Chapter Six - Augusta's Smack-down

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!

Chapter Six - Augusta's Smack-down

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

That morning during the mail bomb, Harry received a letter from Amelia Bones informing him of the punishment levied against Molly Weasley for her 'egregious breach of the Statute of Secrecy' back on the first of September, 1991, at Kings Cross Train Station.

When he saw the amount of the fine he let out a low whistle. That was a lot of galleons. He just hoped Arthur could afford it, or raise enough money to pay it. If he didn't, Molly was heading for Azkaban until he either could pay it or she'd served at least twelve months of incarceration.

The letter also informed him that, if any of the Weasleys gave him a hard time about it and an auror wasn't nearby to witness it, he was to immediately report it to her or one of her aurors. And it would be dealt with.

He gave a sigh, folded it up and put it in his pocket. Though it would have been something he'd have done in his fake persona, he knew it wasn't his place to inform the Weasleys of the DMLE order.

"Who's the letter from, Harry?" asked Hermione.

"The DMLE and it's none of your concern," he replied, before turning to her. "Please, don't ask."

Hermione gave her own sigh, looked down to her plate and nodded.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After he felt he'd finally gotten through to Hermione about the house elves - he hoped - the previous night, Harry went in search of Neville. He found the boy in the House common room reading a book on, it appeared, plants of the Mediterranean.

"Neville," he called, getting the other boy's attention.

"Yeah, Harry?" asked the other boy, setting his book aside.

"You and I need to talk," he replied. He gestured to the common room door and said, "Mind stepping outside with me and going for a walk?"

Giving a firm nod back, the other boy said, "Sure, Harry." And set his book onto the alongside side table and stood; heading over.

Leading the way outside and down the corridor a bit, Neville followed and remained silent until Harry began to speak quite a few dozen feet away from the common room entrance. "Neville, I need you to answer some questions I have, honestly and without quibble. I do not need nor want excuses, just explanations. Can you do that for me?"

The only thing that made Neville pause before giving an automatic response was the intensity of his friend's questions and the look of seriousness on the other boy's face. He was a moment before he firmly stated back, "Yes, Harry."

Harry only gave a firm nod before he turned to look more directly at his dorm mate's face. "Both of us have been at this school, as dorm mates, for a little over three years now. In that time you could not help but notice I have been dressed in little more than hand-me-down rags, I've been clearly undernourished and I have scars on my body a normal child, wizard or muggle, should never have.

"The Houses of Longbottom and Potter are supposed to be allied. So, my question is, why have you never said anything about that? Why have you not at least raised it with me?"

Neville, Heir Longbottom, knew to his very bones this was a very important question and required a very well-considered response. He knew this question would come one day and knew the alliance would hinge on his answer. Therefore, above any other questions that might one day be asked of him, he had thought long and hard about how he would answer this one.

With conviction, he looked his mate directly in the eye and firmly but quietly replied, "The day I first saw you once you'd returned to wizarding world, the first of September 1991, I knew something was wrong concerning you. Yes, I noticed you were scrawny and appeared underfed. I also noticed your clothing appeared oversized and, as you put it, hand-me-downs. That, alone, worried me.

"That night I wrote to my Gran about you and what I noticed. I sought her advice. However, before she replied back and that very night, I then saw you for the first time in only your briefs and noticed the scarring; so I sent a second letter the very next morning about that, too.

"Less than an hour later I received a letter from Gran at breakfast, answering the first letter, where she told me I was not to do or say anything unless you directly asked. She told me it was not my place to do so."

Neville turned to look away, clearly ashamed at that, and sighed. "I was angry when I read that."

Turning to look back with an expression of both remembered anger and frustration he continued, "But I was hoping her response to my second letter would change her instruction. It didn't.

"Her response to my second letter arrived the next morning during the normal owl delivery time. I'd eagerly opened it, expecting just such a change. However, she again instructed me to do and say nothing."

Neville had stopped walking at that point. His eyes had lost focus, staring at the floor a dozen feet ahead of him; his whole body stood tense with fists clenched as his magic began to manifest in a slight aura about himself.

Harry stood a few feet away to the side and carefully watched his friend. He now knew it was not his friend's fault he'd never spoken up when he knew he should have. But he also knew the other boy had to work his way through it on his own.

"I couldn't believe, she told me that," Neville almost spat. "I tried, again and again, to convince her I had to step in and talk to you about it, or at least coming and talking to you about it herself; but she kept telling me to stay out of it. Eventually, after about our tenth time of me writing her and begging her to let me step in she wrote and told me 'No' and that I was to immediately drop the subject.

"I was furious, but she's Regent and I couldn't go against her. However, I definitely gave her a serve about it at Yule that first year. Even then, though, she wasn't moved. She just dug her heels in, refused to discuss it any more and told me the matter was closed until you raised it."

Harry thought about that for quite a while before he gave a nod to himself and said, "Then, please inform your grandmother, Regent Augusta Longbottom of Longbottom, that I, Lord Harrison James Potter of Potter and rightful Head of the House of Potter, hereby inform her that as long as she remains Regent of the House of Longbottom the long-standing alliance between our houses is hereby suspended for cause. And that said cause is a direct result of her failure to act when informed of obvious problems relating to then-Heir Potter by Heir Longbottom and when repeatedly encouraged to do so by Heir Longbottom.

"Lord Potter considers her lack of action as a direct betrayal of the principles of the alliance, if not the actual wording. And, therefore, sees her lack of action as a betrayal of the House of Potter."

Neville froze in place and stared at Harry in shock. "You... you―"

"Yes, me, Neville," said Harry. He hadn't raised his voice. He'd just spoken in a quiet voice without much inflection and without even anger or vindictiveness. His voice was just firm.

"Gran's going to kill me," Neville near-moaned.

"The fault does not lie with you, Heir Longbottom," Harry disagreed. "The fault lies entirely with her. She did not act as she should have done; as you tried to get her to allow you to do.

"What you tried to do was the right thing; what she did was not. She should be thankful that, due to your response to my question, I did not dissolve the alliance completely; only suspended it."

"She's not going to see it that way," Neville shook his head and sighed.

"Then send her to me and I'll deal with her," said Harry. "You honoured the alliance by letting me know as soon as you could; at the earliest you were restricted to by your Regent. That is, you told me as soon as I asked you about it. And you were straightforward and honest with me.

"Your Regent... your Gran... is the one entirely at fault. As I've now explained, if I had thought you had somehow or for some reason decided to keep me ignorant, I would have immediately terminated the alliance in its entirety. She should be thankful that, by your words and actions, I have only suspended it. And then, I've only suspended it until such time as she is no longer your Regent.

"If she wants me to remove the suspension she'll need to step down as your Regent and allow you to take up the Headship of your House. I will not remove it until then."

"Oh, Merlin!" the other boy moaned. Suddenly he squared his shoulders and looked more fully into Harry's eyes. "I shall contact Regent Longbottom at my earliest opportunity and ensure she is informed of your decision."

Harry smiled back and said, "Good man! And, if you need my help in writing down exactly what words you should use, find me and I'll help.

"After all, we definitely do not want her to have the wrong impression, do we?"

"No, we do not," replied Neville, a lot more serious about it than Harry was about asking it.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Heading for lunch, as soon as Harry walked into the Great Hall he noticed there were a couple of new faces sitting at the head table. They seemed to be waiting and watching for something.

As soon as it appeared pretty much all students were sitting at the House tables, quietly eating and or discussing who was sitting at the head table among themselves, one of the two, an older gentleman, rose from his chair and made his way to the lectern Dumbledore often used for his announcements.

By the time he arrived behind it and looked about the Hall, most students had quietened right down, with only a low murmuring coming from those still softly talking between themselves while keeping an eye on him.

"Students!" he quietly but firmly began, before pausing as the remaining noise dimmed down to almost silence. "Students. For those who do not know me, I am Bartwinkle Creston. And I am the Chair-wizard of the School Board of Governors."

He gave that a few moments to sink in before he continued. "Like the vast majority of you, I'm sure, I was shocked at the information Lord Potter brought to light during his attempt at the first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament yesterday. There was so much information, in fact, that many of us, including myself, have not had time to... reconcile... what we learned with what we thought we knew. However, of what we've now come to know is true, it is sufficient for the Board to determine that we will be allowing, without dissent, the DMLE to complete their full and ongoing investigations before we reach a final determination as to what changes need to brought in here, at Hogwarts.

"However, that does not mean we are not going to act on what we already know.

"First, Madam Bones's assuming Acting Headmistress of Hogwarts for the duration of the investigation is supported by the Board, irrespective of her assuming control of the school and its grounds as part of her remit as senior investigator of the DMLE investigation of crime on the grounds. Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall are suspended as Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress, respectively.

"Second, all Head of House positions are suspended for the duration. And - until such time as we, the School Board, are satisfied - such positions will not exist. Even then, changes are very likely to occur.

"Third, all staff charged or otherwise under investigation by the DMLE have their positions as Professors of Hogwarts suspended until such time as they are cleared by the DMLE to resume their positions. Even then, as with the Head of House positions, changes are likely to occur.

"Fourth, as many professors are currently under investigation - and as many are therefore suspended and, as a result, are not legally permitted to teach - all classes are hereby suspended until the Board gives the word they may recommence. Therefore, letters are being sent to your listed guardians asking if they would prefer you to be sent home for the duration; however long that may be. That period may be anywhere from a few days to a few months.

"For those guardians who would prefer you to be brought home, the School will be paying for portkeys for you to both be sent home and for you to be called back once classes recommence. We will not be using the Hogwarts Express for this."

The man then took on a pained countenance with his eyes closed for a few moments before he opened them and then directed his gaze towards the Gryffindor table. It was only a short moment before his eyes laid upon those of Harry.

"Lord Potter," he solemnly said. "On behalf of the School Board of Governors you have my and their deepest apologies. We should have kept a better eye on the Headmaster and staff of the school and we did not. Like everyone else, we were swayed by the honeyed words of Albus Dumbledore not to take a closer look at what was going on. That ends now.

"From this moment forth the Board of Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be keeping a closer and constant watch over the school; to ensure for ourselves and the wizarding community at large that nothing like what has happened over the past three plus years - and even before that - will ever happen again. No longer will the Headmaster or Headmistress, whoever they may be, have... carte blanche... to act without all such actions being subject to Board overview or review. You have our word."

Harry thought about that for a few moments before he gave the slightest of shrugs and a simple nod back. Creston seemed satisfied with that and turned back to the greater Hall.

"And, finally, on behalf of the Board of Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry I apologise to our visiting guests from Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. You came for what should have been a friendly competition between our three schools. And, instead, have quickly found yourselves embroiled in what I believe would have to be the greatest scandal our school has seen in its entire one thousand year history.

"At this point I do not know if the Tournament will be allowed to continue 'as is', will be completely modified to get it over with as soon as possible - considering the binding magical contract enacted by the Goblet of Fire - will be deferred until a later date or will simply be cancelled outright. That decision has not been made and will not be made until we have further information.

"Therefore, we must ask both schools' champions to remain at Hogwarts until that decision has been reached. Accordingly, both schools' other guests are also welcome to remain."

With what appeared to be a firm nod to himself, together with a clear relaxation of his shoulders of the stress he must've been under, Creston finally said, "That is all. Thank you." And stepped away from the podium. He returned to sit with the other adults at the head table.

Of course, that now became the topic of discussion among the students. Hermione wanted to speak about it with Harry, but he wasn't interested.

"But, Harry," she begged. "This is important."

"I agree," he replied. "However, you and I discussing it will make not a bit of difference in whether or not it occurs. As such, I see it as a waste of time when I have other, more important, matters I need to deal with."

"Like what?" she asked.

Again, Harry could see she wasn't being nosy, just usually curious. So he didn't shut her down.

"I have House business to discuss with Neville and quite a few other students who are Heirs of other similar Houses," he replied. "And, no, it's not business I'll be discussing with you. This is business of the Houses of Potter and Black with their allies; and not for discussion by others not of those Houses or allied Houses. Sorry."

Again, Hermione seemed surprised by the answer and not a little disappointed. "This is yet another facet of the 'real' Harry Potter, isn't it?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied with a firm nod. "I am Harrison James Potter, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter and named Heir Presumptive of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. As such there are certain alliances and business dealings of both Houses that are privy only to me, other Heads, Heirs or members of those Houses and our allies. I simply cannot discuss much of any of it with you without each of their approvals."

With another sigh of acceptance, she gave a nod and looked away. More and more it was becoming apparent her best friend, Harry, would be moving in wizarding social circles she, as a simple muggleborn, would not be able to join. That then had her thinking how Lily Potter, another famous muggleborn and the mother of her best friend, actually did move in those circles. And that was because she had married the Head of one of those ancient families. Which then led her to a subject she had spent only a little time upon before: Was her future to be the next, as she'd once thought, Missus Potter; and now knew to be Lady Potter?

Looking around the various tables and mentally going over plans on who he needed to speak to and in what order, Harry never noticed his best friend's face suddenly turn scarlet in embarrassment and look away, thinking about her future.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After Harry assisted Neville in writing his letter to his Gran, the Regent of the House of Longbottom, Harry then discussed with the other boy who else he needed to approach about not providing assistance to him when it was obvious he needed it right from the first day of first year.

"I know you've spoken with Regent Bones, Harry," said the other boy, "But have you spoken with Susan, Heiress Bones, about her own lack of action? I mean, she's one of those who've been wearing one of those badges."

Harry gave a bit of grunt and replied, "Not yet. She's also one of the ones who bad-mouthed me during that whole Heir of Slytherin thing in second year."

"When she was twelve, Harry," argued Neville. "Do you really want to hold her to blame for that?"

"But, you're suggesting I hold her to blame for this year when she's fourteen?" he argued right back.

"Yes," Neville firmly and immediately replied. "At twelve we're still pre-teens and it's between four and five years before we take up our Headships if our father's are dead or... otherwise indisposed. At fourteen it's half that.

"In a little over two years Susan will be the Head of the House of Bones. I cannot see her aunt not educating her, as I was, in what would be required of her."

Harry thought about that for a long moment before he asked, "Do I have a right to talk to her about it?"

Confused, Neville asked back, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I know the Houses of Potter and Longbottom are in alliance, but I don't know about the rest."

Neville looked in dawning shock and asked, "You really don't know, do you?"

Harry frowned back and snapped, "I wouldn't have bloody asked if I didn't."

A little sheepish Neville replied, "No... no, you wouldn't have. Sorry." And sighed. "Then I shall explain."

"Please," said Harry.

"The Potter-Longbottom Alliance is called that, but that's because our two families formed it and lead it. It's also called that because our two families are the most powerful, as both Houses are Noble and Most Ancient.

"However, there are a number of lesser powerful Houses who have joined in. Those are the Noble and Ancient Houses of Pones, Greengrass, MacMillan, Marchbanks and Ogden; and the Ancient Houses of Abbott and Davis. There's more, but they're even further down than the Ancient Houses. The only ones who do not currently have a representative on the Wizengamot is Abbott and Davis. And I haven't included some even lesser families who have asked for 'membership' because they really don't bring much to the table.

"In Hogwarts, especially in our year, are the Heirs and Heiresses of most of those Houses. They are: Daphne Greengrass, Earnie MacMillan, Hannah Abbott, Sue Bones and Tracey Davis; not including you and me. The Heirs for Marchbanks and Ogden are grown and already graduated.

"Does that help?"

Harry thought about that for a few minutes before he asked, "And have you approached those other Heirs and Heiresses and asked why, for the past month, they've been hanging shit on me?"

"They haven't, Harry," replied Neville. "Sue and Hannah both did not know those disgusting badges would change to saying 'Potter Stinks' when you came close to them, or on command from Malfoy. They both thought they were just supporting Cedric. As soon as both found out what those badges said in full, they immediately removed them.

"Neither Daphne nor Tracey wore them right from the start, because both thought them gauche. But it did take me a while to get Ernie to remove his. It wasn't until I pulled rank as a part of the Alliance before he complied. And he was pretty unhappy I did that."

"Hmmm," mused Harry. "Do I need to go and talk to them? To repri―"

Cutting him off, the other boy quite firmly replied, "Now that you've officially recognised the alliance, you definitely should; if for no other reason than to let them know you're now aware of it, at least.

"I also think you need to lay down the law with them all. That way, we're both now doing that. I still get treated like the supposed squib most thought I was. However, together, they'll have no choice but to knuckle under."

"The only reason you keep being referred to as a bloody squib is because you're using your father's wand!" Harry snapped. "If you had a wand that was properly attuned to you, you wouldn't be having so many bloody problems!"

As Neville gaped back at him, Harry gave a nod and said, "Now that we've written your Regent, we'll do just that... talk to the other heirs, I mean.

"Oh, and the issue with your wand is yet another thing that's annoying me about your grandmother. I take it she's the one who pretty much ordered you to use it?"

Neville, still a little stunned at Harry's remarks, simply nodded back wide-eyed.

"Then, that will be fixed with all due haste," Harry growled.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Harry was just going to approach each of the other heirs in the Potter-Longbottom Alliance and demand their presence in a vacant classroom. However, Neville said it needed to be done the 'right' way; and that was to send them each an owl with a formal notice demanding their attendance at a specific time and place.

So, now that the letter to Regent Longbottom had been sent using Hedwig, the two wrote the demand letters for Daphne Greengrass, Earnest MacMillan, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott and Tracey Davis under their titles of 'Heir(ess) of'. Each heir was required to meet the two of them in the antechamber off the Entrance Hall, where they'd all first congregated the night of their sorting.

Because the mail was internal and he didn't want it delivered in the Great Hall by the owls anyway, nor wanted it to wait the full day, the others all received their summonses by 'house elf express'.

The meeting was set for that very afternoon, immediately prior to the evening meal.

Harry also called on Dobby to provide a table with seven chairs to be set up in the room just before the time of the meeting. And the two boys, plus Harry's auror detail, were in the room and waiting as the first of the others arrived.

Harry and Neville both remained in their seats with Harry's auror detail standing up against the back wall and sufficiently well apart they could not be taken out by one curse or hex.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The first in through the door was Earnie MacMillan, accompanied by both Sue Bones and Hannah Abbott.

As soon as he stepped within, not even holding the door for the two ladies first, MacMillan snarled, "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing, Potter?!"

Ignoring the question, even the rudeness of it, Harry firmly ordered, "Take a seat, MacMillan."

"But, before you do that," said Neville. "Perhaps you should think about holding a chair for the ladies, first."

MacMillan ignored the verbal jab and order and snapped back, "I don't have to do anything either of you tell me to."

"Very well," said Harry, still with a calm voice but with his eyes reflecting his anger. "I shall be writing your Lord immediately on the conclusion of this meeting and informing him that the House of MacMillan is hereby excommunicated from the Potter-Longbottom Alliance due to his heir... you... being a rude and obnoxious self-aggrandising little prick to both Potter and Longbottom."

Harry gave that a moment to 'sink in' before he then snapped, "Now, get out! This is a meeting of the heirs of the Potter-Longbottom Alliance, who currently attend this school. And you no longer meet that condition."

MacMillan stood there gaping back in horrified shock. "You... you can't do that!"

Both Bones and Abbott, who were standing right behind MacMillan, where also staring back at Harry in shock.

"I might only be fourteen years old, MacMillan," growled Harry. "But, that does not mean I am not the Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter; and, as such, one of the two people who head this alliance. The other, Frank Longbottom, is currently indisposed; and as such cannot rule against me. Therefore, whatever decision I make regarding membership of the alliance is absolute.

"So, for the final time, get out! And don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. You are no longer welcome here."

"You can't!" Macmillan pleaded. "My grandfather will likely kill me if you do that! At the very least he'll disown me!"

"Not my problem. You were given opportunity to rectify your behaviour by Heir Longbottom - and failed to do so," Harry snapped before he barked, "Now, GET OUT!"

MacMillan paused for all of five seconds while he and Harry stared at one another, before his face morphed from shock to an expression of combined anger and fear. Then he spun on his heel and stormed out the door just as Greengrass and Davis entered. He was even rude enough to knock Davis slightly aside as he exited.

"What was that about?" asked Davis.

"Because of the very recent rude behaviour of Heir MacMillan towards Lord Potter and Heir Longbottom," explained a slightly awed Neville, "Harry... sorry, Lord Potter, Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter... just excommunicated House MacMillan from the alliance."

Both Davis and Greengrass also gave expressions of surprise. However, Greengrass's expression, due to her clear use of Occlumency, was little more than a cocked eyebrow.

"On the conclusion of this meeting I'll be writing to Lord MacMillan, explaining precisely that," explained Harry.

"In the meantime," he added, "Ladies; please sit." And gestured to the chairs around the table.

As Greengrass moved to a seat, along with the other three, she said, "So, the Lion of Gryffindor bares his claws once more. I do believe I'm going to like this Harrison James Potter."

"It's about time, Potter," said Davis.

Harry's expression suddenly changed to guarded and he quietly said, "Please, sit."

None of those there mistook the seeming request as anything but the order it actually was. They all sat and looked back with expressions ranging from angry to uncertain in how to act.

"Alright, Potter," Greengrass eventually said. "You've got us all here. Now what?"

"I want answers," said Harry. "And you people are going to provide them. Plus... be aware... if I believe you're quibbling, being untruthful or I simply do not like the answer I receive, getting your own Houses kicked from the alliance is the least of your worries."

That had them all, except Neville, sit up straighter and focus. Neville knew he'd already passed this 'test'.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After speaking with the other heirs and getting the answers he wanted, though he was unhappy with many of them, Harry didn't declare any other House excommunicated or similar. Instead, he demanded of them all to recognise they had done him wrong. Then, once they'd formally recognised they had done him said wrong, demanded of them they inform their Heads of House they provide unconditional support in his endeavours from that moment forward.

However, he did declare that the House of Bones was going a long way towards providing that support through the actions of Regent Bones, Amelia, in her role as Director of the DMLE.

They each now had a far better understanding of just how badly they'd let down the House of Potter. And it was drummed into them they were not to allow it to happen ever again.

It was just as they were about to break up when a house elf popped in, took one look at them all and popped out again.

"Fluxy?" Neville quietly asked the space where the elf had stood for only a few seconds.

Next thing they knew the door was flung open and in strode a quite irate Madam Augusta Longbottom, Neville's regent.

Neville moaned, "Oh, Merlin!"

"Mister Potter," she practically snarled. "I want a word with you." She then looked to everyone else in the room and barked, "The rest of you can get out. Now."

"Freeze!" Harry instantly barked right back, louder.

That brought the other heirs, except Neville, to an immediately halt when they were practically jumping up ready to run out the door.

Swivelling his gaze back on the Longbottom matriarch, he snarled, "How dare you! We are just finishing up with an important meeting that has taken me quite some time to organise. If you want to have a word with me, you will ask... politely... and wait until I have time for you.

"If you cannot wait less than three minutes until the end of this meeting, say so right now; and I'll send formal notice to all the important parties to let them know the Potter-Longbottom Alliance is hereby immediately and irrevocably terminated!"

As the two stared one another down, the others gaped back in shock between the two.

After a long moment that felt, even to Harry, as if an hour had passed while the two stared at one another, Augusta finally 'blinked', threw her nose in the air in a haughty fashion and more quietly said, "I'll wait outside."

Then, not even waiting for Harry to acknowledge her words, spun on her heel and stormed back out of the room.

As the door closed behind her those remaining, including Harry and Neville, let out a collective sigh of relief.

"Sorry about that," said Harry, a lot quieter this time. "I suggest we meet, once more, one month from today. I'll let everyone know of the time and place once the time approaches."

As the others continued to pack away what few things they had out and began to leave in pairs, Neville was also about to leave when Harry motioned for him to stay.

"You're going to need to remain, I think," said Harry. "I know your grandmother will probably not want you to, but I'm asking you to remain."

Neville gave a slight shudder, but firmed up and nodded.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

With Susan the last one out, Harry followed her to the door and looked outside.

He saw Madam Longbottom standing in a foul mood and watching the door.

He gestured to her to come in and, without even waiting for her to acknowledge him - let alone hold the door for her - turned and walked back to his seat alongside Neville.

It wasn't until he'd turned away from the door to head back to his seat he saw the two aurors still standing quietly along the wall behind where he'd sat.

He sat down as the woman re-entered the room. Again, she entered irate.

"Neville," she snapped. "Leave! And the two aurors can leave with you."

"If Neville leaves, so do I," Harry immediately riposted, placing a calming hand on Neville's arm as the other boy almost shot to his feet. "It is obvious this meeting is as much about him as it is about us.

"As for the aurors, they're here at the command of Madam Bones, Director of the DMLE. They're most definitely not going anywhere, no matter how much you bluster about it."

While holding Neville's arm down, he glared back at the woman daring her to countermand him.

After a very long ten-plus seconds of staring, each trying to dominate the other, Madam Longbottom finally sniffed, "I need to speak with you... alone."

"No... you don't," he disagreed right back. "You want to speak with me, alone. You don't need to, at all."

Again she stared back without saying a word. Harry could see she was quite used to this silent intimidation tactic working. The pity for her was it had no effect on him. And he couldn't care less.

Eventually she all but snarled, "I have delicate House business of matters between the Houses of Longbottom and Potter to discuss with you. You don't want other witnesses listening in."

"Do not presume to tell me what I do and do not want, woman!" he snarled back.

That stumped her, as she stood there clearly frustrated and unsure of what to do next.

Finally, she all but snarled back, "You will not be forcing me to relinquish my position of Regent for the House of Longbottom."

"Fine," he simply replied. "Then I shall inform the Heads of Houses for Greengrass, Davis, Abbott, Bones and the others that the long-standing Potter-Longbottom Alliance is terminated. If that was all you came to tell me you could have simply sent me an owl.

"As for you, I'm done with you. As I explained in my letter to you, I consider your actions in blocking Heir Longbottom from rendering me assistance, when he realised I desperately needed it and wanted to give it, as an act of betrayal. As I explained in Neville's letter to you, I have no intention of being part of an alliance where the representative of one of the senior Houses involved could be party to such an action.

"I was well prepared to not terminate the alliance if you recognised your despicable actions for what they were and stepped down. However, as you have stated you won't, then I feel I have no choice left to me but to terminate that alliance.

"Good day, Regent Longbottom. You have my permission to leave now. This audience is at an end and I'm done with you."

The Longbottom grand matriarch stood there quivering in rage and, yes, not a little fear. If it became known, as Harry had intimated, just why he was terminating the alliance, she was done as a political powerhouse.

The other Houses of the alliance would immediately act. The least action of which would be applying significant force towards her to relinquish control of the House of Longbottom to another Regent or directly to Neville through emancipation. She did not know if Harry also knew that, though it was likely he did from his words and actions, so she tried another tack.

A lot calmer and more respectful this time she asked, "If I stand down as Regent will you withhold your announcement?"

"You had your opportunity and you squandered it," he immediately snapped back.

"Harry, please," begged Neville, softly speaking up for the first time since his grandmother entered.

It was clear the other boy was pleading for his House not to be so publicly ridiculed, as would be the result of Harry carrying through on his threat. It was then Harry realised Neville would also be publicly humiliated if he went through with what he said he would do.

With his teeth gritted in frustration at his own 'saving people thing', as Hermione called it, coming to the fore he took a few moments to clamp down on his emotions.

Eventually he growled out, "Fine!" After a quick glance to Neville, he stared back at Augusta and said, "Because Neville tried to do the right thing, even though you blocked him at every opportunity, I give you this one last chance."

When the woman, though her own Occlumency was clearly in use, appeared to sag in relief a little, he again spoke. "However, there are conditions.

"One: You will immediately take Neville to Ollivander's and get him his own wand. His father's wand, which you've been forcing him to use, is ill-suited to him. That is the reason he struggles so much in the wand-based classes. The wand is fighting him. Remember; the wand chooses the wizard, or witch. You have apparently forgotten that.

"Two: You will render all assistance to Amelia Bones in her efforts to see Albus Dumbledore and his lackeys convicted of the crimes she has filed against them concerning me - plus that fumbling fool, Fudge, and Barty Crap Senior. You will use your current and soon to be no longer authority as Regent Longbottom to force the Lords and Ladies of the Potter-Longbottom Alliance to also support and aid her in her efforts.

"And, three: You will then step down as Regent. I don't care what excuses you use to do so. I don't even care if you announce I forced you to do it. But, you will do it.

"I grant you this extra opportunity to head off me terminating the alliance only because your grandson, and rightful Lord Apparent of your House, has begged me to. Even with that, this is your last chance. So, am I clear and will you comply?"

She stared back for a long few moments until she seemed to reach a decision. Then she slowly, but barely, gave a single nod back. Her eyes never left his.

"I will have your verbal acquiescence," he growled.

Her eyes flashed with anger for a flicker before she hissed, "Yessss... Lord Potter."

"Good," he snapped. "Your verbal acceptance of my demands is noted. In that case and based on your acceptance of my demands, as long as you're complying and continue to comply, I'll withhold informing the other Houses I'm terminating the alliance."

Snapping his gaze away from hers he turned to Neville and said, "I'll see you this evening, Neville. Your grandmother is taking you to Ollivander's to get you a properly matched wand right now. Something she bloody well should have done before your first year."

Harry heard the other boy sigh in relief before he, Neville, then turned and stood.

"Grandmother," he said, brushing down his robes. "Shall we go?"

After the two Longbottoms left the room, one of the two until now silent aurors behind Harry let out a clear breath of relief.

Without even turning to see which of the two it was, as it really didn't matter to him, Harry smirked and said, "That's what happens when you piss off the rightful Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House."

Standing himself, he glanced to the two aurors and said, "Alright, you two, I think it's time for dinner."

Without waiting for acknowledgement, he simply strode out the door; head held high and with a light smile on his lips.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

That evening Neville returned to the Gryffindor common room with an expression of pleased wonder on his face. As soon as he saw Harry, who was also there, he ducked over and wrapped him in a hug.

"Thank you!" he quietly whispered into Harry's ear before backing off and showing his new wand.

In a clearer voice he said, "Cherry wood and unicorn tail hair; twelve inches."

"It works better for you?" asked Harry.

Without replying Neville spun slightly to the left and whipped his wand out to point in the general direction of a couch. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he firmly but still quietly intoned.

Suddenly, one of the throw pillows on that couch shot up into the air and smacked hard into the ceiling with a 'foomph!' sound. A bare moment later Neville released the charm and the pillow fell back to land with a muffled thud back on the cushion of the couch.

He spun back to grin at Harry.

What the boy didn't see was the expressions of shock on the faces of his housemates. Harry just smirked back, as he wasn't anywhere near as surprised as the other housemates clearly were at his sandy-haired friend's magical power.

"I told you," he smirked. "You have far more power than that wand you were forced to use otherwise demonstrated. It was holding you back, quite significantly."

A little more serious, Neville returned, "Yeah. When I levitated that rickety chair of Ollivander's off the floor, expecting it to only hover a little, it shot up, smashed into the ceiling and broke apart.

"Right then Gran could see that she'd done wrong by me. I could see she was clearly ashamed. She spent the short trip back here profusely apologising."

"So she bloody well should have," Harry firmly nodded. "And more. Now you're going to have to learn to back off on the force you use when pumping your magic to cast a spell."

"Yeah, that's what Ollivander and Gran said," the other boy grinned.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The next morning Harry checked to see if Dumbledore and/or Snape had returned and discovered they apparently had not. He was pleased with that.

That meant, so far, he'd have another day of being free of Snape's vitriol and Dumbledore's attempted obliviates and manipulations. He had little faith, yet, of the Wizengamot actually getting it right and putting both men on trial, let alone getting convictions. But, so far, signs were that it was going to happen.

If Snape did return and said one bad word against him, however... well, Harry already knew exactly what he'd be doing in return. He'd 'end' the man in such a way that he couldn't be touched for doing it. He'd use the life debt.

As he sat at breakfast with Neville, with Hermione sitting on the other side still clearly a little unsure how to deal with 'new' Harry, the mail owls came streaming in.

Besides his copy of the Prophet, Harry was unsurprised to see quite a number of owls headed in his direction.

'Ah!' he thought, 'The wizarding public are now making their collective move.'

What began as a 'super-parliament' of various breeds of owls all trying to deliver to him at once, had his housemates either side scrambling out of the way. But, not Neville or Hermione.

Hermione began by sending paralysing charms at each of the owls but was near gobsmacked when Neville, with a firm wave of his wand and a cry of "Stupefy!" knocked them all out. Those still in the air dropped to either the table or the floor on either side almost as one.

While Neville blushed at what had just happened, Hermione stared at him in shock while Harry quietly chuckled and started levitating the birds off the floor that had landed there and up onto the table. Hermione joined him but Neville decided to stay out of it in case he did more harm than good.

"Nice shot, Nev," Harry smirked after he gave the boy a long few seconds to come to terms with what had happened.

Neville just blushed even harder and looked away. But Harry still saw the hint of a pleased smirk on the boy's face.

Once all the owls were on the table, Harry began releasing them of their loads.

What surprised him - and quite a few others who had also seen them - was that Neville had also managed to paralyse the few Howlers mixed in with the rest of the mail.

Harry set them aside and vanished them.

When each owl was released of its load Hermione began to take it aside, cast a finite on it and allowed it to fly away.

"My God," she exclaimed, after reviving the third bird on the third attempt. "I don't know what Neville did, but it's taking me quite a bit of power to wake these owls up again."

Again Neville looked pleased - embarrassed, but pleased.

"Gods!" Harry muttered after trying his first. "Hermione's right, Nev. You really knocked these out! How about just casting a finite over them all for us, yeah?"

Blushing so much he looked as if he had third degree sunburn, Neville turned back, raised his wand, paused a moment and firmly intoned with a swish of his wand, "Finite!"

The remaining owls suddenly woke and began righting themselves before flying off with indignant hoots, barks and ululas.

"Damn, Nev!" Harry exclaimed. "Remind me to never get you angry with me, if you can wield that much power."

Harry said it loud enough that, since they were being watched by the majority of the Great Hall, a great many people heard the remark. That was deliberate on Harry's part. He wanted as many people to know of Neville's 'new found' power as possible, just to ensure they no longer looked upon him as a squib.

However, that was no longer going to happen anyway. They'd watched him both freeze all the birds with one massive petrification charm, before then waking them all up with one massive Finite.

With all the owls now freed of their loads and sent on their way, Harry moved to check said loads. He had been surreptitiously casting detection charms on them already, and had found a few that were quite suspect. Now, though, any charms that were on them seemed to have been negated by Neville's cancelling charm. Surprisingly, that included the remaining Howlers he'd not yet vanished.

The few remaining Howlers that were there before the cancelling charm were now reduced to nothing more than ensorcelled parchment. The parchment was still Howler parchment, but it was all now deactivated.

"Be careful," he said, as Hermione reached to start opening them. "We don't know what manners of trickery the senders have included."

They found their first one when he opened one and found it to contain undiluted bubotuber pus. He was just thankful when he'd also discovered the charm that would have had it explode and send bubotuber pus over the person opening it to have been deactivated.

"Alright, stop!" he immediately commanded, as Hermione reached for the next one. "Some of these appear to have been booby-trapped."

Hermione snatched her hand back away as if she'd been burned and looked at Harry in shock.

He turned to one of the aurors who'd taken station behind him and said, "I think you need to call Madam Bones to come here. As I've just explained to these two, some of these appear booby-trapped. That would be a direct attack upon the Head of a Noble and Most Ancient House. And that makes this..." he indicated the pile of mail with a wave of his off hand, "... A criminal matter."

The auror's expression turned grim and almost thunderous. He gave a firm nod back and pulled out his auror badge. He gave it a tap with his wand and whispered into it before returning it to a pocket within his robes. "I've let her know to make all haste here."

As Harry nodded back, in a clear voice the auror said, "I need everyone to move away from this area. This is now a crime scene." And he and three other aurors moved in to clear everyone away.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Madam Bones turned up in mere minutes accompanied by a team of whom she immediately explained to be 'departmental cursebreakers'.

Harry returned, "I had no idea the DMLE had cursebreakers."

She smiled and said, "People tend to forget the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office is part of my department. We use them there, plus share them with the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes."

As they were talking, the cursebreakers were going over the mail and quietly speaking between themselves as they systematically worked through it all. Eventually, one of them pulled out a floating portable Dicta-quill and parchment pair, activated it and began muttering to it as he worked.

Finally, they appeared done. And the one not working with the Dicta-quill turned to Madam Bones and said, "Five Howlers, one loaded with a modified explosive curse set to activate when the letter was opened and would then spray undiluted bubotuber pus over the hands of the person who opened it, plus a few other minor hexes and curses. Only the second and some others listed would be considered significantly harmful."

Her expression turning irate, Madam Bones snapped back, "I want to know the identity of whoever sent anything that was harmful, even if you don't consider it significant. This was an attack on the Scion and Head of a Noble and Most Ancient House. I want the culprits in my holding cells."

Both cursebreakers, already with grim expressions, turned back to try and identify magical signatures.

A mere couple of seconds later they looked about and said, "Who deactivated these?"

"Neville Longbottom cast a massive Finite over pretty much all of it," replied Harry. "Miss Granger and I did the same with only a couple of them."

"I need to analyse your magical signatures," said the cursebreaker.

"What do you need us to do?" asked Harry.

"Cast a Lumos and hold it," he replied.

Harry immediately did just that. And both cursebreakers then cast their own magics over his wand tip.

"That will do," the first one said. "Who's next?"

"That would be me," replied Hermione, stepping forward.

As Hermione cast her own Lumos Harry called Neville forward.

Neville stood up straighter and stepped confidently up.

As soon as the cursebreakers were done with Hermione, Neville cast his own Lumos. It lit up bright enough to almost blind everyone.

"Woah, Lad!" exclaimed the other cursebreaker. "Back off on the power a bit, yeah?"

Again Neville blushed a little before he did just that. And his light dimmed a fair bit.

Once the cursebreakers had somehow managed to get the magical signatures of all three, the first said, "Anyone else?"

"No," replied Harry. "I'm pretty sure we were the only three."

The cursebreaker gave a firm nod back and both returned to scanning the mail again.

It took a little while with Madam Bones, the aurors, Harry, Hermione, Neville and pretty much everyone else watching, but the cursebreakers stepped back and lowered their wands. "I think we got it all," said the first one as the second one deactivated the Dicta-quill.

"Good," said Madam Bones.

The second one then dried the ink on the Dicta-quill parchment before rolling it up and handing it to Madam Bones without a word.

"Right," said Bones, once the cursebreakers were clearly done. Gesturing to one of the aurors who had accompanied her, she indicated the pile of mail and instructed her, "Get all this gathered up. It's coming with us."

As the auror stepped forward with wand raised to do just that, Madam Bones turned to Harry again and said, "After we go through it all and remove that which is offensive or charmed, I'll organise for you to have the remainder returned."

"Not a problem," said Harry. "I doubt there's anything in that lot I want, anyway. I didn't recognise any of the owls."

Madam Bones gave a nod back and asked, "While I'm here, has there been any instances of people... whether they be students, staff or anyone else... who've bothered you?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself about," he replied.

She frowned back and said, "You did not reply with a 'No'."

"The only incident of note was only relating to the Potter-Longbottom Alliance," he replied. "As such, it's House business. Nothing for you to concern yourself with as Director of the DMLE. Susan can bring you up-to-date with Alliance business when you're not wearing your DMLE robes."

She glanced towards one of her aurors who'd been in the castle on shift before she arrived. Harry didn't see what the auror had to say to her, but she didn't react. When she turned back she said, "Very well. Then I'd best get back to the office. My people and I have work to do relating to that mail."

Before she had a chance to turn away, Harry asked, "Any news you can share with me relating to what I brought to light during the first task?"

She hesitated a moment before she replied, "Not yet, Lord Potter."

"Fair enough," he replied. "Thank you."

She gave a nod and again turned away, ready to head back out. As she walked away she checked to make sure her contingent were following before heading back to the doors and out.

She did, however, stop for a few moments with her niece, who was waiting for her back near the doors of the Great Hall.

With the excitement of the mail now over, others in the Great Hall turned to discuss it with their fellow students while again casting surreptitious glances Harry's way.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ