A/N: I'm not making any money from this. This is J.K's world, I'm just playing in it.
The next morning, after their physical training, Alexandra slipped into a set of robes that she would normally only use for the Wizengamot, with the Potter and Black crests over her heart, but she knew that Lady Longbottom was very formal, and wanted to make a good impression.
Under her robes she wore a long sleeved black t shirt with a pleated floral skirt and a necklace with triangle shapes on it. It was formal but appropriate for the weather, and teamed the outfit with a pair of blocky black heels.
Harry's lesson in Charms showed her again his proficiency in the subject, as he performed every spell she threw at him with ease, and she packed away his first year books at the end of the session on the bookshelf in the classroom.
Casting a quick tempus, she hurried down to her private study, leaving Harry with his books and a kiss she had dropped on his head as she left. As she arrived the portkey Augusta had sent appeared in the tray that brought her mail from the owlery to her study. It was a small, bear shaped brooch- the Longbottom totem, and after making sure that her wand was secure and her hair tamed, she touched a finger to the portkey and vanished.
Alexandra landed in the entrance hall of the Manor, and looked around her. She was alone, standing in a pale coloured room- the floor was marble and the pillars that held up the ceiling were made of pale stone. As she took a few hesitant steps forward, her heels making a resounding sound throughout the room, she wondered where her host was. It's very unlike Augusta to leave a guest waiting, she thought, but before she could open her mouth to call out, Lady Longbottom swept into the room.
Her green eyes blazed as she looked the younger woman up and down, her expression proud and her greying hair was pulled back into a bun. Augusta's robes billowed about her as she strode through the room, and the bear of Longbottom stood proudly over her heart.
Alexandra's heart pounded as she approached, knowing she had to make a good impression on the other witch. When Augusta stopped before her and held out her hand, she bowed over it, bending her knees slightly as she spoke.
"Greetings, Lady Longbottom. I am honoured to make your acquaintance."
Technically speaking, it was Augusta who should be bowing to her, as the lines of Black and Potter were older than the line of Longbottom, but by speaking first and bowing to the older woman, Alexandra showed the older witch that she considered her to be an equal to her Houses.
Augusta raised an eyebrow, and Alexandra could have sworn she saw the corner of her mouth twitch into a smile. "As I am to make your acquaintance, Lady Potter-Black. Welcome to my home."
As Alexandra straightened and released her hand, the older woman met her gaze and held it firmly. Augusta could see that the young witch was nervous, so she smiled and gestured for her to follow as she began walking towards her formal sitting room.
Both witches matched their strides as they made their way further into the Manor. "You have a beautiful home, my Lady. Thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice, it was most kind." Stated Alexandra as she took a seat. The sitting room had a fireplace on her right and windows that overlooked the gardens to her left, and each woman sat in a small, hard chair opposite each other.
Augusta nodded, and when she did not speak, Alexandra pressed on. "I would like to discuss the renewal of the alliance you mentioned in your letter. I have seen from the wills of the late Lord and Lady Potter that Lily was Neville's godmother, and I feel that it is important for Harry and Neville, as godbrothers, to continue the alliance of our Houses."
At that moment an elf popped in to deliver tea and cake, and Augusta began to pour tea for them both. "Yes, I agree. Now, before we make things final, I want to know where you stand in the war. You are not an idiot, Lady Potter-Black, we both know that You-Know-Who will make a return, and it is only a matter of when."
"Before I continue, I would like an oath that you will not reveal what I say to anyone else, this must stay between the two of us."
Augusta raised her eyebrows, but drew her wand. "I, Augusta Nerice Longbottom, of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom, do swear on my life and magic to not reveal the contents of the following conversation with Lady Alexandra Potter-Black. So I say, so mote it be."
There was a flash of light and Augusta replaced her wand in her robes, and motioned for her to continue as she reached for her tea.
"Naturally, I will oppose Voldemort. He has taken too much for me to allow him to rise again without opposition. However, I believe that there are two battles to fight. Albus Dumbledore is not to be trusted. He has been stealing from my cousin for almost twelve years, Harry lived in a cupboard until he was eleven. One of my sources, who alerted me to his dealings with Harry's vault, has reported that he plans to allow Harry to die facing Voldemort so that he can swoop in and appear to have defeated a second Dark Lord."
As she spoke, Augusta became more and more horrified, and when she finished, the older witch withdrew to look out of the window and over her land. For a few moments, there was silence and Augusta turned back.
"Lady Potter-Black, House Longbottom wishes to pledge allegiance to your House, and to form an alliance."
Alexandra nodded and stood, drawing her wand. She and Augusta pressed their left hands together and raised their wand simultaneously.
"Lady Longbottom, does your House swear allegiance to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter?"
"It does."
"Do you swear to remain loyal to House Potter until such time as the alliance disbands?"
"I do."
"And do you accept my own promise of loyalty and support to your House?"
"I do."
"The Houses of Longbottom and Potter are now joined in a binding alliance."
Both witches touched their wands to their Head rings, and spoke in unison.
"So we say, so mote it be."
Another blinding flash of light and the bear and griffin stood before them again. They bowed to each other, and the griffin nudged her side affectionately before disappearing.
Alexandra let out a breath of relief and grinned at Augusta, who chuckled at her enthusiasm. They retired to the sofas once more, settling back against the cushions.
"My Lady, please do me the favour of addressing me by my first name. Our Houses are in alliance, and so I see no need for unnecessary formalities."
"Of course, Alexandra, and please do the same for me."
Alexandra straightened again. Okay, here comes the hard part. "Augusta, I wish to discuss the crime committed by my House against yours twelve years ago. House Black owes you a great deal for the incapacitation of your Heir and his wife, you may ask anything of me, and I shall do my best to see it done."
Augusta's mouth became pinched as she spoke of her son, but raised an eyebrow at the open debt Alexandra was offering.
"Very well. I wish to see Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband and his brother thrown from House Black and stripped of their magic, permanently." Augusta had expected protest from the younger witch but was surprised when she nodded in agreement.
"Of course. It is no less than what I had already planned, and so I will offer House Longbottom the Lestrange vaults when they come into my possession, and House Black will pay for all Healers bills for the Heir and his wife. I am also more than happy to pay for Neville's schooling." She smiled. "I would also like to offer my apologies for what happened. It must be very hard for you and Neville to have them so close but not be able to reach them."
On an impulse, she reached across and grasped Augusta's hand as the witch blinked back her tears. "Thank you, Alexandra. I accept your offer of the Lestrange vaults and the payment of their treatment, but I must refuse when it comes to Neville's schooling. You are doing enough for him by inviting him to spend the summer training with you and Harry." She smiled, releasing her hand and sitting back.
"I would offer my advice on your political movements, however. I suggest we move to secure the allegiance of the Light and neutral Houses as quickly as possible. Between the two of us I am sure we can cover the Ancient and Most Noble Houses fairly quickly. The Minor Houses will be important to secure as well, and I am on good grounds with most of their Heads- Blishwick, Brown, Burke, Crouch, Gamp, MacDougal, Moody, Prewett, Prince, Rowle, Shacklebolt and Weasley. The others are Dark and will follow Lucius Malfoy. Once the old Houses are standing with us, I will work on the Minor Houses. I suggest you begin working within the ranks of Ministry officials within the Wizengamot."
"Augusta, I have something to confess. I attended Hogwarts, I graduated as Alexandra Henderson. The Sorting Hat agreed to keep my secret in first year, and my father managed to confound the magical book that records the birth of witches and wizards in Britain."
The older woman gasped comically, and her eyes widened. "Henderson? I remember you! You were Charlie Weasley's friend, weren't you? Gryffindor Prefect, graduated top of her year in DADA, Transfiguration, Charms and Runes! You were snatched up by that French cursebreaker straight after graduation, weren't you? Merlin…"
Alexandra blushed and giggled. "Charlie and the Weasleys have no idea of my real name- I used a glamour for seven years to hide James' eyes. I would have been recognised immediately."
Then her eyes became hard and Augusta blinked at the change in demeanour. "Tell Neville not to trust Molly, Ron and Ginny. They're being paid by that old goat to ensnare Harry- they've been spying on him. The others- Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins- are fine, but those three are dangerous. I'm fairly sure that Arthur's been under Amortentia since he left Hogwarts- Molly is somewhat of a Potions Mistress."
Augusta cursed rather violently under her breath, and stood, motioning for Alexandra to follow. They swept out of the room and towards the Floo. "I will send Neville over at 9:00AM to begin his work with Harry. While he is there, I will begin talks with House Bones- Amelia is a good friend of ours, Neville often visited her niece Susan, who is her Heir."
They came to a halt at the fireplace of the entrance hall again, and Alexandra inclined her head to the older witch. "Until next time, Augusta."
Taking a handful of Floo powder, she cast it into the flames, turning them green. With a cry of "Potter Manor!" she was gone.
Augusta smiled fondly at the empty fireplace. She will make a formidable leader one day.