Chapter fifteen

Minerva had packed her belongings, she sent everything to Harry's home, then did the same with everything that belonged to Albus. The last thing she did was reach up and take the sword of Gryffindor and hand it to Harry.

'Why are you giving me the sword?'

'Albus is a descendant of Godric Gryffindor, so technically he could leave it to you and he did. He knew you never wanted to keep it, but right now, it will not remain at Hogwarts, not with that man running it.'

Harry nodded then took the sword and picked up his bag, 'Is there anything else that he shouldn't get his hands on?'

'No, I've gone over everything with Albus. So let's get out of here Harry, I sent an owl to him to let him know I've left. I did not want to have him escort me from Hogwarts. He should be receiving that owl about now,' Minerva led the way to the seven floor, they stepped into the room of requirement and went through the tunnel to Aberforth's pub, where Harry put his cloak back over himself then they apparated straight to Harry's place. As far as anyone knew, Minerva went into the house alone.

'Why have you got a sword?' Charlie asked as Harry stepped inside.

'Albus left it for Harry in his will, he was entitled as he was related to Godric Gryffindor. We both agreed that this sword will not stay at Hogwarts while he was in charge.'

'I'll be right back love, I'll just show Minerva to her room,' Harry smiled then headed upstairs with Minerva, 'I thought the rooms furthest away from mine and Charlie's room would be best, so you can take your pick, but their all the same and have their own bathrooms.'

'Then I'll take the end one, to make sure I do not hear you and Charlie. But thank you Harry, hopefully I will be back at Hogwarts and if I'm not, then I will look for a home to spend my last year's in.'

'Stay as long as you want Minerva, settle in and I'll get us some tea,' Harry went back downstairs put the bag and sword in his office then headed out to the living room where he kissed Charlie, 'I noticed Spirit never moved,' Harry rubbed the wolf's ears.

'He never moved or looked away from Charlie,' Arthur grinned.

'He knew Charlie shouldn't move. But we got everything, all the memories, all the books and all of Dumbledore's possessions.'

'We've been talking about this diversion Harry. Since Ron wanted to help, why not let him and Hermione do the diversion. Herbert Pickford thinks they still like him and are on his side. He also thinks you have nothing to do with them anymore.'

'I think we should let them Harry, but we haven't worked out how they will get him out of his office.'

Harry sat there thinking for a few minutes, 'Dad, doesn't the aurors use a pensieve and if the minister needs to see a memory, he goes into that office. I'm sure Mad-Eye said something about Fudge doing that.'

'Yes, he does, there are only two pensieves in the ministry. The aurors have one and the department of mysteries have one.'

'Okay, why don't we have Ron acting like he listened in on our conversation, but a conversation we orchestrated, something that makes us look bad, but it will give Ron a reason to show his memory to Pickford of what he was seeing and hearing.'

'Damn smart Harry, we could do that, work on something that sounds like we going to overtake the ministry or something,' Aberforth grinned.

'Yeah, something like that. Okay, but first, can we trust Hermione and Ron to do this and not do something stupid to blow it?'

'Ron really wanted to help Harry, Hermione did too, but it looked better with Ron talking to Kingsley about the aurors.'

'Alright, I lost my trust in them, but they did get this information to us. Now about Kingsley's wife, we need to know any place Pickford ever lived or does live or even owns. I can go under the cloak and check each place. Once we find her, then Kingsley can go back to the way he was now he knows that bloke is an idiot and dangerous and his wife is safe.'

'We've got polyjuice potion Harry, maybe we could get into the personnel files, find out where he lives,' Charlie suggested.

'That could work, they sent me an owl, they want me to officially sign out and get my last wages. I have to do that in the personnel office. I just need to get them out of the office, so I'd need another diversion.'

'Why don't we have dinner, I got it ready while you were gone. Hopefully we can work out some more plans when we've got a full stomach.'

'I'll be in that, I am a bit hungry.'

'You're always hungry love,' Harry chuckled, 'I could eat even if I don't really feel like it. But we're all going to need our strength and our minds working properly.'

Everyone went into the dining room to enjoy Molly's cooking but they all noticed Harry seemed distracted.

'You're not eating Harry, so what's up?' Charlie asked.

'Something Dumbledore said to me while I was waiting for Minerva,' Harry looked up at Charlie, 'About Pickford, he's scared of ghosts, he was even scared of Nick.'

'Yeah, what about it?'

Harry put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out the stone, 'I could show him some ghosts, scare the life out of him.'

'Okay, yes you could, but what good would that do with our plans?' Arthur asked.

'It wouldn't, I just want to give him a scare. Imagine, he could be sitting in his office or home, I'm under my cloak, he wouldn't see me, then all of a sudden, a couple of dead people appear before him.'

'Okay, say you do this, who would you bring back?' Charlie asked.

'Well, he wants to hurt all of you because of me. What if he saw my father and my godfather, or even my mother? From what Sirius told me, mum had one hell of a temper, something about being a red head.'

'Alright, that might make you feel better Harry, but it's more important to get these plans worked out.'

'I know dad, but I'm thinking right after we get the proof. I just want him to realise who he decided to hurt. People that know me know not to hurt the ones I care about, I don't take that very well and it's time he found that out.'

Charlie, Arthur, Molly, Aberforth and Minerva all heard the edge to Harry's voice and realised that no matter what they said, Harry was going to make Herbert Pickford suffer. They also realised that if Charlie had died, the man that caused that would have followed, but he would have died painfully, not quick at all and Harry would have made sure he knew who was killing him. After everything Harry had been through, then his depression and it was thanks to Charlie that helped him with that. He was never going to let anyone use or hurt him again.