AN: I... am much sorry. Real life has, unfortunately, been utterly disgusting lately, hence the delay on the update. I'll try and do a few updates daily to make up for it. Much apologies though.

Chapter 9

Harry walked through the Ministry, his official family-crested robes billowing slightly behind him as he went. He handed his wand to the guard, quickly taking it back when it was offered with a nod of his head. He stepped into the lift with a few others, and mere moments later, found himself walking down the Wizengamot corridor. He walked with posture and purpose, just as Alex had shown him mere hours ago at breakfast.

He was a little nervous, but he knew what would be expected of him, and how he must act if he was to be taken seriously.

Pushing open the door to the meeting room, he found the room full, all awaiting him. He saw a few familiar faces; Augusta Longbottom smiled at him, as did Amelia Bones. Fudge stood up to greet him, and Harry noticed the narrow eyed stare of Dumbledore as they shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

"Let's get this done then, shall we?" Harry murmured, when Dumbledore banged his gavel twice.

"The Wizengamot is now in session. Today, we welcome a new Lord to our Ranks; Lord Harry Potter-Black."

"Excuse me, Head Wizard Dumbledore, but I'll be accepting three seats today; those of Potter, Black and Gryffindor."

Dumbledore gave him a deeply disappointed look. "Of course, Lord Gryffindor, my mistake. Will the Proxy for the Potter and Black seats please stand."

An elderly wizard stood, giving Harry a scathing glare as he did so.

"We thank you for your service, Master Doge. You may now leave."

"Lord Potter-Black, please take your rightful seat among us," Dumbledore said, waving him into the now empty seat. Harry bowed to him, before he sat down between Madam Longbottom, and an imposing man who was eyeing him with interest.

"Was there no Proxy for the Gryffindor seat?" Harry asked Augusta quietly as the room settled. She nodded her head slightly, a small smirk tilting her lips up.

"Pardon me, Head Wizard Dumbledore, before we begin, I'd like to ask who holds the Proxy for The Most Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor?" Harry asked, leaning forward against the table.

He could see a few people watching on with interest.

Dumbledore frowned. "I do, Lord Potter, now if we may continue—"

"Actually no, we may not," Harry interrupted. "I thank you for holding the Proxy of my seat, but it is no longer needed."

"Lord Potter—"

"I, Lord Harry James Potter-Black-Gryffindor, hereby claim by inheritance, the seat of The Most Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor," Harry said firmly, holding his wand aloft as he ignored whatever Dumbledore was about to attempt.

His seat glowed behind him, and he turned to look at it. The crests of the Potter and Blacks had appeared as soon as he'd taken the seat, but above them now sat the proud lion of Gryffindor, backed by a deep red shield.

There was a flash of light, and the red seat that Dumbledore was seated in turned blue to match the rest of the seats in the room, and Harry's own turned bright red. Harry raised his eyebrow. Alex had said nothing about this happening, and Harry was flying blind.

"It shows that you are not the senior member of the Wizengamot and can take your rightful place as Head Wizard at any time," Augusta explained quietly, when she saw his confusion. Harry arched his eyebrows and then turned to look at Dumbledore coolly.

"Lord Gryffindor, will you be taking your rightful seat?" Amelia asked him, from across the table.

Harry shook his head. "Not at this time, Regent Bones, but I reserve the right to change my mind at a later date. While at the moment, I have the inheritance, I do not believe I have the experience to do the job justice."

"Of course Lord Gryffindor, and may I welcome you to the Wizengamot."

"Thank you very much, Regent Bones."

…

Harry was bored stiff for most of the meeting, and he found himself drifting off a few times. Augusta poked him in the side twice when his attention was needed, and he grinned cheekily at her each time, making her stifle her smiles.

"Our last item for today," Dumbledore said, drawing Harry's attention, "is to set dates for the trials for those caught in the Department of Mysteries in June."

Harry sat up straighter in his seat. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold his own seats for that trial, given he would undoubtedly be a witness, but he was still interested in when the trials would be.

"I say don't give them a trial," Lady Zabini said, sneering.

Harry blinked. "You'll excuse me, because I must have misheard, Lady Zabini," Harry said, his voice carrying in the room. "But have you truly just suggested that we leave those, some of whom are Lords in their own right, to rot in Azkaban without a trial? Have you learnt nothing from the last time you did that?" He was truly incensed. While he had no wish to see any of the Death Eaters free, he didn't believe they could be called 'guilty' until they had been tried.

"You were the one they were trying to kill!" Lady Zabini exclaimed, looking shocked at Harry.

"Exactly, and I plan to see them tried by a fair jury and found guilty legally. Until then, they are merely residents of Azkaban, not prisoners."

"As you plan to see them tried by a 'fair jury', will you be abstaining from the vote, Lord Gryffindor?" Lord Greengrass asked.

"I'll be handing my votes off to people I trust to use their best judgement for that trial as I will be a witness," Harry replied, nodding his head.

Greengrass seemed satisfied and returned the nod with an approving smile.

After a little arguing, the trials were set for mid September. The members milled around the meeting room when Dumbledore called for a close, talking to friends and the like. Harry left to see the office he knew would be somewhere in the corridor.

He found it quickly and was a little surprised to see his three family crests already on the door below his name.

Inside, he found a desk, a bookshelf, a fireplace and a comfortable seating area. He rolled his eyes; somewhere else for him to decorate was not what he was hoping for. A knock on the door startled him, and he turned to see Madam Bones and Madam Longbottom in the doorway.

"Uh. Hi?" he offered, a little awkwardly.

"Lord Potter-Black," they said in tandem, both of them offering a small curtsy.

Harry blinked at them. While Alex had told him that this would be how Lord and Ladies greeted him, it was still something of a shock to see it in action. He was sixteen years old; it felt wrong to have people with years of experience and knowledge reacting to him in such a way.

"How can I help you?" he asked, waving them inside.

They walked inside and closed the door behind them. Madam Longbottom was the first to speak, after the two women shared a look.

"The Longbottoms have had an alliance with the Potters for the last five centuries," she said with a small smile. "I have come to renew it if you are so amenable."

Harry nodded, and they exchanged the same formal words Harry had exchanged with Mr Weasley.

"The Bones and the Potters have also had an Alliance in place for the past century of so," Madam Bones said, when Harry looked at her. "I have come to renew it if you are so amenable."

Renewing that alliance as well, Harry smiled at the both, grateful at their forwardness. While he'd known about the two alliances, he wasn't sure if he'd have asked either of them for a renewal. He'd have likely waited for Neville and Susan to take their own seats before he did so.

"My Neville was most adamant this morning that I renew the Alliance as soon as possible," Augusta told him, when he invited them to join him in the seating area. "After all, he shall be taking over the family mantle in a little less than a year when he turns seventeen."

"Of course," Harry agreed. "How is he?"

"He is quite fine, though he has expressed a wish to see you, should you have the time before you return to school?"

"I'd like to see him very much, if you'll allow it," Harry replied, remembering his manners. Despite it being a visit with Neville, Longbottom Manor was Augusta's home, and Neville was still her charge.

She smiled at him. "You may visit with us tomorrow, if you have the time, Lord Potter."

"Thank you, Madam," Harry replied. "Please call me Harry, both of you."

"That's very kind of you, Harry. As I understand it, you should have grown up at my Manor if the letter I received from a goblin named Bludaxe is to be believed."

"In my parent's will, I was to go to Alice and Frank, if, for some reason, Sirius was unable to take me, which in the end turned out to be rather prophetic. It upsets me that Neville and I should have grown up as brothers, but had the chance stolen away."

"Indeed. We shall discuss this when you come for dinner tomorrow evening. I must take my leave, Neville will be most anxious to know that I've spoken with you."

"I'll see you for dinner tomorrow then, Madam Longbottom," Harry said, standing when she did. Madam Bones stood as well.

"I must get to work," she said. "But please, anytime you need to, contact me." She patted his shoulder when he offered her his thanks, and then left his office.

He was about to leave himself when another knock on the door stopped him in his tracks. He opened it to find himself face to face with Fudge.

"Minister," he greeted cordially, stepping back to allow him entrance.

"Lord Gryffindor," Fudge replied, stepping inside and closing the door.

"Thank you for the pre-warning this morning," Harry offered with a small smile. "It was helpful for Alex to have time to give me a feel of what to expect."

"You're quite welcome," Fudge replied with a conspiratorial smile. "I came to request a meeting, perhaps we can have lunch one day next week?"

"Of course," Harry answered, as he straightened his cloak. "I hear the new cafe in Diagon Alley has a lovely lunch menu. There's a patio, too, so we can sit out in the sun."

"Perfect," Fudge replied, clapping his hands together. "I'll send Alex a note to arrange it, shall I?"

"That would be excellent, Minister. If you'll excuse me, I really should be getting back, I'm sure he'd quite anxious to know how the meeting went."

"I'll walk you out," Fudge offered, opening the door. Harry looked up just in time to see Dumbledore with his hand raised, as though he was about to knock on the door himself.

"Ah, hello Headmaster," Harry greeted cordially. "I'm just on my way out, I'm afraid."

"This will only take a moment, Harry, if we could just step into your office?"

Harry shook his head. "My apologies, but I really don't have the time today. If you'd like another meeting, you're welcome to contact Alex." He offered a small smile. "Good day, Headmaster." Turning to Fudge, he gestured to the door. "Shall we?"

…

Alex had been impressed with the memories of the Wizengamot meeting. He said that Harry had behaved exactly as he should, and he pointed out the impressed glances on some of the faces that he'd missed while in the room.

Deciding that they'd worked enough for the week to deserve a treat, they decided to eat out for the evening. They even disguised Sirius as a distant cousin of Alex's so that he could join them. Harry knew how little his godfather liked to be trapped inside, though being at Alex's was a vast improvement on Grimmauld Place.

Dumbledore knows where you are. You have five minutes if you want to escape.

Harry started to hear Snape's voice in his mind, but he relayed the message to his companions regardless.

Alex merely shrugged and said that they had no reason to hide. 'Stephen' had a solid enough grasp on Occlumency that he wouldn't be found, and Harry didn't relish the idea of running away.

Are you with him?

Yes. Miss Granger, Mr Weasley the youngest, Arthur and Minerva are also with us."

Harry frowned. "Ron, Hermione, Professor McGonagall and Arthur are also with them," he said. "Surely Arthur would have sent me a warning about it?"

Alex tilted his head. "I'm surprised any of the Weasley's are willingly giving the Headmaster the time of day in all honesty."

Sirius nodded. "Me too; Molly and Arthur are extremely loyal. They wouldn't offer you fealty and then go behind your back, it's just not who they are."

"I guess we're going to find out," Harry said, though he was concerned for the members of his chosen family.

I think we'll stay right here and see what the old goat wants, he told Snape, unsurprised to hear the sarcasm in his answer.

Of course you will.

He chuckled, relaying that he seemed to have annoyed his Potions Professor to Alex and Sirius, who both grinned, amused. Shaking off the tension, Harry began telling the two of them about a spell he'd found in one of the journals he'd been devouring.

"It would be really good for enemy clusters; it works like a mass stunning—oh, hello, Headmaster. Fancy seeing you here," Harry said flatly, looking at Dumbledore with cool eyes.

"Just passing through, Headmaster?" Alex asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Something like that, yes," Dumbledore agreed. "Would you mind if we joined you?"

Harry glanced at Alex, who made a show of shrugging, and then replied, "I'll ask the waiter if we can have a table set up beside ours. There's no need for everyone to be cramped, right?"

The waiter was happy to help, and since Harry, Alex and Sirius had held off on ordering when Snape had alerted Harry to their incoming company, Harry had him bring everyone a menu as well.

"That's very gracious of you, Harry, thank you."

"You're welcome, Albus," Harry replied blandly.

Everyone looked at Harry in surprise, though most of them were smirking.

"Harry, show some respect," Hermione hissed at him.

He glanced her way. It was sad that this was the first thing she'd said to him since they'd left Hogwarts, despite already seeing him once during the summer.

"I haven't given him leave to address me by my first name, nor have I given it to you, Miss Granger. It's the height of bad manners to call someone so familiarly when they haven't given you leave to do so."

"I've called you Harry since I've known you!" she spluttered.

"And since then, I've inherited multiple Lordships, which changes the rules entirely," Harry pointed out. "Please remember your manners."

Harry glanced at Ron to see him gawking at him in surprise. Harry winked at him slyly, watching as understanding dawned on him, and the surprise quickly turned to amusement.

Looking around at the other occupants at the table, Harry's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw him looking down at the table, not making eye contact with anyone.

"Arthur?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.

Arthur looked up at his name, and Harry saw a slightly dazed look in his eyes. He felt anger rising as he figured out exactly what was going on.

"Headmaster, kindly take the submission charm off of Mr Weasley," he demanded. "Now!"

Dumbledore looked shocked for a moment, before he signed in defeat. He waved his wand beneath the table, and Arthur's eyes cleared. He looked around the table before his eyes lit on Dumbledore and he glared.

"How dare you?" He turned to nod his thanks to Harry, and then stood up stiffly. "It's time we left, Ron."

Harry glanced at Professors McGonagall and Snape, who were watching the proceedings. Snape looked mildly amused, but Professor McGonagall's eyes were fierce with anger as she stared at the Headmaster.

"Please, Arthur, stay," Harry asked quietly. "You and Ron have more right to be here than anyone else."

"Harry, manners," Hermione said, smirking at him.

Harry snarled at her. "Miss Granger, if you cannot be polite, at least be silent."

"Lord Potter, then," she said, rolling her eyes. "You have no right to call adults by their first name and since you're so—"

"Miss Granger," Alex interrupted. "You shouldn't speak of things you have no understanding of. House Weasley and House Potter have an alliance, therefore, Harry has every right to call Mr Weasley by his first name. Do educate yourself, young lady, before bringing your opinions to the table."

She sat back in her seat, staring in shock at Alex.

Harry waited for Arthur and Ron to retake their seats before he turned to look at Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, you obviously stalked us to this restaurant for a reason, what do you want?"

He was tired of being polite, and after seeing his latest manipulation, this time on someone else, Harry was just a little bit closer to wanting to be fully done with the Headmaster.

"Perhaps we should order first," Alex suggested quietly, nodding his head to the waiter.

Harry sighed but nodded, glancing down at the menu. He'd lost his appetite, and he was beginning to wish they'd escaped when Snape had sent the warning.

After the food was ordered, Dumbledore spoke before Harry could, again, ask him what he wanted.

"Perhaps, as you seem rather fond of manners, Lord Potter, you could introduce us to your friend?" he asked, gesturing slightly to Sirius.

"Of course, my apologies," Harry said, bowing his head. "This is Stephen, Alex's cousin. Stephen, this is Arthur Weasley, Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Head of Gryffindor, Professor Severus Snape, the Head of Slytherin, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore," Harry introduced formally, gesturing to each person as he named them.

Sirius nodded, but didn't say anything. Harry could tell he was fighting laughter, and rolled his eyes at his Godfather.

"Now, Headmaster, perhaps you could tell me why you are here?" Harry asked, turning back to Dumbledore.

"Ah, yes, one of the reasons I wanted to speak to you this morning was about your Proxy seats when you abstain from the vote at the trials in September. I would be happy to use them."

Harry snorted. "I'm sure you'd be practically ecstatic, but it's not going to happen. Anything else?"

"Harry, you're being very unreasonable this evening," Dumbledore chided reproachfully.

"Perhaps, Albus, that's because you've interrupted a private meal between friends, cast a submission charm on a member of an Allied house of mine, and done nothing but irritate me since you arrived," Harry snapped. "Bringing your lap dog hasn't helped matters much either. I don't know if you're aware, sir, but that's not actually allowed in restaurants these days."

The effect of his anger was slightly ruined by the snorted laughter of Alex and Sirius, and he noticed Ron was practically gnawing a hole in his lip to stop himself from joining them. Hermione gave an affronted huff and folded her arms in front of her.

Even Snape and McGonagall looked amused at his outburst.

"Please, for the last time," Harry said, suddenly tired. "What do you want?"

"The wards on Grimmauld Place have locked us out since you became the new owner. The Order of the Phoenix needs a headquarters. I was hoping that you'd allow us continued use of the house."

Harry nodded. "I'll have it opened for you some time in the next few days. What else?"

"Thank you. I'd like to offer you a full membership to the Order of the Phoenix as—"

"No, thank you," Harry interrupted, shaking his head.

"I thought that was what you wanted?" Dumbledore asked, evidently shocked to have been shot down so succinctly.

"Why would I give you back the control I've been fighting to get?" Harry asked, bemused that this was even a conversation. "No, thank you. Is that all?"

There was a momentary pause before Dumbledore rallied himself. "The library is in need of a thorough restock; notices have been sent out to all parents and donors, not just you, I assure you."

"I'll arrange for a check to be sent directly to Madam Pince," Harry replied, glancing at Alex, who nodded.

"Thank you, Harry, that is most kind of you. There is only one more request I have to make of you. The Order is in need of your help."

Harry arched his eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate. Surely the man wasn't about to ask him for money. Not when he'd excused over one hundred thousand galleons as money set aside for the Order.

"You see, many in the Order, for one reason or another, don't or cannot work. We're running very low on funding, and—"

"Excuse me, Headmaster, but only a few days ago, there was a vault that had Galleons up to the top, all from the Potter Family Vault, that Harry kindly did not take you to court over. Are you honestly telling me that after just one year of being reactivated, the Order of the Phoenix have spent upwards of one hundred and twenty thousand Galleons?" Alex asked, looking and sounding about as incredulous as Harry felt.

How the Headmaster had the gall to sit there and ask Harry for money after he'd admitted already stealing so much honestly boggled his mind.

"Well, I, that is to say—" Dumbledore stumbled over his words, but Harry decided to shut him down before the farce could continue.

"That is to say, it's not going to happen, Headmaster," he said firmly. "Since you said that was the last of your requests, perhaps we can now enjoy our meal."

He nodded towards the two waiters who were walking towards them with their arms laden with dishes and plates.

After thanking the servers, Harry turned to Professor McGonagall. "Professor, I was wondering if it was too late to switch classes? I'd like to drop Divination and Care of Magical Creatures and pick up Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."

"You'll have to take aptitude tests for the two subjects when you arrive back at school, but if you're at the same level as your year mates, then we can change your schedule accordingly."

He smiled at her. "That's fantastic, thank you, Professor. I'd also like to take an aptitude test for Potions, Professor Snape. I have a feeling I didn't quite get the Outstanding I was aiming for, and I'd really like to continue the subject if I can."

Snape sighed, but nodded. "I'm sure we can arrange something, Mr Potter. I'll be in contact before the end of summer."

"Thank you, Sir."

The rest of the meal saw most of the people spread between the two tables talking quite happily, although Harry couldn't fail to notice that neither Hermione nor he Headmaster were included much in the conversations.

When the check arrived, Harry snatched it up before anyone else could, ignoring the protests of Professor's McGonagall and Snape, and Arthur as he did.

"If all of those vaults can't pay for a meal between friends once in a while, what is the actual point of them?" he asked rhetorically, chuckling happily when he saw the sour look on Dumbledore's face.

Harry, Alex and Sirius rose from the table first, saying their goodbye's quickly before they left the restaurant. Alex Apparated Harry back, while Sirius travelled by himself, but as they arrived back at the flat, they all fell into shared laughter.

Dumbledore really could be comical at times, despite the way he annoyed Harry.

…

Climbing into bed, Harry thought to see how it had gone after they left, and with just a projection of thought, asked that very question to his surly Potions professor.

The Headmaster left us all with a headache, and that little chit, Miss Granger, is really looking for a year long detention if Minerva's face was anything to judge.

Harry snorted. She really has gained herself an attitude problem, hasn't she?

I cannot pretend I did not enjoy seeing her being taken down a peg or two at dinner, Snape replied, and Harry could hear the amusement in the tone of his thought. It's about time it happened, though I never expected it to be you who did it. Your friendship is over for good?

Sighing, Harry nodded, and then flushed when he realised Snape couldn't actually see him. Trust is essential to any relationship, he thought back in reply. I don't trust her now, and I won't ever again. It's a shame, but I don't think Hermione has yet realised that she'd have gotten more from being my friend than she will from being the Headmaster's lackey."

I'm sure it will not take long for her to come running back to your side.

Too little, too late, Harry replied.

How are you getting along with finding tutors? Snape asked, the change of subject surprising Harry.

Alex is currently interviewing for tutors in History, Politics and hopefully someone who can help me with a few special abilities. We haven't hired anyone yet.

There was a brief pause before Snape replied, Black was always talented at Transfiguration. Perhaps you should ask him, or rather, 'Stephen'.

Huh.

That was articulate.

Harry sat up in his bed, wondering if he should shout for Alex and Sirius. How on earth did you figure that out? Please don't tell anyone. He—

He needs to work on his Occlumency, Snape interrupted Harry's frantic thoughts. And I won't say a word, Potter, do stop panicking. I would like to know the full story of how that actually came to be, and how he is alive.

Harry relaxed slightly. I'll explain when I see you. Perhaps you could floo into my trunk when we're back at Hogwarts, at least that way, I'll know the conversation is confidential.

Trunk?

Harry snorted at himself. He really couldn't ever be a spy, he was useless at keeping secrets. Ah. Okay, so you see…

They talked for well over an hour, and Harry was surprised that they managed to be civil long enough to hold a real conversation. Perhaps there was hope for getting the man to tutor him after all.