Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!
Chapter Sixty Five - Meeting the Malfoy Heiress
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After a somewhat restless night compounded by sleeping in an 'unusual' bed and knowing his 'loves' were nowhere near him, Harry woke reasonably early and headed down to the kitchen to make himself something for breakfast.
However, before he even got in the door, that faux-hated, annoying, joy-killing, high pitched voice said, "Brekky be on the informal dining table, Master Harry."
"Damn it, Dobby!" he barked. "Can't I, at least, cook myself breakfast in my own home?"
"Master Harry doesn't want Dobby any more? Master Harry wants to steal house elveses works off them?" said Dobby. "Oh... Master Harry. Dobby is so... distraught! Dobby is shamed―"
"Alright! Alright!" Harry barked. "Fiiiine! I'll eat the bloody breakfast you cooked for me." Then muttered, "Sawn off little annoying unwanted sprog of a... whatever."
In the kitchen, Dobby looked to a concerned Pinty and grinned. "Master Harry is happy now."
What Harry missed most, that morning, was having at least someone around him; preferably, more than just one someone. He hadn't realised how much he'd miss the girls and it hadn't even been a full day.
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―==(oIo)==―
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Once breakfast was finished, Harry called on Willy to organise the Potter library so that Hermione, at least, could browse it and read books.
"Put the cursed, or otherwise protected, books into one or more bookcases, all together," he instructed. "Then ward it from hands that are not meant to touch them. I don't want to see people even accidentally hurt. Got all that?"
"Yes, Master Harry," replied Willy.
"And, don't forget to label it as such."
"Will do, Master Harry."
"Excellent," he nodded.
Willy popped away to get it done.
He quickly checked his watch to ensure himself it wasn't too early. It wasn't. He smiled and decided to go visit Hermione.
He'd just entered the welcoming parlour, which contained the fireplace, when the fireplace whoomphed and turned green. He heard Hermione's voice cry, "Rule Britannia!"
A moment later, she stepped out into the room.
With a big grin on her face, she cried, "Harry!" And, basically, charged the twenty feet from the floo hearth to where he stood, tackling him to the floor.
"Oof!" he cried.
Before he even had a chance to say anything, she mashed her lips to his and proceeded to snog him, right on the floor, just in from the doorway.
A good thirty seconds later, she finally pulled back and sat on his hips.
"Hi, Hermione," he said.
She grinned and calmly replied, "Hi, Harry."
He asked, "Do you know that the reason I was in the room was because I was on my way to floo to your place?"
She grinned and replied, "Of course not. But, 'like minds' and all that."
"What brings you here?" he asked.
"I missed you, of course," she replied. "And, why were you about to floo to my place?"
"Because I missed you," he replied.
"Aren't you supposed to be going to Sirius's place?"
"Yes. But, I thought you'd like to come along."
"See?" she declared. "Same thoughts, again. That's why I've come here, first."
"Well," he said. "We're not going anywhere if you don't hop off me, first."
She smirked and said, "I think it's a little early to go to Sirius's place yet." Then she gave a little grind and said, "How about we go up to the master suite and christen the real master bed."
Hew grinned back and asked, "You're sure? Have you been a good girl?"
She giggled and said, "Yes. But I want to be a baaaad girl."
As he laughed, she hopped up and offered him a hand to help him to his feet.
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―==(oIo)==―
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An hour later, freshly washed again, the two teens headed back to the welcoming parlour and flooed to Sirius's place.
Stepping out, they were a bare moment before someone they didn't know stuck their head in the door.
Both teens immediately drew their wands and aimed back.
The head, what appeared to be that of a young man, gave a short 'yelp' of shock and pulled their head back out.
"Remus!" they heard someone yell. It sounded like it could have been the voice of the person who'd just stuck their head in. The voice had an odd inflection to it, like it was foreign. And someone had hurried away.
Both teens moved to different sides of the doorway and Harry, on the non-hinged side, quickly stuck his head out before immediately yanking it back in again. When there was no spell fire he stuck his head out to have a better look.
Before the two could think what to do next, there was a hurried clatter of running feet on the stairs in the hallway, coming down.
Harry quickly brought his wand back up and aimed at the bottom of the stairs.
As soon as he saw someone he began to cast. "Stupe― what?"
It was Remus who'd rounded the bottom of the steps.
He was looking back in shock. "Harry?"
"Remus!" said Harry, with a voice of urgency. "There's someone in the house!"
Remus relaxed and chuckled. "There's a few 'someone's, Harry."
That's when Hermione stepped next to Harry and looked out, just as Harry stepped out, confused. She smiled and said, "Hello, Professor Lupin!"
Remus looked to her with his customary smile and said, "It's Remus, or Moony, remember?"
Having already lowered his wand, Harry said, "Then, I think Hermione and I scared one of your guests." As Hermione nodded back to Remus.
"Oh!" said Remus. "Yes; that was Patrick. He's one of the guests here, at the moment."
Harry nodded as Remus gestured, "Come on. I'll introduce you. They should be in the kitchen. Like you, apparently, Dorothy loves to cook."
Following Remus, they were led down to the semi-basement, which contained the kitchen. Then he led them in through the door.
Before they even stepped in, they could smell the scent of cooked bacon and eggs. Harry also thought he could smell toast.
"Don't worry, folks," said Remus. "These are friends."
Holding the door open for Harry and Hermione to walk in, they were greeted by three people already in the room.
"Steve, Dot, Pat, this is Harry Potter and Hermione Granger," said Remus. "Harry, Hermione, this is Stephen, Dorothy and Patrick Wilkins."
As greetings were exchanged between the five, Remus said, "Steve and Dot have two others; Sarah and Charlotte. However, they've not come down yet."
"Padfoot not up yet?" asked Harry.
"Nope," grinned Moony. "I should go wake him, though. He'll want to know you're here."
"I urge the use of the Aguamenti charm," Harry grinned. "Then, Glacias."
"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione, scandalised. "That's not nice."
"Aguamenti?" asked Stephen.
"Shoots water out of the end of your wand," grinned Remus. "Glacias then freezes it."
"Ah!" smiled Stephen. "That would get the blood pumping."
Remus gave a nod and said, "I'll go wake him."
"Remus," sighed Harry. "Are you a wizard or not?"
"Ohhh-kay," said Remus, coming to a sudden stop. "I've done something moronic, haven't I? You only use that voice when you think someone's being an idiot."
"Does Sirius have house elves?" he asked right back.
"Yes, of course," replied Remus. Then, he got it. "Oh."
Taking a breath, he firmly called, "Chuckles!"
With a pop a house elf appeared, "Yes, Master Remmy?"
Remus looked down at the elf and said, "Please go wake Sirius and let him know his godson and his betrothed are here."
"Yes, Master Remmy," replied the elf before it popped away again.
Looking back at Harry, he said, "In my defence, I don't normally have house elves available."
"Chuckles?" asked Hermione.
Remus nodded and replied, "Sirius has three, believe it or not. Giggles, Chuckles and Snickers."
Harry gave a snort and said, "Why am I not surprised?"
He grinned and replied, "Because you know what your godfather is like?"
Harry chuckled and gave a nod.
"So," said Dot. "Lord Black - 'call me Sirius' - is as much the comedian as we think he is?"
"Merlin, no!" said Harry, just beating out Remus. "Comedian is too grand the term for Sirius. Pranker, prat, plonker, public embarrassment, those I'll agree to."
"And my magical guardian," added Hermione.
Harry smirked, "A single ray of light within the darkness."
That earned a smile of those present.
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―==(oIo)==―
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Sirius was down about ten minutes later.
"Hermione!" he cried, moving to hug Hermione.
Releasing her, he looked at Harry and cried, "The other one!" And glom-hugged him.
"Oh, God!" said Harry, from within Sirius's arms.
"No, no!" said Sirius, moving his godson out to arms reach. "Sirius. Si-ri-us."
That had the Wilkins three snicker.
Harry just sighed and adopted a pained expression.
Sirius chuckled and said, "Everyone been introduced yet?"
Remus said, "Stephen, Dorothy and Patrick have been introduced to Harry and Hermione; no sign of Sarah or Charlotte, yet."
Sirius gave a nod and looked to Dorothy. "Dot. Would you mind?" And flicked a hand towards the stairs.
She gave a nod and said, "Of course." Before then moving to head up the stairs.
Once Dorothy left, Sirius plonked himself at the kitchen table and gestured for Harry and Hermione to also sit. "So. What news?"
Harry replied, "Did you know that Riddle has been declared by experts in the DoM as gone for good?"
"I'd heard, yes," replied Sirius. "I meant more of a personal nature. What's the news about you?"
"Oh," said Harry. "Well, everything went right, I think, for the end of year exams. I suspect we won't get the results until it's almost time to return to the school, though. I think those years that'll be choosing electives and the like will get theirs first."
Hermione cut in first and glumly replied, "I'm sure I didn't do all that well. I know there were questions I could have done much better at answering."
Harry rolled his eyes at Sirius and said, "You say that every year and still always rank as one of the highest scoring students of the year."
"Not this year, though," she sighed.
"We'll see," he smirked.
"And what about you, Pup?" asked Sirius. "With no Dumbledore to worry about regarding any sudden improvement in your results, how do you think you'll do?"
"I think I'll be giving Hermione a run for her money," he grinned. "Oh, don't get me wrong; I don't think I'm going to beat her; but, it'll be nice to be in the top scoring group."
"I'm pretty sure you're going to do it, too," Hermione smiled back. "You studied and worked really hard; even with the Tournament hanging over your head."
"We heard about that," said Patrick - or, Pat, as he inferred he preferred to be called. "Apparently, you handled them in such a way you made the organisers look like idiots."
Harry immediately recognised the accent now. It was Australian. He was sure Hermione recognised it, too.
"I was only able to accomplish that, because they let a non-lawyer write up the contracts and rules," said Harry. "They were really poorly written."
"Sirius showed us," grinned Patrick, as his mother came back in.
"They'll be down in a couple of minutes," she said.
Harry's belief Hermione also recognised the accent was confirmed when she asked, "Australians?"
"Yep," grinned Patrick. "From Perth, Western Australia. The most remote capital city in the world."
"I thought Canberra was the capital," said Hermione.
"The capital of the country, yes," he replied. "Perth's the capital of the state. And good on ya, for recognising Canberra to be the capital of the country. Most people outside of Oz seem to think it's Sydney.
"As a matter of fact, Sydney's never been the capital. Before Canberra it was Melbourne. Parliament met in Victoria's Government House while Victoria's state Parliament moved to the Exhibition Centre until the new National Parliament House was planned and built in what became known as Canberra. Back then, though, it was nothing more than a settlement of farms and horse breeding stations; not even a proper town.
"That was all decided by the time the results of the national vote to create the country, Australia, was held in 1901. Before then we were, effectively, just a set of States and a remote part of the Commonwealth of Britain."
Frowning, Hermione asked, "But, what about Botany Bay?"
"Just a colony," smiled Patrick. "Never a capital."
Within ten minutes of being sent for two girls, one a few years older than the other, came down and into the kitchen. Both cast curious looks at Harry and Hermione, before finding seats.
It was the youngest of the two that had Harry's 'Have we met before?' mental antennae twitching. She looked so familiar, but then... not.
The youngest, in an accent just confirmed to be Australian, asked, "Good morning. What's for breakfast, Mum?"
"Good morning, you two. Bacon and eggs on toast," replied Dot.
Harry perked up and asked, "Want a hand?"
"No, it's fine; I've got it," replied Dot.
Harry gave a sigh of disappointment.
Sirius grinned and said to Dot, "Harry's a bit of an amateur cook, who―"
"Chef!" Harry declared, cutting in.
Sirius gave him a nod and said, "A bit of an amateur chef, who does amazing things with food."
Dot gave Harry an appraising look before she said, "Then, I'd love to see what you can come up with, some time. For now, you're Sirius's guests."
Harry immediately thought, 'And you're not?'
Hermione asked him, "Didn't you cook, this morning?"
"No," he grumped. "That mini, spatula-wielding, joy-killing Nazi wouldn't let me in my own kitchen."
Hermione burst into laughter.
"Nazi?" asked Stephen, sipping from a mug of coffee.
"Harry's personal house elf," replied Hermione, still giggling. "He - Dobby, that is - and Harry have this sort of... odd... relationship."
Sirius gave a snort and quietly said, "That's putting it mildly."
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Once those who had just started eating breakfast had finished while the others engaged in small talk, Sirius gave a nod and said, "Excellent. Time for me to do the proper introductions."
When everyone looked to him he stood and said, "I'll start with Harry and Hermione first. I introduce to you Lord Harrison James Potter, wizard, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter and Heir Tertiary of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. He is considered One of the Seven; that is, the head of one of the seven most important families in magical Britain.
"Sitting next to him is Hermione Jean Granger, his betrothed and witch, Lady Presumptive of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter and magical ward of yours truly, which makes her a daughter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.
"Next, Stephen Maxwell Wilkins, non-magical. Then Dorothy Anne Wilkins, his wife, non-magical. Next, Patrick Allen Wilkins, their son and oldest child, non-magical. And Sarah Lee Wilkins, their daughter and middle child, non-magical."
Harry now had the family, less one, of the five names Remus had him add to the wards at Pottermore the previous day, though he'd already figured that out earlier. Sirius had just confirmed it.
"Which brings us to why they're here. Finally, Charlotte 'Charlie' Claire Wilkins, their youngest and adopted, witch. However, CeeCee... as she prefers to be called... was actually born... Corina Cephei Malfoy to Lucius Abraxas Malfoy and Narcissa Venus Malfoy née Black, on the tenth of August, 1982."
Both Harry and Hermione sat staring at the girl in shock.
Harry finally blurted, "Bloody Hell!"
Remus snickered.
Charlotte/Corina blushed a little and looked to her empty plate.
"Sorry," said Harry. "I apologise."
"Harry," said Hermione. "With Lucius and Draco―"
"That's why I went to Perth and contacted the Wilkinses, Hermione," said Sirius, smoothly interjecting. "CeeCee is, by primogenitor, the lawful inheritor of the Malfoy fortune."
Harry suddenly sat up straight and asked, "Do cousins Narcissa and Andromeda know?"
"Andi does," he immediately replied. "Within about two minutes of Ted going home after I finally gave him permission to tell her of CeeCee's existence, she was out of the floo here and demanding to meet her."
Harry grinned and said, "She scared the crap out of you, didn't she."
"Damn right, she did," he grinned back.
That had Sirius and Harry chuckling at one another.
Hermione gave a slight huff of mild irritation and said, "I don't know why you two think that lovely lady is a threat. She's nice."
Both looked back at her as if she'd suddenly turned into an alien.
"Really!" she huffed.
"I thought she was nice, too," offered CeeCee.
Harry asked, "Did she head straight for you while silently casting charms and what not?"
"Umm... Yes?" she replied.
"Did she then demand to drag you off somewhere private and give you a full magical physical?" he asked.
"Nooo..." she replied.
"Then, you got off lightly," he declared.
He looked back to Sirius and asked, "What have you told the Wilkinses about the political situation here?"
"Quite a bit," he replied.
"And, of what it means if... no, when... her bloodline becomes known?" Harry pressed.
"Also, quite a bit," replied Sirius.
Harry sat back and thought for a moment.
He was broken out of those thoughts when Stephen said, "Sirius has brought us up-to-date on what's been happening of late, here in Britain. Especially, regarding this... Voddlemort character."
"Voldemort," Hermione softly, almost unconsciously, muttered. No one but Harry, sitting right next to her, heard.
Harry thought more and asked Sirius, "Can I give my view and opinion?"
Sirius let his eyes sweep the Wilkinses before he gave a nod.
"Mmm," said Harry. "First. The one known as Voldemort... the Dark Lord... whatever - whose true birth name was Tom Marvolo Riddle, by the way - is definitely dead. He definitely died the same night Lucy and Drake died. The Unspeakables made sure of that.
"However, his followers - with the exception of Lucy, Draco, Peter Pettigrew and Walden MacNair - are still alive. The only ones that won't cause problems are those in Azkaban; the LeStranges, Crouch Junior, Dolohov, Rookwood, et al.
"Of those still out and about, the troublesome ones will be Parkinson, Nott, Mulciber and Yaxley. They're the ones who're going to have to be the most closely watched. Once they accept Riddle is truly dead, they're going to act up, I'm sure. Parkinson and Nott, especially, are going to make a play to become the new leader of the Death Eaters. Once that leader is established, they're probably going to want to go back to their old ways.
"Now, Malfoy... Lucy... was the established leader of those mongrels until his fall from grace when I brought everything to light at the First Task. Since then, I've no doubt he was trying to find ways to get back to that leading position. So, there'll have been plenty of in-fighting. There'll be plenty of in-fighting again, once they accept Riddle's dead.
"So, we've... you, Sirius... have time to get things prepared. You can get way ahead of this, before the dark become a problem again. But, it's going to need you to act fast and decisively.
"Charl- Corin- CeeCee?" he asked, looking to the girl; who smiled and nodded back. "CeeCee... is the rightful inheritor of the Malfoy fortune. But, that also means the contents of Lucy's Will needs to be known before plans can be made to challenge it, if necessary; which it probably will require.
"If you hold off making the existence of CeeCee public until the day of the Will reading, then no moves will have been made by the dark to block her challenge. However, her existence will have to become known if you challenge the Will."
Turning to look at her, he firmly said, "And, I do hope you do challenge that Will. The more gold kept out of the hands of the Dark, the better."
Looking back at Sirius, he continued. "Your main problem is cousin Narcissa. As CeeCee's birth mother, she automatically has claim to her. To counter that, you need to get Ted to prepare counter-claims to any claim Narcissa has to become the guardian of her. I suggest you start with child abandonment.
"Her counter to your counter will be it was Lucy who abandoned CeeCee. And that he did it against her, Narcissa's, desire and wishes.
"So. Sirius. I think you're going to need to invoke paterfamilias on Narcissa and claim magical guardianship of CeeCee before Narcissa, or anyone else of the Dark - if it's in Lucy's Will - can take it for themselves. I think, because of the now defunct Betrothal Agreement between Pansy Parkinson and Draco, Parkinson will try to use that to muscle in a claim; if not for her, then the fortune."
Sirius smirked back and said, "Very goood, Harry. I've got Ted working on that, as we speak. Now, what's next?"
Harry thought and muttered, "Protecting CeeCee from political and legal shenanigans..."
He looked to the Wilkinses, as a whole, before turning back to Sirius. "How much have you told these good folk about the relationship between myself, Hermione, Daphne and Fleur? And, why it exists?"
"Not much," replied Sirius. "That's private House business of the House of Potter."
Harry nodded and said, "And what about the pressure that could be brought to bear, regarding bloodlines, with CeeCee now being the only Heir of the Magical House of Malfoy?"
Sirius looked surprised and then quietly muttered, "Shhhit!"
"Sirius!" muttered a scandalised Hermione.
Sirius just flicked her a look and Hermione blushed and looked away. "Sorry," she muttered.
Harry gave a nod and said, "So, I take it you've not explained that?"
"No," he quietly said.
"They need to know. How about I ask Daphne to come over? Her, being here, might alleviate any concerns before they have a chance to become an issue."
"This sounds important," said Stephen. "I think we should know, yes?"
Surprised, Sirius glanced to the Wilkinses before he looked back at Harry and said, "If you wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all," said Harry. "She knows the password for the floo and is keyed into the wards?"
"Yes," he nodded.
Rising, Harry said, "I'll be back in a couple minutes."
After he left, Stephen demanded, "What is he talking about?"
"The bloodlines of the recognised Houses of wizarding Britain," replied Sirius. "And to what lengths our society goes to protect them."
"And, how does this apply to Charlie?" he demanded.
"CeeCee, as of a few days ago and as I explained, became the Head of the Magical House of Malfoy. Her... biological mother... Narcissa, has now become Dowager Malfoy and not the rightful Head of House. That's because CeeCee is of the Malfoy bloodline, while Narcissa is not.
"As CeeCee is now the only true Malfoy, moves will be made within the higher echelons of our society to bring pressure to bear for her to continue the Malfoy line. This is normal for wizarding society. And that includes wizarding society in Australia - I had Ted check."
Harry came almost running in a moment later and asked, "Sirius. Can I ask for Samuel to come over, as well? As a father who was in this sort-of same predicament―"
"Good idea," said Sirius. "He, too, is already keyed into the wards. Ask him to come over, would you, Pup?"
Harry gave a nod and said, "Will do!" Before hurrying out of the room again.
"Who's Samuel?" asked Dorothy.
"Umm―" said Sirius.
"The father of Daphne," said Hermione. "He's a Lord of a Noble and Ancient House. That puts him one step down from Sirius and Harry.
"However, the important thing here is... he's the father of two witches; no sons."
"And I'm the father of one witch," nodded Stephen. "But, I do not consider that to be a predicament."
"It's not," said Hermione. "However, CeeCee having no brother's of blood... With Draco dead that now puts the onus on CeeCee to continue the line... biologically."
Stephen, finally understanding, began to lose his temper. "I will not allow my daughter to... to―"
Sirius cut in and said, "That's what we need to put in place to stop from happening. The 'how' is why Harry's gone to contact Daphne and her father.
"And, I'm sorry I didn't think of it, myself. Harry, however, has this ability where he sees many steps ahead and picks out problems that are likely to arise ahead of time. And knows what steps to take to block it from happening."
Dorothy was shaking and quickly moved to hug her youngest. CeeCee, it appeared, had some idea of what they were talking about, but not a lot; Patrick and Sarah, however, did. Both were also shocked.
Harry came in a few seconds later and said, "We're going to quickly run out of room, in here. The Greengrasses are in the formal dining room. Adeline demanded to come, too; and they've brought Astoria with them.
Sirius gave a nod and started to rise. "Let's head up to the formal dining room, folks."
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Once everyone headed upstairs to the ground floor, introductions were again made.
Sirius looked to Harry and said, "This started with you, Pup. How about you introduce who Daphne is to you."
Harry gave Sirius a look and snarked, "Oh, gee; thanks, Padfoot."
With a sigh he turned to the Wilkinses. "As you are already aware, Hermione is my betrothed. She is a muggleborn; what I believe Australian magicals call a nomag-born, yes?"
CeeCee replied, "Yes. It's what everyone, back home, thinks I am."
Harry gave her a nod and smiled, "Thank you, CeeCee." Then he said, "This is the part where you're going to freak out a little. I ask that you please don't do that, until the 'why' can be explained to you."
When the Wilkinses nodded back he indicated Daphne and said, "This is, formally, Heiress Presumptive Daphne Ophelia Greengrass of the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass. She is Lord Samuel's and Lady Adeline's oldest.
"Through agreement between the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass and the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, she is also my concubine."
The Wilkinses all looked back in stunned shock.
Continuing, he explained, "We entered into this agreement to protect both Daphne and the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass from external pressure brought to bear on Samuel for him to enter Daphne into a Concubine Bond Agreement with... unsavoury... elements of magical society.
"These are the same elements that will, once CeeCee's existence and true ancestry becomes known, be brought to bear on her magical guardian... and you."
Daphne, stepped forward and said, "Mister Wilkins."
When Stephen, who looked to be on the verge of exploding in anger, looked to her she explained, "Concubinage is not frowned upon in our society, as I'm led to believe it is in your world. It has to do with protecting the bloodlines from disappearing.
"With Harry's... help... I'll be able to continue the line of the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass. That is a big thing. When it comes time for me to bear children, any child I birth will carry the name Greengrass and the oldest male will inherit the Lordship of Greengrass from my father, in due course."
Hermione added, "As Harry's betrothed, once we marry, I will become the Lady Potter. I will bear the children that will carry on the name of Potter. As concubine, Daphne is unable to do that. Even if she births the first child between us, they will be unable to inherit. In that way, the line of Potter is also protected."
"The important issue, though, is the Concubine Bond Agreement," said Harry, before he turned to Samuel. "Samuel; do I have your permission to speak to them about what is written in the agreement?"
Samuel smiled back and began to reach into his robes. "I'll do you one better. Do I have your permission to show them the actual written agreement? I brought it with me."
Harry gave a sigh of relief and nodded. "Yes. It'll make things a lot easier for them to understand. Thank you."
Samuel handed the document off to Stephen and said, "Thankfully, Ted Tonks is not one for flowery legalese. This is the agreement between our two houses. Please, read it and ask your questions. I'm sure you'll have many."
Stephen glared back for a few moments as his wife came to stand behind him and read over his shoulder.
As they did, Harry smiled to CeeCee and said, "Please trust me. It's nowhere near as bad as you're probably thinking. Your parents will be able to assure you of that in few minutes, once they've finished reading."
CeeCee gave a worried smile back and nodded.
Watching the adult Wilkinses, it was easy to see when they got to the important parts. Both gave sighs and slight shoulder slumps of relief.
After they finished it, Stephen calmly handed it back and said, "It's all about protection."
"Yes," Samuel immediately returned.
"It's to protect your daughter and give her time to find someone else, if she preferred it."
"Yes," nodded Samuel. "However, apparently, she's made her choice."
When eyes turned to her, Daphne smiled and said, "With Hermione's already-given permission, plus Harry's, I've decided to progress the agreement to a contract. Harry will father the next Greengrass Heir; and probably a couple more after that. However, that will not be for quite some time."
When the Wilkinses' eyes turned to Hermione, she smiled and nodded back.
"You're a nomag-born," said Stephen. "How did you get roped into this? How did your parents agree to this?"
"Because, it's been explained to them over time," she replied. "They had what you, apparently, likely don't have; time to absorb the information and understand the 'what', 'why' and 'how'."
"Your... betrothal," said Dorothy. "Is it like this?"
"Similar escape clauses, yes," replied Hermione. "Believe it or not; it was my parents who started the ball rolling with Harry and Sirius. Apparently, Mum listened to what I've been telling her over the past four years about the wizarding world and took the idea to Sirius and Harry.
"Again, her idea was promoted as a way of protecting me from harm within the wizarding world. That Harry and I loved each other... was, as far as she was concerned, just icing on the cake."
Harry said, "I can see, now, that she somewhat manipulated me into it. She had Wendell, Hermione's father, convinced it was the right thing to do. And then Wendell played on how I'd do anything to protect Hermione from harm, if it was within my power."
"But, you'd have still done it anyway, right?" asked Hermione.
"Yes," he replied. "Because Sirius was right when he said that at my level, betrothal contracts were considered mandatory."
"Then, no harm, no foul," she said.
Harry gave a snort of amusement.
"How does one of these protect my daughter?" pressed Stephen, trying to get things back on, what he considered, track.
Samuel was first to respond. "Any young witch already entered into a relationship agreement is automatically 'hands off' to everyone else. If young Corina is already―"
"CeeCee," CeeCee interrupted.
"CeeCee," said Samuel, giving her a nod. "If young CeeCee is already in an agreement, no one else is allowed to interfere. Plus, what's written in the agreement is also confidential information; and no one else, other than those involved, can legally demand to know what it contains.
"As such, as far as anyone else is concerned, such an agreement could be unbreakable; with severe magical penalties on anyone who tries. No one is going to want to 'test' that by trying to interfere.
"You were only able to read the one between myself and Lord Potter, because we both gave you permission to read it. Without both of us giving that permission, you'd not have been able to. The magic of the contract would have prevented you."
That had Harry wondering how it was that Jean-Paul was able to read it. He suspected the French Unspeakables played a role in that.
"As for the specifics," continued Samuel, "CeeCee's magical guardian is the one who would enter into the contract on her behalf. I'm sorry to say, but it's important; you, being non-magical, have no magical say in it... even though muggle law in Australia recognises you and Dorothy as her guardians."
"I don't like the idea that some boy will be able to―" he tried, but couldn't finish.
"That's where the young man needs to be carefully selected," sighed Sirius. "I'd have immediately recommended Harry, but, he really can't."
"Neville could," said Hermione.
"Yes," nodded Sirius. "However, he already has Miss Abbott in betrothal and Heiress Bones in concubinage."
"Justin," Harry suddenly said.
"Alright," said Stephen, "Who are these people. I don't know any of them."
Hermione replied, "'Neville' is Neville Francis Longbottom, Heir Apparent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom; 'Miss Abbott' is Hannah Abbott of the Ancient House of Abbott and 'Heiress Bones' is Susan Bones of the Noble and Ancient House of Bones. Susan is the niece and magical ward of the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Madam Amelia Bones."
"And Justin is, effectively, Lord Justin Finch-Fletchley, Head of the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley," Harry smoothly added. "He's, as you would understand it, nomag-born. However, in the muggle world he's also Lord Justin Finch-Fletchley, Viscount of Lonsdale, Heir Primary of the Earl of Bedford, his father, and Heir Secondary of the Duke of Kendal, his paternal grandfather. That means he's of royal blood and related, through his paternal grandfather, to Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Second. Queen of... in your case... Australia."
That had the Wilkinses stunned silent again. It was a while before one of them, Sarah in this case, softly muttered, "Wow!"
"Indeed," nodded Harry. "Now, Justin's a good kid. He has a strong sense of 'Noblesse Oblige'; that is, the responsibility of the nobles to care for the common folk. That is reflected in how he was sorted into Hufflepuff in Hogwarts, our premier magical school. Hufflepuff is the house of the loyal and hard-working.
"Before he found out he was a wizard he was due to go to Eton, as his father and his grandfather did before him. It also goes a long way to his character that there were very few people in Hogwarts who knew that Justin is of royal blood until very recently. He kept it secret for almost four years.
"Now, the Potter-Longbottom Alliance - that's the alliance which I and Neville's father currently lead and of which the House of Greengrass is a member - recently aided young Justin... and, through him, his father and grandfather... in being recognised as the Head of the newly created Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley. When he is of-age once he turns seventeen, Justin will ascend to take his rightful seat in our magical parliament, known as the Wizengamot. His magical guardian until recently was his school Head of House, Professor Pomona Sprout. That recently changed to our current Headmistress, Headmistress Lady Griselda Marchbanks. As well as magical guardianship for him she sits as his Proxy upon the Wizengamot. Sirius, Samuel and I already sit our own seats there.
"As for Justin himself, with the support of his father and grandfather, moves are already being made to protect him through a Betrothal Agreement. I... cannot tell you who that is with - not until it's finalised - but it's with the daughter of one of our Ancient Houses. However, his muggle... nomag... family have also been educated in these matters and are supportive.
"He's a good kid. Fifteen years old and a true gentleman. If we can convince his relatives to allow him to enter into a concubinage arrangement with CeeCee, he'll protect her with everything he has and is. Because he's also a member of the Potter-Longbottom Alliance, the alliance can and will also support and protect her with the full weight of the law and the powers we wield.
"Anyway," he sighed. "I'm now rambling. Any questions we can answer for you, here and now?"
Sirius gave a snort of amusement and said, "I think we need to let them think all that through."
"Sirius?" asked Harry. "When's the Will reading for dear old Lucy?"
"Tomorrow," replied Sirius. "10.00am"
Harry winced. "Shhhyte!"
Harry sat there, slouched back and with his eyes closed and had thoughts flying through his mind. He didn't even hear some of the questions being asked by the Wilkinses. Others answered them.
Finally, he opened them and gave a grunt.
Clearly, others were waiting for him.
He turned his attention to Sirius. "Lord Black. The Potter-Longbottom Alliance offers the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black aid in this matter. Will you accept?"
"We will," Sirius instantly replied.
With a slight nod, Harry turned to Samuel. "Lord Greengrass; how quickly do you think we can get the Ancient Houses of the Alliance together for an emergency meeting?"
A little surprised, Samuel was still quick to think it through. "That would depend on where you'd want to get them to meet, Lord Potter."
"Pottermore," replied Harry. "It won't take me long to adjust the wards and there's a great deal more room there than here. Can we get them together for... say... 1.00pm today?"
Surprised, Samuel said, "That would be pushing it. If they're home and not otherwise planning on being somewhere else... I'd say it's doable. Oh; except for the Delacours. As a Venerable House they're a French version of a Noble and Ancient House."
Harry gave a nod back and turned to Hermione. "I think Stephen and Dorothy would like to at least speak to the parents of a muggleborn to get their take on these sort of things. Do you know what your parents are up to, today?"
"Just a day at home, Harry," she replied. "I think they'd love to visit Pottermore again."
Stephen piped up and said, "If they're nomags like us, I think Dorothy and I would appreciate that."
Hermione said, "They are. They're dental surgeons in the muggle world. We live in Wimbledon."
Harry nodded, "Good. Now, let's see if we can get some notes sent out via HEED."
"HEED?" asked Sirius.
"House Elf Express Delivery," said Hermione. "Harry's suggesting notes be taken to the other senior members of the Alliance via house elf. Instant delivery."
Samuel looked surprised, "I wonder why none of us thought of that."
Harry called, "Dobby."
When the little elf popped in, Harry said, "Dobs; I need parchment, quills and ink. Do you mind getting some for me?"
"Not at all, Master Harry," said Dobby, before he popped away again. He was back moments later and the required writing material was on the dining room table.
"Thank you. Now, I have another job for you," he said. "We're having an emergency meeting of the senior Houses of the Alliance at Pottermore. We're planning for people to show up shortly before 1.00pm. Can you alert Jeeves and the others, so they can prepare?"
"Of course, Master Harry," said Dobby, popping away again.
Looking to the Wilkinses he said, "Folks, I'm going to need CeeCee's true full name, if you don't mind. It 's for the wards on Pottermore."
"Corina Cephei Malfoy," said Sirius, before he spelt it.
"Thank you," said Harry, ripping the sheet with the written name off, folding it and sticking it in his pocket. "As soon as I get back I'll add it to the wards."
Patrick, who'd been quiet for most of this, finally had enough and said, "You've still not explained how this... concubine agreement... protects my little sister."
Samuel looked over, thought a moment, and replied, "It's simple. Anyone under one of these sort of agreements is automatically protected from being forced into another. Further, they fall under the protection of the senior of the two Houses involved. With Finch-Fletchley being an existing Noble House, she would fall under the protection of that House.
"By entering CeeCee into an agreement of this form her mother... or whoever else may be given magical guardianship of her at a later date... cannot then place her under one of their choosing. One that will not be as... pleasant... for CeeCee.
"Young Justin is a gentleman. He will not take advantage of your sister. The same could not be said for whomever the magical guardian, if not Sirius, would choose.
"Then, a few years from now, one or the other will enact the escape clauses in the agreement that will free them from it. If nothing else, it can remain in effect until CeeCee turns seventeen. At that time, she will no longer require a magical guardian under our laws; and will be free to seek her own choice of relationship with whomever she desires.
"As odd as it sounds, this concept of using a concubinage agreement - with, for example, young Justin - is all about giving CeeCee free choice. It's all about stopping someone, who does not wish your sister the best, making life changing decisions about her."
"We should have stayed in Perth," grumped Stephen.
"Wouldn't have worked," said Harry. "If, as I suspect, someone tries to claim the line of Malfoy has ended once the Will is read, the goblins will immediately inform them it has not.
"Once that happens, there'd be a major hunt for the missing Malfoy heir. There'll be those who'll be looking to grab her for nefarious purposes; those who'll try to find her to simply inform her of her inheritance, you can include the goblins in that; and those who will want her to simply disappear, so they can make their own play for the Malfoy fortune.
"My first idea was for Sirius to simply seize the fortune under paterfamilias laws; as, by right of simply claiming Narcissa a daughter of the House of Black, he can also claim the entirety of the fortune. However, I realised that wouldn't work when I realised the goblins will announce a living Malfoy heir."
Sirius groaned, sighed and said, "He's right. They will."
"Why would they do that?" demanded Stephen.
Sirius replied, "Because the Gringotts account manager of the Malfoy estate will not want to lose control of it to the account manager of the Black estate; which he would, if no Malfoy heir was known.
"It's also why the Malfoy account manager did not destroy CeeCee's lifestone the bank holds, even though Lucius demanded it be so. They knew they would need it to find the missing Malfoy heir, CeeCee, if both Lucius and Draco died before another Malfoy heir was born; again, as has happened."
Samuel added, "Once it's known a Malfoy heir lives, it would only be a matter of time before she'd be found. No one has looked for her before now - except Sirius - because no else knew she even existed. That's known as security through obscurity. However, the Will reading would negate the obscurity. By presenting her at the Will reading, Sirius and you maintain some level of control over what happens."
Meanwhile, Harry was quick to write a 'form' letter to the other senior members of the alliance. Once he was done, he used the Gemino charm to copy it out a further seven times.
Then he added the address block to the top of each for each of the senior Houses, bar Potter and Greengrass. And added a postscript to the one for Longbottom.
Once done, he looked up and asked, "Lord Greengrass?" And gestured to the notes.
Samuel was quick to pick one up and read through it.
When he was done, he gave a nod and said, "Sufficient urgency and importance to convey the message, without giving away any information that's sensitive.
"However, I notice you included one for Delacour."
Harry nodded and said, "Yes. I'm going to try calling someone I think will be able to help getting them there on time; if he's both listening and willing to help."
When Samuel looked confused, Harry grinned back, stood and moved away from the table a little.
Centring himself and his thoughts, he raised his off-hand forearm and firmly, pleadingly, called, "Fawkes!"
A few of the magicals, including Hermione, gave a gasp of surprise.
When nothing happened for a few seconds he was about to sigh in disappointment when Fawkes flamed into the room, in flight, above the table.
As there were quite a few exclamations of shock, including from the Wilkinses, Fawkes circled the room, singing a joyous tune.
He made two laps before he flew down and perched on Harry's arm. Harry was quite surprised by how light he felt; expecting about four to five pounds of weight, at least, instead of the half a pound he felt.
"Hiya, Fawkes," he said, as Hermione was explaining who Fawkes was.
Once the bird had settled, Harry explained to him what he was asking the phoenix to do.
"Can you do that for us, Fawkes?" he asked.
Fawkes gave a short couple of head bobs back. Wondering what to do with the immortal bird while he wrote, Harry had the decision taken out of his hands by the bird himself. Fawkes took off from his arm and gently glided over to land on CeeCee's shoulder.
CeeCee, sat perfectly still in not a little fear but quite a bit of shock as Fawkes settled down. Once he was settled he bent his head forward, turned to look at CeeCee's face and softly warbled something.
CeeCee lost her fear and had an expression of awe and surprise as she and Fawkes stared at one another.
"Hunh!" said Harry, before he shook his own surprise clear and quickly moved to write an amendment to the note he'd be sending Jean-Paul Delacour.
"Harry," said Hermione. "How did you manage to call Fawkes?"
"You saw how, Hermione," he distractedly replied, checking over his note.
Once it was done, he looked to Fawkes, grinned and asked, "Alright, Fawkes. If you wouldn't mind?" And held the note aloft.
Fawkes let forth a trill of affirmative, launched off CeeCee's shoulder, flew across, snatched the note out of Harry's hand with his beak and immediately flamed away.
"Bloody Hell, Pup!" exclaimed Sirius. "That was... That was damned cool!"
"Fawkes is delivering a message to Jean-Paul," he explained. "In the note I also asked him to call Fawkes when he and his were ready to be phoenix-flamed to Pottermore just before 1.00pm - 2.00pm, their time. That is, of course, if he can come.
"Now for the rest of these notes," he continued. Firmly, he called, "Dobby, Betsy, Willy, Pinty, Tally and... Raggy!"
When all six elves popped in, he handed them one note each and gave them the identity of who to deliver them to. As each took 'their' note, they popped away again. Raggy, as expected, went to Justin.
"Sirius," he looked to his godfather. "Can I borrow your three to deliver the last three messages?"
Sirius gave a nod and called, "Giggles, Chuckles and Snickers!"
The three Black elves each received a note and to whom to deliver them before popping away.
"Right," said Harry. "The call to assemble has been sent out. Now, we just need to wait for replies."
Stephen asked, "Young man, why are you doing this? You barely even know us."
He tried to explain, "Hermione thinks I have this 'saving people thing'―"
"You do," she immediately cut in.
"... and, when I see a problem that means someone's in trouble, I try to help," he completed. "This is a problem that has an urgent need to be solved. As it specifically applies to an innocent young lady - in this case, CeeCee - my inner Gryffindor comes out and I just have to fix it."
Sirius added, "Harry has a knight in shining armour complex. When he acts, he tends to save lives."
Looking to Harry he grinned and asked, "How many lives have you saved before now, Pup?"
"Directly?" asked Harry. "Ummm... not sure; but, I saved Hermione from that troll in October 1991, Ginny Weasley from possession by a malignant spirit in June 1993, Sirius from the dementors, twice, in June last year and Fleur Delacour from drowning in February this year. But, to be fair, Sirius saved me, Hermione, Ron Weasley and Potions Master Severus Snape from being attacked by a werewolf less than an hour before the first time I saved Sirius."
Hermione added, "All the staff and students of Hogwarts in June 1993, too, Harry. That basilisk, once Riddle became mortal again, would have likely been released into the public areas of the school. It likely would have killed almost all of them... us."
"That was a side-effect, Hermione," he said. "Not directly. And he might not have done that. As such, I didn't count it."
"Bloody Hell," said Stephen. "I can now see why people, here, are deferring to you."
"It's also because I'm, like Sirius, the Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House, one of the seven most powerful families in wizarding Britain," he replied. "And, because I co-Head what's probably the most powerful political alliance in the country; the same alliance I've just called to assemble to help."
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