Harry Potter and the Unlocked Runic Potential

~~ooOOoo~~

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

Thanks to Alix33 for her input as well.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JKRowling. We are only playing in the sandbox.

~~ooOOoo~~

Welcome to the Fireside.

~~ooOOoo~~

Chapter Seven - Chains to Protect (Not Enslave)

~~ooOOoo~~

Sirius spent the day with Marissa for her day off. They did nothing spectacular; just spent time researching for a project she was working on.

Being an enchanter gave him insights that she appreciated and his insights contributed to their discussions.

They did nothing that she would consider the elite would do: He bought take out from a local street vendor in Cairo rather than take her to another fancy restaurant. The Circasian chicken in walnut sauce had been nice but she'd just rather have Aish Baladi, the local flatbread, with some falafel. No need to dress up for the sake of being seen, even had she been less 'concentrated'. Harry's description still tickled her.

The comfortable sofas in Bill's library allowed them to curl up and read books together. She felt a quiet peace when with Sirius: something she had never had before.

And at the end of the night, he kissed her hand, and made his way back to the healing halls. The lothario was completely gone and in his place was a studious and serious…um…contemplative wizard. Though the shadows of the prison would still appear from time to time.

His eyes were definitely less haunted than when they had first met (since Hogwarts) but she could see he still had more treatment to go.

What she didn't know was that being with her was a type of anti-dementor treatment, all on its own.

~~ooOOoo~~

What a great dream! Harry dreamt about his dad telling him stories of the past and how if he wanted to plan pranks, to make sure they were safe and funny. The lad quickly wrote another letter to his godfather. He told Sirius that the Weasley twins had the map and asked what he thought about sharing the cloak with them.

'My feelings are too big to talk on the mirror right now. I just want to know that you're still safe and happy and everything.

'I got to meet my dad. I got to meet my dad. And you.'

Harry decided not to talk about Wormtail just now. Too painful.

He cast a tempus charm and was relieved it was just past noon. He had time to get ready for the day and was excited about helping with Patronus lessons for the adults.

Hogwarts had always been home to him. Now, he was finally starting to feel a real sense of family and community here with new friends and getting to know some of the magical adults he should have known growing up.

~~ooOOoo~~

Earlier in the week, Ron's hair became the topic of discussion. He felt it was getting ridiculously long and kept pushing it out of his eyes. Susan had teased him, saying that it was his magic making it grow so fast. He'd asked Hannah to work with him for their herbology project, and mumbled about getting a haircut.

Hannah protested, "I like it this way. Maybe grow the front a bit longer and use ties like the knights used to do."

Hermione started to add her opinion of boys with long hair, then looked at Harry. Maybe his would be more manageable if it were a bit longer. Hmm. She smiled at her beau warmly, returning to their work.

Confused, Harry and Ron shared a look. They were both thinking the same thing but neither said anything aloud until they were safely back in their dorm room.

Witches were wei…different.

After sending an eager Hedwig to the Burrow giving Mrs W not only an invite to address said hair but come help during patronus lessons, she accepted with alacrity. She was happy to teach her son's study group about hair cutting charms and did so in the great hall before lunch. She then stayed to tutor at the planned community class.

When helping Professor Lupin, she cast her patronus just as the headmaster came through the doors.

The man murmured, "How peculiar! If I had a sickle for every time I've seen a patronus with a fedora, well I guess I would have two sickles. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice."

Feeling unwelcome and unwanted, the elderly wizard slunk away. In the background, Mrs Weasley was getting kudos for her patronus working against the demon creatures inside the castle.

~~ooOOoo~~

Hermione and Harry were taking a break from the patronus lessons. Harry had gotten some sample bars of Honeydukes and was feeding his blindfolded girlfriend different ones to see if she could guess.

The elves had provided a variety of beverages to clear the palete and the magical adults were keeping their distance. That didn't mean they didn't enjoy seeing their boy hero interacting with his lady.

"Oh, that one was really nice. Toffee chips and dried berries or perhaps raisins?" Hermione peeked, nearly fainted, and began to gag. Cockroach clusters? NO!

"Relax Hermione. Here, drink this," Handing her a ready mug. "I really double-checked. The clusters are made with dates, toffee and chocolate and formed into those shapes. It's like a prank candy. Guaranteed, cockroach free."

Recovering quickly, she responded, "But very tasty. What did you think of the Orange Burst?" Hermione asked, taking up another bit of that. Nothing off-putting with that name! And the lovely orange shape was nothing like any insect.

They were interrupted by Professor Lupin coming over. Harry waved him to a seat while handing him a plain bar for eating and invited him to sample some of the specialty chocolates to nibble.

"I wanted to give you a heads-up, Harry. Someone tried to interfere with the broom delivery." Remus' hand went to his chin and made a long stroking motion. "It's gotten sorted out. Professors Black and McGonagall will be handling it."

Hermione's eyes went wide at his words; not for the content but for the low growl he didn't seem to realize he was making.

"At least we have them before games start. Thank you." Harry gave him a nod that was like a seated bow. Oh so grown up.

If she didn't fancy him already, she would have fallen for him again with his current work ethic and manners.

"What about you, Miss Granger? Are you interested in flying?" Professor Lupin inquired, snatching one of the cockroaches before it fell on the floor.

"Hermione, please sir; at least when we're not in the classroom. I didn't have the best first flying class. Neville's broom went all wonky and crashed, at speed mind you, into a castle wall. Then Draco…well, let's just say I was glad to get qualified and not have to take more lessons."

"Wait, you're not still taking flying lessons? We had them through fifth year when I was in school. It was a mandatory class and an OWL at an A was required for your license. Thank you for letting me know, Hermione," Remus jotted a note with a fancy but clearly mundane fountain pen. "You may call me Remus or Moony when it's just us."

Harry smiled at her and squeezed the hand he was holding. Everyone had needed a breather, some chocolate, and some were taking the pepper-ups that Professor Black had brought down to the Great Hall.

The visitors who had children in the castle were sitting and chatting with them. Why couldn't they have family days? Why couldn't Hermione bring her parents to visit? They hadn't even been contacted by the school when she was petrified! If Harry hadn't sent Hedwig, they would have never known what was going on.

"Well, the announcement tonight at dinner will certainly shake things up. Once more into the breach?" Remus asked, standing, offering his hands to help the young people gain their feet.

Hermione could feel his strength and his smile at her warmed her deeply. Here was Harry's true uncle of the heart and he was making time to get to know her as a person just because she was in Harry's life.

She thought she could power two patronuses from her feelings, as they went back to the community class.

~~ooOOoo~~

Fred and George tried something new; copying Harry and Hermione's stance of intertwined arms, they cast the patronus together. Two oceanic mammals appeared and at first, no one could tell who had cast which.

Harry could tell though. Fred had a dolphin form and George, an orca.

Hermione was getting close to getting her own fully-formed lioness, he just knew it.

And being near Hermione, and the desire to protect her from these monsters, gave him another thought about how to get his protective amulet to work.

~~ooOOoo~~

Harry could tell that Moony needed a nap more than sharing more stories and encouraged him to get some rest after just one cup of tea. He wanted to surprise Padfoot by calling him together but decided to ask first, just in case. And now was not the time.

Here was a wizard going above and beyond to help keep students and adults safe. Harry was so glad the defense curse was gone as he wanted this honorary uncle to have a safe place to live and share his talents, for as long as he wanted to stay.

~~ooOOoo~~

Narcissa Black didn't openly stare daggers at the headmaster but wondered what he was playing at.

Professor McGonagall was again at the podium during dessert and announcing the arrival of a great gift to Hogwarts. And Regent Black, along with several house-elves, were displaying these gifts as they were announced.

Hermione whispered, "And look, next. You've won a new car!"

The muggleborn and raised around them giggled but the rune Harry raised quickly meant that they didn't disturb others. Whew!

House Black had given Hogwarts a set of classroom learning brooms. House Black had given not just Gryffindor two new sets of complete team brooms, but had given Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin two sets of new brooms as well so that all Houses had the same brooms. They were not gifted to individuals but to the positions.

Two full teams per house meant they could have a senior and junior team and more quidditch matches could be played. More people could participate.

The House had also provided six new sets of quidditch equipment - one for each House and two for Madam Hooch for games. They were in protective trunks that were warded against tampering.

Dobby, if he ever attempted to "save" Harry again by bashing his head in with a bludger, would not be able to open the chest!

Hooch was given a sample of the classroom broom and looked ready to burst into happy tears - and she was a Slytherin!

Minerva was given three new brooms that were international referee brooms. "Our House will hire new referees and ask that Madam Hooch continue as the coach but she should not have to teach and coach and be the only referee in the games."

Instead of being upset, she was glad for the help. Narcissa didn't mention the professional coaches coming from time to time to teach all quidditch players.

The headmaster was fuming enough.

The deputy called for three cheers to House Black and the entire school erupted.

Only Dumbledore sat in his throne looking grumpy and didn't look at the new brooms once.

~~ooOOoo~~

Draco would later get some comments asking why he shared with the other Houses, but he was not going to admit that he was solely Heir Malfoy. He'd made that terrible discovery when he got a letter from the current Lord Black.

His mother had told him the truth growing up. It was one of the first arguments he'd ever heard from his parents. But he wasn't going to counter what his father had told his associates until absolutely necessary.

He didn't know who the current Heir was and his mother wouldn't tell him other than he was someone that Draco had bullied before and he needed to be on his best behavior with everyone.

Having called all of the Weasleys bad names and called Longbottom a squib, Draco had decided it was time to stop all such childishness.

For all he knew, it could be Granger. She was very magical and had French heritage. She could be a hidden Black.

No, it was time to be a young gentleman and work on his schooling. Potter was setting the example there. They hadn't had any negative interactions this year yet at all.

Draco seemed to forget that he had started all of the problems with Harry in the past.

And Harry knew very well that Draco was now under orders to be nice. Well, nicer. He had no intention of causing strife with Draco, his mother, or really, anyone. He didn't want to disappoint Bill by doing something wrong and earning a detention.

Or worse, giving the headmaster a real excuse to drag him to his office.

~~ooOOoo~~

Fudge threw down the newspaper in disgust. Rita hadn't been invited to Hogwarts for dinner last night, but Barnabus was.

And the owner of the newspaper had started as a reporter. The pictures, the story: Everything was perfect.

And while it was House Black that the students, and public in general, were grateful to, no one but a few knew the first name of Lord Black.

But Fudge knew. Lord Black had told him himself in a letter delivered by a phoenix.

Who, besides Albus, sent letters via a Phoenix?

'I find it fascinating that I was escorted from the prison by the head of the DMLE herself, given a paper that is an official exoneration of any and all crimes, and offered a portkey to a healing facility of my choice that she arranged to pay for.

'All while the rest of Britain thinks I am an escaped criminal.'

'I will never return to Britain while dementors hunt me. You put honest citizens at risk in general, and worse, put children at risk having those monsters around the school.

'I don't know who is pulling your strings but you need to know this, Mr Fudge: The minute one student gets hurt, you're going to be out of office. You can only prevent this truth from coming out temporarily. The fact that I am innocent can be quashed for only a time. It's been published in France, in Germany, and is going to be reviewed in the ICW next session.

'I invite you to come and explain how all this happened. You don't have immunity from crimes committed before you became Minister, you don't have immunity for crimes committed as Minister.

'You are the criminal. Not me.'

'Sirius Orion,
'Lord Black.'

Lucius wasn't paying him nearly enough for the risks he took. Picking up a quill, Fudge had a letter to write.

~~ooOOoo~~

Neville grabbed Harry's wrist just as he was about to make a painful mistake. "You need to wear your gloves! These guys hide their teeth under their leaves, you see?" Neville lifted a leaf, using a thin tool and pointing to the collection of tiny, sharp tines clustered there.

"Thanks, Nev. That would not have been fun." Harry donned his new dragonhide gloves quickly. Pepper had let him borrow back his old ones until these arrived. Which was kind of him. But they didn't protect him if he didn't actually use them. He'd been distracted all morning.

Padfoot's trial in the ICW was being blocked and delayed at every turn. Why would his godfather deliberately be goading Fudge like that?

If he had a plan, it wasn't one he'd shared. And Harry was going to get hurt if he didn't watch himself.

Harry observed Neville demonstrate the perfect technique and copied him as closely as he could. He nearly tumbled off the stool when Professor Sprout gave them a few points for their efforts.

"Something is really bothering you, Harry. Wanna talk about it?" Neville offered in a whisper.

Harry nodded, "But not here. Later."

Neville's pureblood nod was belied by his advice, "Then keep your head in the game, boyo, or you'll lose more than fingers next time!"

Harry grinned and tried to focus; Nev's warning was very real after all.

And he was clearly learning in Muggle Studies.

~~ooOOoo~~

Evading Ron for the moment, Harry took Neville and Hermione on a walk after classes were over. He would like to have gone around the lake but with the unwanted guests too close by, they stayed inside and wandered empty seventh floor corridors. "I would like to have included Ron, but sometimes when he gets mad, he says things he later regrets. I trust you two with my life."

Neville looked at Hermione. Harry hadn't even told her yet? Wow!

"I've been in contact with my godfather. He is not a criminal, convicted or otherwise. Nor a death eater. He never had a trial. And worse, he was escorted out of prison but now the Ministry is acting like he escaped and has a Kiss on Sight order against him. Which should be illegal." Harry's tone showed clearly just how agitated he was.

"What? That's, that's…he was put into prison without a trial? Just like Hagrid? Oh dear!" Hermione hugged her beau. Sometimes, the wizarding world could just be so cruel.

Neville though was more savvy. "Someone wants him dead, don't they? Someone is using dementors as a weapon of terror; holding you hostage, so he gives himself up."

Harry and Hermione gasped together. The young heir gripped the wall to keep from falling. "NO! He can't do that! I can't lose him! Not when I've just found him!"

In a soft voice Hermione added, "I believe you're right, Neville!"

Neville was surprisingly strong and held Harry for a moment, "Regent Black lives here, Harry. We need to get to her immediately," Neville realized he'd been a bit pushy there, "or if you prefer, you could go alone," he added diffidently.

Hermione was shocked, "But doesn't that make Draco the one in danger? I mean, he's acting better, and all, but isn't he the Black heir? Shouldn't she be the responsible adult here, protecting him?"

All three suddenly had the thought that perhaps Draco being in danger was the reason she was there.

Harry, knowing he had to tell Hermione sooner rather than later or she'd never forgive him, made the Black ring visible. "Draco knows he's not the heir. Lord Black sent letters to all of the potential heirs letting them know they were good people and he was proud they were part of his House. The heir had been chosen and would be announced later."

Neville gasped now too, seeing it, "That's the Heir Primary ring! I knew it wasn't me. After what happened to my parents…I couldn't. I wouldn't accept."

"I couldn't keep a secret like this from you, Hermione. You're my girlfriend! You deserve to know." Harry finished. "And Neville! We should have grown up together. I swear I didn't know! But now that I do, I want to be a better friend to you."

Continuing to Hermione, "Ron, Neville, and I were all about the same age and played together as toddlers. Bill would entertain us when we went over to the Burrow. We should have all grown up as friends. Together."

Neville looked so sad, "Gran would have refused on my behalf, given that Bellatrix tortured my parents. That witch is the main reason they are as good as dead. She attacked our home, getting in because of Jr; Barty Crouch, Junior that is. Bella, her husband, and his brother are in Azkaban, after a fair trial, and they deserve to be there."

Hermione had read and memorized several books before school. "Crouch. Your grandmother was a Crouch. Bellatrix Lestrange was born into the House…Black! She was a Black! Oh, Neville! Family betrayal twice over! The past war was so stupid, brother against brother for the supposed pureblood cause and all they did was spill that blood. I'm so sorry!"

Hermione gave him a sweet hug that Harry joined. Neville turned away, wiping tears forming in his eyes.

Neville really wished he had a place to hide right now. There were no classrooms here, just a tapestry of trolls in ballet costumes.

Hermoine really wished they had a place to hide away for a time, someplace comfortable and away from the loud common room.

Harry really wished they had a quiet place where they could just talk, enjoying a comforting mug of hot chocolate. One couldn't eat or talk in the library. He needed…

A loud click in the corridor made all three whirl around. There, a door opened behind them. There was a fire going in the fireplace, comfortable looking couches, and a low table with hot chocolate and a few treats.

"What just happened?" Neville asked.

Hermione beamed, "The Room of Requirement! I've read about this but wasn't sure if it was real. Come, gentlemen."

When the door closed behind them, the extra wards shut into place. Hogwarts would protect them from intruders for a time, so they could just talk.

And perhaps try and puzzle out why the Ministry allowed Draco to be imperiled: he'd nearly been kissed on the train after all, and why had Sirius had been thrown into prison in the first place.

Harry had already figured that part out - Harry's placement in the muggle world - before even meeting Padfoot but it was interesting watching the other two work it out on their own.

Neville might be shy, but he had a working brain. And knew how to use it just as well as Hermione!

~~ooOOoo~~

Professor Black not only taught potions, she sponsored a club with Professor Slughorn to allow those who wanted to do so, to review potions from any year.

The potions lab now had the best of equipment including protective aprons, eyewear, and the best burners on the market.

"Mr Potter? Can you stay after please?" The professor requested.

Hermione shot him a glance, Neville and Ron wavering at the door. He waved them on, "I'll meet you later."

"Library then. Thank you, Professor Black, for the excellent lesson."

Narcissa nodded her head before turning to Harry, "She's not the only one who says that every time. Was Severus so bad?"

"If you'd like a few memories, I can share. I much prefer your classroom environment, ma'am."

"I accept." The witch pulled out a couple of small vials and Harry extracted the memories. He was much better at it now.

"How can I help you? And am I talking to my potions teacher, Regent Black, or Draco's mum?"

"House business, I'm afraid. Mr Potter…"

"Harry, we're family, ma'am."

"Yes, Harry. Your godfather is up to something and I don't know what. I've already warned Draco. I would prefer you not go to Hogsmeade this coming weekend."

"Is Draco staying?"

"Yes."

It would be much easier for her son to pretend to be well off without going and not spending any gold.

Lucius was cruel to cut off her stipend, their son's allowance, and take so much from Draco's vault.

Carefully managed, what was left would be enough to last for his time at school. But Sirius wasn't willing to give Draco a stipend from House Black until he pledged allegiance to him as Lord Black, vowed to leave the heir alone; if he couldn't support the current Heir Black, and made a vow to never provide aid or succor to the Dark Lord. And by no means would he be marked.

That last vow was one that Narcissa suggested. The thoughts which betrayed Lucius were beyond evil.

It was the latter that was causing issues and Narcissa wasn't supposed to share her own stipend with Draco until he made the same vows she took. It was fair but frustrating. Draco had been brainwashed into thinking serving the Dark Lord was the way to glory, honor and yet more gold for the House. Instead, that monster had brought ignominy, disgrace and death along with penury. So much wealth forever gone. She had access to the ledgers if not the gold itself and could prove what Draco felt was wrong in so many ways.

She was very concerned for the safety of both young wizards in the House of Black.

"But all the work on the carriages and the porticos that were expanded in the village, the wards on the shops…" Harry cut himself off. He wanted to complain further about how unfair it was, but realized he was coming off as a whingy brat.

But this witch was not Petunia who was unfair on purpose just for the delight of it. Narcissa was scared and it was showing through the cracks in her pureblood mask.

Harry mentally donned the House Black robes he never intended to wear in public, unconsciously straightening them and himself. "I can see your well-made point, dear Regent. You are trying to keep me safe and following your logical and caring advice would probably be best. My grandmother was a Black. I might act as a dementor magnet and put others in danger."

Watching him adjust to the situation was a revelation. Draco would still be throwing a tantrum if he had gold to spare. This young mage deserved to wear the heir ring.

Giving him the curtsey he had so rightfully just earned from her, she replied solemnly, "Thank you for being wise beyond your years."

She then realized he was still very young, just barely a teenager and offered, "If there are treats you want, I can arrange for them to be delivered to you. Not as fun as going yourself, I know."

"That's actually a wonderful thought. Do you know if they have catalogs available? I have an idea." The child grinned impishly.

Harry's pureblood mask was still new and had completely left the castle.

Narcissa shivered. James would get that same look just before a prank happened. At least with Harry, she'd never seen him hurt anyone on purpose.

"I'm sure there are." She answered warily. "I'll try and have them here before dinner." Narcissa assured him

Harry smiled. "Thank you Regent Black. I know you are concerned for us and your caring is appreciated."

"I can see the echo of James in your face, young heir, but I see your mother's kindness and caring in your actions. In addition, I see the Blacks of old in your bearing. Grandfather Arcturus must be so proud."

They shared a warm hand squeeze, the pureblood equivalent of a hug.

He bowed, kissed her hand, and made his way to the library to find his friends.

~~ooOOoo~~

Ron, Neville and Hermione were busily scritching notes from the research books.

"Ron? How would you like to plan a fun day for the first and second years for this coming Saturday?" Harry asked.

"But it's a Hogsmeade weekend! Our first Hogsmeade weekend!" Ron reminded him.

Neville stopped and looked thoughtful. "I'll help. And we can ask the twins. Are you going to ask Draco?"

"What? Why include him?" Ron was a bit loud and earned a glare from Pince.

Harry placed a privacy rune and tapped it. Now she could hear nothing. "No, I don't think either of us are ready for that level of interaction. I like the detente we have now."

"Black blood...Right. Staying here to keep not just yourself safe but protecting others. Again. Smart Harry. What's your idea?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I was thinking of something like a school fair. I wanted to run it by you before approaching Percy and Penny."

"Oh, and we can practice transfiguration and charms for some of the games! I like it!" Hermione immediately grasped the concept and started writing down ideas for the fair.

Neville, who had never been to primary school, had been to a country fair as a child, and shared some of those game ideas.

Ron came from a family who had made their own fun his whole life and embraced the concept quickly, jotting down his own ideas.

After working on a combined list, they had a dozen suggestions to present. Harry had always wanted to try a bean-bag toss and Hermione loved the Ringtoss. Neville had loved the balloon-popping game while Ron's favorite was the broom serpentine. There was also face painting, pin the tail on the hippogriff, and a cupcake walk.

They weren't sure about having flying games, not indoors, but took their ideas down to the Great Hall at tea and talked to Penny and Percy.

The Head Boy thought it was a wonderful plan and went to get permission from the true leader of Hogwarts: Professor McGonagall.

~~ooOOoo~~

Griselda Marchbanks, sitting in the gallery, gave Albus a sudden shudder; her demeanor did not bode well.

Dumbledore had been summoned, summoned, to a disciplinary hearing. At his ICW where he 'ruled' here in Bern. He expected it to be about Minerva and her underhandedness recently, but no. It was to address him!

How dare they!

So what if he had used Hogwarts funds for hiding the stone. It was his responsibility. As for the parchmentwork they were looking for, some year end reports for how long? Two years? Before that they were on time. Oh. But those all had Minerva's signature. Well, he was busy and had many responsibilities. They kept going on and on about all the things she had filed for him. Well, he wasn't a secretary!

The head of the ICW Department of Education (DoE) could tell he wasn't reaching the elderly man. He turned to an associate. Wasn't that the father of the famous quidditch player in Germany? Bland or something?

That wizard stood, a bit of salt in his peppery short hair, and asked a few questions directly. Albus was unamused.

"I'm sorry, Herr Bland, but I do not have that information with me at this time."

"You did receive the notification, ya? You came here without receipts? Without documents? Without being prepared to answer questions? Not wise, Herr Dumbledore." Brand didn't bother to correct the obviously defective elder on his name.

The Department heads held a discussion in low voices before the head turned back to Dumbledore, "Your comments have been noted. You have seven days to replace the funds you have been accused of misusing. This notice will be filed with Gringotts, per our contract with them, and a lien will be put against your personal account if not promptly repaid. Also note this: If there is not a significant improvement in your performance, the Board of Governors for Hogwarts is authorized to replace you. Dismissed."

"You don't have that authority!" Dumbledore blustered. 'It was as if they had heard nothing!' Albus thought to himself.

Gunter Brand, not Bland, just glared at his predecessor in the job he was actually doing: 'It was as if he had heard nothing!'

Both sides were adamant and neither was going to compromise.

~~ooOOoo~~

The first fair had a few hiccups. Some games had nicer treats than others, causing some jealousy when they ran out. Some of the transfigurations failed in the middle, causing upset, and Harry hadn't bought enough prizes.

All of the games were far too easy for this age and needed to be made harder next time.

Overall, for a spur-of-the-moment event, everyone had had a lot of fun.

Harry had requested that Pepper help the castle elves clean up and had bought cucumbers for all of them as a thank you.

Hermione decided to contact her parents for inexpensive toys and treat ideas for the next fair. They had a 'treasure chest' next to the appointments desk that was a bribe for good behavior of young patients. Her parents readily agreed but asked for gold rather than pounds. (Dan Granger wasn't stupid and knew the conversion fees were a bit…unfair.)

Some students, raised in the normal world, made suggestions for the next fair that made sense. Offering a few treats, like candy floss, might be impossible, but sweet popcorn was available from the Three Broomsticks and was a popular after school nibble for the locals who didn't board.

Headmaster Dumbledore returned from his spanking, err, his disciplinary hearing at the ICW DoE Bern, just as the final games were played. He was invited to try his hand at ten-pin bowling. He started to shout at Harry only to find Regent Black in front of him with her hand in her pocket.

Harry knew what he was getting her for Yule. A wand holster!

"Mr Potter did nothing more than stay in the castle and entertain younger students who couldn't attend the outing," The woman shared blandly. "And quite a few older students were kind enough to stay and help."

The headmaster waved her off, annoyed that the supposed death eater would be so disrespectful to him when he had given her a second chance.

Albus saw Minerva eyeing him. She had clearly seen him chastise young Harry and kept her return chastisement limited to a feline glare.

She was clearly thinking how dare he come in and shout just because he didn't like something new.

He was clearly thinking how dare she not consult him before doing something new. Again.

But Gunter Brand knew about the fair and had approved it. The timing of that hearing was merely coincidence. (Wink.)

~~ooOOoo~~

Harry had had a thought during the fair that he'd tried and failed to set aside. What if the magical room they found could store something like Tom's soul bits? The lad should have had someone with him but was too used to being alone. And this was a secret he couldn't allow to get out even as much as he trusted his friends.

He wasn't sure how they had summoned the door that one day, so he went up to the tapestry and started by sitting near it; then tried just standing.

With some trial and error, he got it!

And more, since he didn't know what he was looking for, he'd been thinking about Tom's bits and the sorts of treasure he might use to store it.

The room opened. There were chests of gold doubloons and galleons, others of gems, but in the center of the room was a short plinth that had a black velvet pillow.

On that pillow was a jeweled crown that felt evil and wrong even from where he stood, just inside the recently closed door.

Harry had mastered the levitation charm in his first year. He asked the castle for a good strong box for it and one popped in.

And just like that, Harry had his treasure. He placed a personal lock on it that only he, Bill, Sirius, or Spurnik could open.

"Thank you, Hogwarts. I'll bring the crown back someday, after it's cleansed".

Harry then called Pepper and nearly fell into the open chest of doubloons when the elf appeared right next to him.

Putting a hand to his wildly beating heart, "Warn a guy, next time. Okay?"

"Master Harry? Oh, I'm sorry for startling you, sir!" The elf was in his tea-towel. Harry forgot he'd been asked to help clean up after the fair.

"You're fine, Pep, but I found something that needs to get to Gringotts but I can't send you yet without a warning. Can you finish up and meet me in my room when you can? I have to make arrangements and I don't want to carry this through the hallways where the portraits spy on me all the time."

Pepper understood and pulled open a plain leather messenger bag that all elves seemed to carry. Harry plopped the closed and warded box into it.

Bill was beyond pleased that Harry had found the soul-jar and quickly made arrangements to meet Pepper in London.

Harry knew that there was something off in how quickly goblins could move back and forth. Did they have phoenix friends too? He tried to put that thought aside and made his way back to the library.

When had this one become so small?

~~ooOOoo~~

None of the students with Black blood had left the castle. The catalogs Professor Black had gotten meant that the little treats they would normally have gotten were delivered by an invisible Pepper. Even Draco got a few –paid for by Harry–; delivered anonymously on the boy's bed. Having house-elf friends was amazing!

Besides Harry, only Hermione and Neville knew about Pepper. And neither of them could have their minds read either.

Ron was okay with not knowing such secrets as he admitted he hadn't really wanted to read a difficult book that wasn't going to be tested on the OWLs. Fred and George had great occlumency skills, having learned from their father.

Otherwise, Snape would have caught them out far more.

~~ooOOoo~~

Goblins were always so polite to house-elves and Curse-breaker Weasley had adopted those manners. They had successfully dealt with the diadem but Pepper had requested an appointment. Spurnik, clearly curious, wanted to take care of the matter then and there.

After Master Bill bade Pepper farewell, Spurnik shared he had one quick errand to do and would be back to speak with the elf.

As Pepper waited for the Potter account manager to be available, he wondered how he was going to say this.

"Ah, Pepper, well done just now. You said you have information for me. Would you join me in my office?"

Tea was sitting on a side table; not human tea; peppermint with a touch of cayenne and served with a slice of cucumber. House-elf tea.

Pepper accepted with a nod as Spurnik sipped fragrant klah and tried to organize his thoughts, "I found the Pepperidge home to still be in stasis as I left it. I think I remember taking the gold and deed to Gringotts for Heir Potter but am not sure. Most of Mistress' wealth…I mean my former Mistress, was tied up in real estate and left all to your client.

"She owned the home in Hogsmeade, had shares in a few businesses and a comfortable Gringotts vault. She also kept a chest in her home of old coins. I believe it was those old coins that Master Harry nearly fell into earlier today.

"My problem is this. Someone has changed my memories. If I take that chest of gold doubloons for Ma…Heir Potter and am wrong, Pepper is stealing from school. Pepper…I am unsure. I don't want to leave his things where Headwhiskers can steal." Finishing very nervously, the elf whispered, "Nor does Pepper wanting to be stealing from school."

Spurnik put down his mug and walked over to a book. A moment later, a club-handed goblin came in and Spurnik repeated the question. With a bit of translation to English.

"Where is this trunk right now?" Briokz, the Potter solicitor, asked.

"In the Come and Go Room. Where elves put lost things."

The goblins shared a look and Briokz spoke, "May I suggest this solution? Bring it to us here. If it is not Heir Potter's –and we do have ways of testing this–, then it will be returned to the school. And if it is young Heir Potter's, you have done a great service to return his belongings."

Pepper nodded, thanked his host for the tea and walked to the door before popping away.

Spurnik was curious, "For gold? I didn't know there was a test of ownership."

"Not for the coins themselves. For the trunk. I suspect the headmaster obliviated the house-elf of his task and duties and other elves retrieved the items before Smelly Plots could steal." The solicitor explained before bowing.

Soon, Pepper was back and had a dozen elves with a dozen more trunks behind him. They dropped the chests with bows to the goblins and returned quickly before being caught out.

"I didn't think that Silvanus Pepperidge was so wealthy." Briokz commented.

Spurnik shook his head, "He wasn't. I suspect the elves are trying to get Heir Potter to invest more in the school with yet more leashes attached." That was the goblin way of saying 'strings' or 'rules'.

Two of the chests were identifiable; one Pepperidge, and one was James Potter's. Wasn't that interesting? Likely gold he meant for the Order that Potter elves had retrieved after the war. The other ten chests, unfortunately, were not family trunks.

Both goblins agreed that truly lost gold went to the finder and if the elves said it was Heir Potter's, then so be it.

~~ooOOoo~~

Hermione, Harry, and their friends were busy, busy. Harry was becoming obsessed with his individual project for Runes. A personal protection amulet.

Padfoot's communication mirror really helped Harry build a relationship not just with his godfather but continued his bonding with Bill as well. Harry shared his idea of making individual wards that protected them from dementors and bounced ideas off Bill for its design. He had the protection rune; the problem was power and the ability to turn it on and off - the finite was too easy to use by an enemy, Harry worried.

Plus, he didn't want anyone getting magically exhausted by having it activated all the time, but if people wore it while shopping in the village or working outside…

Harry suddenly worried about Hagrid who already suffered from dementor exposure. Was that pink brolly of his really a wand? It made a boat go. And gave Dudley a tail. He chuckled. Still funny. He made a note to see about getting his solicitor to appeal for wand rights for his biggest friend.

Harry then had a nightmare about Hermione suddenly being Kidnapped and Kissed by a dementor. NO! Not happening! He'd destroy them all somehow before he'd allow her to be hurt.

The kisses he planned for her were the gentle and sweet kind. And he would. Soon. He needed to make sure that the dementors didn't get to her first!

~~ooOOoo~~

Remus had another wonderful transformation. This time, transportation was provided by a phoenix. A phoenix!

When he woke in his room in the healing hall, after another run with Padfoot, he had been again provided with a tasty and effective potion. Unlike before, he was escorted to the bathing hall. Specialized salts had been used in the prepared tub. He'd been 'birdnapped' on the way to the Shrieking Shack the night before, then delivered here to a waiting (and smirking) Sirius Black.

Moony wanted to complain but a note from Harry was with his potion. "If my Dad was still with us, and he is in my heart, he would provide this for his best mate. Please accept this on his behalf. It's good use of some of the pirate treasure I inherited. Much better than paying for a certain person's bright robes."

Dean Thomas, another of Harry's dormmates, was a very good artist and had taught Harry how to animate a stick figure: A long-bearded stick in a long train getting tangled up and tripping down the stairs. Stars migrated from the robes to over his head in a circle, before repeating.

Accepting the gift, he'd write the boy a thank you note. Later.

And the best part was, he was back in his room in Hogwarts before breakfast was even served.

~~ooOOoo~~

The previous evening…

Madam Puddifoot ran out of blackberry tea. It was normally something she harvested in high summer. Something she stocked only for special orders but this year, some of the Black Watch had been slurping it down, unknowingly paying double for it.

One of the younger wizards in the aurors felt like she should treat him, as in not paying! Ha! She was not providing vittles to these roustabouts doing nothing but sponging off hard-working villagers.

Albus Dumbledore was a great man! If he said they would be safe and covered by the wards of Hogwarts then they were safe! End of story. These extra patrols were just an excuse to take advantage of people like her.

Madam Puddifoot set off on her small errand to replenish her supply of blackberry leaves in the early evening; she knew she'd be back in her shop long before the moon rose.

She should have paid attention to the boundary markers of the wards. She really should have been paying attention to the field where she picked.

And she really should have come to patronus practice or offered a cup of tea to an auror who would have walked out with her while picking.

Fudge could have had his first soulless husk, but she had been carried off aways and the full moon was that night, as September became October. The howls of the werewolves who lived in the Forbidden Forest were especially loud that night, causing more than one villager to shiver in fear.

The Black Watch assembled in the upper floors of several homes around the area. Their rifles had silver bullets and they were not afraid to put a wolf down if they somehow got through the wards.

Puddifoot's shop was found empty the next day and a search party was formed. Trained crups followed her path and wanted to lead the aurors beyond the wards. A report was sent back to command. There, a group capable of the life-saving charm was formed who borrowed a carriage from Hagrid and a search was made.

Her body was never found. But her heirs were happy to get rid of the overly pretentious premises. Immediately!

Wasn't two days of mourning appropriate?

~~ooOOoo~~

The Potter lad had finally done it! Now, he just needed to test it. Bill had an idea about that - using the same method the professor had used for the carriage and shop runic array.

Bill was so chuffed about his ward! "Harry, this is brilliant. We'll have Dharma Briokz record the patent immediately. No one has ever thought of this before. Think of the benefit to the workers of Azkaban, the innocents in danger! I'm so impressed. And proud." Bill beamed.

Never had Petunia said anything kind, much less complimentary. Harry had to turn away to hide his tears.

"I don't want to make money from this idea but if we could make it inexpensively and just charge a few knuts for the materials…Never mind, what am I saying!" Harry had shared with Bill about the Pepperidge inheritance. "I grew up never having anything. Let this be a gift to the Villagers. And others."

Bill approved. If they charged anything at all, people would gossip about profiteering. There were already fake talismans and phylacteries being sold to the gullible that had no power at all.

Harry worked up a few mockups for the test and Pepper delivered them to Gringotts who arranged for the same test they used for the carriage protections.

It worked. It really worked.

Now was the hard part. Making not a hundred but thousands of these protection amulets. Not worried about keeping it secret, he asked for help the day the positive results came back. He went to the runes teacher just before her seventh year class.

"Professor Babbling? I want to show you something." Harry shared his idea, the prototype and the test results. "This is what I have been working on for my individual project. But I can't wait for the end of term. I want to make more of these now."

"Mr Potter! You continue to amaze me!" The professor shared making the boy blush.

"I want to get a lot of these made. Everyone needs one."

Dalia Brown and her friends came in just then. The strawberry-blonde wasn't shy and came up to see what Harry was doing.

"Oh. Wonderful! This is something like the pendant Padma Patil wears, isn't it? Hers is muggle jewelry from some historic site. Sigh. I really want to go into jewelry making. I mean, I do a little, but this is really something. This could make a lovely necklace."

Harry smiled. Jewelry. Something custom. He could kiss her! But he wouldn't. His kisses were saved for Hermione. He turned back to the professor. "Ma'am? What's the best material for a rune of this sort? I have an idea for manufacturing a bunch of these."

And the best part was, with all of the runes from the Celts, Vikings, and other peoples who had shared their island nation, it couldn't break the Statute because it was so common to see runes everywhere.

~~ooOOoo~~

Now Harry knew Dalia made jewelry, so he asked her about putting one of the medallions on a long chain. She gave him a really long leather cord. So, Harry's first protection amulet was given to his largest friend, Hagrid, so he would have it when outside.

Harry was only slightly crumpled from the warm hug in thanks.

~~ooOOoo~~

Padfoot had laughed at Harry's request, but was worried people would try to take advantage and resell what was planned to be given.

It wasn't hard to get the machinery to make the necklaces. Dwarves made their living on this sort of product. Bill had deferred to Sirius when seeing the estimates of costs for this. He wasn't used to having huge sums of gold to spend, even if Harry had just inherited yet another fortune.

Lord Black had signed off on the purchase immediately. No one had more impetus than him in getting this sort of protection made. But both Goldrub and Spurnik were furious with him. They thought it a huge waste of resources buying such things when they could rent. Sirius started to give them a schoolboy salute, but instead, decided to just ignore their complaints.

Sirius then hired Bill, in his off hours, to make sure this amulet did what Harry thought it would. Marissa couldn't help but be interested.

Dalia was not only brought into the secret of Harry having a way to call his guardian, she actually got to meet Bill over the mirrors. And he was cute too!

But everyone was focused on the project. The goblins were not stupid; they realized how endangered not just the villagers, but especially the children of the castle school were. When Bill asked to leave after work on a Thursday and not return until Sunday, he was given a time turner and told to return by Saturday morning. Him, Marissa, and anyone not named Black.

Sirius pouted but arranged for one of the most important parts of the project: payment!

Harry made it clear he did not want fame for making necklaces; (he secretly felt he would lose any respect he had as 'Basilisk Slayer' if he did). Miss Brown immediately volunteered to be the face to the public. She had always wanted to make jewelry and have a shop of her own. She had been recruited because of her expertise.

Finding out Puddifoot's was for sale had Sirius snap it up for the girl. It was amazing what gold, the hire of a few dozen elves, the help of the Black Watch and off-duty aurors could do when word got out about the project. And more than a few submitted CV's for permanent work in the shop.

Within the week, the equipment was set up and Dalia's Jewelry had its first order. And the best part, the chain for the amulet could be made out of anything, even charmed copper, which was abundant, relatively inexpensive, and readily available.

Ready-made necklace chains and other findings were being purchased by the thousands as the pendants were produced. The first talismans off the line were given rigorous testing but after that it was only done two or three times per batch.

The quilter's guild, the knitter's guild and the sewing circle all joined forces to put amulets on the chains as they were finished. All volunteers; all knowing how important this was.

Fair distribution was another logistics nightmare but Hermione solved that one. She'd seen the concept for linked communications and had made herself and Harry a pair. Through the mirror, she showed Bill how they worked. "If tables are set up in popular places, say the Three Broomsticks, and the person getting a necklace signs, it shows up in all the linked books. One necklace per customer."

Marissa took over the book project with a willing Sirius recruited to help.

The charms to notify of the same signature again weren't even that hard but Hermione got praise and points from Flitwick for it.

They'd have to trust people about children and such, but that idea was approved, so by the time they had several thousand amulets ready for distribution, they had volunteers to help get them to people. The shop used for production was not going to be a distribution point since they were far too busy there.

A notice was published in the papers and the Diagon Alley Shopkeepers Guild and the Hogsmeade Shopkeepers Guild set up distribution stations with linked books. Anyone trying to cheat was fined a hundred galleons that was given to the people making these potentially life-saving pendants.

Dalia was the face of the project and the person being thanked. She was interviewed and tried to tell the truth but Rita got it all wrong and made it sound like Harry was trying to take credit for Dalia Brown's idea.

No one could win with that insect reporter! She was such a cockroach!

And because the potentially life-saving gift was being given away, those in charge just laughed and thought them worthless.

~~ooOOoo~~

Harry had never worked harder or been happier in his life. But the protection runes weren't his only project. With the new brooms came quidditch practice. It got so bad that Harry threatened to quit and Oliver backed down and excused him from the evening practices.

"I have a new guardian who was not only Head Boy but had fourteen OWLs and NEWTs. And yes, before you ask, he got to attend when they had Wards and Enchanting as electives. Well, I'm learning those on my own with Hermione. I have to get at least an EE in every class or explain why. The only exception is Astronomy and even there I'm trying."

"Aye, I understand but we have a game versus Slytherin in a week. And I want to win the Quidditch Cup this year!" Wood expounded. "There's going to be scouts watching us, you know."

"Oliver, you are being watched from the top teams down to the Cannons. Oh, don't tell Ron I said that. But you are going to get hired no matter if Gryffindor wins not one goal. And you know our chasers are better than everyone else's."

Alicia broke in, "But why did you have to be all fair-minded about giving Ravenclaw and the rest new brooms too? We could have had the advantage."

Harry shook his head, "Exactly! I want us to win on talent…oops. I mean, Lord Black wants us to win on talent alone."

The Potter heir was blushing at his goof, caught by the team.

"Don't worry, Potter. We'll keep your secret." Oliver promised.

"I will, if you choose me for the future Lady Black." Katie winked.

"Um, no. Thank you kindly, but Hermione and I are…that is…um."

Angelina put her arm around Harry and whispered, "She didn't want to replace Miss Granger. No, she'd make a fine Lady Potter; Katie was offering to be wife #2. I'd offer myself but Fred and I are thinking of an arrangement."

Now Harry was beet-red and looking for an escape. He jumped on his new broom and swooped up to the seventh floor thinking it was the boy's dorm window. He vanished it and popped in without checking.

For the first time in over two hundred years, a wizard managed to get into the seventh year's witches dormitory.

Dalia Brown looked up from her desk and saw the boy's shocked face. "I gather you're not here to either rescue or kidnap me? Shame that. Out the way you came, past the large common room window, two over to the left, and down three. You'll be in your own room then."

While she went back to her sketch, clearly designing more jewelry, a house-elf popped in to restore her window after the boy was back on his broom and out. Harry quickly and silently followed those precise directions and escaped to his own room.

He made a mental note to ask Bill about warding the girl's windows against potential flying threats.

Back in Dalia's room, she was laughing quietly when the elf turned to her.

"Juniper so proud of Master Harry." The elf shared, brushing a fake tear.

Dalia smiled and offered her a homemade treat, "Yeah, me too. So very proud."

She had just checked not one but two boxes on the unofficial Harry Potter Bingo Game.

~~ooOOoo~~

A/N: Story recommended by stacygrrl2002: Remus Lupin, PI by Larry Huss

https/s/6275865/1/Remus-Lupin-PI

AO3: DannyBoy2k recommends KGFinkel writes all their stories on AO3. These stories include thoroughly AU Harry Potter work, or cross-overs with other IPs. The thread is, generally, good Dursleys, some form of ability that Harry is remarkably good at such as potions or wand making and a manipulative Dumbledore. And always, always, Harry/Hermione.

/users/Kgfinkel/pseuds/Kgfinkel

AO3: Recommended by our own MelJ: An Oath's Far-Reaching Effects by /works/41292246/chapters/103533276

A/N: Your story recommendation here - for fanfiction or AO3, where we are cross-posting.

~~ooOOoo~~

ƺ parseltongue
galleons
sickles
ķ knuts

Ɠ Goblin language
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.