Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, I don't own a thing.

A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone. This is my third take on this chapter. I just wasn't happy with the other two versions and scrapped them. Although I'm not completely happy with this version either I think it is the best of the three. Thanks to all of you who reviewed! You're all awesome. Well without further gilding the lily here is chapter 18.

Chapter 18

It was June 16th exactly one week since Hermione and Luna had joined House Potter and much had happened. Harry and the rest of the 'family' were all in the study enjoying the evening silence. A fire was burning in the hearth casting a warm glow throughout the room. He looked over and saw Bella instructing Hermione in the finer points of dueling and spell casting.

Hermione had immediately bonded with Bella and could always be found asking Bella questions and asking for advice. Bella took it all in good humor and grace and the two settled into a comfortable mentor and apprentice type of relationship.

Luna was reading through the Potter Grimoire and seemed to be totally engrossed in the long history of the Potter Family magic's. At first Harry was not sure if Luna would be able to read the Grimoire as it was infused with magic protections that would only allow a Potter to read from its pages. But to Luna's great delight the book's magic recognized her as a Potter and allowed her to read from its pages.

Andromeda and Cissy were in another corner of the study reminiscing about their younger years and catching up on several years of being estranged. Harry was very happy that the three Black sister's had reconciled and were becoming once again as close as they were as when they were children.

Susan was visiting as well, she and Harry and come to see each other as truly brother and sister, and she spent as much time at Black Manor as she could while Amelia spent more and more time at the Ministry. Amelia had been officially sworn in as Minister and was determined to start implementing changes.

Harry looked over his growing family and smiled. For the first time in his life he truly felt that he knew what the true meaning of family truly was. It was unconditional love and acceptance.

Luna seemed to take to her new life all in a graceful stride, in the beginning, to look at her you would think that she was the picture of contentment and that nothing out of the ordinary had ever happened. But Harry saw or rather felt the loneliness and sadness that Luna kept buried deep within her heart.

It was three nights ago that Luna finally let escape her emotions. All the feelings of loss, loneliness, and anguish over the death of her last family member exploded in a deluge of grief and tears.

Harry and Bella had stayed up with her all-night taking turns holding and comforting the young witch. That simple act of comfort more than anything else had allowed Luna to grieve and eventually except her father's death. It had also cemented Luna's love and devotion for Harry and Bella. This was her new family and she would do anything and everything within her power to keep it.

Since that evening Luna was a changed witch, there was a new focus in her demeanor, strength in purpose to her character that hadn't been there before. She was still Luna however, with all the quirkiness and mystique of persona as before, but there was a new confidence as well. She held her head a little higher; she walked with strength and purpose. When asked by Harry about the change Luna answered.

"I am a Potter now." She said with undisguised pride. "And I will do all I can to honor my new family and make you proud of me." Luna stated.

Harry smiled at the young blonde and pulled her into a warm hug. "Luna, I have always been proud of you. You don't have to be anything more than what you are. My caring for you will never change and you will always be family to me."

"I know Harry, but I am rather happy and proud to be a part of this family, and the Potter's have a long and prestigious history and I want to contribute in a meaningful way to continue that heritage." Luna stated as she smiled warmly at him.

Harry returned the smile with equal emotion at Luna before speaking. "Ok my sweet Luna, just remember to be true to yourself as well. I kinda like my quirky Luna." Harry stated giving her a lopsided smile.

Luna pushed up on her toes and kissed Harry on the cheek. "Thanks Harry." She whispered. "That means a lot to me." She then turned and skipped out of the room. Harry chuckled to himself.

"She's quite the young lady isn't she?" Bella commented as she came into the room having heard the conversation.

"Yeah she is." Harry commented. "You should have seen her in the Department of Mysteries." Harry stated thinking back on that night. "She was amazing, she was so calm and level headed. I don't think the Death Eaters knew what to make of her. She just danced around their spells and curses while firing off her own. I think if she had known more dangerous spells and curses she could have taken down the lot of them herself." Harry stated smiling at the memory.

Bella looked at her husband lovingly. "It's no wonder Harry that you inspire such loyalty and devotion in your friends."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked confusedly.

"Just listen to how you talk to your friends. I have never heard you say one derogatory thing about any of them." Bella stated. "In fact you always build them up. It's obvious how much you care for them and they see that unconditional love reflected in your eyes. It's actually quite humbling to watch how you interact with them.

I have no doubt that both Hermione and Luna would walk to the ends of the earth for you. I've seen it in Susan's eyes as well; she would follow you where ever you would lead them. You're a natural leader Harry; anyone who spends more than five minutes with you can see it."

"I don't know what to say to that love. I don't see myself as anything special. If I am the leader you say that I am it is because of them and you. You've given me a reason to live and to be a better man. It is through your love Bella that I've become what I am today.

I remember all those nights during the summer after my fourth year. I was having such terrible nightmares and you came to my room almost every night. You would cradle me in your arms and sing to me and the nightmares would be chased away. I would just lay there feeling your warmth surround me. It was then I began to understand what it meant to be cared for and comforted."

"I thought you had stayed asleep all those times." Bella smirked.

"Well, I admit the first time I woke I was a little frightened. But your voice was so beautiful and calming that it drove the fear away. I just kind of accepted you as my own personal guardian angel." Harry smiled as he took his wife into his arms and kissed her tenderly.

"Oh you're so getting lucky tonight!" Bella whispered sultrily into his ear.

oooOOOooo

Harry then turned his attention back to Hermione. Out of everyone in the household, he was most concerned about her. Not since the night that he and Bella had retrieved her from her home, after the Death Eater attack had she shown any sign of grief or sadness. He was worried that she was bottling up her emotions not wanting to deal with them.

She had become obsessed with learning offensive and battle spells and curses. She had sought out every book in the Black Manor library on the subject. Harry realized that his best friend felt responsible for her parent's death. She was feeling that had she known more powerful magic she could have saved them.

She had also voiced her desire to hurt those that took away her parents. Harry worried that his dearest friend would become lost to the lure of revenge and would do something foolish in an attempt to redeem herself in her own mind.

Bella was also concerned for the young witch and proposed to Harry that she take Hermione under her wing and begin to train her in dueling and advanced spell casting. In the role of teacher and mentor she may be able to guide Hermione away from the feelings of hate and revenge. She also believed if she were to share with Hermione her own experiences as a Death Eater that she could persuade the determined witch away from a self destructive path.

Harry had agreed. He knew that Hermione would try to learn these skills one way or another but at least under Bella's tutelage, she could refocus the young witch. Harry also decided that he would also benefit from learning the art of dueling. Hermione had been very enthusiastic at Bella's offer to teach and mentor her since that day Hermione had become almost Bella's shadow. But Bella didn't seem to mind and enjoyed Hermione's sharp mind and dedication.

Narcissa had also received distressing news from Draco. She had received an owl just two days ago from her son who was still abroad in France. In the letter he detailed the events that Lady Parkinson had told him, the recent attacks, the death of her husband and now her decision to leave the service of the Dark Lord.

She had been ecstatic to hear that Draco no longer had the desire to join the Dark Lord either. She had been saddened by Pansy's departure and refusal to listen to reason and hope that one day she would wake up to the realities of serving Voldemort. She just hoped it wouldn't be too late when she did have her eyes open.

The most troubling part of the letter was Draco explaining that two days after Pansy had left the cottage they had been staying at was attacked by Death Eaters. Pansy had most likely told the Dark Lord of their betrayal and he had sent out a hit team to kill Lady Parkinson and Draco.

The two had been able to escape but Lady Parkinson had been seriously injured. Draco explained that they were able to get to a Malfoy safe house, and at the moment were safe. He told her that he was afraid to go to the international Port Key areas controlled by the French Ministry for fear of Death Eaters monitoring the place.

They would stay at the safe house for the time being. They had plenty of food and there were enough healing potions to take care of Lady Parkinson. He would send her another owl in about a weeks' time. He hoped that the Death Eaters who were sent after him would eventually give up and return back to England.

Narcissa was terrified for her son but was grateful that at least he was safe. She knew of the safe house he spoke of, it was near Bordeaux and was heavily warded. He would be safe there. She also knew that it would be folly to try and go to him now. She would be easily recognizable by the Death Eaters and she would have to be the one to go since the wards were only keyed to her, Draco and Lucius.

She resigned herself to just wait until she heard from her son again. She also knew that she would have to be more careful in public now. The Dark Lord would not hesitate to use her as bait to get to her son.

oooOOOooo

Albus Dumbledore was pacing back and forth in his office in a very agitated state. The Granger girl and the Lovegood girl had just disappeared without a trace; no one from the Order had spotted hide nor hair of the two teenage witches for a week now.

Could the ministry be protecting them? But why would they? Had the mudblood told them about her conversation with Severus? If she had, did Minister Bones believe her? And if the Minister believed her, they may be hiding her away from him.

'And if they were hiding her away from me, then that means they suspect me of wrong doing!' Albus stopped mid-stride as paranoia began to seep into his mind. "Would they have sent spies to watch me? Are they already here? I WILL NOT TOLERATE THEM SPYING ON ME!" Albus roared.

"No, no, no… they would not take the word of a child over the greatest wizard since Merlin himself if I said otherwise!" Albus shook his head disbelievingly trying to calm himself.

"It was for the greater good!" Albus said as he looked at the many portraits of the former headmasters and mistresses. Most pretended not to hear him, while others just shook their head at him reproachfully. "I need my spy to be above suspicion if I am to be victorious!" Albus spat at the portraits.

Did no one understand that he knew what was best for the wizarding world? Why did everyone doubt him? It was all Potter's fault! If he had not gotten himself killed his original plan would still be viable. Augusta Longbottom didn't trust him so getting Neville to take up Harry's role would be almost impossible.

'Why hadn't the old bat been killed! Sloppy work Tom! Sloppy, sloppy!' Dumbledore fumed to himself.

"Well if the Ministry is sending spies here, then I will need to activate my own spies in the Ministry. Maybe one of them will be able to tell me what the Ministry knows and where the Granger and Lovegood brats are." He spoke to himself.

oooOOOooo

Minerva McGonagall was sitting at her desk and was penning one of the most difficult letters she had ever written. The events of the last two weeks had completely shaken her faith in Albus Dumbledore. But if she was being honest she had her doubts about his sanity ever since he had employed Severus Snape.

No other professor in the history of Hogwarts had been as petty, hateful, and completely biased as Severus Snape. She had tried for years now to reason with Albus and have him do something about Snape's behavior. But Albus refused to see reason and had allowed Snape free reign.

She had also been opposed to Albus leaving little Harry with the Dursley's but he would not hear her concerns and she was over-ruled. Harry's death had been the biggest blow and then reading Mrs. Figg's 'Harry Journal' that had documented years of abuse at the hands of the Dursleys. She truly felt that she had failed her little lion.

Just this morning she had sent the 'Harry Journal' to Minister Bones as well as a letter explaining Dumbledore's role in sending Harry to the Dursleys and his obvious complicity in letting the abuse occur. It was her hope that Albus would be held accountable for his actions and receives the punishment that he deserved.

Minerva had finished her letter with a solemn final stroke of the quill completely her signature. "Imelda!' Minerva called out. A tiny house elf with a Hogwarts tunic appeared before her.

"Mistress Minnie is calling for Imelda?" The little elf squeaked.

"Yes dear, would you see that this is given to the headmaster with his evening meal tonight?" Minerva asked the diminutive magical creature.

"Of course Mistress Minnie." She squeaked.

"It has been a pleasure knowing you Imelda." Minerva said warmly to the elf.

"Is you's going somewhere Mistress Minnie?"

"Yes dear, I'm afraid that I've decided to leave Hogwarts." Minerva said with a hitch in her voice.

The small elf's large eyes began to fill with tears; she had been Minerva's personal elf at Hogwarts since she began teaching almost thirty years ago.

"Imelda will be missing you Mis…Mistress Minnie." The elf choked out, the tears freely falling now. Minerva kneeled in front of the sobbing elf and wrapped her in a warm hug.

"I will be missing you to, you have been such a good friend." At these words the tiny elf began to wail as the tears fell faster.

"You's has been a wonderful Mistress and calls Imelda friend. I's will never be forgetting you miss." The elf sobbed and then popped away carry the letter of resignation in her little hands.

Minerva gathered up the last of her belongings and placed them neatly in her trunk; she then shrank the trunk and placed it in the pocket of her traveling cloak. She hated to leave Hogwarts, it had been her home now for thirty years and she loved teaching but she could no longer tolerate the way Albus was running things and the revelation of Albus's neglect of Harry left a lasting animosity toward the headmaster and she could no longer work for someone she no longer trusted.

It was with heavy heart as Minerva McGonagall exited out of the large double doors that lead out of the ancient castle. She would return to the highlands of her birth and there see what the fates and the future had planned for the weary Scottish lady.

oooOOOooo

Amelia Bones was sitting in her office going through the mountain of paperwork that somehow never got any smaller though she swore she had already gone through at least a hundred reports. Her weary head had just made contact with her desk when she heard a knock on her office door.

"Come." Amelia replied.

Angela Mosby her young receptionist stuck her head into her bosses office. "I'm sorry to disturb you Minister but a Hogwarts owl has just come for you." Angela nervously informed her tired looking boss.

"You're not disturbing me Angela; in fact I could use a little break. So a Hogwarts owl…I wonder what the old man wants now." Amelia frowned. "Go ahead and bring it in."

As if it had been listening the owl flew through the door buzzing over the head of the young woman. It landed in front of Amelia who gave the large barn owl the last of her biscuits. Amelia untied the package from the owl and then withdrew the letter that had been with it.

The letter was not from Dumbledore but from Professor McGonagall. The letter was to inform her that she had resigned her post at Hogwarts and then gave her reasons. Amelia was stunned by the accusations that Minerva made against Albus and Snape.

She knew from Susan that Snape was an awful teacher, but she had no idea the extent of the problem with the head of Slytherin House until Minerva had given a comprehensive list of all his misdeeds. Learning of Albus' condoning of such behavior had the fiery redhead ready to spit nails.

As mad as she was it was nothing compared to her mood once Minerva had explained what the book was that she now held in her hands. With each turn of a page her rage grew exponentially. The abuse mentioned in the book was startling. Her godson had been literally tortured by these people. If it not for them already being dead she would have killed them herself.

Dumbledore's complicity in the abuse only fueled her desire to destroy the man even more. And with this evidence in hand, Dumbledore would not be Chief Mugwump for long. If she had her way, by the time all was said and done Dumbledore would be stripped of every position he held and would be enjoying a nice vacation at Chez Azkaban.

"Angela!"

"Yes Minister?" Angela asked sensing that her boss was not in a good mood.

"I will be gone for the rest of the evening."

"Yes Minister. I will lock everything up for you."

Amelia nodded to her receptionist and went to the Minister's private apparition site. With a pop she arrived at Rowan Hills the home of Amelia and Susan. Amelia headed for the fireplace and through a handful of floo powder into the flames, sticking her head in she called out "Black Manor Wales."

All heads turned as Amelia Bone's head appeared in the study fireplace. Harry immediately allowed her to come through. The dignified woman appeared agitated; she paced back and forth in front of the gathered family and appeared to be trying to gather her thoughts.

"Auntie what's wrong?" It was Susan who broke the silence looking worriedly at her guardian and surrogate mother.

Amelia stopped her pacing and took in a long slow deep breath and then pushed it out. "Minerva has just resigned from Hogwarts." Amelia began.

"That's terrible!" Hermione barked. "Why would she do that?" Hermione asked wondering why her favorite professor would all of a sudden quit.

"The reasons are many." Amelia began. "And disturbing…to say the least." Amelia said through grinding teeth.

Amelia then began to tell everyone present about the letter she had received from Minerva. How she could not work in that environment any longer and her loss of faith and trust in Albus.

"She cared a lot for you Harry." Amelia stated somberly. "She blames herself for not standing up to Albus on your behalf. She feels that she had failed you and somehow in failing you she feels just as responsible for your death as Dumbledore should feel." Amelia finished.

"Dumbledore?" Susan asked curiously. She had not been told everything about the headmasters involvement in Harry's life. Susan respected Harry's privacy and would never ask him to reveal anything he wasn't willing to reveal.

"Yes Susan, Dumbledore more than anyone else is responsible for Harry's disappearance from the Wizarding World and placement in that hell hole he called a safe environment." Amelia spat cursing Dumbledore's name.

"Harry…this book that I have is a journal that Mrs. Figg kept on you through the years. It lists all the times she witnessed you being abused by either your aunt and uncle or your cousin. It also lists all the scars, black eyes, broken bones, and other numerous injuries that you have received over the years." Amelia was beginning to choke up and struggled to speak coherently.

Hermione had taken the book from Amelia and began to flip through its pages. Bella who was sitting next to her also read the contents of the journal. Bella and Hermione had only gotten through a dozen pages or so when both witches jumped to their feet drawing their wands and storming over to the fireplace.

They both had a murderous look in their eyes as they grabbed for the floo powder, both determined to get to Hogwarts and kill the old bastard for what he had put their Harry through. Harry quickly intercepted the two furious women and tried to dissuade them from their murderous rampage.

"What's done is done." He said to the pair of them. "He will get what's coming to him soon enough. I don't want you two to go and do something that will get you both tossed into Azkaban." Harry said pleadingly looking in to the eyes of the women who meant the most to him.

The two witches conceded…for the moment. But they had a long memory and this would not go unpunished.

"Harry, ladies… with the information in this book we could nail Dumbledore to the wall. This book along with evidence of neglect, evidence of not following the last will and testament of the last head of the Potter family, and for the forgery of a fake will of the Scion of an Ancient and Noble House, we can destroy Dumbledore.

Not just send him to prison, but to completely destroy the reputation of the bastard. Harry in a week's time I can convene a special session of the Wizengamot. With the evidence we have along with whatever evidence the goblins have and with your testimony we can put him away for the rest of his life." Amelia smiled wickedly a smile that was worn by the rest of the women in the house.

All eyes turned to Harry who seemed to be in deep thought. Harry was debating with himself on how he wanted to proceed. He wanted more than anything to personally kill Dumbledore. He was responsible for who knows how many innocent deaths including Hermione's parents, Luna's father, and Arthur Weasley.

The man deserved no mercy; Azkaban was too good for the man. But the thought of having the world see him for what he truly was would be a fate worse than death for the so called leader of the light. No longer would his name be spoken in reverence but it would be spat out in disdain.

Yes that truly was a just reward for someone who saw himself above everyone else. Now his name and reputation would be seen as nothing more than filth.

"Okay, how do we begin?" Harry asked.

"I suggest after the will reading when you make your debut back into the land of the living." Bella smiled.

"Get him off balance and then hit him with everything that the law and we can hit him with." Bella smirked.

The 'War Counsel' of the family would stay up late into the early morning hours making preparation for the utter destruction of one Albus Dumbledore.

A/N: I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. The will reading will be chapter 20 so stay tuned. As always thanks to all of you for reading my little story. Please Read and Review.