She pointed to someone else "That's Irma Bones, again her maiden name was Potter. She was the person who came up with the Pumpkin Pasty. That one there it Terrence Potter. He was a herbologist of some renown. I think he discovered, named and described about two hundred different magical plant species in his time, including the Whomping Willow, the Bouncing Bulb and the Bubotuber. And over there is Fiona Bones, formerly Potter. She was the potioneer who first came up with Veritaserum, the truth potion."
Harry stood transfixed. His family had contributed so much to the wizarding world, and yet he knew nothing of it.
"I don't know much else, but I'll ask Aunt Amelia how we can learn more. You're the last Potter. It's not right that you don't know."
Harry turned to her and asked "Is that expected then?"
"Oh yes," replied Susan "I constantly research members of my family. I have to know it because one day I'll take over from Aunt Amelia as the head of the Bones family."
Harry frowned slightly and asked "But what if your Aunt ever has a child of her own? Surely the laws of inheritance…"
"They don't apply in this situation," replied Susan "My Aunt cannot have children."
"Oh," replied Harry. He shifted uncomfortably for a moment before commenting "Hey, look! The awkwardness came back."
That evening Madam Bones was much later in returning home than she usually was.
"Are you alright, Auntie?" Susan asked from where she was already sat at the dinner table beside Harry.
Madam Bones shook her head and turned to Harry "Dumbledore has begun openly searching for you, Harry."
"You mean he wasn't already?" asked Harry.
"No. Well, he was looking for you, but he was doing it quietly. It seems that he has now decided to let the Ministry know that he cannot locate you. The Minister and I spent most of the morning arguing with him on the matter."
Harry paled slightly and asked "He knows I'm here?"
"No," answered Madam Bones "Though he might suspect it. We simply informed him that you have been moved to a new location due to concerns about your safety."
Harry snorted "I'll bet that went down well. That man has always insisted that my relatives' home is the safest place for me."
Madam Bones gave him a nod and replied "He did spend an hour trying to argue that point. Then he changed tactics and tried to insist that it was best that you go and stay with the Weasley family."
Harry chuckled and commented "The usual plan B for my summers. I take it you refused?"
"I did, and he didn't go much on that," said Madam Bones.
"I'll bet he used every angle to try and "insist" that I be moved there," said Harry.
"Oh, of course he did. He wouldn't be Albus Dumbledore if he didn't play every angle he could think of."
"Did he use the "grandfather" act?" asked Harry.
"That was act 1, actually," replied Madam Bones "Which he followed up with the "Head of the Wizengamot" bit, closely followed by the "defeater of Grindelwald" piece. Then he went for the "I know things that you don't but I cannot tell them to you" part. Finally he tried for the "in loco parentis" act."
Harry frowned and asked ""In loco parentis?" What does that mean?"
"It means "in place of the parent,"" replied Madam Bones "It refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organisation to take on some of the responsibilities of a parent should the need arise. Schools and their staff often come under this, and have to act in a way that suits the best interests of the students. It can also give a person the right to act as a parent to someone without adoption. A godparent could come under this, should a biological or adoptive parent be absent."
Harry didn't like the sound of that "So basically it gives Dumbledore the right to treat me however he wants?"
"No," replied Madam Bones "It only gives him the right to act in your best interest while you are under his care. In other words, he has the responsibility to make sure that well cared for and well provided for when he is in his care while you are at Hogwarts. All staff at Hogwarts act in loco parentis to all of the students. However all of them, Dumbledore included, do not have the right to use this power once you are outside of Hogwarts. They can try and do what is best for you by calling you in during term time to discuss any issues you may have outside the castle, and they have a certain amount of responsibility to contact the necessary parties outside the school to try and resolve a situation, but none of them has the right to tell you were to go and what to do outside of the school terms, excluding homework, of course."
"So Dumbledore has no right to demand that I stay with the Dursleys or the Weasleys?"
"He does not."
"Even though he has clearly has done so on multiple occasions in the past?"
"It is not for him to make that decision for you."
"Interesting. So who can act in loco parentis for me?" Harry asked.
"Well, your Aunt Petunia, obviously," replied Madam Bones "Even if she has done everything she could to deny you. Her husband as well, I suppose. Were Sirius Black not a wanted man, he would be another, as he was your godfather. At the moment, as you are staying with me, I can act in such a manner."
Harry nodded thoughtfully and said "Well, I suppose that makes sense. Fudge did pretty much appoint you to look after me."
.....
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