Beta work done by the fantastic Alix the Alien Cyborg.
For those who haven't read any of my works before, this story exists in the same general AU as my others, and is another addition to the fascinating world of pureblood culture/society
For those who ran in the right circles, that is to say, the nobility and gentry and those that followed them, the fall of 1991 was met with great anticipation and excitement. The sorting of this year's Hogwarts class would reveal many things, it was rumored, even the possibility of new scions- heirs even- from the Original families. There were scions from all of the Original families of the UK at Hogwarts, but it had been several years since an heir had been in attendance.
The Originals and their peers guarded their children with a fervor unlike anything else- only a scant few were actually seen in public before the age of 11, as children were sacred and precious and had magic that was out of control. Children were socialized, of course, as to lock them away would be a horrible disservice to their development, but it always happened behind the strong wards of family manors.
Rumors though, abounded like nothing else. Rumors of a child from Duke and Duchess Longbottom, the rumored sole heir of the elderly Duke Nott, and most scandalously, a child from both the family of Potter and Greengrass. All rumors, though, were put to rest on September first, 1991.
The platform was unusually busy for 10 AM, buzzing with more noise than usual. The chatter rose when Duke and Duchess Longbottom, along with Archidux and Archiduae Potter arrived together with two young boys between them.
Duchess Longbottom and Archiduae Potter had been long-time friends, so it was no surprise that they came together. The moment of surprise was when both young wizards were given warm and affectionate goodbyes from both sets of parents- normally one was never so familiar with another's child, especially the heir, excluding the case of godparents. Godparents were recorded by the ministry, but the names had been sealed for both the Heir Longbottom and Heir Potter, causing much scandal. This certainly put the rumors to rest.
Duke Nott approached the couple, relying a little more on his cane than he had the last time he was seen in public, a young boy that had to be his Heir following close behind. He swept into a low bow in front of the Potters, his son executing a textbook perfect bow; the Notts had always followed protocol down to the letter.
"It is an honor for my Heir to be in the same cohort as your own, Archidux Potter," the older man said formally, "it would give me the greatest pleasure if bonds of friendship formed."
The Archidux shared a quick look with the Archiduae before placing a hand on his heir's shoulder, "As would I, Duke Nott," he said mildly, "it has been some time since there were true friendships between our houses." The fact that several of the Duke's lower relations had fell in with the upstart dark lord that crippled his father, the Paterfamilias Potter was left unmentioned, but hung heavily in the air.
"It was a pleasure and an honor to meet your heir, Archidux Potter," Duke Nott said stiffly, "but I am afraid I must beg my leave." Archidux Potter inclined his head, silently giving his permission, and the Duke Nott, along with his Heir, left the sextet to their privacy once more.
Duchess Longbottom looked in the direction of the public fireplaces, her eyes hardening for the briefest of moments, "Have we moved the boy's things onto the train yet?" she asked, her light tone a little forced.
"We did, remember?" The slightly taller boy, who shared the Duchess's kind eyes, said, confused as to why his mother had seemingly forgotten something they had done not even 10 minutes ago.
Duke Longbottom had followed his lady's eyes, understanding her sudden amnesia when he saw the family approaching their little group. "Yes, Godmama," the other boy, the Heir Potter said, interested too as to why his godmother was suddenly forgetful, "we met the conductor too, don't you remember that?."
Duchess Longbottom had stepped in front of the two boys, blocking their view of the next set of people wanting an audience with the Potter family, "Oh yes!" she said gaily, "how could I have forgotten about the conductor! He was very polite, was he not, Archiduae?" she asked, speaking to her best friend and steadfastly ignoring the trio standing several feet away.
"He was, my dear Duchess," the beautiful Archiduae replied, stepping a little closer so she could whisper in her ear, "but you mustn't be so petty, Alice. You know the Marquess Malfoy has been waiting for an audience."
Each woman stepped to the side, standing beside their lord, the faintest hint of a blush covering Duchess Longbottom's cheeks. Duke Longbottom had placed both his hands on his heir's shoulders and looked impassive as he stared at the small group in front of them.
Marquess Malfoy stood with his lady, the Baroness Malfoy, and his heir, looking as prideful and haughty as ever. The Heir Malfoy, light of coloring like both his parents and slight like his mother, was one of the few children that had been seen in public before today.
Baroness Malfoy had once been Mistress Black, and it had caused great scandal when the betrothal between herself and the then Heir Malfoy had been announced. Between the scandal of Heir and Master Black's birth, and the ignominious elopement of the former Andromeda Black with a muggleborn, a betrothal seen beneath the station of a Black was another scandal the Black family didn't need.
The trio stood stiffly, painfully aware of both their lower station and the public opinion, waiting for the Archidux to acknowledge their presence. The two boys between the Potters and Longbottoms shared a look of some meaning, both clearly finding amusement out of something. After what seemed like hours, Archidux Potter nodded his head curtly, "Marquess Malfoy, Marchioness Malfoy." Both, along with their son, swept into deep bows.
"Archidux Potter, Archiduae Potter, Duke Longbottom, Duchess Longbottom," Marquess Malfoy said, slightly stiff as he inclined his head to each of his social betters, "it is my pleasure to introduce my eldest child, the Heir Malfoy." The young boy bowed once, and a little too quickly, as if unused to performing the action.
Archidux Potter's eyes had flashed in anger when Marquess Malfoy had said eldest child, clearly implying that he had other children. You didn't go about mentioning your other, younger offspring in public. It was rudeness of the highest degree, as some families struggled to have even one child, and dangerous as you revealed more weaknesses.
He tightened his grip on his son's shoulder, his heir looking up briefly in confusion. It had long since passed when magical children were stolen out of the home by rival families or faeries and replaced with foundlings, but those protective instincts were nature by now. "Papa?" his son's voice held confusion, and a slight undercurrent of fear, and James immediately loosened his grip, fearful that he caused his precious child pain.
"I'll explain later." he said softly into Harrison's ear, his son's shoulder losing their stiffness as he relaxed.
"A pleasure." Duke Longbottom said formally, since neither his lady, nor neither of the Potters were going to respond, choosing to not introduce his own son, or his godson.
"Will you be at the next Witches Council meeting, Marchioness Malfoy?" Duchess Longbottom asked politely, a small smile upon her face, meeting eyes with Archiduae Potter.
Marchioness Malfoy stiffened, "I'm afraid I cannot claim a spot upon the Witches Council, Duchess Longbottom." she said stiffly, not liking the Duchess's dig, which only reminded her of what she no longer had access to.
"Pity." Duchess Longbottom said, not sounding sad at all, "Your input would have been greatly useful at our last assembly, correct, Archiduae Potter?"
"The input of the Baroness would have been a great asset." Archiduae Potter agreed, "Perhaps we can enter talks with Dame Marchbanks on extending an invitation to the Marchioness?" she asked, looking directly at Duchess Longbottom as she arched a single eyebrow.
Marchioness Malfoy looked shocked."You would have the endless thanks and eternal gratitude of the Marchioness and myself if you would be willing to do such a thing," Marquess Malfoy said smoothly, the Marchioness being at a loss for words.
"I'll see what I can do." Archiduae Potter acquiesced, turning to whisper something into the ear of the Archidux. Sensing their dismissal, the Malfoy family left.
"Dame Marchbanks has never liked the Malfoys," Duke Longbottom said lowly."She'll never agree to inviting Baroness Malfoy onto the Witches Council. There's no need to give the woman false hope."
That wasn't to say Duke Longbottom liked the Malfoy family; Franklin didn't dislike them nearly as much as his lady did, but he did have something against actions performed under false pretenses.
The time passed quickly- friends, acquaintances, social climbers all stopped by to give their greetings and pay their respects to the Potters and Longbottoms. All too soon the whistle atop the engine blew, signaling that the train would leave in 7 minute's time. Both boys were gathered into warm hugs, kisses were given by mothers that tried to hide their tears, and quiet reminders from anxious fathers to enjoy themselves, but remember their duties and their station.
Harrison and Neville quickly settled into a compartment in the middle of the train; away from the back of the train, where the older students tended to gather, and away from the muggleborns that left the somewhat sheltered young heirs bewildered.
A pair of identical twins came into view, and one knocked tentatively on the sliding door. Neville and Harrison both shot up, having had it instilled in them that you always stood when a lady entered the room, and pulled open the door. "You honor us with your presence, fair ladies," Harrison said as he bowed, and Neville followed suit.
Both girls ducked their heads in shyness, clutching arms. "And you honor us with your kindness, my lords," the one on the left demurred, her sister's shy eyes still downcast. "Would we be requesting too much by asking to join your compartment?" Harrison noticed that their dark hair was braided down their backs- he'd have to find out what that meant, as he'd never seen a witch wear her hair like that in public before.
Neville and Harrison looked at each other briefly in bewilderment- there were only a handful of other scions they interacted with, and neither was sure how to interact in such a way that was polite and still within the rules of propriety.
"Of course," Neville said suddenly, surprising both himself and Harrison in speaking up. The twins entered and sat close together across from the just-as-nervous Harrison and Neville. No one spoke for a long time, neither party sure what exactly to say- this was everyone's first foray into the world of alliances and friendships and following propriety without the guidance of their parents.
By the time the train reached Hogsmeade, the quartet had opened up to each other. Harrison and Neville learned that the twins, Heiress and Lady Patil, were relatively new to Britain (four generations) and that their family was involved in the spice trade. The Patil twins learned of Harrison's status as an Original, and Neville's familial interest in herbology. No one was comfortable enough to move beyond surnames and titles, but it was a start, and that was enough.
They shared a boat across the lake, led by the massive half-giant, called Hagrid. Archidux Potter had assured his son and godson was friendly and wouldn't hurt a fly, but was still scary nonetheless. Neville and Harrison helped the twins out of the boat once they reached Hogwarts, all four in awe of the grand castle, and gallantly escorted them to the massive door and into the side hall.
Professor McGonagall, a witch the boys knew, gave an interesting speech about houses and family, Neville and Harrison whispering assurances that she was nowhere near as scary as she looked. She left them to their devices, telling all 75 students to stay put or there 'would be severe consequences.'
A low buzz filled the air with a nervous excitement. One young witch stepped out and made her way through the hall to Harrison and Neville- her robes had the cut and make of nobility, and her red hair was piled atop her head in the tradition of the Ancient Ways. She looked familiar, but neither heir could place her name, nor her family, for the crest on her signet ring was facing her person.
She held out her skirts, exposing her ankles for the briefest of moments, before sinking into a low curtsey, "Heir Potter," she said formally, eyes still downcast. With clarity, Harrison remembered who the witch was; Heiress Bones, only child from the main line of the Matriarchal house of Bones.
Gently Harrison removed Lady Patil's arm from his and put his hand courteously on the elbow of Heiress Bones, like he had seen his father do before. She rose from her curtsey with a grace usually not found in an 11 year old witch, and bobbed a shorter curtsey in the direction of Heir Longbottom, who gave her a short bow in return.
He gave her a small smirk as acknowledgement, and looking rather pleased, Heiress Bones went back on her way, linking arms with a blonde girl and whispering softly in her ear. The wizard-raised acted normal, as such events were commonplace in their society, but the muggle-born and raised were left somewhat confused.
"Is everyone always this formal?- this isn't the 19th century." a bossy sounding voice asked from the back of the room, the children of noble houses all looking shocked- why was being polite, and more importantly following propriety, something to be derisive of?
Any further talk, or insults given, was cut short by the return of Professor McGonagall, who had them line up. Turning sharply, she lead them through a side door and into the Great Hall, where even the most trained pureblood couldn't keep their shocked gasps quiet.
It wasn't the size of the Great Hall, utterly enormous, or the candles in hover charms above their heads (for anyone raised within the wizarding world saw such on a daily basis), but the ceiling that took their breath away. Charmed with magics so long lost that even the Original families didn't have them, the vaulted ceiling of the Great Hall looked like the night sky, alive with stars.
The frayed and patched hat, something that Harrison knew belonged to his ancestor Godric Gryffindor, began to sing. The song was somewhat interesting, talking about all four houses and the qualities of each, and even gave a bit of advice about unity. It stopped signing, Professor McGonagall came to the front of the hall, which was now filled with an air of excitement, and nervousness from the young students waiting to be sorted.
This would be the only time their first names would be spoken aloud in public, sans titles as well. Godric Gryffindor had disliked the growing formality of magical society, and had charmed the sorting hat accordingly. The nobles didn't like the fact that their first names were given so freely, that being reserved for family and the closest of friends, but there was nothing they could do about it unless they wished to go to the smaller, and less renown Drȳcræft (which few actually did). With her usual no-nonsense manner, Professor McGonagall unfurled the scroll and the sorting began.
Excited whispers arose each time a child from a noble family was called forward, and even more so upon the sorting of Harrison and Lady Daphne Greengrass, both from Original families. There would be many letters written home tonight.
Children from secretive Scottish clans found new homes in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, noble heirs and scions could be accounted for in all four houses, and Gryffindor and Slytherin claimed the honor of Originals among their ranks.
All in all, a very productive night indeed.
AN- Yes, there is a little bit of Hermione bashing, and there will be a little more in future chapters. I love her dearly, but I have a plan for her. I can't promise I'll let up on the Malfoy bashing (at least in this story), but I am trying to curb my habit of using them as my go-to villians.
Reviews are always appreciated :)