Author Note: Okay this is as far as I have this one written. I wanted to get it up to you as for me this is the 4th of July Weekend. I'll be going offline for a bit to enjoy my blessings and celebrate liberty and freedom. May you have just as enjoyable a time.
Draco was sitting on the veranda enjoying his afternoon. His parents were both off doing social visits and he had the manor to himself. Even the stupid rat had gone off somewhere on assignment for Lucius. Even if he did so unwillingly once he found out Sirius Black had escaped.
He was stroking the long dark hair of Pansy Parkinson who was kneeling between his legs providing him with a bit of release. She was his by betrothal contract from her parents. They owed the Malfoy family a great deal of money and their power. So giving their only daughter to them was seen as an equitable trade. One Draco enjoyed as frequently as he could.
Pansy had finished him and leaned back. Her bare chest in the sunshine fully exposed to him. "Did I do good enough Draco?"
"Yeah you did. You're definitely getting a lot better."
"Thanks."
He put himself away and let her cuddle against his legs. Making sure she understood her role in the relationship as father had taught him was paramount. He was a Malfoy. They were at the top of the natural order and the world was there for their pleasure and nothing else. Everyone and everything else was there to serve them.
His contemplation ended though when the ward alerts started clanging out. Indicating that someone had tried to cross the boundaries without permission. He jumped up knocking Pansy over and strode into the house. Pansy running to keep up as he left her outside casually.
Seeing one of the wizard guards his father employed he called out "What's happening. Who tried to come in?"
"I'm not certain sir. I was coming to ensure your security. First team is already searching the grounds."
Draco raised his eyebrow and then frowned, "Well as you can see I am perfectly safe. Go and find out what is going on."
The guard saluted then jogged off quickly. Draco turned to Pansy who was standing in the room looking worried. "Go up to the bedroom and wait for me there. Naked. I'll come when I find out what's going on."
"But Draco." She started to say when he glared at her. A perfect imitation of his father when dealing with a recalcitrant mistress. She then hung her head and moved off towards the upper floors. Draco moved in another direction and went downstairs, under the ground into a chamber that only those of the family could enter.
There were magical mirrors on the walls that allowed the user to look at all the corners of the estate. He quickly located the area where the alert had originated. One of the perimeter ward stones had been destroyed but there was a large black and charred region for several yards around it. The foliage burning and knocked asunder. Whomever had tried to cross the boundaries there had to have been killed. If not they would soon be dead. He shrugged and went back to his room. He was feeling a bit vexed and wondered if his mother would mind him borrowing some of her toys to use with Pansy. She still had a bit too much insolence for his tastes.
=====xxxxx=====
The quartet had voiced their concerns and confusions to Augusta when she arrived about the Weasleys. Harry was not happy with the idea of Ginny or Veronica being pushed into being his girlfriend. He definitely thought that they should be able to choose their own boyfriends. Even if Veronica claimed she had no problem choosing Harry. Causing Hermione to glare at the red headed girl.
"I will speak with Albus and see if he will tell me anything. I doubt he will though."
"Yes I know nan. But this has his thumbprint all over it."
"Oh no surprise at all Harry. I am learning more and more that the man thinks he is the next Merlin and we've allowed him to hold onto too much power for far too long."
"So Gramma what do you think is the reason for that."
"I'm not certain get the lines book."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other in confusion but the magicals all seemed to know what she was talking about as Neville nodded and went to the library.
"Lines book ma'am?
"Oh Yes you're a muggle-born so it's fallen out of favor for you. The lines books, also known as a lineage book. A sort of who is related to whom. In as small a society as the wizarding world most of the pure-blood families who don't want to fall into the Hapsburg trap have such books."
"Oh a genealogy list. I see."
"Yes ah thank you Neville." She said as he handed her a rather large thick book. She laid it on the table and thumbed through to the Potters. Harry looking very closely.
"Have you shown them the book before Neville?"
"I didn't think about it Gramma. I'm sorry."
Harry smiled with a shrug, "Its ok Nev. I didn't think to ask."
There was a lot of notations about families being allies, light or dark, and such. He noticed the Potters ran a long way back. The notation about Sirius being his godfather was there on the page in bold print.
"Sirius Black is my godfather?"
"Yes it was published in the usual way on the social pages. It is relatively common knowledge. In the wizarding world godparents take a vow to provide, protect and care for their wards should their parents be unable to do so."
"Would that have prevented him from harming Harry?"
"The vow is a minor magical oath. A strong enough wizard could have overcome it. Most don't try to fight it as we take the honor of being a godparent very highly. Someone without honor and willing to betray his own blood brother and friends though." Remus sighed leaving the thought unfinished."
"Miss Granger, Remus is correct. Being a godparent in the magical world is an honor and serious, if you'll pardon the term, undertaking. Even the most darkest of families do not turn their back on the responsibility should it befall them. For Sirius to have done his deeds was a breech of not only honor but all social values. Your little quorum of ladies is more socially acceptable than someone refusing to be a godparent."
The teens looked at each other before Harry sighed. "I don't see any Weasley's in my family tree. I see a Black and a few other names I recognize from school."
"Yes back when the population was a lot higher among the wizarding world. It was easier for pure-blood families to not have trees that looped. And the Black family tree is one that sent roots off into quite a few other families." She said taking the book and turning to a page that unfolded then unfolded again. It showed the Black family tree and as she said when they looked they saw almost every pure-blood family was related to a Black in one way or another.
"The Blacks used to think of themselves as Wizarding Royalty. As you see they had no compunctions against marrying cousins. Sirius' mother and father were close cousins. That may explain why many of them were a bit off." Remus said wryly.
Hermione huffed, "It almost looks like if you trace back to the Blacks that the entire Wizarding Society of great Britain is related in one way or another."
"Yes except for muggle-borns. You are the fresh blood our society needs. Only the blood bigots refuse to see that."
"Can we see our family? I wonder if there's something in there." Veronica said leaning close to Harry. Her breast rubbing his arm gently causing Harry to step back.
Veronica noticed, "Sorry I haven't quite got the hang of these things yet." That got a chuckle from some of the people except Hermione who shook her head with a amused frown.
"Ok yeah. Just ok." Harry said awkwardly as they looked at the Weasley pages.
The Weasley family had been pure-blood for at least the last 15 generations. All to families of the light. Although there was another member of the Black family. Remus pointing out that not all the Blacks had been dark aligned. And there were a couple members of a family that had shown up on Harry's family line as well.
Hermione though noticed a pattern. She asked if she could flip back and forth between the Potter, Black and Weasley families. Everyone else watched her as she made notes on another piece of paper and then hummed to herself. Showing Luna who tilted her head before raising her eyebrows.
"Care to enlighten us dear?" Augusta asked after several minutes.
"Yes ma'am. I think I see a pattern. Every three generations a black marries off into one of these other families. Until every family is related to them. Right now there are only 4 direct descendants of the Black family line left alive. Sirius, Narcissa, Andromeda, and Bellatrix. Narcissa is married to a Malfoy, Andromeda a Tonks and Bellatrix a Lestrange. That leaves Sirius the sole heir to the Black family fortunes."
"Okay so what?"
"So Sirius is Harry's godfather. That means Harry is a very important person to Sirius right?"
Remus got an odd look, "Sirius told me long ago that if he ever died without kids he was going to make sure Harry would be set for life."
"Like a good godfather would do." Hermione said.
"Which means what?" Harry was still confused and becoming a bit concerned.
"Which means that with the wealth of the Potter family. Your business investments and stuff you are already among the top ten richest wizards Harry. Neville, Draco, you and a few others at school."
"Yeah but what does that have to do with me? Or our family?" Veronica asked while Ginny nodded.
"Hermione has a thought on that." Luna said looking at the notes.
"Don't take this the wrong way but your family has fallen quite a bit from the levels it used to be."
Veronica and Ginny both agreed that was true.
"Your Mother's family the Prewitts are holding onto ghosts of days past." Augusta said. "They have their mansion and some of the family treasures but most of its long gone. Especially since your uncles on that side died. Leaving your mother the sole inheritor."
"Yeah but Bill will get most of that. Ron and I we're so far down we'll probably get nothing."
"So you'd need a rich and well moneyed husband to take care of you."
"So why turn me into a boy?"
"That is a curious question but not impossible to solve. When I get more data." She admitted.
"That does it I am inviting Albus and Minerva to dinner Friday." Augusta declared.
=====xxxxx=====
The quartet had ordered their school supplies by delivery due to the security conditions around Harry. Madam Bones said it made her sleep a lot better at night if he stayed within the protective wards of Longbottom Estate.
The Quintet plus two explored and rambled over the estate. Ron's flying ability had not been hampered by turning into a girl. If anything she had a better feel for the broom than when she was a he. Hermione had a long talk with Veronica about Harry and explained that Ron was still on probation with them. She was a friend, with some benefits but still not a full fledged mistress or anything.
Ginny had another of her visits with the mind healer. Working out the pain and problems she had. She was sitting quietly with Luna afterwards. Talking and staring out into the fading afternoon light.
A normal routine existed which made the Quintet comfortable. They pretended their life was calm and safe and normal. That they were just a group of teens having fun and living together in and endless sleepover.
=====xxxxx=====
Friday evening came and the teens were dressed in their best dinner clothes as Augusta said this was a war meeting not a friendly visit. She was going to get some answers and the best way to do that was to come at them politely and firmly after getting them relaxed by good food and some wine.
Remus complimented them on their appearance and put them into their proper order for the receiving line as this was a formal dinner. Neville understood as did Lavender but the others had to be sorted down. Soon the guests began to arrive. Minerva arrived first followed by Amelia and her niece Susan Bones. The Browns and the Grangers arrived with Daniel beaming at how wonderful Hermione looked in her formal dress standing beside Harry. Finally Albus Dumbledore arrived, resplendent in his best formal robes. When he saw Veronica he positively beamed. She had been placed at the end of the receiving line next to Luna.
Dinner was excellent and the conversation stayed mostly on light and non-confrontational topics. The weather, the state of the Quidditch leagues, and what the next year's classes were going to be like. Augusta had allowed the teens to have a glass of wine with their dinner as it was a formal dinner.
After dinner they retired to the drawing room for some relaxing conversation and to let dinner settled before attempting to floo out. Augusta waited until everyone had settled in their favorite spots before pouncing.
"So Albus what do you think of Veronica?"
"She is doing quite well. Turned out to be a rather lovely young lady."
"So you claim you didn't know that Ron was always a girl?"
Albus looked around the room and sighed, "So this was all a trap to bring me here, feed the condemned man a hearty meal and then interrogate him?"
"Albus you know as well as I do that if we had asked you honestly to your face to tell us what you knew you would have distracted, deflected and denied it." Minerva pointed out.
"Yes that is the way I have been. You are correct."
"So? The girl deserves to know the truth, you are keeping far too many secrets Albus. Far too many to be healthy."
"I keep my own council on what is or is not healthy Augusta."
"Well then let's just say I would like to know what happened before I have to make an official inquiry into things?" Amelia Bones said with a gentle but firm smile. The sort of smile one sees on a shark that is going to politely rip your leg off and eat it but would feel bad doing so.
"Et tu Amelia?"
"Let's just say I have a professional interest in this."
"Well I was only trying to help." Albus pouted defensively.
"Oh I suppose Judas was only trying to help." Minerva said with a frown.
Albus raised his eyebrow but said nothing at that. "Miss Weasley, do you really want to know the truth? This will affect your opinion of myself."
Veronica looked at her friends and swallowed. Lavender and Luna were sitting on either side of her holding her hand. "Yes sir. My entire life has been a lie and I'd like to know why."
"Ahh that is the tale indeed. However I do not see the relevance to the current situation. You seem to be adjusting quite well. You are among friends and I believe as girls go could be considered rather on the side of attractive. Where is the harm?"
"I've been so confused growing up and you ask where's the harm?" Veronica was getting angry.
Hermione quickly intervened, "Sir that doesn't really make sense. Especially when both Ron and Ginny have been encouraged to try and make friends with Harry. Why did you change Ron. Why did you push for either Ron or Ginny to be with Harry. Why did you make assumptions that Harry would be friends with Ron in our first year. And why did you tell Ron's mother to pick Harry up outside the platform. If Harry hadn't taken the initiative and followed me onto the platform your plan to ensnare him with the Weasleys would have worked."
Albus sat up with a frown, "Am I to be interrogated and treated as a common criminal?"
"Well you can answer the questions here, off the record and unofficially or we can go down tot he office and make this official. As it stands right now I have your confession in front of multiple witnesses to tampering with an unborn child against the wishes of the parent. Or are you going to tell me Arthur and Molly Weasley would have permitted you to change their unborn daughter into another son?"
"Especially since the Weasley's have not had a girl born to their bloodline for 15 generations." Minerva stated.
Albus steepled his fingers. "I honestly was only trying to think of what would be best. Of what would do the most good in the big picture of things."
"The big picture?"
"You want me to strip away another layer of things I have done. Hoping to find what? Dirty crimes that could end my career, put me in Azkaban? I am human. I am not perfect. There I said it if that is what you desire. I honestly acted in what I saw as the greater good. The Potter bloodline must be preserved and if I have to bend a few laws to make it happen then I felt it was imperative to do so."
Everyone looked at Harry who was looking at the headmaster in confused anger. "What is so special about my bloodline? When I took a heritage test at Gringotts they said my family had no titles or other special qualities. I'm not descended from Merlin or the founders. I'm just Harry Potter."
"You must not have taken the in depth test."
Augusta shook her head when Harry looked at her, "No we took the usual 7 generations one that shows titles, or if he's related to anyone special. The usual one does for an inheritance and to prove family connections."
Dumbledore sighed, "Harry the Potter family line is descended from the third brother. The youngest Peverall."
Luna perked up and tilted her head, "The cloak?"
"Yes dear the cloak. A special and spectacular invisibility cloak that has been handed down for generations within the Potter family. Did you never wonder about that?"
Harry shook his head as he looked at Hermione, "Most invisibility cloaks eventually wear out and lose their ability to hide the wearer, plus there is even with the best of them a faint tell tale shimmer in the air." She explained.
"Exactly. Have you ever seen your cloak perform that?"
"No but what does that have to do with pushing Ron or Ginny at me?"
"You are the last Potter. Your bloodline is that of the third brother, the youngest. The Weasleys though. They are descended from the eldest brother. Antioch Peverall. So a child of yours with a Weasley girl would unite two of the brother's bloodlines. Two of the Hallows."
Harry and Hermione both raised their hands in confusion, "What are the Hallows?"
"The Deathly Hallows. From Tales of Beedle the Bard? They're a children's fable, like your Disney stuff."
Luna shook her head, "Not the Hallows. They are real. Father has been a Quester most of his adult life. Seeking them. They are real."
Veronica looked at her with a slightly condescending look. "Yeah right."
Albus' chuckle silenced her, "No Miss Lovegood is correct. The Hallows are real. They exist. And you have all touched or handled one of them I am certain. Harry's cloak is the third brother's cloak.
"Before anyone says anything else. Please explain what you are talking about. What are these hallows?"
Albus leaned back and cleared his throat. Everyone else settled in as they knew he would not be happy until he had told the tale. He spoke of the three brothers and their experiences at the bridge. How the oldest got the wand of Elder. A wand that made the wielder unbeatable in combat. A stone that brought the dead back went to the middle and a cloak that hid the youngest from everything including death himself.
"Of course I find it all to be allegorical and more likely that the brothers created the items themselves and the story is just a fanciful creation."
"That still doesn't explain why you did what you did to Ron."
"Well I thought that Harry would be more willing to protect and grow attached to a younger girl. Someone more vulnerable and innocent. Ron would serve as a good best mate and bring him into the family and should anything happen to Ginevra well we could always reverse things and then Harry might feel sorry for the boy turned into a girl and fall in love with her. I admit it did seem to be a better idea at the time I thought of it than sitting here tonight."
"That has got to win an award for one of the biggest understatements in history." Augusta observed.
Amelia stared at Dumbledore with a sheer contempt. "Albus Dumbledore you are very lucky I said this was off the record otherwise you would be visiting one of the holding cells at the Ministry tonight."
"Well yes I know Amelia. It was war then and I felt that certain expediencies would be forgiven should they come to light."
"I'll have to talk to Arthur and Molly about that. And just how many of these expediences have you undertaken and not told anyone about."
"Several I suppose. But we were discussing the relationship between Harry and Veronica."
"There isn't one." Hermione stated crossing her arms over her chest.
Albus frowned but nodded in submission at least partly. "As you say. However I feel that one of their children would be the one that is fated to reunite the Hallows and become the master of death."
Luna was frowning as was Hermione and the Weasley girls. No one said anything for long moments. Albus looked around his smile fading, "Well as the Potters and the Weasleys are both light side families it would be better one of them did so than a member of a dark family doing so. Don't you think?"
"And if Harry had taken up with Ginny and your plan worked what would have happened to me?"
"Well I'm sure things would have worked out for the best in the end. You'd have found some way to work it out."
Harry sighed, "Goodnight sir. I believe I'll see myself out. I can't take any more of this."
The other teens followed him out. Susan included. "I'll be in the lounge Aunt."
Nodding the adults sat staring at Albus until the teens were out of ear shot.
"Albus you have any idea how many crimes you committed with that?"
"Well technically they were not crimes when I did them. And it was all for the greater good."
"Whose interpretation of the greater good would that be?"
"Well the general one I suppose. You don't think I'm doing all of this just for my own personal gain. What purpose would I have."
"I don't know. People have done far more for less reward." Daniel grunted.
"Yes well you don't understand how our world works Mr Granger." Albus said with a patronizing smile.
"I know people. And people are the same if they can throw spells or not." He observed.
"That is a rather broad opinion but I shall not argue with you about it. I believe that delicious dinner has settled enough for me to take a walk down the country lane before I return home. Unless the inquisition has anything else you wish to ask tonight? Mayhaps get the thumbscrews out for some light entertainment?" he asked with a hurt expression.
"No Albus we've heard enough." Augusta sighed with a frown.
"Well then I bid you all good night. I can see myself out Regent Longbottom."
After he left Augusta grunted, "I really hate it when he does that hurt puppy dog expression."
Minerva harrumphed, "I've gotten immune to it. He's used it one time too many with me."
"I don't doubt that. Working with him on a daily basis must be exasperating." Emma said sipping the sherry.
"Up until it became time for Harry to arrive at school it was not a problem. Then he began his Machiavellian games and I wondered why he had such an unhealthy obsession. I trusted his words over the last ten years that Harry was well cared for and safe." She shook her head. "Every year though I find that more and more he is a deep well of secrets he has hidden from everyone else."
"All I have to say is that I hope he did not have any knowledge of Pettigrew or what was going on."
"So you think its safe to go up and say good night to the kids?" Daniel asked with a grin.
The conversation turned to matters of youth and how two young men surrounded by attractive young ladies could be a rather interesting thing to walk into. Especially given how every one of them was rather forceful personalities.
=====xxxxx=====
"Can you imagine that. The old man thought that you and I should get together and have kids so one of them could reunite the Deathly Hallows what a laugh." Ron said slumping very unladylike in a chair before sitting up, "Damn this corset Lav I pinched me tit."
"You're not supposed to slouch in these dresses Ron."
"And better than having it pop out." hermione said looking at Harry who was trying not to laugh.
"Yeah well it about did." Ron said trying to adjust herself. "Dang these things are more trouble than the wedding tackle to keep adjusted.
Ignoring the actions of Ron Luna stepped over to Harry and demanded, "Harry please show me your cloak."
"Uh yeah sure Luna." He said going off to get it.
Neville put his arm around her, "Hey you're not joking about this are you?"
"No Neville. Father has spent his entire life seeking these items. He has evidence and records dating back for over a thousand years. Letters, diaries, references in other works. They exist."
"Luna even if they do. We never had one in our family. I mean I think Ron or I would have heard if there was a super wand owned by anyone in our family."
"Really we'd not be as broke and laughed at if we had." She said
"If any of your ancestors had maintained ownership of it long enough. Its called the death stick for a reason. Not just the power to kill but that every owner of it has been killed."
Hermione jumped as Harry came in and kissed her on the shoulder. "Dammit Harry! Not funny."
Flipping the hood off he laughed, "Sorry Mione but you shoulda seen your face."
"You're lucky you didn't see my wand."
Neville and Luna both lowered their wands with a wry grin on Neville's face. "Good one Harry how'd you get so quiet?"
"Silencing charm on the soles of my shoes plus walking really slow."
"I think that enhances my argument." Luna pointed out.
Harry ran his teeth over his upper lip before sighing as he nodded, "Yeah. I was standing in the room for a good minute before I kissed Mione. Did anyone see me?"
"No but then we weren't exactly looking." Susan said.
"Let me try again." Harry said stepping out.
"Okay watch the door."
Neville Luna Lavender and Hermione raised their wands to ready position watching the door, watching the window and looking all around them. Lavender felt someone pull the ribbon out of her hair and spun attacking thin air.
Hermione cast "Homenium Revelio" outlining all of the girls and Neville in a green nimbus.
Neville closed his eyes and concentrated before he stabbed his wand in a direction casting a stinging charm only to blast some of the wallpaper off.
Hermione's skirt flipped up showing her bright blue knickers briefly causing her to spin and cast a stunning charm.
Luna jumped up and spun casting a fog cloud over the room. It roiled and moved on the air currents but did not reveal any shapes.
"Okay Harry I think you proved your point. Come on out now." Hermione called out.
"Harry, you are still in the room right?"
Harry was standing right next to Susan when he flipped the hood of his cloak off. "Yeah I'm right here."
Susan almost leaped into Ron's lap she jumped so suddenly. "Sorry Ron."
"Hey no problem."
"You didn't displace any of the fog?" Hermione said in disbelief.
"Yeah. Uh Luna how could we make sure?"
"On most magic items there is a crafter's mark. Its a legal requirement as well as a point of pride. Similar to the muggle company logos and such."
"Sort of like Gucci or Asda. You know what the reputation and quality of the maker is by looking at it."
Luna nodded as Harry laid the cloak out the visible interior up so they could examine it. After several minutes no one could find a crafter's mark. They couldn't find any stitches, threads or anything. It was as if the cloak had been made from one single piece of material.
Luna sat down on the floor staring at the cloak, her breathing fast and shallow. "One of the Hallows. It really is one."
Ginny thought pulled herself into a ball and started mumbling something under her breath. Ron just stared at the cloak then hugged her sister.
Everyone else seemed to be keeping a clear head but they were impressed by what they had discovered. Hermione running her fingers over the cloth while shaking her head.
"Guys. Look we cannot tell anyone about this. This has to remain our secret."
"I'm not going to tell anyone Harry. This is way too out there for me to even want to remember."
"Ginny? Ginny? Are you okay?"
The younger Weasley looked at Harry from the comforting embrace of her big sister and said, "Don't obliviate me please. Don't make me forget."
Harry knelt down beside Ginny and rubbed her back, "Okay Gin. We won't do that. Why do you think we would?"
"Because this is the kind of stuff the Ministry sends obliviators out after Harry. If they knew about that. You realize you could sneak in anywhere and do anything. I bet it'd work against muggle things too."
Harry squinted at Veronica briefly at her words but they didn't carry the jealousy or whisper that she would have a few weeks ago.
Ron saw the expression of suspicion and anger on Harry's face, "I'll take an oath not to tell Harry. I realize this is serious. Ginny could have been killed because I was stupid. The money was too good. I won't do that again.
Harry took her hand in a gentle squeeze, "I doubt that. You'll be stupid again at some point. Just you'll find some new way to do it."
Ron looked abashed but smiled at Harry. "Yeah I know. But I promise Harry. I won't betray you.
I didn't take it seriously."
"I know ok."
Standing up Harry took the cloak and swirled it back into its wrapped up bundle. "Guys Ron is right. This is a resource. Dumbledore thinks that a war is coming and we have to deal with it. This is going to be an important tool. So we keep it secret, we keep it safe."
"Okay Gandalf." Luna sighed.
"I'm serious Luna. We can't even tell your father until after Voldemort is gone."
"I know. I swear Harry. I swear too."
Hermione, Neville and Lavender all chimed in with their agreement. Susan was looking stunned, "So its all real? That Voldemort is coming back?"
"Sadly true."
She broke down crying. Harry looked at Hermione who just looked confused but Neville moved to kneel beside her giving her comfort. Luna explained to Harry and Hermione. "Susan's parents got killed by Death eaters in the last war."
"Oh. Wow I'm sorry."
Thanking Neville Susan used his handkerchief to wipe her eyes, "Yeah. I don't talk about it much but that's why I live with my aunt. Dad was a muggle lover they said. He married a shop girl and they had me. That's the only reason they got killed. My grandparents lived next door and tried to help so they got killed. My aunt and uncle were in London and by the time they got to our home the Aurors and the Order had arrived and driven them off. But I got hit by a stray curse somehow. I almost lost my leg but they managed to save it." She said as she pulled up her skirt. Showing a jagged faint scar just above her knee.
"Susan are you being tutored in defense?" Harry asked.
"Aunt tries to teach me things she knows and I've talked to some of the auror guards at the house. But no I'm not officially tutored."
"Well as good as Dumbledore was we still get tutored by a friend of the family. So since we go back to school next Wednesday its too late for this year but next summer you want to join us?"
"Maybe we could form a defense club at school?" Neville suggested.
"That's a great idea Neville." Hermione agreed.
=====xxxxx=====
Emma was the one chosen to knock on the lounge door, "Well good to see you're all still dressed."
Hermione spun around, "Uh yeah mom."
"Sorry was I interrupting something?"
"No ma'am. We were just talking about forming a defense club at school to help everyone learn to well defend themselves." Harry explained.
"Oh that does sound like a good idea." Emma said unconvinced while looking at Ginny trying to pull herself together.
"Ginny just got a bit upset about something we was talking about before then."
"Ahh yeah. Well given the circumstances recently I can understand. You okay sweetie?"
"Yes Mrs Granger. I'm fine."
"According to Hermione that's Harry's line."
"He let me borrow it." She said with a hesitant smile.
"Hey guys since I don't hear Emma yelling and screaming I guess the orgy is off?"
"Verrry funnny dad." Hermione growled as he came in with Remus and Charles behind him. Amelia bringing up the rear rolled her eyes.
"Well I mean poor Harry and Neville here all alone with an entire herd of cute girls. Who knows what could be going on."
"We are not a herd sir." Luna said with an amused tone.
"Passel? Peck? Gaggle? I'm not entirely sure what the proper term for a grouping of girls is."
"Trouble if you're not careful." Remus said chuckling.
Ginny had joined in the laughter with the others as Neville and Harry looked slightly embarrassed but joined in the laughing.
"Your Gramam said to tell you good night Neville. Susan you ready to come home?"
"Can I come back tomorrow?"
Amelia looked at Neville who nodded, "Certainly."
Daniel looked like he was going to say something but Emma's smile at him as she put her arm around his waist seemed to make him change his mind.
"Okay guys good night."
======xxxxx=====
The next day Susan showed up about mid-morning. She joined in with their training as Remus ran them through their paces. After lunch he declared a quiz.
"Now I know I've been having you work on your Patronus so lets see how that's going first."
Harry produced his stag as usual. Grinning proudly at the rest. Hermione stepped up and with a smile had a magnificent doe suddenly form in front of her. The doe ambled over and rubbed its head against the neck of Harry's stag.
Luna had an odd little creature show up. It had curled ram's horns but was a rather large hare. "A Crumple horned snorckack Luna?"
"Of course professor Lupin."
"So that's what one looks like." Hermione observed.
Lavender was chuckling softly when she drew her wand focused and had a molten mercury lioness appear in front of her. It looked around carefully prowling like it was seeking something to pounce on.
Neville stepped over. Rubbing his palms on the legs of his pants he shook his hands out. Closed his eyes and concentrated. Lavender half whispered half said, "You can do it Nev. I believe in you."
A ghostly silver lion flowed out in front of Neville. It was flickering and insubstantial but it was there and it looked around. It gave a roar and then faded out as Neville sat down. Sweat dripping off his brow he started smiling as Lavender came up and hugged him.
"Okay. Now Veronica, Ginny, Susan I know you haven't been trained in this but care to give it a try?"
"That's a pretty advanced spell sir? I mean auntie says there are too many full grown adults can't even do that."
"Its because they have been told they can't. Its because they've been told the exact same thing you just said. While its true some wizards and witches are more powerful than others. Just the same as some athletes are faster or stronger than others. That still doesn't mean you cannot train and work and practice to be the best you can be. Magic solves far too many problems and it lets magicals get lazy. Why walk across the room when you can summon something. Why go to the toilet when you can banish the mess and cast a cleaning charm. I am not joking about this. I have seen it working as a caretaker for some of the elderly. Magic is a tool. A tool you can build on and improve."
Veronica took a deep breath and walked into the casting circle Neville had vacated. "I should be able to do it. No problem you know."
Hermione whispered to Harry under her breath, "Well nice to see her ego hasn't changed."
Harry shushed her.
Veronica got some last minute tips and tricks from Remus then he stepped back and let her go. She cast the spell only for absolutely nothing to happen. The frown Veronica got made Ginny began to laugh. "Way to go big sis. That'll show em."
"Oh hush. I just was practicing. Getting a feel for it." She tried again. Then again. Then again. On the fourth try a set of white sparkles formed in front of her then fell to the ground like snowflakes.
Remus looked at her with a polite expression, a brief smile, "Uh have you tried casting anything since you were transformed into Veronica?"
"Uh no not really."
"Why don't you try a simple Lumos."
Shrugging Ronnie performed the spell. It was weak flickering and pale. "What the. Dammit. It worked for me before."
"Yeah that's Charlie's old wand. He got a new one when he went to Romania so he gave Ron his old one."
"While you were still a boy."
"Well yeah."
Remus sighed. "Well looks like you need to get a new wand. The one you have is no longer attuned to you."
"But I'm still me? Aren't I?"
"Have you looked in a mirror recently?" Ginny observed dryly.
Remus sighed as he called for everyone to gather round. Sitting in the middle of the half circle of his trainees he began to explain, "You've had your pattern changed Ron. This is not something subtle. Its about as major as if I were to stop being a werewolf. Your wand was attuned to the old pattern you had, not this new one."
"But why did it work when I was transfigured or poly-juiced into Hermione?"
"Because neither of those methods change your pattern it just changes your form."
Harry was frowning, "But those are the same thing?"
"Not according to magic. Ron's pattern, her aura, and the way she interacts with magic are as if she is a totally different person. Wizards and witches access their magic differently. IF you somehow change your pattern enough your magic and the way you interact with the general field of magic changes. Like I said before if I were to stop being a werewolf somehow my magic would change. Ron became Veronica. IN body AND soul. Her body uses magic differently than a wizards body, she has a different aura, a different feel in the magic. If she was in a position where she had wards attuned to her they would have to be altered now."
"So if Ron died now and came back as a ghost she'd come back as a she?"
"Yep and she'll be in the girl's dorms now as the stairs will recognize her as a girl."
"So why didn't they respond to Pettigrew?" Ginny asked seriously.
"You're in Hufflepuff. They have a few other ideas on things like that down there. Godric knew what horny devils boys are so he had the stairs in Gryffindor tower enchanted to keep them out of the girl's dorms. Mostly. There are ways around it as James and Sirius discovered but I am honor bound by Minerva not to reveal them to you." he laughed gently.
"And rightfully so." Their professor said as she entered the room.
Standing Neville gave a half bow to her, "Welcome Professor McGonnegal."
Bowing back she smiled at Neville, "Thank you Longbottom. It's good to see the younger generation still remembering their chivalry."
"Ahh Minerva we have discovered a slight kink in the dragon's tail."
"Oh?"
"It seems that Miss Veronica's wand doesn't work for her anymore."
"Well that could pose a problem."
Harry sighed, "I'll help her get a new one on Monday ma'am."
Minerva raised her eyebrow but merely nodded, "So are you ready for my assistance?"
"Not quite we still have Ginny and Susan to see if they can bring a Patronus out or not."
Ginny swallowed hard but with some encouragement stood in the circle and tried. She had nothing happen at all. She could cast other spells just not that one.
"Its OK Ginny you've got nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of adults can't do it either like Susan pointed out."
Ginny collapsed onto the couch with Luna grabbing her in a hug.
"Ok Susan your turn."
The redhead started for the circle but stopped and gave Harry a quick hug before she did so, "For Luck." Hermione rolled her eyes but said nothing.
Susan tried several times and on the fifth time she had a wavering disc of energy form in front of her.
"Not bad. Not bad. Now I'm sure you've worked out why Minerva has come here today. You've been practicing the wand movements and casting the spell without a target. Today,well Minerva has agreed to be our guinea pig." Remus said with a grin.
"Yes well as I am the only animagus available that we can trust that does limit the test subjects pool."
"Thank you professor. We really appreciate the help."
"Given the circumstances I would be remiss in my concerns if I did not help Miss Granger. Now if you will excuse me."
She stepped to the center of the casting area and then shifted. Her form becoming blurry and shrinking until a common house cat was sitting on the floor. Lavender cooed briefly before she was on the receiving end of a withering feline stare. She straightened up and became very serious immediately.
Remus chortled briefly before getting on with the training, "As you can see the animagus retains their personality and mental acuity even when transformed. So let's not joke around. And please make sure all catnip mice are put away."
The glare their felinoid professor gave the former Marauder guaranteed they would be working that story out of him. They worked for several hours confirming that the Homenium Revelio would identify an animagus as a witch or wizard and then working to cast the spell that would force her back into human form. After an hour Neville, Harry, and Hermione had managed it consistently. Lavender, Susan and Luna intermittently and the Weasley girls not doing much. Ginny managed to make Professor McGonnegal twitch a couple of times she said but she managed to resist.
Thanking their professor Remus let the teens go off and relax, except Ginny. He asked to speak with her in private. A slight flaring of her nostrils and she nodded.
======xxxxxx=====
Remus could smell the fear coming off the girl. She was ready to bolt now that she was alone in the room with him. He walked around so that there was a clear path to the door and she was far enough away she could get out. He sat down on the floor to make himself even less imposing. It helped her relax a bit he noticed.
"Ginny do you want to talk about it or would you prefer I ask Minerva to come back?"
"No sir I'm not sure I want to talk to anyone."
"Even the mind healer?"
"I talk to her and her boss. But I mean I dunno. The things Professor Dumbledore said and the way mom's been acting. I just don't understand."
Remus sat quietly letting Ginny pace and release her feelings at her own pace.
"I mean its like she wants me to jump Harry on the dining room table for Merlin's sake. For the good of the family honor and all that. I'm still a virgin they didn't do that to me. They did touch me and do other stuff. But they didn't do that so I don't know why she's talking about the family honor. What does she think I am a whore?"
Remus shook his head when she looked at him but he felt she wasn't asking him. She was building up steam for a rant and he watched carefully if he had to stun her to make sure she didn;t hurt herself.
"And then this with Ron. She would have been mom's only daughter. She would have stopped having kids. Bill told me mom used to say she was going to stop having kids at 7 kids or a daughter whichever happened first. She was going to get sterilized or dad was getting clipped. That would have been Ron as his last. She would have been born and I'd never exist. Its like Dumbledore made sure I existed only so someone would Marry Harry. Hell I had a nightmare the other night where I wasn't a girl I was really a boy. There's a kick in the teeth."
Remus raised his eyebrow. He hadn't considered that. If Albus had no compunction turning a girl into a boy what remorse would he have doing the reverse.
"I mean I guess I am a girl. I've talked to Lavender and I get my monthly visit so I'm fertile and have a womb she says. But I just. I don't know what's going on. I don;t know what to do. Why they did that. And having the rat stare at me. Watch me. I still have nightmares about that." She stopped and fell to her knees starting to cry great heaving sobs. Remus stayed far enough away even if it hurt to watch her.
"I'm sorry sir. I shouldn't have dumped all this on you. You're not a mind-healer so you didn't need to hear all this."
Remus chuckled gently, "I have worn a great many hats in my life Ginny. Being a listener is one of them. I think you just needed someone to listen instead of be a mind-healer."
She got up and scooted closer. The closer she got the more her fear scent increased until Remus held his hand up. "You don;t have to come any closer Ginny. I can smell your fear."
"You can?"
"A little known fact of werewolves is that while still not as good as in our wolfen forms our senses are enhanced while human."
She chuckled a little bit, "So when Harry and his friends get all randy that must be annoying."
He joined her chuckling, "It is a bit awkward but I've learned to ignore it."
"Whats it like?" She asked looking at the floor as she drew invisible patterns.
Remus wasn't certain but he thought he knew what she was asking about. He still asked her to make sure. "What do you mean it?"
"Being a werewolf. Do you have any other enhancements?" Seeing his raised eyebrow she shook her head, "NO I don't mean like that. Like are you stronger as a human. Is your magic altered? How does it change you?"
"Ginny are you asking out of curiosity or as a desire to think you'll get strong enough to fight back?"
She didn't answer but kept drawing on the floor with her finger. Various spirals and loops. Remus inhaled and decided to answer her. Maybe the truth would scare her from what he was afraid she was thinking.
"Ginny being a werewolf is a curse. It is not cool or something beneficial. For three nights every month, rain or shine. If I see the moon or not I can feel the change coming. My body betrays me and shifts painfully. You went through the poly-juice with Harry this summer. That is a gentle caress compared to the shifting into the wolf. And for the rest of the time, even when I'm not shifted the wolf is there. Under the surface. Lurking. I told you my senses are enhanced. That is very true. I can smell your fear, I can hear your pulse pounding in your throat. I'm stronger even as a human. I could break your neck like a twig. That's why I fight so hard to resist the wolf. To deny him. If I ever lose my temper, let my control slip even the slightest, the wolf will be there. He will be there every moment of my life until I die. During those three nights I must be locked away or I will go mad as the wolf takes control. I love Harry like my own son but the wolf would tear his throat out without hesitation. Same for the others. Neville, Luna, Hermione, Lavender its not safe for them. For me to lose control around them."
He composed himself as she looked at him with wide blue eyes. Eyes filled with fear and sadness. "I'm sorry sir. I was just. I."
"You were feeling weak. Feeling helpless and wondering if my affliction could help you. No I'm sorry it can't. It would take you years to gain the control I have. And to embrace the wolf is to give up your humanity. Cruel creatures like Fenrir Greyback. He may be able to do partial shifts without the moon but that's because he is more animal than human. He embraced the wolf. That's the only end that path leads to Ginny. You have to regain your confidence and your strength through yourself."
"What makes you think I've lost my confidence?"
"Your magic. Magic is all based on the will. If you've lost your will then your magic weakens."
"Can you will yourself to be a muggle?"
"Not really. You'll always have a spark of magic Ginny. You'll always be a witch and I think your friends wouldn't let you abandon hope to that degree."
"I dunno why."
"Because they care. Harry tries to put on a front where he smirks and pretends he doesn't feel. That he doesn't care but he has a big heart. He cares. Why do you think he's forgiven Veronica?"
"Because she has big boobs."
"Her breasts are not much larger than Lavender's. And I doubt Hermione or Luna would allow Veronica to be around if that was the sole reason. You sister is trying to be a better person. They can feel that and want to help her be a better person. They care about you and want to help you too."
"Yeah but I feel like the only reason I exist is so that Dumbledore had a Weasley girl he could throw at Harry."
"Even if that was true are you going to let that be what defines you? Harry is the chosen one according to Albus. The Boy-who-lived according to the history books and the papers. He doesn't allow that to define him. He is just Harry. Boyfriend, friend, student, general guy. You can choose how to define yourself Ginny. You don't have to accept someone else's definition."
She stopped making the patterns and sat there for a minute. Eventually she sighed and stood up, "Thank you Mr Lupin. I'm sorry for the stupid question."
"There was no stupid question Ginny. Just us having a nice conversation about your future.:
"Thank you sir." She said swallowing her tears as she left.
Remus sighed and hung his head in his hands. Looking up he sighed, "OH hell James. They are way too young for this. Why couldn't we have ended it back then. You and Lilly and too many paid the price why are they still being asked to foot the bill."
=====xxxxx=====
Outside at their tree the teens relaxed chatting while Ron fretted about her sister.
"Relax Ron Remus won't hurt her."
"I know but what's he want to talk to her about anyhow?"
"Probably want's to know why her magic has gone wonky. Magic is will based and if you lose your self-confidence you can lose your magic." Luna said hanging upside down while Lavender braided her hair.
"What you mean Ginny could become a squib?"
"Doubtful Ron. She's just had a lot of emotional stress dumped on her recently that's going to affect anyone."
"Yeah really. Who hasn't." Neville grunted as he sat with his back against the tree. Hermione leaning against his chest.
"So she'll get better?"
"Probably. If we love and support her. And don't push her too hard Ron."
"Look Hermione like I'll push her. I'm not mom." She said with a huff sitting on the bench across from Harry.
Susan looked around and sat on the bench beside Ron. "Uh Luna aren't you getting dizzy?"
"No more than usual."
=====xxxxx=====
Ginny had not joined them at their tree after a half hour. Neville asked Habin to check on her quietly and make sure she was okay. He reported that she was sitting in her room at her dressing table staring at herself in the mirror. He had tasked Wina to watch her in case she harmed herself. Neville and the group thanked Habin.
Veronica though frowned standing up, "So aren't we going to go talk to her? Get her to come out."
"It's about an hour until we have to change for dinner. One of us girls or an elf can talk to her then. She wants some peace and quiet right now. Don't you ever want to lock the doors on your brothers?" Lavender softly asked.
Veronica frowned, "Yeah especially Fred and George. Those two need to be behind a locked door sometimes."
"Well Ginny needs to do that right now. Understand?"
She shook her head but sat back down. "No but I'll trust you Lavender."
"Okay well thanks."
====xxxxx====
When Lavender knocked on Ginny's door to tell her it was time to change for dinner Ginny said she'd be down in time. Lavender turned to Hermione and Veronica with a shrug. Veronica looked like she was going to knock but Lavender dragged her off.
Ginny showed up for dinner looking like she had been crying but assured everyone she was okay. That she was sorry for making them worry. She had just needed some time to herself.
Sunday was a day off so the group took turns flying and exploring the woods. Enjoying themselves. Ginny seemed to have recovered enough to join them and have fun. Although she talked to Harry about the physical training regime they had been doing and what she would need to do. She was also asking Hermione about books on physical strength training.
=====xxxxx=====
Monday morning they were sitting around the table talking about going back to school on Wednesday as Augusta and Remus made final pointers for security or discussed the upcoming vote on the anti-werewolf legislation.
"If it passes you won't have to leave will you?"
"Well technically Harry pays me a rather excessive amount to be your tutor which would be illegal. So we would have to figure something else out."
"Maybe hire you to be his majordomo or something." Hermione suggested.
"Maybe. There is still a very slim chance it will fail. If so then we will have some more time to breathe."
The post arrived and a large eagle owl landed in front of Harry. It had been carrying a large scroll sealed with wax. When Harry reached out to take the scroll the bird pecked his finger and then took off leaving the scroll behind.
"What the ell was that all about. Ruddy big bird." Ron observed grumpily.
"That was a Gringott's official bird. Didn't you see the tag around its neck?" Augusta asked.
"I saw it try to take the tip of my finger off." Harry grumped as Lavender healed his wound.
"It had to taste your blood Harry. To make sure the document it delivered went to the official person." Remus explained.
Harry looked at the scroll and saw it was addressed to him. That it was sealed with a bank seal and the words deliver only to Harry Potter had been burned into the parchment.
He took a butter knife and unsealed the scroll while everyone watched with baited breath. Harry got a confused look on his face as he read.
"So what is it Harry? You get elected Minister for Magic?"
"No Neville I have a house in London. This is a notification that the bank would like me to come in and accept transfer of a deed to me."
"A deed. Someone transferred a property to you? I thought you already did all that with the Burrow? Uh sorry Ron, Gin."
The two Weasleys shrugged it off, "No big deal Nev."
"Yeah well this is a place in London. Some townhouse."
"What would the address happen to be Harry?" Remus asked with a sinking feeling of dread.
"Uh Number 12 Grimmould Place. Sir."
Remus shook his head with a deep sigh. "Oh Sirius what have you done now."
"Sirius? Whats he got to do with anything?"
"Number 12 is, or rather was until recently obviously, the property of the Black family. It is the home that Sirius ran away from."
"Wait you're telling us that a convicted criminal walked into the bank and transferred his house to Harry?"
"Something like that. Remember each Gringott's is Goblin territory, another nation, they operate a lot like the Swiss banks. They ask no questions and they don't care about what one wizard does to another as long as they get paid its all the same. They remain absolutely neutral."
"So since you were going to Diagon with Veronica today anyhow I guess stopping and talking to Rothak is in the cards too. I'll contact Amelia and have her meet us at the Leaky Cauldron."
"Why not the bank?"
"Because Aurors are only permitted in the lobby and then only if they have permission."
"Do you think this is a trap?"
"It might be. It certainly smells funny to me."
=====xxxxx=====
Arriving at the Leaky Cauldron Harry and company were met by Moody and a pair of Aurors.
"Lupin. What's this about Potter getting a house?" Moody started once he had assured himself everyone was who they were and shuffled them into a private dining room.
"The Black Townhouse. Sirius had inherited it after his mother died. It was unplottable and had a plethora of wards on it that would have kept out all but the most determined strike. The only thing it didn't have was a fidelius as all the secret keepers had died."
"That would explain why all the muggles were having a conniption fit last week. We had to Obliviate a few from the local planning office into remembering that the place had always been there. We still haven't managed to get in as we think it has some blood wards on it that are pretty powerful."
"Well if it is mine I'll definitely cooperate and want to get the place checked out."
"If the Blacks have had it that long there might be quite a few bad things sitting around. So that would be a good idea." Moody agreed.
"We need to go to Ollivander's for Veronica. She needs a new wand."
"I think you got a big enough team here you can split up and handle both at once."
Harry looked at Neville who nodded, "I'll take Lavender and Luna with me to take care of Ron. You Hermione and Mr Lupin can go with Auror Moody Harry."
"Yeah that sounds good." Harry agreed as the others nodded or moved around to take their positions.
"Potter, Longbottom you two are getting good at this. Alright then lets go."
Moody led the way.
=====xxxxx====
Arriving at the bank Harry and company were taken to the office of Rothak. Moody had to wait in the lobby with the other two Aurors as usual which did not make him happy but then nothing really made him happy it seemed to Harry.
"Ahh Mister Potter. Thank you for coming so promptly."
"Well when I get a letter saying I have a house being given to me I want to find out what's going on."
"True this is a rather odd circumstance but one that is entirely within our purview. Now let us begin. You are being transferred the property located at Number 12 Grimmould Place. It is owned free and clear by yourself with no liens or impediments to immediate occupation other than that which may be found within. It has been unoccupied since 1985 except by the family house elf. You will not receive his bond so I can recommend some very good young elves looking for employment if you desire."
Harry shook his head, "No I think we'll be okay there for now."
Rothak shrugged and slid several papers across for Harry to sign. Explaining that since the property had the wards altered Harry will have to attune them to himself. Right now it had basic Goblin security wards on it.
Harry looked to Remus who shrugged but nodded. Harry signed the papers and was handed a key along with a large piece of parchment. "Enjoy your new abode Mister Potter."