Harry had firmly decided, he HATED being a 'child' once again.
Other people might be over the moon about what he was experiencing, getting at least another fifty free years added to their life, but Harry wasn't most people. All he had wanted left in life before being brought back to Britain was to keep Skyrim safe, and spend his remaining days with his family before finally entering Sovngarde.
Now however, Harry had been deprived of the physical strength he had cultivated throughout his life, he couldn't enjoy sex for another few years(his favorite form of stress releif outside of killing something), and now he was being put aside in the investigation regarding Peter Pettigrew.
Despite being the primary victim in Peter's latest crime, Harry had been told by Fudge(who was clout chasing once again) to focus his attention on his studies due to the rapidly approaching end of year exams. Something that earned him pointed looks from Amelia Bones, Albus, and even the Aurors that had accompanied the two of them, pair by the names of Dawlish and Shacklebolt.
Even Harry giving the Minister his most 'are you fucking kidding me?' look hadn't been enough to sway his decision, though Fudge did look as if he were going to piss his pants from that. Apparently he DID still remember what Harry did at Azkaban.
It wasn't till after the frightened Minister left the office that Amelia quietly told Harry that the truth was that Fudge was worried about looking bad because of Harry yet again. First he had to defend them from the Dementors when they went to Azkaban, then Harry was the one credited with bringing the truth regarding Sirius and Peter to light, as no one would have known if he hadn't requested to meet his godfather to begin with.
And now Harry was also the first one to pick up the trail of Peter Pettigrew when the Ministry had(unofficially) declared it hopeless due to his Animagus form. If this were to keep up, then how would the Ministry be able to maintain their position over the magical population when they were consistantly being outdone by an 11 year old?
Well Harry didn't care about their image.
Even as he studied like a good little student, Harry already sent out orders to both Rita Skeeter and Magnus Greengrass.
Rita, as a journalist, had contacts all over Britain and the rest of Europe that she used to keep an ear out for interesting scoops and leads on different stories. So Harry had her on the lookout for any signs of Peter, along with word of any mysterious blade related deaths.
Magnus meanwhile was a Death Eater, as well as a Lord of one of the wealthier and more influential familes in magical Britain, while also being the main supplier of Potion ingredients for the entire nation. He had contacts all across the continent and beyond in the form of fellow dark arts enthusiasts, business partners, and associates that would rather remain unnamed.
The best part? Magnus had already told Harry in a letter that Peter Pettigrew was well-known amongst the remainng followers of Voldemort for being the one who sent him to Godric's Hollow all those years ago. Because of this, he was one of the people that Voldemort's followers wanted to get their hands on the most, as they held him responsible for what happened.
Harry effectively had a small legion of Death Eaters working for him, and none of them were aware of it!
They weren't the only ones working to locate the rat though.
After Harry sent word to them, both Sirius and Remus set out to try and track him down, especialy after Harry sent them scent samples to work with. Sirius, who could transform into a large black dog, was scouring the city streets in his animal form as he tried to uncover even the faintest whiff of Peter. Remus on the other hand would canvas the woods and mountains at night in his transformed state, which he stated in one of his last letters he greatly appreciated.
So while a reporter, Death Eater, Animagus and Werewolf all did the legwork for him, Harry did as Fudge requested and played the proper student. He attended study groups that Hermione organized with other first years, reviewed the asinine topics they studied in A History of Magic, and otherwise prepared for the end of the term.
When it was all said and done, Harry ended up with the second best marks out of all the first years, beaten only by Hermione due to her obsessive fervor in outperforming everyone. What surprised everyone else though was that the ones who were right behind them in scores were not Ravenclaws, who were known for topping the rankings, but Draco and Daphne from Slytherin.
"I had heard that Hogwarts end of year exams were frightful, but I found that downright enjoyable." Hermione said as they made to sit in the shade of a tree, enjoying the rare warm scottish weather before they returned home for the summer holidays.
"Speak for yourself..." Ron groaned as he sprawled out on the grass.
"What is the problem with Weasley?" Tracy asked curiously while Daphne pointedly ignored him beside her.
"Ron is annoyed that him sharing a bed with a Death Eater for most of the year wasn't traumatic enough to excuse him from taking the exams." Harry told her as he reclined again the tree, watching as the giant squid that lived in the lake let it's tentacle drift lazily on the surface of the water, allowing the twins to tickle it playfully.
"Its not like that!" Ron exclaimed in an offended tone while looking at him. "Besides, my family's already been through a lot because of all this..." He added while laying his head back down.
"Fair enough." Harry smirked back as he recalled everything the Weasley's had been dealing with for the last several weeks.
Ron in particular had spent well over an hour scrubbing every inch of his skin with the hottest water he could manage in the baths after finding out his pet rat was actually a full grown man, before having the house elves steralize his entire bed. Percy meanwhile was so distraught about his role in bringing Peter into his family's lives that it affected his study schedule. Now he was worried about his OWL results because of it.
The rest of the Weasley family, while not being treated with suspicion, had been questioned thoroughly while also getting tested for any potential dark magic that Peter might have used on them during his time as their 'pet'. Luckily all of the tests showed that no such magics had been used on them, and the entire family was clean.
"You seem pretty relaxed, Harry." Neville pointed out while looking at the Boy-Who-Lived, even as Harry dozed lightly in the shade.
"True. You've seemed pretty tense for the last several weeks." Daphne added, looking up from her book for the first time.
"Things have been looking up a little bit." Harry replied, not mentioning the letter he had gotten from Magnus earlier that morning. The latest of a series of breadcrumbs the rat had been leaving behind since the theft.
Eventually talk turned towards what they were all going to do over the summer break, such as how Hermione's parents planned to take her on a vacation, but she didn't know where yet. Daphne was similarly going abroad with her family, but mostly on business as Magnus taught her more about how to run the family.
Ron just grumbled since his family couldnt afford to travel so often, aside from during the term when he and the majority of his siblings were in school. He wasn't the only one though, since Neville's grandmother also didn't like to travel unless necessary at her old age.
"What about you, Harry?" Hermione eventually asked as she turned the conversation towards him.
"Mmmm... Maybe I'll do some hunting." Harry replied noncommittably.
"Hunting?" Daphne asked with a quirked brow.
"Yeah. I think I'll do some big game hunting." Harry told them, not at all mentioning what kind of 'game' he would be after. Instead, Neville began to eagerly tell Harry about how one of his great uncles regularly travels the world to hunt exotic magical creatures, which he proudly displayed in his home as stuffed trophies.
They continued relaxing and discussing their summer plans until dinner, prompting them all to return to the castle for the end of the year feast. They would also get to hear who won the House cup, which ended up being Ravenclaw since Albus cracked down on Snape's irresponsible point deductions and allocations.
After the feast though, before he could return to the dorm with the others, Minerva approached him.
"Mister Potter, the headmaster would like to see you before you return to your dorm for the night." She informed him.
"Alright. I was wanting to talk to him before we go home anyways." Harry replied as he changed course, heading towards Albus's office instead of the common room. And it was testiment to how much time he spent there when he didn't even need to give the statue a password as he arrived, it simply moved aside to allow Harry up without any problems.
"Hello Harry." Albus said as soon as he entered the office.
"Hey. So what was it you wanted to see me about?" Harry asked as he sat in one of the chair opposite the headmaster.
"I wanted to pass this along to you, straight from the Ministry." Albus said as he handed Harry a scroll, specially sealed with wax that had the emblem of the Ministry on it.
Curious, Harry broke the wax seal and opened the rolled up parchment, before his brows rose in surprise when he read what the parchment said.
~~~
Dear Mr. Potter,
In response to the appeals of Headmaster Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore, also the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederations of Wizards, and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, we are please to present you with this special writ allowing you use magic even outside of school.
Please be advised that this a nearly unprecedented privilege, one that can and WILL lead to your possible expulsion if it is misused. It is also advised that you keep this writ on your person at all times during the summer holidays, lest someone who is misinformed take offense at your use of spellcraft.
Sincerely,
Malfalda Hopkirk.
~~~
"How did you manage this?" Harry asked the old man as he finished reading the letter, which was signed and stamped at the bottom to prove it's authenticity.
"While unorthodox, I do have enough influence to acquire something like this at least. In actuality, since you will be living with Sirius the Ministry will be unable to detect you using magic at home entirely. This is mostly for travel and any guests you may have that would question your use of magic." He explained with a small smile.
"So does that mean that the trace only applies to muggle-born students, like Hermione?" Harry asked curiously as he pocketed the roll of parchment.
"Unfortunately. Though most magical families also enforce it within their homes, otherwise their children may accidentally Transfigure or Charm something they are unable to reverse. I do know for a fact that some more influencial families allow or even encourage their children to continuously use and study magic during their holidays, so that they can gain an upper hand on their classmates."
"Which makes it all the funnier when muggle-borns like Hermione surpass them anyways." Harry said with a smirk, while Albus also chuckled lightly in agreement.
"Indeed. Incidently, one reason I was able to acquire that pass for you is due to your summer lessons with Horace. He himself was able to pull quite a few stringes to support you."
"Oh yeah..." Harry muttered as he recalled that particular discussion, in which he was going to be 'tutored' by Horace Slughorn over the course of the summer holiday. In actuality, Harry and Horace were going to be working together to study the effects the alchemical ingredients Harry brought from Skyrim would have in potions brewed in this world, and vice versa.
"Yes, Horace seemed quite enthused about your 'lessons' the last time I spoke to him. Especially after he went down to the greenhouses to see the plants you and Pomona have been working on."
"And that's only what we can cultivte. I have DECADES of materials that I've collected waiting to be used, but if we run out of them then that's it." Harry told him while mentally going through said list, Daedra Haerts, Ice Wraith Fangs, Vampire Dust, Dwarven Oil, Skeever Tails...
"It is a shame that I will be unable to join you two. I so would have loved experimenting with so many foreign ingredients." Albus said wistfully, sounding truly saddened.
"What are you going to be doing?" Harry asked him curiously.
"I will be spending my summer break trying to track down any possible leads on Voldemort's Horcruxes, particularly what they may be, as well as where they might be hidden."
"Well if you learn anything, let me know. Whether it's Voldemort or his Horcruxes, I intend to be the one to deal with them." Harry stated firmly, still pissed about the Soul Gem being stolen from him.
"Absolutely. Yet another reason that I secured that pass for you."
"And as long as you're looking around, I have something for you to check into as well." Harry added, pulling a few pieces of parchment out of one of his robe pockets before laying them on the desk.
"This is...?" Albus muttered as he looked at them curiously.
"They're quite possibly the route Peter Pettigrew took after he fled from Hogwarts." Harry stated, earning him a sharp look from Albus.
"How did you manage to pick up his trail?" He asked, not at all worrying about Fudge's insistance that Harry stay away from the search for the rat.
"I don't know for sure if it is him, but it matches the timeline for when the blade was stolen." Harry told him, before pointing to one of the parchments in particular.
"Here, outside of Glasglow, an entire family disappeared overnight just two days after the Ebony Blade was stolen. Then, a few days later, the same thing happened in France, before doing so again in Germany. Three more disappearances happened in Spain, Italy, then finally Egypt just a few days ago. All of them included entire families, of which no trace was ever discovered while nothing in their houses showed possible foul play."
"Why do you think Peter and the blade are involved?" Albus asked, even as he poured over each parchment carefully.
"The Ebony Blade is especially evil as far as Daedric Artifacts go. It is specifically strengthened by betrayal, using it to spill the blood of those who trust you. Wouldn't the best way to do so be by using the Imperius curse to make someone else use it as they slaughtered their own family? And then hiding the evidence afterwards?" Harry pointed out, and Albus's brow furrowed worriedly.
Of course, most that was pointed out to Harry by Magnus when Rita first discovered the disappearances. He stated in one of his letters, no doubt from personal experience, that covering up a murder was child's play for a proper wizard if they didn't want to get caught.
Regardless of how they chose to go about it, a few flicks of the wand was all that was needed to clean up the mess and erase evidence, while they could also use Transfiguration to change the bodies into something else, allowing them to dispose or hide them at their leisure without worry of discovery. Apparently if a wizard killed someone and left the body behind, it was because they were intentionally sending a message.
Truly, having a Death Eater on his side was a great boon, as Harry was able to learn how they operated well before he himself would have to go after them.
"I shall look into each of these myself, as well as keeping my ears open for any more that pop up. From the looks of things though, if it is Peter, he may be heading south in an erratic and unpredictable route." Albus said slowly. "I have a few friends in Africa that I can contact, and ask them to keep an eye out for anything else that happens."
"Thank you, because I have no way to keep track of things that far south." Harry said with relief, which was the truth. Magnus only had a few contacts in Africa for rare ingredients, and they typically stayed in the more dense regions of the continent.
"I would like to know how you were able to keep track of THIS." Albus said wryly while gesturing to the parchment Harry laid out.
"Wouldn't you like to know." Harry smirked back at him as he leaned back in the chair.
"Why Harry, aren't you going to indulge in an old man's curiosity?" Albus asked while adopting a look of woe.
"Naw. I don't feel like it." Harry replied while looking away pointedly, taking the time to admire some of the interesting magical instruments that were around them.
Together, Harry and Albus bantered back and forth for a bit in good humor, before Harry eventually needed to return to the dorm to get ready to go home the next day.
***
The next day saw them all boarding the Hogwarts express to return to London for the summer, where Harry sat with Hermione and Daphne on either side of him, both so close they were practically on his lap while glaring daggers at one another for most of the trip. Also sitting in the compartment with them was Tracy, Ron and Neville, all three of which were just watching Daphne and Hermione with amusement.
Harry just tried to ignore them as best as he could for the entire trip, but it was difficult at times due to them being directly on either side of him.
Needless to say that Harry was quite relieved when they finally arrived at King's Cross, and he was able to shake the two of them off as he prepared to go back to Potter Manor. There was work to be done.
When Harry stepped off the train though, he was surprised to see two people standing with Sirius on the platform. One of them was hardly surprising, Amelia, but the other made his brows rise.
"Mother?!" Draco exclaimed as saw her too.
"Hello Draco." The woman greeted him, none other than the illustrious lady Malfoy, Narcissa.
Harry had never seen Narcissa Malfoy in person before. She was only a little taller than him, had long blonde hair with piercing blue eyes, pale skin and a slim figure. She would have been exceedingly beautiful if not for the fact that her robes were obviously worn, her hair frayed, and she appeared to be lacking sleep if the bags under her eyes were anything to go by. Additionally, her expression seemed perpetually twisted into distaste as she glanced at everyone else around her.
Harry also wondered if Narcissa was unaware of the looks she was receiving from those around her, mostly mockery and scorn, or if she were merely preptending not to notice.
"Why are you here with THEM?!" Draco demanded as he glared at Amelia and Sirius, the former being the one who threw his father into Azkaban, and the latter being considered a traitor by the pure blood socialites, as well as the Black family in general. Sirius was only the head of it as the only true Black left.
"After we are done here, I will having talks with Lord Black." Narcissa told him in a tone that left little room for argument. And Harry was surprised to see Draco actually cow before her.
"What kind of talks?" Harry asked Sirius as he approached him, and Susan also arrived to stand beside her aunt.
"Actually..." Sirius began as he scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Cissy wants me to accept her back into the Black family, along with Draco."