Chapter 4

Waking with Hermione in his arms had been the norm with Harry for the last six months, waking with an eleven-year-old Hermione Potter in his arms was totally different yet just as wonderful.

He watched as his wife's large front teeth dug into her bottom lip, informing him that she was not only awake but deep in thought. He pulled her closer to him, "Ok love, spill it before you burst!"

Hermione could only smile at how well her husband knew her, "I was trying to figure out how my parents kept their memories and wondering if anyone else might."

He knew not to offer up some flippant answer when Hermione was in serious mode, "The sorting hat said the 'powers that be' wanted to help us, I don't think they could have helped me anymore yesterday than your mum and dad remembering us being a couple. I had visions of sleeping in the dog kennel in the back garden."

Hermione was giggling, "You know we don't have a dog, far less a kennel!"

"Your dad would have built one for the boy who dared to come near his daughter, bet the roof would have leaked as well."

Images of her dad out in the garden, sawing planks of wood while muttering about 'protecting his princess' had her shaking with laughter, Harry was probably closer to the truth than he thought.

"I can't think of anyone else who could really help us by retaining their memories."

"What about Sirius?" she offered quietly, unprepared for Harry bursting into laughter.

"Can you imagine anyone giving that sort of knowledge to a marauder? It would lead to total chaos, ok our way might lead us there eventually but Sirius or Remus would see it as their duty to muck things up as much as possible just because they could."

Hermione had to agree with him, "The only other person I could think of would be Luna, since we already know Neville didn't."

Harry was thoughtful for a minute, "Did you get a chance to talk with Luna about her time in Malfoy Manor when we were at Bill's cottage?"

Hermione shook her head, "I was still recovering myself and you had just buried Dobby, not one of our better days."

"I spoke to her a little and there was pain behind those lovely eyes, I don't know if it was because her father betrayed us or her experiences at the manor. Knowing who we were dealing with, nothing would surprise me with those animals."

Hermione had his ribs almost squealing in protest with how tight she was holding him, "If that was the case then I hope she doesn't get her memories back, we'll get to know her much sooner and I promise to be a better friend this time."

Harry kissed the tension away before answering, "We both will love."

-oOoOo-

Breakfast time in the Grangers and the four fell easily into their well-established pattern, they had been doing it as a family for six months in Australia, the only difference here was that they now had a snowy owl perched on Harry's shoulder and Hermione fed Hedwig all her bacon.

"Well I'll see our lawyers first thing this morning; get them on to Harry's guardianship and finding a buyer for our practice."

Emma nodded in agreement, "While you're in there I'll check the travel agents across the street for brochures on Australia, perhaps you two could pick up some books while you're out shopping?" she noticed Hermione had her head lowered so not to look at them, "Hermione love, that's not a criticism of you, we really enjoyed our time there in the place you chose for us but we have other considerations to take into account this time. We'll be a family and I would prefer somewhere that had a school for you both nearby, well at least closer than five hundred miles and preferably one we could at least see."

Hermione understood, "We'll try to find information on Australian magical schools but the British ministry doesn't seem too keen on supplying information about alternatives to Hogwarts. We may have better luck in Gringotts than Flourish and Blots. That will allow us to do our clothes shopping in London."

The expression on his wife's face was one Harry had only previously associated with libraries, he would quickly come to realise that Hermione adored shopping, not for her self per se but the chance to buy her husband nice things was better than a book.

-oOoOo-

Breakfast at the Burrow was nothing like routine, their father's rant at them last night was so surprising that it forced the family to sit back and take notice. The only conclusions they could draw from his words was that the Weasley family were in serious trouble. They had always known they were poor but they might now get the chance to discover what poor really meant. It wasn't being unable to afford the latest broom or buy new books for school, they'd always had food on the table and clothes on their backs, if their father lost his job that might not be the case.

Molly was bustling about in her kitchen not really accomplishing anything, after the children had been sent to bed, Arthur had very carefully yet rather forcibly explained exactly how much trouble her actions had landed them in. While seriously worried her thoughts couldn't help but keep returning to another matter.

Her pipe dream of Ginny marrying the-boy-who-lived and solving all their financial problems would appear to be just that. The lad was the spitting image of James and her Ginny could easily be mistaken for a younger Lily Potter, how could the boy be married to the bucked-toothed, bushy haired bitch when he was only eleven? It wasn't the young age that bothered Molly, more the thought that she could have her Ginny in place and her hands all over the Potter money years sooner than originally planned.

She was rudely ejected from her muse by the highly unusual spectacle of her husband cursing up a storm, she approached and noticed the object of his venomous outburst was this morning's Prophet.

"We're in so much shit, it's even worse than I thought!"

The first thing Molly noticed was a picture of the lad with that bitch, before her blood got time to boil the headlines cured that affliction and left her requiring to sit.

Boy-Who-Lives-Snapped-Wand-And-Left!

Harry Potter and his wife were attacked by a woman and her family of redheaded children while eating breakfast in Hogwarts yesterday. The Hogwarts staff and the Headmaster stood by and left the young couple to defend themselves, only to then punish the Potters for doing so. This was the final straw which saw his broken wand laying on the castle floor, after the headmaster's thinly veiled attempts at threatening him with having his wand snapped failed to keep them in Hogwarts.

Harry Potter exclusively revealed the reason behind this action to the Daily Prophet, these are his own words, unedited as was our agreement with the young man.

This was not the action of a petulant child, rather of someone who gave the British Magical community one last chance and it failed just as spectacularly as all my other dealings with it. It is now my intention to leave these shores for good, since the country holds nothing but bad memories for me.

To explain will require me revealing details I might wish to remain hidden but I really am past caring, the story begins in the evening of the first of November 1981.

From what I have since read, very few of your readers will remember this day as most were spending their time celebrating; meanwhile an orphan was left on a muggle doorstep with a letter pinned to his blanket. That orphan was me, is this the way adoption usually happens in the magical world? Strike one against!

The muggles on whose doorstep I was left hated magic with a passion, thus my life was made hell. Living in a cupboard with barely enough food to keep me alive, not knowing my parents names far less my heritage. I have to this day yet to see a picture of them. No one ever checked up on me, I was just abandoned there, again I ask is this what normally happens in the magical world? I spent ten years of my life believing my parents were drunks who died in a car crash that gave me the scar on my forehead. For that alone I should leave the country, never to return. Strike two against!

When my girlfriend, now wife became eleven she received a visit from Professor McGonagall. The professor explained in great detail to Hermione and her nonmagical parents exactly what was involved with her being a witch and attending Hogwarts.

Hermione had already decided not to attend without me when she discovered her boyfriends name in a magical book, it's in quite a few of them apparently. The dates and scar all fitted so we both threw ourselves into learning as much as we could and waited to see if I would be contacted, on my eleventh birthday I received a visit from Hagrid.

He was incensed that I had been told nothing of the magical world and was under the impression that he was delivering the son of his friends their Hogwarts letter. He's a smashing big guy who I would consider a friend but he would be the first to admit he was ill equipped to inform a basic muggle born on the magical world and Hogwarts.

At Kings Cross I was accosted by a strange plump lady with red hair that just wouldn't take no for an answer as she tried to drag me off somewhere, the station authorities dealt with her as I sped to board the train and find my Hermione.

The same woman attacked me next morning as I sat having breakfast and only my wife's quick reactions saved me from her obvious rage. Is it usual to have intruders walk right in to your school unopposed and attack students? Strike three against!

My wife and I then had to defend ourselves against four of her children while the staff watched on, only when we had them subdued did the staff act. A greasy-haired professor by the name of Snipe gave Hermione and me detentions in a childishly obvious attempt to keep us in the castle. Backed-up by a Headmaster who was more interested in detaining us in the castle than seeing justice done, isn't he the Supreme Mugwump in charge of the courts? Strike four and time to get out of there.

The expression of undisguised glee on Snipe's face as we left the castle worried me, I don't know what the man teaches but I wouldn't want my wife or me anywhere near the creep. In the muggle world all teachers are vetted to ensure they're suitable to be teaching children. Even just from first impressions I could never imagine him passing any serious examination of his personality, far less teaching methods.

After the way the magical world had treated me we had decided to give it one last try, one day in Hogwarts was enough to let us see this was not for the Potters. We had originally looked at moving abroad and that is now the route we will take, my wife and I came into the newspaper to tell our story before the rumours take over.

Through extensive research the Prophet can reveal that the family in question are the Weasleys and Snipe is none other than head of Slytherin, potions professor Severus Snape.

Mr Potter wasn't prepared to answer any questions but could understand that our readers would want to know how it was possible for him to be married at eleven, he then gave the Prophet the following explanation.

Hermione has been my best friend for many years before becoming my girlfriend. On the train to Hogwarts I asked her to always be mine and she answered that she would as I placed a ring on her finger. The ring came from my vault and it turned out to be the Potter family ring. Combined with our feelings towards each other this resulted in us becoming married. As marriage was always going to be in our future together, this has just brought the happy event forward a few years. I just hope her father forgives me for not asking his permission first.

We here at the Prophet can't help but think that any young witch returning home to inform her parents she was married to Harry Potter would be just cause for a massive party of epic proportions.

Having spoken to this lovely young couple we call on the ministry to investigate the bizarre and totally irregular occurrences in this young man's life and answer the glaring questions that his interview has thrown up.

Why was the boy who saved us all, abandoned at night on a muggle doorstep?

Why was he never checked-up on and left ignorant off our world?

Are our children really safe at Hogwarts when people can just walk right in there and attack a student eating breakfast in the great hall?

What part did Albus Dumbledore play in all this? Remember the final event that decided the Potters to leave our country happened right in front of him.

Our country has at most a few days to convince this wonderful young couple that Britain is, and can be their home, before the last members of an ancient and noble family leaves us for good. Is this really what James and Lilly Potter sacrificed their lives for, to see their son and his bride forced to leave the country they died saving?

Arthur could see no way his family could stay in the country now, unfortunately he didn't see any way for them to leave it either. Their only asset was the land their house was built on, he wasn't naïve enough to think their house added anything to the value of the land, or that there would be buyers queuing up to take it off his hands.

He rose to head of to work when the ministry owl flew in the window, carrying a letter that had him sitting back down. Arthur discovered he wasn't sacked but 'indefinitely suspended without pay while investigations are carried out.' This was the ministry's way of forcing you to hand in your notice as you sought work elsewhere to feed your family.

It quickly became apparent that the ministry owl was the first of many headed in their direction, howler after howler arrived heading directly for Molly. Arthur managed to shepherd the children into the living room before having to answer the door.

He found Amelia Bones and two aurors standing there, "Morning Arthur, we're here to speak to Molly since we received two complaints about her behaviour. That was before this mornings Daily Prophet hit the breakfast tables, I assume she's at home?"

The scream of pain had them all rushing into the kitchen, Molly was surrounded by howlers that continually 'went off' but she was currently in agony as large yellow boils were growing on her face and hands.

"I started destroying them with my wand but one exploded and covered me in undiluted bubotuber pus. Get the children out of here in case there are any more like that."

The two aurors began scanning the continual stream of letters before destroying them while Arthur tended to his wife, gauze covered with neutralising potion was applied to her face and wrapped around her hands. Percy herded the others back into the living room, it was beginning to dawn on them just how much their lives were about to change.

Amelia was angry that someone could send something so dangerous by owl, supposing a child had opened that? Still, she had a job to do, "Molly Weasley I have received two complaints that demand I investigate your actions against Mr Harry Potter."

"My actions? What about this on my face and then what he said about me? I'll 'strange plump lady' the little shit if I ever get my hands on him."

Arthur was left wondering if he had enough gauze left to stuff in his wife's mouth.

Amelia kept her cool, "Could you please explain to me what happened on the first of September in Kings Cross Station."

"Albus asked me to keep an eye out for him, so when I saw the lad looking lost I offered to help him onto the platform but he started screaming that I was trying to take him away. Muggles came from everywhere and jumped all over me and my family, Ron got his jaw broken and the muggles drilled holes in it and wired it up. Didn't see that mentioned in the bloody Prophet but then Ron's not the famous boy-who-married-at-eleven!"

The slip about Albus would be chased up later but Amelia wanted to get to the meat of the complaint, "Mr Potter claims you neither introduced yourself nor would take no for an answer. He claims you grabbed him by the arm and started dragging him away…"

Molly interrupted, "I was leading him onto the bloody platform, I told him Ron was going to Hogwarts but he started shouting anyway."

"Can I ask you how many times you've been to Kings Cross Station?"

Arthur could see the trap but his wife blundered on in anyway before he could say anything, "Dozens but I hardly see why that is significant."

"Oh I was just wondering how many more children you've helped through the barrier?" Amelia asked.

"That was my first and bloody last if this is the thanks I get."

"So, let me see if I've got this right. In all the years you've been going to Kings Cross, Harry Potter is the first child you've tried to help through the barrier. That leads me to question why Harry?"

"I told you, Dumbledore asked me to keep an eye out for him."

"Ah but why were you keeping an eye out for him? Surely if the Headmaster suspected a student of his might not be able to make their way through the barrier, he should have sent a member of staff to ensure they made the train. Not entrust the saviour of our world to a parent who arrived in the station ten minuets before the train left."

Molly could hardly say it was so Ron could befriend Harry Potter so she just had to bluster, "I don't know, you'll just have to ask Dumbledore."

"Hogwarts is our next stop and you can be assured I'll be asking him more than that. Now did you attack, or attempt to attack Harry Potter in Hogwarts?"

Molly had considered this carefully, "I was angry and wanted a word with the lad, I can see how it could be misconstrued as an attack."

"I have two sources that tell me your hands were outstretched as if to throttle the child, had Mrs Potter not cast that spell it would appear the most likely outcome."

"I will admit I was going to grab hold of him, but only because he'd slipped away the day before."

"So you were in Hogwarts about to grab hold of a child?"

Molly figured this was the best she was going to get, "Yes."

Amelia paused for a moment, "Those actions in themselves could see you hit with a heavy fine if the boy presses charges. I shall carry out further investigations when I reach Hogwarts, your children could be construed as aiding their mother so I don't think there will be any charges against them. I was considering placing you under house arrest, for your own safety I now believe I should. Do not leave the grounds of the Burrow or you will find yourself spending the night in entirely different accommodation. You will be hearing from us."

They left, leaving Arthur to deal with the steady flow of owls. A heavy fine on top of their troubles could break his family, he hoped the boy wouldn't press charges.

-oOoOo-

The boy in question was currently pressed up against the bar, trying to protect Hermione as best he could. They had casually walked into the Leaky Cauldron, en route to the alley and been instantly mobbed. Unlike the situation in Devon though, there was no anger here, these people were pleading with the Potters not to leave Britain.

Tom fired off a noisemaker spell to restore order, "We all want this young couple to stay but harassing them in my bar isn't going to help our case, stand back and give them some air."

Harry remembered being uncomfortable the first time he entered here and was recognised but nothing had prepared him for this. Perhaps the alley wasn't such a good idea today.

Four aurors exited the floo, "What's the disturbance you reported Tom?"

"Young Mr and Mrs Potter here were getting mobbed by well-wishers; I managed to get them to take a few steps back though. Suffocating the couple they were."

The lead auror approached the Potters, "Sorry about this folks, it would appear your story in the Prophet has caused quite a stir. Perhaps you would allow us to escort you to wherever you're going? We can then ensure this little scene isn't repeated."

Hermione could see the clientele of the Leaky Cauldron hanging on every word so decided to leave them with something to think on. "That would be most considerate of you. We were heading to the bookstore and then Gringotts to try to find information about Australian magical schools."

There were groans in the pub and one woman even started crying as they made their way through to the alley entrance with an auror escort.

Hermione had her head on Harry's shoulder as she whispered in his ear, "I wasn't expecting this level of reaction, I wonder what it's going to be like at Hogwarts when the papers are delivered."

"I think we can expect a visitor from Hogwarts sooner rather than later as they try to entice us back to Scotland." Harry replied.

-oOoOo-

Hogwarts was in uproar, without any Weasleys present the students and staff turned their ire on Snape and Dumbledore. While this was happening, Minerva McGonagall sat serenely eating her breakfast, seemingly without a care in the world.

Snape was losing it big time, he was raving and ranting while waving a copy of the Prophet in Dumbledore's face. "Albus I demand you do something about these malicious slurs printed here, the Potter brat and his mudblood bitch should never have been allowed to leave the castle."

Before Albus could answer, Minerva's calm voice fanned the flames of Snape's temper tantrum, "Professor Snape, using language like that is a serious breech of professional etiquette, the fact that it's in front of students leaves me with no option but to administer an official reprimand. Personally, for a head of house to use such words in reference to students turns my stomach. I find Mr Potter's descriptions of what happened here yesterday to be totally accurate. His assessments of some members of staff were also right on the money and I shall be approaching the board with a view to having some such screening system in place in the very near future."

Severus looked expectantly at the headmaster, awaiting his usual neutralising comments that would save his arse but they never came. Dumbledore's number one priority was getting the Potters back to Hogwarts, their very public decrying of his potions master left him in a bind. If he supported Severus then the Potters would class Albus in the same bracket, if he didn't then Minerva in her current Minx mode would have Severus suspended before the week was out.

With the Potter situation uppermost in his mind, Minerva was Hogwarts biggest asset while Severus was a liability, for the greater good Snape was going to be abandoned to the lioness.

The greasy haired one couldn't believe this was happening and turned aggressively on McGonagall, "If you start handing out punishments for using the term 'mudblood' then the school will be empty before we reach Halloween!"

She calmly stood and faced the angry professor, "If that's what it takes for people to realise that word isn't acceptable inside Hogwarts then so be it. I can't help but think that there would still be three quarters of the students present, and those missing would all have worn green trim on their robes. Perhaps seeing their head of house receive his second official reprimand for using that despicable term will have a positive effect on them?"

He whirled to Dumbledore, "Are you just going to sit there and let her get away with this?"

Dumbledore's answer was calm and measured, "Professor McGonagall is acting within the parameters of her role as Deputy Headmistress. Should you wish to challenge her recent decisions then that would be by tribunal in front of the school board. Please inform me if you chose that option and I shall make arrangements so it can take place."

Snape stormed out the hall, ignoring the sniggering coming from three of the house tables.

He didn't appear for lunch and had to be summoned when Amelia turned up with a couple of aurors and demanded to speak with the senior staff. The meeting convened in Dumbledore's office.

Amelia threw in some general questions to get the ball rolling, "First of all, I would like to determine just how accurate the description of yesterdays events that appeared in the Prophet actually is. Secondly, what steps are being taken to insure it doesn't happen again."

Severus couldn't believe how they were all shitting themselves because Prince Potter threw a hissy fit. "The brat broke the rules and should be left to rot, Hogwarts should not be making exceptions for pampered Princes who turn up with a wife in tow. Let them stew, they'll come crawling back."

Amelia could see Harry's description of this vile man fitted him to a T. "Some of my aurors were called to the Leaky Cauldron this morning where the Potters were being mobbed by well-wishers. They were making their way into the Alley to find information about Magical schools in Australia."

Snape's sneer was on full power, "I can't understand why you're all buying into this. He's playing with you."

Amelia shook her head in dismay at this professors antics, she was so glad Susan had been sorted into Hufflepuff. "I had a couple of muggle born aurors do a little investigating into the Grangers. They are a very well thought of and respected family, who this morning filed papers in the muggle world so they would become Harry's legal guardians. They also put their very successful business up for sale, the word is they're looking to leave the country. Both are dentists, a form of muggle healers, and would be considered extremely well educated and reasonably wealthy in their world. The chances of this being a bluff are zero so please answer my questions."

Albus was too shocked by these revelations, he'd thought to give them time to cool down before orchestrating an approach. This was time he apparently no longer had.

Minerva answered the waiting Amelia, "I'm ashamed to say the events described are very accurate, internal steps have been taken to insure it will never happen again. I have also contacted a former student with the view to making him a security consultant. Working alongside Hagrid as keeper of the keys, they would be responsible for ensuring that people can no longer just breeze into Hogwarts."

This raised Dumbledore's eyebrow, "May I ask who Minerva?" Those may have been the words he used but his tone clearly added 'after all I am the headmaster'.

"Remus Lupin."

Dumbledore almost smiled, this was a brilliant idea. He could visualise Harry and his wife having tea with Remus and Hagrid, chatting away about his parents. This was what he needed, a way to create an emotional tie to Hogwarts. "An outstanding idea Minerva, if I can be of any help persuading Remus, please don't hesitate to ask."

Snape had had enough, "Your going to employ a werewolf in the hope of enticing Potter back, the parents will never stand for it!"

McGonagall went for the jugular, "Well they didn't complain about us hiring a death eater. Unlike you, Mr Lupin did not choose to be a werewolf and his affliction only affects him one night a month. If you feel so strongly about this I will of course accept your resignation now, after all you are only one reprimand away from being suspended. I could perfectly understand you not wanting that indignity on your permanent record."

He went to storm out the room, only to find his dramatic exit being blocked by a pair of aurors. "May I leave now?" Severus asked Amelia.

"Oh I think I've seen all I need to of you for the moment professor." Both aurors moved aside and Snape was soon slithering out the door as Amelia continued. "Ok let's deal with the school stuff first. Mrs Weasley has admitted running up to the boy with the intention of grabbing him, was that your impression Minerva?"

"She appeared ready to throttle the boy, if Mrs Potter hadn't reacted so quickly that's what probably would have happened."

Albus tried to calm things down, "I'm sure she was just overwrought, if Harry doesn't press charges the whole thing will blow over."

Amelia thought the old man had it seriously wrong this time, she decided to try and get him off-balance, "Albus, sitting behind these castle walls has made you insular to what's happening in the rest of our word. Rightly or wrongly the public think of this boy as their saviour, there has been outrage today and I'm surprised you haven't been inundated with howlers."

He gave a weak smile, "The elves deal with any that are sent to staff."

"Well Molly Weasley has been receiving them by the flock, she even got injured when someone sent her a booby-trapped one. The minister is going nuts and Arthur has already effectively been sacked. People are crying in the streets Albus, this is not going to blow over. He's insisting I contact the Potters today, Fudge was going to go himself until Malfoy pointed out it would look as if the minister of magic was grovelling."

Albus pounced on this, "Perhaps Minerva could accompany you, she's already met the parents and spoken with both Potters. It could help break the ice, rather than a stranger just turning up on their doorstep."

"Perhaps, since you mentioned doorstep Albus, I want to get to the bottom of why a baby was left abandoned on one. Any ideas?" Amelia watched with interest as the colour drained from Dumbledore, while Minerva couldn't even look at Amelia and actually lowered her head. It would seem they had more than an idea of what happened that night.

-oOoOo-

Dan Granger had quite a day and it would seem that it wasn't over yet, he'd just opened the front door to discover the doorbell had been rug by Professor McGonagall and another woman he didn't know.

"Good evening Mr Granger, may we speak with Harry and Hermione please?"

Dan's temper flared, "Why the hell should I let you anywhere near the kids? I was assured Hermione would be perfectly safe in that school of yours. Care to explain how she turned up here yesterday after being attacked, married to another eleven-year-old and both of them were left to travel down from Scotland on their own? Just a good job we know Harry for the outstanding young man that he is. If this is your idea of the correct way to treat children placed in your care then I'm very glad they're out of there."

"Excuse me Mr Granger, My name is Amelia Bones, head of magical law enforcement. I'm here to investigate a complaint that Mr Potter made against his attacker, it was he who contacted me regarding this matter. I apologise if the timing is inconvenient but I'm required by law to follow up on this complaint."

Grudgingly Dan invited the women into the Granger home, neither could fail to notice the brochures and magical school prospectuses that Emma and the two children were poring over in their lounge. The fact that Harry moved to place himself between them and his wife was also glaringly obvious, there wasn't a lot of trust being displayed by the males present.

"Professor McGonagall? I thought we'd seen the last of you yesterday. Now I've left Hogwarts I get the visit I should have gotten in the first place? The magical world sure does things backward."

Minerva was saved from answering by Amelia introducing herself before getting to the reason she was here, "Mr Potter, the lady in question has admitted 'attempting to grab you'. Should you wish to press charges she would face a hefty financial penalty. The decision is of course yours."

One quick glance to Hermione was all it took, "Madam Bones, I wish to press charges."

This really surprised Minerva, "Mr Potter, the Weasleys are a poor family. The father has been sacked from the ministry because of this, their eldest son was also summoned back from Egypt and fired by the goblins. They are currently trying to sell the land they own, hoping to make enough money to leave the country. A large fine would in all probability bankrupt them. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Professor had that redheaded boy who attacked Hermione actually laid a finger on my wife then I would have killed him. Since finding out from Neville there was so much that we didn't know, we hit the bookshop. I have since discovered I would have legally been within my rights as well. If people think the Potters are a soft target then they will treat us as such, by doing this we are sending out a signal that we are not to be messed with. Please understand I have here what I've longed for my whole life, my family was taken from me once and I swear that will never happen again. I will do anything to protect my family."

The passion and power in Harry's words belied his eleven years. While Amelia and Minerva thought he was talking about his parents, his family understood what he meant. Hermione wrapped him in a hug, "Our family Harry, I'll be beside you every step of the way love."

Any other boy this age threatening to kill someone would have Amelia chuckling to herself, not this one though. It was in his eyes, the boy was no killer but wouldn't hesitate if it was to protect those he loved. Yes she believed Harry Potter would have hit the Weasley boy with everything that he had. Since he had incapacitated the Weasley twins then who knew what other surprises he had up his sleeve. He was also correct that ruining the Weasleys would make others hesitate before messing with the Potters. It was now time to pop the question that Fudge had given her a direct order to ask.

"Mr and Mrs Potter, I have been directed by the minister of magic to ask if there was any consideration we could make to halt your decision to leave the country."

Harry focused his full gaze on both women, "I used to lie in my cupboard and think that the hunger was making me hallucinate. I could hear a man shout at my mother to take me and run, she didn't but pleaded with someone to kill her instead of me. A maniacal laugh was followed by a flash of green light and my mother was gone. If I mentioned it to my relatives it earned me a beating, and flung back in the cupboard for another couple of days. They called me freak and, with no knowledge of magic I honestly thought I was one."

They had discussed where he was going to go with this but Hermione could see Harry's emotions were still pretty raw, Emma now had both of them in a hug as the memories evoked had the tears flowing freely.

"I remember a flying motorbike and a man with black hair, he was not my father but loved me very much. I have read and read before finally uncovering this person's identity. I want to be at Sirius Black's trial, look him in the eye while he's under truth serum and ask him why he betrayed my parents. Consigning them to die, and me to a living hell with my relatives."

Minerva couldn't have been more shocked if someone had stuck an electric cattle prod up her arse, they'd abandoned that baby to a life he himself described as hell. Amelia had tore Dumbledore to shreds on his admission that it was he who left Harry on that doorstep. She promised him that her department would investigate this meticulously and she herself would push for charges to be brought against him.

Minerva also had a question to ask, "Do you think there is anyway you could give Hogwarts another chance?"

Emma's grip tightened on her children, "Why the hell should they? We've spent the evening looking at some wonderful schools on the other side of the world, personally I still don't think that's far enough away from the people who allowed Harry to be treated like this."

Amelia had what she came for and didn't think there was anything to be gained by arguing with these people, probably because she agreed with them. "Mr Potter I shall pass on your request to the minister, hopefully we'll be in touch."

Dan gave them a timeline to work with, "We plan on travelling to Australia, checking out some schools and areas to live before finally making the move. If things proceed the way we hope, by this time next week our family could be on a plane headed for distant shores."

She could only nod, these people had a right to live their own life and were breaking no laws. If they wanted to leave the country then legally they were powerless to stop them.

Both witches apparated away to audible sighs of relief, "Sorry folks, I got quite lost in the moment there." Harry received kisses from both Hermione and Emma, no words were needed.

"Do you think they'll give your godfather a trial?" Dan asked.

"I hope so, it was the best we could come up with until getting our hands on a certain rat. Now there's something I need to ask you all, how would you like to stay in Devon?"

Hermione sussed what he was up to but didn't understand the reason behind it, "Harry, why would you buy the Burrow?"

"Well I thought my wife might like to destroy it, blast the house apart and set the ruins on fire to watch it burn. Then you two ladies could design the house of your dreams, swimming pool, library, gym, Quidditch pitch? Whatever you want. A team of magical builders would have it completed well before Christmas, of course we would have to invite the neighbours over during the holidays…"

Harry never got to say anymore as Hermione was kissing him. Emma couldn't help but smile at this, "Ok it's pretty obvious that Hermione loves the idea but perhaps you could explain it to us."

"Mum what my brilliant husband here didn't get around to mentioning is that our nearest neighbours would be the Lovegoods."

"And the Diggorys," added Harry.