AN: Hey guys, sorry for the late update. After I wrote about 6000 words for this chapter my computer decided to die out on me and I had to reinstall windows and all of my programs.
I want to take a minute to thank all of my reviewers and those who subscribe to my story. Those who reviewed chapter 7 got a message about my reviewer polls, but there was some issue with my website but I have fixed all of those issues and will be proceeding with reviewer polls from now on, also on my homepage is General Readership polls, if you want to vote on them, go ahead to my profile and click my homepage, and hover over GENERAL POLLS at the top, this will bring a dropdown of the current votable polls for my readership.
Also to note, the packet of blueprints is also posted on my website under inheritance files.
I also want to thank my wonderful beta alix33 who caught many of my atrocious grammar mistakes!
Well, without further ado, here is chapter 8 Of Quarters and Trials.
DISCLAIMER: So, I got JKR drunk and she sold me HP.* Receives letter stating that he just committed perjury*
Okay I guess that was only a dream… how am I gonna get out of this….
JKR owns Harry Potter…. Not I.
Harry awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. He decided not to stay at Hogwarts due to the fact with yesterday's revelation of his power and influence, he would have no peace unless he were to stay in his quarters twenty-four hours a day. Harry then decided to call Dobby and Winky.
Dobby and Winky soon appeared, the latter stumbling drunk, the former happy as could be. "The Great wizard Harry Potter Sir, calls Dobby and Winky?" Dobby asked.
"Yes, Dobby. I would like it if you and Winky would consider working for me." Harry explained to the two house elves.
At this comment Winky sobered up, "Youz be wanting to bond with Winky sir? Youz make Winky so happies!"
"Well, I could keep you as free elves and pay you, but if you want to be bonded then we have some rules to go over.
Winky quickly exclaimed "Winky be wanting to bond with Harry Potter Sir!"
Dobby then Spoke up, "Harry Potter sir, if Dobby bes bonded to Harry Potter Sir, would Dobby be being allowed to wear clothes?"
"Yes, Dobby." Harry answered the house-elf.
"Then Dobby wishing to bond with the most wonderful wizard ever, Harry Potter sir." Dobby replied.
Harry and the elves quickly formed the bonding vows, before Harry set out his first rules.
"First of all, each of you will get one day off a week, and 5 galleons a week to do with whatever you wish. These are gifts, not pay."
"But Harry Potter sir, House-elves don't get paid. Not proper ones like Winky and Dobby!" Winky exclaimed, with horror on her face.
"I'm not paying you, I am giving you a gift." Harry replied. The two house elves thought this over and then nodded uneasily.
"Secondly, if you want you may wear clothes if you want. And last but not least, you are never to punish yourself." Harry said firmly.
The house elves again agreed to this.
"Okay, Dobby and Winky can you look through here and draw me plans for this area of Hogwarts? I'll call you if I need anything else while I'm out and about. Don't unpack any of my things though, because we may not be staying here except once in awhile." Harry told the two house elves.
"Yes, Master Harry Potter, sir!" Both house elves exclaimed loudly as they got to work.
At that Harry again altered his appearance, clearing his ring and cloak of any distinguishing features, and wearing only a non-descript Hogwarts robe with no house patch. His appearance was that of a 5th year male, with blond hair and blue eyes. He put a vanishing glamour on his ring, so that only those who could see through glamours, like the goblins, could see it.
After his preparations, he promptly apparated away to Diagon Alley. After milling around for a bit, he approached one of the counters and smiled at the Goblin, "I would like to speak with Fragnook please." Harry informed the goblin.
"Right away Lord Potter-Black-Merlin." The goblin said, scrambling from his chair and into the hallway that led to the Goblins office, with Harry following all the while. As they entered the office, Harry changed his appearance back to his actual appearance.
Fragnook dismissed the other goblin, and promptly motioned for Harry to sit. "How can I help you today Lord Potter-Black-Merlin?" The goblin asked Harry.
"I was wondering if I might see the Merlin vaults. I remember from my trials that Lord Merlin told me he had hidden the deed and details on many houses in his vaults."
"That can be arranged milord." The goblin replied, leading Harry out of his office and towards the carts that would take him to the Merlin vaults. As they rode the carts on the long journey towards the oldest vault in Gringotts, Harry realized something.
"Fragnook, how come you and the other Goblin only refer to me by my name and two of my lordships?"
"It is complicated milord, but the easy explanation is that since you promoted myself, Ragnok, and Griphook, we only handle your accounts. We each call you Lord Potter and the names of the accounts we manage as a sign of respect for the accounts we manage. When you asked for myself, the goblin out front realized who you were, and called you by the name I would use." Fragnook explained as they pulled up to the gate. Both Harry and Fragnook exited the cart and approached the door. "Please place your hand on the door, it will recognize you as the Lord, and allow you access."
Harry did as he was told and the doors opened, revealing a room lined with bookshelfs labeled by category. He also found piles of gems, jewelry, and other assorted things. He looked around the bookcases and found one labeled MERLIN'S WRITINGS and went to it. In a cupboard labeled DEEDS he found what he was looking for, books with deeds to properties inside.
He looked through the descriptions and blueprints until he found a manor he liked. This was located in the highlands of Scotland, and had 6 floors, each floor was around 20000 square feet give or take a couple thousand on the top levels. The basement contained a potions lab and storerooms. The ground floor had a dining room, a library, a sitting room, 3 bathrooms, large kitchens, 2 foyers, and 4 bedrooms. The second floor had 4 bathrooms and eight bedrooms. The third floor seemed to be a master suite with a 500 square foot bathroom, sitting room, kitchenette, and the bedrooms. The fourth floor was consisted solely of a training room with a large weapons storage area. The fifth floor was labeled in the book as the Master's Study and contained a large library with a conference room and study.
Harry looked at the incomplete plans the description noting that while the plans didn't show or label everything with the description he could guess what was what and that all of the house had been completed, warded, and was unplottable. The house was not under the Fidelis, but instead, like Hogwarts had muggle repelling charms, but these charms also acted like the Fidelis in that it affected wizards the same as muggles unless a person who owned the property gave them information on the property.
Harry continued to read plans and note the charms and features on the house before deciding he would stay in this house. It was near Hogwarts, another "ruin" about 45 km from Hogsmeade but more hidden.
After noting that the self updating blueprints on the house and noted that it mentioned that over 50 house-elves served the manor to this day and stayed in a cottage on the grounds, though no blueprints were provided, Harry felt this house would serve his needs quite well and allow friends to visit. He also noted almost every floor had a floo to it, and would allow access to those the floo was linked to.
Harry rolled up the blueprints and headed from his vault back to the founders hall of Hogwarts.
==== 1 Week Later – Ministry of Magic ====
Harry Potter was in his standard dragonskin armor and normal appearance. He also carried Godric Gryffindor's sword and his own wand, but after his recent practice he was becoming proficient in most minor curses and hexes wandlessly.
Harry was on his way to the Minister's office due to the fact that Dumbledore had not fulfilled the remainder of Harry's orders regarding the Order of the Phoenix.
Harry soon came into the room, and was met by multiple Aurors, Chief Auror Rufus Scrimagour Chief Witch Bones of the Wizengamot, the new head of the DMLE Kingsly Shacklebolt, Minister Fudge, and Albus Dumbledore. Harry entered and spoke up, greeting those, "Chief Witch Bones, Director Shacklebolt, Minister Fudge, Mr. Dumbledore."
All those present greeted Harry before Director Shacklebolt spoke up, "Lord Potter-Black, why are we all here?"
"To try Albus Dumbledore on multiple charges. Minister if you could order the Aurors to arrest him on charges of 15 counts of financial misconduct, 1 count kidnapping, 15 counts false imprisonment, 10 counts accessory to mind-rape through the allowance of the legilimens curse, improper spying, accessory to child abuse, and child neglect."
"Auror, please do as asked by Lord Potter-Black-Draven-Simmons-Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw-Gryffindor-Merlin." The minister spoke up.
Shacklebolt jumped to his feet, "You can't do this minister. Surely this panel cannot try Headmaster Dumbledore!" The Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement spoke up.
Amelia Bones, Chief Witch of the Wizengamot spoke up, "Actually under the Law Enforcement Pact of 1975, signed into law by the Wizengamot, Four votes can bring an accused before a panel of two or more Aurors, the Head of the Wizengamot, the Minister, and the Director of the DMLE. The verdict must be verified by 9 votes of the Wizengamot to be carried out. Lord Potter has prepared well." She said, taking her seat.
"Minister, I ask to have the honor of prosecuting the defendant. However I ask that Ms. Bones interrogate me during my time on the stand." Harry spoke up.
"And I would like to defend the witness!" Kingsley spoke up.
"Yes, well, everything is in order. Let us begin." Fudge said, changing his office into a mini-courtroom and having a dictation quill stand by to record the conversation. "Mr. Albus Dumbledore, Heir Apparent to the Dumbledore Lordship, how do you plead to the various charges and specifications?"
Dumbledore seemed to age as he slumped down into his chair, he was shackled to the chair and was wearing Magical Suppression bands to inhibit his magic use. "I please not guilty."
Harry looked at the minister, "Minister, may I proceed with my case?"
"Yes, Lord Potter-Black."
"Members of this court, while this may be a extreme case, and many of you may think I am being vindictive in my charging the former Headmaster and Chief Wartlock in such a manner, I assure you this is not the case. I chose this venue to the fact that Albus Dumbledore is a symbol of the light and in this political climate we can not lose the symbol of the man. I chose to charge the headmaster with these crimes because be that as it may, NO ONE is above the law and should be exempt from her punishment. However for the same reason that Mr. Dumbledore is a a symbol, I did not want this being published and widespread. If at any time Mr. Dumbledore wishes to bargain with me for a plea deal I am willing to accommodate him."
Harry paused, "Now, I will prove that Mr. Dumbledore committed or allowed all of the crimes he is charged with to be committed. Many of the charges I could charge multiple times of but left them at a decent round number or one charge per year.
I would first like to send an auror for Ms. Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I would also like to send a house elf of the black family to Gringotts to call a witness of the goblins at a later hour. In addition I believe both myself and the defense may wish that the Aurors who are sent for Headmistress McGonagall should also ask Professor Severus Snape to be present."
"This court stands in recess for 30 minutes to prepare the witnesses. All witnesses and members to these procedures are to swear an oath of secrecy in the meantime." The minister ordered, banging his gavel.
====30 Minutes Later ====
Thirty minutes later both Professors McGonagall and Snape, and Griphook where seated in the gallery, while everyone here had been issued and swore an unbreakable vow of secrecy. Harry again took his place behind the prosecutor's portal. "Minister, Chief Bones, and Director Shacklebolt, Auror Scrimagour, I would like to approach with one of my witnesses to offer them a plea bargain for their testimony here."
"And what witness would that be?" Chief Bones asked.
"Professor Severus Snape." Harry spoke.
"Aurors, please step forward and remand Professor Snape into custody. And bring the witness forward."
After this was done all approached the bench. "Due to the nature of Professor Snape's testimony, he would be implicating himself in multiple charges. During his testimony, issued under veristarium, if he does in fact implicate himself I would like a full pardon for him on any charges he admits. I would only be willing to offer a full pardon for these and any other crimes if in fact he admits he is only a death-eater to spy on Voldemort, and he committed other crimes in this line of work or under orders from Mr. Dumbledore. He would also have to agree to report these activities to someone who you appoint in the future." Harry outlined.
"Do you have any reservations about this Mr. Snape?" Chief Bones asked.
"No, I do not." Severus admitted begrudgingly.
After erecting a sound barrier, and then deactivating it after a short discussion. "The minister and I are prepared to accept this." Chief Bones agreed, "Please step back and continue your case Lord Potter."
"Thank you, Chief Bones." Harry said as he stepped back and the aurors returned Snape to his seat.
"The prosecution calls Minerva McGonagall to the stand and requests Veristarium to be administered to all witnesses due the to the severity of the charges." Harry spoke up.
Again the judges panel erected a sound barrier and agreed to this after a short discussion, and the ministry potions Mistress administered the potion.
"Ms. McGonagall, please state your name and occupation for the record." The potions mistress asked.
"Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The professor said with a blank look and in a monotone voice.
The potions mistress nodded and sat in her seat, noting that the potion would wear off within 3 hours without the antidote to the panel.
Harry stood, "Professor McGonagall, do you believe that Mr. Dumbledore has committed or could have committed any of the charges that are set out against him?
"Yes." Professor McGonagall answered.
"What crimes are those?" Harry asked the headmistress.
"I believed and still do that Professor Dumbledore committed kidnapping and child neglect, leading to accessory to commit child abuse. In addition the charge of false imprisonment may apply." McGonagall answered after a moment of thought.
"And what led you to these conclusions?" Harry asked the straight laced professor.
"When the professor had Hagrid abduct you from your childhood home and placed with the muggles, I warned him they were the worst type of muggles. Since I have known you, you have never shown up to school to in proper clothing and have been malnourished. Furthermore as your former head of house, Poppy, notified me that in each case she did scans on your medical wellbeing that you had scars that signified abuse."
"Poppy, Headmistress?" Harry asked.
"Yes, the school nurse."
"What about the charges of false imprisonment?"
"The headmaster, with the reasoning of protecting you has multiple times forced you to return the muggles against your will." The headmistress replied.
"The defense rests, but reserves the right to recall this witness at a later date." Harry spoke, taking his seat.
Kingsly stood and approached McGonagall. "Headmistress, are you yourself not guilty of neglect in that you failed to report the ministry of these occurrences."
"No. My contract requires I report them to the headmaster. He is then to report them to ministry. In addition I also reported these findings to the school board on multiple occasions but the headmaster dismissed my concerns stating that it was for the greater good."
"Very well, and has Lord Potter anyplace to return to on the occasions that you accused the Headmaster…"
"OBJECTION!" Harry shouted. "The accused is no longer the headmaster of Hogwarts and lost those privileges due to my estimation that he committed a crime he is charged here for today."
"Objection sustained, Director Shacklebolt please use the accused proper title." Minister Fudge ordered.
"I'll rephrase your honors, Ms. McGonagall, when you accused Mr. Dumbledore of false imprisonment, did Lord Potter have anyplace else to stay than with his muggle relatives?"
"Yes, I amongst others offered to take him in when Lord Potter was first orphaned and again when we saw the state he was in when he came to the school."
Kingsly was beginning to get annoyed, this women had all the right answers. "Very well, do you believe the wards at Number 4 Privet Drive kept Lord Potter safe?"
"From death eaters, yes. From his relatives, no." McGonagall stated.
Kingsly looked defeated. "Very well, I am through with this witness."
The potions mistress administered the antidote, and then waited until Harry called Severus Snape to the stand, before administering the potion and testing it.
"Please state your name and occupation for the record."
"Professor Severus Snape, Professor of Potions and Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Spy for the Order of the Phoenix."
The potions mistress nodded once and then sat. Harry stood and began questioning Snape.
"Professor Snape, what did Mr. Dumbledore order you to teach me last year?"
"Nothing." The man responded to the shock of those present.
"Nothing, didn't he order you to teach me Occlumency?" Harry asked.
"No. He ordered me to loosen your mind so that you would receive more visions so that we would have some idea what Voldemort intended." Again the panel was shocked speechless.
"Are you informing us that he ordered you to mind-rape a student?"
"Yes." Severus responded.
"Why did you agree to this?" Harry asked.
"I agreed to show you that you were not perfect, but more so because Professor Dumbledore threatened to have me arrested for being a death-eater if I did not." Snape said.
"Are you a marked death-eater?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Snape responded.
"When did you receive your mark?"
"When I was sixteen." Snape again answered.
"Who do you spy for?"
"The light." Severus responded.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"I saw how much evil I was doing and was sickened by it. Then I overhead the first part of the prophecy and reported it to Voldemort and he decided to try to kill my first love." Snape responded.
"And who is that?" Harry said wondering himself.
"Lilly Potter." Snape said, again stunning the crowd.
"And what did you do when you found this out?" Harry asked.
"I approached the headmaster and begged him to warn your mother. I also swore to serve the light and he forced me to spy on Voldemort."
"Very well, I am finished with this witness." Harry said sitting down.
At this Dumbledore looked shaken and looked at Kingsly who himself was slightly disgusted with the old man. After a minute conferring Shacklebolt stood, "Your honors, I would like to request a recess to approach the Prosecution for a plea-bargain."
The silencing ward went back up before Minister Fudge called out again, "You have ten minutes to confer with prosecution."
Harry walked over to Dumbledore and Shacklebolt and Shacklebolt spoke up with a resigned air, "Harry, what is it your willing to give us." Before Harry could respond Dumbledore spoke up.
"Harry, my bo…"
"Mr. Dumbledore, as I have already established, I am not your boy. Please show me proper respect or I'll simply walk away and continue this trial." Harry interrupted.
"Lord Potter, then, is this really necessary. I swear I was only trying to keep you safe." Dumbledore pleaded.
"Mr. Dumbledore, someone famous once said 'People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.' How much more should you lose for taking that choice away from others." At that Dumbledore tried to interrupt and arry held up his hand, "I'm willing to offer you 10 years probation, sealed records, and your freedom should you submit to questioning under veristarium regarding the Order of the Phoenix, resign your leadership position from that body, and turn over leadership to your second-in-command. You would need to do that here and now. Furthermore, I would need assurances that myself, the Minister for Magic, and the head of DMLE, and the Chief of the Wizengamot be given access to Order meetings to gather intelligence and assure the legality of said organization. We would require that you remain a normal member of the organization. Furthermore, we would require you not to have any contact with Severus Snape outside of order meetings and that you not allow yourself to take any form of intelligence reporting from him."
Dumbledore and Kingsly put up a silencing bubble and conferred before Dumbledore dropped the bubble and resigned himself to his fate. "I agree."
Harry quickly wrote up the magically binding contract and signed the agreement. "Your honors, the defendant has accepted a plea agreement."
"Very well, your job is done Lord Potter, unless you wish to stay for the questioning?" Minister Fudge said after taking a moment to look over the documents.
"No, Minister. I leave that in your capable hands." Harry said as he exited the room and portkeyed home.
AN: Reviewer polls are available, in addition polls for anyone to vote on are on my main site and blueprint's mentioned. To see all of these go to my profile and click my profile. Follow the directions in the first AN.
Sorry about the delay guys but my computer decided to go boom, and I had a major case of writers block.
Next chapter – Harry's friends start showing up, Harry gets a job offer, and we explore Castellum Uranicus.