Hey everyone,
I would like you all to know that this story is definitely going to meet its end sometime this year. I have a set of goals I still want to reach and there is one plot point that will probably take more than one chapter, but I do think the story will be replaced with the loser of my current poll before the year has passed.
You like,

Venquine1990
PS. Question to Jostanos: did you go to see Avengers Infinity War yet? Did you enjoy it?


Chapter 15
A New Home

27th of December 1995
Unknown Location, England
Harry's POV

I feel a kind of fabric that is both comforting, but also foreign in sense as I also feel a glimmer of light flicker back and forth over one of my eyes, as if a curtain is being blown in front of a small window. I scrunch up my face at this and try to open my eyes, only for the light to be much brighter. At this I groan and turn around.
This allows me to see the faint outline of the casket holding my glasses and I grab that, open it and put on my glasses. And with this returning my sight to nigh-perfect clarity, do I notice that I am actually in a bedroom, but not the one at the Dursleys, in London or the dorm room I share with Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean at Hogwarts.
This room is circular and has circular shaped furniture, has brownish red furniture all over the room and has most of its furniture made of either velvet and thick fabrics or redwood and oak. There are also a few banners hanging down from the ceiling against two of the walls, but their signs only look strangely familiar to me.

I then notice that I am actually wearing a forest green shirt with small, tiny stripes that are hazel colored going down the front in two stripes, one down each shoulder. Under this I am wearing a pair of comfortable, soft jeans that are made of the same tanned color as – I realized shocked – Kingsley's skin color.
And on my hands are a pair of very bright, yet comfortable red gloves that have removable fingers that can be put on the back of the hand through Velcro. This whole new look really intrigues me, yet the fact that I am in a new room and that I can now see that the sun is slowly rising from behind the slightly parted curtains, confuses me.

I get out of bed and then notice how there is a set of night cloths hanging and splayed out over a recliner seat near my bed. This intrigues me and I put my hands on the bottom hem of my shirt. Yet no matter how hard I pull, I can't get it to come up and I realize what is going on: "Why would the twins prank me like this?"
And while part of me wonders if this really is their doing, do I then decide to focus on what really matters. "Where am I?" I mutter to myself and look around once again. Then I notice that there are actually three doors. One set that seems to lead to a small balcony, one that I is closed and one that has tiles in the room behind it.
"The gift I now have. That might be a good form of self-defense. Though, can I really have been kidnapped? And if so, what happened to the others? Are they safe?" This makes me grimace as concern and fear for my new family almost overwhelms me, but then I focus back on the task ahead and what I need to do here.

I move into the bathroom and make sure to fill a glass with water before leaving the room again, not even taking in the fact that the room looks simple, yet still has an undertone that proves this is the house of someone rich or financially powerful. Instead, I focus on what Lily made me realize and think: "A Sleeping Draught."
And while I try to split my focus between the glass and the path to the closed door, do I notice the water turning darker, taking on a darkish purple tint. This makes me feel better and while I put the glass to my lips, do I also keep them closed as I leave the room. And while trying to look innocent, do I move around.
The hallway is quite simple, but has a lot of other doors to it and this both relieves and worries me at the same time as it proves that the others might be here. "But in what state?" I think to myself. Yet then I get shocked so bad, I almost take a gulp of the draught as a male voice comes from the wall and loudly states:

"Ah good, you're awake. I will inform your brother." And while I work my hardest not to let my gag reflex take in the draught, spit it out and pull the glass from my face, do I turn around, ready to throw the rest of the contents at who spoke. Yet I see that this won't work as the speaker is a male leaving his portrait, a grin on his face.
"Forget my – no, wait, Kingsley said he can create shields that even Dumbledore can't pass through. Guess that's next on the list. Let's just hope I won't get the same troubles as during the Tournament." And with that do I stretch out my other hand and focus on my new godfather. And while this makes me happy, do I move.
I swirl my hand in front of me and feel the air moving against my hand in opposite direction as I do this. I swirl it faster and faster and the wind moves stronger and faster in opposite direction. And thanks to this, do I notice the air taking shape, forming together and creating a shield of air that slowly stretches from my swirling hand.

And just when I have it covering my entire front and have my other hand ready to throw my draught at whoever comes, do I hear it. A large group of thundering feet running up the staircase I am at. I check both my throwing hand and my shield and then notice it. The banister is just above hip height and is as thick as my lower arm.
"A perfect escape route. Time to –.""Oh, thank the Founders." I mutter this, finally halting my action of swirling my hand and one of the people that had thundered up to approach me, grins and says: "I see you're working even after you fainted. Good work, but bad timing, don't you think?" To which I snort and ask:
"Well, what would you do if you found yourself waking up in a location you have never been at before?" To which three members of the group chorus: "Told you." And to my amusement, do I actually notice two Knuts switching hands between my brother and the twins before the former turns around and approaches me.

"And in front of my new mum, no less. That means the bet itself was made in front of her as well. The twins are getting a little gutsy." And while I smirk at this, do I then turn concerned and confused as I see James now standing eye-level with me and ask: "James, what is this place? Where are we? Who brought us here?"
The young man smiles at me and says: "This place is your grandfather's ancestral home. We're currently on the family floor of said home. And I brought us here, because I felt you needed a bit of lighter space to continue your training and healing and we all know Siri – I mean Pa – I mean, dad needed to be out of there post haste."
He then turns around and says: "Though apparently your friends were right about the fact that we shouldn't have let you sleep by yourself. We just wanted to give you some privacy after everything that happened. Guess leaving a note could have been the least of our options there. Sorry about that one, sport."

But I sigh and shake my head as I say: "No, it's fine. I just feel – curious. I mean, I always thought that the Potters were on almost equal level with the Blacks, if not the Malfoys, but – no offense, James or to grandpa, but –." And Ron finishes my rambling: "This place doesn't scream that kind of riches. That's what we said."
"To which I explained that Potters have always put their riches into their family, but never their appearance, at least not the Malfoy way. Yes, we wear rich fabrics and we make sure to put good money in our necessities, but we don't flaunt it. We pay respect to those who earned it for us by keeping it simple, yet sophisticated.
Also, we usually become friends with those who also earn their livings, so we don't live in overly exuberant places as that could cause unnecessary friction and make those who are still working hard for their own riches feel left out, uncomfortable, undermined or even – heaven's forbid – less or even non-important. It's a safety precaution."

At this I can't help but send the shortest of glances at Ron, yet my friend still spots it and sends me a look back. "I know, I thought the same when he explained." Which makes me feel both guilty that I looked at him and grateful for his understanding. I then take another look around and ask: "So, where exactly are we?"
Yet to this James shrugs and says: "Not sure. Dad moved mum and me from here to the Manor when I was only two years and three months old. I only know of the place because he took me here just before his own passing. Though he never really showed me anything outside the gate. Which is so far out, it's almost invisible from here.
To be honest, I have no idea where in England we are. I don't think dad did either. He sure didn't seem curious about going outside the border wall when he showed me how to manage the ward stones set within them. I don't think a Potter has ventured outside the border, other than through Port Key, since grandpa or great-grandpa."

And the minute those two words – Port Key – leave James' lips, do I feel grateful beyond words that I was unconscious on the way here. Yet I don't let this thought consume and instead turn to the twins, grabbing my shirt as I ask: "Really?" But the two hold up their hands and chorus: "Not our work. We swear, not our work."
"It's proof." Jack then suddenly says, drawing my attention to him and making me notice that North is leaning on a walking stick. "He must have been out all night delivering presents." I think, really feeling for the guy and then ask: "Proof?" The Snow Guardian nods and says: "Of your ascension. The cloths make you Guardian."
And suddenly I notice it. In the several days that they have been here, only North has hung up his coat from time to time and Jack has only stationed his staff against walls and other raised furniture. But otherwise, none of them have changed or cleaned what they are wearing. And this again draws my attention to my gloves.

"Yeah, you can probably take those off. But don't expect too much too soon, kid. North here needed two and a half years before he could take off his robe. And for the record, all of our clothes – or in my case, my fur – has Guardian magic on it that keeps us clean. Can't be a good Guardian if you stink kids out of their rooms, can you?"
Bunny asks and this calms down Molly, who had opened her mouth, obviously wanting to ask about that very thing. And while I feel glad that I will never have to wash my clothes – or maybe even my person – again, do I still feel curious about other things. Yet then my musings get interrupted by a new, loud noise.
And that noise is coming from within as my belly lets me know that it's time to get something to fill it up with. "Hah, I had same problem. Don't worry, I was meant to become this round. I was already quite big when I became Guardian. You will probably just feel the same, but not grow the same." North laughs as he tells me.

"Well either way, growing boys need their nutrients. James dear, can you show me the kitchen, please?" My new mum asks, but James laughs and says: "Only if I want the House-elves here to go and revolt, Molly, and I really don't want that." Yet the minute those two words left his mouth, I knew trouble was yet again afoot.
"HOUSE-ELVES? As in more than one? You actually condone that kind of –?" Granger tries, but then gets her mouth slapped shut by my sister, who groans and says: "Hermione, I've been told multiple times now that you're a smart girl. So can you please stop acting dumb enough you're being a disgrace to other Muggleborns?"

And the fact that Lily says this seems to shock Granger the most, yet the fact that I think of her by her last name doesn't faze me anymore. "We really are friends no more, I guess." I think to myself as Lupin angrily says: "Lily, you are such a hypocrite. You yourself –." But Lily stops him with an unimpressed look and says:
"Lupin, you need to look in a mirror before you call anyone a hypocrite. Yes, when I was in Fourth, I too thought House-elves were slaves. But you, my furry former friend, seem to have forgotten that it was you who showed me all of the books in the library that properly explained why House Elves are the way they are.
Or do you not remember how angry James got back then, because he thought you were trying to steal his girl?" And Lupin winces at this, proving that he does indeed remember this happening before Ron asks his brothers: "Why does stubbornness make smart people look so stupid?" Yet Fred and George just shrug back at him.

And while he ignores how this makes the two in question glare at him, does Molly say: "Well, we've had enough tension and problems already. James, be a dear and show us the dining room." At which my brother nods and while Granger wants to go on another rant, does Lily fell her with a stare that clearly says: "Drop it already."
We then walk down the staircase and only then does James notice the glass in my hand. "Is that even safe, sport?" He asks and I answer: "I changed water into a Sleeping Draught. I was worried that I had somehow been kidnapped and wanted to take out my opponent the best and safest way possible, so I could get away."
At this James grimaces, yet I notice something about his look that worries me as Sirius – dad – says: "He went through something similar last June." And I realize that James must have been in the belief that I sounded a little too experienced for his taste. I shrug at him and whisper: "Voldemort wants me. I just can't help it."
At which the young teen nods before he moves over to the front of the group. And as he does, does Sirius – dad – move over to take his previous spot. "A big brother with the overprotective streak of an inexperienced father – or one who had a kid during war time." At which I nod and think: "And the future won't change that."

I look around, not really feeling like thinking of the upcoming war, the conflict with the Ministry or the whole thing with Umbridge and her unfinished trial right now and spot a window on our path. I make sure to glimpse through it as we walk and notice that the border wall really is almost invisible in the distance, it's that far away.
I remember what James said, about how even he has no idea where in England we are right now and when we enter the dining room, of which I notice the dining table changing from a simple yet elegant rectangular table for four into a large round table with enough seats for us all, do I start to smile and say:
"I gotta say, James, I am really happy here.""Already, huh?" James asks happily and I nod as I say: "Yeah. I mean, the fact that you don't even know where we are, means others don't know this place or where to find it either. This is the most privacy I've had in almost five years of time." Yet this worries most of those around me.
I shrug and say: "My rights to privacy have been – lessening – over the years. Comes with being famous, I guess. At the current moment, only the dorm is still private for me and even that stopped being a safe haven and a sanctuary a while ago." Only to remember that I haven't told anyone about that fact yet.

"Wait, what? What do you mean, your dorm is no longer safe?" Sirius asks, Molly looking worried, but I quickly say: "I just mean that I'm in conflict with – well, not in conflict. Ugh, Seamus' mum believes the Prophet and Seamus himself doesn't know whether or not he believes it, but he constantly acts like he does.
I've noticed him sending me looks several times, especially when I go up to bed myself. They're looks as if he hate the fact that I am going up to his dorm or something. And the fact that he called me a loon on the first night back sure didn't help." This makes the adults all share a concerned look and I grimace, hating I did that to them.
"I would have just written off as more of her work, but –." Sirius grumbles and Kingsley finishes: "The fact that this happened on the first night back makes that impossible. There is no way –." But then he notices how Ron and I and the twins are all sharing looks and how even Granger looks as if she just realized something.
"What? What is it?" James asks worriedly and Granger is the one to answer: "Umbridge. She – she interrupted Dumbledore during his Start of the Year speech." And even though we don't say anymore, even if Ron and I usually would have, do the others all share looks, proving Dumbledore told them this and that they realize what it means.

"If that woman can put dark spells on her door that aren't detected by Dumbledore and do horrible things to others, just to keep them out of her office, then it really isn't that far of a stretch to imagine that she used non-verbal magic to put some kind of Compulsion spell into her voice and words when she made that speech."
"We better tell Albus about this post haste. It will be a good bit of evidence that he can use to get every student checked over. The fact that the whole student body was there that night would warrant such an act of emergency." Arthur says and the other adults nod before Kingsley stands up from his seat and says:
"I'll head for the Ministry. Rufus will want to hear about this, not to mention Amelia will too, seeing Susan." Yet this reminds me of something. I stand up and ask: "Kingsley, could you wait just five minutes? I'll be right back." And before the man can answer, do I rush back up to what I now realize is my new bedroom.

And while part of me wonders why I'm not sharing it with Ron like I did in London, do I not worry about this and just put it to the back of my mind. I grab my writing stuff and put it on the redwood desk. Yet then Ron enters the room, only to remain standing in the doorway. This confuses me and he shrugs as he says:
"To keep her out." Making me grimace as I know that Granger must have realized what I was planning. "I'm sticking to my decision, Ron. I'm okay with giving tips, pointers and even advice, but really teaching – especially if she keeps treating it as her club and me as her puppet, I'm not doing that." Ron nods and I write

Dear Susan,
I really hope you're feeling better.
Keep your wallet close to you.
New year is coming soon.
Hope to see you then.
How are your friends?
Are you well-defended?
Keep practicing,
Harry

I then show the letter to Ron, who reads it through a few times and mutters: "Hope you got cleansed. I'll mark a new date soon. Sometime in new year. Hope to see you then. Let the others know. Keep your wand close and keep practicing what we learned. Harry." He smirks and says: "Solid, mate. Simple, but solid."
I nod at him and then whisper: "Put the letter in your pocket and give it to Kingsley. Granger is going to be too busy with me to notice." And while Ron is clearly unhappy with the fact that I am going to use her anger against me to distract her, does he nod. He opens the door, gives Granger a glare and then walks out.

And just like I expected, before I can do the same, does the girl storm in. Yet because of everything that happened, do I hold up my hand and then decide to really distract her. I start swishing it around and again focus on Kingsley, who is probably receiving the letter I want him to at this point. And again, my shield forms.
"Harry, what the hell are you doing? You know you're safe here. Why are you –?" The girl asks and I growl: "Because I consider your stubborn, controlling, holier than thou behavior a threat to my happiness and rights, Granger. That's why. I feel like I constantly need to defend myself and to be quite honest and frank."
Here I drop my arm, making the shield vanish as I say: "I'm done with that. I am not your puppet, I don't have any strings and for someone who is against House-Elf Slavery, you're being quite the hypocrite yourself. You're treating me no better than you think Wizards treat them. You really are a witch, Hermione Granger."

And while the girl looks horrified and flabbergasted, do I pass her and walk back down. And when I enter the dining room, do I notice that Kingsley is already gone, that the embers in the fireplace are turning red again and see Ron nodding at me with a smirk on his face. "Oh Harry dear, I'm sorry, but Kingsley already left."
Molly tries to apologize, but I smirk at her and say: "I know. With the letter I asked Ron to give to him while I kept Granger distracted. She wanted to stop me from sending that letter, so Ron was just invisible to her." And while the woman looks shocked at this, do Sirius, James and Lily burst out laughing and the twins chorus:
"Nice going, Ron." Both of them high-fiving their blushing brother. Granger then enters the room and notices the dying embers. This seems to restore her sense of worth, but the victorious smirk she sends me only makes the twins join in on my family laughing and the girl asks: "What's so funny?" To which Ron asks:
"Did you even see me leave Harry's room?" And the minute the girl looks at him, it's obvious that the knut drops for her. And before she can glare at me, do I say: "I stand by what I said." Making the girl huff and return to her seat. And the fact that there is an empty seat on her left, Lupin on her right and an empty seat on his right doesn't escape me.

Yet I ignore this and ask: "So, what happens now?" And Sirius answers: "Now, you enjoy your extended break, grow close to your new family, try and see if you can further develop your skills as a Guardian and just have fun being you." At this I nod, but I share a look with Ron, one that clearly delivers a vital message:
"And I also make sure that I have stuff ready for the new DA. A DA that is run how I want it and with people that support my way of learning self-defense." And while I don't want it, do I also turn to look at Granger and think: "And hope that, once she gets cleared, my friend will return to me." Before I focus on my breakfast.


Good luck with that,
Sorry, but I'm not going to change Hermione around the way I did in To Read Into The Universe. She is going to stick to her guns, even after she gets healed. For now, she's just staying there, because Lupin is out on missions too much and the Order thinks London too unsafe for just a teenage girl to stay in.
Now, what else do I have planned for this story? 1. A conversation between Pitch and Voldemort. 2. Dumbledore announcing the results of the two trials and making a deal between the Purebloods – all Purebloods – St. Mungoes and the parents of all students in regards to funding the medical treatment each one might need.
3. Harry meeting with the DA, discussing its problems, explaining what can and cannot happen while Hogwarts is closed and putting up a schedule with the members. 4. Harry training with his family to see how far his skills go. 5. A confrontation between Harry, the Guardians, Pitch and of course, Voldemort.
About this last one, I have a few things I will and will not do in regards to it. 1. It will take place at the Ministry. 2. It WON'T take place at the DoM. 3. There will be a few lives lost. 4. Harry WON'T lose family or friends. It might come close, but it won't happen. (Lupin is up for debate). 5. Pitch is the Guardian's, Voldemort is Harry's.
Because of this last one, do I feel like this will take place over two chapters, which means the story will probably be finished by November, with the epilogue – describing the after effects of the fight and what happens next – in December. So expect chapter 02 of either Dragons and Morals or Chaos and Death to come out next year.
That all clear,

Venquine1990