True Love

Chapter 1 Beginnings

He was chuckling quietly to himself, this was not a thing he normally did when in the company of the Dursleys, his obnoxious relatives from Little Whinging, Surry. The looks on their faces when they had been confronted by several order members at Kings Cross station had been priceless, however he still had serious doubts about the lasting effect of the encounter.

He was Harry Potter a young wizard in training returning from his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for his summer Holidays. The trip from Kings Cross Station to Little Whinging had been unusual and it had taken him some time to realise what the problem had been, what had been missing was the abuse he normally received, in fact the Dursleys' had not spoken to him at all and this in most ways had been an improvement over other years. The conclusion he had reached, was that the words of warning, that were actually thinly veiled threats, which had been issued by the members of the Order of the Phoenix was the most significant reason for this step up. When the car had arrived at number four Privet Drive the Dursley's had gone straight indoors, this had left Harry to struggle with getting his trunk out of the car boot and upstairs to his room, at least this bit had been back to normal.

Harry looked slowly around his room, maybe the pile of unread books had grown slightly but nothing else appeared to have changed appreciably since he had left the previous summer. He opened his trunk and started searching among spell books and other wizarding paraphernalia to find ink, quills and parchment, he sat at his desk and wrote an order for the Wizarding Newspaper, "the Daily Prophet," to be delivered until the end of the school holidays. He opened the cage of his Snowy owl Hedwig and tied the order to her leg with the payment for the ten weeks of his vacation, then sent her off to deliver it to the newspaper's subscription office. Once again this year, he was going to at least try and keep up with what was going on in the wizarding world during the holidays, maybe the Ministry of Magic would allow something interesting to be reported.

Later Harry went downstairs to the kitchen, his aunt Petunia was alone preparing dinner and she looked at him with a face like a constipated Grindylow then said quite abruptly. "What was that all that rubbish about, at the station?"

Harry poured himself some cold water from the fridge whilst he contemplated his reply. "Well I've not had too good a time of it lately. A few weeks ago we had a battle with Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters and although we won, some of our good friends were killed and injured. So I guess those bodyguards who spoke to you at the station, don't want me to get to upset because they are not quite sure how I might react."

"Just what are Death Eaters?" she demanded.

"They are evil people who are sworn to help Voldemort regain power and kill all Muggles," said Harry

"Oh, I remember that, a bit," said his aunt and went back to preparing dinner, Harry puzzled over this remark, but did not say anything.

Dinner was eaten in stony silence, however there was a slight improvement this year, it appeared that Dudley was off his strict diet, so at least there was a lot more food on the table.

The next morning at about seven Harry was woken up by a thump on the head, he reached out groggily and found his glasses, putting them on and looking around he realised that the rude awakening had been caused by a Daily Prophet delivery owl, dropping his paper on his head.

He picked up the paper without looking at it and put it on his desk then went to the bathroom for a shower, before dressing and going downstairs to get himself something for breakfast.

When he sat down Dudley, who in all honestly, didn't look much thinner this year, asked him how he was feeling, he could tell his uncle Vernon was listening because he had his newspaper upside down, he told Dudley that he wasn't too bad. He poured himself some orange juice and had a few pieces of toast with cheese for his breakfast, whilst he was eating uncle Vernon made a big fuss about going off to work, he did not usually work on Saturdays.

When Harry had finished his breakfast he asked his aunt if the garden needed weeding, she said that it did and also the grass needed cutting but that Dudley could do that. It would do him good, the look on Dudley's face was priceless and he obviously didn't believe that the words "cutting grass" and "do him good" belonged in the same book, let alone sentence.

By about ten thirty Harry had finished the weeding, he was about to go up stairs to get his newspaper to read in the garden, but Dudley stopped him and asked if they could talk for a bit. Harry was surprised, he couldn't remember Dudley ever having asked to talk to him before, he agreed but said that he needed a drink, so they went into the kitchen and aunt Petunia made them all a cup of tea, then Dudley asked him what had really happened in the alley the year before. Harry looked over to his aunt who was sitting at the kitchen table with them.

"Would you like me to explain as much as I can?" he asked her, she agreed.

Harry explained about why the Ministry of Magic had wanted him out of the way, he told them that the Chief Assistant to the Minister of Magic had, without orders, sent the Dementors deliberately to get him. Then he told them, as best he could, what Dementors appeared to be and how they affected nearly everybody's mind. He told Dudley what they had been about to do to him, Dudley shuddered and looked ashen, Harry asked his aunt if she could make them all some hot chocolate.

"Why?" she snapped, obviously the don't ask rule was still in force.

"Because it helps with the stress that the Dementors cause," he said. His aunt made them all some and when they all started drinking it they began to feel better.

"Why didn't you tell us about this last summer?" she complained.

"Well, things weren't quite tranquil enough for me to think straight then , were they?" he replied, and went on to describe to them the expulsion hearing he had, had to undergo for saving Dudley's life, by using magic out of school and in front of a muggle, now both Petunia and Dudley looked disgusted.

Pondering this conversation later, Harry began to wonder if this talk might, to some degree, clear the air a bit and to some extent relieve some of the normal tension in the house.

The next day Harry wrote a letter to Professor Dumbledore asking if he could take a trip to Diagon Alley, he explained that he needed to withdraw some money from his Gringotts Wizarding Bank vault, because he wanted to buy himself some decent muggle clothes. He spent the rest of the day reading his newspaper and resting, he had no homework because the OWLs were finished and he did not know if he would qualify for NEWTs, or indeed what NEWTs he would be allowed to take.

In the afternoon, Hedwig arrived back with the reply, the Headmaster had agreed to allow him to take his trip out, the letter went on to say that Tonks would come at ten the next morning to take him to Diagon Alley and look after him. The Headmaster also suggested that whilst he was in Diagon Alley he should buy himself some formal dress robes, Harry thought that this was a most peculiar request. He went down and told his aunt that he would be going out, after breakfast the next day, she obviously did not mind because she would not have to get him any food.

* * * * * *

Shortly before ten, the following morning, there was a knock on the front door and Dudley went to answer it, it was Tonks, today she still had her bubble gum pink, spiky hair but her T-shirt proclaimed that Dylan was God, she had skin tight faded jeans, a small satchel type bag and trainers completed her totally muggle look.

"Hi Dudders," she said "is Harry baby ready?" Dudley was flabbergasted

"Yes I am," called Harry coming down the stairs, Tonks came into the hall, shutting the front door.

"Where did you get her?" said Dudley, pointing at Tonks and looking shocked.

"She's my prettiest bodyguard," said Harry, smiling at her, Tonks immediately gave Harry a big sloppy kiss and said

"There you go Harry," to which Harry's reply was to turn bright red. "We are going by Portkey," she said "shall we go up to your room?"

"And just why do you need to go up to his room?" sneered his aunt, coming out of the kitchen, with an expression that said there was only one possible reason and that had better not be it.

"Because we will return to the exact spot we depart from and if we were to appear in the hall when someone else was there, well even you can dream up the multiple possibilities of consequences," said Tonks. They went up to his room, "have you everything you need?" she asked. When he told her that he had she held out a piece of paper, all he could see was that it had, The Leaky Cauldron and OUT written on it, as Harry took hold of the paper he felt the now familiar pull behind his navel and the whole world went out of focus.

They arrived in a pleasant room with a fireplace, a table with eight comfortable chairs and Kingsley Shacklebolt waiting for them.

"This room is permanently rented by the Order, it is completely shielded and we are to look after you all today," he said with a smile, this confused Harry for a second until Kingsley opened the door and in came Ron, Ginny and Hermione. They all smiled and hugged him but it was Hermione smiling at him, that suddenly took his breath away, when had she grown up, she looked like well a girl, a very pretty girl not the little, fuzzy haired, eleven year old he had met his first day on the Hogwarts Express.

Then she said, "Dumbledore thought it would be a nice idea if we all relaxed a bit together so here we are," Harry was thrilled.

They all went out through The Leaky Cauldron and the magic wall then into Diagon Alley, ambling down to the Florean Fortescue's ice-cream parlour where the others were going to wait whilst Harry went with Tonks to collect some money from his Gringotts vault.

Harry had intended going to go to the bank with just Tonks, but Hermione asked if she could come with them as she had never been down to a Gringotts vault before, Harry agreed, for some reason he was quite pleased about this. When his vault was opened his money as usual was in neat stacks, he asked the goblin who had brought them, how many Galleons there were in one of the stacks, "There are usually two hundred and fifty, in these type of vaults," was the surly reply. He put a full stack in one bag, then a pile of about sixty or seventy in his normal money bag, Hermione couldn't help noticing that there were an awful lot of stacks of Galleons in Harry's vault.

After they had been to his vault they went to the exchange counter and changed the two hundred and fifty Galleons into muggle Pounds, he had over twelve-hundred pounds, after that they went back to the ice-cream parlour, to meet the others.

Their next stop was Madame Malkins Robes for All Occasions, to get the formal dress robe that Dumbledore had asked him to get, the ones he bought himself were dark silver grey, Hermione had picked the colour.

He asked Kingsley if he had any idea why he might need them but he said, "I have no idea, but as you grow up there are things you have to do that require formal robes. Also the situation is slightly different for you because you are on your own, so you have to do things other teenagers would not normally have to do."

Harry also bought a very fashionable robe which Ginny had been admiring, it was soft iridescent shimmering silver.

"You can't buy me that!" she said, with a shocked look on her face. Harry replied that he had never ever bought her a Birthday or Christmas present so this was to partly make up for his bad manners and for some of the events he had missed. She blushed and thanked him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Madame Malkin packed the two robes and Tonks took them, Ron offered to help carry them but Tonks said that she would put them into her bag.

"They will get all crushed in there." Hermione said but Tonks put them in easily and whispered that it was a magic bag, not only does it hold masses of things but whatever is put in it doesn't weigh anything. Hermione thought that she would love one of those, she was thinking of how many school books she could carry everywhere. However Tonks told her that they were quite expensive and usually you had to have them made. Hers she said had been given to her by her grandmother who had travelled a great deal.

As they came out of the robe shop Harry dragged Tonks and Hermione to a bag shop and discovered that a bag similar to Tonks's would cost about one thousand Galleons, it would have to be specially made and that would take about a month, he told the owner that he would think about it. Then he explained his real reason for getting Tonks and Hermione away from the others. It was that he wanted to buy Ron and Ginny some new muggle clothes, theirs were nearly as bad as his, but he knew that they wouldn't ordinarily let him and he needed to enlist their help. So he suggested that if Hermione and Tonks let him buy some clothes for them whilst he was buying things for himself he could probably mix in buying some clothes for Ron and Ginny at the same time, then hopefully they wouldn't notice too much. Hermione especially thought that this was about the only possible way he might succeed and so they both knew what he was planning to do.

* * * * * *

Then they walked back and joined the others and went out through the Leaky Cauldron into Muggle London. Calling up taxis they visited quite a few shops which were known to Hermione and Tonks. Harry bought the clothes he needed and mixed in clothes for the others. His ruse was working quite well and by buying a few things for the two older girls he managed to get Ron and Ginny to also accept a few things. It was quite a long day and the conspirators had by mixing up who and what they were buying, managed to get the two Weasley's more clothes than they realised. They had, had a good time and were also starting to teach the two Weasley's a little about some of the muggle ways that were different to the Wizard World.

Late in the afternoon they all returned to the Leaky Cauldron for something to eat, they were starving especially Ron, while they were eating it was decided that when they had finished their meal, Kingsley would take Hermione to her home and Tonks and Harry would accompany the Ron and Ginny to the Burrow. So after sorting out Hermione's few things she tried to pay him for them, he would not let her and told her that it was part of her birthday present, so they said their goodbyes and set off in different directions.

When they returned to the Burrow, only Mrs Weasley was home and she greeted everyone, hugging each of them in turn as they arrived, she somehow managed to get Harry twice, he thought that it might not have been a total accident. She told him that the twins were in the process of setting up their new shop in Hogsmeade and now they left early and came home late, Ron had already told him that the family still wasn't speaking to Percy.

When they started unpacking the bag, Ron and Ginny suddenly realised just how many clothes Harry had bought for them. Of course their was a bit of a row but in the end Harry put his foot down, he told them all, that Mrs. Weasley had never allowed him to help when he stayed there, so if he couldn't buy two of his best friends something then it wasn't fair to him, she finally relented and Ron and Ginny both smiled sheepishly.

Harry had managed to buy Ron a pair of jeans, two T-shirts and a pair of trainers, he was very grateful and took his new clothes up to his room. But to Ginny's amazement she had, two tank tops, three T-shirts, two pairs of jeans, a pair of smart shoes, a pair of trainers and the fashionable robe from Madame Malkins, she was gob smacked.

"What do you think you are doing buying me all these things?" she demanded, looking at him in a way that reminded him, a lot, of her mother.

"Well Ginn," he said, "last term you came with me to try to save Sirius and I really appreciate it, also you never seem to have anything new to wear, so I am very pleased to be able to buy you some things." Ginny came over to him blushing, then gave him a kiss on the cheek, thanked him and took her new things upstairs to her room.

A few minutes after Ron and Ginny had come back down from putting their things away Tonks apologised and said that it was time for them to return to Little Whinging and she took out the piece of paper.

"Can we use that from here?" Harry asked, then Tonks explained that it was a very special kind of Portkey developed by Professor Dumbledore, it activates only when both of them hold it, it would take them from his home to the room in the Leaky Cauldron and then from wherever they finished up back to his home and it could be used repeatedly, when she turned it over it had HOME written on it. Harry thanked Mrs Weasley, said bye to Ron and Ginny and gave her a kiss on the cheek and said that he hoped to see them again very soon, then he touched the Portkey and they disappeared.

When they arrived back in Harry's room at Privet Drive, Harry called down that they were home, his Aunt Petunia asked if they would like a cup of tea and Tonks agreed that it would be a very good idea. They unpacked all of Harry's things from the magic bag, Harry wouldn't let Tonks pay for the two T-shirts he had bought for her, he told her that it was worth that to be able to buy Ginny and Ron some things, it's something that I have been trying to do for years and years.

They went down to the kitchen for their tea, Petunia sat in the kitchen with them talking, but Vernon stayed glued to the TV in the lounge, Tonks told them that her dad was Ted Tonks the TV News presenter and that only her mother was a witch, so she was half and half. Tonks kept chatting with Petunia until she had finished her tea and after about half an hour left, his aunt seemed disappointed and went into the lounge.

Harry went back up to his room, he had to put his new clothes away and then he went to bed for what were, for a change, very pleasant dreams.

* * * * * *

By the time he had been home for about a week, Harry definitely noticed a difference in the Dursleys attitude towards him, it had started three days after what he called "his Dementor conversation," with his aunt and cousin. His uncle had started being bombastic and short-tempered with him, for no real reason, but his aunt had taken his uncle into the lounge and given him a talking to, his uncle had gone directly to work at Grunnings without saying goodbye to anyone. After that the Dursley's weren't particularly nice to him but they were not mean either, so his life was reasonably pleasant and he realised that although Sirius's death still hurt a great deal, he was getting past blaming himself for it.

Harry spent his days generally taking things easy, he was corresponding with his friends regularly, he was also reading through his newspaper thoroughly every day to try to find out what was going on, but everything seemed quiet. He had begun to wonder if it was going to be another cover-up by Cornelius Fudge and his cronies, however, after about a week and a half of his holiday, the paper was full of reports about the investigations into the battle at the Ministry.

The Daily Prophet Monday 1st July 1996

MAJOR SCANDAL AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

The Ministry of Magic has announced today that an autonomous team of Aurors led by Albus Dumbledore and Kingsley Shacklebolt, have been interrogating the Death Eaters who were captured during the recent confrontation in the Ministry of Magic. These prisoners have been kept isolated at a still secret location and by using Veritaserum, (Truth Serum) the Ministry Investigators have uncovered a spiders web of corruption, within the Ministry of Magic.

The most prominent among those named is none other than the now Ex-Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, who has been taken into custody. It is alleged that Fudge, although not a Death Eater himself, is accused of being a collaborator with He Who Must Not be Named and his Death Eaters and to be knowingly taking bribes from his supporters, to ease the path of the Death Eaters.

The other major figure, who was actually captured in the Ministry of Magic battle, is Mr Lucius Malfoy, it has long been contended by various prominent wizards that Mr Malfoy was a Voldemort supporter, it is rumoured that a major portion of the information gathered by the interrogators has come from Mr Malfoy.

A further announcement indicates that the Dementors have been removed from Azkaban and they have been destroyed because it has been established, beyond any doubt that they are also allied with He Who Must Not be Named. The Dementors have been replaced by Goblin Guards and the magic wards protecting the Island prison have been augmented, greatly improved and they have also been strengthened.

Additional information received states that Peter Pettigrew is still alive and the Order of Merlin that had been awarded to him (Posthumously) for his part in the capture of Sirius Black has been revoked, he is now a wanted man and the details of his illegal Animagus form and pictures of him as a rat and a human, have been widely distributed. It was also confirmed that Cornelius Fudge has known all along that Sirius Black was innocent and that his imprisonment was one of the concessions granted by the ex Minister of Magic to He Who Must Not be Named and the Death Eaters.

Further reports state that another eighty-five Death Eaters have been rounded up as a result of information obtained from the prisoners. Forty seven of these Death Eaters were actually working inside the Ministry of Magic, it is believed that a mighty blow had been struck against He Who Must Not be Named and his followers.

In further action attempting to reduce the operating capability of He Who Must Not be Named and his Death Eaters, is the introduction of new Laws automatically Impounding all property and monies of those accused of being Death Eaters or their collaborators, until they are tried. This would be followed by the automatic confiscation of these assets and their redistribution, among their victims, if those accused are found Guilty of said crimes.

Additional information obtained by this reporter.

Arthur Weasley had been appointed interim Minister of Magic, it has been proposed that Elections are to be held in about two months for a permanent appointee to the position. However nominations for the post must be received by noon on Friday the twenty sixth of July. Mr Weasley has already been nominated and will be standing for election. The name of Sirius Black has been cleared totally of all charges, including those relating to the murder of James and Lilly Potter and Peter Pettigrew. Also Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter (the Boy Who Lived) are being praised for their part in the Ministry of Magic battle and their constant vigil against He Who Must Not be Named.

Harry now wondered if his life would change, but he seriously doubted if it would be by very much as there were still Death Eaters free and he was probably still one of Voldemort's prime targets.

The Daily Prophet Tuesday 2^nd July 1996

Lucius Malfoy Guilty! Life in Azkaban

Lucius Malfoy has been the first of the accused Death Eaters captured in the Battle of the Ministry of Magic to be put on trial. He has been found guilty of one hundred and twenty seven counts of using unforgivable curses and of being a Death Eater. His wand has been broken. All his money and property including Malfoy Manor, has been confiscated, the redistribution of his wealth is underway but it is going to take a long time to put in order. Lucius Malfoy has been sent to Azkaban for life.

It is also reported that his son Draco Malfoy has been taken into custody and at this time it is not know what fate is awaiting him, he is to be charged with numerous counts of collaboration.

Cornelius Fudge is due to be tried in a few days and what fate is awaiting him no one knows, it is now believed that his punishment will be extremely severe.

The Daily Prophet Thursday 4^th July 1996

Cornelius Fudge Guilty! Twenty Five Years in Azkaban

Today we have reports of the trial of Cornelius Fudge, the disgraced ex Minister of Magic. He has been found guilty as charged of ninety two offences, including multiple counts of taking bribes in order to pervert the course of justice, also thirty six counts of wilfully promoting the cause of the He Who Must Not be Named. As a consequence all his money and property has been confiscated. He has also received twenty five years in Azkaban and his wand has been broken. The redistribution of his assets, to those he has wronged, as was the case with Lucius Malfoy reported here on Tuesday, will take some time to expedite.

Else-where, there were a few lines in the middle of a much longer article, these indicated that people like Draco Malfoy could not expect to come to trial for at least three or four months. It looked to Harry, as though Draco was going to miss, at least, the start of next term. Harry thought that Draco could well have his wand broken, but he found great difficulty in feeling much sympathy for any of the Malfoys.

* * * * * *

The next day Harry received what appeared and turned out to be two school owls; he removed a slim letter from the first and a thicker letter from the second he gave both the owls a drink and some owl treats then they set off back to their home.

He opened the thinner letter first, it was his OWL results, he counted them, he counted them again, he had three each for Charms and Defence against Dark Arts, Two each for Transfiguration, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions, how had he received two for Potions, he also had one for Divination. He had fifteen, maybe he wasn't as thick as he thought he was, that was another worry off his mind, he could continue dreaming of his, rather vague, ambition to be an Auror.

His summer was definitely looking up.

Opening the second letter he took out another envelope and a piece of paper, it had HOME written on it so he turned it over, You will be collected on the eighth of July at 9.45 a.m. it was signed Albus Dumbledore, this side had OUT written on it he was pretty certain that it was be a Portkey and he put it away safely.

He opened the second envelope and took out a high quality piece of parchment. The words, McDoogle, Blaine, Zebrine and Knott. Solicitors to the Wizard World (Muggle business can be undertaken.) were inscribed, boldly across the top. The letter read, Mr. Harry James Potter is requested to attend the above offices on the eighth of July nineteen ninety six, at ten a.m. on the occasion of the reading of the Will of Mr Sirius Black. He now knew what the formal dress robes were for.

He had just finished writing to tell Hermione how he had done in his OWLs when an owl arrived from her, it looked like she'd used a school owl, he made it wait while he read her letter, and added a note to the end of the letter he had already written to her, it read "I have just received your letter, Congratulations, is this a record?" He sent the owl back to her she had achieved nineteen OWLs.

So he wrote to Ron and Ginny telling them how he had done and sent Hedwig off to the Burrow, later when Hedwig returned she had a letter from Ron it said that he was quite pleased that he had received twelve OWLs and listed them. He also congratulated Harry on his results and on the bottom was a note from Ginny congratulating him on his results and asking him if he was going to spend any time at the Burrow this summer?

* * * * * *

On the eighth Harry was ready by nine thirty, he had told Hermione and the Weasleys about the reading of Sirius's Will and told them both that he would ask Dumbledore if he could come to the Burrow after he had finished with the Solicitors. In the hope that the Headmaster agreed to him going to the Burrow he put out some casual clothes, he was looking forward to another day away from Privet Drive.

There was a knock on the front door and he started down the stairs, his aunt had opened the door and invited Tonks in, after greeting his aunt she said. "Hello again Harry you look smart."

"You look smart yourself," he replied. She also was also wearing smart dress robes and her hair was shoulder length and straight but it was bright peacock blue and as usual, she was carrying her bag.

"We better go up to your room again, we're due off in a few minutes," she said. They went upstairs and Harry asked her if she would put his spare clothes in her bag, she did and added, that she always kept some in there herself. They collected the Portkey which activated after about a minute and it deposited them in the solicitors waiting room, which to Harry's surprise, was quite full. Besides Harry and Tonks there were Professors Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape and much to Harry's surprise Arthur Weasley.

Harry greeted everyone in turn and Harry congratulated Mr. Weasley on being made acting Minister of Magic and told him that he hoped that it would soon become permanent. Then Harry asked Professor Dumbledore if it would be possible for him to go to the Burrow after the will had been read, the Headmaster said it would be alright provided Tonks was willing. Tonks told them that today was one of her days to keep an eye on Harry and she was happy with the idea, so Professor Dumbledore modified their Portkey and told them that they could travel by Floo from this office to the Burrow after the meeting and straight home from there.

Presently a house elf came out and called them into the conference room, they all went in and were joined by Mr, McDoogle who shook hands greeting everybody by name. They all sat around the large conference table and the solicitor summoned a large envelope and the elf brought in a folder, ink, quills and a small black box. The solicitor opened the envelope and started, without preamble, reading the will.

"To Remus Lupin, I leave the House of Black namely, number twelve Grimmauld Place, complete with all furniture and fittings, to do with as he sees fit, also the sum of One-Hundred Thousand Galleons." Remus looked sad and said that he would sooner have Sirius back, Arthur said wouldn't we all and there were murmurs of agreement. The solicitor had taken some papers out of the folder, he signed them in several places and passed them to Remus showing him where to sign and then they were passed to Professor Dumbledore and he was asked to witness the signatures.

The solicitor continued.

"To Severus Snape, I leave the sum of Ten Thousand Galleons in recompense for the hurt I caused him in the past."

"Stupid fool!" said Snape, although Harry believed he could see a tear in the Potions Professor's eye.

"To Arthur Weasley, in recognition of the love and friendship you and your family have shown to my Godson Harry Potter. I leave the sum of Two-Hundred and Fifty Thousand Galleons." Arthur was speechless and everyone around the table was smiling happily, Harry was really delighted.

"To Albus Percivil Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, for works against the Dark Forces. I leave the sum of One-Hundred Thousand Galleons." Dumbledore just gave a small smile and nodded.

"To my favourite cousin Nymphadora Tonks I leave the sum of One-Hundred Thousand Galleons and I request that you please look to the interests of my Godson Harry Potter."

Tonks looked at Harry and said. "I will do that for you kiddo, with or without the money," and she looked away with tears in her eyes.

"Finally to my Godson, Harry James Potter I leave the residue of my estate, together with the contents of the safe box being held by Messer's McDoogle, Blaine, Zebrine and Knott. Solicitors. I would suggest that it would be nice if you made sure that our friend Hermione was provided for, for the rest of her school time." Mr. McDoogle passed Harry a small key and the small black box, Harry put the key into his pocket.

"I am sorry to ask sir," said Harry, "but I do not have any idea what the words, "the residue of my estate" actually mean?"

"In this case Mr Potter they mean that you are to receive Approximately, One Million Eight-Hundred and Fifty Thousand Galleons, give or take a few. We can't be certain until all the other beneficiaries and any bills are taken care of," the solicitor said smiling at Harry.

"Then is it possible for you to open an account in the name of Miss Hermione Granger and deposit one-hundred thousand Galleons in it, from the residue?"

"Of course we can do that for you and all of the accounts will be credited by start of business tomorrow," he said and then he stood and shook Harry's hand and said, "It was very nice to meet you and I will see you again in about a year Mr Potter." Mr. McDoogle then shook every one else's hand, saying goodbye he left.

Harry turned to Professor Dumbledore and asked what the solicitor had meant by his parting words, the Headmaster smiled at him and said, "First I would like to say that, that was a very nice thing you just did for Miss Granger, Harry, but the answer to your question is, on your Seventeenth Birthday you will inherit the Potter Trust, which I might add, is many times more than you will receive today and you will have to come here again for that. But I would also advise you, that you should come here again quite soon to make yourself a Will, you are now quite a wealthy young man."

They all started moving out to the reception room, saying their goodbyes first Severus Snape and then Remus Lupin Disapparated, Arthur looked like he was still in shock and said that he would go to the Burrow and await them before returning to work he shook Dumbledore's hand and he Disapparated.

Harry asked the Headmaster if he were to be allowed more freedom following the events at the Ministry of Magic. Dumbledore replied that he would certainly be allowed a little and that Tonks had the Portkey that would take them to the Leaky Cauldron and he could move around with her, if she had the time, but he was not to go anywhere on his own.

Then Harry said, "I think that I need to learn to kill him sir."

Tonks stared at Harry incredulously as did the Headmaster, who after some consideration said, "I think you do. Tonks, can you and Arthur contact me shortly, I will be at Headquarters, but advise him, privately first, of what Harry has just asked from us." Dumbledore looking very tired Disapparated, Tonks and Harry also departed, via the Floo Network to the Burrow.

* * * * * *

Harry arrived at the Burrow straight into the arms of Mrs Weasley, who gave him a kiss on the cheek as they hugged each other.

"Hi Hermione, Ginny, Ron," said Harry. Mr Weasley told Harry that he had told the others nothing yet, let's all go into the lounge to talk. After Mrs Weasley had released him, they had all sat down, Harry put the small black box on the coffee table.

Mr Weasley started and said, "Sirius left us Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Galleons, because we've been nice to Harry," all four jaws dropped.

"He left me One Hundred Thousand Galleons to keep Harry safe," said Tonks.

"But he only left me One Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Galleons, and this box. Because I was his Godson," said Harry, "oh, and I have spent some of it already."

There was absolute silence for about two minutes and four voices started talking at once and the volume was rising.

"Hold on, Quiet!" shouted Mr Weasley above them all, "right, now Molly you go first."

"We didn't look after Harry for this money, we have to give it back."

"That would be quite difficult dear," said Arthur

"But."

"But nothing mum," Harry interrupted, there were gasps and Molly, Ginny and Hermione looked shocked.

"You called me MUM!" Molly said, in a hushed voice.

"I'm s'sorry Mrs Weasley," stuttered Harry, "but you have always treated me like a son and I can't really remember my own mother." Harry said blushing.

Molly came over and gave Harry a big hug, "I would be proud to have you call me mum if you want to. Now what were you saying Harry."

"Well, if you give the money back, the solicitors will only give it to me, because I get the residue of the Estate and really I don't need it."

"Is that true Arthur?"

"Yes it is dear and you have to think of Sirius's wishes. Oh and Harry would you please call me Arthur from now on, if you want to of course," he said.

"Well," said Molly thinking for a few seconds, "then I guess it's new robes for both of you this year," she said smiling. Turning to Harry she continued, "so what did you already spend some money on young man."

Harry stared at the floor, looking extremely embarrassed, then Arthur told them all what it had said in the Will and what Harry had done about it; they were all looking at him dumbfounded.

Tonks broke the silence, "Arthur, can I speak to you in the other room for a second."

"Yes of course," he said and they both went into the kitchen.

Everyone was still looking at Harry then Ginny said with a beaming smile, "What on earth are we going to do with you Mr. Potter?"

"Not a lot," said Harry, forcing a grin.

"I don't know how to begin to thank you," said Hermione blushing, she came over and sitting on his lap gave him a big hug and kissed him on the cheek.

"Then there is no need to even try, but you could keep doing that if you really want to," he said smiling, Hermione looked at him wide eyed, suddenly she found herself drowning in his beautiful green eyes, why hadn't she noticed before?

She forced herself to look away, "Ginny and I are going upstairs for a few minutes," she said pointedly and they went up stairs. In a few seconds Arthur and Tonks came in from the kitchen and told them that they had to go and see Professor Dumbledore.

"All you Gryffindors are to stay in the house until one of us returns," said Tonks,

"Can I have my other change of before you go please Tonks?" she took his casual clothes out of her bag and gave them to him and with that she and Arthur both Disapparated.

Ron turned to Harry and said, "I have had a few letters from Parvati, would you mind if she joined us a bit over the summer?"

"Of course I wouldn't mind, I like Parvati when she's away from Lavender, together they are to giggly."

"You can say that again. That was nice what you did for Hermione, you like her a lot don't you?"

"Yes I do, very much." Harry replied, then blushing, he picked up his casual set of clothes and went up to Ron's room to change into them.

* * * * * *

Hermione and Ginny came back down stairs at the same time as Harry did, Mrs. Weasley had gone out into the kitchen to make something to eat, as it was two o'clock and no one had eaten anything since breakfast. Ginny sat in one of the chairs and Hermione sat next to Harry on the sofa.

"Hermione, I have just asked Harry, but would you mind if Parvati joined us sometimes over the summer and do you think that I should start taking Muggle Studies?" asked Ron.

She thought for a bit and said, "Of course I don't mind if Parvati joins us and really you, Ginny and Parvati should learn more about Muggle ways and culture, but I don't think that any of you need to take Muggle Studies. I'm sure that Harry and I, oh, and Tonks if she's around can teach you all you need to know. I can bring some books, NOT school books, but stories." She added quickly seeing the look of horror on Ron's face. "If we could go over to my place you could listen to music, watch TV, maybe even go to the cinema and see some films. I have a personal computer at home, you can learn about that and the Internet, how to use a telephone, oh all sorts of things."

"It's alright for us three," said Harry, "but what about Ginny? We've just finished OWLs but she's just starting hers, she has homework to complete."

Ginny's face was alight, Harry was making sure she was included in their plans. "Well I've done most of it already and if I can't get it done here I can always bring it over and finish it there."

"Where is this "there" Ginny?" Tonks asked walking into the room and sitting down. Molly followed her with a huge plate of sandwiches and they all started eating.

Harry said, "We were thinking it would be useful and fun, to teach Ron, Ginny and possibly another girl called Parvati Patil about muggle culture, Hermione thought that her house would be the best place to do it and we wondered if you might be able to help us to organise it?"

"Well," said Tonks, "first let me tell you what Arthur and I have been discussing with your Headmaster and let's see where we can go from there. We have been reorganising some things and setting other things in motion and this is how it's looking at the moment.

I have been relieved of all regular Auror duties and appointed Harry's full time chaperone while he is out of Hogwarts on holiday. I have been given some spells to teach Hermione so that she can connect and disconnect her home fire to the Floo Network if she wants to, these will work from home and from any other connected fireplace, so she can travel around in relative safety and close her fireplace when she is not using it.

Also the decree for underage magic has been repealed as of now, that will be in the Daily Prophet tomorrow and now the only restriction is that magic must not be preformed in front of Muggles, but that applies to all of us anyway. I have also been asked to teach you all some OIDS spells, Auror warfare spells, it stands for Offence In Drastic Situations. These are very powerful spells, we don't know if you will be able to cast them yet, but we will have to go to somewhere pretty remote to practice and if you do learn them you are not to use them except in the most dire circumstances, some of them would level this house, so be warned. So where do you want to go from here?"

Hermione explained what they had been discussing and Tonks was keen to go along with it, all of them realising that they could integrate what they wanted to do with programme proposed by Tonks. Molly collected the dirty crockery and went out into the kitchen to wash up and think about an evening meal. Harry gave his dress robes to Tonks she put them in her bag and went up stairs, herself to change, when she came down Tonks had her pink hair again, jeans and a T-shirt, then she took Hermione out to the kitchen fireplace to teach her the Floo spells.

Ron asked, "what about the box Harry, do you think that you should open it on your own?"

"Yes I think that I should, can I go up to your room?"

"Of course you can mate." Ron replied, so Harry took the box and went up to Ron's room and sat on the bed.

* * * * * *

He took the key out of his pocket and pulled the box over to him, he sat looking at it for a few moments before opening it, there were only three things in it, a key that was similar to his bank vault key, a slim dull silver coloured ring and a letter. He picked up the letter first and started reading it.

Dear Harry,

If you are reading this it means that I have probably done something stupid and got myself killed. Whatever it was you are not to go blaming yourself for it as I know you are most lightly to do. Get someone nice like Hermione (he started in surprise) to take your mind off of me, I know she will want to help, anyway I don't want to rabbit on so let me tell you about the ring and the key.

First is the key, it is for Gringotts vault number seven one four, only take people you trust with you when you go there you might be surprised at some of the things you find there, nothing bad I promise.

Next the ring, as you might guess it is a magic ring and I believe it is called "The Ring of Merlin", it has been with the Black family for hundreds of years, I do not know exactly how long. It is believed to have been made by Merlin himself and it can only be used for good purpose, if you can put it on it is supposed to disappear, quite useful no-one would know that you were wearing it. Legend has it that it did many things but I have only heard of two of them. What they do I do not know, they are MERLIN AMLYGU and MERLIN DIM HUSLATH as I said, what they do I do not know, I have never dared to try to put it on. Legend also states that if it was used, "not for good purpose" then the caster would die, sounds a bit extreme to me. Be very careful with it.

As I said before do not blame yourself for my death and take care of yourself.

All my love Sirius.

Ignoring the dire warnings from Sirius, he tried put the ring on, it jumped back into the box, Harry looked mystified and shrugged, he thought about this for a few minutes and then he folded the letter and put it back in the box, he compared his own Gringotts key with the one from Sirius, they were easy to tell apart so he put them both in his pocket, he closed and locked, the box again and then went back down stairs.

He arrived at the lounge just when Hermione and Tonks came back, "Oh you've looked in the box, are you going to tell us what was in it?" asked Tonks,

"There was a letter and a key to a Gringotts vault, the letter didn't say what was in the vault, but it did say that I was not to blame myself for his death and I was to get someone nice, like Hermione, to help take my mind off my troubles."

"It didn't?" said Hermione smiling and at the same time turning scarlet, "I never thought he noticed anything."

"He probably just noticed the way Harry kept mooning at you," said Ginny "he hasn't been able to keep his eyes off you since before Christmas, even when he thought he liked Cho Chang."

Harry blushed and to change the subject he asked, "How did your Floo thingies go?"

"Oh fine We've both been to my house and back just to check, but I will have to get some Floo powder." Hermione sat on the sofa next to Harry.

"I suggest we all meet up tomorrow, at ten in the Leaky Cauldron, I'll come by yours and pick you up Harry," said Tonks.

"Will it be alright if I ask Parvati if she wants to come with us?" asked Ron, they all said that that would be fine and Ron went upstairs to send an owl to her.

"Well I better go and check with your mum that it's alright for me to organize your time," said Tonks and she went out to the kitchen, Ginny followed her to see if she could help her mum, leaving Hermione alone with Harry who looked a bit nervous.

* * * * * *

Hermione asked, "What's all this you want me to keep doing, about then?"

The next remark just seemed to drop out of his mouth without any input from him, and he looked shocked at himself as he said it. "You're very pretty, you know."

Her smile froze, her brown eyes were gleaming caught in his green, "do you really think so?"

He nodded, very slowly, his mind whirling, Hermione put her arms around him, and her eyes glowed in a remarkable smile. "You really are extraordinary, Harry," she said, her smile waning slightly, but warm affection still burning in her eyes, "usually I think I know what to expect from you, but then you go and surprise me."

He chuckled, very softly, "then I am only inspired by your unpredictability."

Hermione giggled back at him, "well, someone's got to keep you on your toes, Mr Potter."

"Well that you certainly do," he breathed, his smile fading. He felt lost, wallowing in a warm endless sea and his only anchor was she who he thought so beautiful beside him. His essence clutched onto that, never wavering, "all the time."

"Hmmm..." Hermione stretched her arms languidly, and then without trepidation, draped them around Harry's neck, leaning her chin on his shoulder, "whatsoever would you do without me?"

"I'd-" He choked, "I'd rather not think about that."

Hermione's expression cleared, from one of amusement to one of revelation, "me neither..."

Harry vaguely felt Hermione's fingers dip into the shaggy black locks at the back of his head, near his neck, but it felt a world away as he gazed at her lovely face. Something in her eyes had perceptibly shifted, and his whole world was moving with it, as it started he found himself leaning forward, space slipping away between him and Hermione, so quickly and at the same time in slow motion. He tilted his head, his heart uneven, tightening, skipping and seemingly trying to climb its way out of his throat. Hermione tilted her head the other way, her hands sinking into his hair and pulling him towards her.

Then he felt it. Oh dear God, he thought. Oh Hermione... how could I have missed you for so long? Her lips were so soft, so utterly soft! It was the most perfect, the most delicate little thing he'd ever felt in his life - a pursing of lips, a slow, gentle touch that felt like he had been hurled through a Portkey. All he could do was sigh, and hold her. God, he wanted to hold her for eternity!

As they parted, his eyes opened, and he looked to Hermione. She clutched his shoulders, smiling lazily, "Mmm, I like this Harry!"

Harry flushed, looking down and feeling rather embarrassed all of a sudden. That's when he felt the lips on his cheek, peppering kisses there. His eyes fell shut and he sighed, his body slowly burning up under the attention. He was worried for a moment he'd have to reign in her behaviour (as loathed as he would be to do it), but thankfully she leant back to regard him again. She tilted her head and sighed, "I'm so incredibly glad we did that."

Harry licked his lips and nodded, "so am I."

"I want to do it again?" she looked positively, delightfully wicked and they did it again, twice.

She sighed, the delight in her eyes shifting to a knowing warmth that Harry found awesome but extremely comforting, "sometimes I think you're all I need, Harry. When I'm with you alone - I - I fear nothing and I am at one with myself," she smiled, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, "I'm proud. very proud of myself when I'm with you."

A hint of gravity twitched in Harry's brow, "I wouldn't ever want you to be anything other than Hermione."

She gave a happy sigh through a bright smile, pulling him to her and kissing him again. Harry felt the world suddenly jar and spin again, in an altogether pleasant way. He decided that all was right with the world when he was doing this. It wasn't a deep or particularly complicated kiss, it was different, he thought. Utterly special, perfectly eloquent. But he wouldn't mind a bit of the heavy stuff later on, he added to himself and judging from Hermione's opening mouth, neither would she.

However it was all cut painfully short by Tonks. "Come on gang foods ready!" she said and the mood evaporated.

* * * * * *

They went out into the kitchen and sat around the table, Molly served them Steak and Kidney pie, garden peas, mashed potato and onion gravy. There was silence for about a quarter of an hour.

"We will have to do some muggle food shopping tomorrow," said Harry, "it wouldn't be right for us to eat your mum out of house and home. I still have a load of muggle money left from the other day, we can use it for food and if we go to the pictures, and things,"

"I'm sure my mum won't mind if we eat some food."

"Ah, but I know that your parents are dentists, so they won't have Mars Bars, Crunchie's, Pop-corn, Crisps, Chocolate, Twiglets, nuts, Coke and all my other favourites" said Tonks.

"I see what you mean, if we're going to teach them about Muggles lets do it properly," said Hermione grinning.

"Can you bring some of those things back for Arthur, I'm sure he would love them," said Molly.

"Of course we can," said Tonks, "and we should be going soon Harry, I want to ask your aunt if I can rent the spare room. It will be far more convenient if I can stay in the house with you."

"My uncle will want at least double what it is worth, if he lets you stay at all."

"Ah. But with people like him, money is usually the great leveller, let's see shall we. Don't forget everyone, its full muggle gear tomorrow and don't forget your wands. There's no need for homework for the first few days Ginny, we will be sorting out what we are going to do."

Hermione gave Harry a gentle kiss and said goodbye, opened her Floo she went home, taking a little Floo powder with her so that she could get to the Leaky Cauldron in the morning. Harry and Tonks said goodbye to them all and then they took their Portkey back to Harry's room in Little Whinging.

He put his dress robes away but he left the box in Tonks bag then he went downstairs to find that Tonks was having a bad time with his uncle.

"What's the problem Tonks?" he asked.

"Your uncle says that I can't stay in the spare room, at any price."

"Didn't you tell us that your dad is the local area BBC TV News presenter and didn't you tell us that he was always looking out for odd, unusual bits to fill in the end of the programmes?"

"Yes he is and he is," said Tonks looking puzzled.

"Well how do you think he would view the story of a great fat bloke in Little Whinging, who wouldn't let his nephew's body guard stay in ..."

"Five-hundred pounds a week," said uncle Vernon.

"Done," said Tonks counting out twenty, fifty pound notes from a big bundle and handing them to aunt Petunia, "that's two weeks in advance."

"Would you both like a cup of tea?" asked Petunia smiling. They both said yes please and as they went into the kitchen, on the way Tonks asked Harry if he was sure that he wasn't in Slytherin. When they were in the kitchen Petunia asked Tonks about her hair, so Tonks explained about her being a Metamorphmagus and did some funny things with her hair, changing the colour and making it longer and shorter; after a while Tonks went home and Harry went to bed.

* * * * * *

The next morning by nine thirty, Tonks had moved into the spare room and at nine forty five they used their Portkey to travel to the Leaky Cauldron. After about five minutes Hermione arrived and closed her home Floo, she was just giving Harry a kiss and a cuddle when Ginny, Ron and almost immediately Parvati arrived, Parvati was looking wide eyed at Harry and Hermione who were still cuddling, then she told them that it was about time. She looked very happy as she greeted them all and was introduced to Tonks, then they went out through the back of the Pub and entered Diagon Alley.

Their first call was the bag shop, because that was where they also sold things like Floo powder, they were all looking around and Hermione bought a big jar of Floo powder for her house also a pocket pouch of the powder. Harry bought a small silver dish, the shopkeeper had told him that this was a talking dish, if you cast a flame charm on it and dropped in a pinch of Floo powder you could talk to any connected fire place, he also bought a pocket pouch of Floo powder. Then he ordered himself a magic bag similar to the one Tonks had, he told the shopkeeper to take the money out of his Gringotts account, but when nobody else was listening he changed the order to five, one black, one gold, one copper, one brown and one dark blue.

Harry thought that it was very pleasant to be walking through Diagon Alley holding Hermione's hand, she wanted to look in her new vault and Harry into his, so as they were going towards Gringotts they arranged to meet in Florean Fortescue's ice-cream parlour when they had finished. When they arrived at the bank, Hermione spoke to a free Goblin she enquired about her vault and the Goblin shook her hand and welcomed her to the bank then gave her the key to her vault, he called another goblin who took her Ginny and Tonks to Hermione's new vault.

Then Harry asked how much money he had in his vault and he passed over his key, the goblin placed the key on his large ledger and tapped it with his wand, he looked in the Ledger and told Harry that their was a slight problem in that his old vault wouldn't hold all his money because he had "two million two hundred and forty five thousand six hundred and ninety seven Galleons, do you want to know about the Sickles and Knutts," he passed Harry a new key for vault seven hundred twenty. Both Ron and Parvati looked stunned, Harry said that he wanted to go to his new vault and number seven one four and passed over that key, the goblin went through the same procedure with the Ledger and this second key, he returned the key to Harry and called yet another goblin to take the three of them down to both of the vaults.

Vault seven hundred twenty was the first one they visited it was much larger than his old vault and it was almost full. Harry took about one-hundred Galleons, then they went to vault seven one four.

When it was opened the goblin went and sat back in the trolley to wait for them, they looked around and realised that it would take days to go through everything properly, he saw two things that caught his eye, there were six tall neat piles of muggle twenty pound notes, each about two foot high and an envelope, the envelope contained what appeared to be an inventory of everything that was in the vault, it didn't appear to be very accurate as it said things like, muggle money, jewellery, books, so he stuffed it into his pocket to read later. Then he took about three inches off the top of one of the piles of notes and gave Ron and Parvati about quarter an inch each.

As Ron started to complain Harry said, "You both are coming with us to learn about muggle ways, when we are out you will have to pay for things and that way you will learn about their money, I will give Ginny some when we catch up with her."

They went back to the ice cream parlour and the others had just finished their ice-creams, Hermione stood up and came around and gave Harry a big hug and kiss, "You shouldn't have given me all that Harry," he just smiled at her.

"Don't worry," said Ron.

"You heard him," said Harry, giving her another kiss. They paid Florean Fortescue and left the ice cream parlour then went back to the room where Tonks and Harry had arrived by Portkey, this is a secure grate she told them, it is called LC77, please don't tell anyone else about it. Hermione opened her home grate, my home is called Granger Hermione and I will go first, so they all Flooed to her house without any problems. Immediately after they arrived she closed down her Floo connection.

* * * * * *

They had arrived in the Grangers dining room so they move out into the hall and looked into the lounge, the study, they found a downstairs Loo and the kitchen. Tonks suggested that the first thing they should do, was to go food shopping and they asked Hermione how far it was to the shops, she told them it was about a three quarters of a mile, but there are some smaller ones round the corner at the top of the road so they decided to go there today, but we must all try to keep together Tonks told them.

As they were walking up the road Tonks asked where they were and Hermione told them that they were in Breakinham in Kent though it is near London, by this time they had reached the corner and turned left. It was one thirty, there was a burger bar, they were hungry the result was obvious, they had a great laugh deciding what they were going to eat, especially Ron, Parvati and Ginny who had never been in a burger bar before. Harry made Ron pay telling the girl behind the counter that he wasn't used to the money as he helped him.

"Where did you get all that money Ron?" Ginny asked him, when they sat down, Tonks cast a distortion spell around them so no one could understand what they were saying.

"Harry gave it to me, should we give Ginny some, he has to learn about it as well?" Harry took about another quarter of an inch off his pile and gave them to Ginny, who asked.

"How much are these things worth?"

"Well one of those is worth round about five Galleons," said Hermione, Parvati tried to give hers back to Harry who looked at her and told them.

"Listen all of you, Ron paid for the food and we are all eating it, whatever we want we will buy and it is better that you three actually spend it, because that way you will all learn about muggle money."

"But how the heck much have we got here?"

"I have absolutely no idea and really, it doesn't matter, tell her what happened in the bank, Parvati."

"When you three went through to Hermione's vault, Harry asked how much money was in his vault. The goblin told him that they had to change his vault because the old one, "wasn't big enough to hold all his money", he said that there was about two and a quarter million Galleons in it. Then we went and opened the vault that his godfather had left him the key to, there were six, about two foot high piles of these in there. So you see it really doesn't matter, we're here to learn, we must try not to think about it."

"Ok, sorry Harry, I'll try to ignore it," said Ginny.

"You just do that, or you won't learn what you are supposed to. Besides I don't think that your mum and dad will be too poor from now on," said Hermione.

"What did you three think of the food then?" asked Tonks.

"It was nice," said Ginny and Parvati together.

"Well, really I could do with some more, but it tasted OK," said Ron.

"You don't need anything more here, we're going to get some real junk and you can top up with that," Hermione told him grinning.

"I think I like this job, I wonder if Dumbledore would give it to me permanently," said Tonks with a smile as they got up and left the burger bar.

When they were outside they looked at what was around them, over the very busy road there was the entrance to a train station and on their side were a newsagent's, launderette, general food store and a record shop. The girls went in the food store and the boys went in the newsagents, Ron was amazed at all the variety of news papers and magazines for sale but all they bought was sweets, nuts, chocolate, popcorn, crisps and things like that. They each had two big bags full of snacks and they had spent over seventy pounds, once again Harry made Ron pay, this time he didn't need help and he didn't get confused with the change.

They went outside, the girls weren't there so they went to the food store and Harry called Tonks from the door, when she came over they put all their bags into the magic bag and went into the store with her and across to the others. Harry told them that they had not bought any soft drinks so they went and chose a large assortment, when they went to the till Harry made Ginny pay, she did quite well.

Then they went out, they put all their bags into Tonks bag, then Hermione took Parvati and Ginny into the newsagents, when they came out they had an armful of Muggle fashion magazines. Then they walked back to Hermione's home, on the way Tonks told them that next time they went shopping she wouldn't use her bag and they could carry everything like the Muggles, they all hoped that she was teasing.

* * * * * *

Soon they were back in Hermione's house, they started putting their things away, Mrs. Granger had emptied two cupboards for them to use and they put some of the soft drinks in the fridge; Tonks and Hermione were thrilled with what the boys had bought and they made up an assorted bag for Mr Weasley. They moved through into the lounge and showed Ron, Parvati and Ginny how the TV worked, whilst they were fighting over the remote control Harry reminded the other two that Friday was July the twelfth and it would be Ginny's fifteenth birthday, so they went back to the kitchen.

"We had better talk to Mrs Weasley before we plan anything," said Hermione, "if you two go back to the Burrow with them one of you can ask Mrs. Weasley what she's doing and if she isn't doing anything then we will. Or we will anyway, just what depends on her mum."

Good, do you need any money they both asked? "I don't think so, but I will let you know if I do."

"Do you know what she would like?" Harry asked and Hermione answered.

"Well I know that she would like to tryout for the Quidditch team, I should think she wouldn't mind a broom, would you like us to share with you?"

"No, that's alright I'll get it, she deserves a lot of presents" after saying that Harry wandered back into the lounge.

"I was told he was a nice guy," said Tonks, "he's not just nice, he's amazing, Is he always like this?"

Then Hermione said dreamily, "Yes, pretty much, unless Voldemort is on his case of course."

"Did you know that he's asked Dumbledore and me to teach him how to kill Voldemort?" Hermione looked aghast, "as I said one amazing guy," Tonks said as they went back into the lounge.

When Harry had re-entered the lounge Ginny and Parvati were reading the Muggle fashion magazines and Ron had found a game of cricket on the TV.

"What on earth sort of a game is this?" he asked.

"Ask me when you've a day to spare and want to get really bored, I might be able to explain half of it to you. Why don't you switch that thing off and try something else?" Ron switched off the TV and Ginny put down her magazine and went over to the piano and hit a few of the keys, it wasn't a tune,

"Can you play one of these Harry?" he shook his head.

"And I can only play a bit of classical and I don't think you would like that," said Hermione, as she and Tonks re-entered the room.

"Let me have a go," Tonks sat down and started singing and playing "Great Balls of Fire", when she had finished, Ron looking incredulous said, "What on Earth was that?"

"That was Muggle music," said Tonks.

"Where are your records?" Harry asked Hermione?

"Up in my room, let's go up," so they all followed her to her room.

* * * * * *

It was a very girly room but it was also, very much Hermione's room, it was pink with lace and satin and flowery, but it also had a large writing desk, two six shelve and one three shelve overflowing book cases, a cello, a computer on its own separate desk, a Hi-Fi, a record rack with records and CD's and Crookshanks who was curled up fast asleep in the middle of a King-size four-poster bed which had pink and white drapes and a huge pile of Teddy Bears.

She switched on the computer and she put Abby Road on the CD player, Tonks sat at the computer and started playing Solitaire, showing Ginny, Parvati and Ron how to work it. Harry was looking through the books, Hermione came over and took out three and put them on top of the low bookcase by the door.

Then Ginny said,"The Muggles don't do badly for themselves, do they."

"That's what makes people like Voldemort and the Malfoy's seem so stupid," Harry said with a catch in his voice, "they condemn things because they don't understand. If it ever reached the point where the Muggles decided they had to get rid of Voldemort, because he was causing them too many problems, then they would, one Muggle marksman with a high power rifle could put a hole through his head from a mile away. But no, he would try to hide himself away somewhere unplotable and carry on his evil ways from there, so the muggle scientists would have to develop detectors to find all the unplotable areas and believe me they would find them. Then they would totally wipe them out with bombs. If they can't see what is there, they will bomb it until they know what is there, nothing. They can do it Ginny, that's why he has to be stopped." Pensively he looked at Hermione, "I don't want to think about it any more darling, come down stairs and give me a cuddle." He took her hand, she picked up the three books and they went back down to the lounge.

"I've never heard him talk like that before," said Ron.

"The trouble is, he is right, witches and wizards have to stay in the background and be discreet," was Tonks comment, and she started trying to teach the other three about the computer.

After coming downstairs Harry and Hermione went into the kitchen and took some soft drinks and then they went through to the lounge and sat on the sofa. They started practicing their kissing, they were getting quite good at it, they were already quite good at cuddling and very good at chatting. After about an hour the others came down to the lounge to join the lovebirds, Harry seemed a bit brighter, Ron asked them what they had been talking about?

"We were talking about where we should go and what we should do so that you would learn the most." Hermione then passed Ron a copy of "Great Expectations," she had "Pride and Prejudice," for Parvati and Ginny had "Anne of Green Gables" she told them to try reading these and see what they thought. They all went out to the kitchen, Hermione and Tonks started teaching Ron, Parvati and Ginny how to cook the muggle way, being as how Ron had never ever watched his mum cook, he didn't really know the difference.

Harry sat, out of the way, on a stool, he took the inventory from the vault out of his pocket and went through it, really it wasn't much use at all it was far too imprecise, although there was one entry he wanted to check up on as soon as possible, but he thought that he would have to put aside a day or three to go through the vault thoroughly.

During dinner they discussed their OWL results, Parvati said that she had earned twelve and was happy with that, Ron thought that he had done about as well as he expected and Harry said that he was very pleased with his results and that he had done much better than he had thought he would, although looking at them he should of supposed they were what he ought to get.

Although Hermione had set an all time record, she still was not satisfied with her performance, she thought that she should have had at least another three. She had only one for History of Magic and nobody received an OWL for Astronomy, because of the ruckus caused by Professor Umbridge's assault on Hagrid and Professor McGonagall, she believed that she should have had two for each of those. She had nineteen that would of given her twenty two. Although they could tell that she wasn't really happy with any subject where she only had two instead of three, but then this was Hermione.

They also asked Parvati if she would be coming everyday and if she had many muggle clothes, she told them that she didn't have many muggle clothes at all and half of what she had on belonged to her sister, who didn't have many either and yes she would like to come everyday if they didn't mind.

After their dinner, Tonks asked Hermione if she should make a Portkey to carry her and Harry between their houses, Hermione thought it was a good idea and suggested that they should arrive in her bedroom.

"Not unannounced though," she said blushing.

Tonks went up to Hermione's bedroom to make the Portkey she was soon back down and Harry asked her if the Floo blocking spell also blocked communication, she told him that it did. Hermione said that she thought they should all meet tomorrow at nine thirty in the Leaky Cauldron to go and do some more muggle shopping, but this time in Knightsbridge, so it's smart muggle, they all agreed, Harry gave Hermione a kiss goodbye, picked up the bag of muggle snacks for Arthur, then the five of them said goodbye to Hermione and Flooed to the Burrow.

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