Poppa John 1

Disclaimer: Any character, physical place, or magic you recognize from Harry Potter books or movies belong to Joanne "Jo" Rowling and/or anyone she has granted a license too. This includes her publishers and Warner Brothers. The John Rambo and Sam Trautman characters are owned by David Morrell and those he licensed them to. *I changed Rambo's birthday by ten years to fit the Harry Potter time line.* I make no money from using their great characters.

If you recognize another character from a fanfic, you have read that was published before this, please inform me, so I can give proper credit where it is due. With over 200,000 HP fanfics on , it's highly probable this will happen although I will do my best to avoid it. This is the last Disclaimer that you will see as it covers all chapters.

WARNING: This has not and will not be sent to a Beta it is simply what it is.

THIS STORY DOES NOT FOLLOW CANON AND MAY BASH SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS!

IF YOU DON'T LIKE FLUFF, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME READING THIS JUST FIND ANOTHER STORY PLEASE.

This assumes you have either read the Harry Potter books or seen the eight movies. This is what I would have liked to happen beginning 31 October 1981. THIS IS NOT CANON SO DON'T BITCH ABOUT BIRTHDAYS OR THE OTHER CHANGES I MAKE. If you want canon read the effing books by JKR.

Note: Oklahoma's abbreviation is OK and Oklahoma City's abbreviation is OKC. In this story Neville was born on 30 July, Harry on 31 July, Luna on 1 August, and Hermione on 1 July 1980.

The following is a description, of how I write various monies, languages, thoughts, dates, and times. This will not be repeated in later chapters.

§Parseltongue§ ~Spells~ thoughts/mind speak [Foreign language]

1₲ = 1 Galleon = 17₴ = 493₭, 1₴ = 1 Sickle = 29₭, 1₭ = 1 Knut

£1 = 1 British Pound Sterling, $1 = 1 U.S. Dollar, 1₲ = £50 = $75.00

Temperature is in degrees Fahrenheit.

Dates are in the form of; day month year (2 May 1998) Time is in the 24-hour format: 1300h = 1:00 p.m., and 2000h is 8:00 p.m. A day begins at midnight and ends at 24:00. All times, unless otherwise noted, are local times.

A/N: I found this on an old notebook computer that I was cleaning things off of to donate it to the American Veterans. It's pretty rough and was my first attempt at writing fiction. The file folder ended up under the test data I used for a Foxpro program. It was by chance I just didn't delete the top folder and everything under it.

Started: 8 November 2009

Last Edit: 24 November 2014 0700 CST

Poppa John 1

The Baby and The Firebird

Friday, 1 November 1981, 0330h

#4 Privet Drive, Little Winging, Surrey

The Phoenix known to many as Fawkes sat in a tree across the street from #4 Privet Drive watching Dumbledore and McGonagall discussing the people who lived at #4. Fawkes recognized Dumbledore would not be swayed from leaving young Harry Potter at the worst possible place. Fawkes knew James and Lily Potter didn't want Harry within five miles of this place. He also knew Dumbledore was going against James and Lily's wishes and knew why. This was something the Phoenix could not allow.

Fawkes watched the arrival of Hagrid, the placement of Harry with a letter, and the departure of the three magicals. He dived out of the tree and glided across the street. When his toes touched the handle of the basket that contained Harry, Fawkes flashed away. In less than a minute, he appeared in the master bedroom of 12231 Royal Coach Drive, Yukon, Oklahoma (OK). Fawkes was singing as he arrived, which stopped the man in bed from hexing him and possibly hurting Harry.

The firebird sat the basket on the floor, and flew to the man and landed on his chest. After he settled, Fawkes looked John Rambo in the eyes and passed him visions of what had happened. These visions included words when they were spoken so John knew what was going on. When Fawkes finished John knew that both James and Lily Potter were dead and he would need to raise Harry. Rambo asked the Firebird to bring him Sirius Black. Fawkes flew up, trilled, and flashed away. While John got dressed and checked Harry, he figured Sirius would be put out about coming to the USA. Less than ten minutes after Fawkes left a very pissed-off Sirius Orion Black arrived via Firebird.

"Damn it Fawkes I need to find Peter," Sirius grumbled and the Firebird let him fall, about eight feet from the floor. Sirius didn't have enough time to cushion his fall so John silenced him so he couldn't wake Harry up.

In a voice laced in ice, John answered for Fawkes. "Actually, you need to take care of Harry while I stop Dumbledore from sealing the Potter Wills. Sirius you promised James, Lily, and me that you would help me raise Harry if anything happened to them. Peter Pettigrew can be taken care of later. Now watch Harry while I go see Ragnok. Oh, while I'm gone remove the tracking charms from Harry, the letter, and your boots and robes then read the letter left with Harry."

John silently disappeared from the bedroom and appeared in the apparation area for Gringotts Oklahoma City VIP customers. The fact that it was 2210h meant nothing since the bank was open 24/7. John was well-known and asking to speak to the Goblin King wasn't unusual for him. Five minutes after asking John was sent through a portal that exited near Ragnok's office in London. Ragnok's son Hawkclaw escorted John into his father's office.

Before John could bow, or say anything, Ragnok asked as a statement. "Tell me that you have Harry safe in the USA."

John smiled and replied, "Harry and Sirius are safe in my home. The traitor Peter Pettigrew apparently escaped, and Sirius was looking for him when I asked Fawkes to bring the mutt to me."

"Good," The goblin leader responded adding, "I guess you're here to get the Potter Wills executed and read as soon as possible."

John nodded at his long-time friend and answered, "Yes, but I expect Dumbledore will try to seal the Wills. He took Harry to the Dursleys after witnessing their Wills. Apparently, he has some grand plan for Harry and believes only Harry can kill Voldemort. James told me the prophecy and it's the biggest bunch of bullshit I've heard in years."

"Since Harry had contact with Voldemort, bring him to our healers so we can check him out." Hawkclaw suggested.

"That's a good idea thank you," John responded thanking the chief of the goblin guards.

Fifteen minutes later the paperwork was filed and signed by the Executor of the Potter wills. Dumbledore was cut off at the knees but would still have a lot to answer for. John requested that all Potter property be sent to the family vault and the inventory show who had the returned items. He also requested that the goblins take care of James and Lily's bodies and arrange a funeral for 1300h on Tuesday 5 November, in Godric's Hollow. The goblins agreed, Ragnok and Hawkclaw knew John Rambo and Dumbledore had no use for each other. Hate was probably too strong of a word to describe their thoughts about the other.

John once stated that, "I have absolutely no feelings about Dumbledore and wouldn't walk three feet to piss on him or his grave. He doesn't believe in justice for the victims or punishing the guilty, only in redeeming those with no conscience."

Dumbledore said, "Rambo is nothing more than a killer who gives no one a chance to redeem themselves. Everyone deserves the chance to change their ways."

John left certified copies of the letters that named him the Executor of James and Lily's Wills. The letters also named Peter Pettigrew as their secret keeper. He also gave Ragnok a copy of the letter saying the Potters wanted Harry to attend the best schools, and that may not be Hogwarts.

In a separate letter, they named Severus Snape as the one who reported part of the prophecy to Voldemort and set him on the path to their deaths. That letter also named John as Harry's primary guardian and the Executor of their Wills. It named Sirius as Harry's godfather and stated when he had taken the oath. It also specified that Sirius was to have input into Harry's growing up and schooling.

That letter went as a certified copy, certified by Ragnok, to the Daily Prophet, Quibbler, and International Press. Ragnok sent one to the Wizard Wireless Network News Room as well. The meeting and paperwork took John about an hour from the time he left Yukon until he returned. Over a glass of Firewhiskey, while Harry was being watched by an elf named Dolly, John told Sirius what he had done.

Sirius passed the letter to John, who read how Dumbledore wanted Harry beat down mentally but not physically abused. It explained the wards that would protect them as long as Harry called #4 Privet Drive home, and he was under seventeen.

Sirius sighed saying, "I can't believe we were fooled by that old man for so long. Thank Merlin that Lily caught on to what he was doing and proved to James that Dumbledore had placed loyalty and compulsion charms on him. Her using runes on James' back put a stop to that shit and warned James when Albus tried to add to his charms."

John nodded in agreement that they had been fooled replying, "The old goat didn't like me. He tried Legilimency and charms on me and I threw them in his face then asked him if he really wanted me to scalp him. Of course then I had to explain what I meant. I shocked the shit out of him when I knocked him out and cut off part of his beard to prove I could scalp his ass if I so desired. I told him as a sorcerer he had no chance against a battle mage."

Sirius perked up and interjected, "You know you promised to tell us your story, and I still haven't heard it."

John sighed, "My niece Dorothea, who we call Dottie, will be here tomorrow to take care of Harry. She and my mother live at the Farm and there is a portal between here and there. Once she gets here you, and I can talk and decide what you want to do. Dottie is 17 and has a good head on her shoulders. She received ten ICW NEWTs and decided she wants to be a healer. When it comes to her, I suggest you keep in mind her uncle is a battle mage that has been known to skin assholes alive. My friends think I'm one bad son of a bitch, and Sirius they don't know anything about me."

Sirius agreed and John showed him to the guest room, and they both went to bed. John glanced at the clock, and it was 2305h in Yukon and 0505h in London. He set his mental alarm for 0530h knowing that Dolly would take care of Harry. He thought perhaps I should call Tina to take care of Harry since he knows her.

oooOOOooo

Gringotts London - 1300h

Dumbledore entered Gringotts as if he owned the place and demanded to see Chief Ragnok. The teller sent for Hawkclaw, who escorted Dumbledore to a conference room. It contained four guards and nothing but a conference table for twelve with straight back wooden chairs with no cushions for seats.

"Chief Ragnok will arrive when he finishes what he is doing," Hawkclaw stated in a no-nonsense gravel voice, then left the room.

Dumbledore noticed the four guards remained and knew it wouldn't be long until Ragnok arrived. However, he was wrong Ragnok was reading the Extra Editions of the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler. They both announced the deaths of James, Lily, and Voldemort along with the fact that the Potter Wills would be read at 0900h on Saturday, 16 November 1981. Both publications stated that those who were mentioned in the Wills would be notified by owl. Those not notified and the press would not be allowed at the readings.

At 1522h, Ragnok arrived at the conference room in time to hear one of the guards tell Dumbledore, "If you are not here when Ragnok Dragonkiller arrives you will have missed the opportunity to meet with him."

"I need to relieve myself, and the Potter account manager can take care of my needs." Dumbledore nearly shouted.

"Ragnok Dragonkiller is the Potter Account Manager. Leave if you wish, that is your choice, but you have been warned." The guard stated fiercely.

Hawkclaw opened the door and escorted Ragnok into the room with four more guards following them. Dumbledore noticed that two of the trailing guards were archers with arrows notched but bows weren't drawn.

"I am Ragnok Dragonkiller, Chief of the Goblin Nation. What do you want Chief Warlock," Ragnok asked, his voice dripping in ice.

"I want the Potter Wills sealed until Harry comes of age, and I will have the Wizengamot seal the copies at the Ministry. I will act as young Harry's guardian, so I will need access to the Potter vaults." Dumbledore replied. If asked later Dumbledore would admit that it looked like Ragnok smiled while Hawkclaw sniggered although it was quick and nearly undetectable. He was right, both goblins fought hard not to laugh at the old man.

Ragnok turned to Hawkclaw and said, "Lock down all Dumbledore vaults for attempted line theft. When that is done, recall all Potter items and note who held them. Charge the holder three times the value of the item as rent, unless they can show cause not to do so."

Ragnok then looked at the four guards who came with him. The archers now had their bows drawn to three-fourth of full-draw. "Escort the Chief Warlock to the lowest holding cell until his trial."

The Goblin Chief then turned to Dumbledore. "Place your wand on the table and step back with your hands behind your back or my guards will take your head or put an arrow in it. You and I both know that John Rambo is Harry's guardian as per the Potter Wills we witnessed. Therefore, what you tried is attempted line theft. While you may wish to be tried by the Wizengamot you attempted the theft in goblin territory."

Dumbledore reached for his wand while mentally calling Fawkes. He noticed that the archers both drew the arrows to the bows full-draw position, and from less than ten feet neither could miss. He sighed and slowly drew his wand and placed it on the table. Then did the same thing for his spare, knowing he would be caught with it and punished.

Ragnok's voice contained no sympathy, and was all business when he told Dumbledore, "The Ministry and your Deputy will be informed of what happened. Your holding cell has a shower, and what you call a water closet, I will call the full council. This coming Monday is the soonest they can convene."

Dumbledore knew that Monday was the best he could hope for. He had to come to Gringotts to get the trust vault key and Wills sealed here before he had a chance to do it at the Ministry. He totally forgot that Ragnok had witnessed the Wills. The old man thought, at least Harry is with his aunt and uncle.

Yukon, OK (0730h, 1330h GMT)

John and Sirius had finished breakfast and called Tina. Both were surprised she heard them from the UK. She agreed to take care of Harry, John, Sirius, and the house. After breakfast they sat in the living room with classical music on John's stereo turned down low.

John's story;

"Sirius for it to make sense you need to read about the history of this country in the 1800 and early 1900's. My great-great-grandfathers were Mangas Coloradas and Cheis also known as Cochise. Both were Apache Chiefs that led their people in battle and were successful against the US Army before, during, and after the Civil War. These men were fierce fighters and are still recognized as such today. They fought a guerrilla war and were constantly grossly outnumbered

Cochise's youngest son Naiche took a second wife named Kathrine who was captured at age six. While Kathrine was white, she was also raised as a full Chiricahua Apache. The union produced a son they named Mangas III who married Nana-tha and had a daughter Dahteste. Dahteste married a half-breed Chiricahua named Jason Rambo, whose father was white.

On 7 June 1937, I was born to Dahteste and Jason Rambo in Bowie Arizona. My full name is John Cochise Rambo and I'm three-fourths Apache. When I was young my magic was recognized early, and I was in training to become a Spirit Warrior Mage. However, dad and mom didn't care for the schooling near Bowie so we moved to Apache, OK. Dad took a job building houses and ended up with his own business. I went back to Arizona during the summers for training by descendants of the old ones both Apache and Anasazi.

By nature I'm stubborn and don't take being pushed very well. I learned to fight with fists and body, weapons, and magic. Being a fighter and stubborn is not a good combination and after high school I got crossways with the Indian Agent at Ft. Sill. He called me a fucking redskin and I knocked him on his ass. Since he was the law, he suggested I do a tour in the Army and learn some discipline.

Faced with the Army or jail, I chose the Army, which turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Sirius I don't talk about what I did while in Vietnam or other combat zones. But, I hold the Congressional Medal of Honor, three Silver Stars, and six Purple Hearts. The Congressional Medal of Honor and Silver Stars are for valor in combat, and the Purple Hearts are for being wounded.

I got lucky and relieved a North Vietnamese mage of his Time-Turner, some good intelligence, and his head. The information led me to high-jacking a few payroll convoys. Over a two year period I relieved them of over twenty five tons of gold. It cost me over a ton of gold to get the rest to Gringotts in Bangkok, but it was worth it. That set me up financially so I let Hawkclaw invest it, and he has done well for both of us. After 'Nam I taught Rangers and did special assignments with a super-secret group. Most of my missions are just me, since supposedly I don't play well with others.

I stayed in the Army from '55 to early '78 and retired a Sergeant Major. After that, I started my own troubleshooting service as a mercenary and hit wizard. As you know, I was invited to Great Britain by the Department of Mystery and arrived in March of '79. What you might not know is that I was also invited by MI-5 and received a Letter of Commission from Her Majesty."

John took a break, and both men went to the bathroom and Sirius poured himself tea and John coffee. They checked on Harry, who was being entertained by Dottie, Tina, and Dolly. When they returned to their seats, John handed Sirius a piece of parchment that read:

**From: wiki/Commission_(document)#United_Kingdom**

Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, Lord High Admiral.

To our Trusty and Well Beloved John Cochise Rambo Greeting:

We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct, do by these Presents Constitute and Appoint you to be an Officer in United Kingdom Special Forces from the Tenth day of April1981 You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge your Duty as such in the Rank of Major or in such other Rank as We may from time to time hereafter be pleased to promote you to, of which a notification will be made in the London Gazette, and you are in such manner on such occasions as may be prescribed by Us to exercise and well discipline in their duties such officers, men and women as may be placed under your orders from time to time and use your best endeavours to keep them in good order and discipline.

And We do hereby Command them to Obey you as their superior Officer and you to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as from time to time you shall receive from Us, or any superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you.

Given at Our Court, at Saint James's the Tenth day of April 1981 in the Twenty Ninth Year of Our Reign

By Her Majesty's Command

Elizabeth R

Brigadier John Peter Barry Condliffe Watts

Colonel Sir Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière

After giving Sirius time to look over the document John continued his story.

"I knew this was a form letter Her Majesty used to commission officers in the British Armed Forces. Colonel De la Cour informed me that it made my actions legal and assigned me as part of MI-5W. I knew a bit about the laws in Great Britain concerning carrying guns. My commission gave me the right to carry and use my guns and other normally banned weapons within the United Kingdom. The MI-5W Division was about sixty percent magical including both witches and wizards.

MI-5W and the Royal Family looked at Death Eaters as the terrorists they were. The dark mark the Death Eaters were so proud of was a ticket to death if caught by MI-5W. Many of the agents had family and/or friends killed by these low life bastards. I was on a mission when I met you and James. As you know, I became part of the little band of misfits in Dumbasses order. You also know Dumbles didn't like me much…"

Sirius broke in laughing, "That's an understatement if I ever heard one. We had to listen how you were nothing but a killer with no regard for life. The fact you killed nothing but marked Death Eaters fell on deaf ears. Those people could be redeemed according to Albus the Great and you were killing off old families. Of course, he never mentioned that's exactly what the Death Eaters were doing. Your having a commission from Her Majesty sheds light on a lot of things you did back then."

John sniggered then continued, "You can't redeem the unredeemable and the Death Eaters don't want redemption they want power. What pissed the old man off was the fact and outsider was doing better than he was. Of course, my being paid a bounty by both the Ministry and the Muggles would have had his ass really in the air. I got ₲500 for the mutts and ₲1000 for Inner Circle Death Eaters, then got £25,000 and £50,000 from MI-5 for the same people.

I think I got 207 mutts and 16 Inner Circle. Made for a good payday when I cashed out. I got ₲103,500 for the lower level Death Eaters and ₲16,000 for the Inner Circle, which converted to £5,975,000 from your Ministry. (The total was twice that so John made close to £12 million or $18 million in less than two years.).

Sirius' eyebrows tried to reach his hair line, "Damn John that's nearly £12 million and knowing you I doubt you paid much in taxes."

John laughed out loud this time, "Actually I paid about five percent then dumped it into a retirement fund. Ragnok and Hawkclaw say I'm good for business and as a Goblin Friend I get the best rates."

Sirius nodded and asked, "Did you know Dumbledore tried to get the Wizengamot to ban you from Great Britain and not pay the bounties?"

John's eyes hardened and his voice got cold as he replied, "I know. He got slapped down by Croaker, the Wizengamot, and Her Majesty. It cost him the chance to be the Queen's Wizard for Great Britain. He'd be pissed if he knew I'm her wizard for North America. I doubt that he told anyone I knocked him on his ass, and took part of his beard. I threatened to scalp his ass and take his head. But I did leave for a break and so that I didn't end up killing the old man."

Sirius sipped his tea and chuckled, "He was really pissed about the threat to take his head. He kept mumbling about the audacity of threatening a Grand Sorcerer and leader of the light. He kept trying to get James and Lily to change their Wills to exclude you. James let him know that if anything changed Ragnok had instructions to charge him with line theft."

Pausing as if thinking of something Sirius then continued, "James and Lily made and unbreakable vow to only change their Wills in Ragnok's presence. Needless to say Dumbledore left the cottage enraged and that was the last time we saw him."

John laughed out loud and stated, "Grand Sorcerer is a title he gave himself. He's too proud to see where he fits in the pecking order because he don't make the top twenty-five. If he checked, he would know that I'm in the top five. The most powerful Arch Mage is probably Takeo Okada of Osaka Japan. As far as respect goes, Dumbledore may be respected in Britain but not elsewhere, not even on the Continent of Europe. He's a show off and not much else. The ICW does what the majority votes for, and Dumbledore's words hold very little sway with the majority of its members."

"Ok, I can see that, but out of curiosity what are you ranked at?" Sirius asked.

"I'm a seventh level of seven levels Battle Mage. However, I'm also known as a Spirit Warrior in the Native American tribes. Sirius these titles and fifty cents will get me a cup of coffee in most places. Men have to compare things from the size of our peckers to the amount of strength or power we have. It seems that we are born to make those comparisons. While Dumbledore can't apparage through anti-apparation wards I can," John admitted with a grin.

"Are you saying that the rankings don't matter?" Sirius questioned his demeanor showing he was confused.

"Not really as they tell you what you're up against. But a lucky shot, a shot in the back or any number of other things including overconfidence can take you down." John admitted.

Sirius jumped up and said, "Shit! John we need to warn the Longbottoms since that damn prophecy Snape told Voldemort about could have referred to Neville. The Death Eaters will be after them and if one Fidelius was busted theirs can be also."

John called Dolly and told her that he and Sirius were leaving for a while. She said they would be all right and Harry was having fun playing with a stuffed black dog, stag, and wolf. John realized that Tina had brought his favorite toys from either the cottage or Potter Manor. John took Sirius to Gringotts OKC and they took the portal to London. Once there John let Sirius lead him to the Longbottoms.

Longbottom Cottage

While they were having tea with Frank and Alice, the wards pinged announcing a breach. John disappeared from the table and returned less than two minutes later.

John hadn't broken a sweat and informed the group, "Frank I have the Lestranges and Barty Crouch Junior incapacitated on your lawn. Let's finish our tea, and then we can take them to Croaker. Barty Senior should be so proud for raising a Death Eater bastard. Not a bad trip, I got to visit friends and take out some mutts while making a few Galleons."

Frank replied, "I'm surprised Barty hasn't rounded them up. I know Moody is working overtime bringing them in."

Sirius laughed adding, "Crouch wants them before John kills them and the Ministry has to pay their bounty."

They were interrupted by an owl carrying the Daily Prophet. Frank opened it on the table so they could read the headlines.

Lord and Lady Potter dead - young Harry missing

Investigation indicates Lord Potter protected Harry with a runic ward while Lady Potter used an old magic charm to supplement his work

Gringotts says Harry Potter is in a safe location be well cared for

Mage John Rambo is Harry's guardian and Executor of Potter Wills according to Gringotts

Her Majesty announces Rambo temporarily appointed as Queen's Wizard for Great Britain and North America

What they found unusual was that there was nothing mentioned about Dumbledore, and the old man hadn't contributed anything. John offered the Longbottoms a place to stay in the USA, and they agreed to think about it. Sirius let them know he was going to stay in the US to be near Harry, and because he didn't trust Dumbledore. That more than anything got Frank and Alice thinking about relocating to North America.

John, Sirius, and Frank showed up at the Ministry with the three Lestranges and Crouch Junior They ignored the guard, and took their prisoners straight to the DoM and turned them over to Croaker. Bellatrix Lestrange lost her right arm from between shoulder and elbow. The three males were also in rough shape, but then John played for keeps. Crouch Senior came charging in wanting to know what John was doing at the Ministry.

John's aura flared, and his battle armor showed then he answered in a tone that left no doubt his feelings about Crouch. "As the Queen's Wizard, what I'm doing is none of your fucking business asshole. I suggest you watch your mouth around me, or you won't like what I do. Oh, and it's nice to know that such an upstanding family such as the Crouches can produce a near top tier Death Eater. That ought to give the press and your political enemies something to talk about over tea Barty. I just brought your boy and the Lestranges in for their bounty. Unfortunately for the world they will live, but not quite as whole as they were before meeting me."

Crouch raged, "MY SON IS NOT A DEATH EATER!"

John laughed in his face, "Bullshit asshole. He carries the mark, and he was in the process of attacking the Longbottoms with the Lestranges when I took him out. He'll find it hard to escape Azkaban without his right hand and leg from the knee down. Based on his power level I assume the Crouches like some other pureblood bigots are inbred. That's probably why he had to be part of a pack to attack a young couple and a baby. Crouch if you draw that wand, I'll kill you."

John's last words were said in a voice that caused the others in the room to shudder and back away. Barty Crouch Senior knew he was a breath away from death, and put his arms at this side and his hands where they could be seen. He was forced to admit his son was a Death Eater after observing his interrogation by Croaker. He knew he had no choice but to resign as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. His chance of becoming Minister was now zero. He would end up as Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, which was quite a step down. John was surprised that all four Death Eaters were Inner Circle, Crouch Junior's rank surprised them.

Gringotts

After being told to contact Hawkclaw if he wanted to move his family to America, Frank went home and John took Sirius to Gringotts. John took his Ministry bank draft to a teller then met with Hawkclaw. The goblin told them about Dumbledore trying to seal the Wills and demanding access to the Potter vaults.

John got a gleam in his eyes and suggested, "Hawkclaw, tell me to fuck off if you want to, but if it were me, I would show the old bastard the evidence you have against him. Tell the goat fucker as long as he stays out of Harry's life, resigns from the ICW and Wizengamot you'll not go public. Tell him you can keep me from charging him with line theft and outright theft of property. I'll agree to let the asshole remain at Hogwarts if he'll vow to leave Harry alone."

"While you might talk like gutter trash you do make sense for a wizard," Hawkclaw conceded and Sirius sniggered.

Without skipping a bear John admitted, "Yes, well I don't often deal with the high-society types. I spent years dealing with men who got their points across more often than not by using four-letter words. Unless you have something else I think we're done here until the funeral and then the will reading. Oh, tell dumbass that showing up at the funeral means he broke the deal because Harry may be there."

"Be sure to take Harry to our healers for a check-up and to establish you're being a responsible guardian. Oh, I almost forgot Her Majesty wants a portal between here and your home, so we'll need to know where you want it located." Hawkclaw reminded the two wizards.

"Wherever is most convenient for you. It doesn't matter to me as I put them up and take them down several times a year," John replied.

TBC