A/N Most characters and plot belong to J.K Rowling
Harry returned to the Potter Mansion after meeting with Albus Dumbledore and Sirius Black, trying to hide from Remus. Harry didn't know if he could lie to his uncle about meeting his godfather that morning. He ate dinner early and spent the evening hiding among the library's giant bookcases, hoping Remus would go to bed. However, Remus had other ideas, hoping to find Harry so they could talk about Harry's responsibilities since his lordship was made public, no matter how briefly people would still know.
It was midnight before Harry decided to leave the library, hoping to Merlin that Remus had gone to bed. Remus was not asleep; he was waiting for Harry on the Grand Staircase that led upstairs to the bedrooms.
"Where have you been?" Remus said to Harry as they locked eyes.
"I was just reading in the library; you must have missed me," Harry said sheepishly.
"We need to talk, not tonight but in the morning, about your responsibilities now; the Wizarding Population has discovered your heirship. Harry nodded and stepped past Remus, wishing he had just slept in the library.
Harry woke up to snow gracefully falling outside, covering the countryside in even more snow. On his bedside table was a hot cup of cocoa, still steaming as if it had been poured just moments ago. He put on his glasses, grabbed the cocoa and walked downstairs into the sitting room, where he found Remus reading the morning prophet.
"Morning, Harry," Remus said with a smile, which was returned by the boy.
"Morning Uncle, anything about me in the prophet this morning?"
Remus shook his head, "Nothing that I have seen, just some reports about the Wizengamot adjourning for the new year." Remus was now looking at Harry with a very stern face, "Now I need to talk with you." Harry looked at Remus; never had he seen his Uncle seem so serious.
"What did you mean by certain responsibilities?" Harry asked. Remus went on to explain how every Noble wizarding family has a spot on the Parliamentary Wizengamot, and he would now have to find someone to take his place as a regent until he turned 14 and became a Lord, also how Harry would have to show respect to every other wizarding Heir.
"You are now the face of the Potter family, Harry; you must make your ancestors proud and stand for everything they believe in. "But Remus," Harry interjected, "I don't know anyone who knows anything about being a regent, and even if I did, how could I ever trust them to make decisions that my ancestors would be proud of?"
"Harry, you don't need to name someone now, but you will have to have a regent before the start of the Wizengamot session after the new year," Remus informed him.
This calms Harry down as he has time to ponder who could represent his family in the Wizarding World. Who could he reach out to, though? Augusta was his first option, but she probably couldn't hold both seats at once, conflict of interest and all.
Harry went down the list of people who knew; all his friends were too young, leading to one person, "Remus." His uncle looked over as he heard Harry speak his name, "Remus, you could be my regent, the best friend of my father and a friend to the Potter family."
Remus was shocked the boy came to this conclusion, and when he tried to ask Harry what he was thinking, Harry just told him he was the best choice for representing him in the Wizengamot. Remus continued frozen as Harry left the sitting room and headed toward the kitchen.
January 3rd
Harry was again on the Hogwarts Express platform, hugging his Uncle goodbye, "Be sure to write me about your first few days on the Wizengamot," Harry whispered to Remus as they separated. Remus waved him off, saying, "Yes, I will, Heir Potter; now make sure you get on the train; it's about to leave." With one last quick hug, Harry jumped onto the train and went to find Hermione.
He continued down the train, looking into all the windows of the seats looking for Hermione, and earned many stares from all the students he ran into. Finally, three train cars down, he found Hermione with her nose in a rune book. "Hermione, we don't even start ancient runes until our third year," Harry said as he entered the car.
Hermione didn't look up until Harry had settled down in his seat. "This isn't a rune book, Harry; it's a history book on the Wizarding Family coat of arms." Hermione corrected him.
"Why would you be reading that?" Harry asked, dumbfounded. "Well, there seems to be loads of people talking about Wizarding Families, and I don't want to appear uninformed." Harry shook away the cold feeling that had set and asked Hermione about her skiing trip.
Hermione droned on all the cool hidden Wizarding symbols and marks she found around the mountains, marking where trolls or even dragons may be resting, warning all Wizards to stay away. She also explained to Harry how she got all the reading done for the rest of the semester and how he better start reading if he didn't want to fall behind.
It was now dark, making it impossible for Harry to continue reading his books. Hermione, do you, by chance, have the light I sent you? Hermione quickly rummaged in her bag and threw the light into the center of the car, thanking Harry for the thoughtful gift.
Another hour passed, and the feeling of a lady speaking right into his ear returned, "We are thirty minutes away from Hogsmeade station; please change into your winter cloaks and collect all your belongings." Harry quickly scrambled to collect all his books with the help of Hermione and ten minutes later was carrying his bag to the train car door.
One Draco Malfoy, unfortunately, blocked him. "Sorry, Heir Potter, I didn't see you were leaving the car," he said very calmly and continued walking down the trolley.
Hermione looked at Harry and asked, "Did he call you Heir Potter?" Harry solemnly nodded, "He must have read the prophet;" I don't wish to explain it tonight, Hermione," Harry quickly interjected as he saw Hermione getting ready to bombard him with questions. She promptly shut her mouth and decided not to push Harry further.
Harry was able to reach the common room without interruptions but received many looks from students in the front hall as they arrived back at the castle. Once he reached the room, though, he found Daphne and Tracey watching him, and they looked furious and disappointed in Harry.
"How could you not tell us, Harry?" Daphne exploded, "We are your friends, Harry!" Tracey added on.
"I didn't even really understand it myself," Harry said with tears coming from his eyes, "How can you expect me to explain all this when not even I know everything that is expected from me?"
"Well, Heir Potter," Daphne said coldly. "You don't need to explain anything to us, as we both grew up in Wizarding families and know what to expect from being an Heiress." Daphne bowed to Harry and returned to her Dormitory, dragging Tracey with her.
Harry collapsed into the armchair behind him, unable to register what had happened.
"That was pretty cold of her, just shunning you because you grew up outside the wizarding world and didn't know your true heritage." Harry quickly turned around to see Hermione standing in the portrait hole.
He quickly shot up and pleaded with Hermione, "I understand if you would do the same… I hid the biggest secret about me from you even though we were all pretty close friends."
Hermione chuckled; "we are all hiding something, Harry; if you ever need help, come and talk to me. I may be muggle-born, but I have read everything about Wizarding Families and proper etiquette."
Harry had felt a weight lift off his shoulders; he had a friend who believed he was still a good person. Little did he know tomorrow would push his old friends even further away.
Daily Prophet Exclusive
Written by Rita Skeeter
Earlier this morning, the Prophet was informed that suspected Werewolf Remus Lupin would be the acting Regent for The Most Noble House of Potter. How far has the Noble House fallen under the management of the new heir? This comes after the Wizengamot had to dissolve for New Year; what's next for the Wizengamot? Are we going to be letting Lords and Ladies assign Goblins or House Elves to the Wizengamot? Well, readers, we will keep you updated if that comes to fruition; trust that!
Page 2: What does a werewolf on the Wizengamot mean for the future?
Page 3: What is the Wizengamot?
Page 4: Is this the beginning of the end for Wizard's Rights?
Page 5: History of Regents for the Most Noble House of Potter
Harry Potter woke up to Terry Boot shaking him awake, "You better read this, Harry." He quickly took the paper and read the headlines, steaming the more he read. He didn't boil over until everyone had left from breakfast, Ertue!
The house elf appeared before Harry, "Yes, does Heir Potter need something?"
"Can you please personally go to the Daily Prophet and remind the paper of my wishes not to have my business put out for the world?" The house elf quickly nodded and disappeared with a crack.
Harry was fuming as he entered the common room to find it still packed with Slytherin students headed by Draco, "How dare you, Potter, assigning something so filthy as a Werewolf to the Wizengamot!"
Harry looked at Draco, ready to tear the boy's head off, "Well, as the Heir to the Most Noble House of Potter, I have the right to assign anyone as my regent. They don't have to be approved by any other family, Heir Malfoy."
"How dare you talk like that to me? My father will surely not let this appointment stand, and everyone will see how disgusting and unworthy the Potter family is." Draco then spat at Harry's feet and left the common room, followed by the group of Slytherins.
Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed the Chapter. I was going to write a big fight between Harry and Draco, but then it seemed like the argument would make more sense as Draco isn't a fighter. He also grew up knowing you shouldn't have public fights with other Heirs, so he cornered Harry in the Common Room.
Next time, how will the rest of Hogwarts react to the new Heir?