Author Note

I am still aiming for once a month uploads, lord knows I have seen enough authors burn themselves out on the site aiming for weekly uploads. But for some reason my muse just hit me and I couldn't stop writing in my spare time… I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Two – The Realisation

A week and a half later, Harry was sitting in one of the treatment rooms of a German hospital. The werewolf pack had proven a little more challenging to deal with than either Ortwin or Harry had expected. It turned out to be the primary pack that had been coordinating the raids nationwide and therefore had more come into conflict with more experienced werewolves than in their previous confrontations and the Alpha had proven especially challenging to deal with. Regardless Ortwin was true to his word, and the moment their debrief was completed he'd taken Harry straight to the largest magical hospital in Germany.

Harry, who had put everything personal to the back of his mind to ensure the job was done efficiently and effectively, found himself suddenly lost in his thoughts. Why had things changed so suddenly, why did Ginny control his life so tightly, why hadn't he had a proper conversation with Hermione in almost a decade. Before he could get to far down the path with his thoughts however, he heard his name suddenly called out with a small amount of annoyance.

"Herr Potter, are you listening? Dees are some very troubling findings…" Harry realising he'd been so spaced out that a doctor had come into the room and begun speaking with him.

"Entschuldigung doctor, I was in my own little world. Would you mind repeating that again please?" replied Harry apologetically utilising his rudimentary German.

"I vas just saying that your tests came back viff some vorrying results. It appears you ave a number of potions in your system, in addition to some compulsion charms and I just vant to confirm vhether you knew." Responded the doctor, Harry was stunned and when he didn't respond the doctor then continued.

"You ave reasonably strong residual amounts of three potions and then a veak trace of one last potion. Additionally, there vere two long-term compulsion charms vhich we have dispelled already" Harry wasn't sure he'd heard the doctor right, did the doctor just say FOUR potions AND compulsion charms?!

"Zee first two potions are a Love Potion and a Loyalty Potion, vhile the two compulsion charms were structured as ahh…" the doctor stumbled on his English for a second "Vall mat? No! Door mat, two door mat style compulsion charms keyed to two different people and den a revulsion potion keyed to an individual and the loyalty potion appeared to be keyed to a family due to the general nature of the driver" continued the doctor "and the last veak trace appeared to be a loyalty potion that was keyed to a single person"

Harry was horrified, he thought he was just being paranoid but now his worries had been proven true.

"Can I ask Herr Potter, vere you avare of dees potions and charms?" Asked the doctor. Harry just shook his head, unable to speak.

"Dat is concerning, as de residual amounts vere quite strong, vhich generally indicates long term application of the potions. It's possible you ave been receiving these potions for over 10 years. I vould recommend isolating yourself vhen you return to Britain and seeking support from an independent party. I don't know the laws in Britain but in Germany zis vould be considered… how you say… Line Theft."

***Line Break***

Life post Hogwarts had gone reasonably well for the Golden Trio, with Harry and Ron becoming Aurors as planned, Harry even becoming a Hit Wizard, while Hermione surprised everyone by adapting to a Molly-esque housewife lifestyle incredibly well. Harry's relationship with Ginny was quickly picked up again with a sprint to marriage, while Ron and Hermione developed on the kiss at the battle of Hogwarts. Now however, Harry was sitting in a hotel room in Britain wondering what was real and who to trust.

Harry had returned from Germany with assurances from Ortwin that everything would work out, however Harry wasn't so sure. Since leaving Hogwarts his life had centred around the Weasley clan, he barely communicated with anyone outside of them and that was a problem now.

After shooting through magical customs, Harry had rushed out to muggle London to isolate himself. He'd walked into one of the hotels furthest from the Ministry, booking the room for two weeks and then locked the door.

His first topic was the love potion. That was obvious since he had only romantically loved one person in the past 20 years and that was Ginny. So, it was almost a guarantee that the love potion was keyed to her, the question he didn't know the answer to was whether she was in on it or not?

Next were the compulsion charms, the doctor had indicated these were "Door Mat" charms, ensuring someone wouldn't fight back or question an individual or family. Harry was sure they'd been outlawed…

"I guess it doesn't stop people casting them…" Harry thought out loud.

When Harry thought back to the last 20 years, he'd always made sure his voice was heard. It was something he'd swore he'd do after having so much of his life planned out for him by Dumbledore, so he was at a loss as to who he'd always given ground too, then it hit him…

"I never push back on Ginny or Molly. I guess I always thought 'Happy Wife, Happy Life' and Molly has always been strong willed, so it was easy to just give ground... But was that me making the decision or were those charms keyed to them?" Harry wondered out loud again.

The loyalty potion he thought was likely to the Weasley's generally, since the doctor had suggested it was keyed to a family due to the driver, although the last two troubled him. The second loyalty potion was weak and therefore he guessed wasn't part of the regime he was currently being subjected too, but loyalty to who?

The weak revulsion potion, which he guessed was meant to keep him away from someone, but who? The only people outside of the Weasleys he was slightly connected to was Andromeda "Andi" Tonks and Edwards "Teddy" Lupin, the grandmother of his godson and said godson. Neither of which he'd had negative feelings about before or now. He had to work this out…

***Line Break***

Harry spent five days recovering from the extermination mission, having sent message patroni to Gawain Robards asking not to be tasked any hits for the next month and another to Andi telling her where he was, a brief summary of the situation and asking if he could visit the next day, which she promptly agreed too via her own patronus.

Other than resting, Harry had been documenting everything on parchment and was now patiently waiting for the time Andi suggested he arrive. While waiting he collected his thoughts and tried to plan out the discussion he was going to have with Andi, surely she couldn't be part of this…

When the time was right, Harry apparated out of the hotel room and straight into Andi's backyard. Unfortunately, Ted Tonks, Andi's husband, had passed during the Second Blood War in addition to Tonks and Remus Lupin, which left Andi alone with her grandson. Harry had done his best to support Andi and Teddy, but he always felt he should be doing more…

Walking through the backdoor, Harry called out "Andi! Teddy! It's Harry, where are you two?" Teddy, now 19, was two years out of Hogwarts and in the process of wrapping up Auror training, he'd been spared the werewolf curse from Remus thankfully, but inherited Tonk's Metamorphmagus abilities so was a shoe-in when the time came.

"DAD! We're in the living room, come through, come through!" Responded Teddy excitedly.

As Harry walked through the doorway between the kitchen and the living room, he was almost barrelled over when Teddy tackle-hugged him.

"I've missed you Dad, the Weasley's have been so stressed about your sudden departure that I even had Victoire asking after you." Said Teddy as he tightened the hug around his Godfather. Harry loved this feeling; he would always have a special place in his heart for Teddy. The, now, young man that Harry had helped raise.

After the Battle of Hogwarts, he'd practically moved into the Tonks household as he'd initially found catharsis in helping Andi raise Teddy but then as he spent more time with the boy, he'd legitimately come to consider him his son in all but blood. Now that Andi was in her early 60s, the shoe was on the other foot and Teddy spent quite a bit of time caring for her.

"I hope you didn't tell them I was coming today, the Weasley family are the last group of people I want to see right now." Said Harry "Especially with my head still in a muddle…"

Andi looked over with concern in her eyes "After your patronus message, I pulled everyone with the exclusion of Victoire from the ward listing, so you don't need to worry. I do need to ask however, what the fuck have you gotten yourself into Harry?!"

Both Harry and Teddy turned to face Andi, shocked looks on their faces, she never swears.

"Yes, I swore, get over it boys. I'm just really concerned about you Harry, you're a key part of our family and the thought of someone manipulating you in any way sets my blood to boil. I might carry the Tonks name, but you can't take my Black abilities and demeanour away from me."

At that moment, Harry knew he could trust Andi and Teddy completely, so he sat down and began walking them through the last two months and showing them the timeline and notes he'd written out. From the odd floo call, the strange thoughts, to the medical check up and finally the last five days in the hotel.

Speaking over steaming mugs of tea, which Teddy had kindly prepared, Harry finished up "…and that just leaves the weak loyalty and revulsion potions. I really can't think of who they could have been keyed to and I really don't want to take any action against anyone until I've got everything mapped out clearly."

Andi was the first to speak up "You told me once that Dumbledore manipulated you your whole life and that you weren't sure what parts of your life were yours and what had been manufactured. Could it be that the mostly diluted loyalty potion was keyed to him?" she suggested "The timing would almost line up really, without him around you wouldn't be receiving it, but if it was being fed to you constantly for an extended period and not proactively purged, there could be tiny traces left in your system."

Next Teddy spoke up "And that revulsion potion.. all the stories you and the Weasley's have told me involve you, Ron and Hermione. You were inseparable at school and that you were so close to Hermione that Uncle George told me there was a betting pool on when you'd get together. When was the last time you hung out for an extended period with Ron and Hermione, or even just Hermione by herself?" following it up with "The only time I've seen you with Ron and Hermione were at family dinners at The Burrow and even then, you'd sit at opposite ends of the table. If you throw in that Hermione is likely being potioned as well, she's most likely the one keyed to the revulsion potion."

Harry sat back in his chair, deep in thought, those suggestions certainly sounded credible. Although he didn't think his friendship with Ron had suffered, for some reason he'd avoid spending time at their home. He suddenly realised it was likely due to Hermione being a stay at home mum would always be there..

Harry quickly turned to Andi "I know it's likely been a while and this is probably a big ask, but could you brew a purging potion for me Andi?"

Andromeda had been a healer at St Mungo's right up until Ted and Tonks had died, at which point she dedicated everything she had to raising Teddy, with Harry's support. Harry for his part, had readmitted her and Teddy to the Black family, which allowed him to more easily financially support them both.

"Not a big ask at all Harry, give me an hour or so and I'll have it ready. Just know that once you've taken this, there will be no way for you to give medical evidence as your system will be completely clear."

"That should be fine." Replied Harry "I've got the medical reports and findings from the hospital in Berlin, given it's the one used by the German Magical Government I can't see there being much pushback on the results."

***Line break***

An hour and a half later, Harry finds himself hold up in the Tonks household bathroom wishing death on the person that had potioned him. "Merlin knows I wouldn't wish this experience on them…" due to the long-term build-up of the potions in his system, his body had reacted quite violently to the purge potion and it wasn't a stretch to say this was the worst experience in his life, up there with the Cruciatus curse. At least that curse normally ended, this just kept going…

"Dad? Are you doing ok in there" came Teddy's voice through the door as he gently pushed it open. "Grandma asked me to check on… woah that is foul… you since we haven't seen you for the last half hour. But based on the smell I think I know why…."

"Yeah I feel like death warmed up buddy, I put silencing charms up so that you guys didn't need to experience this alongside me." Replied Harry groggily.

"Explains why it all came rushing out when I opened the door, which I regret by the way" Teddy said with a combination of a laugh and a gag.

"Thankfully I think I'm nearing the end. My stomach doesn't feel as volatile, so if I don't experience anymore… expulsions… in the next few minutes I'll grab a quick shower and come out." Replied Harry.

Thankfully, Harry was proven correct and after a quick shower he headed back out to the living room.

"Harry, you're going nowhere tonight." Said Andi suddenly "I've got the spare room setup already and it'll only cost you preparing breakfast for us in the morning" she followed on with a sly smile.

"That sounds like a plan, however after that I'll need you to suggest a lawyer for me, maybe from Ted's old firm? I know they used to represent the old families, so they likely have experience in dealing with this kind of situation."

"That won't be a problem Harry, I'll demand the most cut-throat lawyer they have on retainer and we can quietly dismantle the Weasley menace…" Andi responded with a threatening tone.

Harry went to bed that night with one person on his mind, where is Hermione and is she in a similar situation…

Authors Note

So, a slight step up on the word count. Nearly 2.5k, if only I had as easy time with my essay… I kept coming to points where I felt it felt right to end the chapter, only to realise it made more sense to group this entire section.

To those here purely for the citrusy goodness, I apologise but based on my story board we have another 2 chapters at least until the lemonade. Hopefully, as with most things the slow burn just makes the taste sweeter…

I'd be interested in hearing some feedback on story structure and characterisations. For those unaware, this is based on Payment Plan by Argo0 so if you want a preview of where this is headed give it a read. Though to burst some bubbles, Rose is not our surprise guest in later chapters… I wasn't a fan of that twist in the original.