Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Thank you J K Rowling for creating a wonderful world where our imagination can play.

Author's Note: Thank you for all of the views, follows, favorites, and comments even the negative one. I felt that I need to flush out a bit of the details around this first chapter almost doubling the length. Going forward expect chapters to be at least 4,000 words and chapter 2 is a little more than half way completed.

Vivre et Laisser Mourir

Chapter 1

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Out flashed Prongs to save my cousin and me from certain death. Typically this spell is the end of my troubles. In my third year, it made 100 dementors flee so I could save my Godfather from having his soul devoured. This time it was nothing of the sort; just the start of a big pain in the arse. As I helped a limping Big-D back home we were stopped by Mrs. Figg.

"Harry keep your wand out in case they come back," whispered Mrs. Figg. She walked to the opposite side of Dudley and helped carry him the remaining block home.

As we approached the house Aunt Petunia screeched, "What have you done to my Dudders?"

Before I could respond Mrs Figg had replied, "They were attacked by dementors in the park and Harry saved them."

Much to my astonishment, Aunt Petunia gave me a hug and thanked me for saving Dudley. 'Wow two firsts in the same night: A hug and a thank you.' I asked, "You know about dementores?"

"Of course I do. That greasy haired stalker Snape told Lily and I all about dementores and Azkaban. I had nightmares for weeks."

"Severus Snape? What a bloody tosser! Can you tell me more as we get Dudley some chocolate? The chocolate releases some chemical to aid in recovery."

After Dudley started his second chocolate Mars bar but before Aunt Petunia could tell me anymore, a ministry owl dropped a letter notifying me that due an additional infraction against the underage use of magic I was to be expelled from Hogwarts and someone would be there shortly to snap my wand. Besides being worried, I was angry as this was undoubtedly unjust, probably illegal, and definitely forced me to move up my timetable.

Aunt Petunia asked, "Harry, what can we do to help?"

I replied, "Please tell them that you don't know where I have gone."

She nodded acceptance and I rushed upstairs to grab my trunk and Hedwig's cage which I tossed in my trunk. After tapping the shrinking rune, I placed my trunk into my pocket.

Hedwig was still missing from the trip she had taken to Hermione's three weeks ago. I had only received three letters that summer. The first letter was five weeks ago, Sirius told me to behave and that he would see me soon in a fortnight at longest. The second followed a few days later. My former friends told me that they were together at some headquarters and Dumbledore requested they didn't tell me anything because it wasn't safe and that I should take the time alone to get over Cedric's death. I may have been hysterical the day he died but keep in mind I had just spent three hours in a maze of horrors, tortured by Lord Voldemort, seen my dead parents as specters of some sort, and miraculously survived an encounter with in a cemetery with 23 murderers. I had finished grieving for Cedric before I even left the infirmary. They also mentioned something about Dumbledore stating it was for the bloody greater good. That stupid phrase reminded me of Grindelwald's "Das Höhere Wohl" kind of like whenever a muggle politician writes a book with "Mein Kampf" or "My Struggle" as part of the title it makes me question if he or she is aware of the Infamous historical figure they have copied. The last letter was a care package from Ginny loaded with my favorite treats. Uncle Vernon was trying to starve me again and the food would have been lovely had it not been laced with potions. Luckily, Dobby stopped me from ingesting that toxic food as well as he brought me high protein and nutrient dense meals six times a day as part of my plan for improving my health. I had realized Dobby's need to be bonded during the prior autumn when Hermione was on her S.P.E.W. crusade. I had tried to tell her about the symbiotic relationship between wizards and house elves but like usual she knew best and I couldn't possibly know something she did not. So I offered Dobby and Winky jobs. They did my chores for me in the morning while I exercised before the Dursleys awoke for the day,

After coming back downstairs, I walked out into the back yard and took out my emergency portkey to Gringotts. As a friend of the nation, I would be granted sanctuary and hidden from the British wizarding world for as long as needed. After arriving at the VIP entrance, I was ushered into Throatslasher's office. My account manager must have had a colorful background to have earned that name.

As I finished talking with my personal banker, a few owls arrived. Dumbledore's requested that I stay with my aunt for a few days more and that there would be a hearing in the ministry rather than an immediate expulsion. Sirius's scolded me from being away from the protections of the house, reminded me to stay out of trouble, and promised that I'd see him soon. None of the expected things like good job saving yourself and your cousin from certain death, sorry your babysitter/ guard abandoned you so he could fence stolen goods, sorry it has been three weeks longer than was promised to get you away from the Dursleys or sorry I haven't said or done anything to help you since November. I had been so excited to have a Godfather that said that he cared about me that I overlooked most of deficiencies but this was ridiculous. The Ministry's letter confirmed Dumbledore's claims and so I had a week to get ready for my hearing with Madams Hopkirk and Madam Bones of the DMLE. Although my pint size spies, Dobby and Winky, painted a different Ministerial plan that would require a much more thorough preparation. Regrettably, Madam Bones neither questioned the unprecedented escalation of the hearing into a trial nor notified me of the changes nor my rights.

On the morning of my hearing I walked into the Ministry decked out in my new navy Anderson & Sheppard suit from Savile Row. I looked ready for muggle court with a style that one might expect from the Duke of Windsor or Fred Astaire. Yes, this was in front of the Wizengamot whose style was stuck back in the Victorian Era but I had gotten rid of the glamour I had worn for the past two years and wanted to make a statement with my new physical prowess. I was 5' 10" and had the body of a competitive swimmer. I was attempting to bulk up to a light-heavyweight boxer physic.

With the extensive damage done to my body by the Dursley's and others' loving care it had taken two years of potions, strict diet and extensive exercise recommended by Gringotts chief healer. I decided I needed to hide the corrective work so that my foes underestimated me Also I was concerned that some of those foes would try to undo all the hard work. Madam Pomphrey never mentioned any of my long term medical issues or how they could be corrected with potions and elixirs.

I walked into the Wizengamot room that I had seen previously from Dumbledore's memory with just three minutes to spare. I noted that Dumbledore was missing and knew that he was probably off scheming the most effective pop in at the last minute to save me from the big bad Wizengamot. I asked the Chief-witch to seal the doors so we could proceed without interruption as I wasn't waiting for anyone else. The prosecution was ready and so the doors were sealed so that we could start this farce.

Fudge stood up and gave a quick bang of his gavel. "I call this emergency session to order so that we may try the case of the People of Magical Britain v Harry Potter. The case is simply that of Harry Potter's blatant disregard for the law. He is broken two of our most sacred and most important laws: The Restriction of underage magic and the International Statute of Secrecy by producing a Patronus charm in front of a muggle in a muggle neighborhood. We, the Ministry, feel that he should be expelled from Hogwarts and have his wand snapped." He was playing the room like a seasoned politician and had roughly three-fourths of the room applauded. He then asked, "How does the defendant plead?"

I replied, "As I was muggle raised and have no advocate, may I please speak with you a moment about a deal perhaps it is called a plea bargain, I think that it is what it is called at least in the muggle world?"

His eyes got big and he smiled like the Cheshire cat. We walked over to the corner and spoke in hushed tones for 2 minutes. He then broke away into a huddle with a toad dressed from head to toe in bubblegum pink. She nodded in acceptance of my deal.

Fudge addressed the assembly and stated that I was willing to make an unbreakable vow to leave England forever in front of the press and in exchange I would have clean record even the charge of underage magic from just prior to my second year would be dismissed and I would get a free portkey out of England to MACUSA in New York City immediately after the press conference. No one objected and a large majority could barely contain their happiness.

Inside, I was furious. People that owed my family everything and some had sworn alliances were about to be broken; these were ancient pacts. One Potter ally going back over 50 generations was seconds away from being irrevocably destroyed, as the Longbottoms had stood with the Potters since before the Wizengamot had been established. Inadvertently, I had fulfilled my duty to them during the first two years at Hogwarts by being one of the only people that was kind to Neville and helping him whenever I could. For the past 2 years I was hoping he would acknowledge the alliance and was sad to see that during the tournament he was among the traitorous Gryffindors. The other Great Alliance member had a 30 generation old pact with my family. Madame Bones was my secondary Godmother and the third person that should have taken me in after my parents' death. I had a numerous complaints about her and Susan. In fact, Malfoy was the only Hogwarts student that I loathed more than Susan Bones. I had been actively looking for a way to get out of a betrothal with Susan since I had discovered it two years ago. Lady Bones was just minutes away from losing her fortune but on the bright side it would allow me to get out of the betrothal with that Hufflepuff harpy.

Obligations made to my second House were about to be put into immediate default, because they had taken me to trial in breach of their obligations to the rule of law. Sometimes before I do something really stupid I get this feeling in my chest telling me to stop. Well most of the members of the Wizengamot were just about to cast a vote accepting the deal contrary to what their magic, their conscience, or whatever else it might be compels one to proceed with extreme caution.

Fudge called a vote and it was unanimous to accept my deal. He banged his gavel and announced the session was closed. As the seal was broken to the back doors members rushed out to find the best spots to watch the press conference up in the atrium.

Fudge and I walked out of the room. As we passed the Malfoys, Fudge gave them an obvious gesture that better than the desired results had been secured. As we went up the elevator Fudge mentioned to me there should be no hard feelings. It was not personal, just business. I replied, "After the press briefings you should read Mario Puzo's actual quote. It is highly insightful to today's proceedings" It was clear he was excited that I would be leaving the country forever, the payoff from Malfoy was substantial, and that this nonsense about Lord Voldemort coming back from the dead would soon be over.

We walked up some stairs to the podium and he started, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the press and Wizards and Witches of our fine country. Today we have had the trial of one Harry James Potter due to some major infractions of the law. Realizing his guilt he has made a plea bargain to be exiled from England in exchange for a portkey to MACUSA and for his record to be wiped clean." He brought me up to the front and called for the Unspeakable that would do the binding to come forth. He handed me the conditional portkey that would become viable after the vows completion. Unbeknownst to him I knew his portkey was a one way trip to the maximum security wing of Azkaban. He and Umbridge thought that they were beyond clever, but I came prepared with my own portkey to New York. Their underhandedness could come in handy someday soon. I'd requested a unique activation phrase tied to my voice so no one else could set it off.

Finally, I saw Dumbledore. He was in the back clearly agitated by the proceedings. The soft grandfatherly facade was dropped with the snarl on his face and his fists clenched. I even saw some veins protruding on his forehead.

I asked the unspeakable to put up a shield charm so no one could interfere with the delicate oath. In a loud clear voice I swore "As I am as guilty as Sirius Black, my sworn godfather, I Lord Hadrian James Peverell Slytherin Potter Black and Heir of Gryffindor do solemnly swear on my magic and based on the integrity of the Minister following through with his promises, do promise to never return to land inside the borders of Modern-day England found on Insula Albionum due to the crimes committed against me and my families by both the non-magical and magical populations. So mote it be." There was a gold flash of my magic acknowledging my oath.

I put the ministry provided portkey away and I pulled out my portkey and shouted over the din of the shocked attendees, "Another press conference is waiting for me and to Tom: England is yours!" And with a pop I disappeared from the room.