CHAPTER THIRTY: THE READING OF THE WILL
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10th, 1996 – GRINGOTTS BANK, LONDON, U.K.
Narcissa Malfor was the wife of Lucius Malfoy, a marked Death Eater captured at the Battle in the Department of Mysteries about a month earlier. The man had been tried, convicted and was now serving a twenty year sentence for his crimes, or at least the ones associated with his failed raid. The man was cold and probably had committed more than enough rapes and murders as a Death Eater to justify the re-imposition of the Death Sentence, but the Ministry saw fit not to look too far back into the man's dark past.
Narcissa was the youngest daughter of Cygnus Black and Druella Rosier, a junior line within the Ancient and Noble House of Black. They were about as dark as a witch and wizard could be without sinking into criminal activities and were dyed-in-the-wool Pureblood Supremacists. As such, they believed the wife's role was to give birth to a son they had kept having daughters until Druella had one miscarriage too many and died. Narcissa was three when that happened. She had no memories of her mother and for all practical purposes only knew her father by sight. She was raised by governesses, as were her older sisters before her.
Her oldest sister was named Bellatrix and was ten years older than she was. She barely knew the woman at all. By the time Narcissa was old enough to have memories Bella was at Hogwarts and soon had finished to be promptly married off to Rodolphus Lestrange, another Pureblood Supremacist. Like most Pureblood elites, it was an arranged marriage worked out between the families years before. They were among the first of their generation to follow the Dark Lord and take the mark as Death Eaters. Both had been arrested shortly after the Dark Lord's fall and, unlike men like Lucius who bribed their way out of a trial, proudly proclaimed their devotion to the Dark Lord. Until about a year ago, they had been serving life terms in Azkaban Prison. Their "friends" had released them "on their own recognizance" in what was the largest prison break in history. Rodolphus had been recaptured following the fiasco at the Department of Mysteries. Bellatrix had escaped. Narcissa's father had always been proud of Bellatrix.
Andromeda was the next of her sisters. She was three years younger than Bellatrix and had been little Narcissa's first friend. Narcissa's fondest memories were of her times with "Andy" as a little girl. Andy had started Hogwarts just about the time Narcissa was four years old, but she always wrote funny letters, seemingly every week and came home and played with her over the holidays. Andy told the most wonderful stories about princesses and such that made Narcissa believe in a happy life.
In the summer of 1972, Narcissa's perfect world came crashing down. Bellatrix was a Death Eater, but she had almost no contact with her youngest sister and Narcissa had no real idea what that was. In that summer, Andy went away and never came home again. She also never wrote to Cissy again. Narcissa was nine and her father was not one to speak to children about anything. Her governess was cryptic, saying only that Andy had run off with a boy and would never be coming home. It was not until years later that Narcissa learned the truth.
Andy had been pledged in marriage to Lucius Malfoy, a lad from the "right kind" of family. But in the summer before her final year at Hogwarts, Andy became the Wife and Consort of a Muggle Born wizard named Ted Tonks. She had promptly been disowned by her father and it was said that Bellatrix had a contract out on both of their lives, assuming the evil witch did not get to them first. With the contract between House Malfoy and her father broken by what the "right kind" of families viewed as an outright betrayal of their ideals, Narcissa's father promised her to Lucius's family.
Narcissa knew this before she left for Hogwarts the first time on September 1st, 1974. She had two cousins at the school at the time. Sirius Black, the Heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Black was then a Fourth Year, but he was selected into Gryffindor House, which was not a House for those from the "right kind" of families. His younger brother was a Third Year in Slytherin. She entered, already betrothed to marry a man she knew only by name, and was sorted into Slytherin as all proper "Pureblood Princesses" should have been.
What she saw in that House disgusted her. They were supposed to be the elites of society, the models of what it meant to be a witch or wizard. The boys were animals, in her opinion. Her first day, a third year girl was gang raped in the middle of the Common Room. There were apparently three kinds of girls in her House. There were the girls who basically spent their time in the common rooms mostly naked and having sex with any boy who asked. There were the girls like her who were betrothed and off limits to all but her husdand-to-be. Then there were the girls who were neither. They got "broken in" by the boys, usually by the end of Third Year. She came to realize that if Slytherin was the model of society, witches were only marginally better than Muggles. Their role was to do whatever the wizards who controlled them wanted of them, if the Common Room was any example.
Like most girls, she wanted love and romance. She soon learned those notions were fictions. The best she could hope for was to get married young, give birth to an heir, and then be ignored except when the husband needed to socialize with the right sort of people. This was not the life she wanted, but she could see no way out, not during a war where those who objected to the proper way of things were being killed on a daily basis by those Death Eaters. She already knew her betrothed was one and knew it was her death to follow in Andy's footsteps. She resigned herself to her fate … mostly.
She became friends with her Cousin Sirius. He was not like the others. There was a reason why he was not sent into the dungeons of Slytherin House. While he was a prankster, he had something she did not see in any other boys she knew. He was compassionate. He was decent, at least to her. It was a pity she was his First Cousin. Even in Pureblood society, having relations with him was out of the question. But he was a friend.
She took her O.W.L.s in 1979 and learned when she got home she was to be married off to Lucius that summer. He had waited five years for a proper wife and felt that was long enough and being a high ranking Death Eater meant her father was not about to say "wait." It meant her days in school were at an end. She would never sit for her N.E.W.T.s. That's what House Elves were for, she was told. She did not want this. She wanted to stay in school. But her father had spoken and Lucius, a man she did not even know, much less like, was waiting. She spoke to Sirius about it. She knew there was nothing he could do. He promised her if by some miracle he became Head of House, he would annul the marriage as was his right. But it would take a miracle.
Specifically, she could only be saved by the death of his father and then brother. He had been disowned by his father because he opposed the "right kind of people." His brother was a Death Eater, which was what all right thinking Purebloods should aspire to be. But, disowning was not what many think. It meant that the line would pass to the brother, but if the brother died without an heir and without designating a successor, Sirius would be reinstated by law. It was too much to hope for, Narcissa knew, but it still meant something to her that Sirius made a promise they knew he probably would not be able to keep. Still, the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black had not upheld the disowning of his grandson Sirius. This meant that unless one of the other two put it in their will, Sirius still could become Head of House.
She married Lucius in August 1979. She was sixteen. He was seven years older than she was. He was also cold and distant and only took her to his bed out of a sense of family obligation. There clearly never would be any love between them. Her role was to bear his heir. For pleasure, he turned to his stable of concubines, all young and all Muggle Borns. He had three. She later learned he bought them as young as he could, kept them as his private brothel for three years, then sold them off.
In February 1979, Orion Black, Sirius's father, was killed in a Death Eater attack in Diagon Alley. He was an "innocent" bystander and it was said that the Dark Lord executed a few of his followers for their carelessness, which was odd as such mayhem was usually expected of Death Eaters. Regulus black disappeared in July of that year and was never seen again. He was declared dead a year later. The younger Black died without a Will, meaning unless Arcturus Black disowned his Grandson and designated another heir, Sirius would be the next Lord Black.
Narcissa found out she was pregnant in the fall of that year. When she told her "husband" – a word always in quotes in her mind – he smirked. When she gave birth to their son Draco in June of 1980, he never touched her again. She had obviously fulfilled her purpose as far as he was concerned.
To her dismay, her friend and potential savior Sirius was sent to Azkaban for murder in November of 1981. He was said to have betrayed the Potter family to Voldemort and murdered another wizard and a bunch of Muggles. As it was that Potter boy who somehow destroyed the Dark Lord, bringing an end to that War and the downfall of the Death Eaters, a fate Lucius avoided at immense cost, being linked to the death of the boy's family was just below being the dead Dark Lord himself in the eyes of the public. Her friend would never see the light of day.
In May of 1991, Lord Black died. He had not designated a successor in his will, enraging Lucius who thought he had brokered a deal with the man to name Draco the next Lord Black. But that had not happened, and the small fortune in gold Lucius spent to have Draco declared the Heir was wasted. There was no legal basis for doing so. Draco's would only be the Heir if Sirius died and he was not challenged by another with an equal degree of kinship to Arcturus Black. There was potential challenger out there and Lucius knew it: Harry Potter. Draco was Sirius Black's First Cousin once removed, but he was the same degree of kinship removed from Arcturus Black as the Potter boy. The plan had been that Draco would befriend the boy at Hogwarts and then trick him out of making a claim. Narcissa had no faith in her son. He was spoiled, lazy and not terribly bright. He would never be an equal to his father in anything except appearance. To Lucius's horror, Draco made an enemy of Potter right from the start.
Wizarding law was bizarre, yet designed to protect birthrights. Sirius was in prison for life, and as a prisoner he could not make out a Will. But his imprisonment would not invalidate a Will that already existed. Moreover, there was no law that said and escaped prisoner could not make out a Will, mainly because no one had escaped from Azkaban before. In July of 1993, somehow Sirius did just that. Had he made a Will? Narcissa hoped he did. She hoped he remembered his promise to her and he could annul her marriage (provided, she learned, that the next Lord Black honored the request.) He had been killed in the Battle at the Department of Mysteries barely a month ago, still a fugitive from justice. Had he made a Will? It turned out he had! Less than a week later, she received notice that she was named in the Will! Had he rescued her at last seemingly form beyond the grave? Her hopes were again dashed when she learned Draco had received a similar notice and assumed it meant he was the next Lord Black. As their notices did not tell them anything about whomever else may have received a bequest, it was a logical and for Narcissa horrifying conclusion.
Draco was betrothed to Pansy Parkinson, a girl in his year and House at Hogwarts from another Death Eater family. Narcissa knew the girl on sight, but had never really met her. Children were not allowed to attend proper social functions until they were sixteen. That would be this summer for Draco and his betrothed. With his father in prison and the belief that he was soon to be Lord Black, Draco made it clear he was now acting Head of Household, which technically and unfortunately was true. As the acting household, he had the right to demand his betrothed live with him, especially as everyone knew he would be emancipated upon his becoming Lord Black. Pansy was allowed a week to say goodbye to her family, while Draco bragged about his "other plans" for the summer.
Once he became Lord Black, he would have the right to buy concubines. He did not want his father's "leavings" so intended to purchase his own "stable." There was another girl in his House and year who he felt need a good breaking, but who had managed to avoid it. As a concubine, she could no more avoid that than breathing, he boasted. He worked around the little problem that until he was Lord Black, he could not legally enter into a contract to purchase a concubine. Narcissa had to admit it was clever. He somehow coerced the girl's father to sell her and her younger sister to the next Lord Black, with the sale to be completed not later than July 15th. That was the day of the general Auction and he did not to have to bid for those two "bints." He was also planning on buying an "uppity Mudblood," provided he could "get her cheap" as she was due to be auctioned as well. Like father, like son, Narcissa thought. Then Pansy arrived.
And Vincent Crabbe. And Gregory Goyle.
There was little point in Pansy wearing clothes in the house. At least one of the three boys was copulating with her all the time, it seemed. She did not seem to mind whether it was any one of them, or two, or all three, nor where. She performed sex acts with them during meals, which Narcissa could not avoid. It seemed there was no orifice that was off limits to them or time when they could not take her, or place for that matter. Given the choice between Lucius, who had not touched her in over a decade, and her son, Narcissa would rather be with Lucius, who at least had some sense of propriety. She told Draco what she thought of his and his friend's activities a few days ago. That was a mistake. Draco said his mother needed "a more enlightened attitude about some things." The boys then raped her as Pansy cheered them on. From then on, the boys took turns with both women. They even used the Imperious Curse on her to get her to perform certain acts she could not be forced to do – namely oral sex with all four of the teens including Draco's slag of a betrothed. Sirius save me, she begged in her mind.
Draco knew what he was doing. Narcissa took her seat in the conference room at Gringotts in considerable pain, as she had been beaten as well. But there was not one mark that would be visible to the public. Her occlumency skills were in full force as she steeled herself. Her life was over and her demon spawn of a son was about to become even more insufferable. She wished she had smothered the bastard when he was a baby!
Draco even had the nerve to sit beside her at the table. The smug bastard was gloating, with his three friends in the gallery behind sniggering as others entered the room.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" a voice called. Narcissa saw a tall, red haired boy about Draco's age glaring at his son as if he wanted to kill. A part of her hoped the boy would, but they all had to surrender their wands in the Lobby. It was custom.
"Sitting, Weaslebee," Draco sneered.
Ron Weasley shrugged. He had heard the rumors, although he still found it hard to believe Sirius Black had made Malfoy the next Lord Black and heir. One thing was certain, Ron would not be it. Oddly, he did not mind. He was one of the invited guests which meant he was getting something; probably just money and even then probably not a fortune. That would come later, according to Dumbledore. But a thousand Galleons or two would be very nice, especially now.
Years ago, before he even started Hogwarts, Dumbledore had made a promise to him. It wasn't very specific. He was to become friends with a boy named Harry Potter and help the lad lead a normal life. Dumbledore was afraid the boy would be all into books and learning, seeing as he was not raised in their world. If Ron were to succeed, he would be rewarded greatly. For years he wondered what it could mean. Then, just before the Christmas holidays, Ron was asked to see the Headmaster and the Headmaster asked him what he could do for the boy this summer. It was part of the reward. Ron was given until the end of the Holidays to think about it. One should not make a rash decision, after all, Dumbledore had told him.
Money would be nice, he thought. But Dumbledore was hinting about the here and now. Let's face it, so long as he was at Hogwarts, money would be nice, but of little use to him. There was not a whole lot of fancy things to buy in Hogsmeade and even it there were, there was not much he could do with them at school or home for that matter.
But he did have an idea, the seeds of which were planted his First Year even if then he had no notion. In the Fall of that year, he had ducked into an "empty" class room to hide from Filtch or Snape or some such except the classroom was not empty. There were two older students, a boy and a girl, both naked and the girl was begging "Master" to do all kinds f things to her. The boy was doing just that. It was dark, but Ron soon learned who they were. It was his brother Percy and a Prefect from Ravenclaw named Penelope Clearwater.
Percy saw him. Ron was sure he was going to get into loads of trouble for being out of the dorms after curfew, but it wasn't like that. Percy merely explained what was going on while the Clearwater girl sat there naked, not even trying to cover herself up. Percy had won a lot of money his first five years at Hogwarts in card games. This summer he spent it. "Penny" was a bossy, know it all girl who Percy fancied a bit but who felt Percy was too insignificant to notice. Percy had learned the girl was to be sold as a Concubine that summer and had found someone to buy the girl for him. She was now bound to him, to serve him, please him and do whatever he asked without complaint or question. She was his shag, and she was doing his homework for him. To prove that she was totally his to control, he said she would let Ron touch her if he wanted. Ron was eleven, and ran from the room.
Ron learned the girl was pleasing her Master every day, even during the Hols. Percy spent the next two summers in his room most of the time. It turned out, he was not alone. Penny was there for his recreation. Ron found this out the summer before his third year. Percy had caught the boy pleasuring himself in his room and Ron was sure Mum would learn and he would be in all kinds of trouble. But that's not what Percy did. Percy lent him Penny to ease his frustrations. It did not make Ron any more comfortable with "real" girls, but it was easy to get comfortable with a girl who would do whatever you wanted. He wanted that.
And now, he was about to get that. After Christmas, he told Dumbledore what he wanted. He wanted Hermione Granger. He wanted her as his concubine. He wanted Dumbledore to see to it that it happened. To his surprise, Dumbledore smiled and said "Excellent my boy! That I can do. And here I was afraid you might wish for me to insure that your Chuddley Canons win the League!"
Granger would be his slave in less than a week! The bossy, no fun know-it-all would be pliant and submissive. It would be hard for her to boss him around with his dick in her. He was going to shag her 'til he dropped. And when he was not shagging her, she would be his slave. She was smart, so she obviously should do his homework for him for once. Pity, she could not take the exams for him. Then he received the letter that he was to get something from Sirius! He had heard about the Shag Shacks in Hogsmeade where some boys had been known to keep their concubines. Hermione had her O.W.L.s. She didn't need N.E.W.T.s to suck Ron off. She knew how to make polyjuice potion! The bint could live in the shack, serve his needs while he was there, do his homework while he was not, and make the potion to take his place during exams! This year was going to be great! Harry might miss her, he thought, but there were plenty of pretty girls who would love to have him. Besides, he knew in the end he was going to be with Ginny. Her Mum was already working on that.
Over the next several minutes, more people entered the room. Some took seats at the table, while others sat in the gallery. This was the reading of the Will of the Head of an Ancient and Noble House. Such things drew attention and were almost always public affairs. There was one seat at the head of the table and three at the far end. Anyone who tried to sit in those seats was "politely" discouraged by sword point.
The doors closed and a Goblin walked to the head of the table, taking his seat in the lone chair.
"This being the 10th Day of July, 1996 by Wizarding record and the 7th Day of Krunan, in the 3756th Year by Gobin recording, at Gringotts Bank, London Branch, I, Accounts Manager Slasher, presiding for the Reading of the Last Will and Testament of Lord Sirius Orion Black, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, deceased. This being the Will of a Noble House and one in which a Minor is to be named and principal heir, I now ask if the representatives of the Wizarding People of Britain are present?"
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, present on behalf of the People," Dumbledore said. He smiled. When this day was over, he would have unfettered access to two of the largest fortunes in magical Britain.
"Kingsley Shackelbolt, on behalf of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ministry of Magic."
"Percival Weasley, on behalf of the Office of the Minister for Magic."
"Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"The government being present, I shall now call for those named in the Will. Lest there be any question, their presence here today is not necessary for them to receive their bequests: Hermione Jane Granger?"
There was no reply, but before any could react, the Goblin continued: "Mallory Michelle Grant?"
"Present," a woman few had seen before said.
And so it continued as the Gobin called the names of: Remus Lupin, Draco Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, Andromeda Tonks, Nymphadora Tonks, Arthur Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Ginevra Weasley, Molly Weasley, Ronald Weasley, and William Weasley. Only two others were absent: Bellatrix Lestrange and Harry Potter.
The will was then read.
To say there was pandemonium at the table when Slasher finished would be an understatement. Draco was furious, as was Ron Weasley and his mother. Others seemed stunned into silence, although a few seemed rather unsurprised. Ron and Draco were yelling at each other, at least whenever Draco was not crying that the Will had to be a fake as he was destined to be Lord Black. Finally a loud voice called for silence. It was Dumbledore.
Inwardly the man was smiling. By making Harry Lord Black, the witless convict had just handed Albus the keys to the vaults. He had skimmed well over a million from the Potters over the years. As the boy's magical guardian, he now held the same control over another fortune. The lad would never learn of his inheritance. He would extract an oath of secrecy from all present for "the Greater Good."
"I am sure all is in order," Albus said. "Certain of the specific bequests seem – odd – but those that would disown or reinstate or otherwise affect family relations are merely requests and cannot be granted by a minor. As Harry's magical guardian, I shall not consent to his emancipation at this time, thus all non-monetary bequests are in abeyance. I am sure that if and when the lad comes of age, he will see the folly."
While his speech ended the tirades, some seemed ready to continue once he stopped, but any thoughts of doing so were put to an end when three loud cracks were heard.
"ALL RISE!" a voice called out. Heads turned and saw a Goblin in full war regalia standing beside a door behind the three empty chairs that slowly opened. "ALL RISE FOR HIS HIGHNESS HARRY THE FIRST, SOVEREIGN AND DUKE OF THE DUCHY OF CHARENWELL; LORD SIR HARRY JAMES POTTER, HEAD OF THE ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF POTTER, HEAD OF THE ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK!
"HER HIGHNESS," the Voice continued, "THE LADY DAME HERMINE JANE POTTER, DUCHESS OF CHARENWELL, CONSORT OF LORD POTTER! HER GRACE, THE LADY DAME LUNA MARIE BLACK, COUNTESS OF DARBY, CONSORT OF LORD BLACK!"
Three people entered. One was recognized by all. He was dressed in a deep blue uniform with gold trim and gold shoulder boards. A large, gold and silver starburst pin was on his left side and a sash of color ran from his right shoulder to his left hip. At his left hip hung a sword in a scabbard. His head was bare, and all could see it was Harry Potter. Beside him on his right was a blonde haired young woman with a bemused smile in a light blue gown with jewels of diamond and deep blue sapphires around her neck and wrists and a ring that seemed to flash as she moved on her left ring finger. To Harry's left was a brown haired young woman with a serious expression. She wore a deep blue gown and similarly stunning jewels. She also wore a starburst pin just like the young man and a similar sash. They took the three seats at the end of the table and two more young women, at least as coifed and bejeweled as the others in elegant blue on white gowns, took up positions to the left and the right of the trio. It took some time for those who knew them to recognize them. The young woman in the light blue gown was Luna Lovegood, and to her right stood Daphne Greengrass. The other young woman was Hermione Granger, and to her left stood Astoria Greengrass.
"Harry, I do not think you need to be here. Let me handle this," Dumbledore said in his familiar grandfatherly voice that had always worked on Harry in the past.
"You have handled far too much, Old Man," Harry sneered.
"I must insist that you return to the Dursleys and allow adults to handle these things."
"I have not been to the Dursleys," Harry said. Technically, it was a lie. He was there for a few hours, but so far as what Dumbledore was on about, it was the truth. "My countrymen returned me to my true home when I got back to London. I will never return."
"It is for your protection…"
"PROTECTION? That's a joke. What kind of compulsion charm did you use on my parents to get them to hide in your home in Godric's Hollow?"
Dumbledore's mind skills failed just momentarily. It was obvious that was exactly how his father and mother had been convinced not to return to Charenwell. "So it was a compulsion charm. Finally some answers! Your 'Greater Good' as good as killed my parents, Old Man! Merlin knows how many others have died needlessly to further your aims! I would have been safe in Charenwell and I am safe there. You cannot find me, no one can! Without my permission, were you to come close, you would die at the ward lines. Even with my permission, if you harbored any threat or ill will to me or my people, you would die at the ward lines! Voldemort and his Death Eaters will die if they try and cross our wards. No exceptions, no mercy and no quarter! And yet you brought my parents out and left them to die in this vile land when it was unnecessary! Voldemort is more trustworthy than you if only because everyone knows his loathsome agenda! Do not speak to me again, fool, unless I ask you to!"
"Harry, I insist…"
"SILENCE!" a voice boomed. "YOU WILL NOT ADDRESS HIS SOVEREIGN HIGHNESS UNLESS ASKED A DIRECT QUESTION! ANY WHO SHALL VIOLATE SUCH CONDITIONS WILL BE FORCIBLY REMOVED!" As the voice died, twenty armed Goblins entered the room with swords drawn.
"My Friends of the Goblin Nation have kindly allowed us The Goblins Peace on Neutral Ground. Any who so breach the peace, do so on pain of death," Harry intoned. Fortunately, none were fool enough to test this theory.
"The Will has been probated," Harry said. "Pursuant to addendums, which need not be part of the record, Sirius Black, my magical guardian under the Will of James and Lily Potter, granted me emancipation so that I might accede to my rightful titles and properties…"
"But that's," Dumbledore began.
"Silence Human," A voice growled, "or lose your head!"
"The Goblins are quite serious about being forcible for interruptions," Harry began. "And as I understand it, they do not see a large distinction between talking out of turn and breach of the Goblin Peace. I suggest you remain silent."
Dumbledore glared at the boy, who avoided eye contact.
"I am here to take care of certain matters that arose during my review of my estate affairs over the past couple of weeks. First, I shall deal with the affairs of the Black Estate. In regards to Andromeda Tonks nee Black, the disenfranchisement issued by Cygnus Black, having never been upheld by the Head of House, is hereby rescinded. You are restored to the House, with all rights and privileges thereto pertaining forthwith and such rights extend to all descendents." As he said that, Harry signed a parchment Daphne had laid before him and then sealed it with one of his rings. Upon sealing, there was a flash of magic.
"Thank you, your highness," Andy said with tears in her eyes. Before a Goblin could move, Harry raised his hand and they remained motionless.
"The damnable blood bigotry that cost you, Andromeda, is destroying this culture. It will not be tolerated in my family. Moving on and in a similar vein, Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black, being the most vile and loathsome of blood bigots, is cursed, disowned and disenfranchised from the House of Black. May she die a most hideous death!" Another parchment was signed and sealed.
"Draco Malfoy," Harry continued, "being the most vile of blood bigots of his generation, has repeatedly proven that by drawing breath he is a bane to the family. He is hereby cursed, disowned and disenfranchised from the House of Black!"
"I'll do you for that Potter!" Draco said. Three Goblins pulled him from his chair and beat the screaming boy senseless, dragging his unconscious form from the room before a silent hall. He would spend three weeks in St. Mungo's recovering from the beating. Harry merely shrugged as he signed and sealed another document.
"Next," he nodded to Daphne who carried another document to Slasher at the far end of the table, "before you, Accounts Manager, is a list of thirty-four properties subject to a lease. All thirty-four are at least ten years or more in arrears. I declare them in default. The tenants are to be evicted and the properties warded against any trespass. The accounts shall be confiscated to pay for the arrearages and penalties and interest under the leases. Should they have insufficient funds to cover such arrearages, all other property to which they hold title shall be confiscated and sold. If they are still in arrears, they are to be subject to the penalties under Goblin law."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Slasher said with a menacing grin.
"What's that mean?" a voice called out.
"It means," Slasher said as he kept his guard in check, "that they shall be deemed as thieves. Goblins shall not suffer a thief to live."
"The penalty shall only apply to the signer of the lease or his heir in possession should the signer be dead already," Harry added. "As the Goblins were the sureties under all the leases, the penalties for default, including the possibility of Goblin justice, were spelled out in the lease. It would seem my predecessors did not trust their tenants."
The boy has no idea what he is doing, Dumbledore seethed but with a sword at his back could say nothing. He's ruining Voldemort's principal financiers! He's inviting massive Death Eater retaliation!
Daphne had returned to her pace. Harry looked at Narcissa. "Narcissa Malfoy nee Black?" he asked.
"Y-yes, milord?" she replied. She hoped and yet feared what might happen next.
"A long time ago, my Godfather Sirius made you a promise, one he was unable to fulfill in his lifetime. I find myself having to do the man's work for him these days. If you wish it, I will fulfill his promise."
It took all of her willpower not to break down in tears. "Y-y-yes. I wish it. And I-I-I w-wish for the p-p-protection of y-y-your h-house a-as v-vassal?"
"What's that mean?" Harry whispered to Daphne.
"More than legal protection," Daphne said, "she wants physical protection. To live under your roof or such."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "That's unexpected," he said softly. "I suppose once in for a knut, in for a galleon." He looked at Narcissa. "Granted!" he said aloud. "The marriage between Lucius Malfoy and Nacissa Black is hereby annulled! House Black shall waive the Bride Price."
"Why?" Daphne whispered.
"They don't have it," Harry said. "They can't even pay the arrearages. Draco, unfortunately, will live. The Goblins won't kill a minor. Lucius had better hope he stays in Azkaban." Harry signed and sealed another form and following a flash of magic, Narcissa lost her composure and wept openly. Few knew they were tears of joy and relief.
"Daphne?" Harry asked, "would you please escort Miss Black to our antechamber and return when you can?"
"Yes Harry," Daphne said. Something told her Harry would stall to give her a chance to return for the rest of the show. She got up and walked over to Narcissa helping the crying woman to her feet and allowing her to cling to her as she walked her from the room.
"Slasher?" Harry asked, "would it be possible for one of my Elves to bring a pitcher of water?"
"We are at your service," Slasher nodded.
"Thank you. Well that was amusing," Harry said turning to Hermione.
"It sure was," she replied.
Harry then looked around the room. Not surprisingly all eyes were on him. But it was the expressions on certain faces he was observing. Ron and his mother were beet red and seething, with Molly glaring at Dumbledore as if silently pleading with the man to do something. To Harry's surprise, Ginny simply looked curious. Perhaps she did not know. Dumbledore was clearly doing his best to avoid getting run through by a Goblin blade.
Dobby soon entered with a pitcher of water and five glasses. As he left, Daphne returned. "Harry?" she asked, "there's something wrong with her."
"It's been a trying day," Harry began.
"NO! REALLY WRONG! I think she's hurt."
Harry glanced over to Mallory who nodded and got up, leaving the conference room.
"Right then," Harry pressed on. "I have reviewed the audit conducted by Gringotts in regards to my Potter estate accounts during the tenure of my former guardian Albus Dumbledore. It seems there is a significant discrepancy. Would you care to explain, Headmaster?"
"I can assure you Harry, the expenditures went towards your care and upkeep."
"ONE POINT SEVEN MILLION GALLEONS! DO YOU REALLY THINK I'M THAT DUMB!?"
"Harry, do you really need to be concerned with such mundane…"
"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO WITH MY FAMILY'S MONEY?"
"Well," Albus hesitated, "I was to see that you were provided for."
"The Dursleys spent no more than seventy-five pounds per month providing for me, and even then that was a generous month!"
"They demanded compensation…"
"Which they were not entitled to under my parents' Will! That is assuming I was meant to go to them in the first place! According to that Will, I was never to be placed with them!"
"There were other considerations!"
"None of which I or Gringotts finds legally valid! You have thirty days to repay the full amounts or your accounts will suffer the same fate as the Black tenants. And I am doing you a favor! I won't expect interest!"
"Harry, this could break the Order!"
"You should have thought of that, Old Man, BEFORE YOU ROBBED ME BLIND!"
"You need to see reason, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore began.
"Another word and you can run his ass through," Harry said to the Goblins. Dumbledore shut his mouth cursing the fact he had no wand. But that was okay. The boy had to leave the Bank, and when he did he would meet with the Elder Wand.
"Next order of business," Harry continued. "Percy, you speak on behalf of your government?"
"It's your government too, Potter!" Percy shot back. Much has he loved the hole Dumbledore and fallen into, Percy still hated the Boy-Who-Lived-And-Mocked-The-Ministry.
"You clearly were nicking notes to get through school," Harry snarled. "What part of the word Sovereign did you not understand? I am the Head of a Foreign State! I am no more a citizen of this country than is the Emperor of Japan! Now be a good little boot-licking lackey, and write this down for your superiors!
"It has come to OUR attention that during the Stewardship preceding OUR investiture as Duke of Charenwell, OUR citizens have suffered at the hands or upon the orders of officials of The Ministry of Magic of Britain and the Wizengamot. Specifically, from the death of Duke Charles until OUR investiture, forty-two young women of Charenwell citizenship, while residing in your country for education or visiting on Holiday, were illegally sold into bondage on the authority of your Chief Warlock. By what right do you claim you have the authority to sell our young women off as concubines for your county's perverse entertainments?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Percy sputtered.
"Come off of it! You own your own personal sex slave yourself! Or at least you did until you placed Penelope Clearwater up for auction."
"How…?" Percy began.
"Forty-two young women sold to satisfy the perverse desires of dirty old men, all of those women being under age! Now, I understand the nature of the bond that makes a woman a Concubine. It cannot be broken, only transferred from one pervert to another! At least that seems to be the case in this cesspool you call a society! Be that as it may, WE have an obligation to OUR people to protect them from such vile predations both at home and abroad in sick cultures such as this! Since we cannot get our daughters back, thanks to that vile bond, WE demand their families be compensated for their loss. Your government has thirty days to pay such compensation to their families in the amount of one hundred thousand Galleons per young girl whose lives your government stole and ruined. Failure to pay, and we shall take such actions as we deem necessary to safeguard our interests and as are consistent under international law!"
"If I may," Dumbledore croaked seeing an opening to put this boy in his place.
Harry glared at him. He knew what was probably coming and was prepared … he hoped.
"It is well known in legend that the Dukes of Charenwell maintained Concubines of their own."
"Do you know what the difference between a wife and a concubine is in my country, Dumbledore?" Harry did not wait for an answer. "If I had a wife, I could divorce her and she could divorce me. Were I to have a concubine, I am stuck with her for life and must provide for her and her children even after death!" Dumbledore looked shocked. "That's right! CHILDREN! The Charenwell concubines were never simpering slaves or whores in private brothels, but contributing and even revered members of society as respected, if not more so, than the Duchess! Moreover, neither the Duke nor any of his citizens has the right to sell their women into bondage or sell their bound concubines! My ancestors did not buy sex slaves! They bought the mothers of my line and most of the families in my country! They bought them to preserve our magical population!
Harry turned to Percy, "You have thirty days!"
"And if we refuse," Percy said trying to act confident.
"Then you can explain to your people why ninety percent of their food supply disappeared! We feed you!"
Percy had no idea where their food came from. It was something he would have to look into. If that was not an idle threat…
"One final matter," Harry said. "A few days ago, I received a package in the mail. Well, actually it was delivered to my relatives where Dumbledore had me imprisoned since my parents were murdered. It was routed through agents to my attention and scanned. It was a package of cakes and pies was sent to me because the sender knew my relatives fed me only on occasion. It was laced with a massive dose of amorentia. Do you mind explaining why you wanted to do that to me, Ginny Weasley?"
"ME?" Ginny shrieked. Her face was not reacting like it would if she had known. "Harry! I would never… I have a boyfriend!"
"After analysis by our security forces, the package was turned over to your Aurors. They confirmed that the potion was keyed into you, Ginny. It was also confirmed that it was sent by you, or at least you wrote the note and addressed it. Now try again. Why?"
"I swear Harry! I didn't do it! I couldn't! I'm horrible at potions!"
Harry looked and noticed Molly's eyes shifting as if looking for an escape route.
"She's right about her potions, Harry," Luna said. "She's famous for her exploding cauldrons."
"It's just your word," Molly shrieked. The Goblins made no move has Harry had indicated them to stand fast. "Why should we believe you?"
"Auror Shackelbolt?" Harry asked.
"At the request of the Charenwell government," Kingsley began, "my office conducted an investigation. There is sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution and a recommendation to that effect was forwarded to the Head of DMLE."
"Who was conveniently murdered," Harry added.
"I didn't do that!" Molly screamed, practically admitting her part in the plot.
"I see," Harry drawled. "Arthur? A member of your House attempted to gain control over an Ancient and Noble House by magical and unlawful means. You know what my rights are under your law."
Arthur looked like he was going to be sick. He nodded.
"To avoid a line feud, I demand suitable compensation!"
"Arthur! You can't! He's lying!"
"Molly, I have sons who live, even if you seem intent on driving them away."
"You can't! You can't take my baby!"
"You should have thought about that, Dear, before you made the potion," Arthur said.
"But Dumbledore said it was necessary!"
"DUMBLEDORE IS NOT YOUR HUSBAND!" Arthur bellowed. "YOU LISTENED TO A STRANGER AND THREATEN MY HOUSE WITH YOUR ACTIONS WITHOUT MY APPROVAL!! I STILL HAVE SONS! I CAN LOSE A DAUGHTER!"
"D-Daddy?" Ginny whimpered.
"Go, Ginny," Arthur wept. "I'll always love you, but thanks to others you're his now."
"N-n-no?"
"I hear by relinquish all rights by blood and law to Ginevra Molly Weasley to Harry, Duke of Charenwell," Arthur intoned.
There was a flash of magic and Ginny seemed to go into a slight trance. The bond had begun to form, Harry knew. He was not happy with the situation, but if Ginny truly was innocent, he promised he would make it up to her somehow. "Please escort her to the anteroom," Harry asked a guard and Ginny was escorted away.
"Hypocrite," Percy muttered once Ginny left the room.
"Excuse me?" Harry asked.
"You rile against the evils of our institutions and concubines, then take my sister to be yours?"
"Lest you forget," Harry said, "if I wanted her, she was mine! She has owed me a life debt for three years! This was to spare you your life, Percy!"
"You could have turned the other cheek," Dumbledore said glaring and hoping it would not be too much.
"Unlike you," Harry said, "as a Head of State, I cannot afford to turn the cheek of those who threaten the security of my country. I am leaving now for my homeland. Pray none give me cause to return! Oh, and this is my notice that I, Neville Longbottom, Susan Bones, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Astoria and Daphne Greengrass and Ginny Weasley will not be attending Hogwarts … ever. We have made alternative arrangements. Ladies?"
Harry shoved a document at Dumbledore as he stood and turned and his four ladies followed him out the door.
Dumbledore sat there dumbfounded. He had been outmaneuvered by a boy barely fifteen years of age. The boy was supposed to be a pliable, little martyr. He was anything but that. Dumbledore had seriously underestimated the lad. He had kept close tabs on Harry for years and thought the boy had no abilities with the fairer sex, a condition he hoped to exploit. Now the boy had two consorts and at least two (soon to be three) concubines and no shame. He had to get the boy back under control or all would be lost. If the boy did not change his mind, the Order would be financially ruined. The boy had laid waste to his world. He was bankrupting wizarding Britain!
"He held all the cards, you know Albus," Minerva said to him. He could only look at her. He was seething right know. "He had all the cards. You never had a chance."
"There will be another day," Albus began.
"Somehow, I doubt that," Minerva said. "As the bound concubine of House Potter for fifty-three years and having fulfilled my previous husbands' duties as their informant, I hereby resign as Deputy Headmistress and Professor at Hogwarts."
A spy!? Albus reached for the traitor and found a wand on him. "As we've become allied to the Goblin Nation, House Potter was not required to relinquish our wands, Albus. Have a nice day."
Albus could only watch as she left, her official resignation laying on the table before him.
Harry, his Consorts and their attendants arrived back in their antechamber ahead of the others. The four Weasley shop girls were seated together in the room, Ginny was off to one side and appeared to be crying and Harry saw Narcissa laid out on a couch with Mallory attending to her. He walked over to the prone woman. She was either crying or in pain or both. Harry looked at Mallory.
"She's been beaten," Mallory said. "Not life threatening, but it's severe enough. She needs more than a few household remedies."
Harry nodded. "Hospital?"
"I would recommend that. It also appears she's been raped. Probably many times in recent days."
"Who?" Harry asked with anger and concern in his voice.
Narcissa heard that tone. No one had seemed all that concerned about her except for Andy and Sirius and she had lost them to the Pureblood world. She opened her eyes and looked at the young man who was the sworn enemy of her son and later her Husband. She never really knew what the boy could have done to earn such hatred.
"Draco," she said with difficulty.
Harry looked at her.
"Draco and his friends did this," she said. "I…" she began but was two weak or in pain to continue. A part of her was pleased to see the look of anger and indignation appear on the young man's face. The Malfoys were probably safer choosing to be enemies of the Dark Lord than this man.
"I am going to send you to a hospital for treatment now. Do you need anything from your former home, Narcissa?" Harry asked kindly.
"Cissy," the woman said.
"Excuse me?" Harry replied confused.
"Sirius called me Cissy."
"Cissy then."
"C-clothes?" Cissy asked.
"Unless there's outfits you want for sentimental reasons, once your better my girls will take you shopping for a new wardrobe. They really seem to enjoy that."
"N-nothing then. Th-that life is dead t-to me. Th-thank you, Your Highness."
"It's just Harry, Cissy. Now get better please?"
She nodded.
"Okay Mallory," Harry sighed. Mallory nodded and shifted away with her patient.
"You take my old Mistress in?" Dobby asked.
"She's family, Dobby."
"And her husband and spawn?"
"She's shot of them now and forever."
"She was nice on occasion and never mean," Dobby said. "You are a kind wizard, Harry Potter, Sir."
"Thanks. Would you and Winky please make sure all of our guests wands are brought here?"
"Immediately, Harry Potter Sir!"
Dobby and Winky popped away and Harry took a seat on a couch with Hermione and Luna at his sides. "That was bloody exhausting," he sighed.
"You were marvelous," Hermione said.
"I was glad to be sitting with you, dashing Husband of mine," Luna said with a smile. "I could tell everyone else at the table was nervous as to who would feel your wrath next. You do know as witches, we find that kind of – er – power very sexy."
Harry looked at Hermione who was nodding.
"You are so getting shagged," Astoria whispered to him. She and her sister were seated on the ground leaning against his legs.
"Dibs," Daphne giggled.
"Oh poo!" Astoria said with a false pout.
"The sacrifices I make for my country," Harry quipped as he leaned back and allowed his Consorts to snuggle close.
A/N: RELATIONSHIP SCORECARD:
If you didn't read the Intro, you missed that. This is so you can keep up with who's with who and how.
Key:
Names in Italics = OCGr – Gryffindor, Hu – Hufflepuff, Ra – Ravenclaw, Sl – Slytherin. SG – St. George's School, PE – Prince Edward School, SA – St. Andrew's, SP – St. Patrick's, SD – St. David's.(Number indicates last year completed. No number means they finished all seven years.)
Harry James Potter, age 15.1. Hermione Jane (Granger) Potter, age 16 (Gr-5); CONSORT (POTTER).2. Luna Celeste (Lovegood) Black, age 15 (Ra-4); CONSORT (BLACK).3. Dora (Tonks) Black-Potter, age 21 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).4. Minerva Grace (McGonagall) Potter-Black, age 68 (Gr); CONCUBINE (POTTER).5. Mallory Michelle (Grant) Black Potter, age 39 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).6. Daphne Renee (Greengrass) Black-Potter, age 16 (Sl-5); CONCUBINE (BLACK).7. Astoria Lynn (Greengrass) Potter-Black, age 14 (Sl-3); CONCUBINE (POTTER).
Bill Weasley, age 25.Fleur Patrice (Delacour) Weasley, age 19; CONSORT (BILL WEASLEY).
Neville Algicyrus Longbottom, age 15.1. Susan Marie (Bones) Longbottom, age 16 (Hu-5); CONSORT (NEVILLE).2. Amber Selma (Harker) Longbottom, age 33 (Sl-5); CONCUBINE (LONGBOTTOM).
Fred Weasley, age 18.1. Verity Nicole (Smith) Weasley, age 21 (SG-5). CONCUBINE (FRED).2. Danielle Louise (Carter) Weasley, age 20 (SG-5). CONCUBINE (FRED).3. Alicia May Spinet, age 18 (Gr). CONSORT (FRED).
George Weasley, age 18.1. Shelly Ann (Parker) Weasley, age 22 (SD). CONCUBINE (GEORGE).2. Ellen Suzanne (North) Weasley, age 20 (PE). CONCUBINE (GEORGE).3. Angelina Olivia (Johnson) Weasley, age 18 (Gr). CONSORT (GEORGE).