Between Allies
"This is it."
Iere Greengrass handed the parchment across the kitchen table to her aunt.
"I'm not sure I'm the one to advise you on something like this but I'll be happy to take a look," said Astoria Malfoy.
The two were sitting in Astoria's kitchen, at Jasper Farm. Draco Malfoy was at work in London and Iere's cousin Scorpius was digesting a new illustrated book about magical animals. Scorpius was ten. He would go to Hogwarts when he was eleven. Scorpius had completed all of the required preparatory work for entering students so he spent the bulk of his study hours pursuing subjects that interested him. His present enthusiasm was kelpies.
Astoria read Iere's letter through twice.
"It looks like the succession is being contested by Tiber Nott," said Astoria. "He's in the Prophet every so often. What does he do?"
"Something to do with the Harpies," said Iere. "Maybe a Potter question?"
"I dunno. If the Harpies are involved, make sure you choose your Potter with care," Astoria advised her young niece.
Iere left the notice with Astoria and went back to her own home, Owl Cottage. She had homework, unlike Scorpius.
Draco finished up at Borgin & Burke's, his gallery at the entrance to Knockturn Alley, the raffish side of Magical London's most prestigious shopping district. Draco often worked late, at the request of favored customers, but none had requested a private showing that evening.
"Okay," said Draco, reaching for the letter. "Let's see what it says."
"Secretariat of the Wizengamot…Appear…Default…Mr. Tiber Nott address the Committee of the Whole…"
"What does it all mean?" asked Astoria.
"The meaning is hard to get with so little actually said," Draco noted, "Meaning, the real information is what is left out. Where is Theo's business card?"
Astoria provided Theo Nott's business card and Draco sent off a terse note asking Theo to get in touch at his convenience.
"Let's hope he isn't in South Africa buying up all the Shiraz," said Draco.
Theo got Draco's message and replied by owl the next day. A time was agreed upon and the two met up late that afternoon.
"Tiber?" said Theo. "That's a stretch. Nothing objectionable about him but he's not suited to be Head. He's a press relations drone for the Harpies. Apparently well-suited for the position. Probably not moving up. Besides, that branch was disinherited decades ago. It might have been my great-grandfather who kicked them out. It was all before my time, that's all I know."
"Do you think I misinterpreted this?" asked Draco, waving Iere's letter from the Wizengamot Secretariat. "All I could see that was material was the time and date, Nott and succession."
"I doubt you're misinterpreting," said Theo. "Tiber probably is taking a shot. What does he have to lose? He's an adult, gets around in his job, knows people. Iere is a minor, a girl and basically an unknown. Maybe Tiber and whomever he's got advising him don't know her whole story."
"It goes without saying but I will anyway, Iere has my support," said Theo. "She is so Daphne it is scary. I'm really glad she didn't have to grow up with Llewellyn around, spouting pureblood nonsense every other sentence, being an ass. The Notts may even have a chance at making something of ourselves if we get a good, long reign out of Lady Iere."
"I just wish you were a bit more enthusiastic, Theo," said Draco. "Are you going to let her reinstate you?"
"I haven't accepted yet, but I plan to," said Theo. "I want to support her. I don't want to be responsible for all the administration. The estate is intact, I believe. That means maintenance, contracts for the farmland, not to mention taxes. Oh, and building something where the big house was."
"So you don't think much of Tiber's claim?" asked Draco.
"No," said Theo. "No, I don't. Iere did the blood for the goblins and they are satisfied. Sue didn't bat an eye when Iere showed up. She's the legitimate heir, no doubt in my mind."
"Good," said Draco. "That's that. Little sip of something as you go out to face the rest of the day?"
"I have no more day to face, thank Merlin, so, yes, I'd appreciate just a thimbleful of fire whisky," said Theo.
Draco's fire whisky was tasty. Theo wasn't a habitual tippler so he made his thimbleful last as long as the conversation. Draco finished up and went home. He was hoping for a business-free evening. All of the recent disruption had cost him time he should have devoted to guitar practice.
Owls were dispatched in relays over the next few days as Iere, her advisors and allies discussed Tiber Nott and his presumed claim to be the successor to the late Lord Barclay as Head of the House of Nott. Other authorities notwithstanding, there was one cause for concern: Iere was not a witch.
A consensus emerged among the conferees that it was possible the Tiber party could sway the Wizengamot and get it to interfere in internal Nott matters if it could play upon emotions and prejudices among the members. Therefore, it seemed prudent to devise a strategy and have a response ready if Nott tried to set up a mudblood straw man argument.
Theodore Nott had already pledged his support and Iere offered him a formal return to the bosom of the clan. As a son of the late Barclay Nott, whom everyone recognized as legitimate head, Theo's presence at Iere's side would be a strong legal argument for her claim.
Astoria saw that there were loose ends to be tied, the sooner the better, and set about tying them.
The ends were tied one evening at Jasper Farm, beginning with an excellent dinner prepared by Astoria and Sue. Roast beef and potatoes, grilled asparagus, steamed vegetables and rice, salads, fresh-baked breads and crème caramel for dessert combined to put the guests in a party mood. When the table had been cleared and everyone sat back, happily sipping coffee or brandy, Draco stood and called for attention.
Draco was good, Harry acknowledged. He gave a succinct overview of the recent tragic events that had thrust upon Iere some family responsibilities ordinarily handled by wizards who were decades older. He credited her with rising to the burden with grace beyond her years. Then he set the stage for Iere and Theo before sitting down.
Iere stood up and stepped away from her chair.
"Uncle Theo," she said, cupping her hand in a 'Please come here' gesture.
Theo stood up and crossed the silent room to stand before Iere.
"Theodore Nott, you felt compelled to distance yourself from your family because of mistreatment. You left voluntarily and renounced your legitimate claims. Since I became Head of House, I have reviewed the events surrounding your self-banishment and I am prepared to offer you reinstatement to your rightful place in the House of Nott. You will be expected to support your Head in relations between houses, whether alliances or disputes. Do you accept reinstatement with all rights and responsibilities thereunto appertaining?"
"I do," said Theo. He knelt, took Iere's hand and kissed it.
"Stand up, Uncle Theo," said Iere. She reached out and took Theo's shoulders in her hands, stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Welcome back."
The witnesses around the Jasper Farm table clapped and cheered as the two smiled their acknowledgment. Draco stood while the cheering faded and picked up a box from a nearby countertop, then stepped over to Iere and Theo.
"Theo, would you do the honors?" Draco asked as he lifted the top on the box that held the Nott signet.
"I'd be honored," said Theo as he picked up the ring.
Iere was standing still, watching the others.
"Ah, I'll need your right hand, Miss Iere," said Theo.
Iere pulled herself out of her reverie, extended her hand and gave a little nervous giggle.
"Of course," she said, letting Theo take her hand in his.
The goblins had made the ring so the enchantments caused it to fit perfectly as Theo slid it onto Iere's right ring finger. Before he had taken his own hands back a glow appeared around Theo and Iere, a faint whitish light that gradually materialized enough to give the appearance of a blue-white mist. Theo felt Iere getting rubbery and dropped her left hand, freeing his right to reach around and support her back. He dropped to one knee and held on as Iere's legs crumpled and she fell backward. For just a moment, her eyes rolled up under her eyelids, then she blinked a few times and looked up.
"Uncle Theo," she said. "What happened?"
"Blood and Magic, that's what," a delighted Theo replied.
Draco, Astoria, Hannah Abbott, Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter, the other witnesses, gave the appropriate response according to the sacred traditions:
"BLOOD AND MAGIC!"
Lily, Scorpius and Albus looked in through the living room door, where they'd eaten dinner at the children's table. Lily looked ready to cry, until she saw Iere stand up, smiling.
"How do you feel, Iere?" asked Astoria, who had gotten up from her seat and stood next to Iere, rubbing her back.
"Really good!" said Iere.
"That's some family magic," said Theo. "There are some mentions in the grimoire. I'll show you where, if they didn't get burned up in the fire. You'll need to start studying, as soon as possible."
Time was just adequate, before the date set for Tiber Nott's appearance before the Wizengamot, for one more ceremony. Harry gathered some like-minded co-conspirators and hosted a dinner at #12 Grimmauld Place. It was a legendary magical address in London, the city keep of the formidable Black family of witches and wizards, of which Harry was the head. What Harry had planned was official Black family business so he wanted every Black he could round up and he wanted them gathered together in their Holy of Holies, #12 Grimmauld Place.
"What is Harry doing?" Astoria asked. She came at it from different directions at different times but it was the same question, in essence.
"You'll have to wait, the same as me," said Draco. He didn't think of it as a lie. He did have to wait to see it. If Harry had given him a short briefing on protocol, well, Draco would just have to finesse that.
Harry brought Albus and Lily to #12 Grimmauld Place, James being at Hogwarts in Scotland, and worked on the preparations for three days prior to the evening of his event. He took care to consult with the sacred portraits of the Blacks so none would be surprised at what he was doing. The Blacks were a bit volatile in normal times. Harry planned to convey a private Black honor on Iere, who could not work magic. He had to be completely forthcoming because subterfuge might not pass without objection and objection would spoil the ceremony.
Astoria handled the transport of Iere to #12 Grimmauld Place, while Scorpius went with Draco. The four were the first to arrive, followed shortly by Narcissa Malfoy and her sister, Andromeda Tonks. Theo Nott came alone even though Harry had assured him a plus-one would be welcome. When Theo arrived Harry tossed a bit of floo powder in the fireplace in the salon and placed a floo call.
"Headmistress, are the young wizards there with you?" Harry asked.
"They are Mr. Potter, should I send them through?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Any time you're ready," said Harry, stepping back to the center of the room.
Seconds later, the fireplace gave a WHOOSH and out stepped Teddy Lupin, quickly followed by James Potter.
"Kreacher!" Harry called. "A bit of soot-cleaning, please, then choice of beverages for our guests."
There wasn't a cocktail hour but there was something like a cocktail half-hour, completely appropriate for the young people who made up half of the guest list. Kreacher announced dinner and shoo'd everyone into the dining room, where Harry sat at one end of the long table with Iere to his right. Astoria sat opposite Harry. She would have been replaced by Daphne, were Daphne available, but Astoria represented her sister brilliantly.
Food and conversation took up a good hour, then Harry signaled for Kreacher to bring the champagne, with ginger ale for the minors. Kreacher finished distributing the drinks and Harry stood up.
"Iere," Harry began, "It was my pleasure to offer you alliance some days back and you honored me, everyone gathered here, and our distinguished forebears who you see in the portraits around us, when you accepted. As our ally, the Blacks stand ready to come to your aid, whenever you are in need. The obligation is mutual, as is right and proper. For centuries, the Blacks have maintained a tradition of wearing a symbol for mutual recognition. Andromeda?"
Andromeda Tonks stood and pulled a small box out of a pocket of her robe.
"Will you accept the obligation to assist Blacks in need as the Black family pledges to do the same for you?" Harry asked.
"I will," said Iere.
"Then step right over here," said Narcissa, standing and escorting Iere across to where Andromeda stood.
Andromeda opened the box, which held yet another ring, this one a small, oval onyx in a plain gold setting. Iere saw that Narcissa and Andromeda each wore an identical ring on the little fingers of their left hands. Andromeda removed the ring from the box and handed it to Narcissa, who lifted Iere's left hand and slid the ring over Iere's little finger.
The roar that followed had Lily covering her ears. Draco applauded, sneaking a look at Astoria, who appeared to be very pleased by the honor conveyed. He hoped Astoria liked the surprise enough to forgive his refusal to tell her what Harry had planned.
In the end, Tiber Nott's move on the succession didn't stand a chance. Harry had worked his contacts well in the days ahead of Nott's presentation to the Wizengamot. Iere arrived attended by her Uncle Theo and Aunt Astoria. They were ushered to their seats in the visitors' gallery by the Unspeakable Hermione Granger-Weasley. Iere was in mourning and wore a floor-length black dress under a black cloak. She arrived in a black veil that she only drew back from her face when her party took their seats. Her hands were in black gloves which she removed indoors, revealing her Nott signet on her right ring finger and Black family onyx on the left pinkie.
Astoria paid attention while they worked their way to the gallery. She'd never noticed before the number of witches and wizards who wore onyx rings, lapel buttons, and tie clips. Two wizards had little oval onyx dangling from watch chains stretched across the vests of their three-piece suits. Astoria got the distinct impression the onyx-wearers were trying not to stare, while they sent kindly looks to her niece.
The Wizengamot convened, Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt presiding. The Minister disposed of some minor business, announcements and issues to be approved by acclamation. When that was finished the chamber grew hushed. All of the whispered side conversations ceased as the juiciest business of the day was announced—the tabling of Tiber Nott's protest of the succession to leadership of the House of Nott.
Tiber made a terrible mistake at the very beginning of his allotted time, by looking toward the gallery, where he saw his cousin Theo and Astoria Malfoy flanking Iere Greengrass, the daughter of Llewellyn Nott and direct descendant of the late chief, Barclay Nott. Tiber's branch was one of the two that had been banished years before and he never had a very strong claim to the succession. Theo's position next to Iere signaled that the late chief's son was throwing his support to his niece.
Still, Tiber thought he could make a good case if he could get his information before the assembly. Tiber Nott had learned that Iere Greengrass had not matriculated at Hogwarts, nor any other recognized school of witchcraft and wizardry. What possible reason could there be for a young witch, descendant of two long lines of witches and wizards, not to work toward qualifications so that she could eventually take her place in the wizarding world?
It was obvious to Tiber. That girl in the gallery was a squib! Nott's plan was to throw it all in a hopper before the Wizengamot, let the sparse facts raise questions in a few minds, then force a showdown. Let Iere Greengrass cast some kind of spell before the chamber and put the matter to rest. It seemed like a good idea. Nott tried to poke holes in his own theory and was unable to do so.
The initial paragraphs of Nott's speech went smoothly. He reviewed the course and purpose of Hogwarts studies, leading at least to OWLs and minimal qualifications. He stated that there was no record of Iere attending school. She was thirteen, nearly fourteen. Students normally began formal studies beginning the first term after their eleventh birthday.
"What reason, other than lack of magical ability…" Nott began to summarize.
Iere cupped her chin in her left hand, rubbing the Black onyx with her ring finger.
"That is going too far, cousin," Iere thought to herself. Iere didn't read minds, she grasped feelings. Iere knew the direction a person was going before the person knew. Her brow moved, eyebrows lowered, her eyes squinted just a little. "Don't do this to yourself."
Nott didn't catch the change in Iere's demeanor because he was getting wound up, his speech nearing its climax.
"As a Nott, and a proud one, I cannot stand by idly and see Barclay Nott's office occupied by a…"
Iere felt around, looking for the word she knew Tiber Nott was going to use. He really was happy, standing before his Wizengamot audience, moving them, bringing them around to his way of thinking. One little substitution. Iere thought of a funny word she had heard James use and sent it for Tiber Nott's consideration.
"…Barclay Nott's office occupied by a DINGLEBERRY!"
Nott really laid it on, shaking his fist for emphasis. A gasp sounded throughout the Wizengamot chamber, followed by murmurs that grew into a buzz, then undifferentiated noise, as Minister Shacklebolt pounded his gavel and called for order.
"Mr. Nott, I caution you, please use appropriate language or you will forfeit your time," said Kingsley.
Nott was confused. He had protested conveyance of the chief's office to a squib. What was wrong with that? Making the best of the situation, Nott bowed to the chair.
"Thank-you, Mr. Minister, for your wise counsel. As I was saying, this DINGLEBERRY must now decide if it is appropriate for a DINGLEBERRY to head a noble DINGLEBERRY…"
"You're killing them, Tiber!" shouted a backbencher, bringing on raucous laughter from members and visitors alike.
Kingsley pounded and pounded, calling for order, the Sergeant at Arms and removal of Tiber Nott all at once.
"The gentle wizard's time has expired!" Kingsley pronounced, gaveling the session closed with one final blow to the wooden block.
Iere sat silently between her aunt and uncle, face completely neutral, her fingers now interlaced just below her nose. The Nott signet and Black onyx adorning her hands, the signs of her office and family alliance looked lovely and content, right where they were.