HPWW571-580

Chapter 571

Back in their apartment after classes, Harry invited

both the Longbottom three and the Finch-Fletchley

three to a 'pow wow' in the Potter apartment.

Once they'd all arrived, he explained in greater detail

what had happened at the Wizengamot meeting.

When he finished, Justin let out a low falling whistle.

"So, Lord Black is going to table a Bill in New

Business at the November session making it illegal to

marry or concubine with someone who has the same

blood relative within five generations?"

"That's my guess, yes," he nodded.

"How will they know?"

"Through the Gringotts inheritance test," he replied.

"The goblins will need to simply modify their current

inheritance test potion to show a person's bloodline

back five generations. Then, the two bloodlines are

compared to see if there is a matching relative

between the two. If there is, no betrothal or

concubinage will be legally allowed. At least, that's my

logical guess."

Daphne quietly said, "A simple solution to a complex

problem. However, what about existing betrothal and

concubinage contracts?"

"No idea," he replied. "However, if you think you know

a solution to that problem, I'm sure Sirius will be very

interested in hearing from you. Hell; he'd be interested

in hearing from you if you have any thoughts on how

the Statute should be worded."

"What about life debts and their ilk?" asked Fleur.

"They'd have to be exempted," said Daphne, cutting in

before Harry had the chance to say the same thing.

"The same as soul bonds and their ilk, as you put it."

"All good points," said Tracey, speaking up for the

first time. Like a lot of wizarding raised children, she

grew up on stories of soul mates and soul bonds and

probably dreamed she'd find herself in such a

situation.

Harry had a sudden thought. "Anyone know how

closely our Slytherin neighbours are blood related to

one another?"

That had all his friends look surprised.

Neville, first to answer, replied, "Errr... no." The others

all shook their heads.

"I think we need to invite them to visit for this pow

wow," said Harry. "It would be unfair on them for this

information to affect them and learn of it via tomorrow

morning's Daily Prophet."

Hermione quietly said, "Go invite them."

No one disagreed.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Knocking on the door of the Gibberd apartment, Harry

only had to wait about fifteen seconds before the door

was opened.

As soon as Gibberd, as he was the one who answered

the door, saw him his face morphed into one of

confusion before he quietly asked, "Yes?"

"Something of great import happened at the

Wizengamot today that may very well have a

significant effect upon you and your lady," said Harry,

not beating about the bush. "You're invited to come

and hear of it in my apartment; now, if you like.

"None of us think it would be fair on you for the first

time you found out about this being via the Daily

Prophet in the morning."

As he was speaking, Whitehead also approached the

door from behind Gibberd to find out what was going

on.

Confused and clearly concerned, Gibbered turned

back to look at his lady. "Phyl?"

The two looked at one another for a long couple of

seconds before Whitehead looked to Harry and asked,

"Is this some sort of trick?"

"No," he was quick to reply. "It has to do with

information which has been brought to light about a

risk to the bloodlines. I and mine mean you no harm;

you have my word."

The two looked to one another for a few moments

more before Gibberd said, "Then, lead the way."

As Harry led the two into the Potter apartment a few

moments later, he said, "For everyone who hasn't met

them, this is Ross Gibberd and Phylis Whitehead."

Hermione stood and said, "The House of Potter bids

you welcome and offers you peace and sanctuary

within our walls this day."

That line surprised Harry, but it also shocked

everyone else including the two seventh year

Slytherins.

There was a long moment before Gibberd let out an

explosive snort and said, "We thank you for the offer

of peace and sanctuary within House Potter and

accept." Then he bowed as Hermione curtseyed.

"Ohhh-kay," said Harry.

Gibberd said, "A rather odd place to make such an

offer - Hogwarts, I mean."

"Normally, yes," replied Hermione. "However, this

apartment is considered... temporarily, at least... as

House of Potter property. I thought it apt."

"She's right," said Daphne, clearly surprised. "I

confess I had not considered that."

After Hermione offered seats and refreshments to the

two, Harry explained what had happened in the

Wizengamot that morning and what was likely to

happen before Christmas.

It had both Slytherins frowning deep in thought.

"The question is," said Harry. "Are you two blood

related within the past five generations? If you are and

you're both determined to still marry, I'll do my best to

see Lord Black delay his Bill for two months; have him

not raise it until the February session of the

Wizengamot."

The two looked to one another before looking back.

Whitehead sighed and replied, "We know we are not

back four generations. I checked that far, at least.

However, we are unsure of the fifth."

Gibberd said, "We will find out, though. We can both

go into Gringotts and ask for an inheritance test that

goes back at least that far."

"There's another problem, though," said Whitehead.

She looked to Gibberd who then very slightly

shrugged. "Our betrothal is now a contract. It cannot

be broken, even if our Lords were of a mind to."

"Yet another area where exemptions to the Statute

would need to be codified," said Daphne.

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

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

Chapter 571

Back in their apartment after classes, Harry invited

both the Longbottom three and the Finch-Fletchley

three to a 'pow wow' in the Potter apartment.

Once they'd all arrived, he explained in greater detail

what had happened at the Wizengamot meeting.

When he finished, Justin let out a low falling whistle.

"So, Lord Black is going to table a Bill in New

Business at the November session making it illegal to

marry or concubine with someone who has the same

blood relative within five generations?"

"That's my guess, yes," he nodded.

"How will they know?"

"Through the Gringotts inheritance test," he replied.

"The goblins will need to simply modify their current

inheritance test potion to show a person's bloodline

back five generations. Then, the two bloodlines are

compared to see if there is a matching relative

between the two. If there is, no betrothal or

concubinage will be legally allowed. At least, that's my

logical guess."

Daphne quietly said, "A simple solution to a complex

problem. However, what about existing betrothal and

concubinage contracts?"

"No idea," he replied. "However, if you think you know

a solution to that problem, I'm sure Sirius will be very

interested in hearing from you. Hell; he'd be interested

in hearing from you if you have any thoughts on how

the Statute should be worded."

"What about life debts and their ilk?" asked Fleur.

"They'd have to be exempted," said Daphne, cutting in

before Harry had the chance to say the same thing.

"The same as soul bonds and their ilk, as you put it."

"All good points," said Tracey, speaking up for the

first time. Like a lot of wizarding raised children, she

grew up on stories of soul mates and soul bonds and

probably dreamed she'd find herself in such a

situation.

Harry had a sudden thought. "Anyone know how

closely our Slytherin neighbours are blood related to

one another?"

That had all his friends look surprised.

Neville, first to answer, replied, "Errr... no." The others

all shook their heads.

"I think we need to invite them to visit for this pow

wow," said Harry. "It would be unfair on them for this

information to affect them and learn of it via tomorrow

morning's Daily Prophet."

Hermione quietly said, "Go invite them."

No one disagreed.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Knocking on the door of the Gibberd apartment, Harry

only had to wait about fifteen seconds before the door

was opened.

As soon as Gibberd, as he was the one who answered

the door, saw him his face morphed into one of

confusion before he quietly asked, "Yes?"

"Something of great import happened at the

Wizengamot today that may very well have a

significant effect upon you and your lady," said Harry,

not beating about the bush. "You're invited to come

and hear of it in my apartment; now, if you like.

"None of us think it would be fair on you for the first

time you found out about this being via the Daily

Prophet in the morning."

As he was speaking, Whitehead also approached the

door from behind Gibberd to find out what was going

on.

Confused and clearly concerned, Gibbered turned

back to look at his lady. "Phyl?"

The two looked at one another for a long couple of

seconds before Whitehead looked to Harry and asked,

"Is this some sort of trick?"

"No," he was quick to reply. "It has to do with

information which has been brought to light about a

risk to the bloodlines. I and mine mean you no harm;

you have my word."

The two looked to one another for a few moments

more before Gibberd said, "Then, lead the way."

As Harry led the two into the Potter apartment a few

moments later, he said, "For everyone who hasn't met

them, this is Ross Gibberd and Phylis Whitehead."

Hermione stood and said, "The House of Potter bids

you welcome and offers you peace and sanctuary

within our walls this day."

That line surprised Harry, but it also shocked

everyone else including the two seventh year

Slytherins.

There was a long moment before Gibberd let out an

explosive snort and said, "We thank you for the offer

of peace and sanctuary within House Potter and

accept." Then he bowed as Hermione curtseyed.

"Ohhh-kay," said Harry.

Gibberd said, "A rather odd place to make such an

offer - Hogwarts, I mean."

"Normally, yes," replied Hermione. "However, this

apartment is considered... temporarily, at least... as

House of Potter property. I thought it apt."

"She's right," said Daphne, clearly surprised. "I

confess I had not considered that."

After Hermione offered seats and refreshments to the

two, Harry explained what had happened in the

Wizengamot that morning and what was likely to

happen before Christmas.

It had both Slytherins frowning deep in thought.

"The question is," said Harry. "Are you two blood

related within the past five generations? If you are and

you're both determined to still marry, I'll do my best to

see Lord Black delay his Bill for two months; have him

not raise it until the February session of the

Wizengamot."

The two looked to one another before looking back.

Whitehead sighed and replied, "We know we are not

back four generations. I checked that far, at least.

However, we are unsure of the fifth."

Gibberd said, "We will find out, though. We can both

go into Gringotts and ask for an inheritance test that

goes back at least that far."

"There's another problem, though," said Whitehead.

She looked to Gibberd who then very slightly

shrugged. "Our betrothal is now a contract. It cannot

be broken, even if our Lords were of a mind to."

"Yet another area where exemptions to the Statute

would need to be codified," said Daphne.

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

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

Chapter 572

When both looked to her she said, "Veela life debts,

soul bonds, existing marriages, existing

concubinage... those sorts of things will all need

exemptions."

"Yes, I see," said Gibberd.

Harry suddenly had a thought. "Daphne, you and I.

How closely are we blood related?"

Daphne suddenly paled and softly replied, "I do not

know."

"Oh, Merlin!" said a suddenly worried Hermione. "How

did we forget about that?"

A suddenly worried Susan said, "And what about

Neville and I and Neville and Hannah?"

Firmly, Harry said, "We'll go see Headmistress Lady

Marchbanks tomorrow and say we need to go into

Gringotts at our earliest opportunity." He glanced at

Gibberd and said, "We'll let her know it would be a

good idea for you two to go as well."

Gibberd nodded back.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After speaking with Headmistress Lady Marchbanks

about the problem the next day, arrangements were

quickly made for the Potters, the Longbottoms and

the Gibberds to floo to Diagon Alley on the Saturday

morning directly after breakfast. It was she who said

there was quite a bit of inter-relationships between

Britain and the continent, especially the western

countries; and, therefore, the same test should be

conducted with Fleur in mind, even though there was

a Veela life debt bond involved.

The Daily Prophet carried the story as the lead article

on the front page the next day. It was also full of very

accurate and detailed information on the 'problem'. It

was also very obvious that at least one Law-wizard of

Record had provided the information to the paper.

Once the article was being read by the students there

was much wailing and gnashing of teeth from many,

especially the purebloods. Harry wasn't the only one

who wondered how many established Agreements

amongst the student body were now at risk due to

this.

Then, on the Saturday, the nine met in Marchbanks's

office at just after 9.00am. Hermione, though as a

muggleborn they knew the test was not necessary for

her, was insistent on going.

"Everyone's here," said Marchbanks, once Gibberd

and Whitehead turned up. "Off you go, then. The floo

address coming back is 'Headmistress's Office,

Hogwarts'. And the password is 'Griselda Marchbanks

is a lovely lady'.

While the two older Slytherins looked at her in shock,

the Potters and Longbottoms looked either amused or

giggled/snickered.

With an amused smirk on her face, she indicated the

fireplace and said, "Off with you, then."

Harry, chuckling, was the first who moved to the

fireplace and reached into the pot on the mantelpiece

he knew to be the floo powder pot.

Tossing the powder in, he firmly called, "Diagon

Alley," and stepped into the flames.

This time he remembered to concentrate and barely

even staggered stepping out the other end and into

the Leaky Cauldron.

He was quickly joined by the other eight.

With a firm nod to the others once Whitehead, who

was last, stepped out, Harry wheeled about and strode

from the room and out the back door with his three

ladies on each side.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After going direct to the reserved teller for the Most

Ancient Houses because Harry was leading the way,

all nine were quickly through and into a conference

room, where the required equipment was brought in to

go through the test.

Gibberd and Whitehead went first, then Neville and his

two and finally Harry and his three.

Harry was unsurprised to see that he and Fleur

weren't related back at least ten generations, the limit

of the test, but dreaded to find that he was related by

blood to Daphne. Thankfully, though he was, it was

back six generations through an almost labyrinthine

path. They shared a four times great grandmother,

Maribelle Meadowes.

Gibberd and Whitehead shared a similar relative back

on the fifth generation, but it was through a blood

adoption. However, they were relieved to learn from

the goblin in charge of such tests that it equalled a

relationship back six generations due to the dilution

of blood through the adoption ritual.

"Something else to include in the Statute," said

Daphne. "Blood adoptions."

Harry nodded and said, "We'll make sure the Statute

includes the claim that a blood adoption equals a

generation further removed."

The Longbottoms discovered that Hannah and Susan

were related back three generations, but both girls

already knew that. And Neville was related to both of

them back seven generations through the same

person, Simon Scamander, the great grandfather of

Newt Scamander. Thankfully, due to both being

females, the Statute would not impact the relationship

between Hannah and Susan.

Finally, the Potters were tested. Hermione was last

tested and learned she was blood related to

Dumbledore back six generations on her side and two

on his. His paternal grandparents were her four times

great grandparents. It was because of him and his

muggleborn wife that Dumbledore was considered a

half-blood. She was born of the line of a younger

daughter of that couple.

As they all sat there, stunned, the goblin said, "As

neither the late Albus Dumbledore nor his brother

Aberforth have produced issue, you stand to inherit

the Minor House of Dumbledore if you so choose."

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

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

Chapter 573

After a few moments, she quietly stuttered, "I-I'll...

have to think about it."

The goblin merely nodded and said, "Due to the

separation, you are not required to do so if you

choose not to. However, it will mean the end of the

Dumbledore line if you do not. You may experience

pressure from within the Ministry if they learn of it."

"I still have to think about it," she more firmly

returned.

The goblin just nodded back.

Finally, nine very relieved witches and wizards left

after Harry, who'd paid for the tests, thanked the

goblin for his time and advice. There were other

relationships between the nine, not including

Hermione, but they were not germane. However, they

could be in the future regarding their children.

As they walked back towards the Leaky, Whitehead

quietly sidled up alongside Harry and said, "Potter.

Thank you." It was easy to hear the gratitude in her

voice.

"You're welcome," he smiled back. "But, all I did was

facilitate it."

"Still..." she said.

He just gave her a nod as they reached the brick wall

magical arch entranceway.

As soon as the nine returned to the castle and after

giving Marchbanks the information on the results of

the tests, they left the office and split. The two older

Slytherins claimed they needed to talk to members in

their House commonroom about what they'd learned

and the Potters and Longbottoms returned directly to

their apartment. They knew Tracey, at least, had to be

frantic with worry.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

"You're the Dumbledore heir?!" screeched Tracey,

staring in utter shock at Hermione once it was

explained what was found in Hermione's genealogy.

"Apparently," Hermione shrugged before she lightly

scowled. "I don't know what to think of that, yet."

"Bu-but it means you can save the Dumbledore line

from extinction!" said Tracey.

"I know," she replied. "However, do I really want to do

that? Personally, I'd rather replace it with the new

Magical House of Granger, once Harry and I have at

least two other children first."

"I can support that," said Harry, chipping in. "For my

own personal reasons, I'd rather see the Dumbledore

line go extinct. I think the history of the House, due to

old Twinkle Eyes's behaviour, means the name is so

close to being less than dirt it should be allowed to go

extinct."

"And I think I would have to agree," nodded Hermione.

"Once you write that book about Dumbledore, or have

it ghost written, the name is going to be reviled

around the world. I do not wish for one of my children,

who would have to carry the name if the House is to

be revitalised, to be treated poorly just because of his

name."

Tracey frowned for a long moment before her face

relaxed into a sad expression; she dropped her eyes

and nodded. "Yeah," she sighed. "I can see that."

Harry thought her attitude had to do with her

upbringing on how important it was to maintain the

Houses, rather than any belief she had in Dumbledore

as a person. He let it go and saw Hermione clearly

thinking the same.

Daphne, recognising by the expressions on their

faces that Harry and Hermione were not comfortable

discussing 'revitalising' the House of Dumbledore,

decided a change of subject was in order and said, "It

still boggles the mind how each of us have thirty-two

great great great grandparents."

"It's a simple progression doubling for each

generation," said Hermione. "Two parents, four

grandparents, eight great grandparents and so on."

"Yes," nodded Daphne. "However, it also means there

are thirty two families from which a spouse cannot be

chosen."

"More, actually," said Hermione. "That's just those

who have one of the great great great grandparents in

their same ancestry. You also have to include the

sixteen great great grandparents, the eight great

grandparents and the four grandparents. That's...

sixty families. Of course, I did not include your own

parents in there. That would be wrong."

"Merlin!" said Susan. "I don't know if it's possible to

find someone who wouldn't be in each others list of

sixty."

"We all passed the test, didn't we?" asked Harry. "It's

not impossible, just somewhat difficult. And it's a

difficulty that is greatly reduced when you begin to

look into families overseas. None of us... and I include

Gibberd and Whitehead in this... has anyone that was

on Fleur's list of recent ancestors."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

During the next week and during short periods when

they weren't in class, working on assignments, eating

or sleeping, the combined Potters, Longbottoms and

Finch-Fletchleys worked on writing up what would

need to be included and exempted in any Statute that

restricted handfastings and concubinage to at least a

five generation bloodline separation. For these

meetings they definitely did not include Ernie

MacMillan.

When Hermione frowned when first told and asked

why, Harry replied, "Because, while Frank thinks it

was Puvingson who, as he put it, 'squealed' to the

Daily Prophet about what the Tapestry Circle was up

to, I think it was more likely to have been Cyril

MacMillan. I don't want Ernie to tell his father what

we're now up to."

"Wise," said Daphne.

Hermione groaned and said, "I hadn't even thought of

that."

"Why not Puvingson?" asked Neville. His trust in his

father 'demanded' he learn of Harry's reasonings.

"I think Puvingson is all bluster. However, he's also

loyal to the Alliance. Once the Alliance made the

decision not to yet make public the information

shared by Dowager Malfoy, I can't see him going

against that."

"But, Cyril MacMillan would," nodded Neville. "What

did Dad say when you told him that."

"About what you just did, but he also groaned in

understanding that I saw it when, I think, he didn't," he

smiled. "Nevertheless, he also recognised it was a

waste of effort to go on a witchhunt to find who did it,

because then we'd just have to sanction that House

by kicking them out of the Alliance. That's not

something we want to do with an Alliance that's only a

couple months old."

Neville nodded back while also deep in thought.

By the Friday, though, it had been almost two days

since any of the Heirs had thought of something to

include in their 'suggestions' to Sirius for his Bill, so

Harry sent what they'd written down as suggestions to

his 'dogfather' and let the man do with it what he

wanted.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Someone else working hard that week was Ron

Weasley. His plans for getting back at Potter and

having the evidence point to Malfoy, Davis or

Greengrass had been tightened up and he was now

working to increase his speed of casting and trying to

be as quiet as possible with his incantations.

He was also going over and practicing just what

charms and curses he needed to cast and trying to

figure out a way to... what was that term?...

'spellchain' them so they flowed one to the next to the

next. The book on combat strategy he'd read said

spellchains were the secret to fast casting. However,

he'd not figured out how to accomplish that yet.

He also had his 'spot' picked out as being halfway up

the grand staircase at the third floor, where you had to

stand and wait sometimes upwards of a minute for the

stairs to line up for you. He figured, if there was one

place in the school where the aurors wouldn't be

standing and hiding under disillusionment or

invisibility cloaks, it would be there. Just as he knew it

was one place where Potter and his group would have

to pass through when going between those Lords'

Quarters and the Great Hall for meals.

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

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

Chapter 574

On the Saturday night, even though he'd cooked yet

another wonderful meal for the Heirs, including Ernie,

Harry's pensive mood was easily picked up by the

others.

"Alright," said Neville, looking directly at Harry.

"That's enough. What's going on with you?"

Surprised, Harry was a few moments before he

replied, "Why do you―?" But that was as far as got

before he almost slumped in defeat. He wouldn't treat

them like fools. Quietly, he replied, "Tomorrow's

Hallowe'en."

"Ah," said Hermione, as the others, except Ernie, all

suddenly realised. "You're worried something bad's

going to happen tomorrow, aren't you?"

He nodded, looking down at his plate.

Daphne said, "Harry, all your enemies have been dealt

with. There's now no one we can think of who would

be out to do you harm; especially on Hallowe'en."

"It's Hallowe'en," he firmly said. "I've not gone a

single year in Hogwarts that something bad has not

happened on that day. I guess I just have a... bad

feeling, is all."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

On the Sunday morning the Heirs had dropped down

to the Great Hall to have breakfast. Though he'd tried

his best, Harry still wasn't in the best of spirits. So,

soon after the mail was delivered, he said, "I think I

might head back to the apartment to get some quiet

study in."

"We're coming with you," Hermione firmly said. "While

I don't believe anything bad is going to happen this

year, it does not mean it won't. And we don't go places

alone."

Harry nodded and waited for the others to rise. Even

the Longbottoms and Finch-Fletchleys rose.

They did not see Ron Weasley carefully watching

them and then leave quickly as they began to rise. He

was well ahead of them and already up the stairs past

the first floor before they even walked out the doors of

the Great Hall and into the entrance hall.

As they made their way out the doors of the Great Hall

and then up the start of the grand staircase, Ron

Weasley was setting himself up in his preplanned spot

on the third floor. He was only a short distance away

from the statue of the humpbacked witch that was the

entrance to one of the tunnels leading out of the

school.

In the little nook he'd chosen to await Potter and his

group, he quickly donned his disillusionment charm

and waited. He knew they weren't that far behind him,

as he'd seen them leave the Great Hall as he passed

up the stairs from the second floor to the third.

Then, after what felt like both an hour and only a few

seconds, they appeared.

Harry was, as usual, slightly in the lead. Due to the

nature of the stairs suddenly shifting, it became

almost an unconscious act to wait at the base of each

set of stairs.

As Ron stood back and waited, he watched to see

which target would be his of the three, preferably, he

could use.

As Harry waited for the others to quickly join him, it

was Tracey who was the last. They were congregated

at the top of one set of stairs and watching the next

set gently swing towards them.

At the back of the 'pack', Tracey felt as if she had just

been hit with a muffling charm or something before

she was suddenly hit with a reasonably weak

summoning charm. It caused her to try and balance

herself as she was dragged backwards, almost

tripping over and onto her back as she was pulled

from behind.

When she tried to cry out, she realised she couldn't

make a sound.

She'd been pulled back, in shock, for about twenty

feet before she finally realised she needed to help

herself if she was to get out of this, whatever it was.

The others were all facing away from her as she was

pulled away and had no idea what was happening to

her.

As she finally remembered to draw her wand, she only

had it in her hand for a few moments before she felt

someone grab her by the collar of her robes, halting

her movement.

As she was starting to feel relief, she watched as

CeeCee turned to obviously talk to her, notice she was

missing and turn further around with a look of

puzzlement on her face. "Where's Tr―"

Tracey was just raising her wand to attempt to dispel

the silencing or muffling charm on herself when she

heard an almost whispered snarl of "Deprimo!" from

just behind her right ear.

A moment later a purple curse shot out from near her

right elbow heading for her friends.

It was Tracey's sudden movement due to shock of

hearing the curse almost snarled in her ear that saved

everyone. She'd reflexively pulled away from the

sound.

The blasting curse, properly used to blast out a hole

in rock or the like, was just slightly 'knocked' off aim.

However, even then it would have still hit Harry if he

also wasn't in the process of turning to his left to look

to CeeCee to find out what she was about to say.

He caught the flash of purple light in his peripheral

vision and bent forward a little. Even then, it still

connected with his right shoulder a 'glancing blow'

from behind.

The hit, a clip, was enough to rip a chunk of flesh and

the ends of his collarbone and the upper tip of his

scapula completely away in a small fountain of blood,

bone and flesh. The clip was also enough to continue

his spin, spin him about and crash to the stone

flooring.

However, even then Weasley wasn't done. He knew his

curse hadn't hit Potter directly in the upper back as

he'd aimed; only his shoulder.

As CeeCee screamed, the others were already in

motion as Weasley tightened his grip on a now

struggling Tracey. He snarled his second curse with

his wand pointed at Harry.

"Defodio!" he snarled. All his practicing in speed

casting was negated by the slimy Slytherin struggling

in his tight grip.

Even so, this time his aim was true. However, it didn't

connect.

As Harry, moments after hitting the ground in agony

and beginning to right himself, spun to look at where

the curse came from he could see Tracey was

struggling in an invisible attacker's grip as a second

curse sped his way. This one was a dirty yellow.

He'd tried to snap draw his own wand before noticing

his right arm wasn't working, it was numb. However,

before the curse hit him, knowing it was going to, it

impacted a shield. The red flash of the impact told him

it was a Protego cast by one of his friends. He'd not

even heard the incantation and suspected it had been

done silently.

Knowing he no longer had the element of surprise and

that his ambush had failed to kill Potter, Weasley knew

it was time to cut his losses and run.

Already planned with what he needed to do, Weasley

cast a third curse, another but darker Gouging curse,

shoved Davies forward with the hand he had hold of

her with, his off hand, then sent a second blasting

charm into the ground in front of the group. It caused

shards of stone to shatter off the floor and be flung

into the faces, bodies, arms and legs of the Heirs.

Almost all of it was stopped by yet another Protego

charm.

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

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

Chapter 575

However, Weasley didn't see it as he was already

casting another charm. "Fumos!" It caused to erupt

from his wand a roiling huge cloud of black smoke.

And he quickly waved his wand from side to side and

up and down. He was just in time, as a stunner, a

disarming and an incarcerous charm had come flying

towards him, but off to one side.

Turning and running, he made sure he ran up the

corridor along one wall, so he'd be less likely to be hit

by a lucky cast.

He'd only just made it to the humpbacked witch

statue, tapped it with his wand and quietly snapped,

"Dissendio!" to open it.

A bare two seconds later, before the 'secret' passage

through the witch's hump sufficiently opened, he was

tagged by a Finite charm. He hadn't even seen it

coming.

Spinning to look in the direction it came from, from

where he'd come from, it was a few seconds before

the humpback witch statue opened enough for him to

duck through and run. He'd looked directly into the

faces of Longbottom, Bones and that muggleborn

'Puff, Finch-Fletchley, just as he jumped through. They

were running directly at him with murder in their eyes;

his!

"Lumos! Shit!" he whispered in shock as he ran down

the steep passageway, with the light of his wand

leading the way.

'They saw me!' he thought-muttered. 'They know it

was me! Shit! I've got to run now. If they catch me, I'm

fucked! Shit, Shit, Shit!'

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

At the Burrow, Molly Weasley heard the 'Dong!

DONG!' of the Weasley family clock, signalling that

one of hers was now in Mortal Peril. And spun from

her kitchen bench to stare at it in shock.

Of course, it was Ron's hand that was now pointing to

Mortal Peril.

With her heart surging into her throat as it began to

rapidly beat in fear, she ran to the fireplace to put in

an immediate floo call to her husband. As she did so,

she also continued to pay part of her attention into

listening for the clock hand moving back. She didn't

hear it.

After a quick call to her husband, who immediately

declared he would make all haste to the castle, she

then floo-called the Headmistress to let her know her

youngest son was in immediate danger somewhere in

the school.

When the Headmistress refused to allow her access

when she tried to demand it, but promised her she'd

be immediately tracking her son down, she then

flooed to the Three Broomsticks.

One way or another, she was getting into that castle to

hunt down and 'save' her son.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Back at the staircase, Harry was trying to rise with the

intent of hunting down whoever had tried to curse him

in the back. However, his ladies and the others were

having none of it.

He knew Neville, Susan and Justin had charged

through the smoke and after whoever had attacked

him, but he wanted a piece of them for himself.

He was still trying to rise, not really thinking things

through, when Hermione, who was now crouched

down next to him, finally got through to him.

"Harry!" she barked, trying to pin him down. "Stop!

Your shoulder's a mess!"

Daphne was also now down on her knees on the other

side of him. "For Merlin's sake, Potter! Lay still!"

Finally, the pain got through, more than the voices of

his betrothed and concubine, and he stopped trying to

get up. Blood was now running down his right arm

and back.

"Ohh... Oww...!"

Finally just sitting on his butt, leaning slightly to the

left and balancing on his left hand he tried to bring his

right arm around to rest his hand on his lap to try and

support the weight. However, it was paralysed.

"Who, the bloody Hell, was that?" he demanded.

"We don't know," replied Hermione. "However, Neville,

Justin and Susan have charged off after whoever it

was."

"I would expect Longbottom to do so, but I was

surprised to see two of our Hufflepuffs charge off

through the smoke," said Daphne. "Damned foolish of

them."

Beginning to feel quite nauseous, he said, "Don't let

the fact they wear yellow trim fool you." He winced as

a spear of pain shot through his shoulder. Gritting his

teeth, he explained, "Just because the Hat sorted

them into Hufflepuff does not presuppose they're not

brave or foolhardy."

"Point," she muttered.

When he looked around he could see that Tracey had

returned and, together with Hannah, was trying to

comfort a teary-eyed CeeCee. Tracey wasn't much

better. Fleur was watching over all of them with her

wand drawn and staring through the rapidly clearing

smoke, ready to defend them.

"Is everyone else alright?" he asked in general.

That's when the first of the aurors and staff turned up.

A senior auror was running to them from down the

stairs with Professor Flitwick on his heels. And medihealer Robinson was running up the stairs from the

next floor down.

"Ohhh... I don't feel so good," he muttered.

His mind trying to focus on driving the pain away, he

didn't hear what Tracey and Fleur said to the auror,

but did see both he and Flitwick turn and almost run

down the hallway with the last traces of the smoke. In

the distance, he could see through what was left of

the smoke Neville, Justin and Susan hurrying back

towards them.

His vision was then blocked by medi-healer Robinson

crouching down in front of him.

"What have you done to yourself, Potter?" he asked.

He heard Hermione say, "He was hit with what I think

was a Deprimo blasting curse."

He hadn't noticed it encroaching, but he definitely

noticed his vision was beginning to quickly grey out

as he started to feel quite faint. He muttered, "I hate

Hallowe'en." And knew no more.

As Harry passed out and began to topple over,

Daphne was able to grab him before he fell over

completely.

"Well," said Robinson. "That'll make things easier."

"Is he going to be alright?" asked a worried Hermione.

"Yes," muttered Robinson, after casting a binding

bandage charm on Harry's shoulder. He then stood

and cast a Locomortis, body levitation, charm on him.

Turning he said, "Time for this young man to be on

one of the beds in the Infirmary, I think. I've got some

work to do to rebuild that shoulder."

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

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

Chapter 576

Ron Weasley ran down the tunnel as fast as he could,

expecting someone as fit as Longbottom or FinchFletchley to catch him at any moment.

However, he reached the other end within the

basement of Honeydukes, shot out of the hidden door

and hid for a few moments behind some of the stored

crates prepared to curse whoever came out next.

When he turned back to look, though, he couldn't

even see where he'd come out.

After waiting a good two minutes for his heart rate and

breathing to calm down again he realised no one had

followed him that far.

Finally, after donning a new disillusionment charm on

himself, he crept out of the basement and left the

store. He'd just missed spotting his mother running in

through the front gate of the school and heading for

the castle.

Out in the street he wondered what he should do next.

Even to him he knew he could not return to the

school. Longbottom and those two 'Puffs would have

already blabbed to Potter and the aurors who it was

that attacked them.

Then it came to him. He needed to get hold of Lord

Nott. The man would not like it known he was the one

who gave him those books, so he should protect him.

Decision made, he headed to the Three Broomsticks.

However, once there and before the floo, but off to one

side so no one would bump into him, he realised he

had no idea how to contact the man. Then he had his

second brilliant idea. He'd go back to Borgin and

Burke's and get 'old man' Burke to contact Nott for

him.

A dash of floo powder, a soft cry of "Diagonally!" and

he was away.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When Weasley popped out of the floo in Borgin and

Burkes, the store was actually shut for the day.

However, Burke was down very quickly, as he claimed

his intruder alarm wards had been triggered.

Weasley was finally able to get Burke to call Nott, but

it did cost him five galleons of his small supply of

gold to get the man to do that. Nott arrived fifteen

minutes later.

Barely waiting for the man to ask why he was

summoned, Weasley explained that, due to sheer bad

luck, his attack on Potter only half an hour earlier had

failed. And he now needed a place to hole up and

prepare for his next attempt.

Nott was prepared to deny the boy any assistance,

until Weasley said he had no intention of not carrying

through with his deed.

Nott frowned and asked, "And what will you give me

in return to provide you safe haven, Mister Weasley?"

"Getting rid of Potter for you should be enough,

right?" asked Weasley. "What else could you want of

me?"

Nott smirked back and said, "Very well, Mister

Weasley. Seeing as you seem so determined to end

Potter's life... and, as you surmise, it is something I

would not be against... I shall provide you safe

haven."

When Weasley gave a visible sigh of relief, Nott

continued, "However... no one but those I deem

should know will know where you are. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Lord Nott," said Weasley.

Five minutes later, Weasley was shown to a 'servant's

apartment' in the basement of Nott Manor.

"You may stay here," said Nott. "Do not come up to

the main floor of the house or beyond without me

specifically collecting you or sending a house elf to

inform you to do so."

As Weasley nodded back, Nott continued, "One of my

house elves will be charged with providing you

assistance and food. If you need anything else, call for

an elf and have that elf send me a note."

"Yes, Lord Nott," said Weasley.

Nott just gave an amused grunt and walked away to

return back upstairs without a further word.

Weasley gave a sigh of relief and began to explore his

new 'home'.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When Harry woke up some time later he first asked,

"Is everyone else alright?" It was the question last on

his mind when he passed out. He hadn't even realised

he'd asked it.

First to swim into his vision was both Hermione and

Daphne.

Hermione was quick to reply, "Yes. Everyone else is

fine; though CeeCee was a little shook up."

When Harry tried to sit up, Daphne frowned at him and

pushed him back down flat again. "Harrison James

Potter, you are not to attempt to sit up, let alone get

up. Understand?"

Not fighting her, he sighed and replied, "Yeah. I

understand." He then gave a frown and tried to look at

his shoulder, the one that was injured, only to see it

swathed in bandages. "How bad is it?"

"Bad enough," she replied.

Medi-Healer Robinson, who'd walked over from his

office as they were talking, asked, "How are you

feeling, Lord Potter?"

Harry frowned a bit in thought before he replied, "A

little muddle-headed. But I don't feel like throwing up

still... My shoulder feels like the bones are grating

together."

Robinson nodded and said, "In order; the muddleheadedness is partly the residual shock and a couple

of the potions I gave you, you no longer feel as if

you're going to throw up because the adrenaline has

burned out of your system and I've given you a light

anti-nausea potion and the feeling of bones grating

together is the Skele-Gro I've given you to rebuild the

bones in your shoulder.

"Just so you know the bandages on your shoulder are

part splint to stop you moving it about too much and

part poultice containing a potion that will aid in the

remaining recovery of the flesh and skin over the

wound. It's going to be both tender and you won't be

able to do any vigorous wand-waving for at least the

next few days.

"However, I foresee a full recovery in your near future.

And, no, that's not the gift of sight; that's the gift of

experience."

With a sigh, he asked, "Who was it?"

"Weasley," Daphne snarled. "Ronald."

"Right," said Harry. "Dead man walking. He was given

every chance to rectify his behaviour and shat on all

of them. He's mine!"

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

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

Chapter 577

"He's gone," said Hermione. "He's no longer in the

castle."

Harry frowned back, quite a bit angry about that.

"How'd he manage to get out?"

Hermione sighed and replied, "He used the secret

passage out through the humpbacked witch and

through to Honeydukes.

"Professor Murdstock believes he must have carefully

chosen his place to ambush us based on how close it

was to that secret passage, that it was in a spot where

the aurors weren't stationed or only patrol when going

from one location to another and where everyone has

to wait when going up and down floors via the Grand

Staircase."

"So, it wasn't just pre-meditated. It was clearly

planned out well in advance," he said.

"Seems that way," she sadly replied.

Daphne said, "He was being even more clever about

it, too; besides that it was close to a secret passage

entrance and in a spot no auror was patrolling. He

silenced and summoned Tracey to him to act as a

shield; he was also disillusioned, which we haven't

actually been taught to do yet and he used at least

one curse that's not available in any student's text

book."

Fleur, who'd been quiet until then, said, "Professor

Murdstock is using some form of forensic charms to

go through Mister Weasley's personal effects and

where else 'e might have been in the school. The

'Eadmistress has a map of the school that shows

where everyone is at any given time. They are

analysing the map's recording function and believe

they might 'ave found where 'e spent a lot of time."

Hermione said, "Both Arthur and Molly Weasley

learned pretty quickly what Ron had done and were

quickly on their way to the castle. The Headmistress

somehow proved to them it was both Ron who'd

attacked you and how he'd gotten out of the castle.

Apparently, she used that Map Fleur mentioned's

recording feature to show them. The name was clearly

Ron's."

"They say 'e spent quite a bit of time in an abandoned

classroom on the third floor in the corridor on the

left," said Fleur. "They... the staff, that is... are going

through there now to see what they find."

"Third floor, corridor on the left?" asked Harry. "That's

where the Philosopher's Stone was kept in our first

year."

"Yes," said Hermione. "And, if you remember, all the

rooms along there are unused, even disused."

"Well," said Robinson. "It's nothing for you to worry

about. The staff and aurors will track down how the

boy was able to accomplish what he did."

While the others nodded, Harry asked, "How are

Ginny and the twins taking it?"

After his girls all looked to one another, Daphne said,

"We don't know yet. We've been in here with you."

With a frown he asked, "How long was I out?"

Robinson replied, "A touch over an hour and a half.

Morning tea starts in about thirty minutes. If you

promise not to wriggle about too much I'll organise

tea and biscuits for you."

Harry nodded and looked back to his girls. "One of

you, at least, needs to see Ginny and the twins and let

them know I don't hold any of them responsible for

this. This is on Ron and his mother."

"His mother?" asked Hermione, before she answered

her own question. "Of course; she was responsible

for raising him until he started here. Therefore, his

behaviour is on her."

"Yup," he said. After a long moment he said, "You'd

best let everyone else know I'm alright. But, you might

want to bring CeeCee down to see me so she can see

for herself I'm alright."

Fleur said, "I'll do that. I was going to go up and see

her first, to let her know anyway."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After visits by CeeCee and others through the rest of

the day, Harry laid in his bed being irritated by the

feeling of Skele-Gro working on his shoulder. It was

quite annoying, thank you very much.

Robinson had offered him a Dreamless Sleep potion

to sleep through the aggravation. However, his mind

was more often than not off it because of the sheer

number of visitors he received. While his ladies and

the other Heirs spent quite a lot of time in the

infirmary with him, there were still a number of others

who had to speak with him 'most urgently'.

He received a visit from Madam Bones, who had

dropped in to get an 'official' statement and complaint

against Weasley. Harry had not wanted to give it, but

she told him off when she knew why he wouldn't. "He

might have preplanned this, Lord Potter," she

growled. "However, he's still a boy. He's not yet ofage. I will look most dis-favourably upon you if you

attempt to hunt him down and kill him."

It took the threats of his three ladies he'd be 'sleeping

on the couch for a month' if he even entertained the

idea, let alone actually carried it out, before he gave

her that complaint. Her parting words were, "We will

find him and we will deal with him as per the law. Let

us do our jobs and stay out of it."

He also received a visit from Marchbanks and

Goodstone. They came in together.

Surprised, Harry said, "Lady Headmistress, Deputy

Headmaster, how may I be of assistance? If you've

come to ask me to lift some heavy things for you, I'm

going to have to take a 'raincheck'. Sorry."

Both smiled back.

"No, Lord Potter," said Marchbanks. "I'm a witch who

isn't a daft moron, remember? I know how to use a

levitation charm."

Harry grinned back in amusement.

With her expression turning to a slight frown, she

said, "We've figured out how Mister Weasley the

Youngest was able to practice spell casting outside a

recognised classroom or other allowed areas."

"I've been thinking about that, too," he said. "Let me

guess. There's some form of permanent ward that's

localised on the third floor corridor on the left that's

hidden from the castle's wards what's cast in there;

yes?"

While Goodstone looked surprised, Marchbanks just

smirked. "Entirely correct, young man. Well reasoned.

Twenty points to Gryffindor."

"Dumbledore's?" he asked.

"I do not believe so, no," she said.

"Then it would be Quirrell's or Riddle's; or a

combination of both." he said. "Set up so any magic

he cast in the area, back in my First Year, would not be

detected by Dumbledore using the wards."

"My belief, as well," she nodded.

"Makes sense," he tried to shrug, before wincing from

the pain it generated in his shoulder.

Marchbanks made a small "Tch!" sound in

disapproval before she said, "You'd best break that

shrugging habit, at least until your shoulder is

healed."

"Yes, Ma'am," he grumbled.

After a nod back she said, "It would interest you to

know that Mister Weasley the Youngest has now been

expelled, even though he's already scarpered. His

effects were searched and sent to his home... The

Burrow, I believe.

"His attack has also been reported to the DMLE and, I

believe, they've already initiated a man hunt for the

boy."

"They have," he agreed. "Madam Bones was recently

here demanding I not try to hunt the little... person

down, myself."

Daphne added, "And we told him he'd be on the couch

for a month if he even entertained that foolish notion."

When Harry looked to his ladies, Hermione said,

"We've already been interviewed about the attack.

They were especially interested in what Neville, Sue

and Justin had to say, as those three saw his face

before he escaped."

Giving a short hum sound of agreement and a nod,

Marchbanks continued, "We also located a room in

that third floor corridor where he had set himself up a

spell casting self-teaching area. A number of dark arts

books were found and they were collected by a couple

of aurors and taken to the DMLE, rather than being

sent to The Burrow."

"How are the twins and young Ginny holding up about

this?" he asked. "I kind of expected the twins, at least,

to come pay me a visit."

"They've been sent home for the day; taken home by

their mother," she replied. "They will return tomorrow

morning before classes."

Goodstone piped up and said, "All three, together with

their parents, wished for me to pass on that they have

expressed their disappointment in their youngest

brother's actions and disavow any knowledge he

would or had planned to do anything like this."

"No," said Harry. "This was all Ron; him, his jealousy

of all things 'Potter' and his overblown sense of selfentitlement.

"If anything, I blame his mother. This behaviour of his

should have been caught and dealt with way before he

even turned up at Hogwarts as a First Year."

Marchbanks nodded and said, "Indeed."

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

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

Chapter 578

The morning's copy of the Daily Prophet contained

the entirety of what had happened the two days

previous morning on those stairs at the third floor

landing. Hermione was surprised with how accurate it

was and expressed such to the others.

Daphne smirked and said, "That would be Sampson's

fear of what Law-wizard Tonks would do to them and,

specifically him, if they wrote anything but the truth."

Iolanthe Sampson was Cuffe's replacement as Editor

of the Daily Prophet. She'd moved over from Witch

Weekly as editor there.

Hermione immediately gave a smirk back and softly

said, "I'd forgotten about that."

However, it apparently also had quite a significant

number of students, who weren't until then privy to

what had happened, again looking to the Heirs with a

mixture of awe and fear; especially those who were

children of the dark families. The other Heirs, less

Harry, were now well used to it and ignored it.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Later that morning the stinging, tingling feeling in

Harry's shoulder finally stopped. However, he was still

not immediately released; it wasn't until that evening

he could escape the hospital wing. It took the rest of

that day, the Monday, for the flesh and skin to be

repaired enough at the wound site for Robinson to

decide it was time for him to remove the combined

splint/bandage/poultice.

Ten minutes later, after a lot of prodding and poking

and questions like 'Does this hurt?', Harry was finally

released with warnings not to over-exert the muscles

and bone of his wand arm shoulder for the rest of the

week.

"In other words, Lord Potter," warned Robinson, "No

excessive exercising of that shoulder until the

weekend at least."

"No, sir," Harry dutifully nodded. Mind you, he'd have

agreed to just about anything just to get off that hard

mattress and out the door. Promising not to over-exert

his shoulder was well within his ability to agree to.

Of course, his three ladies were all there to collect him

and 'escort' him up to the Potter apartment.

Recognising and knowing they were worried about

him he let them mother him a bit. It wasn't that big a

deal to him.

As soon as they got into the apartment, Hermione

tried to 'urge' him into bed again.

"Not going to happen, Hermione," he firmly said.

"Assignments wait for no OWL year wizard. I've laid

and snoozed on my back all day. I want to make a start

on today's assignments well before I head for bed

later this evening."

Looking like she was going to vehemently argue

about that, before Hermione could say a word Daphne

cut in first. "That sounds like a good idea, Harry.

There's nothing stressful to your shoulder about

writing assignments."

"Agreed," said Fleur.

With both girls clearly agreeing, Hermione decided not

to disagree, after all. She just gave a bit of a quiet huff

showing she didn't like it, went to her book satchel

and pulled forth her folder she kept her assignments

within. Then brought them back to the coffee table

and couches.

Dobby had already retrieved Harry's satchel and put it

on the floor leaning against the leg of the coffee table,

where Harry often left it. Harry was quick to pick it up,

retrieve his writing equipment and set everything up

ready to write down what each of his missed

assignments were. Dobby even brought him his 'lap

table', an idea he'd copied from Alice Longbottom, so

he wouldn't have to continue to lean over to the coffee

table to work.

"Thanks, Dobs," he muttered, organising things either

on the table or alongside himself. He admitted only to

himself that his shoulder still ached a bit.

That night Fleur entered his room only a few minutes

after he did.

Seeing her, he said, "I'm sorry, Fleur; but, I won't be

able to do much to help you, tonight. I can't do...

ummm... push ups."

As she disrobed, she said, "You let me worry about

that, mon cher. You do not have to be... as you put it...

'on top'."

Harry was unsurprised he was able to get to sleep that

night with a smile on his face. He might not have been

able to give his bonded the multiple releases he knew

he was capable of when fully fit, but he was able to

give her at least a couple and reach completion

himself in the end.

That she was sprawled in the bed asleep and

appeared utterly 'wasted' was testament of that, at

least.

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

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

Chapter 579

It hadn't taken Weasley long to realise he was not

going to be happy being cooped up and effectively

trapped in the basement of Nott manor to know he

needed to come up with some sort of effective plan

not to be so trapped.

His exploration of the basement within the first couple

of hours of being stuck down there found him the

potions room. He might not be the best at brewing,

but he considered himself a fair hand. It was his belief

it was only the crap he'd had to put up with from

Snape, when the man was still the Potions Master of

the school and Professor, together with the man's

hatred of all things Gryffindor, that had a negative

impact on him.

Picking a couple of the Potions books found in the

'lab' to read through to see if they held the answer to

his problems, had him return to his bedroom and

accompanying study table to begin reading.

Some of them looked interesting.

Of course, Nott didn't just have the standard Potions

books that could be found in Flourish and Blotts. He

also had quite a few that contained potions that could

be dark. And those would probably have the answer to

his dilemma. He cracked those open first.

If he was to be honest with himself, which he wasn't, if

there'd been a book or magazine on Quidditch in there

he'd have grabbed that to read first.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Harry was back in classes the next day; a double of

Charms, morning tea, a double of Transfiguration,

lunch, a single of CoMC and finishing up with a

double of Herbology. A full day, but not so much

moving about between classes as in the past.

Fleur had left earlier to head into work at Gringotts

after Harry prepared a quick breakfast for her, before

joining everyone else for the trip down to the Great

Hall.

Walking in, he was near immediately almost set upon

by the twins. "Lord Harrikins!" stated the first,

hurrying over from the Gryffindor table to where they

were heading for the Hufflepuff table that morning.

"Please―" started the second, as the first took it back

up again, "Believe us when we tell you―"

"We had no idea Ron―"

"Could do such a thing as deliberately ambush you."

"Relax, guys," he said. "None of us blame you two."

"Or Ginny," added Hermione.

"No; this was all Ron. We know that," he finished.

When the twins appeared relieved, Daphne said,

"While this attack is seen as 'all Ron' it does not

excuse the behaviour of any other Weasley if they

have desires to attack any of us.

"Ronald Weasley's behaviour and what will no doubt

befall him in the coming of time is just as much his

mother's fault as his own. After all, he should not have

turned out the way he did since your mother, who was

pretty much solely responsible for raising him before

he arrived at Hogwarts on the first of September in

1991, should have spotted the problem much earlier

than that and dealt with it back then. His bigotry, his

jealousy and his disgusting eating habits, plus all the

rest, are as much her fault as his."

Clearly sad to have heard that, both twins nodded with

one adding, "Indeed."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After reading through one of the potions texts

available to him in the basement of the Nott manor,

Weasley realised he'd found at least one answer to

one of his problems; how to move about outside

without being immediately recognised and captured.

He had no doubts that, if he was caught, he'd quickly

find himself in a holding cell at the DMLE and almost

as quickly tried and found guilty before being sent to

Azkaban.

His answer, he believed, was Polyjuice potion. Crouch

had imitated Moody for almost the whole of a school

year and not even Dumbledore had supposedly

figured out 'Moody' wasn't Moody. He'd even stated

that, apparently, during his trial; at least, that's what

his Mum had said.

That meant it was safe to take for extended periods of

time. He just had to get used to the taste.

Though the instructions in the book looked a little

difficult he knew they weren't. After all, Granger had

brewed it in their second year; so it simply couldn't be

that hard.

Yes, there would be the problem of stewing the

lacewing flies for twenty one days, but that gave him

plenty of time to find other potions he could add to

help him.

He called for the Nott house elf, Runt, and told it what

he needed.

His first and unknown problem was that Runt, unlike

Dobby, was not confident in offering advice, let alone

corrections, to his instructions. The Notts made sure

the elf did exactly what it was told and nothing else.

And his second problem was his attitude of 'close

enough is good enough'.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

By the Friday things had well begun to settle back

down at Hogwarts. Harry was pretty much over his

injuries and his girls were appreciative of that.

For the school, all the students were now starting to

get into the mindset that it was only a few weeks

before the end of term, just over six weeks, and they'd

be heading back for the Christmas break on the 19th

of December. Some were already starting to talk about

what gifts they'd buy for others or hope they'd receive

in return.

The Heirs weren't wondering much about that. When

others started mentioning the upcoming break,

Harry's first thought was where would they spend it?

He called the girls together on the Friday evening to

discuss options.

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

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

Chapter 580

When Harry first raised the subject, Hermione had

immediately asked, "Where do you think we should

spend it, Harry?"

Both of his other girls also immediately turned to look

at him with curious expressions on their faces. It was

now obvious, to him, it would be his task to pick.

"Well," he said, somewhat surprised by how they were

deferring to him about this. "This is a three week

break, this year. I think it's... in part... to make up for

the shortened summer break."

When all three nodded back, still not saying anything,

he thought about it and said, "How about... since we

didn't spend a lot of time there last summer... we

spend the first week, including Christmas Day, at the

Greengrasses..."

That had Daphne immediately beam back in

happiness.

Continuing, he added, "The next day and for the

second week we spend five days in France with the

Delacours, where Gabby should also be back from

Beauxbatons for the break. Since they both work, we

then spend New Years Eve, Day and the next couple of

days with the Grangers. Then finish the week at The

Kennel."

That had all three grin back in happiness before

Hermione turned to look at the other two and, almost

smugly, stating, "See?"

The slight confusion he was feeling must have been

reflected in his expression as Daphne laughed and

said, "That's almost exactly what we figured you'd

suggest."

"And for the same reasons," added Hermione.

Internally, Harry breathed a huge sigh of relief. He was

worried he'd upset one or more of his ladies and did

not want to feel their wrath, if they were of a mind to

unleash it upon him, for 'getting it wrong'.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

In the basement of the Nott manor, Weasley was in the

middle of working on a few potions he figured could

be a help in getting back out and about from the

basement.

He'd already begun to brew his first batch of Polyjuice

potion, together with a couple of others related to

disguises; one of which would mask his magical

signature - not knowing Nott's house elves were

already slipping him such a potion within his food.

However, he was also working on a couple of control

potions and poisons. He'd now determined his

chances of getting to Potter and directly defeating him

wouldn't work. So, he'd have to come at him through

his whores and minions - for that is what he now

thought of them. He'd slip one or more of them control

potions and have them poison him.

He'd already decided that, while he'd have preferred to

defeat Potter in a one-on-one duel, he'd be satisfied

with using his whores and supposed friends to kill

him on his behalf.

'Just so long as he's dead,' he thought with

satisfaction.

Because he was envisioning the pain and effects the

poison would have on Harry's body, he wasn't paying

as much attention to what he was doing as he should

have. A couple of very important steps were not

completed exactly as they should have been.

At one stage, he had to pause while he called the Nott

house elf assigned to him to go and purchase a

couple of ingredients he hadn't noticed, until then,

were missing. Nott had granted him a very limited

budget for the purchase of such ingredients and the

house elf was only obeying instructions when

purchasing them.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

At the meeting of the Alliance a little over a week later

and just before the meeting even started, Amelia took

Harry aside and gave him a quick report about their

hunt for one Ronald Weasley.

"He's completely disappeared," she immediately told

him. "It's now been two weeks and, even with all the

suggestions you gave us on how to find Dumbledore,

none of them worked with finding him, either. As such,

we believe he's under a Fidelius or within one of the

old manors that have a set of the old ward schemes

on them. That's all I can think of that could block our

efforts."

With a small disappointed sigh, he said, "I'd already

figured as much."

"The hunt has not been called off, though," she

stated. "Eventually, we'll find him. Plus, Arthur

Weasley has informed me he has his wife watching

that family clock of theirs. If he dies, we'll nearimmediately know of it. Well, as soon as they see any

change and let us know of it. Right now, it's

apparently telling them he's alive, calm and not in

immediate danger. But that's all it tells them."

"Understood," he replied.

As he'd told Harry he would, Frank informed them all

how disgusted he was to learn that the 'secret' of what

the Tapestry Club was doing was made known to the

Daily Prophet.

"We are an Alliance," he firmly stated. "What we

discuss here is debated in the knowledge that what

we speak of... what is an Alliance secret... does not

become fodder for the gossips and especially that

scandal sheet rag, the Daily Prophet. We need to trust

one another that what we discuss here, stays here.

"Lord Potter has convinced me it will do us no good

to ferret out the one who betrayed our confidence.

Finding them would mean we would have to kick them

out of our Alliance, just on principle." He sighed.

"That's not something the fledgling Grand Alliance we

have become should have to weather.

"Just know that we are very disappointed in you,

whoever you are. And, if anything like this happens

again, we will discover your identity."

After letting the gathering think through that for a

moment he eventually asked, "Now. Any more news

for us?"

"Parkinson," Sirius almost growled out.

"Yes," said Ogden. "We really need a plan on how to

handle him and his incessant attempts to discover

more information about, or try to get control of,

Heiress Malfoy... CeeCee. You know they won't stop,

don't you?"

And ideas were tabled to discuss how to deal with the

dark families trying to wrest back control of the Malfoy

fortune.

During the early part of the meeting Harry had been

carefully watching Sirius, the man was trying to look

grave, but the expression of gleeful chaos Harry could

see shine through every now and then had him a bit

worried.

As the meeting this month was being held at Abbott's

Ford, Eugene Abbott was chairing the meeting. At

close of one short piece of business, he asked,

"Next?" and looked around the table.

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