Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry – Quidditch Pitch
Dead.
Expired.
Departed.
Buried.
Erased.
Passed away.
Defunct.
Washed up.
Checked out.
Belly up.
The big sleep.
Dozing with the fishes.
Flown to the big Quidditch pitch in the sky.
Hanging with the big guy.
Bought the farm, left the building.
Kicked the bucket.
Bit the Bullet.
Six feet under.
Pushing up the daisies.
Electroenchaphalographically challenged?
He still couldn't believe it. His best Mate, his brother, his companion, Harry James Potter, had finally left them. He hadn't gone down wand blazing and cursing at dark wizards or popping off quietly in his sleep, but in a dingy filthy god forbidden ten by ten feet jail cell out in the middle sea on a dark forbidding island.
Ron had always believed that Harry was impervious to death. His best friend had shrugged off death more than three times already in his short life. Heck he had shrugged off the darkest of all unforgivable killing curses at the mere age of one with only a scar.
Each of his friend's near death experiences throughout the years had left him with a certain memento. Harry had three scars to show for his adventures, two on his right arm, both from the basilisk and Wormtail's knife. The last being his famous scar from the somewhat failed killing curse.
Now here he was staring at the body of his friend lying in the velvet lined coffin, his body unmarked by this latest event. The funny thing was, most people sent to Azkaban usually held out for a week or so. It was in a way ironic that what most people were able to survive, his friend, couldn't for a single day.
It must have been horrible. He knew Harry's greatest fear were the Dementors. They gave him visions of his worst nightmares. Compared to normal people, Harry's nightmares were like the comparison of a fluffy kitten to a starved lion. It was no wonder his friend hadn't made it a single night.
He reached over and stared at the face of his best friend. He looked peaceful, a serene look of calmness over his face. The body had been cleaned and dressed in emerald dress robes. Harry's somewhat long hair had been slicked neatly back and tied up in a pony tail, his cursed scar in plain view, just above his right eye.
"We won't lose hope Harry. We'll keep on fighting mate. Say hi to everyone up there for me." Ron spoke to his dead friend in a subdued manner.
In a last favor for his best friend, he reached over into the coffin. Tugging a few strands of his fringe hair out from the pony tail he ruffled it slightly before laying it over the scar. Harry had taken to growing his hair out over the last year. Even though he tied it back, he still left the fringe covering his scar.
"Goodbye mate. See you in a couple of years." With that Ron gave a short nod before going to console a sobbing Hermione.
XXXXX
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry – Quidditch Pitch
It was pretty weird in a morbid sort of way. He thought as he stood a distance away from the coffin. He leaned back upon one foot, locking his knees to support his weight as he surveyed the surroundings again.
Thousands of witches and wizards had turned up for his funeral service, and it wasn't even midday yet. The line of magical folk wanting to pay their respects to the late Harry Potter was so long it extended out the gates of the school and into the town of Hogsmead.
He should know, he had been standing in the blasted line since the crack of dawn.
He sighed, 'All this just to see some dead guy in a coffin.' He held that thought for a moment. Fine maybe not just some dead guy. It was Harry Bleeding Potter The-Boy-Who-Has-His-Name-Hyphenated-With-One-Too-Many-Titles. Maybe it was worth taking a look at him.
The man rolled his eyes wondering why he was thinking these ridiculous thoughts, when he himself had spent the last four hours in line.
'I'm definitely blaming my morbid sense of curiosity.' He mused as he looked around once again.
The funeral being such a public event, posed an almost irresistible opportunity for Voldemort to stage a mass scare attack. Unfortunately for the Dark Wanker, Albus-I-Have-Too-Many-Names-Dumbledore had organized the funeral. That meant Alastor-Swivel-My-Eye-Moody was in charge of security.
The paranoid man could be seen prowling the edges of the pitch with his wand out and mumbling to himself. No doubt the Order would be here as well.
It wasn't really that hard to miss really. If one looked, one could see there were multiple Phoenix Agents and Aurors discreetly patrolling the outer edges of the Quidditch pitch, the school grounds and the road leading to Hogsmead. Heck there were a few undercover Unspeakables among the crowd. Not that he could see them of course. They were much too good to be identified.
As he drew nearer to the coffin he placed a look of indifference over his face. Off to the side were a few benches for the deceased closest friends. The most prominent sight among the mourning people was a group of red heads, the Weasley family. They were the most subdued of the lot, the matriarch of the family was currently sobbing her eyes out on her husband's shoulder.
A bit further to the left was the aged Headmaster of Hogwarts looking every one of his one hundred and fifty years. To his left was the hunched over form of the Werewolf, Remus Lupin. He stared at the man for a while.
He felt sort of bad that they were going through this, but now was not the time, he had a job to perform. Closing his eyes and trying his best, he squashed all emotions with his small grasp of Occlumency.
Leaning slightly forwards he stared at the preserved body in the coffin. So this was how the savior of the Wizarding world was to be buried. At least someone had decided to cover up that ridiculous scar of his. All in all, whoever had done this had to be given some credit. Harry Potter did look quite dashing in Wizarding robes. Only problem was, he was slightly dead at the moment. Oh well one couldn't be too picky. Still he did look good in emerald robes.
Seeing as he had stood in front of the casket for a bit too long staring. The man decided to give a short bow. Shrugging his shoulders, he turned and made his way towards the gate. He had seen what he wanted.
Harry Potter was dead.
This suited his plans perfectly.
Emerald eyes blazed with power as the man threw his hood over his raven locks. It was time to get to work.
XXXXX
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry – Quidditch Pitch
Albus Dumbledore stood alongside the Weasley family as they grieved for someone they considered their own son.
He gave a deep sigh. For someone who prided himself in being able to foresee events before they happened, he had been extremely short sighted with issues concerning one Harry Potter. Perhaps it would have been better if he hadn't interfered with the boy's life in the first place.
The old man turned to the person sitting beside him. Brown hair lay tussled in a mess as the person held his head in his hands.
Remus Lupin, the last Marauder had probably no one else to live for. After the loss of his three friends, the man had fallen into depression. Only the thought of meeting Harry Potter, the last remaining link to his friends had kept him going. Dumbledore had already decided to keep a closer eye on the man in case he went off the deep end.
Six months ago, the death of Sirius had hit the man pretty bad. Once again both he and Harry had fallen into depression.
It hadn't lasted very long thought. That he was glad for. Remus had already experienced loss a few times in the past and it wasn't so much as a shock to him as it was fourteen years ago. Still the man knew he had to be there for Harry, and had pulled himself together.
Harry on the other hand was a bit different. At first the boy had fallen into a state of shock then sadness. It was expected when someone had lost the only father figure they had. It was a bit strange however when the youth had gotten over the death of his godfather after only two weeks of mourning.
He had of course talked to Remus about this. The man had been visiting Harry quite often after the holidays had begun. Judging from the way Remus had worded his answers, he had guessed that either Harry had gotten over the loss as he didn't really know Sirius that well and therefore wasn't that attached to him.
No. Albus didn't think that was the answer. It would most probably be that Harry had come to accept that Sirius death was not his fault and that his godfather wouldn't have wanted him wasting away at his death.
This was of course proven to be the case later in the year. Albus himself had offered to tutor the boy. Predictably, with his relation already strained with Harry, the child had declined. Instead an alternative was reached. Alastor had been called in to tutor him instead.
Harry's forte being his determination had ensured his rapid learning in almost all fields that the ex Auror taught him. His Occlumency on the other hand never did progress very well. Harry at best had only been able to throw off a mind attack seconds after it was launched. He never did get the hang of completely creating a barrier around his mind, much less create fake memories and emotions. At least he was strong enough to block out Voldemort.
There was one subject that Harry had surprisingly stood out well in though, physical combat. It was quite hard that one could visualize the timid quiet conservative boy as a powerful quick and deadly martial artist.
Alastor had of course started him off with a few simple moves that he knew when Harry asked about getting out of someone's hold. Harry then, on his own, had researched the Muggle art.
When enquired by his tutor he had replied that it was the perfect outlet for his anger and stress. He of course excelled at it as Severus could testify.
The Potions master had bore witness to one of the duels between Harry and Alastor, where Harry had won by utilizing agility and physical attacks to bring down his opponent. Severus, being himself had scoffed the boy saying he had been lucky and that Alastor was in fact pretty much lame with his wooden leg. This had of course prompted a new duel. Severus had known about Mr. Potter's lack of knowledge on spells far beforehand, a weakness he was hoping to exploit. He however didn't expect Harry to rush him and utilize his now famed "Squirrel Move".
It was a memory that the Headmaster and probably Harry himself had stored in a Pensieve. The "Squirrel Move", as Harry called it, was in truth, very simple.
"Just go for the nuts." Was all Harry had explained after Severus was on the floor clutching his bruised family jewels.
After that comment, anyone dueling Harry never forgot their protective charms. This of course didn't hinder him much.
"The human body had plenty more areas of soft tissue." He had commented, "Furthermore, if one kick doesn't work, just do it again and again. One of them is bound to get through." The boy had then proceeded to kick Snape multiple times in the groin till he relinquished his wand.
Albus gave a slight chuckle at the memory. Severus was seen prowling Hogwarts with a slight limp for the next two months. Magic, after all still had its limitations.
Remus, sitting beside him had lifted his head at the foreign sound coming from the Headmaster. The man stiffened before jumping to his feet looking around wildly and frantically.
Albus was beginning to worry at the man's sanity when he suddenly calmed down and began to chuckle.
"Remus, are you feeling alright?" He asked in concern. The poor man must have finally snapped.
"Never better old chap, Never better." The man replied completely out of character as he made to leave the Quidditch pitch.
Dumbledore was about to follow man fearing he may do something stupid when the screaming sounded.
XXXXX
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry – Quidditch Pitch
Anthony Blackwood. A pureblooded Wizard from a pureblooded family snarled as he shot off another curse into the crowd gathered for Potter's funeral. The disgust he had at these Witches and Wizards paying their respects to a Muggle lover showed in his voice.
The Dark Lord would soon put them in their place.
Potter's funeral wake was the perfect place to stage an attack. Prominent magical folk had gathered in one small place that was easily accessible. The anti apparition wards didn't matter much, the Forbidden forest was nearby and provided an easy entry and escape route. Add to that, a reward had been offered by the Dark Lord to the Death Eater who could bring him Potter's severed head after the attack.
This was his chance. It was simple. Enter the service as one of the brat's worshippers with his group of Death Eaters, cause mayhem, severe the head, piss on the body and leave via the forest. Easy, what could go wrong?
Anthony Blackwood being a pureblood had of course never been introduced to Murphy's laws.
'What can go wrong, will go wrong, and would do so in the worst way.' That and 'Don't tempt fate. She's a bitch.'
This being the case, he had trained his wand on a new target after the thoughts passed his mind. His target, a man cloaked in blue and very out of place in the screaming crowd was walking calmly. However as he begun to utter a curse the target's eyes widened. Anthony was slightly stunned as bright emerald eyes bore into his own.
Anthony Blackwood never knew what hit him after that. One moment he was standing ready to curse. The next he was on the floor clutching his bruised gonads after having been introduced to the 'Squirrel Move".
XXXXX
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry – Quidditch Pitch
Harry stared at the idiot Death Wanker before him rolling in pain. Delivering two more kicks to the man's privates and finally one to his head, he succeeded in knocking him out.
He sighed as a Wizard ran past him screaming in a high pitched voice. Idiots the whole lot of them. Didn't magical folk have a shred of logic. It was simple. Three hundred people in crowd, twenty Death Eaters.
'Count you simpletons. You out number them, a simple pile up would probably suffocate them to death.'
He sighed.
Such a public funeral was just asking for an attack anyway. This would probably cause a new shit storm for the new Minister. Politicians, they were all alike, idiots. True, Dumbledore was one, however his first job was of an educator. True politicians like Fudge boy were idiots.
And like any true politician, the highest level of satisfaction was the role of Minister Of Magic. Harry shook his head in disappointment, the new Minister would probably be an idiot as well. Served the bastard right anyway, what was he thinking?
'Probably trying to gain more support by portraying me as a martyr.' Harry snorted, 'Hope he enjoys the attention the media will be paying him now.'
'The Funeral Of Harry James Potter'
Now that was an interesting thought.
If he were to have a funeral, which he was, in a roundabout sort of way, he would probably have a nice small, Death Eater free one over in the Godric's Hollow Cemetery.
The group that followed him to the Ministry last year would definitely be there. Remus and the Weasleys would definitely attend. Dobby too, 'Can't forget him.'. Probably get Tonks and Moody as well, both hadn't pissed him off anytime lately.
Who else…
Harry seemed to be forgetting someone in his list, definitely not Voldemort. 'The Dark Wanker'. Snape? Harry snorted, 'Yeah right.'. Dumbledore? 'Maybe'.
Now he remembered.
Draco.
Why?
Mainly because the ponce would definitely show up to gloat. Then of course all the guests present would have a reason to kill him off. The Wizarding world would understand, it would be for a better cause after all.
Harry made a mental note to include that in his will the next time he updated it.
Seeing that the Death Eater before him was out cold he decided to make like an idiot and leave the area. The Aurors and Unspeakables could handle this. Just in case, he gave the unconscious man another blow to the balls. The man whimpered and Harry shrugged. He didn't really care.
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level Nine: Department Of Mysteries – Twenty Four Hours Before Attack On Hogwarts
Harry stared at the piece of wood nestle in his palm. He looked up a guarded expression on his face.
"Let me get this straight. You want me, to join the Unspeakables." He stated pointing at his chest.
"Perhaps you didn't catch me the first time Mr. Potter. I didn't say join, I said welcome. I have taken the liberty to fill your particulars. You have been in our employ since this morning. Here you'll need these." The man slid a few more items across the table.
Harry's eyes scanned the items. One was a wrist holster for his wand and the other was a small booklet.
Seeing his raised eyebrow the Head spoke. "It's a handbook given to new Unspeakables. Helps them familiarize themselves to the place."
"Tell me for I'm curious. Why are you recruiting me and how did you go about faking my death?" Harry enquired in a neutral tone his mind working furiously.
"Ah… misdirection Harry, misdirection. The eyes see, the ears hear and brain believes. A simple Polyjuice potion, a few of your hairs, one soulless criminal in Azkaban and presto, permanent dead body."
Harry recalled back in his fourth year that an escape from the Wizarding prison was made possible with the same technique by replacing the missing body. A unique side effect of Polyjuice was that if the drinker died while in disguise, that person would remain permanently stuck in that form.
"As to why we would want to recruit you. You're resourceful, loyal, determined, skillful, aggressive, when you need to be and let's not forget, no one would notice you gone now. Perfect skills for an Unspeakable." The man finished in a satisfied tone.
"Interesting. Tell me. If I'm dead wouldn't there be some kind of funeral service. I mean, I am the Boy-Who-Lived." Harry said the last word sarcastically.
"Funny you should ask that. Your wake happens to be tomorrow at Hogwarts."
"Let me guess. This was the Ministry's idea. Do they realize that such a public event is just asking for Voldemort to show up and cause a shit storm?"
"I have anticipated this and have assigned a few Unspeakables as guards. They are highly train and experienced."
A minute of silence followed as both men stared at each other.
"I wish to attend." Harry spoke suddenly.
"That is unacceptable. You are needlessly exposing yourself to danger. Furthermore there are other things that will require your presence."
Harry stared directly into the man's eyes. "As you wish Mr. Flamel."
The Unspeakable's eyes widened.
Harry took advantage immediately. His hands gripped the edge of the desk as he slipped off his chair. Sliding beneath the desk, he knocked the chair out from under the Unspeakable.
Suddenly loosing his support the man pitched forwards. His chin impacting on the edge of the desk. The whiplash was probably a bit too much for the man and he fell into unconsciousness.
'Score' Harry thought. Now he had something else he could add to his resume.
Harry James Potter
Whooped Lord Tom-I-Suck-At-Anagrams-Voldemort-Riddle five times (More or less just lived to tell the tale).
Super Seeker boy (Though I did fall off my broom a couple of times).
Walloped forty foot legendary Basilisk (Had help from a Phoenix and a hat though).
Won Triwizard Tournament (It actually was a draw).
Kick snarky assed overgrown bat boy Snape in the gonads (Yes. I am proud of it).
Destroyed twinkle toes Dumbledore's office and being let off (It was his fault really).
Knocked out Nicholas Flamel without lifting my wand (Damn I'm good).
Harry looked over the form of the downed man. The man was practically a living fossil. He had suspected that the Alchemist had either given Dumbledore a dud stone back in first year, or had more than one stone. It was the only explanation as to why he was still kicking.
It was probably the first. From what he had read. It was an extremely random business making a Philosopher's Stone. Not ever attempt yielded successful results. That and the ingredients must have been rare. Furthermore, if three first years could make it through all the defenses, who would entrust the stone to that kind of defense. Dumbledore had been counting on the mirror and the castle ward's to protect the stone.
"Sorry Professor, but I've got better plans." Harry said as he looked around the office. "That, and I'm not about to trade one manipulative fossil for an even older one."
Just in case he check the old man by casting a diagnostic charm.
"Hmm…" Still alive, would wake up with a stiff neck though.
Harry shrugged. He could live with that.
Harry made a mental note to add this recent memory to his Pensieve when he got a new one. The man had obviously not expected Harry to have so easily unveiled his identity. Obscuring charms were good and all, but up against magical sight like Mad-Eye-Moody's, they were just useless. The idiots had let him keep his glasses without checking them for charms.
It didn't mean that anyone with charmed glasses could do it though. It took a fair bit of power that most Wizards and Witches couldn't manage. Harry doubt that most the Unspeakables here could do it.
Harry nudged the man onto his back and stunned him for good measure. He then begun searching the man's desk and cabinets. To say he found some interesting stuff would have been an understatement.
The man's office held a small fortune of knowledge on how the Department Of Mysteries operated. There were six divisions within the department, each with its own specific role to play.
Research And Development was under the Unicorn Division, they were the ones that went about their boring little lives tinkering with the unknown and trying to come up with something new.
'Boring sad buggers.'
Field Surveillance was headed by the Phoenix Division. They were responsible for scouting out targets, gathering information and monitoring known suspects. Harry assumed a few of them had been trailing him for while to create such an accurate file on him. Then again he was the Boy-Who-Lived, and it wasn't like he was very discrete anyway.
'Best be on the look out for them.'
Analysis And Tactical Specialist, this division reminded him of Ron. His best mate would definitely have been placed in the Serpent Division if he ever was recruited. Then again Ron might decline due to the division's name.
'Probably full of cunning Slytherins anyway. Guess that rules out Draco.'
Counter Intelligence. Not much explanation required for that one. Harry kept imagining a Wizarding version of James Bond. The name even suited it, Raven Division.
'Should have named it Bat Division though, grease ball would have been able to join.'
Operatives. Now that's what he was good at. Griffin Division, go in, cause mayhem, get out. Hit and run operatives.
'My kind of people.'
Finally there was the Dragon. It was the title given to the Head Unspeakable. He had the highest access level being nine. The lowest being one.
Harry then decided to look though the small booklet. His eyes bugged slightly. Were these Wizards thick or something? If the Death Eaters got a hold… hold that thought, they probably had already gotten a hold on a booklet. The bloody thing had a perfect map of the entire department laid out.
'Complete with lavatories too.'
Harry sighed and decided to have a look at his own file that was still on the desktop. Harry's eyes bugged a bit as he briefly flipped through it. This he would borrow indefinitely.
'Can't have them knowing this much about me.' Harry shoved the folder into his robes and continued searching.
Twenty minutes later a grinning Harry Potter held in his hands three very useful objects. He had already breezed through some of the more important records in the Alchemist's recent reports. There were a few interesting ones that he would be putting to use soon enough, but first he needed to do this.
In the short time frame the Professor had been carefully levitated to the side of the room and Harry was now sitting at the man's desk. A few pieces of charmed parchment lay before him as well as Nicholas Flamel's Unspeakable badge and a small stamp with the letters "APPROVED" on them.
A few detection charms had easily shown him what to do. Holding the badge before him, Harry placed it to the parchment in which he had drafted out a statement for promotion. He then placed Flamel's badge beside his and brought the stamp down on all three objects.
The words "Approved" burned red across them before slowly fading.
'Perfect.' Harry thought as he incinerated the parchment, destroying the evidence and looking at his new badge.
Griffin 00
Level Nine Clearance
Harry smirked. "Just like taking candy from a baby."
All operatives were numbered from one going up. By assigning himself a null number, he was technically still legally an Unspeakable, he was however, off the records. The records were only designed to record anything going from one and above. That way he had full access to all locations and records but no recordings of his transgressions would be noted.
He mentally complimented himself. 'Hermione would be so proud.'
Although he didn't think that she would appreciate him putting his knowledge to use for this sort of thing when she thought him how to spot loopholes in Wizarding spells.
Rummaging in the drawers he found another identical stamp, this time with the words "CLASSIFIED" in them. A grin flash over his face, this was just too good. Harry started pounding "Approved" and "Classified" chops on numerous pieces of charmed parchment.
Now just one more minor detail. He replaced everything back to the way it was, levitated the slumbering man into his armchair and positioned himself on the other side of the desk. Concentrating, Harry decided that while six hundred years may be a lot he definitely wouldn't have problems on the last couple of years.
Harry placed a small illusion over his new badge to have it show the badge of an Unspeakable already assigned to the funeral wake the next day.
'Six hundred years definitely perfected the man's filing skills.' The Harry Potter file had almost everything concerning himself.
But first a couple of healing charms for the stiff neck. A bruise removal and numbing charm for the already bluish area on the man's chin. Harry racked his mind for the specific spell needed but decided on an alternative instead.
"Panacea." It was probably the strongest healing spell he remembered. The minor ones he didn't really need as most of the time his injuries were too serious for them.
Now for the next step.
"Obliviate." Harry cast the spells in succession before quickly replacing his wand. He had removed any interests the legendary Alchemist had about himself easily enough. All ongoing investigations on Harry Potter had been dropped when he was declared dead. Remaining inconspicuous in the Wizarding world now was the new challenge.
'Don't want these guys bugging me anytime soon.'
Harry saluted the man before leaving the office with a wide grin.
'Mission accomplished.'
XXXXX
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry – Castle Grounds
Remus Lupin tore out of the gate of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry along with the rest of the Wizarding population running for the Death Eaters.
The rest of the Teachers and Order members had remained behind at the funeral. He on the other hand had something else to do.
Remus had been at the funeral mourning the death of someone he saw as a nephew, Harry James Potter. The last link he had to his past.
He had been contemplating doing something stupid, such as breaking into Azkaban to wring Fudge's neck or going after known Death Eaters that had managed to bribe their way out of Azkaban in the last war.
However his musing had been interrupted by a sound he hadn't imagine he would have heard on this day.
It was the sound of laughter, more specifically a chuckle coming for the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Anger immediately filled the Werewolf at someone laughing at the funeral. Did the old man find something funny with all this? He reigned in his anger. Dumbledore wouldn't have found anything about Harry's death funny. He just wasn't that sort of person. He must have been remembering the better times when Harry was still around.
His now unofficial godson had had the most interesting dueling technique anyone of the Hogwarts staff had seen so far. The youth had overcame his weakness of lack of spell knowledge by coming up with creative methods of dueling. With his skill at close range combat and simple annoying spells, his godson had been able to utterly confuse and disorientate his opponents.
This technique of course only worked if the opponent wasn't expecting it. Thus Harry had been easily defeated in the second round or when an observer stepped in to duel. Therefore due to the number of times he had had to refine his technique, Harry had developed a number of irritating styles.
Remus now understood how why Dumbledore had found this amusing. Thinking back, brought a small bit of happiness to him. He would never forget the day that Snape challenged Harry to a duel.
The Potions master had spent most of his time down in the dungeons, not wanting to have anything related to his godson. However on one occasion, being accompanied by Dumbledore, he had attended. Completely unaware of Harry's dueling style he had challenged him. Surprisingly, Harry hadn't used any of them. Whether he had assumed that Snape knew about them or he completely forgot, he had instead used his most effective and hard to defend against technique.
"The Squirrel Move"
Remus smiled as a mental image of himself balling Snape flashed past.
Wait.
A mental image of himself?
Remus jumped up. Someone had definitely invaded his mind. There was no way he could have thought up that particular image. Especially not from that point of… view.
'Harry?' He spoke in his mind uncertainly.
'Why hello Remus.' A familiar voice sounded before being cut off.
Legilimency required eye contact to be performed. Someone must have glanced into his eyes when he lifted his head back when Dumbledore chuckled.
Remus swept his head across the crowd assembling by the coffin. His eyes landed on a blue robed man. Emerald eyes locked onto his own.
'Hello again Remus.' The voice again sounded.
The ex Defense Professor gave a mental equivalent of the word "Eh?" in surprised.
'While its nice meeting you here and all, I don't suppose you might want to meet up at the Shrieking Shack soon. I do have to say though that I do indeed look quite fetching in green.'
The irony of the statement sank in and he begun to laugh.
Now running among the people he gave a small chuckle at the thought. A wide smile drawn upon his face he headed for the gates of the school.
Harry Potter was alive. He was going to kill that little shit.
Once out of the anti apparition ward's reach he disapparated.
XXXXX
Diagon Alley – The Leaky Cauldron
The emerald eyed Harry Potter currently sat in the middle table of the Leaky Cauldron finishing a small mug of Butterbeer. He wasn't even in disguise.
'Slightly maybe' He thought as he accepted a fresh mug from the bartender, Tom.
A small bit of pimple cover-up had sufficed at covering his scar. His long hair once tied up had been shortened and spiked revealing his forehead for all to see. He had discovered early on in the year that he had a slight talent for Metamorph magic.
While being to control his hair length was cool, as Tonks had informed him, he would never be able to perform the Animagus transformation. He had grumbled at the unfairness of it all before passing it off as fate just pissing on his life.
He was looking forwards to becoming an Animagus, now all he could do was grow his hair. 'Really useful that is, I don't need a charm to grow hair anymore.' He thought annoyed.
A Wizard across on the next table holding up the latest edition of the Daily Prophet gave him look before shrugging and going back to his paper. Harry mentally snorted.
'Wizards.'
Plastered on the front page of the Daily Prophet was a large picture of himself, it had been taken back when he was participating for the Triwizard Tournament. Harry had quickly learnt that Magical folk were extremely short sighted when it came to investigation. They simply believed what they read in the papers and what the heard from word of mouth.
If the Daily Prophet said Harry Potter was dead, then Harry Potter was dead. It just wasn't possible that the look alike sitting across you was the Harry Potter. After all, he was missing the scar, the fact that his first name was Harry wouldn't matter at all.
Harry sighed. The best place to hide was to simply do so in plain sight. Hiding in a corner of the establishment cloaked and hooded was just asking for attention.
Of course his friends would recognize him, however they wouldn't be coming around here anytime soon. They were probably still mourning, their best friend did just die.
He reached into his robes and withdrew a small yellowish folder. It was the file that he had confiscated from the Head Unspeakable. Within it was the small booklet. Leafing through the last few pages of his file he went over the events that had transpired within the last few days.
He had been arrested on charges of being a Death Eater and assisting Voldemort during an attack on Hogsmead. The plan was to have a Death Eater impersonate him during an attack in Hogsmead while he himself would be detained by Draco Malfoy. He assumed that the ponce would have to have gotten his body to the site of battle for him to have been incriminated.
This would have gone perfectly well had the blond ferret been able to incapacitate him. Harry had perfectly dodged the spell fired by the idiot before breaking his nose. Unfortunately the ferret had managed to escape while Harry dealt with his pair of lumbering Troll bodyguards.
Harry had of course been able to find his friends and report this to one of the Professors before Aurors came and accused him on charges of being a Death Eater. Honestly, didn't they realize that if he was in the castle the whole time he couldn't have been in Hogsmead? Furthermore he hadn't even been checked off the list by Filch yet.
Having failed at his duty to incriminate Harry Potter as well as being seen by multiple witnesses, Draco Malfoy had hightailed it out of Hogwarts. His lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle got off with the excuse that they were simply trying to defend Draco when Harry had tried to pummel him to a pulp.
Fudge being desperate to get Harry out of the way had tampered with the evidence reports. Of course being a politician he left too many trails and did it with the subtlety of a three year old.
Harry couldn't blame him much. The man was desperate. Harry had at the beginning of the year, practically destroyed his career. With the help of Rita Skeeter, the Quibbler and the Daily Prophet on his side he had revealed to the media every one of Fudge and his Undersecretary's transgressions.
Draco had of course returned back to Hogwarts after being 'proven' innocent of all charges. The poncy git had gone the same old practices and proven method of claiming Imperio. Like all other old families with cash to burn, he had managed to bribe his way into convincing various officials into buying his excuse.
Harry moved on to the booklet. For such a small thing it contained quite a lot about the department. The most useful piece however was the map. Harry had plans for that part.
He chuckled at the section he was currently reading. Once again thanking his uncanny streak of luck that he hadn't been initiated as an Unspeakable. The name Unspeakables had been given with a very good reason. The workers of the department were literally unable to speak about what they were doing to anyone that wasn't part of their department. The only exception to this rule was if they were given clearance by the Head commanding Officer, in other words the Dragon.
Lifting his mug, Harry found that it was completely empty. Debating whether he wanted it refilled or not he pocketed the booklet and folder. Deciding that he best get to work he left the Leaky Cauldron and headed for the Wizarding section of London.
'First stop Gringotts Bank. The Goblins are going to love this.'
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level two: Wizengamot Administration Services Subdivision: Minister Of Magic Office
Rufus Scrimgeour was having a really bad week. In the last six months, his predecessor Fudge had been trying to hold on to his seat of power as much as possible. His career and popularity had taken another sudden plunge during the Hogsmead attack.
The idiot had then screwed the Ministry's reputation over by trying to incriminate the Potter boy. Rufus pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to will away the headache that was setting in. Fudge just didn't learn that outright trying to manipulate or piss the boy off was a bad idea. He would have tried the more subtle approach like Dumbledore had done.
When the boy had died Scrimgeour had been irritated he had lost a potential ally. At least the boy was out of the way. Better dead than in the hands of the opposition. But the boy just didn't know when to quit. Even in death he was causing a shit storm at the Ministry.
The funeral of Harry Potter had been a show of support from the Ministry that they were backing the fight against Voldemort. It was meant to inspire the public that the Ministry was now back on top of things.
That of course had gone horribly wrong. Death Eaters had attacked and none of them had been apprehended except one who was reported to have been clutching his groin in pain after being revived.
Even the Goblins were being uncooperative with the Ministry. The little buggers had refused to turn over Potters holdings to the Ministry when he had been incarcerated and now still refused to release control of the Potter vault to the Ministry. Apparently Harry Potter had made a will before he passed on. The Goblins however were not releasing it. They were claiming that it wasn't the right time and that their loyalty was to their customers and their money.
Wizarding law did not interfere with the way the Goblins ran their business due to a clause the last peace treaty that was signed.
Scrimgeour cursed the Minister who had signed the document without taking the time to read it thoroughly. Potter's fortune would have made a sizable impact on promoting the Ministry's law enforcement division.
He would get his hands on the Potter/Black fortune. Every law had a loophole somewhere, he just needed a bit more time and research.
His thoughts were interrupted when his secretary Percival Weasley came barging into his office. He looked up at him annoyed.
"I apologize for the interruption Minister, but there's something that I think that you'll want to know."
Scrimgeour sighed. Minister Of Magic just wasn't what it was made out to be.
XXXXX
Diagon Alley – Gringotts Bank
"That concludes our business Mr. Potter." The Gringotts Manager shook Harry's hand.
"All business transactions and asset transfers are to remain confidential as per Gringotts policy." Harry double checked.
"Indeed, Mr. Potter. What our clients do with their money is none of our business, we only provide the services and get paid."
"In that case, it has been a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Grillock." Harry shook the Goblin's hand.
"No. It has been my pleasure, anything that would cause the Ministry more trouble is a benefit to us." The Goblin insisted giving the young man a bow and leading him towards the exit. "I look forward to serving you again Mr. Potter."
"Like wise Grillock." Harry smiled as he left the bank.
It was time to disappear.
XXXXX
Hogsmead – The Shrieking Shack
Remus Lupin burst through the front door of the Shrieking Shack.
"Harry!" He called out.
He was met with silence
"Harry, are you there?" He called out a bit unsure this time.
No. It had to be true. He had heard Harry's voice in his head. Harry was alive. He was not losing it. Remus's eyes swept the room as he convinced himself.
His attention was brought to the small console table that usually stood by the front door. Meant for letters, but now unused, it had been shifted to the middle of the room. It had obviously been shifted recently if the lack of a dust layer covering it was any evidence.
Remus moved closer, upon the table lay a single yellowish envelope.
Remus James Lupin
Written in a familiar hand in black ink, the ex Defense Professor immediately recognized the hand writing he had spent an entire year grading. It was Harry's.
The Werewolf tore into the envelope.
Dear Moony,
If you are reading this, it's pretty obvious that I have not in fact decided to journey on to the next great adventure, kicked the bucket, or pushing up daisies anytime soon.
Yes I am still alive and well. Believe me when I say that I wish I were here with you at the moment. However for the sake of plausible deniability and because I have business to attend to, I am unavailable.
I have decided to take a vacation if one could call it that from the hustle and bustle of the Wizarding world for a while. No more of the The-Boy-Who-Lives shit, just some ordinary Joe. Well, as ordinary as my life will ever be.
You'll probably not see me for a long time. Just remember, I'll be there when the Order and my loved ones need me most.
Keep an eye out. I've been busy lately and you'll be hearing about my mischief soon enough.
Your Neighborhood Mischief Maker,
P.S: I would recommend showing Ron and Hermione this letter. Don't want them going off the deep end now do we. By the way, when they have decided that killing me isn't such a good idea tell Hermione and Ron to just fess up and kiss already. I can't really tell if their arguments are a way to release their sexual tension for one another or they just love pissing each other off.
'That little shit.' Remus mentally swore. 'Bugger stood me up.'
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level two: Wizengamot Administration Services Subdivision: Minister Of Magic Office
"Well?" The Minister demanded.
"It's the Goblins, Sir. They've decided to release Harry Potter's will." Percy informed him.
"When was this?" Scrimgeour asked before realizing just how stupid of a question it was.
His aide didn't notice. "I just got off the Floo with the Goblin Liaison Office. The Head Of Department has just informed me personally about the change."
At that moment, further conversation was halted, when a regal looking hawk flew into the Minister's office and dropped off an envelope bearing the official seal of Gringotts.
It was address in bright red ink to the current Minister Of Magic.
Scrimgeour reached for his letter opener and neatly slice into the heavy parchment. A small gold Galleon fell out of the envelope, making a metallic clang with the Minister's desk. Extracting the letter, the Minister's eyes swept over it. He had been requested to attend the will reading of Harry James Potter. The coin was a Portkey that would take him to Gringotts at the appointed time.
The man dismissed his aide and smiled, it was time to find a few loop holes.
XXXXX
London – Number 12 Grimmauld Place
"I'm going to kill that little shit." The furious redhead grumbled.
Across from him the Werewolf just sniggered.
Ron looked up from his letter to see Hermione staring straight at him, her cheeks slightly red.
"What? I've got something on my nose?" He asked, unsure of why the bookworm was staring at him.
"You didn't read the whole letter did you." Hermione nudged her head at his letter and avoided his eyes.
"Huh?" Was the boy's response before he decided to finish reading the parchment.
He looked up with wide eyes and locked gazes with the bushy haired brunette. Both blushed and avoided each other's gaze.
Remus merely howled in laughter.
XXXXX
Diagon Alley – Gringotts Bank
"You are all gathered here for the will reading for Harry James Potter." The Goblin announced to the people gathered.
Ron, Hermione, Remus Lupin, Dumbledore and the Weasleys gave curious looks to both the Minister and Narcissa Malfoy who was in attendance.
"I afraid that that would not be necessary, I am hereby declaring the will of Harry James Potter null and void on the grounds that he is still to be of age in the Wizarding world and thus his will has no legal standing." The Minister interrupted.
"You can't do that." Ron cried out in outrage.
"I have Mr. Weasley as it is the law. Now as an underage Wizard with no magical guardian, Mr. Potter should have been made a ward of the Ministry and thus his funds and assets are to be under our jurisdiction." The Minister continued with a large wide grin.
"That wouldn't be necessary Minister." The Goblin spoke up. "Mr. Potter has actually left every last Knut in the Potter vault to the Ministry, bar a small envelope for any remaining Malfoy family members. All you'll have to do is sign the process and legal papers and you'll have control over the vault itself."
The Minister actually stumbled in shock. The boy had actually left everything in his possession to the Ministry and not to Dumbledore and his Order. This was simply unheard of.
Like the Minister, everyone else at the reading was having looks of shock on their faces. No body could believe what they were hearing. Harry had never been the biggest fan of the Ministry, and yet here he had gone and left every last thing he owned to them. The Weasleys were stumped, Dumbledore shocked, Hermione horrified, Narcissa curious at what he would leave her, The Minister completely flummoxed and confused and finally a marauder amused.
The Minister accepted his small folder containing all the documents he needed to sign. Reading them carefully he found no trace of error. Potter had indeed left the entire Potter fortune to the control of the Ministry. All that research into loopholes in the law and Potter had simply handed it over without a fight.
Signing the documents that stated a small processing fee needed be charged he looked at Dumbledore and the group he was with. He couldn't help suppress the smirk forming on his face.
He was interrupted when a shriek of rage came from the only Malfoy in attendance.
Narcissa had crumpled up the piece of parchment she'd been reading before tossing it away and leaving the room in disgust.
Curious the youngest Weasley boy picked up the parchment and read it. He soon dissolved into laughter before tossing it to the other members of his family. They too, begun giving off emotion ranging between sadness and laughter.
Seeing the look of curiosity the Werewolf Lupin passed the Minister the parchment.
The Minister read it out loud.
Dear Malfoy,
Firstly, thank you for paying the processing fee, and lastly, I leave you with my contempt for your family.
Bellow the message was a charcoal shading of a hand performing the universally understood one fingered salute.
The Minister suddenly got worried. The documents he had signed had stated a thousand Galleon processing fee for the account transfer of the Potter vault and a further 500 Galleons a month for the vault's upkeep. He was also unable to shut down the account as the clause stated it had to be within his possession for a duration of ten years before any changes could be made. He had simply ignored it as he stood more to gain from what was inside the vaults. The processing fee was negligible.
"How much does the grand total of the Potter vault's assets come to." He asked the Goblin manager somewhat unsure now.
The Goblin merely smiled a toothy grin and replied smugly.
"One Knut."
The Minister fainted.
He never did hear the rest of the reading, as the Weasleys and other beneficiaries were told that they had had an unknown amount of money deposited into their accounts from an anonymous source.
XXXXX
Diagon Alley – The Leaky Cauldron
Harry leaned back on his chair as he sipped from his mug of Butterbeer.
"Is this seat taken?" A man enquired politely as he grasped the back of the chair opposite Harry.
Not bothering to look up, Harry simply replied an affirmative.
What he didn't expect was for the man to sit down at his table across him rather than taking the chair.
Harry looked up and he frowned. His glasses must be malfunctioning. Piercing through a thick layer of concealment and glamour charms was the smiling face of Nicholas Flamel.
Harry sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, he already felt an oncoming headache.
"Do you need anything sir." He questioned the man looking directly at him.
"Did you really think that a simple memory charm would have been effective against me?"
"The answer is pretty obvious as here you're sitting before me." Harry sarcastically replied.
"Yes, yes. I do have to thank you for healing me, although my neck is still slightly stiff." The man replied joyfully.
Harry was starting to get irritated with happy old men. Was every century old bugger this, 'kooky'.
"Now if you'll refrain from kicking out my chair, we could discuss this like gentlemen." Flamel spoke rubbing his hands.
Harry took a deep gulp from his mug and pushed it aside.
"Would you like a drink, Sir?" Harry asked calling a Tom the innkeeper over.
Harry promptly ordered a shot of Firewhiskey, whereas Flamel settled for a mug of hot chocolate.
Once the drinks had been brought over, the Head Unspeakable decided to start the conversation.
"Like I said yesterday Harry, the Unspeakables are on your side. I only suggested that you don't go due to the upcoming Death Eater attack that intelligence said was bound to happen. Another reason was that we have had reports that the Ministry is currently trying to get its hands on your fortune. If you had argued your case instead of knocking me out, we could have reached a compromise." The man initiated.
Harry snorted.
"I see you have fixed that problem as you have just come from Gringotts." Flamel swung his head indicating the back door of the pub.
"You still want to recruit me don't you?" Harry sighed as he shot down his glass and winced at the burning that followed.
"Of course."
"I have a few conditions though." Harry stated.
The man merely raised an eyebrow asking him to continue.
"Firstly, no oath of loyalty and silence. I want to be able to do my own stuff, my way, in my own time, in other words I don't take orders from anyone. Last of all, do you really give these booklets to all incoming Unspeakables?" Harry said holding up the booklet detailing the entire department and the way they operated.
"Of course not!" Nicholas snorted. "You insult me. Death Eaters infiltrated our department with the aid of Voldemort. They cause a distraction in one of the department rooms causing most of the Unspeakables to flood into it."
"Voldemort himself then proceeded to lock us in the room with a rather unique locking charm. It was unique in the sense that the more you try to unlock it the stronger the charm got."
Harry considered the reply. It definitely did explain why Voldemort was at the Department Of Mysteries in the first place. Stupid bloody wanker didn't even have the guts to touch a silly glass sphere, he had to trick someone into getting it for him and testing that it was indeed safe to touch.
"Fine, I'm in. This better be worth it, or else I'm knocking you out again." Harry smirked.
Both men got up and left the bar via Portkey.