Phoenix Rising

by Herman Tumbleweed

A moment in the life of a fanfic author:

The author looked up to find another stick pointing at his face, and followed said stick up to a smooth, shapely arm, which he followed up to a very feminine, shapely body, which he followed up to a very pretty face containing a pair of lovely, if determined, brown eyes, surrounded by masses of bushy brown hair. “Er, can I do something for you?” he asked nervously.

“Are you planning on putting My Harry in jail again?” she demanded.

“Uhh… er, maybe?”

“Oh, okay, so long as Cuinn’s available, no problem. Now, you won’t forget the disclaimer again, will you?” she said with a hard edge in her voice.

“Er, no. I think I learned that lesson.” He started typing industriously:

Disclaimer: Nope, sorry, don’t own any of this. JK Rowling and several other entities with very smart and rich lawyers do, so I’m just borrowing her little world to play with for a while. I promise to return it all relatively unscathed, not to make any money from this, and somehow to have fun while doing that.

“Very good,” the young woman stated. “Now for the other part?”

“Er, right.”

A/N: I’m kinda sorta borrowing things from other fanfic authors in a paltry attempt to kinda spoof them and still write a coherent seventh year fic which follows all the things Ms Rowling has laid out in the first six books. Spoilers galore, lots of steamy sex, some violence, and eventually I may even get around to some action.”

“Er, how was that?”

“Author’s names?” she demanded

“Right, picky, picky, picky,” he grumbled. Further A/N: Some of the authors I creatively acquired ideas from include: Kinsfire, Old Crow, Jeconais, Abraxan, Rorschach’s Blot, Quillian, Udder pd, and Bobmin356. Most have given their permission for me to use and abuse them. They have my undying gratitude not only for allowing me to do this, but also for the countless hours I have spent in puerile perusal of their stories.

“Better?” he asked, but when he turned his head she was gone. “Weird,” he reiterated. “Cute though…” he mused as he went back to abusing fictional characters in order to make his life seem less mundane.

PS: Before you have a conniption and start throwing rocks at me, look in OotP at the bottom of page 133 (middle of pg 123, Bloomsbury ed.) for Arthur’s reference to the department mentioned in the first paragraph.

Chapter Five Scrimgeour at Bay

Harry found he was holding his wand on four blue robed Magical Law Enforcement Patrol officers, and his stomach took a vacation again. None of the new arrivals had wands drawn when they Apparated in, which Harry thought was rather sloppy. He could see out the corner of his eye that Hermione looked about as sick as he felt and Minerva looked angry enough to chew…well, MLEP officers. But it was Tonks who took charge right away, stepping forward. “Auror Tonks!” she stated authoritatively, “Identify and state your business here.” The MLEP officers looked dumbstruck. It was obvious to Harry they hadn’t expected any resistance, much less to be facing an Auror and three others holding wands on them. Since none of his friends had lowered their wands yet he kept his pointed at the officers as well, even though he was sure he knew what was about to happen.

The oldest one said, “Tonks, I’m reaching in to get my ID,” and he carefully pulled a wallet out of his robe pocket, opening it with his badge and MLEP identification showing. “Sergeant Daniel Crookson; my men and I have a warrant to arrest one Harry James Potter on suspicion of Allowing Harm to Come to Muggles Through Inaction.”

Minerva stalked forward, “Daniel Patrick Crookson, what is the meaning of this!” She demanded. The sergeant and his men all took a step back under the fury of their former Transfiguration Professor. Tonks just lowered her wand, smirking; it appeared she would let Minerva handle it.

“Uhm, er,” the sergeant looked very nervous with Minerva waving her wand under his nose, “I er, as I said Professor McGonagall, we have a warrant…” he fished in his pocket producing a folded piece of parchment which he then held up like a shield.

Minerva snatched the parchment out of his hand, opened it, and read the contents. “Tonks,” she backed away from the officers, and turned to hand the warrant to the Auror, “read this piece of codswallop and tell me if this is a real law. I’ve never heard of such claptrap.”

Tonks took the offending parchment and held it like it was a snake about to bite her as she read the contents for herself. Sighing and putting her wand away, she turned to look at the three still at the table, “Harry, I’m sorry, but this all looks legal to me.” She glared at the MLEP officers, “Pat,” she demanded, “did His Nibs get this law passed this morning and have it back-dated, or what. There was no such law on the books as of my shift on Saturday, so far as I know.”

“I wouldn’t know about that Tonks, I’m just doing what the Captain ordered. He handed me the warrant a bit ago and told me to take a team and do this. That’s all I know, honest.” He looked pleadingly at Minerva.

Harry laughed, albeit somewhat insanely, at the situation. “Minerva, you know, and I know, and anyone with half a brain could figure out what Minister Scourgifloor has done here. He thinks if he throws me in jail, I’ll do what he wants. I won’t, and I’ll tell the bastard to his face that I will rot in Azkaban before I support someone who’d throw Stan Shunpike in there as a Death Muncher. I’ve had it with the Ministry; they can all go rot in hell for all I care.” He looked at Tonks and grinned, “Certain wonderful friends aside of course.” She just smirked at him.

He turned to Hermione and drew her into his arms. “I love you sweetheart, but I think I have to go now.” He kissed her like he’d never see her again, then released her and stepped up to Dorothy giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek. The woman clung to him for a moment before releasing him with tears in her eyes.

Harry walked toward the sergeant, taking the warrant from Tonks as he passed. He had to tug it from her hand and she looked at him like holding onto it would keep him there. He said softly, “It’s okay Tonks. No matter what they do, I’m still the winner, we all here are, because we know the truth and they are slime balls who only think they are better.” He kissed her and Minerva each on the cheek, saying to the latter, “Would you hold onto my wand for me?” When she nodded, he handed it to her and added, “Get hold of Elphias Doge and see what can be done about this please.”

She growled angrily, looked at the officers as sternly as he’d ever seen her do, and said to him, “I will Harry, don’t you worry.”

With that he read the warrant over quickly, handed it back to the sergeant, and told them, “I’m ready to go. But you can tell your keeper he’s made a very, very big mistake, and I won’t take this lying down.”

Nervously watching the brassed off witches, two still with wands in their hands, and a very angry dentist, the young officers searched him, shackled him in anti- Apparition manacles, and all five of them Portkeyed away. Harry landed with officers on either side holding him up. It was the first time he’d ever used a Portkey and arrived upright. Two of them marched him down a series of corridors, through several locked doors, and into a cell where the manacles were removed. The door slammed shut with a thud and the squelch of a Colloportus being applied to it. He laughed again at the ridiculousness of the situation and sat on the narrow bunk staring at the wall for a bit.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to feel, it was just that he didn’t know which emotion to focus on. He was a mass of seething, conflicting feelings as first anger warred with self doubt, which gave way to incredulousness, giving over to amusement at the stupidity of the wizarding government, and on and on. Every few seconds he felt something different, but finally he calmed down enough to remember the meditation he’d learned in the dream/alternate reality. Shaking his head at how dumb this all was he sank into a meditative state. Not knowing how long he sat there until he was disturbed by a lunch tray being passed under the door, he then ate without any enthusiasm, pushing the tray back through the slot when done.

Being restless he paced the small space for a while, wondering when someone would come talk to him. It took a while, but he realized he might be here alone for some time just like before. With nothing better to do, he ran through the exercises he recalled doing in the Surrey jail. That seemed to help calm him, so he sat again, going back into his meditation. As he found his center it was then that he heard Cuinn’s song, and with a flash of fire the large avian appeared and settled on the cot next to him.

“You look rather amused,” Harry said.

“Oh, I am, my young friend. Now you know why it was important for me to come to you, or at least part of it anyway.”

“You mean there’s more to this fiasco than what you’ve told me?” He asked becoming a bit miffed at his friend.

“There is always more to a story than one sees at first glance.”

“Yeah, right. Okay, want to tell me the rest of the story?”

“All things at the proper time, Harry. You shall know what you need when it is time for you to.”

“Yup, Albus caught it from Fawkes, there’s no other answer.” Cuinn laughed and Harry did as well, feeling much better with his friend present. “So, what do you think I should do now, oh wise Human Companion.”

“Allow the small minded fools their day, and let your, what do you call him, barrister? Yes, allow him to handle things. I have communicated with Fawkes, and he advised the same. He told me your barrister is a very shrewd man. Let the law run its course, I think you’ll be surprised.”

“Alright, doesn’t seem like I have much choice in this anyway.”

They talked silently then, for several hours, even through Harry’s dinner tray. When he’d finished eating, Cuinn decided now was a good time to start teaching Harry Occlumency. When they were done with the lesson, Harry was tired and lay down, getting sleepy almost immediately. He was barely awake still when Cuinn flashed away, to return less than a minute later, saying, “I thought you could use some company.”

Harry was engulfed by a mass of bushy hair and a soft warm female body throwing herself onto him. He gently tugged the blanket out from between them, and pulled her tightly against him as he covered her with it. There was barely room for them to lie side by side, but he was happy with her lying on top of him for now. It was only after she had kissed him like he had her that afternoon, as if she hadn’t seen him in months, that he got a chance to talk with her.

“So tell me my dear love, does this seem familiar in any way to you? Perhaps suffering a bit of déjà vu?”

She chuckled, wiping tears from her eyes. He pushed her hand away and finished drying her tears for her. It was the one thing he’d always had hated to see most of all, her pretty eyes and face with tears. He didn’t think they belonged on such beauty.

“Oh, Harry,” she began, “it was just so awful after you left. Mum was angry and we were both in tears, Minerva was just standing there seething with anger, and Tonks…” she chuckled, “Tonks proved the language of the Auror corps is, shall we say, colourful.”

He laughed softly picturing the scene. “Anyway, everyone calmed down after a few minutes, Mum and I dried our eyes, then Minerva and Tonks went to Mr. Doge’s office. He told them he’d cancel his other appointments for the day and see what could be done. Did he come see you yet?”

“No, haven’t seen anyone since I got here, except for a very sexy witch in my favourite nightgown. Well, and a certain snarky phoenix.”

She giggled. “I put this on when I was getting ready for bed because I missed you terribly. I wanted so much to hold you and tell you it would be alright, and for you to do the same for me. I’m scared Harry, apparently the Minister did exactly what Minerva said. It looks as if he got that law passed this morning and back dated to the first of May, then used it to have you arrested. We assume they plan to keep you here or in Azkaban until you do whatever it is he wants. Minerva came back later to tell us, and that she had tried to see the Minister but was told he was too busy today. She made an appointment for Friday which she was told was the earliest she could do so.” After a momentary giggle, she added, “Minerva was told, by Percy no less, that she could see Umbridge instead, if she didn’t wish to wait for an appointment with the Minister. She told him loudly she did not wish to see an incompetent, untalented, minor functionary, but would rather wait and speak with someone half intelligent.”

Harry laughed again, already picturing Percy’s reaction. “How did Percy take that?”

“She said he turned an odd shade of red,” Hermione laughed as well, “then spun on his heel and marched off. I’m sure she was using her classroom voice and that it reverberated all over the office. Knowing Percy he didn’t know whether to kowtow to Minerva, or hold the Minister’s line, but he apparently chose the Ministry over common sense once more.”

“Figures,” Harry said darkly. “I can’t imagine how a Weasley could wind up being like that; can you?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think Molly may have had a lot to do with it. If you think about it, he is a lot like she is.”

Harry contemplated that for a minute, and realized she was right. Percy was a lot like Molly, in that he always took the ‘party’ line, just like she had with the Ministry a few times, the articles in Witch Weekly back during their fourth year; and whatever Dumbledore had said was gospel to her. “You are absolutely right. I’d never put that together before, love.” He grinned at her, “And you wondered why I thought you’d make a good Minister?” he teased.

She laughed then, kissing him lightly. They just stared into each other’s eyes for a while, not talking, just being together. He was massaging her back under the blanket and his hands seemed to automatically slide down to her silky soft bum, and up her back under the nightie. After a few times of that she leant forwards again to kiss him more lingeringly, slightly grinding her pelvis back and forth against his. He moaned into her mouth, and she reciprocated.

When their mouths parted, sometime later, she chuckled, “Want to get laid in jail, Mr. Potter?”

In answer, he pulled off the silky nightie and slid his hands under her chest to massage her breasts. She lifted herself up to reach with one hand and push his boxers down, then drew her knees up alongside him. He was already getting hard, and it only took a few strokes of her hand to bring him to full salute, so she positioned him against her opening and slid her hot wetness down, engulfing him. He pulled her face down and they kissed as deeply as ever they had, while they moved in a gentle rhythm, sliding his length in and out of her lazily. For a long time they moved together, both enjoying the feelings flowing through them. It was comforting for both, in a way, and helped to relieve the stress of his confinement. A long time later the pace increased, then increased again, and she came hard, just as he arched his back and lifted her almost off the cot with his orgasmic spasms, while she clamped around him and milked his spouting fluids into her spasming vagina.

When they came down from the high and could breathe again, she giggled and said, “Well that should keep your mind off things for a while.”

“Got that in one, love,” he snickered. “At the very least it will give me something to think about when the solicitors and the Ministry lackeys are pattering on self-importantly about their dragon dung.”

She laughed a bit more and said, “I love your sense of humour Harry. Even at the worst of times now, you find ways to make light of things.”

Seriously he told her, “I have to, my sweet Hermione, it’s the only way to maintain what’s left of my sanity. Besides, Minister Scroungeyfouler has to learn a lesson somehow…” He left off as they both laughed at the nickname. Finally he just said, “I love you Hermione. I’m really glad you came tonight. Will you try to come every night darling?”

With an impish grin she replied deadpan, “Only when you make me do so darling, I’m done with doing it to myself. Oh, you meant will I come see you?” She giggled, and added, “I will, dear, but only if you make me come when I come.”

Smiling hugely he took up the banter, chuckling, “If I make you come when you come will you make me come when you come, so we can come together a lot when you come often?”

“Oh yes my dear Harry, I like to come with you, so I will come frequently to make you come, so you can make me come when I come and when we come together like we just came it will make me want to come even more, so I can come a lot.”

Harry was laughing so hard, she was bouncing on top of him, and she was giggling just as hard. The unfortunate side effect was that he slipped out of her then, and she pouted, “Aw, I was hoping that would stay there so we could come some more…”

“Stop,” he begged, “I’m going to bounce you off on the floor if you keep that up.”

“Meany.” She chastised playfully. “But if that’s the way you want to be, I’ll just have Cuinn take me home so I can get some sleep.” More seriously she said, “Actually I should get back, love, I didn’t tell Mum I was leaving and if she finds me gone she will worry.”

“Alright love. I really am glad you, er, came tonight, in both ways.” He grinned and they shared a long, passionate kiss. “Oh, would you bring me something to read next time you come honey,” he grinned again.

“Oh I assure you, my sweet, you won’t have time to read when I come,” she said in a seductive voice. “But I will bring something for you to peruse when I’m not coming, next time I come, love.” Still grinning impishly she slowly, pulled the nightie back on.

They got up then and shared another passionate goodbye, him gripping her bare bum below the hem of the nightie, pulling her against him while she clung tightly to his chest, her breasts pressing into him. She could feel him getting hard again, and whimpered as she said, “I should go love. Much as I’d like for us both to come again, I don’t want to worry Mum.”

“I know love, and I don’t want her worrying either. Hopefully I’ll see you again tomorrow night. Keep safe for me Hermione. Make sure the order has guards at the house, and get Minerva or Professor Flitwick to check and help improve the wards on it if they need it. Okay?”

“We already worked on that today. She and Tonks both checked them. They also put an anti-Apparition ward around the property, so no more unexpected visitors.”

“That’s good.” He groaned, “I don’t want you to go. It’s hell being away from you.”

“Me too,” she moaned, “I missed you so very much today. How’d that happen Potter, when did you get so deeply into my heart?”

“Probably when you got into mine, Miss Granger,” then he added in a lower voice, “or maybe when you took all of me so deeply inside you Saturday night.”

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

It was a giggling Hermione who kissed and hugged him tightly again, then asked Cuinn to take her home. When she arrived in her room, still chuckling, she found her mother sitting on her bed looking worried. “Cuinn,” she said, “wait a minute, please. Can you take a book back for Harry?” He nodded so she went and selected a book for her lover to help him pass the time, smiling as she handed it to the phoenix who gripped it in one talon and gave her a wink as he flashed away. She could feel his amusement at her selection.

With the phoenix gone she went and hugged her mum. “Where were you? Dorothy asked. “I was really worried when I came in a few minutes ago and couldn’t find you.”

“I’m sorry Mum. Cuinn showed up, just as I was getting in bed, and took me to Harry. He’s being held at the Ministry for now, so we had a nice talk… and things.” She blushed slightly.

Dorothy grinned, “And were things okay, with… things?”

“Oh yes, Mum, we talked quite a lot about coming a lot when I come, and things like that.”

Dorothy shared a giggle with her and then asked, “Love, what did Harry find out today, if anything.”

Hermione immediately turned a bit angry, “Those low-lifes put him in that cell and he didn’t see another person all day, so he didn’t find out anything at all! They didn’t even give him anything to read. I sent that book back with Cuinn so he’d have something besides me to keep his mind busy.” She smirked as she said, “It was that nice book you gave me last year. Think that will keep his mind off his troubles?”

“Oh dear… are you trying to drive the poor man insane?”

“No Mum, I just wanted him to be ready when I come back, so I can come lots.” She smiled innocently at her mother.

Dorothy laughed at her brilliant daughter. “That must have been some conversation you two had, dear.”

“Yeah, Mum, the talk was nice, but the sex was incredible.” She blushed but went on. “Mum, I read an article once in one of your magazines about mutual orgasms and in it the author said they are very rare, and usually only happen when two people have been together a long time. But Harry and I have had two now, one last night and another tonight. Does that seem strange to you? Wait a minute; actually the first time we made love we had one, so that makes three.”

Dorothy clutched her chest and looked wide eyed at her daughter, “You’ve got to be joking, your first time? And two more already? And your first time was Saturday night?”

“Yes, Mum, it was.”

“My, he must be a very special lover, or maybe you both are.” She smiled and put her arm around Hermione’s shoulders, “I think your dad and I,” she said in a low, conspiratorial tone, “were together for nearly a year before that happened. It is quite rare, but it does happen to us now and then. And is it ever incredible when it does!”

“Yeah,” Hermione answered dreamily. “When it happened the first time I thought I was going to explode, but tonight it was so unexpected it felt like we were one person for a little while.”

Dorothy chuckled, “I know that feeling, dear daughter. So anyway,” she grew more serious, “what does your lover have to say about his situation?”

“He’s really kind of depressed, I think, or at least he was before I got there,” she grinned, “but he still has his sense of humour and he said Cuinn started teaching him Occlumency tonight. He’ll start teaching it to me as soon as he has a good enough grasp on it. He said he wasn’t surprised about what Doge said. He’s really miffed at the Minister.”

“Well that’s undersandable, anything we need to send him? I mean, besides you dear.” She grinned also.

“No, I don’t want to send a bunch of things in there in case they get suspicious. We’ll have to see if we can send a few items in with Mr. Doge, clean clothes and the like, but other than that, I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see.”

“Okay, honey, just tell me what he needs, and what to do. I hate to admit it, in a way, since we’ve only known him a couple of days, but your dad and I already do love Harry a great deal. He is a very special person, but I suppose you already know that,” she laughed.

“Yes Mum, I do know that, but it is really good to hear you say it too.” She pulled her mum closer and hugged her tight, the tears which had been threatening since she got back finally spilling over. She was angry and hurt and scared and a myriad other things, but it really helped having someone to share those feelings with who loved her Harry too, and understood at least part of what she felt.

When she finally looked up, it was to discover her mum had tear tracks as well. She hadn’t realized the woman was also crying when she had released her anguish. “Mum,” she asked, “are you okay?”

“Hey,” Dorothy sniffled, “that’s my line dear.” She grinned a watery grin and grabbed the tissues off the bedside table. As they shared the box, and wiped their eyes and blew their noses, the two women shared something else as well, which both had thought was a long time off: the love of Hermione’s life. They talked a long time about how wonderful he was, and what they thought about his life, and a great many things.

It was very late when Hermione finally crawled into bed, but she felt better. It really had helped to have her mum there and to be able to talk openly and candidly about everything, even sex. She was very grateful as she fell asleep thinking about her parents and her green eyed man.

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

Harry had gone to sleep shortly after Hermione left last night, and when he woke in the morning it was to find Cuinn looking at him with what amounted to a phoenix’s smirk. “Okay Cuinn, what has you so happy this morning?”

“Your mate sent a book back with me last night, and I believe you will find it very interesting, not to mention educational.”

Harry picked up the book from the floor by the cot, and turned it over to read the title. His mouth fell open when he read, ‘Beginning and Intermediate Sex for Witch and Wizard Dummies’. He laughed and laughed as he realized what Hermione was trying to do. Her purpose was twofold, he was sure: she wanted to distract him, and let him learn something they would enjoy together. As he thumbed through the pages he could now see how Hermione had come up with her ideas for positions. He even saw a drawing of a man lying on top of a woman’s back like they had done Sunday morning. He laughed, and of course got an erection thinking of how that had felt.

After using the meagre facilities in a corner to clean himself up, Harry felt a little better. Just as he finished straightening up his cot, breakfast was shoved through the slot at the bottom of the door. It occurred to him how similar this cell was to the one in Azkaban, just a bit smaller, and with no table and chair. After finishing his lacklustre breakfast, he made himself comfortable and began reading the book Hermione obviously thought would entertain him. A couple of hours later, he heard the Colloportus being removed from the door, so he hid the book under his pillow and moved Cuinn up to his shoulder as the door swung open.

A pair of burly, and surly, MLEP officers greeted him with a command to turn his back so they could shackle him. He grinned at their gaping expressions when they noticed the phoenix on his shoulder, but did as he was directed. When his wrists were chained to a heavy belt around his waist, he was led out, again through several locked, doors to a small conference room. The guards seated and shackled him to a chair, rather nervously he thought, and told him someone would be in to interview him shortly. He sat talking in his head with Cuinn, asking questions about last night’s Occlumency lesson until the door opened and several people came in.

Minister Scrimgeour, looking as leonine as ever, was followed by Cornelius Fudge who was as portly and dapper as always, Dolores Umbridge was smirking in her toad-like way, and Percy Weasley, with his ever-present parchment, ink, and quills, appeared as self-important as ever he did. Harry snickered internally thinking, “This is going to be so much fun”. Cuinn laughed aloud as he got an idea of what his friend planned.

This of course drew all of their attention to the large bird, causing the four to stop and stare in perplexity at it. Scrimgeour recovered almost immediately, stepping over to the chair at the opposite end of the table from Harry. The others arranged themselves on either side of the Minister, Percy and Fudge sitting on Harry’s right, Umbridge on his left. No one said a word for a moment, then Scrimgeour looked fiercely at an amused young wizard and stated, “Good morning Mr. Potter, I assume you know why you are here.” It was not a question.

In a rush Harry cheerfully greeted the group, coincidentally insulting each. “And a bonnie good morning to you Minister Scapegoater, of course it would be more pleasant under different circumstances, but I am rather pleased to see you. It was very kind of you to bring along my other friends as well. It is so nice to see you Ex-Minister Sludge, Ex-High Inquisitor, and Underdeskertary Umbrage, and I’m especially happy to see my favorite family traitor Pusillanimous Weatherby. It is really so kind of you to all come and visit me while I’m in jail for a bogus law you passed and back dated in order to use against me. I had rather hoped I would have the pleasure of your company soon Minister Scroungegouger, it has been all of three or four days since we last visited. I would have preferred to have my solicitor present, but I suppose a young man such as myself has no rights in your eyes. So therefore, I can’t expect too much consideration from any of you, now can I?”

It had the effect he reckoned it would. Fudge looked like he was about to pop, kind of like Vernon would have; Percy looked more than a little affronted and almost as angry as Fudge; Umbridge, as always, assumed her customary ‘I will have your balls for this’ smirk, which Harry realized was her normal look now that he thought about it. She didn’t seem to have the normal range of facial expressions others had; he thought that very odd.

Scrimgeour, however, scowled for a moment, then laughed and nodded in approval of Harry’s assault. “Well done, Mr. Potter. Always take the offensive when it presents itself so readily to you. I congratulate you on what must have been a well thought out rant. Haven’t heard so many people insulted with so few words since Lucius Malfoy was arrested. Have you been taking lessons from young Mr. Malfoy perchance?” Percy was scribbling madly to record a transcript of the meeting, while the other two looked at the Minister in shock and awe at his acceptance of the boy’s behaviour.

Harry smiled happily at the man. “No, the ferret didn’t have the wit to come up with something off the cuff like that. He had to keep Crabbe and Goyle around so the three of them could share their mutual half a dozen brain cells. I’m sure he used them a bit more often that the others, but there you have it. Now, Minister Scrimpfooler, what may I do for you? Oh, where are my manners? Please forgive my not standing in your august presence, but the guards shackled me a bit too tightly to this chair for me to rise. You have my most humble apologies for my lack of courtesy to your position.”

The man waved off the apology, “Think nothing of it Mr. Potter. I understand that under your current circumstances the niceties of polite society are difficult to maintain. However, in answer to your question, I believe it is more a matter of what I can do for you, than the reverse. You see, I have a bit of a problem on my hands, and I believe you are just the man to solve it for me, in return for which we can set aside all this unpleasantness.”

“Ah, the carrot and stick approach. I had wondered if that would be your method. I’m listening.”

“Well you see, Mr. Potter, there is this Dark Lord out there causing considerable trouble for the country at this time, as you are no doubt aware. Now I’m certain he didn’t mean to do so, but Headmaster Dumbledore, through his actions toward you, made it clear in my mind that you are one who can defeat this man who is making my life so difficult. Unfortunately my constituents are becoming somewhat unhappy with the current state of affairs, especially after the great man’s unfortunate demise, so I would like you to take on the role of finding a way to rid us of this menace to society. To that end I have a proposition for you.”

Harry waited a beat, but the man didn’t continue, apparently pausing for him to respond. He thought for a second about how to reply then laughed lightly. “Ah, Minister Scumgaffer, how delightful. Which of these morons,” he indicated Fudge and Umbridge, “came up with this idiotic plan? Or was it a group effort?”

“Oh, Mr. Potter, you misunderstand your position completely I’m afraid,” the Minister replied lightly. “I fear that if you do not choose to cooperate with us completely you will unfortunately spend considerable time incarcerated. On the other hand I can promise we will provide you with very good training for however long it takes in order for you to solve our problem. I would of course, also ask that you mention your cooperation in our efforts to the press. In return for your full collaboration on this project I will see that all charges against you are dropped and that all evidence in the case is destroyed. Now, what say you, my young friend?”

Harry listened to Cuinn for a moment, thanking his friend for the assistance. “It is kind of you to make such a generous offer, Minister, but my friend here has recommended that I decline. For, you see, any training you could offer me would, in the main, be substandard compared to what I can gain elsewhere.”

Umbridge could hold her temper no longer. “You ungrateful brat,” she ground out, “you have no idea what we can do to you. You will agree to the Minister’s demands or we shall find ways to make you.”

Scrimgeour spoke next, “Relax Dolores, young Mr. Potter has had his say for now. I’m sure a few more days of waiting without anyone to speak to and nothing to occupy his mind will get his attention.” Harry could see Fudge was seething underneath his calm exterior, and Umbridge only maintaining her cool by sheer force of will. Scrimgeour looked benignly at Harry, smiled in a fatherly way at him, and as he rose from his seat added, “Please enjoy your stay in our fine facilities Mr. Potter. I’m afraid I must return to my office now, affairs of state and all that, you know.”

The amused prisoner smiled warmly at the Minister and company, “I hope you have a pleasant day, and that the affairs of state are not too taxing Minister. I shall, I suppose, return to my humble quarters to await your next visit. I do so look forward to it; after all, what else have I to do?” He smirked internally as he thought of the book awaiting him when he was taken back to his cell.

“Rest assured, Mr. Potter, I will find my duties and surroundings considerably more pleasant than yours. By the way, I don’t know how you managed to get that transfigured creature on your shoulder in here, but I will not remove your delusions by transfiguring it back to whatever it was, just now.” Cuinn and Harry both laughed at that. The Minister, regardless, bulled ahead. “No, I believe temporarily we will allow you to keep your friend there, but should you not come around to our way of thinking it may be necessary to find out what sort of creature is hidden under that transfiguration. Good day to you, sir.” And with that the man walked out the room followed by the others who each took the opportunity to give Harry a mean, calculating, disgusted, and/or menacing look. He smiled warmly at each, bidding them adieu.

Harry was returned forthwith to his cell, to find his bedding and his book missing. There was only the bare mattress left for him to recline or sit on. He laughed as Cuinn made a comment about Ministry idiots, and snickered in his mind. “I agree, my friend,” he said aloud, “but wait until there is no one in that room before you take the book. Make them wonder how the hell I got it back. It will be ever so much more fun that way.”

Cuinn laughed and suggested they get on with Occlumency training, so they spent several hours on that until lunch was delivered. The phoenix allowed as how he needed to eat also, and left for a while. When Harry was finished with his meal, he slid the tray back under the door and lay down for a bit of a nap. His mind was filled with visions of a certain gorgeous brunette as he let it wander. He’d rather enjoyed baiting the dickhead minister and company so he couldn’t wait to tell her tonight.

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

A relatively short distance off, the young woman on Harry’s mind was seething with anger as she listened to Elphias Doge explain what had transpired to land Harry in jail. They were keeping the regular appointment they had made for today, even though Tonks and Minerva McGonagall had gone to see the barrister the day before.

The man had waffled on for several minutes about Ministry procedures and finally got to the point. “What all that boils down to,” Doge told them in his wheezy voice, “is that the Minister did exactly what we suspected. From what you tell me of their previous meetings, I’m sure his goal is to gain Mr. Potter’s endorsement of his paltry efforts against the Dark Lord, and possibly to have him trained to defeat said snake. Now, I have filed paperwork with the Wizengamot as his solicitor of record. There is one thing I require to make all of this legal, and that is a retainer fee. I think one galleon would be sufficient for the time being.”

Hermione smiled at the man, reached into her pocket, extracted a galleon, and placed it on the man’s desk. He smiled also, and nodded his head. She asked, “Have you been allowed in to see him yet, sir?”

“Not as yet. I likely will need to appear before the next Wizengamot open court session and make a formal request, and even then Scrimgeour can block my entry to the holding cells for several days. I’m afraid the Wizarding government and court systems fall well behind their Muggle counterparts, Miss Granger. On the other hand, I shall make every effort to visit him at the earliest possible moment. I have assigned my assistant, Quillian Quirrell, to monitor the case and keep us abreast of whatever transpires. For instance, we have found out that the good Minister,” his tone on those words was less than complimentary, “visited with Mr. Potter for about half an hour this morning. I’m sure he politely requested his assistance and cooperation. Unlike Fudge, the current leader of our people is a smooth operator. He will use the rewards and punishments method and only resort to more drastic measures if he doesn’t get what he wants in the time he thinks he should.”

Hermione had to suppress the urge to roll her eyes, both at the solicitor’s windy explanations and at the idea of Harry giving in to Scrimgeour. She knew her boyfriend only too well and, considering how he had stood up to Umbridge two years ago, she was sure the Minister was going to ultimately have to resort to those stronger measures. Even then, it wouldn’t work.

Doge went on though, saying, “I understand that Mr. Fudge and Ms Umbridge accompanied the Minister on his visit and that none of them were pleased with the outcome.”

Hermione snorted in an unladylike manner, and laughed. “Mr. Doge, you have no idea how Harry would likely react to those two being in the room. I’m not entirely sure myself, but I hope he merely insulted all of them and let it go at that. Since you didn’t mention the Ministry being blown apart, I believe that is what happened. He will not have endeared himself to anyone in the room, I assure you.”

Minerva added, “Mr. Potter might not be the most well spoken young man I have ever taught, but he has been known to have a sharp tongue on occasion when the situation warranted. Case in point is when he confronted Dolores Umbridge after she called him a liar during his first day of class with her.”

Hermione nodded, “He has a much sharper mind than he lets on most of the time. I swear sometimes, that he was hiding behind my efforts in class; hiding in plain sight so to speak, so as not to draw attention to himself.”

Doge mused, seemingly pleased, “That is good to know. It will help me considerably to have a very smart client, so long as he will do as I request of him.”

“One thing about Harry,” Hermione answered, “is that he will usually do what is asked by someone trying to help him. If you are straight and forthright with him, he will respond well to that. He values honesty and courage above all things.”

“Then he and I should get on well. Despite my reputation to the contrary, which I admit to having fostered, I value those same things. It is the main reason I have always rejected serving on the Wizengamot. Someone has to keep them honest and I seem to be quite good at it.”

“That’s what we have been told,” Minerva interjected. “I, for one, am glad you are on our side in this Elphias.”

He smiled and replied, “As am I Minerva, I assure you both.”

The meeting broke up after they met with Mr. Quirrell briefly. He told Hermione that, yes, Quirinus, who had caused all those problems during Harry and Hermione’s first year, was his older brother. Minerva already knew him from his days as a student, naturally. He told them that his brother had not been typical of his family, but rather had apparently been led astray by someone. Also, he reassured them that neither he nor his family held Harry responsible for his brother’s death, all of which was attested to by Doge. Hermione said she couldn’t possibly hold his brother’s actions against him, and they parted on friendly terms. The two left the offices, going to lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, feeling slightly better about the situation. At least the men leading the legal fight would do their best for Harry, and that helped their spirits considerably. Lunch finished, Minerva accompanied Hermione to the bookshop and then went home with her, staying only a few minutes before going back to her duties at Hogwarts.

Hermione spent most of the rest of the day at home, visiting with her mum and reading up on Ministry legal procedures which seemed left over from the dark ages and dodgy in the extreme. The Minister, it seemed, was very nearly a dictator and could do much as he or she saw fit. The Wizengamot, which should have had some say over what laws were put in force, was little more than an overly pompous, permanent jury pool. She could see no rhyme or reason for the way laws were enacted other than to serve the whims of the current leadership. It was something she intended to change one day.

After she and her parents had dinner and were talking in the lounge, she was surprised when Cuinn flashed in and landed on the coffee table. “Well,” she asked, “what brings you to visit so early my friend?”

She immediately got a picture in her head of a notepad and pen. “Oh, does Harry need something to write notes on?” When the phoenix nodded she went to retrieve the items, and handed them to Cuinn who grasped them in a talon and flashed away again.

“Well that was interesting,” Keith remarked, “I sure hope we get to visit with Cuinn more when this is all over,” Dorothy nodded her agreement.

They went on with their conversation for a few more minutes, to be only slightly surprised when Cuinn reappeared and landed in front of Hermione again. This time he had a note in his beak which he gave to her. In Harry’s untidy handwriting she read:

Hermione Love,

If possible, and you have one available, could you send a journal back with Cuinn? I would like to keep track of what they do each day to me, but will need to send it back and forth with Cuinn each evening. Also when you come tonight would you bring a blanket, pillow and sheets? It seems the guards and/or Scroungegooer have decided I don’t need anything but a mattress. Also, I could use some clean clothes. If you have had a chance to pick up anything for me, please bring a fresh set, or perhaps transfigure some like you suggested.

I miss you terribly, my dear heart and look forward to seeing you later. I had to have Cuinn steal the book back for me, since they took that as well while I was having a ‘meeting’ with His Nibs and company. I’ll tell you all about that later, darling. Can’t wait to see you tonight, but give me a bit of time to write in the journal before you come. I seem to get a bit distracted with you here, for some reason.

All my love,

Harry

Hermione sighed and smiled, as she read the note giggling over the last. She handed it to her parents to read and went to her room. She quickly retrieved a blank journal and brought it back for Cuinn, who gave her a head rub on the arm before he flashed away again.

Keith said, “What is it with these people that they think they can get away with doing what they are doing to Harry?”

Dorothy added “I don’t understand what they think they can accomplish with this at all; do you dear?”

Hermione sighed heavily, “It seems to be a long standing tradition in the wizarding world, to intimidate people into doing what you want.” she explained. “They are very slow to change; consequently they do things as they have done for centuries thinking it is what is best. I spent all afternoon reading about their archaic legal system which sounds a lot like something from the time of Henry the Eighth. What they don’t understand, at least most of them, is that the world has changed around them while they’ve been insulated from it. I don’t see how this could happen, what with Muggleborns coming into the society frequently, but apparently they don’t listen to us at all. It’s very sad, really, to see a society with so much potential to do good in the world be so insular, but that is the way of it. I know Harry wants to change it, as do I, but it is very likely going to be a long, uphill battle.”

“Now as to what the Minister thinks he can accomplish? Unfortunately he does not know just how stubborn Harry can be. He thinks that intimidating him will cause Harry to give in to whatever it is he wants, but it just will not happen. He might have had a better chance without Cuinn and the rest of us to support Harry, but with all that, he has already lost and just doesn’t know it. Harry will literally allow himself to be sent to Azkaban, and then probably spend his nights here rather than do what the fool wants.”

Keith gave a low whistle, and smiled, “Like we said yesterday, the young man has more fortitude than anyone I’ve ever met. Honestly dear, I am very glad you are his friend, despite what it could do to our lives. It sounds like your world needs him.”

Dorothy hugged his arm and smiled at his understanding. Earnestly, she said, “Hermione, we want you to know we will do whatever you need of us to help in this. You have but to ask, and if it is within our ability to do so, we will.”

Hermione smiled sadly at her parents, a tear escaping, “Mum, Dad, I don’t know what to say. I knew you would say that, but I can only tell you that Harry and I both appreciate it. I don’t know if there is anything for you to do, but if something comes up I will ask. For now, the one thing you can do is to stay as safe as possible. Always be aware of your surroundings. If anything looks or feels out of the ordinary try to get away from it or contact the Order. I’m going to ask Minerva if they can place guards on your surgery during the hours anyone is there. The surest way for the Dark side to try to get to us is in indirect ways.”

“That makes sense,” Keith replied, looking thoughtful. “It’s exactly what the bad guys always do. If they can’t attack directly they go for your weaknesses. We’ll remember that.”

“Yes,” Dorothy continued that thought, “I remember your grandfather talking about how they did such things during the last war. It does make a lot of sense.”

They talked for a while longer about ways the two muggles could be watchful and what to look out for. Finally Dorothy said, “Come on sweetheart, lets go find some things for you to take to Harry, bedding and whatnot.”

“Thanks Mum.” Hermione went over and hugged her dad before the two women left the room. Quietly she told him, “Keep an eye on Mum for me, you have better training than she.” He nodded as he released the hug, squeezing her arm in acknowledgement.

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

Harry was very happy to see his love that night, not so much because he wanted to share his news with her, but simply because he felt more complete when he was with her. When she had finally pulled away from their initial embrace he looked in her lovely eyes and said, “I love you Hermione, I’m so glad you came again.”

“Oh, I love you too Harry, but I haven’t come yet. Are you going to do something about that dear?”

They both laughed, as they picked up the bedding she’d brought and quickly made up the cot so they could be comfortable. They laid down then and talked for a long time, interspersing the conversation with long, sweet kisses. She laughed heartily when he told her of his meeting with Scrimgeour and crew, especially the names he had used for each. Her mood darkened a bit when he spoke of Percy, but he brightened her back up by the simple expedient of kissing her until she forgot what they were talking about. That state didn’t last too long, but she was happier.

“Harry,” she said, “Mister Doge says that it was just what we thought; that the Minister passed that law yesterday and back dated it to One May, just to put you in jail.”

He laughed softly, “I know love. He didn’t even acknowledge that when I mentioned it, but I could see on Toad Woman’s face that it was true.”

Laughing at his name for the woman, she said, “But we have to get you free, Love. You can’t learn much in here that will help us, except for Cuinn’s teachings, and we sure as hell can’t go after the Horcruxes with you locked up.”

“I know m’love, we’ll get to that when we can. Cuinn seems to think Mr. Doge will find a way, so don’t fret about it. As much as I’d like to go back to school this fall and be Head Boy to keep the Head Girl company” he grinned and pecked her lips, “if I’m not out of here rather soon that may not be feasible.”

“Yeah, too true, love. Okay, well we can work on those plans later. I’m sorry, by the way, but we didn’t get around to buying you any new clothes yet. I transfigured some that should fit fairly well, but I’ll need to write down some sizes for you so we can get a few things. Do you want Muggle clothes or robes?”

“Hmm, better get me some of each. I prefer the Muggle clothes, but if I have to go to court, I’ll need some nice robes. My ones from fourth year are way too small now, and aren’t really fit for that anyway. I’ll trust your judgment on things.”

“Ooh, does that mean I can buy you boxers with little hearts on them?”

Harry grinned, “M’love, you can buy me boxers with red kisses all over them if you like, since you, perhaps your parents, and a house elf or two would be about the only ones likely to see them,” he laughed.

She scowled at the mention of house elves, but couldn’t keep from chuckling, and then got a calculating look in her eyes as she said, “So if I transfigured a pair to say ‘Property of Hermione” on them, that would be okay then?”

He laughed as he pulled her into another long, soft kiss. When they were done snogging and giggling over things she could put on his underwear, he asked, “So, if I were to put ‘Property of Harry Potter’ on some of yours, I take it you wouldn’t mind?”

She laughed, “Oh, I’ve taken care of that already Love.” With that she got up and pulled up the thin gown she had on and showed him a pair of very tiny knickers which barely covered her shaven pubis and which read ‘Harry’s Snitch Box’, in very small letters of course.

Harry fell back on the cot laughing, pulled her down, and soon had her naked. He held the knickers up to look more closely at the little triangular patches which had minimally covered her, and on the back it said “See Front Label” and laughed some more. Pulling off his own boxers he climbed on top of her and they kissed for a very long time.

He was once more rubbing his rigid, raging, roundhead back and forth on her wet womanhood ignoring her frequent pleas and demands that he insert that thing in her, when she started to arch under him. He smirked as he pulled back and gently slipped into her. The resulting explosion of sound made him realize he had a knack for making her day.

When she could breathe, and therefore speak once again, she purred, “You’ll get yours, Mr. Potter, for that trick.”

“Ooh,” he smiled, “I can hardly wait.” They continued with her internal massage for quite a while, and she came again a few minutes later, then on her third, when she was clamped so tightly around him he could stand it no longer, he fired his load into her as they bucked, cried and spasmed against each other.

Later, as they lay together, him still on the soft cushion of her thighs and breasts, she snickered. “That was one for the record books I think.”

“No doubt, Love. I hope Cuinn’s silencing is as good as he claims, otherwise the guards are going to think really odd things are going on in here.”

Snickering, she responded, “If they’d heard, I’m sure they’d be here already. And wouldn’t they be surprised?”

“Yeah, I reckon they would at that,” he laughed, kissing her softly. “I missed you again today love. That’s the hardest part of this. I sometimes just lay here and think about you and all the times we’ve done so many different things together. Not just our most recent activities either, but all those things from first year on. I think of all the times you saved my arse, or helped me with homework, or just were there for me.”

“I know baby; it’s almost as hard for me too. I have things to do, but I think about you constantly. That’s what I remember most about the ‘alternate reality’, the thinking about you and what you must have been going through. I was so worried about you then. I’m worried about you now too. I’m so afraid they’ll decide to use…t… tor… torture or something on you to get you to capitulate.” She started crying then, and all Harry could do was hold her tightly to him.

Cuinn had so far turned his back to them and at least feigned sleep when they were together like this, but now he spoke softly in Harry’s head. He listened to the phoenix and nodded. In her ear he spoke softly, “Don’t cry, my dear, sweet Hermione. Cuinn told me he would never let that happen. If they tried he would flash me to you and then take us somewhere safe. Okay love?”

She calmed immediately and he dried her tears with his thumbs. “Oh Harry, sometimes I’m just such a girl! I worry about things even when I know I shouldn’t.”

“Honey, it’s one of the things I love about you. You have the right to worry about me. I worry about you too, you know. It’s what people in love do.”

“You’re right, love. I’ll… I’ll try to remember that.”

He wiggled his hips then, and leered at her. “Maybe I can give you something else to think about?”

She giggled, “Oooohhh,” she sighed contentedly as he started expanding inside her, “for me?”

They giggled and laughed and talked softly as they moved together, until she came again, and then when she was falling over the brink once more, he again exploded into her. They bucked and strained against each other for what seemed like forever, but could never be long enough. When they came back to themselves Hermione found she was wrapped tightly around him, and his arms held her just as firmly. It felt like heaven, like magic, she giggled.

“What… what’s so… funny… love,” he panted.

“Just… a… random… thought,” she panted back. He eased his arms out from under to hold his weight off her and smiled lovingly; his handsome face and ever-nessy hair damp with sweat, but beautiful in its love and happiness. “How,” she thought, “could someone be in jail and be so happy? Must be love; or magic, or maybe both.” She giggled again. At his lifted eyebrow she said, “Just happy you are my sweet Harry. I want you out of here, but as long as I can come and bring you some happiness, I’ll take what I can get, love.”

“Hmmm, sounds like another one of those cheesy romance novel lines to me,” he smirked.

She hit his arm playfully, but couldn’t help laughing again. “Yeah, really does, doesn’t it?”

They lay together for a while, quietly, before he asked if he should get off now. Since her thighs were still sore from the unaccustomed exercise of the past few days, she replied softly, “I hate to say yes, dear, but I suppose. Can I lay on you for a while though?”

“Sure. I was hoping you wouldn’t leave just yet.”

“I want to stay as long as I can baby. I miss you so much at home now. My bed feels way too empty and big without you in it. Seems kind of strange, since you only slept there two nights, but it does.”

“Yep, I feel the same way. I slept so much better with you in my arms. We ever get out of this mess, I never want to spend another night away from you, ever.”

“Only one dear.” At his raised eyebrow she told him, “The night before our wedding, silly?”

“Oh, well, if you think that’s really necessary…” At the face she pulled, he couldn’t maintain the serious look he’d put on to say that, and smiled hugely at her. “Are you proposing to me Miss Granger?”

“Nope, that’s your job, and I’d never want to take that pleasure away from you,” she smirked.

They continued to banter for a while, after they switched positions, and then she just lay on him as they both got lost in their thoughts. Hermione decided she must have drifted off for a while, but came awake to Harry stroking her back, his hands softly caressing all the way down over her bum and back up to her shoulders. It felt delightful and she moaned against his chest, not saying anything but still showing her appreciation. She didn’t know how those hands, so roughened by Quidditch and broom flying, potion making, and a myriad other things he did, could feel so soft and tender on her skin, just that it was heavenly.

Finally she looked up at him and said, “Much as I don’t want to, I should go so we can both get some sleep.”

“I know, love, I was just trying to make it last as long as I could.” He kept up the soothing light massage and she hoped he wouldn’t stop anytime soon.

“That feels marvellous, Harry. You can do that to me anytime,” she cooed.

“Oh, maybe I should save it for when you’ve had a bad day?” He grinned at her.

She lifted her head onto her hands and spoke with her chin moving her head up and down as she did, “Oh, you don’t have to save that for special occasions love, we can find something else for that.”

He laughed softly, “Okay. I’ll do this whenever I want to make you feel good, which is all the time.”

She grinned, “Deal, but now I have to find something to reciprocate.”

“There ya go with them big words again,” he smirked.

“You know what that one means, and don’t tell me otherwise Potter.” He just smiled, so she reached up to kiss him. He stopped rubbing long enough to hold her tight while they kissed, then went back to it. “Oh, Harry, I don’t want to leave, but neither of us is going to get any sleep like this. I tried using my wand and it doesn’t work at all; there must be a magic dampening field here.”

“Yeah, that makes sense; wouldn’t want the prisoners to have a wand stuck up their wazoo when they were put here and then be able to break out.”

She giggled, “Wazoo, love? Is that even a word?”

“Not according to the dictionary, but blokes use it all the time. Must be a guy thing.”

“Must be,” she shook her head, chuckling “Okay dear, let me up so Cuinn can take me home.”

“Okay sweetheart,” he replied softly, but he kept right on stroking her back.

“Honey, I can’t leave while you are doing that,” she said softly.

“Uh, huh,” was his soft reply.

Hermione groaned and lay there relaxing in his arms, feeling his heartbeat under her chest, and occasionally kissing him. She knew it was very late and that neither of them had anything important to do the next day, but she still felt they should get some sleep. Eventually she took the bull by the horns, so to speak, and snogged him for a long time, then carefully sat up. He looked disappointed, but resigned as he sighed.

“I really should go Harry. I don’t want to and I know you don’t want me to, but we do need a little sleep, love.”

“I know, I guess I’ll see you again tomorrow night?”

“Only if I can come when I come, darling,” she grinned, despite the sultry tone in her voice.

“Oh,” he grinned back, “you can do that; in fact I’ll make sure of it.” Smiling she reached down and picked up her nightie and pulled it on. Harry held up her g-string-like knickers and asked, “Can I keep these.” His eyebrows waggled a few times.

She giggled and then looked her most sultry at him saying, “Oh course dear, I rarely wear them anyway, you know.”

His eyes got big then, as did his smile. “That’s good to know, just in case.”

She lay back down on him and they kissed again, then she rose and slid back into her slippers. He stood as well, and they kissed again, holding each other tightly for a minute. Then she stepped back looking longingly at him, “Bye love, see you tonight. Cuinn, you ready?”

The phoenix rose into the air, she grabbed his tail feathers, and they flashed away. Harry stood looking at the spot where she’d been and felt his heart fall. Then he shook himself and smiled, realizing life was like that, or at least his was. He determined it would get better though. He didn’t know how or when, but he knew it would.

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

Hermione took the initiative, with her parents’ help, and got Doge and Quirrell to handle the legal mess that was the Dursley estate. It was not at all unusual for solicitors to work in both worlds, they told her, seeing as how there were so many Muggleborns now in the Wizarding one. He was able to get them buried, with considerable help from Jamie and his contacts, but getting their estate settled looked to be a long term project. Their will had only done one thing for Harry: provided he was at least sixteen at the time of their death: it had emancipated him, not that it did him a lot of good at present. It did solve certain issues though, Doge explained, as Harry could now legally act as an adult in handling the remaining details of their estate. Still, it was a large cock-up in everyone’s opinion, though Doge and Quirrell dryly said they enjoyed a good challenge. Whenever there were papers for Harry to sign, she ferried them to him, and Quirrell or Doge would witness and notarize his signature on her say so. And the paperwork seemed endless to both Harry and Hermione.

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

It was Friday before he had another visit from the Minister. Shortly after he finished his breakfast the door was opened and he was again shackled, led through a series of doors, and again seated and left waiting in the small conference room. After perhaps fifteen minutes the Minister entered, with a different clerk this time and without his cronies, taking his seat at the opposite end of the table.

“Good morning Mr. Potter. Have you been well?”

“Good Morning Minister Scumgouger, I’ve been as well as can be expected under the circumstances, thank you. And how have you been keeping?”

The clerk scowled at Harry, but Scrimgeour merely smiled benignly and replied, “I’ve been quite well, thanks. Keeping busy you know, what with the entire Ministry to oversee, laws to enact, and my family to spend my evenings with. Can’t complain a bit.”

Harry smiled wider at the not so subtle jabs. “I too have kept busy. I have lots to learn from my friend here,” he leaned his head against Cuinn, who bobbed his head at the Minister, “and of course I’ve been reading lots and exercising. My girlfriend comes to visit each night, and we have wild passionate sex several times, and then of course we talk for hours on end too.”

Scrimgeour just smiled more broadly. “Ah come now Harry, the guards tell me you have hardly moved from your cot and that all you do is stare at the bird. You do have a vivid imagination, though, I’ll grant you that. We confiscated that book, and it went missing the same day. I suspect one of the guards took it home to his wife for a bit of training, don’t you think?”

Harry shrugged. “As you say Minister Scowfouler. I’m sure your days are more pleasant than mine. I doubt I could say the same for your nights, but to each his own.”

The man laughed, “I do enjoy your pluck, Potter. You seem to have more scrap in you than anyone I’ve met in years. But what say we cut through the crap son, and get you out of here. You’re just going to waste away both magically and physically, locked in that tiny cell and not doing anything all day.”

“Ah, but Minister Scragglyflower, I have lots to do, as I told you.”

“Well, certainly you are keeping your mind sharp thinking up all these insults Mr. Potter. Don’t forget that you will soon be seventeen and I can then legally let you spend a bit of time in our other facility. I daresay, you would find that a bit less hospitable.”

“Oh dear, Minister, is that Azkaban you refer to? Why, I heard you had to clean it up and make it even better than this place. Now you can send me there, as you did poor Stan Shunpike, but it will do you no more good than keeping me here. Why don’t you let me go and get on with the business of killing Mouldieshorts?”

The man laughed, his mane of tawny and grey hair bouncing as he did. His bushy eyebrows rose and fell with his laughter. “But Mr. Potter, can’t you see,” he chortled, “we want entirely the same things. Oh, young man, we could work so well together. I can give you training you can’t even dream of which would make you invincible to the Dark Lord. So come now, let me take you out of this place and get on with the business at hand.”

Harry laughed as well. “I have absolutely no intention of taking training from anyone assigned by the corruption you laughingly refer to as a Ministry. Why within an hour Snake Face would know exactly who was training me and where. You must really consider me to be a silly fool. Don’t forget, I am Dumbledore’s man, and there was someone who did not gladly suffer fools.”

Scrimgeour’s face darkened then, but only for a moment, almost immediately returning to that of a smiling old lion looking at his next meal. “We shall see Mr. Potter, we shall see.” And with that he stood and, gesturing to the nameless clerk, limped out the door. “His leg seems to be bothering him more now,” Harry thought.

That night, Hermione related Minerva’s tale of visiting the Minister. It seems she had threatened him with dire consequences resulting from his actions. He had smiled wickedly and threatened her in return by intimating he would see someone ‘less opposed to Ministry guidance’ installed as Headmistress. She’d told him ‘over her dead body’, and he’d replied that he hoped it wouldn’t come to such a confrontation. She had then carefully explained how the Ministry, and he, could take their interference at Hogwarts and put it where the sun never shone. To say the least, Hermione told him, it was not a productive meeting. They’d both laughed, knowing how determined and acerbic their beloved Transfiguration professor could be.

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

And so it went for the next few weeks. Each morning Cuinn took the bedding and his books back in a clever carrier Hermione had rigged that first night, though he kept the ‘Dummies’ book, which Cuinn had stolen back. No one entered his cell to confiscate it again, so he read when he wasn’t learning with Cuinn, or exercising, or thinking about his love. He often missed her in the long empty hours, but she came each night and that helped immeasurably. About twice a week the Minister would visit and they would trade pleasantries. Scrimgeour would threaten, Harry would reiterate his position. Scrimgeour would promise dire consequences and Harry would shake them off like water from a duck. It was the classic impasse, and neither side was willing to give an inch. Harry noticed after a couple of weeks he’d started bringing female clerks who were becoming prettier and wearing more revealing clothes. He and Hermione laughed over that, but her feral gleam made him wince. Also Cuinn didn’t go with him every time as it seemed to throw the scum off a bit not knowing if the creature would be there or not.

Meanwhile, Hermione had been studying everything she could find on Ministry organization and history, as well as taking driving lessons again. Her instructor had been very surprised at her skill, and remarked that she must have been driving quite a bit already. She’d just smiled at her and kept quiet, letting the woman think what she would. After getting her driving license she’d led her parents to the same Volvo, saving a lot of time car shopping. The purchase complete, Hermione had bargained the salesman down even more than her dad had, she drove home with her mum sitting nervously beside her.

She spent some time with the Weasleys, and Ron was acting oddly she noticed. He seemed to want something to happen between them, but then he’d mention Luna. It was like he didn’t know what he wanted. Hermione didn’t disabuse him of his illusions, preferring to let him work it out for himself.

Finally, one day when she was visiting, he took her for a walk and he seemed very nervous. “Hermione,” he started and stopped for a second. Seeming to pluck up his courage then, he went on, “I, erm, I have been dating Luna for the past few weeks. I, ah, wanted to tell you, because… well because I didn’t want to hurt you. I don’t know how you feel about me, I mean, we kind of danced around each other the past couple of years, and I kinda hoped we’d get together one day. But now I have Luna, and I really, really like her, and well…” he trailed off, obviously not knowing where to go next.

They’d stopped near the orchard in the shade of the trees. Hermione looked up at the trees and sighed softly, relieved. “Ron,” she said kindly after a few moments of silence, “I care a lot for you. Harry and you are my dearest friends, Ginny too, for that matter. But I think you have made the correct choice.” He lost a lot of his nervousness then, she could see, as his shoulders relaxed and his face eased to a small smile. She went on with the rest, deciding to get it all out. “Frankly Ron, I’ve made a choice too, as has Harry. I can’t explain it all right now, not without Harry here, but we are seeing each other and are very much in love. I always knew it would be one of you two, and honestly thought it would be you for the longest time. But some things have happened, and I found I love Harry just that bit more which makes him the one I want to be with. Does that all make sense to you?”

It was a nearly gobsmacked Ron who looked at her with his mouth hanging partly open. “How… when… but… but he’s been in jail for the past while. How? When? Er, sorry, I’m having trouble wrapping my brain around this.”

Hermione chuckled. “Don’t worry about it dear, I assure you it is just as odd for us. Remember he did stay with us for two days before he was arrested. We discovered it then, almost right away, as soon as we had some time alone.” She wasn’t about to try to explain the whole thing now, it was just too complicated. “Anyway, I love Harry and I am very, very glad you have Luna. I’ve come to have a deep respect for her in the past two years, and I think you could be very good for each other.” She wanted to divert his attention from Harry if she could.

“Right. Oh Luna is one of a kind, no doubt,” he said smiling. “I love her sense of humour, and even if I don’t always know what she’s talking about I enjoy being with her. She makes me laugh, and she makes me think, and she’s just fun and exciting to be with. Oh bloody hell, Hermione. I’m sorry, that sounds like I never had fun with you, and that’s just not true. I always have enjoyed your company too.” He looked slightly distressed.

“Ron, my dear, dear friend, there’s hope for you yet,” she laughed as she hugged his arm for a moment. “I do believe you have grown up a bit and your emotional depth is way beyond teaspoons now. Good job!”

“Thanks… thanks Hermione, I’m trying. Luna says that it is just a matter of taking my time and thinking about what I’m saying both before I say it and as I’m speaking. I’m finding it works pretty good most of the time. My temper doesn’t jump out of me like it used to.”

“Ron, that’s great. Harry and I have noticed lots of changes in each other too.” “Damn,” she thought, “shouldn’t have said that.” “What I mean, is I’ve noticed lots of changes in myself trying to get Harry free, and his barrister says the same about Harry. They still won’t let me see him though, as I told everyone earlier.” She wasn’t sure if he bought her cover-up, but he seemed to be thinking it over.

“Yeah, it kinda sucks having to grow up,” he said with a grin, as she sighed internally, thanking her stars for quick thinking. He continued, “But I guess we all have to do it eventually. Dad told me one day, that he didn’t want any of us to grow up too soon, but that the war seemed to be forcing it on us, despite what Mum wants. She’d keep us all locked in the shed if she could, to protect us from the war…” and he’d gone on a while about Molly, as the two of them walked back to the house. Luna met them, having just arrived. She and Hermione left Ron alone for a few minutes to go and have a girl talk about the men in their lives.

When they rejoined him, Ron pulled them off and asked, somewhat panicky, “What about Ginny? She could be very crushed by this.”

Luna answered before Hermione could, “Oh she already knows Ronald. She’s known for ages. Don’t worry, love, she’s working on Neville; and don’t you dare go and give dear Neville any grief. He’s a very good man, as you well know, and Ginny needs someone down to earth like him.”

Hermione was quite surprised by the girl’s insight, though it made sense when she considered it. Luna seemed to work on a different level than the rest of the world, to see things in a different light. They’d then talked for a while about Harry’s predicament and Ron had surprised her with his calm appraisal of things.

He said, “I can see Scrimgeour’s strategy and imagine what tactics he’s using, but we all know it’s not going to work. Harry just won’t bow to the demands of someone who’d do that to him.”

Ginny was finally done with the chores for the wedding she’d been helping Molly with, and joined them. They all talked a while longer until Hermione had to leave for home. The two girls had taken a few minutes off by themselves and she’d found out that Neville seemed very interested and they were exchanging letters almost daily.

That night she told Harry about the conversations she’d had with Ron, Luna, and Ginny. He told her he was happy for their friends, and pleased Ron was showing signs of maturity.

And so their time went. Hermione coming to visit each night, and leaving only when they could no longer keep their eyes open. They often complained about the narrow cot, wishing it was big enough for her to sleep with him.

Finally after about a month, Harry was taken from his cell one day after lunch and placed in the usual conference room. Cuinn had gone out for his own meal, but Harry figured it didn’t matter. This time when the door opened it was not the Minister, but an old man who Harry thought he should know, and another man who looked vaguely familiar. Then Harry remembered: Elphias Doge, but hadn’t a clue to who the other was.

“Good day Mr. Potter,” the old man wheezed, “it is quite good to see you at last. I see you recognize me so let’s skip the pleasantries, shall we?” He gave a nod in the direction of the door and put a hand to his ear.

Harry nodded in acknowledgement of the listener. “Certainly Mr. Doge; it is good to see you though. So far my only company has been the gentleman who is latest to fleece the wizarding population.”

“Yes, that is my understanding as well. I’m afraid the Minister, like all his ilk, has his priorities a bit disarranged. However, allow me to introduce my associate, Mr. Quillian Quirrell.”

Harry nodded at the other man, who had an odd little smile on his face. He said, with some humour in his voice, “Yes, Miss Granger recognized my name as well. He was my brother…” and he went through the same speech he’d given Hermione.

When Mr. Doge confirmed what the man told him, Harry nodded and smiled at the young man. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Quirrell. I am sorry for the loss of your brother.”

“Thank you Mr. Potter. Shall we get on with our business then?”

Harry liked the men already. He’d not previously had much interaction with Doge, so he didn’t know him well, but he liked his attitude, as well as that of Quirrell. Turning to the older man he asked, “What can you do about getting me out of here, sir?”

“As you can guess,” he winked, “I’ve been trying to do so since the day you were brought here. Needless to say there are many who are rather upset on your behalf, a Miss Granger in particular,” this was said rather dryly, “so we have kept a constant pressure on the Ministry for your release. However, the powers that be seem to believe you are a danger to society at present and refuse to allow me to extricate you. On the other hand, I was able to bring you a few things, clothes and such,” Quirrell placed a bag on the table in front of Harry, “and I promised to pass on a few greetings from your friends.”

Playing along, Harry sounded excited when he asked, “You’ve seen Hermione, and Ginny, and Ron? What about Professor McGonagall, is she going to be able to keep the school open?”

Doge wheezed a laughed, “Yes, we have especially seen Miss Granger frequently; she seems to have made you a project of hers. As for the Weasleys, there has been no end of redheads visiting my office. I believe nearly all of them have been to see us in the past month. There was even a lovely young blonde girl by the name of Lovegood who accompanied Mr. Ronald Weasley and who asked a myriad of questions. I believe she mentioned The Quibbler.” He had a light dancing in his eyes on that, and looked pointedly at the bag. Harry nodded again and grinned. “Your friends all send their regards and hopes that you can be released soon. As for Minerva, the fate of the school is still up for debate, rather heated debate I might add. We should know by the end of July.”

Switching topics the old solicitor said, “Now, Mr. Potter, why don’t you tell us your side of the story as to what happened the day you got off the train from Hogwarts.” He winked again and Harry took this to indicate he already had the full story from Hermione.

Harry spent several minutes telling what had happened at the station, how he’d gone home with the Grangers, and the very unpleasant surprise he’d had the following morning in the newspaper. He described talking with Chief Inspector McGonagall and the Headmistress, and then his subsequent arrest and imprisonment, while Quirrell took copious notes.

When he’d finished his recitation, Mr. Doge asked him, “Do you have any questions on this for me?”

“Only that I wish someone could explain to me how the Minister can hope to gain anyone’s cooperation by putting them in jail,” he said acidly while looking straight at the door.

Doge wheezed another laugh, Quirrell joining him briefly. Doge said then, “Ah, Mr. Potter, your Miss Granger told me you were quite intelligent. It is so refreshing, after all the waffling one hears in the Ministry, to have someone cut right to the heart of the matter. I was going to suggest that our defence centre on the dubious legality of the law which was obviously passed with just your situation in mind, and also quite obviously made retroactive to ensure your arrest. Does this meet with your approval?”

Harry thought for a few moments, and nodded. “Yes, sir, it does. I think it is time the Ministry learned that its responsibility is to the people, not the other way around.”

Quirrell spoke up then, “Well said Mr. Potter. I, for one, completely agree with you.

Doge nodded, smiling at Harry. “We shall see you again soon Mr. Potter. For now we should return to our office and work on obtaining your release.”

“Of course, Mr. Doge. Thank you for coming. Mr. Quirrell it was a pleasure to have met you.”

Doge looked thoughtful for a moment and added, “I thought you should know that the Muggle police found the plans Dudley made for the crime on his, what was that term Quillian?”

“Laptop computer.”

“Yes, on his laptop computer. Marvelous devices these Muggles invent don’t you think? At any rate it seems he had been planning to surprise and frame you for the murders all along, and it was only you not going to the home which prevented that occurring. I’m glad we don’t have that to deal with, Mr. Potter.”

“Thank you Mr. Doge, someday I hope I can explain why things happened the way they did, but thank you for telling me that. At least I know he was planning it, though that seems so out of character for him.”

The men again bid him good day and left, but Harry sat for a time wondering when he would be returned to his cell. When the door finally did open, he was surprised to see not one of his surly, burly guards, but instead a young woman in a skimpy Muggle dress. She was carrying parchment, quills, and ink, so he assumed the Minister would be there shortly as well. “Good afternoon Mr. Potter,” she smiled warmly, “Minister Scrimgeour will be along in a few minutes. He was detained in his office and asked me to keep you company until his arrival.”

Harry thought she looked and sounded familiar, and since she was being pleasant he saw no reason to be otherwise. “Good afternoon Miss. It was kind of the Minister to think of my comfort.”

“Yes, he is a rather kind man, don’t you think?”

“Frankly, in my position, I’m afraid I would have to disagree with that, but on the whole I’m sure he is a fine man.” The girl looked to be only a couple of years older than Harry, so he asked, “Weren’t you in Ravenclaw a couple of years ago?”

“Excellent memory you have there. Yes, I finished last year, so I was just two years ahead of you. We were all quite thrilled when you won the Tri Wizard Tournament, and it was always a pleasure to see you play Quidditch even if you did beat us most of the time.” She smiled, and although she had set her things on the table, didn’t seat herself yet. She walked closer and sat on the edge of the table, her dress hiking quite high up her thighs. Harry couldn’t help but notice the tan coloured summer dress was very thin material, and that she had very nice legs and cleavage.

Doing his best to maintain his composure, since he had a very good idea what was going on here, he looked her in the eye, doing his best at ignoring what he could see lower. “I’m terribly sorry I don’t recall your name, but it is a rather large school and one can’t know everyone.”

“Oh, I apologize as well; I should have introduced myself.” She was toying with the third button on her dress, the first two being already undone. “I’m Mindy Brocklehurst, my sister is in the same year as you, a Ravenclaw also.” She turned more toward him, one leg on the table and crooked to rest under the other so there was a considerable gap under the front of her dress hem.

“Yes,” he swallowed as blood began migrating south, girlfriend or not he was still male and sixteen, “I, er, have classes with Mandy frequently of course. But that explains why you look so familiar; there’s a strong family resemblance.”

She’d finished fiddling with the third button, since it was now open, and moved on to the fourth. He noticed she was braless and gulped again, not at all liking where this was going. Then he had a thought of how he could work this to his own advantage, knowing he would never accept any of what the young woman seemed to be offering. He was almost sure this was being done at the Minister’s command or suggestion. He silently sent a message to Cuinn, whom he heard laugh in his head.

The phoenix sent back, “I had hoped not to give ourselves away quite this soon, but now seems as good a time as any.”

Harry chuckled under his breath still looking her straight in the eye, while she scooted closer on the table and finished undoing that button and moved on to another. “You should know Miss Brocklehurst that I have a girlfriend who I am very much in love with. I’d really appreciate you not doing what you are doing.”

“I’m not doing anything I haven’t wanted to do for a long time Mr. Potter. You are an incredibly sexy man, you know.”

Harry kept her talking, while she inched closer and her hem hiked higher and higher proving beyond doubt that she had no knickers on, and then she leaned forward and also proved clearly that she had no bra on. But as she leaned close to him and the top of the dress opened wide, there was a sudden flash of fire followed by the flash of a camera. Cuinn and Quirrell had arrived. As the young woman yelped in surprise and jumped back from Harry, there was another camera flash, followed by the Minister barging through the door, and then there was another camera flash, and one of fire, and then only the three of them remained in the room.

Scrimgeour looked fit to be tied, in fact he was approaching the puce of Uncle Vernon on a good day. “WAS THAT ONE OF YOUR SOLICITORS AND A PHOENIX, POTTER? He bellowed.

“Why yes, Minister Scumscraper, I believe that was Mr. Quirrell who came to take photos of your attempt to blackmail me with this young woman. I apologize, Miss Brocklehurst, I’m sure you were just following orders, but I did warn you I have someone very dear to me.” The girl was beetroot and trying desperately to rearrange her clothing, buttoning herself up as fast as she could. She glared at him but said nothing.

“Now, Minister,” he shifted his attention back to the spluttering bureaucrat, “was there something intelligent you wished to discuss with me, or did you just come here today in an attempt to cause me more problems. You can send me to Azkaban,” his voice turned hard and as cold as liquid nitrogen, “you can send me to Hell, you can do all in your power to try to make me do what you want. But I assure you, sir, it will never happen! If you do not let me out of here, the scum Death Eaters and Voldemort will take over Wizarding Britain, probably Muggle Britain shortly after, and then move on the continent. I’m done with you, Minister Scumbucket, and your thieving cronies, and your tarts, and your fool MLE guards. You can take the entire Ministry and shove it up your arse and bugger off. You thought that was a fake phoenix I have for a companion, but now you know the truth. I can leave here anytime I bloody well please, or you can let me go. If you try to put me in Azkaban, I will be gone before the slam of the door closing on my cell stops echoing in the corridor. And if I am forced to do that I will take everyone dear to me and leave you and Wizarding Europe to deal with your own version of Hell, while we go elsewhere. I hear Australia is nice. Now get the bloody hell out of here, take this trollop with you, and don’t come back until you are prepared to release me.”

Miss Brocklehurst, still as red as ever, picked up her things and bolted out the door while the angry minister looked calculatingly at Harry, nodded once and left, leaving Harry to wait a long time. When he was returned to his cell an hour or so later, he was left shackled, his bag from Doge and Quirrell had been confiscated, and he found that even his mattress had been removed. He sat on the cot and laughed at the foolish predictability of the idiot Minister.

He called Cuinn, who appeared and laughed at him. “What’s so funny, you overgrown partridge? You think it’s comical that I’m sitting here shackled with no mattress?” He knew the phoenix could read his thoughts so quit trying to hold back a laugh, joining his friend for a few moments of levity. “Okay, my friend, got a plan?”

When the phoenix related his ideas, Harry laughed again and lay down on the cot as instructed with his back to the wall. He stayed that way for a few minutes, while Cuinn flashed away. The phoenix returned bearing a bemused Quirrell who immediately sussed the situation and took a few more pictures. Harry then stood, Quirrell wrapped an arm around him, and grabbed Cuinn’s tail feathers. Moments later, they were in the office of a certain solicitor.

“Ah, Mr. Potter, nice of you to join us,” Doge said happily. “Miss Granger and Professor McGonagall should be here shortly, I believe. Would you care for some tea while we wait?”

“Why thank you Mr. Doge. Perhaps you could remove the accoutrements supplied by the MLE so I might enjoy the tea more fully?”

“Why of course, Mr. Potter, but only if you promise to call me Elphias from now on.”

“I’d be glad to Elphias, providing you call me Harry. Same goes for you, of course, Mr. Quirrell.”

They all laughed at their silliness as the latter said quite formally, “But of course Harry, and please address me as Quillian.” That got them to laughing even harder. Doge finally waved his wand in the general direction of Harry’s shackles which immediately fell away, but they were still all chuckling over their tea when the two aforementioned witches arrived.

Minerva came through the door first and stopped just inside to stare open-mouthed at Harry. She was rather roughly shoved aside as a brunette blur blew by her to engulf the young wizard, sobbing against him as she held him as tightly as ever she had. He stroked her back and hair, murmuring softly in her ear until she calmed. When she finally looked at him he brushed away her tears and grinned.

Then she started, “Harry, how did you get out? Did Mr. Doge get you free? Do you still have to go to trial? Have they dropped the charges? Tell me, love, do I get to take you home with me?”

Whoa, Hermione dear. I’ll explain all of what happened today, just relax. Let’s sit down so I can tell everyone what just occurred. Mr. Quirrell, I’m sorry, Quillian, how soon will those pictures be ready?”

Quirrell grinned, “This is a new product recently developed by your business partners, called a Wiz-a-matic camera. I’m told they got the idea from Miss Granger here. So the pictures are ready now.”

With that he handed Harry the stack of photos which were very clear. On top was Miss Brocklehurst leaning over Harry in all her nearly undressed glory. Hermione growled possessively, which Harry liked a lot. Next shot showed a very surprised young woman moving away from the shackled wizard, and the third showed the enraged Minister coming through the door yelling something as the witch tried to set her clothing to rights. That was followed by shots of Harry mugging for the camera on his bare cot from several angles. Hermione growled almost as loudly as Minerva, who was looking over their shoulders. Harry handed the photos to Minerva, took Hermione in his arms and sat down with her on his lap to cuddle, kissing her soundly.

“I’m okay love,” he told the angry young witch. But I’m kind of an escaped prisoner right now, so I guess you’ll have to keep me at your house for a while, if you can stand to, that is.”

Hermione looked extremely distraught when he said he was escaped, but softened immensely when she realized she got to ‘keep’ him. “Okay Potter,” she said sternly, but smiling a bit regardless, “spill. What’s all this about Harry?”

He told the whole story of the afternoon, supplemented by Elphias who told of Cuinn arriving and giving him the image of a camera and a sense of urgency. He’d dealt with Fawkes on a few occasions so immediately dispatched Quirrell. When the younger solicitor had returned they’d looked over the photos and decided to wait a while just in case the phoenix returned. Sure enough, he had, and when Harry and Quirrell finished by telling what little else had occurred, that brought everyone up to date.

Minerva shook her head, “I just don’t understand what those fools over there think they can accomplish acting this way.”

“Neither do I,” Elphias replied. “From what Harry just told us, he warned the idiot, and he tried it anyway. Makes no sense, unless he wanted Harry to escape…”

“That is likely what he hoped I would do, Elphias, but he doesn’t know anything much about phoenixes obviously. For that matter, I don’t think anyone in this room knew Cuinn could put up that repeating image of me lying on the cot. He says it will last about a week, and he and I will have to go back and renew it every so often. He has a way of monitoring the corridor, and if it looks like anyone is coming to get me, he can have me back before they can get the door open. Next time we go I’ll leave the shackles on the floor, just to tick them off. Cuinn also said that Minister Scraggyowler will probably take me at my word and I will have no visitors until they put me on trial, most likely on my birthday.”

Elphias sat back and thought. “Yes, I think our feathered friend is correct. It is very unlikely that cell door will be opened before the thirty-first. I will, naturally, raise as big a stink as I can in the Ministry about them denying me access to my client. Meantime we shall keep Mr. Potter under wraps at Miss Granger’s home, and Quillian and I shall continue working on his defence. We will come to see you, Harry, and work out a strategy for the trial, but we will advise you when we wish to visit.”

“That should work a treat, Elphias. I think I will enjoy myself much more there than I did as a guest of the MLE,” Harry said dryly.

Hermione hugged him and whispered, “You can bet your arse on that Potter!”

Harry laughed and then turned to Quillian. “What did you mean earlier when you said ‘my business partners’?”

“The Weasley twins, of course. Didn’t you know they made you a minor partner?”

“No, I had no idea.”

“They’ve also given Miss Granger a stake in things, now that her camera idea has taken off. She makes a small amount on each one they sell.”

Hermione beamed at him. Harry didn’t know what to say for a moment then finally got his thoughts out. “I wish I could speak with that pair of idiots. I never wanted part of their business. What percentage did they give me, anyway?”

“I believe it is twenty percent,” Quirrell answered. “If you wish to retain us as your family solicitors of record, we can get all the details for you.”

Doge grinned at his junior partner. Harry caught that and had a very good idea what the two knew that they weren’t saying. He said, “What do you need to become my family solicitors of record, Quillian?”

The man picked up a prepared document off the desk and handed it to Harry saying, “We just need you to sign this letter of retainer which allows us to file the proper documents with the Ministry, and to advise Gringotts.”

Harry laughed at the two solicitors’ shrewdness as he read through the document, Hermione looking it over as well. When she nodded her approval of it, he signed and handed it back to Quirrell, smiling. He shook his head, “You two don’t miss a trick do you?”

Doge replied, “Wouldn’t be very good solicitors if we did that, now would we Harry? Now it just so happens, I can tell you, that we also represent Messrs. Weasley and Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, Ltd. You do in fact own twenty percent of the company, and have voting rights as a major stockholder.”

Harry thought that over for a minute, and asked, “Would it be possible for you to transfer ten percent to Hermione? I never asked for that money I gave them, and I sure never asked for a percentage of their company.” At Hermione’s noises of disagreement, he went on before she could protest further, “I’d never have finished that tournament if not for you, love, so in a very real way, at least in my mind, you deserve half of the reward I got for that. Please take it, that way no matter what happens to me I know you always have at least one source of dependable income.” He turned back to the solicitors, “Can do?”

Quirrell answered, “Yes Harry, we can do that. I should consult with Fred and George first, but I’m sure they will have no quibble with it.”

The rest of the meeting went quickly as they discussed a few other minor details. Then Minerva and Hermione left to go to the Apparition point, and Harry shook hands with the two solicitors. Cuinn flashed him to Hermione’s bedroom, where he waited for her. She entered a few minutes later, already shucking her clothes, giving him a look which strongly suggested he do the same.

He smiled at his love as they entwined with each other and fell onto the bed, kissing and stroking each other fervently. It was like they hadn’t made love for the whole time Harry had been locked up and were now bent on making up for lost time. Almost immediately Hermione pulled him on top of her, and slid his bounteous boner into her vibrating vagina, and neither of them lasted very long. Pumping and pulling and straining against each other as if to join their bodies into one being. In a real way, they were two halves of a whole, and this seemed the only way they could express that.

Some two hours, and numerous orgasms later, they were waking from a short kip and Harry was smiling. When she sleepily returned the smile he said, “I love you.”

“I love you too, dear.”

“I was just thinking that we have a whole month, or most of one anyway, to do little but study, play, learn Occlumency, and make love. I like the idea, don’t you?”

“Mmm, especially the last part,” she snickered, “though the studying and playing wouldn’t be so bad either. I suppose we should go visit with Mum now, and at some point we need to devise some sort of a schedule as to what we are going to do until Mr. Doge can get you a trial.”

Harry laughed, “Oh my love, don’t ever change. Only you would schedule your summer.” At the knitting of her eyebrows, he added, “It is what I love about you Hermione: that you are constantly thinking ahead so to keep things organized. It has helped me a lot over the years, even if I did fight you over it most of the time.”

“Oh,” she smiled, “well in that case, I’ll just keep doing. Someone has to keep you in line, Mr. Potter. Besides, I seem to recall we had worked out a loose schedule before you were arrested.” She smirked, but then she couldn’t hold back the laughter bubbling up.

They shared lots of laughs and tickling and casual fondling as they quickly cleaned up in the shower and dressed. She had some new clothes for him which had been more than she wanted to send with the solicitors, so they dressed in loose and very casual shorts, and only took their shirts along in case. He didn’t mind that she was topless, though he had trouble looking anywhere else.

They spent several hours with her mum, and the three of them took to the pool late in the afternoon. Fortunately for Harry the ladies wore suits and had bought one for him, which he put on almost reluctantly. It was a pair of racing trunks which left little to the imagination, but as soon as he saw the women, he realized what they had on was just as revealing. Luckily for him Dorothy wore both pieces of her suit, though Hermione only wore the bottom. He had to admit that Dorothy could pass for Hermione’s not too much older sister, despite being nearly forty. She obviously kept herself in good condition. After Hermione had taught him some basics of swimming which required a considerable amount of touching and fondling, they were all able to have a fun time in the pool splashing and playing. Harry couldn’t recall ever having so much fun, even if he did swallow a lot of water.

**To be continued**

A/N I wish to thank my two wonderful betas, Kinsfire and ‘Mione, who help me get this looking a lot better than I can alone. You two are great!

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TBC

www.smargden.se/HP/TumbledWeeds/Chapter-06.htm