Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Welcome to Chapter 2. Thank you for all the great reviews. Some people have compared this to other stories posted over the past couple of months. Yes, it is very hard to have a completely unique story on FanFiction and you will always find similarities with other stories. I hope that even though I may touch upon other story lines inadvertently that my stories can stand out as following a different path than others. Once comment I will make. I know helpful Goblins are a very common theme. I hope that you find in this story that they originally contacted Harry about an anomaly in his accounts and that Harry is paying both the goblins and his law firm from a retainer. He is paying for everything. The other thing I want to warn you about is how I wrote Victor in this chapter. Please excuse the accent if you think I put it on too thick. Now on to chapter 2 …
The Thing About Contracts Is …
Chapter 2 – You Don't Bring Me Flowers
December 20, 1994 – Lovegood Residence near Ottery St. Catchpole
Harry had woken up at 6am. Not wanting to wake up Luna and Xeno, he made his way downstairs to the kitchen to make some tea and prepare a nice breakfast for his hosts. Years of forced practice at the Dursleys had made the act of preparing breakfast something he could do without really thinking about it.
This allowed him to thinks about the last 24 hours. Harry's life experience had not made him a very trusting person. Up until Hogwarts, he learned not to trust anyone. When he found out about the magical world he had hoped that since he 'fit' in this world he would find more trustworthy people.
If anything, the magical world was worse for Harry Potter than the non-magical world. Countless teachers had proven they would not listen to him or his problems, the press alternated between worshiping him and calling him the next dark lord, and there was Snape who could get away with almost anything in his treatment of Harry.
Then there was the old man – Dumbledore. He sent him every year back to the Dursleys even though Harry had asked him for an alternative. He also kept Harry isolated during those summers. Worst of all was the 'support' he got from his supposed Magical Guardian and mentor. There were a number of things that Harry realized over the past week regarding the Headmaster. The whole Philosopher's Stone incident, his being ostracized for his parselmouth ability, not reining in Snape and even the 'Potter Stinks' buttons. Dumbledore should have protected Harry – not just let him sink or swim on his own. No, the old man let him down too many times. The last straw was finding out about the fact that he could have opted out of the tournament just by not showing up for the first task. Dumbledore had to know. Why else would he have cleared out all the books on contract law from the library?
Then there were his friends. Harry now felt that meeting the Weasley's and especially Ron was a setup. Why else would Molly have been wondering out loud where Platform 9 3/4 was? She already had 5 boys attend Hogwarts.
And Ron? Well by looking back over the past 3 years he realized that Ron was a hanger-on. He just wanted to be known as the best-friend-of-the-boy-who-lived. Harry realized it was because of Ron's attitude that he didn't have more friends. He also realized the greed and envy that Ron did not hide very well. He wanted Harry's fame and Harry's wealth. He never saw that Harry just wanted to be a normal kid with normal problems at school. Not a bloody social experiment. Harry had trusted Ron at some point – but then again never having had friends he didn't have anything to compare Ron to.
Then there was Hermione. Harry was torn about her. She seemed to be everything a best friend should be. They had always looked out for each other and after third year Harry had started to develop feelings for he that were completely unfamiliar to him. She was the only one in the castle this year who believed that he didn't put his name in even before he denied he did. Harry thought she would be his best friend forever.
That all got shot down over the stupid Ball. He knew that they had agreed they could accept another invitation from someone if they wanted to. He even accepted that she could have 'more than friend' feelings for Victor and that's why she agreed. It hurt him deeply when she played the BWL card when suggesting how he could find a replacement date for the ball. The hurt from that was still there. She knew how much he hated his fame and how when people brought it up all he could think about was the circumstances behind him getting the fame in the first place. The few times he had talked to her before or after class she repeatedly asked him who he was taking since there were several girls still asking her. It shook his trust in her deeply.
No, the magical world had been a big bust as far as he was concerned. In the non-magical world he knew that if he could get away from the Dursleys and their sphere of influence, he could live anonymously and just be Harry. There was no real escape option like that open to him as a wizard.
He paused and smiled as he heard movement upstairs. The only bright light in his interpersonal relationships right now was Luna. Looking back to the train ride the day before, he wasn't sure why he opened up to an almost complete stranger like he did, but there was something about her. He didn't know whether it was the bullying, here self deprecating thank you or the look in her eyes – the same look he had seen in the mirror for most of his life.
Whatever it was, that something freed him to talk about his life. He told her things that he had never felt comfortable telling another person. She, in turn, opened up to him in a way he suspected she had not done with anyone else either. She even invited him to spend the holidays with her and her father.
Meeting Xeno was an experience. The moment he came through the Floo from Gringotts and set eyes on the man, his garish robes and long, long beard reminded him of another Dumbledore. However as soon as they spoke the similarities ended. Xeno was a very warm individual who obviously cared about his daughter. What started as light conversation ended up much later in the night with Harry going over his life's story again for Xeno since Luna had convinced him it would make his deposition a lot easier. Harry also convinced her to tell her father about her treatment at school. Xeno was upset with the bullying, the theft of her possessions and the name calling. Both teens had to convince him that there really wasn't anything that the teachers could do and that their intervention could make things worse. Harry then proceeded to tell them about his meeting at Gringotts and his plans for the future. Little did he know that his plans gave Xeno a spark of an idea as well.
Luna came into the kitchen and smiled a bright smile as she saw Harry cooking. There was no sign of the mask she wore for everyone else. Harry smiled back at her. "Good morning," she said, "what smells so good?"
Harry blushed, "It's French Toast with a few rashers of bacon. The batter is a secret recipe of mine and always smelled so good."
"And does it taste as good as it smells?"
He shrugged, "Dunno. The relatives never left any for me to actually try." His face had momentarily lost the smile and now had it again, "So I'll finally get to try it out with my friend Luna."
Luna didn't know whether the tears running down her face were from sorrow for what Harry had to put up with in his life, or joy at seeing him smile that warm smile and call her a friend. In the end she didn't care. She wanted to try that French toast. So she just nodded to Harry with a big warm smile on her face and proceeded to set the table for Breakfast.
December 20, 1994 – Gringotts
Luna and Harry arrived via floo at precisely 10:30 am. Luna still had a huge smile on her face. The French toast had been a-maze-ing.
Griphook greeted the two teens and introduced them to their legal representation – Mr. Albacore Dewey of the legal firm Dewey, Cheatham and Howe.
"Please call me Al. Griphook should know that I prefer not to use my full name. I've always hated it."
"Hi Al, I'm Harry and this is my good friend Luna Lovegood. She's agreed to accompany me for moral support. As you can imagine, I really don't like talking about this."
Al put a friendly hand on Harry's shoulder and said, "I completely understand young man. I've had the misfortune of handling about a half dozen cases like this over my career. It is always quite emotional and I wish there was no need for laws or procedures like this in the first place."
Harry was surprised by the feeling of sincerity in the man's words, and started to like Al Dewey immediately.
They were on a tight schedule so Al ask and received permission from them to apparate them side-along to a garage where his car was parked. Once there, Harry needed the duration of the short car trip to recover from the feeling of being squeezed through a tube.
December 20, 1994 – Hogwarts School
Hermione had a bad feeling. No one had seen Harry since classes ended. None of his dorm mates had seen him either. Ron had even volunteered to stay up tonight to see if Harry came back at all. Hermione had searched the Owlry and Hedwig wasn't there either.
In the library 'studying' with Victor that day she expressed her concerns to him. "Victor, I'm worried about Harry. No one has seen him in days."
Victor had developed a growing respect for Harry the way he performed in the first task out-flying an enraged, nesting Hungarian Horntail. He had also felt a bit of sympathy for him because of the way Harry's own school treated him. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a brief hug. Ignoring her obvious blush and said, "Hermyownee, do not vorry so. Harry iz very independent and zere is probably a good reason vy he is not around. You eefen told me that he vas not around egzept for classes." She nodded against his shoulder enjoying the feeling of the hug as he continued; "It does not surpirze me that he is making himself invisible."
Hermione looked up at him, "No? Why not?"
"Because your zkool has treated him very badly. He has been blamed for somezing that is not his fault and those buttons can be considered … vat is that word … ah, yes … harassment. I am disgusted that your professors do not put a stop to zat. In Durmstrang, those buttons would have been confiscated and the people who gave them out severely punished."
Maintaining the hug, Hermione agreed with Victor's assessment and discussed her worries about her best friend and Victor assured her that Harry was fine and that he would come and see her once he was ready. They both agreed and she promised Victor that she wouldn't be overbearing towards Harry at the Ball. Thinking of the Ball made her wonder whom Harry had asked.
December 24, 1994 – Ottery St. Catchpole
Harry and Luna walked hand-in-hand through the village. The past couple of days had been some of the happiest, most relaxed days in the young man's life.
Once the stress and emotional turmoil of the deposition was complete, Luna took it upon herself to make sure her new friend enjoyed the rest of his vacation. The past few days were filled with singing, laughing, lots of good cooking and holiday baking and just plain old fun. Today they were finishing up their gift shopping. Harry had been preparing Hedwig for her nighttime 'Father Christmas' flight. Luna – who was getting along famously with the snowy owl – grinned mischievously and corrected him saying Hedwig was 'Feather Christmas'. The resulting snowball fight over the horrible pun left them both giggling uncontrollably and covered in snow from head to toe.
Neither really noticed exactly when over the past few days they started holding hands. It just seemed to be a natural thing to do. They weren't putting labels on it – they were two young people who seemed to find what they needed in the other. There were no 'awkward' moments.
They walked through the village looking in stores that caught their fancy and Harry bought them lunch in the local café. Purchases were discreetly shrunk and put away. By mid-afternoon the teens had finished their shopping and both decided to do something neither had done before – they went to see a movie in the local theatre. The day was so relaxing and enjoyable that it seemed natural to share a small kiss at the door to the Lovegood home.
Life was good.
December 25, 1994 – Hogwarts
Christmas day dawned on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with a bright sun shining over the snow-covered grounds. Normally quiet at this time of year, the events around the Tri-Wizard Cup and the Yule Ball ensured that this year was different. More than half of the Hogwarts students had stayed for the Ball and with the visitors from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons it seemed to be a full castle.
Hermione woke up on Christmas Day and for the first time in her life she was not with her parents. Looking down at the end of the bed she saw her presents stacked neatly. Today was supposed to be perfect, however the continued disappearance of her best friend had her concerned. This was the longest stretch they had gone during a school year without seeing or talking to each other and she missed his company dearly.
She got out of bed and put in her dressing gown. Trying to ignore the squeals coming from her dorm-mates, she sat down in front of her presents and started going through them looking for one in particular.
She spied it. It was a small box but it was definitely from Harry. Hermione quickly tore the wrapping off and was stunned by the beautiful necklace and matching earrings. There was a small note inside the box:
Hermione,
I know I normally give you a book, but a friend of mine helped me pick this out for you. I hope it goes with your gown this evening because I think the jewellery will look stunning on you.
I'm sorry for being so distant lately, but there were things I needed to work through on my own. I'm sorry I'm being so cryptic but I'll explain more tonight. Enjoy your Christmas Day and I'm sure you'll be the prettiest young woman at the Ball tonight.
Love,
Harry
Hermione put on the necklace and earrings and looked at herself in the mirror holding her hair in different positions. The look was transformational. Instead of the bookworm she normally saw, the young woman with a promise of what could be looked back at her. Tears started to roll down her face – damn it, Harry had come through this year. She thought of how thoughtful this particular gift was. A little nagging doubt began to form in her mind that perhaps she should have gone with Harry instead. She'd make sure she'd dance with him tonight.
She took the necklace and earrings off and ran out to see if Harry came back to his dorm for his presents. She knocked on the fourth year boy's dorm and made her way through when permission came. She bounded through the door excitedly and stopped short – the smile disappearing from her face. Harry's bed looked the same as it had for the past several days and there was no evidence that it had been occupied nor were there any signs of the usual collection of presents at the foot of the bed.
She looked at his dorm mates and it was Neville who answered.
"No sign of him or his presents Hermione. I know I bought him a gift and I'm sure that he would have more. If he came to get them he did so silently."
Hermione just nodded and left the room. Where was her best friend?
December 25, 1994 – Lovegood Residence
Harry sat in the living room with Luna and Xeno opening presents. Dobbie had popped into his dorm early this morning and brought his presents to him. He sat with tears running unabashedly down his cheeks. Luna looked over with concern, "Harry? Are you OK? Is there anything wrong?"
"Wrong Luna? Everything is right. Thank you both! This is the first Christmas that I've felt part of a family. I mean, I'm sure my Mum and Dad celebrated my first with me, since then I was either locked in my cupboard unless I was cooking and the last three have been in the dorms at school." He paused and then looked down, "I'm sorry. I'm babbling. I'm your guest and I shouldn't be reading more into this then there is."
Suddenly feeling very foolish and self-conscious, he stood up blushing and turned to leave, "I'm sorry. I'm reading too much into this. I think I'll just oof …"
He didn't finish as the tiny blonde who wrapped herself around him knocked wind out of his lungs. She looked up at him with her big silvery eyes and Harry noticed tears in them as well.
"Harry," she began, "you just paid my Dad and I the biggest compliment. You are so comfortable here you feel like family."
Harry looked over at Xeno and he was surreptitiously wiping away what appeared to be tears as Luna continued, "With everything we've shared I feel like I've known you for years. Good friends should feel like they are part of the family. I'm just so glad we met on the train."
Harry began to relax and hug Luna in return as she kept talking, "It's just been me and Dad since my Mum died and I haven't had any friends to speak of. I'm so happy you can share this with us. I think I'm as happy as you are that we can spend this together."
Luna trailed off and Xeno saw that both teens were overcome by the emotion of the moment. He spoke to the teens, "Harry, I concur with my daughter. I am very happy you are here with us this year. We may not have known you very long, but I think you are a fine young man and you have brightened our holiday to an extent that we have not experienced for a number of years. You may not be legally part of this family but please rest assured you will always be welcome here."
Luna pulled her father into a group hug. No more words needed to be said.
December 25, 1994 – Hogwarts Entry Hall
Hermione's transformation had startled everyone who had seen her. Parvati and Lavender had helped with her hair and it the way it was styled set off the necklace and earrings Harry had given her. When she met up with Victor in the entry hall he was literally stunned. It took him a few moments to compose himself before he told her how overcome he was with her beauty.
Hermione blushed under the attention but felt strangely empowered. However even with Victor's attention there was a small part of her who wanted to see Harry's reaction as well. She really wanted to thank him for her present as well. How did he know that the necklace and earrings would suit her so well.
The three Triwizard Champions and their dates were gathered in the entry hall waiting for the rest of the students to be seated – and for the fourth champion. Minerva had gone into the hall and summoned Albus to speak to him.
While they waited for the Headmaster of Hogwarts the rest of the champions and their dates wondered about Harry and his date. Almost as though it was planned, a snowy white owl landed on a nearby banister as Albus came into the entry hall.
Hermione was the first to see her. "Hedwig!" she called, "Do you have a message from Harry?"
Hedwig nodded and held a leg out to Hermione. She removed the note from Hedwig's leg and noticed it was addressed to her. As she opened it, Hedwig flew off. Hermione opened the note and frowned. A cough from the Headmaster made her look up and realize that everyone was waiting for her. She decided to read the not out loud.
Dear Hermione,
As you've probably noticed by now I haven't shown up at the Ball. The Yule Ball is a tradition in the Triwizard tournament for the schools to hold a formal social even to celebrate the three champions.
I don't consider myself a champion and unfortunately everything I do seems to overshadow the three competitors who volunteered to represent their schools and were found to be the most worthy to be wear the moniker of "champion".
I am participating in this tournament against my will and I would much rather have spent an anonymous year as an ordinary Hogwarts fourth year student. This is not something I want to celebrate and I think the three real champions deserve their night in the spotlight with their dates without the paparazzi that seem to hang on my every move despite my best efforts.
Please enjoy your night and don't worry about me. I left Hogwarts on the Express with the rest of the students and I am spending the holidays with friends. I am happy and safe so please do mot worry about me and enjoy your evening.
I'm sorry for keeping my plans from everyone. I did not want to make a big deal of not going to the Ball and I suspect that the organizers would have done whatever they could to force me into participating against my will.
Enjoy your evening and once again, please don't worry about me. I'll be returning on the Express in January.
Love, your friend,
Harry
Hermione looked up. The other champions looked pensive and McGonagall and the Headmaster looked upset. Hermione didn't know how to feel.
Victor walked up to her and took her hand. He looked into her eyes as he said, "I did not think this vas possible but I respect Harry eefen more after dis. He has alvays said that he did no vant to be in this tournament. This action proofs to me that he really does not vant his fame. Please I understand you are zad your friend iss not here. But l would like to make sure you enjoy dis night as he vanted all uff us to."
Hermione thought about what Victor had said in his broken English. It was one of the things she really liked about him. She thought about Harry and realized that there was a good chance that he would have been miserable at the Ball and that every move would have been scrutinized and reported in the Prophet tomorrow. She nodded to her date and smiled, "Yes, you're right. Let's go have a good time."
Dumbledore on the other hand was upset and disappointed with Harry. The boy needed to remain highly visible to draw out whoever put him into the tournament. HE would definitely have words with Harry when he got him back to the school. If he had any say in it, Harry would be back before the New Year. Who knows what the boy could get up to?
This inner argument was purely academic for this night. Albus put on his best grandfatherly face and twinkling eyes and with a gesture led the three Triwizard Champions and their dates into the Great Hall.
December 26, 1994 – Department of Records, Ministry of Magic
Albacore Dewey left the Ministry of Magic having submitted the emancipation papers for one Harry Potter. His client was now registered as being of age even though he had been legally of age for the past month. If asked, he would not bet against a certain Headmaster and Chief Warlock challenging this as soon as he found out. Luckily Al, his client, and his goblin account manager had worked out a contingency plan.
December 26, 1994 – Hogwarts
Hermione woke after a perfect night at the Yule Ball. Victor had been the perfect gentleman and when he danced with her it felt like they floated over the dance floor. It was a night straight out of a fairy tale. When they took a walk outside they shared the most amazing kiss that surpassed all of her dreams of what a first kiss should be. They shared a few more kisses after that.
She sighed and stared at the ceiling as she relived every moment of the Ball and the aftermath over and over. Victor and her were meeting for lunch.
Life was good.
December 27, 1994 – Lovegood Residence
Harry and Luna continued to enjoy their holidays spending almost every moment together. He was surprised this morning to find three owls waiting with notes for him. He was surprised that each note was similar in content. Cedric, Fleur and Victor had each written him separately expressing their respect for his actions around the Yule Ball and his reasons for them. In fact, they all respected his integrity so much that they each gave him the answer to the clue for the second task.
Harry read over the clue a number of times and went pale. He would need to talk to Luna and Xeno.
December 28, 1994 – Family Court, London
In a special Holiday sitting of Family Court, Al Dewey convinced a Magistrate to approve of Harry Potter's status as an emancipated minor. The evidence presented by Family Services and the videotaped deposition from the young man himself moved the Magistrate. Al also presented the evidence from Gringotts that Harry had the means to support himself for at least two or three lives and the boy's plans to prepare himself to make his own way in the world. The Magistrate exercised her powers to waive a waiting period and declared Harry an emancipated minor. She also mentioned that a friend of hers was presiding over the upcoming criminal trial of the Dursleys and she may run into him over the holidays.
Within 4 hours the ruling and resulting paperwork made its way through multiple computer systems in a number of government agencies including Inland Revenue. Al knew that no amount of Magic could make the muggle world overturn or 'forget' this.
December 29, 1994 – Hogwarts
Hermione was enjoying one of the best Christmas holidays of her young life. She had been spending time with Victor and the two of them were enjoying each other's company. Much of the time was spend talking about their lives and the two of them were slowly growing closer. They were more than friends, but not yet at the point of being a couple.
Hermione had wondered about Harry but his insistence that he was happy and safe allayed her fears. She did miss him, but over the past month they had not spent a lot of time together so she was slowly getting used to it. However there were a few times that she wished she had Harry to talk to.
She was happy to see Hedwig wing her way into the great hall as she had breakfast. Hedwig landed in front of her and she took the note. This time Hedwig stayed for a few moments letting Hermione feed her some bacon from her plate. Hermione opened the note from Harry:
Dear Hermione,
I hope that you enjoyed the Yule Ball. Do you have pictures? I've always wanted proof that angels exist and I'm sure you were an angel for the Ball.
I'm sorry I have kept secrets from you. At the beginning of December I received a notice from Gringotts regarding anomalies around my vaults. To keep a long story short, under contract law my voluntary participation in the first task bound me to the Triwizard contract and made me a legal adult under Wizard law. Think about it, I was told on Halloween that the contract was binding but I could have backed out by not participating in the first task. Yet no one told me.
At my instruction, my Gringotts account manager retained a legal firm to handle the registration of my emancipation in both the magical and non-magical worlds. The Dursleys never registered themselves as my guardians and an investigation by Children's Services found – well let's just say I don't have to go back there and yesterday a Magistrate officially approved the petition filed by my solicitor. The government of England now recognizes me as an adult and nothing can change that.
My solicitor also filed my emancipation papers with the Ministry to formally register my legal status since the first task. I found out that the Headmaster also did not officially register himself as my Magical guardian. He simply declared that he was, and everyone followed him. Sirius, as my godfather would have been the first in line to be my guardian but he – for obvious reasons – did not register himself as my guardian either. Professor Dumbledore – in his position as Headmaster – does act in loco parentis for certain students. However that did not apply to me either. So, since I had no guardian to allow or deny my acceptance of the contract as a minor, I had to be considered an adult the minute I accepted the contract by participating in the first task.
I haven't told anyone but you and the friends I'm staying with about this but I also needed to let my best friend know.
Hermione, I have thought long and hard about this over the past few weeks. My acceptance of the contract forces me to participate in this tournament. However once the school year is done and the tournament is over, I will be leaving Hogwarts. While I have a couple of good things that came out of my years at Hogwarts – your friendship being first and foremost – I'm tired of being a poster boy whose every move is under a microscope. I want to be just Harry – a teenager who has a normal life. A teenager who does not have people try and kill him every school year.
If I'm selfish, the only thing tying me to Hogwarts is your friendship. I know that it is more difficult for you, but you have to admit that your life has been in danger almost as much as mine. So I ask you this – please consider coming with me. If you are so inclined we can sit down with your parents this summer or even the Spring Holiday at the beginning of April.
Please think about it Hermione. Please?
I'll see you next week.
Love,
Harry
Hermione sat stunned. There were tears running down her face. Her initial reaction was that he was wrong. Hogwarts was the best magical school in Britain. Leaving would mean accepting defeat and quitting. She had never quit anything she started. She couldn't let Harry quit. This didn't sound like him. He needed help.
She walked up to the front of the hall clutching her letter and approached her head of house.
"Professor McGonagall, I need to speak to the Headmaster."