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.

A/N: A big thank you to my beta brummettjames007

-oOo-

Chapter 10

November 10, 1996

Hogwarts, Scotland

"Oh, you will like it, Harry," Hermione told him as they walked up to the sixth floor.

"Is Slughorn really that much better than Snape?" he asked.

"I have learned more from him in the last few months than I did from Professor Snape in the last few years," she told him. "

Harry laughed. "Snape didn't teach us much besides how to follow directions."

She made a disgusted sound. "There is so much he never taught us. I still think you should have transferred to Potions."

"I don't think so. Professor Hagrid said he has gotten permission to have a graphorn next semester. He also said he was in contact with Messier Leblanc and may try to establish a snallygaster colony here with the permission of the Ministry," he enthused. "The NEWT students will learn how to take care of them and breed them."

"Haven't you had enough of snallygasters?"

Harry shrugged. He was still sad some days about what happened, but it was their nature. "I don't want to be jumped by one again, but their scales and feathers are supposed to be very magical. You could collect some of them and try them with potions. I don't know of many uses they have off the top of my head."

He could see he caught her attention. "Is that legal?"

"If you collect them when they fall off naturally, the Ministry will give you leniency on use and sales. If you harvest any bodies, they must have died of natural causes or in actual self-defense."

As they approached, they saw Ginny talking with Neville outside the door.

"How many are going to be here," he asked.

"I think it's grown to almost twenty," she responded.

"I see you are early too," Neville commented. "Did you see Astoria? She told me to meet her here."

"We did not see her," Hermione informed him.

The door opened and Slughorn was taking up the width of the door. "Oh, good heavens. I thought I heard people out here." The man's eyes looked around and stopped on Harry. A smile spread across his face. "Ah, Scion Black, it is good to see you. I shouldn't be saying this," he said looking around the corridor, "you know, favoritism and all, but that was a marvelous catch yesterday. Ms. Weasley, perhaps you could talk with one of my guests today to become better?"

Ginny didn't look happy.

"And you, Heiress Black, I think you shall like another of my visitors today."

"It sounds intriguing, sir," Hermione responded.

"Yes very, I am hoping. If you four would like to come in, you can, but I don't expect most others to arrive for twenty minutes or more," the man said jovially and stepped out of the way of the door.

Harry was surprised to walk into a room four times the size of a normal teacher's office. There was a large round table made to seat twelve or more, and a few other smaller tables.

"Now, Scion Black," the man started, indicating that they would sit at the larger table. "Ms. Weasley, you can sit at that table once the others start to arrive; Ms. Jones should be sitting there too."

Harry's eyes widened about as much as Ginny's. "You don't mean Gwenog Jones?" Ginny asked surprised.

"The very one," the man said with a chuckle. "Mr. Zabini, Ms. Cho and Mr. Smith should be joining you."

"Can I sit with them?" Harry asked.

"I promise to give you a chance to meet her. I have heard some interesting rumors in the last few days and would think you might like to meet a few of my former students and those that will have Wizengamot seats," the man told him. "I do assume that you plan to keep this Lordship?"

"Yes, sir."

"And Heiress Black, you have already shown your brilliance. Exposure to this would do you well. As for you, Scion Longbottom, how are your Grandmother and your parents?"

Neville tried to hide a face. "Last I had an owl from her, she is well."

Neville was about as happy with his Gran as Hermione and Harry were at the moment and he did not mention his parents to Slughorn's expectant silence. After a moment, the man changed tack.

"And you, Scion Black? How are your Uncle Theodore and Aunt Andromeda doing?"

"Very well, sir. Professor, could you call me Harry or Potter?" he requested.

"In another meeting I will, but today there are going to be a few members of the Wizengamot, and I assume you don't have much experience in these types of settings. It will be appropriate to call you Scion Black today," the man instructed. "The same with your betrothed, Heiress Black, and your cousin, Scion Longbottom."

Harry tried not to sigh or make a face. "My Aunt Belvina has trained me in all the proper etiquette and Aunt Andromeda has agreed to start training Hermione soon. I choose not to use that training unless needed."

The man shook his head. "Just like your father and the previous Scion Black. I would ask you to be pleasant to my guests, and you may find you will make some valuable connections."

"Yes, sir," he responded.

He didn't like to be lectured like this, but he was here to make connections.

"And you, Heiress Black? How have you been doing? Did you make any progress on how to break down the bell-ringing lilies without losing their magic?"

"Not yet, Professor, but your recommendation to use newt blood to stabilize the process looks promising. Though I think part of the issue is that the fiber doesn't want to dissolve, but when I tried to mash them before brewing them... it, ah, produced some bad results," she stated.

"You mean the giant fireball that almost burned up my side of the lab?" he asked her. Wednesday afternoon had been interesting.

"Oh, my. I hadn't heard of a reaction quite like that," the Professor responded. "What if you strained them? It is not a technique used often anymore, but it could yield enough to examine. Scion Longbottom, did your grandfather have any notes on this?"

"Gran won't let me get into his private library. Next summer I will look," he told Hermione.

"Thank you," she commented, and they all turned to a knock on the door.

"Good morning, Horace," a tall man with dark hair and dark eyes greeted from the door. "I thought I would come early to visit with my daughters and be ready for your Club today, but it seems I wasn't early enough."

Daphne and Astoria were standing behind the man. Neville stood up, put his right hand on his front and the left behind his back. "Lord Greengrass, good day."

Harry stood, knowing what was expected of him today, as did Hermione. He copied his cousin and Hermione did the same. She didn't know she should curtsey.

"Good day, Scion Longbottom. Astoria, would you like to sit with Scion Longbottom today?"

"Yes, father." A small smile creeping on her face before it went back to the placid face she had. Neville pulled out the chair next to him and Lord Greengrass nodded. Harry did the same for Hermione.

"I wasn't supposed to bow, was I?" she asked leaning over so she could whisper.

"The woman would usually curtsey, but with you being Heiress Black and me being Scion Black, he should technically bow to us first."

It turned into a flurry of activity after that as Gwenog Jones arrived along with Madam Bones and Lord Burke. Lord Burke was a much older gentleman who looked at Harry with a seasoned eye. Harry was surprised to see a blond girl with a bottlecap necklace sit near him and others he wasn't as happy to see, like Nott, Zabini and a small girl he knew to be the younger sister of Marcus Flint. For a girl of twelve or thirteen, she had the same haughty look so many of those raised in the Pureblood circle did.

When the room was full and the last guest arrived, a man with a tall woman in powder blue robes and looking in her middle years, Slughorn called the party to attention and introduced everyone.

Hermione perked up when Slughorn introduced Grizelda Peekes. She was sitting at a side table with two other students. Harry looked at her. "She has been on the forefront of experimental potions for years. I tried writing her a few weeks ago and didn't get a response," she said excitedly.

"Ah, I see you know of Master Peekes, Heiress Black," Slughorn said jovially.

"Oh, yes sir. It is a pleasure, Master Peekes."

"And it is a pleasure to meet you, Heiress Black. Horace has asked if I would stay for a bit to see your lab, if you like."

Hermione looked ready to jump out of her seat.

She settled as Slughorn expertly steered them and others to talk with the Wizengamot members.

"Most of the time, the Wizengamot does not have much to do. I maintain our import and export business most of my time. It's around the solstices and those private meetings between them that can do you in," Lord Greengrass answered Hermione's question about time.

"Yes, maintaining your alliances," Madam Bones stressed, "is very important. Many of those I made friends with in Hogwarts, or who were family friends, now stand with me when we meet in session. Also as important, is the call to sit on trials. A call Lord Greengrass does not often attend."

The man shook his head. "You have the appointed judges and representatives. It is a waste of my time to sit for every trial," he told her, as though this was an old argument.

"What I do not understand is why Scion Black would reject his family's seat and take up his grandmother's instead," Lord Burke casually put at him.

"It's simple, actually," Harry told the man. "I want to live on Sark, where I grew up, and to do that, I need to separate from the requirements of having to live for ten months of the year on British soil to maintain my Lordship."

Many looked at him. "You are going to be a Lord of the Wizengamot and not live directly on British soil?" Madame Bones asked astonished.

"I am allowed to take on a Colonial seat if I absorb the House of Black, and still serve my family, friends and others who choose to remain here."

Lord Greengrass chuckled. "I think this boy knows far more about our laws and how things work than you thought, Amelia."

"I think it a treacherous way to do such a thing," Nott spoke up. "Why would you want to live anywhere else? Of course, someone who rejects their blood should not be expected to understand."

"I think it is you who does not understand. Harry very much cares for his family, because of people like your father and others, it is nearly impossible to live here and stay in magical society for people like me or others if they have ambitions," Hermione argued back.

Slughorn held up hands and moved them to indicate to calm down. "Alright. We all have our opinions and I encourage them at any other time. Today, however, I really wanted to focus on what the Wizengamot does."

Hermione didn't look happy and crossed her arms across her chest and sat back in her chair. Lord Greengrass and Madame Bones rose an eye at them. Lord Burke didn't look happy at her outburst.

"Heiress Black, are the rumors true of you being a muggleborn?" Lord Burke put to her.

"I don't see why that is a question," Harry spoke with an edge on his voice.

"It is a fair question, and an insult..."

"That is enough, Scion Nott," Slughorn stated. "This is my table and I will not have offensive language towards my guests. Troy, Heiress Black is a rather skilled witch. She is of muggle decent, but she has already proven to be my top student for the sixth-years, with Daphne Greengrass and another muggleborn, Kevin Entwhistle, close on her heels."

Lord Burke inclined his head. "I meant no offense, Horace. Heiress Black, I was just surprised, knowing the history of the Blacks."

"You had not told me you were second in Potions," Lord Greengrass enquired of Daphne.

"I am not one to brag. I will catch her," Daphne replied.

"Yes, the top few students of their years are here today. Heiress Black is holding top spot, just about tied with her Scion. Ms. Daphne Greengrass is third. Ms. Astoria Greengrass is top of fifth year, with Ms. Weasley being third. Ms. Flint is third for second year, while Ms. Blake is second in third," he indicated a blonde hair girl sitting with Mrs. Peekes.

"It is an honor to be in the company of so many high achievers," Lord Greengrass commented.

"Susan has held fifth for the last four years. Getting to know the top three a little better, I can understand why it is a challenge to get higher," Madame Bones added.

"Now, Anders, you have offered to sponsor any of the gathered Peerage member children here to observe the Winter Solstice meeting," Slughorn prodded.

The man smiled. "It would be a pleasure. Scion Black, you will need to be there anyways, as will your representative, Ms. Flint. There are a few votes directly involving you that you will need to be present for."

"Why do I need to be there?" the second year asked.

"Not you, Ms. Flint. I meant your Aunt, Belvina Flint."

The girl frowned. "I don't have an Aunt Belvina Flint."

Harry sighed. Marcus hadn't really recognized Harry or Aunt Bel either. He had a feeling the family didn't talk of her at all. Harry shook his head at Lord Greengrass, and the man held his tongue.

"You do realize you are cousin to Scion Black?" Lord Burke asked.

"Lord Burke, it is fine. We don't need to talk of this today," Harry said.

"You want to discuss the Wizengamot. You realize that it will come out that the Flints are a vassal-House to the Blacks. Once you claim your full rights, they will be removed from the Peerage unless you release them," Madame Bones stated.

"I am very aware of that, Madame Bones. This is House business that I would prefer to keep as such until such time as we decide to declare anything," Harry told her.

"I did not realize that the House of Black still had vassal-Houses," Lord Burke remarked.

"Yes, Scion Black is shaking up many things in the Wizengamot," Lord Greengrass amended.

"This is more than House business. Anything that affects the Wizengamot is the business of the Wizengamot," Madame Bones pressed.

"Madame Bones, forgive me for being rude, but it is not. Unless we, or others, put a petition forth, you can just stay out of matters of our Houses. Aunt Bel warned us that many may not know all the connections we have and that is for us to determine what they are and how to handle them," Hermione stated. He felt her annoyance.

The small girl was looking at them. Harry had a feeling she was going to send her father a letter. The man would still hold his Peerage seat, but only until Harry was seventeen. He was going to reign in the three Houses that had sworn allegiance to the House of Black. Aunt Belvina didn't want him to take any revenge, afraid of the possible backlash. Harry and Hermione needed to talk more with Aunt Andi and Uncle Ted.

Madame Bones looked a little taken aback with Hermione.

"You can never say my get togethers are ever boring! It looks like my tea is gone, though. Why don't we call it a day?" Professor Slughorn spoke up. "Scion and Heiress Black, Scion Longbottom, Lord Greengrass, please stay for a few."

As they broke up, Harry got to meet Gwenog Jones for a few minutes. She was very straight forward and teased him about his titles, which made him feel better. Somehow, she just didn't seem to care about all the bluster at their table today. Madame Bones made her goodbyes quickly and Professor Slughorn pulled Hermione back over for a few minutes.

This time Harry extended a hand. "It is nice to finally meet you, Lord Greengrass," Harry greeted.

The man shook it firmly. "Anders, if you please, when we are in more intimate settings."

Harry smiled. "Please call me Harry, and this is my betrothed, Hermione Granger."

Harry didn't miss that Slughorn melted away to talk with Jones and Greeves. Anders took Hermione's hand and kissed the back of it. "A pleasure, Ms. Granger. The Potter men seem to have a knack for choosing beautiful women."

Hermione's cheeks turned a little pink. "Thank you, sir. Please, call me Hermione."

"Very well, Hermione. Harry, I should apologize for not introducing myself all these years. Your father was a good man, but I respected Belvina's wishes when she wanted to get you away. I think that was the best at the time after your parents died. I am glad to see she at least trained you in the basics."

"Aunt Bel and Aunt Andi made sure I knew what my family was. I just don't want to be like most pure bloods," Harry told the man.

"So, I have heard. My daughters have very high opinions of you two. As well as you, Scion Longbottom. Please call me Anders as well," the man said shaking Neville's hand.

"Thank you, sir. I mean Anders," Neville said nervously.

The man chuckled. "No need to be nervous around me. I am aware you have asked Astoria on a few dates. Illiana and I would approve if you were to ask her to your Christmas Ball this year."

Neville looked shocked before straightening. "I will keep that in mind, sir."

Astoria and Daphne were standing a little way back; Harry caught a brief smile from Astoria before the girl schooled her expression.

Hermione elbowed him when he opened his mouth. "I wasn't going to say anything bad."

Anders chuckled again. "I will give you credit. Lily couldn't reign in James like that."

"I just let her think she's the boss," he responded cheekily.

"Harry James," she scolded.

Anders had a booming laugh. "Your father's son. Now, I do have a little business with you before I must be off. If you are amenable, Illianna and I would like to offer you, Hermione and Neville an opportunity to shadow us and learn more about our Society. I know your training, Neville, but Augusta is not always the best example how to make connections and work within politics."

Harry looked at the man, but Hermione spoke first. "Anders, Harry and I do not plan to keep things the way they are if we can help it. We would like to disband the hereditary seats and put in place a more muggle-style system with Representatives who have been voted in."

Anders looked at her for a moment. "That is going to be a hard sell, Hermione. One that, if you are serious about, will not be accomplished overnight."

"You would back this, sir?" Harry was now understanding more about Astoria and why she would still be around Neville.

"James was never quiet about his feeling about Purebloods. In school, he and Sirius raved a few times about just blowing it all up and starting again. Knowing Belvina I am not surprised you would want to do the same. I may not disagree with your intended outcome, but be prepared for a fight to get there," Anders told him.

"You would help," Hermione asked.

"Possibly. I would like to talk more of this. Perhaps the next Hogsmeade weekend you would meet my wife and I for a small tea? Mr. Longbottom, I would expect you to be there if you truly wish to court my daughter."

Neville shifted and looked at Astoria, who looked expectantly at him. After a moment, Neville turned back to Anders. "Yes, sir. I will be there."

"And you, Harry and Hermione?"

Hermione took his hand. "We would be happy to attend," Harry replied.

"Excellent. An owl will be sent. I hope you don't mind meeting at Clannah Teahouse; Madam Puddifoot's is not my favorite," the man declared.

Harry chuckled. "Ours either. Where is Clannah Teahouse?" Hermione inquired.

"Daphne and Astoria can show you. If you will excuse me, I need to be on my way."

"Of course, sir," Neville said nervously.

The man chuckled again. "Anders. You can call me Anders in private settings. Horace," Anders called after giving them a slight bow and walking away from them. Astoria and Daphne came over.

Astoria smiled hugely as her father made his departure, before turning to Neville. "Do you have something to ask?" she inquired.

Harry got an elbow to his side at the smirk he gave his red-faced cousin. Daphne looked amused as well.

Neville, glancing quickly at Anders back, stood tall. "Ms. Greengrass, would you allow me to accompany you to the Yule Ball and my Gran's Winter Ball?"

"Don't forget Remus and Dora's wedding," Hermione said quietly.

Neville's face took on a little more heat. "Would you also accompany me to a wedding for Professor Remus and Harry's cousin?"

Astoria beamed before attempting to look stoic. The girl really did hate to act the pureblood she had been trained to be. "I would love too." Astoria's face broke into another broad smile. "Hermione will help me pick out dresses next weekend?"

"What about me?"

Astoria rolled her eyes at her sister. "You're already coming. I want all our friends there too."

Hermione made a half smile. "I hate shopping like that."

"You will like this," Astoria responded.

Daphne laughed. "Be prepared to be a doll."

Hermione groaned. "Dora is going to be there too."

"Good. I can tease her," he smiled.

"Be nice to her," Hermione scolded.

"Like she will be nice to me?"

-oOo-

November 16, 1996

Hogsmeade, Scotland

Hermione was holding Harry's hand as they walked through Hogsmeade. "How long are you going to be in Madam Mulkin's?" Harry asked the girls.

Neville and him were with Hermione, Astoria, Daphne and Tracey. Ron had looked a little put out that they had to do House business today, and the other girls didn't want to come down 'at the crack of dawn', even if they couldn't leave the castle before 9:00.

"We will meet mother and father at one," Daphne told him.

"I am not spending four hours there," Hermione informed the others.

"No, only about three-and-a-half by the time we get there and have to leave to meet with our parents."

Harry felt for her. He was sure both she and Dora would take a half-hour at most. The others looked like they wanted to make a full day event of it. "I'll have a take-out from the Three Broomsticks for you when you get out," Harry assured her.

"There will be refreshments. We have a private room for the day," Astoria told them. "Neville, do you prefer blue or red?"

"I think green or blue are better with your eyes," he told her. "I like your eyes."

She beamed at him and held his arm tighter. Daphne rolled her eyes at the sweetness and Tracey swooned. "Merlin, I want a boy like that."

Harry laughed. "If I find one, I'll send him your way."

"I didn't think you swung that way," Neville snarked.

Harry laughed at the look on Tracey and Daphne's faces. Astoria was used to them by now.

"He better not, otherwise you are out of my House," Hermione told him.

"I don't know, if the right one comes along, and he's cute, and Tracey doesn't claim him first," he started.

"Slag," Tracey slandered.

"I just call him a troll," Neville added.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He smells like one some days."

"Oi!" Harry laughed with the others. He was finding he should have made friends with these three Slytherins years ago. Of course, he should have done that with Hermione also.

"Now go off and play with my escort. We will meet here at quarter to one," Astoria told Neville and him.

Hermione gave him a quick kiss and Harry soon found himself looking at the door to Gladrags. "You know we should go in there too," Harry said to his cousin.

"Can't I just have one of my elves adjust one of my dress robes?" he asked.

"I think Tori would like it better if your cummerbund and tie match her dress." Harry quirked an eye at Neville's expression.

"I thought you hated all this?" Neville questioned.

"Doesn't mean that Aunt Bel and Aunt Andi didn't teach me what to do."

"You love her that much?" Neville asked.

Harry held up his hand. "Up until July, I had planned to dissolve the House of Black as soon as I could."

Neville's eyes widened. "Dissolve? Harry that would have meant all the Vassal-houses would have been dissolved too. What of the bloodline..."

"You want to let Draco Malfoy continue on that line? He is the only other one with true Black blood in him," Harry retorted. "It was also the request of Sirius Black to do so if I didn't take up the Lordship."

Neville just looked at him for a few. "It's going to be us against everyone else, isn't it?"

"We'll have Hermione and Astoria to prop us up," he said, smiling at the red neck and face of Neville.

"I'm only sixteen and she is fifteen. I don't want to think about marriage yet."

Harry felt sympathetic. "I didn't either until this summer."

Neville looked at the door, as if going in would lock his fate. Harry had a feeling it already was and Lady Greengrass had deftly set them up to it.

"Have you kissed her yet?" Harry asked.

"The other day. Someone berked it for me on Halloween," Neville grumbled.

"Yeah, because being upwelled on was so much fun," Harry said dryly.

Neville laughed. "I always said you smell like a troll."

"Bloody tosser," Harry griped.

"Can I only get one dress cloak?"

"I doubt it. Astoria doesn't strike me as someone to where the same dress or color twice."

Neville kicked at the ground. "How many are you getting?"

"Two, with a few shirts and such. I figure a formal one for the Balls and nice one for the wedding. Uncle Remus and Dora don't want anything too fancy," Harry advised, still not moving towards the door.

"You hate this as much as I do, don't you?" his cousin inquired.

"Yep," Harry responded, popping the 'p'. "But to see Hermione all done up will be worth it."

Neville let a smile come to his face. "Astoria already is beautiful. I can't imagine she could be any more."

Harry chuckled. "See. Already smitten. I bet Lord Greengrass will ask your intention and try to get you two into a courtship soon."

Neville smiled before looking concerned. "You aren't going to drag me to the Seer you saw?"

"Only if you want. You need to come to Sark and drag Astoria with you if you want to do that."

Neville chuckled. "I don't think I will have to drag her."

Harry laughed. "Correction. Let her drag you."

"That sounds more like it," Neville smiled. "Harry, I really like her."

"I can tell. That's why I haven't teased you about it much," he told his cousin.

"Ron and a few others still look at her weird, at times you or Hermione aren't around," he confessed.

Harry frowned. He had thought that might be the case. "Do you care what they think?"

"They are our friends."

"Do you care," he asked.

Neville looked at him. "I care what you and Hermione think."

"You know we would support whomever you fancied. I like Astoria, too. She isn't haughty or needy like many of the Purebloods. She's quick with a joke or quip at times, and she makes you happy," Harry reassured his cousin.

"I think she is more of a green thumb than I am," Neville said with a smile.

"If she gets you a creeping howler or stinging nettle vine for Christmas that is not coming into the dorms. It took weeks for the smell of that skunk plant thing to finally get out," Harry warned. Third year it had been awful when Neville brought the plant after Christmas.

Neville chuckled. "I learned my lesson there. Dean and Seamus kept putting crackers in my bed that would wake me in the middle of the night."

"It wasn't just them," Harry confessed.

"Bloody arse," Neville accused, hitting him on the arm.

Harry laughed. "We may be cousins, but that doesn't mean I won't get back at you."

"I'll remember that. We should go in and then maybe find something to do," Neville nodded.

"Yeah, we should," he agreed. Neither of them moved for a moment.

"You first," Neville offered.

"Such the gentleman," Harry snarked.

"Gran always taught me to let the lady go first," Neville retorted.

"Berk," Harry accused and they both took a step together.