# # #
Once they'd returned to the castle, Harry moaned about his so-called, now elongated, full title. "Lord Harry James Potter, Earl of Slytherin, Lord and Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin, Lord and Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, Head of the Most Ancient House of Gaunt, Head of the Most Ancient House of Peverell, Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, Heir of the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber, Part-Owner of Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, The-Boy-Who-Lived, The-Destroyer-of-The-Dark-Wizard-Tom-Riddle" he sighed. His bloody title was even longer than the Queen's.
Hermione threw a pillow at him. "Stop your whining!" she admonished him.
"Damn it, 'Mione; think about it for a moment, will you?" he asked. "Of those families, Slytherin, Gaunt, Black and Mulciber are all considered dark. Only Potter and Peverell are considered light families; and only Peverell because of its close ties to the House of Potter! How am I supposed to get people to like me if I keep coming up looking more and more dark, all the time? How am I supposed to restructure the thinking of what it means to be a Slytherin if I keep having dark families make me their heirs? Sheesh!"
"You'll just have to prove 'dark' and 'light' are words that don't apply, anymore," she replied. "Besides, you've done little to make the Slytherins understand Salazaar was talking about purity of spirit rather than purity of blood. And, do they even know Salazaar was a mundane-born yet?"
"Okay," said Harry throwing up his hands. "I get it. There's loads more work to do and moaning about something as inane as an overly long title isn't getting it done."
"Well," she said, "that wasn't specifically what I was referring to; but, it works for me."
"Okay, you two," spoke up Neville from one of the couches. "Enough with the lovey-dovey stuff."
"Neville!" said a highly shocked Hermione. "We were not doing any such thing!"
"Uh-huh," said the boy in mock agreement. "Anyway, the reason I interrupted is; it appears we have our first complaint from a student that has been pushed through to us to 'overturn'. We need to deal with it swiftly."
Harry found himself a seat on the one of the couches and asked, "Okay, who is it and what have they supposedly done?"
Gathering his thoughts, Neville said, "One of my First Years approached Professor Lupin about how a fellow First Year Gryffindor was bullying her into helping him with his homework. The... bully... is already a known skiver of homework and has felt the ire of the Professors already about not handing in homework, or the homework being of such a poor standard.
"The culprit - sorry, the alleged culprit - was issued a loss of ten points, detention and remedial homework. They now feel they've been unfairly punished. On appeal to her, Professor Sinistra increased both the number of points to fifteen and increased the detention from one week to two. The alleged culprit now seeks to have the matter heard by us. The original complaint now has the addendum of the second complaint."
"I detest bullies," scowled Hermione. "Do we have to listen to them?"
"Yes, Hermione," said Susan. "We all agreed on the rules and it is their right under those rules."
Hermione sighed. "Alright then."
"How about we start with the initial complainant then go on to hearing from Remus, then from the rest of the Professors he has handed in poor homework to, and leave our little skiver to last," suggested Harry.
The others agreed.
"And, who may I ask, is our alleged culprit?" asked Harry.
"Ronald Weasley," replied Neville.
"I'm not surprised," said Harry.
"And who was the victim who first raised this?"
"Lavender Brown."
After calling for and interviewing Professor Flitwick - both acting as Deputy Headmaster and as one of the Professors who taught young Mister Weasley - and asking the half goblin to remain, they then called for Remus, Sirius, and, finally, Professor Sinistra interviewing each in turn. They, then, called for Professor Vector to accompany young Miss Brown.
The young girl came in, clearly nervous. She was accompanied by Professor Vector as her House Counsellor, as expected.
Hermione, being of the same stature and less intimidating than the others, ushered her and the Professor into a couch sitting with them at the coffee table. Hermione was assuring the young girl she was not in trouble.
To try to help put the girl at ease it was agreed Susan would interview her. The others would remain quiet.
"Miss Brown," began Susan. "We are aware of what has been going on regarding you and the youngest Mister Weasley." The girl began to tear up. "And we are also aware none of it is your fault. You have attempted to do the right thing and have only acted with thoughts to your own safety.
"Though you may find it embarrassing to tell us about it you need to be aware you have nothing to be embarrassed about. We need you to tell us everything. Please, do so."
Lavender sat there looking wretched. But, it wasn't until Professor Vector whispered into her ear that she began to talk.
Starting a bit hesitantly, but soon pouring out her heart, she told them everything. She told them how Ron Weasley had threatened her. How he had said his status as a pureblood and secret friend of Lord Slytherin and Lord Gryffindor meant he could go to them and have her kicked out. How she would do his homework for him 'or else'. How his older brother was a Prefect and how would become Head Boy. And how she would do as she was told as he had the power to punish her.
By the time she had finished speaking she was weeping openly. All four heirs were furious, but only Susan was hiding it well; as was Professor Vector.
"Miss Brown... Lavender..." said Susan in a calm voice. "We are neither angry nor upset with you. Ron Weasley lied to you. However, you had no way of knowing he did. And he used those lies to use you. You are only a victim of belief. We, however, can right this great wrong."
Susan then leaned forward and asked, "As the victim we now ask you; what do you want to see happen here?"
Still with tears in her eyes, but with a hopeful look, Lavender said, "I want it stopped. I don't want anyone else to feel this way. I want it so no one else is bullied like this!"
Susan sighed and said, "And what about Mister Weasley?"
"I just want him stopped," the girl said firmly.
Harry finally spoke up and said, "It speaks highly of you that you did not seek punishment for him, only that he be stopped. However, punishment is what he will face.
"We also cannot stop all bullying for there are those who think they'll either not get caught when they do it, or think the rules don't apply to them. However, we will punish them when we discover it, and no one is beyond the rules. Through that we can ensure the cases of where and when bullying does occur will be very few and far between.
"We will be punishing young Mister Weasley, so we need you to understand that what punishment he faces is not your fault because you told us about it. All you sought was for the bullying of you to stop, and that will occur. What punishment is meted out will be our decision and does not impinge on you. Okay?"
Lavender had stopped crying but just nodded in misery.
"Lavender," said Hermione, calling the girl's attention to her, "you were very brave to tell us what was going on. And it is clear to us why the Sorting Hat placed you in the House of Gryffindor. Now we need you to be a little brave for only a couple hours longer. Mister Weasley will no longer be in a position to ever come near you again, okay?"
Lavender mutely nodded again.
Neville said, "Professor Vector, please escort Miss Brown back to her common room, and escort Mister Weasley and Mister Percy Weasley back here."
The Professor stood and said, "Thank you, My Lords and Ladies," and escorted Miss Brown out of their common room.
# # #
That evening, just before the meal was served, the four heirs stood just in front of the head table and called attention to themselves. The staff were already aware of what was to happen, as were three red-headed Gryffindors.
Neville stepped forward and, using a clear voice, said, "Students!"
That received immediate silence.
"You are all aware of the rules we put in place on the morning of the 2nd of September. One student egregiously breached those rules. One student engaged in continuous and threatened harm to another. One student used intimidation and other threats to bully another.
"That student was given a major point deduction, detention and remedial assignments. However, that student refused the punishment and sought for the matter to be taken all the way to us. He should have been accepting of the punishment he was issued.
"However, bullying and intimidation of another is not something we feel could be handled so... lightly. This breach of the rules was so egregious - and the culprit so unrepentant of their actions - we, the four heirs and owners of this school, saw no recourse but to immediately suspend that student fore the remainder of the year. He will be allowed to return next year. However, he will both be re-sorted and forced to recommence his studies as a First Year."
That brought quite a few mutterings from amongst the students. Most were just curious as to what happened.
Neville continued, "We will not name the victim, or victims, of the perpetrator. We will, however, name the bully as Ronald Bilius Weasley, now an ex-First Year from my House. We do not, and neither will you, hold the other Weasley siblings to any blame in this."
More mutterings and looks at the Gryffindor House table.
Harry then said, "You are not to attempt to discover the identity of the victim or victims. Such actions would be considered further attempts at bullying, and will also be harshly treated. Further, we only informed you of this action, and against whom it was directed, to put to rest any... enquiries... as to why young Mister Weasley is no longer in your midst."
Hermione spoke next. "You should come away from this knowing we will act, when and if, we need to. You should also come away from this with the knowledge your so-called blood status does not exempt you from the rules. Young Mister Weasley, using the old terms, is a pureblood."
Susan said, "We apologise for upsetting your dainty stomachs with such news. However, we will now have the meal served and hope you will at least try to eat something."
The four heirs moved off the dais and returned to their tables amidst a few chuckles, and quickly called for the meal to be served.
After sitting down, Harry noticed that quite a few of the missing students, those who had lost a parent when Harry... did his thing to Riddle, had returned. Most of them were talking happily about them becoming the Heads of their Houses with their mothers as their regents.
He answered quite a few questions about what that meant. And about the formation of the new Parliament and why.
No one asked him about Ron Weasley or his victim.
# # #
Next morning and Harry was well on the way to recovery from 'accidentally' killing all the marked Death Eaters. He was sitting down in the Great Hall enjoying breakfast and avidly reading the Daily Prophet. The stories about his finally ridding the world of Riddle were finally at an end, except for what it meant to the new Heads of their Houses, where appropriate.
There was a long article on how the Wizengamot had been disbanded and what it meant to the pre-existing power structure. All of it, of course, was conjecture.
What he was really interested in was the big 'advertisements' informing all and sundry that there was a great many Heads of Houses that were currently unoccupied, and how 'you' could be the missing heir. It also covered how Gringotts was prepared to do the Rites of Inheritance for all those who wanted it done - for a fee, of course - but that they'd have to book an appointment in advance.
The advertisement also said there would be plenty of time set aside for after hours; after normal business hours, of course, as the goblins were not ones to shut their doors if there was gold to be made.
It further indicated there were a great many seats to be had by Heads of Houses who were not currently Noble Houses.
Harry hoped Ragnock appreciated the business headed his way. He expected the old goblin would.
The other large advertisement along the same lines was the call for general elections, and who could apply to stand. It mentioned the various districts and how many from each district would be elected. Though it was not used within the mundane world of the United Kingdom it was agreed to use what was called the Hare-Clark Electoral System. It was a system used in Australia on the island of Tasmania and within the Australian Capital Territory.
Harry and the others provided Augusta and Amelia all the information they could gather about the system and the two witches wholeheartedly supported it with their combined endorsement. A new Department within the Ministry was created that would both administer and run the elections on a three year cycle during the summer months. The first election would not, however, be run until the summer of the following year. They needed that time to set the system in place, and to ensure magic could not be used to interfere.
Until then, the new Parliament would only be formed of the adapted House of Lords. However, they were going to be busy enough very soon with having to re-enact laws that were either being stripped from the laws, or rewritten to meet the Queen's demands.
The talk of the morning for the table was, of course, on what it meant to the existing ruling elite and those otherwise with power. Many were surprised to learn that those Seated would only be allowed the single vote. No longer would they be permitted to also hold proxies.
Already some of his students were making a start on creating new alliances, and disassembling old ones.
Harry just shook his head in wonder.
He folded the paper and placed it on the table under his left hand. And proceeded to make himself a proper breakfast. He was digging in and enjoying it immensely when Daphne, who always managed to sit on his left at the end of the table, slid a little closer.
"My Lord?" she asked quietly. "I am led to believe there are... three... Most Ancient Houses that were once ennobled."
She then lifted her right hand and placed it on top of Harry's left where it rested on the newspaper.
"You wouldn't happen to know the identity of those Houses, would you?" she asked, Harry was surprised, almost seductively.
'Not bad for an eleven year old,' thought Harry. "As a matter of fact, yes I do," he said, amused.
Harry noticed the slight flicker of annoyance cross her face as he didn't tell her which Houses they were.
"And, what Houses would they be, My Lord?" she asked carefully sliding even closer.
Harry watched as Tracey Davies looked at her friend in a mixture of shock and surprise; one eyebrow lifted.
Steeling his expression and trying not to smile, let alone laugh, Harry said, "That would be the Most Ancient Houses of Gaunt, Peverell and Lovegood. At one time Gaunt was ennobled but, I believe, an ancestor of that line lost the nobility to the Malfoys. The other, Lovegood, simply had their noble status annulled due to not wishing their line to be involved in the politics of the realm any longer. And Peverell was subsumed into the Potter line."
Harry watched the young girl lightly moisten her lips before trying to slide a little closer still. The fingers on her right hand were now lightly stroking the back of Harry's hand.
"And," she asked, "you wouldn't happen to know who the Head of the House of Gaunt is, do you?"
Harry sat pretending to think about his answer for the moment before saying, "Yes, actually. As a matter of fact, I do."
Tracey sat almost frozen watching her friend trying to tempt Harry with her 'feminine wiles'.
Another slight flicker of annoyance crossed Daphne's face. This time she leaned in closer, and whispered to him in a breathy voice, "And who would that happen to be, My Lord?"
Harry responded with, "And what is it worth to you to know?"
Daphne then leaned forward slightly and kissed him on the cheek. "What would you have of me, My Lord?"
Tracey, who had clearly been listening, dropped the knife she was holding and turned a nice shade of pink.
Harry also turned a little pink. But, not from embarrassment; from trying not to laugh. However, she did manage to make goose bumps rise up on his arms.
He said quietly back to Daphne, "Well, seeing as you've been so polite to ask. How could I refuse to answer?"
He then turned his head to lightly breathe on the girl's neck as he gently whispered, "Me, my dear Miss Greengrass."
Then he pulled his head back, withdrew his hand and re-attacked his breakfast as if he didn't have a care in the world.
Daphne sat there in utter shock for a few moments before she quickly got up, grabbed her bag, and fled the room. Harry suspected she was dashing to the owlery.
Harry sat there chuckling a little, while Tracey looked at him with no little shock of her own. "What did you say to her?" she asked.
"Now, how would that be fair of me to tell you when Daphne went to so much trouble to get the answer; hmmm?" he gleefully replied.
Tracey just glared at him for a moment before she, too, quickly stood, grabbed her bag and fled the room.
Harry chuckled, watching her go. He looked up to see his godfather had been watching him from the other end of the table. The man grinned back at him with a knowing smirk and winked at him. Harry suspected his godfather thought Harry had made a female conquest, or something.
One of the closest other First Years, Theo Nott, asked, "What did you say to her to make her run like that?"
Harry smiled and said, "The truth."
Nott sat there for a moment and snorted, "You told her the truth? To a Slytherin? No wonder she ran off."
Harry burst into laughter. Even young Theodore chuckled a little, considering Harry's own response. Not a few students looked their way wondering what was going on.
# # #
Later in the week, Harry and the others received a note from the renamed Wizengamot Administration Services, the Magical Parliament Administration Services (MPAS), that the next session of the new Magical Parliament would be delayed by a week. They apologised for the delay and stated Gringotts had asked for the extension due to the sheer number of people, even those with living parents, coming in for the Rites of Inheritance tests.
Harry thought the delay might have had more to do with the goblins seeing a way to make a bit of extra gold. He didn't blame them for it, though. You'd as soon blame a mosquito for stealing blood. It was in their nature. And, as long as the goblins were happy taking gold from wizardkind, they were less likely in future to take heads.
The MPAS were also going through all the copies of the tests sent their way with the Minister and Lady Chief Justice. They felt they would not have time to properly vet each application/demand for at least another week.
Working with the MPAS was the new Department of Electoral Services. As they will still in the planning stages they were called upon to assist the MPAS get through the workload.
Harry winced. He had given a thought to the amount of work it would take, but even he was surprised at the sheer numbers of RoI tests they had to wade through. There were even not a few supposed mundane-borns who soon found themselves sporting a new Head of House ring.
Amelia had handed over the Head of the DMLE position to Rufus Scrimgeour while she Headed the new Department of Justice; another new Department set up by the new Minister. Amelia was tasked with creating a department separate from the aurors and responsible for the prosecution and trials of the accused. She was already getting a lot of work as Rufus's investigative aurors went through the Ministry with many doses of Veratiserum rooting out all the corruption left over from the previous administrations.
Harry was happy to see Amelia and Augusta were on the warpath and purebloods, and those half bloods from sufficiently powerful families, were being ousted from their cosy offices, charged and released until a trial could be arranged for them at a later date. Those so arrested, of course, were immediately barred from returning to the Ministry offices or other employment within. Those so arrested and barred were also banned from seeking a position within the tiers of the new Magical Parliament.
Augusta had approached Sir David and Sir Anthony begging them to send a few of the mundane-borns with administrative experience back into the magical world with promises of respectable jobs in the evolving Ministry. The same applied with Amelia looking to fill the ranks of her new department with those skilled in handling matters relating to law.
Augusta, Amelia and Rufus were working their butts off for many long hours a day but seemed to be having the time of their lives.
# # #
On a warm day, Neville had also dragged the three of them outside to watch the wards being installed on the large patch of vacant fallow ground that would house the new vegetable gardens. He, Professor Vector, Professor Sprout and Hagrid had worked hard to get it done. Surprisingly, Hagrid had a fair idea as to the dietary requirements of the student population, and altered Harry's conception of twelty-five percent over the dietary needs of non-magicals to forty percent. It was confirmed by Headmistress McGonagall when she showed them the invoices for the monthly purchase of foodstuffs that found its way into the castle year round.
Gringotts had supplied the ward stones and they were being lowered into the ground. Harry thought the area the wards would encompass was huge! It had taking a great deal of planning by Neville, Professor Vector and the goblins to ensure they had the alignments right. But now the stones were being settled into place. As planned, the wards of the new vegetable farm would also be linked with the wards for the entire grounds.
Once the stones were in place and partially buried, the goblins remained to assist with the first powering of the wards. The four heirs instructed Lady Hogwarts to hand control of the wards to the goblin team leader. It was he who first linked the stones to the ley lines, linked them together and set in place the shunt for the wards of the vegetable plot to boost the main wards if and when needed.
When control of the wards was returned to the four heirs, they immediately felt the added power coming from the new ward stones. They tested the emergency shunt and declared it in fine form to the goblin. Then, with help from the other heirs and the two Professors, Neville set up the wards specifically required to protect the soon-to-be planted vegetables and fruits.
Harry and the girls left an ecstatic Neville and Professor Sprout to it, and returned to the castle with Professors Vector, Flitwick, Snape and Headmistress McGonagall. The goblins had already left with barely a word of goodbye. Hermione gave them thanks on behalf of the school and gave the goblin words of parting. The lead goblin was surprised but reciprocated. Harry thought Neville and Pomona hadn't even noticed.
# # #
Finally came the day the new Magical Parliament could ennoble all those wondering if they'd be selected. Those already in place filed into the old Courtroom Ten. Sir Kingston was ready; the others already ennobled and waiting were ready. Lucky members of the media filled the visitors' gallery, the unlucky were left dejected or furious outside in the atrium.
Sir Kingston opened the session and called for the first order of business. This, too, had all been planned in advance.
Harry stood and said, "I have business before the Parliament, Royal Wizard Davies."
"You have the floor, Lord Slytherin," said Sir Kingston.
Harry stepped down to the main floor and stood before the orb. He looked up and said, "Many of you are unaware I am also the Head of the Most Ancient House of Gaunt. This title I won by Rite of Combat against the living dark wizard Riddle when I was fifteen months old, the then last remaining of the line of Gaunt.
"The Most Ancient House of Gaunt was one of the original Great Houses. However, through poor management and business dealings, it lost its once earned Noble status. The House, once proud, then fell into poverty.
"When I discovered I had won the Headship of the House through the goblin Rite of Inheritance, I also discovered the House had no assets left to its name. At that point it could have been rebuilt. I could have used my wealth to re-establish it. However, I do not wish to do that. The name Gaunt will be associated forevermore with the name Riddle... and Voldemort... and I do not want my family associated with it.
"Therefore," said Harry placing his hand on the orb, "I, Harry James Potter, Head and last remaining member of the Most Ancient House of Gaunt, hereby end the line of Gaunt. So mote it be!"
There was a flash and gong sound. Mutterings rose from the tiers and from the Gallery. Harry could see Cygnus Greengrass frown a great deal. Clearly, young Daphne had advised her father.
'That's one title gone,' thought Harry.
"Further," he said, "I wish to name my Proxy for the Seat of Potter."
"You still have the floor, Lord Slytherin," said Sir Kingston.
"Thank you, Royal Wizard," replied Harry before he once more placed his hand on the orb. "I, Lord Harry James Potter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, name as my Proxy for the Seat of Potter, my cousin, Miss Nymphadora Tonks. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston asked, "Is the Proxy for the Potter Seat ready to take her place amongst her peers?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Proxy for the Seat of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter come forward."
Tonks - 'Don't call me Nymphadora!' - came in from where she waited in the antechamber. She walked up to stand beside Harry.
"Are you sure about this, Harry?" she quiveringly asked.
"We've been over this, Tonks; with you, your mother and your father," he replied. "I'm very sure."
Tonks sighed and turned to the orb. Harry held the written oath for her to read.
"I, Nymphadora Tonks," recited Tonks, "named Proxy for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, swear allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law, and vote as my conscience and Head of the House I represent wishes, within these chambers. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston said, "Come forward, Miss Tonks, named Proxy of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, and be seated among your peers."
Tonks, a little startled by being addressed so formally, ascended the stairs. Sirius indicated a seat for her. When she sat and placed her wand in the receptacle as instructed by Sirius, her new Parliament robes appeared with the Potter Crest surrounded by a white background. The Potter crest also appeared in the head rest above her head, also surrounded in white.
She looked a little stunned, but pleased. Sirius whispered words of encouragement to her.
Sir Kingston called, "Is there any further business before we begin the main reason we are here today?"
Sirius stood and said, "I have business before the Parliament, Royal Wizard Davies."
"You have the floor, Lord Black," said Sir Kingston.
Sirius joined Harry on the floor and said, "As many of you know, my godson, Lord Potter, my son in all but name, is my current heir.
"However, he claims he already has too many titles and he must wonder if he will be man enough to father enough children to ensure all his titles succeed him..."
"Oi!" replied Harry a little indignantly.
Chuckling, as were a few others, Sir Kingston said, "Lord Black has the call."
"To... alleviate him..." continued Sirius as if there was no interruption, "of part of this... problem, and to assuage his pleading, I name a new heir to the House of Black." Sirius then placed his hand on the orb and recited from Harry's parchments, "I, Lord Sirius Orion Black, hereby name my heir for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, my cousin, Madam Andromeda Tonks nee Black. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Harry saw and felt the flash as the Heir's ring for the House of Black disappeared from his finger. He hoped Andromeda would wear it with as much pride as he did.
"Thank you, Sirius," he said, looking up at his godfather. "I think."
"You're welcome, Pup," replied Sirius with a grin and giving Harry's hair a quick ruffle before heading back up the tiers to his seat.
"To other matters unresolved a fortnight ago, do you have Lord Stebbins with us, this morning?" asked Sir Kingston.
A tall man came forth and said, "Sir. My brother, Lord Mathias Stebbins, passed away during the week due to long illness. His heir is his son, Francis. However, Francis is only nine years old, and ill-suited as yet to take up his Lordship."
"I see," replied the Royal Wizard, before turning to Amelia, "Lady Chief Justice, is this confirmed?"
"Amelia placed her hand upon her chair arm where her wand was already held in its receptacle and said, "Yes, Sir Kingston. All that has been said is true. At this time, and as per the Will of the late Lord Stebbins, we ask that the man before us, Mister Tyler Stebbins, be granted both guardianship of young Francis Stebbins and be granted Regency of the Stebbins Seat."
"You have personally confirmed this by sighting the Will, Lady Chief Justice?" he asked.
"I have, Sir," she replied.
"Very well," said the Royal Wizard, before turning back to face Harry and Tyler Stebbins, "Come forward, Tyler Stebbins, guardian of Francis Stebbins, Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Stebbins, and give the oath."
Harry held the parchment for Tyler to give his oath.
Flash and gong.
When Tyler Stebbins, Regent for the House of Stebbins, finished, the Royal Wizard said, "Come forward Regent Stebbins of the Noble and Ancient House of Stebbins, and be seated among your peers."
The older man walked up into the tiers and took a seat. As with the other Regents, his crest on his Parliamentary robes and headrest was surrounded by a red border.
"Lady Chief Justice," called the Royal Wizard, "are we ready to induct our new Lords, Ladies and Regents?"
"We are, Sir," Amelia replied. "Lord Slytherin has also offered his services to assist me. And the auror corps is ready to protect all and bring forth the lucky few."
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "You may proceed."
"Thank you, Sir," said Amelia.
Amelia joined Harry on the floor. The Royal Wizard indicated for the commencement of the call of those about to be ennobled.
"First, Sir, if I may?" said Amelia, receiving a nod from Sir Kingston, "It seems Lord Potter has not yet taken up his Headship of the Most Ancient House of Peverell. I ask that he do so, at this time."
Another nod with Harry grumbling.
"Fine!" he grouched. He lifted his hand and intoned, "I Harry James Potter, hereby claim my Headship of the Most Ancient House of Peverell. So mote it be!" He lowered his wand.
"Thank you," said Amelia with a smirk.
"Let it be known," said Sir Kingston, "That the Most Ancient House of Peverell is returned, once more, to the title of Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell."
Amelia then had Harry place his hand on the orb and recite, "I, Harry James Potter, hereby claim Lordship for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell. I further swear on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"
"Do you wish to name a Proxy to the Seat of Peverell at this time?" asked the Royal Wizard.
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry before he once more placed his hand on the orb. "I, Lord Harry James Potter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell, name as my Proxy for the Seat of Peverell, my friend and tutor, Major Daniel Granger of the Queen's Own Regiment. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston asked, "Is the Proxy for the Peverell Seat ready to take his place amongst his peers?"
Harry looked up to the visitors' gallery and saw Dan sitting there looking at him in shock. "Yes, Sir," replied Harry, with a grin.
"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Proxy for the Seat of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell come forward."
Dan hesitantly came down from the Gallery and walked up to Harry. He was gobsmacked. "Harry, I..." he tried to say.
"Do this, Dan," replied Harry. "It'll give you more time to spend with your daughter, and ties in nicely with Her Majesty's instructions for you to protect her."
Dan nodded, braced himself, and placed his hand on the orb. "I, Daniel Michael Granger," recited Dan, "named Proxy for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell, again swear allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law, and vote as my conscience and Head of the House I represent wishes, within these chambers. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
Sir Kingston said, "Come forward, Major Granger, named Proxy of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell, and be seated among your peers."
As Dan took a seat near Sirius and very close to Hermione his robes changed to their Parliamentary configuration with the House crest of Peverell surrounded in white. The seat did the same for the headrest. The man himself sat there in not a little residual shock.
Sir Kingston started to call forth the new, and sometimes renewed Ancient Houses. "When you hear the name of your House called, you will step down, approach the orb and give your oath to be seated. Lady Chief Justice will have the words of your oath for you to read. Please follow her instructions. Once you have made your oath you may take seat in a vacant seat to my left."
Using his own set of notes on parchment, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Most Ancient House of Lovegood, please come forward."
Amelia looked up at Xeno Lovegood and encouraged him to come forward. She already had the relevant oath ready for him. A tap of her wand had changed the relevant details on the document.
He came down from the gallery and walked up to the orb. Amelia whispered to him and he looked at her with not a little surprise. He placed his hand on the orb and gave the oath. "I, Xenophilius Robin Lovegood, Head of the Most Ancient House of Lovegood, swear allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"
The orb flashed, and Sir Kingston said, "Come forward Lord Lovegood of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Lovegood, and be seated among your peers.
Xeno, not a little dazed, came up and joined the others to the left of the Royal Wizard. Hearing a noise, Harry turned to the visitors' gallery and saw a young blood girl, almost ready to start at Hogwarts, sitting with the journalists and clapping gaily with a big smile on her face.
Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Ancient House of Alderton, please come forward."
So it went through the Ancient Houses of Alderton, Belby, Bobbin, Bulstrode, Bletchley, Crouch, Fawcett, Fortescue and Jorkins.
Next came Lestrange. When Sir Kingston called for the Head of the Ancient House of Lestrange to step forward, Frank came down from his seat and approached the orb.
"Peers," he called to those already seated in the tiers, "It has come to my attention that, on the death of my cousins, Rudolphus and Rabastan Lestrange two weeks ago, marked Death Eaters serving time in Azkaban, the Lestrange name has fallen to the Longbottoms as having the only link to the line.
"However, as Lord Potter-Peverell-Slytherin has said before me, I do not wish that stain upon my family's honour. As such," he placed his hand on the orb, "I, Lord Francis Monroe Longbottom, Head of the Ancient House of Lestrange, hereby end the line of Lestrange. So mote it be!"
Flash and gong.
He gave Harry a nod and carefully walked back up into the tiers. Harry was happy to see the past two weeks of recuperations had done well for the man's health.
Next came Rosier - not a wannabe Death Eater, but an elder gentleman - Scamander, Selwyn and Smethwyk. That made the last of the Ancient, now Noble and Ancient, Seats.
Then they dropped to the Elder Seats of Bagman (with Ludo Bagman as the heir), Bagnold (Millicent's son, Basil) and Blenkinsop.
The next one was a surprise, too. When the Elder House of Carrow, a known very dark family, was called forward. The Head of the Unspeakables, Algernon Croaker was brought in, grumbling all the way.
"What is the meaning of this?!" grumbled the cloaked figure.
"Mister Algernon Carrow,..." the Royal Wizard began.
"What?" splutter the figure. "Damn it! Now I'm going to have to obliviate everyone!"
Harry was stunned speechless, as were a great number of other people in the room. 'Croaker was a Carrow?' thought Harry. 'Who would'a thunk it?'
"Mister Algernon Carrow," the Royal Wizard began again, "you will do no such thing!"
"And why is that?" growled the Unspeakable.
"Her Majesty requires you to take up seat, here, in the new Magical Parliament," replied the Royal Wizard. "You don't want to be forced to go and tell her why you refused to serve, do you?"
"Damn it! That's playin' dirty!" the Unspeakable grouched again. Then he sighed, reached up, and dropped the hood of his cloak off onto his shoulders. Clearly, the man looked like 'a Carrow' but was older and looked like a kindly man. He also looked very familiar.
Harry asked, "Do you know you happen to look..."
"... like Santa Claus, kid?" finished the ex-Unspeakable in a friendlier voice. "Yeah, I know."
Harry just snorted in response before holding the oath up for the man to give.
"Oh, I already know what to say, kid," said the still grumbling ex-Unspeakable, waving Harry off. And he gave the oath.
When invited to take seat by the Royal Wizard he replied, "No, not yet. I've now got to go and tell my second-in-command he's now Head of the Department, damn it all!" And stormed back out again.
Sirius, Frank and Cygnus were all laughing. Not a few others were trying to hide their grins. Even Sir Kingston was smiling. "That was fun!" he said to all and sundry. That set the laughers back off again.
After everyone had calmed down again Sir Kingston went back to calling up the New Lords and Ladies. Doge was next. He held his seat in the old Wizengamot as a Proxy for a House that no longer existed. This time he'd hold it in his own right.
The next one was going to be touchy.
Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Elder House of Dumbledore, please come forward."
Amelia and Harry looked up at Aberforth Dumbledore and encouraged him to come forward. She already had the relevant oath ready for him.
There were a great deal of mumblings from the visitors' gallery and a few from the already newly seated Lords and Ladies. 'What happened to Albus Dumbledore?' 'Where is he?' 'How did Dumbledore die?' 'Is he dead or just banned?'
He gave the oath but, when invited to ascend into the tiers and take seat, he instead said, "Sir, at this time, I wish to name my heir."
"Very well, My Lord," replied Sir Kingston. "Name your heir."
Aberforth laid his hand back on the orb and said, "I, Aberforth Simon Montague William Dumbledore, name as my heir to the Noble and Elder House of Dumbledore, Lord Harry James Potter. So mote it be!"
"Huh?" said Harry, in shock. "Damn it! Not another one!" he moaned.
There was ructions in the visitors' gallery and in those already seated. Susan was grinning while shaking her head. Hermione was giggling so much she had tears in her eyes. Neville, Sirius, Frank, Dan and Tonks were roaring with laughter - Sirius had already fallen out of his seat he was laughing so hard. Cygnus looked pained but was also chuckling. A few of the other families were either shocked or looking a little pained.
When Aberforth stepped away from the orb, he turned to Harry, placed a hand on his shoulder, and quietly said, "It's the least I can do for you, considering how much Albus screwed you over."
Not knowing what else to say, Harry simply said, "Thank you, My Lord."
Aberforth blinked in startlement for a moment before grinning and saying, "Now, I'm going back to my pub. I'm in the process of giving it a new lease on life. I may even call it 'The Lord's Hogshead'. Ha!" And walked out.
After the chamber was brought to silence again, Sir Kingston continued with calling Heads of Houses forward. Next came Edgecombe, Gudgeon and Higgs. The Fudge family, though it was due a title, was skipped due to the crimes of the former a were a great many other families.
Then, one of the moments Harry had been waiting for, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Elder House of Lupin, Remus John Lupin, please come forward."
Remus, who thought he had been sitting there as a special guest of both Harry and Sirius, sat up in shock.
Harry and Amelia both looked up and waited for Remus to step down. The man didn't move.
Sirius called out, "Remus, you old wolf, that's you!"
"My Lord, Black; please!" said Sir Kingston.
Sirius didn't looked fazed at being chastised, one whit. He was having way too much fun.
Remus still hadn't moved, so Harry walked across to just under the rail where Remus was sitting, and called, "Come on down, Professor Lupin."
Remus rose and descended the stairs in a daze. Harry led him over to the orb.
Harry held the parchment with the correct wording and softly said, "Come on, Uncle Moony; place your hand on the orb and read the words."
"But," said a stuttering Remus, "My father..."
"... was blocked because of his treatment of you," finished Harry. "Her Majesty did not take that well. Surprise!"
Remus placed his hand on the orb and read the oath, but still appeared to be in a daze.
Flash and gong. And Remus was invited up into the tiers to take one of the few remaining seats.
Next came Prewett, a cousin of Molly
Then Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Elder House of Prince, Severus Tobias Snape, please come forward."
Proudly, Severus came down out of the visitors' gallery. Harry was smiling at him as he gave the oath. Many were commenting on how the Potions Master 'seemed' to have developed the cure for lycanthropy and was a shoo-in for an Order of Merlin if the trials proved successful. The last full moon, only a week earlier, saw the first round of live trials on ten volunteers. All lived and, in almost all cases, the virus seemed to have been eliminated on the first run through. Remus was one of those.
Then came Scrimgeour with the new Head of the DMLE, Rufus Scrimgeour, as heir.
And, finally, Weasley.
Arthur came down and proudly, but a little tentatively, approached the orb. He looked as if he felt he'd be tossed out any moment.
He gave the oath and the flash and gong sound signified it'd been accepted. He entered the tiers with one of the biggest smiles Harry had ever seen. Harry followed him up and took his own seat.
Once he'd taken Seat, Sir Kingston brought everyone to silence again before stating, "With only a few seats left to fill as we locate the true Heads of those Houses, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have here the Magical equivalent to the House of Lords. Congratulations to our new Peers. Revel in your elevation. But, be aware, we have a great deal of work to do.
"Lords and Ladies, Regents and Proxies, let's get to it, shall we?" he said before hesitating for a moment. "Scribe, please inform us on the first order of business before us."
The scribe stood and said, "Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Lords and Ladies, Regents and Proxies, the first order of business is the renunciation of those laws declared by Her Majesty to be discriminatory against other magical sentients and the mundane born. My Lord Royal Wizard!"
And the new House of Lords side of the new Magical Parliament got down to work.
# # #
The next morning, after a very long day and early evening sitting in chambers, Harry was sitting down to breakfast at the Slytherin table. He was clearly tired and many of the students decided not to harass the clearly tired young man.
Hedwig had just dropped him off the morning's copy of the Daily Prophet. Flicking it open he scanned through it. On the third page was a small story covering the death of Albus Dumbledore.
'Not the recognition the old fool would have hoped for,' he thought.
He read through and was amazed the details on the old man's death were still a matter of speculation. The only thing it got right was that Dumbledore was executed on the direct order of the Queen.
Reading down, Harry saw the last line.
The details surrounding the death of Dumbledore, surprisingly uncovered dark wizard, are still unclear. What is surprising is that, when questioned on the facts, Minister Longbottom, Lady Chief Justice Bones, and even his brother, Lord Aberforth Dumbledore, all had only this to say, "It was For the Greater Good".
He burst out laughing.
Finite Incantem!