Two months later

The owl who delivered the letter wore a medallion with a crest that Albus didn't recognize - a unicorn rampant bearing a blue flag with a white X and a lion rampant bearing a white flag with a red cross on either side of a shield - and that vexed him. That the crest was repeated on the envelope itself was more vexing, because it meant he had no idea who was sending him mail. The last time he hadn't known the sender simply by the envelope was … was … he couldn't remember. He did, however, appreciate the motto at the base of the crest: Nemo me impune lacessit. No one provokes me with impunity.

But the most vexing about the letter sitting on his desk were the compulsion charms on it, triggered to activate when he opened the letter. Not that the charms were there so much as that he couldn't remove them.

It had been three-quarters of a century since he'd come across a compulsion charm he couldn't remove, and that one had taken an entire coven to place. This one, however, had been placed by a single individual - an individual whose magic Albus didn't recognize.

It was at best a puzzle and at worst a trap, Albus concluded. Especially after the term had begun once again, he was in no mood for and had no time for either a puzzle or a trap, so he set the letter aside and continued to the next task awaiting him.

By the end of the day, Albus had almost forgotten the vexing letter. Surely, it couldn't be that important… it could wait until the morrow.

The next morning, he arrived at his desk to find it covered in copies of the same letter. Whoever had sent them must desperately want to control him… but he was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, and he would not be controlled.

With a wave of his wand, he sent the envelopes to a far shelf, where they stacked themselves as neatly as they could.

Fawkes trilled a low, inquiring note.

"No, Fawkes," Albus told him. "I'm not in the least curious who's trying to control me."

Fawkes's response was a bass note of sadness and - grief? Surely Albus was misinterpreting that. Even after decades with Fawkes, he still hadn't learned all of the phoenix's moods.

Shortly after lunch, the door to his office opened - without his being aware he had a visitor. He looked up with a frown, wondering why the protections on his office had failed, and then could only stare at the two people before him: Sirius Black and Amelia Bones.

He recovered quickly, of course, and smiled genially. "Sirius. Amelia. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Amelia didn't smile. "This isn't a pleasure visit, Albus. We're here to deliver this."

She placed an envelope on his desk, and when he saw it clearly, Albus couldn't hide his shock. It was identical to the ones that had been arriving over the last few days. He looked back at Amelia, affecting his most disappointed expression.

"I am sorry to see that you're participating in such a base tactic, Amelia. Compulsion charms, really." He huffed dramatically, but neither of their expressions changed.

"I'm sorry to see that you believe you can ignore the Queen," Amelia retorted.

"The - Queen?" Albus looked more closely at the crest, only now seeing that yes, the shield was topped with a crowned red lion.

"That's the Royal Arms," Sirius said helpfully. "Used only by the Queen herself - the Scottish version, of course. Perhaps you would've recognized the motto on the version for the United Kingdom - Dieu et mon Droit."

"God and my right," Albus murmured.

"Would you care to explain why you chose to ignore a summons from Her Majesty?" Amelia asked.

"I didn't recognize the seal. And there are compulsion charms that I couldn't remove," Albus said. "Surely you don't expect me to blindly open a letter with such a strong compulsion charm on it when I don't recognize the sender?"

"When it comes from the Queen - yes, I bloody well do," Amelia said. "You'll come with us, Albus - now. You've already kept Her Majesty waiting."

Just over ten minutes later, Albus found himself being escorted through Buckingham Palace in London, Sirius and Amelia to either side of him, and a servant of some sort leading the way. They paused outside a closed door, and Amelia turned to him.

"You'll need to surrender your wand," she said.

Albus drew himself up to his full height. "I have never been asked to surrender my wand before. I will not."

"You will," Amelia said, "because you're not permitted to bring a weapon into Her Majesty's presence. Surrender your wand."

Albus hesitated. "You don't know what you're asking."

"I do know that I won't ask again," Amelia said, narrowing her eyes, and Albus almost - almost - flinched from the determination in her expression.

"Very well." He let his wand slip from its holster and into his hand. Reversing it so the tip pointed toward him, he offered it to Amelia.

She took it with a nod, then looked over his shoulder toward -

A frisson of magic swept over him, and he turned to Sirius with a frown - only to find Sirius frowning back, looking more angry than Albus would have thought possible.

"Perhaps Amelia wasn't clear," he said in a tone colder than a Highland winter. "You are not permitted any wand or weapon in the Queen's presence. Surrender your backup wand - or be stunned and have it taken from you. The choice is yours."

Albus swallowed at the expression in Sirius' eyes. With great reluctance, he drew and handed over the Elder Wand. Would the wand still work for him when it was returned? Or had it transferred its allegiance to Sirius Black?

Another frisson of magic swept over him, and finally Amelia nodded to their escort, who stepped forward and opened the doors.

"Albus Dumbledore, Your Majesty," he said and stepped aside to allow Albus to enter, still escorted by Sirius and Amelia.

The room he entered seemed more like a sitting room than an office, with conversational groupings of chairs around low tables, a piano in one corner adorned with framed photographs, and in the far corner, a small writing desk, at which Her Majesty sat apparently penning a note to someone.

Albus wasn't used to being kept waiting. He usually kept others waiting, and it was quite irksome that some Muggle, queen or not, made him wait like … like … a commoner. It took all his self-restraint to stand without fidgeting until she signed her name and turned in her seat to face him.

"As it appears you value your time more highly than mine," she began, "I shall make this brief. Due to your callous disregard for the safety and welfare of your students, you are hereby removed from your position as Headmaster of Hogwarts."

Albus found himself staring at the woman, his mouth rapidly drying thanks to hanging rather widely open. He closed his mouth and swallowed.

"The Hogwarts Board of Governors appoints the headmaster," he said.

Her expression didn't change. "That you do not know the meaning of plenary power simply supports my decision. But if it eases your mind, most of the Board are receiving similar dismissals."

Albus took a breath. "I do know the meaning of the term, Your Majesty - I was simply caught by surprise. I assure you, I have the greatest concern for my students. Their welfare and safety are my top priorities."

"That would be why you placed a fifteen-month-old child on a doorstep on a November night," Her Majesty said, the lack of sarcasm in her tone making the words even more damning. "And why you then placed an object of immense value in a school behind security so simply designed that eleven-year-old children could get past it - in an attempt to lure a terrorist into the castle for unknown reasons. No, Mr. Dumbledore, I do not believe you have any concern for your students."

"Everything I have done," Albus said, "I did for the greater good."

Her Majesty's lips thinned. "Who are you to determine the greater good? Or, perhaps, what special magic do you have that allows you to divine the greater good infallibly?"

"I -" he cleared his throat and began again. "There is never a perfect answer in this world, and the consequences of our actions are always so complex that predicting the future is a difficult business. So I make no claims of infallibility."

"And yet, knowing you are not infallible, you proceeded to manipulate events you had no business meddling with, rather than following the law you were sworn to uphold."

"I held no such position at the time," Albus protested.

"Which only makes your actions more reprehensible," Her Majesty replied. "And it is with great reluctance that I have limited myself to removing you from Hogwarts."

"Your Majesty, I -"

She held up a hand, and he fell silent. "I have no wish to hear your justifications, Mr. Dumbledore, nor any protests of innocence or requests for mercy. My judgment stands. With one proviso."

Albus swallowed, his gut twisting uncomfortably. "Proviso, Your Majesty?"

"I will ask you to swear an Unbreakable Vow regarding Henry James Potter. If you do so, it will be as I have said. If you do not, I will have no choice but to place you in custody for Mr. Potter's safety and protection."

Albus swallowed again, the knowledge that Cornelius Fudge was in Azkaban at Her Majesty's pleasure coming to the forefront of his mind. While in theory that meant Fudge could be released at any time, in practice it had often meant imprisonment until the prisoner died. He had no desire to share Fudge's fate. "What are the contents of the Unbreakable Vow?"

At a gesture from the Queen, Amelia Bones came forward and offered him a parchment, which he read quickly.

Will you refrain from contacting Henry James Potter, also known as Harry Potter and the Boy Who Lived, personally in any manner?

Will you refrain from asking, manipulating, controlling, coercing, or otherwise influencing anyone else to contact Henry James Potter on your behalf?

Will you refrain from manipulating, controlling, or otherwise influencing Henry James Potter, his life, or his choices in life?

A refusal was on the tip of Albus's tongue - how could he be expected never to contact Harry if Voldemort returned, as he surely would, despite Agent Callen's dismissal of horcruxes? But then he remembered Callen's instructions to contact him, Hetty Lange, or Nell Jones if he ever needed to contact Harry. That avenue was still open to him, despite the Vow.

Another fleeting thought of Fudge in Azkaban decided him. Except, "Can the words knowingly or willingly be added to the third question? An honest mistake shouldn't cost me my life."

Her Majesty appeared to consider that. "That seems a reasonable request to me. Madam Bones? Mr. Black?"

After a few moments of thought, Amelia nodded. "Seems reasonable."

"I agree," Sirius added, and offered his right hand.

"Now…? Yes, of course. Now." Albus clasped Sirius's hand in his own, and Amelia led him through the oaths.

Albus nearly stumbled from the strength of the Vow but managed to hold himself erect at the last moment.

"Thank you, Mr. Dumbledore," the Queen said. "I trust that if we meet again, it will be under better circumstances."

"That is my most fervent wish, Your Majesty," Albus said. He certainly wouldn't wish to meet again under worse circumstances.

She rose, and Albus was surprised to find she was almost a foot shorter than he was. "I thank you for your service to my realm," she said. "I hope you find this enlightening reading."

Albus started as Sirius held out a book. He took it and turned it so he could read the title. God in the Dock, by C.S. Lewis.

He wasn't familiar with the book or the author, but manners compelled him to say, "I'm sure I shall, Your Majesty."

Before long, they were outside Buckingham Palace. Amelia returned his wands to him, then she and Sirius were gone, blending into the throngs of tourists gathered to stare at the Queen's residence.

He wasn't certain, but as they walked away, he thought he heard them talking about America … and Miss Granger? What a strange juxtaposition of subject matter.

Somewhat bemused, Albus made his way to the Leaky Cauldron, and a table in the back, his mind spinning with what had just happened. He'd been headmaster at Hogwarts nearly thirty years, and an instructor there even longer, but no longer. He'd have to return to gather his personal effects and bid farewell to the school that had been his shelter and his life's work.

But that was for tomorrow. Or the day after. Right now, he ordered a dram of Ogden's finest, and

opened the book the Queen had given him, only now noticing that a passage had been marked. Albus shifted the book closer to the light and read,

Of all the tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

Each word struck him with the force of a Bludgeoning Curse. Did the Queen think he been such a tyrant? How was that possible?

Surely, he'd never tormented anyone for their own good, only the greater good … but was there any material difference between the two in this instance?

He suspected he would be pondering that for decades to come.

Harry was almost bouncing with excitement as he waited with Aiden Hanna outside the International Portkey Arrival Point at Los Angeles International Airport. He and Aiden didn't have badges that would let them into the secure arrival area like Callen and Sam, so they were forced to wait here while their respective fathers went to meet the new arrivals.

And they were arrivals, Harry thought happily, not just visitors. Hermione had gotten accepted at a private magical/muggle high school, and once Hetty had made it clear that Hermione was free to stay with her at the Dovecote while she attended school, the Doctors Granger had agreed to allow her to move to the States before them. That Sirius, too, was relocating to the States and had offered to escort her made their decision even easier.

Their arrivals were the best birthday gift Harry could ask for, even if it was nearly a month after his birthday.

Beside him, Aiden laughed. "You're about to jump out of your skin. It's just Sirius and Hermione."

"Not just either of them," Harry replied, consciously stilling himself. "Sirius is my godfather, and Hermione -" he broke off, ducking his head.

"Is your girlfriend," Aiden replied with a grin. "I know."

"That's just it, Aiden," Harry said quietly. "I think Hermione's more than my girlfriend. I think she's it for me. The one."

Aiden stared at him long enough that Harry felt his cheeks starting to heat. Then he blew out a breath. "I'm your friend, you know that, right?"

Harry blinked, surprised by that question. "Of course. My best friend."

"Then you know I have to point out that you're just fifteen."

"So?"

"So - that's a little young to be declaring anyone's the one for you, isn't it?"

"Not for a Potter." Sirius's voice came from behind them, and Harry realized belatedly that they'd gotten so engrossed in their conversation their situational awareness had dwindled to near zero.

"Sirius." Harry stepped forward to hug him, and his godfather's arms came around him.

"Hello, pup," Sirius said softly. Then his voice changed when he spoke again. "Harry's dad - his biological dad James - knew Lily was the one for him almost before they exchanged a dozen words. And James' dad Fleamont was the same with Euphemia. It seems to happen like that for Potters - Potter men, at least."

Aiden stared at Sirius for a moment, then laughed and shook his head and looked back at Harry. "That sounds weird, but - I hope it's true. For both of you."

"Thanks," Harry said and pulled back from Sirius's hug to crane his neck around the taller man. "Where's Hermione?"

"Delayed at Customs," Sirius said, and there was a definite tinge of amusement in his tone. "They don't seem to believe that she has a dimensional store stuffed full of books and nothing else. I'm pretty sure they're checking it for weapons and controlled substances."

Then the door to Customs opened again and his future was running toward him.

Harry caught Hermione and held her against him. "Welcome to the United States."

"For good this time," she replied.

"For good," he agreed and sealed that promise with a kiss.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

And so the second story in this crossover 'verse comes to an end. I have no idea whether there'll be another (my Muse has been whispering, but no more than that), but I greatly appreciate your sharing the story with me. Thank you for your reviews and comments - they mean a lot.