Chapter 40—Where oh where is the lost sheep?
"Dippy, Mipsy!" POP
"Yes Master Harry" they said in unison."
"Collect our stuff from Hogwarts and here and move them to our new place, BUT keep yourselves safe don't take any chances at Hogwarts." I ordered.
"Yes Master Harry." POP…
We told Dan and Emma only to let Amelia in the apartment and if any trouble happened to call Dippy and Mipsy for transport to Hermione's and my new quarters. We flamed away.
Ragnok was happy to take my Galleons and Hermione thought I was crazy at the time but now it was well worth it. The Goblins were noted for gold and greed but most people overlooked the simple fact of who dug out the vaults? Who had a concrete that a Dragon could not dig up or scratch?
The Ministry and Voldemort would of course assume we left England to hide and not be living right under their noses. They would find out we were in England soon enough but right now we wanted to get use to our new quarters while the Gormless were running around.
It was not a large mansion as one would exspect from the very rich. In fact it had only three bedrooms, a living and dinning room. The kitchen was next to the dining room as well as the house elf quarters. Each bedroom had its own bathroom. The swimming pool was just behind the master bedroom and our own private vault which housed a library for Hermione. What Galleons etc we had were moved from my Gringotts vaults and placed in our house vault. The place was furnished from a lot of what was salvaged from Godric Hollows and augmented by the Goblin decorator. It was hard for the Goblins to match the style and quality of that furniture but they did in the end. James and Lilly did not buy cheap but the best woods and china etc.
Yes the Ministry would be hard pressed to find our new house in Godric Hollows as it was directly under the house my parents were killed in. The Ministry had stolen the property as a monument to them. The Goblins had dug out the entire area under the old house and put in a new house and pool leaving the old structure untouched. No one could tell that anything had happened. I was thinking of putting up a sign saying the new residence of the Potters but why push your luck? This was a double slap in their face, we were still in England and had taken back what they took.
Entrance could be found if you knew which tree to look at in the stand of trees that were directly behind the house by a small stream. Ragnok stated I owned enough of the property behind the house to put in a Quittage pitch. We thought a nice little garden hidden behind the trees would be adequate. We explored the stand of trees and found, after a ten minute walk, a walking path that lead to the main street of Godric Hollows. Now we were ready for the fun to start.
~"Paws we need to get out, how about a trip to Hogsmeade Village?"
~"You know its Hogmeade weekend, want to visit our friends?"
~"Yes dear, I miss them."
So we flamed to behind 'The Three Broomsticks' and entered the building with our glamour charms in place. There sitting at a table in the back was Neville, Susan, Luna, and Daphne. We walked up and Luna struck, "Hi Harry, Hermione nice new look."
"Hush you guys before we draw attention" Susan whispered.
"So can we sit down or …" I started.
"Of course, sit and tell us what have you two been doing since you set Fudge and the Ministry on fire?" Daphne asked.
That started the girl talk and I only interrupted when Hermione was going to invite everyone over. No one could know where we lived but I did say, "Right under their noses here in England."
"Harry just watch out for Ron, he is back and I think he is hiding how Barmy he is. Seems they want to help anyone who you didn't get along with. Umbitch is running a concentration camp with Draco as the Head of her SS team. Snape is still Snape but we think he is now Voldemort's spy or something."
"Harry did you hear what the Ministry has been doing since you left?" Susan asked.
"I assume it will make me happy?"
"Auntie told me that the Ministry and the Wizengemot got together and confiscated your vaults. They made a big deal of it in the Profit as justice for a trader. There is also a reward for you I think it up to 10.000.00 Galleons."
"Hell I am worth more than that." I was getting on a good laugh when I spied Draco and four of his minions."
~"Slip out your wand Foxy, I think its going to get noisy in a few."
"Harry watch out for them they are part of Umbitch's SS squad." Luna whispered.
"Well what do we have here with the losers, provide your name now or suffer the consequences." It seemed that Draco was trying to become a little dictator.
"And what piece of crap is asking Mr. Nobody?" I tried a Snape sneer and almost hurt myself.
"You are required to divulge you identity by order of the Ministry of Magic." Draco sneered right back.
"Oh, OK." I dropped my glamour charm and blasted Draco across the room. Hermionne had taken out two and I got the rest. Draco came up ready to fight but I did an 'Accio Draco' straight into my fist. His wand was lost earlier and I gave him a bit of information as he lay bleeding on the floor.
"Tell your Father, the Minister, Umbitch and Snape that I am gunning for them so they had better hide. "Accio Draco's wand" and when it flew into my hands I snapped it. Foxy and I walked out the door but then raced to an alley to flame across town.
"You are becoming quite rude you know, what will all our sixth year friends think?" Hermione giggled.
"While I never liked Dumbledore I also did not like what they did to him. If anyone had that right it was me and I will not let them take anymore from me."
"Shall we see what we caused?"
"Yes Foxy I think that's fair." She dug out a change of clothes and some muggle make-up. Shortly we were down by "The Three Broomsticks" and were watching Aurors racing all around. We spied our group across the street and walked towards them. Luna gave an elbow to Susan and a wink. Susan whispered in the others ears. They had a huge smile on their faces when we walked up.
"Oh you are becoming the trouble makers." Susan whispered. "We said we had no idea who you were until Draco attacked and Auntie chased us out of the place. Fudge and half the Aurors are trying do something that is beyond their capacity, that is find you. Auntie is just off to the side and smiling but the Malfoy's were screaming bloody murder."
We all went to the places a Hogwarts weekend demanded but finally said our goodbyes and said we would keep in touch. I told them to spread the word that my vaults had nothing in them but stale air so the Ministry lost another battle. We returned home and we stated plotting, Foxy liked the idea of a sign but not on the house. We decided on posters for some shops in Diagon alley saying "The Potter's were here". Maybe the Goblins would let us leave one at the bank.
Since Hermione and I were more wanted than Voldemort we gave the Ministry a merry chase. We would show up in Diagon Alley and walk down the street until we got recognized by my face or wand. We would then dash into an alley and flame to Hogsmeade Village and do the same. It didn't take much of the back and forth trips before Fudge had every Auror at his disposal running in circles. The serious part of all this was we never did anything wrong, not like the Deatheaters showing up and killing a dozen people and setting fire to half a dozen stores. This turned out to be a sort of outing were we could enjoy the fun. After making our appearances in a couple of places we put little glamour or muggle make-up on so we could walk down the street watching the Aurors checking wands. When they stopped us we would show our French wands and be on our way.
/Scene Break/
We could not run around all the time causing problems for Fudge and getting into Hogwarts was a no go in human form. We had a small garden growing behind the trees at our place which no one would notice as they are common in the country. So we decided that boredom was not going to rule but what to do? Why cause trouble of course. It started small like in house elves needing something to do. So we ordered up some stuff and between stupid ideas and magic we started to turn out Weasley twin type objects. Even if they were confiscated they would all be stamped with H&H-Srettop-inc.
"You know this is going to get others in trouble." Hermione was rule thinking again.
"And how much trouble do you think they are in now? How much is too much, remember the blood quills?
So the flashing T-shirts that read, "Umbitch is a Toad" were meant to be hidden under students robes and we actually included a warning with each shirt sold. We put together small penlights/lasers that put a light message on the wall away from the sender. They had no end of messages like, "Draco is a poof" or " Toad Umbitch causes warts" and "Fudge is a Toad Lover" was a big hit with the students.
The signs that said "The Potters were here" all had the H&H-Srettop-inc on them as did our other products. There was now a bounty on finding that company especially after we posted several signs at the Ministry.
All this was fine and fun but still showed the Ministries stupidity. They were after us and ready to string us up on the nearest tree, or burn down H&H Srettop-inc and yet the Deatheaters were ignored as they killed and destroyed up and down the country.
/Scene Break/
The fact that no one was seriously dealing with the Deatheaters or Voldemort since his return AGAIN gave us an idea. So when we invited Ragnok over for a meal and wine we asked for his help. He was laughing so bad that we thought he did his shorts.
The Weasley twins were consigned with making Harry Potter and Hermione Potter masks that were as realistic as possible. The Goblins were consigned to make phony wooden sticks that looked like the Deathstick or Wand of Destiny. Each got to sell as many of both that they could. We enlisted some students as a underground sales agent at school. All were with the H&H-Srettop-inc logo and a severe warning to throw the wand and run.
What was astounding was even adults were buying and prancing around in them. The school had no rules against them, nor the ministry but it didn't stop the cayos.
/Scene Break/
At the well known hide out at Riddle manor:
"My Lord I have found what you asked for but I was unable to catch the brat." The Deatheater proudly handed over the wand that the kid threw at him before he ran. The Dark Lord was about to bestow great rewards on his loyal servant when,,,
"My Lord I have found the wand you desired." said the second Deatheater as he entered and kneeled in front of Voldemort with wand held forward with both hands. Neither survived the meeting. As the wands and dead bodies mounted Voldemort called it a day and went to his quarters and got drunk.
/Scene Break/
Hogwarts Defense against the Dark arts classroom:
Madam Umbridge saw the first of brave students entering her classroom and had a Kitten. She grabbed the student and ripped off his mask but in the process the students robe flew open, "Umbitch is a Toad" flashed in her face. The screeching was heard across the castle.
/Scene Break/
The Ministry of Magic Atrium:
Minister Fudge rushed to the Atrium as an Auror had reported that they had captured Harry Potter. As he arrived he saw two Aurors holding Harry Potter by both his arms. With a large smile he approached as the 'floes' lit and three more Harry Potters emerged. Before he could return to his office four more came out of the 'floe' several were Ministry employees.
It seemed that after so many years of "The Boy Who Lived" tales and stories everyone would have liked to be that person even if subconsciously, of course it should not be forgotten the magical way of thinking. Even Arthur Weasley was at home waving the wand of the three brothers.
"I demand that you confiscate every mask and every wand of that Potter brat. I want a full investigation of the H&H-Srettop-inc Company. I want the whole lot of that company arrested and put in Azkaban." Minister Fudge was ranting and never noticed the beetle on one of the Aurors.
While that may have not impressed the Dailey Profit, the statement of one Auror Tonks did, "Ah, you guys know that Srettop is Potter spelled backwards? H&H probably stands for Harry and Hermione." Fudge blew up into almost having a stroke and authorized unforgivable curses to get that Potter scum. That was the Profits best headline in months. "Fudge authorizes unforgivable on Potter as Potter makes Fudge a fool, AGAIN!"
/Scene Break/
"Foxy? What do you want to do? It's been fun making a fool out of Fudge but its getting old. The studying and practicing curses and spells I could do with out, so what do we do?"
"So Paws wants a vacation?"
"That's a fabulous idea, tour the continent!"
"Only if you take time out to work with tutors while we travel." Foxy shot back.
"So you want it to be a long vacation?" AND it was!
Off to Germany and directly, via the autobahn at a hundred and fifty miles an hour, to see IDSTEINER HEXE (witches) in Kyffh, Kameradschaft. Back to Frankfurt for what seemed like ages because Foxy demanded tutors and training. During our stay and training, which turned out to be hard work, we learned about the country and Foxy just had to take a tour when training was done.
/Scene Break/
Hermione finally released me from training and now just had to take the tour down the Romantische Strasse (Romantic Street). So we left Frankfurt via train and started the tour in Wurzburg and castle hopped down to Garmisch-PartenKirchen after doubling back to Neuschwanstein Castle we saw where we saw a castle built hundreds of years ago.
"Harry, Harry Potter!" yelled someone in the crown outside the castle. "John MacTavish, Wizard International, got a minute of a couple of questions?"
We were leaving Germany anyhow so I waved for the camera and told them I was having a great time on vacation in Germany. I threw in a couple of "I hope Fudge has caught Voldemort by now" and of course "I seriously doubt I will be coming back to take sides in the war".
/Scene Break/
We traveled thru Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, up though Belgium and into Holland it was well worth each stop on our vacation. I got my picture in the paper in each country with a smile and a wave. We knew that we would have to join the war in England but what could two people do? The papers showed Voldemort was waging war on muggles across England and Fudge was only worried about keeping his job. I had enough tutors to start my own school. I was trained in hand to hand combat and swords. The magical training was interesting, it wasn't how many spells or curses you knew or could do but how they were applied. Each country and tutor added to my diversity in combat and dueling.
/Scene Break/
We finally came back to Jolly old England which was quite dreary and glum, Voldemort had made it that way.
Umbitch and Fudge had started where Gellert Grindelwald and crew had been stopped. Hogwarts had been turned into a SS training centre and Fudge had started his own military which he named the "Ministry Guiders". Taxes were raised on all shops and a private tax was put in on individuals, taxes were higher for Muggle born. The Potters were now wanted for tax evasion.
/Scene Break/
As unforgivable curses flew in Diagon alley, flames followed accented by screams. Deatheaters killed and destroyed and Ministry Guiders or not, nothing was stopping Voldemort. It was quite the death and mayhem street, Voldemort actually posed for pictures as he destroyed "The Magical Instruments Shop". By now the public were screaming and started a huge call for "The Chosen One" or "The Deadly Twin" neither answered the call. Fudge declared 'Marshal Law' so now he couldn't be fired.
Paws and Foxy did get into a few fights but we just made appearances to aggravate Fudge and let everyone 'The Potters' were still around.
/Scene Break/
Then suddenly there was a media blitz:
Harry Potter call 020-7219-6345 there even was an airplane carting a banner with that information flying over magical areas of England.
"Foxy? What do you think, are the magical that smart or is this for real?"
"Only one way to find out, there is a call box just down the road."
The first problem was the call box required Her Majesty's coin of the realm. We lucked out as Godric Hollow was a magical town so those shops that dealt with magic and mundane could help. We cashed in some of Her Majesty's paper for coin and proceeded to a call box that was to our liking. I dropped the coins in the slot and dialed, the response was quite spectacular.
"If you are not Harry Potter you will be arrested and confined under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. If you are Harry Potter we have traced this call and Her Majesty's Service representatives will arrive shortly to talk with you. Please do not leave the area this is very important. The people arriving will mean you no harm. The recording was looping and started again. Hermione and I left the box and crossed the street to see what would happen.
"Dam unusual, I think we should flame out of here if anybody starts popping in, if this is Her Majesty's people they should be mundane not magical." I was not sure in what I was saying as this didn't seem real.
"You are probably spot-on; let's see what shows up Paws."
"Always by my side my Foxy Fox."