Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
This time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: The Black's grow stronger, things don't go Dumbledore's way and the first dominoes fall at the Ministry.
-oOo-
Chapter 10-oOo-
March 7, 1998London, England
Harry made sure Daphne was sitting before he took his seat. He sat between them on one side of the conference table in Ted's offices. Ted sat at one end of the table and another solicitor sat at the other. Andi and Hermione were in chairs behind them. Across from them was Narcissa.
"Good morning, everyone," Ted said. "Everyone present understands what we are here for?"
There were nods around the room.
"Reginald, if you would read the petition?" Ted asked.
"Of course. My client, Madam Narcissa Malfoy, would first like to thank the Regent Black, the presumptive Heiress Black and the Solicitor of Note for the Blacks for the opportunity to hear this petition," Solicitor Reginald Portree said. "She would also like to state there are no hard feelings or animosity for disowning Regent Draco Malfoy from the House of Black after he broke house rules and neutrality after he was defeated in fair combat."
Harry inclined his head. He hated this, but Andi had been adamant the proper forms would need to be followed. Daphne sitting tall like any pureblood lady encouraged him. "The House of Black is pleased to have Madam Malfoy before us today. There is no hard feeling or animosity towards Madam Malfoy and recognizes that her regent's actions were his own."
"Thank you, Regent Black," Narcissa said.
"The Madam Malfoy has a petition to the Head of the Blacks?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Regent Black. Madam Malfoy's petition is as such," the solicitor said. He cleared his throat as he held up the parchment. "Madam Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, formally requests from the Regent Harry James Potter-Black to be once again recognized as Narcissa Black.
In payment for this privilege, Madam Malfoy will renounce the house of her late husband, Lord Lucius Malfoy. This will include all monetary, heirlooms and possessions not specifically gifted to Madam Malfoy through the betrothal and marriage contracts when she was joined to her late husband, or any gifted to her with the expressed intention that they would legally belong to Madam Malfoy in perpetuity.
In exchange for payment, Madam Malfoy requests the use of her maiden name of Black, to be accepted into the House as a senior member and to be able to represent the House of Black in the Regent's and future Lord's stead when he is incapable or has determined it to be her responsibility. If such services are determined, Madam Malfoy will request a stipend to support her efforts and standards of living to supply the support requested.
If required, Madam Malfoy is willing to make an oath binding her to the House of Black until such time she is married, or the regent and future lord decides she no longer represents the House of Black.
Will Regent Harry James Potter-Black accept this petition?" Reginald finished.
Harry regarded Narcissa for a moment. He was thankful to have his notes before him. "As Regent Black, I will accept this petition. I would require Madam Malfoy to renounce her husband house this day, the seventh of March, and accept the contract that was presented to her on the first of March. If she accepts the responsibility of representing the interests of the House of Black on the Wizengamot and within society, I will grant a ten-thousand galleon a year stipend, the use of Grimmauld Place or Black Keep and access to further funds and investments as a senior member of the Blacks. Is this acceptable?"
Andi nodded her head that he had done it right and Daphne sat a little taller, obviously pleased with the way he was comporting himself.
The solicitor looked to Narcissa. She demurely bowed her head. She rose her wand. "From this day forward, I renounce the name of Malfoy. No longer will I defend the House of Malfoy against any and all that would look to use or bring harm the Malfoys. Its regent and future Lord is no longer my regent. As required by earlier oaths, I am bound to protect secrets specifically named by the previous Lord Malfoy and the current Regent. From this day forward, I will not be bound to any future secrets the current or future regents or lords shall instil in me.
As Narcissa No-Name, I will accept the offer of Regent Black. I will vow to represent the interests of the House of Black and the Head of the House. I will defend the House against any and all that would look to use or bring the Blacks harm. I will accept Regent Black, the future Lord, and Heiress-presumptive as my future Lord and Lady of Black. I will keep any and all secrets of the house, especially those deemed secretive by the current and future regents or presumptive heiresses."
Her wand had started to glow blue as she stated her oaths and finished with a white light as she renounced the House of Malfoy.
Harry rose his wand. His wand started to glow blue and Narcissa's responded with the same glow. "I, Harry James Potter-Black, Regent Black, hereby accept Narcissa No-Name into the House of Black. I accept her vow of fidelity to my House. From this day forward, she is allowed to claim her birth name as her own again. All family and specifically declared secrets will be considered secret in perpetuity and only to be given to those not of Black blood without permission of myself or my presumptive heiress. If you accept these bonds, then you will be known as Narcissa Black from this moment forward."
"I accept my regent's bond," Narcissa said. Both wands flashed with a blue light at the tips.
"Very good," Ted said. "Madam Black, if you would just sign the documents I have lain out on the table, I will ensure Gringotts has your new accounts established today."
Narcissa nodded. After a few minutes, she looked up. "Are we done with the pomp and show?"
Andi laughed behind her. "I thought you liked all this pomp and show?"
Narcissa snorted. "I'm not Aunt Walburga or father."
Harry was already loosening the collar of his robes. "Merlin, I hate all this."
"You look rather handsome," Daphne said, taking his hand.
"If we are done, can we talk about the Wizengamot?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, please. I am eager to sit back in that pit of vipers," Narcissa said a bit sarcastically.
Harry chuckled. "If I didn't know better, I would say you enjoy it."
"Yes, well, that is something I would never admit," Narcissa said back cooly.
"Come off it, Cissy. I see how you enjoy putting people into place when they disagree with you," Andi said.
Narcissa had a coy smile. "Yes, that is entertaining. As to what you would like to discuss, Hermione, I assume this is about destroying my son and the minister?"
Hermione had a grin that would send a shiver up Harry's spine if he didn't know he was safe from it. "That is one of the items."
"Good. I am not pleased with my spawn and would like to see him humbled," Narcissa said. "As for Fudge, he has mostly dug his own grave with the latest hearings and pardoning Draco."
"Yes, the Potter seat is going to be calling for a vote of no confidence next week," Andi said.
"I want charges," Daphne stated. "Draco tried to kill me. He tried to kill my unborn child. Fudge pardoned him and denied Harry recognition of great deeds that should have seen him receive Orders of Merlin. I know you don't care for this, but if we want to bury them and the last of the houses that oppose us, you need to accept the credit, Harry."
Harry made a face. "I just want to fade away. If I have Andi and Narcissa push for this, what are the benefits? I don't really want to take up either of my lordships."
"There are many benefits," Narcissa said. "Look at how Dumbledore has used his fame in the last fifty years. I may not like the man, but you can't deny he had an outsized influence on our society. You are the new rising star and there will be a power vacuum when Fudge is deposed and we bring Dumbledore, my son and those that support the Malfoy name down."
"My sister is right, Harry. I know you don't like it, and you don't need to be a grand manipulator or head up anything, but I know that you and Hermione have wanted a more equal and legally minded society. This could be your chance. Push for it now. Use your influence, even if it is through Narcissa and myself, then you can step back and let others take up the cause," Andi said.
"You may never have another chance. I represent ten houses that are willing to break from the Dark Alliance and stand with me. The Potters and Blacks have been able to attract another fifteen houses. Twenty-seven houses is no small coalition. I am sure that some of the more light and neutral houses will vote with us as well," Narcissa pressed.
Daphne squeezed his hand. Hermione shifted her chair to put her head between them to properly join the conversation. "They are right Harry. We may never have a better chance," Hermione said.
He let out a long breath.
"You are my Regent Black. I will support any decision you make, but Andi and Narcissa can make yours and Hermione's dreams come true. I never imaged anything except what we have, but really like what I have seen of the Muggle world in the few weeks I have known you. The ideas the Muggles have can't be all that bad. I will convince my parents they need to support you," Daphne said.
After a long few moments, Harry nodded. "Fine."
"Excellent," Narcissa said. "The first things we need to do is the no-confidence vote. Then we will need to secure you the two Order of Merlins, first-class, you deserve…"
"…and then we will rule the world, Pinky," Hermione said a little cheekily.
Harry laughed, getting the joke. "Narf." Hermione laughed at him. "And here I thought you were humble."
"When I need to be. I don't really want to rule the world. Just change it for the better," Hermione said.
Daphne leaned her head in. Most of the others obviously didn't understand the joke. "Who is Pinky?" she asked.
Harry chuckled again as Hermione grinned. It was from a cartoon he had fallen in love with over the winter hols.
-oOo-
March 13, 1998Hogwarts, Scotland
After months of trying, Albus had to finally concede to Harry's wishes. They would have a meeting with Andromeda Tonks and her husband in tow. It was not what he wanted. Harry had drifted far from the light and what was needed of the hero of their world. It concerned him greatly, especially these feuds between him, the Malfoys, the Weasleys and now Fudge. The boy Albus knew would never have been so mean or cruel.
Albus knew he had made mistakes with Harry. Leaving him with his relatives, ignoring his pleas for help, especially his fourth and fifth year, not telling him sooner about the prophesy and excluding him from meetings and actions that he should not have. Albus had had good reasons though.
The Dursleys were his closest blood relatives and the only ones on his mother's side that were still alive. Albus firmly believed, and still did, that what saved Harry was a blood ritual from Lily Potter nee Evans. This meant the protection was tied to her blood line. Like all blood magics, it would fade over time without an anchor. Petunia had been the ideal anchor and it had protected Harry for fourteen years from Tom and his servants.
The reports over the years of Harry having issues at home from Arabella had seemed normal ways to raise a young child. He saw no need to visit Harry. Indeed, he thought it safer for him to avoid the chance of being followed or tracked to Harry's home. It wasn't until after the last task of the tournament, when Harry had returned bloody and beaten from his duel with Tom, that he learned some of the horrors the boy had experienced at his relatives. Many of the boys scars were obviously older and poorly healed from years previous. Albus had done an effective job of protecting Harry from without, but not from within.
That failure continued when he came to Hogwarts. Most of the teasing and jibes that Harry dealt with, Albus just thought it was character building. At his advanced age, he had forgotten how much an impressionable eleven year old and teen took things like that to heart.
Seeing Harry struggle and wanting the boy to enjoy some of life before his destiny crushed him had blinded Albus to the crushing weight his destiny was already having on Harry. It was why he avoided telling Harry about why Tom was hunting him, and many other things.
If he had told Harry, and perhaps had told the other members of the Order, perhaps Sirius wouldn't have died. Or even if he had still died, then this gaping wound that separated Harry and him may not have happened.
Reflecting on what could have been would do nothing to fix what needed to happen now.
For twenty-one months, since that first meeting after the DOM incident when Albus admitted to some of his mistakes, Harry had avoided him. He had become antagonistic and highly rebellious. Albus knew this was typical teen behaviour but had grown rather tired of it. Harry was more mature than that. He had to be. Harry's behaviour had made Albus rather short with Harry and he was now realizing that maybe he had been too heavy handed in dealings with the boy.
To fix this, he wanted a private meeting to reset their relationship.
He hated when those not directly involved knew his inner workings and plans.
Now that Harry had defeated Tom, Harry was needed to see the wizarding world into a new golden age.
Albus knew he was getting older. He was starting to feel it in his bones and magic. He didn't think he would go onto the next great adventure soon, but it could be a few short years off. Harry had to be his legacy and they had already lost almost two years to achieve it. How do you pass more than a hundred and twenty years of knowledge and teach someone to be as adept in politics as he was in just a few short years?
"Harry Potter. Andromeda Tonks-Black. Theodore Tonks-Black," the small gargoyle statue announced from over the door.
He wasn't sure what would be less antagonistic for this meeting, so put his quill into the pot and stood up to stand by the window. Perhaps if he seemed pensive it might have Harry drop his guard enough to get through to the boy. Well, the boy was more a young man now at eighteen.
A moment later the door to the office opened. He turned with a congenial smile. "Ah, right on time I see." According to the clock on the mantel over the fire they were three minutes early.
"I like to be early," Harry said.
"Then you are that, my boy. Would you like to sit? I can have tea and snacks brought in," he offered.
The three people that had entered his office did not look to want anything so congenial. Harry's face was rather emotionless. He had been able to increase his occlumency skills to the point Albus could no longer detect anything using passive legillimency. When Harry was angry, it still slipped out, but Harry was getting better.
Andromeda had the typical superior attitude of her birth house. She had fought it for many years, but something about Harry had changed her and Albus didn't think it was for the better. He could see anger in her eyes. That was a sure sign this would not be an easy meeting
Her husband, Ted, had also developed a hard exterior over the years. The once laughing and joking Hufflepuff Muggleborn had been replaced with a hard solicitor demeanour.
"We aren't here for tea. You asked my regent to have a meeting. I am here for the meeting," Harry said.
Albus fought the urge to retort. Harry had grown into a powerful mage. Even if he couldn't feel the boy's emotions, his magic was ready to lash out at him. "I am hoping to not be as antagonistic as we seem to be with each other as of late, Harry. Please, take a seat."
"Thank you, Albus," Harry said.
He had to admit that it irked him a little to not be properly addressed, but Harry had impressed that his titles were just as important as Albus's were to himself. "I saw that you made an announcement for when you and your betroths shall be married. Congratulations."
None of them looked impressed. "I'm not here for a social call. You said you wanted to talk. I am here to talk."
He let a sigh escape him this time. Sometimes it was worth it to let some emotions through. "I wished to talk to you and hopefully reset our relationship. I know it's been strained for a while, but in our last conversation, I intimated that I can be a great resource for you and help you understand our world and your place in it as a Wizengamot member and a Potter."
Harry snorted. It was not an amused type of snort.
Andromeda responded. "I have been tutoring Regent Potter and Black. He has a good understanding of his place in our world and, no thanks to you, now has a better understanding of his family and its influence."
"I am sure you have, Andromeda, but I have a much longer history and was friends with Harry's grandfather and great-grandfather. I actually served alongside Charlus and Errol Potter during the Great Wizarding War," Albus said, trying to find an angle that would give him a foot into the door. "I do have some interesting stories that you might like to hear, as well as insight into their politics at the time."
"Charlus Potter was my great-uncle. Errol Potter, my great-grandfather, left a journal that detailed his dealings with you, headmaster. Perhaps if you offered this years ago, I would have listened. I do not have the sense that my great-grandfather, or even my grandfather, were much enamoured with your politics," Harry said rather coolly.
Albus gave a warm smile. "I will not hide we had our disagreements, but we had common ground that helped to make our friendship a strong voice in our world."
"Andi, do I have to listen to this tripe?" Harry asked.
Albus tried to keep the irritation off his face. It had been this way since the fight in the DOM. "Harry, my boy, if you would just listen, I can help you understand what your family was trying to accomplish and what you stand for."
"I know what I stand for. Potter may be my family name, but I know little of the Potter family, Albus. A family, I might point out, that doesn't mean much to me besides stories and journals and grimoires. Perhaps if I had grown up leaning about them, I might feel different. I am making my own family and have my own politics," Harry replied, his eyes trying to mask his anger.
"Speaking of which, headmaster, I am still awaiting the documentation you promised that James and Fleamont Potter gave you access to private libraries and vaults," Theodore said. "Will that be forthcoming anytime soon?"
Albus had to keep from scowling. To achieve the 'Greater Good', sometimes it took any means necessary. Some of the Potters' knowledge had allowed him to defeat Grindelwald and hold off Voldemort in the last war. It didn't matter if he had achieved some of that knowledge through borrowed tomes or blood from various Potters.
"I assure you I had it. My word is enough," Albus replied.
"It is not, headmaster. The books recovered from your office last year were either reported stolen or placed into the Potter's family vaults. The goblins have not explained how you managed to obtain that access. Last my husband talked with them they were starting to suspect a thief. Do you want to be implicated with stealing from Gringotts?" Andi asked.
He knew Harry's accusation in the great hall last month was already placing him under pressure from others to understand if he had obtained some of his knowledge illegally. "I assure you that Erroll gave me full access to the library that once existed at Pottermore, and I was safeguarding the books from Godric's Hollow until Harry could come of age. I never removed anything from the Potter's vaults. I am not a thief."
"That is yet to be proven," Theodore stated.
"I am not a thief," he said rather forcibly. He hadn't stolen anything. Maybe borrowed, somewhat indefinitely, but he had all the intentions of returning everything when it was needed. Until then, Albus had need of them.
"Is there anything else, or are you going to drop another huge revelation on me? Is there another prophesy or anything else you are hiding? I swear if there is, Albus, and it hurts anyone I care about, I will hunt you down and rip you apart," Harry said.
The power from the boy was concerning. His hand went to his wand at the challenge. Since Harry had started to express his true power over the last year, the elder wand didn't feel the same. It was like it was fighting him and wanting to be claimed by Harry.
Harry's eyes didn't miss the movement. "Are you going to obliviate me, compel me or try the imperious me now that I'm not your pawn?"
"I worry about you Harry. You never used to be this angry or vindictive. If I didn't know better, I would say you are heading down a dark path," he said. How could the boy accuse him of such things?
"Harry is not going dark, headmaster. He is protecting his family and loved ones. If you ever had any, you might recognize the emotions," Andi snipped. "If this is all you wanted, this meeting is over."
"No, you can't leave. There is too much to talk about. I have years of knowledge that I would like Harry to have. He has to understand that our world is in great peril of disappearing and only he can save it," Albus told them. He felt a slight bit of panic at the way this was going.
Harry stood up. "Anything I would have wanted to learn from you was forgotten about the day my godfather died. You knew what Voldemort was after. You knew what was in my head. You knew how I could fight it, but you did nothing to help."
"Professor Snape attempted to give you lessons…"
"The arsehole mind raped me for two months before I finally found out why he hates me. I admit my father and Sirius were complete and utter shites to Snape, but I never knew my father, so how the bloody hell could I be like him! The occlumency lessons that Andi has given me has made my mind stronger, not open it more to the wanker that killed my parents!" Harry yelled.
"I have no clue who my parents really were. Everyone that did is dead or hates me. No one ever really told me about them. I spent most of my life thinking they were no good lay about drunks that whored themselves out and straddled my relatives with me. It was YOU that left me at my relatives! I spent ten years in a cupboard, starving and beaten nearly to death at times, not to mention being their slave while you sat in this cozy castle stealing my family's knowledge. I hate you. I hate you and want to see you dead. There is nothing in my life that is good that you ever had your hand in and if you put it back in, I swear I'll cut it off. Stay away from me, Hermione and Daphne. I assure you that any children I have will never go to this school, even if you aren't here. Andi, I'm done," Harry said in a disgusted tone.
"Harry, wait!" he said, getting up to follow him. Albus looked genuinely spooked, because in reality he was. Theodore and Andromeda both shot up, wands coming up and pointing at him. "Harry!"
Harry slammed the door behind him. It was so hard and his magic so unhinged that it rattled the tower and sent a few fragile glass ornament or instruments crashing down. Albus looked at them. "You have no idea how much that boy is needed right now. You have to convince him to talk to me. I have too much I need to pass onto him. He can't have that much hatred in his heart."
The cold eyes he got from both had Albus realizing that he may have gone too far in his Greater Good at the end of the Blood War and in recent years.
"You really don't see how much worse you are than the evils he has defeated in his life? Do you. Everything he has lost, all his suffering, it lays at your feet, headmaster. Harry will never meet with you again," Andromeda told him with absolute disgust. "I don't know what games you are still trying to play but you have done enough damage to him and his family. I swear if you keep bothering him, Harry won't have the chance to chase you down because I will end you myself."
She spun on her heels and followed the angry boy.
Albus closed his eyes. Where had things gone so wrong? He wasn't dark.
"Albus, here is the official notification that House Potter is pressing charges against you for Illegally obtaining family secrets, attempt at Line Assassination, usurpation of the Potter Line and being an accomplice and perpetrator to child abuse. I would recommend you obtain legal advice. The first hearing before the Wizengamot is in May," Theodore said.
Albus opened his eyes to see a large envelope placed on his desk.
"I would also seek legal advice for your actions and events at Hogwarts over the last seven years. Once the committee releases their full findings, you will have a lot to answer for."
"No one was seriously harmed, and I had everything under control. There is nothing for the Wizengamot to be concerned with," he said.
The angry glare the once affable Hufflepuff gave him had Albus thinking he might need a legal counsel, if not a bodyguard. "If I had known that Voldemort was here the last year my daughter attended then I assure you that nothing short of death would have prevented me from seeing you out of this school and all the professors before the Wizengamot. You had a bloody philosopher's stone in a school full of the next generation of witches and wizards guarded by traps that could have been deadly. You are lucky it was only one insane person out to get it. Could you imagine what it would have been like if others had come seeking the stone? If any of the children had died, you would have been strung by your balls in the middle of Diagon Alley. And that would have been the nicest way to go, because believe me if Andi had gotten you, it would have been more painful and public. Stay away from my family, which includes Harry and his young women."
The man took a few steps towards the door, his wand still pointing at Albus. "If that damnable prophesy hadn't been fulfilled that night You-Know-Who died, I would think you the dark lord. We checked once the Hall of Prophesies was rebuilt. Harry has told us everything," Theodore said to the surprise on Albus's face.
The door slamming that time wasn't enough to shake the tower, but it had a far greater effect on Albus than when Harry stormed out.
-oOo-
Daily Prophet
March 27, 1998FUDGE DEPOSED! First minister to be voted out of office in seventy-three years!
By Rita Skeeter
It is with a great deal of enjoyment that many proclaimed, "Down with the tyrant," as the Wizengamot took a vote of no-confidence in now former Minister Conelius Fudge. Your intrepid reporter, Rita Skeeter, has been reporting on Fudge's spectacular downfall since Harry Potter's deposition at the Department of Mysteries Committee.
News of the cover up of You-Know-Who's return, and the death of his followers was just the cover of the coffin of the previous minister. Revelations of corruption, summary executions and trial fixing have been but a few of the nails into his coffin.
The alliances led by Misses Andromeda Tonks and Narcissa Black were the spear tip of the former-minister's demise. They are also the main push for an arm length of charges that the man will stand against in May…
-o-
Harry grinned as he read the article.
"Blimey, remind me not to get your family upset," Neville said as he read the article and what Andi and Narcissa was seeking for retribution against the man.
"I find it funny that Draco took control of his house and allies to not even show up to vote," Harry said with a huge smile.
Daphne sniffed. "I'm sure he would have loved to see his mother again."
Harry chuckled. "You mean she would have loved to see him to rip his ballocks off too?"
"Do you have to be so crude?" Hermione asked, though she had a small smirk as she read the paper.
"I find it amusing," Susan said.
"Can we not talk about balls unless we are talking about Neville's?" Hannah asked as she spread marmalade on a muffin.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Neville said quickly.
"Never said you did. I just like your balls," Hannah said with a grin. Neville flushed a little, making Susan giggle.
Daphne just shook her head. "I'm not talking about your balls," she said dryly as Harry grinned like a loon.
"Not asking you too," Harry said.
"Good, mate. I really want to eat here," Neville said, earning a few more laughs from their group.
He was about to make a snarky comeback when he noticed a redhead making her way towards them. Harry hadn't said anything to her in months, but he could tell that she was coming for him with a letter in her hands. She still looked rather forlornly at him. Harry had moved on from her.
"Harry, Hermione, can I talk to you for a moment?" Ginny said.
Hermione looked up from the Daily Prophet. "Is this something you need to discuss in private?"
Ginny nodded. Harry kissed Daphne on the side of her head as they got up. Ginny found the first abandoned classroom she could. Once inside, she held out the letter. She looked upset.
"Should I be reading this?" Harry questioned.
"It's from Fred and George. You should know," she said.
Hermione took the letter. Ten seconds later she gasped, and a hand went to her mouth. Harry's worry meter spiked through the roof. "Hermione?"
"Ginny, when?" Hermione had looked up and stopped reading.
"A few days ago. Yesterday was the first time he talked," she said.
Harry had a sinking feeling. "Who are we talking about?"
"It's Ron. He woke up from his coma," Hermione said.
"Fuck," Harry muttered.
-oOo-
Next time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: Two weddings and a Weasley