Books in Series:
Book 1: A Girl Can Be More Important Than a Firebolt
Book 2: Light of the Heart
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A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights.
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Chapter 8
November 4, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Professor Babbling let them use the Floo to return that morning. When they entered her office about 7:30 in the morning, Professor Babbling greeted them. "Potter, have you had breakfast yet?"
"Yes, ma'am. I need to catch up with the team. Can I have your permission to use the field tonight if it is not booked?" he asked.
"Granted. I'll send a note to Madam Hooch and you can talk to her at lunch if you need. I would like to see the Inter-house cup remain in the Gryffindor common room," she told him.
"Yes, Professor," he said with a smile.
"Headmistress McGonagall would also like to meet with you at 10:30 this morning."
Harry looked at her and Hermione gave him a look. "I didn't do anything," he told Hermione.
Professor Babbling chuckled. "That is still to be seen. I remember you being a troublemaker the first few years and I would not like to lose one of my top two Prefects or students."
"Harry will behave. Professor Babbling, we also have something else to inform you about," Hermione spoke up.
"And what is that, Ms. Granger?"
Hermione took in a breath. "There may be reporters or others seeking Harry and I." She held up her hand. "I accepted a betrothal to Harry."
The woman smiled. "I hope congratulations are in order?"
"Yes, Professor. We both accept this."
She nodded. "You are not telling me just because you are betrothed. It is not uncommon. Why is this different? Are you requesting quarters?"
"I am now the declared Scion Black and Hermione is Heiress Black," Harry informed their Head-of-House. "I would request all official business be forwarded to you, should it be sent to Hogwarts instead of my solicitor. Then I would request it sent to my solicitor. An official announcement will be made this week in the Daily Prophet."
The woman's eyes grew wide. "I see. I will grant it but you should talk with the Headmistress when you see her. It may not be a bad idea for you to attend, Ms. Granger."
"Yes, ma'am. We may have to use House privilege's here and there," Hermione answered.
"Just don't miss classes if it can be avoided. Granger, you are of-age and can leave when you need. Potter, you can do anything I have permission from your Aunt to do," she told him.
Harry handed over a letter. "My Aunt Bel wrote this for you, Professor."
"Thank you. Now go get ready for the day if you don't have anything else. Bell and Ginevra Weasley did a good job of leading the team in your absence. It is a sign of a true leader that their team can operate without you," she told them.
"Thank you, Professor," he acknowledged the compliment. "Professor, we have one more item."
"What is it, Potter?"
"The letter from my Aunt also authorizes me to go into Hogsmeade every Sunday for extra tutoring. I am asking permission to do so?" he asked.
"Defense?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Granted. I will inform the Headmistress."
"Thank you, ma'am," he said.
They took their leave and caught up with most of their group in Charms.
"Glad to see you back, mate," Ron said sitting besides him. Lavender sat behind him. The tables were three per in this class and it was the most crowded.
"Thanks, good to be back. Should be a practice tonight. Seamus," he called out as the boy moved to the table in the top row of tables. "Practice. After dinner," he told him.
Seamus gave him a thumbs up.
"Where have you been the last two days," he asked.
"House business. We are getting everyone together at lunch in our lab," Harry told him.
"Sure," Ron said to him, looking happy he would be included this time. "Anything I should know now?"
"Can you wait for lunch? We would like to tell you all together."
Ron shrugged. "Yeah."
When Flitwick started the lesson, Harry only half-paid attention. He already knew how to make water. What surprised him was to see Hermione working on an arithmancy problem as Flitwick went over the theory. He knew she knew it, having seen her conjure water for the last month in their lab as she experimented with potions.
After class, he walked her to Herbology, where he gave her a short, sweet kiss before she walked into the greenhouses on the cold November day and then he turned towards the Headmistress office.
He had visited the Headmaster's office three times. Two of them for reasons he did not wanted to repeat. The last he would do again, even if it cost him his Head Boy chances net year.
The first had been Second year. Harry had thought he was going to be expelled after they had set off dung bombs in every bathroom at the same time in the classes building. He wouldn't have been found if Dean hadn't dropped a bag with his name that still had some in it. Once he was caught, Harry couldn't let him get in trouble alone. Neville was the only second-year Gryffindor boy not to get in trouble, and that was only because he wasn't involved. The other two times were for the pixies and them letting lose an ashwinder that Professor Kettleburn recently caught. To be fair, the snake wanted to get back to her eggs and Harry couldn't leave her there. He helped her gather her eggs from a fireplace off the Great Hall and then found somewhere else she could hide. Only his Aunt knew the whole story and where he hid the snake and her eggs.
As he approached the Gargoyle, he was happy he didn't have to go up those stairs. McGonagall used the private quarters, but her office was in an old room across from the gargoyle. So far this year, she had been very different than Dumbledore.
Harry knocked at her open door and realized her offices were actually two rooms and there was a witch sitting at a desk. She looked to be in her mid-thirties with blue eyes, dark hair and an inviting smile. Harry had not seen this yet.
"Good morning, dear. May I help you?"
"Ah, I have an appointment with Headmistress McGonagall at 10:30. Ah, excuse me ma'am, who are you?"
"Mrs. Turgeon. The Headmistress and Governors hired me on recently to help with bookkeeping and to be assistant to the Headmistress," she said kindly. "Just take a seat and Headmistress McGonagall will be with you shortly."
Harry took a seat and looked around. He had only seen Professor McGonagall's office look like this before. There was a nice desk with wooden filing cabinets around the room and a table used for copying things he had only seen at the Ministry before.
McGonagall was a much different Headmistress.
A moment later, his old Head-of-House opened a door with her name on it. "Ah, Mr. Potter, very nice to see you. Rose, I am going to be out of office for a few."
"Very good, Headmistress," the woman responded.
Harry stood and raised an eyebrow.
"I need to get out of this Merlin-forsaken office for a bit and I know you don't like sitting," she informed him.
Harry let out an unsure smile. "No, ma'am."
He followed her out of the offices and the Headmistress started towards the other section of the school and her old office. "I am dealing with decades of neglected paperwork and issues. Another hour in that office and I would have exploded," she told him. "Or gone spar. Probably both."
Harry had heard she was a little more lax with her older students in private, but he had not seen her like this.
After making it down two flights of stairs she asked, "How is your year, Potter?"
"Very good, ma'am. Most of my classes are interesting and Professor Babbling is proving just as good as you in leading Gryffindor," he told her.
She snorted. "I never thought you one to brown-nose."
Harry laughed. "No, Professor McGonagall. I mean it. She has already met with all of us at least once, like you used too, and has even had two House meetings. She is also supporting my research this year," he said with a smile.
The Headmistress set a brisk pace and they were soon on the bridge between buildings. "I am not to play favorites," she said when it was clear they were the only ones out here, "but I trust the Gryffindor team is ready for this weekend?"
"We will wipe... I mean I expect us to win," he told her.
She chuckled. "I just don't want to see anyone permanently damaged," she told him.
"No, ma'am."
"I hear you and Ms. Granger were able to get research grants from the ICW?"
"Yes, ma'am. Hermione received one each in Potions and Arithmancy. I received one in Transfiguration and Ancient Magic applications."
"Excellent. I gave you both very well earned appraisals to the Committee. Is Professor Greengrass an appropriate replacement?"
He had always liked his conversations with Professor McGonagall, except those times he was in trouble. She always wanted straight answers either way. She may question your opinion, but she was always fair and listened.
"I like Professor Greengrass. She is a stricter on how we do our practicals, but she has already gotten us into human transfiguration and we just did a test on partial transmogrifications," he told her.
She smiled. "I noticed many of the results at the Masquerade. I heard Ms. Granger did many of those for her dorm."
"Hermione is skilled," he said with some pride.
They walked through the building, into the courtyard and out onto the practice fields as they talked. It was cool out today, but Harry was happy to get out of the building. The Headmistress took in a deep breath.
"You and Ms. Granger have become a couple?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said with a smile. "That was one thing I would like to talk with you about, but you asked to see me today."
She sighed as they walked across the yard. "I did. Would you like to discuss your issue first?" she asked, stopping just outside the practice field gate. He wanted to keep following the path to the quiet Quidditch pitch, but stopped and looked at the Headmistress.
"Hermione and I are betrothed. The paperwork will be submitted today," he began.
The Headmistress smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Potter. This doesn't really require you to notify me unless you are looking for other housing, but I was not under the impression you were seventeen yet."
"No, Professor. It has more to do with what will come out this week." He held up his rings. "I am Scion Black. I have already asked Professor Babbling to send any requests or solicitations to my Uncle Ted and that myself or Hermione may need to request special times to leave for House business."
Her eyebrows rose. "I am sure Andromeda is pleased to hear you are going to be the next Lord Black," she said.
"Yes. Aunt Andi is very pleased. It will be Lord Potter, or Potter-Black."
The woman nodded her head. "You are absorbing the bloodline of Black?"
"At the Winter Solstice the Lordship of Potter should be dissolved and when I turn seventeen the Blacks will become the Potters," he told her.
She clicked her tongue. "I can see why you may think many would contact you here. I will ensure things are forwarded to Ted Tonks. Has Ms. Granger been presented rings?"
"Yes, Headmistress."
Nodding her head, she asked, "Do you plan to reverse some of the Wizengamot actions over the last decade or so?"
Harry regarded her. "I plan to try to negate the Peerage and make everyone the same," he told her.
Her eyes widened. They regarded each other for a moment. "Maybe it is time for the Ross seat to be taken again."
He blinked. His Aunt had never talked about the Ross's. He didn't even know what her relation would be. Seeing his confusion, she spoke up, "I am Lady Ross, Scion Black. I am of pure blood heritage with a Peerage seat. I have not sat my seat since the forties, disgusted with the pomp and misogyny in the Wizengamot. I may not find that as bad now."
"I would look for any support I can," he told her, feeling a little surprised. He was wondering how many other Peerage seats were not being sat?
"If you promise to do what you say, or Ms. Granger, then you can have the support of the House of Ross," she informed him.
"Thank you, ma'am. I am sure Hermione will be pleased to hear this."
"Your parents wanted to overturn the Wizengamot and put in an election process. I think your mother had a lot of influence with James," she told him.
"I have family and friends that are affected by these laws and the way things are run. I don't want to see them suffer anymore."
She nodded her head. "I am in agreement. I have taught many over the years that failed to reach their full potential if they stayed in Britain. Belvina Flint being one of them. Now, if you have nothing else on this topic, I would like to discuss why you are dropping Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"Since September 1st, I have not learned anything that Professor Lupin had not already taught us and feel that the time I would have spent in class could be better utilized elsewhere. I have still filed to take the NEWT next year," he told her.
She sighed. "I figured it was something like that. Half the NEWT class for both years have put in similar requests since Friday. Do you think many would feel the same way?"
"I know my friends feel that way," he told her.
"Would that include Finnigan, Thomas, Longbottom and Weasley?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"What of Ms. Bones?"
Harry frowned. "I have not spent any time with her this year."
"If the class were to change in its focus, would you stay in it," she asked.
He shook his head. "No, Headmistress. I will not take another class with Professor Snape again."
She sighed. "I was afraid you might say that. Are you going to seek tutoring?" she inquired.
"My Uncle Remus and cousin Nymphadora Tonks have agreed to offer tutoring. I put in the request to go into Hogsmeade every Sunday to meet with them," he told her. He had received that from his uncle and cousin yesterday when they had come to Aunt Andi's and Uncle Ted's for dinner.
"Would they be willing to offer sessions for the NEWT students that do not want to continue with Professor Snape? I would not like to see so many that have done so well not get what they deserve."
"That is up to you, Professor. Uncle Remus didn't want to leave in the first place," he said bitterly.
"I know, Potter. I will contact him. I have signed your release from the class. The others can wait a few days," she said more to herself than him.
"Thank you, Headmistress."
"You're welcome, Potter. Now, get out of here," she said with a smile.
"Are you coming back in, Professor?"
"In a bit. My duties can wait for another ten minutes."
"Enjoy the cool day. I need to go up to my lab."
She smiled. "If you finish that cloak you are working on, I could look for a new pair of mittens or a nice scarf," she hinted amicably.
"I will keep that in mind," he told her.
After Harry left Headmistress McGonagall, his mind was starting to think of what Aunt Andi had talked with him and Hermione about yesterday. Harry didn't want to be in politics, but he wanted to make a difference. To do that, him and Hermione were going to do one of two things: either lead it themselves or find someone to back.
Both options had merit and danger. Hermione wasn't one to let others do what she could and Harry had to agree they should be out front.
Having McGonagall willing to support them made him feel better.
When he got back to their lab, he went towards his area. His workspace was taking up about a quarter of the room with two movable chalkboards, a large table, an old Singer sewing machine and all the tools he needed.
A small table held several rings.
Hermione had a potions area with shelves of ingredients and something simmering with a rod stirring every once in a while. She had been so happy to find that locomotor spell and how to enchant the stir rods.
A half dozen chalkboards on wheels were spread around the room with chairs or school desks with notes and calculations. She was close to coming up with a chain that he could put on the rings to give someone a shield and protect against the warmth and cold. It wasn't anything original, but they were trying to find a way to use less magic and to detect when something was trying to hurt the person. Most only protected against magic. Harry wanted it to protect against everything.
Shaking his head, he moved to focus on his work.
The old sewing machine was a hundred years out of date, but he couldn't use the electric ones Aunt Bel used. There was too much latent and active magic around Hogwarts.
There was nothing for it. He had finished putting the runes on the left sleeve last week. He now needed to sew the inside and outside together. It didn't take long and when the door opened, he didn't look up to Hermione as she came in. He was applying the runes to the silk lining of the right arm.
She didn't say anything, but he smelt the food she had taken with her. It was another fifteen minutes before he sat up.
"Hungry? Everyone should be here soon," Hermione said as she sat at a table in the center of the room, already eating a hot breakfast type sandwich with egg and cheese.
His stomach grumbled. "Starving," he told her.
"Eat up," she motioned to a chair next to her.
He sat and kissed her cheek. "Did you get the elves to make this?" he asked.
"I would never. I asked for what they had and this was what they gave me," she told him. "I would never make them do more than they are supposed to."
He smiled. "I guess we do this regularly. The elves are learning our preferences. This is my favorite," he told her.
She nodded. "I do offer to help and they actually let me clear some dishes with them last week as I talked with them."
"Nervous?" he asked.
"Not about our friends," she responded.
He nodded and they ate.
A little while later, they had all their friends there. Neville, Astoria, Ron, Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Daphne, Tracey, Dean and Seamus.
"Why did you want us here?" Ron was looking at them.
Everyone stopped talking and looked to him and Hermione.
"Hermione and I wanted all our friends here so we could tell you before it is put in the Daily Prophet tomorrow," Harry told them.
"You sound like you killed someone," Dean joked.
"You want to find out," Harry asked cheekily reaching for his wand.
Dean and a few others laughed. "Naw, all set. Parvati might not like it if I suddenly keel over."
"Shut it," Parvati snarked but looked at him as thought the thought did bother her.
"What is going on?" Lavender asked.
"Harry and I are betrothed," Hermione suddenly said, a smile on her face.
There was a stunned silence for a second. "Where's the ring?" Padma asked excitedly.
Hermione ran her wand over her fingers and the rings appeared. It was a trick Aunt Andi taught them yesterday.
"Are those House rings," Daphne asked. Most of the girls moved closer to her.
Harry just looked on. Neville shrugged. "Not so sure why this is such big news," he questioned.
"Not everyone is as dense as you," Harry retorted. Ron, Seamus and Dean laughed at Neville's face.
"Is that the signet for the House of Black?" Lavender asked.
Tracey's head jerked towards Hermione and then him. Daphne beat her to the punch. "Merlin! You're Heiress Black and Harry is Scion Black!"
"That was why we didn't want you all to be surprised," Harry informed them.
Astoria and Neville were the only two that didn't look surprised. Of course, they were in on the secret.
Parvati looked at him. "Daddy will want to know of this."
"Can you please keep this quiet until the announcement is made," Hermione asked.
"Are you kidding? This is going to be front page! Everyone assumed the Malfoy's would inherit this. Merlin!," Daphne swore. "The Blacks have never had a Head from a family so pure!"
"I am keeping this Lordship and plan to absorb the House of Black. I wanted to let you know because I want to use it to make it better to live in Britain," he told her.
"Blimey," Ron said in surprise. "Are you moving back then? Mum says the Potters had huge houses and huge parties. She went to a few when she was a girl."
"Sark is my home. I don't know if I will keep any properties."
"I am moving to Sark this summer," Hermione told them.
"This changes things," Padma piped up. She let out a breath. "The House of Patil will support you. I will convince daddy if he doesn't already."
"Thank you," Hermione told her.
Dean got up and stuck out his hand. "Congratulations, Harry. I can't believe she would agree to keep you," he said laughing as Harry shook his hand.
"I don't know why either. He's lucky he's good to look at," Hermione agreed.
He laughed. "Cheeky bint," he taunted.
She gave him a sly smile. "Possibly."
"All joking aside, the House of Longbottom is with you."
"As is the House of Greengrass," Astoria assured.
Daphne looked at her sister before nodding. "I agree."
"I will talk with my brother and father, but they already back Bones and Longbottom," Lavender told them.
"I'll be by your side if you need," Seamus pipped up.
Ron rubbed the back of his head. "You know I'm always with you, mate."
"And so am I," he responded back to Ron.
Dean laughed. A few looked at him. "What are you laughing at?" Seamus prodded.
"Harry's always raved against the prats and Lords on the Wizengamot, and now he is going to be one," Dean said. "You mind if I just call you Lord prat?"
Harry laughed. "Berk!"
A few others laughed. "I will talk with Daddy and my brother. They may follow Lord Greengrass if he supports these changes, but I know he has been talking more with Lord Malfoy as of late," Tracey spoke up and they all mellowed.
"Tracey, would you stay for a few minutes when we break up?" Hermione asked.
Tracey nodded.
"The Malfoys and their followers are not going to be happy with this and will fight you," Daphne said solemnly.
"We kind of figured, but this isn't their matter anymore. Once I turn seventeen I plan to cast my cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa from the House," he told them. He didn't miss Neville blanching or the looks of surprise on a few faces.
"Bloody hell, you're related to Bellatrix Lestrange and the Malfoys," Seamus inquired with large eyes.
"Unfortunately," Harry said.
One of the things Harry could claim before he tossed them out was compensation for damages to his House. Uncle Ted was fully for it. Aunt Andi was uncertain and Aunt Bel just wanted a clean cut in the ties. He would do what he could to accept Aunt Andi back in, but once the magical blood was severed, he couldn't do anything to give her that back. The only good thing was that it meant the magical blood of the Blacks couldn't pass through Draco anymore.
Astoria saw Neville's reaction and took his hand. He noticed Neville squeezed it hard.
"Many of us that have the pure blood in us are related in one way or another," Daphne stated. "I am eight separations from Harry, four from Tracey, nine from Neville and thirteen, I believe, from Lavender."
"Bloody hell. I only know about my father's brothers and my mother's great aunt," Ron added.
"We are like ten separations," he told his best mate, trying to recall the family tree Aunt Bel had him memorize. She hated where she came from, but there were somethings he noticed Aunt Bel still believed in.
Ron screwed his face. "Great, next you will say I am related to Lavender."
He shrugged. "No clue."
"Twelve," Lavender stated. "Mother wanted to make sure we weren't too close when we started to date."
Ron paled a little. "Bloody hell," he repeated.
"Harry, can you get the book with your heritage? I didn't look at it close enough to remember all this," Hermione asked him.
"Hermione, if you need help, Tracey and I will teach what we know," Daphne offered.
"I will too," Astoria agreed.
"What the hell. Mind as well put all those tutors to use my mother hired," Lavender grumbled.
"You don't act the Lady," Seamus teased.
She gave Seamus the two fingers. "My father only does what he has too when he is at the Ministry or with other Wizengamot members. At home, he wears muggle jeans and t-shirts. Mother doesn't care for it at times and has tried to train me to be a Lady for when I find someone."
"Why are you with me then?" Ron asked.
She gave Ron a simpering smile. "It annoys my mother and you are really handsome, Won Won."
Ron's neck turned red and Harry chuckled with a few others. "Really, Won Won, you didn't know?"
"Bloody wanker," Ron groused at him.
"So, you are with us? Do you think your parents will support this?" Hermione questioned.
"Hermione, we have all given our word. If our parents don't, then we will once we come into our inheritance," Astoria told her.
There was a general murmur of agreement. When the bell rang, Tracey stayed behind. Daphne asked if she should stay.
"That is up to Tracey," Hermione told them. Tracey nodded for Daphne to go. "We need to get to Arithmancy in a few, but if you ever need, we have an option if you don't want to be forced into a marriage or anything like that."
Tracey's eyes grew a little wide. "What do you mean?"
"Harry's Aunt Bel was disowned. She has ways to help support you until you are ready to go out on your own and to learn skills or get a job if you want."
Tracey scrunched her brow and bit her lip. "I don't want to be cast out."
"If you ever are, we can help," Harry offered.
Tracey nodded and they left the room.
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A/N: So, my muse has taken me on roads to really setup the coming changed and end game of this story. It has turned more political for now. There is a reason for that. More fluff will be coming in the next few Chapters, as well as some angst. If you hang in, CH 12-13 (maybe 14) should be really fluffy with two Balls, a return to Sark and a wedding.
