(Hello readers! Your favourite author, Knight of Britannia is once again back with another chapter of the story 'Harry Potter and the House of Pendragon' The type of chapter which the most of you had been waiting for weeks. A chapter filled with roasting and bashing! Hope you all like it. Don't forget to tell how you all are feeling this story in the reviews. If you have any suggestions or doubts you can personally PM me. So...on with the story!)
Chapter 9: The Wrath of the Pendragons
November 8, 1994
Friday
Time: 11:27 a.m.
In the Last Chapter
Arthur looked directly into the cowering blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore, with his cold and glowing amber-blue eyes, "You can begin by telling us why Harry Potter was subjected to such harsh treatment by the student community and no action was taken against the perpetuators..."
Harry thought, 'No, they are not just up for a huge load of shit...no...they are about to face the Wrath of the Pendragons...'
Suddenly another thing he suddenly remembered the Hogwarts motto, 'Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus...meaning, Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon...'
Lord Arthur Pendragon the Seventh, Head of the Royal and Arcane House of Pendragon of the ten Master Clans, and the Grand Family of Pendragon began, "You can begin by telling us why Harry Potter was subjected to such harsh treatment by the student community and no action was taken against the perpetuators..."
Most of the teachers and students, who were directly or indirectly involved in the harsh treatment of both Harry and Susan, were sweating. Albus Dumbledore, who perfectly knew about what exactly Arthur was talking about, tried to diffuse the situation, in his overly-grandfather tone tried to convince, "Lord Pendragon, I am sure you are making some kind of mistake. No one tried to harm Mr. Potter, while his stay in the castle." In a very convincing tone he ended.
Arthur looked very bored. In a very bored and casual tone, he said, "Are you some how, trying to insult our level of intelligence Headmaster Dumbledore?" Although, he looked to be bored, the underlying tone anger, was not invisible to anyone.
Dumbledore again tried in his best possible grandfatherish-tone, "Not at all, I am just trying to avoid any kind of misconception, that may arise."
Arthur and Ariana Pendragons gave a glance to each other, and had a mental conversation using their telepathy. Ariana ranted, "The barmy-old-codger is seriously trying to undermine our method of collecting information?!" Arthur replied in return, "Well, he is up for a huge surprise..."
Arthur looked back at Dumbledore and said, "Is that so? Students hurling abuses and other derogatory terms at him, and Miss Bones; giving them a cold treatment every time they are in public; hurling "stray" curses aimed at them in the hallways; practically no support from the teachers, who ACTUALLY, in turn, are ignoring what is happening against the two of them, and last but not the least, attacking them behind their, back in a deserted corridor..." At this Arthur, gave a bored glance at the other two Champions, of the foreign schools, that came to Britain.
Both, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum blanched. 'HE KNOWS?! both thought frantically.
"Still saying we are having making some mistake?" Arthur finished.
The eyes of the students of all the three schools widened astronomically. Most were thinking, 'How the hell did he know about all of these?!' Most of the teachers also were having same thoughts. Dumbledore's eyes widened for a bit before reverting back to its usual twinkling nature, "Lord Pendragon, you are grossly making a mistake here-"
But Arthur had had enough of his games. He put his hand in the side pocket of his trench coat and pulled a small ping-pong ball looking spherical object. He casually asked, "Say Supreme Mugwump Dumbledore..." Dumbledore's eyes rose a bit, hearing his ICW title, "...Can you identify this?" He raised the spherical object in the air.
Dumbledore, adjusting a bit of his half-moon spectacle, looked at the object, and a dreaded expression appeared on his face. 'No...it can't be...if they have used these, then they have absolute proof all the happenings at Hogwarts...'
Arthur asked, "So I guess, you have understood that it is a Telecasting Orb?" Albus Dumbledore reluctantly nodded. Looks of confusion was evident, in the facial expressions of Hogwarts students, but the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had knowing looks. They had a look of glee on their faces, because they thought that they were about to see a new type of drama unfold. Well...their looks of glee won't be on their faces much longer, because of a huge international scandal that was about to take place...
Lord Pendragon continued, "Around 100 such orbs, had been released by us throughout the castle, through which we were able to witness very interesting footages on camera...that also live..."
Then a Sixth Year Ravenclaw student asked, "What are Telecasting Orbs?" Arthur, without looking at the person replied, "Telecasting orbs , as the name suggests, is an orb that can telecast what is going on in one place to another, live and recorded both, much like muggle CCTV cameras, except that it is wireless, works with magic, can be disillusioned, and can be used in almost every places and under any physical condition." He finished in one breadth.
The Hogwarts students had an expression filled with awe and expression, but lasted only a span of mere five seconds, because the moment the implications of Arthur Pendragon the Seventh's words hit hem at a speed of 100km/hour, widespread panic spread throughout the Hall among the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This meant only one thing: Arthur Pendragon had solid proof of their wrong doings with Harry Potter and Susan Bones.
Arthur once again continued, inwardly smiling at seeing the panic stricken faces of the Hogwarts students, "This particular Telecasting Orb, had been following Harry and Susan, 24 x 7, for the entire past one week, and it has managed to record highly questionable deeds of the Hogwarts students and the Professors alike..." With that he slightly tapped, and the Telecasting orb hovered in the air for a second before projecting an extremely large holographic screen, where all the atrocities that Harry and Susan faced throughout the last one week displayed openly in front of the entire Great Hall. Every abuses they received, every spell or curse aimed at them in the hallways and in the corridors, everything were openly displayed in front of the public as proof.
Harry and Susan, themselves felt very tensed. Although, what had happened to them, was known and witnessed by everyone in the Hall earlier, it felt altogether different, when seeing yourself in a video record being humiliated, belittled and bullied, in a large screen, in front of everyone. Harry also felt a bit apprehensive and wondered why Arthur was showing this in front of the entire school.
At that two gentle hands touched the shoulders of Harry and Susan. They turned back to find the female version of Arthur VII Pendragon, Ariana Pendragon, standing behind them. She had a soft smile lingering on her beautiful face. Bringing her face near to them, she whispered, "You two are wondering why my brother is showing all these in front of the entire school?" Both nodded a bit reluctantly. She simply smiled and said, "Don't worry. Almost everything that my brother does, has a definite reason." With that she pulled her chair near them and sat. All of a sudden they got to hear the sound of snickering, and laughing from the other corner of the Great Hall that made them change their attention in that direction.
The foreign delegates, from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, sitting in the Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables, respectively, were snickering and giggling among themselves. Arthur, pausing the recorded footage and looking up at them. He, in a calm and cool expression asked, "What's the matter to laugh?" The effect was instant. They instantly became silent. He once again asked, but this time with a slight edge of hardness mixed in his tone, "What's so funny? Care to share?" The foreign delegates gulped.
Knowing that it won't be wise to keep the Head of a Master Clan waiting, a senior girl from Beauxbatons stood up and spoke, "Zorry Milord, its just zat, the school that claimz to have ve ze bezt in entire Europe, haz such a poor experience in zealing with bullying, its zust so funny!"
The teachers and students of Hogwarts, had at least the decency to look ashamed of their behaviour, that actually garnered international attention.
Arthur understanding what she wanted to say, "So, you are implying that any other proper school would take immediate actions if such gruesome incident occurs within their school premises?"
The girl replied, "Oui." In a half amused expression, without looking at the girl, Lord of House Pendragon asked, "What kind of punishments would be handed to the perpetrators?" The girl, thinking for a while, said, "Zuspension or expulzion of ze students from school at ze least, and imprizonment up to 1 year, at maximum."
Everybody took a sharp in take of breadth. They all wondered if they were going to be facing charges or not...
Arthur nodded, "I wonder...what kind of punishment will be suitable for the next batch of perpetrators..." with that he once again resumed the video footage. And that was the cause of the incoming international scandal.
The next part of the video, that the audience saw, left them completely horror stricken. They saw, how Harry and Susan, were ambushed in the the deserted seventh floor corridor by none other than Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. How they attacked the two unarmed Fourth Years behind their back, using lethal spell, their thirst for revenge against Harry, how the boy-who-lived retaliated, how the Beauxbaton champion assumed her Veela form, how Harry and Susan barely escaped. But the most shocking thing that they heard were Harry and Susan's proclamation while they were sitting on the floor of the Room of Requirement:
[Sometimes, I wish I had died the same night along with my parents. At least I wouldn't have had to be a part of these sufferings!" said the voice of Susan Bones, Fourth Year Hufflepuff. ]
["Sometimes...I also wish the same thing...Sue..." said the voice of Harry Potter, Fourth Year Gryffindor]
Too say that the audience were shocked would be an understatement. Shock, horror, astonishment, sympathy and whirlpool of hundreds of such emotions was going in their heads. But emotion was pretty clear on their face: disgust. Directed not at the two outcasts of Hogwarts but at the other two foreign champions of the Triwizard Tournament.
Everyone, even the members of their own schools, were giving the French Veela and the Bulgarian Quidditch player hard and steely looks that were filled with disgust, apathy and anguish. Both were cowered under the predatory gazes of their fellow classmates.
After the video ended, Arthur put back the Telecasting Orb back in his pocket, and looked at the face of Albus-too-many-names-Dumbledore. He looked like as if he had suddenly aged a couple of decades. But he still tried to bring back the argument in his favour (wait, bring back? Since when was the argument was at all in his favour from the beginning? Anywaaay...). With a hard tone tried (keyword: tried) to reprimand Arthur Pendragon the Seventh, "You should not have trespassed in my school and released the Telecasting Orbs. Its a breach of privacy and-" he could not finish as a bundle of paper came at him at 100 km/hour speed and hit him straight on his face. People gasped at the sudden assault on the old-aged Headmaster.
Arthur Pendragon the Seventh, has never been known to miss his target in archery tournaments back at Avalon. He lived up to his expectations when he had casually thrown a bundle of papers aimed at his face. Bullseye! The Headmaster of Hogwarts would have fallen on the floor had not his throne...err...chair had prevented him. He fell on his chair. He looked at the bundle of paper that was lying innocently on the table and then at the the Head of the Royal and Arcane House of Pendragon, who was giving him steely looks. He gulped and internally thought, 'Oh! That hurts! What did I land myself into this time?'
Arthur began with a steely voice that sent shivers down the spine of every Hogwarts, Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students, "Sorry, could not hear properly, whose school? Read the file." Dumbledore then looked at the file, and seeing it his eyes almost popped out. On it was mentioned:
International Court of Magical Justice (Hague, Netherlands) approved Copy of the Deeds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
On top of it was an official stamp of International Court of Magical Justice that said "Certified".
Dumbledore's eyes became as wide as tennis balls. Seeing the seal of International Court of Magical Justice, meant only one thing: it was a 100% valid document, and he could refute its authenticity or credibility.
Arthur continued, "That is the International Court of Magical Justice approved copy of the deeds of Hogwarts, that clearly tells that states that House of Pendragon owns 30% stake of this school, while the remaining 70% percent is equally distributed among the Houses Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Le Fay, Emrys and Peverell, as they together founded the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. So, as the owners we have every right to conduct surveillance anonymously, while you as an employee do not have right to ask our judgement."
All the students gasped. The fact that they always believed that the founders of Hogwarts were Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin, was actually not true, shook their knowledge of history greatly.
Harry was stunned not because what he knew about the history of Hogwarts was completely true, but because he, being a Peverell, owned 10% stake of entire Hogwarts!
At that time, Ernie McMillan from Hufflepuff, shouted, "But we were always told that Hogwarts was Founded by the Four Founders?!" Arthur looked at the boy and nodded, "While technically its true that Hogwarts was founded by the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin Families, but the Pendragon, Emrys, Le Fay and Peverell Families were silent investors. These Families preferred to remain behind the scenes and never taught at Hogwarts. They contributed in setting up the wards and other defenses of Hogwarts. And, anyways, there are various hidden symbols in the Hogwarts symbols in the Hogwarts emblem itself indicating the presence of other four Houses of the original Grand Family."
"What are those?" Hermione asked, unable to hide her curiosity well. But Arthur was in no mood to entertain a new set of questions, so he decided to play a little game, "Now, now, if I tell you all everything where's the fun? I have a little quest for you all..." everyone had confusion filled expressions etched on their faces, "...why don't you all try finding the hidden symbols by yourselves?...if you all can..." The eyes of many students lit up at the prospect something new and different.
Arthur turned his attention back to Dumbledore once more and said, "So what were you saying Dumbledore? Your school? Hogwarts is maintained by using the money from the Grand Family of Pendragon Education Trust, from which, annually, a certain portion of money is transferred to the Hogwarts Charity Trust vault at Gringotts bank. With the help of that money, the maintenance of the entire castle, the salary of all the teaching and non-teaching staffs are being paid from that money. Education at Hogwarts is free because the tuition fees of all the students are paid from that Trust vault. From where do you think that the money for your salary and the maintenance of Hogwarts came all these years?"
That was indeed an astounding revelation for the British wizards and witches of Hogwarts that day, students and teachers alike. The same was for Dumbledore as well. All these years he had thought the money had come from British Ministry of Magic. But now...
Dumbledore sputtered, "But...but I thought the money came from the Ministry..." Arthur scoffed a the reply, "Seriously? What made you think that Ministry of Magic of great Britain, who actually is in a staggering debt of 2.5 billion galleons from the World Bank: Magical Division, whose rate of interest is increasing almost every year, can give such a huge amount of money that also annually?" Every British student eyes popped out. The fact that Magical Britain was in such a huge debt, was not known to anybody, even among the Noble and Ancient Houses."
Dumbledore now was sweating heavily. He began, "That was a classified information-" But Arthur cut him down, by hissing "-which is known to everybody, even a child, in the entire magical world other than those that are living in Great Britain. Hell, even your neighbouring country Ireland knows it!" The Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students nodded affirmatively at that, which instead of diffusing the situation, further instigated it.
A First Year muggleborn Ravenclaw male student raised his question, "You are saying the International Court of Magical Justice, Hague and the World Bank. Aren't they part of the United Nations?" Arthur looked at boy, clearly impressed by his knowledge, and said, "Yes, International Confederation of Wizards or I.C.W. is nothing but the magical counterpart of the United Nations in the mundane world. Or rather, it is actually the reverse because I.C.W. was formed in 1692."
"After World War 1, the muggles, based on the model of I.C.W., tried to create a similar association called the League of Nations, to promote cooperation among the member States and stop any future wars. The Ten Master Clans wanted to help them in setting them up such a organization, but the muggles wanted to establish it independently. Eventually, it failed to achieve its most important aim, to promote cooperation, and most importantly to stop wars. After World War 2, they finally decided to take help from the Master Clans. So we decided just to make a counterpart of ICW for them, with almost the same organs of ICW: General Assembly, World Economic Forum, the Secretariat and the Security Council. Only the Security Council is managed and administered by the Ten Master Clans and the 18 Assistant Houses."
(A/N: The World Magical Bank is the part of World Economic Forum)
The students of Hogwarts could no more handle the onslaught of so much information and revelations in one day. Most of them felt dizzy. Understanding that, Arthur once again reverted back to his original question, "So with all the proof in the table, you can tell us now, why Harry Potter and Susan Bones was subjected to such a treatment by the student community?"
Chills went down the spine of Hogwarts students. They wondered what fate awaited to them in near future...
Dumbledore gulped, "Milord, you must not blame the students out there. They are just children. They were frustrated and angered over the fact that Mr. Potter was able to enter the tournament, while they could not. You must forgive them." At that moment the temperature of the Hall dropped by at least seven degrees.
With a menacing voice head of House of Pendragon begun, "Forgive them? You are trying to say that a deliberate act of attempt of murder and mutilation will be forgiven?"
Dumbledore tried once more to save his students, "They are children. They did not know what implications would fall upon them." At this point Arthur used his first trump card, "So you want to imply just because they are minors so they can be pardoned?" Dumbledore nodded, "So, where do the teachers fall in this situation? Why the teachers could not interfere? Why couldn't they help them? Why did they completely ignore the treatment that Harry and Susan received? Why they were treated so harshly that made them thing that death is better than living? Answer!"
Now the Albus Dumbledore, the Invincible Leader of Light, along with his fellow staffs fell on a deathtrap. He could not say anything, because he had no answer to give.
Arthur once again repeated with barely concealed anger, "Answer us Dumbledore, why the Hogwarts students were given the free reign to do as they felt like." Dumbledore meekly replied, "I did not believe that they would go to such an extent..." But Arthur was not happy with that reply, "Your believe means nothing to us. Why were the teachers did not interfere when matters were going out of hand? What would have had happened if the two, being fed up of such treatment, had chosen a much worse path? What if they had chosen to end their lives? What if they had committed suicide? Who would have taken the blame for the abetment of suicide? Answer us!"
The moment the thought of Harry and Susan committing suicide entered the mind others, they felt like a brick with a speed of 200 km/hour had hit their heads. The concept of taking one's own life horrified the children greatly.
The teachers of Hogwarts did not like one bit being shouted at by a mere 15 year old boy. But the said boy, was no ordinary boy. He was Lord Arthur Pendragon the Seventh, Head of the Royal and Arcane House of Pendragon. He may be young in age compared to the teachers of Hogwarts, but on the basis of social status and magical prowess, he was much much above them. But above all those things, whatever the auburn-haired young Lord was saying was completely sensible and the teachers grudgingly had to accept it.
Dumbledore began, "We decided to let the things play on its own. We feared, that if the Hogwarts staffs would have interfered, the matter might have been escalated for the worse."
All barriers broke for Arthur VII Pendragon. His eyes turned deathly cold. With bone chilling voice, he spoke "You let 'things play on its own'? You consider this to be a game? What if they indeed committed suicide? What if they indeed decided to take matter in their own hands and decide to end their lives? Or do you think that life of two students under your care do no matter much?! Then what is the job of the teachers? Only to teach and not taking care of those under them?"
The Hall remained silent for sometime before Arthur once again spoke. This time in a calm and collected manner, that surprised many, he said, "Say Chief Warlock Dumbledore..." Dumbledore eyebrows rose at being called by his Wizengamot title, "...you know that legally, minors cannot be charged for their actions...so their parents or guardians are liable for them..."
The eyes of the students widened. If their parents were going to face charges for their actions...things will be pretty bad!
Dumbledore's eyes widened when he understood where Arthur was going... and if he chose that direction...things will end up in hell for him...
Arthur continued, "But unfortunately their parents or guardians cannot be held responsible, but..." Many sighed, but the moment they heard 'but' they understood something was going to go wrong, "...but...you and all the other teachers and staffs, on the other hand, can very well be charged with: attempt to assault; assault; attempt to murder; attempt to culpable homicide; negligence; slander; defamation; abetment of suicide and with various other charges, because you and the other staffs in absence of the students' parents or legal guardians, were acting in loco parentis..." The Great Hall became absolutely silent.
The face of the teachers became deathly pale. They had absolutely forgotten the clause regarding loco parentis of their job contract. Had they remembered it...perhaps...something else would have been the outcome...Perhaps the Pendragons had no reason to come all the way to Great Britain...
But Arthur was not finished, "If you think, that after you all get convicted in a Court of Law, you all will face simple imprisonment, then you are very wrong. Don't forget that Harry James Potter is not only the Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, but also Heir to the Royal and Arcane House of Peverell. According to the laws of Great Britain very clearly states that any person attempts to cause harm to member of a Most Ancient and Noble family intentionally, shall be sentenced with life imprisonment to Azkaban. But in the International law is also there that specifically states that any person causing bodily damage or attempts to do it, to a member of Family of a Royal and Imperial House, shall be punished with capital punishment, i.e. death sentence."
The pale white faces of the teachers were filled with horror. They simply wondered how everything went wrong? Calmly they were having their breakfast and preparing for their morning classes, when suddenly, out of nowhere the Grand Family of Pendragon arrives claims Harry Potter as a part of them, who belongs to none other than the most dreaded House of British history, the Peverell, and now they had a sword hanging above their necks. How things could go wrong within such a short span of time, it was simply out of their imagination till yesterday.
Everyone remained silent for a while. Tears were rolling down some of the female teachers at the prospect of imminent death. The male teachers had downcast looks. Dumbledore was thinking very hard how to save himself and his other colleagues from the dreadful situation, but to his misery, the situation was iron clad. There was no way out for them. But above all of these, one thing came in their mind. One realization that dawned upon their minds: how greatly they had failed two students of Hogwarts, how greatly their actions or rather lack of actions had caused such difficulties in the life of Harry and Susan. They were filled with regret and shame (well...exceptions are always there...who think that Harry and Susan were rightly, but did not dare to speak his mind...cough...Snape...cough...)
Arthur looked at the dark ceiling of the Great Hall and then in a soft yet in a firm voice recited one of the most monumental dialogues in the history of English Renaissance Literature,
"The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven, Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute to God Himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice."
None of the wizards and witches raised in the wizarding world could understood the context of the dialogue except a few, but everyone else who had come from the muggle world and read the play understood it. William Shakespeare's The Quality of Mercy speech of Portia from Act 4, Scene 1; The Merchant of Venice.
Lord Arthur Pendragon the Seventh, Head of the Royal and Arcane House of Pendragon of the Ten Master Clans, in a soft voice spoke up, "We greatly condemn your lack of actions, in handling the matter of Harry and Susan so negligently, but...we are not without mercy. We are ready to pardon you all this time if you heartily beg forgiveness. All of you."
All of them remained tensed for a while, but slowly, and grudgingly they all, students and teachers alike, chanted "Sorry Harry. Sorry Susan." or "Sorry Potter. Sorry Bones."
Harry and Susan felt a bit uncomfortable, once again being the centre of attention, but they accepted it anyways .
When everything calmed down moments later Arthur once again begun speaking, "We might have pardoned you all...but we have not forgiven you all, won't do so in future as well..." The declaration of Arthur Pendragon made them tense once more, "What you did to Harry Potter this time was not the first time. In 1992, Chamber of Secrets debacle, he received similar treatment from you all just because he could speak parsel tongue..." Everyone's eyes widened. Harry began stiff and though, 'How did he come to know about all these?'
"But that is not the only problem..." the Head of Pendragons continued, "...too much discrimination among muggleborns and the so called 'purebloods' of the society is being done; existence very unhealthy House rivalries exist; improper teaching and administrative negligence is there in this school which is not absolutely at par with international standards...which we plan to rectify while our stay here..." he gazed at the teachers who were feeling very uncomfortable. "But before all these, we have to deal with the corrupt British Ministry of Magic, which is world famous, for its current highly bribable Minister for Magic, who prefers to be called 'Minister of Magic'...we need to fix that first..."
Arthur simply insulted the entire British Ministry of Magic, in front of every foreign delegates, who were lightly snickering. The British magicians, who knew actually how corrupt the British Ministry of Magic, and its Minister of Magic actually is, had at least the decency to look ashamed.
Arthur looked at his wristwatch. It's hands indicated: 12:05 p.m., then he looked up at Albus Dumbledore and in a highly formal tone said, "Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore." Dumbledore grew tensed, "We order you to declare a State of Emergency of highest order and summon the entire Wizengamot at 2 o' clock sharp, including all the Heads of all the Noble Families, all the Departmental Heads and other State designated Lords and Ladies of Magical Britain. All kinds of press, Daily Prophet, Quibler, Wizarding Wireless Network and others should also be invited to report the emergency session, because this emergency session of Wizengamot will going to be conveyed by us. We are very keen to know what is actually going on in our realm. Is that clear?"
The students of Hogwarts gasped. Never ever a State of Emergency have been declared for the last ten years. Last time it was declared, was during Voldemort's era of megalomania. If such an Emergency would be proclaimed all of a sudden, then there would be a widespread panic among the crowd. Understanding this, Dumbledore tried to refute this, "Milord, if we decla-" But Arthur cut him in, "Oh, and the reason why such an emergency is being called is to be told to nobody. By nobody I mean, anyone who is not currently present in the Great Hall right at the moment. Just tell them, everything will be answered at 2 o' clock. This is a direct order from the Head of the Royal House of Pendragon of the ten Master Clans"
Dumbledore's eyes became as wide a saucers. Same was the expression of other students raised in the magical world. Gasps of shock went throughout the Hall. He knew there won't be be able to refute his direct orders any way.
"As you wish Mi Lord." saying that he quickly left the Hall.
Arthur then gracefully stood up from his chair and turned his attention to the rest of the Hall. The rest of the members of the grand Family of Pendragon along with Harry and Susan soon followed Arthur's lead and stood up. Arthur proclaimed, "Among the members of the Noble Houses of Great Britain, how many of your Houses have a formal alliance with House Potter and House Bones?" Harry and Susan gave questioning looks to Arthur which he simply returned with a smile.
Quite a few of them raised their hands, including Neville Longbottom, Hannah Abbott and Ernie McMillan. All were having confusion filled expressions. Then Arthur decided to drop the bomb, anticlimactically, "Well, best of luck, and prepare good reasons for when you all will soon have to explain your parents and the Heads of our own respective Houses, in some cases you Regents, after the Wizengamot meeting, why the alliances of your Houses with that Houses Potter and Bones would be shaky at the best or absolutely void and all former debts would be called in the worst case scenario..." It took them a moment to understand what Arthur Pendragon was implying, and the moment they understood, pandemonium broke across the Hall. Shouts of "You can't do this!" and "we will be ruined!" ran across the Hall.
Lord Pendragon had to magically silence the entire Hall with a loud scream, "SILENCE!" The hall instantly became quite. Arthur with a calm and composed tone said, "Why should Harry Potter and Susan Bones not void all the existing alliances?"
Hannah Abbott shouted, "The alliances have going on for centuries!" But Arthur countered, "But you all have ruined it in a matter of one week!" The students were cowered by his predatory gaze, "Within a few more years when you all will take charge of your own respective Houses, what makes you think that either Harry or Susan is going to trust anyone of you, when you all backstabbed him in his childhood! What makes you all think that they are going to trust you ever, knowing how you behaved with either of them, was not at all an expected behaviour from an Heir or an Heiress of a Noble House!" Arthur glared daggers at them.
Harry and Susan was stunned by the words of Arthur Pendragon the Seventh. Although he was the Head of Royal and Arcane House of Pendragon, but practically he was a complete stranger to them. How a stranger, just from one letter of plea from Harry came all the way from Norway (Avalon) to Scotland (Great Britain) just to help Harry. And finding Harry's dear friend in trouble, he did not even bat an eye while taking the two of them under the protection of his House, that also unconditionally! And even now, he was doing so much for just the two of them. Both thought, 'Yes, we can definitely trust him!'
Neville Longbottom at that time stood and spoke up in a shaky voice, "But I did...did not cau...cause any harm to them. So why my...my Hou-house?" Arthur gave him a penetrative glare at him that made the shy Gryffindor boy fall back on his seat. The auburn-haired boy asked, "Did not cause any harm? Then what did you do? Helped them? Supported them in anyway? Assisted them in any way when they were hit by random spells? How did you honour the age-old alliance between the Potters and Longbottoms? Helping Harry out when he needed help? Or by turning a blind eye?" Neville could not tolerate it anymore and finally broke into tears. But Arthur was not unfazed by it.
The amber-blue eyed mage looked up in the direction of Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum, who blanched feeling his soul tearing gaze. The mage said, "Remember, just because we agreed to pardon everyone else, you two are not going to be facing charges!" Both began saying "Merci!" and "Danke!" But Lord Pendragon was not in the mood to hear any of it, "Silence!" Both instantly felt quite. "You two have not only brought shame to your own respective schools but also to your own respective countries! Have some shame! Being foreign delegates and the selected Champions of your schools, you should have had some sense of honour before doing such an unhonourable act!" Arthur said with utter disgust.
Both were looking at their feet. Their friends from their own schools were giving them disgusted glances and looks. And their Headmaster and Headmistress? Long ago, when they looked a the shameful deeds of the Champions of their schools, they had long ago fainted, and nobody cared to spare a glance in their direction or decided to revive them.
Arthur spared them a last glance and said, "Better inform the Heads of our own respective Houses, that they can expect summons from us very soon..." With horror filled faces, both the foreign Champions sat down.
The rest of the Great Hall broke into whispers and murmurs. Arthur quickly casted a wandless and non-verbal Muffling charm around him and the other members of the group.
Arthur turned to face the other members of the grand Family of Pendragon, "Leon, Ariel, Salestine, Helion, Fiona and Elizabeth." All six of them became highly attentive. "We still have almost two hours time, before the Wizengamot session. Arrange accommodations for all us and survey the entire castle its wards, classrooms, offices and make a report based on what you all observe and enquire of the students about various kinds of difficulties they face. Then arrive in the Ministry by 1:45 p.m. Styller, Sarah and Morrighan..." The three listened what the patriarch of their Grand Family with rapt attention, "Go to the ministry, and under disillusion charm, survey as much as you can, before joining the others in the Ministry at 1:45 p.m. Now Harry, Susan, Miyuki, Tatsuya, Daenerys, Ariana and I will head to Gringotts first, as planned earlier..."
Everyone nodded. At that time Susan, in a voice filled with uncertainty, asked, "Is it going to be okay for me to go along with you all Milord? In case I cause any hindrance..." Arthur raised his hand motioning her to stop and then said, "No 'milord' business for you and Harry, and talking about hindrance? Well...if you do not want to come...then its fine...but you will miss a great deal of drama that's going to take place today in Wizengamot...sure you don't wanna miss it? Besides..." Arthur had a mischievous smile playing on his face, "I don't think your boyfriend out here..." pointing at Harry he said, "...would want to go anywhere without your company..." he teased the now two extremely red Hogwarts students who were trying their level best to deny they were not a couple. The entire Grand Family of Pendragon burst into laughter.
"Just joking." Arthur said, but in a telepathic conversation with Ariana in his mind..."Shh...Ariana!" she replied back with annoyance ,"What?" he continued, "When do you think that they will finally realize their feelings for each other?" "Hmm...1000 Euros, by the end of this year, what do you say?" "Nah! On the night of Yule Ball, they will finally accept their feelings for each other..." "Hmm...so 1000 Euros?" "Deal!"
No one ever came to know about this telepathic conversation that occurred between the Pendragon twins.
"So? Shall we head now?" Kristofer Pendragon asked.
Arthur nodded, "Just wait a sec-" he cancelled the silencing charm around them with a snap of his finger and magically enhanced his voice, "Attention students!"
All conversations died down, and everyone looked at the auburn-haired Lord Pendragon. "All classes for today is cancelled. Students may use this time as they want. Some of us will ask you certain questions, and we request you to answer all of those truthfully. We will be grateful if we get full cooperation from your end. Thank you!" After ending his announcement, the Hall once again broke into murmurs.
"Lets go." With that Arthur turned towards the exit. Soon following his lead Harry Potter, Susan Bones, Ariana Pendragon, Kristofer Pendragon, Marylene Pendragon, Daenerys VIII Targaryen, Styller and Sarah Emrys, and Morrighan Le Fay headed towards the exit.
On their way, Lord Morrighan Le Fay could not help himself from playing some sort of mischief. He turned back and looked at the cowering figure of Draco Malfoy at the Slytherin table. He smiled and spoke in a highly sweet tone, "My dear Draco Malfoy!" Malfoy cringed at him being called 'dear'. Morrighan continued, "Don't forget to mention to your father that today you met Lord Morrighan Le Fay..." Draco Malfoy completely turned white, not an inch of his skin had any remaining colour. "Please ask him when he will be free at the earliest...cause I am very excited to meet him..." Lord Morrighan Le Fay ended in a husky tone, seductively, filled with crave and desire...
Draco Malfoy did the last thing that anyone would have imagined: he fainted. Harry smiled and thought, 'Some things should never change...' Then he, smelling something foul in the air, crunched his nose second time on the same day. He looked only to find: Draco Malfoy had pissed in his pants the second time a day! This time while he was unconscious!
The entire Grand Family of Pendragon, including Harry and Susan, broke into fits of laughter. Harry heard Morrighan mutter, "Oh dear here he goes again..."
Morrighan once again in his oversweet tone shouted, "Sweet dreams Dracey Poo!" This time the entire Great Hall of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry broke into laughter, as the Harry, Susan, Arthur and rest of the Grand Family of Pendragon exited the Great Hall, laughing to their heart's content.
Hello reader! Knight of Britannia here! Hope you all liked my latest installment in 'Harry Potter and the House of Pendragon'. Please send your comments via review or by PMs anyway you feel like, and let me know, how you all are liking this series. Will be back again with another new chapter soon. Till then...Au revoir!