HARRY POTTER AND THE MISPLACED LETTER

This is a plot bunny, a stray thought. What if the letter redirect on Harry had redirected his Hogwarts Invitation Letter. The Harry Potter Universe belongs to JK Rowling and to whom she has granted Rights, which does not include me. This story mentions the attack before Harry turned 7, his near-death experience and his reaction to it. The story begins with Harry's 11th birthday and will have a fairly lengthy prologue.

Albus Dumbledore expected many things. He had eaten a good filling breakfast. He had a meeting with Minerva McGonagall scheduled for 10am to go over the treatment of Harry Potter. He had just remembered, sourly, that Potter had got himself placed in Ravenclaw. Filius Flitwick burst in.

"What's the meaning of this, Dumbledore? You know I talk with my new students at this time."

"I do, Filius, I do. I was expecting Harry to be sorted into Gryffindor. Send him along after you've finished talking with them."

"You know, Headmaster that Mr Potter has told you not to use his first name. He's also accused you of Line Theft. You cannot be alone with the boy, at any time. I shall be accompanying him to any meeting with you or where you will be attending."

"I don't think that is necessary, Filius."

"Necessary, Dumbledore? It's mandated by the Hogwarts Charter." Filius turned on his heels and strode out.

Damn, thought Albus Dumbledore. Harry had made Granger his Protectee and ruled her out of being one of his agents to control Harry. Harry was not friends with Ron Weasley. That had been a key to keeping Harry from showing his true intelligence. Harry had freed Sirius, effortlessly. Was he being controlled by Tom, for Tom it was who was under Harry's scar? Was the deal with Sirius going to be revenge in return for support? Albus remembered the terror he had felt after Tom had offered James and Lily Potter a place at his side. They had been seriously considering it. He, the great Albus Dumbledore had prevented them from sending an answer accepting Tom's offer.

Albus Dumbledore had done other things he deemed necessary for the Greater Good. He had kept knowledge that James was Lord Potter from him. James would have known that there was no way 4 members of his family could have died from Dragon Pox. His family had invented the cure for it. Nobody else had died. Snape had wanted to kill more people, just to make it look like an authentic outbreak. Albus had not wanted innocent blood shed.

Albus had carefully arranged all double period lessons to be with Slytherin for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw with Hufflepuff. Then the bloody Hat had put both Harry and Granger in Ravenclaw. He could try to persuade the Weasley twins to hand over the Marauders Map to Harry to get both Harry and Granger to sit with them and he could use the House-elves to potion their food and drink to get the situation he wanted. He would make sure no owls left the castle. Albus did not realize that he needed to do more with the ban on letters containing the words 'most painful death'. He needed to include other similar meaning words. He had not.

Albus knew that Fudge was incompetent. He had not grasped just how incompetent. Sirius Black had not even been arrested. He'd just been carted off and thrown into Azkaban. Albus had lost control of Sirius Black. Worse, he'd lost control of Remus Lupin. Albus had let a werewolf study at Hogwarts after Remus. That was out of the score or so werewolves who could have studied. He could not be said to be a supporter of werewolves. Still, nobody knew.

What neither Albus nor Filius knew was that Harry Potter was still in the Great Hall. His scar had started hurting him during the meal. Harry to narrow down who it was. It or he was either the Potions Master, the greasy git, Severus Snape or Quirinius Quirrell, the stutterer. Harry advanced towards Quirrell, who had his back to him. The closer Harry got to the back of his head, the worst the scar hurt. Harry charged towards the teachers table, leapt onto it in one bound, picked up what looked like a carving knife and ripped the turban from Quirrell's head. There was a head growing out of his head. Harry didn't think twice and with long practice of gutting fish and carving meat, he proceeded to carve the head into thin strips. Quirrell noticed, screamed and grabbed onto Harry hand. Quirrell's flesh began to crumble. Snape and Hagrid watched as the Muggle Studies professor crumbled away to nothing. A pall of black smoke poured out of the dusty flesh had headed for Harry. A protego maxima that Harry cast without thinking, wandlessly and soundlessly protected him for the seconds the black smoke stayed around him.

By the time Albus Dumbledore had made his way back into the Great Hall, Amelia Bones was already present. Susan Bones must have an emergency device that called her Aunt to her. That was interesting to know. Albus would have to prevent that now he knew about it. Albus was not sure why he had been summoned. Snape had been most insistent. Albus looked around for Quirinius. No sign. Then he looked at Bones who was talking to Harry. Harry pointed at the pile of dust. There was caved skin of a face. A face Albus recognized. Tom. Bones was on her way over. Oh no. She was going to talk to him. She had that damned monocle set in her right eye.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, were you aware you had a teacher with You-Know-Who's head growing out of the back of his head teaching at Hogwarts?" Amelia Bones asked?

Of course, I was, you stupid woman. Dumbledore couldn't say that. "I am shocked as you to discover this. Lord Voldemort must have had ways to mask his presence from the wards. I shall certainly be checking the wards to ensure this cannot happen again."

"Harry Potter did take a knife to the face," Amelia said.

"Lord Voldemort murdered his parents, Madame Bones. He has plenty of reasons to take a knife to the man or face, in this instance."

"Where's your usual forgiveness?"

"Director, I am forgiving young Harry. I can understand what he must have been feeling. Do I condone such actions? No, I do not. I shall be speaking with Harry about his actions."

"So you see no reason for Harry to be expelled, Headmaster? Professor Snape is of the opinion that Harry Potter be expelled for attacking a Professor." Amelia Bones was getting warmed up.

"I shall have words with Severus," Albus said. "I think it would be for the Greater Good, if news that You-Know-Who has returned be kept quiet. Too many of his supporters remain in Ministry posts who might be prompted to band together again to try to help their Master."

"This cannot be covered up," Amelia said.

"Why do you think so many were allowed to remain at large after the war? It was because we feared triggering another war that would destroy wizarding kind in magical Britain. The Unspeakables confirmed our fears. That came as the biggest surprise of my life."

"They're organised and we are not. What have you been doing in the decade since he went away?" Amelia asked.

"I've kept the old crowd together, watching. I've tried to get Severus to co-operate, but the price he demands is unacceptable. I will not throw Harry to the wolves. Literally, in Harry's case as Fenrir took an interest or so I have been told."

"Perhaps, you can threaten Severus with Azkaban."

"I am afraid, Amelia, that such a threat would have no weight."

Amelia Bones took her aurors back to Diagon Alley. Without Harry Potter, much to Snape's annoyance. Harry Potter had suddenly turned up again after a decade Amelia knew not where and re-established the Potters place in the Wizarding world, retaken his place in the Wizengamot, in the Sacred 28 and lain charges of Line Theft against Dumbledore, carved You-Know-Who's face into slices and caused a professor of DADA to crumble before him. Harry Potter had also freed Sirius Orion Black and shown he was not the Potters' Secret Keeper. Harry Potter had been back in the Wizarding World for a month and had already turned it upside down. If he knew about the Potter Alliance …

Amelia would have to give Susan a new emergency contact. Albus would take steps to close the one down that Susan had already been supplied with. Amelia would tell her to get close to Harry Potter. Susan had one of the fastest post owls in the business. She would get messages in and out of Hogwarts.

At the same time Dumbledore and Snape were interrogating Harry, with Flitwick present.

"So, your idea, Headmaster, is to present me as a deluded boy who does not know what he's doing. That You-Know-Who is not back and all's right in magical Britain. That is not happening."

"Just as arrogant as his father. Potter should be expelled," Snape said.

"I am not my father, Snivellus. Do you want to find out, if you'll crumble at my touch? Then leave. You have no business here."

"How dare you?"

"Professor Snape, you have no business in this place," Flitwick said. "Leave or face my wand."

Snape twirled and, cape billowing behind him, departed from Dumbledore's office.

"If you go forward with your plan to declare Lord Voldemort returned, you will cause a war that would wipe out wizarding kind from magical Britain. Is that what you want, Harry?"

"Don't ever call me Harry again, Headmaster. It matters not to me what happens to magical Britain."

"I have ways to persuade you, Mr Potter," Dumbledore threatened.

"You threaten me, in this place, despite who my family is, who I am. I am Legacy. You cannot expel me. You cannot punish me. You cannot take points from me. Stay away from me, Headmaster." Harry and Flitwick departed the room.

Albus contemplated using the time turner. Only three hours and far too many people who could observe him. Too many risks. No, he'd stick to his plan and have Hermione Granger use the Potter Invisibility Cloak to confound Harry. No reading of the History of Hogwarts or A History of Magic. He'd add to that something to stop Harry going through with his plan to sue him or tell the world about Tom.

Hermione Granger attempted to get into Harry's room. She tried and tried again during the night. Eventually she wrapped up his Invisibility Cloak, left a note on the Cloak and fled back to her own dorm room.

Harry found a package and the note. The note said this was his Invisibility Cloak, a Potter Heirloom, held by Dumbledore illegally and asking, begging, for protection from House Potter.

At breakfast, Harry told Hermione he'd offer her House Potter protection. At lunchtime Harry did the House Protection routine. It helped that he'd had two hours of Binns droning on about a Goblin rebellion in the eleventh century, put down by one Sir Finlay Bottomley. Cuthbert Binns didn't understand why 20 boys aged 11 would snigger at the name. Harry had used the lesson to find out as much as he could about the protection ritual. A History of Magic had information on the purpose of protection and what it could and could not do.

So it had been that at lunchtime, they'd eaten and slipped out of the Great Hall and found an abandoned classroom. A note book suggested it had been used by Binns to teach some seventh years. Hermione and Harry went through the Protection ritual. The Potter House crest appeared on Hermione's right shoulder and on the same place on her cloak.

"Welcome to House Potter," Harry said.

"Thank you, Lord Potter." Hermione was formal. Harry thought the crest looked familiar. He couldn't place it. He frowned. He was distracted by looking at Hermione being topless. He helped her get dressed again.

"I am pleased to see I have added some nicely developing assets to my House."

Hermione went red faced. "I am pleased, my Lord is pleased." They both laughed. They went to afternoon classes. Two hours of Charms followed by a couple of hours of Transfiguration. They both went to the Library. Harry looked up the other 10 International schools. There he saw his crest on the Ilvermorny booklet. A quick perusal of the booklet did not explain why that was so. They did their Charms and Transfiguration homework. Harry managed to stop Hermione from going over the limit. He also reminded her that the teachers did not want to see the textbook quoted back at them. They already knew what that said. They then reviewed each other's History of Magic essay.

That evening they sat amongst the first years of Ravenclaw. They were at the foot of the table; on benches they were not quite sure they owned. This was only the third evening feast they had eaten at Hogwarts. At the end of the meal. Just before they were going to leave the table, Draco Malfoy and his two bookend bodyguards minced their way over.

"So Potter and his Mudblood girlfriend."

That was as far as Malfoy got.

"Heir Malfoy, your father will hear how you have insulted House Potter. That's a Noble and Most Ancient House. Yours is not, is it? You noticed that Miss Granger is a girl. You're not as inbred as I thought."

Snape had made his way over.

"What's going on. Potter?"

"Heir Malfoy insulted House Potter and called Miss Granger a Mudblood. I expect you to punish him."

"I see nothing to punish him for," Snape sneered.

"I am making a formal complaint against you to the Board of Governors. What school business has brought you over?"

"As much a spoiled brat as your father."

"Expelliarmus. Expelliarmus. Expelliarmus." Snape, Crabbe and Goyle ended up in a pile together. All three had collided with the wall. Harry pressed his wand into Draco's neck.

"Insult me again and I will kill you." Draco slinked off back to the Slytherin benches. Flitwick had watched the goings on, with interest, from the High Table. He had narrowed his eyes.

Harry and Hermione were about to depart with the rest of their year group, when Ron Weasley approached. He tried to thrust a note into Harry hand. Harry avoided him.

"Hi, Harry mate, Dumbledore wants to see you after evening meal. The password is custard cremes."

"Weasley, I am not your mate. Did Dumbledore tell you what he wanted to talk with me about?"

"Sure, we're mates. Best mates," Ron said. "No Dumbledore did not say."

"No, we are not mates. Dumbledore is aware of the procedure to speak with a pupil. Go back and suggest he follow it. That means leave, now, with immediate effect, unless you want to join that pile over there."

Harry and Hermione went back to the Ravenclaw dormitory. Harry wrote his letter to Lord Malfoy. He then had an escort from upper years to the owlery, where he sent Hedwig off on her delivery. He'd sneaked a letter to Amelia Bones about the third floor corridor and death.

Albus Dumbledore was not used to being said no to. He was already struggling with a way to get Ron Weasley close to Harry Potter. He had Crabbe and Goyle in the infirmary needing Skele-gro to rebuild broken bones. Severus Snape had breezed into his office, splitting blood. Literally.

"Expel Potter. The boy is a menace."

"Severus, dear boy. I am taking steps to rein in the boy. You need not worry about him." Snape had left, not the least bit mollified. That reminded him. Molly had sent a howler to him demanding to know why Ron was not the Boy-Who-Lived's best friend. Dumbledore had not the slightest idea. He could not say that to Molly Weasley, though.

In the morning, the children awoke late. They had Astronomy that evening. It was taught as year subject. Harry told Hermione his birthday was July 31st. She told him that her birthday was September 19th. A Thursday.

The Wednesday afternoon was spent doing an hour's flying. Harry had completed what Madame Hooch wanted the class to do in an hour after fifteen minutes. Neville Longbottom had fallen off and broken his wrist. Hermione was hyper ventilating. Looking at the state of the brooms, Harry knew why. They were terrible. Harry offered to take Neville to the Infirmary and said Hermione needed a Calming Draught. Madame Hooch saw the Potter crest on Hermione's cloak and knew what it meant. She allowed Harry to take both of them to get treatment.

"Neville, do families loan out their heirlooms?"

"No, Harry, they do not."

"Neville, I've no memories from before my parents got attacked. Did we know each other?"

"Yeah, we knew each other. My mom was your godmother and your mom was mine. We could have been brought up together."

"I'd have liked that," Harry said, smiling.

"We flew. Terrorized the Longbottom House-elves."

"We flew? We'll have to do that again. Those school brooms are unsafe."

"My gran is on the Board. She'll complain."

"Did Ollivander give you the spiel about the wand choosing the wizard? I was creeped out about him," Harry said.

"I'm using my father's wand."

"Tell your gran what I said about Ollivander and that your wand didn't like you getting sorted into Hufflepuff."

"Might work. I didn't know I was a wizard until I bounced after my uncle dropped me out of a window."

"Why didn't you think you had magic?"

"I WATCHED BOTH MY PARENTS GET CRUCIOED INTO OBLIVION," Neville yelled.

"My relatives tried to beat my magic out of me. I nearly died, at least once," Harry replied.

"That's abuse, Harry," Hermione said.

"I know, but every time I complained, the muggle authorities didn't even recognize me, when I went back to check up on their progress."

Harry didn't see Hannah Abbott escorting Susan Bones who was sporting another broken wrist, having fallen off her broom. Susan heard. She'd include that in her report to her Aunt. Susan was able to make that report, in person. Susan was surprised to see her Aunt in the Infirmary. She was taking statements from Crabbe and Goyle about Harry Potter's 'unprovoked' attack on them. She heard what Susan said about Harry's 'condition' and flooed Augusta Longbottom about Neville's injury. Regent Longbottom came through the floo. About the same time as Lucius Malfoy stormed into the Great Hall.

Hermione drank her calming draught, slowly. Neville and Susan would have to stay overnight for skele-gro to take effect. Harry gave his statement to Madame Amelia Bones. Susan had briefed her Aunt, including what she'd seen of the confrontation the previous evening. Harry had his wand out. Neville put his thumbs up. Harry assumed that meant he'd be getting his own wand. Malfoy came into the Infirmary and boy was he angry.

"How dare you speak to me like that, Potter."

Lucius then noticed Harry's wand pointed at him. His wand was still in its holster. He needed to buy time.

"Incarcerous." Lucius Malfoy could not move. Like most wizards he was pants at wandless magic.

"Your son insulted the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. The first of the Sacred 28."

"Your House is nothing. It was kicked out of the Sacred 28, for my family. I will not apologize to you."

Dumbledore charged into the Infirmary.

"Put up your wand, Harry," Dumbledore ordered.

"It takes more than an anonymous pamphlet to remove a House from the Sacred 28. Especially for a frogspawn upstart like yours. Reducto." Malfoy's head parted company with its body. It came to a rest at Dumbledore's feet.

"Arrest Harry Potter," Dumbledore said.

"On what charge, Dumbledore? Whilst we're at it, you do not have my permission to call me Harry. I claim all Malfoy assets, by right of conquest."

Amelia Bones looked at Malfoy, his head lying to the side of his torso. "Lord Potter is correct. It was indeed his right to kill Lucius Malfoy and claim all House Malfoy's assets."

"As Chief Warlock, I insist you arrest Harry Potter. I do not allow House business in Hogwarts." Dumbledore went for his wand. Harry beat him to it. "Expelliarmus." That sent Albus into the Infirmary door, knocking him out. Bones and Longbottom, Regents for their Houses respectively, looked at each other. An eleven-year-old with that much power was unheard of. Draco Malfoy burst in and cast the Killing Curse. That he cast the spell was a surprise. Harry covered Hermione so the spell passed above them. A Reducto later and another Malfoy head decorated the Infirmary floor. Harry searched Dumbledore, finding a time turner with the name Charlus Potter on it.

"I'm reclaiming another heirloom of House Potter. Madam Bones I want Dumbledore arrested on charges of Line Theft against House Potter."

Amelia Bones had two aurors fit magic restricting cuffs on Dumbledore and took him away, bound for a Ministry holding Cell. She took the remaining four aurors to the third floor to see what would cause a painful death for any student who entered.

Amelia Bones was struggling to move a sleeping Cerebus through the Great Hall with four Aurors. McGonagall showed up.

"Harry Potter, you are expelled from Hogwarts." McGonagall was determined to maintain the authority of Hogwarts.

"I'm a Legacy student. I'm sure somebody from Hogwarts should have visited me. I cannot be expelled."

McGonagall looked like she'd been slapped on the face, hard. She spluttered and left. Harry dashed off a letter to the Grangers asking if they wanted to do something for Hermione's birthday. Hedwig pecked Harry's ear as if to say 'human, write more'.

Harry returned after astronomy to find Hedwig waiting for him with a response. The Grangers would like a London restaurant booked for the Saturday at 8pm after Hermione's birthday.

Amelia Bones looked into Harry's living arrangements at Privet Drive. She found plenty to concern and opened an investigation into Harry's complaints that had gone nowhere. She kept Albus Dumbledore in the cells. For as long as she could. She found what looked like a vampiric blood ward.

Harry had sent Hedwig off with a request to dine at 8pm to the restaurant on Saturday 21st September 1991 for four people. It was only during DADA that Harry realised that sending a post owl to a muggle establishment would likely be frowned upon. Herbology was fun. Neville told him several jokes about wizard eating plants. Those jokes lost their fun factor, when Hermione confirmed the plants had in fact eaten wizards and witches. There was Hedwig, waiting for him with a reply. He had to send a response to the Grangers saying they had a dinner reservation. Hedwig brought a reply for Hermione. Harry chuckled at Hermione's reaction. She then said she had nothing to wear. That reminded Harry about the same issue. His Dursleys castoffs were definitely not on the dress code for a posh London restaurant.

Harry hoped that Potions would be taught be a substitute teacher. Sadly, that was not to be. Snape called the class dunderheads and then got to taking the registry. At Harry Potter, Snape remarked,

"Ah, our new celebrity."

"What has my celebrity got to do with how well you can teach potions?"

"As arrogant as your father," Snape sneered. Snape was admitting that he knew Harry's father and by extension his mother. Had Petunia meant Snape with reference to 'that boy'?

"I never knew my father. He was murdered before I could get to know him." Harry was not telling Snape that he had his parents' diaries. Harry knew how sad his mum had been as Snape turned from friend to enemy. His father told how he'd seen Snivellus as a rival for his mother and that Snape had taken the Dark Mark and told You-Know-Who a couple of lines of a prophecy that he'd overheard in the Hogshead, owned by Albus' brother, Aberforth.

"What would I get …" Snape asked Harry three questions about potions and ingredients.

"I know there's a third part of that plant called aconite. It's a plant that has three elements used in potion making. Your first question is not in any book you assigned as text for this year. The books do not have the mixture of ingredients you're asking about. Possibly a potion that's no longer made by students. The bezoar is not a potion nor an ingredient. It's not in either of your assigned texts. Somehow Miss Granger knows the answers to those two questions."

"There's more to life than fame," Snape said, sarcastically.

"Yet, you're making fame everything. You told us you could bottle fame. I have it, though I'd rather have my parents alive."

"The potion you're making today is one to cure boils. Instructions are on the blackboard."

Harry packed his bags. He indicated that Hermione should follow him.

"You are clearly no teacher. As per the Hogwarts Charter, I shall hire my own tutor." Harry and Hermione left. Hermione didn't look happy.

"Who will you hire?"

"Horace Slughorn was Potions Professor before Snape. I'll write and ask him to teach us. I'm sorry for dragging you out, but I think you'd have been victimised had I left you behind."

"I've only known you a few days, Harry. You've killed two people and not even batted an eyelid over it. You drag me out of a class, without even a by-your-leave." Hermione looked close to tears.

"Let's go to the lake and have a talk," Harry suggested.

"Okay," Hermione said. She wanted to be friends with Harry. She didn't have anyone else. They made their way to the seats by the Lake and sat down. They'd walked in silence.

"Hermione, I hope we're going to be friends," Harry said. "You're right, we haven't known each other very long. You asked for my Protection and I gave it. You don't trust Dumbledore and that makes two of us. You heard Snape. To him we're dunderheads who he's teaching under sufferance. He's a Death Eater who escaped trial merely on Dumbledore's insistence. 'Instructions are on the board' – what kind of teaching is that."

"No, he's not a good teacher. Dumbledore said I should buy extra things for potions."

"You actually met Dumbledore face to face. He claims to be my magical guardian and yet I've never met him before coming to Hogwarts."

"No, I didn't meet him. He's got this device that lets him speak to people."

"And listen in to conversations," Harry said, darkly. Hermione looked alarmed. "We need clothes. We'll go to Diagon Alley, tomorrow. Perhaps meet up with Slughorn."

"I'll check the Charter. In addition to hiring a tutor, we'll need a classroom," Hermione said.

"Yes, you're right. We have to know where we stand. I'd rather not have to go back to Snape's class, cap in hand."

"Yes that would be most embarrassing." Harry nodded. Hermione could not tell if Harry was nodding to himself or to her. The pair returned to the Ravenclaw Common room. Harry wrote to Slughorn and sent Hedwig on her way, whilst Hermione researched the Charter. Harry found Flitwick and informed him that Harry had House business outside of Hogwarts on the morrow and needed Hermione to accompany him as he couldn't risk her being attacked. Harry also explained what had happened with Snape. Flitwick did not look happy.

Harry and Hermione went to see Hagrid. Hagrid explained that he had been with McGonagall and Dumbledore, when Harry was left on the Dursleys' doorstep. Hermione put a hand on Harry's shoulder as she saw him looking like he was ready to explode. When Hagrid explained that he refused to hand Harry over to Sirius, mount st Harry exploded.

"What do you mean, you refused to hand me over to my magical guardian?"

"Dumbledore said it would be safer in Hogwarts for you."

"Fuck Dumbledore."

"NEVER INSULT ALBUS DUMBLEDORE IN MY PRESENCE."

"Your hospitality leaves much to be desired, Hagrid," Harry said. He looked at Hermione and she stood up, after a short delay. She looked shocked at Hagrid's outburst. She was none too pleased with Harry swearing, though she could understand the reasoning behind it.

Dumbledore was back from the Ministry in time for Friday's staff meeting. He had been formally charged with Line Theft against House Potter. He'd been charged with endangering children by keeping a Class XXXXX creature improperly secured on school property. He had 280 charges, one for each child. He had sent the Philosopher's Stone back to Nicholas Flamel. There was no need for it to be at Hogwarts, anymore, considering Quirrell was dead and Tom was gone, for now.

Dumbledore's response to learning that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were going out of Hogwarts and hiring their own tutor for potions was to declare Harry could not do either thing. Flitwick said nothing. If Harry Potter were to be prevented from leaving Hogwarts, a platoon of goblins would arrive to escort him to Gringotts.

Harry and Hermione ate breakfast. Hedwig returned with Slughorn's answer. He would agree to teach them for 4000 galleons total during the year. The potions ingredients would set Harry back another 1000 galleons. They'd meet in rooms at the Leaky Cauldron that Tom set aside for meetings. 10 am was a bit early for the meeting, considering what Harry had to do. Still, it was good news.

Sirius had told Harry how to get out of Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione now used that exit route. They went to the Hogshead and used the floo from there to Grimmauld Place. Sirius was there to see them.

"Hi Sirius, this is Hermione Granger, a Protectee of House Potter." Harry introduced Hermione.

"What is nasty half-blood doing in Grimmauld Place? And the mudblood pollutes the noble halls of the Blacks. Nasty blood traitor master."

This was the first time that Harry and Hermione had actually met a House-Elf.

"This is Kreacher," Sirius said, blandly.

"Kreacher, do you actually like any member of House Black?" Harry asked, jokingly.

"Kreacher liked the late Mistress and Master Regulus. Master Regulus left Kreacher a task. Kreacher can't do the task. Kreacher has tried so many times."

"Can you tell me?" Harry said.

"No, Kreacher cannot tell anyone who is in House Black. You, half-blood are blood adopted."

"Can you tell, Hermione?"

"Kreacher can. Mudblood has a use." Kreacher than told Hermione and the others about what Master Regulus had done and his death at the hands of the Inferi. Sirius was openly weeping for his brother. Even portrait Walburga was crying.

Kreacher brought Slytherin's locket to Harry. It hurt his scar. Kreacher took it back to its hiding place. Sirius' eyes were big. He was having an idea. He didn't like where it was going.

"Sirius, last time my scar hurt like that, Voldemort was growing out of the back of Professor Quirrell's head. I sliced it off."

"I've some research to do," Sirius said. "Where next?"

"Malfoy Manor."

"We should be able to floo there, if the magic respects your conquest."

"We've a 10 am meeting with Slughorn He's agreed to teach us for 4000 galleons and 1000 in ingredients. Meeting's in rooms at the Leaky Cauldron."

Shortly, thereafter, Harry, Hermione and Sirius were at Malfoy Manor. Harry met a rather excitable House-elf named Dobby who grabbed hold of Harry's leg and wouldn't let go. He was delighted to meet the Great Master Harry Potter, Sir. Harry was able to persuade him to let him go. Harry took control of the Wards. He reset the floo with his own password. Captain America. Pureblood wizards were unlikely to think of that password.

The three then made their way to the Leaky Cauldron. They'd made it with a minute to spare. Slughorn was already there. They quickly agreed to Slughorn's terms and he agreed to put a schedule together. Harry and Hermione told him when they'd normally have potions. They still had a room to arrange. As Slughorn noted, it had to be a suitable room. The only change was that Sirius would pay.

"Ollivander sold You-Know-Who his wand. Did you teach him?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I taught him. He was in Slytherin. He got Hagrid expelled. I was the Head of Slytherin House. He asked me the oddest thing, once. How many times could you split a soul. I told him 7 times. One piece would have to stay in the body of the one who split their soul. The question creeped me out."

"What was his name?" Sirius asked.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle." Slughorn looked relieved to have told someone. Finally. The four of them had a hearty meal at the Leaky Cauldron. Most of those who used the place to meet ate and drank. Tom did a good trade because of it.

Gringotts was heaving. Noonish on a Saturday and there were lots of people in the Bank. Sirus, Harry and Hermione entered a fairly large room, where three goblins were seated. Sirius handed each a couple of knuts. Harry dealt with House Malfoy. Naricssa had made off with the 150000 galleons paid to her as part of the marriage contract. Harry was fine with that. Money to Cornelius Fudge he ordered ceased with immediate effect. Harry was not going to pay any more money to the Ministry. It had been a fine levied against Lucius Malfoy for taking the Dark Mark. He was gone, so there was no further reason for money to continue to be paid. Greenmist looked pleased the new Lord Malfoy was not paying that money out. Harry claimed the Malfoy ring. Other rings were visible.

"What House rings are those?" Bloodaxe, the Potter account manager, asked. Sirius was curious.

"Head of House rings for House Potter, House Gaunt, House Malfoy. Heir ring for House Black," replied.

"That's the Peverell ring. The Gaunts used it after they sold their ring. I can audit both vaults as part of our compensation to you for not hand delivering Gringotts mail to you as per your parents' contract. At the same time as I audit your three vaults."

"That would be acceptable as part payment. I've three vaults?"

"Yes, your Great Uncle Charlus and your grandfather Fleamont both had vaults that are sealed until you reach certain ages."

"Did my father know he was Lord Potter?"

"He never claimed the House ring," Bloodaxe said.

"And you Miss, what are you doing here?" Stoorhook asked.

"I'm Hermione Granger, Protectee of House Potter."

Stoorhook thought for a moment. "The Dagworth-Granger account has been inactive for over a decade. It might be worth your while having an inheritance test done over at the Ministry. Lord Black, it is time you claimed your Head of House ring."

Sirius claimed his Head of House ring. It was final, he was now Lord Black.

"Stoorhook, I want to strike Bellatrix from House Black."

"Hold your horses there for a moment. If Bellatrix is still part of House Black, doesn't that give us an in to claim House Lestrange? If you can get all property out of the Lestrange vault and back into the Black vault that would be a win. I don't know if her taking the Dark Mark was a violation of the dowry." Harry looked concerned.

Stoorhook responded. "An excellent suggestion Heir Black. It would be and consider it done. The only addition is a cup." Sirius looked pointedly at Harry and Hermione. Sirius got out 1000 galleons that he converted into muggle money. Harry handed over £5000 to Hermione. Bloodaxe noted that. Harry had just made Hermione his Steward, whether he realised it or not. Sirius took out a Banker's draft for 10000 galleons. He had Wizengamot robes to buy for three. Twilfitt and Tattings were expensive, but very high quality. Harry took out 500 galleons; 400 for Hermione's presents and £500 for his glasses and eyetest. He thought he owed it to himself.

The three ran into Neville and his gran.

"Better watch out, Harry. Dumbledore's on the warpath."

A/N

These are the Houses and pupils in Harry's year, for this story. For ALL Double lessons the pairings are Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw and Gryffindor/Slytherin. A heads up: there will be at least one resorting, quite soon after term starts. Astronomy is taught to the whole year group.ui

Abbott, Hannah - Hufflepuff
Bones, Susan – Hufflepuff
Entwhistle, Kevin -Hufflepuff
Finch-Fletchley, Justin - Hufflepuff
Hopkins, Wayne - Hufflepuff
Jones, Megan - Hufflepuff
Longbottom, Neville - Hufflepuff

Macmillan, Ernest – Hufflepuff

Moon, Lily - Hufflepuff

Smith, Sally - Hufflepuff

Brown, Lavender -Gryffindor

Finnigan, Seamus - Gryffindor

Patel, Pavrati - Gryffindor

Patel, Padma – Gryffindor

Perks, Sally-Anne - Gryffindor

Rivers, Oliver - Gryffindor
Roper, Sophie - Gryffindor

Smith, Zacharias - Gryffindor
Thomas, Dean - Gryffindor
Weasley, Ronald - Gryffindor

Boot, Trevor - Ravenclaw

Brocklehurst, Mandy - Ravenclaw

Corner, Michael - Ravenclaw
Cornfoot, Stephen - Ravenclaw

Goldstein, Anthony - Ravenclaw

Granger, Hermione - Ravenclaw

Li, Sue - Ravenclaw

MacDougal, Morag - Ravenclaw

Potter, Harry – Ravenclaw

Turpin, Lisa - Ravenclaw

Bulstrode, Millicent -Slytherin
Crabbe, Vincent -Slytherin
Davis, Tracey - Slytherin

Goyle, Gregory - Slytherin
Greengrass, Daphne - Slytherin

Malfoy, Draco - Slytherin

Nott, Theodore - Slytherin

Parkinson, Pansy – Slytherin

Runcorn, Enid – Slytherin

Zabini, Blaise – Slytherin