Chapter Seventy Seven - Noble Elevations

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Chapter Seventy Seven - Noble Elevations

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―==(oIo)==―

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On Friday morning, Harry was surprised when Hedwig flew in through the owl window in their apartment just as he was serving Fleur her breakfast. She bore a copy of the Daily Prophet.

That was something she only did when what she was carrying she thought important enough Harry had to have it right away. And those previous two times were not a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Releasing her of her load with gentle pets and words of endearment, he was quick to open the paper and scan the headlines.

The leading story was certainly attention-grabbing.

~ # ~

DARK TUESDAY

We are all now aware that many of our fine and upstanding citizens left to attend a meeting or other business on Tuesday night and never returned to their homes. We now have the details of what happened and provide you that exclusive news, writes Samuel Wordsworth.

The news is not pleasant, dear readers. Forty seven witches and wizards left for a meeting on Tuesday night and shall never return to the arms of their loved ones. Many of them Heirs to important families. One of them, the Heir Apparent of One of the Seven; Thorfinn Rowle.

[...]

~ # ~

The article went into the details of what the DMLE now knew, including the names of the bodies found at Nott Manor the previous morning. There were, as reported, forty seven of them. Of course, one was Ronald Weasley; and three others were of wizards who knew the inner secrets of the Alliance.

Looking to Fleur he said, "This is why we have an emergency meeting of the Alliance tomorrow. Eugene Dallyhatch, Philip Bancroft and Cyril MacMillan have been yet again confirmed as among the dead."

"Alliance secrets," said Fleur, as they were joined by Hermione.

"What's up?" she immediately asked.

Harry handed her the paper, knowing she'd read and absorb the information a great deal faster than he could tell her.

"Yeah," he replied to Fleur, as he did so. "We're going to need to figure out what secrets the Alliance knew that have now become knowledge outside the Alliance.

"Assume it all 'as," said Fleur. "It is not as if you keep anything from the junior members, non?"

Hermione had only just finished when Daphne walked out of her room. She handed her the paper before she could even say anything.

"Did you notice how Amelia said it was an accident and yet the reporter said 'It is believed by some that Dark forces were at work'?" she asked.

"Yep," he replied. "And I just bet those 'some' would be the other reporters in his office."

After a quick Tempus and as she finished putting her earrings in, Fleur said, "While this is all interesting, I 'ave to 'ead into work."

After a quick kiss and cuddle from Harry, a hug from the other two ladies and the usual entreaties to stay safe Fleur left via the floo.

"Hopefully, now that this mystery has been solved," said Hermione, "Things will settle back down here."

The others all knew that not even the assassination of the Minister and the entire senior management of the Ministry could or would sway Hermione from her focus on her OWL year.

After reading the article and a few others, Daphne set the paper aside on the coffee table and said, "Well, shall we gather the others and move to the Great Hall?"

Neither of the other two objected to that.

As they were about to walk out, Harry quickly scooped the Prophet back up and carried it under his arm. He'd hand it off to Neville as soon as they sat at table.

Besides, as a Friday he had no classes until fourth period Ancient Runes.

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Once the Heirs had walked into the Great Hall and sat at the Slytherin table, this time, Harry handed the paper over to Neville. His girls, sitting either side as usual, leaned into his shoulders to read the main article with him.

Just as with the other Heirs, Justin was well-informed on what had happened and what it meant for the Alliance. "Anything in there on what this means for the Wizengamot?" he asked.

Having already read it, Harry replied, "Nothing other than the reporter writing he was wondering the same thing; and that no one had a decent answer for him."

With a snort, Justin said, "By 'decent' he meant 'politically explosive', right?"

Harry grinned and replied, "I think you may be right.

"But," he continued, "I think it means most, if not all, of the dark alliance are, for now, kaput. We'll be able to get some important and much needed legislation passed before they can rally and block it."

"Harry," scolded Hermione. "That's callous."

"And politically expedient," he added.

"He's right," said Daphne, coming to his defence. "It would be foolishness in the extreme to not make use of this opportunity while it's there for the taking."

"Exactly my thoughts," he nodded.

"I think we need to hear from Amelia what it is she needs to see passed, legislative-wise, and see if we can get it done," he explained. "And I also think this is the opportunity we've been looking for to see the Ancient House of Davis finally get that Noble appellation affixed to the front of the title of the House; the Noble and Ancient House of Davis. Plus, we should add the House of Abbott to that, too."

Tracey and Hannah both beamed back in happiness.

"I've not properly checked," he explained. "But, I think there might be a couple of Noble Houses that went extinct on Tuesday night. I've not seen any reporter identify that issue yet, either."

Neville quickly went through the triple list of names with Susan and Hannah helping. He was muttering names out loud.

"...Bexley? No... Carmichael? No... Gibbon! The Noble and Ancient House of Gibbon is one... Huntingdon! That's another... Mulciber! Definitely; the Noble and Elder House of Mulciber is yet another... Sweet Merlin! The Rowle Heir Apparent was one!"

Well, there's at least three," said Daphne, smoothly cutting in. "We'll take some time, this afternoon after class, to write the others down.

"Harry's right. It's definitely something we can use to see both Davis and Abbott elevated to Noble status. We should do that before anyone else figures it out and tries the same thing with other Houses."

"I still think it's a little callous," muttered Hermione.

"No different to what happened after the previous war, Hermione," said Tracey. "Where do you think many of these Noble and Elder Houses came from? Most of them are names of Houses put forward by so-called 'reformed' Death Eaters to be elevated. Merlin; all of them are known Death Eater Houses.

"Harry's just recommending the Alliance get in first and put forward Houses before the dark can rally and get their own names put forward, just as they did the last time there was a swag of Houses that went extinct."

"We'll need to start writing down arguments for those two to be elevated," said Daphne.

"Why?" asked Hannah. "You think the Alliance will be against it?" It was clear she was a little hurt the Alliance might not be for it.

"Peace, Hannah; and no," replied Daphne. "For the Wizengamot."

"She's right," said Neville.

"And we'll need to see if we can come up with what might be the arguments against it," said Harry. "The Devil's Advocate stance."

"The what?" asked Hannah, confused.

"The Devil's Advocate stance," he repeated. "It's the arguments that are believed might be used against the arguments we put forward. If we can reasonably assume what they will be in advance, we can then put forth further opposing arguments to counter them."

"Oh," she said. "I get it."

Soon after the mail-bomb, Marchbanks again stood and asked that if any student felt impacted by what had befallen the forty seven who had lost their lives on Tuesday night, they should speak with their Heads of Houses in the first instance. They would be given fair hearing.

"If necessary," she went on, "We shall contact your families and see what can be done to aid you. At the very least, you may wish to attend a funeral or two. With the permission of and accompanied by your guardians, this will be allowed."

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After the others headed off to class - electives for the Fifth years and Charms for CeeCee, which Harry escorted her to - he returned to the apartment with the mail he'd received in the mail-bomb and some of the other material he'd received from Ted a few days ago.

One he was looking forward to was information already coming in from 'eager' real estate agents overseas.

Ted had suggested that Harry contract an international estate agent to act as his buyer. An idea Harry was happy to adopt. He'd just received the first allotment of that.

One of the places the agent had selected for his 'reading pleasure' was for a house in the suburb of Lesmurdie in Perth. It sat on the edge of the escarpment ridge that 'bordered' the river plain of Perth. It had an uninterrupted view across the reasonably flat expanse to the City of Perth and, with the proper equipment, you could also probably see the suburb of Thornlie, where CeeCee's adopted family lived. As the crow flies it was only a few miles between the two points. However, it was about a twenty to thirty minute drive due to the almost labyrinthine route you would need to take.

The house was almost a small mansion for its size and was on the market for just over a quarter million Australian Dollars. At the current exchange rates that put it well under eighty thousand galleons. Property was clearly a great deal cheaper in Australia than it was in England.

With all the accompanying photographs, together with the recommendation of the agent, Harry felt he didn't even need to see it. He noted down an order for Ted to buy it on his behalf and set up up a permanent portkey for it for him.

'Once it's acquired,' he wrote, 'Ward the crap out of it while remembering it'll be a muggle (no-mag) home and let Sirius know. He or you have my permission to organise for the Wilkinses to have emergency portkeys to it. Furnish it in 'Australian modern' and put two fully-fuelled and licenced mid-range Australian family sedans in the garage, just in case.'

His next was a property recommended in The Hamptons in New York State in MaCUSA. He didn't like it, thinking it too 'wooden' and 'Nineteenth Century'. But felt the agent was on the right track.

He jotted down some recommendations, such as 'Think modern and large rooms', and set it aside. There were no other real estate recommendations, yet. However, he was assured others would come in.

The final place was the one in France. That one could be and probably would be entirely a magical home. For that one a magical real estate agent had lucked out. As part of a deceased estate of the last remaining member of a Venerated House, a small manor house - or large chateau, really - had only just come onto the market. Harry thought the price was a little too steep, so he wrote down instructions to negotiate hard to acquire it.

If the negotiations collapsed, so be it. He'd just hold out for another, similar, home to come onto the market at a later time. There was no rush. After all, there was still over two and half years before he'd be done with his NEWTs. Until he'd completed them about the longest time he'd be able to live in the property until then was about a month a year - more like two weeks. It would actually be cheaper to rent and far easier to stay in Delacour Manoir; as he knew Apolline would practically demand, anyway.

Next was setting a couple of sheets of parchment up with the headings; 'Arguments For Elevation of Davis', 'Arguments Against Elevation of Davis' and two more the same for Abbott.

Once organised he began to write down on a scrap of parchment his thoughts about all four.

After that day's classes and work for Fleur, the other three added their own ideas.

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Fleur had to be up early and into Gringotts, that morning, even though it was a Saturday.

"Some people who 'ave inherited vaults 'ave been in to 'ave the contents of those vaults cleaned, 'Arry," she explained. "Some items in them 'ave been determined to 'ave curses on them. Bill's second in command wants to make a start on inventorying all that, today. I will be back before you leave for the meeting, I promise."

"It's alright, Fleur," he said, trying to get her to understand he wasn't upset, though it seemed she thought he was. "I completely understand. Just... stay safe."

"I will," she said, leaning forward to give him a kiss to the cheek. "I am not yet skilled enough to even 'andle the dangerous items yet, mon cher. Do not worry."

After she left, the others worked on their assignments put off from during the school week due to the ructions that had occurred.

By lunch, they'd got many of those out of the way and were packing up when the Finch-Fletchleys knocked on their door.

After being let in by Hermione, Justin asked, "Ready for lunch?"

"Just packing up," replied Harry.

"Tracey's gone to alert Neville and his ladies," said the other boy as he stood not far inside the doorway, waiting.

That's when Harry noticed only CeeCee was with him.

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After lunch and dressed in upmarket casual, as they'd been for the whole day to that point, the Heirs headed to the Headmistress's office to floo from there. They could have flooed direct from the Potter apartment, but again Harry had promised not to use the floo that way and he was determined not to break trust.

Of course, they flooed directly to where it was being held that day; the refurbished Black Townhouse.

Stepping out into the welcoming room at 'The Kennel', Andi was quick with the escorting duties through to the formal dining room. As Heir(ess) Primary, it was now her role.

Walking in, Harry noticed what he thought was temporary additions had been made to the wizard space with the room now larger than when he was last there. His expression must have reflected his surprise because Andi immediately said, "Sirius has had all the wizard spacing redone. He recognised a few rooms would need to be made even bigger, just for this sort of thing."

Harry nodded and said "Thank you."

As Andi returned to the welcoming room he went over to talk to Frank.

"Bad news. A bad situation, all round," Frank immediately said.

"Yeah," he returned. "Any ideas, yet, on just how many Alliance secrets any of those three blabbed about?" He knew he did not need to mention which three he was talking about.

"We have to assume all of them," said Frank.

As Harry looked about he was looking for specific individuals. Not seeing them, he asked, "Where's Newton; and did Eliza come?" He saw Augustus talking with Amelia. Ernie was also with them.

"Newton and Hypatia begged off," replied Frank. "They're both in shock about what their boy did and, of course, dying. However, both were well-prepared to give magical vows they had no idea Philip was involved with the dark.

"And Eliza came because Priscilla turned up at her place and insisted. She's in with the ladies in Sirius's office. She didn't want her sitting in that house on her lonesome."

"Eugene Dallyhatch was a surprise," he muttered. "I would have thought, of our members, both Puvingsons were more likely."

"Indeed, for Eugene," said Frank. "But, Phineas lost his wife to those bastards in the war twenty years ago. I cannot ever see him wanting anything to do with them."

"Ah!" said Harry. "I forgot about that."

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As they were one of the last to arrive, the meeting started in short order. Sirius, as host, of course chaired the meeting.

Harry was worried his godfather was going to make light of the situation. He didn't, though. Andi sat behind and took minutes.

He asked, "As this is an emergency meeting of the Alliance and not a regularly scheduled one, do I have your approval to allow the minutes of the previous meeting to be rescheduled for the next general scheduled meeting?"

When there were no dissenters he immediately turned to Amelia and asked her to report, as the one requesting the emergency meeting, as to why she felt it was needed.

Of course, there was no one there who didn't already know, but procedures were procedures.

Bones gave a quick overview of what had happened over the previous near-week, apologised there was further information but was unable to relay what it was as it was information relating to a still ongoing investigation and the short term fall out from that.

"Questions for House Bones?" asked Sirius.

There were a couple of small ones, but nothing too onerous.

Then he asked, "So, what do you need the Alliance to help see happen, Amelia?"

Her response surprised Harry, but he knew it shouldn't have.

"With this many Houses of Noble lines, all considered dark, bereft of their Heads, this gives the Alliance a golden opportunity to capitalise on that before the dark alliances can regain their feet," she explained. "We would be fools not to make hay while the sun shines."

While her words were different, she'd expressed the same views Harry had expressed only the previous day with the Heirs.

Sirius wasn't surprised and just nodded. "Very well. Obviously you've thought of some things we can do. Let's hear them."

That led Amelia to going into a overview, almost in verbal 'dot point', each of the things she thought she could now get past a decimated Wizengamot.

Firstly, she wanted a Wizengamot-ordered increase to the DMLE budget; and for that budget to be tied as a minimal percentage to the entire Ministry budget. No one was against that but she'd need to draft the required legislation to get it done.

Secondly, just as Harry did, she believed they'd now have the numbers, not only to get the House of Davis elevated to Noble status, but also House Abbott. And argued that there were four existing Noble Houses that all went extinct on Tuesday evening - Harry and the others thought there were five, but they'd obviously missed an Heir in there somewhere.

Frank asked, "If there are four, do we have recommendations for the other two?"

Harry immediately replied, "Do we know any Ancient Houses, even though they're not members of the Alliance, that would be considered of the Light? Or, at least Light Grey? The only one I know of off the top of my head is Lovegood."

Puvingson gave a snort and almost-snarked, "There's far more than that."

"And I confess I don't know them," said Harry, not fazed. "And, not knowing, I'll withhold opinion."

"Moving on," said Sirius. "Please think about it as the meeting progresses and see if you can suggest Houses by the end of the meeting."

Thirdly, Amelia believed Sirius's Bill should be pushed through with all haste. No one disagreed, but Puvingson did give another quiet harrumph of annoyance.

Fourthly, she wanted existing laws to be gone through with the intent to strip out those Statutes, or sections of Statutes, that protected the 'wrong sort of people'. Harry immediately thought of the one that protected purebloods from the use of Veritaserum in trials, but didn't say anything.

Fifthly, a law that would require all Ministry personnel to give oaths to always support the lawful government of the time, to never work contrary to the law, or be required to resign from the Ministry and not able to return unless willing to make such an oath.

There were others, but she was happy to table only those five for now.

That led to a discussion on, as she put it, how to make use of the opportunity presented to them and a few leapt at it with both hands and their thoughts.

While the meeting was an 'emergency' session, it went on for quite some time. No one wanted to stop until they'd hashed out everything they could do to make use of it.

Finally, Molly Fanwater piped up and asked, "What do we do about the Houses of the three traitors to the Alliance?"

Frank immediately said, "I say, nothing. As I told Harry earlier, Both Newton and Hypatia were prepared to offer vows they had no idea their son, Philip, was even likely to do something like this; Eliza has lost her husband, the last of the House of Dallyhatch - now, for all purposes, extinct - and, furthermore, also apparently had no idea her husband would do something like this; and I know Augustus is both devastated at the loss of his son and Heir Apparent and horrified he'd turn on his family, let alone the Alliance." And gave a nod in Augustus's direction, acknowledging the man.

"This is something that individuals have done, with the exception of Eugene even against their Houses," he continued. "Augustus is even talking about Disowning Cyril, even in death, just from the shame of it."

"We do nothing?" asked Hugh Shakedale. "After what those three did?"

"They're dead," said Harry, a little firmly. "It would be flogging a dead horse, expecting it to feel pain, when it's its harness mates who will suffer for it. The sins of the father should not unjustifiably be borne by the son and vice versa. As such, I feel it would be unjust to sanction the Houses of which they were members. Therefore, I agree with Frank. We leave it be, except to offer our commiserations to their families."

"Well said," said Griselda. "They're both right. They're dead. Leave the dead be."

"However," said Harry. "I would have no hesitation to act if the... perpetrator... still lived."

That was the end of it. All three Houses would remain member Houses of the Alliance as a mark of respect for the still living members of those Houses.

During that whole exchange, old Augustus sat almost perfectly still in his seat as if frozen; the somewhat masked expression on his face, the only sign of the pain he felt. He never said a word, either way. He barely said a word throughout the whole meeting.

Harry caught the swift look of gratitude directed his way from Ernie MacMillan, though. On the death of his father Ernie was now Heir Apparent and, therefore, sat behind his grandfather.

After the meeting he learned that Ernie was now living with his grandparents at their manor, as his mother had passed away while he was still a small child and only he and his father lived in a small 'holiday' chateau near Blackpool until then.

The meeting went past dinner, even at Hogwarts. So, on return to the castle, Harry quickly invited the other Heirs to dinner in the Potter apartment. He'd called for Dobby before they even left the Black Townhouse to let him know he'd be doing that; and to expect their return about half an hour hence.

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Dinner around the again slightly stretched dining table in the Potter apartment was spent with those who were in the meeting telling those who were not what was discussed and decided upon. Because she didn't have opportunity for dinner either, Astoria was asked to join them. She was relieved to reply in the affirmative.

Those who were in were Harry, Neville, Justin, Fleur (at the table and representing her father), Susan, Astoria and CeeCee. Those not were Hermione, Daphne, Hannah and Tracey. Ernie had yet to return to school, so was not in on the dinner.

As an aside and feeling empathy for the boy, Susan had promised him she'd collect copies of class notes and assignments for him and forward them to him via owl. She didn't know why she didn't mention HEED, but wasn't bothered she didn't.

As it was a Sunday and there were no classes the next day, the Heirs sat around discussing what a momentous week they'd just gone through.

"Tuesday's Wizengamot meeting is also going to be a big one," said Daphne. "Many will still be confused and in shock or dealing with lost Heirs and other loved ones, while others are going to be like sharks at a feeding frenzy.

"That's what my father told me happened immediately after Riddle was... vanquished. At least, this time, the light are going to be better prepared than the dark."

When it ended up after curfew and both Astoria and CeeCee were beginning to 'flag' from tiredness, Daphne had Betsy elf-apparate Astoria direct to her dorm room in Slytherin and Tracey took CeeCee back to the Finch-Fletchley apartment.

When Tracey returned she said, "CeeCee was asleep before I even closed her bedroom door."

Daphne immediately called Betsy and asked, "Did you make sure Astoria was in bed before you left?"

"Oh, yes, Mistress," she replied. "Betsy had to change her into her sleepwear, though."

Daphne smiled and said, "Thank you, Betsy. You've done well."

When the little ladies' maid elf popped away she turned to Harry, who'd been watching, and explained, "Stori tends to go to sleep in her day clothes if she's tired. She won't even take the time to change before going to sleep."

He just nodded.

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Thankfully, the Sunday was a lot less stressful. And almost all the Heirs spent the entire day working on assignments. It wasn't until then Harry learned Neville's two had learned sometime in the past that Harry had Dobby populate the bookshelves in the Potter apartment with books relating to what they were studying and demanded the same of Neville for the office in their apartment. Tracey finally did the same with books from Davis Estate in the Finch-Fletchley apartment.

Therefore, none of the Heirs had to go to the school library to get books to complete their assignments. They had what they needed on hand; and, if they didn't, one of the other two apartments was likely to have it.

Well before the day was over, all the Heirs had caught up with their assignments ready to start a new school week the next day. They'd even spent part of the afternoon in the Room of Requirements in its 'gym' configuration and engaged in a light workout.

OWL year was a very busy year. However, that was no excuse to allow their hard earned fitness to lapse, the previous half-week aside. The Heirs had continued with their training upon their return to the castle. They were, however, down to training almost entirely only one day a week and on weekends.

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On the Monday afternoon, as the adults of the Alliance couldn't communicate with any of the Heirs during 'class time', Harry had barely begun walking back to the apartment with Hermione, Neville and his two when his mirror vibrated.

Justin had bypassed to the Charms corridor to meet up with Tracey and Daphne to escort them back to the apartment. He and Harry would switch-about on who would go and get them.

Answering it as he walked, Harry saw as Sirius popped in on the 'screen' before he could say a word and said, "You're walking; therefore, you're not back at the apartment yet. Mirror me when you're back there. Mirror off!"

Blinking in surprise as the mirror surface returned to an ordinary mirror, Harry muttered, "Ohhh-kaaaay!"

"That was uncommonly abrupt," said Neville.

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After the Potters entered their apartment Harry immediately contacted Sirius and said, "Okay. We're in the Potter apartment. What's going on?"

"We were right to strike while the wand-tip was lit, Pup," said Sirius. "We're not the only ones to think that.

"Ogden's been given notice by some of the dark Houses to elevate some of theirs in place of the four Noble Houses lost on Tuesday night. They're putting up Flint, Stebbins, Higgs and Bole. With the exception of Flint, an Ancient House, they're all Elders."

"I'm unsurprised," said Harry. "As Daphne said, that's what they did in November 1981. But, Flint's a surprise."

"As a Member, Fawley's the one actually pushing it and Rowle's backing him," said Sirius "But, it's Flint's gold that'll be paying for it."

Fawley and Thaddeus Rowle were two of the few remaining dark Members of the Wizengamot who weren't at that meeting. Bones suspected it was because Fawley was over on the continent, having gone straight there from the Wizengamot session due to an unbreakable business meeting, not that he didn't want to be there. However, while Fawley was an Ancient House, it was also a somewhat poor one. And Rowle just wouldn't have been bothered. The man, though Lord of a dark House, was a complete mystery and enigma. His son and Heir, Thorfinn Rowle, was a 'known' Death Eater and had been at the meeting.

It took Harry only a moment to figure out Flint's game plan.

"Flint will be bribing as many of the Members as possible to get at least his House elevated," said Harry. "Fight fire with fire and counter it, gold for gold. You have my permission to open the Potter vaults to counter-bribe those same Members to have our recommendations take precedence."

Sirius frowned a moment, looking ready to disagree, before Harry could see acceptance in his eyes. "I don't like it," he admitted, "But I think it's the right way to go. However, I'll share the costs."

"Actually, let's be up front about this. I don't want you to bribe Members for their votes; I want you to buy their votes. Bribing is illegal, buying is not. Be upfront about it and we come out with clean hands."

While Sirius gave a short barking laugh, Harry said, "I think it'll only be temporary, anyway. I cannot see those four we help not showing their... gratitude... for us taking that financial hit on their behalf. They may not be able to pay the financial debt, but that's neither here nor there for me; and I don't care much about it, even so."

Still chuckling, Sirius nodded and said, "I'll see if I can find out who Flint's already bribed and'll bribe... sorry, buy them back the other way. Plus, see what I can do to br- buy others. Besides, I don't really think most of them would want those four Houses on the 'Mot, anyway."

Wondering, Harry asked, "Who were the other two Houses that were decided upon by the Alliance, anyway?"

"Diggory and Spinnet," his godfather immediately replied. "A fifth was Hilliard, just in case. All Ancients."

Surprised, Harry said, "I know of the first two. I've not heard of Hilliard before."

"A somewhat Light House," said Sirius. "Light enough for us, at any rate. How do you know the first two?"

"Diggory was last year's Head Boy and Hogwarts' champion, remember? And there's an Alicia Spinnet in Seventh Year, who currently plays chaser for the Gryffindor Lions."

Sirius only nodded back and said, "Anyways; must be off. I've got some bri- purchases to make."

"Wait a tic," Harry quickly cut in.

"Yes?"

"If we're going the vote-buying route; 'Go big or go home', as I once heard someone say," he said. "If we're going to counter-bribe Members to get our four nominations for Noble status elevated ahead of the dark, you may as well pay out gold to see the rest of the recommendations we came up with passed."

Sirius looked a little surprised but replied, "Yeah; I can see that. I'll see what I can do."

Harry immediately said, "Bon chance, Padfoot."

"Luck isn't necessary if you're prepared to throw gold about." his godfather grinned before he signed off.

As soon as the connection closed and Harry carefully lobbed the mirror onto the coffee table, Hermione quietly said, "I don't think I'm comfortable with bribing Members of the Wizengamot, Harry."

When he looked to her she was frowning. He was about to explain why when Daphne beat him to it.

"There's that perfect world of yours again, Hermione," she said. "No, Harry's right. The meeting is tomorrow and there's no time to counter the bribes already paid without making counter-bribes. There's insufficient time to convince those bribed to do the right thing and not accept the offered gold.

"You might not like it, but it's the way things get done; especially when you're out of time. Plus it's not as if Harry, let alone Sirius, can't afford it. To Harry, it barely puts a dent in the interest payments he receives from his investments, let alone going anywhere near the capital."

"It's still dishonest," Hermione mulishly muttered.

Neither Harry nor Daphne felt like getting into an argument about it, so let it go. For one, though, Harry didn't think it was dishonest; not if you were prepared to be public about it. But he agreed it wasn't to the intent of why the Wizengamot existed, either.

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―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

With yet another 9.00am start for the Wizengamot session, with only Harry of the Heirs attending this time, it was prearranged the previous night he met Headmistress Lady Marchbanks in her office at 8.15am. They were going early to meet the other voting Members of the Alliance in Ogden's Chief Warlock office before joining the other Members in the Members' Antechamber to 'politick' votes - and hand over 'payments', where necessary.

Walking into the Headmistress's office right on time, she was clearly only waiting on him.

"Good morning, Lady Marchbanks," he merrily chirped.

She chuckled a little and said, "And, good morning to you, Lord Potter. Well met."

She indicated the floo and said, "Shall we?"

Harry gave a nod and walked over to the floo, reached up and took a large pinch of floo powder.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Again escorting Marchbanks on his arm, Harry 'led' the two straight through to Ogden's office.

Inside, he was just in time to see Frank hand something over to Sirius. It was a set of small mokeskin money pouches.

Ogden was sitting in his office chair with his hand deliberately covering his eyes and loudly humming some tune.

Harry couldn't help it; he snickered in amusement. Marchbanks more openly softly cackled.

Snatching his hand away as Sirius dropped the pouches into the left 'hip' pocket of his robes, Ogden looked to his two latest guests and said, "Harry, Griselda, nice of you to make it."

"And fair morning to you; oh great, wise and wonderful Lord Chief Warlock most just," said Harry, acting all poncy and dropping into a courtly bow.

Ogden grinned and said, "Stuff it, Potter. I'm not falling for it, this time."

That had Sirius and Frank, at least, snickering while Marchbanks again softly cackled.

The last time Harry made a similar production of his greeting, Ogden retaliated with words that had Marchbanks tag him with the Filthy Mouth charm.

"You'll not be using Griselda to pull a prank on me," Ogden sternly waggled a finger at him. However, his eyes belied the mirth he was feeling.

Harry returned a look of pure innocence. It fooled no one, as it earned him more snickering.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once all eight voting Members of the Alliance arrived in the office, including MacMillan, they moved en masse to the Members' Antechamber.

As soon as they did, the politicking started.

Harry only had a fair idea of just who Sirius had managed to get to the previous night - and didn't learn until after the meeting that Frank was 'assisting' with contacting them - but it seemed to have been quite a few.

Some of those Members, with clear greed in their eyes, approached him with words along the lines of 'wondering if they might be able to assist with getting certain motions passed'. In those cases, Harry immediately redirected them to Sirius; or Frank, if Sirius was busy.

One witch Member who Harry knew to be 'of the Light', but independent, cast a filthy look at him. As Harry passed by, he quietly said to her, "Needs must, I'm sorry to say. Just... keep an eye on Lord Fawley and you'll soon see why."

What he was watching for, though, was if Fawley was able to determine what was going on. It took him a while, but he did about twenty minutes before they had to enter the Chamber. Then it was clear to see he began to panic and was rapidly trying to speak to many of those Frank and Sirius had already spoken to, with small money pouches having already surreptitiously changed hands.

With a few minutes to go, Fawley was fast approaching the point it looked like he was going to draw wand and start hexing. Harry was quick to warn Bones of that, though it was unnecessary as she was also watching and was just as quick to alert her aurors to carefully watch the man. However, he either figured out he was being watched, or had managed to get his anger under control before he did something he'd regret.

Pity. It likely would have made things just that little bit more easier, if he hadn't.

Harry was surprised that Rowle hadn't turned up for it. As One of the Seven, he really should have been there even if his son was one of the dead.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

While the emergency meeting was called for the purpose of 'officially' informing the Members of the loss of fourteen of their own and the other thirty three who lost their lives, it was to also announce that four of those they lost were the last of Noble lines.

That had Fawley immediately stand and give a clearly well-rehearsed speech that it 'behooved them to immediately seek worthy Houses to replace their numbers so that the leadership of our fair land is not further compromised'. He then added to it with what wasn't as well-rehearsed with entreaties, 'They simply must be replaced with Houses of a similar political bent', 'It would dishonour their sacrifice to chose others who were not so' and 'I can easily see it would utterly destabilise this Chamber to choose others', etcetera.

Those last three were already foreseen and arguments against them prepared. Sirius stood to make his arguments, speaking about how many Houses were replaced after the 'previous' war with other lesser Houses and how those Houses were, as history showed, 'not of the same political bent, as Lord Fawley put it' and wondered 'how Lord Fawley could use the word sacrifice, when they were struck down by what evidence showed was a potions accident while attending a meeting of "suspicious" intent', among other points.

Frank then stood to speak about how there were quite a number of Ancient Houses that must have felt quite slighted over Elder Houses being elevated before them and how he'd 'recently confirmed he was right concerning many of them' as 'he'd had discussions with many of them and they voiced just that ire'. And immediately named the Houses of Abbott, Davis, Diggory and Spinnet for elevation, 'All four are Ancient Houses and not those of lesser rank', before anyone else could nominate Houses.

That led to a few others nominating a House or two before Fawley demanded the opportunity to speak for a second time. The other nominated Houses were all Elder Houses, so the Alliance Members did not speak about them, choosing instead to ignore them. But Harry was surprised that one of them nominated was the Elder House of Weasley.

Ogden, amused, allowed it. The arguments Fawley had already put up had been neatly and completely cast down as if Fiendfyre'd. And he clearly wanted to see the man get utterly verbally beaten down even more.

Fawley immediately nominated the four they already knew he would: Flint, Stebbins, Higgs and Bole. Then spoke to the work they'd done 'on behalf of our wonderful and richly diverse society' and that 'Members should see them rightfully rewarded with elevation to the Nobility'.

Harry thought he was stupid to nominate all four, as it was already clear he'd not be getting the last three through. If it was he, he'd have only nominated Flint; hoping to at least get his backer's House through.

That was Harry's opening and Ogden was quick to give him the floor. He spoke to his support of the Ancient House of Abbott and its contributions to their, 'as Lord Fawley eloquently put it, wonderful and richly diverse society'. Then moved on to the Ancient Houses of Davis, Diggory and Spinnet. Each time he made sure to name them with their full title, 'The Ancient House of' with emphasis on the word 'Ancient'.

And finally asked if any Member, who had not already given their views, could name just what contribution the House of Flint, he didn't append 'Ancient' to the name, had contributed to their society within the last fifty years or so; let alone what the three lesser Houses Fawley put forward had done.

He wound up with quickly and more succinctly reiterating what Sirius had said about how many of the Ancient Houses must have felt slandered or even defamed, when lesser Houses were elevated ahead of them. "A vote for the Ancient Houses of Abbott, Davis, Diggory and Spinnet to be elevated would go a long way towards rectifying what I see as a grave error made in the early days of November of 1981." And begged the current Members 'not to repeat that same mistake'.

During his whole speech, Harry could see Fawley staring back at him in loathing hate, but that he was also terrified of something and concealing it quite poorly. Harry thought he'd probably made certain promises to Flint and could see that Flint wasn't going to get what he clearly desperately wanted.

'Fawley's a Dead Man Walking, perhaps?' he thought.

When another tried to say how it was 'too soon' to 'go choosing replacements when the previous Seat holders were not yet even in the ground' that was shot down by Amelia. She simply reminded Members that they had precedence to do this, based on what occurred only fourteen years ago. And asked why that same Member who'd asked for them to delay did not speak up so back then.

That Member, from a Dark House, kept their mouth firmly shut and refused to answer.

Then she 'suggested' the matter had been spoken upon long enough and voting should immediately be held before they moved on to the next item of business of the session; the 'properly recorded' reason for the session.

Surprising Harry, they managed to get all four through. As of that moment the Houses of Abbott, Davis, Diggory and Spinnet were elevated with a title change to 'The Noble and Ancient House of'.

The list Amelia made clear she had on her 'needs' list for legislation was not made known at that meeting as she could not raise it at an emergency meeting not for that purpose. However, Harry knew she'd be making a start on it at the December meeting in four weeks.

The Minister was then asked to give a report on the state of the Ministry, since many of those 'lost' were Ministry employees. Brunt spoke about what he'd done in the short time he'd had and what he'd planned to do going forward to ensure the Ministry remained both operational and effective.

That brought the meeting to an end.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Back once again in Ogden's Chief Warlock office, the Alliance 'Mot members again gathered.

Before even sitting down, Ogden - chuckling away as he did so - had gone to his liquor cabinet, pulled out a bottle of fire-whiskey and eight shot glasses and brought them to his desk.

He was still trying to stifle his laughter so much he was a poor hand at pouring those shots, but didn't care.

As the glasses were being handed out - even Harry got one - he asked, "Anyone know if Fawley has an Heir?"

"He doesn't," said Sirius. "Why'd―" Then it dawned on him. "You think Flint's going to kill him, don't you."

That had the others look back in surprise.

He shrugged and smirked. "Fawley did a pretty poor job of masking the terror I think he was feeling as he watched his promise to Flint shrivel up and die. As one of the last remaining members of the Inner Circle of Voldemort's little gang of thugs, who isn't already dead or incarcerated, I think he knows what his short term future is likely to be."

Bones gave a snort and said, "Well, lets not let Madam Bones, Director of the DMLE, know that, shall we? As he's a Member of the Wizengamot, she might then feel obligated to offer the man protection." And smirked as she sipped from her shot glass.

"Perish the thought," said Frank. And laughed.

Augustus quietly sighed and put down his empty shot glass onto Ogden's desk. Then he muttered, "I need to get home to Esther. She's worried, of late, when we're apart for more than a few minutes."

As he rose the others all wished him the best. And he let himself out.

"There goes a broken man," said Samuel.

No one disagreed.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As the session was a relatively short one, Harry was back in plenty of time to get to the first half of his double Transfiguration class.

Before he left the Headmistress's office, though, he mentioned, "You might want to let Alicia Spinnet, a Seventh year Gryffindor, know in private the sudden surprise her House just got ennobled. "I'd hate to see her pass out tomorrow morning at breakfast when it's on the front page of the Daily Prophet."

Marchbanks cackled and said, "Then perhaps you would be so kind as to ask her to come see me? With what it has meant, of late, for students to be brought to see me..." And left it hanging.

Harry nodded and said, "Say no more, I understand. I'll see her at the start of lunch and let her know."

Marchbanks nodded and said, "That sounds a less threatening method, thank you."

"As she is often joined at the hip by the Misses Johnson and Bell, would it be alright for me to let her know they can join her?"

Surprised at the idea, she replied, "That's a very clever idea, too, Lord Potter. Do that, would you?"

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied with a smile back.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As he usually did after a Wizengamot session that had him back at the school with time to attend class, Harry hurried up to the apartment, changed, grabbed his satchel and quickly headed down to the Transfiguration classroom before quietly letting himself in. Professor Biffingwater never had a problem with him being late, as he knew why.

However, he had to sit in the back row so as not to disturb the other students individually, or the class in general. And, after trying it on a couple of occasions, Hermione couldn't bring herself to sitting in the back waiting for him so apologised and returned to sitting in the from as usual. Neville sat with her.

She claimed sitting in the back made her too uncomfortable. Besides, more than half the time he wouldn't be back in time to sit in the class, anyway. And Harry didn't have a problem with it, especially as he also knew the girl would find it difficult not to immediately hammer him with questions about the session. She was doing better, but she still had her moments. The results of an emergency session of the Wizengamot, especially with so much riding on the line, would have snapped her self-control; he knew.

She could wait the remaining hour out and ask then.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once the class was done, after gesturing for the two to wait back Harry waited for Hermione and Neville to join him as the rest of the class emptied out.

When the last few stragglers left, he told them what had happened.

Even Neville was almost vibrating in excitement. Harry could see he wanted to dash off, right then and there, to see Hannah. However, he had the self-discipline to remain polite.

"Excuse me, Harry, Hermione," he carefully said. "But, I simply must go speak with Hannah. If you'll excuse me?"

Harry grinned and said, "That's fine. Just stay―"

That was as far as he got before Neville was already out the door and gone.

"Safe." And grinned at Hermione. "Do you think he'll remember to tell Tracey?"

She giggled back and said, "Maybe we should go make sure of that."

As he rose, chuckling in amusement while he slung his satchel over his shoulder, he said, "Why not. However, I need to see Alicia Spinnet on the way in the door of the Great Hall. I have to let her know she needs to go speak with Gr- I mean, the Headmistress. I think 'Lady Marchbanks' would like the honour of telling her."

Hermione nodded and said, "We can do that."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As he said he needed to, as they walked in the doors of the Great Hall, Harry immediately turned his eyes towards where he knew the 'Three Flying Foxes' usual sat, seeing them straight away.

He turned to Hermione and said, "Please go join the others. I'll let Alicia know before I come over."

Hermione gave a happy and amused smirk back before she kissed him on the cheek and said, "Off you go, then." And walked over to where the Heirs were sitting at the Hufflepuff table.

Harry approached the three and caught Spinnet's gaze. Once he did, he quietly leaned in and, with a relaxed smile, said, "It's nothing bad, I assure you; but, the Headmistress asked me to ask you to stop by and see her before the end of lunch. She won't have a problem with Angie or Katie or both joining you."

At first wary and then confused, she asked, "It's nothing bad, is it?"

"No," he grinned. "It's shocking, but in a good way. It's not for me to tell. She wanted the honour to tell you, herself."

"Alright," she carefully said. "Thank you, Harry."

He gave a nod back and made his way over to the 'Puff table.

He knew he had a very excited 'interrogation' in his very near future.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ