Chapter 17

Dec 9th, after the days meetings!

Harry goes back to Black Manor with his Andromeda and Grandmother. The trio ask Binks for some tea with Harry getting Earl Gray, and the Ladies getting Chamomile with cream. They all enter the parlor and meet with Arcturus, Melania, Charlus and their portraits.

Dorea explains Harry's interaction with the wives of Houses Rosier and Goyle. Harry states that he will do all in his power to help the former Lady Rosier as she has suffered greatly under the thumb of her former husband, but Arabelle Goyle would learn her life has changed or her life expectancy will be short, Harry leaves no doubt that he isn't going to tolerate pure blood bigots and troublemakers to remain in any property, business, or asset that he owns.

Arcturus tells Harry that what he does with the Houses he has conquered is his own decision but to not do anything to drastic publicly, keep everything in house and close to the vest as other Lords may want to retaliate in fear of him challenging them and taking their place.

Harry agrees with this train of thought and says there is one that he wants to remove from play sooner rather than later but that house has a daughter of House Black as Lady. Harry says I want to remove Lucius Malfoy as soon as possible and bring Narcissa back home, she deserves better and if she ever has a son maybe he will be better that the evil, spoiled little shit he was. Harry asks Arcturus and his Nana to come up with a way to get them into one of the Black properties under the guise of a family meeting where all questions have to be answered truthfully under the Black Family magic. Harry tells them of all the atrocities that Malfoy had done in his prior life and that some of them he had already done now, to be able to get him under the family magic and answer truthfully and have the Black Family deal with him while letting Narcissa see who it is she was married too, this would also hinder Voldemort as it would take away much of his funding as Narcissa's dowry would be reclaimed by House Black. Harry also wonders if he can get Bellatrix under the Black Family magic as she can't harm her Lord, Arcturus, but being as crazy as she is already even without yet being in Azkaban is too much of a risk. She and the LeStranges will have to be put down.

Harry asks Andromeda if they could call the remaining Ladies of the houses, he had assumed Lordship over could be brought together at once and she and Nana Dorea feel them out on their beliefs and expectations. If some could be reformed, he would meet with them and try to help them, if not they would end up like Arabelle Goyle and be sequestered until they realized it was his way or else. His Nana answered and says "they could do that and could have them all meet at Gringott's for about 30 minutes each and could do that in one morning." Harry tells them that they have complete authority to speak for House Peverell in matters concerning those houses and to make sure each woman understood that this wasn't a negotiation but their being told their new station and requirements in their life.

Lady Potter (Dorea) says she will send a letter to Griphold and ask that the remaining Ladies be at Gringotts the next day to meet with Lord Peverell's advisors. Attendance is mandatory by order of their Lord Harry James Peverell, they should be prepared to give oaths to House Peverell and its Lord, and receive further instructions on meeting Lord Peverell. Harry agrees that this would work and he will be available after their meeting to speak to the ladies one on one. Harry needs a day to himself and he also needs to meet with Griphold to see where his wealth would be best used to grow. Now that he had access to the gold that Voldemort was going to use, he would put it to good use, while also taking care of the people he was now responsible for.

What is Voldemort doing?

Harry tells the ladies he wants them to discuss how they will handle the remaining women while he, and Lord's Potter and Black need to discuss the lack of reaction by the Death Eaters and Voldemort, Harry will not call him Lord as he is a half-blood devil! After getting the three of them some of Ogden's Finest Harry asks what do they think of Voldemort's lack of reaction?

Charlus says if he were to hazard a guess it would be Harry had stunned him with the deaths of so many of his insiders as well as the loss of so much funding. He also states that he expects a response soon and for it to at some of their family or friends.

Lord Black says that with all of us safe behind the wards of Black Manor, the Potters safe inside Potter Castle, Longbottom's safe at their estate, other than getting Andromeda, Ted, Nymphadora, Sirius, Remus and Narcissa if possible, there are few targets of opportunity for Voldemort to target. No one knows who Harry really is so that leaves just the immediate family of the Black's and Potter's. Harry calls for Claymore, who pops right in and is told to take a message to Andromeda, Ted , James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus to get inside the wards of either Potter Castle or Black Manor and stay there till told otherwise because they may be targeted and to listen to no one else especially anyone who thinks they would be safer somewhere else like Dumbledore.

Harry is glad that the families of his future friends are safe for right now as they haven't done anything to draw attention to themselves.

Monday, Dec 10th, Gringotts Bank

Griphold, Sharpeye, with Andromeda, Lady Potter and lady Black were seated before 10 AM waiting on the former Ladies of Houses Rowle, Crabbe, Rookwood and Scabior to enter for their meeting. As of yet there hasn't been a person found that could stand in for the House of Carrow, so that would be dealt with another day. There was a soft knock on the door and each of the ladies entered escorted by their account managers. Lady Victoria Rene Rowle nee Perkins was sat on one side of the table with Hornshaker, House Rowle's Account Manager who had a thick folder holding all the assetts of House Rowle. She has one son, Victor who is nine. Then came Lady Louise Elizabeth Crabbe(28), nee Carter, with the Crabbe Account Manager Bloodeye, who also had a folder in his hands. Lady Crabbe also has one child a daughter, Ada Blake who is three. The Crabbe vault held 3.5 million galleons, 67 sickles and 22 knuts, and the total estate was worth over 4.6 million galleons. She was followed in by Lady Eleanor Anne Rookwood(41), nee Harris and the Rookwood account manager Sharx, he like the other Account Managers had the portfolio of the House he manages. She had one surviving son, Ronald (21), she hoped that Lord Peverell would show him mercy as he wasn't as deep into the purity bigotry as his father. The Rookwood Estate had 6.8 million galleons, 44 sickles and 27 knuts in their vault as well as owning 2 different properties Rookwood Manor and a place called El's Retreat. The net worth of House Rookwood was 8.4 million galleons. The room was getting crowded and there weren't enough seats to fit the remaining two Ladies, they were provided refreshments and asked to wait for these to finish and then they would be escorted in to meet with Lord Peverell's signatories, they all agreed to wait but really had little choice in the matter.

Lady Tonk's stands and introduces herself and Lady Potter, she also introduces Griphold and Sharpeye. We are here this morning in the stead of Lord Harry James Peverell, the new Lord of each of your former houses. He has tasked us with assessing your talents, your beliefs, and the benefits of keeping you under the protection of House Peverell, which would eventually include the protection of House Black and Potter as Lord Peverell is a member of all three Houses. I hope this clears up any doubt as to how powerful Lord Peverell really is. He took down the Lords to your former houses without so much as a strain and he will be eliminating the rest of the DeathEaters and their so-called Lord Voldemort who is no Lord and is in reality a half blood, born from a muggle and squib. That is who your husbands had tied you and your family's future too. Now you basically belong to Lord Peverell to do with as he pleases. You have no say in what happens, but what you do have is a chance, one chance, to make an impression on him to prove you are worthy of his mercy and grace. Lie to him, play games with him and he will be as decisive with you as he was your husbands, do I make myself clear? This isn't some jumped up pure blood rising above his station, this isn't a man who is looking to gain a group of witches to use as he pleases, this is a man who knows what he wants and what he has to do to accomplish it. You can either do as he asks and live your life quietly without harming others or you will find yourself in a position where death is your best option or being on your back in Knockturn Alley as worst. Andromeda looks at each woman who has a pale sheen on their faces and she sits down.

Lady Potter then stands, and says, well now that we know where you station is at the moment let me tell you some good news. Lord Peverell is a kind man to all those that deserve it, he has met with four of your counterparts and three of those now are safer, better cared for and have access their vaults and more control over their lives than they have ever had. The fourth as of now is confined to her home with a stipend to support her and a Peverell elf to tend to the home and its Lady. Lord Peverell hasn't decided yet what her future will be as she is fully ensconced in the blood bigotry that has ruled our world for far too long. Your futures can be like the first three or like the last or even worse. You have decisions to make on how you will act, comport yourself and your children if you have any or you will find yourself without a home, family, income or any way to care for yourselves or your children. Each of you will give a vow of fealty to Lord Peverell and House Peverell and its allies, namely House Black and House Potter when Lord Peverell meets privately with each of you. Your elves will be freed and if they want, they will rebond with Lord Peverell and each will be given rules on who to obey and what they have to do. Do any of you have any questions on what has been discussed here today? Do any of you have anything that is pressing at this very moment, do you fear for your safety? They all looked shocked at what has been said but Lady Rookwood asks if they would have access to their vaults for daily needs and while she looked sort of pale she asked if Lord Peverell would be using Lord of House privilege to claim each of them to his new Lordships? Lady Potter knew what Lady Rookwood (Eleanor) was asking and knew it was also on the minds of each of the women, but Elanor was the oldest of the women and was scared for her future. Lady Potter says in this I can't speak for Lord Peverell, but it has been discussed and he has stated that he would not throw anyone out of their lines unless they refused the vows he would ask. So, to answer your question, yes, he will do that if you want to not be houseless, homeless and at the mercy of other wizards who no doubt would claim you as spoils. Lady Crabbe asks when should we expect to have a private meeting with Lord Peverell and will we get time to prepare for his arrival? Lady Potter says that it will be within the next three weeks as Lord Peverell wants this put to rights as soon as possible. She says I would also like each of your Account Managers to stay after you leave as Lord Peverell wishes to streamline the accounting and thus have Sharpeye and Griphold take over managing all of these accounts, this has been approved by Ragnok, Gringott's head and Clan Chieftan. Lord Peverell will send an elf to set a time for the private meetings, until then each of you will have a monthly stipend of 1550 galleons to run your house if it requires more send an owl to either Griphold or Sharpeye who will contact Lord Peverell.

This will conclude today's meeting until you hear from Lord Peverell or one of us, good day and really think hard about what you want your future to be, like I said Lord Peverell is a good man but he is a hard man, life has made him so, do not test him, you will not pass the test! The Ladies all leave but the Account Managers remain for a brief meeting and an arrangement to turn over all files pertaining to each house's accounts.

After a short break where Lady Tonks and Lady Potter could visit the powder room and get some refreshments and the Goblins could do the same, they were soon back in the meeting room to deal with the last two houses, Scabior and Carrow. There was a knock on the door and the Account Manager for House Scabior, Grishnar led Lady Emma Ada Scabior, nee Jones inside who had a frightened look on her face as she had seen the looks the previous women left with. She hadn't had the chance to speak to any of them so she had no clue as to what was going to happen.

Grishnar speaks and says I assume that House Scabior accounts will be handled by either Griphold or Sharpeye now, they nod in his direction and he says here are the files and since time is money, I have other work to do. As he is leaving, Carrow Account Manager Trizick comes in with folders in his hands but also leading a frightened young woman who is dressed like a muggle into the room.

Trizick says we have just this morning found the only heir left of the Carrow line, Lady Alexandria Adalaide Carrow (22), she is a non-magical daughter of Armond Carrow who was sent to live with some squib relatives that her vile Aunt and Uncle did not know. That is what took us so long to find her. Here is the account files and all the information we have on House Carrow, Lord Peverell would be wise to be very careful going on that property without having it cleansed first, the Carrow's were known to leave nasty wards and spells on things there. He then handed the files to Sharpeye and took his leave.

Lady Tonk's smiles at Lady Carrow and says I am Andromeda Tonk's, Lord Peverell's signitarie and this is Lady Potter, also Lord Peverell signitarie. He has tasked us with meeting you here today and discern how he will distribute the remains of House Carrow.

Lady Carrow says excuse me but I don't have a clue as to who any of you are or what is going on. She says please call me Alex, and why am I here? This makes Lady Potter's awareness skyrocket and she asks if this is Alex's first time in Gringott's? She says yes, it is.

Dorea asks her if she has ever been to Diagon Alley to which she replied she remembers going there when she was little but she has lived in London most all of her life and she didn't know she had any relatives left in Britain. Lady Potter thinks this is going to be hard, but Lady Tonk's steps up and says, Alex, this is going to be difficult for you to believe but you are the last remaining member of House Carrow, a house that was pretty much ended last week when your Aunt and Uncle were killed in an Honour duel with Lord Harry James Peverell. He then became your house's Lord. He took control of all assets, claims, debts, and people in that house. In magical Britain he basically could do with you as he pleases and you have no recourse. Lord Peverell of course is an honorable man and would not do that to you but there are things you need to know and things that could and will affect you at a later time. She asks Sharpeye look over the Carrow Account's and then let Alex please see them. Sharpeye gets the file out for the vault and property and hands them to Alex. Alex looks flabbergasted as she sees that the account has 4.8 million galleons, 29 sickles and 17 knuts in a vault and a house that pushes the total value to 5.7 million galleons. She says is this mine or does Lord Peverell own this now as well as he can claim me?

Lady Potter says relax Lord Peverell will meet with you privately and between the two of you something will be worked out. I am sure you are going to like what is to come, but I need to inform you that if you want to keep your name a vow of loyalty to House Peverell will be required and Lord Peverell would have to claim you to keep you in the family, but again that is for you and he to work out. Today though, like the other women from the houses he now controls, you will be given a key to the Carrow vault, you are allowed to draw 1750 galleons a month as a stipend from the vault., to which she gasps as this is more money than she has ever had! If you have need of more then send a letter to Sharpeye or Griphold and they will inform Lord Peverell of your needs. Lord Peverell will send an elf to alert you as to when he and you will meet and where. I am sure he will not let you enter Carrow's Nest until it is thoroughly checked and safe. I also suggest you get your key and a money pouch at the counter before you leave as 1750 galleons is a heavy sum. Since you live in muggle London you may want to exchange it for pounds before you leave the bank today.

Dorea asks Andromeda if she has anything to add and she shakes her head but says, Alex your life changed today and I would like to think for the better, Lord Peverell will like you I am sure and he takes care of those he likes. Griphold says Lady Alex, you are new to this world it seems, be glad it is Lord Peverell that will be explaining it to you and not Lucius Malfoy or a LeStrange! You are a very lucky young lady! Lady Alex is walked to the door and a guard escorts her to a teller, and that leaves one!

Lady Emma Ada Scabior had to sit and listen to the last thirty minutes as a muggle was introduced to the magical world and told she would be under the protection of Lord Peverell without so much as having a history to brag about. She hoped for a similar outcome but knew her husband's past was going to be a troublesome issue, that and her nineteen-year-old son, Wilson, who's better than anyone attitude could be their downfall. She could adapt to whatever belief that Lord Peverell would require as she didn't believe the hippogriff shit that her former husband espoused. Her son was a different, he believed everything his father said and she didn't think she could change his mind. First, she had to save herself before she could try to save her son.

Lady Tonks says since we are the last here, please call me Andi and Lady Potter says call her Dorea, Lady Scabior tells them to call her Emma and that she hopes that things could be as pleasant as what she had just witnessed with Lady Carrow. Andi says that will depend on your answers to a few questions, a background check done by Gringott's and a private meeting you will have with Lord Peverell. I understand you have one son, Wilson, age nineteen.

Emma says yes, I do and he has been under his father's thumb for far too long and I hope to be able to make him see that all people are equal and deserve to be treated respectfully. Andi says we have heard and will take that under advisement but you will be judged as an individual just as he will. Remember to be truthful and not try to play games and Lord Peverell will do right by you, but do not make him and us your enemy. I know you have heard of how House Black and House Potter deal with enemies, it would do you well to remember that Lord Peverell is both a Potter and a Black! Any thoughts of maybe beguiling Lord Peverell died right then, she would do as he asks and be loyal to her new Lord.

Dorea asks her if she is in need of anything at the moment, if she safe for the moment, and that she too would have a stipend of 1750 galleons a month with the same stipulations as Lady Carrow. One of the Potter or Black elves will come to her and let her know when Lord Peverell would be free to meet with her and finalize her place in House Peverell if she had one. Andi tells her it would be a good idea to lock down her floo to others and make sure the wards were active just in case, and that Lord Peverell would be looking into ensuring her safety after their meeting. With that the meeting ended and they left Gringott's to head back to Black Manor but before they could get to Gringott's apparition room they were hailed by a voice neither wanted to hear, Lucius Malfoy called and walked over to ask if it would be possible for them to get a message to Lord Black and Lord Peverell that he would like to meet.

Andi and Dorea looked at each other cautiously and said we can do that, when would said meeting take place and where. Lucius feeling very full of himself any day this week and I am willing to meet at their convenience. Andi smiles and says we will be glad to pass the message on and please ask Cissy to accompany you, if possible, I would so love to catch up with my sister! Lucius says I am sure she would enjoy that, not knowing that he was being played when he thought he was the gamemaster!

Back to Black Manor!

Harry had spent the morning training, albeit more like dismantling James and Sirius with Lord and Lady Black and Lord Potter watching. They were giving Sirius and James some pointers but it didn't matter as they were still getting their asses handed to them no matter what they did.

Lord Black had put up silencing charms and he asked Charlus, I wonder how James would feel if he knew that it was his son that was kicking their arse like this? Charlus laughed and said James would be pissed but rolling on the floor laughing at the huge prank his son had pulled.

Melania then says it is great that Harry can do what he does and we owe him our very lives, but even after everything he has told us and shown us, I am so sorry for what he has had to go through. The losses, the battles, the killing, the betrayals. How can he still be the person he is after all that?

Charlus sips his drink and looks at both Melania and Arcturus and says, Harry is a Potter but also a Black, he puts family first and will not surrender. He puts the meaning in Via Ballatoris(the way of the warrior) and Toujours le coeur Pur (always pure of heart) on his sleeve and wears it as a badge of honor, the Potter and Black family mottos are what carries and sustains him. He has done us proud, now we must show we are worthy of his sacrifices and rise to his standards. We have to plan and sort how best we can help Harry stop the destruction of our families and at the same time save our world from the maniac that so many are following. Harry has done an admirable job so far and has taken many of Voldemorts allies and funding but he will raise more. We need to start in the Wizengamot and cut the legs from under some of his followers, strengthen our own DMLE.

Arcturus says it is also time for the Black family to once again get involved in both politics and the defense of their homeland. I think it is time I called the entire Black family back together and tell them as Lord Black what is expected of them as Black's and either they join with us or they will be disowned and kicked out, this includes Narcissa, and Bellatrix although I fear Bellatrix is beyond any salvation, death maybe the only mercy left for her at this point. It also is time I put my animosity towards our sister aside, Dorea, and recall Cassiopeia back home. She will not be happy with me disrupting her life on the continent but she has talents that we could use and once she meets Harry, I am sure she will want to help mold him into what a proper Lord Black should be since she has been slightly disappointed in me! It was at this point that Dorea and Andromeda enter the dueling room and overhear the last of the conversation.

Dorea smirks at Arcturus and says what do you mean a proper Lord Black, he is a Potter you know and will one day be Lord Potter.

Melania smiles and says who knows maybe he will be Lord Potter, Lord Black, Lord Peverell and whatever other House he claims, remember he did show us his five wives from his previous life. They all look at each other and go silent!

Harry, Sirius and James come out of the dueling pit to greet the others and Harry asks his grandmother how the meetings went.

Dorea sniffs and tells them to get cleaned up and meet them in the parlor, James says he needed to get back to Potter Castle and check on Lily, so Harry and Sirius went to their respective rooms for a quick shower and change. As they enter the parlor Andromeda tells "Harry that the meetings went basically as they anticipated and that the only surprise was that a young lady was found that was a squib born to the Carrow's brother and hidden". Harry was told that she knew nothing of magic and was scared, but that she was told everything she needed to know until he met with her and that she was allotted the same stipend as the others.

Harry was pleased and said he would send one of the elves to the women soon. But first...I have been thinking Harry tells all those gathered that it is time I talked to my parents. They deserve to know the truth and that one of their best friends is a traitor and another of their friends is so loyal to Dumbledore that he would let their son be tortured and abused without question just because the old goat-molester said so. He also didn't question Sirius being sent to prison for thirteen years just because Dumbledore said it was best. James and Lily needed to be included and understand what lay ahead! Harry is actually surprised that they all agreed that keeping secrets from family for whatever reason wasn't good and could only undermine the bond they had for each other. A

Arcturus tells Harry that is also the reason he was going to bring his great-aunt Cassie back to Britain, she could help Harry and the family. Harry was pleased they all agreed and he had a feeling of surety as he saw the family coming together!

A/N: Harry brings James and Lily in and tells them some things they need to know. Harry shows them some of his memories. Sirius gets serious and actually begins to behave like a Black, family loyalty above all others. Cassie makes and appearance and Harry meets with Ms. Carrow and Ms. Knott.

A/N; I do not nor will I ever own Harry Potter!