Lightning Lord
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A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
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Welcome to the fireside.
**OO**
Chapter 5 Obligatory Summer Montage
Sirius met Harry in California as planned. Harry had exchanged letters, but it wasn't the same as feeling the man's magic wrap around him as they hugged. "Harry! It's so good to finally meet you in person."
"You too, Padfoot. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. How are you feeling? Oh, your hand looks hurt. Tonks? Do you have your kit?"
Sirius shook his head and held up his hand for inspection, "Nevermind, cousin. Come here and give me a hug. I want to savor these knuckles. They made a close encounter with Dumbledore's eye. Amelia allowed me only one punch, in private, for deniability. But I'm going to get a projection pensieve and put the memory on repeat."
"It was a beautiful punch." Moony smiled, "If a bit unwise."
They all laughed but Sirius thoroughly enjoyed the look on Harry's face during this tale. The admiration was clear; Harry worried if he had been too close to Dumbles there, if bits of the old wizard would still be sought days later. The boy admired his godfather's restraint.
The extended family went to the muggle resort first to unpack a bit, and then met up to make a few plans.
Ted and Andromeda were very happy to see Sirius again. They were to meet in the ritual room of a nearby Gringotts to officially be brought back into the family. In the meantime, they had a holiday to enjoy.
**OO**
Due to not meeting the contractual obligations of their marriage contracts, and refusal to repudiate Voldemort, Sirius first called the Malfoy and Lestrange marriage contracts null and void, and then recalled both Bellatrix' and Narcissa's dowries.
The Malfoy fortune, that was inaccessible to Narcissa except for Draco's trust vault was severely taxed, and Bellatrix' was emptied. She had always been a favorite of everyone in the House, and her vault was not small.
The next step was to eject them from the House of Black. Bellatrix's hair lost its lustrous locks and hung down sadly. She lost a significant portion of her magic as well. Narcissa felt a shift of her magic from Black to something that wasn't as potent.
Since Lucius was not dead, magic considered her married; and of House Malfoy. Which meant that she and her husband would share her magic.
But unlike her, his core was shattered, and like trying to fill a broken cup from the tap, it would receive the magic.
And then dribble it all away.
Bringing Ted and Andromeda into the family was far happier. Ted Tonks had been a bit apprehensive of joining the family not understanding that Toujours Pur was an admonition to be true to Magic – not a license to kill the unmagical.
And Tonks gained even more control over her metamorphic powers.
**OO**
For Harry, the next few days were magical indeed. A dream come true for a lonely child who had been left behind each time the Dursleys had gone off on some adventure. Together, they played muggle tourists in sunny California, even spending a day at Disneyland.
Sirius and Harry went on every single roller coaster type ride at least once, and some of them twice.
They had a great time together, but while Andi and Ted lingered for a bit longer there in the States, Sirius wanted to take Harry to his house on Isle de Negra. There was just one little problem.
The weather wards had suddenly fallen. And while the house was magically reinforced, Tonks asked if they could take shelter in the basement. Only Harry was enjoying the storm, watching through a magical window, with a view of the beach in real time. Sirius learned what Tonks had been trying to prepare him for.
**OO**
"But Sirius! I promise! I will be safe!" Harry begged to be allowed outside. How could he become proficient at zapping Dumbledore without practice? He had made promises not to conjure his own lightning; nothing had been said about controlling nature's own, now had they?
Tonks, watching the weather radar from the spell Professor Turing had given them, shook her head. "NO! Look! It's still dangerous for another hour. I'm sorry, Harry."
The Potter lad whinged, "But Tonks…"
Remus came in just then from the kitchen. The elves had been most unnerved by the weather, and had been cooking up a storm. This was the third 'snack' in four hours.
Tonks picked up a crab stick and dipped it in the spicy sauce. British bland this was not.
Tonks had already been called into the school and had been told long before about Harry's affinity. Remus and Sirius all knew now. They could see little lightning bolts on the boy's hands reacting to the weather.
Harry Potter was indeed like Merlin: A Lightning Lord. Even Dumbledore wasn't one. So, of course, he wanted to go play outside during a tropical storm.
"You aren't even twelve, my godson. When you are seventeen, then you can be as reckless as you want. Not that I won't still be worried. Until then, it is Tonks and my responsibility to keep you out of danger. And keep your true nature hidden as long as possible." Wanting the boy distracted, Sirius wheedled. "Now, explain that runic prank idea you had."
Harry could have thrown a temper tantrum but wisely saw what his godfather was doing and decided to cooperate. For now. "Well, you see, we were in the computer lab, and a couple of apprentices were talking about their journeyman project in programming. They are using the logic of programming and nand gates to create a trap for some of the pests in the potions supply room. The original project was designed by Roger Turpin, Lisa's dad. He wanted them to make a trap that could distinguish between friendly and unfriendly pests. That way, if it's something innocent accidentally caught, like someone's cat, it's still alive. They check the traps regularly, and just let it go.
"Well, I had an idea of what to do when I'm older. Tonks complained about there being giant spiders near Hogwarts. What about making this trap on a grand scale to catch them. Any Centaurs and bunnies or whatever would be safe. A Cerberus? Or any acromantulas? Not so much."
Remus nodded. He knew that when he was Moony, he liked the smaller acromantulas just fine - as a tasty snack. But for the average Hogwarts student? They did represent a danger.
And the original program idea had been sponsored by Lisa's father. Which made all of their friends curious about it.
"I wrote to Mr Turpin, and asked permission to use his idea for other applications. He not only said yes, he said that is exactly what real programming is about - building on ideas, giving credit to the ones who started. He's fine with me borrowing his plans. Though I didn't tell him my initial tests would be as a prank. It changes people's hair color based on their robe trim color. You know, based on their house."
Padfoot and Moony shared matching smiles at that magic word. Prank? And they had just met Prongs' son! They wore proud looks and listened intently.
"So, I would never do this at our school, but Hogwarts? Picture it! Someone walks by. The first set of runes involves detecting the person - student or professor or whatever. If it's not a student, then they are left alone. Then, if the student is a 'Puff, they get color A. Oh, and the prank ends at the end of the meal or when they leave the Great Hall."
"Nice job. I like that it has an ending. A Slytherin, a different color. I really like it!" Sirius stated, following along. "But why not at your school?"
Harry's eyes went wide, "No pranks at my school! No! Or I will be expelled and have to go to Hogwarts. Professor Turing and I get along great, and he would never speak to me again if I pulled any pranks at school. Tonks will tell you how upset this situation made her. But I have been in contact with a set of twins that are friends of hers who go to Hogwarts. I send them some of my ideas, and I don't get expelled or in trouble at my school. Win-win."
Sirius and Remus shared a look before Moony stated what they were both thinking. "Wait. You play pranks without any risk to yourself? All hail the worthy Heir!"
Sirius nodded agreement. "I can respect your boundaries. And considering there's been not one but two different Death Eaters employed at Hogwarts? I wouldn't want you anywhere near there."
Padfoot was very happy that he'd kept control of his temper when Dumbledore 'apologized' for his mistake. Of course, Moony being a werewolf was strong enough to hold Sirius' arms. After the one hit that no one, at least officially, noticed. Harry had been told the story once or twice a day since arriving.
The lad thought he giggled like a girl at the thought, and promised to share with all of his 'former Hogwarts' friends. That's of course when Tonks just had to tell the pair that Harry had a half a dozen beautiful ladies in his harem. This provided several moments of gentle teasing. But learning that his godson had a solid group of friends, both wizards and witches, pleased the animagus very much.
**OO**
Luna fed Hedwig another owl snack. The diurnal avian was keeping her company at the Rookery. She and her father planned to holiday looking for magical wild animals later in the summer. Right now, a mind healer was helping them both to try and create normal routines for them at home.
Xeno seemed surprised at the whole food concept. He had apparently bought into a certain following that claimed being magical meant that he should be able to live off of the air, and had no need for anything more.
The mind-healer took a very gentle approach with the man; Jam in the meantime was under secret orders to provide Luna with meals and snacks. If the adult went hungry, that was fine by Harry; His choice. Luna? Not so much.
Neither Hedwig or Luna would suffer if Xeno tried to enforce his 'interesting' beliefs on anyone else.
Harry was just relieved that the man hadn't ever hit her.
Luna, in the meantime, was spending the sunny days, and it was always sunny there during the day, saving the rain for night. She played with fairies, and watched Hedwig fly. The snowy was such a lovely being, and the owl in turn was doing as Harry asked. Keeping an eye on his light-haired friend.
She didn't understand, though, why the witch-chick was ignoring her offerings of food. The field mice and amphibians around there were delicious, and the parent didn't seem capable of hunting.
Why wasn't the witch eating more of the offerings Hedwig brought her?
**OO**
Their holiday was the best. With some of his friends like Lisa being day students, as was Justin, Padfoot casually asked if being a day student interested Harry at all.
"Can you live in a normal house? I mean with electricity and cable telly and telephones and all that?" Harry was clearly dubious. He loved the idea, but he had goals that had sustained him in the dark and cold hours of the night, alone and starving in his cupboard. They would not be easily abandoned.
Sirius looked at Remus in a bit of a panic. "I don't know what you just said other than electricity." Sirius and Remus had been doing some research into that topic. "But I have a vault full of gold, and am getting quarterly payments for wrongful incarceration from the Ministry. Shouldn't that solve most problems?"
"My dad should be able to help you and Remus find a nice house. Perhaps one a short distance from the school." Tonks suggested. "Oh, and something Mr Turpin mentioned. He makes a very nice salary, but is constantly running into conversion limits at the bank. They claim to have enough pounds, thank you very much. So this could help you both."
Sirius nodded. He would still likely exchange some gold at the bank to keep Goldrub happy, but this man was in the industry Harry wanted to join. This could prove an easy way to forge alliances. Roger Turpin should be a wealthy wizard, but wasn't considered so in the magical world since all he had was pounds sterling. Sirius could buy his muggle money with galleons which he could then use to buy a muggle house; helping them both. Sirius liked the idea a lot.
Remus was proud of Padfoot, stepping up to be a parent to Harry. Providing a home near his school? Genius.
"Wait! What about Tonks? I need her too." Harry added, then buried his face in his hands, suddenly shy; realizing what he'd just said.
"I would never deprive you of your family, Harry. Not when the last ten years have been a desert of affection for us." Sirius turned to Tonks, "Whatever we get needs to be big. You, Harry, any boyfriends of yours Tonks, and girlfriends of ours in future. Plus having room to have our pup's friends over…"
"Yes!" Harry punched his fist into the air. "And Tonks, if you want, you can keep your flat in Diagon as a magical hideaway. You know. For when you want to be alone and sha…snog someone." Harry giggled a bit at that, but the adults pretended not to notice.
Tonks nodded, grateful that her talent in metamorphmagic kept her blush hidden, "I'd really like that - both offers. We've all gotten on here. Sirius and Remus haven't treated me like a child at all. Thank you. I think it's a great idea to get a house near your school. It would make me feel better. As for the shop flat," Tonks changed her face to be an old crone with voice to match, "Don't you want me to have someplace private to practice my dark magic?"
They all laughed, as she had turned herself into the epitome of a muggle witch: green skin, pointed beaky nose, and even an overly large hairy mole.
**OO**
All too soon, it was time to return to school for summer term. Harry had a small box of special seashells for Hermione and Luna, along with a satchel full for the rest of the pod. He didn't want anyone feeling left out. He even had one selected for the headmistress.
This summer's coming classes was the real difference between Hogwarts and Wimborne, and though the speed of the magical classes had some of their friends panting, all three of the trio of Harry, Hermione, and Luna were ready. Raring to go.
**OO**
July 1992
Runes had been assigned a special 'Independent Project' for summer term. Harry couldn't believe that his prank idea was allowed as a project. And it was also accepted for his programming class as well for extra credit. Score!
The Journeyman monitoring the lab just shrugged. "As a prank, it's a good one. It hurts no one, and leaves the adults alone. I wouldn't recommend ever trying anything here, but you already told me you had no plans to do so."
Harry was in his element: working with a will towards his own goals; surrounded by friends. Lisa had already traded Harry a set of her Ravenclaw robes for a future boon, likely in arithmancy, Tonks had given Harry a set of Gryffindor robes she'd worn at Hogwarts along with her robes from an early year in Hufflepuff. The robes were needed for testing his project.
Luna was adapting Harry's idea into a snorkack trap for her trip later in the summer. The only problem was getting the alarm to work. Hermione had an idea about that, so requested permission to work as a partner with the blonde witch. Since what they were doing was far more complicated than the original assignment, that was acceptable to all.
And Luna just beamed, thinking that Hermione too was interested in hunting the elusive creature. No, she was trying to fix the alarm, and as a side project, adapt two-way, real-time joined communication; based on twinned journals that lovers sometimes shared.
There had to be a way to remotely let someone know that the trap had been triggered. Without manually checking each one.
When she figured that out, she was indeed proud of herself. And the trio celebrated their successful projects with butterbeer and snacks shared with the pod.
The summer term was the shortest, with another holiday before school began again in September. This time, Harry's family was going to gather in Britain.
For some reason, Lord Black wanted to keep his Heir away from tropical storms during the stormiest part of the year. So unfair!
Knowing Harry was nearby, had the girl's goodbyes much less tearful than before. Which was good; they planned to meet up at some point for cinemas and other excursions. Just as soon as the family found a house to buy.
**OO**
August 1992
The family holiday started with looking at a variety of manor homes in various states of disrepair. From 'oh my, this is awful' to 'this might be alright' to the one that everyone loved. Well, at least the layout. This poor estate was a mess!
The well-designed Georgian home was in legal limbo, and had been for years. Sirius planned to throw money at the problem. The gold he exchanged with Roger Turpin was treated like Monopoly money in Tonks' eye.
Padfoot hired Moony to be in charge of it all, and as Remus had muggle identification, put him on the new Barclays bank account with Tonks. The werewolf growled, feeling like he was accepting charity again. Harry took him aside and begged him to help. Harry needed his Unca Moony, and it wasn't charity to help family. Between them all, they had a half dozen house-elves more than willing to help.
House found, it was now time to eat. They retreated to Ted and Andi's home to share food and stories. The tent in the backyard provided rooms for Harry, Remus and Sirius.
**OO**
Amelia swirled in front of the glass. She wasn't used to feeling like a teenager. No, these robes were just too formal. She put on the dress she had gotten while shopping with Lily. Classic lines, the Lady Potter had said.
The dress ended just above the ankles in layers of black silk chiffon. The diamond brooch holding the ruchings of the bodice was a very elegant piece. And had very real diamonds. A gift from the wizard she was about to remeet after all this time.
Susan came in just then and gasped.
"You're beautiful Auntie! Just beautiful!"
The raids going on earlier in the summer on dark objects had delayed this meeting, and would have delayed it further if Sirius had not come to her. She was humbled that he left his Isle of security to risk being in a Britain that had treated him so poorly.
Amelia kissed the girl's forehead. "Thank you, Susie. How do you like my hair? This is how I looked ten years ago."
The muggle wig matched her previous hair color exactly. And with magic, it matched her old hair style, rather than the crisp short style she wore for work.
Susan clapped her hands. Their house-elf popped in to tell them the gentleman had been placed in the green parlor.
"Do you want to meet him?" Amelia offered.
"Not today. If things go well, next time." The young witch handed her aunt her silver bag that went well with the dress. "You have your wand? Emergency portkey? Spare wand?"
"Yes Mum." Amelia teased back, finishing with, "Don't stay up too late."
"I'll be at Hannah's. We're watching some new show she found. Love you. Have fun." Susan chirped.
Amelia couldn't talk. It was time to go see if there was anything left of their former relationship. Or if it had been destroyed by time and torture of Azkaban.
**OO**
Tonks insisted that they appear at least once in Diagon. There were rumors that Harry had been killed by the troll, with some going so far as to urge the Ministry to claim the Potter vaults. No one wanted that!
Making sure it coincided with a winter holiday in Australia, Harry Potter went openly as himself to go shopping with the family. Tonks and Moody were in uniform, Sirius dressed to the nines as Lord Black.
He had refused to talk about his date with Amelia Bones. His smile said it had gone well, and he'd come back to the tent at a time where some people were getting up for the day.
Moony really shouldn't have teased him so much. Now, he was paying for it.
Remus would catch up, just as soon as he figured out how to end the charm on his old clothes. The old rather ratty robe had turned into a jester suit. Of course, Sirius had a set of brand new robes in a nice earth tone ready for him as a backup on his bed. If he just got over himself.
Harry figured that Moony was Sirius' "Kird", Harry's friend who insisted on earning his own way, and wouldn't accept help that was offered by a hu-mon. Harry thought it would all work out or they'd all kill each other. Either way, they would have peace sometime in the future.
People flocked to Harry to say hello. He refused to sign autographs or have his picture taken with anyone. He was repeatedly asked about Hogwarts. Since Lisa's mum and now Sirius were going to be working on improving the school, he didn't want to say anything awful. But they had an appointment at the bank to keep.
During their trip to Gringotts, Sirius donned the official Lord's ring, and gave Harry the heir's ring, Sirius had also picked up some various parchments.
He could go into the Potter family vault, where Harry's things had been put. Supposedly by mistake. Harry was able to request from the door several books he'd looked for at the bookstore and still hadn't bought. They found a proper stasis chamber with a pair of invisibility cloaks. Normal ones, not like Harry's special Peverell cloak he carried in a hidden pocket.
"Wow! Think of the pranks we could do having more than one!" Harry's eyes were wide. "I need to invest in a couple for the twins!"
"Just make sure you keep track of expenditures, young man. I support new business investments." Goldrub advised from the cart, giving some investment ideas over to the lad who so far had surpassed his expectations.
After leaving the bank, the Potter lad headed to the Leaky with Sirius and their entourage, which had swelled to include Moony in his new robes and Destiny from Severus's shop for some reason.
Harry's eyes were full of mirth, thinking of future prank ideas. With Sirius' permission, they had posted the invisibility cloaks to the twins from Gringotts. They'd make arrangements to actually meet the redheads another time. It was important to be seen now and then about Britain. Meeting some of his friends in the alley was not at all unexpected; just a very pleasant surprise.
Dumbledore showing up was not one hundred percent unlooked for but it was a most unpleasant surprise.
**OO**
"It's nice to see you again, Harry my boy." Dumbledore was beaming for the audience in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry rubbed his left hand. He would only be allowed one hit of 'accidental' magic. He intended it to be a good one.
"You have me at a disadvantage sir. Everyone seems to know me, though few do. What is your name?"
"Why Harry!" There was Hagrid, right on cue. "Don't ye remember yer mentor all these years? This is Albus Dumbledore."
Harry jumped up on a nearby chair to be able to be seen. And heard.
"My memory hasn't been modified, Mr Hagrid. Dumbledore is no mentor to me. I am not his apprentice. He's the one who abandoned me on a muggle's doorstep. I do wonder how you escaped the child abuse charges against you, Mr Dumbledore. I know the Crown was planning on filing them."
Dumbbell's hand might have looked like they were waving away the charges, but in fact, he was casting a spell.
The crowd gasped, but Harry was on a roll. His house ring was absorbing a good deal of excess magic; fortunately for the headmaster. Unfortunately for him, it was using that energy to form a shield against his silencing charm.
Harry knew exactly what happened to those charges. Filed away, lost on some desk until Harry was too old for it to matter anymore.
The boy couldn't be stopped, and swatted away Dumbledore's silencing spell like a buzzing fly, "I hear that Tom Riddle was an orphan too, and like myself, he had no one. Does it ever bother you to think that if you had helped him, there would be many people alive today that died under his or his minions' wands? Including my parents, grandparents, and other family members? I doubt it. Good day everyone. If you want to know why I'm not at Hogwarts, look at this man. He can tell you."
"Harry! I was hoping we could meet! Clear the air, so that you can start your proper entry into the magical world. You need to attend Hogwarts! Otherwise, you'll never live up to your magical potential." The old mage claimed.
"Is that so?" Harry asked, turning to one of their escort. "May I please use my wand to demonstrate that this man is wrong?"
Master Auror Moody nodded, "The boy has a permit, and I'm right here."
He took out said wand. Technically, he was doing underage magic, but his guardians were the best, and he really did have a summer tutoring permit. All of his friends did.
Harry debated what to do, and remembered the rat that had been the secret keeper. Harry took a pencil and wrote out the transfiguration sequence in runes and tapped the parchment to shrink it. He then sent it to Dumbledore's arm where it became a band. A band of silver.
Old Albie's own magic powered the runes, and the bracelet shrunk with the now mouse king. Well, mouse headmaster.
The people around him didn't know how to react. There had been rumors that Harry Potter was a squib, and that's why he hadn't gone to Hogwarts. Some said he had been expelled.
But the average witch and wizard had had some sort of interaction with the headmaster and had no trouble believing he had done something neglectful towards the Potter boy. They were the ones clapping at the impressive show of magic.
"Until that band is removed, he'll remain a mouse. A reminder that not everyone is helpless, and unless he leaves me alone, he will become most unhappy."
Before anyone could do so, Heir Potter ended the magic of the band, and the headmaster grew from a mouse.
"You've gone dark to do such magic! I couldn't change back or get out of that bracelet." the headmaster claimed.
"Yeah. Kinda like being locked in a cupboard in the dark. Cold. Hungry. Alone and in pain; with no one coming to help you. Leave me be, Headmaster. You think that was dark? Hah! You've done far darker deeds. Leave me alone, and your stories, like the ones that Abeforth shared with me, will be left in the dark.
"Continue to try and recruit me to your school, and you won't like it." Harry started towards the door. The man who had to control everything grabbed the boy's the boy's shoulder to turn him around.
The blow was so fast that only Mad-eye and Remus saw it. One minute the Headmaster was facing the boy.
The next, the old man had fallen to the ground, gasping for air.
"Can someone please summon a healer?" Harry called, as Remus rushed him out the front door towards the normal world.
Tonks was rearguard, and looked a bit worried. Severus, being one of the closest Mediwizards, was summoned by Destiny to attend to the old man, or so Mad-eye informed them as they made their way to the Tube. The young veela was no longer with them. Mad-eye too said his goodbyes as they reached the station unhindered.
"Will I have to deal with that again soon? I felt like a bully." Harry shared. Most of that had been a planned public speech for when Albie the 'dear old man' eventually found him. Harry knew that with that many people there, Dumbledore couldn't change the dialog much.
Tonks gathered him up into her arms for a moment. The boy was so powerful and mature, it was hard to believe he wasn't yet a teenager.
"You did great! And no, we'll stay far from him. Jam? Can you please come and take care of the trackers that were left on us?"
Harry laughed, "After what Dobby did with the ones on Sirius, you just don't trust him, do you?"
Dobby had a strange sense of humor and sent Dumbles to a gentlemen's club. With the friendly competition going between them, Harry wondered where the whiskered one would wind up.
**OO**
Back at the Leaky, people were asking just who Tom Riddle was while watching the headmaster be tended to. Being told off by a teenager had to be a part of his job, but the boy seemed to have reason to be angry.
Moody had been supposed to travel with them, but had returned to watch over Dumbledore, clearly torn in his duties. But the lad did have three wanded adults with them. And with his lightning reflexes hadn't seemed to need them there at all.
After Albus was taken to Saint Mungos, Severus asked Moody in a low voice what had happened to the old man.
"Potter, that's what. The boy's been takin' defense. How would you feel if the monster who'd put you in prison for a decade, starved and beat ye mind, suddenly showed up and demanded you get back in a cage that he controlled?" Moody asked, noting that Tom listened to each and every word.
"I imagine that he would share the same warm feelings that Black holds for the man. And Dumbledore calls them 'lost' or 'fallen' or 'Dark'. I call them intelligent." Severus shared. "I'll head back to the shop now. I wanted to let you know that Black stopped by the shop earlier. He gave me the deed. Gave it to me. The only stipulation is to allow the current renter's lease to continue for the next six years. And I get to collect the rents. I get paid for that."
"He apologized for himself, Potter and Pettigrew?" Alastor asked.
"No, not Pettigrew. I'm going to set up rat traps all over this place in case he ever shows his whiskers." Severus shared. "But he apologized for himself and Potter."
Neither wizard felt that Azkaban was secure enough for the Dark Lord's followers. And rumors of the Dark Lord returning one day did persist.
Snape had his wand suddenly in his hand, "I can forgive the boy, and even his father and two of the Marauders. But never Wormtail. Not for killing the best witch…well. No. Never will I forgive him."
Moody patted his arm and took his leave. He had to admit that as an apology, Black couldn't have done any better than giving Severus his own shop. Before he could join the Potter-Blacks, he had to make sure Amelia had this memory. Or come the morrow, the lad would likely be labeled the next dark lord.
As if.
**OO**
Moody caught up with the family in muggle Paris, and played security for a time. He was getting paid by the Ministry and by Black.
Hermione and her parents were expected, as was Luna arriving with them. The other group? Not so much.
He hid his surprise when Susan, Hannah and Amelia joined them for the excursion. Amelia was quickly accepted by this group. Susan had never interacted much with the Potter lad at Hogwarts. She was asking questions about his school. Hermione and Luna took turns answering.
Harry just shrugged and answered calmly, "I like practicing the ventriloquism spell?"
All three girls laughed, and Harry was actually allowed to talk a bit.
The group had a great time in Paris, visiting the Lourve's magical section in addition to some of the muggle parts. It was interesting that the real Mona Lisa was in the magical part, and an apprentice's copy, made when Da Vinci was still alive, was in the muggle section.
The real painting showed the bloom of a smile as a secret lover walked by, explaining the context of the muggle painting.
All of the trio were taking pictures and notes, hoping to earn a bit of extra credit in school.
They all visited EuroDisney together, Moody opting to relax at the magical hotel they were staying at and visit an old friend. The young people had a marvelous time, with Tonks and Remus, as they left as a group. That left Sirius alone with Amelia to talk and visit the lovely gardens of the place.
Harry took Susan aside in one of the lines, "So, your aunt, and my godfather? I'm not sure what that makes us. But if they do get together as a couple, I would like us to be at least friends. The house, once it's finished, is huge. Room enough for both of us with them."
Susan blushed, "After her date with Sirius, Auntie confided in me that it was like no time had passed. She's still very much in love with him. They were supposed to marry that Christmas Eve, you know? And my auntie is just regent. I'm Heiress Bones, as if I would kick her out of my house once I was of age."
"I'd be willing to do that to Vernon and Petunia and their baby whale if I was still living with the Dursleys, but I get it. Yeah. Go on."
"It means that if they do marry, I still have a place to share with my future husband." Her eyes were twinkling.
"You do know that Cedric guy had better be good to you? Or else."
"Harry! He doesn't know that I exist." Susan exclaimed.
"Yet. But one day, he'll see the real you. And if he's smart, he'll treat you right. Otherwise…" Harry patted his arm with the hidden wand.
"You have hundreds of acres and no one will find the body. Yeah, yeah." Susan rolled her eyes.
Luna and Hermione, who had fire in her eyes, joined them just then, handing over the ice creams they'd just bought. But she'd overhead that last bit. If someone messed with her or especially Luna.
"Oh no, Susan. He'd leave the body. As a warning to everyone else of what not to do." Hermione shared sincerely.
Luna started to object, then looked at the Potter boy intently. She nibbled at her cone in quiet contemplation. Tonks and Remus, laughing, walked up, enjoying their own cold treat.
"What's next?" Tonks asked, dispelling the chill air with her smile.
"Something cheerful. I want the zippity do da song." Luna shared. Hannah quickly voted for that, and the two held hands and started to skip.
Shrugging, unsure of what that meant, the group followed the blonde witches.
They had reservations for a fancy dinner later, and would return to the hotel to swim, rest, and then change for dinner.
But all that day, all Harry could think was how lucky he was to have a real family.
He was nervous about tomorrow, for he had an interview with a representative of the Minister of Magic for Japan. They were meeting in Gringotts Paris.
For now, he tried to focus on the moment. He was free from prison, as was his happy godfather. They all stood close, watching the fireworks in the clear night sky. Sirius leaning over to share a sweet kiss with Amelia.
Harry squeezed Luna and Hermione's hands. Someday, maybe. Someday he'd do that as well. When he was a bit older. When it was the right time.
**OO**
The Grangers and Abbots said goodbye the next morning. They were headed off on adventures of their own. Moody left temporarily to return Luna back to her father, leaving Susan and Amelia alone at the hotel with Tonks and Remus.
Harry was disappointed when leaving a meeting with the representative of Japan. He had come to test him in regards to his power. Harry hoped to get training soon, but their Ministry's laws refused to consider such training before the student was at least sixteen. They knew he'd only turned twelve! Why expose his power for nothing? But the oaths sworn meant that it shouldn't get out in the general public.
He certainly hoped Dumbledore never got wind of it, or he'd find some law to shackle him.
Tonks had gone to Rue Magique for shopping with her mother while Ted and Remus went sightseeing.
Sirius tried to comfort Harry by taking him to a local zoo with just Amelia and Susan. The four had a great time. It was a chance for Harry just to be a child, and he did love all of the animals very much. He wished Luna had stayed for it though.
Later, back at the hotel, everyone saw that Harry was a bit blue again. Sirius tried to console him. However, it was Moony's voice which helped the most. "I went to Japan to get my mastery and found the magical Samurai to be the most honorable and diligent people ever. You may have to wait, but it will be worth it in the end. Remember, you'll be ready to leave school earlier than most, so you won't have to take a sabbatical from school. You'll be done with at least part one of it. And because of my contacts, I would be very happy to go with you."
That made the boy happier.
Susan had patted his arm in support, unsure of what to say. Harry felt incredibly fortunate to have gone, in a year, from having no family, to having this extended one that now clearly included Amelia and Susan.
Director Bones was wearing a new sparkly, and the couple announced plans for a wedding at Yule. Harry was the first to hug Padfoot in congratulations; the rest of the group followed. Susan eyed the dark haired former auror before extending her own hand to Sirius. The animagus bowed and kissed it before bringing her into a one armed hug. The other hand produced a blue velvet box from his pocket which he flipped open with a flourish to reveal a beautiful necklace.
Susan's eyes sparkled more than the gems inside.
"We should have raised you and Harry together. This is just a little token to let you know that you are included in this." Sirius shared.
Susan gave him a warm hug as Amelia gave Harry one. Then the animagus wrapped them all in a family hug. The magic swirled around them, and Harry knew he had just gotten a new sister, and new auntie. One that wouldn't hurt him.
"With you schooling so far away, we'll have to get to know each other through post." Susan offered.
Sirius facepalmed, realizing that he hadn't shared that secret yet. What to do? If Susan knew, she'd tell Hannah. Oh boy. The man turned to his fiancée.
"Ami, my darling? I need to talk to you. In private. Very soon." Padfoot shared.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, "Confessions?"
Sirius nodded, "Yep. But nothing bad, I solemnly swear."
**OO**
Amelia had to return to work, and Susan chose to go with her back to Britain. Director Bones now knew where Harry was really going to school, and understood that for now, it should be kept under wraps.
The original plan had been to head to Sirius' private island sooner, but they had stayed and played in Paris with Amelia and Susan for as long as she had leave.
Amelia was worried the auror emergency callout wouldn't reach Isla de Negre. It barely reached Hogsmeade from London, after all. At least she was in the callout zone there in Paris.
Harry had an idea of how to practice next to the ocean to see what he could really do. The boy needed to duck Moody though, as he would not be happy with what he had planned.
**OO**
Remus had double checked the weather wards before the family returned to the island. Just like before, the minute Harry showed up, a tropical storm blew in from out of nowhere. Harry flung out his arms, running to the ocean gleefully shouting. His headlong rush to the water came to an abrupt halt as he was thrown over the shoulder of an exceptionally strong werewolf who was trying to keep him safe!
Everyone scooted to the basement for it to blow over. Harry folded his arms and glared at Remus who refused to apologize. Tonks fell off her chair laughing at him.
Harry was very disappointed to be shut into the basement yet again. He watched the radar and magic windows. The storm cleared off over the next couple of hours with a fascinated boy watching the progress. He sighed in sadness as the strong winds blew their last gasps. It had been magnificent.
Harry had made an oath to Professor Turning to not practice his lightning skills without a mentor. Unless it was a life or death situation, which this wasn't. And the man he was apprenticed to had clearly been working on getting one. Harry wanted to play in a storm since that was 'natural' lightning, and see if he could control it. No fair!
Auror Moody showed up just then, scowling at Harry. The weather had held him up at the transfer point, and he was happy to finally be there. He was taking two days to relax on the tropical island. Then they were all heading back to do a few touristy things before the Fall term started. Sirius had hired him as private security for the entire time of their holiday.
More to guard against Dumbledork than Death Eaters. And wasn't that a sad commentary?
Tonks got him laughing at the prank, and Harry complained that it hadn't worked anyways as he had been stuck in the basement. No fair!
The group did have a nice relaxing time by the edge of the gorgeous water, a fire pit lighting their circle. Tonks quizzed everyone about their dreams for the future, with even the youngest of the family sharing his ideas.
Sirius openly said that he wanted to get married and have a family to add to his current family. Harry turned bright eyes away at that. The Potter boy had been sure once Sirius had a child of his own, Harry would be ignored. But now? He didn't think that would happen. This wizard sincerely cared about him.
With luck, Harry would have a new home, one with lots of laughter, in short order. One without Dumb-as-a-door able to get anywhere near him. That would be a dream come true for the young man.
**OO**
Serena, Nobby and Dobby's mother, was pulling her ears. She dared not keep this secret, but she couldn't betray Master Draco either! But his plan was so evil.
After writing in the dark book that he took out of the cold iron box without permission, Heir Malfoy found the scary book wrote back. Then the boy asked his mother a question.
"Just who is Tom Marvolo Riddle?"
Narcissa thought the name Marvolo sounded familiar, and used a huge book of genealogy to look up Marvolo Gaunt, a distant relative of Slytherin. One of the last remaining parselmouths in Britain, if from a poor pureblood family.
"I'm not sure, my son. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. Will you stop wearing black if Father gets his magic back?" Draco asked, diverting attention. Mrs Parkinson had apparently heard something, and Pansy couldn't keep a secret long.
"Of course, my darling." Narcissa offered. She was not going to tell them that one of the associates of the Dark Lord had tracked down some very dark rituals. The man was clearly very wealthy, and had an idea of how to raise the Dark Lord and restore Lucius' magic. Lucius was supporting his family, working for him, now that she no longer had the Black stipend to rely upon.
Draco had already visited his father, and had his own ideas.
Neither Narcissa nor Draco knew that Quirrell had no intention of helping Lucius much. He had treated Lucius well, but not out of the goodness of his heart. The gold Malfoy was earning was meant to sweeten Narcissa's disposition towards Quirrell himself. He wanted what the man had lost. His wife, his child, and their respectability. He hoped to gain with his ill-gotten gold all he had ever wanted in the wizarding world.
In the meantime, he had hoped to gain further access inside the manor – to the Malfoy library. Becoming completely accepted by both Lady and Heir Malfoy before he carried out his next steps.
**OO**
Narcissa had different plans from Quirrell. She wanted to restore the Dark Lord. Surely he would have the power to heal Lucius if they never found a ritual to restore his magic.
Draco was about to upset Narcissa's plans most spectacularly.
**OO**
September, 1992
September first saw the start of term for both magical schools. Fred and George, who normally set off random pranks now and then, happily experimented with the ideas Harry sent. They would then report back to Harry and Baljeet.
This year was going to be the best! The invisibility cloaks, along with the map made them feel invincible.
Luna too somehow invited herself to some of the prank planning parties but Hermione acted as though they were somehow setting off stink bombs in her personal quarters there, and avoided them all.
Other than a quiet birthday party for the new teenage Hermione and Luna's last preteen birthday, they all settled into a routine. They went to classes, flew a bit, studied together, and worked on projects.
Sirius was staying with Amelia at the Ossuary until their new and unnamed manor was ready. Remus had a small cottage in a forest that was just lovely. In the meantime, Tonks would come and do day trips with Harry on random weekend days. Sirius and Remus would sometimes come along. All activities out of school with Harry were kept in the normal world to avoid unwanted attention.
Amelia would question Sirius about Harry's progress. He knew so much more magic than Susan or Hannah did!
Compared to their peers at Hogwarts, they were nearly done with most of their second year work, and some students, like Harry, Hermione and Luna were well into third year. So nice to be able to work at their own pace.
And days turned into weeks.
Hermione had changed over the summer and seemed to be more relaxed, and kinder to her friends. It was nice. But the best part was when several new house-elves showed up at the new Black house they were trying to get into liveable shape.
Moony had managed to buy the estate they wanted, and it needed a lot of work. But it was still much better than Grimmauld Place. Unlike there, there was never dark magic performed in the all-muggle place.
There was no way that Sirius would ever step foot into his childhood home again. And no one in the family blamed him.
Tonks seemed a little intimidated that her boss, Director Bones of the indomitable will, would be living here at least part time after she and Sirius married. Tonks had been invited to the Ossuary many times, and found the place the height of good taste.
She had gone to the bookstores of Diagon, new and used, looking for decorating ideas, as all of the males of the house kept deferring to her. She had no clue, so did the sneaky thing: She brought in her mother to take over the project.
By October first, Harry's family moved into a manor house. Elegant furniture adorned the dining rooms, parlors and sitting rooms. At least downstairs.
It still needed a lot of work. The wiring needed to be upgraded, for example. But the small gaggle of house-elves they had were all very happy with the amount of work available. The place was Georgian, with some throwback interior niches and statuary that defied explanation. At least the vandalized pieces were no longer bright pink.
Red brickwork, and white dormer windows now were clean and moss-free. The chimney stacks no longer looked like death traps, ready to tumble at the slightest breeze. The furnishings were understated and elegant. Andromeda had excellent taste and was beaming at the wizards' reaction to the change.
The semi-detached house that was for Remus when he was feeling less sociable was the perfect bachelor pad. Winky blushed bright green when Moony hugged her in thanks. He was a private person with too sharp of hearing to live with everyone else. He liked his new quarters very much.
At first, Remus tried to stay in his modest cottage, but Sirius wasn't having it. "We can use that place for the full moons. Come on! No dark magic! This place was abandoned by muggles. It'll be a fun project. Sweat equity - your wand will help buy your piece."
The elegant home was in the countryside, yet close to school. Due to the connecting lands, and it all being a wizarding community, Harry could actually fly to school in the mornings more directly than he could walk.
Heir Potter was in heaven!
Tonks didn't try to argue about money or anything. She tried to feel entitled to this as Harry's guardian. Two hundred galleons a month was meant to cover Harry's maintenance, but if housing was paid for, it provided more than clothes and food for them both. She just put the gold in a household jar for the elves to use.
The house had obviously previously held some very wild parties and Tonks hoped that by next year, they could have a few nice parties themselves.
Could magic restore the beautiful ballroom floor?
Harry's room had basic furniture for now - his room still needed to be painted, unless he wanted to keep the psychedelic purple, oranges and pink. He stuck out his tongue at Padfoot, and summoned Winky for color consulting.
But from that day, Harry would stay at school long enough to spend time with Luna and Hermione and his friends, and finish up any work that needed to be done. That way, when he went home, he could talk with his godfather, or plan pranks with Moony and Tonks. But mostly, they worked on the house.
Seeing Director Bones and Tonks in the wizarding world's version of a worker's smock; paint smears on their hands, had Harry smiling. No one in the newspaper got to see this side of the formidable woman. She was very hard working, and yet kind to everyone in the house.
Padfoot would occasionally wear a splat of paint the color she was wielding if he said the wrong thing, to the laughter of all around.
Harry now truly had a family, and loved using magic to restore this home.
They all worked hard on several rooms so that by Halloween, they had a nice spot to gather and remember James and Lily.
**OO**
Harry arrived at school early to join his friends who were clearly upset, "What do you mean there was an attack at Hogwarts?" Students were gathered around the newspaper.
Harry had stayed up late on Halloween, sharing stories with Moony, Padfoot and Tonks. A memorial of sorts for James and Lily. It was hard to believe it was November already, but Harry's life was so very different. This was the Monday following it.
"The caretaker's cat, Mrs Norris, was petrified. The Head of House Slytherin was apparently very nasty to the old man - said terrible things to him. It turned into a ugly row." Milli shared, having more news about it from Daphne Greengrass.
"I thought that Rowle had a new love, and was happier now." Lisa asked.
"Oh, didn't I tell you? A sandy-haired person has been seen sneaking in and out of his quarters. Never seen for long, hides quickly. Well, that was no lady!" Blaise shared. Greg had said as much in the letter. He was asking about classes there.
Blaise didn't think Greg had the smarts for Wimborne, but couldn't but offer help to someone turning away from Malfoy of his own free will.
"Was that awful professor the one that attacked the cat?" Hermione asked.
"That's the weird thing. The portraits argued, but say they saw nothing, but heard the sound of rasping - like someone having trouble breathing." Milli stated.
Harry thought about his pranking boxes, and how handy it would be to have a construct that could determine whether or not someone was an attacker, and if so, do a certain action.
He'd ask advice from his logic tutor later on in the day. For now, he was just glad that all of them were safe here from whatever was attacking old moggies at Hogwarts.
Whether or not it was a strange Death Eater was to be seen.
**OO**
The Daily Prophet again had the ad from Dumbledore asking for anyone traveling to Australia to contact him. He had a 'little favor' he wanted done, and offered a paltry sum for it.
Didn't he realize that everyone knew he was looking for Harry Potter? Had a huge public fight with him? Honestly! Harry Potter watching was all the rage. It was now a magical national pastime. International pastime.
Harry personally wanted to make an educational computer game, using clues and such, of "Finding Harry". But knew that he was a long way from that level of sophistication of programming. He still had a lot of learning to do.
Sirius had evaded any sort of registration for floo and whatnot by having the house officially registered to Remus Lupin and Tonks. That had been Amelia's idea. It was a mere half kilometer from the house to the school's main doors.
Ever since he moved in, Harry left early to have breakfast with his friends. None of the adults were up that early, and it gave him a chance to be with the students of his pod who boarded there. Like Luna.
Harry was wonderfully happy, until he came to school to see Luna crying. He sat his tray down, and took a seat next to her. She had been reading a letter from a friend. This time, it was a student petrified. The paper hadn't mentioned it.
"Luna? Are you alright?" Harry asked.
"No. Not at all. Something terrible is happening somewhere. I can't…a beast, not a natural, beautiful creature." Her voice turned dark and husky, "If Slytherin's monster isn't stopped, a new Dark Age will start. The Dead will walk again. If Slytherin's monster isn't stopped, the Dead will walk again."
Blood dribbled from her nose, and she would have hit the floor when she fainted, if Harry hadn't been there to catch her. He looked around and called for help.
"We need to get her to a healer!" Harry shouted. "Can someone please get Healer Marius?"
"Faster to take her to the infirmary, Potter." One of the perfects declared, bending down to carefully pick up the unconscious girl. Cradling the tiny witch, he didn't run, but he walked very fast to the infirmary, keeping her steady.
While Harry clutched his friend's hand all the way there, he kept pondering her words.
**OO**
There was still nothing in the papers about anyone trying to do anything. Typical of Dumbledore, just typical. So Harry, with both Hermione and Luna in tow, went to Professor Turing.
The trio had been working on this all week. They'd taken Harry's original prank idea, along with Luna and Hermione's snorkack trap and turned it into a beast trap.
The witches couldn't have done it alone - Harry had helped with the logic of the snorkack trap, and both girls were giving Harry all of the credit. He wasn't having it. But credit wasn't important; addressing the issue was.
Harry emphatically stated, "This is a school we are talking about! A school that my parents wanted me to go to." And paid for, and he still hadn't gotten that tuition back. A fight for a different day. Lives were at stake, here! No, if Luna was right, their world could see a new bad era start.
Harry had a plastic dinosaur toy to use with the model as a demonstration of Slytherin's monster. They figured out that it was a basilisk based on both Hermione's and Harry's interpretation from 'Hogwarts, a History.' Luna couldn't talk about it without getting upset, but she still wanted to help catch it.
"So you what? Deploy the boxes everywhere? What about killing it?" Professor Turing asked excitedly. "I'm not sure if a rooster crow really works or not."
It really was a clever design. And these children were still very young. Such prodigies.
"Well, we all disagreed about that as well. Hermione wanted to try rooster crowing. I wanted to try mirrors. Luna wanted music. So, we incorporated everything into the traps. All of them have a backup that can be remotely deployed. The field tests all worked with conjured animals, and it didn't trap any people."
Well, except one person. Harry was not going to admit that Moony got stuck in a box of mirrors, with roosters crowing at him while music played. Clearly, the detectors saw 'werewolf' as a beast that shouldn't be in a school.
Only Luna planned on getting rid of a terrifying monster by playing love songs to it. Moony had been…peeved at her all the rest of the day. Now he had that tune stuck in his head, and he couldn't get it out!
The tests did prove that any werewolves attending as students would only be captured. Not killed.
"What about something the size of a basilisk? There is a basilisk farm somewhere outside of Tirupati that we can contact for help. For a fee, we might be able to test it there." Professor Turing suggested.
"Can I call my guardians right now? That is a great idea, sir!" Harry asked.
"Certainly. I have that facility's information right here." The wizard mentor offered.
The administration of Wimborne had heard about Luna's prediction, and instead of just wringing hands, the adults had talked, and extra credit was being offered for a solution.
Both Moony and Padfoot showed up very quickly. They had a trip arranged for the next day. Harry wouldn't even miss school that day, just a pickup game of baggit. Compared to saving lives?
Besides, a farm with basilisks. What wasn't to like?
**OO**
Augusta had called an emergency meeting. She was trying to keep the donation anonymous. The Longbottoms did not do charity for praise! But it wasn't just any child that had been petrified.
Was this a personal attack on their House? Why Sally-Anne? She was perfect for Neville! And such grace!
The girl moved like a pureblood witch, and talked like one. She was raised in a well-to-do home, well, for the non-magical. It was sad that her parents had rejected her for being magical. Augusta had planned to bring her to the manor after her fourth year if they were boyfriend and girlfriend by then. Maybe she should do so now, and arrange for a private healer.
No, this needed to be addressed by the board.
Maleficent was wrapping up the meeting, "With the donation to cover the costs, there is no reason to delay. Thank you all for coming. I'll talk to Madam Sprout about sources for this plant they need. Wasn't the chamber opened before? I'd like volunteers to look into the history of it. Thank you. We'll meet again soon."
Augusta planned to write to Neville, and send him some treats. Why did he have to like shortbread? She wasn't going into the Bonny Lad shop and risk running into Grace MacMillan. If she had to endure that woman's 'comfort' in this grave situation, the shopkeeper would find herself hexed.
She got out a cookbook. She used to bake biscuits for Gerard, and later with Frank. It was soothing, rolling out the dough. She transfigured cutters into flower shapes; Neville knew that language well.
Neville would read in the treats that she was hurting too, and worried, but doing everything she could to cure Sally-Anne. Just as soon as possible.
**OO**
"We have examined your 'Death Cube' and have determined it will indeed kill at least a young basilisk. For an older one, you can check through the slot with these glasses on. If it is still alive, bring it here, and we will cull it for you. Humanely. Without the Johnny Mathis. Some would call that animal cruelty." The worker was smiling and clearly joking with them. And familiar with modern muggle music.
Harry didn't laugh though, "This dark lord apparently never knew love, not even as a baby, so love is its kryptonite. I don't know how to put it in a box. Let me know if you have any ideas."
With Hermione and her parents, Luna, Baljeet and his family, and Harry's family, it was quite a large group of people. Only Susan and Amelia were absent, but both would get letters later.
Together, all of this large group returned to school to create 'Basilisk Death Cubes, now with Notice Me Not Charms' ™. The plan was to deploy them throughout Hogwarts.
Lisa was thrilled with being asked to help with that. She enjoyed the mix of boarding at school during the week, and getting to go home for the weekends. Hearing that the traps were ready had her invite Potter and his guardians over to her house for tea.
Harry explained the cubes twice, with Mr Turpin asking more and more technical questions to the point that Madam Selwyn was ready to hex her husband.
"Fine, it's been tested. But I can't justify payment to a child, no matter how good the work! The board would think me mad!"
Lisa whispered to Harry, "She means insane. Why not register a new pest control company? Mix of muggle and magical? It wouldn't be hard to adapt your idea for unwanted rats and such."
That had been the original design, after all.
Moony nodded and looked at Sirius. "Well Lord Black? Will you sponsor me in this? Then I have a real job, something other than babysitting a lonely puppy," he said snidely. Brightening, he added, "Something I would enjoy doing."
Summoning Jam, Harry got him to get the necessary parchment work. If it was Hermione trying to start a business, she might get a final hearing in five years or so. A pureblood lord with an active voting seat? One engaged to the Director of the DMLE?
The approval came in before the ink was dry. And the normal registration fee for filing had been waived due to how the animagus had been treated by the Ministry before.
"I'll call an emergency board meeting. I might be able to solve two problems with one hex. Mr Lupin? May I inform people that Harry Potter helped on this project?"
Moony looked at Padfoot and Harry. If anything went wrong…but they had been testing this thing every which way.
"This whole thing has been Harry's idea. Did he have help? Of course. From professors and friends. But still, would any of us have come up with this, alone?"
"I wouldn't have. And it's an application of computer science. Well done, young man." Lisa's father shook Harry's hand.
"A lot of people helped, including Hermione and Luna. But thank you." Harry blushed.
"I won't disclose where you are, and my occlumency is quite good. 'Padfoot's Pest Control' is about to get its very first order. Oh! We didn't discuss cost. You will keep the proceeds of the basilisk, of course," Lisa's mother looked nervous.
Harry whispered the actual cost of the cubes, and then shared aloud, "No one has been paid anything yet. If this works, I think a portion should go to our pod. Well, anyone who actually helped. Not everyone but most did."
"We'll charge a thousand galleons. It's enough to be taken seriously. If we capture this monster, the school might get that back and more as a donation." Sirius suggested.
Madam Selwyn stated in relief, "That is more than fair for the safety of the students."
Remus nodded, and the wizards all shook hands.
"Thank you, Mr Potter, for what you have done here. And in a short time. I'll talk with the other board members about this. Augusta Longbottom has her grandson at that school! Mr 'Everything is fine' and 'Rowle has my complete trust' is about to have a surprise party." Madam Selwyn stated.
Harry's family took it as a cue to depart, but Lisa pulled him into a quick hug. "Thanks Harry. I'll explain more. But you just gave me a great gift. My mum is now proud that I'm going to Wimborne to do something 'useful'."
Harry smiled, and after they had all floo'd home, Lisa's parents gave her a look.
"Should we be in negotiations for your hand?" Her mother asked, very seriously. Harry Potter would be a catch in their world anytime. But after this got out? How clever he was as well? The dowry would have to be impossibly burdensome.
"No thanks, mum. Besides, he has a girlfriend with Hermione. Or maybe two. He likes Luna as well."
Her father started putting all of the dirty cups on the tray. With their recent gold infusion, he planned to buy a house-elf for his wife just as soon as possible, "Well, I'm glad you're friends with him. Smart lad."
"You have no idea." Lisa shook her head, still in wonder and started to help her father.
**OO**
Dowager Longbottom was pleased that Minerva had tricked the Headmaster here somehow. He usually avoided her summonses. "Dumbledore? You've had a full week since a student was petrified. I hear that Sally-Anne Perks is still in the infirmary. Two questions. Why is she still petrified when funds were authorized for her healing? And second, what are you doing about the monster roaming Hogwarts?"
"My dear girl! You act as though I have somehow been remiss in the care of my students! That couldn't be further from the truth! As you know, each year, the second year students grow mandrakes that provide the school little extras. We'll have a cure in no time. As for the…"
Augusta stood, as did a couple of the other board members. "What? You plan to wait until April or May? That child will lose months of school!" What happened to her and Neville's donation?
"But then we need not waste the gold!" Albus was shocked that anyone would disagree about this, especially when she was a child of no consequence.
Madam Selwyn summoned an elf, and wrote out a quick note. "Give this to one of the tellers immediately, and wait for a reply. Do you have any questions?" She asked of the elf.
The elf shook her head and popped away with the note.
"Maleficent, my dear girl, why are you writing to the goblins?" Dumbledore asked in a higher voice than normal.
"Madam Pomfrey found a supplier, and Journeywoman Clearwater offered to brew the cure once the plants were in house. I got a letter from them both saying nothing had been delivered. I just want to see if the money has gone astray." The witch stated sweetly with a frosty face.
Dumbledore tried to deny stealing, merely not wasting good gold they didn't need to. A couple of the people there agreed with him on principle since it was only a muggleborn student affected.
Lord Greengrass broke in, "What about this supposed beast? Have you found it? Killed it? Just because it was 'only a mere muggleborn' this time doesn't mean that it won't be a pureblood the next time."
Augusta did draw her wand, "Mere muggleborn, Lord Greengrass?" her tone dangerous.
The wizard waved his hand towards the headmaster, "That's the way Dumbledore is treating it, not me! I'm referring to you, Headmaster. Are you so sure that this creature's tastes only run to the freshest magical blood? You reassured us last week there was nothing to worry about. You had 'everything under control' and we didn't need to close the school. Well? What are your plans?"
Dumbledore sat, and said nothing. He tried very hard to never lie. But he was often silent with this group. And he never took them very seriously; instead, he tended to treat them as errant children, calling them by their first names. Not today.
After a minute of silence, Cygnus turned to the rest of the board, "I can get ripe mandrakes here in a few days. I wanted to offer before, but felt that it would appear as though I was trying to benefit from this dire situation. Also, I hoped going through Professor Sprout would be faster. My apologies in not just doing so then. I'll provide it since we're likely out that gold." Looking pointedly at the headmaster. "Madam Selwyn? You stated you had an idea for dealing with this situation?"
"Indeed I do. Many of you know that Sirius Black is Harry Potter's godfather. The boy has friends at Hogwarts and heard of their trials. He designed, and with the help of clever friends and resources provided by Lord Black, has come up with a better mousetrap. It has been tested, and you all have those tests in front of you. For a thousand galleons, we can hire Lord Black's company to deploy these traps all over the school. They will not hurt students or staff."
The board all quickly read the project notes that had appeared at their places. The elf she had sent a short time before returned with a message. She read it, and Dumbledore looked away. Both Augusta and Cygnus noted his reaction.
Madam Selwyn stood, the parchment in her hand. "I swear on my magic that I do not intend to enrich myself by this contract, but suggest it for the good of the school. By my magic, I so swear."
"And so we aver." Intoned most everyone, Dumbledore mumbling.
Maleficent started, "I put it to a vote…"
"I understand that the Board of Governors wants to be seen as acting. But this endangers the students all the more! Hogwarts is the safest place in Britain! There is no need to act so irrationally," Dumbledore declared.
"How?" "Why" "What?" Several people shouted at once, but it was Lord Shafiq who stood.
"Madam Selwyn, what word from the bank?"
"The gold given to buy mandrakes was transferred by Albus Dumbledore into a school account marked 'Special Projects, OOTP'. I was going to suggest an audit of that account."
Augusta immediately supported that by seconding the motion, and it was unanimous. Albus' supporters knew that he would never steal from the school. Let this be a black eye to his enemies.
But Lord Shafiq was not impressed. He seemed, unlike others, to know what those initials meant. "I vote that we suspend Dumbledore while we take care of a few issues at school. Then, if there is no monster petrifying students, nothing caught in these traps, we'll see. Let's see what comes of this audit. But if we do find malfeasance, if we do catch a beast roaming the school, then I propose that he be allowed to choose; retire quietly, or be dismissed. Publicly. With cause."
That there was no menace in his tone at first was accepted as normal, but in the last statement, it was palpable and gave Dumbledore's sycophants chills.
There were a couple of people there who wanted to defend Albus. But after seeing proof that something was happening, and the headmaster didn't even want to try these traps, they were confused.
Albus had two friends voting both the Black and Potter seats. Madam Selwyn promised herself to tell Lord Black that now he was resident in Britain, he could vote both seats, or allow Miss Tonks to vote the Potter seat.
Either way, they wouldn't have to tangle with Dumbledore anytime soon. He was suspended, and house-elves were asked to pack his things.
Fawkes showed up with the sorting hat, and plopped it on his companion's head. The man tried not to shout, but wound up whimpering in pain. The phoenix was soon gone, carrying the hat; the noise it made was highly rude.
Elphias Doge, the Potter proxy, rushed over to help him.
"The wards! I've lost the castle wards." The old wizard cried, tears forming in his eyes.
Maleficent looked around the room. She hadn't summoned the Hat or done anything. Clearly, everyone else was confused.
It seemed that Hogwarts herself was done with the old wizard and had acted with extreme prejudice.
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A/N: Story recommended by our friend jada951 : Hagrid saves the world was a great story! By Beepkeeper
s/13388116/1/Hagrid-Saves-the-World
A/N: Story recommended by our friend csheila: by Raspberry Dreams 'I'll Choose my Own Path' xover with Stargate
s/14240051/1/I-ll-Choose-My-Own-Path
A/N: Your story recommendation here -
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Baggit - flying lacrosse
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language