Chapter 32
The Great Alliance
Author's Note: At the start of this chapter, you'll notice that at the time it starts (7:30 AM), it is still rather dark in Hogwarts Castle. This is because the sunrise on the day of the Winter Solstice was not until around 8:00 in the morning according to research. The Winter Solstice each year has the shortest amount of sunlight per day – seven hours according to research – roughly 8:00 AM to 4:00PM. Since this (and the following chapter) highlights the day of the Winter Solstice session in the Wizengamot, I am putting some emphasis into it.
LONG AND IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW:
I am going to announce it now, since it will happen in a few chapters. When I end "Book 1" (after the Yule Ball), I am going to take a few days off – maybe a week, maybe more - from updating. This is for two reasons. One so I do not burn myself out from writing so much. Two, so I can figure out my plans and notes for the future of this story. Maybe I'll reread the entire "Book 1" again, as I haven't actually done that. Maybe it will give my readers a chance to do the same. I know some have already decided to do so.
Again, "Book 2" will be in this same story, it won't be a new sequel. When "Book 1" is finished it will simply say "End of Book 1", and the next chapter will be the start of "Book 2". I imagine this will happen by Chapter 35 or 36.
There is a simple explanation for why I am doing this. I've published a chapter at least once a day for the last month (we passed a month when I published Chapter 31!) I wrote 200,000 words in a month! I do not have a bunch of chapters ready to publish. I wrote this chapter the day I published Chapter 31. Hopefully this intermission will give me a chance to get a few chapters written for a backlog, while I am planning ahead.
I will say this once (though I might repeat it at the end of Book 1). I AM NOT ABANDONING THIS STORY. I am just going to be taking a few days off after Book 1 is complete, so I can prepare for Book 2.
I might have an "Intermission Q&A" in between the "Books". We'll see.
Sorry for the long author's note, but this announcement needed to be made.
Warning: Dumbledore Bashing
(Monday, December 21st, 1994 – 7:30AM)
Even though it was half-past-seven in the morning, it was still rather dark inside the corridor, even though there were tall windows looking into the corridor. This was because it was the Winter Solstice, and the sun would not rise for another half-hour. Several wall-sconces lit up the corridor, but even then Minerva McGonagall had to walk with a lit wand – using a Lumos Charm, one of the very first charms she had learned a lifetime ago – as she made her way toward the Hospital Wing.
Last night, she had met with Harry and Hermione in the Lion's Den after dinner. Her two favorite Gryffindors had told her about Amelia's suggestion for her to get them to the Ministry. She had happily agreed with her Ally's plan. Minerva told the two Gryffindors to set their Alarm Clock Charms on their pillows so they could wake up by seven-o-clock. She asked that they had breakfast in the Private Common Room, because she would be meeting them in the Lion's Den by eight-o-clock, so they could leave soon after. Her plan was for them to take a carriage to the Three Broomsticks, where they would take the Floo Network to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
She would make her way to the Lion's Den soon, but first she needed to see if Albus Dumbledore was still in the Hospital Wing.
To her dismay, as she entered the Hospital Wing, she found that the Headmaster wasn't there. Poppy Pomfrey saw Minerva almost immediately.
"Looking for Albus?" Poppy asked. "I excused him about half-an-hour ago. He was being stubborn and insistent about how he needed to go to the Ministry. He didn't even have breakfast. I told him not to use the Floo Network to get to the Ministry – as he usually does to travel from here – but he just waved me off. He summoned a house-elf, to bring him a specific pair of clothing. So obviously, he was not going back to his Quarters, before he traveled to the Ministry."
Minerva sighed. There was good news, and there was bad news about this. The good news was that Albus wouldn't be there to prevent Harry and Hermione from leaving Hogwarts. The bad news was that he had between two and three hours before the Wizengamot meeting began, to find out information about what he'd missed at Sirius Black's trial. There was a silver lining in the cloud of bad news, however. Even if he did discover Harry had been the one to open James and Lily Potter's Will, Albus would likely not even suspect that Harry and Hermione would be claiming their Houses' seats on the Wizengamot today. He was probably so focused on his "block Harry from his Emancipation" plan – which had been confirmed by Lord Greengrass, through the youngest daughter of Lord Blishwick - that he wouldn't even see this coming.
And why should he? The only people who knew what Harry and Hermione were doing that morning were in the Great Alliance, and none of them would betray their new de facto leader, the grandson of the man who founded the Alliance. Nobody who would give the information to Albus knew about it.
"Thank you, Poppy," Minerva said, "Pomona is in charge until either Albus or I return after the Council Meeting. The Solstice meetings are always rather long, so we may not be back until dinner, if we're lucky."
Earlier that morning, Minerva had sent two notes off with Mallory, her house-elf, to Pomona Sprout and Rubeus Hagrid. To Pomona was a simple note that she would be in charge for most of the day, as the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress would be away from the castle. To Hagrid, she had asked for a carriage to be ready for her around eight-o-clock, and that she wanted a carriage ready at the Hogwarts gates, to return to the castle, around noon. She didn't tell Hagrid that Harry and Hermione would be going with her, nor that they would be using the carriage to get back. Harry and Hermione didn't know exactly when they would return with Remus Lupin, but as they would be visiting Gringotts after claiming their seats, she figured they wouldn't be back before noon.
"Have a good time at the Council Meeting, Minerva," Poppy said, "Hopefully nothing too life-changing happens today."
Minerva merely smiled and nodded in agreement, though inside she was fretting a bit. Sure, Harry and Hermione would be revealing crucial information about themselves to everyone. But this meant Albus would soon discover their important secrets.
"We shall hope," Minerva said, "I must be off. Have a good day, Poppy."
"And you, Minerva," Poppy said.
Minerva smiled again, then turned and left the Hospital Wing. She sighed and started off back toward the Grand Staircase, so she could make her way to the Lion's Den.
It was time to begin a day that would prove to be a long and interesting one.
(Monday, December 21st, 1994 – 8:20 AM)
As the first sunlight of the day shone over the snow-covered grounds of Hogwarts, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger stepped into one of the carriages that had been prepared for them, followed by Professor McGonagall. They had wanted to dress to impress, since they would be standing in front of the entire Wizengamot Council – if only, hopefully, for a few minutes – and would likely be the subjects of a few photos from the media.
During their Hogsmeade visit the previous day, they had visited the seamstress and had purchased new formal robes – different from the outfits they would wear at the Yule Ball – for the Council meeting, and the penning of their Betrothal Contract.
Speaking of Betrothal Contracts… earlier that morning, upon Professor McGonagall's advice, Harry destroyed the illegal Betrothal Contract between him and Ginny Weasley. It destroyed the other copies as well. However, as Dumbledore owned the only Contract that hadn't been discovered – Molly's old copy had been destroyed by Amelia Bones a few hours after Molly's death – and it was probably hidden away in the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore would probably only find ashes where the copy had once been.
Harry and Hermione had celebrated the destruction of the Contract with a brief kiss, even though the Head of Gryffindor had been present at the time.
Harry and Hermione sat down on one side of the carriage together, while Professor McGonagall sat down across from them. As the carriage jolted into movement, Hermione chuckled nervously. Harry looked at her in concern.
"We're leaving Hogwarts for the last time as just Harry Potter and Hermione Granger," Hermione said. "When we return, you will be Harry James Potter, Lord Potter and Lord Peverell, and I will be Hermione Jean Granger, Heiress Dagworth-Granger."
"We are also leaving for the last time as simply boyfriend and girlfriend," Harry reminded her. "When we return, we will be a Betrothed couple."
"I don't know if the news will reach Hogwarts before the end of the Council session," McGonagall said, "You may have a few hours of peace before you're swamped with gossip, rumors and questions from your fellow students. Have you given any thought as to how you going to handle the media with this news?"
"We discussed this during breakfast," Hermione said, "Rita Skeeter will likely be present for the Council Meeting, so she'll be there all day. When we finish up at Gringotts, we'll write a letter to Rita with our statements about our appearance at the Council Session, and our Betrothal Contract. We'll ask Ragnok for a copy of the Contract we can give to Rita. We'll put the letter and copy in an envelope and give it to Penelope Clearwater at the Daily Prophet, so she can deliver it to Rita Skeeter."
"So we should expect it in the Daily Prophet tomorrow morning," McGonagall said, nodding, then she frowned. "You should probably expect the Headmaster to summon both of you to his office this evening. I will accompany you, of course, since I expect we're going to have to reveal everything about our Gringotts visit to him."
"Will we get in trouble for leaving Hogwarts last Sunday… or today?" Hermione asked, concerned. "Technically, Harry shouldn't get in trouble, as he is Emancipated. But me…"
"You were with me in Diagon Alley last Sunday – and aside from your appointments in the Gringotts Hospital Wing, neither of you left my eyesight," McGonagall said, "Today, you'll either be with me or another adult, Remus Lupin – aside from when you'll be in Gringotts, but you don't need to mention that. As I am Head of Gryffindor, and Deputy Headmistress, it was within my power to give you permission. Remus Lupin has my permission to escort you outside of Hogwarts. Miss Granger, do not forget. You are also Mr. Potter's Vassal, and he is your Magical Guardian. As he is Emancipated, he can give you permission to accompany him, as his Vassal. This is all completely legal, and the Headmaster will know that. He won't be able to argue about it, so do not let him believe he can punish you for it."
"What about you?" Harry asked, concerned, "It is because of you that we were able to visit Gringotts. It is because of you that we're going to be able to go to the Council Session."
"I am sure he will blame me for allowing you to do all of that," McGonagall said. "However, I will use the Headmaster's attempt at claiming he was your Magical Guardian before your Emancipation against him. As your Magical Guardian he was responsible for informing you about your responsibilities as Heir and future Lord, and he didn't do it. As your parents wanted you to learn this information at eleven years old, as said in their Will – which he witnessed being penned - he has no excuse if he doesn't want to get in trouble. If he was assigned your Magical Guardian by your parents, he still would have had to follow their wishes for certain parts of your life – such as your education in the responsibilities of being a future Lord."
"So we can use that against him," Harry said.
"Precisely," McGonagall said, "He would have to give us a reasonable explanation as to why he went against your parents' wishes in their Final Will and Testament. Since we believe he had nefarious reasons for Sealing the Will, and ignoring their last wishes, he isn't going to want us to find out why he did it. He won't have much of a defense against our arguments."
"For being such a wise man," Hermione said, "He makes a great many mistakes."
"He likes to say he makes an 'old man's mistakes'," Minerva said, with a quiet snort, "He will also say that his mistakes tend to be monumentally bigger than those of the rest of us. He will probably say one or both of these things when we meet with him."
"So I suppose when Harry and I return to the castle," Hermione said, "We should discuss what might be brought up, and how to defend against it."
"Yeah, that sounds good to me," Harry said, "So we'll be ready for it."
"Depending on when you return," McGonagall said "You should have plenty of time to predict how the whole discussion might go. Simply figure out what kind of questions the Headmaster will ask and how you should answer to any of these questions."
"Do we reveal that we know about our Natural Occlumency and Legilimency talents?" Hermione asked.
McGonagall frowned and thought about this. After a minute, she relied. "Perhaps. Even if you haven't done much to consciously train your talents, it is always nice to make him afraid of trying to use Legilimency on you. It is very dangerous using Legilimency on a Natural Occlumens. There is a history of those who tried suffering anywhere from massive migraines, to seizures, to collapsing into a coma. He won't want to risk any of that."
"We'll discuss it when we talk about our other strategies," Hermione said, "Because if we reveal our Natural Occlumency and Legilimency talents, we'll have to reveal we know about the other bindings and blocks we had on us. Including the Obliviations."
"It might come to that anyway, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "Prepare for anything. Expect the unexpected. For example. Expect the Headmaster to attempt to keep you in Courtroom Nine for the remainder of the session."
"That is why Amelia wanted us to address Minister Fudge instead, isn't it?" Harry asked, "Because in a room where every Lord and Lady in the British magical society is in attendance, the Headmaster would be mad to try to argue the Minister's decision in front of so many important witnesses."
"Correct, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "It was good of Amelia to suggest such a thing."
"It was," Hermione agreed. "Professor? I assume since a fair share of the third years, and most of the fourth-through-seventh year Gryffindors are still here at Hogwarts, that you got plenty of essays and letters about their crimes against us?"
Minerva smiled. "Would you believe that every Gryffindor in attendance during that meeting – so everyone aside from Ron and Ginny, as well as those you cleared as uninvolved – ended up giving me essays and letters directed to one or both of you?"
"All of them?" Harry asked, "I didn't expect that. I thought there might be a few rebellious students."
"It was peer pressure again, wasn't it?" Hermione asked, "'The rest of us are doing what our Head of House asked us to do. Don't embarrass Gryffindor for the rest of us.' Something like that?"
"It is possible," McGonagall admit. "I am going to go over the letters tomorrow and Tuesday, and I should be able to give them to you on Wednesday. You are not expected to write replies back. If you feel you must write some, do so, but don't believe you should write to everyone. This isn't your assignment after all. It was theirs."
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said, and Harry echoed his girlfriend.
As the carriage continued toward its destination in Hogsmeade, Professor McGonagall – ever the teacher – made sure her students knew exactly what they would be doing in order to claim their seats in the Wizengamot. She was quite satisfied when they recounted the same instructions Amelia had taught them during lunch the previous day. She told them they were both ready for their true introduction to the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot.
Harry and Hermione were both nervous, but they just wanted to get it over with, while also avoiding too much drama from the Headmaster.
Neither were optimistic this would happen though.
After all, they weren't nearly as dunderheaded as Severus Snape claimed them to be.
(Monday, December 21st, 1994 – 9:10 AM)
It was after nine-o-clock by the time Harry, Hermione and Professor McGonagall found themselves in one of the lifts heading down to Level Ten. It had taken several minutes, after their arrival in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic for the first time, to get there. First they had to check in at the Welcome desk, where they had to get their wands checked with Eric the welcome wizard. Then they had to make their way through the crowds so they could get into one of the lifts.
Luckily, he had a winter cap on his head that kept his lightning-shaped scar covered, so nobody in the crowds or the lift recognized him. Therefore, he could look around at the wonders of the Ministry of Magic. This was the first time he and Hermione had been there, and the couple couldn't help but look around and admire the impressive towering tunnel-like structure that made up the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
The Fountain of Magical Brethren, while beautiful at first glance, was rather odd when Harry looked at it closer as they passed by it. While the house-elf might look up at the wizard with that slavishly happy smile, the Centaur and Goblin would not. He could imagine Keeper Ragnok sneering at the thing, and Bane the Centaur, whom he had met in the Forbidden Forest during his first year at Hogwarts, would definitely not approve of it.
"Honestly," Hermione had whispered, as she sneered up at the fountain, "All it needs is a Muggle kneeling in front of the wizard, and it would be complete, wouldn't it?"
"If the Dark families had their way, there would be a representation of a Muggle in that very pose, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, her cat-like hearing able to hear her student's whispers.
Hermione blushed. "Sorry, Professor."
"No need to apologize, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "I've thought the very same of this fountain myself. Many times."
Now the two students and their Professor were standing together in the crowded lift. The lift stopped at most floors, letting riders in or out. Harry listened to the cool voice overhead rattle off every Department name that was on each floor. He had never heard of some of these Departments before. There were so many. Hermione seemed just as interested, though Harry suspected she might have read about most of the Departments in one book or another.
Finally they reached floor nine, which seemed to be the last floor the lift could reach, even though there was a total of ten floors.
"Level Nine," the cool voice overhead said, "Courtrooms 1 through 6 and the Department of Mysteries."
"What is the Department of Mysteries?" Harry asked Professor McGonagall, when they separated from the group that had been with them in the lift.
"A most secret place, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, in a low voice, as she led the students down the corridor, "The witches and wizards who work there, are known as Unspeakables."
"Oh, yeah, Mr. Weasley pointed a couple of them out at the Quidditch World Cup," Hermione said, "Remember Harry. He explicitly said they were Unspeakables."
"Yeah, I remember," Harry said. "Bode and Croaker, I think their names were."
"Algernon Croaker," McGonagall said, "He is actually Neville's Great Uncle."
Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. "Neville's Uncle Algie?"
The one who dropped Neville off a pier and out a window, just to prove he wasn't a squib? Harry thought.
"That's him," McGonagall said, "Very few Unspeakables allow their identities known. Bode and Croaker are two high-leveled Unspeakables, very important members of the Department of Mysteries. Oh, look, there's the entrance to the Department right there."
Harry and Hermione soon found what McGonagall was talking about. The entrance to the Department of Mysteries was through a long, narrow, shadowy corridor with black-tiled walls and floors, that had no windows and only one plain black door at the very end of the corridor.
"Mysterious," Harry said, "Guess it lives up to its name."
"Certainly does," McGonagall muttered. "This way, we have to go down some stairs to the bottom level. Lifts don't reach this far. This is where the main Holding Cells are – those that are not located in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement anyway. It is located at the end of Level Ten, and mostly used to transfer the prisoners to the Courtrooms located down here."
They soon reached the stairs and made their way down to the bottommost level of the Ministry of Magic.
"Can you just imagine how far under London we must be?" Hermione asked Harry, "It is amazing what magic can do when it comes to building hidden structures!"
"Yeah, pretty impressive," Harry said; he noticed something peculiar, "Er… why are there windows here if we're so deep underground, and what is this light?"
"Just something to give a natural feeling to the building, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "Department of Magical Maintenance likes to play pranks on the Ministry sometimes with these windows. There was a hurricane in every window one time when the Maintenance Department was on a strike."
"I'd say it might be something Fred and George might like, but it kind of sounds like an insult," Harry said.
"Yes," McGonagall said, "Maintenance is obviously the lowest-paid Department in the Ministry."
"Don't tell me," Hermione muttered, "Made up mostly of Muggleborn… and Squibs?"
"Unfortunately, this is true," McGonagall said.
Professor McGonagall led them down the corridor, and soon they found Sirius Black and Remus Lupin standing outside a door. Sirius grinned when he saw them.
"There you are!" Sirius said, "Good timing. Gives us plenty of time to introduce you to the Lords and Ladies of the Great Alliance, and talk to them for a bit. Especially, as you want to speak to Lords Blishwick and Davis about inviting them formally into the Great Alliance. They're with the other Lords and Ladies. They were at the Alliance meeting at Lord Castor's manor last night. They have a bit of an idea what you have planned for them."
"Great," Harry said.
"We shall go in then," McGonagall said, "Especially as you, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger don't want to be in there when Albus arrives."
"Of course, Lady McGonagall," Sirius said, with a bow; "See you soon, Moony!"
Remus nodded. Sirius opened the door, and McGonagall led them inside with Sirius following behind Harry and Hermione.
The room was filled with several tables as if it was a sort of cafeteria. Each table had enchantments around them to prevent eavesdropping from other Council members at neighboring tables. Seated at these tables were members of the Wizengamot Council. Most were sitting with their closest personal Alliances. Harry was rather surprised to see that nobody was looking up at them as they walked through the room.
"Wondering why everyone is minding their own business, you two?" Sirius asked in a low voice, "Enchantments that make sure everyone does exactly that when seated at the tables. This is so they aren't eavesdropping on other meetings. Some of these Alliances don't have meetings like the Great Alliance did last night. When they're in this room, this might be the only time they get to meet with their full Alliance."
Harry and Hermione nodded, understanding this simple explanation. Soon they arrived at one of the larger tables in the room, where several wizards and a few witches were seated. Four chairs were open near where Amelia Bones was seated.
"Hello, everyone!" Sirius said, grinning, "Feels like we saw just each other last night!"
Most of the witches and wizards at the table chuckled or rolled their eyes – obviously they were used to Sirius' humor. Then everyone seemed to catch his eye at once, and many of them stared at him. It wasn't like what happened when others stared at him just for being the Boy-Who-Lived. No… he realized… maybe they were looking at him as if he was a young James Potter.
Harry blushed at the attention, and sat down between Hermione and Sirius, who sat down next to Amelia. McGonagall sat down on Hermione's other side.
"You probably know who this young man is and why he is here," Sirius said, "But you probably do not know why this young lady is here. Amelia and I told you last night we were welcoming more than one new House into the Great Alliance today. Maybe your Heirs or Heiresses told you about that in letters yesterday?
"This, obviously, is Harry James Potter, my godson. But he is also the new Lord Potter and Lord Peverell, and the de facto leader of the Great Alliance."
Harry blushed again as everyone greeted him.
"His girlfriend, seated next to him," Sirius continued, "Is Hermione Granger, Heiress Dagworth Granger of the Noble House of Dagworth-Granger, and one of the newest Houses in the Great Alliance."
Hermione blushed as everyone greeted her. They had expressions of awe, surprise and shock at the fact that a once-dead House was back.
"At the start of the Council Meeting, Harry and Hermine will claim their seats and give their votes to Proxies, which has already been decided, discussed and agreed. Now, if you will, please introduce yourselves to the young ones."
The members of the Great Alliance introduced themselves. In addition to Sirius and Amelia, there was Neville's Gran, Regent Lady Augusta Longbottom, who Harry had seen before on Platform Nine and Three Quarters; Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood; Lord Castor Greengrass, Lord Adam Abbot, Lord Michael McMillan, Lord Thomas Boot, Pacha Patil, the father of the Patil twins, and Ted, Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks. Houses Lovegood, Tonks and Patil were Minor Houses, and therefore, they weren't Lords and Ladies.
Also seated at the table was Lord Isaac Blishwick and Lord Derrick Davis. It was these two Harry addressed first.
"Lords Blishwick and Davis," Harry said, "It is my understanding that my father was planning on inviting both of your Houses into the Great Alliance before his death. It is my wish to follow up with his decision. Lords and Ladies of the Great Alliance, please welcome Houses Blishwick and House Davis to the Great Alliance!"
There was applause and soft cheers. Lords Blishwick and Davis looked emotional.
"Thank you, Lord Potter," Lord Blishwick said, "This means a lot to me and my family, I assure you."
"I echo my friend's sentiments, Lord Potter," Lord Davis said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Harry said, "I will formally invite you at the start of the Council Meeting after I claim my chairs and give my proxies out. After I invite both of you, then I will ask my Vassal, and my girlfriend, Heiress Dagworth-Granger to claim her seat. Then I will invite House Dagworth-Granger to the Great Alliance. By then, I am sure everyone in the Council will realize that the Great Alliance has returned and is more powerful than ever!"
There was applause and soft cheers around the table again. Most at the table looked emotional. They all knew what this meant for the Alliance."
"Then we will ask Minister Fudge if we can leave the Courtroom, as we have no other reason to be there, since we will name our Proxies. After we leave the Ministry, we will be going to Gringotts to pen a Betrothal Contract between us. Mostly, it is a preventative measure to stop other Lords and Ladies from believing we're available for their Heiresses and Heirs respectively."
Harry grinned when many at the table gave knowing smiles and chuckles.
"Lord Boot," Harry said, "Please raise your hand."
Lord Thomas Boot did as asked.
"Your son and Heir, Terry, told me that you had concerns about the Great Alliance," Harry said, "Is this true, Lord Boot?"
"I am afraid I did have concerns, Lord Potter, and I can see now that they were foolish," Boot said. "I had been invited to another Alliance, headed by Amos Diggory of House Diggory. Lord Diggory is my wife's brother, and I was being pressured to join his Alliance and leave the Great Alliance. I almost agreed to do so. Now I am glad I didn't. I hope this does not lead to further troubles, Lord Potter."
"I am sure Lord Diggory was just trying to see if he could one-up the Great Alliance," Harry said, smiling, causing several to chuckle around the table. "Today, we will show him that will not be possible."
"Hear, hear, Lord Potter," Lord Boot said, "I thank you for not allowing this to become a bigger issue."
"No need to start my leadership of the Alliance on the wrong foot," Harry said. "Now that this issue is dealt with, are there any more issues that needs to be voiced?"
There were murmurs and shaken heads around the table.
"Very well," Harry said, "That's done on my end. Let's enjoy ourselves for a little bit, before my godfather, girlfriend and I need to leave so we can prepare to claim our seats. I'd like to hear about any big plans you might have for the Council today."
For the next fifteen minutes Harry relaxed in his chair and listened to the others talk amongst themselves. Then Sirius announced they needed to go.
"Auror Tonks, please escort them to a private room near Courtroom Nine," Amelia said, "You're in charge of making sure these three are in the Courtroom at the proper time to claim their seats, and that nobody interferes with this."
"Of course, Director Bones," the Auror said.
Harry, Hermione and Sirius stood and followed Auror Tonks out of the room, leaving a most excited Great Alliance behind them.
(Monday, December 21st, 1994 – 9:55 AM)
Albus Dumbledore's Occlumency talents were working overtime. It was all he could do to keep from showing an expression mixed with panic, rage, and even a bit of fear. Several minutes ago, he discovered something that had shocked him to his core: Minerva McGonagall had lied to him.
She had lied to him about more than one thing! She had lied about what had happened, regarding the mention of his name, in Sirius Black's trial. There was more accusations targeted toward him in Black's Trial, then just him being one of the reasons Black originally didn't get a trial thirteen years ago! All those things he had feared, questions he had wondered about when it came to Black's Trial had come true! Things he had tried to hide had been discovered during Sirius' trial. Sirius remembered the Godfather Ritual; he remembered Albus using the Fidelius Charm to name Peter Pettigrew the Secret Keeper for the Potters! Questions about the crime scene resulting in the aftermath of Black confronting Pettigrew had been asked. Questions about the Aurors investigating the crime scene had been asked, especially concerning their disappearances and deaths! Things he had been trying to hide!
Harry Potter had apparently visited Gringotts Bank two Sundays ago and had opened the Final Will and Testament of James and Lily Potter! Upon learning this, Albus had quickly realized something else. Minerva McGonagall had lied to him about the sixth year's pregnancy scare! She had lied about Potter and Granger staying all day in their Private Common Room that Sunday! No, Minerva had escorted Potter and Granger to Gringotts, likely to meet with Potter's Account Manager? What all had been discovered aside from the Will? Had Potter and Granger taken Blood Tests, which would reveal all those bindings and blockings? Had they been removed?
This must have been how Amelia Bones had gotten her information! Had Minerva lied again? Had Director Bones spoken to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger about what they discovered at the bank? Is that why she was investigating him? Is that why Molly, Ron and Ginny Weasley had been arrested.
How the bloody hell had Minerva, Potter and Granger kept this from him for more than a week?!
Albus' musings were interrupted by a gavel and he turned to Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, who was standing up in a chair near him.
"Welcome, Lords, Ladies, Department Heads, Media and Guests," Cornelius said, "to the nineteen ninety-four Winter Solstice Session of the Wizengamot Council! Aurors! Open the doors and allow those who wish to claim their seats on this glorious Council!"
Albus turned to the main doors of the room as they opened. Rookie Auror Nymphadora Tonks led three individuals into the room. Sirius Black was the first. Albus frowned, but it was expected that the newly free man would claim the House of Black – likely for the Light Alliance.
But it was the other two Albus looked at that made him nearly vomit in panic and fear.
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were standing near Sirius Black.
Albus could only think of two words, as his plans started to crumble around him, and the truth of what was about to take place came to the front of his mind.
Oh, shit!
(Monday, December 21st, 1994 – 10:00 AM)
Lord Harry James Potter nearly laughed out loud as he found Albus Dumbledore looking down at him, with a fearful expression. The man looked ready to mess himself!
Wonder if he has an incontinence pad? Harry mused to himself.
"The first new hopeful Council Member!" Minister Fudge announced, "Please, come forth and claim what is yours!"
Sirius stepped forward toward a table.
"Lord Sirius Black! How many seats do you claim today?" Fudge asked.
"One, Minister," Sirius said.
"Please continue," Fudge said.
Sirius removed his House Ring, and placed it on material that resembled black felt.
"I, Lord Sirius Orion Black, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black," Sirius said, in a loud, carrying voice, "claim my rightful chair!"
A smoky wisp resembling the Crest of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black rose through the air. Sirius returned his ring to his finger.
"You have been weighed and accepted, Lord Black," Cornelius said, "Your Alliance?"
"The Light Alliance," Sirius said. "And the Great Alliance."
There were several murmurs, especially from those in the Dark Alliance, and those who supported them. Obviously they thought the House of Black would return to the Dark Alliance.
"Council Scribe," Fudge said, "Please note that Lord Black has been accepted into the Light Alliance. As he is Lord of an Ancient and Most Noble House, he will have four votes per bill. You may take your seat. Next!"
As Sirius made his way to his seat, which now appeared between the McGonagall and Bones seats, Harry swallowed nerves and walked up to the table. Minister Fudge's eyes widened as he recognized Harry. Dumbledore frowned as he looked at him.
"Harry Potter?" Fudge asked.
"That is Lord Potter, Minister Fudge," Harry said, "As I was Emancipated on October 31st, of this year."
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes. Several members in the Council gasped. Fudge stammered then cleared his throat.
"Lord Potter," Fudge said, "How many seats do you claim today?"
"Two, Minister," Harry said, to more gasps.
Fudge coughed. "Please continue then."
Harry removed his House Potter ring and placed it on the black felt.
"I, Lord Harry James Potter, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," Harry said, "claim my rightful seat."
The House Potter Crest appeared in a wisp of smoke. He placed his ring back on his finger, then placed the Peverell ring onto the felt.
"I, Lord Harry James Potter, Lord Peverell of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell," Harry continued, "claim my rightful seat."
The Peverell Crest – also known as the Sign of the Deathly Hallows – appeared in a wisp of smoke. Harry returned the ring to his finger.
"Lord Potter-Peverell," Fudge stammered. "You have been weighed and accepted. Your Alliance?"
"The Light and Neutral Alliance respectively," Harry said, "And the Great Alliance."
Harry glanced at Dumbledore, who frowned and paled. Many others paled as well as they realized what this meant.
"Lord Potter-Peverell, you might be Emancipated, but you are under seventeen," Fudge said, "Who are your Proxies."
"I ask Lady Regent Amelia Bones to be Proxy for the House of Potter," Harry said.
Amelia stood up from her chair. "I, Amelia Bones, accept the Proxy of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter."
"Lady Regent Bones is Proxy for House Potter and adds four votes to her own," Fudge said, "And House of Peverell?"
"I ask Lord Castor Greengrass to be Proxy for the House of Peverell," Harry said.
Dumbledore's eyes widened as he turned to where Lord Greengrass stood.
"I, Castor Greengrass, accept the Proxy of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell."
"Lord Castor Greengrass is Proxy for House Peverell adds six votes to his own," Fudge said. "Next!"
"Pardon me, Minister," Harry said, "The next is my Vassal of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. But first I have an announcement as Lord Potter."
"Of course, Lord Potter," Harry said.
"Lord Isaac Blishwick and Lord Derrick Davis, please rise," Harry said
Lords Blishwick and Davis rose from their seats in the Neutral Alliance.
"Lord Blishwick, Lord Davis," Harry said, "Do you accept membership into the Great Alliance?"
"I do, Lord Potter," Lord Blishwick said.
"I do, Lord Potter," Lord Davis echoed.
"I, Lord Harry Potter, de facto leader of the Great Alliance," Harry said "accept House Blishwick and House Davis into the Great Alliance,"
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes as Blishwick and Davis sat down. There were uncomfortable murmurs around the Council.
"I present my Vassal of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," Harry said, "Hermione Jean Granger, otherwise known as Heiress Dagworth-Granger of the Noble House of Dagworth-Granger! Please claim your seat, my Vassal."
Dumbledore's face went pale white, and his jaw dropped as Hermione walked forward. Several members of the Council also had dropped jaws or looked in awe as Hermione made her way to the table.
Hermione removed her ring from her finger and placed it on the table.
"I, Hermione Jean Granger, Heiress Dagworth-Granger of the Noble House of Dagworth Granger," Hermione said, "claim my rightful seat!"
The Cauldron Crest appeared in a wisp of smoke. Hermione returned the ring to her finger.
"H-Heiress Dagworth-Granger," Fudge stammered, "I personally wish to welcome back the Noble House of Dagworth-Granger back into our humble Council. We all thought your House had died out. But, pardon me, Heiress, you are a Muggleborn, are you not?"
"Muggleborn, descended from a Pureblood, Minister Fudge," Hermione said, "According to my Inheritance Test."
"O-of course!" Fudge said, "Alliance and Proxy?"
"Light Alliance and Great Alliance," Hermione said, "I ask Lady Minerva McGonagall to Proxy the House of Dagworth-Granger."
Dumbledore frowned as Professor McGonagall stood up.
"I, Minerva McGonagall, accept the Proxy of the House of Dagworth-Granger," McGonagall said.
"Lady Minerva McGonagall is Proxy of the House of Dagworth-Granger and adds two votes to her own," Fudge said.
"Minister Fudge," Harry said, "I believe now that we have claimed our seats and Proxies, my Vassal and I have no other reason to be here. May we be excused?"
"Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore called out.
"Of course, Lord Potter!" Fudge said, interrupting Dumbledore, "I thank you and your Vassal for courageously coming before us and claiming your seats. It was a revelation for us all, I assure you. You may be excused."
"Mr. Potter?!" Dumbledore called out again, standing up from his chair.
"It is Lord Potter, Headmaster – erm, sorry – Chief Warlock Dumbledore," Harry said, "We will see you back at Hogwarts, sir. Have a fantastic Council Session, sir! I am sure you have Bills you wish to pass that you've been considering for weeks. Good luck, sir!"
Harry smirked, silently telling the old man he knew what Dumbledore had planned to do to him. Dumbledore stammered and blustered, but said nothing else, while Harry and Hermione followed Auror Tonks back out of the Courtroom. Tonks closed the door, and Hermione squealed, then leapt toward Harry, wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him deeply.
"That… was one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life!" Rookie Auror Nymphadora said.
Harry backed away from his girlfriend's lips. "Yeah… it was pretty brilliant."
He wasn't sure if he meant the show in the Courtroom or the kiss.
Both, he decided. Most definitely both!
That was fun! I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.
Yes, I know, in canon, Unspeakable Croaker's first name is Saul. In my universe, he is Algernon Croaker, also known as Neville's Uncle Algie and Unspeakable Toad.
Next Chapter: Dumbledore fumes as the Wizengamot Session continues (I will only show one more moment of the Council session – Sirius announcing his engagement to Amelia.). Harry, Hermione and Remus visit Diagon Alley and Gringotts, to pen the Betrothal Contract! And more!