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 9
Harry Potter and the Lords Lament
Anasirone
Harry and Kiley arrived in the main entrance room of the Keep at Anasirone to a flurry of activity. The houseelves were busy setting up rooms for Kiley and getting the house ready for new human inhabitants. Harry was ushered in one direction while the elves took Kiley off in another.
The room that Harry was shown was a huge apartment on the second floor of the Keep. Near the center of the house, behind two foot thick walls, down a winding hallway was a private suite that rivaled all private suites he could have ever dreamed up. The doors to his suite opened into a small sitting room, with doors that lead to a study and further into his rooms. The elves left him alone to explore his rooms. The next room deeper was a lounge, with large televisions, game systems, books and comfy chairs and sofas. The deepest room was his bed room and a private bathroom that put the prefects' bathrooms at Hogwarts to shame. There were two other doors in his room. One in the bedroom that lead to another suite, just as opulent as his own. While the second one, located in the depths of his closet, led to a dimly lit hallway filled with doors. He started to go explore the hallway when he heard Kiley enter his room.
Kiley had been brought to a separate entrance to the Families Floor. A wing that was separated just for the Ladies of the House and children. She noticed, as she walked, that some of the doors had signs on them bearing names, and ranks within the house. Those rooms stood locked and she could not get the doors to open.
"I wouldn't be tryin those doors Miss Davin."
"Why not Squeaks?"
"They for L'rd Potter's women. Unless you want to be?"
"N-n-no." Kiley stuttered and continued on down the hall. On the right hand wall Squeaks opened a door.
"This is your room. Your Mum picked it."
Kiley pushed open the door to reveal an opulent suite furnished in dark blues and golds. There was a king sized canopy bed with velvet curtains, a walk in closet, a private bath, tall bookcases that she could fill with anything and a desk. The bay windows in the room over looked a walled flower garden. She flopped onto her bed with a sigh. On the nightstand stood framed photos of her parents and Harry's both together and separate.
"Where is Harry?" She asked eyeing the photo of a tiny girl and boy playing with giant dogs in a green yard.
"L'rd Potter is in his rooms."
"Can I see him?" Squeaks looked at the ground, wrung her hands and then nodded. She led Kiley through the house again and to the door of Harry's suite, where Kiley proceeded to bang the door open. "Harry!" Her eyes searched the room for him.
"Yes Kiley?" He replied exiting his bedroom and coming into the sitting area.
"You should see my room... although this one puts it to shame."
"Don't think that. Yours is probably amazing. Show me?" They left Harry's room and wandered first to Kiley's room and then around the Keep trying to find where everything that they would need was located.
Early the next morning Kiley found Harry sitting at the dining room table with three stacks of scrolls before him. When asked what he was doing Harry responded that he was plotting. She eyed him warily while serving up breakfast from the sideboy. They ate in silence as they both contemplated what they wanted to accomplish in the coming days. That evening an owl arrived from the Lady Denissen mere moments before she apperated into Anasirone. Harry sent one of the elves to bring her up to the keep only to have the elf return saying that the she was being driven up in one of the Rolls Royces. Harry didn't know that he had a Rolls let alone multiples. He stood just in side the door, Kiley behind to his right waiting for Lady Denissen to arrive. She swept up the steps as soon as the driver had opened the doors to the Rolls. Harry bowed and took her hand in his.
"Welcome to my home Lady Denissen. I did not expect to see you so soon but am pleased that you find my charge and I worth your time."
"You seem to know how to speak like honey My Lord Potter. If the rest of your lessons go this well we shan't be here for long."
"May I introduce you to Lady Kiley Annamaria Natalia of House Davin, my godsister." Kiley curtsied when introduced to the severe looking older woman. Lady Denissen would arrive promptly every afternoon at half past three, and would remain at the Keep, bringing Harry, Kiley, and occasionally Tonks up to snuff until just before the dinner hour.
The Burrow
6:45 pm
One week before Harry's Birthday
It was nearing dinner time when Arthur returned home. He stopped at the grandfather clock in the hallway, noticing that all of the the hands pointed to 'home' for the first time in months. Arthur sat his bag down, hung his coat nad hat on the rack, before squaring his shoulders. Molly was in the kitchen getting dinner ready.
"Kids, come down for supper." Molly yelled up the stairs before noticing Arthur standing in the doorway. "Hello Love." She kissed him on the cheek. The Weasley family sat down and tore into the first meal they had eaten at the Burrow in months.
"Ginny, what is your opinon of Harry?"
"He's an attention seeking brat that is going dark." Ginny said before slapping her hand over her mouth.
"I had been hoping the boys were exagerrating." Arthur stood from the table. "Children, I disolve the Matriarch's Will that covers anthing involving Harry Potter. So mote it be." Bands of ivory smoke wrapped around each of the family members before sinking into their skin.
"Molly, why would you have the kids spy on Harry?" He questioned as the smoke cleared.
"He is a danger to this family." The older two children sat in stunned silence.
"Harry has done nothing but try to help this family." Percey declared throwing his napkin on the table.
"As any good dark lord in training does whlie gathering supporters." Molly quipped back.
"Mum it wasn't fair. Harry is our friend." Ron added.
"You can't force the children to spy on their friends." Arthur spoke with a little more force than he expected. Dinner was finished in silence that permeated the whole house.
"Da, can I go to Luna's for the night?" Ginny asked. Arthur nodded and Ginny removed herself from the kitchen. Slowly the kitchen emptied.
Around midnight, once he was certain that everyone in the house was asleep, one son lit a candle and got out of bed. He sat on his bed and wrote a letter to Dumbledore. A letter that pledged his airde in ferreting out an up and coming dark lord. A letter that would one day break his family's hearts.
Under the guise of introducing Kiley to some of 'Hogwarts Finest' Harry would take her visiting among the homes of his friends and the other members of the Wizengamot. A great deal of time was spent at Longbottom Manor due to Grand Lady Longbottom's willingness to supervise five or six of the teens at a time. Most often the visitors to Longbottom Manor consisted of Susan, Daphne, Ernie, Justin Finch-Fletchly and Treacy Davis, who was stuck to Daphne like glue. Harry wasn't sure what her reason for coming to the Manor almost every time that Daphne did. The girls were becoming good friends with Kiley, and had offered, no matter the house, to help her adjust to Hogwarts for the coming year.
There were only two instances where the Weasley children had attempted to come to either the Keep or the Manor to visit with Harry. Both times ended in arguments between Harry and Ron. More often than not over the presence of the Slytherins. Harry had dismissed Ron from his home until he could be civil to all of the other guests. Ron had dragged Ginny away, even though her face showed that it hurt her to leave Harry there, without so much as a fight.
Hermione came from time to time when she could slip away from the Burrow without Mrs Weasley knowing. She took one look at Harry and dragged him into another room to tell her all about which of the girls he was crushing on. After questioning him to death about Daphne she let him return to the luncheon but kept a close eye on Daphne the entire time.
Even though each of the gatherings began with something for the whole group to do together they would break off into smaller groups or pairs to walk amongst the gardens, sit in the library, or wander the property. Neville and Susan Bones would take up residence in either his flower garden or the greenhouse and discuss flowers and school. Ernie and Justin would attempt to get Kiley to walk with either or both of them alone and away from Harry who would only let her out of his sight if one of two things happened. Either Daphne dragged him away to escort her about the property or Hermione was willing to walk with Kiley.
Harry would always end his afternoons out with his friends sitting on the shore of the pond watching the sunset with Daphne and Treacy. There was a tranquilty that came from finishing his days in the company of the two Slytherin girls. Neither was apt to talk for long periods of time and seemed to enjoy the silence of nature as much as he did.
Daily Prophet Articles
Wizengamot to Vote on Mixed Blood Laws
The Ministry of Magic is set to vote of the first set of laws that will help regulate pre- Hogwarts education. The Laws are being championed by the Families of Davin, Potter and Longbottom, with the surprising support of Malfoy and Greengrass. A brief outline of the laws follows:
Sponsorship Act:
*All persons that seek employment within the Ministry of Magic are hereby required to have a sponsor. This sponsor will assist them in the transition between student and voting adult. This sponsor is to help guarantee that the prospective employee adheres to all codes of magic, and that they are fit for the position they seek to hold.
Educational Reform Act:
*The Ministry of Magic, in hopes to ensure the stringent standards and the expectations of the community are being met within the walls of all of the registered schools of magic.
* High Inquisitors will be sent to all schools. They will have the power to create and enforce school policy on behalf of the Ministry of Magic. They are to ensure that the Ministry Guidelines on Acceptable Subjects, Professors, Assignments, and Instruction are being followed. They will have the power to report and request the replacement of any and all professors and facilitators as they see fit.
*The following classes will be phased into the curriculum: Etiquette or Deportment, Wizarding Traditions, Wizarding Government, and an Introduction to the Ministry of Magic. The first two are mandatory for all students but there is the option to test out of them. The second two are geared for sixth and seventh years that are thinking about careers in the Ministry.
Compulsory Magical Education Act:
*All children that show magical potential should be schooled in a magical institution or through working with approved educators in alternative setting, in order to keep their magic from getting away from them. The parents of the child will be allowed to decide what school they are attending.
*Parents of Magical children that are not magical will also be required to send their children to magic schools or begin teaching them, the minute that they show their first signs of magic.
*If the parents protest or abandon the child, the child will be placed with an appropriate magical family and educated by them.
Anasirone Keep, Ballroom,
July 31, 5:30 pm
Harry stood in the middle of the ballroom of the Keep. The room had been transformed from the dark hall it had been to a room filled with light, flowers, fountains and soon laughter. It was twenty minutes till the birthday party would begin. He was excited, nervous, anxious and hesitant all at the same time. Neville and his Grandmother had been very insistent that certain things be done for the party. Invitations had gone out to everyone in their year, all of the Wizengamot families, all four quidditch teams and to the participants in the Triwizard Tournament. The amount of owls that had returned almost immediately with RSVP s was staggering and filled the dinning room at lunch time. Lady Longbottom sat there and smiled while the boys jumped around the room and caught them all before recording who would be attending. Some of the guests would be arriving via floo connections while others would appear by portkey or appiration in Anasirone. Those that arrived in town would be escorted from the village green to waiting motor cars, driven by the vassals in the village. The select few that would be arriving by floo would arrive in the receiving room. The bell in the receiving room chimed, followed by the doors opening and someone walking towards him. Harry turned to see Neville and his Grandmother coming towards him.
"Good evening Grand Lady Longbottom, Neville."
"Good evening Lord Potter."
"Hiya Harry."
"You ready for some fun Neville?"
"Yes I am. It would be nice to cut loose before school starts." Through the windows he saw motor cars approaching. Harry could imagine the looks on a few of the stauncher purebloods' faces as they were ushered into the Rolls Royces. There would be very few adults in the group, mainly just the people that were closest to Harry and Neville in age. Although, there would be more than enough chaperones present with the Ladies of the Crones Circle having tea with Grand Lady Longbottom in the sitting room.
"Company approaches."
"Well boys off you go. I'll welcome your friends."
"You would do that for me?"
"Yes, Harry. I would be honored to stand as your family. Now scoot." She shooed the pair into Harry's main floor office before making her way to the Entrance Hall just as the first motorcar arrived. Pansy and her brother, Ulric, exited the car, each bearing a gift for one of the boys. "Welcome young Parkinsons."
"Thank you for inviting us." A procession of teens and young adults filtered in to the Entrance Hall before following a trail of floating candles to the ballroom. As the sun began to set thousands of candles floated throughout the room setting a soft glow over everything. Dobby appeared suddenly at Harry's side, looking very anxious.
"Master Harry... Miss Hermione... is in the receiving room. She needs you." Dobby stuttered and then disappeared.
'Having so many people here must be making him crazier than normal.' Alex commented.
'Nope. Draco's here.'Harry spotted the young Malfoy heir as he peeked into the room through a one way mirror. Harry left his office and walked towards the receiving room. Hermione was pacing near the floor, her trunk at her feet, and her face tear-stained. When she saw Harry she rushed towards him and threw herself into his arms.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry patted her back ackwardly.
"I can't stay there anymore. They've all gone half mad." She cried into his shoulder.
"Who's gone mad?"
"The Order. Spouting off about how you need to be taken control of, how you owe them your life..."
"Breathe 'Mione, deep breaths. Now lets get you cleaned up and in to the party."
"The twins should be here soon, they were gonna drop their stuff back at Sirius' before coming here."
'The parties are realigning Harry. This should work in your favor.'
'How is chaos in the Weasley Clan in my favor?'
'You'll see.'
"Winky." Harry waited for the tiny elf to appear. "Could you please take Hermione's things to her room and ask Kiley to come here." Winky disappeared and Kiley arrived just a few seconds later. "Could you take Hermione to get freshened up. Oh and we are being announced in fifteen minutes." Harry went back to his office, where Lady Longbottom had told them to wait until she announced them. Once Kiley had ushered Hermione in to the ballroom she returned to the office. Through the office door they heard bits and pieces of their announcement. Harry held his arm out to Kiley who placed her hand on his forearm and the trio exited the office.
"Welcome to Anasirone Keep, the feudal seat of House Potter." Harry repeated the words that Alex had taught him. "We would like to thank you for coming to join in our birthday celebration. I would also like to take this time to introduce the wonderful lady on my arm. Tonight I have the greatest honor and the highest privilege to introduce the Lady Kiley Annamaria Natalia of House Davin, under the protection and auspices of House Potter as my Godsister. She has been attending the London Ladies School of Magic and will be joining me at Hogwarts this year."
Kiley smiled at the crowd. Harry led her out onto the floor and as the music played they twirled around the floor, trying not to stumble over his own two feet. A set of well planned subtle declarations: that Harry was totally single and that anyone that wanted to get to either him or Kiley would have to go through the other one. Neville waited until the song was over before asking Susan Bones to join him. Other couples joined them on the floor and the music continued. Silence swept through the room as a few last minute guests entered the ballroom. Harry looked up and smiled, he escorted her over to the two groups that were near the door. The first group was mainly represented by the silvery blondes that everyone recognized as veelas. He walked foreward with a smile as some of his male guests were struggling to refrain from making fools of themselves.
"Bonsoir mademoiselles. How are you doing? I would like to introduce you to my godsister Kiley of House Davin." He kissed their cheeks like old friends, causing Gabrielle to blush.
"'Arry these are ma amies Arielle and Juliet Mooro, they are the Minister of Magic's daughters."
"Bounsoir Ladies. Kiley this is Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour." She smiled a the veela sisters.
"Its a pleasure to meet a competitor in that dasterdly tournement. I hear you did amazingly well despite having so many things against you. Evil little amphibious whores." Kiley said with a smile.
"'Arry, your dear godsister c'est magnifique. J'adore 'er." Fleur squealed and wrapped her arms around Kiley's small frame.
"I've grown to adore her as well. She's a fine matriarch of Potter, for now." Whispers went up around him.
"Save me a dance 'arry." Fleur smiled, she tugged on Harry's hand ever so slightly.
"Of course." Harry smiled before looking over her shoulder at the other group. "Pardon me Ladies. Kiley come meet another competitor." She nodded and followed him towards the second group. "Viktor Krum. How are you friend?"
"Harry. Friend. How have you been? These few weeks have been amazing."
"You playing for Bulgaria? They gonna make it to the World Cup?"
"I'm playing. We might make it. Apprently the guy who took my position during the year at Hogwarts was not so good."
"At least you can still play. This is Kiley Davin, my godsister." He kissed her hand.
"Its a pleasure to meet you Viktor. You did well in the tournement."
"Thank you kindly."
"Let us return to the party." Harry smiled and led Kiley back out onto the floor. As they twirled around the floor Harry jumped slightly as a hand appeared on his shoulder.
"May I cut in?" Harry turned to the speaker and was surprised to see Draco Malfoy standing beside him with Daphne Greengrass on his arm.
"You have the loveliest flower here on your arm, why pass her up Heir Malfoy?"
"I find our situations more reversed Lord Potter." Harry studied Draco's eyes looking for the truth of his statements.
'Trust him for now Harry. Kiley will tell you if he does anything wrong.'
'But its Malfoy. I'm not sure I want him near my Kiley.'
'Ahh... but you want to dance with Daphne don't you?'
'Yes.'
'Then it is a small price to pay for a dance with her.' Harry brought Kiley's gloved hand to his mouth and kissed her knukles. She nodded slightly to him.
"Becareful with this one Heir Malfoy. She is the jewel of the Davin Clan." Harry released her hand and Draco took it in his.
"I should say the same to you Lord Potter."
"Daphne may I have this dance?" Daphne blushed when Harry addressed her.
"I believe so Lord Potter."
"None of that Lord Potter stuff... it is my birthday, I would like for you to call me Harry."
"Since it is your birthday." Daphne smiled and they twirled around the dance floor. Their fourth dance was interuptted by a ear piercing squeal that caused most of the room to look frantically around.