A/N- Here is the next chapter guys. Enjoy and please give me some reviews. It makes me feel that people are liking the story. May be you can recommend this story to your friends or peers? Please.
THANK YOU HYPERGYM for the editing. A little details have been changed or added which do not make any change to the story.
Disclaimer- Wish she could loan me Harry Potter but I do not own Harry Potter. JKR Does.
Longbottom Castle
It had been 6 hours since Frank woke up from his slumber of 15 years. The effects of the potion of dreamless sleep were about due to wear off. From the time that the ritual to wake Alice was complete they were all gathered in the master bedroom of Longbottom castle waiting for Frank to wake up. Augusta kept her vigil praying for Frank's recovery while trying to keep her composure. Neville was looking on in anticipation trying to imagine what he would say to his father when they spoke for the first time. He was deliriously happy and it showed in his behaviour. The chief house elf, Martie, was tending to Frank personally while another female elf, Tippy who was bonded to Alice was waiting on her.
Neville was happy just sitting there, talking to Harry, showing him some photographs from Frank and Alice's Hogwarts days and talking about people he recognised in them. To Harry's interest, he saw a picture with a large number of people standing in it. The picture was so large that there were three frames of it. On the first were people that Harry had only heard of but Neville perhaps knew a little more about them than he did. There were eight people in that frame, out of which only Frank and Alice were still alive. The rest were the Prewett twins, Benjy Fenwick, Dorcas Meadows, the McKinnons, Lord Sayre, Frank and Alice Longbottom. In the second frame were Albus Dumbledore, a man he recognised as the barman from Hogs head in Hogsmeade, Hagrid, Alastor Moody, Edgar and Ellia Bones, Hestia Jones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Emmaline Vance and Dedalus Diggle. The third frame had the Marauders with Lily and another woman in the middle of them. Harry was angry seeing Wormtail between them but could not do anything about it. He wondered if this was before Wormtail had taken the dark mark or after that. Everyone looked so happy in this picture, some rather cheerfully waving at the camera while others were outright laughing. Even in the middle of war, they could smile. He smiled at the thought of being surrounded by people like them who could smile in such grave times.
Harry startled from his reverie when Neville snapped his fingers in front of his face, "Harry, are you still here?"
Harry nodded, "Neville, when was this photo taken?"
Neville smiled, "Gran once told me that they were all knights. I thought she was joking. When I asked again after a few years, she gave me the same answer then went on to explain that they were part of Dumbledore's order which used to fight You-know-who and his followers. This photograph was taken sometime before we were born."
Harry felt frustrated with Neville refusing to call Voldemort by his name but did not want to ruin his mood. So ignoring Neville's reluctance to use his name, he continued, "I have heard of this Order. I asked Sirius and he told me of this once but very shortly. He said that most of them had died at the death eater's hands because they refused to bow down to them."
"Yes, Harry. And it's happening all over again, only this time, we will be fighting, along with them", Neville said, looking determined, "And, when that time comes, I assure you that I will stand by you. You know what they say... Where a Potter goes, a Longbottom follows."
"As a Longbottom should", said Frank hoarsely and they turned to him delighted.
Frank was very pale and looked like he was about to be sick, but was smiling at the pair of them anyway. His eyes were still closed. Slowly he opened his eyes and focused his gaze on Harry.
"James?", he whispered, "James, what are you doing here? I thought that you were dead."
Harry shook his head lightly, "I am not James, Lord Longbottom. I am Harold 'Harry' James."
"I see you woke up just on time, Lord Longbottom.", said Harsh who had just entered the room, "these fine people were getting anxious." He pointed to Neville, "This young man here, I believe he is yours, was rather very excited and as such his magic has been out of control. I swear your elves were hovering near him just to taste his power and to get drunk on it."
Frank turned to Neville and could not say a word for a moment, but just took in the stranger who wore his wife's face. Then coming to the right conclusion croaked, "Neville? Sorry I have been away for so long."
Neville had waited all of his life for this moment just to hear his father call him by his name could not control himself any longer. He rushed to his father and hugged him, making Frank wince a little but Neville didn't care. He was trying to take in everything that he could. His heart was giddy with delight. He was with his father!
"I believe Mr. Longbottom that I cautioned you against exciting your father", Harsh reminded Neville, "he is not going anywhere. You just need to contain your enthusiasm for a few days."
"Mother! Is that you?", said Frank, seeing Augusta standing at the doorway where she was crying softly, seeing her son smile at her. This was not a dream. Her years of waiting had borne fruit.
Frank turned to Harsh, "You know I did not get your name when you were bringing me back. I distinctly remember asking who you are, but; you evaded the question."
"I have too many names and too many faces, Frankie," he said smiling, "but for this purpose, call me Harsh Vardhana, just another healer."
Healer Lynn, who had been sitting quietly in the corner the whole time, snorted, "Another Healer he says? At last count, 50 different healers have tried to cure you and Lady Longbottom but none ever succeeded."
"Where is Alice?", Frank asked, getting agitated, "Tell me she is safe."
"Calm down, Frankie", Harsh said authoritatively, "Alice is fine. She will be waking up in a couple of hours."
Frank's face lit up, "A couple hours you say? I can wait that long. We will have a lot to catch up on."
He turned to Harry, "So you are Harry Potter, James's little child? Oh, how proud we both were that we had children almost the same day. If you were a few hours earlier or Neville was a few hours later, you both would have been born the same day. I tried to ask your father to let me become your god father but Sirius got there first. Damn that mutt!"
Harry actually chuckled. To hear someone talk about his parents and their friends with so much affection interested him very much. He wanted to tell Frank about the war, about what had become of the Marauders but he remembered Harsh's warning.
Frank continued speaking, "You know Harry, Remus wanted to be your god father but Sirius had baited him saying that whenever he married and became a father, Remus would be the god father while poor Peter never said anything. When I heard about Lily giving birth, I ran to the Hospital but by the time I got there, Sirius Black was already dubbed the god father and when I entered the ward, he ran up to me and said, 'Hey Frankie, I am a dog father.". However, Alice had threatened Lily at wand point that if she named someone else as your god mother, she would take her down and let me tell you, no sane man ever crossed wands with those witches. They were very gentle and humble, mind you, but you enrage them and they would make Bellatrix look sane."
The next couple of hours passed swiftly as Frank grew steadily stronger and the boys listened to him recount stories of the previous war. There were also tales of the marauders and their days at Hogwarts.
Harry was smiling fondly at Frank. Frank was whispering something to Neville, who was listening intently and smiling. Harry was just thinking about how his circle of friends and some that he could call family had been there for him these last four years, but Neville Had only his grandmother. Now, seeing Neville happy with his own father and the confidence he was gaining daily, seemed happier than Harry had ever seen him.
Then, they all heard a voice which had not spoken for 15 years. "What did you just say, Frank Jeremy Longbottom?", said Alice, who had now opened her eyes and was looking around dazedly. Her eyes fell on Neville, "How did you become 16 years old again?", she said, making Frank laugh.
She looked to Augusta, "Mother, you look so old. Is it really been 15 years? I thought I was dreaming."
Her eyes then fell upon Harry, "James!", but then she realised her mistake, "you are not James. You have her eyes. I can recognise those eyes anywhere. My best friend's eyes. You must be little Harry."
She turned to Neville again, "Oh my son, you have grown up. I missed so much of my life."
It was a merry gathering in Longbottom castle after so many years. Harry stayed the night there and stayed up late with Frank and Alice who refused to go back to sleep just yet. After a few hours of small talk and merry making, they were tuckered out and fell asleep without need for any more potions.
Next day, Harsh woke Harry in the morning and saying his good-byes to everyone he was hustled out just beyond the property line and disappeared with Harsh only to appear outside the Order's headquarters.
Black Townhouse
Following Harsh he quickly entered the House to be engulfed into a bone cracking hug by Mrs. Weasley while Mr. Weasley simply beamed at him. Ronald gave him an awkward one armed hug and then kept his distance. Sirius literally dragged him to the kitchen and put a plate in front of him heaped with lots of breakfast and he dove in with gusto. After they were done, Sirius dragged him to his room.
"Godson, there are things that we need to do and time is short.", Sirius said, "I am told you made quite the spectacle at Gringotts yesterday.".
"Who told you?", Harry asked curiously.
"Bill Weasley who works as a curse breaker for the goblins informed us yesterday evening. He said that Rug Nut (Harry snorted) had sent a welcome party. An entire battalion of Goblins to face two wizards and all their wards were up. The security trolls were ready to fight as well. The goblins were all shaking in their boots, then Rug Nut came running out, barking something about locking access to the dragon pens. I can't even imagine what that was all about. So, care to fill me in?", Sirius waited with eager anticipation.
Before Harry could start, there was a knock on the door and Remus Entered, his hair blue and feathers all over his body. Seeing Sirius, he bellowed, "Those menaces got the jump on me, Sirius. They turned my hair blue and made me a canary."
"Let me guess, did they give you something to eat?", Harry asked and when Remus nodded, he explained about the canary creams. When Sirius told Remus that Harry was about to start telling about what happened at the Bank, Remus sat down to listen too.
Harry told them of the story in detail. How Harsh Vardhana had infuriated the goblins. How he threatened them that Harry would take his accounts and go to the Gnomes and how he taunted Iron Fist about having left him as an egg for a dragon.
By the time he was finished telling the story about the Bank, Sirius was rolling on the floor laughing, tears rolling down his face. But when Harry told him about Lily not being a muggle born, he was surprised then intrigued.
When he ended narrating, Sirius chortled, "Harry, your life is never boring is it? You can't even visit the bank without the goblins sending you a welcome party and then they just change your world in a second. Lord of Rosier indeed! I am amazed."
Remus smirked, "Think how it will affect Dumbledore? His political machinations and intrigue just got more exciting. I mean two of the darkest families which have not sat on the Wizengamot for 16 years return and sit on the light side, the great alliance is renewed and presto! Cornelius will not be able to sleep peacefully."
"Two?", Harry asked confused.
"Yes godson', Sirius said, 'you have taken up lordship of Black, haven't you?".
"Actually no, I planned to do this after I returned from magical India", Harry replied hesitantly.
"Harry, if you do not take up the Lordship, you cannot charge the ward stones and they need to be charged to strengthen the defences", Sirius said, his eyes gleaming with mischief, "it means that we get to sneak out and visit Diagon Alley. It has been a long time since I met Ripthroat, the Black account manager."
"Sirius, are you sure that would be wise?", asked Harry fidgeting. He did not want Sirius to be caught.
"Where is your sense of adventure, Prongslet?", Sirius asked him, "Where is the boy who used a time turner to save me, chased away 100 dementors?".
Harry smiled sheepishly, "You make a good point, Padfoot. Let's go on this adventure."
"Hang on", said Remus, raising his hands, "you just can't go off and leave me to fend for myself with those twins lurking about."
Sirius grinned, "You were always the brains of the Marauders, Moony. You can handle a couple of kids."
"How are we going out?", asked Harry, "the front door is being watched at all times."
"Tell me Godson, have you ever ridden a Hippogriff?", said Sirius grinning at him causing him to roll his eyes.
Half an hour later, Harry Potter entered the garden in Grimmauld Place with Sirius Black who was hiding under the Invisibility Cloak. When they reached Buckbeak, he bowed to him and Buckbeak returned the gesture. Sirius cast a disillusionment charm on the hippogriff making him blend in with the surroundings and set about putting tack on the beast. After a few moments, Buckbeak was in the skies, flying towards Diagon Alley.
Gringotts
A young boy with golden hair, brown eyes, tall and well muscled entered the Bank and going to the teller announced, "I need to see Griphook."
The teller sneered at him, "Griphook is not an ordinary goblin, wizard. He cannot see everyone who comes through the door unless you are raven haired and green eyed."
Sirius who had been following him under the Cloak cast a wordless finite and his appearance changed at once. The Goblin gulped at seeing him while he grinned, "how about now, Teller Goblin? Do you think he would see me now?"
The teller ran to an inside office and after a few moments, returned with Griphook in tow, who was trying to suppress his laughter. As he reached Harry, he said, "Lord Potter, I must accept. If you keep on coming to the bank like this, there will never be a boring day in Gringotts. Yesterday, you stirred up the Goblin Special Corps and today you just showed up and changed appearance before him. I did not know that you enjoyed such antics."
"As it happens, Griphook, I am quite fond of them", said Harry and continued, "today I have come to cause more waves."
"Talking of waves, Mr. Potter, the Council has not yet calmed down from the waves you caused yesterday. If you can believe it, Iron Fist has been sitting in Lord Ragnok's office, auditing all your accounts so that there is no discrepancy because he fears that you will move out if there is anything wrong. To add to the worry, the Gnomes had come here to inquire after your financial status. I believe you would not know anything about them", said the Goblin, frowning.
"As much as I would like to discuss waves my godson caused, he has only a short time here and we have a lot to do", said Sirius's head materialising before them.
Griphook looked startled, "If that is the case, follow me Lord Potter. Lord Ragnok has ordered that you are to be brought before him when you come next."
In a few moments, they were before Ragnok who smiled at Harry and said to the room in general, "You can take off the cloak now, Mr. Black."
Sirius materialised, "Pleasure to meet you again Rug Nut."
"Mr. Black, my name is Ragnok and please remember it.", Ragnok sneered, "that wizard is a menace."
"You had called for me, Lord Ragnok", said Harry, "my account manager said you wanted to see me instantly."
"Lord Potter, yesterday the manager of Gnomes came into the Bank asking us about your financial status and how much money you had. He further enquired how many days it would take to transfer your assets from Goblins to Gnomes if you choose to shift your banker. Iron Fist has asked me to do anything you want so long as you do not take your account away", said Ragnok looking beseechingly at him.
"Now that you mentioned it Rug Nut, the Goblin Nation can do something for Harry Potter", said Sirius, his eyes full of mirth.
"What would that be, Mr. Black?", sneered Ragnok.
"You see Rug Nut, the wizarding world is going to fight another war soon and we need the Goblins on our side, covertly if not openly. Assure us that you will not shift with Voldemort and his merry band of fools, and Harry Potter will not take his account away", said Sirius gleefully. This was an opportunity which had presented itself to them. In the meeting of the Order conducted last evening, Dumbledore had been picking everyone's brain over ways in which they could make the goblins stay neutral, if not aligned to the light side. Who knew that this would be so easy. It made sense. Goblins are motivated by money and war. They could not fight wizards anymore. If they lost this much money in one go, it would have a huge impact on the bank and cause an economic upheaval that would turn the wizarding world against them. Agreeing to Sirius's demand was good business, plain and simple.
"The Goblin Nation agrees to your proposition, Mr. Black.", said Ragnok, "now what is the other business that we can help you with?"
"The House of Black is ready for its new lord.", said Sirius royally, "Harry Potter who has been my heir since I became his god father is ready to become the Lord of Black."
Griphook's eyes went wide for a brief moment. Harry potter already controlled the fortunes of four ancient houses. Adding the Black holdings would mean that the boy wizard would control even more and Griphook would be his account manager. Perhaps, if he played his cards right, this would change his fortunes for the better. "Mr. Black, while Mr. Potter is your heir and in the first degree of heirs to ascend to the position of Lord Black, there are others whose claim is stronger. Draco Malfoy and Nymphadora Tonks for instance have stronger claims. My advice to you, since we have just aligned ourselves to your side, if you were to blood adopt Mr. Potter here, that would place him first in the line and he would ascend without any problem.", said Ragnok, winking at him.
"Blood adopt? What does that mean?", asked Harry, confused.
"Harry, blood adoption means that your blood and mine are mixed in the ritual bowl with a special potion which would then be partaken of by both of us. This will make you my son by magic and this would make it easy for you to ascend to the position, not to mention, I do not want Lucius to get his hands on the Black wealth", said Sirius seriously (no pun) "But this is not an easy decision. You may think that being my son would change things, but it will not. You have always been the son of James and Lily and that is what you will remain. With this adoption, the only thing that will change is that you will add another name to your already hyphenated name although I would like it if you would keep Black after Potter."
Harry chuckled at his antics, "Padfoot, I have no issue with being blood adopted by you, but; it is just that it was rather sudden. I have not known my father and mother. All I remember about them are memories which I experience when a dementor comes near me. If anyone has been a father to me, it's been you. The last year you did everything in your power to keep me safe. You were willing to risk everything for me. Ever since the third task, you have been around me and ensured that I remain safe. You are already a father to me, Sirius. I know dad won't mind and mother would glare at you but would agree", he said smiling.
Sirius was somber for a minute thinking of all the harshness that the boy had faced and yet stood firm. He never imagined that he would have a son, not since Marlene died but in that moment he realised that Harry was his son as much as he was James's.
"Lord Ragnok," Harry addressed the goblin, "if you would proceed with the ritual."
Ragnok produced the ritual bowl and asked them to pour some blood into it. Mixing their blood was quite anti-climatic. Harry had imagined sparks of fire and quite the spectacle. It remained inert as it was before mixing the blood. However, when Ragnok poured a potion in the bowl and it started hissing and throwing sparks around, smoke rising from the concoction, taking the shape of a griffin and an adder who looked at each other, checking each other before melding into one then disappearing.
"Congratulations, Mr. Black, you are a father now", proclaimed Ragnok, smiling while Sirius grinned sheepishly.
Ragnok barked an order at Griphook and he went out of the room. He returned a few minutes later followed by another Goblin who was very old. Seeing Sirius he grinned ferally, "I wondered why the Bank was so black, today. I heard you became a father, Sirius. A gloomy day for Wizarding world, I am sure."
"Ripthroat, you stinky old goblin, ripped any throats recently?", Sirius asked the goblin, who guffawed. Sirius continued, "Now move your old backside or my son will make sure that we get a new manager for our family before the day is out."
Ripthroat passed a ring to him which was a goblin silver band with an Obsidian stone atop it having an adder on its face. AS Harry donned the ring, the power almost overwhelmed him making him pass out. It was such a force that he could not breath for a few seconds, but; after those seconds, his blood was singing to this magic and it felt as natural in his veins as Potter or Peverell family magic.
Half an hour later, Harry was in Griphook's office and they were discussing investments.
"Mr. Potter, your family has investments in a lot of businesses. Some of them are doing very well while others, not so well. I believe that with a little cash and a change of management, they could earn you a good profit. Lastly there are businesses which cannot be redeemed and it would be prudent to pull out of them before their losses become more substantial, finished Griphook.
He passed Harry a piece of Parchment, "This is a summary statement of businesses which are doing well."
Silver Arrow broom company (now Firebolt) 45%
Quality Quidditch supplies 10%
Zonko's joke shop 30%
Scrivenshafts 25%
Herbs and weeds apothecary 20%
Eeylops Owl Emporium 5%
The Daily Prophet 20%
Madam Malkin's 5%
"I own shares of the Daily prophet?", asked Harry, bewildered "I owned that piece of trash and it has been besmirching my name?"
"No, Prongslet. You do not own the paper but only a portion of it. The Ministry owns 45% of the voting shares in the paper", Sirius replied, grinning at Harry.
"Not quite so Mr. Black. The ministry does not own the prophet anymore. About 8 years ago, it sold the controlling interests of the paper when it was in the middle of an economic crisis and sensing an opportunity, my predecessor, Bluntaxe the former Potter House manager, bought 10% of those 45% shares thus bringing the tally to 30% for house of Potter. It is just that after yesterday's fiasco, we realised that Lord Potter may not be inclined to have controlling interests for Daily Prophet so we did not tell him about it. If he wishes, we will furnish him with money worth those shares or he can keep those shares", said Griphook knowing full well that the young Potter would keep the shares.
"I will keep those shares, Griphook", said Harry, "and I want you to see about obtaining more. I want controlling interest in that paper if it is possible."
"As it stands, the House of Nott owns 7%, the house of Greengrass owns 5%, the House of Rosier owns 6% and the House of Bones owns 3% of those 45% shares. 14 % of the shares were bought by Ripthroat who was advised that way by Lord Black bringing the interests of House Black equal to House Potter at 30%. Taking together, your House now owns 66% of the total shares of Daily Prophet, Lord Potter", said Griphook smiling.
"Why do you call me Lord?", asked Harry confused.
"Two reasons, Lord Potter. First is that the heads of the Houses were ennobled as such in the past and thus they keep the title going. However, most of them are not worthy of the title anymore. This title was bestowed on them for their contributions to the wizarding world, for bravery shown in war or other similar achievements. However, there is another reason for which I call you a Lord. The same reason that I would call Voldemort as Lord Voldemort or Dumbledore as Lord Dumbledore and I would also call the wizard who accompanied you yesterday Lord", Griphook finished.
Harry tilted his head to one side, "And what are those reasons, Griphook?"
"The wizard who came with you yesterday, ask him this, Mr. Potter, he has all the answers that you are seeking", answered Griphook smirking at Harry.
"Now, are there any instructions for me, Lord Potter?", asked Griphook.
"Yes, I need to register a new business which some of my associates will establish in the near future. I will also require a title deed for premises in Diagon Alley where they can set up their shop. While you are at it, please liquidate my shares in Zonko's. They won't be in business much longer", Harry concluded, with a wink and a smirk toward Griphook.
As they were leaving the Bank, Sirius conjured his partonus murmuring some instructions to it and sent it away. When Harry asked what he did, he did not reply but smirked, 'Message to the family, son.'
Black Townhouse
Two hours later, Harry Potter and Sirius Black entered the Black Townhouse and found it in complete chaos. The house was filled with smoke, people were running around, trying to put out fires. Some had their hair colour changed. Some had their entire skin color changed. There was a metal basilisk which was chasing everyone around. There was Dumbledore who was trying to rein in the basilisk and Snape who was fighting a boggart which was changing its shape every second. Many Order members were trying to douse the fires which were burning but Harry could see that they were unsuccessful. There was an alarm wailing throughout the house which rather sounded like a horse whining. There were Fred and George who were looking as if they had been through the mill, their robes torn, hair dishevelled and hanging upside down from the ceiling changing from human to elf to goblin to merpeople, laughing stupidly.
Sirius raised his wand and let out a sound like a canon blast, which got everyone's attention. Dumbledore approached him looking tired and wary of everyone around him, "Sirius, we are in trouble here. The situation is out of control. Nothing we have tried can extinguish the fires. The basilisk is running around terrifying people. That boggart has been tormenting Severus for more than half an hour now. There is a caterwauling charm going on the third floor, which Misters Weasley and Weasley tripped, and they have been changing appearances since then while dangling upside down from the ceiling. I have also noticed that the house elves have made themselves scarce since all this commotion started."
Sirius was rolling on the floor laughing at everything that had happened. What Dumbledore did not know was that this was a prank war. There had been small incidents since Sirius had accepted the challenge, but; Sirius had not imagined that things would escalate so quickly. They must have harassed Remus beyond all patience to have inspired him to use such elaborate pranks as these, he mused. Raising his wand, Sirius inaudibly shot a spell at the Weasley twins who fell to the ground and then he cast some more charms upon them and by the time he was done, their appearance had returned to normal. Then he proceeded to the Boggart which had not yet noticed him. It was a James Potter with Sirius taunting Snivellus. It made Sirius flinch to realise that he had such a visible catastrophic effect on his childhood rival. Quickly he banished the boggart. Then he summoned Kreacher and Winky, to help subdue the metal Basilisk. When he transmuted the basilisk back to its original form, it turned out to be his motorcycle! He summoned the elves ordering them to douse the fires then clean up the mess and repair any damage.
With the fires and most of the chaos under control, he went up to the third floor to deal with the caterwauling charm. When he arrived there, the noise was going at full volume. He terminated the noise with a flick of his wand. When Sirius entered his room, he found Moony there, lounging in a squishy recliner, reading a copy of hexes and Jinxes for Fun and Profit while munching on a box of chocolate from Honeydukes. No sooner had peace been restored than the door opened to Fred and George entering the room. They immediately bowed to Remus and started offering their apologies and praises in their twin speak.
"We are sorry that we angered you", said Gred
"You turned the tables on us", added Forge
"We accept defeat, Prank Lord Moony", said Fred, bowing and scraping to Moony who was now smirking at them.
"We are not worthy, Prank Lord", they chanted together, "please add us to your minions."
Finally Remus nodded his head signalling that he accepted their surrender, "Remember boys there will be a second round. And this time, I will not be alone." He grinned a very toothy grin at them.
After an hour, very happy Fred and George Weasley left Sirius's room with a big bag of Galleons and the title deed for their new shop in their hands. They had happily signed the forms which Harry had brought making him partner with 30% shares in the business with the stipulations that he would bring in the cash when necessary and any ideas that he may have.
When Sirius asked Moony about the prank war, he told them that the twins had fed him a chocolate laced with Draught of Rage getting Dobby to deliver it. When Moony went into rage, Dobby burdened with guilt, brought him an antidote which was fed to him once the elves subdued him. After that, with the help of the elves, he transmuted the motorcycle into the basilisk and powered it enough to go around on its own. He also set a trap on the twin's room which simultaneously set off the caterwauling charm, levicorpus jinx, and a random transmutation to switch them between humanoid forms and change their hair colour. With the trigger in the doorway and a 3 foot radius to the effect, it hit both of them . Dobby brought a boggart from somewhere and set it loose upon Snape when he came with Dumbledore to control the situation. The fires were the work of the elves. It was a specialty of theirs. They had done it to add to the chaos when it was getting monotonous.
Later in the evening, before dinner, with the adults who were present in the townhouse and Harry, Dumbledore called a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix to order. He started in his professional tone,
"Yesterday, At Gringotts, Mr. Potter took up his lordship and is now Lord Potter."
Many people in the hall clapped at this revelation while most of them congratulated Harry at his ascension. Mr. Weasley shook his hand and offered House Weasley's support to them.
"Now, Lord Potter is there anything else about that meeting which you would like to share with this company?", asked Dumbledore, yielding the floor to Harry.
"Yes Professor, there are a few things that you should know. First, the goblins performed an inheritance test. As it turns out, my mother was not muggle-born, but a pure-blood, adopted by Harrison Evans."
Harry took a moment to watch the reactions on people's faces as the meaning of this news sank in.
Dumbledore's gaze was intense, concentrated on him and he felt like someone was probing his thoughts. Snape looked ashen. Minerva's eye-brows had disappeared into her hair. Alastor was indifferent. Molly sat there, her hand over her mouth. Remus and Sirius were sitting there looking upon Dumbledore with interest. Arthur was looking intrigued.
The moment passed, and Snape was the one to ask the question everyone was already thinking, "If Lily was pureblood then who her parents were?"
"I am glad you asked that question, Professor", said Harry smirking, "Her ancestry is indeed the most curious thing in this whole situation. Her father was Vincent Rosier and her mother was Emilia Weber. What's more is that I am the sole survivor of both houses. The muggles never were my relatives. But that raises another question for the Head Master. If the muggles were not my relatives, how did the wards work?"
Dumbledore whose mind had been engaged in taking in everything that had just been said, and understanding all which that implied, took some time to understand Harry's question. Wen he did, he had no answer for the boy.
When the answer did come, it was Severus, "Harry, the wards are based on blood and magic. The blood which came of you and your mother and the magic in you would have put the wards in place. Any other protections which Head Master thought were present would not have been there. It would seem that the only thing really protecting you was the protection your mother put in place at the cost of her own life. You have to remember that we did not even visit you once in a decade so we did not know anything for certain. When the head master visited your home at the end of your fourth year a couple of days ago, those protections, if there were any, were already gone. We believe they had disappeared sometime before you started 3rd year."
Harry understood what Severus was saying and it made sense to him. He wanted to rage at the head master but chose not to. The old man had already accepted so many times that he had made mistakes in his regard.
Sirius stood up, proudly puffed out his chest, and announced, "I am proud to inform you all that Harry Potter is the new Lord of the House of Black and my adopted son by magic."
Several of the people clapped their hands while a couple of them stood and congratulated Sirius on becoming a father which Sirius accepted jovially. As if on cue, the kitchen door opened and Tonks entered followed by a man and woman. Almost everyone in the room stiffened at the sight of the woman who was tall, olive skinned, with brown eyes that resembled Sirius's and she regarded the room imperiously until her gaze fell on Harry. Sirius stood up laughing and hugged the woman who returned the hug with equal joy before coming to and curtsying before Harry, "My Lord, I have come to seek reinstatement in my house."
Harry was befuddled at her display. He had no idea about who this woman was, what her request meant or what he should do about it. Sirius moved to his side to advise him.
"My lord... This is my cousin, Andromeda Tonks nee Black. This is her husband Theodore 'Ted' Tonks. And this is their daughter Nymphadora Tonks." Tonks glared at him and he stuck his tongue out at her, showing his maturity.
He turned to Harry again, "Andromeda was disowned from the family by her mother for refusing to marry Thaddeus Nott and running off to marry a muggle-born. For doing this, she was deprived of her dowry and inheritance. She has come to petition her new lord for reinstatement into her family."
Harry, who was puzzled till now, felt like someone was whispering words into his ear. Signaling the Tonks family to bow, he turned to Andromeda, "Do you, Andromeda Cassiopeia, daughter of House Black accept your admittance back into the House of Black?"
She raised her head, "I do."
He asked further, "Do you vow to defend your house and its secrets with equal zeal and fervour as is expected of a member of the family?"
She firmly repeated, "I do."
"Then I, Harold James, Lord of House Black welcome you back into the House of Black as a daughter of the house. You will be given your inheritance and the customary dowry. The family will take care of you as one of its own expecting you to do the same when the occasion arises. So I have said, so mote it be", he proclaimed and a golden light engulfed him and Andromeda and disappeared into their bodies.
The same process was repeated with Ted and Nymphadora and after they were welcomed into the family, Harry instructed Sirius to send a missive to Ripthroat asking him to pay the customary dowry of Andromeda into her account.
Sometime later, after everyone had a feast courtesy of the elves, Dumbledore resumed, "So, what is the next course of action, Lord Potter?"
Harry turned to the head master who looked like he had aged a decade in the last few minutes, perhaps still guilt laden about the fact that he had left Harry with the muggles who were not his relatives, but; Harry could not hold the old wizard liable for it.
"I found out that through my families, I own around 66% of the Daily Prophet", he announced to the room, making all conversation go silent, "imagine being slandered by your own news paper."
Everyone was looking at him, trying not to laugh while Harry pulled a pouty face. Only Ron looked a little jealous, but; soon that look was changed to one of thoughtfulness.
"My boy, if you own the Daily Prophet, may be it's time we brought them into line.", said Dumbledore, "This means that we can use our influence to persuade them to publish truthful stories, stop with the smear campaign against our ranks and stop suppressing the stories that really matter."
"How do we achieve it, Headmaster?", asked Harry, interested.
It was Ted who answered, "My lord, I was the solicitor of your parents and if you would like to retain my services then I will send a message to them on your behalf with a goblin statement that the House of Potter owns 66% shares of the Daily Prophet and they shall cease and desist. Knowing that you own their lives, they would not dare to print any lies about you. We can also ask them to print only those stories for which credibility can be confirmed by a memory or some written evidence."
Harry grinned ferally at this making people shudder while Sirius and Remus smirked inwardly knowing that the newest marauder was out for blood.
The night finally ended with Harry Potter charging the ward stones which were located in the cellar beneath the Lord's study, with his blood magic. Dumbledore cast a Fidelius charm and gave the secret to the members of the Order present in the house at that moment.
Port of London
Next evening, Harry Potter was standing in the port of London in a distant corner which was protected from other eyes. This was in a large part of the port which was only frequented by large cargo vessels. When he raised the query with Albus, he was told that this part of the port was used by Wizards when their magical ships docked in Britain. He had left Grimmauld Place in the afternoon with a Guard made up of Order members. There was Nymphadora Tonks, who had said her good-bye before changing her appearance and going ahead to scout for them. The rest were Alastor Moody, who seemed to be in charge of the operation, Sturgis Podmore, Remus Lupin, Amelia Bones, Hestia Jones, Emmaline Vance, Albus Dumbledore Minerva Mcgonagall and Arthur Weasley. Harry noticed that they were all dressed in muggle clothing. When they reached the port, only Albus Dumbledore, Harsh Vardhana, Remus, Mr. Weasley, Amelia Bones, Alastor Moody and Minerva McGonagall followed him into the port while the others scattered throughout to form a perimeter and to join the other order Guards who were posted around the port and keeping a look out. Instead of going through with the muggles, they took another route where there was no one else except them. After being cleared through the security, they were joined by some other men Harry did not know but judging by their alert expressions and their eyes taking in everything, he supposed that they were guards perhaps the same ones who had escorted Harsh and Harry when they visited St. Mungo's.
Remus embraced Harry tightly and whispered to him, "Harry, you are going to learn some stuff that not even most grown wizards know about. They will train you by treating you anyway they like but remember Harry they are the best that we could hope for. They will not go easy on you and their methods may seem harsh at times, but; time is short and I believe that they know what they are doing. Sirius will be here, waiting for you when you return, hopefully, he will be a free man by then. In the meantime, don't worry about us. Remember that we all love you."
Harry never had seen the werewolf so emotional. He knew that Remus loved him as much as Sirius did but Remus never showed it preferring to keep it all bottled up. Seeing him opening himself up to the teen was a surreal experience for him. He embraced Remus tightly when he felt something being pushed into his hands. It was a square packet wrapped in paper and Remus whispered, "These are enchanted mirrors which will let you contact us. When you want to talk to any of us, just speak our Marauder name into it and you will be able to contact us. When we call you, just say the marauder map activation code into it and it will connect you with us."
The next one to say good-bye to him was Mr. Weasley, who clasped his hand formally, "Lord Potter...", he began.
Harry interrupted him, "To you Mr. Weasley, and your entire family, I am always Harry. I always have been and my lordships do not change anything."
Mr. Weasley smiled genially at him, "in a private setting, you are Harry Potter to me, but; in public you shall always be designated as Lord Potter. I know you don't like the fame, the fortune or all the formality and trappings that go along with it, but; there is a reason for it. I hope that this will be part of your education in the near future. Harry you can use the fame to do so much good. You should learn to use it."
Harry could understand what Mr. Weasley meant and nodded. He himself had seen the fickleness of the wizarding world in the last four years. They basked in his glory whenever he did something for them but scorned him whenever they felt like it. The way they had all sided against him when they called him the 'heir of Slytherin' still hurt but no one had helped him then. Then in fourth year, the entire school and later the wizarding world teamed up against him, calling him a liar and a cheater for entering the Triwizard tournament, when it had all been part of a plot by Voldemort. Hermione seemed to be the only one who believed him and stayed by his side during that dark time. Later, Rita's articles did not help improve the perception. The only thing that the wizarding world respected was power and fame. It was power that made them all fear Voldemort even when he was considered dead and it was the power of money that Lucius Malfoy and other death eaters had used to worm their way out claiming 'imperious curse defense'. He resolved in that moment to use his power to achieve his means.
Mr. Weasley started saying again, "so, Lord Potter, I wanted to say that the Weasleys stand behind you firmly. You have been one of our own since the day my sons rescued you from Privet Drive. I never knew your parents personally being senior to them at school but I knew of their bravery and courage and I admired them for their heroics. I know that Ron is not your best friend at the moment but I hope things will get better between you two. He caused some troubles unknowingly but his heart has always been in the right place. I trust you will give him another chance with time."
Harry nodded. Ron had been cold to him since he had woken up but that could have been due to the guilt that Harry knew he was feeling. Ron had a real problem with jealousy, but; that should never overcome his affection for his friends. Harry hoped that Ron would get over his guilt soon and things could be better between them. In the meanwhile Harry was content to give him time to deal with his issues.
Professor McGonagall stepped up to him next, "Mr. Potter... Harry, I know I have not been very helpful to you in all these years at Hogwarts and there is no excuse that I can make up for my failures. Your father was my godson and I failed to care for his son. I should have checked on you during all those years. I am sorry for my failures."
Harry smiled at her and said, "Professor, while there were moments that you did not help us, you have done for me what a parent would do, right from buying my first broom to caring for me. You are one of my favourite people."
Minerva hesitantly smiled at him and hurriedly moved away lest her tears were seen by the teen she had come to love as one of her own. Since the time Harry Potter came back to Hogwarts, she had been laden with guilt about not doing anything about his living arrangements. She was heart-broken when Harry Potter had reached the Hospital Wing unconscious and dying at the end of first year. Then the next year he had to face a Basilisk and she was still not able to help him in anyway. Then in his third year, he had to stay at the castle because of those wretched Dementors and then had to face a mass murderer (she did not know then that Sirius was innocent). She could not even think about the fiasco that was fourth year and all the mistakes that she had made. Even after all this, he had stood tall and was forgiving of her.
Alastor Moody hobbled up to him and growled, "Constant Vigilance Potter. Harsh is a tough man but he will teach you things that none of us can. Train hard and remember Potter, do not hesitate to learn anything. When you come back, I expect you to be able to duel me."
Amelia embraced him lightly and smiled at him, "Harry, I know everyone has told you to train hard but I expect you to remember that there is life beyond training for war and there are people who need you to stay human as much as they need you to become the warrior you need to be. Remember after you come back, you have to come and stay at Bones Manor for a week or so. Susie insisted on coming to see you off, but; she had other business to attend to. However, she asked me to tell you that if you renege on your promise, she will curse you so badly that no one will be able to sort you out."
Harry cringed at the tone of the message but smiled at Amelia, 'Please tell her that I will visit as soon as I am back in Britain, no matter how long it may be."
Dumbledore came to him next, "Harry, I need you to take the training seriously as everyone said. Mr. Harsh Vardhana is very powerful and he can help you learn things that I cannot even dream of. With all that out of the way, my boy, please remember that you have a life to live and you are not just a weapon to kill. You will make your choices which will not leave you alone for the rest of your life. For good or bad, these choices will stay with you bringing you fame or infamy. Our choices are what define us in the world, Harry. Tom made his choices and they led him down the path of destruction and your choices have made people love you."
Harry smiled at the old wizard, "I will never let my choices be the wrong ones, Head Master."
Dumbledore smiled at him, eyes twinkling madly, "I know my boy. You are a better wizard than many who have had to face problems like you. You embrace love, kindness and empathy for others while others would have taken the path of cruelty and destruction. Thank you for understanding an old man and his limited choices, Harry. I thought that you were going to hex me yesterday after you told us about your family lineage."
Harry just shrugged at this, not having any experience at dealing with emotions in such conditions.
"Now young Harry, Sirius has told me to inform you that he will be most disappointed if you fail to learn some pranks since you are part owner of a future pranking
business", said Dumbledore smiling at him.
Harry winced just thinking about asking Harsh to teach him pranks. The mystic seemed to have quite a vicious sense of humour.
After Harry had said his good-byes to everyone who was present, Harsh approached him, "Mr. Potter, are you ready?"
Harry nodded and hefted his trunk which he had bought from Diagon Alley yesterday while he was out with Sirius. Sirius had withdrawn some money through Ripfang and insisted on spoiling Harry with buying him stuff that he should have had for years. After looking at it from every angle, Harry had given up trying to understand Sirius's antics. So they left Gringotts and went to Madam Malkin's where Sirius stayed under the Invisibility Cloak and Harry had just sort of ordered something of everything and was assaulted with shears, pins, needles, robes, measuring tapes and an elf who insisted on measuring his foot to choose some dragon hide boots for him. While the clothing was being finished, he and Sirius visited one of the trunk shops where they brought a four compartment trunk for him, built with feather-light charms and emblazoned with the crest of Potter leaving other houses off for the moment knowing that the news would have gone out about his being lord of other houses. The same crest was on the clothes he had ordered. Then they visited Flourish & Blotts where they brought a trunk full of books which were stowed in the trunk with the clothes and which Dobby had offered to arrange in the compartments when they returned to the Townhouse of Black. They rode the hippogriff back into the garden of the house before walking in the pandemonium that was reigning throughout the house.
Harry nodded to Harsh that he was ready, "Are we going to sail in a ship?"
"Mr. Potter, India is very far away and it will take us a good 7 days if we go cruising the muggle way. I said that I would surprise you. We will go flying."
"Flying in carriages? Like the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic?", Harry asked eagerly.
"No, Mr. Potter. Heard of a flying ship?", Harsh smirked at everyone's expressions. Remus was looking at him curiously, Amelia was looking surprised, Dumbledore as his usual cheery self with his eyes twinkling, Mr. Weasley looked like a boy who was just given a wonderful gift for his birthday, Minerva looked stoic as ever but her eyes were full of delight while Alastor was looking around suspiciously and Harry Potter was standing there with his mouth hanging open.
Suddenly, a ship's horn was heard and a ship appeared in the harbour as if it just materialised out of thin air. The ship was modest by appearance except that it had a figurehead of a Fish which none could recognise and as the gangplank landed with a thud, several men debarked and lined along either side of the gangplank, wands facing outwards. These men were dressed in Indian garb with wore armour over their upper bodies and dragon boots. One of the men relieved Harry of his luggage, banishing it towards the ship.
Harsh stepped on the gang plank followed by his entourage and reached the deck of the ship where the captain of the ship, a gruff man stepped forward. The man had a long beard perhaps to rival Dumbledore's, but; his was raven black, his eyes were beetle black and he had a strong voice. He bowed to Harsh, sinking low to the deck, "Welcome to Marichika, master."
"Marichika?", asked Dumbledore curiously, "Do you mean the ship that I have heard so much about? The same ship which was in port when the Vikings invaded Avalon? The same ship which had docked in the port during the second Goblin rebellion? The same ship rumoured to appear at those ports where there is war and strife going on or about to happen. The same ship which has always docked at a country where they were having problems with a dark lord? The same ship which is thought to sail around the world evading all forms of intelligence?"
By the time Dumbledore had done asking his questions, his eyes were twinkling like two miniature suns and others were just looking amused at Dumbledore.
"Albus my boy," chided Harsh, "your enthusiasm is contagious, but; yes, this is the same ship. Though we have had changed parts which needs changing. Even magic cannot make things last forever."
"I just have to see this", pouted Albus, "I cannot know all of your secrets, but; you can at least show me around the ship. I have been intrigued by this as long as I can remember."
"I think his request is from all of us, Mr. Harsh", said Amelia, her curiosity barely contained, "I wish to see this legendary ship. I found references to this in the old archives of the ministry but could not fathom that it was real."
"As you say, Amelia", smiled Harsh.
He started showing them around the ship. The top most level was the deck which was quite vast now that they could see it. They understood that it was a miracle of expansion charms. The level below the deck was a couple of rooms which were the Captain's Room, the Ward Room, a large hall where there were several beds installed and a couple of other rooms which were for the men to sleep in when there was a large number of them.
The captain's room was regal and yet sparsely decorated containing a bed, a wardrobe and a rug on the floor. There was a compass on the wall which the captain used to navigate. There was an ornate chandelier hung on the wall and it looked like it was made of crystals fused with bones which lit the room with ever burning fire. The ward room was extensive. There were stones the size of large boulders in the room. There surfaces were covered with runes. Harry was now lamenting the fact that he had not taken Ancient Runes as one of his electives. These ward stones were more than twice the size of the ward stones at the Black Townhouse and were buzzing with energy.
Then there was a large hall where there was a large table set up which was obviously the mess hall of the ship adjacent to the sleeping hall. Down the corridor from the hall, there were some cabins which had name plates set on the door. One of them had the name 'HARRY POTTER' and the room was bare without even a bed in it but only a small sofa on one side of the room.
Harry was confused, "Umm... Am I supposed to sleep on the floor?"
"Are you a wizard or not?", chided Professor McGonagall, "I believe that I have taught you to transfigure one thing into another. You can transform the sofa into a bed. In fact, set to it right now."
Harry was inwardly cringing at her tone. He indeed had made a mistake and now his favourite professor was taking him to task. Repeating his motto, "Gryffindors charge forward!". He said meekly, "But I don't have a wand, Professor."
McGonagall turned to Albus with her stern expression, "How can you let him go on a magical voyage without a wand, Albus?"
The others laughed at the scared look on Albus's face who looked helpless before the stern witch who looked like she was about to give detention to Albus.
Albus cringed at her tone and said almost pleadingly, "Minerva, Mr. Harsh has offered to make a wand for him, suited to him with special materials."
Before Minerva could turn her fury to Harsh, he deftly took out the wand he had given Harry for helping in the ritual, "Here you go, Mr. Potter. Take this wand and transform this couch into a bed."
Harry concentrated hard and with the precise wand movement, the couch was replaced by a bed.
Minerva drew a rune on the bed and turned to Harry, "this rune will make the transfiguration permanent Mr. Potter thus you will not need to transform the Couch into a bed every time."
As Harry turned to give the wand back to Harsh, he told him to keep it telling him that Harry will need the wand lots of times before their journey was done.
The tour progressed further and they reached the lower deck where there were a number of oars at rest. These oars were used to propel the ship and worked with magic. There was a broom shed wherein there were a lot of brooms. Some were rather old and some were very modern. Harry even spotted a couple of Firebolts in the shed making him think about his own Firebolt which was in his room at the Black Townhouse. The brooms in the shed were from all different countries and each one was superb in its own way.
All too soon, it was time to depart. The others disembarked from the ship. Harry and Harsh were standing on the deck waving at the others when the ship disappeared from view.
Earlier that day, Bones Manor
Susan was not having a good day. Scratch that, she was not having a good summer. She had come home from Hogwarts fearing that she would not hear from Harry Potter for the entire summer. She knew that Dumbledore knew about the contract now and she thought he might allow Harry to stay at the Bones Manor. But no, he took Harry to the muggles and later to his god father. Susan thought that she had not done the compulsion charms properly because she did not receive even an owl from Harry but just the day after she returned from Hogwarts, he had visited Bones Manor with the trainee healer. Susan had to exercise all of her restraint to resist dragging Harry away from the gathering.
When Auntie told everyone that she had obtained his guardianship, Susan could not control her enthusiasm and had hugged Auntie so tightly. When auntie asked them to go out, she wished to have some time alone with Harry and may be, she could gather the courage to kiss him on the cheek. She had no overt intentions but hearing of other girls kissing, she wanted to experience it once. Damn Neville Longbottom! He could not get the hint that he needed to leave the both of them alone. Perhaps she will have to ask Hannah to see to it that he never interfered again when he was not needed. Thinking of Hannah made her feel sorry for her friend. She had made up with Susan and had promised to apologise to Harry and never badmouth him. Susan wanted to tell her that Harry would forgive her but Susan herself had not yet forgiven her. May be when Hannah gained redemption from Harry, Susan would forgive her entirely. For the time being, she was content being away from everyone.
This morning, Auntie had informed her that she was going after the muggles who had been constantly on the run. A team of her Aurors was investigating in Harry Potter's former home to determine what his life was like before Hogwarts. They found evidence that the closet under the stairs had been his bedroom. They found several neighbours who were able to give reliable and consistent accounts of Harry being neglected and beaten. Mrs. Figg was most helpful in recounting how Harry was underfed and often had bruises and other signs of injury. What Auntie had gathered from the preliminary investigations was enough to send the muggles away for 7 years minimum.
Auntie had hired some teachers who would be training her for combat. She was also being trained to take over as head of house in the near future. Auntie had said, many times, that she would give up the position of Regent as soon as Susan came of age as an adult witch.
Susan had plans to fetch the family Grimoire from the family vault and start learning it. She was not training to become an Auror but a warrior. She wanted to be Harry's shield when he fights in the war. She had an inkling of the fact that the second war will be fought under Harry's banner and not under anyone else. She knew she could not stay weak if she was to fight beside him. If that meant that she would have to be strong, then so be it.
Earlier that day, rock in the sea
Vernon Dursley was hiding in the shack on the rock in the sea. The same one where he had tried to hide from Hagrid on Harry's eleventh birthday. He had been having nightmares. Nightmares of gruesome death, of being killed by a dragon or suffering with some horrible nasty disease that his doctors could not cure. However, what had happened with him and Petunia in the last 4 days was a nightmare from which he could not wake.
After the freaks had left, Vernon had been hanging from the ceiling for 6 hours while Petunia was busy in the house doing who knew what. When he finally fell to the floor, he narrowly escaped breaking his neck in the fall. The strain in his neck was severe. His whole body was aching and he just wanted to lie down, but; he knew the freaks were going to come for him. The first thing he did was to call his realtor and put up his pristine home for sale. He had not wanted to do this but there was no other way. May be if he ran, the freaks would not be able to catch him. He had once asked Petunia of the freak world and she had told such horror stories about how horrible the freaks were that he had never again asked her. He knew the freaks had some system called families and they were the nastiest of the bunch. Petunia had recalled a story Lily had told her where one family had killed another and those were gruesome killings. Some had their intestines expelled, some had their flesh pared to their bones, and some had all the flesh burnt off their body.
Wanting to avoid any such fate for him and his family, he entered his bedroom with a view to discuss and form a plan with Petunia and found his bedroom trashed. The books from the shelf were thrown around the house, the mattresses torn and their clothes from the wardrobes were strewn around the house. Petunia was filthy looking like she had crawled out of the chimney. Her clothes were ragged and mismatched making her look like a street urchin. It was a small mercy that they had not cursed his son. In retrospect, Vernon felt a little ashamed that they showed more sympathy to his child than he had ever shown to Harry. Ever since that freak was found on his door step, he had never said a kind word to him or about him. But that was water under the bridge now. The freaks had said that some long dead freak had come back but how? Vernon could only wonder. They had also said something about prosecuting him and his family for mistreating the child and the one who had cursed him had said something about telling a Dark Family about how his family had treated that freak. Vernon had known that the boy was a celebrity for the freaks, as he remembered how they were celebrating his victory 14 years ago.
Vernon knew he had to secure his family. He had sent Dudley to Marge with a letter that he was going out of England with Petunia on an urgent errand and he could only hope that Dudley did not come to harm. He and Petunia had tried to take a room in a hotel as they left Privet Drive under the cover of night. They had spent the night in a decent hotel but the next morning, the manager had thrown them out for causing a ruckus in his hotel and for making the customers go away. The customers had complained that Vernon's room was smelling like rotting meat and when the manager had asked them politely to leave Petunia had started insulting him, calling him such colourful names that he feared he would have to wash her mouth out with soap.
As they were thrown out of the hotel, Vernon had spotted some freaks keeping an eye on him. They were dressed in their unnatural clothes and not even trying to hide. For the last 3 days, Vernon had been running from the freaks. Whenever he thought he had found a place to hide, he would spot one of them spying on him making him run again. Yesterday, he had gone into his office to apply for leave. That was when he was informed that an audit had discovered his embezzlement of company funds and that by a unanimous vote at an emergency meeting of the board of directors he was dismissed without pay, notice or references. When security escorted him off the lot, he was informed, in no uncertain terms that if he ever showed his face around the company or any of their clients again, he would be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Vernon had no doubt that all the problems in his life were being caused by the freaks. He thought that he should have shipped the boy off to the orphanage the moment he came into their lives.
As he left the office, he saw several of the freaks spying on him. Taking Petunia he ran to the first place that came to his mind. He remembered how hard it had been for them to go back to Privet Drive 4 years ago after the giant had taken the boat away. When the toothless man had returned to the cottage with the boat, he had taken his family to the mainland but not until Vernon paid for the door broken down by the giant freak. So, this time, Vernon had gone to the toothless man and stocking the boat with a week's provisions, he came to the shack on the rock to hide. He had to survive this and may be somehow, someone could help him. Someone who could control these freaks and return his life to him.
BOOM! With a report like a cannon shot, the door was blasted off its hinges. Vernon charged downstairs with a rifle in his hand. Petunia cowered under the bed, shaking with fright. He saw a man dressed in pure black. His face obscured by some sort of net and a wand in his hand. Vernon began to aim his weapon, but before he could, the man waved his stick and Vernon was holding a snake. Yelping loudly, Vernon threw the snake away and the man stepped up to him and said in a high pitched voice, "Your bill has come due, Vernon Dursley. I have been sent to collect the first installment."
The man waved his stick again and Vernon was lifted into the air before falling back to the earth. He did it a few more times before he again pointed his stick at him and said, "Tortius Corpus", and pitch black light left the stick hitting Vernon in the face making him scream. He could feel the skin being peeled off his body, his bones breaking and his blood clotting in his veins. The torture went on for about 20 minutes before Vernon passed out.
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