Chapter 30
-oOo-
January 11, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
Five of them wound their way up to the Headmistresses office at eight on a Wednesday night. They all had the copy of Harry's father's journal. Daphne couldn't quite contain her excitement at this. She had always wanted to be an Animagus ever since she had seen one of her mother's friends turn into an elegant swan. The fact that Professor McGonagall was a cat was amazing as well.
Even though she was keeping her face serene, Harry still chuckled at her. "In a rush?" he whispered behind her as they were just behind Hermione.
"Aren't you?" she whispered back.
He grinned at her. "Not as much as you," he said cheekily back.
Daphne shot him a reproachful look in return. She was very excited about this, but thought she was hiding it well.
At Christmas, all of them that had been in the summer lessons had received a copy of Harry's father's notes. Not all of them were willing to go through with it at this time though. From everything she had read, it was not a short process, nor was it one that someone took half-heartedly. Either you committed to the process or did not.
Once in the room, the five of them sat. Hermione, Harry, Roger, Susan and herself had all decided to go forward with this. Professor McGonagall had agreed that any of the others could take it up for their NEWTS.
The Headmistress looked over her desk at them.
The offices in the hands of Headmistress McGonagall looked very different than the time she had seen it when Professor Dumbledore had been here. She hadn't really looked around when Harry and her had been here a few months ago. She was fuming at Malfoy at the time.
The large office was more sparce. Cabinets were filled with books; master works of transfiguration or other items that related to a lifetime of teaching Transfiguration. Several tables of books and tomes were scattered behind her, with cages of animals making soft sounds in the background.
All the paintings were up and looked rather intrigued at what was about to happen. It had been many years since a Headmaster had taken on students like McGonagall was this semester. She enjoyed teaching too much to give it up, so she spent several nights a week, and some weekends, apprenticing some of the more advanced and promising students.
On her desk was a copy of James Potter's book.
"I am glad to see you have all come prepared," she indicated the books in their hands. "I have never taught anyone below seventh year on the beginnings of the Animagus magics, but I have found that those as young as fourth year can understand the intricacies and the devotion required to achieve this advanced magic."
She indicated the book before her, and Harry smiled.
The normally severe woman smiled back at Harry. "Yes, Mr. Potter, your father and his friends have put together the finest treatise on Animagus magic I have seen. They did not get all the points I know about, but there is no misleading, false or even inaccuracies in their approaches. I do get the sense that some of his thoughts and incites are missing, but I can't fault their research."
"Professor, Sirius took out most entries that seemed more personal," Harry told her.
"Ah, that makes more sense. Have you read it all?" she questioned.
"We all have," Harry answered. After Hermione had read it, it was decided that everyone going through the training should read some of his father's more personal notes. Only Hermione and Daphne had seen them all.
Professor McGonagall looked at each of them. Daphne nodded when the woman's eyes fell on her. "Very good. I would like to start then to see how much you all understood and where your true transfiguration skills are. This can be a dangerous path to follow if your core is not developed enough or you do not understand the basic tenants of transmogrification."
After looking at each of them again, she focused on Susan. "Ms. Bones, can you tell me what are the stages we will be discussing?"
"Depending on which path you follow, there are either three or four stages," Susan replied.
McGonagall rose an eyebrow. "Explain?" she asked kindly.
"Well, if you decide to use the potion, the first stage is to commune with nature. It forces the revelation and for you to find that side of you that is most like your personality," Susan said. "After that, there are three stages."
"That is enough. Ms. Greengrass, why is the first stage or two the most dangerous?"
Daphne ran her hand over the cover of the book. "It is the time that you have to open yourself and try to truly understand who you are. It also locks you into following the full training. Many can get discouraged when they find out what their animal is, but with that pathway open to your more primal side, you lose full control over things like occlumency and sometimes your emotions."
"A nice summary. One thing the group called the Marauders missed was the loss of full control of your magic. Once you start on the discovery path, you must complete it. If you do not find the balance between your human and animal side, then you can never truly settle with your own being. This will affect your control on your magic," she instructed.
Daphne opened the book and took out a self-inking quill she used for times like this. They were not allowed in classes.
Hermione and Roger were doing the same. Harry just nodded while Susan didn't look surprised.
"With this understanding, do the five of you wish to continue with this? If you use the potion, you have until it is ready to decide. The other two paths cannot be closed the moment you start on them," she told them.
"I am already committed," Harry told her. There was such a finality in his voice that she looked at him, as did the others. Hermione was the only one not surprised by this. Daphne cast a questioning look at him.
"Have you already started ahead of this lesson?" McGonagall asked, not looking as pleased.
"During my occlumency practice, I have started to let my mind wander like my father said could happen. I have already found an animal tract and a forest that I did not place and I can't enter yet," he admitted.
McGonagall looked rather impressed. "You are already that advanced in occlumency that you can split your thoughts?"
Harry looked a little abashed. "It was the first time I tried it last weekend. Healer Tonks has said I am much further along than she expected."
"Yes, well, since you have already started, I would ask for you and Healer Tonks to clear sometime this weekend. I really should help to lead you in this," McGonagall ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry replied.
"Are the rest of you committing to this?" After they all agreed, she asked, "Which path would you like to follow? This is a very important decision that should be chosen by you."
She looked at the far end of the line to Roger first. "I have not started occlumency. I was going to do the potion."
After a nod, McGonagall looked to Susan, who still looked to Harry a little surprised. "I am still only at the initial stages of occlumency. I think I will do the potion as well."
"Very good. And you, Ms. Greengrass?"
She looked to Harry. She knew her occlumency was good, but she had not tried anything like separating her thoughts yet. Her mother said that was an advanced technique that should only be started under the supervision of a master occlumens.
Harry looked back at her.
She knew each method had its advantages and disadvantages. Do it by self-exploration through something like occlumency would give her the strongest link between her magic and her animal, but it also risked more that the animal, and who she was, could influence each other's personality. The fact Harry dove into this the way he did was totally him.
After taking a moment, she asked, "Would you help me?"
Harry gave her a little smile. "Of course," he told her.
She nodded and looked back to Professor McGonagall. "I will talk with Healer Tonks. I would like to do this through self-exploration."
"The hardest way, but many times the most rewarding," McGonagall said before turning to Hermione.
"Professor, which path did you take?" Hermione questioned.
"I went the path Potter and Greengrass are taking. It took me two years, but in the end, I thought it worth it. I would not think it the proper path for everyone though. You have to really understand and accept who you are. If you do not, or are not willing to consciously let yourself go to accept the more animalistic side of you, then I would not suggest such a path," McGonagall told their friend.
Hermione frowned as she thought. After a moment, she said, "I would like to use the potion." She sounded down on herself, but Daphne figured Hermione was admitting to herself that she was unsure if she could do it otherwise.
McGonagall nodded. "Very good. I will get the mandrake leaves ready and on the full moon next month, you three can begin. You will have to gather the other ingredients and wait for a thunderstorm. It usually takes three to six months to have the potion ready. Now, before then, I want to go over stage two."
"You mean when we will start to change some of our body parts?" Hermione asked, sounding more enthused now.
"When you start accepting the aspect and body of your Animagus," Professor McGonagall corrected. For once, Hermione was not as knowledgeable about something, and Daphne smiled a little. She knew Hermione had been reading anything she could in her spare time but becoming and Animagus was a little more about the practical and metaphysical side of magic, than it was the theory and arithmancy. McGonagall went on, "At the start of stage, you will still be a little fluid in which animal you will take in the family that is shown to you until you decide before your first full transformation. It's meant for you to 'try' different shapes to find what you are most comfortable with."
"But isn't the potion and the communing with nature supposed to point you to the form that is most suited for you?" Roger enquired.
"It points you to the type of animal you are most like. Meaning a dog, wild or domesticated, a cat, small or large, a bird - again small or large. These are all examples, but it will get you close enough that you can then start the path. By that point, you will have to have trained yourself to accept what you are. It may also be a challenged the first few times to separate your mind from the animal when you do your full transformations. The path Potter and Greengrass are doing will not have these side effects, but it is more intensive and fraught with failure. Do not fret, Ms. Greengrass, I will guide you through what is needed," she said, and Daphne couldn't keep a concerned look off her face.
She had thought long about this decision over the last few weeks.
Harry reached out a hand and she took it gratefully. "You won't fail," he assured her.
His confidence settled her. After a nod, she turned back to Professor McGonagall, who was going further into the process.
-oOo-
January 18, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
Tracey was sitting with Susan and Hannah. Neville was down in the greenhouses for lunch today.
"You seem distracted," Susan commented.
Tracey looked over at the Gryffindor table again. Two tall redheads had just entered the hall. They were laughing while talking to two girls she recognized from the Gryffindor team. The girl with dark skin was looking at Fred... she thought it was Fred...
When they sat, she took her wand out of her sleeve.
"Trace, are you there?" Hannah asked.
"Yeah. Yeah. Sure," Tracey said. The twins were distracted by the girls. Tracey swished her wand. "Mutationem positionis."
The plate before her switched with who she thought was George. He hadn't put anything on it yet, but neither had she.
"What are you doing?" Susan questioned.
Tracey just smirked. "Just watch," she said. Susan quirked an eyebrow while Hannah turned to look. "Don't look right at them," Tracey admonished.
"Who?" Hannah asked.
When it happened, she had to turn around. A girl screamed. "MY HAIR!"
Tracey groaned to see a girl a year or two above them who suddenly had vibrant pink hair. "Bloody hell," she groused. That was twice now they had switched her trick. She hid her scowl under an emotionless mask. Merlin, she hated this mask, but it was useful at times.
George and Fred were still talking and laughing at the girl now. She didn't miss their eyes looking around. They didn't seem to know who had done it, but they were on high alert now.
"That was you?" Susan whispered.
"Yeah. Somehow, they switched it without me seeing," Tracey said equally as low.
Hannah looked at her. "I think I am going to start sitting with Meaghan. I want no part in this."
Susan shrugged. "Let me know if I can help?"
Tracey was thinking. "I will let you know," she agreed.
The poor girl went out of the Great Hall crying. Tracey would have to do something nice for her later. She didn't like innocents being targeted.
-oOo-
February 6, 1995
London, England
It was getting late in the day and the first two trials had gone much longer than had been expected.
For a loathsome little thing, Umbridge had some good legal representation that had managed to wriggle her out of almost half the charges. Luckily, those were all the low-level ones. The larger charges of bribery, blackmail of high-ranking public officials and a line theft charge of House Banker - her nieces house with a Wizengamot seat- saw the pink toad being marched off for many years among her kind. She hoped the dementors didn't get sick of her.
Fudge had the same lawyer, but with unsealed Ministry records and what was found in his and Umbridge's office and home, the man was buggered. It was found he had arrested and convicted political rivals, taken more than two-million galleons in bribes over the last decade in office - all found thanks to the records they were able to obtain from Malfoy, Parkinson, Nott and Yaxley. She suspected more, but that was all they had been able to prove. What was more concerning was what the bribes led too. Like dispatching Hit Wizards that were proven to have led to at least three deaths of innocent people. The corruption the man was responsible for was staggering. It was enough to see him join Delores. She wanted the kiss for both, but there was still enough support among the Conservatives, and with the pacifistic Progressives, to see them only going to Azkaban.
Amelia was looking at charges for almost a quarter of the Ministry staff. Some had already done a runner before they could substantiate charges. Others were on paid leave until they could be exonerated or not. A small number had been sharing cells with some of the higher 'Lords' of the land for weeks now. It was going to take two or more months to work through the trials requiring the full Wizengamot. Then at least that long again for all the smaller tribunals of the lesser charges and people.
As she sat at the table with her staff, Solicitor Wendyl caught her attention.
"What is it, Henry?"
"As it is close to four, there is a request to push off Malfoy's trial until tomorrow," he said.
Frowning, she looked at the blonde man and his solicitor. Lucius Malfoy sat with a rather blank look on his face. He was in very expensive robes and suit, his hair slicked back and what looked like dragon-hide boots. She hated the man and didn't want to give him an inch, but she didn't want to have this go south in any way. He was the lynch pin for the next eight cases. If everything went well, he would be kissed.
Her Solicitor looked at her as she thought it out.
"If we can start at eight AM, I will agree," she told him.
"I will go talk to the Defense and the Chief Warlock."
She nodded.
About ten minutes later, Lucius stood up. He flashed her a small smirk. The malice in his eyes was returned with as much contempt as she could put into her own eyes.
The man was very upset with her. His wife had been hurt in the raids but healed the next day before given her own cell. Their son had been found guilty last week of violating a few laws and had been remanded to Lady Parkinson, the mother of his betrothed, pending Draco paying the hefty fine that had been levied against him. Of course, that was difficult with the lean put on all their accounts pending the trials of Lord Malfoy and Lord Parkinson.
The man allowed the Aurors to lead him towards the doors. That was when things went all to hell.
"You killed my mother!" a man yelled from outside the door. "Avada Kedavra!"
She turned to see the unmistakable sickly green glow of the killing curse. It happened so quickly, there wasn't time for the Aurors or anyone else to dodge or block the curse as the man tried to jump over the reporters outside the door. It hit Lucius Malfoy square in the face. She watched in horror as the man slumped to the floor. "Oh, bloody hell," she cursed as everything descended into pandemonium.
She had needed this conviction and his testimony under veritaserum before the Wizengamot.
The Aurors were subduing the man as others screamed and Scrimgeour rushed to the scene. She marched up to him. "Tell me how the bloody hell a wand got into the Ministry! Only the Aurors were supposed to have them today," she demanded.
"I don't know. Once this mess is cleaned up, I'll get on it," her Head Auror said before he began barking out orders.
She looked into the surprised eyes of the very dead Lucius as he was levitated away.
-oOo-
February 7, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
"Auntie, why are you here," Susan asked as she moved to her aunt. Professor Sprout had come to get Susan and Harry just as breakfast had started.
"It is good to see you too, Susie," the woman said as she returned her niece's hug.
Harry looked at her and the six people behind her. They were all obviously Hit Wizards. Harry recognized two of them from Inverness. A bad feeling was starting to take up in his gut. "Auntie," Harry greeted Amelia with a small bow. She opened his arms for him, and Harry found himself greeting her with a hug.
"Auntie, why do you have so many guards with you?"
"It will be in the Daily Prophet this morning. Lucius Malfoy was assassinated while leaving the court chambers last night. It will also come out that there has been two attempts on my life and several other members. So far Malfoy is the only one to die, but it has been close," Amelia said, not parsing words.
Fear raced across Susan's face. "Are you alright? When? Why haven't you told us?"
"We didn't want to start a panic. Until now, it was found or believed the attempts were made by those we were hunting or arresting. Lord Malfoy was assassinated by a man whose mother was murdered by Malfoy in the first war when Malfoy claimed to be under the imperious curse," she explained.
Harry was very concerned. "Amelia, are we in danger? What about Daphne or Astoria or Hermione..."
Amelia cut him off. "We do not think anyone here is in danger, but I can't take any chances. You, Susan, Daphne, Astoria, Neville and Tracy are all going to have a Guard following you all day, every day. Twenty Aurors have been assigned to the castle and grounds now. I need all of you to stay out of trouble. Do you understand?" she said, looking more at him than Susan.
Harry nodded. Susan bit her lip. "You think they will try for us, don't you?"
"Until the trials are over, I am not taking any chances," she replied.
"Do the others know? What about Hermione and Blaise? Or Ernie or Roger?"
"The threats we have had have not called them out. You and Susan have been threatened because of me. The Greengrass sisters because of our alliance with them and your courtship with Daphne. Neville is the grandchild of the sitting Minister, and Tracey is in a courtship with him. I think your other friends and the children, or the alliance will be safe around you, but I just don't have the resources to protect everyone," she reasoned with them.
At their worried looks, Amelia went on. "Lord Greengrass is here to talk with his daughters. I am going to talk with Neville and Tracey. I am going to count on you and Susan to keep everyone together."
Harry met her eyes before nodding. "I can do that, Auntie Ami."
Amelia nodded back. "Good. I want you to meet Auror Roberts, a registered first class Hit Wizard. He will be shadowing you for the next few weeks. Do not try to lose him."
"I'll try," Harry said solemnly. Auror Roberts was a relatively short man with a big nose, a mop of brown hair and sharp brown eyes. Harry noticed the man's eyes never seemed to stop for more than a second or two on anything until he met Harry's eyes. Harry had the feeling this man was deadly and not to cross him.
"Susie, Auror Everwand, a registered first class Hit Wizard, will be your guard. Same rules," she told Susan.
Susan nodded, before looking at the tall blonde woman. She was willowy, with short, shoulder length, curly hair, hazel-green eyes and seemed to move more like a cat than a woman. He didn't hear her move at all as she stepped up behind Susan.
"Are you going to be alright?" Susan asked again.
"I will be, Susan. I just need to know you and everyone here is safe. It is a little unbalanced out there right now, but I expect it will all pass over by summer," she tried to reassure them.
Harry had found he was very attached to Amelia. In all his life, no adult had cared this much about him.
"What about Sirius and Remus?" Harry asked about the only other adults that cared about him as much as Amelia.
"They are doing some detective work from me. Last I saw them, they were both well, Harry. I will let them know you asked about them next time I see them, but they may not be able to contact you for a few weeks."
Harry nodded at her.
"I need to get going. We are redoing security at the Ministry to not allow this to happen again. Be safe. Be careful. Watch out for each other," she ordered.
"Yes, Auntie," Susan said, hugging Amelia again.
Harry hugged her too. "Don't get into trouble," she told him.
"I almost never start it," he told her a little impetuously.
She glared at him. "Don't get into trouble."
"I'll try, Auntie," he replied.
"I'll tell Daphne to keep him in line," Susan said in a teasing tone.
"You would," he snarked before sticking his tongue out at her. She returned the favour.
Amelia cast them a little smile. She had had some trepidations when Harry moved in, but she was seeing them act more like siblings than strangers. It made her heart a little lighter and gave her more of a reason to clean up the mess left from the last war. "Moody will be at your lessons this Saturday. I think he is going to step up your training for a little bit."
Susan groaned and Harry smirked. He liked the training they got from Moody.
-oOo-
February 14, 1995
Hogsmeade, Scotland
Valentine's day was on a Tuesday. The day had started with a single rose next to her bed. When she had asked how Harry had managed that, Tracey just smiled.
"You?" she asked her best friend.
"I am not saying a word," Tracey told her.
Daphne gave her a glare without any heat before smiling. "He has it bad, doesn't he?" she enquired, reaching over to the table and taking up the courtship bracelet.
Tracey giggled as she put on her school robes. "He isn't the only one."
Daphne's smile was more wistful. "No, he isn't. I see the way you look at Neville."
Tracey snorted. "Not what I meant. Morning, Millie," Tracey greeted their other dormmate. None of the students that had been withdrawn last month had returned. Fifteen Slytherins, all with ties or the heirs of the Houses that have been arrested. Four of them were now serving time in Azkaban and at the next solstice meet, their houses would be put up to vote to ban them. The heirs could petition when they turn twenty-one to get their Lordships back, but she knew of only eight houses in the last hundred years to regain their Lordships after the Head-of-House was convicted and banned.
"Good morning," Millie said brightly. She had clearly just showered and had a look to her that Daphne and Tracey were coming to know. She knew she had the same smile on her face the first time Harry and her had had a really long snog the night before.
"Have a good night?" Tracey asked slyly.
"Very," Millie replied, but didn't elaborate.
Tracey quirked an eye. "Has Eugene done something good?"
Millie gave a shy smile. "I enjoyed it."
Daphne shook her head. "Just let us know if you need anything."
Millie nodded and Tracey looked disappointed. "No details? What did you enjoy so much?"
Millie's smile was shy but satisfied. "I borrowed some of your bruise salve. That is all I am saying."
"That can't be it! Daph, get her to talk," Tracey whinged.
"I am staying out of this. I am satisfied enough with Harry to not need to know everyone else's love life," she told Tracey as she did up her tie and went for her bag. She wanted to see Harry and give him his Valentine's card.
Tracey stuck her tongue out. "Spoil sport. Hey, wait up," she said, realizing Daphne was now walking towards the door. She waited long enough for Tracey to finish and see if Millie wanted to join them. Millie joined them to the common room, when she met Eugene with a kiss. Then another. Tracey made a joke about 'having to breath' as they left them.
When it was just Tracey and her walking up to the great hall, Tracey said, "Do you think Millie and Eugene sealed the betrothal contract?"
"I doubt it. I would think she would tell us that. Besides, they only signed the courtship contract at the beginning of the month. Millie seems a little more reserved than you," she said, knowing that Neville and Tracey had gone a little farther than Harry and her.
Tracey got a little bit of a dreamy look. "I like the way I feel when he touches me," she replied.
Daphne nodded. She liked the way Harry touched her too.
When they got to the hall, Harry and Neville were waiting for them outside. Daphne couldn't keep a small smile off her face. "Didn't you already get me a rose?" she asked Harry as he handed her another.
"That one was a white rose. This one is green," he told her.
She tried not to roll her eyes at him. Tracey was already kissing Neville for the one he gave her. Harry took the rose, used a quick cutting charm and then put it just over her ear onto the hair clip she was using today. She rose an eyebrow at him. "Just letting others know that the rose is beautiful, but you are more so."
She couldn't quite keep the flush down. "That is the cheesiest thing you have ever said."
Harry just shrugged. "Blame Seamus. It's true though."
Her response was a kiss that had a throat clearing behind them. She turned, trying to act as uncaring as possible.
"While I can appreciate the affection young couples may want to share on this day, I do not think in the middle of the door to the Great Hall is the appropriate place, Mr. Potter and Ms. Greengrass," a rather stern Headmistress McGonagall said.
"We apologize, Headmistress. It won't happen again," Harry said, pulling her along.
"You berk, getting me to kiss you like that there," she whisper-yelled at Harry.
The smirk he gave back had her feeling a warm sensation in her gut. "Totally worth it. Happy Valentine's Day."
She wanted to be mad at him but found it hard.
By the end of the day, she found she had a rainbow of eight roses in her hair. Last year, she would have been mortified at such a display. This year, she took the short-stemmed roses carefully out of her hair and hung them to dry.
Tracey lay on her bed, in her night dress and sighed.
"What's up with you?" Daphne asked looking over. She had the card Neville had given her in her hands.
"I think I'm in love," Tracey told Daphne.
Daphne rolled her eyes before climbing under her covers. "Tell me something I don't know," she teased her friend.
Tracey giggled. "I made up my mind that I am going to give Neville a very special gift for his birthday in July."
Daphne stopped and looked at Tracey, an eyebrow up. "Doesn't your courtship agreement stipulate that you will be betrothed if you give yourself to him?"
Tracey looked a little dreamy. "Oh, no. I am waiting until we are both sixteen for that. It doesn't mean that we can't do other things."
"Like?"
Tracey's smirk had a lecherous quality to it. "For being so smart and devious, Daph, you haven't ever really been that curious about certain things. If you ever are, I have two books in my trunk that I stole from my mother. You should look at them at some point. Night," her best friend said with a bright smile before pulling the curtains around her bed.
Daphne just looked at the bed. She may be fifteen now, but until Harry, she had never really felt the way she does around him. She felt rather special, cherished, hot and bothered at times. No boy had really caught her attention or fancy like that. Personally, she thought she would never have a choice in husbands. Her mother and her had had the 'talk', and another after Christmas, but sex and boys just weren't what she had focused on. She had other goals. Goals that would have given her options than to just be arm candy for someone she didn't like.
She admitted to herself, she was curious what Tracey had read, but she wasn't sure she was ready to find out. Harry and her had another year and a half before they had to decide if they were going to become betrothed, and they didn't mean to marry until they were both twenty, but did she want to wait that long?
As she thought about it, she realized that the warmth Harry brought out in her was something she really wanted to explore more.
Just maybe not tonight...
Her eyes lingered on Tracey's trunk for a few minutes.
Not tonight... but maybe soon she would do more studying on, what did Muggles call it again? Biology?
Yes.
Biology.
She would study more on biology.
She wondered if Hermione had books on the subject? She had heard Muggleborn and raised tended to be more knowledgeable in those areas earlier than the Purebloods. Daphne may be a pureblood, but she was not sure she saw herself that way anymore. There were too many things from the Muggle world she enjoyed.
This was a subject for another night.
Closing her curtains, the warmth in her gut just wouldn't go away as she thought about Harry, even when she tried to do her occlumency practice.
It got worse when she found her own body betraying her mind and her hands started to trace the same movements Harry had done earlier tonight...
Truth be told, Daphne didn't really fight the feelings her hands brought out.
-oOo-
February 21, 1995
London, England
It had been a long three weeks since the trials had started. Today was going to be the seminal trial that should finally break the back of those that once supported Voldemort and tried to keep the old Pureblood ways alive. After the assassination of Lord Malfoy, Lord Parkinson was the second highest in the Dark Alliance, and the one found to hire the would-be assassins against her.
Looking around the lower courtroom ten, which was smaller but more defensible than courtroom eight had been, she was scanning for trouble. The only people allowed to have wands in the rooms, or in the Ministry at all, were Ministry employees. Each employee had been given a coin that was keyed to their magical signature. If they were to try to enter the Ministry without their coin, they would be questioned. If they tried to enter the Ministry with another person's coin, they would be questioned. If anyone tried to sneak any wand or other deadly object without the proper clearance, they were questioned.
This had led to almost a hundred arrests in the last two weeks. Most were innocent accidents, but a few had been downright dangerous.
To prevent a 'dangerous' situation, and to ensure the man lived at least long enough to walk through the veil, she had tightened down security even more, with the expressed permission from Minister Longbottom. Her old friend would be interim Minister until the March Equinox session. If things had settled enough by then, she would make sure Susan, Hermione and Harry attended that meeting. They should know how a new Minister was chosen and ratified.
All the gears of politics were already running in the background. As much as Amelia wanted to be more involved right now, she had to trust in her allies to secure the votes for who they wanted. Augusta had already made it clear she would not stay on as Minister. The question was who would...
She didn't have time to think about this know. A rather haughtily looking man was being escorted into the room with six Aurors. The man's dark hair wasn't as nicely kept as it usually was. His grey eyes looked around with a certain defiance while he held himself as tall as possible. The man was a louse, and she couldn't wait to have him prosecuted.
Parkinson was put in the defendant's chair. The black chains launched out and wrapped around his wrists and ankles. Two solicitors took up at the table next to the man.
The gavel banged on the stone pulpit. "Order!" Chief Warlock Doge called out. "Aurors, please ward the doors. No one shall leave this room until the next recess."
The murmuring quieted down as her Aurors did their job.
"This trial of the British Ministry of Magic versus Lord Parkinson shall be called to order. Present today are twenty members of the Wizengamot to hear and judge on the merits of the case. Should any guilty verdict be returned, the entire Wizengamot shall review the conviction and determine appropriate punishment based on our laws within one week of conviction," Chief Warlock Doge instructed.
"To prevent any claims of bias, the Chief Warlock will step down for the proceedings and Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE shall preside until such time this case is called to a close."
"I object," one of the solicitors said.
"On what grounds?" Doge demanded.
"There is a known feud between House Parkinson, their ally, the House of Malfoy and the Potters. Madam Bones is an ally of House Potter and its Regent. There is no faith Madam Bones will hold an unbiased opinion," the solicitor replied.
She stood up. "I have not received any official letters or verbal declaration of such. As Head of the DMLE, I pledge to be loyal to our laws and traditions."
"The blood feud was declared this yesterday," the solicitor replied. "All papers were sent to Scion Potter."
"Chief Warlock, as Regent of House Potter, I do not acknowledge such a feud without proper notification to myself or the Wizengamot. Scion Potter has acknowledged me as regent and proxy for his House. All documents of this sort cannot be legally enacted without my approval first," she stated, peering down at the man who was glaring at her.
"By the old ways, I declare bad blood and wrongs against the House of Parkinson by the House of Potter," Parkinson roared out. There was a blue aura around the man. "The House of Potter is declared blood traitor and oath breaker!"
There were a big fuss and people started to get up. Many of the Wizengamot members realized this was probably a ploy to get the man out of the trials today because such an oath and accusation had to be resolved.
She looked to Doge. "Chief Warlock, I would request a sanctioning to ask how House Potter is a blood traitor and oath breaker to House Parkinson and House Malfoy."
Doge nodded his head. "Do I have a show of fifteen hands for this blood feud to be recognized?"
Eighteen of the twenty members present rose their hands. There was a definite drum of magic in the room as the accusations and the acknowledgement was received. This is what would have happened if Harry had set off a blood feud with House Goyle. The difference this time was that House Potter was being accused.
Amelia nodded to her peers. With this, the magic of the room changed. It would now allow house elves or the accused to enter and leave the chamber. No one was allowed to leave until the Chief Warlock gave his leave. "Dobby," she called out. Most around the room were silent or talking low enough that they would not miss this. It had been nearly two decades since the last full blown blood feud had been called.
A second later, Harry's elf popped in. He looked around a little uncertainly before grabbing his years. "What is Dobby being here for Madam Bonsey?"
"Dobby, I need you to go to Hogwarts and ask the Headmistress to excuse Harry. He must bear witness to a blood feud," she said calmly. Dobby nodded and was soon gone. She walked down to the floor. Parkinson glared at her with death in his eyes. She had the thought that he didn't realize it was his own. "Lord Parkinson, I have summoned the Scion of House Potter, the last of his line. As the challenged House, I force you to prove your claims, pay restitution or duel to the death. Should House Potter win, they will claim all titles, land and vaults of House Parkinson and House Malfoy. Do you accept this?"
The man gave a feral grin. "House Parkinson recognizes such a challenge. When I win, I claim all that is House Potter and his allies!"
She smiled back. "You only claim blood feud to the House of Potter with your ally. House Potter allies are not bound to such feudal agreements. "
"House Greengrass shall stand with House Potter. I put forward as second," Anders said, standing up quickly from the visitors' gallery. He was not part of the voting block today, having too close of ties with House Parkinson in the recent past.
She nodded to Anders but wished the power-hungry fool had stayed out of this. He was not endangering Harry. She thought after Christmas he had curbed his way around Harry. Unfortunately, she could not afford to point this out to him in such a public setting.
"House Potter recognizes House Greengrass. By the way, Lord Parkinson, if you are claiming your ally to stand at your side, where is a representative from House Malfoy?" she asked.
The Lord Parkinson sneered at her. "I was informed that Lady Malfoy was denied entry into these proceedings," the man said.
His solicitor leaned over, and she rose an eyebrow. She expected it to take a good twenty minutes or more for Harry to show, especially if he changed into his House robes, like she expected. Daphne wouldn't allow him not too if she was with him.
After a moment, Lord Parkinson frowned. Apparently, he had not been informed that the Lady Malfoy and her son had left the country two days ago after she had paid her fines from her own trial. Draco was going to be attending Durmstrang for the rest of his education and she was moving in with relatives in France. Apparently being disowned by the Lord Black left her with few allies in Britain. Parkinson snarled and muttered, "Cowards."
She had to keep her own retort down. Who was the coward? The man had been caught trying to flee the country.
The people around the court spoke in soft murmurs while they waited. It was almost twenty-five minutes before there was a small crack next to her. Harry stumbled a half-step before standing tall. His hair was just as messy as normal, but it didn't lessen the way he was standing or the more emotionless look on his face. His burgundy robes proudly displayed the Potter, Peverell and Glamorgon crests. He had understood he was to be the Scion Potter today.
She turned to the Chief Warlock. "Chief Warlock Doge, I ask you to witness the complaints and formal declaration from House Parkinson. House Potter has not received proper notice and would request the paperwork filed with the Magical Records department," she said. Harry stiffened a little.
"This is a little unusual without having a proper presentation before the Wizengamot," Doge replied.
"It is my right as Lord of House Parkinson to declare whatever I want," the man said angrily.
She motioned for Harry to stay quiet. "A formal Blood Feud has rules, Lord Parkinson. Unless you wish for this to be an honour duel? If so, the duel can be arranged with you once the trial is over, or with your heir should you be found guilty, since three of the charges directly affect House Potter," she replied coolly.
The man eyes burned at her, but by the set of his chin, he seemed to finally realize he had not followed protocol and had put his house in more danger than it already was in. Before he could say anything, one of the solicitors said, "The Declaration of Blood Feud can be retrieved from the archives. It was submitted two days ago and scheduled for the docket of the next Wizengamot meet. Lord Parkinson meant no offense or not to follow formal protocol."
With a grunt, the man agreed.
It was only a few minutes for a parchment to be flown in. The chambers were still locked and only someone summoned like Harry could enter. The Chief Warlock took the paper airplane and read it, before handing it to the redheaded court scribe. "Before we are to do anything else, Lord Parkinson, do you agree that the Wizengamot members here today can act as a quorum, in lieu of the traditional half plus five that is required by the Wizengamot charter for such things?"
"I do," Lord Parkinson said before his solicitors could say a word. Neither of whom looked pleased at the outburst. Amelia understood. Having so few members could sway things one way or the other much easier than a full, or even half a Wizengamot audience.
"Very well. Mr. Weasley, if you would," Doge said.
Percy Weasley stood up. "February eighteen, nineteen hundred and ninety-five. The House of Parkinson declares a blood feud against the House of Potter for breach of trust, contracts and illegal actions leading to the Lord Parkinson, Head of House Parkinson, facing charges that are unsubstantiated. Such charges have led to, and breaches have led to substantial losses in the amount of seven-hundred and thirty-four thousand galleon, twelve sickles and eight knuts, the dissolution of four businesses, dissolution of a marriage contract between House Black and House Parkinson and the dissolution of a marriage contract between House Potter and House Parkinson."
Doge had to pound the gavel to bring order back with the noise that sprung up.
Amelia knew the Potter contract the man was talking about. It was a proposal for Harry to marry the man's daughter in an alliance that would have seen House Potter absorbed by Parkinson. It was a low ball that had been outstanding until she had taken over Harry's accounts. Harry didn't look pleased at what was being said.
The court scribe went on, "All claims are outlined on the attached sheets. In reparation of such crimes against House Parkinson, House Parkinson is requesting all assets, contracts and titles of the House of Potter, including alliance contracts, to be handed over. If such is not done by February twenty-eighth, nineteen-hundred and ninety-five, a Blood Feud shall exist that will only be resolved with the death of either House. If such shall occur, all assets, contracts, titles and alliances shall pass to the other house."
Percy looked up. "It is signed by the Lord Parkinson."
Amelia wasn't sure to feel sick or smile. If the House of Parkinson were to be dissolved, which could occur with a guilty verdict that he had ended two Houses of the Wizengamot and attempted assassination of three others, the man would lose everything, and Harry would be awarded all the man lost. Was he that big of a fool? Or was there something else going on here?
"With the officially reading of the declaration, do you wish to have all the other stipulations and accusation read, Regent Potter?" Doge asked.
She looked to Harry. Harry was staring at the man, his eyes more intense than normal. There was a power to them that had her raising an eyebrow. She had seen some of that, but not like this. When she looked to Parkinson, he was looking at Harry, but the defiant anger the man had had was now cautious. "Scion Potter, do you wish to read any of this or take a small recess to discuss?"
"I would like you accept the blood feud as written. As the aggrieved party, I add my own stipulations," he said, his voice ringing in the silence that had fallen.
"What do you mean the aggrieved party," Parkinson spat out.
"Silence," Doge said, banging his gavel.
Harry looked to her and she nodded. She could see his question. Harry asked, "It is my understanding that the House declaring the Blood Feud is the aggressor? Am I mistaken?"
She knew Harry knew this. Had Daphne coached him on something?
"It is, Scion Potter," Doge said back evenly.
"That would make my house the aggrieved party. Per Blood Feud laws, I am allowed to add stipulations that are of the same magnitude if the initial stipulation are agreed too. Correct?" Harry questioned.
"You are," Doge answered.
"As the aggrieved party, I stipulate that if House Parkinson is found guilty of acts against House Potter, then the House of Parkinson is to be dissolved. All assets are to be liquidated and setup into a trust fund to be managed by House Potter and a board of House Potter choosing. A small trust fund shall be set aside for any heirs or children not of age. After that, the Blood Feud shall be considered paid," Harry said.
She rose an eyebrow. How much had he not talked with her about? She had a feeling this had been a plan that was already in place. She knew Daphne didn't want to give birth to keep any house going that was not hers or Harry's.
Lord Parkinson paled. "You can't do that!"
She gave a small smile as the chains restrained the man. "I think you will find he can. By our laws, should any part of a Blood Feud be decided by contest or court, then the decision is magically binding. I hope your solicitors are as good as you pay them to be."
"I'll kill you myself in a duel once I am released," the man spat towards Harry. "You have destroyed everything!"
Harry just glared back at the man. "Perhaps you shouldn't have trusted a Half-blood when you gave your allegiance to Lord Voldemort. He may be a son of the Gaunts, but he is also the son of a muggle."
It cut through to everyone. There were some gasps and a large stirring.
"You lie!" Parkinson snarled.
Harry shook his head. "Ask your lawyers to look it up. Tom Marvolo Riddle. Regent Potter, do you need me for anything else?"
"I don't accept your stipulations!" Parkinson bellowed. "I declared the feud and dictate the outcome! We shall duel boy!"
"Aurors, silence him," Doge ordered and a second later Parkinson was screaming with no noise coming out of his mouth.
"Scion Potter, Lord Parkinson has a point. Will you stand and propose your stipulations to the court, and we shall vote on the legitimacy of them?" Doge asked.
Amelia nodded and Harry turned to the twenty Wizengamot members in the stands. Ten minutes later, the stipulations were accepted, and Parkinson was looking rather flush and angry as he still tried to scream at them.
-oOo-
That night...
Harry had taken her hand and led her out of the Great Hall. It was still two hours before curfew, not that it mattered as much with his invisibility cloak. When they made it to a small alcove on the sixth floor, she looked at him intently. He had returned shortly before dinner, after being gone most of the day, and refused to tell any of them what was going on.
After casting a few spells so they could talk in relative safety, Harry turned to her. His green eyes had been blazing ever since getting back and they were no less now.
"Are you going to tell me what happened? Why are you still in your House Potter robes?" she questioned.
Harry ran a hand over his neck. "The Lordship of Parkinson is going to be dissolved at the Spring Equinox meet. I assume it will be in the papers tomorrow," he told her.
Her eyes went wide. It hit her what had happened. "Oh," was all she said. The reasons why they had decided not to declare a feud on the Goyles going through her head. "Tell me you didn't declare a blood feud?"
He chuckled a little darkly. "No. Parkinson did."
She took in a slow breath. "And the payment to end it?"
"The House of Parkinson is mine. Everything, Daph. The fool thought he would get everything I owned, and he might have, if the Wizengamot members there had not accepted my stipulations. He was found guilty of murder of the last of House Turgeon and the assassination attempts on us at the Abbot's Cotillion. Malfoy was involved, but it was Parkinson that planned it and got the dementors. I used the same stipulations we talked about if the feud had happened against the Goyles," Harry told her.
She nodded her head. She found herself relieved she or Harry would not have to carry on the Parkinson name. "What of Pansy and her brother?"
"I am leaving her brother alone. He will have whatever is left in his trust vault and will be able to keep the name of Parkinson, but they are being stripped of all titles. I will leave a trust vault for Pansy. I much as I hate her, she has never done direct damage to me," he told her.
A small smile came over her face. "I would have left them all destitute," she told him.
"I know. I just couldn't. I know what it is like to be an orphan, even if her brother is like twenty-two or something," he replied.
She felt a swell in her chest. As hurt as Harry has been, his heart was still one of the largest she knew. "I love that about you," she said softly. The smile she got in return made her heart flutter. "What else? I can tell there is more."
He let out a small sigh. "All their assets will be turned into gold and then sent to a trust for charity work."
She chuckled. "That has got to be the worst punishment for them. The Parkinsons thought themselves royalty, like the Malfoys. You are just going to through all of that away."
He looked a little abashed. "I won't allow anyone to have the means to rise up like Voldemort again," he told her.
She shivered a little. With a serious look on her face, she asked, "Why do you think that?"
Harry looked a little guilty for a moment. She raised an eyebrow at him. She knew he was still hiding secrets from her, but this looked big. He reached up and rubbed his almost non-existent scar. It was so light, she forgot about it most days now. On an impulse, she reached up and put her hand over his, tracing the very thin line. He had not let her do this before. Harry let out a small sigh and seemed to slump a little, as though a great tension was let out of him. "Daph, I still have somethings to tell you. Things I very much want you to know now, but I don't want to do it here. Over Easter, would you come to Grace Hall?"
She got on her tip toes and kissed his forehead, right over the scar. She could be patient and wait a few weeks. "You never have to ask."
"Good."
The watch on his wrist started to chime. He looked into her eyes. "I am to meet my auntie and Lady Parkinson at eight-thirty tomorrow morning. Pansy is going to come back. Can you get along with her?"
Daphne frowned. "Have you been declared her Lord?"
"Until the House is dissolved next month, yes," Harry told her.
Apparently more happened today than she realized. After a moment, she nodded. "I will not start anything unless she does."
"Good enough. And Tracey?"
Daphne laughed. "She is still trying to get one over on the Weasley twins. She is oh-for-four so far. I think that will keep her busy."
Harry nodded. "It's getting close to curfew. I would like to escort you to your common room."
She kissed briefly before taking his arm. "I would like that."
By now, they had learned to mostly ignore their shadows. Others did not and gave them a clear path as Harry walked her down and kissed her good night.