Vernon Dursley was enjoying a leisurely breakfast as he had no work today, he would have no work for the next few days at least, compliments of the four cracked ribs he was nursing from his confrontation in the station. The reason Vernon was enjoying his breakfast was two fold; the person who broke his ribs could never be a freak after blindsiding him with a tackle like that. Rugby was only taught in the best schools and the man's whole bearing and carriage screamed elite education, the final cherry on top was both he and his wife being doctors.
For some nonsensical rational Vernon could accept the beating and endured the pain like a badge of honour since it came from the kind of person he aspired to be. The main reason he was enjoying his breakfast though was that they seemed finally to be rid of the freak; a full scale celebration would be under way just as soon as these bloody painkillers could be replaced with the more pleasant Scotch variety – single malt at least.
His Glenfiddich goals were put on hold by the ringing of the doorbell, Petunia returned with a gentleman wearing a suit that Vernon would kill for.
"Vernon and Petunia Dursley, arrangements have been made wherein your nephew need never return to you again. All that is required is your signatures on these documents to make the whole thing legal and binding."
The official looking documents and gold pen were practically snatched out the man's hands and speedily signed by both parties.
The signed documents made their way into an elegant dragon skinned briefcase as the man asked, "Just to be perfectly clear here, neither of you want anything to do with you're nephew ever again?"
Two affirmative answers and the man's smile tuned distinctly predatory, "I really hoped you'd say that, Ok everyone it's time to move."
About twenty people entered the house and began packing the Dursley's possessions into boxes that they'd brought with them for this very purpose, when the pictures of darling Dudley started to be removed from the walls Petunia found her voice.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Who are you people? Leave my son's pictures alone," she screeched.
This was the scene that Albus and Minerva burst into, panting after running from Arabella Figg's house having used her floo. They were expecting a battle to be in progress or even the dark mark floating above the house but nothing could have prepared them for the muggle removal men.
With ruthless efficiency they set about de-Dursleyfying number four Privet Drive while a speechless Vernon watched as his whole life passed before his eyes, literally passing before his eyes as it made its way out the front door and onto the removal van.
Albus actually shouted, "STOP! I don't know what's going on here but I demand you cease these actions immediately."
The man in the suit faced up to the wizard, "You admit you have no idea what the situation is here but you still demand we stop, that's quite a display of arrogance on your part don't you think?"
Albus was pretty miffed that not one worker paid him the slightest heed and continued their tasks uninterrupted.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with here; I really must insist you stop these actions at once."
"On the contrary Mr Dumbledore, it is you who has no idea what he's dealing with, but again with your usual arrogance are still issuing orders even though you have no right to be here and are currently trespassing."
Only the mention of his name stayed the old wizard's hand from reaching for his wand, he was at an informational and numerical disadvantage here so tried to balance out at least one of them. "I didn't catch your name sir though it would appear you know who I am, I would like to know who I'm dealing with."
"Oh I apologise if I've given you the wrong impression here, you are not dealing with anyone. All the dealing has already taken place and didn't require your presence or input, good day to you and your companion sir."
Albus tried a different track, "Petunia what's going on? Where's Harry?"
Petunia was tying to sort out in her head just how this whole situation started, "He didn't appear off the train and when my Vernon asked a little bushy haired freak if she'd seen him her father attacked and broke my poor loves ribs. We were told if we signed some documents we would never have to see the little shit again and now these men are stealing all our possessions."
She was answered rather sharply, "Excuse me Mrs Dursley; we are simply moving your possessions to a secure storage facility until you can find alternative accommodation."
Dumbledore's complexion would make a pint of milk seem colourful but Vernon beat him to the next question, "What do you mean? This is our house and you can start putting all our stuff back where it belongs before I call the police."
"We both know who the real owner of this house is, Dumbledore here used the Potter money to buy it as well as the firm you work for but was unable to give you the deeds because that was against banking regulations as he didn't have full control of the Potter vaults." The man turned on Albus, "Didn't stop you trying though did it and would you like to see what your generosity with someone else's money bought?"
Minerva and Albus were dragged over to the cupboard under the stairs where the now clearly angry man ripped the door right off it's hinges and locks, "This was Harry Potter's bedroom for ten years, bedroom is probably not the proper term for somewhere you get locked in with little food while looking through the door grill at your relatives stuffing their faces. Are you proud of your achievements here Dumbledore, perhaps we could add it on to your illustrious list of titles? Right after Order of Merlin First Class it could read meddlesome fool who allowed child abuse on the boy who saved us all."
Minerva was on her knees weeping at the stick drawings done in crayon on the wall, a man and woman had a child standing between them and all were holding hands. The drawings were labelled with a child's scrawl 'mummy', 'daddy' and 'Harry' was in the middle. "I waned you, I repeatedly warned you, how could you do this to that little boy?" She was sobbing and while the first part was aimed at Albus the Dursleys were definitely included in the last part.
"It was for the greater good," whispered Albus. All his carefully laid plans had just gone up in smoke, he could feel the wards were down and with the Dursleys being evicted there was no way to repair them.
"Who are you to decide the greater good for the last scion of the ancient and noble house of Potter?"
The old wizard was starting to get seriously pissed off at this man when he had more important things to deal with, like finding Harry. "I am Albus Dumbledore, Chief…"
He didn't get to say any more as the man interrupted his spiel, "I m well aware of the many titles you currently hold and I am also aware that none of them gives you the right to make decisions for the current head of the Potter family. You are both trespassing here and I would ask you both to leave now."
"I am the magical guardian of Harry Potter and will not be leaving until I find out where he is, and you still haven't told me your name!"
"Just because you say something doesn't make it true no matter how much you wish for it or steps you take to try and force it. My name is Griphook and I'm in charge of the Potter vaults as well as legal and financial advisor to the current Lord Potter."
"You're a goblin?"
"And you're a wizard, now that we've got that cleared away I musk ask you again to leave my client's property."
"Harry can't take up his inheritance yet, he's too young."
Griphook was having none of Dumbledore's attempts to block what must be done here today, "Under certain conditions he can, we at Gringotts are quite happy to state that those conditions have been met."
"I was appointed his magical guardian by the Wizengamot and won't allow this to proceed any further."
"You took Harry away from his legal guardian and sent him here to this hell, that guardian was then illegally imprisoned in Azkaban by the same body that appointed you guardian in his place. We at Gringotts don't recognise your right of guardianship and neither do the Potter vaults, which is why you couldn't remove the deeds to this house after purchasing it."
Vernon Dursley was quiet as all the pieces fell into place and reality hit him harder than being tackled in Kings Cross Station. Had he been magical Vernon would have wholeheartedly embraced the pureblood philosophy as he was a firm believer in the class system that had seen the British Empire straddle the globe. He was good at his job because he could play the system, knowing when to kowtow and who to push in the quest to ascend the social ladder of life.
He was unknowingly dealt a royal flush but now was going to be royally screwed because he really did put his ace in a hole, or the cupboard under the stairs to be exact.
Jenkins mentioned his spinster aunt's OBE at least once a day while he had an actual lord staying under his roof, and not just any lord but the one who owned the entire company. Vernon had not only held the winning hand but an unbeatable hand with which he could have ruled the company and moved into an entirely different social circle. The fact that his nephew could perform magic was no longer a consideration, commoners were freaks but the nobility were eccentrics.
He had held the power in his hands and pissed it all away over some petty hatred of what the boy was, whatever Vernon's punishment it could never match him imagining what might have been and how he'd lost it forever.
Vernon was drawn out of his musings when the man in the suit addressed him directly, "Mr Dursley you are currently in possession of a company car, as your employment contract with Grundings has been terminated please hand over the keys."
Petunia braced herself for the eruption that never occurred, her husband meekly handed over the keys before astonishing his wife. "Please inform Lord Potter that we wish him well for the future,"
Vernon didn't know it but that statement just saved his family many thousands of pounds, he had signed an agreement that allowed Lord Potter to charge the Dursleys rent for living there eleven years for free. Griphook had been given a lot of leeway from Harry in how severe their punishment should be; loosing their house, job and car would do for now with the rest being held in reserve if needed later. The Dursleys had been neutralised as a sleepy pyjama-clad Dudley followed his bed down the stairs, wondering what the hell was going on.
Dumbledore though had had enough and drew his wand, "I demand you tell me where Mr Potter is at once, he needs protecting."
Griphook dropped the glamour and drew his sword, "I couldn't agree more that Lord Potter needs protection but I think he needs it from you, he was placed in your care from the first of September and was nearly killed on multiple occasions. Your unbelievable presumption that only you can offer him the protection he needs doesn't stand up to the most basic of scrutiny. You are currently standing in Lord Potter's property pointing your wand at a Gringotts representative who's undertaking official duties for his client, none of the titles you are so fond of brandishing give you that right or will save you should a spell leave your wand."
The removal men had also dropped their glamour's as Albus found himself facing a plethora of goblin blades, each easily sharp enough to shave his whiskers off in an instant.
Dumbledore actually began to feel fear, not at the blades but more that Harry knew the prophesy, had discovered his heritage and clearly had the goblins on his side. He wasn't supposed to be independent and resourceful, at this rate Albus wouldn't be needed and that was unacceptable to the headmaster.
He pocketed his wand before assisting his depute back onto her feet then spoke to the Dursleys, "What will you do now?"
It was Vernon who answered without taking his eyes off the blades that thankfully weren't directed at him or his family, "We will stay with my sister which should give us time to get organised."
Albus nodded and helped Minerva out the door; they had an appointment with the dentists.
-oOoOo-
Ron Weasley came down the stairs for breakfast supporting green hair and blue freckles sending Molly into a rant, "Fred, George can't you lay off your brother? He's had a traumatic experience with his friend turning on him and doesn't need you doing the same. Why didn't you both protect him at Hogwarts?"
"Well mother dear, when you insult the wizard that just defeated you-know-who for at least the second time, then we think he got off lightly."
"Not to mention every witch in Hogwarts wants to kill him."
"Especially our three chasers as he cost us the best seeker we ever had."
"And don't forget Granger, a first year ripping McGonagall a new one was a sight never to be forgotten."
"So we're just toughening little Ronnikins up for Hogwarts."
"With the whole of Gryffindor."
"And every witch in the castle after his blood."
"He's in for a very bumpy second year."
Molly's gaze shifted to her colourful youngest son, trapping him like an insect in amber, "Why did you lie to me? I wondered why Minerva was giving me funny looks yesterday when I was complaining about your treatment."
Ron's head was down and no sound was passing his lips, there was no point in trying to get any sense from the twins which only left one option.
"Percy I want to know what happened and I want it straight, just the facts will do."
Percy cleared is throat as if he was about to pass judgement at the Wizengamot, "Ron apparently congratulated Potter on finding a practice girlfriend until something better looking came along, he then asked if he could aid Ron in the same quest but with the condition that the said witch couldn't be too ugly. Considering that Potter fought a fully grown mountain troll in defence of his now girlfriend I find myself in reluctant agreement with Fred and George, Ron got off lightly."
Molly rubbed her temples as the ramifications of her youngest son's actions played in her head; he'd been best friends with the most wealthy, famous, rich, powerful, millionaire, single wizard in the country and had a young sister who drooled at the mention of Harry's name. She was aware Ron was the poorest of her sons when it came to academics but she didn't think he was this bloody thick, Molly would have to do a grovel to get her girl into Potter's company and after that, anything could happen.
Apart from the wealth, anyone who could defeat you-know-who more than once was a great addition to the family… "What did you mean by -at least the second time?"
"Oh didn't you know?"
"You-know-who has been teaching us defence all year."
"Harry killed him at the end of term."
"We thought Dumbledore would have told you."
The resulting shriek was like a sonic boom that broke glass, knocked birds out of trees and had dogs trying to cover their bleeding ears with their paws.
Throughout all this commotion the youngest Weasley had sat unnoticed and unconcerned, she'd spent the night with her Harry's jumper therefore had spent the night in Harry Potter's arms. He'd confessed his undying love to her and promised she'd never have to wear anything second hand ever again. They were to be married and their only slight disagreement had come with the naming of their children, her son would be called that over her dead body!
-oOoOo-
Harry was pacing up and down in a private room at Gringotts, Griphook had brought him up to date as soon as he'd returned from Privet Drive and Harry was quite pleased that he hadn't added penniless to the list of Dursley woes. It was the meeting that was sure to be taking place now at the Grangers that had him so on-edge, there were two dozen goblin warriors ready to portkey there at a second's notice if Hermione called for help but that was a last resort as it would force them all into hiding. He'd taught her how to sync the mirror to herself and how to contact him last night but this waiting was even more painful than the goblin growth potions he endured throughout the night.
Griphook watched the young wizard who wore his heart on his sleeve march back and forth and almost felt sorry for taking his gold this morning, accounts of how he'd handled Dumbledore were already making there way into every corner of the bank and doing nearly as much for his reputation as being awarded the Potter finances to manage by the client now in front of him.
Any goblin would have forked out good gold for the opportunity to get one over on the wizards; the fact that it was Dumbledore and Griphook was being paid for his troubles elevated the goblin to a level of respect greater than he'd ever imagined obtaining. Yes he would help his young client with anything that he needed, but charging the appropriate amount of gold for the service since that was the goblin way.
Harry stopped and in one fluid motion had the now vibrating mirror in front of his eyes, desperate to find out if their plan had worked.
-oOoOo-
The doorbell went at the Granger household and the inhabitants were sure it wasn't Avon calling, all three put on their game faces as Dan went to answer the door.
Albus and a still shaken Minerva waited as Dan opened the door, "Professor McGonagall and can I assume this is Headmaster Dumbledore?" a nod was all that Dan needed, "this is brilliant, just the two people I wanted to see so thank you very much for dropping by. Please come in as I don't think this is a conversation we want to have on the doorstep."
Albus couldn't help but think this was going better than this morning, little did he know what awaited him inside.
Dan introduced Emma before offering them both seats, cups of coffee were provided though Minerva appeared as if she required something stronger.
Pleasantries over, Dan waded straight in, "Professors, perhaps you could explain to me how my daughter was nearly murdered in a bathroom by a creature that had no business being anywhere near a building full of schoolchildren?" Not giving them time to answer he continued, "If that one's too difficult how about assigning her detention in the middle of the night to a place forbidden to all students because it's too dangerous, accompanied only by a man who was previously expelled from your school and not allowed to perform magic."
"Hagrid has my complete trust," said Dumbledore as his morning instantly went from bad to worse.
"What about your defence professor, did he have your complete trust? Didn't being possessed by a homicidal psychopath automatically disqualify him from a position where he could teach magic to children? What kind of establishment are you running?"
"Hogwarts is one of the best magical schools in the world," was Dumbledore's standard response.
"You will forgive me if I have some trouble believing that at the moment, speaking of trouble my daughter now tells me she has a boyfriend who seems to be a bloody magnet for trouble and keeps drawing her into it as well. I understand he beat another boy up so badly he needed to be hospitalised and my daughter was forced to miss the leaving feast because of it, you left two kids alone in their dorm unsupervised as punishment? I'm sorry but when I was a boy being sent to your bedroom with your girlfriend would certainly not have constituted a punishment."
Albus had no answer to that and Minerva actually looked to be still in shock from this morning's revelations, she probably couldn't have repeated a word Dan said.
Dan was winding up for his big finish, "There is nothing in the world more important to me than my daughter's safety therefore this wasn't a hard decision to make, she will not be returning to Hogwarts in September and the bloody boyfriend will get a kick up the arse if he comes anywhere near my girl again."
Hermione had been sitting quietly in the corner with her head down but this was her cue, with her hands over her face the sobbing girl rushed from the room and the slamming of her bedroom door left no doubt of her new location.
Dan watched her depart before commenting, "She may hate me for a while but I would much rather that than see her injured or even worse."
Dumbledore's mind had kicked into top gear, here was a means to get Granger away from Harry and be totally blameless into the bargain. He could string the Gangers along awaiting his signature while using their daughter as bait to catch the troublesome little shit, if he wanted a girlfriend then Molly's daughter or someone like Hannah Abbot would be pressed into service, meek and easily controllable.
Adopting his kindest grandfather persona Dumbledore replied, "While it saddens me greatly to see a student of your daughter's potential leave Hogwarts I cannot in all honesty say I blame you, I shall make arrangements to have the appropriate documents drawn up and will get them to you as soon as possible."
Dan slapped 'the appropriate documents' straight onto Dumbledore's lap, "I think you will find these in order Headmaster, we'd planed a holiday touring Europe and this will now include choosing a new school for our daughter. She had all the information already in her trunk, apparently love's young dream had even considered running away together. Thankfully our daughter had more sense than to take off along with him though after meeting the boy's Uncle I cant help but wonder what my daughter sees in the lad. The sooner we get her away from this Potter boy the happier I'll feel."
Dumbledore was trapped into signing, he tried one last ploy. "Do you think I might speak with your daughter about Mr Potter's disappearance, we real are quite worried about him?"
It was Emma who answered, "I really don't think that's a good idea, he asked her to run away with him and when she refused he left her on the train. We found her crying and being shouted at by the boy's obese uncle at the station, we've never actually met the lad and all Hermione knew was that he was going to the bank to get some money out. We really want to draw a line under this and move on with our lives as soon as possible."
Dumbledore signed the form and handed it to Dan who scrutinised it very carefully, "When will you be leaving?" the old wizard asked.
"As soon as we can arrange it," answered Dan, "I want Hermione out the country as quickly as possible, her involvement with this boy ends today."
Dumbledore wished them well before taking Minerva by the hand and asked permission to use their enclosed back garden to apparate away.
Hermione came back down the stairs but her father still had his serious face on, "Hermione we've got your freedom back which means you can go to school anywhere in the world, I know you like Harry but this is your future we're dealing with here and hard decisions may have to be made."
"Dad…"
"No Hermione, you need to listen. You may be mature for your years but you're still a child and our responsibility, we should never have sent you to a school we couldn't even bloody see. Where you go next is going to be a decision that we as a family will decide, I'm not discounting Harry's option but you will be going where we think will be best for you, do I make myself clear?"
Two genuine tears made their way down Hermione's cheeks, "Dad, what I was trying to say was that my mirror was active, I contacted Harry from my room and he just heard every word you said."
The silence that followed was only broken by Harry calling Hermione's name from the mirror, she lifted it up to talk to him.
"Listen Hermione, I agreed with every word your father said, I only wish I had someone who had my best interests at heart helping me. I'm delighted that everything went brilliant this morning and your dad must be one hell of an actor to pull that off."
Dan was actually relieved; he'd never intended to hurt Hermione as causing his daughter's tears burned like acid into his heart. "Thanks for understanding Harry and supplying the documents was a great help, you should have seen the look on his face when I dropped that bombshell into his lap. I don't think your headmaster has had a good morning."
"Thank you Mr Granger now just how fast can you be ready to leave? I still don't trust them and Griphook will handle all the travel and accommodation issues, you need to get away before they start becoming desperate. So far they've stayed within the law but the longer I'm missing the less likely that is to remain the case."
It was Emma who answered, "Harry, we can't let you do that. We're more than capable of paying our way."
"Mrs Granger my inheritance has so much in it I will probably need a month just to read it all, if you wish you could pay me back by giving me some advice since I've never even set foot in a hotel before and now I find myself owning quite a few."
Hermione had herself back under control, "Listen Potter, your job is to make sure the 'Harry option' is so good that these two moaning Minnie's have no room whatsoever for a complaint, you understand!" Her brilliant smile removed any hint of malice and even had her parents laughing.
A beaming Harry responded in kind, "Yes dear, as usual my brilliant girlfriend is once more correct. Keep this mirror with you at all times and let me know the minute you're ready to go, we think the best thing to do would be to book you into a London Hotel and then have you set to fly out next day. Anything else can be worked out when we meet, I can't believe how much I'm missing you and it's only been one day."
Hermione was feeling the exact same way and nothing would part her from this mirror, "When do you think it will be safe enough to meet?"
"Not soon enough but I don't want to say anymore because it would appear we're up against more than we thought, apparently I have a godfather who's been in prison without a trial since the day after my parents were murdered. I have letters here proving he was innocent of at least one of the crimes he was never actually charged with and a goblin legal team are working on it at the moment. The problem being the people who put him in there are all still around and hold powerful positions in the government and there's nothing these people hate more than having their mistakes pointed out to them. The justice system seems to work along similar lines as their press, gold and influence wins over the truth at every turn."
"You be careful Harry, just thinking of you being dragged back to Hogwarts without me there to keep you out of trouble is breaking my heart. I don't want our only contact for the next few years to be these wonderful mirrors so, as much as I want to see you, do not take any unnecessary risks please."
"I won't, be sure to say 'Hi' to Hedwig for me or she'll be nipping my ears the next time I see her."
When they ended the call Hermione noticed the big smile on her mother's face but it was the concern she saw on her father's that had her worried.
Hermione's casual mention of 'years' had hit Dan as hard as her very serious boyfriend remark and left him at rather a loss on how to proceed. Here was this boy who got into scrapes but risked his life protecting his daughter, had committed the ultimate act of irresponsibility by running away yet appeared the most mature and responsible twelve-year-old he'd ever spoken to, apart from Hermione of course. His home life was horrid yet he was a Lord, a bloody prince if Hermione was to be believed who'd just offered to take care of their summer holidays. The boy was an enigma who Dan couldn't wait to meet but they would have to see about binging their holiday plans forward first, whoever was giving Harry his advice had been right on the money so far and if he was worried that they should get out of there then Dan would be a fool not to take that seriously and Daniel Granger was nobody's fool.
-oOoOo-
All the way back to Hogwarts Minerva had refused to speak to him; Albus left her at the entrance hall and made his way up to his office. Unfortunately there was no respite waiting for him there either, just a howler from an extremely upset Molly Weasley who promised a personal visit later on that day. In his chart of shitty days this one was already top ten and that promised visit had the potential to push it into the top three. Just occasionally Albus wished he was addicted to something a bit stronger than his lemon drops.
-oOoOo-
The Grangers entered a different world from the moment their car drew up to the Ritz, they were greeted by people who parked the car, dealt with their luggage and the manager led them right passed the desk and strait into an elevator. When they got to their assigned suite with views onto Piccadilly Circus followed by an introduction to their private butler, the obvious elegance and opulence on casual display had the three Grangers glancing at one another in disbelief.
No sooner were they alone when Emma had to let rip, "Jesus Hermione if your boyfriend is trying to impress us then you can tell him he succeeded big time, how can that young lad possibly afford this?"
"That's easy, I own the hotel. Hello Mr and Mrs Granger I'm…"
"HARRY!" was shouted from the smallest Granger who was a blur as she launched herself at her boyfriend.
Hermione was entangled with Harry, kissing him as though they'd been apart for years when a noise behind them reminded her of what she'd just done.
She released Harry and muttered "Oh Shit!" before springing back and lifting Hedwig's cage from where she'd dropped the poor bird at the first sign of her boyfriend.
"Oh Hedwig girl I'm so sorry but I know you'll understand because we both love him so much, don't we girl?"
It was after this admission that a seriously red-faced young wizard was left to complete the introductions to his girlfriend's astonished parents, "Hi I'm Harry Potter!"