GENERAL DISCLAIMERS:
I do not own the Harry Potter universe nor anything related to the Harry Potter universe. If I did, I do not think that I would be struggling to pay off college now nor would I be working two jobs. Any resemblance to ideas, names, thoughts, theories or situations in another story written on any fanfiction site is purely coincidental.
As this is a work of FANFICTION, I lay no claim to the benefits, fame or monetary compensation owed to Warner Brothers, and JK Rowling.
This is a alternative universe (AU) writing. I understand that the portrayl of characters that I offer up for your reading. I humbly ask that you keep that in mind when you are reading my work.
AN: Yes, I realize that I have moved the Trial from the beginning of August to the beginning of July. It fits with my time line of this story better.
I would also like to state that this is an answer to a challenge put on by the last of the pendragons at FFN.
THIS IS A NEW EDITION OF THIS CHAPTER... A FEW THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
Chapter 6
Harry Potter and the Lords Lament
Diagon Alley
The sun peaked through the clouds into Diagon Alley and bathed the nearly deserted marketplace in a pale light that reflected the mood of the group that descended the steps from Gringotts.
Taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts Harry turned to his friends."While we are here lets get our school shopping done."
"But Harry the school lists haven't come out yet." Hermione pointed out.
"Yes, well..."
"You can always pick up the basics and have the course books delivered by owl mail. You know that you will need Standard Book of Spells Grade Five, a refill for your potions kits, new quills, ink, parchment, owl treats, review books for the OWLS, and the like." Tonks said. The walked down the street and into Flourish and Blotts. The group broke off and each went in search of specific titles that interested them. Harry saw Hermione duck into the school books while he wandered towards the law books. Not paying attention to where he was going he bumped into a girl who was searching for a title. Long strawberry hair was pulled into a high ponytail, a long black cloak swirled around her.
"I'm sorry miss. I did not mean to bump into you. Are you alright?" She turned as he spoke.
"Why if it isn't Harry Potter." Daphne Greengrass smiled while she knelt to pick up her book.
"Hello Daphne. I didn't know that you were heading into town today. How are you?"
"I'm doing well. Picking up a new book to study before the next Wizengamot meeting." She showed him her book. An Heirs Guide to Laws and Intrigue: 427th Edition, by IC Power. "She is a sarcastic writer. This one just came out. She writes about the placement of certain houses and their power within the Wizengamot. It helps track the changes that take place between the formal yearly sessions."
"Are there anymore? I think that might help me." Harry asked. Daphne pulled the last copy off of the shelf behind her. "Forgive me if I sound a little forward. But do you have plans for this afternoon?" Harry bit the inside of his cheek to keep from sounding pleading.
"Harry are you asking me out?"
"I would like your company while I school shop. Not quite a date but an outing as friends perhaps?"
"That sounds good. What books were you looking for?"
"I need a few on customs and laws so I do not do anything stupid. Would you suggest any?"
"Lady Denissen, the deportment teacher for most of the Families, gave me a few to read when I was in her classes before first year. Try The Masks We Wear by Dis Guise, Intrigue in the Families by Imogene Longbottom, Treading Water: A guide to Wizarding Customs by Horatio Eratos and Emily Post's Book of Etiquette." They walked around the section picking the books of the shelves. Harry saw Hermione at the the counter paying for her books. He ushered Daphne over to her.
"Hermione, find what you were looking for?" She nodded not looking up. "This is Lady Daphne of House Greengrass. Daphne this is Hermione Granger." Hermione's head shot up and she looked confused for a second before snapping out of it.
"Its a pleasure to meet you Daphne." Hermione forced a smile, confused over why Harry was talking to the Ice Queen of Slytherin.
"I can say the same Hermione. Its nice to officially meet you."
"Let me pay and we can be going. Hermione where are the others?" Harry placed his stack of books on the counter.
"Around somewhere. They didn't bring their money with them to get supplies." Ron and Ginny were standing outside of the bookstore with Tonks, Remus was heading towards the counter to meet them.
"Are you two ready, they are getting antsy?" Remus motioned over his shoulder to the Weasleys. "Ah, good day Miss Greengrass, how are you today?"
"I'm good Professor Lupin, and yourself?"
"Good." He paused for a minute, taking in the situation. "Are you joining us today?"
"Yes, Harry invited me to wander the alley with you."
"Well then, lets get to wandering." Harry paid for his stack of books and had the clerk shrink them down so that he could carry them in his pocket. The next stop was Magical Menagerie, where everyone checked out and dreamed of the pets they would love to have. Harry saw Daphne fondly stroking the fur of a kitten, as she petted him the kitten purred happily. A hissing voice caught his attention and he wandered into the back of the shop. In a small wire cage was a tiny snake with wings coming from its back.
Hello little one? What is the hissing about?
Speaker! I want out of this cage.
Would you like to come home with me?
I will not be a pet. Even to a Speaker.
How about you be my friend instead. You can roam my property and feast.
I will think about it... if you get me out of this cage.
"How much for this little snake?" Harry asked the shop keeper.
"A galleon and I will throw in some food and the cage. Are you sure that you want that occamy? She's not the most normal pet."
"I will take her, have you already named her?"
"I've been calling her Macha, shes a little demoness." Harry pondered the name for a second.
You like that name?
Love it really. A blood thirsty warrior goddess. Sounds about right.
Harry paid the man and left with his new snake in a covered cage.
Hey Alexian, would it be bad to buy that kitten for Daphne? She seems to really want it?
When is her birthday?
I'm not sure.
Unless you plan on courting her don't buy her presents except for present buying holidays.
That seems reasonable. I bought an occamy.
I saw. She will be valuable to you in the future. You need to pay attention now.
A small owl swooped towards the group and hovered in front of Tonks. She removed the envelope from the owls leg and read the note before passing it to Remus.
"It appears that our little outing has been reported to Dumbledore and we are required to return home."
"Time to go home then." Ron said, glaring at Daphne, who was standing a few feet from him talking to Hermione about the Runes summer assignment.
"I have a few additional errands that I need to run before I can head back. Remus would you take Hermione, Ron and Ginny home please? Tonks would you stay with me?" Harry asked.
"Of Course Harry." Tonks said with a smile, she nodded to Remus that they would be fine. She shrunk everything that Harry had purchased. Harry thought hard for a second about Hedwig and a few minutes later she winged her way toward him.
"Hey girl, can you take this package home and leave it on my bed. She won't hurt you. I promise." Harry asked his feathered friend before fixing a strap on the occamy's cage so that Hedwig could carry her. Hedwig hooted, grabbed the strap and flew off.
"That's not a good idea. Professor Dumbledore wants us home. We are in enough trouble as it is for leaving without his permission. We, especially you, need to go home right now." Hermione said her face a mask of worry and regret.
"Hermione, I'm not going to argue with you but I'm not going home right now." Harry turned towards Daphne. "It was good seeing you today. I hope to see you again soon, perhaps at the Birthday party that is being thrown for Neville Longbottom and myself."
"We shall see. Let me talk to my parents." With that said she smiled and walked away. Remus dragged everyone through the floo at the Leaky Cauldron while Harry and Tonks walked out into muggle London. Tonks hailed a taxi and the pair set off for her mother's law firm. The taxi stopped in front of a tall, sleek, modern office building. Once inside Tonks led him to an elevator. The buttons went from one to fifteen with thirteen being off to the side. When Harry asked Tonks about it she said the button had a small muggle repelling charm on it. Her mother's law firm took up two floors of the building and the thirteenth floor was the wizarding law section, the muggle half of the law firm was on the fourteenth. The elevator doors opened and the pair was greeted by a tall, dark haired woman with a smile on her face.
"Mum." Tonks hugged her mother. "Harry this is my mother, Andromeda Tonks, Muggle-Wizard Solicitor. Mum this is Harry Potter."
"Its a pleasure to meet you ma'am." Harry said extending his hand.
"Never you mind with that handshake boy, you are basically family," she pulled him in for a hug. "Its nice to see you again Harry. I haven't seen you since you were in nappies." Harry blushed and looked at his shoes. "Now to what do I owe this visit? You haven't gotten yourself into more trouble have you?"
"No Mrs. Tonks, I actually wanted your advice with something. I'm in need of help reclaiming the parts of my inheritance that Headmaster Dumbledore has hidden from me. I have my parents wills, letters that were written on my behalf giving up guardianship of my god-sister, giving Dumbledore my votes in the Wizengamot among other things. There is also no Kiley Davin registered at Hogwarts, or any of the other larger magic schools in Europe."
"Lets get to my office where we can look over your papers." Andromeda led them through a brightly lit hallway and into her corner office. Once in her office they laid out all of the papers and looked through them. Alex was continually whispering in the back of Harry's head, telling him what was important and what could be overlooked for now. Alex assured Harry multiple times that Andromeda was looking out for his best interests because of his status as Sirius' Godson and thus technically a Black. While Harry was rereading the letter from his father an owl flew in the window and landed on Andromeda's desk. Harry's name was written on the outside of the envelope. Tonks flicked her wand at the envelope and checked it for any monitoring spells or curses, once it was clear she removed it and handed it to Harry, who scanned it quickly.
"Its a summons to the War Orphans Review Board. I am to bring my current Guardian, my parents wills, and all of my personal property in a shrunken trunk. They will be deciding who is has guardianship of each Orphan before the day is over." Harry informed the Tonks ladies before folding the summons back up and placing it on the pile of letters.
"Well that is something that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. When is the interview?" Andromeda asked.
"Its for tomorrow. No doubt someone will attempt to not let me go to the review. The listed penalty is 100 galleons and a non-favorable declaration in guardianship. Orphans that appear will have their opinions taken into consideration since we have at most two years before we are of age."
"We will handle that if it arises. Now, have you gone out to Potter Manor and released the stasis charm on the property?"
"Huh?" Harry looked very confused.
"Potter Manor... your family home... the stasis charm that kept it from falling apart in your absence?"
"Um.. no. I didn't know that there was a manor house... let alone that I needed to go there."
"Nym, take him there before you head back to Grimmauld Place. Sirius should be back there by now. I'll prep stuff for you to take tomorrow and bring it over in the morning."
"Bye Mum see you later."
"Bye Mrs Tonks."
"By dears... oh and Harry, call me Andy when there isn't company around... we are basically family."
"Thanks, Mrs," Harry paused and swallowed at her glare, "Andy. See you in the morning."
Village of Anasirone
5 kilometers from Potter Manor
Tonks apperated them to a small village, named Anasirone, in the moors. There were twenty houses gathered around a small green space that was ringed with shops and churches. Through the trees you could see a large house rising out of the moors. The pair walked towards the manor house, ignoring the people peeking out from behind curtains and around the sides of buildings. A little girl came running at them from the last house on the road, her mother panicked at the door to their house, calling after her.
"Mister, who are you?" She pulled on his sleeve.
"I'm Harry, whats your name?" Harry knelt down to answer her.
"I'm Susie. That's my Mommy. Are you Harry Potter?"
"Yes I am. Why?"
"Mommy said you were not going to be coming home ever... why were you gone so long?"
"I didn't know that I had a home to come back to. Why did your mommy say that I wasn't coming back?"
"The mean old wizard man told her. Can you do magic?"
"Yes." Harry pulled his wand from his pocket and thought for a second. A whispered incantation later he had a small stuffed griffin in his hand. "This is for you Susie. I'll be back in a little while to talk to your Mommy. Run on home." He handed her the stuffed animal before turning to Tonks. "Ready to go. We need to get home before Dumbledore figures out that I didn't bring you straight home. I'm not in the mood to listen to him complain today."
Tonks nodded in stunned silence before continuing onto the house. After a few more minutes of walking they came to a break in the tree lined road. The trees opened up to a large clearing that housed the large dark and depressing Manor, that seemed to be the setting for a horror movie rather than his ancestral home. Engraved into the doors of the house was the great seal of the House Potter, and on either side of the door stood a stone gargoyle, one paw extended as if to swipe at those that came near. Harry placed his hand on the large handle and stilled as the gargoyles roared. His ring warmed to the touch and almost immediately the foreboding atmosphere that had surrounded the manor had disappeared. Tonks stood by silently as the Manor changed before their very eyes, windows gleamed, stones sparkled, the inlays of the seal on the doors shone like they were freshly polished.
A small pop startled them and Tonks and Harry grabbed for their wands, only to find a now terrified house elf standing before them."Hello, I'm Squeaks, the house elf. Are you Master Potter?"
"Harry, just Harry. Please don't call me Master." Harry said as the small elf began to calm down. "Were you one of my parents' elves? Have you been here this whole time?"
"Squeaks, belong to Mrs, Lily. You new Lady Potter?" Tonks turned bright red from her skin to her hair at the elf's question.
"No Squeaks, she is a Black, like my cousin."
"You Nymmie, Mrs Andy's lil' girl?" the little elf bounced up and down.
"Yes. Please call me Tonks though." The little elf beckoned for them to follow her into the house. They walked into a giant entry hall that spanned the two small porches and isolated them from the rest of the house. Four doors led off of the room they had stepped into. Through one of the doors they walked into a hallway, only to be stopped at a painting of mountains and dragons.
"Master Harry, go through, take the house back." Harry cut his eyes at Tonks who only shrugged at him. "Password is 'a stone's heart'."
"A stone's heart?" The tapestry rolled it self up and Harry walked through the archway into the darkness beyond. Once the tapestry had righted itself and the light from the hallway was gone the tiny passageway was lit with floating candles that hovered below the ceiling. As he walked he thought about what the little elf could have meant when it told him to take the house back. The candle above his head suddenly went out and a dull glow came from the opening in the passage. He slid his wand into his hand and approached the opening slowly. He peeked around the corner into the room beyond and saw nothing. Once his foot cast a shadow over the light on the floor the walls behind him closed and he was slammed into darkness. Harry could feel the room around him shift.
'Alexian, whats going on?' The guide that Harry had begun to rely on was silent. 'Alexian?' Still there was no answer from his guide. 'I'll do this on my own then.' Taking a deep breath he steadied himself and stepped further into the room.
"Help me, save me. Somebody. Please." A small, quiet female voice spoke out of the darkness. Harry's eyes sought out the voice but kept his guard up in order to spot traps. The room around him flared with light and he could see that he was no longer in the pitch black room off of the passage that he had entered. In the far corner he saw a small girl with waist length red hair, tied to a low sofa and blindfolded. He walked closer to her and noticed a small pendant around her neck that bore the Potter Family crest.
"Quiet now little one, I will save you?"
"Who are you... I can't see you." She tossed on the sofa.
"I'm Harrison James, Son of James and Lilith." Harry pulled the blindfold from her eyes and cut her free.
"Please take me home." She whimpered into his shirt. Her face alluded to her being older than he was although he towered over her.
"What is your name little one. I will take you home."
"I am Atena Laurel, Stolen bride of the Warrior Alexian." There was a rumbling behind them and the door slammed open. Three tall broad shouldered men bearing swords rushed into the room and advanced on Harry and the young girl. His eyes roamed the room one more time trying to find things that he could use as weapons. Pulling Atena behind him he faced the advancing trio.
"Gentlemen, I am here to retrieve what is mine."
"She is ours by conquest. Ours by right of kidnapping." The middle one that seemed to be the brains of the operation said while swinging his sword at Harry.
"Be that as it may, Atena will be returning to Anasirone with me." Making a faint movement with his hand brought a large platter of fruit flying towards him. He threw the fruit into the three mens' faces before creating a strap that he could attach to the inside of the platter to turn it into a shield. He crashed the silver shield into one of the mens' faces and grabbed his sword from him. Turning to the other men he prayed that the lessons Alexian had transferred to his brain involved sword fighting or he was going to die, to defend an illusion. The brains of the operation hung back, waiting for Harry to either tire himself out fighting the other man or the other man to kill him. Harry blocked as the other man swung at him temporarily throwing himself off balance. Taking a chance Harry brought his sword down on the back of the mans neck taking him out of the fight. 'Brains' threw himself into the fight and swung at Harry like her was trying to cut him in half. Harry tried blocking but the blade grazed his arm. Switching the silver platter to his other arm and balancing the blade with his left hand Harry swung in an arc and caught 'Brains' in the stomach. 'Brains' dropped to his knees and coughed up blood. Harry backed away from the fight and hooked an arm around Atena Laurel 's waist.
"Let's get you out of here. I'm sorry that you had to see that." Keeping the sword in front of him Harry pulled the girl from the room and then it vanished. The girl, the room, the bodies, the sword it all vanished. He was left in a dim room that had a giant pedestal in the center. On top of the pedestal was a crystal roughly the size of a quaffle. On either side of the crystal was a blue hand print. Something was drawing him to the hand print, unconsciously he placed his hands into the prints. A blue light flared from the crystal in front of him and his hands burned. Harry tried to pull his hands away but they wouldn't budge. Harry watched as black and blue marks climbed up his arms towards his chest and neck, the skin on his back and chest warmed as the marks settled in to one place. When the crystal released him he jumped back and ran down the passageway towards the entrance. Once he was safe in the hallway he let out a breath that he didn't know that he had been holding since the marks had climbed up his arms.
"You alright there Harry?" Tonks walked toward him.
"That was creepy."
"You take house back!" Squeaks jumped around before calming herself. "I call others." Within seconds the small hallway held seven excited house elves. "We are the Potter Elves." They each introduced themselves to Harry and Tonks.
"Dobby." Harry said a little loudly hoping that his friend would hear him. The odd elf appeared in the room behind Harry. The Potter elves immediately took stances that said they thought Dobby was a threat. "He is no enemy. He is a friend." Harry threw his arms out between Dobby and the other elves. The elves stood down and looked at him.
"They are awaiting orders Harry." Tonks elbowed him in the stomach.
"Please continue to do your assigned tasks. Squeaks how secure is this house?"
"Very. No one can enter without your say."
"The Potter Manor has always been unplottable as it is a Lords House. I only knew that it was near Anasirone."
"That's good. Tonks what do you think about moving me here. If its that secure we wouldn't have to be wasting resources keeping me safe because no one would be allowed here that wanted to hurt me. Plus we have a handful of elves that will protect me."
"It would be a good idea. Have to run it by Sirius and Remus first. Then we have to come up with a way to move you here without causing too much of a stir with Dumbledore."
"Why does every decision have to be spun so as not to irritate him? This is my life." Harry asked, pacing the floor.
"I know that but if you suddenly disappear for the last few weeks of summer you will be in for it when the year starts at Hogwarts." Tonks tried to calm him.
"I need to have this house in use. As a member of the Wizengamot I need to be able to host events at the Manor." Harry said.
"What events do you plan on hosting?" Tonks asked with a giggle.
"A birthday party for myself and Neville Longbottom at the least. There may be others but I don't see any for this summer."
"Well..."
"Tonks, we'll talk later."
"Dobby please assist these elves in preparing this house for my birthday party. I like this location better than I do the London house. Please also set up a secure area around the floo, so that when I expect guests they can enter but cannot leave the room until I retrieve them." Dobby nodded and walked over to the other elves. "I would like for all of you to get along. You are my elves. Everyone one of you." Dobby latched onto Harry's left leg and squeezed the life out of it. "Dobby I need that part of my leg."
"Sorry Harry Potter Sir. Sorry." Dobby slowly released Harry's leg.
"Its okay Dobby. Squeaks can you show Dobby around this house. Oh and do you think that one or two of you can help out at my London Residence. Or should I hire more elves for that house?"
"We will be fine." With that Squeaks and Dobby disappeared, quickly followed by the rest of the elves.
"I'm done here."
"Don't you want to explore?"
"Not today. I really want to go see what Dumbledore told the people that live in the village."
"Off we go then." Tonks led Harry back out of the house. As they left the house the passed a pile of stones, one on either side of the road.
"Tonks what do you suppose these are?"
"Not sure." Tonks poked at the pile with her wand for fun. The pile shivered but the stones remained. "They wiggle like pudding." Tonks poked them again.
'Tell that woman to stop poking the gate stones. They are dormant but still pack a punch.' The absent guardian growled, making his presence known.
'Where have you been? What are gate stones?'
'When unfriendly forces attempt to come onto the Potter Lands the gate stones activate. They create a wall around the property that the wards are offensive wards are tied to. If she doesn't stop soon they are going to think that she wants to test them and activate.'
"Tonks. Alexian says not to poke the gate stones before they poke back."
"Harry, who is Alexian?"
"Just the voice in my head Tonks. Nothing to worry about."
"The VOICE IN YOUR HEAD. Didn't you learn anything from Ginny being possessed by You-Know-Who?"
"Tonks, cut it out. I learned plenty when she was possessed. I learned that even the infallible Dumbledore and the dark arts sniffer Snape couldn't figure out that the poor girl had that evil in her head. I also learned that you have to protect yourself from these things. Dumbledore can and does routinely read people's minds in order to keep an eye on them. But most of all I learned to find out the history of things before touching them. Alexian belongs in this crest." Harry pulled the medallion from under his shirt. "He is the Guardian of my family line. He speaks to me on behalf of all of the Potters that have gone before me."
"No one ever mentioned you had a Guardian to teach you about your family."
"That is because no one knows but you. Sirius and Remus are suspicious. Ron, Hermione and Ginny have all heard the story at the same time that you did. I'm surprised you all didn't piece it together."
"The sudden change in your speech, the random ability to take me out when we first met. How you write and the quality of your work? You've got some voice telling you what to do and say." Tonks questioned.
"Sometimes. At night he gives me information and teaches me. But I'm pretty much rewired to act and think this way until it becomes second nature to me. Then Alexian will just give advice when asked and not guard the things that I say and do."
"That's creepy. Talk to Sirius about it. Maybe he remembers if your dad went through the same stuff." They continued walking for a few minutes. As the pair cleared the tree line and walked back into Anasirone Harry spoke again.
"Why hasn't Sirius talked to me about all of this before. He and dad were best friends, he is my Godfather. He should have been helping me get ready since third year. If not leaving messages for you and your mum to help me when I returned to the wizarding world."
"Remus, Sirius and my Mum think that there was a memory charm placed on many facts involving you and your parents. Just the other day I scanned everyone and am trying to find a way to break a few of the charms without alerting anyone that they have been broken. The more that you find out the more the blocks break on their own."
"Dumbledore is really getting on my last nerve." Harry strode silently toward Little Susie's house. As he approached the house her mother came out onto the porch and curtsied.
"Lord Potter you have returned." She said with a smile. "I am Veronique Glassedge, one of the Village Elders of Anasirone. We have been waiting for you."
"Please, I am just Harry, none of this Lord stuff. I am sorry for keeping you waiting. Elder Glassedge, what was it that the 'mean old man' told you many years ago?"
"Sorry my Lord, but you will always be Lord Potter or Lord Harry. He told us the most horrible of things. That there would never be a Potter in the Keep again." She said sadly.
"Well he was wrong. May I ask why that was taken as a bad thing."
"Because the magic of Anasirone is the magic of the Potter family and the magic of the Potter family is the magic of Anasirone. They feed off of each other. All of the families that live here are tied to the land through the Potter lands. We live and die by the bond between the two. That is why the village is so small and quiet. Without a Potter to renew the bond everyone once and a while the magic slumbers."
"How big was the village?" Harry questioned.
"Another forty or so houses when your parents and grandparents lived in the keep. But those houses were for Nonmagicals and when the wards went back up and the Keep slumbered the Nonmagicals were forced to leave. They wards made them feel uncomfortable until they just left. We've been in danger of being dis-incorporated for 15 years because we became a totally Magical Settlement. Only one of those is allowed in England at a time."
'Arguable. We are above Hadrian's Wall. Technically we are not in the England that the Queen made that rule about. This part has always been separate, in the Magical realm.'
Isn't that why Hogsmeade got its village charter? Because they are above the wall?'
Yes. Now pay attention.
"So me not knowing that I was needed here almost killed off the entire village's magic?"
"In so few words. Yes. A combination of no one of pure Potter blood and your parents not making the necessary sacrifice before they went into hiding in Godric's Hollow. A few more years and then..." Mrs Glassedge trailed off, unwilling to put it into words.
"There is no need to worry about that anymore Mrs Glassedge. I'm back now and plan on making, the Keep did you call it, my permanent home after I leave Hogwarts."
"Yes, Potter Manor has always been referred to as the Keep here in the Moors. Should we be expecting a Lady Potter any time in the near future?" Harry stuttered and blushed. Mrs. Glassedge laughed, behind her hand at the face that he was making.
"Not at the moment ma'am."
"Well you have time. You are young. Just know that you need a strong woman that will uphold the values of the Potter family. Now run along your Harry. I'm quite sure that your old watchdog is up in arms because you are not where ever he placed you."
"I thought all adults hung on every word that came from Dumbledore's lips?"
"Only adults that went to Hogwarts do. The rest of us know that he is an idiot. 'Savior' of the world or not."
"If you didn't go to Hogwarts where did you go?"
"I attended the Dublin School of Magic and then apprenticed under your Grandmother for two years. I was told that my magic, nor my blood was of the caliber of Hogwarts."
"By who?"
"By Dumbledore himself when my parents tried to register me at age nine."
"What was wrong with your blood?"
"Oh, the same thing that runs through your veins runs through mine. Everyone in this village is tied to not only the Potter Lands but also to the Gargoyles. We are distant family. Long ago the Potter Men would take bed-mates from the villagers but marry outside of the village to bring new gifts to the family line. More than a few of the families here are second or third Potter lines. We are one giant Clan, tied together by blood and history."
"Then why was my dad and I allowed into Hogwarts?"
"Who would deny the Lord of Potter anything. Members of the Wizengamot for generation upon generation."
"I never asked for special treatment."
"You never have to ask My Lord... we will give it to you anyways. Now you need to run along Lord Potter. Can I tell the rest of the Elders that you will be returning soon to meet with them about the future of the Clan that live here?"
"I will be back before the term at Hogwarts begins. I promise you that. You can tell them that I will take care of my 'family' no matter how distant." Alexian was speaking rapidly into Harry's ear trying to stifle his anger. Harry turned to Tonks and had her apperate them back to Grimmauld place.