Disclaimer: It's Jo Rowling's collection of characters, settings, plot holes, and related detritus not mine.
A/N: The basic premise for this story involves Harry reacting differently following the dementor attack on Privet Drive at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Most of us would probably examine the why of dementors suddenly showing up on Privet Drive much more than canon Harry did. This story will feature many of the same canon characters as my usual fare, but they won't be utilized the same way as you all are accustomed to. Read on and hopefully you will enjoy.
Harry looked at the letter from Mr. Weasley and suddenly he experienced an epiphany of sorts, one of those light bulb moments that suddenly cast light on several other aspects of life that had remained a mystery beforehand. The Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore and his friends, and Voldemort all had their own agendas while he had just blindly stumbled forward each year, more content to survive than accomplish anything. It wasn't that he was incapable of having an agenda; rather he simply hadn't framed his life in that manner before. After all, anything was better than dealing with the Dursleys every day for the rest of his life, even dark wizards trying to kill him.
As he looked at the letter he debated for a moment before he sighed and pieced together the semblance of a plan. Rushing up the stairs to his room he ignored the sneers and words of the Dursleys as they look over precious Dudley. Deciding he had nothing else to lose he cast a simple shrinking charm on all of his possessions save for his cloak and wand. After he pocketed his belongings he released a deep breath and ran back down the stairs and past the Dursleys, once again ignoring their bluster and threats. Instead of going out the front door he turned right and went through the kitchen out the backdoor to the yard, before throwing his cloak over his head and darting into the back yard of number 10 Clement Drive.
If Mr. Weasley knew about the dementors attack odds were that there were other witches and wizards nearby keeping an eye on the state of things. Moving as quickly as he could while still hoping to avoid detection Harry made it several blocks away before he ducked behind a bush and removed his cloak. Glancing out into the deserted street Harry wiped at his brow to clean the sweat away before held out his wand hand and summoned the Knight Bus.
The purple monstrosity of a triple decker bus appeared a scant moment letter and Stan Shunpike ushered Harry in after delivering his usual spiel.
Harry wasn't interested in too much small talk and simply said, "Gringotts in Diagon Alley."
After forking over the fare for the ride Harry found an open bed and grasped the bed post firmly as the bus darted into the night. After several stops Stan called out, "Gringotts in Diagon Alley."
Without any fuss Harry stepped off the bus and at a trot ran to the front door of the Goblin run bank. The door was not locked and Harry opened it to find most of the lights off aside from one overhead light the shone directly on the one open goblin teller.
Harry walked up to the unoccupied goblin and said, "Hello, I'd like to request a balance on all of my accounts please."
The goblin glanced up at Harry and while his scar was covered the response was a sharp, "Key please Mr. Potter."
Harry handed over his key, able to use it for the first time in over a year as the goblin inserted the key into a slot and watched as a slip of parchment was ejected from a slot.
Handing the parchment over Harry blinked once at the text on the paper.
Potter, Harry J. Account Statement 2 August 1995
Legal Status: Emancipated Manor as of 31 July 1991
Trust Vault Number 929: 14,754 ₲ 7 sickles and 0 knuts
Potter Family Vault: 175,953 ₲ 2 Sickles and 5 Knuts
Antiquities and Properties on Record:
Potter Manor: Godric's Hollow, Wales Unplottable to any not of Potter blood (portkey available in family vault)
Potter Escape: Johannesburg. South Africa (portkey to residence located in family vault)
Potter Plantation: New Orleans, Louisiana (portkey available at Potter family vault in Boston branch of Gringotts)
Potter family library located in Potter Plantation
Total Estimate of Antiquities and Properties as of 7 March 1962 1,500,625 ₲
Harry gazed blankly at the parchment for a few minutes, not really understanding that he had three magical houses and he was considered an emancipated minor. Harry glanced up at the goblin and asked, "What would be the best way to travel to the Boston Branch of Gringotts.
The goblin grunted in reply before answering, "Each branch of Gringott's is in direct contact to the other, meaning that you need but request and we can transfer you via portkey. Was there anything else Gringott's can aid you with this night Mr. Potter?"
Harry rubbed at his eyes, the adrenalin rush from earlier beginning to ebb before he asked, "Does Gringott's have a non disclosure agreement with its customers?"
"Gringott's takes the privacy of its customers to the utmost importance Mr. Potter. Not even your Ministry of Magic can demand this information." The goblin gruffly replied.
Harry sighed, "I'd like to arrange for transport to your Boston branch please. If it isn't too much bother transfer all of my vaults to the Boston branch also please."
The goblin merely nodded and pressed a button on his desk before two other goblins entered the room, "Please escort Mr. Potter to the portkey department while I finalize his vault transfers."
The two goblins did as requested and a few minutes later Harry had vanished with the tug at his navel, his own agenda was slowly forming and in the meanwhile he was buying himself much needed time.
There was no such thing as a failed plan in Albus Dumbledore's mind as he sat in the main parlor room of Grimmauld Place absently sucking on a lemon drop. Instead of following Arthur Weasley's instruction in the letter Albus had ordered him to send, young Potter had done a runner and disappeared before either the agents of the Ministry of Magic, or Dumbledore's agents could arrive and take control of the volatile situation.
In a way, Harry's disappearance might benefit Albus the most, because it would shine light on a strange situation involving dementors, which contrary to popular opinion could be tracked and were tracked by the Department of Mysteries. Grasping at the proper threat of thought Albus pondered where young Harry might disappear to.
Harry was aware that his friends were at an unknown location meaning he would not travel to the Burrow, and while he might travel to Diagon Alley, he highly doubted the resourceful if naïve boy would stay in one place for too long.
He cursed instituting the communication blackout on the boy in retrospect; he should have ordered the Granger girl and the Weasley Boy to give him bread crumbs just to satiate his curiosity. Albus knew that Harry was a resourceful and curious lad since the boy's first year, and he had ignored that in the presence of his master plan.
So many intricate threads all led to the master plan, and with Harry's disappearance they would need to be rewoven to accommodate the changes. The boy would need to be found eventually, but it would not stop certain measures that were already in motion. He would send Alastor on a mission to track down the boy, and when he returned the boy would have to remain at an arm's length until after his mind was further opened to Tom.
He was broken from his musings as Sirius Black finished his shouting match with Molly Weasley and moved on to himself.
"I told you Dumbledore. Harry would view being ignored by his friends and allies in a very poor light, and the past year has clearly demonstrated that you aren't nearly as powerful and all-knowing as he once thought. He has one friend who has been loyal to him through thick and thin, and Ron Weasley hasn't endeared himself any further with his letters this summer. Don't be surprised if you lose whatever grasp you have on him altogether before this is all said and done." Sirius ranted as he paced around Dumbledore.
Dumbledore rubbed at his eyes before he flicked his wand several times, sending out a message calling all of the members of the Order of the Phoenix to attendance, this situation wasn't improving any as he thought on it, so he needed to marshal his resources and soon.
After a brief but full interaction with the American goblins in charge of the Boston branch of Gringott's Harry had his portkey to Potter Plantation, a Potter family house elf that had remained on retainer at the bank, and enough money to explore his options for the coming days. With a mere thought Harry disappeared from the designated portkey site and once again disappeared with the tug at his navel.
As he landed in a crouch two things became readily apparent, it was very humid in New Orleans, and there was a time change between London and New Orleans as he gazed out at the setting sun.
The little elf that had come along for the ride squeaked, "Does Master Harry have any bags that Lipsy can put away?"
Harry merely nodded and he enlarged his trunk, having retained enough legal counsel from the goblins in Boston to understand that there was no such thing as underage magic restrictions in the United States, merely had a much stricter requirement to keep the magical world secret, with parents being responsible in a magical household to keep the secret. For muggleborn children, the American Ministry took other measures, measures which the goblins were not at liberty to discuss.
As he gazed around it became apparent that claiming his Plantation was in New Orleans was more a matter of estimation than actual truth. He could see a large sea wall in the distance and surrounding him was swamp as far as the eye could see. He suddenly felt much safer than he ever had before in the past, and while he was tired he felt no desire to go to sleep straight away.
Lipsy returned with a soft pop a moment later and Harry asked, "Can you tell me about the security precautions of the Plantation Lipsy?"
The little elf bobbed its head and led Harry into the enormous gothic house, "Lipsy tells Master Harry that house is unplottable, and has enchantments that Master Harry keep Master safe from any other witches and wizards but the ones he brings to the Plantation with him. Magic keeps Plantation safe from muggles and weather, did Master see the seawall in the distance?"
Harry replied, "Yes I saw it Lipsy."
Lipsy squeaked, "Seawall keeps bad weather away with an enchantment. Master Harry can request detailed explanations of protections from goblins. Is Master Harry all finished with his schooling yet?"
Harry smiled ruefully, "No Lipsy, I still have three years of school left."
Lipsy bounced on his feet and suggested, "Maybe Master Harry should look at schools in this country if he leaves London with all of his money?"
Harry laughed at the elf actually suggesting something to him, it was a very different little creature from Dobby or Winky the little he knew of them. "Maybe I will Lipsy. But I think that can wait until tomorrow, for now how about we get some dinner, and we can talk about the rest of the house and property."
Lipsy snapped her fingers, "Lipsy will be making whatever Master Harry wants in Kitchen."
Harry grinned, "How about fish and chips tonight Lipsy, be sure to make some for yourself."
Lipsy pointed in the direction of the kitchen before she vanished with a pop to begin preparing the meal. Harry glanced around at a few of the portraits; none of them were magical, before wandering around in a few other rooms to pass the time. With each passing minute Harry felt that initial feeling of security seep further into his body, he didn't even notice that his scar no longer held the familiar ache that it had for the past two months since Voldemort regained his body.
The members of the Order of the Phoenix crowded into the room at Grimmauld Place, all of the seats taken and several were leaning against the walls waiting for the meeting to begin.
Dumbledore gazed throughout the room and sighed, "Let us begin by determining what actually happened tonight in full. Arabella, please give us a summary of what you saw tonight?"
Mrs. Figg looked rather overwhelmed for a moment before she replied, "Well, one of my babies felt the presence of the dementors and came back to my house to warn me. I had watched Harry head towards the playground earlier in the day and decided to take a peek to make sure he was being properly watched over. But, it seems rather obvious that Mundungus Fletcher decided he had more important things to be getting on with than fulfill his duty."
Dumbledore winced and replied, "I have already called Mundungus in and declared him an oath breaker, all of the necessary precautions have been taken, and he will have no memory of any business involving the Order."
Moody grumbled about something and Dumbledore picked up the story, "The ministry reported a patronus charm near Privet Drive, and given that Mr. Potter is the only wizard within miles he was given his second warning and told he would have a hearing to defend his actions. Thankfully Amelia Bones had the opportunity to further investigate Mr. Potter's prior records and determined that there was more occurring than seemed apparent. After turning some favors she determined that Delores Umbridge had authorized the dementors to track Mr. Potter with the intent of provoking a magical episode or killing him. Needless to say Delores has been taken into custody, and Harry's record has been completely expunged. In many ways, Harry's disappearance may prove to be a boon for our cause, so long as he remains free of Voldemort's followers. With that in mind, Severus, what can you report?"
Snape sneered, "The foolish boy has disappeared completely, and the dark lord can no longer feel the brat through their connection. Either the boy has perished, or he has traveled a great distance away."
Several members began to murmur with concern before Dumbledore assured them, "My equipment that is designed to monitor Mr. Potter indicates he is in good health, and is still very much alive."
Sirius arched his eyebrow, "You have equipment to monitor the health of my godson, and yet somehow I doubt you asked for the necessary permission to do so. Once again another instance of you treating Harry like an ignorant little pawn in this game of yours Dumbledore."
After an uncomfortable silence Dumbledore continued, "We all must make sacrifices to ensure our success in this war Sirius, you of all people should understand this."
Sirius frowned but didn't reply as the meeting continued, "I will assign a member of the Order to track Mr. Potter down and request that he return for his fifth year of schooling at Hogwarts. Let us further discuss the position of the ministry in this difficult time. Due to the loss of Umbridge and her relative political proximity to Cornelius, I believe that I can garner enough political capital to regain my positions that had been previously removed. When the Dark Lord decides to stop hiding in the shadows we shall make moves to place a Minister of Magic more sympathetic to our views into office."
After a few other status reports Dumbledore called the meeting to a close, making a hand motion to get Moody to stay behind.
McGonagall quickly found him as the others slowly began to file out, "Albus, I would like a word in private about your Prefect recommendations when you return to the castle."
McGonagall joined the others in the cue to portkey out, or use the Floo connection as Moody stomped over, "You want me to track the lad then Albus?"
Dumbledore nodded and Moody asked, "Is this all above board, or do you want me to bring him in at all costs?"
Dumbledore winced, "If he is found within the jurisdiction of this country and means should be used to bring Harry back in. If Harry has managed to leave the borders of Britain than I believe it should be a completely legal and voluntary process. My influence, great as it might soon be again, is not great enough to step on toes in other countries. The world has changed much since my defeat of Gellert."
Moody grunted and stomped away to use his personal portkey, he would begin the investigation at Potter's last known location and he would start before the trail went cold.
Harry slowly opened his eyes and when he did he wasn't greeted by the gloom of his room at Privet Drive, rather he saw sunlight streaming in through the windows. He couldn't believe he was thousands of miles away from where he had been just a day prior, but then again the magical world still had the ability to amaze him in both good and bad ways.
Harry rolled out of bed and ran a hand through his hair, mussing his bed head up even more, before a familiar bark could be heard in the distance. Harry winced as he realized he had forgotten all about bringing Hedwig along, his owl had been out hunting the previous night and had been forgotten in the mayhem. As he walked out of the master bedroom Hedwig swooped in and landed gently on his shoulder, nipping at his ear once as if to chastise him for forgetting her.
Harry smiled in chagrin, "Sorry Hedwig, last night was kind of crazy and I forgot all about you. Can you forgive me?" Hedwig barked once more before pushing off his shoulder and flying back to the chair she had been using as a perch.
Harry glanced around the room in the daylight and noticed that it seemed much friendlier with the aid of sunlight. Walking into the kitchen he smiled at the sight of Lipsy working on breakfast, "What are you making Lipsy?"
The little elf replied with a squeak, "Master Harry, your breakfast will be ready in five minutes. Lipsy is ready to buy you some new clothes after breakfast."
Harry smiled at the little elf and replied, "Why don't we worry about breakfast first, and then we can concentrate on getting some new clothes and looking at school information." As he took a seat at the small table they ate at the night before Harry began to figure out what he needed to do, and when he needed to do it.
Hermione Granger was not a happy witch for a number of reasons, the least of which was dealing with the overbearing Molly Weasley. The woman was kind hearted and friendly, but she never stopped with her invasive and uncomfortable ways. She would pop into her and Ginny's room and ask questions about how she felt about Harry and Ron. The woman would extol the virtues of her son, and while she wouldn't denigrate Harry she never said anything beyond neutral to her.
On the flip side of that she would always say little things to Ginny to encourage the girl to go after Harry, and she didn't bother to hide the fact that she did so.
Even though she didn't know the circumstances surrounding Bill and Charlie leaving the country, she could hazard an educated guess why, and it still didn't make her feel any better.
Beyond the obvious issues with Molly, none of them came close to her irritation with Headmaster Dumbledore and the other adults in the house, including Sirius, over the disappearance of her best friend. Many of those people near Harry Potter assumed the depth of friendship in the trio was an even and equal thing. However, even if Harry would never admit it out loud, she knew that Ron had been lagging from his end of the friendship for the last three years. No amount of Molly Weasley's words could make her forget the past two years of school, and how fair weather Ron had been. In the quiet of the night she would even regret pushing Harry to forgive Ronald for his indiscretion following the Goblet of Fire fiasco.
She had tried to send letters to Harry despite Dumbledore's orders, and still nothing had even been delivered. Dementor attacks, and her best friend missing was not a source of anything but great displeasure, and she made sure the others in the house were aware of it.
It was afternoon of the day following Harry's disappearance and her current target was one Remus Lupin, "Professor Lupin, I don't understand how you can remain so blasé about Harry's disappearance. Don't you care if he gets hurt?"
Remus Lupin rubbed tiredly at his eyes before replying to the tenacious little witch in front of him, "We've done all we can for now Hermione. Dumbledore's tracking charms have somehow stopped working, but we do know that Voldemort is unaware of Harry's location and that he is completely healthy wherever he is."
Hermione huffed, only slightly appeased, "