HPWW611-620

Chapter 611

Robards was quickly stepping through the ward and

onto the platform of the piste with his wand raised,

but Harry knew he'd be too late.

Harry then didn't hesitate. With the boy charging

forward as his wand was coming slashing down, he

raised his own to point back between his knees,

gripping it with both hands in the process, snapaimed down the shaft and silently point-cast right

back. Mentally, he simply thought, 'Bang!' to launch

the charm. It was his 'need-it-right-now' curse and the

one he religiously cast over and over, practice after

practice, when he wasn't accompanied, even by

Hermione - the Percutio piercing curse.

"KE-DAV―!" Nott managed to get out before Harry's

piercing curse hit slightly low of right where he'd

aimed, the middle of the boy's forehead and right

between his eyes. Almost distractedly, Harry realised

he'd not accounted for the low angle of the cast with

Nott's charge forward, so hit an inch lower than

planned.

Not having even a rudimentary shield in place, the

curse snapped Nott's head back on impact. Then, with

the head snapping back as the body continued to

move forward, the legs just stopped, acted as a drag

and the body almost catapulted forward as if tripped

to land face down on the floor. It bounced a little, just

the once, only five feet from Harry's feet; cocked

slightly onto the right side. And didn't move.

Knowing he'd killed him and knowing he'd really had

no choice, Harry let out the breath he was holding as

he lowered his wand to his side and the back of his

head back to the floor. "Oww..!" The impact of the

curse to the back was now letting its presence known

with pain.

Then, as Harry felt quite nauseous, things went black.

The last thing he'd heard as he'd passed out was

multiple female screaming and other shouts of shock,

fear and outrage.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Coming back awake, he did so sluggishly.

Harry found himself, yet again, waking up in a hospital

or infirmary bed. And yet again his loves were sitting

in chairs watching over him. However, he didn't know

that second part until after he'd unwillingly groaned.

"Harry!?" he heard Hermione cry.

"Easy, Hermione," he then heard Daphne say. "Let him

come around, first."

Blinking open his eyes and licking his lips he felt a

straw poked at his lips and quickly captured it. And

managed to take a couple of quick draws of the chilled

water before it was taken away again.

"Not too much," he heard a strange female voice say.

Finally managing to get some focus into his eyes he

could see it was a medi-witch who'd offered him the

water. And must have been the one who'd told him

'not too much'.

Looking to the other side he saw Hermione and

Daphne standing side-by-side and felt both their

hands holding that one of his own.

"How... long... was―" he managed before he was

interrupted.

"We're you out?" asked Daphne. "Almost four hours."

Hermione, still sniffling from obviously crying, said,

"Nott hit you with a dark organ liquefying curse in the

back just above your right kidney. It found a gap

between the plates of dragon hide armour. Luckily, not

directly."

Daphne added, "The Captain of the Piste, Master

Auror Robards, had immediately recognised it from

the cast as it flew through the air and the on-site

healers had to quickly put you into medical stasis.

"They had to bring you here to get the curse cancelled

before they could start repairing the damage it did.

Thankfully, they were able to stop it before the

damage became irreversible."

Harry thought about things for a long moment before

he quietly said, "I... killed him... didn't I."

"Yes," replied Daphne. "However, you are not in

trouble for it. Master Robards has already returned a

finding of self defence, both for Nott casting the organ

liquefying curse and the fact he was in the middle of

casting the Killing curse at you. Plus, just for the dark

curse in the back after the duel was concluded meant

he was bound for the Veil, anyway. You saved him the

parchmentwork and the Wizengamot the trial.

"Oh, he also said I was to tell you that he

congratulates you on the perfect shot of a piercing

curse, both for its accuracy and your speed. Then he

asked if that's your... 'Need it right now' cast."

"We didn't know so we couldn't tell him," added

Hermione.

"Tell him, thank you and yes, if you see him again

before I do," he said. His voice was coming back

again, along with his cognisance. "How long am I

likely to be laid up here; and where is 'here', anyway?"

"In reverse order," said Hermione, "'Here' is a private

room off the Spell Damage ward in Saint Mungo's; you

warrant a private room just for being One of the

Seven. And how long, we don't know yet. Your Healer

will be back any minute now."

"That's why you need to rest up for a while, Pup."

That was Sirius. Harry hadn't even realised there were

others in the room.

"Sirius?" he asked.

Then Harry heard two sets of footprints walking

across the tiled linoleum floor towards him. The

second set sounded distinctly female.

"Someone sit me up a little," he demanded.

The medi-witch, still there, quickly did just that.

Even before she had finished, Harry saw that Sirius

and Narcissa were now standing at the foot of the bed,

looking over it and towards him.

"Why'd you hang back?" he asked.

"To give your ladies the first couple of minutes with

you, cousin Harrison," said Narcissa.

"Why―?" he began before it immediately occurred to

him. At the moment, probably only family were

allowed to visit. "Ah!"

"Then thank you for the courtesy, cousin Cissy,

godfather," he returned.

When the healer turned up ten minutes later and put

Harry through a series of tests with wand scans, he

said he could leave, but only if it was directly into

Medi-wizard Robinson's care in the Hogwarts

Infirmary.

Harry hadn't even realised he was pouting about that

until the healer smirked and said, "Sorry. Pouting at

me won't work."

Both Harry's ladies told the healer they'd make sure

he'd be in the Infirmary as soon as they got back, but

made no promises about medi-wizard Robinson being

successful in keeping him in a bed.

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Chapter 612

The healer smirked again and said, "Don't worry about

it. Robinson has his ways, I assure you."

When the healer left, Harry was about to swing his

legs out of the bed to get up when Hermione firmly

said, "Don't move, Buster!"

Confused, he asked, "Then how am I going to get to

the Hogwarts Infirmary?"

She just cast one of his 'I've-figured-out-somethingyou-haven't' careful grins at him and called, "Dobby!"

Harry's expression turned pinched and he groaned in

self-chastisement as Dobby popped in. Why hadn't he

thought of that?

"Yes, Mistress Hermione?"

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Neville had returned to Hogwarts to inform the others

what had happened while the lunch break was still on

and found he hadn't had to. Apparently, it was already

broadcast over the WWN and CeeCee had a wizarding

wireless. She also wasn't the only one.

As soon as he walked in still wearing his own duelling

robes, as a good Second should, the Hall went even

more silent than it did when Harry used to walk in.

Then, when he sat, CeeCee barely even allowed him

time to grab a plate before she quietly demanded,

"How is he? Is he going to be alright?"

"CeeCee," Justin firmly said in warning.

The girl ignored him as she stared fixedly on Neville's

face, looking for a hint of expression that would tell

her one way or another.

As he began to build a lunch, he saw her expression -

and the fact she looked ready to burst into tears - and

decided to get at least that out of the way.

"He will be alright," he said, right from the start so

there was no confusion. "After Harry won... quite

resoundingly, I must say... he stood over Nott and

enacted Section 42 of the Ennoblement Act. He

stripped the House of Nott of its noble title, sending it

back to being just an Ancient House."

"We heard all that on the wireless," said Hannah.

He gave a nod and said, "He then began to walk back

up the piste and started vanishing droplets of his

blood off the floor―"

"Good idea," said Susan.

He continued to step the ladies through what else had

happened, including him giving a quick statement to

an auror as Harry's 'Second', Harry's witness just for

these sort of events. The auror was brought in from

outside the chamber and was not, therefore, herself a

witness; as was proper.

Clarifying, Tracey asked, "So, the last you saw of him

he was in medi-stasis, being attended by two healers

and was portkeyed direct to Saint Mungo's casualty

section."

"Yes," he replied.

"What of Hermione and Daphne?" she asked.

"Sirius and Narcissa, as far as I'm aware, took them to

Mungo's about two minutes later," he replied. "I

couldn't go because I had to stay back to provide my

Second's statement."

Susan said, "If he was being attended by two medihealers at the time, and they'd put him in medi-stasis

to take him to Mungo's, then I think he's going to be

alright."

Neville nodded, "Dad told me the Organ Liquefying

curse has a counter, but it's a very specific and tricky

thing - which is why the curse is considered dark.

They'll have details of it at Mungo's and their

cursebreakers will know how to deal with it, though.

It's what they do."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After Dobby was first sent to medi-wizard Robinson

with a note, he was back within two minutes.

The note informed the man Harry would be 'elfapparated' into the Hogwarts Infirmary in about five

minutes time, he was under healer's orders to be

under medi-wizard Robinson's direct care until mediwizard Robinson decided he could leave the wing.

And asked the medi-wizard to tell Dobby which bed to

put him on.

The note that Dobby brought back said, 'Understood.

Put him in the same bed as last time, but please give

me ten minutes before he arrives. Thank you. MW PR'

After reading it, as it was meant for her, Hermione

checked her watch and said, "Of course; he'll be in the

Great Hall for lunch." Offering the note to Daphne, she

explained, "He's asked for a short delay before Dobby

brings him."

Giving a gentle shrug Harry said, "That's alright. You

can tell me of what you know happened afterwards

that you know of."

"Not much, truth to tell," she sighed. "Both of us were

focussed on you."

"As were we," said Sirius. "However, I can confirm

that you're not in trouble in any capacity for killing

Nott."

"Yeah," he said. "But I just ended a Line, didn't I? I'm

going to get pilloried in the press for that."

Narcissa gave a nod and said, "Then, first thing I do

after I leave here, is go and see Edward Tonks. He will

need to know so he can provide a statement on your

behalf to the press."

Harry nodded and said, "Thank you. Make sure Ted

refers to the House of Nott only as an Ancient House.

I'd stripped the House of the noble title before he

cursed me in the back."

"I'm aware," she replied. "I'll get it done. Do not

concern yourself with it any further."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Ten minutes later, Harry was elf-popped to 'his' bed in

the Hogwarts Infirmary. He had with him a copy of his

'patient notes'. Robinson was waiting for him.

Before Harry even opened his mouth, Robinson had

plucked the patient notes out of his hand and, while

opening them, said, "Lord Potter. Back in my care, I

see."

Harry was about to snark back when Dobby popped in

with Hermione and Daphne.

After a moment to orient themselves, Hermione said,

"Sirius is coming by way of the Headmistress's floo.

He's letting her know what happened. Cissy went

directly to Ted's office."

"I'll go to the apartment to change and be there to let

the others know you're here," said Daphne, before she

turned away and walked out of the room.

They'd planned that before he was brought over.

She'd also be collecting CeeCee from her class at the

end of sixth period, if she wasn't already out.

"Organ Liquefying curse," said Robinson, reading the

notes. "Nasty."

Then he stepped back forward and cast a few charms

over Harry, checking him over. "That's all been fixed.

However, you need bed rest for at least today and

through to tomorrow to let your body adjust to the

regrown organic matter and in case there are any

complications.

"Make yourself comfortable," he smiled. "You're with

me until at least lunch time tomorrow; possibly,

longer." Then he excused himself and left them alone

to talk.

"Damn!" Harry suddenly and firmly stated. "Hermione,

you'll need to HEED a letter to Fleur to let her know

I'm alright. She must be worried."

"Already done," she replied. "We did that as soon as

we knew you were going to be alright."

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Chapter 613

"Thank you," he nodded.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

CeeCee was the first one in to see him as she didn't

have a seventh period. She had Fawkes on her

shoulder and he was softly singing to her. He'd

obviously felt her distress.

As soon as she approached the bed, she tried to glare

at him and said, "You got hurt." It even sounded

accusatory.

"I did," he agreed. "However, even with the attack in

the back from a decidedly deadly dark curse, as you

can see I'm alright. They're used to people getting hurt

in duels, CeeCee. That's why they have at least two

Healers always attend them."

She gave a quick glance to Fawkes before she asked,

"Can Fawkes help?"

"It's fine, thank you," he smiled. "Because they had to

regrow a few things, I just have to rest up for a while.

Everything's already back where it should be."

Turning to Hermione, he asked, "Have you had

lunch?"

She frowned back and replied, "I had more important

things on my mind."

"Then how about," he began to suggest, "Since

CeeCee's now here to keep me company, you go up to

the apartment, have Dobby prepare you something to

eat to tide you over until dinner and change into

something more comfortable - and tell Daphne to do

the same."

It looked like Hermione was about to disagree until

she, as she promised she would when she heard

something and didn't like it, thought it through. Then

she gave an annoyed sigh and said, "Alright. I'll do

that."

Then she looked to CeeCee and said, "See if you keep

him out of trouble, would you?"

CeeCee grinned back and said, "I'll try."

"That's all I can ask," she wryly smirked back.

Then she leaned over and lightly kissed Harry on the

forehead before she spun away and hurried out the

door. "Back soon!" she called over her shoulder on

the way out.

When she walked out, CeeCee turned to Harry and

said, "The radio and Neville said that Nott boy cursed

you in the back with a dark curse."

She again sounded a little accusatory.

"He did," he nodded. "I did something stupid and

turned my back on him after I thought he was already

dealt with. That was stupid of me. I'm sorry I worried

you."

To get her mind off it, he asked, "How go your

classes?"

That had her eyes light up.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Less than twenty minutes after the seventh period let

out of class, the other 'student' Heirs all came into the

Infirmary. Daphne and Hermione were with them and

both had changed, as had Neville.

The first thing asked, of course, was, "Are you

alright?" It was Susan who'd managed to get the

question in first.

"Yes, of course," he replied. "CeeCee, here, tells me

you all heard what happened on the wireless; at least,

up to when I was portkeyed away under medi-stasis."

"Yes," replied Susan.

"What do you know of what happened after that?" he

asked.

"Not much," she replied. "Hermione and Daphne have

told us a bit, but..."

"Well, I'll let those two tell you what happened after

that and up to when I woke up about an hour ago," he

said. "While we wait for them to sort out which of

them will tell what, how about a couple of you

organise chairs for everyone."

Once everyone was comfortable, they chose to sit on

the 'facing' edges of the beds either side rather than

find chairs that were too low to sit on and converse

with him anyway, Hermione and Daphne glanced at

one another before Hermione began to speak.

Once the girls covered the important parts and until

Harry woke, he then aided them in telling the rest.

"So, you're here until lunch time tomorrow at the

earliest," said Susan.

"You'll need a copy of class notes for those you

missed," said Neville. "I'll organise those for the three

of you for today. I think, between us, we'll have all the

classes covered."

"Except Ancient Runes," said Daphne. "I'll organise a

copy of the notes and the details of any assignments

from a classmate in Ravenclaw, later."

"And I'll organise them for those classes tomorrow,"

Hermione smoothly added. Looking to Neville she

said, "For today we'll need Potions and DADA."

He nodded back.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Robinson tossed all Harry's 'guests' out a short while

later with orders to go to dinner and eat. Fleur had

only managed to be in the room for about ten minutes

when he did so, too.

As soon as they were out the door he organised a

special meal for Harry. It was mainly a vegetable stew

with hot crusty pre-buttered bread on the side.

"Some of those organs damaged mean we're going to

need to be careful what you eat for the next day,"

explained Robinson. "It's just a precaution, for now."

Harry quietly replied, Thank you." And picked up his

spoon in one hand and a hunk of bread in the other.

He was unsurprised to find it tasty. However, this was

more about getting nutritious food into his stomach;

because those potions that had been poured down his

throat while he was unconscious had significantly

depleted his stores of magic and body fat.

Then, after dinner, his three ladies returned. Hermione

was carrying class notes for the Ancient Runes class.

Before he even had a chance to ask, she explained,

"Su Li in Ravenclaw was more than happy to give me

a copy of the notes she took in the Ancient Runes

class. A sixth year sitting nearby then cast the

copying charm three times on the notes, so we now all

have a copy."

"I hope you thanked them both, most profusely," he

said.

"Of course," she grinned.

They spent the early part of the evening going over

the notes and making a start on tackling the

assignment. As always, Fleur helped all three of them.

However, it was still about an hour before 'first' curfew

at 9.00pm when Robinson kicked them out again.

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Chapter 614

"You cannot tell me you are not bone tired, Lord

Potter," he declared. "The depletion of that much of

your magic, together with the... vigorous... day you've

just had, tells me from experience you'll be asleep

within moments of me extinguishing the lamps."

Harry just nodded, as he knew the man was right.

When the lamps were then extinguished and

Robinson returned to his office, it might not have

been moments afterwards before Harry fell asleep; but

it was definitely within two minutes.

Mind you, he'd spent that two minutes mentally

berating himself for turning his back on Nott. He'd

meant it as an insult, but Nott had capitalised on it.

He'd not make that same mistake again.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The next morning's lead stories in the Daily Prophet

were, of course, the Honour Duel and the fallout from

it.

Harry was able to read it after a somewhat bland

omelette with a fruit juice 'chaser' on the side, drunk

to help wash down yet more potions.

Reading through it, he was pleased to see his duel

with Nott was favourably reported. It even had quotes

from both Frank and Sirius, obviously made just

before the duel, for both and an extra one from Frank

given after the duel.

Plus, it included quotes taken from what had to have

been the press release Ted had written up, which

Harry was made aware of via a HEED note from Ted

during his lonesome dinner.

The main photo was taken of the duel when it was

nearing the end, as it showed Harry in firm control,

calm and collected; while it showed Nott displaying

injuries and appeared to be almost panicking. A

second photo was of Nott scrambling to his feet as

Harry walked away from him, scooping up his wand

and casting the organ liquefying curse at his back.

However, it stopped and restarted right as Harry

crashed to the floor on his back. A note directly below

it stated that for 'reader sensitivities' they did not

show Harry casting the piercing charm back a bare

moment later, which killed the young man.

A second article then went into Harry being rushed

from the piste under medical stasis accompanied by

the two duty healers who attended such events as a

matter of policy. And that he was now recovering from

his injuries back at Hogwarts.

A third article put forward that the journalist believed

sanctioned duels, no matter the reason, involving

someone who was the last remaining member of a

recognised House should be made illegal; let alone

when both were such and let alone when they

involved noble Lines. Harry hated it, but he had to

admit to at least himself he believed the man to be

right. It made him a little grouchy for a while.

A fourth article, a definite opinion piece and stated as

such, had the journalist write they believed the DMLE

should investigate whether Harry had used the

'excuse' of an Honour Duel as a method by which to

'lawfully' commit homicide while also ending the Line

of a Noble House. Then went into details wondering

'which currently unennobled House, having shown

open support for him in the past, would be put

forward to take the now extinct Nott Seat'.

He scowled at the paper and muttered, "Bastard."

However, he knew he really couldn't do anything

about it as the piece was very clearly written as an

'opinion' piece covering the views of the journalist,

only - and he was right.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

He then received a quick visit from Daphne and

Hermione, who were just checking up on him. With

Hermione telling him Fleur passed on her love for him

and apologised for not coming and seeing him herself

before heading to work.

Harry just brushed the apology off. "She didn't need

to," he said.

Then, just before the girls left to attend class -

Transfiguration for Hermione and Charms for Daphne

- Madam Bones dropped in with her two auror

bodyguards.

"Ah! Ameeeelia, my dear!" he exclaimed in his

Dumbledore impersonation. "What brings you here,

this wonderful day?" Then pointed with his off hand

index finger at his eyes and said, "Twinkle, twinkle,

twinkle."

She'd suddenly stopped in shock in the middle of his

first sentence and, when he'd finished and grinned at

her, her lip gave that slight flicker indicating she was

amused when she was trying to be stern.

She turned to Robinson and clearly asked, "Alright.

What potion have you got him on, which is making

him act... stupid?"

Robinson grinned back and said, "Oh, this is all him. I

assure you."

"Hey-ey!" Harry mock-whined.

She turned back to him and walked closer. "Time for

serious business, Lord Potter. I only need to ask you

are couple of questions relating to Nott's death and I

can be out of your hair," she said. "Or, get you out of

mine."

With a sigh and mock pout, he said, "Alright. Cast

away."

She gave a single nod and said, "Why did you choose

to cast the Percutio spell at Nott, when he charged

you?"

"It's my 'Need-it-right-now' charm," he replied. "It's

one of the very few spells I've mastered I can both

point-cast and cast incantless. And the only one I can

cast offensively.

"I'm working on doing that with the stunner, too, but

I'm not there yet."

"Impressive," she nodded. "Simultaneous silent and

point-casting at your age is very rare. It's even a rare

skill for adults whose magic has fully-developed."

"Thank you," he said.

"Was it your intent to kill him?" she asked.

"I... really don't know," he honestly replied. "When I've

practiced snap-casting that one I aim directly for what

I'm looking at, at the time.

"I was looking him right between the eyes as he was

charging me, so..." And shrugged.

"So the cast went right where you were looking at,"

she nodded.

"Maybe, if I'd had the time to think a moment on it, I'd

have aimed for a less likely fatal target on his

anatomy. However, he'd already reached the... fourth

of the six syllables of the Killing curse and I knew I

didn't have the time to muck about.

"When I think back on it, he had just started the final

syllable when my piercer hit him. A quarter-second

slower in my reaction times and I wouldn't have been

in time."

"And that's all I need," she firmly said. "I confirm

Master Auror Robard's determination it was in self

defence and inform you no charges will be laid

against you for this matter."

"Thank you," he sighed.

Then her body posture slightly shifted, which was her

way of mentally shifting from or to her Head of the

DMLE persona.

"Alright, Harry," she more softly said. "How're you

feeling, emotionally."

He thought about it for a moment and said, "I don't

know, really. Emotions and me, we have this sort of...

détente. I try not to precipitously act on them and they

try not to drive me into situations it's best I not be in."

She gave him a gentle smirk and said, "Harry, while

you might not be feeling it now, you killed a person

yesterday. While you feel he might have richly

deserved it... and that you did it in self defence... it's

still a difficult event to overcome for the best of us.

"When this happens for one of my aurors, it's

mandatory for them to attend counselling sessions

with a mind-healer. I think that's something you

should do, too."

Harry thought about it for a long moment before he

gave a shrug and said, "If you think it best."

"I do," she immediately returned. "Thank you for not

fighting me on this."

"Meh," he muttered.

With a smile she turned a suddenly shifting to serious

expression on Robinson and said, "Organise it, would

you?"

With a grave expression of his own, he nodded and

said, "Will do. I, too, think it's a good idea."

She gave him a nod and turned back to Harry. She

firmly said, "Take these sessions seriously, Harry.

They're important."

"Yes, Ma'am," he sighed. He knew an order when he

heard one.

"Now," she said, a little more firmly and 'redonning'

her Director of the DMLE persona in the process. "I

have a murder to investigate, so I need to head into

work."

He frowned and said, "I thought Nott's death was not

ruled a murder?"

"This isn't about Nott," she said. "This is... someone

else. I can't discuss it now, though."

He gave her a careful nod and said, "Fair enough. Stay

safe."

She gave him a light smile, patted him on his shoulder

twice and silently left again, her auror shadows

silently following her out.

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Chapter 615

As pretty much promised, Robinson released Harry

just as the school bell rang signalling the end of

fourth period. That was the signal to head to the Great

Hall for lunch.

However and just as he rose from the bed, Harry

realised he had no idea where his duelling robes got

to. Without them to hand he had no other clothes to

don.

With a sigh, he called, "Dobby."

"Yes, Master Harry, Sir?" asked the elf.

"Can you organise a full set of clothes for me?" he

asked. "School uniform, please. I can't seem to find

my duelling robes."

"Dobby be right back, Master Harry," the little elf

declared, just before popping away.

A few moments later he was back with a neatly folded

and stacked pile of the requested clothing, which he

immediately put on the bed right next to Harry's hand.

"Dobby now be findings old Master Charlus's duelling

robes," he said. "Dobby be thinkings they still be

beings at Saint Mungo'ses."

"Thank you, Dobs," said Harry, reaching for the

uniform. "You're the best!"

Dobby chirped, "Thank you, Master Harry!" Then he

used elf magic to bring the wheeled screens in the

infirmary around Harry and the bed, blocking him from

sight and popped away again.

Knowing his ladies would be along very soon,

expecting him to be released now, he wanted to be

ready for them. He quickly began to dress.

He had managed to get his underwear slacks shirt and

belt on when the screen was suddenly yanked aside

and Hermione stuck her head in.

"Oh, well," she mock-sighed and smiled, while pulling

the screens further away. "He managed to get his

pants and shirt on before we got here."

Right behind her was Daphne, who rolled her eyes

behind Hermione's back and smiled.

Harry just grinned at the two of them and continued to

get dressed. He was ready in another minute, pulling

his robe over his head and settling it into place.

"Ready?" asked Hermione.

"Uh-hmm," he replied with a nod. "Where are the

others?"

They'll be waiting for us in the Great Hall.

With a witch on each arm and a heart felt thank you to

Robinson for once again looking after him, the three

left.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As they walked to the Great Hall, Hermione asked,

"Any lingering effects we need to know about?"

"Hmm?" he asked. "No, I don't think so. But, Madam

Bones told me I should talk to a mind-healer about

Nott's death. She said it's something her aurors have

to do when they kill someone and I should do it too...

at least, I think that's why she thinks I should talk to

one."

That had both his ladies drag him to a quick halt. It

happened so quickly his feet nearly walked out from

under him and he had to rapidly back-pedal to regain

his balance.

He'd only just regained it when both dragged him

backwards and planted him with his back against the

wall. Both stood, side-by-side, with almost identical

expressions of hope and worry.

"Oh-kaaay..." he started. "What's going on?"

"You're willing to see a mind-healer?" Hermione

demanded.

He frowned in confusion and replied, "Yes. Why does

that sound―"

"Harry," Daphne interrupted. "If we knew you'd be

willing to speak with a mind healer―"

"We'd have asked you to do that some time ago,"

Hermione finished

Confused, he asked, "Why?"

"Because even you must recognise you have some

issues with emotion and the like, right?" she asked

right back.

He thought about it and warily replied, "Yeah... but

that's just me, right?"

"Yes," said Daphne. "However, both of us... and Fleur

too, truth to tell... think speaking with a mind-healer is

something that would help you."

"Then," he asked, still somewhat confused, "Why

didn't you say something before?"

Both girls looked to one another before Hermione

carefully said, "Because some people feel quite

insulted when someone suggests they should speak

with a mind-healer."

"Oh," he replied. "Well, I don't. Is that also a reason

that means I should speak with one?"

"It could be," she replied with a sigh. "It's these little

things like that, though we all love you very much,

which we'd like to find out why they are."

'Well, alright," he said. "If it's something you think

would help. I can do that."

Both girls lightly breathed almost matching sighs of

relief and smiled at him.

"Right," said Hermione. "With that out of the way, let's

go to lunch."

And they began walking again.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As occurred in the past, so occurred now. As Harry

walked into the Great Hall the noises seemed to

stutter a moment before significantly dropping off. It

remained that way until he sat with the others where

they were already sitting at a spot on the Hufflepuff

table.

As the noise rose again, Hannah leaned towards him

and asked, "How're you holding up, Harry?"

"I'm fine," he shrugged. "Bit hungry, though." And

proceeded to build himself a lunch.

"No lasting effects?" she asked.

"Nope," he replied. "Medi-wizard Robinson is going to

organise me a mind-healer - just in case, I suppose -

but I feel fine."

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

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

Chapter 616

Neville asked, "Besides what we've read in the

Prophet from that reporter, who kind of berated you

for ending the House of Nott, any problems?"

With a slight shake of his head, he replied, "No. I

heard that Master Robards declared it was selfdefence; and Madam Bones was in to see me a few

hours ago. She, too, said it was a clear case of selfdefence.

"I doubt, very much, I'll end up anywhere near on trial

for what happened. There was just far too many

witnesses and it was far too obvious Nott had both

cursed me in the back with a dark curse and then tried

to cast the Killing curse at me.

"I further doubt anyone is going to be stupid and push

it any further than the Prophet already has."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Harry was right.

Public signs it had already started arrived the next day

when the Daily Prophet turned up. The Letters to the

Editor section were 'filled' with letters from angry

witches and wizards berating the reporter for claiming

'in his opinion' that 'Lord Potter' was in the wrong for

killing Nott. Contrarily, there were also letters in which

the writer put forward they believed the reporter was

correct in stating duels where one duellist was the last

of the Line of an established House should be illegal

was also a good idea. A couple had both in the same

letter. There was only one scathing letter where the

writer stated they believed Harry had used the 'unique'

opportunity presented to him to murder Nott. As the

letter was from a wizard from a dark house, he

promptly ignored it.

He also received another small stack of documents

from Ted. Again, this lot were of property documents

relating to Harry's ongoing efforts to increase his

property portfolio. Ted had included a few of various

places from around wizarding Britain. They ranged

from a small manor to a cottage. He'd even included a

breakdown of what sort of investment they would

make with an opinion of what he felt Harry would

make a decent return upon.

Harry couldn't fault Ted's reasoning for the purchases

he suggested. Each was usually a small bungalow or

free-standing stand-alone cottage in a 'reasonably'

rural area; as Magicals preferred not to be within nonmagical townships. Each sat upon a small or large

plot of land, which would enable the erection of

wards. For the ones he'd be interested in learning

about more, he 'ticked' the top right corner of the

sheet; for those he thought he'd pass, he 'crossed' it.

However, there was also a quick note dashed off from

Ted asking if he wanted to purchase the Nott manor, if

it fell available.

Harry thought about it for all of fifteen seconds before

he gave a small smile and 'ticked' the sheet. He'd be

buying it, if possible.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

On Thursday morning, the murder Bones was

'secretly' investigating publicly broke in the media. As

Harry had thought might happen, Fawley had been

killed.

~ # ~

LORD FAWLEY MURDERED

During the tragic duel between Lords Harrison Potter

and Theodore Nott last Monday at noon, where notyet-inducted young Lord Nott tragically lost his life,

yet another of our Wizengamot Members lost their life,

writes Tangwystl Goshawk for your faithful Daily

Prophet.

News coming to light from within the Department of

Magical Law Enforcement was advising me, your

hardworking reporter, that Lord Hamish Fawley was

murdered by assailants unknown during the time of

the duel that claimed the life of young Lord Nott. Are

the two linked? This reporter believes the possibility

exists.

[...]

Lord Hamish Fawley was the only surviving son of

Lord Hector Fawley, one time Minister of Magic

between 1925 and 1939 and widower of Chastity

Fawley née Parkinson, who predeceased him. He and

his wife had no surviving Heirs.

What does this mean for the Seat of Fawley upon the

Wizengamot? pg. 3.

In related news, what of the Seat of Nott? pg. 3.

~ # ~

After reading the article, Harry handed the newspaper

off to Hermione and sat back a bit in thought.

'This will definitely allow the Alliance to push House

Hilliard through for elevation now,' he thought. 'But,

truly, who else?'

He hadn't been kidding when he'd suggested

Lovegood. They were now one of the very few Ancient

Houses left not already elevated.

In his mind he began to list his arguments for having

the House of Lovegood elevated. He decided he would

only back down if another non-dark Ancient House

was better promoted.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As breakfast wound up, Harry received a HEED note

from medi-wizard Robinson to drop into the infirmary

before he headed for class. However, as Thursday was

a 'late' start, he knew he could take his time.

'No,' he thought. 'He does not necessarily know I have

no class for first period. So, I'd best go now.'

As the Heirs rose, he rose with them.

Hermione frowned a little in confusion and said,

"Don't you have free period this period?"

"I do," he nodded. "However, Medi-wizard Robinson's

asked me to stop by before classes."

Understanding, she nodded and said, "In that case,

mind if I come with?"

"Nope," he returned.

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

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

Chapter 617

Walking into the infirmary, Harry and Hermione only

had to wait a moment before Robinson walked out of

his office.

Though Harry wasn't, Hermione was a little puzzled

about that. A moment later she wheeled and cast a

detection charm at the double doors of the infirmary

and then said, "Ah! An alert charm."

Robinson smirked and replied, "Of course. I need to

know for when an emergency comes running in and

I'm not on the ward."

Hermione gave an understanding nod back before

Robinson turned to Harry.

"Lord Potter," he said, "I wanted to confirm with you

suitable times for when the... specialist... Madam

Bones asked me to arrange could speak with you."

"Oh!" said Harry. "Any time, I guess. But, if it helps, I

have free periods first and fourth on Wednesdays,

first on Thursdays and first through third on Fridays."

"That, I knew," nodded Robinson. "Besides the free

periods, are you closed to speaking with them outside

of class times?"

"Ummm..." he muttered. "No, not really. Except for,

maybe, Tuesday and Saturday afternoons. I often have

matters relating to my Lordships I have to deal with

then."

"Understood," said Robinson. "In that case, your first

appointment is for first period tomorrow morning.

However, it's just an... introductory... session, so you

and the specialist can discuss arrangements."

"Oh, you mean for the mind-healer?" asked Hermione.

"Thank you for organising that, by the way."

Robinson seemed surprised Hermione knew who he

was referring to.

"It's alright, Mister Robinson," said Harry, now

understanding the hesitation Robinson displayed. "All

my ladies... and even my friends... know I'll be

speaking with a mind healer. I don't mind them

knowing."

A little relieved, Robinson said, "In that case, your

mind-healer is someone I know and personally trust;

Healer Iolanthe Bincutty. As I said, she'll be by to

speak with you at the start of first period tomorrow.

She's set aside an hour for your first session."

Thanking the man, the two then headed back to the

apartment. Harry was surprised Hermione made no

further mention of it.

He found out later, though, that she had informed the

other two during the day - Daphne, at morning tea;

and Fleur, once she returned from work.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

At morning tea, Harry also received a mirror call from

Sirius informing him the Alliance was going to

informally meet to discuss two more candidates for

elevation and asked Harry for his views.

"Hilliard, of course," he immediately replied. "And I'll

still put forward the House of Lovegood as the other

one, but secondary to Hilliard. You've all already

convinced me Hilliard should be before Lovegood."

"I'll let them know," said Sirius. "However, I'll reiterate

this is only in case a second emergency session is

called before the one on the twenty first."

"Understood," he nodded.

With a slight hesitation, Sirius then asked, "Any word

on when you see your mind-healer?"

"Tomorrow morning will be my first session," he

replied. "Her name's Iolanthe Bincutty. I know it's not

the name of a recognised House, but medi-wizard

Robinson said he knows her and trusts her. I have no

reason to doubt him."

"Iolanthe Bincutty, you said?" asked Sirius.

Harry nodded.

"Do you mind if I look into her?" asked his godfather.

"Not at all," Harry shrugged. "I can see no harm in

that."

Clearly a little relieved, Sirius said, "Thank you. I just

want to check for myself."

Again Harry gave a half-shrug and said, "That's

alright."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The next morning Harry was right on time for his first

session with Bincutty.

Sirius had contacted him the previous evening to tell

him he found nothing negative about the witch and

even told him the woman was both highly qualified

and well-respected.

Harry didn't doubt it, but investigating the woman

made his godfather happy and he saw no harm in him

doing so.

The hour was spent with her laying out an overview of

what her 'plans' were for his treatment, her then giving

him a mind-healer's confidentiality oath and him

giving an overview of his life until then.

That took up the entire hour and he still wasn't done

when the hour was up.

She then offered to remain for a further hour to finish

it all up, which he readily accepted.

By the time she left just before the bell to end second

period, he had covered everything up to that day, with

her asking pointed questions to how he was initially

feeling about having to kill Nott.

She took copious notes.

The next session was scheduled for the following

Monday directly after class, then fourth period

Wednesday and again on first period Friday.

"A nice balance," she explained. "And I think we might

be 'at' this for a while."

Again, he had no problem with it.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When he walked into the Great Hall for morning tea,

he was very surprised none of his friends or either of

his two ladies asked him how it went; though he was

not surprised to see Hermione was 'dying' to know.

When he mentioned it, she replied, "It's not for us to

know, Harry. And especially not for us to know in such

a public setting as the Great Hall of Hogwarts. You can

tell us what you want to tell us in private and later."

Surprised at her sensibility, he only nodded back.

Giving himself a shake he asked about that morning's

classes. Both she and Daphne smiled back and told

him.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After leaving his lovelies and friends to continue to

their next class, Harry quickly returned to the

apartment and used the time to go through his bank

statements received the previous Monday. And was

soon lost in the figures.

He was pleased to see there were still steady returns

on his various investments, with little outgoings due

to little purchasing occurring. However, he also knew

there would be a significant drop once the various

properties he'd lined up reached 'hand-over' stage.

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

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

Chapter 618

He'd only managed to barely complete reviewing his

finances when Dobby informed him there was only a

few minutes to go before the school bell signalling the

end to third period was run. He quickly checked his

satchel, noticed Dobby had already exchanged his

books for Ancient Runes, DADA and Transfiguration,

thank the elf and began to make his way to the

Arithmancy classroom - Hermione and Daphne.

Now that he no longer class-studied Muggle Studies

he tried to always pick the two of them up from their

Arithmancy class on Fridays and escort them to

Ancient Runes, held only a corridor away.

If nothing else, he always received a kiss from each

for his 'thoughtfulness'.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After a quiet weekend the Monday started a 'winddown' week for the Heirs. This was the week they

received their Christmas break assignments. Harry

already knew they were never difficult, as they were

always assignments based on, due to the

muggleborns, information they could find in their

purchased-for-school texts.

Plans also arose for the Heirs to not wait back for the

trip on the Express on the coming Sunday. Instead,

they'd go to the 'scheduled' meeting of the Alliance on

the Saturday and head directly home from there.

Headmistress Lady Marchbanks could see no point in

them returning to the school late on the Saturday

afternoon just to ride the Express back to London

immediately after breakfast the next morning.

To Harry, it was for him yet another example of why

Lady Griselda Marchbanks was not a daft moron.

At his Monday afternoon session with mind-healer

Bincutty, almost the entire session was of her asking

Harry questions based on the information he provided

to her of his personal history. Quite a few of which

made him quite uncomfortable.

For example, she asked, "Why did you truly not want

the Dursleys punished by the Wizengamot?

Irrespective of what they did to you was because of

compulsions, there still had to be something there for

the Dursleys to act as they did and, based on your

understanding of compulsions you demonstrated

during your First Task in the 'Tri-Wiz', I know you had

to have known that."

Harry sighed and asked, "What I say to you stays

between us, right?"

"Yes," she immediately nodded. "You know that."

He thought about how to answer for a bit before he

gave an almost imperceptible shrug and replied, "I

want to deal with them, myself, once I complete

Hogwarts."

"Revenge?" she immediately pressed, which showed

Harry she'd already deduced that, or something

similar.

"No," he returned. "That's one of the reasons I intend

to hold off until I finish Hogwarts; I want the distance

of time before I act. No, I will punish them in a manner

which is... comparable to the crimes they committed

against me.

"The Wizengamot would have just fed them to

Dementors. Because of the compulsions I don't think

what they did was worthy of what could only be seen

as a slow execution. No; I'm still trying to reason out

what their punishments should be, but I have no

intention of executing them. I'm letting time cool any

knee-jerk reaction I may have; to look at it 'clinically',

you know?"

She nodded back and said, "Don't forget; while you're

One of the Seven that does not excuse you from the

law regarding muggle baiting."

"I'm aware, thank you," he wryly replied.

With a nod of acknowledgement, she changed the

subject. "I need to talk to you about how to handle

your appointments over the Christmas break."

"Yeah," he said. "I was wondering about that, too."

After a short discussion of it, together with her

learning Harry's planned 'schedule' for the break, they

came to an agreement. They'd have the next two

sessions, as scheduled, at school. All next week,

while they were staying at the Green Fields, they'd be

held at the Kennel. The following week, with Harry

spending most of it in France, would be no sessions.

And the third week it would be back at the Kennel

again before returning to school and recommencing

the sessions at school on Monday, the tenth of

January. Then they'd see from there.

"If necessary, we'll even drop the one on Christmas

Eve," said Bincutty. "It will depend on what subject

matter we're approaching at that time. If it's, as you'd

say, heavy... we'll cancel the session and wait until the

third of January.

Harry just gave a half shrug and nodded.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Another bit of surprising news was via a mirror call

from Sirius.

He explained, "Through the fine and excellent

diplomacy skills of both myself and Frank

Longbottom―"

"Yeeeees?" urged Harry.

"Both Houses of Diggory and Spinnet have decided to

join the Alliance," continued Sirius.

Harry sat up straighter in surprise. "Both?" he asked.

"Both," Sirius grinned.

"I'm... surprised," said Harry. "I know it's what we

hoped, but I didn't think it would happen."

"Why not?" asked his godfather.

"Because it's not as if we formally asked Amos

Diggory or Caden Spinnet if they'd mind if we put their

Houses forward for elevation," he replied. "I know the

likelihood was slim they wouldn't, but we didn't even

give them the chance to turn it down."

"You don't ask for elevation for your own House,

Pup," said Sirius. "And, by the same cast, you don't

get asked. It's not the done thing... things."

"I didn't know that," he sighed. "It wasn't in any of the

books I read."

"It's an unwritten rule," said Sirius.

"Right," he nodded. "So. I know Amos and Cedric

Diggory; and I know Alicia Spinnet. Who are the

relevant people in both Houses I need to know?"

Sirius gave a nod and explained, "In House Diggory

you have Amos Diggory... now soon-to-be-inducted

Lord Amos Diggory... his wife, Florentina... who

prefers to be called Tina... and their recently of-age

son, Cedric. Rumour has it Cedric and a girl by the

name of Cho Chang of the Chinese Distinguished and

Revered House of Chang will soon be betrothed."

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

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

Chapter 619

Harry gave a nod. He thought that might be on the

cards, but did not know Chang was of the Chinese

equivalent of a Noble and Ancient House, a

Distinguished and Revered House. The only difference

was that a Revered House, of what he'd read, was

even older than a Most Ancient House; and a

Distinguished House was on par with a Noble House.

Harry gave a little whistle of surprise.

Sirius gave a nod, a grin and said, "Amos is pretty laid

back on one hand, but quite enthusiastic on the other.

And he tends to pretty quickly jump between those

two opposites. His wife seems constantly bemused by

him. So does Cedric, truth to tell."

Changing to the next, he continued, "In House Spinnet

you have Lord Caden Spinnet; his wife, Rosaline; his

son and Heir, Rueben; and the daughter you know,

Alicia.

"Caden's a real character. I just wish he'd have been

of the same age as us. He'd have made a fine

Marauder. Comparatively, though, Rueben comes

across as a bit uptight. He's not, though; it's an act."

Harry absorbed the information and nodded. "Just so

long as no one casts on the bright idea of trying to yet

again betroth or concubine me, this time to Alicia, I've

no problems with them joining."

Sirius gave a snort of amusement. "I'll make sure no

one tries."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

With Friday their actual last day at the school, the

Heirs made sure they were all packed and ready

before gathering in the Potter apartment for lastminute decisions, if needed. They, of course, waited

until Fleur returned from work.

Because their break was only for three weeks and the

Potters would only be staying for the longest period of

seven nights in one place, many things were not

packed. That included the mini-library in the

apartment office and the food in the pantry.

Also left out was a change of 'upmarket casual' for the

next day's departure from the school to the December

meeting of the Alliance. For the Potters, that night

would be at the Greengrasses'. Dobby and Betsy

would take their trunks directly and co-ordinate with

the Greengrass elves on which rooms would be theirs

in Green Fields.

Neville had entered ahead of his ladies, flopped onto

the three-seater couch and sighed in relief. "I am so

looking forward to this break."

Harry grinned at him. "A bit of OWL year stress, Nev?"

"Yup," the other boy immediately and emphatically

returned.

"Sorry, but it'll be even worse once we get back."

Neville turned a filthy look on him, which just had

Harry grin wider.

"We have the Yule break of three weeks to wind

down," said Daphne. "Then we go hard at it until the

April break. Then only a couple of months until our

OWLs. As have everyone before us, we shall get

through this."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The 'Yule' meeting of the Alliance was multi-purpose.

It was an actual meeting, a meeting where the past

year's victories and losses were discussed and a bit

of a party afterwards with a semi-formal dinner.

Held at the Davis Estate, Heathcliff chaired it. It didn't

take long for business to turn towards what happened

at Nott Manor, plus it's aftermath. Of course, Amelia

controlled most of the discussion.

"So," she sighed after going through the still-sensitive

forensics from the 'event'; "It was young Ronald

Weasley who was brewing the potions that ultimately

led to the death of everyone in the manor.

"Interviews based on the investigations had him

leaving the manor soon after 7.00pm that evening

while under the effects of Polyjuice, taking the Knight

Bus to the Leaky Cauldron, moving through to

Knockturn Alley and into an apothecary there and

buying illicit and illegal potions ingredients. That

apothecary has now been charged with the sale of

that.

"He's then returned to the manor via the same

manner, entering the manor through a casement

window in the basement storeroom - which is when

the family clock at the The Burrow switched Mister

Weasley's clock hand to Mortal Peril - and he's gone

through to the potions lab. He's managed to turn off

the burners and, apparently, tried to then flee.

However, he only made it a few feet before he passed

out and, a few minutes later, died."

Miles asked, "When will that information be released,

Amelia?"

"I'd rather not at all," she returned. "It was, as all the

evidence confirms, an accident. It was not murder,

therefore I do not have the name of a criminal to give

to everyone."

"No, but the Wizengamot is going to demand to know

what happened more than just the answer of, 'It was

an accident'," said Miles.

"Give them a Dumbledore answer," said Harry. "Tell a

misleading truth."

When almost all these looked at him in confusion, he

explained, "Look. The evidence you have that it was

Ron Weasley who was the one brewing the potions,

while logical, is still circumstantial. He could have

been sent by Nott to go and buy the ingredients on his

behalf and was dropping those off in the potions lab

at that time.

-----