hpml21-30
Chapter 021
"Yes. I'll likely end up joining you at that. I was assured placing him with the
Dursleys was for his protection and that James and Lily would not have objected
but now...and supposedly their wills specified not to leave him with those
people..." Minerva sighed. "I imagine I did not help things with my reactions to
Harry, Hermione and Neville's concerns. Nor that said concerns proved to be
perfectly correct."
Shiva shook her head. "No, you really didn't. I talked to him before coming up here.
Apparently once they found the door open they didn't head back to the dorms like
I told them to because they were worried that Snape would come back up before
Dumbledore and I got back. I asked him why they didn't go find you again and
Harry said that they had already spoken with you and didn't think you'd believe
them if they tried again."
Minerva threw back another glass of whiskey. "I left them with the impression I
would ignore their concerns?"
"Seems that way, yeah. Apparently even our resident genius, Hermione, thought
so."
Minerva held her head in her hands. "Perhaps I have been juggling too much
lately...Tell me, Shiva, do you think I can still fix this? The last thing I want is to have
forever lost those three due to shortsightedness and stupidity."
Shiva gave her colleague a small grin and light chuckle. "I wouldn't be here
otherwise, Min. Give him the summer to cool off. When he gets back, apologize,
don't brush off any opinions or criticisms and you should be well on the way to
mending fences. I wouldn't worry about Hermione too much. She'll likely come
faster than Harry. It's not like you're Snape here!" Both teachers laughed at that
comment. "And Neville is fine. I think. I haven't had much of any interaction with
him honestly. The biggest advice I can give is try not to appear to favor Dumbledore
over Harry."
"But, it's Albus," Minerva said in a pleading voice. "I realize he may have made
mistakes but surely Harry cannot have lost that much – "
Shiva held up a hand and shook her head. "Min, he caught the old man in another
half truth or outright lie earlier. He mentioned it to me to make sure and I have to
say it does raise some questions..."
Minerva flinched back. "What?!"
"His scar." Minerva just furrowed her brow and Shiva sighed. "It's some variant
form of a defense or protection rune. I've never seen something quite like it, but
once Harry pointed it out I couldn't not see it. It looks like it's tied into something
but I have no clue what. He said that Dumbledore implied the scar was a leftover
from the killing curse...Look I'll be the first to admit the old man is a fantastic
wizard and is on the right side but something about this whole Potter situation just
smells funny you know?"
"I don't believe we have enough information to truly judge this matter. I think we
will just have to wait and see where things lead," Minerva said rubbing her temples
with one hand.
"Agreed. But just so we're clear, if it comes down to battle lines at some point in
the future...I'm most likely going to be with Harry. That kid is looking more and
more like the precocious little brother I always wanted. I'm not going abandon him
for some nebulous Greater Good or other such bullshite."
"I can drink to that, Shiva. I can drink to that." Holding out their drinks, the two
friends clinked glasses and moved onto less troublesome topics.
"Promise you'll write, Harry?" Neville asked as Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
came into view from their window.
"I promise, mate," Harry replied with a smile. "Make sure you do the same."
"Harry, you're sure you're going to be alright?" Hermione asked staring hard at him
and taking in the clothes that were far too large for him.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Harry replied with an evil grin. "Just because I know that I can't
do magic or activate runes at the Dursleys doesn't mean they know that."
Neville laughed. "Harry, I think you've spent too much time with the twins!"
Hermione didn't appear convinced though. "Well remember, my parents are
Muggles so if you need us to stop by or anything just send a letter or give me a
call."
"I promise, Hermione." The train puttered to a stop and the whistle blew. "I'm
going to miss you guys. It was nice having someone to hang out with."
"I know what you mean," Neville said quietly. "But hey, it's only a few months till
we can all meet up again! And I'll ask Gran about you guys coming over for a day or
two at some point. The Longbottom manor can get kinda empty sometimes."
"Sounds like a plan!" Harry stood up and clapped Neville on the back. He grinned
then turned to Hermione and accepted her bear hug. "Have a great summer,
Hermione."
"You too, Harry, Neville."
The trio smiled at each other and stepped off the train headed back towards their
lives outside of Hogwarts.
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Chapter 022
This had probably been the second worst summer that Harry could ever remember.
Prior coming returning to the Dursleys, he had thought he had friends in Hermione
and Neville. He had thought he had an ally in Shiva. He had thought that things
would be different.
He had been stupid.
As soon as Harry had entered Number 4 Privet Drive he had been thrown against
the wall, nearly breaking his arm. Harry had been expecting that and immediately
brought out his Slow Burn. It was a rune stone that didn't do much of anything
beyond keep a low level lumos going for an hour or so. It was basically just a fancy
candle. But the Dursleys didn't know that…so Harry had activated it on the train
hoping to intimidate his Aunt, Uncle and cousin into leaving him alone. A bit of
misdirection and with any luck Harry wouldn't have to worry about his relatives at
all for most of the summer.
Unfortunately, he had greatly underestimated Aunt Petunia. Upon seeing the Slow
Burn she just sneered at him. "Idiot, boy, my sister went to that school as well. I
know perfectly well you can't do any of that freakishness here!" Harry's eyes had
widened as Vernon's smile practically split his face. Dudley cackled with glee
behind him. The beating that followed left him sore for nearly two weeks and
Harry had been let out of his room only for bathroom breaks and two meals a day.
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Chapter 022
Even that wouldn't have been so bad except that he had received no
communication from any of his 'friends' at all. Not a letter, not a phone call, not a
visit. He couldn't even send Hedwig to ask what he had done wrong since Uncle
Vernon had padlocked his familiar's cage. Harry was given little enough to eat
himself and he had to split that with Hedwig to ensure his poor owl could last until
school started again. Having friends and then being stripped of them, yet again,
had made this summer practically unbearable.
Harry's only retreat had been speaking to Hedwig and coming up with new
experiments and applications for his rune stones. Whenever he got bored he tried
branching out a bit into attempting to craft some ward schemes. While he couldn't
actually test any of them, several designs were complete and awaiting etching. The
Ninja stone had taken a while but it looked like it should work. The only problem
was it didn't seem like it would play well with too many others so his father's Cloak
would likely still be more useful until he could figure out a workaround. He'd come
up with a Proximity Ping as well that would let him know whenever anyone not in
the original bubble radius entered. A Lockpick stone was easy to set up and it
seemed to have the potential to work on things specifically designed to block
Alohomora as well since his rune stone incorporated a Suppression rune twined
into the Spell rune. The improved barrier that he had originally thought of the first
time he met Shiva was making progress but was still way too complicated to
attempt.
Harry had considered playing around with more offensive designs especially after
coming face to face with Voldemort but ended up deciding that was something
better left for next year. A simple Blastor Concussor,and Disintegrator would have
to do for the moment. Building up rune stones designed to explode had too much
risk without a bit of oversight. At least, at first.
July, 31st rolled around and Harry quietly sang to Hedwig and himself. Uncle
Vernon was in the middle of a large business dinner so he figured he'd likely be
missing dinner. Getting a soft hoot and gentle nip from his friend, Harry turned to
head to bed early.
And found a small creature with very large ears, a long nose and bandaged hands
standing on his bed. The creature was sporting several bruises and seemed to be
dressed in a pillowcase with holes cut out for the head and arms. Harry's mouth
dropped open and he just stared. 'And I thought my life sucked…'
"Err, hello?" Harry blinked in consternation at the strange little creature standing
before him.
The creature burst into tears and cradled its head. "The Great Harry Potter speaks
to Dobby! Dobby is not worthy, Dobby is – "
"Quiet!" Harry hissed frantically moving forward to attempt to shut the creature –
Dobby – up. "Please, you have to be quieter! My Aunt and Uncle will hear you!"
"Dobby – is – sorry!" Dobby said between sobs at least attempting to lower his
volume. "But yous is the – Great Harry Potter Sir. And Dobby is – just a lowly House
Elf. Dobby – cannot believe the – Great Harry Potter would wish – to speak with
him!"
Harry turned to Hedwig in confusion who just chuffed at him. "Glad you're amused.
Traitor." Turning back to Dobby, Harry hesitantly reached out and clasped the little
thing's shoulder. It just made the sobbing worse. "Look, Dobby? Look, Dobby, first
off, it's just Harry. Not The Great Harry Potter Sir. Just Harry. Second, not to be rude
or anything but why are you in this house?"
Dobby stopped crying almost instantly and turned sorrow filled eyes on Harry.
"Dobby comes to give Harry Potter a message. Harry Potter must not return to
Hogwarts."
Harry's compassion for the poor creature in front of him dried up and ice crept into
his voice. "And who told you tell me that?"
Dobby cringed and held up his hands to cover his face. "Dobby comes by himself.
Master would not want Dobby to tell Harry Potter. Bad Master would want to
ensure Harry Potter is present. Dobby must shut his head in the cabinet for coming
but Dobby will do it! Dobby will protect the Great Harry Potter!"
Harry froze for several long moments running over the house elf's words. His anger
retreated somewhat as he realized some of what the little fellow was implying.
"Dobby…" Harry cut off as he watched Dobby grab a lamp from the bedside table
and swing it towards his head. Harry's mouth dropped open and he caught the
lamp before it could impact the house elf. "Jeez, why did you do that?!"
"Dobby is bad elf! Elves should never refer to Master like that!" He tried to grab the
lamp again so Harry dropped the lamp and held Dobby's arms instead until the
creature calmed back down.
"Okay, Dobby, let's try this again," Harry said, cautiously letting the house elf's
arms go. "I'm guessing you can't tell me who your master is?" Dobby shook his
head so hard that his ears flapped. "Can I try to guess?" Dobby considered for a
minute before shrugging. "Okay, well is it someone I go to school with?" Dobby
paused before half nodding and half shaking his head. "So it's the family of
someone I go to school with then." Dobby nodded. "Gryffindor? Ravenclaw?
Hufflepuff? Slytherin? Okay, Slytherin. Now is it – " Harry was forced to break off
again as Dobby ran headfirst towards the wall. Harry just barely managed to grab
the little guy before he knocked himself out. "Okay, guess we're done with that line
of questioning. How about a different tack. Why can't I go back to Hogwarts?"
"The Great Harry Potter Sir must not go back! It is not safe at Hogwarts now!"
"Yeah, kinda figured that out already, Dobby."
"No, Harry Potter does not understand. Hogwarts will not be safe! Master will
make certain!"
Harry swore under his breath. 'Oh perfect, someone is going to try something again
this year. And now I won't even have my friends to help me deal with – ' Harry's
thoughts ground to halt as he turned to slowly stare at Dobby. The little house elf
had succeeded in slamming his arm into the drawer while Harry was distracted but
Harry couldn't quite bring himself to care as much as he had a moment ago.
"Dobby…have you been, perhaps, trying to…dissuade me already from returning?"
Dobby froze. "Dobby thought…Dobby thought if Harry Potter felt his friends had
abandoned him he would not want to return the castle…"
Harry carefully got up from his seat on the bed and narrowed his eyes at the house
elf. "Dobby, have my friends written me any letters?"
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Chapter 023
Dobby reached behind him and pulled out a stack of letters in his shaking hand.
"Dobby will give the Great Harry Potter is letters if he agrees to not go back to
Hogwarts this term."
"Give me my letters, Dobby." Harry took a single step forward. He tried very hard
not to snarl but he couldn't quite keep the ice out of his voice. "Now." His friends
had been writing him. His friends hadn't abandoned him. He had friends.
"Harry Potter must promise. Hogwarts is not safe."
"Dobby I refuse to stay in this house any longer than is absolutely necessary. I have
already survived a murderous Professor and psychopathic possessing ghost. The
only friends I have are at Hogwarts. The only adult I trust is at Hogwarts. I am.
Going. Back. NOW GIVE ME MY LETTERS!"
"If the Great Harry Potter refuses to stay, Dobby will make him." The house elf
snapped his fingers and Harry's door burst open. Harry sprang to grab him but
Dobby sprinted out and bounded down the stairs. Harry flung himself to his feet
and ran after the house elf. He caught up just outside the kitchen watching with
wide eyes as Dobby stared at the cake on the table outside the door. The door with
Uncle Vernon's business party still going on beyond.
"Dobby, please…"
"Dobby is sorry Harry Potter Sir. But Harry Potter cannot go back to Hogwarts."
Harry lunged for Dobby but only managed to grab the letters in the house elf's
hand before Dobby twisted away, snapped his fingers again and the cake lunged
through the door. With a quiet pop, Dobby vanished and Harry was left lying on the
floor looking at the astonished faces of Vernon, Petunia and three guests. All
covered with cake.
It had been three days since the Great Cake Incident. Harry had received a notice
about being expelled at the next underage magic usage. 'If I had know I had a
freebie I'd have used one of my Firestarter stones. Maybe if the house burned
down we'd move somewhere that people would listen to me.' Uncle Vernon hadn't
beaten Harry but he almost wished the man had. At least then his stomach
wouldn't hurt so much from lack of food. And Hedwig wouldn't be starving then
either. His friend was hurting obviously but at least she wasn't dying yet. That was
something right?
As night fell a low rumbling came from outside his window. It sounded almost like
a car was sitting there on the second floor. As interesting as that might have been
Harry couldn't bring himself to move enough to go look. There really just wasn't
any point in it.
"Is this the one?"
"Neville said 4 Privet Drive and this was the only 4 Privet Drive and that map
Hermione sent."
Harry frowned. Fred and George? Was he delusional now? They had given him
water though the cat flap so he really shouldn't be hearing things…
A gentle knocking sounded from the window just barely loud enough to hear over
the rumbling engine. Unable to resist the curiosity, Harry headed over to the
window only to stare in shock at Fred's grinning face looking back at him. Hanging
out the side of a car window. A car floating next to his window. On the second
floor.
"Hiya, Harry!"
"You – I – what?" Harry said.
"We got worried when you didn't respond to any of our letters. Neville and
Hermione were going to come too but we told them we had it handled. Are these
really bars? Who bars a guy's window?"
"My Aunt and Uncle," Harry responded. "Can you really get me out?"
"Sure. Just loop this," Fred handed a piece of rope through the bars, "around those
bars there. Cool. Okay, George, gun it!" With a thumbs up George turned the wheel
and accelerated away from the house. The bars on Harry's window tore off with a
loud crunch and Harry glanced towards the wall to Dudley's room and the master
bedroom beyond. How had they managed to sleep through that racket? George
drifted the car back over to the now open portal. "Come on, Harry, get in!"
"Take Hedwig!" Harry said hurriedly handing off his owl to Fred. "My trunk is
locked up under the stairs! It has my dad's cloak, my mother's notebooks and my
picture book of my parents in it. I can't leave it!"
"Hang on then." Fred opened the car door and easily hopped inside. "Downstairs
you say?"
"Yeah but the door is locked," Harry said again glancing towards the wall. He
scowled. It didn't matter if they woke up. He would not leave without his things.
"Locks aren't a problem." Fred had brought out a small set of tool and knelt next to
the door.
"Are those lockpicks?" Harry gaped at Fred. Out of all the people he had come to
know…this really shouldn't surprise him.
"Yup. Sometimes it's better to do things without magic. Always good to be
prepared!" The lock popped and Fred tip toed out into the hall following Harry's
outstretched arm towards the stairs. In another minute they had the cupboard
opened up and Harry had grabbed his trunk.
"Harry…why is there a mattress down here?"
"Used to be my room until I got my letter and Uncle Vernon got paranoid," Harry
muttered. "Can you give me a hand with this?" Fred had to shake himself to stop
from staring between Harry and the tiny cupboard. With a scowl the older boy
grabbed the trunk and lifted it away from Harry.
"I got it. Come on. Back upstairs and into the car."
Harry had just jumped into the car and was pulling his trunk in when Uncle
Vernon's voice screamed out. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT?! WHAT ARE YOU
FREAKS DOING!?"
"Budge over, Harry!" Fred yelled with a wide grin. He jumped out the window and
grabbed the car just as Vernon scrambled over towards them. "George!"
"Hang on back there!" Fred's twin yelled as he gunned the engine. "Oh, and happy
birthday, Harry!" Fred, George, Harry and Hedwig soared away from Number 4
Privet Drive leaving a purple Vernon Dursley shouting at the sky.
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Chapter 024
An hour or so later, George landed the flying Ford Anglia in driveway to the twins'
house, the Burrow. The car had barely touched down before a screaming woman
flew out of the front door yelling obscenities at the twins. Her hair was a flaming
mop of red and Harry was willing to bet whatever money he owned that this was
the infamous Weasley matron, Molly.
"HOW DARE YOU! NO IDEA WHERE YOU WERE! CAR GONE! THE CLOCK SHIFTED TO
MORTAL PERIL! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA – " She cut off mid-rant as Harry stepped
out of the backseat lugging his trunk. "Oh hello, Harry, dear. It's a pleasure to have
you here. I'm not angry with you, dear. Just my sons. Why don't you head inside?
I'll have breakfast on the table in a minute!" The twins had carefully been edging
towards the house when Molly turned back to them and continued her screaming.
Harry had opened his mouth to try and defend them but stopped at George's
gesture. A large hand landed on Harry's shoulder causing him to jump and turn
around reaching for his wand before sheepishly realizing that it was still locked in
his trunk. The man behind him was tall, with a ponytail, pierced ear and flaming
red hair to match the rest of the Weasley's he'd seen.
"Hey, Harry," he said, "I'm Bill. The oldest of the Weasley brood. There's not much
point in trying to head off one of mum's rants. We'll talk to her and get the twins
out of trouble later. Come on inside."
Harry just nodded and followed Bill into the house with a sorrowful glance back at
Fred and George. Surprisingly, George gave him a covert wink and smile as he
caught his eye.
"Food?" Bill asked gesturing flicking his wand towards the table which was quickly
covered by a plate a flying bacon, biscuits and eggs.
Harry could feel his mouth watering and he just nodded before running to the table
and diving in. "Thanks! I haven't eaten since that stupid party thanks to that crazy
elf."
"Crazy elf?" Bill asked plopping down into the seat across from Harry and swiping a
slice of bacon.
"Yeah, some house elf decided the best way to try and save my life was to get my
relatives even madder than usual. And of course I get blamed for it as usual." Harry
paused mid bite and squinted at Bill. "Do you know how to submit a complaint to
the Improper Use of Magic Department by any chance?"
"Why?" Bill was starting to feel like he was having a conversation with the twins for
as much sense as this was making.
"Like I said, I got blamed for the magic. Apparently I get a freebie but I want
whatever the elf did off my record so I can still keep my freebie in case I actually
need to use it," Harry said gesturing with his fork like it made perfect sense.
"Err, we can ask my dad. He works in the Ministry so he should at least be able to
get a letter to the right people if not take you in to talk to them…"
"Sweet! I love you guys!" Harry dived back into his meal completely ignoring Bill's
facepalm.
"Now I see why you get along with Fred and George and not Ron."
"Well that's easy," Harry chuckled, "the twins are funny and as long as you can get
them to keep to some limits, very nice. Ron's a prat who can't seem to understand
why I get annoyed with people treating me like a celebrity for something I didn't
even do."
"I'll…talk to my brother," Bill said with a sigh. "I'm not looking to take sides in this
thing. I'm not home nearly enough to deal with that sort of drama."
"George said you worked with Gringotts in Egypt right?"
"Yeah. I had a job in the area for an old friend and figured I'd stick around for an
extra day or two for you to show up so I could talk to you."
Harry frowned at that. "Why did you want to talk to me?"
"Well," Bill shrugged, "my friend mentioned you had a talent for runes so I just
wanted to see for myself how far that extended. I'm a cursebreaker, we deal with
runes a lot in that job."
Harry started to speak before stopping and laughing. "Let me guess, Shiva?"
Bill chuckled too. "Got it in one. The girl was a year behind me but she knew her
stuff almost better than I did! Said you were a bit of a savant with runes." Harry
nodded. "Sweet! Would you mind taking a look at this etching? My team in Egypt
ran across it a few days ago and while I'm pretty sure we've got the dangerous stuff
figured out I wanted a second opinion was I was here."
"You do know I just turned 12?" Harry said raising his eyebrows.
"Harry, I grew up with Fred and George. They were making better potions than
Mum at 12 and she's studied it for years. And you come highly recommended," he
winked. "Like I said, just a second opinion."
"You're scouting me…" Harry said with a bit of pride creeping into his voice.
Bill laughed. "Maybe a little."
Harry just shrugged, pushed his plate to the side and held out his hand. The twins
walked into the kitchen and sat down as he took the paper from their brother. "Fair
warning, I'm probably going to end up opening a shop at some point."
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Chapter 025
Fred and George shared a look and silent grin while Bill just shrugged. "I don't
doubt it. Can't blame a guy for trying though."
Molly ambled into the kitchen with a huff. "Bill, stop bothering, Harry. He's a
guest." Bill rolled his eyes at his mother.
"Hmm," Harry muttered staring at the rune scheme. "This is nasty. That's some sort
of explosion trigger, this part looks like it would turn the target inside out before
cooking them, this section is a super powered cutting charm – way more than
necessary for even an entrenched target really, and oh, this one…" Harry's mouth
dropped open. "Seriously? Soul absorption? I didn't even think that was possible!"
"Man, Shiva did not oversell you at all," Bill whistled. Molly behind him was gaping
like a fish. "That was the part we were worried about too. That specific cluster
doesn't look like it worked quite as designed thankfully. If it had, Edgar wouldn't be
around to buy us all drinks, but it's right nasty that's for sure. Thanks for the read,
Harry."
"Harry, you put that down this instant!" Molly had finally regained her power of
speech. "Children have no business reading horrid things like that! Bill! What were
you thinking bringing that into this house! I raised you better than that!"
"Mum…" Bill sighed as the twins snickered beside him.
Before Molly could say anything else, a young redheaded girl came in from off the
stairs. She yawned and stretched before glancing around. The girl started towards
Bill with a big smile on her face before she caught sight of Harry and froze. Her
mouth snapped closed and with a squeak the girl took off like a shot back up the
stairs, nightdress flaring behind her.
"Uhh…" Harry uttered staring in confusion at the blank space where the girl had
retreated.
"Honestly, that girl!" Molly snorted. "Harry, why don't you grab your things and
take them upstairs. You'll be sharing with Ron."
Harry, Fred and George all frowned immediately at that. "Mum, that's not such a
good idea," Fred said.
"No offense, Mrs. Weasley, but I would really prefer not to. Ron and I…don't
exactly get along," Harry sighed.
"Nonsense, Ron is a sweet boy. There's no reason you two can't get along perfectly
well." Molly turned back to the counter obviously considering the discussion over.
"No reason beyond his jealousy and tendency to insult practically everything Harry
likes," George muttered.
"Ma'am, I really – " the rest of Harry's statement was cut off as the boy in question
came into the room and plopped down grabbing a handful of biscuit and throwing
it into his mouth.
Ron was halfway through his bite when he noticed Harry sitting at the table and his
visage darkened immediately. "What the hell is he doing here?"
"The twins," Molly glared at the two for a moment, "decided not to wait for your
father and myself and left last night to bring Harry back."
"Rescue," Fred said with a scowl. "Rescue, not bring."
"Boys, please – "
"There were bars on the window, Mum. And locks on his door and trunk. And
apparently the cupboard was – "
"Thanks for the support, Fred," Harry said cutting him off. "I appreciate the
jailbreak." Fred and George turned to each other then Harry and nodded slightly
before falling quiet. "Anyway, Mrs. Weasley, Bill said your husband could take me
to talk to someone in the Ministry? I need to get an Underage Magic Warning off
my record."
"Oh, so the Boy-Who-Lived is going to throw around his fame like usual," Ron
drawled around a bite of bacon.
Bill facepalmed again. "It is far too early to deal with this. I'm going to go say
goodbye to Ginny and head out. Fred, George, try not to burn down the house. Ron,
stop talking with your mouth full. Mum, stop arguing with me about work.
Someone tell Perce I said hi and Dad that I love him." He walked up the stairs
leaving Molly shaking her head, the twins with a grin and Ron glaring.
"Harry, dear, Arthur can take you into work with him tomorrow morning if you
want," Harry nodded at Molly's reply. It was better than nothing and much more
than he had expected from the woman the way the previous conversation had
been going. "I still think you should sleep with Ron…" Ron's snarl answered that
comment well enough, "but I suppose if Percy is alright with it you can share his
room instead."
It ended up being almost a week before Harry could get to the Ministry to speak
with Mafalda Hopkirk. It was also a supremely unhelpful meeting. Harry argued
with the annoying woman for nearly an hour repeatedly stating that he had done
no magic over the summer and that if he had it would have been a hell of a lot
flashier than a simple hover charm. Hopkirk then brought out her records proving
that there had been a hover charm performed at Number 4 Privet Drive. Harry had
repeatedly stated that a house elf had been the one performing the charm. Hopkirk
replied that such an excuse was ridiculous since no wizards lived nearby so
obviously no house elf would be near Privet Drive either. Harry offered to take a
test or give an oath or drink a potion to prove it hadn't been him and Hopkirk had
scoffed, saying that there was no way she could get authorization for something
like that with such a simple clear-cut case. Things quickly descended into a
shouting match from there. After Harry demanded to see her boss, Hopkirk threw
him out in a huff saying that Director Bones was far too busy to be bothered by a
foolish boy's temper tantrum.
Needless to say, Harry's first experience with the Ministry of Magic had been
decidedly unpleasant.
The shopping trip to Diagon Alley did not go much better. By the time the Weasley
clan and Harry were getting ready to head to the Alley, Harry was practically ready
to curse someone. It was a hell of a lot of fun to spend more time with the twins –
especially once he started asking them about why they were supposedly so good
with potions and yet got such bad grades – but that was basically the only high
point of staying with the Weasleys. Whenever Ron wasn't avoiding Harry, he was
insulting him. Ginny seemed pleasant enough but could barely speak whenever he
was nearby. Molly kept trying to send him on chores that either had him paired
with Ron or Ginny and the woman had never once apologized to Fred and George
for screaming at them for rescuing Harry. Percy barely came down from his room
but at least he let Harry bunk with him. Even Arthur got to be annoying. He was
very nice man and Harry really did like him, but asking about the purpose of rubber
duck had been the last straw. There was being curious and then there was being
annoying.
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Chapter 026
To Mr. Weasley's credit, when Harry asked him to slow down a bit, the man did
listen. Harry also recommended he start up a correspondence with either
Hermione, or the senior Grangers. While Harry had been raised Muggle he had also
been extremely sheltered, so they would be better able to answer Arthur's
questions and explain the concepts.
It only took one trip through the Floo network for Harry to decide he hated
wizarding travel. Besides being left nauseous, covered in soot and with skinned
knees he had apparently wound up in the entirely wrong location! Growling, Harry
got to his feet, asked for directions back to Diagon Alley – telling the owner
explicitly he preferred to walk – and started limping back in the direction he hoped
to meet back up with the others. Harry had barely taken ten steps out of the shop
though when he ran into Hagrid who was nice enough to escort him the rest of the
way. Harry could've done without the lecture about Knockturn Alley being no place
for children though. It wasn't like he meant to go there.
"Harry!" Harry was still glowering at his feet so he barely had time to look up let
alone brace for the brown bullet flying at him before being knocked back into
Hagrid by the force of Hermione's hug. "Oh I've missed you so much! How has your
summer been? How were the Weasleys? I hope Ron didn't give you too hard a time
– or that the twins didn't prank you too badly while you were there. Did you really
shout at a Ministry employee, Harry? You shouldn't have done that! Can you tell
me about the house elf? He sounded very interesting from your letter. Oh, did you
end up getting the birthday card I sent? I know you said that you got your letters
back but I wasn't sure – I'm so glad I decided to save the actual gift to give you in
person!" Hermione was turning ever so slightly blue by the end of her rambling.
Harry chuckled, his spirits lifting immediately at seeing his friend again. He blushed
slightly as he realized he had even grown to miss the hugs she gave him.
"Hermione," Harry said with a grin, "you really need to stop to breathe sometimes.
I'll tell you all about everything as we walk. How are you, Nev?" Harry asked
turning his head to smile over at his other friend who was shaking his head off to
the side near the relieved Weasleys.
"I'm good, Harry. Nice to see you again. Sorry, that the twins had to rescue you.
Gran was going to go herself but they apparently beat us to it." Hermione's face fell
at that and she started to pull away from Harry.
"Don't worry about it, Nev, Hermione," Harry said squeezing her back before she
finally let go. Hermione's face seemed to lighten a bit as he hugged her back and
her frown disappeared completely when he continued, "I got to meet the rest of
the Weasleys because of it – well besides Charlie. Bill apparently knows Shiva by
the way."
"Oh?" Hermione asked. "Did they go to school together?"
"Year apart I think he said. Let's get our books then we can talk more." A familiar
gleam entered Hermione's eyes as Harry said that. He smiled getting just the
reaction he had hoped for.
"Eh hem," a well built man in a jeans and Metallica T-shirt cleared his throat
looking at Hermione with a raised eyebrow. The woman standing next to him was
obviously trying very hard to hold in her laughter and failing.
Hermione gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh my gosh, I forgot! Harry, these are
my parents, Richard and Emma Granger."
"Sir, ma'am," Harry said stepping forward and holding out his hand, "it's nice to
meet you."
Richard shook Harry's hand and gave into his own soft laughter. "It's nice to finally
meet the boy our daughter gushes about in her letters, Harry." Harry glanced over
at his friend who had turned nearly as red as the Weasley's hair and was doing her
best to completely avoid his gaze. "And it's Richard, none of this, sir stuff. You
saved my daughter's life, I think that deserves a first name basis."
"Err…"
"It's nice to meet you, Harry," Emma wrapped Harry into a hug similar to the ones
her daughter gave though thankfully much shorter so he didn't have to start
squirming away. "It's also nice to see someone else trying to get her to slow down
sometimes."
"Yes, well, if you two are done embarrassing me," Hermione huffed, hands on her
hips, "perhaps we could go into the bookstore finally?"
Neville smirked coming up beside his friends. "Merlin forbid we keep Hermione
from her books." Leading the way into Flourish and Blotts Neville started browsing
through the Herbology section while Hermione followed Harry into the Ancient
Runes part.
"Ugh can you believe that guy," Harry jerked a thumb over his shoulder at a blond
haired wizard with a gleaming smile signing books in the middle of the store. His
hair looked like it had more gel than Draco Malfoy's and his smile had to have been
charmed to look so perfect. The comments streaming from the man sounded so
totally fake they made Harry want to gag.
"He is a bit dreamy looking isn't he?" Hermione mused turning to stare.
Harry's mouth dropped open and he worked it soundlessly a few times with
nothing coming out. "Dreamy? Him?"
Hermione snapped her head back to Harry and gasped. "I – um – I just meant –
well – oh never mind! You look much better Harry!" She clapped her hands over
her mouth again and Harry heard a snicker from further up the aisle where Richard
had stopped to browse. "That's not what I meant either! Oh for heaven's sake!
Stop distracting me, Harry!"
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Chapter 027
A now thoroughly confused Harry shook his head, grabbed some new books and
tried to buy his things without getting noticed. He almost succeeded in making it to
the register before the bleached author noticed him. Sadly it was not meant to be.
"Harry Potter! As I live and breathe. Come to buy my books, eh? Of course you
would! After all, we famous wizards have to stick together, that we do." Lockhart
threw and arm around Harry's shoulder and twisted so that several camera flashes
nearly blinded Harry. "Little did you know though, that not only are you going to
get a full free, autographed copy of my books," Harry grimaced and tried to twist
away from contact with the man, "you are also getting…ME! I'll take this
opportunity to announce my acceptance of the newly opened Defense Against The
Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. Don't worry, Harry, you'll be able to grill me on all
the best methods of prepping for interviews and grooming tips while I'm there! I'm
so looking forward to imparting all my knowledge to you and the other youths."
Harry felt like throwing up. With a final twist he pulled away from Lockhart and
practically ran to the front of the store only stopping as he came across Ginny
talking with a tiny blond girl wearing what looked like radishes as earrings.
"Ginny, you need a set of these books right?" The poor girl practically seemed to
vibrate when Harry addressed her but managed to nod while her friend just cocked
her head at him. "Cool. Take them. I can't imagine they're very useful and even if
they are, I'll just skim Hermione or Neville's copies."
"Th-th-thanks, H-Harry," she squeaked out.
Harry nodded and moved to head outside, sidestepping two girls who looked
vaguely familiar. "Trace, do you think we need two sets of these stupid books? How
good can they possibly be? I mean, really, the man looks like a determined pixie
would trounce him," the taller blond said glaring back at Lockhart. Harry snorted –
a woman after his own heart.
The dark haired girl next to her just shrugged and put a ratty book back into her
bag. "Let's just go with the one set. At least he's pretty though. Better than
Quirinus I-Have-No-Fashion-Sense Quirrell."
'I prefer Quirrelmort myself,' Harry thought darkly as he managed to squeeze past
the girls.
Just before he left the store, Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley started shouting
and trading blows just ahead of them. Ron egged his father on while Molly yelled
and the twins scowled. A short exchange of blows left Arthur with a black eye and
Lucius – with a toilet seat around his neck – stumbling into the dark haired girl and
then Ginny and her friend.
Harry moved to help Ginny up and Lucius threw her books back at her from where
they had fallen to the ground. "Try to keep better hold of your things child. I will
not forget this, Blood Traitor." Lucius scowled twisting away and stalking down the
street throwing the toilet seat off to the side.
"Arthur! I can't believe you let that horrid man goad you into fighting in the
street!" Molly screeched at her husband.
"I will defend our honor, Molly, as I always have. Come children, I believe we still
have more things to get."
'I should've asked to stay with Neville or Hermione. At least then I wouldn't be here
less than five minutes before the stupid train leaves!' Harry thought, glowering at
the Weasleys. First the twins forgot their trunks. Then Percy forgot his owl. Then
Ron forgot he hadn't actually packed any of his schoolbooks. How the heck did this
family ever manage to get to the school to begin with? One would think in nearly a
decade worth of leaving for school Arthur and Molly would've figured out how to
wrangle them here sooner!
Molly and Ginny had just gone through the barrier to Platform Nine and Three
Quarters and Harry and Ron lined up for their turn. They waited a moment to make
sure that no one was watching and then ran towards the barrier.
And bounced off it landing on their bums. Hedwig squawked as her caged was
knocked back and the luggage shifted.
"What the…?" Harry muttered climbing to his feet and staring at the barrier. He
turned to Ron. "Has the barrier ever closed before?"
Ron shook his head looking terrified. "I'd have heard about that if it had…Do you
think this is a prank by Fred and George?"
"No way. Those two would never pull something like this. Their pranks are funny
not mean. Well...not mean unless you deserve it." Harry walked forward and ran
his hands over the barrier. "It feels just like regular brick."
"What are we going to do?" Ron whimpered.
"Well I imagine the people on the other side are going to freak out about this as
well so we might as well just wait for someone to figure it out and come back
through."
Ron's eyes widened. "We can't! We're going to miss the train!"
Harry glared at the other boy. 'Maybe if you had packed last night we wouldn't be
in this position.' He took a deep breath to calm down before speaking. "I'm sure it
will be fine." The whistle sounded for 11 O'clock and Ron jumped up in a panic.
"We need to go! Dad's car is still in the lot. I can drive it and we can follow along
behind the train! Come on!"
Harry slapped his hand over his face trying desperately to quell the urge to smash
his face against the bricks behind him. "Steal the car and drive behind the train.
You realize how insanely stupid that sounds don't you?"
"No, FLY. Come on, Harry, there's no time! If we don't hurry we won't be able to
catch up!"
"You know what…no. I'm not going to sit here and argue this with you. You want to
go be an idiot go ahead. Hope you don't crash or break the Statute of Secrecy or
anything," Harry waved him off with his free hand.
"You're…not coming?" Ron looked genuinely confused before his face reddened.
"Fine! I'll let them know you're still sitting here when I get to Hogwarts." He turned
and raced out the doors with trunk in hand.
"Thank god I am friends with Hermione and not him," Harry muttered. "Come on,
Hedwig. Let's go sit down over there and wait for someone to figure out how to get
out of the stupid barrier. You up to taking a letter to Shiva if no one comes out after
a half hour or so?" Hedwig glared at him before huffing and preening her feathers.
Harry just laughed. "Okay, fine, stupid question." Harry sat down on the bench and
watched the barrier to make sure he didn't miss anyone.
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Chapter 028
It was barely five minutes later when a stern looking woman in a suit with a
monocle in one eye tromped into Kings Cross. Beside her was a girl who looked just
a bit younger than Shiva. She must have graduated recently though Harry didn't
remember her from his first year. He definitely would have noticed that short, spiky,
hot pink hair. She had on jeans and a T-shirt for the Weird Sisters. The girl was
hurrying to stay next the monocle woman.
"See! We missed it, Tonks," Monocle said as she glanced at the clock on the wall.
She looked like she wanted to facepalm. Harry could commiserate.
"Come on, Boss, I may just be a rookie but everyone already knows I can't go ten
minutes with tripping on something or another!" Pink said with a sheepish look
crossing her face.
"I'm not asking you to stop being clumsy, Tonks. I'm asking you to be on time!"
"Hey, it's not my fault that Dawlish stuck those doxies there! If he didn't want to
risk falling into them he shouldn't have had them on the edge of his desk!" Harry
could've sworn he saw the girl's hair flicker a shade darker. Monocle sighed but the
way her mouth twisted upwards Harry could tell she was fighting her laughter.
Leaning over to Hedwig, Harry whispered, "I think we found our ride, Hedwig."
Hedwig twisted her head towards the two now standing by the barrier to Platform
Nine and Three Quarters and scanning the crowd. She turned back to Harry and
bobbed her head uttering a soft pleased sounding hoot. Harry gently stroked her
feathers through the cage then gathered his trunk and stood up heading towards
the newcomers.
They noticed him almost as soon as he began to move. The younger one casually
pointed him out to Monocle and the older woman just sighed though it seemed
genuine this time. As he drew closer she extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Amelia
Bones and this is Nym – " The girl cleared her throat and threw a nasty glance at
her superior. "Privileges of being the, Boss," Amelia continued with an evil grin,
"next time don't make me late. As I was saying, this is Nymphadora Tonks."
Nymphadora's scowl deepened before she turned to Harry. "It's just Tonks.
Couldn't help but notice your owl. Muggle-born?"
"Technically, Muggle-raised but yeah. Hello," Harry said shaking their hands.
"We're the clean-up crew," Tonks said with a satisfied nod.
"My apologies," Amelia said. "We were supposed to be here early enough to
wrangle any Muggle-born or raised through the barrier who were either
uninformed, forgot or were too scared to try."
"Err, thanks but I'm not a firstie. I'm a second year and I know how to get through
the barrier..." Harry ran a hand through his hair but they started talking again
before he could continue.
"Oh, just late then? Don't worry! It happens to the best of us!" Tonks winked at
him.
"A bit short for a second year," Amelia said frowning.
"I'm not allowed to eat much usually." Harry scowled. He knew he wasn't as big as
most of the others. How was that his fault? "And no, not late, the barrier went
solid when my classmate and I tried to get through."
Amelia's frown deepened. "That doesn't sound right...Give me a moment. Tonks
round up his friend."
Tonks saluted. "Yes, ma'am, you got it, Boss." As Amelia moved back slightly to
examine the recalcitrant barrier, Tonks turned back smiling at Harry. "So where's
your friend?"
"He's really not my friend," Harry grimaced. "His brothers are, but he's a prat. Case
in point, he stole his dad's car to try and catch the train."
Tonks' mouth fell open. A bit farther than seemed strictly possible at that. "He
what?"
"Stole his dad's car to fly after the train."
"Seriously? You're not pulling my leg here? Did the Weasley twins put you up to
this?"
"Funny you should mention them; it's their brother who stole the car. I imagine
Fred and George are going to have a fit when they hear." Harry said. He grinned
imagining the reactions of the twins.
"Wow..."
"That barrier is frozen solid." Amelia came up behind the two, frown still intact.
"I've never seen anything like it before. I'm going to have to get some backup here
to go over this. Tonks make sure those...two...didn't you say your friend was here
too?"
"No, his classmate has apparently stolen Arthur Weasley's car to chase the train...I
am sooo glad you gave me this job, Boss." Tonks looked like she was torn between
incredulity and being impressed at Ron's stunt.
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Chapter 029
Amelia's face drained of color. "Arthur Weasley's car?" Tonks nodded. "Arthur
Weasley's flying car?" Now Tonks' face whitened. Harry was rather impressed with
the degree to which her face seemed to empty of blood and yet she still managed
to avoid passing out.
"If it helps," Harry commented offhand, "I did tell Ron it was a horribly stupid idea
and that he shouldn't do it. I don't think he meant anything bad though. He's just
being an idiot. Like usual."
"Mr ..."
"Potter. Harry Potter, ma'am." Tonks' eyes widened as Harry gave his name.
Amelia recovered faster than Tonks and continued. "Mr. Potter, did Ron Weasley
know that the car flies?"
"Yeah. He knows about the invisibility thing too and as much as I rag on him
sometimes I don't think he'd forget that part...like I said, he's an idiot but, he's not
that bad...I hope." He finished somewhat uncertainly.
"I have to run damage control. Tonks get Potter to the school. Can you Side-Along?
You know what, I don't care. The Express takes hours anyway, just get him there
and then wait there for me, Shacklebolt or Mad-Eye. Let's just pray this doesn't
become a full incident!" She ran off, heels clacking.
Tonks turned to Harry with wide eyes. "Eventful first day back, huh, Harry?"
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---------------------------
Harry's knees were still hurting from his trip through the Floo to the Three
Broomsticks but at least he had hit the right grate this time. 'There's got to be a
better way to travel. If there isn't I'm going to make one.' Harry thought to himself
trying to determine what runes could be pulled together to come up with a better
system though he came up blank. 'Gotta keep working with that. I refuse to fall on
my ass every time.'
"So, this sort of thing happen to you often, Harry?" Tonks asked with a smirk as
they walked up to the gates of Hogwarts.
"What, the looking like an idiot thing or the horrible luck thing?" Harry asked
swiping the last of the soot off his clothes.
"I was thinking the barrier thing. Don't worry about the idiot thing," Tonks snorted.
"It's only a matter of time before I go falling on my face too. I'm not exactly
coordinated. Comes with the territory."
"What territory?" Harry furrowed his brow and cocked his head at her. "The punk
rocker territory?"
"Punk rocker?" Harry pointed to her hair and Weird Sisters shirt. "Oh, hell no. This
is my favorite band. I've done the hair thing since I was toddler. My mother freaked
out when I turned it blue but it always got my dad laughing. I tend to stick with
pink or purple these days. It's funny to watch people's reactions."
"Turned it blue…is there a spell to change your hair color?" Harry thought back.
There hadn't seemed to be anything like that in that book Lavender had gotten him
but then he hadn't exactly looked for one. His hair may be messy but there was
nothing wrong with the color.
"Not that I know of. It a metamorphmagus thing. It's why I trip all the time too. My
body changes enough that I'm never quite used to the length of my legs or my
stride."
"Metamorphmagus?" Now he just felt like an idiot. How much of this world did
people expect him to just know?
"We're pretty rare." A dark look flitted across Tonks' face and Harry caught her hair
shifting to jet black for an instant before both passed. "I can shift shapes into pretty
much anything though there are limits. Here watch!" Her nose changed into a pig's
snout and her hair switched to blond. "I'm a Malfoy!" Harry burst out laughing so
hard he had to stop and hold his sides. Tonks eventually shifted back and laughed
with him. "It's a lot of fun for the most part. Come on, let's get you inside the
castle."
Harry was still shaking his head at the girl and laughing as they walked through the
Great Hall and sat down at the Hufflepuff table. "Heh, I miss this place," Tonks
sighed.
"You graduated recently?"
"Class of '91. Had a hell of time convincing the hat to put me with the Puffs though.
Stupid thing wanted me to be a Gryff. Mental those." Harry lifted his eyebrows at
her. "Ah crap. You're a Gryff aren't you."
He chuckled. "Doesn't mean I can't agree with you. Besides I had to argue with the
Hat too. It wanted to throw me into Ravenclaw."
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Chapter 030
Tonks snorted and held up a hand. "Well here's to us, beating a stupid piece of
clothing!" Harry high fived her. This girl was almost as much fun as Shiva!
As if summoned, Shiva walked into the Great Hall heading towards the Staff Table.
She glanced around, noticed Tonks and Harry, nodded to them and kept walking.
She made it another two steps before freezing with her foot in midair then twisted
her head to stare back at the two bug eyed. Harry waved and Tonks saluted.
"Harry! Dorie!" Shiva ran over to them and pulled both into a hug. "Merlin's balls
what the hell are you two doing here early? You all right Harry? Didn't get into
another deathmatch with Two-Face did you?"
"Two-Face?" Harry questioned.
"Well I know you hate that I can't say his name easily – which I have actually been
practicing by the way – and well…Quirrelmort did kinda have two faces so…"
"I like it, Shiva."
"You let him call you Shiva, Shiva?" Tonks turned to Harry. "What'd you get on her?
I want the goods. I've been trying to get good blackmail on this girl for years."
"Never going to happen, Dorie!" Shiva crossed her arms and grinned. "Seriously
though, what's a student and an Auror trainee doing here two hours early?"
"Auror?" Harry asked looking between the two.
"It's like the Muggle police. I got a badge and everything. See!" Tonks whipped out
and proudly displayed her badge while Shiva just snorted.
"A trainee badge."
"Hey, I can still introduce myself as Auror Tonks, Shiva. I count it as a win," Tonks
huffed with a pout.
"Considering I can't imagine how you passed the sneaking portion I can imagine."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Mistress of Destruction. Harry ran afoul of a recalcitrant
barrier so I'm dropping him off. Bonesy said to wait in case we have to bring Ron
Weasley in. I hope not, his brothers were cool and I'd hate for them to turn their
pranks on me…"
"Recalcitrant barrier? Why would you bring Ron Weasley in?" Shiva turned to Harry
and just stared at him. "Jeez, kid you didn't even wait til the term started this
year."
"Hey it's not my fault a house elf has decided the best way to keep me safe is to try
to destroy the best part of my life. Or that Ron's an idiot and can't wait five
minutes for a better option."
Shiva worked her mouth for a minute before giving up and sitting down across
from them. "Let's try this again. What the hell happened?"
Tonks shrugged and pointed to Harry. "First I'm hearing about the house elf."
"When I was back with the Dursley's a house elf visited to tell me that Hogwarts
wasn't safe. He was trying to convince me to stay away. The little guy practically
seemed to worship me. It was a little sweet in a creepy kind of way…" Harry
shrugged. "When I kept refusing to stay away from here he decided the best way to
keep me away was to launch a cake into the middle of my Uncle's dinner party."
Shiva's face lost a lot of color at that but Harry just shrugged. "I have to admit that
was a pretty good idea even if I wanted to strangle him afterwards. Uncle Vernon
got pretty mad and then the letter from the Ministry certainly didn't help. You said
you were in Law Enforcement, Tonks? Do you know Mafalda Hopkirk by any
chance?"
"Hopkirk?" Tonks asked taken aback by the shift in direction. "I think so…older
woman, bit of bitch?"
"Yeah that'd be the one. The Ministry blamed me for the hover charm Dobby – the
elf – used. I'm not even good with that charm! A Float stone sure but not the stupid
hover charm itself – they have completely different signatures. I tried to get it
overturned a few weeks ago but after arguing for an hour she tossed me out.
Stupid woman wouldn't listen to anything I said, refused to give me any of the
truth stuff I asked for and then flat out refused to talk to her boss because 'it's just
a simple case of underage magic, stop fighting this so much'. Don't suppose you
could talk to her for me?"
"I'll talk with Bonesy about it," Tonks frowned. "If you had a legitimate excuse or
weren't responsible she's supposed to bring it up with Bonesy anyway…"
"Typical," Harry muttered with a scowl. Shiva frowned further hearing that though
Tonks looked lost in thought. Harry sighed and continued. "Anyway, I'd be willing
to put money on Dobby deciding that if I couldn't get through the barrier than I
wouldn't be able to get to Hogwarts. He…doesn't really seem to have the best
logic."
-----------------