Harry Potter and the Odd Rebellion
**ODD**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
A/N: Thank you, Alix33 too.
**ODD**
Welcome to the fireside.
**ODD**
Scorecard of what has happened so far:
This story is AU: Dumbledore sent two British agents disguised as aurors to kidnap Harry, and instead, wound up killing his personal elf. Not good.
O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore) Meetings still happening.
Alice continues to be a force for good in Harry's life. Frank's aphasia isn't getting better, but his mind is sharp. He might appear meek and mild, but he could be dangerous in the right situation, if Neville, Alice, Harry, or anyone of the House was in peril.
Harry is not a happy child. Nearly being kidnapped from school will have everyone on edge for a time.
The former Miss Perks father met with an unfortunate accident. Sally-Anne will be coming to terms with what that means for her safety.
Arglwydd means Lord in Welsh, it's in the notes below. Arr–gul-wath. Thanks to celedraug who wrote: wanted to just let you know that in Welsh, "dd" is pronounced as "th" like in "though".
Back to the story.
**ODD**
Chapter 7 Aftermath
**ODD**
Black Manor - Halloween
Sirius had turned himself into a dog, and was following Harry around as he did his after school chores. Normally, this was his time for racing lessons, but no one wanted him outside the wards right now.
Padfoot leaned into Harry, trying to comfort the boy. His sadness radiated from him.
**ODD**
The family held a funeral for Oddment. Thomas Jeffries and his parents requested to come and brought a laurel wreath to crown the hero elf and had purchased a magical tree in gratitude. Thomas stood near Harry; a supportive hand on his shoulder.
By house-elf custom, Oddment had to go into the ground near a preferably magical tree to give his essense to continue to serve wizard kind. Such magical trees were harvested for wandmaking.
Harry didn't want to think too hard about that. Poor Oddment! His magic would be going to help future generations. It was a good thing, he supposed, but he'd rather have the brave house-elf at his side, thank you very much.
Looking at the tree made him think about his own new wand. All of them had gotten custom wands before school started. His old one was back in Britain. The trace was a myth, but that wand had extra runes that couldn't be removed that were some kind of magical tracking.
Dumbledore would have known where he was if he'd been looking for him, back when Harry first escaped. And that was Dumble's best chance to get him at his most vulnerable. Fortunately for Harry, Juniper had talked him into leaving the wand in the vault at Gringotts.
Harry realized he was attempting to think about anything other than what was going on. His focus was brought back by Sally-Anne playing a brief melody on her recorder - a haunting Celtic melody of love and loss.
The resident and visiting house-elves dug the hole for the new tree and grave. Thomas himself planted the tree. Neville and Alice provided a blessing and the warrior elf was laid to rest next to the newly planted tree.
The other house-elves of the community all raised their hands in blessing and filled the far too small trench. Neville then planted a variety of wildflower seeds on top, with Alice casting a spell. Harry saw her wobbling, and duplicated her wand movement. Soon, flowers in full bloom opened to the surprise of all.
The gathered elves shared hugs before popping away to their various duties, but each one stopped by Thomas and Harry, taking each boy's hand and placing their forehead on the back of it. Both boys gave them a small 'push' of magic for coming as was custom.
Mrs Jeffries had cried throughout the entire service, and gave Harry a cucumber plant. "I don't know if Oddment had a mate or not, but please know; Anything we can do for this family... Our son is alive…such a brave…I can't…" Her husband shook Harry's hand, not blaming him one bit for the danger Thomas had been in.
Both parents knew if Thomas had been alone in the room when those aurors appeared, he would have been dead, and the funeral they were attending would have been their Heir's.
**ODD**
Harry didn't want to get behind at school, so Remus decided that on the morrow, he would escort Harry and the rest, and just play bodyguard.
Dan objected. "You will not! I will. You have your own duties here!" And he explained his reasons, "I have a gun permit. Any enemies will be done before they can curse or capture anyone. If I had been there earlier today, our little green friend would still be around trying to push extra mushrooms on Harry, or pumpkin juice or something."
"Harry shouldn't have to go to school, afraid of anything more than a fractions test!" Emma complained. "Maybe we should homeschool the children."
Harry liked this idea. Look at kind Sarah Miller: She was only two years older than them but had placed at the freshman level for school after being homeschooled all her life. Even the surly Colin Elam was expected to pass his OWLs early.
Until Harry's return to Potter Keep a few months back, Remus hadn't been able to allow the villagers access to the Potter library in the manor. He had rescued James and Lily's books from Godric's Hollow. He'd set up a learning space for the village children with those books and his own used books after Charlus' death had shut down access to the manor proper.
Sally-Anne was reading her math book, but clearly had one ear on the adults. Neville sat next to his gran, holding a huge skein of yarn she was making into a ball.
Neville's parents were at the table with the other adults. Alice got up, and put her arms around Harry.
"A terrible thing happened today. But it is not the terrible things that define our lives. It is what we do in response, my darling godson."
Sirius spoke up, "I think Livy should go with you in addition to Sculls."
"NO! I don't want her getting killed too!" Harry shouted.
"Harry James? Is that how we speak to family?" Gran Crouch admonished, not harshly. Firmly.
"No ma'am. I'm sorry everyone. I'm upset about Oddment. I'm worried about the safety of any elves assigned to follow me." Harry worked through the routine Alice had taught him.
Sirius nodded, "You're forgiven Harry. I should have explained better. Oddment was killed going in blind into a dangerous situation. If an elf was with you, they could pop you out, before a curse."
"I don't think so. I heard a pop behind me first. We could have left. I think Oddment was trying to reach Thomas, then pop us both. I have no doubt, his popping in front of Thomas was to take a curse meant for one of us. He'd have done so for any magical child."
Just then, Livy came in. Her eyes were green-rimmed, as she'd been crying.
"Mistress Amelia Bones asking for Sanctuary. She has a young witch with her."
Remus got up, but Sirius waved him down.
"I worked with her for a brief time. I'll know what to ask if it really is her. If it is, things are worse back home than we thought.
"Should we go too? Frank and I worked with Amelia for years." Alice asked. "Frank may not be able to speak well yet, but he's good at nonverbal magic."
Lord Longbottom begged with his eyes. "Stay? Safe," he pointed to her chair. She agreed.
Sirius nodded, and the two wizards went to greet their guests. Neither noticed Dan going to the watchtower.
Alice held out her hand to Harry.
"Come on, Godson. Let's go to the third floor. We can watch from there."
Harry gave a small grin. She understood he wanted to help, and for the first time having a family, it felt constricting. He was used to being able to act on his own. But he really was only eleven.
"Harry? There's something the others don't want you to know. But I think it's foolish to try to prevent you from being even more upset when you've lost a friend today. I think you need to know what happened."
Alice shared what she knew happened at the Wizengamot. And since the report was from Alastor, she trusted it.
"Why do you think Doge couldn't move?" Harry asked. He knew the name well as Dumbledore's choice for his voting proxy in the Wizengamot.
"I think he was bound in place. He was begging for help with his eyes but couldn't speak out. And no, don't ask. You are not watching that memory."
"Asking who for help? Wait. Nevermind; I know. How can I just get the old man to leave me alone?"
Alice went over to a nearby tray that was just brought in and poured Harry some hot chocolate and conjured whipped cream. It had no food value, but it had no calories either.
"Real is better, but your fake cream is better than many people's real." Harry complimented.
They sat, and watched the magicals outside negotiate with the grey haired woman, but it really didn't take that long.
A flash of oath, likely something about not going crazy and killing anyone inside, and the two witches were brought in.
"Oh, Suzie's so adorable." Alice gushed.
Alice rewound the Omnioculars, and showed him the picture.
"Not as cute as Hermione. I just hope she's nice. We've all gotten along here, but Neville warned me about the Weasley matron and her temper." The red hair had Harry nervous. "Amanda Billingsley is just plain mean, all the time."
Alice nodded, remembering Molly when she was younger, "Some of the Weasleys can be very nice. Others yell a bit. Not the environment I want to live in though."
"Yeah, yeah. Message received. I'm unlearning already." Harry confided.
"Let's go down and greet the guests, alright? Give her a chance? Them a chance?" Alice asked softly.
"Of course, ma'am. Oh, Godmother? Did you know that I used to wish for you to come and take me out of my cupboard?"
"My doctors say that something was helping me, beyond the soporific that Saint Mungos gave us. So, thank you, Godson. Your wish might have been delayed, but it seems to have come true."
"Yes, but some days? I think I was better off being kept in the cupboard like a hoover." Harry shared, then thought to himself. 'At least there, the only one in danger was me.'
**ODD**
After the children were introduced, they lit a candle for James and Lily, and Susan's parents. It was clear that the adults wanted to talk.
Putting them to bed with light sleeping draughts, and sweet goodnights, they stuck to the normal goodnight routine: washing up, story and prayers for a peaceful day on the morrow.
"Sleep well. We haven't decided about school tomorrow. So, plan for it, but don't be upset if you wind up with a three day weekend."
Hermione snuck into Harry's room just a short while later. She said nothing, just held him close for a moment. The portrait in his room didn't say anything as the girl left quickly, but went to remind the Seneschal that the runes on the boy's wings had not been engaged to prevent witches from visiting.
**ODD**
Alice was wiping tears as Amelia went from hugging her to hugging her husband, and back to hugging Alice: It was so good to see her!
"You're alive! Well, you know what I mean. You're walking, talking." Bones babbled a bit, dashing tears from her face with only a tiny bit of embarrassment. She hated letting her guard down, even now.
Frank, still not completely healed, nodded. He tried to say something, but it came out as "Tissues, lion, complete."
Alice shared, "We're better. I can't believe how much Susan has grown. She's a lovely witch. Frank and I are wont to still think of Harry and Neville as toddlers from time to time."
Lord Black had been impatiently waiting and had to ask, "Amelia! While it is nice to see you, what brings you here?"
She hadn't played any part in getting him Azkabanned without a trial, so he had no hard feelings towards her personally. They were in different squads, with different responsibilities. And she had been home, taking time off caring for Susan when James and Lily had been killed.
If only he'd been more Slytherin: Pretended to go along with Dumbledore's plans for Harry, he might have been left alone. Or not. He still wondered how attackers got through Cherry Hills' ancient wards. The result was clear: Both of Harry's guardians were incapacitated within days of the Potters' deaths. This 'coincidence' was highly improbable if not impossible.
Greeting the restored Longbottoms was a very happy and unexpected surprise, but the now former Director Bones had serious business to address.
**ODD**
Amelia shared similar but different memories of today's 'Mot session from what they had already seen from Moody's perspective. Everyone was sick with the upheaval in their lives. But then Amelia shared what she had seen in Dumble's eyes.
A new level of horror. Not good.
"So, after an hour, I talked to a few of the older crowd. Many felt it was irresponsible that I got the job to begin with. Some thought the big chair belonged to Scrimgeour, others thought Proudfoot. A few would have voted for Dawlish if it was a democracy. Which this certainly isn't.
"I chose Shacklebolt as my replacement, and I'll tell you why. Dumbledore is making a grab for the Department. Why not just give him what he thinks he wants? A bunch of mindless minions in key spots. That responsibility will wear thin, quickly.
"The minion has two choices. Constantly ask the boss for directions or guidance. Or two, take charge, and make some decisions independently. Dangerous choice there - all of Albus' people would have seen or heard by now what happened to Doge.
"Dictators like Dumbles will not accept wrong decisions. He wants puppets to act as he wants. Every time. No mistakes.
"He punished Doge for being stupid. Was that just today? It feels like months ago. The man voted for Dumbledore; for his motion. For an action against House Potter. The man had voted Dumbledore's way for ten years." Amelia concluded.
"Dumblebutt should have told him what he wanted him to do." Remus opined.
Amelia agreed, "If he wanted to live, he would have needed a working crystal ball. Doge disappointed the old man after all this time, and truly exposed Albus for the first time in years. Years. And even their long time friendship, relationship couldn't save him! That's cold.
"That's when I knew I had to get myself and Susan away." Not to mention the fear generated by the old man's homicidal anger.
Sirius stood up, "We need to get Madam Bagshot to safety."
Alice stood as well, "You're absolutely right. Frank and I have needed to go back for some time. We have a way to sneak into Britain. Take care of business. Besides her, is there anyone else you want to rescue from Dumbledore's clutches?"
Sirius muttered, "Everyone?"
**ODD**
Hogwarts, Friday, Nov 1st
The day after Halloween, Minerva McGonagall woke up wishing it were Sunday. She'd had the loveliest dream. She was with her bonny lad. It was before the war; before she'd lost him. Before he'd suffered so much damage to his eye and leg.
The wedding celebration had felt so real.
She got ready quickly; her wandless and wordless magic might be done only in private; she hid just how powerful a witch she was. The administrator headed to the Great Hall, trying to put a neutral look on her face.
Justin Finch-Fletchly wasn't at breakfast. Minerva tried to pretend she hadn't seen him fly a borrowed school broom over the locked gate.
Kind of him to leave the better one of a battered bunch behind.
She was tired, and needed to stop alliterating! She was getting as bad as that Chaser girl with her muggle English lessons.
Oh dear. The fifth year prefect for Hufflepuff just came in. Oh good. He accepted the signal to wait to report.
Pomona was very much in the know of how many students escaped in the twilight hours while their head gaoler, rather headmaster, was still at the Ministry. Why had she thought that? Oh yes, his position on muggleborns. She needed her morning tea. She felt off today.
He didn't like them leaving until at least after OWLs if not NEWTs. Too profitable for the school.
She wanted to give Cedric a hundred points for helping but alas: Sometimes heroes remained unsung.
She noticed Ronald Weasley was looking over at the Slytherin table; it was unchanged. The Ravenclaws were mostly the same as at the start of the year. It was the Gryffs and 'Puffs who had lost the most.
Oh no, Dumbledore was back, and he was angry.
Minerva tried to slow down, keep her eating staid and plodding. She'd done nothing wrong other than linger over breakfast on a Friday.
Thankfully, his ire didn't seem to have anything to do with the missing students.
The local paper had an article of how an old wizard suddenly passed away during a Wizengamot vote and how sad it was. Minerva quirked an eyebrow.
Elphias? That was one of Albus' oldest friends.
Then she got to the public notices.
'House Bones announces that their Regent has stepped down from the DMLE. She felt that it was her responsibility to blast the Judiciary Statues before they had time to render justice to a proxy. She feels his violent death is on her hands despite his refusal to stand down from the Potter seat.
'She has sent apologies to his family with her regrets.
'She has accepted a minor foreign post, and will not be returning for a decade, as that is the length of the contract. She wishes all of her friends well, and has set up a forwarding box at Gringotts for post to save everyone on international owls. Thank you.'
Filius, who seemed oblivious to Albus' mood, offered him condolences on his friend's passing. "When are you going to have his memorial, Headmaster?" He offered sympathetically.
Albus turned very non-twinkling eyes towards the Charms teacher. "Me? Why would I have anything to do with that?"
Flitwick was now confused, "You two were friends! He was constantly…"
"Friends? He was a political ally, it wasn't personal. I would of course accept an invitation to his funeral."
All of the staff had seen this man come and go from the headmaster's private quarters. It was an open secret. Both Filius and Severus, in addition to Minerva, were on the wards, and could 'feel' when strangers were in the castle if they went looking for it.
The headmaster had lost such privileges more than a decade before with his stance in the Blood War. The castle had given up trying to get him to act. Something, however, was preventing Hogwarts from ousting him entirely.
A black envelope from Gringotts was delivered just then. Clearly a summons to a Will reading.
The rest of the staff played a bit of eye tag. Obviously, the man's ire was related to this death, and the two accounts in the paper did not jibe. Political ally? Riiigght.
At least he said nothing about the latest student 'transfers'.
**ODD**
The Hogwarts staff had no idea that his real ire was the arrest and failure of his agents in America.
Those blasted muggles had failed him and had to be punished. At least his people had taken care of that…issue. It set up a different path to victory. He just had to wait to move on that part.
The worst was waiting for contact. For information.
He had only the very short message: 'Harry Potter has suffered another terrible tragedy in the loss of two more members of his family; unable to talk them into being reasonable. No children onsite. Going on to the next task.'
And they had failed him in that task! His one comfort was that they would not fail him again.
**ODD**
Knight's Keep - Home of the Shacklebolts, Nov 1st
Lord Shacklebolt had been thoroughly shaken in the Wizengamot the day before. He also knew that Kingsley was Dumbledore's man through and through.
How to save his blind grandson? If Kingsley took the post now vacated by Bones, HE could be Dumbledore's next minion crushed.
The man was ready to do anything to protect his heir. Wait! Kingsley refused to wear his Heir ring at work.
He went to the second floor to brew a prank potion he had used in school a couple of times. His wife caught him.
"Oh? Avoiding the 'Mot, should they reassemble today?" She knew very well it was a potion to imitate illness.
"If Kingsley is here, he can't be in the DMLE when a new leader is selected. I won't have our boy killed."
The witch nodded, "But you need your wits and abilities. Let me take it, darling. Be sure to ask Kings to bring some of Rosmerta's special soup. He knows I like that when I'm sick."
The wizard kissed his wife. They were both under a hundred, and in good health. Both were as Light as Light could be.
Kingsley was fighting the morning crowd in the Three Broomsticks when Dumbledore went looking for him at work. Hearing he was taking the day off to tend to an ill grandmother had Albus rethinking him for the top spot.
Even Amelia never missed work for a sick family member!
**ODD**
Black Manor, Nov 1st
The magical FBI came to the house in the morning to escort the children to school; attendance was mandatory in America for those under sixteen.
Harry snorted at the hypocrisy on display from the local aurors. If it had been himself or Thomas killed yesterday, the school would be closed for a week, there would be grief counselors available to everyone. No, instead, he and Jeffries would be getting ONE such counseling session at school today. Oddment was a person, even if he was smaller, green, and of a different species.
Harry had been debating about withdrawing, but knew that Hermione never would. And he did want to succeed in his classes. So the four left with the MFBI agents, even while the family debated what action to take.
Susan was already at SAM with her auntie to get registered; she would come home with the rest of the group since she wouldn't know the way.
Detective Weaver was back, and shared a warm wave to Harry as the boy left for school. Higgs stayed to talk to the adults.
"There is no need to fear for the boy's safety. The student portkey used had been stolen by the agent who used it. That family had not even known anyone had taken it. Nor realized they had a British relation. Wards have now been erected on their home.
"But I do have a bit of a worry. I went to investigate Vernon Dursley on a related matter. I am sorry to say that he and his wife were found deceased in their home. They had been tortured. The killing curse would have been a mercy after what they'd been through.
"I tell you this not to horrify you but to inform. The suspects' magic was all over them. It appears they aren't even British Aurors; they just have the right 'costumes'."
Amelia broke in, "Tell me their names, please? I can tell you who they worked for, if they were in the Ministry. I just left there. Can you disclose what you learned from them?"
"I can give you their names, but sadly, they seemed to have been under an Unbreakable Vow the interrogations officers didn't know about. The minute it got to anything crucial, they just died. Separate offices, so it happened nearly simultaneously. Standard questions. They should have disclosed the vow if they wanted to live." He suspected they'd been obliviated of taking the vows after doing so. As cold-blooded an act as any he'd ever heard of.
It was now turned over to the Berkley Necromancy unit, but they had quite the backlog. The murder of mundanes would not elevate this case, unfortunately. Silly prejudices.
All of the adults were just appalled with these revelations. Someone powerful didn't want their secrets revealed. Of course, they were all sure of who that someone was.
The detective handed over the pair of names. It was no one Amelia worked with, so that confirmed the man's conclusion that they were not real aurors.
Remus blew out a breath. "This man here, Sturgis Podmore, was in Dumbledore's militia group, but I don't know the other." It was likely someone recruited who had family at Salem!
"They bragged about making the muggles pay for their betrayal of Britain by bringing the Boy-Who-Lived here. I won't say don't worry, but if anyone tries to go through official channels to bring Harry Potter back to Britain? They are going to find a new level of obstruction. Dumbledore was already on the blocked list before this happened.
"They dared go onto a school campus. It was clear that one of those men meant to kill that sophomore kid Jeffries. I'm very sorry that your elf died, but he saved a life. Oddment, was it?" The man consulted his notes, "Yes, Oddment will be getting a medal for bravery for it, just to give you a heads-up. Considering the circumstances, the ceremony will be privately held in the auror's office. Sorry about that. It's not because he was a lesser being or any of that nonsense. It is only for security reasons."
Sirius nodded, secretly wishing it had been his nemesis elf killed instead. Kreacher had been sent to serve Narcissa. She'd been given the dubious pleasure of now owning Grimmauld Place too, as long as Sirius and the rest of his extended family were welcome there.
It was another secret way into Britain, should they need it.
"Whoever sent those two can't have an unlimited amount of minions who have relatives attending Salem. I will tell you this: The principal has ordered a security review. They are thinking of having portkeys coming into a gymnasium now, rather than an unmonitored homeroom." Weaver shared.
The guardians shared some of their security concerns with the man. They debated it first, but then wound up sharing the memories of the Wizengamot meeting the day before.
"What is Lord Potter going to do about another proxy now?" the detective asked.
Alice stated firmly, "Absolutely nothing. Dumbledore has everyone in the Wizengamot convinced he is Harry's magical guardian. We'll not endanger anyone by trying to fight this. Not that we had anything to do with Doge's being the Potter proxy in the first place: He was Albus' man. Since Harry turned eleven, and became Lord Potter, he is the only one who can legally appoint any proxy. Not that that legality will stop Albus from appointing a new puppet. If they're brave enough."
The detective didn't know what to do with this. "Can I share these memories of the Wizengamot session with the magical FBI?"
The group worried, but no ODD members had been there other than Lucius, and neither he nor anyone else would be betrayed by these memories.
Sirius stated, "Alright. But be aware. We have no intention of fighting a war with Dumbledore. We are peaceful people who just want to live a peaceful life."
The Tonks family turned up at the gate just then. Like Amelia, they were claiming sanctuary with House Potter and House Black.
"Britain's loss is America's gain. Welcome to the USA. I presume the goblins will be out, expanding the basement?" Weaver jested.
"Likely so at some point." The animagus laughed. Harry was welcoming any and all muggleborns and their families, at least to shelter until they could get settled. "Any problem with the family moving in?" Sirius asked, pulling away from an embrace with Andromeda.
Weaver shook his head, "Not at all. There's an employment office at the Franklin Building in Salem. You'll find no issues getting certifications in your fields. Truly I do welcome you, but I must be getting back."
Frank tapped Alice's arm. "Harry needs carrots…no…armor."
"Exactly, darling!" Now, addressing the detective, Alice asked, "How long will Harry have extra protection?" She then declared, "I'll hire someone if needed."
The detective looked at his case of memories he was taking back to the office. "That's above my paygrade, but I suspect something can be worked out. I'll tell you truly. This has people spooked."
**ODD**
Smeltings School, Nov 1st
Dudley Dursley was called into the headmaster's office yet again.
He was trying not to squirm. That skinny blond kid must have snitched.
When he was ushered in, he went for the attack, "Smith deserved it! He hit me first!"
"That is good to know, Mr Dursley. However, this is an entirely different matter." The Headmaster made a note to check on Mr Smith. Again.
Marge Dursley was escorted in just then. She was delighted, as Number Four hadn't sold yet. She would pull it from the market. Then she would have a lovely house in a perfect neighborhood. With no mortgage at all!
She tried to look sad that her brother was dead. Dudley had inherited the insurance money of course, but there was plenty to support them both while he was in school.
She would sell the dog business to the colonel. This was going to be her chance at real success!
Schooling her features, "Dudley? There was some kind of gas leak. I'm so sorry, my nephew. Your parents have passed away. We're going to have a nice memorial at the church where you grew up, then you'll come back to school. During the summer, you'll stay with me in your old house. Doesn't that sound lovely?"
Dudley couldn't process what she said at first, then had a breakdown. "It's all that Freak's fault! He did it! I know he did it!"
The headmaster just shook his head, and sent the boy to have his tantrum on the chairs outside, waving to his secretary to monitor the problem student.
He shut the door on the shouting. Good noise insulation here.
"Miss Dursley? I will give the boy a bit of latitude, under the circumstances. But he is a legacy enrollee, and doesn't have the scores that a new student would require. I suggest tutoring during the upcoming holiday. He's already on academic probation."
"Tutors? That sounds expensive. We'll see how he does until Christmas. If I feel he isn't performing as well as he should, I might just bring him home."
The little blighter could cook and run errands for her just like his freak cousin had. "Is Harry Potter also attending here? Dudley's cousin? I wonder who is looking after him?"
And just how large was his inheritance due to his aunt's death? If the house had sold, half was supposed to go to the Potter boy. A legal loophole, since it was owned outright, initially by Petunia and the brat's layabout mother, Lily Potter. She never questioned how quickly all of this information was given her, considering the Dursleys were killed just last Wednesday. She had no idea magic was involved in all this, or that Dumbledore was hoping she'd take in the Potter brat eventually. With Dudley to anchor the blood wards.
She was curious why the house had not sold. Perhaps the asking price had been too high, or something. Whatever happened was a boon to her. She didn't know the place had been cursed, or now she herself was in potential danger.
"I don't know about any Potter boy. You'll have to check with social services, I guess," the man made more notes.
"Headmaster, if Dudley is removed from your school, would his unused tuition be refunded?"
To get rid of that cretin? He'd refund it all! And it had been prepaid for all seven years!
"Certainly madam. Will you take him now?" He tried to hide his glee at the prospect.
"Please give me the weekend. I need to arrange the funeral and such; Get moved into the house. You know."
Grunnings had arranged for the Durleys' personal items to be returned to Britain for their surviving son but the furniture was still in place. They had given Marge a generous allowance due to the 'accidental' deaths. Marge would be buying a lot of hideous knicknacks with money meant to provide for the child.
"We'll have him packed and ready for you Monday then." the headmaster agreed.
They shook hands, feeling they both got the better end of the deal. Dudley on the other hand, was about to start his new life as a house-elf.
At least his aunt didn't make him live like a hoover in the cupboard under the stairs, and she did feed him.
But he would be hearing for the next few years, until reaching adulthood, just how awful his mother had been, and what a saint his father was. And everything he had been given was from the generosity of his aunt's heart. Never mind that she was spending his inheritance.
Dudley's trust would be nothing more than dust and memories by the time he was eighteen just as certainly as Harry's would have been if Charlus had not been so far-sighted.
His untouchable prepaid college Trust was his only legacy - and that was provided for by his loving Aunt Lily when Dudley was born. Too bad his Smeltings tuition, also prepaid by Aunt Lily, wasn't returned to this trust, and was wasted on potent potables, expensive chocolates Marge never shared, and tiny purebred lap dogs that liked to bite Dudley's ankles.
**ODD**
Nott's Nexus Law Office, Nov 1st
Albus went to Lord Nott's office. Surely, someone who had benefited from his largesse in pressing for leniency ten years ago would aid him now.
Magical solicitors: Dangerous lot, but not more so than himself.
"Harry Potter's muggle family sadly died tragically while he was away at school. Terrible accident. But it does give us the opportunity to bring him home."
Thaddeus could smell lies in the air, and wondered just how much he had to do with 'accidenting' the muggles to death.
"When I was younger, I enjoyed causing accidents to muggles. But I grew out of it. Now, you want to claim custody? This will likely be heard in an international court. The League of Nations meets in Colorado Springs biannually. I can have the request for guardianship ready for the docket by then."
"But that's not until March!" Dumbledore objected.
"That's only for the final hearing. We submit the initial parchmentwork to the Americans as soon as possible. I'll need a ten thousand galleon retainer and you need to sign this first."
Albus read the prepared contract. Well, there weren't that many people who handled this sort of case. And Nott was good. Very good.
"WHAT?! No refund of retainer when we lose?! Why would I sign this?" He didn't mention the clause that Albus would lose his magic should he attack Nott. Regardless of reason.
"You have no blood relation to the child. You sealed his parents' will. I know that Sirius Black is not a Death Eater and is in Azkaban without a trial and therefore has not had his custodial rights severed to the minor child. And there are rumors that Frank and Alice Longbottom have been spotted visiting around England. Both of the child's godparents in play make this a very difficult task.
"But I also know that you like to win. We might. It is possible. But this is a magical contract saying that I will do my best within the law to fight for what you are asking for. I took my second chance, and rebuilt my life. I am not throwing away my future doing anything illegal. And if we are to work together, I want some protection from the most powerful wizard on the planet. After all, I am trying to help you."
What hung in the air after Thaddeus finished was that Dumbledore didn't always play nicely with his toys. He didn't want to suffer an unfortunate accident as well.
Knowing that secrecy oaths would prevent Nott from sharing anything publicly had him agreeing.
Albus disliked wasting so much of the Order's limited resources on this, but needs must.
"Oh, and can you discreetly send this 'opportunity' to Lord Black. Getting on his good side costs you nothing more than a bit of mail to Gringotts. They'll forward it for you." Albus asked.
Dumbledore read the contract referring to people working for Nott. But he didn't deeply understand it. The researchers were allowed access to all private communications between Dumbledore and Nott. Confidentiality being magically enforced.
It included Narcissa Malfoy, who was known to be a paid researcher for others. He really should have been paying attention to what he signed. And she wouldn't share with anyone what she knew, but it would help her act to protect her young cousin Harry all the more.
**ODD**
Black Manor, same day
After dinner, Harry was pulled into Remus' office. He and Sirius awaited.
"Harry? The two agents that tried to kidnap you can't ever hurt anyone again." Sirius explained why, with the possibly obliviated vows, then went on to let him know that the Dursleys had been murdered by them as well.
"Vernon's dead? Dead, dead?" It was eerily similar to Sally-Anne's question. "Then he can really never hurt me again, even if Dumbledore tried to foist me on them." Harry paced a bit. "I want to dump all Grunnings stock. Approach them, do a trade, something. I'm not trying to kill their business. I just want nothing to do with them ever again."
Harry scrubbed unconsciously at the scars as though trying to erase them.
Sirius held his arms open, and Harry went to first Padfoot then Remus for brief hugs. But for Harry, while one monster was dead, the bigger one was still out there.
And had much too far a reach.
**ODD**
Pottery Workshop, Saturday, Nov 2nd
Hermione took the seat next to Harry. She was worried about him. Harry wasn't talking about the Dursleys at all. He'd been very quiet the last few days. He told everyone he was going to the pottery workshop, and she asked to come along.
He nodded, but hadn't talked to her along the way. She was trying not to take it personally.
When they got there, they donned their aprons, kept clean for them just like in potions, and went to a work table. They knew they weren't supposed to get out their own clay.
A worker came over and cheerfully slapped down a couple of good sized pieces on the way to deliver the same clay to people working the wheels.
One of the women for the village bobbed a curtsey before asking, "Lord Harry? We were wondering. Well, that is. The storage cupboard is getting pretty full. And we'd really like to be earning our percentage. Can't do that with things sitting on a shelf. I know things have been difficult for you… but I was…"
Harry looked up. Right now he was just in the kneading stage of the clay work, getting it warmed up and ready to shape. He had no clue what she was on about. Of course, his brain really hadn't been engaged at all.
Hermione translated for him, "The workers have finished pieces ready to sell." Turning to address the matron, "But ma'am? I've never heard about what happened with those before. And if this workshop has been closed for a time, maybe others don't know about this issue?"
Harry snapped and Jam popped in. He hid his gasp of pain that it wasn't his green batman Oddment. "Jam? Can you please see if Lady Alice and Seneschal Lupin have a moment? If so, can they come here? Thank you, Jam. You're a good elf."
Jam touched Harry's hand, "Oddment knew he was loved here. Jam knows too."
Harry looked up at the woman, "Ma'am? I am very sorry. I should have realized that with the restart of the workshop, we'd eventually get finished pieces. If you could, would you be willing to sit down with Hermione and I and explain how the business used to be run? Very high level sort of thing. An introduction."
The woman curtseyed yet again. She was wearing her own apron, and waved for more clay to be delivered. She wasn't an idler, just talkin' when she should be workin'!
She began her story, "When I was a lass, there were market days in Godric's Hollow. No magic was done very openly, but that village then was a mix of what we called squibs, no offense meant, and magicals. Everyone knew of magic. The markets had people sharing out the role of sellin', takin' orders for custom work, completin' those orders, and everyone who helped got a bit of the earnins'. Everyone who sold sommat got a commission on their product. Then the rest would go into the coffers to buy more clay and paint and such.
"I don't know exactly how the accounts were kept, but they were separate from the Potions side. We'd get a nice Yule bonus iffin we had a good year. It was a good system. Those workin' four, five days? They made a nice livin'. No complaints against ye sir, but closin' the shop broke hearts. You opening again? This is magic." The lady finished.
"We can't risk it right now, but someday, we might be able to advertise classes if you want to." Hermione stated. "Well, maybe not. Or we could be very careful. No Amandas allowed."
The woman had scrunched her face, "No offense Miss, but we have Potter magic in here. If we were going to have classes, we'd have to have just the clay and maybe a wheel or two elsewhere."
Harry looked around, and realized she was right! Family magic was everywhere. In the runes that had been applied using the templates, to the paint mixes that got the iridescent glazes just right. The place was full of subtle family magic. Family magic that his own father had nearly destroyed!
Remus and Alice came in, and Harry stood. All of the workers able to do so at least nodded if not bowed to the newcomers.
Harry waved everyone to seats, and the manager of the shop hesitantly came over.
"This is no one's fault, as all of this is new. But we have a problem. It's a good problem to have. We have pots not being sold." Harry shared.
The discussion ranged from going the traditional route of craft fairs and farmer's markets; when Harry realized he already had a business selling things. Why not add these items to the food catalog? They were designed to keep fruit fresh, and bugs away, or warm or cool drinks. And they were each one a unique piece of art!
Letting the adults ramble for a while, Harry stood. "I have a suggestion. Let me show you a catalog."
The woman who had wasted hours of her life selling pots when she wanted to be throwing them! She wanted to hug the boy, but settled for a warm arm pat.
The rest agreed there was no harm trying.
"We're going to need another portal." Remus mused.
**ODD**
The manager of the carts was contacted and was excited about offering new wares. And adapting the carts to be able to accept custom orders? Why not? The head of the pottery workshop was promised a direct mirror to the manager of the carts just as soon as possible.
Good. Another problem solved, and it kept the crafters crafting, sellers selling, and all benefitting.
Harry noted the time. This meeting being done, he thanked the people there for their help.
He'd have just enough time to get changed for his game. He invited Hermione to play, but she declined. She was happy that he seemed to be more chipper, and she walked back to the manor with him.
Harry never noticed they were holding hands until the mudroom, when he needed both to change.
**ODD**
Sirius Black conjured a seat. There were bleachers hidden in the walls that could be pulled out if they ever had an official game. But right now, he had his HUGE bowl of popcorn with several small empty bowls, upside-down on top, several cold butterbeers, and claimed his ringside seat.
He didn't know the rules of the game, but it seemed simple enough. Put the ball into the funny quidditch hoop that had a net underneath. Single hoop.
Ricardo was fast, and even though shorter than Harry, was strong. He didn't make the basket that time, but Harry proved his own speed in swooping it up and drobbling…no, dribbling it down the court to the other hoop.
These kids walked, ran and worked all day, and were doing sports here at night. Didn't they ever get tired?
Alejandro came in, clearly looking for his son.
"Hello, Lord Black…"
"Please. When it's just us, it's Sirius." The magus conjured a chair like Alejandro's, passed the jockey a cold butterbeer, and offered him popcorn.
"I should make you some of the snacks from my childhood. Oh, the boys are terrible. But they are having fun."
"Do they need a coach? James had one for quidditch." Sirius asked.
Alejandro answered, "I don't think so. There's no need for the kids to be good as they refuse to field a team for such mundane sports at Salem due to problems with the statute. I don't know. I think sending them to a basketball camp if they were interested might help their skills. But honestly? I think if they are having fun, I see no harm in being terrible at something they enjoy."
Sirius shared, "I want Harry to have training in everything he wants to excel in. But I don't want him thinking he has to excel in everything."
Alejandro nodded. "I just wished they had more sports at school."
"I know. Both have to wait to race. I'll tell you truly, I would rather have Harry do that than play quadpot."
The jockey shared, "Ricardo would love to race, but we don't have the money for…"
"Brightwing. She's yours. Harry was going to wait until Yule, but I can't keep such a secret from you. He wants to fly in the club with his friend. And you have to bring a 'griff from home."
"Why?" The man looked away. "That man Billingsley did nothing but promise me the moon, then gave us all the moon cheese we could eat. You and Lord Harry have promised us nothing other than what was written in the contract, and yet we have been given a home, food, the use of your library and gymnasium. And now this? The start of a chance of our own? Why?"
Sirius looked at him, and shared sincerely, "Because your son is my godson's friend. No strings attached."
"Brightwing and Marmalade both have excellent breeding. How will Harry handle losing if that should happen?" Alejandro asked.
Ricardo danced around. The timer was going off, and Ricardo led by six points.
"Congrats! That was a great game!" Harry stuck out his hand.
Sirius laughed as Alejandro stated, "Ask a silly question…"
Two more seats were quickly conjured for the boys. The wizards shared out the popcorn and stories before the Corderos returned to their tent.
Harry had offered them a stone cottage, but the barn they lived in was warm, and it gave them easy access to their racers. Their four bedroom tent was perfect for their family and was easily the best home they had had in years.
**ODD**
Albus had made several mistakes in the last few days. One was ignoring his Will summoning. He didn't open the letter until after the forty-eight hours had passed. Elphias, having no children of his own, having never married, or done anything about adopting an heir had left everything to Harry Potter.
Albus, being the boy's supposed magical guardian, was mentioned as overseeing the transfer of what would go into the boy's vault, or into the lad's hands.
Clearly, Elhias didn't want to embarrass Albus and publicly reveal their ongoing relationship that the elder statesmen seemed to be reluctant to acknowledge.
Since Albus hadn't come to the Will-reading, the goblins took over. Albus lost out BIG: Dumbles lost out on the 'Executor fee' for his services, since he didn't perform them. But his main loss was the opportunity to keep Potter owned items out of the child's hands; much less the wonderful library Elphias had built over the years with his long-time lover gifting him tomes 'borrowed' from the Potters and other deceased 'contributors'.
By the time he found out about his error, it was too late to do anything but throw another tantrum.
**ODD**
Harry unknowingly benefitted from an old wizard in love with a narcissist who had been fed lies about a 'happy family one day' with the Boy-Who-Lived as the child of that dream.
Elphias Doge was astonishingly wealthy; BloodRage took advantage and asked permission to be included in the meeting with Lord Harry in Salem to deliver the books, records, and mementoes of the deceased's life.
BloodRage also had achieved his goal of finding the best source of the delicacy that was conde lumbra, and had purchased the young Lord Harry his own new 'herd' of breeding stock.
Harry's appalled look was quickly squelched as he remembered reading about what good these worms could do for food plants and production.
"Oh Wow! Goldrub is going to be so jealous when he finds out that you have replaced him in my deep affections." Harry shared with a wink.
The Black Manager and he were sharing correspondence in Welsh and goblin, sharing new swears weekly. It was an immature way to bond, and Harry loved it.
Harry flicked away a false tear, "Humans bond with their pets you know. I don't think I could eat these. I just couldn't send them to the butcher for the kitchen…"
BloodRage interrupted, "No need! I have the manner of preparation here!"
"Eaten live? No humane culling? No cooking? No…" the boy was struggling to contain his laughter. He had to share this.
After an informal wave of farewell, Harry ran to Sirius with his newest herd.
**ODD**
Harry waved to Neville and Sarah coming into the greenhouse with a deceptively small box. Sirius was on his heels.
Did those two jump apart suddenly? They covered it by coming over to see what Harry had.
Sarah gasped at the size of the earthworms. They were twice as big as the ones they found out in the extended fields.
"I think we should choose one of the greenhouses to conduct an experiment in. Choose several sets of two plants that are as similar as possible. Place one of the pair with a few worms. The other twin gets set aside as a control. Make notes, and see how they do." Harry shared.
Sarah immediately saw what he wanted to achieve. Both Neville and she were more than happy to take over the project.
Padfoot beamed. He hadn't done much on the plant side, but rather spent time setting up the jackalope pen with those new wards and getting other new North American animals. He related well to magical creatures, and while Harry was focused more on the 'griffs and spent time helping them
Padfoot was determined to stick to Harry's side for a bit. He'd been through something very traumatic where he could have been killed, or worse, kidnapped by the old man. Sirius shuddered. There was plenty to help with around the manor. Keeping busy was good.
Raising conde lumbra to sell? Never going to happen, but he liked how the boys were reacting to the newest 'herd'.
Sarah's reaction was priceless. "Who's the mighty worm that's going to help us grow things?"
Neville's face! Someone was clearly smitten.
**ODD**
ODD (Order Defying Dumbledore)
A/N: Story recommended by our friend and neighbor, Odonnellzoo99 - nonjon's Brown Coat, Green Eyes. Firefly-Harry Potter crossover.
www. /s /2857962/1/ Browncoat-Green-Eyes
A/N: Your story recommendation here -
**ODD**
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore)