A/N: Just a tester. Trying something new and I don't own a thing, everything goes to the one and only J.K Rowling.
LG
Introduction
The four houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin held the utmost importance in magical Britain. Its members were sought out for their knowledge, their strategies, their loyalty and above all else, their wealth. Each house had three levels within their nobility. There was the Duke, the head of the family name, then by his own choosing, an earl and then by the earl's heir, the lord. Today, three of the family names have a duke which they can claim as their own. There is Lord James Potter, the Duke of Gryffindor, and Lady Amelia Bones of Hufflepuff and Lady Daphne greengrass by the death of her mother Grace, of Ravenclaw and by prima nocta, Lord Sirius Black of Slytherin.
Lord James Potter with his wife Lily has two children, two sons. The eldest, Harry James would stand to inherit the Gryffindor name, making him an Duke. The second son Charles, younger by a year was to inherit the Potter name and occasion that Lord Black did not produce an heir, the dukedom of slytherin as well.
Both boys knew that because of their importance in society that they would have to be married soon and with their parents guidance.
They may know it however, it did not mean they had to like it.
One – Harry
Harry yawned as he knocked on his brother's door.
They were to go with their dad to Gringotts today, as he was going to step down from his dukedom and his earldom as Harry had his sixteenth birthday last week, meaning he had reached his age of majority. Charles, or Charlie as Harry like to call him, had to be present as he would become Earl Potter. He had been excited about becoming an earl for weeks, though harry doubted severely that his brother who enjoyed his sleep, would actually get up on early on the day.
How right he had been.
It was now going on nine and their dad wanted to go to the bank at 10 so they were able to go shopping for school things afterward, as Harry and Charlie would be going back to Hogwarts in two weeks, for Harry to start his sixth year and Charlie to start his fourth. Both boys were excited to go back to school as the whole summer had been devoted to his father telling them their list of eligible wives. If Harry was honest, he would have rather married for love like his father did, then again, he wanted to reserve his judgement for when he met the girl that his parents thought would be wonderful for him to marry.
Even if he had to suffer his father's sarcastic comments the entire time, he would bear it.
After receiving no answer from his brother, Harry looked around before flexing his wrist opening the door via a non-verbal , wand less 'Alohamora.' He wanted to keep the talent of performing magic wandlessly and non-verbally to himself, as he knew that his father would only use it to boast about how 'great the Gryffindor line' would become. And quite frankly, he did not need to hear it again, nor would he want to annoy Charlie.
As he walked into the room, Harry grinned. His brother was currently sprawled across his bed spread dangled with his feet dangling over the edge. Beyond his snoring form, Harry nearly burst out laughing when he saw the robes that their dad have had made for him for being earl Potter, hanging up against the wardrobe door. Charlie clearly hadn't touched them t=since his mother had put them their last night. Harry really needed to wake Charlie up, or he was going to be lynched. For Charlie because he hadn't got up in time, and for Harry, well he was the eldest, he should have known to wake his brother.
Sometimes, Harry hated being the elder sibling.
So it was with amusement that Harry kicked Charlie awake and proceeded to clean up his room with a few tidying spells that he had learned from their mum who was determined that one of her children would inherit her OCD tendencies. After the room could be deemed acceptable, meaning the floor could be seen, Charlie opened one eye and groaned at Harry's smug expression. Sitting up, the younger Potter scion rubbed at his eyes and asked 'What time is it?'. Now chuckling, Harry replied as he walked out the room, '9:15, I would be VERY fast if I were you.'
After breakfast, Harry had to keep biting his lip to stop himself from laughing. When Charlie had finally appeared at breakfast at half nine, their mum had gave him a look which meant 'buy an alarm clock'. After the school things of course. Their dad had started laughing as soon as their mother was out of earshot, and had spent ten minutes stage whispering to Harry 'Me thinks that your brother is in danger of getting alarm spells.'
Now they were walking down the hall way of gringotts with Harry and Charlie either side of their dad. At the end of the hall, Harry grinned as he saw his two friends, Neville Longbottom and Ron Weasley, who were the sons of the earl of Gryffindor and lord Gryffindor. The earl and the lord with their sons had to be present as they had the option to agree to an alliance with the New Duke pf Gryffindor, i.e Harry himself. It was really just a legal formality. After Harry signed the agreement of accepting the Dukedom from his dad, their family account manager, Snagrooth turned to Frank Longbottom 'Lord Longbottom, do you accept to become political and economic allies with the new Duke of Gryffindor?'
Frank agreed, but Harry could swear that he and Neville were fighting laughter. When the goblin turned to Arthur Weasley, lord Gryffindor, and The Weasley patriarch gave Harry a sheepish smile 'I will accept an alliance with you Lord Potter but I need to ask about my daughter. It's just she had a proposed marriage contract-' Harry held up his hand stopping the elder man 'Mr Weasley if it's okay with you I'll talk to Ginny and see what she wants to do as I know that she probably doesn't really want to marry Malfoy.' This time, all of the occupants in the room, goblin included, had to fight from bursting into laughter.
Snagrooth smiled 'Harry, why don't you speak with Mister Weasley and his children in another conference room regarding Ginevra weasleys arrangements? I will have griphook bring you the Gryffindor and Peverell ledgers while you wait.' After he had gotten the okay from his dad, Harry stood and gestured for the weasleys and the longbottoms to follow him. Outside, Harry gave Neville and his dad a respectful nod 'Good to see you Nev, see you soon yeah?' The cheerful boy nodded enthusiastically 'Yep Harry I'll send you an owl ok?' Harry nodded and Neville and his father left, leaving Harry with the two weasleys.
Mr Weasley spoke before Harry could 'I'll go and find my sons and Ginny Harry, I'll meet you two in the conference room ok?' Harry nodded and after Griphook appeared, the two boys followed the goblin while Mr Weasley went to the main hall to use the floo. Once they were in the conference room by themselves, Harry opened the Gryffindor ledger and started to read while Ron grinned 'So have I to start calling you milord? Or your grace? I personally will take the mick out of you more if I would call you 'your grace?'' Harry rolled his eyes and put down the Gryffindor ledger to smirk at one of his best mates. Putting on the pompous tone he had heard often in Draco Malfoy's speech, and looking Ron in the eye 'Well my father would hear about if you dared not to call me 'your grace'' .
Both boys stared each other in the eye for five minutes before they both burst out laughing.
And that was when Mister Weasley with Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George and Ginny in tow appeared in the room. Almost immediately, the two boys quieted but were still smiling. Harry tried his best to keep an emotionless mask on. As head of the Gryffindor line, one of the requirements were that Harry needed to approve of any marriage that occurred, wither within his own family, the earls family and the lords. Harry had been horrified when his dad had told him, but he knew he needed to do it.
It didn't help that Harry had known Ginny since she had been yay high.
So, Harry sat on the left side of the table while the weasleys, with Ginny directly opposite him and mister Weasley on her left and Bill on her right and the rest of her brothers of either side of them. Harry breathed deeply before speaking 'I will dissolve your marriage betrothal to the Malfoy heir Ginny if that is what you want' Ginny grinned, letting Harry know that she wanted the betrothal dissolved, so he continued 'Furthermore, I will let you choose your own husband but you will need to have your dad's approval and then mine before you can marry. I'm sorry but that's really all I can do at the moment. I would need to discuss anything else closer to the time ok?'
Ginny nodded and Harry glanced at the other Weasleys 'Is that ok? I know people will probably gossip when the news of the dissolve breaks, but that's all I can do with regards to the law.' All of the Weasleys nodded and Mister Weasley got to his feet and offered Harry a hand 'Thank you harry. Im sorry but we need to attend to other things.' Harry nodded and he sat back down and opened the Peverell ledger. Five minutes later, his dad and Charlie appeared and the trio left for the Alley. While Charlie was getting fitted for new robes as Harry didn't need any, James asked him what he had did with the Weasleys. Once Harry explained, James nodded in approval and slapped him on the back 'good going Prongslet, and your right there really isn't anything else you could've done. I'll talk to Sirius about Okaying the dissolve ok?' Harry nodded.
After Charlie got his robes, the two boys got their new books, potion ingredients( Harry had argued with his mum for three days straight about it, but she still won ) , and the famous alarm for Charlie, James led them both into the ice cream parlour. After getting a booth at the back of the store, James smiled 'Now, as you are a Duke and an Earl, you will be able to get a familiar. Harry as you are the Duke, you must acquire a familiar from the breeder at the end of the alley called 'Rathbone Menagerie' okay? I'am sorry but you'll need to do it by yourself as it's a sort of rite of passage ok?' Harry nodded and after getting directions from his dad, left the ice cream parlour.
Harry nearly got lost in finding the familiar shop, as he had to detour via Gringotts before he could buy his familiar. He got there eventually, and when he did he smiled at the shop owner who looked ready to bow 'It's ok, don't bow I'm just hear to get my familiar.' The owner nodded 'The Gryffindor dukedom right? you know the process son?' When Harry shook his head, the owner explained 'You will take the Gryffindor potion son, and the animal which the potion believes is suited for your character will appear like a patronus ok?' Harry nodded and when the owner measured out the potion into a glass, he drank in in one, nearly choking on the taste. It was nearly as bad as the polyjuice potion.
After a couple of seconds, a animal appeared on the counter before Harry. It seemed like a dog a normal dog at first, but then it's snout became longer and its ears more pointed. Once it was fully formed, Harrys eyes widened and the shop owners whistled. 'That's a dire wolf. Wow. You're going to be one great leader son.' Harry blinked owlishly at the owner dire wolves are rare in Britain. The store owner seemed to read his mind as he grinned 'don't worry son, I may have had a delivery of a litter of pups from a good source, follow me.'
Doing as he was told, Harry moved around the counter and followed the man to a room in the back where he could hear multiple yipping.
The owner ushered him inside and shut the door before sitting beside the barrier, which beyond it six pairs of six curious eyes watched, tails wagging. The owner gestured to the pups ' Have a look at them son and the one that you feel is yours is your familiar. I'll be right outside the door just knock.' Harry thanked the owner but before he left, Harry asked 'Sorry what's your name sir?' The owner gave him a grandfatherly smile 'Alexander Rathbone son, but you can call me Alec.' Harry grinned 'Thanks Alec.' Moments later, Harry was alone with the puppies. There were of all different colours, but there was one that Harry made Harry smirk.
It sat at the near back and was ebony in colour. And was obviously going to be long haired when it was older by how fluffy it was. Intrigued, Harry leant forward and offered the puppy his hand. It turned its head and licked his hand, showing a line of gleaming pearl teeth. Harry laughed and the puppy ambled closer to his hand as he tried to pull away. As the puppy seemed to chase his hand around the enclosed space, Harry shook his head at it's stubbornness. After a couple of minutes, Harry gave in and picked the puppy up, where to his delight it burrowed into his chest. Shaking his head again, Harry turned and knocked on the door.
Ten minutes later, Harry was walking down the hall of Gringotts with his new familiar tucked into a pocket inside his cloak. After he had paid for the puppy, Alec had directed him to a shop further down the alley which specialised in travel cloaks and others. Now he was making sure his puppy whom he had named 'rick' was secure within his cloak before stepping into the fire.
When he stepped out on the other side, he was met by his mum and dad who had been sitting on the couch opposite the fire place, obviously waiting for him to come back. His dad rubbed his hands together 'What did your animal look like then Harry? Charlie got my phoenix' Harry laughed as he could hear the annoyance in his father's tone. There was one thing that was known about James Potter, was that he adored his phoenix who was called, ironically enough, 'Fire'. Rolling his eyes, Harry reached into his cloak and scooped out his new familiar who opened his blue eyes and smiled at James who clapped his hands together 'Woohoo! My sons got a direwolf!' Rolling her own eyes, Lily reached out and rubbed Rick's ears. When the puppy moved its head in closer to his mum's hand, Lily offered harry a small smile 'Perfect match in my opinion.'