Chapter Seventy Three - A Fervent Speech

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Chapter Seventy Three - A Fervent Speech

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As usual, it would be a morning session for court. Bones had decided not to hold off the trials until the next week, the normal sitting of the Wizengamot, for whatever reason of which Harry was unaware. He suspected it was because she wanted to get it out of the way before Yaxley's supporters could gather him even more support.

She claimed she didn't think it would make any difference, seeing as he eventually 'coughed' to the crime. However, she was also not willing to take any chances.

Though Harry thought Justin might have been denied attendance, Lady Marchbanks had put her foot down against dissenters and stated he'd be attending.

So Harry, Justin, CeeCee and Natalie - all accompanied by Lady Marchbanks - headed for the Wizengamot chambers at about 9.30am on the Tuesday for the trial.

As soon as they stepped out of the floo they were met by Sirius and Narcissa. And the now seven, with Lady Marchbanks again on Harry's arm, headed up to the DMLE offices. Again, a small posse of aurors surrounded them as they stepped out of the floo.

Then, as soon as they arrived and it was assured the others were all with Bones, Harry and Marchbanks left and headed down to the chambers. Harry was eager to get a feel for the mood of the other Members as they arrived. He also wanted a word with the other Alliance members. Sirius, though he had a Seat, had already and rightfully recused himself, so would 'escort' CeeCee and Natalie as co-magical guardian.

As soon as Harry and Marchbanks were gone, Bones looked to who remained in the office with her and said, "Alright. This is how trials in wizarding Britain work and how this one will go down..."

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After accomplishing what he wanted to do well within the remaining time, when the Members were called to enter Harry had to duck back out onto the main floor. He was a witness and, therefore, had to give testimony. As he'd temporarily given his proxy to Frank Longbottom, he only needed to make sure the documentation for that was in the hands of the Court Scribe before he could head for the visitors' gallery and meet back up with Narcissa.

The first trial was the recovered Adrien Pucey. Clearly 'broken' he'd pleaded Guilty, right from the start. Then he went into what happened, when and why. He offered no excuses other than his father was being blackmailed by Corban Yaxley into forcing him, Adrien, to attempt to kill CeeCee; or, as he put it, 'the muggleborn bitch who stole the Malfoy fortune'.

Both CeeCee and Natalie were called up first to give testimony of what they were doing leading up to the attack. Then Natalie spoke of what happened immediately afterwards.

"You saw who cast the charm?" pressed Bones.

"Yes," said a confident Natalie. She then pointed a finger at Pucey and said, "He did."

Medi-wizard Robinson gave testimony that the 'charm' used by Pucey, if it wasn't for a house elf popping her directly into his presence together with his quickly determining what curse she'd been hit with, would have killed her.

"So," said Bones, handling the questioning, "The hardening charm, Duro, would have been fatal if not for both the little elf and your ability to quickly determine what had happened?"

"Yes," he replied. "Even then, it was a close thing. Seconds later and I doubt I'd have been able to save her."

Harry was then called and gave his account of what had happened from his own point of view. He even spoke of how Pucey first tried to make it seem as if it was he who was attacked, rather than being the attacker, until Harry confronted him in the presence of the two professors.

However, Harry was not required to speak about what had happened a short while later in Marchbanks's office. The defence law-wizard tried to argue that Harry had misheard, or might have been lying. However, as soon as Harry said, "If you doubt my word or recollection I'm more than willing to submit a memory for the pensieve."

That had the law-wizard immediately back-pedal and claim it wasn't necessary.

Harry then said, "So, you accept my recollection is accurate after all, do you?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he turned to the Chief Adjudicator and firmly said, "I have no further questions for this witness."

Pucey the younger was sentenced to ten years in Azkaban medium security. However, he was held back to provide evidence in the cases against both his father and Yaxley.

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Harry thought they'd trial Pucey senior next. However, they brought in Yaxley first.

'Ah!' he thought. 'This way, they can use the evidence already accepted in both Pucey junior and Yaxley's cases to try Pucey senior. Clever.'

Yaxley was found guilty of blackmail, accessory before the fact and conspiracy to commit murder. He was sentenced to fifteen years medium security for the conspiracy to murder charge. However, he received an added five years for the attempted blackmail; the second sentence to be served consecutively to the first. That meant he wouldn't be out for twenty years. They returned a verdict of 'no finding' for the accessory before the fact charge as the conspiracy charge made it moot.

Harry thought it was irrelevant as he did not believe the older man would survive anywhere near half that long. Very few did; Sirius not withstanding.

When Ambrose Pucey was brought in and pleaded 'Not guilty', Bones immediately hit him with the evidence already submitted and accepted from the first two trials and said, "Perhaps you would like to change your plea? It will not be held against you if you do so now. However, if you do not accept this offer, then it will be held against you when you will be found guilty of your crimes."

Knowing he was definitely sunk, Pucey changed his plea. It was also laid out Yaxley was blackmailing him for being involved, back when Riddle was running around, with kidnapping and shipping young muggleborns off overseas in a slave market. The gold raised went to Riddle's war effort.

He was sentenced to Azkaban for life in the maximum security section. If he gave up, under Veritaserum, all he knew of the details surrounding the young muggleborn girls and what happened to them, he'd be serving it in the medium security section. He took the offer.

Unknown to Harry, that information was collected, collated and the details sent to the ICW's International auror and hit wizard force. Over thirty wizards, especially in the middle east and far east, were captured in raids over the next six months. Out of the fifty-plus girls that were taken, less than a handful were found still alive. All the wizards involved, less Pucey, were tried at the ICW. However, Pucey was a major witness in their trials. All of them were quietly executed. The remaining muggleborns were in no physical or mental fit state to return to their original lives - for all of them, their families had been killed when they were taken - and assistance was given to them to try and build new lives away from magical Britain and the countries to which they'd been 'sold'.

Though Ambrose Pucey was sent to the medium security wing of Azkaban, he still died five years later a very much broken man. His death was considered suspicious, but no evidence was found of foul play or who could have done it.

That evening of the trial, Harry sent Dobby to Diagon Alley to purchase a large and a medium tub of strawberry flavoured ice-cream. Then had the elf deliver the first to Natalie in her dorm, together with a half dozen spoons, for her and her dorm mates; and had the second delivered to CeeCee in the Finch-Fletchley apartment. He also included notes for both Natalie and CeeCee informing them they'd done real good that day in court.

The next morning he received big hugs from both girls. And Tracey added her own a little later. She'd 'shared' CeeCee's tub at the younger girl's invitation. A little later he'd found out Natalie had, as he suspected she would, shared hers with the other girls in the Third Year Gryffindor girls' dorm; and they sat around it in their pyjamas polishing it off and chatting.

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―==(oIo)==―

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Over the next couple of days, as they'd been for the past couple of weeks, notes were flying back and forth between the leading and involved members of the Alliance, plus two, plus Ted Tonks and the Longbottom Law-wizard of Record who was responsible for drafting the new Alliance documents. A new Charter needed to written and agreed upon.

All that work culminated in the meeting on the next Saturday of the Alliance. As 'special guests', also included were Sirius Black, Narcissa Malfoy and CeeCee. To make it so no one would speak against attendance of any of the three if the meeting was to be held at their residence, Harry had earlier offered Pottermore as the meeting place. Frank was grateful, but had also been prepared to offer Longbottom Hall if needed.

The meeting was scheduled for an hour after the lunch period at Hogwarts.

However, Harry and his three flooed to Pottermore directly from the end of lunch. They had work to do to get Pottermore ready for the meeting.

One of the things he needed to do was stretch out the formal dining table a little. As well as the twenty, until then, Houses in the Alliance, there would also be attending the Houses of Black and Malfoy, Law-wizards of Record Ted Tonks for Potter and Black and Thaddeus Wynch of Wynch and Associates for Longbottom. They would all have a seat at the table. Heir Primaries, of course, would be seated behind; as well as an associate of each of the law-wizards, who were there for record-keeping purposes. That brought the number up to twenty-four who would be sitting at the table. The Pottermore formal dining table was standard configured to sit eighteen, so it was no inconvenience to slot an extra in at both of the sides to sit the twenty. However, twenty-four was too many to accommodate without adjusting the table to allow them all to comfortably sit. Fleur handled that.

Harry was surprised to figure out he was actually nervous; or, at least, more nervous than for something like speaking before the 'Mot.

As members began to arrive, Harry's three ladies did the escorting to the right areas; even though there was no one who would be attending, other than Wynch and his associate, who had not already been there before.

Last to arrive, as planned, were Sirius and Narcissa. CeeCee had arrived with Justin as one of the first 'families' of the noble Houses, as was proper. But, she begged to hang back to wait for 'Mum Narcissa' and Harry had no problem with it.

He only said, "Just stay back out of the receiving line, keep quiet and try to pretend to be a piece of furniture for the moment. You're a guest here and take no part in the receiving line."

She blushed, thanked him and moved to stand off to the side near the doors leading to the formal dining room.

As soon as Narcissa... Dowager Malfoy... stepped out of the floo, CeeCee gave a soft squeal and dashed forward to give the woman a hug before she was more than two steps out of the floo. After Narcissa 'walked the receiving line' she turned to CeeCee and softly admonished her for acting without proper decorum.

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―==(oIo)==―

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Once all the relevant witches and wizards were in their seats, Harry opened the meeting by standing and stating, "Thank you, all, for attending what I would have to say is the second most auspicious meeting of our Alliance. I would say, without evidence supporting it, the first meeting of the Alliance would have been the most auspicious.

"Today marks the day when our alliance sheds the moniker 'The Potter-Longbottom Alliance' and takes as its standard 'The Grand Alliance'."

Harry was surprised when there was a short, but heartfelt, sudden round of applause.

"Thank you," he said. "While I might have been the one who first openly tabled the concept, I am aware this has also been a dream of House Longbottom since the early days of the Alliance. Plus, as I have been far too busy dealing with being a student at Hogwarts in their OWL year, the development of the new Charter has been championed by Lord Longbottom of House Longbottom.

"With your indulgence, I now hand the Chair of the meeting to he." And followed that up by sliding the gavel across to Frank, who accepted it with a smile.

It also generated another soft round of applause as Harry walked to sit at the other end of the table, where Frank should have sat.

With the gavel in his hand and beginning to twirl it through his fingers, a sign Harry already knew signalled he was nervous, Frank outlaid what had been done and then called on Mister Wynch to give the legal arguments for what needed to happen.

Less than an hour later, the Potter-Longbottom Alliance was no more and the Grand Alliance had been formed. As it was the commencement of a new Alliance, there was no need to 'invite' the Houses of Black or Malfoy to join. They became founding members of the new Alliance, along with the 'pre-existing' membership of the old Potter-Longbottom Alliance.

Their Alliance now had twenty-two member Houses, of which nine held seats on the Wizengamot in their own right. That was a significant number of votes that could not be scoffed at. That three of those members were of the Seven would also allow the Alliance to carry a fair bit more political weight than they had as the Potter-Longbottom Alliance.

It was also hoped it would bring in even further members, who would see the size of the voting bloc and want to become part of it. It was a good start.

The only ones grumbling about it were, again, old MacMillan plus, surprisingly, a couple of the Elder Houses. While Sirius had been proven to be a wizard of the light, they had too many years of thinking him to be 'the right hand man' of Voldemort and a member of one of the darkest Houses of wizarding Britain to just let go of their prejudices so quickly or easily.

Harry was hopeful that Sirius's fun-living and pleasant side, once he allowed the second more freedom, would aid in that.

There was also now far more welcoming of CeeCee occurring, since she was clearly the companion of a phoenix. Narcissa, however, was still looked upon with wariness. It wasn't just that she was the Dowager Malfoy, either; but that she, too, was a member of the House of Black.

Narcissa sat at the table with Sirius, acting as Regent for House Malfoy, with CeeCee sitting behind her. And Andi, as Heiress Primary, sat behind Sirius and alongside CeeCee.

What Harry did not know, though, was that a lot of the wives of members no longer saw Narcissa in that light. He didn't notice until they were all leaving that many of the wives now also wore the little metal lapel badge that showed them to be members of the Tapestry Circle.

The men folk were not yet aware, but the wives and other dowagers would ensure Narcissa was given a 'fair shake' by the rest of the Alliance, whether the menfolk liked it or not.

Harry thought, 'Just how bloody large has this club of theirs gotten, anyway?'

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After the meeting Frank, Alice, Neville and his, plus Justin and his, all hung back with Harry and his to discuss more informally their views of the meeting.

"It went even better than I thought," said Frank, smiling. He turned to Alice and asked, "How did things go in your meeting?"

"You'd be surprised," smiled Alice. "There was no rancour to Narcissa being present at all. Many of us know her quite well and do not doubt her allegiance and intent."

That surprised Harry, just as it seemed to do for Frank, Neville and Justin, but it was also obvious none of the girls were surprised. Harry thought it was because they'd spent time with her recently. He was still unaware of the true reason for the Tapestry Circle and the womenfolk were keeping it that way. Law-wizard Dewey was still the only male aware of its true purpose.

"I fear we're going to lose MacMillan, after all," scowled Harry. "I think his son is going to force it. Old Augustus knows he doesn't have long before he's going to have to hand off the Lordship of his House to his Heir Primary. Once he does, Cyril will be waiting for the excuse to withdraw his House."

"My thoughts, too," said Frank. "I also think that's why Augustus is both being so obstructionist about these changes and not having already handed the Headship over."

"And we're not helping by bringing in even more changes," sighed Harry.

"No," replied Frank. "However, I will not be party to the halt of bringing in these changes just to keep the support of only one House. The Alliance is bigger than that. It needs to be."

Harry nodded and quietly, but vehemently, said, "And I agree."

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On return to the school, Harry corralled Neville and Justin into a 'blokes' talk' session in his office with the door closed. The idea of it amused the girls.

With butterbeers shared between them, Harry asked, "The girls seem to be up to something regarding this Tapestry Circle of theirs. Any ideas?"

"None," scowled Neville, folding his arms and almost seeming to pout. "I was hoping you would. You seem to be pretty good at sussing out what's really going on at times."

"Nope," he replied before turning to Justin. "Any ideas?"

Justin gave a sigh and ran the fingers of his wand hand through his hair. "I hadn't even noticed anything until today. It's like... they've all got this big secret and they're not willing to share it with us mere males.

"Did you notice it seems to also include pretty much all the wives? Hell, even old Molly Fanwater seems to be involved and she was in the meeting with us all afternoon."

Harry said, "I also noticed Lady Marchbanks seems to know what's going on. But she, just as obviously, won't share."

"Dad knows something's going on," said Neville. "But he's more amused by it than anything else."

"Well," said Harry, "Unless it proves harmful for our Houses or the Alliance, I suggest we don't push them too hard over it.

"I fear they might just tell us and we'll learn it's something we really didn't want to know about."

Both other boys winced with Justin adding, "I hear ya."

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At the Wizengamot meeting on the following Tuesday, when the first call for 'New Business' was made, Frank confidently stood.

"The Chair recognises the House of Longbottom," said Ogden. "Lord Longbottom?"

"Thank you, Chief Warlock Ogden," said Frank. "I stand to make an announcement of great import. Together with the House of Potter I formally announce that the Potter-Longbottom Alliance is no more."

When there arose loud but short exclamations of shock. Frank held up his hand in both a stop and shushing motion.

Then, as the sounds of shock quickly faded away, he said, "In its place I happily announce the formation of a new, wider, alliance. I announce the formation of what is called the Grand Alliance.

"As well as continuing to claim the entire membership of the then existing Potter-Longbottom Alliance, the Grand Alliance also includes in its membership the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and the Magical House of Malfoy. In total, the current membership of the Grand Alliance sits at twenty Houses; of which nine are voting members of the Wizengamot and sit amongst you, three of which are of the Seven.

"Wizengamot member Houses are: Longbottom, Potter, Black, Bones, Marchbanks, Ogden, Greengrass, MacMillan and Finch-Fletchley. Another Noble House, The Venerable House of Delacour, is a voting member of the French version of our illustrious body.

"Secondly, I announce the Grand Alliance has not and will not, at this time, close its rolls to further membership applications. Please approach one of our aforementioned member Houses for further information, if joining us interests you.

"Chief Warlock, I have no further business at this time and thank you for the opportunity to present this auspicious news." And sat down again.

Harry was surprised there wasn't a bigger ruckus about the announcement. When he sat forward in his seat and looked about, he could see that many of those outside of the Alliance were clearly either in shock or were already deep in thought of what it would mean for them or how they could benefit from or lose to it. Obviously, the members of the 'Mot were capable of rational thought, after all. He was interested in seeing how this played out outside of the Alliance.

"Thank you, Lord Longbottom," said Ogden. "Next?"

That was it for the 'big' notices; or, so Harry thought.

Parkinson then tried yet another play upon CeeCee.

On being recognised by Ogden he stood and said, "The House of Parkinson is concerned that the supposed Heir of the House of Malfoy is being unduly―"

"Objection!" cried Sirius, with Lady Marchbanks and Bones both voicing their own points of order almost simultaneously and before Sirius was able to complete the three syllables.

"Lord Black voices an objection, a point of order," Ogden near-snarled. "However, I believe I already know what it will be. Lord Black."

Sirius, already on his feet, firmly said, "Chief Warlock Ogden; it appears, yet again, that Lord Parkinson is attempting to interfere in the practices of another House. This time he casts aspersions upon the Heir Apparent of the Magical House of Malfoy, Miss Charlotte Wilkins... as he knew and she is proven to be by the inheritance rites of the Goblin Nation. As Miss Wilkins's joint magical guardian, I take great offence at his remarks and demand he retract them immediately.

"More and more it is becoming clear Lord Parkinson seeks to annoy me to the point where I must take... other... action against he and his House. Lord Parkinson will cease these clear hostilities against the House of Malfoy and my magical ward or find himself... dealt with."

Even before Ogden could turn his attention from Sirius back to Parkinson, Parkson snapped back, "I retract. You cannot protect her forever, Black."

"I don't need to, Parkinson," Sirisu snapped back. "Only until you and your cohorts are dealt with."

"GENT-LE-MEN!" roared Ogden. "Enough!"

When both men shut up, he firmly said, "Lord Parkinson, this is the third time you have made attempts to use this body to discover, or otherwise interfere with, the practices of the House of Malfoy. It will also be the last time.

"Should you attempt such in the future, I will call for the immediate vote the House of Parkinson be evicted from this body until such time your Heir stands to take the Seat. Have I made myself clear?"

"You dare?" roared Parkinson, surging back to his feet.

"I don't dare, Lord Parkinson," said Ogden. "It is the law. It has been the law for centuries. I would be a poor Chief Warlock if I did not adhere to those laws today.

"The House of Parkinson has been formally warned, Lord Parkinson. Don't test my mettle."

While Parkinson continued to stand there, almost quivering in rage, Ogden continued, "I also put that same warning to every other Member. If you attempt to use this body to unwantedly, by the Houses concerned, interfere in the lawful practices of other Houses, you will receive the same treatment.

"This will be the last of it. I will have no more without immediately issuing my aforementioned sanctions."

After giving that a long few moments to settle in the minds of all, he said, "Now; next item of new business, please."

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For the past few weeks, life back at Hogwarts had settled down. Harry, Daphne and Hermione became used to the new workload for their OWL year; as, apparently, did the other Heirs. CeeCee was happy and was spending more time with new friends doing her own study for third year. She also had friends occasionally visit her in the Finch-Fletchley apartment, but spent more time in the library and the Gryffindor tower with them than in the apartment at those times.

None of the others had a problem with that. However, besides Raggy and Dobby following those who walked alone, at times, when Harry mentioned the problem to Sirius, Narcissa immediately dispatched a female house elf named Tizzy to 'bolster' the elves in keeping an eye on things. Tizzy would be entirely responsible for keeping an eye on CeeCee at all times while she was out of the apartment; and would also act as 'Ladies' Elf' to both CeeCee and Tracey while in the apartment. The elf had no other work to do once Narcissa had put Malfoy Manor into stasis.

Tizzy was Narcissa's 'other' Ladies' Elf. She had two. The first, she had with her at the Black Townhouse. Two other elves were left at Malfoy Manor to keep things neat and tidy; one for inside and one for the grounds.

Now that Fleur had started her new job at Gringotts - she had to go in for the one day of work on the Friday, the day before, as that was the 'first day of October' as stated by the contract - she would not be able to tail CeeCee about the school. Hence why the increase of their elf 'surveillance' at the school. She was even in on this day, the Saturday, as she claimed she wanted to get a better wandgrip on how to get about inside that area of Gringotts that was 'Gringotts personnel only' before she returned on the Monday morning.

"It is my responsibility not to get lost, mon cher," she'd said. "But I will be back in plenty of time for one of your dinners, yes?"

"You can do as you need or desire, Love," said Harry. "You know that."

She'd returned as Harry was making a start on dinner for that night.

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In the afternoon, Harry was happily working in the kitchen of the Potter Apartment while the girls were sitting at the dining table and watching him through the doorway between the two rooms. Today, he had Giggles in with him as he showed her some of his cooking 'secrets'.

The girls had recently taken to doing assignments and chatting at the dining table on Saturdays while Harry worked. And were also often joined with one or more of the girls from one of the other apartments; more often than not 'plural', rather than 'single'.

What Harry was completely unaware of, this day, was that they were quietly talking about matters that had nothing to do with their school work. They were talking about matters relating to the Tapestry Circle.

Occasionally, one of the girls would come in and watch for a short time. But that was to assure themselves that Harry wasn't paying any attention to what they were talking about, more than watching him work.

Daphne quietly said, "The Aldermaston matriarch has put her foot down with her son, Lord Aldermaston, and firmly told him he's to find a way to terminate the current betrothal agreement with House Monkleigh. Both are pureblood houses from a long line of purebloods."

Susan, one of those present, winced and said, "I bet that went down well."

"Unknown," said Daphne. "But, I doubt very much Lord Aldermaston was happy."

"So, it's begun," said Hermione. "I'm surprised it was a Grey family that started it, though."

Susan said, "I'm not surprised. The Aldermaston matriarch is well known for being a real battle-axe. Plus, Lord Aldermaston is a... as you would say... a bit of a 'woss'?"

"Wuss, yes," nodded Hermione. "I take it he fears her."

Daphne gave a slight snort and wryly said, "It is well known in 'polite circles' Lord Aldermaston wouldn't go to the toilet if his mother told him he wasn't allowed to."

"Any others?" asked Hermione.

Daphne nodded and replied, "Pressure is now starting to be brought to bear right across the Houses of the Circle of those who have children under relationship agreements that have not yet been activated. Many are waiting to see if Dowager Aldermaston is successful before they more overtly act."

Hannah, also there, said, "Then it won't be too long before the real reason for the Tapestry Circle becomes known outside the Circle."

Hermione, thinking, quietly said, "With Dowager Aldermaston making the first overt move we need to tell Cissy it's time we start secretly informing some of our boys the real reason for the Circle."

"Already?" asked Susan.

"Best we tell them in our own way," said Daphne, "Than them find out from some Lord who used family magics to force one of our members into releasing the information."

"How quickly will we need to move?" asked Hermione.

Daphne shrugged and replied, "Personally, I'd have rather waited until Yule, at least. However, with Dowager Aldermaston acting as quickly as she has, I don't think we have the time. I don't think the Circle has the time."

Hannah said, "Something must have happened between Houses Aldermaston and Monkleigh for her to jump the duelling flag like this."

Daphne nodded and said, "Agnes Monkleigh started third year in Slytherin this year. Something must have happened there for her to jump."

Hermione suddenly asked, "On an aside, do we have any idea who Miss Monkleigh is betrothed to?"

"It'll be Dennis Aldermaston in sixth year," said Tracey. "He's in Ravenclaw and Heir Secondary, I think, of the House. His older brother Samuel, who graduated two years ago, is Heir Primary."

"Let's write to Cissy and ask her what she thinks we should do," said Hermione.

Fleur chose that moment to walk in from the kitchen. "'Arry is doing something with pork skin I 'ave no idea why."

"What is he doing?" asked Hermione.

"'E's stripped it of fat, dried it, salted it and is layering it on a rack in a baking tray to go into the oven."

Hermione thought about it and slowly grinned. "He's making pork crackle. It sounds like we're having roast pork for dinner."

"Yes," said Fleur. "He told me that is what we're having. Plus, 'e's making a 'erb-infused tomato soup for starters and a custard infused cake for afters."

Susan groaned a little and moaned, "There goes my waistline again."

Hannah said, "You'll burn it off tomorrow in the Room of Requirement."

The Heirs, on returning to the castle at the beginning of the school year, also returned to training. They liked how it made them fitter and more toned. And wanted to recover what they'd lost while they were on break. Now they were joined by CeeCee, who also preferred to stay fit. And she now brought Natalie with her.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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As the Heirs sat around the dining table that evening enjoying Harry's delicious Pork dinner, Fleur was telling them all about what it appeared it was going to be like learning to be a cursebreaker under Gringotts' employ. She'd covered most of what she was talking about on the Friday night with the rest of the Potter 'apartmenthold'. However, she'd learned even more about it while she was at Gringotts that morning and early afternoon.

"There is a young man there," she said. "He has been there for more than five years and is now considered one of Gringotts rising stars in the field of cursebreaking. He will be my main trainer.

"His name is Bill Weasley and he is the oldest boy of the Weasley family you seem to know so well."

As Harry cocked an eyebrow in surprise, Hermione said, "I thought he was supposed to be in Egypt."

Fleur snickered and said, "'E is often in Egypt, yes. 'Owever, most of the time 'e is 'ere in Britain. 'E begged me to ask you not to tell his mother, or any other member of his family really, that 'e does not spend most of his time overseas."

"Why?" asked Daphne.

Before Fleur could answer, Harry did. "Because, if his mother learned he was in wizarding Britain, she would demand he live at The Burrow instead of... wherever he does."

"Just so," said Fleur. "'E loves his mother but, according to 'im, she is a very difficult woman to live with."

"Molly Weasley wants and tries to believe that all her 'babies' are still small children," explained Harry. "That Bill, for instance, is now well into his twenties is irrelevant to her. He is still one of her babies and she's damned well going to treat him as one."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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After 'Confidential Tapestry Circle Correspondence' between the female Heirs, Narcissa and Dorothy over the next school fortnight, the females of the Heirs group were finally 'permitted' to tell 'their boys' just what was the true purpose of the Circle.

Narcissa believed it was only a matter of days before the secret broke. Her law-wizard had already prepared press statements that would go out as soon as he knew the Daily Prophet had the story. No one, but he and his informant though, knew he had an informant within the type-set section of the Daily Prophet, who would immediately let him know when 'anything of interest' was about to be printed in the paper. He might only have about twelve hours notice of the story breaking, but it was better than none at all.

The girls then called the meeting of the Heirs for a meeting in the Potter Apartment, as it was the largest of the three. They also made sure that Ernie was invited; and the boy was quick to accept and attend.

The meeting was held on the Friday evening, after dinner, the day before the October meeting of the Grand Alliance. Ernie was the last to arrive.

As he walked in, Harry said, "Excellent. We're all here." Closing the door, he turned back to 'his' girls and asked Hermione. "Alright, Hermione. You've got us all here. Now, what's this about?"

Hermione gave a nod back, seemed to mentally fortify herself and looked in general to the other Heirs. "Us ladies have been given permission to tell you boys what the true purpose of the Tapestry Circle is. That's because Narcissa and a few others believe the story will break within the next couple of days."

Frowning in annoyed confusion, Harry looked to the others and noticed it was only himself, Neville, Justin and Ernie who didn't seem to understand what was going on.

He said, "I've already figured out, I think, it has something to do with the bloodlines. Am I right?"

When the other girls all looked back at him with surprised shock, it was Daphne who recovered first and replied, "That is correct. And, we should not be surprised you figured at least that much out."

"Really?" asked Neville.

"Truly," replied Daphne.

Hermione sighed and said, "I guess us ladies should not be surprised you figured that much out, Harry. Not considering how much you've shown us all your powers of deductive reasoning in the past."

Harry just lightly smirked.

She continued, "And that brings us to telling you boys what the Tapestry Circle has been up to for these past few months."

That led to the girls informing the boys what they knew already and what was being done about it.

"So, what led you to telling us about this, now?" asked Justin.

"Because certain members have started to overtly act in stopping purebloods marrying purebloods," replied Daphne. "That is, stopping purebloods being forced to marry purebloods whose bloodlines are too closely linked to their own."

"They do that?" asked Justin. "No wonder they're giving birth to children with birth defects."

"And yet another example of a muggle-raised displaying ready knowledge of the problem where a magical-raised hasn't seen it," sighed Daphne.

"Yes," nodded Hermione, almost as if she was feeling yet again vindicated.

She then went on to state how certain of the Dowagers and younger mothers were no longer prepared to wait until they were assured they'd not get obstruction to rectifying the situation.

"They'd never get it," said Harry. "Even one hundred years from now, there'll still be those who'll state the ladies of the Tapestry Circle were stomping all over traditions."

"That was Mildred's... Dowager Aldermaston's... argument," said Susan. "And she was not prepared to let her grandson marry a pureblood less than the now recommended minimal five steps removed, which would mean the risk of birth defects within any children they have being far too high."

Harry gave a snort of amusement and shook his head. "Five steps still might not be enough. "

"It's the largest separation we could all agree on," said Hermione. "Dorothy, Sarah and a few others said it might not be enough, but too many members weren't prepared to go any further. They believe there is no way for their children to marry any further apart than that without marrying a muggleborn or only a few available half-bloods."

"They could always choose spouses from overseas," he shrugged.

"Even then, there's still the problem," she returned. "Many headed overseas during Riddle's pogrom and Grindelwald the time before him. So, there is still a significant number overseas who do not meet the 'five removed' requirement."

He could see that in his mind and nodded. "Indeed," he quietly said, still thinking.

When it appeared there was a gap in the conversation, Neville asked, "Why did this start? What triggered it?"

"CeeCee being born with defects and then that talk..." that's when Hermione, who was answering, realised Neville and a couple others weren't at the discussion or hadn't necessarily been told about it that started this. "Sorry; it was a discussion at Black Townhouse between the Wilkinses, Narcissa Malfoy and a few others.

"Dorothy used to be a pædiatric nurse... a medi-witch with a focus on children's health. And Sarah is currently studying Nursing at University with a view to also become a nurse like her mother used to be.

"Part of the studies in medicine... muggle healing... deals with what is known as genetics. That is, the traits that are in your very cells that are passed down from fathers and mothers to their children, then their children onto their children's children and so on. It's why, for instance, Harry has his mother's eyes and the Potter's unruly messy black hair.

"The problem is, new blood needs to constantly be introduced to the bloodlines from bloodlines that haven't... or, in this case, at least haven't for a while... been in the bloodline. It's when that doesn't happen, you get birth defects; including squibbing."

Harry piped up and said, "That's why Dumbledore, Riddle and, to some extent, me have all been quite powerful. All three of us are half-bloods who were born of a long bloodline of what were, until then, purebloods and a muggleborn; or, in Riddle's case, a muggle.

"The introduction of new blood, completely untainted with genetic markers of the other bloodlines that had already been blended into the pureblood bloodline at some point, went a great deal into explaining why the three of us have all had quite so much power. And, yes, Neville; that includes you somewhat, too."

"My grandmother on my mother's side," sighed Neville. "And that's why Mum was... is... quite powerful."

"Yep," said Harry. "And it blended over to you."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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The meeting of the Alliance the next day had quite a few unhappy males and somewhat smug witches.

The whole thing just amused Harry.

"Can you believe this?" Phineas Puvingson asked Frederick (not Fred) Bardhall. Clearly, the man was not a little disgusted.

They'd been talking about the 'bombshell' dropped on them by their spouses and, in Bardhall's case, his adult daughter.

Harry just listened in, amused.

When Bardhall didn't seem to be all that bothered about it, Puvingson turned his attention on Harry. "What about you, Harrison? You head a noble House. Doesn't this bother you?"

"The only thing that bothers me, Phineas, is that wizarding Britain, since they're so high and mighty about the bloodlines, didn't know this centuries ago," he replied. "Merlin; ask any farmer who raises creatures, especially mammals, and they would tell you that failing to introduce new blood by way of sourcing studs for your flocks or herds from far away is a recipe for disaster."

Looking the other man more fully in the eye he asked, "Haven't you ever wondered why the number of squibs and stillbirths born to purebloods have been steadily rising for so long?"

Puvingson just threw his hand in the air and said, "Bah! You're one of them! Why fix what ain't broke?"

"Because it is broke," Harry immediately shot back. "That's why it's so urgent to fix!"

During the meeting, Narcissa laid out the parchmentwork she had collected that proved the danger of having sons and daughters of long-time established British pureblood Houses marry the daughters and sons of other long-time established British pureblood Houses. Many of the Heads were immediately somewhat up in arms about their 'rights' as Heads of Houses being taken from them, until she was at least halfway through her presentation.

By the end of it, though, almost all of them were horrified. Puvingson ended up being the only holdout until the other wives - he was a widower - rounded on him and practically accused him of being a 'baby-killer'. He pulled his head back in pretty quickly after that.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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Of course, the shocks, outrage and denials that came from the members of the Alliance were nothing compared to the response of the Members of the Wizengamot.

The story broke in the Weekend Daily Prophet on the Sunday. And Harry was one who believed it had to be someone in the Alliance who leaked it; maybe Puvingson, but he doubted it - too obvious.

He'd contacted Frank almost immediately after reading the article, only to find that Frank had the same belief and was already trying to ferret out the 'squealer', as he put it.

"It had to be Phineas Puvingson," he declared. "He was the only one who voiced his disagreement by the end of the session."

"Maybe," said Harry. "However, my money's on Cyril MacMillan. Puvingson is the too obvious culprit. Besides, he's loyal to the Alliance; whereas Cyril MacMillan... not so much."

Frank gave a grunt of annoyance and said, "Yeah. I can see that."

Then he sighed and said, "I'll put it to the next meeting of the Alliance and see if someone will own up to it."

Harry shrugged and said, "And if someone does? It's pointless asking for the culprit to out themselves if you aren't willing to issue sanctions against them."

Frank thought about it for a few moments before he grumbled, "Damn it. You're right."

"Say that you believe it was a member House of the Alliance that leaked it, whether directly or indirectly, to the Daily Prophet and you're not happy about it."

"Yeah," said Frank. "Then tell them all you and I feel it's a betrayal of the secrecy of the Alliance to have released the information."

"And Sirius," added Harry. "Hell, talk to the other senior Houses and see if they agree."

Frank nodded and said, "I can do that. Good idea."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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However, the Wizengamot were all still up in their wands about the information brought to light by Dowager Malfoy and 'her' Tapestry Circle. Some even wanted the information placed under a High Secret embargo. Of course, almost all of them were of dark families.

The Wizengamot session had the second largest number of non-Members attend the session as visitors in the visitors' gallery Harry had seen since Dumbledore's trial. And almost all of them were witches.

Finally, Harry rose, got the call and said, "Thank you, Chief Warlock, for allowing the House of Potter to air their views on this matter."

Looking about, he firmly said, "You cannot put the boggart back in the cupboard. The information is now out and widely disseminated. It was in the Daily Prophet, for Merlin's sake!

"Personally, I have no problem with those of you willing to go against your ladies and maintain your current practices. However, I'm informing you now, do not attempt to approach the House of Potter for a Betrothal or Concubine Bond agreement in the future. You will be automatically turned away.

"I will not willingly place at risk my children, grandchildren and further to the emotional and psychological pain that comes from losing a child or children to the horrors of birth defects or stillbirths, when it is so easy for me to greatly reduce that chance. The evidence presented by Dowager Malfoy cannot be logically refuted.

"For those of you who will illogically stick to your broken wands, I will simply sit back and watch as your Houses die out, then join others in picking the carcasses of your Houses clean of all assets. For dying out due to excessive inbreeding will clearly be the fate of them.

"Anyone remember the House of Gaunt? What about Peverell? Those two are only two of many who bred themselves into extinction. Many other Houses represented here today are already teetering on the edge. All I and others have to do is sit back and watch you kill your own Houses off.

"You sit there and make claims of 'It's tradition!' and 'It's our right!' and I can only agree with you. However, the House of Potter will not join you in your attempts to commit mass multi-generational suicide.

"I can see no laws will yet be passed as a result of this, though I firmly believe they should be. Far too many of you remain too ignorant and stupid to make it come to pass. In my opinion no one, but a complete daft moron, could do other than recognise the great risk they take by bonding their long-time British pureblood children with the long-time British pureblood children of other Houses and immediately engage in moves to ensure it does not happen to theirs.

"The Tapestry Circle has done one thing that no one has been able to do for a great many centuries. It has the almost unanimous support of members from right across the Dark and Light, Traditional and Non, Pureblood and Muggleborn, Noble and Not and generational unmarked lines. Your mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, wives, daughters and granddaughters are united in this!

"Look around you! Even here in the Wizengamot I cannot see one witch who is against this. Look around you! Even now, many of them wear the 'TC' lapel pin that shows they are active members of the Tapestry Circle. They would not be members of the Circle if they did not agree that this is a long-term disaster made clear. Look around you! And see the hate of mothers who have birthed children with birth defects, squibs and stillborns directed at you for your contrary stance. Look opposite into the visitors' gallery! And see the sheer number of witches who have come to see if the Wizengamot is willing to act as it should.

"It was made clear to me by a close friend that, while I rule the House, it is my ladies who rule the home. I am not a daft moron. I have no idea whether or not the couch in my home office is comfortable or not to sleep upon. I have no intention of finding out by being forced to sleep upon it by a spouse or bonded who is upset with me. I also know that if my wife deems I am to sleep on the couch, my concubine bonded will not welcome me into their beds either.

"I already know to never get between a mother and her eggs, her cubs, her kittens, her offspring. The same applies to their health. There is a reason they chose nesting mother dragons for the First Task of the Tri-wizard Tournament. Getting between a mother and her children would have to rank right up there with being the most dangerous place in existence!

"If you choose to go against taking steps to reduce the number of children lost to magical Britain through excessive inbreeding, I will not stop you. I'll be much too busy laughing at your very-soon-to-be misfortune when the ladies of your House get you in private, before I begin making plans what I intend to do with the remains of your House.

"There's an old muggle saying: 'You made your beds, now you have to sleep on them.' Or, in this case, not sleep in them.

"Chief Warlock Ogden, the House of Potter thanks you for the opportunity to present its views on this matter."

He sat down and was shocked by what happened next.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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