* ~ The Eighth Year Universe Series ~ *

PART FOUR

Brave New World

Chapter 65: Be the Change You Want to See in the World

"This is completely pointless."

"It's never pointless," Astoria said. She refilled Hermione's mug without looking up from the document she was perusing, "You never know when you're going to find something."

Hermione sighed and looked over at the younger girl, "How can you keep going when you know it's a losing battle?"

"Because it's only a losing battle when you give up," Astoria said. She refilled her own mug and looked up at Hermione, "I could have given up on having a father a long time ago. My father spent years resenting me and belittling me, but here we are 18 years later, and he's adopting me."

Hermione frowned slightly.

"Everyone keeps telling me to give up on the business," Astoria added, "Greengrass Industries used to be the biggest importer and exporter of wizarding goods on the continent until the war. But now, it's a shadow of what it was. All of the resources are still there, but there isn't enough money, there aren't enough buyers, and it probably would be easier to give up, but I won't."

Hermione smiled at her, "I admire you for that, and I can see that you and Daphne are very alike in that way."

Astoria shrugged, "If nothing else, our father taught us to be industrious, and a big part of that is never giving up."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, "So how are you going to save the business?"

Astoria laughed, "I don't have it all worked out yet, but I have ideas. The trouble with the way it used to be was that it was old fashioned. We waited for people to approach us, we didn't go out there and try to convince new companies to use us, and we didn't poach services away from other companies, but it's a more aggressive world now, so we have to do that. I'm hiring a team of Business Representatives to help with that. But there's more to it than that. We need to expand our brand and import and export further afield than the continent. Canada would buy good British firewhiskey, and the Japanese think that we have the best butterbeer in the world."

"You really do sound like you have it all figured out."

"I have the ideas. I just need the revenue," Astoria admitted, "And without a big donation to kickstart us, that's going to take a while."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, "I might be able to help you out with that big donation."

Astoria frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I would have to talk to him about it, but I know that Draco saved a large portion of the sale of Malfoy Manor for when he decided to buy a house himself," Hermione explained, "As it was, he was given the Black title and home by Harry, so we used a fraction of that money to renovate the house."

Astoria's eyes widened, "No, Hermione, you can't ask that of him. We barely even know each other."

"No, but Daphne is one of my best friends, and she cares about you a lot," Hermione said honestly, "I'll talk to Draco tonight," she promised.

"Draco?"

"What do you want?" Draco asked. He looked up from his book.

"How did you know that I wanted something?" Hermione asked with a frown.

"Because you made my name sound like a question," Draco said, a smile tugged at his lips, "So what do you want?"

Hermione bit her lip.

"Don't do that unless you want me to ravage you tonight," Draco said as his eyes shifted to her lips.

Hermione's cheeks flushed, "Draco!"

"Spit it out, Hermione," Draco teased.

"You know the money from the sale of Malfoy Manor? The money you were saving for when you bought a house?" Hermione said very quickly.

Draco narrowed his eyes at her, "Yes. What do you want me to spend it on?"

"Well…what is it set aside for now?"

"Nothing," Draco replied, "Why?"

"Well, I have a proposal for you," Hermione said slowly, "I thought you could make a charitable donation to a company-"

"You want me to fund the upstart of Greengrass Industries," Draco cut in.

Hermione nodded and caught his eye, "Well…yes, I do."

"I saw that coming from the moment you got friendly with Astoria. Did she put you up to this? Because if she did, that might be the first Slytherin thing I've seen that girl do," Draco mused.

"No, it was my idea," Hermione said, "But it's a good one, don't you think?"

"I don't owe Astoria anything," Draco reminded Hermione.

"No," Hermione agreed, "But you owe Daphne a hell of a lot. She's one of your best friends, she stood by you in the war despite some of your more questionable choices, and she was there for you when Pansy had died and Theo had abandoned you."

"Thanks for the guilt trip," Draco muttered under his breath.

"Don't you think you owe it to Daphne?" Hermione asked, "Astoria is her sister, and the company is hers too."

Draco raised an eyebrow at her, "Sweet Salazar, you're so Slytherin sometimes, Hermione. Is it wrong that it turns me on?"

Hermione smiled slightly, "Draco, I'm trying to have a serious discussion with you right now."

Draco smiled, "I'm sorry. Anyway, I will fund the upstart of the company. I don't have any objections to doing so. But it will not be a charitable donation. I will make terms with Astoria. If I'm throwing this much money at the business, at the very least, I ought to be a shareholder."

"Right."

"And this is the difference between you and me," Draco said, an amused smile played on his lips, "You just want to throw money at people and not expect anything in return. If I'm throwing money at people, I want to gain something from it too."

"Typical Slytherin prince," Hermione said playfully, "Always out for your own gain."

Draco's eyes flashed mischievously as they met hers, "Typical Gryffindor princess. Always trying to help those in need."

"Don't you think it's kinda weird?"

"What? That I'm feeding Dave mice today? We've been over this. He's getting too fat with the diet of rats and-"

"Harry shut up; I'm not talking about Dave's diet," Daphne said. She folded the last of the washing and put it in the basket.

"But you said that just as I was telling you about Dave's new diet," Harry frowned.

Daphne looked over at him, "Were you? Sorry, I wasn't listening. I was thinking about Hermione and Astoria. Don't you think it's weird?"

Harry's frown deepened, "That they are working together to prevent injustice? No, not really. Why would it be weird?"

"Just because Hermione is my friend," Daphne said, "And she's getting all chummy with Astoria. It's weird."

Harry laughed, "Are you actually jealous?"

"What? No!" Daphne scoffed, "But Astoria is more Hermione's cup of tea, you know? She likes law, and she likes justice prevailing. She can spend all night researching with coffee and actually finds it fun."

Harry cackled, "Wow, I can't believe what's happening here."

"What are you talking about?" Daphne asked irritably, "What's happening here, exactly?"

"You're worried that Hermione is going to like Astoria more than she likes you," Harry said.

Daphne snorted, "No, I'm not. That's ridiculous; Hermione and I have been friends for ages. She has known Astoria for all of one minute!"

Harry smirked at her.

"Stop it."

"I'm right, admit it."

"You are not right," Daphne said as she grabbed her washing basket and stomped up the stairs, "Ice queens do not get jealous."

"Oh, give it up, baby, the ice queen melted a long time ago," Harry called as she made her way up the stairs.

"Fuck you, Harry."

"Watch your language! Teddy's up there."

"And there's a silencing ward on his bedroom, so, fuck you, Harry!"

Harry chuckled and shook his head in amusement.

"What are our chances of winning this thing?" Hermione asked. She stood in a smart suit next to Astoria outside a courtroom.

"50%," Astoria said honestly, "It kind of depends on which judge we get and how lenient they are."

Hermione noticed the smirk on the younger girls face, "Why are you smirking? Do you know something that I don't?"

"No," Astoria replied smoothly, "I was just thinking about all the judges we might get."

Hermione shot her a confused look as they stepped into the courtroom.

On one side was the accused, a cocky guy in his mid 20's. On the other side was the defence, a nervous-looking girl in her early 20's. They were the defence's lawyers, but the accused had his own lawyer too.

Beyond that, there was no jury. The decision would just be down to a judge, but that judge had not taken their place at the podium yet. A man in dark robes stood in front of the podium and said, "All rise for the Honourable Andromeda Tonks."

Hermione's eyes widened. She chanced a sideways glance at Astoria, and the younger girl said, "Oh, that's convenient."

Andromeda stood at the podium and said, "I am here today to preside over an appeal raised by the defence; Hilary Watson. The defence appeals the decision that the accused, Nigel Harris, is not guilty of one count of rape."

She opened a document in front of her, "The decision was taken at a preliminary hearing not to prosecute Mr Harris for the crime due to a lack of evidence to support the case. Would the defence please take the stand and explain their reasoning behind the appeal?"

Astoria got to her feet and walked to the stand, "Thank you, your honour. This appeal was raised because the judge at the preliminary hearing did not take the entirety of the law into account. The case was dismissed because the defence willingly went to the accused's home. However, there are two clauses in the Prohibition of Dangerous Substances act that put that decision into dispute…."

Astoria argued their case, and then the accused had his lawyer take the stand.

"With all due respect, your honour," He said, "The defence is clutching at straws. The defendant willingly went home with the accused and therefore would likely have engaged in sexual activities with him in due course."

"Objection, your honour!" Hermione said.

Andromeda nodded.

"The defendant did not have that choice, hence why it was rape," Hermione said. She tried her best to contain her temper.

"Does the accused have an alternative reason for putting a sleeping draught in the defendant's drink?" Andromeda asked calmly.

"The defendant had been complaining of a long day at work," The accused's lawyer said, "He wanted to help her relax."

"Objection, your honour," Astoria said.

Andromeda nodded once more.

"Under the Prohibition of Dangerous Substances act, giving the sleeping potion to the defence without her consent is illegal," Astoria said.

Andromeda nodded, "Indeed, Miss Greengrass. This court has come to a decision. Order!"

She hit the hammer against the gavel, and the courtroom fell silent.

"Nigel Harris. You are hereby charged with drugging a victim without due consent under the Prohibition of Dangerous Substances act. You are sentenced to one year's incarceration in the low-security sector of Azkaban."

"A year?" Hermione hissed under her breath.

They got to their feet, and Astoria whispered, "It's better than nothing, still a win at the end of the day."

Hermione glanced over at the poor girl they were defending and silently debated whether it was a win. But she knew Astoria was right. It was better than nothing.

"Did you win your appeal then?" Daphne asked when Hermione and Astoria slipped into Cygnus's hospital room later that day.

Hermione smiled at her, "You know we did. It was you who got Andromeda to be the judge, wasn't it?"

Daphne frowned, "No…but that is too convenient to be luck. Did you set it up, Harry?"

Harry shook his head and handed Hermione and Astoria wine in plastic cups, "Nope, that's a very Slytherinesque thing to do. Maybe you should ask the other Slytherin in the room who knows Andromeda if it was her."

Astoria smirked.

Draco whistled, "Astoria Greengrass, showing your true colours. I'm so proud. I have a tear in my eye."

Astoria rolled her eyes, "Shut up, Draco."

Cygnus smiled slightly, "I see what Daphne meant about you two being two much like siblings to ever be able to date."

"Not to mention the fact that he's head over heels for his favourite muggle-born," Daphne joked as she shot Draco a grin.

Draco smiled at Hermione, "Well, there is that. Have you had the pleasure of meeting Hermione yet, Cygnus?"

"I have. She was in here discussing staffing ideas for the business just the other night," Cygnus said, "If she weren't so invested in her job at the DMLE, I would poach her and make her Head of Staff."

Hermione laughed, "Maybe one day, Mr Greengrass."

"Why all the celebrations, my dear?" Cygnus asked Astoria curiously, "Did you acquire a silent partner?"

"We acquired a new partner," Astoria said, "But I very much doubt he will be a silent one."

Draco smirked, "I donated a large amount of money to Greengrass Industries. In return, I asked for 14.5% of the annual yield."

"14.5%?" Cygnus mused, "That's a very specific number."

Astoria smirked, "He asked for 20%, and when he left, he thought he had a good deal."

"And I always thought you were too nice to be a businesswoman," Draco said with a shake of his head.

Cygnus smirked too, "That's my girl. I knew making you head of the business was a good idea. How did you manage to convince him to put up the money?"

"I dropped a few subtle hints to his fiancé and waited for him to come to me," Astoria said. She shot Hermione an amused look.

Hermione's jaw dropped, "You did that on purpose?"

"Of course she did. She's a true Slytherin," Draco said with a slight smile, "And I knew she was doing it the whole time."

"So why did you put the money up?" Harry asked with a frown.

"Because Greengrass Industries wasn't the biggest shipping company on the continent for nothing," Draco said honestly, "They can get back on track, and when they do, the money will come rolling in."

"Slytherins," Hermione muttered with a shake of her head.

Harry caught her eye and chuckled, "It's a different world, isn't it? I'd have just left an anonymous check."

Daphne scoffed, "You Gryffindors are too nice for your own good. That's why you need Slytherins in your life to stop you throwing all of your possessions and money at those in need."

"She has a point," Harry said to Hermione.

Hermione just chuckled and glanced at her watch, "Is your mother still coming tonight, Draco?"

Draco glanced at the clock behind her, "Yes, she's probably just running late because she was waiting on Andromeda coming home from work. She's bringing Teddy with her."

"Narcissa is coming?" Cygnus asked with interest, "Why is that?"

"As the mother of your new partner, I thought she might like to be here," Draco replied, "And she jumped at the chance."

"I bet she did," Daphne muttered to Hermione.

Hermione frowned and whispered, "What does that mean?"

"Narcissa and my father went to school together. I think my father had a little bit of a crush on her," Daphne whispered back, "But there was one small issue. My father's best friend back then was Lucius Malfoy."

"Ah," Hermione chuckled, "I see."

Daphne just rolled her eyes in response, then the door opened. Narcissa stepped in with Teddy on her hip. She smiled broadly at Cygnus.

"Cygnus! You are looking well!"

Teddy scrambled to get down, "Dada! Mumma!"

Narcissa chuckled and popped him down, "On you go then poppet."

The little boy ran for Harry and Daphne.

"It's lovely to see you, Narcissa," Cygnus said after he looked at her for a moment longer than he should have done.

"And you," Narcissa said, "I expect we shall see a little more of each other when you get well. After all, your Grandson is my niece's child."

"Your niece?" Cygnus frowned.

"Andromeda's daughter, Nymphadora, is Teddy's biological mother," Narcissa explained, "However she and her husband Remus were killed during the war, so care of Teddy fell to Harry who was his Godfather."

"I see," Cygnus said simply.

"Alright," Daphne said loudly, "Let's celebrate! The instatement of Astoria as CEO of Greengrass Industries!"

"Cheers!"

"The rebirth of Greengrass Industries!"

"Cheers!"

"And, our new silent partner, Draco Black."

"Cheers!"

"Daph, Daph!"

"I'm dressing Teddy. What is it?"

Harry dashed up the stairs with a letter in hand, "Look what just arrived in the post!"

Daphne looked up with a frown, "It's a piece of parchment?"

"It's a letter," Harry said excitedly, "Let me read it to you…."

"Dear Lord Potter,

Please accept this letter as an invitation to take your seat on the Wizengamot and with it accept your title as Earl. Our records show that you have adequately passed your N.E.W.T's and that you are now of age.

The Potter family seat has been vacant for several years. As such, if you do not reply within 30 days in writing to confirm that you wish to take the seat, it will be released and gifted to another wizarding family.

We would

Please inform us of any changes to the family motto, crest or spelling of the surname in writing when you accept or reject your seat.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Gregor Fisher,

Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot."

Daphne smiled slightly, "Which part of that got you excited, exactly? The fact you were referred to as Lord Potter or the fact you can take your place on the Wizengamot?"

"Both," Harry grinned, "But it's exciting, isn't it? Why don't you have a letter?"

"Because I'm not the only Greengrass in line," Daphne replied, "The seat was vacant until I came of age, but now my father could take it, or Astoria could."

"So what happens then?" Harry asked with a frown.

"It goes to a vote. The three of us sit in a room together and decide who is best suited to take the seat," Daphne replied, "And honestly, I think it would be Astoria."

"Or you," Harry said, "But your father is of the older generation. I don't know how easily he would fall in line with our ideas…."

"I don't know if he would either," Daphne admitted, "But that's a conversation for another day. You had better reply and let them know that you wish to take your seat. I need to get this little guy fed and over to his Great Aunt Cissa before 9 am."

"Alright," Harry said, "What does it mean about the motto and crest?"

"You need to tell them if the family motto has changed, or if you have added anything to the family crest," Daphne answered, "You haven't… have you?"

"I didn't even know we had a motto," Harry said sheepishly.

Daphne looked up in amusement, "Non Desistas. Non Exieris."

"What?"

"It's what's written on the family crest. You know the huge one in the stained glass window in the hall?" Daphne pointed out with a laugh, "It's the family motto."

"And it means?"

Daphne raised an eyebrow at him, "You really ought to learn Latin if you want to succeed. It's also vital for spell-creation."

"I'll teach myself," Harry shrugged.

"It means 'Never Give Up. Never Surrender'. That's the Potter family motto," Daphne explained.

Harry smiled, "Well, why would I change that?"

"It is rather fitting," She agreed, frowning at the window as another owl flew in and dropped a letter addressed to Harry.

"It's for you."

"Can you open it?" Harry asked as he frantically buttered his toast, "I'll throw up if I try and train on an empty stomach."

Daphne opened the letter and scanned it with wide eyes. When she was finished reading, she dropped it on the table.

"What is it?" Harry asked through a mouthful of toast.

"They have upgraded your family title," Daphne said, staring at her fiancé in disbelief, "Due to your families efforts and sacrifices in the war."

"So?" Harry frowned.

"So the Potters were Viscounts, then they were made Earls after the first war," Daphne said quickly, "And now they are making you a Marquess."

"A what? Sounds kind of French."

"Oh, sweet Salazar, I'm going to be a Marchioness!" Daphne exclaimed excitedly.

Harry looked at her blankly.

"Harry, you idiot! It's only the best title you can have unless you're a direct descendant of Merlin or a bloody founder!" Daphne said when she saw his blank expression.

"Yeah, but what does it mean?"

"It means status and respect," Daphne answered honestly.

"And…why does that matter?"

Daphne rolled her eyes, "You're such a half-blood sometimes," she said as she got to her feet.

"I can usually tell if that's an insult or a compliment, but right now, I can't," Harry joked.

"That's because right now, I'm not sure which it is," Daphne chuckled. She leant up to kiss him, "You're clueless, and I love you."

"I know," Harry said. He leant over and kissed her, "Love you too, and love you, little man!"

"Buh-Bye, Dada!"

"Have a good day!" Daphne called as he rushed out the door.

"Draco!"

Draco smiled slightly, "Yes, I got my letter this morning. I thought you might be excited about it. Is that the first time you've ever been addressed as a lord?"

"It is, and do you know what? I rather like it," Harry said smugly.

Theo snorted, "You would. How your ego fits through the front door of this place, I don't know."

They all stepped into the training centre together.

"Did you get a letter too, Theo?" Harry asked, ignoring the Slytherins jibe.

"Indeed, I did."

"So Neville is the odd one out then," Draco said, "The Lord-less one."

"I may not be a lord, but I do have a seat on the Wizengamot," Neville's voice said from behind them, "I won it last night, actually."

"Through conversation or violence?" Harry asked curiously.

"Violence," Neville grinned, "I'm much better in a duel than my cousin."

"So the four of us are on the Wizengamot," Harry mused, "Do you think that's going to make enough of a difference?"

"Depending on what Greengrass gets the seat, maybe," Draco replied honestly,

"Sadie's brother is on side too, and he sits in the Cauldwell seat," Theo reminded them.

"And if we all got letters, Susan will have done too."

"She might not pick up on it within the 30 days, though," Harry said, "If she's off gallivanting with Percy."

"Good point. I'll send her a Patronus when I get home tonight," Neville said.

"So what happens now then?" Harry asked.

"Well, once they have received our replies, that's it. We will all get keyrings, and when they call the Wizengamot, they will burn to let us know that our presence is required," Draco replied.

"Like the fake galleons you made in fifth year," Neville said.

"Which Hermione modelled on the dark mark," Harry admitted sheepishly.

Draco nodded, "But this is different. It won't be burned onto my skin for a start."

"So when does the Wizengamot sit?" Harry asked.

"Whenever they need to," Theo replied, "Every time the Minister for Magic puts forward a new law for one. But once we have our foot in the door for a few months, we are also entitled to put forward new laws for consideration. The Minister has to sign off on them first, but then he can put them to the Wizengamot."

"So this is the start of that change you talked about," Draco said, "Right back at the beginning of eighth year."

Harry nodded thoughtfully as they dumped their things in the locker room, "Are any of you guys going to change your family mottos? I only found out what mine was this morning."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Neville laughed, "I don't think I'll ever change ours. It sums up how I feel rather well."

Harry looked at him blankly, "Just assume I'm a half-blood who knows nothing, okay?"

"Why should we assume when it's the truth?" Theo teased.

Draco and Neville laughed as Harry lunged at Theo, but the Slytherin ducked away from him.

"Humility Kills Pride," Draco chuckled, "That's the translation of the Longbottom motto, isn't it?"

"Neville nodded, "Humilitas Occidit Superbiam."

"Seriously, am I the only person who doesn't know Latin?" Harry asked in disbelief.

The three purebloods looked at him incredulously, "Yes, how can you not know Latin? Every spell you use is in Latin."

"I just memorise them," Harry admitted.

"No wonder he's so bad at Transfiguration," Draco mused.

Theo nodded, "And spell creation."

"Fuck this, I'm going to teach myself Latin," Harry muttered.

Now that they were all changed, they headed outside for practice. Draco said, "I'm thinking about changing the family motto, but I need to talk to my mother and Andromeda about it."

"Is it a big deal to change the family motto, then?" Harry asked,

"When it's for an ancient family like the Blacks, yes," Draco answered, "I always view the Blacks as better than the Malfoys, but from a prejudiced point of view, they are just as bad. I mean, the Malfoy family motto was 'Purity Will Always Conquer', and the Blacks is 'Always Pure."

"Toujours Pur," Harry said.

"I thought you didn't know Latin?"

"I don't, but I had to clear out Grimmauld Place, and that was written on everything," Harry snorted.

"Not that it's true anymore," Theo snorted, "You marrying a muggle-born and all."

"It has never been true," Draco scoffed, "But I guess 'Always pure because we cast out anyone who dares not to marry their cousin' doesn't have the same ring to it."

At this, they all burst out laughing.

When Draco sat before his mother and his aunt and said the words, "I am thinking of changing the Black family motto," he half-expected a slap.

Instead, he got a "Thank goodness" from Andromeda.

And a "Please do" from his mother.

Draco frowned in surprise, "Oh. I expected some resistance."

"From me?" Andromeda scoffed, "Toujours pur, mon cul!"

Draco smiled in amusement. His aunt had taken to swearing in French when she started to look after Teddy.

"It is, and always has been, a lie," Narcissa agreed, "We are not pure, and we are no longer ashamed of that."

"Do you have any thoughts about what you would like to change the family motto to?" Andromeda asked curiously.

"My initial thought was, Lux ex Tenebris," Draco admitted, "But I think I have a better one."

"Light from darkness?" Narcissa mused.

"It would certainly be fitting," Andromeda agreed, "But do tell us what your other idea is?"

"Per Aspera Ad Astra," Draco said, his Latin was flawless.

Narcissa and Andromeda both smiled. His aunt nodded, "Through Hardships to The Stars."

"It's a beautiful phrase," Narcissa said, "And befitting considering that those in our family tend to be named for the stars."

Draco nodded, "And we have all endured our hardships."

"It is perfect, Draco," Andromeda assured him, "You have my consent."

"And mine," Narcissa said, smiling proudly at her son.

Draco smiled back at them. Change was coming, and the world felt a whole lot brighter because of that.

When Harry was called to his first Wizengamot session a week later, he actually felt very nervous. As he walked into the Ministry with Neville, Draco and Theo, he voiced this opinion.

"You'll be fine," Theo assured him, "And you get to sit in the comfy seats with us."

Harry frowned, "What do you mean?"

"You're a lord," Neville said with an amused smile, "All the lords get the comfy seats while the rest of us are shoved on benches."

Harry's frown deepened, "How do they decide who's a lord and whose not exactly?"

"Every original member of the sacred twenty-eight had a lordship," Draco answered, "But some of them were stripped from their owners."

"What for?" Harry queried.

"The Weasley's got a double whammy. They lost their lordship and their seat on the Wizengamot for being blood traitors," Draco replied in an undertone, "They warned them that they were going to die out if they kept breeding with muggles. Still, they ignored the Wizengamots advice and carried on, which was why they were thrown out."

"I know you think it's prejudiced," Theo said, "But back then, it looked like the Weasley name would die out. They had bred with Muggles so much that more Muggles than Witches or Wizards were born with that name. After they lost their seat and their title, they pretty much all left the wizarding world apart from Septimus Weasley. He married a Black, who was disowned for it."

Harry followed this story with interest.

"And they had two children, one of whom was Arthur Weasley, who has saved the family name from extinction in his quest to give his wife a daughter," Theo finished with a grin.

Harry laughed, "That's crazy, though, isn't it? That one person can turn the tide like that? What did your family get their title stripped for, Nev?"

"Yeah, Nev," Theo grinned, "Tell your bestie."

Draco smirked too.

"Oh jeez, what did one of your ancestors do?" Harry asked, shooting his best friend an amused smile.

"It was way back at the turn of the century, 1903 or something," Neville said with a wave of his hand, "My ancestor, Alexander Longbottom, ran a sanctuary for humanoid magical creatures who had been cast out. When he was found to be having sexual contact with some of them, we had our lordship stripped."

Harry bit his lip to try and contain himself, but the minute Draco and Theo started sniggering, he was gone.

"How did they find out?" Harry asked through his laughter.

"Because he got a bloody mermaid pregnant, and don't ask me how because I don't want to think about it," Neville answered with a roll of his eyes.

"It's not as bad as the Fawley's," Draco said, glancing behind him then lowering his voice, "They got their lordship stripped of them after what Stuart Fawley's father did."

"The Fawley's have a seat on the Wizengamot?" Harry asked.

"Unfortunately, yes," Draco replied.

"What did his father do?" Harry asked as his frown deepened.

"Married his daughter, Annabella, off to Kevin Brown when she was only 16," Draco whispered, "It wasn't illegal, but it was frowned upon. Imagine pulling your daughter out of Hogwarts to marry her off? Before she can even get her N.E.W.T's."

"But the Fawley family are scum, so…" Theo shrugged.

Harry nodded but said no more on the subject as they reached the large courtroom where the Wizengamot sat.

"Come this way, Harry," Draco murmured as he veered off to the right. Theo went in that direction too, so Harry followed them with an apologetic glance at Neville. He found himself sitting in comfortable, velvet chairs on a balconied area with a few other people. Down below were 'the rest', in wooden pews.

They sat there silently as everyone else filed in. When the large doors were shut, Kingsley stood up at a podium at the front of the balconied area and boomed, "Let the first meeting of the 1999 to 2000 session of the Wizengamot commence. Today we welcome several new families and welcome back yet more. For this reason, we shall begin with a roll call."

Harry swallowed nervously.

"Earl Howard Abbott of Abbott Castle."

A man with shoulder-length blonde hair rose to his feet behind Harry.

"Viscount Draco Abraxas Black of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."

Draco rose to his feet.

"Baroness Susan Sara Bones of Bones Manor."

Susan rolled her eyes at Harry from where she sat a few seats down, but she also rose to her feet.

"The Honourable Kevin Brown of Lakeside House."

A man with short blond hair and sharp features rose to his feet in the area below them.

"The Honourable Sorenson Cauldwell of Cauldwell House."

Sorenson pushed himself to his feet from his spot beside Neville down below.

"Baron Julian Crouch of Crouch House."

Harry peered at the scruffy man who pushed himself to his feet. He looked a lot like Lareina, only not as well-groomed. His blonde hair was a little darker, and he had messy facial hair. He also looked and smelled drunk. He knew that this was Daphne's Uncle Julian, but apparently, Lareina had distanced herself from Julian after he blew all of the Crouch money on gambling, illegal potions and prostitutes.

"The Honourable Michael Corner Senior of Ivy House."

A middle-aged man who looked very much like the Michael Corner they had gone to school with got to his feet in the section below.

"The Honourable Stefan Cornfoot of Oak End."

A dark-skinned man rose to his feet.

"The Honourable Stuart Fawley of Fawley Manor."

Harry couldn't help himself. He glared at Stuart Fawley as he rose to his feet. Harry also noticed that he was sitting as far away from Neville as possible.

"The Honourable Matthias Jones of Jones House."

A man with dirty blond hair rose to his feet.

"The Honourable Neville Frank Longbottom of Longbottom House."

Neville got to his feet and shot Harry an amused look from below.

"Laird Hamish MacDougall of MacDougall Castle."

A man in front of Harry got to his feet. He had long brown hair, pulled into a ponytail, and was dressed very smartly.

"Viscount Ernest Macmillan of Macmillan House."

Ernie got to his feet, and Harry had to bite back a snort when he saw him puff out his chest out importantly.

"The Honourable Graham Montague of Montague House."

A Slytherin who had been a few years above them in school rose to his feet.

"Viscount Theodore Roosevelt Nott of Nott Manor."

Theo pushed himself to his feet and tried to look majestic. Harry thought he was failing, and he figured Draco did too because the blond man was trying very hard not to smirk.

"Earl Oberon Parkinson of Parkinson House."

A greying man whose hair had once been jet black rose to his feet. He glanced to the side and gave Draco a brief nod, which Draco returned respectfully, but then he looked back out over those standing below them.

"The Honourable Gareth Perks of Rose Lodge."

A self-important man wearing a ridiculously fancy suit jacket rose to his feet down below.

"Sally-Anne's Dad," Draco murmured in Harry's ear.

"Marquiss Harry James Potter of Potter Manor."

Harry's cheeks flushed a little as he rose to his feet. Theo swivelled to look at Harry, and Draco's eyes looked ready to pop out of his head. Neville looked like he was trying not to laugh at how uncomfortable Harry looked as everyone stared at him.

"At this point, I would like to congratulate the Potter family on their ascension," Kingsley added, turning to smile at Harry.

Harry smiled back weakly.

"Viscountess Clara Grace Selwyn of Selwyn House."

Harry turned around in surprise as Clara rose to her feet. She smirked at Harry in response.

"Baron Horace Slughorn of Cherry End."

Slughorn smiled at Harry from his spot a few seats along, and he rose to his feet.

"The Honourable Ezekiel Smith of The Willows."

A man who was so smarmy there was no way he wasn't Zacharias Smith's father got to his feet.

"The Honourable Percy Ignatius Weasley of the Burrow."

Percy looked so out of place as he stood up next to Neville. He was dressed in a smart suit, and if it weren't for the longer hair, the earing and the tattoo just visible on his wrist, he would have looked like his old self.

"The Honourable Oliver Wood of Wood Villa."

Oliver got to his feet with a natural smile.

"And,The Honourable Belinda Zabini of High Top House."

A beautiful, dark-skinned woman with long, curly hair rose to her feet.

Kingsley clapped his hands, and a curtain on the back wall fell away. Beneath it was the name of each family, along with their crest and family motto.

"As you will see, we are one family down today," Kingsley boomed, "The Greengrass seat remains vacant until a decision can be made as to which member will represent the family. Now that we are all acquainted with one another, let us begin."

* ~ TBC ~ *