Harry Potter and the Unlocked Runic Potential

~~ooOOoo~~

A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz. And if Alix33 stops by, your words of advice are appreciated and welcome.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JKRowling. We are only playing in the sandbox.

This is meant to be a bit of adventure, a bit of family fun, and of course, spending time with Harry and his friends.

There will be canon character deaths along the way (Sirius Black and Hedwig are never harmed in our stories). This is not a bashing-focused story: There may seem to have a bit of bashing against Snape, not former-enough death eaters, another bit against Cornelius Fudge and of course more than a bit against Dumbledore.

MelJ, would I write a story that bashed the Great Albus Peacock Whatamess Bumblesmort Dumb-as-a door? (B/N: YES! Grins evilly.)

Why yes. Yes I would.

MelJ, I love your cackle!

Good Weasleys, family, unabashedly Harmony all the way.

~~ooOOoo~~

Welcome to the Fireside.

~~ooOOoo~~

Chapter 1 - Break Out

At the end of his first year in Hogwarts, Harry wound up in the infirmary. He woke up hearing Madame Pomfrey arguing with Headmaster Dumbledore about Harry's many previous injuries and now was the time to treat him. She wouldn't stand for the boy going back to the hateful environment that saw him malnourished and abused.

Then Snape came in and she stopped mid-argument and nothing more was said.

When next she came to check on Harry, it was as if the previous conversations had never taken place. Harry was disappointed but not surprised by the abrupt turnaround: He'd seen it before with the one teacher who'd listened to him, that police officer who came around to talk about the dangers of drugs, and even the primary school nurse.

After each of these disappointments, Harry had returned again and again to his refuge: books. The school and local libraries were places where he was not only physically safe but able to access knowledge about so many things! But he should have read a book on being a good detective.

Harry had unfairly accused Snape of going after the stone in October and again in June and for cursing his broom before, but there had been only three adults in the room at the time when the Matron was arguing for his welfare. And he really didn't think that Madam Pomfrey had cursed herself.

Those two wizards were on his list. If he reminded the good headmaster of certain people's actions, Harry was the one being chided to forgive for holding grudges was the path to being dark. Harry sometimes felt the headmaster was wanting him to go dark.

Now, at the end of his second year, the headmaster wasn't even allowing an exhausted and suffering Harry to visit the hospital wing to get looked over after being bitten by a basilisk!

Was that a common problem in other magical schools? Did they have trolls and three-headed dogs with giant snakes and spiders?

He didn't think so!

Rather than trying to argue any more, the boy, literally weaving in place on the carpet after his 'adventures' in the Chamber of Secrets, turned his back on the headmaster and went to the door.

It was suddenly locked and he couldn't get out!

"NO! I must know everything…" Dumbledore had started to demand. Long gone was the kindly, kooky elderly statesman; In his place was the monster that Harry knew he would have to face and defeat in order to be truly happy.

But Harry had already stood up to one of the most dangerous death-eaters on the planet, had faced Voldemort multiple times, and had survived the attempts to put him in a wizarding hospital from a caring if crazy house-elf.

"You refuse me medical attention after being in a battle with a dark lord and his monstrous familiar. This has been added to the multiple complaints I have against you. Your failure as a headmaster is just as great as your failures towards me!

"One day, when I do snap and attack you after having had enough of your manipulations, you will call me dark. HAH! You look for darkness in others because that is what you are full of!

"Now, Let. Me. Go!"

Fawkes, sick of his companion, flew over to Harry. The child needed help, physically and mentally, after what he'd been through. Only twelve, this young mage was a Warrior for the Light.

The breaking of the bond betwixt the eternal creature and the angry elder saw the old wizard knocked back into his throne-like chair. Unconscious.

The phoenix didn't take the child to the infirmary or even Saint Mungo's. No, they stopped for a moment in Hogsmeade, where the house-elf Dobby was negotiating with Madam Rosmerta for lodging and food in exchange for work. The kindly woman was willing to take him in for a few days, but she had enough elves already and certainly didn't want to pay one.

Dobby gladly accepted the offer to come with the Great Harry Potter, Sir. Off into the night sky they flew, Harry not knowing or really caring where they went.

They landed in Gringotts, Egypt and Harry was rushed into their clinic as certain alarms rang.

~~ooOOoo~~

Hogwarts

The next day, when Harry didn't come down to breakfast, Albus asked Minerva about him. "Albus, ye know that I'm too busy doin' yer jobs to keep up with my Head of House duties. I've told ye this every year and asked for a replacement. If Mr Potter's not here, perhaps he's sleepin' late."

Then his second-in-command turned her back on him and returned to eating!

Looking for the Gryfinndor prefects, the headmaster waved one over, "It appears that Mr Potter isn't here."

The sixth year prefect, Lavender Brown's older sister, Dalia, was shocked that the master manipulator knew the proper address for Heir Potter. In the past two years plus, this was the first time he'd ever used it that she'd heard.

He must be having a bad day.

She knew all too well what happened last night. A quick meeting had been held after hearing that Hogwarts still hadn't revived the petrified students and healing for both Harry Potter and a victim of possession was being withheld.

Occlumency shields firmly in place, her protection of 'a fashion show upcoming in Paris' in mind, the lovely witch responded in a bubble-headed way, "Oh, I'm sure he'll be down soon with some kind of wild tale. Harry is so amusing at times."

She then turned to scan the high table, and lowering her voice conspiratorially, told the headmaster, "The rumors about Professor Lockhart are getting out of control, sir. And I did so want to ask him where he got that darling dueling cloak."

Flitwick chuckled just then. He adored the genius young woman who hid that brilliance in her blonde locks and vapid address. Everyone had been told that Gilderoy had a bit of a breakdown and was 'recovering' at Saint Mungos.

And just how much was Mr Potter responsible for that incapacitation? If he was involved, surely it was in defense of another.

"Go and wake Harry up. Tell him to meet me in my office." The headmaster demanded, forgetting to twinkle or even speak kindly.

"Miss Brown? After breakfast. Finish first, and perhaps bring the lad a plate. I'll have the elves prepare one for Mr Potter." Professor McGonagall added. "And thank ye."

"Er, yes. Thank you. Dismissed." The headmaster tried to calm himself, but he was feeling panicked after spending the night in his chair. Waking up, he'd called for an elf and that blasted Juniper showed up. He commanded her to find Harry and she popped away. And never returned!

It just wasn't proper for him to barge into the boy's dormitory room!

The young witch returned to her breakfast when a female house-elf appeared next to her, "We'll be taking care of Mr Potter. Don't you worry. I'll be delivering messages, letting student know to report to Head Whiskers after he eats."

The plate of food was piled high with the lad's favorites and placed next to Ron who was still in the infirmary but was ready for release. He was told by the prankster elf, Juniper, to report to the headmaster after breakfast.

He wouldn't dare hurt or even scold the youngest son of Molly Weasley.

That basilisk had killed four elves during the past year and the headmaster had done nothing. The elves of Hogwarts would do what they could to protect the great Mage, no matter what.

Especially the elves that were really Potter elves.

~~ooOOoo~~

Egypt

Bill Weasley was happily working as a curse-breaker. His vault hadn't been empty when leaving school, as he had tutored ancient runes: It was a difficult subject that some families insisted their children take, regardless of interest or ability.

Which had really worked in his favor.

Now, his vault was filling nicely. Another job was finished and he planned to go on holiday; Spend a bit of time with his family perhaps.

Getting a call to come to Gringotts Cairo and attend an important client for a curse-breaking opportunity came at a wonderful time.

Bill rubbed his hands together, wondering not for the first time whether he had goblins in his ancestry. The call of gold could be strong at times, but this was a chance to help someone and make a bit of coin for it. Just like in school, these were the sorts of deals he lived for and preferred. Everyone won.

He checked out with the dig site's boss. Ɠ "Weasley? A moment before you leave. We're going to be starting a new project in two weeks. Read this and let me know."Ɠ

The lead curse-breaker was an honorable goblin but he had no problem in getting the best worker he could for the gold paid. Was it taking advantage of the young Weasley? Perhaps. But he was learning too; he himself was proud to mentor the lad and it cost him nothing. Instead, he got a good worker for less than he could have paid.

Bill took a moment to review the parchment. It was a standard Gringotts contract, no hidden terms. Base salary plus bonuses. Potential bonuses for specialty work. The goblins had never cheated him and this boss knew Bill had his Mastery in Runes. He'd also spent time teaching now and then. It was a good situation.

Ɠ" Thanks. I appreciate it."Ɠ He signed with a blood quill, cleaned it, and handed it back. Now Bill didn't have to worry about looking for a new project.

He then took a portkey to Gringotts.

~~ooOOoo~~

Gringotts, Cairo

Bill was escorted to a meeting room, familiar territory in preparation for a ritual. Seeing Master Curse-breakers in their runed robes was also familiar. His own robes were thrown artlessly across a nearby couch. He'd need those later. They shared nods; ready to proceed.

The account managers in suits? Not so much. He walked into an argument between them.

Ɠ" But Black is the senior house! Peverell was absorbed into the House of Potter in the 14th century!"Ɠ One of the non-armored goblins spat.

Ɠ "Ah, here is our wizard to help the situation. His grandmother is a Black as I recall. Sit, Weasley. I am Spurnik, account manager for the Potters and this is Goldrub. Account Manager for House Black. I'm sure you know each other."Ɠ

Bill knew from their argument they had to be talking about Harry Potter, the only living member of that House. He bowed to both goblins and didn't offer to shake hands and sat in the indicated chair at the stone table. Ɠ" We do not, as Sirius Black, II cut off all contact, and stipends, to Cedrella Black when she married my grandfather, may he rest in peace. I'm Bill Weasley."Ɠ

If he was with humans, he would say what a pleasure it was to meet them and ask about their health, their families, and their pet crups.

Goblins didn't waste time with niceties and Bill had no interest in seeing pictures of pet targs. He had enough going on with battling dangerous creatures at times.

Spurnik shared, Ɠ "Last night, the alarms for a soul-jar went off when a child was delivered to the healing hall here. Our client, Harry Potter, had been bitten by a basilisk but since the method of travel was a phoenix, you can be assured he was alive when entering the bank."Ɠ

One of the curse-breakers who was familiar to Bill already, so they hadn't been introduced, added, Ɠ" With not one but two soul-jars!"Ɠ

Ɠ" I doubt a boy raised in a muggle environment would know what a horcrux was, much less know the proper procedure for getting rid of one."Ɠ Bill offered, trying to act as peace-maker.

Bringing a horcrux into Gringotts could be seen by some as enemy action.

Ɠ" True, true."Ɠ Goldrub agreed. His sneer made it obvious how much he disapproved of the child's living conditions. Ɠ" He shared an incredible story last night regarding the rescue of your sister and the killing of a basilisk. We're going to watch the memory now, but why would this heir know to ask for you?"Ɠ The Black account manager's nose was twitching, looking for potential plots.

Ɠ" He's friends with my brother Ronald and has spent time at the Burrow last summer."Ɠ Bill shared. Ɠ" He's been writing to me, asking questions about my work."Ɠ

He hadn't told his Harry Potter obsessed sister they were exchanging letters or he'd have never heard the end of it.

The goblins were satisfied that there was nothing nefarious going on and the brother was in the first part of the adventure. Together, they watched a goblin viewer of Harry and Ron going to rescue the younger sister.

Bill's occlumency was given a workout. Here was his baby sister, being possessed by a dark lord. If Harry hadn't gone to rescue her, she'd be dead, the dark one returned to a magically potent body, AND the basilisk could have been used as a weapon. How many students would have survived a newly risen Lord Voldemort?

Magical Britain could have fallen!

The diary was more than just a journal for private thoughts. That had been a horcrux, Bill was certain!

Ɠ" You have to see a few more memories. The lad had never given a memory before so it didn't cut off where he meant. His thoughts were jumping around. He was very angry about how he'd been treated by his relatives, by a professor at school, and by Albus Dumbledore."Ɠ Spurnik shared, putting in a different crystal into the viewer.

'White Bumblee who smells of plots' was a great goblin name for the headmaster and was how they translated it.

They watched Harry confronting the dark lord in his first year and begging Dumbledore to be allowed to stay in the castle over the summer.

The freeing of a house-elf and the same house-elf protecting him from a dangerous Death Eater –who had started casting the killing curse– was particularly revealing.

Dumbledore refusing to allow Harry to be seen by the matron and the headmaster's phoenix rescuing him. Or perhaps former familiar.

Bill had to get up from the table. He went over to a corner, closing his eyes, having to wipe tears that had formed there. To the goblins, there was nothing more important than family. To Bill, there was nothing more important than family and he really liked this boy for himself. He considered Harry to be a part of his extended family.

Ɠ" That was difficult to watch but I thank you."Ɠ Bill stated, after returning to the table.

Ɠ" Your sister is going to need mind-healing, for certain, and perhaps curse-breaking. The lad asked for you when we explained about his scar. Oh, you'll want to see the other soul-jar even if it is empty now. Let me call his elf and you can examine the diary yourself."Ɠ

Dobby popped in and was asked kindly for permission to view the diary. He nodded and pulled it from an iron box he'd been given to store it in. He'd keep an ear out for Master Harry but was invited to stay.

Goblins didn't keep slaves except temporarily if they were surrendered by their owners due to non-payment of debts. Then they were freed and offered employment at a goblin-run establishment. They were treated as people by the Nation, not vermin.

Not asking for permission, since he was an employee, Bill ran diagnostics on the ink-stained book.

He did ask permission to switch to English as his goblin vocabulary for some words was inadequate.

"Apologies, curse-breaker, most of you are from English-speaking countries. Let us use that language."

"Thank you, sir." Bill turned back to the elf. "You should be careful with that, as there are still bits of basilisk venom on it." The redhead warned. He then turned to the others. "Definitely a horcrux and it had been formidable. I think it was a full half of a soul."

'His poor sister! She'd have no defense against such and was lucky to be alive and not…' Bill had to swallow for a moment and think of cool water in a desert oasis. Palm trees. Calm.

"We concur. Now, removing the shard from the lad's scar should allow us to apply arithmancy to see how many others exist." The lead spoke for the first time.

"MORE?" Several shouted. As there were no females present, there was loud swearing in Goblin, English, Arabic and French.

Spurnik and Goldrub shared a look before bringing the meeting back under control.

The Potter Account Manager was understandably upset, "If 'White Bumbles' had approached us when the Potters were first murdered and that abomination was freshly attached to the protection rune on the then babe's forehead, the child could have been painlessly and easily cleansed. Now? He is nearly magically exhausted and in treatment to slowly drain his core to where we need it so neither the soul piece nor his magic will not fight us. This is no longer easy."

Bill recognized the boy would need some time to recover after the removal.

Goldrub's nose was twitching again, this time finding at least one of the enemies, "This treatment is neither simple nor inexpensive, though I will approach the Ultimate Swampgas for the expense…"

"Sorry my friend but that would reveal too much. It has to be me." Spurnik declared. "Now. Should he refuse after claiming to be the boy's guardian…" but Bill now understood fully why he'd been called in.

Weasley stood, "If the headmaster declines his responsibility, the Potter lad will need a new magical guardian. One who doesn't wear a dark mark. One who cares about him and will provide such needed healing. One who isn't under the Bumblebee's thumb. One who will protect and provide for him. I volunteer for the job. He saved my sister - it's the least I can do. Harry's old enough to amuse himself during the upcoming school holiday."

Bill was intrigued. The boy had Charlus Potter's lively intelligence, curiosity, and was fascinated by all things Egyptian. And Bill had a wonderful library to share.

"Being a parseltongue, we can even put him to work as a translator if he wishes." One of the others suggested, receiving nods all around.

Now with a plan made for the removal of the horcrux and a plan to help the young warrior afterwards, the atmosphere in the conference room was uplifted. The tension was gone.

Bill worried about the child's other healing needs as well as he wasn't sure just how expensive this was going to be. He unthinkingly voiced these misgivings aloud.

Potter Account Manager Spurnik chuckled at the redhead's concerns, "Curse-Breaker Weasley, the Potter vaults alone are sufficient to provide for our client's current and future needs."

"But I just promised to provide for him!" Bill argued.

Bill gulped as Spurnik slipped him a number, "As I said, the Potters' arrangement provides the guardian with a stipend as well as the child. As Smelly Plots found out, the oaths for such are onerous. I have no worry that you would try and graft any funds not meant for you. Access to healing for your ward is not theft.

Dobby listened to the meeting quiet, quiet. His job was to watch over Harry for the moment. He'd been hired by Spurnik as a free elf to be a companion and bodyguard for the lad.

As long as the elf promised not to kill the lad in order to save him. Ever again.

Plan made, it was time for Bill to don his own protective runic robes. No one wanted the dark lord back and horcruxes didn't work the way dark lords or pharaohs thought they did.

~~ooOOoo~~

Meanwhile, back at the castle…

By dinner, it was clear that Harry Potter was no longer at Hogwarts. Albus knew this for certain as he had been presented with a bill for necessary healing services for the boy.

Spurnik! That sub-being had refused to pay reasonable fees from the Potter vaults for so many things and had recalled books and artifacts that James had leant him. Only Arabella's house was left and even then, he'd lost the deed. The invisibility cloak, hidden in a warded drawer, had been temporarily saved from the goblins' recall. Then he was warned of a large fine if it wasn't returned promptly once the boy started school. He had reluctantly agreed to return it by the Yule deadline, never having discovered all of its secrets. And now they wanted money to remove the horcrux from Harry's head! As if that was possible. Sadly, the boy had to die for that to happen.

'And this will not be paid by the Potter accounts! You took him! You are his magical guardian per the Ministry of Magic in Britain! Did you think to ask Gringotts for help? That bit of healing would have been less than ten galleons at the time! Irresponsible of you! Now, without getting him that needed healing, it will cost at least 4,000 in gold and the sacrifice of several fine gems worth another 5,000.

'Pay or don't. We won't be responsible for the consequences.'

Hmm. Perhaps the boy's death could be blamed on them. He was not paying nearly ten thousand galleons out of his personal vault. His reply was brief.

'Neither Harry's godmother or godfather are available to discuss this matter. I was trying to help the lad and you are trying to manipulate me into giving you gold for an impossible task.

'I won't pay. Return the boy to Hogwarts or I will go to the DMLE. Kidnapping is a criminal offense in Britain.'

'APWBD'

Then he decided to floo the aurors directly. No, their boss.

~~ooOOoo~~

Director Bones didn't like being bossed around by this wizard, especially when she had received a missive of her own, preemptively warning her of this action.

Dumbledore twisted the story around to make is appear as though the goblins had kidnapped the boy, but in point of fact, it was the headmaster who had kidnapped an injured child a decade before, leaving him with muggles who didn't know how or even why to reach out for magical healing for their nephew.

It was a miracle the toddler survived to become a teen who needed healing yet again.

Director Bones' response was for him to come into the DMLE in the morning and swear out a complaint against the people he felt were in the wrong and be prepared to sign it in front of witnesses.

Amelia Bones cut off the floo. She'd already been contacted by the goblins. A phoenix, highly magical and a creature of Light, had taken Harry Potter to the goblin version of a hospital called a healing hall. And Dumbledore was going to refuse to pay for the healing of his ward, they claimed.

They wanted to meet with her and share information about the situation. She agreed immediately.

~~ooOOoo~~

The procedure to remove a horcrux from a living being had to be done when the person, or child in this case, was magically exhausted. So it was nearly the perfect time to remove the soul-piece when he first arrived. But the revelations of the scans on the child once that was done!

They found so much more than just a bit of dross from Tom Marvolo Riddle. The power binding made sense if one didn't know the horcrux could be removed. The child would be able to cast much better now.

The postal ward also made a bit of sense due to his celebrity with only four places allowed to receive or send mail. That was gone and a new redirect to Gringotts services was added.

Previous mail had all been undeliverable and returned to disappointed fans. At least the more intelligent came to the bank on the Potter Heir's birthday and at holidays to make deposits that the Supreme Mugwort couldn't tamper with.

The boy had been allowed to recover from all that, before addressing his underlying health issues. Having no children's books around, Bill had given Harry his beginning rune book for something to occupy the lad. He seemed happy with that and never complained in the least.

It had taken several days for the Potter lad to be made whole again, but the goblins had been busy during those days.

Unbeknownst to Harry, Hermione and the rest of the petrified students had been awakened just in time for the school year to end.

Spurnik asked two favors from Bill and the wizard readily agreed. Both were inside the castle school. One was to place portkey beacons in order to collect the basilisk carcass. The other was to get permission to try and remove the Defense curse from Hogwarts.

Summer break had started and he still had ten days of his holiday left before he had to report to the new job site.

They might not find the Defense curse in that time, but he could try. And the bonus would just add to what he was saving.

~~ooOOoo~~

Magical travel was rough - floo, apparating, portkeys. It didn't matter, one would wind up sick.

Having a phoenix friend willing to take you places? Ahhh. Warm breezes and you got where you were going without nausea or pain.

Bill looked around the neighborhood where Harry had grown up. They had walked from the park. No one had noticed their arrival. Fawkes launched herself up into the air as though scouting for enemies from on high.

"I sometimes bunk in the workers' tent but I own a small library tent as well. I can't take it with me into the site. The wards on it fight with the ones the goblins put up. But the library is great! Alastor Moody gave it to me. Charlus Potter had bought it for him and added more books to it over the years. I should pass it on to you, I guess…"

"Oh please! I love libraries very much. I love to learn new things, especially new magic. But I wouldn't take your library for your work away from you. Not when it's something that can be shared."

Bill liked his attitude about that but it didn't jibe with the report he'd heard bout this 'average' student. Something was off here for certain.

The closer they got to Number 4, the slower Harry walked. Bill ushered him forward as they got to the walkway up to the door.

The Potter lad shrank back into the tall redhead behind him, "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean…they are really mean!" Then added, 'And I am just a freak.' The boy muttered.

Bill wanted to shred these muggles for the pain they had caused the lad and he knew in terrible detail from the healers how bad it had been.

At least Harry was getting away from here. The highly paid solicitors at the bank had arranged it all. They were here to collect the last few remnants of the boy's property, check the attics to verify there was nothing magical left behind, and then on to the court to go through the rest of the legal procedures.

The curse-breaker went to knock so Harry rang the bell.

"Oh, so it is you. Well, let's get this over with so you can be gone from here." The sneer on the woman's face could rival the potions master's.

Something else Bill intended to fix this summer one way or the other.

No greetings or offers of tea were made. Bill directed Harry to gather up his belongings. The cupboard door opened and seeing a baby mattress on the floor nearly had the wizard pull his wand.

No wonder some wizards hate muggles! This was intolerable.

"My husband and I signed this last night since he has to work today. Not everyone can just go galavanting around. And just to let you know, I didn't like that strange pen in the least."

Bill pulled a new blood quill from his pocket, "I'll sign here in your presence. Vernon has no blood relation to Harry so isn't necessary to this." He signed with a flourish of the pen. What was a bit of pain to rescue the hero that rescued his sister and Hogwarts? "That's it. Have you decided whether or not to move house? If you don't, you know that Dumbledore will seek you out. Eventually."

That he hadn't come here yet wasn't a surprise as Gringotts had been transparent with what was going on with those in charge. Word was that Dumbledore was at the Ministry still trying to complain about Harry's 'kidnap' from the goblins but was unwilling to sign anything official. Good thing the Account Managers followed the law to the letter.

"We've tried to move several times, only to have that freak interfere. Now, we have to work with yet more freaks in order to have a nicer home." The woman spat.

Bill had memories of a different kindly witch who had brought treats to him and his siblings long ago. He even remembered Harry as a happy toddler and attended his first birthday party. He and Ron being friends now didn't surprise him in the least as they (and Neville) had been friends as babies.

This woman had nothing of her kind sister in her.

"You know, my mum and Aunt Lily talked about what would happen to the children if any of them were killed. They worried about you and a squib cousin of mine.

"Lily said how they had plenty of room if anything ever happened to Vernon. They would have gladly taken you and Dudley in, should tragedy befell you.

"I don't know why you were so cruel to Harry, but it stops now. Today." Bill stated softly then rolled up the parchment and pocketed both blood quills.

"Well of course she would be willing to take us in. We're normal! Why wouldn't she! As if I would accept living with freaks." Petunia's sneer was on full blast. "And we weren't cruel. We were trying to help the boy by destroying his freakishness!"

"Madam, your jealousy of your sister is clear. With you being a squib, you could have learned potions, herbology, magical creatures and all sorts of things. The fact is, you blamed Lily and then her child for something that was completely outwith their control! You're the older sister. She didn't steal your magic anymore than Lily Potter stole from some pureblood."

Bill could see they were at an impasse there. The boy should never have been left here with people devoted to making him a squib

Harry returned, "I checked the attic. No trunks, nothing glowed." The boy returned the device to Bill that passively detected magic. He then turned to Petunia. "I hope to never have to see you again. I tried very hard to get you to like me and you never did. Now, I get the best revenge ever." Harry beamed at her.

The woman paled then Bill added what exactly that entailed, "We are going to go live a brilliant life."

Harry added, "And you have to live stuck with Vernon, Dudley and yourself."

"So you aren't going to do…freakishness to us?" Petunia squeaked out.

Bill shook his head and for the first time ever, Harry laughed in Privet Drive as Fawkes flamed them to their next stop.

~~ooOOoo~~

Before dinner, Harry had a new guardian, was registered for new classes at Hogwarts, and was done with all of the legal matters.

They had even stopped by Hogwarts since Dumbledore was out. Professor McGonagall had given William permission and access to the castle in order to try to do some curse-breaking. She hugged them both in congratulations too!

In turn, Bill had given Minerva his emergency contact information and signed Harry's Hogsmeade permission slip. Bill made sure Harry knew that if grades started to slip, the permission would be revoked until grades improved.

"You want me to…do my best? Brilliant!" Harry beamed at him and at Professor McGonagall.

"And what about this makes ye so happy?" The animagus was confused and curious.

"My previous…adults would…Vernon didn't like me showing up his son. And a brick is smarter than Dudley. I'm much happier to live with Bill and help as I can.

The boy had no mind shields. Being beaten for making good grades? Oh boy! Bill looked to the transfiguration Mistress for help but she wasn't worried about Harry now that he had a decent guardian. Oh, how that smart lad was going to thrive now!

She shooed them away to do their work.

It had taken Bill less than an hour to find the curse and remove it. Of course, others didn't have access to the Chamber of Secrets. More than just the curse was removed from the Chamber that day.

Harry was just happy that Bill hadn't done so at the beginning of the year or they might have been stuck with Flophart.

The Potter lad could hardly believe he never had to return to Privet Drive. In fact, if somehow Dumbledore tried to force him, all that was there was an empty house. The goblins had bought it outright!

Renters would be moving in the next day. Magic aware as they were a muggleborn couple that worked for Gringotts.

The floo hook-up was being expedited.

IF Bumblesmore showed up, and that was being wagered on not if but when, the couple had wards and they would come home quickly.

It was almost as if they too had a grudge against the elderly wizard.

~~ooOOoo~~

The next few days were busy for Harry and Bill. They made time to visit Hermione and make sure she was alright. Their reunion hug was warm and long. They had missed each other so much!

Harry had bought all of his books for the next school year and bought duplicates of some of Bill's basic runes books.

Back in Primary, Harry was not only the first in his class to learn the alphabet, he was the first to put sentences together. For him, runic structure was making sentences, magical sentences. He shared his insight with her, knowing how smart she was. She was startled at this newly studious Harry but happy about the transformation and promised him she'd catch up to where he was.

Before they left, Harry invited her for a visit in Egypt before saying goodbye. He was going to be living in a library! Her farewell hug was just as wonderful as the hug hello! He didn't want it to end. But they couldn't stay as they had an appointment at the bank with Colin and his new camera.

Harry had to pose for pictures but supported what the goblins wanted to do. Ron was brought from home to pose for a couple as well. Scabbers, who had been asleep, peeped out during the photo shoot blinking and rubbing his paws over his face, his old injury obvious to those in the know.

Secrets that had been hidden through spell and potion were about to hit the newspaper. Oh boy, was Albus going to be angry, but the not-very-dear-old-man was on Harry's last nerve.

Bill and he bonded over hard work and the massive prank they were pulling on the headmaster.

~~ooOOoo~~

Amelia Bones had just finished at the bank. The goblins were smart to approach her first, showing her the law of the land in regards to harvesting the slain monster, the new guardianship papers, and the expected donation to Hogwarts as long as certain conditions were met.

Given the number of qualified auror applicants that came to her department without needing additional potion tuition? Oh yes, she supported having to replace the current potions professor one hundred percent.

That was a call that most parents would support as well.

What she was struggling with was that there had been a basilisk at Hogwarts. Why had the headmaster tried to hide this instead of asking for help to defeat it? Why leave it to a boy not yet a teenager?

And why had Fudge thrown the Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts into prison without a trial? That was something she could address today and if Cornelius objected he could have a couple of days in Azkaban without a trial.

The memories shared were very revealing.

Her niece Susan had been at Hogwarts when there were dark lords, monsters, and bullying teachers roaming the halls.

Harry had been asked to share some memories of Snape as part of his guardianship change. The lad didn't know why, but shared his first potions class and several other less than happy interactions with the dark wizard.

Amelia had also seen Harry's various interactions with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at Hogwarts and in the Forbidden Forest. At night. During a detention given for being out after curfew.

What were those people thinking?

The statistics of remedial potions being a necessity at Gringotts, the last ten years, had provided her with additional fuel to the fire of her determination. They suggested contacting Saint Mungo's for their reports as well. The DMLE had the same issue with recruiting Aurors.

Harry Potter had killed the basilisk - she had seen the proof of this. The carcass was his to sell or keep as he and his new guardian chose. What the lad was doing was a prank worthy of his father.

The wonderful bribe of a half-million galleons to go into Hogwarts coffers as long as Severus Snape was no longer available to bully any student there, was just a wonderful strategy.

And Dumbledore wouldn't be able to hide it as the offer was being published in the Daily Prophet.

If Snape was 'needed in the castle', as the headmaster had often claimed, then the death-eater could work as a potions maker in Hogsmeade; supervised carefully by aurors, the Black Watch, and Alastor Moody, who resided there.

(The Black Watch was a volunteer militia group dedicated to making sure Hogsmeade stayed safe. They drilled once a month wearing their kilts and drilling with rifles and wands and were a popular sight for tourists visiting the scenic village.)

Albus or Snape would have to pay any premises out of their own pocket, of course. The funds from the basilisk could not be used for that! Audits of the Hogwarts accounts were built into the contract for the half-million trust fund.

Oversight that Flitwick himself was more than happy to provide.

Then there was the other memory. Lucius Malfoy getting ready to AK Harry Potter. Fudge would never allow his slimy friend to go to Azkaban. No. But Director Bones had a plan to get healing for the child who'd been possessed, paid for by the perpetrator. And perhaps get another donation to the school with yet more strings attached.

Malfoy, already under surveillance by suspicious old aurors, was going to be under a new level of scrutiny.

~~ooOOoo~~

Amelia readied her pensieve with the short memories: One of the basilisk, memories of Lucius placing the diary, and then of him trying to kill Harry Potter.

The trifecta should be enough to get what she wanted. Healing for Ginerva Weasley and seeing just how the woman felt about her husband unleashing a basilisk in a school that her own son attended.

Madam Bones sent an elf with a letter requesting to have tea with the matron of House Malfoy.

Director Bones anticipated a short meeting.

~~ooOOoo~~

Black witches did not weep in public but revenge would be sweet and take away Lucius' power in the Wizengamot. "My cousin Sirius is no death eater and never had a trial. Just like Mr Hagrid. Fudge arrested Sirius. Dumbledore and Crouch signed the order and for whatever reason, Bagnold approved it."

"He was an auror! One of us and a member of Dumbledore's bird-watching club like Edgar had been!" Amelia was appalled. She suddenly remembered that Sirius was the heir of an Ancient and Noble House. She paled. Director Bones had not one but two wizards to retrieve.

This had to be done carefully. Crouch, Dumbledore, and Fudge! They all had allies, minions and spies riddled throughout the Ministry. If she tried to ask permission in the Wizengamot, one or more would act to quash her request.

Some of those allies would just kill the wizard and be done with it.

No, this was going to be done quietly and presented as a fait accompli.

Before the night was out, so were both of the wrongfully detained prisoners, Hagrid and Black. Both were offered healing and help. Hagrid insisted on returning to Hogwarts. Black wanted to get out of the country until he was strong enough to face Dumbledore in a duel.

Before he left Britain, he stopped at Gringotts. Narcissa was summoned and given a new job for House Black.

~~ooOOoo~~

Malfoy Manor, just after the meeting at Gringotts with Amelia…

Narcissa Malfoy, –no, she was going back to her maiden name!- had just come home from the bank after a brief meeting with Director Bones.

She'd wanted to do this for years but was bound by a strong marriage contract. A breach of that contract was now revealed and she was going to act.

Lucius was in the Master's study while Draco had retired for the evening. As the manor was a Black property, she held the wards and she was going to give this cockroach one chance.

"I would like to hear again what happened to my elf? The one who looked after me since I was a child. The one who you abused terribly and for some reason I allowed. What happened to Dobby?" Narcissa demanded.

"I told you. He displeased me one too many times and I killed him. I'll buy you another elf if you wish…"

"Put it in writing so I can take the galleons from the vault."

Lucius pulled out a bank draft and filled in a generous amount. Something had set his wife off. They had lived in peace if not love for many years. "I'll add a bit so you can get a female one. And some new summer frocks. Would you like me to take you to our Paris townhouse this weekend? Go shopping?"

'Our Paris townhouse? When Great-Auntie Calladora passed away, she gave it to me to be my secret retreat. That house is mine to do with as I please.' But she didn't voice those thoughts.

She pocketed the draft and glared at the seated man. He felt her gaze and looked up.

"Narcissa? What's wrong? I'm sorry about the elf…"

"I'm going to ask you one more question. Who is more important to you? The Dark Lord or Draco."

Lucius stood and tried to embrace his wife, but she pulled away. "I don't understand." His tone was hurt.

She tossed a picture on the desk. One of Harry Potter killing a basilisk with a sword.

"The Dark Lord nearly came back but before that, he was possessing a child and she was roaming the halls with a monster. This was no crup going for a walk. He was using her to target muggleborns. What if his control had broken and that beast had entered the Great Hall at mealtime. Or encountered students in the halls. Did you forget who attends Hogwarts?"

"Our Master would never hurt Draco nor any pureblood child. While it was a shame that no mudbloods died, it almost worked."

Lucius believed Narcissa was mad because of his failure to bring back the Dark Lord and getting Slytherin's basilisk killed. But he had an idea to help.

"You said yourself it almost worked. You should go to the goblins. I know that Bellatrix gave you her vault key in case it was needed. She too has one of our Master's treasures. A golden cup. I think it was Hufflepuff's or something. We can use that…"

The slap didn't hurt, not really, but it was the first time she had ever struck him. His hand flew to his high-cheekboned face, "You hit me. I was trying to make you happy."

"Get out! Tonight. You can't live here anymore. I don't care what excuse you give Draco. You can live in the Paris townhouse for as long as you like. Just don't steal anything from it. Baxter will know and report to me and then you'll be homeless."

"But you're my wife."

"Only for so long as we both shall live." Her cold look matched her icy tone which said that life would be measured in minutes if he was not careful.

Lucius took a step back remembering just how powerful Bellatrix was as a warrior. Narcissa may not have delighted in bloodsport but she was a powerful witch.

"I'm very angry with you right now. Not because you failed but because you nearly succeeded in getting my son killed!" Narcissa's voice was stone-hard. "You put the Dark Lord ahead of him, ahead of me. Ahead of our family!"

Sad memories of a different man went through her head; her first love who was too poor, the son of a political rival of her father's. Her lover's suit had not been accepted by her father and what he chose to do about it had nearly destroyed her. She knew it devastated the man she loved then and always secretly would.

This man knew she had loved another. Knew and ignored her pain then just as he ignored her pain now. At least this time she wasn't potioned to the gills or bound by family magic. She had her wand in hand, ready to use, if needed and the wards were tingling with power ready to be wielded as well.

Lucius' brain was slowly waking up to just why this witch was angry and how he was actually in mortal peril if he didn't get moving. Would their marriage vows protect him? He didn't want to take that risk right now.

"I'm sorry…I didn't think…I'll make this up to you."

"You have one hour or the wards will eject you. Take nothing that isn't rightfully yours. Once I calm down, we'll communicate about Draco visiting you but I can't think about that with the way you've been behaving. I'll want an oath on your magic you won't endanger him deliberately ever again."

Thinking of a potential raid, father and son both in bone masks, blood and death in the air, he shared, "But only for as long as he is a child, of course."

Her heart may have shattered a bit more just then, how had she been yoked to a monster as opposed to her love who fought for the Light? But her natural legilimency skills had seen it all. This was not the future they had been promised or that she wanted - blood and death and killing!

"Fifty nine minutes. Not one second more." The witch started to head to her own study but stopped. She had letters to write. "Oh, and until you do give that oath, Draco will not be alone with you ever again."

~~ooOOoo~~

Narcissa left Draco alone for a time, after Lucius had departed, to run an errand to the bank. The offer of a position in the Black family was happily accepted.

She swore her oath to do her best and found out just who the Heir of the House was. No wonder Lucius had never been able to get the ring or any gold for Draco.

She also found out that Draco's school vault had been stripped of everything but the bare minimum. She took what she was allowed from the family vault and obtained a recently freed female elf who wanted to be bound rather than free. Her choice.

Maizy cost far less than she expected and she put the rest of the gold into her personal vault. At least Lucius couldn't steal from that.

She brought home rings from the Black family but until Draco could meet in person with the new Lord, and take the oaths, her son would have only his trust vault. She would have a small stipend from the House for her work but nothing from House Malfoy

Lucius was exacting what he could in petty revenge to end even that small stipend.

She hadn't done anything wrong - Lucius was the monster trying to return a monster to keep doing monstrous things!

The Malfoy Account Manager and the Black Account Manager were in the middle of a very ugly exchange that broke up as she walked out. One goblin sneered and warned her of the consequences of theft.

The other was concerned for her. Goldrub offered to let her borrow gold from him personally, at an uncharacteristically low rate of interest, if she were ever in need, ever hungry: Goblins (the honorable ones) would never let a wife and child suffer too much from a feckless death eater.

He really did look ready to go to battle with Lucius.

She would get a stipend from the House of her birth for her duties but it wasn't full-time work. Or salary.

She was going to have to look for paying work, something that didn't bother her in the least, and she was hoping to get something that interested her.

~~ooOOoo~~

The Weasley family was still sitting at the breakfast table with nothing but crumbs and memories of the fabulous meal. All eyes were on the shared Daily Prophet. Bill and Harry had been by the night before for a happy, if loud, family dinner. If the two 'accidentally' forgot to talk about the guardianship, they could be forgiven. They did share that Harry had a job translating over the summer and was going to accompany Bill to Egypt. With Petunia's written permission.

Which was true, from a certain point of view.

They also warned the family that pictures and a story about the basilisk would be in the newspaper the next day. Ron had been sworn to secrecy and hadn't breathed a word which would make both Harry and Bill very proud when they learned.

The family had believed Harry but the stories and pictures were something else. Ginny noted with appreciation and relief that her name was mentioned nowhere. And she thought Harry looked terribly heroic. Sigh.

Now, a parliament of Gringotts owls had come in, with a letter for each of them.

Ginny couldn't believe her eyes. She had a new vault at Gringotts! And it had 10,000! She waved the letter towards her parents, "Dad! Dad! This means that I can get healed!"

Molly had a similar letter only with a bit more galleons. "Oh my!"

Arthur's letter had a significant draft and included an apology about the loss of his flying car and the contact information for an automobile breaker's yard (think salvage yard in the US) that had a squib owner who would be on the lookout for another Ford Anglia unless he wanted something else. Oh, and if ever wanted to just fix and sell cars, the man was happy to go into business with him.

The twins were admiring their own letter; they knew this nest-egg was exactly what they needed for success while Percy's letter included even better news.

'The next time an empty seat comes up for sale, House Black is going to buy one for you. You have tried your best to look out for Harry Potter and Lord Black wants to express his appreciation.'

Money enough to buy the appropriate clothes along with a seat on the Wizengamot! Percy wanted to shout for joy as well. He would have to write Penny right away! That or ask his father how to work the fellytone in his muggle shed.

Ron was in disbelief. 'You have acted as a true friend and companion to an orphaned boy. You taught him how to play chess and more. I have ordered a new broom for you that should be there before school starts. Harry is getting one too. I hope to be able to travel to Britain to watch you play quidditch even if it's just a pickup game.'

Galleons, far more than Ron ever would have dreamed of and a new broom. Then he got suspicious. "Fred? George? Is this a prank?"

The father answered that one, "A flock of Gringotts owls? How would they manage that? And then there's…"

Molly burst into tears, but recovered quickly. "That wonderful boy! He risked his life to save our only daughter and is now sharing the proceeds from the sale of the basilisk. What was Albus thinking? He sent Fawkes to help but didn't come himself? That's just…"

The twins were off. Percy suggested, "Starting with the letter D…"

"Disgraceful." Fred started.

George added quickly, "Despicable."

"Disreputable."

"Dark. Definitely dark."

Fred tried and failed to come up with another one so the family applauded George's win this round. It was a familiar game, one of many that the family played.

Molly then worried how this gold might change her family. Would they become snooty and aloof as so many of the wealthy acted? Did having resources mean they had to be like that?

But the discussion so far had been on gratitude towards Ginny being alive and now having resources to make sure she stayed that way. Even if a chunk of Molly's nest egg was used to help her daughter, they would still have enough and more for the future.

And that was before the unexpected eagle owl bearing the Malfoy coat of arms flew in.

~~ooOOoo~~

A/N: Our friend Odonnellzoo99 recommends: The Boy Who Fell by Darth Marrs

s/4521407/1/The-Boy-Who-Fell

The Boy Who Lived didn't. Now 13 years after Harry Potter was murdered by the Dursleys, magical England is on the verge of collapse. So Luna Lovegood wishes for someone to come and make it all better. A HP / Star Wars crossover.

I don't read Star Wars fan fiction but I really like this story. There is no Harry, but Luna's a MC.

A/N: Your story recommendation here -

~~ooOOoo~~

Edited for content (thank you MrsFH) 3 Oct 2024

ƺ parseltongue
galleons
sickles
ķ knuts

Ɠ Goblin language

Copyright: The original books are all owned by JK Rowling and her associates. This piece is the intellectual property of the writer VashonBeader and her beta LtsHrIt4ThBoyz and is not to be used (or sold) elsewhere under any other name.