July 31st. Ministry of Magic. London.
The Floo place lit up, as from it exited three figures from it, one male and two females. Harry fixed up his black and blue coat, while Cassiopeia had dusted her black and golden robes off, with Rose pulling her hood over the face, as she fixed it with her now two healthy strong hands. It had been about two days since Rose has been enjoying the feeling of her new and fully functional left arm, curtousy of Cassiopeia, Irene and the Philosopher's Stone. It was near a miracle for her, but one miracle that she was all too eager to get accustomed and she had made the most of it, with Rose already being more than accustomed to her new limb, even being able to cast magic with it.
And once that was proven, Rose had decided that she too wanted to come along with her big brother on this gathering. Naturally, Harry, along with Cassiopeia and Irene, were opposed to Rose showing her face anywhere near that place. However, the young girl wasn't a Potter and Black descendant for nothing, especially having inherited, according to Cassiopeia and Arcturus, Dorea Potter's legendary determination and stubbornness. After a few hours of arguing, Harry had given up and allowed his sister to come along, but only if she followed his lead, to which Rose agreed without putting up any fight.
Rose initially didn't want to come to Wizengamot and see for sure Weasleys, Dumbledore, Sirius and Remus, and most importantly, the Potters, her and Harry's parents. She already knew that they all were aware about her existence and that Harry had probably already thought up a plan or two to keep her safe. However, after regaining her arm, and with it, some of her past courage and inner strength, Rose decided not to wait until her demons came for her, but go and confront them herself, on her own terms. The longer she and Harry withheld that moment, the worse things would be for her and him, so there was little point in waiting.
Along with that thought, Rose had wanted to prove that she could not only confront those that had hurt her, but that she could very much scare them. That and she also had wanted to help her brother prove a point to the Wizengamot, one that stated that House Le Fay was back and it was back in force. Making a show of all members of House Le Fay, of which she was as of yesterday an official member and an Heiress, would send a powerful message to all potential allies and enemies alike.
Not to mention that Rose and Harry, in the wake of her decision to come along, have decided to use this opportunity to strike the first blow against the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore's positions. They weren't going to reveal everything that has happened to Rose, not yet, but even a tiny bit of truth seeded in the minds of all others could grow into a catastrophe for Dumbledore, Potters and all their friends and allies. Along with that, Harry needed to make it clear that as Prince Le Fay and Ruler of Northern Britannia, he wasn't going to put up with any bullshit from anyone: Order, Ministry, Death Eaters, Purebloods, or any other idiot that would think to challenge him, would have to deal with a mighty and powerful Royal and Exalted House Le Fay. And the House was already in a position of power thanks to its vassals who have sworn in or have reaffirmed their oaths to House Le Fay.
Skadhi and Neriada have kept their word and made sure that everyone knew who have dealt with Acromantulas and kept his word to Crawley and the Dryads. The very next day, following Skadhi's example, Centaurs, Veelas and even Elven Races, all led by their respective leaders, have shown themselves in his castle, swearing allegiance to House Le Fay, with Hirandyl and Eluna having stated to him that while the Dryads haven't yet swore to him, he could already count them as good friends. As for Crawley, he was still in debates with not just himself, but also many other packs of Werewolves, but, as Eluna had made it clear, he was no longer on track of becoming a Dumbledore's puppet, so that was the start. Alucard and Vampire Clans have sent their own envoy, stating that House Le Fay has demonstrated its power, and that Clans recognize it, but still debate on whether or not to join him as his subjects. As Harry saw it, they needed further proof and evidence that he meant what he said, and it was fine by him.
The trio had arrived some time before the meeting, as there was someone that Harry had wanted to meet up with prior to the meeting. As they moved through the buzzing swarm of wizards that was the atrium of the Ministry, Harry took a second to look at the golden statue and the fountain in the atrium, before shaking his head.
"Had any of the magical beings saw this monstrosity of an art, they'd most likely find the idiot who had ordered it and had him castrated." Harry noted out, with Rose simply nodding him from under her blue and golden robes of House Le Fay.
"This fountain was commissioned by the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, to commemorate the cooperation of Wizards and Magical Creatures and Beings." An overly sweet, unpleasant voice came from Harry's left, forcing him and his companions to turn. "Your comment does not do you any honor, and shows an utter disrespect towards the Ministry and the office of the Minister."
Before Harry and his companions stood the poorly transfigured toad that was Dolores Umbridge, in her hideous pink clothes and atrocious bow. Near her stood John Dawlish, one of the Aurors of the DMLE, and one of the sleazy ones, according to Nymphadora Tonks. Harry turned to face the woman and her bodyguard without any haste, calmly looking down at her.
"Now, identify yourself, and turn yourself in for your crime against the Ministry." Dolores demanded in her shrill voice, almost not hiding the glee at abusing her power.
"A crime agaisnt the Ministry? If there are any crimes I see, then it would be that atrocity of a fountain, and then the one standing right in front of me, wearing what I can only describe as designer's nightmare." Harry replied, internally smirking at the reddening face of Dolores and glaring John Dawlish. "Also, crime agaisnt the Ministry for speaking out my mind about a very poor design choice? Madam, this the 20th century, not the 10th, so do please tone down your witch hunting."
"You… Who in the name of the Ministry are you to speak to me in such a manner?!" Dolores practically shrieked at him, with the rest of the atrium already being drawn to the fight. "I am Dolores Umbridge, Undersecretary of the Minister of Magic, and I will not let some ruffian speak to me in such way!"
"Undersecretary of the Minister? And here I thought the position of a simple Secretary is already lewd enough, but who would've thought that the Minister would take it to such a level." Harry let out a comment, with some of the Ministry's workers and bystanders snickering, while Dolores was reaching her limit. "Although, something tells me that you gained this position through neither your talents, nor your looks. If the former can be confirmed by your lack of dress code and your inability to even look the part, then the latter is confirmed by a single glance at you, which is already a more scarring experience then all witch hunts in England combined."
"Enough! Dawlish, arrest this man and his companions, I'll have you sent to Azkaban for these words!" Dolores broke out into a sickening smile, as Dawlish began to move to Harry, before he was stopped by the authoritative voice of his direct boss.
"Dawlish, stand down and belay that order." Amelia Bones, accompanied by Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks, stepped forward to Harry and Dolores, who looked positively outraged. "Miss Umbridge, as the Undersecretary of Minister, you should be familiar with the term 'abuse of position and power'. Would you like to be taken into my Department for it?" Amelia asked of her without any sense of humor.
"Miss Bones, this mudblood of a buffoon and his companions here have been effectively spreading an anti-Ministry propaganda, undermining the very office of the Minister." Dolores defended herself. "I was merely doing my duty as the Ministry's worker."
"Had you been doing your work properly and also studied our laws, you would've known that there are no laws that prohibit freedom of speech, Madam Undersecretary." Amelia simply replied, before turning to Harry. "Prince Le Fay, I did not expect you to arrive this early."
"I've cleared my schedule for today, Madam." Harry bowed to her, with Dolores, and many others, looking at Harry with wide and shocked eyes. "Madam Bones, I believe we have some business to conclude. Let's take this to your office, before more onlookers come to gawk at a toad making a fool out of herself."
"My thoughts exactly." Bones agreed with Henry, before turning to Umbridge and Dawlish. "One more stunt like that, Miss Umbridge, and the disciplinary hearing will be the last thing you will be getting. As for you Dawlish, you are on probation from now. Prince Le Fay, if we may…"
"Certainly, after you, Madam." Amelia and the rest of them made their way towards the elevators, and as they were out of the earshot of everyone, Harry spoke up. "Sorry for the spectacle. Couldn't help myself."
"Forget it, not like your companions could've stopped you anyway." Amelia saw that neither Rose nor Cassiopeia did anything to dissuade the notion. "Dolores has been the major pain in everyone's bottom for nearly a decade now, ever since she had been promoted to her position. She makes it a habit of hers to flaunt it at every opportune moment, as if to demonstrate to everyone and herself that she is the main power in the Ministry. Abuse of position and power doesn't even begin to describe her."
"Then what's stopping you from arresting her? Don't you have, like, an internal investigations department, which makes sure that there is no corruption and stuff in Ministry?" Rose asked of Amelia, with Kingsley and her chuckling at Rose. "Okay, something tells me that you are about to tell that this thing already exists, but it doesn't do jack."
"Almost, darling." Amelia chuckled, as they've stepped in to the elevator and went to DMLE. "Kingsley here has been the head of the Department of the Internal Security and Investigations five years ago, which did exactly what you said, Rose. Care to take a guess what had happened with it?"
"Budget cuts?" Rose offered her option.
"Minister's dirty underwear came up and he put a lid on it?" Cassiopeia spoke up.
"Dumbledore and his Greater Good shtick." Harry simply stated.
"All of the above. Had my Department been running the way it used to be before it was disbanded, you'd have never ended up in Azkaban, Henry." Kingsley simply stated to him. "By the way, Dumbledore and the Order are all aware about you, but there was no word about Rose around. Something tells me that Lupin didn't disclose the part about finding Rose in your gardens, and about her condition."
"So, James and his posy haven't spread about what they've done to Rose, hm?" Cassiopeia mused. "It would seem that those Potters have some measure of a brain in their skulls, and they've used it to conceal what they've done to Rose from even Dumbledore. The news like this is certain to bring down the Potters and their friends, but something tells me that you aren't going to use just yet, Harry."
"Not until we can be certain that there is a new Chief Warlock sitting in Wizengamot, and that the Noble Houses are firmly either impartial, or antagonistic, to Potters to begin with, and given the status of William, fame of James and Marauders, including Lily, not to mention backing of Dumbledore… First we need to erode it all away from them before dealing the deadly strike." Harry simply stated to them. "And that starts to today."
"Hm, is it safe to say that this is going to be one session that they'll remember for long?" Nym asked of her lover, who nodded to him. "Good, 'cause I'm looking forward to it and… Hold on a sec there, love." Nym asked of Harry, before quickly grabbing with her fingers something small off of his left shoulder.
"What is it, Tonks?" Amelia asked her Auror.
"Just a water bug, Boss, nothin' major." Without further explanation, Nym let go of the bug, before squashing it with her boot. "Where did it even come from? Not like we've got any ponds or rivers around."
"Probably stuck on one of the arriving Wizards or Witches that had worked near water." Harry hypothesized, before turning to look at Nym. "You were saying something?"
"Yeah, that I'm looking forward to the session and…" She leaned in to his ear and whispered sensually. "Hope you've got the evening and night clear, because I've taken a week off and… I wouldn't mind spending it together."
"Sounds lovely." Harry smiled to her, before Nym winked to him, as they've arrived to the needed level and stepped out.
"Auror Tonks, do please behave yourself, you aren't on your honeymoon yet and until the day's over, you are still a working Auror." Amelia lightly reprimanded Nym, who simply shrugged at that one, before they've stepped into her office, where they saw Hestia Jones, looking around Amelia's documents. "Auror Jones, what are you doing?"
"Ma'am, I was just sorting the documents out and…" Jones spoke up in a worried tone, before Bones put her hand up stopping her.
"Out, now." She simply ordered her, with Jones jolting out of the office, nearly crushing through Bones' guests, before Shacklebolt closed the door and charmed it from being opened forcefully and safe from anyone listening in. "The girl has no damn idea about how to safely go through someone's documentation. Did Dumbledore put her up for it?"
"Yup, he gave away a couple of his usual hints about how it would be useful if there was something that the Order could gain on Prince Le Fay." Tonks answered, as they've all been seated. "Want me to get her arrested, boss?"
"I'll have someone else detain her, with the headway I've been making in cleaning up the Department. There shouldn't be any fuss about Jones getting detained. You two already know what to tell to Dumbledore and the others when they ask." Bones simply told them, before letting out a sigh and looking at Harry. "You know, Henry, I'm starting to ask myself if you are really James' son or not, because even that idiot didn't make that kind of a noise even in his heyday."
"I've wondered the very same thing for most of my life, hoping even, but alas…" Harry simply stated to her with a dramatic sigh. "And do take this as no offence, but I did always hope that Uncle Gabriel was my real dad. He was always the greatest in my eyes when it came to pranks and jokes, but also…"
"I know." Amelia sighed, nodding to Harry. "I don't know what our Edward would've turned out, but thinking that he would've been like you… It warms my heart a bit."
"You wouldn't want him to turn out like me, Amelia, trust me and Rose." Rose nodded to what her brother said, pulling down her hood.
"Speaking of whom, it is good to see you as well, Rose." Amelia smiled to her, with Rose responding to her. "I see that your handicap has been resolved. Should I tell Susan that she can expect to see you in Hogwarts?"
"Over my dead body." Cassiopeia and Harry said at the same time in a dead serious tone.
"Talk about overprotective, but in case of Hogwarts…" Tonks simply noted out to Kingsley.
"Sorry, Ms. Bones, but as you can see, my nannies aren't all too keen to let me go." Rose jokingly stated. "And after all that has been happening, wouldn't it make more sense to pull Susan out of there and send her somewhere safer? I hear France's Magical Academy is nice."
"Wish I could, but..." Amelia let out a defeated sigh, gaining the interest from her guests. "I'm afraid that now that Rose gets to reveal herself, Henry, she'll have to attend Hogwarts whether she likes it or not. A year and a half ago, Dumbledore and his supporters managed to push through the Wizengamot a special edict that forbade transfer or expulsion from Hogwarts without the approval of the Board of Government and Headmaster. In other words…"
"The Ministry will have to enforce it, and when Rose goes to Hogwarts, Dumbledore will have leverage on me." Harry nearly growled out. "Son of a… He effectively make it clear to every Noble Family that if they decide to play for the Dark Side, he's got their most precious possessions under his direct control: their children."
"I'll go if I have to." Rose suddenly spoke up, surprising everyone at how firm her voice was. "If Dumbledore and our parents try to use me as leverage, they'll be in a world of trouble, and that's not just from you, big brother. And if I'm going to Hogwarts, then I'll be going there not as meek and nice Rose Dorea Potter, but as Rose Morgana Le Fay, Heiress to House Le Fay and daughter of Morgana Le Fay herself. Plus, it will be fun putting those idiots that laughed at me in their place." Rose chuckled darkly, with Amelia looked at Cassiopeia with a curious eye.
"Isn't she just an exemplary Black witch? I never get tired of being proud of her and my work." Cassiopeia stated with a smile, while Amelia turned her head to Harry.
"Rose Morgana Le Fay… I take it you've adopted her as your sister, or daughter in adopting sense?" Amelia asked of Harry.
"Neither, Morgana herself did, as she did with me when she took me into House Le Fay." Harry stated to her. "Long story short, she left with Goblins a piece of soul and magic, similar to Horcrux, through which she measured me and Rose up, before adopting as her own children in magic and blood. Hence, now we are literally members of House Le Fay. Now, I take it you'd like to know about our progress on our Horcrux hunt, right?"
"That would be lovely, since this is exactly why I pulled you out of Azkaban." Amelia reminded him. "I understand that Voldemort is no idiot and would've hid his trinkets better than Goblins hide their payment from wives."
"Don't let any Goblins to hear you say that, they might get insulted." Harry advised.
"Whatever. However, I'd like to know if you and Regulus have been able to make any headway with your work? Tonks has mentioned that he had a hunch leading to House Gaunt's properties, but nothing beyond that." Bones spoke up, with Harry glancing at Tonks, before turning back to Amelia.
"The hunch was the correct one, and as of two and a half days, we've already gained one of Voldemort's Horcruxes from the former shack of Gaunts." Harry simply stated to Amelia, who along with Kingsley looked at him with shocked eyes. "You didn't think that we would be sitting around and doing nothing, now did you?"
"Wait, you've already gained one of Horcruxes? How? And why haven't you destroyed it?" Kingsley asked of Harry, who answered to him.
"I've scouted the place where the Horcrux was, but found it to be warded and cursed better than Dumbledore protects his lemon drops. In other words, it was a literal deathtrap for any Wizard or Witch that wasn't in same league as Dumbledore and Voldemort, so I've decided not to test my luck. Instead, I've had Irene handle the part about grabbing the Horcrux." Harry stated to them. "According to her, she's had fun dismantling wards, curses and so forth, though she didn't seem even sweating, but she is a Devil, so…"
"You've sent your pet Devil to get it for you, while you were literally doing nothing?" Amelia asked of him.
"Not exactly nothing… More like, I was preoccupied by someone." At that, Tonks blushed crimson with her hair turning red as well. "But, that's mine and Nym's business, the important thing is that we've got the Horcrux. Turns out that it is one of Peverells' artifacts, namely a ring with The Resurrection Stone on it, one of three Deathly Hollows if you know the tale."
"The one that can resurrect your loved ones…" Amelia said in a bit of quiet tone of voice. "You are trying to find a way to dispose of it without destroying the Stone?"
"That, and Cassiopeia and I have an idea on how to use the Horcrux to help us." Harry said to Amelia.
"I am certain that our dear Nymphadora have already told you all about how we've dealt with Acromantulas." Amelia nodded to Cassiopeia. "Now I am trying to apply the same linking charm to Horcrux to locate all the other pieces of Riddle's soul. In theory, if Harry and I manage to modify the linking charm created by Morgana to work on soul instead of blood, we will be able to establish where all the others are, along with where Voldemort himself."
"And then you can simply use a powerful curse and destroy them all with one spell. Nice plan." Kingsley said, sounding very impressed.
"Oh, I wish it was that simple..." Harry groaned out. "Horcruxes may be linked up through holding the pieces of the same soul, but, unlike with our experience with Acromantulas, they have certain level of defense from the phenomena that is known as 'linked death'. In basic terms, the Horcruxes can't be destroyed through utilizing the same method as we did with Acromantula, but they can be traced through one of them. We just need to alter the charm Morgana had created, which is going to take quite a bit of time, since it was made in an archaic Scandinavian lingua. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how hard it is to modify an already a complex spell, especially when it is written in a language that is older than England itself."
"I get it, and I believe that you will manage just fine." Amelia stated to him with confidence. "Now, as for the gathering of Wizengamot today, you can be damn sure that you will be the prime target of the discussions, and Minister with Dumbledore will try to enforce their will upon you."
"They can try and fail, I've studied the entire subject from start to finish, and I know that the Ministry's rule over me is largely formal." Harry simply stated to Amelia. "And I don't plan to play on Ministry's or Dumbledore's tune. And I can assure you, Amelia, that the magical beings in my lands aren't all too keen to have Ministry running their lives with their despotic laws, especially when the alternative is far sweeter, and has proven to be able to protect their lives."
"We already have the loyalty of Veelas, Jotunns, Centaurs, High and Night Elves." Rose spoke up. "Werewolves and Vampires are still in thoughts about us, but we already have good graces with them, while Elementals are probably waiting up on Dryads to decide. As for them, they are in a complex stage of transition of power, so to speak, but their loyalty is assured already."
"And as for the Noble Houses, House of Black is already on their side as you can see, and there are 39 Houses that live on Le Fay family's lands, one of which is your House, Lady Regent." Cassiopeia hinted out to Amelia, who turned to look at Harry.
"I can't simply offer up my oath of vassalage to you, even though I already know the benefits, and from what I know, I'd gladly do so if it were to empower my own House." Amelia stated to him, before sighing. "That being said, while I can't give it to you, Susan, as the Heiress, can offer it, without compromising my position in the Ministry."
"I'm sure that Rose and I will be able to convince her." Harry nodded to her. "Besides House Bones, there are quite a few of other Houses that we would be wise to get an oath from: Longbottom, McLaggen, Rosier, along with several others…"
"Aren't you afraid to get the Houses that support Voldemort as Vassals? They'll turn against you when they sense blood." Amelia warned him.
"Not if I can prove to them that I'm a far more dangerous beast than Voldemort. And speaking of his supporters, I have a favor to ask of you, Amelia." Amelia quirked up her brow in surprise, but listened to him. "One of the Houses that hold land in my domain is Lestrange, but there appears to be no trace of them, from what Irene and Skadhi have told me. Do you mind checking out where they are, because from aside the two psychos in Azkaban, I can't get a hold of the other Lestrange walking, according to what my family's magic have been telling me?"
"Harry, there are no other Lestranges left, aside from Rodolphus and Rabastan, along with Bellatrix." Nymphadora spoke up in a saddened voice. "The last one was Cornelia, and you remember what had happened to her, right?" Harry thought about it for a second, before turning to Cassiopeia.
"She is Bellatrix's daughter, and even she's no official Black, she still has a place on the family tree line, right?" Cassiopeia nodded to him, while Harry turned to Nym. "Nym, the thing is that, as a ruler Lestrange's lands, I can identify how many there are members of the family by blood, and from what I've gathered, there are three of them. And since elder Lestranges died, with their sons in prison and Bellatrix had married into the family, that leaves out one other possibility, if, of course, one of the brothers didn't sire a bastard."
"I'll check afterwards with Arcturus and find out about it, and Lestranges are the last Wizards to sire bastards, that I can definitely tell." Cassiopeia stated to Harry, who nodded to her, while Nym looked at her lover with hope.
"You think that Cornie can be alive?" Nym asked of him. "But if she is, then why didn't she come to me or any others for help?"
"Who knows, love?" Harry simply stated rhetorically to her, as they've settled in for the time being into a discussion of mundane things.
Half an hour later. Wizengamot chambers.
Harry, along with Rose still with her hood on, sat in the chambers, being situated at the edge of the room, sitting near Arcturus Black, who joined his grandson, creating an illusion of Henry and Rose being just his guests here. They were situated on quite a distance away from most of the so-called Light families, while most of the Dark ones and Neutrals were at a closer proximity, with most prominent Houses of Greengrass, Malfoy, Rosier, and Flint sitting in very close proximity to them, with Lucius taking this chance to situate himself at Arcturus' left and try to goad the man into a talk with him. Today's gathering had allowed the Heirs and Heiresses of the Noble Families to also come, so as to get them acquainted with the proceedings of the Ministry, and so all families have brought their Heirs and even friends to this place, including Potters with William, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
Much like the old man, Harry ignored Malfoy and his attempts at talk, as well as the proceedings regarding the talks about new and old laws. His gaze was focused up on a young woman situated just a few seats away to his right, the one that he hasn't seen in over two years now. The young woman was like an exotic flower among them all, with her dark skinned beauty, a trait she inherited from her African mother and English father. Long, luscious wavy dark hair framed her face, adorned by amber eyes, plump lips and beautiful nose. She was dressed in amber robes, hugging her voluptuous figure tightly and showing her beauty without revealing anything. Even though in Hogwarts she was mocked and looked down due to her being a half-blood and of mixed race, no one could deny that Patricia Isis Davis, or as she likes to be called Tracey Davis, was one of the most beautiful girls in the entire school, and that was before her and Harry's fifth year, when they dated. If back then she looked like an exotic beauty already, then now she looked like a goddess of beauty, one that nearly demanded attention.
Tracey noticed that she was looked at, and as she turned her head to see who it was, she saw a young man with silver grey hair, dressed in black and blue robes. He was definitely one handsome Wizard that she could tell, but that wasn't what had stopped her eyes upon him. No, it was his gaze that she felt upon herself: warm green eyes looking at her with not a carnal interest like others, but with tender feeling of warmth and care, one that she was once familiar to. Dark skinned witch could tell that he was taking into his memory her image, but she didn't mind, instead she welcomed it, oddly enough, because when he looked at her she felt an old feeling of warmth and care going through her body. It was the feeling that she hasn't felt since… Since she was close to someone very special, before losing him.
Harry noticed how Tracey was studying him, and as a gesture of politeness, bowed to her, with Tracey responding in kind, before they broke away their contact. And it was at that moment, when Dumbledore has decided to address the one matter they've all have come here to discuss.
"And now, as you all here are probably aware, there has been a strange phenomenon that has taken place not too long ago." Dumbledore began in his usual way. "A magical surge has been released and went through the country in wave form. Now, we have determined it had no immediate negative effect on the Wizarding World, as only those of magical descent could've felt it, but there were some other much unexpected consequences. Mr. Croaker, would you care to explain to us what those consequences are?" The Head of the Unspeakables rose up and went to the center of the room, magically unfolding a map of Magical Great Britain and Ireland, with all Houses and Families with their possessions shown, with territories of House Le Fay being framed by glowing blue border lines.
"This is the map of all holdings of Magical Britain and Ireland, with all Houses' lands and properties shown here. And these," He pointed with his want at the glowing patch of Britain, before pointing at the Albion's Hearth with his wand. "Are the lands, which have in ancient times belonged to one of two Royal and Exalted Houses of Great Britain. The lands that exude their own powerful magic across the entirety of the territories and mark them as the domain of that said House. For over 700 years that magic has been dormant, until it was reactivated from its central point."
"Which House are you referring to, Unspeakable?" Frank Longbottom, seated with his wife and son in the first row, asked of the wizard. "My House's lands, as well as many other Houses' lands, are within that domain, and if what you are saying is true, then the said House would be fully in the right to demand our allegiance, since we literally are living within their domain."
"The House I am referring to, Lord Longbottom, is the House of Morgana Le Fay." Many Wizards and Witches let out dramatic sighs and exclamations at hearing it. "It is confirmed information: Exalted and Royal House Le Fay has returned."
"That is preposterous and utter rubbish!" Nathan Jones, Head of House Jones, which was also situated in Le Fay's lands, exclaimed, nearly scaring his daughter and sons. "House Le Fay has been extinct for centuries, without any descendants or even hints on those. How can this House be back? Did they rise from the grave?"
"We do not know for certain, but we believe that an Heir Claimant had appeared and was able to obtain the title of Prince Le Fay, before confirming it via activation of Le Fay family's magic." Croaker speculated. "Despite how or when Prince Le Fay had appeared, there is one undeniable fact, and that is the fact of House Le Fay, being a Royal House, being able to command the loyalties of all magical beings in the region they control, if they become his vassals, as well as all the Noble Houses of lower rank than his, which includes all 39 Noble Houses that live there."
"Pft, why would anyone decide to ever even ally themselves with some upstart with no name and probably false claim?" William Potter spoke up arrogantly, with Dumbledore looking at him with a small glare. "What is the point for any Wizard or Witch to do so? I mean, maybe those beasts and half-breeds may be dumb enough to fall for him, but proper Wizards and Witches..." William was to continue his tirade, before Henry decided to finally shut him up with a cough, getting the attention of everyone.
"Young man, perhaps your parents or you teachers haven't explained it to you, or you've perhaps simply skipped class on this lesson, but there is a very viable and good reason to do so." William glared at Harry, as did Lily, James and their friends, not even recognizing him, while Remus' eyes widened, as his newly grown arm ached from pain.
"The magic of Le Fay family empowers the very ground and air in their domain, and said magic can also serve to empower individual races, Houses, families, even singular Wizards and Witches. Those that make the pledge to be a vassal to House Le Fay, will in turn for their loyalty and a determined measure of profits in whatever form, will be able to enjoy the fact of being empowered by magical energy of House Le Fay, which strengthens the Wizard or Witch, as well as races. Along with that, they can always be certain that their interests are protected and that they can always count on House Le Fay to help them out in hard times. Magical Races, of which the correct term is beings, not beasts or half-breeds, also enjoy said benefit, and along with magical people, are governed not by the laws of Ministry, which can be overwhelmingly xenophobic and unjust, but by more equal and justifiable laws of House Le Fay." Henry ended his tale, with William glaring at him.
"Just who the hell do you think you are to interrupt me?!" He rose up shouting at Harry, who didn't even bat an eye. "Don't you know who I am? I am William Potter, the Boy Who Lived and…"
"Mr. Potter, please calm down and be seated." Dumbledore spoke up, forcing William to look at him with anger, yet comply, before he turned his gaze at the man in question. "Now, young man, I am sure you've meant no ill by your statements, but you did interrupt Mr. William Potter without any courtesy."
"Oh, I do apologize then, but I've gotten the feeling that people in this chamber would rather hear mature speech, instead of… ranting of an arrogant child who is too focused on what people claim him to be, instead of what he really is." Harry looked at a seething with venom William, while James rose up, while many of the Dark and some Neutral families chuckled.
"You dare to insult my son, the Boy Who Lived and my Heir, in such a manner?!" James nearly shouted at Harry, who simply chuckled at him. "I will not have some nobody street urchin speaking of anyone in my family in such manner. Apologize now, or I will make you sorry you were born."
"If there is anyone I am insulting, than it would be actually you, Lord Potter." Harry stated without missing a beat. "Clearly, the child like that, who has no knowledge of finer laws of magic or even understanding of them, as well as who rants out like a toddler, is a result of poor and abysmal upbringing by his parents. You sir, and your lady wife, have done an excellent job raising, in my personal opinion, an utter disgrace of a Noble Wizard. Also, you'd duel me just because I say what I can assure you is in minds of most of the room here? And without even asking for my name, hm?"
"Fine, who the hell are you?!" James shouted at him, with Harry raising up, fixing up his coat, before answering.
"I am Prince Henry Arthur Le Fay, Head of Exalted and Royal House Le Fay and Lord of Exalted and Noble House of Slytherin, Ruler and Protector of Northern Britannia, and the topic of your most current discussion." The entire room fell silent, as they've taken a look at the man, as he descended down to the podium.
Henry didn't have any haste in his movements, practically basking in the way of how everyone looked at him as he walked down the steps. He took in their shock and awe, with Light families fidgeting in fright at the fact of literal Prince Le Fay and Lord Slytherin appearing here, while Neutral and Dark families studied him with interest and some small fright, but not all were like one. Tracey looked with wide eyes at the man that made her heart warm and flutter, as she studied him in his movements and body language. The more she looked on at him, the more vivid the picture came to her mind, until the curiosity outweighed her fright and she attempted to probe ever so slightly into his mind with her Leggimence.
An act that didn't escape Henry, as he smirked a little, before letting Tracey into a very specific corner of his mind, showing her something that only he and her knew of. He knew that friend of House Greengrass and his former lover was a brilliant witch, smarter and wiser than most, an equal in mind to him. She could easily tell the signs and compile them, find patterns and more, just like she had helped him when he dealt with Voldemort and Basilisk in their sixth and seventh years. He was almost sure that she had already had suspicions of who he was from the way he looked at her and even his own eyes, and so he decided to simply give her the answer. Harry knew that she would not share it with anyone, not even with her family, especially given their Blood Oath to each other: never to hold secrets from each other, but to safeguard our secrets from all others.
Tracey's mind entered, and in a flash her eyes widened, as in her mind was displayed the picture of her and Harry Potter, embracing each other and kissing in their beloved spot, underneath the tree in shade. It was their most tender and sacred moment, one in which Tracey had given herself to someone she loved and never looked back, and none had known of it, only her… and Harry. She looked at him with widened eyes and saw how he looked back at her for a second, before sending her with his Leggimence a single thought.
"You are even more beautiful then I remember you in my dreams, my Isis." Tracey's eyes welled up with tears, which she quickly hid away from her friend Daphne, while Harry reached the podium.
He saw the fright of House Potter, which had silenced them at last, causing him to internally smirk, as he held their fate in his very hands. The looks of fear on the faces of James, Lily, Sirius, Remus and even William… He was almost giddy himself. At the same time, Dumbledore was trying to subtly probe his mind, but to no avail, being met by a powerful barrier, thanks to a small Le Fay family's pin that prevented any intrusion into his mind. Minister, unsupported by his Undersecretary, was practically sweating in the presence of Prince Le Fay, unable to find the right words at the moment. Arcturus, Cassiopeia and Rose all smirked at the sight of what was happening, while Lucius Malfoy was aghast and with no words of his own, much like his wife and son.
They have tried relentlessly to gain the information about what had happened, as well as to get the audience with Arcturus Black, but they were unsuccessful on all fronts. The Dark Lord wanted results and they needed to deliver, but this… This was something they couldn't have expected. Prince Le Fay and Lord Slytherin at the same time, not to mention appearing like this and even challenging the might of Potters in such a brazing and bold action. This man has effectively captivated the entirety of Wizarding Nobility and the Ministry, but has also challenged the Dark Lord's power and position. Such a variable wasn't something that Lucius Malfoy could've prepared for to deal with, and once every one of his comrades in Inner Circle tells Dark Lord of this… He could only prey to Morgana that he would be merciful.
Dumbledore coughed a little, gaining the attention of Henry Le Fay, speaking up.
"I am sorry, milord, but we may've misheard you." Dumbledore spoke up. "You have stated that you are also a Lord Slytherin, if I am not mistaken."
"Chief Warlock, would you please drop this act, it is almost an agonizing to look at it. Start acting like a grown man you are." Harry shut Dumbledore up in a polite and quiet manner, making sure that only Dumbledore, Amelia Bones and Minister heard it all, before turning his attention to everyone. "Yes, Chief Warlock, I am Prince Le Fay and the Lord Slytherin, direct descendant of Queen Morgana Le Fay and Salazar Slytherin. In blood runs the magic and might of them both, might and magic that have reawakened the power of House Le Fay."
"Those are some very bold words, which are not quite founded on any facts." Evan Rosier spoke up, but with no insult in his words, drawing the attention of his Death Eaters colleagues. "Would you care to provide us with solid proof of your lineage, because so far, while your words are many and loud, there is little evidence to believe in any of them?"
"I, Henry Arthur Le Fay, swear upon my magic, that I am the true son of Morgana Le Fay and her Heir, and that I am of blood of Salazar Slytherin and the true Lord Slytherin, having claimed my titles and by right taken them." Golden glow from Henry confirmed his words, as he raised his left hand, and snapped his fingers, lighting them on fire, before letting out the fire. "I believe the very magic has proven my words to be true, Lord Rosier. I can understand the confusion, given the fact that in the past, one individual known as Voldemort had claimed to be an Heir of Slytherin. I can assure you all that where he was merely a pretender, I am the true Lord Slytherin, and I am in mood to relinquish my titles and blood."
"You speak his name so boldly, milord. Many here would think to be brave, but many more would claim you to be a fool." Theodor Nott Senior, Head of House Nott, spoke up in a near sneering manner, with Harry turning his head to him and looking at him calmly. "You may be wise to speak more carefully, good lord Le Fay. You never know when your words may get wrongly interpreted."
"Lord Nott, titles and names are only as powerful and intimidating as you make them be. I call things as they are, and calling that fan of French poetics as He Who Must Not Be Named just does unearned honor and dignity." Harry simply stated him. "Such as with his possible slayer, so called The Boy Who Lived." Harry turned his head towards Potters, with James and William seething from anger, but it was Sirius who spoke up.
"You doubt that my godson is the one responsible for defeat of Voldemort? Everyone knows that William has slain him with his magic." Sirius sneered at him. "You yourself are but hot air and bark with no bite."
"Am I? Mr. Black, do please tell me: where is the solid proof of that statement?" Harry asked of him and everyone else.
"My son was the only one left alive there, with Dark Lord gone. Headmaster Dumbledore himself have proclaimed him as the one to vanquish Voldemort." Lily spoke up, but in a more reserved manner than her husband and friend. "Prince Le Fay, what is the point of your words, when everyone knows the truth?"
"Do they, Lady Potter?" Harry asked in an amused tone, before turning to Professor Dumbledore. "And how exactly were you able to determine the so-called divinity of a toddler and that it was he that ended Voldemort? If my memory serves me correctly, I seem to recall that he wasn't actually alone there. There were actually three children there, not to mention two excellent and immensely powerful persons, Charlus Potter and Dorea Potter-Black. Excuse me all, but I'd rather believe that the two of them have been too much to handle for Voldemort, rather than that a year old toddler had peed on him dissolved him." Actual laughter was heard throughout the hall, with James and William near the breaking point of patience, but they were stopped when Professor Dumbledore spoke up.
"Prince Le Fay, let us not stray away from the matter at hand." Dumbledore spoke up, with Harry simply shrugging at that.
"If you wish to spare yourself the embarrassment of being proven wrong, be my guest." Harry allowed Dumbledore, but instead of turning to him, he turned to the Minister of Magic. "Minister Fudge, I presume? You have awfully quiet this entire time, sir. One would think that you were made mute by the overwhelming presence of so many titular persons: The Boy Who Lived, The Leader of Light, The Abysmal Parents and so on."
"Ah, n-no, no!" Fudge shook himself off out of shock, as he straightened up, before speaking up, as Head of the Noble Houses snickered at his expense. "Prince Le Fay, while we all enjoy a little bit of humor every now and then, do please behave yourself, like a true member of the Wizarding Society you are supposed to be." Fudge seemingly reprimanded Henry Le Fay, who simply nodded to him.
"Of course, I was going out of line there for I bit. Thank you for reprimanding me." Harry shot him a small smile, before turning to everyone. "Now, since I believe I have your absolute and undivided attention, I shall cut to chase, as non-magicals like to say it. I am here to inform you all that I am here, and I do intend to restore my House's power and prosperity, but you have nothing to fear of me. I understand that my House has quite a fearsome reputation, and I can assure you, that I have no interest in making unwanted enemies. However, should someone, anyone try to cross me in any way, I will respond swiftly and without any mercy. I will not permit any threat upon my lands, my subjects and all those that live in my domain, be they self-proclaimed and self-titled Light Wizards, or those that have chosen to side with the Dark, and anyone in between."
"Prince Le Fay, your words… I can't help but see them as a threat to everyone here." Minister spoke up. "You can't just act in such a way. You are a member of Magical Britain and therefore you must follow the laws that Ministry has approved, the Ministry to which you are a subject."
"Minister, I fear that you may need to consult a specialist on such matters, because while I may be technically a subject of Ministry, but in reality it is a fair bit more complicated than that." Harry stated to him. "The only person to whom I am full subject, is the current ruling King of Queen of Britain. And as for my status with the Ministry, as well as the status of my lands, I may adhere to more critical laws of Ministry, those that touch upon Statute of Secrecy and matters of equal importance, but in the other matters… I hold the full power and autonomy when it comes to executing my power within my domain. However, I am quite to a certain level of cooperation with Ministry and your Office, Minister. And, I believe, Lady Bones, as head of DMLE, will be happy to report that I may be a very powerful ally to you, especially when our interests align."
"Amelia, wh-what does this all mean?" Minister Fudge asked of her, with many asking the same thing in their minds.
"Prince Le Fay has offered his help to the Department of Aurors in exterminating a serious threat of Acromantula infestation." Amelia spoke up, with Dumbledore's eyes widening a little, as he looked at Amelia, and then at Henry. "For the last 40 or so years, Acromantulas have been multiplying and spreading throughout northern part of our island without any check or control. They have spread as far as Northern and Central England, Wales and Scotland, with a number of small towns and villages falling victim to them. The number of victims reached over 4000 non-magicals, the risk of our world's exposure has reached critical levels without our knowledge. Only thanks to Prince Le Fay were we able to prevent the catastrophe and exterminate the threat in an effective and conclusive manner, having tracked its origin point to the Forbidden Forest and destroyed the main colony of Acromantulas, along with every spider on an island."
"Forbidden Forest? Y-You mean to tell us that there was a giant colony of man-eating giant Spiders… right in Hogwarts' backyard?!" Minister, along with many, looked shocked and outraged, with Harry taking his turn to speak up.
"Oh yes, it has been there for quite some time if, what I have heard is to be believed. Although, I can't help but wonder, how come nobody seemed to be aware of it, nor did anyone do anything for that matter?" Harry asked seemingly nobody, before turning to Dumbledore. "Chief Warlock, are you not the current Headmaster of Hogwarts? I believe I speak for everyone when asking you, how did such thing escape your notice?"
"Prince Le Fay, I do not believe that it is your right to ask such questions of me." Dumbledore said with steel.
"But it is my right and duty to ask such questions." Amelia Bones spoke up, drawing the attention. "And I will be asking them of you, Headmaster, because those creatures have come far too close to exposing our world, and have become a cause of death of thousands. Your gatekeeper Hagrid, the man responsible for their appearance and multiplication, as well as confirmed smuggler of illegal and dangerous magical creatures, has already paid for his crimes when he resisted the execution of the operation, going as far as to try and attack the Aurors. Should I find out that you have in any way, willingly or not, with or without your knowledge, have assisted him, I will make sure to make you answer for every crime committed because of that." Dumbledore looked in shock at the fact that Hagrid was actually dead, as did many of his supporters.
"W-Well… I believe that today was quite an eventful gathering of the Wizengamot, and as the Minister, I declare to be over." Minister proclaimed in a shocked and astonished manner, before he turned to Prince Le Fay. "Prince Le Fay, this entire matter is quite complex, and I do hope that we will be able to discuss it in a more private and informal manner, so as to smooth the rough edges."
"I do believe that it would be prudent and quite possible, Minister." Harry stated. "But before everyone leaves, I do have two announcements to make, if I may?"
"O-Of course." Minister allowed.
"Thank you." Henry bowed to him. "First of all, as a sign of good will and intention to build strong ties with you all, I announce a Ball, which shall be held in honor of anniversary of establishment of Ministry of Magic, on August 21st. All those that are present here and all your friends and family are most welcome to come and taste the hospitality of House Le Fay in its home, Albion's Hearth. I welcome each and every one of you, with Minister himself most profoundly, to come and see for yourself the true face of House Le Fay."
"A most generous offer, Prince Le Fay, and I do believe that I shall be taking you up on that." Minister of Magic smiled to him. "And what is your second announcement, if I may ask? Is there a Lady Le Fay already that you wish to introduce us to?" Cornelius asked in a joking manner.
"Not quite, Minister." Harry said to him, while he motioned for Rose to come down. "It is a customary tradition to announce one's Heir or Heiress before all of Wizengamot, to ensure that in case of an unwarranted tragedy, the House and Title were left in capable hands. And while I do not see myself succumbing to any ill fate any time soon, I do wish to make it clear to everyone, that House Le Fay has a rightful Heiress." Rose came up to her brother, still hooded, with Harry winking to her, as she put her hands upon the hood. "Lords and Ladies, may I present to you all the Heiress of House Le Fay, my blood and sister, daughter to Queen Morgana Le Fay, Rose Morgana Le Fay, formerly of House Potter."
As Harry said those words, Rose pulled away her hood, revealing herself to everyone, as her flaming red hair flowed out, coupled with her emerald warm eyes. Even though she was still barely 15 years of old, she stood just half a head shorter than her tall older brother, with her figure already showing signs of being a great beauty. But not her beauty had served her just now to silence everyone, but her very presence has put the shock to everyone, especially the Potters and Weasleys, not to mention Dumbledore. She looked the people that had hurt her the most throughout her life, and couldn't help but let out a small smirk, as she spoke up.
"Lords and Ladies, I, Rose Morgana Le Fay, swear upon my magic, that I am whom my brother Henry Arthur Le Fay claims me to be, and that I am a former daughter of James and Lily Potter, having left the House of Potter out of fear for my safety and prosperity." Magic confirmed her words, with the shock only becoming stronger among people. "You all have heard me correctly, and magic has confirmed it. Yes, I am a former daughter of House Potter, but I have fled it, having lost the single true sibling I had and finding myself not just unwanted, but nearly sold out like cattle to House Weasley, as a bride to their youngest son, a detestable, vile and crude boy, much like my former blood brother William." Uproar was incoming, and Dumbledore had tried to rein the girl in.
"Ms. Potter, stop spouting such nonsense, before I'll be forced to…" Dumbledore tried to stop her, but was met by a powerful glare of young Witch.
"I am Le Fay, Professor, not Potter. Do remember it well, Headmaster." Rose stated, before turning to the public. "Lords and Ladies, the image that these people have put in front of them is nothing but a ruse. For most of my life, I was nothing but an unwanted addition to their family, an unwanted child, as was my brother Harry Potter, the very one who, in this very room, has been convicted of the crime he did not commit, yet died in Azkaban because of it. He was the single person in our family to love and care for me, when not even my very own mother would even give me the smallest amounts of affection and love. Instead, she and her husband had berated me for simply existing, for things I had no part in, and just out of sheer spite, before they decided to do away with me for good through marriage to a disgraced and vile family of Weasley. I would've been dead, either because of Peter Pettigrew that had tried to strike me down, or from taking my own life to prevent myself from enduring the hell any longer, had it not been for Prince Le Fay and my true family, House of Black." The auditorium looked in shock at Arcturus, who simply smirked.
"I tell you this, good Wizards and Witches, that House Potter, the proud, noble and great one, is dead, and in his stead stands but a vile atrocity that hides behind glitter and shines." Rose continued. "I left House of Potter because I could not endure it any longer, and my brother died because of their schemes and hatred, and let magic prove my words right!" And golden glow had proven Rose's words true.
The utter chaos broke out as Rose had said her last words, as the proverbial bomb exploded with a force of a nuclear warhead. The Wizengamot had descended into an utter anarchy from the revelations, which were founded and based upon magic, the most powerful tool of all. And even though those that may know that Harry Potter wasn't physically dead, he was, as a person and spiritually, all gone, which magic had taken into the account, seeing Henry Le Fay as a different person entirely. As the Heads of the Houses descended into frenzy at House Potter and their friends, while most of the Ministry workers had tried to stop this to no avail, Le Fay family, along with a few dozen more sensible ones took their leave from the room.
Before the pair had apparated out of the Ministry through one of their exits, Rose, seeing as none were looking at the moment too profoundly at them, slipped a piece of paper to Harry, before speaking up.
"Tracey says that you are a dead man, brother, and somehow, she figured out you are whom she had been shagging all those years ago. Care to elaborate?" She asked of him, with Harry simply sighing to her and speaking up.
"Remember I told you about our oath we made, when we were fooling around with Blood Magic in our fourth year?" Rose nodded. "I can't lie to her, nor can she do the same to me, even in thoughts, because of our oath, and when it comes to brain department, she is as smart as I am. And… We've been together for a long time and I didn't forget it."
"Smarter, actually, but that is me being subjective." Rose simply said to him. "And neither did she forget, if her tears are any indications. Just make sure that she understands your position and that you now also have Nymphadora in the same category as her." Rose said to him as she transported herself out of Ministry.
Harry looked down at the piece of paper and unfolded it, seeing the writing of Tracey Davis.
"Where you first met me. Tomorrow at dawn."
Hm, not all too sure if this chapter went alright or not, but I am honestly a bit exhausted so I think I will leave it at that. Now, a little bit of explaining about Tracey Davis and why I've made her like that.
I've checked with Potterwiki, and there is ZERO information on how she looks exactly, and I have seen many different variants, but usually going in the same direction. So, seeing how I couldn't get much information about her, I decided to go my own way. So, she is a half-blood Witch, but not part of nobility, like Daphne Greegrass, who is out of consideration in romance department, sorry. As for her looks, she took largely after her mother, an African witch, while she also gained her Dad's eyes. As for her smarts, she is Harry's equal, and can be a one mean menacing witch. She is also looked down upon by most Wizards, as they see her as just a half-blooded bastard with a mixed blood, so she bonded with Harry because the two were outcasts and grew close, very close.
Oh yeah, don't even think about the ISIS jokes, I know what you are all thinking. Do remember that Isis is also the name of one of prime Egyptian goddesses, reprisenting magic, feminine ideal and motherhood, not to mention power and healing. You have been warned.
Next time: Old and new lovers; Rose, Lily and Faye