Author's Note: Okay. First off, sorry it's been a long time between updates. For any of my stories. The long and short of it is that a combination of real life crappiness and writers block have held me up on virtually every project. I am hopeful that the worst of it is past, but I can give no promises. Regardless, I hope you enjoy this chapter even if it's not as long as some of the others.

Harry took a deep shuddering breath, staring hard at the plinth which had so recently projected images of his dead parents. "Professor Dumbledore," He began shakily, his teeth clenched, "I think it would be best if you left now sir. Go check on the Grangers, anything, just…get out." He eventually managed to grit out.

Dumbledore peered at him only a moment before nodding, appearing very sad. "Yes, I believe you are correct. I also believe I have a few missives to send to the ministry about Sirius. I will meet you outside with the Grangers." He said pushing to his feet and proceeding to the door, where he stopped. "I am sorry Harry, more than I can ever say." He said, then turned, not waiting for a reply, and strode from the room.

Harry remained in his seat, quiet, simply trying to control himself. He was therefore mildly surprised when a small tumbler of a rather strange liquid was pushed across the desktop towards him, and looked up to see The Director resealing a small bottle. "Calming draught Mister Potter, you are not the first to become…upset following a meeting in this bank. You at least have a reasonable justification for it." The Goblin admitted laconically. "I have adopted the habit of keeping some of this on hand over the years, I find histrionics…tiresome."

Harry nodded, and grasped the tumbler. Normally he'd be somewhat cautious about accepting a potion from a stranger. He suspected however that the Goblins would not benefit from any misfortune befalling him on their watch, and thus nodded gratefully to Ragnok and swallowed the mixture back. The foul taste was just beginning to fade as he felt the calm begin to settle over him. "Thank you, Director, I clearly needed that."

The Goblin inclined his head at him slightly in acknowledgement. "Now that…situation, is out of the way. I believe we can get back to business." Ragnok noted and Harry nodded agreement. Ragnok thumbed the little rune on the edge of his desk again. "Ingrot, you may come back in now."

The door opened again and the other goblin sidled into the room, labouring under a small stack of folders. At the Director's direction he deposited the excess documents on the desk. He then indicated each in turn, "Summaries, liquid assets, hard assets, properties. For house Potter, house Peverell and what assets you have access to from house Grindlewald."

The Director gave a small nod, "My thanks accounts manager. Please sit, we may require your input going forward." He said gesturing to the chair Dumbledore had so recently vacated.

"Of course Director."

Harry gestured to one of the folders, clearly asking if it was alright for him to pick one up. At Ragnoks nod he leaned forward and grasped the one Ingrot has indicated was a summary of the Potter assets. He pulled it into his lap and opened it reading the first page. Harry saw the wall of text before him and glanced at the folder, and upon seeing how full it was, glanced to the others. Something told him this would take some time…

"Are these copies?" He eventually asked, after trying to make sense of the first page. Not an easy task.

"Yes, the master copies never leave the records vault Mister Potter," Ingrot intoned from his chair, hands folded across his slight paunch.

Harry nodded, somewhat relieved to hear that. "Would I be permitted to take these with me?" He asked, waving to the folders.

"Of course, they are after all yours. In fact we encourage all our customers to keep up to date files on their assets. Few listen to that recommendation," Ragnok noted patiently from behind his desk.

"Well it sounds like good advice to me." Harry agreed, "It'd also give me time to go over them and figure out what it all means…" That second part was muttered to himself, though he noted it had produced a measure of polite amusement from the goblins, so he must have still been heard.

Finally he gave up trying to make sense of it all right there and straightened. "I'll go over it in detail later, but is there anything in the way of er—outstanding business? Is that the right term?"

Ragnok looked to Ingrot who nodded, "A small number, he agreed. The first has to do with an offer of compensation for a trade deal that fell through a few years back. The second has to do with a property which you now own controlling rights in, as well as a notification that the Ministry has nationalized the house at Godric's Hollow and turned it into a monument. This comes with a small grant in compensation."

The director then leaned forward, "There is also the matter of signing your agreement to the donation to the wards you and the Headmaster requested."

Harry nodded, "Can we deal with that first?"

A few minutes later and Harry pushed a now signed transfer agreement across the desk and the Director stamped it. The 'small' grant from the ministry actually involved ten thousand galleons, which was apparently double the value of the land and property at Godric's Hollow. Harry was however relieved to learn that everything within the house had been collected and stored within the potter vaults, or otherwise handled by the DMLE. He'd had to ask just what that was, but was more than happy to have them deal with the evidence which had been within the house instead of him.

Which brought them to the last two issues. "Prior to their deaths, your mother and father entered an agreement with house Greengrass, which resulted from a trade compact. The Potters provided enchanted goods and the Greengrasses handled the distribution and selling. It was a mutually beneficial agreement." Ingrot explained.

Harry had to think for a minute to remember where he'd heard that name before. Wasn't there a Laurel Anne Greengrass in his mother's will? And he thought he could recall a Daphne Greengrass in his year group. The rather attractive blonde who was always rather cold and aloof when he'd seen her…

"They attempted to keep the business going after your parents died," Ingrot explained. "But without your parents support various trade partners they had agreements with reneged and thus left them holding the bag as it were. As such they are in your family's debt at present."

Harry blinked at that, "And how would they go about repaying this debt?"

"They are prepared to pay that value in galleons, a sum of around one hundred and fifty thousand. However it should be noted, this is a rather hefty sum, even for them. It may be preferable to seek alternate remuneration." The goblin advised.

"I—is this a case where I could meet with them and discuss things? I'd like to hear their thoughts on the matter." Harry ventured eventually after mulling that over.

"Of course, in fact as we are due to mail them a missive about the bequeathments from the will, we could attach a letter requesting a meeting to that should you so desire." Ragnok interjected.

Harry nodded, "That sounds excellent. I just—I hate to ask this, as I'm not certain it is really your area of concern, but do you know of somewhere I could meet with them safely?"

The goblins looked to each other and seemed to communicate silently, before the Director nodded. "While there are official trade halls here at Gringotts for negotiations between parties, that might be somewhat formal under the circumstances. You might try renting a dinning room at a restaurant or if you feel there is no imminent danger to your person might arrange to meet them either at one of your properties or at theirs. Such is not uncommon among people in business arrangements. I would recommend simply asking them Mister Potter."

Harry nodded hurriedly. "Of course, I apologize Director. I know it really shouldn't be up to you and your staff to help me iron out such details."

The director shrugged, "It is of no concern Mister Potter." He said shortly. "Now, I believe we have one last matter to deal with."

The other Goblin nodded, "Indeed, as the Potters are the sole remaining worthy heirs of house Peverell, both house's interests in a project have been merged. Thus leaving the Potters as the largest controlling shareholder in the matter. Leaving only a small number of shares owned by others. The property in question has rather…suffered for the lack of care the others have give it. It would be a simple matter to purchase up their shares in it and claim sole ownership."

Harry nodded, that made a certain level of sense to him. This property, whatever it was, was clearly not of any interest to the others holding partial ownership of it if they were letting it go to wrack and ruin. At the very least he might be able to see to its repair and sell or trade it for something more valuable if it wasn't anything that interested him. "That sounds reasonable. I'd like to try that if possible. Might I ask what this property is?"

Ingrot indicated his agreement, but instead of answering verbally reached over and opened the Peverell file and pulled out a few documents handing them over to Harry, who stared at them in consternation as he took in what was before him. "Oh, I see…"

Hermione had to confess, she could not recall a time she had witnessed the Headmaster appearing so…listless as he seemed now.

Dumbledore, always appeared, despite whatever circumstances surrounded him, to be the sort to appear calm, collected and amiable. Now, if pressed, she would be forced to concede that he looked…old. Old and tired, and worn out. But more than anything he appeared sad.

He had sent a message to her and her parents via patronus - a gorgeous ghostly white phoenix -not a few minutes before, something which had understandably startled, worried and intrigued her. Enough so that she had not delayed any longer in Flourish and Blotts in order to return, with her parents, to meet with him at Gringotts.

They had made good time to the bank, indeed finding the aged Headmaster waiting for them patiently, looking as he did, on the bank's main floor. Her parents no doubt would have spoken first, this being the habit for their family in most cases, had she not been so worried. "Headmaster Dumbledore, are you alright? You seem…upset, is something wrong with Harry?" She asked hurriedly as they bustled over to him.

He smiled rather wanly at her. Sighing rather gustily while taking off his glasses and rubbing tiredly at his eyes before returning his spectacles to their perch and responding. "Harry is…fine, Miss Granger, a bit perturbed with me at present I will confess, but fine all the same." He assured her.

Hermione couldn't prevent the startled expression which leapt onto her face at that. In all her time as his friend, she'd never known Harry to become notably upset with the Headmaster. And considering how well the two of them had seemed to be getting along prior to this visit to the bank, she was understandably shocked.

Dumbledore must have seen her expression as he chuckled slightly, and gave her a rueful look. "I rather made some…unwarranted assumptions when it came to Harry's welfare Miss Granger. Not all of those assumptions worked to his benefit I'm afraid."

He paused, sighing gustily before continuing to speak. "I will say no more. If Harry desires to explain matters to you himself, that should be his right. I will not infringe upon it further."

In this case, there was something firm about the Headmaster, which prevented her from pressing him further on that. She did not however have a chance to question him further about any subject besides that, as he turned to consider her parents. "Plans are still afoot to commission the wards we discussed, so you need not worry about that. I have been informed the transaction of Harry's contributions to them has been completed."

He produced a small scroll from within his robes and proffered it to them. "If you are willing, simply read this document over and sign if it meets with approval. Then we'll see to getting the paperwork sorted."

It took the adults only a few minutes to read it over together. Her parents sometime murmuring asides and questions to one another, before they found that the document indeed meet with approval. "When do you expect the wards will be installed? I simply ask because I want to know who will need to be home and when."

Dumbledore nodded sagely. "I would expect them within a day or so, though they'll send a notice as to the precise time closer to the time of installation. As for who shall be required to be present? Your daughter and Harry are really the only ones that are required as such, if your own blood held magic, you too would be linked into the ward scheme. That being said, I feel certain in my guess that you will likely wish to be present as well?"

Her father inclined his chin slightly in agreement, "Probably, yes." He agreed.

"Professor?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" The aged wizard replied easily.

She wrung her hands unconsciously, she wasn't certain she should bother him with her questions just then, but he seemed willing to hear her out. "I'm just curious, I was always under the impression that magic interferes with electronics. How is it that our still work after the basic wards you installed?"

He smiled benignly at her, unoffended by her question. "The magic levels required to interfere with muggle technology is rather large Miss Granger. Outside of Diagon Alley, the Ministry, Saint Mungos, Hogsmeade or Hogwarts, there are few places in Great Britain with enough latent magical energy to do so.* It is also notable that some of the wards placed around such highly magical locations are designed to contain any bleed through, preventing it from affecting local muggle infrastructure and perhaps drawing attention to us."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, chewing her lip as she mulled that over. Her parents signed the scroll using a quill provided by the Headmaster, after a brief explanation that the ink on the magical quill helped to make the contract binding.

As the signed scroll was carried off by the headmaster a minute later, Emma turned to regard her daughter. "Do you know what the Headmaster meant when he spoke about assumptions Hermione?"

Hermione quickly shook her head. "No, if you'd asked me before this, I would have said it was highly unlikely you would ever see Harry 'mad' at the headmaster."

This produced a thoughtful hum from her mother, a strange look in her eyes as she pondered that. Dumbledore returned before Hermione could ask about it however.

"The paperwork is in, and I have been informed that I and the ward crafters should be present at your home tomorrow evening. It would be sooner, but they have other contracts and obligations to meet first." Dumbledore informed them as he arrived.

Any reply that could have been made to this was interrupted as movement in the doorway leading back into the Bank's offices caught her eye and she spotted Harry being escorted out onto the floor by a Goblin.

Harry paused offering a hand to shake to the Goblin, who considered him inscrutably for a moment before accepting the gesture. Then, parting ways, Harry made his way towards them.

If Hermione had to pick a word to describe Harry then, it was 'Shell Shocked'. Though shocked by what she did not know. Although, now that she looked closer she might have to concede he looked tired too.

She tentatively stepped away from her parents to meet him as he approached. "Hey Harry, are you alright?"

Apparently Harry's mind had mostly been off somewhere else, as he gave a start at the sound of her voice, looking at her appearing startled. After a moment, he shook off his surprise and smiled at her a bit ruefully. "Yeah Hermione, I'm fine…just a little…" Here he paused, and quite visibly chose a different tact.

"I heard my parent's wills. They had them stored here at Gringotts."

She felt a small gasp fight past her lips. She knew how desperately Harry wanted to know his parents, so she understood just how much hearing their last words to him would mean to her friend. "Oh my…what did they say—" She shook her head apologetically, feeling sheepish. "I mean, sorry it's none of my business I shouldn't have asked, I just—"

Harry just chuckled, apparently unfazed by her babbling. "It's okay Hermione, I'm not about to bite your head off for asking." He teased lightly, before looking thoughtful. "Mostly it was bequests. They told me they loved me and that they were already proud."

Hermione couldn't miss the way he choked up slightly to speak of it, but he cleared his throat and carried on anyways. "They mentioned who I was supposed to go to if they died and well—it'd best to keep a couple things quiet until we get back to your place."

Here he paused looking to the Headmaster, a carefully neutral expression in place. "Headmaster, will any of this effect the plans for me to visit with the Grangers or for the creation of the wards?"

Dumbledore seemed to ponder that, "Your Godfather is perhaps the only one who could make a claim at present that you should be in his care. However, given his circumstances, it may be some time before he is well enough to actually look after you. However, the specifics of that would be a matter to discuss between the two of you…" He mused, his bright blue eyes flicking to Harry's. "Remus Lupin, was not listed in the wills as a potential care giver due to his condition which would prove politically prohibitive to a single man in his situation taking on a ward, particularly one as famous as yourself."

Here Hermione had to interrupt. "But Headmaster, what about…my condition?" She asked, nervously casting glances around to ensure that no one had overheard.

Dumbledore merely smiled at her quietly, "As your status is not currently well known, and as you are not yourself the caregiver, that should not be an insurmountable issue Miss Granger." He assured her before returning to the previous topic. "Peter Pettigrew would not have wanted guardianship of a child, and is obviously discounted for other reasons."

Hermione saw Harry pull a small face at the mention of his parent's betrayer, but the Headmaster carried on regardless. "The Tonkses might be able to claim the right. However I see it as unlikely that they would attempt to do so under the circumstances, particularly if you preferred to live somewhere else. Though I would encourage you to seek them out regardless, as they are fine people who I believe you will like a great deal." He mused, before shrugging slightly. "As for the others Harry? They were not listed as potential caregivers for a variety of reasons, though they were and are family friends."

Harry's brows pinched together as he considered that. "If they were family friends, why didn't any of them contact me? Or try to get custody?"

Here the Headmaster sighed wearily, again looking all of his many years. "That is related to the mistakes I have made Harry," He raised his hands to forestall any objection as Harry's expression darkened noticeably. "I would explain it to you Harry, after what has happened here today I would have you experience no doubt about that, however, I will point out that this is a rather public venue to be airing such things."

At that assurance her friend's expression eased and he nodded once, curtly and Dumbledore turned to look at the rest of them again. "Now, as for the rest of you, I hope you achieved everything you wished to here in the alley today?"

Her father shrugged, "Hermione will always be able to find more books to buy," He said, his voice playful enough that she suspected he was injecting this bit of levity to ease some of the tension. "But we've found enough for one day I suspect, I'm sure we'll be back in sometime soon though."

The Headmaster, smiled slightly, his eyes twinkling merrily at the little joke. "Very good, then if I might, would it be possible for me to return you to your home? I have several matters that need attending to today, and I really must see to them sooner rather than later."

Hermione watched as her parents exchanged looks, and her mother shrugged. "That would be fine I think, unless you two had something in particular you wished to do?" Emma asked looking to her and Harry.

Harry ran a hand through his hair roughly, as he considered that, then shook his head before looking to her. Hermione then gave her mother a shake of the head as well, "No mum, I think we're good for today….we should probably head home."

It really wasn't long after that, that she, Harry and her parents were once again riding a port key back to the Granger household. None of them noticing the Goblin eyes watching them with interest as they exited the bank and vanished from the alley.

A couple hours later Dumbledore found himself slumping into his chair, back in his office at Hogwarts. That…had not gone well. He actually snorted derisively at himself for that colossal understatement, then sighed explosively.

"Problem, Headmaster?" Drawled the laconic voice of the Sorting Hat.

He glanced at the rumpled magical construct on its shelf, the old hat was actually remarkably good at sensing the appropriate time to speak. Counter to what it claimed, it didn't actually spend the entire year dreaming up a new song for the opening feast. And when it did deign to speak it was wise to listen. Not that he always did…

"You could indeed say that," the Headmaster allowed.

The hat harrumphed, when no further explanation seemed forth coming. "Well then, out with it lad, I haven't got all day! What is vexing you so this time?"

Dumbledore fought back the urge to groan, if the hat was in one of its moods he'd never get it to leave him alone unless he came clean. "I made a mistake, not that this is anything new…" He grumbled. "I'm afraid that Harry's meeting with the Goblins went…well, I suppose it went quiet well in some ways actually. However, young Harry is rather perturbed with me, and I with myself, after hearing his parent's wills."

The Sorting Hat chuckled darkly, "Are you truly surprised that keeping things from the boy came back to haunt you Headmaster? I believe I noted you were fairly intelligent when I sorted you."

Dumbledore winced, "In retrospect perhaps it should have been obvious to me, though I confess it was not. The long and short of it however is that Harry is upset, and wants little to do with me at present. I am somewhat uncertain where to begin in order to set things right."

A snort of derision came from the hat. "An apology is generally considered the place to start I believe, though I suspect that you would not be so…disconsolate if that were all that were required to sooth the boy's ire. I may not know what the boy would consider appropriate recompense, but I think you would do well to reflect on the meaning of repentance Headmaster."

Here it huffed, "There I go, babbling on again while I have other things to occupy myself with. I've said my piece, take it or leave it. I've got another bloody song to compose and only a few months in which to complete it."

With that, the Hat rather abruptly returned to apparently being a rather ragged but otherwise unremarkable piece of head wear. Dumbledore eyed it suspiciously. The Hat had a disturbingly impeccable sense of timing sometimes, but it also possessed little patience. It seemed to know when and how to get one to talk, then dispensed whatever advice it needed to and shut up again. It was…vexing.

Still…as he'd pondered before, when the Hat spoke it was wise to listen. Reflect on the meaning of repentance hm? Very well, he'd start with the obvious definition then and hope the Hat had been literal in its advice.

Repentance, was more quite a bit more than just the feeling of guilt or remorse, after all did not the courts of law prefer to see that the accused was repentant rather than simply remorseful? Guilt and remorse were good of course, they were useful emotions for teaching yourself about your mistakes. But they were, all in all, a rather…inactive things.

Repentance was not just the feelings of guilt and remorse, but taking actions to ensure that one did not repeat their sins. Making promises to do better, surely, but more than that, following through on those same promises as best one could.

Well now, he could certainly do that he supposed. His eyes flickered to the Hat, but the thing just sat there inscrutably on its shelf. He'd made many mistakes, and he had attempted to mitigate their effects, but was he doing enough was the question?

He pondered that, today was a fine example of the mistakes he'd made. He'd unintentionally caused Harry grievous emotional harm over the years by insisting he remain at the Dursleys…Though he had already taken steps to righting that error already.

But he'd made others as well, and not just in regards to Harry. He winced thinking of that damnable black stone orb the Goblin had been handling while they spoke. To many, Harry included he suspected, that stone would appear no more than a curiosity he was sure, but it was much more than that. That was an 'Oath Stone' specifically the one upon which the last set of treaties with the Goblins were sworn. It was largely symbolic, no actual magic being tied up in the stone beyond that which had been used to shape it.

However, if it was a symbol, it was a powerful one at that. He had not thought to see it in the hands of the Director, instead assuming it to be kept as ever in the keeping of the Goblin King deeper within their holdings.

If Director Ragnok had it, it was because he'd been given authority to do with it as he pleased. Destroying said stone, in response to his interference, an obvious implied threat to his eyes - even if the Goblin had done little more than touch it - would have had dire consequences.

The Goblins put great stock in symbols, if the symbol of their treaty with the wizarding world were destroyed? So too would be the treaty itself and war would follow. He shuddered again. Goblins were a fearsome foe when they chose to bestir themselves.

He had not realized he'd displeased the Goblins so. That he knew of actions he'd taken which would have displeased them further should they learn of them was not helping the feelings of dread he was now getting.

The Headmaster sighed and shook his head, getting back to the issue at hand, namely finding a way to sooth Harry's displeasure with him. Well, he certainly knew where to begin on that at least. All it would really require was a letter and a visit to a certain suburb in Little Whinging Surrey.

The first would be the easiest of the two he suspected. Quickly pulling out a quill and some parchment, to begin writing another letter to Madam Bones, to set the wheels in motion to get Sirius exonerated. He'd sent out letters to his other contacts already, but he'd saved sending a message to Amelia for last, as those other contacts would need a head start on things. The director of the DMLE moved fast when riled.

It was only as he was finishing up that letter, rolling it up and tying it off so it could be carried by Fawkes, that another thought occurred to him. What about the Horcruxes? He flinched slightly at the mere thought of those vile things. He suspected one was in Harry's scar even now, and had yet to tell the boy. Or the Prophecy? If today had taught him anything, it was that Harry did not like deceptions. Even well intentioned ones.

Surely though, he worried, it was too soon to tell a young man like Harry of such dire suspicions? Having those hovering above his head like Swords of Damocles, could seriously harm the lad even further…and just when it seemed he might find some happiness in his life?

No. He told himself, he couldn't tell him…not yet that was. He knew now, he'd have to tell him eventually, but surely doing so now would only do more harm than good? But…maybe there were others he could consult in his search for answers?

Here he paused even as he gave the roll of parchment to his companion and the bird flamed away. There were many people he could consult, he had considered consulting many of them at one time or another on numerous occasions. But he'd balked at the thought of spreading the knowledge of such things to others.

Wasn't that foolish though? He wondered. If he overlooked a possible solution for Harry in his need to keep such dark things hidden, it could prove fatal to the boy. The boy who'd all but become his grandson in some ways.

He swallowed thickly and licked his suddenly dry lips, as the realization he'd have to risk speaking to someone else settled over him. Harry was too important to not do everything he could for the boy. More than that, it was likely not just Harry's welfare which rested on such things now…

He'd seen the way young Miss Granger had come to rely on Harry, and he on her. With this most recent tragedy which had befallen the girl, that bond was sure to deepen. If Harry were to die, he shuddered to think what it would to do the girl. What it might do to Sirius, or Hermione's parents by extension…

He considered his options. The obvious first choice for someone to confide in was Minerva, and he supposed if any could be trusted and kept safe as well it was her. However her knowledge was of a decidedly different bent than that which might be required to remove a Horcrux. Though he supposed that shouldn't stop him from asking for her advice.

Severus…well, that was a sticky wicket wasn't it? Severus was unlikely to help the boy wholeheartedly. In fact he suspected it would only be the chance to strike at Voldemort which would cause Severus to aid him in any way at present. The man's knowledge of Dark Magic was broad and deep, but was it enough that he might know of the matter at hand? He found himself hoping for the younger wizard's sake that it wasn't.

Then there was of course Professor Babbling. Oh he was virtually certain that young Bathsheda would never have heard of the vile creations known as Horcruxes. But runes, rituals and enchantment featured heavily in the creation of such objects. She might know something that could prove invaluable in solving this puzzle…

He grimaced, pondering those possibilities. Those were not the extent of his options by far, but they were those close at hand. He was certain he should approach Minerva. However he was less sanguine about the other two. Perhaps, if Bathsheda connected meaningfully with Harry he might broach the topic with her in time…But as for Severus?

Here he sighed, coming to stand by the window. Severus would need to be brought along further before he could be trusted with this. He spoke truthfully when he said that he trusted the man with his life. However, he was increasingly less certain about whether or not he should trust him with Harry's.

He'd shown since the beginning of Harry's first year that he would struggle with putting aside his long held grudge…

The headmaster paused. First year. Now there was a thought. It brought to mind the mess with the Philosopher's stone and Nicholas Flammel. Nicholas, who was a premier expert in many archaic and esoteric fields of study…The so called immortal alchemist might no longer possess the object which made him so famous, but that did not mean he'd died in the years since the stone's loss. They, Nicholas and his wife that was, had reserves of Elixir he knew, and even then they would age at a normal pace once they stopped taking doses of it.

Here he actually smiled, a good avenue to pursue significantly improving his mood. "Dobby?" He called, and soon there was a crack as a very peculiar Elf popped into being beside him.

"Yes, Headsmasters Whiskers?" Dobby inquired. "How might Dobbys be helping you?"

Again he smiled, considering the excitable young elf. Another person who was incredibly attached to young Harry. "Good evening Dobby. I was wondering if you might help me with something. Would you be so good as to inform Professor McGonagall that I would like to meet her at her earliest convenience?"

Dobby nodded his head so hard, his ears flapped. "Of course Headsmasters Whiskers! Is yous needing Dobby for anything else?"

He paused considering that, "Not at present no, however I have a feeling I may have a task for you at some time in the near future."

Again with the ear flapping nods. "Dobbys be looking forwards to it! I will go tell Professor Mcgoggles you wish to see her quickly."

With that the little Elf popped away.

Now then, he thought to himself. What else demands my attention?

Surprisingly, it was only a few minutes later that there was a small chirp from the indicator spells monitoring the gargoyle leading to his office, as it let someone through. Soon enough there was a sharp staccato knock at his door that he'd recognize almost anywhere. Though he'd not heard it at his office door in years.

"Come in Amelia." He called, surprised that the director of the DMLE had chosen to arrive in person, and so promptly.

The door opened and the woman breezed into the room.

Amelia…was a rather stern looking woman, though she lacked the buttoned up austerity that his Deputy Headmistress possessed. Possessing a default expression that often had people describing her as 'hard-faced', the redhead presented as a woman who one crossed at their peril.

Today however she wore a somewhat different mask, her features locked in neutral mask, while her eyes sent a rather different message. "Albus, I truly hope you were not in jest when you sent me that message earlier." She said by way of greeting, coming to stand before his desk.

He smiled and shook his head gently. "No Amelia, I can safely say I was and am not."

She huffed a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why did you not bring this to me right away?" She demanded, and he winced a bit internally.

"I would have been my intention from the first Amelia, were it not for the way events occurred. I'm afraid that by the time I was aware of the truth, things had eventuated in such a way that it was all I could do to prevent Sirius being kissed on Cornelius' orders." He explained patiently. "When Black escaped, I believed that any legitimate chance of exonerating him likely went with him. I had no truth serum enforced testimony, only his claims, and the testimony of children whom the Minister believed confunded."

She grimaced, then nodded sharply accepting that, "And now?" She asked sharply.

"Now, I can tell you that I have additional proof which casts events in a far different light." He replied. "You should, I expect, be receiving a missive from Gringotts informing you that Lily and James' wills have been read."

That caused her to look up. "You unsealed them?" She asked sharply. She'd been among those to lodge a complaint about that course of action, however at the time he'd felt secure in his reasoning and possessed more than enough backing to see the ruling through.

He gave her a somewhat weak smile. "No, however I confess I made a mistake, one which is apparently quite common in wizarding Britain."

At her questioning expression he explained, "I forgot that the Goblins are not necessarily bound by wizarding law, outside of where it intersects with the treaty."

She blinked in surprise, then barked a short laugh. "Ha! Yes, I suppose that would make sense. Shame I didn't think of that 13 years ago." She muttered that last part, "So, might I ask why that is relevant?"

Dumbledore nodded, sighing gustily. "It seems in my haste to ensure Harry's safety I caused a great injustice. It is clearly stated within the will that Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper and not Sirius. More over you may be interested to know, that it appears due to recent events that Pettigrew survived that night after all."

Amelia just stared at him for a moment, "I will need a copy of that will as soon as possible then. And I will need to interview those involved in recent events. Might I ask just whom those people might be?"

He nodded. "Aside from our very own minister's tangential role in affairs? Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Peter Pettigrew, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, myself and Sirius Black were all involved." He confessed.

"I will happily provide my own memories of events, though I doubt Cornelius will do the same. And while Pettigrew is once again on the run, all the others should be available for comment under the right circumstances." He continued.

She grunted, acknowledging his point in regards to the Minister. Cornelius would sooner eat his hat and risk choking on it than admit to anything which might reflect badly on his administration. Not that she really needed him to. "As I recall Severus Snape had a contentious relationship with Black and Lupin, would I be right in guessing this might affect his testimony?"

Here Dumbledore hesitated. What she said was after all very true. "I will speak to him in regards to his biases, and whether or not such things are appropriate to bring into one's testimony. However…though it pains me to say it, I suspect the young professor will be reluctant to heed my warning." He mused, before sighing gustily. "I would recommend you take into account - when interviewing Severus - that he is a master Occlumens and potions brewer, as such any attempts to utilize Veritaserum may be…problematic."

She huffed a sigh, "Noted. And the others?"

"I will gladly do what I can to get in touch with those I am in contact with. I will happily aid in setting a time for you to meet with the various parties involved." He assured her, carefully sidestepping the fact that one of those people was an escapee from Azkaban.

The look she gave him clearly conveyed she knew what he was doing. "Very good Albus. Now, on a more personal note, before the Goblin's forward me any missives, I would ask that you tell me what part I played in Lily and James' will."

Dumbledore nodded solemnly, understanding her interest, she and the Potters had been close before that fateful night. "Aside from a bequest of a note insubstantial number of galleons, there was a request, that should those ahead of you on the list be unable, that you look after Harry." Here he paused, wincing at the look she levelled at him, but rushed to elaborate. "You would have been higher I recall, but they were concerned for how busy you were, what with recent tragedies and needing to care for Susan."

"And who were ahead of me on the list," She asked, refusing to be redirected.

He sighed, "Sirius Black, and the Tonks Family I believe."

The woman continued to glare at him. "And whom did you house him with instead? As I know for a fact it was not with Andromeda and Ted."

He winced, as he had clearly made a number of rather critical errors in this regard, he was not eager to rehash them with the already irate witch. "I'm afraid, to my shame I housed him with Petunia Dursley, Lily's—"

"Sister," Amelia bit out, interrupting him sharply. "You mean to tell me, you placed Lily and James' son with a woman who hated magic and Lily in particular more than just about anything? Who rather…impolitely, implied on more than one occasion that she viewed magic as a curse? One that Lily should not pollute humanity with further by reproducing."

Again he winced, it seemed he'd misjudged even worse than he'd realized. "Yes." He answered simply, knowing that any prevarication or efforts to mitigate her anger would likely only worsen matters.

"And is he with her now? I seem to recall Susan noted his conspicuous absence here at Hogwarts in her last letter." She asked.

Here he saw an opening and gladly took it. "Ah, in this case I am happy to inform you that Harry is not at the Dursley residence at present, and that I have recently removed him the situation with them."

She eyed him beadily, "Explain." She demanded shortly.

In other times he might have chided her for her manner, but understood that under the circumstances he was in no position to complain. "During a recent conversation with Harry I came to understand, at least in part that Petunia had not provided the loving home that I had hoped she would. While I don't know the details as yet, I know that it was bad enough there that he felt more at home here at Hogwarts, and considered his closest friends more his family than his relatives ever were."

He spread his hands in a gesture indicating an acceptance of his guilt in such things he pressed on. "Harry is at present housed at the home of his best friend, one Hermione Granger. After the events surrounding Black a few days ago, I felt it best they get some distance from the school."

She nodded, accepting that for the moment. "Very well. I will warn you however, I will be looking into the matter personally. That he feels such is sending up all sorts of alarms to me Headmaster."

He smiled benignly in acceptance. "I would expect nothing less, Amelia."

Author's Note: Alright, hope you enjoyed that. I'll try to get another update out this month, though for which one I don't know just yet. A quick request from the Author as it were, are there any of you who are both fluent in Japanese and knowledgable about it's culture? I have no firm plans as yet but having an expert to converse with might open up some nice possibilities for various ideas I've got bouncing around in my head.

As ever PLEASE rate, review, comment, subscribe etc etc. It goes a long way to helping me motivate and inspire myself, so I greatly appreciate feedback.

OH! Also, Thanks to Stormbow and Temporal Knight for their help.