Chapter Twenty –
Kingsley Shacklebolt began his third day of being detained with another series of rousing questions he could not answer or risk violating the statute of secrecy. Key members of the order were in trouble with the Ministry and the Muggle authorities. It was inconvenient for him to be here when Potter was in danger. He hoped that Albus was working on getting them all freed soon, he needed to call all his political favors to get the order members out of the muggle detainment facility.
They kept asking a lot of questions about what caused the explosions. He knew a little of course because he had reasoned that it was not a real explosion because they were not dead. Kingsley asked to see photos of the room and they refused, he had shut his mouth and leaned back in his chair refusing to talk anymore.
This morning the inspector had come in and screamed at him "Why won't you answer questions?"
Kingsley finally looked at him "Because I don't know the answers. It is always best to keep your mouth shut if you don't know something." Kingsley gave a deep sigh "I asked for the photos to see if I recognized anything in there that would cause that and you refused."
The man was very irate "I am the inspector here and your job is to provide answers when asked."
Kingsley smiled "So you want me to make them up?"
The man stopped suddenly "No! I want you to tell me what you know." The man then pointed his finger at him "My gut tells me you know plenty!"
Kingsley chuckled out loud "Oh I almost assuredly do sir but I am afraid I know very little about what happened or what caused the events three days ago."
The Inspector was outraged "You and the others were caught in a building that didn't exist four days ago where an explosion went off in the airport."
Kingsley then with a twinkle in his eye replied back "Ah, so because we were in that building we must be guilty of something." Kingsley flicked his fingers and shut the lights off in the room. When the Inspector was searching for the switch Kingsley suddenly flicked it back on.
"Tell me good sir why did the lights go out just then?" Kingsley asked.
The inspector answered "Well how should I bloody know the answer to that."
Kingsley chuckled "By your own standards I should lock you in a room for days because you were in the room when it happened so you must know something?"
The inspector very exasperated "The electricity went out for a moment."
Kingsley smiled "You know this for sure?" Kingsley flicked his fingers and the lights went out again. He waited five seconds and then flicked them back on. "Perhaps, it is for an entirely different reason and where you choose to guess, I choose not to guess."
Kingsley crossed his arms "I could say that your anger directed toward me overloaded the electrical circuit and caused the light failure but it doesn't make it true, does it?"
The door opened and another gentleman came in the door. "Ned take a break." He told the inspector who then walked out the door. The man sat down across from him "You are curious group of people. You dress differently, act differently but your reasoning is sound."
The man sighed "We had a major incident in the airport three days ago and a building suddenly appears out of nowhere. Everything I know tells me you are involved or you know something about all of that but I also realize I have no proof of this or that you are going to tell me about it." The man leaned forward and clasped his hands "The question becomes what do I do about that and you? Do I release you or do I hold you?"
Kingsley leaned forward "I do understand your dilemma. When I and the people who I arrived with entered the room you found us in, all I know is there was a very large flash and bang before I woke up sometime later."
The man looked at him and then pointed his finger "That is another thing because no video captured you going in the build, so how did you get there?"
The man then pulled Kinsley's wand from his pocket "All of you had something like this on you. What is it?"
Kingsley looked at him and didn't answer. This unsettled the man. "That is the exact same answer the others gave and is the reason why we are all suspicious."
Kingsley did not smile "Never the less the feeling of suspicion does not bring truth or knowledge to your situation nor does it prove my guilt of any crime, it is just that, a suspicion."
The man looked at him for many seconds before Kingsley stated with firmness "I had nothing to do with the explosions or that building suddenly appearing of that I know."
The man latched on "But you do know the people or person who are responsible."
Kingsley shook his head "No, I really don't know as I don't have enough information to know that. I would have to investigate just as you are doing now."
The man turned his head "Helen bring me the file please with the pictures."
A woman walked in and handed a file folder to him. He opened it and then turned a picture of the room towards Kingsley. Kingsley studied the picture for a moment and pointed to five stones with funny writing on them. "Do you have one of these I could look at?"
The man looked at him with a funny expression. Kingsley looked at him "I believe the writing is closely related to Phoenician or san skrit and I am as curious as you are."
The man asked quickly "Are you a professor of ancient writing?"
Kingsley smiled "No, not at all but I have dabbled in ancient writing as a hobby only and it does look familiar to me."
The man called out "Thomas bring me one of the stones and a spy glass."
A man came in holding a stone and set it on the table. Kingsley took the magnifier and looked it over. It appears to be Phoenician and if I am correct it says 'Quick light and thunder or perhaps bang.'
Kingsley looked up "May I try an experiment to see if this does what I think?"
The man looked unsure but also curious. Kingsley smiled "Suspicion is a good thing but sometimes to get answers you have to try things. I am only seeking answers here." Kingsley sighed "Had anybody recognized this as ancient writing from your people?"
"No and it bothers me that you knew what it was, it is too convenient." The man told him.
Kingsley sat back "I see." Kingsley looked in thought "Well, then I suggest we are done here then."
The man looked stunned "That is it? You quit."
Kingsley laughed "I didn't say that but if you can't get over this, then what purpose would it serve? You gave me information and when I looked at it I shared what I knew. What do you want from me?"
The man did not look happy "What do you think this experiment will prove?"
Kingsley answered quickly "An excellent question as I believe it will activate this stone so that we can see what it does."
The man shook his head "My boss will think I am crazy but after three days I am willing to try other methods."
Kingsley smiled and stood up before placing the stone on the floor He pressed his finger on the top and it began to glow blue. Kingsley stood back and then walked back over to the man. We might want to turn away because I believe a flash of light will come when it activates. Both turned and Kingsley shot a low level stunning spell at it, wand less.
When the spell hit there was a flash of bright light and then a very loud bang that shook the room slightly. Kingsley turned and looked at the stone "That was most curious."
The man stated "I swear that had the same effect as a flash bang grenade our swat teams and military use." The man continued "They are used to stun a person and disorient them so they can be taken down."
Kingsley picked up the stone and handed it to them "Or stun a group of people when they enter a room. How many did you find in the room we were found in?"
The man looked at him and then studied the stone "We found five of them." He hesitated for many seconds "If all five went off…"
Kingsley finished for him "at the same time then the people in the room at the time…"
The man finished as he looked at him "they would be knocked unconscious."
Kingsley smiled "I believe those were left for me and the people with me. A most ingenious method to stun someone, don't you think?"
The man looked at him "But why?"
Kingsley smiled "Of that I don't have the knowledge of so I cannot answer."
The man grinned "But I can tell you do have suspicions."
Kingsley sighed "Indeed I do but I lack proof so will keep my mouth shut."
Diagon Alley – The next day.
Kingsley and his group had spent another day in detention before they had to be released or charges brought against them. The police inspectors were not happy but had to let them go without evidence. Kingsley went to the Ministry to check on something before he headed to two twins shop to find some answers.
Kingsley entered the Weasley twin's shop and found lee Jordan and one of the Weasley's manning the store."
Fred or George looked up surprised "Auror Kingsley? Welcome to Weasley's wizard wheezes." The twin seemed dejected "Please tell me you aren't here to figure out what to ban from Hogwarts."
Kingsley smiled and then chuckled "No, that would be Mr. Filch's job. I believe I encountered a device of yours a few days ago. It seems it causes a bright flash and then a loud bang."
Kingsley walked up to a bin and handled the exact stone he was talking about. George looked worried "Kingsley we don't have an item like that."
Kingsley only smiled as he charged the rune and then sat it on the floor before pulling his wand and pointing at it "Then you won't mind that I activate this one." George cringed before placing his hands over his ears and shutting his eyes. Kingsley sent a low level stunner to make it go off."
George looked up at the Kingsley and smiled "A magic activated flash bang grenade. A very ingenious device if I say so myself. I will tell the DMLE to come and see you as these could come in handy under certain situations for the Aurors to subdue persons."
George smiled at him "Quite right sir."
Kingsley put his wand away "You and your brother George are very creative but have no formal runes training. However, I know of two women that did receive training in Phoenician runes that did and could figure the runic array to do this." George's smile dropped.
Kingsley left for the door "Please tell your silent partner that I wish to contact him."
Albus's hospital room outside of London -
"Auror Shacklebolt stated it was Harry Potter who left us a present at the Port key office in Heathrow." Moody dropped a letter on Albus's table "I just received this to let me know he is already left England and warns us to keep our nose out of his business."
Shacklebolt read the note "Tonks resigned the morning she had duty there and it looks like she left with Potter and helped to set us up. She might have pulled the wards down as well so we were found by the muggles."
Albus chuckled "No, I think this was all Mr. Potter and it has kept us so busy that we have not had time to look for him and he managed to slip through our net. I believe he used a muggle method to do so. It was a very good plan if I say so myself."
Shacklebolt seemed mad "You admire the kid for doing this."
Albus smiled "I admire that a fourteen year old outfoxed us because he has knowledge he should not have and he does not have the bias of muggles that our society does. He embraces it and you have to admit it was effective."
Minerva had a little smirk on her face "Mr. Potter is not stupid by any means and the women he has around him are the best students we have had in a long time. I would not underestimate him."
Albus frowned "Yes, that much is clear now. For the summer at least he is out of our reach and I hope protected. He has shown more knowledge and training than was provided at Hogwarts. The question is who provided it to him?"
Minerva now frowned "Albus does it really matter? He has done nothing this year but attack those that have attacked and manipulated him or his family. One would think the smartest wizard in the world would listen to what he is saying. Don't mess with me or else!"
Albus turned to her "What do you know?"
Minerva smiled "I know that I trust Mr. Potter more than I trust others I have known for years and that the Ministry and its corruptness better stop or Mr. Potter will drop the hammer on them." Minerva's eyes became stern "As for Hogwarts, I am fixing things he has shown we are lacking." She walked to the door and opened it "Albus he doesn't have to come back here at all, especially if you keep your little secrets from him and he can't trust you. Time for a new tact I think." With that she left.
Albus thought for an hour and then began to pen a note before he was about to call Fawkes to deliver it a note fluttered down into his hands. "Look up." It read.
Albus did so and found Hedwig sitting and looking down on him. She flew to his desk and held out her leg. He smiled and attached the note before she leapt up and flew towards the upper window. He shot a tracking charm that the bird dodged before hooting loudly before shooting out the window.
CHAPTER Twenty-one
Harry had just gotten back from his early morning run. Hermione and the other girls were working up to his pace and would be a few more minutes before they returned. He had just finished his push-ups and was starting on sit-ups when Hedwig announced her presence and landed beside him.
Harry picked her up and smiled before brushing her back and neck "Good morning beautiful. Harry gave her an owl treat and then she stuck out her leg. Harry removed a letter and realized it was the Headmaster's writing. He smiled to himself as he realized that Albus was not free from the muggles medical control because of the letter's return address.
Harry opened it and began to read:
Dear Lord Potter,
I applaud your recent endeavors to stifle my efforts to stop you from leaving. I was completely and thoroughly stymied. The muggles just released the order members this morning and the international port key office will not be up and operating for another week so they tell me.
It is obvious to me that you have received more training than I provided at Hogwarts and I and others have underestimated you. You are a resourceful young man and after this year I can see that very clearly now.
Unfortunately fate has dealt you a harsh and different hand from most normal wizard's and witches, you will eventually have to deal with this fate no matter what you do, it is unavoidable.
Harry, I implore you to see reason and I promise to help you deal with what must be done in the very near future. You must come back and lead this effort because otherwise the other side will win.
I await your missive in reply and your return when you come to your senses for the greater good.
Sincerely,
Albus P.B W. Dumbledore
Harry kept looking at it and the more he saw, the more incensed an outraged he was getting. Somebody had decided for him what he must do and arrogantly gave him no other alternative.
When the girls came back they knew he was angry with many people and when Hermione found Albus's letter she fully understood why. Harry had locked himself into the Delacour's upstairs study. The girls could feel that he was focusing on a response to a letter that was inherently wrong in all that it predisposed that Harry must do. They wanted to go console him but Hermione stopped them.
The next day Harry came out of the room and came to the sitting room where the ladies were at. "I am sorry I have shut myself off from you. Somebody pissed me off greatly."
Daphne looked concerned "We know Harry we saw Albus's stupid letter."
Harry looked at her and smirked before nodding "Well I have a response that I am going to send to a major French paper and to the prophet on 1 September. We will not be going back to Hogwarts this year."
Hermione jumped up and was about ready to say something before Harry's look stopped her. "All of us will be taking our Owls on 5 August at the French Ministry and then on 30 September we will be taking our NEWTS at ICW headquarters."
Hermione looked shocked "Which Owls and Newts?"
Harry smiled "All of them." Hermione eye's opened wide and she began winding herself up before Harry stopped her cold "Don't Princess just listen. If you want a mastery in anything, then in October you will have a chance to do that as well. Hermione you and the girls will have training that begins on 15 July and will last five normal days. This training will give you all the knowledge that you will need to pass your OWLS, NEWTS, and get two or three Masteries if you want them."
Harry smiled at them "Today, I left a response that I want you to look over and correct that will be sent to the papers in one month. I am going to go for a long run to work out my frustrations." Harry left before Hermione or Daphne could begin their inquisition of him.
Daphne looked at them "Did you catch the part about five normal days of training?"
Fleur answered "Yes but I am not sure what that means."
Hermione put her hands over her mouth as she gasped "Training in a time dilation field that is what it means."
Harry heard over the bond "You are in big trouble Mister because you have not told us many things, like you have had training in a time dilation field. How much?"
Harry chuckled in his head "You ladies are too smart for your own good. I am under oath and I cannot answer your questions. I understand your ire but once you start training all will be revealed but you must give an oath to start your training."
Harry was standing with the girls just before they entered the chamber at Gringotts Paris. They each looked at him and they seemed saddened that they would be gone for a little over three years. To Harry they would be gone for five days.
Harry had spent the last hour explaining to them all that had happened last summer when he left for school. The Goblins had come and gotten him because for the last two years he had not answered one of their letters to him. When he arrived at Gringotts under escort he was met by very hostile Goblins who felt that they had been slighted by another human.
After thirty minutes of explanations from Harry along with the Goblin version of truth serum, it was found out that Gringotts private mail had been intercepted by none other than Albus Dumbledore who did not answer for him but kept the Goblins and Harry in the dark.
It was over the next few days that the plot against Harry had been uncovered by the Goblins. Through the ministry records and Goblin records they had a complete picture of everyone who had been trying to eliminate Harry over the last twelve years of his life.
When it was discovered that major amounts of money had been taken from his family vault, heirlooms had been removed by Albus with inside help from a rogue Goblin, all hell broke loose at Gringotts, thieves, under their very nose, had stolen from their client Ragnarok was on the war path and began killing the clan leader, the family leader, and all family members until the worthless Goblin who did this turned himself in.
Slam fist was interrogated for three days as every item stolen was tracked down and the entire forty million galleons was returned with severe penalties to the main Potter vault. It was then that Ragnarok realized that Family Potter had been under siege for more than a decade as had been Family Black.
Harry asked for and received help in his training to deal with the families and the ministry that had tried to wipe his family name from History. They had sent him to training in the time dilation field for seven years and they did it in seven days real time. Harry's scar was found to be a horcrux, his health was restored by removing it and some illegal bindings on his magic, and most of all he had been forged into a lethal weapon and a combat wizard like the world had not seen for over a thousand years.
The Goblins had archived Wizard, Goblin, and Elf magic and taught all of it to him in the seven years. They had taught him Weapons including the sword, pike and bow and he was a battle mage that was highly skilled.
When he did return to Hogwart's last year he decided to keep his eyes open and observe what people and groups were doing. When the Triwizard Tournament and its' champions had been announced he had enough and he struck with lethality and precision. He neutralized the Ministry, then began on his outright enemies before he then moved in closer to those that were enemies disguised as friends and those that supposedly cared about him.
It had been five days since he had last seen his wives and he had missed them greatly. When the door opened he could see that they had missed him in their eyes as they held themselves back from their first instinct to rush and hug him.
Instead he was surprised to see that they came before him and bowed before taking a knee and raising their wands. "Lord Potter…" they began in one voice "We pledge ourselves as wives and warriors to support you in life, in love, and all of your battles. Your enemy is our enemy, your ally is our ally. Most of all we promise to never betray you so that you may know that your back is guarded by those that can do you no harm. Leaving you to face your enemies with only one concern, of their blood on your blade. So we swear, so mote it be." The magic flashed to acknowledge Harry's acceptance of their pledge.
Daphne stood up and stood before him "My Lord your wives have asked that I speak as your first wife and ask for your blessing." Harry looked at Hermione with his eyes arched she nodded to him and smiled.
Harry responded "Lady Daphne I accept and you receive my blessing."
Daphne smirked at him "In private sire please know that I am no lady and expect you to treat me as before…with my blessing." Harry leaned forward and gave her a tender kiss.
Hermione, then Fleur, and finally Gabby followed and they left the chamber to return to the Delacour Estate where they had a family get together. Hermione's parents were still on hand, as were the Delecours, Sirius and Remus. Dan had been introducing them to Bar-B-Q much to the Elves consternation as they were not cooking the meals.
Over the week the girls had been gone Harry had spent time with Fleur and Gabby's family and he had especially gotten close to Jean Pierre who was the Vice Minister for France. His twenty year career before his present position was of an auror and he brought others in to challenge Harry. On the third day the Head of their Auror department came to talk with Harry with the sole intent of hiring him to join the Aurors when he finished his NEWTS. Harry smiled but said he had other priorities that were more pressing and four women who had to help him decide. Mr. Charborliet left dejected for not getting his commitment. That night the five of them celebrated their return in their own special way.
It was the 29th of August when Harry sent the papers his response to Albus Dumbledore's letter. He didn't believe the Daily Prophet would print it but had let them know that papers in France, America, and the Quibbler had received a copy.
2 September -
Albus had been greatly disappointed when Harry, Hermione, and Daphne Greengrass had not returned with the rest of the sixth years. Albus's plans were on the verge of collapse and he had sent Order members to begin their search of Harry. Some had outright refused after they learned of things from Minerva. Albus was very unsure of what he was going to do. Everything hinged on Harry as he had set it up that way.
The owls swooped in and delivered his morning mail which did not concern him until Minerva stomped into the hospital room. "Albus Dumbledore you are the biggest horse's ass I think I have ever met and if this open and published letter does not make you re-think what you have done and what you are going to do, then I will be going to the Ministry to tell them what I know and filing a complaint. Albus grabbed the paper and read the headlines:
THE BOY WHO LIVES IS SHOT OF US!
Albus's eyes widened in horror as he opened the first page to find a two page letter from Harry Potter addressed to the Magical Population from him.
My past fellow British Magicals,
My name is not the boy who lived. It is not the golden one, the chosen one, the savior of the British isle, the next dark lord in training or any of that other rubbish you have printed about me over the last five years. My name is Harry Potter a former British Citizen and a former British magical that no longer lives in Britain.
This summer I received a letter from Albus Dumbledore that admonished me for striking out on my own after he placed me, against my parents will, in an abusive home with my non-magical aunt and uncle. My parents will was so explicit as to specifically say that I was not to be placed there because they hated magic and they knew they would hate me. - Albus Dumbledore knew better and sent me there and I was abused for eleven years. Not once did he care enough to check on me and in fact prevented many who did care from being able to check on my welfare. -
For ten years I was beaten, starved, treated like a slave and knew no love. -Albus Dumbledore knew what was best for me.- For ten years I was given my cousins hand me down clothes who was three times my size because my relatives loved me so much they wouldn't spend a quid on me.
Imagine how angry I was when I was fetched by the Goblins because I wouldn't answer their letters because you guessed it, my self-appointed magical Guardian Albus Dumbledore redirected all of my mail to himself and didn't answer that mail, didn't inform me of it, or teach me about my family or the wealth it had accumulated, or about how to be a proper Lord of an ancient and noble house.
Imagine how angry you would be when you found out the very non-magical guardians were receiving 1,000 galleons a month for your care by a self designated magical guardian but they spent nothing on you.
Imagine how angry you would be when you found out that very magical guardian had designated himself and Molly Weasley to receive 5,000 galleons a month each since you were orphaned to also care for you. I never knew either of them until I was Eleven years old and went to Hogwarts because they never checked on me.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR ME….RIGHT?
Now imagine that the designated Guardian that your parent's had named in their will was sent to prison for betraying them and their will explained that Albus Dumbledore cast the Fidelus charm on your parents hideout and knew the secret keeper was not Sirius Black but Peter Pettigrew, their real betrayer.
Imagine how angry you would become when you learned that your self appointed Magical guardian was the chief Warlock and helped to send your rightful guardian to prison when he knew he was not guilty!
Imagine when that Self-appointed magical Guardian had stolen money and property from your families vault valued at over forty million galleons but you knew nothing because he kept you in the dark, helped you to be abused, and generally didn't care about you only what your gold could do for him.
His excuse for doing all of this to me is because of a prophesy that is supposed to be about me that I am the only one that can defeat the Dark lord. Oddly and suspiciously enough he is the only one that heard this prophesy and has selectively allowed some of it to be heard, one of which half was heard to direct Lord Voldemort to hunt my parents down. Albus Dumbledore knows best…right?
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ...
either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies ..."
Now this great man stated in his letter that my destiny requires that I come back to Britain to fulfill this prophesy for the greater good… whose greater good would that be Headmaster, yours with all my gold in your pockets?
My response to all of this is the following. I am fifteen years old and until the Goblins came to my rescue, my four girls saved me, my godfather, an accused murder by the British ministry named Sirius Black helped me to escape Dumbledore's clutches, I had nothing and was left to fend for myself. The people who treat me with respect, that care about me are with me and not on the British isle.
If the adult Wizards and Witches cannot and will not straighten their own messes, then don't expect me, a fifteen year old, to do it for you because I refuse. None of you have lifted a finger to help me or to protect me? You now want my help and protection?
It is your Dark lord and I will not come back until you have straighten the political mess you have created, make laws that are fair for everyone, to include all magical beings.
The Dark Lord has Risen he is out there and you will fix the political climate or allow Lord Voldemort and the Pureblood elite to take over because you are too lazy to fix it yourselves.
My name is Lord Harry Potter and I have had enough… have you?
Albus head hit the table as he realized that all his manipulation and control was effectively shattered beyond repair. He had to get to Gringotts to get his ill gotten gain and make a hasty retreat.
He was about ready to write a letter as another came by owl. He looked at the front and found the official Goblin seal on it and his stomach fluttered. He opened it and his eyes widened –
Dear Mister Dumbledore,
Please be advised based on Lord Potter's complaint to us that all the accounts you had are closed and all stolen money returned to its' rightful owner. You had 51 Million dollars in your accounts of which 40 million came from Lord Potter's vault and with interest and fees it amounted to 49 million galleons. Gringotts has charged you with 2 million galleons in fees for theft, accounting services, transfer fees, and the like, leaving your balance at negative 1 Galleon.
Because you are in abeyance we have confiscated all items in your family vault and closed the vault. All items that could be sold have been and with Gringotts fees applied we have attached 1 Quid as the remainder.
Please know that you are banned for life and beyond from entering Gringotts or Goblin held properties with a be-head on site order.
Respectfully,
Gringotts Bank
Ruined, everything was ruined all because of a letter. He was interrupted by a another letter. "Albus was this your plan for me as well but because I had family and you couldn't do it? Harry didn't deserve what you did to him and I pity you when you pass on." Neville had signed the note disrespectfully yours!
Albus Dumbledore watched as the Hogwart's Board of Governors entered his room. He saw many angry faces to include all his head of houses to include Professor Sinastra, the new head of Slytherin.
A man named Angore Gristmere was at the head of his bed "I am sure Mr. Dumbledore that you are aware of why we are here?"
Albus nodded "There is no proof that what was said in the article was true."
Angore looked at him with a stern look "Contrary to that statement I have 200 pages of transactions from the Potter Vaults to yours, Molly Weasley's, and a man named Vernon Dursley it is more than 41 million Galleons and most went to your vaults."
Angore looked mad as he looked up "You are hereby fired as our future transfiguration professor. We will send any personal effects to you after Minerva, the new headmistress, has gone through it and checked with Gringotts for what is still missing. You are banned from ever entering Hogwart's school and or its' grounds" They turned and walked out of his hospital room, never to return.
CHAPTER Twenty-two
Hermione had just finished the run she went on each morning. She was wiping down with a towel. Harry came up after just finishing and leaned her back and gave her a kiss. She looked up "Mr. Potter what right do you have to entice me so?"
Harry grinned "Love, my love of you is my right."
Hermione smiled back at him "Ahh, I see." She removed her top and then said very sexily "but if you get me all excited then I must demand that you finish the task. She removed her shorts and stood before him fully nude."
Harry was smiling "You know the old you would never have done this. We could be caught with our knickers down."
Hermione pulled his shirt off and then tugged his shorts down "I care not what other people see or believe about me. I want you now and I will have you." She stated to him simple.
Harry was surprised, happy, and thrilled by the changes in all of the girls… not girl's women, his women. Life was very good.
The Black Bahama island was a private island discovered in the 17th century by Arturis Black, Sirius Great-Great grandfather. He immediately placed it under a fidelus charm and warded it before placing a large mansion on it. Each succeeding generation had added to the plantation and they mostly grew sugar cane and sugar beets for making Rum.
The last Lord Black decided to install a still and make his own brand of Rum which then sold in America. The entire operation was run by Goblins and house elves who had been increasing the island land mass each year. When it was originally found it was a four mile by two mile strip of land and its closest neighboring island was some twenty miles away.
The Goblins and elves now had increased the island to encompass a twenty mile by twelve mile and the neighboring island was only five miles away. With runes to make freshwater, cattle brought in from the mainland, other live stock and a fairly good farming operation, the island was self sufficient with very little effort.
Harry often took his broom and flew around the island looking at various features. He did stumble across a very beautiful looking area with a pool created by a waterfall. It had no beach to speak of so he decided to make one. With help from the elves he created a small beach area and he was able to create a small structure for keeping out of the sun.
When he showed the girls they instantly fell in love with the place and Daphne decided that a little bungalow, three or four bedroom was perfect so she asked the goblins to help the elves build, furnish, and ward it. The girls and Harry started staying in the house and visiting the adults every few days.
One morning Harry and the girls were frolicking in the water when Sirius, Dan, and Emma showed up. Sirius looked at the place and fell over because it was a perfect little oasis.
Harry smiled at him "We do good work don't we?"
Emma looked around in awe "In my mind this is what I had envisioned that paradise would look like."
Daphne smiled "You should see the house. It is nothing fancy but it has everything we need." The adults went inside and looked around. When Dan opened a door he found a stairs and in the cellar they had turned it into a full library study. Off to one side they had created a dueling room and a small gym. Sirius was floored with this as well.
"Harry this is wonderful you have everything you need." Sirius told him. Sirius suddenly got a smile and then went outside. When he came back he was laughing as he pushed everyone out the door. Above the house was a new sign the said "Potter's Retreat." Sirius then handed him a Deed for ten acres in every direction around the house and the waterfall. "This is your place now Harry and I think what you have done is perfect."
Harry hugged him and thanked him. Gabby walked up and smiled "Harry perhaps a little vineyard over there and within five years this place could be making wine."
Fleur suddenly looked with surprise "Yes, Harry you should do this. The wine will be some of the best ever produced."
Harry looked at her "A vision?"
Fleur grinned "Oh, yes!"
Harry bowed and said with happiness "Welcome to Potter's retreat a home away from home. Would you care to spend the night?"
Emma just laughed "You couldn't drag me away. They had a very good day and evening with a dinner served out on a covered patio.
When 2 September came they had been out exercising as Harry developed an obstacle/ running course out in the lush jungle terrain. When they returned Hermione picked up a Daily Prophet and then spit her juice out when she saw the headline.
THE BOY WHO LIVES IS SHOT OF US!
Harry was smiling as he walked in to fix breakfast for all of them. When he came out a few minutes later Daphne kissed his cheek "Harry that was utterly brilliant and it will totally destroy Albus and all his plans."
Harry chuckled "I know for a fact that he got all of our results from the owls yesterday. From what I have heard he was not very happy. If we had been at Hogwarts he could have had the top four scores in all of Europe, as it is, Hogwarts got no credit at all."
Hermione then looked at him "So yesterday he found out we have received serious training, today you destroyed him and basically told all of Britain to save themselves or they are doomed."
Gabby grinned "You basically made him the scapegoat for all that had happened to you and the reason why you wouldn't help them."
Harry turned a little irritated "Actually Gabby I placed the blame for all that occurred at the person who deserved it most. He was the one that placed me in those situations. Without him the minor players would never had the opportunity to do what they did."
Daphne crossed her arms "He is quite right. Harry was not the only one affected by all of this. Every student at that school suffered because of what he allowed to happen and he failed to help. I would still be in Slytherin and under Malfoy's thumb without changes being made."
Sirius came by later that morning with a big smile "Ah I see that everybody has enjoyed the paper today." Harry set his tea down in front of him.
Daphne smirked "It was bloody brilliant. It is about time that some of my finer Slytherin traits rubbed off on Harry."
Fleur retorted back "Yes, it is not like you rub your finer points all over Harry anyway." This caused all of them to laugh as Daphne blushed.
Harry sat down with a smile "So we have 28 days until we take our NEWTS and have you been able to acquire that company we wanted?"
Sirius smirked "I have obtained proxy votes for 20% from key families and we own between us another 41%. As of this morning I am the President of the Board of Director's.
Harry rubbed his hands together "Excellent! Who is going to be the new Editor?"
"Remus took his new position along with Tonks as his busty assistant editor at 9 AM this morning." Sirius replied. Sirius laughed "Every reporter was surprised that his first order of business was to fire every pureblood on the staff. He then hired two squibs and eight muggleborn as reporters."
Harry was grinning "So phase one of winning the hearts and minds of the masses is in place."
Hermione had been watching this and seemed miffed "Do you mind telling us what is going on?"
Harry winked at her "I am getting there but I have to be compared to the four smartest women on the planet that make being brilliant look easy. I am allowed to gloat when I look brilliant one time in five years."
Fleur laughed "You sir are so full of it! You know that is not true you are just as smart as we are."
Harry chuckled "I know but I like teasing Hermione every now and again."
Hermione had crossed her arms and was tapping her foot rapidly. Harry gulped and then leaned forward "With Sirius's help and funds we were able to acquire controlling shares in the Daily Profit. With Madam Bones being installed as the Minister, the ministry was no longer demanding they print their agenda.
Sirius then continued "Problem was that the pureblood message was still being printed and articles were slanted towards that effort. So we took that venue away from them and now we can put our message out and hopefully start printing the truth about some of the corruption that is still out there."
Hermione responded "With Madam Bones in place I thought that it all stopped."
Harry shook his head "Hermione I love you but all she can do is reduce it and not allow it to continue when she knows about it. What she can't do is be in every department to correct it. A lot slips through the cracks. The Purebloods have had a century or more to install their people in key positions."
Sirius snorted "Right now to get a business license and to own a business in Diagon alley, if you are not pure blood the application keeps getting lost, they make those applicants go through more hoops, pay more in fees, etc."
Fleur responded "That is not fair."
Harry added "Sirius and I cannot even rent one of our buildings unless we get a license to do so. We own, between us, 40% of Diagon alley and 25% of Knock turn alley and of course they have strict rules for issuing a license for that."
Daphne then spoke "Of course they would need to control who created a business which a makes people and families money. Money equates to political power and control of the Wizgenmont and the Ministry."
Hermione scowled "That is not fair."
Harry smiled "I know princess and that is why we are going to start exposing it so everyone knows and Amelia can take care of the corruption."
Harry looked at all of them "After NEWTs we are returning to Hogwarts. We are going to work in the background and be unknown entity to begin turning the political system into a fair one. We are also going to start going after the remaining death eaters."
Hermione looked at him "But you said you were shot of them."
Harry sighed "Because people need to quit depending on one person to solve all of their problems. How do you think Albus Dumbledore was able to do what he did? They let him."
Hermione smiled at him "I knew you couldn't stay away and do nothing." She smirked at him "Besides we just went through all this training for nothing if we don't go back."
Harry grinned "Precisely!"
Sirius smiled "Harry is being very Slytherin because he intends to make an attack on three fronts. First, changing the public's perception and opinions of government, the loaning of money to allow people to gain economic independence, and the last way is to give them the freedom to change their economic livelihood."
Daphne grinned "Between you two I know you have a considerable amount of money and combined a big voice that can be used to make things much better. If you get even half of these things accomplished then people will not be so afraid to speak up."
Harry smirked "Don't forget we have some very good allies with considerable wealth."
Gabby asked "With your allies how much wealth do you control?"
Sirius laughed "Enough that when the ten families went to the Goblin king and demanded he stop loaning money to certain families or else we would remove our money somewhere else…"
Harry rubbed his head "he not only listened but put an edict out."
Daphne asked "Why would he do that?"
"Because we offered him a more lucrative deal that would force the purebloods to come to our coalition to get the loans at a higher interest rate which we then split with the Goblins."
Daphne grinned "You got the Goblins as our allies?" Daphne focused her eyes on Harry "You sir are getting sexier by the minute."
Hermione sighed "Ditto! Brains and a body to match I won't be able to restrain myself."
Fleur quipped back "Not like you restrain yourself now anyways."
Harry rubbed his fingernails on his shirt "I know my lovelies you may adore my magnificence this evening in the bedroom."
Hermione jumped him with Daphne following closely behind her as they kissed him and then smacked his head. Hermione winked "You cheeky man you."
They spent the next two weeks studying eight hours a day and revising their notes for the NEWT exams, another two hours of physical exercise, before an hour of combat training. They left on 20 September for France and the Delacour estate where they would go to Geneva and the ICW test center for their NEWT exams.
Chapter Twenty-Three
They arrived at Geneva the day before testing began. As they relaxed that evening they were ready for the exams to begin the next morning at 8 AM. They had two days of NEWT testing with one day for written exams and another for their practical exams. The third and fourth days were strictly for them to take their selected masteries. Unlike Britain by waiting for another hour after the exams, they would have their official results.
Each written exam was one and a half hours for each subject. Transfiguration was first followed by Charms, Potions, Runes, Arithamancy, DADA, and an alternate warding/enchanting test.
. The last was not offered in Britain because most schools did not offer any classes for it."
They had 10.5 hours of solid testing because they were taking the full battery of exams. They had only thirty minutes to eat lunch because of the schedule but Sirius had catered a lunch for them for all four days. The other examinees were amazed to watch these five have a full lunch ready to go when they entered the student break room.
At eight PM the chief examiner only found five students awaiting their first day results. It happened that it was the five top performers for this year's exams. The woman looked at them and scowled "You five did the best in this year's exams. I find it odd that you are all homeschooled together."
Hermione looked very disgruntled "I would find it odd if we didn't score almost the same for these tests as we all studied the same material for each exam." The woman frowned but gave them their exam slips.
Harry smiled when he saw his results "Seven for seven NEWTS."
Daphne rolled her eyes "Was there ever a doubt about this. We were ready and well prepared."
Gabby yawned "Ok let's get to the hotel I am tired and we have a very heavy day tomorrow." They left the building and made it the four blocks to the hotel had a quick bite and were in bed asleep in no time.
The next morning they were still weary but Gabby made them stop and get a coffee which gave them a quick pick me up. When they entered the building Daphne stopped them all and handed each of them a vial. "Gabby the coffee was wonderful and it did help but we have a very long day and I believe the pepper up potions will be better. We can take another at lunch."
They each took one and within ten minutes were no longer dragging but mentally and physically alert. They had three examination teams for DADA which was their first practical. The first two students came in and out in fifteen minutes. Harry was called in and just before he stepped through the doorway he hesitated. He sensed something was off without knowing the exact reason.
He looked forward and saw three examiners who were smiling at him and one was sitting with an odd look. He eventually saw beads of sweat rolling from him and then finally saw the vacant and clouded eyes "Imperious" he whispered.
Harry senses automatically went on full alert mode and he combat apparated into the room right behind the examiners. What was more astounding is he did it silently and was able to disillusion himself before he landed.
He used legimancy on the instructor who was sweating to find that he was fighting the imperious curse from three men under invisibility cloaks. His rage began in earnest as he found out this was a plot by the death eaters to kill him and his wives.
He placed a very localized shield around the man's head and whispered "Continue to act like you are under the imperious." A slight nod by the man indicated he understood.
Harry then cast a charm to affect the cloaks by painting them pink. Within seconds three people became visible. Harry didn't hesitate and cast two stunners as they were focused on the doors and not him. Just before the stunners hit the first two, the third called out. "We are visible!"
It did not help the first two as they fell immediately. The third looked around frantically.
Harry smirked and then cast a charm to throw his voice in various locations around the room. He then cast an anti apparition ward before he whispered "Good morning death nibbler."
The man scared turned quickly and fired a hex that cut the wall "Who are you!"
Harry laughed "I am your worst nightmare – I am Harry Potter." Harry cast a silent slicing hex which hit his wand and cut it in half. The death eater turned and cast a dull red spell that made the back wall catch on fire.
Harry stayed behind the main examiner "You missed me again." The death eater pulled another wand from his breast pocket. Harry didn't even let him get it up in the ready position before another hex cut it in half. The death eater then pulled a medallion from his pocket and a dagger from his boot.
The death eater yelled "Activate!" when nothing happened, he looked down in horror and yelled "activate" again. He never saw the cutting curse that hit his wrist nor the stunner that hit him next.
Harry pressed his wand against the main examiners neck "Are you the real examiners?"
The man tensed "Yes I am as are the other two with me. I think they were placed in stasis."
Harry did not release his pressure on the wand "The one thing I was taught in my training is never turn your back on an unknown combatant. I don't know you and you either give me your magical oath you are the examiner or I stun first before calling the aurors."
Harry saw the man grin "A very wise precaution. He raised his wand slowly and Harry moved to his other side from where he had already talked from. "I Gilbert Rollins am the DADA examiner and I have no intent in harming Harry Potter."
Harry added "Or any of my wives!"
The examiner grinned "You moved, very, very precautious and wise. He repeated his oath and added he would not harm Harry's wives."
Harry grinned "Now do Lumos!"
Gilbert chuckled "Potter I don't stand a chance against you in the least and I spent ten years on the dueling circuit. Lumos!" The man's wand lit up. Harry finally released the wand on his neck and Gilbert stood up and then leaned forward and marked his paper.
Gilbert turned "You have an O ++ with distinction and honors. Two days from now you were to have a mastery exam with me and Paul. That was against two aurors and will not happen now as this proves you passed that as well."
Harry walked to the death eaters and stunned them all again before placing them in chairs after he banished their clothes.
Gilbert looked at him "You are a very cautious man Mr. Potter. Why remove their clothes?"
Harry stopped and turned "They carry extra emergency port keys and weapons on them. A naked man can only hide a weapon in one place and if tied to a chair can't pull it out. Complacency gets people killed." Gilbert had to laugh at that.
"Can you waken the other two examiners?" Harry asked him.
While he did so Harry left his wand on them and they awakened to find themselves looking at a very intimidating Harry Potter with glowing eyes. Gilbert informed them of what happened and they both gave their oath quickly.
The examiner named Paul began writing on his notes and then smiled "We thought you were a spoiled and arrogant kid when you audaciously went for your NEWTs and Mastery in the same week." Paul grinned "I apologize because I can see you are the real deal Mr. Potter. 99% of the masters out there would have been caught by that trap. What gave it away?"
Harry shrugged "It was a combination of things. I sensed danger before I stepped in the door which made me pause. Then when I began to critically look at things I noticed Gilbert was sweating and then recognized the symptoms of Imperious. I combat apparated behind you and then sent a legimancy probe at Gilbert and found out what happened."
Paul stood up "Amazing simple amazing. Harry you have very few equals out in the real world I should think."
Harry bowed "Thanks." Harry turned "I don't know how you feel about torture but this man here is going to give me answers or he will leave in pieces."
Harry enervated him and he looked around wildly and then saw Harry "How?"
Harry snorted "You sad sacks couldn't sneak up on somebody if they were dead."
Harry moved in front of him "What is your name?"
The death eater smirked "F-off!" Harry just laughed as he conjured a hammer and then swung it down towards his smallest toe. The death eater screamed in pain.
Harry was still kneeling down "I only ask one time and then I start causing pain am I clear?" The man with a grimace nodded his head "What is your name?"
"Aston Devonshire." He wept out.
Harry smirked at him "By the way if your answers don't match your buddies over there when I question him next, then I come back and swing twice. You have ten fingers, ten toes, two kneecaps, two elbows and after that I start cutting things off."
The man looked up "How can you do this? You are from the light. Light wizards don't do these things."
Harry frowned and swung the hammer "Welcome to the new world order brother because I am as grey as they come. He swung again and the man screamed out as three toes were smashed. "What is your real name?"
"Anton Grisham." He cried out.
"What was your mission here?"
Anton looked surprised "You have to ask."
Harry swung the hammer "Wrong answer scum bag."
Harry continued for another thirty minutes and got all of his answers.
When he finished he levitated the Port key to Anton Harry swung the hammer and broke his knees, arms, shoulders and then leaned over him "Now Anton I am sending you back to your master as a warning to your other death eater friends, I am taking the kid gloves off. If I see a death eater they die."
Harry looked into his eyes and saw the fear in them "You will quit when you get back and if you don't Anton I will come for you because I know everything about you." Harry paused "Aunt megs house won't work in Bristol because I know about it. Using any of the Seton properties won't work because I know about them."
Anton began to cry "He will kill me!"
Harry shrugged "You will find no empathy from me. Activate!" Anton disappeared.
Paul looked ill "Was all that necessary?"
Harry turned on him "To get the dark mark one has to rob a muggle, kill a muggle, and rape a muggle then use the blood from the girl to receive the mark. People that can't defend themselves against a magical, justice called out for it and I will not coddle criminals!"
Harry walked out of the room and smiled as he showed Hermione as Daphne walked in to the exam room. Hermione's eyes bulged "O++? What the hell was that?"
Harry chuckled "Well that was because I surpassed the test they were going to give me for my mastery on Thursday. So I passed both at the same time." Harry grinned "Baby I am that good!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and then smiled before kissing him and remarking "Modest as well." She snarked at him.
Daphne came out about ten minutes later with a smile until she saw Harry scores "What the hell is that?" She slapped him "How do you keep doing that?"
Gabby smirked "Baby he is that good."
Harry was laughing "You are giving me a big head." Daphne crossed her arms and then looked mad at him. He settled down "They gave me a pass for my mastery on the same test."
Daphne's eyes became dark as she scooted closer to him "You know that power gets to me, so care for a bathroom break?" Daphne didn't wait for an answer she grabbed his belt and tugged him where she wanted to go."
When they came back Gabby was just coming out while holding her paper and smiling. Hermione stood up and winked "We have charms next two doors down." The rest of the day was much calmer as they completed the rest of the exams.
Greengrass Manor – Lord Voldemort's HQ
Voldemort stood over the naked man lying on the floor and listened closely. "My lord we set up everything as planned, the examiners were in stasis and the one was imperiused. Somehow Potter knew we were there and he ambushed us. He stunned Huntington and Largo before we knew that our cloaks had been compromised.
Voldemort asked tersely "What do you mean compromised?"
Anton looked up "They turned pink and revealed our positions." He continued "He cut my wands twice and then disarmed me and I never saw where he was. I tried the port key and it would not work. I woke up sitting bound naked in a chair. Potter asked me questions and when I didn't know the answers or lied he smashed my toes with hammers."
Anton sighed "He knew if I lied and his response was to use that hammer on me. I couldn't stand the pain."
Voldemort looked down at him "Why did he let you survive?"
Anton gasped "He broke every major joint and bone in my body and sent me back to warn you and the others that work for you that he will cause you great pain if you do not leave him alone. He said he would make it worse for the next to come after him."
Lord Greengrass spoke "My Lord perhaps it is best if we leave the Potter boy alone for now. Your ranks are thin and we need time to rebuild."
Voldemort became enraged "With what? I have no money or political capital to build with. No way to coerce people to my side. I need Potter to get that political capitol to reach my plans. As long as he breathes then I will not be able to gather followers, with him defeated as a symbol of my power, they will flock to me." Lord Greengrass knew it would do no further good to argue.