GENERAL DISCLAIMERS:
We do not own the Harry Potter universe nor anything related to the Harry Potter universe. If we did, I do not think that I would be struggling through college now nor would I be working two jobs. Any resemblance to ideas, names, thoughts, theories or situations in another story written on FFN 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 portrayal of characters that I offer up for your reading are not inline with cannon and are thus FANNON. I humbly ask that you keep that in mind when you are reading my work.
I would also like to state that this is an answer to a challenge put on by the last of the pendragons at FFN.
Chapter 8
Council Chambers, Anasirone
"Good morning Madame Glassedge." Harry said as little Susie showed him to where her mother was. Mrs. Glassedge sat in the kitchen creating snacks for the council meeting that would be happening in an hour.
"Morning Lord Potter."
"Please Mrs. Glassedge, while no one else is around; please leave off the Lord stuff. Call me Harry."
"I'll think about it my Lord." She said with a sly smile. "Are you ready for this?"
"I think I am. I just want everyone on the council to know that my lack of involvement was not my fault."
"There are a lot of people that will be skeptical of you for a bit. You've been seen as that man's puppet for so long. He hurt so many with his words that were 'on your behalf'."
"A situation I plan on rectifying tonight." Harry said and then frowned.
'Alex how often do you speak for me?'
'Once in a while. Just when I think that you need to say something a certain way.'
'I'm not sure that you talking for me sits well with me. But we'll talk about that later.'
"Let me tell you about this village." She poured two cups of steaming liquid, one of tea and one with something else. "Anasirone is a different village than one you might come across anywhere else in the European Magical World. Your family helped us grow that way. We started as a smallish fiefdom. Then while your families influence grew and their lands expanded so did the village. Creatures, halfbloods, mixed bloods and children of all species sought out safe haven within your ancestors' walls. Generations ago there was a pact made with the gargoyles for protection. Have you noticed around town that there is at least a gargoyle on every building in the village? They keep watch. Not only over the village itself but of their offspring. Some of the people here in town are closer to the gargoyles than you would think."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that some of us are halflings. Oh, company is coming in." Harry's head shot around as Mrs. Glassedge looked towards the door. There was a knock and Susie ran towards the door. She welcomed twelve people into the house and showed them into the living room. Mrs. Glassedge gathered up the snacks and tea that she had prepared.
"Let me help you."
"Lord Potter think about what you are doing. You are going to meet with the council of your vassals. Do you really want to be seen carrying food to them?"
"Yes, I believe that I do. I am their liege lord. It's my job now to provide for everyone in the village. Why not start now." Mrs Glassedge smiled at Harry's statement. She led him into the living room where twelve people met them, six men and six women.
"Lord Potter, what is your stance on halflings?" A gruff man asked. He was slapped on the arm by the woman sitting next to him. "Don't smack me Aurena we need to know. He's been raised by that man."
"I see nothing wrong with halflings. One cannot choose to whom they were born." Harry answered.
"Have you ever met a halfling?" A lady with long blood red hair asked.
"I believe that I am standing in the room with more than one right now. I am friends with elves and werewolves alike. There is no reason for me to treat anyone different."
"You've grown up in that type of influence. We've faced it our whole lives. We just want to know if our liege lord will stand for us or against us." An elderly gentlemen asked.
"If you will have me I will stand for you. People should be judged on their actions not their status or name."
"That's good to hear Lord Potter." Mrs Glassedge said. "There is something that we will require of you."
"What would that be?"
"A vow. An unbreakable vow that you will reside here in the keep. That you will stand for your people. That you will be our true liege lord."
'Do it Harry, the vow will only strengthen their support of you. They will speak the words to the vow, you just add in what lies on your heart."
"Who will take the vow?" Harry looked at the group gathered before him.
"I will." Mrs. Glassedge stepped forward. She held a wand that Harry hadn't seen before in her left hand and held out her right. "Will you Harrison Potter commit to be the liege lord of Anasirone? Do you swear to uphold the title of Liege Lord, to safeguard us against all harm, to stand for us against opposition, to provide for our defense and welfare in times of need and to further our interests both political and economical?" Harry grabbed her right hand and held his wand with his left.
"I so swear shelter and food in times of need, defense and safety in times of war, education and understanding for all who dwell within the lands. I swear to work towards erasing all doubt and misinformation that the world has about those that dwell here. I swear to reside within these lands as your Lord for the entirety of my lifetime. I swear that I will not abandon the keep, nor neglect my responsibilities. I swear this upon my life, blood and magic. May I suffer great pains equal to the vows I break. So mote it be." Harry let Alex speak through him so that he didn't trip over the words of the vow.
"So mote it be." Mrs. Glassedge said with a small smile. Their wands glowed a bright blue at the vow and lit up the room.
"Well, now that the nastiness is out of the way we can continue on with our meeting." The meeting continued for an hour, they informed Harry about the history of the town and the people that lived there. They spoke of how the town had rapidly diminished after Dumbledore had declared that Harry would not return. While the council talked Harry took notes so that he could speak to his lawyers more. As they continued their meeting Harry became more and more angered at the things that Dumbledore had done and said in his name.
"I have two additional statements to make before we adjourn for the day. I would like to inform everyone that I will be using human, non-human and halfling help in the Keep. Please pass onto the villagers that I will be hiring citizens of Anasirone before I bring in outsiders, but I will only hire those that are best for the positions that I will have open. I'm sure more positions will open once the Keep is a functioning home but for right now it is just Lady Davin and myself." There was uproar, whispers that turned to harsh words and words that turned to shouts.
"You've found her?"
"She's alive?"
"We've been so worried."
"Is she okay?" Harry heard a chorus of voices around him and could barely make out what was being said.
"She is alive and well. Dumbledore placed her in an orphanage under the name of Davidson. We were reunited just a few days ago. The both of us will be moving into the Keep as soon as we arrange for the supervision of a chaperone."
"So she will be Lady of the Keep?"
"Yes, until there is a Lady Potter – in waiting."
"Should we be expecting one?" The lady with the long blood red hair asked. She cocked an eyebrow with concern.
"Ummm." Harry stuttered and turned tomato red.
"Veronique, leave the poor boy alone. He's too young to be thinking about having a fiancé."
"I have an announcement." Harry stood. "I will be hosting a joint fifteenth birthday event for Neville, Lord of House Longbottom and myself on the 31st of July." The ladies tittered away, beginning plans. "I want to showcase the people of Anasirone as well as the advantages of living in our mixed community. I was thinking as muggle as possible without loosing the magic." They discussed how he would be hiring people for a few minutes longer before adjourning. Little Susie walked him to the door, where he turned a pebble into a flower. Harry ventured into town, walking towards the village green. Near the green he found Remus enjoying a cup of coffee and a newspaper in a small cafe.
"Ready to go Professor?"
"Of course Harry. Let's get back to Padfoot's." The pair apperated back to the park across from Grimmauld Place.
Grimmauld Place
3:30 pm, second floor
Albus Dumbledore met Harry and Remus inside of the door to Grimmauld Place. His eyes twinkled madly, as if he could dazzle Harry into obeying him by sparkly eyes alone. He placed a wrinkly old hand on Harry's shoulder and tried to steer him into the dinning room.
"Harry, my boy, we must speak."
"I'm sorry Headmaster, I have many things that I need to accomplish today and do not have time to speak to you. I'm sure my schedule for tomorrow is clearer if you would like to speak then." Dumbledore sputtered at being dismissed, Harry ducked under his arm and walked up the staircase. Dumbledore followed him, walking heavily, as if the old man was stomping, up the stairs. Everyone that was in the house could now hear them and ventured into the hallway to blatantly listen in on the argument.
"Mister Potter. I wanted to inform you that you will be returning to your relatives this evening. We feel that it would be safer for you to be there until school starts." Dumbledore started, as he fingered the wand in the holster on his hip.
"No." Harry cut him off. "I will never return to that house. I am of no blood relation to that infernal whale and that insufferable giraffe." A pale gold light filled the room and Dumbledore's eyes darken in anger.
"You self centered brat. Do you not know what you did? All of our hard work in keeping you safe. We will have to find alternative residence for you for the rest of the summer."
"He can stay with us at the Burrow Headmaster. Our family was planning on returning home soon." Mrs Weasley spoke up, her eyes had an odd glisten to them that Harry barely caught before it was gone. "It will be plenty safe for him."
"I think the Burrow will be a great idea." the Headmaster smiled, his eyes twinkled and he patted Harry on the arm. "There would have to be rules though. We must ensure your safety at all costs."
"What kind of rules Headmaster?" Sirius asked as he stepped out onto the landing.
"Just some safety issues. I'm afraid that only the Weasleys, Harry and myself will be allowed at the Burrow. Miss Davin and Miss Granger will remain here in your care. No one will be coming or going from the Burrow, save Mister Weasley for work. Of course the wards will need to be strengthened and changed. Can't have any owls getting to you with portkeys or what not attached."
"Headmaster, let me get this straight... so a house, whose address was published in the Daily Prophet a year ago, where everyone expects me to be 'hiding' would be a better place for me to be than here under the Fidelius at my Godfather's house?"
"Most defiantly. Too many people know about this place. I am inclined to believe that the Black Sisters may figure out how to return here and then your safety would not be assured."
"Why are you cutting me off from my friends again Headmaster?"
"I'm not cutting you off. You will have the Weasleys all there and you will see Miss Granger for your birthday."
"What about Kiley. She is my responsibility." Harry argued.
"You are just a boy. You have no need to be responsible for the girl. If she can't stay here with Sirius I'm sure that her foster parents would gladly take her back." Harry saw Kiley's back stiffen and her eyes go wide with shock over that statement. Her foster parents were not the nicest of people; they only took in magical orphans for the money and the help around the house.
"I'm sorry to reject your offer Mrs Weasley but I am inclined to return to my family home with a few people to ensure my safety."
"Then you are going to return to the house on Privet Drive. Good choice my boy. I see you are acting like an adult." Dumbledore nodded towards Molly, who dragged her children out of the hallway and back to packing their belongings.
"No Headmaster. I am moving to the Keep. Anasirone will have their Lord and their lifemagic back. Remus will accompany us as a chaperone."
"That is unacceptable Harry. You will either go to the Burrow or you will go to your relatives. No other choices."
"I'm sorry that is unacceptable in your eyes Headmsater. I have been deemed capable of making my own way in life. The Wizengamot believes that I can make my own decisions and therefore I am making this one. Dobby. Winky." Harry called over his shoulder, seconds later the elves in question appeared. "The household will be moving to the Keep. Please gather all of the Potter and Davin property and have it moved to the Keep. Assist Remus if he requires it." the elves nodded and disappeared. Dumbledore glared at Harry as he turned to Kiley. "Kiley, please watch over the packing of our belongings. We will not be back here for quite sometime. Anything you would like to say Headmaster?"
"You can't do this Harry. You must remain where we can protect you."
"My people will protect me. From any and all that seek to harm me." Dobby appeared in front of Dumbledore with a crack. He wiggled his fingers at the old wizard and a few trinkets and keys appeared in Dobby's hands. The keys to his vaults, jewelry, and talismans were visible. Harry was stunned that Dumbledore would have his property on him. Shaking his head Harry motioned for Dobby to leave and turned to head up the staircase to his room. He passed the Weasleys on the stairs. Molly was taking the children back to the Burrow. If Harry was not going to be there, there was no point for her family to remain in Grimmauld Place. Sirius followed Harry into his room.
"Harry why are you fighting with Dumbeldore."
"Why wouldn't I Sirius. I won't have him telling me what to do anymore. He makes his decisions and then expects people to abide by them."
"I know that. But you can't be against him in public. He is Albus Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, he is not a man to be trifled with."
"Well, I don't care. I'm not going to let him tell me what to do anymore. Sirius, he has you cooped up in this house like you are still in jail. It's not right. Sirius, he shouldn't have that kind of power."
"There isn't much that we can do. You were also very snippy with Mrs Weasley. You shouldn't instigate a problem with their family. Harry they are some of the closest friends that you have."
"I don't plan on instigating things with them. I just want to be able to make my own decisions."
"I understand."
"Sirius, Dumbledore's going to turn people against me. I have this feeling that he is going to try something bad. I need to tell you something."
"What Harry?"
"I think I need you to talk to Mr. Weasley on my behalf. Over the last few days I've been reading up on life debts."
"Why would you do that?" Sirius asked. "Life debts are really heavy stuff."
"Because I am sure that I have at least two if not more."
"Who are you talking about Harry? This is serious."
"I saved Hermione from a troll in our first year; she would have been smashed to bits."
"Okay that probably counts as one. What would the second one be for?"
"Ginny Weasley was almost murdered by Tom Riddle's memory in my second year." Sirius nodded, deep in thought.
"Harry has anyone ever talked to the three of you about this? I mean you only have a few more years to figure out what is going to count as payment for the debts."
"What do you mean? Nothing in my reading said anything about payment."
"Before you reach your last year of Hogwarts you need to have written up a contract for repayment."
"What type of repayment would be demanded?" Harry asked.
"It would depend on you and the girls. Old ones would require them to become chattel. You can decide anything. You can leave it at that they will repay you in kind."
"Chattel?"
"You are a liege Lord. They would take rooms at the Keep and you would have access to them, for any reason you decided."
"I don't think that that would be appropriate."
"I thought that you would say that." For the next half hour they discussed what they could do to discuss this with the girls and their parents. Dobby and Winky appeared in the room and startled both of them out of their conversation. They informed Harry that everything was already at the Keep and they were ready to leave whenever Harry was. Kiley knocked on the door and said that she was ready as well.
"Are you sure you need to leave here?" Sirius asked.
"Yep. Its time for me to be me. Remus will watch over me and Kiley."
"Who are you going to talk to for a female chaperone?"
"I'm thinking about asking Tonks. She's still living at her parents' house."
"When you announce that you have chosen a chaperone you need to only say that it will be Tonks. People will be leary about you having a werewolf as a chaperone."
"I don't agree with that but I had already come to that conclusion. People have no sense of reality."
"I'm gonna miss you kid." Sirius grabbed Harry in a hug.
"I'm not going far. You can show up anytime. I'll send Dobby with the password for the floo."
"Sounds good. You two be careful." Harry nodded. "Kiley you take care of this trouble seeker." She nodded. "Well off you go." Sirius smiled, although it didn't reach his eyes. The pair found Remus in his room and left for the Keep.
The Burrow
5:30 pm. Kitchen
The Weasleys had been home for roughly an hour when Molly called all of her children into the kitchen to talk about the rest of their summer.
"I wanted to talk to all of you about some very important things." The kids all sat there staring at her. "I've been talking to the Headmaster and her thinks that there is something wrong with Harry's story about what happened during the fourth task. He thinks that Harry might have had something to do with Cedric's death."
"Are you serious. Harry couldn't hurt a fly on purpose." Fred yelled.
"He was friends with Cedric. Why would he hurt him?" George said.
"Do not take that tone with me boys." Mrs Weasley said. "I was asked by Headmaster Dumbledore to have all of you keep an eye on Harry. Just in case. He just wants to know if Harry is going to go Dark."
"You have lost your mind mum." George nodded as Fred spoke. They eyed Ron and Ginny, who sat in their chairs like they would rather be anywhere else. "How did you get those two to go along with this crap?" Ginny nudged her brother with her foot. Once Fred had focased on her she flicked her eyes from her mum to the hearth to both herself and Ron. Fred took a second to understand what she was trying to say but he got it.
"Mum I think that you have over stepped. Matriarch's Will isn't supposed to be used to make us spy on our friends."
"I don't know what you are talking about." Molly stood and walked towards the twins. Fred and George looked at each other before apperating straight out of the Burrow and into the waiting area at the Ministry.
After getting their wands checked and sending a message up to their Father they entered a lift and head up to the Missuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. Their dad was hard at work when they knocked on his door. Arthur had a large smile on his face when he looked up and saw the twins.
"To what do I owe this visit? You two aren't in trouble are you?"
"No dad." Fred said.
"But we think that there is something that you should know about."
"What?" He put aside all of the work on his desk and turned his full attention to them.
"Mum just tried to get us to spy on Harry." George decided to just be blunt about it.
"Are you sure?" Arthur was confused. He never thought that his wife would do that.
"She used Matriarch's Will on Ron and Ginny to get them to agree." Fred said. Arthur was shocked.
"I'm not sure what is going on but I will handle it when I get home. See you boys at Padfoots later tonight."
"Um... Dad... Mum took us all home. We are back at the Burrow."
"Well then, I will see you at home tonight. Let me finish my work here." Arthur turned back to his desk and the boys left. Arthur waited until the twins were gone before floo calling Bill. They talked about what could be causing Molly to act the way the twins had told him. He knew that when he got home he would have to override the Matriarch's Will that she had enforced. Sometimes he didn't know why they were allowed to use Matriach and Patriarch's Will. It was an old form of the imperius curse, one that had been used for generation upon generation to do everything from help children break bad habits to enforcing chastity and family values.