Chapter 7
The rest of their first year passed quickly for Harry and Hermione and before they knew what was happening they were speeding towards London on the Hogwarts express each with their nose in an advanced spell book from the headmistress's office. Beside them Pansy sat chatting animatedly with her best friends Lavender and Pavarti about their favourite subject 'boys', opposite them Neville was deep in conversation with the rest of the Gryffindor first year boys about results of the house cup from the evening before. Harry and Hermione could have returned straight to the manor with Aunt Minnie but had chosen to rode the train with their friends in order to round off the school year as normal students, and although they would be seeing all of their friends at various points over the summer it felt strange that this would be the last day they would all be together until September. Frank and Alice had all but confirmed they'd be around with Neville at least once a week, Dean had been adopted by Seamus' mother just a few weeks before after his step father had told him never to return so they were only a Floo trip away, Lavender had a busy summer planned with her family and Paverti but both had confirmed they were free before Harry's birthday for about a week, and Ronald, who had really made an effort to befriend them in the last few months, they would be seeing everyday along with the rest of his family. Truth be told Harry Was looking forward to lessen Aunt Minnie had planned with each of the adult Weasleys, me knew Ron would complain about starting to study the electives and entire year early, but then he'd be complaining about studying over anyway.
"Any special plans for your birthday Harry?" Neville asked as it approached lunchtime.
"Not really thought about it to be honest, I've not really celebrated it before." He replied without looking up from his book.
"Isn't your birthday the day before his?" Hermione queried looking up to which Neville nodded. "Well perhaps a joint celebration at the manor and spread it over both days?"
"Sound good to me." Harry smiled finally looking up. "I think there's a forest clearing we could use to sleep under the stars with the griffins."
"Wait you actually have griffins?" Pansy squealed. "I thought you were joking."
"No we met them during the Yule break." Hermione replied. "Sorry you haven't been home yet Aunt Minnie needed to stay at the castle during Easter and we have a connection to our family wherever we are."
"It's ok, I got to see mother, and now that father's true identity has been exposed I didn't feel like spending time in a home that I wasn't moving into fully." She stated.
"Oh, I forgot you were moving in with Harry." Lavender said in realisation. "What are you most looking forward to?"
"Honestly I don't know the entire family has been completely tight lipped about what I can expect."
"Really?" Pavarti demanded of Harry and Hermione.
"We didn't know when we went home for Yule." Hermione stated. "Plus words really don't do it justice, that's why when it's each of your turns to visit you'll be collected by one of us so you get the best first impression."
"How in the name of Merlin are you going to collect us?" Ron asked disbelievingly.
"We both have portkeys that can take us home." Harry stated returning to his book. "The only reason we're on the train is because we wanted to spend the day with you lot, we could have gone home for breakfast if we wanted to."
"That and it's a nice way to end the year." Hermione smiled. "We discussed it with Aunt Minnie and my parents, we will ride the trains at the start and end of every year but for the holidays we'll go via Floo or port key."
"How noble of you." A voice sneered from the opening door. "At least you pretend to be normal like the rest of us."
"Daphne how nice to see you again." Pansy greeted. "Not got your pet gorillas with you today?"
"No I left them to look after Tracey she's being targeted by the upper years." The blonde replied. "And Crabbe and Goyle have really turned things around since Malfoy left, I think their fathers are a little worried Potter is going to have them arrested."
"Miss Greengrass, if you insist on using my surname please use my full name and correct title." Harry stated not looking at her.
"My apologies Lord Potter-Merlin, I didn't see you behind your book." Daphne said trying to meet his eye but he still didn't look at her. "I was hoping I could speak with you in private."
"No." He said putting a bookmark into his page and looking at the Slytherin. "But feel free to speak to me in front of my friends."
"My father was quite insistent that this is a private matter to be kept between our houses." She stated flatly.
"Then he can address the issue with my proxy, Headmistress McGonagall, and arrange a meeting." He stated.
"Fine have it your way, he told me I had to do this or he'd name Astoria his heir." She huffed as she closed the door. "There is a century old marriage contract between our house, that has been unfulfilled until now as the original intended wife my great aunt died before it could be completed and both families have only had male heirs until I was born."
"No." Harry stated coldly before she could finish her explanation with a question. "I have already named my betrothed, she is my soulmate and I will not take another, I am the Head of the superior house and I decide which contracts get fulfilled by who, perhaps if our children agree, gender willing than we can see this done but until then the answer is no."
"But if it's not you father will just sign a contract for me with someone I don't know, someone older, someone I'll hate." She said on the verge of tears.
"I understand your plight but my position is final I will not take another wife, but I will see what my advisors suggest about this contract, and I shall have to check its wording." Harry sighed. "You say it's a century old do you know who requested the contract?"
"Yours I believe."
"And was the House of Greengrass, benefited from this contract in the last century?"
"Support on several laws, and I believe money was exchanged at multiple occasions."
"Good I think I might have a fix of this." Harry stated. "But I need to talk to Minerva first, tell your father to expect an owl from me and what I've said to you."
"What do you expect to be able to do?" She demanded as the tears started to flow.
"Use the old laws that govern our noble houses and ensure you are paired with a suitable gentleman that would provide a loving home for any potential match."
"But that's not what the contract says."
"No, but if your father doesn't want to be indebted to the House of Potter for the benefits you as a house have received, he'll let you choose your own partner, and as I said gender permitting and if our children are willing we will see this done." Harry said standing up and giving her a hug. "Daphne feel free to speak to me if you need a friend in a high place, since Draco was sent away you and most of the Slytherins have been excellent classmates and I'd like to think we could be friends."
"I'd like that." She smiled hugging him back and looking over his shoulder. "You're lucky you snagged him first Hermione, I hope you don't begrudge my asking."
"Not at all." She replied setting down her own book. "Why don't you join us at the manor a few days over the break we can all get to know each other better."
"Let's see how father takes the news first."
After Daphne left their journey was anything but quiet, each of house quidditch team stopped by and promised to be there for Harry's birthday and that they'd bring their brooms for a pick me up game, each of the prefects stopped for a small chat as they passed by on their rounds (Harry was certain that Aunt Minnie had instructed them to), and not long before they reached London Marcus Flint stormed into their compartment leaving the door open behind him.
"Potter you are my Head of House correct?" He demanded.
"Three things you need to address before I speak to you Marcus." Harry stated not looking up from his book. "Firstly you should really knock before you enter a room someone else is in, secondly you should use my full name and title, and thirdly you need to apologise for making a demand of me. Please leave and try again."
"You dare to order me around, I am a Flint by birth." The 5th year stated puffing out his chest. "Not like you who stole it from my uncle."
"I stole nothing, if your parents can't tell you the truth that's not my fault." Harry retorted standing up and pulling out his normal wand. "I claimed restitutions from all Wizenagmot members who were marked by Voldemort whether they had claimed to have been under the Imperius or not, as the Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter I was within my rights as per the ancient laws to claim restitutions from any person who I deem to have been involved with the murder of the previous Lord and Lady. Now get out and only return to my sight when you can show me the respect due to my station, if you are rude to me again you might just find your Hogwarts tuition revoked as this pulls from the Flint family vault that I control."
"You wouldn't dare."
"I wouldn't test him cousin, he took down Dumbledore using a single spell and the wand he's holding." Pansy stated.
"Like he could take out Dumbledore, it was Snape the way I hear it they are just saying it was him to boost his fame."
"Regardless of that, do you really want to test his resolve. He is your Head of House, and has already made strides to better the house name."
"How by taking you and your mother away from us?"
"Actually he had your family apothecary given preferential treatment with my potions ingredient Nursary, they are becoming known for the potency of their potions." Hermione said politely.
"And why should I believe you?" Marcus demanded.
"I am the future Lady Potter-Merlin." She answered. "The future of the House of Flint is also my responsibility, and if you don't like a muggleborn being your Head of House's wife I suggest you say so now so that Harry can deal with you as needed before it becomes more of an issue."
"Now I suggest you leave cousin before you offend anyone else." Pansy stated.
"And I expect a full apology in writing to both myself and Hermione before I will hear you out if you can do that before the train ride is over I will grant you a formal audience today." Harry said flatly. "If not you will need to send them via my proxy and await my response before an audience can be arranged."
"I won't be apologising to you for trying to make a request." Flint spat at Harry.
"That's not the issue it's the level of respect you have for your Head of House, now there are only a few things a person needs their Head of House for so I assume you expect me to arrange your marriage." He surmised. "And if that is the case I'd have turned you down anyway, you need to learn how to treat a woman before you get to marry them, and if you can't attract one on your own, that's not my problem. Now for the last time get out."
"But that's not how it's done in our world." Flint protested.
"It is in my families." Harry stated. "STUPEFY!"
Flint was thrown backwards through the still open door causing him to land in a heap in the corridor at the feet of the recently graduated headgirl, Gabriel Danvers, who looked at Flint blinked several times then looked at Harry, who just shrugged at her.
"I asked him to leave several times." He frowned.
"What did he want anyway?" She asked stepping of the unconscious body.
"For me to arrange a marriage for him."
"To whom?"
"I don't know, and in all honesty I didn't ask." Harry replied. "I would never dream of forcing a person into a marriage with anyone, and..."
"Oh thank Merlin." A familiar voice said behind Gabriel. "Look Trace, Harry put him in his place I told you he wouldn't be able to do that to you."
"What's going on Daphne?" Hermione asked stepping around the headgirl to find their new blonde friend half carrying her crying brunette friend.
"Flint cornered Tracy outside the loos and was making unsolicited advances, he touched her chest and when she slapped him he stormed off saying he'd get his Head of House to make her his." Daphne explained. "I couldn't even get her to understand Harry's position on the whole marriage contract issue by explaining what he said to me so I thought I'd bring her to see you herself."
Harry stepped around Gabriel and over Flint and looked down at Tracy, who despite his still undersized body was nearly a foot shorter than him, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Would you like a hug Miss Davis?" He asked softly using her formal title, when she nodded he pulled her towards him and she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "You were never in any danger of being forced to live a loveless life with him, I believe that everyone deserves the right to find love on their own like my parents did, like I did and hopefully you will too."
"Thank you Lord Potter-Merlin."
"Call me Harry, all my friends do."
"You'd have me as a friend you hardly know me."
"If I started alienating people based on my assumptions of them I'd be no better than my greatest enemy." Harry stated. "So let's get to know each other, Daphne will be spending some time in my home over the summer why don't you join her?"
"I'd like that." She smiled.
"Alright guys, we're only a half hour or so away from Kings Cross I suggest you collect all of your belongings together." Gabriel said as she stepped of of the compartment. "I'll get this lump back to his friends, but I'd watch your backs the 5th year Slytherins are particularly nasty with their choice of curses."
As she levitated the limp body of Flint away down the train Harry and Hermione began to collect the items the had brought with them into Harry's extended capacity satchel, thankful that they had let Remus take their trunks and familiars home that morning. As they helped their friends down onto the platform they noticed a heavy presence of Aurors lining the walls and keeping watch over the crowds.
"Well at least Flint and the other Slytherins won't be able to attack us." Hermione commented.
"Not necessarily true, he's a complete idiot." Pansy said shaking her head. "He almost got expelled in after his first year by using his wand in Diagon Alley."
"Let me guess his uncle the Death Eater on the Wizenagmot got him off scot free?" Harry asked rhetorically to which Pansy nodded. "Well he won't see me doing that for him."
"At least Amelia is taking the possibility of Voldemort returning seriously." Hermione commented.
"Too right she is." Dora agreed joining them. "Now mum asked me to join you at the manor for dinner her and dad are busy this evening, so who's picking you 3 up?"
"No one." Harry smiled. "Where's your trunk?"
"I shrunk it and put it in my bag, but if no one is coming how are we getting there?"
"Portkey, apparently." Pansy replied looking nervous.
"What's wrong Pansy?"Hermione asked. "Do you not like portkeys?"
"Never used one but mum hates them."
"You'll be fine." Harry said wrapping an arm around Hermione waist. "Just hold tight to me." As soon as Pansy and Dora were holding on tightly he and Hermione said. "Take us home." And the familiar sensation of being squeezed from all sides took over them and as soon as they landed he looked up at the black marble manor that was his home. "Welcome Ladies to Potter Manor."
"You could have warned me it was an apparation key." Dora exclaimed as she punched Harry on the arm.
"There wasn't really time if you'd come to us while we were still on board the train we could have explained it in private." Hermione stated defensively. "The platform was too noisy, if anyone finds out about these they might try to block them and right now it's impossible."
"What in the name of Merlin is an apparation key?" Pansy asked.
"It's exactly what it sounds like." Harry replied as he stepped towards the door. "Only they're incredibly rare and hard to make, I had to get the goblins involved to make the copy for Hermione, it took a fair chunk of the money from Dumbledore as well."
"So that's why Aunt Minnie looked so gleeful when we were going over the accounts last month." Hermione realised.
"Exactly, the last transaction on the Dumbledore ledger just says 'For Hermione, A.K.'." Harry explained as he opened the front door.
"That way anyone else who looks at the ledger won't know what it was." Hermione smiled as she stepped past him into the entrance hall. "Whose idea was that?"
"I just wanted it to say 'For Hermione' but Ragnok said he at least needed a better signifier." Harry stated.
POP
"Welcome home Master and Mistresses." Velma greeted. "How was the train ride?"
"About as good as could be expected." Harry replied. "Where is everyone?"
"They is in the library, Mistress Andromeda called a meeting as soon as she arrived an hour ago."
"Mum is here?" Dora asked
"Yes Mistress Nymphadora, she and your father are talking to the rest of the family and Lord Black." Velma stated.
"Velma I'm parched and rather hungry." Hermione smiled. "Could you have Josie whip up some sandwiches and tea for us please."
"Of course Lady Hermione." Velma smiled. "Your parents asked me to apologise on their behalf they is finalising the sale of their practice today and packing the last of your old home, they is not returning until late this evening."
"Thank you Velma."
POP
"Your elves are so polite." Pansy commented. "The ones at Parkinson Hall were always so mean and grumpy."
"It all comes down to how you treat them." Harry replied as he lead the way to the library holding Hermione's hand. "At least that's what they tell me."
"Well neither Father or Grandfather were particularly kind to anyone, so I can understand that." She replied smiling.
"Hang on she called me mistress." Dora said. "I wonder why."
"Well there's a good chance my being Heir Black has something to do with it." Harry posed.
"Maybe but I get the feeling something else is going on." Dora sighed.
As Harry and Hermione guided them others towards the library, the were pointing out various rooms that they thought they might like and giving directions to those they expressed great interest in, Pansy was most excited about the swimming pool and stopped to memorise the direction he. Was giving her, Dora was just getting more and more jealous of the 3 soon to be second years they were now living in this house. Pansy was a non-stop question machine as the walked through the house, eager to learn everything about her new home, she only stopped as they entered the library, and the sheer size of it took all thought from her.
"Breathe Pansy." Hermione whispered. "I know how you feel the first time I saw it I was utterly speechless as well all I could do was screech with glee, and then Harry said he'd wait for me to explore it and I honestly nearly fainted."
"I've never seen a library this big and so bright at the same time." The black haired girl responded.
"The skylights Harry asked for make a wonderful addition." Hermione chortled. "I couldn't have thought this room could get any better when I first saw it but now it is perfect."
"Not yet it's not." Harry stated.
"Oh why ever not?" Hermione demanded. "There's enough natural light that I don't need a torch to search the deep upper stacks during the daytime."
"There's no books written by the greatest mind of our age yet." He said pulling her around to face him.
"Oh well I'm sure you can find them for me." She replied kissing him softly.
"How am I supposed to find what you haven't written yet?" He smiled back cheekily causing her to blush slightly.
"We've not even been in the door for half an hour and I already want to get you alone." She whispered as she cuddled him tightly. "You're going to get more kisses than you've ever had before."
"That's enough you two." Dora stated. "Firstly your making me feel all lonely, and secondly the adults appear to be waiting for us intently."
"Don't mind us Nymphy." Sirius chuckled as she glared daggers at him. "They remind us all of Lily and James, we really don't mind waiting."
"What would they think if they knew you were trying to replace them?" Harry asked teasingly.
"Well given that it's you Pronglet I'm sure they won't mind." Remus retorted.
"You're probably right Uncle Mooney." Hermione giggled. "Now why the meeting as soon as we got home?"
"Well I had a bit of a harrowing run in with a reporter from the Daily Prophet." Andi stated. "She ambushed me at home and knew about where Frank and Alice's cure came from. I didn't reveal anything but she mentioned you two by name."
"Remus how much of the Prophet have you managed to buy?" Harry asked.
"I'm at 90%, we already had 30 from your grandfather, the House of Malfoy gave us another 25, and I've been buying all the stocks I can get my hands on since January but whoever owns the last 10% isn't budging."
"It's probably someone connected to the minister." Sirius stated. "I already gave you control of all of the Black family business so Remus can start to integrate them into your holdings property, ready for when he teaches you all about it after your O. ."
"Anything we should know about?" Hermione asked.
"I'll tell you later." Remus smiled. "But let us stay focused what do we want to do about this reporter?"
"I have deciding control of the paper, correct?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
"Send a stern letter to the chief editor." Hermione stated. "State that all members of this family, as in to say all members of all of our houses must be given the option to refuse an interview, and all interviews must be pre-approved by either myself, Harry, or our named proxy. And request the reporter who ambushed Andi present themselves here first thing tomorrow morning to make a formal apology, or they can resign."
"Hermione, it's Rita Skeeta she won't take this laying down." Andi stated.
"And we are the only Most Ancient and Most Noble House in the Wizenagmot and can make her life incredibly hard." Harry stated.
"A good plan." Aunt Minnie stated. "I wholeheartedly agree, if anything can curb her digging into our affairs it will be the threat of loosing her paycheque."
"Right I'm pretty tired I think I'm going to take a nap." Hermione stated as she yawned.
"A wise choice I'll send Velma to wake you for dinner." Aunt Minnie smiled.
"Before you go." Violet said standing up. "I'd like to thank you again for giving Pansy and I another chance to make something of this life you didn't have to do that, and I hope we can come to show you how grateful we really are."
"You don't need to do anything but be yourselves and uphold what it truly means to be a Potter." Harry smiled back.
"And what does it mean to be a Potter?" Violet asked.
"A Potter is selfless and always helps those in need, and above all a Potter is kind to all except those who prove themselves unworthy of such respect." Pansy answered.
"Like young Marcus?" Aunt Minnie asked.
"I asked him to leave politely several times." Harry stated defensively.
"We know, we just wanted to make you aware we knew." Remus stated. "Well done by the way, I don't think any of us would have been that patient with him."
"I'd have hexed him the moment he refused to leave." Sirius stated. "Now go and rest you all look tired, there's several surprises coming at dinner."
Harry and Hermione happily walked arm in arm up to their suite saying hello to all of the portraits along the way, Harry loved his home and for once was glad to be returning to a happy place full of people he considered family. They left his bag in the study and stepped in to the family room to find an intense argument raging between Charlus and Fleamont.
"ENOUGH!." Harry shouted after several failed attempts to speak. "What in the name of Merlin is wrong with you two?"
"We were discussing how best to advise you about a family secret." James stated. "And your grandfather doesn't want to tell you until you're of age but it's important for the Head of House to know everything about said house, so your great uncle was trying to put him into place."
"Grandfather thank you for your concern about my retaining my innocence but most of that was robbed from me by Dumbledore." Harry sighed at his grandfather. "Now what is this secret?"
"You know we are descended from Ignotus Peverall?" Charlus asked to which both Harry and Hermione nodded. "And you've read the tale of the three brothers?" They nodded again. "It's not just a children's story, the items in the story are called the 'Deathly Hallows', your cloak was created in an extraordinary feat of magic performed by the three brothers, they also created the Elder wand and the Resurrection Stone."
"After they had all 'Cheated' death in various ways with these items death himself visited the three of them as the dramatisation suggests." Fleamont continued. "Now if you were to obtain the other 2 items it would make you the master of death, many people have searched for these items for that reason but only one of the Peverall line would be able to wield them in such a manner."
"So we only need to find the Resurrection stone." Hermione stated looking at Harry.
"You have the Elder Wand?" Lily gasped. "Where did you find that?"
"I took it from Dumbledore." Harry replied. "And if we find the stone then great, but honestly I'm not fussed we will out live most of people alive in the world today."
"Spoken like a true Potter, none of our forefathers ever sought the Hallows." Fleamont smiled. "And honestly you're the first of us to hold a second, which you could make a family heirloom fairly easily."
"No I think that one should end with Harry." Lily said forcefully.
"I agree." Hermione smiled looking at her mother-in-law. "Now we only came in to say hello to those who weren't at Hogwarts this morning, Harry and I are going to take a nap."
"It is good to see you again dears." Euphemia said. "It is good to see another strong willed woman in the family."
As soon as they were behind closed doors Harry collapsed onto their bed utterly exhausted, it had been a busy day and it wasn't over yet. Hermione smiled at him before helping him out of his shoes and under the covers, where she joined him kissing him softly before they both drifted off to sleep. They were awoken by a blaze of green fire in the middle of the room, both of them bolted awake at the sudden light and relaxed as Fawkes landed on the bed.
'Good afternoon you two.' He greeted.
"Hello Fawkes." Hermione smiled. "Are you enjoying being able to fly around freely outside of Hogwarts?"
'Very much so, Zeus is looking forward to flying with you.' The phoenix said. 'And if I join you I can translate a most fascinating tale of your grandfather.'
"We'd like that you can tell him to expect us in a few days with Pansy." Harry smiled. "She's looking forward to meeting him."
'He has been told of the new Potters by Charlie he is anxious to meet them himself to judge their character.' Fawkes trilled. 'Now I am going to join you for dinner there is a presence within the house I do not trust.'
Fawkes hopped onto Harry's shoulder as he got out of bed, and stayed there as the couple walked back through the house heading towards the library, where they met Sirius and an elderly gentleman who looked suspiciously like their old headmaster.
'This is Abeforthe, Albus' younger brother.' Fawkes trilled at Harry and Hermione. 'I do not trust him, he is manipulative like his brother, only with less power.'
"Abeforthe I presume?" Harry asked as he held out his hand.
"Correct Lord Potter-Merlin." The old man smiled nervously clearly taken off guard by the use of his name without an introduction.
"Abe was just asking Remus if the co-owner of his bar would like to make an investment to help with renovations." Sirius smiled.
"I assume that's me?" Harry asked. "Then I can see what is left in the Dumbledore family vault, but I'll be having my account manager in charge of all expenditures."
"That won't be necessary." Abeforthe stated. "I'll provide a full list of all costs."
"Actually, it is." Hermione replied. "We need to know exactly what we are spending our money on, if there's no 3rd party to account for all the cost you will not be getting any money."
"And you are?" Abeforthe asked rudely.
"The future Lady Hermione Jean Potter-Merlin." Sirius answered. "She as intelligent as Lily with twice the temper."
"Feel free to contact Ranog in exactly a week and he will know how much we can invest, but the Dumbledore vault has taken a heavy hit this past year so I don't know how much we will be make available to you." Harry stated. "Now see yourself out, I am rather hungry and you are me holding up from joining my family for dinner."
"There's no need to be rude about it." Abeforthe said dejectedly.
"You come into my home and ask me for money and try to get me to trust you without having met you before, if you can keep within the budget I agree with my account manager this time maybe next time I'll be more trusting." Harry replied. "I may only be 11 but thanks to your brother I am no child, please remember what your family cost mine the next time you come to see me."
"Of course Lord Potter-Merlin, I forgot my place." Abeforthe bowed. "I will speak to Ranog at the end of next week."
"Do have a good day and I suggest you have a plan ready for him so he can give me an estimate of the costs." Harry stated.
Velma appeared silently behind Abeforthe as he was leaving ensuring he left as instructed and didn't take anything with him.
"He meant well Harry." Sirius sighed. "I've known him for years, he is trustworthy."
"That he may seem to be but Fawkes says otherwise." Harry replied. "And my track record with Dumbledores doesn't help his case."
'He is not the presence I mentioned.' Fawkes trilled.
"Sirius who else is here?" Hermione asked.
"To be honest it was supposed to be a surprise but the entire Weasley family is joining us to formalise the position as a vassal under the protection of the House of Potter."
"Fawkes you need to tell us who you're sensing." Hermione stated.
'I am sensing the wand of the evil one, of Voldemort.'
"Sirius where's Remus?" Harry asked worriedly.
"In his study why?"
"Fawkes says he can feel Voldemort's wand."
"Peter?"
"Could it be anyone else?" Hermione asked.
"No."
"So we need both of your noses to find him."
"Doesn't Ronald have a rat?" Hermione asked.
"Yes he does." Harry realised. "I never thought he'd be that close."
"Shit this isn't going to go over well." Sirius swore as they took off running through the house towards Mooney's study, with Fawkes leading the charge.
As soon as they arrived Remus' study, he met them at the door having heard them coming.
"What in the name of Merlin caused you to stampede through the house to me like a pack of wild dogs?" He asked smirking.
"We think Wormtail is here." Sirius stated. "Hidden as Ronald's rat."
"There has been something familiar about his scent." Remus sighed. "I thought it was just because he was a Weasley and I've been dealing with Arthur and Molly on a regular basis. Are you certain because if you're wrong this could cause a great deal of upset?"
'I have given only 2 tail feathers to Garrett Ollivander, one was purchased by yourself Harry, the other by Tom Riddle also known as Lord Voldemort, I'd know my own feather anywhere.' Fawkes stated from Hermione shoulder.
"The wand contains Fawkes' tail feather and the only other one he has ever given was in my first wand." Harry stated.
"Very well." Remus sighed deeply. "They are in the formal dinning room, you three enter from one side and introduce the children to Sirius as I enter from the other, if he runs try to stun him."
The group walked calmly to the entrance hall and silently nodded to Remus as he split off to head to the far door, as soon as they walked through the door they were met with the jovial greeting of their friend who were clamouring to be the ones to introduce their eldest brother. Harry and Hermione put on their best friendly and greeted him with smiles but kept a close eye on Ron as the loudly introduced Sirius to the Weasleys who didn't know him, Ron didn't react so they assumed Scabbers was asleep in his pocket.
"So Sirius, any luck on finding Petigrew?" Arthur asked to the great surprise of everyone in the room.
"Yes actually we were about to follow up on a lead." Sirius replied.
"Oh really?" The Weasley patriarch queried.
"Your son has a rat doesn't he?" Remus asked from his position near the door.
"Yes I gave it to Ron when father bought me Hermes." Percy answered.
"And how long has he been in the family?" Sirius asked.
"I was 6 when I found him." Percy answered.
"So he's at least 10 years old?" Hermione asked. "Most rats only live for 3-4 years."
"He's been well cared for." Percy said defensively.
"No she's right." Charlie said standing up and drawing his wand, all of the other adults followed suit. "Ron let me see Scabbers."
"Your not going to hurt him are you?" Ron asked worriedly.
"If he's a normal but ancient rat then it won't hurt him at all." Remus smiled.
Ron pulled his pet out of his pocket and tentatively set him down on the table, he didn't even wake up he just curled back up into a ball.
"Minerva you cast the transformation reversal." Sirius said taking command of the situation. "Harry and Hermione remember the disarming spell I taught you over Easter, everyone else on binding spells, I want him awake and talking."
"ADVERSA TRANSFOMTATIO!"
"EXPELLIAMUS!"
"INCARSARUS!"
All at the same time the rat became a man, two wands flew out of his tattered robes and he was bound in heavy ropes and chains.
"Well that's definitely Peter." Sirius sighed as the man startled awake. "SILENCIO!"
"He's been in our home the entire time?" Molly shrieked.
"It's ok Molly he fooled us all I've seen this rat enough I should have spotted it myself." Aunt Minnie said in an attempt to soothe the mother of 7.
"Well he has been acting the part for a very long time, even before he found his way to The Burrow, Albus had him spying on Voldemort for years as a rat." Remus stated. "He was never the best spy but he did pass some information to us but all too often it was too late to actually use it and we now now know why."
"Should we let him talk?" Arthur asked.
"No best wait for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Harry replied. "Hermione can you write a note and we can send it with Fawkes."
When Madam Bones arrived an hour later Peter was still screaming into silencing charm, Harry was glad to see his ally in the fight against Voldemort had brought a small contingent of Aurors to arrest the betrayer of his parents. His mood only blackened when the Minister for Magic appeared behind them with a large black cloaked figure that appeared to be surrounded by a faint white mist.
"I'm glad you could come Madam Bones." Harry greeted. "But Minister Fudge why are you in my home without an invite? I thought I'd made my stance of that abundantly clear when you showed up here before Yule."
"It's a high profile case." Fudge stated. "So naturally I have to be involved, this man clearly is dangerous and should be dealt with immediately."
"I'm afraid not, you see as per the old laws he caused the death of the previous Lord Potter, his fate will be decided by the entire Wizenagmot." Sirius stated. "And need I remind you there are enough voting seats in this room alone to call for a vote of no confidence in yourself, you managed to get past the scandal of your undersecretary being a Death Eater, but how would this look?"
"Like he was trying to hide something." Amelia smiled at her old friend.
"Exactly." Harry agreed. "Now you and this thing aren't welcome in my home now or ever again, so please leave?"
"Dementor." Amelia said waving her wand at the creature. "You are to return to Azkaban immediately, do not stop along the way to feed I'm sure they can find you a nice patrol once you return." She pointed her wand at the window which shot open, and one of the Aurors waved there wand at it and the white mist disappeared, and the room became very cold, everyone in the room shuddered except Harry and Hermione who were holding hands. "Did you not feel the effects of that?" She asked looking at them curiously.
"No what were we supposed to feel?" Harry asked.
"Like all the happiness had been sucked out of the room and some people relive their worst memories." Hermione replied.
"Must be an advantage of being soulmates." Harry stated smiling at her.
"Agreed." She smiled back.
"Amelia you must understand I need to be here." Fudge stated looking at Madam Bones.
"No you don't you tagged along with your bodyguard when you saw me leaving I don't need you and Lord Potter-Merlin doesn't want you here." She replied.
"Am I right in thinking I am within my rights to use any force I deem necessary to expel him from my home?" Harry asked calmly looking at Amelia.
"Of course."
"Minister Fudge you have 5 seconds to leave or my elves will lock your magical signature out of my wards." Harry stated. "And I have the relocation charm set to 1 of 15 different countries that don't take kindly to unexpected arrivals regardless of how they arrive, my favourite is the peak of Mount Everest, the Nepalese Ministry owes my house a considerable favour and allows me to use it as a drop point, I believe that have laws that allow a person to be imprisoned without questioning if the arrive there without the correct paperwork."
"What on earth could your family have done to have that kind of arrangement with Nepal?" Amelia questioned Harry as the minister swept out of the room with Fredrick on his heels.
"I lied, I don't but it is one of the relocation points." Harry stated. "Now shall we deal with Petigrew?"
"Of course." Amelia smiled. "FINITÉ."
"YOU CAN'T KEEP ME TIED UP LIKE THIS M AN INNOCENT VICTIM." Peter shouted.
"A innocent person wouldn't hide for 10 years." Amelia stated.
"Nor would they be carrying this wand." Hermione said pointing at Voldemort's were they had placed it on the table, the Aurors gave a collective gasp.
"BUT I WOULD NEVER BETRAY JAMES." Peter stated.
"Peter are you even aware of where you are?" Remus asked.
"No why should I I've never been here before."
"You are in my home." Harry stated. "Welcome to Potter Manor, we know Sirius is innocent, and Remus was in France when Mum and Dad went into hiding so that leaves you. My only question is why?"
"Harry?" Peter asked in disbelief.
"Actually to you it's Lord Potter-Merlin, Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Merlin, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Dumbledore, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Sylwen, Head of the Ancient house of Flint, Head of the Ancient house of Bulstrode, Head of the Ancient house of Role and heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Black." Harry stated coldly. "And I'll ask again. Why?"
"You don't know the power of the Dark Lord." Peter spat.
"THEY TRUSTED YOU!" Harry shouted back.
"Nobody can stand up to his power he can see right into your mind, could any of you have done any better?" Peter asked attempting to remove some of the blame from himself.
"I'd have died to protect them, they were the only family I ever cared about." Sirius replied.
"As would I." Remus stated. "Had I not been in France with the werewolves I'd have volunteered to take Sirius' place, better for either of us to die than leave Harry all alone to face the world."
"You all looked down on me." Peter stated changing his tune realising his time was up. "He offered me the one thing you never did, respect. He asked me to join him and when I did he shared his power with me, I could do more magic than I'd even been able to do before."
"Sorry but that's not how he operated." Hermione stated. "The dark mark took power from you it didn't give it to you, what he gave you was confidence nothing more you don't deserve to even look at Harry or this house."
"Why did you take He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's wand the night he disappeared?" Amelia asked.
"I knew he wasn't dead he had me check on several of his hidden things." Peter answered. "But he removed their locations from my memory so you won't find them, he is not dead and he will return."
"Not if I can help it." Harry stated. "I already know of his Horcruxes and have made moves to destroy them."
"I have my confession." Amelia stated. "He'll be put on trial during the next Wizenagmot session will you be there Lord Potter-Merlin?"
"Not unless you need me?"
"No I'll be submitting the memory of today as evidence." She replied.
"I'll give mine as well." Sirius stated.
"As will I." Arthur smiled.
"The testimony of 3 Head of Houses should be enough to confirm the memories as untampered." Amelia smiled.
After Amelia and her Aurors had left with their prisoner the entire group sat down to eat, the conversation turned towards nicer subjects but both Ron and Percy remained silent as they sat next to each other.
"I've never known you to be so quiet when your eating Ron." Hermione commented. "Are you ok?"
"No I feel terrible, he was sleeping in my bed for the last year, he could have attacked us at any point." He answered.
"No he couldn't." Remus replied. "Peter was never competent enough to perform the transformation without a wand he always needs someone to undo it for him, and the longer you spend in your animal form the harder it is to become a human again."
"Oh well that makes me feel a little better." Percy sighed. "I was worried I'd put my family in danger by bringing him into our home."
"If you'd had a wand to hand in the first few months you probably would have but without one he couldn't do anything." Sirius reassured him. "None of you did anything wrong, the only blame here is his he choose to enter your home, and honestly who wouldn't want to think they're taking such good care of their pet that he's living longer."
"We are sorry though Harry." Molly stated. "If we'd known we could have avoided all of this."
"Molly honestly it's not your fault, you have nothing to be sorry about." Aunt Minnie replied smiling as Harry and Hermione nodded along.
"So." Sirius said after a few minutes silence. "What's the plan for the summer?"
"Well Arthur, Molly and Bill are for filling their services to the House of Potter by teaching Harry and Hermione, and I am allowing the Weasley children to join in including Ginny for the spell knowledge but not use we can all help her in September." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Other than that there isn't a lot going on, Harry and the Grangers are going to France for a couple of weeks in August and then I'm going to start the animagi transformation with the two of them, they finished the book last week."
"Wait they get to become animagi?" Ron exclaimed.
"Well it is their guardians choice Ronald." Molly stated. "Minerva asked me if I thought any of you were ready and I do not believe you are, Bill and Charlie both declined."
"It's a tricky piece of magic." Bill stated. "And honestly I don't have a need of it."
"And I spend enough time around animals I don't need to be offending any of them by smelling different." Charles added.
"Not to mention that between the two of them they out power every single person who's been inside this house today combined." Remus smiled. "Merlin, you could probably add Albus Dumbledore to that list and they'd still hold that achievement."
"Going back to what Sirius asked." Hermione said. "Harry and Neville were talking on the train of having a joint birthday celebration here with a few of our friends."
"Shouldn't be a problem." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Now what's this I hear about a run in with Marcus Flint on the train?"
"He came to me as his Head of House and was rude and commanding, so I politely put him in his place." Harry answered.
"It's true." Hermione stated. "He didn't raise his wand until Marcus refused to leave after being asked for the 5th time."
"I assume he was demanding a marriage contract." Sirius stated. "And I'm guessing the object of his desire was less than willing."
"Honestly I didn't let him ask, but I gathered that's what he wanted and told him my views on them." Harry said. "And after I'd stunned him Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass arrived, Tracey was clearly distraught, apparently he said he get me to force her to be with him."
"Oh that reminds me." Hermione uttered. "You can expect to hear from Lord Greengrass, apparently he is quite insistent that the century old marriage contract between them and the House of Potter by fulfilled by Daphne and Harry."
"Not if I can help it it won't." Aunt Minnie scowled. "He approached me the day he knew I was Harry's guardian and I turned him down then stating he has you as a soulmate, but apparently that just means Jacob expects you to be Harry's mistress rather than his wife."
"Who originally requested the contract?" Arthur asked.
"I'm not sure but the House of Greengrass has benefited from it multiple times over the years, everything from money given, to help getting a bill passed, and even aid during a blood feud." Aunt Minnie stated. "I'll have Ranog pull the contract from our vault."
The next couple of weeks passed quietly for the residents of Potter Manor, Richard and Vivienne were collected by Sirius and Remus late on the night Harry and Hermione had returned from Hogwarts and were beginning to settle into living at the manor properly. Sirius had spent most of his time as Padfoot refusing to leave Harry and Hermione's sides and despite having his own suite was often found asleep on their bed each night. Amelia had returned with Susan a week after her first visit with the news that Petigrew had confessed to great number of crimes under veritasirum, and would likely be given a choice of the dementor's kiss or the veil of death. The lessons with the Weasleys were engaging for Harry and Hermione and they quickly mastered the household charms the Molly was showing them, Arthur's dispelling charms were more challenging but both were making strong progress, but it was their work with Bill that gave them the most joy. He had deferred their Arithmancy and Ancient Runes studies until the next summer and was instead teaching them how to detect different types of magic and how this could be used to decipher ward structures and even who had cast certain spells.
Their quiet was shattered one day after lunch when Lord Greengrass arrived to discuss the contract between the two houses, Harry and Hermione could hear him in the guest parlour from the leisure pool on the other side of the house, the quickly got out dried and called to bring them their formal robes before setting off through the house at a run. Along the way they met Sirius and Remus heading in the same direction.
"Well he certainly isn't happy." Sirius commented. "I hope he doesn't think throwing his lesser title around will do him any good."
"If it was any other family it might, but Minnie is just as stubborn as the rest of us." Remus stated. "Hermione do you know where your parents are?"
"They wanted to explore the grounds today, I should imagine they are out by one of the forest clearings." She replied hopefully. "I do not need them seeing this."
"Agreed." Remus said frowning as the arrived at the door. "Well let's get in there."
"THIS CONTRACT HAS STOOD FOR GENERATIONS, IT WILL BE COMPLETED NOW THAT IT IS ACTUALLY ABLE TO BE!" Lord Greengrass shouted as they opened he door.
"No it won't be." Aunt Minnie stated coldly as she them saw them enter behind him. "Welcome Lord Potter-Merlin, Lord Black, Steward Lupin, and Miss Granger, this is Lord Gerald Greengrass."
"Hello." Harry said holding out his hand, which the older wizard snubbed and refused to shake. "I am the Lord of a Most Ancient and Most Noble House sir, and you are in my home and unless you would like to see yourself in an honour duel against my godfather I suggest you show me the respect that my station deserves."
"You're correct, my apologies Lord Potter-Merlin." Gerald sighed as he gripped Harry's hand and shook it once.
"Now let's sit down and talk about this like gentlemen." Harry commanded. "I have read the original contract, my account manager was kind enough to bring it up from the family archive in Gringotts."
"Right so you know there's no getting out of it." Gerald smiled thinking he had the upper hand.
"On the contrary." Hermione stated smiling softly. "The contract states that if it is unfulfilled for a period of 100 years the lesser house, which here is yourself seeds all control of its house and voting seat the superior house which is now us."
"Well it hasn't been a full century yet we still have time." Gerald stated.
"No we don't the date on the copy we have is the Eleventh of May, Eighteen Ninety." Aunt Minnie stated. "You are just trying to keep control of your house by forcing Harry into the contract that you have already breached as the requesting house, if he had agreed the date and terms of the contract would have been voided, but he has chosen his betrothed and it is not Daphne, I do believe they are friend but nothing more."
"And yet my copy of the contract doesn't have that stipulation." Gerald grinned.
"You mean the copy you refused to have the goblins protect and removed when your daughter was born?" Sirius asked. "You see I asked the bank if they still had your copy, and they told me it had been removed and that you had attempted to tamper with it."
"You are just lucky ours was stored in a secure archive with the rest of the family contracts." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Now it is your choice seed your control here or we take this to the Wizenagmot and have them do it for you."
"I, Lord Gerald Greengrass Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass , being of sound mind and body, hereby relinquish my position as Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass as per the conditions of the contract set out by my forefathers, it may be taken up by any of Potter family." He snarled.
"I, Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Potter and Merlin, being of sound mind and body, hereby claim all houses magic deems as mine." Harry smiled as the magic swirled around him. "I am Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin, Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Merlin, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Dumbledore, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Sylwen, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass, Head of the Ancient house of Flint, Head of the Ancient house of Bulstrode, Head of the Ancient house of Role and heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Black."
That night at dinner the mood in the house had changed, although they were still jovial and talking animatedly with each other they could all sense the change in Harry, having to take on yet another seat was not what he had wanted at all he had read the contract himself and known he might have to but had hoped they could keep him as an ally and having yet another family he was supposed to lead was not what he felt he needed he wasn't even 12 yet, but he was the head of 9 families and the heir to another, he had a fifth of the Wizenagmot at his control and with his allies in the Weasleys and the Longbottoms they had a quarter and could control he outcome of any vote, but he felt like his childhood was slowly being stolen from him by the actions of adults who it seemed never really learned how to treat other people.
"So what's the plan for this evening?" Viv asked as dessert was served.
"Not much." Hermione replied. "I finalised the party plans with Aunt Alice earlier so I need to get the invites sorted."
"Just tell me the theme and I can do that for you." Pansy smiled. "I fell in love with painting a few years ago and your studio is amazing."
"Sure I'll tell you in a bit it's a surprise neither Harry or Neville know." Hermione giggled.
"Much to my annoyance." Harry chuckled. "And honestly I just need to lay down it's been a weird sort of day."
"Anything you want to talk about Pup?" Sirius asked.
"Not right now I just need time to process everything."
"Why don't you head up to the suite and I'll join you in the pool once I've spoken to Pansy." Hermione suggested.
Harry followed her instruction but decided to use the workout room while he waited for her, he opened the door expecting to see the room as it had been since they moved in before Christmas, but instead he found a muggle jacuzzi and a section the looked lick a steam room but he couldn't be certain, he left the door open and quickly began to fiddle with the controls, once he was happy with the settings he undress completely and climbed in. He was just starting to relax when he heard Hermione enter the suite and lock the door behind her.
"I'm in here." He called out to her.
"Merlin, I know Velma said this room would change but this is amazing."
"Are you getting in or not?" He asked cheekily.
"Just give me a sec to put my bathing suit on."
"Why bother? I didn't." He grinned at her cheekily.
They spent the next few hours playing in the water before they collapsed into bed together alone for the first time since their return to their home. Harry kissed her as she settled in to sleep on his chest and they both drifted off to sleep smiling.