Chapter Thirty Five - An Aware Wolf

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!

A/N: Alrighty. A few people have commented about how they find it odd that Harry has such a problem relating to 'wooing'/romancing the opposite sex and other social interactions while also being quite smart/clever. This is deliberate. As I've said and implied before, this Harry is not the well-rounded individual you might all love; this Harry has problems. For this Harry I've written him having an undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (High Functioning); somewhat specifically, a more than light touch of 'Aspergers'. This mainly manifests in his social interactions and his ability to corral his flights of heightened emotions, especially negative ones. He 'compensates' for much of that by being well-read and planning ahead when and where possible so he's not so easily surprised and his responses become emotional over logical. It's also why he's become very good at reading body language. But, romancing? That puts him way outside his comfort zone. Human biology is clinical; dating is emotional - two different things.

Yes, I know many of you will not like that. And many will think I'm not being true to the Disorder. However, I also inform you I have more than one very close blood-relative who suffer from this affliction, so I somewhat know of what I'm writing about from having lived with it.

I hope that at least some of you will now use this opportunity to fire up a search engine web-page and research the subject yourself. The latest research is showing that somewhere between 1 in 65-70 children 'suffer' with this, with a great many children going undiagnosed. With those odds, that implies about half a dozen children attending Hogwarts have this 'affliction' - magic aside. (Think: Luna... maybe.)

Chapter Thirty Five - An Aware Wolf

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Over at Longbottom Hall, it had now been three days since Frank and Alice had presented themselves to the Wizengamot and proved, beyond any doubt, they were truly Lord Franklin and Lady Alice Longbottom. Over that three days they had managed to get to know their own son; and the depth of the issues relating to and regarding Frank's mother, Dowager Lady Augusta Longbottom.

They had already heard that Algernon Rosier had been arrested before lunch that first day, as Bones had promised. And had been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a Heir Apparent of a Noble and Most Ancient House, Neville. However, after being told he would be charged with the crimes, he immediately offered to make his testimony under Veritaserum; which Bones immediately accepted.

From that testimony it was 'proven' it was not Rosier's intent to kill Neville, only frighten him enough to trigger a burst of accidental magic. However, he was still charged with endangerment of a minor, wilful negligence and wilful child neglect; two counts each. He immediately offered a plea of guilty to all charges.

As he fully co-operated in the investigations, he was released under his own cognisance and ordered to attend court as Defendant when the trial would be held immediately preceding the February sitting of the Wizengamot.

Augusta had also been interviewed and required to explain why she had not made formal complaint about the actions of her brother as they related to the Heir of her House. She was charged with covering up wilful child neglect, two counts, and would stand trial with her brother. However, she refused to plead guilty and would defend herself on the day.

After she was ordered to immediately return to Longbottom Hall, Frank had discussed matters with Bones before he also returned.

On his arrival he went to his office and immediately called his mother to join he and Alice in there.

When she walked in and was told to, yet again, sit on the chair before the desk, Frank stared at her for a few long moments before he said, "Mother, Alice and I have reached a decision regarding you."

That made the old woman sit up straighter. But, she kept her mouth firmly shut.

He said, "It is the decision of Alice and I that you are to move in to the Longbottom Sea Cottage in West Bay on the south coast. You will leave this room, immediately pack and be gone from Longbottom Hall within the hour.

"A house elf will accompany you - one of our choosing. You may not dismiss it and you will not attempt to give it clothes. You are also to keep the floo open so that Alice, Neville and I may enter the property as we see fit. However, the floo here will be blocked to you having direct access. You will only have temporary guest access and it will only be granted on a case-by-case basis.

"I have spoken to Madam Bones about this, concerning your 'house arrest', and she has agreed that the Sea Cottage will be that house. As such you may not leave. If you do, the house elf assigned to you will immediately inform me you have done so. And I will, in turn, immediately inform Madam Bones."

"Y-you can't do this to me!" she practically begged. "I am your mother and Longbottom Hall has been my home for almost forty years!"

"I can and I have," he firmly returned. "Your behaviour in failing to plead guilty to the charges you are clearly guilty of was the last straw. You are no longer welcome in Longbottom Hall unless you are specifically summoned here to attend me. And, even then, it will only be as a visitor.

"You are dismissed."

She was gone through the floo in less than the allowed hour. As soon as she was, the entire Hall breathed a sigh of relief. Frank was quick to alter the wards to deny her immediate access.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After working further on the House of Potter documents, especially the financials, Harry begged off so that he could make a start on dinner.

It was as he was happily working on whatever gastronomic delight he had planned for that night that Hermione decided to talk to him about sex, contrary to Sirius's order. She knew not to push him, as she was already well aware he would quickly close off when he was uncomfortable about something. And she knew sex was one of those subjects he was both uncomfortable with and clearly embarrassed about.

Walking into the kitchen, she asked, "Can I help?"

Harry looked back at her for a moment before he seemed to give a tiny shrug and asked, "How are you at peeling veggies?"

With a smile she replied, "That's about the only part of cooking I'm not that bad at."

He quickly assembled a pile of mixed vegetables, pulled out a cutting board and peeler, set aside a baking tray, gestured to it and said "You're welcome to have at it, if you would."

Quickly moving to do so, she had the vegetables washed and set aside. Then started peeling.

After the first couple of potatoes she, trying to be nonchalant, asked, "What chapter are you up to in that book Sirius gave you to read?"

Almost tripping over his own two feet as he suddenly moved, he stuttered, "Errrr... Ch-chapter eight, I think."

Hermione stopped for a moment to try and remember what she remembered of the table of contents she saw within the book and asked, "That's the one on the importance of keeping yourself clean, right?" She knew it wasn't.

"Ummm... no," he quietly replied.

When he didn't seem to want to expand any further on his answer, she calmly asked, "If not on cleanliness, what's it on, then?"

It was a bit for her hesitantly replied, "The... ummm... parts of a woman's body."

"Any particular parts?" she asked.

"Ummm... the... ummm," he tried before he stopped.

"Yes?" she asked. "Oh; is it on the woman's sexual parts?"

"Yes?" he almost whined.

"You do not need to be embarrassed about this, Harry," she said, putting the sweet potato she was currently peeling and the peeler down on the cutting board before turning to look at him.

Harry was currently working adding diced onion into the water he was using to slow cook the beef roast he had in the over-sized baking tray within which the roast was simmering. Instead of using 'dripping' as Brits seemed to always use for a roast, he used a single litre of water that covered about a half inch deep in the pan and occasionally topped it up with boiling water. Into that he added the diced onions and would be almost poaching the diced vegetables Hermione was dealing with.

She softly called, "Harry, look at me."

When he finally turned to look her way, she could tell he was blushing again.

"I'm your betrothed and you are mine, Harry," she explained. "This is a subject you and I should be expected to talk about. Well, not just expected; we should talk about."

Glancing her way, he swallowed and nodded.

"Good," she firmly said, "Now, if you wouldn't mind, what did you learn about a woman's sex organs?"

As he tentatively began to discuss what he had read, all the while occupying himself with making the dinner, he more and more relaxed and became more open. This was biology, rather than sex. That was precisely what Hermione wanted to happen.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

At just before 8.00pm Dumbledore stood outside the gargoyle to the Headmistress's office and was forced to wait outside, fuming. He remembered it wasn't that long ago he could command people to attend him and make them wait, as he was now forced to do. It was doubly galling it was before the same gargoyle guardian to the same office that was once his.

Finally, as the time ticked over to 8.00pm, the gargoyle nimbly stepped aside.

Without a word he stepped through the now revealed opening and onto the stairs as they moved to ascend him up to the landing before the Headmas- Headmistress's office.

Of course, he also had to knock on the door. Yet another pointed insult.

"Come in, Albus," he heard Marchbanks call from within.

As he strode in he gave his wand a gentle flick behind himself to banish the door shut.

Marchbanks didn't even seem to be paying any attention to his approach. 'Damned annoying woman!' he thought.

She sat there, wrapping up some parchment work she was working on, when her hearing told her Dumbledore had stopped.

Still not looking up and clear enough for the old man to hear, she muttered, "Take a seat, Albus. I'll be with you in a moment."

She gave it another fifteen seconds before she set aside what she was doing - reading yet another application for one of the vacant positions - and looked across her desk at the person she now knew she could get rid of at any time she wanted to.

She had already met with the School Board over his list of questionable activities since his trial and they all agreed he had breached the conditions of his tenure enough to fire him. The ward tap was the final straw, even for them. Now, she just kept him there so that young Lord Potter would not be so bothered by him. She'd be getting rid of him just before it was time for the students to return.

The application she was currently reading was a Transfiguration Master's application, one she had accepted and one she was reading over again. The man, John Biffingwater, would be arriving at the school on Saturday, the second of January, and be ready to begin on the Monday. Dumbledore would not be told who he was until the Sunday.

"You wanted to speak with me, Albus?" she pleasantly asked.

"I wanted to speak with you first thing this morning after breakfast," he grouched. Going so far as to almost slouch on the hard wooden chair that sat before her desk, centred and back ten feet.

"And yet, as I informed you, I was too busy," she stated. "Does this mean you do not wish to speak with me now?"

"You need to revisit your decision to cancel the Tournament Yule Ball," he snapped. "There's―"

"No," she firmly stated right back over the top of him.

Her immediate and firm interruption threw the old man a bit. "I... pardon? I haven't had time―"

"I said, 'No', Albus," she repeated. "The Yule Ball is cancelled. It's done. Now, is there anything else you wanted to speak with me about?"

He tried, "Griselda, please see―"

Again, overriding him she barked, "Headmistress Marchbanks, Al-bie!"

He winced, "Errr... quite." Shaking off the effect of the berating, he said, "Headmistress Marchbanks, you need to be reasonable. The Tournament Yule Ball―"

"Albus!" she suddenly barked.

When he suddenly stopped in shock and winced, she glared at him and said, "When you said, 'You need to be reasonable', just then, you implied by your choice of words I wasn't being reasonable. That was an insult. I do not appreciate my staff insulting me, Albus. You will not do that again."

"Errr... My apologies, Gri... err... Headmistress Marchbanks. I misspoke."

When she just continued to stare at him not saying a word, he finally returned to what he was saying. "As I was saying, the Yule Ball is an important component of the Tournament. It is planned to use the dates of the four champions as the hostages for the champions to rescue in the Second Task.

"So, as―"

Suddenly smacking her palm onto the desk before her, Marchbanks stared in fury at the old man. "What do you mean... hostages?" she growled.

"The three champions," he replied. "Well, four with Mister Potter also―"

"Lord Potter!" she barked.

Again, Dumbledore winced. "Yes... quite... Lord Potter. Well... as I was saying... with four champions now involved, four hostages will need to be selected for the four champions to rescue as part of the Second Task. It was decided, quite some time ago, that those hostages would be the dates the champions took as their partners to the Yule Ball.

"So, as you can see, the Ball―"

"Stop!" she snapped. "Shut up!"

Again, Dumbledore was brought to a sudden stop. He looked back in a combination of annoyance at being interrupted and confused as why she would need him to.

She glared at him for a few moments more before she quietly but firmly demanded, "And, just what plans did you have in place to seek permission from the legal guardians of those hostages in advance?"

Confused, Dumbledore asked, "What do you mean?"

Shocked at the stupidity of the man, she glared at him for a few long moments before she said, "Follow me here, Albus. You would need permission from the legal guardians of those you would choose as hostages. How did you plan on getting that permission?"

Clearly puzzled, Dumbledore replied, "I... don't know what you mean. Each student's Head of House, here at Hogwarts, acts in loco parentis for all students. Why would I need permission from the guardians? I only need it from the four Heads of House. Surely, you'd know that."

Stunned incredulous, Marchbanks could only stare at the man before her. Her mind could not grasp the fallacy - logically, legally, morally and ethically - that Dumbledore seemed to believe. Eventually, she just started to slowly and slightly shake her head from side.

Once she finally realised trying to put logic to the illogical was an exercise in futility, she sighed and said, "Albus, you've just proven to me... beyond any shadow of a doubt... that you are, as Lord Potter claims we all are, a daft moron."

Both surprised and clearly offended by the remark, Dumbledore gave a small start before he huffed, "Griselda! Really―"

She barked, "Headmistress Marchbanks, you daft old fool!"

Dumbledore gave another start of surprise but, before he could respond, she drew her wand and held it out so that the old man could clearly see it. "From this moment forth, Albus, each time you address me by my first name and not my title I'm going to zap you with increasingly stronger stinging hexes. Do you understand me?"

He gasped, "You wouldn't dare!"

She cocked an eyebrow at him and smirked, "For the past two plus weeks I've had to tell you over and over again you are to address me as Headmistress Marchbanks. Over and over again I have also told you not to address me by my first name.

"As you have not learned from that, I am allowed to raise the level of discipline to the next level. I've decided that will be through the use of stinging hexes. And, once again, if you do not like that - quit!"

As the old man sat there, clearly angry but not willing to say a word, she said, "Now, back to our topic. The use of hostages in the second task."

"Yes," he immediately said. "As I was saying―"

"Be silent!" she snapped.

When he immediately shut up and glared back she said, "You seem to be operating under a complete misunderstanding of what powers the Hogwarts Heads of Houses have relating to their legal status regarding in loco parentis.

"In loco parentis, as you otherwise seem to believe, does not give the Heads of Houses the right to act as parents or otherwise rightful guardians of the students at all times. In loco parentis only exists in situations where the permission of the rightful guardians of a student cannot first be immediately gained when it's necessary to be required immediately. That is, in cases of emergency medical attention and the like.

"In situations where the rightful guardians can first be approached, then the rightful guardian's permission must first be gained. That is the case here.

"There would have been almost two months between the Yule Ball and the Second Task. In other words, there would have been plenty of time for you to have sought permission from the rightful guardian or guardians of each of your supposed hostages, before you used said hostages in the Task.

"As such, in loco parentis does not apply. Rather, if you had used such hostages and they were underaged, without first gaining the written and signed permission of the guardians in advance, you would have been guilty of the crime of either flat out Kidnapping or Deprivation of Liberty. If even one of those hostages had been of an Ancient House or above - or, even worse, an Heir of one of those Houses - and any harm at all had come to the child, that could easily have meant the Veil for you, Albus.

"And... I remind you... if you had been found guilty of either one of those crimes and the hostage was of an Ancient or above House, execution by the Veil is the only sentence available to the Wizengamot!

"Based on the evidence, alone, I would have been one of those who would have found you guilty, Albus."

Dumbledore just sat there in disbelief.

Seeing the expression on his face, Marchbanks gave a huff and said, "What? Don't think it would have happened? Again, clearly Lord Potter is right when he thinks us all daft morons, when even the so-called great Albus Dumbledore could make such a stupid mistake."

Frowning in annoyance Dumbledore huffed back and said, "Nevertheless, the Second Task needs hostages for the champions to rescue. That―"

"No, it doesn't," she snapped. "Listen to the bloody clue, yourself, if you don't believe me. All it needs is something the champion would miss the most; not someone.

"As such, there will definitely not be hostages for the champions to 'rescue'. And, as such, no need to select said hostages from their dates to the Ball. That means the Ball does not play a part in the Tournament.

"Now, what else did you need to speak with me about?"

Dumbledore sat completely flummoxed. He really had no idea what to do from there as his entire argument pivoted on the need for hostages.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

At breakfast, again, Harry noticed his food intake was reducing even further. This time he only needed a little over one and a half breakfasts.

Hermione noticed and said, "Your calorie consumption is still dropping. That must mean the amount of work still to be done within you is tapering off."

He nodded, finished swallowing his latest bite of poached egg on toast with a drizzle of Hollandaise sauce, and replied, "I've noticed, too. I think it was about this same time yesterday, I first noticed that."

Interrupting during a break in their short discussion, Monica said, "As soon as you two have finished breaking your fasts we'll head out to do Christmas shopping."

That had the two teens nod back and immediately return to their breakfasts.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The mind-healer that Harry had secretly hired for Ginny and Luna had just entered the Burrow by way of the kitchen.

Molly, annoyed, said, "She's up in her room. I'll be up to join you, shortly."

"No, you will not," the healer immediately returned.

When Molly seemed about to disagree, Arthur stepped in and said, "She's right, Molly. As I told you yesterday, you're to stay out of it."

The mind-healer gave Arthur a nod and said, "Would you mind escorting me up? I've not yet been shown her room."

Arthur immediately replied, "Of course." And led her upstairs.

Ron, who was still eating breakfast after almost an hour of sitting at the table, grumbled, "Why does Ginny get to have a healer visit? What about me?"

Molly spun on him and almost hissed, "Were you possessed by a malevolent spirit during your first year of Hogwarts?"

Ron just grumbled about it and immediately began filling his mouth with food again.

"So," she demanded. "Not only are you jealous of Lord Potter, his titles and his wealth; but, now you're jealous of the fact your sister is being paid attention by a mind-healer because she was possessed for approximately nine months."

As she took a couple steps forward, Ron immediately cringed away, expecting to get hit. However, all she did was reach forward and pulled the plate away from him. And took it back to the sink.

"You've finished breakfast," she told him. "Go out to the garden and clear it of garden gnomes again."

"No, I haven't!" he stridently disagreed.

She spun back on him and, with a glare, snapped, "Yes; you have. Now, get outside."

Recognising that tone and not wanting to push it, Ron got.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Completely opposite to the shopping trip of the day before, this time Harry and Hermione were pretty much just part of another family among the crowds - 'nobodies'. No one bothered them. Even the aurors, all wearing suitable muggle attire, blended right in.

On returning to the Granger residence, Harry told the lead auror, "Good job, you guys. You fit right in."

"That's because this entire detail for this trip was of muggleborns and -raised, Lord Potter," the senior auror replied. "All four of us have spent plenty of time in the muggle world, including dealing with the madness that is Christmas shopping."

Harry nodded, but was surprised to learn that specific background of the team.

He asked, "I take it the team was set up that way, specifically for this trip? And the one yesterday was of the magical-raised?"

"Of course," replied the auror. "This is why it is important we know of your movements as ahead of time as possible. We need that information so the teams can be accordingly built and scheduled."

"Of course," nodded Harry. He should have thought of that and cursed himself for not realising it a lot sooner. He asked, "You're aware we're visiting our peer, Neville Longbottom, and his parents at Longbottom Hall tomorrow?"

"We are," smiled the auror.

That told Harry the team that would be going with them were experienced with acting in front of and in the homes of Lords of Noble and Ancient Houses.

Taking his load of purchases upstairs to his room, he was just exiting when Hermione, coming down from her own room after dropping off her own purchases, asked, "How are you holding up?"

"Better," he sighed.

The sheer pressing of the crowds while they were out had triggered within Harry a near panic attack. He had little idea he was as agoraphobic as he discovered himself to be.

Showing concern, she said, "If I had known you were as uncomfortable in crowds as you were, I'd have recommended just you and I go shopping on a weekday, Harry."

"I had no idea how bad it's apparently gotten," he sighed. "I've never liked being in big crowds, but that's the first time I've ever had an... event like that."

"When was the last time you'd been in a crowd that big before?"

"Christmas shopping, 1990," he immediately replied. "The Dursleys would take me along on all such trips to carry all the bags."

Frowning in anger, clearly aimed at the Dursleys, she said, "Being as it's been so long since you were last in such a tight crowd, that's probably why."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After telling Andi he needed to head to Eastern Europe for late afternoon and first part of the evening, Ted made his way to the International portkey disembarkation point at the Ministry.

He had decided he would be present when the blood sample was taken from the supposed Malfoy girl.

Arriving early morning in Perth - after stop-overs in Greece, Pakistan and Malaysia due to the distances involved - Ted arrived not too long after dawn in the Australian Ministry for Magic in their offices under Garema Court in Civic, the city of Canberra, the capital of the nation.

The immigration officer took his passport, did a rudimentary comparison with his magical signature between the two and said, "Welcome to Austrailya, Mister Tonks. Business or pleasure?"

"Business," Ted immediately replied.

"How long are ya thinkin' of stayin'?"

"Just a few hours; half a day, at most," he replied. "I only need to chase up some legal issues for a client."

The immigration officer gave him a nod of understanding and handed him back his magical passport. "Then enjoy your short stay, Mister Tonks."

With his passport back in his hand Ted went up to the Portkey Office to purchase a portkey to Perth. While an average witch or wizard has the magical power to enchant a portkey that will take someone from one end of the Isles to the other in Britain, the distance from Canberra to Perth was approximately three and a quarter times longer - a hair over 3000km or 1900ml and almost exactly the same distance between Los Angeles and Cincinnati in the US, or 500km (300ml) further than from London to Moscow. [A/N: Yes, folks; Australia's actually that big.] Therefore, specialists in the Australian Portkey Office handled the making of them.

As soon as he paid for his 'fare' he was directed to a spot marked in yellow - for Perth. He joined three others also waiting.

As soon as a fifth joined them one of the portkey officers handed them a large bamboo hoop and said, "Everyone hook a finga!"

As soon as everyone did he tapped a vacant spot on the hoop and barked, "Sandgropah seven!"

This time, Ted found himself arriving in what appeared to be a disused gazebo in a small botanic park, inside a larger wide open space, just inside what looked like a park between the city and the river's edge.

As the others moved off, with two almost immediately apparating away, Ted looked around and saw his contact waiting for him. He was leaned perched against the bonnet of a muggle automobile - some sort of van, in a small carpark - looking at him with a smirk.

As soon as Ted had spotted him, the man stood up and gestured him over.

"Mister Smith?" asked Ted.

The man gave a nod and said, "That's me. You'd be Mister Jones?"

"Indeed," said Ted.

With another nod, Smith gestured with his thumb over his shoulder and said, "You'll need to change. Hop in the back and you'll see some examples of what you need to wear."

Ted gave a nod and did exactly that.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As it headed for late afternoon in the British Isles it was first thing in the morning in Perth, Australia. Charlotte 'CeeCee' Wilkins had just been practically dragged out of bed by her mother and told to make herself ready for the day.

Grumbling about how it was her summer break, the girl made herself ready.

First, it was a shower in the shared bathroom she shared with her brother and sister - when either of them was home. Which, thankfully, was now not so often the case with both attending, or soon to be attending, university. Then it was dressed for the day in a light summer dress with sandals on her feet. And out to the kitchen/dining for breakfast.

As soon as she entered the room she saw her Mum and muttered a soft, "G'morning."

After a quick glance to her daughter while she was finishing up making an egg white omelette for the girl, Dorothy Wilkins replied, "Good Morning, Charlie." She said it with an almost sing-song voice.

CeeCee sighed and said, "Honestly, Mum. Do you have to do that Charlie's Angels impression every morning? I've been home for a week now."

Transferring the omelette to a plate Dorothy smirked at her daughter and replied, "And it was months before that, when you were here in September, when I last did it."

Taking the omelette over to the table, Dorothy placed the plate before her daughter and ran her fingers through the young girl's long black locks. It was something she often did when the girl was much younger.

"Mu-um!" whined CeeCee, squirming under the attention.

Dorothy took her hand away and smiled. "You use to love me playing with your hair when you were younger. You'd often bring your hairbrush to me and demand I brush it for you."

Still slightly whining about it the young girl replied, "Yeah, but that was when I was little. I'm not little any more."

Sitting at the seat opposite, her mother quickly checked to ensure her husband wasn't in hearing range and, leaning towards her daughter a little as if to tell her a big secret, said, "No, you're not. And I can see that by how your boobies are beginning to grow."

That had CeeCee instantly blush, practically drop the knife and fork she'd just picked up, cross her off arm across her chest to hide the somewhat apparent swellings and again whine, "Muu-um!"

Knowing it might be a little unfair to tease her daughter so, Dorothy smiled and changed the subject. "Once you've finished your breakfast you and I are going shopping. Besides Christmas shopping, you'll be needing to be fitted for bras."

Still blushing and not looking back at her mother, CeeCee just nodded and tried to get back to her breakfast.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After about a thirty minute drive, where Smith told Ted more about the girl, they pulled up down the street from the house he recognised from the surveillance photos.

"I put a minor compulsion charm on the mother to want to take her daughter Christmas shopping, this morning," explained Smith. "However, I probably need not have bothered. It seems the mother was intent on taking the daughter shopping with her this morning, anyway.

"They're heading to a muggle shopping centre called Maddington Plaza. It's about a five to ten minute drive east from here, tops."

While they were waiting, Ted asked, "How do you get away with just sitting on the street like this?"

"Minor Notice-Me-Not on the van," explained Smith. "Plus, it's what's known as a 'tradie's van'. It's the sort of thing a plumber or electrician would drive. No one ever pays attention to them in the mundane world, or that one is in their street."

Thirty minutes later, Dorothy and CeeCee exited the house and hopped into the muggle family car, before it them pulled out into the street and drove off.

Smith had the van started as soon as he saw them walk out. And the two followed the two 'Wilkins' ladies to the shopping centre.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Through the use of 'accidentally' hitting the girl in the nose with his elbow during a sudden turn and while the girl and her mother were separated and as Ted watched on, Smith used a previously conjured tissue to wipe the girl's nose clean of the blood that had erupted.

As her mother then saw what happened and hurried over, Smith profusely apologised and paid Dorothy enough money to buy the girl an icecream by way of apology. That conjured tissue was then surreptitiously slipped into a vial as he handed the girl a couple more.

As the Wilkins then left, Smith walked back to Ted and handed him the vial. Ted was frowning at him. He did not like to see the girl had been injured, even if it wasn't that badly.

"The tissue is conjured," said Smith. "As it's only a weak one, it'll fade within the hour. That'll leave you with just the blood in the vial."

"I did not like to see the girl injured," Ted snapped.

"Then how else would you have had me get a sample of her blood?" asked Smith, not bothered by it. "Break into her home, stun everyone and stick a needle in her arm?

"This way, she only has a few minutes of pain and no one's the wiser."

Stepping into a public toilet, Ted used a Finite charm to cancel the tissue and immediately placed a stasis charm on the vial.

He stepped out and quietly said to Smith, "Payment will be made, as per usual. I may have more work for you yet."

"As always, Mister Jones, fare thee well," replied Smith.

Ted walked back into the toilet, made sure it was clear of any muggles and apparated back to the gazebo. There'd be another portkey awaiting him about ten minutes after he arrived to take him back to Canberra.

He arrived back in Britain during the very late hours of the evening.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After breakfast the next morning, Harry and Hermione dressed in wizarding wear to visit Neville. Because of the aurors' determination to accompany them, he'd had to send a letter to Frank by 'house elf express' to let him know he and Hermione would be accompanied by aurors. And went ahead and used the opportunity to inform the Longbottoms he and his betrothed now had access to a floo.

Frank immediately sent a message back using the same method to let them know both the floo address and the current password.

So, Harry was a bit excited to travel once more via the floo, rather than via portkey. He'd not been able to practice his landings and hoped the Longbottoms were not averse to him asking for their help in getting a handle on it.

At 9.00am the two teens, plus two of their auror detail, plus the two Granger adults, trooped down to the Doghouse to use the floo.

First went one of the two aurors, then went Harry. "Longbottom Hall!" he called. As soon as the flames turned green he called the password, "The Nine Virtues"

After the rapid spinning feeling Harry missed the timing for his exit and shot out of fireplace to, first, land on his side before rolling onto his back as he slid across the floor. His slide was brought to a halt by the legs of the auror who had used the floo immediately before him and had only moved forward about ten feet. With a cry of surprise, the auror immediately fell back as he felt his ankles being knocked out from under him; and landed somewhat on top of Harry.

"Oof!" Harry exclaimed, as the auror landed on him.

"What the bloody hell?" the auror muttered as he scrambled back to his feet.

From where he still lay on the floor, Harry called, "Sorry! My bad!"

That was it for Neville. Where the boy was waiting off to one side and a pace back from his father, he suddenly burst out in rich laughter.

"Oi! Nev!" Harry called. "Pack up laughing, get over here and help me up."

That was when Hermione stepped out of the floo with an almost dainty grace. She was followed by her parents, who also had no trouble.

As Frank and Alice just stood there, clearly bemused, Neville ducked forward and took Harry's hand with his own offered in return; as the auror did the same. As he braced himself against the pull, he and the auror helped Harry back to his feet.

"Harrison James Potter!" exclaimed Hermione. "What is it with you and floo travel?"

Grinning, Frank said, "I see he's inherited the Potter grace."

Alice gave a little snort and said, "I don't think even James was quite that bad."

Finally getting himself straightened out, with the auror almost negligently banishing him clean of soot while the other, who stepped out last, did the same for the Grangers, Harry stood up straight, adopted an aristocratic air and drawled, "Lady Longbottom. Thank you for the invitation―"

Alice laughed and said, "Shut up, Harry. And come over here and given me a hug."

He immediately adopted a massive pout, but did as he was told.

Wrapping the small woman in his arms with her head coming up to his chin, he said, "I even practiced being a poncy git for that moment."

While Frank was hugging Hermione he chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it, Harry. I think it was ruined by your entrance, anyway."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After the aurors spread out to check the wards and throw up their own alert ones, Neville was quick to give the two teens a tour of the Hall before taking them out the back to the greenhouses. After being introduced, Wendell and Monica stayed to talk with Frank and Alice.

As soon as he saw the greenhouses, Harry gave a low whistle of surprise. "Damn, Nev! When you have a hobby you don't muck about, do you?"

The other boy blushed and quietly said, "Actually, it's also a bit of a gold earner for me. The plants I grow and harvest I sell to the apothecaries in the Alley. Because of the soil I developed and use those plants turn out to have a better potency, so I get a better price for those ingredients."

That surprised both teens.

As they were led into the first greenhouse, Hermione asked, "Have you given Professor Sprout your soil... recipe?"

"No," smirked Neville. "However, I've sold her some to use on certain plants in one of the school's greenhouses that really love it. She also sent me a letter a week ago asking me to send her more."

Harry said, "I certainly hope she's paying for it."

Neville shrugged and replied, "She is. Or, rather, the school is."

Harry noticed Hermione struggling to come to grips with something in her mind and he had a pretty fair idea what it was.

"Hermione," he said, getting her attention. "Neville's soil recipe is proprietary information. I know what you feel about information and sharing it, but Neville has the right to make money from his profitable research; does he not?"

With a pained expression of acceptance, she nodded. "Of course, he does."

Neville smirked at her and said, "Don't worry, Hermione. I sell it to the school at what is pretty much 'cost'. However, the commercial nurseries will be paying full price to make up for it."

Wanting to change the subject, Harry looked around and asked, "So, what do you grow in here?"

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After a long day at Longbottom Hall, where the Longbottom house elves outdid even Dobby for a delicious lunch, the two teens returned via the floo in the Doghouse to the Granger Residence just in time for afternoon tea. The Granger adults had returned earlier.

With Harry's blessing, Hermione also insisted on giving the Longbottoms the address and password to the Doghouse, so that any of the three could visit without first having to ask.

When he heard the address and password, Frank let forth a great belly laugh. "That has to be the work of Sirius Black," he declared.

Harry grinned and nodded. "I think he's actually thinking about using the floo system in his animagus form."

Frank laughed again. "It'll be interesting to see if it works."

Back at the Granger residence Dobby immediately had a plate of cut sandwiches before Harry as soon as he sat at the dinette.

Almost whining Harry said, "Dobby; I've got work to do!"

"Master Harry, Sir, needs to eat," the elf firmly stated.

As Hermione snickered at him, Harry sighed and was already picking up the first quarter cut. Just before he shoved a corner of the sandwich into his mouth, he muttered, "Uppity damned elf."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Earlier that afternoon at the Tonkses' place, Sirius received an owl from Remus asking for another meeting at the Leaky Cauldron for 5.00pm that day. At the time, Sirius had mentally shrugged and decided it wouldn't hurt to go to find out what the man wanted.

At a few minutes to the appointed time, he stepped through the floo into the Leaky Cauldron. Remus was already there and waiting. He had a small stack of Daily Prophets with him and on the table before him in one of the booths. The man did not look happy.

After first drawing his wand and sitting down, Sirius immediately erected a set of privacy wards. He knew the chance of Dumbledore not still being under a form of house arrest at Hogwarts was slight, but that was still too much of a risk for him to take. He would take none that he couldn't counter, just to keep Harry safe.

Remus sadly muttered, "Padfoot."

"Moony," said Sirius. "I take it by the stack of old copies of the Daily Prophet you followed my advice and read them?"

Moony looked away and nodded.

'Well, here's a very unhappy man,' thought Sirius. He asked, "And?"

Remus seemed to gather his thoughts for a bit before he finally asked in a pleading voice, "What happened to him, Pads? What happened to Dumbledore to turn him into this... this... fiend?"

Sirius sighed. In part, he was relieved his friend had 'seen the light' about Dumbledore and would no longer be a Dumbledorian. And, in part, he was sad one of his friend's personal heroes had been shown to be an utter bastard, after all.

He simply said, "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"But, Dumbledore?" moped Remus.

"Even Dumbledore," replied Sirius.

Remus sighed and asked, "How's the cub handling all of this?"

Sirius smirked and replied, "He's as right as rain. He's finally got his head screwed on right and recognises he's in love with young Hermione, she's also finally recognised that she's in love with him, the people he's staying with are treating him like a long lost son and he's with family, his personal enemies have either been or are being dealt with, he's taken up his Lordship and he's managed to organise and accomplish getting his friend's parents healed and woken."

Remus listened and then gave a snort of amusement. "He really has accomplished all that, hasn't he?"

Sirius grinned and replied, "He has."

With his expression changing back to one of sadness, Remus looked down and quietly said, "I've not just read the back issues of the Prophet, as you recommended, Pads. I also went and got myself checked for potions and charms like you said I should."

Sirius gave a huff and said, "Let me guess... compulsion and or loyalty potions and or charms?"

"Potions," Remus immediately replied. "Both."

"They were keyed to Dumbledore, weren't they?" asked Sirius. He hadn't realised it before, but Remus's claim left him feeling quite relieved.

Remus nodded. "I don't know how he managed it, as the wolf should have blocked those. But, they... or, rather, it... was there. A single potion that had alchemical components.

"Actually, the healer I saw said it was the alchemical components that allowed the potion to work against the wolf. Even now I can feel it directing me to trust the old man."

"So, it's still in your system?" asked a surprised Sirius.

"It is," Remus sadly replied.

"Then I'm taking you to see Andi," he firmly stated.

He then performed a quick Tempus and asked, "Where are you staying at the moment?"

"My old place," replied Remus.

Sirius nodded and said, "Give me about fifteen minutes to come back and get you. I need to see if Andi's available at the moment."

Remus nodded as Sirius rose from his seat.

He was back in less than five.

"Come on," said Sirius, not even bothering to sit. "She wants to see you, right now."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After working for a few hours on House of Potter documents, practically the last of the two piles sent by Ted, Harry felt the alert charm on the Doghouse go off.

However, he wasn't the only one. As he turned to look out the dinette window out into the backyard, he heard and saw one of their duty aurors, a witch, hurry out the back door and quickly make her way to the small building.

There was a moment as the auror cast a quick detection charm, before she opened the door with her wand ready and stepped inside.

Moments later, she exited again, leading Andi and Sirius.

"Andi and Sirius are here," he muttered to Hermione.

Hermione replied, "I noticed. Any idea why?"

When he turned to her he noticed she'd risen from her own chair to look over his shoulder.

"Nope," he replied. "All I can think of is she's noticed my potions have changed."

As soon as the two were led in through the back door, the two teens packed up what they were working on and made ready to receive the two.

Monica walked in just as they were finished and asked, "Guests?"

Hermione immediately replied, "Sirius and Andi. They came in via floo."

As the two adults came up the stairs from the lower ground floor, the two teens had finished packing up and were waiting for them.

As they walked in, Harry immediately noticed Sirius was smiling; but there also appeared a hint of worry behind his eyes, as well. He'd immediately turned to Hermione and gave her a hug before turning his attention to Harry. Andi just stood back and waited. Her whole posture showed she was concerned about something.

After his own quick hug with his godfather, Harry asked, "Alright, what's going on?"

"Two things," Sirius immediately replied. "First, Moony."

Harry frowned and asked, "What about him?"

Andi replied to that. "He's been potioned. A loyalty and compulsion variant very similar to what Miss Granger was dosed with."

Harry let out a sigh of relief. "So. His actions in not telling me anything right through third year were not of his own volition."

Sirius cut in, "It's a lot longer than that, Pup. Andi found it's very long term―"

"Over a decade, at least," she added. "However, it was certainly renewed a little over a year ago."

Harry parked his bum on the edge of the dinette table and folded his arms with his head down. He could hardly believe how relieved he felt learning of that. "That means, his actions since that night were not of his own choice."

"No," said Sirius.

"Thank God," he vehemently muttered.

"Yeah," said Sirius. "Andi's going to have to take a sample of his blood to Saint Mungo's so they can develop an anti-potion for it. It has an alchemical component, so a normal flushing potion isn't going to work."

"Poor man," said Monica.

Looking back at his godfather, Harry asked, "How's he taking it?"

Sirius's expression turned angry and frustrated. "Not well. Dumbledore was one of his personal heroes.

"When I met with him the other day I gave him some galleons to go and purchase back copies of the Daily Prophet and contact me again after he'd read them. He did that, plus went and got himself checked for potioning off his own back. However, he didn't get the flushing potion made as he couldn't afford it."

"That's why I'll be making it for him," said Andi. "Besides, with the alchemical component it'll be a bit of a challenge and I like challenges."

Hermione asked, "He's taking care of himself?"

Sirius nodded and replied, "He is. He's currently staying at, as he puts it, his old place somewhere. He won't tell me where it is and won't let me pay for him to stay somewhere better."

Harry asked, "What about the potion? Will it drive him to go to Dumbledore?"

Andi stepped in and replied, "No. I've given him something that will temporarily negate the effects until I can create the cure.

"Now, young man," she said, looking more fixedly at Harry. "I need to give you another once-over. I'm well aware the potion regimen you're on has changed."

Standing, ready to head upstairs, he asked, "Am I right in thinking I'm almost done?"

She smiled and said, "Pretty much. That's why I want to give you another health check. I want to see if you need to be on anything else, now."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ