Chap. 19: The Wizengamot.
It was now Monday, August 5th, and it was too early to be up and about, Harry thought. However, he dragged himself out of bed, showered, ate the breakfast that his aunt had made for him, and then made his way back upstairs to add to his dress for the day.
As Harry was making his way back down the stairs, he heard Vernon in the dining room, so he walked through the door at the end of the hall, and stepped into the room. Vernon's jaw fell, and Harry smirked.
"Wha - wha - what," Vernon asked in a stuttering hiss, "are you wearing, boy? You look like a bloody archbishop in the C of E!"
"Today, uncle," Harry dryly stated, "I am not, 'boy;' I am Lord Potter and Black to you, and I'm on my way to my investiture at the Wizengamot."
Here, Vernon started to splutter, and Petunia scowled at her husband.
Indeed, Harry was dressed in part of a three-piece black wool suit underneath, being the trousers and waistcoat with a white shirt and tie, though he had the tie in his pocket, which was covered up with long purple-plum silk robes, and he was wearing a purple-plum velveteen four-corner cap, which was similar to a Canterbury cap, though with rounded corners on his head. His robes had a high collar, which buttoned around the neck, along with two long collar tails hanging down that were squared off at the end, which looked similar to some sort of tie, Harry thought.
Vernon then noticed the large gold rings that Harry was wearing, and he was spooked when the stones flashed a red glow at him as if warning him to back off.
Petunia, though, stood, surprising Vernon, and started making her way around Harry, while brushing off his robes and picking at any lint that might have ever dared to settle on the fine cloth. All of this, Vernon silently seethed, because this was taking place before he was fed his brekkie!
"Do you know where your offices are, Harry?" Petunia asked.
"Gareth and Cyrus will be there early to meet me," Harry said, "and they're to show me to the Potter and Black offices on level two, where the Wizengamot offices, DMLE, and the Auror Headquarters are. It's seven o'clock, now, and the Wizengamot doesn't come to order until ten."
"What will you do until then?" Petunia inquired, surprising Vernon even more.
"Meetings and greetings," Harry said. "Plus, Gareth, Cyrus, and I will discuss the new bill."
"Good, good," Petunia muttered as she held her head back with a stiff upper lip, and sniff. Harry thought that she was doing her best to put on airs, again, over who he now was.
While Petunia was busy, Vernon also noticed that Harry was holding a split-leather accordion file folder, with a flap, which was tied off with a silk ribbon in the color of Harry's robes, and there was a large W printed on the tan flap in an ink of the same plum color.
"What's that?" Vernon questioned while pointing at the folder with his pudgy finger.
"My investiture documents for both houses," Harry replied just as Petunia stopped her fussing, "and a new bill that is to be introduced, today, by me, and in cooperation with my soon-to-be father-in-law, who will lead the Independents."
Vernon gave a harumph at this and stared at his empty plate. He could tell that Harry had greatly changed and that his nephew now seemed to have become just as sly and slippery as any politician could be, meaning, he was dangerous.
"Well, Aunt Petunia," Harry said, "I'm off. I do thank you for the early breakfast and tea!"
Vernon's jaw dropped at this, just as Harry, who was now holding his cap, turned on his right heel, and disapparated with a light pop.
"WHAT? BREAKFAST?" Vernon roared.
Harry appeared at the ministry's apparation point in the atrium, and he began making his way toward the security desk where Eric Munch was seated. Not many, he noticed, were out and about quite yet, but they were arriving through the floos.
"Good morning, Mr. Munch," Harry said, as his wand slid into his hand before he held it out to Munch.
Eric's eyes bulged out at who was standing in front of him, and he noticed how he was dressed. "Lord Potter! No need fer ya wand, now tha' ya part of the Wizengamot, sir!"
Harry scowled at being called sir and slid his wand back up his sleeve.
"Really?" Harry questioned. "That's rather lacking in security, isn't it?"
"'At's wha' I said, Lord Potter!"
Harry smirked as he looked around.
"They've not replaced the wand weigher, yet?"
"No, sir!" Eric said.
"Well, then, I'll just bring that up, as well as the lacking security check for Wizengamot members. Why, anyone could slip in here under Polyjuice, dressed in robes, and raise a ruckus within the Wizengamot!"
"'At's righ', sir!" Eric said with a nod.
"Well, it's good seeing you, Mr. Munch. I'd doff my cap, but I'm holding it," Harry said with a chortle, and then walked off toward the lifts.
"'At Potter boy isn' a bad sort at all," Eric muttered as he stared at the young wizard's back as he walked to the lifts.
Here, Harry caught a lift, and it was surprisingly with Arthur Weasley, who hadn't noticed that it was Harry, as Harry was about to press the button for level two, until it hit him that Arthur was heading to the same floor. Harry also noticed that Arthur was dressed in his best suit.
"Hello, Mr. Weasley," Harry said with a smirk, as he took hold of the handhold dangling from above.
Arthur, now startled, looked around at the man in the purple-plum robes, and did a double-take.
"Harry? My, you don't look like your normal self! What floor?"
"Why, the same as you, of course," Harry replied, which is when it seemed to hit Arthur that the Wizengamot offices were, in fact, on his floor with the courtrooms and main chamber.
"Yes, today's the big day," Arthur asked, "isn't it?" He was trying to play it off as if he may not attend.
"Yes, it is," Harry said with a smirk. "You'll be there, I take it?"
Arthur knew, now, that his gig was up. "Yes, yes, I'll be there," he said with a rueful grin. "Had an awful time trying to reschedule things to do it, you know, but ol' Perkins said he will cover for me."
Just then, the lift's female voice rang out as the lift came to a halt, "Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Auror Headquarters, The Department of Improper Use Of Magic, and the Wizengamot Administration Services."
"Well," Arthur said as he patted Harry on the shoulder when the accordion doors opened, "we're here, Harry, so I'll see you in the chamber. I'll be in the visitor's seats."
As the two stepped out, they were met by both Gareth and Cyrus Greengrass standing in the hall.
"Gareth, Cyrus, so good to see you both," Arthur said, as he quickly walked by with a nod. "Have to be in the office! Perkins will have a fit."
Neither Gareth nor Cyrus were wearing their robes, as they had them hanging in the Greengrass seat's office.
"Wearing your robes," Gareth asked, "young Harry?" Cyrus chuckled out at this.
"I didn't want to fold and crease them," Harry complained, "so I just wore the thing."
Both Greengrasses chortled. "Come, Harry," Cyrus said, "and let's head to your offices. You might want to pick the Black office, today, as it will hold the newest law books. The Potter office's books haven't been updated in many years."
The Greengrass brothers took up each side of Harry, and placed a hand on his shoulder, as they walked him down the corridor, where they looked shrewdly at everyone passing by. This, of course, caused many raised eyebrows, as their youngest lord was being escorted along by the Greengrasses, which said a lot about the young Potter's political leanings.
The first office that they brought Harry to was the Potter office, which Harry opened with his ring. Inside, the desk was covered with a sheet, as well as the chair, but the rest of the office was empty, except for a wall of bookshelves full of old law books, and a covered sideboard that had what looked to be a decanter sticking up from under a sheet. Dust was everywhere, he noticed.
"I see that someone has snatched the visitor's chairs and the sofa," Gareth dryly remarked.
Harry just shook his head and left with the two following, where he closed the door behind him.
Just catty-cornered, and across the hall was the Black office, which Harry also opened with his ring. When he walked inside, the furniture was covered in sheets, and there was hardly any dust. He also noticed that the shelves held a greater number of law books, with the newest being from 1990, the year before Arcturus died, which meant that everything was almost up to date. He would have to purchase the sets for the last six years, which would be twenty-four books, with one being published every quarter. That would cost him some galleons, he thought, but the Potter office would cost him much more.
"Well, I'll get at it," Harry said as he looked around the room.
However, before Harry could lift a finger, Cyrus took out his wand, and gave it a flick, which caused the sheets to rise, and fold themselves in mid-air, before they settled on the large green and quilted leather sofa against the wall to their left. "That should do it," Cyrus remarked, as he took one of the visitor's chairs along with Gareth.
"Might want to shuck those robes off for a while, Harry," Gareth commented. "You'll overheat if you don't."
Harry gave a nod and began unbuttoning the thing, which he then hang on the oak coat rack by the door. He also hanged the funny hat off one of the hat hooks, and then took his seat in the large high-backed green leather swivel chair behind the desk, which squeaked when he sat down and leaned back.
Next, Harry looked for something to drink, but the sideboard and credenza were bare.
"I'd offer you, gentlemen, something to drink, but it looks as if Arcturus took everything home with him."
Just as Cyrus started to comment, there was a knock at the door. "That'll be her, then."
"Who?" Harry asked as Cyrus stood to open the door.
Outside stood a middle-aged lady pushing a tea cart, which was filled with fine china cups and saucers below the top. The top, of course, held a pot, creamer, sugar bowl with tongs, and, surprisingly, a large silver carafe of coffee.
"Oh, I heard that you would be here today, Lord Potter, or do I call you Lord Black, so I visited you first. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Mrs. Victoria Hook, but everyone calls me the 'Tea Lady.' Also," here the witch gave a nod, "hello to you too, Lord Greengrass, and Cyrus."
"Please, do come in," Harry said as he stood, "Victoria. I was just looking for something to drink, and to offer Lord Greengrass and my soon-to-be Father-in-law. Also, you can just call me Harry."
The tea lady seemed to look startled at this, as Cyrus raised his right eyebrow, and smirked.
"You know," Harry said, "my fiancée's middle name is Victoria."
"Oh, well, we were named after the greatest queen we've ever had," Victoria said with a bright smile. "Now, what tea can I supply you three gentlewizards with?"
"Do you have Earl Grey on there?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Victoria stated, as she began making Harry a fresh cuppa to his liking, and then made Gareth and Cyrus a cuppa of what they liked the best. It was, of course, one of their own brands from their Darjeeling business. The two brothers thought that they would have to take Harry there one day, and let him see the morning view of the Himalayas as they were served their tea.
"Thank you, Victoria," Harry said with a nod before retaking his seat.
"Any time, Lord Potter, or, er, Harry," the tea lady said with a smile as she rolled her cart off down the corridor after closing the door.
"She's a sweet witch," Harry commented as he took a sip of his tea, which was just perfect.
"She is, until you get on her bad side," Gareth said with a chortle. "Dumbledore found that out the hard way, and didn't receive anything but weak tea for a month!"
"I remember that," Cyrus commented with a chortle. "He had his knickers in a twist for a month as well." This made Harry guffaw, which made Cyrus smirk.
"Well, then, let's get down to business, and discuss what will happen today, shall we," Gareth said, as he sat his teacup back on its saucer resting at the front of Harry's desk.
Here, Harry took out all the papers from the leather accordion file, laid them out on his desk, and said, "What's first?"
It was ten till ten when Harry and the Greengrasses made their way to the main Wizengamot chamber, which was laid out similar to the House of Parliament, with the Lords of the houses sitting in their seats at either side of the top rows, and with the ministry and awarded seats sitting below them. The Minister, the Chief Warlock, the Clerk, and the Scribe, all to be dressed in black, sat at the front, and close to the doors. The minister, of course, which Harry noticed earlier, wore a chain as the head of the assembly. In the middle, though, there was no large table, but a narrow one with four nice oak swivel chairs. Also, Harry noticed that the member's seats were in a Windsor quilted green leather upholstery similar to the House of Commons. There was also a visitors gallery at the far end, and that was where he and Cyrus made their way to after they left Gareth, who took his seat with the other lords. Harry, quite frankly, was glad to escape all the handshaking and back-slapping on he and Cyrus' way to be seated.
Harry also noticed Daniel Davis enter, who took a seat at the top of the visitor's gallery. They couldn't nod at each other, as that would give away the plot of them working together. Danny would be recording what went on during the session for The Magic Eye, and so would Skeeter, who just walked in wearing her tight-fitting pink lady's business suit.
Everyone noticed Harry and Cyrus in their purple-plum-colored robes, who were carrying their caps, and they noticed where they both sat together at the bottom bench. They also noticed that Arthur Weasley had taken a seat just behind them, and was bent over whispering something to the two, who were both nodding at the man.
At about five minutes till, Rufus Scrimgeour entered, along with Albus Dumbledore as the Chief Warlock, and a frowning Percy Weasley, the Scribe, who was following behind the two and who looked like he had just eaten an entire lemon. Several aides, secretaries, and the Clerk also entered, all wearing black like the minister's side, who took up the benches behind the minister.
Here, Harry noticed that some of those wearing black had a gold adornment, and he asked Cyrus what that meant.
"They are the prosecutors and judges, Harry," Cyrus explained. "They are always on the ministry's side, and they sit with their faction."
Harry nodded as he noticed Scrimgeour check his pocket watch. Next, he picked up his gavel, and rapped it down, saying "Call to order! Aurors, seal the doors."
The doors were then closed, and the minister quickly looked at the agenda laying on the bench top in front of him. Next, he looked up at everyone seated.
"Roll call of the members present," Scrimgeour said, and Percy began calling out the names, which were recorded as present in a large book laying before him.
"Do we have a quorum, Scribe?" Scrimgeour asked.
"Yes, Minister Scrimgeour, we have a quorum," Percy replied.
"Next," Scrimgeour said, "we will have our reading of the minutes of the last session."
Harry, though bored, sat through this and listened carefully, as it was when a new session had formed after Scrimgeour had become the minister. He was attending the second session.
Finally, Scrimgeour looked over at Dumbledore, and said, "Chief Warlock, I leave the rest of the Gamot over to you."
Here, Dumbledore stood, looked around at all those seated, and noticed Harry and Cyrus sitting side by side. Well, he thought to himself, the rumors about House Greengrass were true, but where would it lead?
"I now open the floor for the Officer Reports," Albus said, and then took his seat.
Here started more boring talks, which Harry was quickly becoming impatient with. Finally, the officer reports were over, so Dumbledore stood again.
"Next, I open the floor for the Committee Reports," and this went on the same for Harry, what with the rather boring readings. Next, after that, came the Special Orders, and next, the Unfinished Business. Finally, it was lunch, where the Chief Warlock dismissed everyone until one o'clock.
Here, Harry stood with Cyrus, where they made their way to Gareth, and left through the now open chamber's doors.
"I didn't realize it could be so boring," Harry muttered as they were making their way through the crowd. Gareth and Cyrus both chortled out loud at that.
"Come on, son, and let's make a quick trip to the cafeteria, and you can complain 'till your heart's content."
Harry did just that after ordering a club sandwich and chips, along with a strong coffee. When asked why he was drinking that, Harry stated that he needed to stay awake since he had almost dozed off beforehand.
Once they were through, the three took the lifts back up to level two and made their way back to the chamber, where they sat down in the same places as before. Finally, at one o'clock sharp, the doors were sealed again, and the Chief Warlock stood.
"Now that our unfinished business was taken care of before lunch, for once," Dumbledore said with a chuckle, "I now open the floor to New Business."
The Chief Warlock wasn't seated no time when Gareth's lighted wand was in the air.
"Lord Greengrass, you have the floor," Dumbledore said with a nod.
"Gentlewitches and Wizards, and esteemed Lords and Ladies, I feel that it is time that I step down from my position as Lord Greengrass," Gareth said to many gasps, "where I will hand over my seat to my brother, Cyrus, who will now lead House Greengrass.
"I do not do this with haste, but after a lot of consideration and thought. As many of you know, my daughter and heiress has passed on, and the heiress position has now passed to my brother's eldest, Daphne. Plus, to be frank, I would love to give more time to my studies, so I now abdicate this chair and title, and now hand over the reins to my brother, Cyrus."
Dumbledore rapped his gavel and stood. "Do you, Cyrus Augustus Greengrass, accept this position with a free will, and will you abide by the rules as laid out by the Wizengamot?"
Cyrus, already standing, answered, "I do, Chief Warlock."
"Then come forward, Cyrus, and be sworn in by Minister Scrimgeour."
As Cyrus walked forward and stood behind the two tables at the front, Gareth took off his hat, left his seat, and made his way down to sit beside Harry, where he whispered, "So, the musical chairs begin, eh?" Harry almost snorted.
Here, Cyrus held up his right hand and placed his left upon the Bible that was held out to him by the Clerk, as the Minister for Magic read out the words of the oath, which Cyrus repeated.
"I, Cyrus Augustus Greengrass, swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, and to this most honorable Wizengamot, according to wizarding law. So help me God."
"Please take up your house's seat, Lord Greengrass," Scrimgeour directed, and Cyrus did just that.
Once Cyrus was seated, the Chief Warlock rapped his gavel, again. "Is there any new business?"
Here, Cyrus quickly raised his wand, surprising everyone.
"Lord Greengrass," Dumbledore said, "the floor is now yours."
Cyrus stood, and looked about the chamber with a smirk, before he stated, "We have a Lord that wishes to retake his two seats, today, after his godfather recently passed, who was the Lord of his house that passed his title onto his heir, via his last will, who is Harry James Potter. Mr. Potter also wishes to reclaim the Potter seat that has now sat vacant since his great-grandfather left this assembly, Henry Potter. This, of course, is Mr. Potter's hereditary seat. He is now the head of the houses of Potter and Black."
This set off some commotion, but many saw this coming, so Dumbledore rapped his gavel several times, and the chamber quieted. Finally, the old Chief Warlock stood.
"Do you, Harry James Potter, accept this position with a free will, and will you abide by the rules as laid out by the Wizengamot?"
"I do, Chief Warlock," Harry said after he stood.
"Then come forward, Mr. Potter, and bring with you your documentation for your right to your titles, which are to be handed to the Minister, and then take your oath."
Harry did just that, where he passed the Clerk Sirius' Will, his magical birth certificate, his emancipation, and the signed documents stating that he had taken up the head of house rings, which had accepted him. He was also required to show the two rings to those seated, before he raised his right hand, and placed his left upon the bible.
Here, Scrimgeour read out the oath, which Harry repeated.
"I, Harry James Potter, swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, and to this most honorable Wizengamot, according to wizarding law. So help me God."
"Please take up your house seat, Lord Potter and Black," Scrimgeour directed, but Harry paused as he knew that the minister was not finished. "However, I must ask, which house's seat will you sit, today?"
"The House of Potter, Minister," Harry replied. "The House of Black will not vote until a proxy is announced."
"Good, good," Scrimgeour said, "then you may be seated. It is good to have the houses of Potter and Black back with us again."
Here, Harry nodded with a "Thank you, Minister," and climbed the gallery's steps on his right, where he took the House Potter's seat, which was not actually far from where Cyrus was sitting two lords over. Finally, he donned his hat, making him a full member of the Wizengamot.
Here, the Chief Warlock rapped his gavel, and said, "Is there any new business?"
Harry quickly lighted his wand and raised it.
Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up at this, but he quickly spoke out, "Lord Potter, the floor is now yours."
Harry stood, and looked at everyone seated on both sides before he spoke. "The House of Black wishes to name their proxy, Chief Warlock."
"And who do you name, Lord Black?" Dumbledore inquired, and time seemed to pause before Harry spoke up.
"Gareth Greengrass, Chief Warlock," Harry replied.
Every head in the chamber quickly swiveled to where Gareth had been sitting, except for Harry and Cyrus. He wasn't there, like they thought, but was just exiting the door leading to the Clerk's office at the rear. He was now wearing black robes as well and carrying a black cap since he no longer held the title of Lord.
Gareth took his seat where he had been sitting with a smirk.
Here, Dumbledore cleared his throat, as they had all been played. "Do you, Gareth Gregory Greengrass, accept this position with a free will, and will you abide by the rules as laid out by the Wizengamot?"
Gareth stood, and nodded. "I do, Chief Warlock."
"Then come forward, Gareth," Dumbledore said with a slight sigh, "and be sworn in by Minister Scrimgeour."
Gareth was sworn in, and he took up the House of Black's seat, where he placed his black cap upon his head.
Now, Harry thought, let the fun begin!
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, as I had fun writing it. It was a laugh!