CHAPTER ELEVEN: ANNOUNCEMENTS, A WILL READING AND THE SECOND TASK.
It was the 15th of January and Harry sat at a large oak table in a Gringotts conference room waiting for Burchoke and three other will readers alongside Elphaba, Minerva, Constance, Sirius and Daphne. Sitting opposite them was Abraxas Prewitt brother to Lord Prewitt and Molly and Arthur Weasley. Abraxas had married Ebenezer's sister and Molly was his only remaining child. Making Molly Elphabas second cousin who once she heard Ebenezer was gone made a claim to the Hardbroom title. When they had found this out Elphaba went into a protective rage she went straight to her mother and grilled her on the validity of any claim Molly could make, Elphaba found out that Constance and Elphabas missing father had agreed to a marriage contract with Molly when she was pregnant with her...for Percy. Constance claimed nothing was agreed or signed on and Since it was a flimsy claim through a secondary line due to both Constance and Elphaba were in the direct descendant line, the title was safely Elphabas' and Elphabas' alone.
Harry straightened out the prophet he'd brought with him and continued reading the lengthy announcements page. The announcement of both Marriages and Daphnes seclusion from the prominent Greengrass family were proudly spread across the page which made Harry smile a bittersweet smile, although Daphne was now his Lady Potter she would no longer have her family around her. Elphaba sat beside Harry deadly still and unusually silent, Sirius Daphne and her mother tried desperately to get her to talk but she refused to even Gaby tried as she arrived with teller Griphook and a magical aide to Queen Elizabeth but Elphaba sat there staring dead straight at Molly with a stoic face and a hell hath no Fury look in her eyes.
A flustered looking Albus Dumbledore arrived in his usual look at me flurry of movement with Professor Snape in tow as Burchoke and his new aide Bloodclaw arrived.
"Ladies and Gentlemen please take your seats or remain seated" Burchoke announced settling down at the head of the table with Griphook on one side and Bloodclaw on the other. Griphook shuffled several folders into the correct order and set up the will sphere as Bloodclaw set up a recording device and pressed play "This is the will reading of Baron Ebineeser Hardbroom on Sunday the 15th of January 1995 as per his request this will reading is to be recorded due to trust issues is there any objection Heiress Hardbroom-Black?"
"No objection Teller Burchoke" Elphaba replied never taking her gaze off Molly who's eyes narrowed at that change in her name.
"Heirs Prewitt and Weasley?" Burchoke asked Abraxas and Molly sternly
"No objection Teller Burchoke" Abraxas replied sounding relieved at the insistence of a recording. Harry instantly knew Abraxas didn't want the title held by the Weasleys eligible for the Hardbroom title.
"No Objection" Molly followed as Arthur squeezed her hand in support
"I have Objection" Albus announced bringing attention to himself at the end of the table
"Albus Dumbledore since you are here due to the stipends in the will you were not asked and as you are not a direct Heir like Mrs Hardbroom-Black or her Mother the Lady Hardbroom or an indirect Heir like Mr Prewitt or Mr and Mrs Weasley I advise you to shut up" Burchoke announced "and Severus Snape why you are here is baffling since you are not mentioned in the will or put down as a cover for anyone missing I suggest..."
"Professor Snape is here at my request Teller Burchoke as merely an aide to settle the striped that was mentioned to me" Dumbledore butted in "My apologies for not mentioning it in my letter"
Burchoke nodded angrily as Bloodclaw and Griphook wrote down notes that would accompany the will recording and the will sphere itself.
"I will now turn on the will sphere ALL questions will be awncered at the end of the will reading" Burchoke announced as the lights dimmed on command and he switched on the Will Sphere.
"This is Ebineezer Hardbroom" the hologram like image announced "If this sphere is playing it means the cancer I had has finally beaten me or I have gone down fighting in some raid gone wrong or attack on my friend and soverign Queen Elizabeth the First. First off I give my brother in law Abraxas Prewitt my sisters financial share of the flight and fight school of defence. It was always yours take it and do what you will."
Abraxas nodded teary eyed and accepted the folder with quiet deference to Bloodclaw
"To my favorate and remaining cousin Minerva McGonagoll I leave four sets of quidditch brooms for the houses of Hogwarts four sets of new training brooms for the first years and my share of the new StagRitz Hotel and Spa"
Minerva accepted the folders with a genuine smile a barely controlled squeal.
"To my Niece and Nephew in law Molly and Arthur Weasley continuation of paying your final four childrens education at Hogwarts plus money to re fit your home to safety standards as well as a small share in the StagRitz Hotel"
Molly received the folders and vault key with an angry grumble but remained silent otherwise Arthur looked genuinely happy at the continuation of his childrens education and the chance to improve their lives.
"To Gabrielle Cilantro my dear, dear girl for being there for my Daughter and Granddaughter when I couldn't as well as being my Granddaughters social worker I give you the deed to the residence building that holds my granddaughters apartment with an apartment all of your own"
Gaby looked shocked and shook with silent tears as Griphook gave her the folders.
"To Augustas Butler I give you my sports car I know you love and my summer residence near Windsor castle everything is paid off and up to date so enjoy"
Augustas chuckled as Griphook handed over a set of keys and a folder containing everything for the house and car. Elphaba managed a small smile Augustas Butler definitely deserved the car and the house.
"To my Soverign and friend Queen Elizabeth the first I relinquish my title of Royal Wizard to whomever you deem fit and hope by god they serve you much better than I ever could"
Elphaba was handed a Folder which she would take to the queen when this was finished.
"To my Daughter Constance I give you my London Townhouse and a third of my fortune...I failed you when you needed me the most and I am most sorry for it. This cannot right the wrong I have put on you but I hope it lends the way to heal what I did"
Constance silently shook as Griphook handed her a vault key and a folder Elphaba Squeased her hand in support.
"To Harry Potter the grandson I never had...I thank you for the life you brought back to my Granddaugther and I give you half of my shares in the Mundane financial district to support you and your new wife Daphne"
Arthur and Abraxas fourght to keep an indignant Molly quiet as Harry was given all the nessesary paperwork and vault key.
"To Headmaster Dumbledore I give the share to the chocolate frog cards and the remaining share of Hogsmede to continue Hogwarts payments not supported by the minestry...This will be STRICTLY MONITERED DUMBLEDORE DON'T FUCK IT UP OR IT's YOUR MAGIC ON THE LINE"
A frowning Snape accepted the folders on behalf of a thoroughly shaken Dumbledore as the magic vow took hold.
"And finally to my Granddaughter Elphaba Hardbroom-Black. I bestow the Tile of Baroness Hardbroom as was discussed and my remaining fortune I hope Sirius treats you as well I think he should and you also have my apology I denied you finding out about your father long enough and I give you all the information I have on him...please don't pressure your mother anymore on the matter...let her live her life free from the pain of the past and Sirius I am trusting you with the most precious jewels I ever had Elphaba and her mother...Make sure they are alright no matter the cost"
Sirius nodded and followed Harry in placing a hand on Elphabas shoulder as she was given the remaining file which was the largest and several Vault keys.
"This is everything I ever had and owned divvied up appropriately" Ebineeser finished "This is Baron Ebineeser Hardbroom sighing out for the last time"
The will sphere flickered out as the Lights brightened again
"Any Quest...?" Burchoke began
"Why does the title pass to Elphaba and not to my son Percy?" Molly jumped in and asked angrily "why are the Marrage contracts Ignored?"
"And prey tell what these Magic contracts were Mrs Weasley?" Elphaba asked a cold anger lilting her words into crafted daggers. "The proposed contract between myself and Mr Percy Weasley was never signed for or agreed by my Grandfather who was the rightful head at the time"
"The supposed Marraige contract between myself and Miss Ginevera Weasley was never signed by myself Mrs Weasley" Harry jumped in "I have never agreed to any such disgusting notion I have considered your children family these past four years and I do not believe in incest by blood or not"
Dumbledore paled conciderablely Harry and Elphaba knew of the suggested contracts and had catered a defencive strike against any possibility of control as well as removing any form of control Dumbledore had put in place.
"Fantastic, you're going to be more like your stubborn mule of a father Potter" Snape sneered as usual as Constance shot a silent and wandless conjunctivitis curse at him
Harry, Elphaba and Burchoke stared both Molly and Dumbledore down with a strange glee in their eyes as Snape shit a finite at his now painful eyes. Minerva and Abraxas pull Arthur out of harms way as Dumbledore, Snape and molly raised their wands and began firing spells at Harry, Daphne, Sirius, Constance and Elphaba. Within moments Molly and Dumbledore were under body-bind curses and Severus lay decapitated due to attempting to use a crutiatus curse on Constance.
"Burchoke I see now what my Grandfather meant by trust issues" Elphaba began taking control of the situation
"Professor McGonagoll call for Amelia Bones" Harry added turning the anger he felt into action "She should know what the goblins will do to these...traitors"
Both Molly Weasley notorious living Howler and Albus too-many-names Dumbledores eyes widened they were going to find out what happened when you crossed Baroness Hardbroom-Black and Lord Potter.
# # # # #
It was a very Happy Cabal who entered the castle the next day for the beginning of classes. Thanks to the announcements both Daphne and Elphaba were treated like minor Royalty unless the students names were Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle or Nott who increased their ability to treat the girls like dirt. Minerva announced to the school that Snape was dead due to attacking a student at Gringotts and that Dumbledore had been arrested trying to pervert the course of Justice. Many students cheered at the fact Snape was never coming back including to a lot of peoples surprise quite a few Slytherins.
Harry hooked up with the other champions and after telling them what happened at the wills threw him-self into training and it was a healthy and happy looking Harry who walked into the great Hall bright and early on the day of the Second Task. Harry and Elphaba had sought to bring Dumbledore down off his lofty perch since second year when he did nothing to help Hagrid and the petrified students. Harry smirked at the satisfied feeling he had and the knowledge they could change Hogwarts now instead of having to leave well that was the plan if Dumbledore was completely convicted of EVERYTHING. Harry was brought back to the table as the others giggled at the other champions' confusion at the Hotel planning they were still doing, but thanks to Gaby's hard work and the fastness of the construction company they had hired, the hotel had reached its final ten floors. What the group had to plan now was the crest design on everything appropriate had to be decided and the style of staff clothing and the interior itself and equipment had to be decided as well.
"So...this hotel?" Cedric began obviously putting several pieces together "Is the first in a long line of places you're using to improve the wizarding world?"
"Yes" Elphaba replied with a grin on her face "Although we're planning on using the hotel to improve the wizarding worlds' view on the mundane and the mundane borns, the mundane world is full of things which can only enrich the Wizarding world. Plus several of the Wizarding people in other countries like India, China and the United States are raised with feet in both sides of the divide irrigardless of Blood and are better people for it"
"Plus we want to expand this company world wide" Harry added before continuing to munch on his toast.
"Sounds confusing" Cedric admitted sheepishly stabbing at the food on his plate as their remaining group of friends entered the Great Hall.
"Don't Worry" Susan said with a giggle as she snagged another bagel
"Some of us are not a hundred percent sure either" Neville admitted with a smile
"I'll help you if you want" Padma added as she sat down with her sister sitting next to Daphne.
Cedric smiled and nodded to Padma before finishing his breakfast. Harry looked around before leaning into the group
"Who is missing exactly?" He asked solemnly as Cedric Fleur and Victor leaned forwards.
"No-one I know" Fleur replied almost instantly "Madame Maxine looked rather angry when she came to get Marie last night and was rebutted rather nicely"
"None of the people I know" Victor continued looking confused around their group "Or the ones I at least consider worth it"
"And no-one I would miss" Cedric finished squeezing Padmas hand in reassurance.
"The only one we were predicting out of our group of supporters taken was Marie?" Harry asked in surprise looking towards the teachers table "So who the hell did they take?"
"Harry" Elphaba began stone faced "They took Granger"
All the Teachers involved in putting the hostages in the Black Lake shivered with fear.
# # #
"A quick Question Professor McGonagoll" Harry asked as the four champions stood on the platform over the Black Lake "Who exactly are our Hostages? Since the people we consider what we'd sorely miss are standing here with us"
"For Mr Krum: Miss Hermione Granger, for Mr Diggory: Miss Cho Chang, for Miss Delacour: Mr Roger Davies and for you potter is Mr Ronald Weasley" Minerva replied frowning ever so slightly
"Really?" Harry asked angrily "The old goat thought the Weasel garbage disposal would be who I sorely miss?"
"Who's Roger Davies Ma'am?" Fleur asked with a tilt of her head
"Great the Idiotic Ravenclaw with an Ego complex" Cedric grumbled as Victor frowned
"Hermione is the bookish Gryffindor yes?" Victor asked "With the wild hair?"
"Yes she is Victor" Elphaba replied as Daphne and Padma pulled the Hogwarts champions aside to calm them down "I believe you danced one Dance with Roger Davies at the ball Fleur, He's the one who fell head first at the end of the...fifth waltz?"
"Ah of course" Fleur said almost flippantly "He made me laugh with that of course"
The four champions turned to each other and shared a thoughtful look before turning to the teachers as one and said
"We suppose the four of us can't get Hermione together can we?"
# # #
Harry sat beside Fleur and Cedric as they watched the teachers pull the remaining three hostages out of the water. Thanks to Harrys mutant abilities he had communicated to the Mer-people about the situation and the four of them pulled Hermione to the surface. The Mer-people pulled Ron, Cho and Roger to the surface at Harrys' request. The head chieften waved to Harry and disappeared. The task on a whole was a write off but due to the fact the four champions entered the water and 'rescued' the hostage they would sorely miss. Hermione sat with Madame Promfrey with both Daphne and Elphaba standing nearby as...bodyguards? Harry grinned and shook his head at the thought as the three other Hostages were wrapped up in towels. Ron stormed up to Harry as he stood up looking very much like a drowned weasel.
Harry almost fell back into the water as Ron punched him very, very hard luckily Cedric caught Harry and had him set back on the dock
"How fucking dare you have my mum jailed arsehole" Ron snarled angrily as several people around them crowded beside Harry and pointed their wands towards Ron "You just had to take money old man Hardbroom owed us and had to Jail my mother because she refused to do it"
Jealous Ronald Weasley never saw it coming until Elphaba whirled him around and hit him square on the jaw breaking it and sending him back into the water. Once Ron was pulled back out Elphaba cast the body bind curse on him and conjoured ropes to hold him further
"As you are a waissall to my house Weasley" she spat out "I'm calling your father and I WILL DEAL WITH YOU LATER" Elphaba used her Psycic abilities to send Ron through the emotional wringer and sent him with Madame Promfrey off to the hospital wing.
"You are scary when you're angry" Susan said shaking slightly
"Remind me to never piss you off" Neville added
"Can I see it again?" Luna asked causing everyone to laugh the tension away
"Lets get you all inside" Minerva said loudly telling Ludo Bagman to announce it to everyone watching. "By the way Champions the Third and Final task is on the 24th of June but you will be told what it is at the end of March"
"Thank you Professor" Cedric awncered for the group earning laughter as everyone began to filter off back to the school
"Harry can I talk to you as well as Daphne and Elphaba?" Hermione asked Harry nervously looking rather small and timid.
"Of course" Harry replied as He mentally communicated with Elphaba who was standing with Daphne. "Lets get out of the cold first and get you dry...don't particularly want you catching cold"
"Oh ok" Hermione said before following Harry back up to Hogwarts
As they reached the great Hall several House elves lead by Dobby pulled Harry, his friends and Hermione away from Hogwarts. It took ten minuites for Harry to calm Hermione down enough to get her into dry clothes and sitting on their sofa opposite Elphaba and Daphne. Susan and Luna went into the kitchenette to make hot chocolate alongside Winky as Neville wandered off into his new bedroom that had been Elphaba and Daphnes due to Daphne moving in with Harry and Elphaba with Sirius.
"So what is it exactly you want to talk to us about?" Daphne asked with a tilt to her head
Elphaba remained quiet though Hermione knew she was scrutinising her psychically, Hermione let her after she politely asked. Hermione felt Elphaba drift softly through her head as she tried to form the right words to speak what she wanted
'Granger you need to relax'
Hermione turned to Elphaba in surprise before using a relax technique her father taught her. Elphaba smiled before withdrawing from Hermione's mind.
"I contacted my father and...He agreed to help you" Hermione said with a solid look in her eyes
"That's brilliant" Harry said with a grin "Would you like to arrange the meeting or does your father wish to?"
"We don't mind" Daphne continued with a smile "It's up to you"
"That's if you wish to" Elphaba finished "otherwise we'll just go straight to your dad"
"We're offering you to join us Hermione" Harry admitted seeing Hermiones confused yet sad look on her face. "I want your friendship 'Mione...I want my best friend back"
It took Hermione a few seconds to process what Harry exactly said before she threw herself at Harry crying and saying thank you over and over again attracting the attention from the others in the kitchen. It took ten minuites to calm Hermione down enough to detach her from Harry, as he and Daphne got up to get their hot chocolate Elphaba pulled Hermione aside
"I know we don't have much in common apart from Harry" Elphaba began "And there's a lot of crap under the bridge but if you ever accuse anyone of this group of lying to you, going behind your back or try to pull the stunts you've already pulled again I will not hesitate to be your worst nightmare"
Hermione saw the threat for what it was. She may have been alongside Harry in forgiving Hermione and willing to move on but Elphaba was never going to forget it. Hermione finally saw the light about Elphaba. Despite her high intelligence and strong abilities life had given Elphaba a shit hand but she'd learned to come out fighting and be as badass and as true to herself as she could ever be and NO-ONE PERSON was ever going to put her down.
"I completely understand" Hermione said as honest as she could "I've lost the trust of the one guy I've ever trusted in my life...I'm definitely not doing that again"
"Good" Elphaba said before smiling "Best go get your hot chocolate, Susan and Luna are fabulous at making it"
# # # #
The group took time to re-introduce Hermione to everyone which ended up with Luna pulling Hermione into the bedroom she shared with Susan to geek out over the Narnia and Lord of the rings books she'd received for Christmas. Neville and Susan joined them half an hour later to go over some Homework and go over how life would work with the group now Hermione was apart of it. In this time Sirius had come home with an arm full of paperwork and Gaby trailing behind him with information about the hotel for Harry.
"Harry, Gaby, Sirius Can we... Can I talk to you" Elphaba asked nervously, Daphne stood beside her looking concerned but supportive at the same time. "I've something important to tell you"
Harry looked up from the final pieces he needed to do for the hotel at his pseudo sister with a slight frown, Elphaba never stuttered ever, not even once. Gaby came over from the kitchen looking as concerned as he was.
"Sweetheart what is it?" Sirius asked putting his paperwork down and sitting dead straight at the look of barely concealed terror on Elphabas face "What's wrong?"
"I've been really ill the past two weeks worth of mornings and...er...I" Elphaba began before turning paler and swallowing nervously
"You can do this Elphie" Daphne said softly placing a hand on her shoulder in support Harry knew Daphne was by Elphabas side in whatever this was.
"I'm Pregnant" Elphaba said loudly as she turned left and stood there waiting patiently her eyes screwed shut Harry and Sirius' eyes were drawn to the slight bulge in her stomach. Harry began smiling as Sirius' eyes became wide as saucers; Harry jumped up and hugged his sister in all but blood. He was going to be an uncle and didn't care who knew it. As Harry let Elphaba go and latched onto Daphne for a hug Sirius pulled Elphaba in front of him and placed both hands on her stomach.
"Whatever happens I will be there for both you and our child" he vowed with such honesty Elphaba began crying from sheer relief "Now and for always"
Gaby's shock faded into a squeal as she pulled the still teary girl into a hug before launching herself into planning mode.
"Now don't you worry" Gaby began as the others came into the Living room confused "I will help you with anything you need ANYTHING"
"Hey what's going on?" Neville asked with a confused smile on his lips
"What's the celebration?" Susan asked eyeing the still semi-shocked Sirius
"Guys...I'm pregnant" Elphaba said at the encouragement from Gaby and Daphne.
Harry was pretty sure he needed hearing aids from all the screaming that suddenly occurred all around him.
AUTHORS NOTE:
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For the several People complaining that I'm using Awncer not Awnser...Are you guys using the American Spell-Check or British Spell-Check? 'Cause I'm definitely using the British Spell-Check.
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Thanks to the Writers block I had for Chapter Ten this chapter now has more sense to it in the grand scheme of this story. Plus it's a rather humbling yet awesome feeling when you see the view count jump from 3 views to 13 in a matter of moments.
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OMG THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE FAVOURATED (not a real word I know) THIS STORY...YOU SERIOUSLY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT ACTUALLY MEANS TO ME.
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THANK YOU ALL FOR READING CHAPTER ELEVEN OF THE HOGWARTS CABAL.
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CHAPTER TWELVE UP SOON.
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CONSTRUCTIVE REVIEWS WELOME ALL FLAMERS WILL BE SENT TO FRANK IN HELL.
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ALL READERS AND REVIEWERS KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DOING.
I LOVE YOU.
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Since this story HAS NO BETA it will have spelling mistakes and Grammar errors the spell-check or I will miss so bare with me.
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THANK YOU ALL I'M OFF TO RULE A KINGDOM.
