HPWW381-390
Chapter 381
"I did," he firmly replied. "That did not mean I
expected Hermione to actually do that. It was meant to
shock him enough, and be embarrassed enough for
Hermione, that it caused his mind to... stop thinking
about this afternoon and try to think of a way to get
the conversation onto a completely different track.
"It worked. Then I asked him if he could help me teach
Hermione more about how Houses are created,
promoted and demoted. We're heading for the library
straight after breakfast and getting onto that.
"That's why he's now eating and is a lot more calmer."
Susan smirked at him and said, "Maybe we wanted
him thinking about our breasts." Which had Hannah
immediately blush.
Harry smirked back and said, "I wanted him
embarrassed; not eager."
When Susan looked down in her own embarrassment,
he added, "Besides, it led to me being able to
convince him to help educate Hermione. And, that's
why I've come over here. I think you should join us
and also ask Daphne and Tracey to join us.
"I hope you don't mind me thinking it, but I think
educating Hermione up to the level of a Lady
Presumptive should be an Alliance project for us of
the same age."
Susan said, "I thought Hermione was going for
lessons this summer with Lady Longbottom."
"And Lady Ogden, if I remember right," nodded Harry.
"But, this is something Neville needs to do, whether
he knows it or not, so he doesn't fret so much about
the signings later."
Both girls then understood and said they'd go over
and talk to Daphne and Tracey in a little while and
convince them to come help.
Smiling, Harry gave both a nod, rose and said,
"Ladies." And returned to sit with Hermione and
Neville.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Twenty minutes later, Harry was walking with
Hermione and the other five towards the library. As
they walked, she pushed him separate from the group
a little and quietly said, "Don't think I didn't know
exactly what you were doing by asking Neville if he'd
be distracted if I showed him my breasts."
"I knew you would," he smiled.
She tried to scowl at him but couldn't help smiling. "It
worked, though."
"Yep," he grinned.
Walking into the library, they found a table large
enough for the seven of them up the back and
selected it. Then, while the others went in search of
the books they wanted, Harry erected a privacy field
over the entire table.
Ready, he called Dobby and asked him to bring
Hermione's satchel loaded with parchment, quills and
ink.
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir," replied the elf before he
popped away again.
Dobby was back even before any of the others, and
Harry had the lot put on the table, ready.
Daphne and Tracey were the first two to return,
carrying a couple of books each.
"These, we think," said Daphne.
Tracey explained, "These are the ones we were taught
this."
When the others returned, Hermione was surprised to
see the writing paraphernalia already set up and
waiting, and sat next to Harry.
"Dobby?" she quietly asked.
"Yep," he replied.
Once everyone was sitting again, he said to the table
at-large, "I've erected a privacy and silencing field
over the table. We can talk freely without risk of
Madam Pince coming over and making a fuss about
the noise."
"Good idea," said Susan.
And they got into it.
Hermione was taking quite the prodigious notes, while
the others were talking, giving her information and
also setting books aside for her to check out and read
later.
They worked right through morning tea and almost to
lunch.
As the others taught and Hermione listened, Harry
took quill and parchment for himself and began to
draft a letter to Ted. He wanted his Law-wizard of
Record to organise research into the muggle nobility
family of Finch-Fletchley.
He still had it in the back of his mind that, if FinchFletchley proved to be a worthwhile House, the House
be invited to join the Alliance. He was very sure Justin
was both a muggleborn and no one else in his family
was magical; but, if his nobility carried over into the
magical world as he suspected it might, would they be
able to create the House known as the Noble and
Magical House of Finch-Fletchley based on that
nobility?
To that end, he was also listening to what Hermione
was being taught regarding the creation of a new
House in the magical world and using that in his letter
to Ted.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Surprised by Madam Pince coming over and informing
them they needed to hurry if they wanted lunch, the
seven hurriedly packed away what they were working
on, returned books and made their way out.
The last thing Harry did was remove the silencing
charms.
As they walked, Harry asked Neville if he'd like to
bring his two ladies to their apartment for a
celebration dinner. He was surprised.
After glancing at his two, who had overheard and
nodded back, he said, "We'd be honoured. Thank
you."
Turning to the two Slytherins he asked, "Ladies? Care
to join us? We'll have the room."
Replying for the both of them, Daphne replied, "Yes,
thank you. We'd be honoured."
"Good," he firmly nodded. "That now gives me plenty
of time to come up with a menu. Any allergies I need
to know about?"
No one had any.
Neville asked, "Will you be cooking, Harry?"
"Yup," he grinned. "I don't think any of you have had
the opportunity before for a Harry Potter gourmet
delight, have you?"
Hermione was quick to add, "Don't worry. You're going
to enjoy this. Harry is a wonderful cook."
"He cooks, too?" asked Tracey.
"I don't cook, Tracey," he disagreed. "I... chef!"
Susan asked, "There's a difference?"
"Philistine!" he declared mock-insulted. "Was Picasso
a painter? Did Noah just build a big boat? Was
Michelangelo just a rock carver? Nay, I say! I... create
gastronomic art!"
By then, Hermione was giggling. Attempting to
explain, she said, "Harry doesn't just cook, Susan. He
treats preparing food as an art form. You're in for a
treat.
"He cooked for us all the time at my place. That is,
when his house elf, Dobby, didn't block him from
doing so."
Neville snickered, "I saw him doing that, a couple
times. It was funny."
"Yeah, yeah," snarked Harry. "Laugh it up, chuckles.
The Great 'Potterini' will not be denied his rightful
place before the altar of food, the stove, this day. That
foul fiend - the sawn off little munchkin, Dobby - shall
not deny me!"
That had the others relax and even laugh as they
walked in through the doors of the Great Hall.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The five remained in the Great Hall, dining and then
talking, until 1.25pm.
Then Neville gave a sigh of relief and said, "We'd
better go. We're expected in the Headmistress's office
in five minutes."
"Good luck," called Hermione.
Neville and the two girls were about to step away
when Neville suddenly froze in shock.
Turning back with a look of almost fear on his face he
said, "I don't know where the Headmistress's office
even is!"
When the others, except Hermione, looked confused,
Harry snickered and said, "Hermione and I do. If you
follow me, I'll take you there."
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Chapter 382
The immediate look of profound relief on the other
boy's face had Harry snickering again.
After telling Hermione he'd meet her back at the
apartment, Harry escorted Neville, Hannah and Susan
through the castle and to the gargoyle that guarded
the Headmistress's office entrance.
On the way, he quietly said to Neville, "Don't forget to
ask about the apartment in the Lords' Quarters."
"I won't," the boy softly but firmly replied.
Reaching the gargoyle and indicating it, Harry said,
"It's through here. To have the gargoyle step out of
the way for you, you need the password. However, if
you don't have it and you need to see her, just inform
the gargoyle and wait."
When Neville stepped forward to put deed to word, but
hesitated, Harry gestured for him to go on and smiled.
Neville then firmly said, "Heir Longbottom, Heiress
Bones and Miss Abbott to see the Headmistress."
Harry ignored how the statement almost turned into a
question at the end. And waited for the gargoyle to
step aside.
"Give it a few seconds," he said.
Almost as he finished speaking, the gargoyle did it's
nimble little jump to the side and the stairs beyond
began rotating upwards.
"There ya go," he said. "Step in and ride the stairs to
the top."
Neville gave a nod, turned to the girls and let them
precede him past. "Thank you, Harry," he said.
Once they were on their way up, Harry smiled in
fondness, mentally wished them the best and made
his way back towards his and Hermione's apartment.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Reaching the top of the stairs and the small landing,
the two girls waited for Neville before the only and
heavy oak door.
Neville took a deep breath and knocked.
Straight away, they heard the Headmistress call,
"Come in, please!"
Relieved, he opened the door and yet again allowed
the ladies to precede him inside.
As he stepped within he then closed the door behind
him before turning back - and stopped to gawk about.
All those portraits of old and dead Headmasters and -
mistress's were quite intimidating, before you even
looked at the rest of the room.
The three were snapped out of their looking about by
Marchbanks calling, "Come forward, you three."
As soon as their attention was back on who else was
in the room, both girls almost squealed as they ran
forward into the arms of their loved ones. Neville was
able to more calmly walk to his father, before the man
wrapped him in as much of a hug as the two girls were
being wrapped by Hannah's father and Susan's aunt.
After a few seconds, the adults pulled back. And
Marchbanks said, "We're all here. Let's get on with
this."
After conjuring a table and chairs in the middle of the
room she gestured for them all to sit.
Twenty minutes later, after all three had the details of
the agreements explained to them and all three agreed
with them, the signing went ahead. As expected
Marchbanks, in her role as Lady Griselda Marchbanks,
signed them as official witness.
Once it was done, Neville felt quite relieved and
almost cried in happiness.
Looking to Marchbanks after a glance at his father, he
said, "Headmistress?"
"Yes, Heir Longbottom?"
"I was wondering if..." he stuttered, "That is... I would
like to... No, that's not it." Bracing himself up he firmly
said, "I request permission to move myself, Hannah
and Susan into the Lords' Quarters."
As his father looked upon him with pride and
Marchbanks grinned, she replied, "Request granted,
Heir Longbottom."
Though Harry had said he doubted she'd say no, he
was still surprised she granted it so easily.
Turning slightly to the side she called, "Toby."
When a little elf appeared, unknown to the others as
the same elf Marchbanks had called to take Harry and
Hermione's trunks to their apartment, she ordered,
"Please move Heir Longbottom's, Heiress Bones's
and Miss Abbott's personal effects from the Fourth
year Gryffindor boys' dormitory and the Fourth Year
Hufflepuff girls' dormitories, respectively... and move
them to Apartment 10 in the Lords' Quarters."
"Yes, Lady Headmistress," the elf replied before
popping away.
Turning back to look at Neville and the two girls, she
said, "Your apartment will be the one right across
from Lord Potter and his Lady Presumptive. Also a
three-bedroom. I hope that is suitable?"
"Yes," replied Neville, relieved. "Thank you."
With a nod back she said, "I'll send a note to Lord
Potter asking him to meet you outside your new
apartment and showing you how to claim it and enter
it."
"Thank you, Headmistress," he replied.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Not too long back in the apartment, Harry was in the
kitchen going through the pantry and cold storage
when a house elf popped in and offered him a note.
"From the Lady Headmistress, sir!"
Harry indicated the counter next to him and said, "On
the counter, please."
With a snap of it's fingers the note appeared where
Harry indicated and the elf popped away again.
He cast the detection charms he knew on the
parchment, found nothing untoward and picked it up.
Opening it, he read and learned the Headmistress was
asking him to show Neville and his girls how to get
into Apartment 10, the one across from theirs, when
they arrived. And that they were heading there,
directly.
With a wide grin he walked into the living room.
Hermione was sitting on the couch and reading one of
the books they'd collected from the library that very
morning.
As he walked over to her she looked up. He offered
her the note and said, "It's done and he did it. He
asked for an apartment."
Accepting the note she read and grinned back. "You
thought he might not?"
"Yeah," he replied. "I didn't know if he would be able
to 'man up' in front of the guardians of his two ladies,
let alone his father, and ask. I was pretty sure he
would, but there was a chance he wouldn't."
"You going to wait outside for him?" she asked.
"No, no need," he replied. "They know what apartment
we're in and he'll knock on the door."
She nodded back.
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Chapter 383
Harry had made up his mind what he was going to
cook for dinner and was setting up his preparation
area with everything to hand, when they received that
knock on their door.
He quickly hurried out and over to the door, opening
it.
The three, Neville and his two girls, were standing on
the other side.
Grinning at each other, he asked, "Ready to see your
new home?"
"Yes!" squealed Hannah, before Neville even got a
chance to open his mouth to reply.
Harry stepped out, not even bothering to close their
door and took the three steps across the corridor to
the opposite door. OIt never dawned on him that none
of the three 'Longbottoms' had told him which
apartment would be theirs. Thankfully, none of the
three even noticed.
A quick explanation, Neville claimed it, then Hannah
and Susan stepped up to gain access and Neville
accepted it.
"There ya go," said Harry. "Now it's keyed only to you
three. If anyone else touches the door handle they'll
be stunned and the staff will be alerted.
With nods back he indicated the door and said,
"Neville, you need to be the first to open the door."
With a deep fortifying breath, Neville again stepped
forward, open the door and pushed it open wide. Then
stepped back to let the girls in first.
From outside, Harry heard lots of squealing and calls
of joy as the girls charged through the apartment,
investigating everything.
As Harry was standing there with a bemused Neville,
Hermione came out of their apartment and smacked
him on the bum as she walked past and into the, now,
House of Longbottom apartment.
'Jeez!' he thought. However, it did get him moving
forward to step inside, himself, after Neville.
When the girls had settled a little Harry asked them,
"Did Headmistress Lady Marchbanks have the elves
move all your possessions up here?"
"Yes!" replied Susan.
"In that case, the other girls in your dorm might
become a bit concerned when all your stuff suddenly
disappeared," he explained. "You might want to think
of going back down there, pretty soon, to explain to
them why you're no longer there."
Both girls glanced at each other with looks that said
to Harry, 'They really didn't care what those girls
thought'. But, hey, they're 'Puffs; they'd do it.
Before he left them to get used to their new apartment,
Harry said, "Dinner tonight will be a light salad with a
lemon vinaigrette; roast beef with red wine jus;
poached and snap-baked potato, sweet potato, carrot
and onion; steamed corn with butter tabs, and
steamed peas pre-soaked in a light mint vinegar.
Dessert will be a surprise.
"Expect to turn up about 6.30pm to sit at 6.45pm."
Other than Hermione, the others all looked back in
shock.
Hermione snickered at their expressions as Harry
walked out, back across the corridor and re-entered
the Potter apartment.
Susan stuttered, "W-when you said he could cook―"
Hermione grinned back and said, "The word 'cook' is
much too pedestrian for what Harry does with food.
You'll see.
"Don't snack before you come, or you'll regret it."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry was well into preparing the food for dinner half
an hour later and was advising Dobby on what he
wanted prepared for dessert when there came a knock
on the door.
Hermione immediately called out in a sing-song voice,
"I'll get it!
Moments later, Neville walked into the kitchen.
Surprised, Harry asked, "What brings you here
already, Nev? The girls already sick of you and throw
you out?"
Neville gave a snort of amusement and replied, "I just
got back from the Gryffindor tower, where I advised
Ron, Dean and Seamus I've moved into the Lords'
Quarters. While Dean and Seamus looked happy for
me, the look of jealousy on Ron's face..." And he
petered off with a shrug.
Harry said, "Yeahhh, I know what you mean. So long
as he doesn't say anything negative, I guess we'll just
ignore it."
"My thoughts, too," he replied. "On Sunday night,
though... when I told him you'd no longer be in the
dorm, but in the Lords' Quarters... he was quite
scathing."
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Chapter 384
Harry stopped what he was doing and turned to look
back. "Did you say anything to him about it?"
Neville blushed and replied, "I threatened to call him
out for it and duel him if I ever heard him say anything
like that again.
"You should also know that, the next morning, their
family owl was carrying in a Howler for him. But, one
of the professors stunned it before it even got to him
and removed the enchantment. Then he said that the
staff now consider Howlers to be a form of bullying
and they were now banned."
"Good," Harry firmly said. "About how Howlers are
banned, that is. The Howler from Molly was probably
because their family clock alerted her to her son
suddenly being 'In Danger' and realised why.
"Ron's whole family have warned him not to piss me
off. And part of that is by him running his mouth off."
As Neville had decided to hang about until the girls
got back, he stayed in the kitchen talking with Harry.
Harry even explained what he was doing and had the
boy assist.
When the girls returned, neither looked happy.
Neville took one look at them both, put down what he
was doing and led them back into the family room and
over to a corner.
Both girls then left about two to three minutes later,
heading back to their apartment. Neville came back
into the kitchen and said, "Sorry, Harry. I've gotta go.
Apparently, the other three girls in their dorm were
happy Hannah and Susan would no longer be there.
"I don't think it was maliciousness on their part,
they're 'Puffs, but my two were upset by it."
"Then, what are you doing standing here for, Nev?"
asked Harry. "Go! Go take care of and cuddle with
your ladies."
Neville smiled, said, "Thanks Harry," and left.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After earlier sending a note by HEED to Daphne and
Tracey about when he was expecting them for dinner,
they turned up right on time. Though neither had
dressed up, it was clear they'd both applied 'touchups' to their make-up.
Almost on their heels, Neville walked in escorting
Hannah and Susan.
That had Daphne and Tracey give squeals of
excitement and hug them. It was the first time both
Slytherins had seen them since they'd left the Great
Hall for the signing.
With rapid-fire talking between the girls, Neville turned
a slightly pained look to Harry and asked, "Harry?
Mind if I show Daphne and Tracey―"
"Your apartment," Harry finished. "Of course, not. Go!
Dinner's not for another fifteen to twenty minutes."
Ushering the girls back out - or, rather, being dragged
out by them - Neville took the girls back across the
corridor and into the House of Longbottom apartment.
They weren't long. Not even ten minutes.
"It's the same, but mirror image!" declared Tracey.
"I'm not surprised by that," said Harry. "I'm pretty sure
Lady Marchbanks planned it that way."
Neville seemed to get it first and said, "Because, she
considers you and I to be equals!"
"Yup," said Harry.
Dinner was that light salad he mentioned, followed by
the magnificent and succulent roast, followed by
dessert. The dessert consisted of individual warmed
chocolate cakes, inverted, covered with hot chocolate
sauce with a ball of Fortescue's icecream on top,
slowly melting from the heat. He could have charmed
the icecream not to melt, but thought it was authentic
if it did. No one minded.
Once done, Neville sat back and groaned. "I don't
think I've ever eaten so well or so much!"
"That... was... fan-tas-tic!" declared Tracey, using her
spoon to scoop up the very last traces of chocolate
sauce.
That lead to more praise, which had Harry happy but
blushing away. Hermione just sat there and grinned in
happiness for her betrothed.
Daphne said, "You're right. You don't cook. That was
much too good and delicious to be called cooking."
"I hope you're going to cook for us again, in future,"
said Hannah.
"I plan to," he said. "If I can swing it, I want to do this
every Saturday or Sunday evening, at least."
No one was against that - except, maybe, Dobby.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After everyone had left for the evening, Hermione
asked Harry for the mirror as she'd promised Sirius
she'd contact him, once things had 'settled' at school.
Not even thinking about using Dobby, he'd gone to get
it himself when the elf popped before him with the
mirror.
With a sigh, he said, "Thank you, Dobby."
With a smirk the elf popped away again.
Harry returned to the sofa and handed the mirror to
Hermione. "Cheeky little ratbag," he muttered.
Hermione just giggled back. Obviously, he had no
support from her in this.
With the mirror held before her, Hermione firmly
intoned, "Padfoot."
She had to wait a few seconds before the face of
Sirius appeared in the mirror.
"Hermione, love!" he happily greeted her. "Listen. You
don't happen know of the whereabouts of my godson,
do you? He seems to have dropped off the face of the
Earth. I remember him telling me he'd be leaving for
Hogwarts the next morning and a quick word a day or
two later, but that was oh so long ago, now, I fear he
may have forgotten all about me."
Hermione was giggling away while Harry, sitting next
to her, was grumbling about up-themselves pureblood
Lords with overboard senses of their entitlements.
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Chapter 385
Laughing, she replied, "I'll put him on as soon as
we're finished. How are you?"
"I'm good!" he replied. "I've finally gotten all the Black
accounts set back to rights. So, all that
parchmentwork is done for a while.
"You should have seen the look on my account
manager's, Bloodrock's, face when I dumped the lot
on his desk. It was a mix between horrified and
pleased. Ha!
"Now... how have you settled back in at good ol'
Hoggy Hoggy Hogwarts?"
"Good and yes," she replied. "Did you know that,
because I'm betrothed to Harry and he was eligible to
move into the Lords' Quarters, I'd be moved in with
him?"
"Huh!" he replied. "I should have remembered that
and I'd forgotten it. Not that Harry was eligible, but
that it would be assumed you would be moved there,
too.
"Are you happy being that close to Harry, or would
you prefer I request you be moved out? As you're only
betrothed it's an option."
"No," she replied. "I just didn't expect it. However, not
having to share a dorm with those two gossipers is
actually a relief. And Harry's been a good 'host'."
"Fair enough!" he declared. "Then, I won't interfere."
"Thank you, Sirius," she said.
After their conversation and, with a grin, Hermione
silently handed the mirror to Harry.
"Sirius," said Harry.
"Godson!" Sirius exclaimed. "Wow! Look how big
you're getting!"
Harry sighed.
Giggling again, Hermione walked off towards her
room.
Harry said, "You and Hermione didn't discuss it, but
you should know that Neville and Hannah Abbott
entered into a Betrothal Agreement today; and then
Neville immediately entered into a Concubine Bond
Agreement with Susan Bones."
Sirius appeared surprised. "I knew they were going to
be discussing it, I just didn't know it would happen so
quickly."
"Yup," he confirmed. "The three are now in their own
Lord's Quarters apartment directly across the hallway
from ours."
"They are?" asked Sirius. "Hang on. I thought you
said they were both only agreements."
"As far as I know, they are," he replied. "At least, when
I called them agreements, neither Neville or either of
the ladies corrected me.
"I think it's Lady Marchbanks and Lord Longbottom
somewhat abusing the privileges for Neville. As it's
rude to ask if the girls are with Neville due to
agreements or contracts, no one's going to find out
either way unless Neville or either of his girls mention
it."
"Good point," mused Sirius.
After their chat, Harry disconnected the mirror and left
it on the coffee table. As either he or Hermione could
be called and the apartment was secure, he thought it
was a good idea to leave it there for them both.
After kissing his betrothed good night, they both went
to bed.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next morning was the start of the second week of
second term. Both Harry and Hermione confessed to
each other they wondered if they should knock on the
door of 'the Longbottoms' when their door was
knocked upon.
Grinning, Harry rose and opened it to find them
standing there.
Neville asked, "Want to walk down, together?"
Harry laughed and said, "Come in, for a moment."
As they trooped in, he said, "Hermione's just trying to
escape from Betsy. Her ladies elf won't let her leave
unless she is, as she calls it, presentable."
Susan said, "That's not a bad thing, Harry." And both
girls walked over to Hermione's door and, as it was
ajar, let themselves in.
Once the girls left, he turned to Neville and said, "We
were wondering if we should come over and knock on
your door. You, knocking on ours, made that choice
moot."
Hesitating a bit, Neville blushed and looked away.
"Harry... ummm... you know how Seamus and Dean
told us... ummm―"
Harry grinned with a slight blush of his own and said,
"Say no more." Turning away a bit, he called, "Dobby."
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Chapter 386
"Yes, Master Harry?"
"Can you get me the first of those two books Sirius
made me read, please?" he asked.
"Yes, Master Harry," replied the elf. A quick pop away
and back again, he was offering the book.
As Harry took it, he said, "Thank you, Dobby."
As Dobby popped away again, he offered it to Neville
and said, "Quickly, go run this back to your room.
When you get a chance to read it, you'll find it very
informative."
Neville, after a quick read of the cover, gave a stillblushing nod back and scurried out the door.
He was back just as all three girls came out of
Hermione's room, talking to one another.
"Harry?" muttered Neville, a little worried.
"That's between you and me, Nev," he quietly replied.
"No more needs be said. And I won't be questioning
you on it."
With a sigh of relief, Neville breathed, "Thanks, Harry."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After breakfast, where Hannah and Susan joined them
on the Gryffindor table to break their fasts, their first
two morning classes were Herbology (with the
Hufflepuffs) followed by CoMC (with the Slytherins).
Harry thought Neville had the right of it when he
mentioned how it saved so much effort that those two
singles were together. Then History and a free period
for Harry, but Arithmancy for Hermione, between
morning tea and Lunch.
When there were some Gryff's who looked about to
jack up about there being two 'Puffs sitting at their
table and eating, Harry quite clearly said, "You don't
know just how happy I am that at least two Hufflepuffs
realise that the school rules... not just allows Houses
to sit at other tables for their meals... but encourages
it. I despaired for wizarding Britain's youth they hadn't
learned anything since the first task."
Professor Babbling, bless her soul, piped up and said,
"Quite right, Lord Potter. Five points, each, to
Hufflepuff... Miss Abbott and Miss Bones... for
recognising you're allowed to sit at other tables for
meals other than official feasts."
That had quiet exclamations of surprise ripple through
the student body. And also stopped the Gryff's, who
were getting upset about it, from arcing up about it.
Harry turned a grin on his now favourite Professor
after Marchbanks. She winked back.
As they were heading down to the greenhouses
together, Harry asked Neville, "As he'll very likely be
sitting with you again, can you suss out FinchFletchley for me? I'm looking to see if he can make a
good ally for the Alliance."
Apparently only a little surprised, Neville replied,
"Sure! And I think you're right."
Harry gave a pleased nod back and said, "Alliance
Secret. I have commissioned an investigation into the
muggle nobility of the Finch-Fletchley family. And also
on how an existing, muggle, noble family can have
that nobility officially recognised in the magical
world."
Neville gave a slow whistle and said, "I know it was
done in the past. That is how the nobility entered our
world, after all. But I've no direct idea, myself."
"Hence the research," he smiled.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Going from Herbology to CoMC an hour later was a
mere short walk across the lawns. And Harry could
see why Neville was so happy about it. If you got dirty
in Herbology there was no need to get overly cleaned
up, just a wash of hands, before going to CoMC; as
there would be a need if going to any other class.
Then you just cleaned up before going to, in this case,
morning tea.
On the walk, Neville quietly said to Harry, "FinchFletchley puts on a brave front, but he really just
wants to fit in. He also finds it hard to trust anyone
because of who his grandfather is. Oh, by the way, his
grandfather is some sort of... 'Dook'?"
Unexpectedly to the other two, Harry suddenly
stopped dead where he stood and stared at Neville in
shock. That caused their trio to separate a little.
Hermione, who hadn't heard Neville try to explain who
Finch-Fletchley's grandfather was, had also taken an
extra step, but stopped quicker.
Turning back after taking another couple of steps
himself, a confused Neville looked at Harry and asked,
"Harry; mate. What's wrong?"
Harry quickly looked around and saw it was only he,
Neville and Hermione.
Stepping a little closer to Neville he asked, "Did FinchFletchley tell you which Duke?"
"Ummm..." uttered Neville as he tried to think. "Dook...
Duke? Duke of... Ken-doll?"
"Kendal?!" Harry quietly exclaimed.
As Hermione gasped in shock Neville replied, "Yeah,
that's it."
"Holy bloody hell!" gasped Harry.
Hermione, in shock herself, didn't berate him for his
language.
Neville, concerned now, asked, "I... take it that's a big
thing?"
Calming down a little, Harry replied, "Neville, that's a
very big thing. It means, effectively, Finch-Fletchley is
probably related to the royal family in some way."
"Oh," said a now surprised Neville.
"Yeah," said Harry. "I expected an Earldom, at an
outside a Marquessate, but a Dukedom? I should have
realised as soon as we found out it's his grandfather
who holds the main title. I was an idiot that I didn't
realise that."
"So, what do we do with that knowledge?"
Harry sighed and said, "At the moment? Nothing. I'll
pass that information on to Ted Tonks and see if he
can discover more. Now that we know it's the
Dukedom of Kendal, that's not going to be too hard
for him to do.
"And, if I'm right, the young Viscount of Lonsdale,
Justin Finch-Fletchley, is going to find himself invited
to join the Alliance. His so-called muggleborn status
just got tossed out the window. His muggle House is
at least on a par with a Noble and Most Ancient
House. In the muggle world, his House outranks even
the Seven... by a wide margin."
"Wow!" said Neville.
Hermione hadn't said a word until then.
As they hadn't moved for a little while, other
Gryffindors also walking their way were starting to
look at them funny.
"Come on," said Harry, indicating they really should
get moving again. "We need to hurry up."
"Harry," called Hermione. "Do you know what this
means?"
"Yeah!" he said. "If I'm right, Finch-Fletchley is due for
a seat on the Wizengamot; muggleborn or not."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 387
When the class finished and they returned to the
castle, the three Gryffindors were both quick to
change and quick to get down to the Great Hall.
As soon as Harry had built himself a small morning
tea, he pulled out writing equipment and quickly
penned a note to Ted. He'd send it straight after the
next class and after escorting Hermione to the
Arithmancy classroom, while he was 'enjoying' one of
his few free periods.
After History of Magic - where he was unable to
properly focus on the class, even if it was interesting -
he was quick to escort his beloved to Arithmancy.
Then practically ran up to the owlery.
As Hedwig saw him she immediately flew down to
land on his shoulder and rub her head into his temple.
"Hi, girl," he breathed, panting a little in exertion. "I've
got a very important note for you to take to Ted
Tonks."
She flew over to a close-by perch, landed on it, spun
about and held out her leg for him. He was quick to
affix the note and make sure it was secure before then
helping her out the window.
With a, "Fly safe, girl," from him, he launched her into
the air. Then watched her until he could no longer see
her in the sky.
"When Ted reads that he's going to go into shock,' he
thought. 'As a muggleborn he must know who His
Grace, the Duke of Kendal, is.'
Now calmer, Harry walked back to the Lords' Quarters.
He knew Neville also didn't have a class, this class
period.
They'd chat for a bit.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After knocking on Neville's door and being let in,
Harry finally got his tour of the apartment. And, Tracey
was right, it was almost a perfect match for the Potter
apartment, just 'flipped'.
After settling down, Harry asked the other boy if he
had and used a personal elf while at the school.
"No," he replied. "Gran refused me one because she
said having one would make me lazy. And I don't think
Dad's thought of it."
"Now that you're betrothed and with a concubine
presumptive you might want to consider asking him if
you can have one," said Harry. "If anything, the ladies
should be pampered, don't you think?"
It was no surprise when Neville didn't even baulk at
the idea. He immediately returned, "You're right. I'll
send him a letter and suggest just that."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After picking up Hermione outside the Arithmancy
classroom the two teens headed directly to lunch.
She asked, "Did you get your note sent off to Ted?"
He nodded and said, "As soon as I dropped you off at
Arithmancy I went straight up the owlery."
"Hedwig give you any trouble?" she asked.
"Nope," he smiled. "She's bright, I'll give you that, but
she's not aware of just how much I use HEED for a lot
of my mail. Besides, before Dobby was bonded to me I
wasn't using her any more than I am now."
As they walked, Hermione glanced over and grinned
back.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After lunch was a double of Ancient Runes, where
again Daphne sat with Harry and Hermione.
When Daphne appeared worried, Harry quietly said to
her. "I've not heard anything yet, Daphne. But, it's only
been a few days. And not having heard anything could
also be a good thing. At least it means your father
didn't immediately turn down my demands."
The girl then relaxed and gave a weak smile back.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After a worrying day working in the Ministry, MacNair
was finally able to return to his master with the
information he had collected.
At Riddle Manor, Wormtail announced him.
When the rat came out the odious little man merely
said, "He's waiting."
Entering the 'throne room', MacNair knew to keep his
head down and his hands open, showing he wasn't
carrying a wand. He walked with purpose forward
before dropping to his knees ten feet shy of his
master's chair. The required distance and obedience.
"Well, MacNair?" demanded Riddle. "Have you been
successful?"
"I believe so, my Lord," he immediately replied.
"Let's hear it, then."
Over the next twenty minutes MacNair spoke of what
he knew, or knew again, of the Granger residence, the
home of 'the Potter spawn's mudblood supposed
Lady Presumptive's parents'. There was nothing
written down that wasn't behind major security
charms about the remaining auror contingent on the
property. However, rumour he'd overheard in the auror
bullpen while hiding within indicated there was only
one at all times.
The Granger house was also warded, but the ward
scheme was with the goblins. The DMLE were aware
of them but, they too, were under major security
charms. He did learn, however, that the Granger house
had 'some' exemptions regarding wards that were
usually not allowed on muggle homes.
"They're just muggles," Riddle sneered. "They won't
be much."
"My thoughts, too, My Lord," offered MacNair.
He had also tried to gain access to the Department of
Mysteries and failed. However, he was able to waylay
a junior Unspeakable and use that woman to learn that
information concerning the Potter spawn was under
what was called Deep Secret provisos.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 388
That had Riddle frown. From his single Unspeakable
Death Eater follower, Rookwood, he knew that Deep
Secret was the strongest security the Department had.
MacNair would not learn anything of that matter
unless he was both an Unspeakable and high enough
up in their ranks to be cleared to know. That meant
Section Leader, or a member of a section upon which
the Deep Secret was focussed.
MacNair had no idea why an Unspeakable was at the
Granger house and, apparently, Obliviated and
Compulsed him. He expected to be cursed for that,
but wasn't.
Continuing he said, "While in the ward records office I
also discovered news concerning the wards of
Hogwarts, My Lord; and was eager to learn of them for
your benefit."
"Well?" demanded Riddle. "Let's hear of it, then."
MacNair explained how the Ministry ward masters had
been requested by the new Headmistress of Hogwarts
and ordered to help by the Acting Minister, Bones.
He explained about the anti-bullying, dangerous
artefacts, dark magic and assault wards that had been
reactivated. He then explained of the new wards that
had been erected when the deactivated wards were
reactivated; the use of magic in corridors outside of
class and a location charm, linked to a map, that will
allow the staff to know who and where someone is in
the castle at all times.
"Of most concern though, My Lord, is they've
managed to create and erect an anti-Dark Mark ward
over the school. Anyone bearing your mark―"
"Crucio!"
MacNair was left writhing on the ground in agony for
ten seconds before the curse was lifted.
"You should have informed me of that last one... first!"
"Yess, My Lord; s-sorry, My Lord," the man grovelled,
trying not to stutter or show any further pain.
"An anti-Dark Mark ward, you say?"
"Yes, M-my Lord."
"What happens if the ward is triggered?" Riddle
demanded.
"It's a n-notification w-ward keyed to the sstaff,"
replied MacNair, trying to get off his side and back
onto his knees. "As soon as someone b-bearing the
Mark enters the grounds, the staff w-will know of it
and know where that person is to be found."
MacNair, still looking at the ground, waited for his
master's next demand.
A few seconds later Riddle hissed, "Isss that allll?"
"Yes, Master," MacNair was fast to reply.
Again the long silence.
"Very well," Riddle finally said. "I have decided you
have provided the information I expected, plus
exceeded what was required. You get to live... for
now."
"Thhhank you, My Lord."
"If you do not hear from me beforehand, you are to
report back here on Friday night."
"Yes, My Lord."
"You may leave my presence," sneered Riddle.
"Thank you, M-my Lord," said MacNair, rising to his
feet and backing out the door.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After a quiet Monday afternoon and evening spent
doing and completing their assignments for the day,
both Harry and Hermione were early to bed.
The next morning, Harry was up early and had
planned, if Hermione also rose early, on an early
breakfast.
He had just entered the living room, collected his
school satchel and changed the contents to load it
with the necessary texts and fresh parchment for the
day when an owl flew in through the charmed window,
circled the room and landed on the owl perch Dobby
had set up for such visits. As soon as he saw it, Harry
recognised it as Ted's 'office' owl; a Northern Hawk
Owl named 'Justice'.
A quick cast or three of detection charms over the
bird and he had the owl released of its load.
Irrespective of recognising it he knew Ted could have
been compulsed to send him parchment with a curse
or two embedded in it.
Summoning the letter from off the floor where it had
fallen, he was quick to check what it was. He was
unsurprised to find it to be a shrunken document or
package.
Taking the package to the coffee table as the owl
helped itself to water and the treats, he put it on the
table and unshrunk it. It opened into a somewhat thick
document.
He then used upon it the parchment 'flattening' charm
Marchbanks had taught he and Hermione and picked
it up.
Straight away he knew what it was. Ted had even left a
note as a 'cover letter' for it.
~ # ~
Lord Harrison J. Potter
Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
c/- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Scotland
Lord Potter,
Included, as you have no doubt already seen, is the
most current negotiated Concubine Bond Agreement
between the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
and the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass,
regarding yourself and Heiress Daphne O.
Greengrass.
Please read it with all due haste and seek to
immediately inform me if you will accept it in its
current form, or seek to make additional changes. I
inform you Lord Greengrass has been most
compliable with your demands for escape clauses. He
has even taken them further, as you shall discover on
reading the agreement.
If you choose to accept it in it's current form please
send a note back with Justice that simply states you
accept. If you choose to make additional changes
please send a note back that states so.
If I do not hear from you otherwise, Lord Greengrass
and myself will meet with you directly to sign the
agreement.
I look forward to hearing from you soonest.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 389
Edward Tonks
Wizard at Law
Law-wizard of Record for the Noble and Most Ancient
House of Potter
~ # ~
Harry quickly scanned through the document and was
stunned to find that Lord Greengrass both recognised
what Harry was up to and wished to take it a step
further. He was willing to sign over complete authority
of Daphne to him. And it only took moments for Harry
to figure out why.
'He does not want any power to cancel the agreement
in his hands!' he thought. 'Damn! That's bloody
clever.'
Quickly ducking into the office, sitting at the desk and
pulling blank parchment, ink and quill to him from
where they were now kept close to hand, he dashed
off a response.
~ # ~
Edward Tonks
Wizard at Law
Law-wizard of Record for the Noble and Most Ancient
House of Potter
c/- Diagon Alley
London
Mister Tonks,
I accept the agreement in its current form. However, I
wish to first allow Miss Daphne Greengrass to read it
for herself and give her blessing to go ahead before I
will be willing to sign it. If she is against, then I will not
proceed.
Please act as if she will accept, at this time. If she
does not, I will send an immediate notification to you
of such. For that you should expect my elf. We can
then determine where we will go from there.
Without contrariness from her, we go ahead.
Lord Harrison James Potter
Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
~ # ~
Walking back into the living room he immediately
approached the owl and tied the note to the bird's leg.
"Thank you, Justice," he whispered to it. "You may
return to Ted now."
The bird gave a bob, turned about and launched itself
back out the window.
He stood watching it go.
"Wasn't that Ted's owl?" asked Hermione.
Startled, as he had not realised Hermione had entered
the room, he spun to her.
"Errr... yeah," he replied. "He's sent me the latest
version of the CBA."
He walked over to the coffee table, picked it up with its
cover letter and handed it to her.
After she read through it, Hermione looked just as
surprised as he was.
"He's signing her over to you," she said. "Almost as if
she's... she's... an asset." It was easy to see she was
appalled.
"For the purposes of this, she is," he agreed. "But,
he's being smart."
When she frowned back in not a little anger he added,
"By handing over any authority over her to me, he is
putting himself in the situation where he simply
cannot be forced, compulsed, whatever to cancel the
agreement from his side. He will be incapable of it."
That had her surprised. Then her expression turned
back to a troubled one. "But, from this, you could
abuse her."
A little hurt at the insinuation, but understanding she
was asking as a general overview rather than just him
personally, he replied, "Legally, yes. But, I believe it's
clear he trusts me not to do that.
"And, really, would you have anything to do with me if
you thought I would be that sort of person?"
"No," she replied. "However, I know you a lot better
than Lord Greengrass knows you."
"Noted," he said. "But, what else can he do?"
She had no answer to that and sadly nodded.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Knocking on the Longbottom's door and being
admitted by Neville, it was to see that Neville was up,
dressed and ready, but the girls weren't.
He quickly went and let them know the 'Potters' were
there, by knocking on their doors and calling to them
through the closed door.
On his return Harry explained about receiving the CBA
and asking for the aid of the two girls to approach
Daphne in the Great Hall and sending her to the
antechamber before they entered. Harry and Hermione
would be waiting for her within.
He was all for it and, once the girls emerged, told them
what was going on. They, too, agreed.
As the five then walked down the stairs of the grand
staircase to the ground floor, Harry, Hermione and
Neville waited in the entrance hall while the two girls
stuck their heads in the door to see if Daphne was
already there.
A quick glance was all it took before Hannah turned
back and said, "She's there. Sue and I'll go let her
know." Then both ducked inside.
Harry turned to Neville and said, "You'd best go
inside, too. Otherwise someone might figure out
you're not with the girls and wonder what's going on.
"Besides, it's probably better if Daphne didn't have
such a large audience when she hears what I have to
say."
Neville gave a nod, said "Good Luck." And walked in
through the doors as Harry and Hermione walked in to
the antechamber.
A minute later, Daphne and Tracey walked in. Daphne
was clearly worried and agitated.
As soon as they approached, he said, "I received
correspondence from Ted Tonks. It's a copy of the
amended Concubine Bond Agreement.
"Firstly, as promised, all escape clauses I informed
you I demanded to be included, have been included.
However, your father has also added stipulations for
those; to activate the clause or clauses they can only
be done so at Gringotts and only after which of us
wants to activate the clause has first been tested free
of enchantments or potions that are compelling us to
seek such.
"Secondly, so your father cannot be compelled to find
a way to break the agreement he has... Daphne, in a
nutshell, he's basically demanding I become your
magical guardian. He's ceded authority over you to
me."
Harry then drew the copy of the agreement from out of
his inside robe pocket and silently handed it to her.
Then said, "Go ahead and read it."
Daphne never said a word for that whole time. Even
when she began to read the document she never said
a word. However, she gave out the occasional slight
sound of shocked surprise.
When she was done, she looked back at Harry and
handed it back. There were tears in her eyes, but
Harry couldn't tell if they were from happiness or
sorrow. Her expression didn't reflect it either way.
"Now the important question, Daphne," he quietly
said. "Having read it, I want to know if you still want
me and your father to sign it."
As a single tear slid down her cheek, she silently
nodded.
"Very well," he said. "In that case, I shall send an
urgent message off to Ted Tonks to arrange a time in
the very near future where the agreement can be
signed and witnessed.
"As Madam Marchbanks acted as witness for the
agreements Neville, Hannah and Susan were entered
into, I have little doubt she'll be willing to act in the
same role for this one and in her office. I shall suggest
that to Mister Tonks.
"Also as we appear to have reached an accord, I
believe this will happen no later than within the next
two days. I want you to be there for it, just as I want
Hermione there for it. Right up until I sign, you can
come to me at any time and tell me you don't want to
go through with it and I will not sign.
"If you don't want to be there when it's signed, I
understand. It's your choice."
"Thank you, Harry," she quietly said. "I th- I believe I
do want to be there."
"You're welcome," he replied with a smile. "Now, once
you've fixed your face a bit, I suggest you return to
your breakfast. Hermione and I will leave you now so
you have time to do what you need to do."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 390
With a gesture at Hermione as Daphne nodded back,
he and his betrothed exited.
His last view of her was as Tracey closed in and took
the girl into a hug.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As they walked into the Great Hall, Hermione was also
almost in tears. She looked to him and firmly said,
"Once you fully take up your role as a member of the
Wizengamot, I want you to do everything in your
power to end these sort of agreements; betrothal
ones, too.
"They shouldn't be able to force anyone into a...
relationship of convenience. It's just wrong."
"It will be one of my priorities, love," he replied. "I
assure you."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As they walked out of their double of Transfiguration,
Ted's house elf popped in before the five - the two
'Puffs were with them - and silently handed Harry a
note.
~ # ~
Lord Potter,
Lord Greengrass confesses to being under extreme
pressure right now and seeks to finalise this within an
hour or two of noon.
Lady Marchbanks has already been contacted and has
welcomed us to use her office for the signing. It will
be held at 1.15pm today.
On departure I shall be going directly to the Daily
Prophet to formally announce the concubinage of
Heiress Daphne Ophelia Greengrass to Lord Harrison
Potter this very day.
Lord Greengrass and I will be of fervent hope this will
immediately relieve Lord Greengrass of the pressure
he currently faces from 'unnamed' Houses seeking an
agreement for Daphne Greengrass and a son of their
House.
Ted Tonks
~ # ~
With a quietly muttered, "Shit." Harry handed the note
to Hermione.
After reading it, she sighed, "Alright. That's fast, but
Ted explains why." Looking to Harry she asked, "Are
you ready for this?"
"Yes," he nodded. "I wouldn't have even entertained
the concept if I wasn't ready."
After handing the note to Neville to read, he took the
other four aside into a vacant classroom and said,
"I'm sorry to ask this again, girls; but, can you again
approach Daphne and let her know what's going on?"
Before they could even answer he added, "Actually―"
Turning to Neville he said, "Pass the note on to the
girls and they can quietly hand it to Daphne."
Neville had already finished reading it and was
showing he was just as concerned. He silently handed
the note to Hannah, who was the closest of the two to
him at the time.
After reading it herself, Hannah said, "Will do, Harry.
We'll pass it as soon as we see them for morning tea."
Susan had read it over her shoulder.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The plan went off without a hitch. The girls had
managed to pass the note to Tracey, who then passed
it to Daphne. As Harry was already sitting at the
Gryffindor table with his back to the wall, he was able
to surreptitiously watch as Daphne read it, look to him
and firmly nodded.
Looked down at his small plate, he quietly said to the
others, "She has it and has read it. She now knows."
After what felt like an interminable time in Herbology,
they were actually released a little early, as usual, so
they could change.
All five - Harry, Hermione, Neville and his two - hurried
up to the Lords' Quarters to clean up and change, if
and where necessary, into clean robes. Harry,
knowing he would need to get to the meeting during
the latter part of lunch, made sure he didn't get any
dirt on himself during the class. Unsurprising to him,
neither did Hermione.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At lunch and though nervous, Harry clamped down on
his emotions through sheer force of will and managed
to eat. However, he did keep glancing towards the
head table at Headmistress Lady Marchbanks.
For all her body language showed, the woman didn't
have a care in the world. She most definitely was not
watching Harry, Daphne or any of the other heirs of
the Alliance.
However, his constant monitoring of her meant he was
immediately aware when she rose and walked from
the room through the staff entrance at a few minutes
after 1.00pm. He'd even checked his watch - 1.04pm.
Judging her speed and the distance she'd have to
travel in his mind, then comparing it with his own
faster speed and the great distance he'd have to
travel, he guessed he could leave within five minutes
and easily make it there after her and before the time.
He was just about to leave when he realised neither
Daphne nor Tracey were likely to know how to find the
Headmistress's office.
'Shit,' he thought
He turned to Hermione and told her the problem.
Hermione had the solution before he even finished
explaining. "I'll approach her about talking to her
about an Arithmancy assignment. Then suggest we go
somewhere to talk. That'll allow me to escort her to
the Headmistress's office."
With a slight slump of relief he smiled and said, "That
would be perfect. Thank you."
She smiled back. "You'd best go now. That gives me
the excuse to go and approach Daphne."
He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, again causing
her to blush from the suddenness of it, rose and
headed for the main doors. Hermione only hesitated a
moment before she rose to head to the Slytherin table.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry waited only two to three minutes before he saw
Hermione and Daphne walking up the corridor from
the grand staircase, heading his way.
He gave a little sigh of relief. His worry was that, with
Hermione apart from him, she'd encounter trouble.
When they turned up, both sporting smiles, he asked,
"Any trouble?"
"Only Malfoy and Nott trying to deny me approaching
Daphne," said Hermione. Her smile then widened into
a grin and she added, "When they both realised they
were doing that, they turned on each other."
He gave a snort of amusement. "Obviously, they both
think Daphne, here, is to be theirs."
"That's exactly what they both think," growled
Daphne.
"Well, let's go and make sure that won't be possible,"
said Harry.
He turned to the gargoyle and said, "Three to see the
Headmistress, please. I believe we have an
appointment."
Immediately turning back while they waited, he looked
to Daphne and asked, "Still okay with this?"
She immediately firmed up and strongly replied, "I
am."
He smiled back as he heard the gargoyle step aside
and heard the stairs start to ascend.
A quick glance to make sure and he gestured, "After
you, ladies."