Chapter 12
(Start of Year 4)
-oOo-
June 19, 1994
Rotherham, England
Tori was at her door. "Are you coming down," her younger sister enquired.
Astoria was a little over two years younger and had just completed her first year at Hogwarts. Now twelve, the girl was looking more a doppelganger to their mother than Daphne did.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"I thought you might be reading that letter from Potter again," Tori said with a smirk.
Daphne put on her emotionless mask. They had only seen each other yesterday, so it had been a surprise to see Harry's white snowy owl show this afternoon. There was something in the tone of it that had her worried for her friend. "Whether I read it more than once is not your concern."
"So you were reading it again!" Tori said gleefully.
"Drop it," Daphne warned.
The knowing smirk her sister gave her was annoying. "Not even Tracey sends you a letter less than a day after we get home."
She glared at her sister as they made their way down to the dining room. They lived in a moderate sized mansion. The first floor of the west wing had their parents suite, a guest room, a small library and their mothers solar. Tori and her were on the East Wing, with two other guest rooms, an old play room and a spare room.
The first floor had a large and small dining room, the kitchens, the main library, their father's study, a game's room and a few parlours. The main atrium was rather large and had hosted a few small dances, with the small parlours around it providing places for people to socialize.
Tori kept looking at her expectantly. Daphne didn't deign to say anything.
Their parents were already seated as Daphne took up her seat on one side of the table. It could easily sit eight with their parents on either end. With only four, they had lots of room so she didn't feel hemmed in.
Their elf, Ginger, served them all before a word was said.
"Dennis has obtained a box to the Quidditch World Cup in August," her father opened the conversation. "It can seat twenty and right now there will only be twelve of us."
Daphne couldn't keep her excitement in and Tori just about bounced in her seat. "Are we going!? I want to see Ireland beat Spain after they knocked out England," Tori said excitedly.
Their father chuckled as their mother shook her head. "Do you have to get them all worked up at the dinner table?"
"I still say Bulgaria is going to be facing off against Ireland. Of course, they both have one more match in two weeks, so it could be Spain and Peru," Daphne put in.
"It will be Ireland and Bulgaria. Krum is just too good and no one is catching the Irish chasers," their father said, ignoring their mother.
Daphne nodded. "Krum is very good. I am not sure any of the remaining teams could challenge Krum."
"I bet I know someone who can," Tori said mischievously.
Daphne gave Tori an evil eye to keep her mouth shut.
"And who would that be?" father asked curiously.
"Potter," Tori blurted and gave a little squeak as she pulled back, making Daphne just miss getting her leg with her foot.
"That is enough, girls. This is the dinner table," their mother chastised. Daphne gave a mean glare to Tori.
"Scion Potter is good, but I don't know if he is on the same level as Victor Krum," father put to them. "The one game I saw him in he seemed a little reckless."
"Potter is very good. How many snitches do you have from him... OWWW!"
This time her foot did make contact.
"Daphne, you are fourteen, you can act your age. And you, young lady, stop antagonizing your sister." Their mother gave Tori a pointed look. "Now, what is this about snitches?" mother put to her.
She knew her face was a little flush. She hadn't told mother or father about the two Harry had given her yet. "It's nothing, mother."
Tori's eyes were a little watery as she rubbed her shin. "Potter gave her both snitches he caught since Christmas. One is on her nightstand," Tori told them.
"Really? Are you and Scion Potter getting along well?" her father asked in a mild tone as he started to eat the beef on his plate.
"Harry...," she emphasized to Tori. She was not going to call him Scion Potter or anything else unless she had to. "...has given me the snitches he caught. Yes, we are getting along well. His help got me second in class this year."
"Was that his owl that came by the house earlier?" mother enquired.
"Yes."
Tori gave her a hard look, looking for revenge. "She has been reading his letter all afternoon. Did he profess his love for you?"
Daphne felt the heat rise in her. "He did not!" she said in a scandalized tone, though there was a quick thought she wished he had. It was one she hadn't had before. One where Harry did just that... "Harry was only asking if he could come over soon. Either to work on our summer revisions or just to take a walk or something."
Both her parents gave her a knowing look that brought up flutterings in her. Tori wasn't done though, "I bet he wants to take a walk. There is the old kissing tree down by the pond that grandfather used to tell us about with grandmother."
She wanted to be anywhere else right now but here. "I am not going to kiss Harry," she said much louder than she meant too.
"Astoria, that is enough. You aren't old enough to worry about something like that," their father ordered.
This time Astoria looked chastened. "Yes, father."
Daphne, not wanting to back down, met her father's gaze when he cleared his throat. They both stared at each other for a long few minutes. "Did Harry say when he would like to come over?"
"No, father. He isn't one to impose that way," she told him honestly.
The man nodded. "You and Astoria are staying home the day of Dumbledore's trial. If he is not going, you could invite him and Susan over."
She tried not to let the small smile creep to her face that she wanted to show. Father and mother were always so controlling on whom they could associate with outside of school. The fact they would let Harry over again was something that had the flutterings kick up even more. Yes, he was handsome, but that was not all she thought about him.
"I will write back to him this evening and let him know," she replied.
There was a pause before her father went on. "Harry will be welcome to come here whenever we are not busy this summer. I will talk with Amelia as well."
She couldn't help it, her mouth opened a little, as did Tori's. "Really?" Tori asked disbelievingly.
"You will all be spending some time together this summer as it is. Amelia has agreed to start giving you some private tutoring at Grace Hall and we have decided to share the tuition on a summer tutor. Harry, Hannah, Susan, Neville, Tracey and Blaise shall be joining you. Starting in July, you will be spending two afternoons a week on etiquette and your fourth-year course work," their mother said. "Amanda and Astoria will have be joining you as well."
Both girls looked a little shocked still. They had never been given such access to friends like this before. She debated if she should push it or not before deciding to be a little more like her Gryffindor friends. "Will Hermione be joining us? I would not think it fair to get extra tuition and not invite her. I want to get ahead of her because I do better, not because I get a leg up."
Her mother raised an eyebrow at her. Her father snorted. "Remind me why you are a Slytherin with an attitude like that?"
She could tell he was joking, but she rose to the bait, still feeling flustered about Harry. "Just because I am ambitious and can be sly does not mean I can't be a good person, or friend," she added. "Hermione is also the brightest in our year. I have learned from her."
"Ah, the 'she is resourceful' gambit. Now I remember," her father teased.
She glared at the man.
"I will extend an invitation to Ms. Granger. When you are done eating, Ginger has made the chocolate cake you both like so much," mother told them.
Tori's eyes lit up and she started to eat instead of giving Daphne a hard time. As Daphne started to eat, she eyed Tori. Her sister would get her comeuppance soon.
"Do you think Scion Potter would enjoy accompanying us to the World Quidditch Cup?" her father mused.
She couldn't keep her smile down this time. "Oh, can we invite him? Harry would love that."
"I know someone else who would love it too," Tori said quietly, a small smirk on her face as she put some beef into her mouth. Daphne wanted to kick her again.
-oOo-
June 20, 1994
London, England
Diagon Alley was pretty busy. There were parents with children, older students he recognized from school and just the general congregation of Wizards in one of the only places in England that was made for wizards.
It was a nice day, so he sat at a table before Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour eating a butter toffee ice cream with some caramel and whipped cream. Across from him, Sirius was leaning back in a chair, his half-eaten cup of plain vanilla just sitting there.
Amelia had let Sirius take him out, with Mr. Lupin staying a respectable distance away.
"Your mum used to like toffee. It was one of the few sweets she would always get," Sirius said conversationally.
Harry slowed. He had been eating to avoid talking much. He was still processing what Amelia and him had talked about the last two days, but he was already forgiving Sirius. He stopped and looked at Sirius. "What was my mum like?"
The man's eyes drifted off Harry, looking at something he couldn't see. "When we first got to Hogwarts, she was a bit of a pain. We all thought James to be barking mad to want to get to know her. She always followed the rules, was top of class from the end of the first month and more driven than anyone I ever met. Many in the house wondered how she was made a Gryffindor instead of a Ravenclaw. Personally, I think if she hadn't been a muggleborn, she would have been a Slytherin."
"Anyways, it wasn't until around Halloween of our first year that Lily really started to pay any attention to James. James decided to prank her to get her attention. Lily loved her hair and was very proud of her Muggle parents. When she woke one day, her hair was jet black and the picture of her parents next to her bed had been changed so they all looked the same."
He cringed at what ever he was remembering. "She knew right away who had done it. James was waiting for her and laughed at the stormy look on her face. She marched up to him, didn't give him any warning before punching him in the face and then took out her wand. As you know, Muggleborn don't usually do well the first few months. Lily, though, she was a natural."
Sirius laughed at something. "None of us suspected she would know how to do the leg-lock or hair growing jinxes yet. She was so powerful and sure of what she could do, even at eleven, that James had to hop around for almost two hours before a fifth-year prefect finally taught us how to do finite incantatum. Of course, I spent those two hours laughing my arse off. His hair was also long and looked better than most girls in the entire house. Remus had just shaken his head while Peter snickered for the rest of the day."
Harry laughed a little. "My father really was a prankster?"
"You have no idea, pup. That was the type of person Lily was though. She was intelligent. Merlin, I think she could have given Dumbledore a run for his galleons. She was also extremely loyal and cared deeply for anyone she let in. But if you upset her, you better run or she would get her revenge. As she got older, she would also step up and defend anyone that was having issues, especially as the pureblood tripe got worse." Sirius stopped, still looking lost in whatever was going on in his head.
"Professor McGonagall said I am a bit like her," he confessed.
Sirius nodded and focused on Harry again. "From what I hear, it sounds that way. Have you gotten into any trouble for just goofing off? I can't tell you how many times I polished those trophies or washed a floor when we got caught the first few years."
Harry frowned. Until recently, Harry had never had the chance. It had always been one worry or bad situation into another. "It's mostly been Snape giving me detentions when he thinks I do something wrong in class," Harry admitted.
Sirius frowned. "Has Snivellus been giving you issues?"
Harry shrugged. "He is not my favorite teacher."
"Harry, if you are having issues, you can tell me, or Amelia. Snape and us did not get along in school. Has he been giving you a hard time?"
Harry shrugged again. "It's not just me. What was my father like?"
The man gave him a discerning eye for a few before saying, "James? Where do I begin?" He snorted, as though at some internal joke. "Your father was a complete arse when we first went to Hogwarts. I was too. Probably why we got along so well."
Harry's eyes went wide and Sirius laughed at his reaction. "It is true. We were both arses. We pulled pranks on everyone, thought we were the biggest shites in the school and," he sighed, "we were bullies in a way too. I never would have believed or said otherwise, but the Healers at St. Mungo's have had me going back and looking at a lot of things."
"Up through the start of fifth-year, we earned a lot of the ire many felt towards us. Understand, pup, we were both raised as the heirs of our houses, purebloods with generations of tradition behind us, taught to think we were better than everyone and expected to be when we took up our rights on the Wizengamot. We acted that way. Remus and Peter were our friends and we would have done anything for them, but I think until James and I started to mature, they were along more for the ride. Remus had always tried to reign us in, but we usually just did what we wanted to," Sirius told him.
Harry sat there for a moment. He was going to avoid the topic of Pettigrew for now. Sirius said the man's name with some contempt. "Is that why my mum didn't like you or my dad? Hagrid and a few others said they didn't seem to get along until sixth year."
Sirius chuckled. "I don't know if 'not like' is strong enough. James and her used to bicker like nothing else when he would pull a prank or get caught out after hours. She would be furious with him for loosing points and then earning them back the next day. He was about the only one that gave her a real challenge when it came to the practical wand subjects. He just didn't do as well on the written stuff. She used to yell at him all the time for that."
He sighed now. "I think the real turning point was because of something that happened just after our O.W.L.'s."
"What happened?"
"Nothing for you to be concerned with. After that though, James changed. He became more serious. More focused. We never put up with those that followed the pureblood tripe. They were usually the ones getting the worst of our pranks and jokes. After that day though, James became very protective of Lily and all the other Muggleborn," Sirius told him.
"I think it was that change in attitude, and the fact he started to buckle down in school, that had her finally accepting a date into Hogsmeade our sixth-year. James had been asking her since start of fifth year, but it wasn't until close to the end of sixth year she finally accepted. James and Lily were a good couple and some of the finest people I have ever known."
Harry was taking it all in. "So, my father did become this great man everyone always says he was."
Sirius chuckled. "It was always there, it just took him growing up to show it. James would never admit it, but he was starting to act more like your grandfather. Fleamont was someone many looked up to and followed. I owe Uncle Fleamont and Aunt Euphemia more than I can ever say. James was getting there."
He caught someone shifting against the wall and Harry looked at Mr. Lupin. Sirius followed his gaze. "Remus still cares about you, pup."
Harry frowned. "He sure has a way of showing it," he remarked bitterly.
Sirius sighed. "Did anyone tell you that he was found to have some of the same compulsions and even potions that many of the staff did at Hogwarts?"
"No," he said. Amelia did not mention that. He was wondering if that was some of what she said she would not talk about until the trial was over.
Sirius looked at Mr. Lupin. "He won't tell you, but it appears Dumbledore had been doing that for years. Every time they would wear off and he would start asking about you or looking for you, Dumbledore would hit him again. He is sorry."
Harry pursed his lips, unsure if he was ready to accept the truth yet. Harry had needed someone all those years and no one ever came. "He looked for me?" Harry asked in a small voice.
"A few times. Then Dumbledore would get to him." There was a long silence before Sirius broke it up. "You about done? I want to go to Quality Quidditch. I need a new broom and some gear so I can show you some stuff from my days of playing. I can't teach you to be a Seeker, but I was a fair Chaser."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "They let old people like you fly?"
Sirius glared at him for a few before he broke out into raucous laughter. "Cheeky little blighter. I'll show you how to fly," the man threatened him. Harry just smirked at the man.
-oOo-
June 21, 1994
London, England
Like at Sirius' trial, Harry sat with Susan, Neville, Hannah and Lady Abbott. Hannah's older brother, Charlie, was with them today. Hannah and Lady Abbot were in wine coloured robes, denoting their status as family members of one on the Wizengamot, while the rest of them were in a more plum colour, denoting they they were Heirs or Heiresses of their Houses. They all wore their house crests on their right breasts.
The main Wizengamot chambers on the second level were large. More than three hundred desks and seats were below them in a semi-circle. As he had been told, one hundred and ninety-three houses were inheritance seats, and another eighty-one were voted seats. With the full court in session, two-hundred and seventy-four seats would be present today. At one time, every seat below was filled with an inheritance seat.
His friends all had bored looks on their faces. Like Harry, most of them were sitting in the spectator seats for the first time, finally being old enough to at least see what a full Wizengamot meet was like. Luckily they were only required to be here today, and only until the first break. After that, they could go back home.
Harry liked that thought. He had a home to go back too.
Of course, they would be here most of the day with the plans they had for the first break.
Daphne, Tracey, Zabini and Bulstrode were sitting a few rows over from them. After today, when the alliance was announced, they could all sit together for now on. In their year group, Harry was realizing how unusual it was to have so many scions or heiresses. Many of the houses below didn't have children old enough, or were so old that he didn't recognize many of the adults in similar robes to him or the Abbots. It was like a generation of house heirs were missing. Had the Blood Wars of Voldemort been that bad?
There was a section for reporters, but almost all the spectators were either heirs or family members. He frowned to see very few in plain coloured robes. "Why are there so few not wearing robes like us?" he asked Neville.
"The solstice meets are for Wizengamot members only or their families. Many of the heirs are younger than us right now. Anyone else is by invitation only by either the Minister or Chief Warlock. All the other meetings are open to the general public," Neville answered.
"Why? Isn't this where most of the new legislation is introduced and voted on?" Harry enquired.
"Yeah. Auntie wants to change the rules, but this is the tradition and current laws," Susan added.
"No wonder most Halfbloods and Muggleborn feel so left out," Harry commented.
Hannah was right behind them today and leaned down. "Father is hoping that this new alliance can change a lot of that in a few years."
"I think Lord Greengrass honestly wants to change much of this," Charlie added from behind them.
As more people filled in the seats around them, they fell mostly quiet, not wanting to give up the surprise. Harry just secretly hoped there would not be other surprises.
Below, he found Sirius sitting in a row of chairs at the front-center of the hall. Three others were there too. They were either members taking up their seats, or newly voted in. Amelia was sitting next to Madam Longbottom and Lord Abbot about halfway up and towards the middle section.
Lord Greengrass, Davis and Lady Zabini were near each other in the center of the room. Lord Bulstrode was near Malfoy, Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson and a few other of his cronies.
Neville pointed out Lord Patil and Lord Brown. Harry didn't know which other houses might be involved in this, but that was all the ones that had children in their year. There were about twenty other houses that had Heirs or children in Hogwarts.
Soon Harry and the rest of his group would be able to get to know Blaise Zabini and Millicent Bulstrode better. That one meeting with Blaise had left mixed feelings. The boy acted the uppity pureblood, and didn't seem to totally agree with his mother, but he hadn't treated them poorly or talked about Hermione or any other muggleborn in a bad way. He actually complimented Hermione on her grades at one point.
Harry was taken out of his reverie as the gavel pounded. The noise around the room subsided.
Minister Fudge was standing at the podium. He had been told that was the traditional person to open the Solstice meets, where the Chief Warlock or Proxy handled all other meets.
"Order. I call this meet to order. The two-hundred and eighty-seventh Summer Solstice meeting of the Wizengamot shall be called to order. Court Scribe, please conduct a roll call and status of all Houses," the Minister said in a bored tone.
Harry was soon blinking as the woman went through close to two-hundred and fifty houses before getting to those that had been voted in. More than fifty Houses were not present. Neville told him that was either because the heir of the house was too young, or the current Lord or Lady had decided not to show. Most of those were elderly and cared little for all this anymore.
It was a sign of what he had been picking up on of the issues with the purebloods and their society.
As each House acknowledged they were there, they had been asked to announce their affiliation. This was mostly split between four factions: The Conservative, which held most of the blood purists, supremacists and former Death Eaters. The Neutrals, which traditionally held those that tended to support many of the Conservative ideals and views, but were more moderate in some areas. The Moderates, like the Bones and Potters, were Houses that leaned more towards the progressives, but tried to act more as a balancing power. Finally the Progressives. This held just about every House that considered itself light and the antithesis of the Conservatives.
Inside all that were the alliances, which were not required to be announced, but were open secrets.
The first stir was when Lord Abbot moved his house from the Progressives to the Moderates. Sirius claiming the seat of the Blacks and declaring himself a Moderate had many looking surprised. Amelia kept the Bones in the Moderates, while declaring the Potters a Neutral House. That was a move not as well received. Harry knew she had been approached by a few to join him into the Progressives when it was found she had been made Regent of the Potters.
The Bulstrodes changed to the Neutrals, which had Malfoy and a few others glaring at Lord Bulstrode, who was a large man with a balding head.
A few others changed around, but Amelia declaring the Potters a Neutral House had murmurs turn into a loud rumbling. It was enough that Fudge had to bang his gavel and demand silence. When Lady Zabini declared herself Neutral, there was an undercurrent that they all picked up on. People around the chamber knew something was up, but didn't know what.
It took close to an hour-and-a-half to call all in the chamber. Harry didn't blame most of those assembled to look bored or tired. He had stopped paying attention a while ago and had only focused when his name or those in the front seats were called. He was starting to think he may not want to be a Lord as he watched the proceedings. Sirius had only agreed to take up the Black's seat because it would help Harry and their new Alliance.
The next hour-and-a-half minutes after that was the boring task of going over important items from the last meeting and bringing the bills that would be voted over the next few days. Nothing really exciting occurred until a bill on Muggleborn taxes was brought up. As Lord Nott proposed, the Muggleborn and their parents were not paying enough taxes. Thus, it was proposed to add an additional four percent tax to all items sold in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to muggleborn or those with a muggle parent. It would be the responsibility of the shop owners with a possible five-hundred galleon fine if they did not collect the tax.
When the Greengrasses, and fourteen other houses that usually voted with them, helped to shoot down the proposal, it was apparent something was different in the Wizengamot today. Especially when Amelia and those around her voted the same way. Of course, the Progressives had as well, but it was more the fact that more Neutrals than ever seemed to vote whichever way Lord Greengrass went, and that Amelia and the Potter Regent followed suit.
By the time the mid-day recess was called, it was obvious that many around them were looking towards his group and Daphne's. Harry got up and as they walked out, he waited for Daphne to come up to them. Lady Abbot nodded to Lady Greengrass and Davis. Harry bowed, hoping he got it right before all these people watching. He had been coached that this was the point that people would realize there was a new alliance.
"Good day, Heiress Greengrass, Lady Greengrass. I would invite you to attend lunch with myself and my allies," he offered to Daphne.
Daphne curtsied and her mother inclined her head. "I think we find that acceptable today. I assume Madam Bones, Madam Longbottom, Lord Abbot and Lord Black will be joining us?"
"Yes, Lady Greengrass. We already have a private room reserved at the Wands End. The House of Potter is hosting," Harry said loud enough for many around them to hear. He was praying he was playing his part right.
Behind them was Lady Davis, Charlie and the others.
"You do not mind if those I am escorting join us? I am sure my Lord Greengrass, Lord Davis, Lady Zabini and Lord Bulstrode would not be opposed to meeting with you before the session is called again?" Lady Greengrass enquired.
Lady Abbott responded. "All those that would like to talk with Scion Potter and those I escort are welcome. Scion Potter, perhaps you should offer Heiress Greengrass an escort to the restaurant?"
Lady Greengrass inclined her head again. "I think my daughter would like that."
Daphne's eyes had not left his and there was a certain anticipatory glint to them. Harry held out his arm. "Heiress Greengrass, would you do me the honour?"
Daphne demurely dipped her head. "It would be an honor, Scion Potter." Daphne slipped her arm into his. A flash went off somewhere nearby. He had been warned this might bring attention to them. It was tantamount to announcing the alliance. It also meant from this moment forward Harry would not have to hide his friendship with this cute, dark-hair girl.
They met their other guardians and parents. It was a two-hour recess for today. Tomorrow and the next would only be an hour, but this was traditional for alliances and others to mingle or plan on the legislation that had been presented.
Harry was a little flush and more than a little proud to have Daphne holding his arm. He saw a few questioning glances from older people or other classmates. He even caught a few envious looks, like Malfoy. Harry tried hard to ignore the ponce or the look his father gave him. The man's face was so emotionless it disturbed Harry some with how the man's eyes burned into him. The last time he had come face-to-face with Lucius Malfoy his face was covered with unadulterated rage and the man had tried to kill him...
Having Amelia and the others around him had the man and his clutch giving them all apprehensive, emotionless or angry faces. No one in their group said much of anything as they went up to the main atrium and took the floo to Diagon Alley. The Leaky Cauldron was busy and the children were all let through between the adults. Harry had a feeling as though they were being guarded as they walked out of the entry way in the back. It wasn't until they were out back of the Leaky Cauldron, that conversation finally took up.
"How did you like your first look at the Wizengamot," Amelia asked as she walked next to Daphne and him.
"Honestly?" Harry asked.
"It is usually best to be as honest as possible," Daphne told him.
"Can I bring a book next time?" he queried.
Susan, Tracey and Hannah laughed behind them. "We all asked the same before we went today," Hannah spoke up.
"It was rather boring," Neville supplied.
"It is very important though," Lord Greengrass said in a serious tone. "Most of you are going to be sitting on that floor in the future. You should know the traditions of our government. More importantly, you should know how to read all those around you. Daphne, what can you tell me about Lord Winters and Lady Carrow?"
Daphne stood a little taller, her arm holding his a little tighter. "Lord Winters and Lady Carrow will most likely support the bill requiring all Werewolves to register with the ministry to work and for them to be restricted in their job choices. I think they will vote with you, father, for the increase to the hit wizard squads and back the new budget deal to increase tariffs on certain potion ingredients."
Her father nodded and Harry looked at her. Her father went on as they made the restaurant. "And why?"
"I saw them talking with Undersecretary Umbridge before the meeting and the nod Lord Winters gave you when the bills came up. Lady Carrow and Lord Winters are the head of their group and most times all six members vote which ever way Lord Winters does. They are both known supporters of the Blood Purists," she answered.
The man nodded and ushered them into the restaurant. "Afternoon, Ms. Wendyl. I believe you have a room reserved for Scion Potter?"
Lord Greengrass was addressing a woman in a finely cut blue witches robes who was standing at a podium with a busy restaurant just behind them. She nodded. "Of course, Lord Greengrass. If you would just follow me, we have the Merlin Room for you up the stairs."
"Thank you," the man said.
He let go of Daphne's arm and motioned for her to go up first. The room was large, large enough to handle the twenty people in their party with room to spare. He was sat next to Daphne with Amelia on his right and Susan beyond her. Daphne's father sat at the head of the table with Lady Greengrass and Lady Zabini across from them.
"I know you all are on a short schedule here today, so if you are agreeable, I would bring a selection for you all to choose from and can have it on the table in about ten minutes," Ms. Wendyl offered.
"That is fine today. Would you bring up your best elven wine as well?"
"Of course, Lord Greengrass. You will have three waiters today. Evalyn, Jasper and Wendy will be up in just a moment with your wine and to get any other drinks. There is already some water, butterbeer and a fine 1956 vintage on the table," she nodded her head and left the room.
"At the behest of the Greengrasses and Potters, if you don't mind Scion Potter, I would like to welcome you all here. I filed the paperwork this morning declaring a formal Alliance between House Greengrass and House Potter. The Bones, Longbottoms, Zabini, Davis, Abbotts and Bulstrodes are recognized as members." The man took up the wine glass already on the table. "This afternoon I plan to announce our new allegiances by striking down the Anti-werewolf legislation as a gesture of good will. Amelia has mentioned how this bill will create more issues for her department and most are not an issue."
"Are you sure that wise, Anders," Lady Zabini questioned as she reached for a wine glass. Harry copied Daphne as she took up her own glass.
"I do, Phoenicia. There is another bill that Amelia will be presenting tomorrow. First though, to the Potter-Greengrass Alliance and our friends here today," the man said, holding up the glass and taking a sip as the others followed suit.
"I agree with your sentiment, Anders, but are you jumping to fast? I know there are some that did not look happy with our display," Lord Bulstrode put to him.
"I would think that was the reason for this, Garrett," Amelia replied.
Lady Zabini nodded. "Yes. That is part of it. Anders, I am not that comfortable voting against the werewolf legislation. You know what they can do."
"Phoenicia, I understand, but the new legislation I will bring up tomorrow will make the ingredients for wolfsbane potion more readily available and expand the possible working conditions they can take if they take the potion each month. I have said for years that if we give the werewolves more leeway, not less..." Amelia responded.
Daphne nudged his arm. "Would you mind if we join your group for the second half of today?" Daphne asked him.
Harry had a smile come over his face. "I would enjoy that."
She finally let her mask fall and a smile come on her face. "Father has also said I could invite you over Tuesday. Maybe you could bring one of your brooms and we could go flying out back?"
His smile grew broader. As the talk around the table centered on the Wizengamot, Harry and Daphne started to talk about Quidditch. He knew she was a Hornets fan already. As they talked, they disregarded the rest of the table. It was a rather chuffed Harry that left the restaurant with Daphne on his arm again. When they made it back into the Wizengamot chamber, it was a rather larger group that sat together.
"How late will this go today?" Harry asked.
"It is tradition to call it by six each evening, so another four hours or so," Neville replied. Harry didn't miss that Tracey was sitting with Neville. Daphne was next to him with Susan, Hannah, Blaise, Millicent and Roger behind them. Charlie was sitting one row up with the Ladies that were escorting them all.
"I am just glad we are not required to be here for all these," Hannah added from behind.
Daphne nodded. "Yes, but it is rather inciteful. Can you see how people are rearranging themselves? Malfoy has brought a few houses that he normally would not care about closer to where he is now, and a few houses have moved. I think my father and Madam Bones have been doing more back room deals than expected and without Dumbledore here and the Potters declaring themselves Neutral, many of the Progressives look very uneasy. More uneasy than the Conservatives."
"I think you have been paying more attention than we thought," Lady Greengrass commented.
Daphne just looked around. "You and father told me what to look for."
Her mother nodded. "Maybe you can teach Scion Potter what to look for?"
"Yes, mother," Daphne intoned. She leaned over towards Harry. "Are you alright with this?"
"It has to be more entertaining than just watching everyone talk or argue down there," he said dryly. Amelia was giving them a choice to come tomorrow or not. Harry was seriously thinking of not, unless Daphne came.
Daphne acted as though she was trying not to laugh. "Behave," she admonished, but didn't sound like she meant it.
Harry gave her a smirk. "Only because the Lady asks."
"You are insufferable. Now, watch Lord Malfoy and Nott. They look rather tense and he has nodded to a few in his camp in the last ten minutes. Each one has requested time to talk. He is either trying to decide who supports them right now or delay the vote, maybe until tomorrow, or even the next meet at the equinox, when he can try to get more support," Daphne whispered. The others around them didn't intrude into this little bubble as Daphne helped him on things he would have missed. The four hours they were there before the evening recess was called didn't seem to drag out and they were both pressing their arms and legs against each other so that they could talk quietly.
While they did, the two didn't notice how many around them were looking at the group. Lady Abbot and Greengrass were not as oblivious.