As Harry led Neville into Knockturn Alley, Tonks having fallen back a step, morphed into a mousy brown bob, and inverted her red Auror robes so that the black hide was visible.
"Weasley really boob blocked you?" Neville asked.
"The night before we left the Dorms, I was alone in the dorm with Hermione. When I told him that I was trying to get her out of her kickers or at least her jumper, he asked why I didn't invite him along."
Neville snorted.
"Then to make Matters worse, it seems that he has been actively keeping certain people away. Like Susan Bones."
"And your reason to be getting closer to her?" Neville sounded hedgy.
"Contract." Harry sidestepped Dung hurrying along. "Hey Dung. I heard about some misplaced cauldrons. I happen to know a couple of brewers that just came into a few coins and are looking to acquire some… discounted yet clean merch…"
The gutter wizard snapped about. "Say what?"
"Molly Weasley's twins. No doubt Dumbledore is moving things about. Tell him you heard rumours of Tommy's Boys and he might be bringing his old gang into play."
"Who are you…"
"No doubt you know about number Four Privet Drive."
"Why would you know about that place?" Dung looked about.
"I know that the person of interest is no longer there. If the old man still has anyone watching it, it's just muggles they are watching." Harry ran his fingers through his hair, flashing his scar. "Of course Molly is going to blow a gasket once she hears about this and run screaming to the old man… leaving the twins unsupervised for a few minutes. Use the words Making Mischief in their hearing. Gold must flow." He turned away.
"Gold must flow." Dung scurried into the shadows.
"Do I want to know what that was?" Neville asked.
"Probably not." Harry grinned at the Lad. "Probable Deniability. Worth its weight in gold when dealing with the twins. And if I told you my watchdog would hear and it would make scrubbing her head tricky."
"Great, I am going to get as Paranoid as Moody." the witch behind them was heard to mutter.
"Back to Bones. I have been asked to inquire about your thoughts on Miss Abbott."
Neville flushed and looked away. "Hannah. She is the sweetest person in the world."
"Not really." Harry smirked at the larger lad. "Last year she walked in on you in the greenhouses, and you were stripped to the waist and moving filled pots in the muggle way. Large pots."
"That was her?" Neville blinked at him.
"Yeap. She really liked the way the muscles on your back rippled. We're here."
Harry ducked into a back alley that he knew. "Word of warning. Do not guess what he is selling besides bespoke wands. There are items beyond these doors that would scare you."
"This is where you got that thing that Aunty Cissi was showing Mom?" Tonks allowed her hair to return to its pink punk style.
"Yeah. Ment it for Draco but he must have got it during a meal time."
"Did you expect him to use it?"
"Oh hell no." Harry smiled "something that size needs practice and someone with mediwitch training. The pepper oil was just…"
"Overkill." Tonks pushed the lads ahead of her.
"Mister Black. And how is your baton working?"
"Haven't had a chance to use her yet. Ministry has a dislike of pillars of the community dying from natural causes… like losing their head, being pinned to the wall and letting their soft breads being let out, just stuffing one head up the closest ass."
"Yeah, I can see how that can be discouraging. But you are a brilliant young man, if anyone can figure it out it will be you." Benkin smiled, "Now who are your friends?"
"This is my best mate. Let's call him Mister Green. I am going to need him to get a backup Wand. And one of your two wand cuffs. Also my DMLE watchdog, no first name Tonks. If you do a good enough job for her…" Harry smiled at the man. "She will need a new cuff as well."
An hour later as Harry was finishing the payment paperwork, "Oh, the first of your little projects was delivered and caused a scene. Not the scene I wanted, but this one will be to my Greater profit." He slammed the ring into the parchment. "On a related note… Madam Black might be in to resize and refinish it for personal use. She was quite impressed with the craftsmanship. Now for her use or … I am not asking."
Tonks snorted.
"If she should show up, either alone or in the company of others, she has a three hundred Galleon credit. You know that I am good for it."
"I know. Just because you walked in here, I have done a year's sales in a month." Benkin smirked.
The three exited the shop.
"Just what did you send and to who?" Neville burst out.
"He sells items of a lifestyle that you will need to know by the time you say 'i do'. It's always the happiest, nicest, plainest girls that are freaky." Tonks huffed. "I saw which girls you two were talking about getting sorted. I was a seventh year Puff the year you two were sorted. I know three witches that wanted you Mr Green. There were five that wanted Potter here to replace their own Berry Potter doll."
"Oh I remember those." Neville chuckled. "I asked Gran for one when they came out when I was five." Then he sobered. "What was it and who was it for?"
"Whom." Harry sighed. "You saw those… objects that looked like a spade from Dean's deck of cards? Ben calls them bedknobs. They can be passed off to certain people as a bedknob. Those who know better won't spill the cauldron. The purpose is foggy to me, but I know where it goes. I had a three inch diameter Hawthorn with the Black crest on the base. Had him seal it with pepper oil."
Tonks turned gray. "Three inches?" She shook her head. "I couldn't do three inches without some stretching and alchemical help." She stopped. "Pepper oil… you must really hate dracy-pu to send him three inches of burning ass, even if he could take it!"
"Malfoy… you sent something the size of your fist dipped in pepper oil to Malfoy?"
"You think that is the end of it, you need to see what he gets during breakfast on the second." Harry chuckled as they stepped out into the light of Diagon Alley. A scent wafted across his nose.
Harry sniffed deeply.
Cumum, Sandalwood, White Jasmine, and …
He breathed deeply again. There it was, a smelly that always clung to Hermione.
"Padma." He snapped around his eyes locking on the side braided black hair that was then coiled into a bun on the side of her head and held in place with a wooden comb.
He broke off after her. Tonks and Neville had no choice but to Follow.
Three steps from her, his new nose found her emotions.
Fear.
Anger.
Loss.
Rage.
Desperation.
"Hey, Paddy." Harry smiled at the witch. "Never heard from your Father after the first inquiry. I thought we had an understanding."
"Bugger off Boy. This has nothing to do with you. Come slut…" the ugly man was sent flying by Potter's fist.
The man came up, his wand in hand, to be facing two wands from the 'boy'. The girl had been pulled behind another youth and an Auror appeared out of the crowd.
"Auror, arrest that boy!" He yelled pointing at Harry. "He is interfering in my lawful business."
Tonks cleared her throat. "Milord."
"I have a contract with the Witch and her Sister. Family Business. The way things are standing… Potter Family Business… backed by House Black."
The Wizard flashed pale, before flushing red with rage. "Like I said, None of your Business."
"Harry. His Partner has Parvati. They stunned Ma, hit Pa with a piercing hex and left him on the floor of the Villa. Once they get us into the Bank, they are across the Border into Sovereign Territory. British Law has no meaning."
"And where is your sister?" Harry Growled.
"I think they are already in the Bank." She whispered.
Harry grinned at the man and raised Holly to point at the man's nose while Yew dropped. "You fucked up, Bitch." A bludgeoner to the crotch just before the stunner to the face.
Harry holstered his wands. "Tonks, I am going into the Bank where your badge means shit. Take Paddy home and see to her folks. Neville has been asked to be my Second. He will witness and curb my murdering the British Elite. Come Neville." He stepped over the crumpled wizard.
Neville was a step behind him.
Shacklebolt and Dawlish stepped out of the crowd. "Tonks. What happened here?"
"Attempted Kidnapping and attempting to flee across National Lines in the avoidance of Lawful Justice. Her Betrothed objected and the kidnapper was stunned here. He is now pursuing the other kidnapper into the Bank. I was asked to take the girl home and see to her parents, who were attacked." Tonks snapped out. "Sir. Paddy, lead the way."
POMP
Inside the Bank, Harry saw an obviously muted Pavarti struggling with a non English wizard as he was trying to drag her out the back of the Lobby.
Harry drew a deep breath and pulling on the Fu in him, yelled one of the few words that you Never say loudly in the hearing of Goblins. "THIEF!" The Fu-bark added to the yell altered it and effected everyone inside the Bank.
Every English wizard and witch hit the floor faster than when Padfoot ran around barking.
The lobby was completely silent. Harry, Pavarti, and the foreign wizard were the only humans standing.
"That is a very dangerous word to be using here." The Headteller leaned forward on his forearms. "Explain."
"That man has in his hand, property that I have a claim to." Harry dropped his over robes as he cross drew his Blackthorn wand, before she grew into her Staff mode. Neville caught the Robes and draped them over his arm.
"What are you going to do about it…Boy?" The Wizard sneered. "Your English Law is useless in here."
"It is. Yes. But I am not acting on English Law. English Law recognises that Witch as a free citizen. Goblin Law recognises that she's also a commodity and that I was in talks to acquire her. Now that you have harmed her Father and left him for dead… taking the prize while we are still in talks and running before the Law Enforcement could stop you and interfere with your larceny…" Harry stalked closer.
"And just who do you think you are to be making this kind of Fuss?" The Wizard gripped the wand in a sash about his waist.
"Sorry, I got carried away. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Harry Potter, Lord of Potter and Heir of Black." He bowed as he twirled the Staff up behind him. "While House Potter has agreed to the asking price for the girls, Their father has yet to sign and transfer the custody of the girls to House Potter. Of Course House Black is interested in acquiring the Girls but that's between Potter and Black. I am still going to need you to release the Witch."
"Why should I?" The man adjusted his hip on both the girl and the wand. "Just another minute and…"
"Yeah… no. He will not be joining us. He didn't even make it to the steps. I noticed that you had to silence her, but I know that she is going to annoy you in other ways."
"We have ways to get our women to behave."
"You will have to kill her. Damn Gryffindor Pride. We don't break easily." Harry was about four paces from the guy. "I also don't need to tell you what happens if you draw that wand in here."
"And yours?"
"But I don't have a wand." Harry grinned. "I have a six foot Blackthorn Shillelagh." He swung the staff around and broke the arm holding Pavarti.
Once free, Pavarti was quick to rush to Neville's side.
Harry grinned at the man now clutching his broken left arm. "Now you have three options to choose from. English Law, Goblin Law, or you can face me where you can fight back. Please choose before the guard behind you chooses for you."
The man spun… and took the knotted knob to the back of the head.
"Gryffindor…House of the Brave… not stupid." Harry turned to the Headteller. "I have spent three years under the reins of a witch trying to curb my stupid impulses. I hope I can leave this mess to you and your Law. House Honour is saited… I have protected my assets. The rest I leave to you if you want to know where their orders came from… or just to refresh your wall hangings. Good Day." He waved his right hand from the left to the right. "The Gold must Flow."
"The Gold must Flow." the head teller smiled, "You bring the best Entertainment."
Harry spun on his heel, twirling the staff to wand size and holstered it as he strode from the battle. and as he passed Neville he gathered his Robes and flung them across his shoulders.
He exited the Bank with Neville to his left and Pavarti to the Right. The minute his boots hit the street cobbles, he turned to face Pavarti. "Sorry about this." He drew Holly and pointed at her face. [Finite]
And luckily only the muting hex was lifted.
"Thanks for that." She worked her jaw. "Now where's Padma?"
"She took my Watch dog to get help for your parents. So I now only have Neville to prevent me from killing half of the Pillars of our Community."
"Why am I feeling that the chance of bloodshed just increased?" Pavarti cocked her head at Harry.
"Probably because I will be too busy covering his skinny arse to prevent him from slaughtering everyone." Neville smiled at the Witch.
"If not using me and my blood feud to cover his hit list." Harry deadpanned.
"I would never." Neville looked shocked. "I wouldn't want to cloud your kill count."
The three looked at each other as the sheeple around them took a step back.
Then as one they started laughing.
"Gryffindorks." Daphne stepped out of the crowd with Tracy and her sister on her heels. "Only you would joke about killing people."
"Who's joking?" Neville asked, his hand dropped to his Cherry wand.
Harry placed a hand on the bigger lad's arm.
"If I understand what they are talking about… the fallen would be most of Slytherin."
"Afternoon Greengrass." Harry stepped close and kissed her check. "It brightens my day to see you."
"Black." She smiled back. "You're being forward today."
"Well I just beat two wizards down for my twins. I would think that my Ice Queen should be recognized for her Value to my House."
"And she only gets a Kiss?" Tracy smirked.
"She is a threat that I don't want angered. If she wants more, then she will take more." Harry smiled at the three witches. "As I said earlier. Gryffindor. House of the Brave… not Stupid. Granger has been working hard on me these last three years. I fear Weasley is dragging us down and back."
Astoria snorted, lady like. "As if he could drag you up or forward?"
"Only to Food, Quidditch…or trouble." Neville quipped.
"While I am enjoying the street performance, Where is the guy you chased into the Bank?" Shack loomed out of the crowd.
"Left him to the Goblins." Harry turned to face the Black Auror. "Now if you would be so kind as to escort us to this witch's Home, so I can return her to her sister and collect my sitter. Bones doesn't like it when I am unsupervised. I have a tendency to drop certain… people."
"Then let's get you back to her." The black man sighed.
Harry turned to Daphne. "I am having a Birthday Ball on the Thirty-first. Please mail your list of attendees to Remus Lupin. Please limit it to six." He kissed her Cheek and glided off towards the Leaky Cauldron. Neville and Pavarti driving in his wake.
Shack shook his head and followed
Tracy turned to Daphne. "Did I just hear, Potter is having a Ball? Are you going to bring a date?"
"Yes…and no. I think he's going to announce his Contracts that night. If you want to take anyone other than Blaise you are going to have to talk Tori out of her ticket."
Astoria grinned at the non-sister.
Daphne looked around… "shit." She whispered. "His Ball is going to be The Event of the Summer. And getting an invite to the Ball just became the biggest issue among the Elite."
"Oh?" Tori asked.
"Potter and Black are debuting that night. Add in the Boy Who Lived and his actions today and his habit of finding trouble…" Daphne's eyes sparkled with mirth.
Tracy smirked. "Those invites are going to be worth their weight in gold."
"And we have six." Tori grinned.
POMP
Harry was feeling his oats.
Then he saw the Daily Prophet building. "One minute. It's time I answered a few questions. Join me if you want." He altered course and entered with the style he was bringing to Lord Potter.
At the reception desk, he smiled at the witch reading a Witch Weekly that had a cover story on who Harry Potter was dating.
"Who Potter is Dating?" Harry leaned on the desk. "Please tell me that it's not Malfoy."
"Not really." The witch turned the page, "But sources report that it's not for lack of trying. The Money is on the Redhead or His sister."
"Yeah… Ginny might be in the running… after her Quidditch Career takes off." Harry smiled at the witch who had yet to look up. "Right now he has his hands full with the Daughter of a highly placed member of the Ministry, a set of exotic twins, and a Muggleborn rumoured to be the smartest in her generation."
The witch looked up from the magazine. "Five Witches? How strong is your source…" she trailed off at the sight of the spectacled gaze inches from her own. "Boss!"
A squat man, the only difference between him and a muggle Editor was the green smoke drifting up from the cigar he was chewing.
"What unless you have a lead on Lord Malfoy's Manor fire, or who Potter is taking to the Ministry Summer Ball, I am busy."
"Well…" Harry grinned at the man. "The Fire was an Accident. I tripped over the carpet in the Drawing Room and the hidden chamber below was an accidental magical reaction to the bindings on my Core unraveling. As to the Ball… when is it?"
"July twenty-fifth." Pavarti prompted.
Harry nodded. "Will need to meet with Rita on the Tenth. Leaky Cauldron. For Lunch. Tell her a little bug told you that she is going to be there. Also, She and Bozo will be needed July Thirty-first. Potter's Birthday Ball. By invite only."
He stepped out of the Office before anything else could be said.
"So… who are you taking to the Ministry Ball?" Pavarti asked.
"Well there's this set of twins that I have been meaning to get to know better… but Gingers are not my colour."
She slugged his shoulder.
POMP
Harry tried Tonks's exit strategy from the Floo. He had to take an extra step from the velocity of his travel but he was happy with it.
Neville, having trained extensively under his Gran's eye, just walked out, but also needed a step.
Pavarti was next followed by Shack.
Tonks entered the room, saw Harry and tripped. Padma followed and collapsed into her sister's arms as they fell to their knees, hugging each other.
Harry stepped over and helped Tonks to her feet.
"Report." Shack barked.
"Mr Patil has been sent to St Mungo's. Mrs Patil is in the solarium awaiting the word of her Daughters."
"Pad, Pavarti, your mother is needing you to comfort her too." Harry smiled at them. The girls rose and rushed off. The Wizards and Tonks followed them back to the solarium.
"[My Babies]!" The woman cried from the pile of pillows on the floor.
"So how did things go?" Tonks asked.
"Like those action stories of Godric." Neville grinned at the pink haired Witch. "First he yells 'Thief' in the crowded lobby of the Goblin Bank, throws me his robes, strides over the bodies drawing his wand, and cudgels the Wizard holding Pavarti, tricks the wizard to look the other way, and brains him. He leaves the wizard to the Goblins and leaves with the princess."'
"I also learned about the Ministry Ball and dropped a few crumbs on the Birthday Ball." He turned to Neville. "Of course you are invited. You should think about that blonde we were talking about. As for the Ministry Ball, I think I will take the Twins if they are up for it. I will of course dance with any of my Witches that are there."
"Yes…" Neville spotted the Clock on the wall. "I think we should get back to Gran. We were only going to Olivander's and Fortescue's … and we forgot the ice cream."
"Yes, but we got to rescue two damsels in distress." Harry turned to Shack. "And be sure to report to both of your superiors about today's adventure. I do so worry about the Headmaster's Health."
He led the way to the Floo.
TBC