One shots pt 2

Idea for story given by Shadewatcher.

How Did Dobby Get Into Privet Drive:

Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived stared at the strange little creature. After listening to Dobby about there being some type of danger at Hogwarts, he thought about the day Hagrid took him to Diagon alley and what Hagrid had told him about Hogwarts. It was supposed to be the safest place, yet Harry already faced danger during his first year and more than once. Now Dobby said there was going to be more danger. But something else occurred to Harry.

‘Dobby, I would like to take your advice and stay away. Last year I almost died when a troll got into the castle and had one of my friends cornered in a girls bathroom. Then during a quidditch match, Quirrell tried to get me off my broom where I would have fallen to my death. Then the teachers sent me, Hermione, Neville and Malfoy into the forbidden forest late at night, where something was killing unicorns. Then I faced Voldemort who was possessing Quirrell and they tried to kill me. Four times during my first year I was in danger even if the last time was my decision. Now you’re saying there is going to be more danger. Okay, I’ve never had a good life Dobby, but I do want to live. I’ve always planned to get away from these muggles, I just figured I should wait until I’m a little older where people won’t get suspicious. I don’t want any more danger Dobby, but I can’t stay here either. These people are mean to me. They hit me, they make me work all the time and don’t give me enough to eat. Vernon has threatened to kill me so many times that I think he will do it one day. I don’t want to die, either here or at Hogwarts but at least at Hogwarts I get to eat and I don’t get hit all the time or have to work all day. If I had somewhere else to go, then I might stay away, but I haven’t and if I’m found they will bring me back here which will give Vernon the excuse to hit me again.’

‘Can Dobby help Harry Potter sir?’

Harry smiled at the little creature, ‘I wish you could Dobby. The only thing I can do is go to Hogwarts and try to stay away from anything dangerous. I can’t stay here Dobby, or I might end up buried in the back garden. It gets hard to work long hours when I’m hungry and weak or have something wrong with me. That gives them an excuse to punish me, not that they need an excuse. So even though I don’t want any more danger, there’s a chance I will die here and live if I go to Hogwarts. Maybe you could come up with a way that you can let me know where the danger is about to happen, then I can…I don’t know, stay in Gryffindor tower or in the library.’

Dobby stared at Harry Potter with his big eyes as he thought about what he asked. Dobby would like to help Harry Potter and Harry Potter is asking him to help. Dobby might not be able to tell Harry Potter about his master, but he was able to come see Harry Potter, he could see him again but at Hogwarts and warn him when it was dangerous.

‘Dobby help Harry Potter sir. Dobby can’t say who is doing it or what it is, but Dobby can pop into Hogwarts when Dobby not working and let you know if something bad is happening.’

Harry grinned, ‘That’s perfect Dobby.’ As Harry said it, he thought about what Dobby said. He could pop into Hogwarts and he appeared inside Harry’s bedroom. He remembered what Dumbledore said about there being protection around Privet drive, something about it being linked to his blood, his mother’s blood and sacrifice and her sister’s blood. This created wards which is supposed to keep people like Voldemort and his supporters out. Yet there is proof standing right in front of him that these wards doesn’t stop someone getting in with magic. If something bad was going to happen at Hogwarts and Dobby knew about it, that could mean his master was bad. If he was a dark wizard then he could order Dobby to take Harry, so again, the wards doesn’t seem to stop someone bad, like Dumbledore said.

Harry knew he would need to study up on wards when he returned to Hogwarts. If they didn’t work then he wasn’t going to stay with the Dursley’s. He was a wizard, he belonged in the wizarding world, not the muggle world and not with the Dursley’s.

After Dobby and Harry worked out some plans for Hogwarts, Dobby apologised to Harry for stopping his mail. He then handed Harry a bunch of letters. At first Harry was angry that Dobby kept his letters, then he realised why the elf did it. Dobby was trying to protect him from some danger.

Harry got an idea, ‘Well, even though you still shouldn’t have stolen my mail Dobby, I forgive you. But if you want to make it up to me, maybe you could bring me food and drink. The muggles always lock me in and sometimes don’t get me anything to eat for days. They even locked Hedwig in her cage so I can’t send her to someone to get help, she also can’t go out to get food. I can give you some money for helping me, you could buy yourself a nicer…um tea towel.’

‘Dobby help the great Harry Potter but Dobby doesn’t want money. Dobby go now and get Harry Potter a great meal.’

‘Okay, thank you Dobby. Just enough for today though or my aunt will find it and I’ll get punished again,’ Harry smiled then watched as the little creature disappeared with a small pop, ‘Cool. So, house elves are another magical creature, yet he didn’t look too healthy,’ Harry wondered if the way Dobby looked was normal.

When Dobby returned, with enough food and drink to last Harry more than a day, but he knew he would eat it as he was hungry. Dobby said he would return the following day with more food. But Dobby said if Harry Potter needed him, all he had to do was call Dobby’s name, he would come to Harry Potter. It might not be straight away in case his master’s are having him do things and they are watching. He would come the moment he was alone. Harry thanked the little elf then watched him disappear.

Harry stared at the tray filled with food. He even noticed there was a few mice in a glass jar. Harry smiled, he knew Dobby had not just given him food but brought some for Hedwig. He would have to hide this in his wardrobe if he thought his aunt or uncle would come into his room. But he was going to eat as much as he could right now. He hadn’t eaten since breakfast the day before. He decided to feed Hedwig first since she was locked in her cage.

It was two days later that Harry woke to tapping on his window. When he put his glasses on, he saw Ron’s face outside his window. After a lot of quick packing, Harry watched as the twins who were in the front of the floating car, pull the bars off the window. Harry handed Ron Hedwig, then he explained to his friend about his trunk being locked downstairs in the cupboard under the stairs. The twins climbed out of the car and into the room.

Harry and Ron watched as the twins were able to pick the lock, open the door then disappeared down the stairs. Harry was going to get the twins to teach him that. He might need it.

Only minutes later the twins were back carrying Harry’s trunk between them. They shoved the trunk in the boot of the car then climbed in. Ron got into the car and Harry was following him when Vernon grabbed his leg. Harry glared, kicked as hard as he could and got Vernon in the chin with his foot. As he climbed into the car, Vernon reached out to grab Harry again, but fell out the window. Harry grinned as he pulled the door of the car shut. The car floated up before it began to fly away from number four Privet drive.

After settling in at the Burrow, Harry went to the bathroom and called Dobby. He explained to the elf that he wouldn’t need any more food as he was staying with the Weasley’s. But he promised to call the elf if he needed him or heard anything about the danger.

Harry was sitting on his broom beside Ron down in the orchard, ‘Hey Ron, something just occurred to me.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Well, how did you and the twins know where the muggle house was?’

‘Hermione. She said she asked for your address so she could post letters the muggle way since she doesn’t have an owl. She thought it would be better to use muggle post during the holidays. When you didn’t answer my letters, I wrote to Hermione and asked her if you had answered hers. I asked for the address since I had already began to think of taking the car so I could get you.’

‘Clever. It’s strange though, Dumbledore told me a bit about wards and how he created blood wards to keep me safe. No one from the wizarding world is supposed to be able to find me or get inside the house, unless he gives them permission. You, Fred and George were there and inside that room they let me use. Shouldn’t these wards have stopped you getting in?’

‘By the sound of it, they should. If you were supposed to be protected there than you shouldn’t have been able to tell Hermione your address either. I’ve heard Bill talk about wards that are on people’s homes and one thing they stop is giving out your address. It’s so people can’t be forced to reveal where they live.’

‘Do you think if I write to your brother, he could do some checking for me?’

‘Sure he would, it just might take a while to hear back from him since he’s in Egypt.’

Harry and Ron decided to have a fly then they would write to Bill. Ron would write a letter telling his brother he was friends with Harry who had some concerns about some wards around the house he has been living in.

After having a fly, Harry and Ron wrote their letters. Harry sent Hedwig off to Bill Weasley with his letter and Ron’s letter. The twins had heard what Harry and Ron had been talking about and decided to speak with their father. They already knew that Harry wasn’t looked after with the muggles and he was kept prisoner in a locked room. If these wards that Harry mentioned weren’t working then maybe their father could help get Harry out of the muggles and he could stay with them at the Burrow.

After dinner Arthur asked Harry to join him in the living room. When he noticed Harry looked nervous, he smiled and said he just wanted to talk.

‘Even though my boys should have spoken to me before taking the car, I do understand why they took it. They were worried about you. Now, the twins told me they overheard you and Ron talking about the letters you wrote to Bill. Can you tell me what this is about? I may be able to help.’

Harry sighed, but he found the Weasley family to be great people. Maybe they might be able to help.

‘Okay, well, the muggles I live with aren’t very nice people. As the twins and Ron said, they rescued me from a locked room. Vernon put bars on the window then locked Hedwig in her cage so she couldn’t be sent to get help. I was in there for four days with only one slice of stale bread and a can of cold soup. I had to cook them breakfast, I never got any then I had to begin working. I got a long list of jobs I had to do and I wasn’t finished by the time it was dark so they wouldn’t give me any dinner. I was able to drink some water from the tap, that helped. These clothes I wear, their Dudley’s. I have nothing against secondhand clothes, but Dudley is five times bigger than I am. He’s really fat. They can afford things, expensive things but they won’t get me anything. I never wanted to tell anyone this but I can see how much you care for your kids. Before I got my Hogwarts letter, I didn’t have that room. That room Ron and the twins found me in was Dudley’s second bedroom, where he kept all his stuff he couldn’t fit into his room, or stuff he broke. When the Hogwarts letter came, they believed people from the wizarding world was spying on them so they moved me to that room. Before that, they made me sleep in the cupboard under the stairs. It was also locked from the outside.’

Arthur was forcing himself to stay calm. Getting angry would only scare the boy. He could not believe that the-boy-who-lived was being mistreated and no one in the wizarding world knew.

‘No matter what Harry, you won’t return there, I will make sure. Something should have been done years ago. You are the-boy-who-lived. So many people wanted to take you when your parent’s died, but we were all told you had a nice home and were with family and you were safe.’

‘She’s my mother’s sister but I don’t think of them as family and I definitely don’t think of that place as home.’

‘No, I do not blame you. Now back to what we were talking about. The letters to Bill. Tell me what that’s about?’

‘Um, well, I had a few questions about wards. Before leaving Hogwarts, I asked Dumbledore if I can live somewhere else. He said he created wards based on my mother’s sacrifice and her blood which is linked to her sister. He said as long as I stayed with my mother’s blood and I called it home, I would be safe. I’ve never called that place home, not once. It’s just a place I have to stay. But Dumbledore said that I was protected from anyone in the wizarding world finding me, yet Ron and the twins did. Hermione had asked for the address since she lives in the muggle world and needed the address to send me letters by muggle post. Ron asked Hermione for the address. If there were wards than Ron said I shouldn’t be able to tell anyone the address but they shouldn’t have been able to get into the house. There’s something else that happened and it occurred to me that anyone could get to me, especially Voldemort’s supporters.’

‘This is all troubling Harry but go on.’

‘A house elf came to see me. He wanted to warm me about some danger that’s going to happen at Hogwarts. He…um, he seems to think I’m some hero or something and wanted to help me. He had taken my mail, he was hoping if I thought my friends didn’t care, I wouldn’t return. We came to an arrangement when I told him how I was treated by the muggles. But if the elf could get to me and appear inside the room I used, doesn’t that mean that anyone could just appear in that house? They could kill me or kidnap me if they were one of Voldemort’s.’

‘Yes, they could apparate directly into the house. You would be gone before anyone would know something happened. If there were wards, than they didn’t work, not if a house elf got in and my boys were able to find you and get into the house. Do you know where the elf came from?’

‘No, he just said his masters wouldn’t be happy if they found out he visited me. He said there would be danger, so he must have heard it from the people he lives with. I think they hurt him. He didn’t look very good.’

‘A lot of old families have house elves and many of them mistreat their house elves badly. Even though I wish this was something you didn’t need to hear, for your safety I believe you should. You-know-who’s followers were called death eaters. Now most of them were from very old pure blood families and all of them had house elves. I know of some great pure blood families and if they have house elves, they treat them like a paid employee. These other people I mentioned, they abuse their elves, badly.’

‘So, the elf could belong to one of these death eaters. He was in the room I use. He could have taken me to his master.’

‘Yes, he could have Harry and that’s what’s so worrying. Okay, I have a way to speak with Bill so we can get answers now instead of waiting for your owl to get to him and return. For now, we’ll keep this between you and my family. You go enjoy your evening with Ron and I’ll speak with my son. Either way Harry, you will not be returning to those muggles. I promise. If someone makes you return, then I will be there to bring you here.’

‘Thank you, Mr Weasley.’

Arthur watched the boy leave before he allowed his real feelings to show. He was angry, he was also worried. If a house elf that belongs to a death eater was able to get to Harry Potter so easily, then he knew there were no wards around the muggle house where the-boy-who-lived grew up. But Arthur was so angry that no one knew the boy was being mistreated. He was being starved and he was basically a slave to those muggles.

Arthur did love muggles and muggle things, but like in their world, the muggle world also have good people and bad people. Harry Potter just happens to be related to the bad people.

Arthur decided to use the floo in the living room straight away and speak with Bill. His son may know of someone who would do him a favour and check the wards around the muggle house.

‘Dad, this is a surprise.’

‘There’s a situation son. We’re all fine, but as you may have heard, Ron is very good friends with Harry Potter.’

‘Yeah, mum’s letters mentioned Harry. What’s he like?’

‘He’s a nice boy, very polite. But Bill, I just finished a conversation with him. He’s here right now. The twins and Ron stole my car and went to get him because they were worried when he didn’t answer any of Ron’s letters. Now Harry and Ron just sent Harry’s owl to you with a letter, about wards. Harry just told me about some wards the house he lived in is supposed to stop people like you-know-who and death eaters. If there are wards there than they aren’t protecting him because a badly abused house elf went to Harry to tell him about some danger that’s going to happen at Hogwarts this year. The way Harry described the elf reminded me of those house elves the death eaters have. Another thing, from what I was told years ago, Harry was supposed to be safe from all people in the wizarding world. Fred, George and Ron found Harry and were inside the house, they helped him get his trunk and owl. He had been locked in. It seems the muggles he lives with mistreat him. I need to know if there is someone you trust to check the wards. Harry will not return there, I will make sure but if I have proof that the wards don’t protect him, it will make it easier to get him out of there.’

‘Well, I have a couple of days off, I can come there. I am licensed to make portkeys. How about I work that out for a couple of days.’

‘That would be wonderful Bill. Hedwig, that’s Harry’s white owl, will probably get there before you leave. Just feed her and let her rest before she fly’s back.’

Arthur and Bill spoke for a few more minutes before he closed off the connection to the floo. Arthur knew it was time to talk to Molly. She would love to have Harry live there, but he believed before anyone told Harry that there was a chance he could live here, he should speak with someone at the ministry.

Arthur knew there were death eaters inside the ministry, like Lucius Malfoy and Walden McNair. But he also knew of a person who hated death eaters and she was high up in the ministry. Arthur was going to speak with Madam Amelia Bones, the head of the department of magical law enforcement. She may be able to help Harry and allow him to live at the Burrow.

Two days later, Bill stepped into the house, he heard the noise before he noticed that all his family, apart from charlie, were sitting around the table. He also noticed straight away the-boy-who-lived. All the Weasley’s had red hair, Harry Potter’s black hair stood out.

‘Bill,’ Molly screamed and raced to her eldest son. She gave him a rib cracking hug.

After Molly let Bill go, he greeted the rest of his family, then shook Harry’s hand. He couldn’t help looking at the scar on the boy’s forehead.

‘Okay, I feed your owl Harry. She rested then flew off, she should arrive here tonight or tomorrow morning. Now, about this situation. I did a bit of reading last night and from what dad said it seems there were supposed to be blood wards around that house. Can you tell me what you were told about them Harry?’

‘Um, well, Dumbledore said he created wards based on my mother’s blood and sacrifice, it’s linked with anyone that has her blood, so me and her sister. As long as I live with my mother’s blood and call that place home, I’ll be safe. I’ve never called it home and they have told me heaps of times that it’s not my home, they’re just stuck with me. He said no one from the wizarding world will be able to get me while I live there.’

‘And we know that’s not true since the twins and Ron were inside the house when they went to get you. Fred, George, Ron, did any of you feel like a shiver go over your skin or maybe your skin heating up when you entered the house?’

‘No,’ Ron said as the twins shook their heads.

‘Then there aren’t any wards. Harry, tell me about the house elf?’

‘Well, after I finished mowing the lawn, I was locked back into the room. As soon as I entered, I saw this strange little creature standing on the bed. He said he came to warn me about some danger that would be at Hogwarts this year. He couldn’t tell me how he knew or who his master was, he also couldn’t tell me what the danger was. He actually hit himself over the head with the lamp when I asked if he could tell me who his master is.’

‘Some dark families make their elves punish themselves, some do it for fun.’

‘I can’t believe there would be anything dangerous at Hogwarts, not with Albus Dumbledore there,’ Molly said.

‘Harry almost died last year mum.’

‘And more than once,’ Harry mumbled.

‘Please explain that Harry?’ Bill asked.

‘Um, well, first was the troll that got in. Now it was my decision not to go to Gryffindor tower with Percy, but Hermione didn’t know about the troll and the teachers were heading to the dungeons. Hermione was in a bathroom on the first floor, so Ron and I figured we’d be okay. The troll was in the bathroom when we got to Hermione. She was frozen in fear. I stuck my wand up it’s nose, I was on it’s back. Ron was able to levitate it’s club which landed on it’s head and knocked it out.’

‘McGonagall gave us points,’ Ron shrugged, ‘But when Harry, Hermione, Neville and Malfoy were sent into the forbidden forest late one night to find out what was killing the unicorns, something tried to kill Harry.’

‘Tell us about that, but I can’t believe they would send first years into the forbidden forest at night,’ Bill said.

‘Um, well, I saw this cloaked figure bending over a unicorn, drinking it’s blood. It came at me, but Firenze, the centaur saved me, then he allowed me to sit on his back so he could get me to safety. Another centaur had a go at him for allowing me to ride him, like a common horse. Firenze said it was Voldemort who was drinking the unicorn blood. That’s why he wanted to get me out of the forest as quickly as possible.’

‘But he’s supposed to be dead,’ Percy said.

‘That’s what I said Percy, but it was Dumbledore who told me that he doesn’t believe Voldemort died that night. He just lost his body, but his soul is still out there somewhere, trying to return. That’s why it was drinking the unicorn blood and trying to get the philosophers stone. I’m not sure what to believe.’

‘Were you in danger any other time?’ Bill asked.

‘Someone tried to get Harry off his broom, they hexed it and Harry ended up hanging by his hands. We thought it was Snape at first, but Harry found out it was Quirrell when he faced him months later.’

‘Can you explain Harry?’ Arthur asked.

‘Um, well, we figured out that Dumbledore was hiding the philosophers stone at Hogwarts. Someone had tried to steel it from Gringotts so it was moved to Hogwarts. We told McGonagall that we thought someone was trying to steel it, she didn’t believe us. Dumbledore was gone, he had to go to the ministry. We decided to try and save it so Voldemort couldn’t get it, or Snape get it to give to Voldemort. We found Fluffy, Hagrid’s three headed giant dog behind a door. There was a harp playing, it stopped playing, so I began to play the flute Hagrid gave me for Christmas. We were able to put it to sleep then jumped through the trapdoor.’

‘We landed on devil’s snare, Hermione was able to create sunlight which destroyed it. Then we got to a room with flying keys. There were brooms there. Harry’s the youngest seeker in a century,’ Ron smiled at Harry.

‘I caught the right key, threw it to Hermione who unlocked the door and we found ourselves in a room with a giant chess set. Ron was brilliant. He had me and Hermione take positions, then directed us until we won, but Ron did end up unconscious. I was so worried, but we were stuck so we had no choice but to go on. We didn’t want to leave Ron like that.’

‘You did the right thing Harry, but I woke up only minutes later. Hermione came back and we were trying to get out when Dumbledore arrived.’

‘We’ll get back to that, but Harry, you kept going?’ Bill asked.

‘Well, Hermione and I went on. We found an unconscious troll. We got through that room into another and there were all these vials with potions of some sort. There was a riddle you had to solve. Hermione was brilliant. She figured out which ones were the poison or wine and which one would get us to go on through the flames and which would get us back through the flames. The trouble is, there was only enough for one. I told Hermione to go back to Ron, she did. I drank the other potion and got through the flames and found myself in this huge cavern. Quirrell was there, but he wasn’t stuttering or acting like he normally does. Then I heard the other voice. Voldemort’s head was stuck to the back of his head, under the turban. He was possessing Quirrell. They were trying to get the philosophers stone out of this mirror. Voldemort said to use me, so Quirrell forced me to look into the mirror of erised. I knew how it worked, Dumbledore told me at Christmas time. I kept my hopes on stopping them getting the stone and keeping it safe. I kept thinking of Ron and Hermione, then something Ron said came to me. Anyway, the stone somehow ended up in my pocket, but I lied to Quirrell and I said I saw myself as quidditch captain and head boy. He believed me, Voldemort didn’t. I tried to run, but Quirrell came after me. When Quirrell grabbed me, it hurt him. His hands were burning where I tried to pry his hands from my throat. Voldemort kept yelling at Quirrell to kill me and get the stone. I knew I had to do something, so I grabbed Quirrell when he put his hands around my throat again. Quirrell, um, sort of disintegrated. Voldemort’s black soul came out of him and raced towards me. I passed out just after I saw Voldemort’s soul race towards the wall and disappear. I noticed it looked bigger than before. Dumbledore said Quirrell died because my mother gave me a protection and because he was possessed with Voldemort, Quirrell couldn’t touch me either.’

‘Powerful protection, something your mother did protected you that night but it’s still protecting you from…you-know-who, or anyone he possesses,’ Bill said.

Everyone at the Burrow was shocked at what they were hearing. Not just about how often Harry and Ron ended up in danger, but it seems Voldemort wasn’t as gone as they were led to believe.

‘I’m going to check out those wards. You do have some protection from your mother Harry, but from what I’ve heard so far, these wards around the house don’t work. If they did than Fred, George and Ron couldn’t have gotten into the house. They would not have been able to approach the house. The house elf used it’s own version of apparition and it appeared inside your room, which shows it doesn’t even have the basic wards like anti-apparition. It could be because you said you don’t think of that place as home, so the wards began to fail until they were completely gone. I won’t know until I test them.’

‘Tell me this Bill. If say that’s the reason, Harry doesn’t think of it as home, could they be re-done even if he still feels the same?’

‘No, they work on intent and on the blood. If Harry doesn’t think of that place as home, the wards will fail instantly. I’m going to head out now and check them. All I need to know is the address. I will have to cast a disillusionment charm so the muggles can’t see me with my wand.’

‘Um, Bill, I have something that might help with that, but I would rather keep it private. It’s something that belonged to my father.’

‘Then show me in the room your staying in.’

‘He’s in with me,’ Ron said.

‘Mum, Harry could use my old room. It’s not like I’m going to need it.’

‘What about when you come to visit Bill?’

‘Then for the night or two I’m here I can bunk in the living room or in with one of the other boys. I’d rather do that and allow Harry to have a comfortable space for the weeks he’s going to be here. Anyway, show me what this thing is Harry.’

Harry grabbed Ron and they headed upstairs. Harry went straight to his trunk and pulled out his cloak.

‘So, you own an invisibility cloak. Those things are rare. Are you sure you want me to borrow it?’

‘Positive especially since you are helping me.’

‘I’ll make sure it’s safe, but I don’t blame you for keeping this quiet. Mum might try to keep you from taking it to Hogwarts and Percy will want you to tell the teachers.’

‘I didn’t want anyone to take something that belonged to my father so only Ron and Hermione know.’

‘I don’t blame you. So, tell me the address?’

‘Number 4 Privet drive Little Whinging, Surrey.’

‘Okay, I’ll let you know what I find.’

‘Thanks for helping with this Bill,’ Ron said.

‘Anytime,’ the red head said then made sure the cloak was put inside one of his pockets before he headed downstairs.

‘Do you think Bill will find out what happened to the wards Professor Dumbledore did?’ Percy asked.

‘He will, he is very good at his job. We just have to wait until he returns.’ Arthur said.

It took a couple of hours before Bill returned. He put Harry’s invisibility cloak in his old room which Harry was now using. He then went to speak with his parent’s privately while the rest were outside.

‘There are no wards at all, not even the standard anti-apparition wards. I have an item that all curse breakers own, it will allow us to find the warding stone. There wasn’t one.’

‘Which means Dumbledore lied.’ Arthur sighed.

‘Why would he lie and put Harry in danger?’ Molly asked.

‘I don’t know Molly,’ Arthur turned back to his oldest son, ‘Can you give me an official report about what you found?’

‘I already did one since I knew you would need it,’ Bill pulled out an envelope from his bag, ‘It has my seal on it so whoever you give it too will know it’s from a certified curse breaker.’

‘Thank you, Bill.’

‘Who are you going to give that too?’ Molly asked.

‘Amelia Bones. She and her brother were good friends with the Potters and I know she was one of the people who wanted to raise Harry after James and Lily were killed. She’s raising her niece after her brother and his wife died. Amelia was head auror and now head of the DMLE. She will investigate the wards but also how Harry was mistreated. It will mean she will go after Albus Dumbledore.’

‘She’ll find out the truth especially after reading my report. For all we know Dumbledore could be innocent. He may have cast the wards. The stone may have been stolen once the wards fell. Harry said he hated them and that house. He said he doesn’t think of that place as home nor them as family. They would have fallen the first time Harry said that or thought it. A novice could easily find the stone if the wards had fallen,’ Bill said.

‘I don’t want to believe Albus lied, so I hope your right with that Bill.’

‘So do we mum, but it still doesn’t explain why he never checked on Harry, nor why he faced so much danger inside Hogwarts. It’s a school and supposed to be the safest place in Britain. Trolls, cursed brooms, the forbidden forest, possessed teachers and that cavern type room Harry mentioned. None of that should have happened.’ Bill said.

The following day Bill decided to go with his father to the ministry. In case Amelia Bones needed to know more about the wards, Bill would be the one to be able to explain.

‘Hello, I’m Arthur Weasley and this is my son, William. We need to speak with Madam Bones on an urgent matter.’

‘She’s very busy Mr Weasley. I might be able to get you in tomorrow. That would be the earliest.’

‘Um, it’s about Harry Potter.’

‘The-boy-who-lived,’ the woman squeaked as she jumped up and ran down the corridor.

‘I didn’t want to mention Harry’s name, but this couldn’t wait.’

‘I’m sure he wouldn’t mind dad. He knows you’re trying to help him.’

‘She said to go straight in.’

The woman showed the two Weasley men into her boss’s office, she then closed the door.

‘What can I do for you Arthur?’

‘Harry Potter is good friends with my youngest boy, Ron. Well, he was worried when Harry didn’t answer any of his letters. This is all going to come out, but Ron knew Harry’s home life wasn’t the best. Ron, Fred and George took my car to Harry’s home, they found him in a locked and bared room, where he hadn’t eaten in days. They brought him home. Now I found out that there are supposed to be powerful wards around the house Harry lives in, to protect him. Bill here is a curse breaker. I spoke with him then he went to investigate. You see, apart from my boys finding out where Harry lives, they were inside the house and none of them sensed any type of wards. Also, Harry told me this badly mistreated house elf appeared in his bedroom to warn him about some danger that’s going to happen at Hogwarts this year. Bill,’ Arthur gestured.

‘I did a thorough investigation of the property. There is no warding stone and there aren’t any basic wards, like anti-apparition wards. If Harry Potter was placed there for protection, then it’s a lie or the wards failed and someone stole the warding stone. I have here my report.’

‘Dumbledore told Harry he used some type of blood wards so he would be safe. As long as he called that place home and them family, he would have powerful protection. It’s all supposed to be based on Lily’s sacrifice and her blood. Harry had protection if he stayed with her blood, Lily’s muggle sister. They don’t treat Harry well at all. He explained more about his home life but he did tell us that he hasn’t thought of them as family or that place as home for years.’

‘This is disturbing Arthur. Let me read the warding report then we’ll talk about the boy’s home life.’

Bill handed over the report than sat quietly while the woman read it. He was as worried as his father. They felt sorry for Harry, but they were also wondering what danger was going to happen at Hogwarts, where Percy, Fred, George and Ron would be. Ginny was about to start at Hogwarts as well.

Amelia put the report down, ‘Could you tell how long it had been since the wards failed?’

‘No, which means it must be at least seven years, minimum. I’m trained to sense the most basic of wards. I didn’t get any feelings at all.’

‘Harry’s twelve, so at five or around that age he must have said or felt that the house wasn’t his home and they weren’t his family. This is worrying. Over the years the aurors have had the odd report of hidden death eaters that want to kill the boy who destroyed their lord. I believe the only reason they never found him was because they do not know how the muggle world works. Now the boy is in the wizarding world and people are finding out his address, they could easily find him. Arthur, until all this is investigated, will you be willing to take Harry Potter until a more permanent guardian can be assigned?’

‘Yes, we would like to look after Harry. He’s already friends with Ron, he also gets on well with the twins and Percy. Molly is determined to put some meat on his bones. He is very skinny and a lot smaller than he should be. Can something be done about those muggles?’

‘Yes, we have squibs and muggleborns working in the muggle police and the court system. There’s even a few judges who are muggleborns. I will need to speak with the boy for this to all be official. Since he is twelve now, he is old enough to speak for himself. I will also have an unspeakable examine the house so he can add to this report. I’m not sure if you know this Arthur, but I did put in to take custody of Harry after Lily and James died.’

‘Yes, I did know that. I heard that many wanted to take custody. Naturally, we know not all were for his well being and some only wanted to take the-boy-who-lived, not really Harry. Will you be trying to get custody?’

‘I will but I think we all know that Harry would be best with you. First is you have a family that knows him. Molly will mother him, we all know what your wife is like Arthur. If for any reason you are not given custody, then I will. I was friends with his parents and I do know James wanted his son raised in the wizarding world if anything happened to him and Lily. If you don’t get custody due to bribes or anything else, then I know I will since even Fudge won’t go against me. We’ll work it. But let’s talk about this danger at Hogwarts.’

After Arthur and Bill told her everything that Harry and Ron explained, Amelia wanted to see the memory. She placed the pensieve on her desk then Arthur placed his memory into the bowl.

Amelia sat back at her desk, ‘No one in this office was informed about a troll, nor that unicorns were being killed. Also, it is against the rules to send students into the forbidden forest without a teacher. Hagrid is not a teacher, nor can he use a wand. I also do not like the fact that the school was used to hide a dangerous artifact that would have every dark wizard going for it. Alright, I will work on investigating these dangers, but I will also begin working on removing Harry, legally from the muggles.’

Amelia had Arthur and Bill fill out statement forms on what they heard and what Bill discovered. She placed the report Bill did with the statements. She sent off a note to the head auror to explain she needed two senior aurors to do some work for her, she would explain when she returned.

Tim Proudfoot and Connie Hammer were assigned to work on the dangers that had happened at Hogwarts. They would also have to retrieve memories from Harry Potter along with the four Weasley boys who attended Hogwarts. Once everything was done, Arthur, Bill, Amelia and the two aurors left the ministry and headed to the Burrow. The two aurors would need to see the memories before they began their investigation.

Arthur introduced his wife and Percy to Amelia and the aurors. They asked where the rest of the boys were along with Harry. Molly pointed out the window.

‘Since Fred, George and Harry are on the quidditch team, they got Ron to join them to do some practice drills. Harry got himself a practice snitch and the boys have the quaffle.’

The group all headed down to the orchard. Even though they needed to speak with them, they couldn’t help standing and watching. Ron was guarding the goalpost while the twins worked on trying to score. They might be beaters but they couldn’t really practice without more players. But aiming at the goals was good practice for when they aimed the bludgers at the opposing team. The ones standing, kept watching Harry. He would release the snitch, allow it to fly off before he went after it. But what amazed them was the moved young Harry was making, professional moves.

‘That boy could go on to play for England,’ Tim said, ‘I’ve never seen someone so young do those moved.’

‘Even charlie didn’t and he was Gryffindor’s seeker,’ Bill said, ‘Damn he’s good.’

‘He is, but we are here for a reason.’

‘Boys,’ Arthur called, then waved them down.

Harry stared down at the adults then at Ron, ‘Who are those people with your dad?’

‘Two are wearing auror robes, I’m not sure who the woman is. I’m sure its all good mate.’

‘I hope so, but I do trust your dad.’

Harry, Ron and the twins flew down. Harry jumped off the broom before it landed, ‘Show off,’ Ron grinned making Harry laugh.

‘This is Madam Bones, the head of the magical law enforcement department. These are Auror Proudfoot and Auror Hammer. Let’s go inside and we can explain what is going on,’ Arthur said giving Harry a smile.

The boys followed Arthur back to the house, where Percy was already sitting at the table, waiting for them.

‘We plan to investigate everything but first, we’ll need written statements from the five of you who were at Hogwarts last school year. Second, I will need memories from some of you, especially you Mr Potter. I will explain how to remove a copy of your memory which I will keep in my office until I finish investigating. Once it’s all over and done with, I will show you that I am destroying the copy of your memory, unless it must be kept for more investigating into other situations. I would like you, Mr Potter, to first explain in words what the house elf said and I would like you to describe how he looked.’

Harry once again explained about Dobby and repeated what the house elf told him about some danger that was going to happen at Hogwarts this year. He then described how he looked and what he did when he thought he did something wrong.

Percy, Fred, George and Ron were already writing down everything they could think of, from the welcoming feast where Professor Dumbledore warned them about the third floor corridor, right up until they left. Harry did his statement after he explained about the house elf and what he had been told by Dumbledore about the wards. Once all those were done, Amelia explained how to remove a memory, or a copy of a memory. Harry began to remove memories. Ron also had to remove his memory of when they went after the philosophers stone. Amelia did ask Percy if any teacher checked to make sure no student was missing, none did. Since Percy was a prefect, they also wanted his memory of the announcement that Dumbledore made at the start of term feast.

‘Next, while my two aurors are investigating Hogwarts and all this danger, I will be working on officially removing you from the Dursley’s. Now just so you know Mr Potter, Arthur and Molly will be asking for custody, but there are many corrupt people inside the ministry and some are followers of Voldemort. What I am going to do is if Arthur and Molly are denied, then I will be asking for custody. I was good friends with your father and became friends with your mother once they began dating. Your father always said any children he had would be raised in the wizarding world but they will learn the muggle world so they could blend in. Either way, I will make sure you will either live here or spend most of your holidays here.’

‘Thank you, Ma’am,’ Harry said softly.

‘We’ll get started. You boys can return to your quidditch if you like,’ Amelia waited until the boys left before she turned to face the others in the house, ‘It’s easy to see he must have been mistreated. He is at least six inches shorter than he should be and where James was at this age. He is too thin which isn’t healthy. Everyone believed Albus when he said Harry was safe and with family. They might be family, but he isn’t safe nor has he been cared for. That has changed already. I will keep you informed Arthur, Molly, but I will need both of you to come in to do the paperwork for custody of the boy. You can do that tomorrow morning before you begin work Arthur.’

After speaking for a few more minutes, Amelia and her two aurors left. Bill decided to join three of his brothers and Harry in a game of quidditch. Percy still couldn’t believe everything he had heard but he knew Madam Bones was working on it so he decided to return to his room. Arthur and Molly began talking about setting up a room properly for Harry. Whether they got guardianship of Harry or not, he would be spending time at the burrow.

Harry was having a great time at the Burrow with the Weasley’s. He was able to get Ginny to join them and not run away every time she saw him. Harry knew that just after a few days of being there, that he already had a great relationship with all the Weasley’s.

Over the next few days, Amelia, Molly and Arthur worked on everything they needed. Arthur and Molly filled out custody forms for Harry, Amelia did as well but she did not lodge hers. She knew Harry would be happier with the Weasley’s.

While all this was going on Harry was finally feeling like he had a home. He already knew he had people that cared about him. What he didn’t know was Lucius Malfoy had tried to prevent the Weasley’s gaining guardianship of Harry Potter. When Amelia Bones stepped in, he knew she would end up investigating him if he kept going. Arthur and Molly were now Harry’s legal guardians.

They waited until Harry’s birthday to show him the papers, which proved he now lived at the Burrow and never had to see the Dursley’s again. Amelia asked if Harry could also spend some time with her and Susan. They agreed as they believed Harry would hear a lot about his parents from Amelia. Harry ended up so emotional that he ran out of the house and down to the orchard. Ron wanted to go after his friend but Arthur was the one who went to find Harry. Arthur found Harry sitting behind a tree, crying. All he could do was sit beside the boy and wrap his arms around him.

‘This is your home now Harry and you are now part of this family.’

‘Thank you,’ Harry croaked.

‘It was the right thing to do and it should have been done a long time ago. But you are welcome.’

Arthur used magic to clean Harry’s face after he was able to convince Harry to return to the house so he could enjoy his birthday dinner and cake. Hagrid had given him his first cake now he had another. Even though he really liked Hagrid, the cake that Mrs Weasley made tasted fantastic. She had shaped it to look like Hedwig.

‘We’re basically brothers now,’ Ron said as he was eating his third piece of cake.

‘Yeah, we are. You don’t mind, do you Ron?’

‘No, I think it’s great. I am glad that you have your own room though. We’d be squashed if we had to share mine.’

‘I wouldn’t have minded, but yeah, it is better. Plus, you snore,’ Harry laughed.

‘Hey,’ Ron scowled, then smirked, ‘Well, you have loud nightmares, so you’re just as noisy.’

‘Alright, we’re both noisy sleepers,’ Harry said but he went back to eating his cake.

Amelia had worked out that she would pick Harry up on the weekend so he could spend some time with her and Susan. She already told Harry that she had many photo’s that she planned to copy for him, photo’s of his parents.

Just before Amelia left, Harry did something that surprised everyone, he hugged the woman before he ran up stairs to his new room. No one knew what to say, so they didn’t say anything. Ron did go find his friend, but so did the twins.

Over the next few days the twins kept calling Harry their little brother and wanted to dye his hair red. Their mother had already threatened them, so the twins knew turning Harry into a redheaded brother would make their lives a misery, they would have to leave his dark hair alone.

Albus Dumbledore found out about Harry after he returned from his meeting with the ICW. At first he was going to speak with Arthur and Molly to make them return Harry to the Dursley’s. It was then he found out that Madam Amelia Bones was going to get custody if Arthur and Molly were denied. He thought he still might be able to work his plans and have the older Weasley’s agree with him. When he went to Hogwarts, he found out that Amelia Bones was investigating the danger that had happened the previous school year. If Harry and Ron had explained to Amelia along with Molly and Arthur, Albus knew none of them would support him with his plans for Harry. He also knew now he would need Arthur’s permission with anything in regards to Harry. He was positive that the man would not agree or give permission. Arthur and Molly were very protective of their children so they would feel the same about Harry.

Harry wrote to Hermione and explained that he now lived with the Weasley’s but he was also becoming close to Madam Bones and Susan Bones. He received a long letter back with lots of questions. He took him a while but he was able to answer all Hermione’s questions before sending Hedwig with his letter.

It took until the end of august but Albus Dumbledore had been sacked as headmaster. Severus Snape was also sacked once the aurors got all the information about him and the way he acted. He was arrested the moment he left the ground of Hogwarts. Amelia was going to make sure that Snape was questioned using veritaserum, but the aurors veritaserum, which was stronger. No one could fight that.

Minerva McGonagall was now headmistress but that could change if she didn’t begin to put the students safety first and squash the bullying.

Hogwarts now needed a potions teacher and a transfiguration teacher. They also needed a new defence against the dark arts teacher. For now, Amelia had worked out that aurors will fill in those positions until the headmistress found people to take those positions permanently. Amelia would get five aurors who would spend one day a week at Hogwarts then they could return to their auror duties.

Since Harry had begun to spend so much time with Amelia and Susan, he now felt like he had another friend in Susan. She introduced him to a few of her friends who were Hufflepuff’s. One thing all of Susan’s friends said, Harry wasn’t like what they had been told. They all liked Harry and now they knew the real Harry Potter, not the lies that had been spread or the myth of the-boy-who-lived.

Amelia and Susan joined the Weasley’s for dinner a few nights before the students were to return to Hogwarts. They were also going to meet up the following day to buy everything the teenagers needed for Hogwarts. Apart from a lot of talking and some great food, Harry couldn’t stop smiling.

At one time Harry went upstairs to the bathroom. The moment he stepped out into the hall, he saw Dobby. What Harry didn’t know was Bill had been heading upstairs to use the bathroom. He had heard Harry talking to Dobby so he quickly grabbed Amelia. They both stood just out of sight.

‘Dobby, are you okay?’

‘Yes Harry Potter sir. But Dobby heard something.’

‘Can you tell me without hurting yourself?’

‘Yes Harry Potter sir. I heard more about the danger. I heard that they were going to use the younger Weasy girl to get the book into Hogwarts. Then I heard that the older Weasy would be blamed.. Once he was blamed then he would leave my master alone,’ Dobby squeaked and slapped his hands over his mouth.

‘It’s okay Dobby. You didn’t tell me who your master is, so you didn’t betray your master. Now, about what you heard. Are you talking about Ginny Weasley and Arthur Weasley?’

‘Yes Harry Potter sir. Dobby wants you to protect your Weasy sister and father.’

‘You have Dobby, now I can warn them to be careful and I know to keep watch on everyone.’

‘Dobby still come if you call Harry Potter sir.’

Harry smiled, ‘I know you will Dobby and you’ve made me feel better. I wish I could help you Dobby but thank you for bringing me this information.’

Harry waited until Dobby left before he turned to return downstairs, that’s when he saw Bill and Amelia.

‘Um, so you heard?’

‘We did and I happen to know who owns that house elf. If I can catch him trying to slip Ginny some book, I can arrest him. If his wife knows about this, then both will be arrested. I will make sure that little elf ends up free. I might have Susan go with Molly and Arthur so I can stay disillusioned. I want to catch him in the act.’

‘Um, if it would help, I have my father’s invisibility cloak you can borrow.’

Bill and Amelia smiled, ‘I appreciate that Harry, I really do but one thing that no one knows about aurors, we become completely invisibility when using the disillusionment charm. It was created by an auror for aurors. Now though, I will talk this over with Molly and Arthur. I would rather not scare Ginny, so I would like this kept quiet, for now. Can you do that Harry?’

Harry sighed but nodded, ‘Okay.’

‘I’ll go with them tomorrow but keep an eye on all of them without being obvious.’ Bill said.

‘Well, it will not seem strange for you to be with your family. But I have to work on some plans with Molly, Arthur and a couple of aurors who could blend in. We do not want to spook him.’

When the Weasley children, Harry and Susan went upstairs, Molly, Arthur, Bill and Amelia talked about what Dobby had said. They had to plan this perfectly and make sure no one gave anything away or Lucius Malfoy could get away, again. No one wanted that to happen. It was decided that Molly would remain home because she knew she would get angry. Arthur and Bill were going to take the children shopping for their Hogwarts things.

Everyone was stressed, including Harry. When Ron asked Harry if he was alright, Harry lied. He hated lying but he had no choice. He told Ron that he just hoped their was no more danger at Hogwarts. He finally got a good life at home, he just wasn’t sure what Hogwarts would be like. Ron did say something that made Harry smile which made him relax. Ron said they no longer had to put up with Snape.

It worked perfectly, Amelia along with two aurors, Tim and Connie caught Lucius Malfoy in the act of slipping Ginny Weasley a dark cursed book. He was instantly arrested. Even though Draco went on about his father being friends with the minister, Amelia told him to shut up. She took him home so she could question Narcissa Malfoy. The aurors took Lucius straight to one of the auror holding cells.

Arthur and Bill took his children, Harry and Susan aside and explained what had happened and what they had planned. Ginny had ended up scared that she held onto Bill as her father spoke. But it was thanks to Harry and Dobby that they just prevented Ginny from being hurt by a cursed item. It took them a while but Arthur and Bill finally got them all to finish their shopping before taking them back to the Burrow. They had planned to meet up with Hermione but because of what happened, Arthur was going to have Ron and Harry explain to her that they couldn’t hang around, that they had to return home. They would see her on the Hogwarts express in a few days time.

Amelia got all the information and ended up arresting Narcissa Malfoy as well. She did make a deal with the woman. If Narcissa Malfoy released Dobby the house elf, Amelia would make sure Draco would be sent to a good home if Narcissa ended up in Azkaban. If Narcissa was released, she would have restrictions, which could mean random searches of her home, which Amelia would make that happen constantly. Narcissa released Dobby instantly. She wanted her son protected and since she knew once she was officially questioned, she would end up in Azkaban just like her husband.

Dobby appeared before Harry and began to cry as he hugged Harry’s legs. Everyone stared at the strange elf.

‘Dobby free Harry Potter sir, the great Harry Potter helped Dobby. Dobby would like to belong to Harry Potter and look after him and his new family. Dobby will be a good elf for Harry Potter’s Weasys.’

‘Oh, um,’ Harry stared at his new guardians who looked kindly at the elf before nodding to Harry, ‘Okay Dobby. But how about you belong to all of us and not just me. There are a lot of us that I’m sure Mrs Weasley could use the help.’

‘Dobby do Harry Potter sir.’

It only took a minute and Dobby now belonged to the Weasley family and Harry. He instantly began to help clean.

That evening, when the children were all up in their rooms and Bill had returned to Egypt, Arthur and Molly sat in the living room.

‘I would say his previous owners will end up in Azkaban,’ Arthur said.

‘Do you think she will find out what that book would do?’ Molly asked.

‘Amelia planned to give it to the unspeakables. They will be able to determined how dangerous that book is and how. We don’t need to worry anymore. But at least now Ginny knows to check with us if she finds anything that she’s not sure we would buy her. It’s all good Molly and the children will be heading to Hogwarts. There should not be any more danger. I still find it hard to believe that Albus created most of that danger, but the ones he didn’t know about, should have been prevented by the wards. I’m pleased that Minerva had organised for a warder to upgrade and check the wards around Hogwarts. It was supposed to be safe, and it hadn’t been.’

Arthur and Molly were very thankful to Harry and Dobby. It was due to them that saved Ginny from some type of danger, but it also helped protect the rest of the students at Hogwarts.

Arthur decided to help Molly get all the children to Hogwarts. Arthur couldn’t help smiling as he stared at Harry Potter. So much had changed for the boy but also for his family. From the time he first met Harry to now, there was a big change in the boy. He had begun to look healthy and in just the small amount of time he had been at the Burrow, he had already had a growth spurt. He would eventually get to his right height and weight. With no danger or people like Snape at Hogwarts, Harry along with all the students will finally have a school that was safe.

Arthur might have helped get Harry out of an abusive house hold but Harry had helped the Weasley family and also helped the students at Hogwarts. He might be the-boy-who-lived, but Harry Potter can finally be just a boy.

The end: