.
The Ruins of House Potter
Chapter 7 – New Friends
By Jamnaz79
Notice: I do not own Harry Potter. I do not claim to own it or wish to make any money off of it. I am merely using the characters to write some hopefully enjoyable stories. All rights belong to the sacred lady, may she grace us with future stories someday.
Ollivander shook his head slowly back and forth, "No, it was an ancient wand from a powerful witch. The wand was crafted after a witch bested a sphinx in a contest of one hundred riddles. She won the tears for that wand and the land of her castle. That wand has been in my family for numerous generations and is considered priceless."
Harry gently examined the wand, his fingertips trembled as he could feel the care and history that it had been given. He could feel the eyes of the old man staring at him in curiosity, watching with a calculating consideration. Slowly the boy hefted the handle of the wand and closed his eyes concentrating. He could feel the power of the wand shooting through his core. He felt the light seeming to wrap around his body and a wind pick up to swirl around him. His fingertips raised the wand upwards to point at the plant with concentration magic shot forth to cause the aged dried husk to grow into a vibrant plant.
The boy turned to look back at the old man with a smile, "We have found one. Now the only question to consider is how much is priceless Mr. Ollivander?"
~~~ RoHP ~~~
A month is a short amount of time normally. But for Harry it felt as if the past month had been crawling at a pace that was crazy slow. He continued his daily exercise routine. He had read his new books for school already and debated reading them a second time. The boy even went over and performed almost all of his muggle school work for the next year. Remus had been tutoring him in the classes he would need so someday he could attend college. Many students that went away to Hogwarts that wanted to go to school in the muggle world afterwards would find themselves so far behind after Wizarding School was completed. Harry before learning he was a wizard had dreamed of going to Cambridge. If he kept up his work there was a chance that he could still someday go there.
In addition to his studies Harry had been reading his mother's journals. She was a brilliant woman, with ideas that astounded him. In her journals she had detailed everything she had learned from the studying of spells. She even would place diagrams for her wand movements. But the best part was the note that he had found at the beginning of them.
Dear Harry,
It is my hope to give you these on your thirteenth birthday. May they be able to help guide you to become a fabulous student and a great young man! I am sure you will become a future Head boy someday at Hogwarts. I am writing this with you in my tummy still. But, know that I am sure no matter what you do in life I will be proud of you and love you.
Love,
Mum
When he had found the note he had actually broken down in tears. He couldn't help it. It felt like his mother was reaching out through time and giving him a hug or showering him with her love. He ached for that feeling, no matter how wonderful Remus had become as a guardian he was not his parents. Here was his mother who had helped put together these notebooks for him even though he wasn't even born yet. The amount of love and caring from her towards him amazed him.
It had been the first time that Harry had cried since his trip to his parent's graves. It had surprised him but made him redouble his efforts to learn everything he could before he went to Hogwarts. He wanted to know as much as possible to become a top student like his mother and father were. Both of them had been Head Boy and Head Girl at Hogwarts. Harry wanted to follow the Potter family tradition and become the same. Just as important he be worthy of the legacy of being a Potter. He would prove to the world that they were wrong of their opinion of his parents and Potters were worthy of being a Noble House again.
The young Potter heir looked at the last of his clothing and books neatly filed away into his father's trunk. The compartments were for books, clothing, potion supplies, random things which once held his father's pranking items. Harry glanced at his bed with his last three items he was debating on packing. They were things that he didn't want to be parted from but he also knew he shouldn't take them with him to school. The school was protected and according to Remus the safest place on earth. So he doubted he would need them. But, they were one of the few things he had of his Evans family legacy.
The first of the items was an 1873 Winchester repeating rifle. It was commonly known as the gun that won the west by muggles because in America it had been used by cowboys often in their battles. It was a rare gun and something his great grandfather had collected. His Uncle Vernon had taught him when he was eight how to use it. He was even a registered junior member to the UK NRA. His Uncle had been a senior member. Harry had been taught how to take apart and clean the weapon, it actually had impressed his Academy professors his dedication. The young man would take apart both of his guns once ever few weeks to clean them. The gun had been in the family since the early 1900s from his great grandfather Jacob Evans the third.
The second gun was a Webley MK V from World War I. This weapon had been used by great grandfather Captain Jacob Evans the third when he went to war. He had it with him at the trenches of Battle of Loos and many other battles. It had seen the Captain Evans through the war to safety then afterwards been used by his son a pilot named Captain Jonathan Evans through World War II. The gun was a traditional weapon carried by his family whenever they went into conflict. While Harry was worried about the conflicts he might run into at school he doubted the guns will be needed.
The final item was a cavalry sword. The sword was actually a 1788 Heavy cavalry sword worn by Lord Jacob Evans the first. He had used it during the war of 1812 when Lord Jacob Evans and his younger brother Henry Evans had been assigned in charge of a cavalry division to the North American colonies which became Canada by the Prime Minister Lord Liverpool. If he remembered correctly Aunt Petunia had told him that they still had family somewhere in Canada. The three weapons were some of the very few family heirlooms that survived the fire that ended the lives of Harry's grandparents in the mid-1970s. He treasured the items and wanted them with him to remind him or his muggle side as he went into this world. But, he couldn't bring them with him in good conscience.
So the young man placed the guns and sword away into a cabinet that Remus had placed a stasis charm. This would hopefully keep away the possibility of dust gathering in the place and keep his guns in good condition. He plucked up a book to calm his nerves and started to read.
Harry glanced at the title An Introduction to Pure Politics by Caelum Black. It was a book that he had found in the trunk for him to read. One that his grandmother, Dorea Potter nee' Black had owned. He slowly opened it up to his bookmarked place and started to read.
The major difference in British magical society in comparison to muggle society is that the Empire did not fall apart in the year 1901. In fact the magical empire continued to grow stronger throughout the 19th century. While a few smaller colonies did slip away from British control. The magicals had learned from watching the American revolt for separation and decided to make certain that would not take place again.
Hence the Wizengamot was expanded to ninety nine votes. Each foreign colony of significance was given the right of two votes in the Wizengamot. In addition each colony was given the right to self-impose laws and run their own territory as long as they kept under the final authority of the Wizengamot. This staved off revolt from most magical colonies and establishments around the world that had been under British rule.
Another significant difference was the American confederations civil war of independence. In 1863 the United States of America entered into a brutal civil war. The muggle conflict ended with a Northern victory by sheer industrial might mixed with larger manpower resources. Unfortunately for the magical North they didn't have these benefits.
The fact was that the southern magicals outnumbered their northern brethren. While the Salem witches institute was a wonderful school for witches. The Atlanta military academy was the primary school of choice for the elite wizards of the country. It is with little surprise then that the magical North was not able to resist the Southern forces for long and by late 1864 had requested aid from their motherland, the British Magical Empire.
While there was some debate it was finally decided with the Wizengamot that the Northern American colonies and territory would return to the Empire. Troops were sent to secure the new borders and a peace was found between the confederate Magical States of America and the Magical British Empire. After a fifty year term of Governorship the Northern States were given the right to their own government for their territory with the understanding that they were under Magical Britain. In addition they were awarded 4 seats or votes within the Wizengamot.
Currently the colonies that have votes in the Wizengamot include India (4 votes), Hong Kong (2 votes), South Africa (2 votes), Canada (2 votes), Magical America (4 votes), and Australia (2 votes)
The Wizengamot is split between three levels of Houses that hold votes. The lowest level is the Noble Houses which hold one vote. The second level is the Ancient Houses which hold two votes. The highest level is the Ancient and Noble Houses and they hold three votes.
List of Noble Houses: (20 votes – 18 active)
House Avery House Bagnold House Crabbe House Crouch House Dodge
House Evermonde (Vacant) House Fawley House Fudge House Gore (Vacant)
House Goyle House MacDougal House Malfoy House Marchbanks House Prewett
House Rowle House Selwyn House Summer House Thicknesse House Tuft
House Yaxley
List of Ancient Houses: (20 votes – 18 active)
House Boot House Carrow House Greengrass House Knatchbull (Vacant)
House LeStrange House Longbottom House Macmillian House Nott House Osbert
House Rosier
List of Ancient and Noble Houses: (33 votes – 15 active)
House Black House Bones House Haskel (Vacant) House Potter
House Ogden House Peverell (Vacant) House Smith House Slytherin (Vacant)
House Gryffindor (Vacant) House Hufflepuff (Vacant) House Ravenclaw (Vacant)
Territory Votes: (16 votes)
India (4 votes) Magical America (4 votes) Australia (2 votes) Canada (2 votes)
Hong Kong (2 votes) South Africa (2 votes)
Ministry Votes: (10 votes)
Minister of Magic (2 votes) Chief Warlock (2 votes) Undersecretary of Magic
5 Open seats for assignment (5 votes)
There are a total of ninety nine seats within the Wizengamot. Of these seventy seven are active seats that are claimed by magical Houses and governmental roles. Election of Chief Warlock and Minister of Magic requires a vote of fifty votes. The removal of Chief Warlock or Minister of Magic requires the same fifty votes.
ICW - Great Britain is given a major seat on the ICW council due to the extreme amount of territory that the Empire holds. It has played a major role in multiple conflicts of Dark Lords rising around the world. Coupled with the fact that a majority of magicals can be further found around the Pillars of Hercules from the believed lost continent of Atlantis would further show the importance of the Empire. Hence the Empire commonly has held the position of Supreme Mugwump of the ICW since its founding in the late 1500s. If the Empire has not held the position then often her allies or distributed territories would hold the position. The ICW enforces peace between magical Kingdoms of the world, most under the banner of the European Imperialism. In addition they are responsible for dealing with outside organizations that threaten the magical world.
Harry frowned at where his House had been placed. He knew that currently they had lost a vote in the Wizengamot when they were downgraded. Still it was something to work towards. Harry flipped through the book to the page with House Potter.
The Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Seal : A golden P with a Sword beneath and a branch above
Established: Estimates to have been established around 650 BC
Placement: The House of Potter has traditionally been a House in the middle. They were a neutral house that would often align with the light in times of great strife. They were known as warriors and followers of the old religion.
House God/Goddess: Belatu-Cadros – Welsh God of War and Destruction of Enemies
House Words - The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death
Alliance: The Ancient House of Longbottom
Sword Shield Houses:
Minor House of Diggory
Minor House of Wood
Minor House of Russell – Extinct
Minor House of Shaw - Extinct
Minor House of Walsh – Last members in Colonies – America
The knock on the door drew Harry's attention as he looked up from the book. The head of Remus peaked through the open door with a smile over his lips, "are you ready cub? We need to go if we don't want to be late."
"I am as ready as I will ever be. It seems like this day would never come." Harry closed the book as he stood up. He quickly slid it away into his trunk before tapping the trunk with his wand. It shrunk down to the side of the palm of his hand which the boy pocketed. He then went over and picked up the car carrier opening it up. Midnight jumped down from her comfy spot on the bed then padded over to the carrier to leap inside. The all black cat curled up as her starling emerald eyes sparkled looking out from the cage at the young Potter heir. Every once in a while Harry swore he could see affection sparking in those eyes that matched his own. "I will let you out soon as we get onto the train, I promise girl."
Remus kept silent at the doorway watching the boy, no young man, get ready. If he had to admit it he would miss this. He had not realized till now how much of an impacted the boy had made on his life. The house would feel empty once Harry was out and off to school. He had truly become a mainstream in Remus life over the past few years. HE cleared his throat partly to alert the kid that to hurry and partly to keep himself from welling up. If James was here he might tease him for possibly welling up. Of course when nobody was looking Prongs would be balling that his little boy was off to Hogwarts.
Harry perked up at the clearing of the throat from his guardian and smiled at the man. He pocketed his trunk and picked up the cat carrier to follow the werewolf out of the house. The pair of them would apparate to a point onto the platform 9 3/4s. From there they would part and Harry would be off for the next exciting chapter of his life.
It took no time to appear on platform. The place was not too busy since they were close to an hour early. Harry glanced around at the few families about but honestly he wouldn't be able to recognize too many folks out there. Slowly the youth took a deep breath and ran his fingertips through his windswept wild hair before smiling back at his guardian, "So this is it."
"Yes it is. Now remember to behave yourself. Don't get into too much trouble while you are there." Remus smiled at the boy as he offered a bit of advice.
Harry rolled his eyes at the comment; after all he had read from his mother's journal a bit of the mischief that his parents had gotten into. "Like a Marauder has a right to talk about not getting into trouble."
"Hey, I only tried to keep them from getting into too much mischief. Besides Harry don't just try to follow in the footsteps of your parents. Be your own man. I know you will be something exceptional." Remus spoke calmly as he reached out to give a squeeze to the shoulder of the boy.
Harry smiled up at the grey-light brown haired man then stepped forward to give him a tight embrace. "Thank you for taking care of me Mooney. I will make you and my parents proud."
"I know you will Harry." Remus ruffled the hair of the boy then stepped back from the hug. He wasn't used to human contact due to his condition so he might be affectionate in words and actions but not in hugs. "Remember you are to meet with Professor Babbling in the first few days so be ready for your test for ancient runes. Also the map was last seen in Filch's office. Be sure to get it back if possible."
"I will make certain to get it the first chance I could get." Harry grinned at the werewolf before picking up midnight and starting to climb onboard the train. He didn't turn around or look to see Remus departing. He missed the tears on the cheeks of the man who had become his guardian.
It was not hard to find an empty compartment. He had arrived early enough that about ten compartments in he found one that was empty. Harry stepped into it and enlarged his trunk to take out his runes book. Then he placed it up on top of the compartment to stow away. Harry let out Midnight who promptly curled up onto his lap. The old cat loved to curl up and sleep on Harry. Every once in a while she would raise her head and look at him expectantly. Like the obediently trained owner he was he would promptly rub her ears for her till she would go back to sleep.
It was about fifteen minutes later when the door opened up and in the doorway stood a girl. She had dark black hair and a tanned skin tone of someone that spent hours in the sun. Her eyes were a deep dark black eyes to match her hair. A small cute noise and bright smile made her appear rather pretty. She wasn't too tall obviously a first year student too. She was currently dragging a trunk behind her towards the room. "Can I join you?"
Harry marked his place in his runes book and placed it down. He scooped up midnight and placed her onto the book with minimal fuss. Then he quickly stepped over to help the girl with her trunk, "You are more than welcome to join me if you like."
The girl smiled brightly for Harry as he went to work putting up and away her trunk. She sat down across from him and brightly cried, "Ohh your cat is so pretty."
"Thank you she was my mum's when she went to Hogwarts." Harry smiled proudly as he looked down on the sleeping cat. Midnight at the moment was still passed out asleep atop the book and seemed to be remarkably dreaming and gnawing on the corner of the runes book.
The young man shook his head at the actions of his familiar and looked back towards the girl, "I am Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter… I know that name but I am not certain where. Did you go to the Malfoy ball over summer?" The girl blinked in surprise as she watched the young man across from her carefully. As Harry shook his head in the negative she wrinkled her little nose with a frown, "Hmm. I will remember sometime I am sure. I am Annabelle Zabini."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Annabelle." Harry smiled warmly before started to lift up his book. Before he could do so the door opened again and in the doorway was a boy this time.
The boy was tall for his age looking like he could be a second or third year student instead of a first year. He had dark hair and bright grey eyes. His face was chiseled face that most girls would call handsome. He had a layer of muscle and a tan from being outdoors. He looked like he might be some girl's opinion of dreamy. His voice cracked as most do when they are at the tender age of thirteen, "Are you Harry Potter?"
Harry blinked in surprise. He didn't expect to be noticed by others or if others would even care about him. Let alone that someone would seek him out. He quickly realized that he was staring at the boy in curiosity and nodded his head firmly once, "I am Harry Potter."
The boy smiled at that simple statement and offered his hand for Harry to shake, "It is good to meet you Heir Harry of the Ancient House of Potter. I am Cedric Diggory. My father told me that you were on the train for your first year too. So I wanted to find you."
Harry took the hand and shook it with a smile. He remembered from the book this morning that the House of Diggory was one of his shield houses. A shield House in old times used to act as knights would to their lord. When war came upon the House of Potter the House of Diggory would stand up and fight beside them and their allies. The fact that Diggory's father had sent him to find Harry proved that they didn't forget about him and wanted to keep the friendship going between the houses. "It is a pleasure to meet you Cedric of the House of Diggory. Please let your father know that I am eager to meet him someday soon."
Cedric grinned at the boy then motioned to his trunk, "Mind if I sit with you two?"
Harry glanced toward Annabelle who simply shrugged her shoulders once. Then he stepped over to help Cedric lift up his trunk to place up onto the racks above. When all was done and settled Cedric sat down next to Harry with a quidditch through the ages book in his lap, "Do you play quidditch Harry?"
"I want try it, maybe become a chaser. My father played and was very good but I have never gotten to yet. I love riding a broom too." Harry smiled at the thought of playing quidditch like his father.
"I want to be a seeker. The idea that the game is up to me to end and the stress of a win or loss on my shoulders excites me." Cedric grinned then looked over towards Annabelle.
The girl shook her head once with a frown, "I don't play, never rode a broom before either."
"What do you enjoy to do Annabelle?" Harry smiled towards the girl to try to include her into the conversation.
"I want to become a medi-witch someday. So I like to learn about the body and healing." Annabelle offered with a friendly smile.
A perverted comment started to slip into the mind of the thirteen year old but it was quickly decided to be a bad ideas a hint of crimson touched Harry's cheeks. Instead he cleared his throat as he lifted up his book to settle it and midnight back onto his lap. "My guardian is recognized as a muggle doctor. If you wish someday perhaps I can get him to let you read some of his books on the body."
"Why would she want to look at muggle books?" Cedric asked in inquisitiveness.
"Because the muggles have studied the body very intricately since they cannot simply heal with a few words. While us wizards and witches might not be able to get sick from some of their diseases we still have the same body structure. It might give a different insight into the body then she would get from the wizarding world." Harry answered the questions with a smile.
"That is a good idea Harry. Thank you. I would love the chance to someday look over some of these muggle books." Annabelle smiled rather prettily. She looked from one boy to the next before offering, "What house do you both want to be part of?"
"The Diggory family has always been in Hufflepuff. Our motto is even loyal beyond the grave. The Fat Friar who is the Hufflepuff ghost is supposedly a Diggory." Cedric gave a chuckle as he smiled. He turned towards Harry and asked, "What about you?"
"I don't know honestly. My parents were both Gryffindors and my grandparents were a Gryffindor and Slytherin. I don't want to be just considered a continuation of them. I want to be my own person. I was raised to believe that hard work, determination and duty to your family defeats everything. I also love to read. So either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw would be interesting to me." Harry smiled warmly and looked towards Annabelle for her opinion.
The girl stared at Harry for long moments with her dark eyes. The boy swore that he could see the emotions flickering within the depths of those eyes alive like a rolling storm. After a moment she shrugged seeming to decide she didn't care over some fact, "I don't know my father was a Ravenclaw and my mother was a Slytherin. I would be happy in either house. Do either of you have any siblings?"
Harry shook his head once back and forth with a frown, "I was an only child before my parent's deaths."
A grimace marred the pretty face of the girl but Harry waived off the concern she was about to state.
Cedric spoke up afterwards, "I have a younger sister, and she is three years younger than I am. Stephanie Diggory is her name. She cried when I left."
The young Diggory heir shook his head sadly with a smile missing his family already. Then instead he smiled, "So what Quidditch teams do you follow?"
Both Annabelle and Harry spoke up at the same time "Puddlemere United!"
Cedric rolled his eyes with a grin, "Well I see you both agree to follow losers. Then again anyone that isn't a Montrose Magpie is second place! At least you don't follow the horrible Chudley Cannons!"
Just like that the three started a debate and talked that would last them the rest of the train ride. Conversations from family, friends, school subjects, and most of all Quidditch dominated the trip but at least it started up a friendship. They barely realized that they were at Hogsmeade when the train whistled blew and they had to rush to change. Annabelle went first without the boys there then Cedric and Harry next quickly changing.
Author Note: Next chapter a sorting and a little different Hufflepuff House then expected perhaps. I hope you all enjoy a little more depth for Evans family. The books never really go into their past so I hope I added a little depth to them.