Succession
"You have managed to significantly annoy your grandmother, my Lord." Harry was sat in a large and yet cosy office. Oak panelled walls seemed to flow beside paintings of powerful looking men overlooking ships and soldiers. Shelves filled with overused books were evident around the room which was split between an official oak desk with soft, black leather, seats and two red armchairs next to a roaring fire. The wrinkled face of Sir Alistair was opposite the young lord who was sat sipping butterbeer while the older man elected a strong wine.
"It was going to happen," Harry muttered, Sir Alistair and Evelyn Potter did not get on. At least not privately, she represented the nobility of Azkaban which to most held the power, Sir Alistair represented the administrators, advisers and bureaucracy. If one was to look too deeply they would see he just had the tip on the balance of power.
"I know, the Minister of Magic accepted your application to be educated by Hogwarts too quickly for her to reject it, she did not wish to sour relations further." To Harry he could see the main difference between his grandmother and Sir Alistair. She represented ambition and the urge to expand while Sir Alistair was the image of consolidation and stasis, indeed his administration had seen a rapid expansion of wealth. It had sparked the current power struggle.
"She was more focused on official apologies than anything else, thankfully you acted far too quickly. Very wise." Sir Alistair had taken over part of Harry's education, Evelyn Potter had forced him to; wanting to keep the old man busy. Harry had learned a more subtle art than asserting dominance, though that was a valid tactic. Though not one the almost informal black robed man would see as such.
"You taught me to act quickly." Harry mumbled taking a sip of drink, he had been asked to see the man in order to finalise the details of his travel.
"Very wise of me then, now extensive negotiation over the past three days has all but ended the issues, at Hogwarts you shall be known as Harry James Potter de Bourbon of Azkaban. Though you cannot make a public claim to the throne," Harry wouldn't have even tried unless he had a good reason.
"You also will be escorted by your security officer, Dementors shall protect the school while others shall hunt for Sirius Black. He shall be found."
"Is this really what you asked me in here for?" Harry inquired knowing the man did not like to waste time with formalities, at least not unless he needed to distract one of the nobility. Harry had noticed that over the years, if Sir Alistair needed something signed by one of the Noble Peers of the realm he would ensure they spent all day at a fancy dinner; drinking and tiring themselves out so they would be more submissive. Sir Alistair smiled.
"I forget how unlike your grandparents you are, it is satisfying to have actually taken part in the education of a Lord, but alas no I did request your Lordship's presence to discuss trivial matters. No the topic of conversation is one Sirius Black." Yes Harry knew of him, the prisoner who had escaped. No one knew how and it was the first, it had caused worldwide panic and an overwhelming manhunt.
"The prisoner?" Harry half asked, half stated and the man nodded. He looked around to make sure the heavy wooden door was closed, it was designed to hold noise.
"The Lady Regent believes you should not know this but I'm no fool, your security officer has to know this and she is independent of all but your influence." Indeed Alice worked for him and only him, no outside influence at all.
"Meaning she will tell you within the hour of knowing. no matter what." Alistair muttered under his breath, he had lost that battle but then again so had his opponent. Harry in fairness had won with a totally independent officer.
"So you might as well tell me now," Harry encouraged and the old man nodded. He took a long drink,
"Sirius Black once was in line to be made Noble Peer." Harry's eyes widened. In Azkaban there were twenty five Noble Peers, they were in control of various aspects of governance with the Lord acting as the final authority. In other ways they did the micromanaging, though seeing as Sir Alistair also appointed their personal Senior Advisers and from experience they did the work. Whatever the case a person in line for an appointment was normally of good character, someone who would be paid quite a lot to do next to nothing eventually. From what Harry had seen it had come to a point where the Noble Peers only signed a law and the Senior Advisor did everything else. It was of main department Sir Alistair had won an ultimate victory in, Evelyn Potter in contrast held onto the Judiciary with both hands. That was her victory.
"He was a close friend of the previous heir before the change in the line." James Potter had been cast out from the line of succession and Sir Alistair had no idea why. Nor did anyone else with the exception of the Lady Regent, she had disowned her own son and no official reason was ever given.
"So how did he end up in our prison and not in our office?" Harry asked with a frown, he had often asked about his father but neither Lady Regent nor Senior Adviser would give much away.
"During his self imposed exile your father employed a security charm, one so complex only those within the area or a secret keeper can give the location away. The Dark Lord could have lived next door and would never have even seen your parents, Sirius Black was that secret keeper." Harry suddenly looked up at the man speaking to him with a posh gravelly voice with a glint in his eye.
"He helped kill them?" The question was answered with a slight nod, Harry reclined into his chair.
"Why didn't he get the noose?"
"He was a British Prisoner sentenced without trial, it violates two of your grandfathers laws to kill him without a trial and three treaties. While the minister of magic at the time pressed for us to take him, there were serious complications and vengeance left the public mind. Your grandparents wished to spend more time looking for you than pressing for revenge." Sir Alistair explained softly and an strange look overcame Harry. He had never been told of this and he was not happy.
"Why doesn't my Grandmother want me to know?" Harry inquired lowly,
"She believes that a Lord is apart from any harm a lower member of society may inflict, now as a devout follower of the Dark Lord I think you know whom he might be targeting. He also will be heading to the one place he thinks you will be,"
"Hogwarts." Harry stated and he was again received by a curt nod.
"Indeed, he has not had access to media for many years, I doubt he even knows you are here. So be mindful of this fact, while security is tightened don't put yourself in any danger. I assure you those who wish to do you harm will try and de-construct any and every barrier in their bath"
High Court of the Lady Regent
"As established in my original ruling Dudley Dursley does not have the capacity in his mind to be wholly guilty, however his mental state did not render him not guilty either. It was for that reason the ruling was for him to be held at his Lordship's pleasure and not an immediate life sentence. After reading the reports I sanction him once more mentally rehabilitated, he shall be released when his Lordship desires it. This sentence is in place for a period of one year. Detainment shall continue." Evelyn Potter declared once again draped in his judicial robes and staring down at a thinner and more fragile looking Dudley Dursley. He had visited the courtroom once per year since his sentence. Every year had been the same at once again two Dementors took him out of the courtroom and back to the prison.
"Grandmother." Harry greeted the woman once the formalities had been abandoned, she looked up at him. Clearly annoyed but she put on a smile.
"Ahh you have returned, are your lessons completed?" She asked almost coolly, she was not a very affectionate person. Harry had tuition daily but his last session had been that very morning. Hogwarts would be the site of his next lesson.
"I have indeed," He confirmed.
"Excellent, you shall have to deal with a different quality of lessons while at Hogwarts, I dare say a diminished quality." She had not been happy about him going to Hogwarts, indeed she had never really wanted him to go. Though Harry and Sir Alistair had acted too quickly, though she knew Harry would have worked with her if he had needed something else doing.
"I am sure my influence shall force them to improve the quality." Talks with his Grandmother were always formal rarely emotional and contained nothing but fact. Evelyn Potter was not one for irrelevance or sentiment, her job forbade it. Both before and after becoming Lady Regent she was also Chief Justice, the highest Judicial post in Azkaban. She had put away, exiled and executed hundreds of people. It did nothing good for emotions.
"I have little doubt, you shall be taking the Hogwarts Express to the school as is custom but you will also be sorted." Harry did not know exactly what that meant and the woman did not explain it.
"Your protection is sorted and you shall be given private chambers. One that is reserved only for citizens of Azkban however if they wish to reside in your residence they must be appointed." Harry sighed, he had hoped he would able to live in the normal dormitories but he doubted his Grandmother would ever allow that.
"I expect you to act in your capacity as Lord, remember ourselves and the House of Windsor have very close ties, a personal union was once maintained before that republican flaunt." Harry suppressed a laugh, his grandmother disliked many things but the word Republican made her furious. She did not like the people having a say over their rulers.
"Also bear in mind you are also the heir to the House of Bourbon, as well as the House of Hasburg and many others. Ensure it is known, our most noble house claims the thrones of France, Austria-Hungary, Spain and Italy. We also have deep rooted blood in the Holy Roman Empire and claim the rights to all land it once held. While we have one island carry yourself as a King for I intend to see you upon a throne before I leave this Earth." Harry listened to her speech with actual interest, she had never actually expressed a desire to see him exceed, normally she only mentioned the house.
"I will remember that Grandmother," Harry gave her a slight bow and the woman for second shot him an affectionate look,
"My Lady Regent, the second case it about to start." Then the law once again took over and Harry turned to the courtroom, those in the public gallery got to their feet and bowed deeply as he walked out of the room. His Grandmother judging his posture the entirety of the time.