used feather quills and ink pots. So frankly all of our penmanship is going to be far behind anyone who was magically raised. " Amelia nodded, it had occurred to her that this could be an issue for some, but never gave it much thought in the grand scheme of it all.
" My writing is not very clean to begin with, " Harry said sheepishly.
" Nor mine, " Dudley chimed in as well. " So the idea of learning how to use something new, well, I don't know if I'd be able to read my own writing. "
"I have very clean penmanship, but even I am a bit nervous of how to write with a quill and ink. So again, could we bring mundane pens and mechanical pencils ? Also, instead of quill and ink for the assignments on parchment, would we be able to use calligraphy pens instead ?"
At this Hermione brought out a bit of parchment and said pen and wrote her name neatly in the calligraphy ink, and then again with just a standard ball point pen. Handing the implements and parchment over they waited as the elder woman looked over the items in her hand.
" Once more, I personally see no issue with this, but to be certain I will go and talk with Minerva about this. Frankly to me, this all seems like a better method. The notebooks would have been a boon in school for me, pages of parchment get misplaced rather easily, " she chuckled.

Before more questions could be asked the two Granger adults bustled into the room. Then after the round of greetings it was the explanation of how to use the Floo.
" It is really quite simple, and with your connection even more simple. Your Floo only goes to the Ossuary, the name of my family home. " Taking Dan by the hand she led him to stand in the fireplace, and smiled at him. " Now then to activate the transportation magic you must first state quite clearly, your destination. In this case, The Ossuary, and then throw the Floo Powder at your feet. Now it is best to wait until you come to a stop before trying to exit, but bend your knees just a bit, and keep your legs shoulder width apart, this will help you keep your balance. Many a first time end up on their faces, because there is the urge to tense up, because until you get used to it, the sensation can be a bit disorienting.
" Since you are only hooked up to my home, if you do not state the name clearly you will not be sent to another place. So go ahead Dan, as you have seen me use this before. "
He nodded before he clearly stated his destination and threw down the powder, only to be enveloped in a green flame and then vanish. Next up was Dudley, and it took him a few tried to state the name clearly, but you could see the excitement written on his face when the flames came.
" Oh he's going to leave the fireplace like a speeding bullet, " Amelia chuckled. " Don't worry though, " I had a feeling at least one of you would have issue, so there are cushioning charms to stop you from being injured. Not that I told your husband that, " she said with a grin to Emma. " I did owe him for that crack he made when we had the private parent's meeting. "
"Oh he'll learn not to mess with you after that I am sure, if not he'll try to get even. " Emma then went next, speaking quite clearly.
Hermione went next, and then Harry, whom had a feeling of dread as he stepped into the fireplace.
" Don't worry Harry, it is perfectly safe. Now relax your body, right now you are far too tense. " She placed a hand on his shoulder, " close your eyes if that will help. Now bend the knees, " she said as she removed her hand.
" The Ossuary, " he intoned as clearly as he could. The feel of the warm flames washed over him with a blast of air, and then he felt the impart of his landing.
Opening his eyes cautiously he saw that he had indeed arrived in one piece. So with a grin he went to stride forwards only to trip on the lip of the fireplace. Thankfully Dan was able to catch him and help keep him upright, though his face was already red from embarrassment.
" Thanks Dan, " he said sheepishly.
" Anytime Harry, " he chuckled.
Amelia quickly returned to her own home and smiled at the group. She was very happy to see that Susan and Hannah were already talking with Dudley and Hermione. Emma was looking at everything including the smiling portraits in shock.
The room itself was quite grand, and decadently furnished by modern standards, even though it was obvious that everything here had been in the family for generations.

It had been years since the house had so many happy lively people in it, and this caused her eyes to mist up a bit. Feigning cleaning her monocle she blinked a few times to get the feeling to pass before once more looking over the people assembled in her main living room.

" Now then, " she called out getting the attention of everyone. " So we are all on the same page, the place we are going to through the Floo is The Leaky Cauldron. Please make certain you say it correctly and clearly. If you make a mistake and end up elsewhere, just sit still and I will come get you. " Looking among the group she realized that Sue and Hanna had yet to meet Harry who was still looking embarrassed.
" To make things simple on all of us this will be the order we will go in ; Dan, Emma, Hermione, Susan, Hannah, Dudley, Harry, and then myself. " The two witches blinked and moved with the two muggleborn closer to the main group.
" Sorry for not introducing ourselves right away, " Sue said looking at the dark haired boy. " I'm Susan, and this is my best friend Hannah. " She extended her hand to him.
" Hi Susan, hi Hannah. I'm Harry Potter, " he said waiting for the commotion he had last go around.
" Really ?" Hannah said quietly but skeptically. " Everything I've read says that Harry Potter has a scar on his forehead. "
"I do, " he said confused by their reaction. Using a hand to lift his unruly hair he felt that the unmistakable raise of the scar was gone. The two girls moved in closer and looked.
" Oh you do have it !" Susan said as the two pulled back, " what we have read said it was this mark that stands out. Your scar is barely even there. That has to be nice for avoiding fan girls. "
"I have fan girls ?"
"A whole club actually, " Hannah said. " They write monthly. Haven't you gotten any of their letters ?" she asked confusedly.
" First letter from the magical world I ever got was my Hogwarts letter, " he said honestly to them both as he shook their hands.
" Auntie ?" Susan asked as she looked to her guardian.
" It is being dealt with as we speak. The goblins have tracked where all of his mail over the years have gone. Once they get it all they have to go through it to make certain there is nothing harmful there, and then it will be slowly delivered to Harry so as not to overwhelm him. Now I expect both of you to behave yourselves as we shop, and not become fan girls yourselves. This is to be a nice peaceful trip without hordes of witches flocking to us causing issues.