DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$
A/N: And since I want to get moving…
CHAPTER TWO: THE WARRIOR CLASS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18th 1993
To the surprise of some of the Third Years, those who had assumed the upper years had been joking, there had been exams in several of the classes in the final week. True, as compared to end of the year examinations, these were not nearly as grueling. But they had been stressful in any event. They had learned of their end of term exams a month before from those professors not inclined to give them the whole term to worry. Of their original classes, only Snape threw an end of term exam at the Third Years which Harry and the others thought was typical and they were also certain that he would have failed to tell them in advance if he could have – at least those of his students not in Slytherin or, more likely in Gryffindor. In the new electives, only Divination did not set such an exam and most of the residents of the Estates were not in that class. No one in House Potter was among those Third Years.
For House Potter and House Longbottom, the trip home for the Holidays had been the short trip through the access trunks to their Estates. For their friends who did not have access trunks, however, there was the nine hour train ride back to King's Cross station in London and from there however long it took to get to their homes by whatever means they used. For the Weasleys and Katie Bell, they travelled to the Burrow via the Floo. Katie and Ron were spending the Holidays together and at least for the first couple of days that would be at the Burrow. The last couple of days would be at Katie's family place which, conveniently, was in London so there would be no long trip to catch the train back to school. The rest of the holidays would be spent at the Estates and Katie's family would be joining them there at the Lake House which was in one of the tropical gardens.
The Bells had been to the Estates already a couple of times after learning about the bonding between their daughter and Ron Weasley. They were on friendly terms with Ron's parents. Katie's great-grandmother was the daughter of the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black; her great-granduncle another Head of the House. But the grandmother had married a Muggle Born and been promptly disowned and not one of the cast out Black's descendants had married a Pureblood since, although the bonding meant that was to change. Katie's mother, however, did know about magical bonds and realized what it meant and also that it could not come about unless the couple was somewhat compatible to begin with. Katie's father was a Muggle-Born and as such if his wife said such things were acceptable he was willing to accept it or at least pretend to. Aside from the concerns any decent father would have regarding his young daughter's social situation, his only real concern was that the Weasleys were not like the Blacks and he was pleased to see that they were not. Ron struck him as decent enough, better than most boys his age – or at least the one's Mr. Bell remembered from his youth. Ron's parents were normal enough, not at all like the stuck up types his wife's family had been on about and they did not seem the least bit concerned about his daughter's 'blood status' which he knew was not always the case.
Still, the idea that their daughter was married in all respects save legally was a shock. Knowing that something like this could happen was one thing. Having it happen to your fourteen year old daughter was another. Although the young couple might not have been aware, it certainly helped their future familial relations that the Bells were hardly alone. After all, there were the bonds in House Potter and House Longbottom and the marriages those bonds had triggered so to the extent they needed people to talk to who understood what they were going through, there were several sets of parents in the same boat or nearly so. From the Bell's perspective at least Katie was not bonded into an even more rare and odd Plural Marriage.
Katie had left the Burrow just after breakfast and would be meeting up with Ron later in the afternoon at Gringotts. Ron still did not truly accept her explanation as to why she had to leave. She could change into her dress in "their" room at the Burrow just as easily as she could at her old home. He had no idea why it was bad luck to see a bride in her dress before the wedding and this was not even going to be a proper wedding. They were going to Gringotts to get married and only their parents would be there with them for that and it was not like Katie would be in some fancy wedding gown or Ron in dress robes although he was certain his mother would make him dress up at least somewhat. Like his friends, they were thinking of having a proper wedding one day but that day would not be until he was sixteen at least and maybe not until they had both sat for their NEWTs. This marriage, while legal, was more about financial stuff and their bond. One didn't invite people or post announcements or stuff for a Gringotts thing.
"Was it like this for you, Harry?" Ron asked. Harry and his girls had arrived at the Burrow not long before Katie left. The girls had all left together, again by floo to Diagon Alley to meet Katie's family and buy her a nice dress for the occasion.
"Hermione and Luna? Kind of. We left for Gringotts separately and I wasn't allowed to see the dresses – they were nice but not fancy or something – until they walked into the conference room. Some kind of tradition, Hermione said, and it's such in both worlds apparently. I didn't see Daphne or Hannah at all before they showed up and … well, they didn't even know why they were there until they showed up. Daphne didn't even know until it started. They were both dressed nice, though."
"And Ginny?"
"That was a different situation altogether as you well know. Your parents didn't even know why they were there and I was very angry with them at first. I had it all planned out, you know. Then it turned out they weren't what I feared and it all changed and I had to go to Plan B. I had hoped to, to be honest. I wanted to think… I didn't want to think they were… Dumbledore used them as he used many others and I couldn't stay mad at them but he'd use them again, I feared, and Ginny too and I couldn't let that happen either. It was very different. And you do know she's too young for the marriage bit."
"Next summer."
"Yeah. She wants to do it – marriage, not necessarily it, you know – as soon as we get home for the summer or at least the day after the Summer Solstice as she will be of bonding age by then but your Mum wants her to wait until she's older although for now she'll not put up too much of a fuss if we hold off until after her birthday."
"And what's your plan?"
"Not to get in between the two of them and wait for them to come to an agreement."
Ron chuckled. "Good call. I've seen them have a row and it's scary."
"I'd rather just well imagine than experience it. And no, I'm not even going to suggest to either of them that one might say Ginny'll be thirteen sometime in January or February at the latest and could be fourteen by her birthday."
"She will?"
"With all the Time Compression she'll have lived for thirteen years," Harry nodded. "Although physically she won't have aged that much at all and legally I don't think Time Compression counts either; a point your mother would probably make and Ginny would argue against and I don't want to be dragged into that 'cause I don't know the answer and am not sure if there really is one."
"What if you have to get involved?"
"I certainly hope I don't."
"But what if? What if it's up to you?"
Harry thought for a moment. "I'd prefer a date that's different from my other dates so she'll have her own anniversary date and I'd rather not have it when we're travelling. The Grangers said something 'bout visiting the Continent again this summer. Aside from that, I would remind your Mum that the sooner Ginny's my wife, the sooner she's not my … you know. But I'd rather not be involved in that. Ginny knows my thoughts on this and regardless it is my plan that she returns to Hogwarts next year as legally a 'Mrs. Potter' even if she remains a 'Miss Weasley' at school."
"I never asked why the others are still Miss Granger and such and not Mrs. Potter."
"Less confusing if you think about it. If Snape were to call on 'Mrs. Potter' in Potions, for example, who's supposed to answer: Hermione or Daphne?"
"That would drive him spare," Ron snorted. "It'd almost be funny to see what would happen but Snape's still put out that Tracy and Daphne skipped to Gryffindor the first chance they got. I don't blame them. That pit's got to suck especially for a girl."
"From what I've been told it does," Harry said.
"Were you nervous?" Ron asked.
"'Bout what?"
"You know. The m-marriage thing."
Harry thought for a moment. After all, for him it was now June 16th at the Estates and that meant his first anniversaries were fast approaching. His bonding anniversary would be June 21st Estate time which probably would be tomorrow Outside as a Time Compression was planned. He had plans for each of them, nothing too fancy but something special for each of his girls. But the truth was regarding Ron's question a lot had happened since that week back in June when he bonded and married the lot of them.
"I don't think I really thought about it with Hermione and Luna that day. I had thought about it. It was a bit of a surprise for all of us when we found out we were bonded and should marry as soon as possible given my estate and such. But that day? I was in meetings with my account manager and others at Gringotts for hours before they showed up and we were married and then it happened so fast. Mr. Granger said it was more like a business meeting than a wedding. It certainly reminded me of the meetings I had been in earlier. Wouldn't know about the wedding part seeing as I've never been to one. So no. I wasn't nervous. I think the bond had something to do with it as I knew it was the right thing to do even if I didn't truly understand why and the day of meetings pretty much took my mind off of it until it was upon me. Now Daphne, that was another story."
"Oh?"
"I kind of knew Hannah and she seemed nice and, as it turned out, she was aware of the betrothal. Daphne, it seems, knew there was a betrothal out there but not who it was with nor that she could be married before Third Year. And I didn't know her at all as she was a Slytherin. I had no reason to think she was like the others. She never acted that way as far as I could recall. But I also had no reason to truly believe she was not like the others and we both know how famously Gryffindors and Slytherins get along."
Ron snorted in agreement.
"I was certain she'd be angry, confused and that and she was."
"I can see confused. Angry?"
"My thinking was that she'd be angry at me. I'm a Gryffindor. I was taking away any choice she might ever have. She might've thought I was a berk. I didn't know and that made me nervous. I didn't want her to hate me or something. She was angry, but not really at me. More like she was angry that it was a surprise is all. She was okay with being with me. Made it clear early on that I was a lot better an option than what she had feared. So since I had no idea how she's react, I was nervous about it. I was nervous about Hannah too, although perhaps not so much as there was no real history between our Houses or with her Housemates to worry about."
"Um … so what was it like? The marriage bit, I mean."
"Quick," Harry said. "All business. The Goblin asks a bunch of questions and you sign some documents… Are you…? Are you…? Are you…? Are you…? Do you…? Do you…? Sign here. Done. Barely have time to think it through, really. Are you nervous?"
"Only 'cause my Mum's gonna be there. She'll probably do something embarrassing. That and I think Mum expects us to dance in front of everyone afterwards or something. But about marrying Katie? Not really for some reason. Like you said, maybe it's the bond we share but it seems like it's supposed to be this way, you know?"
As Harry nodded in agreement Mrs. Weasley came into the room. "It's getting close to time, Ronald, and you need to change," she said somewhat sternly. "This might not be the proper wedding, but no son of mine's going to get married even at Gringotts looking like a ragamuffin. I've laid out your new suit and you will wear it."
"Yes Mum," Ron groaned as his mother left. "She's already started," he said to Harry. "New suit? Now I'm nervous!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It turned out the suit was nothing to be nervous about. Hermione's parents had bought it at Marks & Spencer and the elves had tailored it to fit. It was a somewhat conservative business suit and not garish dress robes favored by some wizards and Ron was actually relieved with that. Harry and what now seemed to be an entourage did not follow Ron and his parents into the conference room at Gringotts. Apparently, the Bells were already in the room. Even though they all knew what was about to happen, the custom at the Bank was these sorts of arrangements were private affairs with only the principals present. Not quite ten minutes after the door had closed it opened again Ron, Katie and the parents emerged.
"It was as you said, Robert," Mr. Bell said as he looked at the group. "About as interesting as a business meeting."
"It wasn't what I expected," Katie nodded.
"Marriage, but not a proper wedding," Molly Weasley agreed. "That will come later, if you want one of course."
"I do hope there will be one one day," Mrs. Bell said. "You two do seem happy together and a bride should have the pictures, you know?"
"There will be," Katie said. "Not this summer or anything. We were thinking after Ron's OWLs. That's when the others are planning to do it."
"Actually," Hermione began. "Okay, that is sort of our plan and House Longbottom's. Weddings with announcements and all of that will be after the couple has sat their OWLs but when 'after' is we don't know for certain. Obviously, we can say the soonest it will be and we also think the couple should also be sixteen by the calendar so we're talking not earlier than August of 1996 for Harry, Daphne, Hannah and myself and later for Luna and Ginny."
"This marriage we did today won't be published although it's legal," Katie said somewhat rhetorically. "If we were to wait until that summer, both Ron and I will be sixteen and have sat our OWLs and while that may be on the young side in our world, it would not raise comment really. But we might do it later. We haven't decided that yet."
"And we don't have to decide that yet," Ron agreed. "So, now what? Dinner?"
"Brother!" Ginny groaned. "Do you always think about food?"
"Of course not," Ron replied. "I like food. Won't deny it. But isn't there a dinner or something after the marriage?"
"Later," Harry said. "We have more business here. We're distributing the proceeds from the basilisk."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"'Cause I wanted it to be a surprise, kind of like a wedding present. I was going to wait until after you two married unless for some reason you didn't decide to do it during this holiday. Well, you married and I'm telling you."
"How much?" Ron asked.
"Greedy?" Ginny chided.
"No, curious," Ron shot back.
"The Goblins will tell us. We're in Conference Room Seven which is this way, I think," Harry said leading the group down a corridor.
Sure enough, the conference room was in that direction. Actually, Harry had known where it was because his girls had told him and he had been there once before. It was the room where he had his first meeting with his account manager. His girls knew because that's where Katie's younger siblings and the rest of Ron's family were waiting. They entered and Katie's younger brother Josh and sister Agnes were there. Josh was a First Year in Hufflepuff and Agnes was still a couple years away from starting school. Fred and George were there as well as was Ron's brother Percy and a tall young man with long red hair pulled into a ponytail, a cool looking dragonhide jacket and an earring with a vicious looking tooth dangling from it. This was Ron's oldest brother Bill who was a curse breaker for the Bank and was on Holiday having recently finished the excavations in Egypt that his family had visited the summer before. They were not the only people in the room.
The Grangers and Greengrasses were there as well as Harry's parents (still magically incognito due to the fidelius charm), the Tonks and Sirius Black, his wife and daughter. Mr. Lovegood was there as well. They were already seated in what might be called a gallery beyond the conference table.
Also present was the Clearwater family. Penelope was in her Seventh Year and was the senior Ravenclaw Prefect. She was there with her parents. Collin Creavey was there as well with his parents who seemed a little overwhelmed and an excited younger brother Dennis who announced to all he had his Hogwarts letter too. Finally, Justin Finch-Fletchley was there with his parents (introduced as Nigel and Janice but without any indication of rank or title), Justin's Grandfather the Earl Denworth, his younger sisters Mary, who was a First Year Puff and Ellen who was not yet old enough for Hogwarts and Sir John Fitzedward who was introduced as Earl Denworth's personal secretary. While Harry thought that position might be plausible, he knew the Earl and Sir John had a different working relationship but said nothing, nor did the others. Finally, Professor McGonagall was present.
"We are here?" a growl asked. The people turned and saw a Goblin had entered. Harry saw it was Grisha. "Good, good. It is good to see you again Lord Black," Grisha added. "The entertainment this past August was quite well received by myself and my people."
"It did not go exactly as planned," Sirius replied.
"Yet entertaining nonetheless. We have long wished for the opportunity to vent our ire as to certain disrespectful and disreputable individuals. It is rare such an opportunity to slay is so willingly placed before us. It is a pity no one bothered to claim the body of the wizard, but then again he was a loathsome sort. The dragons enjoyed the change of pace from their usual menu and I'm sure if they were capable they would offer their thanks."
"Um, you're welcome?"
"Indeed," Grisha grinned. Goblin grins were unsettling. "As I call your name, take a seat at the table. For the rest of you, there are chairs. The table is for the principals. Penelope Clearwater?"
"Here," she said trying to sound confident. Harry could not decide whether or not it was an act. The notices he had sent out for this meeting did not state what it was about. That had been on purpose as he did not want any public curiosity.
"You are of age, are you not, Miss Clearwater?" Grisha asked.
"I am."
"As you are of age, you may choose to sit for yourself or you may invite an adult to sit with you."
"My father," she began less sure of herself. She and her father took seats at the table.
"Master Colin Creevey?" Grisha continued.
"Here."
"As you are not of age, an adult family member must join you."
"My dad."
"Master Justin Finch-Fletchley?" Grisha called after Collin and his father were seated.
"My father will join me," Justin said with just a hint of nervousness.
"Lady Hermione Potter nee Granger, Countess Finchley?"
"But I'm not supposed to receive anything," Hermione replied in surprise.
"Be that as it may, you are a part of this story and shall sit at the table with your husband and his betrothed, also a part of this story, the former Miss Ginevra." Hermione and Ginny then took seats as well. They were not asked to bring an adult with them.
"Mr. Ronald Weasley?"
"Here," Ron said. "And…"
"As of just minutes ago, Mr. Weasley, you are emancipated by law at least with respect to these proceedings. You may choose to sit for yourself or your spouse may join you." There were some gasps, most notably from Ron's two older brothers.
"Katie then," Ron said as Katie joined him at the table.
"I regret I did not have the honor to be the first to address you as Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley," Grisha said. "I believe that honor fell to Griphook?"
"It did, Sir," Katie replied. "But thank you just the same."
"Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Grisha intoned. Once the Professor was seated he then called: "The Conqueror, Lord / Warrior Harry James Potter, Earls of Finchley, Hereford, Abengale and Hwicca, Baron of Loch Sheen, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter!"
There was muttering in the room probably for a variety of reasons. "Conqueror, Lord / Warrior Grisha?" Harry asked.
"It will be explained," Grisha replied. "You have made quite the impression, that much goes without saying, Sir. Please take your seat and we may proceed."
Harry did as asked.
"With the principals seated and, where necessary, with their adult parent-guardian we may begin," Grisha said. "This proceeding is at the request of the Conqueror, Lord / Warrior Potter. On the 18th of June last by Wizard reckoning, in the process of rescuing his betrothed the former Miss Ginevra Weasley from certain death," Grisha was aware of her status and that her status was to be kept secret, "Lord / Warrior Potter encountered, fought and slew a magical beast. Under Wizard's law, as the conqueror of said beast and as said beast is considered among the most dangerous magical beasts known such that it's destruction is encouraged, Lord / Warrior Potter gained all rights to said beast and any and all proceeds thereby derived. By rights he may claim all said proceeds from any sale of any marketable portion of said beast, he might retain usable portions for his own use or otherwise dispose of the beast in any manner he should desire even if such disposal would be without profit or benefit. By law, should such beast be sold in whole or in part he is required to retain not less than one half of all proceeds from such sale and is free to keep or distribute the other half in any manner he should choose.
"The beast in question was a basilisk of prodigious size," there were gasps before Girsha continued. "Evidence presented to Gringotts reveals said basilisk had been set loose upon our world and in particular upon the unsuspecting students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the victims of said beast being present at the table along with the Conqueror and his Squires. For those who are unaware, a basilisk is a most formidable foe. Few warriors who have ever encountered one have lived to tell the tale and fewer have ever slain one. The gaze of the basilisk is instant death to those upon whom it falls. The venom is the deadliest known and the beast cannot be tamed save by the darkest of wizards who learn its speech. In the Warrior Annals of my people, few have claimed such a prize and none have slain such a beast as our Conqueror today, Lord Warrior Potter. As my people have long maintained, courage and skill at arms know no size. While diminutive in stature for a human, by his feat of arms, Lord Warrior Potter has earned the respect of his fellow warriors.
"Further, his cunning and skill at negotiation have reaped him greater profit from his feat of arms than any of my peoples' business managers could have hoped to attain under similar circumstances and in negotiation with similarly adept purchasers. Our purchasers offered him a million, sight unseen. He negotiated item by item, convincing our purchasers he was naïve or a fool as his item by item prices would fall below the million offered. But it was we who were fooled for we could not believe any warrior could have faced such a beast and lived. We negotiated him down to amounts by which we could make a handsome profit believing he was unaware of his loss. But it was we who misestimated for he delivered ten times the material we estimated. A deal is a deal, and he at no time deceived us rather, grudgingly, it was our purchasers who deceived themselves. We honor the deal with the highest respect for Lord / Warrior Potter as a warrior of unequaled skill and courage and as a man of unparalleled business acumen.
"But lest we forget it is indeed rare if not unheard of that even the greatest warriors achieve their successes alone. Lord / Warrior Potter was ably assisted in his quest, as he was in a prior one, by his two Squires: Ronald Weasley and Lady Hermione. Without their help, the quest may well have failed, Miss Ginevra would surely have perished and so too many others for the foul beast would not have been slain.
"Now to the business at hand: disbursement of the proceeds. First, Professor McGonagall. As representative of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you are hereby advised that a trust has been set up to provide financial assistance to any family who should lack the financial means to send their children to Hogwarts on their own account. The trust shall be administered by Gringotts and it shall be the Trust Manager who shall make the determination of financial need and disburse the necessary amounts. No rule or requirement of the Headmaster, Board of Governors or Ministry of Magic can alter the terms of the trust or overrule any determination of need or disbursement. Furthermore, this Trust shall not take family heritage or any other factor save financial need into account. It's initial funding is 401,437 Galleons and a fraction at a preferred rate of interest."
"Merlin's Beard," Professor McGonagall asked as she received a folder of documents. "That's twice the current scholarship fund! Mr. Potter? Are you sure you can afford it?"
"Quite sure, Professor. Please continue, Grisha."
Grisha nodded. "The remainder of the distributive half is divided in half again with one half divided into thirds and to be distributed to Miss Penelope Clearwater, Master Colin Creevey and Master Justin Finch-Fletchley in compensation for being victims of the beast that stalked Hogwarts last year. Similar distributions might have been made to two other victims: Lady Hermione Potter nee Granger, Countess Finchley and the former Ginevra Weasley, but as one is the wife and the other the betrothed of Lord / Warrior Potter and as such the distributions would ultimately return to his control, those disbursements have been waived by the young ladies with Lord Potter's consent. Miss Clearwater?"
"Y-yes?" she asked.
"As you are of age you have a choice. You may elect to have your compensatory distribution placed into a preferred trust similar to a Minor's Preferred Trust. It would earn nine percent per annum, but withdrawal would be limited to no more than nine percent of the principal during the first year and any interest earned each year thereafter without penalty. Over-withdrawal would incur a fifteen percent penalty. Or you may elect an open account with no withdrawal penalty, although it earns a far lower interest rate. You need not make that choice now or even today. But it will need to be made before you have withdrawn an amount in excess of two percent.
"Masters Creevey and Finch-Fletchley? As you are not of age or otherwise emancipated, your shares will be distributed to a Minor's Preferred Trust in your names with the interest and restrictions I've described. Upon your coming of age you may elect to convert it to an open account or continue the trust. The folders you are receiving outline the trust and account terms and, on the top page, the amount deposited on your behalves."
Penelope, Justin and Colin opened their folders. Penelope gasped.
"That's a lot of numbers," Colin said.
"That's a lot, isn't it?" Justin added.
"Um… we're Muggleborns," Penelope said. "What's that in Pounds."
"£3,341,250," Grisha replied, "at today's exchange rate."
"Bloody hell," Justin's father said. "That's not spare change. Nine percent means he's got three hundred thousand or so to spend a year from interest!"
"Might go with the trust," Penelope nodded. "Can you even spend that much?"
"You can," her father said. "But would anyone truly need to, that's the better question. And taxes?"
"There are none on this side for this boon," Grisha said. "You would need to see our accounts managers to learn about whether, under what circumstances and to what extent transfers to the Muggle side could be subject to their taxes."
"Good!" Mr. Creevey said. "I'd hate to see Colin lose this lot to taxes. It's certainly a lot more than I've made in my life, maybe even more than I'll ever make. Almost worth having him petrified…"
"Thomas!" his wife scolded from the gallery.
"Almost, dear!" he almost pleaded. "It certainly makes up for it. Think you can loan yer old man a few hundred Quid?"
"Thomas!"
"Just kidding."
"The remainder of the distribution is to Master Ronald Weasley," Grisha said brusquely. "As Master Weasley is of limited emancipation rights, the distribution shall be to a Minor's Preferred Trust as described until he shall come of age and may be retained in Preferred Trust beyond such date at his discretion. Again, the terms of the trust are in the folder and the amount is on the first page."
Ron opened it and upon seeing the first page, both he and Katie gasped. For a long moment neither could make a sound although it looked like they were trying to say something.
"I think you broke them," Ginny said.
"B-bloody hell!" Ron finally managed to exclaim. "I knew it was a lot, but … bloody hell!"
"How much is it?" a voice asked.
"A lot," Katie said. "A lot of numbers."
"One million, two hundred and four thousand Galleons," Ron said slowly. "I wouldn't've believe there was such money anywhere!"
"Guess we won't have to worry about whether you can take care of Katie now, will we?" Mr. Bell chuckled. "You will invite us to visit now and then?"
"Of course, Daddy. Don't be silly. We are getting the place today, right dear?"
"Easily," Ron said. "Don't know when it'll be ready, but yeah. Um … is that it?"
"Not quite," Grisha said. "While the distribution of the basilisk proceeds are complete, the remainder being left with Lord Harry, there are some final matters in regards to the slaying. Although it is early in our relationship, seeing as Lord / Warrior Potter only recently took up his titles and businesses, Gringotts is certain that a long and mutually profitable venture lays in front of us. In honor of his feat of arms and courage and skill of a warrior of the highest caliber, the following:"
Grisha then held out a hand. Another goblin approached and it was then that Harry and the others saw a score or more Goblins in armor with weapons lining the wall. The goblin handed Grisha a scroll. He unrolled it and seemed to read it nodding before lifting his head and speaking in a booming voice.
"To all who behold these Presents: greetings. Upon recommendation by the High Council of the Goblin Nation after review of all attendant facts and by order of His Eminent Highness Ragnok, King of the Goblin Nation; it is agreed and written:
"To all subjects of the Goblin Realm and all who shall do business within our realm, and all Rulers and governments with whom our Realm maintains or shall maintain relations, be it known:
"The name of, Lord Harry James Potter, Earls of Finchley, Hereford, Abengale and Hwicca, Baron of Loch Sheen, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, for acts of bravery and feat of arms of the highest order in confrontation with and slaying of the largest basilisk of record or memory shall be entered into the Honor Roll of Warriors of the Goblin Nation and furthermore, it shall be:
"By our command and hand and for Us, our heirs and successors do hereby appoint, give and grant unto him the said name, state, degree, dignity, honor and title of Conqueror, said honors of the Warrior Class and hereby invest and ennoble him by the presentation of arms to bear forthwith from this day and to have and hold said name, state, degree, dignity honor and title of Conqueror of the Warrior Class for himself and the heirs of his body begotten and to be begotten for so long as his line should continue and that he and his heirs aforesaid shall enjoy all rights, privileges, pre-eminences, immunities and advantages due to the Degree of Conqueror of the Warrior Class as due and enjoyed as of this day and from this day forward.
"All Hail Lord Sir Harry Potter the Conqueror!"
A loud, raucous growl came from the assembled warriors. What they said was unintelligible. But it was clear that whatever it was, they were quite enthusiastic in expressing it. Harry had no idea what this meant, but it seemed that those who might and were human were stunned.
"No Goblin Warrior is complete without his sword," Grisha continued. Another warrior strode forward and handed Grisha what looked like a long sword in a scabbard with a belt. It was not as fancy as the Sword of Gryffindor he had used to kill the basilisk. There were no jewels on its hilt. But somehow it looked far more impressive. It was certainly longer.
"This sword was forged especially for you, Lord Warrior Conqueror, by our best swordsmiths. It is a gift given freely to you and your House for as long as House Potter shall stand."
"Um…thanks," Harry said in shock. "What's this…?"
Grisha's booming voice sounded again, cutting off Harry's question.
"To all who behold these Presents: greetings. Upon recommendation by the High Council of the Goblin Nation after review of all attendant facts and by order of His Eminent Highness Ragnock, King of the Goblin Nation; it is agreed and written:
"To all subjects of the Goblin Realm and all who shall do business within our realm, and all Rulers and governments with whom our Realm maintains or shall maintain relations, be it known:
"The names of Ronald Bilius Weasley and Lady Hermione Jane Potter nee Granger, Countess Finchley, for acts of bravery and loyalty in support of and essential to a feat of arms of the highest order in confrontation with and slaying of the largest basilisk of record or memory shall be entered inot the Honor Roll of Warriors of the Goblin Nation and furthermore, it shall be:
"By our command and hand and for Us, our heirs and successors do hereby appoint, give and grant unto them the said name, state, degree, dignity, honor and title of Squire, said honors of the Warrior Class and hereby invest and ennoble them by the presentation of arms to bear forthwith from this day and to have and hold said name, state, degree, dignity honor and title of Squire of the Warrior Class for themselves and the heirs of their body begotten and to be begotten for so long as their line should continue and that they and their heirs aforesaid shall enjoy all rights, privileges, pre-eminences, immunities and advantages due to the Degree of Squire of the Warrior Class as due and enjoyed as of this day and from this day forward.
"All hail Lord Sir Ronald Weasley and Lady Sirness Hermione Potter nee Granger, Warrior Squires!"
After another raucous cheer, two more swords were brought forward. Forged by the same smiths who made Harry's new sword, they were given as gifts to the lines for so long as the line shall last. Each was then presented with the scroll that Grisha had read.
"Um, sorry for not knowing Grisha, but what does this mean?" Harry asked.
"No need to apologize my Lord," Grisha replied. "It has indeed been a long time, many lifetimes even by my peoples' standards, since a witch or wizard of Britannia has been so honored. Mindful than many in this room might not take the word of a Goblin, I' shall ask Cursebreaker Weasley to explain."
"Um… wow!" Bill said. "You lot've been honored, you know that?"
"I got that bit, Bill," Ron said. "I think we all did. But what's all that mean?"
"Um … well, you've been invested in the Warrior Class of the Goblin Nation, one of its two classes of nobility the other being the Plunderer Class. The Warrior Class is the higher one and it is earned through combat and bestowed upon those who distinguished themselves in combat. The Warrior Class is then divided into grades. Conqueror is the third highest grade and the highest one that can be bestowed upon someone not of the Royal line. In our world it is the same as an Earl. Squire is the next highest and the same as a Viscount. Of the Noble titles, the lowest would be Swordmaster, which is similar to our Baron."
"But we're not Goblins," Ron said.
"No. Neither are any of you the first Wizards … or Witches for that matter … to be so honored."
"For killing a Basilisk?" Harry asked.
"I can't talk to the particulars of that. I know what those things are but do not know how often they've been successfully defeated. I can say the Goblins have not bestowed honors to dragon slayers just for killing the odd dragon."
"Indeed not," Grisha said almost insulted. "That seems to be common enough a victory for your kind. For a dragon slaying to be so rewarded, the human must have saved many Goblin lives in so doing."
"As far as I know, no Goblins were at risk from that thing," Harry said.
"At the time no," Grisha agreed. "But we cannot assume the dark wizard who controlled it had no ill will towards the Goblin Nation at all. In fact we know the case is just the opposite. He desired to enslave us before and failed miserably. A beast such as that at his command? We would like to think he would've still failed, but his failure would've been at great cost and loss to us. Dispatching the beast before it truly could be set loose was of benefit to this nation if only because it was a latent threat and one we were unaware of. It would've been a mighty weapon in the enemy's arsenal and your actions deprived him."
"Still, a title seems a bit much."
"Are you refusing the honor?" Grisha asked.
"No, just confused by it," Harry replied. He had the feeling to refuse even if he felt it was unjustified would insult the Goblins and he believed he was on good terms with them and wanted it to remain that way.
"I cannot speak for the King or High Council with specifics. We bestow titles for great deeds which benefit our people. But they could've been content to recognize your deeds with less than the status you've received. We have an equivalent of your knighthoods, or at least the knighthoods bestowed by some of the Muggle governments. Like your Muggle Monarchy, a knighthood is below nobility. But also like your Muggle Monarchy, nobility is bestowed in part for what you have done but also for what our High Council and King believe you may do in the future. The honor means it is their belief you will continue to render service – whether by design or not – that is beneficial and profitable to our people."
"And are we now expected to be loyal to the Goblin Nation?" Hermione asked. "I seem to recall there being something like that when accepting a Muggle Peerage, or at least there was once."
"We are not so provincial as to think that," Grisha said. "Naturally, were you to make war or such upon us, we would withdraw the honors you now enjoy. But we do not expect you to do so as we might wish simply because of the honors and cannot expect such if to do so would be contrary to the interests of your House. Likewise, our Nation's loyalty to you does not mean we will abandon our interests just because they do not meet your approval. We will not, however, consider you a foe nor treat you as such and hope the same is true for you. Then again, business is business. Lord Potter out negotiated our purchasers which, while it annoys them to no end, they can respect for there was nothing underhanded or dishonorable in his methods nor in his goals. It could easily have been far more to our advantage had he not been such a worthy business adversary. What this honor does mean from our standpoint is should there come a day – and we believe there will be such a day – when our interests are both threatened, we will stand together to deal with the threat."
"That I can accept," Harry said. "Although I still don't know what that means."
"The right to bear arms, Lord Potter," Bill said. "It is the right to bear such within the Goblin Nation, which means you lot are probably the only humans with that right in Britain."
"Oh, there are others," Grisha said. "Not many, naturally, and none under the rule of your Wizengamot but there are others."
"And what does that mean?"
"Not that you would need to," Bill said, "but should you feel the need arise and should the need not conflict with the interests of the Goblin Nation, you could use your wands in Gringotts without suffering a penalty. That and you can wear those swords here, which would not be acceptable without the honors. But more important – I might be wrong – but I understand your positions give you a right to command a Goblin Cohort."
"By no means absolute," Grisha nodded. "You can't ask for one and expect us to send one. But should we stand together against a common foe, that is another matter."
"Cohort?" Ron asked. "What's that?"
"A group of Goblin warriors."
"Um… How many are in a Cohort?"
"It depends on why the Cohort is called to serve," Bill replied. "It might only be a handful or it might be hundreds or more. As a Conqueror or Squire, you could be called upon to command a Goblin Cohort."
"Should we stand on the same side in a war and the High Council deem it prudent," Grisha said. "In a war against wizards such as the ones that plagued your country not thirteen years ago, you would probably have a Cohort at your command. That decision was made some time ago. Should we choose sides in a wizard's war as we were almost obliged to do last time, the King and Council believe such an arrangement would be to our best interests. Despite our successes in the past, we are disinclined to engage in a true war of Goblin against Wizard. Bad for business. But Goblins and Wizards against Wizards who are bad for all of our business interests is another thing altogether. To serve alongside wizards would be good for business after the war, or so we believe."
"So you've been waiting for me to get older?" Harry began.
"Lord Potter, we were waiting for one we deem worthy. I, for one and despite my respect for you, have lost a fair bet for I doubted my King and Council would find a wizard worthy of such honor. Not in my lifetime at any rate. Until very recently, there was no reason to think you or your Squires were or could ever be. Unlike your people, we do not venerate someone whose primary claim to fame was the mere fact of a surprise survival." Harry actually laughed at that. "Your dealings with our Nation since you claimed your birthright were most promising, but that alone would not have resulted in the honors you have received. The basilisk helped, but again alone it was not enough. We wanted someone young; someone not yet mired in the prejudices of your society. But again, that alone could not justify it. Young and open minded means nothing if the person cannot stand and fight. Being a warrior means nothing if the person does not respect our people. And even a young, open-minded and respectful warrior means nothing if he knows nothing of what we wish for in peace. The final measure was your dealings with us as a businessman, for we believe you understand the notions of profit and can appreciate the art of the deal even if a deal went against you. In other words, Lord Potter, you are more like us than most. And as we believe your Squires will follow you, it stands to reason in their own way they can come to understand us as well. For lack of a better term, this was a business investment; one which only time will tell whether it was a wise one."
"Hopefully, business can remain profitable without needing to lead Cohorts," Harry said.
"Indeed," Grisha agreed. "Such a contingency would be bad for business no matter how it turns out in the end. Naturally, winning such a scenario would be the desirable outcome and better for the bottom line long term. But it is true that business would suffer in the interim. Unfortunately, we believe the Cohorts will have to be called at some point."
Harry merely nodded.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
There was quite the gathering at the Lake House that evening. It was a marriage reception in one way and an opening gathering for the Holidays in another. At least that was the original plan. House Potter and Longbottom were there including all the in-laws which included the Weasley family although they would also be there as Ron and Katie were now Estate Holders as Ron purchased his trunk shortly after leaving Gringotts. True, it would be about a month in Estate time before he and Katie could move in, but House Weasley was now formally part of The Estates. As such, the Bells were present as well. House Black was also there along with their guests. This included the Tonks, Professor Lupin, Cissy Black and the four Muggle girls who were meeting many people for the first time. But it also included some additions as Sirius had invited his own in-laws. Connie's parents were present along with her brother and sister and their families. Also among Sirius's guests were the Finch-Fletchleys including the Earl, his wife and the seemingly ever present Sir John Fitzedward. The Clearwaters and Creeves, however, were not among the guests.
With such a large gathering it would be impractical to seat everyone at the same table "unless you wanted one of those stuffy kind of affairs," Sirius had said. Thus the guests sat at several tables in the large dining room overlooking the lake. They would order their diners from a menu, as opposed to being asked to eat whatever was served.
Once dinner had been cleared away but before the desserts were served, Sirius stood.
"Um … we're not sure if there is or should be some kind of protocol on such occasions as this," he began. "But we felt some kind of address was … um … appropriate and then decided that rather than everyone getting up and giving some kind of speech or whatever, it should be one of us. For those who don't know me, I am Lord Sirius Black, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, Earls of Hangleton and Falthsome, Baron of Savoy and so on and so forth. The others – by that I mean Lord Potter, Lord Longbottom and their multitudinous wives – asked that I do this talking 'cause … well, I don't really know why. Knowing those to lads as I do, it's a fair bet it's not 'cause I'm less likely to say something shocking or some such. But, I am the older of the group by some years and the only one who has attained his family's seat in the Wizengamot – that's like the House of Lords for those not acquainted with our governmental structure and, before you ask, the wizards do not have something like the House of Commons and don't ask me why 'cause I don't know except that we don't and in recent times I guess it's more 'cause we wish to be different or at least don't wish to change or some such nonsense. So, where was I? Ah yes. I was tapped for this not for wisdom or eloquence but because I was seriously outvoted.
"Right then, on behalf of the others who have made this wonderful land possible, I would like to welcome all our guests be they here for this week or the full Holiday and whether this is their first visit or outing or whether they spend almost as much time here as elsewhere. I think we should all begin by congratulating Lord Sir Ronald, Head of Noble House Weasley and Lady Katie who were married today at Gringotts…"
"Head of Noble House Weasley?" Percy Weasley exclaimed. "That's rubbish."
"Not that I want to agree with him," Ron said, "but I don't remember anything like that … ever."
Sirius smiled almost evilly. "Surely, you understand what happened when you accepted your sword?"
"I got the bit about cohorts and beings a Squire, Warrior Class under their law, but so what?"
"By being ennobled by the Goblin nation you were instantly named as the Head of a new Noble House, one that will pass to your children and so forth."
"But it's a Goblin title," Percy protested. "That doesn't mean anything!"
"Shut it, Perce," Bill said. "You think 'cause you managed twelve OWLs and made Head Boy it means you know something? Guess again."
"According to A History of Magic," Percy began pompously.
"If you believe any of that tripe is either important or true, Perce, you dumber than I thought," Bill said. "Who cares who invented the self stirring cauldron? And if you believe that rubbish, then you believe that the Goblins lost the last Goblin Rebellion and yet they control all the money and finance which, I should add, was not the case before the last Rebellion. You put faith in a book written by a hack – okay, a respected hack, but a hack nonetheless and taught by a ghost, ipso facto a spirit incapable of either learning or changing its mind. And don't let that Head Boy rot go to your head, as it were. It seems despite that book you've underlined about Hogwarts Prefects, being Head Boy doesn't mean anything once you leave school. If you think it does, then don't come complaining to me when life's not handed to you on a silver platter and you learn you actually still have to work for it."
"I get the bit that the Goblins consider me noble or something," Ron said as Percy seemed too shocked to speak.
"Not just the Goblins," Sirius said. "Well, suffices to say there are elements that will be less thrilled about this than your brother there, but there's nothing they can do about it really, except grumble. This is one of the things not covered in History of Magic. For one thing, both the author of your course book and your Professor don't have much respect or use for Goblins. Then again, I do believe neither was actually swimming in knuts, much less Galleons, so there was little occasion for either to require the services of Gringotts, but that's beside the point. It's possible something like this was left out if only 'cause the last time it happened was over three hundred years ago, before the Statute of Secrecy."
"Last time on your side of the Line," Sir John added, "but point taken."
"Sir John is a Conqueror three times over through inheritance," Earl Denworth said. "The last to earn it in his own right was his grandfather about eighty years ago. He's a Shield Bearer in his own right which is the same as our knighthood. He's also heir to the Dukedom of Exeter and is a Commander of the British Empire so he's knight and noble in both worlds, but that's neither here nor there."
"The Crown is not nearly as dismissive about the Goblin Nation as is the Wizengamot," Sir John added.
"And the Wizengamot Charter is not dismissive either," Sirius said. "Contrary to what you may have been taught, the Charter did not create the Wizengamot. It came later when the first of the fifty-four lines that formed the Wizengamot died off. There was a debate that went on for years about what to do. Should they simply let it go and continue on with fifty-three members or fill the vacancy with a new one? The Charter was the result. In the end, most of the members recognized that lines would invariably die off without a recognized heir and sooner or later the Wizengamot would be reduced to a mere handful, maybe even a single member. The Wizards wanted no King over them in their own affairs for it was bad enough they had to answer to the whims of the Muggle ones – and back then they did. To prevent such a consolidation of power and rule, they came up with the Charter, a magical compact. The Charter set forth the means for filling the vacancy and ensuring continuation of the Wizengamot. As all members at that time were noblemen, ennobled by the various sovereign kingdoms in the isles, they set a preference for noblemen. Thus the seat would be offered to the 'senior' noblemen whose line was without a seat and only if there were no such unseated nobles would the Wizengamot select another of some standing to take up the seat. At the time of the Charter, the Goblin Nation was considered a sovereign thus a Goblin title was no different than an Irish one, or Scottish or Welsh or Anglo-Saxon or Dane, for that matter. As the Charter is a magical compact, our later relationships with the various sovereignties did not change anything."
"So?" Ron asked.
"It means you're Lord Weasley now, Ron," Bill said. "You're not Head of our family, but of your own and that family has a title. That and the three of you are also Knights of the Warrior Class known as a Shield Bearer, which is not a separate Noble title, but equivalent to an Order of Chivalry so on formal occasions you are Lord or Lady Sir such-and-such. "
"When did we get that?" Harry asked.
"Since you didn't have it before, you got it when they gave you your swords. It's automatic which was why it went unsaid."
"It also means you're in line for a seat in the Wizengamot should there be a vacancy," Sirius said. "Right now, there's not and you're not first in line. You classmate Justin Finch-Fletchley's ahead of you as he's in line for an Earldom someday. Hermione's in line as well, assuming she decides to set up what's called a matriarchy."
"A what?"
"A line that passes through her daughters, not sons. Until she does that, which means until she has a daughter, there is a vacant hereditary seat and she is at least twenty-one, her estate is merged with Harry's but she can choose to separate it out one day."
"Bloody hell!" Ron said.
"Wait a minute," Harry added. "Merged? Does this mean I have more votes or something?"
Sirius nodded. "Seven more for your Conqueror status and you hold five more for now from Hermione's Squire status."
"Why do I get Hermione's votes?" Harry asked.
"The immediate reason is because there is no vacant seat for her … um … House as it were," Sirius said. "As her Husband, you can exercise her votes until such time as she acquires her own seat. As to why you can as her husband? Given that you're Hannah's Consort and not her outright Husband, you tell me?"
"'Cause the law's not fair to witches," Harry said.
"Arguably," Sirius agreed. "Were you to be Hannah's husband, you could gain control of her votes but because those votes come to her as a Regent, they would not pass to her children. By being her Consort you cannot gain control of House Abbott's votes and they can pass to her son in time."
"But won't that be the same for me in time?" Hermione asked.
"Not at all," Sirius said. "House Abbott like most seats is a Patriarchy. Hannah sits as Regent until she has a son who is of age to assume the responsibility. Your line would be a matriarchy. A husband cannot interfere with that once it is active, in other words once you or your daughter takes a seat in her own right. In a matriarchy, males can only act as Regents just as females can only act as Regents in the patriarchal lines. The good news for Harry is he does not need another wife for this new line. All you need is a daughter and a vacancy. As we sit here today, Master Finch-Fletchley can claim right to the first vacancy in the hereditary seats, Ron the next and Hermione the one after that."
"Why am I in front of Hermione? Is that another Wizard thing?"
"Not really," Sirius said. "It is because your nobility is equal, actually. You were ennobled at the same level – equivalent to Viscounts and at the same time and since her votes can be exercised through her Husband for now and yours cannot, you get in first under the Charter."
"That almost seems fair," Hermione said.
"Yeah," Harry said. "And the best bit is I don't need another wife."
"Regretting the ones you have, Harrykins?" one of the twins said.
"Not at all. And don't forget that by this time next year your little sister'll be one too. But I think we'd all rather not need to have another."
