Chapter 4
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The introduction of Harry, Draco, and Neville to Dean and Sam was relatively uneventful. Draco was awed by baby Sam while Dean, Harry, and Neville bonded over the loss of a parent, or in Harry's case, two of his three. Arcturus was thrilled with the new additions, while Melania led John to her private sitting room to speak about Mary and make arrangements for her burial. The children were fed a light lunch before being put down for naps, or in Dean's case to finally sleep for the night. Dean would be awoken after a few hours to help him adjust to the time change.
Just before 4 pm Alice and Sirius gathered the children and dressed them for the meeting scheduled to begin in a few minutes. They herded the children into the bathroom to wash up and use the facilities. Alice enlarged a set of nice robes to fit Dean, then helped him to dress. Once everyone was acceptable, they led the children to the anteroom off of the main dining room. Sam would be left under the care of Kreacher while the others attended the ceremony.
"Okay kids. This is going to be formal and boring, but you all need to pay attention, especially to the meaning behind the ceremony. Each of the four of you will be head of your family one day. Harry and Neville will become heads at seventeen. Don't worry if you don't understand something right away. Bella and I will teach you what you need to know. Remember to keep quiet and we will answer any questions once it is over. Alice will stand with the four of you near the back. Any questions before we enter?" Sirius asked.
When they shook their heads no, Sirius opened the door and everyone took their places. Alice conjured four small chairs for the boys and silently took her place behind them. The large table had been removed and replaced by chairs facing a platform at the front of the room. A large ornate chair sat on the platform containing Arcturus with his face blank. Once everyone was gathered, Arcturus stood.
"With the return of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House Black to the old ways, we are gathered today to make new and renew alliances. The Most Noble and Most Ancient House Potter and the Noble and Most Ancient House Longbottom have Heads of House that are minor children. House Black accepts both as wards, to be raise according to law in a House at least equal to their stature. Lady Longbottom, do you accept on behalf of your son, young Lord Longbottom?"
"I graciously accept, Lord Black," Alice stated shyly.
"Lord Prince, I show no disrespect by this offer, but do you accept on behalf of your son Lord Potter, due to his status as Lord Potter, and Heir Black?"
"No disrespect is taken, Lord Black, and I graciously accept this honor," Severus replied.
"House Black also offers an alliance with the Noble and Most Ancient House Prince. Your enemies will be our enemies as our will become yours," Arcturus stated firmly.
"I, Severus Tobias Snape, Lord Prince of the Noble and Most Ancient House Prince, accept alliance with House Black. May our Heir be bountiful and our Houses last forever."
"House Black upholds the blood feud with Abraxas Malfoy, Lord Malfoy of the Noble and Most Ancient House Malfoy. This blood feud does not include his child, Lucius, who from this day until the death of Abraxas will have the protection of House Black as a son of the House. Lucius Malfoy, do you accept?"
"Lord Black, I am honored. May your Heir be bountiful and your House last forever," Lucius replied.
"House Black offers alliance and mentorship to the new House Winchester. House Winchester has been acknowledged in America due to the sacrifice given by Mary Winchester nee McMillan in her banishment of the demon Azazel. House Black intends to gain acknowledgement of House Winchester as a Noble House in the Wizengamot as their right under the old ways. House Black is willing to fight to gain the recognition rightly due them. John Winchester, House Winchester, soon to be Lord Winchester, do you accept?"
"I, John Winchester, gratefully accept your advice, assistance, and mentorship on behalf of myself and my boys," John said awkwardly.
"Is there any other business to be brought before The Black?"
At this point, two men, a woman, and two babies were escorted into the room by a house elf. One of the men dropped to his knee before Arcturus and bowed his head. Arcturus' eyes widened slightly before he could fully conceal his reaction. The other two adults in the group bowed and curtsied to Lord Black, but nowhere near as deeply.
"Rise and state your business with House Black."
"I, Marius Lennox Black, ask for the protection of House Black for my daughter and granddaughter and another daughter of House Black, if not by conventional means. We ask for shelter from oncoming danger and for the two children to be acknowledged as members for their protection."
"Who threatens harm to daughters of House Black?" The fury in Arcturus' voice was nothing compared to the magic rolling off him in waves. Sirius and then Regulus had explained the situation with the girls, but this sounded as if Marius was asking for the girls to be made wards of House Black. For Marius to ask this, things were much worse than they appeared. Arcturus began again before giving the man time to respond, "I declare Marius Lennox Black, also known as Marcus White, returned to House Black. His three daughters are also acknowledged as members of House Black. This includes any children already born and any future children. The other child in question will be accepted into House Black unless it is proven beyond all doubt that she is not of Black blood. So mote it be."
"Now we shall adjourn to the family dining room and feast. Once fed, the children will be settled and then we adults shall discuss matters further."
Dobby had been quite busy since his return. Once insuring that little Master Harry Potter Sir was safely within Black Hall, he sat out to locate the version of himself that existed in this timeline. Until he and Griphook could integrate themselves with this version of themselves this would exist as only a possibility rather than the permanent timeline. Dobby knew that until this task was completed, his Master Harry Potter Sir could be harmed by his counterpart as had happened in his previous life. Bad Master Abraxas had forced Dobby to use his elf magics to harm his Master Harry Potter Sir when he was just a baby by giving bad dreams and making the evil Dursley family treat Master as a house elf. Dobby knew that his magic would not have worked with the Dursley family if they had any amount of care for the small baby, but he knew the treatment would have been better if not for his tampering on the orders of his Bad Master.
Dobby hid in the shadows of Malfoy Manor until he was able to get himself alone. Once alone, he appeared before himself. If his other self allowed it, they would merger. If his other self fought it, Dobby was prepared to do what was needed to force the merge. He spoke to his wide eyed counterpart.
"Is yous being happy as a Malfoy elf? This Dobby never was. I can free you if yous wants. You can be part of me again and we will serve Master Harry Potter Sir from now on. You wants?"
The other Dobby sprung forward and grabbed him in a hug. The moment that the two touched, a glow surrounded them and then they were one again. Immediately, Dobby popped to Abraxas, filled with fury over the amount of abuse that he had forgotten until he joined with his other self. When he appeared, Dobby no longer appeared to be a house elf, but appeared in his true form, a High Elf.
"Abraxas Malfoy, you are accused of many things, but I call upon Magic herself to judge you for the kidnapping, torture, and abuse of a citizen of the High Realm known as Dobbyn. If Magic finds you guilty, may the gods have mercy on you, for She will not." Once Dobby finished the glow of Magic brightened around Abraxas. Within minutes, Abraxas Malfoy was dead.
Griphook's joining with his counterpart was tame in comparison. He entered Gringott's London with the results of the blood test he had performed on Harridan Potter and was quickly escorted to the Head's Office. Griphook spent the rest of the night and the majority of the following day explaining to the leaders of the Goblin Nation how he had returned to this point in time to be able to stop the ending of the world. Between them, a firm plan was put in place so that the Goblin Nation could aid Harridan Potter. Goblins specializing in Wizard law were brought in to search the books for anything that would be needed to know no matter how obscure. Griphook had passed along the fact that Harridan Potter had been claimed by Albus Dumbledore but overridden by Lord Black. They all knew it was a matter of time before Dumbledore struck again.
At the end of it all, his counterpart was summoned. He was given the choice to merge with the older version and agreed. They touched and the merge was completed. Griphook felt complete again. He gathered the notes they had made over the planning session and looked them over one last time.
"Director, could we hold the reading of the Potter's will the day after their funeral? I believe that Lord Black and his grandsons will rest better when Harridan is safely hidden away," Griphook asked.
"I will make the arrangements for then. I will also have our contacts file the suitable paperwork for dual citizenship. House Potter and House Black have provisions for that in case of problems like this. You have permission to teach the children Goblin ways, so when the time is correct, he may be Friend of the Goblin Nation. Let me know if you need other assistance, but for now the child is your only duty. See you on the 6th."
Griphook left the offices and hurried to the bank doors. Wizards and witches quickly moved from his path. For some reason, humans reacted that way when a Goblin had a smile on his face.
Griphook returned to Black Hall to find the occupants increased by nine. Regulus was very good at his mission of gathering those that needed protection. He was glad that he thought to get more heredity parchment while at Gringott's. He quickly proceeded to test the children who had not been tested yet, making sure to keep one back for testing of Ms. Lovegood when she would next visit. Once the testing was completed, Griphook gathered the parchments and searched out Lord Black.
"Lord Black, may I have a word?"
"Of course, Griphook. Please come in a be seated."
"Under the Director's guidance, the Goblins of Gringott's have been given liberties to aid young Lord Potter. We have scoured the laws and have learned of some things that you will need to know. Heirs of the Great Houses must attend a minimum of five years schooling at Hogwarts, but are only required to be enrolled in one class, however if the prior education of said Heir exceeds the standards at Hogwarts, said Heir may test out of the class or classes they have enrolled in for the year. In other words, the children can arrive on September 1st of a year, attend the first class, then ask to be tested out. Because the required class enrollment is not for a core class, the children could all enroll in say Alchemy for a year. Hogwarts is required to provide the class if at least five students request the class. Since we know that Alchemy is no longer taught at Hogwarts, the children can all test out with little problem. Through our research, the only class on par with the American Schools is Potions, so as long as it is avoided, there should be no problems with the law. The Heirs of Hogwarts' Founders, however, are required to spend one week in the castle per year from the time they are eleven until they become of age." Griphook passed a parchment detailing the laws he summarized to Lord Black.
"Thank you, Griphook. This information is invaluable. But I sense there is more," Arcturus responded.
"Lord Black, I have been charged to teach the children the Goblin ways. I will begin with our language and culture, but eventually be teaching them to fight with our weapons and use our magic if they are able. This will give us the right to claim the children as Friends of the Goblin Nation and at that point, we can step in to shield them from the Ministry."
"On behalf of the children, I am more than honored to accept your aid. You and the Goblin Nation have the upmost gratitude of House Black and its Allies."
Griphook made to reply, but was interrupted by the pop of apparition. Standing before them was a High Elf who bowed deeply to both men.
"Lord Black and Lord Griphook, I am sorry to interrupt without being announced, but I bring urgent news," he said as he remained bowed.
"Please join us sir," Arcturus replied while trying to remember how to formally address a High elf. He had been taught the fundamentals, but High Elves had stopped contact with the human realms centuries ago.
"I am honored to join you. Lord Dobbyn will be joining us shortly but has been detained by his mother, the High Lady Amethyst. The Court of the High Elves has sent me to offer aid in your current situation. We will be providing training to the children in our language and culture as well as lessons on fighting in the Elvin style and Elvin Battle Magic. We shall also be providing two teams of guards to the children's protection. Each of the eight children will have a personal protector who will guard their bodies, I believe is the term. Lord Dobbyn requests that he be allowed to attend training with the children due to his lack of education during his being held."
"House Black and its Allies are honored by your offer, but could you tell us who Lord Dobbyn is?" Arcturus asked puzzled.
"Lord Dobbyn was once known as the house elf Dobby. He was captured by Abraxas Malfoy when he was only four years old and bound to family Malfoy. His binding gave him the appearance of a house elf, but he still thought like a High Elf. When the Dobby who returned from the dead, merged with the Dobby from this time, the magical backlash allowed him to remember his home. Magic judged Abraxas Malfoy and destroyed him for his crimes, first stripping his magic, then his life. Lord Dobbyn returned home and explained things to his parents, who in turn have ordered that Lord Harridan Potter of the Many Names and Titles or Master Harry Potter Sir which ever you prefer, is to be protected at all costs. In the old timeline, Harry Potter freed the house elf Dobby and treated him as friend. Dobby gave his life to protect that Harry Potter and gave up his peaceful rest, as did Lord Griphook, to return to give the child a better chance. The Elvin Nations means to see it happen."
The rest of the week passed in a blur of comings and goings. Black Hall was a hub of activity that had not been seen since before Phineas Nigellus Black had become The Black. Supplies and clothing had been purchased for the children, packed away, and sent to Black Vineyard. Custody of Faith had been awarded to Joyce after it was found that she was the granddaughter of Cassiopeia by a son who had been given up for adoption when he had no magic. Two of the four cottages at Black Vineyard were repaired and made suitable for Joyce and the girls and John and the boys respectively. Another would be repaired for the Lovegood family.
James and Lily Potter were laid to rest in a cemetery in Godric's Hollow with very few problems. Petunia Dursley attended the funeral alone and offered sincere sympathy to Severus and Harry. In return, Severus provided contact information to Petunia if a need should arise. She, Dudley, and Harry were all that was left of Lily's family. The biggest surprise of the day was when Remus Lupin arrived with Albus Dumbledore. After the service finished, the duo approached the mourning family and Remus began yelling at Sirius.
"How dare you show your face here, you murderous dog! You betrayed them and killed Peter!" Remus screamed.
"Peter is dead?" Sirius asked.
Several things happened at once. Lord Dobbyn and the other High elves in attendance grabbed the children and mundane people in attendance and quickly used apparition to transport them to Black Hall with half staying as guards and the other half returning. Representatives of the Goblin Nation set wards to keep the noncombatants safe. Severus, Regulus, and Lucius moved to stand between Remus and Sirius. Lord Dobbyn returned and spelled the left sleeves of each person present off.
When Remus saw that none of the men he was convinced were Death Eaters were marked, he stopped with his mouth hanging open. His thoughts were erratic and he wondered how he had been so fooled. He had been set to insist that Harry be given to Dumbledore so he could be placed with Lily's sister, but now he remembered that Lily said Harry would never be allowed to live with her sister. It was unfair to Petunia to be forced to raise a child that would have the magic that she always wanted. They could visit each other, but never would Harry be Petunia's ward. He then remembered the laws about the Great Houses and realized that the only place Harry could legally live is either with his parents or in House Black. He could not remember why he thought that Peter was dead, but from the look on Sirius' face, Sirius was not responsible if he was.
"Remus, I was not the Secret Keeper and I did not kill Peter! Peter is being hunted by the DMLE for the betrayal of James and Lily. I have been busy making sure that Harry is safe and will be taken care of if something happens to me. I rescued Alice and Neville, but was too late for Frank and Augusta. I needed your help. I still need your help, but you were missing." Sirius had tears running down his face when he finished.
"I have to think. I will be in contact," Remus said before he apparated away.
Albus Dumbledore watched as the last of his plans crumbled before him. Young Harry will be out of his reach until he turns eleven. The child being raised in House Black would ensure that he knew of the requirement to attend Hogwarts. Until then, Dumbledore would need to ensure that his plans for September of 1991 would be perfect.