Authors Note: Thanks for all the good reviews I am getting on this story. Let me just say to you all that this is Harry's Odyssey through great adversity and has many twists and turns to come. If you have read my story "Ashes In Their Mouths" you will know I like involved plots with lots of surprises. Please don't give up reading just because of any one theme. I assure you the ending will be worth it.
I don't answer specific questions in reviews. That would spoil the surprise. Let me just tell you a couple of things.
The characterisation of Harry is a bit one-dimensional to start with. This is to set the scene as fast as possible. Our understanding of his dilemma will broaden soon as he interacts with other characters.
Draco also is nothing but a shadow of his true character in the first chapters. I can't have him other than a crazed veela in Harry's presence but you will find out more of his point of view later in the story. It will be worth the wait, I assure you. Will there be some Harry/Draco slash? You will have to wait and see!
Harry/Ginny? Some people hate this ship, I know. I can only urge you to put aside your expectations and read on.
Dumbledore is not evil in this fic, He is just ruthless in his desire to win the war with Voldemort as quickly as possible. He has not developed any emotional attachments to Harry, as he knows the boy's eventual fate to face Voldemort. Generals in war must be ruthless for the greater good and Dumbledore is all about the greater good.
I pinched the idea of the Thrall laws from another fic I read long ago. I have forgotten the fics name and who the author is to my regret. If anyone remembers it let me know so I can give proper credit to the author for this idea. We learn more about these laws in chapter 5.
Well that's all I got to say other than I could certainly do with a beta reader for this fic as I am bashing it out as quickly as possible and Spelling/Grammar is my weakness.(It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word! - Andrew Johnson, American 17th US President.)
Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 5 - Hypothetically Speaking
It didn't take long for Harry to lead Madam Bones to the room of requirement. When Harry opened the door he found the room to be a nice comfortable drawing room with a roaring fire and comfortable chairs placed in front of it. Harry had requested the most secure room for this conversation and he started to add his own security spells once the door was shut. Madam Bones eyed him as he carried them out curiously.
"I take it you do not want us to be overheard?" Madam Bones asked Harry the minute he sat down beside her.
"No Madam Bones. That's why I didn't want to talk in the Headmasters Office. The portraits would have told the Headmaster everything we said." Harry explained.
"So what do you wish to talk to me about that you don't want the Headmaster to know about Mr Potter?" Madam Bones asked
"I would like your legal opinion regarding the Veela laws and please call me Harry." Harry explained to Madam Bones.
"I am afraid Harry that it would be improper of me to express any opinion about a case that may come before me at the Wizengamot concerning yourself and Mr Malfoy. Now that Mr Malfoy has declared you as his life mate…" Madam Bones stated but was interrupted by Harry.
"But he hasn't!" Harry stated suddenly, "If you remember my memories of the meeting, Malfoy failed to use the word mate that evening and did not meet the requirements under the Veela laws. The Veela laws do not yet apply! I am only asking for your general opinion of the Veela laws Madam Bones."
Madam Bones thought about this for a moment. "Very well but I will only speak of the laws in the general sense and any examples must be hypothetical in nature."
"Fair enough!" Harry said, "Hypothetically, If a Veela declares a person their life mate, is there any way that person can avoid being forced to marry the Veela. A technicality, loophole, etc in the Veela laws?"
"None that I know of Mr Potter. The Veela laws are quite explicit on this point. If the person is married, that marriage is null and void, if the person is not sexually attracted to the Veela, (a very rare event) then they are still obliged to perform their sexual duties as the Veela's life mate. Very few challenges to the Veela laws have ever been made and none have been successful."
"What if two Veelas declare the same person their life mate, what would happen then?" Harry asked.
"I don't know if that has ever occurred. I would imagine some sort of selection process would have to be used. The person may even get a chance to decide which he or she preferred." Madam Bones said.
"The courtship rituals predate the Veela laws and hold force do they not?" Harry asked, "Any Veela seeking to marry the person involved, would they not be forced to become a candidate and be proven the best suitable?" Harry asked.
"Very good Potter! Very good indeed. I see now!" Madam Bones replied looking at Harry admiringly. "Yes but there is a problem. As soon as the courtship rituals complete, the person would have no shield against the Veela laws. Any marriage would become void again as previously discussed."
"But for the period of the courtship rituals, the person is shielded against the Veela forcing them to an early marriage?" Harry asked.
"That would be my understanding but I will have to check to be sure such an argument before the Wizengamot would be upheld." Madam Bones replied.
"What about other countries? Do they have similar laws?" Harry asked.
"Most do! The American Wizarding Republic probably has the strongest personal rights for their citizens but they have the Veela laws as well. Although their constitution may limit its application in theory, it has never been tested in their courts!" Madam Bones replied.
"Why are the person's rights overruled by these laws Madam Bones? It is the one thing that I could not find in any of the law books I have read. Why does the Veela have the right to force a person into this?" Harry asked.
"The Veela laws fall into a group known as the Common Good laws. Before the passing of these Veela laws, Veelas went on violent rampages when denied their chosen mates. Many people died in those rampages. It was felt that it is better that one person be forced into the marriage with the Veela than risking further rampages. The Veela laws were passed to ensure the common good at the expense of a single individual's freedoms. There are a number of such laws on the books." Madam Bones replied.
Harry nodded thoughtfully for a moment, "Like the Thrall laws!"
"Goodness, what do you know of them?" Madam Bones said startled.
"Hypothetically speaking if there was a person who was the subject of a prophecy, they could have all their rights taken away from them as a thrall to that prophecy. For the common good I believe was the term you used." Harry said heavily.
"Yes but the Thrall laws have not been enacted for centuries. I can't believe anyone would…" Madam Bones said horrified.
"I assume you know what it was in the Department of Mysterious that the Dark Lord wanted to get his hands on. Why my friends and I were lured to the Department last year. That whole disaster was my fault but at least we kept the Dark Lord from getting his hands on a certain prophecy." Harry replied with anguish written all over his face. "And believe me when I tell you Madam Bones, there is a person who would enact the Thrall laws to enslave me to his control," Harry stated bluntly, "and we just left his office!"
Madam Bones sat thinking.
"This is a high stakes game Madam Bones between an evil dark lord, a ruthless old man and a sixteen year old boy." Harry said, "And the odds on the boy are getting longer! But he does have a few aces up his sleave no one knows about. Hypothetically speaking of course!"
"And what do you think I can do for you Mr Potter?" Madam Bones asked.
"Enforce the letter of the law, Madam Bones but allow for justice when you can too." Harry replied thoughtfully.
"A fine sentiment, Harry. I wish you luck. I believe I will have my department research all case law regarding the Veela and Thrall Laws. I will send you any insights we may discover." Madam Bones said.
"Actually I wonder if I could ask you to be my sponsor in a legal studies elective this year. It will allow me to continue my legal research without arousing the Headmaster's suspicions. I am dropping potions in any case to allow more time for my training in DADA."
"But do you not need a potions NEWT to become a Auror?" Madam Bones asked.
"If I am killed by Voldemort, a Potions NEWT won't do me any good and if on the other hand I manage to kill him, I doubt you will hold not having a Potions NEWT against me joining your department Madam Bones." Harry replied calmly.
Madam Bones however was not calm. She was wide eyed as she regarded the young man before her. The sense of his resolve was absolute. "Is that what the prophecy said? That you had to kill him? I thought it was destroyed?"
Harry just shrugged. "As I said this is a high stakes game Madam Bones. Ask no more about the prophecy. It is not safe to mention it even here. Do not tell ANYONE what I said for your own safety and that of all you hold dear."
Madam Bones forced herself to regain some composure. There were depths to this young man she had never suspected. No wonder young Susan Bones spoke of him so highly. "I will be glad to be your legal studies sponsor Harry. Let me know what you need to get started."
"Thank you Madam Bones." Harry said.
When they left the room they found the Headmaster waiting outside looking unhappy despite his attempts to hide it.
"Failed to hear what we were saying, didn't you" Harry thought as he saw the Headmaster. The silencing charms he had had cast on the room he had found in a book from the Black family library that was now safely stored in his trunk. He knew it could not be gotten around without alerting the caster.
"Ah! Amelia, I see Harry has shown you our most peculiar room here at Hogwarts. I hope you had a pleasant discussion?" The Headmaster said in a pleasant conversational tone.
"Yes Albus very pleasant." Madam Bones, "I have just managed to convince young Mr Potter to take up a legal studies elective this year. I will be his sponsor. Now I really must be going. Until the hearing gentleman." Madam Bones said and then strode off without another word leaving behind an annoyed Headmaster and a smiling teenager.
"I better go too Headmaster. I am already late for my classes!" Harry walked briskly away but he did hear what the Headmaster said behind him. "This isn't over, Harry."
Harry sighed and thought to himself, "This is going to be a very long year!"