I do not own Harry Potter, but you knew that

"Dear Harry,

I am happy to hear from you. I was afraid that you would exclude Durmstrang from further participation because of the delicate political situation in Britain and the disdain several important figures in Britain have for our school. After what happened at the conclusion of last Tournament, I would have understood that. Still, it is nice to hear that you don't see our former headmaster as pars-par-toto.

As far as I am aware, no student or teacher at Durmstrang actively supports the dark wizard you have in Britain. This year might be too early, but I would love to see a tournament next autumn term. Maybe though, we can make the events a bit more spectator-friendly. Except for the first event, where my sponsors really weren't happy to see you flying around while I used brute force, no one saw anything. Feel free to call upon me if you need any help for the organisation. My agents are extremely qualified to organise mass events and would do this pro bono.

Now, I have a test game against France tomorrow afternoon on the Brocken quidditch stadium. I have enclosed two tickets with portkeys. I hope that we can talk after the game and that you cheer for Bulgaria.

Best, Victor"

Harry put down the letter. "Tonks!"

The auror almost reverently took the tickets. "The game of the season. Sold out almost as quickly as the world cup finals. In the best quidditch stadium in Europe. And an after-game meeting with the best player in the world."

"Tonks, you are hyperventilating."

"Sorry. Well of course, you can go there, but you will need protection."

"So I will take you?" Harry had thought about Ernestina.

Tonks rolled her eyes and smiled. "Of course. You wanted a date with me, didn't you?" Harry had to hold back laughter as she batted her eyelashes at him, letting them grow to monumental lengths for a moment.

"All right, I could do worse."

"That you could." She pulled the Daily Prophet out of her bag. "I think you should read this."

Young Lords saved the day

As our readers have learned, on June 4th, a group of students were able to defend the Ministry against an attack of Death Eaters, among them You-Know-Who himself. With much pleasure, we can now disclose that these students were led by none other than the two youngest Heads of Houses and Wizengamot Members, Lord Neville Longbottom and Lord Ronald Black, newly elevated Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. They and their comrades in arms, Ms. Ginny Weasley, Lord Black's younger sister, and Ms. Luna Lovegood, a collateral of the Greengrass clan, will receive the Order of the Merlin, 2nd class, from the hands of our beloved Minister Cornelius Fudge himself on July 29th. While giving the reasons for this decision, Minister Fudge has said: "It fills me with great pleasure to see that the Ancient and Noble Houses of the wizengamot are again on the front against You-Know-Who and will support the position of the ministry in this fight. Lords Longbottom and Black have shown an exemplary dedication for our government and its positions."

Harry forced himself to breath calmly. It took him almost two minutes until he felt he could face his body-guard. Seeing her worried face, he broke out in laughter. "Whenever I think they can't screw up any worse, the go and do."

She shrugged. "Giving away decorations is about the only power that the EU left him."

"I just feel kind of bad for Hermione. She really deserves one, too. And she needs it."

"What about Harry Potter?"

"I believe I've got a first-class one somewhere in my dungeon. For killing Voldemort. If they didn't quietly withdraw that after he survived. I don't need it."

There was a lot to do this day at the house, and Harry helped the workers a bit. In the afternoon, he went to the small town centre and made 200 copies of their letter in the copy shop. At their next meeting, Ernie could sign them, too, and then they would get going. At home, two owls were waiting, Ron's and Neville's.

"Dear Harry,

I don't know if you have read the prophet. I have attached the article. They have completely ignored you and Hermione, and I don't think that I will be able to accept the order. But at least we can make a scene in front of the ministry. Will you be there to watch?

Anyway, I have received several invitations to all kinds of summer functions. Seems to come with the title. Dad is trying to teach me pureblood behaviour. And I am working my way through the back-log of 10 years of mail, contracts, business proposals and accounts. Boy, and to think that school was boring...

On Saturday, we will meet at the Greengrass ball. I will be Luna's date. That girl is scary, but in a good way!

Best, Ron"

"Harry,

I believe you have heard about the orders awarded to the purebloods of the ministry 6. Fudge is trying to hold on to his office nails and teeth. It will not help him in the long run, but for now, he feels that ignoring you and Hermione will give him more support. The bad thing is that he might be right. In the history of Britain, only two living muggle-born were awarded the second class. We have had some awarded after their death, like your mum. Why he excludes you, I am not so sure. I think he is afraid that you might be too principled not to make a scene. He might be right with that, too. Still, the same might be true with Ron and Luna, and maybe with Ginny, too. This is why I will hold the speech for the four of us. Please do not come to the ceremony. I promise to make a bang, but I will not go into details yet. If I know you right, you will be angry about Hermione, but won't care too much about you.

By the way, for the party on Saturday. I know that you ask everyone and his brother to call you Harry, or even better Just Harry. Please refrain from doing so there, except for the members of the DA and Astoria Greengrass. You will be addressed either as "Heir Potter" by the more old-fashioned people and by those who don't like you too much, "Master Potter" by most others, the title for the titular head of a Family, and "Msr. President" by foreigners, because you are the President of the Triwizard Organisation. A Head of a Most Ancient and Noble House is Lord whatever, his wife is Lady whatever. Elected members of the wizengamot are addressed as "Gamot Whatshisname", although you can call them Lord, too. The heirs of families are always called "Heir XY", and all others are Mr., Mrs. Or Ms. I know it's difficult, but Ernie will help you there.

Best,

Neville."

"Dear Neville,

I am mostly angry about Hermione, yes, because she could use the clout. I am trying not to be angry about me. Mostly, I am succeeding. Still, I hate the way the ministry and the Prophet run roughshod with the truth. But I do not grunge you four the medal and the money.

And thanks for the hints. How do I call a Lord of an Ancient and Noble House who is living in my dorm at Hogwarts and whom I have called by his given name since I know him?

Best, Harry."

"Dear Ron,

Thank you for being angry on Hermione's and my behalf. Still, I would beg you and Ginny to accept the award. You can use the money, and please don't forget that the title Lord Black can only be awarded to a pureblood of good standing. I would not put it past Fudge to exclude me in the hope that you decline the award for Lucius to push in and get the title for his good-for-nothing spawn. So please take the awards. Neville has promised me some kind of show, but he is in a much stronger position than you. And I am looking forward to seeing you, Luna and Neville at the party. Tomorrow, I am going to Germany to watch Victor Krum playing quidditch.

All the best, Harry."

AN: I don't usually do author's notes, but allow me to say something about dear old Ronald B. Black. I love Ron-bashing as much as everyone on this side, but I think it is slightly unfair. Yes, Ron is not always the ideal best mate. Still, he is a teenager with an overbearing mother, five succesful older brothers and a best mate who is something like the A-celebrity of Britain. Allow him some room. Now, many reviewers have stated their fear that Harry is cheated out of his inheritance. I don't think it is strange to restrict the inheritance to purebloods. At least in the Prussian parts of Germany, including the former imperial family of Hohenzollern, there were bylaws that excluded anyone marrying a commoner from inheriting. There was a quite spectacular family dispute in the Hohenzollern family several years ago that went up to the Constitutional Court concerning the rights of some prince who did marry a commoner. I think that the Blacks could easily have such a bylaw, but of course restricted to pureblood. And, you must admit: Having Harry inherit Sirius' wealth has been done to death (I couldn't resist temptation in No good deed, either), hasn't it?