Chapter 291
"Yup," he agreed. "She was telling us Albus won't be
anywhere near the meeting without specifically saying
so."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Over and down in the Department of Mysteries,
Scimitar walked in to his Section and said, "Knight's
Shadow have a report for us."
That had the others all perk up and set aside what
they were working on.
Referencing his note he said, "The young Knight and
the Bookworm, together with the Plant Prodigy, spent
the day visiting the other heirs of the major houses in
the alliance. Ostensibly, it was to introduce Bookworm
as the Lady Presumptive of Potter.
"However, Leo used his heir to inform the others he
will be calling for a meeting of the alliance for very
soon after Christmas Day."
"Any significance on that time?" asked on of the
strategists.
"None," replied, Scimitar. "Apparently, the date was
chosen for convenience. There does not appear to be
any other reason we can discern.
"At the same time White Knight had Legal Eagle
report to Monocle that he's taken back Potter Cottage
as his rightful property. We checked and the place has
disappeared under a Fidelius."
That had one of the Team give a low whistle.
Another asked, "He had the right to do that?"
"Yep," nodded Scimitar. "Apparently, immediately
after the events of that Hallowe'en, the Ministry moved
in to secure the property. The fuddy-duddies ordered
it be acquired as a site of importance, but the Ministry
did not purchase the property."
The other nodded and added, "And, therefore, they
did not own the property. It still remained the property
of the young Knight. I bet that stung."
Scimitar replied, "Apparently, after being informed,
Monocle went on a tear through the relevant
departments with a demand to explain. No one's been
able to provide her with a logical answer, other than it
was a simple mistake."
"A costly one," said another.
A third asked, "What's the fall out?"
"Very little," replied Scimitar. "Legal Eagle was merely
letting Monocle know it had happened so she could
prepare for the fall out that's to come. There's nothing
she can do to stop it."
"And that's what's got her riled," sighed the third,
clearly understanding.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The Daily Prophet, the next morning, contained an
article that was almost word-perfect of the media
release Ted Tonks wrote for Harry and Amelia Bones.
~ # ~
LORD POTTER ACCEPTS BACK POTTER COTTAGE
At lunch time, yesterday, Lord Harrison Potter
accepted back possession of Potter Cottage in
Godric's Hollow writes Wesley Suddershaw, political
reporter.
"I'm very thankful to Acting Madam Minister Amelia
Bones for graciously returning possession of my
parents final home to me and the Potter family," said
Lord Potter. "Being able to stand where my parents
last lived is a wonderful gift to have. I now have a
better understanding of the hardship they endured
throughout the last few months of their lives."
Acting Madam Minister of Magic, Amelia Bones, said,
"After a decade of being held by the Ministry as a
place of historic record, from this time forth the true
monument to the sacrifice of the Potters will be the
one that sits in the main square of the town. This is
just as it should be. Lord Potter's property is back
under his rightful and lawful control."
[...]
~ # ~
After reading the article, Harry smirked and handed
the paper to Hermione.
Accepting it, Hermione asked, "She agreed with it
being published?"
"She did," he nodded. "She really had no other
choice."
"You know she's going to hate you even more now,
right?" she asked.
"She doesn't hate me, Love," he disagreed. "That's
just her frustration at the situations that keep coming
up. She's struggling to keep on top of it all.
"However, if she was to temporarily pass off DMLE
Director to Head and Master Auror Scrimgeour so she
could dedicate more time to the Acting Ministership,
she'd find she'd have the time," he explained. "It's
her... apparent unwillingness... to do that which is
causing her problems; not me, Ted or Sirius 'dumping'
on her."
Hermione thought about t for a few seconds before
she simply nodded in understanding.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At a couple of minutes to 9.00am, the two teens made
their way down to the Doghouse ready to floo through
to Hogwarts.
Their auror escort for the day were only two of the
three, with the other remaining with the adult
Grangers in the house.
As the appointed hour arrived, the senior of the two
said to the two teens, "Wait for me to floo back and let
you know it's safe before you come through. While I
somewhat trust Lady Marchbanks, that does not mean
Dumbledore is not somehow controlling her at the
moment."
When both nodded back, he dashed in floo powder
and was gone moments later.
Fifteen seconds later, he was back.
"It's safe," he declared, before he spun on the spot
and again dashed floo powder in the grate.
Again Harry waited a few seconds before following.
But this time, by whatever miracle, he only managed
to stagger a little on stepping out at the other end.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 292
Seconds later, Hermione daintily stepped out of the
floo with the second auror right on her heels.
Hermione smiled at him over the fact he was still on
his feet and said, "You're obviously getting better,
Harry."
Before Harry could respond, from where she was
sitting at her desk, Marchbanks said, "Welcome Lord
Potter, Miss Granger." She ignored the aurors, which
was actually the right thing to do.
"Good morning, Lady Headmistress," both replied.
Harry added, "Thank you for agreeing to meet with us,
Ma'am."
Giving a smile and nod back, Marchbanks indicated
the seats before her desk and said, "Please, sit."
When both did as the two aurors took up positions
near the door and to the side of Marchbanks's desk,
she said, "I believe you have information for me.
However, I believe I am safe to assume it is that you
wish to withdraw from Hogwarts."
Somewhat surprised she'd so easily guessed, Harry
replied, "Yes, Ma'am. That is exactly what we wished
to speak with you about."
She gave a small smile back, seemed to hesitate while
she thought something through and then said, "It may
interest you to know that I have already been given
permission by the School Board to fire Albus
Dumbledore for breaching the conditions of his
tenure.
"I have not done so, so that I can force him to remain
in the school under threat that I will fire him if he
keeps stepping out of line.
"Do you know why?"
Hermione gave a gasp of surprise and replied, "You've
done that, practically placed him under house arrest,
so he cannot bother Harry."
Marchbanks smiled and gave a nod. "If you can work
that out, then you should also be able to work out
when I am actually going to fire him."
"The day the school re-opens," Hermione promptly
replied. "That's very clever."
Marchbanks gave another head tilt to Hermione in
recognition and said, "Precisely."
She looked directly at Harry again and said, "I felt,
keeping him out of your hair as much as possible was
just a little something I could do to thank you for
bringing everything to light, as you did."
Harry gave a huff of amusement, smiled and said, "It
wasn't a little something, it was a big something.
Thank you, for that."
Again, she gave a nod of acceptance. "Now that
you're aware that Albus Dumbledore will not be within
the castle... or even the grounds... on the day the
school re-opens, I hope you might reconsider your
unspoken as of yet desire to withdraw from
Hogwarts."
After Harry and Hermione stared at one another for a
long moment, where to Harry it was clear Hermione
really wanted to return to the school, he turned back
and said, "There's still the issue of Dumbledore's
phoenix, Fawkes. I know Dumbledore can use him to
flame travel―"
Marchbanks had raised her hand in a stop gesture and
appeared to be smirking. That's what stopped Harry,
mid sentence.
"Fawkes has broken his bond with Albus, remember?"
she simply said. "I believe both that it was published
in the Daily Prophet and that it had a lot to do with
something you sent him."
Harry groaned about forgetting about the severed
Phoenix bond but, on hearing it had something to do
with something he'd sent the old git, both teens
looked back with both hope and confusion.
Marchbanks withdrew from under her desk blotter a
sheet of parchment. And handed it to Harry.
When he accepted it and turned it to read it, he
recognised it was the letter he'd sent Dumbledore
after the old man tried to abduct him via portkey.
Looking up in shock he asked, "You confirm it then?
My letter caused Fawkes to break the bond?"
She grinned and replied, "I believe it was
Dumbledore's reaction to the letter that caused
Fawkes to break the bond."
Harry gave a snort of amusement and continued to
look down at the letter. That's when he remembered
something. "Headmistress, do you mind if I take a
copy of this? My prospective father-in-bond wanted a
copy of it."
After Harry handed the letter back, Marchbanks
created the copy and, without a word, handed it to
Harry.
"Now, without Fawkes's aid, Dumbledore cannot enter
the school," said Marchbanks.
Hermione cut in and asked, "What about the tunnels?"
Marchbanks froze, turned a direct look on Hermione
and quietly asked, "Tunnels?"
Hermione gave a nod and said, "There's the tunnel
that goes from under the Whomping Willow out on the
grounds halfway between the mains doors of the
castle and the front gate. That one goes into the
basement of the shrieking shack. Dumbledore built
that one back in the early 1970's.
"Then there's the one that goes from behind the
hump-backed witch statue on the third floor to the
basement of Honeydukes. No idea how long that one's
been there. Or the one behind the statue of Gregory
the Smarmy on the second floor."
Harry nodded and added, "There are others. I'll spend
time later today, back at where we're staying, to write
up a small report on all the ones I know of and see to
it being handed to you later this afternoon."
With a rather intense focus on both teens she gave a
slow nod and said, "That would be most helpful. Yes."
Harry said, "Consider it done."
"Harry," Hermione quietly piped up. "Without
Dumbledore being able to enter the school..."
Harry thought for a long few moments and finally said,
"We'll discuss it with your parents and with Sirius.
You're still a minor, Hermione. It's their decision to
make for you."
"And if they say yes?" she pressed.
Harry gave her a quelling look and firmly replied,
"Then that is something we will discuss then."
Embarrassed, Hermione blushed and looked away.
"Of course. Sorry."
She knew, but had in her excitement forgotten, she
could not press this new Harry into a hasty decision.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After spending a little more time with Marchbanks,
where she told them of many of the changes in
staffing and what would be the required behaviour of
staff and students, the two teens returned via floo to
the Granger residence.
As soon as they did, Harry took Hermione aside for
another 'talking to'.
"Hermione, you have to start to think about not
pressing matters when we're in public," he firmly
chastised her. "You knew you overstepped when you
did it and you must curb that. Each time you do it, you
make me look weak. And, as a daughter of Black now,
you bring disrespect to Sirius each time."
With a sigh and with her eyes cast down, Hermione
replied, "Sorry, Harry." Looking back up she added,
"I'm just so excited about the idea we can return to
Hogwarts, after all."
"I get that," he nodded. "But, you still need to curb
your enthusiasm so it doesn't diminish your manners,
alright?"
She nodded.
A moment later she smirked, leaned in, planted a
tonsil-searing kiss on him and asked, "Am I
forgiven?"
Trying to get his sudden blush under control after the
near-eroticism of the kiss, he croaked, "Yes."
As she openly grinned back in mischief he added,
"You're a bad girl for trying to distract me, like that."
"Trying?" she asked.
With a snort of amusement he grinned and replied,
"Alright; actually distracting me like that."
Steering him towards the dinette, she allowed her
hand to slip into his elbow and moved them forward.
"Come - now we're likely to be attending Hogwarts,
after all - we have planning to do."
As they walked, he gave a nod and said, "And I need
to pull out the Map so I can list down all the tunnels at
Hogwarts and send them off to our new
Headmistress."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 293
After accessing the map and writing down all the
tunnels, Harry realised there was something missing
from the Map. There were no footprints with names.
Frowning, he deactivated it and tried again. And again
no names appeared. Somehow, that function within
the Map had broken.
He knew it wasn't because he was away from the
castle. At times in the past, when he was away -
whether that was at the Dursleys or at the Burrow - it
had shown the names then. Now, however, it did not.
Giving a sigh of disappointment, he'd ask Sirius about
it when he had a chance. It just wasn't that big a deal
to him, at the moment.
With the list of all tunnels with relevant passwords
now listed out, including the ones he knew had
collapsed, he put the Map away again. One feature
might have broken, but it was still a family heirloom
and a connection to his father.
While cooking a roast dinner for that night - stuffed
duck, this time, as he had the time to make sure it was
done right - Harry used the time to think through what
he wanted to talk with the adult Grangers about
concerning returning to Hogwarts.
And, when they arrived home a couple hours later, he
and Hermione sat them down in the parlour and went
over what they had learned that day.
"So," said Wendell, looking to Hermione who held
most of the conversation. "In brief: This new
Headmistress, Lady Griselda Marchbanks, is going to
be firing Dumbledore from his job soon after 11.00am
on Sunday, the third of January; which is the time the
Hogwarts Express will leave Kings Cross Station on
its trip to Hogsmeade. She claims she already has
permission from the School Board to do so, but has
held off to keep Dumbledore away from you and us.
She has already given her word she will ensure the
old man cannot ever return to the castle and its
grounds, no matter how much he bleats about it.
"With that in mind you now believe the danger that
existed due to Dumbledore's Machiavellian
machinations, as you put it, within the castle are now
at an end. And the changes to the school rules
relating to student and staff behaviour will go a long
way towards stamping out the bullying and bigotry
that ran rampant during your first three years and the
beginning of your fourth."
Hermione replied, "In a nutshell, yes."
Wendell gave a nod and looked to Harry. "And what do
you think?"
Harry was slow to respond as he was formulating his
thoughts. And the others didn't push as they all were
now experienced with his 'thinking' expression and
that he took time to formulate a proper response.
"I think that Lady Marchbanks is as good as her word.
However, that does not necessarily presuppose she is
correct; only that she believes she is," he replied. "For
example: Dumbledore had nothing to do with Lucy
Malfoy planting that diary on young Ginny Weasley.
Yes, the old bastard used the opportunity it presented
to him, but it was not caused by him. I also do not
believe he engineered my name coming out of the
Goblet, which caused my forced entry into the TriWizard Tournament. Again, he simply used the
opportunity it presented him. I believe his plan was,
once my name came out of the Goblet, to leave me out
there as bait. As such, both those situations are
situations that may still have occurred, even without
Dumbledore's machinations. The second may very
likely have still occurred, even if I did not attend
Hogwarts, so that one is a wash.
"However, according to the information provided to us
by Lady Marchbanks, neither of those situations
would have occurred if the relevant ward scheme for
the castle that had been deactivated and are now up
and running again had been active at the time.
Further, the reactivation of the anti-bullying wards,
together with the added monitoring wards now
installed, will mean the castle has now truly become
one of the safest places in magical Britain and not just
a dream thought real.
"Then there's the other problems that have not yet
been addressed. For a start, there is very little to no
proper security on Platform nine and three-quarters,
on the train itself, on Hogsmeade station or between
the station and the gates of the school. As it is very
public information as to when the train leaves Kings
Cross and arrives at Hogsmeade, that is a huge
security issue that - even after everything I've brought
to light - has yet to be closed. There is not even an
auror presence. That's foolishness!"
Turning to look at Hermione he continued, "That,
alone, let alone anything else, has me speaking
against returning to the school. I have no doubt,
whatsoever, Dumbledore will use the opportunity of
us travelling upon the Hogwarts Express to abduct
either me, you or the both of us." He sighed and sadly
stated, "They're still being daft morons about this
issue, at least."
Hermione didn't argue, as she might have done in the
past, as she could easily see the truth of his words.
She looked sadly away, in tears.
Monica piped up and asked, "What about if they don't
use the Express?"
Wendell, curious, asked, "Use those porta-keys,
instead?"
"Portkeys," Hermione muttered.
Harry nodded and replied, "Because only the Head
can enchant portkeys that go through the wards of
Hogwarts, she'd need to make a lot of them. The
power requirements would be, I think, too tiring of a
witch of her advanced age. She's even older than
Dumbledore."
"Floo?" asked Wendell.
Harry frowned and gave it some thought.
Hermione beat him to the answer. "That would work,
actually."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 294
Harry nodded and replied, "If it could be done, the
castle could easily have a 'welcoming room' like the
atrium at the Ministry of Magic. If it can't, then each
student with access to a floo point floos directly to
their Head of House's floo point in the castle. As it's a
mid-year break there won't be any unsorted first years
to worry about, so everyone already has an assigned
House."
Nodding, he continued, "That would work, but there's
still the issue of the Ministerial Decree I brought to
light in Sirius's trial. That is, the Decree orders anyone
attending the school must travel there via the
Hogwarts Express. I'll have to see Acting Minister
Bones about removing that Decree; which I'd planned
to do, anyway."
Hermione added, "Even if Headmistress Lady
Marchbanks doesn't want all students to arrive that
way, due to your... unusual situation... she might be
willing to allow us to arrive that way."
"Yes," he muttered. "Besides, it would work better for
us if... as I believe we should do... we arrive a couple
of days after the Sunday."
"Why?" she asked.
"Multiple reasons," he replied. "First; arriving a couple
of days later will throw Dumbledore off if he's got
anything planned. Second; I want to discover how the
population of magical Britain reacts if I don't show up,
as expected. Third; I want to see what happens when
the remaining organisers of the Tri-Wizard
Tournament react when I don't show up. I'm actually
hoping the Ministries of Bulgaria and France force the
termination of the remaining events and kill the
damned thing off."
Hermione was frowning and, when Harry finished, she
said, "The problem with that is, when it's published in
the Daily Prophet the next day, Dumbledore will
immediately turn up here."
Harry gave his own frown, a slightly irritated one, right
back and said, "I had thought of that, you know. While
I'm here, the aurors are here. If I leave, they'll leave
with me. And just because I turn up at the school does
not mean Dumbledore won't turn up here, anyway.
You do realise, don't you, that your Mum and Dad
represent a weakness through which Dumbledore can
exploit trying to get back control of me?"
Hermione blushed and replied, "Sorry. Oops?"
He immediately grinned and said, "No fair using my
own version of mea culpa against me."
That, at least, had her smiling back.
To interrupt and get things back on point, Monica
asked, "Any other reasons for the two or three day
delay?"
"Not really," he replied, turning to her. "Except, that is,
how long it's going to take for the wound on my
forehead from the surgery to properly heal, even with
magical means. I had thought we might also use those
days, though, to determine if we actually want the two
of us returning to the school.
"My thoughts are: If the media lambaste me about it, I
write them the written form of flipping them the
fingers and tell them they'd just made my decision for
me; and it would be that I wouldn't be returning. If,
however, they don't; then I think it's safe to say that
I'm alright with returning, after all."
Wendell said, "I can't say I'm happy about the idea of
either of you returning to that nuthouse... but, if it's
what you want to do, I won't stop you."
With a pleading look from Hermione, Harry sighed and
said, "Then I shall send another letter to Lady
Marchbanks informing her we'll be two days late. So
long as the Prophet et al don't defame me, we'll turn
up on the Tuesday morning via floo."
With a pinched look, Hermione asked, "And if the
Prophet does?"
He smirked and shrugged. "Well, after sending Ted to
go and remonstrate with them, I'll likely laugh at them
and tell them that, if they continue to defame me, I'll
likely never return. And, when people write me and
ask me why I wouldn't... didn't... I'll tell them honestly
and bluntly I'll not return until the Prophet prints a full
retraction and apology on their front page."
Wendell gave a snort of amusement and said, "If they
don't do it when Ted goes in there and yells at them,
the resultant backlash from the public will ensure it
happens."
"Yes," nodded Harry. "However, I really don't think the
Prophet are going to be stupid about this, anyway.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Just before they were about to sit for dinner, they
were alerted to the floo being used. Harry had just
made it to the window when he saw one of the aurors
duck inside the ex-shed with his wand drawn.
A few moments later, as Hermione walked up behind
him to look for herself, Harry saw Sirius step out
followed by Remus Lupin. Peripherally, he heard
Hermione give a gasp of surprise and mutter,
"Professor Lupin!"
The calm expression on his godfather's face, together
with the look of both confusion and worry on Moony's
face, told Harry that the flushing potion Andi had been
developing had obviously worked.
Sticking his head in from the hallway, Wendell asked,
"Guests?"
"Yes," replied Hermione. "It's Sirius and Professor
Lupin. Sirius wouldn't have brought him if the flushing
potion hadn't worked. That must mean he's now clear
of the potion."
Calling out, Harry said, "Two more for dinner, Dobby!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 295
Yes, Master Harry, Sir!" called back Dobby.
With his eyes still of the approaching man, Harry
heard Wendell say, "If it's a new guest then we'll meet
them in the parlour."
As the angle of the approach of the three became too
steep to watch them out the window, Harry gave a
grunt and led he and Hermione into the parlour. Her
parents had already headed there.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As soon as the two Marauder's reached the door of
the parlour from the back hallway and stairs, Wendell
and Monica stood. Harry and Hermione were already
standing.
Sirius, with a big smile on his face, came over and
gave Hermione a hug before he turned back to Moony;
who was standing in the doorway, clearly a little
uncomfortable and wondering whether or not to come
in.
Gesturing Moony within, Harry indicated Wendell and
Monica and said, "Moony; these are Hermione's
parents, Wendell and Monica Granger. Wendell and
Monica; this is Remus Lupin, also known as Moony,
and once-Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts
at Hogwarts."
That was enough for Moony to, almost hesitantly,
enter and offer his hand in handshake.
"It's nice to meet you, Mister Lupin," said Wendell, as
he shook the man's hand. "Call me Wendell. And,
welcome to our home."
"It's Moony," Moony almost muttered. "And, thank
you."
Then Monica greeted him with the same exchange of
greeting.
It wasn't until Harry said, "I understand it was potions
that made you act the way you were acting, Moony. I'm
not upset with you."
That finally had Moony relax and give an almost
embarrassed smile back. He quietly replied, "Thank
you, Cub."
Moony stayed for dinner that night on Monica's
insistence and was another who was immediately
shocked at Harry's skill at cooking. Obviously the
others were all watching as he took his first bite and
snickered at his expression of surprised shock.
"You can cook!" he declared on swallowing his first
mouthful.
Feigning indignation, Harry asked right back, "Why
does everyone doubt that?" Then grinned to take the
sting out of the words.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After their impromptu family meeting and dinner - and
after Sirius and Moony left again - Harry sat at his
desk in his room and began to write the letter to
Marchbanks he knew he needed to write. In it he did
not yet include how long they'd delay from attending,
only that there'd be a short delay before they arrived.
He also included how they'd be using the time to
determine whether or not they'd actually return in the
first place, let alone being late.
The information about the tunnels was included in the
letter. Then that letter was mailed using Hedwig, who
was again of late giving him the 'evil eye' for not
giving her work to do.
Next, he wrote letters to Neville, Susan, Daphne,
Hannah and Tracey covering pretty much the same
information about how there would be a delay before
he and Hermione returned to the castle, if at all.
However, he also went more into the facts of why
without actually stating just how long they'd delay.
Those he sent via what he now called 'HEED' (House
Elf Express Delivery). Dobby was happy to take them
for him and do the 'mail circuit' of the other heirs.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As breakfast wound down the next morning, Neville
sent them a note via his own house elf. He expressed
his concerns about Harry's note of the previous
evening.
~ # ~
Harry and Hermione,
While I understand your reasoning about whether or
not you'll continue attending Hogwarts, I hope you
reconsider any thought you may have of not
returning. For a start, I want you to also consider how
this will impact the Alliance. For example, those
Houses who are part of the alliance will also be
negatively affected if you decide not to return; it won't
stop Dumbledore; and I think it's best to be at
Hogwarts and under her wards than not. You've yet to
experience life as a student at the school who will now
be recognised as a Lord - the impact it will have on
Malfoy, for a start, should be worth it alone just to
return. Heh!
If you decide not to attend I will support you. However,
I hope you'll consider giving Headmistress Lady
Marchbanks a chance to show you that attending
Hogwarts does not have to be the threat-to-life it's
been for you for the past three years. I honestly feel
life at the school will now be fantastic for you!
If you then do not feel you can remain; then, by all
means, withdraw. But you'll then be able to do it with
your head held high knowing you gave her a chance
to set things right.
Your friend,
Neville
~ # ~
After reading it after Harry, Hermione handed it back
and said, "He's right, you know."
Harry sighed and nodded, "I know."
"So, we attend?" she asked.
"We do... but... we'll let her know we'll be two days
late," he replied. "That is, we'll arrive on Tuesday
morning during breakfast; and she is to keep quiet
about that."
Hermione appeared relieved by the answer but asked,
"I understand the two days delay, but won't people
think we're receiving special treatment?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 296
"Of course they will and of course we are," he replied.
"I'll be the only sitting Lord who is a student and One
of the Seven. Besides the troubles I'm having with
Dumbledore, why shouldn't I have special treatment
regarding travel; at least this once?"
While Hermione appeared about to answer or add
something else, Hedwig and a Prophet owl flew in with
that morning's copies of the Daily Prophet.
Harry was quick to relieve Hedwig of hers while
Wendell relieved the other.
As soon as he had it unfolded, Harry spotted the lead
story. It was about how Hogwarts would reopen for
classes on Monday, the fourth of January, with the
Express making its trip on the Sunday, the day before.
"It's announced," he quietly said, while starting to
read the article.
It was full of praise for Headmistress Lady
Marchbanks and the School Board working hard to
refill all the vacant staff positions; mentioned, yet
again, how Dumbledore was now a 'simple' Professor
only; included information on the revamped ward
scheme, but left out specific details about some of
what those wards were, only including general details;
and included a warning from Headmistress Lady
Marchbanks about how certain 'offences', such as
assault, would be treated with the calling-in of the
DMLE to deal with the perpetrators.
After Hermione had read it, she asked, "What does
that mean for those like Malfoy and his... friends?"
Harry gave an evil little smirk and replied, "As well as
coming as a great shock to them? I'm wondering how
many of them aren't going to make it through the first
week without being dragged off by the DMLE in
manacles."
Hermione gave a light laugh and said, "I'll go get
parchment, ink and quill so you can write another
letter to Headmistress Marchbanks and let her know
we'll definitely be two days late."
And left.
As soon as they heard her 'charge' up the stairs,
Wendell gave a very direct and pointed look at Harry
and asked, "You'll keep her safe?"
"Of course," he just as firmly replied back. "However,
me coming down on anyone is going to have to wait
until someone does something stupid before I can act.
I anticipate that's going to be Draco Malfoy or one of
his 'henchmen'.
"As soon as they even start to act against her, though,
my wrath will fall upon them as if Odin, himself, had
decided to step in. I'll be able to do so as both her
betrothed and Heir Tertiary of House Black, of which
she's now a formally and publicly recognised
daughter.
"That will then let the rest know, without any shadow
of a doubt, that messing with Lady Presumptive
Hermione Granger is a very... very... bad idea."
A letter handed to him by the aurors was official
notice from the school that Hogwarts was reopening,
together with dates and times and the notice about
how the Hogwarts Express would be departing from
Kings Cross at 11.00am on Sunday, 3rd of January for
the trip. Hermione received one, too.
It was written on the Hogwarts letterhead parchment
in the green ink of the special auto-quill used by the
school for mass mailings to students. Accompanying
it was a much reduced booklist of items students
would need to purchase, with an appended apology
for the 'unusual' addition of an amended booklist midyear.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
About an hour after mail delivery, where she'd read
Harry's first note as sent by Hedwig, Marchbanks had
just returned to her office when Dobby popped in
beside her and offered her another note. "From the
Great and Wonderful Master Harry Potter, Sir," he
said.
With a small smirk of amusement, Marchbanks
accepted the letter and said, "Thank you, dear. You
may go."
And Dobby popped away again.
Opening it, she read the 'update' note and learned
'Lord Potter and his Betrothed' would be arriving at
the school on the Tuesday morning during breakfast -
with apparent family matters to attend to first, wanted
it kept secret and wondered if she'd be kind enough to
allow them to floo directly to the school.
She had no problem with that. She too saw the
wisdom of not informing anyone of their delay, or just
when they'd arrive - Dumbledore.
The letter was also a reminder that, as Harry was now
a fully invested Lord of the Wizengamot, he was
entitled to the use of one of the Lords' Quarters in the
Lords' Quarters wing. He asked her to make sure one
of the Lords' Quarters was available and 'would be
making use of that right upon his return to the castle'.
'Hmmm...' she softly muttered.
Deciding to get the letter out of the way immediately,
she drew to herself a small sheet of parchment and
plucked up her quill.
Ten minutes later, a letter from her acknowledging the
delay and promising to keep silent about it was
winging its way back to the Grangers' Residence. She
included a portkey, which was timed to activate at
7.30am on Tuesday, the fifth of January. And would
transport both teens direct to her office. It was a 'back
up'.
House elves would be 'waiting here to take your
trunks and other possessions direct to your
accommodation'.
When Harry received the note later that day via owl he
and Hermione both missed how the 's' was missing
off the end of the word 'accommodation'. Their minds
were already on the activities of the next day,
Christmas Day.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 297
After dinner that evening - one that only had the four
Grangers and two of their aurors attend - the family
broke up to head to their own rooms to finalise the
wrapping of Christmas presents and to make an early
night of it.
Harry didn't need to, as he'd done all his wrapping and
tagging within two days of having purchased the gifts.
Instead, he organised for all those outside of the
Granger Residence to be delivered. Then called Dobby
to take them and place them with the gifts for each in
their own homes.
He smiled as he knew there would be those who
wondered how he'd accomplished it, but he didn't
rightly care.
'Let it be a puzzle for them to work out,' he thought. 'If
they don't, they can always ask me.'
He wondered how long it would take them to do just
that.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Christmas morning was finally upon them and Harry
still tried to beat Dobby to breakfast that morning.
Sneaking in under his invisibility cloak, yet again, it
was to find the little rugrat happily working at making
breakfast for the household. There were pots on the
stove, simmering; bacon and hash browns in two
frying pans, sizzling; the tea' decanted and steeping;
and plates in the oven, warming.
Without even turning around, Dobby, who had his
back to him, quietly said, "Master Harry be getting
better! But, Master Harry still not be beating Dobby!"
"Damn it!" Harry quietly exclaimed.
He shucked his invisibility cloak, bundled it up and
stuffed it into his pocket as he turned and stomped
off.
As the Grangers planned not to leave the house that
day, dress was very casual. However, they at least had
to dress. While they did not plan on going anywhere,
with not just the aurors in attendance they knew there
was a likelihood of folks turning up just to wish them
a Merry Christmas, if for nothing else.
So, Harry quickly returned upstairs to his room and
took a shower. As it was Christmas Day he wasn't as
quick as normal. He actually stretched it out to almost
fifteen minutes between walking in his bedroom door
and walking back out again. However, even then, he
was still the first down.
Making it to the dinette, Dobby quickly had a breakfast
plated before him and, knowing the 'rule' of the house
was not to wait for the rest of the household to join
him at breakfast, dug in with gusto.
About halfway through his first plate he was joined by
Monica, who didn't say a word other than a quietly
muttered, "Good morning... and Merry Christmas."
Between mouthfuls Harry gave a smile and returned
the compliment.
Next down was Wendell. Hermione finally came down
about ten minutes later.
"Unusual for you to be down so late on Christmas
Day, of all days, Princess," her father gently rebuked
her.
Hermione blushed a little but gently smiled back. "I
don't know why, but..." she gave a little side-long
glance at Harry before turning back... "I think I've
already got everything I need or want."
That had Wendell give the slightest of frowns while
Monica's knowing smile turned into a widely beaming
one. Harry, still eating, appeared oblivious.
"As soon as you've eaten we'll get into the giving of
gifts," she said, taking a sip of tea from her cup. "That
is, if Harry's also already filled that hungry beast he
has in his tummy."
Pushing his plate slightly away, signalling he thought
he'd eaten his fill from it, Harry reached for his own
teacup and said, "Actually, I think the potions have
finally stopped doing that to me. I think they might
even have stopped yesterday, and all this is just...
'padding'... or my stomach shrinking back down
again.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The Grangers and Harry were just rising from the table
to walk into the parlour where the tree and the gifts
were 'displayed', when Harry felt the alert ward on the
Doghouse ping four times in quick succession.
He took a quick look out the dinette window to see
Sirius lead the Tonkses towards the house.
'Who is it, Harry?" asked Wendell.
"Sirius, Ted, Andi and Dora," he immediately replied.
"Ted's carrying an armload of wrapped gifts."
Wendell gave a sigh and almost muttered, "I'm glad
Monica made sure we bought gifts for them; just in
case."
Suddenly realising, he spun to the two teens and
asked, "Did you―?"
"We did," Harry immediately cut in and replied.
"Actually, I made sure gifts were bought for the entire
extended Black clan... including the Malfoys... plus the
Weasleys, the Longbottoms, the Boneses, the
Abbotts, the Greengrasses, the Ogdens and Madam
Marchbanks to include all the main families of the
Alliance, especially those with heirs at Hogwarts.
"I also bought gifts for Remus, the aurors, the
Lovegoods and a few generic spare ones, just in
case."
At first relieved, Wendell just looked back in shock at
how many Harry listed out. "Wow!" he quietly
exclaimed.
That was when Sirius and the Tonkses came in.
Sirius immediately took one look at the tableau and
immediately asked, "What'd we miss?"
Harry blandly replied, "Breakfast."
By then, Wendell had managed to shake off his shock.
And was quick to greet their guests before he said,
"We were just about to open gifts in the parlour. Why
don't you join us?"
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
With the conclusion of the gift-giving and opening
'celebration' Monica was then quick to invite the
Tonkses to morning tea.
Andi replied before Ted could. "We can do that, thank
you. But, I'm sorry to say, we have to be somewhere
after that."
Thankfully, and as per usual, there was plenty to go
around. Dobby had cooked more than enough scones
and made more than sufficient finger-cut sandwiches.
The Tonkses left a little while later. Sirius stayed
behind.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
From where he was taking a closer look at his gifts,
especially the very nice fully mechanical wristwatch
the Grangers had given him as a gift from the entire
family, he asked, "Wendell, Monica; do you mind if
Hermione and I duck out for about an hour? I'd like to
do a quick round of the Heirs of the Alliance to wish
them a Merry Christmas, in person."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 298
A quick glance between the two and Wendell said,
"We have no plans to the contrary, Harry. Do as you
need."
"Thank you," he sighed in relief.
Ten minutes later and after a quick change into
wizarding casual, the two were about to head out to
the Doghouse when they were stopped by one of the
aurors, who was waiting at the back door for them
with a frown on his face.
One glance at the man and Harry sighed. "My
apologies, Auror Brightwater. As it's Christmas Day
and I'm only going via floo direct to the homes of my
fellow Heirs of the Alliance, I did not think to bother
the aurors with this."
"That's not your decision, Lord Potter," he grumped.
With a second sigh, Harry replied, "Very well. I hope
it'll just be you accompanying us, then?"
"Nope," the man smirked. "Trainee Auror Creston will
be waiting for us out in the Doghouse."
'Creston,' Harry thought. 'Why does that name ring
bells?'
Though he did not realise it for quite some time,
Creston was also the House name of the Chair-wizard
of the School Board. It was Auror Creston's father.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The first stop for the two was, of course, the
Longbottoms as partner House.
Harry had no sooner stuck his head in the flames
once the call connected, when Alice looked at him and
demanded, "What do you think you're doing just firecalling us, godson? Get over here!"
This time the order was Brightwater, Harry, Hermione
and the auror that was actually waiting for them in the
Doghouse, Trainee Auror Creston.
About his leaving gifts for them, Alice somewhat told
him off. "Harry; you had us return to our son, giving
him the greatest gift I think he could have wanted―"
"It was," Neville cut in.
"... Went above and beyond for our House," she
continued, "And you still felt the need to give us gifts
for Christmas?"
"Well... yes," he sheepishly replied. "That was all
House Potter for House Longbottom. This is Harry and
Hermione for Frank, Alice and Neville."
Before Alice could tell him off again, Frank cut in and
said, "Completely unnecessary, Harry. But,
appreciated."
A few moments later, with Neville practically smirking
at him, the Longbottoms gave quite the expensive, but
clearly heartfelt, gifts back.
Frank presented to him an authentic copy of the
Potter Family tapestry that self-updated, plus a hand
drawn artistic rendering of it on a long roll of
parchment. Harry was so moved by the gifts he was
speechless, and it was left to Hermione to thank them
on his behalf.
From the expressions on their faces it was easy to tell
they knew they'd done very right by him in their
choice of gifts.
A third gift was yet another photo album full of
photographs of his parents and their time at
Hogwarts. Only a few were a match for the ones in the
album Hagrid had given him a couple years earlier.
Hermione received a small enameled pin she was to
wear on her lapel, or where a lapel would be if the
outfit did not have one, when in public or at official
functions. "It shows you have the favour of House
Longbottom," explained Alice. "This is our way of
stating to one and all who meet you, that you also now
fall under the protection of the Noble and Most
Ancient House of Longbottom."
Harry smiled and said, "You now fall under the
protection of three of the Seven, Hermione. One would
be led to think you were were trying to collect the
set!"
As the Longbottoms laughed, Hermione blushed and
lightly hit him on the arm. But her smile showed she
was pleased.
Frank also urged him to hurry up and go to the Potter
manor, Pottermore. "If the family Grimoire wasn't in
the family vaults at Gringotts, that's where it'll be."
Harry promised he'd go first chance he got after
Christmas.
"Well, not on Sunday afternoon," suggested Frank.
"I'm calling for an Alliance meeting on that day. I'm
hosting it here and you'll need to attend."
He then looked to Hermione and said, "You, too, little
Lady Presumptive. As the Heads meet you'll also need
to meet the spouses. Through them they'll be able to
teach you how to be the Lady of a Noble House."
"Yes, Sir," Hermione immediately responded.
"Frank," he corrected.
"Frank," she nodded.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After calling for Dobby to take the gifts they received
from the Longbottoms back to the Granger residence,
Harry floo-called the Boneses to see if they were up to
a quick visit.
Susan was fast to reply in the affirmative.
Having quickly recovered his emotional equilibrium
from the gifts given to him by the Longbottoms, Harry
was able to calm down again and greet both Susan
and Amelia with some level of relaxed aplomb.
At least this time their gifts weren't as 'emotionally
destabilising' as those he received from the
Longbottoms. But, Amelia was demanding to know
how he managed to get his gifts for them under their
tree.
He smiled and said, "I asked Dobby to deliver them."
That had the older witch give an almost pained look
back.
She thought, 'Yet another bloody security hole. The
mischief someone could get up to―' And quietly
sighed.
Then it was on to the Greengrasses, then the Davises.
Because they were quick through the first four, Harry
made the snap decision to visit the last two Noble
Houses, Ogden and Marchbanks.
Surprised to have been contacted by Harry on
Christmas Day, Miles and Hedda Ogden still welcomed
Harry to their home and were just as quick to welcome
and congratulate Hermione on the betrothal.
"I know we have an Alliance-wide meeting on Sunday
afternoon, but... as it's Christmas Day... I was hoping
you wouldn't be put out for an informal visit,"
explained Harry. "Besides, I felt it more appropriate to
meet you on such a day in such a setting than just
being confronted by me for the first time on Sunday."
Ogden hesitated for a long moment before he gave a
self-deprecating grunt and said, "I had thought you'd
be... eager... for the light to be on you on the day. I can
now see I was wrong."
Harry smiled back and said, "Thank you for your
honesty, Lord Ogden. However, I can easily see how
you'd come to that conclusion. The Daily Prophet has
a... shall we say... somewhat informal relationship with
the truth."
Ogden gave a start of surprise before he suddenly let
forth a great belly laugh. After many seconds of trying
to get his laughter under control, he finally managed
to gasp, "'A somewhat informal relationship with the
truth'?! Bah hahahaha!"
While he continued to laugh, Hedda had finally had
enough, gave a sigh while rolling her eyes and
stepped forward, but not to Harry, rather Hermione.
"Hello, dear. Formally, I'm Lady Hedda Ogden of the
Noble and Ancient House of Ogden and daughter of
the Elder House of Bancroft. However, you can call me
Hedda."
Hermione was quick to respond, "Hermione; please.
I... don't know how to properly respond to... this."
Hedda smirked back and said, "Nobody would, dear."
Then, to Hermione's shock, she stepped closer and
wrapped the girl in a hug. "Welcome to the Alliance."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 299
As Hedda pulled away from a now slightly blushing
Hermione, Harry said, "Lady Ogden, Hermione is of
the House of Granger and magical ward of Lord Sirius
Black of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."
Having only acknowledged Harry's introduction with a
slight cocked eyebrow Lady Hedda turned back to
Hermione and said, "That scoundrel has taken you on
as magical guardian? Well, there's a turn for the
grimoires."
Hermione grinned back and said, "He just needed a
flea bath and a good brushing."
That had Hedda look back in surprise for a moment
before she gave a short high pitch tinkling laugh.
"How apt!" she exclaimed.
While the Ogdens gave a public façade of being
slightly snooty, Harry could see that it was just that...
a façade. He could see that Hermione had also
determined that.
After chatting for a while, he floo-called Headmistress
Lady Marchbanks and asked to stop by.
She was happy to receive visitors for a few moments.
And, once they were there, happy to confirm the two
teens would return to Hogwarts on the Tuesday
morning after the third of January.
The two, still with their auror detail, were back at the
Grangers' less than two hours after they left. Harry
had expected it would take much longer. However, as
it was Christmas Day, everyone had visitors coming
and going, as well as paying short visits to others.
It was the norm for the day. Harry would learn later
that Christmas Day was a day in the FNA when all
staff were required to put in at least three hours work
monitoring the network for problems. All new staff,
that is, since all but one of the previous had been
fired. However, they were also paid at triple the normal
hourly rate for their time; so, there were few
complaints. Those who used the floo network were
also charged at triple the rate. Even later Harry
couldn't figure out how, since the only real charges
they were paying were for the floo powder; the use of
which required a fee per 'bag' paid directly to the FNA.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The rest of the day was planned to be spent quietly at
the Granger residence. Sirius was also spending most
of the day there, but also let the two teens know
Remus would be over after lunch to pay a visit.
With a frown of puzzlement, Hermione asked, "What's
he doing with the rest of the day? He has family?"
"Errr... no," replied Sirius.
Hermione quickly glanced to her parents before
Monica said, "If you can contact him right now, tell
him to come over now. That way he can have lunch
with us and spend the afternoon here."
Before Sirius or the two teens could say anything,
Wendell looked to Hermione and explained, "Your
Uncle Robert rang me on my cell phone to wish us a
Merry Christmas, found out we're not spending it at
your Grandma's place and practically demanded we
come and pay him and his family a visit."
Smoothly, Monica took up the explanation, "It'll just be
your father and I. We told him you had plans to visit
your own friends this afternoon and it would be rude
to cancel them, especially today."
Sirius did just that and Moony enjoyed lunch with
them. After that, the Granger parents left by car,
leaving the two marauders to 'babysit'.
Of course, that was all the excuse Sirius needed to tell
the two stories about their times at Hogwarts and
later. At first, Moony was reticent to share and spent
some of the first hour trying to get Sirius to slow
down, or even not release details he thought the two
teens, especially Harry, shouldn't know. However,
within two hours even he was enthusiastically telling
the two teens stories or supplying more information to
Sirius's stories from his perspective.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Boxing Day was starting off as planned, a day to wind
down from the excitement of the previous day,
Christmas Day. However, it did not remain that way for
very long.
About an hour before lunch Dobby popped in beside
Harry and popped a letter on to the table alongside his
left hand.
"A letter from the twin Weazies, Master Harry," he said
before popping away again.
Frowning, Harry quickly scanned the note but didn't
detect anything on the parchment. 'Well,' he thought,
'It seems those two can learn from their mistakes.'
Opening the letter he used the charm Marchbanks had
taught him and Hermione a few days ago that
smoothed it all out.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 300
By late morning at The Burrow, Fred and George had
definitely had enough of the atmosphere within the
home. Both Ginny and Ron were still moping about
the discovery of the betrothal between Harry and
Hermione and their mother was still up in her wand
about how 'the poor boy' was coping with all that had
happened to him. Ron was supposed to be packing to
move that evening to 'Aunt Muriel's', while Ginny was
stuck in the kitchen with her mother learning how to
be a 'witch of the house'.
Bill and Charlie were home for Christmas and, by mid
morning, Bill at least had had enough. He used the
excuse he needed to 'attend to something' at work in
Gringotts before he took off with Charlie in tow. He
claimed both would be back for lunch, but not
precisely when. Arthur had disappeared out to his
workshop almost immediately after lunch and Percy
rarely left his room.
Eventually, even George and Fred had had enough of
the tenseness and had retreated to their room. There,
they quickly decided to write to Harry and beg him to
pay a visit. If anything, it would at least provide
entertainment.
~ # ~
Lord Harrikins,
HELP!
You need to come and save us from Mum! She's going
all crazy-like over how you must be getting on, what
with everything that's come to light about what
Dumbledore did to you. You know how she worries
and frets about you.
We just think she needs to see you to know you're
actually alright. That way she'll stop fretting so much.
Please come visit.
Gred and Forge
P.S. Bring Hermione. She's worrying about her too.
P.P.S. Watch out for Ronnikins. He seems to think
Hermione was going to be his girlfriend and is pretty
pissed she won't be.
~ # ~
"Now, how do we get it to Harry?" asked Fred. "Ron
will want to know who we're writing to if we ask to
borrow Pig, Pinhead won't let us use Hermes because
he's working that bird hard writing to his... girlfriend...
and Errol is likely to die of exhaustion before he's
even halfway there."
Cutting in, George replied, "We send it the same way
he's been sending letters to us, of course, my
dimwitted sibling."
"Oh, bravo; my uglier brother," said Fred. "Now, all we
have to do is remember the name of that crazy house
elf that Harrikins now has."
George frowned in thought, quickly joined by an
identical expression on his brother's face. "Hobby?...
Doggy?... Hoggy?..."
"No, my forgetful brother, it's Bobby!..." When no elf
turned up he tried, "Doddy?... Toddy?... Tobby?...
Dob―"
With a snap of his fingers, George exclaimed, "Ah
ha!... Dobby!"
A moment later Dobby popped in and immediately
asked, "What cans Dobby be doings for the Great
Master Harry Potter, Sir's, Red Hair Devil Twins?"
"Eureka!" declared both.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Setting aside the book he was reading on Ancient
Runes, something he finally admitted to Hermione
he'd already been studying, Harry picked up the letter
and hunted down his betrothed. She was sitting in the
parlour on one of the couches with her legs tucked up
while also reading.
"Hey, you," he called.
Surprisingly, she responded on the first call. Usually,
at Hogwarts, he'd had to try three or four times before
he finally got her attention.
"Yes, Harry?" she asked, looking up.
Silently he just handed her the letter, then asked,
"What do you think?"
After reading it, she frowned and replied, "I suppose
we could go visit them. It is, after all, one of the things
you said you'd do before we got back to Hogwarts."
Nodding, he replied, "My thoughts, too. I'm just
worried about the reaction from Ron."
"And Ginny," she added. "Still... if they do react, it's
probably better it happens at The Burrow, rather than
in the Great Hall at Hogwarts."
"Good point," he replied. "At least there, I won't be put
into a position I'll have to take 'official' action. I really
don't want to have to challenge Ron to an Honour
Duel."
Hermione shook her head and said, "I was thinking
along the lines their mother will also be there. I'm
more hoping she'll stomp on any bad behaviour that
arises from either of them as it happens."
"Hmmm..." he nodded. "I see your point."
"So," she said. "Do we floo call them?"
Harry thought for a few moments before he gave a
firm nod and said, "We do."
After getting the okay from Hermione's parents, the
two informed their auror guard they'd be floo-calling
the Weasleys to ensure it was alright for them to visit.
They'd contact them after lunch.