"Dumbledore!" Came the thunderous voice from a member of the Order. One of the only members with any talent.
"Alastor, what is it?" The Headmaster of Hogwarts asked wearily.
"The boy. He's not in his room." Moody shrugged.
Down the hall of Grimmauld Place, the pounding and shouts and shrieks that were the Order could be heard.
"Not in his room? He's probably doing some chores, or wandering the street. Don't overreact." Dumbledore moved to walk down the hall to the kitchen, planning on getting a plate for diner. Molly Weasley might be annoying, however that woman could cook.
"Don't patronize me Albus." Moody said harshly. "I wasn't one of the Ministry's top Aurors for nothing. The boy isn't in the house. I called Tonks and we conducted a search. In his room there were traces of magic."
Dumbledore tried to avoid showing his exasperation. Moody held up a hand to stop him interrupting. "It wasn't accidental magic, nor magic from a charmed object. It was transportation magic. Goblin transport."
"A portkey?" Dumbledore asked. "The boy doesn't posses enough brain cells to think of that."
"One of his friends might." Moody gave him a look. "The Granger girl - she's smart enough."
"No. She hasn't sent any owls all year, except to Flourish and Blotts. Not her." Dumbledore shook his head.
"He's probably been in contact with the goblins. Maybe about Blacks will?" Moody suggested unhelpfully, the talk of goblins turning his stomach.
"The boy is too stupid to consider that. And they can't contact him directly. Go investigate it. But say nothing to any of the Order. We don't want Lupin causing trouble." Dumbledore nodded, dismissing the war veteran from his view.
~ "Mrs Longbottom, it's a pleasure to see you again." Harry said nervously, greeting the woman.
"It's Lady Longbottom for now Lord Potter. And it is indeed." The formidable woman directed him, barely noticing his blanch of fear.
They were in the 'parlor' room, which was where Harry had taken the portkey to. It was a large room, with large French doors in white framing it, which allowed a lot of light to fill the room, and pale pink and blue old style couches.
While Harry was dressed in shabby Muggle clothes, 'Lady' Longbottom had donned expensive robes in a deep red, dark silk. Neville also wore robes, in a deep blue, that appeared to make him taller.
"Now, Neville has told me some disgusting things. The young Potter Lord doesn't know about the British nobility that he will one day be a part of?" She asked rhetorically, before summoning the House Elf. "Ezza!"
The tiny thing (even for a House Elf) popped up, in a clean pillowcase and the Longbottom family crest on the left hand side of her chest. "A set of scones and a tea pot?" The elderly lady asked politely.
The Elf nodded excitedly before 'apparating' away.
"Now. I would like to propose that you tell me exactly what has happened in your childhood, and why you have no knowledge of your birthright." She said severely, gesturing at the two Gryffindors in front of her to sit.
"I grew up with my aunt and uncle. They hate magic. . . and I didn't know I was magic until Hagrid arrived." Harry said, his voice shaking, intimidated by this woman.
"Hagrid got you. The half giant?" The woman let out a snort. "What a buffoon!"
"Hey! Hagrids my friend okay?" Harry let out a shout.
Augusta Longbottom gave him a look. Shivering under it, Harry realised he was being outspoken. "You have backbone young Potter, however you know nothing of this subject. You were directly influenced by your Headmaster."
"What's wrong with that?" Harry took offence.
"Nothing, if you want to remain Dumbledores pawn." She sniffed, looking away as Ezza set the tray of food down onto the coffee table.
"Gran!" Neville gave her a look.
His grandmother ignored him and continued on with her talk. "Most of Hogwarts Muggleborn students are given their letter by Professor McGonagall personally, or Professor Flitwick if she is too busy. So you rightfully should of been given your letter by her. And you have no knowledge of our Lord and House system?" Her raised eyebrow forbade Harry from arguing.
"Uhh, no." He muttered, embarrassed.
"It's not your fault boy, it's your Wizarding guardians. If you have a title, or a bank account in Gringotts, it is your guardians job to inform you of it and its implications, social and political. Normally your parents or grandparents inform you as they are your Heads of House, however with you being an orphan with no other living relations, the Wizengamot should of appointed a guardian for you, however they clearly have neglected your case. Most likely your guardian is Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore?" Harry asked in shock. "But he's just my Headmaster. Why would he be my guardian?"
"Most Muggleborns are in the custody of Hogwarts for most of the year and therefore they are under the Headmasters care. Then he becomes their guardian for the Wizarding World, unless their parents give that privilege to a friend." Neville stepped in, surprising Harry.
"Good boy, you've actually retained something over the years!" Augusta exclaimed, with a tinge of pride. "Now, my point is that he should of alerted you of what you owned. You're a young Lord and my guess is all of your bank statements have been sent to him, and you have received none, otherwise you could of been more curious earlier."
Harry gave a slow nod, as if he was trying to process what she was telling him.
"In Wizarding Britain we have a nobility, although no royalty, as we must bow down to the Queen eventually. Each of the most ancient pureblood families has a 'House' which comes from the fact that the families used to live in a large house together. A Lord would head each house, with a Lady by his side. Occasionally bloodlines merge and only one heir can inherit the Heads of House."
Harry took a moment to look at her as he attempted to understand. "So . . . are you saying that the Potters are a House?"
"Congratulations Lord Potter." The elderly woman stated sarcastically.
"What does that mean for me?" He asked her.
"It means that you have a couple of seats on the Wizengamot, a large pile of gold under Gringotts and a large amount of properties. You are also expected at social gatherings and meetings, especially as you are sixteen." Lady Longbottom said briskly, straight to the point.
"What does me being sixteen have to do with anything? And I'm not sixteen yet." He reminded her.
"When a young Lord or heir turns sixteen he formally gains access to all of his vaults and families possessions as well as being allowed to make decisions for his family. For instance Neville will be gaining his position this summer, as well as some of your classmates such as Miss Bones, Mr Malfoy, Mr Nott." The socialite gave an indication of his peers social standing in the outside world.
"But aren't you Head of House?" Harry asked, his face showing his confusion.
"No. I have merely stood in, as Neville was too young to be a leader of our House." She gave a sniff. "As my dear Frank was Head of the House before his death it goes to Neville, as the position can't go back generations."
She spoke of the death of her son and her grandsons father as if she was oblivious of the pained expression on Neville's place and the clenching of his jaw were non existent.
"Now. How about you come over tomorrow and we take a trip to Gringotts. As a Lady of a Most Ancient and Noble House I'm not going to stand around while a young Lord gets away with everything."