Author running after a furry beast: Get back here I need that.
Author running the other way after beastie turns around: That's my disclaimer script and it was really good.
Author after dejectedly giving up on chasing the orange fluffball: I do not own anything within the Harry Potter universe.
Chapter 9: The Circus is Loose
Daphne had been awake for a while now as she stared over at her friend sleeping in the foldout bed. Padma really was something else.
There was no way she would have been able to keep a secret like that for years. She would have broken down and started yelling at other girls years ago, probably ended up friendless too.
That aside though she found it unlikely that Potter was lying about having no clue. The boy was an idiot of course he had no idea, he was probably the only person of wizarding parents that new less about their world then most muggleborns and he didn't care to change that. Besides if the boy did know he would have said something by now with all that stupid one upping that him and that ass Malfoy do all the time.
Not that Potter was innocent in of this. His letters might come across as wanting to know about Padma, but they were so condescending it infuriated her. Padma already had family that looked down on her for wanting to be more than a stay at home wife, she didn't need a husband that expected her to be beneath him.
HPatEA
Bill suppressed the groan that threatened to escape him as he walked out of the main tent for the group meeting this morning. They were not meeting in the main tent as from what he could understand Geoffre wanted to start early so they could spend as much time going over what they found later as possible. While his ribs had spent all of last night regrowing they still hurt like… Well like that crab thing was still squeezing him.
Idra had been adamant this morning that he would not be able to go anywhere today, while his bones had 'healed', they were still fragile. As they were his ribs no one would want him to risk breaking them again, they were lucky the first time that his organs were not punctured by the sharp ends of the broken bones. So instead of going out to map the 'wards' they believed they found he got to sit here and try to arithmetically work something out from data that detected… well nothing.
"Bill! Are you suppose to be up? Mr Geoffre said that you would be staying here today."
Bill looked down at the boy next to him, Harry had done really well yesterday. However the boy was starting to get as bad as mum, hovering to make sure everything was ok, fretting over him to the point the kid was driving him sparse. He knew the boy meant well but that really did not make much of a difference to him at this point.
He grunted, "I'm fine. I wish that Geoffre would leave it alone. I can do fieldwork today just as well as yesterday."
Harry gave him a worried look, but seemed to accept what he said at face value. As Harry started walking with him, the boy asked, "What will we even be doing today?"
He spun around when the answer came from the side of him, clutching his side as he felt his 'fixed' ribs grind together. "That is a rather tricky question to answer Harry."
Glowering because of the looks of concern he was getting from Harry, he pulled his hand away from his chest. Hating when he noticed Geoffre's look as the older man nodded his head in confirmation, he was now defiantly on bed rest today.
"Young Miss Chang found an anomaly yesterday. There is a river that looks, both on our maps and in person, maybe ten meters wide at most. However our positions while near each bank place us over two hundred meters apart. Magically we can detect nothing that would explain this, so we will be doing extensive readings near that river to figure out what we are up against."
Geoffre seemed to measure everyone present with a glance his gaze resting on Harry and Axebreaker a second longer than the rest, something that despite his present annoyance at the boy gave him an uneasy feeling.
"No one, and I repeat no one is to attempt to enter the river or use any magic to attempt to cross it at any point in this investigation until we figure out what exactly is causing the problem. The ward scheme will be hidden within the wards so the option to destroy the ward scheme is impossible at the moment, and thus we will have to create a way to bypass it. While this is the norm for those of us in our profession, this time we have nothing here to work with. No past knowledge of similar ward schemes, or texts to look up what might have been used. The work will be tedious the next few days but the reward will be worth it once we get those wards down."
Bill had to suppress a snort, working out a way to bypass wards was hard, but wards that they could not even detect in a scan, this could take days to even prove there was any wards let alone how to get by them.
"This task however is very important and at points some of us will be too wrapped up in spells to pay attention to what's going on. As such we will have both me and Miss Chang working on testing the wards, with Idra and Miss Chang working as our assistants. Faltimur, Brandt, Axebreaker and Harry you four will be working on keeping anything from interrupting us. We don't want something like yesterday to happen again."
He wanted to protest that assignment instantly, it did not even matter if he was not going, there was no reason to put Harry on protection detail. Harry might have handled himself well yesterday, but the kid still had not managed to actually accomplish anything though he acted properly. He should be the assistant and Idra should be protecting everyone.
Geoffre continued before any protest could be voiced, "Faltimur will be taking security measures on the side of the river with Brandt, Idra and myself. While Axebreaker and Harry will be assisting our ladies."
Still upset that Harry might get into another fight he could at least understand why it was this way. Faltimur and Axebreaker would be doing all the actual security work were in reality Brandt and Harry were just an extra set of eyes to watch for potential dangers, it seems that yesterday's accident had heightened more than just his own wariness.
Geoffre again seemed to survey everyone present, with a pleased smile he instructed, "Well then go get any supplies you need, we leave in twenty."
As everyone hustled off Geoffre turned to him, "Bill don't take this as a punishment. You did well yesterday, you could have done better but that comes with experience. Now however we need you to get back one hundred percent, I won't send you out any less than that and I need you better for when we get inside those wards."
Geoffre looked around for a moment before continuing in a voice like he was sharing a dark secret, "One of the reasons we picked you was your experience in Egypt. The Egyptians were crafty buggers when trapping tombs, but they have nothing on what the Chinese are said to have done to protect their ancestors. I'll need you more in the temple then finding it, no telling what messed up things they set up down there."
It was a bitter pill to swallow but he nodded, "I'll go over everything we have and see if I can find anything we missed then."
Geoffre smiled at him, and he tried not to wince as the older man clapped him on the shoulder.
HPatEA
Hermione could only gaze in wonder at the school she was walking through. Beauxbaton was beautiful, so much more so than Hogwarts ever was, and people kept apologizing for how 'malpropre' *messy* everything was as if it didn't all look amazing.
Her parents and her could only get here by portkey so that they would not know the exact location, but here she was learning about a magical school other than Hogwarts. Her parents were having a meeting with the Headmistress of the school up in her office and she had been told she could see them after her tour, and they would have some free time where she could show them some magic before they went back to the hotel they were staying in.
She had been fascinated that there was nothing like the house system in Hogwarts here, and students common rooms were by year only. The fact that French was the language of the school, not mattering if the students were French or not had made her wonder how that could work. She had been disappointed that there was no magic solution for the challenge of learning languages only that children in the surrounding countries were either taught French young or home schooled instead of attending Beauxbaton.
"Cette jeune femme est la bibliothèque." (This young lady is the Library)
Those were the words Hermione had been waiting for all tour. Rushing forward toward the door that her tour guide, the charms teacher Missus Kinne, was holding open she missed the look of shock on the woman's face. She took two steps in and stopped. She could see the entire Library from the entranceway in which she stood, and you could easily fit ten or so of them into the Hogwarts Library without touching Hogwarts Restricted Section or the second floor.
She couldn't help the frown that crossed her face, even if she did not want to come here everything had been amazing and beautiful. This however would never do, there was so much to learn how could they have so little literature for the students?
"Est-ce bien cela?" (Is this it?)
Missus Kinne looked at her with confusion, "Bien sûr! Les enseignants ont leurs propres livres aussi. Cependant, nous ne conservons que les livres les élèves auront besoin chaque année."
(Of Course! The Teachers have their own books as well. We however,only keep the books that students will need each year.)
She couldn't help but blink, that was what... maybe fifteen books per subject per year at most, Hogwarts had hundreds of books for each subject and even more on subjects not even taught while in school.
She tried to stop gaping at the woman that was showing her around but she really couldn't help it, what kind of school only taught student 'what they need to know that year'.
HPatEA
*BANG*
As the third and final cannon blast left his wand Dumbledore noted that the chamber had finally fallen into silence. Most of the people present in the chamber still had their wands out though there was thankfully only a handful that had them aimed at the figure by the door, some of the members were even still in the process of making their way to their seats when everything had happened.
"What may I ask are you doing in the chamber of this esteemed body good sir."
Hoping that the jovial tone he used would ease the people in the room, he was not surprised disappointed but not surprised when it did not work. This Wizengamot meeting had two things on the docket that had to do with Gringotts and their policies, and a goblin walked into the chamber in full battle armor armed with a shield and vicious looking axe did not bode well. He however had noticed something far more disconcerting than just the armor and weapon. He could remember more than one goblin rebellion during his time, and where the goblin's clan's symbol should be represented, was a perfect imprint of the Black Family Crest.
He could feel his stomach falling away before the Goblin answered in a gravelly voice, "I am Ognak Account Manager for the Black Family. As appointed by the present Heir Black I am to take over as his representative to this body as he find the current occupant an odious incompetent that should not have power over a house elf let alone a position of governmental power."
"You think we will let some miserable little creature, replace the appointee of the late Lord Black?!" Lucius snarled.
Dumbledore watched as the Goblin didn't even acknowledge the man, walking with a poise and confidence he usually only saw in the most experienced Aurors that had survived war, coming to a stop just below his podium the Goblin started speaking again, "I believe it is your practice to bring any information-"
Dumbledore's attention was dragged over to the side as the appointee for the Minister's seat interrupted, "Hem-Hem. Excuse me goblin, but I think I misunderstood you. As I'm sitting in for the minister I feel I must point out for all of our benefits that a seat in the Wizengamot can not be held by a creature of near Human intelligence."
Dumbledore watched the Goblin seem to think for a moment before holding out papers towards him with a distasteful look on his face, "I shall have to appease your legal sense madam. Heir Black is merely doing what the Minister is doing. While a being of near human intelligence as you call me can not hold a seat, there is no law against being appointed as a proxy for a seat."
Deciding that this could get out of hand quickly Dumbledore interrupted before their could be anymore talking, "That will be enough." Looking down at the papers in his hand he addressed the Goblin, "Ognak. You say these are from the current Heir Black?"
The goblin nodded at him proceeding to speak only to be interrupted by Lucius Malfoy again, "There is no current Heir Black. The next in the line of succession in my son. Unless…" A shiver of worry passed along his spine as Lucius Malfoy's anger slipped away into a superior smirk, "Unless the Goblins are receiving this position in return for aiding the criminal Sirius Black."
Dumbledore was only slightly less surprised by that statement then he retrospectively thought he would be, the entire room was silent like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop. Quickly trying to stop the riot that would be sure to follow a statement like that he inquired, "Surely that's a very severe and damaging accusation Mr. Malfoy, do you have any proof of that theory?"
"Why do you ask for proof Chief Warlock it makes sense everything fits." Yelled out Lord Nott.
The goblin interrupted addressing Mr Malfoy for the first time, "I find your accusation rude and irrelevant Mr Malfoy. You should know that Mr Black is no longer able to take up his Lordship. As stated in the Black Family charter no one that has been formally convicted before the Wizengamot may become Lord of House Black, it is why you pushed for his conviction I am sure. I'm also sure you are aware as you have clearly read the charter and thus know you have already removed you and yours from legally taking the Black Family Seat, as you had to abstain from the vote on Mr. Black or be removed."
Dumbledore watched the goblin turn back to him without pausing, "I'm sure Chief Warlock that you can verify that those papers were signed and stamped before your criminal managed to escape both your prison and your attempts to find him."
He could feel his eyebrow inching up his face at the digs at Mister Malfoy, their prison system, and their police force as he looked at the papers he had been handed. As he did he noted that the goblin moved his shield diagonally in front of him while flicking his hand outwards as he did so.
He could remember the many times he had seen that gesture, it was commonplace in the negotiations in the last goblin rebellion, it was a sign among the goblins that they would not kill anyone unless they were attacked. Well it actually was more along the lines of a prayer for patience in the face of idiocy but that was how it had been seen during the negotiations. Taking a long look at the goblin before him he noted that the goblin looked old, but no where near old enough to have been involved in the last goblin rebellion at least not as a soldier.
"Don't tell me Dumbledore that you are actually considering allowing this creature to take the seat of an Ancient and Noble House? It would be an outrage." Madam Umbridge barked out.
Dumbledore had to agree that having the goblin in the chamber would be a horrible thing, while he did not agree with many things on the docket today, a goblin might take it as enough of a breach in the treaty that they declare war and… His brain stopped, the goblins have Harry on an expedition. If this did not go well…
"Personal opinions aside there is no legal reason for Ognak the goblin to not take the Seat of the Black Family as an appointee."
Trying to ignore the protest that sprang up at his declaration. He realized that this was one of those moments where he had to do something unpopular and against his better judgment for the Greater Good of the wizarding world. A Goblin rebellion was one thing but a rebellion that could kill the only person that could defeat Voldemort once and for all, that had to be avoided at all cost.
"Silence! It will not be difficult to test if this paper and stamp is authentic as well as the date upon the papers. If so Mr Malfoy you will adjourn from the meeting and we will commence. Madam Bones as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement I believe it would fall to you to authenticate any documentation as needed, so if you would please."
He could only hope that this would keep Harry safe. As for the goblin, well Lucius had a target in his sights now. It might work out for everyone's benefit if Lucius really did do something foolish, then they could actually put the vile man behind bars. Then maybe without his apparent first choice Harry might be persuaded to pick someone that could actually be trusted to vote in the Wizengamot.
HPatEA
Cho looked back up after she watched the latest number sequence her Aunt yelled out appeared on her page. This was exactly as boring as the last two days, the only good thing was that at least they were not hiking all over the place.
When she had figured out that there was something they were missing at the river, she had hoped that everything was over . If they found the temple she knew that everything would be done, for her at least. She knew the stories, and there was no way she was going to go looking through any tomb.
She however could not be so lucky, she was stuck out here again in the middle of nowhere doing exactly what her Aunt told her to do. Even Harry didn't have to do this, though she did not want to have to fight a giant crab thing to be allowed to skive off of it either.
She had only got to talk to him late last night when everyone else was looking over what she discovered. He had been so distracted wondering if the Weasley would be ok, that she had barely been able to go over anything with him. She had covered what she knew about Padma and what he should do in Hogsmeade this year when he invites Padma for their first date, but he didn't pay much attention so she would most likely have to go over it again. Though she had to admit she was spending her time explaining how it would feel like when Cedric brought her to all the same places she was describing.
"Position. 46 87. 128 17. I can't tell what but there is something solid in front of me above the water. Mark it on the map."
Sighing as she carried this order which made no more sense then the last half a dozen, as there was absolutely nothing to be seen, she obediently marked it on the map anyway.
At a snicker from behind her she whirled around to see Potter chuckling at her as he looked out into the woods. Determined to use what little time she had before her Aunt yelled out something else for her to mark by hitting this annoying boy on the back of the head with her notebook she strode towards him while his back was turned towards to her.
Not even two steps forwards she felt it. It was like she had brushed up against a very thick tasseled end of a tapestry. She screamed as she scampered backwards as fast as she could.
Harry whirled around and she could just make out his eyes darting about as her Aunt and the goblin both started running towards her, only the Goblin seemed to run into something solid about halfway to her. However, the invisible object barely staggered the short creature and it's hammer flashed in the midday sun before embedding into something deep enough to result in blood spurting everywhere.
Everyone just seemed to stare as what looked like the air was bleeding, then a huge three meter tall silver haired monster faded into view. With one swing he knocked the goblin back, before dropping onto all fours and running uphill into the woods.
"Boy you're with me. I'm getting my hammer back." The goblin yelled while grabbing his extra axe off his belt, as it stumbled into the forest after the beast.
Her Aunt was standing over her protectively as Potter ran after that insane goblin. Extremely confused as to what had just transpired in only second she demanded, "What the Hell was that?"
He Aunt never looking away from the forest cast a spell where a silver wisp shot out of her wand she turned nodding and replying, "That was a Demiguise, they are quite peaceful creatures. The Goblin should not have attacked it, it meant no one here any harm."
She could only google at her Aunt, that huge hairy thing was peaceful? It had arms bigger than her waist and looked like it could use those arms to rip someone in two without any problem. That was ignoring the fangs and claws that it could tear any sane person apart.
She let lose another shriek when a silvery boar ran right at her stopping just short as it came to a rest at her Aunt's feet and speaking in Geoffre's voice, "Thank you for the warning. Brandt will start making his way around to you, we will follow the others. Stay in your present location."
She vaguely heard her Aunt say something over her own scream as everything went black.
HPatEA
Harry pumped his legs as fast as he could to try and keep up with the enraged goblin charging up the mountain in front of him. Axebreaker had taken off after the thing yelling for him to help and he had followed without any real conscious thought. Now however, he could tell that they would clearly be lost at the end of this, with only the trail of blood the creature left behind to guide them back to where they were originally.
He was just glad that the blood was clearly red not silver. When he saw the creature he originally thought it was some kind of Chinese unicorn he had never heard of with it's silvery pelt.
Now however he had trusted those fears about the creature's origins aside for the moment as he was having trouble just keeping sight of Axebreaker in these woods. To top it all off the woods were clearly getting thicker the farther up this mountain they ran.
Then he heard Axebreaker roar from up ahead, "I finally found you, you filthy mutt."
Putting on a last burst of speed he ran forward coming out into a small clearing around a cave in the cliffside flanked by two lone trees.
Axebreaker had his axe out running into the cave, when Harry saw it. Something seemed to be coming out of the tree to the right of the cave entrance. It looked like a wolf, except it looked to be at least two meters tall and was jumping at Axebreaker's back.
"Duck!" was all he could think to yell. His wand out, but was too afraid he would hit Axebreaker at the moment if he cast anything, his breath was too ragged from the running to keep his hand steady.
That however seemed to be the wrong thing to do as the wolf like thing turned towards him instead as Axebreaker barreled on into the cave.
Aiming at the wolf he tried the spell Bill taught him, "Mielikki".
He could feel the magic course through him as the spell connected with the wolf. Only the wolf started stalking towards him and let out a very human like laugh as it did so. As the evil sounding laugh ended he could feel the connection from the spell shatter with enough force to cause him to stumble backwards.
Steadying himself, he cried out, "Praetrunco" and watched the wedge like spell carve out a chunk of the things left flank. A yellowing liquid oozed from the wolf's wound, and Harry could only watch in terror as the large injury healed all by itself while the wolf chuckled as if it was human.
"Incendio. Praetrunco. Diffindo." Rattling off a chain of spells as they came to mind he watched all of them connect with the closing animal. They did nothing; the fire washed over it, the cutting spells left wounds increasingly smaller then the last.
He felt so tired after that run he figured his best shot was to get to Axebreaker even if it meant going passed this thing, putting as much effort as he could into moving his legs he ran right passed the beast towards the cave. He could see Axebreaker running towards him from just inside the entrance as well, axe in one hand hammer in the other, both dripping blood.
Hope flooded him, Axebreaker could save him, the goblin had told him before that he like to kill beasts and while he might not like that normally, he was rather ok with it in this instance at least.
That hope was short lived however as he saw Axebreaker flinch as he ran forward. At first he thought that the goblin was wounded, but couldn't see anything wrong with his armor. That's when he remembered painfully what he had first seen the wolf doing… making to pounce on Axebreaker from behind.
As the creature hit him, he felt its claws cut into his back as he hit the ground hard, his hands outstretched in front of him still clutching his wand. His head weaved in and out of focus as he tried to roll over, he felt like his eyes were crossed as the pain flared in his back.
Then the weight was gone as fast as it had appeared. The wolf was in front of him facing Axebreaker. Rolling over to get away he saw Axebreaker charging the beast.
He missed what happened next as his head swam in pain from going up to a knee. Axebreaker was backing away as the wolf clamped onto his armored arm. Then Axebreaker had hacked off one of the beast's legs. Then the Goblin's axe was deeply embedded in it's neck and his hammer raining down on it's skull. More of that yellowy liquid was pooling around its head, but it did not seem to be capable of healing the damage faster than Axebreaker could inflict it.
Reaching around to his back he could feel the lines where the things claws had cut through his shirt and skin as it slammed him to the ground. It hurt, and was bleeding pretty bad, but by his figuring he had had much worse before. The cuts would heal but he clearly had hit his head to hard. Standing up rather shakily he started making his way over towards Axebreaker.
The goblin's head swung around as he got near before splitting into a sickening bloody smirk, "Well wizard don't just stand around all day, start burning it. That's the only way to keep a Penghou down."
Harry really didn't know how much help he could do with that as his last fire spell didn't seem to have done much, not even managing to burn its fur. Still he lined up his wand as best he could with his hands shaking and cast, "Incendio."
There was a sense of proud satisfaction as this time the creature's body slowly started to burn, it's yellow ooze igniting right beneath the goblin.
The corpse was only half gone when he staggered backwards, his wand almost falling from his hands as he collapsed to his knees.
Axebreaker looked him in the eyes before scowling, "You stupid wizards always thinking you're tougher then you are. Go lay down along the cliffside till Geoffre gets here. I'm carrying my trophies back to camp not your exhausted body boy."
HPatEA
Ognak smirked to himself, it was coming close to the time he had come here to act. He had not done much so far, just sit in his seat along with the other sixty or so individuals that were actually here representing the Wizengamot.
That fact alone gave credence to one of the arguments he was sadly here to oppose, that there was almost thirty seats missing individuals, no appointee or Lord to take them up at all showed how much this organization had fallen. It truly was a shame for wizards to have spent so much time killing so many of themselves off he thought sarcastically.
They had already almost unanimously voted for Mr Black to be kissed on sight, those few that opposed had wished for him to be returned to Azkaban. The lack of logic in that suggestion was staggering to him, and set the tone for what he knew he would face later, Black had already managed to escape from there once, so it clearly would not hold him a second time either.
He did however figure that voting for the extermination of the man that lead to the death of his parents would be how the boy would vote. Plus with the man already convicted he was free game, as the charter only protected the Heir and Lord from votes, not members.
The vote to increase the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's budget had been a joke, something clearly put there to make it look like something was being done. He had not even voted, easily seeing the way it was going. There might have been twelve people that voted to increase the budget if that and all of them had ties to the department in some way shape or form.
Now however was the special part of the meeting that Mr. Malfoy was behind. Thoughts of the man's pathetic threats as he left made him chuckle to himself.
*Flashback*
"Mr Malfoy as has been proven those documents are authentic, and as it is The Heir Black's right not to present himself, as well as to replace the last Lord's appointee you will have to leave."
Lucius snarled as he stood up, "This body will not stand for this affront." Turning to address everyone he demanded, "Will you allow some coward too afraid to show himself, put a creature such as this in our midst?"
There was a large amount of agreement with those words till Madam Longbottom spoke up out of turn, "It is an unfortunate thing that by our own laws made in past ages we are only able to vote on laws in the session they are presented if we have declared a state of war Mr Malfoy. As such, unless this body both wishes to declare war, and restrict the right of a Lord to name their own appointee in the same meeting, you unfortunately will have to leave."
Her tone conveyed that she thought his problem was quite funny. Deciding that as most of these wizards had backed down do to well being useless he mounted the stairs aiming for the Black Family Seat.
"You will regret this goblin." snarled Malfoy as he neared the seat.
With just the quirk of an eyebrow he rejoined, "I doubt that Mr. Malfoy. The present Heir Black respects my assistance and advice. As such a threat from you might have me whispering to him that removing you was not enough and your branch of the family should be removed from the family tree like your sister in laws was."
Malfoy froze as his face took on a rather pinkish hue, "You would lump my family with those mudbloods?!"
Small gasps echoed in parts of the chamber at the man's language, "Nothing of the sorts Mr Malfoy. I'm merely saying that the new Heir Black wishes to make something grand of his House and maybe it would be better without you and yours tainting the new legacy he wishes to build for it."
He stared intently at Malfoy and gripped his axe tightly, as he raised his shield a little. Malfoy seemed to realize that this was not the place or circumstance he would want this fight to be in, standing less than three feet from a goblin was never a smart place for a wizard to attack an armed goblin. The man merely glared at him as he made his way out of the chamber sneering as he left, "I assume after next meeting this chamber will need a fumigation, before civilized persons can return."
*End Flashback*
The man had money but that was all the man had and if that vile wizard lay even a finger on him, the man's accounts would be closed and seized before war had even been declared.
His attention was brought back as Dumbledore called out, "Now the Minister's Seat will propose a way that will bring back the youth of our society into the place they will someday inhabit."
Madam Umbridge stood, "Hem-hem. It is the minister's belief that our society is not properly raising its newest members in such a way that will help them succeed in taking up their future positions. As such we have a two part plan to bring our society back to the pinnacle that it was before war ravaged our country. Look around you, how many seats lay dormant, when there are proper witches and wizards that can claim them."
He could only think that the minister thought this was going to get so much backlash that he sent this woman to broach the topic in case things went bad. Why he chose her though eluded him, the woman had only said maybe four sentences the entire meeting not including what she said about him at the beginning, and they had all been nothing but condescending to the entire chamber. Her lack of people skills made him wonder what exactly she was doing in politics to begin with.
"We believe that the best plan would be as follows, starting this year we will reenact the heir test at Hogwarts at the appropriate age-"
The entire chamber started talking at one, Ognak managed to catch a few things thrown out there louder than the rest.
"What is that woman thinking? There would be war within that school in days."
"Do they plan to reopen the Lord's wing?"
"What will they do for the heirs of families that 'died' off, they won't know what they are doing?"
That last one was the most important in his opinion, knowing that the minister probably wanted to get those votes under his own control. As any simpleton could tell you, the more you had of something the more you could sell.
"HEM-HEM." As the room quieted she continued, "Thank you. Now as we are all concerned about how these children that will be taking up empty seats, we have a plan in place. The week following the heirs test, ministry approved personnel will be going out to test the children as they take up their Lordships, those that will someday be taking a seat only, on their understanding of the Wizengamot and the workings of our society. Based on that test we will have representatives from this very body going to teach those children what they will need to know in the future."
Ognak took one look around the chamber and noted that everyone seemed to be muttering to their neighbor, but no one made a move to speak. Frustrated, that no one else was willing to say anything about the law at all he stood to be recognized.
As most of the chamber turned to look at him he was acknowledged mostly reluctantly by The Chief Warlock, "The Black Seat has something to share."
Turning to address his target, "I have two things Supreme Mugwump. Madam Umbridge, as allotted in the treaty of 1793 only certified representatives from Gringotts may perform an heirs test, while at that time Wizards and Goblins both worked together in every division of Gringotts that is not so now. So I am to assume the Ministry will be contacting our representative in the inheritance office soon?"
The woman looked like she was sucking on a lemon but she curtly jibbed, "I'm sure the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures will contact them soon."
His grip on his axe tightened at the bard but he ignored it as he continued, "Then I have one more thing to bring up. You wish to refill the empty chairs I see around us by reenacting the Heirs test, a noble goal indeed. However you specify that they would then take up their Lordship soon after, and I fail to see the point."
She interrupted, "That is not my fault if you can not understand something so simple, things like this is why human are the one that should be on the Wizengamot."
Deciding to continue as if she had not spoken, "The children would only need to take their position as Heir formally to appoint someone to take their seats. There is no reason for them to go all the way to taking up their Lordships unless you intend for thirteen year old to sit in this chamber. Not to mention the things like Marriage contracts, oaths and other legal matters that would come up only if these children that might not understand what is going on have to make the jump straight to their Lordship. In short I would like to propose that the idea of them taking up their Lordships be stricken from the proposal, giving them time to learn what they need to learn to take up the mantle of Lord as this bill proposes."
A man stood on the opposite side of the chamber, "I second that proposal. How many of those present have contracts either marriage or business with one of the deceased houses? This is something that could drastically affect far too many of us to rush into it. It would be best to slowly ease our way into it."
Dumbledore finally rose as the noise following that settled down, "Both Ognak and Lord Bones bring up a good point. Members of this esteemed body let us vote. All those in reenacting the heir test at Hogwarts with the stipulation of not forcing the children to become Lord of their respective house until they have proven capable raise your wand."
While his superiors had wished for him to vote in favor of the children becoming Lords as that would best help Gringotts, he raised his hammer for this. The Potter heir did not wish to take up his Lordship for that house yet and to allow a vote for him to have to, could cause problems with the boy that he did not need. His vote would not have made a difference anyway after his speech. This vote was almost as one sided as the vote to extend the DMLE budget, only this time it was in support.
He couldn't help but notice that many of those that raised their wand seemed to not really look like they wanted to. That however was not his problem, he would have to explain this to Harry. It would be best to show this in the best possible light, simply I did the best I could to make it better as it was unlikely I would be able to stop it. Maybe it would be best to contact the Patil Family and see if he could assist the families meeting for the first time. That might make it up to the boy.
"Then Scribe let it be noted that the motion put forth by the Minister's chair has passed. Next we have the proposition put forth by the Williamson Seat."
This was the point. Not waiting for the foolish man to speak he stood proud ignoring the glares directed at him. "Chief Warlock, I demand the right to address the Chamber."
Dumbledore looked warily at him, while Lord Williamson looked rather pale a sure sign this was not his idea. "That is rather unorthodox Appointee Black."
He thundered back, "Then is it commonplace for this Body to plot to start a war?"
Whispering rose up from the chamber as he continued, "After the Goblin Rebellion of 1861 the Bank of Gringotts was put fully under the control of Goblins. With the Treaty of 1865 stipulating that all banking within Wizarding Britain would be conducted through the Goblins. The Goblin revolt of 1919 was started because the Ministry decided that they thought they should be in control of banking regulations. This Bill you are proposing to take control of money exchange, a transaction that was labeled in the Treaty of 1865 as something Gringotts controlled, would be seen as declaring war on the Goblin nation by Wizarding Britian."
There was silence till an irate Lord Nott yelled out, "So are you only here to look after your filths interests?"
Straightening his back he turned to stare at the man, "I believe Heir Black would side with Gringotts on this one Lord Nott, as we has done more for him then your Ministry has in his lifetime. Not to mention what might happen to him himself if a war was to start now."
*GASP* Everyone turned to see Dumbledore choking on air. Ognak had to hide a smile at the horrified face of the elderly man. His work was done here, Dumbledore knew who was Heir Black, like they had assumed and would do everything to make sure the boy was safe. The fact that the boy would most likely side with them, and would thus be unharmed was something this chamber need not know till after the dust from this vote had settled.
HPatEA
Kori frowned cutely at her mom. She however did not seem to find it all that cute. She couldn't get why mommy would be mad at her for what she said. They told her that Hermione was in France on vacation, and when she asked if her favoritist cousin was going to bring her a present mommy had gotten all mad. People always brought people presents when they went away to other places.
Last summer when they had gone to Spain they had brought something back for Hermione and her Aunty and Uncle as well. So it would be rude if they didn't do the same right? But mommy had looked at her and sternly said, "Kori Anastasia Leigh, we taught you better then that. They are not going to France just to get you a present."
Daddy had just rolled his eyes and continued watching footy on the telly.
She had just wanted to know where Hermione was. Yes Hermione was always talking and never really wanted to do anything other than read, but Hermione was never around anymore. They have pictures of them together all the time, even when she had been too little to remember, now she goes away to school all the time and is never around. Mommy just didn't understand she just wanted her cousin. She looked sadly at her mommy, she might be a meanihead but mommy always gave up on her 'stern talking' when she made herself look sad.
HPatEA
Paranjay Patil smiled as cordially as he could muster at the teller he had been talking to at Gringotts. He was wary that someone was requesting his presence. He had just wanted a ride down to his vaults to see the contract over himself. Now however he was informed that an account manager wanted to see him. Was this the Potter boy's angle, use the goblins to extort him for money after what Padma did.
Finally a young looking goblin walked out towards him, "Please follow me sir."
Without checking to see if he was following the goblin started down a side passageway at a sedated pace. Deciding that following was probably better at this point, he caught up to the goblin. All the while he looked at the plaques and doors as he walked down the hall.
They eventually reached an office with the label Ognak, the goblin with him pushed it open for him then left. Walking inside he was greeted by a rather pleased looking goblin.
"I thank you for taking time out of your schedule to come down to my office Mr. Patil. I was going to send off a letter to you, when word reached me that you were currently present within the Bank."
His sense of foreboding only increased, "And what may I ask do you want with me?"
The goblin actually smirked, "I wish to talk to you about the betrothal between Heir Potter and your daughter Padma Patil."
The Goblin chuckled at his nervousness, as it continued, "As it is Heir Potter does not know that I am going to speak with you yet, as he is currently on the other side of the world. However as of yesterday the Wizengamot has decided to reenact the heir test at Hogwarts this year, something that will make him take up the mantle of Heir Potter sooner than he would wish. So I wished to meet with you first. You see mr. Potter is ignorant of many wizarding customs, and I while able to help his future Lordship in many way I can not help much with the intricacies of your society."
He tilted his head to the side trying to process exactly what the goblin was getting at. All he had wanted was to see the contract and find out if the fact that Potter would head two family could get his daughter out of it. This though…
"I'm not exactly sure what you mean account manager. I entered the bank today to see the contract my Father made and to find out, as I have been informed the Heir Potter will have to Head a second Family, if there is a way to release my daughter. "
The goblin nodded, "I understand. You will however find that your daughter is as trapped as Mr. Potter in this. In fact though I should probably not mention this, the fact that he must have two wife, terrifies the boy. While he has not spoken about it, he makes sure the topic is not discussed. He starts turning red and develops a shake in his hands any time it is mentioned."
That was something he could understand, no man wanted to be outnumbered in his marriage. He had a wife and two daughters and thus never got a word in edgewise, two wives… If it was not for the fact his daughter was involved he honestly would pity the boy.
The goblin reached into one of his drawers and pulled something out, "I am to assume that you are your daughter's primary guardian?"
Nodding in confusion the goblin continued, "Then let us go over this document. I have perused it as Mr. Potter can not at this time do so, but as his account manager I am privy to all the Potter Family dealings. Maybe with your assistance, we can find a solution that helps everyone."
His lips pursed at the goblin, he was not going to be manipulated this easily. He wanted out and that was what he was going to be looking for. If not he would settle for his daughter to have some say in the second wife, there was no reason his daughter should be stuck in a loveless marriage.
A sigh escaped him, he had always hoped that things would turn out better for them in England.
HPatEA
He couldn't believe those fool in the Wizengamot, letting that creature take the Seat of Lord Black. It had no right even entering the Ministry let alone those ancient chambers.
At least the creature had failed to stop the bill even if he did get in his little amendment, though Lucius had not been pleased, with an accepted Heir to the House of Black already in place Draco would not be able to inherit. Not that any dignified Lord would want that family name; no money, children married off to foreigners and mudbloods, and a legacy stained in too much scandal to ever wash away. The only thing it had was a seat and that was only good if, like Lucius, you didn't have one already.
Whoever it was that became Lord Black though was in for a spot of trouble over what happened, at first only Lucius might kill them for taking his precious son's place. Now however, now many old families would want that bastard dead, to appoint a filthy goblin and make a mockery of their very society was not something that any blood traitor bastard would get away with.
Sneering at the house in front of him, he channeled all his rage at that goblin, that worthless Heir Black and the infection of Mudbloods on society. The flames that jumped forth from his wand looked like dementors as per his norm.
With a quick flick the flames cut off from his wand, jumping through the measly sized house in front of him.
With everything magically held closed and the Fiendfyre eating everything in front of the house, he started walking away. No need to leave an apparition trail if some incompetent from the Ministry actually decided to check on things here. Not that they most likely would, it was only the house of a mudblood, one that hadn't even started Hogwarts yet.