A/N- Pippa1950- Thank you for pointing out that the houses were of Gregorian style of architecture. I knew that but had forgot. Have changed it. Thank you.
Wizengamot
"Close the doors", boomed the voice of Hamish Macmillan and the big mighty doors of the chamber closed themselves.
"The Minister of Magic has called for this emergency session of the Wizengamot therefore I will let him address it. Minister, the floor is yours."
"Honoured Members of the chamber, as you all know that the creatures called Dementors have been proven unreliable in the past as Guards of the wizarding Prison. They sided with Voldemort in the first war and then again in the second war. Therefore, the ministry has decided to stop using them as guards from now on. However since they were being employed as guards of the prison by the authority of this Chamber therefore it is only right that this chamber may authorise to stop their use."
"What do we do with the Dementors", asked Augusta Longbottom.
"Elder Longbottom", Kingsley explained, "The Unspeakables are working on a way to capture and keep the dementors in captivity. They have devised a way that would help them to keep them contained in a specified area."
"Minister, would it not be better that you had the Chief of Unspeakables present here so that he could explain it to us in a better way?" asked Lord Fawley.
"Lord Fawley, it is at experimental level yet", said the Minister, "The unspeakables are still perfecting the technique."
"May be then you should not have hurried with calling this emergency session, Minister", said Lady Susan Bones.
Daphne who was sitting near Harry said to him in undertone, "I am almost feeling bad for the minister. They are going to skin him alive."
"Chief Warlock, I propose that summons be sent to the Chief Unspeakbale Croaker to be present before this body and answer the questions about this proposed measure", said Daphne who had stood on her place.
Bill Weasley (since Arthur was the Head of DMLE) stood, "And I second the motion, Chief Warlock."
Kingsley was frustrated inside. It was not supposed to be so hard. He looked at Harry and gave him a pleading look who gestured towards Elder Longbottom and Kingsley looked in that direction to find Augusta Longbottom giving him a hard glare.
"Let a memo be sent to the Chief Unspeakable to be present in the Chamber within the hour to brief this body about this measure. The session is adjourned for an hour."
As they scattered, Kingsley straight went to Harry, "Lord Potter, I need a favour."
Harry smiled, "Minister, you are welcome to join me, Lord Longbottom and Lady Greengrass for lunch."
Kingsley nodded, "It will be my pleasure, Lord Potter."
As it turned out, it was just the three young members and Elder Longbottom in the chamber.
"Minister, please take a seat," said Augusta offering a seat to Kingsley.
"Thank you, Elder Longbottom", said Kingsley gratefully and sat.
After they had been served, Kingsley started speaking, "Elder Longbottom, I seem to understand that you are vexed that I called this session without consulting with you first."
She waved him off, "Non sense, Minister. It is entirely your right. I am not Lucius Malfoy nor are you Cornelius Oswald Fudge. And I agree that we can't keep relying on Dementors."
"Then why the members of your alliance are causing so many hurdles in the passing of this motion?"
Augusta chuckled, "To tell you the truth, minister, this is all these youngsters' doing. They are not going to just vote on any issue until they have satisfied themselves. In fact they had decided that they would call for the Unspeakables but I had to intervene that it would look proper and not arrogant if it was proposed by some senior members. Also, they really want to understand how it will be done. That is why, they have called for them."
"But even I don't really understand what they are going to do. I mean I know they are going to use Runes and wards but other than that, it is incomprehensible for me too."
She smirked, "Oh don't worry Minister. Arthur Weasley's son, William Arthur Weasley is a reputed ward master who has worked in places like the Pyramids of Egypt. I am sure he would be able to understand what you are doing. In fact, he is going to ask all the questions that are to be asked."
"Is that why you brought him in today?" Kingsley asked.
She smiled, "And they said you are not smart."
Wizengamot
"The Dementors are creatures of magic and can only be stopped by barriers of magic like a ward or a rune cluster or the likes of it. Owing to the nature of Azkaban, it was not easy for us to come with something that would do however recently we stumbled upon some research from some very ancient places in the world which gave an answer to our predicament. We have successfully created wards based on existing designs and they can keep a dementor contained within an area."
"Where do you mean to imprison them?"
"A pit is being dug on the island which will be deep enough to accommodate all of them. The pit will be lined up with runic clusters and lattices for keeping them subdued, to capture if any escape and to contain them within the boundary of the Island. Since the Dementors are usually inactive in sunlight there we have come up with some runes that will be put on some grills to mimic sunlight."
"Can you expound on that?" Bill asked.
The Unspeakable produced a stack of documents which he forwarded to the Chief Warlock, "This is the scheme behind the wards that will be employed to keep the dementors subdued within the pit."
"Can you assure us that no dementor will ever be able to escape from it?"
"I cannot guarantee that but Dementors need to feed to people's emotions, their fears to sustain. If they don't get fed up regularly it affects them. It has been theorised that if they are kept starving for long periods of time then it will eventually lead to them perishing."
"Is that true?" asked Bill.
"It is hypothetical at this stage, my lord", the unspeakable continued, "However, we are going to conduct more tests on the subject when we have captured them in the pit and this body shall be apprised of their findings from time to time."
"This body is thankful to you for coming here at our summons, Algernon Croaker", said Chief Warlock, "You can go now."
After the unspeakable was gone, he rapped his gavel again, "We will now vote on the motion. All those in favour raise your wands with tips lighted green."
The motion passed with majority.
Before he could declare the session to be over, Felix Rosier stood, "I have a question for our honourable minister, Chief Warlock."
This was unforeseen. No one had actually anticipated that the dark faction would spring into action so soon. However they could not do anything but follow the procedure.
"The floor is yours, Lord Rosier."
"Honourable members of this body, in the first session of this body the Minister had told us that the intends to conduct the upcoming trials by a full body as opposed to a war tribunal however it is clear that most of our members such as Lord Potter, Lord Longbottom etc. can't sit in judgment on them because of their direct role in the recently concluded war. Many of our members suffer from the same disability so will the body sit without quorum to decide on the fate of those accused of being death eaters and working for You-know-who?"
"It is a pertinent question, Chief Warlock", said Lord Orpington, "Since full body can't sit in judgment upon the fate of those in prison, how will we pass judgment on their fate?"
Harry was conferring with Neville, "Gran had invited the Rosier to our manor yesterday and told him to ask this question. She wants the ICW to be involved in the entire affair so that there can be no chance of them escaping justice in anyway."
Harry nodded, "I think Elder Longbottom should have at least told us that she was planning to do this."
"She told me just today."
Kingsley had stood in his place, "I understand the concern raised by Lord Rosier and assure this body that the ministry has thought about it and we are already in talks with the ICW. We have requested them to delegate some of the Mugwumps to decide these cases however the prosecution shall be done by the Head of Aurors and the head of DMLE will have the final say in handling out sentences under our laws."
As Kingsley sat, the Chief Warlock said, "It is directed to the Ministry that the minister shall intimate this chamber about the decision of the ICW as soon as it receive its nod."
"Are there any other motions?" asked the Chief warlock after a minute.
"Chief Warlock, I move a proposal that veritaserum be allowed to be used on those in prison to determine if they are guilty or not", said Harry.
There was pin drop silence in the courtroom. No one stood and no one said a word until Adrian Pucey stood, "I second the motion Chief Warlock."
"Let it be known that the Lord Potter has forwarded this motion and the same has been seconded by the Lord Pucey", said the Chief Warlock.
The alliance was bit miffed over this happening. Pucey was not one of their own alliance yet he had seconded what should have been seconded by one of their own. His act had sent a big message to them or rather to the boy-who-lived.
"Chief Warlock, I would like to address this motion", said the Minister.
"The floor is yours, Minister", said the Chief Warlock.
"Veritaserum is one of the most brilliant inventions of the wizard kind which can help us in reaching to the truth without much effort however when the regulations over the usage of veritaserum were being discussed in this chamber several pertinent questions were raised. The first concern is that this potion is very lethal in big doses to anyone and constant usage of it can also lead to their deaths. This is why veritaserum was not allowed regularly but very sparingly. The second concern was the privacy of an individual. I accept that using veritaserum against wizards marked with the dark mark can be justified but by the same yard stick, demands will be raised to use it in all trials, whether big or small. It is for this reason that we cannot allow veritaserum to be used on each and every death eater."
As Kingsley sat, Elder McDougall stood, "I have a question for the minister."
"You can ask your question, Elder McDougall", said the Chief Warlock.
"Minster, even if we accept all of your arguments that you just made in favour of veritaserum before this body, it still does not answer as to why we can't allow its usage on the hardened death eaters? Everyone knows who sat in the inner circle of the Dark Lord and who committed the most atrocities. Why can't we allow it to be used on them who were the leaders of the army of the self proclaimed lord?"
"There is no harm in allowing its use on some of the hardened death eaters", said Kingsley, "If that is what this august body wishes."
Harry stood, "I amend my motion in light of the suggestions made by Elder McDougall."
"Those in the favour?" asked the Chief Warlock.
The vote passed by a majority and it was allowed that the veritaserum will be allowed to be used on some of the death eaters who were known faces of the regime of the Dark lord.
The Leaky Cauldron
The three young lords of the Wizengamot were waiting in a parlour upstairs. Currently they were waiting for the solicitor that Harry had asked for Daphne to find. Today they were going to meet this solicitor. Harry had asked why they don't go and meet him but she said that since they were on the higher pedestal, it was but right that he come to them.
"Are you sure this man is the right choice for the job?" Harry asked of Daphne.
"It is, Lord Potter", she replied, "This person may be about our age but his parents have been in the legal field for years now and they are well conversant with the nuances of the system. His family has been solicitors for a number of families through the years."
"Your guest, Lord Black", said Tom the barkeep.
The door opened and entered a boy Harry had seen in Hogwarts for years but had never talked to. The man was very common faced but carried himself with a grace that very few can achieve.
The boy bowed to the two of them and then curtsied before Daphne, "Lords and Lady, Marcus Cole, Attorney at law at your service."
"Take a seat, Mr. Cole", Harry said pointing him to his seat on other side.
After they were seated, Neville started speaking, "Mr. Cole, I trust you are acquainted with the reason that we have called upon your services."
"Yes, Lord Longbottom. I trust you all are in need of my firm's services as a solicitor."
"What do you know about us?" Harry asked.
The man smiled, "Don't you think that it is an unnecessary question, Lord Potter. You are Lord Harry James Potter, Lord of the houses of Potter & Black, two of the most influential houses which for centuries have sat on different ends of the spectrum. You are the only person in the entire world who has survived the killing curse, twice if we believe the rumours to be true. You are one of the greatest wizards of this age having defeated the worst dark lord in the history for at least 5 times so far. Currently working as volunteer in the Auror Corps and rumoured to join the force in the near future. The other lord is Lord Longbottom, another force on the wizengamot to reckon with and who was a leader in the recently concluded war having kept up the resistance against the death eater regime at Hogwarts in your absence. Currently volunteering in the Auror Corps however rumours say that you are going to pursue a career in Herbology at Hogwarts taking the place of Professor Sprout when she retires. Finally, she is Lady Daphne Greengrass, daughter of late Lord Sebastian Greengrass who was the leader of the neutrals before the war. Having taken the mantel of the Lady in the middle of the war. Also owner of Greengrass potions, one of the leading potion making companies in the world which also have a branch in the muggle world maintained by an array of managers."
"Enough. We are convinced that you know about us. Now we don't need the services of your firm but yours. The Potters and Longbottoms have been your clients for long but the Greengrasses used another firm which now has been closed and I won't have done business with him anyhow. So, if you can assure us that you will work in individual capacity for us then we can definitely work together", said Daphne.
"What will be the scope of my work?"
"We are setting up a partnership between us. You have already worked with the Potters in the past so you would know how rich they are. House Potter will bring 40% of the capital, House Longbottom and Greengrass will bring 30% each. After we have formed and registered this partnership, you will start buying properties for us in a neighbourhood in London. And in the meantime, I want you to get into contact with shop owners in Knockturn Alley and try to buy as much land as you can. Also look into other alleys where land is available for sale. And keep in mind that the name of the partnership will nowhere reflect that it is anyhow related to us. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Lord Longbottom", said Cole, "So you want me to conduct these operations on behalf of this partnership?"
"It is just a part of the deal, Mr. Cole. In addition to your duties under the partnership, you are also to deal with the businesses of our houses in their individual capacities", said Harry.
"How will you keep track of these things?"
"I have decided to hire a secretary whose work it will be to keep these things separate on my mind. Lady Greengrass and Lord Longbottom have made similar arrangements."
"Anything else, Lords and Lady?" he asked.
"I want you to prepare a transfer deed", said Harry, "The property in question is a townhouse in London which is to be transferred in the name of Mr. Teddy Remus Lupin."
"I will send the necessary paperwork to you, Lord Potter", said the solicitor rising from his seat.
Grimmauld Place
Bill Weasley had come to break the mail redirection ward set up on Harry after he returned from the Wizengamot. After having set up a room in the basement of the house, Bill had left.
About an hour later, Harry was nursing a headache, "Andy, please remind me why it is a good idea to have my mail delivered here directly? And who sends hundreds of letters to a wizard?"
She laughed, "You know I never thought that why didn't receive letters. I mean you are famous and it is but obvious that you should have been receiving hundreds of letters. I suggest that you attend to those letters at night before going to bed."
"But I don't have that much time", he whined, "I guess I will need a secretary."
"Yes, you should have a secretary", she concurred.
"Andy, why don't you become my secretary?", he asked, "I mean I won't get someone more qualified for this job than you."
"Harry, I need time to look after Teddy", she said.
"Andy, you don't need to take time away from him. You can work from here itself and if the need be then you can floo to wherever I am."
"Are you going to shift to Potter Manor?", she asked.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall has sent 3 elves for Potter Manor. They are currently working on cleaning the place and bringing it up to standard. You can also come there and work in the Lord's study. In fact you will need to floo to Potter Manor only when I am there. Most of my time is spent at either the ministry or with Teddy. I will also pay you a salary in addition to what we agreed for you acting as the Lord Regent for House of Black."
"Alright. I will do it. You want me to sort through those letters right now?", she asked.
"As per your convenience, Andy", he said, "You can do it whenever you have the time. Only don't touch those letters which are in the small room for they contain curses or harmful substances or portkey etc. I will have an Auror come and look at them in a day or two and then we will arrest these men. Sort the rest of the letters in categories."
"Okay."
Auror Office
The routine that they had started in the last few days was arduous for most of them. It was one thing to know and cast spells but it was other to do work out for building stamina. Running laps or doing exercises was painful for all of them but they knew why Robards insisted on this routine. The war had all but decimated the entire Auror Corps and they needed to bring it up from scratch. Aurors like Mad-eye Moody didn't become Aurors just by knowing spells and how to cast them. It took years of hard work for them to get the respect that they commanded.
"The death eater trials are going to start from the next week", said Gawain Robards, "the Minister has told me that he will be bringing in Mugwumps from the ICW to judge these trials. Now a trial by the mugwumps would mean that there will be no lords to judge them for their crime but it will be for the mugwumps to do. Our role is limited to providing security for these trials. Being the head of the Aurors, it is for me to lead the prosecution and Senior Auror Proudfoot has agreed to assist me. Auror Harry Potter is in-charge of daily schedule and he is also given the authority to issue orders in my stead if the need arises. Every one of you will report to him as you will report to me. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir", came the resounding reply from all of them. A few of the senior Auror were miffed that they were being asked to follow orders of a novitiate Auror such as Harry Potter but they all knew he was more than that. Politically, he was strong with holding lordship of two houses, he was one of the wealthiest and other than that he was also the boy-who-lived. He was a force to be reckoned with and the populace of the wizarding world worshipped the ground that he walked on. If he had wanted, he could have become the minister of magic but the bloke was willing to climb his way in the ministry.
"Now, all of you will go to spell casting. It has come to my knowledge that most of you hesitate to use dark spells or curses during practice but that is not how things are done. We are Aurors and by the oath that we take, it is our duty to ensure that we do everything to protect lives of people that have been entrusted to us. If it means that we have to use a dark spell or a curse then that is what we will do. Except the unforgivables, we can use any of these curses. Now I don't want to receive a report from any of the Aurors that any of the trainees have refused to use the dark curses if asked by their supervisors."
With that, they were sent to their trainers. Harry again came to Proudfoot with his team.
"Potter, cast your worst curse at him", he said.
This time Harry used a bone breaker and Proudfoot barked, "That would do for the time being. Now take a seat everyone."
"Sir, I have a question", said Ronald who had returned to the squad this morning.
"Ask your question, Weasley."
"Why do we have to learn dark curses?", he asked.
"First tell me what is a dark curse, Weasley?"
"Umm.. dark magic? Curses which are used to maim or kill."
"Any curse can kill", he said, "Even a simple wingardium leviosa can kill a person. Is that not dark magic?"
When no one replied, he said, "Magic is not dark or light. It is the intent behind it that determines if it is dark or light. There are some practices which are solely used for propagation of pure evil so that can be dark arts. Now as to your question, if you don't know what you are facing then how can you expect to protect yourself from it? You of all the people here other than Potter should know how vicious dark arts can be. There is so much magic in the world that you can't comprehend."
As everyone was deciphering what he had said, he started speaking again, "Can anyone tell me why Dark Arts are so seductive?"
"Because it gives you what you want", said Neville.
"Precisely. Dark Arts can give your heart's desire no matter whether it is good or bad. It is this quality that can lure you to its path but in the end it costs you much", said Proudfoot.
"What does it cost?", asked Ernie Macmillan.
"It costs you everything from your sanity to your life. It can taint your soul and blemish it for eternity."
"Now I am going to cast one of the most known curses at you one by one", said he, "And you will try to save yourself by dodging the curse. This curse is known as Entrails Expelling curse and it can cause all of your organs to come out from your mouth. Don't get hit because if you do, you will be dead before any treatment can be given to you."
With a threat like that hanging over them, it was easy to see why they all were properly motivated to dodge the curses that came their way. The practice was brutal and it went for an hour. By the end of any hour, they all were at the end of their strength and were excused except Harry.
"Potter", said he, "Gawain has asked to see you as soon as practice is over."
Can you protect your mind?
"Potter", said Robards, "Do you know occlumency?"
Harry shook his head, "No. I tried to learn it but could not do it."
"Who taught you? Dumbledore?"
"No. Professor Snape was teaching it to me in my fifth year but I could not learn it", he said.
"Did he teach you to build your defences?", he asked curiously.
"No. All he did was to tell me to defend my mind and then would attack me with the legilimens spell", Harry said.
Robards grimaced, "That is not a way to learn occulmency. It is a long process and it needs you to construct your defences first. Constructing your defences can be done by yourself or by someone who you trust. What Snape did was the easy way to learn it but it is not recommended. I'd not do that to someone until I know that they can handle it. Being an Auror, it is necessary that you learn to protect your mind and I will teach you how."
He produced a book from a drawer of his desk and handled it to him, "This is the best book on Occlumency that you can get at the moment. Mind arts are considered as an aspect of the Dark Arts so they are generally frowned upon. The Wizengamot by a resolution had banned it as a discipline for general public. As a result, there are no books available in market. Old tomes which dealt were either destroyed or are in the libraries of the old families where they are guarded with as much zeal as goblin guard gold."
"Do you think I can find one in Potter Library?", Harry asked abruptly before closing his mouth.
"From what I know, there is no certain information available about you in public. Your family is an enigma which comfortably existed in the backwaters and never cared to come to the forefront. Mostly they have been businessman whose sole interest was to run businesses which would earn them gold and not to meddle in the wizarding world and certainly not in its politics. Your family seat in wizengamot was held by proxies in the past and until recently it was held by Elphias Doge. So I have o idea what you would find in your family library but I have a good guess that there might be some books about the same."
Black Townhouse
Lord Black was in residence and in his office going over the day to day business. Today, he had two letters sent to him. The first was sealed with the wax seal of "Cole and Associates". The letter contained two documents, one of which was a 'contract for services' and it contained all the terms and conditions agreed upon between them. It was for the appointment of Marcus Cole as Solicitor for the Houses of Potter and Black. A letter with the document invited him to signing of the deeds of the proposed partnership between him and Longbottom and Greengrass.
The other document was title deed for transfer of ownership of 4, Grimmauld Place, London to Teddy Remus Lupin son of Late Remus John Lupin and late Nymphadora Tonks. The deed created absolute interest in favour of Teddy and gave the ownership of the house and of the ancient Elf Kreacher to the young metamorphmagus.
"Kreacher", Harry called and the ancient elf appeared.
"Master be calling Kreacher?"
"Kreacher, please send Andy up here, will you? And please pack all my belongings. Tomorrow I will move to Potter Manor. You will remain here."
"Master leaving Kreacher? Kreacher insulted Master?", the ancient elf bawled.
""No, Kreacher. I have given this house to Teddy now. You like to serve him, don't you? And Andy needs your help, Kreacher. You can take any of the rooms in the house for your own."
"Kreacher be calling Mistress Andy", said the elf before departing.
When Andromeda came, Harry simply handed over the title deed to her, "Andy, from this moment this townhouse shall be property of Teddy Remus Lupin. I will be moving my office out of here tomorrow. I have Potter Manor opened and I will love to shift there soon."
"Nonsense Harry", she said, "You can go live in Potter Manor but the office of Lord Black will remain here. At least until Teddy comes of age and I don't want you to give this house to him. It was Sirius's house after all."
"All the more reason for me to give it away then", said Harry, "Sirius lived here only because he could not go anywhere due to being a wanted convict. He hated this place. I lived here because of the security it offered. Now with the war being over I know that I can't keep hiding. Potter Manor has centuries of wards and Bill went over yesterday to check on them. I wanted to sell this place and be done with it but I have plans for this locality. I am going to buy all the buildings in the area and get the ministry to declare this a magical zone where we can do magic without fear of violation of the statute of secrecy. And you can look after my affairs from here. I have appointed Marcus Cole as solicitor for House of Potter and Black and he will also handle the legal side of the Potter, Longbottom, Greengrass partnership. You are being appointed as the Secretary for Lord Potter-Black and you will also handle the business of the partnership. I am leaving Kreacher here to serve you and Teddy."
"Are you sure? Is this your final decision?", she asked.
He nodded, "We can't stay rooted at a place, Andy. Everyone eventually has to move on."
She nodded, "Since you are the lord of my house, I have to accept your decision. I am not going to contest it. Anything else?"
"Not at the moment. Thank you," he said.
As Andy left, he opened the other letter. It was signed as Lord Macmillan and to Lord Potter- Black. It was more of an invitation than a letter.
"THE HOUSE OF MACMILLAN IS POSITIVELY DELIGHTED TO INVITE YOUR AUGSUT PRESENCE TO THE SUMMER BALL ORGANISED BY HOUSE MACMILLAN.
Since the war left many wounds and too many of us are still grieving, there is nothing better than to give them a chance to come together to share their joys, grief and worries. With the intention of helping to alleviate our suffering, House Macmillan has decided to organise a ball on 1 August and you presence is a must.
Ernie Macmillan
Lord of House Macmillan."
Ministry of Magic
"Minister, Chief Unspeakable Algernon Croaker is here to see you", said Kingsley's secretary.
"Send him in, please."
Kroaker entered a minute later clutching a stack of documents in hand, "Minister, I bring grave news."
Kreacher rubbed his temple, "This whole job is grave news Kroaker. Please don't speak in riddles."
"Minister, as you know the unspeakables have been trying to find the affect of this war on our population. We have found that this war has the potential of eliminating our population as a whole. Many families were extinguished and many are on brink of extinction. Muggle borns leave our world for the muggle world. Magic is getting extinguished due to inbreeding. The number of squibs being born is getting higher and many magical children born in pure blood families are not as strong as they were a generation or two ago. those families which have actively married muggles or muggle borns have avoided this disaster but strictly pure blood families are on the verge of getting extinct. Taken together, it is a catastrophe going to happen."
"And what do you suggest we do?", Kingsley asked.
"First, make conditions favourable for muggle borns so they can adapt in our society. Give them equal standing with the purebloods and let them know that we are not going to discriminate against them in any way. The course on wizarding etiquettes which was abolished at Hogwarts should be restarted so they would know about our world and will know why the muggle and the magical world do not mix. That would quell fear of those purebloods who think that muggle born are going to destroy our world. Most importantly convince the wizengamot to allow the unspeakables to conduct the inheritance tests to determine if any muggle borns are related to any extinct families."
Kingsley tried to grin at the last suggestion as that would get him a lot of leverage in the wizengamot however those thoughts were instantly forgotten as he remembered Augusta Longbottom's warning. Anyway he could not get the proposal passed without her assistance. He would have to go to her with his hat in hand and ask for her blessings. Augusta Longbottom had manoeuvred herself to be in the controlling position as the war had ended. Almost a slytherin move on her part.