DISCLAIMER! This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy. New Movie is coming in April! Hurrah! Yeah, for Fanfiction – a great place to stretch your imagination and enjoy someone else's creativity too! The is the sequel to The Potter Cartouche.

Chapter 24 Protections and Lamentations

The ankle bracelet on Neville wasn't noticed by anyone. Deputy Headmistress Longbottom told Headmaster Bennet about the protections and the wizard did ask to examine the artefact which he did one afternoon when Neville and Augusta visited his office. Professor Carter passed along Bennet's approval to Harry but also the request to not make more until he had a chance to think about it more.

Professor Dumbledore complained when Harry missed the next lecture by the headmaster emeritus. But the lectures were not mandatory and when he was questioned by Dumbledore in the Great Hall at supper one night, Harry explained bluntly, "Professor, when I look at you, I see the wizard who fled the fires at Alexandria and didn't help. To me, you're a coward. I cannot imagine sitting in the Great Hall and listening to you talk about your accomplishments or observations. When I look at you, I am reminded of my dead friend, Rubeus Hagrid."

Attendance at the next lecture was dismal and Deputy Headmistress Longbottom remained until the end though most of the students left rather than listen to Dumbledore speak about his battles with Grindelwald.

"Augusta, we must make the students attend my lectures," Albus told the witch after he finished.

"Why?" she asked as she walked away.

The next afternoon, there were visitors to Hogwarts and Harry was called to Headmaster Bennet's office when he left his last class. Inside the office, Harry found a large number of people whom he knew – the entire Creevey family was present as were Andromeda and Ted Tonks. He greeted everyone including the two young sisters before Colin shared his news.

"Harry, I need you and Neville to start giving me and Dennis ettiquet lessons.

What's happened?

Andromeda answered, "Colin Creevey has been recognized by Gringotts…and by the ministry as Heir Black. His entire family is now part of the Black family."

"How does this affect my godfather?"

Smiling, Andromeda explained that she was regent, and nothing would change in the care and arrangements to provide a comfortable existence for Lord Black.

Nodding after hearing her explanation, Harry offered his hand to Colin and said, "Heir Black, there're several books you'll need to read this month."

"My parents and sisters have moved into a nice manor in the country with lots of elves," Dennis mentioned while talking later.

"Elves? Have you got elves?" asked Harry. The Creeveys nodded and Mrs Creevey explained that one of the elves, Winky, was particularly attached to her daughters.

"There's one old fellow, named Kreacher who always pops into my room and cleans up everything," Colin said. "Treacher takes care of Dennis, and others take care of Mum and Dad and Grandfather."

Headmaster Bennet snorted and said, "I can hear the gears grinding from here, Heir Potter. Talk to Mr and Mrs Creevey and Regent Black while they're here."

In short order, Andromeda learned about the protections offered by Harry's latest invention and spoke to Mr and Mrs Creevey about the value of such magical protection for them and their children.

"Will it work for us? We're not wizards?" Mr Creevey asked.

"You and your wife are both squibs. Magic will protect you," Headmaster Bennet replied. "And you have elves so all of Mr Potter's protections will work."

Mrs Creevey called for Winky, Kreacher, Treacher, and other elves to appear. Rather than try to explain to the elves what was needed, Harry asked Dobby to appear. The little elf immediately understood what was needed and lectured in a quick elvish speech that the humans had trouble following. The elves looked pleased to hear that they could help protect their wizards and witches, but Harry noticed that Dobby paid a lot of attention to the old elf named Kreacher, going so far as to smack the elf on the arm more than once.

"I'll make the ankle bracelets this evening and Dobby will call your elves to deliver them. Put them on and never take them off," Harry said.

Dreacher, the elf that served Mr Creevey whispered that his master would prefer a bracelet for his wrist, as would 'Scary Old Creevey'. Grinning Harry agreed to provide bracelets for the men to wear.

SCENE CHANGE: Making Bracelets

Harry enjoyed making the bracelets to protect the Creeveys and once he was complete with making six of the four-layered arrays, he made two more. Then he called Dobby can had the elf deliver the bracelets to the elves that served Mr and Mrs Creevey and their daughters. When Dobby returned, Harry and Dobby went and found Colin and Dennis before giving them their ankle bracelets.

"Call your elves so they can feel the bracelets," Harry instructed them. He watched carefully and noticed Dobby frowning at the elf named Kreacher who was Colin's elf.

"What's up with Kreacher?" Harry asked Dobby while Colin and the elf talked about the bracelet.

"Kreacher be muttering about mudbloods and ruination of House Black by squibs," Dobby said, loud enough for every pair of ears in the room to hear. Dreacher, Dennis's elf scowled at Kreacher; Dennis looked worried while Kreacher folded into himself, trying to disappear. But Colin knelt down and lifted the old elf into his arms.

"Kreacher, you're my elf, aren't you?" asked Colin, not knowing he was repeating something that had happened between the elf and Regulus Black many years before. Blubbering with snot and tears that matched Dobby at his emotional best, Kreacher confessed to thinking terrible thoughts about his new master and his family. But Dreacher called Treacher and Winky who popped into the room to clean Kreacher's face and scold him.

"We's be elves of Black family that has a second chance to be strong with Creeveys!" declared Treacher. "Youse old mistress portrait was evil and wrong. She drove her sons away with mean and hate!"

"Winky knows Creeveys be good wizards and witches! They be sons of House Black and Kreacher be having second chance with young wizard Colinses who will be good to him and depend on him like Mr Regulus did long ago," the smallest elf stated.

Dobby had a satisfied look on his face when the elves all popped away. Later that night, Harry made his way to the tower where the owls slept and called Hedwig to him. After petting and talking with her for several minutes, he attached a letter to Andromeda and Ted Tonks though the envelope was addressed to Great Evil and Her Minion Tonks. He grinned as his first friend flew away in the moonlight for faraway London.

SCENE CHANGE

"The boy's too generous," Ted said. "He gives away galleons like they're oxygen."

Reading the letter from Harry Potter at the breakfast table the following morning and not quite understanding the muggle reference, Andromeda's face questioned her husband's last statement. Grinning, Ted restated it, "He gives away galleons like they're air."

Lifting her bracelet into the morning light Andromeda said, "And he's a cheeky bugger…addressing the envelope to Great Evil and Her Minion."

"And I'll be your minion for the rest of my days, Great Evil. I live to serve!" Ted declared, embarrassing his wife.

"What about elves?" he asked after placing the bracelet on his wife's still slender and elegant ankle.

"I haven't had help from an elf since we left Hogwarts," she replied.

"Mr Potter's letter says that we need to call for an elf. He hinted that there were some available," Ted said as his wife fastened his bracelet around his wrist.

Dobby popped into the Tonk's kitchen and bowed, his ears touching the floor.

"Great Evil and Less Evil forgive Dobby popping into house but Mr Harry Freshgold Potter Heir Potter Master of Runes explains to Dobby that youse does not have elves. For bracelets to work bestest, you must have elves who rescues you if needs be."

"I don't…we don't want to purchase elves," Andromeda replied.

"Stupid wizards! Elves need wizards to be powerful and live. We not slaves but magical creatures that eats youse magic to live," Dobby insisted.

"A symbiotic relationship?" asked Ted.

"Be more. We eats your magic and keeps your magical core clean. No elves, youse magical core clog up and make youse old and weak.

Andromeda frowned and said, "That's propaganda from pureblood journals."

Dobby said nothing, bowed and then snapped his fingers making two elves appear. They were young but appeared to be weak and dishevelled in appearance. Dobby waved at the two newcomers and said, "This be Hera and Ares, they be youse elves. Hera wants to work with Great Evil and Ares work with Less Evil."

Then in his sternest tone, Dobby commanded the couple, "Now, hug youse elves."

"I haven't done this since…" Andromeda began to protest.

Ted interrupted his wife and insisted, "Andi, do as the elf says. Our most important client wants us to be protected."

Ares and Hera both stood taller and began moving around the house as soon as they'd been touched by the magic of their witch and wizard.

SCENE CHANGE: Kreacher Reflection

There was a Hogsmeade weekend scheduled in early December. The students from Hogwarts arrived in a constant stream of the horseless carriages beginning just after 9:00 AM. They arrived with plans for shopping to purchase gifts for their parents, siblings, and friends for the winter celebrations in their family – Christmas, Yule, or a combination of the two. Harry arrived with the other Gryffindor students from the third year and above while he greeted 'friends' from other years. Colin Creevey, now known to be 'Heir Black' found himself surrounded by curious, ambitious witches from several years (third through seventh-years) but Harry and his friends (and Kreacher) made the other students give Colin room to breathe.

"How do you stand this all the time, Harry?" asked Colin.

"You learn to scowl and chase them away with a few hisses."

"Will I be a parseltongue now?"

Laughing, Harry replied, "No, but let's not tell them that."

From the corner of the street, a voice shouted, "Mudblood Creevey! You can't take my heritage from me! I'm supposed to be Heir Black!"

Very quickly, students dived to the cobblestones, as a spell flew from a wand toward Colin's back. But the spell hit a shield around the young wizard and flew back, knocking the attacker against the wall of the building before he could fire off another spell. Professor Lupin hurried to check on the young wizard lying on the ground while Professor Carter hurried to check on Colin and stand in front of him. Colin's elf Kreacher had appeared when the voice shouted and placed himself in front of his wizard.

"Who? What?" asked Colin while Harry also drew his wand and checked the crowd. A Patronus – Lupin's wolf – rose from his wand and then disappeared. Carter's Patronus flew off toward Hogwarts.

"Mr Creevey, I believe you should move indoors," Carter suggested and took the boy and the other third-year Gryffindors inside the tavern for butterbeer. Kreacher followed, his eyes watching everyone around his young wizard.

Harry and his friends waited outside the tavern as Aurors appeared after apparating from the Ministry. The Aurors spoke with Professor Lupin, checked the body of the attacker, and then examined his wand for the spells recently cast. Several Aurors moved through the crowd to take statements, a reporter appeared to interview eyewitnesses, and Headmaster Bennet also appeared, his frown visible to everyone. An Auror sought out Colin and Professor Carter inside the tavern, and Harry watched as the Aurors made photographs of the area before disappearing with the body.

"Who was it?" asked Dean.

"He wore robes with a hood over his head, but it sounded like Draco Malfoy," Lavender said, quietly. "He tried to kill Colin."

No one mentioned the shield that had appeared around Colin and threw the spell back at the attacker. There was a loud crack of someone magical apparating into the town as Andromeda Tonks appeared at the apparition point in Hogsmeade. The witch stepped forward before Ted appeared behind her. Slipping her wand back up her sleeve, she met Harry's eyes and he moved his head toward Rosmerta's tavern. The couple hurried into the tavern to assure themselves that Colin was well.

The weekend visit to Hogsmeade continued, though Headmaster Bennet took Colin back to the castle. After speaking with Harry for a moment, Ted and Andromeda left for the castle to speak with the headmaster once again. The next morning, the Daily Prophet carried the news (on page 3) that disgraced Draco Malfoy Heir Malfoy (expelled) had attempted to curse Colin Creevey, Heir Black (squib-born) in the back. However, the spell ricocheted, and the wound Malfoy inflicted on himself was so severe, he bled out on the cobblestones of Hogsmeade in less than one minute.

SCENE CHANGE: Pureblood Lament

In three short days following the incident in Hogsmeade where her son died from his own spell, Narcissa Malfoy lost everything. First, Regent Black (Andromeda Tonks) recalled the dowry paid to the Malfoy family when Narcissa married into that family. Apparently, the attack on Heir Black by Heir Malfoy voided the betrothal agreement. However, Andromeda did not take Narcissa back into the family, leaving her a childless widow. Then distant Malfoy relatives from continental Europe appeared in London, they approached Gringotts, and following tests conducted at the bank, they claimed the remaining vaults. The widow's portion would have been drawn from the dowry and as a result of it being recalled, Narcissa faced poverty and starvation. First, her husband vanished and then was reported dead by the goblins. Now, her only child lay dead from a spell from his own wand, and she was left with barely two knuts to rub together.

With a ministry official and Gringotts goblin acting as witnesses, Narcissa conducted a funeral service for her son. In the gardens behind Malfoy Manor, she summoned sufficient fuel from the woods around Malfoy Manor to build a large pyre. Then she levitated her son's boy onto the wood, and liberally anointed his body, robes, and the wood with magical oils. Then with her wand, she cast a spell to ignite the wood and oil into a hot fire that immolated her son's body and the pyre. The witnesses remained until the fire died and Narcissa vanished the ashes. Then the goblin delivered a notice to Widow Malfoy that the new owners would arrive to take possession of the manor house at noon the next day.

At ten o'clock the next morning, a reporter and photographer from the Daily Prophet waited anxiously in Diagon Alley. With the crack of an apparition, Mrs Narcissa Malfoy appeared dressed in her finest robes, her hat placed upon her perfect head with her perfect hair, but without any jewellery. Without a word to anyone, she handed a letter to the reporter from the Daily Prophet, poised for one final photograph, and then spun in place without raising her wand, indicating that she had no destination in mind before she vanished in a second apparition.

SCENE BREAK: 'Pureblood Lamentation'

The next morning, the cover of the Daily Prophet reported the news with the headline 'Pureblood Lamentation'.

Yesterday, Mrs Narcissa Malfoy committed suicide in the traditional pureblood manner (apparition without a destination in mind). Mrs Malfoy, born Narcissa Black, was the widow of the late Lucius Malfoy and mother of the late Heir Draco Malfoy. In a final letter, her last words were provided for the Daily Prophet to print. We are printing her statement exactly as written.

'Lamentation of a Dead Witch

Purebloods are best! We are pure! Our traditions are worthy of magic!

It is all lies.

Our magic is strong. We are rulers by magic's decree.

More lies poured into our ears for useless reasons.

Purebloods will always rule Britain!

All sad lies that we believed while our children died.

Our grandparents worshipped at the feet of half-blood White Bee.

Mourn for their spirits lost in that mad wizard's meaningless platitudes.

Mourn forever their blindness.

Our parents kissed the feet of squib-born Tom Riddle in his guise of Voldemort.

Weep for pureblood families Riddle killed without regard to the future.

Weep endless tears.

Your children must follow Muddy Potter into his new pottery of runes.

Bemoan the final fall of pureblood power.

Bemoan the pain of endings.

Oblivion offers the end of memory.'

CHANGE SCENE: End of Chapter