Harry Potter and the Odd Rebellion

by VashonBeader

There was something very odd happening in Harry Potter's life. Then a gentle giant came to help him, letting him know he was a wizard. That day would change his life, but it was a meeting with the odd man Tom in the Leaky Cauldron that would set his feet on a different path. One that led him to family he didn't know he had. Harry/Hermione; Remus, Sirius, No lemons: rating violence

14. Chapter 14 - Justice and Mercy

Harry Potter and the Odd Rebellion

**ODD**

A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.

Thanks also to Alix33. Your help is much appreciated.

**ODD**

Welcome to the Fireside. Jam will bring snacks and warm beverages for you soon. For those sensitive to violence: warning. This story is rated M for mature subject matter. Keep yourself safe.

**ODD**

Scorecard of what has happened so far:

This story is AU: Behind the scenes, a group of wizards and witches has been attempting to research who the real Albus Dumbledore is, but strong magic has been blocking their efforts.

A prophecy has been revealed that the Dark Lord is using magic most vile to protect himself from harm. Harry has to face and defeat him without wand or sword.

O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore) Meetings still happening in the background. New people are coming and going in Black Keep, pursuing freedom, some escaping horrific death. Truly horrific death, no details of which will be vividly shared. B/N: I'm not old enough to handle it, and I'm older than Vashon.

Dragon Crouch flamed one too many times, and is now no longer welcome in Harry's presence on an on-going basis. She's on Harry's last nerve and her last chance.

The young Arglwydd now has a new family member. Lord Black has gotten married. It's been kept quiet so far, but what will the reaction be?

Will Remus and Abigail follow down the path of matrimony?

The racing season opened in the large local stadium, but Potter Farms were nearly knocked out before it began. Someone defeathered their flyer! Buckbeak was up to the challenge though, and finished second.

The miscreant has been caught and must face Lord Harry's justice. Will they be blasted into the next county?

Arglwydd means Lord in Welsh, it's in the notes below. Ar glue eeth. Thanks to Fenchurch1 who wrote: Arglwydd is pronounced Ar glue eeth with a hard th like in' then'.

Back to the story.

**ODD**

Chapter 14 - Justice and Mercy

**ODD**

March Wizengamot Meeting

Lucius could sometimes have the emotional range of a teaspoon. People were chatting before the session started. He was sitting next to his "wife" who was clearly upset over something.

"When we can, we must at least have a proper reception for them! Imagine, someone from her background, not to mention his, having a simple country wedding. It's unthinkable!" Narcissa complained to Lady Greengrass. Cordelia was voting for her husband today, as he was busy at work.

"But the waste of gold! We could have purchased a rental property for what was spent on our ostentatious mess." Seeing the look on his lady's face, Lucius did backpedal, "Not that I didn't love the result of the marriage. I can just sympathize with Lord Black's choice of venue, if not bride."

Albus had many ears, and was soon in the know about just who Sirius had married.

How. Interesting.

**ODD**

Family Magic. The power of the Potter family swirled around him. They were back in the entry hall. The Griffon was once again at attention. How did magical stone rearrange like that?

Harry stood in the middle with Sirius at his right, Alice at his left. Seneschal Lupin led in the accused and his grandfather. The older man he knew and worked mostly well with, the younger one had always been unpleasant. He was visiting from Wales; an unwelcome sight.

Master Smith Llewellyn Elam bowed and took an oath, "I swear on me magic, m'lord. I dinna ask him to do this, I was sick and just grousin'. It's me fault, and I beg your forgiveness."

Harry allowed the young man to explain himself. "It wasn't right to waste gold racin' when people needed that money."

A swirl of magic had the boy on one knee, struggling against unseen bonds.

"Do not speak to ME in such a tone!" Harry roared, surprising all there.

Colin Elam had left Salem after completing his OWLs at Yule. His father recalled him to work in Wales.

Hermione had the right of it. Detective Weaver had already told the family he was going to be recruiting her when she was done with school. The girl had a brilliant mind, and like Sherlock Holmes, knew how to put clues together. She had found their culprit.

"How do you still have magic? You deliberately sabotaged me…Your Lord's venture?" Harry demanded in a calmer tone.

"I'm just sixteen, and haven't taken me vows." Colin Elam declared. He shook nervously. Was he going to be turned over to the aurors? In Wales, this charge could get him a few months in Azkaban; doin' something to hurt the landed noble.

Harry stood straighter. "Fleetwing couldn't fly in the race, but she has been working out that steeplechase run for months. Training for months. She flew it faster when still laden with foal than the winner did! You lost the House ten thousand galleons in prize money with your stunt!"

Colin jumped to his feet, "NO! What? That can't be!"

Harry then modulated his tone, "But I do understand why. It wasn't just you who thought this was a lark that was going to see gold wasted. Taken from your grandfather's and father's pockets and thrown into the middens. For that alone, I forgive you. I wanted to make this right back in December, and should have insisted."

Harry took up two small bags of gold and set them loudly on the side-table. "Mr Elam, Mr uh, well. Mr Llwellyn and Mr Colin Elam. These bags represent a fair share of the purse won today."

Harry handed one bag to Master Smith Elam, "You have served with distinction for years. I do understand the difficulty with trying something new. Especially when it appears to be a risk to what you feel you deserve in terms of an annual bonus. But let this prove to you, this can be a profitable venture to more than just the Arglwydd."

Lord Harry, power swirling, then turned to the teen, holding up the second bag, "Now, Colin Elam, this bag would have been yours before this stunt. This is what you could have earned if we had won second place without interference. And it would have been doubled had we won first. Instead, this is what you lost.

"I am withholding it from you, and any shares won at any future races unless I see a change in your attitude towards me personally and towards my potential ventures in future. You are not the only one here who has sniped at me for taking risks, but you are only the second one who actually sabotaged me. The first faced consequences as well for his actions, as he had no remorse.

"I will not put up with people grousing behind my back anymore. If anyone has legitimate concerns, then they can address those through proper channels.

"Am I perfectly clear?"

Llewellyn knelt, and pulled his grandson down to do the same. "Tis your right as Arglwydd to pursue anything you wish!"

"But I am not opposed to people bringing me ideas to pursue. Look at Neville! He had an idea about fertilizer, and is employing both our people, and some of the refugees. Helping all."

Harry paced a bit, and gave an apology to both Sirius and Remus with his eyes.

"My father caused too much hurt, supporting a man whose deep pockets were never satisfied. Our people were hurt during the Blood War by a man who took our resources in men and beast and wouldn't fight the battle and let evil win. You have every right to suspect me. And be wary of me wasting resources.

"For that, I am more than sorry. I am ashamed, and sad that my father didn't live long enough to outgrow his mistakes."

Harry's eyes burned into the teen, "I do hope going forward that you will know that I do care for my people. Colin, if you want to stay on Potter lands, you will have to take the oath. You're going to have to work with me. And never against me again.

"I know I'm not perfect! I'm eleven! I'm going to make mistakes. But I swear on MY magic, that I do care for the people living on my lands, here and in Wales. I do care for your grandfather and all the villagers. I would never do harm to anyone except in defense of my own or my family's lives."

The young man now had tears in his eyes. Harry showed the opened bag, and sent a counting spell. And that was only for second place! If he hadn't stolen the hippogriff's feathers, there'd be even more. What had he done?

"I'm most heartily ashamed and sorry my lord. Your beastie! I never meant true harm. I…I…please forgive me." Colin begged. "I love 'griffs! I don't know why I acted like this. I really wanted to see them race. Oh, I'm so, so sorry! Can ye ever forgive me? Please? I love working here, I don't want to leave my work or my family." The teen lowered his head, trying to hide tears that were leaking from his eyes.

"If you are sincere, then yes. I will accept your apology and not send you away. Revenge has a way of creating more problems and I will not turn you over to the law. You will be on probation here for a time, and closely monitored. You have to understand why. This is my Judgment. And justice has been rendered."

The master smith looked at the young lord with mixed gratitude and relief. His grandson wouldn't sit for dinner when he was done, but he wasn't being sent away.

"One final question. Why aren't you in school here? I know you passed your OWLs. You can get your NEWTs and go on to college if you want. You have choices that will earn you a good living. Either with us or on your own. The college path has a five year commitment to the House after graduation, but there's no hidden fees or unpaid servitude. I won't steal your gold. That's not who I am."

"You'd pay to let me get a Mastery? In Magical Creatures? Lord Harry, may I move back here? Please? I promise to be kind to your 'griffs. I love them. Maybe a bit too much. That's why my father insisted I return home, to tell you the truth."

Harry gave the elder Elam a look. So it was like that, hmm. The boy hadn't permanently hurt his mount, or this would be a very different sort of Justice.

"I will have no one your age here without a vow. But yes, you can transfer with any of your family willing to work here. I want you working with the potion ingredient 'griffs. No culling. I'll ask Remus to get you the full rules before you give your oaths. You have two weeks to submit them. This Judgment has been rendered. So I, Harry, Lord Potter aver."

"And so we aver." The two intoned.

"Good day, Master Smith Elam, Goodman Elam."

They bowed from their kneeling positions as Harry swept out of the entry hall. Remus came to give the older man a hand up.

Llewellyn asked in wonder, "Did ye feel his power, Seneschal? Like his grandsire of olde."

Remus nodded, "I did indeed. I won't add chores or anything to what Lord Harry proclaimed. But Colin Elam? Please don't do anything like this again."

He said please, but the meaning was clear. He'd not be welcomed back if he did.

"No sir. It was a mistake. I knew that at the time, I think. How can I make it up to him, other than not doing nothin' against him again?"

"Thankfully, the race was a local one. The next one is in Colorado, timed to the League of Magical Nations gathering at the end of the month. After that race, there will be anywhere from one to three races in a month until the Grand Prix in July. If this had happened somewhere else, we'd not have had time to replace her."

Colin nodded understanding of the racing timing, "Since in July, mares who are with foals start to have their babies, and in September, the mares will go into season, and flying would be insanely dangerous. Right."

Sirius and Alice had quiet words with Llewellyn, and the matter was closed.

**ODD**

They began to prepare for the celebration feast in the community hall with everyone else being surprised by the sharing-out of the purse. Like year end dividends, seventy-five percent of the net went to the people. Alejandro's promised share came out first this time!

The jockey and his son were sitting at the high table for this feast with Ricardo seated at Harry's right hand. A sparkling Carmen was at Sirius' right. Gran Crouch was invited to stay in her rooms for the evening. Harry did not want one bit of scorn aimed at any of the Cordero family.

There was no jealousy for the rider getting his contracted bonus at all, and Alejandro promised himself to get some sort of treat to share with the hippogriff team.

Unlike his jockey share, no costs had been taken out of his contracted cut. With the rest of the purse, some of the start-up fees had been applied - but based over five years, assuming two purses a year. It was a fair arrangement.

Now, everyone in the village was suddenly a supporter, and always had been. Of course, their Arglwydd knew what he was aboot. No doubts there!

Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the grandsire's parting comments to the lad at fault, "The next time that Greengrass Healer is by checking on everyone, have him check yer noggin! I think there's sommat missing!"

**ODD**

The next day at school, Harry's sense of approaching danger went off at lunch. Amanda had been told to leave Harry alone; but this time, he wasn't her target.

Ricardo was.

Both Hermione and Sally-Anne were on their feet. They didn't have wands out, but the two young 'Valkyrie' were waiting for their chance.

"Well, hi Ricardo! You are looking most…um. Handsome. Yes, handsome. I wanted to invite you to my house. Yes. For the party. Um. Tomorrow. Saint Patrick's day. There's going to be people there."

Sally-Anne cast a localized privacy charm to talk to her sister, "People? At a party? Imagine that!"

Hermione had to look away, or she'd burst out laughing. She missed Ricardo's kind, "Thank you for the invitation, but we have other plans."

No promise of going to a different event or anything else.

She then gave him an invitation to give to his father. The boy scanned it for charms! Right there! Amanda clearly wanted to object, but instead tried for a nice goodbye.

Harry, at Ricardo's right, serenely eating banana pudding with biscuits, no, vanilla cookies in it, asked, "Alright there?"

"Yep."

"So, you aren't canceling our very important match that is happening tomorrow? Isn't it the semi-finals?"

"Nope And yep."

"You're a good friend Cordero." Harry returned to his pudding, glad they were still playing basketball tomorrow.

Hermione and Sally-Anne shared a look with Susan who had kept unusually quiet during the exchange. No need for intervention, this time, but that witch had best watch herself.

**ODD**

Later that afternoon, when Ricardo gave his father the envelope from House Billingsley, Harry had the pleasure of seeing a new spell cast. It was a rot remover for horse-hooves, but could be used on many, many things.

Including unwanted and insincere invitations.

**ODD**

Harry was sitting in the library at home when Harlan Morgan started grumbling about his homework. He was taking a magical architecture class. "But when would I ever have the chance to use these spells?"

The drawing was a modest three bedroom house. After the Dursleys, Harry would never want to stay in a house that didn't have at least a second half-bath, then realized how entitled that felt.

"This is a great design for an older couple. You know, whose children have moved out." Harry pointed out. 'Or weren't going to have their own.' Harry thought.

"Harlan? You want some real practice building something? I think it might be wise to hire an experienced assistant for you. But how would you like to build a new place for Seneschal Lupin? He's been in the old well house that was converted to a studio flat since he was a teenager. Not a bad place, especially since he has rooms here. But I think he might like a home of his own."

"Really? Wow! Much better than a little model of paper and stones. That would be great, Harry! I mean…" Harlan cleared his throat. "Argylwydd Potter, it would be my pleasure to assist you in this matter."

He then lost it, and reached out to hug the younger wizard. "This is going to be epic! But I don't know how much it will cost! I mean, there's different costs for different materials. That's part of the semester project, is to do a full work up of costs for labor and all that."

Harry wrote out some thoughts, having no idea what went into building a real home. "As much as I would like to make this a surprise, I do think Seneschal Lupin would like to have some input into his new home."

"As well as Agent Addams? I mean, she's here an awful lot. He's courting her." The last was said in a whisper, sharing a secret that no one didn't know.

Wth werewolves it was a bit simpler than that, but Harry wasn't going to share secrets. "Yes, getting Abigail's input would be wise as well."

Harry put up a privacy spell, "I don't want this to come from the Potter budget. If I supply the gold myself, can you please keep the cost from Remus?"

"My lips are sealed, my lord."

"Let me know what you need. I don't expect perfection; just do your best. We'll get you a contractor or whatever you need as an assistant. I trust you, Mr Morgan. You might want to work on several different designs after talking with the seneschal. Please make sure it has at least a half-bath in addition to the full one. If not more. Let Remus pick out his favorite. Please, keep me apprised."

The boy stood from the table, and went to one knee. "I will do my best, Arglwydd. I swear. And thank you for this opportunity."

That no one around the table looked much fussed over Harlan's actions bespoke a trust of Harry and their environment.

**ODD**

Even though Moody had warned them, it still wasn't happy news.

Harry wasn't surprised to get the summons to the League of Magical Nations. Sirius and Alice were summoned as well. At least for him, it gave Harry an excuse to go to the races in Colorado now. Spring break started the week after the trial, so he and Sirius were going to turn it into a bit of a holiday. Alice, being pregnant, just wanted to stay near a healer.

No one would willingly refuse this international summons. It was go, or flee America. And if they fled, they'd be giving up everything they had built. They hadn't done anything wrong! Mount Sinai had private nurses available to hire for a short term, so that is what they did for Lady Alice. Harry was miffed that Marius wasn't available. How could they trust a stranger, after all.

After much debate, it was decided to keep everyone else at home with Frank and Remus. Dan had received an invitation to a retirement party that just happened to coincide with their travels. Held at Colorado Springs.

How. Convenient.

Carmen was there at the race track, making arrangements for the hippogriffs to be stabled, and investigating the best places to stay for the racing team. She wasn't alone, but with a few of the other workers who doubled as security.

Sirius and Harry planned on picking her up to do touristy things before returning for the race.

They would be flying muggle, just like before. They debated setting up the vanishing cabinet, but that was very rare magic. It was set up and taken down each time for the Greengrass and their cart deliveries in fear of discovery.

Alice was worried about the hearing though, as Dumbledore's petition, winding its way through channels, was going to be heard. Detective Weaver had a lot of vacation time built up. He offered to go with the family, but Tonks stated that she would be too distracted if he went along, and asked him to stay home.

Tonks volunteered herself. "Look, I know what end of the wand to hold, and I can be anyone. I want to help!"

Frank pushed for her to go, as that would be a witch able to go places with Alice that the wizards couldn't. He didn't want to rely on a nurse to protect his wife, either. But like his wife's foreboding, everything felt wrong about this summons. This situation.

Remus was feeling it too. He wanted to both go and stay. He had responsibilities here, but wanted to protect his cub. At least some of the villagers would be going to the races with the hippogriffs.

Since it appeared the 'griffs were going to be winning, Alejandro now had more than enough helpers to move the beasts ahead of the race.

Harry was trying and failing to reassure the adults staying that he was going to be safe, "You heard what Dharma Briokz said: If there was the slightest possibility Dumbles could win in court, I'd be in a Gringotts vault with an emergency tent, parked next to a Gringotts treasure dragon. Spurnik 'loves' me too much to let that happen."

"No, Spurnik loves the gold you make without breaking a sweat. And Hermione's stunt with the feathers! I heard he offered to adopt her." Alice was laughing now.

Harry nodded, "Yeah, he really did. Thinks she has goblins in her however distant ancestry. Which really is possible. We don't know. So, let's get through this. I promise I won't go anywhere with strangers. I won't fly in any races, even if Alejandro gets sick or anything, I won't leave Sirius' side in public, not even to go to the loo. I'll eat my sprouts. You know I actually like them, right? What else?"

Remus looked very worried. "Have fun in the mountains. Will your mounts be safe there?" He understood about thin air the higher one got.

"Oh yes, and even faster. Remember, hippogriffs are used to flying much higher than any human would feel comfortable with."

Remus held Harry first, then Emma hugged him close to her. She was clearly torn between going or not, but Harry was going to have a team of goblins there, along with Dan, Tonks, Sirius, and Alice.

What could go wrong?

**ODD**

Everything was going wrong. "What do you mean I can't attend?" Dumbledore demanded. "I have to attend!"

It was much easier to lie at full volume like this. Until his protection was fully restored, he wasn't going anywhere.

Lord Nott simply handed over the decision, "You attempted three different illegal portkeys during the months of August and September alone, to obtain entry into the United States. The MFBI put you on a 'no-entry list' until you come in for questioning. They feel you were given sufficient notice to comply. They have reminded you…" Thaddeus checked the number, "Fourteen times. That's eleven more than the minimum, so they have done their due diligence."

"But they require truth serum! Have you done nothing in your past that was a mistake? Would you submit to open-ended questions like that?" Albus shouted.

Lord Nott clamped down on several different tart rejoinders. No sense in fanning flames. "Your interests will still be represented even if you can't come. For us to get so far as a hearing is wonderful news."

"Yes, but look! Alice is attending, and Sirius is going as well. That boy has a huge grudge against me." He didn't mention Sirius' new witch also attending. It wouldn't do to share secrets like that.

No need to point out that the old wizard had sent then Heir Black to prison without a trial. And threatened to do so to others if needed.

"You still have time to gain entry if you wish. You would have to submit to questions - a known list of questions. You could still meet with League of Magical Nations (LoMN) representatives in Geneva or Paris or Hong Kong. The full list of offices is right here. If you change your mind about going. Your choice."

France had escaped the ICW right after the war, joining the League of Magical Nations. Silly people not seeing the wisdom of his leadership.

"I thought I paid you ten thousand already to make sure I didn't need to do that!"

Thaddeus blinked, "Surely sir, you understand that was just the retainer. I have been sending you regular updates on the actual time spent on this project. And I have negotiated for your entry, otherwise there was no chance for you to go at all. I feel that was a huge accomplishment to begin with."

"Well, your huge accomplishment is a huge disappointment to me." The old man folded his arms in pretend annoyance.

Nott wisely left the directions and offices in the envelope next to his elbow. "If there's nothing else? I would like to leave now, or it will open another billable increment."

And Nott's time was billed by the half-hour, his researchers by the quarter hour. And they were very good about checking on him regularly, and billing fifteen minutes for a two minute floo call.

"Get out of my office!" Albus demanded.

"Have a nice day, sir." Nott left, leaving with one of his favorite goblin curses.

Oh, how Dumbledore was going to lose, and then owe him lots and lots of galleons. At least his grandson, Theodore, was safe. The public story was that his birth mother asked him to move into her Paris townhouse, and Lord Nott had accepted. The truth was that Theo's mother died long ago at her husband's hands for not accepting the dark mark.

Lord Nott had found a muggleborn who was now sworn to the family and the boy's safety. She was fluent in French, and Theo was studying at Beauxbatons. Much safer there. Much. He had transferred the boy at Yule, while Albus was busy throwing tantrums about different problems.

Gathering his organized files, he made his own plans for Colorado.

**ODD**

The LoMN conclave was held in Colorado Springs in a building that, from the outside, appeared to be just another manufacturing warehouse. Nothing special to see here.

A nearby Air Force academy held flying classes that would sometimes have magic sensitive cadets seeing things.

Those young people were immediately fast tracked to all kinds of special services for the country.

Today, the assembly was holding international Court cases. The USA along with Japan, Mexico, and several smaller nations like Guatemala, had refused the ICW charter. France and China had joined after Grindelwald's attempt to take over the world.

The LoMN was far more democratic, and had laws in place to prevent people like Dumbledore from leading anything for fifty years. Not even the activities director served for so long.

Dora and Alice went in just after the goblins; the front double doors opened into a short hallway; one that had kill-ports above it. Everyone was required to remove all weapons and magical items. Well, almost everyone.

Their hired escort from Mount Sinai was asked to leave all but her wand. Harry noticed she palmed a small stone. So many magicals were superstitious and had different good luck charms. He switched it for a small worn rose quartz that was supposed to have healing powers. She didn't notice the switch. Harry put her charm in his box for safe keeping. He'd return it later.

Harry didn't want someone watching over his godmother getting kicked out over something silly. Besides, when he revealed the truth, he'd let her keep it as a present. Win-win.

Alice's nurse was shown where the nearby clinic was just in case.

Poor BloodRage! He was going to be there another hour as he removed the seventh hidden dagger, and yet another concealed throwing axe. How many weapons did he have?

Once they all sealed their personal items into individual chests, those were taken to storage by happy elves. One of them, an older elf with more ear hair than hair on his head waved at Harry. Dan came and put an arm around the boy.

"Hello elf friend!" Harry tried to reassure Dan this wasn't an agent of chaos, "Dan! He wouldn't hurt me!"

"Hello Great Master Harry Potter, sir! You are correct. Baxter wishing you happy family, today."

The ladies went to find the nearest loo, and Dan and BloodRage kept the rest of the group together. Once the ladies were back, they were escorted the rest of the way.

Harry was nervous. Everyone else seemed to think this was going to be a walk in the park. How did they know that? It seemed to Harry that there might be monsters in that park.

They were ushered to a private waiting area. The nurse turned to Sirius, "Is your wife going to be joining us soon?"

"No, Carmen is helping at the races. Do you know her?" Sirius asked, thinking, what an odd question.

"Oh, just a casual acquaintance, Lord Black. Nevermind."

Not long afterwards, Harry's case was next to be called.

This court was proud of their record of efficiency. Harry hoped they had justice in there somewhere.

**ODD**

The courtroom was large but the justices were arrayed in a semi-curved long table. The Serene Speaker, head of the League of Magical Nations, was in the middle acting as Chief Adjudicator. Three witches in white robes were to his right, three wizards in white to his left. He was also in white, and had a deep cowl that had covered his head when they came in, but he pulled it back as he began to speak.

"I see that the complainant. APWB Dumfre…no Dumbledore, refused to swear to the requested oaths before being allowed inside the country? This is most unusual, Counselor Nott." The shrunken old man looked over half spectacles. He seemed disappointed in the barrister from Britain.

"I submit to the court my proofs of notice to Mr Dumbledore of the necessity of such action, along with my memory of the last in-person reminder."

They all got to see a very angry Dumbledore; not something that Albus would have enjoyed viewing.

"We were supposed to hear this case after receiving several claims that the boy was being treated poorly. I now feel that evidence to be suspect. However, we are here, so let us proceed. You have one hour, no more, Counselor Nott. Begin."

Fortunately for Thaddeus, he knew how the international courts ran. He used memories of Sirius Black's arrest from Fudge himself, memories of the healer taking care of Alice Longbottom until recently, and an expenditure report from Dumbledore for all the money spent on Harry. It was a total sum that included buying Arabella Figg's home as the majority of it. Nott refused to list the money supposedly given to the Dursleys out of the Potter vaults for his maintenance. That was not even Dumbledore's gold except in his own twisted mind.

Nowhere in the petition for custody was there a promise to love and take care of an orphan; nowhere were there promises of outings or activities. Not one whit of care was shown in those minutes. Not one whit of reason to make Dumbledore Harry's legal guardian.

In short, Thaddeus did an excellent job of showing that Dumbledore was acting as an entitled child. He wanted something, and for proof that it was his, he showed he wanted it. Very interesting. The man did the defense's job for them, and they weren't even paying him.

His conclusion was well shy of the hour mark, and the judges then turned to Dharma Briokz.

The judges didn't seem surprised a goblin was there, and treated him with the same respect they would any other lawyer.

"Your honors," Briokz began. "I bring you the Wills of James and Lily Potter, the health report of Harry James Potter performed on 1 August 1991. And an audit of his trust account from 31 October 1981 to 5 November 1981. You'll note that the purchase price of the Figg house is exactly the amount withdrawn on the fifth. Seneschal Lupin returned from his travels on that date, and removed Dumbledore's access from the rest of the Potter holdings at that time."

It was only meeting the daily withdrawal limit that had imposed any restraint on the old wizard in Briokz opinion.

Nott nodded to his opposite. Briokz had provided all this information weeks before as was standard for a legal action of this nature. No surprises there.

"So, two days after Sirius Black has been incarcerated, and one day after Lady Longbottom was tortured nearly to death, the headmaster buys an Adept a house, not with his own funds, but with Heir Potter's? How…peculiar. Someone, with a different magical signature had previously set blood wards on the Dursley home; presumably Lily Potter. And a phoenix dropped him off with only a note? How odd. How unusual."

One of the witches reading the report shouted in Spanish that it appeared whoever did so wanted the boy tortured and weak! Unfair glares were aimed at Nott; if his client had been there, they would have chosen a different if still incorrect target.

The more evidence read, the more the judges looked grim after seeing how the child was treated in a place he should have had the best of protections in.

The Chief Adjudicator put his hand up, and conferred with his fellow justices.

"We have the WCS reports regarding both Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom. If you both, and Harry Potter, would stand?"

The three did, and the judge intoned, "We have read all of the evidence before Dharma Briokz came in, but seeing you, and watching your body language as a family was also important. Rarely have we seen a child so in tune with his guardians, especially on the cusp of the time of teenage trials. I do wish for you all to continue to be so close. It is our judgment that Mr Dumbledore be financially sanctioned for a hundred and twenty percent of the gold removed from your vaults. We will not hear him, should he petition us for your guardianship ever again. He refuses to give voice as to the reasons he wants you under his care. If he truly cared, you would have seen him before your eleventh birthday. He abdicated any legal rights to you when he neglected you so.

"In addition to the fine, we award House Potter reasonable legal fees. I have your estimates here Dharma Briokz; we expect the final bill in one week's time or we'll use the estimate less ten percent.

"APWB Dumbledore's petition is denied with prejudice. This is our final finding. No endless appeals can be made.

"All children, magical or not, should be cherished. These two guardians truly do. Go in Peace."

Lord Black bowed, with Harry only a moment behind him. Alice curtseyed, and they were escorted away.

Alice whispered to Harry she was going to use the loo. Alice, Dora and the nurse followed Alice to the apparently luxurious women's area.

Harry waited outside for a time, but Sirius pulled him towards the gents. Harry and Sirius made quick work of washing up in the men's room. They were standing nearby the ladies' facilities when they heard shouting. "Hogwarts!" pause "NOOO!" pause "Crucio!"

They ran quickly towards the room.

A moment before, Dan and Dora were outside the ladies' door, but had been completely disarmed before entering the building's inner sanctum. Neither Dan nor BloodRage were worried about anyone's modesty with that level of shouting though. They both tried to bash down the locked door as Harry and Sirius joined to help.

Dora was horrified that she had left Alice's side.

**ODD**

Moments before…

Dora was quicker than Alice and went just outside the door to talk shop with Dan. He was an interesting sort of man.

Neither noticed when the door became locked or warded.

The nurse approached Alice as she washed her hands, wand out but shaking. Alice was bound up in ropes before she knew what was happening.

The nurse spoke in an eerie monotone, "You will renew our master's protections. Not as well as the other would have, but soon, you will bleed for him," before shouting "HOGWARTS!"

She was trying to activate a portkey. But it wasn't working! Then she looked at it, blinking slowly. This wasn't the portkey! It looked nothing like the river stone she'd had upon entering the building. "NOOO!"

Alice couldn't move. The woman had to have been imperiused!

The cruciatus wasn't as horrible this time as it had been before. The woman wasn't as powerful as Bellatrix, and the Healer seemed reluctant; fighting against the compulsion. Still, the spell seemed to go on and on, but then Dan was there. When did he learn to apparate?

She'd never seen anyone killed with just their hands before: The dentist grabbed the nurse's head and twisted. Alice fell as the magic holding her in place ended. Sculls, who had popped Dan in, caught and lowered her to the floor gently.

Had her screams even been aloud? Alice wondered.

Dan was shouting something, the door crashed open. BloodRage pulled out a hidden potions kit. Of course the goblins would have a cruciatus calming potion. They were always prepared for the worst.

Lady Longbottom was shaken up, but she pointed to the nurse. "Imperius or something similar. Poor woman. Not her fault!"

They had to wait for security to get permission to leave, but they were fast. BloodRage then swept Alice with Dora as a bodyguard off to the nearest Gringotts that was far more secure than this place.

It was going to be up to the Necromancer's group of Berkley, California to try and find out who cursed her, if the woman knew. All considered where they were and why. All thought they knew who was behind this attack.

Harry worried about going home; he feared Neville would blame him for not protecting Lady Longbottom.

Sirius needed a calming draught when he realized who the initial target had really been. And sent an urgent message to get his wife home!

**ODD**

The call home led with announcing the attack first; Emma was physically sick with the aftermath of such action, and worried for her husband. She knew he could do what needed to be done, but that didn't mean there weren't repercussions. Or that he enjoyed such work.

A confused Carmen was also waiting for reasons why she was no longer in Colorado Springs! She had planned on visiting her cousin's place of memorial. They hadn't had the body for a burial, but did have a place to honor her.

Remus joined the call from the barn telephone, "What about the outcome of the trial?"

Sirius was not stupid, "The whole thing was to draw out Alice and I. I'm sure." He was not discussing the real target over an unsecured line. Dan had taught him better than that! "Alice was the more vulnerable, being pregnant. I don't like this at all. I know Harry wants to go to the races, but those races are advertised on an international scale! Only at home do we have wards to protect us from Dumbles directly."

"We'll be coming home just as soon as we can arrange safe transport." Sirius then proceeded to share what happened to Alice, and asked Remus to tell Frank, and get him to Alice's side.

Remus did, but was cursing Albus with every other word.

**ODD**

The Serene Speaker finished consulting with the head of security and came to talk to Harry and Sirius. "I'm afraid this Dumbledore person is now going to be wanted by our security force. Trying to remove pregnant witches from the building! Most reprehensible. Now I wonder if this wasn't the plan all along, or at least a backup plan. Plots within plots. Sorry lad. This is nothing for you or your people to worry about."

Harry explained, "When we were scanned, I saw her put that stone in her pocket. It was a gesture that Sirius does for pranks. I…I took it sir. I even planned to give it back! What if I had before we left?" Harry took the offending river stone from his own chest to hand over as evidence.

"So you switched out the stone? You saved your godmother from being kidnapped or…" the elderly wizard broke off at Sirius' stern look.

"Please, young men. Do be careful. Something terrible is happening. Our seer has been having very bad dreams about this, but we did try to protect you. Go in peace when you are dismissed."

**ODD**

Once security was done with them, they were allowed to leave. A necromancer was coming to question the nurse to see if they could find out the real attacker. Harry didn't need proof - he knew who it was! Alice's personal belongings were released to Harry to take home for her.

Lord Potter had some unkind things to say about Bumblemore.

"At least he shouldn't have much gold left. After paying his own solicitor, and the fines levied…" Briokz stopped himself. He was unnerved by the screams of Lady Longbottom.

Harry demanded, "The nurse was under oath. She couldn't do that and keep her magic."

"Not of her own free will." Sirius turned to the military man, "Dan? I want to get Harry home. I don't care about anything else."

Dan had always wanted to ride this one certain jet. No time like the present. And the Americans owed them. Alice and he had told them this was a trap. The LoMN were so certain of their security.

Bah!

**ODD**

Lily Potter cooed over the little girl just as James came in. He kissed her forehead and asked to cuddle the child for a moment.

"Don't worry little one. You are safe with us here. We'll watch over you just as your parents are watching over our son there." James promised. "You're only here for a few minutes. Then you're going back to your mummy.

Lily stood and hugged him from behind, "I miss our boy, but I'm happy he wasn't the target of that terrorist."

James silently disagreed. Trying to torture Alice? Harry was most certainly injured. Yet again.

**ODD**

Dora, feeling guilty for letting her vigilance slip, was inside the infirmary. She did have her wand back, but she wouldn't be allowed to use it in Gringotts anyways.

The girl promised herself to practice Dan's hand-to-hand lessons more. BloodRage understood her anxiety; he too felt a bit of a failure.

BloodRage was summoned to Spurnik's office as soon as Lady Alice was settled into the infirmary.

Ɠ"What happened? You were supposed to be on protection duty!"Ɠ Garlank, the account manager for the Longbottoms demanded.

BloodRage explained the security. No one had a proven method to prevent the imperius, or even detect it. But a healer wouldn't risk her magic.

Ɠ "Sir? We heard what Lady Alice repeated from the attacker. If it was Dumbledore, he wouldn't risk working directly. From what I observed, he spent thousands to arrange today's show trial. It was all set up to kidnap not Lady Alice, but the new bride of Lord Black. Potter wasn't the target. The witches were."Ɠ

Ɠ "Or the baby. Or both. We should have sent a female guard with you, but Spurnik…"Ɠ Garlank was about to accuse Spurnik of being a coward for not sending his only child; his daughter, into a known hostile and potentially fatal situation. He bit his tongue.

Spurnik didn't want to address that so ignored it, Ɠ "Aren't you supposed to go with the wizard lad to these races of his? Another avenue of profit for us both. This and the fertilizer."Ɠ

BloodRage informed, Ɠ "Yes, Father*, but I was sent back with the injured female. I guarantee you, from what I know of the family, they will not allow Lord Potter to travel within the same area that held an agent of evil. It is not in their natures to be stupid. They recalled Lady Black home as well. She was helping get things set up for the races."Ɠ

Garlank nodded in acknowledgement, but then added in excitement, Ɠ "I must share one thing that Heir Neville sent me. He is looking into the laws surrounding passive magic. The Ministry there is not regulating the sale of magical dung in any way. No tariffs. No additional taxes. We can even put a logo of a dragon on it as that is a fantasy creature to them."Ɠ

Spurnik nodded, Ɠ "Smart of you to inform us before telling the king we have a way to make profit from dung we banish. We might have gotten…testy about being left out."Ɠ

Garlank had really tried to keep the Potter lad out of his own wizard's profits. When he was eating Potter food, using Potter conveyances to ride to school, and using other Potter resources right, left and center.

If the boys' roles had been reversed, he'd have been upset as well.

Ɠ "Of course. I made a mistake. I corrected it. I even brought gifts."Ɠ Garlank averred.

A pair of goblin daggers, matching. It was a nice apology gift.

Garlank tried for blatant honesty, Ɠ "Those boys. They even turn droppings into gold. Attacking their mother? Well, mother figure for one of the lads? This is enemy action. Against them and our profits."Ɠ

Spurnik nodded. Ɠ "I have guards watching over Lady Longbottom, but any wizard trying to get that far into goblin territory without an oath would be dead before they reached the first door. Let us use our ears to hear danger; our noses to smell profit, and protect the females and young of this family so that all of our vaults may swell with honest profit and dividends."Ɠ

All nodded at that, in complete agreement, and the meeting broke up.

**ODD**

When Frank arrived at Alice's side, he collapsed for some reason. Right there, inside the Gringotts infirmary, he was attended to by a goblin healer.

The poor goblins! The cruciatus had been devised specifically for them as a method of torture since they were immune to veritaserum.**

Their healers were the best when dealing with the aftermath of the curse. And Frank had aftermath from years past.

Of course, Augusta, hearing that her only son had collapsed, had her screaming that he be sent to Mount Sinai. An order they refused.

Unbeknownst to others, Alice and Frank had given Sirius and Remus Full Power of Attorney within the goblin domain should they ever take sick. Power to decide for Neville and themselves.

The goblin healers had helped Harry and Hermione; they wanted to give them a chance to completely heal Frank.

And they did!

Alice awoke to the full voice of her husband singing an old Welsh love song as he sat next to her bed, holding her hand. He didn't know the words well, and mangled half of them, but she knew he could barely speak after the attack. Singing?

At her movement, he kissed her hand reverently. "I was so worried about you. They say we almost lost the baby, but then she was fine! Just fine! The smell of broompolish and lilies was strong in the room. I think our friends helped."

Alice nodded, "I wouldn't be surprised. Oh Frank! That poor woman! I know Dan didn't know, but she was imperiused. She fought it! She did!"

The Scots lass broke down into tears, and her husband moved to hold her. Crazy people! Attacking them because of their son and her godson.

"I'm going on the offensive, Alice. Right away. I don't know how, or by doing what. But he's not getting away with this!"

It was like fighting the dark one all over again. Random attacks, everyone terrified.

Alice countered, "I think he wants us to seek revenge. We don't know how to work with minions and intermediaries. No, my love. We have to work within the law. I can't lose you, love, not to prison. Not when we were imprisoned in our own minds and separated for so long."

Frank kept his own counsel, and held his witch, giving her and her belly sweet kisses.

**ODD**

The Longbottoms recovered within the week, and were brought home from Salem Gringotts by carriage. Which greatly confused Alice, as she was sure she hadn't left Colorado.

The goblins shared no secrets, and told no lies.

Harry wasn't surprised to be summoned to a meeting with Lord Greengrass in the Blue dining room not long after their return.

It was time for an ODD meeting of their own. Frank wanted to start something to let the old man know this was not okay; they had no soft targets in this family.

**ODD**

Hogwarts entry hall, midnight

Peeves wasn't supposed to prank the headmaster. The elves had warned him. The staff had warned him. Even Mad-Eye Moody, who was in the castle frequently 'keeping an eye on Snape' had warned him.

But the poltergeist was out of chances. Nine plus nine lives, a cat's double value, he had gone through nearly all of them. Peeves didn't realize he was on the last one.

But the old wizard knew.

"Poor Heady' head canst be torturing Potty like he wanted. Peevsy seeing, Peevsy knows all your secrets. Meany meany kills aplenty."

Peeves pulled a quad that had been targeted to the headmaster and threw it at him."Frank-ly, you are done!" The poltergeist shouted.

It exploded as it hit, and the old wizard was covered in black soot. Peeves was shocked to see him still standing. That wasn't supposed to happen!

Tired of pretending to be kind-hearted, dotty, and humane, the mage let loose a blast of dark magic that caught the ancient phantom straight where his heart would have normally been.

He exploded in a blast of green ectoplasm, marked playing cards, expired dung bombs, and foul breath.

"Curse you! Curse you! Wait! I see you now! I know who you are…"

The being's magic was being sucked into a small sphere, no matter how hard he fought, Peeves was done.

"I know who I am too." The wizard shook himself. "Oh dear. I do believe I lost some of my protection."

He looked at the goo on his arms and lovely robes. "I think I need a bath."

**ODD**

*In goblin society, when taking a mate, one becomes a part of the mate's family.

**Borrowed, without permission, from the great RobSt. His goblins have definitely influenced the goblins written here.

**ODD**

ODD (Order Defying Dumbledore)

A/N: Our friend Csheila recommends: Harry Potter and a Stitch in Time by Lowten. WIP but regularly updated. Sirius discover something while escaping on Buckbeak. It changes everything.14111185.

A/N: Kind reader ColoradoBee3500 recommends RobSt 'Harry Crow', including. It was my very first fanfiction I ever read. Talk about being spoiled!

s/8186071/1/Harry-Crow

A/N: Your story recommendation here -

**ODD**

ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts

Ɠ Goblin language
O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore)