Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: My readers are AWESOME!
-oOo-
Chapter 57
-oOo-
Today on the House of Potter-Greengrass: An end of an epic.
-oOo-
March 21, 1999
London, England
Harry sat next to his auntie in the Wizengamot seats. Daphne was at his side today. They were there to witness the Unspeakables talking to a closed and private session, while being allowed to exercise their votes. Anders was on the other side of his wife with Susan next to Aunt Ami. He had to admit he was starting to look forward to turning twenty-one when he could fully take up his seat and not vote at the behest of his regent. Daphne had less than two, while he still had over two years to wait.
On the main floor, Croaker and three other Unspeakables had set up a large screen and were using a projector like Professor Bouvier had. "Recent research has revealed the importance of maintaining the fidelity of the blood lines, as well as making sure they are healthy and long lived. The magic of this chamber, the Ministry and the foundations of our entire society depend on the magic of us all to maintain the covenants and protections of the Statute of Secrecy and the safeguarding of secrets that are dangerous to get out," Croaker explained. He had a page of arithmancy on the screen.
Most people looked glazed at the presentation. Harry thought Croaker was losing them, but there were enough that were following along to understand the implications of what was going on. Harry just feared it might lead to more blood bigotry in the future, just in the opposite way.
"To keep the blood lines strong, it is the recommendation of the Unspeakables that all families that have not introduced new blood, which will be classified as those born of muggle decent, or have at least a grandparent of muggle decent, should do so in the current generation." He flicked his wand, and a new slide came up. It was one of birth rates by generational gap, blood 'purity' and those of 'new' blood. There was a sharp decrease in the number of births the 'purer' the lines got. This was nothing new. What was new was the measured magical capacity.
"Our research has shown that the potential magical capacity and the birth rate of squibs is far more linked to only allowing magical blood to marry magical blood than thought. In Britian, the blood lines are so interlinked, that eight of every ten pureblood families had an increased ten percent chance of reducing the magical potential of children, capping out about seventy percent, for each generation past the third. There is also a five percent chance of birthing a squib child until you get a fifty-fifty chance about ten generations in. By the time you get to a family that is ten generations pure, you have a seventy percent chance of having a magically weaker child, and a fifty percent chance of having a squib," Croaker said.
There was a murmuring of shock, discontent and surprise going through the chamber. Harry knew this but hadn't seen the numbers before. Anders didn't look surprised in the least.
"How can this be? It is proven that those born of pure blood stock are magically more powerful than most Muggleborn, or even a first of second generation wizard," an older man yelled out.
"Lord Westford, it is true that magical lines that have not interbred will give a high chance of stronger children. It is also true that most muggle born children are not as strong as those that come from two strong magical parents, but that is not always true," Croaker said. His wand flicked and a sheet further in the stack replaced the one on the projector.
"If you look at this, about fifty percent of all Muggle born have a lower magical potential, but often match or exceed their peers by the time they graduate Hogwarts. I do not know the full reason for this, but it appears motivation, having a harder time to learn spells initially and the fact that most seem to work at magic more while learning allows their cores and potentials to grow faster. It is still below the final potential of those that are first, second, third generation, or even more, but they do end up 'more powerful', if you want to say, because they work at it and want it," Croaker told the man.
"So, you are saying that carrying on a purer line still leads to more powerful wizards," Lord Westford insisted.
"There is always a twenty percent chance of having a magically stronger child, no matter how many generations, but once a bloodline becomes too pure or interbred, the chance to have a weaker child often shows. The ten strongest wizards in the last century were all what are classed as half-bloods or first generation purebloods. Albus Dumbledore had a mother that was Muggleborn. Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, was the son of a muggle and a line that was twenty-two generations pure. The mother was just barely stronger than a squib. Scion Potter-Greengrass, arguably one of the strongest young men of our Age, is the son of a man that was eight generations pure and a muggle witch," Croaker said. Harry narrowed his eyes at the man, who looked to give him a small smirk. Harry knew Croaker was trying to twist his knickers. "Even Gellert Grindelwald had a grandmother that was a muggle born."
That caused quite a stir in the chamber among many of the members. Those in his inner circle of friends or the inner circle of allies didn't say anything. "Lord Westford, not a single witch or wizard that was more than five generations pure has tested above four hundred points on the Rexford scale in the more than hundred and forty years the Unspeakables have been maintaining records, meanwhile more than eight Muggleborn, fifty-three Half-bloods or first generation purebloods and forty-eight of fourth generation or less have."
Lord Westford, one of their outer ring of allies looked shocked. As Harry had just recently learned, the average adult wizards usually came in about two-hundred. Anything over three hundred was exceptional. Anything over four-hundred was approaching a wizard that everyone would know. Over five hundred put you in the class of Dumbledore, Grindelwald and Tom. Harry was a little over four hundred himself now, and still had decades for his natural magical potential to increase.
"You are saying we are breeding ourselves into extinction?" a woman behind them asked.
"That is a point that I think Lord Greengrass has been making for a few years now. We just have verifiable proof now," Croaker told them.
"The point of all this is to increase our magical potential as a society, maintain that strong magic to protect our world and to increase the overall number of witches and wizards," Croaker said to the assembly.
Auntie spoke up. "What is your proposal then for the declining number of families that have pledged their magic to this body and to maintain the protections of our world?"
Harry knew this was what they had been building too.
Croaker put a new slide in. "I propose a change to the Ministry Covenants to allow a broader range of family ties to this body. The houses that are currently voted in are not capable of lending their magics to keeping our world together. This change will allow oaths to last the term of their offices," Croaker said.
There was some talk and nodding of heads.
"To do this though, the Wizengamot will need to allow thirteen houses back in as peerage members that have been removed over the last hundred years," Croaker explained.
"And what houses are those?" Phoenicia enquired.
Croaker flicked his wand again. There was a sound of disproval from many of the light and neutral houses, and a grin of delight from of the darker houses that still held some sway. Harry knew the list, which included Parkinson, Flint, Malfoy and Avery.
He didn't want them back, but the oaths they would be required to take should help to keep them inline.
Harry just watched the fireworks as the chamber became the most raucous he had seen in a while.
-oOo-
April 5, 1999
Mosedale, England
Daphne had a hand over her stomach as the baby was moving around. She was so ready to get this little one out of her, but it was stubbornly holding on. Her due date had been four days ago. To distract her from the way her little one was dancing on her bladder, she had gotten out of bed and was looking out the window of their room into the town below.
In less than a year, the number of buildings in town had doubled. There was a main street of row houses and shoppes, with two more buildings adding onto the main street. A new white marble Gringotts branch was well underway. It curved around the edge of the main square, looking almost twice the size of the bank in Diagon Alley.
She smiled at herself with how much that had kicked over the Goblin Liaison office and others in the Ministry. Harry may not like the limelight, and he didn't want to think of himself as a Slytherin, but he was showing far more ambition, cunning and resourcefulness than any other Slytherin she knew. Draco Malfoy had made a dreadful mistake that day he had turned her husband away from her house.
On the reverse, he was achieving some of his goals by being daring and a little reckless at times. The hat had been right to consider him for Gryffindor as well.
She held her stomach as a small pain rippled through her and onto her back. She had been having these damned Brecks-Hicks contractions for days now. She just wanted it to be over. There was a good kick, and she could feel a small amount of fluid leak between her legs.
"Alright, fine! I'll go to the bathroom again," she said irritably.
She turned, took two steps, felt a larger pain that stopped her, then there was a gush of fluid out of her. She blinked tears out of her eyes after a moment. The baby had suddenly settled. She looked at the pool spreading out around her feet. It took a moment to realize she hadn't gone to the bathroom. "DOBBY!"
A second later Dobby came rushing into the room. "What can Dobby do for the misses?" their main house elf asked.
"Get Twinky in here. Go get Healer Tonks and then get Harry. Hurry," she said.
Dobby looked at her, then the mess on the stone floor, then nodded. He snapped his fingers. Daphne moved away from the puddle. She thought about taking out her wand to clean it before another pain hit her lower back and spread to the front. She leaned over and started to breathe. If the pain was only supposed to get worse, she was going to kill Harry if he suggested another child…
-oOo-
A brief time later…
Harry let Daphne scream as her hand just about crushed his. Even with all his strength and conditioning he was amazed at the strength in his wife.
"That's it, Daphne. I need you to push a little more," Andi said as she looked between Daphne's legs.
"Your bloody fecking dick did this to me," Daphne panted before she pushed again.
Harry was concerned. He had never heard Daphne talk this way or show such anger towards him. Andi had assured him a few hours back that this was normal. He wasn't sure it was.
Daphne's hand squeezed his more. It was so tight he wasn't sure she wasn't going to break his hand. She screamed again.
"I see the head. It's almost done, Daphne," Andi told her.
The other Healer and Mediwitch that had come to the castle were off to the side, ready to help at a moment's notice.
Daphne clenched her teeth and cried through the pain before Andi moved. "I have him," Andi said.
Daphne let out a small cry before falling back onto the pillows that had been propping her up. She was panting.
"Are you alright?" He knew it was a stupid question, but he was too concerned for her not to ask.
"Is it out of me?" she asked. Her eyes closed for a moment
The sound of a new set of lungs crying answered her. "It's a baby boy," Andi said. "Let me just get him cleaned up and you can hold him for a few, dad. In the meantime, come over here and you can cut the umbilical cord, if you want.
Harry beamed. Dad! He was a dad. He cut the white cord with the blue and red veins in it. Then his son was swaddled and placed in his arms.
Daphne sighed. "Is he beautiful?"
"The most handsome," Harry assured her. The boy's eyes were a blueish-green. He had a thick head of black hair. His skin was splotched in places and bright red.
"Daphne, you just have to get the placenta out and then we are done," Andi told her.
A few minutes later, he was placing the boy into Daphne's arms as Andi made sure she was healed. The other Healer was running his arm over their son. "Oh, Merlin, Harry, he's gorgeous. He's going to have your eyes."
"They are a blue-green right now though," he said to her.
The other Healer said, "It's very common for babies to have blue eyes and then change in their first year."
"Oh," he said.
"Felix," Daphne said.
Harry rose an eyebrow. He thought they were going to use a different name.
"Felix?" he asked her.
"Felix Harry Potter-Greengrass. We are incredibly lucky to have him, so Felix," she said.
After watching what Daphne had just gone through, he wasn't going to argue with her, especially since she seemed happy with him now, compared to the last ten hours. "Felix it is," he agreed before leaning over the bed to kiss her forehead. Daphne closed her eyes and smiled
"Right, when you're ready, mum, we can try a first feeding. If you want to go tell everyone, Harry, we can watch over her for a bit," Andi said.
"Will you be alright?" he asked her.
"We'll be fine, luv," she said. "Go tell everyone."
"How long is he and how much does he weigh?" Harry asked, knowing that others would ask. After seeing his two godchildren and his brother-in-law he knew that was a common thing to know.
"Twenty and a half inches and eight pounds three ounces. He's perfectly healthy and mum is too," Andi replied with a smile.
"I won't be long," Harry said, leaning over to kiss her forehead again, and then the forehead of Felix.
It was late in the day now, just about dinner time for most. As such, he apparated to Grace Hall first. "Auntie! Susan!" he called out. Tipsy came rushing out into the atrium. "Hello, Tipsy. Where is Aunt Ami and Susan?"
"Missy Susan is out with master Dean and Mistress Amelia is in her study," the elf said.
"Thanks," Harry said with a smile. He bounded up the stairs, to the left and called out, "Auntie!"
She met him at the door. "What is all the yelling about?"
He came in and hugged her. "It's a boy!" he happily exclaimed. "Felix Harry. He came out just about an hour ago," he said to her.
She hugged him back. "Oh, congratulations. I can't wait to meet him."
"You can come by whenever you want. We're going to tell most of the others tomorrow," he told her. "It's a boy!"
She laughed at him. "So I heard. Felix is a good name. Susan and Dean are supposed to be back in an hour or two. I'll give you a call and see if Daphne is up to seeing anyone," she assured him.
"I can't wait for you to meet him auntie. A boy. Felix," he said, the enormity of him being a dad starting to really hit him. "Bloody hell. I have a boy."
She looked sympathetic. "You'll be a great father. I have faith in you."
Harry gave her a small smile. "Thanks. I need to go tell a few more and then get back to Daphne."
"Go. I'm sure Susie will be thrilled once she finds out," Aunt Ami told him.
Harry gave her another hug then walked away. "Felix," he said to himself. He was smiling, even if his insides were clenching, praying to any deity that would listen that he wouldn't screw this up.
-oOo-
May 24, 1999
London, England
Harry was sitting in on the last of the reaffirmation hearings. It had taken well over a month of special sessions for the Wizengamot to agree on a path forward on how to induct the thirteen houses back. He had never seen politicians move so fast, but the presentation by the Unspeakables had spooked many into action.
Over the last three weeks special council sessions had been called to go over the crimes that had expelled the houses, then have a hearing with the current heir of the line. If they were found acceptable, new oaths were presented to them and they were sworn in, to have their first official privileges reinstated at the summer solstice.
If not, then they went to the next person in line of the family.
Today was the one that Harry was most looking forward to… or was it dreading? He hadn't seen Draco Malfoy in years. Not since that disastrous field trip to the No-Maj mall. That was over four years ago now? Five? He couldn't remember.
Sirius put a hand on his leg. "It's not proper to bounce your leg like that," the man said.
Harry cast a glance at his godfather. "Since when do you care about proper?"
"When it shows weakness to those around us. Being nervous is alright. Showing you are nervous is not," Sirius told him.
Harry should be more surprised, but his godfather had been taking his responsibilities more seriously, for lack of a better word, over the last few years. He had a feeling that Quinn was a large part of that.
Harry made sure his leg was still. He didn't want to start a new blood feud, but he wasn't about to stand for the ponce to be bigoted. The only issue was, until Draco had an heir, there was no one else for the Malfoy line and they needed the Malfoy line.
It was about two minutes before the time set to start when the doors on the floor below opened. Harry raised his brow at a young blonde man he instantly recognized, though he seemed a little different than he remembered. Not as cocky. His head was held up high, but he didn't look to be looking down at anyone. Instead, this was a proud young man.
Harry also noticed that Draco looked rather fit. His skin wasn't pasty white anymore, it had some colour to it, as though he actually spent time in the sun. He also wore fine robes, but they didn't scream wealth like Harry was used to Draco's clothes doing.
Behind him was Narcissa Malfoy. She still had the same haughty expression she had had the last time Harry had seen her, but she looked subdued as well. Two men in black robes walked next to them. They all sat at the table in the centre of the room. Twenty-eight houses sat in the stands with the Chief Warlock to make up any ties.
Draco sat, leaning over to listen to something one of solicitors was saying. After a moment, Draco sat back up and looked around the room. When his eyes landed on Harry, the two of them stared at each other for a long moment before Draco's eyes slid to the next person.
"He didn't sneer at you," Sirius whispered.
"Maybe he's grown up?" Harry replied.
"Maybe. Lucius got worse the older he got," Sirius noted.
Harry gave a slight shrug.
Chief Warlock Doge came out of a door at the top of the stands, and they all stood for him. Doge got to the podium. "This is the reinstatement hearing for the House of Malfoy to rejoin the body of the Wizengamot and serve the people of Britain. Is Scion Malfoy present?"
"I am here, Chief Warlock," Draco said in a clear tone. Harry looked a little surprised. Gone was the drawl of superiority and the tone that he owned the world and the world owed him.
"Very good. You can all sit." They all did. "Before we proceed, it is to be understood we are gathered here to ask you a series of twenty-one questions, and any follow-up to your answers, while under oath. You are to answer them truthfully. Should it be determined you are ready to take up the responsibility, you will pledge your oath of yourself and your family to the Wizengamot. If not, we will determine a path for you to undertake to earn your seat again. Is that clear?"
Draco hadn't sat yet. "It is clear, Chief Warlock."
"Very good. Head Auror, please administer the oath," Doge said.
A man that Harry recognized as Auror Shacklebolt stepped to the table. He held out a stone. "Place your hand on the stone and repeat after me."
Draco didn't hesitate.
"I, Draco Malfoy, Scion of House Malfoy, pledge to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth until released by this board of inquiry and judgement or until I leave this room. Otherwise, magic judge me for my untruthfulness," Shacklebolt said.
Draco repeated the oath, the stone and his hand glowed, then he sat.
"You have received the questions?" Doge asked the men next to Draco.
"We have, Chief Warlock, and have no complaints," the man to the right said.
"Very well. Draco Malfoy, do you believe that Pureblood wizards should rule over all?"
Draco pondered the question for a moment. "I used to think that. Now, I have been taught that working hard can get almost anyone to a superior level. If a Pureblood is the best option, I would still support them, but not over a better qualified wizard."
That seemed to satisfy most. Either Draco had been well coached or Durmstrang had beaten some sense into him.
Doge nodded and asked the next question. "If given a choice to marry a half blood or Muggleborn to strengthen your family, would you consider it?"
"I don't know. Aren't they weaker than those of long pureblood lines? I mean there are exceptions, but that is rather rare, from what I have seen," Draco said.
"And if I was to tell you that the longer a line remains pure the larger a chance there is of birthing squibs or weaker magically potential children?" Doge asked.
"I would need to see the research. I do not believe that to be the case," Draco said.
Doge pressed, "But you would consider it if there was credible research?"
Draco seemed to consider this for a moment. "Is there credible research?"
Draco was a changed person. Harry was still dubious if he was a good person, but he would never have asked something like that before. He would have just stated purebloods were better.
"We believe there is," Doge replied.
After a long moment, Draco said, "Then I would consider it."
"Bloody hell," Sirius said next to him. "Are you sure that is Lucius's son?"
"Looks like him," Harry muttered back.
"Would you be willing to work with and compromise with members of other factions if it was in support of an oath to uphold the values of the Ministry, Wizengamot and an oath to serve and protect all witches and wizards that are recognized under the British Ministry?" Doge asked.
"As long as there is an equal or greater give back," Draco said.
It went on like that for another hour before Doge called a recess for the Wizengamot members to discuss Draco's testimony.
"Scion Malfoy is not as progressive as some of the others we have talked to in the last few weeks," a middle aged woman said.
"But he is better than his father. Lucius would never have agreed to listen to anything against his beliefs," Lord Patil argued.
"Who are we to say that he isn't as bad as his father? I still think this is a risky affair to allow these Houses back in. We are returning the backbone of the pureblood faction," Lord Abbott said.
"I thought we wanted a balanced government? Shouldn't that mean all viewpoints are represented?" Lord Higgs countered.
"I think that we should consider it," Harry said and most turned to him. "Draco Malfoy has been out of the country for over four years now. Things have changed. The core of the old Dark Alliance is broken. As much as I hate to say it, maybe we should give them a chance. If Draco is willing to listen to the Unspeakables about their research, who knows?" Harry said with a shrug. "Maybe he will change?"
Less than an hour later, Draco was called back in. Doge shuffled the papers before speaking, "Scion Draco Malfoy, of House Malfoy, this council has decided you have earned the right to rejoin the Wizengamot. If you would take the oath, you may present yourself at the next Wizengamot meet to reclaim your seat. In the meantime, an appointment with the Unspeakables shall be scheduled to present research that will be vital in the coming Wizengamot meets. Do you accept?"
Draco cast a look towards Harry. Harry was sure he would never like the ponce, but he didn't feel like killing him anymore. Draco looked back at the Chief Warlock. "What is this oath you require?"
-oOo-
June 5, 1999
Mosedale, England
Hermione had found she like the joys of motherhood, but also found it to be cumbersome at times. She loved Juliette with all her heart, would do anything for her girl, but some days found it a little overwhelming. At ten months the frizzy hair girl was crawling everywhere and getting into everything. Her mother said she had felt much the same way the first few years, especially as she had to put off some of her own professional goals, but after it was said and done, her mum said she would have done it again if they had a second child. Blaise was doing well, actually taking care of Juliette most days as she had started her apprenticeship. Without that, Hermione figured she be would pulling her hair out and be bald by twenty, which wasn't far away.
Today she was pleased to hand off Juliette to Daphne. Her little girl loved being around Felix. At two months old he was laying on his back on a blanket as Daphne played with him. Juliette came over, sat and mouthed at a teether she had been given, happily smiling at the boy. Felix looked a lot like Harry already, though his green eyes were going to be lighter and his hair not as messy.
"Ba. Ba. Ba," Juliette said as drool dripped down her cheek.
"Harry is waiting for you all in the library," Daphne told her. "I have these two if you want to go in."
"You are such a life saver, Daphne," Hermione said.
"I don't mind," the dark hair young woman responded.
Hermione made her way from the nursery, down the stairs and through the long hall below the family rooms to the library. Inside she found Sirius, Remus, Tracey and Harry around a large table. It made the place look crowded as it was one of a half dozen such tables. All the rune and Wizengamot projects he had them working on were spread throughout the room.
"Don't everyone all greet me at once," she said jokingly as she stepped up to the table.
"Hey, little sis," Harry said giving her a sideways hug.
She huffed at him. It didn't matter that he was a good half foot or more over her. She was a little on the shorter side anyways.
"I am older," she reminded him.
"And I keep telling you I will remind you of that someday," he cheekily said back.
Most around the table chuckled. "Hello, Hermione. It's good to see you. No Juliette or Blaise?" Sirius asked.
"Juliette is with Daphne and Felix and Blaise is working today," she said. They didn't need to know he was actually working with Theo at the Quibbler. She loved her boy, but for a Slytherin he really didn't have much ambition now they were making some changes to the Wizengamot.
"Ah, I see that Xeno pulled him in as well. Good," Harry said.
"Hello, Hermione. I hope Juliette is well?" Tracey asked.
"Very. She is crawling everywhere," Hermione said a little exasperatedly.
"They do that as they get older," Sirius said rather knowingly.
"Oh, hush," Hermione snarked back. "Now, what is this about, Harry?"
"This," he said expansively as he waved his arm over the large blueprints on the table.
She cocked her head, unsure what she was looking at first. "A new building or something from Camelot?"
"You are looking at the Ward Weaving Guild of Mosedale," Remus told her.
Her brow rose. As she looked, she realized it was an expansive building that curved. The front face was two stories of marbled columns and capped by a third of windows. There were gargoyles and other coats of arms and such on the top of the columns. It looked like an elaborate façade that was better for an eighteenth century palace than a guild building. "A little ostentatious, isn't it?"
"Well, it wasn't supposed to be, but the new Gringotts branch kind of rose the ante," Sirius said in a serious tone.
She looked up. Tracey answered her question. "They are going to build it on the main square right across from Gringotts."
"Oh," she said. She looked back down at the building. "How many are you expecting to work for you?"
"No clue, but this will easily accommodate workshops, libraries, offices and vaults for hundreds," Harry replied.
"He doesn't go by halves," Sirius put in.
Remus chuckled. "This is more than that. How much is all this going to cost?"
"Enough," Harry said. "Tracey, do you want the star rooms to be here or in an observatory on the mountain?"
Harry flipped a few of the long pages to show a small observatory on the roof with a few rooms below it designated for the girl. Tracey's eyes gleamed. "You are giving me all this?"
"If we are going to be as busy as I think, you will need it. I am not planning to cover just Britain," Harry said. "I actually plan to run all my enterprises from here."
"There are three star rooms," Tracey just about squealed.
"Yeah, well, someone has convinced me how important astronomy and astrology are," Harry told her.
"You said libraries?" Hermione questioned.
He grinned at her. "I have three planned. One for runes, one for the potions and herbology division and the last for you and Tracey."
Hermione looked up at him as he pointed out rooms across from the ones given to Tracey. "Me?"
"Well, I figure that I will need a department of Solicitors and arithmancers, so why not?"
Remus chuckled at the greedy look in her eyes. "Harry, I'm still years away before I could take over my own practice," Hemione reminded him.
He shrugged his shoulders. "So? If things go well, I will be certified for my Mastery by Christmas next year. That is when the guild will be opened."
"With ambition like that, why not take over the world?" Sirius teased.
"Nah, I'll leave that for Daphne," he said.
Most chuckled.
"Harry, this is all too much," she told him.
"Maybe, but this is mine and Daphne's dream. I was just hoping you would all just come along," he said looking up at her. "The greenhouses are going to be expanded to account for everything we found at Camelot. Neville can't keep up with the demand we think there will be, so Daphne and him are going to go in on a joint venture. She starts her potions apprenticeship in the fall with Slughorn. On the ground floors, here, will be the main commercial potion labs. They think they will have to employ a dozen or more, and not to mention the twenty or thirty they plan for the greenhouses."
"Merlin, Harry, when did you dream this all up?" Tracey asked.
He shrugged. "A few years ago. It's just grown a bit bigger than originally thought," he replied.
Hermione hugged him. "This is all wonderful. What do you need from me?"
"To say yes that you will be a founding member of the guild, make sure everything is to your specification and then get your mastery in the next few years. I need a full master to certify each division. With Neville getting his Herbology, Daphne Potions, Tracey Astronomy, me Runes, you Arithmancy and to get your solicitors licence, we can get this off the ground. I'll look for a few other masters, but it's going to happen, Hermione," Harry told her.
"Are you sure you aren't trying to take over the world, pup?" Sirius asked.
"Not today," Harry replied cheekily.
-oOo-
August 2, 1999
Wiltshire, England
Harry walked down the path of the old countryside manor house. It was a crushed white marble that contrasted drastically with the green lawns, bushes and flowers. Where most of the old supporters of Tom and the Blood Supremacist has lost most of what they had, the Malfoy's had been able to avoid some of it because Lucius Malfoy had been killed before Parkinson had called the blood feud and then Draco and Narcissa fled the country.
He knew they didn't escape unscathed, losing about half their wealth, but it still put them well above most others, and he heard that Narcissa had managed the money well and even increased the fortunes in the last few years.
As a white peacock called out, Harry made a face. The birds were just as flashy as he remembered the elder and younger Malfoys to be.
Harry was here on business today. Draco had requested an audience with him, and Harry had agreed to come to Draco. It should have been the other way around, but Harry would give his old nemesis this small advantage. Especially since he didn't want Malfoy anywhere near Potter Green or his family.
At the door he pulled on the rope for the old bell. It rang inside the house, and he waited a few minutes for the door to open. A house elf opened the door. "Whose be calling at the House of the Malfoys?" the elf asked in her squeaky voice.
"Scion Potter-Greengrass to see Scion Malfoy," Harry said.
The elf gave him a small bow and Harry returned it, much to the elf's surprise. Harry had to supress a chuckle. He would always be courteous to the little beings, even if it still surprised most of them. "Follows Abbey, sir."
"Thank you, Abbey," Harry said.
Abbey gave him another odd look. Harry stifled a sigh. The poor elf didn't look abused, like Dobby had, but she didn't seem to know what kindness was either.
The Malfoy home looked like a mid-eighteenth century manor with the old English oak and ash panelling, furniture and decor. The main atrium was lavishly decorated, but there were some places where some of the wealth was obviously missing, like the table that had a shadow where a vase used to be, or the wall that was not faded where a painting must have hung for years.
Abbey walked him under the grand staircase, through a set of double doors and into a hallway that went the width of the house. There were signs here and there that the Malfoys had to dispose of some of their wealth as he was walked to a study at the end of the hallway.
Inside it was all dark wood, book shelves, a large fireplace and a huge mahogany desk. Standing at the tall windows that looked out onto the back gardens, the blonde ponce was standing with his back turned to Harry. He was in a rather older fashioned suit, with his vest on and robes thrown over his chair.
Harry thought this interesting since he had worn robes with his house crests on them for this meeting.
"You can take a seat if you want, Potter. Abbey, get him a drink," Draco said.
"Yes, Master Malfoy," Abbey squeaked. "What would the Scion Potter-Greengrass want?"
"Tea will be fine," Harry said. He took one of the comfortable chairs before the desk and waited for Malfoy.
He didn't have to wait long. "My father used to keep the most uncomfortable chairs for those he would entertain in here. I think he used to think it showed how much better he was than others."
Harry leaned back in the chair. "Well, I'll have to thank you for putting these in. They are rather nice. It's Potter-Greengrass, by the way."
"I heard. Congratulations," Malfoy said.
"Thank you," Harry replied.
"Listen, I know what we used to be. I used to be a jerk. Can't say I'm not still, but Durmstrang, being exiled from your own country and having to learn how to handle finances can give you a different perspective," Malfoy said.
"You were a right arse and still seem to be one," Harry replied. It wasn't exactly him being diplomatic, like Daphne had wanted him to be, but Malfoy didn't seem to want that.
Malfoy turned around with a small smirk on his face. "Glad to see nothing has changed, Scarhead."
"I hate that name," Harry gruffed.
"Why do you think I used to call you that, though I don't see the scar anymore," Malfoy commented.
"Well, that was a while ago," Harry snarked back.
Abbey came in and put a tea set down. Draco took the seat behind his desk. He took the saucer and cup without comment when Abbey held it out for Draco.
"A little milk and one sugar," Harry said to Abbey.
Malfoy rose an eyebrow at Harry when he went to sip his. "You trust me to not do anything to the tea?"
"I figure if you do, then I have enough allies to see you and your mother buried a dozen times over before anyone is the wiser," Harry replied.
"Touché," Malfoy said back.
"Thank you, Abbey. It's perfect."
Abbey gave him an uncertain smile before leaving them.
The two rivals looked at each other over the large desk for a few minutes before Malfoy said, "I'm sure you want to know why I called you here."
"The thought crossed my mind," Harry replied.
"I know that Bones is your regent and her and Greengrass are the core of your alliance, but everyone knows it's you and Daphne that are really pulling everyone's strings," Malfoy said.
"And what makes you say that? There are forty-seven Houses in our alliance. There is no way I could control all of them and if you have looked at the Wizengamot over the last few years you know that we don't always agree or vote together," Harry said.
"When it comes to important matters that I know you, Granger, Greengrass and Longbottom support, you do," Malfoy said.
Harry sighed and put his cup on the table. He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees and looking at Malfoy. "Listen, I can get that you still think of us as we were in Hogwarts, but we all graduated over a year ago. Hermione is Thatcher-Granger. My wife and I are Potter-Greengrass. Either call us by our given names or our last names if you want to go any further in this conversation."
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. After a moment he put his own tea cup down. "I will accept those terms."
"Good. So, what is it you want?" Harry enquired.
"You always were a Gryffindor, charging right in," Malfoy said back.
"Well, the Sorting Hat was about to put me into Slytherin until I told it not too. You have yourself to blame for that one," Harry said.
Malfoy blinked. Then he snorted. "You are not a Slytherin."
"Some would say otherwise with my ambitions and resourcefulness. Not every Slytherin espouses all the values of that house. Anyways, you've been at Durmstrang. Isn't that place worse?" Harry asked.
Malfoy gave a small smile. "I know the reputation of Durmstrang, but it's not actually as bad as it is said to be. Yes, we learned the Dark Arts and their counters, but also statecraft, an appreciation for physical activity and how to govern. There are reasons that many of the greatest politicians, and Dark Arts practitioners, have come from there. The Dark Arts are not as bad as most think."
Harry frowned. "I'll take your word for it. So, you are some great politician now that has been given his seat back. What does that mean for me and mine?"
"I intend to support you," Draco said.
Harry blinked a few times. "What?"
Draco smirked. "Just as eloquent as always."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean you intend to support me?"
"Just as I said. You want to change some of the foundations of the Wizengamot and the Ministry. I agree with those goals, but maybe just not in the way you and Croaker want," Malfoy said.
Harry knew there had to be a catch. "And what do you want?"
"To make every seat a hereditary seat. None of this temporary voting in the rabble. I also want to see a tiered voting system," Malfoy told him.
Harry snorted. "None of that will happen. Have you seen the reports from the Unspeakables?"
"Yes. I also know Thatcher-Granger is the true brain behind that. It is stronger for the covenants, seals and wards to have a family line. Do you also want the everyday wizards voting? They won't know what they want," Malfoy countered.
"I'm not sure. It works well in the No-Maj world," Harry said.
"I know about the Muggles. Frankly, they scare me, Pott... Harry. I saw what a cannon can do when we were out in Serbia. There isn't any magic I know of that can do that," Draco said. "I want in on Mosedale or another wizarding settlement. I am willing to invest. But I want a return."
"You want the Wizengamot in your hands," Harry shot back.
"I want to make sure we stay in power and that our society lives on. That is all that my father and mother wanted, and I have seen what happens when wizards forget who they are. I can understand why we need to marry Muggleborn and Half-bloods now. I even accept it and am looking for a nice Half-blood. But to lose our society? Who we are? Everything that it is to be a wizard? I can't accept that," Draco hotly said. "I'll give you what you want on the Wizengamot if you support our culture."
Harry sat up and leaned back into the chair. This was expected and unexpected at the same time. "Why me? Why would you ask me about this?"
Draco gave him an unimpressed look. "We know what you are doing with Mosedale. There are rumours of other places, but I think it is more you trying to sound out where to make it. As far as I know there are probably thirty-thousand of us in England. The Unspeakables think our numbers will grow as the old lines refresh themselves. Mosedale, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade won't be large enough to contain everyone. You will need a few more settlements and fiefdoms."
"Ah, you want your own fiefdom," Harry said, understanding Draco now.
"I want a place that we can be safe from the Muggles," Draco said. "I don't care if I am the lord of it or not."
Harry was really curious what Draco had seen to spook him so much. The young man had been so certain that wizards were far superior to No-Maj's before. Harry was thinking about Serbia and the fighting the last few years in the No-Maj papers… "You were in Serbia?"
Draco frowned. "Not something I want to think about, but yes."
"Why?"
"A school expedition to look for dragons and other magical creatures. We got caught in the middle of a rebel fight in a forest. A Muggle gun punched a fist sized hole through a classmate's chest. It went right through his shield," Draco said.
Yep, that would do it. "Right. At the next Wizengamot meet we will be voting on the proposals. I am not going to change anything. I am going to put in an amendment to establish more settlements. I don't think any will be as large as Mosedale or Hogsmeade, but they could be." He wouldn't hint at Camelot yet. They weren't ready for the world to know or for the city to come back to life. He wasn't sure they ever would be with some of the secrets there.
"I will be suggesting a committee to determine candidates for the new settlements, and even to change the charter of Hogsmeade. I am starting a guild. To give the settlements the best wards, I need a family or a council to tie the wards too. It will be like the Wizengamot wards, strengthened over time by the shared magic of those that serve the settlement. They will also be intention based, so that if anyone gets ideas of ruling them like a kingdom, they will have terrible things happen to them," Harry said.
Draco nodded. "If you can get me a good word on the committee then I will have my father's old voting block supporting you."
Harry thought of that for a few. "I don't want to influence anyone."
Draco snorted. "Please. Like I said, you and Daphne and your friends are the core of the alliance that is leading the Wizengamot. If you say you really want something it will happen. If you want to play politics, you have to give and take."
"And will you make an oath if I make one to support you?" Harry asked.
Draco took out his wand. "I want to come out ahead in every deal, but I will not do it the way my father did."
Harry looked amused. Considering how much Draco always used to rely on his father for his power, the blonde ponce had done some growing up. He didn't come off as the pampered rich boy that would cry if he didn't get his way. He actually seemed to have a backbone now.
"Careful, Draco, I would almost think you a Gryffindor with an action like that," Harry said with a smirk.
Draco glared at him. "Are we doing this or not, Pot… Harry? If we are, I have some meetings to call and to get things moving for the fall meet."
"I would like to agree upon the oaths before we are so rash," Harry said with some amusement.
Draco rolled his eyes. Some of the old boy was still in there. "Well, of course we are going to do that."
They spent the next few hours going over what they wanted, where they could meet on their goals and making the wording of the oath. Harry was incredibly careful to make sure it would not cost their magic, just a lot of pain for a few minutes for the one that broke them.
-oOo-
September 1, 1999
Hogwarts, Scotland
Dani was laughing at Cordi as her face screwed up. Wizarding candies were fun, but nothing beat sour balls. "Ugh, that's awful," one of her two best friends said as she spit it out.
Gwen was laughing. "She did the same thing to me over the summer when I went to visit."
"I wish I could have," Cordi said.
"You were in Spain and then Portugal for a month, so Gwen and I needed something to keep ourselves busy," Dani told them.
As she talked with her friends, she looked around the common room. She had gotten quite used to being towards the centre of the room and the prime seats by the fireplace when Daphne was here. Astoria had been able to claim the same spots when she wanted last year, but a new power play was underway as she eyed a group of sixth years on the couches before the fireplace. She understood she was only a fourth year, but she was the cousin of Harry and Daphne, arguably the two most powerful figures in the school in the last fifty years.
Dani wanted that.
She wanted the spot.
She was just unsure what Astoria wanted. As family, she wouldn't interfere with this year's Head Girl or her group. She knew the sixth year group would move if Astoria wanted, but anyone else would have to earn the spot. Eyeing it, she figured she was daring enough and had enough power to get it back.
Harry and Daphne had made sure she knew all the members of their alliance and the children here. There were still six others left, not to mention three new first years, but she had to leave them out of it. If they wanted to ride her coat tails once she was established, then they could.
After learning how Daphne and Harry had projected their power, she was certain she could do the same. She was not a weak witch. Far from it. She was also the Slytherin house seeker, the best in the school. Not to mention one of the top in their Defence classes and charms. She found she wasn't as good in Runes as Harry, but she was good in arithmancy. On the whole, she was ranked fourth in their year. Thinking about that rankled her. She wanted to be at the top.
Gwen shared a look with Cordi. "We know that look," Gwen commented.
"What look?" Dani asked.
"You want to sit by the fireplace," Cordi said.
"It is rather nice in the winter," Gwen said longingly. Her friends had gotten used to it as well.
"It is," Dani agreed, looking at the group.
Her friends looked at her for a moment. "Do we need our wands?" Gwen asked.
Dani frowned. "I won't step over Astoria if she wants to be at the top this year."
"She's already Head Girl, of course she's on the top," Cordi commented.
"Not necessarily," Dani said. "She never wanted to rule over the pit like Daphne."
Gwen snorted in mirth. "She didn't rule over it, Daphne was the viper pit. No one would challenge her or Harry."
Dani smiled. "They won't challenge me once I get there."
The door to the common room opened and they turned to see Astoria walk in with Eric and Amanda, the seventh year prefects. Most around the room quieted immediately as Astoria stopped in the middle of the common room. It took a moment for the entire room to quiet. A small group of first years, that hadn't gone to bed right away, were the last to stop laughing as they realized something was going on.
"As Head Girl, I wanted to say welcome back to the House of Slytherin. I want a quiet year as I intend to keep my top grades and make Outstandings in the eight NEWTS I am going for. If you all behave, don't bother me and my friends, and do well by the House of Slytherin, there won't be an issue. For any of the younger years, my door will always be open. For the older years, you don't want me stepping in to resolve your issues," she warned.
"The House rules are posted on the wall, like they are every year. Learn them. Abide by them. I will promise you that if I have to deal with any major issue, any bigotry, any issues between houses outside of normal rivalry, you will not like it. For those that remember my brother-in-law, I was trained by him and the Head of the DMLE to use my wand and other weapons. If I have to deal with you instead of Professor Slughorn, you won't like it."
Astoria stopped and looked around the room. There was no doubt she was the head of the snakes this year, but she didn't seem to want it.
"Any questions?"
An adventurous third year spoke up. "Aren't you supposed to report us to Professor Slughorn?"
Astoria turned to the boy and gave him a small smile. "I will. Just don't be surprised if no one knows why you just got an upside down view of Hogwarts from the Astronomy tower before Professor Slughorn finds you."
Dani knew Astoria usually liked to joke around, but Dani had to admit that she felt a little cowed by the young woman that she thought of as another cousin. There wasn't another word said.
Astoria nodded at her and her friends. A gesture not missed by anyone and one that sent Dani's heart soaring. Astoria didn't want to be the queen of the vipers. Dani had the opportunity to try for it this year. She wasn't sure if anyone had been queen for four years in a row. The thrill of the prospect just about had her salivating. She wanted to be as powerful as her cousin. Then she wanted to be a Quidditch star before settling down.
Astoria, her betrothed and her best friend all walked towards the dorms. As soon as they disappeared, murmuring broke out in the room. Dani knew she wasn't the only one looking at the couches.
Gwen smirked while Cordi looked a little unsure. "We're going to make the play, aren't we?" Gwen asked.
"Was that a question?" Dani said with determination in her voice.
"I better practice my healing spells and ask Professor Slughorn to teach me how to make Dittany Cream," she said.
Dani smirked. "We won't move tonight."
"Tomorrow?" Gwen questioned.
"Maybe. I want to make sure that when we move, we have the support. I think we should go talk with Missy Fletcher," she said, looking towards a group of four fifth year girls.
Cordi looked a little impressed. "That is a bold move."
Missy Fletcher was the daughter of one of the other neutral coalition heads. If she could get Fletcher and crew on her side, they would have a strong core to at least head off the other girls.
"Well, Harry said you have to risk things to gain something," she said.
Gwen shook her head. "Maybe you should have been a Gryffindor. You really don't get subtlety, do you?"
"When I need," Dani replied. She knew it wasn't really her style, but she could be a true Slytherin when she needed to be. As it was, she was going to be rather resourceful in gathering a few allies that she had been cultivating the last few years with Daphne's and Astoria's guidance.
Who knows? The alliances she makes now may help her someday when she takes her Wizengamot seat. Harry said she was free to do as she wanted.
"Either way I knew it was a good thing to make friends with you," Gwen said.
-oOo-
June 23, 2002
London, England
"Felix! Quinn! Slow down," Harry called after the two boys. His godson was now six, while his eldest was three.
Sirius chuckled as the boys stopped. Quinn had grabbed Felix's shirt to hold him back. "We have to wait for our dads."
"You and Erica are about the only ones that Quinn listens too," Sirius told him.
Harry grinned. "He knows not to upset me. He listens to Daphne too."
They caught up with the boys, who started to run again towards the reptile house. "I want to see the lizards," Felix told them.
"Unless you two want to push these, you need to slow down," Sirius told their sons.
Harry and Sirius were pushing the latest additions to their families. Primrose was just shy of six months, and Regulus was about four months. They had been at the zoo for hours now so both were sleeping as Sirius and him waited for their sons to drop. Felix was starting to look tired, but he enjoyed the zoo too much to admit defeat.
"Yeah, come on dad, the lizards," Sirius said a little cheekily.
Harry shook his head. "You just like me talking to the snakes and having them all up."
Sirius shook. "Yeah, that is still a little creepy, no matter how much I hear you talk parseltongue."
"Doesn't bother Daph," Harry said with a wink.
Sirius regarded him for a moment before taking on grin. "You don't mean…?"
Harry grinned. "You want to see someone come apart, nothing better," Harry said.
Sirius gave out a guffawing laugh.
A young couple with a small girl held the door open as they made it to the reptile house. Quinn and Felix ducked in while Harry thanked the couple and held the door open for Sirius.
Inside, the two boys already had their faces pressed against the glass of an exhibit with a huge Komodo dragon. It's tongue went in and out of its mouth as it sat under a heat lamp. "That is a big lizard. Sure it's not a dragon?" Sirius questioned.
"It's not. No magic in them," Harry replied.
Felix giggled, then ran to the next window. He stopped and started to jump to want up to see inside it. Harry came up behind him. "What do you say?"
"Please? I want to see," Felix said.
Harry smiled and lifted the small boy. Felix put his hands on the lip of the frame to pull himself up more. Harry could just see a snake hiding below a hollowed log. "What is it?" Felix asked as he looked around the cage.
"Under the log," Harry said as he looked at the sign. "It's a king snake."
Felix leaned over, a smile coming to his face. "Can you talk to it?"
"I'll see if it's up," Harry said. Hello, friend. Are you up?
The snake shifted and after a moment it's head peeked at them. A Speaker. Are you the one the others talk about?
Most likely. We come here a few times a year, Harry replied.
Hello, little snakey. I like your black scales, Felix suddenly said in a very distinctive hiss and spit.
Harry's eye brow rose. Felix had not shown this talent yet. Harry had no clue when he had started to talk to snakes, but he knew he had been much older.
"Bloody hell," Sirius muttered.
"Daddy, mummy says you shouldn't use that language," Quinn said as he reached up to Sirius to pick him up so he could see in the exhibit too.
The snake shifted and poked its head out. A little speaker. I won't be as bored here as I thought I would be.
Do you eat mice? Felix asked.
I do, the snake said.
Felix looked to concentrate for a second before a rock in the cage suddenly morphed into a mouse. Harry's mouth dropped open. Quinn clapped while Sirius looked wide eyed at Felix. The snake hissed happily before moving to strike. The mouse, huddling down and shaking in fright, as though it knew it was in a dangerous situation, looked frantically around. When it saw the snake ready to strike, it squeaked, then started to run.
The snake was fast, and after two quick strikes it pulled back and curled up as its venom did its work on the small grey mouse.
Thanks, speaker.
Felix clapped his hands, all happy with himself.
"Bloody hell, pup. He's going to be as scary as you," Sirius said.
"How about another?" Quinn asked, looking on at the situation interested.
"And the Black side shouldn't worry me as well?" Harry asked. "Perhaps we should move on?"
"Yeah. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," Sirius readily agreed.
They shuffled the boys through the mostly empty reptile house. It wasn't until they were outside and heading towards the gates that Sirius asked, "Are you going to tell Daphne?"
"Uhm, I think she needs to know. But that was intentional magic. Felix hasn't done that yet," Harry told him.
"Oh, good. I just thought I missed something," Sirius said.
"You do, but not this time," Harry said.
Sirius hit his arm. "Berk."
"I thought mummy didn't want you using that language," Harry said with a cheeky grin.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Not you too. Traitor."
Harry laughed before turning his attention back to Felix, who was starting to lag. Harry stopped to pick him up and Quinn held onto the side of the pram with his baby brother.
-oOo-
A/N: This pretty much brings the story to the end of the main plot points I had for all this time. I would like to thank everyone for the journey it has been. An epilogue will follow.
Again, thank you for all your support.
WolfgangNH
-oOo-
Next time on the House of Potter-Greengrass: Epilogue
