Harry Potter and the Odd Rebellion
**ODD**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
B/N: Hey Vashon! I think I discovered where the vowels went in Wales. St Patrick cast out all of the snakes in Ireland, but Merlin was a parselmouth (and a Welshman), and took the 'poor beasties' in. Well, they had to eat something.
A/N: So Merlin made alphabet soup, and the snakes ate mostly vowels? I 'c'. Get it, no vowels to spell it 'see'.
A/N: Thanks also go to Alix33 for her help and suggestions!
**ODD**
Welcome to the fireside.
**ODD**
Scorecard of what has happened so far:
This story is AU: Dumbledore is not a nice person and hasn't given up trying to find Harry.
AU story: Some canon characters have their ages a bit older or younger than canon.
O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore) Meetings will be held, and ex parte communications held outside those meetings. No friends of Dumbledore here. Trying to free their world from his velveted iron fist.
Alice and Frank Longbottom have been cured. As Alice is gaining her strength, she is finding a place for herself as Harry's godmother in Harry's household, taking on some of Lady Dorea's tasks. She is quietly supporting his friendship with Ricardo Cordero and his own villagers.
Hagrid was finally released from prison. No trial for the kidnapping of Harry or for the supposed murder of Myrtle Warren fifty years before. He still has no wand rights. Just a lot of responsibilities for little pay.
Harry's new passion has annoyed some longtime residents. Aquila's (mare hippogriff) culling led to Harry getting oaths from his people. He will be addressing this crime to make sure nothing like it happens again.
Arglwydd means Lord in Welsh, it's in the notes below. Arr–gul-wad. Back to the story.
**ODD**
Chapter 6 All Hallows Eve
**ODD**
Friday, Oct 25th, Gringotts, London
Spurnik handed over the mail to his son-in-law with a grin. He'd seen the picture from the scene of the 'attempted murder of law-abiding magicals'. It had come from a witch leaving the pub in question. That she worked for Gringotts was mere coincidence, surely.
BloodRage shared the note, knowing Spurnik would want to know. It was simple enough. 'Bonus for rubbish removal. Thank you for excellence in your craft.' It was in Sirius Black's handwriting.
"I wish I could send you to watch over our young magus. The Grand Seeress stopped by the office. Started to speak, then went silent." Spurnik frowned
Death was coming, the situation unclear. Not good. BloodRage asked, "The Blind one is wise. Do you want me to visit the school? Take some pictures?"
"No, you know what happened the last time you met with Lord Harry." Spurnik reminded him.
"He invited me to fly. On a winged creature! As if offering a new variety of conde lumbra or new variety of klah! A treasured treat! If he was of age, I would have challenged him." The guard spat.
Spurnik laughed, "Their House jockey was very smart. He rescued eggs from Lord Harry's favorite mount weeks before her murder. With magic, one could make a replica. Instead, they used her near 'royal' bloodlines. Four mares of no consequence carry four different daughters - all with different, important racing sires. It will be a year before these creatures are born, my son. The child meant no insult. I swear to you, he did not.
"I saw Lord Charlus at a young age. We were in Egypt at the height of magical exploration and discovery. He was so invested in his craft; he gathered the best books, the best team. He treated everyone well. Cheated none.
"Lord Harry is Lord Charlus' magical heir. The boy was trying to share a treat with you, nothing more."
"But flying, Spurnik? On an intelligent magical creature?" BloodRage might trust a broom if he had to fly. That he could completely control! But not a beast with its own mind.
"If I were in your shoes, I would accept a visit to the farm, and bring some rodents with you as treats for his pets. Let him take you on a visit. One day, you will be his heir's account manager. I was encouraged by my father to build bridges with Lord Fleamont's son and Heir. I encourage you to do the same."
BloodRage nodded, and smiled at the note. The bag was deceptively small, but he was not surprised by the gift of several hundred galleons.
It included a short note from Dan. "No Fair, I wanted to!" His draft was for another five hundred galleons, with the notation 'perks' for his job.
Getting paid for making the world a safer place? He'd take Spurnik's advice and build bridges somehow with the Potter boy.
They raised food animals there, of all kinds. Conde lumbra! What about the right breed of magical earthworms? He would send some as a gift! Yes!
**ODD**
Friday, Oct 25th, SAM
Hermione was enjoying charms class very much. Her wand was a good match, and she conquered the Wingardium Leviosa spell quickly. She looked around to see who needed help. The Felton boy was struggling, so she went over to offer aid.
Matt though was not as kind as he should be when frustrated. He didn't listen to her explanation, and she grabbed his hand to show him the correct movement before he hurt someone with his wand.
"Don't touch me!" The boy snapped.
The teacher was about to say something, but Hermione just apologized and moved back to her seat.
Later on, on the way home, Harry thought she was lucky for not getting in trouble. "This school is very strict about touching someone."
"I noticed. Well, I won't be helping him again." Hermione pouted.
"No, but you can help me. Driver! Stop please."
The weather was miserable, but Harry didn't like portkeying. Neither did the village teens looking cold if not wet. Brolly charms. He'd asked at school, but the teacher didn't know one.
Harry offered, "Please? Get in."
"We don't want you in trouble, Lord Harry." That was one of the other boys, Harland. Colin Elam looked like he'd prefer to walk.
The Potter lad insisted, "I can have us dropped off first, and you can go around the block or something. Please. You're cold."
The young people were smart and climbed into the seats behind him. Harry cast warming charms on everyone without asking. "Oh, I'm sorry! May I cast at you?"
"Yes please!" Sarah Miller shared for them all, getting low chuckles. The short ride was quiet, and Harry and Hermione got out at the door.
The driver, Megan's father nodded thanks. He certainly didn't mind picking up the others, and was glad the young man would share with all.
Sarah smiled, "Thank you, Lord Harry."
"Miss Miller? Can you please teach me your umbrella charm?" Harry asked. "I bet Neville would like to know it too.
Sarah blushed, "For certain, I will. Neville, you, yer lady and her kind sister." She smiled, and waved goodbye as Harry and Hermione disembarked at the porte cochere of the manor. Harry even handed his friend down.
Alice liked horses, as did Sally-Anne. Why not use them once in a while? Many families here used the old-fashioned manner of travel. The coach dropped the rest of the teens off when going into the carriage house.
Once Hermione was divested of cloak, hat and gloves, she gave Harry a warm hug. "Thank you, Lord Potter, for the ride home. And I will do what I should have done from now on. Ask permission." She truly hadn't meant to annoy Matt. Again.
"Hey! I forgot, okay!" Harry started to run to catch up to Hermione, but great-aunt Elladora yelled at him to walk inside the manor. He waved, "Yes, ma'am," then muttered, "Old bat."
"I can hear just fine, ye know!" the portrait rejoined.
**ODD**
Cygnus Greengrass had been very worried about his business relationship with Lord Potter ever since the mix-up with the hippogriffs. Using a boy's mount for that ridiculous restaurant! Clearly, the order was a forgery. The restaurant in question was most apologetic, but none of their people had sent it.
There was a short list of suspects who would have done so. Albus was the first one on his list.
He had received a very nice gift through the portal. Lord Black had made a nice large communication mirror for him for Yule. With the current circumstances, it was given early.
Just this gift alone made the man relax; he did not want a profitable business relationship destroyed over the death of a beloved creature.
He could see and hear the others in Salem perfectly. They were gathered in, what appeared to be, an executive boardroom, with Lord Potter at the head of the table.
Most unusual, but he was the head of the family. At his right was Lord Black, to left was his godmother, Lady Longbottom. Mr Lupin was seated next to Lord Black and Lord Longbottom was to his wife's left.
"Lord Cygnus, greetings. I hope that you and your family are well." Harry called out.
"Lord Potter! I and my family are well and I hope to find you and yours the same. Please forgive me for dispensing with the rest of the formalities, but I feel that this situation needs to be addressed, forthwith!" Lord Greengrass didn't even attempt to hide his agitation.
"I was most distressed to hear about this nonsense. On behalf of my House, I offer sincere apologies. I know it doesn't make up for it, but I have purchased a racing hippogriff for you from Guatemala. I admit that I did communicate with your jockey about the bloodlines. We are all careful to avoid inbreeding. This will help us with that. And I am told her feathers were sold as quills when she was actively racing."
A new mare for the herd? Perhaps older but still. Obviously going to the racing barn. "That is most kind of you, but I assure you. My family does not hold you responsible for this mess. We wanted to meet with you to discuss the potions business going forward. We have divided the barns, as you know. The racers will not have all of their feathers removed as we do the non-racers. We'll be collecting scat from everyone. If one of our 'griffs passes away due to natural causes, the body may be used as needed, but we will no longer be taking culling orders. Our workers had been informed. We failed to notify you, our partner. For that, I must apologize. I'm the one who changed everything here with my new venture. I am still learning and will likely make other mistakes. I do hope you can forgive me."
The diamond cufflinks with the Greengrass crest Harry had ordered that morning seemed insignificant compared to a hippogriff. But watching the wizard's face as they were delivered, helped. He was clearly touched by the meaning of the gift: Harry held him in high esteem, and honored their business partnership.
"I do forgive you, young man, if there is anything to forgive. But Please, Lord Potter," Cygnus interrupted, "I have information for you that I need to share. The order was a fake! I believe this has been a plot directed at you to hurt you. If your person went against you or not, the plot was initiated here."
Alice looked at Harry. He started to open his mouth, then stopped. He got up. He found pacing helped calm him, and he swore less when he did. Not that he did so in front of Alice!
Sirius shared, "That is most disturbing news Cygnus. I have a short list of people who might have done so. We had not considered this was more than a disgruntled worker choosing to act on an opportune request."
Harry was angry, "I will demand that Gower be questioned under truth serum that he was not the source of the false order. If he was, I will not only dismiss him with prejudice, I will call the local aurors. That was a racing mare! And he knew it."
Cygnus was adamant, "That sounds most reasonable. I will do the same with all of my workers here, just in case. I'll tighten the oaths as well. But please. Do not dismiss the idea that there might be a puppet master behind the scenes."
Harry nodded, "Trying to stab me in the heart. I hear you, my lord. And concur."
The rest of the short meeting focused on what North American potion ingredients that had previously been too expensive to import or difficult to acquire.
They talked a bit about that, but Cygnus wanted to make sure that Harry knew he, Lord Greengrass, supported his racing business, and offered to sponsor him with his advertising. That made Harry smile.
Alice noted the time and shooed Harry out to the community hall. It gave just the adults a chance to talk alone.
**ODD**
Harry didn't feel up to carving pumpkins, but Salem village was going to put them on display the next night, and this activity had been planned for weeks.
Widow Beddew was overseeing the activity. Apparently, there were two kinds of pumpkins; decorative and eating. They had grown only the eating variety for pasties, pies, juice, breads, and everything else that a magical household needed.
A nearby manor had offered to trade decorative pumpkins - enough for all the youth to participate in the community event.
Emma had proven where Hermione got her research genes. She had gone to the local library for ideas of what shapes were common, along with purchasing a copy of the local paper that had pictures from the year before.
Harry then had the idea of inviting a few friends from school as pumpkin 'tutors'. Since they were doing this activity in the community hall with everyone, it meant that Ricardo could participate too without anyone's large noses getting out of joint.
Harry saw Neville helping the petite Sarah arrange hers for cutting. He hoped that Gran Crouch got a good picture of that!
A variety of specialty cutting tools were purchased; Harry was now getting into this activity. It was sculpting, only with the pumpkin as the base.
There was a bit of a pumpkin innards fight at one point between a few of the boys, but then Widow Beddew was back from the kitchen and threatened to throw out those responsible.
Harry immediately apologized, promising to refrain in future from such, and went back to carving his pumpkin. The older teens were trying and failing to look innocent; Harry had not been involved in the least!
But the woman smiled at their young lord.
Harry's pumpkin was a perfect little coach, just like the one driven to school. The window shown forth light once candles were added.
Megan Beddew carved the silhouette of a hippogriff. Harry gave her a melancholy smile. She understood he was hurting, but was honoring Aquila. He nodded thanks, but it was Hermione he turned to for a comforting warm hug.
The former Granger witch nodded to Megan; her work here gave Hermione an idea for a future project.
Harland Morgan carved a traditional jack o'lantern out of the largest of the pumpkins. Megan's gran was sorting out seeds from the stringy innards to roast in the kitchen there, and some of the freshly roasted salted seeds were being served as the young ones worked.
Colin Elam had declined in the 'childish task' but the rest of the village's high schoolers were here, along with the children too young for Salem. They were all having fun.
Harry had two small pumpkins that weren't carved, but just transfigured to look like horses. Everyone took turns admiring their work, but then hauled them down to the wagon. One of the men was going to cart them into town. Some of these pumpkins were pretty heavy, and carrying it that far? It wouldn't be possible.
The entries were numbered for the judging that night, and Harry was pleased to find that every single person in their House won an award of some kind for their pumpkin. Harry got 'Best Fairy Tale'.
He had no idea that ALL children entering won an award of some kind. The organizers tried their best to keep it a secret.
**ODD**
Saturday, Oct 26th, Potter lands, Wales
William Gower thought he'd be welcomed as a hero back home. Instead, he found out after waking up late the previous day, that the rest of the people had been brought to America in batches to swear their oath to their young Arglwydd. And heard what William had done.
He'd been put to work with hardly anyone talking to him. Then he'd been summoned to the farm manager there in Wales, Gavin Gilford.
The head of the Dragon Reserve had family ties to Gringotts, and was able to get some Veritaserum.
He'd been near the Welsh green when the young Heir had visited, ready to portkey young Lord Harry away if there was a hint of danger. No, the gentle beasts had accepted Harry, just like they had Charlus, his own namesake.
The redhead leaned over Gower. He'd been told by Gilford that he'd be dismissed immediately if he didn't answer three questions under the truth drug. He capitulated easily as he hadn't done nothin' wrong.
No, he hadn't been in contact with Dumbledore. No, he thought the order for a hippogriff was genuine and didn't know it was false. And yes, he'd targeted the boy's personal mount hoping to kill his interest in the sport as Gower felt it was a waste of money. But it was an ancient mare of no value in his opinion, and worth more sold as foodstuffs. The unauthorized fourth question of 'don't you realize 'griffs are smarter than you' was answered in the negative. Alas, truth serum only revealed what a person honestly felt was true, not the actual truth.
Charlie Weasley was normally an affable guy, until you endangered any beastie. Then he got a mite tetchy. This man's latest exploits had him on his last chance.
Gavin and Charlie exchanged looks, "You're on food production from now on. You do one more bit of harm to a living creature that's not a food animal, and you'll be looking for a new post."
Gilford dismissed Gower with a sneer. He distrusted the man now. Charlie was still very young for his responsibilities, but had trained a year in Romania before accepting the post here. He was young and new but had good instincts. The men got on well, but Gavin could see Charlie was ready to feed Gower to his dragons.
Charlus Potter was friends with the Weasleys. The family was taken out to see the dragons when Charlie was just six years old and fell in love. Lord Charlus had plans to bring Charlie into the Potter family if he wished. The Weasleys had many wizards after all.
He put it in his Will that any Weasley would have a job there, as they were family. When Charlie graduated school, he applied for the Dragon reserve first in Romania, and after completing the basic training, applied in Wales, and they were happy to have him. He lives in housing there at the reserve, but his mother thinks he is still far, far away.
**ODD**
Saturday, October 26th
The family had gotten back from admiring all of the pumpkins on display and were cleaning up when they learned they had a visitor. One coming an hour before dinner was a surprise to most of the family. But it was the old auror who was surprised as well.
"I was tasked with tracking Neville down. How is this miracle possible! Oh, Alice, darlin' girl! Frank!" The old auror had tears leaking from his natural eye. He and Alice MacMurray Longbottom were blood kin. He wasn't even trying to find the missing Longbottom parents.
The dangers of listening to Albus. He said they were dead, so he had mourned, and went to track down their son. Easy to do when he had their address already.
"Oh, Mad-eye! You are looking a bit worse for wear." They had seen pictures of him but seeing his wooden leg and magical eye brought back painful memories of the past war. "Come in. Let's take you on the tour of our facilities, and you can tell me everything." Alice gave him another warm hug.
Frank and she couldn't wait to actually show him they had a place ready to help those escaping magical Britain. Some things had to be seen.
**ODD**
The villagers were using the community hall for meals, and welcomed those fleeing from Britain. They were welcome to enter the building for warmth and food, but were sleeping in the safe house tents at night.
They were great tents for summer conditions. The cooling charms were top notch. After all, they had been designed for Egypt. For the upcoming winter? In Salem? Not so much. The area was colder in winter than Wales, and hotter in the summer. Something they were concerned about with the cows, pigs, chickens, and other food stock. The milk cows had been delivering sweet milk, the chickens producing their average amount of eggs. They didn't seem to be bothered by the relocation at all. Still, a couple of more large barns were already in place just in case. A few more worker cottages had gone up as well, but Harry had stated these were never to house the people in flight; they were a Potter family perk.
And if needed, people could shelter in tents in those magically heated and cooled areas as well.
Just by putting them up inside the large heated hall was enough to provide families a comfortable place to stay. And there really was plenty of space after a few tables were pushed aside. Harry liked that it was the head table that was shrunk to make room for the guests. It was fitting, since he had invited them there.
The slow trickle was going in fits and spurts.
And the basement proved to be an excellent place to put a large gym; complete with indoor courts for various sports. Dan already had them on a regular morning routine before school, even if some people, (cough, cough), complained.
Getting there from the house was indeed magical. From the windows at the back of the house, one could see the building in the distance.
To get to the gym from the inside, one descended a short flight of stairs and took a door that appeared to head outside. In actuality, it was a tunnel entrance with a strong door that could be locked up tight, but was currently kept unlocked. A short walk up the ramp, and voila! One arrived at the gymnasium under the hall.
Moody was very impressed with the exercise area. Clearly this was how Alice and Frank were getting into shape, and how the girls' parents were keeping fit.
He'd never seen most of the equipment, but surely thought if it was helping them, they should have it for the aurors back home. Once their country was liberated.
**ODD**
Dinner that night was mostly jovial, but after the children were shooed away, Alastor gave the adults his warning.
"Sommat is up with Dumbledore. All along, since finding out the Dursleys moved house, he's been trying to get Potter back. Oh, he's so angry with them muggles. Everything he's tried so far has been legal like or nearly so. The most illegal thing done was trying to sneak into this country. Then, yesterday, he started smiling. A really awful evil smile. I came to warn ye. I don't know what his plans are. I'd tell ye if I did. But be careful!" Moody warned.
"Well, he can't take Harry away from us. Not without proving Sirius and I are abusive parents. We are getting regular visits from Wizarding Child Services. Do you know if they suspect a child is getting hurt, they have the right to use Veritaserum on the guardians! It's part of the contract with the government. If you refuse, you can't be an adoptive parent. End of discussion."
"Wish they did that for all parents." Emma murmured.
"Did I tell ye that Arabella just up and vanished? I dinna know until just recently that she'd been stationed to watch over Potter in some way. Then, poof! Left her cats and all? Very, very suspicious. I have no proof of anythin'."
A chill fell on the room. Nineteen magical or semi-magical cats just abandoned? That would practically be a secrecy violation of its own. No one there knew about Arabella's short forest jaunt at Hogwarts.
Dan looked at Moody, and indicated that they should take their discussion to his 'war room'.
**ODD**
Dan clicked a button, revealing a new scene that was just recently finished. The miniature diorama moved on pulleys to the ceiling to reveal a to-scale layout of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and environs that Sirius had helped make.
"What do you want me to do?" Dan asked.
"Pray. I dislike defense intensely. I prefer to strike." Moody averred.
"And we will one day. But your goddaughter and that goblin seer advise waiting. I don't understand prophecy."
"I don't either, but I've never known my Luna to be wrong. I can't talk Xeno into sense either. Not yet. He says she has to go to Hogwarts. I won't let that happen, but we have time before she commits. She just turned eleven. I warned her not to sign anything. She seems ta agree with me."
"She's welcome anytime, but having his permission would make it easier for us. I'm trying to keep the lawbreaking to a minimum."
Moody laughed. "A law-abiding soldier?"
"My remit doesn't cover everything, sir. You know that." Dan reminded.
Alastor sighed, "Well, I best be gettin' back. I 'found' my wee lamb. I'll check with Frank and Alice, but I think Albus knowing Alice is in play will help put the brakes on him."
'Or make him more reckless.' Dan thought to himself. The school had good security, the local town had been warded against the man directly. What more could they do to protect either boy?
**ODD**
Finding out that the Longbottom boy was also at Salem wasn't a surprise to Albus. He'd tried writing directly to the school only to be told they don't share student information. But it did make sense.
Salem took squibs, whereas Hogwarts did not. He'd been about to make an exception for him when Augusta died. Why had she given the boy over to her, what was it, cousin? In America. He should have gone to the uncle who was trying to scare him to express magic.
She's likely the one that stole Neville's parents right out of the hospital. Albus thought Death Eaters were going to use them in a ritual to bring Tom back. He'd been waiting for news of strife, now he knew why such news had not yet come.
How dare this Miss Crouch interfere with him!
And now, the Longbottom auror pair had received actual treatment and were alive and well. He had to act quickly before they moved to do something with Harry. He already had plans in motion, and it was too late to rescind anything. He wanted Harry back from the muggles! No, he needed to add to the remit, otherwise the former Alice MacMurray would strike. Slight she might be, but she was strong in magic. Bah!
Neville was lost to him. The aurors would protect their squib boy. He had to let the spare go.
Time to get Harry back under his control. Past time.
**ODD**
Wednesday, October 30th Pottery Workshop
Hermione stayed after lessons to work on a project idea. First, she made a little pumpkin out of clay. Then she used the miniature silhouette that Sally-Anne made at her request. It was a miniature version of the hippogriff that Megan had carved into a real pumpkin.
Applying it carefully, she used old dental tools her father had given her for this artform. By the end of the evening, when others were wanting to close up, she had finished the body of it.
She planned to give it to Harry at some point. She'd even made up a new spell for the magical lighting inside, but perhaps she could use it for extra credit at school.
The best kind of project - a gift for her friend, and getting extra points. Perfect!
**ODD**
Thursday, Halloween 1991
Harry had just wanted to stay in bed all day and pull the covers over his head.
He'd learned just a few months previously this was the anniversary of the day his parents perished. Locals were ready to wear costumes tonight to go around and beg for candy. He thought about his cousin. He was dressed year round as a monster, begging for candy. Hehehe.
The decorations were fun, though. Everyone was going all out.
Then, on the way to school, he got pulled over as he was riding his hoverboard.
Harry doffed his helmet as he was stopped by a messenger elf. The community was all-magical, so the house-elf didn't have to hide.
"Do you need to wait for a response?" Harry asked.
"No, Lord Potter, but it being urgent."
"Can I give you a tip?"
The elf's cheeks went greener than normal; blushing to an elf and he nodded shyly. Harry opened his hand. "I want to give you three sickles. Is that too little?"
"Far too much! Amos being honest elf."
"Well, honest elves need to buy cucumbers for their girlfriends right? Please feel free to share with someone."
The elf bowed, and popped away.
Harry sometimes worried that he had been just a house-elf in disguise, and quickly opened his letter. After reading it, he looked around for his security elf. "Oh boy! Oddment? Can you please pop me home?"
Oddment played a bit of a prank on Harry, but went to gather his hoverboard and helmet after a pointed look.
Harry was going to be late for school, but this was very important. He hadn't even wanted to go to school today, which is why he was flying. It helped.
Dumbledore was moving to seize all Potter businesses and properties. Something about him no longer being a British citizen.
He had been riding his low-flying cross between a broom and skateboard. It had wicked aerodynamics, and if a mundane saw it, they would think it was technology.
Harry was already on the path to accepting the technomancy concepts, but he had a major problem to solve.
And it would likely involve politics. Yay.
**ODD**
While Emma telephoned the school to explain why Harry would be late, Sirius, Alice, Harry and Remus went to meet Spurnik at Gringotts, Salem.
Harry had no idea how the goblin could be in London just a half-hour before and be here without being portkey sick. Harry knew he'd take a couple of hours to recover from those himself.
Goblins were tough.
Sirius expanded the 'meeting' mirror in the Gringotts meeting room, with permission, and activated it. Lord Greengrass was there, dressed for the 'Mot.
The partner was visibly unhappy with this emergency legislation.
Alice stated, "Most of the Potter businesses are part and parcel with Lord Greengrass' concerns. The muggles call it stock; wizards call it shares, but it's intertwined with alliances and oaths."
Lord Cygnus acknowledged this situation to the goblins.
"So, is this another attempt to get a hold of me physically?" Harry asked.
Remus shook his head, "Me this time, I think. He knows I've been the Potter Farm manager since James and Lily…"
Today was Halloween. Great. Dumbles wanted another family member sacrificed for his Greater Good.
Harry wanted to salute Neo-Nazi Dumbledore, Spike Jones* style, but wouldn't be disrespectful in front of Spurnik and Lord Cygnus. "The only thing new is the currency exchange and food carts. Dumbledore has no jurisdiction in the muggle world. But he could wind up getting the food businesses."
Alice smiled. "But Harry? Don't you see? We don't need to keep control of those. Sell them. Sell to Lord Greengrass here for the cart in his area. Sell to one of the Weasley boys for Ottery Saint Catchpole. Don't let Albus steal from you!"
Harry started to laugh, "Now that is a prank. Dumdum tries to take a cart, and finds out its Lord Abbott's or Heiress Bones'. I love it!"
Remus started writing and Spurnik summoned their solicitor.
"Greetings, Dharma Briokz. We have some work to do."
Lord Greengrass interrupted and offered to buy all of the carts immediately, and resell them around the areas. He completely understood what this was about. He had a contract in hand. He'd reverse it if reason could prevail. These carts had grown so much above their humble beginnings!
The cart idea to begin with was about keeping the goblins happy. And keeping magicals employed. The cycle was simple; someone making muggle wages wanted gold to buy something magical. Exchange. Now, the bank has too much muggle money, what to do? Exchange with a cart employee, who provides gold to buy the paper at the bank, uses the paper to buy meat and veggies from the muggles, cooks some of it up to make food to deliver. And buys up farm fresh veggies they put into stasis. Then sell that food and veggies in their little carts.
For gold. Gold that then goes to the bank. Some of which to be turned back into paper, and so forth.
And for just their cart business, their exchange fees were minimal. In fact, the goblin tellers were even reported to be courteous to their workers. Of course, the cart employees knew a good job when they saw one. This wasn't a normal sales position of pushing, pleading, making false friends, and lying.
It was groceries and food to heat at home. Everyone needed that. No, the problem hadn't been the businesses themselves. Or employing the 'wrong sort'.
Albus Dumbledore was tossing his dummy out of the pram for Potter not going to Hogwarts. So what if the boy went elsewhere? There were plenty of other students to take care of. The old man needed to settle down and do his job.
Getting rid of Binns was becoming a common cry, especially from the muggleborn. More and more were moving away. Taking their talent, drive, curiosity and more importantly money, with them.
Greengrass might be helping save a new Potter business because of their old partnership, but there was another, deeper reason. Without businesses like this that employed muggleborns? Their world was going to dry up, and blow away like dust. Why were people being so deliberately blind to the issues?
Lord Greengrass suddenly had a lovely, devious idea. He just needed to talk to his lady wife, and a few of her friends. Hehehe.
The meeting ended cordially, and Cygnus left to go fight the good fight in the 'Mot. He'd pass Sirius' voting request along to the Black proxy, Lady Malfoy.
**ODD**
The emergency Wizengamot session started, and Elphias Doge was still sitting proxy in the Potter seat.
Harry was nigh ready to change his name to Black, and call the House extinct, but that wasn't something easily undone. And his Welshmen would object. And it wasn't his House really that was the center of the issue. It was himself somehow.
Albus was ten minutes late, per normal, but of course, they had not locked the doors.
Cygnus and Lucius exchanged eye-rolls.
After the session was called to order, Albus made a long speech about the integrity of their world and the importance of maintaining order: The audacity of the man.
He never looked up at the gallery. He really should have. It was full of witches. Everyday homemaking mothers for the most part. Some young, some not so young, but all had one thing in common.
They didn't have house-elves to do the shopping, and they liked the convenience of the little home carts and catalog delivery.
Taking such away from Harry Potter, just because his family had moved felt like a huge betrayal to them.
This wasn't something awful being sold! It was greens! Potatoes! What was wrong with people?
After he finished, he expected it to go for a vote immediately. That was when Bathilda Bagshot hobbled forward. A young pink haired auror popped to her feet to give the elder a steadying arm to get to the podium.
"Hello young people. I can say that because all of you are younger than me," She stated with a titter at her own humor.
"You know, something sad has happened here. Harry's blood family took him abroad. Apparently muggles move for jobs far away from their homelands. It sounded strange to me.
"He's going to go to school in a foreign country. Think about that. He'll meet new people, hear new ideas.
"If we want him to return to us someday after he is an adult, we need to think before we act now.
"If we treat an eleven year old child as a criminal, take away his belongings for moving with his family, what message will he hear? That we are bullies, and don't like him and can steal from him legally through the might of law.
"Listen to me! This action is wrong! It might become 'legal', but it is wrong! Morally wrong! If you had a business, and you moved house, how would you feel about people trying to take that away?!
"We need to encourage Mr Potter to continue his investments here. After all, then one day, he will come and visit the managers. Check on them. Meet the witches and wizards working for him.
"Mr Potter just turned eleven. In six years, he might be an adult, but he won't be done with school for years!
"Give him time. Be patient. We are magical! We have time to give. I am nearly two hundred years old, and still working, writing, and researching. Please. Heed my words. I love that little boy, and was saddened when his parents were murdered ten years ago this day.
"Honour the Potters' sacrifice. Honour them. Don't steal from their only child who is so very young.
"Thank you."
With the sonorus off, she hissed to the old man leading the meeting, "Your mother would be ashamed of you, Albie!"
The Wizengamot was silent, but as she stepped down, every single member got to their feet. Every single one.
A vote was called. Lucius Malfoy voted Nay as did Narcissa voting the Black seats.
And then something shocking happened.
When the vote came around to Doge, he had the audacity to vote for Albus' request to take everything away from the boy. Only Doge saw Albus' death gaze that was quickly hidden. Oh no! Had he made a mistake? No! He had always voted for whatever Albus proposed! Oh, dear.
Cygnus Greengrass was not the only one to stand. "Point of Order! How can Member Doge claim to be standing for House Potter when he votes against the House? That's illegal!"
Lord Nott, a solicitor by trade, was a surprising voice as well. "Page 365, paragraph 5. He can no longer vote as proxy once abrogating his duties. It's the law."
The clerk looked it up, and nodded at Fudge who was nominally presiding, even though Dumbledore directed much. Before he could do anything though, the magics of the chamber had been activated.
Two golden statues came to life; their winged helmets and golden swords glittering in the light. Screams came from the gallery, and older aurors who had heard stories, rushed to escort the visitors from that observation area. They didn't need to see this.
None of the press or the WWN's radio announcer moved an inch.
The automatons marched up to Doge, and both pointed their swords. It seemed he had a very clear choice to make: leave or die.
Frightened, the man looked to Dumbledore for help. Doge couldn't move! Some awful magic bound him in place. The old wizard just looked away. Doge appeared to stand firm, appearing to believe in his cause. The truth would die with him, unable to speak, complain or plead.
Though some saw his eyes, begging for mercy.
The Magic of the Hall also stood firm, believing in justice's cause.
The statues acted in accord to the hall's ancient remit, and then proceeded to remove the rubbish from the now bloodied seat.
**ODD**
The Wizengamot meeting collapsed. On the anniversary of the Potter's deaths, they had met to deprive the Potter Heir of all of his remaining properties, businesses and gold in Britain.
Madam Bagshot had won the day. And that was before the Potter proxy had acted so very oddly. Everyone knew that this measure would never pass and if Dumbledore brought it up again for a vote, he would be making enemies here. More enemies, that was.
Madam Bones had been caught flat-footed in this. She hadn't expected the statues to actually kill anyone! She snapped out of her shock, and leapt into action. "Auror Trainee Tonks, get those doors open even if you have to blast them. Everyone out! Now!"
Some people tried to keep people in a crime scene. Not her. Not for this sort of thing when the cause was clear.
She looked around to see who was on duty. Proudfoot was up in the gallery, escorting the last of the mothers out the door. Hopefully they weren't too traumatized.
She saw Dumbledore just sitting there in shock, not doing anything for a man who was reputed to be his long time lover. Not that she listened to such gossip for personal pleasure.
"Albus? Do you need a calming draught?"
She thought the man was crying, but for a terrible moment, his mask slipped. He was furious! His emotions were clear: Anger! Betrayal! His powerful magic was begging to be unleashed to do harm. He wanted to kill everyone who had stood against him, but the moment passed.
Amelia was a pureblood, and had top-notch occlumency. She looked down at her kit, to put action into words, acting the caring work associate when every fiber of her being said to run.
He pretended to drink it, but put it in his pocket. She didn't care, and said nothing about such action.
Normally, she would ask him about the body, but she didn't want to draw attention to what just happened.
Fortunately for her, the Auror Trainee tripped on the stairs nearby, helping escort others, and the dangerous moment passed.
"I do believe that you'll regret taking young Nymphadora on. She really should be finding a nice young man to marry. Our world needs more children."
"I agree, Albus. I think she needs to be monitored for a time. Can I bring you anything? Tea?"
"Thank you, Amelia. I just want to mourn here for a moment. Please, feel free to direct your people now."
Amelia pulled Head Auror Scrimgeour aside, and put together a team of her top people.
All she wanted to do was escape this man's presence; what she needed to do was plan.
**ODD**
Lucius Malfoy later stopped her in the hallway, and pulled her aside. He invited her to a benefit tea. The invitation included a note only she could see.
'You are not alone. I've seen the monster behind the mask as well.'
She tucked up a hair, casting a personal privacy charm, "Does he know I know?"
"I don't believe so, but you should consider your options. You played it smart here today. Anyone who does get caught tends to wind up dead. Ever so accidentally and belatedly."
Amelia nodded understanding at the warning but had to ask, "Do you know why Doge didn't move?"
"All of us near him saw him trying, I swear. I can't explain it. He couldn't move. Wanted to." Lucius handed over a small vial with a memory. She pocketed it.
Amelia didn't want to watch those memories. She suddenly had no desire to even be in this country.
"Will you emigrate as well?" Amelia asked.
The man tapped his sleeved arm, above his dark mark. "While I wear this, no one would accept me into their country to live amongst the innocent. And they are right to be cautious."
Amelia nodded. She'd heard the rumors that the Dark Lord had delved into the dark arts to find a way to defeat Dumbledore. Nonsense.
He might be the biggest bad right now, but there was always a hero to turn to.
Or become.
**ODD**
Harry had only missed one class, but it was Charms. Missing a wanded class meant that he had to make it up in a tutorial. So, instead of having lunch with his friends, he would go demonstrate his floating spell. That was alright.
The Potter lad had just arrived when the door opened and two British aurors swept into the room.
"Hey! How did you get in here?" the tutor, Thomas Jeffries demanded. Quickly, he tapped a rune by the board that summoned help, but the two men didn't seem to be watching him. Then he moved over, closer to the boy.
"We had an invitation. Harry James Potter? You are under arrest for the murder of Elphias Doge. You have the right to keep silent, but anything you do not say now cannot be used in your defense…"
A secretary popped in, and insisted the visitors were out of bounds. "Excuse me! You did not go to the office to register. This is a school! How did you get in?"
"With an arrest warrant." One of them handed the parchment over, but the other auror was trying to dodge the upper year student protecting Potter. The auror pulled it back, but neither boy saw it freeze the witch in place, unable to move.
"Oddment! Take me home!" Harry called. He felt the elf pop behind him, but the elf's short arms couldn't reach Thomas as well.
The wizard in auror's robes had gotten tired of playing tag and waiting. His orders were to grab Potter and get out. The killing curse was cast at the spare unwanted older student. He was likely just another mudblood, no loss. The dangerous spell also caused alarms to go off. Loud ones.
The house-elf had popped in front of Thomas with the very worst timing.
"Forget it! Let's go!" One auror tried to apparate, and just wound up twirling in place.
The students had this sort of drill so when the long blue coated aurors came in and called out "Down!" Thomas broke out of his shock, and dropped just like they had practiced. Harry was already on the floor, trying to get to his elf.
The intruders were quickly stunned and cuffed. Americans didn't mess about when students were in danger.
"Oh, Oddment! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Harry cried, gathering up the elf in his lap.
A detective came running in, and motioned one of the aurors to take the elf away. The other was seeing to the secretary. Harry pivoted on his knees to protect Oddment from the stranger.
"Son? We'll be very careful with your friend. I promise. I'm Detective Higgs Weaver. I'm here to help."
Harry brushed tears, "My mum and dad were killed ten years ago today. I just wanted to stay home, but couldn't get permission. If I had been at home, Oddment would still be alive! These people wouldn't have gotten through our wards!"
Reluctantly, he set his friend down in the other aurors arms, but not before placing a gentle kiss on the brave elf's forehead. The first auror left quietly, signaling his partner to take his place.
Harry was left weeping silently on the floor as the sophomore crawled out from under the desk at the detective's wave. Placing a gentle hand on the distraught child's shoulder, Jeffries asked, "Sir? They can't arrest a sixth grader, can they?"
"What? Why?" The second auror next to the detective was tall and dangerous looking. But he had looked at Harry with soft eyes.
Harry couldn't talk, but Thomas spat out everything they had heard from the two attackers.
The auror then turned to the captured Brits and woke one. "Show me your warrant, badges, and anything else you have. Now."
The warrant disintegrated the moment the auror touched it, and he wobbled on his feet.
"Collins! You alright?" The detective demanded.
A new pair of aurors, just coming in, saw what happened and one ran over to cast. "You've been cursed, don't know what. Go to decontamination, do not pass Go, do not collect a hundred Franklins."
The secretary, who had been kept there, stated, "I looked at the warrant; am I cursed as well?"
She had been, and was taken along with the auror to get checked by a Ministry curse-breaker.
"Can I go home? I just wanna go home." Harry begged. Of course, he was the only one held back. Harry wondered where Sirius was.
The whole school was shut down for the day and all students sent home; standard procedure with this sort of incident. Hermione, Neville and Sally-Anne were picked up in the carriage that dropped off Emma. The principal, James Franklin, came in with the magical version of the FBI. Remus showed up, looking stoic.
No one was bringing Alice into the situation though she wanted to come. Sirius had reacted too violently to the news, and was currently 'napping' off a stunner. Frank was busy making sure the manor hadn't been breached with the help of concerned adults who wanted their Arglwydd back home. Now!
**ODD**
Magical memories were wonderful. While the American aurors hadn't much time to look at the warrant, Harry had read the whole thing twice.
"Wait. How come I'm not cursed?" Harry demanded. He'd been checked and cleared, but both Remus and the Charms teacher checked him again. The warrant had been a touch-activated portkey that failed to transport Harry; likely due to the school's wards.
"That is complicated magic. Just be glad you were not." Auror Collins stated.
Weaver piped up, "I suspect it was a fail-safe if their little ploy was discovered. The wording is similar to, but not correct for a British warrant. The second problem is that you are an American citizen. For another country to arrest a US citizen, especially a minor child, one so young? We are talking weeks to get approval to even enter the country.
"And even then they'd have to be escorted by our people. No one would ever just be free to pop in." Detective Weaver concluded.
The FBI woman came over, without introducing herself, "Lord Potter? We're going to need to talk to your guardian for a bit, but you are not in any trouble. We're going to leave a detail for a week, just in case more of this group come back."
The detective knew this prickly officer and addressed her, "Agent Addams? You don't know how they got into the school, either?"
"Oh, that part we figured out. They used a student portkey. Very easy to get. What is hard is that they are supposed to be blood-bonded to the students using them."
Harry looked up, "If they are blood-bonded, there should be enough left on the portkey to compare to the two aurors captured. Find out the relative that way."
The woman looked angry, "Detective Weaver set me up, right? Told you to tell me that?"
Harry looked up worriedly. "Of course, ma'am. Just a little humor."
After she left, the detective asked quietly, "Why'd you say that?"
Harry was still very frightened by adults showing overt anger and would prevaricate at the drop of a hat to protect himself.
"Didn't you see how mad she got? If she thought a kid was showing her up, I would be beaten…I mean I would never get home. And no. I have a new family now. The Dursleys will never hurt me again."
Weaver nodded, but by subtle questions to Remus it wasn't hard to get first names of the mundanes.
If Vernon Dursley got so much as a speeding ticket, he would find himself questioned by very serious aurors who didn't like magical children getting 'beat up' by anyone, especially those who were non-magical.
**ODD**
Harry was finally allowed to leave, but they made him ride home in a Ministry auto. People owned them here but most used carriages or walked.
He was greeted at the gates by several concerned citizens. As he walked up to the manor door, more than one touched him. These people were very in tune with magic. Did Dumbledore know that they could detect polyjuice just by the difference in magical signatures?
More than one witch or wizard offered their wand in defense of the Potter lad and offered to go after the miscreants messing with their House.
Alice brushed tears and greeted him warmly.
Sirius pulled him into a hug that had him wrapping his magic around the boy. "You were right. You should have stayed home today. I'll listen next time. I'm just so glad you are alright."
British aurors trying to capture his godson? Padfoot turned to Alice, "This has Dumbledore's hoofprints all over it."
"Hoofprints? Oh, old goat. Clever. When we have proof, let's make sure to inform Moody. I think we know what the evil plan was now."
"Thwarted by a house-elf? Makes me want to inform Albus myself." Sirius growled.
**ODD**
Hermione awaited her turn to hug her friend, tears streaming down her face. "Oh Harry! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"
Nothing like this had ever happened to her. Someone tried to kidnap Harry straight out of the school. They likely knew who too; and no one could do anything about it.
Harry held her close, letting her magic sooth him just as Sirius' had done. Well, only different.
No words were shared, just a tender embrace. He could have been killed. He survived. They endured.
**ODD**
ODD (Order Defying Dumbledore)
A/N: Story recommend: Lab12's Fifth Year Rebooted. Complete. What happens when a 28 year old Harry is tossed back to his 15 year old self.
s/14276236/1/Fifth-Year-Rebooted
A/N: Your story recommendation here -
**ODD**
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore)