609Harry Potter and the Odd Rebellion
**OO**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
This story is dedicated to General Mac - no canon rails here.
The M rating is for occasional adult-level violence and small bits of horror. No lemons, limes or anything like unto it.
There is mention of child abuse and past assaults, but there will be nothing graphic. No slash relationships for the main characters, but will be referred to.
Thanks to Alix33 for her eagle-eye. Your help is much appreciated!
**OO**
Welcome to the fireside.
**OO**
Chapter 1 - A New World Awaits
Harry was tired and hungry, and begged the gentle giant for a break to eat something. He had money for the first time ever, even if it was an odd currency to him.
The large man was chagrined – he'd only bought the boy an ice cream all day, no water even. He wouldn't treat an animal that way! He immediately apologized, and asked at the bar for a private place to sit and eat. Harry had been mobbed enough for the day.
Hagrid didn't notice that Harry only ordered a small cup of stew for dinner, and tore up the roll carefully before eating it with the gravy.
Harry thought it a feast. It was so delicious!
When Hagrid left for a moment, Harry took the opportunity of Tom coming into the private dining room to ask him a question.
"I saw the sign that said you rent rooms here, sir. Could I? I mean, do I have to be an adult?" Harry asked quietly. He didn't want to return to the Dursleys!
This was a very common request. One that allowed Tom to help those not yet entangled with any Hogwarts contract.
"Aye lad, anyone with the coin can, and ye surely do. I can put you on the third floor if you like. A tad more expensive, but nicer. Quieter than our regular rooms. Comes with breakfast too." he quoted a price until a September first checkout knowing that Tom had until then to find alternative education for the lad.
Harry smiled and gave him the money. "Please, say nothing to anyone."
Tom winked, "Not wanting to go back to yer muggles? Don't blame ye. I'll have yer trunk moved up there, and yer owl."
The lovely avian perked up at that. Perhaps she'd be escaping this cage to hunt soon! Her boy had given her water and pellets, but it wasn't the same as a nice juicy mouse.
More than one muggleborn or muggle-raised had no interest in returning to an abusive relationship due to the child having magic. Monsters! And poor Harry was far too small, and in rags.
Hagrid returned, and Harry continued asking questions of the gentle giant. The more he learned, the more confused he was. If his parents were both magical, why had he been dumped on Petunia's doorstep? She didn't want him, and never had!
Suddenly there was a misty grey animal there. It appeared to talk to Hagrid, but Harry could hear nothing.
"Dumbledore wants me to do sommat for him. If I put ye on the train to Little Whinging, can ye get back on yer own, Harry?"
The boy smiled. "Of course, Hagrid. In fact, I remember how to get to the station from here. You go, and I'll finish up. I can pay for it."
"No need to pay, that's already done. Thank ye, Harry. Yer a good lad." The man patted his shoulder, wiped a tear. "It's really been good to see ye again lad. I haven't seen ye since Dumbledore and I left ye with yer Auntie. Great man, Dumbledore."
Harry saw the man's beetle black eyes go dim as he said that phrase in rather a monotone. It made the hairs on Harry's arms stand up.
Harry frowned for a brief moment and stood, trying to cover up his discomfort. "It was nice to meet you too. See you around."
Harry wondered if the puff of grey mist had been a message. And what was that about Dumbledore? Odd.
**OO**
Blast! He was too late. Everyone was excited that the Boy-Who-Lived had been seen, and he had planned on greeting the boy, but no. He'd been called in unexpectedly for a Governor's meeting.
Narcissa knew what this opportunity meant for them! For their family, but due to the headmaster's interference, he was released too late to meet him.
Such timing had to be planned.
Well, Lucius could make his own plans. Dumbledore had 'suggested' that soon would be a terrible time for the Dark Lord to appear. Which, in Albus' deranged directives, had Lucius understanding he was given orders to get the Dark Lord back from the dead. And he did have something in his possession that might do it, too.
But who to plant it on? Someone new to magic wouldn't have a chance! But the suggestion had implied that.
No! He wouldn't do that to a child! Couldn't do that to a child!
Who was a magically aware wizard who was also sending children to Hogwarts this year? Of course! Plan made, he needed to arrange a small encounter in the Alley or bookstore.
A secret member of ODD, he would not publicly attend any meeting, but he was more than willing to help defeat the darkest dark lord of their time.
**OO**
With Hagrid gone, Tom walked Harry up to his room. He couldn't help but notice the dusty rags the boy wore.
"There's a second hand store nearby that has a lot of decent clothes for sale. It appears that you've been working hard. Nothing wrong with that. But for a lot less than new, you can get yerself a few good sets of clothes for school. Don't want people thinking Potters are paupers now." Tom suggested.
"Thank you, sir. I'll do that." Harry shook the man's hand, and went to set out the owl's perch. "It's okay to do this here, right?"
"Oh sure. And if yer bird gets hungry, he'll go hunting."
Harry didn't bother to correct the man about the owl's gender; instead just turned to get out his school books and arrange them on the desk that faced the window. The man knocked his wand on the wall, and a bookshelf appeared.
"Wicked! I haven't seen a lot of magic yet." Harry shared.
The man then tutted over Harry's History book. "They gave you the wrong edition lad. Not to worry. If'n yer willing, I'll exchange this for the correct one. Alright?"
"Thank you, sir. I didn't know. I don't know anything yet. I just got my letter late last night. Found out I'm a wizard."
"What? No tutors this summer at all? I would have thought that someone on yer old lands would have been tapped to teach ya. Most heirs have at least a bit of a head-start. Though it's mostly theory. Don't want to go hurting anyone's magical core 'o course. Well, I best get back. You should think about visiting yer home if ye haven't been there yet."
"Home? I have a home?" The glimmer of hope that conjured in the boy's voice made Tom very upset about what their hero had gone through these last ten years.
"O' course ye do lad! Potter Manor in Wales! Famous for magical creatures. Your family partners with the Greengrasses. Gotta be careful with that lot though. Not the Lord, but some of his cousins are Death Eaters!"
Tom left, leaving a stunned Harry. He debated sending a letter to Hagrid, but clearly, the man thought he should live with 'his muggles'. Why? If he had a house, even if it were the size of a garden shed, Harry would rather live there than with the Dursleys!
As the bird flew off to hunt, Harry started with a random book that wasn't history. Potions. Harry actually enjoyed cooking and thought he'd be good at this art. Good. In the morning, he'd go get himself some new used clothes. He'd try to see about a tutor, or better yet.
Find a way to get to Wales!
**OO**
The next day, Harry had an early breakfast at the bar, and asked Tom questions while he was working.
"I need a name for my owl. I was going through my potions text last night. I was thinking about calling her Dittany…"
A small green being popped into place, "Is Master Harry calling for me? Dittany not sure if she should come, you not being Mistress Lily."
She turned her head, as though hearing something else, and popped away.
"What was that?" Harry asked, "I don't think naming the owl that name would be a good idea."
Tom shared it was a house-elf, and the few people there started suggesting names. One tough green skinned being suggested one. Harry was not going to use Eargit the Ugly! A male name. It was interesting to learn a bit of goblin humor though.
A very pale man, just getting off shift who appeared to be scowling at the light starting to peep through the blinds at the windows cleared his throat. He'd been eating a very rare steak before he went to bed. He suggested, "Saint Hedwig, patroness of orphans. All children should be protected."
Tom handed over the promised replacement text, and showed Harry the passage. The goblin stuffed the 'wrong' book in a plain metal box.
Harry turned from the naming advisor, and looked at his new pet. The owl sitting on his shoulder seemed to nod and accept that name.
"Thank you, sir!" Harry offered to pay for the man's breakfast, which he accepted with a grunt and a bit of a wan smile.
After that, Harry went back into the Alley for a bit. No one thought anything of Harry taking the now named Hedwig with him.
**OO**
"That was close." Tom whispered to Spurnik.
"I am in your debt." The goblin shared. Keeping his client clear of the Headmaster's strings would be a difficult task. Especially with no way to contact him.
"Just get me some more books. I have missed some of the muggleborn, but I am trying." Tom promised; his diction, under the privacy spell, was completely different from his normal way of speaking.
"This is not your remit, and you have done well. See you next meeting." Spurnik made his 'O.D.D.' ring show for a moment as did Tom, and they went about their own duties for the day.
**OO**
"Dittany? Who called you away?"
"Master Harry, Master. But Dittany unsure if he was calling or not. He not remembering Dittany."
"It's been many years since he's last seen you. How was he?"
"Alive, but tiny tiny. Headwhiskers lying to you about hims being well cared for. Dittany tells Juniper now. She be listening for hims too. Just in case."
The pale man nodded. He had plans with his wife later. They had eloped to Gretna Green after her graduation. Then her father imperiused her to marry Lucius Malfoy, ignoring her vows. Pollux Black had died soon afterwards, but in the eyes of the magical world, she was Lucius Malfoy's wife.
Of course, that couple lived together, but Lucius was in love and bonded to someone else. Severus' son and heir was being raised in their home, and Severus thought Draco safer there than here in the castle. He was not going to make one step towards House Prince until the conflict was over.
He made potions for ODD, and kept his ears open. He would not openly defy the old man unless in defense of his own or Lily's child.
He and Lily had reconciled after fifth year, but the fiery redhead made it clear that she was not in love with Severus. That he needed to move on to someone else who could give him the love he needed. Craved.
For all the rest of her life though, Lily was a true friend. They had brewed together at times before she was murdered. At least he had followed her advice; Narcissa had been a great comfort to him after her death.
Now, Severus often helped muggleborn get away from Britain after OWLs, using the legacy that Lily had given him for his own shop.
Lucius could set him up in business once it was safe to do so. For now, it was a matter of saving as many magicals as he could. One family at a time if need be.
**OO**
After getting clothes that fit, and a hat that hid his scar and distinctive hair, Harry went to try and find out about magical transport. He could try to take trains and buses to Wales, if he had the address. The problem was, he didn't know who to ask for help.
Finally, in the bookstore, a young girl with bushy hair overheard him asking questions.
"Ooh, I know that. It was in my 'Introduction to the Wizarding World' book that Professor McGonagall brought me back last September on my birthday. I was ever so excited to find out I was a witch. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger."
"Pleasure to meet you, Hermione. I'm Harry. I don't want to say my full name too loudly. Are you willing to help me? You seem familiar with my ignorance, and I would love your help. I think I don't know how to ask the right questions, because I just found out yesterday that I'm a wizard."
The girl beamed, happy to help someone who was willing to listen. Too often in the past people had asked her for help, only wanting her to do their work for them. Urg! Not this time.
"I was told there might be someone who could tutor me, if I can only get there." Harry explained.
Hermione's eyes went wide. A magical tutor? All of her spells had worked just fine for her, but she knew once she came home from school that she couldn't do magic at home anymore. Stupid rules.
She hesitated. Both of her parents worked during the day, and they had no problem with her taking the tube to the Alley on her own. She really should ask first, but as long as they took the Knight Bus, and stayed away from dodgy places at night…
"I need to make a phone call first. But if I can get permission, we could try to find it together." She gushed excitedly. Pulling up short, she suddenly remembered her manners, "Oh please Harry! Can I come too? I'm so excited about learning magic!"
"Sure! Why not? And it would be great to go. You know. With a friend?" Harry had meant that to be a statement, but it came out a question.
This young witch just smiled at him, "Of course! I would love to have a friend!"
"Me too." Harry managed to squeak out. That earned him his first ever Hermione-hug.
Harry escorted her out of the Alley, waving at Tom as he went. Hedwig would be fine. A public phone wasn't far.
Permission granted, now having a clue of approximately where to go, a map of Wales purchased from a local shop (Harry promised to pay Hermione back now that he knew he could exchange money), and away they went.
First stop, Potter Manor.
**OO**
Remus Lupin was very grateful to Albus Dumbledore for allowing him to get an education at Hogwarts. He was also very grateful to Charlus Potter who paid for his double-mastery in Magical Creatures and Defense.
He put the education to work immediately at Potter Manor, where Remus was first hired as a helper, then Head of the Magical Creatures Division of Potter's Potente Potions.
Jam, a Potter elf, and past pranking partner popped in. Remus was tired, and needed a break. He was alliterating again.
"Master Moony sir! Wonderful news! Master Harry at the gate! Livy welcoming him, and giving him a tour!" The elf then popped back, presumably to his duties.
With Harry here, they could break the stasis on the manor! That was wonderful! But it also meant there was a chance for an unwanted visitor. That had to be dealt with instantly.
Remus patted the mare he'd been checking, soothing her ruffled feathers and wiping his hands on a cleaning cloth. Her pregnancy was proceeding apace. Wait. Harry here?
Dumbledore had gone on and on about the importance of keeping Harry with the muggles, and therefore ignorant of his inheritance. He'd used his Order of the Phoenix's vows to force him to comply.
Lupin had quit that Order immediately afterwards, of course, but had still been unable to approach Petunia's house. And even mail wards had been erected: He'd been forced to wait.
What would Albus do, now that his 'little pawn' had escaped his trap? Sirius had made the mistake of trying to defy him, and was in Azkaban. Had Peter also gone against the real dark wizard of their time?
Lupin didn't know, but if Harry was here, he wasn't going to let him go. Not to Hogwarts at least.
Dumbledore must have had plans within plans. Charlus would rant now and then about how Grindelwald was not gone, annoying his fellows in the Wizengamot, and having everyone think him a little 'odd'. Fortunately for Harry, his grandfather Charlus hadn't trusted Albus since fighting Grindelwald together.
Unfortunately for Harry, his father did. Trust Dumbledore that was. Fortunately for Heir Potter, all of Harry's property was entailed, and the business inaccessible to the old wizard. The only vault he did have access to was Harry's trust vault. And Remus was careful to monitor that gold, and demand receipts when more than ten galleons had been removed.
He knew for a fact the Dursleys' stipend wasn't being used on the child. Daedalus Diggle, another member of O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore) had seen the boy in rags and looking bruised.
But the old man's hold on the government was complete. Remus had tried leaving Britain, and found himself returned every time. After the third, he was told to stay put, or he'd be kenneled with the other dogs. The bad dogs.
Unsure of his reception, Remus went to introduce himself to the new Lord Potter. He really hoped that Harry hadn't been raised to worship Albus the Light. He needed to get the manor's wards up. Now!
**OO**
Hermione was stuck. Luckily for Harry, the library was the last room on the tour. The lovely two story room had a floor to ceiling glass outside wall that looked over the sea. The opposite wall was tiered bookshelves. Ladders on runners gave complete access to both first and second floor bookshelves, and seemed to be moving on their own.
"Harry? Can I live with you?" Hermione asked, not realizing what she had asked.
Remus found them just then. Harry, blushing at Hermione's blurted question, had seen him first, and had a friendly hand ready to greet him.
"You must be Mr Lupin. Thank you so much! I didn't even know I had a house or business or anything. You've kept everything going; Kept people employed. Thank you so much! It's great to meet you. I have so many questions. But the first one is this. Can I live here with you? I mean, I…"
Remus grabbed him up in a hug that Harry struggled out of awkwardly. Something in what Harry said had freed Lupin's tongue. "Yes! Yes you can! And if you want to bring your friends, their parents, their animals…"
Harry introduced Hermione, and she too was welcomed warmly. Then Harry remembered something important.
"Hedwig! I need to fetch my owl, and belongings. Oh, and let Tom know I'll be staying elsewhere until school starts." Harry gushed.
Remus took charge, "Livy? Can you please go and get Harry's belongings and check him out of the Leaky. Leave Tom a nice tip."
"Livy serves." The elf popped away.
"Juniper? Can you please bring me the ward book?" Remus called. "Because Miss Granger came in with you, Harry, she was welcome. But there are several names we need to take off the ward book. Immediately. And only Lord Potter can do that."
Harry gave the man a quizzical look, but there was no time yet for explanations.
Said book was given to the boy, with a heavy metal-tipped quill. Remus flipped the book to the offending page.
Lupin felt his knees go weak when Harry scowled, "Dumbledore!" and struck the name out quickly, viciously. He'd nearly put a hole in the strong parchment.
The relief he felt immediately evaporated when Hermione asked, "But why would you do that? No!" Then she added in rather a monotone, "Dumbledore is a great man!"
Harry felt chills go up his arm. It wasn't so much what she said but how she said it. And it was the same creepy way that Hagrid had said it!
Harry turned to Remus. "Sir? I never knew anything about him until I talked to Hagrid. Hermione has read all of her books cover to cover. And extra ones. Why do I think that I'm glad I haven't?"
Remus chuckled darkly, "You are your grandfather Charlus' true heir. Either you haven't read the offending book, or you are immune to the imperius curse. I think we need to get Miss Granger to a curse-breaker. I know the perfect clinic that has healers and such professionals."
Livy popped in with Harry's trunk just then.
"I think we should take this with us." Harry stated.
Hermione folded her arms and disagreed, "But books can't be evil! They can't!" Her foot stamp proved it!
Coaxing Hermione for the phone number for her parents, Remus walked over to a very ornate ancient device and punched in the number.
"Granger Dental Clinic."
"Hello? Can I please talk to Dan or Emma Granger? It's very important. It's about their daughter, Hermione."
**OO**
Remus made an appointment, and the Grangers met them at the bank. Hermione wound up having to be stunned as she did not want to participate in this egregious action against her person. By the time they met up with her parents, she was already being prepared for a cleansing ritual.
Dan Granger, a tall, fit, and upset man was clearly confused, "I thought you made a healing appointment? Isn't this the place where we are charged exorbitant rates to buy wizard coins?"
Remus waved his hand, showing Dan needed to speak more circumspectly, "Please sir. Don't insult the goblins. They are forced by treaty to trade gold, but they aren't allowed to do commerce in the normal world. It creates…hard feelings. And the government does nothing to help with the currency imbalance.
"The reason we're here instead of the wizarding hospital is that goblins also have curse-breakers."
Harry offered, "Sir? I have gold, and can pay for Hermione."
Emma smiled, "We have money, lovey. That's so kind of you. I'm glad Hermione has made a friend. And one that cares for her."
"Well, we could trade, at least. I need normal money, and only have gold." Harry offered.
Then they were approached, and led to a stone circular chamber where the young witch was. The gruff beings, tired of the obstructionist young girl, compelled Hermione to enter the circle, while her anxious parents were led to a room that had an overhead view of the place.
"What made you suspect something was wrong, humon?" The curious guard asked.
Harry explained, "Hermione and I have gone to regular primary. I certainly never heard the name Albus Dumbledore except from my relatives. And believe me, they did nothing but curse the man.
"I just felt it was so weird that she would spout the same things that Hagrid did. That man thinks that Dumbles can do no wrong! It felt creepy. And wrong. For both of them."
The goblin nodded. "I am BloodRage."
"Harry Potter." Harry offered his hand, just like he had to Hagrid, Remus, and the Granger parents upon meeting them.
The goblin shook it, and felt that perhaps, maybe now, their world had a chance.
The boy clearly defied the dark lord. Could he defeat him as well?
**OO**
Hermione sat up from her infirmary bed. She had asked to see the Potter lad.
Remus had taken Harry to see a healer there while she was getting looked at. Harry was recovering well himself. From a nearby room, he tottered in on unsteady feet.
"Harry? What's wrong?"
The lad smiled, "I just got my eyesight repaired. Turns out, I had an unwanted hitchhiker in my forehead. He got the boot."
'While I got the loot.' Harry giggled to himself, still a bit loopy from the potions. Apparently, another abomination was in a Gringotts vault. The curse-breakers removed his scar, and were using it to track down others. Once everything was cleansed, the bank would be keeping all goblin made objects and a nominal percentage of the gold while giving Harry the rest.
Since he wouldn't have come except for Hermione, he was giving her a third, with the other third going to Remus. He'd initiated the visit to begin with.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked.
"Very foolish. The curse-breakers said it was from my history book. There might be others of my books also so contaminated. No wonder he hasn't kicked a boring ghost out. Someone new might change the history text. I'm never going to Hogwarts! And I already wasted so much of my parents' money! I'll be stuck at our local comprehensive instead of a good school." Hermione was trying not to break down into tears again.
Harry asked, "Don't you want to attend uni?"
Hermione huffed, "Of course! That's why I'm taking correspondence courses for regular classes."
Remus joined them and suggested, "What about going to a different school? Salem for undergraduate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Technomancy for your graduate and mastery work? You could design something to help the populace of magical Britain."
In fact, Harry was prophesied to. Which is likely why Dumbledore acted as he had.
Lupin continued, "We can get you a full refund from Hogwarts since you haven't set foot there. This, I promise."
"And we can stay at the manor during holidays?" Harry asked.
Remus nodded, laughing. This was going to be such a fun prank, "It's your home, Harry. You just have to give yourself permission."
"Are you ready, Lord Potter?" BloodRage came in.
Finding out the list of property 'borrowed', Harry was doing his first summoning ritual. Harry awkwardly gave Hermione a hug, and said he'd see her later.
"Can I watch?" Asked the curious girl.
"Us too? This is fascinating. Truly." Emma asked. "Only Hermione and I if Dan isn't back in time."
Harry didn't know where Mr Granger was, but Hermione shared that he'd returned to work.
"You both may, from where you watched your daughter, Mrs Granger. If Lord Potter allows." BloodRage informed.
Harry smiled at the Grangers. "Sure. Just don't overdo it, Hermione."
The young witch smiled. There was more than just wands to do magic, and the goblins didn't rely on those at all. This was going to be very educational.
**OO**
'Mister Granger' wasn't going to be back in time, sadly.
Dan reported in. As soon as he was tagged as having a magical daughter, he was recruited to a new unit in the SAS.
His new commander, Bradley barked, "Report!"
"My daughter is going through a ritual to remove a magical curse from her. It made her see Albus Dumbledore as all-wise, all-knowing and supremely benevolent." Dan shared.
"No matter what he does? That sounds about right."
Dan nodded, "Once I have all of the particulars, I'll be making a full report. We're going to be schooling elsewhere. Maybe America."
"Ready to help people like your daughter emigrate out of Britain?" The Queen's emissary asked. "Serena Hooch. Liaison to the magical world. We can open some doors for you. Change your names, but you will still be serving, won't you?"
Dan nodded, "All of my life. I so swear."
"And we aver." A woman walked in wearing open robes. "Rolanda Hooch, Hogwarts Class of '54. So, you're the one recruited to help get the railroad started again? Brilliant. Sir, do you own your own home?"
"As a matter of fact, we do."
Serena Hooch offered, "Let the government rent it from you. It gives us a place to rally families in a muggle neighborhood. Where they go afterwards is up to them. But getting them away is key to keeping them free from influence. Then, accidental magical magic there won't be such a red flag. Your home is already tagged."
Serena looked grim.
Dan demanded, "What aren't you telling me?"
She explained, "We have our agents trying to get those new to magic out of the country, but we aren't always first. McGonagall means well. But some of the others? Did you know that this incoming class has only forty students? The castle is designed to hold a couple hundred or more per year level. Some of these people are missing due to parents not living through the war to have any children. But sometimes, it's for darker reasons. They are killed the first time they do accidental magic."
Rolanda looked grim, "You don't have to take this assignment. It will be years of hard work, times of terror, for little obvious reward. The next generation of children being large enough to maintain a school hardly seems the normal remit. But there it is."
Dan looked to Major Bradley, "Sir?"
"Up to you, Dan. But I hope you take it. Your daughter has made friends with Lord Harry James Potter. He's on our radar already. If you could position yourself to mentor this child. Teach him skills to survive? It could make a difference in the future of our nation."
"No pressure then." Dan looked out the window. Like a subtle wind, he felt pushed, "Yes sir, ladies. I will take the job. Now, other than emigrating to America, and renting out my house to you good folks, what precisely do you want me to do?"
He was fully briefed before leaving to meet up with his family.
**OO**
Simultaneous to Dan's meeting
The house-elves had been able to find some of Harry's belongings, but Juniper warned them that some items were in warded places. "Importantly books and Mag-lical-licky things being hidden froms us. Importantly things."
The clever elf had stolen one half of a vanishing cabinet that was broken and hidden at Hogwarts. She'd gotten it fixed by the clever wizards working for Harry, and purchased the other half. She'd already used it, with permission, to bring another abomination to the bank to be destroyed.
And if all of the rest of the room was emptied into a vault, who was to complain? It would give her master plenty of raw materials to practice his magic.
When she was done, she of course put both halves of the cabinet away. For now.
In the meantime, it was time to do a summoning.
**OO**
After the ritual, seeing the Potter bookplates in the tomes recovered, Harry was rather upset. Remus, on the other hand, looked content. He was nearly petting a silvery garment that appeared to be silk.
"Do you know what this is, Harry?" Remus asked.
At his headshake, the man put it on, and disappeared for a moment. "This is the Potter ancestral cloak. Why did Dumbledore have it?"
Then Remus' eye's turned amber as he thought it through. "Why? When your parents needed it most! This would have been James' backup plan!"
Harry could almost see his father wrapping it around his mother. A mother holding him close before sending them away, unseen, while his father fought a hopeless battle. At least his wife and child would have survived.
Harry broke down, and Remus held him close. No one could say that all of the tears were the boy's.
**OO**
A curse-breaker at the bank, coming very close to violating his oaths, sent off the letter, then shook his head.
He had no idea why he'd lost his train of thought. He'd been doing something. Oh, right! Tracking down another lead for a horcrux. This one in a London townhouse.
Time to gather up a team. Then at the last minute he was put into pureblood robes and had his hair colored. Why? Why would they do that to him?
**OO**
Bill Weasley had learned proper manners at his Auntie Muriel's knee. Not that Percy didn't employ them more often than he did. But he still knew them.
The witch at the door was most unhelpful. His natural charm with witches had not opened the door or gained entrance. However, she had listened to their pleas. And denied them.
For the first time in his existence, when the house-elf heard what they were trying to find, he refused to obey Mistress Walburga. This boy had enough Black blood he was able to seek help. For himself, for his young master who was dead because of the monster.
"Master Regulus demanding I does this!"
The woman tried to snatch the locket back, and pulled her wand on the small group. A green curse later, and one of the guards was down, but his brother avenged him, slaying the woman with his axe.
"My apologies, honorable elf, but if a female attacks, especially with killing curses, we treat her as an enemy. Period."
Bill was glad they had put up the muggle repelling and notice-me-not wards. Ugh. What a mess! He kept a hand on the door for a moment, and using a magical lock claimed the house for Heir Black.
Kreacher had conflicting emotions. Part of him was glad the nasty woman was dead and Master Regulus revenged. But now, he was tied to only two wizards, one a blood traitor, the other a half-blood child.
Wishing his mistress had given him clothes before being sliced in half, he went to his duties and buried her in the back garden next to Master Orion.
Lord Potter was later sent the cleansed locket, which was an amazing piece of history, now that it was no longer evil and dangerous. It too went into his vault until he needed it.
**OO**
The Grangers were on various comfy chairs and couches in the library.
Harry had offered house-space to his friend until they were ready to move to America. The family's personal treasures were going into a storage shed there on the manor grounds. The furniture and housewares were being left in the house for the new renters.
Dan and Emma were taking every precaution to keep their daughter safe. The fact they weren't housed in a tent, or hotel room but a fabulous manor with a stunning library was just whipped cream on a delicious sundae.
The cherry on top was spending quiet time together as a family.
Remus was sitting down with Harry in the master's study. Harry was given a portfolio of muggle investments that his mother had made before her passing. She had taken her wizarding salary, converted each knut, and bought stock in a variety of businesses.
Oh! It appeared that she had made friends with Spurnik, and behind the scenes, was trying to help solve the money conversion issue. How sad that her death had stopped that, as it had been good for both sides, well three if you count the muggles.
Lily was also subtly trying to save as much Potter liquid wealth as she could. With Spurnik's help, she had converted as much as she could into muggle money.
Dumbledore was insane to think that the original Order needed twenty thousand galleons a month. James had actually wanted to pledge that amount on his own!
For what? There were no salaries. Lily had acted on her suggestion of purchasing a few used wizarding tents instead of actual homes as 'safehouses'. There were some still in the inventory of the family vault!
She'd been laughed at, but why? Marlene McKinnon's family proved a safe house just wasn't that safe. Especially since the Order's oaths were more about being loyal to Dumbledore rather than to a cause.
Where was the money going? Besides into the Order's, aka Dumbledore's, bottomless pockets!
Harry started going over the list of investments his mother had bought into. Everything was making great profits! How brilliant she had been in both potions and business.
Then Harry's eyes got to the G's. "Grunnings? Mum bought seventy five percent of Grunnings?"
Asking, somewhat rhetorically, "What's a 'Grunnings'?", Remus opened the individual file to find out,
Harry explained, "It's a drill company where my aunt's husband works. Vernon is one piece of work. He's a director there, but I have no idea how he keeps that job. He's constantly bragging about sneaking this or that expense in. Eating luxury lunches on company time and money."
"There's a note here that says to sell it if Vernon ever cheats on Petunia. It appears that some kind of job is guaranteed to him as long as the shares are held by the Potters. Petunia? Isn't that your aunt?"
"Sure is. It looks like Mum wanted her sister to have a good life, and put Vernon in a job. Wow. I could get him sacked, I bet!" Harry smirked. Not that he would do it, but it was nice to have that power.
Moony was amazed that a boy so abused by them could be thinking such innocent revenge. With Harry's power? He could make the couple suffer, beg for death. But Harry was no dark lord, not now, not ever.
"Or get them transferred! Harry! This is perfect! We get them transferred to the New York office! That way, you 'have' to go to Salem. Dumbledore can't complain!"
Harry cheered, and the two did a bit of a jig together.
Then they sat down, and worked out a plan. Oh, yes. This was going to be epic!
After that was taken care of, Remus was reminded of another boy who should have been in Harry's life.
This one they would have to be careful with. Very careful.
**OO**
Augusta Longbottom received the letter with gratitude and summoned her grandson. Here! This was the solution to all of their problems. She just had to arrange her 'death'. Then the manor would not be available to anyone.
"Yes Gran?" Neville had a smudge of dirt on his nose. He hadn't noticed her ever being so happy.
"Neville? I know you've been disappointed that you weren't going to be allowed to attend Hogwarts. But I have a solution for you. Salem has a program for people with…limited magic. Would you like to attend? I should tell you, you won't be alone."
Neville understood they were speaking in code, because despite their attempts, they had not been able to perfectly secure the manor. "Really? Attend a magical school? Salem. I read they have a path to a Mastery program in Herbology. People called Adepts can really succeed. I don't know if I have enough magic to be considered Adept or not. I guess we can ask. But who is coming with us?"
"Harry Potter's family has moved to the United States. While he could attend Hogwarts, he has chosen to attend Salem. He went to their Ministry to ask permission to stay in their country. He wants to invite you to join him; live there. He's arranging a house close to campus."
"But what about you, Gran?"
"I have an appointment at Gringotts. I'm so sorry, my boy. I don't want you to mourn long. Augusta Longbottom will soon be no more." Her wink let him know there was more to this tale.
"And?" There was a part of him wailing in anguish, but she couldn't be meaning her actual death, could she?
She handed Neville a letter that had a very important message at the top.
'Augusta Crouch will be accepting a position as child-minder in the Potter household during the school year.'
Neville wanted to whoop in joy. But kept his reaction to a written 'Hurray!' while acting bereft.
"Go. Get packed. Tell Clive what plants you are taking with you, but just the portable greenhouse. You can obtain a new greenhouse and buy some local plants once you're there. I do hope your greenhouse here goes into stasis well. I know the house will; it's been done before.
"You go get ready!" Augusta commanded, while signaling the boy to stay put.
She dared put up a privacy charm now. Any spy would only be listening.
"What about Mum and Dad?" Neville's lip quivered.
"Mount Sinai Magical Research. They are on their way now. I'll be getting notified of their 'abduction' soon. Please hide your eyes and act like you are crying should any of the Order come to investigate."
"Mad-eye taught me how to avoid legilimency. Is he coming too?" Neville inquired.
"I hope he will be senttotrack you down." She grinned with a wink. "Then we can visit from time to time. But you must not use standard post when writing to him! We don't want to give him away now, do we?"
"No Gran." Neville gave her a sweet hug, "Thank you for this."
The wonderful woman had looked for a way to hide Neville from the old man for years. Algie helped, telling horror stories that never happened about trying to get Neville's magic to express. The whole family 'knew' he was a squib.
What the whole family didn't know is that a sixth binding had been added recently to keep him just under the Merlin Index for entry to Hogwarts. But Neville did. It felt like he was suffocating, but it was better than being a mind controlled slave with an expiration date before his maturity.
Neville started to rush out of the room, then rushed back to squeeze her tightly. He then ran out to the greenhouse, calling for the family house-elf.
She went to her desk, making sure that her will was updated with the current manager, Silvanna, and little gifts for the family were prepared. Only the house and greenhouse would go into stasis; the farm could continue, providing for the villagers of Cherry Hill. A way of life that hadn't changed much in hundreds of years.
Augusta didn't like lying to everyone, but the only one in the know already was Algie and he was an Unspeakable.
He wouldn't tell anyone, not even himself, about where they went. Even if he knew.
**OO**
A/N: ODD (Order Defying Dumbledore)
A/N: Your story recommendation here -
**OO**
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
Cast of characters - so far
Spurnik - Potter Account Manager
BloodRage - guard, son-in-law to Spurnik
Goldrub - Black Account Manager
Healer Brightblade - goblin healer, mate to Goldrub
Silvanna - husbandman to the Longbottoms
Adam Samuels - Prefect
Sally Fortescue - adopted by Florean
Duchess Lovelace, Headmistress Wimborne
Edmond Braithewaite, hospital administrator Saint Mungos
Seanaid MacMurray great gran of Neville
Sean O'Neal, auror
Ian MacMurray, auror
Alejandro Cordero - jockey
Richard Cordero - Aleandro's son
Amana Billingsley, snooty girl
Roman Billingsley, hippogriff racing stable owner
Matthew Felton - future Homecoming king, quodpot captain, Draco's cousin (metaphorically)
Parents Martha and George Felton
Thomas Jeffries - tutor
Detective Higgs Weaver
Auror Collins
Widow Beddow née Glynn
MFBI (magical version of the FBI)