Chapter Seventy Eight - Ashes to Ashes

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

Chapter Seventy Eight - Ashes to Ashes

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―==(oIo)==―

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Between mouthfuls of lunch, Harry gave the highlights of the Wizengamot emergency session. He did not need to tell either Hannah or Tracey the news, as Neville had already covered it before he got there. That was clear by how both looked so effably pleased and relaxed.

However, they all wanted to know how difficult it was to get through.

"It wasn't," he replied. "Because we were prepared and knew what Fawley was going to try, Sirius, Frank and I got in first. As Three of the Seven what we had to say on the matter carried a lot of weight. All four of our first choices were accepted and Flint, let alone the others, barely warranted a mention from anyone, but Fawley and someone else who was obviously 'prepped' to speak in favour of Flint and the others."

"Weight, indeed," muttered a smirking Daphne. To Harry, she was obviously referring to the weight of the little mokeskin bags of galleons.

"A couple of others put a few Houses forward... one was Weasley... but our four got the vast majority of the votes.

"It was easy to see that Fawley was terrified, though. I think he believes Flint's probably going to kill him, because he failed to get at least the Ancient House of Flint ennobled."

Daphne, who'd been thinking, said, "Yeah... He might be right. Flint the younger was a vindictive... pardon me... bastard. And I heard his father is even worse. Fawley doesn't have an Heir, I think, so there may be yet another ennobled House about to go extinct."

Harry nodded and said, "That was our thoughts, too."

Harry had finally managed to eat enough for lunch when he heard Spinnet let out a cry from near the head table. "They did WHAT?!"

When he turned to look, he was just in time to see the girl, standing with her two friends one either side of her and before the head table in from of Marchbanks, suddenly faint. Bell was quick enough to catch her before she completely collapsed.

Harry, for one, snickered. Within the Hall, he wasn't the only one.

After the shock of seeing Spinnet faint, Hermione turned to him and frowned. "Harry," she firmly, but softly, said. "That's not nice."

"Bloody funny, though," said Neville, also snickering.

Susan lightly whacked him on his upper arm, but was also smiling at the time.

He said, "Sirius and Frank are going to approach the now Lords Diggory and Spinnet to inform them both of what happened and see if they're interested in joining the Alliance. First in, first dressed; and all that."

Daphne gave a firm nod and said, "Good. Though they don't know it yet, both owe you big."

Hannah asked, "Did Auntie Amelia have any more news about what actually happened on Tuesday night?"

Harry was glad no one seemed to have read anything more into Daphne's remark, other than he was part of the Alliance that led to their nominations. He didn't want anyone bar 'his' and those involved to know he put gold into bribing the 'Mot to get their four nominations accepted and successfully voted upon to be elevated.

"She and her people have some theories," he replied. "However, she was quick to add that that's all they were... theories. However, she did not feel ready to share them with anyone yet."

After hearing where people were found within the manor, especially Weasley, Harry had his own theory and thought he was right. He'd share it with his - and only his - that night. He'd say nothing else to anyone else about it until then, though.

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―==(oIo)==―

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After classes ended for the day, Hermione subtly tried to press for more information. However, Harry was firm in his conviction not to expand or expound on anything more related to the session until Fleur was 'home'. It was the same stance he gave from the session only a week ago and the session last month.

When Fleur did arrive back, though, Harry delayed even further. "Fleur needs to be brought up-to-date with what you two already know, Hermione," he firmly stated. "I'll add to that after dinner."

Though frustrated, she still apologised for what she knew were her still-trying-to-be-corralled desires to 'know absolutely everything'.

After he passed on the information and checking the time, he said, "Now. Tell us about your day. Anything interesting happen you can share?"

She gave a firm nod and said, "The goblins knew of the elevation of the four 'Ouses almost immediately. I also took the time to write my papa about them and 'ad that sent off at lunch, so you do not need to worry about it.

"Bill came by to ask for an extension on his bereavement leave from work. It was granted, but 'e must be back no later than Monday morning. 'E dropped in to the team and told us some of what the family was going through. 'E also said that Ginny's mind-'ealer friend had stopped by yesterday morning to talk to the whole family."

She gave a little smirk to Harry and said, "'E was told the elderly widowed witch sent to 'elp Ginny 'ad been in contact with 'er and asked 'er to stop by and 'elp if she could. She was there for over two 'ours. Bill said she did 'elp, some; even 'im."

Harry gave a nod back and felt a little relieved to hear that.

She gave herself a little shake, took a deep breath and said, "For work, I was asked to 'elp with finalising audits on some of the vaults of the deceased, today. I was recommended because, without Bill there, my training has... paused. And Gringotts is aware I scored a high Outstanding on my NEWTs for Arithmancy."

"Enjoyable?" asked Hermione.

"Different," she shrugged and smiled. "I look forward to Bill returning, though."

"Understood." After a quick check of his watch again, Harry said, "Anyway. Time for dinner, I think."

His three all nodded and they rose from where they were sitting, as usual, on the couches.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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After dinner and back in the apartment, Harry sat his three down before they pulled out assignments and class notes and said, "Remember what I said at lunch about what Madam Bones said about theories for what happened on Tuesday night?"

While the other two nodded, Hermione replied, "Yes."

"Well," he said. "I have my own theory. And it has to do with what she told me about where in the manor the bodies were discovered.

"First, they were not all in the same room at what they now figure was a meeting. Five were not there. Four were upstairs in what I was told was the ladies' parlour. All four were wives of four of the men in the meeting room - reception room.

"The last one... was found in the basement, not far from the manor's potions lab."

Hermione gave a little gasp of surprise and asked, "That was Ron, wasn't it."

Harry nodded and said, "I think he was trying to brew potions and the fumes from them... somehow... ended up being spread throughout the manor.

"I also think that's why Madam Bones is very... reticent... to speak on her theories. She doesn't want the House of Weasley pilloried for an accident it looks like Ron caused."

He hesitated a moment before he said, "And that's why I'm also forbidding you three from talking about it outside of us four. While I might have ended up detesting Ron, I happen to like the rest of the Weasleys. I don't want to see them pilloried either."

Daphne said, "It'll come out sooner or later, though. Too many, as you said, important Houses went extinct and important people died."

"Yes," he agreed. "However, she does not have to tell anyone it's believed Ron was the one brewing the potions. For all anyone knows, Nott was brewing the potions and Ron was just the unlucky sod who ended up closest to the lab when they all died. With no one left alive who can gainsay that, I can't see there being evidence either way."

"Indeed," she quietly nodded.

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―==(oIo)==―

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The Daily Prophet the next morning had the lead story of the four Ancient Houses who were being elevated to Noble status. Very soon thereafter, even before the breakfast session had ended, both Hannah and Tracey had other students approaching them to congratulate them both for their Houses' elevations.

Unsurprisingly, Tracey had an easier time of accepting the words of goodwill. After all, it had been Harry's intent for some time to work towards the House of Davis getting elevated. The death of so many was just a sudden jump forward of that eventual time. And she was already of the mindset it was going to happen.

Alicia Spinnet, though, still didn't know what to make of it all.

However, after reading the article herself, she now knew the identity of one of those responsible.

Harry found himself receiving a short note handed to him by Angie Johnson asking for a quick meeting in the entrance hall antechamber. He asked Neville to join him.

When he got there it was to see the Three Flying Foxes already there with Spinnet looking a little anxious.

As soon as he walked in with Neville at his heels, she almost plaintively asked, "Why?" There was no need to elaborate.

Harry immediately replied, "For two reasons. Your House is of the Light; and it was past due."

"That's it?" she asked.

"Well, the rest had nothing to do with your House, specifically," he replied. "Based on what happened at the emergency session of the Wizengamot in November 1981, we knew the Dark were going to immediately take steps to see four more Dark Houses elevated. That, personally, could not be allowed.

"In a meeting of the Grand Alliance last Saturday we resolved to put forward four Ancient Houses who are of the Light before the Dark could put forward their own.

"We knew straight away we'd be putting forward Abbott and Davis. It then took a while to determine who the other two would be. The Ancient House of Spinnet was short-listed before then being chosen as one of the other two."

Bell, curious, asked, "Who else?"

"Who else were considered, you mean?" he asked right back.

She nodded.

"Hilliard, Lovegood and Sturton were three," he replied. "I don't remember the rest."

"Why not Weasley?" asked Johnson.

"They're only an Elder House and we felt there were Ancient Houses who should be ahead of them," he replied. "Plus, someone else put them forward during the meeting, anyway. I think they only got one vote, the one who put them forward. Just being nominated is kudos to them, though."

Spinnet, who during the second part of the 'questioning', hadn't said a word and was clearly thinking things over, looked up and heart-feltingly said, "Thank you."

Harry gave a shrug and said, "Then, on behalf of the Grand Alliance, you're welcome. It was an Alliance decision, after all."

Johnson immediately frowned and asked, "You were against it?"

"No," he said. "The Noble and Ancient House of Potter, as part of the Grand Alliance, did this for the Ancient House of Spinnet. This had nothing to do with what Harry feels about Alicia. They're different entities and different issues."

She looked away in perceived shame and nodded. Quietly she said, "Sorry."

Harry left a few moments later.

As they crossed the entrance hall back to the Grand Hall, Neville quietly asked, "That was a bit rude, what Angie said, wasn't it."

Instead of immediately answering, Harry gave his mate a 'look' and sighed. He drawled, "Yeah."

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―==(oIo)==―

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With a late start before Ancient Runes, Harry hung back with both his 'student' ladies and they discussed the implications, Wizengamot- and Alliance-wise, of what it meant.

Hermione asked, "Do you think Sirius and Frank will be successful in convincing Spinnet and Diggory to join the Alliance?"

Harry gave a shrug back and said, "I've no idea, to be honest. Of course, I hope so... but we'll just have to wait and see."

"How many voting Houses does that give the Alliance now?" she asked.

"Umm..." he started.

Daphne cut in and replied, "Eleven, plus the Directorship with Madam Bones."

Harry nodded and said, "That's right."

Hermione put, "So, if Spinnet and Diggory do join the Alliance, that brings it to thirteen... fourteen."

"Yup," he replied.

"Will that be enough to get Sirius's Bill passed?" she asked.

"I have no idea," he replied. "I leave the politicking to the others. I'm not that good at it."

Daphne said, "And we'll have plenty of time to teach you."

"I can read people alright," he admitted. "But knowing how they'd react emotionally to an issue... I can only make guesses based on prior behaviours to similar issues in the past."

Both ladies gently smiled at him before Daphne said, "I think Hermione and I... and Fleur, too... figured that part of you out quite some time ago."

Hermione nodded as Harry blushed a little.

The girls now knew not to 'tweak' him for it. To them, it was just Harry being Harry. A fraction of an inch over six foot tall now and all fit and healthy young man, all three knew he loved them; even if he had his slightly odd quirks, at times.

His ability to accurately logically reason things out, though... it still, on occasion, left them mentally reeling in both shock and awe; even now.

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―==(oIo)==―

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The next day, the Thursday, Harry received a letter delivered by Hermes, Percy Weasley's owl. It was a request by Molly he and Hermione attend the funeral for Ron to be held at the Weasley family plot. The plot, he knew, was located behind Notice-me-Not charms in a corner of the Weasley family land near the family apple orchard. It was scheduled for the coming Saturday morning at 11.00am. A feast would be held as part of the wake at lunch the same day.

Harry read it and sighed before handing it off to Hermione.

She, too, sighed when she read it. "At the same time it's sweet that they specifically invited us, it's also a little insulting they didn't invite Daphne or Fleur."

"My thoughts, too," he said.

"Do you want to attend?" she asked.

He shook his head and sadly replied, "No. And not just for the probably unintended insult, either. His behaviour over the past twelve months, let alone his effectively being bribed to be my friend, let alone his treatment of you over the same time... No, I have no reason to go other than in support of the rest of the Weasleys.

"Even then I might still have gone, due to wanting to show support for them, but their not including Daphne or Fleur was still an insult. That insult was enough to tip the balance to not go."

She nodded and said, "Do you want me to write the letter declining the invitation? I'll say something about how you're distraught... no, you didn't feel comfortable putting words... you didn't feel comfortable attending the funeral of one who, when they last saw you, tried to kill you. That's better."

"If you wouldn't mind?" he begged.

"I'll write it," she firmly replied. "You can proof read it, before it's sent."

"Thank you." The relief in his expression was quite evident.

Thankfully, they had yet another free first period. This one due to Astronomy that night. So Hermione continued to sit at the table well after breakfast had completed with Harry sitting beside her; and she wrote the letter back to Arthur. After all, such letters should be sent to the head of House, even though it was Molly who wrote the invitation.

Hedwig flew in just after she'd finished it, with both of them informally signing it, and appeared quite happy to take it to deliver it for them.

Both breathed a sigh of relief as she headed for the rafters to leave via the owl windows.

"There'll be more of those sort of invitations over the coming days," Harry softly said. "At least, these ones will be 'official' invitations; for the funerals for those who sat on the Wizengamot and the three of those of Member Houses of the Alliance.

"If at all possible, we'll have to attend the three for Philip, Eugene and Cyril; but we can excuse ourselves for the others."

Hermione suddenly thought about something and jerked up straight. She exclaimed, "I'm going to need witches' mourning robes!"

He gave a nod and said, "I know Daphne has them. She wore them the day of the Malfoy Will reading. But I'm unsure if Fleur has them. Either way, so long as the funerals are held no earlier than next Saturday morning, we'll organise with the Headmistress for you and the others who don't have them to floo across to Diagon Alley for a couple hours."

"That would be helpful, yes," she returned.

It turned out later that it was discovered Fleur did not have witches' mourning robes with her, after all, and Daphne was looking for a new set, anyway. Once they'd figured out all three would need to go to the Alley to be fitted for them, they then went and spoke with the other witches in the Heirs' group. Tracey had a set but, like Daphne, only the one. None of the others did.

After discussing it with the Headmistress, she gave them permission to attend Diagon Alley to 'rectify this appalling situation' on the Saturday morning.

However, the three boys would also be going to Diagon. They'd be going to Twillfit and Tatting's while the ladies were headed for a clothier boutique called 'Lady Priss, Couterier'. According to Daphne, Lady Priss was so discrete she didn't even have a shop front; and was the witches' version of Twillfit and Tatting's.

Harry had little idea the store existed until he received the bill for the ladies trip to Diagon when Fleur joined them. However, even now he had no idea just where in Diagon Alley it was located, only that it was in Diagon.

He just gave a mental shrug and told Hermione, "Open coin purse for this, Love. Spend what you want. You know it's not an issue.

"Oh; and pay for the lot for the other ladies, too. You should all be looking your best. If their guardians get upset with me later for it, I'll take care of it."

That earned him a major snog from Hermione; then Daphne and Fleur, almost together, when they found out Harry had decided on, as he put it, an 'open coin purse policy' when it came to witches, their clothing and anything else relating to them.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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The next morning's mail bomb brought with it all three funeral notices for the three individuals of their Alliance, plus a demand from Molly he and Hermione attend the funeral for Ron as she 'wanted all her children attending, even if they weren't of her blood', and one on Thaddeus Rowle's authority for Harry and his ladies to attend the one for Thorfinn Rowle. Cyril MacMillan's would be on Sunday afternoon at 2.00pm; Philip Bancroft's and Eugene Dallyhatch's would be on Monday morning. Philip's was at 9.00am and Eugene's was at 11.00am. Thankfully, Thorfinn Rowles was on, also at 9.00am on the Monday, at the same time as Philip's.

"Wow, they're close!" declared Neville, who held in his hand his own 'notice'.

"I'm not surprised," said Daphne. "Don't forget; there's forty seven funerals that have to be covered in very short order. And that's not counting those few which would be of witches and wizards who died recently and weren't even at Nott's manor.

"As such, there is going to be quite a few funerals that are going to be held at the same time, let alone consecutively; and let alone how close these ones are. I have no doubt there are other funerals being held at the same time, or near enough, as these ones and quite possibly even at the same place."

"Which is all the excuse I need not to attend the funerals of the Members of the Wizengamot I really have no desire to attend," Harry firmly stated.

"Some of those were of Houses considered Grey, Harry," she firmly said.

"They might have been publicly recognised as Grey," he argued. "But the fact they were at that meeting casts significant doubt on that."

She gave a nod and said, "You are likely to take a hit in the press for not attending, but I doubt you'll be the only one who'll refuse."

"Which brings me to this one," he firmly said, offering the letter to Daphne.

"Rowle," she said. "Of course. One of the Seven."

"One of the seven died?" asked Hermione.

"No. His Heir Apparent," said Harry. "Thorfinn Rowle. One of the so-called Imperiused Death Eaters in the last war."

"It would be rude not to attend the Rowle funeral," said Daphne. "However, it would be disrespectful not to attend the Bancroft funeral."

"We go to the Bancroft funeral," said Harry.

Daphne nodded, started folding the letter back up and said, "Then it should be I who writes the response to Rowle, stating your disappointment you will not be able to attend due to the funeral of an ally being held at the same time." She slipped the letter into her inner robe pocket at the breast. "You'll sign it."

Harry nodded and said, "Thank you."

"And what do we do about Molly's demand?" asked Hermione.

"We ignore it," he replied. "I'm not saying that just because I want to be rude, either. I'm saying that because we've already informed her we won't be attending. All sending her a second refusal will do is just upset her further."

Hermione nodded. "We leave it be, then," she said.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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The trip to Diagon occurred immediately following an early 'Harry' breakfast in the Potter apartment. While a little put out he wouldn't be allowed to cook it, Dobby was allowed to assist and clean all the dirty dishes. Hermione had successfully argued that there was likely to be quite a few people who would be in the Alley to purchase things like mourning robes and it would be best if they arrived early to get in first.

Because of the early hour, the previous day Harry asked for and received permission from the Headmistress to use the floo in the Potter apartment.

So, immediately after breakfast, they only had to enter the apartment living room to floo to the Alley, rather than troop across half the castle to the Headmistress's office.

After dropping the ladies off at the quite plain door of Lady Priss's shop, the three boys headed to their appointment at Twillfit and Tatting's. They had plenty of time and they knew it. It might take them about an hour to be fitted, but the ladies were going to be even longer.

Or, so they thought. Things were about to turn ugly.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Exiting the male clothier's, each with a large bundle under their arms, the three boys were still discussing the fitting and material selections when Harry was knocked off his feet by a rude and hard shoulder nudge.

By the time he landed and bounced into a combat crouch, he already saw that Neville had someone pinned to the wall of the building they were passing by. He had the person pinned with his offhand forearm across the back of the man's neck and his wand-hand holding the other person's wand arm locked up behind him.

Able to see the person's face, Harry recognised him immediately - Theodore Nott. While Neville's face showed great anger, Nott's expression also showed anger, but it was clear he was also trying hide shocked fear.

A moment later, Justin was helping Harry to his feet. "Are you alright, Lord Potter?"

'Nice,' thought Harry, recognising why Justin named him that way. "I am, thank you, Heir Finch-Fletchley."

As Harry used his wand to clean his robes, he thought fast about what to do about this. Already a small crowd was beginning to gather.

Decision made he turned his attention more fully to a thoroughly pinned Nott. Neville both out-massed him considerably and also had leverage on his side. Nott had been trying to struggle free, but it got him nowhere; Neville just pressed harder.

"Heir Nott," Harry almost snarled. "You've just attacked―"

"Aurors!" came a bark from just beyond the small gathering of bystanders and gawkers. A moment later a Senior and Second Class stepped through the crowd.

"What is the meaning of this?" demanded the Senior. Harry recognised the Senior from off his protection detail when he stayed with the Grangers.

"Heir Nott, here," snarled Neville, "Just attacked the Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House... One of the Seven... Lord Potter. I believe Lord Potter has something to say to him about that."

Before the auror could speak and or make any demands, Harry got in first.

"I do!" he firmly stated. "Heir Nott. You've just attacked my person. As I know you were aware, I am the Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House. As I know you are also aware, I have the right to demand satisfaction for your actions... and I do!

As quite a few people gasped in shock, Harry continued, "Heir Nott, for your ongoing attacks upon my House... of which this incident is only the latest... I, Lord Harrison James Potter, of Potter, hereby formally challenge you to an Honour Duel. Such duel to take place within one week. Such duel to take place, as all such formal duels between Heads of Houses take place, at the Ministry duelling arena at the Ministry of Magic. What say you... cur!"

Neville immediately released the boy and stepped a pace and a half back.

As Harry had challenged Nott, the other boy's eyes at first widened in shock, before he began to look afraid. However, he held his ground. With Neville pressing him face-first into the wall, he really couldn't go anywhere, anyway.

Once Neville released him, Harry wasn't sure if the boy was going to show he had no honour after all and bolted, or actually accept. After turning to face Harry, it was a long moment before he braced himself up and, with a sneer, firmly stated, "I accept!"

Harry gave a firm nod back, his eyes never leaving those of Nott, and said, "Name your second."

Nott was about to say something when he then looked a little unsure. Finally he said, "My second recently passed. I shall have to seek another."

'So, his grandfather was his chosen second,' thought Harry. Before he could say he didn't have a second either, Neville firmly spoke up.

"I stand as Lord Potter's second," he stated. "Arrange for your second... whoever is foolish enough to take the post... to contact me by owl no later than sundown tomorrow night."

Nott firmly returned, "So be it." Then spun and stormed away.

"Lord Potter," snapped the Senior, finally allowed to step in.

When Harry turned a cool gaze upon the man, he continued, "While it is lawful... As you are still a young man, as is Mister Nott, this will fall unfavourably against you no matter the outcome."

"It's a Honour Duel, Senior," he returned. "It is not my direct intent to kill the fool."

"It will be his to kill you, though," said the auror.

"I know," said Harry. "However, unless his past few months at Durmstrang have greatly improved his prowess with a wand, he won't have a chance to carry that out."

The Senior gave a nod and turned to Neville. "Heir Longbottom, I shall inform Madam Bones a formal Honour Duel will be held in the Ministry duelling arena within the week; and who it will be between. I daresay she will have words for you."

Neville gave a nod back and the Senior spun away, taking the somewhat stunned Second Class with him.

Harry turned to Neville as the boy closed the distance between them. "Thank you."

Neville quietly asked, "You know you're going to take a lot of guff from within the Alliance over this, don't you?"

"Yeah," he replied. "But, they're not the ones whom I'm worried about."

Justin got it right away. "Hermione and the others are going to kill you before you even get a chance to step onto that platform."

As Harry turned to him with a slight smile, Justin handed him his bundle of robes back. "Yep," he replied, accepting them. "I just hope Daphne will stop the other two from tearing me apart. She'll be the first to calm down, knowing this was necessary."

"You're going to need to be fitted for duelling robes," said Neville.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

None of the ladies witnessed what occurred between Harry and Nott in the Alley. And, as the three boys didn't say anything until they returned to the castle, Harry wasn't subjected to a public berating from the three of them; or the others.

He thanked God he was on his own when it happened, as both Justin and Neville got out of there almost right away to give him the opportunity to tell them in private.

Before he'd finished explaining, Hermione was in his face. he could see the fear in her eyes. "Are you OUT of your naffing MIND?! HOW could you DO this?"

"It's one of those necessary evils that comes from being one of the Seven, Hermione," he started to explain.

"He's going to try to KILL you!" she ranted. "You KNOW he is!"

"I know," he calmly returned. "And I'll be making sure he doesn't."

She stared back in gobsmacked shock for a moment before she gave an almost inarticulate cry of anger and fear, spun about and ran from the living room to her bedroom, slamming the door shut on her way in.

With a sigh he turned to the other two. Both were just as angry and both were just as afraid for him.

"Even if you win, this is not going to end well for you," said Daphne.

"And this was also probably going to happen, sooner or later," he said. "I'd rather it sooner, where I know I'll have a much better chance of beating him, than later, when he can get his skills up."

"You're going to need duelling robes and we're going to 'ave to train you 'ard in what time we've got before the duel," said a clearly unhappy and scared Fleur.

"Dobby," he called.

"Yes, Master Harry?" asked an also clearly afraid house elf. "Check the vaults for me, Dobs. I remember seeing a decent set of duelling robes in there."

Dobby gave a nod and popped away.

He was back in a long moment with three sets of robes.

Harry spotted the ones he was thinking off and picked them up from where the elf had put them, side by side, on the long couch.

Both his two witches still in the room also came over to have a look.

"Acromantula silk with what I think is Ukrainian Ironbelly plating," said Daphne, fingering them.

Fleur, also fingering the material, quietly said, "Protection runes, arrays for cooling and comfort, anti-transfiguration arrays, a few others I do not recognise. I will need to go over them to determine what they all are."

Daphne gave a nod and said, "Strip and put them on."

After Harry did just that, Fleur had already gathered stationery and was using a conjured clipboard to hold the sheets of parchment. He was quite surprised by how well they fit him and mentioned it.

It was Dobby, watching, who said, "They belongsed to Lord Charlus Potter, Master Harry. He beings known as being very good dueller."

Harry then held his arms out and allowed the two witches to walk around him, pointing out the various enchantments and arrays woven into the material.

As they worked, Hermione came back out. It was clear she'd been crying. However, what his other two ladies were doing had her come over and join them. She might be upset with him, but she would not let it interfere with making sure he was as protected as legally possible before going into that duel.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

About an hour after Harry first put on the robes, his three ladies were still going over everything and looking what could be improved upon in the time he was likely to have left.

A knock on the door had Hermione going over to open it. It was Neville, Justin and their four.

Hermione just stepped aside and gestured them within.

Harry had to turn about to see them as he was still facing almost completely the other way after donning the robes. He could see that CeeCee had been crying, too. Her eyes were red rimmed.

As soon as her eyes locked with his, she hurried over and wrapped him in a hug under his arms, laying her face sideways on his chest.

"You're an idiot," she firmly sniffled.

"This is something that happens, sometimes, at my level," he replied. "Eventually, someone was going to step up and challenge me, or I would have to challenge them.

"Until it happened, there would be those... out there... who would always wonder just how good I am. There would be those who would always wonder if they could make something of a name for themselves by being the one who 'took me out'.

"I'd rather it be against someone like Theodore Nott... and that it occurred because he finally pushed me too far... than someone who I know is going to be so much better.

"Once it's done, it will have sent a message. That message is: 'Lord Harrison Potter is prepared to take things to a duel if you push him too far'.

"Understand?"

Before CeeCee could reply, only going so far as to pull her head back to look him in the eyes, he was glom-tackled by Hermione with a Hermi-hug from the side.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she squeaked.

"Don't be sorry for being upset with me because you were afraid for me, Hermione," he firmly said. "It's alright."

As she sniffled into his shoulder, he said, "In our home, wherever our home happens to be at that point in time, you'll be allowed to get verbally upset with me; even yell at me. That's allowed. Just make sure you don't do it in public or when we have guests."

As he felt her nod, CeeCee backed off and said, "You're very bright."

Looking back at her he grinned and said, "Only just figuring that out, are you?"

She grinned back, pulled away, whacked him on the arm and returned to be nearer Justin.

As an aside as Hermione got control of her emotions again, he thought, 'I don't think CeeCee's going to want to part with Justin once she's of age. I think her concubinage might become permanent, down the track.

'I'll have to talk with Justin about it; make sure he understands that and is prepared for it.'

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As it was getting on to almost too late for lunch, Harry quickly went into his room to change into casual. He brought the robes out and laid them back on the couch, as he thought the three witches might want to make 'improvements' to them.

Then the ten headed down to the Great Hall.

As they walked Neville softly said to Harry, "I've sent an elf off to Dad to let him know about the duel. And asked him to let the others know. I've also asked him to stand in as assistant to me as second to help organise and book the duelling chamber at the Ministry."

Harry nodded back, smiled and said, "Thank you."

A few moments later, he asked, "You're going to be able to take him, right? That auror was right when he said Nott's going to try to kill you."

"Yeah," he nodded. "Starting this afternoon I'm going to start duel training. I might not have long, but neither does he. I'll be focussing on honing my reflex speed and spell-chains, plus making sure my stamina is still up.

"He won't be fit, even with going to Durmstrang now; so I'll be able to outlast him on physical fitness and magical stamina. Plus, the faster I cast, the less chance he has to cast back.

"What I'm more worried about is him going to the dark arts. I don't think it'll be if he goes that route, but when. I'll need to watch for that."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After letting his lunch settle, Harry again changed into his Great Uncle's duelling robes and the Heirs headed for the Room of Requirement.

For the next three hours they worked... hard.

While the others were going through books on magical combat and duelling that the Room provided, Harry was warming up with the duelling dummies. This time he focussed on just one, but this one was set to Level 5. It was one level down from it's best setting; and that one was dangerous, even for him. Curses were lethal at that level.

After warming up for fifteen minutes he'd taken a quick break. That was all Hermione needed to call him over and show him a list they'd prepared of grey and dark curses. They'd listed the name, wand movement, incantation and colour of the curse.

"When not actually training you need to memorise these," said Hermione, in... well... Hermione-mode. "We've kept it simple and in a fashion we know works well for you... lists."

"It's actually quite clever," said Daphne. "You don't need to know everything there is to know about each curse or hex as it's not as if you're ever going to use them. However, you need to know the basics of each so you can then know how to defend against them."

"By listing them out," continued Hermione. "You have a ready list - a cheat sheet - that you can far more easily remember and recall when and if you need it. Plus, we're only building a single list, at the moment. Once we've got what we can get down, down, I think we should break it down into effects and counters.

"For example, some are area effect; like, for instance, Fulmos is the smoke cloud charm. A Protego won't have any effect on that.

"Then there are others that were designed specifically to get through a Protego, even a Protego Totalum or Protego Horribilis. With those, we'll determine if it's better to dodge them, use a conjured shield or if there's a shield charm designed for when the Protego is useless."

"Already we've decided that the Avis charm is worthless to you," said Daphne. "You tend to always be in motion and the Avis, to be effective, requires you to stand still."

"Oui," said Fleur. "That is why we are looking for defensive methods that do not restrict you from your always-in-motion style of fighting."

"For now, train some more," said Daphne. "We need to watch you more, to get an even better idea on what sort of defensive strategy would work best for you."

Harry smirked after the three-way tag team his ladies just did and replied, "Yes, Ma'ams." And returned to the duelling piste with its single target dummy.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After working all afternoon in the Room of Requirement, Harry was back there after dinner. Secretly, he borrowed the books his ladies used to write down that list they were still developing of dark arts curses and hexes and, one at a time, cast them in the room to help him with memorising each and every one of them to the best of his ability.

He felt he needed to see them because 'muddy orange' wasn't that great a description. Neither was, 'a greenish blue', 'a dark yellow' or similar.

When he successfully cast each one he now had a better idea of just what those curses actually looked like. For a start, 'a muddy orange' translated to 'burnt umber', 'a greenish blue' translated to 'a dark aqua' and 'a dark yellow' translated to 'mustard'. He corrected each on the list the girls had already created, knowing what he held was a copy of the original they were still working on.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

With Cyril MacMillan's funeral that afternoon, Harry was back in the Room of Requirement on the Sunday morning, again practicing against a single duelling dummy.

With the dummy set at Level Three, he had it casting curses at him that were little more than jinxes. And practiced what he'd read in one of the books was called 'spell swatting'. He was surprised to learn that spell swatting was also effective against almost all of those curses that the Protego charm wouldn't shield, except the Unforgivables. The weakness of spell swatting was the disarming charm, Expelliarmus. And Expelliarmus had a 'clear' colour. That is, it was so transparent as it flew from the wand tip of the caster that it couldn't be properly seen as more than a ripple of displaced air. However, a Protego, surprisingly, blocked it.

He'd spent part of the previous evening, after tiring himself out magically, going over ideas of what offensive charms and the like he could employ in his forthcoming duel against Nott. He'd had Dobby collect books on combat magics from Pottermore and was going through them, practicing wand movements with his wand hand and holding the book with his offhand as he went.

That's when he thought about using minor hexes and adding them to his repertoire; even Ron's Eat Slugs hex was added, as its wand movement was little more than a jab/twist. Ginny's Bat Bogey hex required a quick twirl and a yank down, but fitted in well in a spell chain immediately before a curse that started with the wand tip pointing somewhat down.

Once he had a book on them, he was quick to see the use they could have in a duel. They didn't hurt the one they were cast at, but they could be very distracting and allow an opening for a more powerful and harmful curse to slip through.

The Silencing charm, Silencio, while not harmful, could be used to stop the opponent using verbal incantations; as could the Tongue-locking charm, Langlock. A colour-changing charm, if accurate enough, could be used to discolour the water in the eyes of the opponent, temporarily blinding them. The noise muffling charm, Muffliato, an area effect charm, could create a noises-suppressed area around the opponent, effectively deafening them.

And, of course, there was also battle transfiguration. The use of transfiguration in combat.

Harry was nowhere near competent in the art, as almost all of it was related to inanimate to animate. He could, of course, do something like transfigure a teapot to do a little dance; but the more impressive and effective stuff was beyond him. He just hoped it was also beyond Nott. However, he could use transfiguration to turn the ground the boy stood upon to quicksand momentarily before solidifying it again; locking the boy in place and unable to dodge because his feet were stuck in the floor.

He practiced what he could and tried to come up with ways to counter what he couldn't with other ways he could at least minimise the chance of it happening.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After a shower before lunch, then lunch, the Heirs returned to their apartments to change. They needed to change into their mourning robes in preparation of the funeral.

The girls complained that they wouldn't have a lot of time to, as Monica would put it, 'gussy-up'. They'd all wanted to skip lunch, but Harry thought an hour was more than sufficient and, apparently, so too did Neville and Justin.

"No one skips lunch," Harry firmly stated. "If you skip lunch you may very well commit that heinous sin of falling asleep during the service... or whatever it is that's the wizarding equivalent."

"Besides," said Neville. "You all now have access to a Ladies' elf. That'll speed things up for you."

It did... apparently. All seven ladies were ready with five minutes to spare before they had to make their way to the Headmistress's office. Unlike other students who would be attending funerals, who would be going via their Heads of Houses floos, as the Headmistress would also be attending the funeral they went through hers.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Harry had never been to a funeral before, let alone a wizarding one. So he didn't know what to expect.

Once it was over, Daphne told him it was quite short for a Noble and Ancient House. "I wonder if they shortened it because Augustus was embarrassed his son's body had been found at that meeting," she mused.

Neville said, "To be fair, it may have also been because there are so many funerals coming up."

Hermione said, "I've only been to two muggle funerals, myself. And that was a little short, compared to them."

"I liked it," said Harry. "I kind of expected it to be one speaker after another extolling the virtues of the deceased before they finally interred him. Leastwise, that's what I read they were like. But, this wasn't like that."

"It's going to be noticed that Augustus didn't speak," said Daphne. "Augustus is Lord of the House and Cyril was his Heir Apparent. Some are going to see that Augustus not speaking was a way of stating Disownment without coming out and actually saying it."

Justin added, "Lord Longbottom gave a nice speech on the contribution of House MacMillan to the Alliance and how he was looking forward to what contributions Cyril would make as Head of House when his time came."

Harry thought, 'He also made no mention of how they now all thought of him as a traitor.'

Neville looked to Harry and carefully asked, "If I may ask, Harry, what did Mum say to you under that muffling charm after the funeral?"

Harry thought about and replied, "She wanted to talk about the upcoming duel with Nott. And, let me put it this way, I had no idea your Mum knew that many swear words."

Neville winced and softly said, "Yeah, she does."

"She, Frank and Sirius all reminded me I'm One of the Seven and have no heirs. As such, I need to... not go taking risks that could render House Potter extinct," he explained. "Adeline overheard some of that and said... what words did she use?... I should... 'Hurry up and rectify that situation'. Then smirked at me."

Daphne winced.

"She never!" exclaimed Tracey.

Harry grinned back and said, "Her exact words, Trace."

"That was bit forward," huffed Hermione.

"A bit?" asked Daphne. Then she muttered, "I'm going to have to have words with that witch."

Harry, blushing a little again, said, "Don't be too hard on her, Daph. I understand where she's coming from. She just wants to make sure the Houses of Greengrass and Potter has future Heads of House lined up in succession."

She harrumphed, scowled and said, "Don't let her fool you. She just wants grandbabies to spoil."

Harry shrugged and said, "I see nothing wrong with that."

With an annoyed huff she said, "She wants them now, Potter. That is, in nine months. She doesn't want us to wait until after we finish our NEWTs."

"Oh," he softly said with a light blush again. "But, that's not what you want, right?"

"No," she said.

"Then that's not what's going to happen," he firmly said. "It's your choice, remember?"

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Having already received permission to skip classes on the Monday morning to attend the two funerals - and because the first one, Philip Bancroft's, was at 9.00am - the heirs ate an early 'Harry' breakfast. Having it before 7.00am, which is when the Great Hall laid it on, gave the ladies time to get ready.

Fleur couldn't join them, as she needed to be at work. While it was also Bill's first day back after his youngest brother's death and subsequent funeral, as the funerals were not of immediate family Fleur could not in good conscience ask for leave for the morning.

Again they went out via the Headmistress's floo. However, this time, they re-entered the school by way of the Potter floo. Lady Marchbanks would return to the school after Eugene Dallyhatch's funeral as she had yet another to attend between the two; one of the Grey Houses, the Elder House of Haworth, had the funeral for their now ex-Head of House, Miles Haworth, then.

As they stepped back through the floo into the Potter apartment, Harry said, "Big day for Lady Marchbanks today. I believe she has yet another funeral to attend this afternoon."

"Olaf McLaggen," said Hermione. "Cormac McLaggen's father. He was one of the first to find out, due to Mister McLaggen the older's life stone." McLaggen's life stone was kept at their home.

Harry wasn't bothered with getting changed, but the girls were. Daphne explained, "It would be gauche for we ladies to attend the second funeral in the same mourning robes, Harry. We've got time to change, so we will."

However, as there was no need to apply fresh make-up, only touch up what they had which Betsy took care of in a moment, it didn't take them long to change. Meanwhile, Harry had organised a morning tea and 'let' Dobby organise and prepare it.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The second funeral was very similar to the other two. For the speakers on behalf of the Alliance, Lady Marchbanks spoke at Philip Bancroft's; and Heathcliff Davis, now Lord Heathcliff Davis due to the ennobling, spoke at Eugene Dallyhatch's.

He'd also learned at the second funeral that 'the deceased's' widow, Eliza, had temporarily moved into the Sibbledotch home. Prissy Sibbledotch had insisted. The Dallyhatch's had no children of their own, who could step in to aid their mother.

Thankfully, the Heirs were able to return to the school just after lunch had started and, after a quick change of mourning robes to school robes, made it down to the Great Hall in time to eat.

As they were sitting at the Seventh Year's end of the Gryffindor table, this time, Harry looked around and could see there were some wearing their own mourning robes and looking quite morose in some cases.

He sighed and said, "I'll be glad when these funerals are over."

No one said anything back.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ