Harry Potter and The Shades of Grey

by Ravenwood240

Harry has lost his strongest supporter and has to chart his own course. Someone is going to make him an offer he can't refuse, even if it feels like dealing with the devil. STATUS Change: This story will be finished as written... The other SoG will be renamed and changed.

8. Vengeance, Flight and Anger

Yes, I know it has been too long and I will try to update more often. I can point to a busted Wireless card and a shortage of funds that made getting a new one a tad difficult, or to the sheer amount of hours I put in at School and Work or with my SO... but I think you'd rather find out what Harry is going to do to Snape.

This chapter will take us to Monday, ending the first week of the Summer. Seven days down, three hundred and fifty-eight days to go. (Unless I need an extra day, in which case this will suddenly become a leap year.)

Harry Potter and The Shades of Grey

Vengeance, Flight and Anger

OoOoOoO Everyone, The Burrow. OoOoOoO

Harry stared at Hermione for an instant as he absorbed what she'd said. The Aurors were quicker to understand, not having the emotional baggage that Harry did and they started toward Snape. The motion jarred Harry out of his immobility and once again power flowed from him.

Everyone froze as an invisible wind swept across them, fueled by years of hatred and abuse. Everyone felt it a bit differently, or a lot differently, depending on who they were.

Hermione noted that despite being stronger, it felt the same way it had in the office. She looked around, trying to judge how the others felt it.

The two Aurors were staring at Harry, awe plain in their faces. Harry shimmered to the eye, as if a heat wave had wrapped itself around him. They felt the magic as tendrils of wind that examined them and stopped, a presence that watched them warily.

Dobby and Winky felt it as sunshine, a power that warmed them and made them more than they were and they basked in it, knowing that Harry was theirs, as they were his.

Ron felt it as a cool wind, one that checked him and wrapped itself around him like a protective blanket.

Pansy shivered, still feeling the heat and wanting to change and beg Harry for something.

Peter Pettigrew felt it as a scouring blast, stripping his illusions away and baring the smallness of his very soul. It stopped and pulled back, watching him like a snake. His own caution and the Rat's fear made him go limp and still, trying to hide.

Ginny felt it as a warm and tingling joy, that caused her to remember many happy hours holding Harry. It flowed over her and she welcomed it, pulling closer to Harry.

Mrs Weasley felt it as a comforting blanket, one that she'd had as a very young girl, that kept the monsters away.

Luna blinked as a tsunami washed over her, stripping her dreamy expression away and began fighting it. She knew she was not like the others, but she didn't want to be like them either. The wave receded, replaced by her more familiar magic. The two magics swirled around her and she watched them, making sure Harry's magic couldn't touch her inside her shell.

Miranda stirred as something touched her, and she woke with her energy levels being replaced slightly, enough that she could sit up and look around.

Augusta Longbottom felt it as an impersonal but friendly force that examined her and left, sweeping on toward Neville.

Neville was watching behind them, worried about Bella returning and was surprised by the magic that flowed around him like armour. He couldn't see what was going on, but he knew that this was Harry's doing. Harry had always tried to shield his friends, to be their protection against the world and this was more of the same, with Harry's feel all over it.

Harry was not aware of the reactions of his magic, or of the way people felt it. He simply knew where they were, and the sense that had saved him on occasion told him that there were no threats close by. He walked over to Hermione and Snape and looked down at his enemy.

"I've dreamed of this. Snape, helpless at my feet." Harry's voice was low, almost conversational, but everyone shivered at the sheer menace in it. "None of those dreams ever ended with him in less than five pieces."

Harry looked up at Hermione and Ginny, standing beside him. His eyes had that pale shine, the fire that made them seem to glow and the look on his face did not bode well for Snape's continued existence. "Ever since he killed Professor Dumbledore, I've been dreaming of what I would do to him if I ever had him in my hands."

Harry looked back at Snape. "So many possibilities, so many choices," he said, fingering his wand until a small cough caught his attention.

Harry looked up at Auror Amanda Wilkes, who had coughed. Her eyes widened as Harry's magic examined her again, this time with an edge to it. "Mr. Potter, I know that you have some history with this man, but Professor Dumbledore meant a great deal to at least three generations of Wizards. Don't they deserve to be involved in vengeance for him?"

Harry frowned at her as his magic edged higher, sensing his revenge slipping away. Amanda kept her expression calm, but inside she was beginning to understand how six schoolchildren could capture eleven Death Eaters. This man was like a force of nature. You could shelter against it, or avoid it, but if the fury of the storm came crashing down on you, it would destroy you.

Pansy hissed, fearing that Harry would do something that would keep him from being able to protect her family. "Harry, you cannot take a proper revenge in front of witnesses."

Ginny, Ron and Neville were behind Harry completely, willing to let him do whatever he wanted.

Hermione sighed, her hate battling her logic and losing. "Harry, if you take revenge now, against a helpless man, how will you be different than Professor Snape? Isn't that what he's been doing for years? Taking revenge against you since he couldn't do anything to your father?"

Augusta Longbottom watched Harry Potter battle his desires and offered another view. "Mr. Potter, it seems to me that the Ministry has a hard time holding on to Death Eaters. If you give him to them, they will try him, convict him and send him to Azkaban. He will then rot, unless he is freed. Of course, if he is freed, you can always find him again and then, maybe there won't be so many witnesses around."

Ron snickered suddenly, drawing all eyes to him. "Besides Harry, imagine what the Daily Prophet is going to have to say when you capture another Death Eater."

Harry frowned at nothing, looking at Snape.

The people around him remained quiet, watching the young man battle with himself.

Harry sighed finally, his magic receding. "I suppose you are right," he said, looking at the others. "Except for one thing, Ron. I didn't capture him, Hermione did, and I'm going to make sure everyone knows it."

"Me? No, you stopped him." Hermione said, staring at Harry.

Harry smiled slyly. "You captured him, Hermione. A young Muggleborn schoolgirl captured a senior Death Eater."

Hermione blinked as she thought about it and began to smile, a smile matched by most of the people around her. "You know, I believe you're right, Harry. It was much easier than I thought too. I thought he was supposed to be dangerous."

Luna smiled. "Can I have the first interview?"

Hermione looked at Luna, hesitating. Harry guessed at her thoughts. "Luna, this would be another of those public service announcements, really quite boring."

Luna nodded. "I know, but you want to use Daddy's paper for that sort of thing, and one of us should learn to write them, so we don't have to depend on the pest."

Harry and Hermione frowned at each as Luna reminded them that their other choice was Rita Skeeter and had to concede that Luna had a point.

The two Aurors had finished tying Snape up and Auror Roswell pulled a Portkey from his pocket. He looked at the group of people watching him. "I'm going to take him to Auror Headquarters personally. The Ministry may lose him later, but it won't be on my watch."

Harry smirked. "Please make sure he knows who took his hand, and who captured him when he wakes up. In fact, you can tell him I'm keeping his hand as a trophy."

Hermione, Molly and Mrs. Longbottom all frowned at him and Harry held up his hands defensively. "I'm not even going to look for it." The smirk returned. "But he won't know that."

Auror Roswell smiled and shook his head. "Remind me never to get you mad at me," he said as he used the Portkey to take Snape away.

Auror Wilkes frowned at where her boss had just disappeared. "I'm sure," she called irritably after him, "that doing so would get you out of the interviews and clean up never crossed your mind either."

She turned to say something to the group but was interrupted as multiple Apparation cracks sounded. Everyone turned toward the sounds and their wands rose, only to be lowered a minute later.

Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Mr. Weasley and Lee stood there with Katie, Angeline and a few others that Harry knew from school but didn't actually know well. The twins had bulging pockets and their wands while the rest had only wands, except Bill, who had a wand and a scepter of some sort.

They new group froze, staring at the Burrow, fully engulfed in flames that were dying down but still high.

It didn't take them long to get caught up on the events of the night and they had a strange tale of their own.

They had all been doing things, according to their own lives when each of them got a Portkey and a note that the Burrow was under attack. Dropping what they were doing, they had answered the call and been sent to one room, where another Portkey, big enough for them all had waited. They had tried to use it, but it had failed.

Figuring out that it had failed because the place it was trying to go no longer existed had taken a few minutes and then they had simply tried to Apparate until it worked. When the first of them disappeared, the rest had followed.

Molly Weasley, now that the danger was past, was more than happy to feel Mr. Weasley slide an arm around her. She slumped, leaning on the man she shared so much with. They looked at each other while the other drew away, giving them a space to be private in. "How will we rebuild?" Molly asked softly.

"Right now," said Arthur, "I don't care. We'll worry about that later. I'm just thankful every one is safe."

Harry was staring at the Burrow. "Bill, have you been told why you're in England yet?"

Bill shook his head. "Just that I'm going to be creating threefold wards for a customer with high security needs and a large pocketbook." He blinked and looked at Harry. "How did?" His voice trailed off as he figured it out. "You're my client?"

Harry nodded. "This is one of the places you would have warded. When the builders start rebuilding it, I want those wards to be perfect, cost be damned. Build them into the very structure."

Arthur heard him and frowned. "Harry," he started to say, until Harry whirled and focused those eyes on him.

Harry tilted his head. He couldn't, wouldn't bully the man who had done so much for him. A sly smile crossed his face as he crossed to stand before them. He looked at them earnestly. "Haven't you said I was family, and that I should consider this my home?"

Arthur and Molly looked at each other, knowing what Harry was going to say, but unwilling to refute the love they had for Harry. "Of course, Harry, but."

"But nothing. I am simply rebuilding my home." Harry grinned. "I will, of course be guided by you doing so, but it would be nice to have a room that wasn't violent orange."

Ron jerked, staring at Harry with an injured look. "What's wrong with orange?" he wanted to know.

Harry was looking at Ron's parents. "I think, you will find that I won't even have to spend as much as you think. Bill will help, as will Charlie I think."

Fred and George frowned. "You forgot someone, Harry," Fred said.

"Not that you would know," added George.

But we've got enough to add a room or three," continued Fred.

Harry shrugged. "As long as you don't endanger my investment." He froze suddenly as Molly sniffed. Harry looked at her, and seemed to wilt as he saw her frown.

"Harry, dear, is there something you'd like to tell me about where the twins got the money to start that shop?"

"No, not really," Harry said, "but it doesn't appear that I have a choice now."

Molly frowned at him a minute longer while Harry waited for the explosion he knew was coming. To his surprise, she began smiling. "Got you." He blinked at her in surprise while she chuckled at his expression. "Honestly, dear. I may not be Hermione, but they just don't know that many people with money to loan. The final proof though, was when they bought Ron the dress robes. Only you would have thought of that. I've just been waiting for somebody to be brave enough to tell me about it." She frowned at him. "Although I must admit, it is lucky for you that you were at home during the summer when I figured it out, or you would have gotten an Howler."

Arthur smiled at Molly. Whatever he was going to say though was interrupted by another Apparation crack. The group turned and once again, wands were raised.

The being that stood there though, completely dumbfounded almost everyone. He was nearly two meters tall and wearing some sort of Armour. His head was covered with an old helm from which a set of dragon horns rose and he held a wand and a large knife, nearly a short sword, that flickered with a soft flame. His face was painted in diagonal stripes and he had barely appeared when he was charging toward the group. He saw the group and stopped.

The lone fighter and the group stared at each other and then recognition set in for most of the group.

"Percy?!"

Percy removed the helm and as he did, he shrank to a more normal height, the paint disappearing from his face. His face was flaming, but he refused to budge under the weight of all the stares. He looked beyond them and stared at the Burrow, or the remains of it. For just an instant, an implacable hate rose in his face, and then he was simply Percy again. "While I may disagree with some of the opinions of my family," he said, making everyone blink to hear Prissy Percy coming from a man in dragon hide armour, "They are still family, and violence is simply not allowed." He slid the sword into its scabbard without looking at it, demonstrating an easy familiarity that raised a few eyebrows.

He suddenly grinned at Fred and George. "What? No pranks, or unkind comments?"

Fred and George looked at each other. "I think,"

"We've been,"

"Had again."

With that exchange, the rest of the Weasleys crowded around Percy, touching and babbling in a tumult that no one that had not grown up in a large family could possibly make sense of.

Harry grinned at he watched them. "Excuse me, Mr. Potter." Harry turned. Mrs. Longbottom was standing next to him. "I am offering the hospitality of Longbottom Manor to the Weasleys until their home is ready again, and I was wondering if you would care to join them."

Harry shook his head. "I can't. I have to stay where I am for a while longer."

She nodded gravely, eyes on Harry. "If you would, I would like to meet with you on the fifteenth at 1100 am. Perhaps at Gringotts?"

Harry nodded, watching her curiously but she didn't elaborate, merely stepping back and rejoining Neville. Harry wondered about it for a minute and then was distracted when Ginny found her way to him again.

Lee and the others had left about an hour after they arrived. When Harry asked them why they had come, Lee had merely grinned and told him to ask the twins. Harry made a mental note to do just that.

Talking to the Aurors took another couple of hours and Harry got to see first hand what happens when a Defender goes into battle. Not counting the four that Molly and Ginny had dealt with, eleven Death Eaters would not be leaving the Burrow. Seven of the fifteen bodies were too badly burned to be identified, as they had all been in the Burrow as it burned, but the rest were sent off to St Mungo's to be examined and identified.

Harry had looked at them all, and had only known one of them. William Colasher had been a seventh year Slytherin when Harry was a first year, and Harry had never actually met him, but that birthmark on the side of his face was unmistakable.

By the time the Aurors had finished gathering up all the bits and pieces Miranda had scattered around, Harry was looking a bit green and most of the others had retired to the front of the house to wait.

Pansy was dozing around his waist, Peter was being very quiet and Hermione was the only person still with him. He'd asked her why she kept watching, even after she threw up twice and Hermione had simply looked at him. "She did this for me."

Harry had slipped an arm around Hermione and pulled her close. He understood that completely, and it was a simular thought that had Harry watching. He'd made the deal that had Miranda defending Hermione, and he had to watch the aftermath. This was after all, his doing even if he hadn't been here.

Two of the Aurors came out of the little grove carrying a sack. "We found the head."

Harry winced at those words and Hermione hugged him. "Don't get upset, Harry. Neither of us knew just what Miranda would do, and to be honest, after hearing Ginny's story, I'm not going to waste any sleep on what happened to them."

Harry sighed but nodded. Knowing that this whole raid had been done for the specific purpose of kidnapping Ginny had put a whole new slant on things for Harry.

It was nearly midnight before everything was done and Mrs. Longbottom had left much earlier to prepare rooms for the Weasleys that would be staying with them. Right now, that was only Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny.

The fire had long ago gone out, aided by a few spells and Arthur and Molly were combing through the rubble, looking for anything that might have survived.

Luna had left to go home and give her father a report on what had happened. Harry and Hermione could only hope that the story didn't get twisted too much. The Weasley boys were standing guard around the workers, in case the Death Eaters tried anything else and hoping they would. The reality of what had happened and what could have happened was beginning to sink in and all the Weasley boys were united in their desire to hurt somebody or something for the loss of their home.

Percy had been questioned about his attire, and he had only looked at Ron. "I literally cannot say anything about it." Ron had blinked and then eyed Percy thoughtfully. He had also refused to let go of the helmet, despite the twins attempting to get their hands on it.

Even now, they were eyeing the helmet and talking to each other in half sentences that made perfect sense to them.

When the time came for everyone to leave the Aurors left first, promising to return in the morning to make sure they hadn't missed anything. Neville left next, to carry word that their guests would be along shortly.

Finally, only Harry and Hermione were left as the only human non Weasleys. Pansy was still dozing, wrapped around Harry's waist and Peter had long ago fallen asleep. The group spent a long minute staring at the ruins. Each of them was remembering the Burrow, paying silent homage to the old building that had seen so much love and laughter, tears and pain.

Bill was the first to break the silence. "I have to go. I have wards to design," he said with a significant look at Harry. "I'll do my best." He disappeared with a crack. Charlie sighed and followed him without a word.

Percy hugged his parents. "I will be contributing to the rebuilding." He followed the other two men then.

Fred and George looked at everyone and each other. For once, only Fred spoke. "We have to open the shop in the morning. We'll be by to see you all after we close for the day." He looked at Harry. "We're still working on your little project." The two of them disappeared.

Ron sighed and hugged his mother. He started to say something and fell silent. He was gone then, leaving whatever he had been going to say unspoken.

Arthur took Ginny's hand after she kissed Harry goodbye and they disappeared, headed for the Longbottom estate. Molly looked at Harry. "You will take care of my little girl." It wasn't a threat, or even a warning, merely a statement of fact.

Harry nodded silently. Molly nodded in turn, the two of them in perfect accord that Ginny not get hurt and then Molly followed her husband.

Harry and Hermione stared at the Burrow for a few minutes longer, both of them busy with their own thoughts.

Finally, Hermione turned to Harry. "Harry, I have a question."

Harry looked at her. She indicated the Burrow. "We don't have a Floo," she said, laying out the problem logically, "We can't Side-Along Apparate, and I don't know where to make a Portkey to. How are we going to leave?"

OoOoOoO Somewhere in England. OoOoOoO

Voldemort looked up as Bellatrix came in the room humming and with a dreamy look on her face. "Where is the girl?" he asked.

Bellatrix smiled softly. "Potter must have more money than we knew, and he cares for her. He has a Defender guarding her." She smiled again, picturing the scene as the Defender had exploded out of the house. "They are everything they are rumoured to be."

Lord Voldemort stared at her and then invaded her mind brutally, ripping everything she'd seen out of her head. He sat back and thought about this new development. This would change things. Voldemort thought he could take a Defender out, and Bellatrix was going to give it a shot in a few days, so he would wait and see what happened.

If Bellatrix won, he would insure that the news was spread, increasing the fear people had of his Death Eaters. If she didn't, he'd simply give the people something else to think about. There was a daycare centre that was open twenty four hours a day for people that worked nights.

The slaughter of ten or twelve children would not go unremarked, not if it was done right.

Far more worrying was Wormtail. According to Bellatrix's memories, he'd left long before her but he wasn't back yet. That meant he might have been captured.

It was vaguely possible that he was hiding, trying to avoid the anger he thought Voldemort would be feeling at this failure, but Voldemort had not lost all grip on sanity yet.

No one walked into a Defender unprepared and got away unscathed, and Voldemort knew it. That anyone had gotten away at all was a small miracle and Voldemort would not punish them for this mission. Against a normal force, he would but Defenders were not normal.

He looked at Bellatrix who was still dreaming about the Defender and shook his head. That woman was completely insane. It was a good thing the Defender was a woman, or Bellatrix would be following him around, trying to seduce him into more and more death and destruction.

He frowned as he felt the pleasure rising in Bellatrix. He didn't need this right now. "Go away." He watched her go, knowing from the sounds of her steps that she was heading for the cages they kept Muggles in. Some Muggle was going to entertain Bella in her rooms tonight.

Voldemort was no longer capable of pity or even he might have felt sorry for the Muggle. Since he couldn't, he turned his mind to thinking about what he'd have to do if Pettigrew had been captured.

OoOoOoO Friday, The Order Without a Name, Harry's Room. OoOoOoO

Harry woke up with a kink in his neck. He tried to move but something was on his arm. He looked over and got a face full of bushy hair. That told him who was laying on his arm without him even having to see Hermione. He tried to move his other arm and stopped, coming fully awake. Someone was laying on that arm as well. Now that he was awake, he could tell that there was a soft lump on his legs as well.

Harry thought back. They had come in late last night after Hermione had made a Portkey to her house and they had Flooed from there. They had sat down on the couch and Hermione had curled up under his arm, looking at him rather desperately. "I don't want to be alone tonight."

He had nodded and let her stay, even though it felt a little odd to have her there. He'd called Dobby and given Peter to Dobby, telling him to cage him until tomorrow. Dobby had nodded and disappeared with the Animagus. Pansy had slithered out of his shirt, changed and gone into her room without a word. A few minutes later, she'd rejoined them with a blanket. She'd draped the blanket over them all and curled up under his other arm without a word. She'd been asleep in minutes, leaving Harry to stare at the fire until he drifted off to sleep.

Harry tried to look at who or what was laying on his legs but he couldn't see over the girls, not that he could have seen much without his glasses anyway. He shifted slightly, causing two murmurs of protest. "Ladies," he said, trying to shift as various bits of his body informed him that while it may be every teenage boy's fantasy to sleep with two or more women, the reality was that they had cut off most of his circulation and Harry was beginning to feel the affects of it.

The bushy mass on his right shifted slightly and a pale oval came into view. Two dark spots opened and Harry had no problem realizing that Hermione was looking at him from just centimetres away. "Good morning Harry." she said sleepily.

"Good morning," he said automatically. "I hate to disturb you, but I need to get up."

"Why?" came a voice from the other side.

Harry finally figured out who was on his legs as Ginny's voice came floating up from somewhere around his stomach. "I'm comfy, and I didn't get enough sleep. You make a good pillow and I want to stay here for awhile longer."

Harry was about to reply when he heard choked laughter. He closed his eyes. "Please tell me I didn't just hear Fred and George."

More laughter was his answer and he groaned. That was Fred and George, but those giggles did not belong to any male he knew. Now that he thought about it, the room felt quite full. "Would someone hand me my glasses, please?" he requested. "If everyone is going to be looking at me, I'd like to be able to look back."

A hand came around and put his glasses on his face. Harry looked up into Tonks' smirking face. "Great." He looked around and groaned. His first thought was that there were entirely too many redheads in the room for him to be caught sleeping, however platonically, with the only redheaded female in the Weasley family.

His next thought was to wonder why they were all here, a thought he voiced aloud. "We decided that since big things were going to be happening tonight as the families left Moldywart's team, we might want to have a planning session." Remus' voice was amused. "I must say though, that in your place, I wouldn't be in a hurry to get up."

Katie giggled again as she added her bit. "All those years of playing Quidditch together, and you never let us know what a ladies' man you were. I'm hurt."

Luna was scribbling something on a parchment at the table. "Harry can't help it. He swallowed a Amoreati at some point and everyone knows they attract the opposite sex."

Hermione stirred at that, looking at Luna. "He ate a what?"

Luna looked up. "An Amoreati. Muggles call them Love Bugs."

Hermione blinked sleepily. "Oh, ok."

Harry sighed. "Ladies," he said again. "We have company, and I am the host. While this is quite nice, I think I had better get up so I can get rid of these people."

"One condition," came Pansy's voice. "We will do this again, right?"

"Say yes, Harry, or I'm not moving," said Ginny.

Hermione just sighed and gently kissed Harry on the cheek. "Please?" she said softly. Harry was almost certain that she didn't even realize that her face was perfectly placed to blow her breath in his ear, giving him yet another blood flow problem. "It was nice to be held by you."

Harry sighed and gave in. "Yes, we will do this again, as soon as we figure out how to keep circulation in my legs while we do."

The girls started moving slowly. Pansy was the first to get off him, after claiming her good morning kiss. Ginny was next and she took her time kissing him.

He was too bemused by the situation to be startled when Hermione moved up and claimed his lips as soon as Ginny was done. She didn't force anything, but her kiss was not that of a sister either. It was slow and full of promise for another day.

Harry blinked at them as they stretched and he tried to stand up. The lack of circulation in his legs made it difficult however. He nearly fell, and it was only with a great effort that he hobbled into his room hunting the loo without falling. He was about to shut the door when he heard Fred or George. "Sleeping with three women. I'm not surprised the poor boy can barely walk."

Sitting at the table eating breakfast, Harry was glad they had something to distract them from this morning's sleeping arraignments. He had a feeling that Fred and George at least would have twitted him for the rest of the morning.

He looked down the table. One side was full of redheads. The closest one was Ginny, followed by Fred, George, Bill, Ron and of all people, Percy. Beyond them were Katie and Angeline, along with Daphne and Blaise. The other side of the table had a more varied group. Hermione and Pansy were first, followed by Luna, Neville, Remus, Tonks, Shacklebolt and Wilkes. Harry had raised an eyebrow to see her here, but she'd merely waved and continued chatting with Shacklebolt.

He finished his meal and looked around. "Let's get down to business." The group stopped their individual conversations and looked at him. "Most of us know what is going to happen today, but I would like to know where the new people stand before we start planning."

Percy stood up. "I will not be here for that. I have been sent to give you a message. Ron Weasley has a thing he is doing that he cannot talk about. I am here to tell you that it will help you in what you need to do, that it will not take much of his time, only three days a week for the summer, and that it is completely legitimate."

Harry nodded as he thought about it. "Does it have anything to do with your appearance last night?"

Percy frowned. "Sort of. I am not in his area, but we work for the same people. That is all we can say about it, and I would appreciate it if that information didn't go any further than this room."

Harry nodded. "It will not."

Percy nodded and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Mr. Potter, you set a fine table. Thank you for the meal, but I must be going."

Harry nodded, rising as Percy strode toward the Floo. "Percy," he said, "You're welcome here anytime." Percy turned and nodded slowly. He was gone a second later.

Harry looked at Wilkes. "And you?"

Amanda Wilkes shrugged. "You impressed the hell out of me last night. I don't think the Ministry has what it takes to defeat You-Know-Who, and the Order of the Phoenix is in disarray. You are our best hope and I want to help."

Harry blinked into his other sight and evaluated her. He came out of it and nodded. "Welcome to the Order."

"The Order of what, Harry?" asked Fred. "I was wondering what you were going to call your group."

Harry grinned. "I'll leave fancy names to Moldywart and the Death Wankers. I'm too busy to worry about it."

He turned serious. "Ron, are you free today?"

Ron nodded. "I'm going to be working that other thing Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The rest of the time, I'm at your disposal."

Harry nodded. "Kingsley?"

"I'm assigned to you, Harry. The Ministry has decided that you have a few too many run ins with Death Eaters not to have an Auror with you, and since we get along, I was chosen."

Harry frowned. Shacklebolt was a good man, but he was a good man. That meant he might consider it his duty to do something about some of the things he'd be seeing if he was always around.

Kingsley saw Harry's hesitation and guessed the reason for it. "I should mention that my orders specifically tell me to remain in the background and do nothing unless there are Death Eaters present." He frowned. "In fact, I think the Minister is making this more of a political thing. I have direct orders not to interfere in anything you do unless the Death Eaters are here, in sight."

Harry sighed. "I think you're right. He's still trying to get me on his side." He considered that and shrugged. "Nothing we can do about that now."

Harry sighed and turned to Hermione. "Would you keep notes please? This is likely to be a long meeting." Hermione nodded and called Dobby. She was ready a few minutes later and Harry was about to begin when Moody stepped out of the Floo.

Harry nodded and invited him to sit down. "Bill, your part is the easiest. You know the Fidelius Charm, don't you?"

Bill nodded. "Good. You'll be casting it at least once, possibly as many as five times tonight, depending on if we do the family heads together or separately."

Bill nodded, thinking about it. "Will you be the secret keeper?"

Harry grinned at him and pulled Hermione's notepad around to himself. He wrote two lines and tore that sheet off, quickly folding it. He handed it to Ginny who leaned behind the twins and handed it to Bill.

Bill opened the sheet and read it. Several times. He finally looked up at Harry. "Ok. I'll try it, and if it doesn't work, I'll have your alternate notified."

Harry nodded and ignored the curious looks he was getting from almost everyone to move on. "Moody? How did your hunt go?"

Mad-Eye grinned. "I have enough trainers to teach thirty people a day, seven days a week. All of them are good people, all with training and experience." He frowned. "Most of them have personal reasons to hate Voldemort as well."

Harry nodded. "Find a place to do the training. A group will start Monday. I'll be around on Sunday to look it over and get a quick lesson."

Moody nodded and grinned mirthlessly. "Don't think we'll be any easier on you than anyone else." he warned Harry.

Harry looked up. "I would hope not. I have to face Moldywart, and if I lose, he lives forever."

Wilkes gasped. Harry looked down at her. "Get one of the others to fill you in on everything after the meeting. I don't have time for it today." He looked around. "Kingsley, Ron you need to assemble a strike team. Assume that something has gone very wrong and you need to cover the withdrawal of innocents from the fight."

Ron frowned. "Same rules Harry? Our people come first?"

Harry nodded. "Always. Just remember that the families are mine also."

Ron sighed. "Just once, I'd like to see you do anything without complicating it."

Harry grinned and moved on. "Hermione, I need a half dozen Portkeys, taking a person to St. Mungo's in case of injuries to severe to treat on the spot." He looked at Luna. "Ron mentioned that you know a bit of healing magic."

Luna nodded. "I know a bit. I'm better with potions, as Ron can attest but I can heal."

Harry nodded. "You'll be with Ron and Shacklebolt unless you're needed. Then you and the twins will go wherever you're needed."

The twins frowned. Before they could say anything Harry spoke again. "I'm saving you as my troops of last resort, yes. You are far more valuable to me with that other project and the store in Moldywart's face than as a couple of fighters, no matter how good you are." Harry sighed. "Besides, if things get that bad, I think you'll see all the fighting you want."

By the end of the planning session, everyone had a basic idea about where they would be, what they would be doing and how to get all their wands pointed in the same direction, which is all they could do until they knew more about where they would be and how many people there would be tonight.

Around ten thirty Harry dismissed everyone to get a nap. It had been a very late night the day before and it would be another one tonight. He went and sat on the couch after everyone had found a room or a bed in a room. Some of the rooms had spare beds in them now and still some people had used the Floo to go home.

Harry was about to go find his bed when Ginny and Pansy sat down beside him and Hermione sat on his legs in much the same way as when he'd woken that morning. He was about to say something when he realized they were all staring at him and none of them looked happy.

"It came to our notice, Mr. Potter," Hermione said, "that all of your planning failed to assign any of us ladies a position or duties."

Harry smothered a grin. He'd hear them out. "And it occurs to us," said Ginny in his ear, "that maybe you simply forgot about us and needed to be reminded."

"That occurred to them," Pansy said, "I was thinking that you might try to keep us out of the battle, if one happens."

Hermione rested her hands on his belly and her chin on her hands. "Whichever it was, we decided that you deserve a chance to explain and let us know what you've got planned for us."

Harry grinned at them. "I have nothing planned for you."

All three girls began glaring at him. "Ginny, if we go out there, what are you going to do?"

"Watch over you," she said promptly.

"Hermione?"

Hermione shrugged. "What do I always do? Follow you and try to help out where I can."

"Pansy?"

"I need you, Harry, to protect my family. I'm going to be watching your back."

Harry smirked at all of them. "Now, since you're all doing things, and you know what you're going to be doing, why should I make plans for you?"

The girls considered that and Pansy smirked. "A smart man, as impossible as that sounds. He knows better than to give a woman orders."

Pansy found her head between Harry's hands and Harry in her face. "Wrong. In this we agree, because I want you around me so I can watch over all of you. However, if I tell you to do something while we're out there, you had better do it. Do you understand that?"

Pansy had tried to pull her head away but Harry held her firmly and she stopped as a familiar heat washed over her. She listened to him closely as he finished. He held her, looking her in the eye as she felt the strength in his arms and smiled. "I understand," she said, and felt the heat build a bit more. She licked her lips, focusing on Harry's lips now that he was done talking.

Hermione was watching with interest and Ginny was confused. Harry was aware of her interest and he tightened his hold for just a second, a move that made Pansy shiver. Harry frowned softly as he remembered something he'd only heard about in whispers at the park and the Muggle school. He released Pansy, seeing the flash of disappointment in her eyes.

Hermione was watching him, and the woman that had been watching him for six years knew when Harry made the connection. He took Pansy's head in his hands again and drew her down for a kiss. Pansy submitted to it happily and Ginny blinked. When he was done, Harry held Pansy until she looked at him. "You do as you're told, you get more of this. If not, you don't."

Pansy nodded happily while Ginny shook her head. She wasn't quite certain what was going on, but, "if you try something like that with me, I'll hex you into next week," she warned Harry.

Harry looked at her and smiled. He bent down and kissed her. She gladly accepted it and kissed him back. He drew away after a second and smiled at her. "You're not Pansy, and you get a different reward. Lots of kisses and a fur in front of the fireplace."

Ginny smiled. She'd mentioned to Harry once that the common room would be much better with a bearskin rug or something simular in front of the fireplace, and he'd remembered.

Hermione watched Harry and smiled. He was such a good man. She looked at Pansy, still dreamy eyed and her smile grew somewhat. She knew exactly what Pansy was. Hermione was a very logical girl and she had carefully examined all the things she liked and when she had a list, she had gone hunting for information on her likes. Including her preferences in bed.

Pansy's likes dovetailed with one of her favorite two likes perfectly, and she was looking forward to showing Harry how to get the most out of it. She became aware of Harry staring at her. "And what do you want, to follow instructions tonight?" He pulled her up and watched as she fought his grip. "Not what Pansy wants, and you've never been a snogfest person. So what does Hermione want?"

Hermione sighed and smiled, aware of the other girls watching them. "Why good sir," she said innocently, "Whatever do you mean?"

Harry watched her for a minute, searching her eyes with his. Hermione felt, for just a flicker of a second the touch of Harry's magic. Harry continued to watch her and she thought for a second that she had imagined it. "I mean," he said, leaning forward, "That I will do many things to you, some that you can only imagine." Hermione smiled as Harry stressed the word Imagine.

She knew that she had felt that flicker now, because Harry had found her favorite game. She wondered for a second if he even knew what was happening.

Harry looked at Hermione and thought he should have known she'd like imaginative games. Anything that didn't include her mind as well as her body would obviously be second rate to Hermione. He smiled as his eager imagination promptly started conjuring images for him.

He pushed those images away with difficulty and looked at the ladies. "If we're going to do this, we're going to find a different way to do it. I will need to be able to walk tonight."

Hermione looked at Harry as she thought about the problem. Three girls, one boy, far too many clothes. She pulled away from that image, knowing that Harry would not even consider sleeping in the nude with all of them yet.

She worked it out and got up "Come on. I'll show you how we'll do it for now." She led the others into Harry's room, judging he'd be more comfortable in his room. She made Ginny lay down first, with Harry spooned up behind her and Pansy spooned behind Harry. Hermione herself spooned up behind Pansy.

Ginny looked back. "But you're not next to Harry," she protested.

Hermione just smiled. "Not this time, but nothing says we have to do it the same way every time."

Ginny considered that. "Ok."

They lay there and it was Pansy that sighed happily. "I could get used to this," she said. She put an arm over Harry and Ginny, with her hand on Ginny's belly. Ginny had one of Harry's arms as a pillow and she reached down and took Pansy's hand in hers.

Hermione just wiggled up close to Pansy and whispered in her ear. "I have you good and pinned here, don't I?" Pansy wiggled for a second and Hermione put an arm over her, using Harry to hold Pansy still.

Pansy sighed. She had thought that Hermione knew what she was and this only confirmed it. Not only that, but Hermione knew how to play, unlike Harry, who had guessed what she was, but didn't know how to play the game.

The four of them drifted off to sleep, each of them happy with what they were doing, even though they hadn't removed any clothing.

OoOoOoO Roland D'Leander, Montague Manor, Surrey. OoOoOoO

Roland frowned as he approached the Manor house. This was the Montague Family seat for Merlin's sake. How did he get within thirty meters without being challenged? He was here on Snape's orders, trying to determine if any of the Windenmere families had escape plans, as the Zabinis had.

He shivered at the thought of finding an escape plan in place. He didn't think the Dark Lord would be happy about that. He was about to knock on the door when the entire house just disappeared. In fact, he found himself back on the country lane that led to the house and the grounds, but unable to find the grounds.

He swore. The Dark Lord was not going to like this.

OoOoOoO Peter Pettigrew, The Cage. OoOoOoO

Peter sighed again. He wished Harry would come along and do something, anything with him. This waiting was going to drive him insane. He looked around again. He was in a smaller cage, but he had to admit it was a nice cage. He had food and water and even a nice exercise wheel. He also had several large clumps of bedding and a private corner to do his business.

Peter sighed again, and walked around the cage looking for a weak spot. He hadn't found one the first thirty times, but hey, it wasn't like he had anything else to do. After he was done and still hadn't found a weak spot, he began considering making one.

The cage was made of metal, so he couldn't bite a hole in it. Magic was out of the question while in this shape. That left one option and Peter quivered as he started to change.

"Dobby would not be doing that, if Dobby was ratman. Rat is small and fits in cage. Man is big and does not fit. Cage will not break ever. Ratman be big mess to clean up if he makes the change."

Peter sighed again and stopped changing. The House Elf might be wrong, but Peter was not yet so desperate that he'd try it. Yet.

He frowned and curled up to try and get some more sleep. It made the time go by faster.

"Harry, please come do something to me."

OoOoOoO Mr. Blount, Somewhere in Scotland. OoOoOoO

Mr. Blount looked up as another owl flew in the window. His great grand daughter retrieved the message and looked up. "The Montague family is under the Fidelius."

He nodded, smiling at her. They were disappearing a lot earlier than they had planned on, but a little bird had warned them that Snape was asking pointed questions about escape plans, which made waiting a risk they were unwilling to take. Snape and his two assistants were all quite willing to rip the information out of your head, even if it killed you.

Since Mr. Blount had certain protections that no one else had, he was waiting for Potter's team to come so he could tell them about the changes that they had made. He grimaced. He'd seen three Dark Lords in his life, and he hoped that this would be the last one.

He looked up as a rush of air announced the arrival of a Portkey and he watched as Potter and four women appeared, followed closely by a mass of redheads using a Portkey and another Portkey with a more varied group. He nodded approvingly. They had not all travelled together, nor appeared so close together as to present a single target. They were close enough to watch each other though, and to cover each other.

Mr. Potter got up from where he landed and took a minute to look around. He couldn't see the people appearing in the meadow they had chosen for their rendezvous, as they were all under their family's own Fidelius Charm, but then again, this was Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Maybe he could see them.

Harry looked at him and walked over to join him. "I thought you were going to wait until dark," he said mildly.

"We were, but Snape and his mindsuckers are hunting for escape plans after the last few days, and we couldn't take chances with the families."

Harry smirked. "I don't know who his 'mindsuckers' are, but Hermione captured Snape last night." He frowned as he thought about something. Damn it, he'd forgotten about Peter. Well, Dobby had him caged, so Wormtail would be there when Harry got back. Harry pushed the rat out of his mind as he looked around.

Mr. Blount was looking at Hermione. "You captured Snape? More to you than meets the eyes, girl."

Miranda looked over at him. "She is adequate. Not at Mr. Potter's level, but she is acceptable."

Mr. Blount raised an eyebrow. "How would you rate Mr. Potter?" he asked her curiously. To get an 'adequate' from a Defender was high praise indeed, and he wanted to know what she thought of Harry.

Miranda shrugged. "I have not yet been in battle with him, but Headmaster Dumbledore's Phoenix will fight with him and he slew a twenty meter basilisk with a sword at twelve. I could have made a Defender out of him then. Now, he's too old."

Mr. Blount blinked. From a Defender, there was no higher praise. He raised his estimate of Harry. "We're waiting on one more owl, and then all the families will have reported in and will be ready for the Fidelius charm. Who will be casting the spell for you, Mr. Potter?"

Harry motioned at the mass of redheads outside. "Bill Weasley, a Curse Breaker for Gringotts is going to do it. We need to know if you want it done separately, or if it should be done as a single charm."

Mr Blount frowned. "If he can cast it more than once, separately. That way, a single incident doesn't expose everyone."

Harry nodded. "I understand." He looked at Ginny. "Would you tell Bill what they want, please?"

Ginny nodded and walked over to Bill. They talked for a minute and Bill looked around. The meadow appeared to be empty and he chose a small grove to the north to cast the spell. Bill, Charlie and Ron walked over there as Ginny came back to Harry to tell them that Bill would be ready in about ten minutes.

Harry nodded, still looking out over the meadow. "How many people are out there?" Harry couldn't see the people but he could feel something, and the new glasses were clear enough that he could see whole sections of the meadow grass being crushed. That implied people on top of the grass.

Harry filed the knowledge that the Fidelius Charm didn't hide the results of your actions from the people who might be watching away for later. He wasn't going to say anything about it, but he could not figure out why Moldywart wasn't making more use of the charm himself. It must be a vanity thing.

Ron came up then, telling Harry that Bill was ready for the first family Head to be protected. Mr. Blount sent his assistant after Mr. Rimaldi.

Harry nodded. With the Dark Mark, he was in the greatest danger of being found, and the sooner he was under the Fidelius, the better.

Ron was frowning at the meadow and Harry looked at him. "What's the problem, Ron?"

"There are innocent bystanders out there Harry, and if something happens, I have no way of knowing where they are and if they're in the way." Ron looked over at his strike team, who were also watching the meadow and talking in low tones. "How can we protect people we can't even find?"

"They know what to do if something happens, Mr. Weasley. Everyone out there has their instructions." Mr. Blount looked at Ron's dubious look and sighed. He would have to be a bit more specific than that. "Those that can, will Apparate to a secondary escape point, taking as many as they can with Side-Along Apparation. The rest have Portkeys to take the younger ones away, as well as those that cannot Apparate. Everyone should be gone in five minutes or less."

Ron and Shacklebolt looked at each other. That would make their job easier. They went over to the people they had for their team and Harry was bemused to see that there were some of the people from the Burrow last night. He crossed over to Fred and George. "Lee told me last night to ask you about where these people came from."

Fred and George shrugged. "We don't have any more faith in the Ministry than you do, Harry," said Fred. "We decided that if something was to be done, we'd have to do it, as you're stuck in Hogwarts most of the year and can't help us in Diagon Alley."

George nodded. "After trying to get the Order to do something, we realized that they wouldn't do anything without Professor Dumbledore's approval, and he was not willing to approve anything that looked like an escalation in the fighting."

Fred took up. "We understand that he was trying to keep the fighting to a minimum, but that wouldn't help us. So, we took a page from you and started a group, mostly our friends, who were willing to do something."

Harry nodded. "How much training have you gotten?"

Fred sighed. "Not as much as we want," he admitted. "It's a bit harder to find trainers and have the time to train when you have to hold down a job to support yourself."

Harry thought about that for a minute. "Get with me this week, and we'll see if we can't help out on that. I can think of a couple of things, and we'll try and get you some time with Moody's people."

Fred and George nodded. "Monday, after we close the store?" George suggested.

Hermione frowned. "Tuesday would be better," she said. "Harry has a number of things he's doing Monday."

Harry smiled at Hermione. "Are you my appointment secretary now?"

Hermione glared at him. "I am acting as your personal assistant, Mr. Potter. I don't do secretary."

Harry raised his hands. "OK, I give." He looked at Fred and George. "Tuesday night then."

Harry was about to say something else when an Apparation crack turned all their heads. Mr. Sharpstar stood there with Mr. Weasley. He saw Harry and came to meet him. "Good afternoon, Mr. Potter. I have a few more papers for you to sign and a few letters from various people that have been delivered to me, since normal owls can't seem to find you."

Harry was about to say something, when he remembered something. He reached into his robes and found the letter the cloaked Witch had given him. "Fred, I got this under suspicious circumstances. Check it for anything harmful, will you?"

Fred took it and looked at the ornate writing. "It's from a Pureblood Witch," he said. "The script and ink color tell me that. It's an old family as well, they're the only ones that use Formal English for letters anymore."

The twins started muttering things over the letter as Harry turned to Mr. Sharpstar. "I'm sorry about that, but you reminded me of that letter, and I wanted to deal with it before I forgot it again."

Mr. Sharpstar nodded before handing Harry a sheaf of papers. "The final few acceptances for the refugees. Total, you have fifty two people in your families now. The Black family, despite being the oldest of the three, got only eleven new people, and the Tonks accepted your invitation, so you have three Tonks' as well."

He looked at the paper he had kept. "With all of Mr. Zabini's sisters staying with him, the Montague family had the largest group, with twenty-six people, leaving the final thirteen in the Potters." He smiled at Harry. "Including one little girl who tells me to tell you that she always has a kiss when you need it."

Harry blushed. "Tell Miss Potter that I will remember that,and thank her for me."

Mr. Sharpstar nodded. "I also have some new business for you. The Montague Estate was empty, and I assumed you might want it, so it was purchased and the families are hiding there, until we can sort them out and find places for them all. At the latest, that will be on your birthday, when you can access the Black and Potter family properties."

He frowned. "On that note, the house ghosts at the Montague Manor are insistent that you come out and meet them. The most they will say is that they have some information that the Head of Family must know."

Harry sighed and looked at Hermione. She nodded. "Tell them Harry has already planned to meet with his families on Monday, and since they're all out there, he can talk to the ghosts then."

Mr. Sharpstar nodded and made a note on a scrap of parchment. "Other new business, here is your mail, and there are no curses on it, or unknown magic. The Gringotts letters and the Wizengamot letter both have magic, but it's standard privacy magic to prevent anyone but you from opening it."

Harry accepted the stack of letters and leafed through them. Three letters from Gringotts, one addressed to each of his family names, one from the Wizengamot, and several from the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly. It was the last two letters that left him blinking and stunned.

The first was from Victor Krum and the last one was from Bellatrix Lestrange. He handed the others to Hermione and opened Victor's letter first, putting off Bella's letter.

"Mr. Potter,

I have no doubts that you remember me from the tournament in your fourth year. While I do not live in England, nor am I particularly interested in your country's internal disputes, I have recently become aware that your Dark Lord is attempting to recruit people in my country.

While the thought of our Dark Wizards leaving the country is a good one, I feel that it would be only right to inform you of this. In particular, he has recruited a man named Ivan Gorchakov, a Russian born Wizard who is a paid duellist. He has killed several times, always on the Duelling field.

I have told you what I know, and hope that you will use it to your profit. If your people do not stop this Dark Lord, he could very well become a problem for us, and I do not wish to stop playing Quidditch to fight. It just doesn't pay as well.

Victor Krum."

Harry frowned and looked for Miranda. He handed her the note and watched her read it. She frowned and looked at him. "I know of Mr. Gorchakov, but despite being a paid killer, he has always followed the rules. He will only fight under the cover of the laws regarding Duelling."

She frowned. "Maybe they're hoping to get you on the Duelling grounds with him. He does have a great deal of skill, and you don't even know the rules."

Harry sighed. "Another thing to worry about is not what I need right now." He looked up. "Pansy, would you make sure everyone knows about this? I don't want anyone getting caught up in some plot to trap me into a duel."

Pansy nodded and started toward Ron and Shacklebolt. Harry looked at the last letter. He looked at the return address again. All it said was: Bellatrix Lestrange. He opened it, knowing that Bella would never trap a letter. Her madness would insist that she be there to gloat. Inside the envelope was another smaller letter and a sheet of paper.

Harry raised an eyebrow to see Miranda's name on the second letter, and he handed it to her. Miranda looked at it and blinked. Both of them started reading their letters.

"Mr. Potter,

I understand that you might be somewhat startled to be receiving a letter from me, but I find myself in a bit of a puzzle. Soon, I will engage in a duel to the death. Custom dictates that I have a second there and I cannot be certain that any of my current associates would act in an honorable way if I were to look as if I was in trouble, or even losing.

You are the most honorable person I know, and yet your use of a certain curse in the ministry leads me to believe that you would abide by the rules of a death duel, despite the illegality of such a duel.

In short, Mr. Potter, I am asking that you be my second at the duel.

An owl addressed to Bella Berlon will reach me with only minor delays.

Bellatrix Lestrange."

Harry stared at the letter in disbelief. He had known that Bellatrix was insane, but this went far beyond mere insanity.

He handed the letter to Hermione without a word and looked at Miranda. Miranda had the impassive mask that Harry was beginning to think of as her Defender face. She looked at Harry. "I was going to ask you to be my second, but it seems Bellatrix beat me to it." She frowned for a second, while Harry absorbed the fact that Bellatrix and Miranda would be in a duel to the death. "I suppose Miss Weasley would be a good second."

"I accept," said Ginny, looking at Miranda, "provided you give me a couple of classes in what I need to do."

Miranda grinned at Harry. "Not much, if Harry accepts her request. The two seconds in a death duel are there to witness only, so that each side has a witness they trust to tell them if it was a fair duel. Other than that, you simply make sure that the other second doesn't interfere in the duel."

Harry growled and his magic flared slightly. "So, I almost have to agree to this, or leave Ginny facing a Death Eater alone."

Miranda nodded slowly. "I think you're right. Bellatrix can't just ask anyone, most people are scared spitless of her."

Harry frowned. "Hermione, would you find a parchment and a quill, please? I might as well use her owl to send my acceptance."

He looked at Miranda, considering her. "Can you beat her?"

Miranda sighed. "I don't know. This is about that very thing, Mr. Potter. Bellatrix Lestrange is a legend. For years, she has been the most dangerous female alive, equalled only by Voldemort, Professor Dumbledore and now, you. Beating her would prove my skills in a way that can not be disputed, especially if it was in a duel to the death and one on one."

Harry was thinking about that when Dobby popped up. "Harry Potter Sir, Mr. Rimaldi would like to talk to you."

As Dobby spoke, Mr. Rimaldi appeared, standing next to Dobby. He was furious and glaring at Harry. "How dare you insult my Family like this!" he said as Harry looked at him. "Putting us in the hands of a House Elf!"

Harry just stared at him. "Sir, before you say something rash, allow me to show you something." Harry turned to Dobby. "Dobby, come here." Harry knelt, so that he was looking Dobby in the eyes. "Dobby, you know what you are now, don't you?"

Dobby nodded. "I is Harry Potter Sir's House Elf, and a keeper of his secrets. Dobby is most happy to be Harry Potter Sir's House Elf."

Harry nodded. "Dobby, listen to me. The Secret you hold, must not be known to anyone, not even Winky, unless I tell you to your face to tell someone. You are ordered to use any means to protect that secret, just as you would me. Do you understand that?"

Dobby looked at Harry, and for once, there was something like intelligence in his eyes. "Harry Potter Sir can always trust Dobby. I am your House Elf, Harry Potter Sir."

Harry smiled at Dobby. "I knew I could count on you, Dobby. Thank you."

Harry stood up and turned to Mr. Rimaldi. "Sir, I needed a Secret Keeper who was unfailingly honest, completely loyal and strong enough to defend himself if someone did figure out who he was. Dobby is all of that. I have seen him knock Lucius Malfoy on his ass, and Malfoy didn't do anything about it. As for the rest, Dobby is my House Elf, and completely loyal to me. Name a better Secret Keeper, keeping in mind, that the only other time I know of this charm being used, a close friend of the family involved turned on them, after eight years of friendship."

Mr. Rimaldi was still angry, but they could see him thinking about it, and then Harry smirked, adding another thought. "Besides, which of your former associates would even consider this idea?"

Mr. Rimaldi blinked as he considered that. He looked at Harry with a new gleam in his eye. "There's more to it than just that, though, isn't there?"

Harry grinned and opened his robe. "I've had this a while, but yes, there is more."

Mr. Rimaldi caught the small crude button Harry tossed him. He read it and raised an eyebrow. "S.P.E.W.?" he said, saying it as a word.

Hermione blushed as Harry and Ron looked at her with smiles. "I was young. I think I could do a bit better now."

Harry shrugged. "I don't really care what you call it, but I am going to stuff the unreasoning bias' of the Wizard world down their throats. Dobby has a soul, is a reasoning being, and a good person, yet he's treated as less than a Death Eater, simply because he's not human. It's time for that to stop."

Hermione sighed happily. Harry grinned at her. "I never disagreed with your goals, Hermione, just the means. We'll have to change the attitudes before the treatment will change."

Hermione blushed. "I know that now, Harry, but I was eleven."

Mr. Rimaldi sighed. "Mr. Potter, you do realize that changing the Wizard opinions about this will be harder than defeating the Dark Lord."

Harry shrugged. "I will do it though. Wizards live a very long time and after I've gotten rid of Moldywart, I don't have anything else to do."

Mr. Rimaldi rolled his eyes. "Great, yet another crusader. That's for the future though, Mr. Potter. Right now, I'm going to take the families home. We'll sort out the volunteers and be back to you on Wednesday."

He started to walk away and stopped. "I would be careful about standing still when Mrs. Warrington finds out what you're doing. She's a bit old fashioned, and in her youth she was a great duellist." He smirked suddenly. "And before you ask, no, I'm not going to warn them. They should have the same fun of finding out that I did."

He walked away and Harry noted that there were two trails being made in the grass close to him. He'd brought back up then, or was being followed. Given the paranoid nature of the families, Harry assumed the first.

Harry looked at Mr. Blount. "Do you have anything to say about my Secret Keeper, Sir?"

Mr. Blount frowned. "I wouldn't, except for one thing. I have heard the name Dobby, in gossip. Is he truly a free House Elf?"

Harry nodded. "The highest paid House Elf in the world in fact."

Mr. Blount nodded. "How do you know someone won't hire him away from you, and become his new master?"

His answer came from Dobby, not Harry. "Harry Potter Sir pays Dobby because Harry Potter Sir is great Wizard, greatest Wizard alive. But he does not need to. Dobby would work for Harry Potter Sir for free. Harry Potter Sir does not mind that Dobby is not like other House Elfs. Harry Potter Sir treats Dobby like person and trusts Dobby. Dobby is Harry Potter Sir's House Elf always."

Harry smiled at Dobby. "Any other questions, Sir?"

Mr. Blount was looking at Harry thoughtfully. The House Elf was insane, but he was also fixated on Harry. Mr. Blount wanted to ask how Harry had created such loyalty, but looking at Harry, he knew that Harry didn't even understand how unusual his House Elf was. "Not at this time, Mr. Potter."

Hermione was also staring at Dobby thoughtfully. She was beginning to realize that Dobby was changing. She thought about what Harry had told them about Dobby and compared that to what she was seeing today. The beginning of an idea was stirring in her head, but she had to test it before she'd say anything. She was not going to give Harry wrong information. She did have a reputation after all.

The rest of the charms went smoothly, with Harry having to explain Dobby to the other Family heads as well. Mr. Parkinson was more irate with Pansy than Harry. "I thought you said there was nothing wrong with his choice."

Pansy shrugged, avoiding his eyes. "From Harry's point of view, there isn't. Dobby is everything Harry said he was."

Mr. Parkinson glared at them both. "I was expecting someone human at least."

Harry looked at him. "Sir, with all due respect, Dobby is far more human than the people you're trying to escape from. He understands compassion, loyalty and trust, which is more than you can say for Moldywart."

Mr. Parkinson sighed. "In the future, Mr. Potter, would you please refrain from surprises like this? They're bad for my heart and our agreement." With that veiled threat, he left to begin sorting his family out and taking them home

Harry was talking to Ginny when he suddenly felt a cold wind down his back and ducked, dragging Ginny with him. A Curse shot by their heads, missing by mere inches as they fell. Miranda pulled Hermione behind her, putting herself between her charge and the direction the curse had come from.

Harry rolled over and jumped to his feet, barely avoiding a second curse. "Dobby!"

"Harry Potter Sir, Mrs. Warrington is angry, Harry Potter Sir!" As Dobby spoke, she faded into view and Harry dove aside to avoid the next curse.

"You ignorant little worm! I will strip the skin from your bones for this insult!" She raised her wand to throw another curse, but now that they could see her, Ron's team had a target. Multiple Apparation cracks sounded and Mrs Warrington found herself surrounded by many wands, held by people that did not look happy.

"Mrs. Warrington," Harry said, pushing through the group to face her. "No insult was meant or intended."

"Mr. Potter, you are either a lying bastard or stupid on a level that exceeds belief."

Harry frowned and the first touch of his magic began. "I will accept a lot, but you had better explain yourself, Ma'am."

She stared at him and suddenly deflated. "You truly don't know, do you?" she said in a wondering voice. "You have read the Potter family books, haven't you?"

Harry blinked. "We have books?"

Mrs Warrington stared at him in shock. "Mr. Potter, all of the old families have the family histories recorded. Their children are read to out of them, learn to read with them and have to read all of them at least once before starting whatever magical school they go to. It is a custom that dates back before recorded history." She stared at him again. "You've never read them?"

Harry shrugged. "Until now, I've never heard of them."

Mrs Warrington hissed in dismay. "You must find those books, Mr. Potter. You are responsible for a dozen agreements between the Potters and other families, dating back at least four centuries. How will you know what to do without the instructions in those books?"

Harry groaned. "Agreements? With who? How many are there? And what do they want me to do?"

Mrs. Warrington frowned "I can only answer that for the one between your family and mine, and I will not do that in front of witnesses not in our families."

Harry sighed as he felt the beginning of a major headache coming on. He rubbed his temples as he thought. "Mrs. Warrington, I knew nothing of this. The choice of Dobby as Secret Keeper was made strictly on his merits, with no other reasons that did not have to do with Dobby himself. If in doing so, I have truly offended you, I apologize."

Mrs. Warrington put her wand away. "I will accept that it was unintentional, but it happened. I must ask you to break the Fidelius and do it again, with a different Secret Keeper, one that is mutually agreeable to both of us."

Harry frowned and looked around. "Bill, are you up for breaking it, and casting the charm one more time?"

Bill sighed. "Give me about fifteen minutes and I will be."

Harry looked at Ginny. "Is Miss Weasley acceptable to you?"

Mrs. Warring ton frowned. "I would prefer a Witch who is of age, Mr. Potter, and one who is quite good at Defense."

Harry grinned but before he could say anything, Miranda spoke. "I cannot, Mr. Potter. It would conflict with my charge."

Harry sighed. "Pity. You fit her description quite well."

Harry looked around. His eyes fell on Auror Wilkes and she sighed. "I knew you'd get around to me."

"Will you do it?"

Mrs. Warrington frowned. "Who are you?" she asked.

"I am Auror Amanda Wilkes, of the Penhold Family." Amanda said calmly.

Mrs Warrington considered that for a minute. "Your mother was Arabella Drake, wasn't she? Of the Drake-Penhold alliance marriage."

Amanda nodded. Mrs. Warrington turned to Harry. "She is acceptable."

Harry nodded. "Bill, would you take care of this, please? We'd all like to go home sometime today."

As the three of them walked away, Harry had one more thing to say. "Mrs. Warrington, we will be discussing this later. I want to know why you attacked me like that. I hope you have a very good reason."

She studied him. "It is good enough for me, Mr. Potter." She frowned, looking at the people around Harry. "I will be waiting for you, but you should really find the Potter histories. Then you would not have to ask."

Harry looked at Pansy. "I think we're going to sit down and have a long conversation about the old families and their customs before something I should know but don't bites me."

Pansy nodded. " I agree, although I don't know anything about why she was so upset either." She frowned. "There was an agreement between our families, but it was finished about three hundred years ago, and I never thought about what the Potters might be still involved in." She shook her head. "I keep thinking of you as your mother's son, a Muggleborn, raised by Muggles, and forgetting that you are your father's son as well, with a history in the Wizard world that is actually longer than ours."

Hermione looked up. "Just how old is the Potter family?"

Pansy shrugged. "I don't know. It would not surprise me to learn that there was a Potter in the first class at Hogwarts though."

Harry blinked. He looked around and smiled at Ginny. "I have a little project for you." He frowned. "Even if it means you're going to actually have to go to work to get it done."

Dobby and Amanda appeared, and Dobby looked at Harry. "Mrs. Warrington is much calmer this time."

As she faded into view Harry smiled. "I can tell. I'm not ducking curses." He looked at her. "Just out of curiosity, what was the multi-coloured one? I didn't recognize it."

Mrs. Warrington thought for a second. "It's called Muddle and is a mid level hex, designed to confuse an opponent by mixing up his senses. You see smells, hear colours, that sort of thing."

Harry blinked. "That would make fighting hard. Would you mind teaching that spell to a few of us?"

"Not at all. Although, I would like to know how you managed to duck a curse from someone you could not detect." Mrs. Warrington looked at Harry.

Harry scratched his head. "I'm not sure," he confessed, thinking about it. "I just felt something like a cold wind, and every time I've felt that before, something bad was happening."

"Useful talent," Mrs. Warrington said dryly, "for someone that gets in as many fights as you do, Mr. Potter." She turned and Disapparated, going to join her family in hiding.

Bill came up, yawning. "I never knew how draining that spell is. I'm going home to sleep for a day or two."

"Thank you, Bill," said Harry, studying him. "Are you safe to Apparate? You look tired."

Bill yawned again. "Probably not," he admitted, "but I have a Portkey, and Fleur is waiting with a meal." He smiled. "She is beginning to understand just what it takes to be a Curse Breaker's wife."

With that, he pulled a small flat stone from his pocket and disappeared. Harry frowned as he watched the spot where he had been. Something about Portkeys was in the back of his head.

"Harry, we're done here. Can I release the rest of them to go home?" Ron was watching Harry.

Harry looked up, still trying to pin down the thought. "Go ahead. Make sure they have a way to be contacted. I don't know when they'll be needed, but the twins and I are working on getting them some training as well."

Ron sighed. "That would be good. Some of them aren't as good as the DA. They need some serious help." He turned to go back and Harry went back to thinking about Portkeys.

He stiffened suddenly as the idea came to him. "Hermione, I need a bit of research from you please."

Hermione smiled. "My speciality. What am I looking up now?"

Harry took her to the side and murmured to her for a minute. They watched her face as her expression changed, from surprised, to intrigued to determined. Ginny grinned as she spoke to the few people left. "Harry told her what he's thinking of, and what he wants. Surprise, that she didn't think of it. Now, Harry is explaining how he thinks it can help, in case she can find a flaw in his idea, that's the intrigue there, and finally, the look of Hermione On The Hunt."

Ron snorted. "That's a look I know well."

Miranda sighed. "I hope this hunt doesn't take us back to Knockturn Alley. I am appalled that she went there alone. I was not happy to be in some of those shops, but she didn't care, as long as they let her look at the books."

Ron laughed. "Harry takes risks to save people, Hermione just wants to know everything. Get used to it." He smiled at his two best friends. "They'll never change."

Harry and Hermione rejoined the group, and Harry looked at them. "What is everyone smiling about?"

Ginny just stepped up and burrowed under his arm. "Come on, Harry. Let's go home."

Harry grinned. "One minute. I have an owl to send first." Pansy sighed. Harry looked at Luna. "May I have the owl, please?"

Luna nodded and handed an owl to Harry. It was an average looking owl with a peculiar gleam in its eyes. It had a charm laid on it, that would allow it to find Lord Voldemort. Harry dug a package out of his robes and a letter, which he had written personally. He tied them to the owl and looked at the owl. "Take these, and then leave instantly. It will not be safe there shortly."

The owl stared at him for a few seconds and bobbed its head, hooting softly before flying into the gathering dusk. It was barely away when the second part of the charm kicked in and the owl disappeared from view. Harry used his new glasses to pierce the invisibility charm and watched the owl until it disappeared from sight.

He turned to the others and smiled. "Let's go home."

Shortly, the meadow was quiet and empty of human life.

OoOoOoO Saturday morning, Harry's Room. OoOoOoO

Harry woke up slowly, aware that someone was entering the room. He looked up and the person came close enough for him to identify Ginny by the mass of red hair spilling down her back. She crawled into bed behind Hermione and snuggled close to them. "Good morning Harry,"

Harry sighed, trying not to think about Pansy's warm softness spooned up in front of him, or Hermione's female bits pressing into his back. "Good morning Ginny." He felt her hand come over Hermione and come to rest on his stomach.

Harry laid there, listening to the three girls breathe. He smiled to himself. He was living every adolescent boy's fantasy, and he was male enough to admit he liked it.

He frowned as reality intruded. Pansy was with him because Moldywart wanted to destroy everything Harry liked about the Wizard world. Ginny loved him, and surprised as he had been to find it, Hermione did as well. But before he would be truly free to love any of them back, he had to deal with a certain snake faced dark lord that wouldn't leave him alone.

Harry began thinking again about the plans he had working, and the plans he wanted to make happen. He had the core of a group he could trust. He had a pool of people to draw from, for tasks of a less dangerous nature, and all he needed for personnel now were trained fighters.

He set aside the people problems, and started thinking about the public. The Wizard world allowed the Daily Prophet to set their opinions, and changed them with every new article in the paper. Since the current ownership of the Prophet was either Death Eater friendly, or outright supporting Moldywart, Harry had to do something about that. He would use the Quibbler if he had to, but he would prefer to neutralize the Prophet entirely.

Harry smirked to himself as he thought about something Pansy had said. He needed to hit the Death Wankers in ways they were not expecting, and Pansy had offered up an idea that Harry had not considered. It was not going to be an instant thing, requiring some ground work laid in the Wizengamot, but Harry would get Mr. Sharpstar started on it right away.

Fred and George were working on that other thing for him and Harry grinned. If they could do it, he was going to have a great deal of fun playing with that. He'd have to wait and see if they could do it though, so he moved on.

With the Families behind him, he controlled a great deal of the Wizengamot now, and it was time to start working on that. There were a couple of law changes he wanted to make, and a couple of new laws that would have to be slipped in carefully. Most important, he wanted to start having Death Wankers treated like dangerous animals. Treating them like the Wizards treated werewolves right now would be a good start.

"You're brooding again Harry." Hermione's sleepy voice came from behind him. He turned carefully, getting his glasses from the small cubicle in the headboard that Dobby had put there. He smiled as Hermione's face came into focus. "What are you brooding about now?"

Harry sighed and started to get up, only to have Hermione hold him. "You can tell me right here."

Harry started with the idea Pansy had suggested, laying it out for Hermione. He went into the things he wanted in the Wizengamot, vaguely aware that Ginny and Pansy had woken up and were listening as well.

The four of them spent an hour talking quietly about Harry's plans, each of the girls offering ideas of their own.

Harry listened, offering changes to some ideas, turning down some and accepting others. Hermione's ideas were logical, straight forward and designed to hurt the enemy in ways they wouldn't be able to do anything about.

Ginny's plans were more involved with carrying the battle to the Death Eaters, more physical.

Pansy had several ideas like Hermione's, and a couple like Ginny's, but hers always came with a twist, designed to hit the opposition in veering, twisting ways that they wouldn't be expecting.

Harry listened as the three of them began offering their views and ideas to changing each other's plans. He'd never tried to work with so many different personalities, and watching what they could do as they plotted together brought home what the Sorting Hat had been saying.

Hogwarts had to find a way to bring the Houses together. These three girls were doing it, and that meant it could be done.

Someone knocked on the door and Harry told them to come in absently, as he listened to Hermione outline the plan the three girls had decided on.

When nothing was said by whoever came in, Harry looked up. Miranda, Luna, Remus and Ron were standing in the door. Miranda was wearing her Defender face, but the corner of her mouth was twitching. Luna was staring, looking at them the same as always.

Remus was smirking broadly, half turned to examine the Quidditch poster on the wall.

Ron was turned completely around, and the back of his neck was redder than his hair.

"We were wondering," Remus said in a voice thick with suppressed laughter, "if you were going to get up today and do anything. I see that you decided to have your first council of war privately." He coughed. "I can see why though. Order meetings are never like this."

Luna cocked her head. "Is that going to be the uniform for the meetings of the Order Without a Name, Harry?"

Miranda merely raised one eyebrow. "I hope not. There are some people that should not be exposed like that."

Harry frowned, looking at his bed partners, really looking at them for the first time this morning. It had been a warm night so they had simply slept on top of the blankets when they came in last night after dropping Ginny off at Longbottom Estate.

Harry hadn't even thought about it, being tired and used to the girls disrobing in front of him, but Hermione and Pansy were only wearing knickers. Small skimpy knickers at that. He craned his neck to look at Ginny, who was wearing the same thing, but had also added a bra.

She blushed as he looked at her. "I'm not quite as."

Harry interrupted her. "I understand, believe me." Harry was wearing his pajama bottoms, despite Pansy's request last night that he wear the boxers she bought for him. Harry was not that comfortable with disrobing in front of the girls yet.

"If everyone is done gawking, get out. We'll join you shortly." Pansy stood up and faced the group at the door. "Unless you want to watch us get dressed?"

Ron was already headed out and Miranda followed him. Remus snickered. "As interesting as that might be, you're all a bit young for me, and Tonks would be annoyed." He followed Ron out the door.

Luna stood there a second longer, looking at Pansy. "Don't do anything to hurt Harry. He is very important to us all." With that, she wandered out the door.

The four people left in the room looked at each other. Harry laid back on the bed and sighed. "I'm going to hear about this from Ron," he predicted.

Ginny was about to say something when Hermione spoke absently. "If he starts to say anything to you, tell him that I have not forgotten. Just say that, and nothing else."

Pansy blinked at Hermione. "What haven't you forgotten?"

Hermione sat up and straddled Harry, taking a second to smirk at Pansy. "Anything since fourth year, I think." She looked at Harry and bent down, kissing him softly until he responded, and then becoming more demanding.

When she was done Harry blinked. Pansy let him set the pace when they kissed, and Ginny was soft and loving with her kisses, but Hermione was firm, demanding and controlling. Harry didn't have any time to think about it though, as Ginny pulled his head to the side to claim her morning kiss and he was vaguely aware that Pansy was waiting for Ginny to finish. By the time the three of them were finished with Harry, he had a very silly smile on his face.

The girls started dressing and Harry went into his bathroom to dress. When he was gone, Pansy looked at Hermione. "I told you he'd go for it."

Hermione smiled. "I always hoped that I could do this with Harry, but I never saw any way to break him out of the "Best friend" role he'd put me in." A shadow crossed her face. "Plus, I would rather have been his best friend forever rather than risk losing his friendship."

Ginny nodded. "I think Harry is just that way. You really have to be his friend before he thinks of you in any way." She made a face. "But, he always has a hard time changing the way he sees you, once he decides you're in a category. It took him five years to stop seeing me as Ron's little sister."

Pansy smiled. "I am so glad I didn't have to wait five years. I'd have hexed him long before that."

The girls were done getting dressed and waiting for Harry when the bathroom door opened. Harry stepped out to find all the girls looking at him. Harry looked at them and then down at himself. "What? Do I have my shirt on inside out?"

Hermione sighed. "No, Harry, but we really have to talk about your penchant for black." Harry was dressed in black slacks and a black turtleneck.

Pansy sighed. "And when we're done with that, we're going to have a talk with Hermione about using words like 'penchant' in everyday conversation."

The four of them went into the main room. Ron, Remus, Luna, Neville, Miranda and Auror Wilkes were eating breakfast at the table. The four of them joined the others.

Good mornings were said and Harry and the girls started eating. Harry looked up after a minute. "What have we got planned today?"

Hermione thought for a second. "Not much. We have to go into London to do the final fittings on your suits, Mr. Sharpstar has some things for you to look at, and I assume you want to ask him about the Potter histories."

Harry nodded. "Definitely. If I am bound by some kind of contracts, I want to know what they are."

Hermione nodded. "Other than that, we don't have anything planned."

Harry nodded. "Then we need to go see Luna's father and talk to him about using the Quibbler, and how we're going to protect it. Then, we need to stop by Diagon Alley, so I can buy a Comet."

Ron stared at Harry. "Why do you need a Comet, Harry? You're got a Firebolt."

Harry shrugged. "I have a gift, from a man who died. I can't replace that, like my Nimbus was replaced, so I'm going to retire it. Since I own the Comet Broomstick Co., I thought I should buy one."

Harry looked up at the silence. Except for Hermione and Pansy, no one else had known that Harry owned a Broomstick company, and they were all staring at him.

Ron sighed. "Harry, if you didn't have insane relatives, a dark lord after you and a habit of ending up in the hospital wing regularly, I could hate you easily."

Remus blinked. "I had forgotten about that. James never really talked about the Potter family business, and we assumed that like most of the old money families, the Potter fortune was tied up in real estate."

Harry smiled wryly. "No, Sirius left me enough problems in that area."

Remus looked confused for a second and then nodded. "I remember Sirius saying something about his family owning the wrong bit of land."

Pansy choked on her orange juice. "If owning Knockturn Alley can be dismissed that easily."

Hermione blinked as a thought struck her. "Harry, I want to see that list of properties again. Maybe a threat to have the rent raised will get me into the darker books." She looked at the glances everyone was giving her. "I'm looking for information on Inferi and Horcruxes. Do you think they sell those kinds of books in Flourish and Botts?"

Miranda sighed. "The rules haven't changed, Miss Black."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "After seeing what you do, I am not going to argue with you about it."

The rest of the breakfast conversation was lighter, as people made an effort to relax. When they were done Harry looked at the rest. "Ron, you, Luna, Neville and Auror Wilkes can do what ever today, but make sure you get in touch with all of our people. Tomorrow I want everyone available, in case Moldywart attacks."

The group thought about the gift Harry had sent to Voldemort and collectively shook their heads.

OoOoOoO Somewhere in England, Voldemort. OoOoOoO

Voldemort was certain of it now, Wormtail had been captured. He would never have gone this long without checking in on his own. He sent a Death Eater after his people and thought. The last week had been a series of blows. First Potter stole most of the younger people, and then he stole nearly a third of Voldemort's followers. The reports of that debacle were still coming in.

Voldemort looked at the Quibbler. If he ever found the premises that paper was published on, he would tear it to the ground and salt the earth.

He was distracted then, as an owl came in the room. He recognized the charm that he had taught the Death Eaters so they could send him owls and allowed it to land. He took the package it carried and was not surprised when it left as soon as the package was untied. Birds and other natural creatures didn't like to be around him anymore, not since he'd come back in this body.

He looked up as his followers started filing in. "Rabin, go find Bella and scout Diagon Alley. I want to know if they have increased their protections. Take the young Malfoy with you."

Lucius stirred, as if he would say something, but remained quiet when Voldemort looked at him. Voldemort looked at the package and stilled, his eyes flaring into a glowing red.

Dork Lard Moldywart

Hiding in the Dark

He read the address and snarled to himself. This was Potter's work. He cast a detection spell over the package and found no magic on it at all. He was beyond angry now. Potter had stolen his people, but the only ones that should know the charm that allowed owls to find him were all still here. Most of them were in the room with him, and that meant Potter had turned one of them.

"Look," he hissed, holding the package up. "Harry Potter has sent me a gift. Isn't that nice of him?" He ripped the paper covering the package and a letter and a smaller paper covered package fell out. Voldemort ignored the smaller package and picked up the letter. "Let's find out what Mr. Potter wants to say, shall we?"

By this time, his followers were pale and looking from side to side, seeking an escape route. Voldemort kept one eye on them as he began to read Harry's letter aloud.

Dear Moldywart,

I thought you might want to see the latest clothing fad before I start it. If you would like some for your Death Wankers, let me know and I'll get you a bulk rate discount.

I must also thank you for the new family you have given me. In a few years, the names of Potter and Black will stand high in ranks of the Wizard community, since I have enough people to repopulate all the scum sucking halfbreed gits I'm going to have to destroy while I hunt you. I'll be especially happy to kill the Pureblood bigots as well, except for the one that has joined me, and repudiated you.

I hope you have a will made out, your coffin chosen and someone to speak at your grave. I will look around, but I think you killed all the Riddles and the Gaunts are gone as well, so I think when I'm done with you, Tom Marvolo Riddle, Mr. Half-blood, Dork Lard Moldywart or whatever silliness you choose to call yourself this week, you are going to go to your grave un-mourned and unremembered by anyone save me, and I will use the fame I earn ridding the world of your pestiness to make sure that the next dark lord never gets as far as you did.

By the way, Peter Pettigrew was instrumental in finding the one that betrayed you, which is why he stayed with me after the pathetic showing of your people yesterday. I hope you have better people hiding in the dark with you, because the ones you sent are dead. Well, except for Bella, and she has an appointment to keep.

I thought you might like to know that Snape was captured by a Muggleborn schoolgirl and is going to be tried and convicted of the murder of Professor Dumbledore. I only wish they would let me kill him, but I'll have to settle for watching him get Kissed.

I have to go now, I have an interview to do, so the world knows that the Death Wankers are pathetic.

Look for me, Tommy boy. I'll be coming for you soon.

Harry Potter, Baron Potter, Lord Black, The Montague, The Boy Who Lived, The Man With Too Bloody Many Titles, and the one that knows what the prophecy says.

(I'll tell you the full Prophecy, for all three Malfoys, intact and given to me.)

Voldemort looked at his followers, most of whom were white and visibly trembling. "Mr. Potter grows bold. This might upset a lesser man, but I am above the petty ranting of a child."

He listened to several audible sighs and then turned to face the window. "I am wondering about one thing, however. The only people that knew how to send me an owl are in this room, for the most part."

"My Lord," said Lucius Malfoy quickly, "Potter implied that Pettigrew was helping him. Might he have given Potter the charm?"

Voldemort cocked his head. "That is an interesting idea, Lucius, but I invade Pettigrew's mind every day, and I think Mr. Potter is lying about Pettigrew's help. As of the time he left with Bellatrix to collect the Weasley girl, he had no intention of betraying me. Since the Windenmere group left so suddenly, and so soon after that, I have to believe they had their plans in motion before then."

Lucius was sweating heavily, but he was trying to save his life. If the Dark Lord started brooding on that letter or looked at that package, people were going to die. He could feel it. "My Lord, I am not the traitor Potter speaks of. I ask you to look for yourself, and see that. Lucius moved up and knelt at Voldemort's feet, suddenly glad that Draco was not here. At least the bloodline was safe.

Voldemort nodded and turned to look at Lucius. He reached out with his magic and invaded Lucius' mind, searching it for information. Lucius quivered with the pain, but pain was becoming an close friend, and he didn't fall over at least.

Voldemort finished searching his mind and looked at the rest of his followers. "Who will match Lucius' offer? Who among you is loyal enough to let me into their minds willingly?"

Most of the Death Eaters stepped forward, but one, a man named Justin March stayed where he was. Voldemort looked at him. "Why will you not let me search your mind?"

Justin March had known he was going to die from the moment the Dark Lord had started reading the letter. That knowledge gave him a courage he'd never had before. "Because of two things, Lord Voldemort. I am no longer your man, body and soul, although it has nothing to do with betraying you. I simply doubt you can effectively lead us to victory."

Voldemort and March watched as the rest of the Death Eaters scrambled to get out from between them, backing as far away as the chamber would allow them to. Voldemort turned his attention to March. "And the second thing?"

Justin pulled himself up, standing proudly. "I am a Pureblood, with a Magical history that goes back eight hundred years. I was willing to follow the Heir of Slytherin, but I researched the ritual you used to come back. Bones of the Father, Flesh of the Servant and Blood of the Enemy. That left you no connection with your Slytherin Mother. Ergo, you are no longer that Heir. To make matters worse, your father was a Muggle, I found, and Potter's mother was also. You Sir, are one of the very Mudbloods I am trying to destroy, with Muggles in two of your three bloodlines, and there are suspicions about Pettigrew's blood as well."

Voldemort stepped away from the wall. "You are very brave, suddenly. Why?" Voldemort knew why, but he wanted March to say it.

Justin looked at him. "I have defied you, insulted you and am no longer completely loyal. In the way of your rule, you have to destroy me, or you will look weak. I know that I will die this day, and that, Lord Voldemort, is a knowledge that leaves me free to speak my mind."

Voldemort looked at him. "You will die, true. I will grant you one thing, for your honesty. You will die quickly, under the Killing Curse, rather than being turned over to Bella." He turned and looked at the rest of his followers. "This man has brought something up that some of you have thought about, and now that it is out, I will address those concerns."

"I am shocked that you did not do more research, March. If I am no longer the Heir, how do I keep the family ability of being a Parseltongue?" Without waiting for an answer he spun, looking at Justin. "I'll tell you why. The magic that makes us what we are is tied to your spirit, not the body it inhabits. Did you think I didn't consider that very point before I used that Ritual? There were a couple of other rituals I could have used, but none of them would have circumvented Potter's protections like that one did."

"My soul is still the soul of Slytherin's Heir, and I am that person. If the body was that important, I would not have my memories or my powers. Since I do, I have to believe that my research was correct and your Magic is tied to an intangible bit, your spirit."

He turned, raising his wand. "Good bye, Justin March." Voldemort waited a beat and spoke again. "Avada Kedavra." He looked up at the rest. "Does anyone else feel as he did?"

No one else spoke. "Pity. I think some of you are lying." Voldemort spun, and as he stepped down, his foot hit the package Harry had sent him. He looked at it and picked it up. He ripped the paper off of it and held up a shirt. He was looking at the back of it. "Potter should really have done more research," he said conversationally. "He's missing quite a few names here."

"Tommy 'Ridgil' Riddle. Who knows what a ridgil is?" Voldemort looked at his followers, but they were too busy staring at the front of the shirt to worry about anything except how many of them were going to die.

Voldemort turned the shirt around. "Moldywart and the Death Wankers World Tour," he read, "Coming soon to an Azkaban near you."

He looked up. "I don't understand the point of this shirt. It is insulting, but not that bad."

"My Lord," said Matthew Stragen, "Potter is imitating a Muggle thing. He has reduced our efforts to the level of a Muggle music group trying to sell records by playing their music in different places." The Death Eater was furious.

Voldemort looked at him. "I see." He pondered the shirt for a minute. "So, we are an entertainment for Potter, are we?" Voldemort smiled, a slow smile that made a chill run down the spine of the watchers. "Then I suppose we should entertain him."

He looked up. "But that is tomorrow's task. Right now, I must insure there are no more disloyal people in my ranks and that Potter has not truly turned one of you." Voldemort reached out and grabbed the nearest Death Eater. He searched the man's mind, ignoring the gasps and screams of pain that continued until the Death Eater passed out. When he was done, he dropped the body and looked up. "Next."

OoOoOoO The Quibbler, Saturday Morning. OoOoOoO

Harry watched Luna and Hermione working on the interview about Snape's capture and the attack on the Burrow. Ginny and Pansy were listening and offering advice. Miranda was watching over Hermione and being asked questions about her part in the fight. From the look on her face, she was not happy about it.

Harry turned to Oddball Lovegood. "I appreciate your willingness to work with me on this, Sir. Are you sure you don't want any help protecting the paper or your people?"

Oddball smiled at Harry. "Mr. Potter, accepting your help would imply that I don't trust the Ghostly Grundies to protect us, and that would insult them."

Harry sighed. Talking to Oddball was a lot like talking to Luna. They were not quite in the same world with the rest of the Wizards, and Mr. Lovegood's insistence on trusting creatures that Harry had never heard of was making Harry nervous.

He was going to ask the Lovegoods to print some things that would make Voldemort very angry and he didn't want invisible monsters to be the only defense the premises had. He'd been talking to Mr. Lovegood for nearly an hour though, and the man simply refused Harry's offers.

Harry looked around the small building again. The Quibbler was run from the Lovegood home, out of a building set in a small grove behind the house. Besides Oddball, there were two older Witches that wrote articles and help print the paper. Harry sighed again. Two old women, one middle aged man and Luna were the total defenses of this property. Well, he would just have to hope the ghastly golems or whatever they were, could do the job. Harry was not going to force the man to do anything.

Luna came into the small alcove that served Mr. Lovegood as his office. "Here's the public service announcement, father."

Oddball took it and Harry blinked as the man changed, reading the parchment and frowning at it. He marked lines on it, scribbled things in the margins and made edit marks in places. When he was done he handed it back to Luna. "Rewrite this, and for Merlin's sake, watch your commas."

Luna nodded and went back to the table where the other girls were. Hermione took the parchment and looked it over. She turned and looked at Mr. Lovegood, who was muttering something at a stuffed animal and back at the paper. Shaking her head, she got another piece of parchment and started writing.

While the girls rewrote the article, Harry gave Mr. Lovegood every detail he could remember about Tom Riddle, including Augusta Longbottom's story about him cleaning the toilets his first year.

Oddball was a different man while he worked, focused and with a keen grasp of the right questions to ask to complete the story. When Harry was done, Oddball looked at it. :"This is a lot of information, Mr. Potter. Since it is a public service announcement, I will have to verify as much as possible. It will be a couple of weeks before it goes to print."

Harry nodded. "I understand. Some of that information took Professor Dumbledore years to acquire."

Harry paid for four subscriptions to the Quibbler, two for his place, one for the Burrow and one for Remus. The last one was mostly a joke, as Remus's opinion of the Quibbler was very much like Hermione's.

When the ladies were done with the interview to Mr. Lovegood's satisfaction, Harry and the girls left, heading to Diagon Alley. Harry checked on the twins, but they hadn't finished working on Harry's requests yet, so Harry and the four women had a quick lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.

While they were eating, Rita Skeeter came up. "Mr. Potter, how are you?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. Rita was being far too polite. "Very well, Miss. Skeeter," Harry said. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?"

Rita sat down. "I've just spent a fascinating morning at the Ministry, where I learned a lot of things. Would you care to comment on any of them?"

Before Harry could answer, Ginny spoke. "You're being very polite. Why?" Ginny's opinion of Rita was plain in her voice.

Rita frowned at her. "Ginevra Weasley, isn't it? Normally, as I am not talking to you, I would not answer that. However, you are part of what I learned about and I suspect Mr. Potter has the same question." She smiled coldly. "He simply has better manners."

Pansy put a hand over Ginny's as she bristled, distracting her, a move watched by Rita with interest before she turned back to Harry. "The last interview we did made me quite a bit of money, and has allowed me to raise my prices. Since you seem to be good for business, you get better treatment." She shrugged. "Until that changes, of course."

Harry grinned. "I understand that, but you will have to wait until tomorrow for an interview. I am relaxing today, with a few members of my families."

Rita frowned. "Can I ask you three questions today? No more, but there are a couple of things I really need to confirm before I finish this story."

Harry sighed. "Three. No more, and I reserve the right to refuse to answer anything."

Rita nodded. "Rumour in the Ministry has you at the fight with the Death Eaters. Did you really cut off Severus Snape's hand?"

Harry nodded. "I did, but only by accident. At the time, he was in Death Wanker attire, and I didn't know who he was. Hermione Granger-Black came up and stunned him."

Rita looked at Hermione. "Well, it seems I might have to talk to you, also."

Hermione smiled. "You could, or you could read tomorrow's Quibbler. Everything I know about the attack will be there."

Rita sighed. "That figures. You both like that paper."

Harry nodded. "I do. It, unlike the Daily Prophet, does not glorify the Death Wankers or Moldywart." Harry had said that just to see what Rita did, and he was not disappointed.

Rita stared at Harry, her mouth falling open, and then she looked around to see who was listening. "Mr. Potter, are you insane? You're going to get people killed talking like that."

Harry shrugged. "I've been calling him that for a week now, and nothing has happened to anyone that has heard it yet. Perhaps Moldywart isn't as strong as you all believe."

Rita shook her head. "You are insane. You will understand if I don't print your name for You Know Who."

She looked at Harry and glanced at Miranda. "Second question. Have you hired a Defender to protect Miss Weasley?"

Harry shook his head. "Miranda Riddle is a member of one of my families and she is not protecting Miss Weasley, but Miss Granger-Black." Harry frowned. "Miranda, which of my families did you join, anyway?"

Miranda smiled. "I am a Black, and Lukas is a Montague."

Harry nodded. "Sorry I didn't ask you sooner, but it slipped my mind."

Rita listened to the exchange with interest. "Well, there's a question I don't have to ask. You will be the head of three families when you come of age."

Harry nodded, aware that he couldn't hide that information. "I will."

Rita wrote something on her pad and looked up. "My last question then, has to do with the events at the Ministry last year. It took a while, but I have learned that your fight with the Death Eaters started in the Hall of Mysteries. Would you care to comment on that?"

Harry frowned. He thought for a minute while Rita watched him closely. "All I will say, is that those of us that were there, were lured there by the Death Eaters for some purpose of theirs. Since I have not spoken to them, I cannot honestly say what their ultimate goal was in doing so."

Rita stared at him for a minute. "You know more than you're saying. It appears that I will have to do some more digging into that night." She stood up. "Thank you Mr. Potter. You've been most helpful. When may I call on you for a longer interview?"

Harry looked at her. "Let me see what you do with this article, and I'll get back to you."

Rita smiled. "Mr. Potter, that was a great statement. No promises, but an implied threat that 'never' is the answer if you don't like what I write. You've changed, Harry."

Harry shrugged. "It's not like I had much choice. Having an insane dark lord after you does that."

Rita winced again. "Excuse me, but I'll just be running along, before some Death Eater hears you talking like that and decides to do something about it." She left, and Harry used his sight on her as she walked away. Rita was a dark grey, with a large black spot and the smallest white spot Harry had yet seen. He frowned. He was beginning to understand the spots.

The white spot was a measure of love. The more people you loved, the larger your white area was. Harry felt a moment's pity for Rita, who loved no one but herself.

The rest of their meal passed quietly, with most of the talk being Hermione fretting about being so late in buying the books for their seventh year. Harry and the group had a great deal of quiet fun watching Hermione descend on Flourish and Botts after lunch.

When the sales clerk saw her coming, he closed his eyes. He opened them when they opened the door and stepped inside the store. "Miss Granger, how are you?"

Hermione smiled at him. "Fine, Archie. How are the kids?" Harry blinked as Archie and Hermione exchanged a few words and then Hermione passed Archie a list. "I need all of this, and what have you got that's new?"

Archie looked at the list mournfully. "Hermione," he said, "are you trying to buy us out? It would be easier just to make an offer for the store all at once."

Hermione smiled again. "But then I wouldn't have the fun of coming in here and poking around." She started going through the shelves then, running her fingers over the books as she read the titles.

Harry watched her with a smile. Ginny moved up next to Harry. "She's almost caressing the books Harry." Watching the way Hermione's fingers danced over the spines, Harry had to agree.

He moved over to Archie. "Excuse me, but would you put all of her purchases on this, please?" Harry handed him the Gringotts card.

Archie took it and looked at Harry for the first time, speaking before he even really saw Harry. "She's going to make quite a dent," He stopped and looked at Harry again, his eyes flickering to Harry's forehead. "Mr. Potter. I'm sorry I didn't greet you sooner."

Harry waved that off. "Hermione is a good customer, I take it. Of course you would take care of her first."

The two of them turned to watch Hermione approach, carrying another armful of books. She set them down on the counter and looked at the card in Archie's hand. She looked at Harry. "Well, that changes things." She turned back toward the books, grabbing Ginny and Pansy by the hands. "Come on, you can help me carry things."

Archie sighed. "Every time she comes in here, I wish I was paid on commission."

Harry looked at Archie again. "Muggleborn?" he asked, as he'd never heard any Wizard talking about commissions."

Archie shook his head. "No, but I read a great deal, and Hermione loaned me a few Muggle books on sales and stores. I read about commissions there."

By the time Hermione was done, even with shrinking spells it took three bags to carry all the books. She smiled at Harry. "Remind me to thank you later."

The group's last stop of the day was Mr. Sharpstar's office, where Harry spent nearly an hour in the conference room alone with him. When they came out, Harry had a Slytherin smile on his face. He refused to say anything though, claiming it was a surprise.

OoOoOoO Harry and the girls, Harry's Room. OoOoOoO

Sunday, Harry dressed in the military fatigues he'd bought and waited. Moody was going to come over and take them to the training area where Harry's people would be getting their training. Moody showed up around nine, stepping though the Floo.

He looked at Harry. "You have to change your Floo address, Harry. Calling out 'Harry's Magnificent Mansion' is just silly."

Harry sighed. "Talk to Dobby. He set the thing."

Mad-eye's signature eye rolled for a minute. "It will have to wait. He's not in the building right now." Moody gave them the Floo address of the training area he'd chosen.

The group followed Miranda to "The Inferno".

Harry stayed on his feet this time, and smiled. He was getting the hang of this Floo, although he'd still prefer his Broomstick.

Moody was already talking as he walked out of the small room with the fireplace. "This used to be an Auror training facility until Fudge cut the funding. We rented it as a warehouse." He paused and looked at Harry. "You'll be getting the bill for that, by the way. None of us could afford this place."

Moody led them down a hallway with a dozen or so smaller rooms that had been used for offices and classrooms. At the end of the hall was a large set of double doors. He pushed a door open and led them into a large room.

They were standing on a balcony that ran completely around the room about ten metres off the floor of the room. The room itself was a maze and from the balcony, you could see almost all of it. Harry blinked at he saw people standing in the maze in random places, until he realized that they didn't move.

Moody smiled. "This is the Inferno, the ultimate training facility. Once, you had to navigate the maze before you could become a Senior Auror. Those people you see down there are not real, they're dummies with a single purpose. They are twice as fast as any human and they cast only one spell. The Cruciatus."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Pansy stared at him while Miranda looked at the course with more interest.

Moody grinned savagely at their expressions. "All you have to do is get through the maze, but that for the end of training. For now, let's get started seeing where you are in your training."

The next four hours were a close approximation of Hell, Harry decided. Moody and the other trainers pushed them, testing reflexes, hand to eye coordination, physical endurance, and a host of other things to determine where they needed work.

Harry was very happy when they were done with the physical test and moved on to magical tests.

Until he was being tested. The first test measured the sheer power of the testee. It was a box, with a hole in the side that you placed your hand into. Harry looked at the box while the Instructor at this station droned on. He snuck a look at Moody, who was watching with a challenging grin. "This is going to hurt, isn't it?"

Moody grinned wider. "Not exactly, Harry. You're not going to like it, but it doesn't hurt."

Harry took a deep breath and stuck his hand in the box.

He felt the pull of a Portkey and tried to pull away but it was too late. Harry landed on the ground with a thump and rolled to his feet, reaching for his wand. "Moody betrayed me," he thought and froze as a voice he'd heard twice came out of the fog.

"Well, well, well. Look who's come to play with us. No spare for us to kill this time, Potter?"

Harry spun, leading with his wand. Voldemort stood there, with nearly thirty other figures, all wearing the masks of Death Eaters.

One of them stepped up and summoned the box, Apparating away with it.

Voldemort stepped closer. "I won't let you run like you did before and there's no Dumbledore to save you this time. It's time for our final duel, Harry Potter."

OoOoOoO The Author, Here and Now. OoOoOoO

I love finding new and interesting ways to mangle Death Wankers, and Harry's got thirty of them to play with. I think we may see a bit of violence in the next chapter. Some of you may remember that at the beginning of the chapter, I said it would take us up to Monday, but that at the end, it's only Sunday afternoon. I have two reasons for that. First, this chapter is approaching twenty-one thousand words, and I try to keep the chapters under twenty thousand words each. Second... Well, that was just too good of a cliffie to waste.

In other news, currently, I am writing:

Harry Potter and the Shades of Grey (SoG)

Harry Potter and the Science of Magic (SoM)

Harry Potter and the Bonds of Blood (BoB)

Harry Potter and the Supreme Plan (HP&SP)

Harry Potter and the Demon Inside (HP&DI)

101 Crossover Ways to Kill Voldemort (101)

Muggleborn Magic and Wizard Science (MM&WS)

The Prophecy of Eight (PoE)

Untitled Series; based on Potions, Puking and Punishment

I have a bit of all of them ready, but I simply cannot work on all of them at once. I get lost as to what Harry's doing in a particular story, and who's a supporting cast member of which story. I am going to continue PoE, SoG and one other, but the rest I will put on hiatus until I finish one of the ones I keep working on. (That, of course is only the Harry Potter fanfiction I'm doing. Grame Manifesto is entirely separate, but still takes up my time.)

Anyway, I am asking you which of the other works you would like to have me finish first. For the stories you have not seen on this site, here are summaries of all of them.

SoG: You're reading this one or you wouldn't be here. Do you really need a summary?

SoM: Harry Potter goes to live with the Dursleys, but on Dudley's fifth birthday, all three of the Dursleys are killed in a car crash. Harry, who was left at Mrs. Figg's house, is sent to live with the only relatives of the Dursleys that will take him in. Albert and Wanda Morgan are research scientists with the government. Harry is raised in a logical home, where the mind that the Sorting Hat commented on is stretched to its fullest. A certain letter on his 11th birthday is going to wreak havoc with that logic. AU, H/Hr, RW/LL, GW/NL

BoB: In JKR's world, Lily cast the spell that protected Harry. In BoB, James cast the spell. Come with me as we explore the changes this will make in Harry's life. AU, ships not determined yet.

HP&SP: Albus Dumbledore has spent decades slowly guiding the Wizard world into what he wants it to be. Harry Potter can make the process move a little faster... If Albus can bring him into the Supreme Plan. AU, Grey!Dumbledore

HP&DI: The Demon Inside was a short story, with two separate endings. They kept nagging at me though, and now, it's being continued with a bit of the Saint story and some of the Demon story in each chapter. Aux2, Light!Harry/Dark!Harry, H/Hr, H/other, and more impossibilities for normal stories.

101: Purely an amusement, as I torment Voldemort in any way I or the readers can think of. Watch Voldemort face Jason, Jaws, the Smurfs and the Care Bears. AU/Crossovers, no ships, pure Voldemort bashing.

MM&WS: Voldemort is dead, but life goes on for the Trio. Harry is hard at work in the Wizengamot, trying to drag the Wizards into the 20th century at least. Ron is playing Quidditch professionally and Hermione... is being Hermione. A Muggleborn Witch who is willing to mix and match Magic and Science might do more for the Wizard world than anything Harry can do. AU, Post Hogwarts, H/Hr, NL/LL, R/girl of the week.

PoE: AU. Harry killed Voldemort fifteen years ago and now a Dark Wizard rises that will make Voldemort look like a child having a temper tantrum. Eight very special children from four countries and two continents have been chosen by Fate to stop a Muggleborn Dark Lord from assuming power in both worlds. AU, H/G, R/Hr, Post Hogwarts

Untitled Series: Potions, Puking and Punishment was another short story that wouldn't leave me alone. Hogwarts has seen some of the greatest pranksters of any time or place, but the best of them remains completely unknown and that's just the way Daphne Greengrass wants it. AU, DG/BZ

So, there are the choices... Sog and PoE will continue along with one other of your choice. Leave a review and let me know which one you want.

Raven