A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone. I had to work an extreme amount of overtime last week and my sister, who does my beta was very busy with our father. Plus the Iowa State Fair is on right now, making going for A to B that much harder. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
potter8668
Chapter 6 Confrontations
Harry had the Weasleys do a secrecy oath to protect his new traits. It's not that he didn't trust them, he did, but who knew what would be said in the heat of anger. Both Harry and Hermione hugged Ginny, welcoming her into the family.
The day leading up to the start of term was very busy for the couple. Hermione corrected all of Harry's homework and made him sit and finish it. She also started a new project with Harry's permission and blessing. She wanted to start a school for those children that couldn't attend or were too young to attend Hogwarts. Remus had been asked to be the teacher for the first year and to see what else was needed for the next year. Since most of the inhabitants of the castle and village were home schooled, they were grateful and accepting of the idea. This would allow parents to have more time to do things for themselves and provide their children with an education and provide interaction with others. Many offers of help and services were given to their Lady who graciously accepted all. Carpenters offered to build tables, desks, chairs, and bookshelves. Artists decorated the walls and provided visual aids in the form of paintings and maps. Harry bought several textbooks, in various years of study so that no child would be unable to attend because they couldn't afford the books. Andrew, Nathaniel, and Nicholas provided an entire library of books, ordering several from Florish and Blotts. They spent hours organizing them on the shelves that the carpenters had built. Mrs. Weasley had heard about the project and sent several handmade quilts that had been in storage. These were for the younger children to use during their rest time. Hermione seemed to be in several places at once, in particular, over seeing the set of rooms that she had decided would serve as the school rooms and it adjoining library. The castle staff had spent three days clearing and cleaning the room, in trying to please their new Lady.
But for all that were happy and pleased with the new Lord and Lady and the changes that they were making, there were some that didn't approve. Lady Victoria was one of those. For every order that Hermione gave, Victoria countered it with one of her own. If Hermione requested something special for dinner, Victoria cancelled it and placed her own choice in its place. If an item was moved, even an inch, by Hermione, Victoria had it put back in its place. The staff wanted to follow their new mistress but Lady Victoria ruled with fear. Hermione either had been too busy to notice or thought that maybe it was her imagination.
Things finally came to a head two days before Harry and Hermione were to leave for school. The room that Hermione had chosen for the school and were almost finished with, were slowly being torn apart under Victoria's personal direction. She was going to return them to the way they were before the Mudblood had come to the castle. She had waited until Hermione had gone up to the Lord's chambers before starting to issue orders. Several of those that had worked on the rooms refused to obey and found themselves discharged and physically escorted out of the castle by Victoria's guards. Meghan heard about the commotion and the results of Victoria's threats and hurried to inform her Lady. As Hermione went to confront her rival, Meghan hurried to inform her Lord as well as Lord Andrew. She knew what Lady Victoria was capable of.
Harry arrived to the sounds of Hermione yelling.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN DO YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE DOING?"
"Even someone as simple as you should be able to understand what is going on in here."
"WHY?"
"These rooms have not been changed in over three hundred years. They are a part of the history of this castle and its ruling family. I WILL not allow an outsider to change that."
"You listen to me you, harpy. I AM the Lady of the castle and of the clan Potter, not YOU. If I WANT something done, then it will be done how I WANT it. If I WANT something special to eat, then that's WHAT WE WILL HAVE. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR?"
"You should have never been allowed into this family or bond with one of its members. This is a position that you will never fully give yourself to because you will always stick your head in a book and forget the world around you."
Hermione looked close to tears. Harry was about to enter the room and confront the harpy when Andrew walked right past him and stood in front of Victoria. His anger was evident. Victoria just stood there, smirking. Harry had had enough.
"Victoria, you WILL NOT speak to Hermione like that. She is mated to our nephew and IS the Lady of the castle, not YOU."
"She will never be lady. The staff is loyal to me."
"No they fear you. That is something totally different."
"I will not let a child usurp me."
"That is not your decision" said Harry for the first time. "You are hereby banned from the castle. You may stay in the village but the minute that you step foot in this castle you will be arrested." His words were spoken quietly but firmly.
"You would ban your aunt from her home, Savior of the Wizarding World" she asked sarcastically.
"No, I would ban a troublemaker and a harpy from MY home."
Victoria turned her attention back to her mate. "Are you going to allow this to happen?"
"I have the perfect cottage in mind for you. Understand this, Victoria. I and our children will remain here. You will be alone."
"You have wanted to do this for years" she spat.
"And you have finally given a reason for it to be done. I'll have your things packed and sent to the cottage. Let's go." He led her out of the room.
Harry turned to all those who were in the room and ordered "You will obey any orders that Lady Potter issues and never obey another order from Victoria again, understand?" Several heads nodded. Harry went over and gathered Hermione in his arms.
"Are you alright?" She nodded her head, still crying slightly. He continued to hold her, rubbing her back, as she calmed down. A couple of kisses later, Lady Hermione Potter was back to herself and issuing orders. By dinner, which included several dishes that Hermione had wanted, the entire castle had heard of Victoria's banishment. They also knew that no one was to refuse an order of Hermione's.
The next day two scouts reported that they had found the locket and were bringing it and its suspected owner to the castle. Harry was found pacing the audience chamber, impatient for their arrival. To say that Harry wasn't surprised that Mundungus was in possession of the locket. What was a surprise was the possession of several things from Grimmauld Place that he had taken after being warned. This caused Harry to loose his temper.
Mundungus knew that he was in for it. He hadn't obeyed or listened to Dumbledore or Harry. He had returned to what he thought were easy pickings. Now he was going to pay the price. His best hope was that Harry would have him sent to Azkaban. His worst fear was that Harry would turn him over to the two that had found him or even worse to Molly Weasley.
Taking the locket from one of the scouts, Harry gave the thief to the two scouts to 'do with as they wished'. He never wanted to see the thief again. The locket was placed in the wall safe located in the Lord's chambers. Harry couldn't destroy it until he learned how to. That was something that Hermione was researching.
On September 1st a guard of ten vampires, including Nicholas and Nathaniel, accompanied their Lord and Lady to platform 9 ¾. The entire group arrived at half past ten. While the brothers watched over the couple, the others swept the train, checking for anything unusual, especially the Head's compartment, where Harry and Hermione would be traveling. Harry made sure that his glamour was in place.
The Weasleys arrived shortly after the Potters. Ron seemed surprised that Harry and Hermione were accompanied by guards. Both Nicholas and Nathaniel became more alert, even though Nicholas had already figured out that this was one of Ginny's brothers.
Harry smiled as Ron approached. "Ron this is Nicholas and Nathaniel Potter, two cousins of mine on my father's side."
"Pleased to meet you" said Ron. The brothers nodded their heads but Nicholas really wasn't paying attention. He was more focused on Ginny.
Hermione, silently laughing at Nicholas, took pity on him. Stepping over to his side, she motioned for Ginny to come over. Once Ginny approached them all Hermione had to say was "Ginny, Nicholas." and went back over to Harry's side.
"It is a pleasure to finally get to meet you Ginny. I had hoped for this chance when I volunteered to guard Lord Potter until the train left." He grabbed her hand and kissed it
"The pleasure is mine Nicholas" she answered shyly and blushing. Nicholas heard his brother chuckling behind him.
"Ginny, may I introduce my brother Nathaniel. The family calls him Nate. Just ignore him."
"I'm very happy to meet you, Nate."
"The pleasure is all mine, but I have to warn you my brother tends to be a little stuffy."
Ginny's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I think that I can change that."
"Well someone has to, so it might as well be you, since you will be the one to marry him." Turning to his brother he said with a grin. "Mother's not going to be happy with this one but Father will love her. I approve of your choice. She's just what you need." He left the two lovers alone only to have Mrs. Weasley come up to them. She had been quietly observing them and was very impressed with the man that wanted her daughter. Ginny's reaction to him had quieted all of her reservations about this courtship. She simply introduced herself and left to talk with Hermione, while keeping an eye on the couple. Nicholas took that as a sign that he was accepted by his future mother-in-law. He knew that with a formal courtship no maiden was ever left alone with her intended until after the wedding.
Nicolas handed Ginny a small box. "Please accept this small token of my love." Ginny opened the box to reveal a beautiful, old locket. It was gold filigree and had a ruby in the center that was about the size of a pea. The chain was quite long.
"Will you help me put it on" she asked. Nicholas took the locket from her hands and placed it over her head, onto her neck. The locket itself rested between her breasts. He was rewarded with a small kiss on his cheek before Ginny ran to get on the train.
Meanwhile Ron was trying to find out what was going on.
"Where have you been mate?"
"I went to my ancestral home after my birthday Ron."
"Oh. I wondered why we didn't leave to find the you-know-whats."
"I have that being looked into."
"Well then what have you been doing all summer?"
"Finishing my homework and keeping busy."
"That's it?"
"Well there are some other things that I need to tell you about but not out here. After the meeting with the prefects, come to the Head's compartment, I'll tell you then."
"Alright, but can you at least explain why you gave up the Quidditch Captain's badge?"
"Simple. I can't play anymore so why should I be Captain if I can't play?"
Ron was going to ask why he couldn't play but was interrupted by the train's warning whistle. Mrs. Weasley was shooing everyone to get on the train. Harry held Hermione's hand as he helped her onto the train and continued to do so as they made their way towards their compartment. The action was not missed by several students and the rumors started flying before Harry and Hermione reached their destination.
The meeting with the prefects went smoothly. Neville had been appointed to replace Ron since Ron was now Quidditch Captain. Hermione had assigned the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs to patrol the train first so that Harry could explain to their friends everything that had happened. Both of them had agreed that Ron needed to be told everything, including the news that they were mates. Harry had felt just as strongly that Neville and Luna be told and Hermione couldn't disagree. Ginny was also included since she knew part ff what had happened anyway.
Harry asked a passing third year Gryffindor to ask Ron to come to their compartment. The trolley arrived before Ron came and Harry bought nearly half the cart. Hermione simply raised an eyebrow. He leaned down and whispered "I'm hungry. If you remember I didn't get to eat breakfast." Hermione blushed as he said that since she was the reason that Harry hadn't gotten to eat. "Besides Ron will be in a better mood if he's eating." That was true. Ron always was in a better mood after he had eaten.
Ron arrived and helped himself to the pile of sweets. Once they were gone Harry started explaining everything that had happened to him from his birthday on, except about Hermione. That was going to be explosive and Harry really didn't want Ron to explode in the middle of the story so he waited until the end.
"So you're part vampire and part dark veela? Wicked!" exclaimed Ron. "I suppose this is why you can't play?" Harry nodded and Ron sighed. "You're the best seeker in the school and you can't play. The other teams are going to celebrate."
"Ron there's more."
"What more could you possibly tell me?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. "Um… I found a mate."
"That's great! Do I know him or her?"
"Yes you know HER very well."
"Congratulations Ginny! I saw Harry talking with Mum and Dad. I know that you two will be happy together."
"Ron it's not Ginny. Ginny is the mate to my cousin Nicholas. I was there as the head of the Potter family to negotiate a formal courtship between them."
Ron looked at Ginny, silently asking her if it was true. She turned bright red but nodded. Ron's mouth hung open. He had been so sure that Harry and Ginny were getting together. "It's not Luna is it" he asked almost afraid.
"No Ron, no offence, Luna."
"None given Harry" she answered in her singsong voice.
"Please say that it isn't Hermione" he said almost pleading.
"Yes Ron it is."
Now Ron exploded. "OF COURSE IT IS! OF ALL THE GIRLS THAT YOU KNOW YOU JUST HAD TO CHOOSE THE ONE THAT I WANTED BUT NOOOO! YOU HAD TO CHANGE AND TAKE HER AS IF SHE WERE A PRIZE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LEFTOVERS WELL NO THANK YOU LORD POTTER!" The last part had been said with a sneer as Ron moved towards the door. He found it locked.
"Open the bloody door Harry. NOW!"
"I didn't lock it Ron. But please listen to me…."
"I don't want to listen to anymore from you. Now OPEN THE BLASTED DOOR!"
Hermione had had enough. She was the one that locked the door. Ron needed to calm down and listen to reason. He would hate himself if he said something that couldn't be forgiven after he calmed down. "I locked it Ronald so stop yelling at Harry. I will unlock it after you have calmed down and listen to reason." She was now standing up, hands on hips, staring him down. Harry knew that look all to well since he had been on the receiving end too many times over the last few weeks. He got out of the line of fire. But Ron surprised everyone by simple blasting the door apart and walking away.
"He took that well" said Ginny sarcastically.
