Harry was awoken by a rather insistent poking at his shoulder, and a high pitched squeaky voice.
"Sir needs to be waking now."
"Ok, Ok. I'm awake. Please stop poking me." Harry grumbled.
Harry had met Emy, the Bones family elf the previous evening. She had the signature bat like ears of House elves, but her nose was thin and pointed and her tennis ball sized eyes were a deep brown. She wore a small apron over what appeared to be a silk pillow case.
"Good morning, Emy. Harry groaned as he sat up and threw his legs out of his bed. The elf bowed and smiled.
"Emy is needing sir to hurry. Madam is waiting for him."
"Alright. Tell her, I'll be down. I just need to get dressed."
"Oh no. Sir is to be presentable. Sir is needing to wash and brush his teeth. Emy will not allow sir to leave this house looking like a beggar."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the elf's antics. She had gone to Harry's trunk and selected pants and a nicer dress shirt for Harry to wear.
"Emy, I can pick out my own clothes."
"Not until sir has gone shopping with madam. Not until sir has proper clothing. Emy knows sir's predicament. Madam will fix many problems for sir, and then sir will be fit to visit with Miss."
Harry had nearly forgotten everything that had led him to being a guest in Madam Bones' home. He was engaged to married to her niece Susan. Harry's smile faded all at once as he remembered it all. He would have sat there a bit longer if Emy had not jumped onto the bed and poked Harry in the back of the head, urging him to get moving.
Grudgingly, Harry went into the bathroom to shower and make himself as presentable as he could. Harry noticed that a toothbrush and a razor had been provided for him. Checking his face in the mirror he didn't see a real need for the razor. Then an image of himself strapped into a chair while the crazed Bones House elf came at him with the razor made him think again.
When he was finished grooming himself, Harry put on the clothes Emy had selected, not wanting to risk the elf's wrath, and left his room. He had barely paid attention on his way up to his room the night before, but thankfully, the Bones house wasn't a castle that one could easily get lost in.
He found Madam Bones sitting in the dining room, finishing her morning tea and reading the morning edition.
"Oh good." She smiled when she saw Harry poke his head in the doorway. "I see you survived Emy."
"Yeah." Harry said, rubbing the back of his head where the elf had poked him earlier. "She a bit uh..."
"Controlling? Firm? Overbearing?" Amelia smiled wider.
"All of the above." Harry smiled in return.
"You'll get used to her. I told her to treat you as part of the family. I hope that's ok." Amelia said, suddenly aware she may have overstepped her boundaries. Harry simply nodded his approval, and Amelia noted a hint of a pleased smile on the boys face.
"Well, as it's summer, the girls will likely sleep until ten or eleven, so there's no need to wait for them." Amelia said folding her paper. "We are running a bit late, which is my fault. After yesterday, I was a bit exhausted, and 1 overslept. We don't have time for a proper breakfast, so we'll just have to get ourselves and early lunch, if that's alright with you?"
"It's fine." Harry said, rather used to getting little to nothing to eat in the summer time.
"Alright then. We're going to be going to the Ministry first. I do have a few things to take care of there before we head out for our shopping adventure. And I would very much like to introduce you to a few people who I think might be helpful to you, given your current situation."
"Alright." Harry said hesitantly. Amelia smiled encouragingly.
"Don't worry Harry. I have no intention of parading you about as if you are some sort of trophy. Dumbledore made it known that it is your wish to become an Auror, and I thought I could introduce you to a few, and maybe even set you up with some unofficial training, if you'd like."
Harry's apprehensive smile turned into a genuine smile and Amelia knew that he was feeling better about accompanying her today.
"Very well, if you're ready?"
Harry nodded and joined Amelia at the fireplace where she handed him some floo powder, and told him that they would be going straight to her office in the Ministry. Harry fell out of the fireplace, and stumbled into a plush chair that say in front of a ornate oak desk. Amelia stepped out behind him and removed her cloak, hanging it on the rack by the door. She then opened her door and said a few words to someone Harry couldn't see, before shutting the door and taking a seat behind her desk.
"Please have a seat Harry. We shouldn't be too long here. I simply have to read a few things, and tie up some loose ends. Things have been rather chaotic since you and your friends broke into the Ministry." Amelia said as she picked up a sheaf of parchments.
"I didn't..."
"It's alright Harry. If you and your friends hadn't done what you did, we might never have learned the truth about You-Know-Who."
"His name is Voldemort." Harry said bitterly.
"I know." Amelia said, looking puzzled.
"Then use his name. It's really stupid to be calling him You-Know-Who. What if someone doesn't know who you-know-who is? And besides, it's not even his real name." Harry huffed.
"It's not?" Amelia looked taken aback.
"You didn't know?" Harry asked, now puzzled.
"To be honest, not much is really known about you-know... V-Volde.. .Not much is known about him."
"Why can't you say his name?" Harry said, his irritation apparent.
"Harry, Try and understand. When he was in power, A lot of people died. In the first war, the Death Eaters were a minor threat. Idiots who followed his cause. It was he who did most of the work. He killed hundreds in just a few short years. The more followers he gained, the more his legend grew. Imagine coming home one night to find that Dark Mark hanging above your home, walking into you home and finding your family all dead, simply because you stood against him. What was worse was that we who stood against him were divided because no one knew if you might be a death Eater. His greatest weapon was his ability to cause doubt. I even doubted my brother until I was called to his house and discovered he'd been killed. His wife as well. Susan survived simply because she had been asleep and hadn't woken when her parents were attacked. To this day, I have no idea what happened that night."
Harry nodded his understanding, but took a deep breath.
"But we only feed his power by fearing to say his name. He loses his hold on all of us if we no longer fear saying his name. He's not even pure blood, you know. He's a half blood. His father was a muggle named Tom Riddle who lived in Little Hangleton." Harry finished with a sigh.
Amelia took a scrap of parchment and began jotting down what Harry was saying.
"Do you know who his mother was?" She asked. Harry shook his head.
Do you know what his real full name was?"
"Yeah. Tom Marvolo Riddle."
Amelia looked up at Harry, a look of surprise on her face.
"What?" Harry asked.
"The name seems familiar to me is all." Amelia said, sitting back in her seat.
There came a knock at the office door, and Amelia called for whoever it was to enter the office. The door opened and Harry smiled brightly when he saw the bubblegum pink hair of Nymphadora Tonks.
"Wotcher Harry, what are you doing here?"
"You two know each other?" Amelia asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Uh..." Tonks stammered. Harry's face went scarlet, but Amelia shook here head.
"It's alright, Auror Tonks. I kind of had a suspicion you had been working for Dumbledore. This just confirms it. Don't worry, there aren't going to be any repercussions this time. Please have a seat."
Tonks, looking ill, and relieved took the seat next to Harry's.
"The fact that you know one another will make this easier, I think. Tonks, Harry is in a very unique situation, which I have no doubt you are aware of. What you may not know is that Harry wishes to become an Auror when he finishes school. It is my intention to give him a taste of what he's in for. If you wouldn't mind, I would like for you to arrange a few training sessions with him for this summer. As you two are much closer in age than anyone else we have on the force, I think you might be able to relate to him better than someone like Dawlish or Travers."
"It'd be an honor to run Harry here through the ringer." Tonks smirked, and gave the black haired youth a wink.
"I don't want him permanently damaged Tonks." Amelia smiled. "Just given a taste of what he has in store for him."
"Alright. How's this Friday for you, Harry? Say about nine o'clock?" Tonks asked, a rather intimidating malevolent grin on her heart shaped face.
"Uh, fine." Harry said.
"Good." Amelia smiled approvingly. I'll make sure he's here then. Thank you Tonks."
"Anytime." Tonks said, rising to her feet. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes. Tomorrow I should like it if you and anyone else working with Dumbledore were to present yourselves in my office at nine o clock sharp. I wish to be more informed on what the Headmaster knows in regards to our common foe. Make sure you tell them all that I am not angry, and that no one will be reprimanded. I simply wish to be more prepared for what's coming."
"I'll get the word out." Tonks said, her cheeks going red. Amelia nodded and Tonks gave Harry one last wave before leaving.
"Fudge's obstinance at refusing to listen to Dumbledore divided us." Amelia said to Harry. As it stands, I need my people working together. I'm glad that they chose to fight rather than follow Fudge's decrees. I only wished I had been kept in the loop about everything that was happening. So much could have been prevented if I'd only been aware."
Harry nodded his understanding, but didn't say anything further. Amelia finished all she had needed to do within the hour, before donning her traveling cloak, which she transfigures into a light jacket, giving Harry a smile.
"Will be going into muggle London, and it wouldn't do to stand out."
Harry agreed and followed Amelia into the busy Law Enforcement offices. Harry kept his eyes open for Mr. Weasley, as he knew the Weasley patriarch worked in this office as well. The was no sign of the balding man however as Harry and Amelia got into the lift and descended two floors. When the got out, Amelia led Harry into an office where a slim woman was sitting behind a desk. She was wearing a pale pink blouse and had curly shoulder length brown hair, and small glasses.
"Good morning Amelia, what brings you here?"
"Good morning Penelope, I would like to get a special permit for mister Potter here to practice magic." Amelia said. The witch named Penelope turned and her mouth opened in surprise when she saw Harry standing next to Amelia.
"Well Mister Potter, I must say you are much better looking in person. My daughter wasn't exaggerating your roguish charm at all."
"I'm sorry, but who is your daughter?" Harry asked curiously as he fought to keep himself from blushing like an idiot.
"Romilda. Romilda Vane. She's a Gryffindor. She'll be a fifth year this year. She is quite smitten with you, you know."
"oh..." Harry said, unsure of what he should say.
"But I bet you already have quite a few girls chasing after you, don't you?" Penelope gave a wink.
Harry, still unsure of how to respond looked at Amelia, and then smiled.
"Actually, I'm kind of involved with someone right now." Harry said. Amelia gave the faintest of smiles, and Harry knew he'd handled the situation well.
"Oh, that's just too bad. Oh well. Now, let's get you set up with that permit." Penelope said, pulling out several forms which she gave to Harry to fill out. Harry did so with Amelia's help, and fifteen minutes later, Harry had a card which would allow him to practice magic during the summer months without getting in trouble with the Ministry. Moments later, Harry and Amelia were heading to the atrium where they would then go onto Diagon Alley.
"We will need to go to Gringott's first, and get you set up so you will have muggle money." Amelia said. "And then a few quick stops in Diagon Alley itself. I want to move fast, as it isn't safe there. More than a few shops have been ransacked. Some people are closing down their businesses."
Harry shook his head sadly. "Fudge could have prevented all of this."
"He won't be in office much longer. There's going to be a vote in the Wizengamot at the end of the week. Several people are already being looked into as a replacement. Rufus Scrimgeour is probably going to get it. He's certainly capable of doing the job."
"What about you?" Harry asked.
"I have no interest in the job. My abilities will be better served by staying where 1 am." Amelia smiled. "But thank you for your faith in me, Harry."
Fifteen minutes later, Amelia and Harry were approaching a teller in Gringott's. The goblin, while quite unpleasant to deal with, was helpful in setting Harry up with what was the equivalent to a muggle bank card. Harry also refilled his money bag, and then he and Amelia were off to get what Harry needed in Diagon Alley. Their first stop was Madam Malkins, where Harry got new robes as well as some other items. Pants and shirts and the like.
Next Amelia took Harry to Flourish and Blotts, where Amelia had the clerk order some special books to be sent to her home for Harry. She assured Harry that he would find them very useful. Amelia was quite happy when one of the books was in stock. The clerk presented Harry with a copy of Offense Is Your Greatest Defense.
"That book helped me out immensely when I was a cadet." Amelia smiled. She shrunk to book after Harry paid for it, and they were off again.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I am famished." Amelia smiled at Harry who nodded his agreement.
"Do you happen to like pizza?" Amelia asked, a knowing smile on her face. She knew that pizza was a staple in every kid's diet. Harry didn't disappoint when he nodded, a shy smile on his handsome face.
"Good. I happen to know of a very nice place not to far from where we'll be going for your clothes." Amelia said, motioning for Harry to follow her.
They began heading down the alley when something caught Harry's attention. "They did it." Harry stopped short. "They actually did it."
It was almost like a beacon in the alley. Bright orange paint screamed for passer bys to look. The windows were packed with signs and displays, with a huge sign above the door. Weasleys Wizard Wheezes!
"Oh, we have to go inside." Harry said, almost pleadingly with Madam Bones, who relented and followed Harry into the shop.
It was packed with people who were examine items and laughing hysterically. It was a complete opposite scene from the dismal shopping center of the wizarding world.
"My word, is that our dear Harry Potter?"
Harry turned and found himself face to face with Fred Weasley. Harry could only tell by the massive F stitched onto the left breast of his startlingly orange jacket.
"This is amazing." Harry said.
"Thank you kind sir." George said as he joined his brother. "And since you are the reason we have been so fortunate, you do not pay here."
"Thanks guys, but that's really..."
"No, George is right." Fred said, shaking his head. "Your money will never be any good here. In fact, your children's children's children's money will never be any good here."
"But the generation after that will have to start paying. George joked. All three boys began to laugh. "Come on Harry, We'll show you around."
Harry followed the twins through the shop with Madam Bones following them, taking in everything. She listened intently as they talked about how well business was doing, and about some of the products they were developing.
"Shield hats?" Amelia asked. The twins turned and nodded.
"Mind they won't protect you from powerful stuff, but they will stop most low level curses." Fred smiled proudly.
"Do you think you could expand the charm work into something larger, like a cloak?" "I should think so." George smiled, looking to his twin. "It isn't all that complicated."
"I would like to see the results. Perhaps we could put in an order for say two hundred? If they work as good as you claim, that is." Amelia said flatly. The twins both grinned and nodded. Fred presented one of the hats they had been discussing to the head of the
DMLE.
"Try it out." He said. "Let us know what you think, and we'll start on a few prototypes for your approval.
"Very good." Amelia smiled. "Now, Harry and I do have much to accomplish today, so I must insist that he and I get moving."
The twins led Harry and Madam Bones back towards the front of the store. Fred spoke to the young women who worked the counter, and she quickly opened a bag and dashed about the store sliding all kinds of boxes and packages into the bag. When she came back, Fred took the bag and handed it to Harry. Harry tried to refuse but both George and Fred gave him a stern look. Amelia accepted the bag and shrunk it down.
"Please come back." George said with a huge charming smile.
"Oh I will." Harry smiled broadly. "I intend to try everything."
"And remember to tell all your friends about us." Fred waved.
Amelia escorted Harry through the alley and out into London by way of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Those two young men seemed quite appreciative of you." Amelia commented when they were on the crowded streets of London. "They were quite adamant that you should never have to pay for merchandise. Even your most zealous of fan would never offer you a lifetime of free products."
"I kind of helped them get started." Harry admitted. "I gave them my winnings from the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"That's very generous of you." Amelia said taken aback.
"It was the right thing to do. Cedric Diggory's parents refused it when I offered it to them, and I just didn't wan it. Fred and George are always good for a laugh, and they really wanted to open a joke shop. It was a solid investment as far as I'm concerned, and it looked like I was right in giving the money to them."
"I don't disagree." Amelia smiled. "You are full of surprises, Harry. Any other boy your age would have greedily used that money for themselves."
"Yeah." Harry shrugged. "I didn't need it, and I really didn't want it."
"Even if you spent it all it would have always been a reminder." Amelia said understandingly. Harry merely shrugged.
Amelia guided Harry to the pizza restaurant she had told him of, and they placed their order before taking seats on the back. A young woman brought two pitchers of cola and two glasses for them and smiled as Harry poured himself some of the drink. Once they were alone again, Amelia looked at Harry gravely.
"I need to ask you a few things, and I need you to be honest with me Harry."
Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, but he nodded slowly.
"I noticed it yesterday, and again today. 1 hoped that I had been mistaken, but when we were in the joke shop, I got a good look at your left hand. I need to know who made you use a blood quill." She said flatly. Harry put both his hands below the table in shame, but he kept her gaze.
"Umbridge." He said simply.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Amelia asked. Harry merely shrugged.
"My friend Hermione told me I should, but I just couldn't. Dumbledore was ignoring me for some reason, and he was the only one I thought I could trust at the time. I guess I made it into something personal, and I didn't want to show her that I was weak by going and running to someone for help. I guess it was stupid."
"No offense to you, but yes it was. Had you gone to any other professor and shown them your hand, they could have contacted me and I could have had Umbridge arrested. Fortunately, there's no statute of limitations on this kind of thing, so 1 will be filing formal charges. It will mean that you will have to testify in court. And just so we're clear, I'm not asking you, I am telling you."
Harry looked as if he'd been slapped.
"Harry I get the feeling that you're hiding a lot a things that should have been dealt with years ago. From your appearance yesterday, and a few things I noticed in your behavior, I would hazard a guess that things at your Aunt and Uncle's home wasn't at all pleasant for you. Would I be correct in that assumption?"
Again Harry nodded, though this time his eyes were steadfastly locked oh the napkin holder on the table.
"Harry, first of all, you should not be ashamed, It is your relatives who should be ashamed in how they treated you. I will be speaking to Dumbledore on the matter, and I promise you something will be done. We don't need to get into it now, but sometime in the near future, you will need to tell me just what it was like for you living with them. Alright?"
Harry didn't look at Amelia, but nodded anyway.
"Ok, that's enough of that topic for now. Is it true that you taught half your class defensive magic last year?"
Harry finally looked up, the embarrassment gone from his face, having been replaced by pride.
"It wasn't my idea, but I'm glad the Ron and Hermione talked me into it." He said.
"How many people did you teach exactly?"
"Around sixty, or so. Most all the fifth years in Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, plus Fred and George and a few other sixth and seventh years, and some fourth years and a third year."
"Susan seemed to enjoy the club. She was quite proud of her work in it. She says she can produce a Patronus, and she owes it to you."
"Most everyone who I worked with can produce one now." Harry said. But more importantly they can protect themselves if they're attacked."
"Indeed." Amelia smiled. The young woman was back, this time with their pizza and a couple of plates. Harry helped himself and Amelia took a couple of slices for herself. They ate for a few minutes before Amelia spoke again.
"Susan has also told me you're quite good on a broom." Amelia said.
Amelia was discovering what a charming and interesting young man Harry Potter was. It took only a little prodding to get him to share some of his adventures at Hogwarts with her, though she could tell he was omitting details. Her interrogation training was a big help in seeing the hints of far bigger stories that Harry was downplaying. It was Harry's humility that impressed Amelia the most. Nearly any other teenager would have been bragging up a storm, but not Harry. He tried to give more credit to his friends rather than take the praise. It was a very endearing trait.
After they finished their lunch, Amelia and Harry headed over to the shopping mall so Harry could get much needed clothes that were his size, and appropriate for his age. Amelia let Harry choose what he wanted, and only gave constructive criticism on certain items. Amelia very coyly feigned interest in a rack of shirts as Harry selected underwear, though Amelia did mention that Harry was likely a little old for tightie whiteys.
It took over four hours, but when they left, Harry had a completely new wardrobe, and Amelia had promised Harry a large bonfire of all his hand me downs.
Harry had to admit that he was much more comfortable in jeans that were his size, and that he didn't need a belt to keep them around his waist. The new t-shirt was also a welcome change as was the jacket. Amelia had managed to shrink everything down when no one was looking and stuff everything into her pocket. She then took Harry to a hair salon for a much needed haircut.
When they were finished with that, Amelia suggested that it was time to return home and that the girls were waiting for them so they could have dinner.
Harry had been having such a good day that he had once again forgotten about his situation. All at once his stomach had knotted up and his palms became clammy. Amelia noticed Harry's face flush and sighed. She wished for what felt like the millionth time that she had it in her power to break this contract, if only to give these two young people the opportunity to find their own paths in life.
On the other hand, after spending the day getting to know Harry a bit more, Amelia couldn't think of a better young man for her niece to be involved with. Harry was an exceptional young man in her eyes at the moment. She had no doubt that Harry and Susan could become very good friends because of their situation. But could they find love with each other? That was the ultimate question, especially given what Dumbledore had shared with her the day previous. Love was the power that would not only save Harry, but the wizarding world as well.
When they arrived back at the house, Amelia canceled the shrinking spells on Harry's purchases and sent him upstairs to put his things away.
Harry managed to get all his things up the stairs and he was nearly to his bedroom when one of the bags slipped out of his grip. When he bent to retrieve it, another hand had snatched it up. A soft, cream colored hand with painted pink nails.
Harry stood up and found him looking in the eyes of Susan Bones, his betrothed.
The two stood looking at each other for several seconds before either of them even attempted to speak.
"H-hi." Susan choked out."
"Hi." Harry responded, just as awkwardly. Again, they stared at each other, neither sure of what to say. Susan broke eye contact first looking at all the bags in Harry's hand and at the one in her own.
"Shopping?" She asked stupidly, wincing at her own idiocy.
"Yeah." Harry responded, looking just as embarrassed now. Though whether it was the fact they he had no idea what he should say to Susan, or the fact that he had suddenly realized that she was holding the bag with all his new underwear, he couldn't say for sure.
The awkward silence began to stretch out as the two teens began to look about, searching for anything to say, but both of them seemed unable to move.
"Urn..." Susan tried again, looking for all the world as if she'd like to runaway and never been seen or heard from again.
"Er..." Harry tried. He opened his mouth again, and this sort of strangled squeak came out, causing him to turn red.
Susan suddenly held the bag out to him, and as soon as he had a good grip on it, turned and retreated into her own room, where Harry now saw Hannah Abbott standing in the doorway, smiling.
"Hi, Harry." She said politely.
"Hi." Harry said, and then turned to retreat into his own room. When the door shut, Hannah turned to see her best friend curled up on her bed with a pillow over her face.
Real smooth, Sue. Real smooth." Hannah laughed shutting the door behind her.
"Oh shut it!" Susan shouted from under the protection of her pillow. "I didn't know what 1 was supposed to say to him." Susan grumbled as she removed the pillow and sat up. "What exactly is the proper etiquette here? What do you say in this situation? Hi, so glad to meet you, so at our wedding do you prefer chicken or fish?"
Hannah bellowed with laughter as she fell on Susan's bed.
"Shut up!" Susan said, smacking her best friend in the face with her pillow. "This is a real mess, and it isn't funny at all!"
"No, it isn't." Hannah agreed. "But what just happened was extremely funny. I mean, just imagine the look on his face if you had said something like that."
Susan actually cracked a small smile at that. "He probably would have lost control of his bodily functions."
"Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, the conqueror of dragons, and defeater of You-Know-Who, frightened to death by his fiancé." Hannah said through her giggles.
"Oh, what am I going to do?" Susan wailed, falling back onto her bed.
"We already talked about this. Quite a lot actually. You've taken the first step by talking to him... though I'm not sure if that was really talking to him." Hannah joked. A glare from Susan only made her smile bigger. "Look, start small. Little things, like his favorite color, or what he wants to do after school. Keep things simple for now."
"Is that what you do with Neville?" Susan asked. Hannah nodded.
"I didn't even know I liked him in that way until recently, like I told you. But we've been getting to know each other for a while. You need to take the same approach with Harry. Start small and just let things happen in their own time."
"You know, this is all super easy for you, you're not being forced to marry some one you don't know." Susan said, though much of her frustration and bitterness was leaving her.
"That's true." Hannah smiled, "But think about this. How many witches would gladly trade places with you right now? Seriously. Yes, it sucks that you're being forced to marry by a hundred year old contract, but when you think of how bad it could have been... Let's face it; you kind of hit the jackpot here."
"He is kind of cute when he blushes, isn't he?" Susan said the hint of a smile on her face again, making Hannah roll her eyes. "Kind of cute? Honey, that boy is straight up adorable. I personally can't wait until you see him naked."
"Excuse me?" Susan looked affronted.
"Like I'm ever going to get the chance." Hannah poked her friend in the ribs, making Susan jump and laugh at being tickled. "I'm totally going to live vicariously through you, so you'd better tell me everything that you say and do with that boy!"
Harry kept replaying his initial meeting with Susan in his head. He felt like an utter idiot and he had no idea of how he should proceed. He knew it was a good idea that he try and get to know Susan, as they were going to be married, but at the same time, his "Saving people" thing as Hermione had called it was telling him to keep the rather attractive redhead at arm's length. He was Voldemort's number one target, and anyone associated with him would also be high on the dark wizard's hit list. Harry didn't want that burden on his shoulders. He already carried enough guilt over Hermione and Ron's safety, but those two just wouldn't allow him to take on this task alone. They were his friends, and Harry knew he could not ask for better.
But Susan hadn't asked for any of this. She was not his friend. They had only spoken a few times in the DA last year, and that was usually when she needed help, or he was correcting her wand movements or something like that. Outside of that they had had no interaction that Harry could think of. Because of this stupid contract, Susan's life was in danger. Either from Voldemort and his Death Eaters or from the ruin this contract could cause her if they were to try and ignore it.
Harry finished putting away his new clothes and settled onto his bed with the book he'd gotten in Dagon Alley. Madam Bones, or Amelia as she preferred to be called by him, had said that this book had proven quite useful. She had also told him that he would find more than a few helpful books in the house.
Harry had decided that he liked Amelia Bones. She had taken him shopping, but not as a charity. She'd let him pay for his own things. She had asked him about a few things that Harry would have preferred not to talk about, but she hadn't pressed him. She had never made him feel uncomfortable either.
Then there was the fact that she was going to have an Auror train with him. He was going to get a real look at what it was like to be an Auror, which was his deepest ambition, provided he survived Voldemort. Amelia was the first person, other than his friends and the Weasley family, to take a serious interest in his life, and not because he was famous for some amazing feat that he hadn't even performed. Harry didn't think it was all because he and Susan were going to get married, though he knew that was a good part of it.
Harry then began to wonder if Susan would be able to practice magic over the summer. If she was going to be a part of Harry's life, she should at least have the opportunity to learn to defend herself better. Maybe they could even practice together. That would probably be a good way for them to break the ice. Harry decided he would bring it up at dinner.
Harry then wondered if he should write to Ron and Hermione to tell them about what had happened, or if he should wait until he saw them. From what Amelia had said to him during their shopping that afternoon, he would be able to Ron and Hermione within the next couple of days. He wasn't sure if they'd be able to come see him there, or if he'd be able to visit the Burrow. Either way, he could not wait until he could see his two best friends and tell them all that had happened to him.
Harry was the last one down the stairs for dinner. He'd began to read his book and lost track of time. It wasn't until Emy the house elf had popped onto his bed, scaring Harry half to death that he headed for dinner.
Amelia was sitting at the head of the table with Hannah and Susan on either side of her. All three ladies looked up and smiled, though only Susan blushed. Harry took his seat, and filled his plate.
"Emy says you were reading." Amelia said as Harry took some vegetables.
"Yeah." Harry nodded. "That book is really fascinating. I can't wait to try some of those spells."
"You'll have to do that in the basement. Its set up for that sort of thing, and you'll be less likely to break anything down there. I'll show you after dinner." Amelia smiled, and Harry thanked her.
"How was your day?" Amelia turned to Susan, who shrugged.
"She's been a bit stressed." Hannah said. Susan looked up, giving a very dangerous look to her best friend.
"What?" Hannah asked. "It's true."
"You don't need to go telling everyone about it!" Susan scowled.
"Alright, let's just get this out in the open." Amelia sighed, putting her fork down. "This situation is terrible. Both of you have been robbed of the entire dating experience. But you're not doing yourself or each other any favors by trying to avoid the inevitable. I know it's awkward, and it's strange, and all of that. But you need to work together."
Susan looked down at her plate, moving a few remnants of chicken about, while Harry seemed focused very hard on his glass.
"Hannah." Amelia said, standing up and taking her plate. "Would you join me?"
"Uh, sure." Hannah said awkwardly as she gathered her plate and followed Amelia into the kitchen, leaving Harry and Susan alone in strained silence that seemed to stretch on forever.
"Maybe we'll get lucky and Emy will beat them senseless for invading her kitchen." Susan said softly.
"Your house elf is a bit... intense." Harry said.
"You don't even know that half of it." Susan replied. "When I was seven, I wanted to learn how to make cookies. I thought it would be fun. I have no idea how she didn't discover me sooner, but when she found me, she went bonkers and started throwing eggs at me. Auntie just laughed when I came to tell her Emy was being mean to me. I was covered in raw eggs. Auntie eventually got Emy to let me make cookies, but she was there the whole time, just seething that I was in her kitchen."
Harry began to chuckle softly as Susan went on to tell him another tale of the house elf. From just behind the kitchen door, Amelia wore a satisfied grin as she walked away from the door and returned to her meal.
"They're talking, aren't they?" Hannah smiled knowingly.
"Susan hates uncomfortable silences." Amelia said with satisfaction.
"Don't I know it. That was brilliant. There's no way she would have sat there for too long with out trying to say something." Hannah grinned.
"Now that the ice has been broken, they can start getting to know each other, and maybe, just maybe they'll have a chance for at least a little happiness." Amelia said.
"I think there's more than just a chance." Hannah smiled. "I think they might actually fall in love. They just have to give each other a chance."
Amelia smiled at Hannah, envying her romantic outlook. Amelia hoped that Hannah never had to learn that life was not like a corny romance novel.