The schoolyear was moving fast. Classes weren't as exciting as Harry remembered, but he blamed that on the fact that he now actually knew his subjects and worked outside of classes. Knowing the calm would end soon he tried to enjoy his time as a normal teenager. Still struggling with making friends as he always had, due to his upbringing at the Dursleys, and later enforced by his two years in exile at the Black Manor.
When the tenth of October came around, he would still only claim Cyrus and Samantha as his friends. He was acquaintance by proximity with Elisabeth Rosier, Nicholas Davis and Marietta Adams.
Arriving at breakfast he could see Cyrus looking riled up.
"Did you hear about the Wizengamot session yesterday?"
"No … did something happened, wasn't it just the regular October session?"
"A new law, maximum amount of land a single family can own on the British Isles, both plottable and unplottable."
"You are fine though, right? Most of the Greengrass farms are in the Americas?"
"Not completely. But it won't hit us that hard, we just have to sell some land we are mugglefarming on. Elisabeth was called home yesterday, same with her brother Evan."
"How did it get through, just the French descendants should almost have the 34% on their own?"
"They didn't make it a law" Marietta Adams had joined them for breakfast. "Brown, Abbot and McKinnon suggested it as a tax. To prevent too much of the wealth in the Isles concentrated amongst some families. Now those families are saying it's a pureblood tax, which is kind of correct. I don't know a single not pureblood family that will have to sell, but most pureblood families won't have to. Of the richest, I believe Greengrass should almost get off scot-free, the Notts are fine, Ollivander is fine, the Parkinsons are rumoured to have gotten really wealthy recently and don't have enough land. And of course, the families that have moved their wealth here, but still earns foreign aren't concerned with it, not that they are on the Wizengamot. The Lee, Li and Chang's won't have to do anything."
"How do you know all that?" Harry was really impressed.
"You learn a lot from spending four years in Slytherin." Marietta answered. "It helps when you hang out with Cyrus"
"How does it work, if it's a tax?"
"Above the maximum amount that will be set by a committee the tax is 7,5% average value of your land. The arithmancy is pretty simple, it basically says if you own more than this there is no way it will be worth to keep instead of selling your worst value land. Therefor someone like the Greengrass' or Black's will be fine, since they have some land that makes their money and can easily sell land that they just haven't sold. While someone like Malfoy that just owns a lot of land, but doesn't do anything on it will have a much larger loss. I'm sure Lucius Malfoy will have a plan. He is apparently the smartest Malfoy in centuries."
"You are talking about the new tax?" Bellatrix had sat down next to them. Harry couldn't remember her talking outside of class when he was nearby since the opening feast. "We will be half class today. Malfoy, Carrow, Rosier, McNair, Davis and Lestrange were all called home. Even both the Selwyn, not sure why though. And it's all over the school even amongst the families that supported the tax, I'm surprised to see you here Greengrass."
"What's the point" Cyrus answered. "We don't like the tax, voted against it, but cannot change anything just because I miss class."
"I'm surprised to see your cousin here today." Marietta shot in making a nod towards the Gryffindor table.
"Lord Black probably doesn't even know about it yet. He hasn't shown up to a single session since they made Dumbledore chief Warlock in 67. His friend Potter is also here, I heard his father didn't vote, but I'm sure they will just sell some mountains in Wales, they made a lot of money there a hundred years ago selling something to the Muggles, but I'm not sure if the wealth has increased at all since the value change, still rich though. You should try to marry him Adams, not many richer that doesn't arrange their children's betrothal. Maybe Peverell here, not that any of us knows how his vaults are looking."
"So, Harry … what do you say?" Marietta gave him a smirk.
"The Potter heir seems like a good catch," Harry answered trying to keep a straight face
"Isn't he like twelve?"
"Sounds about right, maybe he likes older women"
"Harry," Cyrus said quietly. "You do realise she was initially talking about you, right?"
"Huh, am I that socially awkward that you had to ask. Marietta is way, way, too smart for me. Besides, the Peverell wealth is secret."
"That much, wow." Cyrus said, Bellatrix looked quite interested now.
"Maybe, I actually don't know, it's that secret", Harry answered giving a small wink to Cyrus.
"Yeah, that much. I have never heard of a family that keeps its wealth that secret, maybe it's different since your family is so secretively in general. I believe all Greengrass' knows our wealth. Not that there are that many in the main branch anyways, no male first cousins and all that."
"So, what does the legendary Peverell's think of the tax?" Bellatrix asked
"Probably the same as the even more legendary Black's." Taking a little stop before continuing. "While I understand the statement, trying to avoid some of the wealth discrepancy and all that. This sounds like a really bad idea for me, sure most of those affected are rich, but not all rich are affected, and not all the same."
"Good idea, wrong execution?" Cyrus commented. "Don't really agree, remember no one will end up paying taxes, just a lot of land will be sold to muggles and mudbloods. Particularly mudbloods will know that this is the time to pick up land cheaper than usually since we need to sell it quite quickly."
"Ah, guess it's good I'm not a lord at all. Not understanding that and all…"
"A long time until you can pick up your seat anyways, you have time. Since you are the first public, I don't imagine you can get it before you are 25, or are there some weird circumstances, Marietta?"
"Oh, that is a private question. May I answer Harry?"
"Uh, sure"
"The regular way to pick up your seat obviously is to be given the seat by the former lord. If it is done during the winter of summer solstice session the relation can even be quite far of and skip correct lords and the magic will still accept you. For that you need to be 17. Then for the inheritance if you have a regent through the will that is sitting the seat 17 also counts, however if they don't sit the seat or the will wasn't made public within 1 year of the death of the former lord, you need to be 21. Then to pick up the dead seats you need to be 25 as you said, and do it at the winter or summer solstice session, often for this you need to fulfil quite restrictive family rules to get the seat and officially be the lord. Families that are afraid of the restrictions to not be achievable would take the vaults away from the lordship, for all we know Harry is like that.
Therefor if I would guess in Harry's circumstances either his father, uncle, grandfather or something can show up take the lordship and then give it directly to him once he turns 17, that should be winter solstice in just over 2 years. The other option which I would personally guess is that he has to wait until 25."
"Sound about right", Harry wasn't that impressed by Marietta, but maybe there just wasn't any secret super hidden ways to get you Wizengamot seat. Besides he would at least wait until 95 and pick up all three seats so he wasn't exactly in a rush.
"Peverell is old though, really old. You don't think they have any secret ways to pick it up earlier?" Cyrus was questioning.
"While that wouldn't surprise me, that might give away information they don't want to give away. I would rather wait the eight years and don't tip about family secret." Marietta replied.
"Maybe, who knows how much power our handsome friend here would have". The hand Cyrus put on Harry's shoulder was closest physical contact Harry had experienced since coming back, luckily while tensing up a bit he no longer flinched from contact.
"Work together today, Peverell?" Bellatrix questioned. "Our partners are gone and you aren't looking completely hopeless."
"Sure, ready to leave?"
Wizengamot Supporting Muggleborns
By Barnabus Cuffe
The November session at the Wizengamot marked a huge change for Muggleborns in the British Isles. With the votes 222-209 the '1972 Muggleborn initiative' was passed.
The tax that gives a 90% state founded discount on all school supplies for first generation wizards, commonly known as Muggleborns are meant to help first generation wizards complete their school so they can become a part of the wizarding world.
The minister Eugenia Jenkins whom have been a huge driver of the new tax had said this in her speech after the tax was accepted.
"Beeing a part of the wizarding world is tremendously expensive compared to the muggle world. We have seen an increase in the British Isles of first-generation wizards that elect to have their magic bound and obliviated due to their financial situation not being able to handle seven years of wizarding school. According to our statisticians are expecting our population to continue declining and if its trend continues, they don't expect our society to survive the next 50 years.
The lowest paying entry level jobs at the ministry are paid 7000 Galleons, while a similar position for Muggles might pay the equivalent of 400 Galleons. It is our believe that this tax will allow more first-generations to stay and therefor help our economy in the long run, with more capable witches and wizards in our workplaces."
Lord Rosier did not agree with the minister and had this to say about the new tax.
"For the second session in a row the Wizengamot have forced through blatant discrimination against purebloods. The state funded stipend towards mudbloods will undoubtably increase taxes and inflation and make the cost to attend wizarding school almost impossible for the regular witch and wizard in the Isles. The Minister and her ilk are ruining the wizarding economy and I am as we have seen for half a century, they are already doing their best to ruin our culture. We will appeal to the ICW to stop this tax, it's clearly not a tax and should not be approved with less than two thirds of the votes."
Here at the Daily Profet we are paying rapt attention to the movement in the wizarding world. While the numbers certainly show a population decline the economy is booming, as shown when the senior auror salary was improved to 60 000 Galleons a year. What will the December session show?
Wizengamot continues to show support for Muggleborns
By Barnabus Cuffe
After the highly volatile November session that gave a 90% school supplies funding for Muggleborn, that later was explained to also handle all primary wands bought during schoolyears, there were tension in the air ahead of the December session.
As we have reported the last month the progressives have kept their hands hidden and seems to believe in their slim majority as there were no public knowledge about potential continuation of the first-generation support that we have seen the last two sessions.
This month it was the Chief Warlock himself Albus Dumbledore that suggested a 75% cut on school cost for the regular wizarding school, and a 50% Hogwarts itself for first-generation wizards. Explaining that the percentage of first-generation wizards were lower than ever at Hogwarts and this needed to be combated.
When the 241 votes supporting the new tax were counted the opposition seemed to silently agree to boycott the vote as the final count was 241-0.
Albus Dumbledore did not make a comment about the new tax, however Lord Bones had this to say.
"For the second month in a row we are combating the biggest issue in our society. The cost of 8000 Galleons to attend Hogwarts are not even remotely affordable for first-generation wizard, at 4000 we still don't expect many to attend. The lesser school that are costing around 1500 Galleons will hopefully draw in more first-generations to complete their five years of education.
Lord Rosier was as usual ready to comment his view on the tax.
"The '1972 Muggleborn initiative' have been sent to ICW and are currently under review to break the chart on what a tax can be. Unfortunately, this was a legal cut of school funding. Personally, I highly disagree with the cut and know that the lesser school will need even more funding help from the Ministry from next year.
The biggest sin today was making the 50% cut of the Hogwarts cost. Hogwarts is the highest-ranking English-speaking Wizarding School in the world, and is not affordable for the average witch or wizard in general. To support mudbloods into the school will lower the quality of education and continue to damage or culture."
The Daily Profet are once again applauding the attempts at bettering our society, while still asking questions if the steps take are the correct steps. We are holding our breaths looking forward for the ripples that might happen during the winter solstice session in just nine days.
While the first month had been a calm and casual atmosphere at Hogwarts had taken an abrupt turn the after the latest news from Wizengamot. With hundred different families holding seats, before the Ministry position were even counted, over half the students had families at the Wizengamot being split between liking the changes too hating them. Harry had quickly realised that the once not picking a side in the discussion were few and far between.
In contrast to Harrys two first years at Hogwarts, this time he was not the centre of the attention. While he absolutely wasn't able to stay completely in the shadow, as the presumed heir to a family as legendary as the Peverell. However, with the expected 9 years until he could pick up his Wizengamot seats, and no current influence in the political landscape there were many more popular targets.
With spellfire in the hallways between class becoming a regular occurrence, the younger students had taken up to travel in huge packs. Harry knew this would become even worse after Elisabeth Rosier's younger brother Evan had landed himself in the hospital wing just the other day. There he refused to tell anyone what had happened and kept saying he tripped down the stairs. Elisabeth had not returned to class after that. Cyrus explained she was for the fourth time this semester called back home, presumably to discuss what could be done about Evan's situation.
The 'other side' unfortunately gave as good as they got and the wrath was aimed at family members of the supporters of the taxes, like Marcus Brown a fourth-year Gryffindor. The second year Gryffindors seemed to take the potential threat seriously with both Marlene McKinnon and Lily Evans amongst the female students, both being highly attractive targets for some accidental spellfire. Harry had started checking his created version of the Marauders Map to make sure his future mother was left alone, not that he was convinced he would dare to help her if she was attacked out of fair of changing a person so intertwined in his future.
Taking what he thought of as the scenic route from Arithmancy towards dinner in the Great Hall he heard voices from a less used corridor on the fifth floor. Spotting that he was alone he draped the invisibility cloak over him and was straight back into his old way to curious ways.
Still hearing shouting not managing to dissect what was said he started pacing faster when he started hearing spells.
"Expelliarmus"
"Slugulus Eructo"
"Protego"
"Tarantallegra"
"Silencio"
"Stupify"
Finally coming around the corner Harry could see the back of two tall redheads attacking a much shorter girl. Turning around, Harry took a few steps in the wrong direction so he was once again hidden by the walls so he could remove the cloak without being spotted
"Ventus Maxima"
"Levicorpus"
Coming back around the corner he could see the girl hanging from her ankle. Having already done his thinking Harry sent two silent stunners at the boys that apparently hadn't heard him turning the corner neither of the times.
"Obscuro, Obscuro, Incarcerous, Incarcerous"
Sending another four spells in rapid succession in case the silent stunners wouldn't last long enough he picked up the girl's wand and handed it to her.
"I'm sorry, I haven't seen that spell before so I don't know how to counter it."
"Liberacorpus". The girl was ejected downwards, with his old seeker reflexes Harry caught her and just before her head hit the floor. Before awkwardly wiggling his grip helping her down without harming herself.
"You okey?" Harry got his first actual look at the girl, she didn't as young as one would assume based on her height, maybe she was even as old as him, but she didn't look to be more than four and a half feet, realising how incredibly light she had been, Harry had either become a lot stronger than he thought or she couldn't be more than 5 stones. She had a small heart shaped face, with a distinct perfectly formed nose. She had long purple hair in a braid that went down almost her entire backside. Wait, purple hair. That couldn't be right, could it. "And sorry to ask, but what colour is your hair?"
"Thank you, yes I'm fine, I think." Realising something was weird with her hair, she reached after the braid and pulled it into eye vision. "Bastards", she murmured. "Would you mind fixing it, my finite isn't that good?"
"Uh, sure, but since I don't know how it should look I might finite more than just the hair colour."
"Like?"
"Make-up, glamours, hair extension spells. I'm sure there are a bunch of things."
"Oh, that's fine." Smiling a bit before. "I don't use any of those, yet."
"Finite", seeing her hair changing into a light strawberry blonde colour.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh, should anything be wrong?"
"You are looking at me weirdly, is there something on my face?"
"Oh, I was just surprised. Uh, you're, really pretty." Beating himself up over the honest comment.
"Oh", smiling brightly. "Thank you. I'm Amelia Bones."
"Henry Peverell, I go by Harry though."
"I know, I would be surprised if you could find a single person in school that don't know who you are."
"Oh," massaging the back of his neck, not sure how to respond to that. "Do you know why they attacked you?"
"I'm not sure if the Prewitt twins need a reason to attack anyone, Gideon have spent the autumn trying to manipulate my best friend to sleep with him. I convinced her to avoid him, they have a really bad reputation. I don't think I should talk here in case they wake up."
"Muffliato", Harry repocketed his wand. "Now no one can hear us anyway. Where were you going, we can start going there if you want to?"
"The silence spell follows us? That's handy. I guess I would be on my way to the Great Hall, I was using an empty classroom here to practice my spellcasting. I want to be an auror like my brother.
Well, so the Prewitt twins like to look at themselves as pranksters, but ever since some other pranksters calling themselves Marauders popped up last year, most of their pranks have become a lot worse. Like hexing younger Slytherins can be called a prank. There are also rumours that they trade sexual favours to make them stop pranking someone. So, they specifically target girls between third and fifth years. I'm not completely sure if it's true, but it would be a cruel rumour to start about someone. And they are quite popular in Gryffindor, being good in practical magic and playing on the quidditch team."
Harry was really struggling to fantom what he was hearing. He knew from Sirius that the Prewitt twins were a part of the Order, they never ended up being full aurors even though they completed the academy. Getting a final spot amongst the 100 aurors were extremely difficult, according to Sirius they lacked enough skills if they weren't paired up together and their tremendous teamwork didn't count in their favour there.
The Prewitt twins were also Molly Weasley's brothers and everyone was talking about how Fred and George were exactly like them, not something Harry wanted to think about right now.
"I might have heard some shouting, that's kind of why I started moving towards you. And I do have a feeling they wouldn't talk loudly about what you just said, even if this is one of the more abandoned places in the castle." Looking down towards his feet while talking, Harry felt that he might be pushing too much, but he really didn't want to believe this about the Prewitt twins. Maybe they had some brilliant reasoning.
"The moment they saw me exiting the classroom the started shouting about how cheap it was for muggleborns to attend Hogwarts, and how their nephews would never afford it." Amelia stopped and took his hand, looking up at him. "Please don't think bad about me, my father has been one of the Lords creating the new taxes and obviously voted for them."
"May I call you Amelia?"
"Uh, sure"
"Amelia, I would never think bad about anyone based on what their family does." Smirking while continuing. "Bedsides who says I don't agree with your father?"
Amelia jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged her. The height difference forced his arms to wrap around her waist to help stabilize him now supporting the both of them, once again being surprised by how light she was. Remembering that this was the first time he had hugged a girl since Hermione was unpetrified, silently wondering if Hermione had smelled as wonderful as Amelia did. When the hug had lasted way longer than it should Harry bent his knees and let Amelia's feet once again touch the floor, looking down at an extremely flushed girl.
"Uh, uh, sorry. That wasn't proper."
"Maybe not, but it was wonderful to be hugged by such a pretty girl." Harry stopped himself mid-sentence from calling her cute with the slight fear that she was conscious about her height. Shocked to see that Amelia was able become an even brighter red colour. The only thing stopping Harry from laughing was the warm feeling he was feeling from his own face. Surprised by how bold he was feeling he continued. "Actually, I wouldn't say no to more hugs in the future."
"Uh, uh, well, you see, I have a really hard time making friends outside of Hufflepuff. You see most people think Hufflepuffs are useless, and now I have even heard some people calling me a bloodtraitor because of my father, and you seem so nice. Uh, so I really hoped you would be my friend, and, I was afraid that once you realised my father was supporting the new taxes, you wouldn't want to be my friend anymore. So, I was really happy that you said you didn't care about what my family does. The Bones have always been strong wizards, and here I'm just an average Hufflepuff student. Uh, I'm also very happy that you don't seem to judge me based on either my perfect brother, or my father that is a master auror and used to be an auror captain."
"Just over fifteen minutes ago you held of against two older and quite strong wizards, are you sure you are average?"
"But I didn't, if you hadn't showed up who knows what would've happened."
"You still held off, how about this. Not to be presumptuous, but I'm quite good at spells, so if you want, we can work together?"
Seeing Amelia once again lighting up he knew the answer before she got it out.
"Harry? May I hug you again?"
Bending his knees and she once again jumped up and held her hands around his neck. Still wondering what the smell was. He again held her up longer than a normal hug should last, before setting her down.
"I would love some help", Amelia said after a little while. "It's difficult to ask my dad or brother to help me since they are so good and I'm so much worse than they were at my age."
Smiling at Amelia before they entered the Great Hall and sat at different tables Harry started thinking again. He really needed to go through what Sirius had called 'the wives list' where he and Arcturus had gathered what they suggested at the strongest potential wives that would not affect the timeline, but still offer a good political marriage. While he still dreamed of the feeling of love, the years being moulded by Arcturus had made him pragmatic and realised that a lifelong commitment needed much more than just romantic feelings. He also couldn't remember being told anything about the Bones family. Maybe they weren't hit hard during the war, but wasn't a strong opposition against Voldemort either. The only thing he actually knew about Bones, were Susan that also were in Hufflepuff, but for all he knew she wasn't close related to Amelia at all.