Hogwarts, Scotland
For Harry the next two weeks past very quickly, he mobilized the army and had begun to station them around Albion, but movements of that caliber took time even for wizards, so it was slow moving with only the ministries and the ICW having battalions yet, as some ministries had tried to fight the orders of Lord Potter, they were given strict reminders that they were mere states of the greater Albion body. Harry also, saw to the movements of the Black Knights going through files and paperwork. He also had to overall strengthen the number of overseas scouts as to ensure no other empires encroached on Albion's territory in this time of crisis.
Harry was steadying the ship piloting Potter industries as well, moving forward with his plans of counterattack against House Le-Fay, and his contingent of supporter's. Harry found his house closer still to becoming Utmost, all without calling in the debts due against him. With Lord Le-Fay and his allies so seemingly focused on Britain Haldris had turned his attention to the holdings that Marvolo had outside Britain. When those allied with Marvolo had begun moving against house Potters British holdings they had battened down the hatches of all of their own British holdings expecting retaliation. Few of them had however, spent time on protections for their outside Britain holdings. As such Harry began his return strike with vengeance, striking at several of the Malfoy strongholds in greater Europe had been laughably easy, as Malfoy and Abraxas had left them vulnerable, leaving the only Malfoys with holding in greater Europe being Narcissa and Draco, Lucius and Abraxas, where only starting to feel his rage at being attacked, as all the businesses overseas had had to file bankruptcy at the same time, as their debts, with their suppliers, all vassals of house Potter, called said debts in. While he had started with Abraxas and Lucius, Haldris had not left the other allies alone either. Harry returned the damage that had been dealt to his holdings back in equal share.
Today however was finally Saturday, a Saturday without meetings or homework to catch up on. It was also a Hogsmeade weekend, and Harry and Viktor were going into town to celebrate later with many other students that needed a break from classes. Being November 25th, many students had begun to review for the winter exams that would take place before they went home on the 15th of December. With it also being the second to last Hogsmeade weekend before break many students were also looking at Christmas presents for loved ones, family, and friends. Harry was rather relieved, in potions the project they were currently working on in groups was there winter final, in defense the final was simply to take the knights test given on several dates over the holidays, his other classes, would be far easier Harry had no doubt but was studying none the less as his comments about his grades a few weeks before had angered several of the teachers who had begun to challenge and belittle him in classes, before being severely reprimanded for it by the ICW board still in the school.
With all this on his mind Harry walked into the great hall, eating happily and chatting with his friends. With all the activity around him, Harry almost missed the letter when it had arrived. With the mirrors he had given to most of his friends or allies that needed to contact him, few letters were sent to him that weren't packages left on his bed in the dorms, or updated catalogs and advertisements for new shops throughout Albion. So, this letter stood out amongst the rest. Many Gryffindor's craned their heads around their friends to get a good both at it and at the exotic bird that brought it. For instead of the traditional owl bringing the letters Hedwig particularly, this was a giant hawk. Taking the letter from the Hawk as he felt Hedwig land on his shoulder Harry was surprised to find the seal on the back of the letter.
A seal traditionally meant official correspondence and at the moment all of Harry's official mail of that type went to different officers of the House, depending on what it contained, but this one came to him. Harry almost opened it before stopping to study the letter and the stamp. The envelope was a made of a sturdy material that was like parchment but not, nor was it quite paper, and the seal he knew but couldn't think of where from.
"How odd," Hermione commented from a few seats down, "With as much as it takes to make it, I didn't know anyone still wrote on papyrus anymore."
Neville curiously looked at her. "It's very expensive, most don't outside the Royal families and even then, it's usually just Egypt that does it unless it's for bonding invites or naming ceremonies, why?" he asked.
"Because that's what the envelope for Harry's letter is made of." She answered.
It was then that Harry knew where he had seen the seal, it was the royal seal of Egypt, more importantly this specific one belonged to Dowager Queen Nefertiti the thirtieth of that name. She was the mother of the current pharaoh who had only ascended to the throne a few years ago after a tragic accident, took the life of the previous Pharaoh. The question was why was she writing Harry? He paused to consider it, catching the further attention of others.
"What's so special about the letter, Harry, you keep staring at it?" Neville asked watching now slightly confused.
"It's the seal actually. I'm trying to figure out why dowager queen Nefertiti has written to me." Harry answers.
"Well without opening it you won't know now will you." Dean asks.
"She's a lot like me." A small voice comments as Luna Lovegood slides into the seat next to Harry.
Harry had been briefed by Luna's father as to the fact that she was a vision seer. Which was, actually as he looked at the letter very revealing. With that Harry reached for his letter opener and slit open the envelope. Pulling out and opening the letter he began to read.
Dear Lord Potter,
I must ask your pardon for my impolite imposition as to write you, without first being introduced but after seeing visions of you, growing ever more solid, for almost a year now, since the death of my husband. It has become clear to me that you are very important to the future of this Empire of mine.
First my condolences on the trials you have been through in your short life. Even here in Egypt where it is so rare, we understand the sacrifices required for the rite of ancestry to activate.
I have had visions of the part the house of Potter would play in the coming difficulties facing our world since I was a child, for many years they focused on your father and then a year before your birth the visions shifted to you, a little over a year ago the once rare visions about you shifted into a more common vision that I would have. Even now if I focus on you, the strings of fate drift in and through you as the fate of my people are affected by you as well.
I see that the strings of your fate still are changing, with every decision that you make you destroy and create new strings. Of all the strings I see one however is growing clearer as time passes. In saying that I feel that both you and Egypt would benefit you meeting my young grandson Alomar. Of all of my grandchildren from our current pharaoh, he is both the hardest and the easiest to read and understand, though as his new title of crown Prince, at the age of 21 over his many much older siblings, can attest, he is a capable young man. I wish for you to be introduced and as such:
I Nefertiti Ramses do hereby cordially invite you Haldris Potter and a single guest to celebrate the solstice with I and my family.
Enclosed is two pendants bearing my emblem one for you and another for your brother. They will on the 15th of December transport you from your residence to mine for a time of parties and celebrations.
Sincerely
Nefertiti Ramses
Her Royal Majesty
The Dowager Queen of the Nile.
P.S: Congratulations on the ascension of your house.
Harry read through the letter once and then read it through again. The crown prince of Egypt had only been crowned recently; it had caused great controversy as he was not the oldest of his father's almost forty children from almost a dozen consorts. Alomar had been one of the youngest of the king's children, but he had proven himself well, outmaneuvering his siblings to gain the favor of the people if not the court. His father saw this and when the time came to choose an heir, he was chosen much to the dismay of the other heirs and of the court who had thrown their support behind other older princes. Harry supposed it would not be bad to have further allies in the greater international world. Picking up the envelope the letter had come in Harry paused, the envelope was heavier than expected. Lifting it Harry, emptied the envelope finding the two portkey emblems that the letter had spoken of, but also came another few pieces of parchment. Opening the parchments, he found another letter.
Dear Lord Potter,
I entered my grandmother's room this night on a dare from my favorite siblings. I as I often did as a child sought her box of sweets for my younger siblings instead, I find my grandmothers letter box. Allow me to explain since I was a child my grandmother has always carried a box with her, seeing it opened as a child it had been filled with papers that my mother told me were letters. As I have grown and been made aware of her gift, I have learned that these were letters to those she saw would be important to Egypt. Looking through these letters I see a few addressed to your father, some to your mother reading these I learn much more of you but reading the over a dozen others my grandmother has addressed to you.
It is from these letters that I learn of much that has happened to you, and of the many decisions you have been forced to make. I agree with my grandmother that I would like to meet you, and perhaps exchange a few letters before we meet. If grandmother believes you are important to Egypt's future than you are a friend I need. In this I have also enclosed a few of my own secrets that we may stand on equal terms…
Sincerely
Alomar Ramses
His Royal Majesty
The Crown Prince of the Nile.
Harry read this letter twice as well, Alomar had gone on to tell stories of living in the palace the pains of having to deal with his disgruntled older brothers and the constant manipulations and maneuverings he had to immerse himself into to maintain the position he had. This Harry could understand, slipping the letters into a secure pocket of his close he turned to Neville. "Well how does spending Christmas along the Nile sound Neville?" Harry asked offering the portkey to Neville.
"Are you joking, it sounds wonderful but what, how… Neville asked not certain how to word his question.
"We have been cordially invited to the Ramses Winter solstice celebration as guests of Dowager Queen Nefertiti. The Portkeys will leave on the 18th of December." Neville quickly agreed and the conversation moved on, however Harry was still in the back of his mind going over what she possibly could have meant by congratulation on your house's ascension. Shaking his head Harry turned and focused on the conversations going on around him and making plans for the Hogsmeade weekend.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~Hogsmeade Village, Scotland
In Hogsmeade, Harry spent the morning and early afternoon shopping and enjoying the day off. It was as a fair group of them sat in a booth at Madam Rosmerta's, that the day turned sour. The sudden appearance of a black knight startled people, the knight pressed close to both Neville and Harry to pass on his news. "Grindelwald has left Russia, as much as we can tell he is headed here to Hogwarts, he brings with him almost half a battalion of Russian troops, and many of those that escaped with him from Nurmengard."
With that the fun and joy the two young men had previously felt, instantly faded to be replaced by grim determination, dismissing the knight Harry turned to give orders. "Hermione, Ron, Dean, and Seamus run back to Hogwarts, tell Dumbledore to raise the battle wards, Grindelwald will be here within the hour. The rest of you spread the news and evacuate the other students back to Hogwarts. Viktor call the ministry and inform Amelia Bones that we need the Aurors here at once. Neville, help Viktor and contact Commander Arden of the troops stationed at the ministry. I need to call Sirius, to have him send us more reinforcements. With that they separated each one to do the task required to prepare for the coming attack.
Harry taking out the mirror called Sirius. "Pup as nice as it is to see you, I have a little bit of a situation going on right now…"
"Now is not the Sirius, the Black knights have just informed me that Grindelwalds on his way to Hogwarts now, I have Viktor, contacting Amelia Bones now, Neville is contacting Commander Arden, and Hermione, Ron, Dean, and Seamus, are letting Dumbledore and the teachers know. I need you to send further reinforcements in from Dragonsmoore."
"That's not possible at the moment, somethings come up and the British ministry is fighting having troops in Britain at all, they're referencing all the sanctions against house Potter after the first Grindelwald war. I'm working my way through it, but these things take time, I will try my best to send you reinforcements, but I offer you no promises. I'm sorry. If this continues, I will not be going through the ICW, to take care of the ministry, I'll pull out the rights of my house and disband the ministry myself, for obstruction of the will, and power of the house of Potter, in reference to our royal duties."
A boom shaking the air around them stopped Harry from continuing, "Oh, bloody hell, someone pulling down the Hogwarts wards, I have to go." Harry finished before cutting of the call and racing up the path to Hogwarts. After about five minutes Harry arrived back at Hogwarts only to be met by another boom as another layer of wards fell, and students simply milling about the castle, none of them where prepared for the coming attack. Looking around the great hall Harry saw Hermione and the others he had sent to speak to Dumbledore, arguing with McGonagall, he quickly approached.
"Hermione have you spoke to Dumbledore yet?" Harry asked.
"As I told Miss Granger, Mr. Potter Dumbledore is in meetings and cannot be interrupted." McGonagall answered my question.
"Hogwarts is about be attacked by Grindelwald, yet you will not interrupt Dumbledore's meeting for him to raise the wards."
"Harry I couldn't raise Commander Arden on the mirror either." Neville commented from behind him.
"That is enough Mr. Potter, these lies and accusations have gone on long enough, your Parents would be very ashamed of the man you have become. Furthermore, I don't know where you got such a ridiculous thought that Grindelwald was about to attack but I will not have you spread such rumors around…" She was interrupted by a boom from outside.
Harry turned to run towards the doors as further screams began to echo around him. Passing the stairs up to headmaster's office as Marvolo and others came down it, Harry paused and glared at Dumbledore. "Dumbledore, you need to send the school into lock down mode."
"And what do you think is going on Harry, all the booming around is the Goblins pulling down the wards for repairs." Lord Le-Fay answer.
"What, now?" Harry whirled his face having gone ashen in fear. "Grindelwald's made his move and will be here within another half an hour with about half a battalion of Russian soldiers and you just pulled down our best defense!" Harry snapped. "Did any of you think for a moment that we needed to be on war footing and that perhaps I needed to be told if you were to pull down the wards so that I might have extra defenses prepared."
"Harry, do settle down, I have plenty of my marked here, to aid in defense if he is in fact coming." Lord Le-Fay answered. "Though how you would know before either I or the ministry is laughable."
"Very well, consider this your second test Lord Le-Fay, if a single student dies because of your stupidity, and ignorance of the ways of Albion, you will fall your second test." Harry answered stalking away as the rest of the defense study group also joined him standing on the bridge entrance into Hogwarts waiting to see the attack coming and come it did. With one single final boom echoing off the castle walls the wards fell, and a handful of Giants bursting through the trees of the forbidden forest and wizards casting spells from where they had been hidden in the forest.
Harry and his group quickly went on the defense, giving time for the students that had been on the grounds against Harry's advice, time to escape back into the castle. It was several moments after that before the death eaters were able to mobilize in any form to protect the school, despite Harry's best efforts the school was not prepared for this attack and now a battle would have be fought to defend it, with Harry at the head his group went forward moving from a defensive position to attacking the incoming Russian troops never moving far beyond the entrance to Hogwarts, to properly defend against the incoming men.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~Hogwarts, Scotland
It had been a mere hour since the Potter brat had given his warning and exchanging spells with some of the men once trained by Grindelwald, Marvolo was beginning to consider reconsidering his stance on the boy, he seemed to be right about several different things. Looking around he quickly spotted the old fool, dueling with Grindelwald himself, and from all appearances he could see the old fool was losing badly, looking back he could see that the ranks of students that was taking or had joined Potters upper year study group, were standing their ground for now, but would not and could not do so forever. Turning to once more face the place where Dumbledore and Grindelwald fought, he quickly dispensed the three wizards that stood in his way before quickly throwing up a shield and pushing Dumbledore behind it.
"Ahh, I had wondered if I would be seeing you young Lord Le-Fay, such a pity it is really." Grindelwald taunted before showering the two men in spells. "Leave the battle now, I have no need to face you yet, all I want here is Dumbledore, Dumbledore and his little prodigy. Though even I've heard that he's not yours so much anymore Albus."
"A misunderstanding, Harry will look to me again for guidance, but you, you will be returning to Nurmengard. Why did you come Gellert, you cannot win and there are too many, your forces will be defeated today?" Dumbledore answered with a barrage of magic as Marvolo's spells joined his, forcing Grindelwald to take a step back.
"Pitiful really the greatest dark lord of a century and the only man he feared, and the two of you together can't duel half as well as Charlus Potter did. Come Marvolo you must have learned by now some of the family and house magics that come with being an ancestral house." Grindelwald answered dodging the spells they sent his way and returning them with his own again.
"Very well then here" Marvolo snapped shooting off half a dozen Le-Fay family spells that Grindelwald easily batted away.
"Pitiful really but Le-Fay was the youngest of the Albion Ancestral houses, then again it's not the house it's you, is it not?" He replied.
Shooting off half a dozen unforgivable off in answer Marvolo shouted in answer "I have perfect control of the family magics."
"Settle Marvolo he's trying to rile you up." Dumbledore quickly soothed.
"Stay out of this", both Grindelwald and Marvolo answered before Grindelwald continued "Besides I never said you weren't in control of the family magics."
As even around them the rest of the fighting began to slow, as they focused on the fighting between the two iconic men.
"Perhaps if you ask him the Potter brat could teach you a thing or two about wielding the family magics, they do know a thing or two about them, after all they are a great mystery to the ancestral council." Grindelwald comments back a smirk running across his features as he riled Marvolo up some more. "Oh, the vaunted title of ancestral is finally yours, and all the power that comes with it, yet you the head can't even use the family magic enough to silence one man and his army, and you expect to be King? How much damage truly did blood rights do to you, that this is all the power an ancestral head can muster, it's no wonder your forces are struggling under the power of a boy. But then considering the house he hails from, that is no surprise."
Beyond words at this point Marvolo was only answering with spell fire at this point as most of the battle had stopped around them watching the impressive display of magic. Now he finally answered, "I will be King, and all of Albion will bow before me, that brat of a boy most of all."
"Really, but you can't even hold me back, when the head of a mere Most Ancient and Most Noble house was able to. The rumors of house Potter are more than true Le-Fay, and when that boy finally gets done playing with you, his house will level yours, ancestral or not. That is if I haven't claimed his house before that, that is." Grindelwald taunted before sending spark into the sky, an obvious signal as it sent even more troops onto the battlefield, as the battle once more commenced.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~Harry taking a breath looked carefully around the field as he stood having dealt with three more soldiers. An hour ago, the second half of Grindelwald's forces had entered the fray after Marvolo and Dumbledore's argument with Grindelwald had distracted most of the combatants.
This sudden reintroduction of battle to the field had been the key that Grindelwald needed, it had broken the ranks of that he and his classmates had created to defend the castle. Looking around as he ducked, weaved, dodged and returned spell fire Harry was beginning to lose hope, even Marvolo's marked were being pushed back. With every minute that passed the defenders were being pushed back towards the castle, without the wards Harry could see little chance of victory. Harry looked to his right and immediately broke into a run seeing Neville pinned by two older lieutenants of Grindelwald's army that had fought in the Grindelwald war. Pushing Neville out of the way, he barely missed being hit by the spell that had been sent at Neville himself.
Harry and Neville stood back to back as they stood in defense of each other, preparing for to attack. Focusing on their opponent Harry and Neville broke into action at the same time attacking a lieutenant each. Harry focused on the spell string he was casting ignoring the rising house magic levels that surrounding the two. Bone breaker, banisher, ice towards the right leg, fire towards the left, cutting curse aimed at the torso. The fight was interrupted by several of Marvolo's inner circle stepping forward to take the attention of the lieutenants, pushing Neville, and Harry from the fight, with sneers to join the other students. Harry and Neville allowed it seeing the students in trouble, they were both startled from their treck back to the student ranks, by the two giants that had marked the arrival of Grindelwald's forces moving from the edge of the forest where they had stood sentry, towards the school. Sparing a glance at each other Harry and Neville both sprang into action pulling their swords out and heading straight for the behemoth giants.
A few simple spells had them at the feet of the giants, but after that that the real trouble began. Giants were ridiculously spell resistant, so every spell Neville and Harry sent at them either bounced off or did very little damage. For their spells to have any real affect they had to put far too much power into the spell. It was only by casting spells on themselves that Harry was finally able to get up far enough on the giant's body to use his sword to properly kill the giant. Neville seeing it work for Harry attempted the same thing with the other giant and succeeded. It was a single sharp cry from the direction of the school that caught Harry and Neville's attention next.
At the edge of the school where the students had been left, the defense group had finally been overrun by the more experienced soldiers, who were using a younger female student to force the others to lay down their weapons and surrender. Harry and Neville watched as a separate group led by Viktor snuck up behind the soldiers and quickly executed several of those soldiers, causing them to break rank and release the girl they had been using as hostage.
Harry watching Neville run to aid Viktor and the student, began to search the battlefield attempting to locate Grindelwald, it was time to end this. Finding him, Harry weaved through the other combatants. Cutting down soldiers and deflecting spells as needed to get to where Grindelwald was facing off with both Marvolo and Dumbledore. As he got closer to the fight, he began to see very clearly that Marvolo, and Dumbledore where losing the battle. Arriving at the battle he had barely enough time to tackle Marvolo, taking a spell that neither Marvolo nor he could properly defend against. Rising Harry reached up to dislodge the two inch in diameter icicle that had lodged itself a few inches into his shoulder, from the spell that he had taken for Marvolo. "This has gone on for long enough, Grindelwald, surrender now and I won't execute you as my house's magic is screaming at me to do. Surrender and I'll let you live out the rest of your life in a comfy prison."
Grindelwald laughed. "Oh, you believe yourself to be in a position to challenge me boy. I'm not Lord Le-Fay over here or Dumbledore boy, you'll have to do better than that, your house has bound your power to greatly to be a challenge to me any longer.
"What are you talking about?" Harry replied, eyes darkening with suspicion.
"Did you really think Haldris Potter, that I was idle while imprisoned in Nurmengard. I didn't walk away from Henry Potters corpse without a few key details as to the past of the house of Potter. My forces have been silently active since the end of the war, searching in the shadows for the last few things I need, both to complete my goals and to overpower your house. Did you believe that after the secrets I learned that I would leave your house alone? The house that of the mere status of Noble, was strong enough to not only garner the attention of two high ancestral houses, but to forge alliances with them, to then turn around and forge an alliance with the house of Evanstar that stood till the line entered dormancy. If house Potter hadn't bound its true Power away generations ago, how long would I truly have lasted against Charlus, how would Marvolo had truly faired against your father?
Harry schooled his features, before answering. "If you know that then you know that you can't win this battle call your troops off and surrender."
"Clever Haldris, very Clever, but I know all to well just how far the house of Potter is willing to go, to hide its true power, about as far as it is willing to go to hide it's mistake. I'll make you a deal Lord Potter, give me Albion. Give me Albion, and this all ends, my searching, the blood feud, all of it. Just let go, Haldris, let your house finally have peace, let Albion have peace, I'll give you Britian, a kingdom all your own, I'll let you take care of Lord Le-Fay, your friends will be safe, just give me Albion. "
"No", Harry answered. "I'm not just going to give you Albion."
"Really, what's more important Lord Potter, your houses secrets, it's pride, or Albion? I can give it peace, or would you really prefer the war that will come when I finally get my way. Kneel and give me Albion, Potter, or I will see you and all of yours crumble beneath my army."
Harry looked beyond them, he looked beyond Grindelwald, to Dumbledore and Marvolo, fighting side by side against about a dozen of Grindelwald's marked. He looked to where the rest of Grindelwald's marked, faced against Tom's, he looked to Neville and Viktor, standing proudly with the students who were slowly being forced back. Grindelwald was right, house Potter had stood down, it had let a ministry bind their hands, it had let those with no right to challenge them, command them in what they could and couldn't do. He had allowed his guardians to govern him rather than guide him, and now, now Albion would pay the price.
In that instant, Harry felt it, he understood, and the house magics within Harry began to settle for the first time since the battle had begun. He now understood the words the end of the queen's letter. With his decision made Harry opened his eyes and channeling the Power of House Potter looked Grindelwald in the eyes. "You are more like Dumbledore and Marvolo than you think Grindelwald. You have made assumptions based on what you think you know. Yes, Dumbledore and Marvolo, may know less than you about my house, but even you do not understand the full magnitude of the secrets house Potter or I keep. You assumed, that I was inexperienced due to my youth, that I would be easily tricked. The fact of the matter is, that Albion would suffer regardless. You would never offer house Potter its freedom, you fear us to much. You assumed that the only options I had was between my house's "pride" and Albion. You assumed that house Potter doesn't use its true power out of pride, the truth of the matter is that we understand the cost of our magic. My answer to you is neither, its not a matter of pride, it's a matter of responsibility, it's the matter of honoring the responsibility entrusted to us. You're right, we did collar ourselves, we bound ourselves to the ministries, no longer." With that Harry pulled his magic forward and opened a portal directly to Dragonsmoor. The moment the portal opened troops began to spill from hit. With the call for reinforcements Grindelwald called for a retreat.
Harry understood more than he let on, in that instant, as the magic of house Potter began to swirl around him, he with his men following him pursued. In that instant Harry understood the consequences that would come, both for him and for others. As Harry swayed heavily on his feet as the blood loss from the open wound on his shoulder and the many other cuts, and bruises on his body began to catch up to him, he couldn't help but marvel how that mixed with the magical exhaustion that the spell caused was proving to be a dangerous mixture, when also combined with the fluctuating magic he could feel around him. It proved to be to much as Harry lost consciousness.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~As Harry was carried into the hall, the peels of laughter and joy, that had come from students celebrating their victory tapered off. Artemis, and Neville, quickly found their way to Harry's side worry evident in their faces. "Viktor, floo St. Mungo's fetch the Potter family healer, Ted Tonks if you will." Neville asked before Lord Le-Fay pulled Neville from where he had knelt at Harry's side. Shaking Neville by the collar he roared.
"What was he talking about?" Marvolo snarled into Neville's face.
"What was who talking about?" Neville asked, as Marvolo only picked him up high off the ground, beginning to cut off his air supply, as his collar cut into his throat.
"Grindelwald said that if Harry used the full magics of house Potter against him, he wouldn't be alive, what was he talking about?" Marvolo questioned.
Artemis cut in answering, "Grindelwald spoke of house secrets that not even house Longbottom knows. The fact of the matter is that house Potter, like Le-Fay, like Black, like Malfoy, and so many other houses, has magic that if used against Grindelwald would end this war.
"And what is so special about House Potter's magics that even as I used house magic, he refrained from using it?" Marvolo questioned setting Neville back onto the floor.
"Technically Harry did, he used family magics even stronger than that which you used, in opening the portal. But the magic that Grindelwald, alluded to you did not use. Magic like what Grindelwald alluded to, is not used without consequences. No house may use the true power of their house against another person or house without consequences." Artemis answered.
"That very well does not explain why this fight had to occur at all. If Lord Potter is Head of the Army and receives information from all of the intelligence networks, how did this attack happen without Lord Potters knowledge? A new voice drawled as the minister and his entourage entered. "Well, has your lord grown so lack that…"
"You go to far minister." Sirius barked.
Neville answered. "Maybe Harry would have been able to more adequately defend the school if people in this building had taken his words as truth. Maybe if McGonagall hadn't closed Dumbledore's office from students he could have informed the headmaster of the incoming attack immediately, perhaps if people hadn't shaken his words off as the lies of a delusional liar that your ministry keeps painting him as, maybe if people had consulted with him before taking down the wards and leaving us utterly defenseless and at the mercy of any enemy that wished to attack. Perhaps you should be looking at yourself minister, if you had allowed the troops at the ministry, as is lord Potters right, then they would have been on hand and able to respond much faster." Neville answered, as Madame Pomfrey and Ted Tonks made their way over.
Ted Tonks waved Pomphrey away as he began to scan Harry before moving Harry's clothes out of the way showing his shoulder. He then took a moment to see to read the results of his other scans. "Here this should heal that." Madame Pomphrey said attempting to give Harry a potion before being stopped by Ted. "What is the matter with you Tonk's he needs this, or he'll bleed out."
"You are not authorized to give my patient anything for that matter you are on the list that expressly states you are not to see to him." Ted answers.
"Oh, come off it, Ted, I've treated plenty of patients with wounds like this tonight."
Ted interrupted her before she could continue. "Most of them were not Family heads currently trying to keep a tight hold of their houses magics. You give him that and his houses magics will see it as a threat and all of us will be dead before we could even cast protego." Taking a chance, he looked at Harry who was beginning to sweat.
"Does Hogwarts have any wards standing at the moment?" at the answers of "no" his face turned grave. "Sirius do you know what going on?"
"No unfortunately I don't, what's happening?" Sirius asked.
"I don't have time to explain, Marcus, you have access to the wards at Potter manor, right?" Ted asked.
"Yes," Marcus answered tears in his eyes.
"Be strong he's not dead yet, I need you to guide the apparition to Potter Manor, he's going to fully go unconscious in a moment and lose control of the house magics, he is currently holding back. If he does that here, it'll level the castle." Ted said grimly.
