Lucius Malfoy read the letter sent out from Hogwarts once again. He asked himself why there had been nothing known about this before this letter had been sent.

No rumours, no speculations, no hint … NOTHING.

The names of the trusts and sponsoring families caused him to sneer. Every single one of the names was either some blood traitor or Mudblood or some light sided family having lost a family member. There were no TRUE Purebloods.

Another thing that irked him was that this trust appeared to be being managed by those vermin instead of a proper Pureblood, regardless of the blood traitor's name appearing as President. This meant that there could be no creative bookkeeping so that proper Pureblood ideals could be financed behind the scenes.

He then noticed one statement which frightened him: "The Board of Trustees does not consider the proper education of witches and wizards to be a valid source of profit for those that manage such education or for the government."

Lucius began sweating. For many years, the finance committee of the Board of Governers had been under the control of people of … Pure … beliefs. The funds that were collected from Mudbloods were managed to properly keep them down. If there was a little bit of graft, it was properly used to keep the Purebloods in power. If this Trust Group managed to finance education directly without it being filtered through Pureblood control … this would be DISASTEROUS.

He needed to begin disrupting this now. Lucius moved to contact a certain agent he had on retainer.

Sirius and Remus were reminiscing about their Hogwarts years and discussing the Trusts that the Prongslet had started.

Sirius paused, "Moony, you're looking a bit peaked. I wish I could get out of here to stay with you."

Remus smiled tiredly, "Soon, Padfoot. Actually, I feel much better this time. My pack is back. Even though it's uncomfortable, I'm not fearing it as much this month."

Sirius grinned. "Now we'll just have to find some mates for the pack. I just hope they're not real bitches."

Remus groaned at the horrible joke. He reached to smack Sirius on the head but Sirius moved. Soon the two started wrestling playfully. They both fell of the bed, but neither noticed. Until a Mediwitch came in and in a loud voice yelled, "WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?"

Sirius and Remus both stopped and looked over abashed. "We're so sorry, Madam Stansbury. We're just having some fun."

The healer's assistant, an attractive woman in her twenties, came over and pulled the comforter back and then gestured at the bed … pointedly. As Sirius was climbing back into the bed he stage-whispered to Remus, "Is it just me or is she just as scary as Madam Pomphrey at Hogwarts?"

Remus, looking comically nervous, whispered back, "No, it isn't just you."

The mediwitch's lips twitched. If Sirius hadn't been watching for it, he would have never seen it. "Considering she was my mentor, I'll take that as a compliment. Now if you two don't settle down, I'll kick your friend here out and tie you to your bed."

Sirius pulled the comforter tightly to his chest. "I'll be good! We'll be good! Won't we, Moony?"

Remus nodded repeatedly. Both saw the twitch this time.

"Now if you two rogues can settle down, dinner will be here soon. I expect you to eat all of it. Will your friend be staying?"

Sirius grinned at Remus and said in a childlike voice with puppy-dog eyes, "Will you stay for dinner with me, Uncle Moony?"

Remus laughed. "Yes, Little Padfoot. I'll stay for dinner." The nurse had to retreat quickly before she lost her composure and laughed. She was heartened by the progress of the man she had been caring for. He was quite dishy too ….

The two Marauders continued talking until two trays had appeared. One was on a hospital tray over the bed and the other was on the side table. Sirius grinned. "Food!"

Both began eating quickly. Remus looked at his pudding and then at Padfoot's. "Er, Padfoot, my old friend, my old mate, my life-long buddy?"

"Yes, Moony?"

"I noticed that I have been given vanilla pudding and you have been given chocolate. Will you accept a straight up trade?"

Sirius considered this with a thoughtful expression and said, "I don't knoooooow. I like chocolate too..."

Moony attempted a pleading look. "Pleeeeaaaaase, Padfoot?"

Sirius laughed. "Surprisingly effective, isn't it?" He considered it for moment more with his serious face, and then grinned. "Sure, Moony."

Both swapped puddings with a grin. Sirius dove in, but Remus took on a blissful look before sniffing the chocolately goodness ….

Sirius noticed Moony's face take on an odd look. "What is it, Moony?"

Remus sniffed the pudding cup again. First a long sniff. Then a series of small sniffs, almost like a dog. His face took on a harsh look. "There's something wrong with this pudding. There's a smell I haven't smelled in a long time …."

Sirius looked curious. "When was the last time you smelled it?"

Remus thought about it and then sniffed it again. His face took on an angry look. "Fifth year. Lesson on poisons. If it wasn't so close to the full moon, I'd have never noticed it."

Sirius began looking both angry and nervous in equal measure. "Can you call Amelia?"

Remus took out his wand and cast his Patronus. Luckily the joy of his returning pack was sufficient to overcome his deep anger and he got the spell off. He said a few words to the Patronus and then the ghostly wolf form ran off to the DMLE.

Amelia Bones entered the ward she had just visited the night before. This time she had two Aurors with her. The two men in the room were both looking upset and angry. The mediwitch that was standing with them also appeared to be just as angry but was not directing it towards the two men.

"Remus, I got your message. What is it?"

Remus held up a plastic bag containing what looked to be chocolate pudding. "This was delivered to Sirius here with his dinner. We switched deserts. I noticed an odd smell … one that I hadn't smelled since a lesson at Hogwarts about poisons."

Amelia was shocked. She had one Auror collect the bag while she and the other Auror interviewed the three people in the room.

After a number of initial questions Amelia asked the livid mediwitch, "How are patients fed?"

Chelsea Stansbury was fuming still. Someone had tried to poison her patient. "St. Mungos employs several house elves. Healers and other hospital staff tell them what to feed the patients and the meals are delivered at certain times."

Amelia wrote down a few things. "Please calm down and then call the house elf for this ward. We don't want to spook the house elf, just find out what happened."

The mediwitch took several deep breaths. Luckily healers were trained to put their emotions aside. "Mippy!"

A pop was heard and there was suddenly a house elf in the room. "Mistress Chelsea calls Mippy?"

She smiled at the little elf, one of her favorites. "Did you prepare the food for Sirius Black here?"

Mippy nodded cheerfully. "Mippy prepares dinner for Doggyman and Wolfyman! Mippy puts the medicine in the pudding for Doggyman just like Master Chedwicky says!" Mippy started looking upset. "Did Mippy do a bad job?"

Chelsea moved to calm the elf down. "No, no. You did a good job. Any mistake isn't yours. So, Healer Chedwick had you put medicine in the pudding?"

Mippy nodded enthusiastically again. "Yes, Mippy did as Master Chedwicky says! Just like the special medicine for Longybottoms each week!"

Everyone in the room froze. Mippy looked confused.

Finally the Mediwitch asked Mippy, "Do you have any of the special medicine that Healer Chedwick gave you for the Longbottoms?" Mippy nodded cheerfully. "Can you bring me some so I can make sure he gave you the right medicine?"

Mippy nodded again and then snapped her fingers. She disappeared in a pop and returned quickly holding a jar. "This be medicine for this month. Master Chedwicky gives Mippy medicine each month for Longybottoms."

Chelsea took the jar from Mippy and then said, "I'll check the medicine. Now, we don't want Healer Chedwick upset if he accidently gave you the wrong medicine for a patient, so if he gives you any more to put in a patient's food, bring it to me so that I can make sure it's right. We don't want to make Healer Chedwick sad, right?"

Mippy nodded enthusiastically and then popped out.

Chelsea turned to Amelia and handed her the jar. "Mistress Chelsea doesn't want to make Master Checwicky sad. Mistress Chelsea wants to make Master Chedicky terrified and then Mistress Chelsea wants to make Master Chedwicky dead. If you don't take care of this fast, Mistress Chelsea will do something that violates her healer's oath. So please take care of this fast."

Amelia placed a jar in another evidence bag. "I'm worried because house elf testimony isn't admissible."

Sirius, who had witnessed the whole conversation, interrupted. "Considering that a Pureblood was almost poisoned, I'm going to invoke my Pureblood Privilege and demand that Healer Chedwick answer charges that he threatened the life of a Pureblood of a Most Noble and Ancient House under veritaserum." No one missed the disdain with which Sirius said Pureblood. "Will that be sufficient to prosecute him?"

Amelia grinned viciously. "It's a damn shame when Purebloods use their privileges for personal reasons, but it's the law and as the Director of the DMLE my hands are tied."

No one had a more viciously satisfied look than Chelsea Stansbury. Chelsea turned to Sirius and said, "If you can make sure Healer Chedwick is convicted using your Pureblood Privilege, I'll go on a date with you. If you can get whoever is behind him prosecuted, I'll give you a really good date. Agreed?" Chelsea Stansbury REALLY liked Sirius.

Sirius grinned lasciviously but playfully at Chelsea and then turned to Amelia. "If you need any support, just ask. I'm perfectly willing to do whatever is needed." Amelia just shook her head in amusement. Sirius really was a rogue. The Aurors in the background and Remus were all snickering at the two. Chelsea had a smirk.

Finally Sirius took on a less playful look. "The presence of Madam Stansbury notwithstanding, it might be a good idea if I got myself checked out of St. Mungos until this is resolved." He shot a smile at Chelsea. "I'll come in regularly to have Madam Stansbury here do checkups." Chelsea grinned back at Sirius. Sirius then became deathly serious. "But I just got my godson back. I will not take the chance of breaking his heart again by leaving myself open to attack. Gryffindors act recklessly but Godfathers have responsibilities, a harsh lesson I have recently learned."

Amelia nodded. "As the Director of the DMLE, I will approve your release from your mandated care with the stipulation that you receive regular checkups to ensure you are brought back to full health after your ordeal."

Chelsea brought a form for Sirius and Amelia to sign. Chelsea had been happy for the excuse. When Sirius got all protective, it had done things to her insides she didn't want to be obvious – at least not at that moment with so many witnesses.

Finally, Sirius farewelled Chelsea Stansbury with a wink and a kiss on her knuckles and exited St Mungos escorted by the Aurors. Once the group was to an apparition point, Sirius said to Remus, "Let's go message Minnie so she can tell Harry what's up. I can run with you this full moon and then Tuesday to Saturday, we can take the pup out for a mini vacation before the train on Sunday. Sound good?"

Remus grinned. "Sounds good to me. The Floo at the Three Broomsticks?" Sirius nodded. The two disapparated away.

Amelia Bones sat in her office, contemplating what her next step should be. She decided on her first step. She went to her Floo. "Hogwarts, Deputy Headmistress!" called out before sticking her head in the Floo.

Minerva just had concluded a conversation with Sirius. After learning what had happened, she was both outraged and saddened. She had agreed to let Harry know that Sirius would be with Moony for the next three days. She hoped that the two protected themselves as Harry would be devastated if he lost Sirius again. She then noticed her fireplace change again. "Minerva? This is Amelia."

She was relieved to hear from the DMLE Director. "Amelia! Sirius just told me what happened. Have you arrested the sassanach yet?"

Amelia shook her head. "I'm going to get the Mediwitch who helped find out what was happening to help. But I'm going to want Augusta there when we interrogate him, both as a witness for the Wizengamot and because of what's been happening to her son."

Minerva was surprised. "Her son? Frank? What do you mean?"

Amelia sighed. "I guess Sirius didn't tell you. We have evidence that not only did he try to have Sirius poisoned but he's been poisoning Frank and Alice. I want Augusta to see that we're handling it because I don't want to see Augusta blow the roof off of the Ministry."

Minerva McGonagall spewed a few curses in Gaelic before agreeing with Amelia. "T'would be a disaster. What do ye need from me?"

"Can you take Neville around tomorrow to get his Trust items? I'm sure Harry would like to meet a future classmate and their families have been friends. Since Sirius will be away for three days with Remus Lupin, it would be a good opportunity for them to meet and spend time together."

Minerva had a soft smile on as she considered that. "That sounds an excellent idea! I'll be talkin' to young Mr. Potter tomorrow regardless. I coul' afford to spend a day away from preparations for th' school year."

Amelia nodded. "Just so you know I noticed, you're Scots accent is coming through a bit more strongly than normal."

Minerva was abashed. "Sorry. I was just a wee bit upset about what Sirius and ye told me."

Amelia laughed. "I won't tell. I'm going to try to have the man arrested and Augusta there by noon. Can you have Harry in my office at noon and you two ready to pick up Neville?"

Minerva replied, "Ay. I'll be there with the bairn."

It was 9:00 in the morning on Saturday, 24 August. Chelsea Stansbury was just beginning her shift, thinking about her future date with Sirius Black. She had lied a little bit the night before. Even if for some reason Chedwick got away and they didn't find out who was behind it, she would most likely give Sirius a very good date anyway.

It was much more pleasant contemplating that than what she would do to Chedwick.

She suddenly heard her name called and looked up. "Madam Bones! How can I help you today?"

Amelia looked around and pointed to Sirius' old room. "Can we talk privately?"

The Mediwitch led the DMLE Director and her two Aurors into the room. Madam Bones put up a few charms before turning to the Mediwitch. "How would you like help to catch Chedwick?"

Chelsea's eyes took on a gleam. "What can I do?"

"Would it be normal for you to ask Healer Chedwick to consult on a case?" Amelia asked.

Chelsea thought about it. "He's a Senior Healer. If a patient was doing poorly, I might ask him to come and help me."

Amelia grinned. "I'm going to have my Auror here lie under the covers as though he's Sirius Black feeling badly. I'd like you to call the good Healer in to help you consult. I and my other Auror will be beside the doorway. When he comes in, we'll stupefy him. Sound good?"

Chelsea nodded cheerfully but had a thought. "Why not just arrest him?"

Amelia took on an officious look. "To ensure that a suspect cannot take advantage of a portkey or anything else a suspect may be carrying, DMLE personnel are authorized to take any non-lethal measures to apprehend a suspect." She took on a conspiratorial look. "Besides, I thought you might enjoy seeing him drop."

Chelsea giggled. "I like the way you think, Madam Bones."

"Please, call me Amelia. Now, how long before he would come?"

Chelsea thought about it. "As fast as five minutes, as long as thirty. It depends on how urgent I make it sound."

"Well, you have a Pureblood who seems to be doing badly. Can you make it sound as if you are worried?"

Chelsea nodded. "Chedwick doesn't come in until 10:00. I can catch him as though I'm coming to find a Senior Healer right as he comes in. Will that work?"

Amelia nodded. "I don't think it would be dangerous unless he twigged on it early. Give me what you'll say."

Chelsea's face took on a look of concern. "Healer Chedwick? Thank Merlin you're here! I was just looking for a Senior Healer for a consult. My patient, Sirius Black, seems to be having troubles. If you're too busy, I can call in another Senior Healer, but I'm really worried!"

Amelia grinned. "Perfect. He won't want another Senior consulting so he should come running."

In the end, the plan worked to perfection. Archibal Chedwick was portkeyed directly from the ward where Sirius had been a resident to a holding cell at the DMLE. Chelsea Stansbury would keep quiet about it until it was reported in the press. In her excitement, she decided she would be giving Sirius that very good date regardless just as soon as he was fully up for it.

Harry was excited as he walked through the Ministry of Magic to meet up with a future classmate. Professor McGonagall had written him early in the morning telling him that Sirius would be out of St. Mungos but busy helping Remus for a couple of days. He would then contact Harry for a few days together. She had also mentioned that as a favor to Amelia she would be taking Neville Longbottom to Diagon Alley for his Trust items while the boy's grandmother was busy and if he would like to come along and meet him.

Harry recognized the name from his letter and he was eager to meet a possible friend.

Finally, the two arrived at Madam Bones' office and Professor McGonagall knocked. Madam Bones herself invited the two inside.

"Augusta, Neville, you know Professor McGonagall. I would like you to meet Harry Potter."

The boy, Neville apparently, looked nervous standing there. The older woman had a severe look, somewhat like Professor McGonagall when she was being strict.

"Hello. I am happy to meet you. I have heard good things about your family and Neville." Harry bowed briefly to the Dowager Lady Longbottom.

The lady nodded approvingly. "We are quite satisfied to meet you as well. Our families have been long and historic allies. I am glad to see that the next generation can begin their relationship positively."

Harry got the idea that Madam Longbottom was the humourless sort, although she didn't seem as disagreeable as his own relatives. Harry moved to shake Neville's hand. "Hi, I'm Harry."

Neville nervously shook Harry's hand in return. Suddenly Madam Longbottom interrupted which made Neville jump a little bit. "Firm now, Neville! You don't want the represent the family poorly!" Neville was even more nervous after that.

Harry turned his head to Madam Longbottom. "I find his grip quite firm so no need to worry, Madam Longbottom."

Neville shot Harry a grateful look as she concentrated on Harry. He rushed to answer Harry's greeting to overcome any awkwardness. "I'm glad to meet you, Harry. I'm Neville."

Professor McGonagall interrupted before Harry or Neville could be involved with any more awkward conversations with the Dowager Longbottom. "Now, Amelia informed me she would need Madam Longbottom's assistance today." She turned to Augusta. "I have agreed to escort Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Potter to Diagon Alley so that Neville may spend time with his future classmate and to visit Ollivanders to satisfy the inspection of his wand as laid out in the letter I sent on Thursday last."

Madam Longbottom harrumphed. "He's using his father's wand, which should be good enough for any Longbottom. However, I will accept that if every student is being inspected, he should be inspected as well." She turned to Neville. "Do the Longbottoms proud." She didn't look as confident as she should have, in Harry's opinion.

Amelia interjected, "Knowing Augusta as I do, I wish to volunteer another of age individual to accompany you. She's an intern in my office this summer as she will be applying to the Auror Academy next year. Is this acceptable?"

Madam Longbottom nodded in approval. Amelia called to a door on the other side of her office. "Come in, Tonks."

A older teenage girl, or woman in Harry's viewpoint, entered the office. She was dressed in semi-conservative clothes. She had black hair and a heart-shaped face. "Are these the two?"

Amelia nodded. "Yes. Harry, Neville, this is my intern, Nymphadora Tonks." The older girl took on a slightly sour look even as Amelia grinned a little. "She prefers just Tonks." Tonks smiled. Amelia addressed her. "Consider this a covert protection detail. I want you to look the part of an older female friend."

Tonks nodded and suddenly her hair turned pink. She also transfigured her outfit to appear much more casual. She then looked back to Amelia, who nodded in approval. "If you detect any danger to your charges, you have my full authority to take any necessary steps to protect them. Understood?"

Tonks grinned. "Sure thing, Madam Bones. We're going to have fun."

Amelia chuckled. "This will be the last assignment for your internship this year. I will debrief you Monday morning. Now go on."

Tonks nodded as she moved to accompany the two boys and Professor McGonagall out of the office. As the door was closing, Amelia and Augusta heard Harry say, "That was wicked! How did you do the thing with your hair?"

Once the two women were alone, Amelia lost her cheerful look and addressed her visitor. "I asked you to come today because I need a witness to an interrogation. And, according to what we know now, this affects your family directly."

Augusta looked back at the Director of the DMLE and said, "Tell me."

The two boys had noticed that there seemed to be a long line at Ollivanders and both decided to wait for a bit until trying to get Neville's wand checked. Harry had commented that he wanted to talk to his accounts manager, so the group was on the way to the bank.

The two boys and Tonks were in a conversation. She was cheerful, but did keep glancing around to check for trouble. Professor McGonagall approved … and was impressed.

"So, you two are actually cousins of a sort. Even if my mum was blasted off the Family Tree, we're of the same blood. Harry, I'm your third cousin I think and, Neville, I think I'm your fourth cousin."

Harry was confused. "So what does that make me and Neville?"

Tonks thought about it. Neville volunteered, "We're fourth cousins. Our Great-Great Grandparents were siblings. You and Tonks are more closely related. You and your godfather are second cousins, once removed. Tonks and Sirius are first cousins, once removed. Me and Sirius are third cousins, once removed."

Suddenly Tonks cursed quietly. The two boys looked at her curiously as she said, "Pureblood Ponce warning. That's Lucius Malfoy coming out of the bank. His wife and my mother were sisters before we were blasted off. It looks like he's coming this way. Be careful."

Harry took on a neutral expression. Neville noticed and attempted to take on the same look, even if his nervousness was slightly more obvious. Lucius saw them and made his way over until he stood a few feet away.

"Professor McGonagall." He sneered a bit. "Mr. Longbottom." His face went back to neutral. "Mr. Potter." He pointedly ignored the fourth member of their party.

Harry nodded at the man. Lucius had made no effort to shake his hand and he was grateful for that. "Mr. Malfoy." Neville and Professor McGonagall echoed him. Tonks just grinned at the ponce, even as she kept a weather eye out.

"I saw you at the trial of your Godfather, Sirius. He and my wife are cousins. It was quite interesting to see justice served."

Harry agreed. "Yes, I was happy to see it accomplished."

Lucius nodded. "Quite." He casually looked around and then back to Harry. "My son, Draco, will be attending Hogwarts with you. I will direct him to greet you at his first opportunity."

Harry replied, "Please do so. I believe he and I are third cousins, if you are interested in details of such matters."

Lucius really tried to hide his sneer and he was mostly successful. His face took on another look. "Well, I must be off. Be certain to pass along my wife's best regards to her cousin for his speedy recovery."

Harry nodded. "Thank you, I will pass that along." Lucius nodded at the three (still ignoring Tonks) and moved away.

Once Mr. Malfoy had moved far enough away, the other three heard Tonks low comment quite clearly, "MERLIN, he's a ponce."

Harry and Neville both laughed, even as Professor McGonagall tried to maintain her composure. Harry turned to Neville. "I'm certain I would much rather be related to your overly strict Grandmother than that … man, even if it's only by marraige."

Neville, who had relaxed a bit, chuckled nervously in response. "I agree."

Harry's face took on a confused look as he asked the others, "Is it just me or was he almost smug and gloating when he mentioned Sirius?"

The other three thought about it. Neville finally said, "Yeah. I don't know what that's about, but it was creepy." Tonks nodded.

Professor McGonagall had to hide her look of shock as she realized just why Lucius Malfoy might be smug when talking about Sirius. She said to the three, "I will leave you briefly at Gringotts and meet you outside in an hour. I have a small urgent errand to run which I just remembered. Should you finish before I return, I suggest Florence Fortescue's excellent parlour for a treat and I shall find you there." She paused at that. "Try not to ruin your appetites for dinner."

Harry and Neville shrugged. Tonks said, "Sure thing, Professor. I'll try to keep them out of trouble."

Professor McGonagall visibly stopped at that. Her reply made Harry and Neville blush and caused Tonks to laugh. "Good luck with that. Merlin knows that keeping a Potter out of trouble is a job of Herculean proportions. And Longbottoms are usually right there in the thick of Potter trouble."

After the Professor ensured the three had entered Gringotts, she hurried away to report on the conversation with Lucius Malfoy to Amelia Bones.

Harry confidently walked into Gringotts, nodding at the goblins who greeted him with a bow or nod. Griphook was at the counter, serving several parents and children. When he saw Harry enter, he moved his finger to a particular button behind his desk. Harry led the other two towards the line but then suddenly saw his accounts manager come out from a corridor and motion him. With a quiet word, he led Tonks and Neville over. "Greetings, Sharpclaw. I hope it has been a profitable day."

Sharpclaw nodded. "It has, and I hope you have been successful today. I am satisfied to see you as I was going to send a request for you to visit."

Harry nodded. "Lead the way." Sharpclaw looked at the other two curiously. "This is Neville Longbottom. We have begun renewing the alliance between our clans. This is .. er.." he looked nervously over at Tonks even as she looked resigned, "Nymphadora Tonks, my Godfather's favorite cousin and a member of his Clan. She's keeping an eye out for me today." Sharpclaw nodded and led the three back to a conference room.

After having them sit in the room, Sharpclaw asked them to wait while he retrieved two others. The three agreed. Sharpclaw returned in a short time, now in the company of Steelclaw and another goblin who looked quite elderly but hale.

Harry stood and those with him followed his lead. Sharpclaw allowed the elderly goblin to sit before he and Steelclaw motioned for the three to follow.

"Mr. Potter. I would like to introduce you to the Clan Chief of the Claw Clan, Ironclaw."

Harry nodded respectfully. "An honour to meet you, Clan Chief. I wish you and your clan good profits and full bellies."

The old clan chief nodded. "Prosperity and fertility to your Clan, Clan Chief." Neville and Tonks both became wide-eyed at this. "The matter at hand is a matter between Clans. If these two are to stay, you must claim them as Clan."

Harry got the idea that this was a much more serious conversation than he had anticipated. He decided in an instant. "I hereby claim Neville as the Potter Clan Champion even as I wish to stand as the Longbottom Clan Champion. I hereby claim Nymphadora Tonks as Clan Advisor as is Sirius Black, my Godfather."

Steelclaw and Sharpclaw both seemed to relax at that, even as Ironclaw looked searchingly at Harry for any sign of hesitation. "Very well." He addressed the two with Harry. "Your Clan Chief is guaranteeing your trust. Should you break trust with the Claw Clan, we shall make every attempt to destroy the Potter Clan financially. Do you understand?"

Neville and Tonks both said yes. Neville added with growing confidence, "When I become Clan Chief, the Potter Clan Chief will stand as our Champion. His secrets are my secrets. My Clan shall not be foresworn."

Tonks was nervous but she decided to jump in whole hog. "His secrets are my secrets. My Clan shall not be foresworn."

Ironclaw nodded and then looked at Sharpclaw. Sharpclaw addressed Harry. "The two proposals that you provided to me only two weeks ago have both been reviewed by the Gringotts Council. The Brightclaw Family Memorial Trust was approved. This trust provides for every goblin's first ledger. It is a small item, but there are many goblins and every goblin must learn financial management by first learning to manage their own finances. The gesture was met with approval within the Council."

Harry replied, "I am glad. I hope this honors your fallen Clan members."

The three Claw Clan members all nodded at that. Steelclaw took over. "The Magical Education Trust Group was a political coupe for the Claw Clan. That such a major and influential financial instrument has been placed in the hands of Claw Clan account managers means that our position has improved. For this, the Claw Clan thanks the Potter Clan for their Trust."

Neville and Tonks both looked at Harry in surprise. Both were now thinking that Harry had a lot more to do with that than the single Trust that was named for his family.

Ironclaw nodded. "The second proposal for the Gringotts Council met with more … opposition."

Harry asked, "The business idea was not approved?"

Ironclaw replied, "No. A rival clan, the Fang Clan, used political influence to convince the Gringotts Council that such an enterprise was not worthy of direct ownership by Gringotts. Due to our increased influence from the other two items, I managed to get approval for the Claw Clan to get into a combined ownership for the enterprise with the Potter and Claw clans splitting profits and Gringotts being given the standard non-clan portion of the fee. However, this now is a matter of goblin politics."

Harry was curious. "Please excuse me. I am new to matters in the Magical world and do not understand the importance of what you're saying."

Ironclaw nodded. "Such is expected, which is why I asked my Clan members to arrange this meeting. The proposal which you presented was approved by the elders of our Clan to be presented to the Gringotts Council. The Gringotts Council did not approve but Bloodfang suggested that if we were so confident, why not allow the Claw clan to encumber its own resources? The Fang Clan Chief disdains all things that are non-magical, similarly to how Pureblooded humans view non-magicals. He, in his shortsightedness, cannot envision that Gringotts can increase its financial bottom line dealing with any business non-Magical outside of the investments our clients allow and for which we receive fees. If the faction which contains the Fang Clan is ultimately proven correct, the relations between our two people will continue to stagnate. We must move into the future, beyond past conflicts. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded. "What can I do to help the Claw Clan?"

Ironclaw turned to Sharpclaw and said, "Proposal C." He turned back to Harry and said, "There were three possible proposals that we would present to you. Proposal A shifted the greatest potential liability to the Potter Clan, but divided profits equally. Proposal B was more balanced. Proposal C was a contingency that Sharpclaw insisted upon drafting based on his word that the Potter Clan Chief was honorable. This proposal was based upon the idea that you would treat us only as a fellow Clan, regardless of race."

Sharpclaw pulled out several parchments. "The agreement would be as follows: The Potter Clan and the Claw Clan shall fund the proposed enterprise as proposed by the Potter Clan equally. The Potter Clan shall be considered to have provided a sound business idea to the Claw Clan. The Claw Clan shall, as a consequence, pay all non-Clan fees from its portion of the profit. The fees necessary to obtain the sale items shall be paid equally by both the Potter Clan and the Claw Clan. The Claw Clan shall do the bulk of the necessary work to ensure that the enterprise is successful and profitable. The Potter Clan shall be responsible for only the following: Providing a sound source for potential labor through his contacts in the magical and non-Magical world and consultation to the Claw Clan when requested. The Claw Clan recognizes that the Potter Clan may not always be available due to Magical Education or other considerations."

Harry thought about it. "The only difference between the original idea and what you're proposing is that I'm going to reap a greater share of the profits for actually maintaining ownership of 50 percent of the business. Did I understand that correctly?"

Neville and Tonks were both curious. Finally Neville interrupted respectfully. "If we are to advise the Potter Clan Chief well, we shall have to know some details of this. What is the enterprise that is being proposed?"

Harry laid out the idea he had proposed and why he thought it would be successful. Neville and Tonks both agreed that it was a sound idea and met with their approval.

Tonks thought of something. "My family's current account manager is Dripfang. Can I assume that he's a member of the Fang Clan." The three goblins nodded. "I'm going to suggest something and tell me if it's a bad idea. Sirius gets along well with my family. I suggest Harry ask Sirius to restore my mum and I to the Black Family. As the Head of a Pureblood House he can require that we request that our accounts be managed by his accounts manager. I hope that's a member of the Claw Clan?"

Steelclaw said, "I am the Black Clan Accounts Manager."

Tonks nodded. "Once that's done, you can get my parents to help. My mum has a professional position in both worlds and my dad is a professional in the muggle world. He could be hired as the person who deals with the Muggle paperwork as he's had to do that for years. He can also help contact and interview the non-Magical parents of Muggleborns to look for the people Harry suggested the shop hire."

Harry looked to see what reaction the goblins had to Tonks' proposal. All three were sporting vicious smiles.

Harry wanted to know something. "Er, Sharpclaw? I assume Griphook is a member of the Hook clan?" Sharpclaw agreed. "Are they an allied Clan to the Claw Clan?"

Ironclaw answered that. "The Hook Clan tends to be neutral or swing toward the traditional faction. That Griphook was hired to be Assistant Trust Manager has swung sentiment in the Hook Clan towards our position and away from Fang influence. But it is complicated."

Harry nodded. "If the Tonks were 'required' by Sirius to transfer management of their accounts to the Hook clan and the additional accounts for those working for the shop be managed by the Hook clan, would that solidify them to your Clan's side?"

The three goblins all huddled together and spoke in their own language. After a couple of minutes, Ironclaw answered Harry. "For the Tonks family to choose the Hook family is sound. Other accounts should be split equally between the Hook and Claw clans. Don't want to alienate our Clan members."

Harry shrugged and then nodded. "Just a thought. Anyway, if you can get the paperwork together before I go back to Hogwarts, I will get Sirius to bring the Tonks in to get things going. Will that work?"

The three goblins all signaled their agreement. Harry shook hands with each. Neville and Tonks followed his example. As the two other members of the Claw Clan were about to leave, allowing the three to be led out by Sharpclaw, Harry had a thought and grinned as he said, "By the way, put in the paperwork that a year and a day after it opens for business I would be willing to sell my portion to Gringotts, but it must be at its current market value as calculated for the tax officials for the Muggle government. I would revert to the 11 percent of the profit I originally agreed to. If it's as profitable as I think it can be, you could suggest to the Gringotts Council that the price be paid by the Fang Clan because it was their advisor who convinced the Council to pass on the possible profits."

The three Claw Clan goblins all looked at each other and started to laugh viciously. It wasn't a particularly pleasant or unpleasant sound but Harry imagined it would be terrifying if it was directed at him. Ironclaw nodded to Harry with his vicious smile, "If only more of your people understood ours so well. Profit and Victory, Clan Chief Potter."

Harry nodded still grinning, "Victory and Profit to you and your Clan, Clan Chief Ironclaw."

A/N: A/N: For those that wondered or didn't notice: Yes, the dark magic residue was removed from Harry. It might have been a horcrux. It might have been something else. Who knows? My contention is that a horcrux requires a particularly dark ritual and Voldemort never performed a binding ritual. That it latched on to Harry's magic to survive is certainly possible, but there are so many ways of fixing it that wizards might not consider.

A magic dampening field which prevented ALL magic from existing in a particular area would mean that charms, hexes, curses, and bindings would ALL disappear as these would be sustained by magic. Of course, then you have to work out on what basis a person performs magic … would that damage a person's innate magic? A plot device to think about for future stories …. Hmmmmmmmmmm .. er.. Back to this one. Sorry.

Harry's not getting to the express today. This is all about some backlash and completing an idea from Chapter 2. Harry going to have to have SOME enemies in this story and a reviewer asked for more action … Oh, and I stole the name for the rival goblin/goblin clan from Robst. I love his stories and his current one is particularly epic. Therefore the rival goblin is Bloodfang and the Fang Clan.

Minerva's report, the interrogation, and the visit to the Alley by Tonks, Neville, and Harry is too long for this chapter. In a couple of days I hope.