The rise of the Black Rod
Chapter One: Nobody of consequence
A big bedroom, morning A curly red haired person is sleeping in a queen-sized bed. A large mahogany wardrobe, bookshelves and a desk decorate the room. It's decorated in late a nineteenth century style.
The sleeper stirs and the man looks at the time on the digital clock on the bedside table blearily. With a groan, an arm reaches out and takes a vial from a box of vials on the bedside table. The man sits up in his pyjamas, quaffs the vial with a shudder and pads off to his en-suite.
He returns, washed, wearing a towel and picks up the impressive letter from the desk, re-reads it, drops it and dresses, slowly in a grey morning-suit. Before his jacket he pulls on a shoulder holster. The last things he picks up are a cellphone, which he pockets, and a dark wooden wand, which he slides into the holster inside his grey jacket.
He leaves the room, and proceeds through a manor house with antiquities, paintings and windows giving a view over a damp, early spring estate.
He enters a small dining room and an elegant woman in her fifties wrapped in a house coat greets him "Good Morning Justin" she says brightly.
"Mother" says Justin, sounding a bit despondent.
"Justin, it's just a garden party. You're not expected to play polo or anything" says his mother.
Justin takes a plate and serves himself scrambled eggs and bacon from the sideboard dishes.
He sits down opposite his mother at the table and asks "Where's father?"
"In his study, there's apparently something going on with the Nikkei, and it requires attention"
"But father will be attending?" asks Justin, somewhat nervously.
"I don't understand you Justin. You were in a war; which you hardly told us about and that didn't bother you, but you're like a cat on a hotplate about this garden party."
Justin sighed, poured tea and ate his breakfast.
As he was finishing his breakfast, he idly looked at his empty teacup.
Justin stopped still, and slowly turned the teacup around, peering at the tea leaves in the cup.
"I don't even know what that is" he muttered.
His mother put down her newspaper "Justin, are you reading tealeaves?" she said, looking over her reading glasses.
"Apparently" said Justin, furrowing his brow and muttering under his breath.
"Do you... know how to read them then?"
"We covered it in class but I'm only acceptable at it" said Justin.
Justin's mother took off her glasses "Justin Finch-Fletchly, are you telling me you can tell the future by reading tea-leaves"
"Not often" said Justin. "I certainly can't use a crystal ball worth a damme."
His mother looked interested "Your people can actually tell the future?"
"It's often terribly ambiguous, and divination is inferior to prophecy, but only people who are seers can do that."
"There are real prophecies?"
"For some people" said Justin. "I'm going to have to go get one of my textbooks mother, don't disturb the cup."
"And can you read mine ?" his mother asked nervously.
"I suppose so, though I'm only right some of the time." said Justin,
Justin strode off, his mother musing "My son, the wizard can tell the future... who would believe it"
Justin returned five minutes later with a textbook, which he turned to a bookmarked section and started flicking pages.
"Hmm, definitely a crown" he said.
"Well you are going to their garden party" said his mother.
Justin made a moue "quite" he said drily.
"This is crossed wands. ... that means a magical burden." Justin's face fell and he frantically referred to his textbook "Well, the owl's inverted, so that's not bad news… and the gate means change, so it's probably not bad."
"So what does your teacup foretell?" asked his mother, somewhat enthusiastically.
"Interacting with the crown, a magical burden, change and news that isn't bad." said Justin.
His mother blinked "You knew some of that before you even drank the tea" she said.
"Well, I'll be forewarned that whatever happens today isn't dangerous" said Justin.
His mother stared at him "And what would you have done if it was?" she asked.
Justin pulled out his wand "Called for backup" he said.
"You can do that with your wand" she asked.
"I could call the Aurors; they're law enforcement, of a sort" said Justin.
"But you have to use fireplaces as telephones" she said drily.
Justin chuckled "Yes mother" he said.
"So what about my cup?" she asked.
Justin looked at the cup his mother passed him. "Hmm, nothing big … maybe … meeting a traveller."
Justin's mother looked at his suit critically. "You're not wearing your medal" she said.
"I'm not sure I should wear it… in public" he said.
"You were instructed to wear all honours young man, you go put your order medal on."
"Order of Merlin, second class" said Justin automatically.
"And what do people have to do to get a first class" asked his mother pointedly.
"More than I did" said Justin.
"You were in a war before you were even out of school. Whatever did your classmates do to get firsts" asked his mother.
Justin swallowed "It was the golden trio. Weasley, Granger and Potter. They fought the leader of the terrorists."
"And they all lived?"
"It looked like Harry Potter was dead for a while" said Justin.
"But he didn't..."
"It's complicated, mother" said Justin and left the room.
Ten minutes later, Justin reappeared with a silver starburst medal on a blue ribbon over his chest.
"Better" said his mother, looking up from her paper.
"How are we getting there" asked Justin.
"Well, not by fireplace" said his mother "We're taking the Bentley. Duncan's driving."
Justin nodded.
The door opened and a tall, somewhat portly man with brown hair entered wearing another grey suit. He wore a silvery sash under the jacket.
"Justin, Dot" he said and sat down.
"The Nikkei under control?" asked Dot.
"Some automatic trades started wobbling it. Had to pull some levers to get it steady." said Justin's father.
Justin's father poured himself some tea and looked at his son "You're wearing your medal, good. Should give the stewards fits. Serves them right"
After some newspaper reading, more tea and the departure and reappearance of Dot, this time in a elegant dress, they followed Justin's father out of the dining room, down the main hallway, and out onto the front drive of the manor. A grey Bentley stood waiting, all four rear doors open. A man in a dark suit with sunglasses stood by the door. Dot got in first, followed by the oldest man, with Justin last.
Duncan nodded to the passengers, closed the doors and got in. The Bentley started with a muted cough, and rolled sedately down the gravel drive to the main road.
…
The Bentley accelerated up the ramp onto the M1, and merged.
Other cars started to pass the Bentley and Justin's father spoke up "Time, Duncan."
The Bentley accelerated and started passing other cars, seemingly without any obvious limits to it's acceleration reserves, and certainly no noise.
...
The Bentley pulled into the driveway, stopping for a checkpoint manned by a soldier wearing a busby with an assault rifle strapped to his chest. After a quick exchange with Duncan, they were waved on.
The Bentley stopped at a gate to gardens, and the passengers disembarked. Justin's father slammed the door, slapped the roof, and the Bentley left.
A suited man stood by the gate, and he greeted Justin's father "Your Lordship, Your Ladyship" he said, bowing to the parents.
"Mister Finch-Fletchly" he said, then stopped, staring at the medal Justin wore.
"Justin got that in the recent unpleasantness" said Dot lightly, and they swept into the garden.
…
Justin wandered off and was looking at the slowly growing crowd of grey-suited men and women in dresses.
"Finch-Fletchly, is that you" asked a young, dark haired man who walked over in a grey morning suit.
Justin turned sharply to see the person.
"Its is you!" said the young man "Where have you been, I never saw you at Eton, and you're not at Cambridge" he said, then stared at the medal.
"I, ah, went to a special school" said Justin. "Dormer isn't it?"
"And you've copped a gong" said Dormer.
"How are your parents?" asked Justin.
"Well, pater's a little gouty, and mama spends half her time in Paris, but seriously, where have you been"
"I can't tell you" said Justin.
Dormer's eyes grew large "Bloody hell, you're one of those… some sort of secret agent eh?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny" said Justin.
"Cor" said Dorset. "So are you seeing anyone? Or are you off seducing oligarch's daughters for Queen and country?"
Justin laughed. "I'm… getting over this" he said, pointing to the medal.
"Gosh, were you injured?" said Dorset.
"Can't talk about it" said Justin.
"Well, do you fancy being our fourth for polo next week?" asked Dorset.
"I, ah, didn't learn polo at school, rather busy learning other things" said Justin.
Dorset tapped the side off his nose "Of course" he said. "Well, ah, nice catching up, do you want to come up next month for some shooting."
Justin winced "Not great with loud noises at the moment" said Justin.
"Blimey" said Dormer , who looked over and saw another young man in a grey suit. "There's Teynham, I must go see him, good to see you, Finch-Fletchly"
"Likewise" said Justin, relaxing.
Dormer walked quickly over to Teynham and anther man, and began telling them something that involved hand gestures, and pointing at Justin. Justin sighed. By tomorrow, all the lordlings would think he was some kind of James Bond.
He resolved to talk to only boring people for the rest of the party.
A few minutes later, a gold liveried steward approached him
"Lord Finch-Fletchly, If you would come this way please" said the steward.
Bemused, Justin followed the steward across the gardens, and into the building via a small side door with a very large electronic lock.
The steward picked up his pace and led Justin quickly down a few hallways to a padded door. The steward pressed a button and the light over the door came on moments later.
"Lord Finch-Fletchly, if you would step inside" said the steward, opening the door in to a medium-sized office, with a small, grey haired woman at a desk.
Justin walked in and bowed "Your highness" he said, nervously.
The woman at the desk changed her glasses. "Ah, Lord Finch-Fletchly" she said.
Justin stood very still.
"I have been informed that you have finished your magical education." said the woman.
Justin nodded.
"It has been many centuries since one of my barons was a wizard." she said.
Justin swallowed.
"I would hope you can now do something of service to me" she said.
"Yes maam"
"Please, sit" she said.
Justin practically collapsed into the nearby chair.
"Now, I have the Minster for magic, and they are the liaison with myself and my Prime Minister.
I would like to appoint you to be my representative in your wizen-gamot. It is a traditional role, although sadly vacant these last two centuries. So, Lord Finch-Fletchly, would you be my black rod to the Wizen-gamot?"
Justin tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry.
"The role is largely ceremonial, though you will be reporting directly back to me. I believe your Chief Warlock will continue to act as the speaker of your house; though as Black Rod you will open the proceedings and close them. Of course, you will be required to pass my messages back to your wizen-gamot. I have heard from the new minister that the terrorists have been either killed or apprehended."
"That is true" said Justin, thinking of the recent articles in the Prophet.
"I will be giving you a commission to oversee matters. I will not have wizarding Britain endangering my other subjects again. Do I make myself clear?" she said.
Justin nodded.
"Good. I think you'll find this is the rod you'll hold" she said, and pressed a button on the desk. A cabinet to one side of the room opened, and a vault-like door behind it spun open.
"Go and take up your rod of office, Black Rod" she said.
Justin stood up and nervously went over to the small safe. There, on a blue velvet cushion, sat a black ebony rod as long as Justin's forearm, and as thick as a wand, on one end was a golden lion.
Justin picked it up and to his surprise, felt a warm glow up his arm, and the rod's lion was suddenly crowned by a nimbus of silver light.
"Oh, how wonderful" said the queen. "Are you doing that, or is it the rod?"
"It's the rod Maam, It's like a magic wand, only rather bigger."
"Oh, really, do you have your wand with you?" she asked.
Justin reached into his jacket and pulled his real wand.
"Oh they are like a conductors baton" said the Queen. "Would you show me some more magic please?"
Justin thought for a second and cast "orcharareous" and a large bunch of flowers appeared.
The queen laughed "Oh excellent!" she said. "How long will they last?"
"Just like ordinary flowers" said Justin. "A couple of days"
"Well, Lord Justin you are definitely to do that magic every time you visit. I adore fresh flowers, and magically created ones, it's too good to pass up." The queen twinkled at Justin.
Justin spun his wand and conjured up a vase, filled it with aquamenti and put the flowers into it.
The queen boggled "And none of that will disappear with the morning dew?"
"No maam" said Justin.
"Does the rod work as a magic wand?" she asked.
Justin holstered his wand and swapped the rod to his right hand. He waved the wand and poked, and a tiny silver snuff-box appeared.
"It would appear so, maam" said Justin.
"And you can create infinite snuff-boxes?" she asked pointedly.
"No, I'd get very tired after a few more" said Justin.
"But you wizards can basically make anything you want?"
"Not our money" said Justin. "It's protected by the goblins, under the treaty".
The queen frowned "But you could make a gold snuff-box?"
"Gold is hard. Wizards can't make much per day." said Justin.
"But you can make it?"
"Any Wizard could vanish it easily. I believe the goblins have contributed something to the mint."
"It's plated?"
"It's conjured. Conjurations are easy to vanish."
"So wizards can't make gold?"
"There used to be a magical item that could. It was destroyed a few years back."
"A philosophers stone?"
"You're well-informed, Maam" said Justin.
"And there aren't more of them lying around?"
"It was a unique feat to create it. The wizard who did, died taking the secret with him." said Justin, feeling lucky to have spent Christmas with Hannah and Ernie, and having pumped Neville for all the golden trio stories he had.
"Lord Finch-Fletchly, you are the most candid wizard I have ever talked to" said the Queen.
"I am your obedient servant" said Justin.
The queen replied sotto voce "And you actually mean it."
She looked at the papers on her desk. "Well, as is traditional, I shall have to invest you a Knight Bachelor until you fathers unfortunate passing."
She stood, and Justin rapidly followed.
The door opened and one of the liveried stewards came in, carrying a sword. The sword was presented to the queen. She held it with difficulty, and said "Approach, Lord Finch-Fletchly."
Justin stepped closer and the steward indicated downwards, Justin took a knee.
The queen spoke up, while tapping Justin on both shoulders with the sword.
"I dub thee Sir Justin Finch-Fletchly, Black rod to the Wizengamot" she said, and handed the sword off. She rubbed her wrists. "I'm not a young as I was" she said conversationally.
Justin stood back up and the steward handed him a slim red briefcase that had been lying beside the desk.
"Your certificate, and insignia are in the case. My general instructions are, prevent a recurrence. An address to send dispatch cases to is in the case. Consider the case your dispatch case. You may want to put the rod in the case until you need it."
"Yes Maam" said Justin.
"We will make time in our schedule for you to inform us. I believe you can appear somewhere you know without using a car?"
Justin nodded. "If I've been there before, is best."
"I'll have you taken to Buckingham and Sandringham and Balmoral by Rolls this week. There is a salary, so you can devote your time to serving me directly."
"Yes Maam" said Justin again.
"Go with Thwaite, and he'll get you palace ID. It will keep the security johnny's happier, and my Guards recognise it too."
"Where's your security detachment, Maam?" asked Justin.
The queen smiled a small smile "My Aurors are already here, Sir Justin."
In the corners of the room, a couple of Aurors flickered into visibility, then back away.
Justin heaved a sigh of relief.
The queen looked at Justin oddly "You were worried about my safety?"
"Yes" said Justin.
"And you've just finished participating in a war yourself. What a remarkable young man you are. Well, you should go, I need to be elsewhere and my time is, as you can understand, spread very thin." said the Queen.
"What should I say has happened?" asked Justin.
"Why, Sir Justin, you are a royal messenger." said the Queen, chuckling, as she left the room.
After a standing still in a hallway for his ID photo, his plastic ID badge was printed immediately, and he stashed it in his briefcase. The ER stamped in gold on the case made it painfully clear what the case was.
"Can you Drive, Sir?" asked Thwaite.
"I, er… haven't driven except on the manor" said Justin.
"We'll organise some tutors. You may need to arrive by car alone sometimes" said Thwaite, making a note.
"Would sir like his case delivered to Duncan in the Bentley?" asked Thwaite.
"Er, that would be convenient, yes"
Thwaite nodded, pressed a button and a footman in an anonymous suit came in.
"Take Sir Justin's case to the Grey Bentley in the car park. Their man Duncan will take possession of it there" The footman took the case, handcuffed it to his arm and left silently.
Thwaite took Justin back to the garden party.
"Justin, where have you been" asked Dot.
"I just got dragooned into being a messenger" said Justin honestly to his mother.
She looked at him "Really" she said.
"It's a bit more complicated, but yes." said Justin.
"So you're employed by the Palace now."
"Yes" said Justin.
"Well, it just goes to show that your education really did lead to a job, and all without going to Oxford" said his mother, jokingly.
"Quite" said Justin feeling put upon.
"I assume you're not interested in talking to any of the debutantes?" asked his mother.
Justin groaned. "I think I need to attend different garden parties to meet debutantes" said Justin.
"Your kind of people?" said his mother.
"Well, otherwise I can't talk about what I do" said Justin. "And there's a power imbalance, it would be unfair on the girl."
"Your school really taught fairness and sharing didn't it!" said his mother.
"Just my house. Other houses emphasised other things."
"And you're not one of the brave ones?" said Dot "Seemed pretty brave what you did."
"The brave ones... well they fight Dragons and Cerberus's" said Justin.
Dot looked at Justin curiously "Are you joking?"
"I wish" said Justin.
"Well don't do any of that. You should be safe enough as a Messenger" said Dot.
Justin's father approached "Dot, Justin" he said.
"Justin has something to tell you" said Dot.
"I've been appointed a Messenger by ER." said Justin.
Justin's father looked bemused "Why you?"
"It's really Black Rod to the wizarding government" said Justin.
Justin's father started to cough. "Francis, are you all right" asked Dot.
"Just a little surprised." said Francis.
"So, I had to be made a Knight Bachelor, just the rules" said Justin.
"Justin!" said Dot. "You did not tell me you'd been knighted."
"Well, the point is that it's been two hundred years since a baron was a wizard." said Justin. "ER had to do it. She needs to ensure the recent unpleasantness does not recur."
"You sound like a palace functionary already" said Frances, chuckling.
"And Justin has told me that this crop of debutantes are unacceptable. He thinks he should look to his kind apparently; he feels the power imbalance wouldn't be fair on the girl."
"Justin, have I told you today how proud I am of you?" asked Francis.
"No father, and really, it's just common sense. I couldn't tell them until after marriage, and that's not fair."
"And the fact you get to avoid Sloane Rangers is just coincidence." asked Francis drily.
"Oh, we have our own equivalent of a Sloane Ranger" said Justin. "I did go the most exclusive school in the country, the witches there, well some of them were just like this lot, only they can hex your bits off"
"Oh Really?" said Dot. "So young witches have more equality?"
"Power comes from the end of a wand, and it comes from practice. Witches are also, well, wizards too, rather harder to hurt."
"That sport of yours sounded a bit dangerous" said Francis idly looking over the crowd.
"Overnight stays in a hospital bed at worst. Healing magic can fix most things immediately, the rest overnight" said Justin.
Dot asked "So your lot live a long time then?"
"Er, generally under two hundred years" said Justin.
Francis coughed. "You… well you couldn't marry one of those fillys; they'd be dead before you were half done"
Justin nodded "I was meaning to bring these things up."
"And is there a witch from school perhaps?"
"No" said Justin. "I was busy avoiding the recent unpleasantness for the last two years. Before that, I was a bit... well they thought I was just some muggle."
"Non-magical person?"
"It's as derogatory as it sounds" said Justin.
"And you didn't mention that you were heir to a Baron?" asked Francis.
"No" said Justin. "I didn't want to brag."
Francis shot Dot a look of satisfaction.
"Well, best of luck with your job" said Francis. "We can probably leave now"
-==0==-
Ministry of Magic, the Wizengamot Offices
Justin, wearing formal black robes embroidered with his Knight's insignia, walks over to a door labelled "Clerk" and walks in.
There is a desk and a middle-aged wizard sits, looking at parchments. He looks up "You're not a member, please don't bother me" he says.
Justin sighs and draws a letter from his robes, "Here, you might want to read this" he says, and hands it to the clerk. They read it, their eyebrows running away into their fringe.
"So, Sir Justin, you're the official representative of the Queen to the Wizengamot." asked the Clerk.
"Messenger." says Justin. "I will observe and report. I have been given direction to give to the Wizengamot, so they know what their sovereign wants."
"Some of them aren't really big on, well the Muggle Queen being the boss of the Wizengamot" said the Clerk.
"That's okay" said Justin. "Technically, She's not. She is the boss of the Ministry."
"Er yes" said the Clerk. "Do you have any, well, regalia?"
Justin smiled and pulled out his rod. As usual, the lion started to glow with a nimbus of silver.
"Oh my" said the Clerk. "Is that what it looks like?"
"It's like the rod the Muggle Black rod uses... but is also a wand, and does a few other things" said Justin. "The chamber has always been controlled by the rod. It's been a while since there was a Black Rod to open and close proceedings, that's all."
"So you can make them stop?" interrupted the Clerk keenly.
Justin puzzled shrugged "Is that surprising?"
"They don't often stop on time" said the Clerk. "It's a Hags own job to get some of them to shut up"
Justin smiled thinly "I've read the book for the job, and I should to be able to stop things"
"Well, if you can get us to dinner on time, a lot of people will be very grateful" said the Clerk.
"I also open proceedings, and I don't see why we can't be punctual" said Justin.
The clerk coughed "Sorry, My Name's Arbourus Diggle, and I can say, Sir Justin, it's going to be great having a Knight as the Black Rod."
Justin sighed "When my Muggle father dies, I'll become Baron Finch-Fletchly"
"A Baron?" asked Arbourus. "Like the bloody Baron?"
"Not if everyone behaves" said Justin, with some relish. He'd wanted to use that line since… well first year really.
"I suppose we should find you an office, somewhere to get changed" said Arbourus changing his tune.
"There's already an office; it's just only visible to the Black Rod." said Justin.
Arbouous coughed "Gosh," he said "This is going to put the kneazle in the chicken coop"
"Which reminds me, I need to go see the Light faction leader" said Justin.
"Oh, well that's Lord Slytherin or maybe Lord Longbottom if you can't find him."
Justin paled "Oh crap" he said.
"My Sympathies. Though; you were at Hogwarts with him right?"
"I hardly talked to him, and well, he scares me" said Justin.
"Good to know even the Baron Black Rod is scared of Harry Potter" said Arbourus. "Scares me silly. We can't move that throne he magicked up."
Justin sighed. "Well, at least I don't have to fight anyone" he said, trying to be cheerful.
"You'll learn, kid, you'll learn" said Arbourus.
-==0==-
Justin sat at his official desk and wrote a letter.
'Lord Slytherin.
Greetings from the New Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
I am the new messenger from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, to the Wizengamot.
I would like a chance to discuss some direction her Majesty has given me.
She would like the Wizengamot to ensure that the recent war does not re-occur.
As the effective leader of the light faction, I would like to talk to you about this direction.
Sincerely,
Sir Justin Finch-Fletchly, O.M. 2nd Class.
'
He sent it off by official Wizengamot owl, and apparated home.
-==0==-
The next morning, over breakfast, He received a letter from a large brown owl.
'
Sir Justin Finch-Fletchly,
Drop around to Potter Manor today; my elves will find me If I'm out at Black Manor.
I look forward to some changes in the Wizengamot.
Harry Potter, Lord Slytherin Black Potter
D.A. Forever.
'
Justin looked up from his parchment.
"Messages from important wizards?" asked Dot.
"Lord Slytherin. He's head of the light faction. He's agreed to see me today, at his home."
"I hadn't heard of him before, is he new?" asked Dot.
"New title, or rather a very old one. Harry Potter, the man-who-conquered, he went digging and found out he inherited it from his mothers family. The first Slytherin co-founded the school."
"So do you know Harry Potter?"
"A bit, we were in a study group at school. Harry taught us how to fight."
"A study group…."
"Well, it was a banned resistance organisation at one point" admitted Justin.
"And that's how you ended up with an Order of Merlin?"
"Er, yes"
"So you were in the resistance?" asked Francis, walking in.
"Yes father" said Justin.
"Excellent. Your grandfather was in SOE during the war. Did all sorts of hair-raising things in occupied France."
"What's SOE?" asked Justin.
"Special Operation Europe. Secret soldiers in occupied countries. Your Grandfather used to blow up trains, sabotage factories and was his own radio operator"
"Grandpa Terry was a secret agent?" asked Justin, incredulously looking at the portrait of his Grandfather over the mantel, a silver haired gentleman in a morning suit wearing… lots of medals"
"Well, he was only in his twenties at the time. By the sounds of it, you're not that different" said Francis.
Justin stood up and walked over to the painting "Father, I see the sash, but there are a lot of medals"
"Well, maybe not as big as your one, and he wasn't made Black Rod, but he did a lot."
Justin sat back down.
Dot laughed "Justin, when people are in their nineties, they don't go blowing up trains anymore."
"The lordlings at the party thought I was some sort of James Bond… special school, not at Cambridge, large mysterious medal."
Francis spoke up "So, have you got an appointment with the Lord Slytherin?"
Justin laughed "You know, those are just courtesy titles. None of the Wizengamot members have peerages."
Dot snorted "So you outrank every one of them?"
"Well, I suppose so" said Justin.
"Off, Brave Sir Justin" said Francis. "Harry Potter seems like a powerful man, don't keep him waiting."
Justin muttered as he left the room "You don't know the half of it."
-==0==-
Potter Manor, Front Hall
Justin Finch-Fletchly steps out of the green fireplace.
He starts to goggle at the huge hallway, the paintings, statues.
A house elf in tiny robes appears with a cracking sound and refers to a card.
"Welcome to Potter Manor" said the Elf slowly."Please say who you are and who you want to visit"
"Er, Hello, I am Justin Finch-Fetchly and I'm here to see Lord Slytherin" said Justin.
The elf smiled at Justin "Please wait right here" it said and disappeared with a crack.
A minute later, a door across the hall opened and Harry Potter, wearing a light shirt and dark pants walked out.
"Justin, or is that Sir Justin?"
"Sir Justin in public, Justin will do" said Justin.
"Well, Sir Justin, please come into my office, and we can talk" said Harry, gesturing to the door he'd just opened.
Harry's office was lined in padded leather, had bookshelves, couches and chairs, and a huge desk. Harry sat at one of the couches by the fireplace "Come in, sit down" said Harry lightly.
Justin sat on the red couch opposite Harry. It was quite comfortable.
"Would you like something to drink?" asked Harry.
"Well, not yet. You see, I work for the Queen now, and she wants us, in the Wizengamot to ensure that we don't have a repeat of the last war."
"Does she have any other requests?" said Harry.
"No. But we have to work out how for ourselves. The Minister for magic doesn't keep the queen as well informed as she'd like."
"So you are her spy?"
"I report to her." said Justin "I'm a messenger"
"Okay, well then we need to talk about how dark lords work" said Harry.
"What!"
"So, you probably don't know this, but all the old families" Harry waved his hand around the room "Have family magic. It's secret and not shared outside the family. It usually includes spells to use in combat that other families don't know the counters for."
"Bloody hell!"
"Exactly. Some of the darker families have stockpiles of dark spells."
"How are they not fighting all the time?"
"It's taken a few millennia… but there are all these pure-blood customs that prevent the families ending up having blood feuds with each other"
"But the dark lords?"
"They get all the old families, especially the dark ones to attack everyone else."
"So instead of fighting each other, they fight the muggle-borns"
"It's a pre-built army, just waiting to be used"
"How the hell do we stop that!"
"We kill the myth of the muggle-born. Hermione Granger's come out as Hermione Dagwood-Granger. All the muggle-borns are actually the children of squibs. Two squibs with enough different parentage's, and they give birth to magical children. Most muggles have some of the genes to be magical, so squibs and 'muggles' can give birth to magical children. There's a huge taboo among the old families about spilling the blood of magical children. Even old Voldemort had to pay lip service to it."
"How does this help us?"
"Once it's clear that all the muggle-borns and half-bloods are from the same family trees as the pure-bloods, they aren't acceptable targets for old families."
"Huh?"
"Once I proved I was the heir of Slytherin, through a thousand years of squibs, everyone started treating me as Lord Slytherin."
"Well, that's you though."
"But all the old families are so averse to starting family feuds. I mean, I had to write to Lord Greengrass to ask for permission to court his daughter."
"You're not serious?"
"No, that was my godfather" said Harry quickly.
Justin stared.
"My Godfather was Sirius Black. He always did this dad-joke anytime someone asked him if he was serious."
"And once Hermione Granger, muggle-born turned out to be Hermione Dagwood-Granger. Well, she can't be denied. Course, she's also a member of a branch of the French royal family, but I didn't tell you that."
Justin coughed. "Do they really just roll over if people have a magical family tree behind them?"
"My muggle-born mother, made me Lord Slytherin, and look how they bow to me."
"Harry, that's because you're... well the man who conquered. You beat Voldemort."
Harry's lips twitched. "People say that. But my child will be Lord Slytherin, and He'll have done nothing, and hopefully never will except go to Hogwarts, play Quidditch and sit through interminable Wizengamot meetings."
"You're planning your family already?" asked Justin "Daphne Greengrass doesn't strike me as very ... well, not a settle down and raise kids kind of a … witch"
Harry snorted. "Well, yeah, but I have cultural obligations. If I didn't honour them, my position would be just that I'm a wizard with two old mansions."
Justin blinked "You have two?"
"This is Potter Manor, it's nice, Black Manor is a bit of a dump. And there's Slytherin Castle and Peverell Castle."
"You own two castles!"
"They're only little. Five storeys in one it's just a keep and the other is five four-story towers and a hall, neither has plumbing."
"No plumbing"
"Yeah, just garderobes" said Harry heavily.
Justin racked his brain... no it didn't matter.
"So your plan is… all the muggle-borns find out who they're the descendants of and the old families won't support dark lords anymore?" he asked
"Not warring on muggle-borns or half-bloods, and if they want to war on the muggles, that breaches the statute so the ICW will act"
"Like with Grindelwald?"
"Exactly"
"So what do I do?" asked Justin.
"Keep the queen informed. Can you do anything to the Wizengamot?"
"All I can do is start and stop meetings."
Harry blinked at Justin "You... can get the meetings to stop?" he said, surprised.
"Is that a big deal?"
"Meetings are interminable. There are a bunch of bores that every session, well almost every session bring up the same rejected legislation. Usually it's cauldron bottom thickness." Harry sighed.
"You're kidding" said Justin.
"No" said Harry finally.
"What about the Chief warlock?"
"Technically they can't stop people bringing things up."
"Well, I can stop it." said Justin.
"If you got the meeting to finish before dinnertime… that's be a mercy"
"Don't they break for meals?"
"Officially, but someone's always being a beater and making the debate keep going."
Justin rubbed his hands together "Well, meetings will be starting on time, breaking for lunch and stopping before dinner" he said firmly.
"And you can do that?"
"Apparently." said Justin.
"You do know we don't start till about ten on sitting days" said Harry "And even then, people arse about or an hour or so"
"Not under my watch" said Justin.
"I thought Huffelpuffs were nice?"
"More about hard work and teamwork" said Justin.
"You should send everyone a letter. Nobody likes being blindsided, least of all the heads of houses."
"Yeah, about that. Am I the head of a house?" asked Justin.
"Well, technically. I mean, you'd need to know your family..." Harry trailed off.
"You do know your family tree in some detail, don't you?"
Justin nodded tersely.
"So you just need to go to St Mungos' and find out which relatives were magical. But frankly, heir to a Baron is more important than me."
"You flatter me" said Justin.
"These lordships are courtesy titles. If even one of your ancestors was a magical baron, the Wizengamot will have to give you a vote" Harry said.
"Well, that sounds easy" said Justin.
Harry looked thoughtful for a bit.
"Thees… just one thing. If you do have a seat, they'll hit you up for unpaid levies."
"What?"
"So the way Ministry finances work is that..."
Harry explained about levies.
"But that's like how the Greek city states did things several thousand years ago!"
"And there you go... you already know more history than I do."
"How have you handled this Wizengamot stuff?"
"Mostly by cocking up, getting nobbled with levies and then throwing my weight around." said Harry.
Justin snorted.
"You might have heard I magic'd up a throne in the Wizengamot. It's family magic from Salazar Slytherin. He used it to cow kings, princes and Godric Griffindor."
"So you're not heir of Griffindor as well?"
"Oh god don't even joke about that" said Harry.
"Huh?"
"Daphne would hex me if I got even one more title." said Harry.
Justin sighed "What?" he asked.
"Have to make an heir per title to keep the traditionalists happy. I'm not asking her for more."
Justin paled. "She, um doesn't seem the most um..."
"Careful what you say next, Justin. I'm married to her."
Justin blinked "But we've known each other for years… I was in the DA!"
"And she's married to me. She might seem, a bit standoffish, but she's just reserved."
"I was going to say scary" said Justin.
Harry smiled, and the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Justin, apparently most people, witches and wizards are afraid of me"
"I learnt my lesson. You didn't make that snake bite me, and you were great in the D.A." said Justin.
"Thanks. Do you fancy duelling for a bit?"
Justin coughed "Not bloody likely" he said "You'd paste me"
Harry nodded "So I had to find a witch who wasn't a fan girl, who isn't too scared of me to tell me to eat with my mouth closed."
Justin laughed "I heard she came second in the open under twenty ones in Paris. And that you somehow cocked up her last bout. And she married you… Only you, Harry. Only you."
"Why Justin, I didn't know you felt that way" said Harry.
Justin coughed. "What the hell, you're funny all the time now. What happened?"
"Therapy" said Harry bluntly. "Couldn't sleep after the war."
Justin looked thoughtful. "I'm taking potions for curse damage" he said.
"Well, that's unique" said Harry. "Must be the only person with curse damage in England"
"So you're Mr Sarcasm, when you're not being the pureblood lord"
"I think I can do both at once" said Harry modestly.
"So, do you think I should write separately to the light faction?"
Harry blinked. "I think that you're asking the wrong person. Ask your boss."
Justin squirmed "She's, well, really insanely busy"
"And I'm nearly out of time" said Harry. "Go talk to Neville."
"What's next for you today?"
"Making potions for the elves, then I have three hours of repairs to do, then some reading for NEWTs"
"Are your elves sick?"
Harry laughed "No, they need the potions for cleaning clothes, dishes, stuff like that"
"We'd just buy it from tesco" said Justin.
"They are used to the family cleaning potions… I don't want to piss off my head elf by giving them something they don't recognise."
"And all the repairs?"
"Can't pay a repair wizard all the time. Money does not grow on trees."
"But you're mega-rich..."
"I was very rich, then the Wizengamot shook me down for almost six million galleons."
Justin's eyes glazed as he worked that out in pounds… he gulped "thirty million pounds"
"It was unpleasant" said Harry.
Justin thought about his family finances and stood up and bowed to Harry.
"You don't bow to me, Justin, I bow to you"
Justin slumped back into the chair "Harry, you coughed up thirty million pounds on, frankly jumped up levies. That would ruin my family… and father is a Baron."
"I had to sell an island" said Harry blandly.
"An island?"
"I kept the one in the Caribbean, for a holiday destination you know" said Harry, smiling slightly.
'Do witches wear bikinis?' wondered Justin. "Miss Greengrass certainly seems very fit."
Harry nodded. "I may be a very lucky man" he said modestly.
"I did see that photo of you and Daphne in the Alley in the Prophet" said Justin.
Harry made a face "Apparently half of the school's got it to wank over" he said bluntly.
Justin slumped "Okay, now for something that's not politics" he said.
Harry leaned back "Okay, what?"
"Where do I meet a witch of my own?"
Harry laughed a belly laugh. "Oh, that's so funny."
"What?"
"That's the most political thing you'll ever do in wizarding culture" said Harry.
"But … not some pureblood, just someone nice..."
"Excuse me, she needs to be ready to be a Baroness" said Harry.
"I can't date one of the Sloane rangers; they don't know about magic" said Justin.
"That would be too complicated" said Harry.
"So where do I meet eligible witches?"
"Balls" said Harry.
Justin flinched.
"You must have had dancing lessons?" said Harry.
"But I hate ballroom dancing" said Justin plaintively.
"You're out of luck. Balls and Galas. And you need to get some jewellery."
"What?"
"You need to find out what your wizarding heritage is; go to St Mungos. Then you take the paperwork to the Ministry, to the Department of the College of arms."
"And that helps how?"
"Then you can get your hands on the family rings; a Heirs ring for you. The rings are so other people; including witches can work out where you fit in socially."
"Sounds like the parties Mother and Father drag me to"
"Well, yes I guess, but read some books on wizarding high society etiquette."
"There are special books for that?"
"Stops families declaring blood feuds and going to war against each other. There's a lot of preserving of face."
"Oh, like regency Japan?"
"You know how that works?"
"We do travel, you know" said Justin.
"So, erm, go to St Mungos, and go see the Blood Specialists. They can do a wizarding DNA test, of a sort and work out your magical family tree."
"Magical?"
"They'd acknowledge that your father is a Baron, but otherwise ignore him. You ideally want a magical Baron. They'd have to kiss your ass if you can find one."
"And then I have to go to balls"
"Well, you'd have to anyway. Things like the St Mungos's fundraiser are not just a social thing, but neutral ground to talk to political factions."
"Do you have any pull with your father-in-law?"
"Oh dear no, don't make me do that. We're being very polite, and he might slowly slide over to out voting block next year."
"Ours?"
"Neville, Lord Longbottom, Hermione; for her Order of Merlin, and another for Dagwood-Granger, Ron for his order of Merlin, Ron's dad has a ministry vote as a head of department, and I get four, five if I'm feeling annoyed"
"Nine?"
"And we can usually get the older light side to go our way too"
"So you can swing some votes?"
"The neutrals like Greengrasses are really neutral. They're financially conservative; so bills that cost money are hard to pass. The dark, well they are all a bit younger now the older ones are dead. Oh, and Lord Thedore Nott isn't part of the Dark block, or the Neutrals. He takes bills on their merits. The thing to remember is that we have a government for twenty thousand people. Our tax base is customs duty and some fees. Hogwarts was hung out to dry for repairs. The ministry's major funding last year was shaking me upside down."
"How does anything get done?"
"The ministry has expanded to absorb all the income. It employs a surprising number of people. We can't cut it without beggaring families."
"So there's no money for major works?"
"Oh yes, there is, they just issue levies on all the houses"
"Oh my, that's brilliant, in a stupid sort of way."
"One of the Goyles was chief of finance for forty years" said Harry drily.
Justin laughed. "So I'm finding out the country I live in is tiny, run by seventy people, and only has enough money by levies on the families"
"Yeah" said Harry. "I have to go… potions aren't going to make themselves"
"Do most people make their own potions?"
"And furniture, and repairs. Everything but clothes and some potions ingredients. Families with land will grow most of their own potions ingredients."
"How does our economy even work? Most people don't seem to need money at all?"
"Well, government services cost money. Rare ingredients, clothes."
"Why clothes?"
"Because if you conjure them, a finite makes you naked in public"
"So transfiguration then"
"And that's hard to make clothes that look good when you wear them."
"So… fashion, books, clothes and potions ingredients"
"And brooms and other enchanted objects"
"This is crazier than I thought it was when I was eleven!"
"Do you know someone who can work out the ministry finances? Someone you could get a vow out of?"
"Er, my father's a financial wizard..." said Justin.
"Well, the accounts for last year are in that book" said Harry, reaching, and it floated over to his hand.
"Wandless magic… wow!"
"Shh. It's a secret" said Harry, standing.
Justin stood up and took the book "I'll see if father can explain this to me"
"If he can make sense of our finances, well, he really is magical."
Laughing, Justin left.
-==0==-
Flourish and Blotts had a surprising collection of etiquette books.
Justin decided to outsource and handed the bundle to his mother. She frowned at him.
-==0==-
The trip to St Mungos was disturbing. Mostly the jokes the healer made.
With the parchment in his hands, he went off to the ministry.
The clerk at the College of Arms was surprised
"Baron Finch-Fletchly, Oh my" said the small grey-haired wizard, and he bowed
"I'm only a Knight companion, I'm not a Baron until my father passes away"
"Oh, terribly sorry, we just don't, well get many actual Lords"
"Not many?"
"Just you, Sir."
"Now, there is the matter of a small fee"
"Three hundred galleons!"
Justin had to go out to Barclays, get a huge wad of pounds, and convert them to Galleons and Gringotts converted them at 6:1. He arrived back an hour later.
"A pleasure, Sir Justin"
Justin put the rest of the bag of galleons back in his robes. He'd have to start carrying galleons, he surmised.
-==0==-
Potter Manor, the front Hall
Justin flooed to Harry's manor before the next Ball in Dress robes. He tried not to think about how much they cost in real money.
Harry was waiting in that immense hall, in robes that made his look cheap.
"Sir Justin" said Harry with a small bow.
"Lord Slytherin" said Justin.
"Near enough" said Harry, checking Justin's hands "Oh good, you've got your ring"
"So, advice?" asked Justin?
"You'll be announced, and people will be surprised. Dance with somebody. How about Susan? She's single right?"
Justin made a face "Uh, Harry, I was in dorms with Sue for seven years. She's lovely, mostly."
"Mostly?"
"Once a month Sue-Zilla comes to visit" said Justin.
"I never knew..." said Harry, looking disturbed.
"And that's a Huffelpuff secret you can't share" said Justin.
"My lord" said Harry and nodded.
"Oh don't do that!" said Justin.
Harry sniggered. "How about... um, well, do you want to go for the sacred twenty-eight, or not?"
"The who?"
"The purebred inbred club" said Harry "Accio Natures Nobility" he said and a book shot out of the office into his hands.
Justin stared "Bloody hell!"
"So the purest twenty-eight families are here... the girls expect to be lady something, so they would probably cope with being baroness something." said Harry.
Behind him, the fireplace flared green and Daphne Slytherin strode out in a green robe/dress crossover.
Justin pointed behind Harry and Harry frowned "Oh, and don't point, it upsets people; wandless magic"
"Behind you" said Justin.
Harry continued "So, Hannah Abbot's spoken for; she's engaged to Neville Longbottom."
Daphne Slytherin approached to stand beside Harry and coughed discreetly.
Harry turned his head sharply "Daphne!" he exclaims, breaking into a smile.
"And this is?"
"Sir Justin Finch-Fletchly" said Harry. "Meet Daphne Slytherin, my lady wife"
"Enchanted" said Justin, taking Daphne's hand and air-kissing it. Daphne smiled briefly.
"What are you doing, Harry?"
"Sir Justin finds himself in need of a witch."
"Sir Justin?"
"Knight Companion of the order of the Garter" said Justin.
Daphne's brow furrowed "That's important isn't it?"
"Justin will be Baron Finch-Fletchly in time" said Harry.
Daphne's mouth formed an O. She quickly composed herself.
"A Baron"
Justin smiled and bowed a very shallow bow.
"Your Lordship?"
"Sir" said Justin. "Your Lordship when father passes"
"He is well?"
"Oh yes" said Justin.
Daphne moved to face Harry "Potter, you've blindsided me again. Don't do that."
"This is a recent development" said Harry. Justin goggled at their interaction.
"And Sir Justin is engaging with Wizarding Britain why?" asked Daphne.
Justin coughed behind Daphne "Because I'm the Queens messenger to the Wizengamot."
"Isn't that the Minster's job?"
"Not exactly" said Justin slowly.
"And so now you need to be seen in society?"
"And find a witch who's capable of being a Baroness" said Justin.
Harry caught Daphne's face as Justin said that, and a look of… was it Jealousy was quickly erased.
"So Daphne, "said Harry, "Sacred Twenty-eight, or not?"
"A halfblood" said Daphne reflexively.
"Why?" asked Justin.
"Because she'll need to go muggle for the muggle bit of being a Baroness" said Daphne. "None of us would really do that unless you turn out to be some sort of Merlin's gift to witches". She smiled briefly at Harry, her eyes twinkling, then winked.
Harry smiled slightly. "Okay, well, Avery, no girls, Black, no girls, Bulstrolde, there's Millicent,"
Everyone winced. Justin was not a large man.
"Burke, no girls, Carrow, the twins; Crocu, no girls,. Falwley; she's dating isnt' she"
Daphne laughed. "Your choices from the twenty-eight are Millicent, the Carrows, Pansy Parkinson, the Shafiq girl, but she's in France all the time, and Miss Weasley"
Harry laughed a little and banished the book back to the study.
"Showoff" said Daphne.
Justin laughed "Is this him showing off?"
"He's terrible" said Daphne fondly "But he doesn't do it in public"
"Come one, we're late" said Harry.
"Didn't you say a wizard arrives precisely when he intends to ?" said Daphne.
"That's a Tolkien quote!" exclaimed Justin.
"Huh?"
"A famous Muggle author"
Daphne stared at Harry. Harry winced.
They flooed over to the Ministry, where the Pensioners Gala was being held. As was traditional, no actual pensioners were present.
After the formal receiving for Harry, and Daphne. "Lord Slytherin, Harry Potter and Daphne Slytherin"
Then the major-domo had to announce Justin.
"Sir Justin Finch-Fletchly, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod" said the major-domo.
Justin smiled thinly and stepped out.
The older lords started to slowly gravitate towards him.
"Oh no, fogey alert" said Harry. "You need to go dance with someone, or they'll all want the same information, one at a time, until you wish you were dead"
Daphne looked at Justin thoughtfully "I'll fix you up" she said.
Daphne strode off, her robe rippling like a banner. She disappeared out a doorway.
"Are you sure she can help?"
"I trust her" said Harry.
Justin had to greet and talk briefly to Lord Ogden, Lord Selwyn, Lord Flint and Lord Greengrass and Lord Macmillan before Daphne reappeared, towing a Brown-haired witch in a Dress robes.
"Sir Justin, may I present Tracey Davis, a friend of mine" said Daphne, with a curtsy.
Justin took Tracey's hand and air-kissed it. "Delighted" he said.
Tracey shot Daphne a look and walked out onto the dance floor with Justin.
"What's this favour going to cost us?" asked Harry, under a muffling charm.
"Tracey's my best friend"
"And she was first bridesmaid" said Harry.
"Correct"
"So what?"
"Quiddich tickets, the nationals" said Daphne.
"Was she even at this party?"
"Oh heavens no" said Daphne.
"How did you get her here in a ball dress so quickly?"
"It's her dress from last season, with a couple of glamour charms for hair and makeup"
"You amaze me"
"Tracey's here. The rest of my friends, well they wouldn't dance with a puff who's not in the sacred twenty-eight."
"Did you tell her he's a Baron in the making?"
"Didn't have time."
"What did you tell her?"
"He's a Sir. His first name is Justin."
Harry spluttered "You are playing those cards close to your chest" he said.
"Tracey would freak. She's my best halfblood friend; she doesn't do titles."
Harry's throat constricted "A halfblood? Are you setting them up?" he croaked.
"That is a coincidence." said Daphne, smiling. "Time to dance"
Harry and Daphne danced, drank water (with Daphne making sure Harry didn't drink fizzy orange juice) ate finger food, exchanged pleasantries with other Lords and Ladies.
Some of the older Lords started to move to button-hole Harry.
Daphne wrapped an arm around Harry, and they retreated to the dance floor.
A dark haired young witch Harry didn't recognise approached them as they took a breather.
Daphne smiled sweetly, then held up her left hand, fingers down, in an imperious gesture. The witch stopped, bowed gently and turned around and went the other way.
"Did you just flash your wedding ring at that witch?" asked Harry.
"Yes" said Daphne icily.
"As if I'd dance with anyone else" said Harry.
"As if you could walk if you tried" said Daphne curtly.
"Want to dance some more?"
"My feet are killing me" said Daphne candidly.
"So let us sit" said Harry, and they found some chairs at a table that would seat six.
Daphne surveyed the room. "Sir Justin's drinking water, talking to Tracey."
"Has he danced with anyone else?"
"That french witch that tried to dance with you just hit Justin up for a dance." said Daphne offhandedly.
"How do you know she's French?"
"Met her a couple of ministry balls' ago. She's finished at Beaubatons. She's a Doumas."
"You had me worried there, I was scared you'd say an Edourds or DeGrecy."
"No, she's not a direct cousin of yours" said Dahpne. "Though, that would work on the Edourds and DeGrecy witches.
"Oh, he does dance well" said Harry, watching Justin twirling the French witch around.
"Hmm, he's good. Are you sure he didn't want to do this?"
"Hates balls."
"You all say that. He dances well."
"I can only try"
"You do adequately."
"From you, that is high praise"
"And you are an acceptable cushion" said Daphne drily.
"I love you too" said Harry gently. Daphne smirked.
"Oh I understand you a bit these days" said Harry, leaning in and hissing Daphne's hair.
"I'd hope so, dear" said Daphne firmly.
"He kept having to go to balls in muggle-land, and not say what he was doing. The young ladies all knew who and what he was, it used to be a bit trying, they were all angling to be Baroness" said Harry.
"And now?"
"Apparently, they think he's a secret agent"
"A what?"
"A gentleman spy"
Daphne snorted "He's a puff."
"Hard work and teamwork" said Harry pointedly.
The dark haired french witch was escorted back off the dance floor by Justin and let go.
A different tune stated to play.
"I could dance to that" said Daphne.
"Just pull me around" said Harry, standing and holding out his hand.
Harry and Daphne, and several dozen other couples entered the floor and started to dance, slowly.
"This is a slow dance" said Harry, in Daphne's ear.
"mmm hmm" she hummed.
"The last slow dance we did was at your sisters wedding, just before it finished"
"Mmm Hmmm" said Daphne.
Harry waited a few notes, then pulled in Daphne's waist and then kissed her.
Daphne was smiling.
"How are your feet"
"Fine now" she said, then twirled out to arms length, then back into a close clinch.
"I like this dance" said Harry, looking pretty happy.
The danced, almost hugging till the end of the tune.
Some of the more elderly guests started flooing out.
"The party's ending" said Harry.
"Hmmh" said Daphne, scanning the crowd.
"Where's Justin?"
"Can't see him. Short Puff."
Harry snorted, he was taller than Daphne in anything but very tall heels. Justin towered over him.
"What about Tracey"
"What, they're still talking?" said Daphne surprised.
"Justin's sticking to who he knows?"
"Tracey looks happy"
"You don't sound happy about that dear"
"I didn't expect them to hit it off" said Daphne.
"You'd have to curtsy to a Dutchess" said Harry, observing Tracey and Justin.
Daphne slapped his upper arm symbolically.
"One more crack like that and I'm going to sulk all night" said Daphne.
Harry stood up and taking Daphne's arm, they proceeded across the atrium to where Tracy and Justin were sitting, laughing.
"Goodnight Tracey" said Justin.
Daphne flooed back to Potter Manor with Harry.
"Elf!" she called. "Block the floo."
Daphne grabbed Harry's hand "Come on, you can kiss my ass!"
Harry snorted and followed Daphne off upstairs.
-==0==-