Story Arc 6, Chapter 4

They all met outside the Wizengamot chambers at half three. Sirius went in and talked to the clerk to ensure Harry would be allowed to assume his seats and appoint proxies. The clerk assured Sirius that it was always the first point of order before going into the business for the session. Harry was surprised when Griphook showed up, but the goblin was grinning madly. He showed them his personal invitation to the festivities and was quickly absorbed into the group.

Sirius took his seat within the Wizengamot while the rest filed into the family seats at the front. When only Amelia and Albus walked in at the very end, everyone knew something was off. The number of empty seats was also suspicious.

Albus banged his gavel and said, "This emergency meeting of the Wizengamot is now in session. I think we can dispense with announcements from the clerk and go straight to business."

The clerk interrupted, "I'm sorry Chief Warlock, but we have several new ascensions to seat first."

Albus scowled. He looked into the audience and saw Harry surrounded by the Tonks, Arthur Weasley, and a goblin! Harry saw him looking at him and just winked at the man.

"Very well. Let those who wish to join this body come forward."

Harry walked to the floor of the chamber and said loudly, "I, Harrison James Slytherin Peverell Gryffindor Potter, do hereby claim my seats on the Wizengamot of the United Kingdom on this date." There was a flash of light as the magic of the chamber acknowledged the claim and seats for Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Peverell were made available. As all were Noble and Venerable Houses, their chairs were in the prime location immediately behind and above the Chief Warlock.

Albus spluttered, "You can't claim all of those houses! They're extinct!"

Harry smiled, then showed each ring, "I believe I can, Chief Warlock. I have my account manager, Griphook, here who also witnessed the assumption of each house. If you would like to question the integrity of Gringotts' inheritance process, I'm sure he can answer any questions you have."

Albus knew he'd been played, but there was nothing he could do, "The Wizengamot accepts the claim of Lord Harrison James Slytherin Peverell Gryffindor Potter. As you are underage, please name your proxies and your affiliations."

Harry said, "For the Slytherin seat, I name Andromeda Cassiopeia Tonks, nee Black as my proxy, and choose the Neutral faction."

Andromeda came forward and did a quick transfiguration of her robes to match the others, then took her seat.

"Harry then said, "For the Peverell seat, I name my uncle and former professor, Remus John Lupin as my proxy, and choose the Neutral faction."

Albus jumped on that and said, "I'm sorry Harry, but he cannot sit on the Wizengamot and I believe you know why."

Harry said, "I'm sorry Chief Warlock, but there is no stipulation in the Wizengamot charter that forbids a werewolf from sitting on it. I checked and so did Hermione."

Griselda Marchbanks added some support for the young man, "Lord Slytherin Peverell Gryffindor Potter is correct, Chief Warlock. The Wizengamot Charter specifically prohibits anyone from interfering in the appointments of proxies."

'Blast that boy! He probably has a counter-argument for anything I come up with,' thought Albus.

Remus came forward and also did a quick transfiguration of his robes and went to sit next to Andromeda.

Harry then said, "For the Gryffindor seat, I name Arthur Septimus Weasley as my proxy and also choose the Neutral faction."

Albus was relieved by that appointment and just motioned for Arthur to take his seat.

"If there are no other announcements, then I turn the meeting over to Madam Bones.

"Thank you, Chief Warlock. What I have to say is long and has a major effect on the lives of all of Great Britain and Ireland. First, let me read the press release that was sent to the Daily Prophet earlier today. I know you will have questions and I will answer them, but I need to get through this part and the next before you do. It will go faster for us all if you do."

On the night of July 16, 1994, Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known by the name of Lord Voldemort, was sent through the Veil of Death in the Department of Mysteries. Mr. Riddle had undertaken several black rituals to attempt to remain on this plane of existence. With the assistance of Gringotts Bank and others in the know, he was captured and disposed of.

After the deaths of James and Lily Potter, Mr. Riddle had been reduced to wraith form. This wraith was discovered in the forests of Albania and recovered by a team from Gringotts. They turned him over to the DMLE for processing. Also captured was the wizard, Peter Pettigrew.

After being made aware of a prophecy about Mr. Riddle and Harry Potter, Lord Slytherin Potter was present in the Department of Mysteries and was instrumental in the final demise of the Dark Lord. Gringotts Bank has confirmed that the life stone of Tom Marvolo Riddle is dark.

The Department of Mysteries notified me that the Dark Mark used by Mr. Riddle to mark his followers was, in fact, a slave bond that bonded the marked followers' magic and life to that of Mr. Riddle. This has resulted in the loss of magic and life of all of his marked followers. There are still some in St. Mungo's, but they will not recover. All Death Eaters in Azkaban prison have also expired.

While the ministry sends its sincere condolences to those families for the loss of their loved ones, let there be no doubt that their deaths are a result of their own actions and not of anyone else.

Further releases will be provided as new information becomes available.

"Now before you start asking questions, I need to announce another thing. At approximately nine o'clock this morning, Cornelius Fudge resigned his position as Minister for Magic and named me as Acting Minister. That is the last of my official announcements. I will now take questions."

Albus was shocked. All of those people were either dead or dying. There was no chance for them to repent and become model citizens. While he wanted to blame Harry for those deaths, he knew he couldn't. The prophecy was in play and he fulfilled his part by vanquishing Tom Riddle. Reading between the lines, they also destroyed all of his horcruxes. He knew the horcrux in Harry had been dealt with earlier in the summer when Harry did that stupid stunt in the Chamber of Secrets. Well, there was nothing more for him to do but move forward.

Cyrus Greengrass lit his wand to speak, "Acting Minister Bones, do you have a rough count of the wizards and witches we have lost today?"

"We know of at least fifty-two with quite a few more still in St. Mungo's. Several known Death Eaters are currently not in the country or we cannot confirm their deaths. These are Severus Snape, Igor Karkaroff, and Fenrir Greyback. Chief Warlock, do you know the whereabouts of Mr. Snape?"

"I'm afraid I do not. After attending the annual meeting of the Potions Masters Guild, he usually goes hunting rare potion ingredients and works on his private research. I usually don't hear from him until he returns the week before school resumes," said Albus.

Griphook stood and waited to be recognized, "Madam Acting Minister, Chief Warlock, I can confirm the death of Severus Snape. As Fenrir Greyback did not have a vault with us, I cannot attest to his death. I can contact the Bulgarian branch of Gringotts to determine the status of Mr. Karkaroff if you wish."

"Thank you, Griphook, but that will not be necessary," said Amelia.

Albus realized that this may put his plans for the Triwizard Tournament in jeopardy. With Igor gone, Durmstrang may be unwilling to participate. He would have to contact them immediately.

Thaddeus Abbott asked, "What will happen to the families with no heir?"

Amelia replied, "I recommend we hold off on that question to give Gringotts time to determine if there are any heirs. It will probably take them a few days before we have an answer."

There were a few more questions, but nothing of substance. Albus then called for ratification of appointing Amelia Bones as Acting Minister. There were only a couple of nays. With that, they were adjourned.

- Scene Break -

As they were departing the chambers, Albus stopped Sirius, "We need to talk now."

"Albus, we agreed to come to Hogwarts tomorrow. Whatever you think you need to know can wait until then."

Albus was frustrated, but there was nothing he could do. And that frustrated him even more! He went back to Hogwarts and sent an owl to Durmstrang to determine if they were still planning to participate in the Tournament. He decided to take his dinner in his office as he didn't want to talk to any of the other traitors in the castle.

On the other hand, Harry, Sirius, and all went back to Alphard's Place quite happy with the results of the meeting. While Arthur begged off to go back to the Burrow, the rest had a bit of a celebratory dinner and rehash the meeting.

"Harry, you carried yourself quite well today. I'm proud of you!" said Sirius.

"Yes, Harry, those lessons in deportment served you well. You deflected the Chief Warlock's inquiries quite efficiently," said Andromeda.

Remus was curious, "When did you and Hermione discuss me being on the Wizengamot?"

Harry blushed, "Erm, we didn't. I winged that one."

The group burst out in laughter. Sirius wiped a fake tear from his eye, "Mooney, he's definitely a true Marauder. Once we teach him to become an animagus, we'll have to give him a name besides Prongslet."

"Mr. Mooney agrees with Mr. Padfoot but urges you to wait until his magic is more stable."

"Well, with that bind on his core removed, that should help immensely. We could probably start him on the meditation part since he's already doing some of it with his occlumency training."

Andi broke in, "You will not be teaching him the animagus transformation until I say he's ready. Do I make myself clear?"

Sirius ducked his head, "Of course, Andi. We wouldn't leave our family healer out of the decision." Both Remus and Harry nodded their heads quickly.

The family meeting broke up soon afterward.