Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1
Chapter 11
The Wizengamot
Albus Dumbledore smiled to himself. It was time for yet another Wizengamot meeting. He was looking forward to it greatly. It was the perfect time to reveal that Harry Potter had contacted him for help. If he could manage, he would walk out of the meeting today with not only the guardianship of the boy and complete control of his vaults but also with an order for the arrest of Lily Potter and Remus Lupin. Sirius Black was somewhat doubtful. Dumbledore was not sure that even he could go against the Black name and win. Still, two out of three was not bad at all. His eyes twinkled madly. Finally, his patience had paid off. The boy was now going to be under his complete control.
Dumbledore left for the meeting at nine via the floo. He was about an hour early but he did not mind in the least. The Ministry always had some interesting gossip to share. He swept into the courtroom that was used for the monthly meetings in his fluorescent green robes. Some of the members had already started arriving. He saw Tiberus Smith and Griselda Marchbanks arrive and take their seats. Slowly, the other members started trickling in. They were mainly Lords of minor houses. The Lords of the ancient houses especially those that had sided with Voldemort such as Nott and Malfoy usually arrived just a minute before the session was to begin in order to make a grand entrance.
Elphias Doge walked up to him. His apparent 'true friend'. Doge had no such distinction in Dumbledore's mind except for the dubious honor of having been the first person he had successfully manipulated to follow him like a sheep.
"Albus! It is good to see you!" said Elphias, shaking his hand enthusiastically. "The matter of Amelia Bones was a nasty business – very sad indeed."
"Indeed. A tragic affair. I cannot believe it myself. She was such a brilliant witch." Replied Dumbledore, in his sad grandfatherly way. Honestly speaking, he could not care less for Amelia's death. He was more concerned with the fact that her niece was now the Head of the House of Bones. He had to bring the girl on his side. The House of Bones was an old one with considerable political influence. He had always hated the fact that Amelia had never listened to him completely. Hopefully her niece would be more malleable.
"Her niece Susan is now the last member of the House of Bones." Prattled on Elphias. "It is rumored that she will be attending the meeting today. Such a heavy burden for a young girl to carry. And she is not even out of school yet. She is a Hufflepuff, I heard and will be starting her sixth year at Hogwarts this fall."
"Surely she can't attend the meeting, Elphius." Objected Dumbledore. "The poor child is just sixteen. She will have to wait a year more to attend."
"Oh no, Albus. Amelia was very intelligent. She had her niece emancipated when she was fifteen once the rumors of You-Know-Who's return surfaced. The girl is legally eligible to attend. Oh look! There she is!"
Albus looked up to see a thin girl with dark red hair take her place silently in the chair that her aunt used to sit. Her face was gaunt and she looked somber but determined. Her aunt's death had left her all alone in the world. It would be easy for him to get her on his side, mused Albus. A grandfatherly figure was just what the girl needed to depend upon. Damn Amelia for having emancipated her. If the girl had not been emancipated he could have by right of being Chief Warlock demanded for the seat to be given in his custody until her seventeenth birthday while he molded the girl to follow his ideologies completely.
The entire room was now buzzing with noise. The session would start in a few minutes. Many Lords were looking curiously at the new Lady Bones. Lucius Malfoy was in deep conversation with Henry Nott, their eyes flickering towards Susan Bones every few seconds.
Finally, Rufus Scrimgeour strode in briskly with his staff. The new minister looked grim. The war with Voldemort was taking its toll on him. Fudge had left the entire framework of the ministry in shambles to say the least and it was a long and arduous task to bring everything back in order.
The doors began to close slowly when the minister had taken his seat.
"Wait!" A sharp voice suddenly commanded from outside. The doors stopped instantly. A steady murmur began to build up inside the hall. Dumbledore was puzzled himself. Nothing ever stopped the doors from closing. Rabastan Lestrage had been left red faced about thirty years ago when he had been late by a minute. The doors had closed in his face and he could only enter once the afternoon session was to commence.
A group of four entered. There were two men and two women. The entire hall gasped collectively. Dumbledore's eyes widened. He recognized two of the new arrivals at least. The slate grey eyes and rich black hair was very distinctive just like the auburn hair and emerald green eyes were. They were Sirius Black and Lily Potter. Which meant that the other two members could only be the elusive Harry Potter and his sister.
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The moment Harry entered the courtroom, he felt like an animal at the zoo. Everyone's gaze was on the four of them. Sirius quickly walked right to the top of the stairs where the most powerful houses had their seats – namely Potter, Black, Malfoy, Nott, Peverell, Bones and the four founders. This caused everyone to turn behind and watch their ascent. Most of the faces were shell shocked. Tiberus Smith had his mouth open. If today's meeting was not so very important, Harry would have happily yelled 'Boo!' just to see them all jump out of their skins. Cygnus gave him a small smile as he passed him. The unapproachable Lord Greengrass' shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter. However, everyone was too busy staring at the four of them to notice this small fact.
The four of them walked on, their faces blank. Sirius took the chair of the House of Black while Harry sat in the seat of the House of Potter. Next came his sister in the seat of the House of Peverell and lastly, his mother in the seat of the House of Slytherin.
The moment his mother was seated, furious whispers broke out. Lucius Malfoy looked ready to faint with shock. Henry Nott was shaking with anger. Dumbledore was openly gaping at them with silent fury. His blinding green robes only made him look more comical. The golden stars on them did nothing to help.
It was Scrimgeour who recovered first.
"Chief Warlock, I think that we should start with business since we are all here now." He said shortly. He eyed the new arrivals speculatively.
That seemed to shake Dumbledore from his stupor.
"Yes, certainly minister. The first topic for today is the induction of the new Head of the House of Bones. If the lady will please come to the floor for the ceremony."
Susan Bones stood up and shakily walked to the dais. Harry looked at her curiously. The girl had courage – that was for sure. Not many teens would willingly agree to enter the field of politics in the current political climate; that too so soon after the death of a family member. However what remained to be seen was whether she had the political acumen to back it up.
"Chief Warlock," she bowed slightly.
"Miss Bones, do you accept the responsibility of becoming the Head of the House of Bones in the Wizengamot and the responsibilities that come with it?"
"I do."
"Very well. May your blood recognize you as the lawful heir of the House of Bones. Kindly summon your family totem as proof of your bloodline."
Susan raised her family ring and a grizzly bear emerged from it. It circled her once and then disappeared.
"Congratulations, Lady Bones. Your inductance in the Wizengamot is completed."
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. I would also like to nominate Lord Frances Macmillan as my proxy when I am unable to attend any subsequent meetings."
Dumbledore's face fell. Frances Macmillan was not one of his loyal sheep.
"My dear child," he said in a soothing manner. "Are you sure that you want to make this decision so very soon? There is no need of any hurry. Your aunt's death was a tragic incident and must have left you distraught. You do not need to make any commitments regarding your proxy so very soon."
"I am certain, Chief Warlock." Said Susan firmly. In his seat Harry smiled to himself. Dumbledore had been a fool to bring up the girl's aunt into the picture.
"Very well. Does Lord Macmillan accept this responsibility?"
Frances Macmillan stood up pompously. From what Harry had heard, the man could be a bit full of himself but was a shrewd leader.
"The House of Macmillan accepts this honor." The Macmillan family totem – a gull also flashed signifying the acceptance of the responsibility.
The new Lady Bones went back to her seat, flashing Lord Macmillan a grateful smile. From what Blaise had told Harry, Ernie Macmillan and Susan Bones were good friends. Harry had also found out from his various sources that Susan had been staying in the Macmillan residence after the attack.
"Is there anyone else who would like to be sworn in?" asked the Chief Warlock glancing none too subtly at Harry and Elizabeth.
Sirius decided to take the bait.
"The new Heads of the Houses of Black, Potter, Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor would like to be sworn in." he said clearly.
Harry and Sirius walked down to the dais where Dumbledore was waiting stunned. All the Lords had lost all sense of pureblood decorum and were unabashedly staring at the two of them and whispering among themselves.
Only Srimgeour remained calm from outside. His eyebrows were furrowed and he looked at the two of them intently. He might be a competent minister after all, mused Harry. At least he had some semblance of self-control and restraint. Fudge would have probably wet himself by now in excitement.
"Silence!" boomed Dumbledore, trying to regain some semblance of order.
"Sirius, Harry, kindly come forward."
They did not move a muscle. They remained at the edge of the dais as still as statues.
Dumbledore looked lost. "Sirius? Please come forward."
"I do not believe that I gave you the right to call me by my name, Chief Warlock." Said Sirius frostily. "Lord Black will suffice for me as will Lord Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor for my godson."
Dumbledore looked at him incredulously. Finally, he complied. From the corner of his eye, Harry saw Griselda Marchbanks giving him an approving look along with a few others. It seemed that Dumbledore was less popular than what had been projected for all these years.
"My apologies, Lord Black. Would you and Lord Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor please step forward?"
They moved upon the dais. Sirius stepped forward first. Dumbledore faced him reluctantly.
"Lord Black, do you accept the responsibility of becoming the Head of the House of Black in the Wizengamot and the responsibilities that come with it?"
"I do." Said Sirius curtly.
"Very well. May your blood recognize you as the lawful heir of the House of Black. Kindly summon your family totem as proof of your bloodline."
Sirius raised his ring and a red viper entwined with a black raven appeared. Circling around the room once, the raven came to rest on his shoulder. Mutterings broke out everywhere. The Black sigil had been modified about a century ago to a black viper with its fangs bared. Henry Nott gave Sirius a calculating look.
After the hall had quieted, Harry stepped forward. Almost at once, he felt a subtle force against his mental shields. He raised his eyes to meet Dumbledore's and pushed back, none too gently. Dumbledore stumbled back with a groan. 'If you try this again, you will be dealt with much more severely, old man' warned Harry mentally, shattering Dumbledore's mental defenses.
"Are you alright, Chief Warlock?" he asked politely, he picture of innocence.
"Absolutely." Gasped Dumbledore. "Just felt a bit dizzy, that is all."
"Maybe we should do this later then." Continued Harry, full of concern. "We should not tax you at your age if you are unwell."
"Oh no. I am perfectly fine now." Said Dumbledore warily. "Lord Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor, do you accept the responsibility of becoming the Head of the Houses Potter, Slytherin, Peverell and Gryffindor in the Wizengamot and the responsibilities that come with it?"
"I do." Said Harry serenely.
"Very well. May your blood recognize you as the lawful heir of the Houses Potter, Slytherin, Peverell and Gryffindor. Kindly summon your family totems as proof of your bloodline."
Harry raised his House ring. It glowed with power. After his emancipation, the four rings had converged to form a single one. Instantly, a stag and lion cantered around the room while a phoenix soared with a snake draped on its wings. They then stopped in front of Harry who smiled. The stag and lion surrounded him on his left and right. The phoenix perched on his shoulder while the snake coiled around his neck hissing contentedly.
Nott's eyes were big as saucers. Malfoy looked as though he was going to get a stroke. Cygnus and Amanda smiled softly while his mother and sister looked on proudly. In the area of the hall designated for the press, cameras flashed wildly as the reporters scrambled to write down what they had just witnessed as fast as they possibly could.
"Congratulations Lord Black and Lord Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor." Said Dumbledore hollowly. His plans were shattered.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock." Said Harry politely. "I would like to nominate Lord Sirius Black as my proxy for the Houses of Peverell and Gryffindor and Lady Lily Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor as my proxy for the Houses of Slytherin and Potter."
Instantly, the entire hall erupted.
"Preposterous! No mudblood can be a proxy for a House as Noble and Ancient as the House of Slytherin!" bellowed Kyle Pucey.
Many other purebloods nodded furiously. Dumbledore had a triumphant look on his face.
"I am afraid they are correct, my lord. Only a witch or wizard with some connection to a pureblood family can be nominated as a proxy."
"That should not be any problem, Chief Warlock." Said Sirius smoothly. "Lily Potter is a direct descendent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin. Harry can call upon the family totem to prove it."
Immediately, the snake uncoiled itself from Harry's neck.
"Kindly go to my mother and help her prove that these idiots are mistaken." Hissed Harry. Gasps could be heard from everywhere. Cygnus shook his head. His future son-in-law had forgotten to mention the tiny detail that he was a Parselmouth.
The snake glided gracefully to the back of the room where Lily sat.
"Mistress." It bowed.
"Hello, Flame. So how do you want to go about this? Something dramatic?" asked Lily amusedly.
"Drama is good." Said Flame baring his fangs. "How dare these people insult my mistress!"
The snake grew in size until it was about five feet long. Shrieks could be heard from all around the room. It bared its fangs as if to attack and then bowed in front of Lily and draped itself around her shoulders, nuzzling her neck. Liz leaned from her seat to pet him chattering with Flame all the while in Parseltongue.
"I suppose that settles the issue?" asked Harry coldly.
"Yes, indeed my lord." Said Dumbledore hastily. "Do Lord Black and Lady Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor accept this responsibility?"
Sirius and Lily gave their assent.
"That will be all, my lords." Said Dumbledore, eager to get rid of them.
"Just a minute," interrupted Harry. "Lord Pucey has slandered a member of my House. Normally, I would have challenged him to a wizarding duel however, since he was ignorant about my mother's true origins, an apology will suffice."
Pucey had turned purple in the face.
"And if I don't apologize?" he asked stiffly.
"Then I will have no option but to challenge you to a wizard's duel."
Kyle Pucey laughed.
"You challenge me, boy? You cannot be more than sixteen! Alright then, a wizard's duel it shall be. When do you wish for it to happen?"
"What about right now?"
"Now, my lords, is this really necessary?" asked Dumbledore hastily. "Surely we can settle this in an amicable manner."
"No need for that." Said Pucey arrogantly. "Let us duel now. Whoever is rendered unable to fight is the loser. Is that good enough for you boy?"
"Fair enough." Shrugged Harry. Kyle Pucey was apparently a decent dueler. No match for the likes of Bellatrix but better than Malfoy for sure. He was a high ranking member in Voldemort's forces and had been part of the group that had tortured Amelia Bones before Voldemort had killed her. This alone was reason enough for Harry to want to finish him on the spot.
Kyle walked down to the dais. Everyone else waited with bated breath. Sirius stepped aside.
"Sirius, is this really wise?" implored Dumbledore. "Surely this is taking things a little too far. You are Harry's godfather. Please, make him see reason."
"First of all Chief Warlock, I do not recall giving you permission to address me so informally. Secondly, Harry was absolutely within his rights to challenge Lord Pucey to a duel. And lastly, Harry is more than capable of defeating him." Snapped Sirius.
The dais was emptied and a protective shield was raised around it. Kyle and Harry faced each other. Minister Scrimgeour was chosen as the referee. It had been Pucey's choice thinking that the Chief Warlock would be partial to the Boy-Who-Lived. Little did he know that Harry was grinning from inside. Rufus Scrimgeour was a fair man. He would not try to manipulate anything like a certain old man he knew.
"The duel between Lord Kyle Pucey Head of the House of Pucey and Lord Harry Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor will now commence." Announced Scrimgeour. "The duel shall end when either one of the duelists are unable to continue. No unforgivables or any other dark spells are permitted. The duel begins at the count of three. One, two, three!"
Pucey shot a stunner at Harry at the count of two itself. The crowd roared in protest. Harry ducked. He had expected this. After all, Slytherins do not fight fair and Kyle Pucey had been a Slytherin at Hogwarts after all.
"Petrificus Totalus!" said Harry lazily. Pucey just managed to side step it.
"Bombarda Maxima!" roared Pucey. Shards of rock from the dais dislodged themself and flew at Harry.
"Protego Totalum!" chanted Harry and a pale blue dome surrounded him. The spell hit the shield and the rocks were thrown back. Pucey was blasted off his feet. Slowly, he managed to stand up.
"Fight back, boy!" he yelled. "What is it? Too scared to face me? Stop hiding behind that shield of yours!"
Harry's eyes hardened.
"Confrigo! Flipendo Tria! Stupefy! Lumos Maxima!" fired Harry in quick succession, his wand a red blur. The first two curses hit Pucey and he fell.
"Crucio!" yelled Pucey desperately. The crowd gasped. Frances Macmillan yelled in outrage. However, Pucey's aim was off. The spell passed harmlessly over Harry's head.
"Incendio!" snarled Harry, his eyes glowing with hate. The entire room pulsed with the raw magic that was being emitted by the teen. Flames shot from his wand rushing towards Pucey.
"Ignis Funes!" continued Harry.
The fire shaped itself to form ropes that wrapped themselves around the pale faced wizard.
"Augmenti!" whimpered Kyle. However, the flames were too strong. The water was immediately converted to steam.
Pucey was bound by fiery ropes. The ropes then dragged him to Harry who was standing lazily without a scratch.
"Stupefy!" said Harry lazily. The flames released Pucey who slumped onto the floor. His robes were burnt and hair was singed. Gashes adorned his arms and face.
"The victor of the duel is Lord Harry Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor." Said Rufus Scrimgeour, stunned. All the Lords stared incredulously at the sixteen year old in front of him. The sheer power and precision that had been demonstrated by the teen was incredible. Hardly any grown wizards could do the same. "Due to Lord Pucey disobeying the rules of the duel by using an unforgivable he had to pay one million galleons to Lord Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor as compensation and will be sent to Azkaban for three months. I apologize to you on behalf of the Wizengamot, my lord. Such underhand tactics are not to be tolerated."
"No problem, Minister Scrimgeour. Apology accepted." Said Harry graciously and walked up the stairs to take his seat, well aware of the stares of all the lords on the way.
"Kindly take Lord Pucey to St. Mungo's, Mr. Weasley." Said Dumbledore, turning to Percy Weasley.
"And to Azkaban straight after." Added Scrimgeour. "Call the aurors from the hospital to escort him."
"Certainly, Chief Warlock, Minister." Nodded Percy – his head bobbing up and down like a cartoon.
"Now if we can get back to business." Said Dumbledore. And so, the rest of the meeting continued. It bored Harry to tears. Sirius had told him to just listen and not contribute any thoughts of his own as this was his first meeting. Not that it would have mattered anyway. The topics discussed were not worth discussing in the first place as in the end, no action would be taken.
It was the same old thing – attacks of Voldemort, the rising death toll, the debate of appointing Severus Snape as the new defense professor and the fall of the British economy. After continuing this endless discussion for three hours, they were back to where they started, just as Sirius had predicted. As a third of the Wizengamot comprised death eaters, it was foolish to even think that any steps would be taken to stop Voldemort's progress.
Finally, it was the time that Harry had been waiting for.
"Any other announcements to be made, my lords?" asked Dumbledore at last.
Lucius Malfoy put up his staff.
"The House of Malfoy would like to put forward the proposal for a marriage contract between Daphne Greengrass, the firstborn daughter of the House of Greengrass and my son and heir Draco Malfoy."
A hush descended over the hall. Cygnus Greengrass clenched his fists.
"I am afraid that the House of Greengrass must reject this kind offer, Lord Malfoy." He said politely. Muttering broke out across the hall. The Greengrass family was not as powerful as the House of Malfoy, everyone knew that. Cygnus refusing the contract was as good as signing his death sentence. Amos Diggory looked at Cygus sympathetically. Nott, Parkinson and Crabbe looked at Cygnus as though he was crazy.
"I see." Said Lucius, his eyes hard. If looks could kill, Cygnus would have been dead on the floor by now. "Thank you for your reply, Lord Greengrass. I hope that you have made this decision after careful thought."
Cygnus smiled. "Of course, my lord. However, I do have an announcement of my own to make. The House of Greengrass is pleased to announce an alliance with the Houses Black, Potter, Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor on account of the betrothal contract between my eldest daughter, Daphne Greengrass and Harry James Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor, head of the Noble and Most Ancient Houses of Potter, Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor."
"Impossible!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "It cannot be permitted!" Mentally he weighed the pros and cons of revealing the marriage contract he had made between Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley. However, he decided against it. If the brat demanded that he contract should be brought to the hall, it would be revealed that it was not valid as it had been made without the Potter family's consent.
"Chief Warlock, you forget yourself." Interjected Griselda Marchbanks sternly. "You cannot object to any alliance that may be brought about between houses or betrothal contracts for that matter."
"Thank you, Madam Marchbanks." Smiled Harry. "The Houses of Potter, Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor accept the alliance and the betrothal contract put forward by the House of Greengrass." Magic flashed as the alliance was ratified.
"The House of Black also accepts the alliance with the House of Greengrass." Chimed in Sirius. Magic flashed once again.
"The House of Zabini also announces its alliance with the Houses of Black, Potter, Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor." Said Amanda Zabini smoothly.
Dumbledore could do nothing but watch helplessly while Harry and Sirius accepted the alliance. Most of the lords looked flabbergasted. The Boy-Who-Lived aligning with borderline dark houses! Unimaginable!
The press was having a field day. Rita Skeeter's eyes gleamed. She had to set up an interview with the Boy-Who-Lived as soon as she possibly could. This had been the most interesting Wizengamot meeting in the last hundred years!
"Any more announcements?" asked Dumbledore weakly. His plans were turning to dust before his eyes.
Susan Bones announced an alliance with the House of Macmillan which was promptly accepted. After that, there was nothing else. Everyone else was too stunned to say anything.
"The meeting is adjourned!" announced Dumbledore, at last. Everyone started leaving the hall. Cygnus shook Harry's hand and embraced Sirius before leaving. Amanda waved happily at them. Scrimgeour was waiting for the four of them at the entrance.
"My lords and ladies, it was a pleasure to meet you all at last." Said the Minister respectfully.
"The pleasure was entirely ours, Minister." Said Sirius smiling. He remembered Rufus from school. He had been a few years older than the Marauders. A Ravenclaw, he had had a flair for politics even at that time.
"I was wondering if we could set up a meeting in the near future. Only the five of us." Added Lily. "There are a few things that need to be discussed."
"Certainly, milady." Said Scrimgeour shocked. He had not expected it to be so easy. He had thought that he would have to beg the four of them to meet him.
"Why did you arrange a meeting with him, mom?" asked Liz one the Minister was out of earshot.
"Because he seems to be more sensible than Fudge and might actually help us end this war." Replied Sirius. "If we are mistaken, it does not matter. We can make our excuses and leave. And now we must hurry. There is a certain reporter I have to find. I have a feeling that she will be most useful to us."
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"DAPHNE CLAIRE GREENGRASS YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!" shouted a voice from the fireplace.
"What in Merlin's name…" murmured Daphne groggily. She walked to the fireplace in her room slowly.
"Tracy Davis, you better have a good reason for having woken me up so very early."
"I am coming through." Said the voice impatiently. The next second, a girl with blonde hair in a pixie cut and grey eyes appeared. She had a paper in her hand. She thrust it at Daphne impatiently.
"Explain."
Daphne gazed at the headlines. "BOY-WHO-LIVED RETURNS AS HEIR TO FOUR HOUSES!" they screamed. In a smaller font below it was written: "BOY-WHO-LIVED BETROTHED TO GREENGRASS HEIRESS!" Emblazoned on the cover was a picture of Harry surrounded by the four family totems. Below that, a smaller picture showed Harry dueling Kyle Pucey.
Daphne started to laugh. When she had told Harry that she wanted their engagement to be made public, she had not expected the entire paper to be dedicated to it. Looking at her friend's face Daphne knew she had some explaining to do.
So Chapter 11 folks! Hope you liked it!
A big thank you to all of you who continue to motivate me with your numerous suggestions. You guys are amazing.
See you next week with the next chapter!