A/N: Sorry for the delay! My sister, who is also my beta, misplaced the chapters that I have already done and then forgot where she had put them. But never fear they have been found and will be posted when we both have time to actually do so.
Another thing that has slightly ticked me off is the subtle and not so subtle hints at bad spelling, grammar and such. One such reviewer had even suggested that I get a second beta. I found that insulting not only for myself but also for my sister. I will state here and now that I AM ONLY HUMAN! IF YOU FEEL THAT MY SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ARE TOO BAD FOR YOUR SENSETIVE MIND THEN DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER! FIND SOME OTHER AUTHOR WHO WRITES PERFECTLY AND LEAVE ME ALONE!
Sorry for the rant but I had to get that out of my system. Now on with the story…..
Chapter 3:
Despite all that had happened the day before, Harry was up at the crack of dawn. Lily awoke a few minutes later wanting her bottle and nappy changed. Afterwards he took a shower and pulled on some sweats and a t-shirt. He didn't want to get dressed for the services right away. Breakfast was delivered shortly after.
After eating Harry sat in the rocker reading the book he had gotten on child care. Chuckling as he read the passage about accidental magic and what to do about it. After last night there was no doubt that Lily was magical. She became very upset at Bellock for pricking her finger for the Ritual. The poor goblin had the strangest look of surprise that Harry had ever seen. Lily had transformed the goblin's sparse hair into daisies, his armor into a yellow cocktail dress, and his boots into low yellow heels. Harry had to look away before he burst out laughing. Healer Harris looked just as surprised as Bellock. Harry didn't think that it had registered in the healer's mind how funny the goblin looked. It took over an hour for the magic to dissipate. When Harry tried to apologize, Bellock waved him off, telling him that 'she was a very powerful witch'.
Harry continued reading until ten. Lily was beginning to whimper, alerting Harry that she was wanting to be fed very soon. Getting the bottle ready he gathered her up in his arms Harry returned to the rocker. Telling Lily his version of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears', substituting 'Goldilocks' for Lily, while she drank her bottle. He never heard Healer Harris come in. She took a couple of pictures with the camera she saw sitting on a nearby table. She smirked at times, listening to the altered story and its unusual ending of Lily chasing the bears away with her wand. She let out a snort over that one.
A sound coming from the doorway alerted Harry to the fact that he wasn't alone. Lily finished her bottle and he placed her on his shoulder to burp. As he patted Lily's back he saw Healer Harris in the doorway.
"Quite the story there Mr. Potter."
Harry blushed. Just then Lily let out a rather loud belch and he moved her so that she was resting in his arms. The baby let out a sigh.
"I see that the two of you are bonding rather well."
"It surprises me how much I do by instinct considering that I've never been around a baby before."
"You're a natural. Lily's one lucky little witch."
"I'm the lucky one."
"Both of you are. Now Jake and I were wondering if we could attend the services this morning."
"Of course, but may I ask why?"
"I got to know Hermione fairly well before she died. I also don't think that you should be alone for this. I understand the need to keep it quiet but no one should have to do this alone."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now get ready!" She left the room so that he could change
"Yes Ma'am."
Harry dressed Lily first. He had found in a muggle baby shop a tiny little dress made of ivory satin. It was trimmed in black velvet with a little velvet bow in the center of the bodice. It came with an ivory blanket, also trimmed in black velvet. Harry thought the dress perfect for Lily to wear to her mother's and grandparents' funerals. Ivory tights and tiny black shoes completed the outfit. He then placed a charm to repel any messes or stains on the baby's clothes.
Ten minutes later he was dressed in a new black muggle suit. He thought it fit rather well given his new height and weight. He had no illusion as to his looks, never really caring about them before. He had no idea that half of the female population of Hogwarts was drooling over him already. His new appearance would send them over the edge and several more would probably follow. St. Mungos might need to build a new wing to house those that were Stupefied by his new looks. After tying his new dress shoes, he set about gathering everything that was out. He packed it away in the new trunk.
Anna Harris watched as Harry started gathering his and Lily's things. Here was a young man not quite fifteen, who not by his choice became a father. He was a single one at that to a baby girl. Not once had he complained about what had happened. Instead he embraced it with everything he had inside of him. She knew that Hermione's death had hit him hard. The love that those two had for each other was rare. If he ever decided to open his heart again, that girl would be the luckiest person on the face of the planet.
Harry double checked to make sure that he had everything before shrinking everything down and putting it into his pocket. He had kept the diaper bag and carrier out of the trunk so that after the service he could put Lily in it. Those two things went into a separate pocket.
Lily wasn't asleep. Harry loosely wrapped her in the blanket before picking her up. The Harris' both stepped forward. Inspector Harris had a bouquet of flowers in his hand that was the portkey. Harry made sure that he had a firm grip on Lily before touching the portkey. At 9:59 a.m. the portkey activated.
This time Harry's landing was graceful. He didn't know if it was because the blocks were gone or because he had Lily. Perhaps it was because Mr. Hartford made really good portkeys. Whatever the reason Harry was grateful.
He looked around the cemetery and saw Mr. Hartford about three rows ahead of him. Walking closer he saw that the area was fenced off and had a gate made to look like a griffin. The name Potter was at the top.
The service itself was simple and short. From somewhere nearby a soft melody played as Mr. Hartman read a passage from the Bible. Then all three caskets were slowly lowered into the ground. A flick of a wand filled in the holes and replaced the grass. As well as adding flowers to all of the graves, not just the latest ones. Silently Mr. Hartman handed Harry Hermione's wand before he and the Harris' moved away to allow Harry some privacy.
"I promise you Hermione, Lily will grow up better that I did. She'll know love and family. I'll tell her all about you and how much you loved her. You make sure that both our parents know. I love you."
Just as Harry turned around to head towards the others, a flash of silver caught his eye. It had been low to the ground and moving. Quietly he palmed his wand and when he reached the others he handed Lily to Healer Harris.
Not saying a word Harry spun around quickly and cast several spells, one after the other. Running over to the spot he found a rat with a silver paw. It's body frozen in a body bind.
"Hello Peter."
The rat's eyes widened with fear as it realized that he had been found out.
Harry transfigured an acorn into a cage before placing the rat inside. Once in the cage, he released the body bind. The rat squealed in terror as it realized that it couldn't escape.
"No use trying Peter. I've charmed it so that you have to stay in that form until I release it. Now be quiet." Harry added a Silencing charm after the rat squealed again.
"Harry?"
"Sorry about all of that. This little guy's going to the Ministry once I get Lily settled."
"Any special reason why you want to take a rat to the Ministry?" asked Inspector Harris.
"He really isn't a rat at all. He's a wizard who can change into a rat. He helped Voldemort get a new body last month, with the help of my blood. He also killed Cedric Diggory. Not to mention he betrayed my parents."
All three adults' jaws dropped with each revelation that Harry made. He took Lily back in one arm and held the cage in the other hand.
"Thank you for all that you've done today. I wouldn't have made it without all of your support. Lily will appreciate it when she's older. I need to leave so that I can get this 'thing' to the proper authorities."
Healer Harris did a rare thing. She hugged a patient good bye. "Yes you would have. It would have just been harder for you to accomplish. Now, I expect to see Lily on the 4th of August for her one month check-up. Understand?"
"Yes Ma'am, we'll be there and thank you again." All three nodded back to him.
As prearranged with Bellock, Harry activated the portkey that the goblin had given him for when he was ready to return to the bank.
This time his landing, although upright, had him staggering a little. Bellock was waiting for him at the portkey point. He silently handed the cage to Bellock and took out Lily's carrier. He resized it and placed her inside.
"May I ask if this is a new pet m'Lord?"
"As tempting as that sounds, no he's not. I need a wizard policeman, preferably a 'good' one."
Although surprise showed on Bellock's face, the goblin said nothing as he lead Harry to an empty conference room.
"I saw Madam Bones in the lobby a few minutes ago. She is the head of Magical Law in the Ministry. A very fair and trustworthy person, even among us goblins."
"Can you see if she would see me for a few minutes?"
"I will return shortly, m'Lord."
Bellock left in search of Madam Bones while Harry quickly charmed the room and hid Lily under the table. No sense in announcing her quite yet.
A few minutes later Bellock returned with a nice looking older witch. She scanned the room as she entered. A trait that Harry admired and approved of.
"Lord Potter, may I present Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law and Head of the House of Bones."
'Lord Potter? When did that happen?' Amelia thought to herself. She had been very surprised when the goblin in the room had asked her to meet with someone who was in need of her services. Never would she have guessed that it would be Harry Potter. She looked at him closely. He had grown quite a bit since the end of the Tournament and not just physically either. Something had made the boy turn into a man, almost over night. She didn't think that it had anything to do with the death of Diggory either.
"How may I help you, Lord Potter?"
"Harry, please. As for how you can help me, I caught someone earlier today that you might be interested in."
"Oh? Who?"
"Peter Pettigrew."
"Impossible! He's dead! Sirius Black killed him along with several muggles after he betrayed your parents."
"Sirius Black was never my parent's secret keeper. Peter was. He faked his own death by change into his animagus form. He was hiding until Sirius escaped and came after him."
Amelia's mouth hung open in surprise. "How do you know this?"
"I had a very long chat with Sirius and Remus Lupin during my third year. They showed me Pettigrew as he really is. Dumbledore claimed there was nothing he could do once Pettigrew escaped again."
Amelia made a sound like a snort or a grunt when Dumbledore's name was mentioned.
"Pettigrew also helped Voldemort get a new body back right after he killed Cedric."
Again her mouth hung open.
"I take it Fudge never said a word about what I told him?'
"Not a bloody one. Start from the beginning." she ordered.
Harry told her from the start of the third task up to when Fudge left the hospital wing that night. Amelia made several notations. She asked several questions, trying to clarify things. Once Harry was done, she performed a spell that revealed that the rat in the cage was in fact a wizard in animagus form. She was completely gobsmacked at what she had heard. Fudge had covered the whole thing up, blaming Dumbledore and Potter for the whole fiasco. Then there was the fact that Black had been sent to prison without the benefit of a trial. She tried to remember back to when Black was captured. So many things had happened in such a short amount of time that it was no wonder no one remembered giving Black a trial. Most had assumed that he was guilty and left it alone. That was something that she planned on looking into. An innocent man does not hide for that many years if he wasn't guilty of something.
"You will need to come with me Lord Potter. I need to get an official statement from you."
"Can I meet you in an hour? I have some business that can't wait."
"Of course. Just tell the security guard at the Ministry that you are there to see me. He'll point you in the right direction."
"Thank you. I'll be there."
"Until then Lord Potter." She grabbed the cage and left the room, heading straight for the Ministry.
The moment that Madam Bones was out of the room with Pettigrew, Bellock opened another door.
"Follow me, m'Lord. Your rooms are this way."
Harry grabbed Lily's carrier and followed the goblin down several corridors. They finally stopped at a set of massive gold doors. Bellock unlocked them and gestured Harry inside.
For all its obvious splendor and riches, the main room felt very comfortable and homey. Against the wall on his right, Harry saw what was probably the biggest fireplace that he had ever seen before. On his left were two doors. One door was his bedroom. It too looked comfortable and inviting. A door on the left led to a bath that could rival anything that Hogwarts had. Across the bath was another door, leading to an empty, smaller room that would be perfect for Lily. The windows caught the morning sun, making the room light up naturally.
"This is perfect Bellock. Thank you."
"You are most welcome m'Lord. But I remind you that you are paying for the privilege."
"True but I didn't expect all this."
Bellock let out a chuckle. "If you will excuse me, I will see if I can find a sitter for you as I know that you will not want young Lady Potter to accompany you."
"I would appreciate that Bellock."
The goblin left. Harry set Lily down and pulled their shrunken trunk from his pocket. Quickly he set up the furniture and pulled out several outfits, nappies, and other supplies for Lily. After that was done, he changed her clothes and her nappy. Then laid her in her cot. He was just getting ready to leave the room, when Bellock returned with another goblin.
"Lord Potter, this is Marble, my sibling. She has agreed to watch young Lady Potter during your stay here."
"Thank you Marble for your assistance. I've just changed her but she hasn't been fed yet. I need to change before going to the Ministry."
"I will treat her as my own m'Lord." Harry was surprised at the sound of the female goblin's voice. He had assumed that all goblins sounded somewhat the same. Marble's voice was soft and gentle, like a warm summer breeze.
"That's all that I can ask. I'll try to be as quick as I can."
Harry hurried thru the bath and into his own room. He pulled out a set of his own clothes, with a new robe containing the Potter crest. He changed quickly and went into the main room where Bellock was waiting for him.
"I have stationed a pair of guards at your door."
Harry started to say something but Bellock stopped him.
"This is something that we do for everyone that stays here."
Harry nodded in acceptance. He was rather relieved that Lily had extra protection.
Bellock indicated the fireplace. "The floo in this room is connected to the Ministry as the rooms are mainly used by foreign dignitaries. To return you need only say 'Gringotts # 4', the address to this particular floo. As an added security measure, a password must also be spoken before you can enter these rooms. The password is 'Emerald Fire'. The floo powder is in the blue pot on the mantle."
Harry quirked an eyebrow at the grinning goblin and his warped sense of humor. He went to check on Lily one last time before he left.
Marble was sitting in the rocker, feeding her. Harry approached the pair and knelt down.
"Bye sweetheart. Daddy will be back soon." he whispered and kissed the top of the baby's head. He went back into the main room where Bellock was still waiting. He grabbed a handful of powder and threw it into the fire. When it turned green he stepped in and yelled, "Ministry of Magic!"
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Harry arrived in the main atrium where a gold fountain stood. He snorted over the obvious message that wizards were superior to all other magical beings. Seeing the security desk, he made his way towards it.
The guard never looked up from his paper as he said "Name, wand, and reason for visit?"
Harry placed his wand on the scale that the guard indicated and said, "Harry Potter to see Madam Bones."
That got the guard's attention.
"Certainly, Mr. Potter. Madam Bones said that you would be stopping by."
"Actually it's 'Lord' Potter."
"Forgive me, Lord Potter. I didn't realize. Madam Bones' office is on Level 4. When the lift stops, turn right. Her office is at the end of the corridor."
"Thank you."
Harry hurried over to the lifts and managed to get on an empty one. A short ride later had him on the proper level. Turning right, he walked to the end of the corridor like the guard had said. As he approached the office, Harry could hear several voices coming from inside. He knocked on the door and was told to 'come in'.
Harry opened the door. The first thing he saw was Pettigrew, still in rat form. He was in the same cage on top of a table. Four people stood guard nearby. They all wore the same color robes. Harry figured that they were the wizarding worlds' version of police. Also in the room were Percy Weasley and a squat, toad like witch, dressed all in pink. She seemed to be upset about something.
"What are you doing here, Potter?"
Harry didn't like Percy's tone of voice. He returned his answer in the same cold tone.
"That's 'Lord' Potter to you Weasley. I'm here because Madam Bones asked me to come and give my statement."
Percy was about to make a remark when the witch in pink spoke. "Now, Mr. Potter…"
"Lord Potter." interrupted Harry.
"Very well, Lord Potter, I fail to understand why Amelia has asked you here. Is it some personal matter that the minister could help you with in some way?"
"Since I have no idea who you are, I don't know how you can offer Fudge's help."
"I am Delores Umbridge, Senior Under Secretary to the Minister of Magic." she said in a pompous tone.
"Oh, a brown noser then."
That remark had the four guards trying to cover up their laughter. Madam Bones was trying to hide her smile behind her hand, unsuccessfully. Percy was in shock and Umbridge was in a fury.
"Now see here Mr. Potter!"
"It's still 'Lord' Potter."
"Whatever your name is! I demand an answer!"
"Which I don't have to give you."
The exchange of word would have continued if Madam Bones hadn't intervened. "Lord Potter is the one who captured the accused."
"Oh really? And how may I ask did you do that?"
"I stunned him and used the binding spell on him. I then caged him when I recognized who he was. Then I went to Gringotts where one of the goblins found Madam Bones for me. There I turned the traitor over to her."
Umbridge got a smug smirk on her face. "Weasley! Seize the boy's wand!"
Percy moved forward only to be blocked by Amelia.
"Amelia! What are you doing? Potter has done under aged magic and has admitted to it! Now let Weasley pass!"
"Think Delores! He's emancipated! How else would he have gained his title? I saw no notices coming from Hopkirk's office for him."
Umbridge looked furious again. "Weasley! Go to Hopkirk's office! I want to know if Lord Potter was sent a notice or not!"
Percy practically ran from the room. He returned five minutes later, out of breathe, but managed to get out a few words. "No…. notices….. for….. Potter… have… gone… out."
Umbridge looked even more upset. "Very well, Lord Potter. I will be watching you this upcoming term at Hogwarts." She tilted her nose up in the air and barked at Percy to follow her. She proceeded to walk out of the office as if it were below her.
"Thank Merlin she left." muttered Amelia.
"Is she always like that?" asked Harry, still looking at the closed door.
"This happened to be one of her good days, if you can believe that."
Harry snorted. He hoped to never see that particular witch again. Amelia waved him over to the table and began to question him all over again.
Two hours later, Peter had been forced to transform. Everyone had believed the story that Harry had told, but to see the 'dead' wizard in front of them made it all the more real. Peter was manacled and given Veritiserum. Within five minutes Peter was spilling his guts about everything, including a full list of Death eaters. Over half were unknown at the time. He recited word for word the Ritual that he used to bring Voldemort back to life. That particular piece of information was sent to the Department of Mysteries for analysis. Finally Harry was allowed to go.
A large African auror stopped him at the door.
"Shack?" asked Amelia.
"I thought that I would escort Lord Potter home Ma'am, for safety reasons."
"Lord Potter?"
"No thanks. I have some errands to run before I do go home but thanks anyway."
Kingsley Shacklebolt watched helplessly as the one person the Order had been searching for walked away from him. He couldn't follow or place a tracking charm on the boy without giving himself away. He could only tell Dumbledore that he had seen the boy alive and well. But first he had to 'apprehend' Sirius and bring him in.
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Later that night a special Order meeting was held. Sirius was all smiles as it was announced that he had been freed of all charges. Which had Fudge bending over backwards to keep the Ministry from being portrayed as a 'bad' guy.
When the well wishes were done, Dumbledore called the meeting to order.
"Yes, yes, we are all pleased that Sirius is free. Congratulations my boy. Now onto other things. Has anyone seen or heard from Harry?"
Kingsley spoke up. "He was the one that captured Pettigrew."
The room was totally silent.
"How do you know this?" asked Dumbledore.
"He came in about an hour after Director Bones brought Pettigrew in. I thought that she had captured him but when questioned, Potter revealed that he had done so."
"How? He can't use magic outside of school!" asked Molly Weasley.
"Apparently Potter's been emancipated. How or when I don't know. Delores Umbridge thought the same thing and had Percy check Hopkirk's office. No notices went out with Potter's name on them. He can legally do magic."
Dumbledore didn't like the sounds of what he was hearing. "Did Harry say how he captured Peter?"
"Potter was apparently at a funeral at Godric's Hallow when he saw Pettigrew out of the corner of his eye. He stunned, bound, and caged him in his rat form before seeking out Director Bones' help."
"What was he doing there? I know of no one that he would know who has died recently?" asked Remus.
"That is the question", answered Dumbledore. "In light of this news we must be very careful. If you see Harry, try and get him to come here. I really don't want to force the issue. If he puts up a fight restrain him and bring him here."
"What about his rights? He's emancipated! He can go where he wants!" demanded Sirius.
"This is for the greater good, Sirius. Harry needs protecting whether he wants it or not."
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Miles away Lord Voldemort was waiting in vain for Wormtail to return from his recognizance mission. As the hours passed Voldemort became angrier and angrier over Wormtail's incompetence. What was a simple mission was now something more since the rat had yet to return.
Around midnight Lucius came with the news that Wormtail had been captured! And if that wasn't bad enough, the rat had been captured by Potter! What the boy was doing at Godric's Hallow was unimportant. The capture set several things back in planning. Not to mention if the traitor decided to spill what he knew to save his own skin. Either way Wormtail had just become a liability.