"Georgie my lad it really is a shame that all that planning went down the drain, it would have been hilarious to see what that pompous git would have done to save his image. Between all the potions and the Cornish Pixies it would have been a blast." Fred stated a little glumly.
"True Freddie, but just think, with Liar Lockhart gone we get to be in the presence of greatness, not to mention Hermione said we could come over the holidays to meet Prongs. Think of all the tutelage we would get from just hanging out with them!" George said with glee.
"Besides, I think we have already found our next victim anyway." Fred said thinking about Pansy making her big play this morning at breakfast.
**Earlier that day**
Draco was sitting having his morning toast talking with Blaise about the upcoming quidditch match when suddenly Pansy was there trying to squeeze in between the two guys.
"Excuse me Blaise, I hear that you are wonderful in transfiguration and I was wondering if you could help me with homework, I'm stuck on question twelve." Pansy said while batting her eyelashes and running a finger up and down Blaise's arm, much to his displeasure.
"Actually, I'm rubbish in Transfiguration at the moment, so I'd look elsewhere for help considering the best person I know personally in Transfiguration is sitting beside me and he's about ready to chuff from the amount of perfume you're wearing." Blaise said with an undertone of humor while trying not to bust a gut watching her face turn different colors.
"Hey mate, you never told me we needed to learn the bubbleheaded charm to be mates with you!" Theo said while taking a seat on the other side of the table for breakfast.
Pansy got up in a huff and stormed off, ticked that her advances to make Draco jealous didn't work, just like the potion she finally managed to slip into his drink while he wasn't looking. What she didn't realize was just because Draco wasn't watching didn't mean that others weren't, and while Fred put away his wand, he felt the eyes of Harry Potter on him.
"A word gentleman, and if you could be so kind as to bring the cup, I know you switched with Draco's please." Harry asked while sending a message via his watch over to Draco to meet up in five in the back corner of the library.
Sending a quick 'I'm following up on something with Draco dear' to his wife and Harry and the twins left the great hall headed for the library.
As soon as everyone was around Harry threw up a notice me not and muffilato charm, before turning to Draco. "Okay Draco, spill it…"
Draco blushed he wasn't sure exactly what Potter was looking for but figured it had something to do with the showPansy put on just now so he dived in headfirst, glad to have someone else to hear out his woes.
"Ever since I have dissolved the marriage contract between Pansy and I she has been trying to slip me different types of potions and has been coming up with crazier and crazier schemes to try and accomplish this." Draco said in a huff. "Oh and thanks to which ever one of you switched my drink today, I had already asked Blaise but he denied it, I figure it had to have been one of you two since Harry asked you here with him." He stated to the redheads.
Fred decided to come clean "You're welcome mate, she didn't have the prank look to her, more of a devilish delight, I have the cup here so we can see what she's up to if you would like. Figured you would figure it out when your pumpkin juice turned out to be water."
The twins pulled a vial from each of their coat pockets one was empty the other had a clear liquid in it. Fred pulled the stopper on the empty vial while George put 3 drops of the clear liquid into it. Then together they place a dropper full of the pumpkin juice into the vial and shook it up.
Draco didn't want to know why they had all this on hand, but figured it went hand in hand with pranking. After about a minute or so the liquid in the once empty vial turned a bright pink and George let out a whistle. "Woah, wasn't expecting that reaction that's for sure."
"Draco, it all seriousness, which should give you a clue since we are never serious, you need to bring this forward with the either Snape, McGonagall, or Dumbledore." Fred said while turning pale.
"We concocted this potion to indicate to us if a potion was used in our drinks, tricks of the trade for revenge seekers" George said while still holding the pink vial in his hand.
"We didn't want to miss anything so decided to make an all in one potion that way we wouldn't look suspicious testing our drinks five ways to Sunday ever meal. Different colors mean different potions." Fred said.
"Normally we would expect to see purple or blue heck even red from a few fan girls, but I didn't think we would see pink, at least while we were at school." George continued, this back and forth although normal for Harry, was causing Draco to get a headache.
"Not that I don't love watching other people have a hard time following you two for once, but could you get to the part where you tell us why we need to go to a teacher?" Harry spoke up noticing Draco's facial expressions get tight.
"Pink normally is an indication of multiple potions of the deadlier variety." Fred said while looking at his brother who was now adding an additional 3 drops to the vial and letting out a whistle as they instantly created a gradient effect.
"Let's see, lust potion, jealousy potion, love potion…" George stated while pointing out different colors before finally landing on a grey murky color at the top. "And what appears to be mind control like potion that we have never seen before, and our main reason for the pink color."
Draco paled significantly from his normal porcelain skin tone and gulped.
"At least we think its mind controlling, the grey color is very close but slightly different than what we would put in a prank potion to get everyone to dance the same dance…. Don't give us that look it was an idea that never came to fruition due to our scrupulous ethics policy" Fred said while staring Harry in the eyes.
"Yeah, we could never force anyone to do anything against their will, and that idea was coming to close to that." George said with the most serious face Harry had ever seen from them in either timeline.
Thinking everything thru Harry called up Sirius on his watch and asked for him to meet up with them in the library, being a somewhat kind of teacher now had its benefits Harry thought to himself.
Sirius agreed in the twin's deductions and complemented them on their potion stating that he would like to sit down with them over the holidays to talk about its uses in a broader sense of the word, fully intending to bring it up to Amelia. These two were constantly shocking him, almost as much as Harry and Hermione were.
Sirius headed off to see Minerva with Draco in tow, a sample of the pumpkin juice and the memory from Fred as Pansy put it in Draco's cup. What an odd turn of events the prankster being responsible and in turn helping a Malfoy.
**Back to present time**
"Freddie, I think I just came up with a plan, do you remember the muggle tale of Pinocchio that the village children were telling back home?" George said to his brother while projecting an image of Pansy's pug like nose growing each time she tried any sleight of hand work."
Fred just started laughing at the mental image already putting his thoughts to the required potion ingredients, they would have to make this carefully, as it was against the law for a student to make veritaserum, which they weren't trying to do but it would be a very fine grey line they are going to toe. Not to mention they had to make sure that whatever they made didn't have the overdose issues that veritaserum had. One thing was for sure though, if they pulled this off it would not only be hilarious but profitable as well.
Time seemed to fly by, the students of Hogwarts were now in the last week of classes before the holiday break. To say that Hogwarts did a complete turnaround would have been laughable before Narcissa's plan came in to play, however it was producing amazing results.
Kingsley Shacklebolt not only pointed out area's that needed vast improvements but also seemed to help those professors that were thought to have needed no help as well. Professor McGonagall found his suggestions for splitting the students up into groups of four extremely helpful, especially when you paired bright students like Harry, Hermione and Draco with students who might need more hands-on help that having a big class never would get. In the same sense Professor Flitwick enjoyed teaching the banishing charm in a dueling warded area, something the diminutive Professor was over familiar with being a dueling champion but didn't put two and two together for practicality in the classroom.
Andi was making inroads with Severus as well and the students could see a vast improvement in his teaching style. Severus himself felt guilty that his bias was in turn hurting the magical community, a thought put in his head by Andi that would ultimately change his bias he had against other houses than Slytherin. It also helped him to have a friend he could talk to who knew his status as spy, in total there were only three people alive who know his secret, Albus Dumbledore, Narcissa Black and Andromeda Tonks.
Andi in turn was immensely enjoying her time away from St. Mungo's. She always loved teaching and was getting to see her daughter more often now than she has in the last few years due to her Auror training.
Albus was sitting in his office thinking that he missed a bullet by a hair's width, with all the changes happening Hogwarts hasn't seen this much good publicity in a long while, and he was perfectly happy letting the magical community think it was something that he did. Little did Albus know that he was being made the pawn in a chess game where he saw himself as the king, untouchable.
The leaving feast was something rather special for Harry, as he never really left Hogwarts for the holidays even in the 'future', with the exception of heading to the burrow and the one time they went to number 12. Apparently, the timeline changed enough that the Weasley's weren't going to visit Charlie this year, meaning that Ron, Ginny, and the twins were heading home for the Holidays. Mrs. Weasley had made it perfectly clear that she wanted to make sure Harry knew he and Hermione were more than welcome at the Burrow and had requested that they get together for a meal to celebrate with everyone.
Harry and Hermione loved Mrs. Weasley's cooking and wouldn't pass up a chance to spend some wonderful family time with the family that they both grew to love in the last timeline. Sirius agreed and so they set a date for Boxing day to get together, making arrangements that the twins come and spend the weekend after Christmas with them as well.
Harry and Hermione said goodbye to Neville at the platform, they had already made plans for Neville to come and spend the last week of holiday with them and they couldn't wait already planning to take him out and show him Muggle London.
With their goodbyes finished Harry and Hermione walked thru the barrier and into the waiting arms of Jean Granger, Harry was sure he was going to love these next two weeks with his family, something he never would have thought in the past.
"Welcome back you two, I can't believe how much you've grown Harry!" Jean exclaimed as they walked to the car, Mick being absent as he was covering the practice today.
"Harry's been taking some replenishing potions since we've gotten back courtesy of Madame Pomfrey. I'm actually a little shocked at how much he's grown as well!" Hermione stated, once more cursing Dumbledore under her breath.
Madame Pomfrey had explained that Dumbledore upheld the policy that unless a student specifically asks for them, no 'enhancing' potions could be given for malnourished kids. A rule put in place a long time ago for the purebloods who, like Lucius, were fond of a stricter upbringing. Hermione was ready to spit tacks at finding that out, to Harry who has lived thru her S.P.E.W faze, he understood rules would be getting changed here shortly, not that he would object to them, child abuse was child abuse no matter if you were muggle, magical or otherwise.
Harry had grown roughly 3 inches in height in the short time he was away at Hogwarts, his shoulders had broadened out and he put on about a stone, making up for the scrawny look he 'woke up' to. Thinking it might be nice to gain a little muscle definition he thought about possibly starting an exercise routine. Hermione caught his thoughts and agreed. 'It might be nice not to be so winded while running away from deadly curses and snakes and such' she mentally sent over to him.
'I'm hoping we can avoid long arduous camping trips and fighting magically enhanced snakes this go around dear.'Harry thought back. Hermione just smiled.
"Mum, do you think we could stop by Harrods once more on the way home, it seems my lovely husband here has decided to outgrow his wardrobe, plus I would like to look into some trackies as we are looking into getting a little more fit." Hermione said while reaching out for Harry's hand and they exited King's Cross.
Walking into the house, the laughing trio stopped dead in their tracks, the looks coming from the three men at the kitchen table made their stomachs drop. Something happened, Harry thought, and whatever it is it's not good.
Sirius started the conversation as soon as the kids and Jean sat down at the table. "It seems all our 'reforms' for a lack of better words, has drawn out a few death eaters to gather together to fight back."
Harry and Hermione were worried about this, they knew with every positive change they make comes the downward swing of the hammer. "What happened?" Hermione asked.
"Dementors." Remus said point blank.
"Someone had released three dementors in Crawley today, luckily Remus and I were home today as they swept through the front door and were dead set on getting Mick." Sirius said with a shiver.
"I didn't even see them, I just felt dead inside, like I'd never be happy again. The room itself was freezing, I swear it felt like a morgue." Mick said as he was once more handed a chunk of Honeydukes finest chocolate. Mick gave Remus a smile as he started in on the new piece.
"What are dementors again?" Jean asked. She knew the kids explained them once but so much has happened since that first night they brought their son home.
"Dementors are the creatures that guard Azkaban Prison. They are foul things that suck the soul out of you, essentially leaving you a vegetable." Sirius stated rather grimly.
"You mean Mick could have died?!" Jean all but yelled.
"Yes." Hermione said with steel in her voice as the lights started to flicker and her hair seemed to raise on its own.
Everyone magical could see and feel the amount of excess magic that Hermione was pouring out, heck the Grangers could feel the change in the room.
"Hermione?" Mick said staring at his daughter as she was slowly losing the battle trying to control her excess magic.
Harry took action right away, he needed to get her mind off of the dementors and her father, he reacted instantly and put himself between everyone else and his wife. He couldn't understand anything that was running thru her head as it was going a mile a minute, he could certainly feel her heartrate pick up and her breathing increase. Harry did the only thing he could think of and used one hand to cup her face while his other arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her in for a drugging kiss.
The kiss was enough of a distraction that Hermione was once again able to feel Harry's presence inside her head, she was slightly embarrassed at how easily she allowed her magic to take over. Harry feeling her embarrassment went to end the kiss but Hermione wasn't going to allow for that just yet. They have done nothing but held back their relationship while at school, thanks to their twelve to thirteen year old bodies, however Hermione needed this, their bond making it clear that physical contact was needed allowed them to hold hands at school; but this was almost like Harry was draining the excess magic away, not only that but it felt bloody wonderful to kiss her husband.
Mick and Jean were a little shocked that their little girl could produce such a reaction, it reminded them of her temper tantrums from when she was younger only magnified by a hundred. The parents wide eyed turned to Sirius and Remus who both had their wands out ready to shield if necessary. It was Remus who answered their questioning gaze.
"Hermione had an emotional spike so great that her magic got away from her, when kids are younger this kind of thing happens more frequently until they learn how to control their magic at Hogwarts, I'm assuming that with the bonding came a huge magical spike to their levels and Hermione and Harry are once more in that learning phase." Remus said all this while watching as Harry now had his forehead resting against Hermione's and they were communicating silently.
"Okay that explains the change in the feel of the room but not what you two are doing with your wands. Were you going to attack the children?" Mick asked a little defensively. He felt like he had the right to be defensive as he was still coming down from his brush with death.
"Oh no!" Sirius said quickly, "Just from that show alone Remus and I would have a hard time holding our own against Hermione, add to that attacking Hermione would instantly put you in Harry's doghouse and we would be made to look like dust."
"We were simply getting prepared to shield you two in case Hermione took the house down around us!" Remus said with awe in his voice still keeping an eye on the kids.
Hermione pulled away and apologized to her parents, "I'm sorry you guys, I was so angry that someone would attack you that I couldn't control myself, if it wasn't for Harry's perfectly timed snog session what Remus said would probably be true." The bright pink cheeks on her beautiful face reminded Harry of a flower, still adamant that she had nothing to be embarrassed about Harry went about to set the record straight.
"First of all, I would never allow Hermione to hurt any of you, my magic was already ramping up to protect all four of you. Secondly Mrs. Potter here feels embarrassed over her control when if she didn't ramp up so much faster than me, I would have been in the same predicament." Harry said with a huff as he stared down his wife.
"Now that that's out of the way, let's get down to business. Sirius have you contacted Amelia?" Harry asked while still holding Hermione close.
"Yes, she's following some leads and informed me that she would stop by later this evening to report." Sirius stated, glad he was talked into giving her a watch, it made everything so much easier as far as communication goes.
"I also had Madam Pomfrey come over and check out Mick for any lingering effects from the dementors, he was given the all clear." Remus finished up the report.
"Good" Harry said, "Now let's get cracking on protection."
"Sirius could you apparate Harry and I to Gringotts, we need to speak with Bogrod." Hermione was already reaching for her beaded bag that she recreated from the future, she was going to use a backpack but figured a purse was more practical.
Walking into the bank saw Harry and Hermione met by Griphook, who just happened to be finishing up with one of the tellers when he spotted them… with the look on Sirius's face there would be no Mr. Black today. "How can I be of assistance today Lord Black?" Griphook also nodded to Harry and Hermione in way of greeting and extending the invitation to them as well addressing them as Lord and Lady Potter.
"We would like to speak with Bogrod please, and yourself if you aren't too busy, might as well get the best two account managers on the case." Harry said with a smile.
Griphook bowed deeply and then invited them to follow him to his office, grabbing an assistant on the way to go alert Master Bogrod to join them, whatever this trio needed they looked mighty serious.
Sitting down at a seating area in his office Griphook asked if they would like any refreshments while they wait on Bogrod, all three stating that tea would be wonderful had his had reaching out to the circular carving on his desk just as Bogrod walked in.
"I already know why you three are here so I started the ball rolling, I apologize for assuming however with this grave injustice I figured it would be better to start the proceedings right away." Bogrod stated finally able to get one up on the two Potters.
"We are actually working with Amelia to help track who would put a hit on your parents heads." Bogrod finished to a surprised Griphook and audience.
It was a red-letter day when the ministry asks for help from the goblins, even more so coming from the head of a department like Law Enforcement. Normally the goblins would have to go thru the Department of Magical Creatures, what a joke.
"Amelia should be here shortly as I have alerted her to your presence here so that we may give a full report of our findings. Amelia did advise however that she is joining her force in arresting the two suspects that we currently have." Bogrod stated with what could only be described as a smile on his face.
'Wow, they not only have a suspect but two! And they are already in route to pick them up, maybe we did come back for a reason!' Harry thought over to his wife. Hermione just smiled back and nodded.
"Thank-you Master Bogrod, could you give us the details while we wait for Madam Bones or shall we discuss the security that we wish to place on our home?" Hermione asked politely.
Looking a little crestfallen Bogrod replied, "I wish to speak of your families protection as that is paramount right now, and sadly due to the secrecy statue we can't put too many wards on a muggle home, or at least the kind that we would want to put onto your home."
Griphook picked up what Bogrod was saying and let the kids in on the reasons, "We would be able to place basic wards like fire protection and burglary, however to keep those that wish you harm and the like it's not possible due to the closeness of your neighbors and the muggle neighborhood you live in."
Hermione could understand the reasonings, but just because she understood didn't mean that she liked them. 'What a bunch of tosh, basically they don't want muggleborns to have the same protections that purebloods have. You can't tell me that wards to keep out those that harm you would be noticed by the muggles, we have tons of notice me not charms all over London, and your parents lived in Godrics Hollow under the Fidelis charm!' Hermione thought over to Harry.
'Yes dear, but remember Godrics Hollow was a mixed community, and most of the muggles that lived there knew about magic or were squibs, it's not really the same as your neighborhood. On top of that I think the Johnston's would know if suddenly your house disappeared. It makes sense, yes it makes it harder for muggleborns, but we will have to add that to our list for the future.' Harry thought over while placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.
"What are our options Bogrod?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Well, my immediate suggestion would be to move yourself and the Grangers someplace safe for the time being until we make sure and get everyone involved in this. I would recommend an old family ancestral home." Bogrod said.
"NO! Absolutely not! I am not bringing my muggle parents into Number 12! No offense Sirius but your Mothers painting is a piece of work!" Hermione stated with such ferocity that the teacups rattled.
"Calm down Mrs. Potter, we are working on Number 12 Grimmauld Place, and the painting of that wretched woman, again no offence Lord Black." Griphook said worried that he might offend his client.
"No worries Griphook, you both said it right she was a wretched piece of work!" Sirius made sure that no one had any doubts on his convictions by the raw emotion in his voice as he asked, "I'm assuming you both are speaking of Potter Manor?"
Fond memories from his childhood flooded him as he thought of the only people, he considered his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were amazing people. Fleamont was one of the funniest people Sirius had ever met while Euphemia was the sweetest, warmest, most loving person he had ever had the pleasure of knowing. They instantly took him in and proclaimed him their son.
Bogrod speaking pulled Sirius back to the present, "Yes, we have kept up with the maintenance of the manor, and all other properties the Potters own. The elves informed us that everything is ready and that they would have no problem popping the Grangers back and forth from the Manor to Crawley for work. That way appearances will still be maintained while protection is at the highest level we could attain."
Harry was shocked, he knew he owned multiple estates and houses throughout the world but forgot that he had a family ancestral home.
"Harry there are portraits that have been asking about you at the manor as well, you might be interested to know that you can speak with your Grandparents as well as your parents there. The portrait of your parents that you currently have was duplicated so they can travel back and forth between the paintings." Bogrod said while looking over the report the elves had given him.
Hermione not one to miss small details inquired about something brought up earlier, "You said that this Manor is safe, what protections are available there?"
"Potter Manor has all the protections, some that even number 12 doesn't have, and the blood wards are slightly stronger given the intent behind them. It is also unplotable and has elfish wards surrounding it to boot." Bogrod stated rather matter of fact like.
"Sorry for prying, but why didn't Harry's mum and dad just stay there then? It would make much more sense than Godrics Hollow." Hermione once more had her lip caught between her teeth, probably the only thing that kept Harry from blowing up like she did at the house as he looked toward Sirius for an answer.
"I'm not sure guys, all I know is that they had chosen Godrics Hollow and that it was supposed to be the safest place for them, James said that he was hiding in plain sight." Sirius said with a shrug.
"Actually, Gringotts recommended against staying there due to the wards, but the Potters listened to Dumbledore as he promised the Fidelis Charm would protect them from Voldemort." Bogrod stated angerly.
Sirius was shocked, he didn't think James would put that much trust into Dumbledore, they were already doubting him back then, he always seemed a little suspicious to Sirius. Nothing could prepare him for the words coming from Harry though,
"Master Bogrod, I appreciate your information and would respectfully request that you look into anything my parents had to do with Dumbledore pertaining to any wealth or finances." Harry had a bad feeling in his gut that he wasn't going to like what they find but needed to know if the old goat was syphoning off funds to support his image.
Sirius could see that going south for Dumbledore in a hurry, thankfully the Blacks would have nothing to do with Dumbledore so he wouldn't have to do any paperwork to follow up on his side, he was actually surprised the future him allowed Dumbledore to use Grimmauld Place as the headquarters for the Order…. Very suspicious.
"Back to my parents please" Hermione requested. "They would be able to get back and forth but who's to say they wouldn't find out where they work?"
"The elves!" Harry said rather joyfully. "They can remain invisible and would be faster and more discreet than a portkey, they can also get thru anti-appiration and anti-portkey wards if put up."
"Do we have enough elves to spare two?" Hermione asked to a laughing Bogrod and Griphook.
"Mrs. Potter, as your title states you are the Matriarch of the Potters and with that comes the Elvin village that resides on the land at Potter Manor, you have the largest colony of house elves in Britain and they are not only wonderfully taken care of but happy to be Potter elves. They would jump in front of a curse to protect their family." Bogrod said to a shocked Hermione.
"Well okay then, I think that should cover everything, Dobby will be our personal elf, and will help us get situated." Hermione stated just as Amelia Bones was shown into the office.
"Thank-you all for waiting for me, I apologize I wanted to tie up any loose ends while I could get the jump on them. Bogrod… Griphook… there were four in total, three of which will require your assistance if you still wish to help." Amelia said while taking a seat next to Sirius.
"I have yet to discuss anything about the attack with the Potters or Lord Black. We were shoring up their safety concerns first." Bogrod stated.
"I see" Amelia said while turning to face the Potters in full Department-head mode. "Earlier today three dementors were released from Azkaban in order to track down who they believed were 'convicts'. We have since traced back those three to Delores Umbridge."
Harry paled at her words as Hermione cursed under her breath, Amelia continued her report, "She was not working alone however, Gringotts helped us track money that was exchanged for information within the department, we discovered Gregory Pucey, Edmund Parkinson, and Conrad Bulstrode were all in on the plan, however Bulstrode is not a marked death eater and was basically coerced into participating."
"WHAT!" Sirius yelled. "I hope we have some options here Ami, as Parkinson is already on my shit list for attempted rape, mind altering potions and heavy love potions that his daughter tried to administer to Draco Malfoy, a ward under the care of the House of Black."
Amelia knew that Sirius was going after Parkinson, so was not surprised at his outburst. "We have them all locked up right now, Gringotts agreed to freeze their vaults, the Ministry is pushing for Attempted Murder charges to be brought upon Umbridge and Pucey, Parkinson is looking at heavy fines for his daughters involvement with the Malfoy head, as well as being an accomplice to attempted murder. Bulstrode is looking at heavy fines from the Ministry for aiding by attempting to get Umbridge or Parkinson into Hogwarts, which we found out from them was in order to kill Mr. Potter." Amelia finished never being more grateful for the board of Hogwarts making the smart decision to place all of Cissy's suggestions into place.
"Because he didn't have a bigger role than that we can't really put him as an accomplice to attempted murder as he didn't know that's what their ultimate aim was, he was just a pawn." Amelia said making sure that the Potters knew she was throwing anything that could stick to everyone involved.
"Thank-you Amelia, I appreciate everything the Ministry has done for me tonight. I would be more than happy to back yourself, and I suppose Fudge by showing my support at the trial if needed." Harry said, even though the thought of using his fame for publicity made him sick, this was truly a 'greater good' situation.
Amelia thanked the Potters then headed out to get started making a case against the idiots who went up against the Potters, Delores won't be getting herself out of this one.
The Potters finished up the last of the paperwork to get a few last-minute security devices and then called for Dobby to bring them home, figuring a practical demonstration of his abilities will go far in convincing the Doctor Granger to move to Potter Manor.
Popping into the living room saw a shriek come from Jean Granger no doubt still quite on edge from all the commotion today has brought. She stood quickly to hug the children, glad to see they were okay from their trip to the bank. "So, what's the word?" She asked guardedly.
Sirius collected Remus and explained that he would give him the run through on the way to their flat… they needed to pack after all, they were headed home. Sirius realized at the bank that all his memories of Potter Manor went away when his brother died, until Harry reintroduced him to the manor, he would not remember anything about it. Sure, he'd remember the events like Christmas and how his room looked but he couldn't remember where Potter Manor was located or even what the outside of the manor looked like. A tricky bit of ingenious magic that Fleamont added in his youth. To say he was giddy would be an understatement.
"Pack? We are leaving. Are things really that bad?" Jean said in a hurry, very concerned for the safety of her family.
Hermione knew that her mother would work herself up into a tizzy thinking about their safety, maybe this would be easier than they thought to convince them to essentially move in with them. "Mum it's not that we aren't safe, it's just that we could have the possibility of being even safer. The wards we are going to be placing on this house are good for protecting against fires, burglary and destruction, however the type of wards at the place we are going to no one will be able to harm anyone, in fact they wouldn't be able to even find us!"
Jean's mind then went to their practice and clients, "Where would we be moving to? Would we be able to still work? And if we were able to work how would we be protected at the office?" she rattled off in rapid succession.
Harry figured this was his time to explain, "Jean, we are going to be going to my family's ancestral home in Scotland, Potter Manor. We have worked out that you might want to continue working so have put in place several protections that would be undetectable to non-magic people, I.E. your clients." Harry said this while calling for Dobby once more.
"Dobby here is our personal elf, however the Potters have several hundred elves that take care of our many properties and are loaned out to various places, like Hogwarts. They have their own magic and can ensure that they watch over you while remaining unseen. We would assign an elf to each of you allowing you transport from Scotland to here and then they would be with you throughout the day. You would essentially be driving in like normal, so no one would know the difference." Harry then thought of one other thing.
"They could even help tidy up at the clinic if you so wished as their favorite thing in the world is helping their family, and with you as my in-laws they already consider you family." Harry then took the case that Dobby handed him and passed out the contents.
Mick and Jean opened up one of the two cases that Harry handed them, the first box contained a watch, a stunning gold watch for Mick and a lovely rose gold band for Jean. Next they opened a ring box each and noticed a very plain thin silver band, Harry instructed the to place them on their ring finger of their right hand as they did the band resized to fit perfectly.
"Those watches are just like the ones we have, Sirius worked some serious magic to get them done faster than we could have thought possible. They each have a crystal in them that takes in ambient magic from around you to power the watch and make it work like ours." The Grangers were now looking at him with dumbfounded expressions on their faces, Harry just chuckled and continued.
"Since you will either be around our elves or someone magical almost at all times it should never run out of enough magic to continue running like normal, especially since Hermione and I poured enough magic into them to start them up to last several months." At this Hermione blushed, she still wasn't used to being so powerful.
"Mum, the ring you both got is a multifaceted piece of work. You might not have felt it but a small pin prick happened when the ring resized taking in a small sample of your blood to allow you to pass thru the wards at Potter Manor, because of this you will not be allowed to take them off, not that they would let you." Hermione said to her parents awestruck faces.
"I know it's a lot to ask but to anyone besides those of us who know those rings won't be able to be seen. They are charmed to feel like air and resize naturally with your finger. Not only do they allow you passage into Potter Manor but they also act as a portkey in the events that something were to happen to you all you would have to do is say 'Snozzberries' and it will take you straight into a secure room in Potter Manor. Anyone who is touching you will also be brought in, however, the moment you land anyone not recognized by the wards would be stunned." Harry finished.
Mick was amazed, he supposed the kids picked 'snozzberries' in reference to one of his favorite movies, Charlie and the Chocolate factory. He would never forget it now that it was said and it's unlikely that it would come up in everyday conversation.
Hermione continued while her father pondered on things. "Now besides being a portkey and essentially a key to our home there is one other function that those rings do as well." At this Hermione now had both of their attentions, how could something so small do so much?
"Those rings also have every protection charm imaginable on them, no dementor would be able to get within ten feet of you, and any curse short of the unforgivable thrown your way will be greatly reduced in strength if not block them completely." Hermione was extremely happy with that little piece of magic, so much so that she had the goblins add it to their wedding bands that they inherited from Harry's parents.
"Harry have you seen this home yet? How do we know it's inhabitable, it has been almost 13 years since anyone's lived in it?" Mick asked.
"The elves have looked after it for us, they actually have a colony on our land and the wards are the strongest the goblins have seen." Harry said proudly. "In fact, they have looked after all our properties, we have a book of houses and properties that we own, if we maybe want to take a nice holiday over the summer break."
That had the Grangers won, they all packed a bag as they had already had vacation from work for the two weeks of Holiday anyway, and literally popped over to Scotland.