J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.

Chapter 3 – Aftermath

For some reason, perhaps to prolong the suspense as it had been rumored, the Weasley Family were the very last of the British Magicals to be tried.

Bill Weasley was a doomed man. He had tried the "I-was-only-following-orders" plea that the Nazis had used, but it didn't work for them and it didn't work for him. It was sad as, much like his father, he was basically was a good and brave man. He really was just following the orders of his employers, the Ministry and the demands of his mother.

He swore all of this under Veritaserum, saying if he wanted to keep his job and his mother off his back, he would do what he was told. He didn't know the real extent of things, didn't know that Harry was being swindled or that he had been under spells, charms and compulsions. He didn't know about the illegal marriage contract that his mother and Dumbledore had arranged, but none of it matter.

He was only given a year in prison for abetting the Goblins and the Ministry. However, he knew that he would never be employed again in his chosen profession nor would he find a job in Britain.

Charlie had left the day after Fred's funeral so he had not been charged with anything, although he was given Veritaserum to be safe. Since he had really only been there to fight the Dark Side, he was welcomed back to his beloved dragon reserve.

Percy was guilty only of being a pompous git and a shameless toady. His testimony under Veritaserum proved that everything he had done during his time at the Ministry he had done with the best intentions. He really did just follow the orders of Fudge and Scrimgeour as long as he didn't think they were committing a crime.

He had never worked for Kingsley as he had quit the Ministry at the last minute before the final battle and had spent his time helping his family in regard to Fred as well as helping to rebuild Hogwarts. Remarkably he didn't have to serve time, but he was banned from ever working in any government job.

Percy eventually found a job with his brother George. George really wasn't guilty of anything. He and Fred had mostly ignored his mother and did what they thought was right. It was a struggle running the shop as people really didn't have money for pranks.

After Bill's release the brothers packed up and left Britain. They went as far as changing their name from Weasley to Weatherby of all things. Harry had anonymously funded a new business for them, although George had his suspicions who had been the backer.

They had opened up a research and development firm, using the Brazilian Darkness Powder as their first product. Again it had been a struggle until they had come up with new products, but eventually the business made money and would continue to grow slowly but surely and provide a living for each of them.

Eventually the three men found love and married, averaging about 3 children each. Charlie remained a bachelor and was a devoted uncle.

Under Veritaserum, Ron revealed that he had never really been Harry's friend. Their meeting was a set up devised by Dumbledore. Ron admitted that he was insanely jealous of Harry and he went along just for the git's money and fame, hoping that some of it would rub off on him.

He reported to Dumbledore on the sly once a week unless something big came up. Dumbledore paid him 5 galleons a week to report on Harry and bonuses for sabotaging Harry and damaging his reputation.

When Ron had convinced Harry to take Divination instead of something useful like Ancient Runes, Dumbledore paid him 100 galleons. Every time he stopped Harry from making a friend outside of Gryffindor he got 20 galleons.

It was him who gave Malfoy the idea about the "Potter Stinks" badges and he had worked "overtime" to spread lies and slander Harry's name before the first task. "Dumbledore was so pleased with all my efforts, he paid me 500 galleons," Ron bragged, "the only bad part was to get the whole amount I had to apologize to the little prick after he survived the dragon so that I could continue spying on him."

Ron had to be given Veritaserum several times as he had a lot of info on Dumbledore and others. He proudly boasted "How hurt Potter was when I WAS MADE PREFECT. I thought the bastard was going to cry. Dumbledore promised to make me Head Boy and Quidditch Captain, but McGonagall managed to sneak Potter the Quidditch badge when Dumbles wasn't available."

"To make it up to me, Dumbles gave me 100 galleon and another 100 to start slipping the Mudblood (Granger) lust potions on me. Couldn't have the pathetic little prick get "the girl" – although why he'd want the stupid slut I don't know. But she did my homework for me so she had her uses. Bitch wouldn't put out though and I even tried doing a compulsion charm on her. She must be a lesbian since she wouldn't give me any."

Ron rattled on every time the Veritaserum was administered. He showed no shame in giving his testimony. If fact, it was noted by more than one reporter covering the trials, "Ronald Weasley spouted out the history of his disgraceful betrayals as if such betrayals and actions were a normal, sensible and logical way to act."

"Despite Veritaserum giving the person a blank stare, most people seem reluctant to speak knowing that they are revealing their most intimate and unsavory actions. Weasley seems to actually enjoy telling of his "escapades" and almost seems proud to do so, especially when it comes to stating how much money, taken from Potter's trust vault no less, he earned for this betrayal or that betrayal."

"He actually smirked when he told of his leaving Potter and Granger during the artifact hunt stating "I tried to get the Mudblood to come with me to further show Potter up, but the stupid bitch actually stayed with him. Meanwhile I was home checking in with Mum, catching up on my sleep, reading Quidditch books and magazines and finally having enough food to eat."

"Since Dumbles was dead, I wasn't getting paid until the Light Side won and we'd get our Order of Merlin First-Class and our hands on the rest of his money when he married Ginny, so why risk myself until I absolutely had to. But Mum made me go back to make sure he didn't get killed or else we wouldn't get anything."

Harry had arranged for Hermione, McGonagall, Pomfrey, Flitwick, Sprout and Hagrid to be in the courtroom for the Weasley trials in case they were needed to be called to give evidence against any of them. Fortunately for the Weasleys, none of them were called as the Veritaserum provided all the evidence needed.

However, Hermione was too angry for words as that $&! #^!% % % proudly babbled his tales of treachery. It was bad enough what he had been doing to Harry all of these years, but as for what he had done to her, let alone bragged about it to the entire Magical World, well it was just fortunate for the redheaded son of a scold that observers had been relieved of their wands before they were let in the courtroom.

Ron couldn't believe he would be found guilty of anything, probably because he didn't consider anything he had done to be wrong. After all Dumbledore himself had given him the assignment and Ron felt that he had really earned the money for having to put up with Potter.

The fact the money came from Potter's own trust vault didn't concern him as "The asshole has more money than he knows what to do with and since he doesn't even know he has it he can't miss it. The bad part was that Mum made me put most of it in my vault as if I suddenly had money, it would look suspicious. Besides as I keep telling you gits, we were going to get his money after he married Ginny, so it rightfully belongs to me and I WANT IT AND WANT IT NOW AS WELL AS MY ORDER OF MERLIN FIRST-CLASS AND THE MONEY THAT COMES WITH IT!"

The three presiding judges just shook their heads at this guy's stupidity before announcing that Ronald Bilius Weasley would not only not be getting back "his money," any Order of Merlin or the fame and glory he thought he deserved, but instead would be having his wand snapped, his magic bound and going to a high security prison in Australia with Death Eaters to serve for a period of twenty to thirty years depending on his behavior.

While anybody with an ounce of common sense would be cowed and/or even begging for forgiveness, Ron Weasley, well-known for not having any common sense at all, instead started screaming and threatening not only Harry but Hermione informing her that "I'm gonna find your fucking parents and treat them how I would treat you if I had my wand on me you…." Ron was dragged off before he could tell Hermione and the Court just what would do.

Ron, being Ron, didn't last more than two years. Between the Death Eaters with nothing to lose and nothing to hope for anymore, he had no alliances with them especially shooting off his opinions about their "ilk" and being "slimy snakes."

The Muggles at the prison were from the very dregs of society and would not put up with the annoying big mouth from Britain. Ron was found dead in his cell one morning, having various stab wounds all over his body, numerous broken bones, both legs and arms broken, a skull fracture, horrible bruises and his tongue cut out.

It was officially ruled as a "suicide" as the prison reports concerning his entire stay daily listed an altercation of some kind usually with "his lot" and then eventually more and more with the "Australians."

The death was explained as being considered as a suicide as any idiot should know that acting the way he did as well as mouthing off to all of these seriously dangerous inmates was not a smart thing to do especially for someone without any friends or a gang to protect him. The warden had expressed his surprise that "Weasley hadn't committed suicide long before now."

Ginny really couldn't be convicted of anything other than being a spoiled bitch who grew up knowing that one day she would be Mrs. Harry Potter and have access to his fame and money. She would live in a mansion, have house elves to cater to her every whim, have the latest clothes and beautiful, expensive jewelry and if she didn't really like him or he disappointed her in any way, after she popped out an heir, preferably two, she could do what (and who) she liked while still having all the power and privileges of being married to a Potter.

She did admit that her mother had to brew up some potions that Dumbledore had the house elves put into Potter's food and drink because the git wasn't responding to her beauty and charm and had been ignoring her. Her mother said Potter had to be gay and thus it was necessary for the potions because how else could he resist her?

Therefore, Ginny would be allowed to finish her education at Hogwarts. She would be eligible under the "orphan fund" and once she graduated she would be free to get a job anywhere in Magical Britain except for a government position.

Unlike her brother Ron, Ginny knew that she got off relatively easy and might have a chance especially since she had her four surviving brothers as a safety net. She was confident that she could get by on her looks and Quidditch talents. She WOULD survive and she WOULD someday be rich and famous without the help of the Git-Who-Lived-and-Missed-His-Chance-to-Marry-the-Most-Wonderful-Beautiful-and-Exceptional-Witch-Now-Living-in-Britain.

Although her Quidditch skills were good they were nothing compared to the skills of many other witches who had survived the war and she was passed over at every tryout.

It never occurred to her that the Magical World considered her a gold digger and anyone with respectable intentions would think twice before dating her. She had lots of boyfriends but none ever lasted. Like her mother she was critical of every guy she went out with.

Sure she was pretty and had a decent body but she made too many demands, constantly wanted to be taken to expensive restaurants, go partying and be showered with gifts. She wanted it all and constantly took, took, took, but wouldn't give anything worthwhile in return. When the initial thrill of the sex died, so did the relationships. The Wizards usually ended the relationships but naturally she told a different version.

Eventually she moved to the Continent and dated much older men. She finally snagged one before she lost the glow of her youth. She popped out a daughter for him as that was part of the "deal" he made before he married her. As he had sons from his former marriage he welcomed a daughter and things would have been fine except Ginny was still Ginny.

Her husband treated her well, adored their daughter and gave her a respectable and comfortable life. While his sons did not approve of the marriage, they were always respectful and polite because she was the wife of their father. She had it good but it was not enough. She grew bored as there was no excitement in her marriage and the baby took away most of the attention which was formerly given to her.

So Ginny found herself young, virile lovers for her amusement and spent her husband's money buying presents and giving them cash. However, being a Prewett-Weasley she did not take sufficient precautions and it was an open secret.

Ginny lived in a country where "family honor" was a serious matter, especially a wife's fidelity. Her broken body was found at the bottom of a cliff as she apparently had been walking too close to the edge when a gust of wind knocked her over. Her death was an "unfortunate accident" and the case was closed.

Like his son Bill, Arthur Weasley was a good and brave man whose only misfortune was marrying Molly Prewett. As the years passed her constant nagging and henpecking had worn the man down. She never berated him in front of the children, but in their bedroom under a silencing charm, it was another matter as she let him know just how displeased she was with him.

He never earned enough money. He should have used whatever talents he had – if indeed he ever had had any - to get into another department to make more money and acquire more influence and esteem. The fact that he liked his job didn't matter a bit to his wife.

Despite the fact that there hadn't been a girl born into the entire Weasley clan in generations, Molly had decided that she would be the one to break the cycle. She had wanted a big family which in her opinion was three sons and one daughter. The fact that she had 6 sons before she had had the daughter was the fault of Arthur. Everything was Arthur's fault and she berated him unmercifully. "Everything we have we owe to my hard work and Dumbledore's influence," she always told him.

Arthur had finally broken and after Bill and Charlie had gone off to Hogwarts, he had left the raising of their children and the running of the household entirely in his wife's hands. With very little exception, Molly made all the decisions and tried to rule over and control not only her own house and children, but Sirius Black and his house and, of course, Harry Potter. With Dumbledore on her side Arthur just gave up and followed any order he was given whether by Dumbledore or his wife. He just spent more and more time in his garage tinkering with his Muggle items.

Arthur Weasley inspired pity not anger. He wasn't really guilty of anything other than having given up under the pressure exerted by his wife and Dumbledore. He was surprised that many people came to his defense. It had been Augusta Longbottom who testified that "Anybody who really knew Molly Prewett could see how a fine, decent man could eventually crumble into what poor Arthur Weasley had become."

As Arthur Weasley was found innocent and without knowledge as to what his wife had been up to, he was declared innocent and was free to work in Magical Britain as long as it was not in a government position.

However, in what the newspapers would call a shocking or unbelievable turn of events, Arthur Weasley asked for leave to address the court. He then asked that if there was a chance of being sentenced to the Dementor's kiss, as he did not have the will to live and only by dying did he feel that the name of Weasley could retrieve any of the honor lost by the family.

Arthur would not get his wish. Instead he was given a job at St. Mungo's in the Supply Department. He would also be living there on a suicide watch, but he would be receiving therapy for his problems. He liked his job and found happiness in doing it well and being out of Molly's reach. Eventually he would be considered rehabilitated but still asked to be a live-in employee.

He would only leave St. Mungo's to visit his four sons and their families during the Christmas holidays. Ginny didn't keep in contact with her father as she was living her own life and, if the truth be known, she was ashamed of him due to his choice of life style. Besides he could be of no use to her so why should she bother. Arthur never heard from or tried to contact Molly or Ron after the trials.

Last of all Molly Prewett Weasley had her trial. Like Ron, while under Veritaserum she not only answered the questions asked but added her own opinions and rationales for her actions. She couldn't understand why the Court didn't see the sense of everything she had done. After all, Dumbledore had been in complete agreement with all of her suggestions and if someone like Dumbledore found her schemes to be sensible and needful, then everybody else should.

Everybody else, especially the Court, didn't.

Because her reputation had preceded her, when not under Veritaserum or being asked a specific question, Molly was kept under a silencing charm. When her sentence was pronounced, the Court, and even the press, was grateful for this small favor because by her face and actions it was evident that Molly was definitely not pleased.

She had screamed when Ron had been sentenced and had made her displeasure known until stupefied. Now, for her sentencing, it could only be imagined what she was saying due to her facial expressions and body language. She had been sentenced to prison under the same circumstances as Ron, but her sentence was for life because she had committed more crimes and dishonored the Weasley name. The silencing charm was not removed until Molly was safely in her cell in Australia.

She lasted less time than her son and was found late one night drowned in the sink of the kitchen. She had constantly complained about the food and since she was known to be an exceptional cook, she was assigned kitchen work.

It then came out that her exceptional cooking had been the result of a special charm that had been passed down to the women of the Prewett family for generations which convinced anyone who ate her cooking that it was the best food they had ever tasted. Since she no longer had access to her wand or her specially enchanted cookware, she was found out rather quickly. She still complained about the food and just about everything else and found fault with everybody.

As she had been used to ruling over everybody except Dumbledore, she could not cope with the hierarchy of prison life and the prisoners would not cope with her. So that was the sad end of Molly Prewett.

At last all the trials were over. All audits had been done and the rebuilding of Hogwarts had been completed.

Due to the treachery of the British Goblins in the present as well as in all of the rebellions throughout the centuries, it was decided that Magical Britain and Goblins just could not get along and any trust which might have developed now that a new era was about to begin would probably be tainted by history. It was therefore decided not only by the ICW but by the new Ministry of Magic that Gringotts Bank should be sold to the Ministry of Magic until such time as a new banking system could be voted upon.

The Goblin Nation was NOT happy. They had assured the Ministry that all of the Goblins involved in the current crimes, as well as their entire clans, had been executed and that the Goblin Nation as a whole should not be punished for the crimes committed by those Goblins. Therefore, the Goblin Nation felt that it deserved to carry on business with Britain, as usual, without any interruption of business with entirely new Goblin clans taking over the ruling of Gringotts Britain.

The British Government had countered with all the evidence that had been brought to light concerning the past 1,000 or so years due to the latest war and the trials as well as the fact that the Goblin Nation had absolutely refused to release any of the funds that Gringotts Britain held in the vaults except in drips and drabs and on a very limited basis.

The Goblin Nation had given the excuse of the audit and the trials and the fact that they didn't want a run on the bank and a few other flimsy excuses. Since the Ministry was receiving what the Goblins thought was an "adequate" amount to pay salaries and for the general running of the country, the Goblin Nation saw no reason to change anything and to let business go on as usual.

Matthew Abbott was the current Temporary Minister of Magic. He had accepted the job as he was considered to be one of the few "honest wizards" left in the country. He did it out of a sense of duty and once he had taken the job, he had regretted every single moment. He was still being helped out by an American Wizard, a French Wizard and a Swiss Witch from the ICW but had also requested a financial expert for dealing with the Goblins.

Paulo Giamatti was a Wizard from Rome who not only had extensive experience in the finances of the Magical World but also had a Ph.D. in Economy from a Muggle University. He also despised the Goblins as he had seen how ruthless and unethical the little bastards could be. It would be Paulo Giamatti who would be doing the delicate negotiating with the Goblin Nation. Of interest, the Goblin Nation despised Paulo Giamatti just as much as he did them as they had locked horns on a number of occasions.

Michael Abbott was fully aware that the Goblin Nation was holding the contents of the vaults hostage and for ransom with the ransom being control of the British Magical World's finances as they always had had. Since the purging of the Ministry, there would now be competition for the financial empire that was Britain and the Goblins did not like competition of any kind.

Abbott also knew that he might have another Goblin rebellion on his hands if these negotiations went awry as this had always happened in the past. This he could not allow as the Goblins might have "officially lost" a rebellion, but in the end still retained the wealth of Magical Britain in their unmerciful hands.

The game had now started with the offer of the buyout. The Goblins countered by absolutely refusing the offer and upping the game by threatening to further limit the release of funds until an ironclad contract was signed between the Goblin Nation and the British Ministry giving the Goblin Nation a total and permanent financial monopoly in Magical Britain.

Giamatti countered with a question about why the Goblins had a limited amount to be taken from personal vaults, especially for those people wanting to permanently move from Britain. The Goblins countered that if someone wanted to flee Britain, their account could be easily transferred to another Gringotts Branch in whatever country they wanted to move to.

Giamatti countered by asking "What if the person or persons were moving to Japan, a country that did not have a Gringotts Branch?"

Bloodfang, the Goblin in charge, nastily replied "Then they should not move to a place that does not deal exclusively with the Goblin Nation."

"What if they must because they now have a job in Japan?"

"That is their problem."

Giamatti snapped, "It is their money and by all legal and ethical rights, they should have the right to withdraw it when they need to."

Bloodfang slimily replied that there was really nothing to be done or even negotiated until the "Human Minister of Magic signs our contract. Once this contract is signed, then perhaps some things might be done to facilitate cowards who flee their Fatherland for employment in a place that does not respect the Goblin Nation."

"If that your final word?"

"Yes," sneered Bloodfang. "NOTHING will be done until the contract has been signed." Thinking he had won by looking at the shocked faces of Abbott and the other ICW representatives, Bloodfang then announced "In fact, there will be NO FUNDS whatsoever to be disbursed to the Ministry or anybody until this contract is signed."

"That's impossible" yelled Abbott.

Since Giamatti said nothing, Bloodfang went in for the kill. "Then these negotiations are at an end. You will leave now." With that said several vicious-looking Goblin guards wielding battleaxes unceremoniously escorted the delegation out of the bank, with Giamatti receiving a quick painful stab to his left buttock as he exited the bank to the sound of Goblin laughter.

The Goblins thought they had won so quickly and easily that a victory celebration was started with the strong Goblin liquors quickly passing around.

They were to find out to their sorrow that they were completely and disastrously wrong. The delegation went back to the Ministry and even before Giamatti let the healer tend to his wound, he contacted the ICW with the words "DO IT."

The "IT" was a total European run on all Gringotts banks in Europe. Only Britain and Spain had an exclusive contract with Gringotts, but both were "renewable" every twenty years. If Britain signed the permanent contract with Gringotts, Spain would soon be forced to follow suit.

Some of the Gringotts banks were known to be dealing under the table with rather lucrative incentives being offered to members of the various governments as well as certain unstable members of the ICW. Actually they were bribes for these people to introduce bills to their respective governments endorsing the Goblins to hold exclusive financial rights in the countries. Eventually the Goblins hoped that once they had everyone under exclusive contracts and control they could enslave Magical Europe. Although they couldn't rule the world outright, controlling all financial matters and overseeing the legal work meant that the Goblins would have all wizards in their iron and unforgiving grip.

It took two months, but eventually it was the Goblin Nation that came crashing down. All Galleons, Sickles and Knuts were made of pure gold, silver and brass. Goblin charms were placed on the money so that it could not be melted down and sold in the Muggle market. To the utter horror of the Goblin Nation, the Dwarfs had cracked the charm and all Goblin coins were indeed melted down and all banks authorized to conduct business in the Magical World were now using the Muggle currency of whatever country they were in, much like the Asian Magical World had been doing for the past few decades.

An interest free loan was given to fund Magical Britain until Gringotts Britain was forced to surrender. Eventually all vaults were turned over to their rightful owners and the heirlooms were distributed. The property the bank stood on was surrendered as part of the massive fines the Goblin Nation was ordered to pay for all the loan shark rates, embezzlements, assorted crimes, illegal practices and manipulations they had done over the years. These reparations were ruinous.

Although the Goblin Nation still had control of their other banks, the magical currency they had created and forced Magicals to use was basically destroyed. The Goblins had to use the national Muggle currency of whatever country they were in if they wanted to do business. Their monopoly was forever ended. Anybody with any sense would not do business with the Goblins.

As usual, the Goblin Nation blamed wizards for their problems, as they always had. They truly hated Harry Potter and had declared a total and complete blood war on the innocent orphan they had sought to swindle as well as several of the more prominent ICW members and others such as Andromeda Tonks and her legal team, Michael Abbott, Paolo Giamatti and for some reason the British Muggle PM. Only the complete and total annihilation of those individuals, their entire family and vassals could quench their vengeance.

At least that was the plan. Knowing them as well as he did, Paolo Giamatti had drafted an ironclad contract that all the Goblin Elders were forced to sign in order to continue their banking business. Using a tactic that the Goblins had used for centuries to deal with wizards (in other words, swindle, cheat, manipulation, steal, ruin, etc.) the Elders were not allowed to read the contract until they had all signed and sworn on their magic, honor, clans and everything else they held dear.

The look on the Elders' faces when they realized that they were FOREVER forbidden to do any harm to ANY Magical (especially those listed on the contract – Potter, Giamatti, etc.) or contract or force anyone else to either, on pain of the life and magic of themselves, their clans and their descendants would be a memory for the ages. As Harry said "With such a memory even a Squib could produce a powerful Patronus charm."

"My life's work and purpose is complete, Lord God," Giamatti had prayed in the privacy of his home later that historic day, "I can die in peace when you chose to take me." If the Goblins could have had a say in the matter (but they and their descendants NEVER could) it would have been at the signing.

In the end the Goblin Nation lost big time and not only lost their near monopoly in Wizarding Europe but were obligated to pay fines and reparations that all but ruined them. They still stayed in business but were forced to be honest in all dealings, explain all contracts in great detail and in such a way that anybody over the age of ten could understand it (and no fine print), be audited yearly by an ICW-appointed commission and worst of all, be polite, helpful and to always remember the adage "the customer is always right" much to their chagrin. There were many Goblin suicides with the implementations of these requirements.

It had taken over six months to find out and punish the wrongdoers from Goblins to Death Eaters to Weasleys, etc. but it did happen. People were sentenced, financial institutions brought up to a decent, honest code and although a skeleton crew of the world-wide Magical volunteers and ICW enforcers were left to guide Magical Britain on an ethical path, there was still a lot of work for the Magical British to do by themselves.

The rebuilding of Hogwarts took place once the Ministry and private people had access to their money and received rightful restitutions from the Goblins.

Matthew Abbott was officially elected Minister of Magic and any responsible, honest and dedicated person who wanted to truly help Britain was given a job at the Ministry – once they took an oath on their magic not to take bribes, gifts over a certain amount (if you wanted to take someone out for their birthday or give tickets to a Quidditch match the gifter had to swear it was not a bribe but a real gift), misuse the power of their position for unethical or racist reasons, etc.

Since most of the racists and followers of Voldemort were dead or in prison, the people applying for jobs were the basic honest types and since people were desperate for employment, most of the vacancies were quickly filled if only temporary. Since it would be a while before Hogwarts would be rebuilt, the curriculum would be given a much needed update and the necessary qualified staff hired, there were a lot of 5th through 7th years (or 8th years in cases such as Hermione, Neville or Harry) were given temporary jobs not only to help rebuild their world, but to earn money to finish their education.

Hermione Granger was a perfect example of this because it seemed (oh shock and horror) that due to her haste and actually not thinking things all the way through that she found herself to be in a LOT OF TROUBLE.

It had all started when she very unselfishly decided to save her parents by taking over their lives without their consent or consideration of their feelings (nothing new since the start of her Hogwarts career) or, most especially, their livelihood.

Due mostly to Dumbledore's manipulations and Hermione's own usefulness to his purposes, Hermione had basically already abandoned her parents. For the last few years she barely spent any time with them during the holidays or summer as she had "commitments" that were more important than her parents.

This had never been said out loud and had she thought to actually stop and think about it (which she hadn't), to an outsider observer it would seem rather insensitive and even cruel for an only child to treat her parents in such a way let alone her parents to be meekly accepting of her actions.

A few spells done by Dumbledore had kept the Grangers in line and not questioning their daughter's actions. Inwardly they DIDN'T LIKE IT, but found themselves obeying the orders of their child.

Since Dumbledore's death and the revelations about the Horcruxes, it was Hermione herself who decided her parents' fate. She had planned their new identities, had looked up the modified obliviation spell she would use on them, with the hope that it could be undone and she could give her parents back their memories of her and their life in Britain.

But since she was in a hurry, considering she had to plan for the hunt, get to the Weasleys as soon as possible, attend the wedding and whatever else cropped up, she only allowed herself two weeks to re-plan her parents' entire lives.

She started out by placing compulsion spells – of her own invention she would smugly tell you if anyone asked (but nobody had) – to start her parents on their way. She had her father call the practice to arrange for coverage for at least three weeks – due to an unexplained family emergency – while she looked into her parents finances.

She compelled her father to produce all of the family financial holdings information while she looked into the quick selling of the Granger home and practice. She knew there were firms that specialized in quick sales of houses and/or businesses. This would all have to be done within the time she had allotted. Meanwhile her parents were "convinced" to pack their clothes and gather together all their dearest personal possessions, which didn't include anything related to Hermione or any of their living relatives.

In what Hermione would call "hypocrisy" had someone else done such a thing she would greatly disapprove, but since she was doing it she would call it "necessary" and therefore had temporarily hired Dobby to assist her in her endeavors. After all, it was the summer holidays and she would be paying him, so she saw nothing wrong with him assisting her.

After she had decided what to pack in her bottomless bag of her personal clothes, books, or whatever else from the house that she would need, she had Dobby pack and shrink everything else for storage. She then went over her parents' possessions and had Dobby remove anything she considered personal such as photographs, and all letters, awards, Hermione-related things, etc.

This basically left only clothing and professional documents such as their university and dental school diplomas and certificates. These they would be "allowed to keep" once she changed their names on everything. Since they would be opening a practice in Australia, they would need some proof that they were actually dentists. She had Dobby check her work to make sure nothing slipped by about their soon to be former life.

On the list she was making (Hermione always made lists) for the obliviations spell, she noted "tell them all personal letters, photographs and the like were lost in a fire." She also noted, "tell them they were both only children of only children hence explaining why they had no relatives."

This was a lie as her mother was an only child but had some cousins living in Canada and she still kept in touch with them. Her father had a sister and a niece and nephew who they saw during holidays as they lived in Wales and so hopefully they wouldn't notice that Dan Granger and his family was missing for at least six months or so. Hermione had never noticed that her father called his sister at least once a month for a chat.

Hermione had pretended to be the secretary from the Granger Dental Practice and made calls to the quick sale firms. She chose the one who asked the least questions so that she could send her parents to basically sign the paperwork, receive the money and be on their way as soon as possible.

Everything she planned took less than a week. A man from the chosen firm came over, looked at the house, checked the bank for outstanding loans, liens on the house and the practice and the heavily spelled Grangers signed all the necessary paperwork and quickly had a check for the agreed amount.

The day after the check cleared Hermione made travel arrangements, magically changed her parents' name on their professional documents and opened a new checking account under the name of Wendell and Monica Wilkins, the names she had chosen for her parents' new identity into which she transferred all the money from the sale of the house and practice as well as all monies that had been in their other bank accounts.

The only account she didn't change or transfer was the educational trust fund her parents had started for her university education when she had been born and despite her attendance at Hogwarts, still contributed to as they always hoped that their child would still go to a qualified (meaning non-magical) university. She could not access this account until she was of age in the Muggle world which would be this coming September, and this was to be her fail-safe account if the war was lost and she had to flee for her life, or for the purpose it was intended for – her education. She would return to Hogwarts to complete her education and then get an apprenticeship (or two).

Other than that, she allowed herself to take a modest sum for "expenses" out of her parents' new accounts before she did the final spell on them and tearfully saw them off at the airport to start their new, safe life.

She was very proud of herself, not only for the self-sacrifice of deleting her parents' memories for their own good and safety but for how quickly and efficiently she had accomplished it. She then paid Dobby for his services and gave him all of the personal effects of her and her parents (including her bank information) which she wasn't taking with her on the hunt and told him to hide it and keep it all safe until she summoned him to give it back.

She had then gone off to the Burrow to further prepare for the Horcrux hunt and the upcoming war. She felt prepared and confident in all that she had done. While that had been good for her self-esteem, it had not turned out well.

Despite accomplishing everything and winning the war in (her opinion) record time, she never saw nor could she have imagined all of the manipulations Dumbledore had done, nor the treachery, betrayals and social and political upheaval that would result.

It wasn't until the removal of the spells, charms, hexes and flushing out from her system of the potions she was under that it hit her how badly she had been used, but also Harry, people like McGonagall and other teachers – it was just unbelievable! And the Weasleys and RON and Kingsley and the Order and just about EVERYBODY!

She had spent the first three days after her detox being given calming drafts and dreamless sleep potions. During the Weasley trials she was given hourly calming drafts, along with McGonagall, Pomfrey and a few other persons of interest who had been duped and betrayed by Dumbledore.

After the Weasley trials she was debating whether to help in the rebuilding of Hogwarts or working temporarily rebuilding the Ministry as here was her chance to really make a different and to guide the Magical World toward her way of thinking. Of course, rebuilding Hogwarts she could use the library and get a head start on her 7th year. She still desperately wanted to be Head Girl and to ace her NEWTs. And then there was the problem of paying her tuition!

One thing she couldn't have possibly planned for or even think about was that Dobby would die. Good elf that he was he hadn't told anybody where he had carefully hidden all the Grangers' possessions and bank books. So much of Hogwarts had been destroyed that his hiding place could have been destroyed also. McGonagall had assured her that the first year Hogwarts was up and running would be tuition-free for everybody, but Hermione still worried.

What if she wanted to take off a few years and get a Muggle University degree in perhaps law. Her parents hadn't kept all their accounts in the same bank and for the life of her she had been so busy with their care that she hadn't even noticed what bank her trust account was in. Would she even have an identity left since she had completely changed her parents' information.

Besides finding the time to go look for her parents, where would she get the money to go to Australia and actually look for them? They could be anywhere in that big continent.

The one chance for her to borrow money would be to ask Harry. At this point in time she knew that he had managed to retrieve the contents of his trust vault, but the Black inheritance and the other Potter vaults (which she hadn't even known about) she wasn't sure about.

It would not be public knowledge and knowing Harry he would let others get their money from the Goblins first and would even take a loss if it would help others. She had heard he was paying for the treatment of Neville's parents until the Longbottoms could get back their money and Harry did have to pay his legal team – and that HAD TO BE A BIG BILL. Would he even have anything left or would have to wait years to get what was his due?

If he did have some money would he even think of loaning any to her. She hadn't been able to contact him despite having McGonagall assure her that he was just probably too overwhelmed with everything going on as well as being in protective custody due to all the death threats he was receiving.

Even though a lot of things were not her fault, looking back over the years she had been led astray by her blind obedience to Dumbledore and other authority, her lusting after Ron (although that DEFINITELY had not been her idea or desire), her refusing to believe him about things such as Malfoy being up to something in their 6th year and assorted other things like, maybe, her bossiness.

He had always needed her but after all of this, maybe he didn't need her now that he had an entire legal team and Voldemort was finally dead.

But Hermione would soon find out that she had a lot more to worry about than whether Harry still liked her or being Head Girl or going to University.

HER PARENTS WERE BACK AND THEY WERE NOT HAPPY!

In her haste and due to her apparent inexperience with the real world, she had made many MISTAKES.

Mistake One: Six years of not telling her parents exactly what was going on at school. She couldn't blame anybody for this as she knew that if she told her parents about some of the things that happened – even if it didn't involve her directly (which most of it did) – as caring parents they would have her out of Hogwarts so fast her head would spin. She wondered if the other Muggleborns left out such information as well.

Mistake Two: She could have asked them to move to Australia or Canada or even go take a year or two off to volunteer in a third world country, tell them why and then disappear before they could stop her. They could have still kept their house and practice and arranged coverage for the latter, but HERMIONE HAD DECIDED it would be best to sell their home and practice in case the war lasted longer than a few years. Thus she chose not to "convince them" to move or volunteer – for their own good – and had disrupted their lives.

Mistake Three: If Hermione didn't survive the war or, since she had but didn't know when or if, she would be able to search for them, they were gone and their friends and relatives would never know why or whether they were still alive or what.

Mistake Four: The idea had occurred to her that she wouldn't be able to give her parents back their memories. What if she couldn't or what if when she did, they would disown her. She really hadn't wanted to think about this possibility despite having gone to the trouble of designing her special spell. What if she had damaged them beyond repair, or what if they ended up like Neville's parents. Since she didn't want to think about it, she really didn't, hoping that her intelligence and power would not destroy them.

Mistake Five: Although she had changed their names on "important things" like diplomas, passports, licenses and established new accounts in their new names, she hadn't thought about, let alone done, it at the point of origin.

Therefore, when the Wilkins had found a dental practice to buy, they had shown their professional documents and proof of funds. However, licensing boards do not take a person's word that they are a qualified dentist on the basis of paperwork presented. Such things are easily forged and any license can be revoked for numerous reasons.

A routine check was made back in Britain and there was no record of a Wendell or Monica Wilkins having attended the university and dental school they said they had or had any licenses been issued to them.

There were also several other suspicious things going on concerning the Wilkins and because there was a backlog in Britain due to terrorist activities, things had gone more slowly than usual.

An investigation was started and after several months of waiting and having to get temporary employment to pay expenses, Wendell and Monica Wilkins had been arrested and taken into custody for questioning. They were fingerprinted and it was revealed that they were in reality, Daniel and Emma Granger who, along with their daughter Hermione, had been reported missing by Daniel Granger's sister. They had disappeared after suddenly selling their home and dental practice at a substantial loss, cleaning out their savings account and leaving without even a word to their relatives, neighbors and employees.

What was even more disturbing was that the young couple that had purchased their home had been found in that house murdered and mutilated in September. Since their arrival in Australia, under assumed names no less, there had been no sign or mention of any daughter or relatives. In fact, according to the people interviewed since the Wilkins/Granger's arrival , the couple had been extremely secretive about their past and would not talk about it.

The Wilkins denied everything they were being accused of. After a few months of further investigation, both by the police and psychiatrists, it was evident that the Wilkins had been "brainwashed" for lack of a better explanation. It was then this case was brought to the attention of a special unit of the government.

This special unit was in reality the Magical Liaison Office to the Muggle Government. Once they heard the details of the case and the mention that the suspects were from Britain it clicked immediately. The name Hermione Granger was very well known not only in Britain but now, due to the defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort and the trials, all over the Magical World.

Fortunately for the Wilkins/Grangers, their memories were fully restored and no permanent damage had been suffered – unless you counted the high blood pressure problem which Daniel Granger had recently developed.

The government kept the Grangers in Australia until the worst was over and most of the trials finished. Once their daughter's involvement was completed, the Grangers with what few possessions they still possessed, were escorted home courtesy of the Magical Australian Ministry.

On one hand Hermione was shocked but deeply happy when her parents walked into the conference room at the Ministry of Magic. No one had told her why she was being taken to the room or why Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were asked to be there with her. However, once her parents started yelling at her as soon as the door had been shut behind them, she realized the Professors were there for her protection (and probably to help with her excuses).

For once in her life Hermione could not get a word into the conversation as her parents expressed their anger and informed their daughter how she had ruin their lives.

"You sold our house, our beautiful HOME for less than half its market value AND YOU THREW IN ALL THE FURNITURE FOR FREE. The bedroom suite in the guest bedroom was left to my grandmother by her great aunt Agnes – it is over 135 years old and worth THOUSANDS OF POUNDS not to mention sentimental value. And your father's desk was his grandfather's also an antique and heirloom and worth quite a bit and it's all gone. The furniture had been sold before the couple who bought the house moved in." Emma Granger had shouted.

"Yes," added Daniel Granger, "the young newly married couple who were apparently killed by those Death Eaters looking for you. Perhaps you "saved our lives" but you didn't think that somebody else would move in and be exposed to those maniacs."

Hermione hadn't and she burst out in tears when she heard. Her parents weren't finished. They explained the months they were being investigated, arrested and having to work as a bartender and waitress so as not to lose any more of the funds they needed to start up a practice and find a house.

"The practice we bid on was sold to somebody else while we were being investigated. A good practice rarely goes up for sale unless the dentist(s) die or retire and then they go fast. To start one up from scratch costs a fortune – and you made sure we had lost ours."

"But I was only trying to save you and I didn't have much time," Hermione wailed. "Even I can't think of everything. I did the best I could."

The Grangers were not accepting her excuses. They really had lost everything between the short sales and then the months living off their savings even with the jobs they had. The money that was left would not be enough to start up the type of practice they were used to and capable of having, let alone buying any kind of a decent house and furnishing it.

The only thing that might save them – and which they would never tell Hermione just because she had hurt them so much in more ways than one – was their retirement fund that she had missed. The file had been at their accountant's office as they were changing some of their investments. It had been their accountant who had first discovered they were missing and had contacted the police and then Dan's sister. If they used that they would have enough to restart their practice and maybe buy and furnish a flat, but they would have to take a large tax loss and then start saving for their retirement all over again.

McGonagall finally spoke, "I'm sure that Mr. Potter would gladly reimburse your parents for any losses. He should be able to gather something together. How much would you need?"

Hermione brighten with hope hearing that until her father replied sarcastically, "Oh how kind of you Professor to spend some other kid's money to make up for our daughter's behavior."

Although she knew she had no right to offer Harry's money, she knew he would be willing and generous to help his best friend out and her heart ached seeing Hermione brought so low by her parents – even if it was all true. The girl had meant well and was only trying to save her parents' lives, which she had done after all.

The Grangers were having none of it and Dan Granger named the sum that his accountant had told him his house and practice had really been worth. McGonagall didn't know the current exchange rate from Galleons to Muggle money but since she knew the worth of Muggle money since it was her job to explain such things when introducing a Muggleborn to magic, she knew the Muggle sum was a great deal of money to ask of anyone, even Harry Potter, to "donate" to clear up a friend's mistake.

"And that's just for the house and practice, not the furniture or the personal possessions like photographs and Emma's jewelry from her mum – stuff you can't put a monetary value on"

"Oh Daddy, I saved the personal things as well as your desk and the bedroom suite. I had a magical friend shrink them and put them in a safe…." Then she remembered Dobby.

"Well," she said quickly, "you can have my university fund – if your accountant remembers which bank it's in and then…"

"Oh we know where it is young lady," her mother said, "and yes, we will be using it. I hope you can get yourself a job in that world of yours, because although we will – eventually – stop being mad at you because we are, after all, your parents and do love you BUT IT WON'T BE SOON."

"And there is no way we would expect your friend, no matter how rich he is, to pay for your mistake. We raised you better. You know that you must take responsibility for your actions," added her father. "While we will always love you, right now we just don't like you or what you've done whatever the reasons."

Hermione started crying piteously and McGonagall could tell it upset both the girl's parents. However, her parents were right as she had treated them badly for the past seven years and acted rather highhandedly in the actions she took "for their own good." It sounded like something that Albus would do for his "greater good" but she wouldn't say that to anybody. They had all been used by Albus and some things could never be healed.

There were things still being said between the Granger parents and their daughter, but Minerva wasn't really listening. Finally the Grangers left while Hermione kept crying and Minerva kept trying to console her.

"You will always have a home at Hogwarts Hermione, and although I know you want to help rebuild Britain, perhaps you should wait, rebuild Hogwarts and pass your NEWTs first. That will give you a better chance to recover from all that you have lived through the past year. Then whatever career you chose will still be opened to you. After all, you are one of the great heroes of this war."

Minerva's words got through to the girl and her tears subsided. Hermione thought for a moment before saying, "I need to speak with Harry. I don't know exactly why, but it seems like he is avoiding me and I don't like it."

"But he has been in protective custody, what with Death Eaters loose, the Goblins issuing death threats and his legal problems. I'm sure that is the only reason."

"I know for a fact," replied Hermione "that he has talked with Neville – he hid at Longbottom Lodge for a day or two and has given money for the treatment of Neville's parents. Harry knows I didn't betray him like the Weasleys and I asked Andromeda Tonks directly to tell Harry I needed to see him. Why hasn't he talked to me?"

"I've asked the same questions and I haven't heard from him either. There must be a reason neither of us know and can't be told about at the moment. I'm sure just as soon as he can, he'll contact us."

Hermione was still not satisfied. Harry had been the one constant in her life for the past seven years and she had always "taken care of him" so to speak, even when she was under compulsions and potions, she had remained his best friend, his rock, his guide and she knew in her heart of hearts that he really couldn't survive or make any wise decisions without HER guidance. HE HAD TO CONTACT HER and if he knew what was good for him he better do it soon!

McGonagall had been right about Harry's reasons for not contacting her or Hermione. He had made sure that she and Hermione were safe and had offered funds if they had need of them. It was just not feasible for Harry to be out in the open or to be seen contacting Hermione or anybody else as it would put them in danger also. Hermione was safe as long as she stayed at Hogwarts.

Unfortunately, Hermione couldn't accept this and after a few months she started giving out interviews to any newspaper or magazine that asked. All common sense fled from the girl as she started accusing Harry of being an unfaithful friend and selfishly hiding out why leaving the rebuilding of Britain to everybody else instead of pitching in and "doing his duty." "He used me just as much as Ron Weasley did and I will never forgive him for abandoning me as well as Britain."

Andromeda Tonks contacted McGonagall to advise that she was sending a medical team to once again check Hermione for charms and potions. After all, Ginny Weasley was at Hogwarts and had access to Hermione. McGonagall suggested that she be allowed to stupefy the girl first. Hermione was checked and found to be clean.

Then Hermione informed the healers that they should advise their employers that if one Harry Potter did not present himself to Hermione Granger within one week's time, he would be sued for whatever she could think of as well as giving interviews to the press that would shock the world.

Hermione would never hear from Harry again. She realized this after she gave her last interview which had been conducted by a reporter with the ethics of Rita Skeeter. This reporter, Lacey Greene, didn't need a poison green quill like Rita's. It was a horrible article as it quoted Hermione saying things that she never "exactly" said as well as misinterpreting things she actually had.

Lacey Greene had also asked Hermione to "explain the relevance of those thingies – you know the dark artifacts or whatever they called them." Since Hermione had only been in attendance for the Weasley trials she had never taken the magical oath nor knew that it had existed. Therefore, happy to not only show off her vast magical knowledge but to further stress her importance and worth in the defeat of Voldemort, she described what a Horcrux was in lengthy and scholarly detail.

If such a thing as the "Rita Skeeter Award for Imaginative Writing" ever existed, then Lacey Greene and her article would have won hands down. Finding out what the "dark artifacts" really were, how they were created and destroyed had been a feather in her cap.

In a typical "Skeeter moment" Lacey didn't give a damn about secrecy or the safety of the Magical World or that Granger might be arrested for treason, or something equally bad. But then, that is what the Prophet always did – get the scoop, get it first, publish it immediately without fact-checking and the hell with who was hurt or endangered. All she had to do now was make sure Xeno didn't see it first and somehow get it printed without being caught.

She did some heavy blackmail, lying and used her female charms and it did get printed. She had made a name for herself alright – she was fired, brought in for questioning, betrayed those who helped her get it printed and had to leave the country for parts unknown.

Fortunately, Hermione could not be prosecuted for revealing this information as she hadn't been briefed about the use of the term "dark artifacts" and even though her common sense SHOULD HAVE prevented her from spilling the beans, it hadn't as she just wasn't thinking clearly anymore being so wrapped up in her feelings of abandonment and the need to feel wanted and important.

Hermione was horrified at the reaction of the interview, as were everybody who actually knew her. By this time Hogwarts was up and running and Hermione was Head Girl. Ginny Weasley was finishing up her education and attacked Hermione with all the venom and malice that she possessed. Hermione had gone from hero to pariah within the space of a week not only in Hogwarts but in Magical Britain.

Hermione did graduate as valedictorian with extremely high marks but Tom, Dumbles and a few other people still surpassed her. By this time the Orders of Merlin had been awarded. Harry's Order had been accepted on his behalf by McGonagall to be held until such time as Harry could collect it – or even if he wanted it or not.

Neville Longbottom had also received one and had come out of hiding to receive it and although he and Hermione shared the stage, he refused to speak to her and totally ignored her attempts to question him about Harry's whereabouts. He merely non-verbally silenced and ignored her.

Minister Abbott drew Hermione aside after the awards. He informed her that Magical Britain truly appreciated her services but suggested that Muggle Britain would be more appreciative. He had already arranged for her to be accepted at Oxford or Cambridge and also had recommended her to the Muggle PM should she consider government work in the Muggle World.

"The funds from your Order of Merlin should cover your undergraduate and probably graduate education should you decide to attend a medical or law school. There are many in our world other than myself that would be more than willing to give you a scholastic or character reference. But one thing I will stress. Although you are a fully qualified witch and have given great service to Magical Britain, considering your behavior and indiscretions in the past 18 months, I doubt you would be offered any relevant employment worthy of your talents in our world."

By this time Hermione had realized her mistakes. She had freaked when Harry hadn't come running back to her and her guidance. In her insecurity and hubris she had become Dumbledore and lost her first and only real friend.

She chose Oxford with a major in science. Like one of her idols, Margaret Thatcher, she eventually planned to get a law degree. She managed to find a position doing scientific research, but it did not truly fulfill her as she envisioned.

She married Justin Finch-Fletchley of all people. They had met up again while attending Oxford. He had good government contacts through his father and they did have a lot in common after all. They had a son and a daughter who were magical. Their children went to Hogwarts and only a few people, such as McGonagall and Pomfrey, knew who their mother was.

Hermione still had a mixed reputation and their father had quietly advised the children not to mention their mother at all. It was not like they were lying after all, they just weren't telling anything unnecessary as it was just good politics and common sense. Being intelligent children and having read their history beforehand, they knew not to make waves or enemies. They would only mention the fact that their father was a Muggleborn and had attended school with Harry Potter but didn't really know him very well being in another house. If they were pressed about their mum, it was insinuated that she was a plain Muggle or a Squib.

Harry Potter eventually received all his inheritances. He didn't return to Hogwarts but instead was privately tutored in France and passed his NEWTs with honors. French educational standards were actually higher than Hogwarts. He learned to speak fluent French and Latin and received a Masters in Defense.

His experience with the Dursleys had taught him to learn but to downplay his real intelligence. The blocks placed on him hadn't helped either. He had also played to Ron and Hermione whims. Ron due to his laziness and distain for academics and Hermione, who despite her great intelligence and willingness to help others with homework and studying, did not really like competition. Harry had been so desperate for friends and thus didn't want to disappoint either of his friends' expectations of him.

He had also been tutored in the Muggle education he had missed while attending Hogwarts. When he found out that Hermione went to Oxford, Harry went to Cambridge and was a year behind her. It was actually laughable when you thought about it, but at Cambridge Harry read history and political science eventually receiving a Doctorate in both. He had always liked history until he got to Hogwarts. He considered history a story and since none had been read to him as a child, he read the story of history to compensate. He acquired teaching qualifications and taught at Cambridge while earning his higher degrees.

Although he despised politicians, he realized that if he really wanted to help either of his worlds, he should know what he was up against and how to change things for the better. He still had some good repute in the Magical World and thanks to Andromeda Tonks' "list" Europe started to appreciate him for his insight, heroism and character.

Eventually Harry Potter did go into politics. While teaching at Cambridge he wrote an honest, readable, understandable History of Magic which would be used as the textbooks for Hogwarts. He was a conscientious member of the Wizengamot utilizing his several votes to make real change. He could have held any position at the Ministry of Magic but refused to be tied down to a bureaucracy. He did keep a keen eye on the Ministry and would not hesitate to use his clout to point out corruption or prevent any prejudices in gaining a foothold.

Harry also shared in the upbringing of his godson Teddy Lupin. He was as proud of the boy as any father would be. Teddy did very well at Hogwarts and Harry paid his way through Cambridge. Teddy had become an Auror in the Magical World and in the Muggle World, worked as a liaison with British Intelligence and Scotland Yard.

Harry married Susan Bones. She had decided to study at Beauxbatons as Hogwarts had too many ghosts and painful memories. She had ran into Harry when he tested for his NEWTs at the school. He had always thought she was a nice looking girl but had been prevented from getting to know her and most other girls due to the manipulations he had been under.

They started casually dating and he had convinced her to attend university to read politics and to heal before going back to her world. They married after their first year at Cambridge and had the first two of their four children by the time Harry had received his Masters. Their children were Lily Amelia, Henry "Hal" Edgar (after Susan's father and uncle), Rosamund Ivy and Michael Rubeus, because Harry had always liked the name the Michael and Rubeus after Hagrid, who was named godfather to the boy.

Lily Amelia he rationalized as Susan meant Lily, so technically she was named after her mother as well as his.

Harry knew he was expected to have named a son James Sirius, but for some deep down reason he feared that he would unconsciously put too much pressure on the boy to be a clone of his father and godfather. Besides, he now reveled in not doing what the British Magical World expected of him

There really could be only one James and one Sirius – they were unique and should stay that way. Besides being the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry had spent his entire time at Hogwarts being compared to James, whether it was by Hagrid, McGonagall, Lupin or Snape and, due his resemblance to his father it was just taken for granted that he would (or should) be exactly like James also. He had never been given a chance to prove that he was "just Harry" or to be accepted as anything but as a clone of James Potter.

Sirius had accidently called him James too many times. Remus Lupin had also let the name James slip on occasion although never as many as times as Sirius. Neither man, especially Sirius, had ever asked Harry what he actually liked to do or what he would like to do.

When Sirius found out that Harry was on the Quidditch team instead of seeing him as the youngest seeker in more than a century, he had to mention that James was an award-winning Chaser and that naturally, as James' son, Harry would play Quidditch but why was he a Seeker and not a Chaser like James?

Remus had talked very, very briefly about Lily but most of his reminiscing had been about James and Harry's resemblance to him – except for Lily's eyes. Neither men had asked how Harry's childhood had been like, what his grades had been in his Muggle primary school, why did he dress like he did – let alone put a stop to it and bought him some new, decent clothes as Sirius definitely could have afforded it or ordered Kreacher to take Harry shopping even if Harry paid for his new wardrobe.

"James was always well-dressed, as was I" Sirius had stated "So why don't you let me give you tips on fashion, as well as getting girls and pranking?"

They had never asked what his favorite foods were or even his favorite anything. His favorite color would no doubt be red and/or gold (it was really blue or green). It was assumed and indeed strongly hinted at that he would be an Auror just like James and Sirius. No one had helped him chose his third year courses, something McGonagall as his Head of house was obliged to do but hadn't (because Dumbles told her not to), so he followed Ron's choices so Ron would be happy.

Thinking back on his life Harry thought he would have liked to have been a doctor or at least a psychologist so that he could have helped people who were sick in body or soul, especially children who had been abused as he was.

Had Harry even had an identity in the Magical World other than the Boy-Who-Lived or James Potter's son and clone? Actually he hadn't thanks to certain people's manipulations and no one questioned the identities given him or the duties and responsibilities that were placed upon his frail, young shoulders.

Throughout his life, Harry Potter asked these questions and never got a satisfactory answer. If he had died while doing his "duty and purpose" would anyone had truly cared? Would anyone have really mourned him if he had died after saving the world? Would they have been sad or grieved for him longer than a few days?

Since he had accomplished what he was born to do they would call him a hero, give him a posthumous award then go on with their own selfish, uncaring lives soon forgetting his life and sacrifice as nothing but a footnote or a paragraph in one of the many magical wars or their own lives?

What if he had sacrificed and died but hadn't save them? He would be cursed and reviled for all time while they, as the mindless, selfish sheep they were, found themselves conquered after not having fought for their own rights and freedoms?

Of course he would be cursed, reviled, his broken body spat on and dishonored because he, an abused, beaten, untrained, unloved, unprotected, tightly manipulated child had failed because he had been only an abused, beaten, untrained, unloved, unprotected, tightly manipulated pawn who had failed to do as he was supposed to do.

That was why he would not name a son of his James or Sirius, especially since both his sons had his black hair and resembled him, although Hal had his green eyes, but Michael had Susan's blue. If he gave them nothing else, at least his boys and his daughters would have would have their own identity. They would grow up to be themselves. They would be loved but not spoiled, cherished but raised with morals and knowing the difference between right and wrong.

The only things he would not ever tolerate from any of his children would be bullying, bigotry or obsessive pranking. A good, clean joke was okay, but it was not to be one's reason for living or "majoring in" while at school. A prank was not a prank if it was excessive or cruel or continually done to a person or persons solely because you didn't like them or wanted them to be disliked and constantly humiliated.

What his father and Sirius had done to Snape (they started the whole "pranking war" because they hadn't liked his looks or his poverty) was inexcusable. They were never really punished even after the Shrieking Shack incident but Snape had been when he had fought back against four boys to his one. It was probably what drove him to become a Death Eater.

The Marauders had bullied just as Dudley, Malfoy and their likes had because "they could" and had even been encouraged and/or deemed it their right and, most importantly, were not stopped. He blamed Dumbledore for his and the suffering of others, such as Neville and Luna.

Both Harry and Susan had excellent family connections, influence and money, but Harry had much more due to being Lord Potter, Lord Black and the Savior. However, their children would have to EARN their own influence, money and make their own connections based on their own worth and merit.

The four were warned that if they acted like a Malfoy or even a James Potter, they would be in deep trouble and disowned if they went too far. "A word to the wise…." as the adage went and their children all grew up to be wise, good and noble and most of all, their own person which, after all, is what every good parent hopes for.

Once his History of Magic series was finished and approved (how could it not be), he was elected to the Board of Governors of Hogwarts. Although he still taught some classes at Cambridge, once a week he taught a mandatory seventh year course at Hogwarts on magical politics. It was at his suggestion that a realistic and comprehensive Muggle Studies course was taught usually by a college-educated Muggleborn and it was MANDATORY for all non-Muggleborn students

On occasion Harry would fill in as the Defense Professor. The curse had ended with Voldie's death.

Hermione never knew that Harry had written the new history books. Rose and Jason Finch-Fletchley had just mentioned that Binns had finally "retired" after the war, but that he still floated around as an emeritus professor and acted as a detention moderator.

Sad to say, Hermione never asked about what was going on in Magical Britain. Her children would go to Hogwarts, but take Muggle courses during the summer. Both would be attending university and having a career in the Muggle and NOT the Magical World.

She admitted that she had made mistakes by being too trusting of authority and believed what she was told or read in books, books which had been suggested by Dumbledore. Justin found a Squib psychiatrist and demanded that she get counseling "As your bitterness is slowly but surely affecting your life and your negativity is hurting our family."

It had taken years before she came to terms and admitted that her mistakes were made by her and her alone and with the exception of the illegal magic and potions administered to her by Dumbledore and others, she had chosen the path she had taken and much of the blame for how her life in the Magical World turned out was by her own actions.

Hermione still carried a wand but only used it for emergencies (if one arose). She had completely thrown herself into the Muggle World and achieved more satisfaction and acknowledgement of her talents than she would ever had in Magical Britain. She had to admit (if only to herself) that she was happier in her original world, especially after she reconciled with her parents.

So thus ended the tale of a helpless, unloved pawn, who did do his duty but then decided to finally have a life of his choosing. He was free at last!

THE END

PS: Hope you enjoyed another completed story!