The Fellowship of the Fox
by Ryuuohjin

/ AN /

Disclaimer - I do not on any way own Harry Potter or any of its world or characters.
They all fully belong to J.K. Rowling and her affiliates. All except for the moogle, it belongs to Square Enix.

I'm back after a long silence with a new chapter, which, if I should be honest, could had been out some months ago if I just had remembered to finish it then, but stuff happened. I snatched some of the birthday gifts from some other fics, don't remember which. Also snatched the part about nyctophobia from another fic which I also don't remember.

Now without further ado, lets get on with the story.

Update 2015-12-17: Fixed some things, add some things I noticed I missed, and just generally cleaned it up a little.

Update 2018-06-26: Fixed some things, added some others, along with rewriting some bits here and there.

Update 2018-11-11: Fix various things here and there, while also added some others, along with removing or rewriting bits here and there. Also put through Grammarly.

/ AN /

Chapter 13 – Birthdays, Conspiracies & the Fox Den

To say that Lucuis Malfoy was an unhappy camper would be to understate the truth by several orders of magnitude. He and his family had spent days the following days the Manor had burned in rented rooms at Leaky Cauldron. While they waited for their other properties to be checked and freed of any pests or vermin.

His wife, Narcissa Malfoy, had almost choked on her breakfast when she read the letter that had just been delivered by an Gringotts owl that morning. Lucius couldn't help but notice his normally cultivated and cultured wife spraying coffee over the table, he enquired who the letter was from. The letter had the Gringotts seal on it, this had alerted the Head of the Malfoy family that this was serious, but what it contained terrified Lucius more than that blade against his throat.

"It's from from the bank. They're citing that they closing down our vaults because breach of contract. During a random search of the vaults they had found several dark and illegal objects, that violated the treaty the Ministry have with Goblins. In accordance to contract Gringotts have sealed the vaults and would continue to take its small, annual rental fee for their continued use. The rest of the contents will remain untouched until someone is able to claim it. In the case of the Malfoy vaults, that would be Draco when he came of age. "

It was now Lucius' turn to do a spit take at the breakfast table, "What? They can't do that! This must some kind of mistake."

Narcissa hated pointing out the obvious, a task that she supposed she should be used to by now with the Malfoy males. "It also written that those vaults belong to Gringotts, and are only rented by the Malfoy family. As with any rental agreement, there are always conditions attached. Because of severity of the breach, they have taken half of the gold in the vaults as a penalty fee. "

Lucius was fuming, he had to take action and fast, this situation could not be allowed to happen. He of course had contingency funds stashed where no one else could find them. But the Malfoy's change in circumstances would certainly put a swift end to funding anyone else. Those associates who had become reliant on what was basically a handout were now going to have to look elsewhere.

"I will have to go Gringotts and clear up this. I'm sure its all just misunderstanding and that we can come to some sort of agreement," Lucius had his hand on the ever present cane with the snake motif, yes they would soon reach an agreement.

Nyctophobia. It's a word few people really know by name, but nearly everyone has, at one time or another, suffered from to at least some degree. It's the fear of the dark. As young children, when our minds are open and suggestible, even the non-magical children are capable of seeing magic, believing in it, we tend to fear that there is something out there, waiting and watching. It isn't even the fear of the pain that would come from whatever may be out there, or the knowledge that anything out there could, potentially, kill you. It is the unknown. Not knowing what the darkness holds, it could literally be anything.

However, while the non-magical adults may look into a closet or under a bed, before then smiling at their children who were sure that something was hiding there, believing there was nothing to fear. Though the child, and anyone magical by and large, knew that there very well that there were things lurking in the shadows and the dark to fear. These were things that would lay in wait with the patience even a Saint would be quite jealous of.

That was why wards Neville had placed over various muggle neighbourhoods were quite unique. It was Luna who had come up with this ward, it was based on some of her mothers research of illusions, and made to only affect those with magic. Anyone magical with ill intent who enter the neighbourhood would assaulted by this very primal fear, and they would be unable to return from where their minds had gone.

They would be stuck in the dark, paralysed by fear, because they knew what was in that darkness. They knew what that darkness held. Their minds would been unwilling to be found by what they knew lurked there and so all of those various parts would try to hide away, trying not to be found by it, or anyone else who may be searching.

Only those that were strong of minds and wills, would be able withstand the effects of these wards, and only those that also had good emotional control and strict mental discipline would be able to escape them. As an added protection Neville had added Hostile Confusion wards. They were like muggle repelling wards which distracted unwelcome muggles. Though these wards tampered only with ones reasoning and logic, amplifying any doubts or fears the longer one stayed under them. Though their effect could be dampened somewhat, if one was skilled in occlumency.

Neville had spent the days following the visit to his parents by raising these wards over the neighbourhoods of their muggleborn class mates. It was slow and hard work, especially since he did it mostly by himself. As the Weasley's and Hermione was stuck with the Order, while Rasp's did help out a little they were mostly occupied with the Fox Den. Each ward set had a wardstone hidden and buried seven foot deep in a unplottable location, which had a Fidelius cast over it of which he was the Secret Keeper.

So far Neville had yet only managed to ward four neighbourhoods He had left the charging of the wards to the house elves, as he could cover more ground that way. But Neville would have to cut it short today, as he had invited several of his friends to celebrate his birthday later today.

After having finished her usual morning training routine and eating hearty breakfast, Rhy had flooed to the Leaky Cauldron, she was now walking along the cobbled pathway of Diagon Alley for the second day in a row. She had an appointment with the Rasp's account manager, a goblin named Silvertounge, at ten at Gringotts today.

As she neared her location, luck would have it that she arrived just in time to see several goblin guards roughly throwing out Lucius Malfoy out of the bank, as if he were a rowdy drunk in bar. She stopped and watched for awhile as the Head of House Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, cursed and screamed at goblins guards, while generally making spectral of himself as the goblins ignored him.

But after while he seemed to have calmed down and collected himself. With some final derogatory insults, along with promises that they would rue the day they crossed Lucius Malfoy. Lucius spun on his heel and stormed off down the alley, muttering things angrily under his breath. Much to the amusement of those watching.

As Rhy stepped into the atrium of Gringotts Wizarding bank, she nodded and flashed a smile to the guards, as she made her way over to a vacant counter where a teller was counting coins.

"Yes? State your business," the Goblin greeted sharply, without looking up from the coins.

"Good morning, sir. I'm Rhy Rasp; I have an appointment with Silvertounge and I would like you to let him know I'm here."

The Goblin looked up at Rhy and stared at him for a moment. "One moment." The goblin then said gruffly and touched a runestone. "He'll be coming through that door if you want to wait for him there."

"Thank you." Rhy nodded and walked over to the indicated area.

Not even a minute later the door opened and revealed Silvertounge. "It is a pleasure to see you again Ms. Rasp."

"Very well," the Goblin said and led her back to his office. "Right this way, Ms. Rasp."

"How are you today Silvertounge?" Rhy asked politely as she followed.

"I'm fine. How are you?" Silvertounge replied.

"I'm good," Rhy said before the two shared a nice silent walk.

"Will anyone else be joining us today?" Silvertounge asked as they entered his office.

"Not that I am aware of."Rhy smirked. "Should someone be?""

"No, not necessarily," the Goblin waited until she sat down before he took his seat. "As you know we have reviewed all of the information you left with us. And as told you know, your request for aid from the Goblin Nation has been accepted. We will not able to provide with any warriors or financial backing, but we will gladly help you with anything regarding warding, curse breaking, or anything else that is mainly support. We can also help you with any enchanting or rune . All to a fee, of course, but you will get a major discount."

"We are most satisfied with the services provided for the Rasp family by the Goblin Nation," Rhy said with gratitude. "And we would like to make use of that offer immediately."

"The Goblin Nation is honoured to serve the house of Rasp in any capacity and pleased to provide acceptable service," Silvertounge replied. "What do you require?"

"One of our contacts have found an another piece of Voldemort's vile soul," Rhy revealed. "It's an ugly ring that was made somewhat clumsily out of gold ring inset with a large black stone engraved a triangle, containing a circle, bisected by a line. "

Rhy and friends had decided since they didn't know what protected this horcrux. Since it had been Dumbledore who obtained it and destroyed it the last time. All they had about it was second hand information, therefore it been decided it that it would be much safer to let the goblins handle it. Therefore they would get the goblins rip the site apart, disposing of the ring without them having to go anywhere near it. Rhy saw the goblin left eye twitch a little, when she described the ring.

"Just to be clear, we do know what the crest on ring mean, it's the Peverell coat of arms, which is also the symbol of the Deathly Hallows. And before you ask it is the actual Resurrection Stone. Though it seems like neither Voldemort nor the Gaunts knew that. We believe they were unaware of its existence. Will this cause any problems?"

"No problem, I get a team on it as soon this meeting is over," Silvertounge replied. "Though I think it might be best to hide the fact that it is a Hallow."

"You do what think is for the best. From the information we have, it's hidden in a run-down shack with a dead snake nailed to the door. Located near the village of Little Hangleton, which is a small neighbouring village to Greater Hangleton. We don't know kind of wards or traps have been placed around the property, but since it's Voldemort we're talking about here it's probably something nasty. But we do know that the ring have been cursed with powerful flesh rotting curse, with strong compulsion charm tied to it. So be proceeded with caution."

"I'll be sure to warn the curse breakers about that. Was there anything else?"

"Yes, I like to hire a solicitor on the behalf of Sirius Black, any idea of a good one?"

"I think I know one that fits and that can be trusted, as long you don't have anything against a non-human solicitors."

"That's no problem, as long as they are competent and can be fully trusted I don't care."

"Good, then I will contact Woebringer after this. He is one of our best and is very discreet."

"If accepts the case give him this," Rhy said as handed the goblin a small case filled vials containing silver liquid. "It's all the memories of me and friends have pertaining to this case, and do remind him that Harry Potter cannot be called as a witness."

"I will be sure to inform him," Silvertounge said.

The rest of time they went through the audit that Rhy, had requested on vaults and account connected to her. By the time they were done, Rhy's stomach was growling audibly, bringing a rueful grin to the goblins lips. "I think that's the signal to end this for today. If are there any changes or if you forgot something, you just owl me and I will deal with it. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?"

"No, thank you, that will be all for today," Rhy picked up the paperwork and rose, bowing from the waist, she told the goblin, "May your gold always flow."

Silvertounge rose. Returning the bow, the old goblin replied,"And may your enemies suffer."

Without further ado, she headed out of the bank into a hustle and bustle in the Alley.

The birthday party for Neville took place during and after dinner. It wasn't that bad, to be honest. They'd just invited over almost everyone their year, fed them an enormous dinner, and baked a cake that seemed larger than Hagrid. At around three in the afternoon, the first of the guests showed up. It had been the Rasps, which arrived by Floo and brought a wrapped gift with them. He smiled when he saw Rhy and her two sister.

"Happy Birthday, Neville," Rhy said as she handed him their gift. "This is for you."

"Thanks," Neville said. "What is it?"

"Not telling," Rhy replied

"You'll just have to wait and see," Kerry added with a laugh. He gave the younger witch a fake pout and placed the gift on a table in the Entry Parlour, as a house elf show them the way the ballroom where a there was a huge sparkling banner along the back wall, wishing Neville a Happy, Happy Birthday. Dancing multicoloured lights along the walls, hanging from the ceiling.

The guests continued to arrived over the next hour. The Weasley's and Hermione arrived about twenty minutes into the gathering, by then a large table had been brought forth carry all the presents Neville had received.

He was very pleased with the gifts he received, it was mostly sweets of some sort, although he did complain a little about how much the Weasley's present must have cost. He really enjoyed the dragon-hide boots that the siblings had clubbed up to get him. They were sturdy and surprisingly comfortable after they contracted to conform to his feet. Neville thought the glossy dark hide looked very smart with the blackened metal fittings. Ginny told him in secret that they had put a feather light charm on them, so they almost made no noise, and barley left any no foot prints not matter what the surface.

Neville had received gifts from every branch of the Longbottom family. Several sets of pyjamas, complete outfits down to socks and underwear, a couple variety boots (snow and hiking), a heavy cloak in a dark forest green, books on gardening, herbology, and botany.

Luna had sent him her present by owl, as she still out travelling with her father. After having opened it, he pulled out and reveal a simple packing material that held two dozen crystal figurines, each about four inches tall. The were each crafted to look like individual fairies with various styles of wings, either dragonfly, butterfly, bee or angelic, feather-like wings; various colours of hair, either cropped short and spiky or long and luxurious, dresses from stylized armoured or jungle-like bikinis to long, flowing dresses and with various expressions that appeared to be near perfection on their faces. As though something were trying to be captured, but never quite made it there.

Each was delicate and beautifully crafted. And while the bodies and hair seemed to be made of a single crystal that shifted in colour as needed to make them look almost natural, the clothes and accessories they held like bows or knives at their waists or on their calves, were all other forms of crystal that looked to have been grown around the body since they were attached without actually being the same crystal as the body. In effect, it was as though these fairies and their clothing had simply turned into crystal at some point.

"Whoa," Hermione mumbled, wide-eyed. "What ... are they?"

Neville had picked up the letter from Luna and read it aloud for Hermione's benefit.

'Dear Neville,

Happy birthday and I'm sorry if this come later than your actual birthday. I'm still travelling with my father and it might just takes a little longer, even with our friend's speedy flying.

As for your birthday present, I found this as we were passing through a small Scandinavian village. When I found what theme immediately thought that this was the prefect present for you. The fairies here apparently dance with some of the witches in the many fairy circles on All Hallows Eve and the selected ones are gifted these figurines by capturing the starlight and growing the crystal, each fairy making a replica of itself. I heard it's quite the beautiful spectacle.

The amazing thing with them are that you can take and store emotions if you ask them to, and will let you feel them any time you want just as if you were reliving the memory. They glow softly when an emotion is stored.

We should also be home mid-August, so feel free to send as many letters as you wish to then. Just remember it may take me a little while to respond to them.

I hope you enjoy your presents,

Love.

Your friend Luna Lovegood.'

Hermione had given him a pair of thick gloves, also in dragon hide, which was charmed to improve ones grip and friction, and make one less likely to drop anything, even if it were very smooth or slippery. The Rasp's present was really one of a kind, made and charmed by themselves.

Rhy had gotten the idea from a game series she liked. So they had tried to recreate it as an advanced type of golem. Neville immediately recognized what it was, it was a moogle. While he had never really gotten at the games like Rhy had, there was no mistaking it. That form, those wing, and that ball, now matter how he looked it. The Rasp's had created a moogle. While they claimed it was just prototype he was getting, and that they his option on it, he still couldn't believe that they had created a real life moogle and gave to him.

The moogle was only a foot tall with with fur, resembling a small mammal, with a balloon-shaped head and a vertically oval nose resembling a koala, with it's eyes currently closed. Rhy informed him that while awake it eyes would be squinted most the time. A red ball of fur on a thin, wiry antenna hanged from it's head, which the Rasp's warned him that it would be sensitive about being touched.

It sported a full mane of fluffy fur, worn like a mink fur boa around the neck. The moogle's wings were small and pink, of a bat-like design, as to juxtapose it's otherwise harmless appearance. It could use it's wings to fly and it's possibly it can fly several meters above the ground, but it would be just simply too afraid to do so.

Personality wise they had made it to have a bubbly nature. It would be intelligent and industrious, but wary of human contact. The moogle would be able to speak English but would often punctuate its sentences with "kupo" as a verbal tic. Although they left honour of naming the moogle to Neville, and a note with instructions on how to properly activate it.

Rhy had said they maybe would something similar in a prank someday in the future, but in that case they need to see how it work and behaved first. Neville however, secretly glad that his friends hadn't bought him a bunch of expensive presents. But all in all, the birthday celebration turned out to be a very fun evening.

The food was amazing. A long buffet with Succulent roast beef and pork, chicken, fluffy potatoes, thick gravies, multiple vegetables, an several different kinds of fruit. Warm fluffy and freshly baked rolls with butter. One huge cake with fifteen candles for Neville to blow out. Candy, cakes, cookies, sweets of a hundred different varieties. Fizzy drinks and juice in different flavours

There was music and laughter. Conversations with cousins and classmates. Makings of new friends. Reconnecting with old ones. Dancing. A few slow songs. More fast ones. All in all they had a wonderful evening, it was capped off with an extensive fireworks display.

It was by far Neville best birthday by far.

Lucius Malfoy on the other hand, was not really a having pleasant day, and he was still reeling from the day he had yesterday. He had left the Minister of Magic's office without what he came for, this was a new experience for the blond Slytherin. He had been seething, as he strode through Ministry with the presence of one who expected people to move out of his way, just without his usual look of arrogance missing. He always known that Cornelius Fudge was an idiot, but he had at least thought he was his idiot - bought and paid for. Cornelius won't get a job cleaning up owl shit at the post office by the time he was finished with him.

After having been quite literally thrown out of Gringotts and humiliated in Diagon Alley by the goblins. He had marched over to Ministry to bully Dirk Cresswell, the Head of the Goblin Liaison Office, into set things right along with punishing the little beasts while at it. But to no avail, so he had then gone higher up the food chain to Amos Diggory, which was the head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Only to find that with the aftermath of portkey debacle and the recent death of his son, he didn't have even bother or care for what Lucius Malfoy thought. But it had been Minister office that been the biggest surprise Lucius had always seen Fudge as someone of weak of mind and will. Someone easy to control, manipulate, or bribe. But since he didn't have access to Malfoy vaults bribing Fudge would be out of question.

That's why when Fudge had stonewalled his attempts to get the Minister to deal with the goblins, Lucius had been quite surprised. It seemed like Fudge had managed to get brain from somewhere, along with growing some backbone. But what had worried him the most, was that he was not the only that had his vaults seized. At the Ministry he had encountered Nott, Avery and Flint. And now he was talking to Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson in a private room at the Leaky Cauldron. All of them, like him, had had their vaults seized due to a sudden random search of their vaults. Something was up, he didn't know what yet, but Lucius sure didn't like it.

The following day elsewhere, at a quarter-to-twelve, Nymhadora Tonks walked into the kitchen at Grimmauld Place.

"Something smells good," Tonks said, as she sat down at the table.

"Breakfast lasagne," Remus said, "Or in this case, 'brunch lasagne'. An old speciality of my mother's."

"I wasn't aware you could cook," Tonks remarked.

Remus smiled wryly. "It is one of the few things I can cook in an oven without burning it, thanks to my mother. I'm more comfortable around a Muggle microwave. I lived on microwave dinners for many years."

Time passed and couple of minutes later the the rest of the house came tottering in.

Soon, they were all seated around the kitchen table, with a plate of breakfast lasagne and bottles of butterbeer. The lasagne consisted of eggs, cheese, sausage, and sausage gravy instead of the usual tomato sauce. It was quite tasty.

"Who made this dish?" Molly asked, "It is delicious. My compliments to the chef."

"I accept those compliments," Remus said.

Molly raised her eyebrows. "Exactly how long have you been keeping your cooking skills a secret, Remus Lupin?"

Remus smiled wryly.

Ten minutes later, all food was abandoned as a a pair of owls flew through the window, all eyes glued to on of them in particular.

The one was an unknown horned owl that delivered a letter to the twins.

It looked like an ad flier for the shop that had signed a contract with them to sell their stuff, was opening soon. It invited them with their family and friends to the grand opening of the shop, which would be celebrated with cake and fizzy drinks under the first day. The rest of the first week would run a lottery where one could win fabulous prizes, along with that they would have huge sale on selected wares. Similar letters had been sent to all who had been members of the DA, and each contained a weak, but very subtle compulsion charm, that was barley noticeable, making the reader want to visit the store at least once.

But it was the other owl that caught everyone attention. It was a beautiful snow-white owl, that everyone present immediately recognized. It was Hedwig, pet, friend and familiar to Harry Potter, who had been missing for several weeks now. She headed straight for Sirius, who quickly and took the letter as Ginny gave Hedwig a few owl treats. Who, after devouring them and drinking some water, spread out her wings and after few powerful strokes with them were gone.

Sirius had been sick with worry, since they had found out that his was godson missing, and nowhere to be found. He hardly ate and slept and was almost always in a bad mood or depressed, that he was forced stay in house he hated didn't help things either. He had even lost several pounds and was even more emaciated then before. That all changed when he saw Hedwig. Harry's owl was a gorgeous creature, covered with soft, dazzling white feathers.

When he saw Hedwig carrying a letter addressed to him, he quickly retrieved it, and ripped it open. The message was short and written in the scrawly handwriting of his godson, telling him that if he was a Marauder he would know what do. The line telling him if he was Marauder he would know what do really bothered him for some reason. Then it hit like bolt from the blue, he drew his wand and touched it to the parchment, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." To his utter amazement and excitement, the words swirled across the parchment, changing, multiplying, to then finally coalesce into a neat script:

'Dear Snuffles,

I hope this letter reaches you well and that you are in good health.

Am still alive, as you may surmise from this note.

Of course, I could be dead and someone is faking the letter to fool you. But really only few know you are Padfoot of the Marauders, or that the Marauders became animaguses because Moony's furry little problem. And further prove who I'm let me mention a certain incident involving me, you, Hermione and our friend Buckbeak.

I know it's probably is hard, especially since you are at that grim old place, but do take of yourself.

Unfortunately this isn't just a letter to ask you how you are doing. I know that you are aware of what happened recently. I talking of course of my disappearance from the Hogwarts Express. Trust me when I say that there was a very good reason for this.

Also say hi to 'Mione, Gin, Luna, Nev and Ron for me. Along with everyone else there, I suppose, except Snape and Dumbledore. You could tell Dumbledore I think is a sanctimonious goat because;

First off, he seems be quite unable to envision any situation that justified killing another person, and seems to hold on to the common misconception that many of the faithful have, that killing a person is a mortal sin. In English, one of the Ten Commandments in the Bible is 'Thou shalt not kill.' That misconception is derived from a mistranslation of the original Hebrew by the Greeks and carried through in Latin and later English. The Hebrew word was not 'kill,' it was 'murder,' the unlawful and unjustified taking of life. Big difference. The ancient Greek did not distinguish between those two words. Despite being thrown into a major war with Voldemort, Dumbledore refused to kill or allow any of his followers to do so.

Secondly, he is a firm believer in redemption, while I agree with his philosophy in principal, I also recognize that as honourable as that concept is, it can also be taken to extremes. That at some point, a person must realize they are accountable for what they do and say. Should we give others a second chance? Indeed we should, but they have to earn it. There is an old expression he never seem to have understood - fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

With this in mind, I decided that the best course of action is for me to take is to go underground and disappear. So don't search for me, as you won't be able to find me. Believe me.

Love your godson, Harry.

P.S. This letter will self-destruct after you have read it, just be on safe side, which means now.'

Just as had finished reading the letter, it exploded into small and poofed into a fine spray of ash. Leaving his face blackened and his eyebrows singed, as he if had been playing with a large stack of exploding snap cards.

Hundreds of miles away Albus Dumbledore also received a letter, but this time it was from a house-elf that he recognized as Dobby. However, before he could ask where him if he knew where Harry was, the elf disappeared again. He should have stunned the elf but sadly his reflexes weren't what they used to be. When he unfolded the letter he noticed the handwriting and sank into his comfy chair in relief. He quickly read the letter and was surprised at what he was reading.

'Dear Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,

I'm writing this letter to inform you that I will not continue any ofmy studies at Hogwarts this following September. And in the light of most recent events I decided that the best course of action I can take at the moment is to simply disappear. As long as the Ministry is determined to stubbornly hide its head under the blanket, as though pretending that the monster isn't there will rob it of all its power. I can only see this ending badly, unless the Minister changes his mind, otherwise it will just have a opposite effect.

You might disagree with all this, and I know you may still worry about various things, especially about the Dursley's , but please rest assured it's all in the name of the greater good.

Have a nice day,

Harry James Potter

Head of the Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Potter'

The disappearance of Longbottom couple had quite surprised, it had even scared him a bit as well. He didn't know what had happened and where they had gone off to and that was bothering him more than anything. As a cursory inspection had revealed that even Longbottom's medical files had gone missing. Which made him suspect that the whole portkey thing was a set-up, just to cover up the Longbottom's disappearance. But to set-up something so large, complex and audacious just to kidnap a pair of invalids. It didn't compute, if someone wanted to kidnap them, there was a dozen of other easier ways to do without drawing undue attention. Dumbledore couldn't see what their end goal was with any of this.

Then there Harry on the other hand, who was simply way too important for the continued survival of the Wizarding World. If something happened to him, they were doomed. He had put almost every member of the Order to find Harry but to no avail. No matter what they did, where they looked, or how hard they looked, they were unable to find any trace of him. The only real reassurance he had was that Tom seemed to have no clue to Harry's location as well.

Although Dumbledore had his suspicions, but no real proof, that the disappearance of Harry Potter and Longbottom, along with the portkey debacle and maybe even the torching of Malfoy Manor, were all connected somehow. It all seem to point to a mysterious group that seemed to call themselves the Fellowship of the Fox. He had tried dig up any information about them, but so far gotten zilch. It was as if they had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. No know purpose as of yet, nor any know members, not even their numbers. Though the unknown girl that Alastor Moody had fought in the Hall of Prophecies at the DoM, Albus strongly suspected was a member of this mysterious new fellowship.

Sure the howlers had said something about setting things right, where he and Ministry had failed, but what they really mean with that, he didn't know. Was it Voldemort and his Death Eaters they meant, if so, how did they plan to solve it. Or perhaps it was something completely different, Albus had no idea. Just questions that begot questions, none of which he had any hint of answers to at all. And this too, was another thing troubled him greatly, as too much was unknown or uncertain, and he didn't like that. Not in the slightest. Albus put down the letter and put one of his many lemon-drops in his mouth. This was quite the distressing news to say the least.

Albus was also curious about how Harry had managed to disappear from the train but judging from the House-Elf that delivered the letter, he had something of an idea. Putting that aside, how Harry had managed to take his O. still befuddled him even more. How the boy had even managed to find time to do that, since the results was registered right after the summer break started, he must taken them while the tournament was still going on. And from what Albus knew had Harry never left the vicinity of the Hogwarts long enough to take any sort of tests or examinations, nor had any examiners come here, at least from his knowledge.

"Well Fawkes, it seems our young friend Harry has managed to impress me once more," Dumbledore said to his phoenix. The noble bird replied with a happy song before bursting into flames. It seemed his burning day had come early. Dumbledore looked at the little bird in the ashes and smiled. Fawkes had been a dear companion for many years and he was amazed each and every time at the rebirth of his friend.

Suddenly his fireplace flared up and a face appeared. It was a very distressed Molly Weasley who appeared and asked if she could pass through to his office. Dumbledore quickly granted him access and second later Molly tumbled out the fireplace.

While today was her birthday, Rhy had managed after much persistence and fast talking convinced her friends not make a big deal of it this, and not throw her a party. Or at least she that was, was she thought. What didn't know was that her sisters had conspired with the elves to throw her a surprise party. While it paled in comparison to Neville party yesterday, it was still had quite enjoyable. It was quite a small party with only her sisters, Neville and the elves in attendance.

While group the was holed up Grimmuald Place had wanted to come, they not been allowed to leave Order HQ, because there had no available chaperones to follow them. So instead they had sent their presents and apologies with Kreacher. Like with Neville, Luna had her some strange bauble she had found under her travel. But this one was not magical like Neville's, but no less exquisite. The most surprising present had come from the goblins.

Since she never expected to receive anything from them, she quite surprised when a package with a letter from Gringotts came, congratulating her seventh birthday and telling her that they had sent her something that they hoped might help her in any of her future endeavors. A first glance it had looked like just a dusty old cloak. But somehow it reminded her of her Invisibility Cloak in that she could feel something while touching it. However, unlike her other cloak that felt soft like water, this one felt like nothing, like touching the air.

It was a soft black cotton-silk combination in appearance. It was long, and when she put it on, over her shoulders it hung to her ankles where it has a tattered effect at the end like a bats wings. It had dark, blackened platinum fastenings, a high black collar that folded around her neck, and a pointed hood. However, when she finished fastening it on she had been startled, and her eyes had widened in awe and shock.

It had spread out like bat wings, stiff, but rather than flapping it glided her off her feet. It surprisingly felt similar to a broom, but not quite – it was the same, but different. After taking a deep breath to stop her from panicking before her small feet touched down and the cloak dropped back to hug her body and she grinned.

'A cloak enchanted with the gift of flight, the goblins sure how to give presents', she had thought to herself giddy with excitement.

But her favourite Rhy had gotten from her sisters, it was a belt with the Rasp crest on the belt buckle. It were made of a combination basilisk and dragon skin weaved together and then lined with acumantula silk on the inside, while they had decorated the outside with a few scales taken from themselves. Rhy had been quite touched by that and had given her sister each a big hug while thanking them.

Next day, as the summer was throwing up one of those hot, balmy days whose sole purpose appeared to be just to remind everyone what they'd be missing as autumn was just around the corner. The sun was hot, its rays infinite and unforgiving, but a gentle breeze drifted through the cobbled streets around the marketplace known as Diagon Alley, making it so that the heat was not too unbearable to be in. The Weasley family, plus Hermione, was currently walking around the Alley, for the yearly school shopping trip. They would also, while they were at it, check out the new shop, the Fox Den, that had its grand opening today.

They recognized the store as soon they saw it, with celebratory balloons and plaques announcing their grand opening, and that were having an opening sale, along with offering free cake and butterbeer to anyone of their customers, but only as long as their supplies lasted.

The twins fell in love with the shop, at first sight. Set against the dull shop fronts around them, Fox Den's windows hit their eye like a firework display. The twins dream was to one day open a store of their own, and the Fox Den was like nothing they had seen in the magical world. with a fox-shaped sign hanging on the door that said;

The Fox Den

A Jack of all trades, Master of none.

Open Hours

Opens most days at 9 or 10.

Now and then as early as 7, but some days as late as 11 or 12.

We close around 17 or 18.

Sometimes even at 16, but other times not until around midnight.

Some days or afternoons, we are not here at all, but in recently we have been here almost constantly, except for when we're elsewhere, but should be here also.

Our customer complaints office is manned odd Thursdays, odd months at full moon between the hours of 3 and 5 am. But it's always reachable by owl post.

As the Weasleys & co pushed the door open, they were immediately greeted by a large riot of different colour. The whole room they now were in, along with any of its contents seemed to lack any sort of symmetry. The Weasleys was overwhelmed by the room as they looked around at the flowing irregular features. Then suddenly everything seemed to shift, and a pulsating rhythm emerged. They could literally feel their pulse slowing to match the rhythm of the room and their bodies began relaxing. Along with that somehow they actually started to feel happier as they continued look around. That combined with the subtle and quite beautiful, uplifting music they heard in the background, made them all feel quite refreshed and rejuvenated.

But what they didn't know was that the music they were hearing, was part of the many defences of the store. It was pre-recorded phoenix song, that been inlaid into celling to play seamlessly and continuously, along with charmed to every nook an cranny. So that no matter where you where in the store you would always be able to hear the song as clearly, and always at the same volume. To those who were good hearted, phoenix song would sound quite beautiful and be quite empowering, divine and uplifting. But to those who were wicked, phoenix song would be somewhat weakening and sound like terrifying demonic screeching. Although if you were truly evil to the core, phoenix song would be more then a painful experience.

As the Weasley's continued to look around the store, the twins noticed that even the way the stuff was presented to the customers was worthy of note. Placing their own logo on goods not only provided free advertising but also allowed them to increase the price as well. That along with an incredibly wide range of merchandise, both magical and muggle in origins, the twins were drawn in like moths to a flame. Ron and Ginny smirked to themselves at how impressed their family seemed to be with the Fox Den.

"Amazing. Truly wondrous!" Arthur exclaimed breathlessly when he had become fully acclimated to the store.

A small laugh was heard somewhere behind them.

"Thanks, Mr. Weasley, we strive to do our best."

The family turned around to see little girl grinning at them.

"Do you want the grand tour?" the girl asked. "Come on!"

The rest of the Weasley's were then introduced to the owners of the store, as the little girl guided them around the store. The twins were actually a little surprised find out that the Rasp's was the sole owners of the shop. As they all were younger than them, the twins had just assumed that they had some sort of guardian or something, to handle the actual running of the shop.

The store was split up in three parts, first, it was the entrance, where the counter with the register was. There was currently also what like several large trays filled with what looked small snowballs. They were dry, shortcrust pastry balls coated in powdered sugar, of which the recipe was something of Rhy's own make.

Behind the counter, there was a door with a sign, which said personal only. It was there the break room, storage room and changing rooms were. To the left of the entrance, the muggle part of the store was located. In there you could find books on how cook, bake and clean without using any magic, the same with gardening, knitting, and some similar activities.

There were also non-magical encyclopedias, and books on non-magical history, martial arts, along with books for pleasure reading. Here you could also find guides describing what clothes to wear if one wanted to blend in easily the in non-magical world, how to find and use any public transports, how to use their money, what a telephone was and how to use it, what the police and fire department was and how to contact them, and many more simply describing how to survive and navigate in non-magical world without using any magic.

To the right of the entrance though, was the magical part of the store. The books were more varied in topics then the muggle section was. One could find books on basic introductions for those that entered the magical world the first time. Explaining various things like Gringotts, Aurors, the Ministry, and how to find and contact them.

There were also several books and manuals on magical dueling. The etiquette, history, and rules for a formal duel, and the difference a formal duel and street duel. Along with how to best use charms, jinxes, hexes, and transfiguration in a duel. Some manuals even showed how effectively make use of potions in a live combat.

They also sold assorted gems, crystals, potion supplies, along with wands, but then only on custom order. Over where the potion ingredient was hanged a small sign:

We also have Basilisk parts, the price is on demand, ask at the counter if you are interested.

In the sections for jokes and pranks, were various goods from WWW and Zonks, the twins could see that their mother wasn't really sure if she should be happy or not when saw the WWW products. They were then led back to the entrance and each of them was given a ticket to use in the lottery, much to their parent's protests.

Felix Felicis, also known as 'Liquid Luck' and skews odds where things can go well or poorly to your favor, quite heavily in fact. For politics and fighting, or even during a date if you desire, it would grant you the best odds possible for you. Because of this Felix Felicis was a banned substance in organized competitions, sporting events, examinations, or elections. Also if taken in excess, it caused giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence. That along with it being highly toxic in large quantities.

While it was possible to easily overdose on Felix Felicis in an extreme way, and while it was a hard potion to brew, along with the ingredients were difficult to obtain. It was very much worth it and as long as you didn't abuse it that is. Not many knew how really brew it since it was a complicated and complex potion, that took long to brew and was easy to mess up horribly.

Unfortunately, this was one of the potions that did nothing at all for the Rasp's, since the most potent substance in it was Malclaw venom, which was something all the Rasp's were completely immune against. The Mackled Malaclaw was a land creature that most closely resembled a lobster, with light grey skin and green spots, and it could reach a length of twelve inches.

While the venom of a Malclaw was not really lethal per se, but it causes Murphy law to go haywire. As Malclaw venom could cause a really epic amount of bad luck for any person affected by it. Even when given the lethal dose it does not cause damage to the tissue or mind or any such thing to be affected critically. But it will cause any such accident which will cause to the victim to lose its life. Merely touching it would cause a minor amount of bad luck. So for a person infected with Malclaw venom, what could go wrong with a person, would go wrong, and it will often happen in the most embarrassing and explosive way possible.

A vial of Felix Felicis was among the many fine prizes that could be won in the lottery that the Rasp's had organized to celebrate the grand opening of their store. While the potion was quite potent, the vial only contained enough for about a day of really good luck. And it seemed like fate would have that it was the Weasley Patriarch, Arthur Weasley, that won that vial. While his wife, Molly, had won a set of cook books containing both French and Asian cuisine. Even the children had all won something, a custom made wand, along with a wand-holster.

"It's modified to fit any arm or leg length. Conceals and protects your wand from Disarming and Summoning Spells, and if your wand-holster is placed on your arm, a simple swish of your hand and your wand will easily be reachable in a blink of an eye, if needed for quick dueling. It is color-changing as well, so you can change it to suit your fancy. It's nine galleons a piece, if you want to buy one for yourself," Rhy explained, as they were given the holsters. "The wands will be delivered to you by owl when they are ready."

While their original plans for making the wands for the DA had been scraped, they would still have to give out the wands they had made, as they had been attuned for each DA member personal use. So they wouldn't be able to sell them to someone else either way.

After that, the girl had declared their tour was now over and left them to do whatever they wanted. The twins went to explore the non-magical section dedicated to different muggle pranks and practical jokes. While Ron, Ginny, and Hermione seemed to have dragged off to somewhere by the little girl that had been their guide. Leaving the parents to wander around alone in the store.

TBC