Chapter 4 Bring to Order
standard disclaimer applies
The next day, they all prepared to go to classes, Pansy and Daphne sent a message to their two bodyguards to meet them in the Great Hall for breakfast.. and to get their schedules.. There was a tremendous shuffling going on behind the scenes, because Snape had disappeared, leaving the old Potions teacher to resume his job as both Professor and Head of Slytherin House.. Harry and Hermione sat pleasantly at the head of Gryffindor table, eating their breakfast, as the two Slytherin girls sat at the head of that table, buffered by the untrained bodies of Crabbe and Goyle. Those boys were untrained, but they did take their assignment seriously, in fact more seriously than they had ever taken their thugdom under Malfoy..at least here, they had pretty girls to protect..Harry took them aside and gave them a quick five minute course in what he expected of them, but it basically came down to 'listen to Pansy, and follow her orders,' and for them to report to him that night at 8 o'clock on the seventh floor.
Harry had other important things to deal with also.. he had to confront the Headmaster about the possible thefts from his accounts.. though, he thought, he might hold that off for a while, stop the ongoing theft and keep the people who were stealing from him on edge.. This was probably the best idea, so he decided to go to breakfast instead..Dobby appeared and handed over the overnight report. Prisoners captured, heads stored for later, intelligence gathered from the prisoners.. there was a notation of the ongoing remodeling and restoration going on at Potter Manor, with a list of expenses.. He shuffled over too where Neville was sitting and sat down next to his friend.
He whispered in his ear."I have her head for you, my brother" Neville froze, fork halfway to his mouth. he closed his eyes and gently lay the fork on his plate "Truly?" he turned and looked Harry in the eye. "Yes, truly.. I can have Dobby bring it to you right now if you wish.." Neville nodded slowly. Harry called Dobby. "Bring me the head, and her wand too, please, box it up, because Neville will want to send it to his Gran, I think.." Neville nodded Luna came in and sat next to her boyfriend..
"You have achieved closure,haven't you, my Neville?"
"Once I see it, yes, I think."
.Dobby appeared and handed a nicely made wooden chest with a lock to Harry.
"I await your orders, Sir.."
Neville and Luna looked at Dobby oddly but didn't say anything..
Harry stood and spoke: " Lord Longbottom, a gift to you and The Ancient Noble House of Longbottom, freely given by the Ancient and Noble House of Potter." He held out the chest to Neville, who stood and received it with a click of his heels and a short bow. "The Ancient Noble House of Longbottom receives the gift and extends our eternal gratitude to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
The students and staff of Hogwarts were astounded to see the formal ritual going on, and many of the non affiliated, that is to say, muggleborne were asking questions about what was going on..and others were speculating on what was in the chest... Dumbledore was standing at the heads table wondering if he should step down and stick his nose into the affair, but was frozen in place by a glare from Harry.. They would all find out in a minute..
Neville opened the chest, and a slow smile crept across his face. He opened it wide and held it up for all to see. The head and wand of Bellatrix Lestrange, her face frozen in shock at loosing her body, placed nicely in the finely made case..
Neville's voice rang out in the hall. "This day, my parents are avenged..this day is a day of victory for the Great and Noble House of Longbottom" He sat the chest down on the table, and faced Harry.
""This day, I offer to the Great, Ancient and Noble House of Potter, the Alliance and brotherhood of the Ancient Noble House of Longbottom" The two young men clasped their arms together and they both glowed with a silvery light.
"I accept your offer of friendship and alliance, Lord Longbottom, and I thank you" Harry replied. There was a small disturbance at the entrance to the Great Hall as Philip and Estelle Greengrass entered, with their daughter Astoria.. When she saw this, Daphne quickly went over to join them, as they formally approached Harry. Hermione came up beside Harry and took his hand, and Neville stood to his left.
"Lord Potter, I would like to offer to you the friendship and Alliance with the House of Clan Greengrass, and also offer to you our everlasting thanks.." Philip Greengrass spoke the formal words, and Harry took the older mans arms in his, and the entire family glowed silvery, as each member made the appropriate formal gestures. he took the women's hands and he touched his lips to each, even Astoria, who giggled when he wiggled his eyebrows at her..
The Great Hall was silent as these event were played out..Harry turned to the Head Table and spoke. "Thank you for your indulgence, Headmaster, Professors.. If you will pass out the schedules, we will be on our way, as we have some Family business to take care of.." he indicated the Heads of the two Noble houses with him..The Heads of the school houses hurried about their business, passing out schedules and information to the students.. The prefects were informing the firsties about how to get to their classes, and Harry and his Entourage gathered in the anteroom behind he Head Table, where the Tri-wizard meetings were held.. Harry, Hermione, Pansy..Neville,Luna..Philip Greengrass and his wife and daughters..
They were being berated by Dumbledore, who seemed to think that it was wrong to take the head of a Death Eater as a trophy.. after a bit more discussion, that is to say, an old man ranting, and young Nobles ignoring him, Harry spoke. "Have you listened to what I said last night, Headmaster?" he looked at the old man. "Do I need to go into it again, about how anyone with the mark of Voldemort is under a death sentence..?"
"Oh, that reminds me.."
"Wolf one?" he spoke to his mirror. "Yessir" "Status on the five marked?" a pause. "Captured the one at the greenhouse, and the other four are under surveillance, will be captured before the end of the day.."
"Good, if they look like they are going to do anything aggressive at all, take them down immediately, publicly, if you have to.."
"Yessir..on it"
He turned and spoke to Dumbledore.
"I know about the theft from my accounts..it has been stopped, all those schemes you have set up are now blocked.. You are losing teeth on a daily basis., so use the teeth you still have against the Death Eaters and not against your allies.."
"Think of how you want to be remembered in history."
The allied clans all took hold of a portkey and whirled away into the ether, leaving an old man alone in the room.
The words had finally sunk in.. he was not really being given a choice.. none at all.
-===o|o===-
Tom Riddle, AKA 'I Am Lord Voldemort' was angry, not only did he lose an arm to the boy, he lost his wand, Bella, over a dozen minions, and Snape was nowhere to be found.. He counted on Snape to provide him with current up to date information on the old fool's doings, and now Potter's actions as well. The Malfoy boy was never any use to him, every report from that source was tainted with his own egotism.. Currently Tom was staying at a manor of some people he had killed, and was currently grubbing around to find a wand that would work, looking for the materials to do a ritual to regrow his arm.. he needed some of his minions to be present. He sent up a Morsmorde, and sent it forth to whomever it would reach to.. and after a bit, several of his inner circle appeared.. Dolohov, Yaxley,..the LeStrange brothers.. Carrows.. McNair.. Rookwood had been taken by that Unspeakable,. so he had no 'in' at the Department of Mysteries..
"Carrows" the man stepped forward "Yes my Lord.." "I have a list of items for you to acquire as quickly as possible.. "I want you all to go out and recruit those who are teetering on the fence between joining my cause and not. Make them understand the duty they have as purebloods and make them understand the dangers of NOT supporting my cause.
-===o|o===-
The entourage appeared at the Longbottom Manor, and were led in by Neville. Augusta Longbottom, his Grandmother was surprised at his appearance, expecting him to be at school. "Neville, what is going on.. " oh, Philip, Estelle, why are you here.?" Neville brought the chest and lay it on the table in front of his Gran.
"The Great, Ancient and Noble House of Potter has given the Great, Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom a wonderful gift, the head of LeStrange.."
she looked at them oddly and opened the chest, a blank look on her face.
"Lord Potter"
"Yes Ma'am"
"Is this truly the head of that evil woman?"
"Yes ma'am, it is"
"How?"
"she was part of the bunch attacking the Clan Greengrass, and I took the opportunity"
"I'm glad you did.."
"You are Welcome Lady Longbottom"
"Has Neville offered you an alliance?"
"Yes Ma'am, and I have accepted"
"Good, It is something I would have suggested if he had not."
"I have always considered Neville a Brother, and a good friend, "
"I would offer you the fealty of the Croaker line as well, as I am the senior of that line.." "I would gladly receive the support and help of an Ancient and Noble line"
"Come here please, let me hug you.."
He did and she did, and an alliance was strengthened
-===o|o===-
The day went on, alliances were worked out and the offers of training and support were put forth. The Clan Greengrass stopped by their home to get essentials and to allow workers in past the wards so that they would be there to repair the damage. Harry hired some specialized curse breakers to comb over every inch of the Manor, seeking out latent traps and dark magic. in the meantime, the Clan Greengrass was housed at Potter Manor, and given full access to the western wing.
Jump to: late October
Harry and his fiancé jumped to the Ministry of Magic, main door and entered.. This was the first time they had entered that area since July. Their mission was to speak to Amelia Bones..but first they had to get by The Pink Nightmare™. That person was passing through the outer offices of the DMLE when Harry and his girls arrived, She glowered and started waddling toward him with intent to ...do something, but the two girls cast simultaneously an 'incarcerous' and a 'silencio' Harry waved and the 'person' found herself attached rather vigorously to the wall. Unable to move. the only thing she had left in her repertoire was a snarling, spitting visage.
"Now then, Delores, you wouldn't want to make the mistake of attacking, or even impeding the Head of not one, but TWO Ancient and Noble Houses, would you?.." Receiving no answer, Harry continued.. "Now, we ARE here to file charges against yourself and your fat boy Cornelius, so, tell you what, in order to hurry events along, why don't you come with us now, so we don't have to search for you later?" He turned and walked away, not expecting an answer, and the still bound and silenced Umbridge floated along behind, like a nightmarish, bobbing, pink, parade balloon. Harry and the girls approached the front desk of Amelia Bones' office and requested the time of Madam Bones herself. The girl looked dubiously at the trio, with their pink parade float balloon behind and sent a message to her boss.
Amelia Bones answered the intercom. "Yes, Polly?" "Madam Bones, Harry Potter is here to see you, along with two girls, and he has...he has Undersecretary Umbridge captive.."
"What?..no, never mind, I'll be right there.." She called Scrimgeour to meet her and hustled out of the room.
Bones and Scrimgeour arrived at the same time, from opposite directions, wands drawn..Right behind Scrimgeour were Shacklebolt and Roberds.
Harry was sitting in the waiting room in a comfortable chair, flanked by Hermione and Pansy,Harry was idly twirling his finger and the Pink Balloon was twirling in sympathy. Pink and green, at least thiscolor green did not go together well. "Mr Potter, may I ask why you are using a Ministry Official as a beach ball?" Harry stopped the twirling and flicked his finger, like he was flicking a booger. The Ministry official in question hit the wall, none too gently and stuck there like some demented cartoon, her eyes spinning in her head, as vomit drooled down the front of her pink sweater.
"Good, you brought backup, excellent!" He stood to his full height and squared his shoulders as if about to make a speech. "As Head of two Great, Ancient and Noble Houses,I wish to file charges against this person, and submit this person to justice, ending in her permanent stay in Azkaban, or possibly even receiving the Kiss." Bones started to speak, but Harry's demeanor said to stop.
"The charges are as follows:
1." Attempted Murder. She authorized the release of two dementors in Surrey to capture and possibly suck out my soul. I was able to defend myself and my cousin, and in so doing was charged with underage magic, resulting in the trial that was held in my honor last year."
2. "illegal use of a Blood Quill against myself and several others while in 'detention' at Hogwarts." he held up his hand"To wit, Writing lines in my own blood" Bones gasped, seeing the clear writing on his hand.
3. "Attempted poisoning with veritaserum while trying to force me to tell where Sirius Black was hiding, and where Dumbledore was hiding"
4. "Attempting to use an unforgivable curse on me to make me speak. that is, the Crucio curse."
5. "Theft, She confiscated my broom illegally, and posted a lifetime quidditch ban, which was not within her rights or duties to do so"
6. "Putting the entire Magical culture and world at risk of exposure by denying the return and resurrection of Tom Riddle AKA Voldemort"
7. Assaulting, both magically and verbally the Head of not one, but Two Ancient and Noble Houses, putting the lines of both Potter and Black at risk of being Ended through her bigotry and incompetence."
8. Through political and governmental manipulation, denied the current classes and students of Hogwarts the proper and necessary education that they are paying for causing the current student body to be at risk because of substandard teaching and curriculum
He looked at the still dizzy person on the wall "If I were a vengeful person, I would call her out to duel, in public and then kill her where she stood, but I am not that person.. I will see justice done, with the proviso..
if she buys her way out of Azkaban and her sentence,
I will kill her on sight, no duel, no quarter, Execution."
he kept his eyes on the nightmare..
"I declare a state of war exists between the Ancient Clans of Potter and Black, and the clan Umbridge, unto the fifth generation."
The gathered were shocked, 'unto the fifth Generation' was code for "I will wipe you and your family, and your house from the face of the earth" Scrimgeour and Shacklebolt looked to Madam Bones, who looked deeply into Harry's eyes.. After a moment she nodded. Shacklebolt and Roberds stepped up and cast the Auror spell for search and removal of weapons and wands, retrieving from the prisoner two wands, a portkey and a set of vials holding dangerous potions.. Roberds did a test waving his wand like a sensor, detecting other magical artifacts.. he stopped at her mouth.. "Tooth Portkey"
They did the search and retrieve spell again, and her mouth was forced open, and the tooth in question ripped out, and dropped into a magically inert evidence bag. Shacklebolt slapped magic suppressor cuffs on her and finited the incarcerous.. Umridge slumped, blood drooling out her mouth, defeated..
-===o|o===-
Ron and the others portkeyed into an alley in Hogsmead.. "Follow me" he ordered the others.. It was night and he broke in the door to Honeydukes, He did a sloppy reparo and went toward the storage room where the tunnel access was.
This didn't stop him from picking up a few boxes of Chocolate frogs as he led them down the tunnel and toward Hogwarts.
"We need to keep a low profile Red, stealing frogs is not a low profile.." "Shuddup" Ron grumbled as he led them out the access to the humpbacked witch. The others grumbled and went their way, tired from the exertion of learning unforgivables and casting them for hours at a time..
-===o|o===-
Bones sat at her desk, with Harry and his fiancé, and her fiancé comfortably across the desk from her.. "Lord Potter-Black.." "Please, Madam Bones, unless it is official, and therefore necessary, please call me Harry.." He grinned at her, happy that one of his problems was checked off the list.."Very well..Harry..you understand the fallout that will come with the charges you have filed against Undersecretary Umbridge, will rock our government to it's core, and de-stabilize our society.."
She said it with a slight smirk.. "Oh yes, Madam Bones, Destabilize indeed, in fact for my next act, I am going to kick out our esteemed Minister Fudge and replace him.. My only problem, is..Do you want his job, or shall I put someone else in that position..? hmm?"
She looked at him, steepling her fingers together.."What do you mean, do I want he job, the job of Minister is an elected position.."
"Elected by who?, the magical public, one wizard one vote?, or by those who buy the votes with blood money, like the late, unlamented Lucius Malfoy?..or does the Wizengamot have any actual power, or are they a bunch of feeble minded pureblood ass kissers.?" he leaned forward..."You have been head of the DMLE for seven years, correct?" she nodded.."How many requests for extra funding has Cornelius approved, that is, for actual Aurors, not just his personal honor guard and thugs..How many times have the actions of the thugs, using the good name of Auror done criminally wrong acts at the Minister's behest? How many good Aurors suffered injuries and death due to lack of equipment, funding, backup or intel?"
He waited while her brow furrowed.. she was torn, between knowing what she could do as Minister, and what was her chose profession, Auror.. "Let me call in my advisors.."
Harry nodded in assent. Shortly there were three more Aurors in the room, Scrimgeour, Roberds and Shacklebolt.
-===o|o===-
"Allright Harry, Make your case.." Amelia gestured toward her associates. "These men I trust, out of all the people in the Ministry, These men and a very few others are the ones I can trust to do what is right.."
Harry squeezed Hermione's hand and stood, walking over to a clear area in the office. "I am going to show you a spell which is a secret Potter-only spell..please do not let this go beyond this room.." they all nodded. He pulled out of his mind a series of memories and threw them up in the air, where they coalesced into a spherical area about three yards across. The memories began to play as Harry did commentary.. "Here we have the capture of the traitor Peter Pettigrew..listen to his pleading,trying to weasel out of punishment..this was three years ago in Hogsmead.. Here he is again, a year later.. see, he just killed Cedric at Voldemort's order.."
they watched as the ritual was performed and Voldemort's body was created, and the ensuing duel. They saw the faces of individual Death Eaters, Malfoy included.. They watched the aftermath, where the Minister was adamant about having Crouch Jr kissed on the spot, without the potential intel that would have been helpful..The scene where Fudge was denying the return of the dark lord, an entire year where the Aurors were spending not training, not protecting against attacks..
They saw the memories of surveillance in various offices and hallways where money was passed and favors given. They saw Malfoy Sr giving advice to Fudge, along with 'campaign contributions' and the immediate actions taken by Fudge.. "Here, watch this.." Malfoy was speaking..
"I want you to do everything you can to discredit Dumbledore and Potter, and if you can find something to arrest Potter for, all the better.. Here's a thousand Galleons, as a ..incentive ..to make this happen as quickly as you can.." "Well Thank You Lucius, my old friend, I will see to it directly.."...He hit a button "Umbridge ..get in here.." The pink nightmare came into the view and stood at attention.. "Yes Sir..?" "I want you to find something, anything at all to arrest Potter for, trap him, make him do underage magic in front of a muggle, anything, when you catch him, throw him in a cell next to the dementors..
'"Yes sir, will do"She grinned in excitement over doing this job.. Fudge next called in the editor of the Prophet. "Write an article telling that Dumbledore is an old fool who has lost his mind claiming that Lord Thingy is back, Bring up every decision he has made and raise questions about it.. if you can bring up the rumor he is a poufter again, that's an old favorite.. write another series of articles telling how demented and out of control Potter is, make him out to be a dangerous fool.. yes, also have Rita destroy the reputation of his mudblood whore.."
The images stopped and froze in place, replaced by a time and date code..the middle of last year, before the DoM disaster.
the images changed. The scene showed Umbridge and Fudge in his office, she was going on about how the useless brat had gotten away, and how she should have sent four dementors instead of two against him the previous year.. They went on making plans for the next school year, the one just passed.. "I have an extensive list of changes I will put into place, We will have those troublemakers under control.. making the way clear for our Lord.. to take over.."
This one stopped also , with a time and date code,showing August of the current year. Several more scenes played out, in which Fudge took bribes tolet those who served Voldemort literally get away with Murder.
He turned and faced the gathered Law Officers. "I intend to take the Ministry, and if I have to I will destroy it and create a new government..since this one is totally corrupt and out of control.."
He paused and sighed. "There are good people working here, trying to serve their fellow wizards and witches, but the weight of corruption is killing us all." He looked each in the eye.."In the name of pureblood superiority, our society is on a path to annihilation, and the end is much ,much sooner than we think.." Scrimgeour leaned forward with a scowl on his face.."What makes you think your way is better than the way it is now?" Harry smiled at the lion man. "I don't, but anything is better than what we have..as long as whoever is in power is working for the good of the magical people of Britain, and not for the good of their bank accounts and power schemes..I know whoever is put into place will mess up, it's inevitable, but with proper support, and burning away the corruption and greed, maybe, just maybe , we have a chance.."
Roberds frowned.."Are you intending to take over the government, you're just a boy, you have no experience.."
"Me take over? Hell No! only a fool would aspire to be the target of an angry populace, have enough of that already, and yes, you are correct, I have no experience, and honestly, I don't want it.. I want to go home when all this is done, after Tom is dead, and make lots of little Potters and Blacks, and make my wives happy.." he squeezed Hermione's hand, and she squeezed Pansy's hand. They all sat back, satisfied with the vehemence of Harry's answer.
Shacklebolt queried,"Not that it has anything to do with the subject at hand, are these lovely ladies your betrothed?" The trio grinned.."No, Kingsly, Hermione is my fiancé, and we will be married after Tom is dust, or at graduation, whichever comes first, She will be Lady Potter." he looked at Pansy. "Pansy is just a very close friend of ours, and under our protection, since she is a turncoat under the ideals of the pureblood society..She will most likely not be Lady Black, although Hermione and Pansy tell me they have a candidate lined up for that position."
The girls blushed and looked down.
"That bit of gossip set aside, lets get down to it..Rufus, who would you think is the best candidate as Minister of Magic, and if you think that is you, then please tell me why?" Scrimgeour pondered for a moment.."I will admit that I would like the job, I think I could do a good job representing our people..and I am a bit conflicted, I think that Amelia is just as capable, and would do a good job as well.." he looked to Amelia and then Harry for a clue. Amelia spoke. "I know I could do a good job as well, and I respect Rufus' abilities..he has a tendency to be a bit more political than me, but I know he could get the job done, however, I really don't want the job, I am an Auror, first, and foremost..."
Harry pondered.. "Well how about someone like Arthur Weasley,or Amos Diggory, good men, no offense Amelia, both light supporters.. or maybe Algie Croaker? the candidates pondered the choices..
"Diggory is a good man, but he is Dumbledore's man and will do whatever Albus tells him to do, he won't think for himself" they all nodded, "Ok,
Weasley..He would be good, except his muggle obsession". They pondered the man.
"There's something...off.. about Arthur.." Roberds spoke. "Such as?" "I went to school with the man, he is not the same fellow I bunked with.. it's like he is, I don't know..Controlled, influenced somehow..granted it's been more than 25 years, and he does have a wife and seven children..that would influence anybody.." they all laughed.. Harry looked about. "I have an idea"
They all looked to him. How about all three of you do the job as a unit, Amelia, your gifts are in seeing what needs to be done, and getting it done, Rufus, you are adept at dealing with the politics and public manipulations, and Arthur is a hard worker, and honest as can be, and I know all three of you would do what's best for the magical peoples of our nation." they all looked at him..
Amelia leaned into her desk and punched the intercom.
"Arthur Weasley, Please" the box squawked and bumbled a few times and Arthur could be heard. "Weasley here, what can I do for you, Madam Bones?" "I would like you to come to my office, right away, Arthur, we have some things to discuss." "Five Minutes" "Thank you, Arthur" she shut it off, and turned to Harry "Lord Potter-Black, will you be swearing a complaint against Cornelius Fudge?"
"Yes, I will, both on the behalf of myself and my families, but also on behalf of the magical peoples of Britain..you understand when I speak of Magical peoples, I mean ALL of them..werewolves, Centaurs, House Elves, all of them.." Amelia raised an eyebrow, very Spock like, and Rufus grumbled about the status quo.. Arthur arrived in four minutes and was soon seated. "Lord Potter-Black here has sworn out a complaint against Undersecretary Umbridge which will see her kissed before the week is out, and Cornelius is not far behind..and he intends to stir up the hornets nest that is the Ministry." she gazed directly into Arthur's eyes. "He offered both Rufus and I the job of Minister of Magic, and we are inclined to accept.. and your name came up as a third candidate, to temper us, as it were.. the three of us working together to whip our government into shape..and make is something to be proud of."
Arthur looked stunned.
"thats a big proposition Amelia, Rufus.. why me?" Rufus spoke. "We have interviewed several Death Eaters lately, and more than once your name came up as one who could not be bribed..or threatened..also, we have empirical evidence that you work consistently for the good of every magical creature, without prejudice.." he looked to Harry. "It has been made abundantly clear that the old guard is going to be washed away, and the new will come in..like a tsunami." he returned to Arthur. "We believe you have the guts to do what needs to be done.."
Arthur looked about the room, and got a nod of assent from all present..
a month earlier ..in realtime..
Hermione and Pansy were getting ready for bed on the first day of speedtime, after having briefed the others on what to expect for the next fourteen magic enhanced days . They had made their new guests write out everything they had done that day and what they were expected to do tomorrow in realtime, so that it would be easier to re-insert themselves into the daily pattern of life at Hogwarts.. Hermione was working at brushing her hair out, the bushy wonder that it was, and grunting with the strain of it. She had been exposed to the wind and it had gotten tangled and matted and being as long as it was, the matter of grooming became quite stressful.
"Hermione, why do you struggle so with your hair, I have seen you do this a hundred times, and yet you keep on doing it.? Hermione tugged and worked out a tangle and then her hands flopped in her lap in frustration. "If it weren't such a damned tradition in my family, I would cut my hair shorter than Annie Lennox, and be done with it.." she sighed.."I have tried magical shampoo and conditioner, and muggle brands as well, nothing seems to work.. I think my magic makes my hair work with a mind of it's own..It is sooo frustrating sometimes."
Pansy moved behind her friend and took the brush, and began to work out the tangles and smooth out the barely tamable mass. "I need to make an appointment for you with my mother's hair elf, Jenny..Mum has used her services for years, and she is in high demand, she might be willing to take on a new client.." "Hair Elf?..what's that, there are elves who specialize in hair? What does she charge, and how do I get in contact, and why has no one told me of this before?" Pansy smiled at the flood of questions and continued brushing. Jenny takes on very few clients, and usually only when one of her older clients dies.. and she is one of only three elves in the UK that does this, as far as I know..as to how much she charges? she will accept tips, and payment for any needed supplies, but she takes her payment in magic.. you do know that elves are bound to families because they need magic to live..without a families magic, they wither away and die." she frowned. "Some families treat their elves horribly, and abuse them.. my former betrothed was one of those, and you know Dobby who works for Harry now.. well you know"..
Hermione's face went dark as she thought of the abuse that Dobby had gone through, it was as bad as the abuse Harry had gone through as a child.
"There, that should work for tonight.." Hermione's hair was bound and tied so it wouldn't get away again..
"I will send an owl to Mum, asking her to contact Jenny tomorrow." The next day in speedtime, Harry was in the hall training Daphne and The bodyguards, Vin and Greg.. Daphne was learning how to defend herself in the basic environments, and The men were being trained at moving their primary(Daphne) while protecting her. Hermione and Pansy did some physical katas and stretching, before some basic sparring. The new trainees were distracted and came to a stop, distracted from the training that Harry was giving them, seeing two very fit and energetic witches going at it, doing various moves and feints, takedowns and rolls, throws and attacks. Harry smirked as he watched his women getting into their workout, as the three trainees were stunned and awed at the display.
Pansy gave as good as she got, and was a formidable opponent, but Hermione's skill was just a bit better, and finally had the dark haired girl pinned, and immobile, yet unhurt. "And that, my new students, is how you fight without magic..and you will all learn, not only this, but various ways of protecting yourself in a completely muggle environment,, using Mundane methods and tactics.."
The men were agog, not only to the fighting part of it, but also because the femaleness of the opponents..as purebloods, they were used to clothes more appropriate to a late Victorian era, and sports bras and exposed skin were not part of that menu.
Hermione got up, pulling Pansy up by her hand and accepted a pair of towels thrown to them by Harry, Wiping her face and neck, getting rid of the perspiration built up in the workout. "Ok, Daphne, first thing you are going to learn, is how to fall without hurting yourself."
A couple hours later, the three girls were sitting in a jacuzzi/hot tub letting the jets hammer out the pains in their bodies. "I thought you were going to teach me to fall without getting hurt..well excuse me, but my butt hurts from landing on it so many times today." Daphne shifted uncomfortably, trying to find a position that hurt a bit less. "It will get better, Daph, trust me..Pansy patted the taller girl's hand
Off to the side of the room, a door opened and steam billowed out, followed by Harry and two large Slytherin males. They all had towels and were wearing baggy swimwear. Harry led the men to t he side of the hot tub. "Ladies, may we join you?" Hermione's smile answered the invitation, as she scooted over towards Pansy and made room, Harry climbed in, followed cautiously by Vin and Greg. "Why are you so red, Vincent? did the steam room cook you too much?" Daphne laughed as Pansy was asking, or rather stirring up her housemates.. "Greg?..you're kinda red too.. hmm?" The men turned even deeper red, and sunk down to their chins in the water..while trying not to ogle the females in the tub with them. "Well, we normally do this nude, but since you folks are new at this, we decided to be nice and wear clothes, at least for now"..Hermione spoke as Harry reached down behind the tub, snagging some chilled butterbeer and passing it around. He sat down heavily into the water, making a wave that almost drowned Greg, who was barely above the water, hiding, as it were.
"Get used to it guys, the female is the best thing in the world, and lovely to gaze upon..but do remember this, if they say no, it means no, you don't want to end up like the ferret.." the implied threat sobered the gathering for a moment. it was a few moments before Vin asked. "Can I ask what really happened to the ponce?
Harry looked to Pansy for an answer before speaking. She hesitated a moment and then nodded. "I need to be able to talk about it, it was after all two years ago for me.." Hermione squeezed her hand to comfort her friend. Pansy began the story "You all know I was betrothed to the ferret?" her three housemates nodded. "Well it was a plot by Malfoy Sr. to steal my families' lands and businesses, blood or societal status meant nothing at all..The deal was like this.. I was to marry the ferret and then after an heir was produced, then I would suffer a 'tragic death' in some politically useful manner.." she sneered, a ghost of her "Pansypug' persona.."Lucius imperio'd my parents into signing a betrothal, and giving the ferret my dowry" she grinned. But Harry here turned the tables on 'Bad Faith' and that line is now dead..she grinned at her rescuer.."Harry rescued me from my 'wedding night activities' which consisted of two death eaters holding me down in an alley, while the ferret crucio'd me, his idea of foreplay" she smirked "The useless git couldn't get it up and blamed me..anyway, Harry captured him and then rescued Narcy Black..the ferret's mother.. she really is a nice person when you get to know her."
She took a drink. "We questioned the ferret and found out he was the sole heir of the Malfoy estate, if anything happened to Lucius, Draco inherited it all.. and so, I made Draco fulfill his duty as a husband and make me the heir of his estate, with the proviso that I would produce an heir for that line.. and I added the clause that if he could not provide the seed to make an heir that I would inherit anyway.. well, since he was missing his boys shortly after that, and he was not able to produce an heir, then when he is dead, I will inherit the estates and all properties of that clan."
Both male housemates cringed and unconsciously clutched themselves at that statement, and Daphne snorted as she was taking a drinking,, butterbeer dribbling out of her nose.. "You took his 'nads?.." Pansy gave an innocent little smile and nodded, delicately sipping her drink. "Pansy is now, potentially the wealthiest single witch in the UK, at least for now.." Harry grinned as he looked into Hermione's eyes.
"When we are married, Hermione will be the wealthiest married witch as Lady Potter,followed by whomever becomes Lady Black." Daphne's brows furrowed.. "So Pansy will be doubly wealthy, with both the Malfoy and Black Money? "
Harry laughed, throwing his head back.."No, um.. Pansy will not be Lady Black.. Lady Granger maybe, but not Lady Black.." Daphne's jaw dropped in shock.."You mean.." she gawped, speechless, as Pansy blushed and tucked her head into Hermione's neck, as the Gryff woman hugged her.
"I think you might find, having your betrothed crucio you as he 'makes love' to you, is rather off-putting.. That useless git did it enough to her that she cannot stand the touch of a man, and I for one do not blame her..It took over a year of counseling and therapy for her to come out to us, and I am the only one who can touch her, and only as her protector and brother." Greg spoke up..a look on his face of concentration.. "Umm, I know that I'm not all that bright, but did you say that Pansy would be..err wife to Grang...er..Hermione?" Hermione leaned forward. "Yes, Greg, Pansy will be my wife, partner, lover.. whatever you want to call it.. I care for her, and she cares for me, just as I care for Harry, and he cares for me..I know it's a bit unusual, but it's no one's business, but ours..Pansy is special to me, and I want to take care of her" she turned and kissed the dark haired girl on her nose and they giggled. The three Slytherins were stunned and looked between the three sitting on the opposite side of the tub.
.Harry shrugged. "Who am I to complain, I have to have at least two wives for the two families I head, so why shouldn't Hermione have another wife..she has enough love to go around.." Hermione leaned over, while still holding Pansy and kissed him on the nose also. "So do you lover boy..so do you" They turned back to their guests ..
"So, Daphne, Who does your hair, I just learned today there are Hair Elves " Daphne's face lit up, and the guys rolled their eyes.
-===o|o===-
late October:
Cornelius Fudge sat in his office, worrying.. first his good friend and advisor Lucius Malfoy had been killed in an explosion at Malfoy Manor, then his senor undersecretary had been arrested and taken away.. He was calling all his favors in from wherever, in the Wizengamot, with the various department heads.. he was frantic, he called for Algie Croaker, the head of the Department of Mysteries to come and speak with him..
"Unspeakable Croaker, I would like your support in this matter, we need to put up a united front and keep the public satisfied with the Ministry, and it's policies" Fudge put on his most trustworthy face, a combination of 'sincere' and 'concerned' with a touch of 'common man' The man was a master of the skill, it had gotten him elected after all..
Croaker lifted an eyebrow at the entreaty and paused before saying anything..Croaker had many of the same skills, and had to use them over the years as the de facto director of the Unspeakables and the Department of Mysteries.. "Well...I think that I need to consult my superiors on this matter.."
Fudge was shocked. "Superiors?, I thought you were the Head of the DoM, who do you answer to?" "I answer to the same being that you are supposed to answer to, Cornelius"..he spoke looking Fudge directly in the eye. he then turned away and stood, facing toward the empty area in the room, and fell to one knee. He lifted his staff and invoked:
"Hear me, Lord of the Unknown Magic, I call on thee"
A rift opened in the wall of reality, , surrounded by snaps and sparks of lightning arcing off the furniture and walls, a large bolt cracked at the head of Croaker's staff. It fizzled out with a fuzzy sounding ~fwip~! Standing there in the room, facing the kneeling Croaker was the most powerful Mage that Fudge had ever been in the presence of..even more so than Dumbledore and Voldemort..err Lord Thingy..
"Bow before me, servant, show the respect due me.." Fudge found himself involuntarily getting on his knees before the mysterious figure..stammering , but not making any coherent sentences.. "Minister Fudge, your life and assets are forfeit, due to the fact that you have never served the magical peoples of this land, not once.. every move, every decision was profit or power oriented"..
there was a blank space in his mind.... "you will now go to the Wizengamot Chambers and make a full public confession, and throw yourself on my mercy"
Fudge rose and went to his desk, made the call go out to the Wizengamot, scheduling an immediate meeting, including the Mugwump. He turned and faced the door, and walked out, not noticing the three followers, Croaker, Percy Weasley, and the mysterious figure.
-===o|o===-
Dumbledore felt the call from the Wizengamot offices go off, and sighed, putting aside his plans for the day.. He had professors to micro-manage, people's lives to interfere with.. He had nothing scheduled for this day at the Wizengamot, so this must be one of Cornelius' machinations. He put on his Mugwump costume, and readied himself to leave, calling in Minerva to transfer temporary authority over the wards and control of Hogwarts..He really didn't like doing this, but he had Minerva bound up with several obedience oaths and a small bit of confundus and control runes.. so he knew it would come back to him without problems.. She accepted the control and slipped it into her pocket, and went back to her class, as Albus left the building. Minerva was going back to her class and was temporarily sidetracked by two sixth years, who were supposedly out of the building.. "Mr Potter, Miss Granger, what are you doing here, I was told you would be out of the building for the day?" Harry smiled as he gently led his Head of house into a side room next to her classroom. "We are out of the building, but part of us came back to take care of you.. to free you." She found herself bound, not tightly, just slowed to the point where her reactions were about 80 percent too slow..Hermione faced her favorite teacher and apologized. "I'm Sorry, Professor, but you will thank us when we are done.."
Hermione used a different wand and cast a complex spell over her elder. .Even while fighting the bonds, she listened to the incantation, and analyzed the wand movements.. and realized what her favorite students were doing.. She stopped in struggling against her bonds and concentrated on Hermione's actions, trying to receive the maximum benefit, trying to extend her own magic to reach out to the young woman's magic.
Obedience spells were broken, confundus spells were lifted, runes that were etched on her body where it was impossible for her to see them, even as a cat, were dissipated, leaving unblemished skin, or fur as the case may be..
Minerva shook herself, as if shaking off water.."What..how?" Harry took her hand, squeezing it
gently. "Try your form now" She looked determined and shifted.. not into the common Tabby that she was known to be, but her real form, her original form, that of Felis silvestris grampia the Scottish wildcat, bigger in body and stronger than a common housecat, with markings that were surprisingly similar to those of a housecat, but on a grander scale.. also she was a bit more...feral..and dangerous..
The new kitty hissed in anger and turned around in a circle or two, while Hermione conjured a mirror for her to look in.. The Wildcat faced her image, and turned this way and that, checking out her markings, and then returning to her human form..
"I remember everything..I remember having this form once, and then he...he.." she looked very angry. "He bound my creature and forced it into the cat form.. I would like to claw him right about now, Mr Potter, Miss Granger..how did you know?" she looked at them, not in the position of Professor, or Head of House, but as someone tremendously relieved and glad to be free.
"We are currently taking down the government as you know it, and this is but one small bit of that process.. for now, reset the wards to keep out everyone, including Dumbles, and keep the students calm..there should not be any backlash against Hogwarts."
"What do you mean taking down the government?"
"I just tossed Umbridge into Azkaban, and Fudge is now in the Wizengamot on his knees, telling every crime and bribe he has committed in his career.. this will probably also take Dumbledore with him.. Bones, Scrimgeour and Weasley are going to run the government for the time being.."
McGonnegal sat down in shock.
"Here, give me the remote, I'll show you a few things.." she took out the device and handed it to him, still stunned at he news..
"Look here, how Dumbledore has the settings.. He has the Slytherin House set to paranoia and conflict, he has Gryffindor House set to aggression and confrontation, Hufflepuff is set to impotent and uninvolved, outside their own House, the Ravenclaws are set to internal and oblivious." "No wonder there are conflicts in this school..Here, you reset them this way," draw the stones toward the center, neutral position, and all of them slightly toward calm.. yes, like that..ok, that should keep the student populations under control, for now.. next look at the staff settings.."
Minerva was in shock, she had held this device in her pocket for years, whenever Dumbledore left the building, she had never, ever seen these settings.. "Ok, the potions department is blank, because we don't have a potions teacher, the previous one is now being interrogated by the Unspeakables.. see, a setting for each department head and division, we need to investigate these weird runes around divination..tomorrow is soon enough."
He looked her in the eyes. "As an heir of the founders,I have the authority to put you into place as Headmistress, do you think you can do that job?"
She turned to Hermione's for guidance.. "these children are much older than they seem" ran through her mind. "I believe I can..with some help.." the invitation was there, in plain English, she wanted them to be her helpers and possibly guidance through the rough waters of the next couple days..
"May I make a suggestion?" Hermione caught her Professor's attention.. "There are historical events going on right now, maybe the student body should observe and take notes"
Headmistress Minerva McGonnegal nodded. "Follow me, please"
They ended up in the Great Hall and McGonnegal mounted the head table platform in the otherwise empty room. She tapped a point on the table at the Headmaster's seat and spoke, her voice rang throughout the building.
"Attention students and Staff, Please put away all belongings, bring parchment and quill, and report to the Great Hall, Today, History is being made and we are to be witness to this. All staff report to the Great Hall as soon as is feasible, Castle Ghosts, please come to the Great Hall, Elf department heads report to me ASAP, That is all"
her voice repeated twice throughout every room in the castle, out in the stables, in the greenhouses, in Hagrids' teaching area, the Quidditch Pitch, everywhere. Harry stood at the Headmistress' side as she adjusted the wards, and several other settings. The Owlery was locked down, all floo portals were locked, and the gates to the school were physically shut and locked. People came into the Great Hall, which had been reconfigured with all the tables being crossways, facing the front of the hall, Over the Head Table was a sphere of light, with images flitting across. The staff, including Trelawney shuffled in, and found seats out on the floor with the students and other staff. Filch stood in the back, grumbling as he held Mrs Norris..
In the Wizengamot Chamber, irritable old men were grumbling about being called in on a whim of the Minister, and pondered the political capital he was spending today..The seats filled in and the chatter and grumble of voices filled the room. Albus Dumbledore strode into the room looking about for Fudge so he could question why the man had called this unexpected and unscheduled meeting..Albus could forgive Cornelius his little eccentricities and games, but he had better not interfere with the Grand Mugwump's plans.. There was too much of that going on as it is.. Dumbledore called the assembly to order and asked who called for the emergency meeting, and Fudge shuffled forward from the anteroom, followed by Croaker, and a hooded and hidden figure, wearing Unspeakable robes. The old mugwump was about to speak and question this intruder to the proceedings when Fudge began to speak.
All across the country, Magical homes were filled with the sound of the WWN broadcast, at Hogwarts, the students were staring rapt at the images of their leaders in conference, and Fudge telling his tale.. Many of the students were taking notes and some were cringing, thinking of how to get out unnoticed..The new Headmistress was watching her unusually mature sixth year students, sitting along the side of the room,along with their new Slytherin companions.. She did not miss the sneering face of the Weasley boy. Fudge was speaking...
:
"...and in that time I took over eleven million galleons in bribes and 'contributions' which I kept for my own vaults, I also used Ministry funds to supply me with bodyguards, transportation, household expenses, and paid for my weekly visits to LeCygne' "(which was a well known magical brothel). People were yelling and shouting, demanding attention.. "Furthermore, I am responsible for keeping Sirius Black in Azkaban, when he was an innocent man, never convicted or even questioned, I let known Death Eaters out of Azkaban for a pittance of only 3oo thousand Galleons each, and an official apology from the Ministry. I let my Undersecretary take over Hogwarts and undermine the teaching standards there at Lucius Malfoys' suggestion, and allowed her to torture students with both a Blood Quill, and the use of potions and Unforgivables."
Fudge went on in this vein for over an hour, unburdening his soul and heart of all the evil he had done. When he was done, he took out his wand and held it up over his head.
"I swear on my life and magic hat all this testimony is true"The glow of a true oath flashed around him. He put his wand away and then looked about as if he just walked into the room and then realization crept across his face at what he had just done. He turned purple with anger and then fear, and shock.. He was stunned and unable to move or make any coherent statement.
-===o|o===-
At Hogwarts, the students and staff were rapt in their attention to the vision in front of them, as Television and video were not common in the wizarding world. The images and sound were overwhelming to some, but for the muggleborn, it was old hat.. some were commenting that this would be a good way to see some of their favorite movies, and quietly Minerva agreed, and made a note to talk to Harry about borrowing the spells and/or technology to make things like this happen more often.. There came a pause in the action on the 'screen' and the students were moving about, restless and gossiping amongst themselves.
A blond Hufflepuff had inserted herself into the bench where Neville was sitting, and was trying to interest him in going for a stroll around the lake with her, maybe have a picnic. She was trying to make an impression on him, and not really having much luck in the matter. He was polite, but rebuffed the offers, gently, for though young, he was after all a gentleman.. eventually she gave up, and went away, heading for the ladies room at the side of the Great Hall, intending to touch up her face and see if she had any pimples coming out.
Suddenly she found herself hitting the wall hard enough to knock all the wind out of her, and a sticking charm keeping her from moving, getting her wand or doing anything
to defend herself. A face came out of the daze and filled her vision.. "Don't you be trying to steal away my Neville, don't even think you have anything like a chance with him!" the girl was shocked at the grey eyed blond with the odd earrings and necklace..
"Neville Longbottom is spoken for, he will not have anything to do with the likes of you..and if you try anything again, I Will Know, and You won't like what happens to you if you do..got it?
The girl nodded yes, frantically, wanting this terrifying witch out of her face.. she stammered and fumbled out the words, promising not to try and speak to Neville ever again.. Her friends found her there twenty minutes later, stuck to the wall and disillusioned so no one could see her.. thirty people had walked by in that time and no one, not even a staff member had seen her, silently struggling to escape the Blond Girl's hex. It finally took the help of Professor Flitwick to get her off the wall, when questioned, she said nothing about who had done this, though Flitwick could sense the magical signature, and said nothing. Later when he returned to the Great Hall he looked at his fifth year girl, their eyes met and a certain bit of knowledge passed, Luna hugged Neville's arm tightly and returned her gaze to the action on the video screen.
-===o|o===-
In the Wizengamot hall Dumbledore was trying to keep order, and understand what it was that just happened here.. He looked closely and could see the remains of a Runic spell cast upon Cornelius, but it was dissipating quickly, the part he could see was the runes for Truth, and a rune for compulsion and speaking. He understood, these Runes in concert with a few others and there was no defense, the recipient of the 'Hard Magic' spell had no other choice but to speak the truth, all of it, and without any prevarication.. He shuddered, he hoped that he was not the recipient of this spell, in any way shape or form. The previous times it was cast, entire governments and nations had fallen..and it appeared that it would happen again.
the previous month: Third day of Speedtime, evening of first day of school.
The music flowed over the dance floor, and the boys were struggling to coordinate their feet and hands and not step on the toes of their dates. Vincent was dancing with Hermione and Greg, who was taller, was dancing with Daphne, or at least attempting to do so.. The girls had conjured steel toe dance shoes to avert the most egregious of the conflict. Harry was standing by the side, holding Pansy's hand, directing the flow, "Guys, in the future, your girlfriends and wives will appreciate this, and more importantly, it will help you in your dueling and defense.. being able to move is critical in your survival.." he watched as he drew Pansy into an open embrace, and they twirled and flowed
across the dance floor.. "Listen to the music, Vincent, a simple waltz in 4/4 time.. step step step turn step step, turn, step, turn step.. yes, you're getting it.. loosen up a bit, I don't bite.." Hermione smiled as she made this commentary.. She could see Vincent keeping his eyes on Harry and Pansy, while trying not to step on her toes, keep time, and not run into anyone. "Here, open up a bit, and watch your feet for a moment.." they moved apart a few inches and Vincent could see his feet. Daphne was having a similar problem with Greg, but was getting the better of it..she was after all a pureblood and had Dancing lessons her whole life.. In Greg's family, they were pureblood, but not wealthy enough to put on airs and think that they would be invited to functions.. Daphne's parents were dancing along happily, and saw the problems that Daphne was having with Gregory.
"Excuse me dear, let me try.."The Lady Greengrass stepped in and took Greg in hand. "Hello Gregory, how are you doing, with all these changes going on, losing the Malfoy power over everyone and finding your freedom, must be exciting.." Greg stammered a bit, formulating an answer, and while doing so, forgot that he was dancing, naturally following along behind, or in front of the Lady Greengrass..
"It's..kind of scary, Ma'am, (pureblood children were expected to respect their elders) "Potter..err Harry is more powerful than anyone I have ever seen, and I saw the Dark Lord last month.. we were expected to begin training to take the mark, when Potter and the m..,..Granger and Pansy made an offer on the train, we knew that this was our only chance to survive." he became a little bolder.. "I know that Vince and I aren't that smart, but we are Slytherin, and want to get somewhere.. this seems like the best offer and chance that we will ever have.."
The Lady Greengrass smiled.. "And on top of that, guess what happened Gregory..?" He was nonplussed..'err what?" "You're dancing, and doing it quite well.. keep it up and you will be fine.." She smiled and twirled back to her husband, who twirled Daphne back into Greg's arms.. "Hi Greg, how do you like dancing with my mother?" Daphne smiled and Greg Goyle's brain melted..
go back eight bars of music..
"Hi baby, how's the dance lesson going?" Daphne blushed .. Gregory is tromping on my feet, and generally being a troll.. He can't help it, I assume, considering the people he has hung out with for the last six years." she sighed.. "Daddy, I want someone who will treat me like Harry..Lord Potter treats Hermione and Pansy.. are there any boys still like that around?" The Lord Greengrass looked around the room and spotted a likely suspect.. "Yes Dearest, I think there are" He swirled and twirled her around while his wife was distracting Greg into dancing. "I think that Lord Black needs a Lady Black.. Shall I consider bringing up a Betrothal Contract?" Daphne blushed and stopped dancing, coming to a dead stop in the middle of the dance floor. She was facing Harry who was
currently dancing with Pansy, Her father gathered her in his arms and made them resume.."It's not such a bad match, now is it..we as a Family owe him at least three life debts, and we have aligned ourselves with him and his Clans..and trust me Daphne, they will be Great Clans."
Tthe elder Greengrass watched his daughter's face as she went through a variety of emotions.. she couldn't hold the 'ice princess' with him around..The only other male who could get through to her was ..him..She made a decision..
"Daddy?.. "Yes, love?" "have mummy talk to Hermione and Pansy..I know that proper procedure is for you to do it, but Harry has only them.." Hermione and Pansy were dancing now, while Harry was dancing with Astoria.., well, Harry had Astoria in his arms, her feet far from the floor, moving in time to the music.. The little girl was giggling as Harry danced her around the floor..
Philip could see that no matter what Harry was doing, he was keeping an eye on the two male students, an eye on his fiancé and his other guests.. particularly Daphne, who had just changed places with her mother..and back to Gregory, He could see her talking to the boy, asking questions, and enjoying the now dancing and not fumbling Goyle.. Harry danced Astoria over to her father, and asked if he could trade with him for the older mans wife.. Philip whispered something in his wifes ear and then they switched in perfect synchronicity, leaving Harry to dance with Estelle Greengrass.. "Well Harry, how are you?" "I am well, Mrs. Greengrass, and are you enjoying your evening?" "Estelle, please, our Clans are aligned so we are allowed to be more familiar, at least in private...Lord Potter-Black" He snorted in laughter..
"Ok, point to you..Estelle..they laughed. "I want to thank you for all the things you have done for my family, Harry, you have put your life and fortune on the line for people you don't even know.. "
Harry smiled and they twirled around he dance floor.."Hermione says I have a 'people saving thing'..I can't disagree with her, since for the most part, everything she has ever said turned out to be right..well, almost everything.." Estelle's eyebrows raised in question. Harry continued. "For a while there she thought of herself as an ugly bookworm, and unloveable by anyone..I have done a bit to dissuade her from that notion, and now look at her, engaged to myself and Pansy, when she does something, she throws herself into it.." His grin was as wide as his face, and Estelle could feel the happiness radiate from him..
"Well, Harry, or shall I say, Lord Potter-Black, shall my Husband, the Lord Greengrass come to you with our proposal, or shall we run it by your advisor/fiancé first?"
Harry kept mum, having a good idea what this was about.. They danced a few more bars, and Harry was swinging Estelle around and captured Hermione's eye, they rendezvoused,, and Estelle Greengrass found herself dancing with Hermione Granger, soon to be Potter..
"Er..Hello, Hermione..Lady Potter.." Hermione smiled and almost giggled. "Good Evening, Lady Greengrass, I think you have something you want to talk to me about?" Estelle nodded, still a little stunned to find herself being led about the dance floor by a beautiful young woman..She saw Her husband dancing with Astoria, and Harry with Daphne, and the two young men were standing on the sidelines talking to Pansy..
"Yes, I do have something to speak to you about.. normally this subject would be dealt with by the Heads of the Houses, but in deference to Harry and his way of doing things, My husband and I decided that you were the most important advisor to Lord Potter-Black, and as such, we should begin negotiations with you."
Hermione looked into Estelle Greengrass' eyes and Mind.."Yes, I think he would be interested in Daphne, she is a very nice person, and frightfully intelligent..Harry is not so impressed by looks or money or social status, he likes intelligence, and also, she was already on his short list of persons to become the Lady Black..shall we?" They stopped dancing and a table appeared in the middle of the dance floor, with chairs for all to sit. "The music faded away and Hermione called everyone to attention. "Everyone find a seat Please, Dobby?" the elf appeared. "Yes Mistress?" she smiled at the elf "Please retrieve my business case from my office, if you would?" He nodded and popped away. The Greengrass clan was seated at the west side of the table, The Potter-Blacks at the east side, Vin and Greg were seated at the north end, slightly separated from the main players, theirs was an observer's seat..and two small chairs bracketed the Potter-Black, and shortly they were filled by Dobby and Winky, Tinky watched quietly as she sat with Astoria.
"Shall we come to order?" everyone settled down. Hermione began speaking. "There has been an offer made to begin preliminary negotiations for a betrothal contract between the Great, Ancient and Noble House of Black, and the Great and Noble Clan of Greengrass." The elder Greengrass were bemused at the facts that this mugg- First Born Witch was following the ancient traditions in language and seating, in proper order of Names.. quite ironic,, actually, she was keeping the traditions better than most purebloods ever did. The questioning began.
"Lord Potter, do you seek a betrothed mate?"
"No, I do not, I have a betrothed already, and do not seek another." he smiled at her as he said that bit..
"Very well" she smiled at him.
"Lord Black, Do you seek a betrothed mate?"
"Yes, I do, I have need of a Betrothed mate to continue the Great, Ancient and Noble House of Black.."
he paused. "Do you bring a potential betrothed ?"
"The Great and Noble Clan of Greengrass has put forth an inquiry as to the possibility of their Eldest Daughter becoming the Lady Black."
Daphne blushed and Philip Greengrass sat up straighter. Harry looked at the faces of each and every person at the table, he looked longest at Daphne. She blushed a bit, as a proper pureblood princess that she was.. Astoria was looking sideways at her sister, and tried to emulate the older girl's posture. Harry smiled at the little princess. He took his attention and placed it straight in front of him, facing Phillip Greengrass, and began speaking.
"Before you make this offer, you need to know what you are getting into..I have been directed by my ancestor, Sirius Black, to make the name Black something to be proud of, something to stand for, to be on the same level as the name Potter..I have begun, by changing the Family Motto, dropping the old one, 'tojours pur', and replacing it with this..
"We fight the Darkness and Bring to Order."
"Nos pugna Obscurum quod Addo praeeo"
"This is a large mandate, one which will take generations, money and lives..I intend for there to be a resurgence of the lines of Light, I will need many sons and daughters, be they born of blood, or adopted, I care not..but I will have families to be proud of, families who will be respected and who will earn that respect..We will not bow to the darkness, we will shine forth and devour it, we will change the world as we know it, we will Bring to Order..."
Everyone's eyes were wide in awe of the power and charisma of the young man.. His face shone with the light of righteousness. He turned to each of the Greengrass clan, stopping finally at Daphne.. "Is this your idea, Daphne?"she was temporarily silent, and nodded, then finding her voice..
"Yes, m'Lord Black, I asked my parents to speak with you.." he nodded. "Look into Hermione's eyes, let her into your mind." Daphne did so, and felt the gentle brush across her mind, questions being asked, and her mind putting forth the answers, without any help from her. The presence withdrew, and Hermione turned and looked into Harry's eyes..and he turned to the girl.
"Hermione is my trusted advisor and conscience in all things, I trust her judgment, I trust her instincts, but the final decision is mine, and mine alone..If you become the Lady Black, these are the rules you will have to abide by:" The Slytherin girl gulped and waited, "Yes my Lord Black?" she did know about status and standing among the great houses..
"Rule#1. Truth and honesty always, no back deals, no lies, no deceit of any sort."
"Rule#2. Equality in all things, no creature or person is better than any other person or creature, irrespective of birth, blood, ancestry. species or preference." he said this while looking at Hermione and Pansy and Dobby
"Rule #3. Until I destroy the dim Lord, all are under my command, you will follow my orders, quickly and without delay or argument, I will not give commands without a good reason, and I will not accept anything less that quick obedience.."
He took a deep breath and sighed... "These rules are the basics that we live by in the Potter-Black Household..I will hold up my end of the bargain in this..
I will never lie to you, deceive you, or willingly cause you hurt or pain without a damn good reason, and that reason would have to be a life or death situation."
".I will always do my best to keep you informed of everything you need to know."
".I will do my best to be the best husband that I can be, and show you the love and respect you deserve, not only as my wife, but also as the Lady Black,and as the mother of my heirs."
".,Just as I have made the same promises to the Lady Potter."
The Greengrass family was stunned at this declaration. "One more thing" Harry drew attention to himself. " as the Head of two Great, Ancient and Noble Houses, I am required to have a Lady for each of those Houses, and therein lies a potential problem..We will live together in the same household, and the potential for conflict is enormous, Daphne, do you think you could live in harmony with Hermione and her mate Pansy?" Daphne looked at the two women, and again to Harry.
"Yes, I think I can."
A sigh of relief from the Greengrass side, and Hermione stepped back in to the negotiation. "Lord Greengrass. do you have a Bride Price in mind for the hand of your daughter?"
Phillip Greengrass looked to his wife, as they had not really talked about this, turned back to the young woman negotiating the betrothal. "We were not planning on setting a bride price, since it was our daughter's wish to begin negotiation" Harry stepped in. "In that case, I would like to make an offer, if I may?" they all deferred to him, or rather , The Lord Black.. "As the Lord Black, I offer a bride price of twenty thousand Galleons for the hand of Daphne Alexandra Greengrass" he paused as everyone gasped at the immense amount "The reason I set the Bride Price so high is to show the world that I respect and honor the young lady, and consider her to be a jewel of unlimited price..also to set the societal standard so high as to bankrupt a few of the purebloods." he said with a grin..
Hermione pulled out the briefcase that Dobby had brought her, and once opened, she pulled out a folder labeled 'Black, betrothal' She lay it out in order and began filling in assorted blanks, adding numbers, names, and making sure every line was correct and concise. She then placed it in front of Harry, pointing out the spaces where he authorized the Bride Price, and he signed.. They passed the papers over to the Head of Clan Greengrass, and pointed out where to sign..Harry had Daphne come over and look it over before they all signed off on it, as she was the main participant in the event..
There was a bit of fuss over when the Marriage would take place and Hermione explained the situation, and how it was the same as her agreement with Harry, 'as soon as Riddle is Dead, or at Graduation, whichever comes first"
They were all agreeable to this, and the signatures were affixed. Hermione opened her briefcase once more and handed a box to Harry, who then knelt on one knee in front of Daphne. He held out the opened box which had an engagement ring and a wedding ring in it,, along with some lovely earrings and a necklace which matched.
"Daphne, Alexandra Greengrass, would you please honor me with the gift of your hand in Marriage?"
She knelt, taking the box and setting it aside, she took his hand and placed it on the side of her face as she leant into his hand.. "Yes, my Lord Black, Lord Harry James Potter-Black, I willingly and gladly give you my hand, and my heart." Harry held out his hand, and the appropriate ring appeared in it, he slipped the ring on Daphne's left ring finger, and another on her left first finger, the Black heir ring. "What's this?, we're not married yet..?" "No, but I want you protected.. the Black Heir ring is a portkey, a poison and potion detector, a communications device, and a homing beacon.. I can find you wherever in the world you are, as long as you wear that."
Hermione whispered something to him.. "Oh yes, you can make it invisible, just concentrate, and it will be seen only when you want it to be seen." She glared at it for a moment and it
went invisible.. Harry took the necklace and held it up, and Daphne turned to let him connect it under her hair, she turned back, and looked down at the beautiful thing.. "More protections for my fiancé, the Black family has had some real enemies over the centuries, so wear it at all times, it works the same as the ring, see it when you want, don't see it when you don't,." this provides a static shield against most hexes and lower curses, but you will be training, and training hard in spite of that"
"Next, , earrings..are you versed in the skills of Occlumency or Legilimancy?" She nodded "I know Snape and Dumbledore use it..I have basic shields.." He nodded, "Good, we'll work on that for all of you, but until then, wear these earrings please, they have shield runes which will protect your mind from outside influence, obliviation, confundus charms, just about every mind art.." he held up the box which held a pair of diamond studs of about a half carat each.."If you look very closely, you can see the runes engraved on each facet" They hugged and the two parties of the Betrothal were passed around for hugs and handshakes and kisses, Harry was trapped by Philip and Estelle, as the girl was gathered in by Hermione and Pansy, as she smiled and trembled..
"Hey, don't I get to kiss my fiancé?"
Hermione sauntered over and kissed him gently, "Of course you do, silly, come here.." she took him by the hand and led him back to Daphne.. he gathered her in his arms and kissed her, gently, and thoroughly.
well then, that's chapter 4
I have some questions as to where I am going, and how I am going to solve some problems..among others:
how about them Horcruxii.. and how and when is Dumbles going to tell Harry about them.. or find out that Harry has already collected them..
How is Ron going to hide his Death Eater ways from Harry and Hermione..
What kind of intel were they getting out of Snape? Where did this 'Wolf Pack' come from, and who is part of that?
How will our favorite couple hide their betrothal for the next year, and now the Betrothal with Daphne How will the Wizarding world(bigots as they are) react to the relationship between Hermione and Pansy?
and lots of other questions.. I hope I can come up with an answer..
Disclaimers, these should be updated once in a while..
Harry Potter and the whole Harry Potter universe is property of the corporate giant that is JK Rowling, and her assorted legal representatives.. I thank her for allowing us to play in her sandbox and write speculative fanfiction. My personal belief is that somehow the last two books were written by committee has no bearing on this. My belief that Harry/Hermione is the correct ship also has no bearing on anything..
Thanks to Red Jacobson who provides the space here on his 3 or 4 part harmony Yahoo Group to post our stories, and
encourage us to continue writing..