Kingsley stood in his place, ready to start explaining the foster program which he had formulated:

"At the last count, there are about 60 children in the Children Ward of St. Mungo's. These are children who were orphaned due to the act of Voldemort and his death eaters. The Depart of Familial relations is trying to ascertain how many families were wiped out in the recently concluded war. The ministry has been trying to find if these children have any family left but we have run into a dead end everywhere. Many of these children are half bloods and even muggle born and were thrown in Azkaban by the death eaters at the behest of the nefarious Muggle Born Registration Commission. Some of these children had their parents killed because they refused to bow down to the death eaters. We have also tracked a few children who are living with their relatives at the moment but those relatives are not very keen on keeping them and would throw them out at the earliest opportunity. To help them find a home, this program has been started by the Ministry. There are many children who became orphans in the war and there are many families who lost their only child. The ministry is trying to get such families adopt atleast one of such children. That way, they would get heirs for their house and these children will have a family to grow up in. There are also two facets to this program- One can either adopt a child or they can foster them."

"Does anybody want to speak?", asked the Chief Warlock.

Harry was the first to raise his hand and Hamish Macmillan turned to him, "The chamber is ready to hear your views, Lord Potter."

Harry stood and looked around the chamber. He could feel eyes on him and bracing himself, he started speaking, "Lords and Ladies of this august chamber, I do not need to speak about the horrors that war has wrought on our society. The impact of war can be seen on this chamber itself. Many of the Lords of this august body are not with us anymore because they were killed. They were killed because they dared to defy Voldemort. Men who were so great that those who would come after would be watered down imitations of them. The power, the wisdom that they carried into this chamber is something that we cannot expect to see again. We lost countless wizards and witches in the war because they dared to do what was right. They defied Voldemort and his death eaters, dared to resist them and fought for our freedom. They gave their lives so we would get free from the yoke of oppression of Voldemort. People say that I am responsible for ending the war but that is only because they saw me putting Voldemort down like a rabid dog. They do not see the sacrifice of countless others who gave their lives happily so that their future generations would be safe. Wizards like Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks fought in the battle of Hogwarts because for them it was the right thing to do. They were martyred in the war and they left behind their son Teddy who doesn't know that he is an orphan of war. Being an orphan is a wound which can never heal. I myself am an orphan who had to live with his muggle aunt and uncle and it would be saying lightly that they did not like me a bit. I know what losing a parent is like. I understand what a parent would feel who has lost their only child. The war ended many families and orphaned a lot of children who should have grown up with the loving and tender care of their parents. I appreciate the minister for thinking of this program and I extend my heartfelt support to it."

The applause that Harry had when he sat down was huge. Anyone standing outside the chamber would have felt that a riot was going on with the applause that was shown to Harry. After he sat, Hamish rapped his gavel again, "Anyone else would like to speak?"

Neville raised his hand and was allowed, "Lord Longbottom, you have the floor."

"Thank you Chief Warlock. I echo the sentiments expressed by Lord Potter in this auspicious chamber. While my parents are still alive but their condition has rendered them vegetative and I never knew them in the truest sense of the word. I grew up with my grandmother who did an amazing job raising me but I know that I have yearned for the parental affection that others have had in their lives. I yearned for the peck on forehead that other children got on the platform before they would go to Hogwarts. I yearned for the hug that sons would get from their fathers if they made them proud. I know what it is like growing up without a family. It is not conducive for a child to live at a place where they are not loved or appreciated. It is not proper if a child has to live in an orphanage just because someone could not bother to take them in. And I know what it would be like for a parent to lose their child. This war has all but destroyed us. I hope that those children in the orphan wing would get a family to love them as they ought to be."

As Neville spoke, many of the members were wiping their eyes. His words struck a chord with them and for the first time they seemed to be realizing that the Lord Potter and the Lord Longbottom were orphans of war. Technically Frank and Alice Longbottom were alive but there was no hope of them recovering ever. Those two had gone through a lot in their still short yet significant lives but they had stood tall and fought Voldemort and his ilk. They all had heard from their families about how Neville Longbottom had spearheaded the resistance at Hogwarts in Harry Potter's absence and had even saved many students from deaths at the hands of the infamous Carrow twins.

The applause for Neville was almost the same as Harry, if not rowdier. These both were showing acumen which was quite unexpected in people their age but then they had grown up while others were still small children.

"Is there anyone else who want to speak to this motion?", asked the Chief Warlock.

Elder McDougall stood, "I have a few questions from the Minister, Chief Warlock."

Kingsley stood from his place and bowed respectfully, "I am ready to answer your questions, Elder McDougall."

"Minister, as I understand, many of these children are from pureblood families or are half-bloods and as such, they come from blood lines which are ancient. If they are adopted by another family, what will happen to their original families?"

"This program proposes for magical adoption of children by families, Elder McDougall. If a child is adopted then he will take the name of the family adopting him and if he were the last scion of their house, they would still inherit from their birth family and can keep names of both the families- the one adopting him and the one his birth family."

"What if a child is about to reach of majority?"

"The Ministry is planning to set up a facility for those children who are about 13 years of age and above and if they don't find it agreeable to be adopted by a family, they would be housed there until they reach the age of majority while attending Hogwarts. After graduating from school, the ministry will help them to find employment and then they can revive their family lines."

"If there are two children who are supposed to be the last scions of their family with one being a child and the other nearing majority, what the ministry will do in that case?"

"I assure you that such cases and far and few in between. However if there is any such case, we would encourage for the younger child to be fostered until the elder one is able to assume responsibility and is able to take care of his sibling. However if both are amenable then the younger one can be given in adoption to a willing party."

"How the ministry will ensure that the adopted children are being tended to with care and love?", he asked.

"The Ministry is planning to re-establish the Wizarding Children Services Authority. One of its functions will be to look into the conditions of these children who are given in adoption or are being fostered on a monthly basis. If it is found that the arrangement is not working then the child will be given in adoption to another family."

"What if a child has been bitten? What will the ministry do then?"

"The ministry will bear the cost of Wolfsbane to be supplied to them as long as they are not able to afford it by themselves. If such children cannot be adopted then they will be kept at the facility for children above 13 years of age. The ministry will make all the preparations for them."

Elder McDougall turned to the Chief Warlock, "I am through with my questions, Chief Warlock."

When the Elder sat, the Chief Warlock said, "Now, this is a motion which per se does not merit being voted upon. It is related to policy and administration and as such, this plan has been granted approval by the ministry under the seal of the Minister of Magic. This Foster Program will come into effect immediately and all the relevant details shall be published in the Daily Prophet tomorrow."

When he was done speaking, Kingsley stood again, "This program was formulated tentatively contingent upon my permanent appointment as the Minister of Magic. Lord Diggory, whose son Cedric Diggory was killed by Peter Pettigrew 3 years ago at the time of the third task of the triwizard tournament, has already adopted a child from the children ward. The child has been formally named the heir for House Diggory and has been named Benedict Diggory. I would invite him to say a few words to this gathering."

There was polite applause in the wizengamot as Amos stood on his place, "Thank you Minister. It was heart wrenching to lose my only child. Cedric was my pride and joy. He was the model student and he was very well behaved. He represented Hogwarts in the Tournament and did so brilliantly. He was killed by Peter Pettigrew because he ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was simply murdered because he was there. He was the first casualty in the second war and not a day has passed that I or my wife have forgot him. There is no one who can take his place in our lives but as someone had pointed out recently that I am not getting any younger and that Cedric would not have wanted us to drown in misery. He loved us and would have wanted us to be happy. When the ministry presented the outline of this program to me, I realized that I can give a child a home, the love of parents if I adopt them. I can make his life with a simple decision. I find myself agreeing with the sentiments echoed by Lord Potter and Lord Longbottom. I beseech you all, fellow lords and ladies, citizens of the wizarding world who have lost your children to endeavour to give a beautiful life to a child. That is the best that thing that you can do."

His address gathered a lot of applause. He was well loved in the ministry and when he bared his heart like that, many of them who had lost their children in the war connected with him.

Hamish Macmilaln rapped his gavel, "This session of this auspicious body is adjourned till we will resume in the morning tomorrow."

As the session was adjourned, Harry was accosted by Daphne, "Lord Potter, a word please."

"Yes, Lady Greengrass", Harry said, "How can I serve you?"

She smirked a little, "I see someone has taught you a little. I wanted to know about our meeting arrangements. I also know that Lady Regent Black is not living at her house anymore."

Harry nodded, "The townhouse of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black can be found at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London."

Her eyes spread in wonder, "Fidelius? I didn't know that you knew such complicated magic, Lord Potter."

Andromeda who was sitting near them and talking to Augusta said to Harry, "Harry, remember to go to Eyelops and buy at least one owl before you return home today. I am going now. Teddy is alone with only Kreacher for company."

He nodded and turned to Daphne, "Will you accompany me to Eyelops Owl Empourium in Diagon Alley, Lady Greengrass?"

She asked him, "You haven't been to Diagon Alley since the war ended, haven't you?"

He nodded and she informed, "Lord Potter, Eyelops is still shut. You will need to go somewhere else. Most of Diagon Alley still looks like a ghost town."

He was thinking quickly, "In that case, I will go to Hagrid. He might have some owl that is free to be adopted."

She asked, "Why do you favour him so much? He is a groundskeeper."

Harry glared at her, "He is my friend, Greengrass. He was there for me so many times when no one was. Don't let me catch you saying a word against him again."

In that moment, Daphne shuddered with the anger that he was projecting at him. His aura was fierce and if she said so, he looked scarier than Voldemort with his anger aroused.

She tried to placate him, "Lord Potter, I did not mean any insult. I mean you are from a high born family, one of the elites and yet you stick with him?"

He asked her, "And what is the problem with that? He was the first person to show any kindness to me. He has been like a family to me since he has known me. For all that he has done for me, it is but natural that I would be attached to him."

She realized that the boy in front of her was more than met the eye. There was a lot about him that she did not understand and it would be a long uphill battle in her quest to understand the young lord.

"If it is not bother to you, I will pay a visit to you at the Townhouse of House Black in the evening today, Lord Black", she said bowing to him, "I have not seen little Teddy for a few days now."

With that Daphne went to a side and he walked towards the exit of the ministry.

Are you your mother?

Harry arrived at the grounds of Hogwarts and was surprised. The repair work was in fast progress. All the outward damages were dealt with. Even the bridge that had been blown to keep the death eaters away was back in place and looked sturdier than before.

Hagrid was in the grounds and taming a herd of hippogriffs. Harry sighed in relief. He hadn't wanted to step inside the castle and was hoping that he would meet Hagrid as quickly as he could.

"Hagrid", he called and the gamekeeper turned smiling, "Harry, what are yeh doin here?"

Harry saw the hippogriff Buckbeak with the herd of the hippogriffs but did not move towards them rather waited for Hagrid to come to him.

When Hagrid neared him, he said, "Hagrid, I need your help."

"What do you want, Harry?", asked the half giant gameskeeper.

"Hagrid, you were there when Hedgwig was killed when we were leaving Privet Drive. I didn't get the chance to buy another owl since and Eyelops is closed."

Hagrid beamed, "And yer want me to find an owl for you?"

Harry nodded, "Yes, please."

Hagrid waved his dust bin lid sized hand, "Come come Harry. I have a few that you would like."

Hagrid led him some distance in the forest and there was a whole parliament of owls. Harry was sure that they were not School Owls but rather were free. Some were common barn owls, some were scoop owls, and few were tawny owls and a couple of those! His breath hitched in throat as he gazed at the last two of them. There was no doubt that those two were snowy owls like Hedwig. The white plume and those eyes like Hedwig left no place for doubt however he was not sure how they came to be. While Arctic owls weren't exactly rare but in his six years at Hogwarts, there had been only one that Harry knew. His own Hedwig.

He turned to Hagrid who was smiling knowingly, "Beautiful, aren't they?"

Harry could not form the words, "Hagrid, are they…"

He nodded, "Yer owl had a life other than being post owl. These two are the last of her children. Had a fling with another eagle owl and gave a lot of children over the years. I released all of them in forest knowing people would flock after them. They have their own colony there."

Harry smiled, "They do look like their mother. Can I take them?"

Hagrid asked him, "How many do you need?"

"What do you mean?", Harry asked him.

"Well, every lord is supposed to have a couple of them. Your father told me he had an entire parliament in the manor."

"Manor? I don't have a manor", Harry replied,.

"James told me they had a manor in middle of nowhere", Hagrid told him, "I guess no one told you."

Harry knew that was true. Only a couple of people really knew about his family and none of them had been around him for a large amount of time to really tell him anything. Sirius had so little time with him that this never came up. Remus had even less time with him and in all those time, Remus was generally trying to save Harry's life or working for the Order. Dumbledore might have known but there was nothing that could be gained by telling him. Besides, Dumbledore already had a full plate without trying to take more on himself.

"Hagrid, can you get me a couple of them?" Harry asked him.

Hagrid beamed at him, "I will get you some. Where are you living?"

Harry told him, "The townhouse of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black can be found at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London."

"Sirius's place?", the giant asked him, "I will send a couple to you tomorrow. You can use them to breed more."

The minister humbled

Kingsley Shacklebolt decided it was time that he confronted the Erumpent in the Room. He was relying on the Light Side to get him to the post of Minister without any hiccups but what had happened had scared him. He also realized that while Harry and Neville were being presented as the face of this alliance but it was Augusta Longbottom who was moving things along. He decided that it was time that he met Elder Longbottom.

When he flooed to longbottom Manor, Augusta was in the meeting room where the floo was situated, as if she had been waiting for him, "Minister, I am glad that you are here. We have a lot to discuss."

After Kingsley did his courtesies with her, she had him sit and then waited for him to speak. She knew why he had come and that it was no social visit. However, she wasn't going to speak first. If Kingsley wanted to play a game then she was the master in it.

After about 5 minutes, Kingsley said, "Elder Longbottom, I am thankful to you and your allies that you chose to kept me in the position of Minister. However there were times that I felt frightened and there are many things which do not make sense to me."

She smirked, "Minister, today was a lesson for you. Cornelius Fudge always tried to blaze through us and often used the candidates placed in the Ministry seats to get his way. You are also a human so you can try something like that at some point of time. We have played in the hands of the ministry enough. It is time that we wield the power which was due to us. After the first war, it was Dumbledore who kept us all under his thumb because it was not possible for us to resist him. We had unanimously agreed that we will select you minister but it was necessary to show you that now we hold the power in that chamber. There was no way that it would have gone any other way. From now any motion that you tried to shove down our throats will not pass, any move that you try to make to subvert our authority will be met with stiff resistance."

He nodded, "Of course, Elder Longbottom. I was also curious about the dark families retaining their seats."

She smirked, "I know that you are wondering why did we allow the dark houses to retain their seats. It is because they are guileless and susceptible to manipulation and in their gratitude, they will do whatever we want them to do. It was also to show you that unlike Dumbledore or Fudge, we are not going to be authoritarian. Everyone has a voice in our alliance and every voice counts. We will listen to everyone and if you try to bring any motion in the Wizengamot relying on us but not before discussing it with us, we will see that it fails spectacularly. We will be watching Minister."

Kingsley understood what she was saying. Before Voldemort, the writ of Houses ran large in the Wizengamot. There were people in that body who were towering giants in everything that they did. The Ministry often had to fight them to get any motion passed through it and nothing that they did not wish could pass it. When Voldemort came, they all had alienated, siding with either Dumbledore or Voldemort. The neutrals who remained were far and few in between. Since then, the houses divided themselves into factions. However, what Augusta meant was that the Wizengamot was going to its old ways again. The ministry would have to watch its step.

He stood from his place and nodded to her, "I will take you leave now, Elder Longbottom. I sincerely hope that I don't commit any act which may be counted as a transgression."

Black townhouse

When Daphne Greengrass arrived at the address Harry had given her, she had no idea what to expect. It was a property situated in a muggle neighborhood and no one could expect that it would be townhouse of the House of Black. The neighborhood had the criminal feel to it and the area around the square looked like a rundown place. It was clear that at a time, this place was a very affluent neighborhood but that had passed with time. The only saving grace that remained of this place was the buildings which belonged to the Gregorian era and the architecture which was mostly intact.

As she touched the knocker, the door opened inwards soundlessly and an ancient elf appeared before her. It was very old elf whose skin was falling on his body in folds, his nose was long, his bat like ears were little bigger than other elves and he had a bullfrog voice, "Who is you want to see?"

She addressed the elf as if she would order her own, "My name is Lady Daphne Greengrass and I am here to meet Lord Potter."

The elf stepped aside while bowing to her, "Master be waiting for you in his study. Kreacher will be showing the way."

As Daphne was led into the house, she could see that the house was very tastefully decorated. However, it was clear to her that the maintenance work was fairly recent as if the house had been redone recently. The elf led her up to two stairs and on the first floor, Andy was there waiting for her.

She warmly embraced the younger girl, "Daphne, it is very nice to see you."

"Where is Teddy?", she asked.

Andromeda sighed, "Where else? With his godfather in the Lord's study. Every moment that Harry has to spare is spent with him."

As she escorted Daphne to the Lord's study, she said to Kreacher, "I will take her to the Lord's chamber, Kreacher. You can tend to your business."

The ancient elf bowed low to her and then disappeared.

"Andy, what is this place?"

"Daphne, this is the townhouse of House Black", Andromeda told her, "It was an acquisition made by the House of Black when need was felt to have accommodations in London."

"So this is not the Black Manor?", Daphne asked her.

"No. It is not but the manor has not been opened in years for now", she replied.

"Why?", Daphne asked her.

"Well, since Sirius's incarceration there was no one left in the family. Sirius's mother lived here alone as Sirius's father had died a few years ago. Our grandfather Arcturus Orion Black lived overseas most of the time and died there. Lucretia lived at the home that her family had given to her in dowry. Narcissa was married to Lucius Malfoy and never felt the need to visit the Black manor which I supposed is in lockdown. I was thrown out of the family and had nothing to do with it. Rest of the Blacks were either dead or in prison during these years. I will have to convince Harry to visit the manor and at least lift the stasis charm on it."

They had reached the Lord's study by then. Andromeda knocked on the door and announced, "Your guest, Lord Black."

Daphe entered the room and Harry stood from his place, bowing to her, "Welcome to the Black Townhouse, Lady Greengrass."

She performed the proper curtsey as due to him and he pulled a chair for her. After she was seated, he sat in his chair on the other side of the table as Andromeda had taught him, "What brings you here, Lady Greengrass?"

"Lord Potter, the Wizengamot is going to debate some very crucial issues tomorrow. I know that we are committed to the alliance but I have seen that they all are very crafty in their ways. They are playing their cards too close to their chests."

"Meaning?", Harry asked her.

"They are doing everything with a plan and some benefits for them in the near future", she explained, "That is generally how the Wizengamot works. I wished to ask what you will do if your views are different than them on a topic."

"If something like that happens, I will follow what I think is right", he said.

She nodded, "Now there is another thing that I had to discuss, Lord Potter. I am not going to teach you little things which are otherwise generally unnecessary but I will teach you things that you must know."

He nodded, "So when do we start?"

"I will owl you the details", she promised, "For now, let's review the motions for tomorrow. Shall we?"

He nodded. It was better that Daphne was with him to go over the motions so it would not be as hard as it seemed to be.

They discussed the motions that were on the list of items that would be dealt with the next day. She was very thorough, debating all the fine points about each and everything and Harry could feel the lack in his education that was pretty obvious to him now. Daphne had been modeled into it while he had to learn it the hard way now.

After they had talked at length, he asked the question that he had on his mind, "Lady Greengrass, why are you helping me?"

She raised an eyebrow, "I thought that I made it clear at the ministry, Lord Potter."

He shook his head, "No, you didn't. That is hardly a reason."

She smiled, "You are very perceptive. Yes, I want to know more about you."

"What do you mean?", Harry asked.

"Lord Potter when you arrived at school, most of us who were around your age had been reading stories about you. Fables that were published in children books and portrayed you as a hero and something that took our fancy. Most of us grew up idolizing the hero in those books and what we didn't realize was that most of those things were just stories for children. When you arrived at the castle, you were not what anyone expected. Most of us who wanted to become your friend had our hopes dashed. We had resigned ourselves to the fact that you were an ordinary boy like us but you seemed to be out to prove us wrong. In first year, the rumours were that you had made Quirell disappear after fighting him somewhere the school. In the second year, we heard you had fought a Basilisk and killed it with bare hand…"

"Sword", Harry muttered, "I used a sword."

"Pardon", she said, "What did you mean?"

"I used the Sword of Gryffindor to slay the Basilisk which was the monster in the chamber of secrets."

Daphne's eyes were round as Galleons, "You mean the rumours were true?"

Harry suddenly wanted to avoid the topic, "We will talk about it later, Greengrass."

She realized he was not going to tell her more. To keep conversation going, she asked, "Why do you live in this place?"

"Sirius lived here when he escaped from Azkaban", Harry told her.

"What? You mean you were in contact with him after he escaped from Hogwarts at the end of our third year?", Daphne asked him.

"Yes. I lived with him in the summer before 5th year", Harry told her.

She shelved that thought for later. There were a lot of things that she didn't knew.

"Did he love this place?", she asked.

"He hated here. This place had no pleasant memories for him from his childhood and the year on the run was very hard for him. He only lived here because this was the safest place for him to hide. He felt frustrated in this place with not being able to go out and could not do anything worthwhile for the Order of the Phoenix".

"If you don't like this place then why are you living here?", Daphne asked him.

"Because I had no other accommodation when the war ended. Also, this place is surrounded by a Fidelius Charm so this place is one of the safest places and now Teddy is also living here", he said.

"You don't want to see your ancestral manor?", Daphne asked.

"Ancestral Manor?"

"My grandfather once told me that the Potters had a very beautiful manor made of Sandstones and that it was a work of art", she told him.

"I don't know. I haven't even opened the journals that the Goblins gave me. I have no idea what to do with them", he lamented.

"Lord Potter, those contain details of your property, your gold and everything that has to do with the bank", she explained, "You must tend to them since it is for you now to make decisions in respect of the property and other things."

"I thought Gringotts does that for us".

She hid her smile behind a fake cough, "Gringotts does your investing but they only do that on your instructions. If you leave no instructions to them then they will let your gold lie."

He nodded, "Can you help me get through them?"

The offer was tempting for Daphne. Journals were protected with utmost zeal by the Head of Houses because they contained all the information about the family's finances and properties etc. It was Potter's naiveté that he was asking her to look through them but she knew it was not propriety.

"Lord Potter, this journal is only meant for strict perusal of the Head of House, his wife and the heir. It is considered impolite that anyone except you should look into it. I cannot look into it because it is not proper."

Harry sighed, "How do I make any sense of it then?"

"From what I know, the journals are generally straight forward for all the families. Gringotts uses the same format for all of its clients so I can tell you where to find anything."

He nodded, "Any help would be better than no help at all."

"The journal is generally divided into sections like Vaults, Properties, and Heirlooms etc. First they would detail into how many vaults you own with the Bank, what is in each vault, how much is the withdrawal limit, if any. Generally each family as large as yours get a main vault, a heirloom vault, a vault which accumulates all the interest that you investments generate and any revenues that your family businesses may be bringing in, a dowager vault and trust vault, depending on the number of children that one has."

"So how do we set up a trust vault?", he asked her.

"You can set it up by discussing with your account manager. You can also hire someone to look after your affairs who can be your agent in the bank. This person though would be your agent, they are generally called stewards."

Harry nodded, "That is very useful information Lady Greengrass. I had tried to ask others to help me but nobody volunteered."

She merely smiled, "Lord Potter, nobody except you or your family can be allowed to look at those journals. These are private details which are only meant for the eyes of the Lord, the Lady or their children or steward. It is breach of propriety if one dares to look into journals of another even on their invitation."

"And how do I find this manor?", Harry asked her.

"The manor's address, its state etc. would be written in your journal. Generally the Lord rings can function as a portkey to the location of the ancestral manor however you will have to read the journal to know more."

"And what would you suggest about some investment, Lady Greengrass?", he asked her.

"The real estate market is always growing. Wizarding families are always looking for more spaces where they can live in peace. This area for example is a very nice location and contains buildings built in the Georgian style. If you were to buy all the buildings around and sold them to wizarding families, you can make very decent gold out of it."

Andromeda entered the Lord's study at that moment, "Enough talk for the day. Let's all go for dinner now."

Harry turned to her, "It will please me if you would partake of food at my table, Lady Greengrass."

She nodded, "I will be honoured, Lord Potter."