Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: This story is H/Hr. If that is not the ship you sail, abandon ship and find another captain. Also, I don't particularly like Ron or Mrs. Weasley and this story reflects that. There is slight bashing, but mostly comeuppance. That means you have been warned.
Reviews are lovely and constructive criticism is as implied, constructive, but flames will be use to line my birdcage.
Chapter 7
Harry landed next to his three companions and made a mental note to get Hermione a broom should they ever need to leave in a hurry and other means aren't an option.
Gwendolyn was looking at the pile of snake skin. "Anything we need this for?" she asked pointing to the skin.
"Several potions call for it, but it isn't as rare since the snake doesn't have to be killed to get it. Rip us off a section and get a second one for Mum," answered Heather.
Harry opened the Chamber entrance after they cleared away the cave in. Heather transfigured some of the rocks to pillars and they walked inside. Hermione gasped as she looked upon the twenty meter snake that was at least as tall as she was. "Harry?"
"It's smaller than it used to be. Or it looks smaller," said Harry reflectively.
Hermione walked cautiously up to the creature and poked it with her wand.
Just as her wand made contact to the basilisk's hide, Harry grabbed her shoulders and yelled, "Boo!"
Hermione jumped back and screamed. After realizing that she had been had, she turned, looked at Harry, and hit him on the shoulder. "You. Are. A. Prat."
Rolling his eyes, Harry snickered, "It's dead, Hermione."
"It still isn't funny." She shook her head to clear it and started to walk around the beast. "It's just sitting here. Other than the blood that came from its eyes it doesn't look injured. Why hasn't it decomposed?" Looking around at the rodent bones on the ground she said, "At the least why hasn't there been any predation?" She walked around to look at the front and asked, "Where did you stab it?"
"Through the roof of the mouth," Harry replied.
Hermione looked at her friend and shuddered. The scene that played out down here was not something that she wanted to think about right then. Realizing that she was missing the conversation that was going on about the magical properties of the basilisk, she decided to leave her current thoughts alone.
"Gwendolyn, you and Hermione walk the edge looking for traps or curses. Show her how to identify them. Grandmother seemed sure that he stored things down here," said Heather.
"Sure," Gwendolyn replied.
Heather opened the Muggle style handbag that she brought with them and pulled out several things. The first being Ravenclaw's dagger, then there was the trophy and the diadem. Next she laid out several glass flasks and vials. Turning to Harry she said, "Okay, obviously I've not done this before. I am going to do the cup first. I won't be able to pierce it like you did the book, but I think if I can get enough of the venom to sit inside, we will know. You can do the same thing with the diadem."
Harry watched as she used her wand to set one of the flasks directly under one of the fangs and broke it off with her wand. She then floated it over to the trophy cup and wrung out the fang like it was a wet towel. Instantly it filled with venom. They watched as the cup shuddered and then melted in on itself with a soft scream.
"It wasn't the same, but it was something," said Harry.
"I wonder if he practiced the spell with it," said Gwendolyn who was watching with Hermione from in front of the statue of Salazar Slytherin.
"Possibly," stated Heather. She turned her attention back to the flask and moved it, placing a stopper on it and then putting a second one back in its place. "Did you see what I did with the fang? How I twisted it? Do the same thing over the diadem, make sure to get the jewels."
"You want me to do it?" asked Harry in surprise.
"I think so," said Heather. "Look at it, it's twitching. It knows it's about to be destroyed. Do it now, Harry, before it does something like the diary did."
He used his wand to pick up the fang that Heather had set down and he brought it over to the diadem. She quickly demonstrated for him the spell once again and he did it, letting the venom drip all over the stones and platinum of the headpiece. "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," it sang out in a familiar voice, then all of a sudden it screamed and a black tar like substance began to ooze onto the stone floor. Harry kept dripping the venom until the last of it was gone. Finally the diadem shuddered and crumpled to dust as a small amount of red vapor dispersed into the air.
"Next time headphones I think," Heather said shaking her head and rubbing her ears.
"That's half," said Hermione as she came up behind Harry and put her arms around him. "Half of them are gone. Now we need the locket, the cup, and something else. Probably of Gryffindor's and the snake too.
Looking at the remains of the service award and the diadem Hermione sighed. She knew the rest would not be that easy. "We found a small personal space. Just a desk and a bookcase. There is a whole stack of journals and some other stuff, but the traps are weak, something Voldemort set up while still a student."
"Is any of it Slytherin's?" asked Harry.
"No." The two of them intertwined their hands and Hermione led him over to look at the books.
Hermione picked up one of the journals her sister had stacked to be brought up and thumbed through it, on her fourth she gasped. "What's wrong?" Harry asked.
Looking up at her mother Hermione said, "Your red hair revolted him, but you made the most logical choice in mates as you are Ravenclaw's heir. The only problem he saw was you are a bit too high spirited. He figured that in order to properly break your spirit, he would have to insure you suffered from betrayal. He... he planned what he did with you and Daddy while you were still in school," Hermione said with a whisper.
Gwendolyn looked ill while Harry wasn't sure he didn't need to conjure a bucket for himself. "It doesn't matter. I know who it was that placed that curse on your father and it will be him that I take it out on. I've dealt with it, and I have forgiven Hamish. Had he not been killed, we would have worked through it. Besides, I didn't lose what was most important to us." Her hands danced across Hermione's cheeks and wiped the tears that started to fall. "You are to never feel guilty, do you understand? You have always been loved and wanted. You were the very last link I had to your father. Your sister looks up at me with his eyes and you have his smile and I remember what it was like to have him hold me. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she said with a watery smile.
"Good. I think this dagger will cut the hide. I'd like to take a very large stretch and then cut another for Mum."
Hermione went up to the girls' toilet to tell Myrtle that they would be another hour. As soon as she got down the four of them went about different tasks. Harry began to slice off chunks of hide. Hermione ground down bone and teeth into powder and put it into vials and Heather worked on extracting as much of the venom as possible.
When they arrived topside they found McGonagall, Remus, and Tonks talking, waiting for them to come up. "Wotcher," said Tonks
As they set down and Harry closed the sink McGonagall shivered. "Sorry Professor," Harry told her.
"It's nothing, Potter, I've never heard you do it before. What did you bring back with you?"
"Is there somewhere we can go Mum?" asked Heather.
"Mr. Granger and Miss Granger are waiting for us in the Arithmancy wing. I trust that you will be able to secure it Heather," she said wryly.
"Hello, Heather. It's good to see you again. This must be your daughter. She looks quite a bit like you," said Lupin smiling at Gwendolyn.
"Remus Lupin, this is my eldest Gwendolyn."
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Lupin," stated Gwendolyn. "Hermione said that you are the only competent Defense teacher she's had yet, unfortunately that isn't much of a compliment considering what I have heard about the others."
"Gwendolyn, it is nice to meet you too. Do you know Hermione well?"
"Hermione is my baby sister. My husband allowed her to use his last name to give her a bit of anonymity."
Remus looked at Heather then said, "Hermione's your daughter?"
"Yes."
"You did a memory charm to keep her from him, but didn't count on her befriending Harry Potter did you?"
"Not in the least." Heather looked over at the two teens walking together and said, "Still, it has worked out well."
They entered the classroom and Heather asked, "Hermione, are you able to conjure?"
It was not Hermione that answered, but an irritated Professor McGonagall. "She most certainly can. One of the most capable students I've ever had."
"Very good, little one. I need a table, two meters by one."
Hermione quickly created a table and then put a bit of a lip on it to make sure the things that her mother set out did not fall to the floor.
"Richard, this is Remus Lupin and I'm sorry, I didn't get your name," Gwendolyn said to Remus and Tonks.
"Tonks."
"Tonks? Must be a last name."
"My fool mother named me Nymphadora."
"Ouch. I can see how that might be hard to live with," said Gwendolyn.
"How was it?" Richard whispered to Gwendolyn.
"I'll fill you in later, but we got one and the trophy was something, but we don't know what."
"And in the sacks?" he asked.
Just then Heather began to pull things out. She created stacks of hide and skin. Placed venom with venom and the ground bone and tooth together also. "We brought back souvenirs," said Heather. "I didn't know what you needed if anything, but it seemed like a good idea to get what we could. This didn't even make a dent in it. It was at least twenty meters long and tall as we are." She shook her head and looked at Harry who was nonplused by the size of the animal.
Remus stepped forward and said, "I think that Harry should be allowed standard payment for slaying the creature and what he doesn't need or want can be used by the school or safeguarded until the school is back in trusted hands."
Richard looked at him and said, "What happened?"
"The Wizengamot is pressuring the Board of Governors to appoint a steward until an appropriate headmaster can be found," said Tonks.
"A steward?" asked Harry.
"Sounds like they want to bring back the High Inquisitor," said Hermione.
"That is exactly what they are doing," nodded Remus. "It is only a temporary appointment, supposedly."
Heather frowned and said, "That means they are going to bring someone in to make quite a few changes and then after they depose of Scrimgeour and the non corrupt members of the Wizengamot and Ministry, they are going to bring in someone that they might have a hard time selling to the masses."
"That's what we thought too. There are four candidates for the steward. For the good of the school and the future of our children, the Wizengamot is pressuring the Board of Governors into making an appointment quickly. They have been planning this since it happened, but were waiting until after the funeral to make an announcement."
"It'll be Professor McGonagall," said Harry with an air of certainty.
"I'm afraid not, Potter. I am not even on the short list," she said with a look of resignation.
"Then who?" asked Hermione.
"First is Narcissa Malfoy, but considering what her son just did, I don't think that she will get it, second is Marcus Flint senior, but as he was required to take his O.W.L.s three times to pass, he doesn't seem likely. Then there is Agrippina Montrose. She is as twisted as her namesake and since she has no real experience, I think her name is just being tossed out to give a fourth option. Lastly, Delores Umbridge," said Remus.
"No," said Harry.
"I'm afraid so," said Tonks. "Realistically speaking, Delores will have the position, they're voting Monday afternoon. I'd get anything out of the school you don't want her to find by lunch because she'll be here by dinner. The question is, is it really just until the Ministry falls or will she take over come September."
Hermione looked around and said, "With her here it makes it an easy takeover of the school."
"I wonder if she'll be able to get into the heads office this time?" asked Harry thinking about the fit she threw the year before.
"Only if the castle permits it," Heather looked at her mother wickedly then said, "I believe that life will be difficult for Delores."
The rest of them chuckled.
"Did you close up the Chamber soundly?" asked Remus.
"There are two entrances," stated Harry. "The first is in the girls' toilet and the second is below the school. That is the actual entrance. They are both closed. As far as I know your only options of opening it right now are me or Voldemort."
"What do you have, Heather?" asked McGonagall.
"Hide, skin, ground bone, ground tooth, dried venom, venom, and several books and journals that he left down there." She opened the one that Hermione had read to them and handed it to her mother. McGonagall's mouth pursed and she looked like she might be sick, but she looked at her daughter with a resolute expression.
"Harry, would it be alright with you if we," Remus gestured between himself and Tonks, "stayed at headquarters? Dora will need to give up her flat soon."
"The Aurors will be the first to go, except for those that agree to hunt down Muggle-borns and blood traitors," explained Tonks.
Harry let out a cough that sounded quite a bit like "Dawlish"
"Is he still around?" asked Heather shaking her head.
"Second in command, just behind Robards," said Tonks.
"My granddaughter knows more spells than he does," said Heather in disgust.
"So Harry?"
"Yeah, go ahead. I think Hermione will be coming in often. I have a feeling now that Mrs. Weasley isn't in charge of us Hermione will be allowed to read whatever she wants."
"That and she is of age," said Hermione looking at her mother sweetly.
"The books are all Hermione's anyway," said Tonks.
"What?" asked Harry in confusion. He looked over at Hermione who was also confused.
"Didn't you two get told the terms of Sirius' will?" asked Tonks.
"Um, I didn't. Dumbledore just said that I'd added a bit of gold to my vault and was deeded headquarters and Kre... the elf," explained Harry. "Well, he did tell me in front of my aunt and uncle so it is possible that he wasn't as forthcoming as he might have been."
"There was a bit more to it than that. The Weasley family received 1000 Galleons for taking you in.
"That is probably where she got the gold to start buying potion ingredients," said Hermione darkly.
"Possibly," said Tonks. "It'll be interesting to see how the entire family reacts to your news. Let's see, he left you all the books and 10,000 Galleons. It's in a vault at Gringotts. You should have been receiving notices on it once you came of age, so I don't know where those are going. I'd take it up with the goblins soon though. Mum got the house in the Northwest, Harry got headquarters, and the two of them split the balance of the gold, minus something for Remus. They have to notify you thirty days after someone's death. You should have gotten your notices last summer."
Hermione was introspective and finally asked, "I wonder if those books hold the spells used to hide the house? I mean, I asked Professor Dumbledore once and he told me that magic wasn't even detected there, but not to tell Ron because he didn't think he'd be able to control himself and we didn't need Mrs. Weasley in a snit. It would be nice to use those protections somewhere else, I mean considering," she looked over at her six year old niece who had taken her mother's wand and was tapping it on the wireless trying to find something she liked.
Richard and Gwendolyn both looked at each other and nodded. "I take it this means that we need to leave the surgery?"
"I'm sorry, poppet, but if things get as bad as we think, staying out in the Muggle world isn't really an option," said Heather.
Gwendolyn nodded. "I think the best thing for us to do is to claim a family emergency abroad and turn it all over to the others. Wouldn't be a bad idea to box up what we wanted from the house too. They have Hermione's address. Between myself, Mum, and Hermione we should be able to get things moved into Muggle storage pretty easily. I can do the final touches while you start going through Hermione's new library and looking for something to help hide Alwyne."
"You sure you don't want me to help close up the house?" asked Richard.
"Someone who likes to do research needs to go through the books and if trouble comes to call while we are packing up, you can't Apparate away, love," said Gwendolyn.
Remus cleared his throat and said, "Harry's payment?"
Harry looked at him and shrugged. "What do we need?" He looked back and forth between Heather and Remus.
"I won't pretend to know what is going on and if Dumbledore told you not to tell anyone, so be it. My guess is he got desperate a bit ago and decided to call in all the help he could get," Remus looked at Heather who nodded. "It's all of value Harry, significant, but you don't need the gold and quite frankly, with someone who just might turn out to be a Death Eater running the school, donating it to help fund some new brooms or something, just doesn't seem like a good idea. Maybe when it's over, but now, not really."
Harry nodded and then looked at Heather, "Heather?"
"I don't see how you could possibly ever use most of this Harry. The potions that call for ground bone and tooth are rare and you have a lifetime supply, you have several lifetime supplies actually. The hide we can use to make gloves, I think that will be beneficial and maybe a union suit type thing for when you fulfill the prophesy, so I say you take half and we safely store the other for return to Hogwarts once Voldemort is gone."
"How do we get it out of the school along with anything else we don't want Umbridge to see?" asked Tonks.
Heather took a deep breath and said, "Harry, I need you to call that little elf that has bonded himself to you."
Hermione frowned, but Harry called out, "Dobby!"
"Yes, Master Harry Potter sir, you is calling Dobby?"
"Just Harry, Dobby. Um, Hermione's mum needs you for something."
He spun around and looked at her with wide eyes. He blinked and then bowed so his nose touched the floor. "Yes, Mistress Heather ma'am. What can Dobby be doings for you?"
Heather smiled at the elf kindly and asked, "I need you to answer a few questions honestly for me Dobby, and you will not get in trouble for telling the truth, but they must be honest answers. Do you understand?"
"Dobby is understanding, Mistress Heather, ma'am."
"Good, first, you are a free elf?"
"Yes, Dobby's last master is being a very dark wizard, he bes freeing Dobby after Master Harry Potter sir tricked him."
"And you work for the school?"
"Yes, Dobby is working for Hogwarts almost three years."
"So now Professor McGonagall is your mistress?"
Dobby was silent for a minute while he thought and the elf nodded.
"But you don't really consider her your mistress, do you Dobby?" asked Heather. "Please tell me who your master is. I need you to tell me the name of your true master. No one will get angry or upset with you, and the professor will not punish you or be insulted, I promise," she assured.
"Dobby's master is being Harry Potter sir."
Heather nodded and looked over at Harry who had a resigned look on his face while Hermione looked pained. "Do you know what Hermione's relationship to Harry is, Dobby?"
"Master Harry Potter sir is being partially bonded with his My-Knee."
"So that makes Hermione your..."
"Master Harry Potter sir's My-Knee is Dobby's mistress."
"Good and since I am her mother, that makes me your mistress and also my mother is your mistress." She sighed and said, "There will be a new headmaster by autumn and a steward to oversee things in the meantime, Dobby, and it will not be Professor McGonagall. Whoever it is will not be taking on your wages. Will you consider this person your master also?"
Dobby was thoughtful then said, "No, Master Harry Potter sir is still being Dobby's master."
"You must keep Harry's secrets, Dobby. Do you think that you can do this?"
"Master Harry Potter sir can be counting on Dobby to keep his secrets."
"If you are ever in jeopardy, if it gets dangerous or someone is trying to force you to tell Harry's secrets, or any of our secrets," she gestured to the group in the room, "then you are to leave the school immediately. That is an order. If someone tries to bind you to him or her, you are to leave the school immediately."
With a determined nod the elf said, "Dobby will be leaving, but where is Dobby to go?"
Heather frowned for a minute then said, "Do you know where the Hogs Head is?"
"Yes, Dobby is knowing. The barman is giving Dobby extra work on his days off from Hogwarts and he is helping Dobby buy wool."
Hermione was about to say something about Dobby working on his day off when Harry took her hand in his and shook his head.
"Good, if you need to hide, you go see him and tell him that Professor McGonagall needs you to hide, he will contact someone and then I will have Harry or Hermione call you."
Hermione interrupted and said, "You need to bring Winky with you if you have to leave like that Dobby. She could get hurt having to stay here."
"Who's Winky?" asked Heather.
"Barty Crouch senior's elf," answered Hermione. "Do you remember the World Cup and how I told you about the elf Mr. Crouch freed?" Heather nodded. "She's the elf. There is more to it than that, but I'll tell you later."
"I imagine that there is quite a bit you need to fill in." Looking back at Dobby, Heather said, "You should bring your friend too. Now, one last thing, if you overhear anything about someone plotting to harm Harry or his family or if someone is trying to find him, find an extremely discreet way to let Professor McGonagall know and if you can't, then you let the barman at the Hogs Head know that you have a message that needs to be given to Harry Potter and he will contact us so that Harry or Hermione can call you."
"Dobby be doings it." Dobby looked around and pulled on his long bat like ears. He then looked at Harry and said, "Winky is most unhappy beings a free elf. She wishes most for a family."
Harry knelt down and asked, "Is she still drinking butter beer?"
"Everyday, Master Harry Potter sir."
"Just Harry, Dobby," said Harry. Remus smirked at Tonks, they both knew that was never doing to happen.
"I don't understand why she is so upset. He treated her poorly and gave her clothes because she was afraid of being hurt," said Hermione in an exasperated voice.
"Hermione," said Harry quietly.
"But she could have wages and days off," Hermione stated like it was obvious.
Patiently Heather stated, "Hermione, I agree with you about the elves, ownership of another being is something I find deplorable, but you need to ask yourself is she being better served now, given the state that she is in, the distress, or would she be happier with a home to look after? Imagine if I prohibited you from learning, if I told you, you were not allowed to pick up another book."
"It isn't the same thing," Hermione said crossly.
"To Winky it is," said her mother firmly.
Hermione frowned and looked at her mother, but did not refute the information.
Harry sighed and pulled Hermione into his arms. "I promise you that when it is over, we will work together on getting some sort of abuse prevention law passed."
"But..."
"We won't be able to get them all freed, and if they don't want it, it doesn't help them. Maybe someday, but I promise you we will get them safe. Can you accept that?"
"I don't like it."
"I didn't ask if you liked it, I realized that you wouldn't. What I need to know is if you can accept it?"
She sighed heavily and glared at him. "It isn't like I have a choice, but as soon as he's gone. You promise?"
"I promise."
Dobby was pulling on his ears and he looked around the room again. He was thinking about running himself into the desk for considering what he was considering. Still, he needed to find out what to do with the body as it was.
"Dobby, don't even think about hurting yourself," said Harry's sharp voice. "Please say what you need to say."
"Dobby bes wondering now that the bad elf is dead, maybe Master Harry Potter sir, is wanting to take Winky home with him."
"Bad elf?" Harry was confused.
Hermione's hand shot to her mouth and said, "Kreacher. Are you saying Kreacher died?"
"Kreacher was a bad elf. Kreacher died this morning."
"How did he die?" asked Harry.
"Professor Dumbledore forbid Kreacher from hurting himself after he is tricking his master into getting killed, but whens Kreacher is learning that Professor Dumbledore is being dead, Kreacher is killing himself."
"Oh," said Hermione's voice weakly.
"Kreacher was a bad elf," stated Dobby emphatically. He looked at Harry then said, "What is you wantings us to do with Kreacher's body?"
Harry looked at McGonagall who looked as perplexed as ever. "Um, whatever is standard when an elf dies here at Hogwarts I suppose."
Hermione looked at Dobby then asked, "Does he still have his head?"
Dobby shook his head at Hermione.
"Well he got his wish, he's mounted on the wall," said Tonks.
"What?" asked Gwendolyn.
Order members and the two teens just shook their heads. "You will have to see it to understand," said Remus.
Toeing the ground Dobby said, "So Master Harry Potter sir will take Winky home with him?"
Before Harry could answer, Hermione disentangled herself from his arms and spun around so she was facing him then said, "Absolutely not, Harry. You will not be owning an elf."
"But, Hermione..."
"No, I just can't do it."
Seeing the need to get around this one Heather sighed and said, "Dobby, bring her here, please."
Hermione rounded on her mother. "What are you going to do?"
"Do you really want Delores Umbridge to find her in the state that she is in? She is liable to be killed for what she knows about Crouch. I need you to get past all of this for a moment, given time she might accept freedom, but in the meantime we need to do this. Look at it this way little one, you won't have to eat my cooking."
"That is why Hamish taught me how. Said it was a skill that just might save my life," Richard smirked at them. "He wasn't kidding."
"I know how to cook," said Harry. "Aunt Petunia taught me."
"That is not a bad thing, Harry," said Richard. "McGonagall women are brilliant. Unfortunatly they inheirit their inability to cook along with their homing signal to libraries and bookshops."
Harry just chuckled.
"I would resent that statement, Mr. Granger, if it wasn't true," said McGonagall wryly.
Dobby popped back into the room with a very filthy and disheveled Winky. Heather looked over at her daughter and raised her eyebrow. Hermione looked away in embarrassment.
Kneeling down so that she was eye level with the little elf Heather said, "Winky, Dobby tells me that you have been freed from your last position and are currently in employ here at Hogwarts."
The elf hic-cupped and said, "Winky isn't a bad elf miss."
"I am looking for an elf for my home and was hoping that you would consent to come work for me, however there are several conditions that apply. First, it would be up to you whether or not we were bonded, I would prefer that we are not, but will accept that you wish to be. Second, you are still to take days off and wages. Third, there are evil dark wizards after my family and it is possible that we will be in danger so it is very important that you keep secrets, and lastly if you ever wish to leave my home, you are to tell me and I will happily send you off."
"Winky is not having references miss." The little elf sobbed and hiccoughed.
"Dobby has recommended you very highly and I trust his judgment. Do you accept the position?"
The elf sniffed and looked up at Heather. She blinked several times as if realizing just who it was that was speaking to her, "You is the Auror. You is working for Winky's old master, he is saying that you is a very great witch."
"That is a very kind thing for him to have said," said Heather patiently.
"Miss allows Winky to be bondings to her?"
Taking a deep breath and sighing Heather said, "If that is what makes you happy, but there will be no tea towels, you must wear clothes of some kind, if a friend of mine," she gestured to Remus and Tonks, "gives them to you, is that acceptable?"
Winky pulled her ears then nodded.
"Very well then, however," she looked at Dobby wondering just what the nature of their relationship was, "if you ever have children, they will be free elves." The little elf was about to get distressed when Heather said, "But if they want it, they will always be able to find positions with my family."
Dobby had blushed and looked away.
Winky looked unsure of herself until Alwyne walked up to Heather and held out her arms. She was picked up and Heather began to rock her back and forth. The opportunity of having a child to care for was too great. "Winky bes doing it."
Heather passed the girl to Hermione, then held out her hand. Winky placed their palms together and chanted. A blinding flash of light was seen.
It had been a long day. Heather sighed then said, "Okay Winky, no more butter beer for you. It isn't good for elves and you know it. I also want you to get cleaned up, we care about you and it saddens us that you haven't taken care of yourself. Go ahead and head back down to the kitchens, but do not tell any of the other elves who you work for, it might not be safe for you or them and within the next few days I will call you and we will decide what we are going to do with you."
"Yes mistress," she snapped and disappeared.
Heather looked back at Dobby and asked, "Are Harry and Hermione all packed up? Are their trunks packed?" The elf nodded. "Good. I need you to do two things for me."
"Yes!" he said excitedly.
"I need you to check that all of their things are in their trunks, except the owl or the cat. After you have done that, please bring both of their trunks and my travel case to this room."
"Dobby"
The elf stopped moving at McGonagall's request. "Yes, professor ma'am."
"I have a three chambered trunk the cupboard in my quarters. Please bring that too, along with the keys. They are in the top drawer of my office desk."
Within five minutes the little elf had delivered all of the trunks and dinner to the group. "Dobby is returning to the kitchens." He informed them as he popped out of sight.
Heather opened Hermione's trunk and her travel case and combined them, she then looked at Harry who nodded. He had no idea what she wanted to do, but had no objections, so he figured that he would let her be. She removed some of the contents of his trunk to the travel case. Noticing the debris at the bottom she asked, "Are you particularly attached to the desiccated beetle eye, or is it alright with you if I chuck it?"
"Chuck it and best send my cauldron and spell books to Hermione," Harry replied.
Heather nodded and said, "Okay Harry, why don't you grab a rubbish bin, and sort your things into three. Things to send home with Hermione, rubbish, and what you are taking to your aunt and uncle's. Put that in the travel case. We will use your trunk for everything that we got this afternoon." She watched him move some Muggle style clothes and realized that they were very tatty and looked like something that could be used as a circus tent. "Harry, show me your shoes please, the ones you don't wear as part of your uniform."
He held up a pair of trainers that were held together with Spellotape. "Um, these are the only pair I have."
"And other than your uniforms, what do you wear?"
Harry looked at Hermione nervously and then said, "Well, I have what my aunt and uncle give to me. Mrs. Weasley has knitted me several jumpers over the years, but I don't think I can wear them anymore."
Heather sighed and nodded. "I don't blame you there, I don't know that I would either." She looked at her mother and licked her lips. "I know that Hogwarts has a clothes bin for students who aren't able to afford robes and such. That is what we do with Hermione's old ones. Leave your jumpers and robes that are too small with Mum and she will make sure that they are passed on." Heather conjured a box.
"Oh, I still have my first year robes in here." He pulled out several piles of clothes from his trunk.
"Has it been enchanted, Harry?" asked Heather.
"Um, Hermione did it for me first year. She put a feather weight charm on it too."
Nodding Heather said, "Okay then, we are going to send you back to your aunt and uncle's with your cousin's cast offs, but you should be able to go out for the day every once in a while so we can get a few things until you are with us full time. The less you have with you, the less you have to worry about figuring out how to move."
"What is the three chambered trunk for, Minerva?" asked Tonks.
"To hold what Albus intended to keep secret from the Ministry."
"And just how are you going to know that?" she asked confused. Both Tonks and Remus had visions of spending the weekend up in the headmasters office going sorting through all of Dumbledore's things.
"I believe Hermione has come up with a system." McGonagall walked over to the window and opened it. She looked around and then taking a deep breath she said, "Accio anything that Albus does not want the Ministry, You-Know-Who, or Delores Umbridge to see or have access to."
A pile of about twenty books, almost as many journals, and various odds and ends came into the room. Finally there was a box addressed to Harry Potter.
Carefully opening the box he saw small vials filled with a silvery substance. He realized that they were memories. There was a note on top addressed to him.
My Dearest Harry,
I apologize that I was unable to complete our journey together. I hope that I have left you able to carry on. As much as you will want to do this on your own, I must insist that you have someone help you. The magic that you will encounter as you move to finish our task is known to very few wizards, you and Miss Granger will find it impossible to continue on your own. Professor McGonagall has a daughter whom you may find surprising for more than one reason. She and Sirius would have been kindred spirits had they gone to school at the same time. When you meet with Ms McGonagall for the first time, please make sure you have Miss Granger with you. She will find it... enlightening.
In regards to Miss Granger, please see Minerva for some information, but also ask Madam Pomfrey to do a complete check of both of you. It is my suspicion that you and Hermione have been unknowingly exposed to something this last year. I do request that you keep that information to yourselves and not share it with anyone, including Ronald and Ginevra.
Good luck in your task, affectionately yours, Albus Dumbledore.
"Nothing in there we didn't already know and he was playing the kindly grandfather act. He obviously knew or at least suspected that Ron and Ginny were in on the potions." He sighed and then fit the lid back on the box and placed it securely in the trunk headed for Hermione's.
They were all quiet for a bit, then Hermione asked, "Remus what did you discover about the house?"
"Who is Marge Dursley?" he asked.
"Aunt Marge? She's Uncle Vernon's sister. Why?" asked Harry confused.
"She has spent the last fifteen years living rent free on your property, Harry." Seeing Harry about to protest Remus said, "I carefully explained to Vernon and Petunia that on your seventeenth birthday, you would be taking legal possession of your properties and as that was one of them, unless they wanted Marge escorted off the property, they would remove her themselves. However as we are not without morals, we would not be charging her back rent. I told them since it was in the magical records as Lily's property, that with Dumbledore gone, Voldemort will be headed to that location very soon, even days, and will kill anyone found on the property. I then explained about that one time McNair decided to have a bit of fun with the larger Muggles and," he looked at Alwyne and said in a hushed voice, "flayed them. Needless to say that got their attention.
"Tonks borrowed Mad-Eye's invisibility cloak, don't worry we didn't tell him why and he didn't ask. She toured the house and the property."
"It needs to be spruced up a bit and there are doors with Muggle repelling charms on them," supplied the pink haired witch. "I don't think that Harry's aunt took care of the property, but there is one wing with four bedrooms and another with six. Although if you asked Marge she would tell you the house only has four bedrooms. Also there is a library that Hermione will approve of, that is closed off too as is the Potions lab in the basement."
"From the way Tonks described it, Lily closed it up and made sure her sister or any Muggle wouldn't be able to use the distinctly magical parts of the house," said Remus.
"It has a nice apple orchard and it is very securable. Remus said that she inherited it from her parents, but that place is a wizards dream to place wards and defenses. Weather pretty much like it is here, it will definitely snow in the winter. Only issue I could see is that it might be Welsh Green nesting territory."
"It's a bit west of Inverness right? How isolated will we be?" asked Harry.
Tonks frowned. "There is a Muggle village fifteen kilometers away. Less as the crow flies. Neighbor too, but there are natural barriers between you."
"Colonel Fubster," said Harry. "He took care of things for Aunt Marge when she didn't want to bother or if she went out of town."
"I met him once, he and his wife," said Remus. "She was a witch. Mr. and Mrs. Evans invited the lot of us for the Christmas holiday the year we finished Hogwarts. It was just a few months before they were killed in that car crash."
Harry blinked at the information that Mrs. Fubster was a witch. He'd bet most of his vault at Gringotts that his aunt and uncle didn't know that.
"What about the protection for themselves?" asked Hermione. She could see Harry feeling guilty of something happened to them.
"We got them to finally agree," explained Remus. "Hestia figures that her days are numbered at the Ministry so she volunteered to hide them and Dedalus is going to help her. Her father was a Muggle, so she is a bit familiar with the lifestyle. It will be better than if Elphias did it or Mad-Eye."
"Mad-Eye would hex them in an hour," said Hermione. "Um, has Hestia ever met them before, or has she at least been told what to expect?"
"Yes, both Arabella and I had a long talk with the two of them after the last Order meeting. They haven't been sold a bill of goods," he placated.
Remus looked down then took a deep breath and said, "We have increased the wards at headquarters and also at Dora's parents, but... Would you be willing to secure them, Heather?"
Heather nodded, but Harry asked, "What difference does it make?"
Heather blushed a bit and began to move things into her mother's three chambered trunk. Remus smiled patiently at Harry and said, "A protection ward is only as strong as the witch or wizard who sets them, all other things being equal. Your future mother-in-law is a very powerful witch, Harry," he looked at Gwendolyn who was suddenly busy setting out dinner and Hermione who was helping her sister, "she could very well be the most powerful witch in centuries, second to Rowena Ravenclaw herself and so when it comes down to it, if her setting the wards gives us a bit more protection, that extra five minutes that we need to flee, it was worth asking."
"Oh, alright than," said Harry thinking back to Hermione's brilliance and nodding. "Okay, but if all it takes is being magically more powerful than why would you need an extra five minutes to get away?" he asked trying to understand.
Heather looked at her mother with an air of exasperation, "Don't you teach them anything in defense anymore?"
"We've had a bit of difficulty with that position," McGonagall said dryly.
"The bloody bastard cursed it so no one would be able to defend themselves." Heather looked at Harry and asked, "Did you take Arithmancy, Harry?"
"Um, no," he blushed a bit and said, "Divination."
Heather chuckled and said, "Okay, well, then I will try to explain it a different way. Um, please tell me you can create a shield."
"Yes, but not as well non verbally."
"You are sixteen, Harry, and a shield is a difficult thing to produce. Most ministry employees are unable to create one. You will find that in the next few months your upper level spells will be easier. Hermione is almost an entire year older than you are, she's always had an advantage. It won't matter in ten years so much, but right now, it's the difference between late afternoon and dusk."
"Okay," he wasn't sure. He didn't think that there was a spell that Hermione couldn't learn eventually, but decided to stay quiet.
"If you erected a shield and I hit it with a stunner, what would happen?" asked Heather.
"If you did it?" Harry's eyes went wide. That would not be pleasant. "It would shatter and if I wasn't thrown against the wall by the force of it, I would be knocked out and hit my head on a desk on the way to the floor."
Her lips twitched and she could see his logic. "Okay, let's try again. What is that Irish boy's name, the one in your year?"
"Seamus," said Harry.
"Hermione has described him as competent, a member of the DA, one of the students that was able to eventually produce a corporeal Patronus." Upon hearing this both Remus and McGonagall's eyebrows shot up.
"Yeah, it's a fox I think." Hermione looked at him and nodded in confirmation of his statement.
"Good, so what would happen if Seamus targeted your shield with a stunner?" asked Heather.
"Nothing, it would bounce off," replied Harry with certainty.
"Correct, but what if say, a dozen Seamus' did it all at once or three dozen? Eventually you would reach the maximum that your shield can take and it would fail."
"And protective wards work the same way?"
"Exactly."
"And what is at Privet Drive is different," he clarified.
Heather sighed. She hoped to explain it to him without making his confusion worse. "It is ancient magic. The same rules don't apply. All it takes to be able to evoke them is unconditional love and willing sacrifice. Tom Riddle and his minions would never be able to get past them if they were working correctly. I used them at home in fact. Hermione's father died protecting me, but since I was pregnant with her at the time, that worked."
Hermione chuckled sadly and said, "I'd have been able to bring Harry home for all holidays since first year and he would have been safer than anywhere else."
Figuring that no one needed to dwell on that information Remus said, "Things are moving a bit faster at the Ministry than we thought, so there have been some significant alterations to the timeline."
Heather looked up and realized what they meant. She took a deep breath and began redoing things in her head. She was glad that she had the foresight to have her daughter start the process that morning. She just hoped that she was able to get most of it done on her way to the castle.
"We still need ten more days before the waiting period is up and by going back to England, I'm not sure how that affects jurisdictional residency," stated Hermione.
"I think the latter is the least of our worries," said Heather kissing her daughter on the top of her head.
They finished eating and Harry packed the travel case lightly. All the clothes that were even remotely too small for him were placed in the box to donate to the school, Hedwig's cage was being sent to Hermione's. She could just use Harry's desk chair as a perch when she was there.
Heather looked at Gwendolyn and asked, "Did you visit the solicitor like I asked?"
"I've got them here, with Richard and I on them just like we talked about," she replied thinking about the owl she received in the wee hours of the morning and the subsequent conversation she had with her mother exceptionally early that morning using the Floo.
"Why Gwendolyn and Richard?" asked Hermione.
"Several reasons. They are both fine upstanding Muggle citizens, professionals, university degrees, married, that sort of thing, also, if it were to be contested in the Wizengamot, Gwendolyn is a pure-blood witch and since Richard is from one of the oldest families around... we are covered. It also prevents them from saying that it would be a conflict of interest for me."
"But the Wizengamot would only have until he's seventeen to protest. What would be the point?" Hermione knew he needed a guardian, but didn't see why anyone other than Mrs. Weasley would contest.
Remus replied, "What would be the point of having Delores Umbridge appointed as Harry's wizarding guardian? Hermione, I think you can come up with several reasons."
"Why would Umbridge be able to get guardianship of me?" asked Harry.
"The headmaster is usually the wizarding guardian for those students that do not have one. Since she is going to be steward, it is likely that she just might try to get guardianship of you for the next month," stated McGonagall.
"I thought Professor McGonagall was my guardian," said Harry.
Hermione curled into his side and frowned. "So that means she would be the guardian for all the Muggle-borns," asked Hermione feeling sick.
McGonagall frowned and thought about how to explain. "I don't think the Ministry will go to that extreme for just the summer, but whomever is headmaster come autumn will be. Madame Maxime and I spoke prior to the funeral. She is working diligently on getting all of our Muggle-borns transferred to Beauxbatons for next term. She does not anticipate there being any problems. I had a private meeting yesterday with Misters Thomas and Finch-Fletchly and after impressing upon them the importance of sharing the information with only their Muggle-born counterparts, the two of them are seeking out the names of the students I gave them."
"Dean is resourceful. I hope it goes well for them," said Harry.
"We still would have to go in front of the Wizengamot if there is a hearing and that would get Harry into the Ministry. They could just kidnap him right then," said Hermione.
"I went down and registered at just after eight this morning. I brought my birth record, O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. results from France and then took my apparition exam. I even registered my bird form," said Gwendolyn.
"Why did you need to register?" asked Harry.
It was Heather who answered, "By Tuesday a petition will be filed that will allow Delores Umbridge to become your Magical Guardian. The form will state that it is because you don't have one since Mum's is tied to her being deputy headmistress. That petition will automatically be thrown out, as magic will recognize that you do. The key will be making sure your aunt and uncle sign the form before the Umbridge tries to get her way."
"Pius Thicknesse has already made it an imprisonable offence to Apparate in or out of the area or add it to the Floo network," stated Remus. "It begins tonight at midnight. They are allowing us time to get him home."
"How on Earth did the two of you find all of this out with no one knowing?" asked Richard.
"We've been working on it since we met with the kids five days ago. Polyjuice in Knockturn Alley for me and the lady..." he gestured to Tonks who began morphing her features.
"You are a Metamorphmagus. Very nice. Handy for an Auror I suppose," said Richard.
"It comes in handy. I still can't do specific people well unless I'm right in front of them," she made herself look like Hermione. "I've done Hermione a few times before, so I have this one down well."
Harry and Hermione started discussing the new information and after several minutes Hermione announced, "We need a new plan. We need to get Harry Sunday night. Mrs. Figg should tell everyone in the neighborhood on Monday that the Dursleys went on holiday and due to a family emergency, she will be unable to water the flowerpots like she promised and would Mrs. So and So, whomever is the biggest neighborhood gossip, please do it. We think it best if everyone thinks the Dursleys went on holiday to…"
"Ireland," said Harry. "Aunt Petunia has been talking about that one to Mrs. Next Door for ages."
Hermione looked at him and nodded, "Ireland. Close enough too. We just need to figure out how to move Mrs. Figg and then someone needs to contact Hestia and let her know about the changes we want to make." She looked at Tonks. "Just make sure that she knows she can't tell anyone that she is doing more than guarding them while they are on holiday. Tell her anything you have to in order for her not to send a message to Mad-Eye or Mrs. Weasley."
"Where are we going to stay in the meantime?" asked Harry.
Hermione frowned. The ministry had her address and since it was in a populated Muggle neighborhood, they were leaving. Even if they hid the house, Heather had been worried about collateral damage.
"We'll just all stay at headquarters," said Harry. "Until Aunt Marge moves anyway." He looked up at the three Order members and said, "We just need to keep the rest of the Order out of the house until then."
Heather sighed. "That is a good plan, little one. We can make the final decision about where to go next on Sunday night."
Hermione started shaking her head. "Wait. We can't get married this weekend."
"You can't have a Muggle wedding this weekend, but you can complete your bonding ceremony," stated Heather. "We will do that first, then visit the bank and do what we can. It really just depends on why the goblins require a government to sanction the marriage. If nothing else, we transfer as much as we can to one of the building society accounts and that is that."
Heather evaluated her mother, Remus, and Tonks, then looked at Remus and said, "If you wouldn't mind sending both elves, they can help get headquarters habitable and then we'll go from there."
Hermione looked at her mother and said, "How did you know that Remus was secret keeper?"
Heather chuckled and said, "I made a decent Auror, little one." She chose to ignore the snorts that came from Remus, Tonks, and McGonagall. "Elementary my dear Watson. Mum, while a good and honorable choice, is not convenient to give the address, and while I am sure that Tonks is trustworthy, both of you are more familiar with Remus. He was one of James' oldest friends. He is also a bit more settled and the rest of the Order would accept him easily as secret keeper."
Heather plucked a hair out of each of the teens' head and placed them into individual vials, she wrote something down for Remus and handed him a moneybag. He looked at her and nodded. "I'll have Dobby come back and get the trunks and the animals then meet you at Privet Drive," he swept out of the room.
"I'm sorry you have to go to all of this fuss and bother because of me," said Harry.
Heather chuckled and said, "Harry there is a long line of people to blame for the situation right now, but you are not one of them. Obviously Tom would be top of the list, but there are others too. The Ministry when we warned them that he was gaining followers and they stuck their head in the sand, Albus for not believing us when we said what he'd done, Mum for the same. Hermione's father and I for not just taking care of it on our own. Fudge for being a git, Amelia for letting Fudge dictate policy to her for a year and not puting a stop to things, Rufus for being an arse for the last year, me."
Heather smiled sadly at them. "I ran to France every time I had to put Hermione on the train so I didn't have to be at the house without her. I knew very well who you were when I first saw your name in a letter Harry, and I let it go. When he came back I could have sent an owl to Dumbledore and insisted he listen to me, but I didn't. We have all failed you Harry and it stops right now. So for the next few weeks we are going to have to react instead of act and then once we are able to tell up from down and right from left, we can make plans that hopefully won't fall apart on contact from the enemy."
"No plan survives contact with the enemy," said Harry.
Heather shook her head and grinned. She looked at her mother and asked, "Are you staying here or do you have a bit of time to help us? If you need to put things away, or hide them, stay."
McGonagall said, "I'll stop by and see Sorcha and advise her what we need. She will tell me when she is available. We can make arrangements to evacuate Lily's sister Sunday evening. There are several things I need to move to a safer location, but I will be able to split the weekend. I'll take Alwyne with me right now and then we'll go to the house and I can start packing up. Do you have any trunks?"
Heather pulled the sleepy little girl out of Hermione's arms and said, "Alwyne, Gran is going to take you home. I need you to take her to the garage and to the tool shed in the garden and show her where all the trunks and travel cases are. Can you do that?"
"Yes, Grammy, I can show her."
Gwendolyn kissed her daughter on the top of her head and said, "Okay, we won't be home for several hours, so behave and go to bed as soon as Gran gets started."
The little girl took McGonagall by the hand and waited to be told what to do. The older woman looked down in surprise and then blinked. "I will tell Filius that I am escorting Mr. Potter home. We will need to leave from the front gate. Have you ever done side-along before?"
"Mummy and Grammy bring me along that way all the time." The two of them headed out of the castle.
Heather looked around and said, "Hermione, do you have everything?"
"Yes, I've got all of it in my book bag. As long as Dobby is coming back for the trunks, we're okay."
"Remus said he could send him," said Harry.
At that moment Dobby popped into the room and levitated the trunks into a stack and handing the travel case to Harry. "Dobby is bringing the luggage to the place now. I is coming back for master's owl and mistress' Kneazle. Dobby is asking to stay at the dark house to be helping Winky with the cleanings," he shuddered, "Kreacher was a bad elf."
"Um, sure, that's fine," said Harry.
Tonks piped up, "If you can get rid of the screaming portrait and the elf heads on the wall that would be great. Just leave the one of Phineas Nigellus. We can decide what to do with him later."
He shook his head in disgust and then snapped his fingers. The pile and Dobby disappeared.
"We should get going." Heather check her watch and realized it said it was the same time yesterday as when she arrived. "Does anyone know the time?"
"It's almost quarter past eight," said Hermione looking at her watch.
"Really, we have a bit of time to get a few other things done before we leave," reflected Heather.
The trip out of the castle was as long and bizarre as the one Heather had led them on to the Chamber. They went in and around corridors, through the dungeons, into a room that required that they walk through the wall and then once in the anteroom off the Great Hall, she tapped a series of bricks and they entered a tunnel that led them to the outside. They were standing on a cliff that overlooked the Black Lake. Using her wand on a section of castle next to where they came out a ledge was created and they followed it around the backside of the castle.
"Blimey," said Tonks once they watched Heather dispense of the ledge, "and here I was thinking Remus knew all there was to know."
Heather chuckled and winked. "We aren't finished yet. There is another entrance behind the greenhouses and there are two tunnels out, off the grounds. We won't be able to take them, we need to be seen, but hopefully opening them will at least allow them to appear on the map."
A small passage that they had to crawl through opened behind greenhouse number one. Next she led them back to the fifth floor and a portrait of a woman walking several dogs looked at Heather and smiled. "I was wondering if you were finally going to tell her about me. I will guard my secret well," she swung open and allowed them to enter part way.
"Where does this come out Mum?" asked Hermione.
"This is the longest one. Once you are down the stairs it is several kilometers up into the mountains. We will easily be able to access the other end even after the school has been lost. I'll show all of you in a few weeks. Now, back inside and to the Room of Requirement."
Heather nodded to the portrait and then headed to the seventh floor. She paced back and forth three times and the room became a replica of what Harry recognized as the Hogs Head. Instead of backing out and trying again like he thought she would, Heather purposely strode in and smiled at the portrait of the young girl hanging on the wall. "Good evening grandmother, Tèarmunn."
The portrait never spoke, but giggled and swung on her hinges. Once inside she said, "This will bring you to the Hogs Head. I've only used it once and that was just to see where it led to. It is one of the guest rooms, but Aberforth knows it's there, so I will remind him that we might be needing him to keep that room free of guests."
"Aberforth? You mean Dumbledore's brother? He's the barman at the Hogs Head?" asked Hermione.
"Has been for years," said Tonks. "He gets better information than Mundungus and is more honorable at that. Most don't know that he's Dumbledore's brother. Who would have suspected?"
"Right," said Harry in surprise. He was remembering a story about a man who was illiterate and performed charms on goats.
"This one requires a password. I was given it long ago, it's Tèarmunn. Don't forget." All in all their detours took them well over a half hour. It was closing in on nine when they left the Entrance Hall.
As they walked out Heather pulled her hood over her head and watched as Harry hugged Hagrid goodbye. He mentioned that the Dursleys were headed on holiday and had said that if he paid for his own room and meals and didn't act like he was with them, that he may come. "I knew they'd come 'round Harry. Good fer you. Have a nice time and I'll see yeh back in a few weeks. Anythin' in particular yeh be wan'in fer yer birthday?"
"Um you always get me great presents Hagrid. I'll leave it to you to decide."
Hagrid beamed and said, "I think I'll know jus' the thing. You'll be of age this year."
"See you in a few weeks," Harry hugged Hagrid and then left to join Tonks and Hermione who were visible.
Hagrid waved to the two women and headed back into his hut.
Heather smiled wistfully at Hagrid's retreating back and said, "I've missed him. Aside from my cousin, he was my first friend." She shook her head and sighed. "Shall we?"
Gwendolyn took hold of Richard's hand and Heather held Harry's. Hermione and Tonks went on their own, all focused on a singular destination, Harry's Aunt Petunia's.
"Who's there?" called a voice from the shadows.
"It's just us Arabella. Did Remus tell you the plan?" asked Tonks.
Batty old Mrs. Figg stepped out from behind a hedge and walked over to where they were standing. "Aye. That he did, just got here too. I've discussed it with Mr. Tibbles who is going to be on the lookout the next few nights and I don't imagine that I will sleep much anyway. I've got me emergency Portkey, and the ministry can't put me in Azkaban if they can't find me."
"I'm glad to hear that you are taking the change of plan so well," said Heather.
Arabella Figg looked into the face of Heather McGonagall and said, "Knew you weren't dead. Too smart for that. Hermione's your girl isn't she? Looks just like you with his hair."
"Hermione is our daughter," confirmed Heather.
"No one else reads like that other than you, Heather."
"You know of course, Arabella, that you are not able to contact any other Order member and let them know the change of plans," said Heather.
"I've been watching after Harry longer than any of the rest of you. I know what's good for him and it isn't that redheaded girl."
"We aren't letting Molly know that we are taking Harry early or the way we are doing it," said Tonks.
"And she would berate the rest of 'em into telling her where he was. Yes I can imagine. Even Alastor would give up eventually." She watched as Harry took Hermione's hand in his and they walked across the street. "Those two belong together, always thought so. Got an owl a week before he died from Albus asking me to make Harry an antidote for love potions and a flushing draft. It was Molly wasn't it? She was giving it to both of them."
Tonks looked at Heather who just shrugged. The pink haired witch said, "That's one of the reasons we're taking him Sunday."
"Probably for the best. Let's go see what that whale of a man is up to and that pig of a boy. Lazy lump." She marched across the street and knocked on the door.
Vernon Dursley threw open the door and bellowed, "Get in here, boy. This is all due to you!"
Not willing to deal with this man's attitude Heather walked up to him and said, "Mr. Dursley, I would like to remind you that while it is true your nephew is not able to do magic away from school for another thirty-two days, I am an of age witch, fully licensed and able to do magic as I please, when I please, where I please. I hold an exception to use magic lethally without fear of reprisal. I am officially a member of MI5. Not only am I an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, I am a Lady. I may use all the magic I want in your dwelling and there is nothing that anyone can to do to me, so I highly recommend that you sit down, belt up, and start signing the papers that my daughter is laying out or I will leave you here in a body bind and give Voldemort a map to your house myself!"
Harry watched his uncle look at Heather and evaluate the situation. He saw that not only did she have her wand out, but so did Hermione, Gwendolyn, Tonks, and Remus. Vernon sat on the sofa and promptly took the pen Gwendolyn offered him and began to sign in all the places that she had marked.
In a slightly more gentle tone Heather said to Petunia, "I trust that you made Miss Dursley aware of her precarious situation."
"We may have mentioned that my sister and her husband borrowed a large amount of money from the Russian mafia and they were now aware of the property. We told Marge that she had one week to get out or be murdered in her bed along with Ripper and that we were going into the witness protection program to hide from them so she wouldn't be able to contact us," said Petunia with a scowl. She didn't appreciate it that all the magical people in the room were laughing.
Heather finally coming back to herself said, "I or Miss Tonks will go up to check on things tomorrow and if she is not far enough along in her moving, we will remind her of the mafia. Now Mrs. Dursley, if you will sign?"
She picked up the pen and began to sign her name. As soon as she was finished both Richard and Gwendolyn signed their names. Figuring that she was already involved, Mrs. Figg added her name on every line that called for a witness. "If you won't be needing me for anything else tonight Heather, I'll be headed home."
"Someone will come by to get you Monday morning," said Remus.
"Don't worry, I know what I need to do." She tottered back across the street to finish packing up.
Heather looked around the house and said, "Do you understand the new schedule?"
"Yes, we have to keep the fre-" Vernon took in the look on Heather's face and amended his comment. "We keep the boy until you come to get him. If the neighbors ask, we are headed on holiday until just prior to the school term."
Gwendolyn held up the paperwork that she had in her hand and showed her mother where several status changes had magically appeared.
"It looks like everything is in order." Heather looked over at Remus and Tonks and said, "Remus we still have a couple hours before Harry is monitored. Perhaps if you took Vernon out to his car and expanded the boot to accommodate their necessities, they will feel more comfortable while in hiding."
Vernon grunted and the two men walked outside with Tonks following along.
It was two minutes later that they returned. "It's ready to go."
"Good. Now, just a few more things, Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley, and then we can disperse for the night. My youngest daughter will be staying here with Harry to provide round the clock protection."
Harry and Hermione just looked at each other and blinked. That was not something that had been discussed.
"I will not have any unnaturalness in my house," Vernon yelled starting to turn purple again.
"We don't have time for this," hissed Heather. "Need I remind you that Voldemort is looking for you. He is looking for this house and the only thing that is keeping you remotely protected is that your nephew is willing to spend the next two nights here. I suggest that you do not say or do anything that makes him regret that decision. My daughter is an of age witch and will not think twice about hexing you, do not give her cause. Either my eldest daughter or I will be by several times until we are ready to break the protections to make sure everything is as it should be."
"Vernon, the girl stays," said Petunia watching the teenager playing with the wand.
"Fine, but we will not be feeding her and while you are bringing food for her, you can feed the boy too," Vernon spat at Heather.
Knowing she was coming precariously close to losing her temper, Heather took a slow deep breath and nodded. "I would be happy to make sure they are well fed."
"Heather, we're going to check on the other arrangements. We'll contact you at the location you gave me tomorrow," said Remus as he and Tonks headed out the front door.
Hermione gestured to her mother and Heather said, "I'm going to do a quick check of the first floor." They headed upstairs into Harry's room.
"I'm staying over?" asked Hermione.
"I couldn't leave him here with those people, who knows what would happen." She frowned at the locks on the door and with a quick wave of her wand they had all reversed thus giving Harry and Hermione a way to lock themselves into Harry's room. "Just remember until we receive acknowledgment from the Ministry that they know you will be visiting, don't use magic."
"If you can't Apparate in how are you going to be dropping by?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing says I can't Apparate into a neighboring district and fly in. That reminds me. If there is trouble, cover yourselves with Harry's cloak and use his broom. Once you are far enough away, side-along him home or even to headquarters if you have to. Do you understand?"
"Yes," both teens said.
Heather handed Hermione her mobile phone and said, "Keep it with you at all times, if you need me ring your sister."
The three of them descended the stairs and after bidding Gwendolyn and Richard goodbye, Heather checked her watch and smiled as she realized that once they left the magically charged area of the school it worked, she sat on the sofa and said, "I've got a few more hours before I have to leave, why don't we watch the telly?"
The Dursleys immediately ran up the stairs and the three remaining occupants of the room settled in to see if they could spot Kingsley in footage of the Prime Minister.
