Chapter Eighty - Head Shrinking
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 Eighty - Head Shrinking
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As pretty much promised, Robinson released Harry just as the school bell rang signalling the end of fourth period. That was the signal to head to the Great Hall for lunch.
However and just as he rose from the bed, Harry realised he had no idea where his duelling robes got to. Without them to hand he had no other clothes to don.
With a sigh, he called, "Dobby."
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir?" asked the elf.
"Can you organise a full set of clothes for me?" he asked. "School uniform, please. I can't seem to find my duelling robes."
"Dobby be right back, Master Harry," the little elf declared, just before popping away.
A few moments later he was back with a neatly folded and stacked pile of the requested clothing, which he immediately put on the bed right next to Harry's hand.
"Dobby now be findings old Master Charlus's duelling robes," he said. "Dobby be thinkings they still be beings at Saint Mungo'ses."
"Thank you, Dobs," said Harry, reaching for the uniform. "You're the best!"
Dobby chirped, "Thank you, Master Harry!" Then he used elf magic to bring the wheeled screens in the infirmary around Harry and the bed, blocking him from sight and popped away again.
Knowing his ladies would be along very soon, expecting him to be released now, he wanted to be ready for them. He quickly began to dress.
He had managed to get his underwear slacks shirt and belt on when the screen was suddenly yanked aside and Hermione stuck her head in.
"Oh, well," she mock-sighed and smiled, while pulling the screens further away. "He managed to get his pants and shirt on before we got here."
Right behind her was Daphne, who rolled her eyes behind Hermione's back and smiled.
Harry just grinned at the two of them and continued to get dressed. He was ready in another minute, pulling his robe over his head and settling it into place.
"Ready?" asked Hermione.
"Uh-hmm," he replied with a nod. "Where are the others?"
They'll be waiting for us in the Great Hall.
With a witch on each arm and a heart felt thank you to Robinson for once again looking after him, the three left.
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As they walked to the Great Hall, Hermione asked, "Any lingering effects we need to know about?"
"Hmm?" he asked. "No, I don't think so. But, Madam Bones told me I should talk to a mind-healer about Nott's death. She said it's something her aurors have to do when they kill someone and I should do it too... at least, I think that's why she thinks I should talk to one."
That had both his ladies drag him to a quick halt. It happened so quickly his feet nearly walked out from under him and he had to rapidly back-pedal to regain his balance.
He'd only just regained it when both dragged him backwards and planted him with his back against the wall. Both stood, side-by-side, with almost identical expressions of hope and worry.
"Oh-kaaay..." he started. "What's going on?"
"You're willing to see a mind-healer?" Hermione demanded.
He frowned in confusion and replied, "Yes. Why does that sound―"
"Harry," Daphne interrupted. "If we knew you'd be willing to speak with a mind healer―"
"We'd have asked you to do that some time ago," Hermione finished
Confused, he asked, "Why?"
"Because even you must recognise you have some issues with emotion and the like, right?" she asked right back.
He thought about it and warily replied, "Yeah... but that's just me, right?"
"Yes," said Daphne. "However, both of us... and Fleur too, truth to tell... think speaking with a mind-healer is something that would help you."
"Then," he asked, still somewhat confused, "Why didn't you say something before?"
Both girls looked to one another before Hermione carefully said, "Because some people feel quite insulted when someone suggests they should speak with a mind-healer."
"Oh," he replied. "Well, I don't. Is that also a reason that means I should speak with one?"
"It could be," she replied with a sigh. "It's these little things like that, though we all love you very much, which we'd like to find out why they are."
'Well, alright," he said. "If it's something you think would help. I can do that."
Both girls lightly breathed almost matching sighs of relief and smiled at him.
"Right," said Hermione. "With that out of the way, let's go to lunch."
And they began walking again.
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As occurred in the past, so occurred now. As Harry walked into the Great Hall the noises seemed to stutter a moment before significantly dropping off. It remained that way until he sat with the others where they were already sitting at a spot on the Hufflepuff table.
As the noise rose again, Hannah leaned towards him and asked, "How're you holding up, Harry?"
"I'm fine," he shrugged. "Bit hungry, though." And proceeded to build himself a lunch.
"No lasting effects?" she asked.
"Nope," he replied. "Medi-wizard Robinson is going to organise me a mind-healer - just in case, I suppose - but I feel fine."
Neville asked, "Besides what we've read in the Prophet from that reporter, who kind of berated you for ending the House of Nott, any problems?"
With a slight shake of his head, he replied, "No. I heard that Master Robards declared it was self-defence; and Madam Bones was in to see me a few hours ago. She, too, said it was a clear case of self-defence.
"I doubt, very much, I'll end up anywhere near on trial for what happened. There was just far too many witnesses and it was far too obvious Nott had both cursed me in the back with a dark curse and then tried to cast the Killing curse at me.
"I further doubt anyone is going to be stupid and push it any further than the Prophet already has."
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Harry was right.
Public signs it had already started arrived the next day when the Daily Prophet turned up. The Letters to the Editor section were 'filled' with letters from angry witches and wizards berating the reporter for claiming 'in his opinion' that 'Lord Potter' was in the wrong for killing Nott. Contrarily, there were also letters in which the writer put forward they believed the reporter was correct in stating duels where one duellist was the last of the Line of an established House should be illegal was also a good idea. A couple had both in the same letter. There was only one scathing letter where the writer stated they believed Harry had used the 'unique' opportunity presented to him to murder Nott. As the letter was from a wizard from a dark house, he promptly ignored it.
He also received another small stack of documents from Ted. Again, this lot were of property documents relating to Harry's ongoing efforts to increase his property portfolio. Ted had included a few of various places from around wizarding Britain. They ranged from a small manor to a cottage. He'd even included a breakdown of what sort of investment they would make with an opinion of what he felt Harry would make a decent return upon.
Harry couldn't fault Ted's reasoning for the purchases he suggested. Each was usually a small bungalow or free-standing stand-alone cottage in a 'reasonably' rural area; as Magicals preferred not to be within non-magical townships. Each sat upon a small or large plot of land, which would enable the erection of wards. For the ones he'd be interested in learning about more, he 'ticked' the top right corner of the sheet; for those he thought he'd pass, he 'crossed' it.
However, there was also a quick note dashed off from Ted asking if he wanted to purchase the Nott manor, if it fell available.
Harry thought about it for all of fifteen seconds before he gave a small smile and 'ticked' the sheet. He'd be buying it, if possible.
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On Thursday morning, the murder Bones was 'secretly' investigating publicly broke in the media. As Harry had thought might happen, Fawley had been killed.
~ # ~
LORD FAWLEY MURDERED
During the tragic duel between Lords Harrison Potter and Theodore Nott last Monday at noon, where not-yet-inducted young Lord Nott tragically lost his life, yet another of our Wizengamot Members lost their life, writes Tangwystl Goshawk for your faithful Daily Prophet.
News coming to light from within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was advising me, your hardworking reporter, that Lord Hamish Fawley was murdered by assailants unknown during the time of the duel that claimed the life of young Lord Nott. Are the two linked? This reporter believes the possibility exists.
[...]
Lord Hamish Fawley was the only surviving son of Lord Hector Fawley, one time Minister of Magic between 1925 and 1939 and widower of Chastity Fawley née Parkinson, who predeceased him. He and his wife had no surviving Heirs.
What does this mean for the Seat of Fawley upon the Wizengamot? pg. 3.
In related news, what of the Seat of Nott? pg. 3.
~ # ~
After reading the article, Harry handed the newspaper off to Hermione and sat back a bit in thought.
'This will definitely allow the Alliance to push House Hilliard through for elevation now,' he thought. 'But, truly, who else?'
He hadn't been kidding when he'd suggested Lovegood. They were now one of the very few Ancient Houses left not already elevated.
In his mind he began to list his arguments for having the House of Lovegood elevated. He decided he would only back down if another non-dark Ancient House was better promoted.
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As breakfast wound up, Harry received a HEED note from medi-wizard Robinson to drop into the infirmary before he headed for class. However, as Thursday was a 'late' start, he knew he could take his time.
'No,' he thought. 'He does not necessarily know I have no class for first period. So, I'd best go now.'
As the Heirs rose, he rose with them.
Hermione frowned a little in confusion and said, "Don't you have free period this period?"
"I do," he nodded. "However, Medi-wizard Robinson's asked me to stop by before classes."
Understanding, she nodded and said, "In that case, mind if I come with?"
"Nope," he returned.
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Walking into the infirmary, Harry and Hermione only had to wait a moment before Robinson walked out of his office.
Though Harry wasn't, Hermione was a little puzzled about that. A moment later she wheeled and cast a detection charm at the double doors of the infirmary and then said, "Ah! An alert charm."
Robinson smirked and replied, "Of course. I need to know for when an emergency comes running in and I'm not on the ward."
Hermione gave an understanding nod back before Robinson turned to Harry.
"Lord Potter," he said, "I wanted to confirm with you suitable times for when the... specialist... Madam Bones asked me to arrange could speak with you."
"Oh!" said Harry. "Any time, I guess. But, if it helps, I have free periods first and fourth on Wednesdays, first on Thursdays and first through third on Fridays."
"That, I knew," nodded Robinson. "Besides the free periods, are you closed to speaking with them outside of class times?"
"Ummm..." he muttered. "No, not really. Except for, maybe, Tuesday and Saturday afternoons. I often have matters relating to my Lordships I have to deal with then."
"Understood," said Robinson. "In that case, your first appointment is for first period tomorrow morning. However, it's just an... introductory... session, so you and the specialist can discuss arrangements."
"Oh, you mean for the mind-healer?" asked Hermione. "Thank you for organising that, by the way."
Robinson seemed surprised Hermione knew who he was referring to.
"It's alright, Mister Robinson," said Harry, now understanding the hesitation Robinson displayed. "All my ladies... and even my friends... know I'll be speaking with a mind healer. I don't mind them knowing."
A little relieved, Robinson said, "In that case, your mind-healer is someone I know and personally trust; Healer Iolanthe Bincutty. As I said, she'll be by to speak with you at the start of first period tomorrow. She's set aside an hour for your first session."
Thanking the man, the two then headed back to the apartment. Harry was surprised Hermione made no further mention of it.
He found out later, though, that she had informed the other two during the day - Daphne, at morning tea; and Fleur, once she returned from work.
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At morning tea, Harry also received a mirror call from Sirius informing him the Alliance was going to informally meet to discuss two more candidates for elevation and asked Harry for his views.
"Hilliard, of course," he immediately replied. "And I'll still put forward the House of Lovegood as the other one, but secondary to Hilliard. You've all already convinced me Hilliard should be before Lovegood."
"I'll let them know," said Sirius. "However, I'll reiterate this is only in case a second emergency session is called before the one on the twenty first."
"Understood," he nodded.
With a slight hesitation, Sirius then asked, "Any word on when you see your mind-healer?"
"Tomorrow morning will be my first session," he replied. "Her name's Iolanthe Bincutty. I know it's not the name of a recognised House, but medi-wizard Robinson said he knows her and trusts her. I have no reason to doubt him."
"Iolanthe Bincutty, you said?" asked Sirius.
Harry nodded.
"Do you mind if I look into her?" asked his godfather.
"Not at all," Harry shrugged. "I can see no harm in that."
Clearly a little relieved, Sirius said, "Thank you. I just want to check for myself."
Again Harry gave a half-shrug and said, "That's alright."
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The next morning Harry was right on time for his first session with Bincutty.
Sirius had contacted him the previous evening to tell him he found nothing negative about the witch and even told him the woman was both highly qualified and well-respected.
Harry didn't doubt it, but investigating the woman made his godfather happy and he saw no harm in him doing so.
The hour was spent with her laying out an overview of what her 'plans' were for his treatment, her then giving him a mind-healer's confidentiality oath and him giving an overview of his life until then.
That took up the entire hour and he still wasn't done when the hour was up.
She then offered to remain for a further hour to finish it all up, which he readily accepted.
By the time she left just before the bell to end second period, he had covered everything up to that day, with her asking pointed questions to how he was initially feeling about having to kill Nott.
She took copious notes.
The next session was scheduled for the following Monday directly after class, then fourth period Wednesday and again on first period Friday.
"A nice balance," she explained. "And I think we might be 'at' this for a while."
Again, he had no problem with it.
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When he walked into the Great Hall for morning tea, he was very surprised none of his friends or either of his two ladies asked him how it went; though he was not surprised to see Hermione was 'dying' to know.
When he mentioned it, she replied, "It's not for us to know, Harry. And especially not for us to know in such a public setting as the Great Hall of Hogwarts. You can tell us what you want to tell us in private and later."
Surprised at her sensibility, he only nodded back.
Giving himself a shake he asked about that morning's classes. Both she and Daphne smiled back and told him.
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After leaving his lovelies and friends to continue to their next class, Harry quickly returned to the apartment and used the time to go through his bank statements received the previous Monday. And was soon lost in the figures.
He was pleased to see there were still steady returns on his various investments, with little outgoings due to little purchasing occurring. However, he also knew there would be a significant drop once the various properties he'd lined up reached 'hand-over' stage.
He'd only managed to barely complete reviewing his finances when Dobby informed him there was only a few minutes to go before the school bell signalling the end to third period was run. He quickly checked his satchel, noticed Dobby had already exchanged his books for Ancient Runes, DADA and Transfiguration, thank the elf and began to make his way to the Arithmancy classroom - Hermione and Daphne.
Now that he no longer class-studied Muggle Studies he tried to always pick the two of them up from their Arithmancy class on Fridays and escort them to Ancient Runes, held only a corridor away.
If nothing else, he always received a kiss from each for his 'thoughtfulness'.
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After a quiet weekend the Monday started a 'wind-down' week for the Heirs. This was the week they received their Christmas break assignments. Harry already knew they were never difficult, as they were always assignments based on, due to the muggleborns, information they could find in their purchased-for-school texts.
Plans also arose for the Heirs to not wait back for the trip on the Express on the coming Sunday. Instead, they'd go to the 'scheduled' meeting of the Alliance on the Saturday and head directly home from there. Headmistress Lady Marchbanks could see no point in them returning to the school late on the Saturday afternoon just to ride the Express back to London immediately after breakfast the next morning.
To Harry, it was for him yet another example of why Lady Griselda Marchbanks was not a daft moron.
At his Monday afternoon session with mind-healer Bincutty, almost the entire session was of her asking Harry questions based on the information he provided to her of his personal history. Quite a few of which made him quite uncomfortable.
For example, she asked, "Why did you truly not want the Dursleys punished by the Wizengamot? Irrespective of what they did to you was because of compulsions, there still had to be something there for the Dursleys to act as they did and, based on your understanding of compulsions you demonstrated during your First Task in the 'Tri-Wiz', I know you had to have known that."
Harry sighed and asked, "What I say to you stays between us, right?"
"Yes," she immediately nodded. "You know that."
He thought about how to answer for a bit before he gave an almost imperceptible shrug and replied, "I want to deal with them, myself, once I complete Hogwarts."
"Revenge?" she immediately pressed, which showed Harry she'd already deduced that, or something similar.
"No," he returned. "That's one of the reasons I intend to hold off until I finish Hogwarts; I want the distance of time before I act. No, I will punish them in a manner which is... comparable to the crimes they committed against me.
"The Wizengamot would have just fed them to Dementors. Because of the compulsions I don't think what they did was worthy of what could only be seen as a slow execution. No; I'm still trying to reason out what their punishments should be, but I have no intention of executing them. I'm letting time cool any knee-jerk reaction I may have; to look at it 'clinically', you know?"
She nodded back and said, "Don't forget; while you're One of the Seven that does not excuse you from the law regarding muggle baiting."
"I'm aware, thank you," he wryly replied.
With a nod of acknowledgement, she changed the subject. "I need to talk to you about how to handle your appointments over the Christmas break."
"Yeah," he said. "I was wondering about that, too."
After a short discussion of it, together with her learning Harry's planned 'schedule' for the break, they came to an agreement. They'd have the next two sessions, as scheduled, at school. All next week, while they were staying at the Green Fields, they'd be held at the Kennel. The following week, with Harry spending most of it in France, would be no sessions. And the third week it would be back at the Kennel again before returning to school and recommencing the sessions at school on Monday, the tenth of January. Then they'd see from there.
"If necessary, we'll even drop the one on Christmas Eve," said Bincutty. "It will depend on what subject matter we're approaching at that time. If it's, as you'd say, heavy... we'll cancel the session and wait until the third of January.
Harry just gave a half shrug and nodded.
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Another bit of surprising news was via a mirror call from Sirius.
He explained, "Through the fine and excellent diplomacy skills of both myself and Frank Longbottom―"
"Yeeeees?" urged Harry.
"Both Houses of Diggory and Spinnet have decided to join the Alliance," continued Sirius.
Harry sat up straighter in surprise. "Both?" he asked.
"Both," Sirius grinned.
"I'm... surprised," said Harry. "I know it's what we hoped, but I didn't think it would happen."
"Why not?" asked his godfather.
"Because it's not as if we formally asked Amos Diggory or Caden Spinnet if they'd mind if we put their Houses forward for elevation," he replied. "I know the likelihood was slim they wouldn't, but we didn't even give them the chance to turn it down."
"You don't ask for elevation for your own House, Pup," said Sirius. "And, by the same cast, you don't get asked. It's not the done thing... things."
"I didn't know that," he sighed. "It wasn't in any of the books I read."
"It's an unwritten rule," said Sirius.
"Right," he nodded. "So. I know Amos and Cedric Diggory; and I know Alicia Spinnet. Who are the relevant people in both Houses I need to know?"
Sirius gave a nod and explained, "In House Diggory you have Amos Diggory... now soon-to-be-inducted Lord Amos Diggory... his wife, Florentina... who prefers to be called Tina... and their recently of-age son, Cedric. Rumour has it Cedric and a girl by the name of Cho Chang of the Chinese Distinguished and Revered House of Chang will soon be betrothed."
Harry gave a nod. He thought that might be on the cards, but did not know Chang was of the Chinese equivalent of a Noble and Ancient House, a Distinguished and Revered House. The only difference was that a Revered House, of what he'd read, was even older than a Most Ancient House; and a Distinguished House was on par with a Noble House.
Harry gave a little whistle of surprise.
Sirius gave a nod, a grin and said, "Amos is pretty laid back on one hand, but quite enthusiastic on the other. And he tends to pretty quickly jump between those two opposites. His wife seems constantly bemused by him. So does Cedric, truth to tell."
Changing to the next, he continued, "In House Spinnet you have Lord Caden Spinnet; his wife, Rosaline; his son and Heir, Rueben; and the daughter you know, Alicia.
"Caden's a real character. I just wish he'd have been of the same age as us. He'd have made a fine Marauder. Comparatively, though, Rueben comes across as a bit uptight. He's not, though; it's an act."
Harry absorbed the information and nodded. "Just so long as no one casts on the bright idea of trying to yet again betroth or concubine me, this time to Alicia, I've no problems with them joining."
Sirius gave a snort of amusement. "I'll make sure no one tries."
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With Friday their actual last day at the school, the Heirs made sure they were all packed and ready before gathering in the Potter apartment for last-minute decisions, if needed. They, of course, waited until Fleur returned from work.
Because their break was only for three weeks and the Potters would only be staying for the longest period of seven nights in one place, many things were not packed. That included the mini-library in the apartment office and the food in the pantry.
Also left out was a change of 'upmarket casual' for the next day's departure from the school to the December meeting of the Alliance. For the Potters, that night would be at the Greengrasses'. Dobby and Betsy would take their trunks directly and co-ordinate with the Greengrass elves on which rooms would be theirs in Green Fields.
Neville had entered ahead of his ladies, flopped onto the three-seater couch and sighed in relief. "I am so looking forward to this break."
Harry grinned at him. "A bit of OWL year stress, Nev?"
"Yup," the other boy immediately and emphatically returned.
"Sorry, but it'll be even worse once we get back."
Neville turned a filthy look on him, which just had Harry grin wider.
"We have the Yule break of three weeks to wind down," said Daphne. "Then we go hard at it until the April break. Then only a couple of months until our OWLs. As have everyone before us, we shall get through this."
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The 'Yule' meeting of the Alliance was multi-purpose. It was an actual meeting, a meeting where the past year's victories and losses were discussed and a bit of a party afterwards with a semi-formal dinner.
Held at the Davis Estate, Heathcliff chaired it. It didn't take long for business to turn towards what happened at Nott Manor, plus it's aftermath. Of course, Amelia controlled most of the discussion.
"So," she sighed after going through the still-sensitive forensics from the 'event'; "It was young Ronald Weasley who was brewing the potions that ultimately led to the death of everyone in the manor.
"Interviews based on the investigations had him leaving the manor soon after 7.00pm that evening while under the effects of Polyjuice, taking the Knight Bus to the Leaky Cauldron, moving through to Knockturn Alley and into an apothecary there and buying illicit and illegal potions ingredients. That apothecary has now been charged with the sale of that.
"He's then returned to the manor via the same manner, entering the manor through a casement window in the basement storeroom - which is when the family clock at the The Burrow switched Mister Weasley's clock hand to Mortal Peril - and he's gone through to the potions lab. He's managed to turn off the burners and, apparently, tried to then flee. However, he only made it a few feet before he passed out and, a few minutes later, died."
Miles asked, "When will that information be released, Amelia?"
"I'd rather not at all," she returned. "It was, as all the evidence confirms, an accident. It was not murder, therefore I do not have the name of a criminal to give to everyone."
"No, but the Wizengamot is going to demand to know what happened more than just the answer of, 'It was an accident'," said Miles.
"Give them a Dumbledore answer," said Harry. "Tell a misleading truth."
When almost all these looked at him in confusion, he explained, "Look. The evidence you have that it was Ron Weasley who was the one brewing the potions, while logical, is still circumstantial. He could have been sent by Nott to go and buy the ingredients on his behalf and was dropping those off in the potions lab at that time.
"Next: Ron did not build the potions workstation under that air intake; that had to be Nott. And the placement of the workstation under that air intake had as much to do with the death of everyone in that manor as anything else.
"Third: Tell them you refuse to identify which potions were being brewed, in case someone in the future thinks of using the same combination to create a similar situation as a way to assassinate other important people; including someone or someones who may be sitting upon the Wizengamot that very day. That'll shut them up from pressing for more details on that.
"Fourth: You tell them Ron was the one who managed to get to the workstation to turn the flames off and then succumbed to the fumes. In that way the Elder House of Weasley is not... unfairly tarnished with what happened."
"And, finally: You release a statement, with the approval of the Wizengamot, urging all citizens who brew their own potions at home to be extra vigilant when it comes to the fumes of those potions, making sure they have proper and safe venting of those fumes installed and operational at all times.
"Yes," he sighed. "I think you've got it right as to what really happened. However, like you, I think it's best if the Wizengamot and the public at-large be misdirected as to what most likely occurred. And you cannot state my explanation is a lie."
While the others heard him out, it was still a long few moments before Heathcliff firmly stated, "I like it. It's not a falsehood and does not seek to cover up the truth."
Frank added, "And the idea of Amelia releasing a DMLE statement urging those who brew at home to be extra-vigilant to the threat of fumes, is a good one."
While there were a few quietly murmuring to one another about Harry's idea, Heathcliff turned to Bones and asked, "Amelia? Your thoughts?"
She gave a slow nod back with a wry smile. "It works for me. I like it."
Then she sat up a little straighter and said, "And, I believe... unless anyone has a better idea... it's exactly how this should now play out."
No one could offer an improvement.
After waiting to see if anyone thought of anything better, to which there was none given, Heathcliff gave a nod and said, "Then that shall be the stance of the Alliance. And, what the Alliance knows of the truth of this, shall be an Alliance secret."
Again, no one disagreed.
Griselda piped up, "If I may, Heath?"
Davis gave a nod and quietly said, "Of course, Griselda."
"I felt it was important to give a report on the effect the loss of so many at Nott manor has caused upon the students of Hogwarts.
"In all, seventeen students lost at least one parent or grandparent. Five of them lost both parents. It does not include aunts and uncles unless they were also guardians; as is the case of the Carrow twins in Fourth Year Slytherin.
"A sixth year Gryffindor, A fifth year Hufflepuff... Ernest... two Fourth Year Ravenclaws, a Sixth Year Ravenclaw and twelve Slytherins from Third to Seventh Year all lost someone close."
Frank gave a low whistle. "Are they all coping?"
"They are," she nodded. "All, for those who took time away from the school, are now back at the school. However, there then arises the issue, for some of them; whether or not they'll be back for their remaining schooling once this school year is over in June."
"That isn't our responsibility," Bancroft firmly stated.
"Agreed," she said, with a slight nod. "However, it is something for us to be aware of. I merely raised it so we are all informed."
With a slight blush, Bancroft gave a nod back and muttered, "Sorry. It's... still a sore subject."
Davis quickly cut in and asked in general, "Anything we need to do about this before I move on?"
"Just a moment," said Marchbanks. "There's a further point I need to raise about those students."
"My apologies, Griselda," said Davis. "By all means."
She gave a nod and said, "There are three students who are of Noble Houses and, based on the losses of life that night, are all now of-age and can immediately take up their Lordships. If they do, then I must offer them accommodation in the Lords' Quarters."
"I'm not surprised," muttered Harry. "If it doesn't breach your responsibility as Headmistress, may we know who they are?"
She gave another nod and replied, "Cassius Warrington, Seventh Year, Slytherin; Marcus Belby, Sixth year, Ravenclaw; and David Urquhart, Sixth Year, Slytherin.
"Urquhart is betrothed to Pamela Alton, Sixth Year in Ravenclaw, so he'll be offered Apartment Four. The other two are, to the best of my knowledge, not; so they'll be offered Apartments One and Two."
She looked to Harry and said, "I apologise, Lord Potter, but your... safe haven... is going to become not as safe."
Harry was quick to shake his head and said, "Not your fault, Ma'am. You have to do it, otherwise it smacks - and rightly so - of favouritism.
"I take it we'll likely see the first of them, at least, moving in immediately after the Christmas break?"
"Indeed," she replied.
When no one raised anything further on that subject Davis gave a nod and said, "Next; the issue of inviting the new Noble Houses of Spinnet and Diggory."
The House of Spinnet wanted to accept membership, but decided not to attend this session to allow the existing membership of the Alliance to discuss their acceptance.
Again, no one disagreed. If anything, they all seemed eager to accept them.
The new noble House of Diggory, however, did not not accept immediate membership; Amos wanted to delay until he had a chance to discuss it with the wider family and his friends before accepting. The admittance of the Noble and Ancient House of Diggory was then deferred until the February session, to give Amos that time. However, since then, he's let us know they'll be accepting, but not until after Yule.
"I think that then brings us to the issue of another two vacancies for ennobling," said Heathcliff. "Are there now any nay-sayers to the House of Hilliard, our original back-up?"
Again, no one.
"Then, who's next?" he asked.
Harry immediately said, "I again put forward the House of Lovegood for consideration. My reasons have not changed from our previous discussions."
This time it was approved. The two Houses put forth by the Alliance when the subject came up before the Wizengamot would be Hilliard and Lovegood.
"Members are starting to grow concerned at the size of the Grand Alliance and the number of Seat Holders representing the Alliance on the 'Mot," said Frank. "We may need to consider arguments to counter that."
That led to a healthy discussion of the subject. It didn't amount to much, other than to make everyone aware of the 'problem', but the only argument that held any water was the size of the Alliance should hold no part in any discussion as to which Houses should be worthy of ennoblement; it was a separate issue.
It was Jean-Paul who made a decent suggestion. "Per'aps," he said, "Anozzer, who ees not of zee Allionce, could be... convinced... to put forwaird zee 'Ouses we recommend, no?"
That surprised a few, including Harry.
"Interesting," mused Ogden. "That... is quite the clever idea."
"Indeed," said old Augustus MacMillan. "Recommendations?"
"I believe I know who," said Ogden. "Leave it with me?"
No one opposed the idea.
"Excellent," said Davis. "Moving on?"
There was little else that was an important or urgent issue and the meeting closed not too long later.
That led to a 'Yule' dinner for the Alliance, laid on by the Davises and amply supported by their elves.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
In the early evening, the Green Fields floo quickly disgorged seven witches and wizards in quick succession - Samuel, Adeline, Astoria and Daphne led the way, immediately followed by Harry, Hermione and Fleur.
Harry was happy to learn that, now that things had all settled down, he was no longer being tailed by aurors. Bones had clarified that for him during the meeting.
"Actually, they've not followed you since we learned of the death of young Mister Weasley," she'd explained. "However, there's still a small contingent now permanently stationed at Hogwarts. That's an agreement reached between myself and Griselda."
A little relieved, Harry had said, "Thank you."
Now at Green Fields, Adeline was quick to call on their house elves to escort the Potters to their 'apartment' within the manor and upon the second floor.
"Just follow Bucky," she explained, indicating the elf. "He'll show you where you need to go."
Following the elf they, as expected, were taken to the second floor and into one wing. As they'd been there before, none of them were there for the first time.
And, as with the last time they'd spent time at Green Fields, they were in the same rooms. This time, though, a bedroom had been converted to a 'common' room for them with doors leading off into bedrooms.
Adeline had been clever and made the guest room at the end of the corridor a common room and managed to organise things so a temporary wall with a door in it blocked off the last five rooms. Two bedrooms each side of the corridor after the new wall and before the new common room became their bedrooms.
"'Ow clever!" declared Fleur. "I shall 'ave to inform Maman of this idea, at once! Zee same can be done at Delacour Manoir."
"And Sirius for his place," murmured Hermione.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After the remainder of the weekend, with a quiet Sunday following the Alliance meeting of the previous day, the manorhold all flooed to the Leaky Cauldron for a day of Christmas shopping on the Monday morning.
Thankfully, this year gave them five days before Christmas, but the manorhold wanted it out of the way before the crowds of 'last minute' shoppers made it even busier than it had already become.
Stepping through the magical archway behind the Leaky, Harry was somewhat relieved to see there had been an increase in the auror and Law Enforcement Officer ('LEO') presence. Even more, these aurors didn't stand in pairs, ignore everyone and chat to one another. These aurors and LEOs were constantly on the move in singles, always watching.
'Much better,' he thought, seeing the ones at the Leaky Cauldron end of the Alley. 'I just hope they're the same below Gringotts. Someone's obviously fired a rocket up their arses, recently.'
Using Florean's as their rally point, the seven broke into three groups of two/two/three to begin their shopping, returning to Florean's twice to switch out groups. And finally had it all done before early afternoon.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
That morning and within the bowels of the Ministry, immediately after the Monday morning Unspeakable fireside, Unspeakable Klein, a mind-healer, met with Croaker in his office.
"What have you got for me?" he immediately asked.
"As suspected," she replied, "It is not his so-called mother's protection that protects the White Knight's mind."
"What is it, then?" he demanded.
"I'm not sure, yet," she calmly replied. "However, his mind is... definitely different. It's that difference that is the protection."
"My Legilimency attempts upon him are not so much repelled, as... redirected," she added. "I believe I'll be studying more muggle literature on the subject before I have a more direct understanding of what's going on."
"That's all you've got?" he asked.
"For now, yes," she replied.
"Keep at it," he ordered. "When's your next session with him?"
"This afternoon at the Dog's place in inner London," she replied. "I only needed to mention that this would help his 'pup' and he had no problems with keying me into the wards."
"Good," he firmly returned.
As he then cast his attention to the documents on his desk, 'Klein', also known under the pseudonym of Healer Iolanthe Bincutty, rose and left.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After a late lunch back at Green Fields, Harry asked his two present ladies, "What say we take a trip to Harrods the day after tomorrow?"
Daphne asked, "That's that big muggle shopping building, yes?"
"Yes," replied Hermione. "And, I'd love to go."
"Yes," replied Daphne. "Me too."
So, plans were made to floo back to the Leaky and take a taxi to the block-sized shopping complex in two days time, morning. The Wizengamot session was the morrow and Harry didn't want to 'cheat' the ladies out of a day at Harrods.
When asked if they'd like to go, both adult Greengrasses begged off, but Astoria was both excited to be invited and excited to actually go. Her parents gave their permission, 'So long as you stay with Harry, Hermione and Daphne and promise not to run off!' her mother firmly admonished.
"Yes, mother," replied Astoria. "I so promise."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
That afternoon, at about the time he would be finishing his seventh period class at Hogwarts, Harry flooed to the Black Townhouse to meet with his mind-healer.
She arrived, as expected, exactly on time. Harry then met with her in Sirius's office.
Before she arrived, though, Harry asked his godfather, "Where's CeeCee?"
"She went back to Perth this morning," he replied. "With the three change-overs, she should have arrived there at about 7.00pm this evening, their time. Ted took her." He then muttered, "Damn, that can get a little confusing."
Harry grinned, "Yeah, we're... eight hours behind, I think."
Sirius nodded and said, "Yeah, about that."
"When does she return?" he asked.
"Friday, the seventh," replied Sirius. "At... 8.00am our time? I'll have to check."
Harry gave a nod and said, "She'll need a couple hours sleep to re-sync her body clock."
"Already prepared," nodded Sirius. "Time Zone potions. She also took one with her for her arrival in Perth today."
After his session with the mind-healer, Harry chatted with his godfather for a short while before he returned to Green Fields. He talked about how Adeline Greengrass solved the problem of the Potter foursome having individual privacy without re-entering the 'public' parts of the manor. He even laid down a quick sketch of it.
"Clever," muttered Sirius.
"That's what we said," he smiled back.
"I don't know if there's a way to remodel the Potter floor I've created here," said Sirius. "But, I'll see if I can use the same idea, just in a different way."
"Just saying you're going to think about it is enough, Sirius," he said. "Thank you."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When the Wizengamot sat on the Tuesday morning, Harry expected immediate moves by the dark, yet again, to get two dark Houses elevated. First, however, were the induction of new members. First up were the Heirs of those who were 'lost' at Nott Manor. And, finally, up stepped Amos Diggory, Caden Spinnet, Eugene Abbott and Heathcliff Davis.
Harry was feeling quite chuffed that the last two men were now counted among the Lords of their land.
For the two new motions for elevation however, this time it was a supposed grey House who put forward the name of Flint for elevation. And this time it was only the one.
'They're beginning to think', thought Harry. 'Damn them.'
To counter it, Sirius then put forward the names of Hilliard and Lovegood.
It turned out that they got Hilliard through, but the dark also got Flint through. When House Williams put forward only the name of Flint for consideration, Harry realised it would be an uphill battle to get Lovegood through. That didn't stop them trying, though.
Now that the Ancient House of Lovegood had been put forward once, it created precedent; which is why they still put it forward as their secondary.
'Next time,' he thought. 'Sorry, Luna.'
He also knew, though, Luna would not be disappointed by the loss. It wasn't in her nature.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next morning and Astoria was so excited to be allowed the chance to 'go muggle' that she practically dragged Harry out of his chair to go get ready for 'a day with the muggles'.
Harry smirked and said, "Before we go, though, Hermione needs to take you to her room for you to change into more appropriate dress."
"Oh, of course," sighed Hermione, disappointed she hadn't thought of it herself. "Come along, Astoria, Daphne. Let's get you properly outfitted."
Disappointed they weren't leaving immediately, but curious as to how Hermione would dress her, Astoria allowed herself to be taken to Hermione's room. Daphne, of course, readily joined her.
After changing himself into slacks, button up, cardigan and coat, Harry was ready in plenty of time for the girls to come back down.
As the clothes didn't quite fit either of the Greengrass girls, both went to their mother to have resizing charms applied before they were ready.
While that was going on, Hermione came over and quietly asked, "Any problems with me getting a decent muggle wardrobe for those two?"
"Not at all," he smiled. "You just saved me the effort of asking you to do it."
With a smile of her own, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
Once ready, the four of them used the floo to go to the Leaky and immediately exited through the front door of the wizarding pub and onto Charing Cross Road.
Harry only had to hold his hand out for a few moments before a London cab pulled in; and he held open the door for the three young ladies.
As he settled in, the cabbie asked, "Where to, Guv?"
"Harrods," Harry immediately replied.
The cabbie just gave a nod, turned back to driving and, a moment later, pulled back out into traffic.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ