[a/n]Sequel to DoHDD#1; wherein Harry uses the media to his benefit early.

Harry Does Different CDLIIIc

Intro Letter II

Other than the troll incident, which Harry thought deserved more than 5 points, nothing too interesting occurred. At least as far as Harry could tell. If someone were observant, and at Hogwarts in previous years, he might have noticed an uptick in owl usage. He was just finishing breakfast the Saturday after his letter to the editor appeared in The Daily Prophet when there was a bit of a commotion. Though he was unaware of it, only very rarely did an adult visit their child during the school year. Never mind a personage with name recognition comparable to his.

"Ahh nothing like a bacon and egg bagel at Hogwarts." It was a surprisingly personable voice and comment coming from a severe looking witch in robes with Ministry logos, then introduced herself "Mr. Potter, Amelia Bones. At your service. I am here regarding your pilfered mail allegation. Baron Warren, there, is part of and represents a group of allies of friends of your family. It being Saturday, we would like some of your time. The students he is assembling are members of those families."

Harry nodded at the witch, looked over at the wizard who seemed at least McGonagall's age and maybe more. The group looked like about ten. A mix of boys and girls. All Houses from what he could tell, yep Slytherin was represented. Maybe not EVERY Year but there was variety among them too. Then the contingent of Hufflepuffs that helped with the letter were also included.

"You, I believe, are one of Arthur's boys." The witch brought the extra two approaching up short with a hand, then to the bushy-haired witch "I assume you are Muggleborn, my dear. Apologies, but there are magical oaths at work. Mr. Weasley, if the young lady does not know yet, kindly fill her in."

The group was hardly out of the Great Hall when it was confronted again, this time however by the Head of Slytherin. He didn't dare sneer at her …quite "Madam Bones, I would be derelict in my duties if I failed to be there to advocate for my students."

"Your dedication and attention to detail is nothing but praiseworthy, Professor Snape." The aging wizard said with courtly formality "However, sir, Wizengamot matters lie outside either the authority or responsibility of Hogwarts. Just please assure Headmaster Dumbledore that the children are safe in my care. If, for any reason, I need to leave campus with one or more I will come to him personally."

Abcij

Harry watched the two adults wave their wands in intricate patterns, speaking gibberish for all he could tell. It was the smallest classroom he had been in to date. Next to the Great Hall with places for just ten. There were more, but nobody was crowded. The wizard began "I imagine some of us are acquainted one way or another, but not all. I am Earl Jacob Warren. Depending on the political winds, I am Speaker or Minority Leader in the Wizengamot. That is our Parliament and Supreme Court. Potters usually head the Great Alliance, but I took over from my father when he died five years ago."

"Amelia Bones." The adult witch took over "Susan is my niece. I am the regent of the Ancient House of Bones until her majority. I am also Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Through each I hold seats in the Wizengamot. House Bones is not part of your alliance, however you made allegations of a possible crime. Or multiple. And there are political considerations in her participation."

Harry put up a hand for attention then "Sorry ma'am, but I thought that was why she asked that I not name names.

"Quite." She was giving her niece a mildly reproving look "However it was plenty specific enough. There will be some level of at least informal association. Negotiations, however, with someone so completely uninformed would be …unseemly… Have an advisor, of your choosing, initiate discussions within 30 days. Meanwhile, after introductions, we will discuss your allegations."

First it was the young Hufflepuffs Harry started with "Susan Bones" "Hannah Abbott" "Justin Finch-Fletchley" "Thora Hopkins, my younger brother Wayne"

The Gryffindors were "Neville Longbottom" "Hugh Biggs III" "Sakura Akagi" "Andrew Snowy Owl. Hey!"

"Sorry I wasn't laughing at you." Harry apologized "Just wondering if you'd like to meet Hedwig."

The Ravenclaws went next "Marcus Belby" "Marietta Edgecombe" "Yoshi Chang, and Cho, my sister" "Talbott Winger"

"We note Slytherin went last, but only attribute it to the alphabet. Flora and Hestia Carrow, twins …obviously." The girls spoke in stereo as opposed to Fred and George's tennis pattern "Paul Urquhart, but don't expect any mercy on the pitch" "Tracy Davis" "Adrian Pucey and while I do not apologize for that twerp Malfoy, he does not speak for me …or many others."

There were nods of acknowledgement all around, then Madam Bones spoke again "I note the divisions that were extant in my school days have grown from ditches, past trenches to canyons. It is not my story to tell, but Harry, one Lily Potter nee Evans came to Hogwarts friends with a boy sorted into Slytherin. I and my brother, Susan's father, were in Hufflepuff. Her mother was a Ravenclaw. Across the centuries, our family has members in every House. Beyond Quidditch and the House Cup, I would not limit myself. Now before I depart; Mr. Potter, tell me what you know, suspect, or have been told."

"My first objection is probably the Boy-Who-Lived books. It's certainly me, but since I didn't even know I was a wizard until Hagrid kicked in my uncle's door, not one is true. How many 6-year-olds can kill a dragon?" and this was the start of a lengthy monologue that concluded with "Twenty kids, so far, have told me they …or rather, their parents… sent money. More than once. My friend Hermione used some math to guess people could've sent 10,000 Galleons, or more."

Everyone gaped at Harry, disbelief and shock evident, but Amelia who was thoughtful "Not impossible. No. Not at all. We wouldn't likely get any kind of real answer unless the culprit is caught. I would not expect an early break. Investigating Mr. Pucey's speculation there is a connection between the publishers of the Boy-Who-Lived books and the mail case will not be easy. Ownership is not really known. Nor are the books a crime, but a civil matter. I will, however, put some resources into an investigation. At this point, I will take my leave. Susan. Hannah."

The redhead stiffened and protested "But Auntie!" She cringed, nodded goodbyes to her peers, then curtsied "Lord Baron."

Abcij

"Amelia. Professor Snape informed me of your visit. A pleasure to see you as always. Good morning Susan. Tell me, what brings you here today? I am unaware of any matters requiring the Director's presence." The Headmaster confronted the witches before the door even closed.

Susan was barely able to suppress a squeak in the presence of the demigod. She instinctively sought the safety of her aunt's shadow. For that the young girl suffered a displeased look.

"A noted, nay famous, student makes a public statement of possible wrongdoing? Is that worthy of my personal attention?" Madam Bones' voice was laced with sarcasm "Not especially. However, I am not just here as Head of the DMLE, but also as Regent of House Bones. Our heir's involvement cannot be overstated, which we will be discussing, certainly had the potential for problems."

To this Dumbledore nodded "Of course, Amelia, that is entirely an internal Bones affair. What does concern me is what Jacob Warren could be doing here."

"Well, it seems one of the members of one of our most influential Wizengamot coalitions knows nothing about his place." Nothing in her expression or tone revealed a sign of what was going on in her mind "The Baron came to bring him up to speed. That and introduce him to his friends and allies."

He did not let anything show "I should, of course, immediately offer my assistance."

"I should think the privacy and locking charms are sufficient. My portion only related to a preliminary discussion about Earl Potter's allegations of a possible crime." She affected a lack of concern "The private political discussions currently being led by Earl Warren are not Bones business. Thus, Susan and I left. Come young lady, we have our own issues."

The young witch, eager to see the high-level confrontation end started down the corridor after only saying "Yes, Auntie."

Abcij

"Good morning, Jacob." Said the Headmaster, outwardly calm, but highly agitated "A remarkable set of wards you managed within Hogwarts."

Leading the children out of the classroom after concluding their discussion, some ten minutes after the Bones departed, the wizard gave a polite nod. Even someone his age had Dumbledore for a teacher "Pleasure to see you again, sir. Don't think I have visited since graduation."

"I always welcome alumni, as you know." Was the expansive reply "Though I must wonder at the timing. And you did gather a diverse …may I say eclectic… group of children together."

Here Harry enthusiastically put in "Baron Warren told us some of the greatest things. Like the story about how the first Harry Potter founded The Ministry. Someone from his group was Minister for the first three centuries."

"And did you discuss current events Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

The First Year nodded "Yes sir. Though he cautioned us to goto one of the older kids before revealing anything that might be secret."

"You can, of course, confide in your professors …or myself… with anything truly important." The Headmaster offered, trying not to sound concerned.

To this the Baron interjected politely "I wouldn't want them to trouble you, Professor. You are already Headmaster, after all besides your vital post here you are Supreme Warlock and Mugwump. Besides, nothing significant was decided today. None of the children have any authority in the Alliance. I merely had permission from their families to ensure they are properly acquainted."

"Mmm…perhaps you are right, Jacob." Was the thoughtful reply, then Dumbledore probed "Perhaps in some manner related specifically to Hogwarts?"

Adrian, the seniormost student asked "Two small things, sir. Some teachers are …shall I say, less than sanguine… inter-House associations. I hope we can use your good offices to mediate such concerns. And second, Earl Warren requested regular updates from all of us. Floo contact in an emergency, but privacy protection for our owls when time is not a factor."

"Your Heads of House have floo connections, and I will advise them of the possibility of requests." He sounded agreeable "You may wish to supply them a contact list. There are a number of owl-post spells, if I could have some time to ponder. If our business is done, Jacob, I shall take my leave."

After the Headmaster was out of sight, Warren smirked at the boy "A thoroughly Slytherin scheme, Mr. Pucey. We will know immediately how to code our correspondence. And who is tracing us. Mr. Potter, and all of you younger ones, take your queues from the older kids. This was an excellent first meeting, build on it."