Chapter 409 - Ch: 8-10

Chapter 8

On Monday morning Albus Dumbledore, dressed in a set of ridiculously expensive, ridiculously colourful robes and matching hat, was whistling to himself as he made his way into the great hall for breakfast. There the great wizard was greeted by a wave of antagonism that was almost palpable, emanating from three of the four houses as well as the staff table. He just knew this had to do with Potter, especially as they were all reading newspapers. With as much dignity as possible he grabbed an issue off the nearest table and the screaming headline sent waves of pleasure throughout his old body, it would be his last happy thought for quite some time.

Boy-Who-Lived Dies

by

Lord Harry James Potter

Late last week the boy-who-lived and everything he stood for died in the infirmary of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His place was taken by Lord Harry James Potter who is nobody's pawn, and will protect his family and friends to the death, leaving the rest of the wizarding world to go screw itself!

We really need to congratulate Minister Fudge, Chief Warlock Dumbledore and Death Eater Snape for achieving what Voldemort has failed to do in all his attempts, push me to the point where I don't care if he takes over because he can't be any worse to me and mine than those already in authority.

The reason behind this change of heart is simple, an innocent man who has spent twelve years in Azkaban prison without even being questioned, far less given a trial, was going to have his soul removed by dementors kiss, despite evidence clearing his name. 

Sirius Black is my godfather, an innocent man who has never even been charged with a crime, and definitely no death eater, yet found himself incarcerated in the maximum-security wing of the hell on earth that is Azkaban.

My mother and father gave their lives fighting Voldemort and defending the greater good but it wasn't worth it. Their sacrifice not only resulted in their son falling under the 'protection' of Albus Dumbledore but their best friend was thrown in prison. 

While the innocent Sirius Black was incarcerated, death eaters with enough gold shouted loudly that they were 'under the imperius curse' and our beloved, bribed leaders let them walk among us still, some even working at the ministry and, of course Hogwarts.

Each of the three wise men had their own reason for wanting my godfather out of the picture and they are all less than pure, here they are:

The minister wanted Sirius kissed for the positive headlines this would generate in the Daily Prophet, looking good is far more important than doing good. Did I spell your name right Cornelius Fudge?

Dumbledore wants him out of the way because Sirius is my legal guardian and might start asking awkward questions like 'why was I kidnapped as a baby and placed with muggles when my parents will expressly prohibited this action?' To late Albus I already know and also just how much your wrinkly old hands have stolen of my fortune.

The only person death eater Snape hates worse than my godfather is me, this was a win-win situation for him, as killing Sirius would also hurt me. Our beloved minister of magic was even going to reward him with an Order of Merlin, quite ironic when you think about it.

You see death eater Snape spied on a confidential conversation and reported it to his master, Voldemort. This led directly to my parents having to hide but unfortunately they trusted another death eater with their secret location and here's the ironic part, the ministry awarded the traitor with an Order of Merlin. Being the ministry though they couldn't even get that right and awarded it posthumously while the rat is still alive.

Yes Peter Pettigrew is still alive, I saw him, I spoke to him, along with other witnesses but the three wise men didn't want to listen, Sirius was going to be kissed for all the wrong reasons.

Pettigrew escaped again that night; the person who sold out my parents and murdered twelve muggles has gone looking for his old master. Make no mistake Voldemort will return, I have already banished him three times now but those days are long gone.

It's time to find a new champion and may I make a couple of suggestions, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape should have a lot more time on their hands since they wont be lying, manipulating or stealing from me anymore.

Some might think my reactions a bit on the harsh side so I have decided to bury that mythical character the 'boy-who-lived' and tell the real life story of Harry Potter. 

Once you have read it, all I want is for you to ask yourself this simple question, if this was your experience of the magical world would you still be prepared to sacrifice your life for a cause that you no longer believe in?

I already know my answer.

What followed was a true life history of Harry Potter, from being left on a muggle doorstep on a cold Halloween night, note pinned to his blanket through all the major events up until, and of course including, the minister's announcement that Sirius was to be kissed without delay.

What was more poignant and shockingly reinforced his claims more than words ever could were the wizarding pictures taken of pensieve memories of the more unbelievable parts of the story.

An incredibly thin, plaintive ragamuffin that was a seven-year-old Harry, sitting quietly in his pathetic cupboard, frightened to make a sound.

Voldemort's face coming out the back of Quirrell's head and trying to kill an eleven-year-old Harry Potter.

Harry killing a sixty-three foot Basilisk with the fabled sword of Gryffindor.

A small boy plummeting to the earth after being attacked during a school Quidditch match by dementors the ministry had placed there for his supposed safety.

Peter Pettigrew in the shrieking shack pleading to Harry for his worthless life, four other witnesses watched while Snape lay unconscious on the floor.

It was a compelling story that shattered the myth and instead showed a child who had been abandoned, abused, manipulated and lied to by just about everyone he had met in his life. Surviving the killing curse was now going to be considered the least of his achievements, surviving his life since that night was a far greater deed.

Harry and Hermione had debated long and hard what to include and exclude from the article, there was no mention of prophecies, horcruxes, the fact that Sirius was an animagus or how he was rescued though just about everything else was in the Quibbler which was selling faster than it could be printed.

For all its reputation for mythical beasts the paper could now legitimately list amongst its achievements the first picture of Voldemort, a Basilisk and the man thought to have died a hero's death. It was incredible to think just how little was known about that night yet even what little they did know was proved to be completely wrong.

Albus was sitting on his throne at the staff table by the time he had finished reading and he was worried, he was formulating his rebuttal when the doors of the hall opened to admit five members of the school board, each with a copy of today's Quibbler clutched in their hand.

Dumbledore had just about managed to placate them enough to get the discussions moved out of the view of the whole school and into his office when the doors opened again and a delegation from the goblin nation entered the great hall.

The delegation was led by Master Zutekin, flanked by six goblin guards as he approached the staff table where Dumbledore was still seated; the goblin removed a scroll from his robes and began to read aloud.

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, you are charge with conspiring with a goblin clan to subvert and overthrow the legal ruler of the goblin nation. You are also charged with conspiring with a member of that clan, namely Sickyle, to illegally remove gold from the account of which he was in charge. Lord Potter has requested we use all means legally at our disposal to recover all the gold stolen from him and to punish the guilty parties involved, we are well aware this is a school full of children so have left the traitor Sickyle's head on the desk in your office rather than present it here."

This brought about an audible gasp that rippled through the hall, which had been unusually silent as everyone strained to hear what was going on. There was also the thought that if they stayed quiet they wouldn't be noticed and sent to their common rooms or classes.

Zutekin continued reading, "all of your accounts have been frozen and all assets seized, should you make an appearance at any goblin facility you will be arrested and tried under goblin law for your crimes against our nation. All documents pertaining to your illegal dealings against the goblin nation and Lord Potter have been forwarded to the investigation arm of the auror department along with a request that you be arrested and handed over to the goblin nation."

Albus knew that Hagrid would dance Swan Lake with the Bolshoi Ballet in front of the Queen before the ministry would hand a wizard over to the goblins. The 'all accounts' had him terrified; he wasn't sure how many accounts they had frozen but if they got them all he was in deep shit. Being vilified in the press was one thing but being poor scared the life out of him, he had spent his considerable number of years quietly amassing his fortune and could not contemplate being poorer than a Weasley.

Albus had totally overlooked the fact that the goblin declaration had just validated the entire Quibbler story in the minds of everyone present in the hall, staff, students and school governors were all reassessing their dealings and reactions to the headmaster.

It was into this reflective atmosphere that Harry and Hermione walked arm in arm into the great hall, "sorry were late for breakfast," said Harry "but it doesn't really matter as we're just here to collect a couple of our friends."

-oOoOo-

The ministry for magic was in total meltdown, it seemed like half the population of the wizarding world had turned up and being rather vocal in their demands, the magical multitude had spoken.

The wanted Fudge sacked, justice for Sirius and a delegation sent post haste to Lord Potter, begging him not to abandon them, most were old enough to remember how the first war was progressing before baby Harry's intervention. Not one person currently in the ministry building had any illusions that they would do any better the second time around.

Harry Potter was the saviour of the wizarding world and the idea they had treated him so badly he would leave them to the not so tender mercies of that monster Voldemort did not bear thinking about. This needed to be fixed, and quickly, their leaders had better deliver or they wouldn't be their leaders much longer.

Fudge was in shock, plastered all over the Quibbler was information that he didn't want the general public to be aware of; he took the crowds that were gathered in the atrium as confirmation of the correctness of his notion that the public couldn't handle the truth. He had ordered Amelia Bones to send aurors to arrest the Potter brat under causing a public menace charges but she had refused, citing all the aurors were needed to protect the ministry at the moment.

Fudge's sense of self-preservation kicked in as he realised that removing protection from the minister at this time was not a good idea. Amelia Bones knew Harry had committed no crime, she also knew having him arrested would cost the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement her job, though she doubted if her aurors would even obey that command.

Fudge was making the same mistake Dumbledore was, in any choice between the three wizards almost all the general population would choose the boy who saved them from the nightmare that was the last war.

The thought of Voldemort returning sent shivers of dread running through the battle hardened woman, Amelia knew that the peace time cuts to her department left their world seriously under protected to the threat of another war.

Fudge was bemoaning the fact that he was having to make his own decisions; Lucius had still not made an appearance and he was getting worried. The much-maligned minister then decided, against all advice offered, to speak to 'his people' and explain there had been a misunderstanding.

He appeared on a platform, looking down on his people as the crowd became silent, Fudge took this as a sign of respect and started addressing them in the most condescending tone imaginable, little realising that the only words they wanted to here was "I resign!"

Fudge stood stock still, shocked beyond belief while looking at the ripe tomato that was currently sliding down his previously spotless robes. The muggle influence on the wizarding world was never more apparent, to fire a spell at the minister of magic, even one that was as big an arsehole as Fudge, came with an extended vacation in the dementor hotel on the lovely island of Azkaban.

On the other hand conjuring a piece of ripe fruit and letting the minister have it broke no laws, felt great and totally humiliated the pompous prick. The air was soon alive with ripe fruit being banished in the direction of the minister, magical people would never lower themselves to throw something when a banishing charm was more accurate and required no physical effort.

Amelia and the attending aurors had immediately erected shield charms to protect themselves from the onslaught; she eventually had the aurors cover Fudge with their shields after he started looking like a bottle of ketchup.

She cleaned his robes using her wand before offering her un-listened to advice once again, "there is really only one way out of this situation that leaves you any dignity whatsoever Cornelius."

He nodded and they got the crowd quietened down again before Fudge spoke once more, "I apologise if I have let you down, a minister cannot perform his duties without the will of the people behind him. With this display here today it is blatantly obvious I no longer have your support therefore I have no other course of action than to tender my immediate resignation as minister of magic."

The corresponding cheer and applause was the loudest Fudge had ever received in his entire political career.

-oOoOo-

Albus glared at the young couple with no sign of the kindly grandfather façade he usually tried to portray, "Mr Potter you cannot waltz in and out of Hogwarts as the notion takes you, the school rules are their for the protection of everyone. No one is above the law, not even the boy-who-lived."

Harry just shook his head, "you never learn do you old man."

McGonagall exploded, "Mr Potter, you will treat the headmaster with respect!"

Harry's voice was colder and contained more power than anyone had heard before, "respect has to be earned, you lost all right to criticise me about respect when you stood back and allowed a member of your house to be cursed by Malfoy right in front of your eyes and did nothing. You let that old fools pet death eater give me a detention, insult my betrothed and you were too much of a coward to interfere. You made us ashamed to have been Gryffindors."

You could have heard a pin drop in the hall with McGonagall appearing as if she'd been physically slapped.

Harry turned his attention back to Dumbledore, "and as for you old man, I have told you to address me as Lord Potter. School rules for our protection, are you bullshiting me? I am so glad that you think no one is above the law but I would like to wager this is another one of these 'do as I say, not as I do' situations. One name old man – Snape!"

Albus tried to get the conversation back on safer ground, "I was merely pointing out that to officially leave you need written permission from your guardian to make it legal."

Harry walked forward to McGonagall, "I believe this falls under your remit as deputy, here is my permission slip stating that I am leaving Hogwarts for good, effective immediately. This is Hermione's, Neville's and Luna's stating the same."

As Harry handed them to McGonagall he was joined by Hermione, Neville and Luna at the front of the staff table. Albus was out his seat like a flash and snatched Harry's permission slip out of McGonagall's hand.

"This slip is not legal, it's signed by Miss Granger's parents!" Albus declared triumphantly.

"Behind the times again old man, Daniel and Emma Granger are now my legal guardians in the muggle world, as Lord Potter I am emancipated in the magical world and need no guardian."

Dumbledore seemed to shrink into himself, "you gave out the Dursleys address in the Quibbler yet no longer live there, have you any idea what you've done?"

It was Hermione who answered and the look on her face scared the shit out of anyone with a hint of common sense, "on the contrary old man, we know exactly what we've done!" Anyone messing with her Harry was in a whole heap of trouble.

-oOoOo-

Vernon Dursley was having a good morning, no a brilliant morning – the best morning in over twelve years.

When that man had turned up in Privet Drive on Saturday, Vernon had almost shut the door in his face as soon as he mentioned his freak nephew's name, what a mistake that would have been.

He was offered ten thousand pounds and given a guarantee that Harry would never contact them again if they signed over his guardianship to a couple of dentists, Vernon would have paid money to be rid of the freak.

He had finished his breakfast, even kissed Petunia before heading out the door to work and discovering why only half the wizarding population was currently at the ministry, the rest were in Privet Drive and they were pretty pissed off.

-oOoOo-

Severus Snape was in a foul mood to eclipse all his other foul moods combined, Draco had rushed to his godfather's room at first sight of the Quibbler, clutching a copy purloined from a first year puff.

They were striding towards the great hall with Severus desperate to find a victim to unleash some of his anger, he would bet that new records for points deductions and detentions would be set today. How dare that arrogant little shit print those things about him, the fact that every word was true had no baring on Snape's anger. He didn't even consider that he might be in trouble, Albus would sort this out and Potter's life would be hell from now on.

They entered the great hall and caught sight of the object of all his hatred and anger, standing there in front of the staff table as if he owned the school, Snape literally screamed "POTTER!" and his wand had sent a curse flying before his brain had even engaged.

As soon as she heard Snape's voice Hermione whirled round and the cruciatus curse hit her squarely in the chest, the pain was unbelievable but only for a split second as Harry was in her mind telling her how to beat it and his hands were placed on her shoulders to provide the power if needed.

Pomona Sprout had read today's Quibbler and watched this morning's events unfold with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, she had read what that poor boy had went through and liked to think if he was in Hufflepuff she would have stood up to Albus and Severus better than her friend Minerva did. She didn't think she was a better witch or head of house than Minerva, she just didn't believe every word that came out of Albus Dumbledore's mouth was the truth. If he'd pulled some greater good crap on any of her puffs she would have exploded in his face, she might only manage to singe that ludicrous beard but at least she would make her point. Minerva just followed along blindly and Filius followed Minerva's lead.

When Severus entered and fired that darkest of curses she was on her feet and reaching for her wand before the impossible happened right in front of her, the Granger girl just stood up straight and accepted the curse, smiling at Snape in the process.

The sweat was pouring down Snape's face as he tried with all his might to end the curse but to no avail, the mudblood bitch had got in the way and now was even smiling at him.

Albus Dumbledore shouted, "Enough! Mr Potter end this at once."

Harry calmly replied, "Students, staff and members of the school board please note the usual behaviour in Hogwarts, the head of Slytherin house fires an unforgivable curse at a student who's not even holding a wand yet it's my fault. Professor Snape can do no wrong and literally gets away with murder, just out of interest how did he escape going to Azkaban? You really have outdone yourself this time old man."

Harry's voice took on an icy tone again, "your pet death eater has just attacked the betrothed of an ancient and noble house in front of hundreds of witnesses. His arse belongs to me and anyone interfering will, I can assure you be dealt with in an appropriate manner."

Harry was trying to divert attention away from the fact that Hermione was draining the power right out of Snape's magical core, they had quickly decided to leave him just a fraction above a squib, he should be able to cast a 'lumos' but not much else, a reminder of what he'd lost. Of course he was going to lose more than that.

Snape's power drain very quickly reached the required level then Hermione cast a wandless reducto which blew off his wand hand, simultaneously Harry cast the same wandless spell removing his other arm just below the elbow.

Draco had made his way to the side, un-noticed he thought, and had his wand lined up on Potter when a stinging hex made him drop his wand. Luna had tracked him from the second she was sure Harry and Hermione had the Snape incident under control, Malfoy's wand hadn't hit the floor before the right fist of Neville Longbottom connected with the blond Slytherins jaw, Draco went down like a sack of potatoes but Neville had years of contained anger to release and jumped on him to continue pummelling the hated face of his worse antagonist.

After a few punches a gentle hand on his cheek stopped his onslaught, Neville looked up into the face of an angle as Luna softly spoke to him, "enough Neville, your better than he is in every way, he's not even worth your anger."

She offered him her hand and Neville took it, standing up to see that Snape was down and bleeding while Harry was looking at him and smiling.

"Now do you understand why I want a Longbottom guarding my back? You two are quite the team you know."

Neville glanced down and realised he was still holding Luna's hand, it felt so right that he had no intention of letting it go anytime soon.

Since Snape entered the hall until the Potter's rendered him harmless had taken about a minute, but it was a minute that would have major repercussions on the wizarding world. Hermione Granger had taken out Snape while under the cruciatus curse, Harry Potter had just made Dumbledore back down, add to that the two most bullied people in the school had just demolished the worst bully.

Albus was trying to regain some control over a silent great hall that had just witnessed events thought to be impossible, Poppy was sealing Severus's wounds as the parts removed were blasted to pieces. He asked tiredly, "Harry what do you want?"

"I don't want anything and here's something to save you hours of scheming to try and get me back under your control," Harry took out his wand, "I, Lord Harry James Potter swear on my magic I will never be a student at Hogwarts again."

Hermione, Neville and Luna all took the same magical oath in front of a still shocked and silent great hall, it was with an air of defeat that Dumbledore slumped back into his seat as the quartet headed towards the doors.

Harry and Hermione were trying to appear calm but inside they were bouncing about like two year-olds on a sugar high, though it was adrenalin pumping through their bodies.

Hermione felt no remorse about what they had just done to that evil bastard and her core had just received a permanent boost. To receive the dark mark you had to kill someone in front of Voldemort, torturing him or her first for the Dark Lord's entertainment got you extra death eater points.

The had both read the account of Snape's initiation and the fact that it involved a muggle child of about seven left them both feeling quite sick, the fact that stupid old bastard then employed him to teach in a school beggared belief.

They would have preferred the knowledge that they could ignore the cruciatus curse to have remained a secret for just a little longer, but Harry had acted instinctively as soon as someone tried to hurt her.

Harry was struggling to believe they'd pulled it off, even the part about filling the two hospital beds. He would watch with interest to see what happens to that greasy bastard who tried to hurt his Hermione, he was so tempted to kill him outright but decided to make him suffer, he should go to Azkaban for casting an unforgivable, on a student no less but Harry wouldn't be surprised if Albus weaved some tale and the bastard got off.

The only thing stopping him pushing the situation was without magic he was already being punished and without hands, eating breakfast was Snape's new challenge, he could forget potions. Even that bastard of a rat needed his body's magic to make that silver hand work. Harry wasn't too worried about Snape looking for revenge, having the knowledge of how to fire a gun wasn't much use if you didn't actually have access to one, far less the means to hold it.

Harry had discussed with Hermione the possibility of turning dark but she had explained lovingly that neither of them could ever stand back and watch someone tortured, far less carry out the act themselves. They now classed Death eaters as rabid dogs for which there was really only one treatment, both had been brought up as muggles and now wondered how many of those missing persons cases in the news were death eaters carrying on their traditions.

As far as they were concerned having a dark mark amounted to having murderer tattooed on your forehead, their doubts could be put to rest with a quick glance at Voldemort's memories and discovering just how evil any marked individual was.

They were nearly at the doors of the great hall when all their carefully laid plans went tits up, neither Harry nor Hermione could believe who had caused it, Hannah Abbot!

-oOoOo-

Excerpt from BBC News

The emergency services in Little Whining were called this morning to deal with the most bizarre incident any of them had ever seen. A house in Privet Drive appeared to demolish itself for no apparent reason while the top of the range family car was discovered crushed into the cupboard under the stairs. What was even stranger was the ostrich and walrus that were found in the back garden, both animals appeared to be in a state of extreme distress and attacked anyone who came near them.

A specialist from London Zoo was eventually called in and had to shoot both animals with tranquiliser darts before the situation could be brought under control.

When asked for his opinion the specialist replied, "this really is a strange case, both animals are obviously used to being around humans, in fact you would almost think they knew what a gun was. The walrus couldn't move much due to his size so was rather an easy target, the ostrich though zoomed about for a few minutes before actually trying to hide behind the walrus. As an ostrich only hides its head I was left with rather an obvious shot in the end."

Both the ostrich and walrus are now being held in government quarantine facilities until their origins can be established, and a police search is being conducted for the owners of the property, a Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

Chapter 9

Sirius Black had made it to Potter Manor without the slightest hint of trouble; Harry's revelations must have the wizarding world otherwise occupied he thought. The wards had been set to allow him access and a house elf had just made him lunch, he was starting to worry about the non-appearance of his godson when Moony portkeyed in.

A brotherly hug later and Sirius was demanding information.

Remus was laughing, "I wouldn't even know where to begin far less believe that I know everything that's going on, apparently Lord Potter and his betrothed are going to sit down tonight and reveal all. That should class as a three bottle of Brandy conversation."

Remus was laughing as he watched his friend trying to come to terms with the lord Potter and betrothed part; just wait till tonight he thought.

Remus held out the portkey and both marauders headed south.

-oOoOo-

Hannah Abbot had always liked Harry, truth be told she had a bit of a crush but then so did half the witches in Hogwarts. Reading about his life had left her feeling sick that someone the same age as her had to endure so much. Hannah also felt ashamed, first she had been convinced he was the Heir of Slytherin last year and then again a few days ago when he had summed up Hufflepuffs so accurately it hurt.

Loyalty was prized by puffs but it was rather easy to be loyal to people walking around wearing the same coloured robes as you who's loyalty could be depended on. The first time she was required to be loyal to someone other than a puff she had easily let herself be convinced that Harry was setting a monster on muggle borns in the castle, despite the glaring evidence that his mother and best friend, now his betrothed was muggle born. She had failed him, and herself badly that could not be allowed to happen again.

Hannah stood up and took out her wand, "I, Hannah Abbot, swear on my magic that I will never be a student at Hogwarts again."

Every eye in he great hall was now on the little blond Hufflepuff but she stood proudly, blushing profusely but declaring her belief in Harry Potter and refusing to be part of the system that had abused the boy for so long.

Ernie Macmillan knew he'd made an arse of himself over the whole Heir of Slytherin debacle and had apologised to Harry afterwards. Reading what Harry had been going through at the time just made him feel worse.

Harry's comments about puffs and loyalty the other day had caused quite a bit of discussion in the common room and most were surprised at how insightful they were, it was almost as if he had inside knowledge of their house. When his friend Hannah stood up and took her oath Ernie knew instinctively it was the right thing to do, and was on his feet seconds later taking his own oath.

Susan Bones and Justin Finch Fletchely were both up and also took a magical oath, effectively leaving Hogwarts with a year group without puffs.

At the Gryffindor table Colin Creevey was up like a flash to say his magical oath and support his idol, Ginny Weasley stood up and had her wand out before Head Boy Percy snatched it out her hand, he then proceeded to take Ron's and the twin's wands as well.

Harry and Hermione couldn't help but think that Percival would be in for the bollocking of his life when Molly got wind of this.

Dean Thomas had spent the year wishfully gazing at the cute little redhead that gave him butterflies in his stomach, he knew that Ginny had her heart set on Harry but now that he was well and truly claimed Dean though he stood a chance with the pocket sized vision of freckled loveliness.

When her brother took Ginny's wand and she sat back down Dean thought this was his chance to console the gorgeous girl who had been such a feature of his dreams lately, one look at her face and those dreams turned to nightmares.

Clearly etched on Ginny's face was not the disappointment with a touch of anger he expected but hatred, envy and utter loathing, giving muggle born Dean the classic impression of the wicked witch of his childhood. He tried to imagine coming home to that after a few drinks down the pub with his mates; the resulting mental images had him on his feet and swearing a magical oath to leave the terrifying sight behind.

Seamus Finnigan hadn't a clue what just came over his best mate but he wasn't about to be left behind so he took the oath as well.

Lavender Brown watched as all the Gryffindor guys in her year aligned themselves with Harry, the thought of Ron 'what are table manners?' Weasley being the only one left had her on her feet.

Parvati was left in a quandary, she looked towards her twin who nodded and both stood, taking their magical oath together. The first claw had joined the exodus, but due to Harry and Hermione's confrontation with Luna's bullies; Padma was the only claw other than Luna to leave the castle.

Daphne Greengrass belonged to a family that had managed to stay neutral during the war but here was a chance to align herself with the light side, Daphne was of the opinion that the only thing sitting on the fence got you was a splinter in your arse. She nodded to her best friend Tracy Davies and the hall got its latest shock of the day as two Slytherins supported Harry Potter.

Albus fired off a noise spell to get the hall's attention, "Enough of this nonsense, get to your classes now!"

A voice boomed of the walls, 'STOP!" so demanding of attention was the command that even the ghosts froze in position. "STUDENTS WHO TOOK AN OATH COME FORWARD, THE REST OF YOU GO TO CLASSES." The amplified voice of Professor Sprout was not something to be disobeyed, though Ginny had to be dragged out the hall. The head of Hufflepuff turned on the beleaguered headmaster and let him have it, both barrels.

"You whiskered wanker, these children are supposed to be in your care yet you gave them an order that directly contravened the magical oath they just took. Are you really that stupid or do you care so little for your students that you were prepared to let them loose their magic!" She turned her ire on Minerva and Filius, "were you just going to sit there and let him walk all over you as usual?"

She lined up her main target again, "Albus I've watched your manipulations and left you alone, protecting my own house, but a young man has claimed that isn't enough – and he's right. My conscience will no longer allow me to work here, so you can take my job and shove it where the sun doesn't shine."

She walked down to the students and was pulled to the side by Harry and Hermione, "Professor what you did just confirmed our opinion of you, we would like to offer you a job!"

Sprout was speechless so Harry continued, "I was intending to hire private tutors for the four of us but it would appear our numbers have swollen, I intend to take care of them and would appreciate your help with the organisation as well as teaching. Unlike some I take my obligations seriously."

Pomona Sprout had intended to help the students anyway she could, four of them were former puffs, "we need to get them out of here so there's no danger of them triggering that oath then we contact their guardians and see where we go from there."

Harry and Hermione had enjoyed their time in Hufflepuff and genuinely admired Pomona, when she asked how you were getting on it was to see if you needed any help, not to report it to Dumbledore. "We have the place and the means professor."

A voice from the back of the hall shouted, "and here's one signature for you."

Amelia Bones had arrived at Hogwarts with a couple of her aurors looking for any sign of Harry Potter, just before entering the hall she heard the voice of her niece's best friend closely followed by Susan take a magical oath. They cast disillusionment charms on themselves and sneaked into the hall to find out what the hell was going on, they could have worn death eater outfits for all the attention anyone was paying.

When Albus gave that order she was just about to tear him a new arsehole when Pomona beat her to it. After Harry said they would face up to their obligations she had to say something, Susan had put herself firmly in the Potter camp and Amelia believed that was the place to be.

"If you have a form there Minerva I'll gladly sign it to get Susan out of a school where the headmaster gives orders that could cost students their magic." Amelia turned to Dumbledore, "looks like you lost a head of house."

"Two actually!" declared one of the school board members.

"Severus has yet to be dismissed from his post." Albus was getting ready to bullshit when the five members of the school board turned as one and glared at him.

"If Severus Snape is not immediately dismissed then you will be out of a job before the end of today. Even without that the only thing that may save you is there are no suitable replacements at the moment." The board member who spoke looked at Minerva and Filius with distain before casting a glance at Pomona.

"Sorry sir, we got there first." Harry said.

"What are your greenhouses like Lord Potter?" Pomona asked.

Hermione whispered in her ear and Pomona must have liked what she heard because her whole face lit up as she said, "I'm in!"

Amelia's professional curiosity was piqued, "just what did Severus do that is actually going to get him fired?"

It was Susan who answered, "He hit Hermione with the Cruciatus Curse."

Hannah chipped in, "but she just smiled at him, then blew his arms right off!"

Amelia and the aurors immediately drew there wands, "where is he?"

"Infirmary!" chimed a dozen people.

At a nod from Amelia both aurors left at once, "Chief Warlock, were you intending to report this? Were there any witnesses I need to protect in case they suddenly lose their memory?"

Harry laughed, he'd just decided he liked this woman, "Madam Bones not even Dumbledore is capable of obliviating the entire student and staff population as well as five members of the school board and seven goblins."

Amelia looked as if Christmas had come early, "and what did the Chief Warlock do about this attack?"

Susan couldn't help but volunteer the information, "he told Harry to behave himself, and then Hermione blasted Snape."

The school board member was not for letting Albus off the hook, "he performed an unforgivable curse on a student without even a hint of provocation and is now in the infirmary minus hands, I would just like to hear headmaster what possible grounds you would have for not dismissing him immediately."

With as much dignity as he could muster Albus proceeded to put his foot right in it, "everyone is entitled to a trial, innocent until proven guilty."

Harry was on him in a flash, his whole body tense with anger, "so Severus deserves a trial but Sirius doesn't? Just how do you come up with this Chief Warlock – you are not the law."

Albus was on his feet, his anger rising at just how shitty his day was turning, "neither are you Lord Potter!" Harry's title was pronounced with as much sarcasm as the old man could manufacture.

Harry's smile was cold enough to freeze whiskers, "in this case I am, he attacked my betrothed allowing me to walk from here to the infirmary and legally kill him. That is my right as head of a noble and ancient house and anyone interfering with that right would be breaking the law."

"You would kill a man in cold blood, that's pretty dark Harry even for you." Albus was trying to keep the delight out of his voice at trapping the young shit so easy.

Harry's voice was quiet when he answered but everyone in the hall could still hear every word, some wished they couldn't. "Did he ever tell you how he got his mark Chief Warlock?" Harry was seriously messing with the old fart's head, "apparently when performing that curse it lowers your mental shields and he was thinking of the first time he used it. She was a muggle child who appeared to be about seven years old, Snape was really delighted that he managed to draw out her suffering enough to please his new master. After the child was foaming at the mouth and no longer responding to the curse he cast Avada Kedavra then knelt before Voldemort to receive his reward, the dark mark."

Hermione had joined Luna with her arms round Neville, both witches were hugging the sobbing boy.

"Snape still thinks of that as one of the best nights of his life, now ask me again old man if you think I could kill him in cold blood. This is the type of person you have chosen to be in charge of children and time and time again defend against being dark despite all evidence to the contrary. You are dead to me old man and the only time I want to see you is at your trial for the crimes you've committed. Out of your own mouth came the words 'no one is above the law' and I agree, not even you Albus Dumbledore."

Harry turned his back on Dumbledore and approached his friend, putting one hand on each shoulder, "did you know your mother is my godmother?" this got Neville's attention and stopped the tears. "Voldemort was going after two children Nev, me and you. Our parents knew this and made a promise that if anything happened to one pair then the other couple would raise both boys, we should have grown up as brothers Nev but that manipulative old bastard up there had his own agenda."

"How could you know that? I demand you tell me now!" Albus had seriously lost it, spittle was flying from his mouth as he screamed at Harry and his wand was pointed at the former Hogwarts students back.

Harry turned round slowly, "in the back old man, even Snape had the decency to look Hermione in the eye as he cursed her. You can demand all you want old man, the only lesson you've taught me is that knowledge is power, so why should I give it to you?" Hermione had appeared at his side, closely followed by Neville and Luna, soon everyone who was leaving was standing beside Harry with their wands pointed at Dumbledore.

The sight of fifteen students all, with the exception of Harry and Hermione, pointing their wands at Albus finally shamed McGonagall into doing something she should have done years ago. "Albus lower that wand this instant, do you realise the penalties for firing a curse at the head of an ancient and noble house?" her glare forced his wand down, the students lowered theirs but not one of them put it away. Eight of her former Gryffindors had shown more courage this morning than Minerva McGonagall had in years, that was a situation she could not allow to continue.

"Lord Potter, if you find yourself in need of a transfiguration teacher I would be honoured to be considered, I find myself unable to continue working here any longer."

Harry knew that whatever her faults she was a superb teacher, and where McGonagall went Flitwick was sure to follow. "Professor I have cast aspersions over your blind loyalty to your former head teacher, but I never thought anything other than you were a brilliant teacher who is passionate about her subject. My only reservation would be whether you could be trusted not to tell tales out of class."

Minerva knew exactly what she was being asked, "I'm quite prepared to swear a loyalty oath my Lord and understand the need for one."

"I think there has been more than enough oaths sworn here today, lets get to that later," answered Harry who was pleased his prediction came true as Filius asked for a job as well.

Dumbledore's rage was matched by the members of the board; Hogwarts had just lost all four heads of house and any chance of sacking Albus. They could place him on probation but with what was happening next term they couldn't afford to lose him from the castle as well. They would have to draft in emergency teachers for the rest of the week to save Hogwarts from having to close early.

"Lord Potter I really must speak with you about a matter of some urgency," Amelia said.

"Madam Bones please call me Harry, if you want a job I will gladly hire you but then who would I trust in the ministry? I think we need to take any discussion out of this castle, you are welcome to come with us, see where Susan will be staying and join us for lunch after we get our business done."

Harry had been communicating with Hermione using the rings and she was already speaking to Zutekin about contacting parents and informing them of what happened today.

Harry spoke to everyone who had cast their oath today, "I would like to thank Hannah and every one else who gave such a public display of faith this morning and hope I can live up to it. Gringotts will contact your guardians and explain what occurred, it will then be their decision what happens next – those of muggle decent will be able to phone home from where we're going. Dobby!"

Dobby appeared and drew stares for his dress code, "their trunks are all packed and rooms are being made ready as we speak, we have called some elves from other Potter properties to assist but four elves have asked the castle for permission to join our house and Hogwarts said yes, the final decision is yours Harry Potter sir."

Harry held a brief mental debate with Hermione before making a decision, "tell them they would be most welcome Dobby."

Hermione came over and gave Harry the information gleamed from Zutekin on the portkey, which allowed it to be expanded so everyone could take hold,

"Don't we need to be outside the Hogwarts wards?" Minerva asked.

"This portkey will take us home from where ever we are," Harry gave a bow to the now departing goblins before portkeying out of Hogwarts where a headmaster sat alone at the staff table while the board members were in an impromptu huddle trying to figure out what to do next.

-oOoOo-

It was an astonished Dan, Emma and Remus who watched the cavalcade enter the château; Harry and Hermione were like pied pipers as they led their guests into the room that had become the family lounge.

The three adults were not helped by Harry's announcement to the company, "welcome everyone to the Potter Institute of Sorcery and Spells."

"When did that happen?" Remus asked.

Hermione was trying not to laugh, "you know Harry, and he just makes it up as we go along but I love him for it." Her betrothed was given a demonstration with a searing kiss.

Harry held her close and forgot about everyone else, "are you sure you're ok?"

"Why, what happened?" demanded Dan.

Susan again filled in the blanks, "Snape used the cruciatus curse on her."

Dan and Emma were angry but Remus was enraged, he was holding Hermione at arms length looking into her eyes to asses the damage before anyone realised he'd even moved.

"I'm fine Remus but thanks," she embarrassed the werewolf by pulling him into a hug but her dad wasn't buying it.

"I thought you could protect her Harry?" he asked accusingly.

Hermione just sighed, "Dad, I don't have a scratch on me while that bastard is in the infirmary rendered harmless."

Susan just couldn't resist it, "and handless!"

That broke the ice and everyone who was there laughed off all the tension that had accumulated throughout a pretty stressful morning.

Dan and Emma wanted to hear what happened this morning so Remus took everyone else to get them settled in their new rooms that the elves had arranged, Harry and Hermione sat down with the Grangers and Amelia to find out why she was looking for him in the first place.

After the introductions and confirmation that she could talk freely in front of the Grangers, Amelia started bringing them up to date on what happened at the ministry.

"Lord Potter, as of this morning the manhunt for Sirius Black has been called off, if any one has a method of contacting him could they please pass on the message that he has been released into the custody of Lord Potter until a trial date can be arranged. Does these arrangements meet with your satisfaction my Lord?"

Harry couldn't contain the smile that had broken out all over his face, "that's brilliant Madam Bones, if I see him I will be sure to pass on the message."

Amelia nodded in understanding, she would bet her pension that Harry was involved in the escape and new exactly where his godfather was, she was also sure the man was innocent and would do everything in her power to prove it. "Minister Fudge resigned this morning after an angry mob started pelting him with ripe tomatoes, the ministry is not quite sure how to proceed as it would appear the Chief Warlock will be facing criminal charges as well."

The thought of the minister getting pelted cheered the teens up no end but they needed decisions made, "if Harry offered to drop the charges with the proviso that Dumbledore resigned from the Wizengamot do you think he would take the offer?" Hermione asked.

It was a thoughtful Amelia who answered, "He just may, would you like me to make that offer?"

Harry nodded, "we don't think he's going to end up in Azkaban so resigning might be better than a prolonged court case holding everything up, this way he has no charges against him and we still get what we want."

Amelia became sombre, "sadly I have some bad news for you, it would appear an angry mob of witches and wizards congregated outside number 4 Privet Drive this morning with the result that the house and automobile have been totally destroyed with your aunt and uncle being transfigured into a ostrich and a walrus. The muggles had turned up before a magical reversal squad could get there, both animals were knocked out using some kind of fired dart and removed from the premises, we reckon that with everything else that's happening it might take weeks to trace them."

Harry and Hermione were almost falling off their seats with laughter, the image of Vernon as a walrus with a tranquiliser dart protruding from his arse completed the journey, they were on the floor with tears running down their faces.

Only years as an auror allowed Amelia to maintain a straight face but it was so very hard, she so wished she could have been there.

"Your aunt and uncle have officially been posted missing in the muggle world with your cousin being collected from school by his aunt Marge. Officially I have no position on this, unofficially one of the reversal squad has offered to let you have the memory of the muggles trying to subdue both animals for a signed Harry Potter poster for his seven year old daughter."

"You can get posters of Harry?" Emma asked, not quire believing it.

"You can get anything with Harry's face on it, I'm told the teenage underwear is a big seller." Amelia wasn't joking so Emma looked towards her daughter and lifted an enquiring eyebrow.

"Mother I have the real thing, why would I need the underwear? That's not to say that half the witches in Hogwarts don't own a pair."

Harry was in too good a mood to let this trouble him in the slightest, "Amelia I would sign it in blood for that memory, and I would quite happily meet the little girl and thank her dad for making my day."

"Ok official business over but on a more serious and personal level if you both have found a way to defeat the torture curse as head of the DMLE I would be eternally grateful if you would share that knowledge."

'Amelia this is not one of those 'knowledge is power' situations, quite the opposite in fact as you need the power to use the knowledge. When a curse is fired at you it is basically someone releasing their magical energy and commanding it to have a certain effect on the victim, if the intended victim is powerful enough they can override that command rendering the magical energy harmless."

Amelia was flummoxed at Harry's explanation so he stood up to demonstrate, "if you fire a stunner at me your commanding magical energy to leave your body and render mine unconscious." She nodded that she understood that much, "if I change the command on that energy to give me a nice warm glow then I've rendered the curse harmless."

Amelia understood the theory; it just didn't seem possible so Harry invited her to cast a stunner. Amelia stood, fired her stunner then had to sit back down in shock as she watched Harry just absorb the curse with no ill effects whatsoever.

"You need an immense amount of magical power before that can be achieved, Hermione is about ninety five percent of the way there but I was able to share some of my power with her due to our betrothal bond."

Amelia looked like someone had snatched the holy grail right out of her hands, both teens knew this was not a selfish thing but the thought of protecting her aurors and her niece, they decided to take a chance.

Hermione asked, "Madam Bones could we have a witches oath that you will not tell anyone the information we're about to give you, I promise none of it breaks any laws."

Amelia needed these two to trust her so gave her oath immediately.

Hermione was smiling as she continued; "when we released that article all we hoped for was to have Fudge and Dumbledore at each other's throats, allowing us to quietly train and carry out tasks we've set ourselves. Harry has defeated Voldemort three times but he keeps coming back, our tasks are to strip away his protection and finish him once and for all. We are hoping to achieve this before Christmas."

Amelia knew she wasn't being lied to or bullshitted, all her years in the force had given her a very good nose for those things. She also knew that this was only part of the information but if they carried out their task she was quite prepared to cut them some slack, shit she would do anything even remotely possible to assist them.

"How can I help?" was her reply but she wasn't ready for Harry's answer.

"By becoming minister of magic!"

-oOoOo-

Daphne Greengrass admired the beautiful room she was going to be sharing with her best friend Tracy, it had the Slytherin dorms beat all ends up with even it's own on-suite and a balcony. No more sharing a shower block and, with the boys being on the other side of the corridor, no worries if they decided to sunbathe for an hour or three. With Susan and Hannah on one side and Lavender with the Patel's on the other she didn't even have to endure that troll Millicent or Pansy 'when Draco and I are married' Parkinson. Her only concern was the reaction of her parents, she hoped they'd understand but if not she would be doing her schooling in France next term, even without the oath stepping back into the Slytherin dorm would probably cost Daphne her life.

Dean Thomas thought he'd made one of the best decisions of his life, even though Seamus and him were sharing a room with Colin he still considered himself to be streets ahead of where he was this morning. All three boys had muggle backgrounds and had phoned home, getting immediate permission to stay there for now and continue their schooling with Harry next year. Potter was apparently the new magic word for opening doors in their world and all the parents were delighted their kids were associated with him.

Dean was also re-assessing his choice in girls after that narrow escape and realized he must have been blind; there were currently four single guys here, and Colin. There were seven unattached females; each one of them gorgeous, and Dean liked those odds a lot better. Neville and Luna hadn't stopped holding hands since this morning and after his wicked take down of Malfoy he would have been serious babe competition but the little blond former claw looked to have him off the market.

Dean couldn't remember the last time he looked forward to classes as much.

Neville's whole world had been turned upside down, he'd just left Hogwarts after knocking Malfoy's lights out and it looked like he had a girlfriend as well. He glanced at the little blond who just smiled and nodded, yip – he had a girlfriend!

It was amazing how well they just fitted together after only speaking to each other just a few days ago, Neville sensed in his new girlfriend the same fragility that he had in abundance, and he was sure combined they could be greater than Neville and Luna alone, they complemented each other so well.

Luna walked hand in hand along the corridor with her first ever boyfriend and wondered how she got this lucky, one minute walking along the Hogwarts corridor in pain from being forced to wear the wrong shoe to then watching her tormentors fall over themselves trying to make it up to her.

When Harry and Hermione left she had gravitated towards the wizard by her side, he came with excellent references so she gave him her trust. They had rooms next to each other on the same floor as Harry and Hermione because they had been expecting to leave Hogwarts; the rest of the morning was just plain crazy.

Watching Neville beat his tormentor was hard and she knew he would have felt terrible if he'd hurt Malfoy any more, Luna was sure it was in reaction to the curse Hermione was under that Neville acted like he was possessed and holding him as he cried confirmed this. Once he trusted her enough she would hear the story behind it but what she really wanted to listen to was the promised explanation from Harry and Hermione – her friends.

Sirius arrived in the château and only Moony holding on to his arm stopped him from making a run for it, there seemed to be people everywhere before he noticed McGonagall smiling at him then his godson and new betrothed held him in a hug.

"Harry James Potter if you don't tell me what the hell is going on right this minute then your godfather is going to deliver you a smack round the head."

"Relax Sirius, the manhunt is called of and you have been placed in my custody until a trial can be arranged, so if there's any smacking to be done I will be the one doing it dear godfather. Looks like your coming to stay with me rather than the other way around" Harry's laughter could be heard in every word.

"Welcome to the Potter Institute of Sorcery and Spells," Hermione laughed.

Sirius looked to his oldest friend, "Remus what's going on? Are these two taking the piss?"

"No but every one else is!" the laughter spread as people started getting Remus's joke, Dean had just thought of a brilliant idea for a t-shirt.

Chapter 10

Albus Dumbledore had no idea how long he sat alone in the great hall, reconstructing this mornings events in his mind and trying to figure out where it all went so horribly wrong. In a mater of a few moments he'd lost his gold, the brat Potter, half of the current third year and his four most senior members of staff, Albus still couldn't work out how it was done, where did that arse Potter get his information from? Marching into his school as if the little shit owned the place, if he hadn't put a stop to it half the bloody school would have followed Potter out the castle.

Albus had watched the older students wrestle with the prospect of leaving verses exams next year while the younger ones were gathering their courage to stand up in front of everyone in the hall, when he factored in the effect of the two Slytherins standing as well he now considered his estimate of half to be some what conservative.

He decided to go and visit Severus in the infirmary; they needed to have a long, serious chat with damage limitation at the top of the agenda.

Poppy watched the headmaster enter the infirmary and had to call on all of her professionalism just to be civil to the man, she more than anyone knew of Harry's injuries and some of the marks on his body had nothing to do with Hogwarts. Unfortunately protocol dictated that she report these matters to the headmaster who dutifully sent the young boy back to his abusers every summer.

Poppy had left the hall before Hannah made her vow and had no idea what had happened since, she was quickly coming to the decision that she could no longer work for this man all on her own.

"Poppy my dear, how is Severus?"

She hid her anger, letting her years of experience keep her from betraying the fact she wanted to strangle this bastard with his own beard but she didn't quite manage the civility, "your pet death eater is missing a hand and an arm just below the elbow, the amount of time he held it and the ferocity of that vile curse seems to have affected his magical core. Apart from that I'm afraid to say he'll live."

Dumbledore thought he was over the shocks for today but a healer, especially Poppy Pomfrey; being displeased that someone had lived was another blow to the normality of his world.

Poppy wasn't finished yet, "after today I am ashamed to be even associated with Hogwarts under your leadership therefore my resignation will be with the board before the day is out."

Albus was crestfallen, "Et tu, Brute?" he was not above using a little emotional blackmail to get what he wanted, at this point he was not above using any means at his disposal. To late he realised that he'd given information away without having time to formulate a plan to deal with it.

"Who else left then?" Poppy asked.

Albus knew he couldn't hide the facts of this morning, but he just wanted a bit of time to put the proper spin on them, "Minerva, Pomona and Filius all left with Potter and his band of fans."

The healer was elated, it looked like she wasn't the only one to grow a backbone today, "it would appear that you are going to have a busy summer headmaster, interviewing prospective staff members instead of interfering in that boys life. I'll save you a task and wont request a reference – it would probably count against me."

Albus stormed away towards the bed containing Severus only to find his way blocked by a rather large, black auror.

"Can I help you sir?" the deep voice boomed out.

"I'm just here to visit my friend auror, sorry I don't know your name."

"My name is unimportant but the fact that you called this death eater your friend is, this thing just used the torture curse on a young female student so I would advise you to leave here now before I arrest you for associating with a known criminal."

Why was nobody showing him the respect he deserved? "I demand your name auror and I will be taking this matter up personally with minister Fudge."

Shacklebolt just smirked at the old wizard, "Fudge is gone, he resigned this morning and having seen the charges that Madam Bones has in store for you resigning might be contagious."

Albus tried to bluster and push passed the auror, "I'll have you know that this is my school and that is a colleague of mine lying th…" the young pink haired auror had activated an emergency portkey and both she and Severus were gone from the castle.

"My partner may be young but she's almost as smart as she is quick, let me be as honest as I possibly can, the only thing as bad as someone getting their jollies from using the torture curse is the person standing idly watching. The leader of the light left two children to deal with a dark bastard like Snape, that puts you right near the top of my shit list."

Amelia Bones entered the infirmary with Dobby and couldn't fail to notice her auror going eyeball to eyeball with Dumbledore, she knew Shack could never win a magical fight against the old wizard, she also knew he had no intention of letting it become a magical contest. If Albus had even twitched Shack would have started breaking his bones, Dumbledore had made a serious miscalculation letting the physically powerful younger man get so close and Shack was like a magnificent black mamba ready to strike. She almost wished she could let him.

It was just beginning to dawn on Albus that he might be in a spot of trouble here and, despite his better judgement; his hand was instinctively inching towards his wand when he heard the voice behind him, "everything ok here Shack?"

The auror's eyes never left Dumbledore as he gave Amelia his report, "all under control boss, this gentleman was insistent that he see his friend so Tonks removed the death eater to our secure location. Oh and I'm being reported to minister Fudge."

Dumbledore whirled round to face Amelia, "why was I not informed that Cornelius had resigned? As head of the Wizengamot it is my right to …"

Amelia decided to kick this old bastard where it really hurt, she had considered kneeing him in the nuts but felt trampling all over his pride would cause more pain. "Can it Albus, you have been suspended from the Wizengamot pending the criminal investigation regarding your dealings with Lord Potter."

"This is preposterous!" Albus roared.

Amelia Bones was the epitome of cool; "we have the Potter will bearing your signature as a witness, a will that you blatantly and illegally ignored. We have records from Gringotts showing you taking a serious amount of gold from the Potter vaults and move it to a muggle bank before it made it's way back to another vault at Gringotts under your control. If I can implicate you in any way with the debacle that denied Sirius Black a trial I'm prepared to take a witches vow that I'll make sure you personally become acquainted with his former cell. Now I don't believe I've left any room for ambiguity here, simply put you're in deep shit."

Amelia gave this a minute to sink in before continuing, "Lord Potter believes it's in no one's interest to allow this to become a long drawn out affair with the media crawling all over it, he has offered to drop the charges if you resign from the Wizengamot and as Supreme Mugwump. Your alternative is to fight the charges and risk losing being headmaster and even your freedom."

Albus was so depressed the goblins had found his secret stash that he magically resigned both positions there and then. Amelia had only added the Supreme Mugwump as a bargaining chip and would have let him retain the position as long as he resigned from the Wizengamot, she beamed a smile at Shacklebolt as the old man shuffled out the infirmary.

-oOoOo-

Ronald Weasley was in a greenhouse alone, he wasn't supposed to be alone but none of his fellow Gryffindors, any of the puffs or Professor Sprout had turned up yet. This gave the redhead time to figure out who was to blame for the severe down turn his life had just taken; Ron tried to put the events into some kind of order.

Friday night he was doing well with Hermione, playing up the injured leg and wining lots of sympathy. Ron's job was to get Hermione out of her knickers thus forcing Harry to go out with Ginny; the twins were helping with advice and even a book though it now seemed likely that only potions would work.

Saturday the pair walked into the great hall with Loony, insulted Gryffindor and announced that squib Neville was a great wizard.

Harry snogging Hermione in front of all the Weasleys was not a memory Ron wished to recall and then they had disappeared for the entire weekend.

Watching as Hermione smiled at the greasy git had almost required a change of underwear as he thought 'this is the girl I was going to try it on with?' As Snape lost his appendages, Ron lost any and all interest in Miss Granger, even he wasn't stupid enough to mess with power like that.

When Percy took his wand Ron had already decided his arse was not leaving his nice comfortable Hogwarts wooden bench, being around Potter could get you killed. If the family wanted in on the Potter fortune then some other berk could be the patsy, he was too young to die, and inexperienced to boot!

Unfortunately for Ron experience chose that moment to make an appearance, "aw, has the little lion been left all on his own? I know how it feels to be alone but it doesn't have to be that way."

Ron found himself grabbed by the ears and pulled towards a face that appeared to engulf him, within seconds he was sure his attacker was trying to remove his appendix orally by use of her tongue and a tremendous amount of applied suction.

He wasn't certain but his light-headedness could be caused by lack of oxygen to his brain due to not being able to breath for what felt like thirty minutes. Whatever the cause it was a dizzy Ron who was delighted that his mouth was suddenly free from obstructions and intruders, allowing air to once again flow to his lungs. He wasn't so delighted as the grip on his ears increased and his head was forced southwards, just what the hell was going on here.

It was a worried Fred and George who eventually found a dishevelled Ron, making his way along the corridor by holding on to the wall, his ears sticking out almost at right angles from his head.

"Where have you been Ron, you missed lunch," Fred inquired.

Ron shuddered as he croaked his answered, "no I didn't"

George wouldn't let him away without knowing what was going on, "spill it Ron."

Ron for some reason had difficulty speaking so the twins had to play the yes / no guessing game.

"Have you been attacked?"

Nod of head

'Are you injured?"

Shake of head

"Did you get a good look at who attacked you?"

Full body shudders but a definite nod of the head in there somewhere.

"Was it a wizard?"

Venomous shake of the head

"A witch attacked you?"

Nod of the head

"What did she do to you?"

Ron hung his head in shame

In desperation Fred asked, "Did you get into her knickers?"

"What knickers," croaked Ron

"Way to go bro!" exclaimed George, "And do we know the lucky girl?"

A nod followed by another croak, "Millicent Bulstrode."

Fred put his arm around his young brothers shoulder, "sorry Ron, listen this attack really needs to be reported to Dumbledore."

Shake of the head followed by a faint, "can't."

George was very sympathetic, "Listen there's no need to be embarrassed, we understand."

Ron shook his head again, "can't, am seeing her again tonight."

The Weasley twins lost their lunch all over the corridor, as they were barfing up their breakfast as well the idea of the puking pastel was born, with the promise that Ron would be the test subject until it was perfected and maybe after as well.

Poppy was packing when the oddest-looking elf she had ever seen appeared next to her. "Excuse me ma'am but the castle is telling Dobby that you is leaving."

This was new thought Poppy, a house elf asking her a question after talking to the castle, "yes I am, I can't work here any longer."

"Would ma'am consider working for the great Harry Potter? Madam's friends have already agreed and you always take such good care of my master and mistress."

This was really new, she'd just been offered a job by a house elf, "Does Harry know you're making this offer?"

Dobby stood up straighter, "I know master Harry very well and the castle is worried headmaster whiskers is going to do something to keep you here, my first job is to help master Harry's friends and family. You have been kinder to my master than almost anyone else in the castle so I will help you get away before whiskers can use his wand."

Poppy was worried now, she had often suspected Albus was not as light as he tried to appear and, if she could believe this elf the castle itself was warning her against him. She looked around at her just started packing when the little elf seemed to read her mind.

"The Hogwarts elves will pack all your belongings and they will be brought to your new home, please let's just leave now."

Poppy had made up her mind, even if she didn't get a job with Harry Potter it would seem prudent to make like the proverbial shepherd and get the flock out of here. "Ok Dobby, I'm ready."

Seconds later they were gone.

-oOoOo-

Molly Weasley was on an emotional roller coaster, every time she thought of Harry with that mudblood witch she was depressed yet at the same time extremely angry that it wasn't her Ginny. Since receiving an owl from her daughter on Friday describing what happened in the hall and that Harry and Hermione were together the Weasley matriarch had been even more impossible to live with than usual.

When she read in Saturday's Prophet that the brown haired bitch was now his betrothed her anger had been so bad, and so loud that even the garden gnomes had packed their bags and legged it as far away from the burrow as possible.

This morning's Quibbler had effectively ended Harry's relationship with Dumbledore and his ability to influence Lord Potter's decisions on anything, including choice of partner. Molly was many things but she wasn't as stupid as people took her for, attempting to interfere with a betrothal of the head of an ancient and noble family would cost at least your freedom but more likely your life.

She was going to have to be subtle, Molly could do subtle, so Ginny wasn't going to be the primary wife but as a pureblood Weasley she could bring a lot to the house of Potter. Also as a Weasley she would easily outbreed the mudblood and Harry would always treat his children equally, yes there was more than one way to skin a Kneazle.

She was just congratulating herself on her plan when Percy's owl entered through the open window and presented her with the latest developments from Hogwarts, Molly was reading the letter until she got to Percy's boastful description of how he saved the family honour by not allowing the Weasleys to betray Hogwarts and leave with that upstart Potter.

Molly was beyond angry, her magic was boiling and she needed an outlet to release her famous temper on, she saw Percy's owl and her wand was in her hand in an instant.

Post owls are incredibly intelligent animals and Hermes recognised the danger and tried for the window, a reductor curse forced an emergency course change, five reducto's later and the poor bird couldn't see a thing for dust and flying debris, being able to feel the heat of the flame curse was an entirely different matter as the terrified owl found the staircase and headed up, anywhere that didn't contain this maniacal human was all Hermes was hoping to achieve.

Molly was firing the flame curse blindly into the dust determined to cook that bloody bird when she heard the ceiling give a loud groan and creak. The chubby witch suddenly realised just what she was doing and performed an emergency apparition out to the garden, she was in such a hurry that she spliced herself, leaving her hair behind.

The now bald chubby witch watched as her house mirrored her dreams; it collapsed in on itself and burned to a crisp, leaving nothing but cinders and ashes. To make matters worse the bloody owl shot out an upstairs window just as the house was coming down.

The ministry had recorded the intense spell work and thought that a departmental head's residence was under attack, four aurors apperated in to find Molly rolling on the grass while kicking, screaming and punching the ground like a toddler in a tantrum, she was immediately portkeyed to St Mungo's and admitted to the spell damage ward while they attempted to diagnose what the attackers had done to the poor witch.

-oOoOo-

As the kids sat around the pool Dean was working on his t-shirt design, he'd got the mock up done on paper and was now studiously applying his creation to a white t-shirt. Unbeknown to Dean this was drawing him far more female attention than his phoney posing and cheap chat-up lines ever did. The girls were noticing Dean was not bad looking and talented to, he had just been moved to the top of the rather short list of eligible boys at the Potter Institute.

While this was taking place a meeting of the adults with Harry and Hermione was in full session on the terrace, Harry was doing what he did best, making it up as he went along. Harry had learned to trust his instincts and follow where they led, the difference now was that he had Hermione in his head filling in the blanks and keeping him out of too much trouble.

"Our original premise was to hire tutors for four students and cover a wide range of subjects, as our numbers have increased I would like to establish what courses the institute will be able to offer it's students and who else do we have to employ. We also need to examine the actual building and determine if it's suitable for teaching the courses we want to offer. Pomona I would like to offer you the headship of the institute, you are a brilliant teacher who always puts the needs of her students first and wont think twice about telling Hermione and I if we screw up when trying to get this place up and running. Minerva I would really appreciate your help on the administrative side of running a school but I want to stress here and now there will never be a house system at our school."

His former teachers were wondering just where this version of Harry Potter had come from; they'd never seen him so assertive.

"We will also need your input into what equipment and furniture we'll need for the institute, we're building classrooms from scratch so use your experience to design the rooms to be fit for purpose, money should be no object but we really don't need solid gold desks." Hermione cracking jokes was something else her former professors were going to have a hard time getting used to.

Minerva had a question niggling at her brain so decided to ask it, "Miss Granger, what did you say to Pomona to convince her to take the job?"

Hermione just smiled, "when she asked about our greenhouses I told her we didn't need any because of the climate, I also mentioned that the soil around here is volcanic and, as everyone knows, with the application of some dragon dung compost these are probably the best growing conditions to be found anywhere."

"Are you sure you want me to be head?" Pomona asked?

"Absolutely!" answered Harry "I think we should be honest here, Minerva and Filius are brilliant teachers but not the leader we need especially starting from scratch." Both nodded to show there were no hard feelings and they agreed with his assessment.

"Well I would be happy to teach Herbology and Potions, I think the subjects should be more closely linked anyway."

Filius put in his two Knuts worth, "like Pomona I would be delighted to teach charms and runes, I would like to include wards in the syllabus as well."

Minerva indicated that she would teach transfiguration and arithmancy as everyone turned to Remus who appeared to be daydreaming before giving a shudder and rejoining them.

Remus was day dreaming, he was gazing at this new Pomona Sprout before him, her usual attire of old dark soil covered robes and beat-up hat had been replaced with a light blue set that did wonders for her. He was also guessing that she wore many layers of cloths under those old robes as her 'Molly Weasley' figure had slimed down drastically. Considering that summer in the Scottish Highlands consisted of the last week of May and the first week of June, the layering of cloths was understandable for someone who spent most of her day outside the castle. With no plants to pull her hair all over the place Remus was coming to the conclusion that Pomona was an attractive woman who was at most ten years older than him.

His glance shifted to the beautiful Emma Granger and could see the woman Hermione would become, how did these Potter men manage it? In Remus's opinion Lily Evans was the best witch he had ever met, they had spent some time together over the years as both were the Gryffindor prefects, and he had thought his friend James was the luckiest man alive when he started dating her. All the marauders had fancied Lily but knew James was besotted with the girl, as soon as they started dating James had confessed that this was the one he was going to marry and not one of his friends doubted that would be the case.

Now Harry had a witch that could rival Lily and was going to marry her in a matter of weeks, Remus couldn't find it in his heart to wish them anything but happiness, if anyone deserved some joy in their lives it was Harry and Hermione.

He then thought about his former head of house and the strange relationship between her and Filius who seemed to follow her every action and word like some lovesick puppy. The image of Minerva in leather leading Filius around by a leash just popped into his head and would require to be bleached or obliviated later, the involuntary full body shudder the image produced drew him back to the present where he realised everyone was watching him.

"I've been in contact with the Italian ministry and their syllabus would appear to be a bit more demanding than Hogwarts" the former heads of house looked at Remus in disbelief, "apparently the purebloods were finding some parts of the curriculum difficult so the ministry had it altered to prevent them being proven to be magically inferior to the mixed and first generation witches and wizards."

Pomona just shook her head, "why am I not surprised?"

Minerva was starting to see things more clearly now that her Dumbledore blinkers were removed, "and Albus just stood back and let them? Are you saying that Hogwarts is producing sub-standard graduates?"

"Yes'" answered Remus, "compared to Europe and the USA, the purebloods tend to stay in Britain where their power base is but the others are forced to move abroad or into the muggle world to find meaningful work. They get there only to find gaps in their education because of bigotry in Britain."

"Do you mean to tell me after paying all that money for Hermione's years at Hogwarts she would have been unable to find work while receiving a sub standard education that would deny her opportunities abroad?" Dan Granger was angry.

"The only answer I can give you is Yes, but as Lady Potter she will have a lot less problems though some will always look down on her, as they do Harry and just about everyone here with the exception of Minerva." Remus was on a roll about his least favourite subject; "Sirius is classes as a blood traitor, me as a dark creature, Pomona and Harry as mixed blood while Filius is mixed race."

'Why are you a dark creature Remus?" Emma asked.

It was Hermione who answered for the embarrassed man, "Remus is a werewolf mum, that means once a month he drinks a potion and curls up in front of the fire in his wolf form. As a precaution he always locks himself away from everyone and turning into an animal is something both Harry and I wish to learn, both Minerva and Sirius have animal forms."

Sirius was quick on the up-take and had seen where Hermione was steering this conversation, tying werewolf transformation to animagus was not correct but if it helped the Grangers come to terms with his friend then he was all for it and Padfoot made an appearance.

Minerva also gave credence to the deception by pouncing on the table in her cat form and prancing over to the Grangers.

"I'm really touched people but there will be no lies here, what Hermione forgot to mention is that while Minerva and Sirius can change there form at will I have no control over mine, the potion I take allows me to retain my mind otherwise I become a beast. I was bitten as a child and have had to live with this most of my life."

Dan got up and made his way over to Remus and held his hand out, "pleased to know you Remus."

Emma thought if Hermione could hug him so could she, so she did, "thanks for looking after these two for us."

It was with moisture in his eyes that Remus continued, "Thanks everybody, now I would like to teach defence and history of magic if that would be ok."

Hermione had a smirk on her face, "now if we can convince Dr Granger and Dr Granger to teach muggle studies that gives us nine core subjects, I don't think we could teach care in this environment and I wont even consider divination. If any students show sign of being a seer then we could reconsider."

"Now here's the big, big question, do we stick with the students we have or accept new admissions? I would like everyone's opinion on it and unlike Albus I would like it to be your opinion." Harry glanced around the table and waited for their first answer.

Pomona decided if she was going to be head then she should get her opinion in first, "I think we should look to take more students but younger than our current intake, this way we build up to OWLs and NEWTs. Some of the younger Hogwarts students may be interested and I would be delighted to offer the new pupils an alternative to Hogwarts."

Minerva was smiling, "I agree with the headmistress, I know of at least one Weasley that was desperate to follow us here."

"There will be no Weasleys attending the Potter Institute!"

The venom in Harry's voice shocked the ex Hogwarts staff even more than the statement though Dan Granger's follow on comment led them to believe there was information that was personal, and it must be bad judging by both reactions.

"Are you sure Harry," asked Dan innocently, "there's a lovely cliff here just begging for a certain red head to be flung off it."

Emma had seen a whole new side to her husband in Gringotts and thought Dan was more than capable of killing the boy who tried to drug their daughter for sex, shit she'd help kill the bastard herself.

Remus signalled to a bemused Sirius that this would be discussed later before adding his opinion, "is there any way to get a hold of the list of children down to attend Hogwarts this summer?"

Minerva sighed, "it was in my old office, I wish I'd thought to lift it."

Dobby chose that moment to appear with Poppy and pulled the list out of one of his precious pockets, "sorry Miss Minnie but you went and forgot this when you left the castle."

The thought of McGonagall as Minnie Mouse cracked Harry and Hermione up, "Dobby you are simply the best!" Harry told his beaming friend as Poppy was welcomed to the group.

-oOoOo-

Draco Malfoy was in trouble, the beating he received at the hands of Longbottom and the mudblood destroying Snape had left him powerless in Slytherin, add to that he hadn't heard from his parents despite the fact he had been sending owls daily since Friday.

Pomfrey had healed him pretty quickly but his godfather didn't look to be leaving the infirmary any time soon, he was going to have to send another owl and not looking forward to explaining to his father how Snape was taken down by a mudblood, at least Longbottom was a proper wizard.

Even Crabbe and Goyle were distancing themselves from him and he would have to keep his wits about him to make it to the end of the week unscathed, thankfully it was end of term on Friday.

-oOoOo-

Snape awoke in a cell and immediately noticed the bandages where his arms ended prematurely; he was going to rip that mudblood's throat out with his teeth.

The ex-potion master felt fear run down his spine, normally when he was this angry he could feel his magic fizzle around his body but there was nothing happening. It was as if there was no magic in his body, trying to raise his occlumency shields brought another shock and a cold sweat to his forehead; he was like an open book.

Snape had spent years perfecting his shields and had reached the point where he could even neutralise the effects of Veritaserum, Dumbledore had better get a move on and arrange his release before the aurors started questioning him.

The death eater was unaware of Dumbledore's new status and that Amelia was en route to his cell with Kingsley, Tonks and a good supply of truth serum.

-oOoOo-

The meeting broke up with Harry and Hermione heading through the château towards their friends and the pool, Dean had finished the t-shirt and held it up for their approval.

Harry put his hand on the shirt and pushed some magic into it, "now that's what I call a t-shirt!" Harry proclaimed.

The rest of them apparently agreed as they stood in awe at the now animated design, showing the Hogwarts express with its wheels turning and smoke belching out the stack. Dumbledore was the driver and as he leaned out the engine a large X appeared over the picture with the words 'taking the P.I.S.S.' superimposed over the design. The back of the shirt proudly proclaimed Potter Institute for Sorcery and Spells.

After Harry cast a duplication spell the unofficial uniform of the institute was born, it would turn heads in Diagon Alley this summer.

-oOoOo-

Albus sat at his desk that was covered in paperwork Minerva would normally have taken care of; it had always been the headmaster's responsibility until he had gladly passed it on to his deputy.

Something caught the attention of the old man and a slight twinkle was back in his eyes for the first time since breakfast. Potter's oath prevented the brat from being a student at Hogwarts, but didn't preclude him from being a contestant.