Authors Note
So, after writing this out I thought it might not be exactly what the readers of this story would be interested in, therefore I've syphoned this off into it's own little short.
Side note, please don't expect multi-chapter updates moving forward. I just got carried away….
Disappointing Parents Side Story – Wizengamot Session
Four hours prior to the owls departure to Hogwarts, during an early morning Wizengamot session
Harry was feeling a little uncomfortable in the robes Cyrus had bought him. His parents had always just bought double of whatever Henry had requested and Harry had never asked for anything extra, even if he was given a hard time by the other Ravenclaws for dressing like a Gryffindor at times. But right now, he was dressed in Acromantula Silk Robes made out in House Potter colours. Daphne and Astoria had assured him this is how he should have been dressing from the beginning as Heir Potter.
He was sat at a table next to Cyrus, who had done exactly as promised and organised a hearing to have his petition for sponsorship and emancipation heard. Cyrus had explained that the early morning session was perfect for this, as most Lords chose to skip the early morning sessions with most of the business done there being procedural. Harry looked around and noticed that most of the Light and Dark aligned seats were empty, while the majority of the Grey sat awaiting the commencement of the session.
Harry was grateful for the time he'd spent with Cyrus during their mentoring sessions. As it enabled him to determine things like this. He'd known what seats were aligned with what faction purely due to Cyrus' tutelage and Harry was starting to feel like his debt to is soon to be in-laws just kept growing.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts by Cyrus resting a hand on his shoulder and just nodding. He then stood and began.
"Thank you, Interim-Chief Warlock, for giving me the floor for my petition and may I also thank the Right Honourable Minister for sitting in, in the absence of our esteemed Chief Warlock." Cyrus said, giving Minister Fudge a small nod of his head in way of a bow.
"Oh well thank you Lord Greengrass, however I will always be at the disposal of this esteemed body whenever required." Fudge said, Harry thought he sounded a little over the top however figured it was just part of the politics he'd have to get used too.
"Now, honourable members of the Wizengamot, my petition relates to the correcting of a wrong and also to restore a house to full membership within our hallowed halls." Cyrus continued; he looked around as he spoke. Harry noticed that the Grey and Dark aligned Lords all nodded, while the Light aligned Lords simply seemed confused. Harry noticed a look of worry cross the face of Elphias Doge, who sat as proxy for Dumbledore, representing the Noble house of Dumbledore in addition to Harry's House votes.
"I come before you on behalf of Harry James Potter. A young man to whom which my eldest daughter and heir has become recently close too." Cyrus said with a smile, though it vanished as soon as he began again "Through this budding connection, Heiress Greengrass became aware of some rather startling situations…" Cyrus then began talking up the lack of training and respect Harry had received with the Potter household, in addition to the negligent way in which the Potter votes had so carelessly been proxied without an actual Lord in place.
"I therefore raise a question to the honourable members. Would any of you CHOOSE to not educate your Heirs?" Cyrus was met with some jeers from the Light aligned Lords, however these were drowned out by angry "NO"s from those Dark and Grey aligned Lords.
"Do we believe that votes within the Wizengamot and Lordships should simply be cast aside or ignored in a neglectful manner?" again Cyrus was responded too with angry "NO"s, Harry just sat there stunned as he watched his future father-in-law rouse the house to a furore that both excited and scared him.
"This is why I have moved to support the sponsorship of Heir Potter, when my daughter reached out and suggested I mentor him I came to realise that even lacking formal training, he was an honourable, knowledgeable and quick-witted young man that, given the appropriate time and training, could become more than equal to any Lord currently sitting on the Wizengamot. His father may think the Lordship of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter is simply a platitude with no responsibilities. HOWEVER, Heir Potter has proven he is up to the task and READY TO DO HIS DUTY!" The last loudly projected statement got the Grey and Dark aligned Lords cheering from their seats.
"Thank you, Lord Greengrass." Minister Fudge continued once the Lords had quietened down somewhat. "We will now open the floor to questions and debate. Note if there are none, we can move to a vote."
The room was silent for a moment, however just as Fudge was about bang his gavel to begin the vote, Harry heard one of the Lords call out.
"Mr Doge, you have the floor." Fudge said.
"My Lords, I must raise the fact that young Harry is yet to reach his majority and therefore isn't able to actually join this esteemed body." Harry saw the man sit back down after his short statement.
"First, Mr Doge, I would ask that you address Heir Potter using his title. I understand some people within these hallowed halls maybe be confused but Heir Potter, and by this I mean Harry James Potter, IS the Potter Heir. Although Henry Charlus Potter is "The-Boy-Who-Lived" he is not the Heir, the St Mungo's records prove that Harry James Potter was born over an hour before his younger twin." Harry saw Cyrus hold papers up to the chamber. "Interim-Chief Warlock, I would be happy to table these documents for review, should any member wish to peruse them."
"In response to your question Mr Doge, the petition includes a request to emancipate Heir Potter. This would then enable him to ascend to be Head of House Potter as Lord Potter. Additionally, Heir Potter's grades show that he has adequate capacity to allocate time to matters related to this chamber while he is attendance at the gem of Magical Britan, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Cyrus held up some more papers, these Harry recognised as he'd given them to the man. "I also table Heir Potter's OWL results, showing eight OWLS in total, all Outstanding results, with DADA and Charms being an Outstanding due to additional practical results." He slid the two sets of documents forward for a clerk to collect and bring to Minister Fudge.
"These appear all in order." Fudge then duplicated them and magically sent them out to all the lords sitting the chamber at the time.
Harry looked around and watched the Lords read through the documents. He knew that most of the Grey and Dark aligned Lords had already reviewed these and was confused when they all appeared to be digesting them with great interest. Once it appeared all the Lords were done with the documents Fudge then spoke again.
"I believe that is sufficient time, I will again open the floor to questions and debate." However, this time another Light aligned Lord spoke up.
"Lord Abbot, you have the floor" Fudge said.
"Thank you Interim-Chief Warlock and I also pass on my thanks to Lord Greengrass for supplying such detailed information for us to digest, however I must ask why this is necessary? Those fellow Lords around me know that James Potter nominated as his proxy Albus Dumbledore, who then has Elphias Doge proxy for him. Surely if your concern is that the Potter votes are being represented inappropriately than petitioning to have James Potter attend is more appropriate?" Harry heard, who he assumed was Hannah Abbot's father ask. This question concerned Harry, it was a valid question and one he'd not discussed with Cyrus prior.
Cyrus appeared to be in though for a moment before standing to respond.
"I thank Lord Abbot for your question. Unfortunately, this petition doesn't relate to the votes being represented incorrectly but the process in which said nomination occurred and how this reflects on the one who made said nomination." Cyrus took a breath before continuing. "We must look first to the fact that we need to refer to James Potter as James Potter and NOT Lord Potter. We all felt the loss of the previous Lord Potter, Charlus Potter was a strong personality within these halls and held us all to a higher level. However, after his passing, his son chose not to take up the mantle, I can understand not doing so during a time of war however to then STILL not take up his position after the danger has past is UNACCEPTABLE!" Cyrus roared the last word to the room. "Then, without appearing within these hallowed halls, he simply sends an owl letting us know that Mr. Dumbledore has his proxy..."
Harry watched with bated breath as Cyrus took a moment to drink some water and assess the room. Once he placed his glass down again, he continued. "I consider it a personal failing that I did not question this choice myself however I believe WE were all to lost in our relief that the war was finally over. However, this method of communicating a proxy nomination shows a staggering lack of knowledge regarding procedures within these halls and a large amount of DISRESPECT FOR THE HISTORY AND PRESTIGE OF THESE POSITIONS AND THIS HALL!"
"In addition to the disrespect shown to this hall and it's members, James Potter then proceeds to neglect the education of his Heir. As referenced in my opening remarks, Heir Potter gained his education regarding our ways and politics from the Heiress of an unallied house. This education was then furthered under my tutelage as a favour to my daughter who had become admittedly enamoured with Heir Potter. A position I find myself in also, as Heir Potter has proven himself a driven, honourable young man that is fully prepared to honour the Old Ways ONCE HE WAS MADE AWARE OF THEM!" Cyrus again thundered out across the room.
"So, no Lord Abbot, I do not squabble about the fact the Potter votes are, for the first time in over 700 years, voting with the more progressive side of these hallowed halls. No, my concern is that the votes should NEVER have gone there in the first place and should instead sit with this young man here who has proven himself more than capable of stepping up to the challenge." Again, Cyrus ceded the floor back to Minister Fudge by taking his seat.
"Thank you for that response, Lord Greengrass, I again open the floor to debate and questions" Fudge said.
The silence held for 30 seconds before a Lady spoke out.
"Madame Bones, you have the floor. I would however ask you to clarify as to whether you speak as the proxy of your house or as Head of the DMLE before asking your question."
"I speak as the proxy of my house Interim-Chief Warlock and my question is for Heir Potter specifically." This caused Harry's body to tense up, Cyrus had told him he might need to speak, plus they'd practiced responding to questions, but that didn't make it any less stressful. "Heir Potter, can you please make clear to the hall why we should believe you will keep to the Old Ways? Don't misinterpret my question, I'm sure all the words used today by Lord Greengrass are true, but evidence is always better than words."
"Heir Potter, please rise and speak with a clear voice so all can hear you." Minister Fudge said once Madam Bones had taken her seat again.
Harry took a deep breath and stood. "I thank Madam Bones for her question and cannot fault her desire for evidence given her position within the Ministry." Harry was thankful that his joke was greet with some laughs from the Lords around him. Reassured and now with a smile, Harry continued. "I would first like to thank Lord Greengrass, not just for bringing this petition forward on my behalf, but for the education he has given me in process, procedure and of course…" Harry paused for effect. "Politics" Harry was again buoyed by some laughs. "I would also like to call out Heiress Greengrass, who not only raised me up during a troubling time but also spent hours within Hogwarts educating me about the Old Ways." Harry for the first time looked around the room and into the eyes of the Lords, Ladies and Proxies sitting around him.
"I was raised in a house where the Old Ways were considered outdated and foreign. I must stress this wasn't being driven by my Muggleborn mother, but simply a lack of interest in our history and traditions, however after having spent time with Heiress Greengrass and Lord Greengrass, I have been shown not just the importance of them but the beauty and magic of them." Harry felt his eyes start to tear up. "These festivals, rights, celebrations and traditions aren't just for show. It is our culture, our heritage and I for one intended to reinvigorate them within the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter." Harry sat down heavily, feeling the emotions of his speech wash over him as he did. He felt the steading hand of Cyrus rest on his shoulder, he looked up and saw the man smiling and, in his eyes, shone what Harry thought were a mixture of pride and respect. Harry then blinked and realised that there was clapping going on around him, he looked up and noticed almost all the Lords standing and giving him a round of applause. Harry did his best to keep his blush at bay with his occlumency.
Once the clapping quietened, Fudge spoke again. "I think I speak for most of us in the room when I say well-spoken Heir Potter and whether it's in these coming weeks or not for a few decades, I personally look forward to your Wizengamot investiture speech. I again open the floor to questions and debate."
This time the silence seemed to hang, as if waiting for something, causing Harry to feel uneasy, however his unease was banished by surprise when he heard the loud banging of the Chief Warlock's gavel against its block.
"With no further questions or topics to debate, I now open the floor to a vote. All those in favour of this petition being passed please light your wand now." Harry just stared ahead, not wanting to look desperate by counting them.
"Thank you, now those wishing to abstain." Fudge asked after time for counting had finished. "Ah, Mr Doge, you have the floor."
Harry then heard the voice of Elphias Doge. "I wish to make it clear I am abstaining only on behalf of the Potter votes."
"Very well, clerk please make note of that." Once the clerk finished writing Fudge then spoke again. "And now, those who wish to vote against this petition, please light your wands now."
With the tension within himself, Harry felt like he could have bore a hole through Fudge's chair just by staring. Internally he was an absolute mess…
"Thank you all for your votes and I'm happy to acknowledge this petition as passed. Congratulations Heir Potter. You may visit Gringotts to complete the associated paperwork and collect your Head of House ring and I look forward to you joining this esteemed body. As this was the only piece of business on the docket today, I call this sitting closed and hope you all have a wonderful day." With those closing remarks, Fudge banged his gavel and quickly walked out of the hall.
Harry sat there stunned, they'd done it…
"Harry?" He heard Cyrus' voice break through his thoughts.
"I'm sorry Cyrus, I'm just stunned. Could you repeat that." Harry said apologetically.
"Oh think nothing of it Harry, I was just saying it might be best for us to swing past Gringotts and then head back to Greengrass Manor. Something tells me there are three very stressed out Greengrass women who are waiting with bated breath on this outcome." Harry nodded "Oh and Harry, welcome to the family son." Cyrus said with a smile as he pulled Harry out of his chair and into a hug. A hug that Harry realised he'd been wanting his entire life…