Lord Potter

Chapter 1: Considerations

Within the large confines of a country estate in the heartlands of England, the mansion at the heart of the holding stood proudly, shining in the sunshine of an English summer. The golden colour of the stone building looking beautiful, with the glass windows allowing the sunshine in. Upon the highest levels of the building lay the study, where two people where currently making plans and preparations. "What is happening this week Eleanor?" one of the figures asked, reclining in a chair.

"We have several companies sending us status reports this week sir. Your tutor won't be here on Tuesday due to family commitments. And we have a meeting with a staff member from Hogwarts as we requested taking place midday Thursday, in addition to the finalisation of the project you commissioned." The figure in the chair nodded.

"Who is Hogwarts sending? Did they mention it in correspondence?"

"No sir, but I personally think it will be the deputy headmistress coming to meet us." The figure in the chair closed his eyes in thought, before opening them again. "I suppose it will do for now. Remember to make our customary donation to Gringotts for their outstanding investment services, as long as we make a profit. And tell the staff to pay extra attention to the gardens this week."

"Yes sir." Eleanor replied, before walking out of the office. The figure in the chair stood and walked over to the window, overviewing his family estate. "Now Dumbledore, you will finally see how badly your plans for me went wrong."

When Thursday came along, Minerva McGonagall was walking down a long path to the old Potter estate. The last time that McGonagall had been to the estate, James and Lily were moving out, feeling that the cottage in Godric's Hollow was more suited to their own personal style than the large estate. They had however kept the staff on after they had left, so that the estate didn't fall into disrepair after they had gone. McGonagall couldn't help but marvel at the job that the staff had done during the times where there was no-one here. She was stopped in her tracks by the approach of a woman towards her, dressed in a muggle business suit. "Professor McGonagall?"

"Yes?" McGonagall replied unaware of the identity of the woman in front of her. She was too young to have been employed by James and Lily. To McGonagall's eyes, she only looked to be in her late twenties. "Eleanor Bridges, personal assistant to Lord Potter. I have been instructed to show you into the boardroom. Please follow me." Minerva was stunned, she didn't remember a boardroom.

"I'm not quite sure what you mean Ms Bridges. What boardroom are you referring to?"

"Lord Potter has significant investments in companies throughout the world. The boardroom was added so that there was a secure place for him to discuss business arrangements. Please follow me now though. Lord Potter has a tight schedule for today." Bridges then started walking away, leaving McGonagall to hurry behind her to catch up, as they finally entered the Potter mansion.

Inside was a sight to behold for McGonagall. The interior of the building had not lost its splendour nor lost its beauty such was the elegance of the maintained manor. Everything from the marble floor to the domed ceiling made the entrance hall feel like a medieval cathedral. McGonagall continued to follow the PA up the flights of stairs opposite the doors, the walls alongside the stairs lined with the muggle portraits of past Potters, including one of James Potter in his ceremonial robes just after he had graduated from Hogwarts. There was no portrait of Lily though. As the duo walked down a long corridor after climbing the final flight of stairs to the third floor, Minerva asked about the lack of a portrait for Lily. "The last Lady Potter unfortunately did not have a portrait commissioned and as such was unable to be depicted. But steps have been taken to rectify this matter." The way that her question was handled by the PA was a bit too blunt for McGonagall's liking, however before she could comment on it, she saw the PA stop in front of a set of Double Doors. "Please wait here, I'll see if Lord Potter is ready to see you." After that, she knocked twice on the doors, before entering the room. McGonagall could hear slight murmuring of talking before the door shut on her, leaving McGonagall to wonder what was currently more important than Harry Potter's schooling.

"The details you provided were very helpful Lord Potter, I trust it is to your satisfaction?" The unknown man asked, unveiling a picture hidden underneath a sheet. Harry looked at it for a few seconds, before a small smile crept on his face. "I am extremely satisfied with it Mr Lingard. It's almost as if she were here now." As Mr Lingard was about to say something, Eleanor walked up to Harry and whispered in his ear. "Sir, the professor from Hogwarts is waiting outside the door." Harry nodded, and looked back to Lingard. "Unfortunately I have another appointment, but I am very happy with the painting Mr Lingard. Your fee will be in your account before midday tomorrow." Both Harry and Mr Lingard stood at this. "Not a problem Lord Potter. A pleasure working with you." They shook hands, before Mr Lingard left the room, closing the door behind him. "Before the professor enters Eleanor, what do you think of the painting?" He pointed to the painting that was currently against the wall. "It looks very lifelike sir. He has done a good job on it." Harry nodded.

"I thought so too. Alright, cover up the painting and send the professor in. And I'd like you to sit in on this meeting." Eleanor nodded; she moved to cover up the painting in the sheet the artist had left behind, before she went to collect the professor from outside the door. A few moments passed before they entered, and Harry looked at the professor. A flicker of amusement went through his eyes at the sight of the bright green robes and the hat, but it was hidden quickly by a curious look that Harry decided would be effective. Eleanor followed shortly after McGonagall, shutting the door behind her and making her way to the large conference table. After all three were seated, Harry looked at McGonagall. "Welcome professor. Let's talk about schooling."

Two hours later found McGonagall finishing all the questions that Harry had to ask. After initially being admonished for not using the right address, she had relented and addressed him as Lord Potter. She had answered questions on the lessons, and even the history of Hogwarts itself. Finally, she managed to hand over the list of equipment that he would need that had not been included within the letter of admission to Hogwarts. She gave it over to the PA, who frowned at the list before leaning over to whisper to Harry. He also frowned at the whisper, and she handed the list to him. He looked up at McGonagall. "Professor, there must be a mistake in your list. Surely these are the minimum standard of things for attending Hogwarts." McGonagall looked at Harry surprised at the tone, which was incredulous at having to buy such things. "May I ask what items you are referring to Lord Potter?"

"Specifically the clothing. I do not wish to appear as simply another student. I want mine to be custom made in acromantula silk as all my current ones are, and to have a golden trim." McGonagall couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Lord Potter, I'm afraid the rules are the rules. I cannot make exceptions for one student."

"Then I will go elsewhere professor. Seeing as it is you who contacted me, it seems that you want me at your school. I'm sure that there are plenty of others that are willing to have me, and will give me a lot more than a minor adjustment to my robes." McGonagall looked at Harry in disbelief.

"But you can't not go to Hogwarts. Every Potter has gone to Hogwarts."

"Traditions have to end somewhere professor." McGonagall looked at him again.

"I suppose it is a relatively small request. Very well, you may have the robes." Harry smiled.

"Excellent." He frowned for a moment. "Actually, there is one other thing professor. I need my PA with me when I go. I trust that won't be a problem either." He stood, prompting Eleanor and McGonagall to do the same. Remembering the threat of non-attendance, McGonagall gave a thin smile. "I will arrange it with the Headmaster." They shook hands.

"Then I look forward to joining your institution professor."

After McGonagall had left Eleanor found Harry within his study once more. "Surely she could see that you weren't going to pull out over custom robes sir." She said, having brought him a drink of orange juice. "You would think so, but I sense a greater game afoot. If someone was worried over me pulling out over such a small thing, then giving me something even bigger than that was even more important."
"So she allowed me to accompany you to Hogwarts." Harry nodded.

"It makes me wonder why they are so desperate to have me if they fold at the first sign of me not coming to Hogwarts. I sense a trap of some sort."
"What do we do then?" Harry put down the glass, and faced her.

"Spring the trap. Send an owl to Gringotts, both with the artist's fee and to have some money ready for me when we go to the alley tomorrow."

"Yes sir. Anything else for today?"

"Not for today Eleanor. We have a busy day tomorrow."

"You mean that we are already giving concessions to that brat?" Snape asked incredulously. Three people were currently within the Headmaster's office. Snape and Dumbledore were listening to McGonagall speak about her talks with Harry Potter. "He was threatening to withdraw over something so minor. I had to give him that, and allow his PA to come too." Dumbledore stood, walking over to the objects that were currently on his bookcase. "The important thing is that he is coming to Hogwarts. He will be safe here, as will the stone." Snape scoffed at that, and Dumbledore turned to face him. "Still not liking the idea Severus?"

"No Albus. The defences you want for the stone could be broken by any competent first year, apart from the first one, which is just deadly to have in a school."

"Voldemort has made repeated attempts to steal it from Nicholas in spirit form already Severus. In such a state, he will be unable to make it past Fluffy. And as for the others, he does not possess the ability to cast the spells necessary to pass them. The stone is safe, and Harry will be too." Snape and McGonagall left the office, leaving Dumbledore to himself. Voldemort would not dare to attack the castle in his current form. It was possibly the only place he would not dare to assault. That is why he had informed McGonagall that he had to come here at all costs. It was the only place that Harry Potter would be completely safe from the threat of Voldemort. It was Hogwarts where Dumbledore could do what he always wanted to do. Protect the child of prophecy until he was strong enough to end the former dark lord. For the greater good.