Chapter 3 –How many days till Hogwarts?
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The next morning at breakfast the war of wills continue. I had dished up a herring for Tiger and was about half way through breakfast myself when Molly decided to issue chores. When it got to me, "Harry you and Ginny take the dinning room and…"
"Nope, not happening." I notice Remus scrunched up in anticipation of the Molly blow out.
"You listen here young man when…"
"I'll be in my room studying I do not wish to be disturbed."
Molly whipped out her wand and found herself immobilized. "Release me this instant I am going to give you such a hide tanning that…"
"Silence charms do work quite well, don't you think? As I said I will be studying in my room and do not wish to be disturbed. Enter at your own risk." I almost started laughing when I saw the slack jaws on the twins.
I was heavily into my rune text when my door was opened and Dumbledore walked in only to find himself covered in water, red dye water.
"I told that lot of imbeciles I did not want to be disturbed, now get out."
"Harry was this really called for?"
"Go away I'm not interested."
"Your attitude is not going to be allowed to continue." Dumbledore had lost his twinkle.
"Going to what? Seal my vaults, not tell me about lordship training or are you going to return me to the Dursley's. No I don't think you have much to barging with, get out, this is my house and you are just about ready to be declared a trespasser."
To my surprise Dumbledore left.
The next morning I was still trying to figure a way to either get confined to my room or go to my room without being disturbed. Molly Weasley cured my problem at breakfast or I should say the lack of breakfast.
"You young man will not be receiving anything to eat until you do your chores…"
While I am sure her rant would continue I turned to Remus and said, "Remus please insure that this cretin is removed from this house by the time I have returned from breakfast. She is the domestic here not I." I turned and walked out the door and headed quickly out the fount door. I hit it with as sealing charm and ran down the street till I could find a private spot. I flamed to the Ministry of Magic for my testing on Runes, Tiger seemed happy to be gone from that house as much as I was. Lea was grumbling over all the free food that was left behind.
Testing went well as far as I could tell and my results would be forwarded to Hogwarts by start of term. After a casual lunch I headed to Daphne's with more on my mind that kissing. I found the Mr. Greengrass had been busier than expected and a contract lay on his desk.
"I think a lot of people have underestimated you Lord Potter. It's quite the feat to get emancipated this early and not have it all over the papers."
"Please keep it under your hat as I am in a spitting war with Dumbledore and his herd of idiots. Right now I would like to read through this contract." It was quite simple and straight forward so I signed it. I took back my copy of the emancipation and requested to see Daphne.
"That is not required since you signed that contract. You and she are now engaged. I just hope you know what you bit off as she is a bit strong willed."
/Scene Break/
"Daphne I was wondering if you would be interested in becoming an animagus?"
"Funny man you have been talking to my father no doubt?"
"Err, no, not about this."
"He should know I have been getting the ingredance for the reveling potion from his busness warehouses. I am brewing it right now, the potion should be ready by the end of the week."
"Great as I have something to show you and you will see its benefits immediately." I transformed.
"That means we can go anywhere any time we want even while at Hogwarts." There appeared to be a bit of a rule breaker in Daphne.
"Yes and I will have the time for you. I have or will be giving up Potions, DADA and Quittage.
Meanwhile Tiger had wormed her way to Daphne's lap for a petting which Daphne was absent mindedly doing.
I thought it was a good joke at the time, "Tiger if you please." Tiger transformed and Daphne fainted.
/Scene Break/
I spent the night in Godric's Hollow and took breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron. I used the 'floo' to return to Grimmauld Place. The reception was noisy as expected. I looked at Remus and just shook my head, "You sold out to Dumbledork as I see the domestic is still here." Remus just shook his head and left the room.
"You can't be insulting the Headmaster like that…" I cut off Hermione
"Who, Dumbledork my warden and keeper of the keys?"
"He's only trying to protect you." Hermione retorted.
"Oh can it Hermione it's getting boring to say the least. When are you going to admit that Dumbledork is a control freak?"
"Haven't I been your friend long enough? You should tell us where you have been and what was so important to worry everyone."
"Isn't going to work any more Hermione as I will tell you what I want to tell you not because you keep asking."
"But Dumbledore said you had a prophesy to tell us." Ron whined.
I just shook my head and went to my room as the big cheese would be told of my return and would have words for me.
Dumbledore entered my room looking none to happy. "Where were you Harry?"
"None of your business I am not at school at this time Headmaster."
"This attitude of yours must stop Harry."
"Then invite Voldemort over for tea as I have nothing better to do and I'm sure he is the only one that will change my attitude."
"I am afraid I am going to have to restrict you to your room. We cannot have you indangering yourself by running all over London. I am your guardian and must be obeyed." He turned and started to leave but I got in a dig before he left.
"Locked in my room and not allowed food, just like the Dursley's. Nice prison you run Old Man." Inside I was jumping for joy as I got what I wanted.
The door closed and I heard and felt the door being sealed magically. I transformed and watched Tiger leap across the room to grab my tail feathers. I 'flamed' to Godric's Hollow. I thought for awhile on what I should do while Tiger purred on my lap. The little thing was a pushover for an ear scratch.
With my mind made up I flamed to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch and a bar full of people. "Hay Tom remember I told you about Dumbledore insuring I was stuck with abusive relatives? Guess what he's taken over the task. Right now I am locked in my room, sealed in by him and the Domestics won't provide any food for me. He's getting to old and incompetent I slipped out to get a bit here were the food is safe. So far he hasn't taken a cricket bat to me, yet." That I hoped would stir up the hornets. Tiger and I finished eating and I took the 'floo' to the Ministry. I swore out a complaint for child abuse on good old Uncle Vernon and then started to 'floo' back to Grimmauld place but changed my mind. I was an adult and that jinformation would be releleased sooner or later. The office for 'apperation' testing was my next stop.
"Lord Potter I see your paperwork is in order so lets see if you can 'apperate' to the circle at the end of the room and back to this circle."
"Oh very good and with no sound, excelent. Are you going to want a side-along certification on your licence?"
"Why not, everyone should stay within their licence." I hoped no one asked for my 'anamagus' licence.
"Indeed Lord Potter. Now it is a fair distance to be 'apperating' but please take me to the park in London."
Well no body told me there was a limit on how far you could 'apperate' and I had just been reading about places like the London bridge in Arizona and well the tester was in a bit of shock. I 'apperated' to North Main St London Ohio and the Cowlinc Park. The black and white police car lettering told the whole story. My pheonix powers must be leaking into my 'apperating' skills. I took him back and he gave me my licence. I'm not sure he knew what he was doing being as shocked as he was.
/Scene Break/
It took a while for the news to come back to Dumbledore about my words at the Leakey Caldron.
This time when Dumbledore demanded how I got out I said "Simple" and I 'apperated' to my room. He had to take down all his work to get the door to my room open the one that he had magicaly sealed earlier. He then said that Snape would be there that evening to teach me 'Occlumency'. I just shrugged and said "Good luck old man; you will find that you are no longer in control" as he stomped off. He resealed the door to my bedroom.
Later I laughed as Remus was made to change the wards and remove me from the authorization list for 'apperating' in or out. I grabbed my trunk and flamed to Godric's Hollow.
I studied there at my place and visited Daphne who was now trying to complete her transformation. I was not of much help as my capabilities were gifted and not learned. She however had gifted lips.
Then the Dailey Profit had headlines about Albus Dumbledore and child abuse. Then there was one about imprisoning children. The story about Harry Potter's relative's abuse and Dumbledore's involvement was sensational. So the remainder of August was quite busy for Albus Dumbledore getting the Dursley's out of prison.
The Profit was finally forced to stop running stories about him. Mrs. Weasley's howlers kept me informed about her being upset that I was no where to be found. Their side effect was it kept me informed about most of what was going on, even if that was not their purpose. About that time the wards fell at Privet drive. Dumbledore got the Dursley's out in time while the Deatheaters burnt the house to the ground. Daphne was happier about that news than I was.
On September 1st I boarded the Hogwarts express early and waited for what would come next. Snape was almost a given when I arrived at Hogwarts. I had aggravated Dumbledore and wondered if I could make him explode like a balloon that was over inflated. I wondered if Dumbledore was going to turn Snape loose on me to correct my wayward ways. My musing was interrupted by "Hi Mate where you been?"
"Yes Harry where have you been hiding? What were you thinking? Why did you run off? We all have been worried about you."
"Nice weather for our trip to Hogwarts isn't it?" I smilled.
"Mate they were talking of Snape ripping your brains out." Ron added.
"No Ron, that not what they were talking about." Hermione huffed.
"I was thinking that I had such a nice time at headquarters that I may put my half of Grimmauld up for sale."
"Harry you wouldn't!" Hermione was aghast.
"I wonder if I could get a better price from Voldemort for the place." I was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
"Neville and Luna joined us about that time and the train started it long journey."
Tiger was of course sitting on my lap getting petted.
"Harry why is that cat not a cat? And why is all the dark gone from your nigglbits?
"Oh I thought you saw the Nargals run off with the dirty linen and of course the cat is a cat."
"Of course it's a cat but not on fairy nights."
"My thoughts exactly Luna I think you have it right."
"What in the hell are you two talking about? Yelled Hermione.
"Why cats and fairies and Nargals that like dirty linen, of course." Luna groaned.
Questions and more questions were sent to me but my answers were most likely heading back to the headmaster. Therefore, they got no anwers. I excused myself pleading the loo and once there I 'flamed' to Godric's Hollow. I puttered around there for a few hours and then Tiger, Lea and I flamed to the Trophy room at Hogwarts. Lea immeadiatly set off on a dinner expidition. As all the students came pouring into the Great Hall I snuck in and sat down looking as innocent as possible.
"Hay Mate, Snape is searching for you out by the front steps."
"Thanks Ron I figured he would try and grab me before I got in here."
"Where did you go, we searched the train and couldn't find you?" Hermione demanded.
"The Nargals wanted the rest of the dirty linen." I chuckled, well it worked for Luna.
After the feast I cornered Professor McGonagall, "I will be dropping DADA also this year. I also will be requesting your attendance at all meetings with the headmaster."
"Mr. Potter don't you feel with the problems that pervade the country that DADA would be a useful subject, especially for you?"
"I am sorry Professor but I am having and have had problems with professors at Hogwarts. This is one of the reasons that I request your attendance with any meetings with the Headmaster. There is an excellent chance that open hostilities will be breaking out and…"
"Mr. Potter please report to my office immediately." Dumbledore was already walking away.
"Only at Professor McGonagall's convenience, she is my head of house."
"Her attendance is not required only yours."
"Sorry but per Hogwarts rules, I fear being in the same room alone with an accused child abuser." I had to throw that in with the Hall being full of students. "Her present is mandatory if I request it." Take that Mr. Smarty pants I thought.
As we settled into our chairs in the Headmasters office Dumbledore started, "Harry your attitude is unacceptable and it will change while you are here at Hogwarts."
I was about to start telling him to jump in the lake but McGonagall stepped in, "Albus I have not observed any problems with Mr. Potter in the few hours he has been in the Great Hall. You will need to be more specific."
"The reasons are his failure to obey his guardian, disappearing from his home for days and evading Professor Snape on his arrival."
"Since when has Hogwarts enforced restrictions imposed by a guardian and what was Professors Snape's emergency."
"Professor Snape was to inform Mr. Potter of his 'Occlumency' lessons each Thursday at Three after DADA lessons."
"No thanks Sir I don't want any extra classes."
"This is mandatory for you Harry."
"Albus have you gone around the twist? How can you force a single student to take lessons in a subject not taught at Hogwarts?"
As we left a fuming Dumbledore I told Professor McGonagall, "We have not heard the last of this from them. Snape will find me in the corridor and assign me detentions every Thursday. The detention will be 'Occlumency' training."
"Just inform me of any detentions and I will deal with them accordingly."
"Yes Professor. I am sure there will be a few that I deserve."
"Why is that Mr. Potter?"
"Let's just say that there is going to be a change of responses to certain actions."