Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
Chapter 1417 Mar 24
-oOo-
This time on Duel of Fate: The final goodbye and Black shows he's a snake in lion's clothing…
-oOo-
Some unknown time…Some unknown place…
There was soft piano music filling the air around him. The familiar smells of wildflowers permeated the air. The sun was bright and the sky a pleasant blue with no clouds in sight. In short, it was very peaceful.
As the piano music continued, Harry realized that his hands were moving in time to the notes. His fingers hit on keys in a way that was unfamiliar to him. Looking down, he just accepted that he was the one playing a pure white grand piano. He noticed he was wearing white slacks, a white shirt and white dress coat. They fit him pretty well and he thought he looked smart in this get up.
He just let his fingers and hands roam across the piano as if it was the most natural thing. It took him a few minutes to realize he was playing one of Hannah's favourite songs they had heard on the Wizarding Wireless over Easter. As this thought hit him, his fingers stumbled, and the melodic tune turned into a discordant thrumming of cords.
He winced at the sound.
"I was rather enjoying that," a girl said from over his shoulder.
Harry spun. His breath caught in his throat to see a slightly short, curvy girl standing a few feet back. She was in a floor length white dress that highlighted her hips and had a strapless bust line that hinted at her other ample assets. Her golden hair was done up in a fancy bun with sparkly gems and a white lily in the centre.
"HANNAH!" he exclaimed, jumping up. As he did, the bench fell over backwards, Harry tripped over it trying to get to her.
Hannah giggled as she reached out to keep him from falling. It was the giggles of delight she gave when incredibly happy. "I know you were falling for me, but really?"
Harry let out a laugh, then a sob, as he moved to take her into his arms. He hugged her close, looking for the comfort of having her close to him. Hannah wrapped her arms around him. He needed to know this was real but could immediately tell something was off.
Hannah felt like Hannah. The air around him smelled like her. She even sounded like Hannah. There was something that wasn't her though… it took him a moment to realize that there was no warmth between them. There was a warmth in the hug. The warmth of two that cared for each other, but there was no body heat. A tear came to his eyes as he started to realize this was just a dream. She really was gone.
Stepping back, he let his hands slide down her arms until they took her hands. Her hands were cold. Too cold to be alive. A tear slipped down his cheek. Hannah gave him a warm smile. Letting go of his hand, she reached up to wipe the tear off his cheek. "It will be alright, Harry. I was allowed to come say goodbye."
"But this isn't real. You… you…" he said, his grief starting to overwhelm him.
"I know, Harry. I wasn't ready to leave you. Mourn me, but don't hold onto the anger I feel in you. Live your life. Love someone. If it's meant to be, we'll see each other again someday," she told him in a caring voice. He closed his eyes as she cupped his cheek. He desperately wanted to feel her warmth. It was cold though.
As he felt the coldness of her fate seeping into him, he started to get angry. "I promise I will avenge you," he said in a dark voice.
When he opened his eyes, he could see a tear on her cheeks. She shook her head. "You mustn't give into the darkness that that path could bring. You are a brilliant person that cares deeply for others. Don't give into your anger. Please, I don't want you to go where I can't see you again."
He could see the pain in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Her smile looked pained. "There is more than one fate when we pass on. I would like for you to join us."
"Us?"
She turned to look over her shoulder. Standing in the distance were two people that he knew only from photographs. The woman with auburn hair could only be his mother, as the man with messy black hair and glasses could only be his father.
"Mum? Dad?"
He went to step towards them, but Hannah held him where he was. "Only one of us was allowed to talk with you," she said softly. He looked back down to her. She looked to be becoming less substantial. "We are being called back. We wanted to let you know we love you. I love you," she said, getting onto her tip toes and touching her lips to his. It was the only time he felt the warmth of her as she kissed him. Harry closed his eyes, needing the contact.
After a moment, the warmth disappeared. He opened his eyes to find she was gone. A few tears leaked down his face. He looked up through bleary eyes to see his parents were gone as well. He sat down, only to realize then that the smell of the wildflowers was coming from all the flowers around him. Hannah was still with him. "I love you too," he said to the cloudless day…
-oOo-
Daily Prophet
+June 17, 1995LIKE GRANDSON LIKE GRANDMOTHER!
Longbottom attempts to kill Harry Potter again!
Late last night the Daily Prophet was able to obtain confirmation that both the Boy-Who-Killed, Neville Longbottom, 14, accused of the murder of both the Triwizard Champion, Victor Krum, and fellow classmate, Hannah Abbott, is sharing a gaol cell next to his grandmother, the Dowager Lady Augusta Longbottom, 76.
As confirmed by an anonymous source in the Auror Department, a confrontation occurred between Madam Longbottom and Scion Potter that saw deadly magic used. Though no one was seriously harmed, the anonymous source did confirm that Madam Longbottom used a killing curse against Scion Potter.
Minister Fudge, nor Chief Warlock Dumbledore, both known allies of the Longbottoms, were available for comment before time of printing, but given the recent events at Hogwarts, it will be telling if these powerful men will continue their support, or not…
-oOo-
June 20, 1995London, England
Harry sat with his back propped against the pillows. His side was still sore. After what happened in the Hogwarts' infirmary, his healing had been delayed to let his core recover. Tonight, they would finally vanish some of his bones and regrow them. If things worked out, some of the pain would be gone by the morning.
Until then, he was just looking at his hands and wand.
Until now, his magic had never failed him in a fight. Sure, he had lost while training and Master Flitwick was still years ahead of where Harry could be, but he had never lost a fight when it mattered.
At a basic level he understood that his reactions were not the best that day. Aunt Andi had explained that he had been dosed with a confusion drought that morning. Even so, he should have reacted faster. He had enough time to get a shield up. Instead, he pushed Luna out of the way.
If he had gotten the shield up, neither of them would have been hurt and he would have been able to level the four cowards that attacked him. A nasty, angry look crossed his face. His grief had definitely turned more towards revenge in the last few days. Never again would he see Hannah or hold her because of the cowards. That dream, for that was all it could have been, didn't know what it was talking about. He was not about to forgive Longbottom or the Weasleys for what they did and had done to him for years. If anything, they were the ones that acted like Death Eaters, not his parents or him.
His mind was going through those dark thoughts when a knock came at his door.
"Go away, Sirius," Harry said. He doubted it was loud enough for anyone to hear, but he was getting annoyed with how his godfather had rarely left his side in the last few days. All he wanted to do was wallow in his grief and anger.
The knock came again, and he tried to ignore it.
After a moment, the door to his room opened. "Harry? Are you up?" a girl asked.
The voice was rather unexpected, making him look up. Hermione's slightly bushy hair framed a face that was giving him a tremulous smile.
"I'm not really in the mood to see anyone," he told her.
Her smile turned sad. "I figured, but when I heard you were here, I thought I would just say hi." She stepped into the room, looking uncomfortable. Harry looked back down at his hands. "I wanted to say sorry about… you know."
He nodded.
"I really liked Hannah. She was always nice to me," she said, her voice sounding a little thick.
Harry nodded again.
"How are you feeling?"
He shrugged his shoulders. Yep, that hurts!
After a moment, she shuffled towards him. He knew she was a Gryffindor, and they were known for their courage and brashness at times. He figured it was her courage that had her move deeper into the room, instead of walking away. "I want you to know that your friends are here for you."
Harry let out a sigh. He could feel his eyes stinging again. He didn't want to give into that weakness anymore.
She moved so that she was next to him. "If you need to talk… or just want some company to work on studies over the summer, I'm just an owl away."
He snorted. "You do remember I grew up in the Muggle world and there is a telephone in the house where I am, right?"
"I just thought that since you are living with the Tonks, that you wouldn't have one," she told him.
"Ted is a Muggleborn. They live as muggle as possible since they have friends in both worlds," Harry told her. "Sirius is going to get a house nearby and have it warded and provided for in the same way."
"I'm glad to hear it. I'll send an owl with all my information. I don't have a parchment or quill on me," she replied.
He nodded.
There was a silence for a few minutes. It wasn't totally uncomfortable, but it was heavy. Her hand moved onto the bed and took one of his. "I know how much you care for Hannah. I really am sorry."
Harry pursed his lips for a moment. "Did you know?"
Her hand squeezed his. "No. I would have told a teacher if I had and tried to stop them."
Harry nodded. "Did you know that Luna told McGonagall and she just told her to get lost?"
Hermione took in a sharp breath.
"I don't think I'm supposed to know that, but I heard Andi and Sirius talking when they thought I was asleep. Fred and George are thought to have slipped a confusion draft into my breakfast. Did you know any of that?" he asked, looking up at her with hard emerald eyes.
The look of shock on her face told him more than anything she could say. "I… no. I didn't know. I swear, Harry. I haven't talked with the twins in a few weeks. I haven't talked with Neville or Ron, not since we broke up. He's very angry with me."
Harry continued to look at her, to see if there was any sign of a lie or duplicity on her part. After a moment, he asked, "Why are you here?"
"My parents take me to see a Healer for a yearly check-up. They take me to a Muggle doctor too," she told him. "I wanted to see you while I was here."
Harry nodded.
"Did Professor McGonagall really ignore Luna?" she asked.
"So, I've heard. Andi was livid while talking to Sirius. She is going to the Board of Governors. Madam Bones is going to crucify her once she knows," Harry said with some satisfaction.
Hermione swallowed. She looked really bothered. They didn't say anything for a few minutes. When Hermione spoke up, she sounded dejected. "I wish I never wanted to be a Gryffindor."
Harry snorted. "Yeah, the house of the brave," he said bitterly.
"The hat wanted to put me into Ravenclaw," she told him.
Harry nodded. "You would have made a good Ravenclaw."
A tear ran down her cheek. "My mum and dad want to take me out of Hogwarts."
"It might be safer," Harry told her.
She sniffed. "Perhaps."
As they sat there, Harry had a thought, a thought that would really burn Longpiddle and McGonagall. "You know, you can request a resorting."
Hermione looked up to him, a look of confusion on her face. "No, you can't. I know, I've read the student rules and Hogwarts: A History," she told him.
"It's not in the student rules. It's in the charter. It was added in seventeen-forty-three when another student tried to assassinate one of his dorm mates. You must petition the Board of Governors. I can see if Sirius and Andi can get you any support for it," Harry told her. He knew in a way he was using her to hurt his enemies, but he also wanted her safe. "If you petition based on feeling unsafe and the failure of your Head of House to follow the charter, I think you will get the resorting."
She rose an eyebrow at him. "How do you know this?"
He shrugged. "There is a private library in the Ravenclaw common room. It has a lot of interesting knowledge you can't find in the school library."
She blinked at him. "Is that how you always beat me!"
For the first time in days, he gave a small smile. "I only top you in Transfiguration, charms, runes and Defence Against the Dark Arts. It annoys some of the other Ravenclaws that I'm not top of the class. To tell you the truth, I don't really care about the other classes."
Hermione looked at him stunned. "You don't care? You don't care! I just barely stay ahead of you and Greengrass half the time, and I do get higher marks in Transfiguration and Charms at times."
Harry's smile grew, before falling as he thought about some of the study sessions in the library, and that he would never have one with Hannah again. She caught his change in mood. Her hand found his again. "You are looking tired. I was told not to stay too long."
He nodded.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I swear I didn't know anything and will never talk to them again," she told him.
"Yeah. Just, stay clear of Longpiddle and the Weasels. I don't want you to get hurt," he replied.
She squeezed his hand. "I will. The Daily Prophet says Madam Longbottom was arrested too. Did she really try to kill you?"
Harry's emerald eyes hardened again. There was the look of power in them. "Avada Kedavra."
She gasped. "She didn't!"
Harry shrugged. He would see her and her grandson dead at some point. His voice was hard as stone. "Just stay away from Longpiddle and Weasel. They are going to be buried and I don't want you hurt or caught up in it. It's a blood feud now."
Hermione swallowed. After a moment she nodded. "Alright, Harry. I'll let you know if I petition the governors."
"I'll let Sirius know," he replied. She gave him a hug before leaving. When she did, Harry looked down at his hands. Until now, his anger had been burning for revenge. After seeing Hermione, he was reminded of Luna and Susan. There was a new determination to protect his friends.
He closed his hands into fists.
His friends and family wouldn't suffer any more if he could prevent it.
-oOo-
=June 23, 1995London, England
Sirius sat in the large chamber on the second floor of the ministry. For generations the upper Courtroom Number One had been used for the traditional Wizengamot meets as it was the largest room in the ministry. Like all the other courtrooms, it was setup in a circle with tiers leading down to a high wall and on the floor below was a chair for the accused. Unlike the lower courtrooms that were near the holding cells, two tables were next to the chair and instead of making everyone sit on the hard stone benches, the tiers were lined with chairs.
The chairs in courtroom one were all made of some old hardwood, probably a dark stained English oak, with black dragon leather cushions on the seat and back. The scales had been removed, but the pattern of where they once had been was still very distinctive on the hide. The leather had been treated to be soft and subtle, probably to allow the old fuddies that would sit here to make laws or oversee trials more comfortable.
He was forced to sit in the front row opposite of the dais that dominated the middle tier in the centre of the room. Ted sat next to him with a satchel and papers ready to go. On the other side of the affable man was his cousin, Andromeda. They watched as the forty-seven members took their seats around the dais. Those that sat towards the centre were of the older houses. Those that sat further away were either younger or not as distinguished. Two seats to the left of the dais was a man that Sirius had loathed when he was younger and found he still couldn't stand to this day. The blond ponce had hurt Harry almost as much as the Longbottoms.
"Hold your temper and don't be so rash," Ted whispered to him.
"You ask the impossible," Andi commented from his other side.
Sirius smiled before replying. "I want them all dead and buried," Sirius whispered back.
Yes, he wanted the Malfoy's out of his seat. He would see them disgraced, bankrupted and then tossed through the veil, if he was able to get his way.
Amelia walked in with Grover Brown and Trenton Greengrass. The elder Greengrass looked to be using Amelia to help guide him. Even so, Sirius knew the man still had a sharp mind and sharper tongue. The older woman cast a quick glance to Sirius, before focusing on taking her seat just behind the dais. Greengrass sat next to her with Brown sitting just above them.
When just about everyone else was sat, the four others that Sirius wanted to see burn entered together. The minister, usually affable looking and jovial to his allies, had a sour look on his face. The elderly man next to him looked to be part of the cause. The man's long white hair and beard were rather distinctive, not to mention his purple robes with silver stars and runes. He was the only one not in the plum-coloured robes of the others.
Andi reached over to put a hand on Sirius's. "Stay calm."
"I'm calm," he said in an easy manner, even if inside he was seething to see the short man with a bald spot move away from the bunch to take up a seat three from the dais on the right. That was the Potter Seat. The fact Diggle looked confident in his position had him itching for his wand. But a good prank would be better than any quick revenge a curse could make.
The last of them was a man with grey hair, blue eyes and left little doubt that he was related to Augusta Longbottom. Algernon Croaker was a man a few years older than his sister. By the looks the man got, many didn't like that he sat in the Longbottom seat. He was only able to do so because of his sister marrying into the family and the fact the Croakers were vassals of the Longbottoms.
Regarding them, he knew Dumbledore had to go after how he treated his godson the last week, not to mention his usurpation of the Potter's seat to Diggle, and the catastrophe at Hogwarts in the last few weeks. Diggle would pay for agreeing to take a seat he had no right too. Fudge would suffer for pardoning Malfoy. Malfoy, Longbottom, Croaker… anyone associated with them will burn.
Croaker cast him a glance. The man had a particular gleam to his eyes that had Sirius wanting to kill him now, even if the man's face was perfectly impassive. Sirius was sure that was from years of training as an Unspeakable.
The allowed visitors, which consisted of family members of the Wizengamot, petitioners, Heads of Departments or reporters, all quieted as Dumbledore stepped up to the dais. It took only a moment for the full chamber to quiet. "Thank you all for coming on this bright solstice day. I will call together the opening of the four hundred and fifty-first session of the Wizengamot of Greater Britain, including the Kingdoms of Scotland, and the lands of Wales, the Orkneys and all lands that swore fealty to this council and the crown. All decisions between now and when this session is closed, or the next summer solstice, shall be considered magically binding. So mote it be," Dumbledore said.
All the members of the Wizengamot replied, "So mote it be."
Everyone could feel magic responding to the combined will of the members.
"Before we are to review the records of the previous meeting and open the floor for new business, I will call on the roles. Any member or House not present at this meeting will be considered absent until the next Wizengamot meet is called," the old man said. He cast a glance towards Sirius, who gave the chief warlock a Marauderesque grin. "Scribe, if you would?"
A woman in the not-so flattering robes of a lower clerk stood in the bottom row where two other clerks sat. Her face was rather shapely as the blonde hair hung in curls to her shoulders. He wondered how the rest of her looked as she started to call the roll. When she got to the third name on the list, "The House of Black?" Sirius rose at the same time as Lucius Malfoy called out, "Present."
She was about to go onto the next name when Sirius called out, "The House of Black is not represented on the Wizengamot. The Lord of the House did not appoint the current occupant of the seat."
Malfoy gave him a little sneer and Sirius gave him a cheeky grin before trying to turn serious again.
"The Malfoys have been appointed to sit regent of the House of Black by the will of the last head of house. There is no Lord of House Black at this time," Lucius said in his drawling voice.
He turned to Ted, who handed him a few sheets of thick, fibrous parchment. He was happy that the wizarding world didn't use the traditional goat skins for this anymore. "According to my grandfather's will, I was named as primary heir. I have recently taken up my inheritance. I am the Lord of House Black," he said, holding up the parchments of his grandfather's will and clearly displaying the signet ring of his house.
Malfoy looked to take in a sharp breath and was looking to control his anger. "I protest this! Sirius Black was disowned by Walburga Black and her will has clearly defined that only a Black in good standing can be the next Lord Black. Harry Potter is the current heir, and I was granted regency until he is of age."
Sirius coughed, moving his hand to make sure everyone saw the ring on his finger. He would have preferred to do this months ago, but by Wizengamot law, seats could only change ownership at a major meet, meaning the solstices or the equinoxes. "My mother was never the Head of House Black and had no power to disown anyone. My grandfather never disowned me. As confirmed by the goblins and magic, I am the current Lord of House Black. Also, as Mister Malfoy was disbarred from guardianship of the Heir Potter, be is illegally usurping the House of Potter and Malfoy."
This caused a stir and Malfoy's face contorted in rage for a moment. Fudge shifted uncomfortably before foolishly stepping in it.
"The goblins have no say in this. I personally oversaw the reading of the will and the placement of Lord Malfoy," Fudge said. Sirius rose a curious eye at the man. With all his issues, Sirius was surprised that he spoke at all. By the looks of a few of the people around Malfoy, maybe he shouldn't have been.
Giving the minister a cheeky grin, he said, "Minister Fudge, if you think that the goblins have made a mistake, then I encourage we contact the Goblin Liaison Office and have a representative come and clear up this matter."
The man paled and sat down, muttering something.
"Now, Mister Malfoy," Sirius said with some relish, "I would claim my seat."
Lucius Malfoy looked to be silently seething but didn't press the matter. He knew he was in the wrong. He didn't move to vacate the seat though.
"There has been a legitimate challenge to the Black seat," Dumbledore said to Lucius. Sirius wasn't sure if the man was slightly gloating over Malfoy or not. "Clerk of the roles, please retrieve the will that Lord Black is presenting and confirm if it has precedence."
An older man got up and stepped down to the court floor. Sirius, as a senior member of the room, didn't move to meet him. As the clerk stepped up to him, there was talk all around them. Many of the reporters were scribbling furiously in their notepads. It took a few minutes for the clerk to read the documents, then he cast a few spells. When they glowed green or silver, Sirius knew he was in the right. After a few more minutes, the clerk turned to the Wizengamot. "Chief Warlock, what Lord Black says is true. He is the true heir and is the head of House Black."
"Mister Malfoy, as you have lost your standing as regent, you will need to petition Lord Black to keep representing the House of Black. You may present a petition when the general audience is called to do so," Dumbledore informed the man. Malfoy slammed his cane into the rock floor in agitation.
Sirius gave the man a cheeky grin as he stood up. Most of the people around Malfoy gave Sirius nasty glares. Malfoy started his way down to the courtroom floor, since the only way to get to the visitor seating without leaving the chamber was to cross the floor. Sirius inclined his head before walking down the steps. As Malfoy passed, he muttered, "Enjoy this while it lasts, Black."
Sirius smirked. "Are you going to tell your master?"
Lucius looked ready to kill before Sirius was past him.
He walked up to the chair directly next to the podium. Lord Ogden was sitting in the seat. Sirius looked down at him, and then the other three in the row. "I believe that is the seat the Blacks traditionally sat in."
Odgen didn't looked pleased, but after a moment, got up. Croaker and Diggle didn't move. Ogden cleared his throat before the other two moved. Sirius sat, sitting straight and acting the Lord of Black. If it wasn't for Harry, he would never do this. He still grinned though, as though he was up to no good.
Dumbledore gave him a 'you're being childish' look before turning back to the clerk. "Please continue the roll call."
Things went smoothly until they got to the Longbottom seat. Croaker declared, "Present."
Sirius cleared his throat, interrupting the clerk before they went to the next person. The Chief Warlock gave him a look and murmurs spread around the room. "The House of Black protests this appointment," he said rather casually.
"This is not the time or place," Fudge stated.
"I think it is. If we sit this man in the Longbottom seat, he will be allowed to vote, sit judgements and speak during the Wizengamot meeting until the fall equinox," Sirius said, enjoying the look he was getting from some of the Longbottom allies that hadn't left them yet.
"You have no right to protest at this time," Dumbledore said.
Sirius rose an eyebrow when Lord Nott stated, "I protest this sitting as well."
"As do I," Parkinson added. Sirius hadn't quite expected this, but he understood the conservatives were looking to discredit the Longbottoms as much as possible.
"Chief Warlock, I think this is a valid protest," Sirius said, having rehearsed this with Andi and Ted. "The Dowager Lady Longbottom and the Heir Longbottom are in DMLE custody facing serious charges. Unless they have been able to present a petition to the Wizengamot offices and Gringotts for Mister Croaker before today, then there is no legal way he could claim the seat."
Dumbledore did not look pleased.
Fudge looked unsure which way to go. The man had been playing both sides for years, and now he was stuck between them. Sirius fought to keep a severe expression instead of grinning like a loon.
Dumbledore eventually looked to Croaker. "Mister Croaker, do you have the petition and certification from the Wizengamot offices and Gringotts?"
The man's eyes burned with hatred. "My sister wished me to represent her house while she is unavailable. As I am a vassal of House Longbottom, it is my right to represent them when they are not able too."
Sirius cleared his throat. "I don't remember any law or binding allowing someone to represent a seat with out a Wizengamot vote after appointment by the Minister of Magic or the Chief Warlock," he said rather pointedly to Dumbledore, "or a petition, even if you are an ally or vassal. "
Dumbledore's eyes bored into Sirius head. "I do believe you are correct, Lord Black. Do you have a petition?"
Croaker didn't say anything for a moment. "I do not."
Sirius could sense the old man calculating if he should push a vote. "You must vacate the Longbottom seat. You may petition for appointment when the Wizengamot asks for petitions from the general audience."
The man's placid face must be hiding a raging temper. After a moment, Croaker stood. "Very well, Chief Warlock."
Sirius couldn't keep a small grin off his face as the man walked into the visitor gallery. Proceedings went along until the clerk called for the Potter seat. "The House of Potter."
Diggle rose his hand, "Present."
"I object to this placement," Sirius called out.
"What now?" Fudge said from behind him.
"There should be no protest to this. Mister Diggle has been declared the representative of the seat until the heir is of age to take his seat," Dumbledore said down to him. Sirius was sure that Dumbledore would love to keep the seat for another seven years until Harry turned twenty-one.
"As the legal guardian of Scion Potter and representative of the Regent of House Potter, I have not been petitioned to allow a representative," he informed Dumbledore.
"I see. The Wizengamot was not informed that there was a regent," Dumbledore replied. Sirius didn't miss the man's eyes narrowing.
"Yes, well, I was not available for much of the last thirteen years, and it seemed that the Ministry somehow lost my godson and thought him dead, even though there was evidence he was not," Sirius replied. "Now, I would like to declare who will be representing House Potter until my godson can take his rightful place."
"You can't allow this, Dumbledore," Fudge said in a whisper.
Dumbledore ignored the man. "Who would Heir Potter like to represent the House of Potter?"
"As requested by Heir Potter, I appoint Andromeda Tonks as regent," Sirius said.
Diggle frowned but was far more gracious in his acceptance of the rule of law and magic.
So far, the balance of power hadn't changed much. He was waiting for the real fireworks to start, and the opening act was about to come. The clerk made if through the forty-seven active Houses, then started on the six inactive houses. Once a house failed to show for one-hundred years, it was stricken off the record. At one time the Wizengamot was sixty-nine members. Over the last four hundred years it has shrunken by thirteen houses and was in danger of shrinking more in the next two decades.
"If there are any heirs or regents of the following houses, then petitions to regain your seat may be presented at this time," the clerk called out.
"Abercrombie?"
They waited the requisite sixty seconds before calling the next name.
"Craye?"
Most looked bored at this. At least it was only four times a year this ceremony was officially done.
"Dagworth-Granger?"
Ted stood up. "Chief Warlock, I would like to bring up a petition to the Wizengamot to authorize a blood test for this House. Recent evidence has suggested that there is a witch that is born from a squib line of the family."
This seemed to shock many.
Dumbledore took a moment to answer. "Are you in contact with this supposed heir?"
"I am not and am not allowed to petition the goblins unless I have permission from the Wizengamot," Ted said.
Fudge shook his head. "This is just a witch hunt, Dumbledore. Reject the petition. The Dagwood-Grangers died out almost eighty years ago."
Sirius rose his hand, like a good little boy, then cleared his throat. Dumbledore looked to him. "You have something to add to this, Lord Black?"
"I do," he said, reaching into his robes to pull out some parchment. "On an all to altruistic endeavour, I paid the goblins to see if they could get a trace on some old allied houses of the Blacks and Potters. They have found several reliable sources that suggest there is a new magical heir to that house, as well as a few others that could have rightful claims."
Dumbledore pursed his lips.
"Preposterous," Fudge spluttered. "The goblins don't just do that!"
"If the alliances allow for allied members to protect their heirs, the goblins would be allowed," Dumbledore said, reaching for the parchment. He looked it over as Fudge and several others tried to protest. After a few minutes, Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Mister Tonks, will you also be petitioning to solicit the goblins for tests against the Ayer and Hufflepuff lines as well?"
There was a shock that ran through the room. It took a few minutes for everything to calm before Ted said, "With the Wizengamot's permission."
"There is no precedence for this!" Parkinson cried out.
"If they deserve the seats, then it is their right," Amelia called out from the row before him.
"The Ayer seat was declared extinct years ago," Selwyn protested.
"None of the Hogwarts Founders have had heirs in hundreds of years. This is a clear case of Black trying to take control of the Wizengamot!" Nott yelled.
"The Hufflepuff seat was sat until Hepzibah Smith died in the forties," Lord Quentin said loudly.
He grinned at the chaos. It took another twenty minutes before Dumbledore was able to regain control. When he did, he nodded to Ted. "The Wizengamot does not have the power to deny seats to those that rightfully deserve them," he said. Sirius didn't miss the glance towards him. "We will allow you to contact these people and represent them to the goblins and the Wizengamot should their claims be just."
Ted inclined his head. "Thank you, Chief Warlock. I will present my findings at the fall equinox meet, as that is the earliest time Wizengamot law allows for such."
"Very well. Clerk, please complete the roll call," Dumbledore said.
Fudge and many others on the other side of the dais looked rather upset. They had lost a seat, while the light had also, which still gave them a two-seat majority over this side of the aisle, but now could be facing three new members with no known affiliation. Sirius was fairly sure that if they were from squib lines, they would probably not be falling over themselves to align with the darker houses. Even with the majority on the other side, that was still a loose collaboration that relied on ten neutral houses voting with them most of the time.
After that, Sirius felt like he was forcing his eyes to stay open. Luckily, it was the start of a yearly session, so there were no open bills to listen to or debate for old business. The notices held little importance to him since none of them affected him. The review of some of the major court cases from last year was a little more interesting, especially to find out that Selwyn had been fined for illegal beast handling of a graphorn. When the chief warlock opened the floor for new business, six members stood up to be recognized.
As they went by seniority of House, Andromeda was recognized just after Rosier introduced a new tax law that would mostly effect Muggleborn. Sirius was going to do all he could to shoot that down. When Andromeda stood, he didn't miss the scowl from Longbottom.
"The floor recognizes Regent Andromeda Tonks of House Potter," Chief Warlock Dumbledore said. Sirius gave the man a cheeky grin at the look he gave his cousin.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. As Regent of House Potter, I present a petition and a declaration." Sirius watched as a few looked curiously or hatefully at her.
"I, Regent Andromeda Tonks of House Potter, with the will of my Scion and his guardian, give this declaration of Alliance Nullification between the House of Potter and Longbottom, to be judged by the Wizengamot before Mabon." This caused a bit of a stir to call the fall equinox by its old name. "The alliance has been violated on six counts and the House of Potter will seek retribution for the following."
He could see Croaker glaring at her, but he didn't try to stop it. Sirius was sure if Longbottom had been here, she would fight this all the way.
"Count the first, the abandonment of the Heir against the alliance charter." The stir in the visitors' gallery was growing.
"Count the second, the attempted abdication of the House of Potter, its holdings and Wizengamot seat by the Longbottoms and two other alliance Houses."
It was well known what the Longbottoms had done for the last thirteen years, so this was no surprise.
"Count the third, the attempted line theft of the heir by the unlawful means of declaration of death without proof, the attempted abduction of the heir when found, the attempted murder of the heir by the heir of the Longbottoms and the attempted murder by the Matron," Andromeda went on.
Dumbledore's voice rose above the murmuring. "I do not think that that claim can be substantiated at this time, Regent Tonks."
"If you say so, Chief Warlock," Andi said with a detached air that would have made his grandfather proud. "I would ask the Wizengamot to quickly and efficiently determine the guilt of the Longbottom Scion and Matron to substantiate my assertions then. The House of Potter will be seeking retribution for these and other wrongs," Andi said, casting a glance towards Lucius.
Cornelius shifted uncomfortably. Dumbledore's face had grown stoney.
Sirius gave the man a huge grin.
"Count the fourth," Andromeda went on. "The unlawful holding of Potter heirlooms after request by the House of Longbottom and other allies."
This one got a few looking upset. Family heirlooms were sacrosanct.
"Count the fifth, the unlawful support of the Longbottom vote to place a regent into the seat of the Potters against the alliance charter and support of said person in contradiction of the House of Potter's charter. This count will also include a charge against the previous regent for voting in direct conflict to the oaths required by the Potter's charter."
Dumbledore shifted. "There was nothing unlawful about placing a regent into the Potter seat when the heir could not be found. Mister Diggle served as required. The Longbottoms had the full rights to represent the Potters at that time."
Andromeda turned her glare to Dumbledore. "I assure you, Chief Warlock, the Longbottoms did not have the right the second the heir was abandoned and not looked for. The day that decision was made, all other powers granted to either family from the alliance was nullified and all actions after that date are against Wizengamot and alliance law."
Dumbledore looked a little unsettled. Sirius didn't miss the interested looks from many of the darker houses. Sirius was sure they were enjoying the implosion of the light side. Little did they know there was something better coming.
"Count the sixth," Andromeda said, turning back to the parchment. "The unlawful deformation of the Potter Heir and House of Potter from an ally that was supposed to defend the House of Potter's interests."
"Under Wizengamot law and penalty clauses of the alliance, the House of Potter formally withdraws all support, be it monetary, political or social from the House of Longbottom and those that are complicit to these counts. This includes the House of Dumbledore, Crouch and Everwand," she stated.
"This is an outrage. I never supported House Longbottom!" Crouch shot out of his seat.
"You sir, as the Head of the DMLE at the time, signed off on a declaration that the Heir Potter was deceased, and then tried to press the matter with the goblins. I have proof that the Longbottoms paid fifteen thousand galleons to you. Do you have an explanation for this?" Andromeda shot at the man.
Crouch sputtered. "I never… I would never. That was for an exploratory fund to become minister."
"Then you will be happy to provide the courts with proof on how you spent that money," Andromeda said.
"Is that all, Regent Tonks?" Dumbledore said in a distinctly unhappy voice.
"It is not. The House of Potter also declares the House of Longbottom as blood traitor and oath breaker against the blood oaths of the alliance," she declared.
This got many in the crowd and the Wizengamot riled as Algernon finally stood. "I protest this!"
"You have no right to protest this unless you are on the Wizengamot," Andi said coldly, her voice carrying over the crowd.
Dumbledore had to shoot out a cannon blast from his wand to calm things. He was about to speak up about Croaker when Parkinson stood up. "Chief Warlock, the House of Parkinson would stand with the House of Potter on this matter. Over the years, Madam Longbottom has put forward many bills and petitions against the Potters."
Nott stood next. "The House of Nott will also back this petition."
Sirius grinned, even though he didn't want this type of support, but sharks always attacked when they smelled blood in the water.
Dumbledore looked distinctly displeased. "Very well. All those in support of this petition and bringing this to a court vote before the fall equinox?"
Thirty-eight of the forty-seven members voted for the acceptance of the petition.
"The petition is accepted, and a date will be set for as soon as possible," Dumbledore said.
"I will not accept a date before the judgements of Scion Longbottom and the Dowager Lady Longbottom are made by the Wizengamot," Andi imperiously declared.
Dumbledore knew the law. She was within her rights, meaning that they would need to be tried over the summer. After a moment, Dumbledore agreed. "Thank you, Regent Potter. Now, we have the next petition…"
"I am not done, Chief Warlock," Andi stated.
The man stopped, stared at her for a moment before graciously motioning for her to go on.
"I, Regent Andromeda Tonks of House Potter, with the will of my Scion and his guardian, do hereby declares a Blood Feud against the House of Malfoy if a rightful trial of Mister Malfoy is not held by Madon, for wilful use of dark spells and the attempted usurpation…"
The houses that had just supported them all stood and started to shout. Sirius grinned maniacally at the chaos that overtook the Wizengamot chambers for the next few minutes. When he caught the eye of an incensed Lucius Malfoy, Sirius just winked before standing up. He put his wand to his throat. "The House of Black joins the House of Potter in this feud and calls all debts owed by the House of Malfoy and its allies to the House of Black."
Malfoy's hateful glare turned into a white-faced look of terror. A few others around the room looked the same.
-oOo-
June 24, 1995Redhill, England
Hermione was curious when her mother had told her to dress nicely and that they were going to a solicitor's office in Diagon Alley today. She didn't know why but had put on a nice dress and put her hair up. Luckily, some of the products she had found for the Yule Ball did wonders on her hair, making it a neat mess of silky feeling curly locks, instead of the unmanageable mass it had been all her life.
"Are you ready?" her mother asked, poking her head into her room. Her mother had also started to use some of the Sleakeasy hair care and two other products she had found. The same unmanageable hair that mother and daughter inherently shared was already looking much better and her mother had been smiling about it.
"Can you tell me what we are doing?" she asked moving towards the stairwell just behind her mum.
"I don't really know, but we were asked to see a Solicitor Theodore Tonks today. The letter came by certified mail last night and said this was urgent," she told her.
Hermione took in a sharp breath. "Harry's guardian are the Tonks," she said.
Her mother gave her a curious look. "That is the boy you saw in the hospital the other day?"
Hermione gave her mother a sad smile. "Yes. He was the one that was attacked," she replied, still not believing that Neville had gone that far. She knew he hated Harry, but she had never thought Neville and Ron would ever try to outright kill him.
Her mother's face darkened. "You aren't talking to the others, right?"
Hermione sniffed. "No, mum. I won't ever talk with them again. Can you give me a moment? I need to go get something from my room."
"We need to go. What are you missing?"
"Harry said I could petition to be resorted and his guardian could help. I wonder if Mister Tonks could help too," she said, rushing up the stairs.
A few minutes later they got into the Land Rover with her father. "Got everything now?" her father asked.
"Yes, dad," she replied, clutching the letters to her chest. She didn't want to be a Gryffindor anymore, and this was the only way her parents would allow her to go back to Hogwarts. Until she had told them this was an option, they were already talking about taking her to France. As it was, she was going to have an interview with Beauxbatons next month when they travelled to France for vacation.
It was a relatively quiet drive into London. Like usual, she had to take her father's hand so he could see the Leaky Cauldron. The suspicion that her mum might be a squib had plagued her for a while, but that grew as her mum led them to the door. She had been thinking about that more since finding out that You-Know-Who was back. She wasn't sure they would be safe, but if her mother was a squib, then maybe they could talk to the goblins about wards to protect them?
The law office of Solicitor Tonks was a small office in a building just past Gringotts. When her father opened the door, they walked into a small reception area. There were two desks, both with women. A younger brunette was using an old typewriter in a corner to their left. Her brown eyes were streaming across pages of notes as she tapped away on the keys. Hermione's brow rose, never having seen anything but quills in the Wizarding world. It made sense though, as forms from the ministry, most books in stores, papers and magazines were all typed. Everything from Hogwarts was all written by a quill.
Right before them a middle-aged woman with dirty blonde hair stood up. Her dark blue eyes looked at them, taking them in in a second, then smiling. "Good morning. Are you the Grangers?" she asked congenially.
"We are. Doctor Nathan Granger. This is my wife, Doctor Emmelia Granger, and our daughter, Hermione," her father said, reaching out to shake the woman's hand. She returned the gesture.
"It is genuinely nice to meet you. I'm Stacy Proudmore. I know Solicitor Tonks is in the office today to see you. If you would, I have lain out some refreshments, tea and coffee in the conference room," she indicated a small room to their right.
Her mother looked curious. "Your employer doesn't often come to the office?"
"Oh, he is here most days, but since his nephew was hurt, he's been working from home or been busy at the ministry or Saint Mungo's. We are terribly busy right now," she said with a grim look. "He used to also work from home as much as possible when his daughter was home from Hogwarts, so Jacqueline and I are quite used to working on our own."
"Yes, we are sorry to hear about all the issues at Hogwarts in the last few weeks. Do you know why we were asked to come today?" her father enquired.
"You should wait to talk to Mister Tonks. He will be available in just a moment. If you need anything, please let me know," Miss Proudmore offered. Hermione was going to call her miss since she had not seen a wedding, engagement or betrothal ring on her fingers.
The woman left the door open. Hermione took a seat while her father held out a seat for her mother. It wasn't even thirty seconds later before they were standing again. A shorter man with a balding head of brown hair and sharp hazel eyes stepped into the room. He looked rather in decent shape for his age. "Good morning. Doctor Granger, I presume?" the man said in an easy manner.
"Yes. Doctor Nathan Granger. You can call me Nathan, if you want," her father told him, shaking his hand.
"Very good, Nathan. Doctor Emmelia Granger?" He took her mother's hand and kissed the back of it when she held it out.
"It is, Mister Tonks. Please call me Emma or Emmelia," she told him.
"Then I insist you all call me Ted. And you must be Hermione? My nephew has talked about you at times," he said, taking her hand and kissing it as well.
Hermione felt a little flustered. "Ah, yes, Mister Tonks. Harry talks about me?"
"He talks about all his friends. I think he likes the competition you give him," the man said.
She flushed a little. "If he focused a little more on all his classes, Harry could be at the top of the class."
The man's brow rose. "That is interesting. I was led to understand you hold that spot."
"I do, but still," she said.
Her father cleared his throat as her mother cast her a curious glance. "Ted, we are rather proud of our daughter and love hearing about her friends, but Emma and I still have appointments this afternoon if we can make them."
"Of course. If you would, please sit. Help yourself to anything here," Mr Tonks said. "I'm sure you are curious about why I asked to see you on such short notice?"
"We are rather curious. Your letter made it sound as though there is an issue with Hermione," her mum stated.
"Absolutely not. If anything, I think Hermione may be in better shape than you think. Before I get into the big news, I do have a rather serious bit of business," the man said, his congenial manner dropping.
"What is that?" her father asked, looking tense now.
Ted sighed. "I am not sure if you are aware, but there was an incident a week ago."
"Yes. It is simply dreadful what has happened. We talked with an Auror, right, that is what they were called?" her mother asked towards her.
"Yes, mum. Auror Tonks and Auror Shacklebolt," she said. They had questioned her about Neville and the Weasleys and what happened to Hannah.
"I am aware. Auror Tonks is my daughter, and I was informed by the DMLE as Harry's and the Abbot's solicitor. I am unsure what they talked to you about and won't know until the interview is released, but I was hoping that you might give a deposition about Mister Longbottom and the Misters Weasleys about what you know about that day and previous interactions with Harry?" he asked towards her.
Hermione swallowed hard. Neville and Ron had been her best friends for almost four years. Neville had been her first boyfriend… then they had both gone round the twist about Harry. She looked to her parents. Her mother gently said, "It is your decision, but I think you should."
She looked at her hands for a moment, not sure why she was so torn. Neville had killed Hannah. She believed Harry and Susan. When she looked up, the man was giving her an understanding look. That was enough to have her ask, "What do you need me to do?"
The man gave her a solemn nod. "I will have one of my assistants and your parents sit in on an interview. We will use a certified dictaquill and oaths to ensure that you are telling the true as you know it and we will ensure that what is recorded is accurate and as you say it," he informed them.
"Do you plan to do this today?" her father asked. "I would like to have our own solicitor present."
"I can understand that. Do you have a solicitor that knows of the Magical world? If not, I can recommend two that are trustworthy if you don't want me representing you and your daughter," he offered.
Her parents shared a look. "You know that your brother doesn't know," her mum said.
Her father frowned. "What would it mean that you would represent our daughter and us?"
"Like in the normal world, I would represent your interests to the best of my ability. We have a contract with a retainer that will be established. Since I am certified in both the magical and normal world, I can work with your solicitor on any normal items. Anything you wish, it can be defined in the contract," he told them.
"I notice you say 'normal', not this 'muggle' nonsense that everyone else uses," her mother noted.
The man gave her a sad smile. "Like your daughter, I am a Muggleborn, or normal born, as I like to call it. I can understand the difficulties that you and Hermione are having at times. Stacy and Jacqueline are also normalborns. My wife is a pureblood, but a nicer and more tolerant woman you would be harder pressed to find. Just don't upset her."
This seemed to settle her parents as the tension they were holding lessoned. "If we could see the contract, we would consider you. Are you looking to do the deposition today?"
"If we can. Before Hermione gives her deposition though, I do have an appointment for us with Gringotts in about forty minutes for a different issue," he told them. "Let me just get the contract and we can talk about that. Stacy, can you get me a standard retainer?"
"Why do I need to go to Gringotts," Hermione questioned.
"That is an interesting question. Harry has told me how bright you are. Have you heard of a theory that Muggleborns steal magic?" he asked.
She scowled and her mother gave her a questioning look. "I've heard Malfoy and others say we steal magic."
"Well, I can tell you that the theory does have some facts grounded in it, but it is a perversion of the truth," Mr Tonks stated.
"What do you mean? Hermione has only peripherally mentioned some of the issues she has at school," her father said.
Ted nodded. "I was much the same with my parents. Please understand, Nathan, that magic is something wonderful. It is part of us. Once you experience the way it makes you feel whole that first time your wand and you meld is more profound than the first time you fall in love. Magic is a part of us, and to give that up would make you feel incomplete. Some families that have had magic in them for generations feel that they are the only ones that deserve that right, and look down on people like myself or your daughter."
"Hermione, you never told us it is like this," her mum said.
Hermione gave her mother a defiant look. "I told you I won't give up my magic."
Mr Tonks chuckled. "My daughter is much the same. I have to say though, that these families that look down on us have come up with reasons to hate and belittle us. One of them is that we steal magic and cause them to have non-wizard children. Research from places outside of Europe have found this to be untrue. Actually, magic can only be passed down by parents that have the spark themselves."
Her parents looked a little shocked. "What do you mean? Emma and I are not wizards," her father said.
"No, I don't think you are, but one, if not both of you, must have a relative that once was. You would still carry the spark to pass down to your children, but you wouldn't have enough to be considered a wizard. The wizards here have a derogatory name for people like this. They call them squibs," he said.
Her parents were taking this in. Her mind was racing. "Can you test for this?" Hermione blurted out, her suspicions about her mother racing to the fore.
The man grinned at her. "That is an interesting question. There is a test to see how much magic one has. More interestingly is that the goblins have a test to see who your ancestors are as well."
Her eyes widened. Her father beat them to it, "Is this why you have an appointment with us at Gringotts? You want to see if Emma and I are squibs and to see who we are related too?"
"The goblins will not test you for magic. My wife can do that later, if you like. What I am interested in is who your ancestors are. As you may or may not know, our government consists of the Ministry of Magic and the Wizengamot. The people of the Wizengamot act as law makers and our judiciary. All the seats are hereditary, and one of my other clients has contracted me to see if any of the seats have others of higher claim, or to see if we can reactivate some of the empty seats."
"We have read about it. Are you saying that Hermione could possess one of these seats?" her mum demanded.
"I think it entirely possible," he said, pushing a folder towards them. "I have been able to track down the bloodlines of the Dagworth-Grangers."
"You are saying I am a squib?" her father asked.
"I rather suspect your wife is. I couldn't find any relation between you and the main line of the Grangers that combined with the Dagworths about two-hundred years back. Your wife, on the other hand, I believe to be the granddaughter of one Wisteria Dagworth-Granger, who married Quentin Tremble after she was disowned for being a squib," Mr Tonks said.
Hermione reached for the folder before her parents could. "Great-grammy was a squib!" she exclaimed.
"Hermione," her mum chastised, taking the folder out of her hands before she could open it. "You are sure Gran-mum Terry was a squib?"
"Fairly positive. A blood test will confirm it," Mr Tonks told them.
"Before we head over, we did have something for you too," her mother said. "Hermione?"
Hermione was still trying to process all this. "Oh, yes. Harry told me that I can request a resorting. I have a petition for the Board of Governors and was told I could ask his godfather for help," she said, handing him the two letters she had.
Mr Tonks smiled. "I think that is reasonable, given the latest events. I will personally pass this letter to the Lord Black tonight. He's my wife's cousin."
"Well, that's convenient," her father said.
Not long later, they had engaged Mr Tonks as their solicitor and then found themselves sitting in an office of Gringotts with a surly looking goblin in an impeccable business suit a hundred years or more out-of-date. The goblin account manager looked at a bowl full of a pearly potion.
"If you would hold your hand over the bowl, I will get the required blood," Bonegrinder said to her.
"Is that sterile?" her mother enquired as the goblin picked up a silver dagger.
"Gringotts does not poison or harm out clients," the goblin stated highly offended.
Mr Tonks put a hand on her mother's arm. "Emmelia, this is safe."
Hermione stuck her hand out over the bowl. As much as she hated to be a Gryffindor now, the hat did have a reason to make her one besides her well-reasoned arguments to do so. The goblin gave a toothless grin at her bravery.
The knife slashed down, making a deeper cut than she thought necessary. She hissed at the pain but held her hand steady. The goblin looked mildly impressed. After enough blood fell into the potion to turn it red, the goblin waved his hand over hers and the wound closed.
"Bloody hell. Magic can do that?" her father muttered.
The goblin used the blade to stir the potion. She shuttered when he licked off the little left on it before reaching for a quill. He dipped the quill into the potion and them set the tip to an empty parchment. She watched it write out, her eyes widening as it went for a few minutes. Before them was a family tree that must have gone back twenty-generations.
"Is our daughter a Dagworth-Granger?" her mother asked.
Bonegrinder picked up the parchment when he was sure the quill wasn't going to write any more. Looking at it, the goblins stated, "Hermione Granger is the last magical person of the Dagworth-Grangers through her great-grandmother Wisteria Tremble nee Dagworth-Granger. She is eligible to receive the three family vaults, the two properties and the Wizengamot seat in the family's name. I don't see her eligible for any other unclaimed inheritances currently, but she is the secondary heiress to the ancient House of Smith. If you wish, I can retrieve the last will or other dispositions of the Dagworth-Grangers and determine what Miss Granger is eligible to receive."
She blinked. "Smith? As in Zacharias Smith?" she asked, knowing how conceited he was and how much Harry disliked him.
The goblin looked at the parchment. "That is the primary heir of the house after his father, though we have been curious why Mister Smith's grandfather never claimed his vaults or Wizengamot seat when his great-aunt died. We will have to contact Mister Smith if you wish to contest for the House."
"I…I… what?" she asked, feeling too surprised at this.
"What are you saying? Hermione is eligible for this? What even is all this?" her father asked.
"Nathan, my wife and I can explain the significance of all this in the future. If you would, I would recommend that Hermione put in a claim. She will most likely lose and have to remain the secondary heiress, but if the Smith's can claim their birthright as well, then things in the Wizengamot and ministry can start to change," Mr Tonks told them. "I would also recommend that you cancel any appointments you have for the afternoon. This may take a while and I would like to get that deposition."
Her mum took the family tree as the goblin got up after a curt nod.
Her father shook his head. "Are their telephones around here?"
"Just outside the alley. We can take a quick walk. Bonecrusher will wait for us," Mr Tonks said.
Her father looked to them. "Will you be alright?"
Her mum traced the lines of the tree like structure. "I had no clue. My grandmum never even indicated something like this."
She reached over to her mum. "The Statute of Secrecy. Great-grandmum wouldn't have been able to tell anyone without the potential of getting into trouble."
"I forgot about that," her mum said very uncharacteristically.
"We'll be back shortly. It may take Gringotts a little bit to get all the paperwork together since the last Dagworth-Granger died almost eighty years ago," Mr Tonks told them.
"Mum, this makes me a Lady of the Wizengamot," Hermione said, her brain starting to kick in as she thought about everything she had learned about this backwards world over the last four years.
"It's like the House of Lords?" her mum questioned. She looked to be thinking just as hard. "Hermione, does this mean you can't leave the country?"
Hermione's mind was going down a different route. "Mum, this means I can change things. The Muggleborn laws. Creature laws. The house elves," she said, her brain working hard enough that someone would have thought they could hear the gears in her head turning at a thousand miles an hour. "I need to talk with Harry or Susan."
-oOo-
The next time on Duel of Fate: Hannah's Funeral. The trials begin. Harry decides he needs a talk with Master Flitwick.