* ~ The Eighth Year Universe Series ~ *

PART FOUR

Brave New World

Chapter 83: Pride, Politics and Prejudice

Howard Abbott might have been an Earl rather than a Marquess, but he certainly had a nicer house than Harry. Abbott Castle was small but beautiful. It was situated in the heart of Shropshire and was very grand. Harry hadn't realised quite how well off Hannah's family were until now.

He placed his hand on the door of the gatehouse and, as expected, was asked for his name and intention. It wasn't often that Harry used his full name or title, but he felt like it was called for in this case.

"Marquess Harry James Potter. I am here to speak to the master of the house, Earl Howard Abbott."

There was a pause, and the door to the gatehouse swung open. Harry stepped through it and paused to marvel at the castle before him. Straight ahead was the main door into the castle, but to his left, there was an entrance into the south tower, and to his right, there was an entrance into the north tower.

The main door opened, and Howard stepped out. He smiled at Harry, "Quite something, isn't it?"

"Indeed," Harry agreed with a smile, "It is a beautiful home."

"Are you here in an official capacity?" Howard asked, gesturing at Harry's robes.

"Somewhat," Harry answered, "I do need to discuss something with you, but I thought it was a conversation best had gentleman to gentleman rather than in my capacity as an Auror."

Howard bowed his head, "I see. Would you like a tour?" he could sense Harry's interest.

"Yes," Harry answered, "I would love one, actually. I developed an interest in architecture when I inherited my family home, and this must be far older than Potter Manor."

"Yes," Howard agreed, "The tower is the oldest part. It was built in the 13th century. The main castle houses the drawing-room, the kitchen and the dining room. It is our entertaining space, so to speak. The south tower is our living space. It has three floors; the first floor houses my library and study. The other two floors have bedrooms."

He gestured at the north tower, "The north tower is smaller, but it is where guests stay when we have them."

"It is preserved wonderfully," Harry said.

"Oh yes, it takes a lot of upkeep," Howard said with a chuckle, "Would you care for a cup of tea in the drawing-room?"

"Absolutely."

Harry followed Howard into the drawing-room, which was more like a miniature great hall. He sat down in an armchair by the fire, and Howard snapped his fingers then bossily told a house-elf to bring him tea.

Harry noted that behaviour because a long time ago, he learned that it was entirely possible to judge a person based on how they spoke to their house-elves. All the same, he busied himself with studying the family crest that was proudly carved into the stone wall above the fireplace. Underneath in golden writing were words, woven together in Latin.

Aliss Vivere. Harry thanked his stars that he had asked Lilly to teach him Latin because he had a feeling that knowing what the Abbott family motto was, was going to come in handy.

The tea arrived, and Harry made himself a cup, aware that he was under Howard's watchful eye. From the moment he had arrived here, Howard had been testing his knowledge of pureblood etiquette, but Harry was married to Daphne Greengrass. He knew how to make a cup of tea like a pureblood even if he wasn't one.

He drew back with his cup of tea and saucer in hand and smiled at Howard, "Thank you."

Howard was visibly surprised, but he covered it up quickly, "So what official business brings you here?"

"It is rather sensitive information," Harry confessed, "Which was why I wished to discuss it in person. There was an incident earlier today, and a young girl called Nina Frost became an orphan."

There was a flicker of recognition in Howard's eyes at the name.

"A child?" Howard asked.

Harry bowed his head, "She is five years old, and she is distantly related to you. I have a family tree if that would be useful?"

Howard shook his head and put his cup of tea down. He took his wand out of his pocket and pointed it at the wall behind them. A painted tree on the wall sprung to life, showing beautifully painted faces with golden writing beneath them.

Harry put his cup of tea down and got to his feet. He watched curiously as Howard touched the face of a beautiful blonde woman with cropped hair, "Angela."

"Your wife," Harry realised.

Howard nodded, "She was a kind soul. A muggle-born, but so gifted and with so much love in her heart. She was a Hufflepuff, just like Hannah. My daughter, she is so much like her mother."

Harry looked at the portrait, "I am so sorry that you lost her."

"You understand loss," Howard said, his voice unreadable, "You know of the hole that is left in your heart when someone is ripped from your life."

Harry nodded, "How did she die?"

"Saving lives," Howard said, a sad smile gracing his face, "Which is how she would always have wanted to go out. There was an attack on a muggle school, the Death Eaters were looking for the illegitimate child of one of their own, so I hear."

Harry frowned at those words.

"A killing curse hit her while she healed children," Howard said. His voice broke a little, but he cleared his throat to cover it up, "She was a wonderful woman, truly wonderful."

"She sounds it," Harry said honestly.

Howard let his eyes hover on the portrait for a few moments longer, then he sighed and ran his hand up the branches of the tree, "I know the name Frost, and I know where it comes into my heritage."

He stopped at a man named Ambrose Abbott, whose wife was called Clementine Cornfoot.

"My grandmother," Howard said, pointing to Clementine, "She was a Cornfoot and somewhere along the line, a Cornfoot married a Frenchman called Deveraux Frost."

Howard continued up then moved along as the line branched out, "There. This girl must not have any direct relatives if you are going back to 1904 to make a connection."

"She doesn't," Harry sighed.

"There are other options," Howard pointed out, "My grandmother, Clementine, had a brother."

Howard stopped on a man by the name of Stephan Cornfoot.

"He had two children," Howard explained, "A son who carried on the family name. Stefan is still alive, and he has recently lost his only son. He perished in the Battle of Hogwarts."

Harry nodded, "I know that he's an option, but Stefan is doing the best he can during hard times. His livelihood was torn down in the attacks on Diagon Alley during the war, and he is just beginning to get back on his feet with the rebuilding of his shop and after the death of his son."

"I agree," Howard said, his eyes scanning the tree, "The Cornfoots did indeed fall on hard times when "Cornfoot's Cauldrons" was burned down. However, the daughter of Stephan Cornfoot, Aphrodite, married into the Crouch family."

Harry had seen this coming, but he had an answer prepared.

"They had three children, Lareina, Almina and Julian."

"Julian is by no means a suitable guardian for a young child," Harry said, and Howard nodded his agreement instantly.

"Almina's line starts and ends with Theodore, and as I am sure you are aware, his wife is pregnant with twins," Harry said calmly, "They cannot care for a five-year-old child and two newborn babies."

Howard met Harry's eye, "But you are very closely associated with Lareina's line, are you not?"

"Of course I am. Lareina is my mother-in-law," Harry said, fixing Howard with a knowing look, "Which you know, of course. However, Astoria is 18 years old and the CEO of a globally recognised company; she cannot take in a child."

Howard nodded once more.

"And Daphne and I have just adopted Teddy," Harry said, "I would take Nina in if I could, Howard. I would take her in a heartbeat. I look at that little girl, and I see myself stuck in limbo between two paths—either capable of being raised by a wizarding family who understood me or muggles who didn't. I didn't get to make that choice, and the people who made it for me chose wrong. I do not want to choose wrong for Nina."

Howard looked at the family tree once more. He traced his way down the Frosts to the name "Nina Frost". There was no painting attached, just the golden letters hovering in front of them.

"I can't in good faith take in another child. It would be entirely unfair to my son," Harry said simply. He looked at Howard, "But you could. You could give Nina a good life; you have the space, the resources and the time for her now that Hannah is grown up."

Howard looked into the fire as he considered Harry's words.

"I am not asking you to adopt her or raise her as your own child," Harry said honestly, "I am just asking you to take her in as your ward."

Howard remained silent.

"Teach her right from wrong. Teach her how to be kind. Teach her that she will be stronger for all that she has lost," Harry said softly, "And she will grow into a fine young woman that society can be proud of. She will not grow cold and hard in an orphanage where nobody understands her like Voldemort did."

Howard looked at Harry once more, "You are asking a lot of me, Harry."

"I know I am," Harry said, "But the Abbott family motto is Live for Others, is it not?"

Howard's eyes hovered on the golden words above the fireplace. He bowed his head in a nod, "I shall take her in as my ward, but I must make you aware that while I will teach her all that I can, she will be raised primarily by house-elves. I will take her along where my charity work is concerned, as I did Hannah, but I still work very closely with the DMLE and the Wizengamot, as you well know."

"I understand that," Harry said sincerely, "But you will still be giving that little girl a far better life than you would if she was raised in an orphanage."

Howard bowed his head, "When will you bring her?"

"Tonight, I expect," Harry answered.

"I shall make sure that Hannah is here to greet her," Howard said, "A friendly face will be appreciated, I am sure."

"Indeed," Harry agreed, "Thank you, Howard. I know that we do not always see eye to eye where the Wizengamot is concerned, but I appreciate your kindness."

"It is the decent thing to do, Harry," Howard said, "And I cannot, in good faith, allow her to go to an orphanage when it is within my capacity to do the decent thing."

Harry nodded, "I want to make you aware that my experiences this week have given me cause to put forward new legislation to Kingsley. I want more protection for these children, and I want there to be somewhere for them to go when no family can be found. If you had not accepted Nina, there would be nowhere for her to go in the wizarding world."

"You are talking about an exclusively wizarding orphanage?" Howard asked.

"Yes," Harry said, "I have a building in mind and the resources to get it off of the ground, but public backing will also be required, of course."

"I will completely back you," Howard assured him, "Such an ambitious undertaking at your age is bold of you and admirable. I do not believe that many people will openly oppose you on the Wizengamot where such a venture is concerned."

Harry smiled and bowed his head, "Thank you, Howard. I shall return with Nina this evening and make sure that she settles in comfortably. The required paperwork will be sent via owl in the coming days."

"Of course," Howard said with a nod, "And Harry?"

Harry paused and turned around in the doorway.

Howard smiled at him and said, "Your father was never one for pureblood etiquette. He surrounded himself with blood traitors and muggle-borns as if to make a mockery of the rest of us. He openly opposed us for having too much power, but you are a credit to the Potter family name. you have immense power, more than any other person on the Wizengamot, but you only use it for good, as the Potters always have done."

Harry smiled at that, "Thank you, Howard. Such high praise from a respectable man such as yourself humbles me."

Howard chuckled, "Your wife has taught you everything that you know, hasn't she?"

"Indeed, she has," Harry said with a proud smile.

"It is wonderful to see a union between a Potter and a Greengrass once more," Howard said, "Your families have always worked in tandem, and when they do, they make one hell of a team."

Harry smiled broadly, "Yes, we do," he agreed, "Thank you for your time, Howard."

Harry said with a note of finality as he left Abbott Castle.

When Harry got back to the department, he found Rob at his desk.

"How did your afternoon tea go?" Rob asked sarcastically.

Harry raised an eyebrow at the Auror, "Is that a note of bitterness I hear, Rob?"

"Don't try that pureblood shit with me, Potter," Rob scoffed.

"Potter, is it now?" Harry asked with a snort.

"Sorry, would you prefer Marquess Potter?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Howard Abbott has agreed to take Nina on as his ward. I offered to drop her off tonight, and he is expecting the paperwork via owl within the coming days."

"Just like that?" Rob scoffed, "No resistance?"

"Of course there was resistance," Harry said honestly, "But I know how to speak to men like him. I know what to say to convince them."

"Because you're one of them," Rob said with a roll of his eyes.

"On the Wizengamot, that is who I am," Harry agreed, "But here, I'm just Harry. I was born into that world, Rob, but it's all new to me. I hate pulling the title out, but with men like Howard Abbott, it's the only way to get things done. He's a traditionalist, which isn't a bad thing if you know how to talk to them."

"And you know this how?"

"Because my wife is from a traditionalist family," Harry said simply, "Are you going to come with me to drop Nina off?"

"I'll have to. You're not qualified yet," Rob snorted, "Does this mean I'm going to see your world, Marquess?"

"Don't call me that," Harry muttered irritably.

"Sorry, do you prefer Your Highness?"

"Fuck off."

"Your holiness? Your oh – chosen one -greatness?"

Harry turned around and found Rob grinning.

The Irish Auror leant against the door into the waiting room where they had left Nina, "We're going to make a great team. Between us, we can talk to plebs and kings."

"He's an Earl," Harry said, shooting Rob a grin as he opened the door, "Not a King."

Rob snorted and muttered, "Not much difference, is there? They both live in a bloody castle."

Harry ignored Rob and knelt in front of Nina, "Hey Nina. I think I found you a new home."

"Is it a nice one?" Nina asked eagerly.

"It's a lovely one," Harry said, "It's a place called Abbott Castle. The man who is going to take you in is called Howard, and he is a nice man when you get to know him."

Nina watched Harry with interest.

"He has a daughter called Hannah who is very kind," Harry continued, "She's a grown-up, like me. Do you think that sounds okay?"

Nina nodded, "A castle like Hogwarts?"

"A smaller castle than that," Harry said with a smile, "But yes. I can take you there tonight if you would like that?"

Nina nodded once more, "Thank you for finding me a new home, mister Auror Harry. I didn't want to go to one of the bad places."

Harry smiled sadly and got to his feet, "Don't worry, sweetie. I intend to make sure that nobody has to go to one of those bad places ever again."

Nina grabbed his hand and jumped to her feet, and Harry looked up at Rob. The Auror smiled at him and said, "You're doing good, kid."

Harry felt a surge of pride at those words as he, Rob and Nina left the ministry to take Nina to her new home.

When Harry stepped out of the fireplace that evening, he looked exhausted.

"Sorry I'm late, babe," Harry yawned, "Hell of a day. Is Teddy in bed?"

"Yeah, I had to put him down early tonight, sorry baby," Daphne said, wrapping her arms around him, "He had a bit of temperature, Andi said he seemed a bit bunged up. It's nothing a mild pepper up potion won't sort in the morning, though."

"You're amazing," Harry said, kissing her lightly and resting his forehead against hers.

"What made today so bad?" Daphne asked.

"Well, we nearly acquired another kid," Harry said, sitting down heavily in a chair by the fire.

Daphne raised an eyebrow at him, "How?"

"Her parents died this morning," Harry replied, "It was a potions accident. Rob went into this room and got a family tree. Her mother was a muggle-born, but she had manifested signs of magic, so he wanted to place her with a wizarding family. He had to go back five generations to make a connection, I mean five generations…that's not even third cousins, is it?"

Daphne shook her head, "No, it's further back than that."

"Her surname is Frost, but way back in the 1800s, a Frost who came over from France married a Cornfoot, so that meant that the only living relatives were those who were descended from the Cornfoots. Stefan Cornfoot wasn't an option; he's not in a position to take a child under his wing right now."

"Which left my branch of the Crouch's?" Daphne guessed, "Because my grandmother was a Cornfoot."

Harry nodded, "But Astoria is too young, and we've just adopted a baby. The only other option was to go through your Great Grandfather's sister, Clementine."

"To the Abbotts?" Daphne asked in surprise.

Harry nodded, "So I spent my afternoon drinking tea at Abbott Castle and convincing Howard to take Nina in as his ward."

"And he agreed?" Daphne asked.

"I can be convincing when I need to be," Harry said with a smile, "Even if he did spend my entire visit trying to trip me up with tests of how well I could hold my own against him. I think he forgot that I married a Greengrass."

Daphne grinned slyly, "Harry James Potter, playing the perfect pureblood? I am proud."

Harry chuckled, "I'm just happy that I found that little girl a home where she can be safe and accepted. Otherwise, she would have been thrown in a muggle orphanage and left to her own devices for six years until she got her Hogwarts letter."

Daphne raised an eyebrow at him, "I sense an 'I need to change the world again' coming on."

"I do," Harry agreed, "And I have a plan."

"Of course you do," Daphne said with a smile.

Harry closed his eyes and conjured up his Patronus. He then recorded a message, "We have a situation, and I need your help. Potter Manor tonight at 8 pm."

He then duplicated the Patronus and sent it off, stags dashing in all directions.

"How many people did you send that to?" Daphne asked curiously.

"A few," Harry replied.

"What few?"

"The few that can help," Harry said, his eyes on that poor little girl, "Hermione who will bring Draco, Neville who will bring Lilly, Ginny and Molly."

"Molly?" Daphne asked in surprise.

Harry nodded, "You'll understand tonight," he promised, disappearing out of the backdoor after the children.

That evening, shortly after 8 pm, it all became clear.

Harry had gathered everyone in the drawing-room. He then stood to make an announcement, "I have been working on placement this week, and throughout that placement, I have realised that the wizarding world needs to change, and it needs to change soon. There is no form of child protective service in our world, which is so unbelievably wrong. I have seen black and blue hexed kids this week. I spent my afternoon charming Howard Abbott into taking in this beautiful little kid called Nina because the only way to avoid putting her in a muggle orphanage was to go back five generations on her family tree to find a relative who would take her in. It needs to change."

Molly smiled proudly while the others nodded their agreement.

"I'm not going to allow there to be any more Harry Potters or Tom Riddles," Harry said firmly, "Which is why I plan on putting a new law forward to Kingsley tomorrow. We need a new department. Domestics is useless so what we need instead is Child Protective Services. We need somewhere that kids can go and be cared for after witnessing a tragedy like the death of a parent. We need somewhere that kids can go when they are scared of the person that they live with."

He took a breath, "And we need a law that allows Aurors to take children out of the custody of parents they believe to be abusive. We need them to authorise legilimency and veritaserum testing on those suspected of child abuse. All of this is going to be put forward to Kingsley tomorrow and then hopefully to the Wizengamot in the form of a set of reforms, but that's not what I need you guys for."

Ginny smiled as she sensed where Harry was going with this.

"I need you guys for the last part. This part is, I think, the most important," Harry said honestly, "We need somewhere safe for kids to go, kids who don't have anywhere else. Kids who need to be adopted or who just need a safe, nurturing environment to grow up in while they wait to go to Hogwarts, and I want to create that, with your help."

"You want to create a wizarding orphanage," Ginny said softly.

"Yeah, I do," Harry agreed.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, bringing her hand up to her mouth, "I think that's a wonderful idea."

Harry looked over at her, but more to the point at Draco, who was sitting by her side.

"I want the Ministry to make proper use of Malfoy Manor, Draco," Harry said, looking his friend directly in the eye, "I want them to make it into a safe, happy place for kids because that will be proof that happiness can be found in the darkest of places. I have it on good authority that Kingsley is going to go for it, by which I mean I've already asked him as a friend," Harry admitted, "And we know that the only way this will work is with the right people behind the wheel."

"And you think those people are us?" Neville asked in surprise.

"Of course those people are us," Harry said, "We've changed the world before, and we can do it again. We will do it again because we have to. Neville, you and I can make sure that the kids go through the right people, that they don't get lost in a screwed up system. Lilly, I was hoping you would take on a little bit of extra work to train a matron for the orphanage."

Lilly nodded, "Of course."

"Hermione, I need you for the legal side of it all," Harry said.

Hermione smiled tearfully, "Of course you do."

"Draco, I need you to help me turn the home you hated into a safe haven."

Draco swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded, "I think I can do that."

"Gin," Harry said, his eyes falling on his ex-girlfriend, "I was hoping you would be the Matron. I can see you doing a damn good job of looking after those kids, and I know that you want to be a Healer."

Ginny smiled broadly, "I'd be honoured."

"And Molly," Harry said finally, his eyes falling on the woman he thought of as a mother, "There is nobody I trust more than you to run my orphanage. You took me in when I needed someone, and you raised me to be the man I am today. No muggles who looked after me before then did that, you did that, you and Arthur."

Molly's eyes welled up, and she rushed across the room to draw him into a hug. Harry hugged her back and heard the word "-honoured-" through her tears.

Daphne smiled tearfully at Harry from the doorway of the room. She nodded and gave him a thumbs-up, and he managed a tearful smile back.

Time to change the world again.

"Elizabeth."

Elizabeth Weir smiled at her husband, "John. Did you call this meeting?"

John Sheppard shook his head, "No, I thought you did."

Weir shook her head, "Jack?"

Jack Sumner shook his head, "Nope, I thought it was one of you."

"So who asked all of us here then?" Sheppard frowned, looking around the room. They had all been called into the main Auror department, and given that it was almost the end of their trainee's placement week, they thought that one of them had gotten into a spot of trouble.

"I did."

They all looked up in surprise.

"Rob!" Weir exclaimed.

Rob smiled and waved at her, "Lizzie."

"Back off," Sheppard said, giving him a warning glare, "This isn't Auror training Rob. We're not kids anymore. Elizabeth and I are married now."

"I am perfectly aware of that, don't worry, Sheppard," Rob said, shutting the door behind him, "I didn't call you here to split up your marriage."

"Why did you call us here then, Wolfe?" Sumner asked, looking down at the younger man. He was aware of the fact that Rob had gone through Auror training with Weir and Sheppard.

"To talk to you about a young recruit of yours," Rob said, "The one you bundled in with me, Harry Potter."

"What has he done?" Sheppard asked instantly.

"Nothing but good," Rob said, crossing his arms and staring them down, "Which is why I'm here to knock some sense into you all. We are severely understaffed here, and I know you're under pressure to release some of those trainees into the department."

"Don't spread rumours," Weir said coolly.

"Everyone knows it," Rob said smoothly, "That kid is wasted in Auror training, and you all know it. He has done more good here in a week than I've done in five years working Domestics. He cares, and he has heart, not to mention political pull and the hearts of the nation on his side."

"He's the saviour of the wizarding world, of course, he does," Sumner remarked irritably.

"He is brilliant," Rob said, "And I know what's in the works. Come May, June, at a push, this entire department is going to go through the wringer. We can all sense a change coming, so here's my proposal, release Potter now."

"What?" Sumner barked.

"Release Potter, let him work with me. He's doing great things," Rob said, "He managed to get emergency legislation through to the Minister for Magic. At the end of this week, they will sit to discuss what they are calling the 'Child Protection Reforms'. What happens in that courtroom will be huge, and he should be a part of it. He made it happen, and he should be here with me to build it."

"You want us to release him as a Junior Auror?" Sheppard asked in disbelief, "Without putting him through any of the exams?"

"Put him through the exams," Rob said, "I don't think he'll pass all of them. He'll probably stumble on the theoretical ones because that's not what he's best at. Where that kid shines is out here in the field, making a difference."

"You're insane. No wonder they chucked you in Domestics," Sheppard said with a shake of his head, "He's six months into the first year. He won't pass them all."

"I guarantee you, he'll pass every practical exam you throw at him," Rob said confidently, "And do you know what? I reckon he'll even beat some of the records set by Sirius and Moody."

They all looked at him for a long moment.

"You know his talents are wasted sitting in a classroom when he's so badly needed here," Rob said with a note of finality.

Weir sighed and looked at the other two men, "I hate to admit it, but Rob has a point. Harry is special. We always knew it, but we didn't want him to get big-headed, so we treat him like any other Recruit but maybe…maybe he would be better off out here, where he can make a difference."

Sumner looked at Weir for a long moment then sighed too, "Yes, Wolfe, you do make a valid point," he conceded.

"But at the end of this week, the choice has to be Harry's," Sheppard re-iterated, "We can put the idea forward to him, but if he doesn't want to do it, then you have to respect that choice."

"Of course I will," Rob said sincerely.

Sumner got to his feet, "And since you are so sure of yourself, let's make this a little more interesting. If Harry agrees to take the exams and he does pass them all, he's your partner, a fully-fledged Junior Auror. But if he flunks any of the practical exams, he stays in Auror training, and you hand your badge over."

"Deal," Rob said with a smirk, "I've had faith in this kid since he said Voldemort was back five years ago. That's what got me stuck in Domestics, so what's one more gamble, huh?"

"You are a loose cannon," Sheppard said, glaring at the other man as Rob opened the door for them.

Rob smirked once more, "You just don't like me because Lizzie dated me first."

"Elizabeth had the sense to break up with you," Sheppard pointed out.

"And Elizabeth can fight her own battles," Weir added, glaring at both men, "Stop acting like children."

Rob smiled sweetly as he held the door for them, "Of course. Nice to see you again, Lizzie."

Weir's cheeks flushed, and Sheppard glared at Rob again, "You're pushing it, mate."

Rob smiled sweetly at him, it was totally false, and Sheppard knew it, but to save a fight, he simply placed his hand on Weir's back and led her out of the room.

* ~ TBC ~ *