Chapter 11: Archive Seven
The first year of Lord Baron Potter-Black's reign as Lord Pretanoi was not as easy a transition from retired Quidditch player to ruler of Britain as the history books detail. The change from private citizen to royal ruler of a country also affected Viscount Weasley and Lord Longbottom, as they transitioned to their new roles due to marriages, deaths and single combat. Presented below for the first time is a pensieve memory of one of the educational sessions that took place throughout the first year.
-ooo-
Pensieve memory, Conference Room, Potter Manor, 29 April 2002. 8:00 A.M.
Hannah Abbott and Kreekle stood near the long table that could seat at least thirty people and placed information packets along one end. House elves brought in the morning tea and put little name cards above each plate, with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger's names together on the right side, Kreekle's name at the top, and the rest surrounding that end of the table. Once everything was in place the attendees started arriving, in different stages of anticipation.
The first to arrive, surprisingly, was Ron Weasley, who looked like he hadn't slept for more than a couple of hours. Trailing slightly behind him was his wife Luiza, who also looked as if she had not received the appropriate amount of sleep. The two found their name cards, sat down, and Ron immediately drank half of his tea and began stuffing his face with scones. Neville Longbottom and his wife Persephone were next, both of them well-dressed and smiling rather large smiles. Hannah knew exactly why they were smiling and kept that to herself, even though it was rather obvious for everyone else. Dobby and Winky were next, and took their places on the little booster seats on their chairs. Finally Harry and Hermione arrived, ten minutes later than the agreed-upon starting time, both of them rather tan; Harry wore an old Chudley Cannons t-shirt, green and blue flowered swim trunks and flip-flops while Hermione surprised everyone by wearing a coral colored t-shirt, black yoga pants and a pair of trainers. Her hair was pulled back messily in a ponytail, something the assembled council had never seen, as Hermione was always rather fastidiously attired.
Ron looked over to Hermione. "Gave up on the junior McGonagall look, then?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "We just got back, Ron. No time to change." She sat down at her designated spot and stabbed at her fruit plate with a fork. "Besides, what does Harry always say?'
"Pajamas, right." Ron glanced over to his wife and then smirked at Hermione. "At least it isn't those awful Granny pajamas. Those were horrible."
"Ron!" Both Hermione and Luiza said it at the same time, but due to the distance at the table only Luiza hit her husband on the arm.
"Enjoy your holiday?" Hannah smiled at Harry, who looked more relaxed than he had in months. "Where did you go? Dobby wouldn't tell."
"Barbados." Harry picked up his tea and took a sip. "Apparently I own a very small island, unplottable of course. It has owl wards that keep all owls away except for official ones. Hermione found a book..."
"No surprise, there." Neville smiled at his former Gryffindor house mate. "So give us the history, Hermione, I know you're dying to tell us."
"Very funny, Neville." Hermione raised her eyebrow at him and then her tone took on the one that any Hogwarts student would recognize from being in the same class as her. "It dates back to before Barbados was ruled by Great Britain, a gift from the local magical population. It has traditionally been the house used by Lord Pretanoi as a holiday retreat. It's quite rustic, very soothing, even though it lacks most magical conveniences. I do worry about the house elves there, though."
Harry gave her a look. "Come on, 'Mione, we talked to them. They don't stay there on the island unless someone's staying at the beach house. Its not like they're trapped there year 'round."
Kreekle cleared his throat and everyone turned to the elderly goblin. "I am glad that the holiday was thoroughly relaxing, but we do have a schedule as Empress Luiza needs to return to the triplets. Lady Occidamus is quite happy to tend to the children but we must not impede on her good graces."
"Oh, no, mate." Ron shook his head. "You don't know Mum well enough, yet. Watching her three grandsons is like winning the Daily Prophet drawing twenty years straight. She was well chuffed when we asked her to watch the boys for the day."
"Very well." Kreekle nodded and smiled along with the rest of the Noble Council. "Now, to begin with, there is a schedule that was entered into the Pretanoi Record that must be followed. The Record is quite clear on this matter. Besides the dealings with the Wizangamot and the Board of Governors for Hogwarts certain public events must take place, first and foremost of them is the Public Audience."
"No pictures, please. Tell me there won't be pictures." Harry sat back in his chair. "But if we have to have pictures send Colin an owl. I don't want that mob that Luna deals with here at Potter Manor."
Kreekle nodded. "Duly noted, Harry, but the audience is not held at Potter Manor. The traditional site of the public audience is at the site most commonly known, but magical and non-magical, as Stonehenge."
"But how is that possible?" Hermione leaned forward. "Stonehenge is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Britain! How can we not break the Secrecy..."
"Forgive me, Lady Granger." Kreekle held up his hand. "But there are magics in place that prevent any non-magical from interfering. The King Above the Sea placed mighty wards on the site, along with a transportation spell, according to the ancient tomes. Let me explain. While the non-magical person can walk the site and see the remains of the stones, when Lord Pretanoi sits for the Public Audience the site transforms; instead of the ruins the site transforms into its true form and appears high in the heavens, hidden from sight. The Record indicates that it is quite safe. Those seeking an audience are transported to the true site by a portkey. Think of it as, with your permission, portkeying to Muggle airplane, but an airplane that is stationary in the sky."
"Ok, then what?" Harry took off his glasses, revealing slight tan lines. "What do I do?"
Kreekle nodded. "At that point you listen to any and all who have requested an audience regarding disputes, special requests or any that you choose for an audience on matters personal import."
"What?" Harry shook his head. "How am I supposed to do that? I'm not on the Gringotts legal team, I don't know any of that stuff?" He stood up and began pacing. "Really, what preparation do I have? I felt sort of prepared to be an Auror since I had to learn all those spells just to stay alive when I was a kid, and I trained for the Cannons by playing Quidditch all those years, but this? This is...bloody hell, this is mental. I'm not even twenty-five, how am I supposed to rule on things that I have no idea..." He stood and looked out the window.
"That is why we are here today, Harry." Kreekle walked over to Harry and placed a gnarled hand upon Harry's arm. "No ruler, especially one who has the role thrust upon them, knows these things. They make mistakes, but most importantly they learn from them."
"He's right." Persephone Longbottom nodded and smiled warmly at Harry. "My grandpa said the same thing. Dad never would listen to him, so it's no surprise he ended like he did. But grandpa said the same thing, and when he was King of America he had me sit with him to learn."
Luiza Weasley nodded in agreement. "My father did the same, Harry. I think you're lucky that we're here, we can help. We were raised to be part of the nobility, so we understand some things that might help."
"Thanks." Harry headed back to the table and took his seat. He realized what it meant, and how the love of his life would respond. "Uh, Kreekle, does that mean we're going to take classes on how to run things the proper way?"
"Yes, it does, Harry." Kreekle winked at him and turned his attention to Hermione. "Perhaps if you had some suggestions regarding class schedules, Hermione..."
"Oh Merlin's crusty y-fronts." Ron moaned. "Here we go again."
-ooo-
Excerpt from the Nuttingford News, 29 April, 2002.
CORRECTIONS
After a vigorous debate with Lord Pretanoi's staff regarding free speech laws we at the Nuttingford News have the following corrections.
Correction One: Draco Malfoy did not die because he was pregnant with Harry Potter's child. Harry Potter is not pregnant with Draco Malfoy's child, Severus Snape's child or any other man's child. St. Mungo's has confirmed that it is not possible, even with charms, enchantments, potions, curses, hexes, death glares, jinxes, dark rituals or any other method for men to become pregnant. We repeat, Harry Potter is not pregnant. NOT PREGNANT.
Correction Two: Harry Potter does not have a sibling. He does not have an older brother, a younger brother, an older sister, a younger sister, a male twin or a female twin. Records at St. Mungo's confirm that Harry Potter is the only known issue of Lily and James Potter. We are legally required by Gringotts to refer any person or persons claiming to be a sibling of Harry Potter to the Gringotts records team for a blood contract test.
Correction Three: Harry Potter has no children as of this time.
Correction Four: Hermione Granger did not use a love potion on Harry Potter. Harry Potter is not under the influence of a love potion, an enchanted item or any other magical means to be under Hermione Granger's sway. For the record, he is in love with her.
Correction Five: The laws concerning marriage contracts, harems and concubines will not be repealed. Stop writing letters, Mr. C. McLaggen.
Correction Six: Harry Potter is not a metamorphagus.
Correction Seven: Harry Potter is not going to return to the Chudley Cannons as a Seeker, even if Ron Weasley is now the owner.
Correction Eight: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry does not accept students after the beginning of term, regardless of whether or not the student has previously attended a credentialed magical educational facility. Headmistress Minerva McGonagall has confirmed this along with the Board of Governors, Lord Pretanoi's office and Eustace Mollibern, who told me that when I was wrong I would have to print his name telling the entire world that I was wrong and he was right. You win, Eustace. You were right.
Correction Nine: Not all dragons speak Spanish.
Correction Ten: The Tri-Wizard Tournament or any newly named tournament in Lord Pretanoi's honor are NOT taking place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or any other similar magical educational facility in the foreseeable future.
Correction Eleven: Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes products did not start that war. You know the one.
The Editorial Staff of the Nuttingford News regrets the previously listed errors.
I, Willard Splintblurp, Editor, Nuttingford News, also hereby promise to only print the truth or suffer the consequences. So mote it be.
-ooo-
Pensieve Recording, The Big Burrow, 4 May 2002
Harry Potter stood outside with Charlie Weasley as the two men scanned the distance for any sign of an approaching vehicle. Even though The Big Burrow, as everyone called Lord and Lady Occidamus' house, even though the building was wholly magical a long Muggle road led to the giant, sprawling estate. The story was that one of the last inhabitants of the building had instructed that the road be built so that he could indulge in his love for Muggle motorcars, which fit Arthur Weasley's requirements to a T.
"So Ginny said she's coming 'Muggle style' right?" Harry looked over to Charlie. "Any reason?"
"That Larry guy, that's my guess." Charlie took a drag off of his cigarette and exhaled. "Mum's having a big family dinner, only excuse not to show is you're dead, but Ginny has to be different. I don't think Mum likes this bloke of hers too much, but she doesn't really say anything 'cuz he saved her at Ron and Luiza's wedding. Merlin, even George made it over on time and he had to go to China to bring his queen." He looked at his watch. "I know the warming spells will keep the food but she's pushing it."
"She here yet?" Fred Weasley walked out the door.
"Mum would be in a state if it wasn't for the babies." George followed his brother out before the door could close.
"And the nappies that need changing..."
"Not to mention the bottoms that need powdering..."
"Or the pictures..."
Charlie glared at them. "Shut it, twin idiots. Oh, excuse me, shut it idiot and future consort idiot of China."
The twins smirked at him and chastised him about smoking when his wife was pregnant, how he was a bad influence, but then they heard the noise and everyone stopped speaking. The door opened again and the rest of the Weasley men joined the watch party.
"Is that..." Percy shook his head and adjusted his glasses. "But it couldn't be, could it?"
"Sounds like one." Bill nodded. "And it looks like I'm wrong; not one, two of them."
Off in the distance two motorcycles sped up the long, straight road heading directly for The Big Burrow.
"Oh dear." Arthur wiped his brow with a handkerchief.
The roar of the two Harley-Davidson motorcycles only grew as the pair approached, and as they made the final distance the forms could not be more dissimilar; on one was a smaller figure, her red hair streaming out from under her helmet, and Ginny seemed to be perched on a large object as if she was about to fall off, but the other form looked as if it was going to dwarf the motorcycle, as the bulk seemed to overtake the machine. Soon the engines ceased, kickstands were put down by dusty leather boots, and the two riders stepped away from their motorcycles.
"Hi!" Ginny held her helmet in her hand and ran a hand through her hair, sunglasses still perched on her face. "Are we late?"
Sir Larry Lupin, Shadow of the Unseelie Court, took off his helmet, revealing a red bandanna tied around his head and a pair of mirrored aviator sunglasses. "Sorry 'bout that, we had breakfast at a pub that went longer than expected. Bunch of idiots tried to pick a fight, talking about Ginny's arse in those leathers."
The door opened and every eye turned to Molly Weasley, in her apron, standing in shock at her daughter. "Ginny! What on earth are you wearing?"
Ginny smiled sheepishly and tried to soothe the situation with a calming voice. "They're called riding leathers, Mum."
Molly waved her hand in irritation. "I know that, but why are they white? They'll do nothing but show scuffs and dirt!"
After the confusion died down Molly ushered everyone into The Big Burrow, made sure everyone had a drink and absolutely refused to comment on Ginny's attire until she finally reached her boiling point. With one grandson in her arms she looked at her gobsmacked family.
"Arthur and I did a bit of motorbike traveling in our day, thank you. It was before Bill was born, right out of Hogwarts. We did a tour of England. Your father had a wonderful Vincent Black Shadow but my Royal Enfield was lovely, such a pretty shade of blue. And your father looked quite rebellious and dashing in his leathers. I believe I have some photos, but never mind that now. It's about time to eat so everyone..."
Molly's request was drowned in a chorus of requests for the photographs, so once they were retrieved everyone sat in various stages of disbelief. Disbelief that at one time not only had Molly Weasley toured England with Arthur on motorcycles, but disbelief that their Molly and Arthur looked like that, especially Molly. Instead of the rather plump, harried woman that they had known most of their lives Molly was like something out of one of the old magazines, her hair stylishly cut, a thin figure in tight, black leather showing an alarming amount of cleavage.
Larry Lupin stood over Molly's shoulder as she flipped through the various pages of the photo album. "Right stunning you were, gotta say. Oh, and by the by, Ginny's leathers are enchanted. Did 'em myself before we left the Unseelie Court. Honeymoon present."
All conversation in The Big Burrow stopped, punctuated only by one of the triplets complaining about a soiled nappy. As Luiza got up to see to her son Molly turned around in her chair and looked at Ginny.
"You're married?" The tone was not one of anger, but of disappointment. "When?"
"Two nights ago in the Unseelie Court." Ginny looked somewhat embarrassed but her eyes betrayed her, as they shone like two incandescent green orbs at her husband. "It was a Faerie wedding." Then, realizing the enormity of what she had just said, Ginny rushed ahead. "But it was just in the Unseelie Court and I don't think that's recognized by Britain, at least not yet, so we can have a wedding here. You can help me with the white dress and..."
"Oh Ginny." Molly put her hand on her daughter's. "After Ron and Luiza's wedding, I think that you should do what suits you best. That goes for Bill and Hannah, too." She wiped a tear away from her eyes. "I'm just so happy that you've all found someone. To be honest I wouldn't care if you got married out in the garden today."
"Everybody's here, why not?" Larry smiled a wolfish grin at Ginny. "Not like my lot's gonna show anyway. Well, Mum might. Too bad we don't have anyone to do the ceremony."
"Um..." Hannah spoke up. "Actually we do. No, not me, I'm The Heart but I can't do that. Lord Pretanoi, on the other hand, as the ruler of Britain, actually can do it."
"What?" Harry's interjection caused everyone to laugh. "Me? Marry people? I can do that?"
"Yes, love, you can." Hermione put her hand on his knee. "I've been reading the Pretanoi Record, and Lord Pretanoi was initially the only person to formally recognize marriages in ancient times. Even if he didn't perform the marriage his approval had to be given for it to be legally and magically binding. A Lord Pretanoi after that changed the laws, but it was seen as an honor for the Lord to perform the ceremony."
Harry sat there between his fiancée and his ex-girlfriend and knew there was no way out of it. "Ok, fine then. But I have no idea what I'm doing."
Hermione got up from the table, went over to her little beaded bag, and pulled out a giant tome. "Pretanoi Record. Never leave home without it. Instructions are in here, Hannah and I will walk you through it, Harry."
Fred elbowed George. "At least Gin-Gin's wearing white."
-ooo-
Interview with Professor Snickfang, Gringotts Historian and Professor of Non-Wizarding History, Hogwarts. Taken from Unpublished Excerpts of A History of Magical Post-War Britain, Chelsey Saxet author. Professor Snickfang was interviewed by the author. Reprinted with permission by Red Hippogriff Publishing, London, 2150.
Chelsey Saxet: Professor, I'd like to get your comments on the Audience with Lord Pretanoi. The official record indicates the second audience, but not the first.
Professor Snickfang: I'm afraid I don't follow, my dear.
CS: We have entries in the official record of the second audience that Lord Baron Potter-Black held as Lord Pretanoi, a dispute between The Society for British Dragon Preservation and the Romanian Dragon Preserve regarding funding...and the audiences after that. But we don't have any details on the first one. Can you shed any light on that missing audience?
PS: Perhaps...a moment please.
[Professor Snickfang pulled a golden cord next to his chair. The ring of a bell resounded for a moment and was then silenced. A short goblin with ink-stained hands and large spectacles came over to his chair, listened as the Professor whispered in his ear, and then the short goblin nodded. He reached into his magical book bag, pulled out a large book and then opened several pages. When he reached the appropriate page he ran his finger down the page, nodded, and closed the book. He then handed the professor the book and left.]
PS: I apologize for all the secrecy, but agreements are agreements. Do you know what I have in my hands, my dear?
CS: No, I don't recognize it.
PS: This is the Tome of Vampiric Agreements.
CS: Vampires? Was Harry Potter's first audience with vampires?
PS: Yes, it was. I had to consult the agreement to determine whether the statute of limitations was ended upon the secrecy agreements. Even though the being is well known as a vampire, these things must be followed to the letter. Breaking an agreement with a vampire is very dangerous.
CS: Bloody hell, I bet.
PS: Oh yes, very bloody. There is a pensieve recording, if you would care to join me?
CS: Of course!
PS: I will warn you, though, this is a Weasleys' pensieve recording. It might be a bit...overwhelming to the senses.
-ooo-
Pensieve Recording, Pretanoi Audience, Stonehenge of the Air. 8 May, 2002.
Harry sat on the Pretanoi Throne, the seat lower than the empty throne of the King Above the Sea, dressed in his full regalia. The robe was rather heavy, and the crown, to be honest, resized itself a bit too tightly when he put it on. As he thought of how tight it was the crown let out slightly, just enough to be comfortable but not slip off. He adjusted his glasses and looked over to Hermione, sitting to his right. He may be the King Above the Sea's right hand, but he definitely would need his right hand there with him for multiple reasons. One, he loved looking at her when she was being studious; two, he needed her brains if he was going to get through the day without mucking it up; and three she promised him a nice evening if he made it through without complaining.
Kreekle cleared his throat and looked at Harry with a very serious face. "My Lord Pretanoi, and before you say anything I have to use the titles in an Audience, my lord, I'm afraid that the first petitioner for an audience is...formidable."
"Dangerous?" Ron Weasley leaned forward in his chair off to the side. "Any bloke'd be a fool to try something."
"Emperor Knufflebunny..." Kreekle gave him a worried look. "I'm afraid this is a bit beyond...I believe that our best manners will be required, all of us." He turned to Hannah Abbott. "Lady Durovernum, you may find this most troubling."
"Uh, Kreekle?" Harry looked down at his watch. "What time is that portkey coming in?"
"Two portkeys, my lord." Kreekle looked at his watch and then over to the giant hourglass filled with purple sand that hung suspended in midair. The sand began to slowly trickle down. "And they will be here..."
Kreekle never finished, as the portkeys flashed into the audience chamber, depositing two separate parties, each on a separate mosaic circle. One party was a tall person in a deep blue robe with the cowl over their face, while the other party was an older wizard and...Pansy Parkinson.
"POTTER!" Pansy pulled away from the elderly man and tried to approach the throne, but the magics of Stonehenge kept her in the circle. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
"Pansy, shut up." The elderly wizard she arrived with pulled her back. "You'll ruin any chance we've got."
"EVERYBODY QUIET!" Harry leaned forward. "Now, uh, Kreekle? How's this start?"
The ancient goblin tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth. Hermione tapped Harry's arm and spoke to him but no words came out of her mouth, either.
"Oh. Wow." Harry smiled. "If everyone can keep calm you can speak."
Kreekle nodded. "Thank you, Lord Pretanoi. As you see, your power here is absolute." He glanced towards the person in the deep blue robe. "To an extent, that is. Custom is to hear the Petitioner's case, then the Defendant's case, and then to make a ruling."
"Very well." Harry nodded and then leaned over and whispered in Hermione's ear. She rolled her eyes, whispered back to Harry, and then he sat up straight. "The Petitioner may approach and speak."
The person in the deep blue robe lowered the cowl, took off the robe and folded it into a small square and placed it in his blue brocade waistcoat. He was exceedingly tall, fair-haired and very, very pale. After a deep bow he approached Harry's throne, stopping at the appropriate distance.
"Thank you, Lord Pretanoi, for your indulgence. I bring forth a dispute that has lingered for many years without resolution, and seek appropriate recompense. My name is Somerville Abelard. I fought in The Great War, the Muggle war, and passed from human life at the Battle of Ypres. Trench warfare was horrible, and the gas...but I digress. I apologize, my lord. After becoming a vampire I found my way back to England and found the love of my life, poor distraught Eunice, and after some time we became reconciled to my new form. Our love was so great that she asked to become a vampire as well, and in the blindness of love I agreed. My lord, as you are aware vampires must return to the soil when they are new, less the rays of the sun end their breathlessness. I rented a small cottage with a large shed from that man."
He pointed at the elderly wizard next to Pansy; the man seemed to shrink and stepped behind Pansy.
"That man, My Lord, took my Galleons. Oh yes, I was a wizard, as was my Eunice. As for why I fought in the Muggle war? Patriotism and the excitement of youth. But again, I beg your forgiveness for my digressions. That man, Gilbert Gildstropper, the man who was my roommate in Ravenclaw tower, that man took my money for three months without caring that I was a vampire. But when he stopped over to collect the next month's rent, and saw Eunice? He became enraged and accused me of doing the most foul things to poor Eunice. I turned the full force of my fury upon him, but I did NOT lay a finger upon him!"
"Granddaddy?" Pansy looked at the elderly wizard. "What did you do?"
"Shush." Gilbert shook his head at his granddaughter. "You're in it just as much as me."
"Quiet, please." Harry's tone was stern, but curious. "Mr. Abelard, please continue."
The vampire bowed low again, rising with a flourish. "Thank you, my lord. My Eunice and I were away for some days, visiting the Vampire Court to register Eunice amongst the bloodless, and when we returned it was almost dawn. We both retired to our resting places, and when the moon broke the next night I went to her coffin but the room was NOT THERE." He turned and pointed at Gilbert, his eyes shining blood-red, fangs bared. "HE MADE HER ROOM UNPLOTTABLE! I COULD NOT FIND HER!"
Before Harry could say anything Abelard fell onto his knees, weeping shining tears of blood. "Forgive my emotions, my lord, as I have kept this for so long, hiding it from even myself." He stood up. "My Eunice was there, and I found her finally. Oh yes, I found her. That one..." he pointed at Pansy "...and her little friends had levitated Eunice's coffin out into the garden. It was right before dawn when I found them, and they laughed about how they were going to 'roast marshmallows on the vampire fire.' I heard them taking bets on how long she would last. Dawn was close so I had no choice but to return to my coffin, but I heard her scream in the sunlight. The next moon, when I arose, I found nothing but ash and bone. I ask, my lord, for Justice! I ask for the ruling by the Vampire Accords of 1583!"
Nobody said a word except for Ron's very quiet 'Blimey!' from the side of the room.
Harry looked at Kreekle and then turned to Pansy and her grandfather. "Mister, uh, Gildstropper, do you and Miss Parkinson have anything to add? What's your side of the story?"
Gilbert Gildstropper stepped forward haltingly. "Everything he said is true. I was young, I thought I had a chance with Eunice since Sommy died in the war, but then...no, I have nothing to say except that I ask for mercy, my Lord. Mercy, for an old man."
The entire time her grandfather was talking Pansy stood there with her arms folded, to tapping impatiently. "That's it, Grandaddy? Mercy? Please. They're vampires. They're not real people anymore." She looked up to Harry. "So what if burned an old vampire we found in Granddaddy's old house? I found the room one day and knew what it was, and it wasn't right, one of those things in that house."
Harry's face was taut and angry when he turned to Kreekle. "What are the Vampire Accords?"
Kreekle walked over, handed a book to Hermione and then nodded to Harry. "They are the laws that detail how the magical world interacts with the vampiric world, my lord." He nodded at Hermione. "Lady Granger, I believe the section on Broken Agreements and Forced Expiration apply in this matter."
Hermione looked through the book, found a section and read silently for a while. When Harry tapped her on the shoulder she swatted his hand away and kept reading, intent on another section. Finally she looked over to Harry. "I believe the rulings are rather clear." She waved her wand at the book and floated it over to Harry. "The sections you need will be highlighted."
Harry took the book in his hands and read, and as he finished the first section the book magically turned pages to the second section. He let go of the book and it hovered nearby, so he could read, and he took scepter of Lord Pretanoi and pointed it with his right hand at the elderly wizard. "Gilbert Gildstropper, you have been found guilty of breaking the Pledge of Hospitality. Ancient law says that if a wizard or witch grants hospitality to a vampire they must rescind that either by word or writing. You may not have broken that by the letter of the law but you did that in spirit. You owe five thousand Galleons and ten pints of blood to Mr. Abelard. If you cannot pay the Galleons you owe one hundred pints of blood." He looked over to Kreekle. "Can he pay now? The gold, that is? Can't you just take it out of his vault or something?"
"Please, please take my gold." Gilbert Gildstropper wrung his hands piteously. "But I'll pay her fine as well. Please."
Harry looked over to the vampire and saw him look even colder and deadlier, if that was possible. "I'm afraid not; it's in the book." He pointed the scepter at Pansy. "Pansy Parkinson, you have been found guilty of the worst sin towards a vampire, breaking the Pledge of the Moon."
"Oh come on!" Pansy shook her head. "It was a vampire, Potter!"
"SILENCE!" Harry seemed to grow taller and take on a slight blue glow. "Do you know what that is, Pansy? You didn't give her a chance. You get a chance here, but not much of one. Either you can be executed or become a vampire."
Pansy shrieked.
Harry shook his head. "No, actually I'm not giving you a choice." He turned to the vampire. "Mr. Abelard, what would you choose? It's only right you have the choice."
Abelard walked over to the other circle, causing Gildstropper to back away quickly. Pansy stood her ground and looked at him. "Miss Parkinson, I am lonely. I offer you companionship, eternal life, and beauty that never fades. You would, of course, be bound to me and follow my every directive as law. If you refuse I have had many, many years of study in painfully prolonging human life."
Pansy stood there, tongue in the side of her mouth. Finally she looked at Abelard. "Beauty that never fades? Ok. I'll do it."
Before anyone could move Abelard was upon her throat. Two moans were heard, Pansy's moan of almost pleasure and Hannah's moan of pain. And then it was done, as Abelard and Pansy disappeared, leaving Gilbert Gildstropper on his knees.
-ooo-
Interview with Professor Snickfang, Gringotts Historian and Professor of Non-Wizarding History, Hogwarts. Taken from Unpublished Excerpts of A History of Magical Post-War Britain, Chelsey Saxet author. Professor Snickfang was interviewed by the author. Reprinted with permission by Red Hippogriff Publishing, London, 2150.
Chelsey Saxet: Merlin's beard, Professor! I...I almost felt it!
Professor Snickfang: I warned you, my dear. That pensieve memory is from Hannah Abbott; that is why you felt it so keenly. She felt the life draining from Miss Parkinson's veins.
CS: That was horrible. But you said before, before we went in, about the Agreements and limitations?
PS: Yes. All Miss Parkinson's relatives are deceased now; that family line has ended, so there is no chance of disgrace to her living relatives since, well, there are none. You know of her, surely, though the name is different.
CS: Really? She's still...of course she's still around, she's a vampire.
PS: Yes, although one of Somerville Abelard's commands was that she never again step foot in Lord Pretanoi's domain upon pain of the sun. He was never a companion to her, only a mentor for a short time, as he found her very...disagreeable. She has a business in Transylvania.
CS: Wait...no, really? That's her? Madam Nosnikarp? [Gale of laughter] It makes sense, because that's just Parkinson backwards! So she's a creature of the night that's...
PS: A lady of the evening. Precisely. A haughty, beautiful, very expensive lady of the evening.
CS: Now I know why this never made it in Lord Baron Potter-Black's archives.
PS: Oh, it will now. Abelard finalized agreements with Hermione and Kreekle later. He fully intended it to become public, but only after Miss Parkinson's family was deceased for many generations or the family died out.
