A/N: Happy 4th Of July everyone! I thought that I would drop a note to say that I probably won't update until the end of July or perhaps even into August. One, my family and I are going on vacation next week and the day after we get back, my niece, potter8668jr will be having her tonsils out. Then a week after that the company I work for is hosting an after hours party. So I will be very busy until probably my birthday which is in the beginning of August.

Thanks for your support

potter8668

Chapter 10:

Much to Dumbledore's disappointment the public fallout over the Weasley girl's death was minimal. It didn't even really affect the boy. It did however affect the Malfoy family as the public blamed them for the girl's death. If only the Prophet had published the news, then the boy would be almost begging at his feet for help. Somehow, some way there had to be a way of controlling the boy. It was only a matter of time before he found it.

Once Ginny's death notice was published, Harry refused to discuss it. The letter that she had left for him remained unopened. Harry would have destroyed it if Susan hadn't stopped him. After a long talk between the two of them, he put the letter away and forgot about it.

One week after Ginny's death, Amelia was sworn in as the Minister of Magic. Dumbledore openly opposed her, but with Harry publicly endorsing her, she won by a landslide. Her first act as Minister was to investigate every department within the Ministry. She had just made the first move in the war.

Susan sighed in relief as she exited the floo at Stonehill. She was still amazed over how Harry had taken all of his OWLS and NEWTS in one go. She had done only three OWLS and was exhausted. Thankfully she had only two more to go.

She made her way toward their bedroom. She could hear through the open door Marble playing with Lily, trying to get her to roll over again. The little imp had done the same thing the day before for the first time. Now she thought that it was some new game to play. Susan had never seen Harry look more proud and happy. Anyone would have thought that he had just won the lottery from the look on his face. She was just happy that he had gotten to see it given how busy he had been lately.

Inside the bedroom, Susan began to make herself more comfortable. A quick shower and change of clothes went a long way to help revive her. As she sat in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, a pair of hands touched her shoulders. She tensed for a moment before giving into the magic hands of one Harry Potter. She moaned in appreciation and closed her eyes.

"Rough day?"

"Not any more. Merlin you have the best hands."

Harry chuckled as he continued massaging her shoulders. She hung her head to give him better access to her neck. Several minutes later all the tension left Susan's body. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and go to sleep.

"Susan?"

"Hum?"

"Care to join me for dinner?"

"Dinner?"

"Yeah. I thought that since Amelia's going to be late and Lily's with Marble that we could have a quiet dinner together. Just the two of us."

Susan cracked an eye open. Sure enough a small table was set up in their bedroom. Dewey was standing nearby, ready to serve. Standing, she went up to Harry and gently kissed him on the lips.

"I'd love to."

Offering her his arm, he said cheekily, "M'Lady."

"Prat."

As Harry and Susan ate their quiet dinner, Voldemort called his followers together for a meeting.

"My loyal Deatheaters."

"Master." answered several.

"Amelia Bones has declared war on us. She must be eliminated. Thanks to our loyal goblin follower, I know where she is hiding. With her is none other than the bane of my existence, Harry Potter."

Lucius Malfoy stepped forward. "What would you like us to do Master?"

Harry sat in his classroom. It had been a week since Susan had finished her OWLS. Now she was working on the wedding. All agreed that it was to be a small one, due to the threat from both Dumbledore and Voldemort. He wished it were over already. Not that he was regretting his marrying Susan but he could deal without all the drama. Must be a male thing. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Neville.

"Sorry to interrupt, Professor."

"No problem, Neville. What can I do for you?"

"Nothing related to school."

"Then call me Harry, Nev."

Instead of saying anything, Neville handed him a rolled parchment, tied with a gold ribbon.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

Harry untied the ribbon and unrolled the scroll. Inside held a pleasant surprise.

'Lord Potter, heir to the Dukedom of Gryffindor & Lady Bones are cordially invited to attend a ball at the Longbottom estate to honor the joining of Neville, Heir to Lord Longbottom and Ms. Hannah Abbott on Saturday evening at eight.'

"Nev?"

"Harry, I don't have a brother. I want you to stand by me as if you were. My grandmother agrees and approves."

"Stand by you?"

Neville blushed. "It's not a betrothal. Hannah and I will be married by the end of the night. I want you to be my support for that."

"I'd be honored to Nev. Tell me what I need to do."

Saturday proved to be a very busy day at Stonehill. Susan left early to go to Hannah's home and help her with several details for the Ball. Harry was going to pick her up there. Amelia spent the day in her private study catching up on some paperwork so that she could enjoy herself later at the Ball.

Harry got to spend the entire day with his number one lady, Lily. Despite the fact that they had to stay within the confines of Stonehill, the two of them explored to their hearts content. Lily who now held her head high while in her father's arms showed Harry the wonder of the world around him by seeing the joy and surprise in her expressions. There were many firsts that day. Her first horse ride, with Harry holding her while walking beside her. Her first butterfly. Her first taste of something sour, causing her father to laugh at her facial expression. But the best was her first word, at least Harry thought so since it wasn't too legible.

So after a full day, Lily went down for the night quickly and quietly. That gave Harry plenty of time to ready himself for the Ball. Amelia had already left and Harry went to the Abbott's home to pick up Susan.

Little did he know that his night would be very long and would not be by choice.

While Harry and Susan were heading towards the Ball, Lucius Malfoy was readying his troops for the invasion of the Bones' home. He had no idea that the family was gone for the night. Of the Deatheaters that had been invited found that they couldn't discuss it with someone that hadn't been invited. An extra security measure for everyone involved.

The goblin traitor had sent some of his clan members to help bring down the ancient wards. Soon chaos would reign supreme.

The ceremony had gone off without a hitch. The happy couple were busy thanking those that had attended and for their gifts. Harry was dancing with Amelia, when she suddenly stiffened.

"What? Is something the matter?"

"Stonehill has been breached."

Harry stared at her for a split second before running towards the exit. His one thought was on Lily.

The moment he was outside the wards of Longbottom Manor, Harry apparated to Stonehill. A crack behind him had him moving quickly and training his wand on whomever just arrived. He lowered only slightly as he saw that it was Amelia, Susan, Neville, and more of those that had been in the D.A.

Inside the stone home the group found several house elf bodies, all dead.

"They protected the house and died doing so." murmured Amelia.

Harry didn't answer. He ran towards Lily's room. The door was off its hinges. Neither Lily nor Marble was anywhere to be found.

Susan had arrived just after Harry had. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw the room's destruction. Trying to give Harry some hope she started rubbing his back and said "Maybe they escaped?"

Harry looked at her with tears streaming down his face. He literally fell on her and sobbed.

Amelia came up slowly behind them. She looked Susan in the eye. Something in that look gave Susan pause.

"What is it Auntie?"

Harry composed himself and stood straight. Now was not the time for a breakdown. Lily was alive. He could feel that. Scared but alive. He too saw Amelia's look.

"What?"

"According to the recording charms, Deatheaters invaded the house."

"But how? What about the wards?"

"That's just it. Goblins helped to bring them down."

A look of pure fury settled itself on Harry's face. He said nothing as he strode back downstairs and to the main floo in the house. His 'students' looked on in fear. None of them wanted to be the one that Harry Potter was mad at.

Harry threw a handful of floo powder into the flames, stepped into the fireplace and yelled "Gringotts!"

Voldemort was waiting impatiently for his followers to return from their mission. He wanted either the boy's brat or woman. He didn't care which. Either one could be used to draw the boy out so that he could kill him.

Several apparation pops were heard. A smaller group than the one that had left walked into the main room.

"Where is my hostage Lucius?"

"There are none. We were betrayed my Lord."

"Betrayed! By whom?"

"The goblin."

"How?"

"Apparently he wanted Potter's nanny, who is also a goblin. He took both her and the child. Potter, his slut and Bones were not there. I have no idea where they are at."

Voldemort was furious. His plan was another failure. All because he trusted a goblin. Well no more.

"I am most displeased Lucius. Crucio!"

Voldemort kept the spell on the scion of the Malfoy family for over an hour. By the time Voldemort removed the spell, Lucius was unresponsive and drooling.

"Remove him." Stated Voldemort as he sat at a nearby table to eat his late dinner.

Two fellow Deatheaters came forward and dragged the body out of the room. One pulled his wand and cast several spells at Lucius' body before pulling out a rock and tapping it three times. Getting a grip on Lucius' arm the masked man said while tapping his heels together "There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

With the last phrase the two men disappeared into the night.

Harry reached the main lobby of Gringotts. He strode purposely towards a nearby teller. Several people got out of his way in fear.

"Name and nature of business." asked the goblin without looking up.

"Lord Harry James Potter-Black and destruction of the goblins who helped Voldemort invade my home, kidnapping my daughter and her nanny, who is also a goblin!"

That got the teller's attention. He looked up and literally saw his death in the wizard's eyes.

"I do not know what you are talking about Lord Potter-Black. But I will find out. Excuse me."

But Harry reached out and grabbed him before he could get away.

"Send someone else! You're staying here until they return. Understand?"

"Y..Ye…Yes sir!" The goblin motioned one of the guards over. In Gobbledygook the teller told the guard the entire exchange. The guard wasn't stupid. If this were true then a war was sure to break out. The poor goblin practically ran to the leader's wing, hoping that he could prevent annihilation of them all.

While they were waiting Susan, Amelia, Neville, and Hannah arrived. Susan wasn't too surprised to see Harry holding a goblin by the scruff of the neck, high in the air. The fact that the goblin was turning a deep shade of blue set her in motion.

"Harry loosen you grip a little. A dead hostage isn't all that valuable."

The goblin looked relieved and terrified at the same time. Many of the patrons noted Amelia's presence and the fact that she didn't stop the boy-who-lived. To them that was confirmation of what the boy had said. Murmurs began almost immediately.

Into the murmuring came the leader of the Goblin nation, Ragnarok. Beside him was his son Smelter. Slightly behind them were Bellock and Hammerthorn, both looking bewildered.

"Lord Potter-Black if you will let my employee go I will personally be your hostage until this matter is resolved."

Harry didn't even look their way as he slowly nodded his agreement. The poor teller, once his feet were firmly back on the ground, promptly fainted.

Calling one of his aides over, Ragnarok ordered him to see to the teller.

"Lord Potter-Black if you would follow me, we can discuss your grievance in a more private setting."

Harry said nothing. Just indicated that he would follow. No one stopped Susan, Amelia, Neville, or Hannah from following as well. Those in the lobby were dying to know what had happened and what was going to happen.

Inside Ragnarok's office Harry started pacing right away. Not even Susan could calm him down. No one else even tried.

"I want some answers and I want them NOW!"

"I know Lord Potter-Black and I will try to give them to you."

Harry simply growled.

Susan however answered. "That means 'go ahead' in testosterone."

"I suspected a traitor to our nation during the first war. However when you defeated Voldemort, I couldn't gather the evidence that I needed to make an accusation."

"Now you know who it is?" asked Amelia.

"Yes, unfortunately I do. My son Onyx."

"Your son?"

"He left tonight with ten of those that are loyal only to him. They were the ones that brought down your wards Madam Bones."

"Where are they?"

"In the deep caverns."

"Tell me how to get there!"

"I will do better than that. I will lead you there myself."

An hour later the unusual group arrived in the deep caverns. There seemed to be some sort of celebration going on. It was the bellow from Ragnarok that silenced the crowd except for the sobbing coming from Marble.

Susan ignored everyone as she rushed over to help the female goblin. Broken, bruised, and scared, Marble held on to her for dear life. A new anger entered Harry. He wanted vengeance and revenge and wanted it now.

"What is going on!" shouted Ragnarok.

"Welcome Father. As for what is going on it is a celebration."

"Celebration of what?"

"My marriage of course."

Bellock growled. "To whom?"

Onyx gave him an oily smile. "To your sibling of course. Did you really think that selling her to that human would stop me from my rightful property?"

"She isn't property!" growled Harry.

"Of course she is. She is a female. That is all that females are."

Ragnarok's guard stopped both Harry and Bellock from attacking the arrogant goblin. He was just as angry. It was the tone of his voice that stopped all the others in the room.

"You are no longer my son. You have forgotten all of the teachings of your ancestors. As your Leader I order you to leave these caverns and never return. Your wives and family will be given to another in hopes of raising your offspring better."

"I don't think so, 'Father'. In fact I think that your reign is about over. A new wave of Goblin justice will soon be felt by all."

Ragnarok snorted. "You have no power here. Now leave!"

Instead of leaving the younger goblin drew his blade. Most of the guards armed themselves. No one but Harry saw the dagger. A dagger that had been dipped in poison specifically for Goblins, aimed at Ragnarok's back.

"WATCH OUT!"

Ragnarok turned just in time. The dagger entered his guard's chest instead of into his back. The look of surprise on his face followed the warrior in death.

Seeing that his dagger had failed, Onyx charged…..

Only to have his sword countered by Harry, who had called the Sword of Gryffindor.

"Oh, I get to play first. Very well then human. Do your best."

Harry said nothing. He simply countered every move that Onyx executed. After ten minutes everyone else could see that the goblin was getting frustrated and was starting to lash out more and more.

Harry waited another fifteen minutes before getting the advantage and delivered the death blow. Only Onyx didn't know it yet. Blood steadily poured from the wound. The other Goblins simply waited for Onyx to collapse.

Onyx realized that the human had won the fight. With his last breathe he taunted the Wizard.

"Good luck in finding the girl."

Harry grabbed the front of Onyx's armor. "WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER!"

The dying goblin just grinned and stilled. Harry threw the body to the ground.

"Master?" whispered Marble.

Harry went over and knelt down to her.

"He gave Lily to the Headmaster."

Albus Dumbledore rushed towards the hospital wing after being alerted of Severus' return with an injured Lucius Malfoy. He had barely gotten back from dropping off Harry's daughter at the Weasley home. Molly had taken to the little girl immediately. She had even called her 'Ginny'. Trusting the mother of such a large brood with the child, he left the Burrow and returned to Hogwarts. He hadn't even sat down at his desk when the Wards went off. He timed his arrival perfectly.

"Severus what has happened?"

"The Dark Lord used Crucio on Lucius for over an hour."

"Why?"

"It seems that Lucius was to retrieve a hostage with a group of subordinates. They returned empty handed and with half the group."

"Whom did they go after?"

"The Bones residence. He was after the child or the girl."

Arthur Weasley tried to be an honest and honorable man. That he had been used by someone that he had looked up to and another whom he thought he loved was a hard blow to the gentle man. If he had known about Harry's previous betrothal he would have never allowed the one with Ginny to be presented.

As he walked towards his home a sigh escaped his lips. Now thanks to Molly's insistence and Dumbledore's meddling Harry no longer came to the Burrow. His friendship with Ron was completely gone. Not that Ron didn't deserve it. The boy was not taking to being expelled from Hogwarts very well. That was something that he was going to work on.

But the biggest blow had been Ginny's suicide. No one expected that. He knew that she wasn't happy with young Malfoy, but he never would have thought that she would end her own life instead of embracing what had been given her and living to the fullest. The death of their only daughter had hit Molly especially hard. She wasn't in her right mind anymore.

As he reached the door, Arthur was surprised to hear humming coming from the kitchen area. Puzzled he opened the door.

There sat Molly holding a baby.

"Molly?"

Molly looked up at him surprised and smiling.

"Oh Arthur. Come look at Ginny."

"Ginny?"

"Yes. An angel came here and gave her to me. He told me that she was Ginny reborn and to raise her to be a proper witch."

Alarm bells went off in Arthur's head.

"Mollywobbles?"

"Umm?"

"Did this angel have a name?"

"No. He looked old and had a long white beard. But I could see that it was just a disguise. He was young and very powerful."

Without a doubt Arthur knew that Molly's 'angel' was Albus Dumbledore. He moved closer and got a good look at the baby. Eyes wide opened he saw the emerald green that could only mean one thing.

This baby belonged to Harry Potter. A very angry Harry Potter.

Harry was all set to charge Hogwarts and rip Dumbledore a new one. Amelia and Susan stopped him. He hadn't stopped growling since.

"ENOUGH Harry. I know you want to get Lily! But we need a plan before you hurt the old man." stated Amelia.

Harry nodded roughly and closed his eyes. He forced himself to become calm. When he thought that he could keep control of himself, he opened his eyes.

Amelia nodded in agreement.

"Lord Potter-Black."

"Yes, Leader Ragnarok?"

"As the winner of a duel in our society, you receive everything that the loser owned."

A look of horror crossed Harry's face. "What does that mean exactly?"

"All of Onyx's women, children and lower warriors are now yours as your slaves.'

"That's what I thought." muttered Harry. He began pacing until an idea struck him.

"Leader Ragnarok?"

"Yes Lord Potter-Black?"

"Can I turn them over to someone else?"

"That is permissible. What did you have in mind?"

Harry didn't answer that question as he knelt down to Marble's level.

"Marble?"

"Yes Master?"

"Do you wish to stay in my service?"

A tearful nod answered his question.

"Then you shall."

"Thank you master but…"

"Yes?"

"What if there is a child?" she whispered.

It took a moment for Harry to process that question. A look of pure fury filled his face. He wanted nothing more than to kill Onyx all over again.

"If there is and if you want ,I will claim it as my own."

Marble's head shot up in surprise. She never would have guessed that her Master would offer such a thing. She surprised Harry by throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly.

"Thank you Master."

Harry stood up again and faced the rest of the group. Susan had a smile on her face. She must have heard his offer.

"Leader Ragnarok, I wish to give all spoils of combat, except the female goblin, Marble to Bellock."

"Agreeable."

"Also if Marble does have a child I have offered to claim the child as my own. When it is old enough I would like it to return here and learn the ways of its people from you."

Surprise lit the eyes of the goblins. Here was a wizard who was honoring them and their way of life.

"Agreed, Lord Potter-Black. Is there anything that the Goblin nation can do for you in return for this generous offer?"

"As a matter of fact there is."

Susan returned to Stonehill with an entire company of Aurors. Harry and her aunt had refused to even let her think about returning unless she had some protection. Her main goal was to pack as much as she could and meet Harry at Hogwarts. Granted it was the last place that either of them wanted to be but the castle did offer the best protection available at the moment. Her aunt would join them in a day or two.

"Alright people lets get cracking."

Harry's feet had barely touched the ground before he was moving towards the castle. Trying to keep up were Amelia and another company of her Aurors. He burst through the main doors and ran to the grand staircase. The rest caught up with him while he waited for the staircase to change.

"Come on! Hurry Up! Move you stupid piece of masonry!" he muttered.

"Calm down Harry. We'll find her." said Amelia.

Harry took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. "I just want her back in my arms."

"I know Harry. I know and she will be very soon. I promise."

The group reached the revolving staircase that led to the Headmaster's office. However Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.

"Amelia, is something the matter?"

"We need to see Albus, Minerva. Now give us the password and let us by."

"He's not in his office. He went to the Hospital wing."

Harry said nothing. He immediately turned and headed towards the hospital wing. Throwing the doors open, he startled everyone in the room that was conscious.

"WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?"

To his credit Dumbledore didn't cringe at the fury in the boy's voice.

"Safe, Mr. Potter. If you will follow me to my office, there we can discuss visitation rights."

"I DON"T THINK SO OLD MAN!"

Much to Snape's amazement Dumbledore chuckled. He always knew that the old man was cracked.

"I hold all the cards my boy. Now you will follow my directions and I will allow you to see your daughter."

Harry just growled. He pointed both his wand and the Sword of Gryffindor.

"I see that you are still being stubborn. Very well the first thing that I require from you is that you dissolve your betrothal to Ms. Bones. It is unfortunate that Ms. Weasley is no longer with us, but I will find you a more suitable witch with which you can raise a proper family. Your daughter will be removed as your heir. I will allow you to help raise her but she will remain where she is for now."

"NO! I REFUSE!"

"Then your darling Lily will be kept from you until you do as I say."

Harry just shook his head back and forth.

"Harry." Amelia called to him from behind. Maneuvering his way to where he could see her and still keep his eye on Dumbledore, Harry nearly dropped his wand and the Sword.

There in the doorway stood Amelia and Arthur Weasley, who was holding a sleeping Lily.