Chapter 17: The Wizengamot
Harry woke up at dawn. He sat on the balcony rail. Monsieur Chat, the Dugard's family cat, sat on his lap purring contentedly as Harry scratched behind his ears. The cat was a deep black. It was so dark that his fur had a blueish sheen. His expressive eyes were an impressive icy light blue. The boy looked at his clothes that were freshly ironed and ready for the Wizengamot. Next to his were Hermione's formal clothes as well. He looked at her sleeping form and smiled. She had been making a serious effort to make him trust her again. If he was honest, he never stopped trusting her. He was just hurt by her words. But everyone in the family seemed to be making an extra effort to highlight to Harry that he belonged.
In the past few days, he had been given the privilege to watch over baby Gabriel. Harry loved taking care of the baby. Gabriel was full of smiles, and his eyes were always kind and smart. He loved to play peekaboo. Harry really didn't get what Gabriel found so amusing about the game, but he laughed as if he had never played it before every time. Hermione looked at him with a strange brightness to her eyes when she found them playing together. Emma was recovering little by little. Whatever the goblins did had done marvels. She now could walk and stand without pain for longer periods. Harry was over the moon because now that she was back, she would come with Daniel to tuck him and Hermione in at night. He loved that!
Slowly, he grabbed Monsieur Chat and put him down on the balcony. The cat looked up with reproach. He loved Harry's caresses. They were always unhurried and deliberate. Athena scared the cat a bit, but after the first few days, he had caught a rat and gifted it to the snake, and now they were friends. Before that, Athena would bare her fangs for the cat to back off from her favorite. Harry noticed that Athena was curled around Hedwig's cage. He decided to let her sleep. The boy tiptoed out of his and Hermione's room and went to the library. His heart squeezed again when he saw Hermione grab the pillow he had been using. The girl pulled it to her chest and smelled it deeply as her smile broadened. Harry's heart squeezed and beat faster. He needed to talk to his parents.
As he reached the Library, his parents' portrait was empty. Drat! He thought. Should I knock? Blast it. I will knock. They did say I could talk to them no matter the time.
He knocked on the frame three times. He waited for a bit, but nothing happened. Just as he was turning around to leave with a sigh, he heard his mother's voice.
"Harry, love? Is everything alright?"
He turned with a blush to see his mom and dad rubbing sleep off their eyes. He wasn't sure where his parents went when everyone else slept, but apparently, they went to bed as well. "Hi, mum. I'm sorry to wake you…"
"It's okay, baby. We are always available for you. What's troubling you?" Lily asked with a smile.
"Many things…" he blushed.
Lily and James shared a conspirational look. "Hermione, right?" James asked with a wink.
Harry grabbed a pillow and covered his face. "Mhmm."
Lily beamed from her portrait. "Tell us everything."
Harry hugged the pillow, and Lily had to try hard not to wince. How she wished she could be holding her baby right now. It was physically painful or as physical as pain could be for her preserved essence.
"I don't even know what to say… Can I touch your painting and show you?" Harry asked shyly. They had discovered a couple of years back that Lily and James could look into people's memories by touch, with consent, of course.
"Come here, baby," Lily motioned for him to approach the portrait. He sat in front of it and brought his forehead to touch the canvas where they depicted his parents' joined hands.
The Potters smiled throughout all the memories. Except those where they could see the evidence of Harry's early life abuse or the times he had been cross at Hermione. Their son was head over heels in love, and he had no idea. He was eleven, true, but they were bonded. Theirs wasn't a common situation. They had been married for years now. Perhaps the bond magnified the intensity of their feelings. Maybe it made them mature faster. Everything about their bond was uncharted territory.
Harry leaned back, red as a tomato. His last memory was of Hermione as he left the room tonight, and he felt like it was wrong to stare. Harry was expecting to be told off.
"Son, what troubles you about this?" James asked, turning serious. If he teased his son, Lily would banish him to the painting in the basement for a week.
"I am… feeling things. I don't really understand those things."
"From what I saw, I think you do understand, baby," Lily countered.
"It's just… I… It's embarrassing, really."
"Why?" James asked.
"I stare at her a lot… and when she hugs me, I don't want to let her go. When she hugs someone else, I feel weird, like uncomfortable… Upset? Afraid? I don't know… It's just that… She smells like… like happiness… like home?" Harry said the last words in a questioning tone.
Lily beamed, "Oh, sweetheart," she looked at him with pride and love. Her boy was on his way to a blissful married life.
"Son, that is exactly how I realized I wanted to marry your mom. She became my home," James said with a contented smile. He kissed Lily's temple with a sigh.
"But… I… We… We are already m-married, dad," Harry argued.
"True. But your marriage was accidental, Harry…"
"So? What do I do with these feelings? It's really hard to block her from finding out through the bond," Harry looked quite desperate.
"My advice is to not block her, baby. Show her everything. I am sure that will only make her happy. However, until you feel more comfortable with your feelings and understand them, go ahead and talk to Dan and Emma. I am sure they can help you… better than we can" Lily took a shaky breath. Her beautiful painted eyes glistened with tears. She turned away, and her body shook as she tried not to cry.
"Mommy? What's wrong?" Harry was immediately concerned. His mom was like a magical version of Wonder Woman. He had never seen her so sad.
James squeezed Lily against his side. Lily took a deep breath and turned back to face Harry, "Nothing, baby. It's just that when I did the ritual to create this painting with Luna's mom, Pandora, as well as the help I got from Drydalis, Trippy, and Neesy, I never thought about what would happen if we succeeded…"
"I don't understand…" Harry trailed off. It hurt his heart to see his mom crying.
"Honey, it's just so damn hard. We can't touch you. We can't hug you. We cannot be true parents to you…" Lily said this holding back sobs.
"But you are my true parents! I love you! I am so happy I get to talk to you, to have you in my life," Harry touched his mom's face in the painting, and she leaned into his fingers. "I was so lonely before…"
"We know that, son. It's just heartbreaking for us to be just background characters in your life," James sighed, and a slow tear rolled down his cheek.
"You are not background characters, dad!" Harry felt really low. He had never thought about that before. "Come with me to the Wizengamot!"
"What?"
"Come with me. Today, Hermione and I are claiming your seats," Harry explained.
"Sweetie, paintings are not allowed in the Chamber," Lily smiled sadly.
"What?! But it's your law, mom!"
"And I will be happy to see it passed. I just can't come with you, baby," she sighed.
Harry thought quickly. Hogwarts! He needed to ask Aunt Minnie to allow him to have his parents with him at Hogwarts. He wouldn't tell them until the headmistress acquiesced. "Fine. Do you have any advice? I'm kind of scared to meet all those people."
"Of course. The first thing you need to know about stiff-backed pompous gits-"
"James!" Lily chided.
"Sorry, love. Those stiff-backed pompous grown-ups love to feel in control."
"They love their rules, and if you and Hermione want to have a chance to prove yourselves, you must follow the rulebook to the T," Lily added. "Let us go over what you know about today, so we can correct any mistakes."
"Yes! That's exactly what I need to feel a bit less panicky. Can I go get Hermione for this?" Harry asked, excited.
"Go get her, tiger," James winked.
Harry blushed but went to get the girl anyways.
The Ministry of Magic was particularly eerie; this was the first thing Harry and Hermione noted. Tall walls and doors, opulent art, sculptures, all of it should not be scary, but somehow the pair felt as if the Atrium looked like a giant mouth from a monster that could swallow them whole. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand, and he squeezed hers. We will be okay, Mione. We are not alone. He pushed this to her through their bond. She nodded, and they kept walking to the lifts. They went all the way down to the dungeons. An arch with two Aurors welcomed them. A heavy bronze sign read Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The children were stared down by the Aurors, but before any unpleasantness happened, Lord Potter took a step forward.
"Good morning, Aurors," he said in his typical business-like tone.
"Lord Potter, welcome," they said with a short bow.
"The children are here with me. They are emancipated and will be taking over my son and daughter-in-law's seats, as per instructions in their will," Charlus explained.
"But they are kids, sir," one of the Aurors said.
"They are emancipated heirs to their respective houses. I am sure I don't have to tell you that you impeding their appearance in front of the Wizengamot would be a crime," Lord Potter lifted a contemptuous brow.
"Of course, my partner apologizes. In any case, the Wizengamot will throw them out if they are not who they say they are," the other Auror said smugly.
Charlus raised his brow higher, and the Aurors took a step back. Lord Potter nodded at the children to follow him and offered his arm to his wife. The Alliance followed after them. Harry and Hermione went over the preparation session they had with Lady Longbottom.
FLASHBACK
"When you step in front of the Wizengamot, they will take your wands momentarily to measure and register them," Augusta placed her hand in front of Harry. "You will place the wand with the tip pointing towards you as a sign that you mean no harm on the elder who will take your wand or the Wizengamot."
Harry did as was told.
"Good. The elder member will ask you to introduce yourself," Augusta explained. "You must introduce yourself formally. Bow and give them your name and title. Then state your reason to be in the chamber."
Harry bowed, "Chief Warlock, Elder Members, General Members, and other authorities, I am Harry James Potter, heir to The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. I am here to claim my parents' Wizengamot seats, which were given to them as a reward with their Order of Merlin, First Class."
Augusta nodded. "Excellent. The elder will question you due to your age. You will answer truthfully and present both the certified copy of your parents' will and a certified copy of the letter you got after your soul bond, which states you are emancipated and married."
"But isn't that risky to Mione?" Harry looked at Hermione with concern.
"Perhaps, but she is already at risk. We discussed this. Daniel and Emma agree with Charlus and Dorea. By doing this in such a formal manner, everyone will know that she is under the protection of all of us and of the Goblin Nation as well," Augusta reasoned.
"Are you okay with this, Mione?" Harry asked.
"Yes. I will always be at risk because I am a muggleborn, Harry. But I appreciate your concern," Hermione smiled brightly. Ever since their row, they had gotten closer little by little.
"Okay, then."
END FLASHBACK
Everything happened as they had practiced before. Harry handed the will and letter for the Elder Member to read. The will had the man's eyes widening, but they almost popped out of their sockets with the letter.
"Scion Potter, Welcome to this Wizengamot. Due to your age and inexperience, I suggest that you name a proxy for the following sessions. At least consider doing so while you finish your education at Hogwarts," the Elder Member said.
"I appreciate your counsel. Mr.?"
"Tiberius Ogden, scion Potter," the old man seemed happy with Harry's impeccable manners.
"I appreciate your counsel, Mr. Ogden. I do not wish to appoint anyone at the moment. Hermione and myself will head over one seat each," Harry said this with absolute certainty.
"Scioness Dagworth-Granger, step forward, please," Tiberius requested.
Hermione was suddenly glad for her fancy attire. It made her feel a bit more grown-up. She handed Mr. Odgen the wand as Augusta had instructed. The man inspected it and wrote its details in a large ledger.
"The floor recognizes scion Potter and scioness Dagworth-Granger as new members holding two seats each. Those seats were earned by Lily and James Potter, who received the distinction along their Order of Merlin First Class prize for being instrumental to the defeat Voldemort in the Second War. Now-"
"Ahem. Elder Member Ogden, you cannot be serious. They are nothing but little children!" Dolores Umbridge protested. Apparently, the woman had to pay many fines and was suspended from holding office for a while. However, now she was back.
"Ms. Umbridge, you will not speak out of turn in this chamber. The scion and scioness have submitted certified proof of their right to those seats. Are you questioning me? Or better yet, the authenticity of documents certified by Gringotts and the Ministry of Magic?" Tiberius said all this with a deep frown. He had never liked that woman.
Umbridge sat back down when no appropriate answer came to her.
Tiberius waved his wand, and suddenly, both kids were wearing official Wizengamot robes and hats. They walked up to their seats after bowing. Sirius winked from his row, and Remus gave them two thumbs up.
"Elder Member, Ogden. May I speak?" Lord Potter stood.
"Go ahead, Lord Potter," Tiberius smiled. He loved Charlus' ability to shut people up politely.
"Madam Undersecretary, any inquiry you have, you may address it to The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. I would love to clear any doubts you may have regarding the honesty of our scion and future scioness. I am sure King Nagkrat would appreciate a chance to see you again to go over exactly why you feel the goblins are being duplicitous in their work," Charlus said all of this slowly, deliberately.
The woman paled. She didn't remember the king fondly, and she was sure the beastly creature would want to drag her back to his dungeons. It took a year for her burnt eyebrows to grow back after her stay by the dragons in Gringotts. Still, she nodded at Lord Potter.
"Let us start the session today," Tiberius sat down. The Wizengamot's head chair was empty. "Today, we will review a new legislation to be discussed. This law was started by Lily Potter and James before their despicable murder at the hands of Voldemort. Their family and The Alliance have worked hard to finish it, and now, it is here for our discussion."
Elder Member Griselda Marchbank stood up. "A copy of the law was sent to each of the members for their perusal in advance. The Alliance has requested the presence of the leaders of the groups involved. Everyone, please stand to welcome King Nagkrat and Queen Gankra of the Goblin Nation. With him are Drydalis, the oldest elf in England, Murcus, Chieftainess of the merpeople, as well as Firenze and Tilazu, Representatives of the Centaurs of the United Kingdom."
The doors opened wide, and all the members stared at the creatures coming inside. Most of the pureblood supremacists stood in alarm and anger rather than in respect. Their good breeding forced them to bow to the king, but they did so with hateful grimaces. They stared at the creatures with distaste.
"Is this chamber to be thus polluted!?"* Armand Malfoy, proxy to his cousin Lucius, bellowed from his seat. His face was red with anger.
Harry and Hermione gasped. How awfully rude! They thought.
"Mr. Malfoy! You will not speak out of turn!" Elder Marchbank replied sternly. "We have an order of matters, and you are not above the Head Committee of Elder Members of the Wizengamot."
Charlus took a deep breath. He was glad that they had managed to vote in a Head Committee of Elders instead of keeping the Chief Warlock figure. The Elders had a no-nonsense attitude and were respectful in the way that only long lives teach. They remembered all the bloody wars and were very into keeping the peace.
Elder Ogden took over with a deep, respectful bow, "King Nagkrat, Queen Gankra, welcome to the Wizengamot. This Committee is honored by your presence. Those who feel differently need to remember where they are and who they represent lest they lose the privilege."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Elder Odgen, Elder Marchbank. I am honored to be here with all the other leaders present," King Nagkrat waved his staff, and both his and his wife's throne materialized in the room. "You will excuse our choice of furniture. We are used to it," he said, looking down at Armand Malfoy.
Queen Gankra waved her hands and provided similarly plush and comfortable seats for everyone and an ornate base for the giant fishbowl. Everyone took their places.
"I understand you wished to address the Wizengamot before we discuss the law," Elder Marchbank said in a questioning tone. Murmurs buzzed around them in the seats.
"Indeed. My queen and I would like to address the chamber," King Nagkrat replied.
"The floor is yours," Elder Marchbank nodded.
"Committee of Elders, Allies, Members of the Wizengamot. I thank you for the opportunity to address this chamber. Difficult times are upon us. I believe this is the most dangerous time that our society has faced for centuries. Our very survival as magical beings, regardless of our species, will depend on our capacity to work together. However, to work together, we must have a series of rules and regulations that allow us to contribute to this cause as best as possible, considering our strengths and weaknesses. First of all, I would like for all present to join me in a minute of silence in remembrance of Lily Potter, who penned this law herself, her husband James, and everyone who passed away in the most recent war."
Not even those who were clearly from the dark side could save face if they didn't comply with the king's requests. Everyone lowered their heads and held silent for a couple of minutes. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand in silent support. Nagkrat cleared his throat.
Queen Gankra took over, "Our people are ready to cooperate with humans and all other species for a common goal: taking down Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. They are in cahoots… again. Our ally, Lord Potter, and his family were attacked on New Year's Eve. King Nagkrat and I dueled Grindelwald, and although we managed to hurt each other, we didn't manage to kill him. Our allies would advise us to imprison him instead, but if he was able to leave Nurmengard, he cannot be imprisoned at all."
Nagkrat continued, "Grindelwald almost killed my queen. He made an attempt on her life on Goblin Territory, and as such, we are within our rights to kill him on sight. Albus Dumbledore attacked me within Gringotts, which allows me to kill him on sight as well. However, the problem isn't killing them. The problem is getting them somewhere where they can be overpowered and killed. They have been gathering an army. Thanks to the quick thinking of Auror Tonks, Lady Dagworth-Granger, who was kidnapped by those thugs on New Year's Eve, with the help of Bellatrix Lestrange, survived. My Nation is sorry for what you have endured, but we are proud to have such an ally."
Emma nodded at the king with a shy smile. From their seats, many blood supremacists looked at her with unmasked disgust: a muggle inside their most important chamber. It was a low blow to them all.
Grankra carried on, "With significant sacrifice and maneuvering by Lord Potter, we managed to get the merpeople and the elves to participate. This law is different from any previous attempts at regulating species because each species wrote their own law section. The goblin section was written and reviewed by a council of our elders. The elves wrote their own part using the advice from their most trusted elders as well. The centaurs did a democratic process to choose whether to participate. They decided they wanted to be a part of this and wrote their section. The merpeople dictated their part to their trusted scribes who transcribed their will under magical oath."
Many murmurs followed this.
"Lily Potter's wish was for the will and desires of the very people the law would regulate to be considered in the text itself. She went to great lengths to advance it as much as she could before her untimely death. It sat for years, on hiatus, until her family found it and decided to finish what she had started," the king sighed. "Many of you are too young to remember the last goblin and human war. Your grandparents may have told you, but probably not. Those were very dark years, and both our races suffered great loss."
"You mean your kind almost decimated us!" Armand Malfoy interrupted.
"We lost thousands as well. You clearly do not value our lives as much as your own. I do not expect someone like you to understand loss. Your family placed a silver spoon in your mouth when you were born."
"Don't you dare speak to me like that, you creature! I demand your respect!" Malfoy bellowed, hitting his cane against the floor.
"Elder Ogden! May I speak?" Harry stood. His blood felt like it was boiling inside his veins. Even Hermione's reassuring touch couldn't calm him. Lord and Lady Potter looked apprehensive, Daniel and Emma looked concerned, as did everyone present from The Alliance.
"Mr. Malfoy, the next interruption of this kind will have you forced out! Mr. Potter, you may speak," Tiberius was quite upset at Malfoy. He didn't really think it was wise to let the child speak, but at the same time, he was curious to know what the kid was made of. If he was just comic relief, Ogden would appreciate him all the same.
"I apologize to His Highness for Mr. Malfoy's rude and uncalled-for interruption. Respect, Mr. Malfoy, is earned NOT demanded," Sirius mouthed a Burn! to Armand, who looked ready to gauge Harry's eyes out.
"I will not be talked down to by a child!" Armand yelled.
"I don't need to talk you down, sir. You are talking yourself under in the esteem of all the members of the Wizengamot with this petulant, disrespectful attitude," Harry talked using some of the words Hermione pushed through their bond.
Remus looked at his husband, and they both mouthed Double Burn!
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand. He carried on. "I believe that regardless of what you may feel for the creatures in this law, all of you have loved ones you wish to keep safe and sound. A wise man said once that you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.* By unfairly keeping elves and other species subjugated, this society has lowered its magical capacity by tonnes. Scioness Dagworth-Granger?"
The girl stood up, bowed to the king, and spoke confidently, "Statistically speaking, if we were to select the most powerful, intelligent, imaginative, energetic, and emotionally stable beings of magic-kind, all species would be present."*
"Elder Marchbank, may I speak?" Umbridge requested with an angry scowl.
Marchbank sighed. "I believe the child wasn't done, but if she doesn't mind-"
Hermione shook her head.
"The passing of a controversial, complicated law such as this one is far beyond a child's capacity to understand."
Emma had to be pulled back by Daniel, who was about to growl expletives at the toad-like woman.
"At least I have the capacity not to interrupt others when they are speaking, Ms. Umbridge," Hermione quipped. Sirius and Remus could have built Hermione a monument right then and there. "If I, a child, can understand such a basic tenant of communication, why can't you in all your adult intelligence, miss?"
The Alliance could have clapped.
"Why, you little-!" Umbridge began to pull out her wand.
Many things happened at once. Harry pulled Hermione behind him and brought up his wand with a protective spell. Drydalis snapped his expert fingers, and Umbridge was suspended upside down, her Wizengamot robes and dress gave away to gravity, and the members were punished by seeing what was underneath. Queen Gankra had sent golden ropes to choke the woman's hand so her wand would fall. Sirius jumped from his seat onto the opposite side of the chamber across the well. He landed in front of the kids, stretching his body as big as It went to protect them from any spells. Remus jumped behind Umbridge and put her in a chokehold.
"Everyone, stop!" Madam Bones yelled. "Ms. Umbridge, you are banished from the chamber for attempting to attack a fellow member of this body, a child at that! Milords, go back to your seats."
Sirius and Remus looked hesitant, but the Aurors were ready to do their job for once, so they obeyed.
"They attacked me too! Banish them!" Umbridge yelled.
"They only acted to restrain you so you wouldn't hurt children. There is no way to know which spell you were planning to cast. It could have been deadly," Amelia said this fully, knowing the reaction that would get her.
"Madam Bones, we would like to formally accuse Ms. Umbridge of a threat to our line succession," Lord Dagworth-Granger said, standing up in a fury with Emma that looked about to reach into her pockets for scary medical tools to use on Umbridge.
"Aurors, escort Ms. Umbridge to my office. Lord Dagworth-Granger, please join us there when you are done here. Your Majesty, Elders. As my vote will be cast by The Alliance leader, I will go process the Undersecretary," the director motioned for the Aurors to leave with the woman. Umbridge didn't resist. She couldn't, not in front of so many people.
"Wait, Madam Bones. Before Ms. Umbridge leaves, I would like to say to her that nothing here is personal. We believe that the more we are willing to sweat in peace, the less we will bleed in war. It will be our generation that bears the brunt of the horrible war that is coming. This law, members of the Wizengamot, is a matter of true equality. It does not propose for any species to be higher in the hierarchy than any other species. We need to stop looking at equality like charity that the powerful give to the powerless and rather as a redistribution of power as a whole to make us all more powerful as a society. Ms. Umbridge, equality is not in regarding different things similarly. True equality is in regarding different things differently."
Dolores had been silenced by the Aurors, who left with the furious woman after that.
Harry continued, "Hermione is right. You will all do well to remember that while it is often older men who declare wars, it is mostly young men who die fighting them. My parents were twenty-one when they were murdered, and their last act was to protect me with their very lives. I would like to think that those of you who are mothers and fathers would be willing to sacrifice yourselves so that your children live because, regardless of your political or other beliefs, I know that none of you wish to bury your children," Harry stopped to see the room.
Everyone was serious and shocked at his words. The Family looked very proud. He was too young to talk war and to have such an ability to command a room. He was the grandson of Charlus Potter, alright. Those who had doubts about the kids' abilities were quickly disabused of the notion that they were rich, ignorant, immature brats.
Harry carried on, "Equality implies individuality. This is why each species had to decide what they needed. We cannot presume to know what others need. They cannot presume to know what we need. Everything in this law is doable. Nothing in it that benefits one species harms another species."
"We ask you to pass this law for your children and your grandchildren. They deserve a better, fairer world," Hermione asked with a hopeful tone. "We thank you for the opportunity to speak, Elder Ogden."
Tiberius was misty-eyed. It was like James, and Lily Potter had been reincarnated. "The Chamber thanks you, scion Potter, scioness Dagworth-Granger, for words that are wise beyond your years."
Elder Marchbanks addressed the chamber. "Members, we open the floor for objections."
Several wands went up right away.
"This is not to be borne! You want us to be equal to glorified servants? To even share this floor with them is insulting! They should feel pretty proud that they are even here! In our chamber! A chamber that was built BY witches and wizards FOR witches and wizards! Not for beastly creatures that, if given the chance, would eat us!" Armand Malfoy bellowed.
There were several gasps about the chamber but also murmurs of agreement.
"Elder, I request permission to speak," Emma Granger stated.
"And now we have to hear from a mudblood!" Malfoy spat with exasperation.
"Mr. Malfoy, shut up! This chamber will not tolerate such despicable insults!" Elder Marchbank yelled.
"This chamber should not tolerate muggles either!" Armand yelled back.
"Mr. Malfoy, one more word, and you will be thrown out!" the man seemed about to say something but decided to bite his tongue. Lucius wouldn't forgive him if they were out of the Wizengamot. "Lady Dagworth-Granger, you have the floor and my apologies for Mr. Malfoy's lack of respect and decorum."
"Mr. Malfoy may not have paid attention to History of Magic, but I have done copious studying to assimilate this world. This chamber was built by the very elves you are disparaging. To be frank, I don't think Mr. Malfoy here can differentiate a hammer from a bucket," this earned her several chuckles. "Setting that aside, ever since my husband and I found out that all the weird things that happened around our daughter were accidental magic, our lives were turned upside down. We picked up a frail boy and a dog because it was the right thing to do. We didn't expect an entire hidden society to think of the boy as a hero for becoming an orphan. Neither did we expect the dog to be really a person, an animagus, who was being chased for a crime he didn't commit. A crime for which he never received a trial until The Alliance pushed for it. An oversight that none of the members that were aligned with House of Black back then did anything to correct."
Several dark-aligned houses murmured, but none dare to raise a hand and interrupt. The doctor looked at Narcissa questioningly; she wouldn't speak of personal things without permission. Cissa nodded at Emma decisively. Lady Prince had no problem airing he ex-husband's dirty laundry.
Emma carried on, "You have a lot of guts, Mr. Malfoy, to speak about others as if they are lesser than you. You who stand here representing a criminal, a low-life terrorist, a wife-beater, and a pitiful excuse for a biological father. I give my remaining time to Lady Prince."
Narcissa stood as tall as her frame would allow her. "Members of the Wizengamot, my marriage to Lucius Malfoy was a house of horrors. I was beaten, raped, imperiused to do the most debasing acts. I was used and abused by some people who are here today. I shall not name names because each of them knows who they are."
"Lady Prince, that is a most serious accusation," Elder Ogden interrupted.
"I am well aware of that, sir. I am willing to do an oath on my magic to testify. Armand Malfoy knows I am a woman of my word, or have you forgotten when I wiped the floor with you for daring to touch my son?"
The Elders stared at Malfoy. Armand paled, but since his presence in the chamber was hanging from a thread, he chose to remain silent.
Narcissa went on. "Many of you are now breathing on those seats because you forced your elves to carry out the atrocious orders of your master, the half-blood, hypocrite Tom Riddle. With this law, the Ministry will protect elves from facing incarceration for acts that their masters force on them, taking advantage of the compulsion mandate on an elves' core to carry out the orders from their masters, no matter what."
"Elder Ogden, a word," Lady Goyle stood red with anger. The Elder nodded. "Lady Prince, formerly Malfoy, did the despicable things she did because she chose to. She chose the man she married and gave him a son. Had she truly not wanted to remain in the marriage she could have left!"
"Lady Goyle, you were a first-hand witness of the many times I was imperiused and forced to FUCK your husband while you watched like the sick doormat you are!" Narcissa's hands shot angry sparks. Many gasps followed this statement. "You will do well to remember that I begged for your help to escape the prison that was my home. You, who I consider a friend, who I trusted my fears to, you bitch… You allowed your husband to rape me multiple times!"
Severus was fuming. If only he could choke Lady Goyle and watch the light leave her eyes slowly. She deserved a slow, painful death. He stood behind Narcissa. His hands grabbing hers and caressing the back of her wrists to anchor her.
"We pressed charges this morning before the meeting, Lady Goyle. You and several other menaces to society present here will leave this chamber to go straight to the DMLE," Severus raised a haughty brow at the woman who paled slightly and sat down.
Remus and Sirius looked at Narcissa with undiluted pride. Sirius stood up, "Elder Marchbanks, as Head of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, I want it to be known by everyone present that House of Black is willing and able to start a Blood Feud with anyone who dares and tries to harm Lady Prince or our heir."
"Noted, Lord Black. Back to the objections," the elder nodded.
"This madness that these psychos are proposing will make all of these… creatures… able to carry wands. What the bloody hell will set us, humans, apart from… them?!" Lord Wood stood.
"Elder Ogden, a word!" Daniel Granger stood and stared down Wood who was two seats away. "Lord Wood, I would say it's a pleasure, but I am certain that would be… inaccurate," Remus and Sirius chuckled. Daniel carried on, "I have met many a witch and wizard. I have also had a chance to meet all of the sentient magical beings here today. But I haven't just met them, ordered them around, or used their services like many of you," he smirked. "I, unlike you, have fought our enemies with them. They have bled for me and I have bled for them. They are as loyal as anyone can be. I'd be willing to wager a bet. They are braver and much better warriors than most witches and wizards here. If anything, it is us, the humans, who have some catching up to do."
Emma joined her husband and held his hand. "You all seem very ready to talk about how you are better than them, and yet, you trust them with your homes, with your children, with your bloody money and assets! You know your gold could not be in better hands. You know your children and homes are safe because elves would be willing to die for their masters at a moment's notice. The Centaurs have kept all the blood-thirsty creatures at the Forbidden Forest at bay from trying to eat your children at Hogwarts. The Merpeople have saved countless of your heirs and heiresses from drowning and yet, you think yourself above them. Shame on all of you."
The silence that followed the Dagworth-Grangers's statements was deafening. The goblins, elves, centaurs, and merpeople looked at them with pure respect and pride. Emma and Daniel, muggle doctors, had made all of the purebloods choke on their own flawed logic. Every single member of The Alliance and many members who were not dark aligned stood and clapped. Several Elders had to hold on to their seats not to clap as well. Harry and Hermione were the ones clapping the loudest.
"Well," Elder Ogden said, "Any other objections?"
"How the hell are we going to afford the ramifications of this law? St. Mungo's doesn't have the space or the expertise to treat these creatures!" Lord Baker exclaimed. He was a healer at the hospital and the mandatory nature of the law would damage the hospital's finances further.
"Elder?" Lord Potter requested permission and Ogden nodded. "I am so glad you have asked Lord Baker," Charlus waved his wand and a giant design of the hospital which was currently being built, went around the room for everyone to look at it. "That is the hospital that my wife and I have decided to create foreseeing this potential issue. We will have healers and magizoologists because our hospital would treat all creatures that need help. Lord Baker, you are more than welcome to apply if you are interested."
Hours later, after significant yelling, quite a few expletives, thinly-veiled threats, and many bruised egos, the elders finally called for a vote. Charlus had met with his allies and decided that they would vote last. Each member got a chance to speak when they voted. When Lord Potter stood up, Armand Malfoy seemed ready to get on a fistfight, but his aspiration was thwarted by the man's message.
"Your Majesties, Drydalis, Firenze, Tilazu, Murcus, Elders and Members of the Wizengamot…There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction. The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. The Alliance authorized me to vote for us all. Therefore, The Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Black-Lupin, Dagworth-Granger, Greengrass, Longbottom, Ancient House of Prince, and Noble House of Dugard vote in favor of this law. Houses of McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Lovegood, and Tonks vote in favor as well," Charlus said all this with confidence.
Their votes were overturning the negative tide in the counter. Marchbank asked. "Are all members of The Alliance in agreement?"
All members stood, and a choir of "We are, Elder Marchbank."
As the numbers on the board changed, the chamber descended into a shouting match. But that was irrelevant now. The scribe registered their votes. The status of the law on their copy of the documents changed from in discussion to passed. Members of The Alliance jumped off their seats and embraced each other with joy. Whatever blood-purists and human supremacists had to say didn't matter anymore. Lily Potter's Law for the Equality of Magical Species was now a law of the land."
As they left the chamber, they saw Lady Bones who had 10 Aurors ready to accompany the people accused by Narcissa. She nodded at them with pride and teary eyes. Charlus nodded back and they kept walking. As they got to the atrium, there was a commotion. Most of the dark-aligned families which were not going to the DMLE (for now) were unbinding their elves. With the new law, elves were protected from unjust, disproportionate punishment, and as they could not be found liable for crimes that their masters forced them to commit. This meant that they could also speak the secrets they learned to avoid incrimination. Elves were wailing all around. Many aged and looked sickly as soon as they lost their binding. The Alliance was about to leave, but when sickly elves started wailing, begging their masters to take them back, Harry and Hermione rushed to the Atrium pulling the Potters and Grangers, and everyone else followed. Hermione asked Sirius to make a privacy bubble.
"Grandpa, we have to fix this!" Harry exclaimed.
"If no one takes the elves, they will die!" Hermione was about to cry.
"The law was supposed to help them, not hurt them!" Emma added with a frown.
About twenty-five elves had collapsed on the floor. The oldest one was struggling to breathe.
"Everyone, take as many as you can, please," Charlus requested.
They all shared a look and a nod. Sirius lowered the bubble. The elves' former masters were leaving, some of them peeling crying elves from their robes with distaste.
"Free elves, who would like to work for The Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom?" Augusta asked.
Two elves stepped forward. "Follow me so we can bind you."
"How many of you would prefer a small family?" Severus asked. A young elf nodded rapidly and jumped forward. He was inexperienced, and a smaller family would allow him to learn without the added pressure of many family members. Snape pulled the elf aside.
Dorea asked, "Anyone for House of Potter?" Most elves approached.
"How many can we take, love?"
"No more than three," Dorea whispered, walking to the side of the room with the elves.
"Hermione," Narcissa advised. "You can bind elves to your House. Your parents can't because they don't have a magical core, but you do."
"Elves, who would like to work with a family of five?" the girl asked. Her parents nodded, looking proud.
Several elves moved forward. "Mom, dad?"
"One?" Daniel asked his wife.
Emma saw an elf who was clearly pregnant. "Three."
Daniel nodded.
Sirius held Remus's hand. "How many of you don't care that we are married and would be willing to serve House of Black? Bear in mind we are under new management and we don't align with anything dark anymore," Sirius smirked.
Three elves stepped forward. "We is wanting to work for Master… and Master?"
"Now we're talking! That's the spirit! Follow us."
The Grangers walked away with the elves to bind them. Harry lingered. There was a scrawny, tiny, young elf covered in bruises that was in the back. His pale head was circled by his arms. Iridescent tears fell on the floor. He seemed like he had given up on life. Harry saw himself from years back in all those bruises. The elf was wearing a filthy pillowcase that had seen better days. He approached the tiny elf and touched his hand.
"Are you in pain, sir?" Harry asked.
The elf lifted his head, looked around, and his lids drooped very slowly. "Sir?"
"Yes. I mean you. Are you in pain? Can I help you?"
"Existing be hurting, sir."
"Would you like to bond with me? Would that help?" Harry offered.
The elf seemed to brighten a bit at this. "But sir… Why would yous be wanting a bad elf like me? I couldn't even save my mistress…"
"I think you are a great elf that has been through a lot. Let me help you," Harry offered with a smile.
"I don't be deserving yous kindness. Thank you, sir," the elf whispered. He looked around as if afraid this was all a dream. "You should not be dirtying yous House, sir."
"What is your name?"
"I not be remembering, sir," the elf's ears drooped. "He be hitting my head a lot."
Harry saw Drydalis consoling a couple of young elves. "Wait here."
"Mr. Drydalis, sir?"
Drydalis looked at Harry strangely. "Yes?"
The elf could speak several languages, but he just chose not to.
"There's a very hurt elf over there. I want to help him, but he says he doesn't remember his name… How can I bond him to me without a name, sir?"
Drydalis motioned for the young elves to wait for him and followed Harry.
"Elder," the elf whispered, wailing anew on Drydalis' shoulder. "I has humiliated my kind! Master Malfoy be hating me!"
Harry gasped. "You were Lucius Malfoy's elf?"
The elf nodded with tears in his eyes. "Don't go anywhere!" Harry rushed to his family. "Aunt Cissa! Come with me!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards Drydalis and the unnamed elf.
"Harry! What-? Where are we-? Oh! Merlin and Morgana! Tulki!" Narcissa knelt and gathered the battered elf in her arms.
"M-Mistress?" the elf looked at Narcissa with devotion. "You is alive!"
"He told me you were dead too! Tulki! Oh! I am so glad you are alive!" she held him and caressed his head. "Harry, please, let me bond with him. He's a part of my family."
"Of course, auntie. I just wanted to help," Harry smiled.
The other two elves talking to Drydalis hugged each other as they cried a few feet away. Apparently, they were close.
"Hello, what are your names?" Harry smiled at the elves.
"I is Ruti, and he is Ropi, my brother," Ruti looked at the child with a clear beg.
"Can you bond two elves to your service?" Drydalis asked.
"Well, it depends if I can afford them with my allowance…"
"A-Afford?" the young elves looked insulted.
Drydalis smiled at the child fondly. He was Lily Potter's son, alright.
"Harry, Charlus is waiting for you," Sirius approached the boy and kissed the top of his head.
"Dogfather, can I afford two elves?" Harry asked, looking up.
"What? Um, Harry, you can afford as many as you want…" Sirius looked at the two young elves in confusion.
"No, I mean with my allowance."
"Sir, we needs no gold. We needs yous magic," Ruti said with a muddled expression.
"I know, but I would want to pay you and give you days off," he said, looking at Hermione from afar. She was smiling brightly at the elves that had just joined their family.
"No, sir. We be wanting no payment. We is just wanting a family where we can be being together and serve well," Ruti looked at her brother with a sad smile.
"How about this: you have one day of rest a week, and you can make yourselves clothes, create your nests and get your food and medication at my expense?"
The young elves looked at Drydalis as if asking for permission. Drydalis smiled, "I don't think you can find a better master than Lily Potter's son."
Harry smiled with gratitude at the older elf.
"We being honored to bind with you, sir," Ropi hugged his sister. They would stay together!
"Let's do this, then," Harry offered them his hand.
Minerva ended up taking five elves to work at Hogwarts. The elves were scared to work at Hogwarts, but working there was much better than having no master, so they acquiesced. Pomona needed additional help for the greenhouses. Ianthe took two, and Matthieu took two. Narcissa insisted with Severus that they would need two elves. He accepted this, but he had no idea why. Narcissa didn't want to steal Lily Potter's thunder, but she had Andy confirmed today that she was pregnant. Andromeda had bonded with two elves, and she wanted to train them in healing magic. This made Charlus and Dorea reconsider their choices, and they took the remaining three with them. Their Hospital would need them. All the elves found loving homes, and immediately, their health began to improve.
Classes would start again in a few days. Harry and Hermione had a theory about the stone and the famous Mirror of Erised. Lily had helped them come up with a way to present it to the family, and everyone saw merit in it and allowed Minerva to let them try, under her supervision, of course. The children packed and were ready to go. They would go back to the castle early. Aunt Minnie took them to third floor.
"I thought the dog would have been taken away already," Hermione whispered, trying not to wake the Cerberus that was sleeping soundly to an enchanted harp.
Harry shrugged. "I don't think it would be the kind of animal you politely ask to leave… Do you?"
"Nope," Hermione giggled lightly and popped her 'p.'
"We already took care of the other obstacles. Our Care for Magical Creatures professor, Silvanus Kettleburn, will be here tonight to -somehow- take the Cerberus away. Believe it or not, this one is apparently a puppy."
Harry and Hermione blanched. An adult Cerberus would be like twice the size? Thrice? They got chills.
The Mirror of Erised was in the middle of the room. Harry and Hermione read the inscription: "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi."
Hermione took out a mirror from her pocket and read the inscription on the reflection. "I show you not your face but your heart's desire."
"Do you want to go first, Mione?" Harry asked.
"Um, not really…. But I'll do it," Hermione took some steps towards the mirror. Her reflection looked older. She had a healer's uniform on and a beautiful set of rings. Harry was holding her from behind, and he also looked older. Two children were playing in front of them. While the girl had Hermione's eyes and Harry's hair, the boy had Harry's eyes and Hermione's hair. There were a couple of small brooms and piles upon piles of books. A cat was draped on one of the book piles, and a dog ran around them, wagging its tail. An old Hedwig was perched on Harry's shoulder. Their whole families were further behind them. All much older and several faceless kids and a few adults as well were also in the picture. She was a bit too overwhelmed by what she saw, but she started looking for the stone.
"Any signs of the stone, Hermione?" Headmistress McGonagall asked.
"Harry… Tell me what you see, please," Hermione asked.
Harry stepped closer from behind Hermione. He was, unknowingly, seeing the exact same scene, except Hermione had no healer robes, just a pretty sundress, and his clothes that were plain in her vision were a quidditch uniform in his. Both kids looked as in their reflection, grown-up Hermione summoned a stone, she brought her index to her lips in a 'Shh' gesture and placed the stone in Harry's pocket. The kids' eyes went wide, and Harry felt something fall into the front pocket of his jeans. Both kids jaws fell open. He looked down at his pocket with disbelief.
"Harry? Hermione? Say something please," Minerva was worried.
Harry turned to face her, and with a shaky hand, he pointed at his front pocket. "We were right, auntie," he smiled.
Minerva almost fell backward from shock. She could see the outline of an object in Harry's pocket. "What-? H-How did you do that?"
"Should I touch it?"
"You better not," the headmistress advised. "We have no idea what kinds of enchantments are on it." Minerva took out a handkerchief and gave it to Harry.
Using the piece of cloth, Harry grabbed the cold, ruby red stone. "We thought that if someone stood in front of the mirror and just wanted to find the stone, but not use it… we'd be able to see where it was," Harry said with a still dazed tone.
Hermione added, "We just thought we'd see its location, not that the mirror would give it to us, auntie."
"How did you get it from the mirror? You didn't touch your wands…"
"Well, in the reflection… Hermione put it in my pocket," Harry blushed.
"Wait! Did you see what I see?" Hermione blushed furiously.
"I think so, yeah."
Minerva opened a small safety chest, and Harry placed the stone and handkerchief inside without hesitation. Their aunt frowned. "You mean to tell me you share the exact same desire?"
The kids nodded.
"Care to share?"
Ginny No-Name was not a happy camper. Her current situation was not good. While she was over the moon that she had finally met the love of her life, she was not able to speak more than a couple of sentences to him, and that hideous Hermione and that barmy Luna were all over him at all times. No matter, she would attend Hogwarts soon. Having to do chores was awful. Bill had taken the biggest bedroom of their new house. He told her that Lord Potter was renting them the place. She was expected to do everything in the house. They could not afford a house-elf, so that was her role now. She hated cooking. How she wished she had a wand already!
Bill didn't want her to leave the house by herself, but she didn't care. He told her time and time again that it would be dangerous, but the child disagreed. After all, what was the worst that could happen? She was already a No-Name. She had no parents… or brothers, really. She might as well start finding her way in the world. She needed to learn whatever magic she must to undo the soul-bond between her Harry and that horrible Hermione Granger. Luna Lovegood would regret her betrayal. How could she be cozying up with her Harry? The mudblood she understood. She wanted, no doubt, to improve her status, but Luna was a pureblood. The Lovegoods weren't rich like the Potters, but they were significantly wealthier than Ginny's former family.
Lord Potter had been kind enough to have their things sent from their former parents' home. Ginny got dressed and grabbed the gold Bill left under his pillow for emergencies. He didn't know that she knew it was there. It was a meager five galleons. She needed something to fix her mousy brown hair. There was nothing she could do about her eyes, but she would fix her hair, and as soon as she had a wand, she would fix everything else. She would curl her lashes back to their original shape, she would do her freckles with makeup, but she would not be defeated or -Merlin forbid- ugly because of this.
She went into several shops just to browse. Then, she went into Madam Aphrodite's beauty parlor and requested a potion to improve her hair's shine and volume. The shop owner there looked at her simple clothes and frowned.
"Our shiny mane potion is 10 galleons per small jar, child," the woman lifted a brow as if to say that she didn't have the money. "Would you like a jar?"
Ginny blushed horribly, and her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to break in front of that bitch. "I will come back later."
"Don't. Not unless your mother or father come with you," the shopowner warned. That girl gave her the bad kind of chills.
"I will come back when I have the money. My parents are dead," Ginny replied, turning around with a sinister smile.
The shopowner paled, and a cold chill went down her spine. That girl -whoever she was- was trouble. She didn't care to do business with her. She turned to the assistants. "Never let that girl inside this shop again. She can order her potion from the developers. My gut tells me she's trouble."
Knockturn Alley wasn't a place for any decent, law-abiding citizen to walk around. Children were rarely ever seen there, and they were always accompanied. Ginny had put her cloak over her hair to obscure her face and put on an old lipstick she found in the cloak's pocket. It was her former mother's. That would make her look older from afar. Ginny felt like someone was following her, but every time she looked behind her, no one was there. She reached Borgin and Burkes and went in just to make sure no one was after her, but as she perused a shelf full of old books, a large male hand went over her mouth. She was silenced, petrified, and pulled to a back room where she was harshly thrown on a chair, gagged, and tied.
"Ginevra No-Name, formerly of the meager House of Weasley," her captor said. It was a man whose face was covered by a strange mask. He wore a cloak as well, and the hood obscured his face. No bits of his hair were visible.
"Hmph!" Ginny complained-
"I will remove the gag, only if you promise not to scream. I will not hurt you," Yet, the man added in his thoughts.
She nodded. Her captor removed the gag.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"I want us to help each other, Ginevra," the voice replied as the man paced.
"Why would I help a stranger?"
The man chuckled. "Because I can help you. As a No-Name, you have very little going for you. I know that you are looking for something. Probably revenge. Why else would you, from a notoriously Gryffindoresque family, be at Knockturn Alley? You want resources, and I have them."
"What do you want in exchange?"
Cunning, he thought. Good. He answered, "I need you to bring something into Hogwarts with you when you go there."
"What thing?"
"I will not tell you unless you agree," the man replied.
"What will you give me in return?" Ginny asked with a raised brow.
"What do you want more than anything in the world?" the man asked with a smirk under his mask.
"To marry Harry Potter," the girl replied with confidence.
The masked man had to bite the inside of his cheeks to keep from laughing like a maniac—stupid child.
"Children can't marry," he replied.
"Not now, obviously. As soon as I graduate, though," Ginny smiled dreamily.
The man barely refrained from scoffing. He could promise that because by that time, Harry Potter would be dead. "And what would you want me to do to advance your cause?"
"I am a No-Name because my father did something really stupid. Harry Potter will only marry me if I have money and power of my own. But to get him to love me, I have to get rid of an obstacle," the girl smirked.
The man frowned under his mask. "Meaning?"
"I need to get rid of Hermione Granger," Ginny said resolutely.
The man's frown deepened. "Ah. I see. A child talking of killing another child. You are not right in the head, huh?"
"You wouldn't be either if the love of your life married someone else," she snapped with a pout.
The man chuckled. "Right… And you know for a fact that you are the love of his life, huh?"
"Yes, of course. He just doesn't know it yet," Ginny said this with the careless tone of someone who is merely stating the obvious.
The man could have facepalmed. This would be a piece of cake. "I will help you look the part, so Potter finds you… um… attractive."
The man threw up in his mouth a little. Having to negotiate with the help. He was so glad he wasn't this chit's father. He handed her a piece of paper with an address. "I will write to you from this address. Wait for my instructions."
"What should I call you?"
"Call me Boss," the door to the room opened, and the man undid the ties so she could leave. She pulled her cloak over her head and ran out of the store.
The man inside closed the door to the room and pulled his mask off. As the hood was pushed back, his impeccable, platinum hair fell to his shoulders.
Harry and Hermione had dictated what happened to Headmistress McGonagall. Their book on their bond was growing every year with new discoveries. She dismissed them off to get lunch. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand, and they walked towards the Great Hall. Neither let go of the other. They saw three crying teens with mousy brown hair on the Gryffindor table. They were merely pushing food around their plates. McGonagall told Harry and Hermione that Ronald Weasley had died. Their siblings had attended the funeral that Bill paid for with Ronald's share of the 7000 galleons. It had been profoundly shocking to hear that the boy had died and that he died all alone.
Harry and Hermione thought the grieving family needed space, so they went to the simple buffet, got their lunch, and sat at the opposite end of the same table. Once they were done eating, they shared a look. They needed to offer their condolences. Harry pulled Hermione with him until they reached the family.
"Excuse us. We don't mean to intrude," Harry said slowly.
"You are!" Percy snapped. He hadn't even looked up. Fred elbowed him. Percy looked up. He blushed and looked down. "Sorry, scion Potter." Bill had made it very clear that none of them were to ever harm the Potters in any way, shape, or form.
"Don't worry. We just wanted to say that we are very sorry for your loss. The Headmistress told us what happened. We weren't close to Ronald, but what happened to him… and to your family was awful," Hermione said this because Harry was having difficulties with his feelings at the moment.
"Thank you, scioness Dagworth-Granger. We appreciate that," George said this in between sniffs.
"If there's anything we can do to help…" Harry trailed off.
"Could you not treat us differently because we are No-Names?" Fred asked, looking down.
"Of course. It never even occurred to us."
"We know that everyone will shun us for it. It would be nice to have at least a couple of fri… acquaintances?" George caught himself. Heirs of Most Noble and Ancient families would NOT want to be friends with No-Names.
"We'd love to be your friends," Harry smiled at the twin and offered his hand.
They all shook each other's hands with tentative smiles.
An elf from the kitchens popped next to Harry. "Harry Potter, sir. Headmistress sent this."
Harry took a note from the elf. "Thank you." The elf popped away, and Harry read the note. "YES!"
"What?" Hermione asked. He seemed really excited.
"Daphne and Astoria will finish their education here! Draco will be thrilled! Aunt Minnie says that Lady Greengrass just decided to stay for good!"
"That's wonderful!" she squeezed Harry. Turning to the siblings, she said, "You'll love them. They're great," she said, looking at the siblings.
Draco was dreadfully bored. His parents' apothecary was slow today. He saw Ginny No-Name walk towards the entrance of Knockturn Alley earlier, but she wasn't back yet. Should he say something? That girl was strange. Any further concerns flew out of his mind when their owl Blackie flew in the shop's window. It jumped towards Draco with her letter leg held up.
"Hey, stranger," he caressed the owl's head. The owl hooted contented. Draco untied the letter. It wasn't signed, but he would recognize that handwriting anywhere.
Dear Draco,
Mom said yes! We're staying in England! Daph is going to Hogwarts, and so will I when I turn 11!
I can't wait! I've missed you guys so much! My sister is in her diva years. That's what mom calls it. She rarely wants to hang out with me anymore. But now I can hang out with Luna and the little elves, who are awesome! And I'll get to see you over the break!
Love,
Astoria
Draco jumped with joy. They'd be able to spend more time together. Not that… he wanted that. Right? Nevermind. Feelings are complicated, he thought.
A/N: Thank you for reading! This was a wild ride to write. Longest chapter so far! -Lux-
*I am a Pride and Prejudice fan. I always wanted to use a variation of that line!
*Quotes paraphrased here are
"Equality implies individuality." -Trey Anastasio/ "The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war." -Norman Schwarzkopf/ "If we were to select the most intelligent, imaginative, energetic, and emotionally stable third of mankind, all races would be present." -Franz Boas/ "Equality is not in regarding different things similarly, equality is in regarding different things differently." -Tom Robbins/ "From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own." -Carl Shurz/ "There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction" John F Kennedy/ "The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." John F Kennedy.