Harry stared at Neville, stunned for a few moments before he managed to clear his throat. "That's great Neville! I'm so glad that you're my true friend. But, why didn't you respond to the letter that was attached?"
Neville walked over and sat down in a chair to join them. He had Sage on his lap and he kept scratching the wolf under his chin. The little wolf pup wagged his tail in delight and soon began chewing Neville's shirt.
"I'm sorry that I didn't respond Harry," Neville said honestly. "But Gran and I haven't been comfortable using the post lately. We've been using the Floo to communicate, but you aren't hooked up to the Network. I really did want to respond, but then when Sage hatched a couple days ago my hands got real full."
Harry nodded in understanding, making Kex squeal indignantly. "I'm happy that you got one of the eggs Neville. A lot of things have happened lately, and the familiar eggs only got sent to those who are truly my friends."
Neville looked at Harry with a confused expression. He seemed to study Harry for a minute before he shrugged and leaned back into his chair. "I'm all ears, so what happened to you?"
They spend the better part of the next hour going over Harry's tale. Neville and Augusta were surprised when they heard about the fake prophecy, and the fact that it could have meant Neville instead of Harry. When they learned about the marriage contract Augusta had been torn between livid and confused about why Dumbledore would do such a thing.
Harry didn't go into detail about his time in the trunk. He only said that he had been training and was now training Hermione as well. Harry told the story of the attack on Hermione's house when Hermione couldn't bring herself to. Augusta raised an eyebrow when Harry said that Hermione was living with him and that under no circumstances was anyone to know until they had a way to make sure that Dumbledore wouldn't take her away.
"Why don't you take her as your ward?" Augusta asked. "As a Lord, if you take in a ward then you are effectively their magical guardian. Dumbledore would be a fool to try to take her away then."
Harry and Hermione exchanged startled glances. "I hadn't thought about that," Harry admitted. "What do I have to do to take her as my ward?"
Augusta looked very amused at this. "You really must need my help if you do not know how to take on a ward. By doing so you are taking responsibility for her well-being and you will take responsibility should Ms. Granger go rogue and do something illegal."
Hermione looked slightly offended and Harry laughed. "You hear that Hermione? You can't go breaking into the ministry anymore."
Hermione rolled her eyes and gave Harry a small smile. "You do know that when it gets out that I'm your ward there will be a field day at the Prophet right?"
Harry shrugged indifferently and smirked. "Since when did I care about the Prophet?"
"As a Lord of two Houses you would have a lot of power over the Prophet," Hermione murmured to herself.
Augusta watched the exchange with an amused expression. "But you need to know," she warned. "Because Ms. Granger is muggleborn, Dumbledore is her magical guardian. When you accept her as your ward, Dumbledore will be notified."
They hadn't expected that. "But then Dumbledore will know about my parents," Hermione gasped. "And then he'll come and check on me. He'll find out about the attack, and the only way that I'll be able to remain with Harry is if he reveals that he's now Lord Potter-Black."
Augusta nodded in confirmation. "You are correct. Perhaps you should hold off on becoming Lord Potter-Black's ward until it is desperately necessary."
"How do I accept her as my ward?" Harry asked again.
"Pretty much the same oath you would use to employ an elf," Augusta said impassively. "Now, on to business. Teaching you about the ways of the Wizengamot and other Lord responsibilities will be very time consuming. I am prepared to teach you, but I must ask for something in return."
Harry nodded in understanding. "Of course, what can I do for you?"
Augusta looked at Neville pointedly. "I would like you to continue training Neville. You said that you are already training Ms. Granger, and I would like it if you took on Neville as well. I'm asking you to give my grandson a fighting chance in this war."
"Of course I'll train Neville," Harry grinned. "Even if you didn't teach me I would train Neville. We could train Neville then I could have my lessons with you. Is there a more convenient time for us to come?"
"How about this," Augusta said. "You come here to work with Neville in the mornings; we'll even feed you, and in the afternoons I will teach you and Ms. Granger can continue with Neville."
Harry nodded happily. "That sounds perfect. What time tomorrow morning?"
Augusta adjusted her hat before digging through her desk. "I believe 9 will suffice. You may apparate right into the foyer in the morning. Now, I will inform the house elves that we will be having guests every day and what we will require. How long will you be able to come and train Neville?"
"For the rest of summer I guess," Harry said thoughtfully. "I don't really want to spend the rest of summer with the Weasleys, but I don't know how I'm going to tell Dumbledore without him knowing something's up."
Augusta chuckled and pulled out a piece of parchment along with a quill and ink. "I'll write to dear Dumbledore and inform him that Neville has invited you over after your birthday to help him with one of his projects. This way you can spend your birthday at the Weasley's and come over here after. If we start this now, then we can get a little under two months worth of lessons out of the way."
Hermione began chewing her lip in thought while Harry and Augusta discussed details. Two months of training won't be long enough, she thought. We need more time and we need to find the last egg.
Ivy looked up at Hermione with a confused expression. "What are you thinking?"
"We need more time," Hermione mumbled back. "Tell Kex."
Ivy nodded and barked the message over to Kex who nodded in confirmation and pressed his muzzle against Harry's ear.
"Hermione says that we need more time," he whispered. "I think she wants you to tell them about the time rune."
Harry looked over at Hermione hesitantly. She nodded in encouragement and Harry turned his attention back to Augusta and Neville. "We don't think that two months will be enough time to train Neville." Neville slumped slightly, looking crestfallen, but Harry quickly gave him a reassuring smile. "It's not that we don't think you can't do it," he assured him. "It's that there's a lot to do."
Their fellow Gryffindor nodded in understanding. "So how are we supposed to get more time?"
"I inherited my mother's trunk when I got my titles," Harry explained. "The trunk has an apartment inside and a time compression rune. When activated, a day out here equals a month in the trunk. I've been training for seven months and Hermione has been training for a little over three. What if after my birthday we activate the rune and Neville can come and continue training with us in the trunk."
Augusta smiled eagerly. "If you stay in your trunk for three weeks then Neville will get close to two years worth of training." She turned to Neville who still seemed stunned. "It's your decision Neville. Do you want to train with them?"
Neville looked down at Sage who began yipping enthusiastically, making Neville smile. "Yeah, I do."
Hermione began writing in her notebook like mad. "The rune should be recharged by Harry's birthday. But Harry, there's still one thing that we should do. If Neville didn't respond to your letter because the Post is compromised, isn't it possible that the owner of the last familiar egg did the same thing?"
"There's a third egg?" Neville asked Sage who nodded.
"How do you propose we find out Hermione?" Harry asked. "Do you want me to go to every person who I know and ask if they got an egg?"
Hermione scowled and bit her lip in thought. "You said that only your true friends got them. Neville and I got one…could the last egg be with another Gryffindor? I know that Ron or Ginny or any other Weasley didn't get it because I was at their house when I got Ivy. Are you close with anyone else in our house?"
Harry shook his head immediately. "After last year? No way. Nobody believed me, and they all thought I was a nutter. The only ones who stuck by me were you two and most of the Weasleys."
"And Luna," Neville said suddenly. He looked excited and he stood up, nearly knocking Sage on the floor. "What about Luna? She fought with us in the ministry, she couldn't care less about Harry's fame and she's always been supportive in her own…weird way."
Harry looked doubtful. "But I've only known her for a year."
Hermione seemed more thoughtful. "It's possible. Do you know if Luna's house is hooked up to the Floo, or if she's even home?"
Neville kept getting steadily more excited. "She told me that she was spending the summer at home. I've been talking to her every now and then."
Hermione nodded absent-mindedly began petting Ivy. "We should give it a shot then." She turned to Harry who still looked skeptical. "Oh come on Harry. I know that Luna is a bit…well unique. But, she followed you and fought for you. You should at least give her a call just to make sure."
Harry looked between Neville and Hermione before nodding. "It couldn't hurt to call," he agreed.
He was allowed to use Augusta's private Floo network which was located in the study. He watched while Augusta got the fire going and took a small handful of Floo Powder from the jar that was sitting next on the desk.
When the fire was prepared, Augusta stepped back and let Harry lean forward. He called out Luna's name and threw the powder in the fire before he stuck his head in the emerald flames.
Even though he had never been to Luna's house before, he could tell that this was her home. There was what looked like a printing press in the corner with copies of the magazine The Quibbler flying out before neatly stacking. Harry could make out a variety of odd objects that were scattered around the room, but he had no idea what they were.
"Um, Luna Lovegood?" Harry called out tentatively.
There was a faint crash somewhere in the next room. Harry turned to the direction of the noise and waited patiently for someone to come into the room where he was waiting.
He didn't have to wait long. Shortly after the crash a tall man with blond hair and the same eyes as Luna, poked his head into the room. Harry could tell that this was Luna's father just by looking at him. There was ink on the man's yellow robes and he had a somewhat exasperated expression on his face.
"Excuse me sir," Harry said politely. "I'm looking for Luna, is she here?"
The man's eyes drifted to Harry's scar and he smiled. "She is here Mister Potter. I will go fetch her for you."
"Thank you Mister Lovegood."
Mister Lovegood smiled and he disappeared again. Harry waited for a few more minutes and he felt his knees start to ache.
Just when Harry felt his knees begin to grow numb, he heard a door close and a soft screech echo through the house. Less than a few moments later, Luna came skipping into the room.
"Why hello Harry," she said in her dream-like voice. "You look well."
"Um thank you Luna," Harry responded. "I was wondering if you had gotten something from me a week ago," he continued hesitantly.
Luna smiled and crouched down in front of the fire. "Oh you mean the familiar egg? I have been meaning to respond to your letter, but the nargles keep making me forget."
Harry gasped in surprise and choked on a mouthful of ash. "You got the last egg?"
Luna nodded dug her hand into her pocket. There was another small screech and Luna pulled out a tiny light gray ball of fluff. "This is Fay; she hatched a couple of days ago."
"What is she?" Harry asked.
Judging by the small, stubby wings, Harry concluded that Fay was a bird. Fay's beak was a yellowish-black and was longer than an owl's, her talons were black and still looked rather dull, but it were her eyes that Harry noticed more. The little bird's eyes were the exact same shade of silvery-gray as Luna's, and they seemed to retain the same curious expression that Luna's always had.
Luna put Fay back in her pocket. "Fay is a peregrine falcon. I was hoping that she would be a crumpled horned snorkack, but a falcon is nice too."
Fay poked her head out of Luna's pocket and chirped something that Harry couldn't understand.
"Why did you name her Fay?" Harry asked curiously.
"Fay is a typical fairy name," Luna said simply. "Nothing else seemed to fit her. So what is your familiar?"
Harry grinned; leave it to Luna to get right to the point. "His name is Kex, he's a pine marten."
Luna nodded like she was only partially listening. "And what about Hermione and Neville?"
"How did you know they got the other eggs?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"Fay told me that there were three other eggs, and I knew that you got one of them. Plus I identified the charm that sent me Fay's egg as a type of Loyalty Charm, quite an impressive piece of spell work."
Harry laughed and began to feel the rush of warmth that he assorted with knowing who your real friends were. "I'd like to talk to you in person if I can. Right now I'm at Longbottom Manor with Hermione and Neville, do you think you could come over so I can talk to you in person."
Luna nodded and smiled. "I do imagine that you are awfully uncomfortable."
"I am," Harry admitted. "Let me just check with Mrs. Longbottom to make sure that it's okay, I'll have Hermione send you a patronus message when it's clear."
When Luna nodded again, Harry pulled his head out of the fireplace and stood up to brush the ash off of his robes.
"Would it be alright if Luna came over so we could talk to her as well?" Harry asked Augusta.
Augusta smirked knowingly towards her grandson and nodded. "Are you going to offer to train her along with Neville?"
"Of course," Harry said immediately. He turned to Hermione and Neville and gave them a big smile. "Luna got the last egg."
Neville's smile, if possible, got even bigger. "That's great Harry! Now all the eggs will be reunited."
Sage yipped happily from his spot on Neville's chair. Neville suddenly blushed and turned to face Sage.
"No she's not!" he stuttered embarrassedly to the grinning wolf pup.
"'She's not' what Neville?" Augusta teased.
Neville blushed even harder and mumbled a soft 'nothing'.
Harry laughed and turned to Hermione. "Could you send Luna a patronus message?"
Hermione nodded and sent another patronus message to Luna. They waited for a couple of minutes until a familiar emerald flame erupted in the fireplace and Luna stepped out without appearing phased by the trip at all.
"Hello everyone," she said happily when she brushed off the ash from her robes. She walked right over and took an empty seat next to Neville who was still beaming. "Is this your familiar Neville?" she asked while she gently scratched Sage behind his ears.
"Yup," Neville said happily. "This is Sage. Where's your familiar Luna?"
Luna smiled and pulled Fay out of her pocket. "This is Fay, she's a peregrine falcon. She's still too small to keep her balance on my shoulder so she's staying in my pocket until she's bigger." Fay nodded in agreement and jumped into Luna's lap where she made herself Fay was comfortable, Luna turned to Hermione and smiled at Ivy. "So your familiar is a fox? That's fitting."
Ivy and Hermione exchanged a glance, unsure whether or not they should be offended by that comment. "This is Ivy," Hermione introduced. Ivy barked in greeting and Fay screeched in return.
"Why did you name her Ivy?" Luna asked.
Hermione smiled fondly at Ivy who sat taller in pride. "One of Harry's house elves, Winky, she saved my life and I wanted to thank her. So when Ivy hatched, I named her after Winky's mother."
Luna and Fay exchanged a quick glance. "That was very sweet of you," Luna said softly.
While the four friends quickly caught up and Harry explained to Luna everything that had been happening, Augusta summoned Tippy and sent her for more refreshments.
Harry took another sip of water and looked at Luna and Neville with a serious expression. "I want to train you guys, but you need to know that it'll be hard and you won't see your families for a long time when we go in the trunk."
Luna looked a little sad, but shook her head. "Daddy would be able to manage for himself for three weeks. I'll be sad to not see him for so long, but this is an opportunity that I can pass up."
Harry looked at Neville who had his hands balled into fists. "I'm going to keep training until I take out Bellatrix Lestrange. I don't want her to tear apart another family ever again."
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Augusta quickly wipe away a tear. Harry turned his attention back to Neville and Luna. "Okay, here's the plan then. Until my birthday, Hermione and I will apparate here in the morning at 9 to train. In the afternoon, I'll work with Mrs. Longbottom and Hermione can keep working with you guys. After my birthday, we'll go into the trunk for three weeks and continue training."
Hermione suddenly looked a little anxious. "The only thing that we're worried about is Dumbledore trying to stop you Harry from spending those three weeks with Neville."
Augusta scoffed and finished her letter to Dumbledore. "Don't worry; let me take care of Dumbledore. Even he knows better than to argue with the head of an Ancient House. I may not be a Lord, but I'm still governing all Longbottom affairs until Neville comes of age and I hold a considerable amount of power."
Hermione didn't look completely reassured, but she didn't say anything else. Instead she turned to Luna who was beginning to hum 'Weasley is out king'. "So will you join us Luna?"
Luna turned her attention towards Hermione and nodded. "Oh yes, Fay and I will join you. Would it be acceptable if we Floo here Mrs. Longbottom?"
Augusta nodded but didn't say anything.
Harry felt Kex crawl down his front and curl up in Harry's lap. Neville and Luna looked between Kex and Ivy before they looked back at their own familiars.
"Is the reason why Kex and Ivy fully grown because of the time rune?" Luna asked interestedly.
"Yes," Harry responded. "It took them about two weeks to catch up to us."
Hermione suddenly looked excited like she had pieced together a puzzle. "They must have all hatched at the same time," she said excitedly. "Because Sage and Fay only look like they're a few days old, and Ivy and Kex are a few months old. Ivy and Kex hatched at the same time, so why not Sage and Fay? That means that our familiars are bonded to each other as well as ourselves. Ivy and Kex would still be babies, but because of the time rune they hatched months ago so they finished growing."
Luna nodded in understanding. "Maybe you will be able to start flying by next week," she told Fay. Fay chirped excitedly and flapped her stubby wings a couple of times. "She says that she can't wait," Luna translated.
The four friends laughed and talked while Augusta sent Tippy with the letter to Dumbledore. None of them wanted to speak to Dumbledore, but the details had to be taken care of.
Less than a couple minutes later, there was a bright flash above Augusta's desk and Fawkes the phoenix flew elegantly around the room. He dropped the letter on the desk and perched on Harry's chair.
"Hi Fawkes, how are ya doing?" Harry asked.
The phoenix let out a soft note, but he looked sad and tired. Judging by the color of his feathers, Fawkes didn't seem to be approaching a burning day, but they still seemed very dull. The phoenix's eyes were dull as well, as if they were terribly tired.
Harry opened his mouth to console the phoenix when Augusta gave a shout of anger and slam the letter down on the desk.
"He's trying to order me to rescind the invitation," she yelled.
Harry glared at the letter and quickly grabbed it to read for himself.
Dear Mrs. Longbottom,
I am afraid that I must encourage you to rescind the invitation that you have given Harry, which was without my permission. Harry is safe at his home and the Weasley's home is guarded as well. I am afraid that your home will not provide sufficient protection for young Harry. If Harry stays with you, then there is the possibility that Voldemort will attack your home, and you wouldn't want your grandson to possibly get injured would you? Harry will be spending the remainder of the holiday after his birthday with the Weasley's. I am disappointed that you did not discuss this with me before contacting Harry. He would surely prefer spending the holidays with his best friend anyway.
Please do not make any plans for Harry again without first consulting me,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry felt the letter shake in his hands, he was so angry. He looked up at Fawkes accusingly, but the phoenix sighed and seemed to lose even more color in his feathers.
"You aren't happy with Dumbledore either are you Fawkes?" Harry asked softly.
Fawkes hesitated for a moment before shaking his head slowly. He chirped softly and sadly.
Luna was watching the phoenix with a mildly surprised expression on her face. "What do you mean that he has plans for Harry?"
Everyone, except Fay, looked at Luna in surprise. Hermione seemed to find her voice first, although it came out more like a stutter. "Luna, did you just understand what Fawkes said?"
"Yes," Luna responded, just as surprised as everyone else. "I've always understood animals fairly well, but I've never understood them as clearly as I just did with Fawkes."
Harry looked to Hermione worriedly. "You okay Hermione? You're looking a little pale."
Hermione looked at Harry and seemed to hesitate before nodding. "I'm fine, I'm just thinking."
Harry frowned but didn't press on. "So what should we respond?" he asked Augusta.
The older witch was already writing something on a new piece of parchment. "I am merely responding that Albus has no right to say where you can and cannot physically stay. A magical guardian only has influence over matters including magic. This is simply a matter of where you are spending the rest of your summer. In order to make this effective though Lord Potter-Black, you will need to go get written consent from your aunt or uncle to stay here."
Harry nodded and put Kex down on his chair while he stood up. "I'll go get that now, Petunia should be home and she'll sign anything that'll get me out of the house." He gave everyone a sarcastically cheerful grin and apparated away.
As soon as Harry was gone, Kex leapt over to Hermione and climbed on her shoulder while Neville and Luna gaped at where Harry had just vanished.
"Did Harry just apparate?" Neville asked in disbelief.
Hermione nodded and sat back in her chair comfortably. "That wasn't wizard apparition though."
"That was goblin apparition," Luna answered for her.
Neville still looked stunned. "Where did Harry learn goblin apparition?"
Hermione fidgeted somewhat uncomfortably. "That's really for Harry to tell."
They waited patiently for Harry, who returned five minutes later holding an old piece of parchment looking rather pleased with himself.
He handed the parchment to Augusta and sat back down in his chair. He laughed when Kex leapt back at him and climbed back on his shoulder. "Petunia was more than willing to sign the thing if it got me out of her house."
While Harry looked happy with the statement, Hermione looked furious. "I can't believe how they treat you Harry! They are so terrible, how could anyone put a child in their care?"
Harry looked uncomfortable at Hermione's sudden outburst. "It's okay Mione'," he assured her. "They may be my family in blood, but that doesn't mean anything to me. Don't worry about the Dursleys; they aren't worth getting upset over."
Hermione still looked angry, but she didn't say anything else.
"Anyway," Augusta said, breaking the silence. "I'll kindly respond to Dumbledore telling him that I have written consent from his guardians, and that he has no right to overturn their decision. If he tries anything funny, like possibly modifying their memories, I'll personally take care of it."
She finished writing the letter and rolled it up with a copy of Petunia's consent form. After sealing it, she handed it to Harry who moved to hand the letter to Fawkes.
"Please don't let Dumbledore know that I was here," Harry asked the phoenix. "I don't want him to try anything."
Fawkes nodded in understanding and disappeared in another flash of light.
When the light cleared, Harry turned to Neville and Luna. "We can start training tomorrow, but there's one condition before we start."
"What is it Harry?" Neville asked.
Harry stood up and gave his other two, true friends a sly grin. "We have to make a quick shopping trip, and it's my treat."
chapter 10
The four friends left Knockturn Alley later that day with two new wands for Neville and Luna. Because Harry had finished his goblin training, he was able to apparate all of his friends in front of the store without any problems.
Neville had been chosen by birch wood with an oriental dragon scale. Oriental dragon scales were incredibly rare and had a lot of magical power, but it had to be tapped into. He ended up choosing a piece of azurite for his gem in order to help him focus his power better. Eric told him that his wand told him that Neville had much magical potential, but it had yet to be tapped.
Luna's wand was unique as well. She was chosen by a piece of hazel wood and had chosen a piece of calcite to help her increase her magical power. But, it was her wand core that was the strangest of all.
They were told that in America there was a wand core that was so rare that it hadn't been used in hundreds of years. There was an old legend of a powerful spirit who could navigate through one's dreams, offering advice and guidance and could become corporeal to help those in need. These creatures were incredibly rare and thought to be extinct in America. Eric nearly had a heart attack when the small feather that had been collecting dust in the box for almost forty years had chosen Luna.
Luna had been chosen by a spirit owl feather. Though it didn't have the same magical power as her friend's wands, what it lacked in power it made up for in cunning and stealth. Between the hazel wood, the calcite and the spirit owl feather, Luna had a wand that would make her a force to be reckoned with.
After the wands and holsters had been paid for, Harry and Hermione took Neville and Luna to the trunk to show them around. After they had toured the library and gotten a tutorial on the library directory, Harry showed Neville and Luna where they would be staying after his birthday.
There were two rooms left, but Harry felt a little hesitant about giving away Zux's old room. It felt weird to consider anyone else living in there; Harry hadn't even reversed the magic that shortened all of the furniture in the room.
Hermione sensed Harry's sadness and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He wouldn't want you to board off his old room," she whispered.
Harry nodded in agreement and quickly cleared his throat. "This room isn't ready just yet," he explained to Neville and Luna. "I'll have Dobby and Winky take care of it before we start."
By the time they finished the tour it was getting close to dinner time. Harry took them back to Neville's house where Luna would Floo home.
"I'll see you at 9 tomorrow," Luna said when she grabbed a handful of Floo powder and disappeared in the fireplace.
After bidding farewell to Neville and Augusta, Harry and Hermione apparated back to the trunk separately with their tired familiars in their hands.
When they landed in the training room, they looked at each other for a moment before turning to walk to their rooms. Hermione got to her door first and hesitated in the doorway. Harry saw her hesitate and stopped to wait for her to say something.
After a couple of moments Hermione turned towards him, and Harry was shocked to see that there were tears in her eyes.
"H-Hermione," Harry stuttered uncomfortably. "Are you okay?"
Hermione started to nod before she stopped and shook her head. "I feel terrible Harry, you've been so great to me, and I feel like I've been incredibly rude to you lately. I just want you to know how sorry I am."
Harry smiled sadly and took Hermione's hand in his own. "You've been through a lot; I don't expect you to be over it after a few months. I probably could have done something to make it easier for you though."
"You've done everything," Hermione whispered. She hastily wiped her eyes and opened the door to her room. "I don't like being rude to you Harry, but it's still hard for me sometimes. I'm sorry for refusing to touch you earlier."
"After what you went through its okay," he said instantly. "If there's anything I can do to help name it."
Hermione shook her head and began to enter her room. "Thanks Harry, but this is something that I feel I need to do on my own."
She gave one last apologetic look and stepped into her room. Harry watched sadly while Hermione closed the door and he tiredly walked towards his own room. The next day was going to be busy.
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office with his head in his hands while he thought of a way to prevent Harry from going to the Longbottom's after his birthday. After Augusta had sent a reply with Fawkes that contained a consent form from Petunia Dursley, Albus had taken to his office to think of a way to insure that Harry went to the Weasley's. The reason why it was taking him so long to come up with a game plan was because Albus was probably going to need to do something illegal, and modify at least six memories.
He sighed and stood up. "It's for the greater good," he told Fawkes, who was sitting on his perch. "Harry will not be safe at the Longbottom's; I am doing this for him as well."
Fawkes screeched irritably and shook his head.
Without listening to the phoenix, Albus walked over to his fireplace and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder. He was about to throw the powder into the fire when there was a knock on his office door. Quickly, he threw the powder back into the pot and sat down behind his desk.
"Come in," he called calmly.
The door opened and Minerva McGonagall stepped. She was wearing her usual green witch's hat, and she was clutching a piece of parchment in her hand.
Albus smiled warmly and leaned back in his chair. "What can I do for you today Minerva?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow at Albus and held out the piece of parchment she was holding. "I just came to inform you that Augusta Longbottom has sent a letter to most of the Order informing them of her plans to have Harry stay with her and Neville after Harry's birthday. She assured us that her house was protected, but wanted to make sure that the Order members knew."
"How many Order members did she inform?" Dumbledore asked angrily.
"I don't know," Minerva replied suspiciously. "Augusta is not an active part of the Order, but she does know who is in it."
Albus gritted his teeth. I cannot modify half of the Order's memories, he thought angrily. Augusta must have suspected that I would do something to assure that Harry follows my plans, but how?
"Albus?" Minerva asked concernedly. "Are you alright?"
Albus quickly wiped the scowl off of his face and replaced it with a pleasant smile. "Of course Minerva. I will speak with Mrs. Longbottom about some security measures immediately."
Minerva quickly shook her head and passed the parchment to Albus. "I have already inspected the security. It is even better than the protections at the Weasley home."
With hands that were shaking slightly with anger, Albus leaned forward and took the parchment from Minerva's hand.
Dear Minerva,
I am writing to inform you that young Harry Potter will be staying with my grandson and myself after his birthday for the remainder of the summer. I have sent a letter informing a large number of Order members to let them know. If you have the time, would you please come over to my house just to make sure that the protection charms are acceptable, I do not wish to bother Albus with this.
Thank you,
Augusta Longbottom
Albus looked up from the parchment and glared slightly at Minerva. "Are the protections acceptable?" he asked in a low tone.
Minerva took the parchment back, surprised at Albus' tone. "Yes, the house is under a Fidelius Charm and it has numerous protective wards on it. It's safer than the Weasley home and quite frankly, safer than Grimmauld Place. Harry will be fine there."
"Why was I not informed of this?" Albus demanded.
"I assumed that you knew," Minerva said dryly. "At any rate, the house is secure and there is no reason for Harry to not spend the remainder of the holiday there."
"He would surely prefer the Weasley's," Albus said.
Minerva shrugged stiffly and turned to leave. "Mr. Longbottom is his friend as well Albus. Harry will surely enjoy spending the holiday with him as well."
She didn't wait for a reply. Without a word, she walked out of the room, leaving a seething Albus Dumbledore behind.
Harry and Hermione had a decent routine going for the next few weeks before Harry's birthday. In the morning they would wake up and be ready by 7, mainly by habit, and they would do some light physical training to warm up. When it reached 9, they would apparate right to the Longbottom Manor and work with Neville and Luna while the familiars watched.
Training with Neville and Luna was enjoyable, but Harry and Hermione didn't have the time to learn anything new themselves. They still had the goblin made weapons that Zux had decided to leave behind. Neville had taken a liking to a broader sword than Harry, but was also quite adept at using a shield as well. Luna worked well with a Chinese sword breaker. A Chinese sword breaker is a thin, yet sturdy sword that, if used properly, could not only break swords, but also pierce armor.
Because Harry and Hermione didn't have much experience with the weapons that Neville and Luna had chosen, they helped the two with the basics and Neville and Luna would research the rest in Harry's library.
Harry focused a lot on physical training as well as weapons training in the morning. He knew that Hermione was more than capable to work with Neville and Luna on spells in the afternoon without him, but Hermione still needed some physical and weapons training herself.
Because of the short amount of time, Harry put most of his energy into learning the ways of the Wizengamot from Augusta. The level of politics and manipulation that were involved with the Wizengamot were enough to make Harry's head hurt. Because he was the Lord of two houses, Harry held two seats, both of which were currently being occupied by Albus Dumbledore. When Harry made an announcement about his claiming the two titles, he would not only be able to take his seats back, he would also be able to revote on every issue that Dumbledore had voted on while using Harry's seats.
What Augusta couldn't teach him, Harry learned from his library. There were a great deal of books about the Potter House in the trunk library, but Harry hadn't gone to Grimmauld Place yet to inspect the library there. There was a deep history in the Potter House, and Harry became very proud about the fact that he was the first half-blood in the Potter House in centuries.
The last half-blood Potter had been a child born out of wedlock. The Potter head had an affair with a muggle-born witch and she ended up getting pregnant. Even though the child had carried the name Potter, the child was a girl and changed her name after marriage. She was not a recognized Potter though, it turned out that even Harry's family was prejudiced about muggle-borns and half-bloods until Harry's grandparents were Lord and Lady Potter.
Augusta was confident that Harry would know enough about the Wizengamot and the basics about the Ancient Houses by the time he turned 16, which was getting closer and closer. Soon it was a week before Harry's birthday, and Harry had received a letter from Ron inviting Harry over for his birthday. As soon as Harry had read the letter, he had gotten very angry and he was too furious to even finish that days training.
Harry sat on his bed in his room with the letter clutched in his hand and Kex saying rude things about Ron. Even though the pine marten had never met the Weasley before, he disliked Ron on principle that the weasel had taken advantage of Harry. They sat in Harry's room by themselves until there was a light and timid knock on the door.
"Come in Hermione," Harry called tiredly.
The door opened and Hermione stuck her head in while Ivy sprinted in and tried to climb onto the bed. "How did you know it was me?" Hermione asked curiously.
Harry gave her a small smile. "Your knock is always lighter and softer than Dobby's or Winky's. Do you need something?"
Hermione returned the smile and walked over to the bed. She picked Ivy up and sat down at the end of the bed. "I just wanted to see if you were okay. You've been quiet ever since you got the letter."
"He's openly mocking both me and Neville in the letter," Harry said acidly. "He thinks that I'll come to my senses after the party. I agreed to a party at the Weasley's, but they think that I won't want to leave." He tossed the letter to Hermione, "read it," he growled.
Hermione looked anxiously at the piece of parchment before she unrolled it and tried to read Ron's messy scrawl.
Hey mate,
Mum tells me that you're spending the summer with Neville after your birthday. Are you nuts? Why on earth would you want to spend the summer with Neville? Don't you see enough of him during the school year? Mum told us that you already agreed to go to Neville's house, but don't worry, we'll talk to Neville so you won't have to go. You're too good a guy mate, you don't have to give Neville a pity visit. The guys spent, what 15 summers with no friends, so what's one more?
No worries, we'll get you out of it. Your best mate,
Ron
"That…."Hermione stuttered, too furious to think of something to say. "How can he say this about Neville? Neville has been nothing but a friend to him!"
Harry nodded in agreement. "I'm worried about the party. If Dumbledore is there, what's stopping him from doing something to make sure that I do what he wants? Maybe I should call the party off, we can have a party here in the trunk."
Hermione immediately shook her head and passed the letter back. "You have to keep the appearance of naïve teenager. By staying with Neville, you're already pushing it, but if you decline the Weasley's party then Dumbledore will begin to suspect something."
"Why can't everyone just leave me alone?" Harry asked desperately.
When Hermione couldn't find an answer, Kex crawled into Harry's lap and offered some quiet comfort. They all sat there in silence while they each considered just what Dumbledore would do to retain control over Harry.
Finally, Hermione couldn't take the silence anymore. She put Ivy on the bed and crawled over so she was sitting next to Harry. When she was sitting comfortably next to him, she put her arm around his waist and put her head on his shoulder. Kex and Ivy smirked at the two, but didn't say anything.
"Nothing that has happened to you is fair," Hermione whispered. "But I can promise you that we won't let Dumbledore manipulate you anymore. We care about you too much."
Harry blushed slightly. He looked at Hermione who was blushing as well, but neither of them pulled away. "What if you can't stop him?" he whispered fearfully. "He could force me to listen to him, through magic or just by trying to keep you out of the way again. Hermione, you as well as Neville and Luna are in danger from Dumbledore almost as much as from Voldemort. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to you."
Hermione pulled Harry into a tight hug. "I'm not leaving you. We'll work hard so that neither Dumbledore nor V-Voldemort can hurt us anymore. We won't let them hurt you anymore….I won't let them hurt you anymore."
Harry blushed even harder and returned the hug. "Thank you," he mumbled into her bushy hair.
The two were so focused on each other that they never noticed the grinning familiars exiting the room and closing the door as much as they could behind them. That night Harry took comfort in knowing that he was not alone. That night Harry felt like the protected instead of the protector.