Chapter 5:

During winter break I resumed training Draco. "You did amazingly well Draco. You re-aligned Harry Potter from the Weasleys as he would have been without your influence. You also handled the older Slytherins perfectly. Do you have any questions?"

Draco asked, "When can we put the Dursleys in Askaban?"

I answered, "This would be a weapon against Dumbledore to hold in reserve. If we were to attack Dumbledore with this, it would need to be at the Dursley's trial. We would show that Dumbledore acted in reckless disregard, after illegally assuming the role of Harry Potter's magical guardian. We would have expert witnesses explaining what happens to Obscurials and how they are created. Then we have Arabella Figg testify. She would show that either Dumbledore knew what was going on, or never checked what was going on.

This action we will hold in reserve either to use as a threat or as a retaliation if Dumbledore becomes less than cooperative in the future."

Draco asked, "Is there a time limit beyond which it would not work?"

I answered, "That is very astute. Indeed there is, perhaps a year or two at most. At that point it would look too much directed at Dumbledore and not justice for Harry Potter and the Wizengamot might not agree to any sanctions against Dumbledore.

I understand what you are feeling, that it is such a effective attack against Dumbledore, and it would be very satisfying to do so. However, is it in our long term interests to do so? We might do better with a level of cooperation with Dumbledore. This sort of attack will damage him, not destroy him. It would only made sense if he were to be an enemy, or if he were to engage in some action against my verbal warning, as a calibrated consequence for him."

Draco, Narcissa, and I arranged to meet the Grangers near Gringotts. We arranged for them to be dressed like witches and wizards for this meeting. There was a risk for me. I will soon have the same sort of interrogation that Draco had in Slytherin. The ball that I invited them to will be a flash point.

We went to Gringotts and I said, "We have an appointment, I am Lucius Malfoy", and we were led to a room in the back.

The Goblins setup a some papers and a knife for her. "7 drops of blood on the parchment."

Hermione asked, "In the same spot or scattered around the parchment?"

The Goblin said, "It does not matter as long as it stays on the page."

She did so, the Goblins healed her wound and then watched the parchment. He said something in the Goblin language to another who left the room. He said to Hermione. "Congratulations, you are the first witch or wizard to make a successful claim to revive the house of Dansforth-Granger."

The other Goblin came back to the room with a ring on a plate. "The final step is to see if the magic of the house accepts you. If it does not, it will be extremely painful, but not deadly nor cause permanent injury."

Hermione said, "I am a Gryffindor, I accept the challenge." She put on the ring, which glowed brightly, then resized itself to her finger.

The Goblin said, "Congratulations Lady Dansforth-Granger." This is your vault key. It contains books and magical objects. The last Lord Dansforth-Granger distributed his monetary assets to his squib descendants, except for the money to keep the vault active. Your ring will heat up if near a harmful potion."

Hermione said, "This is a bit overwhelming. Just a question though, why is my father not inheriting house Dansforth-Granger?"

The Goblin answered, "Only a witch or wizard can inherit it."

As we left the bank, I told Hermione, "Lady Dansforth-Granger, you will be expected to be a potions expert now. If you'd like, I can hire a tutor who can give you, Draco, and Mr. Potter extra potions lessons, together."

Hermione said, 'Thank you very much, and for all you've done for me."

I said, "You are quite welcome, and remember your etiquette lessons before the Malfoy ball. Remember that you are now a Lady, the normal ages do not apply when you revive a house. I will make sure you receive the proper respect. I must caution though that your parents, according to the etiquette that we live by, will not necessarily receive that respect, and although I have invited them, I anticipate that they might find some discomfort."

Her mother said, "If you can guarantee that she will be safe there, then perhaps she can go with Harry Potter and we'll stay home?"

I said, "Absolutely." and continued, "Lady Dansforth-Granger, if you ever feel yourself under threat or insult, let me know, and I can put your house under the protection of House Malfoy."

I visited with Severus Snape, after the usual firewhiskey and light greetings I said, "I have a long term plan for an alliance with House Potter, House Dansforth-Granger, and possibly House Black. I think it is likely that Hermione Granger, now Lady Dansforth-Granger, will eventually become Lady Potter and maybe Lady Black unless Harry Potter eventually has two wives under the house continuation clause."

Snape just stared at me, so I continued, "I am going to be hiring a potions tutor for Granger, Potter, and Draco. I would appreciate it if you would challenge them without belittling or insulting them."

Snape answered, "I suppose if you are sure that the Dark Lord is not returning I do not need to keep my loyal Death Eater persona. I must admit that Potter acts more like his mother than his father, so I will give him a chance. Let him know I expect excellence and will acknowledge excellence, but will not tolerate arrogance or being a dunderhead."

I said, "You tolerate Crabbe and Goyle, who I believe would be dunderheads."

Snape said, "They try their best, and I do not hold their limitations against them. Longbottom, on the other hand, is reckless, endangering the entire classroom around him. I watch him before he has a chance to blow up his cauldron."

I asked, "What about Lady Dansforth-Granger?"

Snape said, "She is quite by the book, and I would admit, competent at that. For her to grow into the role of her ancestor, she would need more confidence in her understanding the deeper aspects of potions. She should be ready to go beyond the instructions for better results, but I would insist she explain why every single time she might do so."

For the Malfoy ball, Harry Potter RSVP'd yes, while Sirius Black replied no, saying politely that he is still in recovery and not up to such an event.

I sent Sirius a note saying, "I am serious about wanting to find areas of mutual interest and cooperation with both you and Harry Potter. I understand your misgivings. However, consider this. I was on the opposite side of a war from you and had no responsibility towards helping you, and yet I did. Those who were your allies, left you in Askaban without a trial, doing nothing to help you.

Those who were allies of the Potter family did nothing to save Harry from considerable mistreatment. I helped remove him from that environment. Also consider who kept the Potter's will sealed, and try to understand why.

Also consider the roles and powers of the position of Chief Warlock and the connection of that role to both of those matters."

I had another lesson with Draco. "While I am not going on the attack against Dumbledore at the present time, I am working on Sirius Black to not be reflexively loyal to him.

Another lesson I am preparing for our pureblood allies, is just how damaging and deadly the last war was against us. I am preparing a list of purebloods killed on behalf of the Dark Lord, and the destruction of families that had endured for centuries. My point is going to be that we are needed as leaders of the Wizarding World, and need numbers. That we will not survive in the long run against the muggles without the muggleborn learning and accepting our ways.

How we need to be welcoming, but at the same time guiding and helping adapt. I am making Lady Dansforth-Granger my example to show how that can work. You will need to help guide her also, to not demand that the Wizarding world look like the muggle world."

Draco asked, "Anything I should be ready for at the ball?"

I answered, "Obviously to step in if there is any disrespect for our guests.

Another matter I want to mention is that Astoria Greengrass has an inherited curse. Her sister Daphne does not have that curse. Just something to keep in mind since I know from the original future that you have a fascination for Greengrass women."

Draco asked, "Why does Pansy Parkinson tell people that she and I will be betrothed?"

I answered, "There have been no such discussions. The Parkinsons are in the Sacred 28, so I cannot say it would be a bad match, but so are the Greengrasses, and I think Daphne would have a better ability to be the Lady of a leading house in Wizarding society. If you did choose her, you would need to carefully court her. She has high standards and you'll need to prove yourself to her."

At the Malfoy Ball, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger arrived together and were announced as "Lord Potter and Lady Dansforth-Granger". I'll use that title, since he can formally use it whenever he decides to, even if certain roles would need to be assigned to a regent until he is of age.

Hermione knows how to study books, so her etiquette and manners were perfect. Harry Potter was a little sloppy in his manners, especially since Sirius Black is hostile to that etiquette.

There may have been some glares and maybe some slightly hostile statements hidden by good manners, but no open incidents.

Draco danced with both Daphne and Pansy. Harry danced with Hermione and noone cut in.

Lord Nott raised his eyebrows over the guests. I told him that we should get together and discuss changes in society and how to mutually advance our interests. He gave a positive response towards a meeting.

Some other difficult meetings I would need to have, included the Carrows, Avery Junior, Corban Yaxley, and Walden Macnair.

I was contemplating whether I could get those six on my side, or if I should hire hit wizards before they do the same.