[a/n]Sequel to #120 #122 & #123 Yay alix! Our 1st-Year Puff was well-named. And SMB while some of Amelia's characterizations are direct from the book, here they are more how she wants to be perceived.

Harry Does Different DXXIIId

Malfoys Don't Kneel 4

From more than one place in the seats came "This gonna be goooood!" It was impossible to finger one representative for a parliamentary violation.

"The Bones will explain herself." Lucius acted coldly indifferent. Although Draco was sitting in the box beside him, he did not even glance that way. "House Malfoy has no tolerance for slander."

Fudge interjected coldly "Madam Bones, you will discontinue this action. It is in violation of this government's stated policies."

"This has nothing to do with the Ministry, sir." Her words were respectful, even if the tone was lacking. Then she turned an icy glare "My Lords and Ladies, it might be more precise to say House Bones has a problem with a cowardly bullying boy who thinks himself entitled to slap fellow students during discussions."

The Duke looked deeply surprised. Glancing at his son, then around the room, was appalled to discern others knew something he did not. A quick whisper "We shall discuss this, Draco." Then "No one makes unsubstantiated accusations against my House without consequences, Bones."

"I have plenty of substantiation and I welcome your consequences, Malfoy." Countered the witch, unaffectedly. Then speaking more for the audience and brandishing a scroll "Statement from Madam Pomfrey for a bruised eye. An analgesic potion for both my niece, and Harry Potter. I understand such exist for House Malfoy's na-Duke, but have not seen it. But this would be a court matter. I choose to make it a kanly matter. Blood feud."

Here the whole Wizengamot gasped. Dumbledore interjected "There is no sense, Amelia, in exaggerating a mere lunchroom quarrel."

"There is no minimizing a physical assault by one noble heir, even if a minor one" Madam Bones spoke contemptuously "upon the head of a significantly superior family. House Bones requires an apology and significant reparations."

Lucius hadn't deigned to even stand, waving a negligent hand "As Dumbledore said, such things are beneath Wizengamot notice."

"I decide what is unimportant, Malfoy. And if there is any misunderstanding, House Bones considers this an inter-House assassination attempt. It will be settled here and now, with blood on the floor …if necessary." Her tone was hard as the stone on which she stood.

Lucius was not at all sure he could win a duel against the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, even on his best day. He'd been, as an aside, studying his son's reaction to the proceedings and formed what he considered to be an elegant way out "It seems we are at an impasse. However, as the matter is a school affair, why not allow the students to settle it? Would young Susan care to match with Draco? Nothing lethal, of course?"

"What an interesting proposal." Replied Amelia. No one knew why she and Harry exchanged fleeting grins. "You …or rather young Draco… would apologize before this body? And the matter be closed, should House Bones prevail? Plus, as mentioned, I propose reparations in the amount of GG10,000."

The younger Malfoy spoke up "Gladly. Whatever you say. Glad to have you on your knees. Heheh!"

"Just one small point then, and we can begin. Fully conscious that Susan is not a fighter …her skills just do not lean that way… House Bones would ask to be championed." This time, her tone was diplomatic, polite.

Lucius sneered "And of course it is a fair fight to ask a schoolboy to battle the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement? It would scarcely be a summary execution."

"I'm better than that, Father!" Draco made an attempt to advance that was cut off.

Amelia ignored the outburst "Oh, I quite agree, Malfoy." She glanced at the podium "Now, Minister, is the answer to your question. Susan and I were in Little Whining seeking a champion for just this occasion. And I am pleased to announce that Earl-Presumptive Harry of the Noble and Moste Ancient House of Potter agreed to fill that role. For which, win or lose, I am indebted to the young man."

"A pleasure, Regent Bones. Countess Bones." Harry offered a proper regal bow to both, then "Does House Malfoy accept my proxy in this matter? I do believe the na-Duke has spoken of me never being able to defeat him."

Dumbledore harrumpfed "Madam Bones, Duke Malfoy, such matters are best resolved peacefully. Now, I am glad to extend my good - -"

"House Malfoy has our terms." Harry interrupted, curtly "And since the issue involves TWO Wizengamot Houses, reparations have doubled." He gave a sheepish look to the Bones women, but received coolly congratulatory nods.

Lucius glared, nodded agreement, then whispered to his son "Reports of your success against Potter had best not be exaggerated."

"Scared Potter?" Draco called out.

Harry's comeback improved from Second Year. He shrugged off his family cloak and handed it to Susan with a flourish. Then to his opponent "May thy wand chip and shatter."

"I'd say we have a fight!" came an anticipatory shout.

Fudge looked unhappy but could read the mood "If all parties are agreed then, so be it. Official notice, however, both opponents are underage. This fight will be VERY CLOSELY scrutinized. Death is not a permissible outcome. You boys may begin when ready."

"Surely you'll pardon an accident, Mini- -Avertae Statas! Rictusempre! Ossius Fractum!" in mid-question, Draco rapid-fired a trio of spells.

Harry wasn't surprised. All three rebounded from a shield he'd put up even before his opponent spoke. Twice, he cast "Rictusempre!" the first missed entirely, the second was quite feeble and barely upset the opposing shield.

"Ossius Fractum! Ossius Fractum! Ossius Fractum!" the Malfoy heir was fond of the bone-breaking curse. Two hit a stubborn shield and the third was dodged.

Harry did not yell his counter, which was "Aportego!" Not a widely known spell. It wasn't meant to be a direct attack, but to drain a shield.

"What are you playing at Potter?!" demanded blond wizard, after several similar exchanges. Ten minutes in, frustrated, feeling unfamiliar sensations and getting winded, Draco fell back on a favorite, with improvement "Serpentsortiamaxima!" Instead of one moderate-sized snake, six leapt from the Slytherin's wand. Not all were very large, one was quite small.

Harry reacted as before, falling easily into Parseltongue. All the Wizengamot heard was a series of hisses. Both from the snakes and their Boy-Who-Lived.

To the utter frustration of Draco, his spells all bounced off Harry's shield in those seconds. Then, too late, remembered his mistake. Desperately, he charged, never mind his prior contempt for Muggle violence. All six collided with their creator, who screamed in pain. Soon writhing on the marble floor.

"Bet that hurts, Malfoy." Gloated Harry, approaching with wand trained. He kicked his opponent's wand away "Good job making an asp. Lucky the boa is keeping the venom in your leg."

Draco cursed back "Fuck you Potter!"

"OH you're in too much danger to be mouthy." Harry crouched down, glancing up commanded those approaching "Halt!" then to his opponent "Let's hear it Malfoy. Both to me, and Susan. Loud!"

Draco snarled "That'll …be the… day Potter." Neither he, nor the crowd, understood the subsequent hissing. The effect, however, was "The pain! Lemmo go Potter!"

"You are pushing your luck, boy." Lucius snarled from the Malfoy Family box.

Harry sneered at him, while signaling "Countess, I bid you come forward." Giving a nudge with his foot, commanding ruthlessly "Crawl, Draco. Just like Daddy. Then you can kiss the hem of her robe. Be quick about it."

"Such a display is unwarranted, Harry." Dumbledore intervened, though longstanding custom kept him in his place below the Minister's podium.

The Malfoy heir snarled several threats, through increasing pain.

Susan had obeyed her champion's summons and was standing at the edge of the combat circle. She started forward, but stopped at the winner's glance. The Wizengamot looked on with baited breath.

Looking into Harry's stone-cold expression, Draco nodded and complied. He looked up resentfully at both and gritted out through the near agony "House Malfoy yields. I wish to apologize for my actions in question. All conditions will be adhered to. May my wounds be tended to?"

"With dispatch." Said Susan. The exact protocol there was a bit hazy, but the healer who'd held back rushed forward vanished all the conjured snakes and went to work with venom antidote.

Lucius was utterly expressionless as he spoke "The Moste Noble House of Malfoy stands by its pledges. This matter of vendetta is closed as agreed."

"Just to be clear, Duke Malfoy, financial reparations are still pending." Madam Bones spoke regally and flawlessly polite.

There was no visible reaction, but his tone lowered the temperature in the Ministry's largest room "Surely such minutiae can be set aside while We see to Our heir."

"Not unreasonable, Madam Bones." Fudge said, as though the voice of reason. "And things monetary are beneath the notice of this august body."

The Regent of House Bones bowed fractionally while eyeing her enemy "He would only be in the way. A superbly able healer is treating his son. Who, by the way, was injured in legal combat and by his own spellwork. While the money amount is relatively minor, the point is a debt of honor. Something this august body should always be concerned about."

"Yes. Very well. As agreed." Lucius looked like he'd eaten devil's snare "Unfortunately, Gringott's is closed at this time. Shall we meet tomorrow to arrange the transfer of GG10,000?"

Harry was not very up on Wizengamot etiquette and merely blurted out "You mean twenty."

"What?" Lucius snapped angrily.

Susan answered in a way more in line with expectations "I believe we all heard the na-Duke agree to a doubling of the original reparations amount. You did anticipate a transfer of GG10,000 from each of House Bones and House Potter, did you not? If desired, Scribe Weasley can quote from the record."

"Must have slipped my mind." Lucius gritted out "Concern for young Draco's condition, you understand."

Amelia took over "At this time, Minister, Chief Warlock, our business is concluded. I thank the Wizengamot for it indulgence."

There was a sense of a well-enjoyed spectacle. Though, some dissatisfaction, the cause of which was unclear. Regardless, Dumbledore as presiding official, made his wand spark and bang slightly "For the record, the chair denounces the display of violence this day. There are better ways of dealing with disputes, we are better than this."

"If that was true, i'd still have parents!" Harry had the benefit of Madam Bones' wand amplifying his voice "So would Susan. Mrs. Weasley would still have brothers!"

Dumbledore frowned "House Potter is not recognized at this time. The remark is stricken. We stand adjourned." Leaving his spot and approaching, he immediately scolded "You have been most problematic this summer, Harry. Professor Snape informed you we needed to have a lengthy consultation."

"He told me to wait for you to show up, whenever you got around to it." Harry retorted in a clipped tone "Guess I can't have things to do?"

Susan was still rather in awe of the Headmaster. The sudden confrontation made her want to feel very small.

"Can't blame him feeling a bit resentful, Albus." Said Amelia "But, regardless of that, we had a mutual problem to resolve. And common interests to pursue.

He frowned "I presume the Draco matter was among your discussions. I do not see how this afternoon's events were optimal, Amelia. In fact I would hav- -"

"Just allowed him a free pass like your pet Death Eater." Madam Bones had had enough "And speaking of which, Susan is finished taking abuse in his class just for being Harry Potter's best friend's lab partner."

This snapped the two students to attention.

"Severus Snape is the finest young Potions Master of the age." Countered Dumbledore.

She sniffed "Then his place is as a researcher or a fulltime brewer at St. Mungos. Not depleting the Auror Corps and intimidating children into not taking up the art. This will be the next Wizengamot agenda item. You will need to fill the position in September. Returning to young Malfoy, the matter could have been resolved with an apology weeks ago. House Bones is indebted to its champion."

"Susan, I understand fully what I am about to say." Harry took his classmate's hand formally "Both the intent and the symbolic meaning. There are no debts between friends." *smirking* "To be honest, I enjoyed every second, so thanks for the opportunity to give Malfoy what he had coming. And, Madam Bones, I ask the opportunity to speak with you on a separate topic of importance in your role as Director of Magical Law Enforcement."

The Headmaster looked disapproving "Harry, being out from the protection provided by headquarters is extremely inadvisable. I must insist you restrict your movements."

"Yes, Albus, it is obvious a Fidelus is in operation." Said Amelia "However, whether Harry and I choose to meet at the Ministry or on Bones land, both provide sufficient protection to a teenage wizard out on a summer day. In fact, maybe he's a minor menace to one member of the Bones clan. Would you not agree?"

Susan scowled at her aunt.

Dumbledore concluded "I find I have a great deal more to do over the next few weeks than usual. Please excuse me." The old wizard was unsure, but had most disquieting thoughts, as to what a Bones/Potter connection might do to his plans.