The Prince Returns

The Prince Returns

Chapter One

Richard Prince was getting old. At age fifty-three, he could no longer deny it. His wife, ten years younger than he, was a constant reminder. She looked young, vibrant. She was always full of energy. Richard was always tired. His children, age twenty and sixteen, only served as another reminder. His son, Braydon, was engaged. His daughter, Regan, his baby girl, was suddenly dating. He did not know when it had happened; he had become old. A look in the mirror proved that he was no longer a young man. His once-blonde hair was now gray. He had wrinkles. His face, especially his eyes, betrayed the long life he had led. While many women still considered him handsome, he failed to turn heads as he used to. He was no longer athletic, though still physically fit for his age. While his lack of youth troubled him, Richard supposed that he should be grateful to even still be alive. He had put his poor body through a lot over his fifty-three years. However, his past activities were long over. Years ago, long before people knew of Harry Potter, or even Voldemort, he was a well-known wizard. He was the one with the famous scars, and he was the one constantly defeating dark wizards. But again, that was all over. He had quit being a hero and instead decided to be a husband, a father, a respectable member of a respectable community. He also thought that he had gotten out of the hero business just in time. Voldemort came into power not longer after he had left Europe for America, with his wife and young son. Once in America, he easily secured a nice, comfortable job at a wizard institute in New York City, not unlike Hogwarts in Europe. Even in America, where wizards operated differently than in Europe, Richard Prince was considered a powerful man, and a powerful wizard.

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter and his friends were preparing to board the Hogwarts Express to go home after an eventful fifth year. In New York, Richard Prince was finishing his day at the New York Institute for the Magically Gifted. His office was a mess. He did not allow any house-elves to enter his private space. As headmaster, he rarely spent any time cleaning. Instead, he usually shoved the papers piled on his desk into a drawer at the end of each day. He was doing just that when he received an owl, which he did not recognize. However, as he took the offered note, he did recognize the handwriting. An old friend, a very old friend, Lucius Malfoy, seemed to have urgent business with Richard.

****

Molly and Arthur Weasley were trying not to mention anything to their children. They did not know enough details to say anything to any of them, especially Ron. However, they were terribly excited by what Remus Lupin told them hours ago, while waiting for the Hogwarts Express to arrive. They managed to wait until everyone had sat down to dinner to share the news. Molly begin hesitantly at first, casting glances at Arthur.

"Children, the order has been very busy," she began. Fred and George nodded in agreement, pretending to know what was going on.

"However, we desperately need help. One name has been mentioned several times," Arthur continued," however, he won't be extremely willing to help."

"Why not?" Ron demanded, shocked that anyone wouldn't jump to help the Order.

"He's taken a bit of a ..... retirement," Molly began.

"He has a nice job where he is, not that he needs it," Arthur said.

"Just tell us who," Fred said, annoyed.

Molly and Arthur exchanged looks.

"Nothing is for certain," Molly said.

"Oh, just tell us," Ginny grumbled. Everyone looked to her in surprise.

"Fine, Richard Prince," Arthur relented. The twins gasped, a sudden gleam in their eyes.

"That would be cool," Ron agreed with a smile. Ginny looked confused.

"Who's he?" she asked. The boys stared at her in shock.

"Just the greatest wizard ever," Fred said breathlessly. George nodded in agreement.

"You wouldn't believe some of the things he has done. I've read all his books. His biography was amazing," Ron said. It was Ginny's turn to be in shock.

"You read?" she asked. Ron shot her a dirty look.

"Children, settle down," Molly warned.

"Your mother is right," Arthur said. "Dumbledore has sent Mr. Prince a few letters, but that is all."

"But why wouldn't he want to help the Order? He was always saving people, according to his biography," Ron said, looking smugly at Ginny. She rolled her eyes.

"That was a very long time ago. He has other priorities," Molly said impatiently.

"No more discussion about this. Tomorrow, Remus and Moody will be coming by for lunch. We will discuss it then. Now, how was school?" Arthur said. Ginny smiled and began going on about her new boyfriend.

****

The twins and Ron were waiting for Remus and Moody when they arrived the next afternoon. No sooner had the two appeared in the fireplace than the boys started throwing questions at them concerning Richard Prince. Remus laughed. Moody looked concerned.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up, boys. Richard is not as willing as he once was. But not to worry, we can do things without him," Moody said, his eyes roaming the room. Remus laughed and winked at them. Everyone crowded into the dining room. After some hesitation, Molly allowed Ron and Ginny to listen. It was quickly decided that Remus would go to America to talk with Richard. He deserved more than a few owls, and there was once a time when Richard considered Remus a friend. However, Remus would not go alone. After some debate, Remus convinced the adults that whoever accompanied him should be the ones who had been through the most, who had suffered, who could convince Richard that he was greatly needed. He just wasn't sure who that would be.

"Snape. He's the spy, the one who became a Death Eater," Arthur offered. Remus turned slightly green at the prospect of traveling with Snape.

"Albus. Headmaster to Headmaster. Respected wizard to respected wizard," Molly said.

"Albus has his hands full," Moody said dismissively. They continued in this fashion for several minutes. Finally, Ron had had enough. They were oblivious. He stood up and addressed the room.

"Harry," he said and sat back down. The adults looked towards one another, stupefied.

"Of course!" Remus exclaimed. "He should have been the first one we thought of!"

" His parents, Cedric, .... Sirius," Molly said quietly. "He's been through so much."

"It's settled then. I'll take Harry. I can relieve the Dursley's of him this evening," Remus said, standing.

"You cannot take Harry Potter all the way to New York by yourself, Remus. It is not safe," Moody said.

"No, of course not. I assumed that Ron and Hermione would come with me," Remus stated. Ron gleamed. Ginny rolled her eyes, as did Moody.

****

It did not take long for several members of the Order to realize Remus's plan. While everyone trusted Remus to fairly represent them to Richard Prince, his choice of traveling companions was debatable. However, everyone was reassured when Albus Dumbledore approved Remus's choice, as long as he took another adult. Tonks quickly offered her services and it was settled. Hermione's parents agreed, but only after a long talk with Remus about their daughter's safety. The Dursley's couldn't wait to be rid of Harry. So, less than a week after the end of the school year, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Remus, Tonks, Molly, and Arthur were driving, yes driving, to the airport. Tonks was driving. She had had a few driving lessons to prepare her for the trip to the airport. Very few. Everyone was buckled in tightly. She kept her eyes on the road. Before leaving the Burrow, she had instructed everyone not to talk to her. She needed no distractions. Her rules were being strictly abided to. No one was speaking in more than a whisper, so not to frighten her.

"Why are we flying?" Ron moaned for the hundredth time.

"Can you Apparate?" Hermione said simply. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Scared?" Harry asked with a grin.

"Well, yeah," Ron admitted. "Have you ever flown?"

"No," he said, suddenly very interested in the cars passing him by his window.

"Well I have," Hermione said suddenly. " Nothing to it, really. In fact, it is safer to fly in an airplane than it is to ride in a car."

"I'd have to agree," Remus said as Tonks suddenly slammed on the brakes.

"Sorry," she exclaimed, swiveling her head towards the backseat to survey any damage. "Everyone okay?"
"Fine! Just watch the road," Remus said quickly.

"Oh, right." She turned back to the road. Remus breathed a sigh of relief as he saw a sign for the airport. They were almost there.

"Who is this guy we're going to see?" Harry asked after a few moments of silence.

"You don't know?" Ron looked shocked. "He is only one of the greatest wizards alive, ever!"

"I have never heard of him before," Harry looked to Hermione for confirmation. She hadn't said anything about him yet.

"He is a powerful wizard. I don't know about greatest ever, but definitely powerful. Several years ago, when our parents were our age, he did some amazing things. It would be a very different world, for both wizards and Muggles, if Prince didn't do what he did. But that was a long time ago. I have no idea what he'll be like now, or what he's capable of," Hermione said. She looked to Ron," Happy?"

"Yes. Very good 'Mione." He leaned towards Hermione and Harry and whispered,"I can't wait to see his house."

"Why?" Harry whispered back."

"Supposedly, he knows all kinds of dark magic. Nothing really evil, just certain restricted spells. He has all kinds of magical items, some very, very rare," Hermione said, a sudden gleam in her eye. Harry knew she was thinking of a vast library filled with rare books.

"Actually, I was referring to something else," Ron said, sighing. " He's got more money than Malfoy."

"So?"

"So his house is supposed to be huge. All kinds of stuff. And, it's in Muggle New York."

"His house is not in Muggle New York, not exactly," Hermione interjected. "He lives in a part of Manhattan with other wizards. However, the area is very accessible to Muggles. His house is enchanted so that there is not magic on the first floor. However, the rest of the house is very magical."

"Whatever," Ron said, looking annoyed. Harry wasn't satisfied.

"If he's this great and powerful wizard, where was he sixteen years ago?" he asked. Hermione and Ron looked at each other.

"It said in his biography that he was in New York. He received offers from both sides, but chose to stay out of it until it reached America. It never reached America," Ron said. He glanced at Harry's scar.

"That doesn't seem very heroic. He stayed out of the fight because he didn't want to get hurt. He should have come over to Europe and helped fight, if he was so special," Harry muttered.

"It was a long time ago Harry. Things were very different then," Remus said quietly. Harry blushed. He hadn't realized Remus was listening. "Richard is a good man. He did what he thought was best for his family. You know, he has a daughter about your age."

"Regan Michelle Prince. Also has a son, Braydon Anthony Prince. He's about twenty. He plays professional Quidditch. Engaged to some model," Ron said proudly. "It's all in his biography."

"Ron, you read his biography?" Harry asked, surprised. Hermione laughed. Ron ignored them both.

****

Ron gripped his armrest so tightly that his hands were a terrible shade of white. Hermione, sitting next to him, sighed. "We won't take off for several more minutes. They are still loading people on. Now relax and wave good-bye to your parents."

Ron let go of his armrests. He looked out his window. Sure enough, he could make out two figures at the window in the airport, waving excitedly. He waved back, wishing they would leave. He was worried enough about flying that he didn't need their added excitement. He would much prefer it if they simply acted like flying on a plane was more like riding the Hogwarts Express. They should really calm down.

Twenty minutes later, they were in the air. Ron smiled and looked through the clouds, again releasing his armrest. "This isn't so bad."

"Exactly, no different than riding a broom," Hermione said with a smile. Ron thought of all the Quidditch games he had seen in which players fell off their broom, resulting in severe injuries. His hands once again found the armrests. He looked to the others. Remus was asleep, snoring. Tonks was reading some magazine. Harry was looking out the window, totally at ease. Hermione was reading a book. He looked at the cover and smiled: The Complete Biography of Richard Prince. "What?" she demanded. He just shook his head and looked back out the window, any fear of flying temporarily forgotten.

****

Harry wasn't sure what he expected when he landed, but he wasn't expecting what he saw. No one was there to greet them. Richard Prince was not there. He had not sent anyone for them, either. Harry thought that was awfully rude. They had come all this way. The least he could do was show some hospitality. Harry knew how big New York City was. He also knew that Remus expected them to get to their destination within the city without magic. What if they were to get lost? Richard Prince did not seem to mind. However, Remus and Tonks did not seem surprised by the lack of cooperation with Prince at all. If anything, they seemed happy. Hermione and Ron did not seem very concerned either. Harry thought that a man as rich as Prince could spare at least a driver or something to escort them around, but there was no one. Shrugging, Harry followed the group.

****

After picking up their luggage, they left the airport. It was a beautiful day. Remus and Tonks headed for a line of cabs parked in front of the airport. Again, Harry was confused. They were taking a cab?

He was further surprised when Remus pulled out a wad of American Muggle money. Harry put his luggage in the trunk with everyone else's and piled into the car. Remus sat in the front with the driver. Remus gave him their destination. Harry distinctly heard the word "hotel."

"We aren't staying with Richard Prince," Harry asked Tonks, confused.

"No. Of course not," she said with a laugh.

"Harry, he isn't exactly expecting us," Hermione whispered. Realization hit Harry. Of course. No wonder Prince hadn't sent anyone to greet them. He didn't know they were coming.

****

The hotel wasn't bad. It wasn't the nicest either. Harry couldn't help but wonder who was paying for all this. The Order didn't exactly have unlimited funds. Their room had two bedrooms, one with double beds. It also had a pull-out couch. Remus took the private bedroom. Tonks and Hermione shared the room with the double beds. Ron took the pull-out. Harry lay out on the loveseat. In a few days, he would meet Richard Prince.

****

The next morning, Richard was glad to have the day off. Another thing he liked about the Institute was that it was so close to home. He was not forced to live on the school grounds. He slept in his own bed, next to his wife, with his daughter, also one of his students, in the next room. He was also able to spend the weekends at home. Thus, he was able to completely abandon work.

That Saturday, he had big plans. To begin with, he have breakfast with his wife, Laura, and Regan. He would then spend some time in his office, tinkering with different types of magic. He might even be able to indulge in one of his favorite Muggle pastimes, television. However, his plans were interrupted that morning. He was reading the paper in his den while Laura sat across from him, engrossed in some romance novel. Regan was still asleep. She had a bad habit of staying out late Friday nights and sleeping late Saturday mornings. He was getting ready to send a house-elve up to wake attempt to wake her up for the second time, this time with cold water, when there was a knock at the door. Moments later, the butler emerged. They had a visitor. Sighing, Richard went downstairs to greet their visitor. In case he or she was Muggle, he couldn't invite them upstairs. His grandfather laughed at him as he passed his portrait. No, he couldn't have any Muggles upstairs.

Richard was shocked to see the man in his foyer. He instantly recognized him. However, he had also aged. Remus Lupin had still been a boy when Richard had last seen him, barely out of Hogwarts. Now, he was a middle-aged man, with thinning hair and tattered robes. Richard was glad to see his old friend. However, he was too eager to discuss the letters he had been getting from Dumbledore. He greeted Remus with a hug.

"How are you, Moony?" he asked. The younger man smiled a small smile in return.

"Fine, fine. I assume you know why I am here?"

"Let's not start that yet. Come upstairs. Laura will be happy to see you." He led Remus upstairs. Remus hadn't thought about Laura for quite some time. She had been good friends with Lily. In fact, the last time he had seen Laura, she had been with Lily. That was quite some time ago. However, when he saw the woman in the chair, reading a romance novel, of all things, he almost thought it was the same girl he knew all those years ago. Had she been wearing her robes, she could have been in the Gryffindor common room, reading a very similar book when she should have been studying. She looked up at him and smiled, momentarily taken aback.

"Remus." She quickly crossed the room and hugged him. Her husband smiled and returned to his chair. Laura sat back down and Remus took a seat near them. They seemed to temporarily forget the reason for Remus's visit. They exchanged pleasantries and began talking like friends, like they had never separated. Almost half an hour later, Remus was surprised when a blonde girl sauntered down the stairs. She was still in her pajamas. Her hair was a mess. She appeared to have just gotten up. Remus noted that it was almost ten o'clock in the morning.

"Regan, so glad you decided to join us," Richard said. She mumbled something indistinguishable and sat next to her father on the sofa. She lay down and appeared to go back asleep.

"What exactly did you do last night?" Laura asked. Regan did not open her eyes.

"Movies."

"Until two in the morning?" Richard asked. Remus smiled. He could already see the family resemblance.

"Okay," she said and sat up. She tucked her hair behind her ears and composed herself. Remus was surprised. She did look like her parents. She was pretty. Remus glanced towards her mother. Regan continued. "I went to the movies. That was totally the plan."

"What movie," Richard said, not skipping a beat.

"Kill Bill. Quentin Tarantino. Uma Thurman. She does, indeed, kill Bill."

"Any good?" Richard asked. Laura smiled and turned back to her book.

"Not Pulp Fiction, but good. However, I went with friends. A respectable girl cannot go to a theater in this city alone and keep a decent reputation."

"With who?"

"Gretchen and Leo."

"Okay. Then what?"

"Gretchen just broke up with Kyle."

"Who?"
"Kyle. They've been dating for, like, a week. Gretchen wanted to go by his apartment to see if he was there. She wanted to talk to him."

"Gretchen is constantly changing boyfriends. Why talk to him?"
"Gretchen is a complex person. I don't know. Anyway, we went by his apartment, but he wasn't there. So we were going home, I swear, but then Leo remembered he promised he would pick something up for his mom on the way home-you know how she is- and we had to go to the store. Then we ran into some friends. We started talking. They invited us to their house. We watched a movie at their house. Then we went home Right after the movie was over."

"What movie?"

"Return of the King, which is very long."

"Okay, okay. Fine. Regan, this is Remus Lupin. He's an old friend from London."

"Hi. Nice to meet you. Look, I didn't realize we had company. Can I go put on clothes?"

"Please," Richard said. She left quickly.

"You have met Regan at her absolute worst. She is not a morning person. I swear, she is a lovely girl," Laura said.

"It's fine. I understand. I'm sure she is lovely," Remus said. "Actually, I shouldn't stay very long......we need to talk."

"Yes," Richard agreed. He shared a quick look with Laura.

"Regan is just now finishing her fifth year at the Institute. If I go to London, I'm taking the girls with me. I don't want to take Regan out of school with only two years left," Richard said quickly. Remus thought that maybe he had practiced that little speech.

"Hogwarts is a fine school."

"I am not the headmaster at Hogwarts. I am the headmaster here."

"Listen, Richard, I know that you don't agree with everything Dumbledore had done, but we need you over there. Regan and Laura could stay here-"

"No. If I go, my family goes. Braydon is already traveling constantly because of Quidditch. Laura and I only have a few more years before Regan abandons us also."

"Fine. Hogwarts is still a fine school.'

"Remus, my children are both very talented. I have been very impressed with the schools here, which is one of the reasons I moved to New York when I did. If they were at Hogwarts, they would be with children not as magically gifted as they are. It would not be fair to Regan to place in a class with students far behind her. I do not want her studies to lack," Richard said this looking Remus in the eye.

"The students at Hogwarts are exceptional. Just because they do not come from a wizard family does not mean that they-"

"Stop, Remus. I have heard all of that before. I know several Muggle-borns who excel in magic. However, they have a separate school here where they are introduced to magic at a very different level. I do not agree with the way Dumbledore mixes his students. Purebloods are very rare. Soon, there will be fewer wizards left. I worry for my children."

"You-Know-Who has contacted you?"

"His name is Voldemort. Lucius Malfoy has sent me many letters. While I do agree with some of Lucius's, and his Master's, principles, I do not agree with how he goes about things. Torture, the Unforgivables..."

"What has he offered you?" Remus said with such intensity that Richard looked up, surprised.

"Lucius Malfoy has several things to offer me."

"He was in Azkaban..."

"He isn't any more." Richard looked to his wife and took her hand. Remus laughed in exasperation.

"I came all this way to find out you're on the other side."

"I am not on any side. I am just keeping my options open."

"You say that so simply, like your deciding what stock to invest in."

"Listen, this is no longer about us, Remus. This is about our children. Their children. Whatever decision I make, it will be based on what is best for my children."

"Do you think Voldemort's world is a good place for your children?"

"I have kept a very close watch to what has been going on in Europe recently, Remus. I have yet to be impressed with the Ministry of Magic."

"You and I both. Right now, the Ministry is keeping out of our way. They are not interfering. Nor are they asking for our help. Not until it is necessary."

"You're asking me to move my family to another country, a country which I haven't seen in two decades. You're asking me to use magic in a way I haven't for two decades. You're asking me to become something I don't think I am any more."

"You can't stay here. You can't just watch it all happen."

"I wasn't involved in the first war. I don't need to be in this one."

"And we needed you then, just as we do now. Look how the first war turned out. Massive death and destruction. Now, less than two decades later, he's back. Nothing accomplished." Remus looked sharply at Richard. Richard sighed and put his face in his hands. His wife patted his shoulder soothingly. He looked at her.

"What do you think we should do?"

"You know what I think, Richard. I think we should move to London. I think we should help the Order. When I think of poor James and Lily...." Laura trailed off and looked at the carpet. Richard smiled up at Remus. The smile did not reach his eyes. It was then that Remus realized how old Richard was, what Richard had done in his life, what he had been through. It was all in his eyes.

"Moony, you have given us a lot to think about. We will discuss this with Regan and Braydon this evening. Tomorrow we will make a decision."

"Same time?" He asked, relieved. Richard nodded. He was about to go when he remembered those waiting for him at the hotel. He turned back to Laura and Richard. "Tomorrow, I have a few people I'd like to bring along. They are probably the ones you should talk to."

"Who?" Richard asked.

"Harry Potter and his friends," Remus said. Laura sat up quickly and grabbed her husband's hand.

"James and Lily..." she whispered.

"I know, I know. Fine, bring them along. How old is Harry?"

"He and his friends are Regan's age." He said simply and left.

"Regan's age..." Laura said with a sad smile. It seemed to Laura that Harry had had

an awfully long life for someone Regan's age.

****

The next morning, Ron and Hermione seemed very excited about meeting Richard Prince. He had been quoting from his biography all morning while she was reading from it. Harry, however, was nervous. Remus had told them about his conversation with Richard the previous day. Harry did not like the fact that Richard was so friendly with the Malfoys. It bothered him even worse when Remus explained that, like the Malfoys, the Princes were an old wizarding family. The two families were very aware of each other and generally on friendly terms. He did not like Richard's distaste for Muggle-borns. He worried about Hermione going to Richard's house. He was further upset when Tonks announced that she would not be going with them. Apparently, she had a bad reaction to food she had eaten at dinner the previous evening. At the restaurant, she was the only brave enough to order the meat surprise...... . Not wanting to make a bad impression, she opted for staying behind rather than throwing up all over Laura Prince.

The four of them were going to be walking to the Prince house. It was within walking distance and Remus was unsure of how to use the Floo network in America. As they were walking along the street, Harry's nerves began to calm. Everyone along the street seemed perfectly normally. The large apartment buildings they were walking next to seemed perfectly normal. Then he went nervous again as he realized that they weren't apartment buildings at all, they were houses, or townhouses as he later heard them referred to. Each large building was a single home. He sighed as an image of Lucius Malfoy popped into his head. He was snapped out of his reverie by Ron and Hermione, who were bickering.

"Give me the book back!" She exclaimed, trying to take the book back from Ron. Harry noticed it was Richard Prince's biography.

"Why are you so weird about this book? You weren't reading it. You were just holding it. I need to check some facts before I meet Richard."

"Oh, it's Richard now is it?" she teased, grabbing the book back and clutching it to her chest.

"Why are you holding the book like that?" Ron demanded. A look of comprehension came of his face. "You LIKE him!"

"What?" Hermione demanded, but the sudden color in her cheeks gave herself away.

"You have a total crush on Richard Prince!"

"So? What if I do?"

"Hermione! He's like fifty!"

"Fifty-three, actually. But so what? He's good-looking. He's also very intelligent. Graduated top of his class at the university. He was Head Boy. It is all right there in his biography." With that, Hermione quickened her pace and walked ahead of the boys. Harry thought he could see Remus smile. Ron, however, was not smiling.

****

Any doubts Harry might have had about Richard vanished when he saw him. Richard was waiting for them upstairs, wearing simple jeans and t-shirt. He just looked so.....trustworthy. There was something about him that made Harry want to tell Richard all his secrets. For a moment, Harry wished that he went to school in New York. Richard seemed like he would be a cool teacher. Harry couldn't see himself going to Dumbledore about anything that wasn't magic-related. With Richard, however, Harry felt like telling him about everything, from his hatred of the Dursleys to his feelings for Cho Chang. Richard smiled at them.

"Welcome to my home. Please, come on in. Laura will be here in a moment." He led them into the sitting room. Remus looked at him expectantly. Richard nodded. "I have a daughter about your age. However, she is still asleep. Could you go wake her? Maybe take your time? We need to talk...."he said to the teenagers. Harry couldn't help but smile. Richard just seemed so...cool. Harry took a glance at Ron and Hermione. Ron was over any hard feelings Hermione may have caused. He was grinning at Richard in a manner Harry assumed to be similar to his own. Hermione, from the giddy look on her face, was in love.

"So good to meet you, Mr. Prince," she muttered.

"Richard, please. Regan's room is upstairs, last room down the hall,"he said with a smile. Harry dragged Ron and Hermione, who kept looking back, upstairs.

"Whoa!" said Ron, once of out Richard's presence. "This place is amazing."

Harry and Hermione nodded their agreement. The third floor, like the first two, was as impressive as it was large. Everything was richly decorated. The entire house looked as if it were from some decorating magazine. Hermione couldn't help but notice that the stairs seemed to continue on for several more flights once past the third floor. She couldn't help but wonder what was on the upper levels and just what they looked like.

"You know, I bet the entire Burrow could fit into this floor," Ron said, obviously impressed, as they continued down the hall. They reached the final door and stood. Ron and Harry stared at each other. Hermione rolled her eyes and pushed open the door. It was her turn to be impressed. What lie beyond the door was a teenage girl's dream, both Muggle and Wizard.

The entire room was decorated in different colors, but she could tell that at one point pink and green had been the central colors. There was a beautiful canopy bed to one side. There was a large vanity to one side, covered in make-up and other things. The closet, large from what Hermione could see of it, was filled with different clothes. Shoes and piles of clothing were everywhere. There was a fireplace in one corner. From the look of it, it was there for Floo purpose only. However, there was also a muggle telephone on the bedside table and an entertainment center complete with stereo, television, and dvd player. Hermione couldn't help but think that the entire Burrow could also fit into this room.

"Where's the girl?" Ron asked. It was only then that Hermione noticed that the only thing missing from the teenage girl's room was the teenage girl.

Chapter 2

The trio had just begun to look around the cluttered room in search of a teenage girl when one climbed through the window. The three looked up in shock as a fairly tall blonde girl stepped into the room through the window. She did it like she had went in through the window several times before. Hermione quickly looked her over. She was slim, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, which looked like they had been slept in. Her hair fell half-way down her back and it appeared that it hadn't been brushed recently. Then Hermione noticed the broomstick in her hand. It looked to be fairly new. Hermione briefly wondered if she played Quidditch, or just used her broom to fly to her bedroom window. The girl then turned to face them. Hermione expected her to scream, or at least be surprised. Instead, she looked worried.

"Don't tell my parents," she said quickly. "I was at my friend Gretchen's house. We were watching a movie. I fell asleep on her couch. Woke up a few minutes ago. Flew home. Literally."

"Why can't we tell your parents," Hermione said. Ron and Harry were too busy staring to speak.

"My parents are psychotic. They are way too overprotective. I mean, they're fine as long as they know where and when and who and all that, but they're picky. I mess up one time. One time. I told them I was at Gretchen's house. And I was. Only, Gretchen wasn't there." She looked as if she had told this story before. "My parents walked in and of course they had to find me in the worst possible position. And they knew! My mom was the one that got me the freaking birth control!" Hermione blushed as she realized what she was talking about. "Anyway, it's not like it's an everyday occurrence. It was, like, the first time. And we had been dating forever. Two years! Gretchen was just letting me borrow her apartment while her family was out of town. And my parents just happened to come by to bring me my clothes, which I hadn't asked for. And not they totally freak out about everything. And Voldemort's back. That doesn't help. They're psycho. He's all the way in England. This is America. Sometimes I think they forget that." She finished quickly and looked to them.

"But your dad is Richard Prince," Ron said. She looked at Hermione and the two girls laughed.

"Who is your dad?" she asked, somewhat defensively.

"Nobody....Arthur Weasley."

"I have never heard of him, which is completely my point. My dad was famous, like, a million years ago. And now that's all I ever hear about, how great my dad was before I was even born. And now he's just a teacher. People are so disappointed when they find out." She smiled a little at this. "Anyway, I'm going to go to the bathroom and, you know, clean up. Change clothes. Don't touch anything." With that she disappeared into her bathroom. The second she was gone, Ron and Harry went over to one of her shelves. On that shelf, there were several pictures of her and her friends. While the boys drooled over the pictures of Regan and her friends, Hermione wondered over to Regan's large bookcase. She was instantly impressed. Several of the books were ones that she had herself. Others were ones that she had only hoped to get her hands on. Some the library at Hogwarts didn't even have. She remembered Richard Prince's biography. The author had hinted that Mr. Prince may have questionable reading material in his library. Volumes on dark magic, ministry secrets, the possibilities were endless. Hermione was almost into a full-fledged fantasy involving Mr. Prince and his library when Ron let out a gasp on the other side of the room. She hurried over to him. He was staring at picture of man, stunned.

"Ron? What's wrong?"she demanded, worried. She looked to Harry, but he was having a similar reaction. "What?"

"This is Braydon Prince," Ron explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the entire world.

"So? That's her brother."

"But he's, like, the greatest Quidditch player. Ever," Ron said, enthralled. Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at the picture. She let out a gasp, though much different from Ron's. Braydon Prince was gorgeous. He looked like his father. He had the same blonde hair as his sister, but his was thicker, fuller. He had his sister's green eyes, their father's eyes. Hermione felt like she could lost in the eyes, and it was only a photograph, a Muggle photograph at that. She would have to meet Braydon.....

"I told you not to touch anything." The three of them turned to face Regan, each looking rather guilty. Regan cleaned up nicely. Once brushed, her hair looked quite nice. She wasn't wearing any makeup, but Hermione would bet that she wasn't the type of girl who usually needed makeup. Her clothes had also improved. She wore a pretty, but simple, green dress. Hermione noticed her shoes, sandals. They didn't look cheap.

"Jimmy Choos. Brand-new," Regan said with a smile, looking towards her feet. She had noticed Hermione staring. "Let's go downstairs."

****

Once downstairs, Regan plopped onto the couch next to her mother, across from Richard. Remus was standing. Unsure of what to do, the trio stood, also, facing Remus. The adults both wore wistful smiles. They had been laughing when the teenagers entered. Harry realized that they had been talking about before, before Voldemort, before Richard had left England. He looked around the room, wondering if they had been talking about his parents.

"Are we moving to England?" Regan asked nonchalantly.

"Yes," Richard said without hesitation. Remus looked startled. Laura's facial expression did not falter.

"Are we pro-Voldemort or anti-Dark Lord?" she asked again, as casual as if asking if they were going to attend the neighborhood picnic. The other three teenagers gawked at her. Remus looked crushed. Laura and Richard were unaffected by their daughter's attitude. Harry thought that Voldemort had a very different reputation across the pond. No one seemed afraid of his name. No one was afraid to talk about him. No one was afraid to talk about the impending war. But why would they? When it had happened, they were miles away. It hadn't affected them, not really. They may have lost friends or loved ones, but it hadn't affected them, not directly. Harry turned back to Richard.

"Well," Remus demanded, obviously wanting to ask the same question Regan had just offered, though not in such a blunt fashion. However, Regan appeared more interested in her fingernails than her family's position with Voldemort.

"I haven't decided yet," Richard replied, again as if he were speaking of the neighborhood picnic. He smiled and turned to Remus. "All I have of his side are Lucius's letters. You came in person. You even brought Potter's son. How am I supposed to respond to that?"

"When will you come to England?"

"We'll need to find a house. Regan and I have a few more days of school left. In fact, she should be studying for her end of term exams right now." He looked pointedly at his daughter.

"But we have company. I should entertain them. I know! We'll go shopping!" Suddenly, she wasn't as interested in her nails. "New York is one of the best cities. I've traveled, but I still think we've got the best stores. They're the true tourist attraction."

Ron and Harry didn't seem very interested in shopping.....but if it was what Regan wanted. Hermione would rather study. She knew that American schools, especially Regan's taught much more about the dark arts. They taught you how to use the Unforgivables, not just how to defend yourself from them. Also, American schools were much more open to Muggle technology. As far as Hermione was concerned, studying sounded like a good time.

"Fine. Fine, I'll give you the card. Share with your friends. One condition," Richard said as he pulled out his credit card. It was Muggle, of course. A black American Express card. No limits whatsoever. The possibilities were endless. Richard continued in a very grave manner. "No more shoes."

"What? But Dad, I have to have a new pair for Monday. It is the second to last day of school. The new shoes will bring me good luck for finals. More importantly, Manolo Blahnik has these amazing new green things on display."

"If you need luck for your finals," Laura said," you'll study."

"I don't need luck. I'm at the top of my class. Hell, the professors are coming to me for the answers half the time."

"Don't say 'hell.' If you don't need luck for finals, then you don't need knew shoes. Sorry, Rae, you've trapped yourself. No new shoes. Now, we need to talk," Richard said, handing the card over. "Kids, don't look so glum. Some how, I don't know if it's her mother or the house-elves, Regan discovers everything that goes on in this house, despite my efforts. If anything is decided while you are out, you'll find out. Regan shares with her friends."

"Yep. Now let's go. Barney's opens in a few minutes. If we get there early enough, there won't be a crowd. Becca can sneak me special items that haven't even hit the shelves yet," she was already half-way out the door. The others followed.

"Who's Becca?" Ron wanted to know.

"One of the girls who works at one of the stores."

"Is she a friend of yours or something?"

"No....I have a confession....I shop. A lot. It's an addiction. If I don't shop every so often, I get the shakes. I could have a seizure."

"Oh."

"Ron, I was kidding. It's called sarcasm." Ron hung his head, dejected. Hermione surpressed a giggle. "Okay, I need to know everything about the area I will be living in and the school. Most importantly, stores. I love New York. There's a new shop opening every week. It doesn't matter what you want, Muggle or magic, New York's got it. You may have to go to Brooklyn to get it, but we got it."

"Well, Diagon Alley is nice. So is Hogsmeade. I don't really shop....I'm sure London is nice," Hermione offered.

"Okay. London sounds promising. Okay the school. Nice?"

"Amazing. It's a castle. There are all kinds of secret passageways," Harry added, planning to show her the Maurader's Map once they got to the school.

"Okay. The teachers?"

"Mostly okay. Except for Snape," Ron said, a sour look on his face.

"Severus Snape?" Regan asked, confused. "He would make a cool teacher."

"I don't think we're talking about the same Snape."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm pretty sure he's a teacher.......greasy black hair? Ugly look on his face all the time?" she asked. Ron nodded. "Same Severus then. He's really nice, once you get to know him. He probably just puts on a facade while at school. He has to keep up a reputation, you know."

"How do you know him?" Hermione suddenly asked.

"He's come over to dinner a few times. Apparently he and my dad go way back."

"Your dad seems to have a lot of friends," Harry said quietly.

"He's a nice guy. I like him, I suppose. Though I'm sure Arthur Weasley is a nice guy as well."

"Yeah, he is," Ron agreed, blushing.

"Okay, Hermione, important question: The boys at Hogwarts?" Regan looked expectantly at the girl, as if her life depended on the answer.

"Boy crazy are we?" Ron asked.

"No, no. But I'm sixteen. And I don't want to give you the wrong impression. I've only really dated one person before. And that lasted a while. It just didn't turn out right." She shook her had as if to get rid of bad thoughts. "Never mind. Hermione, gotta answer."

"Okay. I'm afraid that you're looking at the two best options."

"Really? These two? What am I supposed to do with myself for the next two years? I'm going to become a nun. This is terrible. I'm going to come back from England with no recollection of how to converse with a proper male." Ron and Harry were confused. Hermione had just complemented them, but they couldn't decide how serious she was being. Regan had just insulted them, but she could be kidding. The two boys looked at each other, then at the girls.

"Are they really the best?" She seemed worried. Apparently she wasn't kidding.

"I think so, but we probably have different opinions. Some of the others are cute, I suppose...."

"I can't believe we're moving," Regan said. Ron and Harry were glad for the topic change. "Gretchen and Leo have been my friends since elementary school. I've never lived more than a few streets away from them. The boyfriend thing I can handle, but my friends......"

"Harry and Ron are decent friends. Promise," Hermione offered. Regan laughed. Harry and Ron seemed rather pleased with themselves.

****

Hermione had never thought that she would enjoy shopping. She just assumed that she didn't have the shopping gene that every other girl seemed to possess. She got bored when she went shopping. She got impatient and irritated at the other customers and the employees. After spending the day with Regan, she realized she had just never shopped with the right person. Shopping with Regan was an adventure. To begin with, everyone in the stores really knew who she was. Apparently, Richard Prince was also someone among Muggles. The clerks quickly brought her everything in her size, and Hermione's once she talked her into it. They quickly went through the check out, despite any lines. But the best part was the sales. Even the boys enjoyed them. They were an adventure. Regan was on some list of desperate shoppers. The three took cabs all over New York City. They went to some very interesting places. Every where they went, sales were being held. However, they were in old warehouses and odd rooms. There were no advertisements. No signs. The only people who got in already knew about it. The sales were very temporary. Many of them were one day-only sales. One, however, lasted only an hour. That was insane. Harry compared it to battle with Voldemort. Insane women fighting over sweaters. Teenage girls belting each other with shoes. It would have been funny, but Hermione and Regan were in the middle of it by the end of the day.

Another nice thing about shopping with Regan: she knew what she was doing. Hermione had the impression that she read Vogue and W and similar magazines religiously. It was kind of nice to go shopping with someone who knew what was in style at the moment and could tell you designers and what looked good and what didn't. Hermione was shocked when she saw herself in some of the outfits. They gave her sudden confidence. She was also impressed with Regan's knowledge; if she could quote Vogue like that, she could probably quote Hogwarts: a History just as easily. She was the top of her class, and the Institute was on of the most respected schools in New England. Maybe Hermione would finally have someone she could talk to.....

By the time they decided to head back to the townhouse, it was dark. They were all laden with shopping bags. "How do you afford all of this stuff?" Harry wondered aloud.

"Excuse me?" Regan replied, taken aback.

"No offense, but headmasters don't make any money. And before that, he was something of a hero....and that's pro bono."

"Oh I get it. Well, Prince is an old wizarding family. Money goes back generations. And my father wasn't really doing much with the money whenever he came into his inheritance. He was busy being a hero and all that. Anyway, one of his friends was having trouble with his new restaurant. My dad gave him money. Helped him rebuild it with new publicity, thank to Dad's contacts."

"So the restaurant did well?"

"Ever heard of Red Lobster?"

"You're kidding?"

"Nope. And after that, other people started asking for loans, contacts.....Sam Walton, Bill Gates, Donald Trump...all started by talking to my father."

"Wow...that's amazing..."Harry muttered.

"Ever heard of Ronald McDonald?" Regan asked. Ron turned to her in utter astonishment. "Nothing to do with that."

****

A little more than a week later, the Prince family was moving into their new house. Braydon stopped by to check the place out, but quickly left again, muttering something about practice. Laura and Richard loved the house, but Regan was unimpressed. It was charming, and much larger than their old home. But it was only larger because space wasn't an issue in the middle of nowhere. Because it was in such a rural area, there would be no reason for Muggle applications. Apparation and flying broomsticks would no longer be a problem.

With magic, they had everything set up by that evening. Laura invited the Weasley's (and Remus and Harry) over for dinner. Remus had spoken kindly of them and Ron seemed like a sweet boy. She wanted to meet them. Also, Ron had hinted that his brothers wanted to meet Richard.

They arrived a bit before the house-elves set dinner out. Molly and Ginny wanted to see the house; the men wanted to talk to Richard. Over dinner, thoughts strayed to the Order.

"Where is headquarters?" Richard asked.

"How can I trust you? You could be a spy?" Remus asked jokingly. However, there was an undertone that did not go unnoticed by Richard.

"I swear," he said, holding his fingers up in a salute.

"Fine, fine. The Black house."

"The Black house? How did you manage that? I thought with Sirius.....I thought that the Ministry would have it."

"They do. They just don't know what to do with it. They decided that they would ignore us until they need it. Then they'll kick us out."

"I haven't been there in some time. The last time I was there, his mother was quite rude. She still there?"

"Yep."

"Must have used a Sticking Charm. Why don't you go somewhere else?"
"Where?"

"Here. It would be perfect. Out of the way. Much larger than the Black house. Much cleaner too. Brighter. Also, there wouldn't be any hiding. The kids could be outside. There's a Quidditch pitch somewhere around here. And a swimming pool. They can be normal teenagers instead of behaving like refugees. And the Order will have so much more at their disposal."

"We would be imposing," Arthur said finally, after looking around the room at everyone else, who seemed thrilled at the idea. They remembered the previous summer all too well.

"No you wouldn't," Laura spoke up. "It's the least we could do, for not acting earlier. Besides, we'll need some commotion. After the city, all this country quiet will be disturbing. I know I won't sleep."

"What if you aren't in the Order?" Remus demanded, staring at Richard in disbelief. "How can you even suggest that if you are considering turning your back on them?"

"I wouldn't suggest anything if I wasn't sure of where I stand. Of course I am with the Order. Tomorrow Lucius Malfoy is stopping buy for lunch. We'll have a little chat. He'll understand," Richard said simply, so carefree about it. As if he were telling Lucius Malfoy that he couldn't attend the neighborhood picnic due to previous engagements. The Weasleys all let their response be known.

"You're letting a DEATH EATER in you house!"

"He was in AZKABAN!"

"He won't let it go at that."

"That's dangerous."

"I would like to thank everyone for their concern. However, I have known Lucius for several years. I think that I can talk to him without worrying about him suddenly brandishing me with his wand. As for this Death Eater business, that is his problem. I am not going to judge him, just go a different way. As for Azkaban, he's not there any more."

****

"Are you any good?" Harry asked as Regan put her robes on.

"Yeah. Well, I think so. Our standards are probably different. But I think I'm okay," she said, adjusting her robes. They were getting ready for Quidditch. After dinner, the younger Weasleys had quickly set up a time and place to test the Quidditch pitch. Harry and Regan were putting on their gear while everyone else was flying around outside. Upon arriving, Harry knew that Malfoy had been there only a few hours beforehand, but he hadn't mentioned it. He had only seen Richard briefly, but he seemed okay. Laura was the same. Regan didn't appear frightened. What happened?

"What happened?" Harry suddenly asked. Regan raised her eyebrows. "With Malfoy."

"Oh. That. Nothing. Lucius came over alone. We all sat down to lunch together. Exchanged pleasantries. Lucius asked my father to become a Death Eater and join Lord Voldemort in his quest for world destruction. Dad said that he'd rather not, but he would like to keep in touch."

"Your kidding."

"Nope. My dad is charismatic like that. Too bad Braydon didn't inherit any of it."

"What did Malfoy say?"
"Lucius didn't say anything. He just nodded his head, said he understood. Dad went on about how this was about his children, not him. He wanted what was best for them, etc. Lucius said the offer still stood if he ever changed his mind."

"What offer?"

"Look Harry, I don't know what Remus has told you, but Dad hasn't been holding back any information. I ask, he answers. And I asked. Voldemort seems to think that my dad is important. His power. Whatever. And Voldemort has stuff to offer."

"What?"

"Well, Voldemort is talking total domination. All hail Lord Voldemort. Meanwhile, the Order is talking about destroying Voldemort and creating as little change or disruption as possible. The way things are now, Dad just another teacher. I don't know how much he likes that. Voldemort is offering him a chance to be something great again. If Voldemort wins, Dad would be right there next to him. Second in charge and all that."

"What is the Order offering him?"

"Well, not too much at the moment, but I'm sure there are nice health benefits. Dad's getting old. He needs good insurance. And sick leave. Maybe paid vacation." Regan positioned her hands as if they were a scale, weighing the two options. She moved her hands up and down. " Right hand man to the all-powerful Dark Lord or a nice dental plan with three more days of paid vacation." They both laughed.

"You know what I mean."

"I think that he just likes the general aim better. He never was one for violence, torture, and unnecessary murder."

"What about necessary murder?"

"He's totally for that......Listen, Harry, Dad isn't going to waver. He has made his choice and he is going to stand by it,

no matter what. No matter what else Voldemort offers him. And my mother and I are on his side, no matter once happens.

Now, stop with the drama. Quidditch."