Harry Potter and the Order Defying Dark Lords

by VashonBeader

Harry Potter just wants to fly, throw pottery, and spend time his girlfriend Hermione. That can be difficult when a dark lord is after you. The young Lord Potter has already dealt with one threat and has the nightmares to prove it. Now, on the distant horizon, is a new threat. Rather, an old one. Rated M for a reason.

9. Chapter 9 - Ding, dong

Harry Potter and the Order Defying Dark Lords

~~ODDL~~

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

Thanks to Alix33 for her kind and helpful remarks.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JKRowling. It is our understanding that it is illegal to solicit or receive remuneration for Harry Potter fanfiction. We own nothing but our castles in the sand.

~~ODDL~~

Welcome to the Fireside.

~~ODDL~~

Scorecard of what has happened so far:

This story is AU: Harry Potter, who can now claim to be Lord Peverell as well, used the resurrection stone to summon his parents and his friend Skippy to help deal with the evil of the resurrection ritual.

Not even Severus knew that Dumbledore was going to be revived! And he had done the potions work for it.

Lords Malfoy, Nott, and Prince along with Healer Marius and many others who were not there, survived the ritual due to Harry Potter removing their dark marks. Watching their former allies die horrifically have them all feeling very grateful for the Boy-Who-Lived-to-Conquer even while in custody.

The staff, other than Snape and Malfoy, have gone to Ireland with the students. Hogwarts has Peeves back. Banished by Grindlewald in a fit of pique, the poltergeist has been restored by Lord Peverell, ie Harry Potter, using the magic he learned from the Peverell Grimoire.

Harry, along with everyone but Tonks, Abigail and Remus, as well as Sally Fortescue, are now being held until fair trials can be arranged.

Riddle is done, done. Ding dong done. As is Albie.

O.D.D.L, (Order Defying Dark Lords) has done what they set out to do. Protect the innocent, help free the people still under the previous headmaster's thrall, and do what they can to keep their country safe and dark-lord-free. That remit may go on for years, but by keeping Tommy-by down, along with the unexpected Albus, the group has truly helped make everyone much safer.

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.

~~ODDL~~

Chapter 9 - Ding, dong…

~~ODDL~~

Monday, October 31st, Black Keep

"Where's Harry?" Sirius growled at the newly returned Moony.

Remus was tired and didn't appreciate his friend's tone. "He's with Ian and safe. Do you think we'd have left otherwise? Amelia sent us away. Abigail, as she's a foreign agent and me as Seneschal, but the real reason is that we're both werewolves. You know how prejudiced some purebloods can be. Madam Bones didn't want any accidents if we were taken into custody. Arthur hadn't been told - he was still working on cleanup of the people who had tried to use our portals."

Sirius calmed a little and welcomed the two home. "We do need to address that issue. The secret will be out soon unless all of our enemies are dead who learned how to use them."

"Not to mention the students using them to evacuate, though they didn't have to activate it. I don't really think the bad guys did figure it out. Though you should have seen Harry use one to deflect an AK! It was wicked!" Remus was so proud of their lad.

"Who tried to kill him? The belt shields couldn't protect him from the killing curse!" Sirius was back to shouting again.

In the background, the phone was ringing.

Abigail, released on her own recognisance, was hitting her forehead and ignoring the summons to the telephone. She had been called to a meeting at the highest levels of the LoMN and was trying to write a coherent report for it before leaving. She was the only one besides Remus who had returned from Britain though. Or so she thought. Tonks would be back soon as well. Abigail couldn't talk to the school before she had been debriefed! It was against protocol!

She got ready to head to Colorado Springs and left her mate to face an understandably anxious and cranky Lord Black. She kissed Sirius on the cheek before kissing her husband then heading out.

That disrupted the confrontation enough to get the men thinking. At least Sirius wasn't still shouting at his friend.

~~ODDL~~

Lucille Davis, the school secretary, was waiting patiently on the phone.

All of the House's students except Harry, Sally-Anne, and Hermione had gone to school. No one had told SAM why, just that they would be gone from school for a couple of days. Rumors were rife of their supposed disappearance at the dance and the administration still wasn't sure what was going on. The dance had been disrupted a bit but the show had gone on, even after House Black's sudden departure.

Emma, who had been told little, took the call: After getting a bit of detail, Lucille transferred the call to Principal Franklin, "As excuses go, I doubt I will ever hear wilder. But in Harry's case, I believe you." He knew for a fact some of what happened as relayed in a previous call. But it was Mrs Black on the phone now.

Emma shared, "Their friends are collecting up memories for the classes they've missed. Knowing my daughters, Hermione will be caught up by the end of the weekend. Harry too." As long as justice prevailed, she didn't add.

She didn't mention Sally-Anne dragging out any scholarly work just as long as possible.

James Franklin stated sincerely, "I'd like Lord Harry to report to me in my office as soon as he is back. I appreciate you keeping the school in the loop. I do hope this means he can finish high school without any further foreign interruptions."

Emma agreed. She and Dan had been talking every day. There were serious repercussions this time. Dan and his people were being detained, even if they were being held in the basement of auror headquarters in Hogsmeade. They had their comfortable tents, food, and a small variety of recreations. This was no cold dungeon.

Harry was under house arrest and put into Ian's and Sabrina's custody. He was to be with them in their home or with Auror Moody up at Hogwarts at all times. Trials were being organized and Amelia, who had been acting as a consultant to the temporary Minister of Magic, promised they would be fair trials.

Abigail had already instructed Juniper to have a portal ready just in case the British wizards went crazy and convicted any of their people. Of anything. She'd make sure they never saw Azkaban.

~~ODDL~~

An exhausted Harry had to do one more thing before going to his bed. After the mirrors connected he shouted, "Hermione!"

"Harry! Are you alright? You look grey!" The bushy-haired girl radiated concern. "Moony and Abigail just got back; Dad and his people are having to stay but you likely know that. Are you alright?"

"Breathe Hermione. I'm really tired. I touched someone's dark mark on purpose; I have no idea why I didn't collapse at the time, but somehow stayed vertical. No one noticed that I felt magically drained. Without Fawkes bringing me a sword, I don't think…well, it could have been very, very bad. I think the castle helped too. Can a castle get an award for bravery?"

"I don't think so, love. I'm not allowed to go to school until you get back! It isn't fair but Sally-Anne is happy. No dance or art things this week."

Harry yawned hugely, "I'm supposed to set up for the pottery display but it's not happening until I get back. Hermione? I just want you to know that I meant what I said. We're going ring shopping when I get back if none of the Potter jewelry appeals to you. I love you…"

Harry's head, already sidewise on the guestroom bed at Ian's, was now flat against the pillow. Her view of him disappeared and she was now looking at the ceiling.

Soft snores issued forth.

Hermione called out. "Lights off!" and the room went dark.

"I love you, Harry Potter. Sleep well, my hero," as she closed the connection.

~~ODDL~~

Back at Hogwarts

Kingsley Shacklebolt, Head Auror, was doing individual interviews with Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape, Healer Marius Greengrass, and Alastor Moody. All had high-powered lawyers on hand who were more than prepared for this.

It was almost as if someone had foreseen the need…

Satisfied that all had been on the side of the angels, he made them promise on their magic to stay at Hogwarts until their trials. All would much rather stay at the castle than be held in a holding cell, so no one disagreed with that.

Marius did ask the Head Auror if he would check on Director Weasley for him. Arthur had been cursed and his head wound needed more attention than he could give in a battle situation.

Shack was more than willing to do that, but he still had one more person to interview. Byron Ambrose was still in the ward room, doing something to document the dark rituals.

He was relieved that the dead, along with Dumbledore's coffin, had been removed. To think he had once admired the former headmaster.

Marius conjured chairs and sat next to his friend who refused counsel.

The Head Auror was a little disturbed by the vampire's way of speaking and had to walk away twice to refresh his occlumency, but Ambrose was part of the team to portkey people away. He'd drawn just enough blood to make the enemies powerless before doing so. Nothing lethal. Just a little off-putting to the non-vampires in the room.

Shacklebolt used his authority to release Byron there on the spot. He wasn't about to have his undeath on his hands if the Wizengamot went out of control and the being hadn't killed anyone.

"I'll ask Severus to brew blood-replenishing potions for the DMLE, shall I? He'll be bored with no students, nothing to do." Marius suggested. "I can help. Do something useful."

Kingsley accepted that, knowing full well Severus' dual role was now finished; his vow fulfilled. The head auror returned to the ministry.

~~ODDL~~

Professor McGonagall was just heading to her office. She'd be heading back to Ireland, but wanted to check on things at school and get a few things left behind in the rush to leave.

Moody, who was under house arrest until the trial, came in from the other way and asked if he could have a talk with her. It wasn't really him that had fought with her but he needed to make up with his wife. He had told her something about it after that first week but had then avoided her since then. For the sake of their world. It was hopefully going to be his last mission.

Now, he was able to truly, truly make up to her. Explain everything. Talk to her about their future together.

For Minerva's part, there was always something special about Alastor that made her heart skip a beat even before she remembered being married. She had been hurt by their forced separation and was glad to reunite with him. The students were safe and she didn't need to return to them immediately.

"I'd love ta talk with ye. Can I make ye some tea?" The witch offered.

The couple quickly made up and all was forgiven. And hearing what happened to her husband, being replaced and why, had her feeling terrible about not paying attention.

He then told her what was happening next. They didn't talk about the future or the past. They just sipped tea and talked about what they were going to do now. Alastor gave her a sweet kiss as she got ready to go.

~~ODDL~~

Harry woke a short while later after a bad dream and called Juniper. He sealed the Resurrection stone in a lead box. It had been separated from the Peverell signet ring when it was cleansed. For now, it would be put in the Potter vault. His will had been updated last week if the worst should happen.

Arglwydd Potter had serious issues to deal with at home that his nightmare reminded him about: Someone had betrayed him by renting out Potter portals for perverse purposes. If their enemies had learned how to use them correctly, things could have gone very wrong very quickly. He wanted to track down who but couldn't do anything at the moment.

He had no idea that Sirus, taking on the mantle and power of Regent Potter, stepped up after talking to Remus.

Padfoot was sad to have missed seeing Prongs one last time and having a proper goodbye. However, he learned that three portal pairs of theirs had been used at the ritual. If the people had had half a clue how to use them, their forces could have been overrun.

He was going to track down who, where, when, and why. Right now.

~~ODDL~~

Potter Keep, Wales

Sirius wished his Seneschal was there with him. Remus had promised Amelia he would return to Salem and stay under Black wards until it was safe to leave. Farm Manager Gavin Gilford brought a dozen men to Regent Potter in the entry hall of the new keep.

The stone dragon was no longer moving. It had been deactivated long before and Sirius hoped to be able to figure out how to fix it. Someday. Lord Black wasn't worried about that right now. He directed a long table be set up and Justice cups brought. One for each of them. They had only to answer a couple of questions and were then allowed to go.

Lucius Elam's cousin pretended to drink but Jam, who was assisting Sirius, noticed. "Drink you!"

"What's this?" Gavin was angry. "Now man! Or you'll be called oathbreaker this minute!"

Reluctantly, he took the cup. Yes, he was the one who pulled the three sets out of the storage shed to give to Lucius Elam. No, he had not been given any money and had started to worry it wasn't a legitimate purpose only when Lucius died.

He wanted to come forward but was afraid of being dismissed.

More questions were then asked. "Why? Why would you betray the House of Potter?"

"Not the House of Potter! I think…I'm not sure, but I have been thinking about this since my cousin died.

"My lord, I don't feel nothin' against her, but Lucius was constantly going on about removing the bushy-haired girl. I know it! He was in the Alley that day, you see. He apparently saw her with McGonagall taking muggleborns around. He thought she wasn't a helper but one of the muggleborns herself. He thinks she was later adopted by the Blacks. We heard rumors of it.

"But if she's a muggleborn then he was trying, in a bizarre way, to help the House of Potter. 'Not another mudblood!' He would rant! Terrible! I never said nothin' about her; Lucius just said that Parkinson was going to make sure both Black witches married others. Lady Hermione wasn't to be hurt!"

Sirius turned and spat. Oh sure, taking her away from Harry and giving her to a death eater wouldn't hurt anyone. How many ways was this so very wrong?

The man continued, "I didn't know he was using the portals for ill, I swear! And fer my part, I'm so sorry! I like Lady Hermione - she reminds me in some ways of Lady Dorea. Smart, powerful." The man bowed his head, just knowing he was about to get the boot. "Did the boy live? Please? Tell me!" Elam's cousin demanded. "And the young witches? Please tell me they're alright?"

"Of course he lived or you would be without magic and without a House." Gilford sneered. "You're on probation. You should have come forward before this."

"I didn't want to lose my position for being an idiot," The simple man confessed.

Lord Sirius looked him up and down. "Elam is dead and we now know why. If you had been a knowing accomplice to this crime, you'd be dead too. Like Gilford stated, you'll be watched. Oh, and penalized. No performance dividend this year. I won't have anyone profiting from the family who acted as you have."

"That's more than fair, my lord. If I can ask, can you please let Lady Hermione and Lady Arista have that gold? 'Sonly fair. They're still in school and likely want some extries. And I'll be sayin' sorry to Lord Harry too." The chastened man added.

"You get with Senescal Lupin when he's back to track down the missing portals. The last thing we want is them getting into enemy hands. Dismissed!" Sirius then turned to the manager who was looking green. "This isn't your fault, but mine. I should have suspected something when we had a mismatched pair taken out. Someone was testing to see if they were monitored."

"Likely Elam himself. Well, he's been punished far worse than we could do. Losing his magic? At his age? It killed him." Manager Gilford concluded and Sirius didn't disagree.

~~ODDL~~

Wednesday, November 2nd

Hermione had been allowed to attend school that day. Finally! Sally-Anne pouted a bit but didn't try to stay home. At least she got to attend dance class.

Harry and Hermione talked on the mirrors every day. Fred and George were ecstatic that Peeves was back at Hogwarts. They wanted Hermione to meet him.

Harry shuddered. He had let the poltergeist stay as a favor to Tonks! What had he unleashed?

"So then Matt decided that since you weren't there, he'd so graciously offer to be my potion's partner. He didn't take no for an answer. I lost my temper. I shouted that I didn't want to take the chance of catching whatever brain disease he suffered from nor did I want my grades to suffer. I got a point but Professor Prince sent Matt to the school counselor. 'A woman's no means no.' Everyone laughed and the professor later winked at me. He then gave me a 'citizenship project' to do that gave a negative three points."

"It must be nice, being teacher's pet like that." Harry laughed. "I'll have Sculls follow you around at school in case he tries something."

"I can take care of myself!" Hermione huffed.

"Yes, indeed, my lady." Harry shared.

Harry heard Moody come into his office. The 'cell' Harry was in was now a nice room just off said office. The lumpy but comfortable cot had been replaced by a huge four-poster bed, in Slytherin colors, Hermione noted. Well, Alastor had gone to Hogwarts and worn the green and silver trim.

"I'd better go. Ian will be getting home and I'm supposed to be there or here. Talk to you soon, my Hermione."

"Take care, Harry. And stay out of trouble!" Hermione waved off.

Moody had been summoned to the Minister's office to share memories and answer questions. He testified what happened with Harry. Their relationship had always been good; now it was a bit deeper. Nothing like fighting dork lards together to seal their bond.

"The Queen's Magician is going to be in charge of justice, which is good for us. Her Majesty is somethin' else; that woman loves ya, Potter. Be sure of that. The trials are going to start tomorrow. If all goes to plan, I'll get to present all of our evidence. Barty Jr is going to be revived long enough to get a trial. Then guess who's up?"

"Me? Why do I have to go first?" Harry worried.

"If they dare try anything, we're going to get everyone out and that will be the end of Houses Potter, Black, Longbottom, and Bones in Britain. Guaranteed." Mad-eye stated firmly.

Harry nodded. He went back to his letter that was interrupted with Hermione's mirror call; he wanted a few professional portraits made: his parents, his grandparents (the ones they had had been damaged and glitched now and then). And of course, he needed a portrait of Skippy for his workshop.

No one would dare ever break any more of his creations with that portrait around!

~~ODDL~~

Thursday, November 3rd, Ministry of Magic, Courtroom Ten

The Queen's Magician, who was supposed to be at the fight but had appeared in the wrong place, was put in charge of the trials.

Daniel Harrington, known to those in Salem as Dan Black, was wearing a glamour bracelet he wore when in public. Known only as "Captain 'H'" for these proceedings, he was seated with his troops in one section of the expanded docket on the Wizengamot floor.

Harry, accompanied by the real Alastor Moody, was seated next to the troops' commander. Dan put his hand on the lad's shoulder for a moment. Unlike what happened with the Dumbledores, there was no chance of this staying private. Too many marked death eaters had died. People like Edmund Parkinson.

The last thing the government wanted was a huge push against the Light as a result.

Lord Black, only a tiny bit late, made his entrance in his House robes. Harry stood and bowed. Sirius bowed back then gave his godson a reassuring wink.

The assembly was called to order. The gallery was warned to be quiet or be evicted. Aurors were out in force. Unbeknownst to most, wards blocking spell-casting had been raised to protect the innocent.

"I have a military report from Aurors Ian MacMurray and Master Auror Moody regarding what happened at Hogwarts on Monday. Death Eaters somehow managed to infiltrate Hogwarts as early as last Saturday. House-elves were sent to request help and all students were secretly evacuated to the Irish Ministry of Magic. This happened Monday afternoon, just as death eaters started the darkest of magical rites inside our most honored school. But allies had already been assembled to prevent anyone being hurt."

There was a polite smattering of applause. At the Magician's glare, it stopped.

"Marked death eaters had kidnapped Harry Potter, his betrothed Hermione Black, and her sister Arista Black. They did this through an agent, Pansy Parkinson. Her trial will be part of these proceedings as her stated goal was causing the death of at least one of the witches in order to take over her position." The report made it sound like it was Hermione as the target, but that wasn't true. A slight miscommunication. Harry hadn't heard this before. He looked at Lord Black who merely solemnly nodded. Headmaster Malfoy wasn't there, but Narcissa normally voted the Malfoy seat. Harry looked at her and she too gave him a small frown. So it was true. Not good.

"Their blood was stolen for not just one but two dark rituals. The memories of which will not be shared, as the details are now classified. These young people could have been killed. Their lives were in danger.

"Harry Potter was kidnapped, his blood stolen, and was bound at the feet of death eaters. He overcame adversity and wielded wand and sword to defend family and friends.

"Before we render judgment, we will request three Lords or Ladies of the Wizengamot if they would like to challenge an innocent vote."

Cygnus Greengrass stood, "As everyone knows, the Potter family has been in the potions business with House Greengrass since an aging Fleamont Potter no longer wanted to brew. The Potters are an honorable lot. I just want to ask Harry one question. I know that you can remove the dark mark. Why didn't you remove it from everyone? There were marked people who died in Azkaban."

If they had not prearranged this question, Harry would have been angry. This way, when his ability came out, they didn't have to worry about backlash. Better to get all of the nastiness out in the open now. Clear the air, so to speak, so he could possibly live here in peace one day.

"We have been advertising in multiple newspapers in multiple countries. There are other healers who used different techniques than I did. There were an estimated hundred marked followers when I started my program. Other than Azkaban, all of whom were offered and refused the ritual, there were something less than thirty left marked followers left.

"It was requested that I remove the dark marks from the prisoners at Azkaban, and I was willing to try. Alastor Moody was there during the incident when I accidentally removed a dark mark from someone who wanted to keep it. The result were not pretty." Harry turned away, brushing tears that were forming. He didn't like that he'd killed that way. "The marked wizard died. I didn't do it on purpose. You have to want to have the dark mark removed. Those that died had their magical essence drained when the dark one was trying to be revived.

"Am I sorry they died? Of course! I would rather have them truly want to be unmarked. But other than the subjects of the ritual, I did not cast any harmful spells or kill anyone else with the sword."

The Magician cleared his throat, "And how did you come to have a sword if you were kidnapped?"

"Fawkes, that's my friend who's a phoenix. He brought a sword to me. I'm told that I'm one of Gryffindor's heirs. I'm sure there's many people here who can claim such." The lad shrugged, like such things happened all the time.

One of Dumbledore's old cronies, who had never been under his thrall, stood, "Wait. What nonsense is this? Are you truly claiming Fawkes, Albus Dumbledore's phoenix, brought you the Sword of Gryffindor?"

Fawkes, hearing Harry's silent plea, flamed in. Someone had fashioned a scabbard for the sword. Harry had no idea that Professor McGonagal had done so. The sword was hanging in her office. Well, it had been.

Harry stood, carefully taking the sword and handing it over to Mad-eye. He then held his arm out but Fawkes landed on Harry's shoulders and played with his hair.. Moody took a few steps to be in the open and unsheathed the blade. Everyone there could clearly see the name 'Godric Gryffindor' engraved there.

The audience was totally silent for a moment before it broke into mad cheering and applause. The Royal Magician let them get it out of their systems. This world needed a hero.

The Royal Magician then pointed. The sword was given back to the eternal bird. With a song and in a burst of fire, Fawkes was gone and Harry took his seat as did Moody. As proof, it was rather incontrovertible.

"Any other objections? No?" The stern gaze swept the room. Most of the people willing to vote against Harry on principle weren't there as they were busy. Being dead.

"It is the ruling from the queen that Harry James Potter did act in such a way as to not only defend himself, he defended the Realm. The Queen has declared that he will be known as the Duke of Powis. A line that has been extinct in Wales for some time. It has been restored in this young mage."

"We will now discuss Her Majesty's aurors and magical troops."

~~ODDL~~

To no one's great surprise, no one from Dan's troop was convicted of any crimes. Pansy Parkinson was found guilty of line-theft in the kidnap of the three young people from the dance. Since she was only fourteen and had lost her father during this time, it was decided that she would be held back a year and attend counseling. Since many of the students had been controlled at one time, they wanted to make sure this wasn't a side effect of an obsession curse or anything else.

She wasn't allowed a wand until she returned to school next September and would then be under constant magical monitoring until she returned to school and then still while at Hogwarts.

Sirius had designed that for a different purpose but the government was happy to adapt his idea and he got to keep the patent. Lucius had offered to buy a wall map version of the Marauder's Map. Sirius was thinking about it as a Yule gift but wanted to be able to mask true pranksters like the twins.

He'd check with Moony and the twins and Hermione before making any final choices along that line.

Lords Malfoy and Prince along with Healer Greengrass were not mentioned in public. With Naricssa usually voting the Malfoy seat, it wasn't unusual for the wizards to be absent. Their names were on no official report. Removed as if by magic.

All of the unmarked minions that had shown up for the ritual were found guilty of an attempt to overthrow the rightful government. Normally, this meant the death penalty but they were given the choice of life in prison or the Veil. Most chose the latter.

These were not gentle, innocent people. All of them had murdered and worse in the past. Dumbledore's minion, who had sacrificed a pink-painted pinky toe to revive her master, had committed crimes on all continents but Antarctica and that was only because casting the imperius charm to make a penguin dance wasn't technically illegal.

She confessed to being Dumbledore's lover, but Harry thought it was more likely she was Gellert's flame. Harry tried not to think about it too much.

Selwyn, Parkinson, Yaxley, and many other families lost their lord. And for the moment, it looked like people accepted the outcome. Only time would tell if Harry had yet more serious enemies to face, but Sabrina willingly checked and saw nothing more than a few school rivalries in his future.

~~ODDL~~

Balmoral Castle, Scotland

Queen Elizabeth the Second made Dan and Harry both knights. Harry tried to point out that he was already both a duke and a lord. It didn't stop the woman. He then reminded Her Majesty that she had given him a nice castle. She reminded him that that gift was for taking out Dumbledore and rescuing HER people of the United Kingdom. And just like Hermione, she didn't understand the word 'no'.

When the queen found out what Harry and his teenage friends were doing with the gifted castle, she was not only impressed, she requested a visit sometime. And she really meant it.

Harry, pulling out his inner marauder at the best time, asked the queen for a favor. When he explained he'd been kidnapped from school, he requested she sign a note excusing him from missing the last few days as he had been detained.

Smiling, she happily did. Then she needed to see the next group.

They both bowed, but Dan was shaking his head in the corridor, "Only you, Harry. Only you."

~~ODDL~~

Harry had questions of certain now fully dead dark lords and had Juniper bring the resurrection stone back to the ritual circle. Byron Ambrose was there to do a cleansing after they were done. Ian and Alastor helped create a list of questions to ask.

It was time.

At first, the images summoned were partially melded before they became two distinct, separate entities. Both appeared to be in pain.

"What is going on? What happened to our horcrux? I can't be dead!" Gellert Grindelwald claimed.

"Albus here didn't provide the ingredients to bring you back. Sharing a horcrux? That's just creepy. I thought that Dumbledore didn't believe in killing." Harry asked.

"I don't. I should be alive! I remember being…but then there was a goblin war dog…Harry! You look so much like James. He would be so disappointed in you going dark. Acting so proud. What a shame. I tried my best to make and keep you humble." Albus Dumbledore stated.

Ian motioned Harry over to him and started asking the questions they wanted answers to. They tried to hide the truth but the power of the stone, not to mention the Peverell ring, held. They were asked about any way for them or Tom Riddle to be returned.

Gratefully, for the consanguinity of all, the answer was a resounding no, now that all of the horcruxes of these three were gone. Forever gone.

Moody stepped up and looked at Albus, "You've done untold harm the last hundred years. But you know what? Grindelwald is already a nobody. No one to honor or remember. You are headed that way soon. No biographies. Any mention of you is about your teaching at Hogwarts - something many have done over a thousand years."

After confirming they had the necessary information, Harry took over, stronger now, "You and Gellert wanted to rule the world? Return to the Underworld where you belong. Go!"

Ambrose was prepared and did a nice cleansing ritual to banish any lingering spirits. Peeves fled to the highest reaches of the castle. The poltergeist was well aware that Lord Harry had the power to banish him again if he chose and was on a path to make sure that he stayed welcome at Hogwarts.

There was nothing left at Hogwarts of Gellert's or Albus'. The portrait of the evil man was put to sleep and locked in its frame by Harry's request of the castle. Hogwarts agreed it was best.

If rumors got out that Dumbledore appeared, for a minute, no one paid them any heed. His father's and grandfather's bodies were banished from Godric's Hollow just as a final precaution. Aberforth had already been adopted into one of the local Hogsmeade clans and didn't claim to be of House Dumbledore. The minor House was declared extinct. The gravesite in Godric's Hollow, next to his mother and sister, looked undisturbed. The minions had apparently done a good job of grave robbing. So creepy.

Dan and Harry went by the Potters' graves and laid a wreath there. Harry brushed away tears before heading to Hogwarts, as Dan gave a farewell salute; The last thing Dan did before going home was heading to Gringotts.

If Sally-Anne wanted a betrothal, then she'd get one. But that Draco boy had best mind his manners. He plotted the perfect letter to warn the lad. Hehehe.

~~ODDL~~

Harry had asked for and got permission to return to Hogwarts. The students would be coming back at the weekend. Most of the teachers had gone with them along with quickly recruited help from wives whose husbands were part of the fighting troops.

Before heading home, Harry really wanted to visit Ruffles for a minute and let her get a treat. He couldn't feed Skippy the same and was really sad about it. Ruffles wasn't particular about what she ate. There was a small group of spiders that had escaped the first cleanup so the pair got that little chore out of the way before taking her back.

"You're the best girl, Ruffles. I love you." Harry shared. He had never told Skippy that. He knew that targs were very smart and if he got offended he might not have reacted well.

While there, he asked for and got some venom. He'd leave in some for Professor Snape but the majority was coming home for Professor Prince. Harry still had four years of school and really did like his private lessons.

For all of the rest of his life, Harry visited the basilisk from time to time, waking it from its odd stasis, making sure that it knew its real purpose of protecting the castle from pitchfork-wielding peasants bent on burning them out...Or the moral equivalent. Ruffles was not there to hurt any students and was reminded of that.

He'd collect a few vials of basilisk venom. Who knew it was used for healing of all things?

Later, when Harry was working as Headmaster of Hogwarts, Hermione caught him petting the basilisk. Ruffles' eyes were closed, fortunately. Harry spent a cold night in the Chamber. But that was in the future.

Oh, and his lady wouldn't let him name any future animals anything. Apparently, he had terrible taste in pet names.

What was wrong with Ruffles? She was a basilisk! She had that beautiful scaly ridge down her back? Harry thought it was a good name.

~~ODDL~~

Still Thursday, November 4th

Leaving Britain close to eleven that night got them back as the family was getting ready for dinner.

Both Remus and Sirius had hugged Harry closely when returning home. Everyone was happy to find him in good health if a little shell-shocked. He'd gone from the trial to a visit with first the queen then his basilisk and now he was back.

Hermione may have waited to allow all of the adults a turn first but it was Harry who pulled her into a warm hug. Their chaste kiss may have caused delight for some but it was Hermione's eyes that had Harry know he had not misstepped there.

The actual truth of what happened might have been slow to roll out, but Sirius called for a House meeting in the Community Hall the Saturday to clear the air and discuss issues.

The family dinner had Hermione nearly in Harry's lap while everyone else kept touching him as if to reassure themselves he was really okay. Really home.

Really safe.

~~ODDL~~

Friday, Nov 4th, SAM

Lord Potter had gotten used to Britain time and woke very early. Principal Franklin had left a message with the family for him to come by his office as soon he was available. Harry knew the principal always came in well before his staff. Leaving a message for the family, and telling Sculls, Harry started to fly to school.

His personal bodyguard had other ideas and popped him.

"Harry! How are you? The press is going crazy! Only the fact that you're a minor is keeping your name out of the paper here. What happened? Or maybe you can't tell me. I'm so very happy that you're alive, unhurt and all that."

Harry smiled in gratitude, "I have a new set of studies to pursue at MIT&T. Ritual magic. It has been used several times. To cleanse, to bless. Powerful magic in a group."

"You helped at Hogwarts? If the details are not classified, I would love to see your memories. I can grant you citizenship points for your application to MIT&T. Now, I asked you here for a different purpose.

"Some people will only care for you as a hero. I remember you from day one looking for Sanctuary. I may not have protected you perfectly, but I did try. And I didn't do it because of your title or heritage or any other nebulous things.

"I did it because I would do so for anyone who came to our doors, seeking shelter. If you had managed to escape Britain with only the clothes on your back, I would have made sure you were provided for, Harry. You gained support, but I saw you when you needed help most. You are cherished, young man."

Harry nodded, unable to speak for a moment. He took the opportunity to hand over the 'excused absence' note that Her Majesty signed.

The principal began to set it aside, but then saw the signature. He picked it up, cast at it, and went slack-jawed. This was real.

"I don't believe that I will be filing the original of this note. I think I want to have it framed instead. No one will ever be able to match this. Thank you, Harry."

The principal then stood and went around his desk, "I realize that it wasn't my fault or Sally-Anne's or even Draco Malfoy's. But I am sorry that in allowing a foreign student access to our school, I wasn't more careful. You could have been killed. Your friends too.

"I've tasked Flying Hawk and the other security people to look for such security holes. And plug them."

Harry shook his head, "We knew there was a ritual being planned…we were a bit naive thinking that we'd be safe at school until I was needed on Halloween. But the kidnapping was motivated by jealousy. Pansy Parkinson wanted to get rid of Lady Arista, of all things. If she puts one painted toe out of line again, she won't just have Headmaster Malfoy after her. The whole family will be involved.

"I hold no hard feelings towards you. I really appreciate what you said. If I didn't have Remus; if I could have left the Dursleys and come here? That would have been amazing. Thank you." Harry offered his hand but the principal pulled him in for a brief if sincere hug.

~~ODDL~~

The Potter lord had thought Principal Franklin only wanted to make sure he hadn't skipped school for no reason. With that task complete, he asked Sculls to pop him home. He wasn't even late for breakfast yet.

Within minutes, the principal had a new fruit bowl on his desk at Salem. It was a very nicely glazed pottery bowl. Powerful runes. The boy should be able to get O's in all of his OWLs and NEWTs for practical magic.

This boy may be one of America's youngest multimillionaires, not that Gringotts published anything, but everytime Harry had been in danger, one of his godparents had given generously to the school.

It really wasn't his fault. The two fights Harry had been in at school, he had done no permanent damage and the memories showed the other boys –unwise older boys– as the aggressors. He disabled them, and put them down. No healing needed.

One of the aggressors had been in defense of the Billingsley chit, not getting invited to go sledding. Honestly? Harry was able to prove that she had been invited, and the girl admitted it too. The school would be so much better with her graduated and gone, not that he said so aloud.

He looked at the clippings that Lucille had been making. She was keeping a scrapbook for him for Harry's time at Salem. Child of prophecy or not, he was a good kid. James toasted him with his hot chocolate and reviewed the linked planner on his desk to prepare for his day.

~~ODDL~~

Saturday, November 6th, Hogwarts

Draco had been sick, hearing that his lady had been kidnapped and by Pansy no less! It was a good thing she had been removed from school for the year or Draco might have gotten into trouble himself.

"Son, I fought with Arista's father the other day. I…" Lucius had never felt such fear. The man had wielded a staff that belched deadly projectiles and the spells flew soundlessly. He had nearly lost control of himself watching that and was grateful the Adept knew that Lucius was an ally. "Just…be careful. Do nothing to anger him. He is indeed powerful as we have been told and is part of the Queen's military. He commands wizards for battle. Understood?"

"Yes father. I will tread carefully." Draco affirmed, even while paling at the confirmation of the father's power. He planned to talk to Arista on the mirror the next day but had written to her every day from Ireland.

The adults had turned the necessity of evacuating the castle into a cultural trip that included some ancient Celtic magical sites and participating in a wedding blessing for a young couple.

Arista and Draco both were sad to have lost the chance to dance and be together but neither one was angry at the other. All was well.

~~ODDL~~

Same day, Community Hall

Lord Block shared the events of the last week, mentioning nothing from years past. Nor did he mention Lord James and Lady Lily actually doing any of the fighting on All Hallow's Eve.

The ones who had killed Lord and Lady Potter were now truly and completely dead; Lord Harry had been at the center of it.

Clearly, there was more going on but no one pressed Lord Sirius nor the Arglwydd for details. Harry's family was going to be demanding answers about why Lily and James, not to mention the targ, had shown up. Harry wasn't sure he wanted to talk about it. Not yet.

He refused a celebration feast at this time. Instead he spent most of the day in the pottery workshop. He wanted to try new magic in his craft and cleanse his soul of the destruction of the last few days.

Hermione, aware that her beau was depressed, just tried to give him quiet support, companionship, and gentle touches.

Without her sweet kisses goodnight, Harry would have had very dark nightmares indeed. He needed her.

~~ODDL~~

Spurnik was based in London. Harry knew that. He had received a flyer from his goblin account manager reminding him that they offered healing services. For a reasonable fee.

The Potter account manager was sure that their healers were better than the American ones. Harry didn't want to insult anyone and decided to give it a try. He prepared snacks and went to find a guardian.

Eenie-meenie-minie-moe. He knew Remus was busy so asked Sirius to go with him back to London.

Harry was still struggling with guilt on and off. Though he did see a goblin mind healer to see if they could help him since his counselor at Mount Sinai couldn't.

"Oh? You had to kill someone. Tell me the circumstances?" The goblin demanded.

Harry was prepared with a copy of some memories so he wouldn't have to watch it yet again. He also supplied comestibles.

"What are these? Ooh, crunchy." He asked, getting a bag of warm fresh peanuts to eat while watching the broadcasted memory.

Harry forgot to tell him how to shell them, so the goblin ate them whole. Oh well.

"Wait. First you were prophesied to kill someone, but couldn't use a wand or sword? Difficult! Very difficult! And you used Slytherin's basilisk? Brilliant! Then you used the Sword of Gryffindor on this upstart dark lord that made abominations? Your targ was very good, I'm sorry for your loss there. Oh, but you killed a different dark lord. Wonderful! Does Spurnik know about this?! We need to arrange a feast! No wonder you are depressed. You killed not one but two terrifying Dark Lords, before and then did it again. And how old are you again? No one is singing songs, or toasting you. I sympathize, young mage, and will help to rectify this situation immediately!"

"But that's not…I mean, I paid gold to…"

"Yes, yes. You paid me gold, and I will solve this. No thanks needed, Lord Potter. All part of the Gringotts healing experience. Now, do try to keep this between us until the feast? See you next week."

"NO! This isn't what I want in the least…" The so-called healer was gone.

Where was Skippy when he needed him? Harry missed that targ.

Why had he bought two sessions? Oh yeah, Spurnik pointed out how they were cheaper. How many people used the second visit? Ever?

This was not better than Salem had been!

Harry waited until he got home and sent Spurnik a strongly worded letter that he did not want nor need a goblin 'feast' with boasting, belching or any other goblin-normal games that was supposed to make Harry feel better! Thank you anyway!

Hermione came upon him sending Sculls with the missive and included one of the 'prank' casseroles that he'd made for the twins.

"So, I'm guessing it didn't go so well?" Hermione asked. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Actually, I am feeling better after sending this prank. Wanna go get ice cream and discuss some pranking ideas I just had?" Harry asked.

"Certainly. Biking, flying, riding, or popping?" Hermione asked.

"Let's take Buckbeak. I've missed him." Harry suggested and arm in arm, went to find the hippogriff.

~~ODDL~~

ODD (Order Defying Dumbledore) and ODDL - Order Defying Dark Lords

A/N: Story recommended by our friend csheila. Harry Potter and Knight of the Radiant Heart by Raven3182 (an aged knight is called into the world after the Department of Mysteries battle: a story with a twist). See 9203082/

A/N: Your story recommendation here -

~~ODDL~~

ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts

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

Copyright: The original books are all owned by JK Rowling and her associates. This piece is the intellectual property of the writer VashonBeader and her beta LtsHrIt4ThBoyz and is not to be used or sold elsewhere under any other name.