LEAVING HOME
Harry Potter looked as if he held the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was sitting on the Hogwarts Express as it took him and his fellow school friends home for the summer holidays. His best friend and girlfriend Hermione Granger looked at him. It was only a couple of weeks ago that he had seen his godfather Sirius Black killed in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic.
"What's on your mind?" she asked, holding his hand.
"Something Dumbledore told me and something I need to do." He replied, "Will you be able to look after Hedwig and my trunk for a couple of days please? I will be needing to get away from the Dursleys in a rush and they will slow me down."
"Why don't you come home with me?" Hermione asked.
"Dumbledore said that Privet Drive is protected by blood wards which means as long as I can call it home and Aunt Petunia is still alive, I will be safe."
"That's a whole load of rubbish!" Hermione shouted.
"Why say that?"
"Because you told me that You-Know-Who used your blood in his rebirth ceremony." Hermione said, "It means he can just walk into your aunt's house."
"Why did no one bother to tell me this before?" asked Harry. "On the plus side he could kill the Dursleys for me" he looked over to Hermione. "Do you think he would do that if I asked him nicely?" and Hermione was shocked.
"Harry!" she exclaimed.
"I'm sorry" and he shook his head and began to think of the terrible summer he would have at the hands of his relatives.
#
After the train arrived at Kings Cross and the students disembarked, Harry looked around for the Dursleys. There was no sign of them – Harry walked over to Hermione. She introduced him to her parents and asked if he could spend a couple of days with them.
"Where are your relatives?" Mr. Granger asked.
"It appears they've finally had enough of me and are taking matters into their own hands. Not that they wanted me in the first place." Harry said. Mr. Granger looked at his wife.
"Can he stay please dad?" pleaded Hermione.
"Sure, you can spend as much time as you like with us. Hermione's told us so much about you, we can trust you with her." Mr Granger said to Harry.
#
"I call this meeting of the Order of the Phoenix to order." Dumbledore said. The Order was sitting in the kitchen of 12 Grimmwald Place.
"First things first, alternative arrangements will need to be made for Harry Potter this summer." He said.
"Why is that?" Remus Lupin asked.
"The Dursleys refuse to have anything further to do with him, following the Dementor attack on him and their son last summer. They have taken legal advice from a Squib solicitor who petitioned the Ministry on their behalf and managed to gain emancipation for him so they could be rid of him."
"What will happen to him now?" Molly Weasley asked.
"I do not know. My tracking charms indicate he is presently at the Granger residence. We will allow him a couple of days there before moving him somewhere. The second order of business is Sirius Black. His will is due to be read in a weeks' time. The contents of which are unknown right now, but assuming it is one he filed before his incarceration in Azkaban, he would have left everything he owned to Harry. As far as I know, this legacy would have included a single house and a small vault of money. But, since then, his mother died and despite being blasted off the family tapestry, he would be recognised as the Head of the Blacks, having received no trial."
"What does that mean?" someone asked.
"Assuming that Mr. Potter inherits the title of Lord Black, he also inherits this house. Now, Mr. Potter and myself had some difficulties towards the end of term and he showed some unpleasant feelings about me, due to decisions I had made for him. There is a chance he could prevent us from using this house for meetings, so we need to keep all paperwork relating to the Order in one place so it can be removed at a moment's notice."
"I think the house will be safe Albus." Remus said, "Sirius and I spoke at length and he hinted that I might be receiving the house." Everyone looked at him. "Sirius said I was more in need of it than Harry was, the Potters owning many homes across the world."
"This is what we'll do – allow him some time at the Grangers, have a change of scenery and time to grieve for Sirius away from magic before moving him here. This meeting is closed."
Everyone went to leave.
"Molly – a word please." Dumbledore said. Molly Weasley stopped where she was. "I thought you should hear this first before Ronald gets the letter from Minerva. She's recommended that Ronald be removed as Prefect – it seems he neglected his duties all year. She's recommended that Harry take on the duties instead along with Quidditch captaincy."
"Now listen here Albus," Molly said with a loud voice, "I don't care what you have to do, but you will make sure Ron gets to keep that Prefect badge and you will also make sure he gets that Quidditch captaincy otherwise I will go straight to the Ministry and tell them about this group of yours."
"My hands are tied over the Captaincy thing Molly; it is a matter for the Head of House. Your son is not eligible for the job, having only been on the team for a year. If his OWL results are what they are predicted to be, his Prefect badge is in jeopardy anyway." Dumbledore said.
"Then you had better find a way to make sure he keeps it!" Molly shouted before leaving.
#
Following the meeting, Dumbledore thought he had better write to Harry to inform him about the Dursleys – knowing he had not received any mail from them. He wrote a small letter and sent it off with Fawkes.
#
Harry and the Grangers were sitting in their kitchen having some dinner when a ball of fire appeared and Fawkes appeared. He dropped a letter in front of Harry before vanishing. Harry took the letter and read it.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I'm sorry I've not told you this before now, but I've only just found out myself.
According to the Ministry, the Dursleys, having finally reached their resolve about you and magic, appointed a Squib solicitor to petition the Ministry to have you granted emancipation. This was so granted. It means you can no longer call Number 4 home and that even if you could, the blood wards would no longer work.
I am aware that you are staying at the Grangers with Miss. Granger. I must ask you not to go out too often, if you have to. Sirius' will is being read in a week's time. As his primary heir, it is a legal requirement for you to attend. I will be talking to the goblins about either postponing it until it is time to go to the Alley to collect your school stuff or appointing a representative.
Looking forward to seeing you on your return to Hogwarts.
Albus Dumbledore
"The cheek of the man!" Harry shouted, "This just about does it! Did you know he put me with the Dursleys knowing what they would do? He did all this over some prophecy that crackpot Trelawney gave before I was born?"
"No!" Hermione said, "What was it?"
Harry told them the contents of the prophecy. "If it's so important for me to be able to defeat Voldemort, why does he keep hiring incompetent Defence teachers? Only Remus and Moody were any good, even if Moody was a Death Eater in disguise. What was he thinking of when he hired that idiot Lockhart? And don't get me started on Snape. Its reasons like this I'm considering the plans I'm making."
"What are they then Harry?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Leave Hogwarts and find another school in another country, preferably one where Dumbledore doesn't have any friends. I just fear for Hermione because of what happens at Hogwarts. It breaks my heart to see her treated the way she is."
"What way is that? She hasn't told us much." Mrs. Granger said.
"So you don't know that people constantly call her names because of her heritage and no-one does anything about? I've done my best to stand up for her. Our Potions teacher is allowed to ridicule and bully anyone and he is not disciplined. Last year, we had a Defence teacher appointed by the Ministry who taught us nothing! She would regularly put me in detention where she told me to write lines with a quill which cut the words into my hand." He showed his hand to the Grangers. "No members of staff would stand up to her as the Headmaster would just allow it." Harry stopped speaking as he seemed to be thinking of something.
"Something wrong?" asked Mrs Granger. Harry didn't reply for several moments before he turned to look at both of the Grangers.
"Mr and Mrs Granger, I'd like your permission to take Hermione with me to another school" he said formally.
"I see your meaning Harry." Mr. Granger said, "I'd rather she left that school and she might be willing to do so with you. But we need to get some legal advice. I noticed on our last trip to that Alley that there was a solicitor's office. We should go there and find out our options."
"Good idea sir." Harry said.
"You don't need to call me sir – just Michael will do."
"Alright Just Michel" Harry said with a grin.
#
The next morning, Harry and the Grangers drove to London and entered Diagon Alley They found the solicitor's office and entered after attracting and were invited into the office of Arthur Madsen.
"What can I do for you?" he asked.
"I want to find out about the legality of transferring from Hogwarts to an overseas magical school." Harry said, "I would also like to find out about transferring Hermione there too. According to Dumbledore, my guardians had me emancipated."
"Well, if that is the case, then it is perfectly legal for you to transfer to another school – you would have to request it with the Headteacher of the relevant school. As for your friend, assuming she is a Muggleborn, then normally, Dumbledore would be her magical guardian, being the Hogwarts headteacher. He would have to approve it."
"Can you find out?" Mr. Granger asked, "and how did he get to become her magical guardian? We were visited by a Sirius Black a year ago and offered to take on the job, suspecting Dumbledore of trying something."
"I will have to file a request with the Ministry for her file, you will need to come back in a couple of days or I can visit you. In the meantime, I will check some schools in America and Canada for you."
"Thank you." Mr. Granger said, "How much will this cost us?"
"Two thousand galleons." Mr. Madsen said. Mr. Granger looked shocked.
"Don't worry – I'll pay the money." Harry said.
"Thanks." Mrs. Granger said.
#
Mr. Madsen arrived as promised a few days later. He was shown into the front room where he got two files out.
"Alright, I've got your files as promised. Mr. Potter, as yours is the most simple, we'll start with you." He opened up Harry's file and read it:
Harry James Potter,
Born: July 31st, 1980
Place of Birth: Godric's Holllow, Wales
Current Residence: Unknown
Blood Status: Mixed (father pureblood, mother muggleborn)
Legal Status: Emancipated
Criminal Record: Underage Magic, July 1992
Father: James Harold Potter
Born: 1960
Died: October 31st, 1981
Occupation:
Blood Status: Pureblood
Criminal Record: A Des O' Connor LP
Mother: Lily Rose Potter (Evans)
Born: 1960
Died: October 31st, 1981
Occupation: Unspeakable in Training
Education Record
Currently Attending: Hogwarts
House: Gryffindor
Class Rank: 3rd out of 39
OWL Results: TBA
NEWT Results: TBA
Other Notes: Former Seeker for Gryffindor Quidditch Team, currently serving life ban from the sport
"As you are emancipated, it means you should have no problems getting into another school. Miss. Granger on the other hand, is a different matter." Hermione's file was then read out. It was practically the same as Harry's, it just stated that she was 1st in the class ranking and it said nothing about her parents or sports.
"Mr. & Mrs. Granger – the two of you would have to give consent for Hermione to transfer."
"If it gets her away from that death trap they call a school," Mr. Granger said, "Then we'll give consent."
"You want me to come with you?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Well you didn't think I was going to leave Hogwarts without you, did you?" Harry said, and Hermione rushed over and hugged him.
"I'll look into the transfers later, Mr. Potter. I made a few enquiries about your life ban from Quidditch and found it was imposed by Delores Umbridge for a fight. What can you tell me about it?" Madsen said.
"Well, it was the first match of the year and I had just caught the Snitch. Then Goyle, a Slytherin Beater deliberately hit a Bludger at me which hit. Then Draco Malfoy started his usual rude chants about my mother because of her heritage, the Weasleys for not having money and Ron because he wasn't too good but it was his first proper game. I punched Malfoy along with Fred Weasley. McGonagall gave us detention, which I felt was worth it until Umbridge came and said that the Minister gave her permission to deal with all punishments. Fred and I were given life bans from Quidditch, including professional games as a career and she also imposed one on George Weasley for good measure. As usual, no-one said a thing about what Malfoy said – in my opinion, he gets away with too much and Goyle got away unpunished. During my third year, Malfoy and a couple of Slytherins dressed up as Dementors to sabotage the game – McGonagall gave them detention and deducted points, but Snape and Dumbledore restored them."
"I'll take this up with the Department of Sports and Games – they should be able to do something about it. Can you provide any memories of this?" Mr. Madsen asked.
"Just a moment." Harry left the room and came back with a few vials. "I took the liberty of taking memories of each game after Malfoy joined just in case they were needed."
"As for the new school – Hogwarts is the only one in England. I know there are a few in Canada which would be good – their headteachers aren't the biggest fans of Dumbledore. I can make some enquiries – my granddaughter attends the Vancouver School of Magic. I'll be in touch." Before he left, Harry gave him a bankers draft for 2,000 galleons.
"That's for your hard work so far." He told the man.
"Thank you." Mr. Madsen said before leaving.
"I never knew that stuff about my parents before." Harry said.
"What did you know?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"Well, until Hogwarts, all I knew because of the Dursleys that they were out of control drunks who died in a car crash. Hagrid told me they were Head Boy and Girl. Dumbledore tells me I look like my dad except for Mum's eyes. One thing I later found out via Snape's memories and that was by accident was that Dad bullied him. I don't agree with that, but there is no need for Snape to bully me over it. Whenever I asked anyone else – teachers, Remus or Sirius, they just changed the subject."
"I wonder why everyone is so keen to keep information on your family secret." Mr. Granger said.
"I'm not sure" Harry said, but I suspect Dumbledore in doing this. I have always suspected him of hiding things from me" and he saw Hermione shaking her head.
"But why?" she questioned. Hermione was having trouble in questioning an authority figure it seemed.
"Dumbledore wants me to defeat Voldemort – but expects me to die. I have no doubt that he will take the entire Potter fortune" Harry said to her. "That is one of the reasons I will be leaving for another magical school" he added.
"Have you thought about where you would go?" asked Mrs Granger.
"Canada is out" Harry said. "Another country I know, but it is part of the British Territory. Dumbledore could have me taken from there and returned to Hogwarts. Same with New Zealand and any other country within the Commonwealth" and Hermione nodded.
"So where do we go?" she asked him.
"I don't know, but I'm going to send Hedwig to him with a message telling him no British Territories" Harry said.
"What about that French school?" asked Michael. Harry considered it for a few moments before shaking his head.
"Three reasons why" Harry said. "It is too close to Hogwarts, Gabrielle will try to jump me for my body, and have you seen what they serve for breakfast? They don't do fry ups – Fleur told me that during the Tri-Wizard" and Hermione smiled.
"I don't mind where you go, as long as I am with you" she told him.
A/N:
The first chapter in yet another chapter that I have taken in from the cold darkness of fanfic hell. Fanfic hell is a place that stories are sent to when not published, discontinued or removed. Out of the goodness of my heart, I have opened up my homepage to offer this worthy fanfic a space in my profile.
PLEASE do not expect this to be updated as fast as the others – I still have my other fics to complete. I thought of uploading this as part of my Christmas bonus to you all. Those people that review on Christmas Day will get special mentions in the next chapter – Christmas Day being measured by British Time.
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