Harry needed a drink of the fruit juice Dobby had provided before he could continue with the next bit. "Voldemort and his Death Eaters have no power base here, and the Italian Ministry would be down on them like a ton of bricks if they try anything in this country. If anything happens to me, Hermione will keep things running. Should it be both of us, the necessary plans are already in place to keep the school open and running. If nothing else, this will be our legacy - the Potter family legacy. Hermione and I both want to be involved with the institute for many, many years but I now know it will be in safe hands if we're not."
Hermione was now wrapped round him, though she was hampered by her mother refusing to release the hand Emma was clinging to. All three Grangers had tears in their eyes at the mere thought of that happening.
"Harry, how much of this do you want made public?"
"Certainly not that we're searching for and destroying his horcruxes. That he's not dead, and I'm prophesied to end him -yeah. Dumbledore and Fudge will soil themselves when reading that. The entire Granger attack episode - hell yes. That the Potters are instigating Blood Feud against the Malfoys and Parkinsons, again hell yes. People will learn what it's going to cost them if they come after my family. Are we ready to make the Potter Institute public?"
Harry had thrown that question to the room, with most of the people now looking to Pomona for an answer. She didn't disappoint. "With a reduced timetable, and already having six teaching staff on board, with Poppy confirmed as our healer, I'm confident that part will be ready for September. Remus was going to approach the Italian Ministry regarding a language professor, and a few other professor vacancies too. We'll be good to go from our side."
Remus then took over and explained what had happened at their meeting yesterday. "We all agreed the general design for PI, building materials, and dozens of other things. This lets Francesca work on the drawings, order those materials and start on the groundwork. Everyone will still have their say on the facilities, classrooms and such, this work needs to start or we'll never be ready for September. Francesca suggested a swimming pool, and these two couldn't believe they forgot one. She's going to give us a few options, but Harry's adamant the quidditch pitch stays too." This got a few chuckles from his friends.
"I have to say Francesca seemed confident we would be ready. She's the expert here, I've never built a school before. I think we need to take her at her word and say the Potter Institute will be ready to accept students come September."
"So, the only problems I see with making our intentions known would be the Ministry and Dumbledore's reactions. I think after the British magical public discover I'm the chose one, and have moved to Italy because of Dumbledore's interference, that should take him out of the game. That, and having to find at least six new professors and a healer for Hogwarts. Without Malfoy or Dumbledore whispering in his ear, I have no idea what Fudge will do."
Amelia was shaking her head. "You're going to leave the Ministry and Hogwarts in turmoil."
Harry was getting angry again. "We don't want to do this, you know that. They came after me and my family, we're not gonna sit back and let them drag the Grangers off to some show trial just to appease the pure-blood bigots of Britain. We've already got more than enough on our plates here, dealing with Voldemort while trying to build our school - and this is supposed to be a holiday we've invited our friends for..."
The twins had sat quietly, like the rest of their friends, struggling to take on board what was being said here. Their silence was never going to last though. Fred kicked things off, while George was of course in complete sync with his twin.
"Our little Harrykins, all grown up and responsible..."
"Betrothed to the beautiful Miss Granger..."
"Building a school to compete with Hogwarts..."
"Has Death Eaters attacking his in-laws..."
"Dumbledore trying to get him back under the old git's control..."
"Prophesied to face the Dark Lord..."
"Now that's enough to scare anyone, George, yet what is our Harrykins worried about?"
"Being too busy dealing with all of that to have time for his friends..."
"Ronnie boy was supposed to tell you that earlier, though he does seem to have his mind on other things at the moment." That both twins managed to suggestively wiggle their eyebrows toward Millie and Ron, again synced perfectly, was both funny and scary at the same time.
While blushing, Millie proved that she was integrating into the group by having an answer for the twins. "Ron told both of them that, I was there too."
Using the bond their rings gave them, Harry and Hermione decided to give the twins a dose of their own medicine.
"Ron did pass on that message..."
"And Harry thanked him for that..."
"While Hermione hugged him..."
"I hugged Mille too..."
"Yes, she hugged everyone but me..."
This put grins on everyone's faces, before Harry then swiftly wiped them off.
"People, it's actually worse than that..."
"How the bloody hell do you get worse than that?" That shouted question had come from a distraught Emma, who simply couldn't take anymore threats to her daughter. Everyone felt her torment, though also wanted to know what Harry thought was worse. He didn't keep them waiting.
"The night of the dementor attack, something else important happened too - Pettigrew escaped. There's also another prophecy, made to me, that predicted that night's events with scary accuracy. It's the end of this prophecy that's really frighting. 'The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid, greater and more terrible than ever he was.' We need to take these horcruxes out before Pettigrew gets Voldemort a new body."
There was silence in the room now, a silence that Bill broke. "Harry, while I agree one hundred percent on taking out the horcruxes, we need to research other methods he could possibly use to regain a form."
Harry and Hermione again displayed behaviour more suited to a pair of redheaded twins when both of them answered Bill in perfect sync. "Oh shit!"
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