Dawn found Harry Potter in the Kitchen of number 12 Grimmauld Drive. He had a chalk slate at each seat of those who had spent the night.
Of the Order Members, only the Weasleys and Tonks had stayed. Shacklebolt and William had claimed rooms with Winky and had asked for details for personalizing them before heading back to their flats.
Tonks had taken it a step further and with the Elf's help changed the far wall and ceiling into a single pane of mirrored glass that was charmed, unbreakable and impervious.
Both Aurors had reinforced hat trees for their Auror robes.
Winky, in a fit of rebellion, had brushed them clean, then oiled and polished them. Dobby got in on the fun by doing the same for their boots.
Twenty minutes before dawn, Harry had informed his Elves that he was prepared breakfast in ten minutes. He asked Winky to 'Knock up' the females. Kreature got to 'kick up' Ron and Padfoot. Dobby was to awaken everybody else.
Winky and Dobby were happy to be of service.
Kreature giggled evilly as he rubbed his hands together.
All three popped away as one.
In the kitchen, Harry had to feed the fire. As it used lengths of wood to heat the stove and oven. Once he got the fire up to where he wanted it, he checked the chili and decided to let Kreature rinse the beans while Dobby and Winky did the shopping. He wrote out the shopping list. First there was the breakfast menu and then the dinner and stock up shopping.
He took six loaves of bread left over from last night, and split them in half like over sized hot dog rolls. Buttered them thickly and left near the heat so the butter could soak into the bread as it melted.
He pulled the rest of the eggs from the ice box and set them on the counter. He then scribbled: eggs 3 dozen. On the stock up slate. He pulled out the bacon and bangers. He then grated and soaked four large russets. Hearing the slow plotting of feet on the stairs, he filled the kettle and coffee pot and set them on the fire. Grabbing a pitcher of pumpkin juice, he exited the kitchen to see everyone but Molly sitting down at their assigned seats.
"Morning Weasleys." He sounded just like Arthur did on the morning the twins had rescued him from the Dursley House. "Before you is a slate and chalk. Write what you want for breaky and I will do what I can. As all I have right now is eggs, browns, and toast… but I am sending Dobby and Winky shopping in a few minutes so think carefully about what you want. If you are wanting something fancy and French, I don't know what I can give you.
The girls and twins snatched up their slates and wrote up their meal requests.
Arthur smiled as he watched his children, before he filled out his.
Padfoot and Ron just glared at the lad.
"Pup? Why did your elf kick me out of bed while cackling?" The sleepy Lord asked.
"Because I didn't say he couldn't." Harry deadpanned. He placed the pitcher on the table and exited the room.
Winky delivered the slates, just as the kettle and pot finished heating. Taking the slates from the Elf he pointed to the kettle and the pot. She popped away with the two items as he read over the lists.
Hermione
(Shame for exploiting the Elves)
3 eggs over easy
4 Bacon and 2 bangers
Toast and jam.
Tea.
Ginny
Omlet, peppers, onions, cheese, mushrooms and kippers.
3 bangers
Toast and butter
Coffee
Ron
Everything
Pumpkin juice
Twins had written the same thing
3 eggs, scrambled
3 bacon and 3 bangers
Fried Browns
Toast.
Coffee with cream and brown sugar.
Sirius
Pancakes
3 eggs
Ham
Browns and gravy
Coffee
Syrup
Tonks
3 Waffles and peaches
Whipped cream and strawberries
Coffee
Arthur
Pancakes
2 eggs
Bacon and bangers
Toast
Coffee
"Dobby!" Harry quickly wrote up his list of things he needed bought for breakfast.
He handed the slate to the Elf and made sure he has access to the money to pay for it.
"Kreature!" The hatchet nosed Elf appeared at his knee. "Do we have a waffle pan or do I need to buy one when I go out?"
The Elf sneered. " Buy one."
" Okay" Harry sighed as he dug out the flour and sugar. " I need you to drain the beans and rinse them. Then put them back into the pot, cover them in fresh water by about the width of your hand. Then ask the twins for a piece of gum. Ask nicely. Then chew it until it gets nice and sticky. Then pop to the inside of Sirius' door, and force the gum into the crack and then dry it. If done properly, it will stick his door shut until he has to blast it off its hinges. In the meantime he is locked out of his room."
The Elf snickered and popped away.
He turned and laid out the bacon. Then he mixed up pancake batter. Setting it aside he drained the shredded potatoes and flipped the bacon. In a pool of grease he dropped a couple handfuls of shredded potatoes. He sliced open the sausages and set them beside the shredded potatoes.
Winky showed up looking for something to do. Pulling his wallet from his pocket, he counted out 20 quid, and asked her to get heavy cream, fresh fruit, peaches and strawberries if she could. And a thing of syrup.
He then returned to running the stove like the maestro that he is. Tonks' and Ginny's plates were last, and Ron's was just before that. Those who asked for toast got half a loaf of toasted bread. Ron's was toasted, then he laid out the fried Browns, runny eggs, bacon, bangers, and shredded cheese.
Tonks got Pancakes instead of waffles, but she got her peaches, whipped cream, and strawberries.
For Ginny, Harry cracked his last two eggs into a bowl, a Slash of the whipped cream that Winky worked hard to make floofy. He then beat them fluffy, and poured them into the middle of a thin pool of grease, before covering with a lid. He had Dobby chop or shred everything she wanted in her omelet into a bowl before he cracked the eggs. After a count of thirty, he lifted the lid, trailed the mix in the bowl across the egg mixture. He the rolled the whole thing up and dropped it onto a plate with her share of sides. Winky was quick to deliver it to the lass.
Once Kreature had finished his prank, and had drained the beans and refilled them, he added a double pinch of salt.
Harry looked over everything and started a new list for shopping later.
He then returned to the dining room. "I will give everyone who is going to go with me 30 minutes to eat and get ready. Then I am heading out." He exited the room, heading for the Shower.
While the Armor 'ate' his dead skin cells, there is a refreshing feeling that comes with a long hot shower. As he stepped from the box of hot rain, Dobby and Kreature were waiting for him. Dobby had a towel, and Kreature the dressing robe.
Once he was dried off, in his room, he allowed the elves to help him get dressed, before he walked down the stairs to the ground floor. He poked his head into the dining room, not surprised to see Sirius and Ron the only ones at the table. Sirius was nursing his cup of coffee as Ron was literally licking the plates clean.
"Hey Ron, remember that your mother will be checking to see if your homework is done. So you need to be in the Library or your room working on it. Especially if you are going to be on the team."
Ron bolted for his room, to get started on his homework.
"Ok, now Snuffles. Where is your collar and lead?" Harry asked Sirius. "Or does my big bad Grim Familiar what to stay home with Molly Weasley?"
The Dog Animagus bolted from his seat to his Heir's side.Using Harry's wand, Padfoot changed his slippers into a leather collar and braided leather leash. Then he morphed into the Grim form and stood with his forepaws on Harry's shoulders for him to buckle the collar on and link in the leash.
By the time the two of them reached the Fourier, three redheads and a brunette were waiting for them. Tonks came tripping down the stairs…
Harry's cloak snapped out and enwrapped her in its folds as her feet left the floor. Once the battle wand was on her feet, Harry looped his right arm through her left. At her frown, he smiled. "You are a righty, and if you need to draw your wand, it is best if you had your main hand free. Besides, if I need to fight, I will not be going for my wand."
So leaving the House, Harry walked his dog, an arm linked with a pink pink pixy of a witch, as the twins each linked an arm with a witch on his heels. They were a good forty minute walk from the Leaky Cauldron.
Ten minutes later they were mounting the steps of the bank, an unconscious Fletcher hanging by his wrists from a pike out front of the bank.
HPHS
Two hours later, Harry returned to the Steps of the Bank from within.
Three rings glinted on the ring finger, the middle finger, and thumb of his right hand. On his left he had two rings on his middle finger and thumb respectively.
While he looked around, he scanned for threats.
The twins had a contract with Potter and the Goblins for some of their pranks and gags. They were now looking for a storefront that they could open. The only reason they were going back to school was this was the last chance to play organized Quidditch.
Hermione kissed his cheek, and ran off to the bookstore. Tonks sighed, before following the muggleborn. He had promised them both a book or two. (Tonks was promised two to keep Hermione to a limit of twenty.)
He and the redheads went to the Quidditch store. He got a set of Keepers gloves for Ron, a set of Seekers gloves in Ginny's size and a pre-used Nimbus 2000 for Ginny. For Ron, he bought an autographed jersey of the Keeper of the Cannons. He offered to buy the twins new gloves or bats, but they said they had the gloves, and they had worn the grips of their bats just right.
He had Dobby take everything to his room.
Their next stop was Zonko's, but other than fresh dung bombs, they had nothing that anyone wanted.
Harry herded them to the bookstore, so they could collect Hermione and Tonks. As he paid for the two books Tonks had selected and the twenty that Hermione had been forced to limit herself to.
Next stop was the menagerie, where he bought three bags of bacon flavored owl treats, Hermione bought two bags of cat treats, and Harry bought the Twins a matched pair of Great Ravens. A Norwegian breed, said to be descendants of Odin's Advisors.
Harry caught Ginny hissing at a blue striped garter snake. What he found funny was the subject of conversation. They were talking about the acceptability of males as breeders.
$And am I included in your list of acceptable males?$ Harry hissed in Ginny's ear.
The girl screamed, as the snake laughed and fell off her limb perch.
A sales-witch poked her head in saw what she thought was a witch and her wizard grabbing a few minutes while her brothers were posing with the ravens before the mirror. All four of the birdbrains were getting into it.
$Are you getting her? She would be an asset in the garden at home, and no doubt she will keep the unwanted males at bay. Of course, your adventure as the Hostage of the Heir left you inflicted with this gift.$
Ginny looked at Harry. "Mom would blow her top."
"Yes, and if she objects, you can claim that you are trying to curb favor with me by improving the one skill that no other witch will think of, and I am known for." He kissed her forehead. $Milady.$
He stopped by the Bird Isle and got stand perches for Hedwig, and a stand double perch for the Ravens. He grabbed a desk/table stand for Pig. As he piled everything before the register, Padfoot drug a large dog bed to the counter, filled with chew toys and dog bones.
Harry looked at him, "Okay, but you are needing a real collar and Leash." Padfoot pouted, and gave him the puppy eyes. "I am not going to fall for that, especially if my Grim Familiar is coming with me to Hogwarts…" Padfoot had turned and bolted for the Collars and leashes.
Hermione cleared her throat. " You know Professor Snape is going to throw a hissy over this. And that if Professor McGonagall or Professor Dumbledore don't object out of hand."
"Where I go, my Father's Familiar goes to." Harry crossed his arms as Padfoot peeked around Harry's knees, the chosen collar and leash in his mouth. "Dumbledore objects and I walk. He will know what happens when I don't get my way, within the rules of course."
Hermione just shook her head. "I thought you are only allowed one familiar at Hogwarts and only…"
"Those three are listed for first years as they are low maintenance and serve complexe functions." The Sales-witch spoke as she was ringing up the purchases, "Second years may include other birds. Third years are allowed to bring other rodents and lizards and amphibians." She levitated the dog bed to the counter top, and continued to ring up things. The fourth years are allowed to add Krups, and small dogs. While no one has tried to take a Grim, but if it is your Father's…"
She rang up the collar and leash,"Is that all?"
Harry turned and raised his voice enough to get Ginny to hear him, "Gin, are you going to get her?"
Gin appeared with the snake around her neck and a glass carrying case in her hand. "Yes, she decided that she was interested in joining me in my journey. She will let me know when she gets cold."
"Besides, she can be a test of House Bravery to hold and cuddle the snake." Harry turned to the Sales-witch. "Ring her up too."
He stepped over to the twins who were still posing with the Ravens. "Are you four finished, or are you wanting to skip the ice cream?"
At the counter, Hermione changed Padfoot's collar and leash, the old ones were tossed onto the dog bed, and Dobby was called to take everything to Harry's room. Hermione clutched two books to her chest.
Harry led everyone to Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour. Inside he bought a pint of everyone's favorite flavor, including the adults. Then everyone walking with him got a cone and a double scoop for the walk home.
As they exited the Cauldron, Harry spotted a pizza hole in the wall, and bought four extra large pies, a Hawaiian, a veggie, a margarita, and a pepperoni.
Tonks put them under a stasis charm and sent them to the kitchen by Winky.
By the time the seven of them climbed the stairs to number twelve, they were met by a grumpy Lupin.
"You could have taken me too." The Wolf pouted.
"We needed someone to watch the house. " Harry patted the guy on the shoulder. "Besides, if you were to join us, you would have to walk the dog, instead of me doing it." Lupin frowned. "Besides next week, Hermione is going to need new books, other than what is on the book list. You can be her escort. She is limited to twenty books not on the list, and you are entitled to two books of your choice from the store at the time of the shopping, to keep her at twenty."
He led the way into the dining room. "Besides, we picked up pizza and ice cream from Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour."
"Triple Fudge ripple in butterscotch?" Lupin looked eager.
"Of course." Sirius snorted as he clapped his hand on his best friend's shoulder. "I raised the pup right. You have your triple fudge ripple, Molly has her death by chocolate and I have my three bean vanilla."
Tonk called for Winky to bring the pizzas to the dining room, and as they were opened, Harry and Tonks explained how the pizza was made. The Elves split a wedge of each pie so they could learn what the pizza tasted like.
Ron was limited to four slices until everyone else had had their fill, then he was allowed to take the rest to his room to work on while he worked on his homework.
"And Ron, I will be checking if you are doing the work." Harry said. "You get it finished, and you will get a present. Otherwise you will wait until Christmas."
"Hey Tonks," Harry smiled at her, "Don't you have work?"
"Nah, it's my day off. And I have 'Potter Watch' tonight so…" she flashed her pearly whites at him. "The only things I have to do are laundry and visit mum."
"Well, take Dobby to your place, and he will take care of it for you." Harry scratched his chest through his robes,"He is needing more work now that Winky and Kreature are taking the Manor in hand. Infact, I could use your help if you are interested in keeping this place in line while I am at Hogwarts."
"What about my flat?" Puppy eyes from a Morph are even more traumatic than a Grim's.
"If you want to keep paying the rent…" Harry trailed off as he saw she was thinking. He turned to the twins. "I am going to have Kreature keep your room just for you two. I know you are looking to get a flat above your store, but a bolthole is never a bad idea. By your Marauders Honour, this house stays secret."
"Ah Pup, we kinda promised Molly that…" Sirius started to say.
"I informed them last night. While showing them Nicky."
"Nicky?" Tonks asked as she reclined nibbling on her last slice.
"Remember how heavy I was when you brought me here, and how I caught you three when Padfoot tried to ambush me in the Fourier?" Harry asked. She nodded. "That was Nicky. I don't know what Moony thinks of it, but I should be able to run with him next full moon."
Lupin frowned at the lad,"Are you sure that it will protect you from Moony's rage?"
"I took a Killing Curse to the chest, and nothing happened."
"The night before, he will be close enough to the surface, I should be able to get a read."
A ghostly English pitbull trotted into the room, and sat on the table before Tonks. "Tonks. You were seen in the company of Mister Potter this morning. Please relay to him that his appearance has been changed to tomorrow at noon in courtroom three. Fudge and Toad are planning something. Boss advises coming in at about Eight and hanging out in the bullpen."
"Hammer." Tonks smirked, "Bonesy dropped the Hammer and is aiming for Fudge and the Toad."
"Let's game theory this." Harry turned to Hermione, "You have the most logical mind. How best would Fudge and Toad screw me over?"
"They would move up the court case, and change the venue. They would delay in relaying the info to you by holding your notice to the last possible minute, and then send it with the slowest owl after Errol."
"Remind me to talk to Arthur about replacing him." Harry smiled at Ginny, who was petting her new familiar. She nodded.
Tonks frowned. "He would try to pack the seats to do the most damage. That would be the so-called Dark and traditional Grey seats. Most of the Grey are not followers of 'he who blows snakes'. They just want to keep their power and money."
"Which room is most likely to be used to try and embarrass me before the most people?"
"Courtroom Ten."
"Hermione. I need to know everything about that room by dawn."
Hermione nodded and bolted for the library.
"Twins. I need reinflating whoopie cushions and dung bombs. I need everything in your stock. Lupin and Black should be able to help you with the muggle side of things." Harry stood and leaned on the table. "I am taking Dobby with me in the morning, and going to have him plant dung bombs and cushions under certain.
Tbc