Chapter Sixty Two - A New Lordship

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 Sixty Two - A New Lordship

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

While Harry was no longer even interested in Quidditch, or even give the impression of being interested in Quidditch, Hermione thought it would be a good idea to at least show 'House unity' by going down to the Quidditch pitch on the first weekend of May to watch Gryffindor play their first of two matches for the shortened season. It was against their arch-enemies, Slytherin.

Harry couldn't argue, as he had been feeling a bit 'hemmed in' by the walls of the castle of late. And May had started with decently warm days, anyway. So, down to the Quidditch pitch, they went.

Because of Daphne being with them and all the Heirs plus Fleur wanting to sit together, they sat in one of the Unaligned, no specific House, tribunes to watch the match. Though he hadn't said anything to the others, Harry was actually interested in how well he'd picked Ginny Weasley to be a decent seeker for the Lions. Especially, now that she rode a decent broom; one he'd secretly organised for her.

He hadn't even taken the time to come down to the pitch when the team trained, just in case Johnson tried to rope him into something; such as training Ginny. So, this would be the first time he'd actually seen her on the broom.

The match started and it was only moments before he realised what the strategy of the Snakes would be. They had Malfoy constantly taunting her and performing dangerous moves within inches of her.

However, Harry was surprised when all she did was actively ignore him. Harry could even hear Malfoy's taunts down in the tribunes.

After Malfoy had shouted something particularly vile, Harry was surprised when he heard the voice of Professor Vector call out, amplified by a Sonorus, "Twenty points from Slytherin and a weeks detention, Mister Malfoy, for your abusive language and offensive words!"

That had Madam Hooch pause the game through a time-out for a few minutes, while the two women very publicly and angrily conferred behind a silencing charm. Eventually, even from where he was sitting, Harry could see Vector look satisfied as Hooch stomped off to restart the game, clearly unhappy.

"I wonder what that was about?" asked Daphne.

"Hooch doesn't appreciate that the rules of Hogwarts apply, even on the Quidditch pitch," replied Harry. "I can bet that Professor Vector told her, 'Just because you're on the Quidditch pitch doesn't mean you're exempt from the rules'."

Within moments of the game restarting, it appeared young Ginny had spotted the snitch, as she suddenly dived near the middle of the field. However, Harry knew she hadn't, as he'd already seen the snitch himself moments earlier over near the Slytherin goal posts.

Interested on whether she could pull it off, he watched as Ginny went into a dive, while also corkscrewing slightly; which had Malfoy, on his slightly faster Nimbus 2001 to her Nimbus 2000, hare down after her. Only a dozen feet from the ground, Ginny banked hard with a half roll and instantly and sharply pulled up.

Malfoy, moving faster and being slightly heavier - therefore needing a bigger arc to also pull it off - didn't have the room to abort that Ginny did. And ploughed into the ground at about a twenty degree angle.

Luckily for him, the ground was no longer frozen. So, he 'merely' dug a long furrow in the thoroughly drenched sod and mud.

Once he finally got back to his feet, he staggered for a few feet until one of his team-mates managed to get to him to hold him upright. It was Goyle, one of their two beaters and always a shadow to the blonde ferret.

However, the always immaculately presented boy was drenched in mud, sod and water. His game robes were a complete mess and his hair was more brown than blonde, with a whole area on one side sticking almost straight up and out.

He managed to remount his broom and carefully climbed back into the sky. However, he was no longer so keen to give young Ginny such curry.

Harry chuckled and mentally doffed his hat to the girl. He might've carried out the Wronski Feint lower to the ground than Ginny did, but it was still well-executed and served its purpose. Ginny had cleared the ground with four feet to spare.

The Gryffindors won the game by two hundred and ten points, with a good twenty percent of their points being off free penalty shots. And Ginny caught the snitch for one hundred and fifty of the rest. It also made Malfoy look like a bigger idiot when he'd thought she was 'only' trying to fake him out again, but was truly diving after the snitch. Therefore, he was nowhere near the chase when the snitch was caught.

At dinner, the Headmistress stood for a short announcement about how the rules of Hogwarts applied even on the Quidditch pitch. And said that 'Mister Malfoy's point deduction and detention would, therefore, stand'.

A look to Malfoy could see that the boy was both quite annoyed and sullen.

Harry was surprisingly satisfied. He'd always thought the same and couldn't understand how the 'previous' staff didn't also see and understand that.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Just before the start of Transfiguration the next Wednesday, just after Harry sat down next to Justin Finch-Fletchley, the boy said, "I'm going home next weekend, from Friday to Sunday afternoon."

"Family business?" asked Harry.

"Yes," he replied. "I'm meeting with father, grandfather, Lord Ogden and Madam Bones at my parents' place, Bedford Castle. And, because me grandfather is my effective muggle head of house, permission has been granted for him to be let in on the secret of the wizarding world."

"I'm happy for you, Justin," said Harry. "Give my regards to both Lord Ogden and Madam Bones, would you?"

"Of course," he nodded.

Apparently, the boy had left directly after the last class on Friday and, as he said he would, returned on the Sunday afternoon.

Surprising Harry, he received a knock on their apartment door on Sunday afternoon. It was an auror, who had Finch-Fletchley in tow. "Lord Potter? Are you welcome to seeing guests?"

"Yes, thank you," he replied.

The auror stepped aside and let Finch-Fletchley past to enter.

"Come on in, Justin," said Harry, stepping out of the way to let the other boy in.

Of course, Finch-Fletchley instinctively looked all about as he stepped in, before offering his greetings to Hermione, Daphne and Fleur.

Indicating the boy to take a seat on one of the sofas, Harry asked, "Can I get you anything to drink or nibble upon?"

"No thanks," replied Finch-Fletchley. "I've not long eaten."

Harry nodded and took a seat, himself. "I trust your family business was successfully concluded?"

Finch-Fletchley gave a snort of amusement and said, "Can we drop the highbrow speaking, Harry? I just spent all weekend on that."

Harry grinned and said, "Yup."

Finch-Fletchley let out a sigh of relief, leaned back on the sofa and said, "Thank you. What a weekend."

"So; how'd your meeting go?" asked Harry.

"Meetings, Harry; meet-ings," said the other boy.

"Fruitful?" asked Daphne.

"Oh, that they were," replied Finch-Fletchley. "That meeting I had with Lord Ogden and Madam Bones was only the very tip of the iceberg of what they wanted me to know."

"A taster, yes," nodded Harry. "It was just designed to get you thinking about the subject. I daresay they're nowhere near finished, yet."

"They're not," he replied. "They've now tentatively set up meetings between them, my father and my grandfather for God knows how long.

"It was what they talked about this afternoon that's got me a bit worried, though."

"Care to share?" asked Daphne. "You're under no obligations to do so, though. And no one here will be unhappy if you decide not to."

"No," he sighed. "I... kind of could use the advice; and you four, plus Longbottom, Bones and Abbott; seem to be the best source for advice for this."

Harry grinned, chuckled and said, "They raised the subject of Betrothal Agreements, didn't they."

Finch-Fletchley gave him a slightly pained look and quietly replied, "Yes."

"Did they say with whom?" asked Hermione.

It was Finch-Fletchley's glance at Daphne that clued Harry in on whom they thought.

"Let me guess," he sniggered. "If I know Lord Ogden and Madam Bones as well as I think I do... I think I can guess who one of the lucky ladies could be. If they suggested more than one, was one of the names mentioned... Tracey Davis?"

That had Daphne immediately gasp in shock. Something quite unusual for her when around others outside of their clique.

That Finch-Fletchley only gave him a curious look told Harry he'd guessed right before the boy replied. "How the Hell did you know that, Potter?"

"They told you about the Potter-Longbottom Alliance, right?" asked Harry.

Finch-Fletchley nodded.

"Well, in the Potter-Longbottom Alliance there is only a couple of young women who are currently without partners and who are roughly the same age as you," he replied. "Narrowing that down, I also dismissed those who are the direct Heirs of existing Houses; as they would need Line Continuation clauses in Betrothal Agreements or Concubine Bond Agreements, like Daphne. That's a major risk that could end up with one House or the other ending, due to a lack of begotten Heirs.

"That left only one name; Tracey Davis, Heiress Secondary of the Ancient House of Davis.

"Tracey does not need to be wedded with a Line Continuation clause or enter concubinage, because she has an older brother, Edwin, who is the Heir Primary to House Davis.

"Then, marrying Tracey would be a very astute political move. The Davis family, being Ancient, would give the new House of Finch-Fletchley a near immediate acceptance into magical society. It also shows that Finch-Fletchley, while a new House, is also respectful of the traditions of wizarding Britain. Again, that would help with acceptance.

"Further, such a union would also show you to be firmly in the Potter-Longbottom Alliance 'camp'. And that the Potter-Longbottom Alliance are very welcoming of the new Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley among their ranks and on the Wizengamot.

"It makes perfect sense they would suggest such. Hell, if I was there, I'd probably suggest the same just for those reasons. But I probably wouldn't have mentioned it so soon."

"He's right," said Daphne. "It does make perfect sense."

Harry snickered and said, "Wait until they start talking about concubines."

Finch-Fletchley gave a sigh and a pained look. "They already have."

"Any names you care to share?" asked Daphne.

"None," the other boy firmly returned. "They just suggested it might be an option, but not until after the House was created. Which it will be, by the way."

Harry, still smiling, asked, "Do we celebrate or commiserate, Justin?"

"I don't know!" he returned with almost a whine.

"Then we shall wait until you figure out which one it should be," said Daphne.

Harry then said, "Oh. And... ladies? This is not for discussion outside us five, unless Justin gives prior permission, alright? This is now private Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley business."

"Of course, Harry," said Daphne, as Hermione and Fleur nodded.

Fleur said, "Let us 'ave an early afternoon tea and speak as friends. Dobby?"

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

At the Alliance meeting the next Saturday afternoon, Miles Ogden and Amelia Bones were reporting on their discussion with the 'Finch-Fletchleys' when Augustus MacMillan, only a few months back in the Alliance, was grumbling about allowing in a muggleborn.

Harry had finally had enough and said, "Augustus, I do not believe you have thought it completely through, yet."

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley may be a muggleborn, though I sincerely believe otherwise, but he is the grandson of His Grace Henry Finch-Fletchley, the Duke of Kendal. That means he is of noble blood. In other words, of the Royal family of Windsor.

"That being said, it means his bloodline traces all the way back through history to another very important Royal family - Pendragon."

That had the old man give a start of shock, just as others let out their own expressions of surprise.

Harry continued, "In other words, Lord Justin Finch-Fletchley, Viscount of Lonsdale... who we're talking about here... is a direct descendant of the Pendragon line; irrespective of the fact he is considered muggleborn. Are you that set against one of that line joining our Alliance?"

"Errr..." tried the old man, clearly at a loss for words. "I... confess I had not considered that."

Harry nodded back and said, "Then, let us not speak against considering the line of Finch-Fletchley joining us, just because of Lord Finch-Fletchley's apparent muggleborn status; please." He then softly muttered, "Why am I the only one who'd already figured that out?"

No one close by who'd heard had an answer for him. However, he did notice both Ogden and Bones giving each other 'looks'.

Their current newest member of the Alliance, Jean-Paul Delacour of the Venerable House of Delacour, sat almost opposite and smirked at him, before raising the hand he had on the table just slightly and giving him the almost-missed 'touché' gesture of a touch in fencing.

Fleur was sitting behind him, as was proper. She blew him a kiss.

MacMillan's other complaint was that the Heirs at Hogwarts were ignoring his grandson, Ernie.

"We're not ignoring him," sighed Harry. "I, for one, just do not want anything to do with him. While I have accepted his apology, I have not fully forgiven him. More specifically, I have not forgiven him sufficiently, yet, to consider wanting him and his constant up-himself attitude he gave me for the first three years near me.

"If he starts showing a much more pleasant disposition towards me and the others, we'll more and more start accepting him among us. But, you cannot expect me to completely forgive three constant years of dreadful behaviour in just a few, short months."

Augustus sighed and nodded, "Understood. I only ask you consider it."

"And we shall," he returned with a slight nod. "But, it is his behaviour that will, in effect, dictate our response."

Augustus turned to his Heir and said, "Cyril? Make sure your son knows that."

"Yes, father," the man murmured, clearly determined to do just that.

Harry thought young Ernest 'Pompous Arse' MacMillan was going to be receiving yet another long and painful - for him, that is - lecture. Harry also didn't miss how Augustus referred to the boy as 'your son', rather than 'my grandson'.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After the Wizengamot meeting the next Tuesday - which Harry was now getting used to attending and where he'd brought his own book to read, yet again - life at the castle was both settling down again as well as starting to ramp back up for the Third Task. It was now only five weeks away.

However, on Saturday the twenty second of May, a 'great' furore erupted when workers for the Ministry attended the school with the intent of planting special hedges on the grounds of the Quidditch pitch. They claimed they were acting under orders from the Director of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, Ludovic Bagman, to plant a hedge maze that covered the entire grounds of the pitch. However, they were met by students who were training for Quidditch and who, after figuring out what they were up to, began hexing them to drive them back off the pitch.

That brought down Deputy Headmaster Goodstone, who immediately asked if they'd discussed such a radical thing with the Headmistress yet. When they puffed up with their own self-importance about how they were on Ministry business, the Deputy Headmaster told them they were to immediately go and discuss the matter with the Headmistress, or he'd happily spend the afternoon with 'his' students having fun burning all the hedges back out again as fast as they were planted.

With a huff, the leader of the team of Herbologists stormed up to the castle after first telling his people to wait.

When he came back down fifteen minutes later he stated there was a 'change of plans' and they'd be planting the maze about seven hundred feet east of where they currently were, on an area that was a plain but very large expanse of lawn. In other words, well away from the Quidditch pitch.

The students cat-called them right out of the stadium. For their rudeness, the Deputy Headmaster punished them one point each. Then promptly awarded then five points each for defending Hogwarts property from Ministry-sanctioned 'vandals'.

Apparently, the Deputy Headmaster and Professor of History of Magic was a Quidditch fan.

When Harry heard about it he muttered, "I knew I didn't like that man, for some reason."

That had those who heard him, snicker in amusement. They all now knew how much Harry actually detested Quidditch.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Two weeks later and on the Friday, the first Friday of June, as they were walking out of their first class for the day, History of Magic, they were approached by Finch-Fletchley. He asked, "Do you mind if I come up to your apartment after last class? I have news."

"Of course not," said Harry. "You're more than welcome."

Then, later that day and after last class, Harry waited out in the main corridor outside the door to the Lords' Quarters for Justin as the girls headed directly inside.

While waiting and assured there was no one else in sight, he asked, "If there's an auror here, can I have a word?"

A few seconds later, one disillusioned themselves and asked, "Lord Potter?"

"I just wanted the detail to know that I would like them to add Justin Finch-Fletchley, Fourth Year Hufflepuff, to those allowed directly into the Lords' Quarters," Harry explained. "He's now considered a close friend. He'll be by within the next couple of minutes, so you can see what he looks like if you don't already know."

"We know he's soon to be a Lord in his own right and a member of the Potter-Longbottom Alliance," said the auror, with a slight smirk. "Plus, scuttlebutt has it he'll probably also soon have his own apartment within the Lords' Quarters."

Harry looked back in surprise. "That last one's news to me," he said. "That must mean moves to establish the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley are more advanced than I thought."

The auror gave a smile, a nod and re-established the disillusionment charm, fading away again.

Less than a minute later, Finch-Fletchley rounded the corner at the Grand Staircase end and walked towards Harry. He looked both worried and happy.

Harry immediately went to the door and escorted the boy inside.

As soon as Harry opened the door to the apartment he could see the girls weren't in sight and were probably changing. He called, "If any of you ladies are thinking of walking through here naked, you need to rethink that. We have a guest!"

Hermione came out of the office and barked back, "Harrison James Potter!" A bit more calmly she demanded, "When have we ever walked through the apartment, naked?"

"Well, you haven't," he said, as both Daphne and Fleur came out of Fleur's room; deliberately ignoring the two times she'd done precisely that. "Buu-uut... that doesn't mean you weren't considering it; or that you weren't considering it, today."

As Justin snickered and moved to sit on a sofa, Hermione gave a huff and said, "Well it's certainly not going to happen, now."

"Oh, I don't know," said Fleur, also moving to sit on a sofa. "Sounds like fun."

"Fleur!" Hermione whined. "Don't encourage him."

As both Daphne and Hermione came over Harry snickered and said, "Come and sit down. Justin has news for us."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After the Hufflepuff boy laid out for them what had been happening of late, he said, "So, tomorrow morning I go to Gringotts. I perform the Rite of Inheritance and sign the papers creating the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley. Chief Warlock Lord Ogden will immediately alert the Minister and get the papers moving to establish the Seat. At the same time Lady Marchbanks will be made my magical guardian.

"Then, at the next Wizengamot meeting, I present my credentials and officially claim the Seat. And Lady Marchbanks, as my magical guardian, will act as my Regent until I take the Seat in my own right. Officially in the magical world I remain Heir Apparent Finch-Fletchley until I'm either of-age or emancipated earlier. Somehow, I think that's going to happen earlier."

Harry nodded and replied, "What about here at school? While you might be Heir Apparent Finch-Fletchley of the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley, with your father and grandfather being considered non-magical it creates an interesting situation. As muggles do not have rights in wizarding Britain, you'd legally be an orphan and Head of your House."

"Yeah, that feels... odd," he replied. "But, Headmistress Lady Marchbanks and Professor Sprout said that's what all muggleborns are considered under law. That's what I'm already considered."

"You need to be careful about what you want made public," said Daphne. "Once the single witches, plus many of their Heads of Houses, figure out you're actually a descendant of the Great Pendragon, betrothal contracts are going to come flying at you, literally, by way of owls. And girls are going to throw themselves at you; some boys, who think you might beat for the other team, will too."

"We're aware," he blushed. "Professor Sprout is going to screen my mail for me."

Harry leaned forward and said, "Justin. This is important. If you get a girl pregnant... unlike in the muggle world... you will have to marry her. Understand?"

Though with a slight blush, Justin looked Harry right in the eye, nodded and said, "Yeah, I know. That, too, has been made clear to me, my father and my grandfather. Lord Ogden's already taken me aside and taught me... umm..."

"The temporary sterility charms," Harry finished for him. "Good. Don't ever forget to use them."

Before leaving a little later, Justin asked, "After everything's complete tomorrow, do you mind if I come up and visit?"

"Not at all," said Hermione. "We'd love to have you."

As Acting Lady of the House, it was Hermione's position to accept. It was one of the thing's Daphne and Fleur had taught her.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As good as he asked, the next day Justin came up and visited a little after lunch. He looked so 'burned out' Harry immediately offered him a seat. The boy almost bonelessly dropped into it.

That's when he noticed Neville was in the room.

"Where's―?" he started to ask.

Neville replied, "Harry's three are in with my two. They're having a 'girl talk' session. I got out of there as fast as I could and came over to visit Harry, since I knew he'd be alone."

Looking to Justin, Harry asked, "Have you eaten lunch let?"

"No," Justin replied. "It took longer than we thought."

Harry called, "Dobby."

With barely a pop Dobby appeared. "Yes, Master Harry, Sir?"

"Justin, here, hasn't eaten lunch," he said. "Would you mind making him something?"

"Dobby can," the elf replied, before popping away.

"Harry," said the other boy. "You don't have to go to so much trouble."

"What trouble?" Harry asked right back. "Dobby loves the work. So, you just made him happy by needing something he can get for you."

Only a couple of seconds later, a dinner plate loaded with sandwiches and chips (fries), together with a goblet of pumpkin juice appeared on the coffee table.

Indicating it, Harry said, "There ya go."

Justin looked at it, gave a huff of amusement and sat forward. He was quickly getting it down.

As both Harry and Neville knew the boy would immediately stop if they talked to him, they remained silent. Instead, Harry picked up two books, handed one to Neville and both read until the boy finished.

Once he'd polished off the plate and the goblet, Justin sat back with a contented sigh and said, "Thanks, Harry."

"You're welcome," he smiled back.

"Well," said the boy, sitting forward again. "About what happened today."

"You don't need to tell us, Justin," said Harry.

"I know," he replied. "I just wanted to share it with someone."

"Then, we're all ears," said Harry, flicking the book closed and setting it aside, as Neville did the same.

Once he'd finished explaining, Neville gave a low whistle. "Your grandfather just dumped one million galleons into a vault for you, just like that?"

"Yeah," replied Finch-Fletchley. "He does things like that, sometimes. I think he was 'sending a message' about the wealth of my family."

"What does he expect you to do with it?" asked Neville.

"Through me, his instructions to the goblins were to invest about eighty percent of it," he replied. "I think he wants to find out just how good the goblins really are, compared to muggle investment bankers."

"Clever," mused Harry. "While he might lose five million Pounds Sterling, he stands to gain a Hell of a lot more. If nothing else, he learns something of the ways the goblins handle money."

Justin said, "I didn't see that, but you're right. Mainly, I think he did it to get the goblins to treat me with respect. Apparently, I'm now in their top five percent of most wealthiest customers.

"Grandfather also told them that, if they make a good showing with the investments, he'll deposit even more."

Harry gave a bark of laughter. "It appears Lord Ogden, probably, told your grandfather how to impress the goblins."

Neville, grinning, said, "You'll get premium treatment from them, from now on."

"So, Justin," said Harry. "Marchbanks is now your regent?"

"Yup."

"Has she told you about the Alliance meeting next Saturday?"

"Yeah," he replied. "She says, I'm to come along."

"Good," said Harry as Neville nodded. "Dress will be smart wizarding casual. Have enough wizarding casual wear?"

"I do now," the boy replied. "Lady Marchbanks practically forced me into Madam Malkins', as soon as we left the bank."

"You're lucky neither Harry's nor my girls were with you," grinned Neville. "You'd probably not be back even now."

"Oh! And Justin?" said Harry. When the other boy looked to him, he said, "Now that you're one of us, dinner is in here tonight at 7.00pm. Us Heirs of the Alliance all get together on a Saturday night."

Neville grinned and said, "We come because Harry cooks on Saturday nights. You're in for a treat."

Justin looked at Harry in surprise and asked, "You cook?"

"I chef!" Harry declared with a smile.

Neville snickered in amusement.

After taking his leave for a while, Justin returned for dinner that night. And found himself just as amazed at Harry's cooking as everyone else did the first time they tried it.

But Harry did have to threaten 'that misbegotten and unwanted spawn of a goblin and hinkypuck' not to try to cook before he got into the kitchen to do it himself.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

A week later, Justin joined them in the trip to Abbott's Ford, the ancestral home of the Abbotts. He was, as requested, dressed in good quality wizarding casual.

"Looking good, Justin," said Harry, upon seeing him.

"Thank you," he smiled. "Professor Sprout picked it out for me."

"She has nice taste," said Daphne.

When they arrived, one of the first groups to do so, Harry handed the boy off to Miles Ogden; who then introduced him around to the members of the Alliance that were already there, then to those who arrived after their group.

At the table in the Abbott's dining room he was sat behind Lady Marchbanks, who quietly instructed him on what he needed to know. And to write down any questions he had and she'd do her best to answer them for him.

The first order of business was the official welcoming of the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley to their ranks, with Lady Marchbanks acting as his regent.

As with Jean-Paul a couple meetings earlier, Frank presented Justin with his very own copy of the Alliance Charter. His had a feature that allowed him to open it in the presence of his father and or grandfather and discuss what was within. However, once Justin came of age, that feature would be removed through the master copy, currently held by Frank. It was also through the master copy Frank held why he was the one who presented new copies of the Charter.

The other members also made sure that Justin knew he could 'call upon them' if he needed assistance or information on any matter. He thanked them all with a smile.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

On return to the castle the group headed directly to the Lords' Quarters where Harry immediately headed for the kitchen to try and get there before Dobby started to cook, only to find the little munchkin had already anticipated him and had begun.

"Damn it!"

Though it wasn't a 'Harry' meal, due to the meeting running a little over time, the group still met. Of course, one of the main subjects was Justin's views on the meeting.

Apparently, he found it interesting, but also similar to meetings his father had to attend with his grandfather with Alliances relating to the House of Lords.

"They're a good group of people, though," he said. "Just like in the muggle world... for most of them... once you get past the pomp and circumstance, they're okay. Except MacMillan's father, he's... I wouldn't quite call him a bigot. But, he's not far off."

"It explains why Ernie MacMillan is such a pompous arse though, doesn't it?" asked Harry.

Justin nodded back with a smirk. "At least you don't have to put up with him in a dorm for seven years. In there, he's even worse. During the first week here in First Year, he tried to tell the rest of us how important he is because of how important his grandfather is.

"It was Zack Smith who figured out how to handle him. Every time he'd gotten stroppy, Zack would ask him things like, 'How close are you related to Draco Malfoy, Ernie? You and he sure behave a lot alike'; things like that."

Neville snorted at that one. "That's clever," he quietly said.

Justin nodded and said, "He'd be fine again for about a week or so. Then he'd stick his nose in the air again. And one of us would then have to go and cut him down all over again. 'Ernie, are you sure you're not from a dark family? You're starting to behave like you are'. And we'd get another period of peace."

"Well," sighed Harry, "For now, the Seat of MacMillan is another vote in the Wizengamot. At a time when we need all the votes we can get which we don't have to fight for, I don't want to just go and throw it away, probably across to the opposition, if we can help it.

"We'll revisit the membership of MacMillan in the Alliance after old Augustus passes."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The next day was the final match of the foreshortened Quidditch season with Hufflepuff playing Gryffindor. Again, the heirs trooped down to the pitch to watch.

As they passed the maze and across to their left, Neville said, "That's the Nipponese Strangle Box Hedge. Fast growing, they are. They have a tendency to rearrange themselves into hedges of their own design."

"That forms part of the Third Task, Nev," said Harry.

Neville looked back and said, "Watch out for the roots. They'll try and ensnare you and drag you into and against the trunks."

"Noted," said Harry. "Thanks."

"They're fast, too, Harry," the boy further warned. "They'll lash out in a second."

"Thank you," he said. Then looked to Fleur. "Got that, Fleur?"

"Yes, my Love," she said. Then turned to Neville and said, "Thank you, my friend."

Neville nodded back, happy he'd been able to contribute and warned his friends.

As for the game, it was won by Gryffindor with Ginny, again, catching the snitch. The size difference between her and Cedric, who chose to still play as both captain and seeker for the Badgers, was telling. He just could not, quite, keep up with her. Her pulling ahead just that extra two feet was enough to see her grab the snitch before he could.

The end scores, once all were tallied, even meant that Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup, yet again.

As they walked back to the castle, Harry was feeling quite relieved. With Ginny proven now to be a capable seeker, any pressure that might have been brought to bear on him if she hadn't performed as well as he'd hoped would be non-existent. He truly was free of the so-called sport.

Separating a little from the group but with Neville in tow, Harry quietly told him, "When Johnson approaches you to return the broom Ginny's using, tell her Ginny's 'benefactor' said the young Miss Weasley is to keep the broom for performing so well upon it."

Neville smiled back and replied, "I thought you might end up saying that. I'll tell her."

"Thanks, Nev," said Harry.

With Ginny highly likely slotting into the team as seeker for next year as well, once Johnson, Spinnet and the Weasley twins all retired at the end of that year, that would mean Bell would take over as Captain. She'd only have the one year as it would be her Seventh and would be a year he highly doubted the team would do better than take the wooden spoon as the team in last place.

However, by giving the broom to Ginny as 'congratulations' on winning the shortened season as seeker, they might just have a chance not to come last, after all. He did not believe for a single moment they'd win the Cup.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As the Wizengamot meeting was called to order on the following Tuesday, all the major players were already aware that a supposed muggleborn was about to take Seat in the tiers of members.

Madam Bones had aurors stationed, disillusioned, behind those who were the most likely to react violently, with even more being on the floor.

Lady Marchbanks hadn't taken her seat, either. She was at the back of the chamber under the visitors' gallery waiting with young Justin.

Justin believed it was normal for one's magical guardian to stand with them. It was not. She was there and would act as his last line of defence if anyone managed to get a curse off at him. Very few remembered the formidable woman, though quite old, still held a Mastery in Defence.

When Ogden brought the session to order, he gave a short speech about the decorum of the nobility before calling for new business.

While quite a few were confused by his remarks, they were deliberate. It was a warning about the consequences of 'uncouth' or 'improper' behaviour in the chambers.

The first item of new business was always left for new members about to take Seat to step forward and present themselves. And Justin, with Lady Marchbanks at his heel, did just that.

"I, Justin Edward Finch-Fletchley, Viscount of Lonsdale, have business before this chamber."

That had a few mutterings. It was obvious the young man was here to take Seat or sit a Regent or Proxy. But, no one seemed to know who he was. And those who did, weren't talking.

Ogden immediately returned, as was proper, "Step forward, Mister Finch-Fletchley, and state your business."

Justin took a breath, took the one pace forward required and said, "I, Justin Edward Finch-Fletchley, Viscount of Lonsdale, both wizard of good standing and holding noble title within The Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, come before you to accept what is mine by right, by magic and by Charter; to have my House be Seated among you, my magical peers."

That caused a major kerfuffle, but not anywhere near what Harry thought there'd be. Mainly, people were looking to one another in confusion, asking one another what Justin was talking about.

Ogden, before the noise could become too loud, replied, "By the Charter of the Wizengamot, you must be of an established House to take Seat. Are you of such a House, Mister Finch-Fletchley?"

"I am," he replied. "Through the good offices of the Goblin Nation and under authority of Director Ragnok of Gringotts, as per existing and established treaty, the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley has been created."

Ogden gave a nod and gestured with his off-hand, "Then bring your authorities up to me, so I may verify them."

Justin removed from his robes a small stack of parchment, walked forward and reached up to hand them to Ogden. Then he backed away to return to his spot.

Ogden made a show of going through them before creating two copies and sending one to the Scribe.

"Your authorities have been confirmed, Lord Finch-Fletchley," he said. "However, are you of age to take Seat?"

"Nay, Chief Warlock," said Justin. "As such, I name as my proxy, my regent and magical guardian, Lady Griselda Marchbanks of the Noble and Ancient House of Marchbanks, to the Seat of Finch-Fletchley, to vote as warranted and required in my name."

Ogden immediately turned to Marchbanks and asked, "Lady Marchbanks; do you accept this honour and responsibility?"

Marchbanks stepped forward beside Justin and replied, "I do, Chief Warlock."

"Then, let it be so," said Ogden, banging his gavel once.

Justin said, "My thanks and the thanks of the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley, Chief Warlock." Then he bowed and walked back to the visitors' gallery as Marchbanks walked to the stairs.

Harry was quick to step down to offer his elbow to escort her up.

When he turned back to see where Justin had gone, he could see he was sitting in the gallery with three adults, two men and a woman, all dressed in expensive clothing; all congratulating him. It wasn't hard to figure out they were his parents and grandfather.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

While there wasn't much of a kerfuffle in the Wizengamot when Justin claimed his Seat, that was mainly because the members had little idea about what was going on. And, whenever the Charter is mentioned, members are generally always very wary of coming out in opposition of that.

However, the Daily Prophet the next morning had not only that Justin had claimed a Seat, but the whole background as to why he could. The Slytherins, especially Malfoy, were not the first, but were definitely the most noisily, to react. The Ravenclaws were, unsurprisingly, the first. And even some of them seemed a little irate. Harry was careful to note the ones who were.

The Hufflepuffs were, almost unanimously, pleased as punch. Harry was careful to note the ones who weren't of that House, too.

And the Gryffindors, while some were at first upset, as soon as they saw the Slytherins were even more upset, immediately changed their tunes and appeared happy. Harry still took note of the ones who originally weren't, though.

Hermione and Daphne were collating a list of the ones who most strongly reacted in the negative. They'd be the ones who'd be closely watched in order to protect Justin.

Malfoy was one of the ones who earned a detention for his 'rude behaviour' then appeared almost terrified he was. That he hadn't reacted scared when previously given detention, but did now, set alarm bells ringing in Harry's mind. Unusual behaviour was an oddity that didn't gel.

Finally, Marchbanks had enough and fired off a triple of Cannonblast charms.

In the ensuing silence she stood and firmly said, "That is enough." Then she turned to Professor Goodstone and said, "Professor, as our resident expert on Magical History, perhaps in your classes for the next week you educate our students on just how it is that Lord Finch-Fletchley was able to claim a Seat in the Wizengamot."

He nodded back and clearly said, "That sounds like a wonderful topic, Headmistress."

As the man returned to his meal and mail, Harry looked to Tracey and said, "Tracey; Malfoy's reaction to earning a detention was near panic. That is odd, considering his previous behaviour in reaction to such. Perhaps you might subtly try to find out why?"

She nodded and replied, "I noticed that, too. It is most curious."

Daphne begged her, "Be careful."

"Always," she replied with a smile.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Another who was very unhappy with what he read in the Daily Prophet, was homunculus-Riddle.

He'd taken one quick read of the article, before he demanded Pettigrew bring him his potion. As soon as Pettigrew did so, Riddle Cruciatus cursed him right then and there.

Once he'd vented his immediate anger, he demanded, "Give me your arm!"

As Pettigrew shakily raised his arm with it's Dark Mark - Pettigrew knew his master wouldn't have asked for his other arm - Riddle jabbed his wand-tip into the Mark and cast magic through it.

While painful for Pettigrew when he did that, it was nowhere near the level of pain from the Cruciatus curse.

A few moments later, Riddle withdrew his wand-tip and snarled, "As soon as Walden and Lucius turn up, send them directly in to see me. Now, get out and wait for them!"

Pettigrew whimpered, "Yes, Master." And hurried to stagger to his feet and escape the room.

As he left, Riddle imbibed of his potion and returned to the newspaper.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As MacNair needed to try to make his excuses to get out of the Ministry, Malfoy didn't need such and was first before his Master.

As soon as the long-haired blonde was in his 'rightful' place before his master - on his knees with his head bowed, as was proper - Riddle threw his copy of the Daily Prophet onto the ground before Malfoy and demanded, "Why am I learning of this... mudblood's... elevation to the Wizengamot through the newspaper!? Why were not members of my inner circle first to bring me this news?"

Malfoy was quick to reply, "My own investigations have informed me it appears the so-called Potter-Longbottom Alliance conspired to hide this atrocity from the pure and faithful, My Lord. No one worthy was aware it was going to happen until the mudblood stepped forward, spat on our traditions and demanded a Seat."

"No word, at all?" demanded Riddle.

"None, My Lord," replied Malfoy. "As My Lord is aware, the blood-traitor Black has stripped me of my rightful Seat and, with it, much of my political power. Parkinson and Nott have proven ineffective in gathering the information, as they should. As such, they did not inform me this was in the wind."

Riddle demanded, "This new Minister, Brunt; can he be enticed to my side?"

"I believe not, My Lord," he replied. "Brunt is drunk on his own self-importance and, when I approached him about seeing me returned to the Wizengamot with healthy bribes, spurned me and my gold."

Riddle thought things through for a long moment, before he sneered, "Very well. Then we shall have to replace him with one who can be bent to our will.

"Now, while we await MacNair, how goes your mission?"

As Malfoy explained and laid out what he'd done and set in motion, Riddle slowly smiled.

When MacNair turned up about half an hour later, he was first met with the torture curse and Riddle's admonishment to develop a way he could more quickly answer his master's call.

When questioned as to why he did not report on the mudblood's 'theft' of a Seat on the Wizengamot, he could only offer that, as he worked in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, he was not privy to information that related directly to the Wizengamot outside of the auspices of the Department in which he worked.

That earned him another dose of the Cruciatus curse.

"Then fix it!" snapped Riddle. "I expect you to be more knowledgeable to what is happening within the halls of the Ministry from this point in time."

"Y-yes, My Lord," the man whimpered.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

It was only the next day that unknown individuals accosted Justin as he was heading from the DADA classroom to the library on his own.

Whoever it was, hurt him enough he ended up in the Infirmary. However, whoever it was were also smart enough to attack him in such a way they would not get caught. They only used physical attacks, beating on him with their fists and feet, then obliviated him of any knowledge of exactly who it was except to leave him only enough knowledge of the event to know it was Slytherin and Ravenclaw upperclassmen; and that the punishment would be even worse if he did not immediately uncreate his House and remove said House from the Wizengamot.

Harry, for one, was furious. However, apparently Madam Marchbanks and her staff were even more furious; especially Professor Sprout.

The auror who was supposed to be watching him, a female and suspected blood bigot, had claimed he'd entered a male toilet and she had used the opportunity, herself, to visit the female toilets. She was not immediately dismissed because she was also supposedly the first one to find him in that male toilet, bloody and clearly beaten. It was her, who sent out the alert and rushed him to the Infirmary. Instead, after a quick investigation she was immediately stripped of her assigned duties at the castle, considered a 'cushy' posting, and tasked with duties at Azkaban.

Professors Vector and Sprout with Deputy Headmaster Goodstone, stormed into the Slytherin common rooms and searched all possessions looking for signs of blood on dirty clothing. They found none. Then they searched the Ravenclaw dorms for the same thing, also finding none.

Annoyingly, the ward that covered the casting of curses and the like in the corridors did not also apply to the toilets. The obliviation charm was picked up, but the attackers had scarpered before a member of staff could get there. And that was only moments after the auror.

It is what led the staff and senior aurors to deeply suspect the auror saw who actually did the deed, but she flatly and continued to deny all knowledge. Hence, her reassignment to Azkaban as a guard.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Justin was released from the Infirmary less than two days later, on the next Friday. And immediately moved into the Lords' Quarters in an apartment of his own - a two-bedroom.

At first, he tried to refuse. However, Harry convinced him it made the job of protecting him from further attacks that much easier for the aurors and staff.

Surprisingly, it wasn't just Susan and Hannah, as fellow Hufflepuffs, that spent the most time visiting him while he was infirmed. It was Tracey. Eventually, she confessed to feeling guilty about him being hurt, because she had not learned it was in the wind in advance.

And it was Justin who had to comfort her for her self-believed guilt. And assure her he, in no way, thought her at fault.

As his magical guardian, Marchbanks had come to visit a couple times each day. She saw Justin having to comfort Tracey after the first day, the Thursday, smirked and quietly left without a word and without either teen seeing her. Only Robinson knew she was there for that few moments.

The only thing the others thought she did was to alert the other heirs about Tracey's perceived self-blame over the issue. And the others made sure Tracey knew that none of them thought her to blame. They did not know Marchbanks had been in daily contact with Justin's parents, or that she'd also contacted Tracey's parents.

With Justin out of the Infirmary, the others made sure he felt no guilt, himself, over what happened; or that he now had a set of Lords' Quarters of his own.

"You're entitled to it, Justin," said Harry. "While you're not yet a magical of-age Lord, you are still the rightful Head of a Noble House. An apartment like this falls under entitlement. Enjoy it!"

Justin sighed and said, "But, all this room... I don't even have this much to myself at Bedford Castle."

"You don't?" asked Neville. "I thought, it being a castle and all―"

Justin shook his head and replied, "No. The family only occupies all of the second floor and the end of the bottom floor of the same wing, the west wing, which houses the family kitchen and dining room. All the rest is given over to the local community for community events and the like."

Hermione said, "That's actually normal in the modern muggle world, Neville. There is no longer a need for castles, but they're too important to the history of our nation to get rid of them."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ