(a/n): Thanx for the reviews folks. little-bast please keep it up. Even if I don't use the 'Leave them to suffer' storyline you're great to read.

A new interesting thought. Harry would be a lousy Auror (no imagination, curiosity) He's obviously a good fighter, and magically powerful. Maybe so, maybe not. He does pursue a problem until it's solved. It's just that once the job is done, he's no longer interested in what it took to get there. JKR, at least, certainly wasn't. Never heard another word about lots of things.

A moste excellente author has made his presence known ... I see two numbers u=616007 s=5084287. Your Chap#14 question gave me an idea I don't think I would have thought of otherwise. When it comes up, remember you inspired it. BIt of a wait though.

On Ron, lots of stories take him down the escalating jealousy path. This time, he learned from his mistake and more important the lesson stuck. Anyone else, including his girlfriend, be damned. They kept the relationship together - How? Sorry, that was when Harry was still in Azkaban and Susan didn't know them well enough.

Anyway, here's the next installment. Been a month, I know. Work got a little nuts. And since we don't get paid ... bit of a disclaimer ...

15 – OWLs

Nothing warranted a visit from Amelia for some time. Sale of the basilisk, after all the fuss, went off even better than hoped for. The Head of House Potter honored the agreement for all the skin. There ended up being almost 18 tons of it, ranging from 1017 years old to the four year old hide of the dead beast. The plan for selling organs based on weight was broken by the purchasers, who had come from all over the world. The eyes were auctioned off for 174,668 Galleons each. The lungs for over half a million Galleons, each. A little less for the liver and each kidney. The heart, which weighed in at 518 pounds ended up topping seven million Galleons. Though small and only weighing 5 pounds each, the venom glands each sold for a million. There were ten gallons of venom and 42 gallons of blood.

With the total sale netting 89 million Galleons, Harry and Ginny each received 22 ½ million. Hermione and Ron almost 18 million apiece. And the school, 9 million Galleons.

For her efforts, Harry paid Amelia a million Galleons. Even still, at a stroke, he replaced almost half of what Amos Diggory squandered.

House Weasley, which had been under long term investigation for removal from the Wizengamot, and had its voting rights suspended, now had 1 ½ out of a maximum 10 votes. Based on wealth the Weasleys qualified for 2 votes, but House Malfoy gathered enough support to block that.

x x x x x

"Good to see you back on duty, Amelia." Cornelius Fudge said "Your Department is one of the largest in the Ministry."

The Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement smiled woodenly. She disliked the Minister, loathed his Undersecretary and was always ill at ease in his office "Just like the Head of any Family, Minister, it is occasionally necessary for me to act in that role." She said formally "Of course, I did make provisions for my absence. Rufus Scrimgeour is an able Second."

"Quite so, quite so!" the Minister acknowledged, amiably "And it is, in fact, in your capacity as Regent of House Potter that I asked you here this afternoon. Your leave time is more than adequate to cover your time away. No, my concern just now is the recent considerable income that House Potter received. When might the Ministry receive its cut?"

Something Amelia had thought of well in advance. Harry was particularly resentful of supporting the Ministry to any degree after his stay in Azkaban. She had, rather accidentally, laid a basis for her response "In fact, Minister, House Potter has elected to deduct its charitable contribution to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from its tax liability. To my knowledge, the same is true of House Weasley and Miss Granger. Of course, I personally made a payment of 110,000 Galleons to Director Ogden of the Department of the Treasury in regards to my brokering the sale of the basilisk."

"Hem-hem" Senior Undersecretary Umbridge interrupted "Madam Bones, surely as a loyal Ministry employee, you must understand that this is not the best outcome for the Ministry."

Amelia wasn't out for her job, but that didn't mean she got along with the Senior Undersecretary "Under the circumstances I would be more properly addressed as Madam Potter." She responded, coldly. "But be that as it may, Madam Umbridge, I currently wear three hats you could say. And at the time my primary duty was to House Potter."

"Then, with all due respect Madam Potter." Umbridge retorted "Perhaps you are wearing, as you say, too many hats."

Not a giant by any means, Amelia loomed over her rival and ground out "I can judge that for myself."

"Now, now ladies" Fudge said hastily "there must be unity at the top level of government. Otherwise we will surely fall."

Umbridge simpered and nodded "I agree with you unconditionally, Minister. An official's first and only loyalty must be to The Ministry they serve."

"And I suppose, Delores, that you have never benefitted personally from your position, here. Or taken some time to deal with a family matter." Amelia sneered.

The offended witch glared up at her and countered "Do not presume upon the familiarity of using my given name Amelia. Nor are we discussing my record, impeccable as it is. We ARE discussing House Potter's tax evasion."

"No false accusations, Delores." Amelia snapped, this time she imposed her not-substantial frame upon her smaller opponent. Actually enjoying the physical intimidation "You will find that House Potter has precisely complied with Article IV Paragraph 2 Subparagraph ix of the Tax Code in this matter. If you wish to dispute that, the proper forum is in the Wizengamot. If you make any public remark outside that forum, you can expect a complaint for slander."

At that, Fudge lost his temper and shouted "OUT! BOTH OF YOU! O-U-T! OUT!"

x x x x x

Tax issues definitely fell into a category that Harry did not need to know. That Madam Bones had summed it up in a letter saying "It's under control" was all he needed.

"Didn't she explain further?" asked Hermione.

The pair had made some peace in the last month. Harry grinned at her and teased "Would you like a copy of the Wizarding Tax Code? I can get you one for your birthday."

"Would you?" she asked excitedly "That would be wonderful."

He shook his head in amusement and observed "Only you could be happy with that."

"Please don't laugh at my girlfriend." Ron said, lightly. He had to grunt when she nudged him in his side.

Susan, in a display of female solidarity, shifted in Harry's lap and slapped his chest. He caught her second playful attack, then retaliated by pinching her rear. She squealed and tried, but failed, to free her hands. The wrestling couple overturned the chair. They giggled madly and continued until she kissed him.

"Uhh…hey… you two!" exclaimed Hannah Abbott "Study first! Play later!"

Harry had not made any real peace with Susan's best friend, so he just glared at her. His arms were solidly linked around his girlfriend's waist.

"Aww..lighten up Han!" Susan said, mirth still in her tone. She pushed herself off Harry, then pulled him to his feet.

He clenched her hands between their bodies and whispered "She's sorta your Hermione, isnt she? Do your homework…study…study…study."

"Nice way to put it." She whispered back, gratefully. She got on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Right. Back to work."

He pouted and complained "But I'm ready! I'm only taking two now. Defense and Herbology. Moody and Sprout were sure I'd pass. I'm only a bit worried about Practical Defense."

"I think you're in great shape." Susan said in a throaty tone. She dragged her hands up and down his sides, then settled her arms around his waist.

Hannah made an unpleasant sound and announced "Time for me to go to Potions."

"Bye, Abbott." Harry said, less than politely "Tell Snivellus hi for me."

Susan offered her friend a good luck hug, and after the blond girl departed, a bit of a frown darkened her features "I really wish you would stop taunting her, Harry."

The rest of the group suddenly found books, walls, hair or fingernails terribly interesting.

"I'm not-" began Harry, then he pulled her out of the room "- Right. Look. I know she's your best friend."

She crossed her arms over her chest and prompted "Buuuutttt?"

"She still thinks I somehow killed Cedric, right?" it was phrased as a question, but wasn't really.

Susan shrugged and said "I like to think of it as not being quite convinced. Wants more evidence, I guess."

"A unanimous vote of the Wizengamot. Zabini even, her boyfriend's House. Dumbledore, much as I loath him, agrees with that much." Harry ticked off several arguments impatiently, then his expression softened "And, mostly, her clever and beautiful best friend."

Her cheeks colored, but she forced it away and grumbled "No sneaking in compliments, Harry. I'm serious!"

"But it's fun." He countered teasingly "And I like seeing you blush. Besides, I-" He abruptly cut himself off, pushed her to the ground and threw himself on top of her.

Susan wasn't afraid. It wouldn't be like Harry to attack her. She was, naturally, irate "What the! Get up Harry!" That was when two purple spells exploded on the wall behind them.

"Stay down!" he ordered, harshly and covered her head with his arm.

A panicky male voice yelled "CALM DOWN GINNY!" And the floored pair saw two legs run by.

"Reducto! Impedimenta! Petrificus Totalis!" the girl in question fired in quick succession. The third spell finally striking the target. Susan and Harry stood, brushed themselves off and watched in shock as she flicked her wand this way and that. First, the petrified body of Justin Finch-Fletchley was slammed face first into the nearest wall. Then, spun around and finally lifted about a foot off the ground "YOU PIG!" she shouted "JUST BECAUSE A GIRL'S TAKING A BREAK DOESN'T MEAN SHE'S ON THE MARKET AS YOU CRUDELY PUT IT! AND NEVER! EVER! INSULT HARRY WITH ME AROUND!"

Harry didn't know what she was about to do, but given the Hufflepuff boy's already bloody nose and Ginny's yelling, he automatically stepped in. He caught Ginny's wrist as she was in mid-cast and pulled her wand from her hand and said, quietly "I think he's had enough."

"Ger'off me! And gimme my wand!" she initially demanded, twisting around. Then she recognized Harry and stopped struggling.

Susan fired Finite incantatum at Justin and he slumped to the floor "He's alright" she said "But, what happened?"

"This git!" began Ginny, then she corrected herself "No, git is too nice! Anyway, Dean and I had a fight, so I told him I wanted a break. It's finals anyway. Then HE just plopped his meathooks on my shoulders and told me he'd take me to Hogsmeade this weekend! The bloody hell you think you are?"

Susan pinched off Justin's nose to stop the bleeding and suggested "Well, don't seem to be any permanent damage. Harry, why don't you handle the crazed Gryff. And I'll take care of the tactless Puff. See you at Defense class."

"It's a date." Harry acknowledged with a grin "Come on, Ginny."

x x x x x

"I wonder what Professor Moody has in mind for the Practical Portion." Hermione said in a concerned tone.

Most other students nodded in agreement with her.

Draco Malfoy commented "Only Mudbloods should be worried. I, for one, am not the least worried."

"Maybe it's dueling him." The gossipy Lavender Brown speculated. And everyone in the class shivered.

The leading Slytherin smirked and said "I hope to go against Potter."

"Yeah Malfoy" sneered Ron "You did so well against him in Second Year."

Draco spun around and drew his wand, which stopped pointed right at Ron's forehead "Looks like I passed and you failed Weaslebee!"

"Wouldn't be so sure of that, Ferret!" countered Seamus Finnegan as he pressed his wand into the blond boy's cheek.

The potential incident ended without violence as they all heard the characteristic clomp-thump of Moody's approach. All wands vanished back into their holsters.

"Professor, excuse me" said Hermione "But we could not get into the classroom."

They watched the artificial eye twist and spin in a rather disturbing manner. Then it finally settled on the questioner. "That's quite correct, you foolish Mudblood." He snapped "Congratulations on your talent for noting the obvious!"

"YAY MOODY!" Draco cheered, his hate for the professor that turned him into a ferret momentarily overcome by his delight at seeing Granger blush in humiliation.

The Professor turned on the Slytherin and scolded him gruffly "Your opinion was not asked for Mr. Malfoy! I think I'll begin with you!" He unlocked the classroom door and shoved him in. Then he followed.

That was when Susan and Harry, coming from different directions, arrived. They each put an arm around the other's waist. Both had the same questioning expression on their face as they noted the class standing in the hallway.

"Mad-Eye grabbed Malfoy…" explained Ron, he was interrupted by a high-pitched scream from inside the room "… guess Lavender was right!"

From the other side of the door "I don't expect you to win, boy!" Banging, yelling and other assorted noises continued for several minutes. Then it slammed open and a bruised, bedraggled Draco staggered out. "Pomfrey can heal that eye. Congratulations on an O."

"Ohhh Dracoooo!" Ron taunted "Looks like that stings!"

Hermione attempted to rebuke him, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She ended up grinning. It led to her getting selected next. In much less time than Draco, her unconscious form floated out of the room.

"Tell her not bad." Professor Moody declared "But she needs to get away from the book a bit. Overall A. Mr. Goyle, you next."

Harry was most vocal when they came out "Awwww poor Gweggy!" he teased and slapped the Slytherin on the very shoulder he was rubbing.

"POTTER!" bellowed the former Auror "I think you should be next as you can't seem to keep your big mouth shut!" The instant the door was closed he slapped on a locking charm.

x x x x x

Harry was suspicious "You didn't to that with the others."

"Of course I did, Potter." said Moody silkily "How else could I keep all you other br-err students while I administer my test. Now, rumor has it you can cast a fair Patronus. Let's see it."

Harry noted an odd twitch over the professor's eye and his suspicion spiked another notch. He kept one eye on him as he pointed his wand and cast "Expecto Patronum!"

"Well done Potter!" praised Moody "That alone is almost worth an O. But let's see you handle a-AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Harry's face flickered from fear to rage to determination as he dodged. He landed on the classroom floor and skidded into a desk. In one smooth move, he stood and one-handedly flung a chair at the professor.

"Shame, shame, Potter!" Moody said nastily after disintegrating the flying furniture "Five points off for a Mudblood move. That'll cost your O."

Harry held his wand on him and demanded "Where do you get off using a Killing Curse?"

"Orders of my Master." replied Moody vaguely "It's called testing to destruction. So, Potter, let's try again – Crucio!"

This time Harry didn't react fast enough. The purple spell struck him in the hip and he screamed in pain.

x x x x x

"That's not normal." Susan said, hearing him scream.

Ron wasn't convinced "Dunno, Malfoy yelled a lot."

"You don't understand. None of us can, really. Harry's been to Azkaban." Susan replied, worry dominating her tone "Things that would make us bawl shouldn't even make him twitch. HARRY!!"

Neville, who rarely spoke, said darkly "There's only one curse that makes people cry out like that. The Cruciatus."

"Then we break it down." Said Daphne Greengrass.

Ron snarled at her and growled "Butt out, Snake!" Then, shocked, he asked "Wait! What?"

x x x x x

The door sparked and flickered. Moody turned from the suffering boy and reinforced the locking spells. "Now, Potter, let us continue. Crucio!"

"You're too slow!" Harry groaned as he pulled his twitching body out of the path of the curse. It singed a wall and Harry fired his own "Expelliarmus!"

It wasn't a spectacular success, but the Defense teacher was staggered for a moment. A Killing Curse went completely astray. "I'll get you Potter!" he snarled.

"Have a desk, Professor!" yelled Harry. He used a banishing spell to hurl one at his enemy. That connected solidly and sent desk and man crashing against a window sill. Harry used the moment to fire a Finite Incantatum at the door, but it had no noticeable effect.

By the time the student turned, Moody had recovered "Avada is the surest way to kill, but there are others. Bombarda!"

"YEEAAHH!" screamed Harry as he dodged. The spell impacted on the heavy brick wall blowing chunks of stone out.

x x x x x

Hermione had recovered from being petrified and Ron pulled her to her feet. Right next to them, the stone crunched and cracked. The wall pushed itself outward slightly. "EVERYONE STOP!" she screamed "DON'T GO FOR THE DOOR! BREAK DOWN THE WALL! Bombarda!"

"I'll see you all expelled!" Mr. Filch exclaimed "You were warned! No magic in the halls!"

Daphne turned on him and said "Shut up Squib! Incarcerous! Silencio!"

x x x x x

Cracks appeared everywhere along the classroom wall. The stone might be more than a foot thick, but it was being battered by a dozen students firing spell after spell. The one thing they were doing wrong was hitting all different spots. Nevertheless, it was having a telling effect.

"Protego! Protego! Protego! Protego!" Moody cast the shield spell repeatedly all along the wall. But he had a new problem. All along his body, bubbles of flesh expanded and collapsed. While not exactly painful, it was certainly uncomfortable and made fighting completely impossible.

With no more spells coming at him, Harry jumped to his feet. He immediately recognized the cause, yelling "You're a fake!" He physically charged the now exposed imposter and they collided. The impact was awkward and did as much damage to Harry as to his enemy.

x x x x x

In the hall, Ron noticed "The shield's gone! Everyone hold it! We need to concentrate our attack! Fire as close to this spot as you can!"

A large red X appeared on the wall in front of Susan, who was at about the middle of the row. The focused attack was too much for the wall. It exploded, showering everyone with dust and debris. It was nearly a minute before the air cleared enough for anyone to see.

"Merlin! HARRY! NOOOOOOOO!" screamed Susan. They all saw it. They didn't know who this man, not their Professor, was. But there was no doubt it was the Killing Curse.

Harry had turned, apparently distracted by the blast. The green light struck him in the back. He screamed incoherently. But, he did not fall. Surprisingly, the unknown assailant began screaming. It was a tortured, agonizing death as flesh twisted and ripped. Finally, a bloody pulp flopped over and the green light dissipated. Fortunately, the bloody pulp wasn't Harry. The-Boy-Who-Lived merely fell to his knees.

Susan crawled over the rubble and caught him before he fell to the floor, potentially injuring himself "NO!" she shouted "Everyone else, stay out. Mobilcorpus. Harry I'd carry you if I could. Ron, take him to the hospital wing."

"Ahh…just who put you in charge?" Pansy Parkinson wanted to know. "I want a look around."

Susan got directly in front of her and answered "Well, that's a good question. No one in particular. But that's my boyfriend that just left here, half dead. And the last time someone died he went to Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit. That's not happening again. Zac, can you go get a Professor? Then send an Owl to my Aunt Amelia. Hermione, you're a Prefect. Think about it. This room needs to be checked by experts. I bet I already contaminated it some. But anyone else in here would make it worse."

"Well, I am a Prefect too, Bones." Declared Pansy "And I say get out of my way. Or I'll see you in deten-" she slumped to the ground unconscious.

Millicent Bolstrode glared accusingly at the Gryffindors and demanded "Who did that!" And her eyes promptly rolled back in her head. There was now only one Slytherin standing.

"Thank you, Daphne." Said Susan.

She gave a half nod, but answered dryly "No idea what you're talking about Bones. They must've walked into some leftover Protego."

"Wha' happen ter 'Arry?" Professor Hagrid asked, breathlessly as he lumbered around the corner.

Hermione stopped him "It's alright. Ron took him to Madam Pomfrey."

"Professor Moody tried to kill him." Said Susan "Except it really wasn't him. That body has two full legs."

The giant Professor gasped at the sight and ordered "All you out! None o' ya should be seeing dat! And what's wit them others?"

"They tried to go in and just fell over." answered Daphne.

Hagrid looked flustered, he ordered hastily "Well, the lot o yuhs kin carry em. Getta moven."

"Professor, with all due respect, I am staying." Susan affirmed when the corridor was empty "At least until my Aunt gets here. I want to know, from personal experience, that no one entered this room after I did."

Hagrid frowned at her and asked "Wouldn't you be better off seeing to Harry?"

"I'm seeing to Harry by being here." She argued "I want nothing more than to sit up there with him. But, until this room is secured by Aurors, I-am-not-moving." Her biggest worry was that some Professor, mainly Dumbledore or Snape, that Harry did not trust would come along, succeed in ordering or force her away and potentially ruin everything. Her Aunt's timing could have been better. Would have saved Hufflepuff some points, but it could have been worse.

Into the corridor walked Severus Snape "Proper authority has arrived, Miss Bones. You are dismissed." He ordered with nothing resembling pleasantries.

"With all due respect, Profes-" she began.

He cut her off, coldly "It has been my experience that anyone starting with that clause follows it immediately with exactly the opposite. If that is the case, shut up. Now leave."

"No." she replied. If he wasn't in a talkative mood, then neither was she. When he went to grab her, she danced out of reach and threatened "Touch me and you just might face a rape charge."

Hagrid's eyebrows merged with his even shaggier head of hair and his mouth dropped open.

"None of your impudence, girl!" Snape sneered, though he did withdraw into a ramrod straight stance. He then turned to enter the hole in the wall.

Susan got directly in his way touched her wand to her throat and said, voice echoing as far through the corridors as the amplification spell would allow "One more step. And I hate to point it out, but it's your Halfblood word against mine as Head of an Anc-"

"Enough!" he growled "Fifty points from Hufflepuff and detention all next year!"

Susan knew enough to know that NO detentions could be carried over school years. But in this she kept her mouth shut. No sense losing points needlessly. What she did was plant her feet firmly in place and stare directly in the Potion Master's eye. After a moment, she felt a tingle on the edge of her mind. She lashed out at it. On the scale of things, it was about the same as a mouse biting a person on the ankle.

"Why you little-!" Snape was furious at the unexpected attack. And, just like a man bitten on the ankle by a mouse, he felt the urge to crush the offensive creature. He had barely managed to realign his defenses and assemble a counterattack when he was warned of others entering range. Seething, he pulled back and buried most of his anger.

Amelia Bones, in the company of five Aurors, arrived. She practically walked through the Potion Master and hugged her niece fiercely "You alright?" she wanted to know.

"Yes, ma'am." replied Susan "Did you know Professor Snape was a Legilimens?"

All outraged Auntie, she glared at him and ground out "Is that a fact? And what gives you the right to poke around in students' minds?"

"I am not accountable to you, Bones." The Potion Master sneered.

Amelia disengaged from her niece and said "Remember one thing. As good as you think you are. There is ALWAYS someone better. The slightest hint of damage to her mind and you'll get it back a hundred fold!"

"I will not be threatened by you!" he said. Simultaneously he pushed up his Occulmency defenses.

Amelia felt it and merely smiled "Not bad, but it would take more to keep me out. If I should choose. Kindly remember that in your dealings with my niece. Now that I think of it, you should include Harry in that …ummm…"

"Good morning, Amelia" the Headmaster interrupted "Is it not customary for Ministry officials to report to me prior to entering Hogwarts? Especially on official business?"

She turned away from the Potion Master as if he did not count and addressed Dumbledore "Sir, there are some things more important than protocol. In this case it would be the securing of a crime scene. I would, of course, have reported to you the moment I was assured of that. As it is, since you are here."

"Yes, shall we examine-" the Headmaster began.

But, she cut him off "My people will gather all the evidence. Under Rufus, in this case. As we must avoid an appearance of impropriety. Susan… report, please. The short version."

"Professor Moody tried to kill Harry." Susan answered "Only, somehow, it wasn't really Moody. I know that because he has two full legs. I don't recognize him."

Amelia nodded and squeezed her shoulder gently "Try to put that image out of your mind, dear. Why don't you check in on Harry. Rufus, you are in charge here. Susan says it was the Defense Professor."

"Understood, Madam Bones." He replied, then he addressed Snape "You, take this Auror to the Defense classroom. I want a complete S and R."

Snape stiffened and said "I am a Professor not an escort service."

"Do it or I'll arrest you for hindering an investigation." The Auror said. She was formerly a Hufflepuff and in one of his early classes. She took great pleasure in shoving him and ordering "Move!"

x x x x x

Susan carried that image all the way to the Hospital Wing. She never did quite suppress the grin it generated. It only took a moment to locate Harry's bed. It was the center of quiet attention. "How is he?" she asked "My, my he certainly draws a great deal of female attention."

"There are no ghoulumps present." Luna Lovegood offered "So I believe Madam Pomfrey is correct that he just suffers from magical exhaustion."

She blinked at the odd blond girl and replied "Well, thank you."

"Ohh…" Harry groaned just then and opened his eyes. Someone handed him is glasses. It was Ginny who was sitting closest to him. He joked "Well, it beats Ron's ugly mug."

The only other male in the room growled "Thanks mate!"

"Being prettier than Ron isn't much of a complement, Harry." complained Ginny.

Harry burst out in a fit of giggles. Followed by the rest of the kids.

"All of you must go!" Madam Pomfrey ordered, hurriedly "You as well, Mr. Potter. You can rest in your dorm. They found the real Alastor Moody imprisoned in a trunk! And I need to identify the body!"

Harry looked at her "Oh I can do that, Madam Pomfrey. It's Barty Crouch Jr. He was using Polyjuice Potion."

"Well, that's certainly going to ruffle a few feathers." She commented, dryly. "I imagine someone is going to want to know just how you know that."

Ron happily retorted "Cause he's The Boy Who Lived again and again and again."

"Y'know, Ron, if you don't mind" said Harry sourly "I'd rather Susan help me along."

She draped his arm over her shoulder and slid hers around his waist "My pleasure good sir." She grinned.

x x x x x

It was a pleasant spring day, so instead of strictly following Madam Pomfrey's advice, they went outside. Susan was sitting in the grass, her back against the castle wall. Harry with his back to her, sitting between her legs. He gave the group as much of a play-by-play of his fight with the imposter Moody as he could

Harry finished talking, the tale of his battle with the false Moody complete. He'd given his gathered friends as much a play by play of the fight as he could. Then, the group told him about their efforts to break into the classroom. He chuckled at the fact that Daphne Greengrass stunned the caretaker "Poor Filch" he said "And now he has to rebuild that wall, too."

"I still feel guilty about that." Said Hermione "I mean, we did the damage."

Susan, after nipping at the back of Harry's neck, suggested "Well, you can always offer to help him. But as I see it, he just got in the way. Rules are rules, but there are things more important."

"Words of wisdom. Sounds familiar" Harry said. His words were a little sarcastic, but there was no mistaking the smile he flashed at Hermione.

She was quite pleased "I did not imagine you would remember that. It was after the Chess Game. I told Harry he's a great wizard. He countered I was better."

"And she answered 'Books? Cleverness? There are more important things.' A real moment for our little bookworm." Harry concluded, he was a little surprised at how clearly that memory came through.

There was a rustling of some bushes and a blond Hufflepuff appeared. She was panting, obviously from running "Is…it true?"

"You mean the part where someone tried to murder me, again, Abbott?" asked Harry.

She blinked, then nodded "But, I guess you didn't hear yet. The real Alastor Moody was found in a trunk in his quarters. We thought it best not to tell anyone. But he's my Grandfather, on my Mum's side. I'm not sure anyone but Sue knows. Thank you, Harry."

"You're welcome …Hannah." He acknowledged, somewhat hesitantly. He wasn't used to using her first name.

Susan, immensely pleased with the unexpected progress, tilted his head back and gave Harry an awkward, upside down, but enthusiastic kiss. As she let him up, she whispered "Thank you."

"Mmmm…my pleasure." He purred briefly, as rising from the odd position dragged his forehead under the curve of her breast.

She playfully dug a knuckle into his side and countered "Purv!"

"So, what's she doing here?" asked Ginny Weasley. Her remark was clearly addressed towards Hannah's presence. She stepped over the blond Hufflepuff, bent over and briefly hugged Harry "I'm glad you're alright. And, thank you by the way. I was taking my Runes exam when they suspended everything. Gives me a chance to look up a couple answers."

For a moment, Harry felt outraged. That she would think that way. Then he realized it wasn't a bad way to think of it. Plus, laughing about it after the fact was OK too. "Just don't tell Hermione." He said a bit sourly. That was funny given that she was sitting five feet away. Then he gave her a serious expression "Gin, we…Hannah and me… are going to make a new start?"

"Oh?" asked Ginny, giving a cold glare "And what brought this on? You suddenly don't think Harry killed Cedric? Why?"

Hannah smoothly stood and matched the redhead's glare "Butt out of things that don't concern you, Weasley!" The two girls bumped against each other.

"Ginny!" Harry snapped. He got to his feet and grabbed her right hand.

Susan did the same, and more, spinning her friend around. She plucked Hannah's wand from her robes.

"Aww…let'em go." Seamus complained, voice full of mirth "A Galleon on Ginny!"

Stepping into the crowd, the Headmaster authoritatively ended the confrontation "There will be no dueling, Mr. Finnegan. Miss Abbott, Miss Weasley stand down. A word with you, in private, if I may Harry."

"I really don't see what you need to say that can't be said in front of my friends, Judge." Replied Harry, coldly. He released Ginny and sat back down in his spot. He extended a hand to Susan, which she somewhat hesitantly took as she sat down next to him. She fixed her eyes on him.

Some, most in fact, led by Seamus himself departed. Not being eager to be seen disobeying Dumbledore. Hannah was among those leaving as well. The Irish boy approached her and she gave him a dirty look.

"I have exchanged lengthy correspondence with your relatives, Harry-" Dumbledore began

Harry snorted in disgust "Heh… your loss." He offered a slightly apologetic look to Susan when she gave him a reproachful nudge.

"I explained your situation and what happened the previous year." Dumbledore continued, ignoring the remark "In exchange for modest compensation, and concessions on your part, your Aunt and Uncle are willing to house you for the summer."

Harry's temper immediately spiked "Why don't you spell it out, Judge!" he growled "They want money and me to be their slave again!"

"Surely, Harry, they deserve some gratitude for all the years-"

He jumped to his feet, got into the Headmaster's space and poked him in the chest in tune with his words "About the ONLY thing I OWE them is my WHOLE LIFE THERE was a great preparation for my SENTENCE IN AZKABAN!"

"The Dursleys will meet the Hogwarts Express at the station, Harry. And you will accompany them home." Said Dumbledore, his tone emotionless. He turned to leave. No one stopped him.

Long moments later, Harry stopped glaring in the direction of the school and said "I have already made other arrangements. Dobby!"

"Master Harry called?" the elf said with a bow.

Accepting the form of address because he couldn't stand My Lord, Harry answered "Yes Dobby. Can you tell me how well the house is set for occupation."

"Yes Master Harry, sir" replied Dobby "Me has finished the master's bedroom plus three others. The foyer, kitchen and main sitting room will be done before Master completes Hoggys. Then Dobby cleans more beds."

Harry nodded and replied "Very good, just don't overwork yourself Dobby. And that's an order. Off with you, then." The smoke of the elf's disappearance even seemed to smile. "Wait! How is Snuffles?"

"Doggy tells Dobby to say he misses his pup. But, likes Potter House better than doggie house." He said, then vanished again.

"What about Professor Dumbledore, Harry?" asked Hermione. She'd seen Dobby around her friend and come to accept it, at least in the one case.

Harry rolled is eyes and turned to her "What about him?" he asked dismissively "He's not my father."

"No" she admitted "but-"

He interrupted "But, what? If he told you to spend the summer with Malfoy, would you?"

"Well, I'd ask why." she answered, settling for halfway.

Harry said bitterly "I already did. First year. Right before I saw you guys. And the last time I had to go where he said I landed in Azkaban. To hell with him. I'm going to my father's real home. And I'm spending the summer there or visiting Susan, The Burrow or you."

"Mum's not gonna like ya being by yourself, Harry." Said Ron "But I guess anyone that can pop a Death Eater and get an O in DADA at the same time can handle himself." They all laughed.

Susan put her arms around him from behind and suggested "Why don't we ditch everyone else and find a tree."

"Best offer I had all day." He said with a smile.