Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any other characters mentioned here.
My sincerest thanks to Kourtney Uzu Yato, Lordtrayus, and The Stargate Time Traveller, all of whom have given me the confidence and courage to create and publish this piece. Especially you, Kourtney, who have repeatedly, consistently stated that I am depriving many people of some real enjoyment by not writing and posting for real. :D Today, as I was re-reading The Chamber of Secrets, I happened to be struck by this particularly powerful, utterly irresistible inspiration when I came to that part about Harry trying to defend himself from that idiot Ernie's accusations, and so...Voila!
Please kindly let me know what you all think, and do remember that I always welcome reviews, suggestions, opinions, the like. Oh, and whether or not this becomes a genuine series or just stays as a one-shot would depend entirely on the number of reviews I get, as well as what you readers have to say. So please do help me make a choice here. Thank you, and I honestly hope that you all enjoy this.
Oh, and Kourtney, Lordtrayus, and Stargate Time Traveller...just keep it up! And remember to take care of yourself and yours, and stay safe and sound at all times! :)
"It was a very near miss," said Ernie. "And in case you're getting ideas," he added hastily, "I might tell you that you can trace my family back through nine generations of witches and warlocks and my blood's as pure as anyone's, so –"
"Yes. I am perfectly aware that the Macmillan family is one of the so-called Sacred Twenty-Eight." Holle drew herself to her full height and somehow stared down at Ernie, who fell silent at the look on her face and the tone of her voice. She was thoroughly unimpressed, and her tone was as dry as a desert. "That list which was rumoured to be complied by Cantankerus Nott, whose aim was to "help such families maintain the purity of their bloodlines". Oh, if I am not wrong, he is most probably some relative to Theodore Nott from Slytherin, right? And Theodore's father had been one of the first original Death Eaters, was he not? Oh, of course, we all know how he had been bewitched into entering that particular service, but I must say I find it very, very interesting that the future Heir of the Macmillan family would actually resort to the Nott family's publications to justify their slander against the official legitimate Heiress of the Potter family."
Ernie reddened, then whitened as he registered the terms heir, slander, and official legitimate heiress, for as someone born and bred in a good family of Wizarding Britain, he knew the gravity of those political connotations. Susan and Hannah also exchanged a glance, the former starting to really regret not having stopped Ernie from the very beginning. Besides Cedric, she was the other Hufflepuff who was much more than an acquaintance and increasingly more like a friend to Holle, and from what she knew, she was absolutely sure that Holle was neither the Heiress of Slytherin, nor someone who would unleash a monster on innocent people due to their blood-status, but she also knew Ernie, and had thought it would be better for him to "let it all out first" before reasoning with him and the others when they had calmed down.
That had been a mistake.
And Holle was not done. "Whether you are aware of it or not, Future Heir Macmillan, the sole reason why my family – the Potter family – did not make that list was due to the prejudice against our surname. And even then, if you are as devoted to your studies as a future heir as you undoubtedly are in Parseltongue and how exactly I survived that tragic night, you would know that in terms of age and fortune, my family officially outstrips yours tenfold. Ten, mind you, not nine. You should know perfectly well what that means. You are the official legitimate heir to an ancient and prestigious wizarding family? I am as well. In fact, I would also remind you, Future Heir Macmillan, that while your status is pending, prone to changes or decisions by the current heir and other patriarchs of your family, mine is an established one, for I am the last surviving Potter, and so it does not matter that like you, I am still a minor. You know what that means? I am your social superior, and would still be even after you become a major. Is this how a pending heir should behave towards an established heir? And one of a better family at that? Is this how the Macmillan family teaches its children to behave towards their social betters?"
Ernie started to sweat. Hannah opened her mouth, but Susan put her hand on her arm and shook her head firmly. The other Hufflepuffs were also looking as though they wished they were anywhere but there. It was the sort of thing Draco Malfoy would have said, but Holle Potter was no Draco Malfoy – as unlike him as possible, she had never ever lorded her family's wealth and prestige over anyone before, and that she had done so now was a clear sign of how truly angry she was with Ernie. And honestly, who could blame her? The most devastating thing was, of course, that she did not say anything that was untrue, and that unlike a certain Daddy's boy, she was fighting her own battle.
"Since you are such an expert in Parseltongue, Future Heir Macmillan, surely you would know that Saint Patrick of Ireland himself was a Parselmouth?" Holle went on relentlessly, causing the Hufflepuffs to stare at her in shock. "How else do you think he managed to get each and every single snake in the country to leave? His gift was so proficient even the Church had to recognise it as a miracle, and need I remind you all that that time was one where magic had been a crime punishable by death? Oh, and surely you are aware, Future Heir Macmillan, that Saint Patrick is as good as a deity to the Irish wizarding community, that their most important shrines and temples are dedicated to him, and that to this day, the very art of Parseltongue is one of their most focused areas of study, research, and experiment?"
Ernie was now trembling. He was a lot of things, but not a hopeless oaf. He was starting to realise he was in deep hot water. His mother had told him countless times that he had what the Muggles called "foot-in-mouth" disease, and if he did not learn to cure himself of it, it would get him into serious, serious trouble one day. Oh, why did he not listen to her? Oh, him and his big mouth!
"If there is one inconvenient truth in this world, Future Heir Macmillan, it would be that there is always a price to pay, especially if one fails to think before they speak. I am not just the so-called Girl Who Lived, you know. I am also the last Potter, and so my family's official legitimate heiress and sole representative. Any slander against me is equivalent to a slander against my entire family, the whole Potter lineage. My first ancestor, Linfred of Stinchcombe, laid the foundations for essential medicinal potions such as Skele-gro and Pepperup. One of my later ancestors, Ralston Potter, had been a peacekeeper of sorts between wizards and Muggles through his ardent support of the Statute of Secrecy. My great-grandfather, Henry Potter, also a Wizengamot member like Ralston, publicly spoke against Minister Evermonde for his indifference towards the Muggles' suffering during World War I. My grandfather, Fleamont Potter, invented the Sleekeazy's Hair Potion and Scalp Treatment. Did you know about that, Future Heir Macmillan? Do you use that? Is there any born-and-bred British witch or wizard who has never ever heard of that particular cosmetic, or does not own it, or has never ever benefited from it before? And is there anyone here who has never ever heard of or required either a Skele-gro or Pepperup?"
The silence spoke volumes.
"I should write to your family and the Irish wizarding community in my official capacity as Heiress Potter. I am sure that your grandfather and father would be extremely interested to know that, without even bothering to get all the facts straight or any concrete evidence, you – the future Macmillan heir – believe and publicly accuse me – the official, legitimate, current Heiress Potter – of being a criminal who unleashes a monster on her Muggle-born peers. Of being a Dark Lady, in fact, considering what you said about that monster that killed my parents not wanting a Dark Lady to compete with him. I am also sure that the Irish wizarding community would be absolutely delighted to know that the future Macmillan heir believes that, as a Parselmouth, their most beloved Saint Patrick must be a Dark wizard. What was that you just said? Oh, yes: Hannah, she's a Parselmouth. Everyone knows that's the mark of a Dark wizard or witch. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue."
It was as plain as day that Ernie Macmillan was now utterly, hopelessly terrified. He was ramrod-straight, his eyes were wide, his face so pale that he looked in real risk of suffering a heart attack, and he was sweating more profusely than ever. He opened and closed his mouth several times, clearly wanting to say something, anything, but also suffered an inability to say anything at all. It was far too late, but this pompous, presumptuous fool now fully realised what he had done – in his typical tendency to jump to conclusions and his over-protectiveness of Justin, he had slandered the heiress of a family so much wealthier and more powerful than his. And to make matters worse, through slandering her, he had also slandered a powerful magical skill that was especially associated with a country's patron saint, and so had maligned said saint as well. Oh, what would his grandfather and father say? What would they do? What would happen to their family?
But Holle was unmoved. If there was one thing she knew for sure, it would be that if she overlooked or dismissed the matter as the likes of Dumbledore, his staff, and Granger would infinitely prefer her to, then it would never end. Just like how she had stood up to Snape, McGonagall, and even Weasley and Granger from the very beginning, she had to stand her ground now. With one final silent look at Ernie, she turned and left.
The End...or is it?
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