The Alliance

Yes. I filched the "here's the proof" thing from The Great Manipulator. These are the spoils of a bet that I won.


Neville had (with the blessings and permission of Augusta) given Sirius the keys to Longbottom Hall, a farmhouse that they maintained on the northern outskirts of Thornton-Le-Dale, considered to be one of the prettiest villages in England, where the newlyweds would honeymoon. It was quite a job to take her there in the 1936 Phantom-III. They started a craze among magicals. Everyone wanted that car as their wedding ride home. Magic pales in comparison to the sheer beauty of an automobile.

As most of politics is, however, even the marriage was just the start of the Alliance meeting at Potter Manor. Augusta had gone there straight from the wedding. She had called it to help pacify the disgruntled allies, so he was going to oversee the organisation while the rest took care of Amelia. There had been many grumbles and doubts about the intentions of the House of Potter. The reason would suffice, but it needed a grand show.

So when the allies all started converging at the grounds of Potter Manor (an unimaginatively named place) as did the various Vassals, it was very obvious that the show was the House of Potter's re-emergence on the social and public scene after the ascension to the political arena. What better way was there to ensure long-lasting gratitude and alliance than conclusive proof of having at least partially taken care of Voldemort?

Every ally was represented by the seat holder in the Wizengamot, the Heirs attending along with the respective regent or proxy, if there was no Head of House. Then there were the Thorntons, Vaughns, Dumbledore, Weasleys, Rammer, Gareths, Wilburs Murrays and Cornells, the Vassal houses. Where oh where did only two weird surnames, Dumbledore and Weasley, emanate from?

There was one more person, who technically had no business being there. This person, however, was sitting inconspicuously and was hardly seen by anyone. One day, after all, she was going to be Lady Hermione Dagworth-Granger. And then, after a few Houses, which would be talked into supporting a petition for a seat for the Ancient and Noble House of Dagworth-Granger, agreed, she would have such a meeting herself. David and Jean were in attendance by her side as observers. They still had trouble sometimes, thinking of their darling daughter as a Lady.

The meeting didn't need long before it started. "With friendly wishes, I, Hadrian James, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, and the Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor, and the Most Noble House of Slytherin, bid you welcome to the ancestral abode of the Potters." There was a smattering of acceptance. This was all standard procedure. "Many of you may have known my honoured forebears, and may have worked with them. Your wisdom, guidance and help will be accepted by the Houses of Potter, Gryffindor and Slytherin with great gratitude and humility."

"Thank you for your words of Welcome, Lord Hadrian," spoke Chief Witch Marchbanks. She was the eldest regent of all at one hundred and forty one, managing the Houses in place of her great-granddaughter Selene, who was a sixth year Ravenclaw. "The Alliance requested for this meeting at the earliest to air a grievance with the Lord of the House of Potter and the erstwhile House of Peverell."

Out of simple respect, Harry stood and answered her, "With due respect, I would hear out this matter, Madam Marchbanks."

"It is considered common courtesy among Houses of our stature, to intimate Allied Houses of any major decisions regarding rolling one House into another, Lord Hadrian," she scolded imperiously. "The Allies would like to protest against the lack of such intimation when the House of Peverell was so subsumed by the House of Potter."

Harry bowed slightly to her and to the gathered guests in general. "This matter was brought to my attention by my godfather and adoptive father, Lord Black. I humbly apologise for the unwitting faux pas. I understand that a clarification is, at this juncture required. However before I may do so, it behoves me to ask for an Oath of Secrecy and another magical Oath." There were gasps and garbled protests which were ignored. "The matter is of such gravity, and I respectfully must maintain silence over the matter, till the Oaths are acquired. Please understand that this is not a matter of my trust, but sheer disgust about the depravity of one man."

There were no protests. They had asked, and he had agreed to answer, pending that stipulation, putting the ball firmly in their court. They all swore the two Oaths as were outlined. Some grimaced. The Potter was thorough.

"Thank you." He took a deep breath and then smiled at them all. "I hope that I am forgiven for this background. In the early months of 1981, my parents, James and Lily Potter, realised the extent of the Necromantic Magics that Voldemort employed. The House of Potter has fought against those magics before and knew precisely how to combat them."

"They knew?" thundered McMillan. "Why didn't they...?"

Harry raised an eyebrow at him. "The Clan Chief would be reminded that they were only twenty one and new parents, and not exactly able to face their enemy directly. Yet they tried, which is more than can be said about some. He would also be reminded that the House of Potter shall not stand for any aspersions about actions taken by its members."

McMillan sat down. He was already on wobbly ground with the Potters.

Turning to the assembled members, Harry continued, "Yes they did. However, the requirements for the magics to combat the situation were severe. They can only be cast between the Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice, and there is a higher probability in the small gap between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice."

A few realised the significance of the timeframe. The current period was that very space of time.

"They needed a token of the magic, and a thoroughly blank being to negate the magic. Unfortunately, though they managed to procure the latter, the former was very well-hidden. They were unable to manage it before they died.

"They did not know, however, that the answer was closer home than was expected. Lord Black's younger brother, Regulus, had long since turned on Voldemort, and he was the one to discover it. He perished in the attempt to steal it and destroy it."

"Wasn't he a Death Eater?" asked Lord Fawley.

"He was. However, he did more than most to at least do the right thing, unlike many who were vouched for by people that the magical public was supposed to trust." That was a jibe at Dumbledore and the entire Bagnold administration combined.

"We have reason to believe that he chose not to be rescued by his unmarked helpers to ensure that his Dark Mark was not the thing that left Voldemort alive. The Black Family Elf, under the elf's bond, recounted the true incident to Lord Black. Regulus Black was still alive when he was taken by the swarm of inferi that were the last protections."

People shivered and shuddered at the thought. There were gasps of horror and closed eyes at that.

This was the way to commemorate Regulus. He was a Death Eater, but if the likes of Malfoy had been stellar pillars of society, then Regulus at least deserved that. Harry waited for the people to collect themselves.

"The Wizengamot has presented two Death Eaters the Order of Merlin," spoke Lord Dearborn gravely. "On each account it has been thoroughly wrong. On this account, however, I propose that Mr. Black, who was the one to try and destroy You-Know-Who, and was successful in it to an extent, deserves the accolade. I, for one, would be willing to sponsor the petition."

Well, that was a bit more than Harry had bargained for. However, this was Sirius' call.

"The House of Black thanks the House of Dearborn for the honour it wishes to bestow on our lamented member. The House of Black already proposes to sponsor an all-entailing scholarship in his name for the five poorest students with magic antecedents, given the fact that the Potter scholarship already caters to the Newbloods, to enrol into Hogwarts each year. This recognition would accentuate the fact that not all Blacks are Dark Wizards and Witches."

There was a chorus of "Hear, hear," at that. Sirius bowed and ceded the meeting back to Harry.

"It would now be the obvious conclusion that the House of Potter has at least tried to perform the magics to negate the Necromantic Magics."

There was pin-drop silence as people fully digested what Harry was getting to. This was pure show business.

"As of Equinox day, the ritual has been successfully performed by Sirius Orion Black, son of House Potter, and I, Hadrian James, Lord of House Potter. The one known as Voldemort can now be killed, in theory, never to again be resurrected."

The boys were reminded of their time at Highbury, such was the jubilation. Magicals were really morbid if death was celebrated this way. They had both killed and felt relieved, but not jubilant, certainly. Harry turned and winked at Hermione who was smirking back. The girl had created the Oath and had had him practice the disclosure, fine-tuning everything till it had enough effect. Hermione's true middle name was 'Meticulous Planner' after all.

One day, one day they were going to ensure that this 'unequal status' stupidity was abolished. Till then, at least privately, they would continue doing what they did. The people would have been scandalised how much leeway she had with the Houses of Potter, Slytherin and Gryffindor, without even being formally contracted.

It was a full ten minutes before ally and vassal alike stopped rejoicing and people wondered how it connected to the House absorption thingy. This time it Ogden who asked.

"The ritual used the Potter Family Magic, as you all may have obviously deciphered. However, the Necromantic Tokens attempted to attack Professor Dumbledore. There was no other way but to call upon one of the other totems at my disposal, and well," he turned his expression just the right amount of sheepish here, "I thought the dragon was cooler than the snake or the lion." He was supposed to be the fourteen-year-old who made a few mistakes along the way.

"And the Peverell House being lower was accidentally absorbed," completed Lord Ogden. "We quite understand." He took a deep breath and looked around to his peers. "Lord Potter, I believe I can speak for us all and say that we take back our grievance. We are all indebted to the House of Potter." He received several backing voices. "Off my own accord, though, I ask you this. You said that You-Know-Who could be killed in theory."

"That was the next part I intended to tell you all. While the necromantic part has been dealt with, the fiend has done something much worse than that. The House of Potter needs help dealing with this aspect. The House of Longbottom has agreed. However, again, the matter of the ritual's requirements is a major obstacle. It is the focus of our efforts at this time. I request Heir Neville to apprise you of this matter."

Neville stood to be recognised. "Voldemort," he said firmly, ignoring the toned down flinches and shudders, "wanted to be the last living being on earth. As such, he has cast magics to ensure that if he dies, so does everything else."

There was a partial vacuum generated due to the simultaneous inhalation. "You mean to say that he can be killed, but shouldn't?" asked Lady Bluewater.

"Not what I mean, exactly, but as thing stand, yes."

"Then what do you mean exactly?"

"What I mean is that the Longbottom family magic has an answer to this. A ritual that thoroughly strips any magic that is still active, ever cast by the person or subject. Voldemort will be rendered without his magic in existence. He has it right now, considering it was Dolohov's body that worked as the subject for the ritual which Lord Potter talked about."

"But why use that ritual? If all active magic is destroyed, even the Necromantic magic would be!" countered Alexandria Turnbull, the Heiress.

"For two reasons," replied Neville. "Magic is tied to the soul, by theory. And as for..." he stopped as Dumbledore raised his lit wand.

"Yes Vassal Dumbledore?" asked Harry.

"Milord, I wonder whether it is prudent for you to discuss these vile matters..."

"...with trusted allies?" cut in Harry. "Yes. All allies are trusted by the very nature of the alliance. They have a right to know what has harmed this world, especially now that one part of the threat has been countered. These things are discussed within the alliance because the help, wisdom, knowledge and contacts of the allies are not only required but respected; perhaps more than can be said for some, irrespective of their personal stature."

It was a slap down that had to sting. Dumbledore had no business casting aspersions on others when he had so spectacularly failed in his test. It also shamed House Potter when, irrespective of his personal stature, a Vassal made such insinuations. With the immediate admonishment though, and with the still coursing mood of happiness which was not completely brought down, there was a lot that would be forgiven. Dumbledore's old man act did not fool anyone. There was protocol which he was deliberately flouting. That meant he had his own agenda.

The Potter looked at the Alliance members and said solemnly, "The House of Potter tenders an unconditional apology for this, ladies and gentlemen." He then bowed to them.

With quite a few filthy glares thrown Dumbledore's way, Harry received nods.

Neville resumed his statement. "With respect, the secrecy oath we all swore, forbids us from actively searching for the magic that Voldemort used. I would deem it a necessary precaution and nothing more. It is possible that that was forgotten in light of the revelation." He was Heir of Potter only in name, but it was necessary that he help calm tempers. "Anyway, coming back to the topic; the vilest of the Necromantic Magics is the creation of a Soul Anchor. It requires murder to split the soul. Voldemort intended to do that twelve times. However, the process was stopped at eight in 1981.

"Let us come back to why the ritual already performed was necessary. We do not know how the ritual of the Longbottom Family Magics shall be affected. We have hope, because the first Anchor was unknowingly destroyed by Lord Hadrian last year, and nothing untoward has as of yet occurred.

"Secondly, the ritual that the House of Potter performed captured Voldemort's Wraith. This was the only part of him that was active in the true sense. Without him roaming around, we have time for the required preparation for the second ritual without fear of reprisal. He has already attacked through his inferi. He has no chance now. Even Avery and Gibbon are dead."

That answered many of the questions that everyone had.

"Both Lord Hadrian and Heir Neville mentioned that you need some assistance. Is this something the Alliance can help with?"

"We can honestly say that at this juncture, all help will be happily received," Sirius finally spoke up wearily. "I will admit that I have more to gain. I do not want my child to be born in a world where there is still fear – not after what happened to Amelia and me respectively."

People cringed at the reminder. Everyone had been complicit in quickly believing the worst about Sirius. And certainly nobody had seen Fudge's attack on the Director of the DMLE coming.

"That was a heinous crime," Regent Hargreaves growled. Distant they may be, but they were Amelia's family all the same. "It was betrayal of the highest order."

"What do you need?" Lady Branstone asked.

"We need elementals, one for each element."

She hissed a bit. "Well, you don't do things by half."

"The wizard we are trying to destroy didn't either," was Sirius' repartee.

Lady Branstone looked pensive for a moment before she looked up with a clear expression. "I will ask Lord Branstone – Rudyard – if he can get in touch with the Indian Ministry. He had been the Ambassador there before his tenure in Japan, and he had once told me the something similar to the ritual you mentioned was used as the capital punishment there, especially for those that violate the mundane-magical relations in the way that the Death Eaters did. People are especially accepting there on both sides, as many rituals tie in quite well with the major local religion, so the Statute of Secrecy is pretty much legal fiction in the country as with many others in the South-East Asian region."

"That would be excellent. If it can be done, and if they are willing to help, it would certainly be easier for us. And I can see the rationale for the capital punishment. Anything is better than the Dementors," Sirius said with a shudder.

Dumbledore did not admit that these were one of the very people he had asked and was still trying to convince.

"Milord," Elphias Thornton spoke nervously, "if I may?"

"Yes Vassal Thornton?"

"My eldest daughter sir, she is a worker of the magic of Water, we think. We have never tested, but she has managed her best magic with water and ice alone."

Everyone sat straighter with interest.

"How old is she?"

"Ten, sir," Thornton replied.

Harry frowned. "Mr. Thornton, thank you for the offer. However, I will say this straight out. I will never ask this of your daughter. The ritual ends with a human being getting killed. If she were an adult, I would at least ask her. But no, never at ten; I cannot ask this of her in good conscience. I would know. I killed my first enemy at just less than twelve. It is a burden that she does not deserve." Thornton's face fell a bit. "This however is important. If she wishes to learn the art further, I am willing to ask whoever does end up helping us to either teach her, or to recommend a teacher at the very least."

"Thank you, milord." Harry only nodded. He marked the man however. He had little compunction suggesting the use of the services of his child. Children were not supposed to fight wars.

"There might be one obvious solution to this, Heir Neville," Lord Cuthbert pointed out. "I do not know whether the elemental specified needs to be human. If that is not the case, Veela can take up both the Fire and Air part, or perhaps a Phoenix for Fire, and a Merman or Mermaid the Water part, at the very least."

"That would put a Centaur for the part of Earth," Lord Grimson extrapolated.

"I...I will admit that I never thought of that. It is also poetic in that all the so-called Creatures band together to destroy Voldemort. I will check the exact wordings and get back to you, if it is acceptable."

"Do so, Heir Neville. I have contacts with a Veela enclave. There is a Phoenix at Hogwarts, as well as Mermen and Centaurs. The Centaurs may yet prove difficult given their relations with humans, but I would believe it to be worth a try."

"I thank you, Lord Cuthbert, Lord Grimson. It just emphasises how important the Alliance is," Harry sincerely said, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.

Showing the Alliance that they were valued, and that their advice would be heeded, took long strides towards getting them squarely onto one's side. It was important given the two things in conjunction to the matter that were to be now brought up. It would also gauge how truly 'light' they were.

"Now that we are on the subject of Voldemort, there are two things still in our world that help people like him. One is the absence of meritocracy."

"There has always been meritocracy," objected Lord Dearborn.

"No there hasn't," countered Neville. "There has never been meritocracy, grandfather. I have done my research." He was the one to submit proofs. It was something he had worked on since the Umbridge trial, after being flummoxed by how someone like her could even be employed at all.

This process of using proofs was new to them, even though it was standard practice in the Wizengamot. It was the result of hours of painstaking work over months. "These are the available recorded results since the year Voldemort had applied for the DADA position. As you will see, each year I organised by the list of the toppers in each subject and overall. It is interesting to note that many of the recorded toppers are purebloods who often went on to enter Voldemort's service."

"That's not right," Lord Edgbaston protested. "My year had Elizabeth Smith as the topper in Transfiguration, Charms, Runes and Potions. It was not Mario Russell. He was a distant fourth!"

"Can you remember who were in between?"

"I was for both wanded subjects, second in my year, and third for Runes. I never took Potions for my NEWTS. Then there was Martina Henderson. She was third across the board, except for runes."

"You were already Heir Edgbaston by that time, I take it?"

"Yes Heir Neville."

"And were Ms. Henderson and Ms. Smith of at least partial non-magical descent?"

"Now that you say it, yes, it is true. Henderson was a muggleborn. Smith was a halfblood."

"That's precisely what I am trying to say. The results have been fudged all through the past years, though we have records of just thirty-five. I went through each of those years meticulously. Across the board, no less than forty-three of the Ministry Employees who have so far fallen foul of the oath, not including the former Minister Fudge, are on the list of the top ten. Those of non-magical descent were conveniently dead, or left the country."

"You are telling me that people were killed for grades?" asked Edgbaston sceptically.

"No. But better positions in the Ministry were used as bribes for the people in question to support Voldemort. The most common occurrence was in the Obliviators, and the Department of Magical Transportation. These were the ones who always had first contact with any place where a Death Eater attack took place, conveniently shutting down the Floo Network or ensuring there were no witnesses or even survivors. And then there were the employees of the Improper Use of Magic Office, who were the ones to know where newbloods lived and passed that information to them. There was also the modus operandi of creating false charges and attempting to expel students.

"It was quite easy to do it. Really, if this sort of beggary is my future, I would rather not learn magic."

The Alliance was not prepared for this good cop, bad cop routine that the two Houses inadvertently employed. But Neville's disgust was palpable, a living, breathing thing. And that last statement had actually shocked people. Beggary; he had used the term beggary, which essentially is what anything similar to reservations in any educational or employment scheme is. This was the Neville of the Hogwarts Battle, as he would have been around allies.

Hermione mentally ticked off one of the things she had read in Harry's diary. While she had powerful patrons, that was not universally true. Then again, this was not new. The magical world had a pro-pureblood bias. Many countries across the world had a bias against those supposedly higher placed on the social ladder in spite of its existence being illegal constitutionally.

"What would you have the Ministry do? Fire all purebloods this way?" McMillan sneered. Was this man part Death Eater?

"And once again you miss the point, Clan Chief. Most of the people who benefited from the scheme have fallen foul of the Oath enforced in the Ministry. However, this cannot remain our future, which is my only interest in the matter. The ones charged with making the laws that would protect our world failed spectacularly. So...well..." Neville shrugged expressively. "The House of Longbottom already has discussed an educational and examination system reform with the Heir and the newest Daughter of House Greengrass. You will find the simplest recommendations on the last three pages."

So it was Hermione who had taken up the part in the diary that troubled Harry the most ever since the cretin-ferret's outrageous claims just before the OWLs. Not that he was angry, but he just wished it would be after his own History OWL that the matter would be brought forth.

The people rifled through the recommendations.

"Competency tests? Attitude and personality, and aptitude tests with OWLs?" asked Lord Aldridge with a frown. "Are people incompetent?"

"Well, we know that they are, aren't they, if simple paperwork is missing, still over Lord Black's incarceration?" Neville retorted. "As for the latter, Dolores Umbridge comes to mind. I doubt any of us would have had that foul woman as an employee. Also, our world has a dearth of diversity. At least the students should be able to know what they need to learn."

The point was certainly well-made, if the decidedly sick expressions that the guests assumed upon being reminded about Madam Toad were any indication.

As would be the matter with so many tacitly accepted things being denigrated and debunked through the meeting, the final response was along the lines of "We never thought of this, please give us time."

The other part about Love Potions and ingredients being regulated was left for later. These people were having too many shocks to their systems. They did want the allies alive and well.

There was a small round of refreshments during which the question was posed to Dumbledore. Fawkes was not his. So Fawkes would decide whether or not to help. It was not Dumbledore's decision to make.

Then it was the Vassal's Induction. The Vaughns, the oldest of the lot, would go first. Clarence Vaughn, his wife Martha, daughters Mary and Viola and son Robert were the only people left. Each person had to swear fealty, something for which there had been nearly a year's delay, and Harry had to assure them protection.

"I, Clarence Shane Vaughn, hereby pledge my Fealty to the House of Potter. My wand, my magic and my life are for the Lord to command in battle, to the end that the Lord Potter desires, from this day forth. My Lord's secrets are mine to keep and his orders are mine to obey. I swear my allegiance to the House of Potter above all, on my magic and my honour."

"I, Hadrian James, Lord Potter, swear on this day, to consider the life, magic and wand of Clarence Shane Vaughn as I would my own, and thusly to protect him as I would seek to protect myself. I shall endeavour to ensure his and his family's continued prosperity."

That was the template for all the people. It took some time, but it was soon done – well almost.

When it was Dumbledore's turn, it was becoming increasingly obvious what his agenda was given his general reluctance to swear the oath.

It was a manipulation for those with the cynical mind. Naming Harry his Heir was legally allowed. Technically it was pointless. What was the point of having the Lord of three at least Noble Houses being the sole Heir to a Vassal House? In other words, it was his free ticket to his House being remembered in the same breath as any Liege House – Noble, Most Noble or any variant thereof – regardless of whether or not the House achieved that status.

Some could argue that Dumbledore had done enough even before Voldemort had come onto the scene to have his House achieve the status of Nobility, and that his reasons were purely borne out of familial relation.

Either way, he did go ahead with his plan.

"I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," he recited (making a lot of people cringe at the long list of names) "state that I do not have any living magical descendants of my body. The last known magical descendant of House Dumbledore is Hadrian James, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter and the Most Noble Houses of Gryffindor or Slytherin. It is my intent to name him my Heir."

It set the Kneazle among the Pixies. Nobody could protest really. But the "Is this true?" and its variants that were whispered made the room sound like it was full of hissing snakes. Even the sole Parselmouth in the room couldn't decipher the words, though the matter being spoke was obvious.

There were exactly four people in the room that Harry looked towards: Augusta, Neville, Sirius and Hermione, in that order. Augusta shook her head. Neville shrugged. Sirius mouthed 'Gringotts'. Hermione mouthed 'custodian Heir'. That was marvellous! His four advisors gave him four different reactions. Hermione's was the best, however, as it catered to everyone's wishes. It could be combined with Sirius'. It was a good thing nobody saw those furtive movements, or if they did, at least nobody spoke. Hermione was actually Lady Potter in all but marriage and name and well...other things.

"Lord Hadrian...?"

"Professor Dumbledore is a cousin a few times removed, may be some degree of great-granduncle. That is confusing." He shrugged expressively, before resuming his mien of the Lord Potter. "While I am honoured by this offer, I admit that it makes me wonder whether it should be taken up at all. Should this be accepted, it makes no change in the status of House Dumbledore. The Headmaster is a legend and a legacy in and of himself. What could possibly be gained by co-opting it, when instead his name should be remembered by generations more for his deeds?

"At best, Professor, I could be a custodian Heir. Gringotts already has the mandate of checking the heredity of every newblood. This I can promise you that the House of Dumbledore will be resurrected within my lifetime. Or that to happen though, I cannot be at it head – not when I am already responsible for the three I already head." He refrained from adding that it wouldn't be within Dumbledore's lifetime in all probability.

There were a few moments after that where Dumbledore conferred with his brother, or at least appeared to. There was nobody they knew who seemed ashamed of their name and their relations, as Aberforth Dumbledore was. Harry once more looked to his advisors. Sirius and Augusta nodded. This was a fair compromise. Harry and Hermione shared a smile.

Augusta couldn't hold back a snort as she leaned towards Sirius and muttered, "Someone is trying to be Dorea, I see."

"For quite some time, it seems," he answered, not bothered in the least.

Dumbledore wasn't pleased at all. He really did want the line to pass on to Harry, who was the strongest person to revive it. While not entirely the idea, having their name taken in the same breath as Gryffindor and Slytherin and Potter, now that Peverell was gone forever, was something that really did appeal to him. Of course, he had not known about the absorption before the meeting, but it had solidified his nebulous succession plans. And what Harry had said to find a supposed middle way to ensure that he was not saddled with the House yet didn't have to say a straight no, had probably won the opinions of most of the Wizengamot members. The boy had portrayed himself as if he was the one having to live up to too many things and couldn't hope to step into his shoes. Even the other Vassals had agreed.

In the end though, since he had been so magnanimous with the promise, the Headmaster had to agree to the proposed way out.

That left the matter of what to do with the Wizengamot. They were now four votes short of what they would normally have been. It didn't matter much immediately, because a majority of the votes going against them were defunct.

This was a wonderful chance to bring up one thing that was important with that in mind; two things actually.

"Correct me if I am wrong, fellow members, but if I remember right, there is a vacant seat on the Wizengamot whose sole possible holder will be very sympathetic to our motions in the hall, given that he is likely to help draft them."

"Then why is the seat vacant?"

"The laws disallow him from being treated as a human for something that wasn't even his mistake."

There were frowns as people tried to remember which seat was vacant, and also what person was disallowed from being treated as a human as Potter claimed. "The laws forbid Wizengamot entry to vampires and werewolves," offered Madam Turnbull.

"And I'm a werewolf," Remus declared, breaking the Fidelius. He had been sitting with the Grangers, entirely unnoticed. There were obvious shuffles as people looked at Remus in horror. He had expected it. He really was not interested in the House Seat, but none of those who knew about his condition were willing to hear that out. He was Remus Lupin first. His monthly tax cut came much later.

"I would remind you all that this is exactly the sort of behaviour that helped Voldemort rise!" This time people did quiet down. Thus far, Harry had never been anything less than polite (or exceedingly so as far as McMillan went). So they had never been exposed to the powerful person who was the joint most powerful, and possibly the single most pissed off Wizard of their time.

"What gives you the right to class everyone into one bracket? Just because a four-year-old was bitten out of revenge, he becomes worse than the sort of murderers, rapists and what-nots that the Death Eaters were?" He was not shouting, but his voice was filled with controlled malice, nonetheless.

He walked to a nearby shelf and retrieved a stack of copies of something else that the almost-Lady Potter and he had prepared. "These are the Ministry released numbers of werewolves for the past twenty years. That's midway through Voldemort's reign. There have been recorded attacks by a pack of seven werewolves. Fenrir Greyback, Fenrir the Second, Romulus the Ripper, Adolph, Boris, Cana the Young and Louvel the Painter, were the seven. They are together responsible for every werewolf attack in the past twenty years."

"How do we know Remus Lupin is not one of those unreleased names?" asked Bluewater with a bit of distaste bleeding into her words.

"Because if I had, I would have already been put down," replied Remus simply. "I went to Hogwarts for seven years. Many of you or your relatives were my classmates. Neither did I ever join Fenrir, though I was required to wean people away from him during my time with the Order of the Phoenix and got away with twelve of them, nor did I ever attack anyone accidentally during my time at Hogwarts, though that has more to do with the precautions that Professor Dumbledore took, and also due to my friends. Sirius as the canine animagus was the one to be able to help me.

"And as for my name, well there is a law which was put in place after a law instituting a Werewolf Secret Registry was defeated by the House of Selwyn and its allies. Fenrir the Second was initially known as Lionel Selwyn, the true Head of the House instead of his brother – not that it would have mattered. Anyway, the law required victims of werewolf attacks to bear a marker or a name. I don't know whether you know of Nazi Germany, but this was much like compelling Jews to wear a Yellow Star. My original name was Luke John Lupin. Fortunately, given my surname, the name was considered to be fortuitous or ambitious. I adopted it legally the year I went to Hogwarts to prevent too many questions."

Barring Sirius, everybody stared at Moony open-mouthed. Obviously it was a very closely guarded secret.

"Well it shows you are a teacher Remus," Sirius inappropriately joked to break the silence. "You do explain well."

"What about now?" Bluewater snidely asked, once she recovered.

"Remus Lupin is the first werewolf who was registered with the James and Lily Potter Memorial Institute for Research in Lycanthropy. Before that, though he is family – my Uncle in all ways that matter. He is a person who I am proud to call family!"

Bluewater was having problems with Moony, as were most of the others. She was the only one to speak out though. That meant she was also having problems with Harry becoming combative on Remus' behalf.

"Before tempers erupt and cause discord, I have some questions," Lord Adams spoke in his deep voice. It might as well have emanated from the Marina Trench, as deep as it was. "Firstly to Headmaster Dumbledore – with what in mind did you allow Mr. Lupin to attend Hogwarts?"

"I always intended to do so. The Hogwarts Charter allows, or rather, requires me to admit any human student showing sufficient magical ability. However, the safety of the larger student population was something that was a loophole. It was for this that the Shrieking Shack was constructed. I will openly admit that Remus was a pilot project, someone for whom I had spent about ten years preparing. With education and a chance, I do believe that werewolves can be helped and brought into the mainstream magical world. Alas, as much as I would hope for it, I cannot actually change everyone's minds. The only matter was secrecy – if he was ever exposed, it would destroy him in every manner.

"It was why I did not give him the Head Boy's Position though there was no better candidate. Anyone who knew them would tell you that James Potter, as good a person as he was, was not Head Boy material. However, if Remus was given the chance, he would get many more which was something I wanted, but he would always be denied because of his Lycanthropy. With the war though, he became someone to trust and help us foretell attacks by the seven aforementioned ones."

"Have there ever been incidents?"

"Yes. Severus Snape worked out the absences – he had a particular rivalry with Remus and his friends – and went to the shack. James Potter saved him."

"So Mr. Lupin has not been a perpetrator."

"No Lord Adams."

"Mr. Lupin, I will say this honestly, I do not like werewolves, but I am sympathetic to your plight. Given by the photographs, it was Cana the Young who turned my brother and murdered my father. So with those conflicting views, or in spite of them, I will try to hear you out. What precautions did you take during Lord Black's incarceration?"

"Due to my affliction, I have never been able to find a job that I could keep. Most often, I have worked in shops, or as a tutor, or as a bodyguard in the mundane world. I have also sometimes worked as a waiter or a driver...anything that was legal and got me money. During these times, I would find the local playground, fortify its fences with stones or conjured metal – mostly the former – and cast mundane-repelling charms and silencing charms over every part of the place. I have never as of yet been able to get out of my fortification in wolf form."

He conjured a small playground model and exhibited his protective enchantments. People nodded at that.

"That proves that your intent was never to harm. What have you been doing since you joined the faculty at Hogwarts?"

"As Lord Hadrian informed, I am a registered member of the Institute. They give us all, a hundred and ninety two of us at last count, Wolfsbane Potion. There have been improvements since Potions Mistress Andromeda Tonks and Potions Master Damocles Belby infused various healing potions targeted at the nerves, bones and muscles. The combined effect is that I am now often as docile as a wolf animagus. The Institute also maintains heavily warded spaces across the country where its offices are located. Werewolves are allowed to roam there. We cannot get out. My space is in the mountains just outside of Hogsmeade. Lord Black joins me every full moon night. The Institute does need more volunteers like him though.

"As for my duties, I have placed a castle elf in charge of my office. Students having any doubts and questions deposit the same with the elf or ask Professor Flitwick who covers for me. I also employ several Occlumency-related techniques to ensure that my temper is under control."

"And what do you do away from Hogwarts?"

"All Potter properties are closed on Full Moon Nights. Since I was a welcomed guest here during the times of both James and Lord Charlus, there are strong-rooms here for my benefit. Mostly though, I prefer the larger spaces provided by the Institute."

People were hearing out with interest and patience which were either feigned or real, but were at least displayed.

Lord Adams nodded. "I can safely say that you take every conceivable precaution to prevent any harm to untransformed humans."

Those words were iconic: untransformed humans. In essence, Lord Adams was defying the Wizengamot edict and considering Remus as a terminally ill person at worst.

"Now, Lord Potter, I would know more about the Institute."

Harry told them all what he had decreed during the Disbursement of the Basilisk sale. "Now the Institute is becoming more self-sufficient. It owns land enough to grow its own ingredients, and the House of Longbottom has been helping when needed. That apart, several small businesses such as farming, apiaries, fisheries and such, have been started by the older werewolves on a cooperative basis with loans from the House of Potter directly at four per cent simple interest. Several of House Longbottom's employees are helping with the training. The werewolves above fourteen are given vocational training, chiefly directed towards the mundane world. Tutors have been arranged for the ones under fourteen. The results for the past year bear testament to the efficacy."

"There is no information."

"The page is not decorative sir."

"You mean to say there has been no attack?"

"Yes. We were in part, lucky. It turns out that the Dementor presence affected the werewolf packs as much as anyone else. It took time for them to regroup under Greyback – the vicious ones that is. He was killed around Yule. Professor Lupin spread the word among his contacts when he registered, so many of them registered, reducing the chances of any danger to themselves or others. A group of werewolf watchers affiliated to the Institute have kept an eye out for suspicious movements and have taken deterrent action. Louvel the Painter was executed by them in January. The truly turned werewolves value their humanity and the Institute, and a clean, attack-less period is there chance at that."

People were staring at the proof they were presented with. How long had magical Britain taken the wrong decisions? Death Eaters had been put into positions of power. Werewolves were bracketed with one monster and hunted. It was really shameful that it had taken a rich, but ragtag, group of teens, an escaped innocent and some old people to set things right.

"What do you expect?"

"Professor Lupin is the last Lupin and therefore the only one who can take the seat. The laws prevent that. Politically, having his vote and support on matters of importance is useful. Beyond that, he knows better."

Remus took up from there. "Providing werewolves with a voice is no longer the objective. The general situation is that werewolves understand that they are being given facilities and chances, which are adapting to their needs. Over the past twenty years, seventy three people have been turned. The Institute will eventually eradicate the disease, but not the people. That is enough. However, the existing werewolves are expected to live for a hundred years or so more. Till such time, a complete absence of constitutional discrimination is enough, which is all that my taking our House seat will show. We understand that people's beliefs can't be changed, but it is not a needed step either."

"That is all?"

"There is no point making laws for werewolf protection beyond that. The numbers will exponentially decrease."

This was a new thought. The nine month period since the previous June was proof enough.

"I cannot find an argument against this," Lord Adams declared. "The results need to be monitored over a longer period of time, but the start is promising. My House shall not forward a motion to this effect, Lord Potter. However, I shall openly support it. At the same time, I would request permission for my Spanish contacts to visit your Institute. This model can be replicated."

"It is autonomous. We only help as we can, where we can. Please contact Professor McGonagall, or Master Goldhaul of Gringotts. I am sure they can provide better guidance."

It was a major victory. One by one, several of the Houses gave positive responses, or at least agreed to think about it.

"That still leaves the matter of the other two votes. House Lupin votes for itself and the House of Coldstream."

"To this account, there is a suggestion. An Ancient House that had contributed a lot to the Art and Science of Potions has a new Heiress. It would have been elevated to Nobility, but for the last Lord having three squib children. Between the Houses of Potter, Gryffindor, Bones with Amelia's agreement, Slytherin and Black, we are willing to nominate this House. I am talking of course," Sirius gravely introduced, "of the House of Dagworth-Granger." It was now necessary to change the plans since they had lost one whole House.

"With the muggleborn?" asked McMillan dismissively.

"Yes. New blood has to be introduced into that decaying old hall. Might as well have a Newblood doing that," Sirius replied jovially. It took tremendous effort to not groan. Why was Sirius never serious enough?

"The House of Bluewater intends to nominate the House of Statham."

"That makes four. We cannot support that by law, but we accept it. Should that not go through, the House of Keller is a moderate traditionalist House, but the son has married a newblood and both work for Gringotts," Sirius suggested.

Harry grinned. Olivia Keller was their arch-rival, coming from the Lily White section of North London. It was all friendly rivalry, probably.

It was a slow start to it all, but there was some building up going on right there. Someone had spread lots of some 'catalyst for change' in the air.


"I would say that that went rather well." They were back at Hogwarts and obviously, letting things go was not easy.

"It was better still that we did not push for Luna's family to be elevated," Hermione added. "It would have seemed as if it was a one-sided demands meeting, though it was in many ways."

"They may be allies but they did need a reality check. I don't remember who told me that, but or a majority house to still allow the Imperius defence to stand, there had to be some sort of blackmail material on them," Neville pointed out, not seeing the paling of Hermione's face or Harry's scowl. "Anyway, I'll leave you two to whatever you get up to," he said with an exaggerated wink. "I need to take a shower."

The two sat staring at each other for a minute after Neville left.

"You are angry with me?" she asked with affected timidity. He always hated that tone and melted immediately. She was also a poor actress, so that ploy failed.

"Oh, no, no, no!" he bit out sarcastically. "How can I ever be angry with you?"

"Harry," Hermione started, realising that it had not had the effect she wanted. "Please listen. I just wanted to know more about the next ritual from Neville. I just had a solution."

"So you obviously thought that it was a just exchange – my secrets and plans for Neville's family secrets?" he asked her angrily. "What's the matter with you? What else did you show?"

"I never showed anyone anything!" she protested hotly. "I contacted Michael and mentioned what you had written in very vague terms and he wanted to know how things are done for competitive exams in the non-magical world. He then modified those."

"That's not the problem. It's what Neville said right now!"

"I did not show him the diary either, if that's what got you angry. I just asked him something after he showed me the response from the Ministry. He had problems reconciling with Umbridge ever being employed. He only showed that to me while you were gone okay? So I just asked the same question you have been asking in a very academic manner!"

"Can't you see that that will destroy the alliance if someone realises that that I what I am up to?"

"No. Neville has much the same reasons to ask that questions of them all. Neither of his grandparents had voted. He has vested interest too. I made sure that he would think that it was something he thought and something that should be shared with you."

"Thank Merlin for small graces."

"Don't you think I would have taken that much precaution?"

"Hermione, you don't get the point. When I show you things, they are to be considered secrets till we decide – together – to reveal them! When I show you something, it is a House Potter secret that you alone are privy to. Don't you realise that you just did something that a Slytherin Lavender Brown would have done? Getting information and using it, and divulging information and using it are two different things!"

"I accept it was wrong to just go ahead and use what you told me, but I had an idea that stopped long negotiations with other countries and contentious relations with other races and what-not. It is quicker as well."

"Gods! You're like a dog with a bone. Go on, enlighten me."

"I wanted to know whether the elementals were necessary as symbols or as drains."

"And? Don't stop with one sentence!"

"They are drains. They channelise the power from Voldemort into the element – a cascading waterfall, a burning, raging fire. Voldemort is powerful – too powerful. What do you think will happen if he is just drained? The fire will be a disaster. It will rain like a cloudburst. The raising of the earthen token will cause an earthquake. There will be storms, not winds."

Harry's anger and resistance crumbled to fine sand and was blown away.

"I...I am still angry that you did not talk to me, because that is common courtesy which should exist even between husbands and wives, and I would have extended to you. But I am no longer that angry." His voice was very small as he realised exactly what she was pointing at.

"Yes. But I had to intervene before you rushed in like a bull in a china shop. It's not hard to imagine the scope of the damage Harry."

"What do you suggest then?"

"Electricity, Harry. All we have to do is set up a power generator and sell the energy to Diagon Alley. At best it should take a week, no more. It will be a good trial, and plus he will be dead."

"But it will lend credence to their fears that "muggles can take away magic"!"

"I don't mind, but you are right. Anyway, I never said that they need to be told where the electric energy is coming from, did I?"

Harry nodded fervently. He proceeded to hug the stuffing out of her. "I am a little sorry, and even less angry."

"I am a little sorry and angry too."

He kissed her – a little deeper than usual and she responded just as eagerly, if after a huffing delay. It was only a lucky thing that there was nobody around to watch or spy on them. It was getting a bit too intimate for their age.

"How can I make it up to you?"

"You could teach me Animagus magic come summer,now that I have started my education in Mind Magic on weekends."