Hey there, I'm back! Sorry for the delay (life caught up again and things got a bit hectic).

Reading back I'm not very happy with this story so far but I promise it will pick up in the upcoming chapters (so far it's been getting the situation before the excitement kicks in) so sorry not much has happened yet (I'm sure some of you are wondering when Dumbledore will be making an appearance and it should be the next chapter). Anyway, I won't keep you waiting any more: on with the story (as usual- please let me know what you think, constructive criticism welcome)

Arther Weasley was sat in the kitchen having a cup of tea. He had just gotten back from work at the ministry and was hoping to relax before the chaos that would come with preparing for the trip to the world cup. As he read the latest version of the Daily Prophet an article caught his eye, it was one of Reta Skeeters talking about some conspiracy behind the game of quidditch. He rolled his eyes. Way too many people took her articles too seriously and Arther couldn't help feeling it was potentially dangerous for her to spread these rumours (though not as dangerous as having so many people believe them). Thinking about the reporter and the world cup a thought suddenly struck him: Harry was coming, and Skeeter would probably be sniffing about for stories. In the end he shrugged it off: the good thing about quidditch is that so much happens he doubts Harry will catch her interest.

Almost as if summoned by his thoughts Hedwig appeared at the window with a letter. He called Ron down who quickly snatched it up and opened it

"Harry said yes- I knew he would but I think we can be sure the muggles won't put up too much fuss! I'll send a reply and get back to packing!" Ron said before dashing back upstairs

Arther smiled at his sons antics.

The cup was still a few weeks away but ever since Ron had learnt they had tickets he'd been bouncing off the walls, then again, all his kids had. He hoped Ron's friends would enjoy it too, he knew Harry would: quidditch was in that boy's blood, but from what he heard Hermione wasn't as keen. However, wizards were to her what muggles were to him- fascinating, so he was sure shed use it as a chance to learn if nothing else.

Just as Arther was getting back to his food he heard a strange sound coming from the other room, like some kind of bell trilling. Curious he got up to investigate, wondering what the twins had done now. But it wasn't the twins.

In the corner was an odd contraption making the noise. It was plugged into one of those muggle electricity makers (what was it called again? Geneetaor? Janiator?) and looked like a box with buttons with a stick attached to a wire sitting on top. He remembered it was called something like a fellytone: a muggle communication device which Ron had brought in to allow him to contact Harry, though the attempt had gone poorly as his son had shouted down the mouthpiece, which it turned out was not the technique and rather annoyed Harry's uncle. As it was, the contraption was chiming away and Arther was fairly certain that meant a communication was coming in. he picked up the stick to try and figure out what to do next (he'd have to get Hermione or Harry to talk him through these things next chance he got) when he heard a voice coming from inside. Harry's voice.

Curious he pressed the stick to his ear and listened.

"Hello? Is anyone their? Hello?" Harry was saying. Arther decided to give it a try.

"Harry? Is that you?" He said very slowly and clearly (making a point not to shout)

"Mr Weasley? Is that you?" came Harry's reply. He sounded nervous- than again, he was stuck inside a stick.

"It's me, are you ok? Shall I get Ron for you?" Arther replied, speaking a little more casually- Harry seemed to be speaking fairly normally so he figured that he should give it a try.

"Umm, I'm fine, but don't get Ron just yet: I actually called to talk to you" Odd. Why did he want to speak to him? As much as he hated it, Arther really didn't know the boy very well. Maybe it was about the cup? Harry still sounded nervous but showed no other sign of distress.

"That's OK- is it about the trip?" Arther asked

"Not exactly- I need you to come to Surry Police Station please. I'm in an odd situation. I don't think I can explain it all over the phone but my Uncle is in trouble and I need a responsible adult: it's something to do with my being at the Dursley's but I'm not getting many straight answers from the police right now"

Arther thought- Police? He suddenly realised that Harry was talking about the Please-Men, the muggle equivalent of Auror's. Another thought then struck him- Harry was calling him for help! While he was worried about the boy a small part was thrilled that of all people, Harry had chosen him to finally reach out to after years of seemingly never asking the grown-ups for help (even when he really should have like the scenarios at school and people trying to murder him). Maybe it was because Arther had treated him like a grown up and tried to warn him with the Sirius Black incident rather than keep him sheltered. He knew that was a good idea! He quickly turned his attention back to the matter at hand.

"That's fine Harry, I'll be right there and we'll get this all sorted"

"Thanks Mr Weasley, I'll see you soon- We'll probably arrive at the station in about 10 minutes. Bye" the phone cut off at that point.

'10 minutes' Arther thought, he better get there after or it may look suspicious. To arrive immediately when Surry was over three hours away for a muggle would definitely raise some questions. Arther decided to leave it 15 minutes and say he was in the area when Harry called, after all, he didn't want to keep the boy waiting. He meant what he said, he would do everything he could to help Harry get the problem solved. That way the boy can realise he doesn't need to do everything himself- Molly will be so pleased, she's always saying they should do more to provide parental figures in Harry's life.

As Molly was currently out getting some supplies for the cup with Ginny, Fred and George were who knows where, and Percy was visiting Penelope, Arther decided to leave a message with Ron to let Molly know where he was in case she got back before him. Picking up his bag he called his son back downstairs.

"Ron- Harry just called on the muggle thing" he gestured to the phone "he said he needs help, something about his uncle, I'm just heading down to check on him"

Ron's reaction surprised Arther who had expected Ron to be more upset that he hadn't had a chance to talk to his friend. Instead Ron looked worried and started shooting off questions like bullets.

"Is he ok? Where is he now? He's not hurt is he? What happened? Is his Uncle still there?"

Arther held up a hand to quiet his son

"He's fine, he just needs some advice I think- it sounds like it's his Uncle who's in trouble more than Harry" Arther soothed, slightly concerned by his sons reaction. He made a mental note to question him later. This seemed to calm his son enough that Arther felt he could leave and deal with Ron when he got back.

"Your mother should be home within half an hour, please tell her where I am if I'm not back by then. I'll let you know what's going on as soon as I get a chance" Arther said.

"I should come with you!" Ron demanded "He's my friend!"

"I'd rather figure out what's going on first" Arther replied "It sounds like theres some kind of muggle law enforcement there and I don't know if they let you bring your kids to their office. Once I get things sorted I'll see if I can bring Harry back with me for dinner or maybe bring you round- we'll have to see"

Ron sighed but nodded- part of him wanted to protest being left behind, but he also wanted his dad to get Harry fast, it wasn't often his friend actually asked for help and Ron was worried: he'd seen what his friend's uncle had done after their first year.

With that, Arther apparated away.

…

Back at the police station, Harry had just been brought into a waiting room to await the next step of, whatever was going on.

He had already had his fingerprints taken and the social worker had gone to get some more coffee. Harry was glad she was gone for a while, she was starting to remind him of how Lavender and Parvati had started talking to him as if he was on his deathbed after their divination lessons, and while he knew she meant well, it was still annoying.

It was at that moment an officer came in with Mr Weasley following closely behind.

"Mr Potter" the officer called to Harry "a Mr Weasley is here, he said you called him?"

"Yeah: he's my, responsible adult" Harry said. However looking at Mr Weasley now he was starting to wonder if this was his best idea. After all, while he loved muggles, Mr Weasley did have a tendency to get a touch enthusiastic when meeting them, and right now he was eyeing the equipment on the officers belt with intense curiosity looking like he was about to grab the officers handcuffs. Harry decided to pull him over before the man gave into the urge- doubting it would end well.

"So, Mr Weasley, I'll just catch you up on what's happening. I guess they'll want to speak to us soon" Harry said, subtly pulling Arther to the seats. With that the two were left alone.

"What are those metal rings on the man's belt?" Arther asked quickly, momentarily distracted.

"Handcuffs, there a restraining device used by police to hold criminals arms still" Harry responded "did they tell you anything about what's going on?"

Snapping back to attention Arther remembered his aim: help Harry get out of whatever trouble he's in. He could ask about the muggle doohickeys later.

"Not much: they wanted you to confirm who I was first, all I know is there is an issue with your family situation, and you said your uncle was in trouble right?" Arther responded, trying to keep a calm yet confident tone, though he was still rather exited, and a little nervous. Luckily Harry was quick to explain"

"From what I've gathered so far: it's linked to the drill business he works with, apparently it has links to illegal drugs!" Harry still couldn't get his head round it (to think Vernon said Harry was a smear on the family name! Hypocrite!) "they searched the house and found some of the stuff, I overhead something about a tip off which lead to documents being found in his office linked to it all, I think it escalated from there"

"I see" Replied Arther thoughtfully "so why did they bring you here?"

Harry sighed, looking slightly resigned

"Because apparently they weren't expecting to find me there; apparently my aunt and uncle have no proof I'm meant to be living with them. To be honest I think this is all just a precaution but I'm getting worried, they keep asking about topics like my parents and school"

Arther immediately recognised the issue: if Harry's relative didn't have the documents they probably had no muggle form of ID for Harry (if it was the magical world that wouldn't be an issue- just pick up an old newspaper or modern history book). Arther also had a sinking feeling Harry hadn't been sticking to the official story

"Right, first thing's first: What have you told them so far?"

"I've pretty much kept to the truth mixed with the story the Dursley's always used: my age, birthday, that my mum and Petunia were sisters- there doing a test to confirm that, my parent's died when I was 1, I go to St Brutus' Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys…"
"Wait, What!" Arther interrupted, Harry shifted uncomfortably and Arther wanted to slap himself

"It's the story my Uncle came up with to explain where I go, I think he made it up for my Aunt Marge, remember her?" Harry said cautiously, Arther nodded, he had heard rather a lot about the balloon fiasco, though he wasn't 100% sure what triggered Harry's magic to go off like that, he was jarred from his thoughts when Harry continued

"I didn't know what the official story was, or even if there is one, so I stuck with that. They also asked who left me with the Dursley's but I just told them they didn't tell me as they don't like talking about it and I was left with them with a letter, which my Aunt has apparently got rid of"

Arther didn't like where this was heading: What were those people thinking telling Harry to say all that rubbish! They would have been informed of the official covers, now they had muggle authorities following stores with no evidence! It was official, Harry thinking to call him was the best move that could have been made, even if the part of forming a bond that lead to Harry having a more comfortable association with authorities didn't work out, this whole thing was a mess!

He had to think quickly, now he was here he was sure they were being watched by some form of surveillance (even if it wasn't magical, he had no idea what these muggles used or how effective it was) so going to the ministry wasn't an option just yet. He would just have to think of something to cover it up! He turned to Harry

"OK, you did the right thing calling me here" figuring that starting with praise often helped set his own children at ease in successful situations "There is an official story and I don't know why your uncle decided to go against it so a few questions, first: do you know if this St. Brutus place is a real school or something he made up? Second: Exactly how much have you said about school and how you were left with the Dursley's? Third: have they asked anything else or do questions seem to centre on a specific topic? No detail is too small here"

Harry thought for a moment not wanting to forget anything, yet some of the questions were on topics he really didn't want to discuss with Mr Weasley… than again its better Harry say them now than the police tell him, the cats pretty much out the bag so Harry may as well salvage what he could

"First: I have no idea, honestly it never even occurred to me to check, second: not much about school, just the name, and just the basics with home: how long I've lived there, how I'm related, etc. There were some odd questions like if the room I was in had always been mine, I think she was put off since I hadn't really unpacked from school so it's kind of bland. She did ask some questions like if I had a social worker, a person who works with troubled kids- I don't know what the wizarding equivalent is. As for the last one… she did seem curious about discipline in the household, I think it's because my room was locked when they showed up"

Arther was confused by that last part

"They had an issue that you lock your door?"

"Not exactly, I think the issue was it was my uncle who locked it: he thinks I'll sneak out if he sends me to my room and doesn't but he doesn't do it often" Harry covered, nothing was an outright lie; it was just a little watered down. Still, Arther frowned so Harry wanted to change the subject "What's the official story?"

Arther caught the move but decided to allow it; he wanted time to ponder the implications of what Harry was saying. Besides, the boy did need to know and he didn't know how long they had

"Hogwarts is an elite private school based in Scotland which is not open for applicants, all students will have a family tie within the school or fall into a specific category. The basic reasoning is it's designed for children whose parents or family members work for a company linked to sensitive government material or who live with families who are vulnerable to attacks, kidnapping etc. Hence the security. There's also an official story for your parents which actually ties in quite nicely which will come to light if any muggle does research on you: your father was an intelligence officer and your mother a sort of negotiator for high up political situations between governments. They were killed when a bomb went off in an attack on the office" He explained, though now he thought about it… it did seem farfetched.

"Wow. That makes it sound like some kind of spy school, though I do prefer that story about my parents" he thought for a moment before an idea came to him "couldn't we just say the extra security is why the story doesn't match? I can claim I said what I've been told to say as the men who carried out the attack are still out there and my identity needed protection just in case? Could that work? The muggles know about Sirius as he was on the news and the Ministry still think he's guilty so they probably do too" He hated to use Sirius like this but the situation was desperate, he would make sure the muggles were informed once the Ministry cleared Sirius!

Arther pondered the idea, it was risky, but honestly he didn't have anything better, though he wasn't sure how he felt that harry still appeared to be under the impression Black was innocent.

"I think right now it's our best bet, I can claim to be a worker at the company, not technically a lie as I work for the ministry, and as soon as the interviews over I can use that as a way to get them to let me bring you back to the Burrow."

Before they had a chance to discuss it further they were called into the interview room.

Unfortunately, neither of them noticed a brightly coloured beetle sitting in the corner of the room, the same bug that was the animagus form of a very problematic reporter.

Note: at this moment Mr and Mrs Weasley are still under the impression Sirius is guilty and he trio were confounded- thanks to Snape's claim