Back to the Dursleys
Harry had a good dream. He dreamed that he was in a forest surrounded by animals who lived peacefully together. Harmony was in the air. But then everything turned dark. Rain fell from the black sky. He felt cold. Like loosing everything he had. Just when he thought that this was the end fire surrounded him. It chased the darkness away and Harry felt sleepy. Just as his eyes closed he saw a figure walking towards him. The long hair was red. Nearly scarlet.
Harry sat up. He saw the familiar white walls and let himself fall back into the cushion again.
He was in the hospital wing. He looked to the right where he could see the Weasleys surrounding Ginny's bed.
"Harry!" Mrs Weasley pulled him into tight hug. "Thank you for saving my daughter."
He looked at all the faces. Even Percy had tears in his eyes. "Did we all make it?" He asked weakly.
Neville, sitting on the other side of Harry's bed nodded. "You did. Erik's team got there first and broke into the chamber. All of you were unconscious. Ginny was lying crying on you. We had to give her a strong potion so she would finally sleep after hours of crying."
"Finally? How long was I..." Harry began. "Three weeks." Was the answer from the next bed. Erik had sat up and had Catherine helping him into his dress uniform. "The term is about to end next week but Professor Dumbledore said he would make an announcement this evening."
Harry tried to relax. So much action was tiring. Erik smiled as he and Catherine left the wing.
She pecked him on the lips as they took the stairs down to the great hall.
"How's CAT3 doing?" Erik asked. "She is coping. First Public signs have been visible so the next step is on. We will spent the holidays with her. Doing some training while their family is in Egypt. You are to go back and keep an eye on Mr Potter." Catherine replied.
The afternoon Harry had healed enough that he could go to the headmaster to talk about the events. Erik was there, too.
"Ah, Mr Potter. Come in. Mr Winston has already told me the tale of the chamber and your heroics.
To think that this nasty little thing was responsible for all this." Dumbledore looked at the diary. The hole where the laser bolt hat hit was a clean punch-through. "Harry. I had a long talk and we decided that it is time for you to step up to take your parent's Heritage." "We?" Harry asked confused." Dumbledore simply smiled and pulled out a painting. Harry nearly fainted when he saw the occupants of it. Residing on a couch, locked into an arm-wrestle-match were his parents. James and Lily Potter. "Mum, Dad?" "Darling, we have so much to talk to you to. But that will have to wait until you are at home. For now all you need to know is that you have a lot more than you believe to have. Go to Gringotts. Ask for the Potters. Albus will arrange everything for you."
Just then Albus let the painting disappear behind his desk again. Harry was about to protest he wanted to talk to his parents, when the door was kicked in. A fuming Lucius Malfoy stormed in followed by his obedient house elf Dobby.
"What is this. I remember that the school council dismissed you." he seethed.
Dumbledore only giggle amused. "Seems like the other school governors saw it the other way. Was like flying though a hailstorm when their owls got to me. After the assumed murder of Arthur Weasley's daughter they decided that I was the best to deal with the problem."
"And, did you find the culprit?" Malfoy sneered.
"Indeed we did." Erik answered. "This small diary contained a part of Tom Riddle's memory. The part of the first incident concerning the chamber of secrets. It was smuggled into the hands of Ginevra Weasley who fell victim to the residing memory."
"It was you, wasn't it? When You dropped that school book, you put the diary into it, didn't you?" Harry concluded. "Prove it." Malfoy hissed.
Erik leaned back. "Oh, we could. We muggles have our way to find invisible evidence like fingerprints and DNA. We got so far that we could determine that the book resided along time in the area around Wiltshire. The Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office is already investigating."
Lucius was beyond furious when he stormed out of the office. Harry heard Dobby's screams of pain until an idea formed in his head. "Headmaster? Could I return this diary to Mr Malfoy?"
As the boy ran out Erik let out a laugh. "Now back to the other things. You are sure I should do that?" he asked. "Consider it a cover for your further work. If everything goes like that vision he will need it soon." the wise old man said. "Hopefully." Erik packed the portrait of the Potters into a special suitcase and went down to the great hall for the feast.
Later the day everyone was back in the great hall. Professor Sprout and Professor Snape had brewed a mandrake root potion to wake the petrified and had applied it to everyone. Everyone chatted among themselves apart from a small group of Hardliner Slytherins. Professor Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat to get attention.
"An again a year has passed. Despite the odds we have overcome the latest threat to this school. I thank everyone involved." He send a knowing look towards Ron and Harry.
"And as a little present the exams have been canceled."
The remaining school year rushed past them. DADA was taken over by Erik and his team who had to gain a position against the Slytherins.
His very first lesson was that there wasn't anything like dark or light.
"Imagine it like this:" He placed two bullets on his desk. "This one represents the dark arts and this the light arts." The two different bullet types were a good metaphor as the difference in effect and so on made the picture easy. "However both can be fired by the same weapon." He placed his pistol on the desk. "It's like wand. You can't say which attack was a dark one and a light one. What counts are the intentions for the action."
He presented them several cases where a curse that is considered dark was the only way to survive.
"Imagine your closest friend is held hostage by a killer. The only way to save your friend is the killing curse. Now would you do it? Kill someone to save another?" He looked into the round. Only two had their hands up. "Mr Potter?" "Yes, I would do it."
"Right answer. A friend of mine once said: Those who break the rules are trash but those who leave someone behind are even lower than trash. Class dismissed."
Just as they stood up and began leaving the room the school bell announced the end of the lesson.
Finally it was the last day. Everyone converged to the train that would take them back to London.
Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Erik and Catherine were sharing a compartment.
"You know somehow I missed it." Erik said. "Miss what?" "School. One of the most wonderful times you have in life."
They shared a laugh and played a few rounds of Exploding Snap. "Oh, Harry. I have your painting. You are welcomed to visit it by the way. And I already told the Durleys they don't need to get you. I'll drive. We have to go somewhere else first anyway."
They stopped int front of a pub. The leaking cauldron. They went directly to Gringotts.
A teller greeted them. "What can I do for you?" "Mister Goblin, We'd like to speak with the overseer, if he has time to spare for us. It concerns the Heritage of the Potters." Erik explained.
The goblin was impressed. Normally wizards demanded to get what they want but this one, even a muggle asked them for permission to talk to them.
"Follow me." he told them. He led them into a room and closed the door. "I am Overseer Frostbite. Mr Dumbledore had kindly informed me about the process."
He took out a parchment. "I first need to verify that you are indeed Mr Harry James Potter. In the same run this parchment will verify if you have the right to claim the lordship of the Potters."
With a small needle Harry cut his finger and let a few drops fall down before healing it with a simple spell.
The parchment glowed blue. "Your identity has been verified." Frostbite said as he snapped with his fingers. Two large packs of parchments appeared on the table. "These are all the forms concerning your belongings."
He shoved one pack to the side. "These are all investments in companies both in the wizarding and the muggle world. I believe that it is in your consent that we leave these businesses as your parents set them up?" Harry nodded. He was still tried to digest the revelation.
"You have now full access to the Potter vaults. A summary of all your belongings will be sent to you in the following days." Harry had regained enough sense to change that. "No. My relatives will try to take that from me. I'd like to place Mr Erik Winston as my representative in this case. All files are to be sent to him."
"Very well. Then we need to grant him the power of attorney." Frostbite pulled a sheet out and placed it in front of them with a blood quill. "This is a very important document. You need to sign these with blood." Said done. Harry received a magic purse which had direct access to the vault. It was encoded with his blood so only he could take something out. There was also a special compartment for foreign currency with a small paper to choose them. He also received a credit card which would always be accepted and always book the right currency.
As they left Erik thanked Harry for the trust he placed in him. "No need to thank. You have proven to be a great friend. In fact I consider you my only friend among the adults. Sure there are the Weasleys but they don't have the experience in both the wizarding and the muggle world." Harry explained during the drive. He looked at his palm where the seal of lords could be seen.
Unknown to them four females entered Gringotts after them. "We'd like to see overseer Frostbite if he is free. It concerns the lordship of phoenix."
The HMMWV stopped on the driveway as Erik opened the trunk to help Harry carry his luggage into the house. Vernon wasn't at home but both Petunia and Dudley greeted them.
Turned out that Dudley had found Harry's old potions book and had tried experimenting. He really liked it and Petunia supported him. They kept it secret from Vernon faking interest in chemistry for the man.
The next day when Vernon took Dudley to an unofficial internship at his company Petunia and Harry went over to Erik's house. In the living room was the painting of the Potters. Erik had left the two alone while they talked about everything.
In the end Petunia decided to demand a divorce. Harry had agreed to support her and Erik helped with filling the papers needed.
The hearing concerning who would take Dudley was in the middle of July. Erik had agreed to Represent the Evans as Petunia retook her maiden name.
The main argument was Vernon's violent temper. Both Dudley and Harry testified in that matter.
When Vernon's lawyer played the education and finance card they were sure they had won. However Erik mentioned that Lily Potter, Petunia's sister had left her with enough money to live until she found a job.
Vernon decided to talk by himself and mentioned the private school Harry went to and that that level of education was unknown. Erik handled that part quite well as he corrected the judge that Harry had nothing to do with the decision where Dudley would grow up. Finally he argued that the choice should be up to Dudley as both parents could provide him with a great future.
Vernon slipped like Erik had intended him to do as he exploded an insulted half of the court.
After decision Erik stood up again. "Sir, do I have permission to speak informally?" "Permission granted." Erik turned to Vernon. "Mr Dursley. We live directly across the street. Consider yourself lucky Miss Evans allows you to see your son. Right now about 1138 rules keep me from killing you but if you threaten them or take an attempt to retake your son. I might overlook the remaining two rules that keep you alive."
Since then the two Evans lived with Erik. It was a temporary arrangement as his team was away.
Petunia took care of the household especially since the break-out of Sirius Black out of Azkaban.
Erik looked at the files and decided to keep quiet about him.
Suddenly Harry and Dudley crashed through the door. "What's the rush?" "Marge."
They ran through the house to the garden and hid there just as a strong knocking at the door got Petunia's attention.
"'Tunia, darling. Let me in."
Petunia opened the door a little to look out but had it still closed enough to keep her ex-sister-in-law out.
"Let me in. I want to talk."
"But I don't." Erik said with authority. "This is my house. I don't wish you to enter here. Just for your information. Leave them alone!" He stressed the last three words.
The train ride was not eventful. The golden trio, Erik and Ginny shared a compartment with a sleeping teacher. Harry was surprised that the trunk Ginny carried was so heavy. It had taken Erik's help to get it up into the holder.
Somewhere in the middle of the journey the train stopped. It got really cold and the lights flickered. Two light sources were lit. One was Erik's helmet, the other was a fire burning in the hand of the teacher. "May I introduce myself, Remus Lupin." Just then the compartment door opened and a sinister cloaked figure hovered in.
Harry heard voices. "No, not Harry!" But these were light. Something silver rushed past him and pushed the dementor out. It flew away but from the other side another came in.
"No one hides Sirius Black below his robes." He heard Lupin shout. The dementor ignored them and went close to Harry. A red light filled the compartment as the dementor fell down as dust. Harry just saw fire as the darkness claimed him.
Slowly he woke up. "Finally. We reach Hogwarts in five." Erik said. Harry pushed himself up. Looking back he blushed as he noticed that the comfortable cushion he lied on was Ginny's lap.
"Sorry." Now it was her turn to blush. "No problem Harry."
They looked into each other's eyes until Ron broke them up. "We're there."
At the welcoming feast Dumbledore not only mentioned the usual restrictions, but also warned them of Sirius Black. "Dementors are guarding the borders. They will not listen to reason. For protection on the school grounds Hogwarts we have two well known friends: Catherine Pierce and Erik Winston. Additionally I want to introduce our new teacher for defense against the dark arts: Professor Remus Lupin."
The next day Erik's only outside duty was to guard the third year class for Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid introduced them to hippogriffs.
Harry made an outstanding performance of getting familiar with one and even got to ride it. The whole class made it fine, apart from Malfoy, who tried to use his arrogance against Buckbeak. The hippogriff Harry got familiar with.
Buckbeak slashed him with his talons. Thankfully Erik was immediately there with his first-aid kit and fixed Malfoy up.
"It... it attacked me! That filthy creature dared to attack me." Malfoy stuttered.
"Stick it, Malfoy. If you would have followed Professor Hagrid's instructions there wouldn't have been problems. You insulted the animal. I have everything recorded." Erik tapped his helmet as Hagrid hauled Malfoy up in a fireman-carry.
The remaining class helped to get the hippogriffs back to their stalls before they returned.
They all even Slytherins shook their heads. If being an idiot would be rewarded, Malfoy would win for sure.