The Anger .

Turning to the shopkeeper, he said, "We'll take it. Plus, we also need: an indoor portable roost, a bag of owl treats, a small book on taking care of them, and package the whole lot up into a shrunk parcel."

"Easy enough to do," said the shopkeeper.

"And, can I also borrow a sheet of parchment, a quill and some ink?" asked Harry. "I need to let the receiver know the owl is a gift to them."

With a nod, the shopkeeper disappeared for a few moments to bring back the required writing implements.

Harry, Daphne and Neville then set about writing the letter to the Grangers. Harry remembered their address as he saw it written on the inside cover of one of Hermione's books she brought from home.

Within twenty minutes, Harry carried the owl outside with the parcel and letter attached before launching it into the air above the Alley.

When Harry, Daphne and Neville returned to the castle later that afternoon, they each wore their new spectacles. Cygnus saw them floo'ed away from Diagon Alley before leaving directly for Greengrass Estate. When Daphne was concerned they detracted from her looks, Harry gently leaned forward and, for the first time, kissed her. "Not to me, they don't," he softly said.

Daphne, at first shocked, blushed and leaned forward before saying, "If I was any older, Mister Potter, that comment would have earned you a decent snogging."

"Oh?" asked Harry. "And did you have anyone in mind to award me that decent snogging?"

Daphne grinned back and smacked him on the arm. "Prat!" she exclaimed.

Neville, sporting his new 'shades', chuckled. "You're a brave man, Mister Potter."

"Ah!" replied Harry. "But, thanks to our fathers, I already have the delectable Miss Greengrass firmly in my clutches. Mwa ha ha!"

Neville laughed while Harry earned another smack to his arm from Daphne.

As they entered the main doors of the castle they were greeted by Dumbledore, himself.

"I take it you have successfully concluded your business?" he asked with his twinkle running full bore.

"Yes, thank you, Headmaster," replied Harry.

"And might I enquire what that business was?" asked the old man.

"You may, Headmaster," replied Harry. "But, as it was familybusiness, it is none of your business."

"I am the Headmaster of this school, Mister Potter," said the Headmaster sternly. His twinkle now absent. "It is my responsibility to know what my students are up to when they leave the grounds."

"And, I told you, Headmaster," replied Harry, coolly, leading the other two past and onto the stairs. "It was family business. You need not know anything else."

A clearly upset Dumbledore frowned mightily in response before storming off towards his office.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Grand Sorcerer, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Holder of the Order of Merlin First Class, ex-Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, ex-Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, was a man unused to being so thoroughly sidelined. However, he also knew it was no one's fault but his own. In the past two weeks his grand plan for the Greater Good of the Wizarding World had been reduced to a shambles, he had lost almost all of his political power, his popularity was in ruin, his staff now questioned him over his actions; but, more importantly, young Harry Potter was well and truly outside of his control. With the arrest and charges laid against his maternal aunt and uncle, the protections placed on the boy through the blood wards over Privett Drive were weakening daily. And the boy could not be forced to return there to restrengthen them. After the trial of the Dursleys in Courtroom Five he wouldn't have sent the boy back to them, anyway.

He knew the preceding ten years were going to be dark days for the boy, what with the aunt's hatred for magic; and, he expected the boy to come to school grateful to be out from under the roof of the Dursleys for at least part of the year; but, he had no idea it would be as bad for him as it clearly was. He also realised the boy was right when he said it was his fault it was bad, because he didn't find the time to go and check on his charge. And now the boy clearly - and for good reason - hated him for it.

With a sigh Dumbledore grasped a pinch of floo powder from his pot of it on the mantle above his fireplace. He tossed it in and called, "Potions Master's Office, Hogwarts." As the flames turned green he stuck his head within and called, "Severus."

Snape, who was sitting at his personal potions workstation at the time of the call, cast a Time Suspension Charm over the workstation before turning around to look at his fireplace. "What is it, Headmaster? I'm in the middle of brewing a new batch of Homesickness Cure Infusion for Pomfrey."

"Come to my office, please," replied Dumbledore. "We need to talk."

With a grumbling sigh, Snape rose from his workstation and said, "I shall be there, momentarily, Headmaster." He first placed another, longer, Time Suspension Charm over his entire workstation before turning to the door and striding out.

A few minutes later he was striding into the Headmaster's office.

"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?" he asked the old man.

"Ah, Severus," replied Dumbledore. "Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss." Covering his own sigh of frustration, the Potions Master took seat on the other side of Dumbledore's desk.

"How well have you gained the confidence of young Miss Greengrass?" asked Dumbledore, once Snape was properly seated.

"Not one jot of an iota, Albus," replied Snape. "You know that."

"It is imperative you regain her trust, Severus," said Dumbledore. "She is the key to regaining the trust of young Mister Potter."

"Albus, it is difficult to regain something I never had in the first place," replied Snape with a sour look. "How do you propose I do what you ask?"

Dumbledore gave a dismissive wave before replying, "I'm sure you'll find a way, Severus. Our plan depends on it." "Your plan, Headmaster," replied Snape. "Not mine."

"We must regain young Harry's trust," said Dumbledore ignoring Snape's response. "The future of the wizarding world depends on it."

"Headmaster, I fear you're flogging a dead horse," replied Snape. "Your plans will have to continue apace, without the participation of the Potter brat."

"Alas, they cannot, Severus," replied Dumbledore with a sigh. "Harry Potter is the key to everything. His destiny is to face Tom. Mine is to guide him to that point in time."

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