Chapter Three: October 1st
Orion Black signed as he entered the Wizengamont chambers with his closest friends Abraxas Malfoy, Romulus Lestrange and Theodore Nott Sr at his side. It was the December session and Yule was only two weeks away. He was very much looking forward to his two sons coming home for the holiday and Walburga had told him she planned on spending the Christmas season in France. He was fairly positive she was with a lover but didn't say anything about it as he had even dallied in brief affairs over the years, but he never got involved with anything serious.
The pure-blood dark block had been surprised that Lady Peverell had yet to claim her seat, but if the letters they received from their children were any indication, she was to busy shaking up the school to show at the Wizengamont. He had to stifle a chuckle as he remembered Sirius letter home about learning wandless magic and the fight that Lady Peverell had gotten into with Albus Dumbledore about the Wizarding Traditions class that the man had gotten rid of three years before. It hadn't surprised Orion to find a proposal in the December sessions list of issues about the class being reinstated.
This session was promising to be very interesting, even if it would only be short.
He was proven right as he and his fellow Lord's took their seats on the Dark block. The doors swung open just before they were ready to start and a beautiful white lion entered the chamber, a growl echoing before Lady Peverell entered the cathedral like chamber beside Charles Potter, who everyone had found out was the woman's distant cousin. It was also known that she was the higher authority over the Potter family, with the Potter's requesting to have a Peverell marry into their line, which meant Lady Peverell had primacy over the Potter's.
For those who had forgotten that the entrance of the two side by side, clearly spoke of it. Lady Peverell entered first, she was dressed in a velvet green gown with black three-quarter sleeve open robes over the top, both falling to the floor. The Peverell crest was displayed on the right side and on the back in stunning violet purple. Below them were a few other crests, but House Peverall was her largest one, stating that it was her highest ladyship. Her red hair was piled on top of her head and with a string of emeralds woven through it, obviously very precious and something Orion and the others recognized as goblin made.
Charles entered slightly behind her and to her right, telling everyone he was her closest family and ally. Much like how Orion entered with Abraxas at his right side and Romulus at his left, with Theodore following behind, stating the order of their alliance. Orion watched as their statement was received by his fellow Lords and Ladies and was forced to hold back a laugh when he saw Dumbledore's face. He looked like he had just eaten something sour, while Augusta Longbottom looked pleased.
Lord Jones rose to his feet as Charles split to his seat in the light block and Lady Peverell stood in the center of the chamber, soon gaining everyone's attention, with her familiar standing patiently at her side, "I, Hariel Rose Peverell, Lady of the Ancient, Noble and most Courageous House of Peverell, hereby claim all my ancient seats in Britain's Wizengamont. I hereby promise on my magic to uphold the laws passed in this chamber and to do the best for Wizarding Britain. I promise on my life as a witch in the Wizengamont to uphold my family's duty to keep the balance of magic, so mote it be," she claimed and the magic she gathered, quickly blew out across the chamber, racing across everyone's skin and towards the old Peverell seat that had been empty for over five hundred years. The magic gathered around it, forming a visible aura of grey magic before sinking into the marble white chair in the highest piece in the neutral section. The chair had shifted slightly, looking more like a throne than a chair, with bright purple pillow on the seat and above it, floating in the air by magic, was the sight of the Deathly Hallows, the mark of the Peverell's, that vanished as soon as the vow settled.
Stunned silence reigned as the Wizengamont accepted her vow and everyone watched as a beautiful silver band cuffed her, bearing the marks of Merlin, showing that her life was now bound by her word and marking he as a member of the court, like the rest of them. All the Ancient and Noble Houses rose to their feet as she headed for head seat, a sign of respect and welcome for an old family. Hari turned to face the chamber and bowed her head in thanks before taking her seat, a sign of acknowledgement to the House for their welcome. The lion, Godric, laid down at her feet, observing the chamber. Everyone else returned to their seats and Orion had to bite back a smile when he saw the sour expressions on some peoples faces as she had forcibly reminded everyone that her family duty was to keep the balance of magic, therefore, she would not be swayed to either side.
Markus Kane, the Undersecretary to the Minister lifted the papers that appeared on his desk with her vow and his eyes widened before he began to speak. "Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamont this is the notice of Lady Peverell's claimed seats among this honored body. The Peverall seat is hereby claimed. The Ravenclaw seat is hereby claimed. The Nodrín seat is hereby claimed. The Devenport seat is hereby claimed. The Slytherin seat is hereby claimed," he began reeling them off and many peoples mouths dropped as seat after seat was claimed. Two from the Hogwarts founders, two long thought vanished and one said to have died in the time of Camelot.
There hadn't been a Nodrín Lord in centuries. They had been known as the guardians of Camelot and their family was directly connected to Merlin. Is was said that the last Nodrín was his heir, Lord Wilhelm Nodrín and he had died in defense of King Arthur with no child to carry on his name. It seemed like their line hadn't vanished but was just hidden. The founders heirs were the same thing, everyone thought Helena Ravenclaw had died childless and Orion remembered Walburga muttering about going to school with the heir of Slytherin, so it was strange that she could claim that bloodline.
The Devenport lordship was said to only pass from female to female. Many knew that the last Devenport daughter had married into the Peverall family just before they vanished and Peverell's had married into the Potter's and the Potter's only every had boys, leaving the line unclaimed. The line had passed father to son since the time of Camelot. They were known as Master Magizoologist's and owned sanctuaries around the world, dedicated to saving magical creatures. A Devenport was reported as the first and last to ever have a dragon familiar and that was before the International Statute of Secrecy went into effect.
Hariel had just become the most powerful person in the room.
She sat tall and proud, every inch the pureblood Lady, as all eyes turned towards the woman and she just stared at them expressionlessly. Orion had to give her credit for not wilting under the pressure of everyone's stares, especially given Dumbledore was trying to glare a hole through her head. As the Chief Warlock, it probably burned on the old man that he had had the heir of two Hogwart's founders and three additional powerful familiars under his nose and didn't even know it. Orion could see the glee in Hari's bright green eyes, though the rest of her face stayed perfectly expressionless.
The only one who seemed to have any idea about what was going on was Charles Potter and he was sitting in his seat with a wide smirk on his face. Everyone knew the old man had been trying to court Potter to his political side but it seemed like that wouldn't be happening, given that Hari was currently the most powerful person in the room and held primacy over House Potter. Finally, the silence was broken by Augusta Longbottom, who had recently taken over as regent for her house when her husband, Gerald, had died of an unexpected sickness a few months before.
"Chief Warlock," she prompted sharply, her hawk like gaze staring sternly at the old wizard.
Dumbledore quickly looked away from Hari and coughed, clearing his throat, "Ah yes, sorry about that. The Wizengamont recognizes Lady Hariel of Houses Peverall, Ravenclaw, Nodrín, Devenport and Slytherin," he said and banged his gavel, the magic in the chamber swirling a second time before the seats of those named vanished from among the chamber and the throne Hari was sitting in shifted and changed, the border now carved with the House Sigil of each house, telling everyone that she held the Ladyship for each one.
Orion noted how many of the Lords of the dark families looked to him, wondering what this meant but he didn't know. So far, Hariel hadn't been anything like they expected. She bore a lion familiar but still spoke to the dark families. She actually taught the children what they needed to know, even branching into magic that wasn't usually taught in classes and had to be learnt on their own. She also ignored protocol for introductions, introducing herself as Hari Peverall, rather than Hariel, a beautiful name for a beautiful witch. Not to mention that many wouldn't think her the Lady of said house if she didn't say anything, strange, when the prestige of her house would have many crawling on hands and knees to become part of her alliance.
Her name was going to be splashed across the pages of the Daily Prophet come tomorrow, he could already see the press fighting to get a good picture of Hariel. He decided to withhold judgement on her until he knew her a little better, given that she had a way of surprising him. Abraxas, Romulus and Theodore had obviously decided the same thing, for they relaxed into their seats and were watching intently, their eyes often drifting over to Hariel, who sat in her chair impassively, the large white lion at her feet. Orion would admit, only to himself, that she looked like a Queen from the time of Camelot when magic was practiced without fear after Arthur Pendragon became King and he was fascinated with her.
She didn't speak for the first part of the meeting, where warnings had come out about more muggles having to be obliviated, witches and wizards had been going missing and more vigilance being hammered into their children. Talk came about more help being offered to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts and the Magical Reversal Squads. It was two hours in that they came upon their first agenda, of which there were only three this session.
"First on our list today is a bill being pushed forward by Lord Crouch. He is proposing that the criminals of Azkaban receive the dementors kiss if they are accused of murder. Rather than hauling them off the streets and sending them to Azkaban where they will one day see freedom again, he proposed we get rid of them once and for all. This will allow more room in Azkaban for other criminals and serves as a harsh reminder to any who think to breath the law," Dumbledore said reading from the piece of parchment Markus had handed him.
Lord Potter was instantly on her feet, "That's an horrendous idea!" he shouted gaining the agreement from multiple lords on all three sides of the Wizengamont. Abraxas was also on his feet, for he hated the dementors and the idea of receiving the dementors kiss was repulsive to him. Though some lords, like Crouch, Bagnold and Flint, all thought it was a swell idea. Orion stayed silent not sure what to say, he didn't agree with it but if he said anything, many of the dark families would think him going light but if he didn't say anything, it said he agreed. He enjoyed politics but it was sometimes a nightmare.
They argued for forty-five minutes before they were stopped.
"ENOUGH!" a powerful voice shouted, and silence reigned as all eyes turned to Hariel. "That is enough. Your grown adults, act like it," she snapped eyes sweeping over the chamber like a Queen her court. Many found themselves unable to meet her eyes as they returned to their seats, though she gained an approving nod from Augusta Longbottom. Dumbledore seemed surprised but before he could open his mouth, Hariel began to speak again. "Now, let us approach this as adults. While I understand where Lord Crouch is coming from on wanting to free up space in Azkaban, I don't think the dementors kiss is the way to go. When someone is sentenced to Azkaban its to punish, the dementors take all their happiness. If we started executing them by allowing them to have their souls sucked out, then they are offered mercy much too quickly. That also makes us no better than the murders themselves."
"How dare you…" Crouch started to shout, rising to his feet.
She cut him off with a sharp look, "When someone stands aside and allows another to die in front of them without interference, it is murder Lord Crouch. While I agree that you idea is a good one. It is also a bad one. That pretty much tells anyone that if they see a dementor they can just stand aside and let it kill anyone. That would lose the ministry all the trust of the Wizarding public," she said curtly.
An apologetic Lord Potter spoke next, "I agree with Lady Peverall. She speaks sense and with the recent disappearances that have been in the papers, she's right about the Wizarding public. Already they ask for information on their loves ones and the auror's can't tell them anything because they don't know anything. If dementors are given leave to kill, its going to hurt the ministries standing with other witches and wizards," he said softly.
Everyone thought over his words for a few moments before Crouch spoke again, "While then what should we do? Azkaban is getting full and more than half of them have a life sentence," he snapped glaring at Hariel. She stared back at him, "Build another prison for those who don't have such high sentences," she said firmly. Silence reigned and Orion heard and few people muttering about why they hadn't thought of that and even he could admit it was a good idea. He stared at Hariel and got the feeling this had been her plan all along. "What do you suggest Lady Peverall?" he asked, speaking for the first time.
Her eyes glinted with victory as their eyes met and she bowed her head slightly in greeting, "Build a new prison underground where no one can find it. This will make sure they can't be broken out or even found. Have house elves ward and serve the whole thing, their magic is different than ours. Only another house-elf could get in and out and they would have to be invited first. This way there are no guards who can be bought off and the silence the prisoners will go through will slowly drive home the bad deed of their actions and will also allow them to become members of society after their release, without having to go through tons of healing form being in the dementors presence," she explained her idea and had many lords rubbing their chins as they thought about it.
"How do you expect us to build an underground prison?" Lord Flint asked from his seat.
Hariel stared at him, "I didn't say we had too. You can hire the goblins to do it. They are fantastic at underground work. Look at the system surrounding our vaults," she pointed out.
This gained the grumbling of other lords and Lord Macnair rose to his feet to speak, "Why would the goblins help us? They're just beasts," he growled lowly, some mumbling their agreement.
A few of the Lord's in the neutral sector, shifted as they felt the icy cold instantly surround Hariel and her eyes turned hair, hair practically crackling with power, "They use magic just as you and I do. As far as I'm concerned Lord Macnair, the goblins are apart of the magical world. For a fee, they would be more than willing to build a prison, after all, they are the best at what they do. Look at Gringott's," she snapped.
"Hear, hear," Yelled Lord Weasley.
Dumbledore stared around the room and raised a hand to bring silence, "Let us bring it to a vote. Those in favor of approaching the goblins to build a new wizarding prison?" he asked, staring out at the crowd, watching as the Wizengmont cast their votes. One by one wands lit up the room, staring to the right and going to the left. Within seconds, it was clear the vote was going to pass. Orion's wand rose out among the Dark block followed by Abraxas, Romulus and Theodore. Every wand rose from the Light block and over half from the neutral section. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he spoke again, "Thos apposed?" he asked. Only ten wands rose from the crowd.
The old man banged his gavel, "Motion passed, forty to ten. A representative will be sent to speak with the goblins about building a new prison in three days time, if anyone is interested in said position, please speak with Minister Bones," he said as applause echoed in the chamber. Lord Crouch huffed as he sat down, upset that he hadn't gotten his way but also grateful there would now be less of a hassle regarding Azkaban.
Orion privately thought it was a good idea, a new prison built where those with only small offenses would serve their sentence and then be able to return to being useful members of society after their sentence was passed, not suffering the after affects of the dementors. The ministry wasted so much money trying to rehabilitate those who got out of Azkaban, it was ridiculous. A new place, where dementors wouldn't ruin the prisoners, mind was a win as far as he and the others were concerned.
A debate started between the Wizengmont members on the prison time offenders would face, for the new prison raged for over an hour and they finally decided that those sentenced to less than ten years would go to the new prison and anything over that would be sent to Azkaban. It was a mutual agreement by the whole chamber for the first time in over two hundred and thirty years.
Finally, they came upon Lady Peverell's Bill, which was the second on the list. Orion was not the only one who sat up straight and focused as it was mentioned, "Lady Peverall is requesting permission to bring the Wizarding Tradition Class back into Hogwart's," Dumbledore read from the piece of paper, the twinkle gone from his eyes as he stared at the witch in question.
All turned toward Hariel, "Lady Peverall is there a specific reason that you are asking for this?" Minister Bones asked curiously.
Hariel rose to her feet, folding her hands in front of her, "There is. I don't know how many of you are aware of this but this year Defense Against the Dark Arts has taken a different turn then expected. Three weeks ago, I began teaching the children how to do wandless magic, but we came upon a problem. As you know many pureblood children are taught how to find their magical core before going to Hogwart's," here she paused and many voiced their agreement, even though they were uncomfortable with the topic, "the Wizarding Traditions Class is what taught the muggleborn and the half-bloods how to do that after they joined the magical world. With the class canceled, over half my students don't know how to find their core," she explained, gaining looks of horror, Orion and his friends among them.
"But… but that's dangerous," stuttered Lord Flint from the Dark block.
Lady Peverall nodded, "I know. I held a small side class that following Saturday and taught those from my second-year class how to find their core, but there are students in other grade levels that don't know how to do it and I don't have the time to teach everyone. As you know its dangerous because if a child becomes panicked, their magic can become chaotic and if they can't find their core to calm down, it could lead to death. I want the class reintroduced to school, I don't want the children in danger over something that can be easily rectified," she said, many nodding along with her words, before she retook her seat.
"I for one agree with Lady Peverall, the class should never have been dropped from the curriculum in the first place. It's what teaches the students our traditions, ways and how to access the magical world at its whole. With the class gone, this leaves muggleborn and half-blood children to flounder in their new world. This will save the children from stumbling over our way of life and also allow them to feel like part of our world," Abraxas called out, silencing everyone, as it wasn't often that a Lord from the dark block would agree with anyone not one of their own.
Orion caught Hariel's surprise before it was hidden behind her mask and she nodded to his friend politely, "Yes. When I was forced to cancel the class, I gave out books to those who didn't know how to find their magical core, and everyone was able to access it that following Saturday without injury. Now I know some of you are wondering why I have chosen to teach the children wandless magic, I do it because if a witch or wizard can't find their core, they look at their magic as a tool and not apart of themselves. Since I began lessons, teachers have reported some of the students from my Gryffindor-Slytherin class have unlocked more of their magic and their spells are significantly stronger in their other lessons," she continued to speak, gaining cries of shock at the end.
Children had been being born magically weaker in recent generations, to now learn that Lady Peverall had included wandless magic into the curriculum and the children were stronger, was a boon no one ever could have foreseen. Many were exchanging looks of agreement between all three blocks at that piece of information and Orion had to give Hariel props for how well she had handled that. Some had been hesitant about the class, mostly those in the Light block, but hearing that, she would have a majority vote.
Augusta Longbottom raised her wand with the tip lit and Albus Dumbledore called for her to speak, "I think I've heard enough, and I agree with Lady Peverall. Let us call a vote, all in favor of the Wizarding Traditions Calls being reinstated to Hogwart's?" She called out and wands began to light up among the chambers.
Orion and his followers were among the first to agree, as they felt the class never should have been ended in the first place. Dumbledore's face soured when he realized that the Bill would pass with a landslide. There were only four wands not lit in the room, and those were the die-hard Dumbledore supporters, who had voted for the class to be dropped in the first place. Many had, as it was an expense they didn't want to afford, but to learn so many had been harmed, had many rushing to vote it back in and make amends.
Dumbledore's face was emotionless, but eyes glinted with fury as he banged his gavel, "By majority vote of the Wizengamont, the Wizarding Traditions Class is to be reinstated into Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," he announced, bringing a cheer from some of the lesser lords on the dark side. Having the class dropped from the curriculum in the first place was what had led the purebloods to bully to muggleborns more harshly in the school, as they didn't understand the social etiquette of the Wizarding World, even if a few of the older students tried to help, it didn't always work.
Hariel wore a pleased expression as the class was reinstated, as that meant she could bring wandless magic back into the curriculum with little difficulty. Orion and she shared a quick look, both having seen the seething rage on the headmaster's face, before Dumbledore grabbed all their attention again, "The last Bill of today is a proposal from Lord Lestrange, who asks that we reintroduce the Wizarding holidays at school, such as the Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Bay Eve, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon and Samhain," he said reading off the piece of paper in front of him. Orion raised a surprised brow at his friend, knowing that Romulus had wanted to broach the subject but not expecting him to do so as quickly as he had, he had only brought it up a few weeks before this session.
Many grumbled as many of the pureblood had tried to have their celebrations restored over the last sixty years and all had been unsuccessful as to many people said they were dark magic. It wasn't true but with more muggleborns and muggle raised children going to Hogwart's, their celebrations had been changed to make them more comfortable. His father, Arcturus, muttered about the change in traditions when he was in school, as he was still at school when it had happened and had been disappointed the teachers had agreed with such a thing. Especially given what Lady Peverall had just explained about wandless magic and that's what the celebrations were about, connecting to Lady Magic.
Romulus rose to his feet easily, "As many of you know, years ago, the magical holidays were pushed back and we are forced to celebrate the muggle celebrations, even though they have nothing to do with our magic. Many of us have noticed that out magic is growing weaker and its because we're no longer celebrating Her," he spoke passionately, "Many children have no idea of what their missing because instead of introducing them to the magical holidays, we're celebrating the muggle ones, that have nothing to do with magic."
Lord Doge raised his wand and Dumbledore called on him, "Celebrating the muggle holidays make the muggleborns and half-blood's less homesick and allow purebloods like yourself to enjoy the muggle world," he snapped rudely.
"But this isn't the muggle world," Lady Peverell's voice rang out and silenced everyone and all eyes went to her. "This is the Wizarding World Lord Doge. Ignoring our celebrations is like telling Lady Magic that we don't need her anymore." Orion hid a smile as Lord Doge's face turned purple and a quick look showed Orion, he wasn't the only one enjoying her dressing down of Dumbledore's greatest supporter. "Everyone here knows that the wizarding holidays bring us all a connection to Lady Magic. Without her, we would all be muggles. I don't know about everyone else, but I don't ever wish to lose my magic."
"Hear, hear," many of the lords and ladies in the chamber shouted their agreement, most from the Dark and Neutral Houses.
Lord Septimus Weasley was called, gaining everyone attention as the older Lord rose to his feet, "Lady Peverall is right. Muggleborns and half-bloods come into our world to learn magic. They are missing half their education when not introduced to our holidays, not to mention Lord Lestrange is right, magic is starting to weaken because we ignore Her. I agree that I never want to lose my magic of deny it to future generations. Let us call it, Lord Lestrange has my vote," he said firmly.
One by one, hands went up as a yay or nay, until it reached Lady Peverall. Many were eagerly waiting how this vote would go, since she had five votes. Her want tip glowed blue, signaling her agreement with the bill being passed. Orion smirked when Dumbledore's face went red with fury as he banged his gavel down, "Vote passes forty-five to fifteen," he said through clenched teeth, "Magical holiday's are hereby reinstated, and the muggle holidays no longer celebrated. It's a bit of a surprise but our list today was very short and there is nothing left for us to speak of. I declare the December session of the Wizengamont closed and wish everyone a happy yule," he called out and then banged his gavel. The doors, which had sealed once everyone had entered, magically opened and people slowly began to rise to their feet and leave, the department heads back to work, visitors to home and everyone else back to whatever they needed to do.
Lady Peverall rose to her feet and slowly headed down the stairs of the cathedral like room, where she was met with Charles Potter, Augusta Longbottom and Septimus Weasley, all families that were from the light side and all families that were important to her. Hariel had never met the Lord Weasley when she was known as Hari Potter but seeing the man now, she was reminded of Arthur and even more of her friend Ron. He was a tall man with flaming red hair, tied at the nape of his neck, with stunningly bright blue eyes, which were the exact shade and color of Ron's. Grey hair was developing at his temples, but she could feel the soft brush of his magic, which she was surprised to feel was actually on the light side of grey instead of light, like Arthur's had been.
She caught the gaze of Orion Black over the Weasley's shoulder and nodded to him before joining her grandfather and the others. She bowed lightly to the other witch, "Lady Longbottom, Lord Weasley, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said softly. Lord Weasley laughed as he bowed back, "And you Lady Peverall," he agreed, "Please call be Septimus, welcome back to England."
Hari smiled at him, "Thank you for your welcome. If I am to call you Septimus, you must call me Hari or Hariel, whichever you prefer," she said, knowing pureblood usually preferred to use full names and not nicknames.
"It's a pleasure to have your voice among us Lady Peverall, I look forward to what else you will do for us," Lady Longbottom said before nodding curtly to Charles and Septimus and them sweeping out of the room. Godric finally joined Hari and rubbed against her comfortingly. The white albino lion had bound himself to her the very moment she had walked out of Gringott's in early May after she woke from her strange time traveling experience. "Don't mind her lass. Augusta just lost her husband recently and is still healing," Septimus explained as Hariel nodded in understanding.
Charles grinned at his cousin and wasn't that a trip, he actually had a cousin. She may have been a few times removed, but Hariel was his cousin, giving him more family, which pleased him to no end. He had never noticed them on the family tapestry before because her family branch had been black, meaning whoever it was, had been disowned from the Potter family. Though, given all of Hariel's other family connections her Potter relative, had probably claimed a lesser-known line. They had met in the entrance of the Ministry, and they had spoken of James and her son Teddy on their way down to the Wizengamont chamber.
He wouldn't forget Dumbledore's face anytime soon, that was for sure.
One upon a time, the Potter's had been a neutral family, but Charles grandfather had been friends with Dumbledore before he was killed during the war against Grindelwald and had shifted to a lighter orientation due to the Old Coots views. Charles father had never changed it, leaving him to pick a side. When he married Dorea, who was a Black, they had talked of going back to being neutral, but it hadn't happened due to Dorea suffering so many miscarriages before James was born. He just didn't have the time to build alliance between the Neutral blocks. When he had found out that Hariel was his cousin, the conversation had been brought up again and now they were just waiting to see how James would take the change, as the boy had grown up believing in the light.
He looked at Hariel, "I don't think Dumbledore is going to forgive you anytime soon," he commented softly as they left the chamber, Septimus at their side.
Hariel's eyes flashed, "To be honest with you, I don't care what he thinks about me. For too long has he ignored our traditions, its time for our children to realize magic isn't just a tool, it's a deep part of themselves. If I have to go to war with Dumbledore in the courtroom over it, I will. When Lily Evans told me she had no idea how to find her magical core, I didn't know wither to be furious, disappointed or sad, I think it was a mixture of all three. Come next week, the Wizarding Traditions Class will be back and hopefully, that will have them prepared for the Samhain celebrations," she said firmly as they entered the lift.
Orion, Abraxas, Romulus and Theodore entered after them and the Black Lord felt thankful at the sight of the red-haired woman, "Lady Peverall," he said in greeting.
Hari looked up and bowed her head slightly, "Lord Black, a pleasure," she said in return.
Orion gestured to the group of Lords with him, "Allow me to introduce you to Lord Abraxas Malfoy, Lord Theodore Nott Sr and Lord Romulus Lestrange," he said, each man nodding their greeting, "A pleasure gentleman. I am Lady Hariel Peverall," she said softly.
Abraxas smiled slightly, "It's a great pleasure, my lady," he said with a bow.
Romulus rolled his eyes before smirking at the beautiful woman, "That was impressive what you did in there. Now many will speak out against Dumbledore," he said gaining nods of agreement from all the other men present.
"Yes, it was impressive," Septimus agreed easily.
Hariel smiled, "As I was just saying to Charles and Septimus, if I must go to war with Dumbledore to get out traditions back, so be it," she said as the door of the lift closed and began to lead them back to the entrance of the ministry.
Romulus chuckled, "I guarantee you; you will be going to war with Dumbledore again over the school. Although as the Lady of two of the Hogwart's Houses, you have a seat on the Hogwarts Governors Board. That will make it easier to make the changes you want, other than bringing them forth in the Wizengmont Chamber," he offered softly.
The Woman-Who-Survived couldn't believe she was actually having this conversation with a future Death Eater. But despite them joining Voldemort, the Dark block had only ever wanted what was best for their children. Denying children their history and connection to magic, was slowly starting to kill them off. Many witches were finding it difficult to conceive and many children were born lacking the smarts or gifts their families were known for. Like the Black's losing their Metamorphmagus ability, until Tonks, who had new blood introduced from her father, that refreshed the bloodline and passed it to her son.
The lift jerked to a stop and Hariel was drawn from her thoughts and back to the conversation, "Most likely, you should have heard about the fight he got into with the board right after the first lesson. He tried to get me fired for teaching outside of the curriculum," she said with a scoff.
Abraxas laughed, "Yes, I was there for that conversation. It was a good thing you had send you syllabus to us before the school year started," he said as the door opened, allowing them all off into the main entrance of the ministry.
Hariel nodded, "I knew I was going to make waves with my lessons, especially considering I've been trying to catch the fifth, sixth and seventh years up to scratch on their lessons. Dumbledore has hired so many incompetent teachers that they are very behind on their courses in Defense, History and Care of Magical Creatures," she said following the men towards the floo networks.
Charles nodded, "Yes, James wrote home complaining about History of Magic. Apparently Professor Binns has been teaching nothing but Goblin Rebellions," he said with a scowl.
Theodore Sr. scowled as he shared a look with his fellow lords, "Yes we should really do something about that," he said, gaining looks of agreement from the others present.
"It's worse than you think," Hariel broke the silence, "I checked the records right before I started teaching at Hogwarts. Almost every student in the last twenty years has failed the History Magic exam in both O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S. compared to the other magical schools. In Italy, they consider your Historians the laughingstock of Europe," she gently pointed out.
Orion froze in his spot, "What?" he breathed.
The others were just as frozen, "Your joking?" Septimus asked, eyes wide with dread.
She shook her head, "That's part of the reason I took up a position as a teacher. If I had just taken over my seats on the board, I wouldn't have been aware of what was going on in the school itself, just whatever Dumbledore told me. I decided to take up the teaching position to learn the truth. Hogwarts was once the premier magical school in the world, but since Dumbledore has become headmaster, we're slowly slipping down the list," she explained as they came to a stop at the floo networks.
Abraxas scowled, "Well I would say an inquiry at Hogwarts wouldn't be amiss and since your already there, it makes sense for you to do it. I will bring it up with the rest of the board, first thing Monday morning," he promised.
Hariel nodded, "I will not be able to attend as I have classes to teach but I will give you my proxy vote for the meeting. I already started the investigation, having the authority of Hogwarts Inquisitor would be helpful against Dumbledore," she said thinking aloud.
Charles nodded, "I second that. You shall also be received my vote Lord Malfoy," he promised.
Septimus nodded his agreement, "Mine as well and I will speak with Augusta about this before than," he said.
Orion, Romulus, Abraxas and Theodore all shared a look of shock as two lights lords and a neutral Lady agreed with their agenda. That it was an agenda they had been trying to achieve for more than ten years without getting anywhere, they were shocked. Then again, Lord Potter and Lord Weasley usually voted with Dumbledore, while Hariel and her five seats were absent until now. It would shake up the Wizengamont Chamber the next time they all met, not to mention at the Board of Governors meeting on Monday.
Hariel faced them all and offered Orion her hand, "It was a pleasure to see you again Lord Black, but I must return to Hogwarts," she said apologetically. Orion took her hand and kissed the back of it, "Completely understandable Lady Peverall. I wish you well until next we meet," he said releasing her hand. She nodded and then offered her hand to the other lords present, telling them it was a pleasure and she hoped they could work together to better the future. Once everyone had said goodbye and started vanishing into the floo, Charles turned to Hariel, "Well see each other soon. I insist you and Teddy come to Potter Manor for Christmas this year," he offered.
A soft smile crossed her lips, "I would like that very much cousin," she agreed as she stepped into his embrace, hugging him warmly, appreciating the hug from her grandfather more than she could put into words. This man had raised her father. This man had made her father into the man who died to protect his child, she was proud to be part of his family. They pulled apart and Charles vanished off home, while Hariel and Godric stepped into another floo and she dropped the powder with a shouted, "Hogwarts Defense Room," vanishing in green flames.
She plopped out of the fireplace just in time to see Teddy disappear underneath a dog pile make up of James, Sirius and Remus, all three shrieking with laughter.