Chapter 70: Ashes

Sirius sat down outside of the interrogation rooms. He had been at the ministry all night with Amelia. Amelia came with an invigoration draught.

"Thanks," Sirius said, wearily as he downed the potion. "Hell of a night, huh?"

"You're telling me," Amelia said. "Fudge is on my ass, wondering how it happened. None of these guys are talking, even with veritaserum. My guess is Lucius Malfoy but I can't prove it. The man hasn't been seen since March."

"What do you need?" Sirius looked at her as she sat next to him.

"I need help," Amelia sighed in exhaustion. "We're underfunded and understaffed. We've had more recruits the last three years than the previous ten but they're still green."

"I'm in."

"Pardon?" Amelia looked at him with wide eyes.

"I'm in," Sirius said again. "Put me through my paces and bring me back to the force. It's time I got off the sidelines."

"You've been gone over a decade," Amelia smirked. "I'll have to push you harder than Moody."

"I can take it," Sirius was resolute. "I know you're reading the signs. Saw the article on Bertha Jorkins disappearing; Malfoy and Pettigrew are still on the loose and now this. Something is coming; we both know it. And when it comes, we both know who will be in the firing line."

"Harry," Amelia nodded.

"I have to protect my godson," Sirius said. "This is the best way to do that."

"You got it, Black," Amelia said. "Report to the bullpen Monday. Get your rest; you are going to need it. Go home. I know you want to check in on Harry."

"Director!" An Auror sprinted up to her, carrying the paper. "You have to see this."

Amelia took the paper and her nostrils flared.

"That bitch!" She fumed. "Excuse me, I have to talk with Cornelius before this blows to hell."

Sirius snatched up the paper and apparated back to Potter Manor. He was planning to shower and change before going to check on Harry and the Grangers. That was unnecessary as Sirius saw Harry sleeping in the middle of the foyer with Hermione tucked into his side. Richard and Helen were next to him and beyond them was a bunch of furniture that Sirius thought looked vaguely familiar.

"What's going on here?" Sirius shouted without thinking. Harry startled awake and whipped his wand out. "Harry? Richard? Helen? What is the meaning of this?"

"Someone set the Granger's house on fire," Harry said. Helen choked on a sob while Harry continued. "Didn't know if it was an attack, a trap or someone sending a message so we came here. When we arrived, we learned Dobby brought everything from the house. After everything last night, I guess we just fell asleep. How did your night go?"

"Not much better," Sirius said. "I wasn't allowed in the rooms during questioning but according to Amelia, a few of the ones are bit players, no real knowledge of the organization. A few were even new recruits who glommed onto the Death Eater cause. Their masks and robes are cheap knock-offs."

"Basically," Sirius said. "We've been working hard on Crabbe but he's very clever to give vague answers, even with veritaserum. We'll ask him who was the mastermind and he will say the man wore his mask. Stuff like that."

"Oh that reminds me," Harry smacked his forehead. "Vinny needs a place to stay; he was going to run away from home and so I invited him here but he doesn't know how to get here. We're not connected to the Floo, the Knight Bus won't be able to find the place and he can't apparate."

"I'll be getting him," Winky's squeaky voice came from behind them as she popped away.

"Well in any case things got a lot tougher because of the new story," Sirius threw the paper he was carrying down.

Mayhem and Mischief at the Quidditch World Cup, the headline read. Beneath it was a sub-head Dark Mark spotted, multiple bodies rumored removed, many more feared dead.

"What!?" Hermione shouted as she snatched the paper to read it.

"Amelia is pissed," Sirius said. "She said something like 'not her again' and ran off to go talk to the Minister. She may have said it in a more colorful way."

Hermione continued to read the article and her eyes narrowed further, the longer she read. Before Harry could ask what, Winky popped Vinny in.

"Hey guys," he was flummoxed at the furniture in the middle of the floor. "Redecorating?"

"Someone set fire to our house yesterday," Richard said. "Thankfully, two wonderful elves saved our furniture, though we will have to put it in a room. Nice to see you again, Vinny."

Richard shook the boy's hand.

"Do you know where my things are?" Vinny asked. At his question Dobby popped in.

"I placed them in a bedroom upstairs," Dobby had bags under his eyes and still looked very tired. "I will place the furniture in the proper rooms this afternoon."

"No you won't," Harry told Dobby. "You are to take the rest of the day off. You overexerted yourself last night and I don't want you to do it again. That's an order."

"By your command," Dobby bowed.

"Winky?" Hermione called the new elf. She popped in wearing a new white dress. "Can you take care of Dobby please? And how would you like to bond with me?"

"Mistress Granger," Winky bowed. "When you said you wanted Winky as a part of your family, that initiated the bond."

"That's not quite how I bonded with Dobby," Harry said.

"It is different for every elf," Winky said. "Some elves want love, others want acceptance but for me; family is what I want. When Hermione told me she wanted me to join her family, the bond formed for me."

"So you're saying elves all have different preferences," Hermione said.

"Of course," Winky nodded. "Just as our masters have different priorities, so do elves."

"But how often do your masters ask what your priorities are?" Hermione asked.

"Never mistress," she shook her head. "Most wizards is wishing to use an elf for their own needs and never ask what is important to us."

"There it is," Hermione said, looking at Harry. "That's how we can help them. We need to educate everyone about these elves and get them to understand them and their wishes."

"Something to work on," Harry said. "In the meantime, let's get this furniture into the proper room, shall we? Richard, Helen? Want to see some more magic?"

"It'd be nice to see some outside of a life-threatening situation," Helen said with a small smile.

Harry and Hermione got to work, shrinking most of the furniture. Vinny and Sirius helped as well to levitate the furniture they didn't shrink up the stairs. Sirius had the most fun, making the recliner actually walk up the stairs while riding the sofa up behind it. Helen and Richard took the suite the Goblins designed as a mother-in-law suite. Hermione took the one down the hall from them that would get early morning sun and Vinny was set up at the end of the hall. With Sirius in his old room and Harry in the master suite, the house still had plenty of rooms ready to be filled. Even though the goblins furnished the rooms, Harry shrunk and stored that furniture so the Grangers could use their own. They even set up their living room furniture in the room next to their suite.

That afternoon, Sirius took them back to the house. The houses on either side stood untouched while they looked at the cinders that used the be their foundation. To add insult to injury, it was raining on top of the smoldering ashes. It was chillingly quiet as if time stood still, allowing them to drink in their misery. When a crunch of gravel was heard behind them, they all turned with three of them dropping their umbrellas to draw their wands.

"I would say good afternoon," Gripclaw looked around the house with sadness. "But I think this afternoon is anything but good. We were notified that the wards failed last night and we were worried something happened. We put a sensor to alert us if anyone arrived at the spot again. We are glad to see you are alright."

Behind Gripclaw were three goblins bearing axes.

"Tragic," Gripclaw picked up a piece of rubble. "To attack someone's home, and in the middle of the night. Clearly an attack without honor."

Gripclaw walked among the rubble and deftly picked up a piece of glass. The liquor label was still on it.

"When we designed your wards, we did not guard against this kind of attack," Gripclaw said. "This was an oversight on our behalf and we apologize. If you will allow, we would like to rebuild for you at our lowest percentage."

"Thank you, Gripclaw," Richard shook the goblin's hand. "We hold no ill will against you. Just the bastards who did this."

"Malfoy," Harry said with bitterness. Everyone turned to him, surprised that he knew the person responsible. "Last night I had a dream but it didn't feel like a dream; it felt real. In it, Malfoy said he lit the house on fire. The two of you were supposed to be inside. As a message to Hermione about the 'cost of befriending me.' I'm so sorry."

"It is not the fault of the good, the deeds of the evil," Richard said. "They intended to kill us and because we were with you, they failed. And thanks to the elves, we were able to save the most important things."

"Thank you for that information, Mr. Potter," Gripclaw said. "We'll get started on rebuilding the house. It might take a while but we will and since Mr. Malfoy is at fault, we'll use funds from his frozen accounts to pay for it."

"I'm sure he'll love that," Harry chuckled.

"Oh he'll hate it," Gripclaw's smile was positively feral. He remembered all the times Silvershard visited his office to imbibe a dram after a meeting with Malfoy. "And if he has a problem with it, he can always come in to lodge a complaint."

Hermione couldn't help it: she laughed. Considering Lucius was on the run, there's no real chance of him popping into Gringotts anytime soon, especially since he couldn't apparate into the bank itself.

"Thank you, Gripclaw," Harry said.

"No thank you, Mr. Potter," Gripclaw kept smiling. "We've been looking for any reason to do something like this to the man who addresses every goblin, whether teller orhis own account manager as 'creature.' This is all too sweet for the Nation."

After approving the work order, the Grangers locked arms with Harry and Sirius to portkey back to Potter Manor.

The next morning, three owls dropped off the book lists for Harry, Hermione and Vinny with one item of note on them.

"Dress robes?" Harry said with confusion. "What will we need them for?"

"Must be some kind of event that is happening at the school this year," Sirius smoothed his goatee as he spoke. "Well I guess we're going shopping. Do you need any gold to get your supplies Vinny?"

"No," Vinny said. "My dad's in jail so he won't be able to lock down my trust account. I will be fine. Oh and next time you see Madam Bones, tell her to search under the desk in his study. There's a disillusioned trap door."

"She will love that," Sirius cackled.

A short while later, Harry found himself in Madam Malkin's, standing on a platform while Helen and Hermione debated.

"No I don't think the blue works," Hermione said. "He needs more grey or black tones."

"But black is way too mild," Helen thumbed through the rack. "How about this red? It would be a good color for him."

"No it's too bright but the one next to it is a nice wine color," Hermione stood next to her mum.

"Do I get a say in this?" Harry said from the platform, looking at the bottle green dress robes they currently had him modeling.

"Of course you do, Harry," Richard and Sirius chuckled from some chairs nearby. "You get to say yes. Trust me, Harry, my wife- and my daughter it seems- have excellent taste. They won't steer you wrong."

"What about this one?" Hermione held up some deep purple robes.

"I like it," Helen said. "It is dark which goes with his hair but a nice royal color that will work well with his skin tone and make his eyes really noticeable. Harry try these, would you?"

It took everything he had, including a heavy exhale that blew his fringe back, but Harry kept his eyes from rolling. He pulled off the green robes and handed them to the assistant and pulled on the purple ones.

He hated to admit it but he loved the look. The robes were soft and light, the color was great with light grey accents that really pulled the whole thing together.

"Excellent choice," the assistant said. "Now stand still while I pin it for alterations."

When Harry was finished, the assistant allowed him to step down. Meanwhile, Hermione was through her third row of dresses and starting to get frustrated.

"You see anything you like?" Helen called from the next rack over.

"Nothing is really speaking to me," Hermione said. "I know more or less what I would like, including color but I can't find it."

"Excuse me, miss," Winky popped in. "If you would be willing, Winky would like to make your dress for you. Sewing is something I is good at. Master Barty always…"

Winky came up short at the mention or her former master. While she enjoyed having a new family, a part of her still missed her former family. Hermione noticed this and kneeled down to look Winky in the eye.

"I would love for you to make me a dress," Hermione smiled. "I'm sure whatever you make will be great."

"Thank you," Winky said breathlessly. "I will let you know when it is ready."

The next morning, Harry woke up, still adjusting to living in Potter Manor. He still felt odd waking up in the master suite. It felt too big, just as the house did. He went through his morning routine and stepped out of the suite to make some breakfast for himself only to find he was too late and Helen was already hard at work doing the same. As nobody knew where they worked, they were due to be back at their practice Monday with the kids heading back to Hogwarts on tomorrow.

"Good morning, Harry," Helen called to him as he entered the kitchen. "Would you like some pancakes?"

"That would be great," Harry smiled at her. "Where is everyone else?"

"I'm not sure where Hermione is but Richard is having a bit of a lie-in and Sirius… is right behind you."

Sirius groggily walked in as Helen was speaking.

"Rough night?" Harry asked.

"It's been a rough week," Sirius said as Helen slid a cup of coffee across the island to him.

"Where have you been going every day this week?" Harry asked.

"I'm training," Sirius said. "Amelia needs more Aurors and I've decided to sign back up. I need to stop lazing around and help out. I think once I am back in fighting shape, I'll be training the new recruits. Amelia has a number of new ones that need to be whipped into shape."

"Oh wow," Harry wasn't sure what to say. "Just be safe, okay?"

"I should say the same to you," Sirius cuffed Harry on the shoulder. "You've been in more trouble than me."

"Alright, alright," Harry held his hands up in surrender. "Point taken. Thank you for breakfast. I think I'll go find Hermione."

Harry eventually found her in the library. Hermione was sitting in front of the window with her knees up to her chest, laying her head on her knees.

"Hey," Harry broke the silence.

"Hey," Hermione said without looking at him.

"Can I get you anything?" Harry sat next to her only to have her shift away.

"No," Hermione stated, plainly.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, knowing she wasn't.

"I'm fine," Hermione said. Harry raised his eyebrows at her. "Okay I'm not okay. I guess I'm kind of homesick."

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Harry said. "You and your family have been nothing but wonderful to me and…"

"Stop," Hermione went back to looking out the window. "Don't try to make this about you, like it's your fault. It sucks, yes. I am furious about it but I'm also not an idiot. If it wasn't for you, for the wards, someone would have gone after my parents.

"I've been thinking, thinking about that scenario. My parents against Malfoy just because they're my parents. I would never have allowed that to happen. I'd have sent them away but how would I have communicated that to them? How would I have got them to go? Obviously, I don't have to do that because we have a safehouse, a place to go."

"I'm still sorry the house is gone," Harry said. Hermione finally pulled her head around to look at him.

"Me too," Hermione cradled her head on her knees again. "I keep expecting to go home. I wake up and want to go to the library. I go down the stairs and have to remember where the kitchen is. It feels like I'm living in a hotel. I know you have space for as long as we need it but it doesn't feel like home."

"It does to me," Harry said. "Not because it's my house but because you're here. I too miss the house and even when you rebuild, I know it won't be the same but it's the people who make this a home."

"Well said," Helen's voice came from the doorway. "Thank you for giving us a place to stay, Harry."

Helen hugged Harry from behind and squeezed him tight. Harry squeezed her arms and leaned his head back, enjoying the motherly hug.

"As long as you need it, you will have it. You've done so much for me, I can't hope to repay it."

"You make my daughter happy. You care for her, protect her and love her every day. That's all I can ask for as her mother."

Up in Scotland, an owl flew out of the window to the headmaster's office.

Dumbledore sat in his office, reading the last missive from Crouch regarding the final touches on the event. He looked from the parchment to the newspaper and heaved a heavy sigh. A knock at his door brought him out of his musing.

"Good morning, Albus," Professor Flitwick said as he entered the room.

"Hello, Filius," Dumbledore greeted the man with a smile that Flitwick never returned.

"You know something, Albus," Flitwick said. It was a statement, not a question. "I get giving Harry a book for his birthday. However, you've never been remotely close to Mr. Longbottom or Miss Granger yet you gave them a gift as well.

"Listen," Flitwick continued as he stood in front of the desk, not bothering to sit. "All summer you've been holed up in your office whenever you haven't been attending to your ICW or Wizengamot duties. In that time, we've had a woman disappear and an attack at the World Cup. I know you know something is coming and, if I surmise correctly, Harry is going to be caught in the middle."

"You are correct, Filius," Dumbledore smiled. "You are a true credit to your house. Yes, something is happening this year. They're bringing back the Tri-Wizard Tournament this year."

Flitwick paled at the end of the sentence.

"And you assume Harry will be entered?" Flitwick said, making Dumbledore nod. "Voldemort?"

"Either him or one of his followers," Dumbledore nodded somberly. "And as one of the organizers, I won't be able to help him; it's in the rules."

"Can I see the rules?" Flitwick asked. Dumbledore waved his wand and a think tome floated toward him. Flitwick snatched it out of the air quicker than Hermione and began flipping pages. A few pages in, he tapped the page with a smile. "Mind if I borrow this?"

"By all means," Dumbledore held his hands open showing he had no issue with the request.

"Thank you, Albus," Flitwick said as he walked out, nose still buried in the book. "I will see you at the opening feast.

For the first time in the summer, Dumbledore smiled, finally allowing himself to hope for the best.

(A/N: I just added Sirius to the character list as we will be following him and the squad he's training. I'll be developing a few original characters for this as well. Really, I just want to spend some more time with Sirius when he's not around Harry.

Second, wanted to make an apology for an erroneous statement I made last chapter that's since been rescinded but I wanted to apologize to anyone who was offended.

With that said, updates will be a little irregular as I am developing the new characters and working on an arc for a few characters who have been mentioned but deserve some fleshing out. In addition, work has picked up as well as an exciting professional opportunity that will pull a good chunk of my writing time.

Thank to all who commented with sympathy and asks of help for the victims of the fires. They are all squared away at this time, just trying to decide whether to rebuild or find a new place. The bit in this chapter of it raining on the burned foundation is a direct reference to the day after the fires when a couple feet of snow fell the next day, as an insult to injury.)