Ramblings and Dribbles

by WolfgangNH

This is a posting of ramblings, dribbles, one-shots, unfinished ideas or other stuff I just don't think deserves it's own storyline. Some I plan to finish someday, others are what they are. This is mature reading for some posts. Some items may be well developed, others are not yet, and may never be. There will many different pairings, and sometimes none.

57. Trip of a Lifetime

Trip of a Lifetime

-oOo-

Rambling and Dribbles: A dribble that I hope some enjoy. All updates are now in chapter 1 of Rambling and Dribbles.

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter does not belong to me.

-oOo-

Premise:

During Harry's year of hell at the hand of the ministry, people weren't as blind to his plight as he and his friends thought. Sirius, his godfather, broke away from the machinations of a wizard playing a deadly game of chess with another wizard and worked to save his godson.

Sirius, and a splinter group in the Order of the Phoenix, organized a way for Harry to flee the country and finally get the life and training he should have while the adults did the adult thing: fight a war instead of letting children do it for them.

Unfortunately, Sirius didn't survive to see Harry finally break free from the chains that bound him, or to see the fruits of their labour come to pass.

Part one of the plan: Get Harry and as many others that wanted, out of the country.

Part two of the plan: To be seen…

Getting Harry out of the country involves one of the few wishes that Sirius knew his godson to have: he wanted to live as a normal teen and not the Boy-Who-Lived. While away, Sirius planned on the dogs to play…

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 1

-oOo-

July 6, 1995

Little Whinging, Surrey

Harry dragged his trunk up the stairs.

Hedwig had gone home with Hermione so that Uncle Vernon wasn't tempted to kill her again this summer. Though, Harry was unsure if he needed to worry about that.

The car ride home had been strange. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia didn't say a word to him. Not about the scene at the station and the way they were threatened, nor that they were going to be saddled with him for another summer.

Dudley kept casting odd looks at him, and whenever Harry had turned to see why, Dudley would look away.

It was very strange.

Stranger still was when he walked into the house. Boxes were stacked in the hallway. All the pictures had been taken off the walls. He had turned to ask, and his uncle gruffly said, "Not a word. Up to your room. I'll be back shortly, pet."

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," he had replied.

Were they moving?

Dumbledore had been very specific in that Harry had to come back because of the blood wards. Walking into his sparce room, he stopped just inside his door. On the bed was a large backpack full of hiking and camping gear. A smaller backpack was next to it. Next to then was a small pile of hiking boots, jumper and clothes. A large duffle bag finished out the pile. Everything was new and looked to be of high quality.

"What the hell?" he said.

"Keep your voice down," Aunt Petunia snapped.

Harry hadn't heard her come up the stairs behind him. He twisted, his hand going for his wand in his pocket.

"Don't pull that here," she hissed at him.

"What's going on?" Harry asked.

She put a finger on her mouth. He took a step back as she stepped into the room. Walking towards the window, she looked out it. He wasn't sure what she was looking for. "Your godfather contacted us."

Harry felt the all too familiar pit that had formed over the last two weeks harden more. It had been fifteen days since Sirius died and they had survived the disaster of the Department of Mysteries. Luckily, his friends had all been healed and were back to normal by the time they left, but Sirius had died.

Harry swallowed the lump in his throat. "When?" he managed to croak.

"After Christmas. He wants you out of here. Dumbledore never told us the original protections failed last year, and the new ones will only stand until you are seventeen, or we all decide to leave," she said, still looking out the window. "We were told we were being watched by the ones that killed Lily."

Harry had a sudden fear. "The Death Eaters!"

"Don't say their name or HIS name. Black told us there was something that could tell him where we are if we say it," she told him.

Harry blinked. Something tickled in the back of his head. Something from a defence book he had found int the Room of Requirements this year. "A taboo…? Voldemor…"

"Don't say his name!" she snapped at him.

He pursed his lips. "I still don't get what's going on?"

"We are all leaving. We were told not to tell you where we are going. Tomorrow morning Vernon is driving you into London. You are leaving here at 3:00. We would have preferred you stay the night in London, but we were told you had to come back for a single night to give us enough time to flee. Your flight leaves at 6:00. The plane ticket and the details of your trip are in one of the pockets. Take your wand and only the few other things that can fit in the bag. Everything else will be replaced once you get there," she told him.

Harry blinked. "What?" he asked confused.

"Black wants you out of the country. You are starting a new school next year. For the summer, you are being sent somewhere," she said, indicating the large backpack on the bed. "I don't know where and I really don't care. After tomorrow, we are finally through with you."

His heart beat faster. "But Dumbledore said I had to come back here. There are blood wards protecting us."

Aunt Petunia's lip curled up in a disdain. "There are no blood wards. That was what Black called them too. They failed the night you brought back that monster."

"I didn't do anything," Harry said angrily.

"I don't care. You are endangering my family. I will not have Dudley attacked by dementors again and if your people are out there trying to kill us, then I won't have it. You leave tomorrow. We won't be here if you come back. The current protections will last a few days once we go our ways. Fit anything you can into that bag. I was told those trousers, and that jacket have special pockets," she said, finally turning towards him.

Harry glared at her. "Is that the only reason you never sent me to an orphanage? I was just protection for your family?"

She huffed. "We only kept you because we were threatened. Black finally paid us the back pay for all the years we took care of you. Be ready to leave by 3:00. Vernon will be back with some take-away soon. You can have what you want, then leave us alone."

She walked past him while Harry stood there fuming. He knew that his relatives hated him, but he had never expected to just be thrown away like that. It took him a few minutes to process the situation.

He slammed the door shut, then marched over to the bed. A thick envelope was sticking out of one of the pockets. Snatching it, he recognized the loopy script of Sirius.

Greif and anger warred within him.

After suppressing the mental urge to rip up the envelope before even reading it, he sat on the bed. When he finally opened it, he pulled out a thick wad of paper money, an airplane ticket from London to Anchorage, Alaska in the United States, a pamphlet and a few other pages on a camping trip and a letter.

His emotions turned to confusion.

"What is all this?" he said out loud as he turned the pamphlet over.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Explorations for teens and beyond.

He blinked to see a gorgeous landscape with two smiling girls about his age in hiking gear with a mountain lake and tall, snowcapped peaks behind them. His lip curled up into disbelief as his brow rose.

"Since when did I ever want to go on an adventure?" he asked. He had enough of those in his normal life.

No one replied.

He was already missing Hedwig.

Looking at the money, it was all American $20 bills. He counted thirty of them. He had no idea if $600 was a lot or not. Six hundred quid would be a nice amount.

When he opened the letter, he fought down grief again to probably see the last words Sirius had written to him.

-o-

Hey pup,

By now you are probably wondering what the bloody hell is going on and why there is a backpack and hiking clothes in your room. If my loving mother had done that to me, I would have just grabbed the bag and left without even knowing where I was going.

-o-

Harry gave a watery chuckle. He could understand Sirius's sentiments.

-o-

Siriusly, though…

-o-

Harry smiled at the stupid pun.

-o-

… I am hoping that I have been able to explain this all to you, but if you are reading this letter, then Nymphadora did what I asked of her and I can't be there with you. If I'm not and we are not laughing over me being mental, then there are things you need to know.

The weapon that we are guarding is a prophecy. One made about you, Harry. I only know the first few lines as Moony and I were able to sneak some veritaserum into Snivellus. It's not good, pup, but there are a few things to know about prophecy.

First, nothing is ever written in stone.

There are far more prophecies that were made and never fulfilled than there ever were ones that were.

Second, most prophecies never make sense until well after the fact. If you try to force it, then the results will not be good. I firmly believe that Fate doesn't like having her hand pushed and will push back.

What we know is this –

'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…'

It could mean anything. It could apply to a dark lord hundreds of years in the future or who you think is the Dark Lord. Prophecy is woolly and don't buy into it.

Next, the blood wards that Dumbledore says protects you broke the night that nose less wanker came back. Dumbledore had to scramble to put up wards around your house. It was how the dementors where able to attack you. If the wards were working, then all dark creatures should have avoided you.

I was able to contact Gringotts and you won't like this. The new wards work by leaching your magic. It is why you must go back and need to spend a month or more there. It was a miracle you could cast the patronus with the power the little blighters say it drains from you. I now believe that if you were not attacked last summer, you would have been left there until September first.

I won't have you handicapped by having part of your magic bound like this when I can't be there…

-o-

Harry could feel his rage at Dumbledore start to build. The feeling in the room was growing oppressive and large bits of dust and the edges of the duvet were starting to lift.

-o-

… Not with the war looking to heat up.

I also realize you are not trained, and we should not be looking to a fifteen-year-old boy to solve these issues. Dumbledore and I have been arguing about this for months. The Order is split. It is why Nymphadora (ha! I can say that) and Remus are helping me get you out of the country.

The first part of the trip is to Alaska.

It's a cold, desolate place that has lots of polar bears, wendigos and kookwes.

-o-

"What the bloody hell is a kookwes?" Harry questioned. He might need to get out his creature books.

-o-

Well, that is what I thought. When Remus showed me the pamphlets and how beautiful it is up there in the summer, I realized I wanted to go. I'm actually a little jealous. It is also the last place that anyone will ever look for you.

Nymphadora is set to leave with my cousin and Remus for destinations unknown shortly after you do. You should see them again after your trip is done. You will be spending thirty days being exactly what you want to be.

A normal teen.

-o-

Harry swallowed a lump in his throat. That had been his biggest dream for years, and after Dumbledore dropped the prophesy on him, he knew that could never be.

-o-

It is a Muggle thing. No one will know you.

Don't back out of this.

I mean it, Harry. Go. Have fun. Shag a girl. Drink by the fire. Be a normal kid. Just live a little.

After your adventure is done, you won't be coming back. I won't tell you yet. I don't want anyone to stop this if they get word, but you are enrolled in a new school. On August 10th, you'll be met by someone you know. They will be able to tell you more.

I hope I'm there with you. If not, work your arse off. Have fun. Siriusly, shag a girl. I know you can do it.

If things work out, I'm hoping you will be joined by someone, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Harry, know that I love you. I'm sorry for leaving you all those years ago. I was stupid, in grief and lost track of what was the most important thing I should have been worried out: you.

Your loving dogfather,

Padfoot

-o-

There was a tear stain on the bottom of parchment that was soon joined by a fresh tear. Harry's eyes were blurry. He didn't think he had cried once since Sirius fell through the veil.

The door down the stairs slammed shut. "BOY! Get down here and get some food," his uncle bellowed up the stairs.

Harry wiped at his eyes, not feeling that hungry.

Looking at the next page of the letter, he found a list of all the supplies we would need, what was suggested to bring and details about the trip he was about to go on. On the list he noticed a wand holster.

He riffled through the pockets to find two wand holsters and an extra wand. There was a small pamphlet on how to use them. He didn't know what to think of the second wand and holster until he found a small note stuffed under the wand. Taking it out, fresh tears sprung to his eyes.

-o-

Pup, Remus and I snuck into your old house. We couldn't find Prong's wand, but this is your mum's. It still works. Willow with a phoenix tail core. Hopefully it will work for you. Padfoot.

-o-

Thinking he had lost everything that his parents once had, he clutched the wand to his chest and leaned over. His chest felt constricted. Falling over onto the bed, he let himself breakdown for the first time in years.

-oOo-

July 7, 1995

London, England

Harry's head was on the seat. He hadn't slept much and waking at 2:30 was God awful early.

His grumbling uncle had turned any of his ire on him. Whatever Sirius had done, his relatives were giving him a grudging distance. As far as Harry was concerned, that was good.

He shot up in his seat when a big hand shook his shoulder. He touched the top of his wand with his fingers. After he had recovered from his breakdown, he had learned how to put the holsters on, which had a few different configurations. Right now, he had two thick bracelets on his wrists with the wands hidden in secret pockets.

"We're here. Get your stuff and get out," Uncle Vernon ordered.

Harry blinked. "What do I do?" he asked, never having travelled before.

"Figure it out. I just want you out of our lives," Vernon gruffed.

Harry got out, took the large backpack, the duffle bag and the small day pack out of the back of the car then shut the door. Uncle Vernon kept his hands on the wheel, staring straight ahead. The second the door closed, he pulled out into the early morning traffic.

Harry had no clue where to go, and if that note hadn't been from Sirius, he would have thought this a trick to get rid of him by his relatives.

Turning about, he spotted a bobby by a set of doors. Walking over, he asked, "Excuse me, sir? Could you tell me where to go?"

The man looked him up and down. "Where's your parents?"

"My uncle went to park the car and wanted me to figure out where to go," Harry lied.

The man didn't look to believe him, but eventually said, "Where are you going?"

"Alaska," he said, not having any reason to keep lying.

"All on your own?" the man asked.

Harry was getting a little nervous. Why was he questioning him like this? Harry was about to walk away when someone suddenly shouted, "HARRY!"

He turned, not believing who it could be.

A girl with brown, curly locks was hurrying towards him. "Hermione?"

She barrelled into him. He stumbled back between the impact and the heavy pack on his back. The duffle and the day bag fell to the ground. "I thought I would never see you again," she said into his shoulder.

Harry warred with himself for a few seconds. He was happy to see her but wasn't sure if he should. She had been badly hurt two weeks ago. He wrapped his arms around her. "What are you doing here?"

The police officer shared a look with the woman and man that was walking up to them. The man was tall with dark brown hair, a measured demeanour and carrying a blue backpack meant for hiking and a large purple duffle bag. The woman had curly hair, like the girl, and was shorter and had a smile on her face to see the two teens. She had a large suitcase.

They were obviously traveling and knew the boy. Thinking that the boy was good now, he turned to walk the length of the drop off area. It wouldn't be the first time he had to deal with people just dropping off children and driving away. Many times, the kids had no clue what they were doing and half the time they were just dropped off with nothing.

"Mum and dad signed me up for a wilderness adventure. Can you believe that? They said that I would be meeting someone, but… are you going too?" she asked, pulling back. Harry got a chance to look at her.

She was dressed in jeans, a purple V-neck that showed she had more curves that he was used to seeing on her, and a purple cardigan. A day pack was on her back. She looked to have been crying recently but was putting on a brave face.

Harry's face must have been something to see as he pieced together the hint in Sirius's letter. "Sirius? He said someone might be joining me."

She had a sad understanding in her eyes. Her hand moved down to squeeze his. "Yes. Thirty-days in the wilderness. I can't wait."

His brow rose. She wasn't usually this snarky.

"You will have fun, princess. Harry, nice to see you again."

Harry stood up tall. He went to take his hand back, but Hermione didn't let him go, as though afraid he might run like a frightened rabbit. "Doctor Granger," Harry stiffly said.

The man nodded at him before extending a hand. "You can call me Will or William. I know we just saw you yesterday, but glad to see you. I'm sorry about Sirius."

Harry shook the man's hand after Hermione let go of it. They had shared a word or two when he had said goodbye to Hermione. "Yeah," he replied.

"Hello, Harry," Missus Granger said. She moved in to hug him. Harry stiffened, having no clue what was going on. "I'm so sorry about Sirius. Are you alright"

"Fine," he told her.

"Are you sure?"

Hermione caught his eye.

He knew she saw right through him. Missus Granger pulled back, her hands on his arms. "There are many things I want to talk to you about, but that can wait until we get to Alaska."

He felt the heaviness of her words.

Hermione mouthed 'Later.'

He knew this was big.

In a more chipper tone, Missus Granger said, "So, you two much be so excited about this? We've never been to Alaska, and you are going to see more of it than I think we ever expected."

Harry might not be as bright as Hermione, but he wasn't slow. They weren't to talk about anything related to the magical world or what they were doing. The fact he was getting away from the Dursley's he was more than willing to go along.

Hermione didn't look as pleased. "So, excited," she said rather sarcastically.

"Oh, come off it, Princess. I would have done anything to do what you two are going to do over the next month. And you did say you wanted to do some hiking this year," he said.

"I meant a day trip, like Leith Hill or if we went to France again. I've never been overnight before," she whinged as they walked in the airport.

"It can't be much different than school, can it? I mean, we walk and run all over the place and do hikes around there," Harry said. It was technically true, but the hikes into the Forbidden Forest and running around the school was going to be different than carrying a pack that was two stone or more.

"That's the spirit," William said. "Look at it this way, at least you have Harry with you."

The man gave the two of them a significant look. Harry was starting to wonder how much Hermione had told them? Or Sirius? Hermione had said last year that she didn't tell her parents everything, not wanting to be pulled from school… and now that exact thing was happening.

Hermione took his hand as they moved towards the British Airways desks. "Well, I guess if the bag gets to be too much, then you can carry it for me."

Harry laughed. "Unless you missed it, I'll have my own."

She huffed. "If we could only make then feather-light," she muttered.

"Harry, do you have your passport and ticket?" Marabelle asked.

"Yeah." He reached for the left pocket on his cargo trousers. He pulled out the passport that had been in the backpack and the tickets. They would be flying to Seatle and then to Anchorage.

He had to admit that he felt a certain excitement for this trip. He had never been out of country like this, but at the same time he was rather unsure. He knew that Voldemort and others would be looking for them. Though, since the night of the Department of Mysteries, Harry hadn't felt anything from his scar and the Daily Prophet hadn't said much of anything except what happened that night.

He figured that if things were heating up, then there would be stories of suspicious deaths or other activities, unless the ministry was still covering it up.

Thinking about last year, he squeezed his hand.

No, Harry didn't feel like he owed the wizarding world anything. Not after the way most people have treated him and the way the ministry acted. Things with the DA had been nice, but aside from the ones that went with him, Harry didn't really feel anything for the others. It was just nice to not have the whole school hate him this year.

As he thought about that, he worried about the Weasleys, Luna and Neville.

"Good morning, sir," a woman said from behind the counter.

"Ah, hi," Harry said. "Ah, what do I do?"

She gave him a smile. "First time flying?"

"Yeah."

"Just hand her your ticket and the passport, then put your backpack and duffle bag here. The day pack will be small enough to take on the plane," William said. Hermione and Marabelle were at the station next to him.

"Sure," Harry said, doing as told. "Ah, William, aren't you coming too?"

"I have some work I can't get out of. Marabelle will make sure the two of you make it to the camp, and then she has a business trip," William told him.

Harry was wondering if this was related to all the subterfuge they weren't being told about?

"Here is your boarding pass and just verify that this ticket matches your destination," the woman behind the counter said.

Harry looked at it. It was set for Anchorage, Alaska.

For the first time, he was really believing that he might get away. There was a myriad of emotions flit through him. William put a hand on is shoulder. Harry tried not to flinch. "That is right," the man said.

The woman nodded and then put the sticker tag onto his backpack.

When they stepped out, Hermione hugged her father, even if she seemed put out with them. "I love you, dad. Please be careful."

The man smiled and hugged her back. "Love you too, princess. Just remember to enjoy yourself. We'll take care of everything else once you're done."

The man shook his hand. "Take care of yourself, and our girl," the man said.

Harry shook his hand, feeling there was something he was missing. "I will, sir. She's my best friend," he said.

The man gave him a hard look that Harry wasn't sure about. It made him nervous though. More nervous than even facing down the basilisk or Bellatrix Lestrange a few weeks ago. "That's the spirit."

Hermione took his hand and walked him off towards the security stations while her parents said their goodbyes.

Harry looked back at the adults and then around them to see if anyone was nearby. This early in the morning there weren't many around yet. Leaning down, he whispered into her ear, "Do you know what is going on?"

She shivered before shaking her head. "No. When I got home my parents had all this stuff on my bed and told me they were sending me away for a month," she said.

"Sirius left me a letter saying the same thing. He also told me that I'm going to a new school next year," Harry whispered.

Hermione gave him a concerned look. "But Hogwarts… Harry, what about everything here?"

"What about everything here?" he asked her in a rather harsh tone.

She cast him a worried look. "What about our friends and everyone? The prophesy?"

"Hermione, outside of you, the Weasley's, Luna and Neville, who else do I have to really care about? We'll try to send them a letter to tell them to get out of here. I also have the feeling that Sirius tried to setup something for everyone. As for the prophecy, you know all those are woolly," he said, copying Sirius and something she had said herself one time. "Sirius said most never come true."

She bit her lip.

"What are you two whispering about," her mother asked as he joined them.

Hermione started. Harry just cast her a weary look. He really didn't trust many adults, even if he knew how much Hermione loved them and talked about them.

"Nothing," Hermione quickly said.

Marabelle gave them a discerning look. "Come on. Let's get through security, find out gate and then get some breakfast. We still have well over an hour before the plane boards."

Getting through security was rather easy, even if Hermione was a little red after Harry had seen a pair of knickers and a sports bra in the day pack when security decided to open it. Both day packs had a change of clothes, things to keep them busy on the flight and during their down time, toiletries and a few personal items. They let Harry just go through.

Harry had to admit he was interested in what he saw…

He had noticed she was a girl. How could he not? Harry just didn't feel like he could let himself really have a girlfriend. He was being chased by an insane Dark Lord and just barely managed to survive most years. Besides, he knew he wasn't as brilliant as she was, so why would she like him?

He couldn't meet her eyes as she joined him.

Marabelle found it a little amusing.

After finding their gate, they searched for an open place. There was a little café not far away. After sitting with their teas and a breakfast sandwich or some sausage rolls, Marabelle asked, "Did either of you look through the pamphlets and such?"

"Briefly," Harry said.

Hermione was a little abashed. "Not yet."

Harry gave her a curious look. She always wanted to know everything there was to know about anything given to them.

"I thought not," she said, giving Hermione a sympathetic look.

"I was a little distracted," Hermione explained to him.

"We can talk more about it once we get where we're going. Look through the materials. I think if you let yourselves, you'll really enjoy it. I know William and I are now looking at a holiday that would include some of the things you are going to do," she said.

Hermione reached for her bag.

Harry took out the stuff in his pocket. "I've never thought about backpacking or kayaking."

"It's beautiful up there, from what I understand. You'll be ice climbing on a glacier. Spending a few days kayaking and hiking around another. The mountains and everything are untouched," Marabelle said with some enthusiasm. "Not to mention, you'll be going together, so you should be able to enjoy it with a friend."

"What about everyone else?" Harry asked.

Her mother looked around them. She leaned towards them, trying to talk so that only Hermione and him would hear her. "Harry, Sirius did what he could. Anyone that wanted out is getting out," she said.

"You didn't say that last night," Hermione accused.

"Hermione, we were told that we were being monitored, and not just by your headmaster's group," her mother said. "I won't say anything more until we get to Anchorage."

Hermione frowned. Marabelle was acting much like his aunt had. He found he had another reason to hate the headmaster, least of all him keeping things from Harry that led to Sirius's death. Maybe even Cedric's, now that he had had two weeks to process everything Dumbledore had said that night.

"Now, why don't you look at the information while we eat and we can talk about it on the plane," Marabelle told her.

They both opened their pamphlets. "I've never seen a glacier," Harry commented after taking a bite of his sausage roll.

"We've been to Chamonix and skied on one," Hermione told him. "The view was spectacular."

"I bet. Wow, we will be going near Mount McKinley. It's 20,000 feet high," he said.

"I've never been that high except in a plane," Hermione commented.

Marabelle sipped at her tea and enjoyed her breakfast as the two teens quietly talked about the adventure they were about to embark on.

-oOo-

The same day…

London, England

Tonks apparated to the to step of the ramshackle old town house. She hated the place, but it was one of the most secure locations in Britain.

Walking in, she was struck by how far her mother's family had fallen. At one time, the Blacks were one of the richest and most influential families. Through a series of bad investments, the Black insanity and the support of a dark wanker that wanted to see everything burn, this once great house was all but bankrupt and extinct.

She looked to the spot where the old troll leg umbrella holder had been. She had taken great pride in blasting that thing into pieces the day after Sirius had died. With Kreature dead, most of the enchantments protecting various items around the house had failed.

Tonks grinned to see the wall opposite the door burnt down to the studs. Her great aunt wouldn't bother anyone ever again. She could deal with the faint odour of the fire that still permeated the house. The smoke damage was barely noticeable with how the house had already fallen into disrepair.

Making her way to the kitchen, she found the small group of conspirators that she hoped would change the war.

Remus was nursing a strong cup of tea. He hadn't slept much in the last few weeks and had been extremely busy.

Across from him was a redhead talking with a hot blonde. They were jabbering in French, so Tonks couldn't understand them unless she cast a translation charm. Bill and Fleur were still in that cute early stages of a relationship, even if they had been dating for six months. The twenty-six-year-old and the hot nineteen-year-old veela fit each other.

The last of their little group was the older redhead that had defied his wife to help with this.

They all looked up to her as she walked over to the stove. The water was hot, so she summoned a saucer and a cup to make herself some tea.

"Are they off?" Arthur asked.

"The plane left about an hour ago. I wanted to make sure that no one came sniffing for them. Are the Dursley's gone?" she asked.

"They left about the same time Harry and Hermione did. The movers will be there tomorrow. We all are splitting the watch shift for the next three days to make sure no one knows what's going on," Bill said.

"Good. Does everyone have their portkeys?" Remus asked.

"Yes," they all said in one way or another.

"Molly won't be please once she finds out what we are doing," Arthur said.

"Dad, you know this is the best thing. I know mum never got over the death of her brothers and I don't to see anyone else in our family be killed over this," Bill said.

"My father has said the Assemblée will support us," Fleur stated.

"Dumbledore will not be pleased once he finds out. You know he has an unhealthy infatuation with him," Arthur added.

"We know. Once we leave, we will leave Grimmauld Place and the other safe houses to the Order. Just about everything had been removed now and once Harry is done with his little vacation, the waiting period to read Sirius's will will be up. We need to have him out of here until then," Remus told them.

"Are you sure that the will states he is Sirius's heir?" Bill asked.

"I signed it as witness just a few days before he died," Remus said in a forlorn tone. "We were almost ready to move on everything."

She reached over and squeezed Remus's hand. "We are ready now. I know not everyone would listen, but we are getting all those out of here that wanted to leave and once we are in France, the last of the plans to help the Muggleborn will be in place," Tonks told him.

"I know. I just… I can't lose him too. Everyone else is dead now and the Order just isn't the same it was last time," Remus told her.

"Dumbledore did nothing to fix the issues," Bill stated. "We aren't abandoning Britain, but we need to fight this in a different way."

"Yes. France and the ICW will ensure that we save this country," Fleur said.

Remus and Arthur shared a look. "There were reasons why we didn't have them involved last time."

"Mostly because of Dumbledore. He's not the Head Mugwump anymore, dad. I've travelled all over Europe and Africa with the goblins. Things are different and the ICW wants to rule of Britain as much as we want them too, but I don't see another way," Bill said.

"I agree," Tonks said. "My father deals with bigotry every day, and he's never been able to advance higher than a level IV Healer, even though he's been one for twenty-five years now. I've even been told as a half-blood I would never rise higher than a captain. Things have to change."

Arthur gave a heavy sigh. "I know. I just know Molly will be very upset when I tell her we are leaving this evening."

"It has to be done, dad. Ginny and Ron have almost been killed a few times. Beauxbatons will be a safer place. Fred and George already have new premises in Paris and will be moving within the week as well," Bill reminded him.

"What about Percy?"

There was a dark look across Bill's face. "Percy is a git. He'd sooner sell us out than come along," Bill said.

Fleur took his hand.

"He's my son, Bill," Arthur stated.

"And he's my brother, but you know what he's done the last few years. He was even involved in the dementors last summer," Bill states.

Hadn't that been a shock to understand that Percy had been with Dolores Umbridge when she went to get the dementors from Azkaban and was witness to the crime. He hadn't known who the target at the time was, but he had used it to get himself into the office of the minister. Tonks felt for the Weasley's as none of them could understand how Percy could be so power hungry he would do anything to get ahead, but she had to admit she saw some of those same traits in the youngest son.

"I know, Bill," Arthur said, sounding defeated.

"I need to get to work soon. Remus, I'll see you tonight?" Tons asked. She got up, wanting to kiss him, but he was still being stubborn.

"Yeah. I'll be ready for a shift change about seven," he said.

She nodded. It was her job to watch Harry today. Tomorrow she had to be in the office.

Finishing her tea, she bid them all a farewell as they were all going off to their days as well.

-oOo-

Chapter 2

-oOo-

July 7, 1995

Anchorage, Alaska

As the airplane descended into the large airport, Hermione was looking over his shoulder at the mountains that still had snow over half their peaks.

"It is a balmy fifty-two degrees today with a chill wind out of the west at five to ten miles per hour. The skies are partly overcast, with rain in the forecast tomorrow, but it should be nice the rest of the week. Local time is twelve-forty-six. We should be landing in about five minutes. Thank you for flying Alaskan Airlines and we look forward to you flying with us again," the pilot said.

The plane from Seattle was much smaller than the 747 they had taken from London. The plane shook and made a clunking sound. Harry grabbed the seat, unsure what that was.

"It's just the landing gear. I always love watching the wings unfold like that," Hermione said.

The last twenty-hours had been interesting.

Hermione and him had spent the first few going over the information on the trip and talking with Marabelle. As they flew, they flew with the sun, so that even though they had been traveling for twenty-hours, it was only an hour past noon by the time they were getting off the plane.

On the four-hour flight, Hermione had finally fallen asleep and spent two hours with her head on his shoulder. It wasn't like they hadn't done anything like that before, but something felt different about it. Could it be that he was feeling more protective of her after the DOM fiasco? Or maybe it was the way Marabelle looked at them?

He wasn't sure.

When the plane landed, Hermione put on a jumper she had been carrying. He put on the fleece jacket that had been part of his new clothes. He liked having clothes that fit him, though he wondered how Sirius or Remus had figured out his size.

As they got off the plane, he was happy they had already gone through customs in Seattle as he was starting to feel tired.

"Can we get a tea or something?" Hermione asked with a big yawn.

Let's get our bags and a taxi to the hotel then we can get some tea or cappuccino," Marabelle said.

"That's right, I have the details on that," Harry said.

"Yes. We organized for us to have rooms right next to each other. Don't worry about the paperwork until we get there," she told him as he went to dig things out of the thigh pocket on his trousers.

"Oh, alright," he said, still unsure what he should do while travelling like this.

"Are we doing anything else today?" Hermione asked.

"If you need anything that isn't in your bags. Otherwise, you should both go to bed early tonight, and I want a long talk with both of you," Marabelle told them.

"Is it true it doesn't get fully dark?" Harry asked, thinking of one of the books Hermione had been reading.

"So I'm told. I have something to help you both sleep and get used to. We need to be at the bus terminal by nine tomorrow morning," she told them.

Harry nodded. They would be staying about a forty-minute drive outside of Anchorage.

It was a novel experience to get their bags from the luggage carousel and then take a cab. He had only ever taken the Knight Bus, the Hogwarts Express and his uncle's car. The hotel was nice. After putting his stuff on the bed, he waited in the hallway for Hermione and her mum.

When they stepped out, Hermione was pursing her lips.

"Let's go see what the hotel has, or where we can go to get a late lunch and something to keep us up for a bit more," Marabelle said.

"You said you would give us answered," Hermione stubbornly said.

"I will tell you what you need to know. I need you to trust me on this Hermione," her mum said. They had obviously been arguing about this.

"Mum, I'll be seventeen in September. You can't tell me what to do after that," Hermione defiantly stated.

"Hermione, that only applies in your world and doesn't apply here. Please, just wait a little bit longer," her mother asked, clearly getting annoyed with her daughter.

"You and dad said you would tell me what was going on as soon as we got here," she said.

He took her hand. "Hermione, I want to know too, but let's get something to eat and talk about this," Harry said, trying to calm his friend.

Hermione looked down to his hand I surprise. Since Sirius's death, they had been doing this more and more. Especially when he thought he might lose her also that first night she was in the hospital after he had ripped Dumbledore's office apart.

When she only pursed her lips, they followed Marabelle. They were shown to a private area in the hotel's restaurant for a late lunch. A partition hid them from most of the place and only the waiter interrupted them or was nearby.

When after the waiter took their order, Hermione confronted her mother again. "Are you going to tell us what is going on now? Harry says he's not going back to Hogwarts, and you are sending to a camp? For a month? You've never done that before."

Her mother sighed. "God, Hermione, I love you, but do you have to be so much like your grandmother?"

Hermione winced. Harry found that interesting. Marabelle expanded on that at Harry's look. "When Hermione was younger, my mother helped us with Hermione while Will and I had to work. Let's say my mother was a force of nature once she got on a target. Hermione and her were very close before she passed."

Harry found himself smiling. That described Hermione when she got going. Hermione blushed. "I'm not like Grammy Puckle."

"Yes, you are, sweety," her mother said affectionately. "Harry isn't going back to Hogwarts. You aren't either."

Hermione blinked. "What about NEWTS? We just took out OWLs."

"I know. Can you honestly tell me that you want to stay at Hogwarts? You told your father and I everything you've gone through, and I got even more details from Sirius and others," her mother said with a significant look.

Hermione paled. "Everything?"

"All the details we know, but I have a feeling that you have left important stuff out, and Harry probably had too," Marabelle said, turning her look to him.

Harry shrugged. "I never tried to hide everything we did."

"Can you tell me what exactly happened this past year? Sirius felt you were hiding something about your Defence teacher," she said.

Harry held up his hand. Mirabelle turned her head to look at the scar. "The ministry wanted to shut me up. I wasn't going to."

"Harry, why is that written into your skin? Is that a tattoo?"

"It's a scar, mum. We tried to tell the professors, but they just told us to not get into trouble," Hermione bitterly said. Her faith in authority had taken a nosedive since the start of fourth year.

Marabelle looked confused for a second, then she shot a look to Harry. "You carved that into your hand? Harry, are you… do you need to talk to a psychologist?"

Harry gave a bitter laugh. "You think I did this on purpose? I was forced to write with a blood quill. This is what happens when you are forced the write the same thing over and over."

She mouthed the word 'blood'. As the implications became clear, she reddened. "You were forced to use a blood quill? Tell me that it isn't like you make it sound?"

"If you mean I wrote in my own blood and the words etched themselves in the back of my hand every time, then sure," he said a glibly. Why would anyone beside Hermione and a few others care now?

"And you didn't tell Sirius or anyone?"

"Like Hermione said, I tried to tell Professor McGonagall, but she just told me to keep my head down," he replied.

"I swear, if I get any of them into my chair, none of them will have any teeth left," she said under her breath.

"Marabelle, to answer you, I don't want to go back to Hogwarts. I don't want Hermione to either, but that will never happen," he said.

"What about our friends?" Hermione questioned.

Harry sighed. "That is why I don't have a choice."

"Neither of you are going back. Harry, I don't know if anyone told you, but when Sirius died, he made Will and I your guardians, with Nymphadora Tonks responsible for you on the magical side," she said.

Harry blinked. "What?"

"Mum, you didn't tell me that. Does that mean Harry is my brother?" she said, sounding put out.

Her mother shook her head. "No, sweety. We are just Harry's guardians until the will can be read. I will say that neither of you are going back to that school, nor even Britain. It is too dangerous, and you are too young. As for your friends, the Weasley's will be leaving the country, as will that girl Luna you wrote to us about this year."

"What about Neville?" Harry questioned.

"Where are they going?" Hermione asked at the same time.

"I don't know about the Longbottoms. Sirius never told us. As for the Weasley's and the Lovegoods, I only know they are leaving. We all know that Harry and Hermione are going to be some of the biggest targets for You-Know-who. We have worked out a protection where we don't know where they are, and they don't know where you are. It is the safest way, Hermione," her mother said as Hermione looked to protest.

"You two are going to go this trip. You are going to get away from the craziness. Your friends will be safe. The adults will do what they are supposed to while you just be teens for once," her mother said.

"But, mum," Hermione started, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. "Harry can't just leave, and I can't leave him."

"If you are talking about the you-know-what that you all went the Ministry for Magic for, don't. Harry is a fifteen-year-old boy, and you are only sixteen. You were lucky to survive, and don't pretend that you don't still hurt or that that scar doesn't bother you," her mum said.

Hermione rubbed at where the scar was.

"I'm so sorry," Harry said, looking down.

"Harry, it wasn't your fault," Hermione tried to assure him.

"No, it is the fault of the adults that you should have relied on," Marabelle said angrily. "You should never had been put into that situation. Especially by the government. They are supposed to protect the people, not torture school children."

"It wasn't torture," Harry protested.

"Harry, it was torture and dictatorial. Carving words into you hand is just that. Some of what Hermione and Sirius mentioned about the Educational decrees against children is downright criminal. The fact that your headmaster and professors did nothing to protect you is just as bad," Marabelle said.

They conversation was interrupted as their lunch was brought to them. Being almost two-thirty now, Harry was starving.

They were all quite for a bit as they ate. It gave him a little time to process what Marabelle had said. Hermione was clearing doing the same. He could swear he smelt the gears turning in her head… or it was just the nice vanilla scent with a little bit of body odour since they hadn't had a chance to take a shower yet.

He was sure Hermione would be upset if he pointed that out…

"You two have been very quiet," Marabelle said after a bit.

"Where are going after this?" Hermione asked.

"I'll tell you when I pick you up," she said.

"Can we send a letter to anyone?" Harry questioned.

"Not right now. When you get back, we'll be in touch with Remus. He can get in touch with the others," she said.

"So, Remus knows where everyone is?" Hermione queried.

"I don't know, sweety. I only know that he will be our contact if we need anything," Marabelle told them.

"You are sure they will be alright?" Harry had to know, otherwise he would be trying to find his way back as soon as possible to make sure they were all safe.

"As good as we will be," Marabelle assured them.

"What's going to happen back home?" Hermione questioned.

"I don't know. I know that Sirius and Remus had a plan. They didn't want us to know. The important thing us was getting you two out of there. Your friends' parents will worry about them and have their own plans," her mum said.

Harry squeezed his right hand into a fist. "Are we endangering everyone we will be with?"

"No. I know there are protections. I don't know what, but no one should know or recognize either of you. Sirius said you needed to not be found for a bit. Any type of magic that could be used to find you will fade with time and distance. Being this far away, Sirius and Remus were thinking it would take only a few days one you take the potions I have for you," she said.

"What potions?" Hermione questioned.

"I'm sure the two of you are tired. It's been a long day. One of them will help you sleep tonight and get used to the time change. Another will slowly flush your system of any potions or charms over the next few days and the last is supposed hide you from any type of magic that can be used to find you," she said.

"Why would we need to have our systems flushed of potions and charms?" he asked.

"There is some concern as to why Hermione never told us everything and just in case that Umbridge woman or anyone had something in the food that no one knew about. Sirius was very concerned when the ministry took over control of Hogwarts," she said.

"They wouldn't?" Hermione said horrified.

In all their secret training and paranoia, they never suspected to test the food for anything.

"I don't know, Hermione. I can only tell you what Sirius and Remus told us," her mother said.

They fell back into an uneasy silence.

Hermione was usually a fountain of questions, but the last forty hours or so much have really shaken her.

"I'm sure you both have more questions or want to know more. We can talk more over dinner. Do you need anything else before tomorrow? Toiletries? Clothes? Books? Anything? Now would be the best time. I know they will take you to a store or two a few times, but we were told not for a week or more," she said.

Hermione looked a little flush. "I could use a few under garments," she said in a small voice.

Harry just about choked on the water he was drinking.

-oOo-

July 8, 1995

Anchorage, Alaska

A school bus was waiting in the parking lot just outside the airport when the taxi pulled up. There were four people dressed in blue fleece jackets with the logo of the OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMPS.

There were a half dozen other families there.

"If you can just wait a little bit?" Marabelle asked the driver.

"If you are paying, the clock is running," the man said with a grin.

Harry got out and helped Hermione get her back out of the back of the minivan that had picked them up. She pulled the big pack onto her back, picked up the day pack with the extra stuff from their short shopping trip and the duffle.

Harry hefted his backpack up.

"Hey. I'm Jack. Which adventure are you here for?" a young man asked coming up to them with a clipboard.

"The Great Alaskan," Harry told him.

"Oh, wicked. British?"

"Yeah," he replied.

"We get a few internationals every year. What's your names?"

"Harry Evans and Hermione Puckle," Marabelle said.

The man looked at his clipboard. "Got you right here. We'll be having forty adventurers joining us today. You'll have ten doing the long trip with you. I don't see a grade. Tenth? You'll be some of our youngest ones this time," he said. "Usually it's our returning groups that do this long one."

"Tenth grade?" Hermione questioned.

"It's the same as your eleventh," her mum said. It was rare for Hermione to not be informed.

"Oh, I didn't know that it was different. Are you in high school?" Jack asked.

"Secondary. It's a special school that is pretty private. They may not be able to talk much about it," her mum covered for them.

"Right on. Got it. Mum's the word," Jack said with a grin.

Harry wasn't sure. He knew how everything went, but he had been out of public school for a few years now and hadn't thought much about it. They should have gotten their GCSE's this year. Would he have stayed at Stonewall High or gone into a technical school or sixth form?

"If you want any food, there's some coffee, donuts and sandwiches. We'll be having a big cook out later and some activities around a barn fire tonight. Tomorrow we'll be just making sure you have everything, go over the back country rules and Tuesday we'll be heading out early Chugach National Forest for a few days."

"Missus Puckle, you're welcome to stay about or say your goodbye," Jack told them.

When Jack walked away,

"Listen you two," Marabelle said. She pulled out a few dollar notes and two papers. She handed them each a paper. "Here is the number for the hotel in Anchorage. I'll be staying for two days in case you need me. After that, this is where I will be staying after that. I'll be a few hours to a day away, but if you need me, I'll come right away."

Hermione looked at the numbers. "What country code is this?"

"You can figure it out if you want," her mother said cryptically.

He knew that would drive Hermione mental for the next month. Her mother must have known it too at the smirk she gave her daughter.

"Mum!"

Marabelle laughed. She hugged Hermione, then pulled him into a hug. "Just remember to have fun," she whispered to him before saying another goodbye before leaving.

Hermione watched her drive away. Harry picked up her duffle bag. "Unless you want to run, we should go see what this all about," he said.

She turned back to him, an exasperated look on her face. "This is just another day for us, isn't it?"

He grinned. "Another day, another adventure. We should be used to this my now."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "You know what happens every time you say something like, don't you?"

He nodded towards the bus and the others. "We earn a boat load of house points and then get patted on the head for being good little boy and girls?"

She huffed, then looked at the airport on the other side of the parking lot. "Would you really run if I asked you?"

He stepped to her side. "You wouldn't even need to ask. I just want to make sure you're okay."

She gave him a soft look. She put a hand on his upper arm. "I'll be alright, Harry."

He gave her a little smile.

He could tell she was seriously thinking of going back into the airport, but there was no guarantee they could get a ticket without using magic, and he had no idea about the government or other magicals here.

He shared a long look with her. "Let's go earn those points," he said.

She gave him a small smile before walking off towards the bus. Unsure about everything going on, as pretty much all the others were Americans, and there was a good mix between some as young as thirteen and as old as eighteen. They put their backpacks and duffle bags in the back of the bus before going out to find something to snack on.

After getting a fizzy drink and a bagel, Harry leaned against the side of the bus to keep an eye on everything while Hermione stood next to him. She was looking around too.

"Hello. And who do we have here?" and older man said with the camps fleece jacket said.

"I'm Hermione, and this Harry."

"Ah, Brits, I see. I love to see people from all over. I'm Guye Hawkings, the director of this program. What are you from in the UK?" the man asked.

"Surrey," they both said. It wouldn't hurt to say that much.

"Ah, so you came together?"

"You can say that. We go to school together," Hermione answered.

"Cool. Have you introduced yourself to anyone yet?" the man asked in the overly polite American way. Harry had the feeling the man was trying to relate to teens, but Harry didn't understand why so many said 'cool'.

"Not yet," Harry said in a rather non-committal manner.

"Well, feel free to mingle about. It's a while yet before we leave. We'll be getting some hotdogs and hamburgers fired up in a little bit, then there is a big cookout tonight around the campfire," the man said.

"Jack said the same," Hermione informed him.

"Ah, great. You already met Jack? He's one of the head councillors for the long Alaskan Nights tour. What one are you on?"

"The Great Alaskan," Hermione replied.

The man gave them a little smile. "That is one of my favourites. I can't wait for the hike through Denali. That used to be my favourite one to lead."

"You don't do the hike anymore?" Hermione enquired.

"I do at times, but I can't take go all the time. Being the director and one of the owners means I need to work out of the office. I may do one of the Denali trips this summer. I can take off four days here and there," he said. "Have you ever been to Alaska?"

"First time," Harry told him.

Harry was impressed Hermione wasn't hounding the man with questions yet. This past year had really changed her.

"I think you'll really like it. Living out in nature like this… there is nothing better. If you want, Becca is going on the trip with you," the man said, indicating a girl that was standing by the table looking a little lost.

Harry wasn't about to go to her, but the man motioned her over. She was a girl of Asian descent, just a little taller than Hermione and in jeans and white jumper with UNH on the front of it. "Becca, this is Harry and Hermione from England. Becca is from Maine."

The girl gave them a little wave. She was obviously very shy. "Hey."

"Hi," Harry said back. He wasn't sure how much he was in the mood to be forced to interact with others.

Hermione was nicer at the moment, getting what the man wanted. "Is this your first time?"

"This is my third time," the girls said.

"This is our first."

"Cool," she said.

"Well, I should introduce myself to the other adventurers," Mister Hawkins said.

The three of them watched the man go off towards another small group. There was a heavy silence. "You don't need to hang out with me. Mister Hawkins means well."

"It's fine if you want to stay," Harry told her.

"So, you've done this three times before? What's it like," Hermione asked, her curiosity kicking in.

Becca smiled. "It's a lot of fun. I've done a few of the two weeklong trips. Backpacking in the back country is beautiful. Last time we took kayaks down a river for two days. My family and I camp and hike all year round, so it's nice."

They could tell she liked it.

Hermione spent a while picking apart the experience with the girl.

-oOo-

That day…

Anchorage, Alaska

"How did it go?"

"Much better than we expected. She didn't fight me or yell at me again," she said into the phone at the hotel.

Will breathed into the phone. "Do you think it was because of Harry?"

"I've told you for year, Will. She's totally smitten with him."

"She's just my little girl," Will said back in England.

"She's not so little anymore."

"I know. Do you think she'll hate us over this?"

"I think Sirius was right. As long as we keep those two together, then they will be alright," she told him.

"It's that bad? Should I worry about becoming a grandfather?"

She laughed. "I don't think it will be anything like that. I don't think Harry realizes how he feels yet and Hermione seems to be in a little denial herself. After finally getting to spend some time with him, he's a good boy, Will. I'm a little worried about him though. I think Sirius wasn't concerned enough about his home life."

"I noticed him flinch when I touched him at the airport. You don't think he was abused, do you?" Will worriedly asked.

"I don't know. Given the stories that I finally got out of the two them yesterday, I don't blame Harry for being paranoid or flinching," she said.

"So, you finally got Hermione to open up and tell you everything?"

"No, they left a lot out, but once we get to Winnipeg, I'm taking him to the authorities and filing a complaint. Will, a professor tortured him last year. A woman made him use a magic quill that carved words into his hand and wrote with his own blood," she said. Marabelle felt tears in her eyes.

"A professor did what?" the man said in a cold anger.

"Last year was much worse than we thought. How much longer are you in England?" she asked.

"The moving company will be here tomorrow. I take my flight the day after," he told her.

"Will, I don't want you to stay at the house or anywhere they can find you. I don't trust anyone from that world," she told him.

"I'll go stay in a hotel for the next two nights. You weren't followed, where you?" he asked.

"I don't think so. I gave them the potions that Remus told us to give them. From what Sirius said, if anyone had seen us, they would have stopped us at the airport," she replied.

"I'm just nervous. I don't want to see you, or our little girl hurt," he said.

She gave a small smile. "I know, Will. I miss you and can't wait for us all to be back together soon."

"I know, luv. Everything should be fine," he said to assure her, but she could tell there was a strain in his voice.

"Will, just promise if anything goes wrong, you will just get out of there. Take the train to France and then come here. Just, be safe," she told him.

"I will, Ma Belle. I want to hear everything they told you when we meet again," he told her.

"There is a lot, Will, and I don't think it was everything."

"Well, we will have all next year to talk with them," he told her.

She smiled again. It would be nice to have Hermione around again. It was the only reason she had agreed to send Hermione away like for a month when they go so little time to spend with her.

"I just hope she can relax enough to enjoy it," Will said.

"I think she will having Harry there," she replied. It had been obvious to them since just before Christmas her first year that Harry was her best friend. Every letter always had something about him. She only got upset with them the night they had picked her up when she thought they were going to abandon Harry in England. It was one of the few times they had been scared of her as her magic had lifted all the China and silverware at the dinner table that night and her hair was alive with her magic.

Will sighed again. "Let me have my delusions for just a bit longer that she is still the little girl that I used to put on my shoulders."

Marabelle chuckled. "She's closer to a woman now, Will, but I'll let you have your delusions."

"Evil woman," Will said a little playfully.

"You don't complain in our bed."

"Just wait until I get you back," he said in a voice that went right to her core.

"I look forward to it," she seductively replied.

Will growled. "Evil woman."

"Yet, you love me," she teased.

"I do." There was a pause. "Marabelle, please be safe."

"You too, luv."

"Love you. We should get off before this international call gets too expensive," he told her.

"Alright. I'll give you a call tomorrow," she said. Luckily, he had a cellular phone.

"Have a good night, ma belle. I'll see you in a few days."

"Night, Will. I love you."

"I love you too."

When the phone clicked, she held the receiver up to her head for another moment. When she hung it up, she stood to walk to the window of the hotel room. She looked out at the spectacular view in the distance. The mountains were high and wild.

Looking at them, she really hoped that their daughter and Harry enjoyed it.

She was worried about the boy. He looked tired but more put together than she expected someone to be after what they had gone through. He also had a lot of anger in him. It was never directed towards her or Hermione, but it was there. And to think of the details she had been able to get out of the two, she was even more concerned than she had been.

A mountain troll?

A basilisk?

Dragons?

What hadn't he face yet?

That was probably a dangerous question given that the boy seemed to attract trouble. More worrying was that Hermione was constantly at his side or in danger around him, but she could tell it wasn't him.

No.

Harry was why they still had a daughter. He had saved her many times now and obviously thought the world of her. Even in the short time she had spent with them, she could see how protective they were of each other. She had also seen a young boy haunted by things that she couldn't really imagine. Her daughter was even jumpy.

When they were able to talk with the government, she would have to ask about both of them seeing a doctor and psychologist. She had caught sight of the angry looking scar Hermione had tried to hide but hadn't the time to really confront Hermione about it. She had a feeling that her daughter had been hurt more than she had told them the night Sirius had died.

Not having much to do except wait to see if Hermione called for her to come take her away for the next two days, Marabelle moved to the large chair and pulled up a few books and a notebook. She was determined to know all she could about living as a squib in the Free States of Canada.

-oOo-

That night...

Wasila, Alaska

Hermione sat on one of the logs that surrounded the large firepit. For the next month, this place was 'base camp' for them. There were a series of cabins around the central green common with a flagpole and a giant firepit that had a huge barn fire going.

There were around a hundred kids there with about twenty staff members. Forty of them had come in today and the rest were in the middle of their stays. Apparently, every Sunday from mid-June to mid-August the camp pulled all the 'adventurers' here for a warm night is a bunk, showers, a large American style cookout with lots of barbeque chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs and other foods.

They had been chatted up by a few of the more outgoing kids, and they were obviously an oddity as they were some of the few international adventurers, with three siblings from South Africa and a girl from Spain being the only others.

After grilling Becca for all she knew about this, Hermione had been rather quiet.

She was feeling mildly betrayed by her parents. After the last year and what they had gone through, she felt she needed to fight to prove that she wasn't just some half-cocked up Mudblood. The other part of her was relieved to be away from it all.

The last two years had been stressful. Since the start of the Tri-wizard Tournament, Harry had gotten no real reprieve, and she had been there at his side helping him the whole time, meaning she felt much of what he did. After understanding what a real fight was like at the DOM, she was scared but would never admit it.

Well, never admit to anyone but maybe Harry.

They sat a row back from the front. Most were talking and laughing as they ate. One group nearby was animatedly going over the ice climbing they had just come back from.

Part of her had to admit she was curious. Though, before she had started to work out and train with Harry, she doubted she would have been as interested or even capable. The last two years had seen a big change in her and their friends.

As she thought about it, she looked Harry. They hadn't really had an opportunity to really talk with each other yet. Not in the way she wanted too since that night. She had spent a week in hospital, then the last week had been a blur after that. Since leaving London yesterday… yeah, it was about forty-eight hours now… they hadn't been in a place to talk, and her mother hadn't really let either of them out of her sight except when Harry had gone to his room for the night.

As she looked at the half-eaten hamburger and salad on her plate, she could feel the flushing potion effect again. Her inside gurgled. She knew the potion they had been given was a mild form, but it wouldn't have done much if there wasn't anything in their systems. The fact they were still going to the bathroom so often was an indication that they had been under many potions.

She hoped it was just the effects from the healing potions that had been used to treat her wound, but she doubted it.

Harry's insides gurgled too.

"Not that hungry?" he asked.

"Not really. You?"

"No."

At least they weren't the only ones sitting alone or in small groups. Tomorrow they were supposed to go through a bunch of 'team building' activities and have all their gear checked over before they did their first four-day hike.

Looking at her friend, she could see how his jaw was set. He was looking for any sign of trouble. He also had rings under his eyes. She knew he hadn't been sleeping well. Hermione wasn't sure if Harry wanted to talk or not. She felt she needed too.

"How about a walk?" she asked. If that happened to be by the latrine at the same time, she wasn't going to complain.

"Sure," Harry said, getting up. He took the paper plate from her lap. She waited for him to throw it away.

"Don't wander too far. The nights festivities will start soon," a councillor told them.

"We'll stay inside the camp," Harry told them. They had been told to stay inside the tree line as there were often bears around and they didn't want to lose anyone.

After getting out of earshot of everyone, Hermione asked, "How are you?"

"Fine," he said.

She rolled her eyes. "Harry, I can tell you aren't fine. How are you?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Fine. I mean, we are just thrown here and forgotten about, so it's not like anything unusual."

She took his hand. "You aren't forgotten, Harry."

He sighed. "I wish I was."

She squeezed his hand. Ever since he had come to her rescue in the DOM and she had awoken to him at the side of her bed, something had shifted between them. Harry didn't shy away from her or flinch when she hugged him now. "Please don't say that. I don't forget about you."

He held her hand a little tighter. "I know."

They walked towards the bath house and the latrine.

"How are you?"

She sighed. "Upset. Angry. Confused. Sad. Relieved. Scared. I honestly don't know at this second," she confessed.

He looked to her. A cheeky grin came over his face. "So, more emotion than a tablespoon, huh?"

She gave a small laugh. He could always do that. "Yes, more emotion than a tablespoon."

"Are you upset that we are here?"

"A little. I'm more upset at my parents. My mum made my favourite meal to tell me they were sending me away for the summer. I yelled at them and had a bit of accidental magic," she said, some of her anger leaking through, as well as embarrassment. She should be having fits of magic like that by now.

Harry's grin didn't fade. "I can't imagine you being upset about that."

"Oh, hush you," she scolded with no heat.

"I agree with them," he said.

She frowned. "I do too. Truthfully, I'm more upset because I thought I would be abandoning you and the others."

"You don't need to worry about me, Hermione," he told her.

"Of course I do. You're my best friend, Harry. I'm worried that you have seen to really mourn Sirius, and you have been blaming yourself for what happened. And don't tell me it was your fault. What my mum said yesterday is the truth. No one is blaming you and it wasn't your fault." She bites her lip. "I… I agree. I think it was Dumbledore's and the ministry."

Harry rose a surprise brow at her. "I… didn't think you would see it that way."

"I'm not stupid, Harry. I saw what the headmaster and everyone did to you the last few years. He should have told you about the prophecy. He should have pulled you out of the Triwizard Tournament. He could have pushed for Sirius to have a trial. Don't give me that look. I listen to all your conspiracies, and I don't think you're barmy like Moody," she said.

Harry had an incredulous look on his face before chuckling. "You know, I've corrupted you."

"Yes, you have, Mister Potter," she told him with a straight face.

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I really didn't think you were awake when I was telling you all that."

"I aware enough to listen," she said. He had spent two days at her bedside where she was in and out of it as Madam Pomfrey had worked to heal her wound. During that time, Harry had said a lot when he thought no one was around and she had listened. As he had talked, she couldn't deny what he was thinking. "I just didn't get a chance to say anything before we left."

Harry cringed. "I know. No one gave any of us much time to just be alone."

The school had looked to them much differently and many had approached them. Ron, Ginny and Neville had hardly left their sides, and Luna when they were outside of the tower. The six of them were staying close, afraid the Slytherins would seek their revenge after what happened to many of their parents or family, and Dumbledore was being his normal arse and just letting things happen.

"Well, we are alone now. We are going to be here for the next month, so we will have plenty of time to talk," she told him.

They had reached the latrines. Her insides gurgled again. Harry understood and let go over her hand. Just before he walked into the boys' side, he turned to her. "Hermione?"

"Yes," she asked, a hand on her stomach. The building pain wasn't as bad as her monthlies, but it wasn't pleasant.

"I'm glad if I have to be here with anyone that it's you," he said with a small, sad grin before walking into the latrine.

She stood there for a moment, just looking at where he was. Her heart hammered in her chest. She had thought she had given up on this crush. He had obviously not seen her last year, even though she had been by his side when no one else was after the cup spit out his name, and he had made eyes at other witches last year.

The way he looked at her now and after what he said, she felt that familiar pang of jealousy and longing for her best friend. When her stomach gurgled again, she rushed into the latrine.

-oOo-

Chapter 3

-oOo-

July 9, 1995

Wasila, Alaska

The groups had been split up. Ten of them were now by Cabin No. 3, which was where Hermione was with five other girls. The group was comprised of four boys and six girls.

For the day they had been asked to wear silly name tags on their shirts. Harry was planning to get rid of it as soon as possible, but it was nice to put a name to the faces.

Mike was a tall, athletic sort with brown hair, brown eyes, a strong chin and a large nose. In the cool morning, he was only wearing a vest and t-shirt that showed off some good sized muscled on the eighteen-year-old. The boy was from New Hampshire.

Dennis was a willowy boy with short sandy coloured hair, hazel eyes and was taller than Harry. That wasn't saying much as Harry barely topped five foot seven inches. He was only fifteen, like him. He had a heavy accent that Harry could only assume it was because he was from California.

Frank was a little shorter but was growing into what was probably going to be a stocky build. At sixteen, he was already growing out. He had a long head of blonde hair that was tied back into a ponytail and was wearing a bright neon blue parker. He was from Texas.

They had already met Becca and found out she didn't live far from Mike. A few towns over in neighbouring states. They also knew each other from past adventures, especially since she was just about to turn eighteen.

Lashawna was a girl with black skin, dread locks and a huge smile. Coming from Michigan, she had a different twang. Harry found it interesting how many different accents there were. Not that Britain was much different. At least he could understand them all, unlike some of the Welch he had dealt with. At seventeen, she was one of the returning adventurers as well.

Terry was a short girl with bright blue eyes and blonde hair in a pixie cut. She seemed the bubbly type and Harry wondered how she would do with the heavy packs. Though, she didn't look weak, and she said she was a gymnast from Delaware.

Lesley was from Rhode Island and kept adding or dropping 'r' here and there. She had dark hair, light brown eyes and was always smiling. She was obviously friends with the tall girl next to her. Almost as tall as Mike, Bethany was seventeen with long brown hair, dark brown eyes, a pretty face and was obviously athletic.

All the kids here were in good shape. If Hermione and him hadn't spent the last two years getting into good shape and learning to duel, they might not be ready for this.

After seeing who they would be with, the surprise had come from the man that joined them. Two councillors had been assigned to them for the next month. Wendy looked to be in her early twenties. A blonde with hazel-green eyes, Harry could admit she was fit and nice looking. What had him fingering his wand and glaring was the man with red hair.

He had not seen him around last night and had only met him once. The issue was, Harry wasn't sure if it was really him or an imposter. Hermione was looking just as tense. She had her fingers curled up on her right hand, as though ready to pull her wand as well.

"Well, I'm glad to see you have all introduced yourselves. I'm sorry for being late and will need to get where you're from again, but let me introduce myself," the man said with a British accent.

Hermione edged a little closer to Harry.

"I'm Charlie Weasley and will be your warden… I mean councillor, for the next month," he said.

No one was really impressed.

"Tough crowed," he said to Wendy.

"It wasn't funny the first time you tried that," she shot back.

This got a few chuckles from the teens. Charlie grinned. "Well, they do have a sense of humour." He clapped his hands together. Harry didn't miss the muscled bulging in the man's fleece or the band on his wrist for a wand holster like Hermione and him had.

"Right, so we have a few rules before we get into the fun stuff, then the business side of things," he said.

"First, we all know you are teens. Things will happen. Even so, there will be no sharing of tents or bunk houses. Understood?" he said. When they all nodded or spoke up, Charlie went on. "Second, we are going to be going into the wilderness. That means we will be in areas that are wild, can be dangerous and we will not have anyone to help immediately. We will have ways to call for help, but I need you to listen to Wendy and I if we tell you do something."

He stared them all down. When his eyes met Harry's, he just nodded.

"Great. Rule Three. Have fun. We are going to see a lot of neat things. Wildlife, scenery and if we're lucky, the northern lights a few times. Do you have anything to add, Wendy?" Charlie asked the other councillor.

"Just that we will be spending most of our time out and about. Remember to use the lockers and your locks to keep your extra gear safe when we go out. Make a list of anything you might need for when we get back, as many times will be gone for up to a week. If anyone forgot anything, we will be doing a trip to the store this evening. Get some sleep tonight. The bus leaves at seven tomorrow morning. We have a two-hour drive to make the trail head, then we are going to be in the Chugach Wilderness for about four days. We'll have breakfast on the road," she told them.

"Alright, now we get to have some fun." He took a small knit ball out of his pocket. "I assume everyone knows what a hacky sack is? I've been told this is a fun sport in the States. Have you all played?"

Hermione gave him a look. Most around the circle knew. Only Dennis and Terry looked excited about it.

"For those that haven't, probably our other Brits here, you kick it with your foot. You are allowed to use any part of your body, except your hands, to keep it from hitting the ground. If it your turn and you let it fall, you tell us something about yourself," he said with a devilish grin.

Harry tried not to scowl. Harry had never been good at football, not that he had every had time to really try either.

He kicked the small ball twice before kicking it away from him. "Lashawna," he called out.

The girl scrambled to kick it, but it hit her chest and dropped. "I hate these things," she muttered. "We'll as you know, I'm from Michigan."

"Something else than what you already told us," Wendy encouraged.

"My mother is professor at MSU," she said

"That's the spirit," Wendy said. "Kick to someone else."

She did. "Lesley," Lashawna said.

Lesley gave out a small shriek as it sailed over her head. She spun to try and get it. The others laughed. "Does that count?"

"Yes," Charlie told her.

"Alright, I'm Jewish," she said.

Harry didn't understand why she would point it out, but it was something of importance to her. He really didn't care either way. She kicked it to Mike, who had it bounce off his chest. He kicked it a few times before calling out, "Dennis."

Dennis easily caught the small thing on his foot before launching it up. He caught the hacky sack in his hand. "I went to Hawaii over Easter break and got to see Kilauea erupting."

"That is cool. What was it like?" Bethany asked.

"We got to see the lava going into the sea. It was like this thick fog and made this hissing sound. A lava fountain was going in the crater when we got up there. It was wicked," Dennis said with a huge smile.

He dropped the hacky sack and bounced it a few times, showing off that he knew how to use it. He suddenly called out, "Hermione."

Hermione tried to get it. Harry was rather impressed when she managed to kick it three times before it fell. Picking it up, she said, "I used to play football, but had to stop when I went to a private school."

Harry rose a brow. He had no clue.

Frank looked at her oddly. "You played football?"

Charlie laughed. "She means real football. You call it soccer."

"Football is real football," Mike protested.

"It's more like out rugby," Charlie said back. "Kick the hacky sack."

Hermione did, managing to control it twice before calling out, "Harry."

Harry missed it by a mile. He glared at a smug looking Hermione as he stood back up after picking it up. "I'm stuck here with my annoying best friend."

"Oi! I am not annoying," Hermione whinged.

Many laughed. "So, you do know each other?" Terry asked.

"They go to school together," Becca spoke up.

"Wicked. Where do you go to school?" Terry followed up.

Harry took it when Hermione looked to be searching for what to say. "It's a rather prestigious private boarding school in Scotland. Hermione got in on scholarship because of her grades and brilliance. I was just kind of let in because my parents were alumni."

"You were not let in because of that. You have good grades too," Hermione protested.

"Alright, you can your lovers spat later. Kick the ball," Wendy said.

Hermione flushed and Harry glared at the blonde woman. A few laughed at them or made other comments that would have been funny if it wasn't aimed at them. After everyone had gone a few times, they were breaking up for a few before the next activity.

Charlie came over and motioned them a little away from the group. Harry fingers the opening on his wrist band again. Hermione was standing ready to respond as well. He looked around before saying, "I was told tell you about how my git of a brother sacrificed himself for you first year," Charlie told them.

Hermione said a little unsurely, "Charlie, what are you doing here?"

He grinned at her. "Well, that's the question, isn't it?"

"Anyone could have known about that chess match. Who are you?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowing and his magic getting ready to pounce.

Charlie gave him a dubious look. "Sirius thought you'd be weary. Constant Vigilance and all that. I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," he said rather solemnly.

"What are you doing here?" he pressed.

"I'm your guard for the summer. Bill asked me and I was between jobs," Charlie said.

Hermione regarded him. "Why are you between jobs? And when did you take muggle studies?"

Charlie grinned at her. "Well, there were a few Muggleborn on the preserve and dated a girl for a few years. She taught me a few things and I was drafted onto the team to deal with the Muggles when a dragon escaped. As for the jobs… well, I was offered a job up this way, but it doesn't start until the fall, when the females go into heat. Sirius also didn't want you unprotected."

Harry relaxed a little. "You aren't working for Dumbledore?"

"I never joined the Fried Chicken patrol. Bill warned me of that," he said.

"And you know what you are doing out here?" Hermione questioned.

"It's a little different than wizard camping, but not much. Wendy knows the area and spent most of last summer and fall over here anyways. Not many of us specialize in dragon breeding," Charlie said. "We can talk more later. We are about to start the trust falls."

"Bril," Harry said rather unenthusiastically.

-oOo-

July 10, 1995

Chugach National Forest, Alaska

The was a cloudy day with a light drizzle as the vans pulled into small parking lot at the end of a road. The twelve of them were in two vans. Stepping out into the drizzle, Harry had a feeling today was going to be a miserable day, especially since was cold out too at only four-point-five degrees Celsius, or forty degrees Fahrenheit.

"If you don't have it out, get your rain gear and the rain pouch to put over your bag. It's supposed to be like this for the morning, but should be dry by this evening," Wendy told them.

Hermione was less than pleased. "And my mum thought Umbridge was torture," she grumbled.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "It could be worse."

He opened his back, took out the raincoat and put the other heavier jacket on the top of is pack. They had been shown how to pack everything yesterday, and had been forced to do it three times to make sure everything was done right.

Hermione gave him a scathing look as she put her own rain gear on. Wendy came over to make sure they all had the rain pouches over their bags and the hiking pants on right to keep water out of their boots.

"Nothing worse than wet feet, especially once they got cold," she told them.

"Alright, not to sound like you are all kids or anything but stay together. I don't want anyone going out of sight or without someone else. You all have your whistles?" Charlie asked, holding up the whistle attached to the side of his bag. "If you get lost, just blow on it. We'll be able to hear it for a bit."

"Can I blow it now?" Hermione said under her breath.

She really wasn't into this yet. Harry was just resigned and was hoping this was going to be fun. So far, it had been much better than expected as no one besides Hermione and Charlie knew who he was, and since that night in the DOM, his scar on his forehead had almost disappeared, so no one asked him about it.

"Hey, just take it easy," he told her. "You don't know what we might see. Charlie says there are a lot of creatures around and he told us that Ron and everyone is safe now. Maybe, I don't know, maybe we should try to just have fun."

She blinked at him, as though not understanding him.

"Are you two all set?" Charlie asked, coming up to them.

"Uh, yeah," Hermione responded.

"Good. Get your pack on. We are just double checking the fit before we start. We have three miles we want to make before lunch, and eight total for today," he told them.

Hermione pulled her bag on and latched the front. Charlie doubled checked her, then the rain bag, before checking Harry. "You two are good. Go on over there while I check Mike."

They took up at the back of the line. There wasn't much talking going on at the moment given the weather. The vans pulled away. "Alright. We are on our own for the next four days," Wendy said. "This is just a shake down. We'll be making a leisurely pace and covering about thirty-eight miles over the next four days and three nights."

"That's it? Only thirty-eight miles?" Bethany asked sounding disappointed.

Harry thought that a bloody marathon.

Wendy smiled as most of the others looked disappointed as well. "We have you for the next four weeks. There are two longer trips where we will be gone for six days each and be covering a lot more ground."

"When are we kayaking along the glacier?" Lashawna enquired.

"That will be the start of next week. Four days of that," Wendy commented.

Charlie leaned forward at the less than jubilant look still on Hermione's face. "There are ice drakes on the glacier. They are quite a sight to see."

"Really? Wicked," Harry said. He had heard about them, but never thought he would see them.

"I thought they were native to the Andes in South America?" she said.

"Part of the preserve I'll be going too. Come on, we don't want to lose the others," he said.

They rest had started. Most were now talking a little more excitedly at what they were going to be doing over the next week or two. Harry made sure Hermione was before him as they followed the group up the trail.

"The hiking poles help," Charlie said from behind them.

"Why do you know so much about this? Wouldn't you have just used a broom?" Harry asked. They were far enough back from the main group to not be overheard as they walked among the pines.

Charlie shook his head. "That's one way to get yourself fried. Most preserves let the dragons roam free inside the wards. Hiking in and out is the best way to not get them annoyed."

Hermione was obviously listening as she said, "Why not apparate?"

"Wards. Some dragons have an ability like apparition, so we must guard again all forms of magical travel," Charlie told them.

"I never read that," Hermione said.

"Hagrid never mentioned it either," Harry commented.

"I love Hagrid, but he doesn't know the first thing about taking care of dragons," Charlie replied. It had been Charlie that had taken Norberta away that night on the tower.

They fell silent after that as Harry found he had to focus a little more on his breathing. He may be used to running and such, but that was not like lugging a sixteen-kilogram pack as you walked up hill for an hour.

They stopped a few times to have some pants and herbs pointed out to them. Harry starting to question why he hadn't just run back to the airport with Hermione when they walked out of the trees and onto the side of hill.

The trail hugged the high hill about three quarters of the way up. The group stopped to look out at one of the most magnificent sights he had ever seen. The mist had mostly stopped. The clouds were hugging a few peaks down the valley they were now looking at. Short pines and bushes covered the slopes. A group of four XXXXXX with huge antlers were picking their way through the dense growth, eating berries and leaves as they went.

The view was absolutely breath taking.

Hermione had leaned over, huffing a little. Even so, she looked out over the valley.

"If you look over on that ridge, you can see a bear. They will most avoid us, but you can't leave any food outside the containers unless you are eating," Wendy said.

"Scotland doesn't look like this," Harry commented.

"Wicked, isn't it?" Charlie said.

What does Scotland look like?" Frank asked.

"The mountains are like a quarter this size and there isn't any snow this time of the year," Harry replied.

"There aren't any bears either," Hermione said. Her eyes were tracking something else though. Harry turned his head. In the distance was a form that sent a cold shiver through him.

Charlie caught their gaze too. He whispered. "They are far away. The paths are all guarded."

"Was that…?"

"A rogil. Related to trolls, but native to the area. They actually don't like people," he said. "Looks like he had a fresh fill anyways."

Harry wanted his wand in his hand. They were going to see more than he had expected.

-oOo-

About the same time…

London, England

Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, sat in his office.

The last few weeks had been horrific.

He had truly believed the Potter boy had been telling lies. There was no way dementors would have been in Little What's-ever-it-was. A dead man couldn't back to life. Sirius Black was just as dark as his name. Albus Dumbledore was raising an army at Hogwarts to take over the ministry. Lucius Malfoy was an upstanding citizen that only meant the best for their world…

Tossing back the quarter inch of amber liquid in the tumbler, Cornelius tried to drown out the death of his career, and potentially his own life.

He had signed the arrest warrant for his Under Secretary earlier today.

He was sure that using dementors to silence Potter was not her only crime. He could only claim that he didn't know about it and truly thought Potter had broken the law.

No had told him that there had been real dementors there or that the muggle was someone that was except from the statutes. Potter wasn't supposed to be living with Muggles. Dumbledore had always said the boy was safe and being taken care of. To any wizard, that meant a scion of an ancient house was with other wizards.

The reports had also left out that no one had actually gone to investigate it. He had been an Obliviator at one time and knew the regulations about sending someone to investigate if Muggle interaction was involved. How had he been so blinded?

Cornelius snorted.

Gold can make one see many things and Lucius had had lots of gold.

Putting the tumbler glass onto his desk, he moved to sit on the edge of his chair.

Before him was the resignation letter that had been forced on him by Scrimgeour when he had come to give Cornelius the arrest papers. He had expected Bones to do it, but she was busy enough still cleaning up the mess from that night You-Know-Who had shown himself.

Truthfully, Cornelius was surprised he was still in office almost three weeks later.

Looking at the clock on the mantle of the fireplace in the minister's office, he knew his fate was going to be sealed one way or the other in forty-five minutes. It was 19:15. The emergency Wizengamot meeting was scheduled for 20:00. He would open the meeting and immediately give his resignation.

His only hope for survival now was to fully cooperate with the DMLE once he stepped down.

Cornelius held no illusions that once he stepped away from the podium that he would be arrested.

After putting his signature on the letter, he stood up and turned to look out into the atrium.

The Statue of Brethren was a heap of slag now. The debris had been cleaned up. Glass had finally been put back into all the windows, but there were still signs of the epic battle between two giants. Spell damage that was resistant to repair or that required goblins to be involved.

The only good thing is that since that night, there hadn't been any reports of Death Eater activity or suspicious disappearances. He could only hope that Potter had finally defeated him, because they all knew that Potter had duelled You-Know-Who and something had happened between them, even if Dumbledore was denying it and claiming the victory.

After looking out onto the place he had considered his own, he turned to put his Wizengamot robes on one final time before pouring himself another glass of liquor.

-oOo-

That evening…

Chugach National Forest, Alaska

The camp site was on a flat plane not far from the trail. Twelve tents were setup as the sun dipped low against the sky. A thing of thick stew was bubbling on the camp stove as they were all given a generous helping, some flat bread and a few other treats from their bags were passed around.

Hermione was laughing with Becca and Lesley as Bethany was trying to swat away bugs that just wouldn't leave her alone.

As they day had gone on, they had been encouraged to walk with others. Dennis took up a spot on the rock next to Harry as he leaned over the steaming stew in his bowl. "Is this stuff any good?"

"I like it. I have some of this stroganoff in my pack. Plus, it's hot," Dennis said, taking a spoonful and blowing on it before shoving it in his mouth.

Harry had to admit that the freeze-dried stew was tasty. And Dennis had a point, it was hot. The day hadn't gotten above five Celsius, so he was happy to have something hot in him. It was far better than the treatment he would have gotten if was at the Dursley's right now.

After Dennis took another bite, he asked, "So, England, right?"

"Yeah."

"How far outside of London? My parents took me there when I was like twelve and we explored a bunch of castles," Dennis told him.

Harry grinned. "About an hour south-west of the city centre. My school was in a huge castle," he said, thinking the other boy would like that.

"Really? Rad," he said, grinning. "I supposed lots of ghosts and all that? My mom loves ghost stories and to see all those haunted places."

"Yeah, it was haunted," Harry said, not wanting to say that ghosts were actually real. "What about you? I've never been to California."

Dennis indicated the area they were in before reaching for another spoonful. "It's nothing like this. We live in Burbank. My father is a big bank exec, and my mom works on movie sets. Think brown, not much rain and hilly. I love coming to places like this. I think I want to go to college up here."

"That would be fun. Is college like university?" Harry asked.

Dennis had just shoved more into his mouth, so he had to wait for the boy to swallow. Harry took the time to take a mouthful as well. "I honestly don't know what the difference between a college and university is. I'm looking at going the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, though I'll only be a junior next year."

Harry didn't understand all the boy was saying.

Frank came over with his own bowl. "My sister just went to college last year. She said that it was research and advanced degrees that make the difference between a college and university."

"That makes sense," Dennis said.

"I did I hear you say your school is in a castle?" Frank asked, sitting on a mat he had put on the ground.

"Yeah. A thousand-year-old castle in Scotland. I thought it was cold up there this time of the year, but this is like spring there," Harry told them.

Frank grinned. "It was ninety-three the day we left. I'm glad I have all these layers. This is fucking cold."

Dennis nodded. "I agree. It was eighty the morning we left, and they were saying a heat wave was coming in. I bet it's close to a hundred now."

"Cor blimey. You can have that," Harry told them. "I like the cold better than the heat."

"Then you must love it here. By the way, can you teach me some British swears?" Frank asked.

Harry chuckled at the expectant looks as Mike joined them. Throughout the day, they hadn't really split like this, but it seemed like it was time for the boys to boys and girls to be girls.

"As long as you teach me some," Harry said.

"You can never go wrong with fuck, bitch or shit," Frank said

"We have most of those, but usually we would use shag, twat or pillock."

"Wicked. What is shag?" Dennis asked.

Harry looked to make sure they weren't being overheard. "Making love to a girl."

"Oh, you mean fucking her," Frank said with a grin.

Mike rolled his eyes, obviously the elder of the bunch of them. "Talking of which, what's up with you and Hermione? I got the name right, right?"

Harry looked to the curly hair girl. He shrugged, unsure what it was between them lately. "We've been best friends for a few years now."

"Looks like more than friends to me," Frank said, wagging his brows. "Is she a good kisser?"

"Do you have to be so childish?" Mike asked.

Harry felt his cheeks heat. He had been looking at her differently, but he hadn't thought about that… well not until now. His eyes fell on her lips. "It's not like that with us."

"Why not?" Dennis asked. "She likes you. I mean, she's hardly left your side since we got on the bus."

Harry shrugged. "We are just good friends."

"Alright, leave him alone. How about you, Frank? You dating anyone?" Mike asked. Harry was thankful to the older teen.

Frank looked all smug. "No, but I was able to make out with a cheerleader this year." He held his hand out to indicate the size of her chest. "I mean, huge."

Mike rolled his eyes. "Sure you did. What did you guys think about the bear? I've never seen one up here yet."

"It didn't look that big," Dennis said.

"It was a ways away. They are bigger up close," Frank said knowingly.

"And how would you know?" Mike challenged. It was becoming obvious that Frank liked to act like he knew everything.

"I've been close to them in a zoo," the other boy replied.

Harry focused on his stew. Mike finally sat on other moss-covered rock to eat.

"I'm hoping to see the Northern Lights. Though, did anyone else have a hard time sleeping?" Dennis said.

"Yeah, it doesn't get dark enough," Mike replied.

Harry shrugged. "As long as I have my sleeping bag and the mat, I can sleep anywhere."

"Have you done much backpacking?" Frank asked.

"First time, honestly."

The three others looked at him dumbfounded. "You are shitting me," Frank said. "First time and you kept up with us?"

Harry shrugged. "I've been working out. I play on my house team at school."

"Football?" Mike asked, still obviously not liking the mix of American and British Football.

"Yeah," Harry said, not wanting to say anything about quidditch. Or the fact he had been banned from playing ever again.

"Cool," Dennis said. "My dad always liked to hike, mountain bike and ski, so that is what we do."

"I would die to come back up here and ski during the winter," Mike said.

"We went to Colorado last year," Frank bragged.

Harry let a small smile cross his face. He was being treated just like one of the boys. The smile turned a little sad to think this is what Sirius had wanted for him.

Hermione seemed to get his slight change in his mood. Like always, she looked towards him. He caught her eyes. She was absently rubbing her scar by her shoulder. He frowned. She gave him an encouraging smile before being pulled back into whatever the girls were talking about.

He still watched her. She didn't move oddly or show any real pain today, but he had noticed that rubbed it.

"Harry?" Frank asked, waving his hand before his face. He then snapped his fingers. It sounded too much like a soft apparition crack.

"What?" he said, jumping up. His wand was partially out of his holster when Charlie's hard hand closed around his left wrist. The other three boys looked at Harry a little apprehensively. Frank took a step back.

"Easy there, Harry," Charlie said in a soothing voice.

Harry looked up to the man, anger and a desire to fight ripping through him before realizing he had been drawing his mother's wand and didn't know what he would have done with it. Harry swallowed when he realized what he had been about to do.

"Ah, sorry," he said, putting a hand into his hair. Charlie nodded. Harry palmed the mostly exposed twelve-inch wand and slid it back into the holster before any of them seemed to notice. "I need to go for a walk."

Harry turned. He was terrified at himself that he was about to do something that might not have been reversible. They were kids his age, not Death Eaters.

Feeling shaken he walked up the hill.

Behind him, Mike asked, "What's up with him?"

"We were warned he's had a rough childhood. Try not to startle him or make any suddenly loud noises without warning," Charlie told them.

"Ah, sure, man."

Harry walked a bit away. Closing his eyes tight, he felt his chest tightening and his breathing feeling like it was coming hard. His breathes became short. He wasn't sure what was happening.

"Harry?" Hermione softly asked.

"Hermione… stay… away…" he told her, afraid he might snap at her.

She shuffled through the bushes. "Harry, what happened?"

She put a hand on his shoulder, and he flinched. Trying to get away, he slipped on the moss and fell. "HARRY!"

She was at his side. He put a hand on his chest. "I… can… I… can't… I… can't… breath," he said.

Moving to take his head in her hands, she pulled his face up. "Harry, look into my eyes."

He did. His green eyes were trapped in the soft chocolate orbs of his best friend. "Do as I do," she told him. "Breath in," she said taking a deep breath. "One. Two. Three. Not hold it. One. Two. Three. Now let it slowly out."

His body caught on to what she was trying to do long before his brain did. It was the calming techniques when they had started to learn occlumency.

"That's it, Harry. Again. Breath in," she instructed.

She walked him through the breathing exercise a dozen times before he finally felt the straps around his chest lessen. When he felt he could breathe again, he closed his eyes. She leaned down and put her head against his. That was also something they had done while practicing.

"What happened?" she asked him.

"Frank just snapped his fingers loudly. I… I was about to blast him," Harry said, his eyes still closed.

"Oh, Harry," she said, sounding more concerned and understanding than he had any right to. She pulled him in. He just sat there, not really thinking about the fact she had him cradled to her chest.

"What was that?" he asked, never having felt anything like it.

"Madam Pomfrey asked me to keep an eye on one. I think that was a panic attack," she said.

"Bloody hell, they probably all think me mental now," he said.

"No more than normal," Charlie said from behind Hermione.

Harry shifted, moving to protect her. Hermione let out a little squawk.

Charlie was holding up his hands. "Easy, Harry. I wasn't trying to sneak up on you."

Harry cast the man a baleful look before adverting his eyes. "Are they alright?"

"Everyone's fine. Wendy has them looking for tracks. I think everyone is more concerned. Are you alright?" he asked.

"Fine," Harry said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You are not fine, Harry. He was having a panic attack," she said.

He cast the same baleful look to her.

"Bill thought you might be having some issues. I have a few calming drafts and dreamless sleep if you need them, but you will have to go to your tent for the night. Everyone else will notice the difference," Charlie said.

Harry leaned forward and put his head in his hands. "I'll be fine."

Charlie gave Hermione a look before discreetly handing her two vials. "I think it's time to get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow," Hermione softly said.

Harry didn't meet anyone's eyes as they walked back into camp and Hermione made sure he was in his tent before leaving the two vials on top of his sleeping bag.

"I don't want them," Harry told her.

"Harry, please. Just take them tonight. We can talk in the morning," Hermione softly said.

"How much does it hurt?" he asked, finally looking up. His eyes caught hers.

"What are you…"

"I see you keep rubbing the scar. How much does it hurt?" Harry demanded in a low voice that still held his command.

She rubbed her stomach this time. "It just itches at times. Maybe a little achy at the end of the day, but I still have some of the pain relief potions, a few more doses of the elixir and a cream. Madam Pomfrey says it should be just a thin line in a few weeks."

He pursed his lips.

She leaned forwards and kiss his forehead. Normally it would feel tingly if she touched anywhere near his scar, but since that night, it hadn't really felt any different than his normal skin.

"Why are you so nice to me?" he whispered.

He wanted to ask why when it was his fault for everything.

"Because you are my best friend," she answered. "Get some rest. I'm in the tent just next to yours."

He met her eyes again. There was a depth of feeling in them he wasn't used to having directed at him. Not knowing what to say, he just nodded and pulled himself into the tent. She watches as he zipped it up.

-oOo-