HPWW591-600

Chapter 591

"How will the loss of these fine and upstanding

citizens impact the Wizengamot?"

"Yet to be seen," she said. "Plus, it has nothing to do

with the investigation of an accident that led to

multiple deaths and is, therefore, not relevant to our

investigation."

"Surely someone was responsible," pressed one.

"Who was that?"

"Unknown at this time," she replied.

She, however, already knew it was Weasley who

mainly caused it, but the internal central heating

system made it that much worse. However, she would

not have the House of Weasley pilloried for this if she

could at all help it.

"But, we're talking forty seven deaths, here!" said

another. "Surely a potions accident couldn't cause

that many deaths."

"Hard to believe, I know," she sighed. "However, that

is what our forensics have discovered."

It was fifty one deaths if you included the four house

elves.

"Why were they all there in that one place?" another

asked.

"From the set up of the room, they were in the middle

of a meeting," she replied. "The purpose of which, we

currently have no idea."

The doorstop ended a minute later with frustrated

journalists not getting the 'juicy' information they

wanted. They would, later that night.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

About half an hour after classes wound up for the day,

the four Heads of Houses all walked out of

Marchbanks's office and headed for those they

needed to see. As she didn't have any, Professor

Babbling 'helped' Professor Vector with whom she

needed to see. Only one of hers had already been sent

home; Cormac McLaggen, whose mother told

Marchbanks his father, Olaf McLaggen's, life stone

had been discovered to have gone out the previous

day.

Quite a few more students were sent home over the

next hour, well before dinner.

Each had been escorted to Marchbanks's office and

escorted home. Her office was simply not large

enough to allow all their close family members to

come to the school to collect them. So, the Heads of

Houses took them home.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Of course, the remaining students now already knew a

great deal more than some of what had happened.

Someone in Ravenclaw had remembered they had a

wizarding wireless and had taken it to their common

room for all those who weren't otherwise in class to

listen to it. The wireless reported Bones's doorstop

'live' on air.

It was clear that, whatever truly befell those who had

died, the aurors had found them all in the one place.

At dinner, Marchbanks again stood and gave pretty

much the same information as Bones had covered in

her doorstop. However, some of that information

many students thought they already knew from the

doorstop had been 'corrupted' during the many

retellings of it by those who had heard from someone

who had heard from someone who had listened to the

wireless at that time. Chinese Whispers at its finest.

She set them straight on all that.

"What it means is that, from this incident, all those

students who had lost a direct family member have

now already been all informed," she explained. "So,

you can settle down worrying that one of your family

members was among those who died."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Back in her office and now co-ordinating the

informing of the deceased's immediate family what

had befallen their loved ones, Bones sat at her desk

going over the list of forty seven names:

Finn Aldermaston, Dylan Ancrum, Cecile Ancrum

(wife, found upstairs in the ladies' sitting room), Philip

Bancroft, Jasper Belby, Conrad Bexley, Emmett

Bletchley, Byron Carmichael, Saxon Cowley, Alecto

Carrow, Amycus Carrow, Vindicus Crabbe, Elizabeth

Crabbe (wife, found upstairs in the ladies' sitting

room), Eugene Dallyhatch, Stewart Evercreech,

Francis Gibbon, Gregory Goyle Sr., Felix Harper,

Marjhorie Harper (wife), Miles Haworth, Hugh

Huntingdon, Belvedere Jugson, Grant Ledbury,

Violette Lebury (wife), Reuben Lofthouse, Timothy

McGruder, Thomas McGruder (son), Olaf McLaggen,

Cyril MacMillan, George Montague, Warren Morcott,

Tobias Mulciber, Cecily Mulciber (wife, found upstairs

in the ladies' sitting room), Caracticus Nott, Clarissa

Nott (wife, found upstairs in the ladies' sitting room),

Cassius Parkinson, Jonas Queensbury, Evan Rosier

Jr, Thorfinn Rowle, Jasper Selwyn, Tobin Travers,

Isaac Urquhart, Belladonna Urquhart (wife), Gabriel

Vaisey, Bennett Warrington, Ronald Weasley (found in

the basement) and Spencer Wilkes.

Looking through it she was unsurprised to see just

how many of them were known to have been

'Imperiused' Death Eaters. With the exception of those

either dead before this or in Azkaban, these included

the last of what she knew or seriously suspected to be

the Inner Circle. Another dozen were Ministry

employees. Two were her two, until then, recently

missing aurors.

On top of all that, almost twenty of them were either

sitting Members of the Wizengamot or their Heirs

Apparent. That was going to cause a major shift of the

paradigm in those seats. It was also why she

immediately informed the Chief Warlock after

informing the Minister.

The only clue she had as to why they were all meeting

on that Tuesday evening came from the parchment

sheets of a document that were found to have been

scattered about the body of Caracticus Nott, apart

from the rest and placed as if he was standing and

giving a speech. It was a copy of Sirius's Bill that had

been tabled for the first reading in the Wizengamot

that very day.

The Chief Warlock, with the full backing of the

Minister, had already called an emergency sitting of

the Wizengamot for the next Tuesday morning.

But worse, she believed, for her House was that three

of them were members of the Grand Alliance; one as

Head and two as Heirs Apparent. She'd already sent

notes off to Sirius and Frank with that news.

She knew Sirius would inform Harry via that

communications mirror of his, so did not bother to

send him one. Besides, she was still a little miffed

with the young man with how much work he'd recently

caused her.

Sitting back up straight from where she hadn't even

realised she'd sat back, she gave herself a scolding

and thought, 'Time to get back into it if I want to get

home before midnight.'

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Chapter 592

On Friday morning, Harry was surprised when Hedwig

flew in through the owl window in their apartment just

as he was serving Fleur her breakfast. She bore a

copy of the Daily Prophet.

That was something she only did when what she was

carrying she thought important enough Harry had to

have it right away. And those previous two times were

not a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Releasing her of her load with gentle pets and words

of endearment, he was quick to open the paper and

scan the headlines.

The leading story was certainly attention-grabbing.

~ # ~

DARK TUESDAY

We are all now aware that many of our fine and

upstanding citizens left to attend a meeting or other

business on Tuesday night and never returned to their

homes. We now have the details of what happened

and provide you that exclusive news, writes Samuel

Wordsworth.

The news is not pleasant, dear readers. Forty seven

witches and wizards left for a meeting on Tuesday

night and shall never return to the arms of their loved

ones. Many of them Heirs to important families. One of

them, the Heir Apparent of One of the Seven; Thorfinn

Rowle.

[...]

~ # ~

The article went into the details of what the DMLE now

knew, including the names of the bodies found at Nott

Manor the previous morning. There were, as reported,

forty seven of them. Of course, one was Ronald

Weasley; and three others were of wizards who knew

the inner secrets of the Alliance.

Looking to Fleur he said, "This is why we have an

emergency meeting of the Alliance tomorrow. Eugene

Dallyhatch, Philip Bancroft and Cyril MacMillan have

been yet again confirmed as among the dead."

"Alliance secrets," said Fleur, as they were joined by

Hermione.

"What's up?" she immediately asked.

Harry handed her the paper, knowing she'd read and

absorb the information a great deal faster than he

could tell her.

"Yeah," he replied to Fleur, as he did so. "We're going

to need to figure out what secrets the Alliance knew

that have now become knowledge outside the

Alliance.

"Assume it all 'as," said Fleur. "It is not as if you keep

anything from the junior members, non?"

Hermione had only just finished when Daphne walked

out of her room. She handed her the paper before she

could even say anything.

"Did you notice how Amelia said it was an accident

and yet the reporter said 'It is believed by some that

Dark forces were at work'?" she asked.

"Yep," he replied. "And I just bet those 'some' would

be the other reporters in his office."

After a quick Tempus and as she finished putting her

earrings in, Fleur said, "While this is all interesting, I

'ave to 'ead into work."

After a quick kiss and cuddle from Harry, a hug from

the other two ladies and the usual entreaties to stay

safe Fleur left via the floo.

"Hopefully, now that this mystery has been solved,"

said Hermione, "Things will settle back down here."

The others all knew that not even the assassination of

the Minister and the entire senior management of the

Ministry could or would sway Hermione from her

focus on her OWL year.

After reading the article and a few others, Daphne set

the paper aside on the coffee table and said, "Well,

shall we gather the others and move to the Great

Hall?"

Neither of the other two objected to that.

As they were about to walk out, Harry quickly scooped

the Prophet back up and carried it under his arm. He'd

hand it off to Neville as soon as they sat at table.

Besides, as a Friday he had no classes until fourth

period Ancient Runes.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once the Heirs had walked into the Great Hall and sat

at the Slytherin table, this time, Harry handed the

paper over to Neville. His girls, sitting either side as

usual, leaned into his shoulders to read the main

article with him.

Just as with the other Heirs, Justin was well-informed

on what had happened and what it meant for the

Alliance. "Anything in there on what this means for

the Wizengamot?" he asked.

Having already read it, Harry replied, "Nothing other

than the reporter writing he was wondering the same

thing; and that no one had a decent answer for him."

With a snort, Justin said, "By 'decent' he meant

'politically explosive', right?"

Harry grinned and replied, "I think you may be right.

"But," he continued, "I think it means most, if not all,

of the dark alliance are, for now, kaput. We'll be able

to get some important and much needed legislation

passed before they can rally and block it."

"Harry," scolded Hermione. "That's callous."

"And politically expedient," he added.

"He's right," said Daphne, coming to his defence. "It

would be foolishness in the extreme to not make use

of this opportunity while it's there for the taking."

"Exactly my thoughts," he nodded.

"I think we need to hear from Amelia what it is she

needs to see passed, legislative-wise, and see if we

can get it done," he explained. "And I also think this is

the opportunity we've been looking for to see the

Ancient House of Davis finally get that Noble

appellation affixed to the front of the title of the

House; the Noble and Ancient House of Davis. Plus,

we should add the House of Abbott to that, too."

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Chapter 593

Tracey and Hannah both beamed back in happiness.

"I've not properly checked," he explained. "But, I think

there might be a couple of Noble Houses that went

extinct on Tuesday night. I've not seen any reporter

identify that issue yet, either."

Neville quickly went through the triple list of names

with Susan and Hannah helping. He was muttering

names out loud.

"...Bexley? No... Carmichael? No... Gibbon! The Noble

and Ancient House of Gibbon is one... Huntingdon!

That's another... Mulciber! Definitely; the Noble and

Elder House of Mulciber is yet another... Sweet Merlin!

The Rowle Heir Apparent was one!"

Well, there's at least three," said Daphne, smoothly

cutting in. "We'll take some time, this afternoon after

class, to write the others down.

"Harry's right. It's definitely something we can use to

see both Davis and Abbott elevated to Noble status.

We should do that before anyone else figures it out

and tries the same thing with other Houses."

"I still think it's a little callous," muttered Hermione.

"No different to what happened after the previous war,

Hermione," said Tracey. "Where do you think many of

these Noble and Elder Houses came from? Most of

them are names of Houses put forward by so-called

'reformed' Death Eaters to be elevated. Merlin; all of

them are known Death Eater Houses.

"Harry's just recommending the Alliance get in first

and put forward Houses before the dark can rally and

get their own names put forward, just as they did the

last time there was a swag of Houses that went

extinct."

"We'll need to start writing down arguments for those

two to be elevated," said Daphne.

"Why?" asked Hannah. "You think the Alliance will be

against it?" It was clear she was a little hurt the

Alliance might not be for it.

"Peace, Hannah; and no," replied Daphne. "For the

Wizengamot."

"She's right," said Neville.

"And we'll need to see if we can come up with what

might be the arguments against it," said Harry. "The

Devil's Advocate stance."

"The what?" asked Hannah, confused.

"The Devil's Advocate stance," he repeated. "It's the

arguments that are believed might be used against the

arguments we put forward. If we can reasonably

assume what they will be in advance, we can then put

forth further opposing arguments to counter them."

"Oh," she said. "I get it."

Soon after the mail-bomb, Marchbanks again stood

and asked that if any student felt impacted by what

had befallen the forty seven who had lost their lives

on Tuesday night, they should speak with their Heads

of Houses in the first instance. They would be given

fair hearing.

"If necessary," she went on, "We shall contact your

families and see what can be done to aid you. At the

very least, you may wish to attend a funeral or two.

With the permission of and accompanied by your

guardians, this will be allowed."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After the others headed off to class - electives for the

Fifth years and Charms for CeeCee, which Harry

escorted her to - he returned to the apartment with the

mail he'd received in the mail-bomb and some of the

other material he'd received from Ted a few days ago.

One he was looking forward to was information

already coming in from 'eager' real estate agents

overseas.

Ted had suggested that Harry contract an

international estate agent to act as his buyer. An idea

Harry was happy to adopt. He'd just received the first

allotment of that.

One of the places the agent had selected for his

'reading pleasure' was for a house in the suburb of

Lesmurdie in Perth. It sat on the edge of the

escarpment ridge that 'bordered' the river plain of

Perth. It had an uninterrupted view across the

reasonably flat expanse to the City of Perth and, with

the proper equipment, you could also probably see

the suburb of Thornlie, where CeeCee's adopted

family lived. As the crow flies it was only a few miles

between the two points. However, it was about a

twenty to thirty minute drive due to the almost

labyrinthine route you would need to take.

The house was almost a small mansion for its size

and was on the market for just over a quarter million

Australian Dollars. At the current exchange rates that

put it well under eighty thousand galleons. Property

was clearly a great deal cheaper in Australia than it

was in England.

With all the accompanying photographs, together with

the recommendation of the agent, Harry felt he didn't

even need to see it. He noted down an order for Ted to

buy it on his behalf and set up up a permanent

portkey for it for him.

'Once it's acquired,' he wrote, 'Ward the crap out of it

while remembering it'll be a muggle (no-mag) home

and let Sirius know. He or you have my permission to

organise for the Wilkinses to have emergency

portkeys to it. Furnish it in 'Australian modern' and

put two fully-fuelled and licenced mid-range

Australian family sedans in the garage, just in case.'

His next was a property recommended in The

Hamptons in New York State in MaCUSA. He didn't like

it, thinking it too 'wooden' and 'Nineteenth Century'.

But felt the agent was on the right track.

He jotted down some recommendations, such as

'Think modern and large rooms', and set it aside.

There were no other real estate recommendations, yet.

However, he was assured others would come in.

The final place was the one in France. That one could

be and probably would be entirely a magical home.

For that one a magical real estate agent had lucked

out. As part of a deceased estate of the last remaining

member of a Venerated House, a small manor house -

or large chateau, really - had only just come onto the

market. Harry thought the price was a little too steep,

so he wrote down instructions to negotiate hard to

acquire it.

If the negotiations collapsed, so be it. He'd just hold

out for another, similar, home to come onto the market

at a later time. There was no rush. After all, there was

still over two and half years before he'd be done with

his NEWTs. Until he'd completed them about the

longest time he'd be able to live in the property until

then was about a month a year - more like two weeks.

It would actually be cheaper to rent and far easier to

stay in Delacour Manoir; as he knew Apolline would

practically demand, anyway.

Next was setting a couple of sheets of parchment up

with the headings; 'Arguments For Elevation of Davis',

'Arguments Against Elevation of Davis' and two more

the same for Abbott.

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Chapter 594

Once organised he began to write down on a scrap of

parchment his thoughts about all four.

After that day's classes and work for Fleur, the other

three added their own ideas.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Fleur had to be up early and into Gringotts, that

morning, even though it was a Saturday.

"Some people who 'ave inherited vaults 'ave been in

to 'ave the contents of those vaults cleaned, 'Arry,"

she explained. "Some items in them 'ave been

determined to 'ave curses on them. Bill's second in

command wants to make a start on inventorying all

that, today. I will be back before you leave for the

meeting, I promise."

"It's alright, Fleur," he said, trying to get her to

understand he wasn't upset, though it seemed she

thought he was. "I completely understand. Just... stay

safe."

"I will," she said, leaning forward to give him a kiss to

the cheek. "I am not yet skilled enough to even 'andle

the dangerous items yet, mon cher. Do not worry."

After she left, the others worked on their assignments

put off from during the school week due to the

ructions that had occurred.

By lunch, they'd got many of those out of the way and

were packing up when the Finch-Fletchleys knocked

on their door.

After being let in by Hermione, Justin asked, "Ready

for lunch?"

"Just packing up," replied Harry.

"Tracey's gone to alert Neville and his ladies," said the

other boy as he stood not far inside the doorway,

waiting.

That's when Harry noticed only CeeCee was with him.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After lunch and dressed in upmarket casual, as they'd

been for the whole day to that point, the Heirs headed

to the Headmistress's office to floo from there. They

could have flooed direct from the Potter apartment,

but again Harry had promised not to use the floo that

way and he was determined not to break trust.

Of course, they flooed directly to where it was being

held that day; the refurbished Black Townhouse.

Stepping out into the welcoming room at 'The Kennel',

Andi was quick with the escorting duties through to

the formal dining room. As Heir(ess) Primary, it was

now her role.

Walking in, Harry noticed what he thought was

temporary additions had been made to the wizard

space with the room now larger than when he was last

there. His expression must have reflected his surprise

because Andi immediately said, "Sirius has had all the

wizard spacing redone. He recognised a few rooms

would need to be made even bigger, just for this sort

of thing."

Harry nodded and said "Thank you."

As Andi returned to the welcoming room he went over

to talk to Frank.

"Bad news. A bad situation, all round," Frank

immediately said.

"Yeah," he returned. "Any ideas, yet, on just how

many Alliance secrets any of those three blabbed

about?" He knew he did not need to mention which

three he was talking about.

"We have to assume all of them," said Frank.

As Harry looked about he was looking for specific

individuals. Not seeing them, he asked, "Where's

Newton; and did Eliza come?" He saw Augustus

talking with Amelia. Ernie was also with them.

"Newton and Hypatia begged off," replied Frank.

"They're both in shock about what their boy did and,

of course, dying. However, both were well-prepared to

give magical vows they had no idea Philip was

involved with the dark.

"And Eliza came because Priscilla turned up at her

place and insisted. She's in with the ladies in Sirius's

office. She didn't want her sitting in that house on her

lonesome."

"Eugene Dallyhatch was a surprise," he muttered. "I

would have thought, of our members, both

Puvingsons were more likely."

"Indeed, for Eugene," said Frank. "But, Phineas lost

his wife to those bastards in the war twenty years ago.

I cannot ever see him wanting anything to do with

them."

"Ah!" said Harry. "I forgot about that."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As they were one of the last to arrive, the meeting

started in short order. Sirius, as host, of course

chaired the meeting.

Harry was worried his godfather was going to make

light of the situation. He didn't, though. Andi sat

behind and took minutes.

He asked, "As this is an emergency meeting of the

Alliance and not a regularly scheduled one, do I have

your approval to allow the minutes of the previous

meeting to be rescheduled for the next general

scheduled meeting?"

When there were no dissenters he immediately turned

to Amelia and asked her to report, as the one

requesting the emergency meeting, as to why she felt

it was needed.

Of course, there was no one there who didn't already

know, but procedures were procedures.

Bones gave a quick overview of what had happened

over the previous near-week, apologised there was

further information but was unable to relay what it was

as it was information relating to a still ongoing

investigation and the short term fall out from that.

"Questions for House Bones?" asked Sirius.

There were a couple of small ones, but nothing too

onerous.

Then he asked, "So, what do you need the Alliance to

help see happen, Amelia?"

Her response surprised Harry, but he knew it

shouldn't have.

"With this many Houses of Noble lines, all considered

dark, bereft of their Heads, this gives the Alliance a

golden opportunity to capitalise on that before the

dark alliances can regain their feet," she explained.

"We would be fools not to make hay while the sun

shines."

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Chapter 595

While her words were different, she'd expressed the

same views Harry had expressed only the previous

day with the Heirs.

Sirius wasn't surprised and just nodded. "Very well.

Obviously you've thought of some things we can do.

Let's hear them."

That led Amelia to going into a overview, almost in

verbal 'dot point', each of the things she thought she

could now get past a decimated Wizengamot.

Firstly, she wanted a Wizengamot-ordered increase to

the DMLE budget; and for that budget to be tied as a

minimal percentage to the entire Ministry budget. No

one was against that but she'd need to draft the

required legislation to get it done.

Secondly, just as Harry did, she believed they'd now

have the numbers, not only to get the House of Davis

elevated to Noble status, but also House Abbott. And

argued that there were four existing Noble Houses

that all went extinct on Tuesday evening - Harry and

the others thought there were five, but they'd

obviously missed an Heir in there somewhere.

Frank asked, "If there are four, do we have

recommendations for the other two?"

Harry immediately replied, "Do we know any Ancient

Houses, even though they're not members of the

Alliance, that would be considered of the Light? Or, at

least Light Grey? The only one I know of off the top of

my head is Lovegood."

Puvingson gave a snort and almost-snarked, "There's

far more than that."

"And I confess I don't know them," said Harry, not

fazed. "And, not knowing, I'll withhold opinion."

"Moving on," said Sirius. "Please think about it as the

meeting progresses and see if you can suggest

Houses by the end of the meeting."

Thirdly, Amelia believed Sirius's Bill should be pushed

through with all haste. No one disagreed, but

Puvingson did give another quiet harrumph of

annoyance.

Fourthly, she wanted existing laws to be gone through

with the intent to strip out those Statutes, or sections

of Statutes, that protected the 'wrong sort of people'.

Harry immediately thought of the one that protected

purebloods from the use of Veritaserum in trials, but

didn't say anything.

Fifthly, a law that would require all Ministry personnel

to give oaths to always support the lawful government

of the time, to never work contrary to the law, or be

required to resign from the Ministry and not able to

return unless willing to make such an oath.

There were others, but she was happy to table only

those five for now.

That led to a discussion on, as she put it, how to make

use of the opportunity presented to them and a few

leapt at it with both hands and their thoughts.

While the meeting was an 'emergency' session, it went

on for quite some time. No one wanted to stop until

they'd hashed out everything they could do to make

use of it.

Finally, Molly Fanwater piped up and asked, "What do

we do about the Houses of the three traitors to the

Alliance?"

Frank immediately said, "I say, nothing. As I told Harry

earlier, Both Newton and Hypatia were prepared to

offer vows they had no idea their son, Philip, was even

likely to do something like this; Eliza has lost her

husband, the last of the House of Dallyhatch - now, for

all purposes, extinct - and, furthermore, also

apparently had no idea her husband would do

something like this; and I know Augustus is both

devastated at the loss of his son and Heir Apparent

and horrified he'd turn on his family, let alone the

Alliance." And gave a nod in Augustus's direction,

acknowledging the man.

"This is something that individuals have done, with

the exception of Eugene even against their Houses,"

he continued. "Augustus is even talking about

Disowning Cyril, even in death, just from the shame of

it."

"We do nothing?" asked Hugh Shakedale. "After what

those three did?"

"They're dead," said Harry, a little firmly. "It would be

flogging a dead horse, expecting it to feel pain, when

it's its harness mates who will suffer for it. The sins of

the father should not unjustifiably be borne by the son

and vice versa. As such, I feel it would be unjust to

sanction the Houses of which they were members.

Therefore, I agree with Frank. We leave it be, except to

offer our commiserations to their families."

"Well said," said Griselda. "They're both right. They're

dead. Leave the dead be."

"However," said Harry. "I would have no hesitation to

act if the... perpetrator... still lived."

That was the end of it. All three Houses would remain

member Houses of the Alliance as a mark of respect

for the still living members of those Houses.

During that whole exchange, old Augustus sat almost

perfectly still in his seat as if frozen; the somewhat

masked expression on his face, the only sign of the

pain he felt. He never said a word, either way. He

barely said a word throughout the whole meeting.

Harry caught the swift look of gratitude directed his

way from Ernie MacMillan, though. On the death of his

father Ernie was now Heir Apparent and, therefore, sat

behind his grandfather.

After the meeting he learned that Ernie was now living

with his grandparents at their manor, as his mother

had passed away while he was still a small child and

only he and his father lived in a small 'holiday'

chateau near Blackpool until then.

The meeting went past dinner, even at Hogwarts. So,

on return to the castle, Harry quickly invited the other

Heirs to dinner in the Potter apartment. He'd called for

Dobby before they even left the Black Townhouse to

let him know he'd be doing that; and to expect their

return about half an hour hence.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Dinner around the again slightly stretched dining table

in the Potter apartment was spent with those who

were in the meeting telling those who were not what

was discussed and decided upon. Because she didn't

have opportunity for dinner either, Astoria was asked

to join them. She was relieved to reply in the

affirmative.

Those who were in were Harry, Neville, Justin, Fleur

(at the table and representing her father), Susan,

Astoria and CeeCee. Those not were Hermione,

Daphne, Hannah and Tracey. Ernie had yet to return to

school, so was not in on the dinner.

As an aside and feeling empathy for the boy, Susan

had promised him she'd collect copies of class notes

and assignments for him and forward them to him via

owl. She didn't know why she didn't mention HEED,

but wasn't bothered she didn't.

As it was a Sunday and there were no classes the next

day, the Heirs sat around discussing what a

momentous week they'd just gone through.

"Tuesday's Wizengamot meeting is also going to be a

big one," said Daphne. "Many will still be confused

and in shock or dealing with lost Heirs and other

loved ones, while others are going to be like sharks at

a feeding frenzy.

"That's what my father told me happened immediately

after Riddle was... vanquished. At least, this time, the

light are going to be better prepared than the dark."

When it ended up after curfew and both Astoria and

CeeCee were beginning to 'flag' from tiredness,

Daphne had Betsy elf-apparate Astoria direct to her

dorm room in Slytherin and Tracey took CeeCee back

to the Finch-Fletchley apartment.

When Tracey returned she said, "CeeCee was asleep

before I even closed her bedroom door."

Daphne immediately called Betsy and asked, "Did you

make sure Astoria was in bed before you left?"

"Oh, yes, Mistress," she replied. "Betsy had to change

her into her sleepwear, though."

Daphne smiled and said, "Thank you, Betsy. You've

done well."

When the little ladies' maid elf popped away she

turned to Harry, who'd been watching, and explained,

"Stori tends to go to sleep in her day clothes if she's

tired. She won't even take the time to change before

going to sleep."

He just nodded.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Thankfully, the Sunday was a lot less stressful. And

almost all the Heirs spent the entire day working on

assignments. It wasn't until then Harry learned

Neville's two had learned sometime in the past that

Harry had Dobby populate the bookshelves in the

Potter apartment with books relating to what they

were studying and demanded the same of Neville for

the office in their apartment. Tracey finally did the

same with books from Davis Estate in the FinchFletchley apartment.

Therefore, none of the Heirs had to go to the school

library to get books to complete their assignments.

They had what they needed on hand; and, if they

didn't, one of the other two apartments was likely to

have it.

Well before the day was over, all the Heirs had caught

up with their assignments ready to start a new school

week the next day. They'd even spent part of the

afternoon in the Room of Requirements in its 'gym'

configuration and engaged in a light workout.

OWL year was a very busy year. However, that was no

excuse to allow their hard earned fitness to lapse, the

previous half-week aside. The Heirs had continued

with their training upon their return to the castle. They

were, however, down to training almost entirely only

one day a week and on weekends.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 596

On the Monday afternoon, as the adults of the Alliance

couldn't communicate with any of the Heirs during

'class time', Harry had barely begun walking back to

the apartment with Hermione, Neville and his two

when his mirror vibrated.

Justin had bypassed to the Charms corridor to meet

up with Tracey and Daphne to escort them back to the

apartment. He and Harry would switch-about on who

would go and get them.

Answering it as he walked, Harry saw as Sirius

popped in on the 'screen' before he could say a word

and said, "You're walking; therefore, you're not back

at the apartment yet. Mirror me when you're back

there. Mirror off!"

Blinking in surprise as the mirror surface returned to

an ordinary mirror, Harry muttered, "Ohhh-kaaaay!"

"That was uncommonly abrupt," said Neville.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After the Potters entered their apartment Harry

immediately contacted Sirius and said, "Okay. We're

in the Potter apartment. What's going on?"

"We were right to strike while the wand-tip was lit,

Pup," said Sirius. "We're not the only ones to think

that.

"Ogden's been given notice by some of the dark

Houses to elevate some of theirs in place of the four

Noble Houses lost on Tuesday night. They're putting

up Flint, Stebbins, Higgs and Bole. With the exception

of Flint, an Ancient House, they're all Elders."

"I'm unsurprised," said Harry. "As Daphne said, that's

what they did in November 1981. But, Flint's a

surprise."

"As a Member, Fawley's the one actually pushing it

and Rowle's backing him," said Sirius "But, it's Flint's

gold that'll be paying for it."

Fawley and Thaddeus Rowle were two of the few

remaining dark Members of the Wizengamot who

weren't at that meeting. Bones suspected it was

because Fawley was over on the continent, having

gone straight there from the Wizengamot session due

to an unbreakable business meeting, not that he didn't

want to be there. However, while Fawley was an

Ancient House, it was also a somewhat poor one. And

Rowle just wouldn't have been bothered. The man,

though Lord of a dark House, was a complete mystery

and enigma. His son and Heir, Thorfinn Rowle, was a

'known' Death Eater and had been at the meeting.

It took Harry only a moment to figure out Flint's game

plan.

"Flint will be bribing as many of the Members as

possible to get at least his House elevated," said

Harry. "Fight fire with fire and counter it, gold for gold.

You have my permission to open the Potter vaults to

counter-bribe those same Members to have our

recommendations take precedence."

Sirius frowned a moment, looking ready to disagree,

before Harry could see acceptance in his eyes. "I don't

like it," he admitted, "But I think it's the right way to

go. However, I'll share the costs."

"Actually, let's be up front about this. I don't want you

to bribe Members for their votes; I want you to buy

their votes. Bribing is illegal, buying is not. Be upfront

about it and we come out with clean hands."

While Sirius gave a short barking laugh, Harry said, "I

think it'll only be temporary, anyway. I cannot see

those four we help not showing their... gratitude... for

us taking that financial hit on their behalf. They may

not be able to pay the financial debt, but that's neither

here nor there for me; and I don't care much about it,

even so."

Still chuckling, Sirius nodded and said, "I'll see if I can

find out who Flint's already bribed and'll bribe... sorry,

buy them back the other way. Plus, see what I can do

to br- buy others. Besides, I don't really think most of

them would want those four Houses on the 'Mot,

anyway."

Wondering, Harry asked, "Who were the other two

Houses that were decided upon by the Alliance,

anyway?"

"Diggory and Spinnet," his godfather immediately

replied. "A fifth was Hilliard, just in case. All

Ancients."

Surprised, Harry said, "I know of the first two. I've not

heard of Hilliard before."

"A somewhat Light House," said Sirius. "Light enough

for us, at any rate. How do you know the first two?"

"Diggory was last year's Head Boy and Hogwarts'

champion, remember? And there's an Alicia Spinnet in

Seventh Year, who currently plays chaser for the

Gryffindor Lions."

Sirius only nodded back and said, "Anyways; must be

off. I've got some bri- purchases to make."

"Wait a tic," Harry quickly cut in.

"Yes?"

"If we're going the vote-buying route; 'Go big or go

home', as I once heard someone say," he said. "If

we're going to counter-bribe Members to get our four

nominations for Noble status elevated ahead of the

dark, you may as well pay out gold to see the rest of

the recommendations we came up with passed."

Sirius looked a little surprised but replied, "Yeah; I can

see that. I'll see what I can do."

Harry immediately said, "Bon chance, Padfoot."

"Luck isn't necessary if you're prepared to throw gold

about." his godfather grinned before he signed off.

As soon as the connection closed and Harry carefully

lobbed the mirror onto the coffee table, Hermione

quietly said, "I don't think I'm comfortable with bribing

Members of the Wizengamot, Harry."

When he looked to her she was frowning. He was

about to explain why when Daphne beat him to it.

"There's that perfect world of yours again, Hermione,"

she said. "No, Harry's right. The meeting is tomorrow

and there's no time to counter the bribes already paid

without making counter-bribes. There's insufficient

time to convince those bribed to do the right thing and

not accept the offered gold.

"You might not like it, but it's the way things get done;

especially when you're out of time. Plus it's not as if

Harry, let alone Sirius, can't afford it. To Harry, it

barely puts a dent in the interest payments he

receives from his investments, let alone going

anywhere near the capital."

"It's still dishonest," Hermione mulishly muttered.

Neither Harry nor Daphne felt like getting into an

argument about it, so let it go. For one, though, Harry

didn't think it was dishonest; not if you were prepared

to be public about it. But he agreed it wasn't to the

intent of why the Wizengamot existed, either.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 597

With yet another 9.00am start for the Wizengamot

session, with only Harry of the Heirs attending this

time, it was prearranged the previous night he met

Headmistress Lady Marchbanks in her office at

8.15am. They were going early to meet the other

voting Members of the Alliance in Ogden's Chief

Warlock office before joining the other Members in the

Members' Antechamber to 'politick' votes - and hand

over 'payments', where necessary.

Walking into the Headmistress's office right on time,

she was clearly only waiting on him.

"Good morning, Lady Marchbanks," he merrily

chirped.

She chuckled a little and said, "And, good morning to

you, Lord Potter. Well met."

She indicated the floo and said, "Shall we?"

Harry gave a nod and walked over to the floo, reached

up and took a large pinch of floo powder.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Again escorting Marchbanks on his arm, Harry 'led'

the two straight through to Ogden's office.

Inside, he was just in time to see Frank hand

something over to Sirius. It was a set of small

mokeskin money pouches.

Ogden was sitting in his office chair with his hand

deliberately covering his eyes and loudly humming

some tune.

Harry couldn't help it; he snickered in amusement.

Marchbanks more openly softly cackled.

Snatching his hand away as Sirius dropped the

pouches into the left 'hip' pocket of his robes, Ogden

looked to his two latest guests and said, "Harry,

Griselda, nice of you to make it."

"And fair morning to you; oh great, wise and

wonderful Lord Chief Warlock most just," said Harry,

acting all poncy and dropping into a courtly bow.

Ogden grinned and said, "Stuff it, Potter. I'm not

falling for it, this time."

That had Sirius and Frank, at least, snickering while

Marchbanks again softly cackled.

The last time Harry made a similar production of his

greeting, Ogden retaliated with words that had

Marchbanks tag him with the Filthy Mouth charm.

"You'll not be using Griselda to pull a prank on me,"

Ogden sternly waggled a finger at him. However, his

eyes belied the mirth he was feeling.

Harry returned a look of pure innocence. It fooled no

one, as it earned him more snickering.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once all eight voting Members of the Alliance arrived

in the office, including MacMillan, they moved en

masse to the Members' Antechamber.

As soon as they did, the politicking started.

Harry only had a fair idea of just who Sirius had

managed to get to the previous night - and didn't learn

until after the meeting that Frank was 'assisting' with

contacting them - but it seemed to have been quite a

few.

Some of those Members, with clear greed in their

eyes, approached him with words along the lines of

'wondering if they might be able to assist with getting

certain motions passed'. In those cases, Harry

immediately redirected them to Sirius; or Frank, if

Sirius was busy.

One witch Member who Harry knew to be 'of the

Light', but independent, cast a filthy look at him. As

Harry passed by, he quietly said to her, "Needs must,

I'm sorry to say. Just... keep an eye on Lord Fawley

and you'll soon see why."

What he was watching for, though, was if Fawley was

able to determine what was going on. It took him a

while, but he did about twenty minutes before they

had to enter the Chamber. Then it was clear to see he

began to panic and was rapidly trying to speak to

many of those Frank and Sirius had already spoken

to, with small money pouches having already

surreptitiously changed hands.

With a few minutes to go, Fawley was fast

approaching the point it looked like he was going to

draw wand and start hexing. Harry was quick to warn

Bones of that, though it was unnecessary as she was

also watching and was just as quick to alert her

aurors to carefully watch the man. However, he either

figured out he was being watched, or had managed to

get his anger under control before he did something

he'd regret.

Pity. It likely would have made things just that little bit

more easier, if he hadn't.

Harry was surprised that Rowle hadn't turned up for it.

As One of the Seven, he really should have been there

even if his son was one of the dead.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

While the emergency meeting was called for the

purpose of 'officially' informing the Members of the

loss of fourteen of their own and the other thirty three

who lost their lives, it was to also announce that four

of those they lost were the last of Noble lines.

That had Fawley immediately stand and give a clearly

well-rehearsed speech that it 'behooved them to

immediately seek worthy Houses to replace their

numbers so that the leadership of our fair land is not

further compromised'. He then added to it with what

wasn't as well-rehearsed with entreaties, 'They simply

must be replaced with Houses of a similar political

bent', 'It would dishonour their sacrifice to chose

others who were not so' and 'I can easily see it would

utterly destabilise this Chamber to choose others',

etcetera.

Those last three were already foreseen and arguments

against them prepared. Sirius stood to make his

arguments, speaking about how many Houses were

replaced after the 'previous' war with other lesser

Houses and how those Houses were, as history

showed, 'not of the same political bent, as Lord

Fawley put it' and wondered 'how Lord Fawley could

use the word sacrifice, when they were struck down

by what evidence showed was a potions accident

while attending a meeting of "suspicious" intent',

among other points.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 598

Frank then stood to speak about how there were quite

a number of Ancient Houses that must have felt quite

slighted over Elder Houses being elevated before

them and how he'd 'recently confirmed he was right

concerning many of them' as 'he'd had discussions

with many of them and they voiced just that ire'. And

immediately named the Houses of Abbott, Davis,

Diggory and Spinnet for elevation, 'All four are

Ancient Houses and not those of lesser rank', before

anyone else could nominate Houses.

That led to a few others nominating a House or two

before Fawley demanded the opportunity to speak for

a second time. The other nominated Houses were all

Elder Houses, so the Alliance Members did not speak

about them, choosing instead to ignore them. But

Harry was surprised that one of them nominated was

the Elder House of Weasley.

Ogden, amused, allowed it. The arguments Fawley

had already put up had been neatly and completely

cast down as if Fiendfyre'd. And he clearly wanted to

see the man get utterly verbally beaten down even

more.

Fawley immediately nominated the four they already

knew he would: Flint, Stebbins, Higgs and Bole. Then

spoke to the work they'd done 'on behalf of our

wonderful and richly diverse society' and that

'Members should see them rightfully rewarded with

elevation to the Nobility'.

Harry thought he was stupid to nominate all four, as it

was already clear he'd not be getting the last three

through. If it was he, he'd have only nominated Flint;

hoping to at least get his backer's House through.

That was Harry's opening and Ogden was quick to

give him the floor. He spoke to his support of the

Ancient House of Abbott and its contributions to their,

'as Lord Fawley eloquently put it, wonderful and richly

diverse society'. Then moved on to the Ancient

Houses of Davis, Diggory and Spinnet. Each time he

made sure to name them with their full title, 'The

Ancient House of' with emphasis on the word

'Ancient'.

And finally asked if any Member, who had not already

given their views, could name just what contribution

the House of Flint, he didn't append 'Ancient' to the

name, had contributed to their society within the last

fifty years or so; let alone what the three lesser

Houses Fawley put forward had done.

He wound up with quickly and more succinctly

reiterating what Sirius had said about how many of

the Ancient Houses must have felt slandered or even

defamed, when lesser Houses were elevated ahead of

them. "A vote for the Ancient Houses of Abbott, Davis,

Diggory and Spinnet to be elevated would go a long

way towards rectifying what I see as a grave error

made in the early days of November of 1981." And

begged the current Members 'not to repeat that same

mistake'.

During his whole speech, Harry could see Fawley

staring back at him in loathing hate, but that he was

also terrified of something and concealing it quite

poorly. Harry thought he'd probably made certain

promises to Flint and could see that Flint wasn't going

to get what he clearly desperately wanted.

'Fawley's a Dead Man Walking, perhaps?' he thought.

When another tried to say how it was 'too soon' to 'go

choosing replacements when the previous Seat

holders were not yet even in the ground' that was shot

down by Amelia. She simply reminded Members that

they had precedence to do this, based on what

occurred only fourteen years ago. And asked why that

same Member who'd asked for them to delay did not

speak up so back then.

That Member, from a Dark House, kept their mouth

firmly shut and refused to answer.

Then she 'suggested' the matter had been spoken

upon long enough and voting should immediately be

held before they moved on to the next item of

business of the session; the 'properly recorded'

reason for the session.

Surprising Harry, they managed to get all four

through. As of that moment the Houses of Abbott,

Davis, Diggory and Spinnet were elevated with a title

change to 'The Noble and Ancient House of'.

The list Amelia made clear she had on her 'needs' list

for legislation was not made known at that meeting as

she could not raise it at an emergency meeting not for

that purpose. However, Harry knew she'd be making a

start on it at the December meeting in four weeks.

The Minister was then asked to give a report on the

state of the Ministry, since many of those 'lost' were

Ministry employees. Brunt spoke about what he'd

done in the short time he'd had and what he'd planned

to do going forward to ensure the Ministry remained

both operational and effective.

That brought the meeting to an end.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Back once again in Ogden's Chief Warlock office, the

Alliance 'Mot members again gathered.

Before even sitting down, Ogden - chuckling away as

he did so - had gone to his liquor cabinet, pulled out a

bottle of fire-whiskey and eight shot glasses and

brought them to his desk.

He was still trying to stifle his laughter so much he

was a poor hand at pouring those shots, but didn't

care.

As the glasses were being handed out - even Harry

got one - he asked, "Anyone know if Fawley has an

Heir?"

"He doesn't," said Sirius. "Why'd―" Then it dawned

on him. "You think Flint's going to kill him, don't you."

That had the others look back in surprise.

He shrugged and smirked. "Fawley did a pretty poor

job of masking the terror I think he was feeling as he

watched his promise to Flint shrivel up and die. As

one of the last remaining members of the Inner Circle

of Voldemort's little gang of thugs, who isn't already

dead or incarcerated, I think he knows what his short

term future is likely to be."

Bones gave a snort and said, "Well, lets not let Madam

Bones, Director of the DMLE, know that, shall we? As

he's a Member of the Wizengamot, she might then feel

obligated to offer the man protection." And smirked as

she sipped from her shot glass.

"Perish the thought," said Frank. And laughed.

Augustus quietly sighed and put down his empty shot

glass onto Ogden's desk. Then he muttered, "I need to

get home to Esther. She's worried, of late, when we're

apart for more than a few minutes."

As he rose the others all wished him the best. And he

let himself out.

"There goes a broken man," said Samuel.

No one disagreed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 599

As the session was a relatively short one, Harry was

back in plenty of time to get to the first half of his

double Transfiguration class.

Before he left the Headmistress's office, though, he

mentioned, "You might want to let Alicia Spinnet, a

Seventh year Gryffindor, know in private the sudden

surprise her House just got ennobled. "I'd hate to see

her pass out tomorrow morning at breakfast when it's

on the front page of the Daily Prophet."

Marchbanks cackled and said, "Then perhaps you

would be so kind as to ask her to come see me? With

what it has meant, of late, for students to be brought

to see me..." And left it hanging.

Harry nodded and said, "Say no more, I understand.

I'll see her at the start of lunch and let her know."

Marchbanks nodded and said, "That sounds a less

threatening method, thank you."

"As she is often joined at the hip by the Misses

Johnson and Bell, would it be alright for me to let her

know they can join her?"

Surprised at the idea, she replied, "That's a very

clever idea, too, Lord Potter. Do that, would you?"

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied with a smile back.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As he usually did after a Wizengamot session that had

him back at the school with time to attend class, Harry

hurried up to the apartment, changed, grabbed his

satchel and quickly headed down to the

Transfiguration classroom before quietly letting

himself in. Professor Biffingwater never had a

problem with him being late, as he knew why.

However, he had to sit in the back row so as not to

disturb the other students individually, or the class in

general. And, after trying it on a couple of occasions,

Hermione couldn't bring herself to sitting in the back

waiting for him so apologised and returned to sitting

in the from as usual. Neville sat with her.

She claimed sitting in the back made her too

uncomfortable. Besides, more than half the time he

wouldn't be back in time to sit in the class, anyway.

And Harry didn't have a problem with it, especially as

he also knew the girl would find it difficult not to

immediately hammer him with questions about the

session. She was doing better, but she still had her

moments. The results of an emergency session of the

Wizengamot, especially with so much riding on the

line, would have snapped her self-control; he knew.

She could wait the remaining hour out and ask then.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once the class was done, after gesturing for the two

to wait back Harry waited for Hermione and Neville to

join him as the rest of the class emptied out.

When the last few stragglers left, he told them what

had happened.

Even Neville was almost vibrating in excitement. Harry

could see he wanted to dash off, right then and there,

to see Hannah. However, he had the self-discipline to

remain polite.

"Excuse me, Harry, Hermione," he carefully said. "But,

I simply must go speak with Hannah. If you'll excuse

me?"

Harry grinned and said, "That's fine. Just stay―"

That was as far as he got before Neville was already

out the door and gone.

"Safe." And grinned at Hermione. "Do you think he'll

remember to tell Tracey?"

She giggled back and said, "Maybe we should go

make sure of that."

As he rose, chuckling in amusement while he slung

his satchel over his shoulder, he said, "Why not.

However, I need to see Alicia Spinnet on the way in

the door of the Great Hall. I have to let her know she

needs to go speak with Gr- I mean, the Headmistress. I

think 'Lady Marchbanks' would like the honour of

telling her."

Hermione nodded and said, "We can do that."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As he said he needed to, as they walked in the doors

of the Great Hall, Harry immediately turned his eyes

towards where he knew the 'Three Flying Foxes' usual

sat, seeing them straight away.

He turned to Hermione and said, "Please go join the

others. I'll let Alicia know before I come over."

Hermione gave a happy and amused smirk back

before she kissed him on the cheek and said, "Off you

go, then." And walked over to where the Heirs were

sitting at the Hufflepuff table.

Harry approached the three and caught Spinnet's

gaze. Once he did, he quietly leaned in and, with a

relaxed smile, said, "It's nothing bad, I assure you;

but, the Headmistress asked me to ask you to stop by

and see her before the end of lunch. She won't have a

problem with Angie or Katie or both joining you."

At first wary and then confused, she asked, "It's

nothing bad, is it?"

"No," he grinned. "It's shocking, but in a good way. It's

not for me to tell. She wanted the honour to tell you,

herself."

"Alright," she carefully said. "Thank you, Harry."

He gave a nod back and made his way over to the

'Puff table.

He knew he had a very excited 'interrogation' in his

very near future.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 600

Between mouthfuls of lunch, Harry gave the highlights

of the Wizengamot emergency session. He did not

need to tell either Hannah or Tracey the news, as

Neville had already covered it before he got there.

That was clear by how both looked so effably pleased

and relaxed.

However, they all wanted to know how difficult it was

to get through.

"It wasn't," he replied. "Because we were prepared

and knew what Fawley was going to try, Sirius, Frank

and I got in first. As Three of the Seven what we had

to say on the matter carried a lot of weight. All four of

our first choices were accepted and Flint, let alone the

others, barely warranted a mention from anyone, but

Fawley and someone else who was obviously

'prepped' to speak in favour of Flint and the others."

"Weight, indeed," muttered a smirking Daphne. To

Harry, she was obviously referring to the weight of the

little mokeskin bags of galleons.

"A couple of others put a few Houses forward... one

was Weasley... but our four got the vast majority of the

votes.

"It was easy to see that Fawley was terrified, though. I

think he believes Flint's probably going to kill him,

because he failed to get at least the Ancient House of

Flint ennobled."

Daphne, who'd been thinking, said, "Yeah... He might

be right. Flint the younger was a vindictive... pardon

me... bastard. And I heard his father is even worse.

Fawley doesn't have an Heir, I think, so there may be

yet another ennobled House about to go extinct."

Harry nodded and said, "That was our thoughts, too."

Harry had finally managed to eat enough for lunch

when he heard Spinnet let out a cry from near the

head table. "They did WHAT?!"

When he turned to look, he was just in time to see the

girl, standing with her two friends one either side of

her and before the head table in from of Marchbanks,

suddenly faint. Bell was quick enough to catch her

before she completely collapsed.

Harry, for one, snickered. Within the Hall, he wasn't

the only one.

After the shock of seeing Spinnet faint, Hermione

turned to him and frowned. "Harry," she firmly, but

softly, said. "That's not nice."

"Bloody funny, though," said Neville, also snickering.

Susan lightly whacked him on his upper arm, but was

also smiling at the time.

He said, "Sirius and Frank are going to approach the

now Lords Diggory and Spinnet to inform them both

of what happened and see if they're interested in

joining the Alliance. First in, first dressed; and all

that."

Daphne gave a firm nod and said, "Good. Though they

don't know it yet, both owe you big."

Hannah asked, "Did Auntie Amelia have any more

news about what actually happened on Tuesday

night?"

Harry was glad no one seemed to have read anything

more into Daphne's remark, other than he was part of

the Alliance that led to their nominations. He didn't

want anyone bar 'his' and those involved to know he

put gold into bribing the 'Mot to get their four

nominations accepted and successfully voted upon to

be elevated.

"She and her people have some theories," he replied.

"However, she was quick to add that that's all they

were... theories. However, she did not feel ready to

share them with anyone yet."

After hearing where people were found within the

manor, especially Weasley, Harry had his own theory

and thought he was right. He'd share it with his - and

only his - that night. He'd say nothing else to anyone

else about it until then, though.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After classes ended for the day, Hermione subtly tried

to press for more information. However, Harry was

firm in his conviction not to expand or expound on

anything more related to the session until Fleur was

'home'. It was the same stance he gave from the

session only a week ago and the session last month.

When Fleur did arrive back, though, Harry delayed

even further. "Fleur needs to be brought up-to-date

with what you two already know, Hermione," he firmly

stated. "I'll add to that after dinner."

Though frustrated, she still apologised for what she

knew were her still-trying-to-be-corralled desires to

'know absolutely everything'.

After he passed on the information and checking the

time, he said, "Now. Tell us about your day. Anything

interesting happen you can share?"

She gave a firm nod and said, "The goblins knew of

the elevation of the four 'Ouses almost immediately. I

also took the time to write my papa about them and

'ad that sent off at lunch, so you do not need to worry

about it.

------------------------