Chapter Fifty Seven - Croaker Confesses, Fleur's Problem

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 Fifty Seven - Croaker Confesses, Fleur's Problem

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The next Thursday, Riddle reread the almost week old copy of the Daily Prophet covering the Second Task he had managed to get his hands on and was still quite surprised at the Potter boy's way of dealing with the Task.

'A summoning charm?' he thought. 'Over what sort of range?'

As he sat there in his tiny body, he again tried to figure it out. 'It had to be at least a third of a mile and through water, at that. The boy clearly has plenty of power.'

Thinking things through he decided it was time to bring in his 'third in command', Malfoy. The man may be as slippery as an eel, but he could get the job done. MacNair was proving to be adequate, but could also fail. Lucius didn't when it was needed.

"Wormtail!" he shrilly bellowed.

When the dumpy and dirty little man came in, all obsequiousness as was proper, Riddle said, "Contact Lucius. Same security as when you contacted MacNair. I want him here at seven hours past noon in three night's time. Now, get me my potion. This body, yet again, needs nourishment."

"Yes, Master," Pettigrew was quick to bow, before hurriedly backing out of the room.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

On the Friday after the Second Task, Harry was summoned up to the Headmistress's office for directly after lunch. She asked him to come alone and gave her word he would not be harmed in any way.

Harry did so, but also had Dobby follow him in secret and while hidden. If any active magics were employed against Harry, Dobby was to immediately get him out of there; no hesitation. While he trusted Marchbanks, he did not trust that she would be free of any magical compulsion.

Already told the password, which hadn't changed from 'Step aside, please', Harry barely broke stride from walking along the corridor to stepping onto the steps winding up to the Headmistress's door.

He paused only a few moments outside her door at the top of the stairs to make sure he was presentable before he knocked on the door.

Immediately, he heard, "Come!" And opened the door.

Without stepping within, he checked to see who else was in the room before entering himself. There was only Headmistress Lady Marchbanks and a gentleman wearing a dark blue hooded robe, who had just turned to face him. However, he couldn't make out the man's... if it was a man's... face.

Harry hadn't even realised he'd had his wand in his hand until he raised it and pointed it directly at the other, disguised, person.

The Headmistress said, "Lord Potter, there is no need for that."

"Lady Marchbanks," he said, ignoring the implied order. "What was it you first said to me when I was escorting you down to the Second Task?"

She smiled back and said, "You asked why I chose to walk instead of apparate or portkey. I told you it was because it was a beautiful day and I did not get many chances to walk outside, especially with one so charming as yourself."

Harry nodded, "And I called you a flatterer."

She chuckled.

"And why does this... person mask their appearance?" he demanded.

"He is an Unspeakable," replied Marchbanks. "What he wears, together with the masking charms, is normal for one such as he."

"Uh-huh," said Harry. "I've never met one."

"If you'll allow me to remove my hood," said the Unspeakable, "It may help to alleviate your concerns."

Harry gave a single nod back.

Carefully, so as not to cause Harry to 'cast first and ask questions later', the Unspeakable slowly doffed the hood. When he did, Harry saw it was a man with a short cut hairstyle, goatee, a facial structure that screamed he was of Italian descent, though he was actually of Israeli descent, and piercing light blue eyes.

Harry gave a slow nod and said, "Alll-right. Now, who are you?"

"Lord Potter, I am Saul Croaker. I'm the Director of the Department of Mysteries. We need to talk.

"But, first; do you mind if I draw my wand and make an oath?"

Harry slowly shook his head once, but didn't lower his wand.

Carefully and deliberately, Croaker drew his wand and gave oath. "I, the Unspeakable known generally as 'Croaker', do swear on my magics I mean no harm to Lord Harrison James Potter, his betrothed, his Concubine Bonded, any member of the Potter-Longbottom Alliance, his godfather, Lord Sirius Black or Remus Lupin. As I say, so I swear, so let it be written."

Then Harry saw the tell-tale flash of magic that showed the oath had been accepted by magic. Only then did he lower his wand, resheathing it a moment later.

"Sorry," he muttered, walking closer.

Croaker chuckled and replied, "Do not ever apologise for what you just did, Lord Potter. You did not accept at face value that Griselda, here, was who she purported herself to be and asked what were clearly security questions someone under a glamour or Polyjuice would not typically know the answers to.

"In your robes I'd probably do the same. I'm just more skilled enough at magic I do not need such."

Harry nodded back and looked to Marchbanks. "I take it I'm here because Mister Croaker wants a word?"

As Marchbanks grinned, but before she could respond, Croaker chuckled and said, "Not Mister Croaker... just Croaker. Saul is my first name, though; even though Dumbledore used to call me Algernon."

Harry frowned back and asked, "Why'd he do that?"

Croaker grinned, gave a small shrug and replied, "I may have intimated Algernon was my given name. Dumbledore had this very bad habit of addressing folks by their first name, but demanding he be addressed by his title or titles."

Harry gave a snort and said, "Yes. I figured out why, back in my first year. By addressing you by your first name, while demanding he be addressed by his titles, he was alluding to how much more important he was compared to you. It was one of his subtle tricks to show dominance over you."

Croaker chuckled and replied, "That's exactly why he did it, yes. It's also why I may have told him my first name was Algernon."

Marchbanks cut in and said, "Now that you two are done with the 'meet and greet', it's time for me to get out of your hair." Turning to Croaker, she said, "Saul, when you're done, please send me a messenger Patronus to let me know. I'll let you see yourself out."

Croaker gave her a nod and smile. "Of course, Gris."

As the old witch began to rise, Harry hurried forward to help her stand and make sure she was on her feet.

As soon was she was up and with her cane in hand, she gently tapped him on his cheek with the pads of her fingers and said, "So chivalrous; but I can see to things from here, Lord Potter. Thank you."

As the witch slowly walked towards the door, Harry slipped into her seat at the desk.

Croaker saw Griselda walk out and turned back. As soon as he saw Harry sitting at the desk, he grinned. "Bravo; Lord Potter!"

Harry just smirked back.

Croaker gave a nod and said, "Before I get into why I'm here, do you mind if I throw up Unspeakable level privacy charms?"

Harry thought about it only for a moment before he replied, "No. So long as you do not cast any magic at me."

"Only at the room," said Croaker.

Harry gave a nod as Croaker drew his wand once more.

Less than two seconds later, he grinned at Harry and said, "Since I've given you my oath I have no intention of harming you, do you mind sending your house elf, Dobby, away?"

Harry gave a snort of amusement and said, "Dobby. Thank you. You've done your duty and you may go. I'll call you if I need you."

Croaker waited a moment, staring into the corner to where Snape's 'stool' used to sit. Then he gave a nod and started casting again.

Harry watched and felt as the magics took effect. He noticed as all the portraits of past Headmasters and -mistresses either left their frames or simply froze in place, the air became quite still and he believed he felt a slight change in air pressure in his ears as well.

Once he was done, Croaker took a quick look around before giving a single nod of satisfaction. Resheathing his wand, he said, "No sound will leave this room. No recording charms or similar will be in effect; nor will any spying charms. We are secure."

"Alright," said Harry. "That's a great deal of security for what I thought was going to be a chat. I take it you're going to want an oath or similar at the end of this?"

Cocking an eyebrow back, Harry thought the man was showing surprise. "Good guess, but no. I'll be casting a modified Fidelius on the knowledge with me as Secret Keeper and you being given the knowledge."

"Hunh!" said Harry. "Clever. That way I'll have the knowledge, but won't be able to speak about it."

"Nor can it be taken from you," said Croaker. "We're more worried about that, than you giving it freely."

"How do you know I'm not immune to it?"

"We don't," replied Croaker. "However, when better to test it than now?"

Harry chuckled.

Croaker gave that a moment before he said, "Now for why I'm here." He donned a glove covered in runes embroidered in with silk and drew a murky grey orb out of his robes, together with a little wooden stand for it.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

A little over an hour later, Harry left the Headmistress's office.

After his 'chat' with Croaker and the Unspeakable had cast his Fidelius, Croaker cast a messenger Patronus that brought Marchbanks back to the office. When she arrived he asked Harry to try to tell her about 'the ball' he'd shown him.

When Harry couldn't, Croaker seemed satisfied. "As I thought," he said. "That's because the secret is in your soul; not your mind."

After saying goodbye, Croaker left via the floo and Harry left via the door.

He wandered towards the Lords' Quarters, completely not bothered about attending the last class of Muggle Studies. He had a lot on his mind and needed to mentally work through it.

Croaker had started the discussion by playing the recording of the prophecy direct from the prophecy orb. And told him the prophecy was, in effect, complete. Then told him what the Department of Mysteries had analysed it to mean.

He then told Harry about how the Unspeakables had Dumbledore - that it was them, who kidnapped him from the hospital - and how they were pumping him for all the information the man held. He did not say the old man was already dead.

"What do you plan to do with him once you've got every piece of information out of him?" he'd asked.

"You do not need to worry about it, Lord Potter," replied Croaker. "The man will never bother you again. You have my word."

The confidence of the answer was enough for Harry to know the old man would be killed, or had been. So, he didn't push it.

It wasn't learning the contents of the prophecy that had him worried, either. It was finding out what Dumbledore believed would happen during the Third Task.

"The old man firmly believed that, irrespective of the prophecy, Riddle sees you as his greatest failure. You, or your mother, was the cause of his initial downfall. For someone like Riddle, that cannot be allowed to stand. Therefore, he will keep after you until either he kills you, you kill him or someone else kills either of you.

"That's where we, the Unspeakables, come in. Riddle represents a true threat to the security of the wizarding world. As such, handling him falls under the purview of the DoM."

Then Croaker went on to explain Dumbledore's belief Riddle would strike on the night of the Third Task. And how that was the true reason Crouch had put his name in the Goblet and confunded it to spit out his, Harry's, name.

While that might not be the case, the Unspeakables would still be ready for it.

Some time very shortly before the Third Task he would be taken aside and a tracker embedded into his skin. That tracker would have both apparation and portkey co-ordinates, so the Unspeakables could get to him within moments of anything out of the ordinary happening.

That, at least, gave Harry some comfort.

"Once we're there, Lord Potter," explained Croaker. "You just need to get the hell out of our way. We'll deal with Riddle. Alright?"

Harry just nodded. He was too relieved to even voice his affirmation.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once classes let out, all the Heirs were quick to go up to the Lords' Quarters and see Harry.

He was sitting on one of the sofas and still mentally going through everything when Hermione came running inside.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, throwing herself at him in a Hermi-Hug of old.

After the hug she began to babble through her multitude of questions, which Harry calmly waited out.

Finally she wound down and glared at him. "Well? Are you going to answer my questions?"

"Are you going to give me time to, or are you just going to ask one question after the other without a pause between, just as you used to do before the First Task?"

That was when Daphne walked in, much more calmly. She didn't look happy.

"Hermione Jean Granger," she firmly said. "I know you were anxious to return to see Harry, but that does not excuse you running through the corridors of the school like a small child loaded up on sugar!"

Hermione immediately blushed.

"Your conduct was completely unbecoming of a future Lady of a Noble and Most Ancient House," Daphne continued. "Have you not been told your behaviour reflects on Harry?"

Harry looked to her and asked, "Is this true?"

"Yes," she quietly replied, looking down and ashamed.

Harry sighed and dropped his head into his hands, "Hermione..." he whined, before lifting his head again. "Look. I understand. But this... impetuousness, you must get control of. Alright?"

Still not looking up she sadly nodded.

With a sigh he patted the seat on the sofa next to him and said, "Come here."

As Hermione moved to obey, he turned to Daphne, patted to cushion on the other side and said, "You, too."

And Daphne moved to obey.

When he turned back he was just in time to wrap Hermione in a hug as the girl sniffled in sorrow. "I don't expect miracles," he said. "I just expect effort."

Releasing her, he sat back and said, "Now. I expect both of you are very interested in what my meeting in the Headmistress's office was all about, right?"

"Yes," both replied. But Daphne added, "If you're willing to inform us, of course."

He replied, "I can't give you specific details because the person who I met with, not Lady Marchbanks, has locked it all within a modified Fidelius charm acting as a secrecy charm. Think about it, I cannot speak about them."

When he saw both understood he continued, "However, in general terms, what we spoke about had to do with the prophecy I was told about, my part in it, Dumbledore and his part in it and even Tom Riddle's part in it. Yes, he's involved.

"Issues like this are almost always handled by... those people. It's one of their mandates. However, Dumbledore got in the way of that and interfered. If Dumbledore had done the right thing from the get-go, there's a decent chance my parents would never have been killed and Neville's parents would never have ended up in Saint Mungo's."

As Harry explained what he could, Hermione settled again. By the time he was finished, she was almost back to being her usual self, just a tad bit less chipper.

"Oooohh... when I get my hands on that old man..." she grumped.

"Errr... I want you to forget all about the old man, Love," he said. "I do not believe we'll ever have to worry about him again."

When she gave him a very direct, demanding look, he sighed and said, "I... cannot tell you why I know that. I just do."

"Then," she said. "We can tell Madam Bones that."

"No, we really can't," he said. "For two reasons. One: we have no proof he'll never be seen or heard from again. And, two: supposedly, Dumbledore is the only wizard Riddle has ever feared. Just knowing Dumbledore could turn up at any moment to deal with him has, in the past, been enough to send Riddle and his lickspittles running away as soon as people start showing up to fight him."

"Ah!" said Daphne. "Of course. And, if it is learned Dumbledore is gone for good, then, if Riddle does come back as it appears he may, he won't have to worry about Dumbledore showing up."

He nodded and said, "Which will lead to even more people dying and, possibly, the Statute of Secrecy being broken."

Once he finished, he suggested both girls go and change before dinner. "I'll be doing the same," he said, rising.

And they did precisely that.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Late that evening, Pettigrew was in a grungy pub in Knockturn Alley called the Warlock's Curse and was under a rune-based glamour. He was sitting in a 'discussion' stall at the back. It was the place where dodgy deals were made. On his lapel he wore a small gold pin of a snake wrapped around and through a skull. It was not the same as the dark mark, but it held the same components.

He'd been sitting there for almost an hour when Lucius Malfoy walked in, looked for him and walked over.

Barely acknowledging the once politically powerful man, Pettigrew quietly said, "Lucius, take a seat." And indicated the seat opposite.

Malfoy sneered and said, "I'll take your seat. Switch to the other side."

Pettigrew gave a snort of amusement and moved to take the seat he'd directed Malfoy to take.

Then, before he sat down, Malfoy cast detection charms across the whole area.

Once both were seated, Pettigrew said, "I'll allow you to erect the privacy charms."

Malfoy merely cocked an eyebrow, but still cast the charms.

"Good," said Pettigrew. "Now we can speak freely."

With his wand still drawn, Malfoy turned it on Pettigrew. "Who are you, to know that phrase?"

Knowing which phrase Malfoy referred to, the one Voldemort told him to include in a letter he'd sent to the man opposite, Pettigrew smirked and said, "The one who gave it to you in the first place. He's back and he wants to see you."

Malfoy froze on the spot. Though of pale skin already, he still managed to turn even paler.

"He's back?" he quietly asked.

Pettigrew nodded. "And wants to see you."

He then slipped a small card out of his sleeve and slid it across the table. It was the size of a muggle business card. Though neither knew it, that's exactly what it looked like, except it had no writing on it. Instead, a pin similar to the one Pettigrew wore was pinned through it.

"A portkey," said Pettigrew "It is timed to automatically activate at ten minutes to the hour of seven in the evening, tomorrow evening. You are to be wearing it as I wear mine. No one else is to be in your presence at the time. And you are not to be holding your wand in your hand when it activates. Finally, you are to speak of this with no one, not even your wife or son.

"If you do not adhere to these instructions, your life is forfeit. Do you understand these instructions as they have been given to you?"

Sliding the card to himself, Malfoy nodded and quietly said, "I do." His voice did have a little break in it, though.

Pettigrew gave another single nod and started to slide out of the booth. Just before he left, he quietly said, "Pura regula." {Latin: Pure rule}

"Pura regula," muttered Malfoy. His mind was on other matters, though. And his response was more of the knee-jerk variety.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When the other Heirs joined the Potter three, they were all curious as to what had led to Harry being called to the Headmistress's office. However, he only told them that someone important from the Ministry came to give him some important information that was for his ears alone. Then apologised he couldn't share due to secrecy charms.

All of them then dropped it, but Neville did later look at Harry with curiosity.

Once they were sitting for dinner, Neville asked, "The matter in the Headmistress's office. It wasn't because you made the Ministry look like idiots again, with the Second Task?"

Harry smiled and replied, "No. It had to do with why Dumbledore has always had such a focus on me. It was about why Dumbledore was doing all those things over the past three years. They were tests for me and those who were my friends."

Neville stared back for a few moments and said, "He was testing you, why?"

"That's part of what I can't tell you, Nev," he replied. "Sorry."

Neville just nodded and said, "If I ever get my wand on him―"

Harry wanted to tell him he'd never get the chance, but it was not his information to share just yet. First chance he got, though; he would. But, he'd also try and make sure his friend's parents were also there when he did, as it was just as important for them to hear.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The next evening, a few seconds past 6.50pm, Lucius Malfoy appeared on a lawn before a dilapidated-appearing old tudor-style wooden manor-house

As he got his bearings, he heard a voice from behind, "Good, you're here."

Spinning around and reaching for his cane, he froze when he saw who it was. "Pettigrew?!"

"Lucius," smirked Pettigrew. "I certainly hope you weren't planning on getting yourself killed by drawing your wand from that cane."

Malfoy immediately pulled his hand away from the grip, but didn't say another word.

Indicating the manor, Pettigrew said, "He awaits you, inside. You are to lead and I shall follow."

Turning to look back at the old manor, Malfoy turned more fully and began to walk up the slight incline of the lawn to the main doors. While he was doing so, he was making sure within his mind that all his secrets he did not even want the dark lord to know were locked behind as impregnable shields as he could erect.

Voldemort had made no such requirement for Malfoy to lead, but Pettigrew like the idea of Malfoy having to succumb to his orders. It made him feel quite pleased he was able to 'lord' it over the pompous prick.

Following the quiet directions from Pettigrew from behind Maloy made his way through the manor, up the stairs, down a hallway and told to wait outside a door. It made his skin crawl, knowing a threat stood that close behind him and he couldn't 'order' the man to walk before him.

He could see the room he was directed to was one of the few rooms in the manor that actually had lighting. The flickering told him a fireplace was within, at least.

Before entering, though, Pettigrew quietly told him. "Wait here." Then slipped past him, entered through the door and quietly closed it behind him.

As Malfoy worked on controlling his breathing through light meditation, he waited.

Seconds later, Pettigrew was back, opening the door and gesturing him within. As he passed, Pettigrew snatched his cane out of his hands.

Malfoy was about to snarl at him when Pettigrew smirked back and said, "His orders."

Feeling somewhat naked without his wand, Malfoy walked to where a large wing-backed padded chair was placed, slightly turned to the fire. Next to it sat a small occasional table with the top level with the arm of the chair. There was no other furniture in the room.

'I'm expected to remain sta- no, I'm expected to kneel,' thought Malfoy. He was glad he had the forethought of placing cushioning charms on his knees.

Moving around the chair, giving it a reasonably wide birth, he came before what he thought to be his fully reformed master, with his head bowed.

'Kneel, Lucius," came the voice he had come to both loathe and love. However, the voice sounded quite a bit more sibilant and of a higher pitch than he remembered from more than a decade past.

Malfoy instantly dropped to his knees, still looking at the floor.

"Master," he softly said. "For many years I have awaited―"

"Sssilencccce," the voice snapped.

He instantly obeyed.

A long moment later, the voice said, "You may look upon me, my slippery friend. Look upon what I have become."

Malfoy allowed his eyes to rise. Finally they were on the small homonculus form. He was horrified.

"M-master!" he blurted.

"This is what I have become, Lucius," said Riddle. "For me to regain my true form, I have already devised a solution. It is already in play.

"First, though, tell me of what you have been up to these past thirteen years. If I am unhappy with what I hear... have no qualms, you shall be punished."

It was more than three hours before Malfoy was 'allowed' to leave. When he did, he could barely walk from repeated Cruciatus curse exposure and had a massive headache from repeated Legilimency attacks.

However, he also had his own task to complete. One he both didn't know how to accomplish and thought endangered his life so effectively he did not see a way to survive it.

His biggest problem was how he could get into Hogwarts with the dark mark on his arm. The dark lord would not remove it and only smirked when he claimed so. From the... man's... reaction, he expected Malfoy to figure it out on his own.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As the time to the March sitting of the Wizengamot approached, on the Saturday before - the thirteenth - Harry had already been alerted to a meeting of the Alliance having been called, just as with the previous month. This time it was being held at Bones Manor and again during the afternoon.

The Heirs all trooped up to the Headmistress's office and flooed direct from there.

One of the main items of business was the escape of Dumbledore from auror custody. And Harry had to firmly bite his tongue from saying anything. Just prior to the meeting he told both 'his' girls that they weren't to talk about it and both replied they wouldn't.

However, the full Alliance all agreed that, if Dumbledore was spotted, Marchbanks would be immediately alerted so that Harry's whereabouts could both be confirmed and his security alerted.

It was during the meeting he also learned that his personal protection had again been increased. But their location would only be made known, even to him, when he was away from the castle. He was also told that same security was watching over both his girls and Astoria, which allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.

He'd be willing to 'allow' it to continue if it meant his girls and protectee were also protected. He knew there was no risk to them from Dumbledore, but it meant they'd be protected from Malfoy and his ilk as a 'side effect'.

Because Daphne was now under concubinage with Harry, it was Astoria who sat behind her father during the meeting; even though that wasn't the case at the previous meeting. Daphne was with Hermione and the other 'ladies' in their own meeting.

Samuel told him after the meeting that her mother insisted and Samuel admitted to not wanting to sleep on the couch in his study for something so minor.

When Harry chuckled in amusement, Samuel said, "Just you wait until it's your turn, Harrison. We'll see who's laughing then." But, Harry was glad to see there was no spite in the man's voice or expression when he said so.

"You may rule the family, Lord Potter," the man had added. "But, it is the ladies who rule the manor... and the bed."

That shut Harry up. And it was Harry's subsequent expression which caused Samuel to grin back.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Three days later and because there were no criminal matters to deal with, Harry was able to stay later for breakfast before making his way back to the apartment to change into his Wizengamot robes.

By the time he was changed, classes had already started; so he met no one on the walk from the Lords' Quarters to the Headmistress's office.

Less than a minute after arriving, he was escorting Lady Marchbanks - not Headmistress Marchbanks - across the floor of the atrium to the security gates. Again, he was immediately surrounded by aurors.

Almost snarkily, he said to Lady Marchbanks, "Look how important the aurors consider you to be, My Lady; to have all these strapping young aurors escort you."

She cackled in amusement and gave him that little arm tap she appeared fond of using. Only one of the aurors, he saw, turned a smirk on him.

Harry had to admit, at least to himself, he loved making the old witch laugh. Her laugh sounded like the old crone witch that used to appear in Bugs Bunny cartoons he very occasionally managed to get to watch at the Dursleys.

That led him to thinking about them. He'd try to remember to ask Madam Bones about the result of that matter, when he had a chance.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

With no prior criminal case, Harry had settled into his seat to wait the meeting out until it came to the second reading of the Bill on Ministry inspections of commercial sales of potions ingredients.

He'd spent a little time, here and there, writing down his 'speech' as a speaker against. He even researched how the Statute was first posited and implemented, together with the why's. And included that, where relevant, in his speech.

When it came time, he was surprised to discover he wasn't that nervous at all. Daphne had told him he wouldn't be if was prepared.

After the second reading, the Chief Warlock called for a speaker against and Harry rose to be recognised. No one else did. The looks of surprise on other faces led him to believe no one thought someone would speak against the matter moving to become a Statute; or, in this case, an amendment to an existing Statute.

And Harry laid it all out for them. He spoke of the reason for the Statute existing in the first place, the arguments put for its implementation, even the arguments that had been put against its implementation. Then covered the period since the implementation, including the significant drop in hospital admissions from contaminated potion ingredients, which showed the existing Statute was effective.

However, he even covered how parts of the mover's arguments were sound, in that there were procedures that had arisen in the Ministry's handling of such inspections that had become too onerous.

"Therefore," he said, coming to a close, "I understand Lord Strickland's clear frustration with the current inspections by the Ministry as they are, today, carried out. Instead of scrapping or making significant alterations to the existing Statute, as this Bill demands, I recommend the Ministry inspectors, themselves, have their procedures inspected and audited toward better handling of such inspections and, of course, corruption.

"Chief Warlock, House Potter thanks you for this opportunity to present its views."

And sat.

The entire chamber was silent. It took a long moment before the Chief Warlock said, "Errr... thank you for those views, Lord Potter. Do I have a speaker for?"

In the end, the Bill lost. Strickland wasn't happy, but another immediately suggested a motion to have Ministry inspectors inspect the Potion ingredient inspectors, 'as Lord Potter suggested'. The new Minister was very quick to agree, without it needing to go to the vote. That seemed to placate the older Lord.

This time, Harry was happy to hang back and speak with other members, both about his speech and about his views on other matters. His normal response was, "As it is a busy time at the moment, perhaps I can impress upon you the need to write down your thoughts and owl me with them. I promise to pay them due attention."

As Harry left, again escorting Lady Marchbanks, she asked, "When you promised to pay matters due attention, what did you mean by that?"

Harry smirked, mimicked opening a letter and said, "Ah! From Lord Parkinson." Then mimicked screwing it up into a ball and lobbing it. "Bin! That's rightful due attention to something Parkinson wants."

Again she cackled, which had Harry grin.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As soon as they returned to the castle, Harry was about to leave when Marchbanks said, "Stay a while, Lord Potter. Tea?"

Surprised, Harry gave a shrug and said, "Leave and miss the chance to have tea with such a wonderful lady? Perish the thought."

Again with the cackle.

As she called for an elf to serve tea, there came a whoomph from the fireplace and Sirius stepped through. "Hi!" he cheerily said.

"Sirius!" said Harry, laughing. In a stage whisper he said, "I think Lady Marchbanks is trying to seduce me with tea."

That had the woman laugh again, but also Sirius. Her cackling was in great counterpoint to Sirius's barking laughter.

"Don't ever change, Lord Potter," she managed to get out.

"Score!" cried Sirius.

A moment later Marchbanks flicked her wand at him and he was spitting up soapsuds.

The look of shock on his face had Harry laughing.

Meanwhile, their tea had arrived. Harry noticed four teacups. 'We're waiting on one more?' he thought.

Harry cast a finite at his godfather, which had the soapsuds vanish.

"Lady Marchbanks!" said Sirius. "Really?!"

"You deserved it," she smirked. "If not this time, then another."

He seemed to think about that, as he moved to sit next to Harry. "True," he muttered, as he sat.

There was another whoomph of green flame from the fireplace and Samuel Greengrass stepped out.

"Aaaand, here comes the reason for the fourth cup," said Harry.

When Sirius gave him a funny look for the odd comment, he smirked and pointed at the tea service.

Marchbanks, who saw it, looked for herself, grinned and laughed, "Well spotted, Lord Potter!"

Once everyone was seated, Harry said, "Alright, Lady Marchbanks. Perhaps someone can now come clean as to why I've been shanghaied into a meeting?"

Watching it happen, Harry was quite shocked when it was as if someone had doused everyone with cold water. Mirth suddenly became serious business.

"An... issue has arisen," said Samuel.

'No kidding,' thought Harry. 'Your reactions told me that.'

"Well, don't go casting about the forest, willy-nilly," he said. "How can I help?"

"You?" asked Samuel. "What makes you... oh. Of course. Why else would we have you in the meeting."

Harry just cocked an eyebrow back with a slight smirk.

Samuel looked uncomfortable and not wishing to explain. Sirius, however, did. But, even then, he didn't get directly to the point.

"Harry, an issue has cropped up relating to what happened during the Second Task," he said.

"What?" he asked. "Did Bagman decide he couldn't live with the shame of being a daft moron and tried to top himself? I say 'tried', because he probably couldn't get that right, either."

That had Sirius give a snort of amusement.

"No, pup," he replied. "It has to do with the young lady you rescued from the lake."

"Fleur?" he asked. "Is she alright? Did she suffer from complications?"

Sirius sighed and said, "Yes, she's currently alright. However, there were... are... complications... or, rather, unforeseen complications because you saved her life."

Harry frowned and held up a finger before tapping it with the index finger of his other hand. "Point." Then used that second finger to circle around the first from above. "Sirius."

That had Marchbanks give a snort of amusement and for Sirius to grin for a moment before the grin disappeared from his face again.

Instead of then answering, Sirius looked at Marchbanks with a pained expression.

"Alright," said Harry. "Now, I'm worried."

Marchbanks asked, "Lord Potter, what do you know about Veela?"

"Always pretty, stacked in all the right places, supposedly have something called an allure, which is supposed to turn men into gibbering idiots," he replied. "Doesn't work on me. Yet another mind magic, I suppose; and I'm, therefore, immune."

Marchbanks sat back and said, "I'd forgotten you claimed that immunity from magics of the mind. So, it's true."

Harry just nodded back.

"No effect, at all?" she asked.

"I get slightly woolly-headed for a few moments, but it's easily ignored," he replied.

"What do you think of her, Pup?" asked Sirius.

Harry thought about it for a few moments before he replied, "When I first saw her, I thought she was a bit of a haughty bi... errr, person. Then came the night of the draw from the Goblet and, when I was sent into the antechamber off the Great Hall, she called me a 'leeeetle boi'. I was right tempted to drop trou, point at my groin and ask, 'Who you calling little?'."

That had Sirius and Samuel laugh. Even Marchbanks appeared amused.

He continued, "After the First Task, though, she voluntarily came over and apologised to me for her behaviour and remarks. She was the only one who did of the three. Hell, she's the only one who did of all the students who treated me with contempt that three weeks. She had my respect, for that.

"After that, I didn't interact with her for the remainder of the time I was in the castle before heading for Hermione's place. And didn't see her again until the night before the Second Task.

"If I remember correctly, we talked a bit about the Task, that night.

"Then I didn't talk to her again until after she'd woken or been revived in the hospital tent after the rescue. She was a lot more pleasant to me, then. And Hermione and Daphne also seemed more comfortable with her."

That had the three adults all look to one another again.

Samuel said, "It is serendipitous you are immune to her allure, Lord Potter."

Again, Harry frowned at how none of the three could seem to get to the bloody point.

"Alright," he firmly said. "You've all set the scene; now, please stop dragging your proverbial feet and get to the point."

Samuel said, "I think I should be the one to start, since I was the one who was first contacted."

That had the other two nod.

Looking to Harry he said, "As Lord Black mentioned, there has arisen an... issue... that is related to you saving the life of Miss Fleur Delacour, of-age student and current Beauxbatons Champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

When Harry's frown at him deepened, he was quick to continue, "As a... pardon me, but it's relevant... magical creature, Miss Delacour and her magic are more in tune and connected to magic that are we, wizards and witches.

"If you were to give a vow on your magic, but not your life, if you broke that vow you would be stripped of your magic. However, at your age, the chance of you dying from that loss is rather insignificant; unlike someone of Griselda's age. And that's because you are not sustained by magic. It's only an extension of you.

"For Miss Delacour, however, she is a creature of magic. If she was to give a similar vow and break it, the loss of her magic would kill her. A vow on her magic is also a vow on her life."

Confused a little, Harry asked, "She's given a vow on her magic and it relates to me?"

"No. I was just using a vow as an example of how intrinsic magic is to a Veela compared to a witch or wizard."

Harry nodded and said, "Oh-kay... I get that."

"Good," said Samuel. "Because a Veela is more in tune with magic, magic has a stronger effect upon them. Its demands can be and are greater that it is for normal witches and wizards."

He hesitated a long moment before he said, "That leads us to last Sunday afternoon. I was contacted by Jean-Paul Delacour about an issue that has arisen relating to his daughter, Miss Fleur Delacour. And it is related directly to you and your actions regarding her at the Second Task."

"What?" pressed Harry. "Magic thinks she should have died so it's killing her?"

"That's... not far off the mark," muttered Sirius.

"Not quite," said Samuel. "Because you saved her life, magic has deemed she now owes you a debt."

"Greeeeaaat," sighed Harry. "How much does she have to pay me?"

"No, Harry," said Sirius. "The debt is not a financial one. Because you saved her life, in a way, her life now belongs to you."

Harry was a long moment, attempting to parse that, before he shot to his feet and bellowed, "WHAT?!"

None of the adults even reacted. Clearly, this was expected.

"Harry," said Sirius, "Please sit down. There's more you need to hear."

"MORE?!" he bellowed. "Is magic saying I must do something with this young woman's life?"

"Lord Potter," said Marchbanks, quite sternly and getting Harry's attention. She then pointed back at his chair, jabbed her finger at it and commanded, "Sit!"

Harry glared back for a long moment before he said, "No. Not yet. I need to be on my feet. It helps me think."

As Harry began to pace behind the other two Lords Samuel said, "In a nutshell, Lord Potter... from what we have so far discovered... Miss Fleur Delacour of the Venerable House of Delacour owes you a Veela life debt."

"She owes me nothing!" Harry snapped back. "I did it, because it was the right thing to do!"

"And therein lies the problem," said Samuel. "You did it simply because you could. You did it without thought of what it could mean to you; how you could benefit from it. You did it in a purely altruistic sense."

Confused again, Harry stopped and looked at Samuel. "Hunh?"

"Harry," said Sirius. "Because you saved that young woman's life, without thought of how it could benefit you to do so, magic has deemed she owes a debt to you."

Harry thought for another long moment, trying to figure out how to get out of it. Eventually he asked, "How do I... absolve her of the requirement to pay it?"

"You can't," said Samuel. "Magic has deemed it so."

In frustration, Harry threw his arms in the air and spun about as if to leave, before spinning back and saying, "Un-fffflipping-believable!"

Lowering his hands and carding his fingers through his hair on the way down, he eventually sighed and asked, "How does she pay this... debt."

Again, the three adults looked to another before Sirius quietly replied, "We've checked. We've done our research. There's only one way... two. Slave bond or concubinage."

Throwing his hands in the air and stomping around again, Harry exclaimed, "Oh! How... fffreaking... wonderful! This poor girl is going to be forced to... to―"

"Have sex with you," said Marchbanks.

Harry spun on the spot and stared at her. His expression was one of horror. "No!"

"Harry―" started Sirius.

"No!" said Harry, cutting him off. "No... no... no... NO!"

Feeling himself starting to hyperventilate, he began to pant as his chest felt tight and his heart felt as if it wanted to escape through his ribs. "I... I gotta―"

He spun towards the door and began to run. Then... blackness.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When he came-to later, he was looking into the eyes, up close and personal, of medi-wizard Robinson. And he tasted the remains of a calming potion in his mouth.

He was again sitting in the chair before Marchbank's desk with both Sirius and Lord Greengrass beside him.

"Yyyuck!" he said, trying to clear the taste from his mouth by using his tongue to wipe all the inner surfaces clean.

Robinson backed off a little and, with a smirk back, said, "Nope. Medi-wizard Robinson; not 'yuck'."

Harry just gave him a filthy look, which only had the man grin wider right back.

The man cast a couple of healer's charms on him and said, "He's a lot calmer now. The developing panic attack is gone."

Harry, who'd been thinking, moaned, "Oh, God! Hermione's going to kill me!"

Confused, Sirius asked, "Why?"

Harry gave a slight snort of amusement and said, "She always told me my 'saving people thing' was going to get me in trouble, one day. Well, it seems that 'one day' is here."

With a sudden thought he sat up straight and said, "Oh, Fleur! I forgot what this means to her! She... does she know what this means?"

"Harry," said Samuel. "I think you need to know more about what this means for a Veela; for Miss Delacour."

"I think I already know that," said Harry. "It means she has no choice, whether she likes it or not, but to strip naked, lie on her back, spread her legs―"

"Lord Potter!" barked Marchbanks. "You will not be so crude in my presence!"

Harry cringed, blushed and looked sheepish. He muttered, "Sorry, Lady Marchbanks."

"Harry, magic is not that cruel," said Samuel. "Yes, Miss Delacour will have to... you know. But it will not be like that for her."

When Harry turned an almost pleading look on him, he said, "Her magic is urging her to do this. And, as she is so in tune with her magic due to her heritage, this... will not be unwelcome to her.

"Actually, it's been her recent behaviour which triggered the investigation into what was discovered."

When Harry looked even more confused, Sirius said, "She's pining for you, Pup. Apparently, you are about the only thing she talks about of late. She wants to be with you. She's driven to be with you... that way."

"Is there no way to free her of this... compulsion?" he asked.

Samuel replied, "We've been searching for the past few days to find a way. However, Lady Apolline Delacour, her mother, gave us a couple of English translations of a book on this very subject. The only way for her to be free of this, is to die.

"Actually, if she doesn't... meet... the conditions of the debt soon, she will die. But only after she first goes mad from the unfulfilled need to... mate... with you."

"So," sighed Harry. "We have to have sex or she dies?"

"It's more than that, Harry," said Sirius. "The bond is for life. Yes, she has to have sex with you or she will die. However, she will also die if she's not with you all the way through life."

With the jerk of shock from Harry, Sirius was quick to clarify. "I do not mean you have to keep having sex with her over and over again, day after day. No; I mean, she has to consider herself part of your family, as mentioned before, like a concubine... or slave."

"Definitely not a slave," muttered Harry.

After it went quiet for a while, Harry said, "We have to have a family confab. We need to get together with Hermione... Hermione's parents... Daphne... You and Adeline, Samuel... You, Sirius... Hell, even Fleur's parents. Maybe they can explain it to Hermione and her parents. I certainly can't! Can Fleur be there without trying to jump my bones, or something? I'm already thinking Wendell is immediately going to clean his gun and sharpen his shovel, when he hears about this."

Sirius said, "A family... confabulation... sounds like an excellent idea, Harry. Good name for it, too."

Samuel said, "Hmm... Tell me when and where and I think I'll have no problem convincing the Delacours to attend."

"And I'll organise the time and place and the Grangers," said Sirius. "I think my place can host this.

"Besides, I want to show my godson and his two ladies what my new home looks like before they come for a visit next summer."

After organising things a bit more, Harry left. He was a bit reluctant, though; knowing what he'd be facing.

"Problem, Pup?" asked Sirius.

"Hermione," he sighed. "I... don't know how I'm going to explain it to her."

"I will, as her magical guardian," he said. He turned back to Marchbanks and asked, "Do I have your permission to address family business with my magical ward, Miss Hermione Granger, before I leave?"

"You do," she nodded.

"Thank you," he immediately replied.

Rising, he walked with Harry out the door. "Come on, Pup. Cheer up. What's the worst that can happen?"

"I don't know," replied Harry, as they walked out the door. "But I'm sure Hermione will exceed even my expectations."

As the door closed and they heard Sirius's laughter as the two went down the stairs, Marchbanks smirked at Samuel and said, "That went about as well as I expected it would."

The hidden auror in the room immediately removed her invisibility charm and said, "I'll need to alert The Boss as to the change of circumstances relating to Lord Potter."

"It won't happen for a while, dear," said Marchbanks, unsurprised to find the young woman there, while Greengrass was. "Two or three weeks, is my guess."

The auror nodded and said, "In that case I can hold off on alerting her until shift change. However, I should go catch up with those two." And indicated the door.

"Then go, dear," said Marchbanks.

The young auror quickly made her way out of the office to catch up with Sirius and Harry.

"How long was she there?" asked Samuel.

"She came through the floo from the atrium a few moments before I did," smiled Marchbanks.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ