A/N: I want to thank everyone for their words of support and kindness during the time of my father's passing. I saved every one of those special reviews and messages. It simple proves that the fanfiction community is a close one. Thank You again.
Potter8668
Chapter 15: After The Ball
Harry was not exactly happy with Hermione by the time the ball ended. He had understood the reason why she had invited Snape, Malfoy, and Nicola, but he didn't understand why she had invited the Dursley's. Though they hadn't shown up, which he was eternally grateful for. Then to have the Minister crash the ball expecting him to simply meet with him was the boiling point. He had barely contained his anger during the rest of the ball. The point of no return had been when he heard Victoria complain about how the 'commoners' were taking over in the castle. He ordered her to leave and not to grace his presence again. He left the ball after that.
Hermione knew that Harry was upset with her. She had purposely invited those relatives, that he hated, to prove a point. Then the Minister had shown up causing Harry to publicly force his opinion, even without words. To top the evening Victoria had said something and it had set him off. Now she needed to find a way to defuse his temper. For once Junior seemed to understand that this was no time for a joke.
Harry barely made it back to the Lord's chambers, before getting his robes off, and his wings erupted out of his back. Hermione found him pacing, wings out, fangs bared, in front of the fire.
"Are you that angry with me?" she asked in a small voice. He spun around.
"No, not really. I'm more angry at Victoria and the Minister than I am at you, but never invite her again. Snape and Malfoy I can handle, on occasion, but that…..harpy is never to be invited to another event again."
She came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I promise never to invite 'the harpy' again. I only invited her to prove that I could pull together the ball on my own."
"I know and you did wonderfully." Harry leaned down and kissed her.
"Thank you, m'Lord." she said impishly. "Can you help me with my buttons?"
She turned around, presenting her back to him. Harry saw over fifty buttons on the dress. A wicked gleam entered his eyes. "Of course m'Lady." He undid one, and then placed a kiss on the spot of skin that revealed itself to him. He felt Hermione shiver. A wicked grin spread over his face.
Needless to say the dress didn't last long.
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Nearly a week later, Harry found himself in the Ministry with Andrew, Christopher, and four Vampire Guards. He told both Nate and Nick to stay at the castle. One because Nate had just bonded with Pavarti and Lavender. Two Nick needed to spend as much time with Ginny as he could. Neither cousin was happy about it, but did as he asked. Now he had to deal with the Minister.
Upon arriving at the Minister's Office, the secretary made a beeline for the office door to announce him. Harry found that the Minister was not alone. At least ten others were in the room, including Percy, Rita Skeeter, and Mad-Eye Moody.
"Harry! Finally we can sit down and have a chat."
"Not with Ms. Skeeter in the room we won't, and you will address me as 'Lord Potter'."
"Now Harry, uh, Lord Potter, the press needs to have its say as well."
"Not at this time. Either she goes or I do and believe me, Minister, you won't get another chance."
Scrimgeour looked outraged. This mere slip of a boy was ordering HIM around. He would soon set the brat in his place. However he DID need to talk to the boy. "Ms. Skeeter, I'm sorry, but Lord Potter objects to your being here. Please leave. I'll make sure that you are given the transcripts of this meeting for you to write your story."
"No, you won't! This meeting WILL remain private. My business will remain my business. If I find that she's been told anything of what is said here there won't be enough pieces of you to find" growled Harry. He turned to Rita and said, "And no beetle form from you."
Rita was actually afraid. The glow of Harry's eyes made her shiver. She knew that if he spotted her in her animagus form that he would kill her without a thought. No story, even if it included the boy-who-lived, was worth that. This was one meeting that wouldn't be in the Daily Prophet. She hurried out of the office as fast as she could.
Once Rita left, Harry's guards took up their positions at the door. One cast several wards and privacy charms, while one did a sweep of the room. Three hidden cameras and two recording quills were found and destroyed. Harry was not happy and neither was the Minister.
"Well? What was so important that you had to crash my ball, Minister?"
Scrimgeour frowned. The boy was being too smug for his liking. He decided to set the boy in his place. "I have it on good authority that you are responsible for the disappearance of several witches and wizards over the last few months and that you are harboring two fugitives in your home. You may not be aware but you are under the Ministry's rule and are subject to our laws."
Harry actually laughed. "No, I'm not. I know exactly whose rule I am under and it isn't the Ministry's. My family has been in power long before your little government came along and it will be there long after it's gone. As for your missing people, I found them guilty of treason and sentenced them accordingly. There is NOTHING that you can do about it."
Percy spoke up. "Law can be changed Harry."
"Lord Potter, and whatever laws you change will not affect us and what we do."
"The ministry can 'squeeze' you out, Potter. We can make it impossible for you or any of your kind to do business with us or even go anywhere outside of your property."
"You would do that to your own family, Percy?"
"You are not my family. They have nothing to do with this!"
"As a matter of fact they do. Ginny is betrothed to my cousin Nicholas and will bond with him after she finishes at Hogwarts. Not to mention the trade that the Browns and Patils do with the wizarding community."
"I don't follow."
"Pavarti Patil and Lavender Brown bonded with another cousin of mine just before Christmas. Your so called 'threat' would have far reaching consequences. As for the two fugitives, I don't like them there anymore than you do. Unfortunately they have been found to be the mate of another cousin. I cannot execute them if they are family. I just don't have to have them near me. They cannot leave Potter land for any reason."
The Minister and his people sat stunned. They couldn't even go through with their threats because if they did their world would be bankrupt within in a year. This was going to be harder than any of them thought, with exception of Moody. He was having the time of his life watching Harry pull the rug out from under the Minster. The boy had balls that was for sure.
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Severus was bored. He was now bonded with Nicola and Draco but had nothing to do in between bouts of sex. Never had he ever had so much free time on his hands. A knock on the door was about to change that.
Severus opened it to find one of his brother-in-laws standing there. Several others were behind him, each carrying a carton.
"Good afternoon, Severus. I am here by order of Lady Potter to give you these."
"And what prey tell would she have that I would want?"
"Potion equipment and ingredients."
Never had Severus moved out of the way as quickly as he did in that moment. He watched in wonder as several people passed carrying things that he had only dreamed about.
Nicholas watched as Severus' face changed from boredom and angry to one of happiness and contentment, even if it was only in his eyes. He didn't understand why her Ladyship had done this, especially without their Lord's knowledge, but she did know his brother-in-law better than he did.
"Lady Potter states that if you need anything else let her assistant know and she will try to get it for you. Lord Potter knows nothing of this and Lady Potter wants to keep it that way. You may do what research you wish. Lady Potter only asks that you make whatever potions the healers of our community require. It has been some time since we have had a Potions Master of your caliber here. Perhaps you might consider training a few of our potion makers. I am sure that they would love to discuss the art with you."
"Tell Lady Potter that I will be happy to do as she asks and that I will set aside two afternoons a week to train those that wish it."
"She will be most pleased. I will leave you to get organized."
Severus thanked everyone as they left. He could care less if he made Potions for his enemy's son and his family. They had given him the means to relieve his boredom and do something that he loved.
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Nicholas returned to the castle after delivering the potion supplies to his brother-in-law. He was surprised to see Ginny talking to his Lady in the Lord's chambers. He wasn't aware that his betrothed even knew where those chambers were. He found it intriguing that they stopped talking the moment they noticed him.
"You gift has been received like you thought it would, my Lady."
"Thank you Nicholas, and do you think that you can call me Hermione when we are alone? After all we are family."
"I will try to do so."
"That's all I ask. Now why don't you show Ginny where her new home will be? I think that she will find it surprising."
"A splendid idea, Hermione. Ginny, would you like to see our home?"
"Yes please."
Nicholas led Ginny out of the rooms and out of the castle itself. Turning towards the gardens Nicholas held Ginny's hand and walked at a leisurely pace. He noted the she shivered.
"Are you cold?"
"Just a little."
Nicholas took off his cloak and wrapped it around Ginny's smaller body. "Won't you be cold?" she asked.
"No. It's not much farther." True to his word the house wasn't much farther. Set in a grove of oak trees, off one of the main garden paths sat a beautiful stone manor. Ginny was in shock. This house couldn't be for just them. Why her whole family plus several others couldn't even fill it up.
Nicholas chuckled at his betrothed's surprise. Yes it was one of the larger manor houses but he had always liked the placement. He was near enough to the castle yet they would have some measure of privacy. He also fully intended to fill every bedroom in the house with their children or at least try to.
"Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it, but isn't it a little big for just us?"
"Perhaps at first but I intend to fill it over the years with your help."
Ginny had to blush but couldn't resist answering, "I'll help but will you be up for it?"
The look of surprise on Nicholas' face set the young witch off giggling. "Now will you show me the inside?"
