FicWad

GENERAL DISCLAIMERS:
I do not own the Harry Potter universe nor anything related to the Harry Potter universe. If we did, I do not think that I would be struggling through college now. Any resemblance to ideas, names, thoughts, theories or situations in another story written on Ficwad is purely coincidental.

I would also like to state that this is an answer to a challenge put on by the last of the pendragons at FFN.


Chapter 2
Harry Potter and the Lords Lament

Harry stretched his arms over his head and twisted his back, a sigh escaping at the series of cracks that released the tensions in his back. Harry had been silently pouring over tomes since breakfast. Sirius was debating how to rearrange the bookcases to be more accessible. 'This is a good start but you need to find more information. There has to be something more that you can do.' Pushing aside the last of the books that Sirius and Remus had pulled from the shelves for him, he ventured over to the pedestal in the middle of the room. Picking up the quill Harry wrote one word on the blank page, laws. The facing page was suddenly filled with titles and locations of books that would be useful to him. Under laws he wrote 'underage' and under that he wrote 'muggles'. The three books that were now written on the other page all dealt with underage magic and the statute of secrecy. He pulled two of them from the shelf and settled back in his chair to take some more notes. Already Harry had three rolls of parchment with notes and law codes copied onto them.


As he read and took notes Sirius, Remus and Tonks gathered on the small couches by a roaring fire. On a silver tray near Sirius' left hand was an empty teapot and a half full bowl of sugar. He rang a small bell and Kreacher appeared with a fresh pot and clean cups. Dobby set a stray of croissants and fruit on the low coffee table before both elves disappeared. Tonks leaned forward and snagged a croissant along with a small pad of butter and a finger bowl with raspberry preserves.


“Sirius, if Mom wouldn't have left the family would I have grown up like this?”


“Nym, you might not have been born if your mother hadn't left the family. But yes, this is how most purebloods live.” Sirius spoke as he poured him self a new glass and took a croissant from the tray.


“Have either of you noticed anything different about Harry?” Remus scooped some fruit onto a saucer and took a bite of dragonfruit.


“When we went to get him he seemed very paranoid, almost Moody-esque.” Tonks said, remembering coming too on the dirty floor of Harry's room, in the dark the only thing that she could know for sure was that there were no Death Eaters. When Moody had told her that she barely made it in the room before Harry had taken her out and then come after him and Remus, Tonks had felt her world break. She had been sure that Moody was going to report her to the department and get her sent back to training.


“For a few moments after you went down we thought that the Death Eaters had already moved Harry and were just lying wait for us to arrive to kill us all.”


“Bet that Moody was proud of him. For being prepared and on the defense when you arrived.” Sirius said with a chuckle.


"He was ecstatic, kept asking me who was training Harry without anyone knowing it. You should have seen his face when I told him that no one was training him it was priceless.”


“What did he do exactly?” Sirius sipped his tea.


“He was waiting for us. Regardless of the silencing and invisibility charms he knew where we were. He knew about the people that Moody had given the task of securing the neighborhood. Its like he had put up some kind of ward that didn't interfere with our monitoring and surveillance charms.” Remus paused for a second. “It was almost like...”


“Like it was a different Harry. The Harry, he should have been if his parents and grandparents were still alive.” Sirius paused and dabbed a tear from his eye. “Its like he has been hiding this from us the whole time that he has been at Hogwarts.”


“Like what? Other than taking out Tonks I haven’t seen anything.”


“This morning, I was in the Lineage Room just staring at things, remembering slightly happier times. He comes in with a bucket and a couple of rags. He was going to clean the tapestry. In remembrance of those that had passed. He asked if we had a house elf. When I told him we did and that said elf was crazy, he called him. Kreacher actually responded. Harry called him to terms on the fact that the house was a mess and what my Mother would have thought. Then he summoned his elf, not one I’ve ever seen, and told Kreacher to retrain him. They listened. Kreacher started calling him Little Master. He still calls me all kinds of names.”


“So he knows how to talk to Kreacher. Big deal.” Tonks said sipping a tall glass of juice.


“Except that the voices that he used sent chills down my spine and for a moment I thought that I was sitting in the guest quarters while Lord Potter ordered the elves to bring my stuff to the family quarters since I would be considered family from that moment on.” Sirius looked over at Harry sitting amongst a pile of books that never seemed to get smaller even though the pile of books to be returned to the shelves kept growing.


“I think Harry has mastered the retrieval system for the books.” Sirius nodded towards Remus and turned back towards his cup of tea. “Has anyone talked to him about Cedric’s death?”


“Dumbledore told us that Harry didn’t want to talk and that he would come to us when he was ready.”


“Tonks, you really didn’t by that crap did you?” Sirius said. “How many Aurors are forced to see a counselor after the first time they see a person die? When a teammate dies? They all are.”


“But Dumbledore talked to Harry about things. So I guess he had some counseling.”


“Remus did you try talking to him?”


“Umm. No. I haven’t really talked to him since I stopped teaching at Hogwarts.”


“Remus, you were his only link to his family. You had a responsibility to Harry to help him learn about his family. There are things he is supposed to …” Sirius paused. “Isn’t the weather lovely today?”


“I believe it is, I haven’t been outside yet.” Remus said startled by the sudden change in Sirius’ demeanor.


“What were we talking about?” Sirius asked shaking his head.


“You were yelling at Remus about why he hasn't been in Harry's life before making an off the wall statement about the weather.”


“That's odd. Anyways, Remus why don't you talk to Harry later about what is going on in his life. I'll try tonight after dinner.”


“If he is emulating Moody then he isn't going to say anything to you about what is going on. We might as well just keep an eye on him and be there for him when he decides that he needs our help.”


He had been in the library for more than two hours when an owl bearing a green suede collar and a medallion flew through the open window. 'I do believe that, that owl belongs to a Noble family. Perhaps the Longbottom Family, which would mean that it is Neville's reply.' The owl landed on the back on Harry's chair and tapped him on the shoulder with a claw.


Dear Harry,
I had hoped that your summer would have been better than it had been in years past. Unfortunately I have already heard about your trial. As a member of the Wizengamot-in-training we are required to attend to a specific number of trials a year. Most of the Lords and Ladies that are learning at Hogwarts will be there.

If I read your last letter correctly you should be fine when asked about the crime on the stand. As long as you can prove that the Dursley's are your family and that you have lived with them your whole life. Did you happen to keep you Hogwarts Letter? I know that most purebloods think nothing of the letters but as you were raised by Muggles I am guessing that you might have. As a reminder of when your life changed.
Where are you staying until the trial? Do you need a place to stay? The Grand Lady Longbottom has offered you a room at our Manor should need a place to sleep.
Sincerely,
Neville Emerson, Lord Longbottom, in training



“Thank you for the letter, there are owl treats on the stand in the corner.” The owl hooted gratefully before fluttering across the room to land on the copper stand.


“Harry, can I ask you a question?” Remus said sitting down in one of the other chairs at the table that Harry had piled high with books. 'This is not going to go well. At least for him.'


“Of course. I shall do my best to answer any question that you may have.”


“Sirius said that you have changed in other ways than what I noticed when we picked you up.” Harry studied Remus' face for a few minutes. 'Has he taken the steps to protect his mind? Can anyone read it?' Harry paused in his study of Remus 'Am I protected? Can people read my mind?' 'You are protected. There are natural barriers in your mind.'


“Can you keep a secret Remus? Can you speak of it to no one? Is your mind protected or are you an open book?”


“You can trust me Harry. You always can.”


“Yes Remus, but is your mind your own?” Harry smiled sadly, wishing that he could believe one of his father's last friends.


“What do you mean?” Harry stood and stretched his arms over his head.


“Remus, if you can't protect your mind from others reading it than I cannot trust you with my secret. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to the atrium to admire some plants as a mental break.” Harry left Remus standing stunned by the pile of books on the table.


As the door closed Remus walked back over towards the armchairs by the fireplace. He flopped into a chair next to Tonks with a huff. He watched the firelight flicker across the black marble of the mantle piece. The red flames continued to catch his eye regardless of Tonks trying to get his attention. After a few minutes, he looked away from the flames and noticed that Tonks was talking to him. He begged their pardon and asked Tonks to repeat herself.


“What did he say?” Tonks poured herself another glass of juice.


“That until I can assure him that my mid is my own, he will not tell me anything.”


“What does he mean by that?” Sirius asked.


“I don't know. It sounds like he thinks that people are able to see his secret in our minds.”


“But who would or even could do that?” Tonks whispered.


“That is another thing to figure out.” Sirius said buttering another croissant and breaking it into pieces. They sat in silence for a little while before going about their own tasks.





Harry walked down the mahogany paneled halls, enjoying the paintings that lined the walls. As he turned the corner towards the stairs the paintings were replaced by twenty three well preserved House elf heads under glass jars with small brass plaques beneath them. Each plaques bore the name of the elf, their death date and a few words about them. 'Is this a punishment or a wall of Honor?' The voice spoke again.


“Kreacher.” Harry called on the one being that would be able to tell him the true story of the elf heads.


“Yes Young Master.” Kreacher appeared wearing a small pair of black pants and a silver blazer.


“Please, I am confused. What are these heads mounted here on the wall for?” Harry asked the little elf.


“They are memorials for good and faithful house elves that have proved their worth to the family before their death. All Black family elves strive to be there. Remembered forever as a model house elf.” Kreacher said with pride in his voice.


“But why place their heads on the wall?”


“Young Master, our magic does not work with Wizarding paintings.”


“Ah, I see. Thank you for the insight.” Kreacher smiled crookedly and disappeared. Harry turned the corner to hear footsteps coming up the stairs. As Ron and Hermione came up the stairs Harry paused near the landing.


“Good Morning guys.” Harry forced himself to sound cheerful, while his mind was on other non-cheerful topics.


“Hey, you missed breakfast.” Ron said, always the one to mention food first.


“I know. I got up early and was talking to Sirius about his family.”


“What are those behind you?” Hermione was too intent on glaring at the heads to read the plaques beneath them.


“Those are house elf memorials.” Harry said knowing that this was not going end well for him, he braced for the yelling that would start.


“But they are heads. How is that a memorial?” Hermione stamped her foot.


“I asked Kreacher about them. He said that all of the elves of this family strive to be up there. To them it is a proof of a job well done.” Ron winced as Harry said that.


“That is ridiculous. How is that a reward?”


“Can we please not get into this now?” Harry glared at Hermione. “What have you two been up to?” Harry said changing the topic with ease.


“Cleaning. Mum wants this place less gloomy before school starts.” Ron said coming to Harry's rescue and trying to distract Hermione with their tasks.


“Without magic. Not like we could use it anyways.” Hermione said reentering the conversation with a look that said the earlier subject had not been dropped.


“Yeah, 'its good for you'” Ron scoffed. “Ginny is stuck helping mum organize and clean the kitchen.”


“What room did she want you to clean?” Harry asked looking around the hall. It had to be on this floor or higher if they were on their way upstairs.


“Mrs. Weasley wants the three of us to clean the room with the family tree on the wall.”


“Oh, well then it is already done.” Ron and Hermione looked confused. “I had Kreacher clean it this morning.”


“Harry Potter! You can't be ordering Kreacher around. It's not right.”


“Hermione, its their job to manage this house. Besides I didn't order him I asked him if he could help me with it while I cleaned.”


“I don't believe you. How could you enslave an elf?” Hermione jumped back on her rant that she had not forgotten about from a few moments ago.


“Hermione, leave him alone. Its not even his elf. Kreacher belongs to Sirius.” Ron tried stopping her again before they got into another fight about house elves and their rights as creatures.


“Thanks Ron. Let's go check out the Lineage Room to see if Kreacher needs help.” Harry led them down the hall and around another corner towards the Lineage Room.


He pushed open the door to a room that surprised even him. The dark and dingy room that even this morning was a mess had been transformed in a few hours. The Lineage Room was lit by a beautiful wrought iron chandelier that caused the silver and gold threads on the family tree to sparkle. Sitting in each corner of the room was a fern, potted in a copper urn with long strands of ivy hanging down the sides. Placed along the walls were wrought iron stands with candles atop each pedestal. Low benches with dark green velvet and burnished gold buttons were placed between the candle pedestals. As they studied the rooms new decor Hermione studied the tapestry itself.


“Harry what are these burn marks?”


“They represent members of the family that have been 'blasted off of the family tree'”


“So they were bad people?” Ron asked looking over the tapestry.


“No, people that did things that the Patriarch or the Matriarch did not agree with.” Harry eyed the tapestry for a second. “This one should read Andromeda Serena Black. A gold line should have tied her to Theodore Tonks and then a silver line leading to Nym Tonks.” Harry pointed to a charred spot about a foot away from Sirius' name.


“What did she do?”


“Married a muggleborn, against her parents wishes. Apparently she was the oldest of all the Black cousins so they saw her as setting a bad example for Narcissa, Bellatrix, Sirius and Regulus. She jumped ship the day before her marriage contract was supposed to be finalized.”


“But, no one uses betrothal contracts anymore.” Hermione said, thinking that this was a family trapped in the medieval days.


“The Wizarding world does.” Harry tried cutting her off.


“That's barbaric.” Hermione exclaimed.


“No, its Tradition.” Ron spoke up. He pointed to a name further up the wall. “Desdamona A. Black promised to Alric Weasley, second son of Lord Weasley, in their third year at school. They married a year after Hogwarts. Signed the contract in blood officially on the eighth day of March after the birth of their first son, Alanton.”


“Signed after the birth of their child?” Hermione was trying to find a way to prove her point with what Ron had just told her.


“No, signed in blood, after the birth of their child.” Ron looked up with a smirk on his face. “Is this how it feels to know something that someone else doesn't? I like it.”


“Tell me Ronald.” Hermione snapped.


“Calm down. Let him bask. He is used to having to ask you for most information. This is a Pureblood Tradition. Let him tell us about it, as one of the only Purebloods that we know.” Harry whispered in her ear.


“Okay, in the Wizarding World all marriages are sealed with a contract signed at the ceremony. The ceremony itself is a contract. It's almost completely magically binding. The marriage isn't binding until a child is born. The child must be born within a year and a day or the marriage is annulled by Magic itself.”


“That's a horrible tradition.” Hermione glowered. “How can people abide by it?”


“Because it was a requirement of magic. Sure, you can get married without having the ceremony and without the contracts but it isn't recommended.” Ron said with a look of dislike and disdain on his face.


“And why not?”


“Because there is no safety without the contracts and ceremony. Right Ron?”


“Yeah. Part of the ceremony and contracts imposes certain rules upon the couple. But the children rule allows for people to get out of marriages with a spouse that is barren. The other style of marriage was created only for couples that could not produce children and still wanted to remain together.”


“Its still barbaric.” Ron stormed from the room. As the door slammed Harry turned on Hermione.


“Do you have to butt heads with every Wizarding Tradition that you come across? If you are so against Magic Traditions and Ceremonies than why do you bother hanging out with Purebloods and Halfbloods. These traditions are a part of our lives, part of our magic.” Hermione still looked at him in defiance. “Did it even cross your mind that when he said 'every' wedding that Ron's parents and mine were included in that. I found my Mother's old diary at my Aunt's house in the attic. She wrote about the ceremony and its aftereffects with great love.” With that said, Harry left the room to go find Ron before he told any of the married or pureblooded Order members what Hermione had said. Hermione crumpled onto one of the benches as Harry slammed the door. She could hear him calling for Ron





As Harry searched for Ron he went to the kitchen, knowing that when Ron's emotions got the best of him he went looking for food. Mrs. Weasley was no where in sight but Ginny was standing in front of the sink scrubbing dishes. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun on top of her head. Ginny had an apron pulled over her green tee shirt and knee length gold skirt. She was bobbing her head to a tune from the Weird Sisters that was playing on the wireless in the corner.


“Gin, have you seen Ron?” Ginny spun around flinging soap bubbles as she went.


“You scared me Harry.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “No, I haven't seen Ron. But he could have come through here and I wouldn't have noticed. I just started the dishes but before that I was in the Larder organizing so that when Mum came back from the grocer I could put the new food away. Why what's up?”


“Hermione opened her big mouth and insulted almost all of the people we know.” Harry snagged a muffin off of the counter.


“How did she do that?”


“She found out about Marriage Contracts and Traditions. You know how she gets when she thinks that something is 'barbaric'.” Harry bit into a three berry muffin with sugar topping.


“Oh no. So I guess he stormed off in order to not throttle her.” Ginny smiled and tucked a loose hair behind her ear. “Let me finish up here and I will come help. Mum should be gone for more than an hour. As Ginny turned back to the dish water Harry came up beside her and started to dry the dishes that were on the counter before putting them away in the cabinet. Within ten minutes they were finished and left the kitchen to hunt for Ron.


"Let's start with the ground floor and work our way up." Ginny suggested.


"Okay, what rooms are down here that Ron might be in?"


"Um, I don't think that he would be in the Dining Room. The last time we were in there we found a giant family of spiders the size of dinner plates in one of the cabinets." Ginny giggled remembering when Ron dropped stack of dishes and ran out of the room screaming, just a week ago.


"He might still be in there. No one would think to find Ron in a room known for having large spiders. Are there any other rooms down here?"


"Nope, the basement is just the kitchen, the larder, the butlers pantry and the boiler room. But Kreacher is living in the boiler room for now."


"Ok. Off we go then. We really can't let Ron tell any of the adults. Hermione would get sent home, and would probably never speak to any of us again." The pair walked up the stairs from the basement. On their left was the dining room and across the hall from them was the parlor. Looking between the two they decided to check the dining room first and then move into the parlor.


"Wow, I didn't know that this was a black marble table." Ginny walked over to the table and ran her hand across the sparkling surface. "Harry did you guys clean in here?"


"No. But I might know what happened. Can you keep a secret?"


"Yes. Any secret you tell me, I can keep." Ginny nodded, blushing slightly.


"Dobby has become my house elf. He is here with Kreacher, whom I seem to be the only one that he seems to get along with. Kreacher is teaching Dobby how to manage a house to my standards. I guilted Kreacher into cleaning the whole house since this wasn't a place for visiting purebloods to see."


"Wow. I never thought anyone could get along with Kreacher."


"Kreacher, can you please come here." Harry stated.


"Yes Young Master?"


"Did you and Dobby take care of the spiders and other creatures in this room?"


"Yes Young Master. Dobby said that you might want to keep at least two specimens of each creature though. We caged them and spelled them not be able to reproduce and placed them in the classroom near your bedroom."


"Thank you Kreacher. Please pass onto Dobby that that was very thoughtful. Please do so for any other creatures that you find in the house. Are you in need of anything in order to finish the house?"


"Young Master, we would like to know if we could bring in at least two more house elves. Both female preferably in order to handle the mending, cooking and tending to the ladies of the House?"


"That seems like a wonderful idea Kreacher." Kreacher seemed to brighten. "Do you have any house elves in mind for the positions? How would we go about procuring two more house elves?"


"Dobby suggested the female house elf named Winky that is living at Hogwarts. She did not bond with the castle and is wasting away. All you would have to do is write a letter addressed to the house elf council stating that you are considering employing another house elf for the Family Black and would like them to recommend a few wonderful ladies maids elves in which you can choose from."


"Thank you Kreacher. Pass on our thanks to Dobby. I will get to writing this letter and finding you two some help." Kreacher popped away with a smile on his face. Harry ushered Ginny back out of the dining room and across the hall to the Parlor. As they entered the Parlor they saw that not only were all of the cobwebs gone but there was also more light in the room. In the corner stood a baby grand piano with a silver music stand beside it. The room was lit by gas powered sconces placed every few feet along the wall. There were three green velvet sofas near the fireplace with beautiful glass and wrought iron side tables. There were small snakes of sparkling jewels laid into the twists of the metal. This room showed the families dedication to the House of Slytherin's mascot. There were little snakes made of emeralds in the glass surrounds for the lamps. Since they didn't see him in the room they closed the doors and head back into the hall. At the end of the hall was an oak door with flowers and trees etched into the door frame.


"Let's try the back garden."


"Yeah. At home he likes to go outside when he gets mad." As they walked out the back door the house did not disappear behind them.


"I guess the gardens were included within the wards." Harry said as he looked out over the hedges and flowers he smiled. Gardens were always a place that he felt at home and at peace with what is around him. He never really minded when his entire list of chores was things that would have him outside for the entire day.


"These roses are beautiful." Ginny was looking at a bush of roses that changed colors randomly. "These are Prism Roses. They change colors based on the intenisty of light that they get."


"They are beautiful. I would love to get a few of these blooms and put them in the Dining Room for dinner tonight."


"I will handle that Master Harry Potter, sir." Dobby popped in and gathered a handful of blooms and then disappeared again. The pair continued their walk through the garden and came to a wall of hedges. They walked along the hedge and came across a small arbor set deep in the hedge. Ginny pushed open the gates of the arbor and walked through, disappearing from sight. Harry steeled his nerves and walked through after her. In the center of the walled off area was a tall oak tree with a ring of white stones set out six feet in all directions from the tree. On a bench near one of the corners was Ron, his head in his hands.


"Ron," Ginny yelled causing his head to shoot up and him turn away.


"Let me talk to him for a minute before you come over. If he is still upset at her he might not want you to see him angry with her." She nodded in agreement and walked away to sit on another bench. Harry sat down on the bench near Ron.


"Why does she have to find something wrong with every Wizarding Tradition that she finds out about?" Ron said ripping a leaf apart in despair.


"To her, growing up muggle, there is a giant difference between how muggles do things and how wizards do things. Muggles put aside marriage contracts in most countries over a hundred years ago. She doesn't understand that house elves need to be bound to a house in order not to go crazy."


"I've never heard of a muggleborn being more anti-Tradition than she is. Even couples that are both muggleborn have embraced the tradition and ceremony of wizarding life. She can't put aside her radical views or synthesize them with our traditions. Harry you were basically raised muggle. I don't hear or see you going against our Traditions or Ceremonies."


"I have my mom's diary telling me of her trips through most of the ceremonies and traditions that she came across." Harry smiled. "Come on. Your Mum should be home soon. Let's go inside and see if she will need any help preparing dinner."


"Do you think that they have a book that Hermione could read about our Traditions in?"


"Probably. I will look around the Black Library and check out Diagon Alley while I am in London tomorrow."


All three headed inside, to find Mrs. Weasley placing bags of food on the kitchen counter. Harry took the meats and items that would have to go in the iceboxes and walked into the Larder with them. Ginny and Ron took the rest of the food between them and they began organizing and putting the food away. When they had finished they stood before Mrs. Weasley while she questioned them about what they had done that day.


"Ron, have you and Harry finished cleaning the Lineage Room?"


"Um, Mrs. Weasley we might have cheated."


"What do you mean cheated?"


"I had a long talk with Kreacher this morning. He and Dobby, my personal house elf, are cleaning the entire house. Kreacher just needed to be shocked out of his insanity."


"That's not really cheating Harry."


"It is if they have already cleaned half of the house and replaced the furniture that needed to be replaced."


"Well then boys. I guess the rest of your summer should be spent studying for school." Mrs. Weasley smiled at them."Where is Hermione."


"She is upstairs somewhere." Ron said trying to hide the tone in his voice that would have told his mother that there were problems.


"Well you three can go upstairs and relax. I am going to start dinner in about two hours so it should be ready by five thirty. Do you want tea sent up at four or not?"


"We will take tea in the second floor classroom. It is apparently near my room. Kreacher and Dobby should know where it is." The trio turned and walked up to the second floor. When they reached the classroom that Dobby had told Harry about they propped open the door and peered in. There were four study corners complete with bookshelves and reams of parchment. In the middle of the room was a large row of containers. Each container was labeled with what was within it. Above each desk was a line of black drawing a box around the desk itself. Posted on the wall was a small sign that read 'when working on potions please employ the fume hoods by saying fumes il collettore'. There was a door set into the wall on the far side. Ginny stepped up and opened the door to find rows of creatures in small containment areas that kept them from interacting with any of the other animals. Harry sat down at the desk that he was claiming as his own. Pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill with emerald ink he sat down to write a letter.


Dear Neville,
Thank you for your response to my letter. How many of our classmates are Lords and Ladies in training? It surprises me that I have never heard anyone say that they are in training to be members of the Wizengamot. Anyways, yes I still have my Hogwarts Letter. I kept it to prove to myself that I belong here. I should also have copies of my registration paperwork for the different Muggle schools that I attended. I am staying at my Godfather's house. Professor Lupin had the pass codes to it and thought that it was somewhere no one would think to look for me. I thank your Grandmother the Grand Lady Longbottom for the offer of housing me even though it is apparently well known that I am being charged with a crime.
I look forward to seeing you at the trial tomorrow then. Have a peaceful night.
Sincerely,
Harry James of House Potter


Harry folded the letter over on itself and sealed it with a bit of green and gold wax. As an after thought he grabbed a copper press that had his families crest stamped onto the underside of it. After pressing it into the cooling wax he called for Dobby.


"Yes Master Harry Potter, sir?"


"I would like for you to give this letter to the owl that should still be in our Library. If he is not there please call for Hedwig and send it with her. I noticed that when the letter from Neville arrived the owl had a collar with the family crest on it. Please locate me one for Hedwig with the Potter family crest on it. If you cannot find one please have one made. The crest, if you need one to compare it to, is on the hangings around my bed."


"Of course." Dobby took the letter and disappeared.


The three of them spent the next two hours sipping on their tea and going over homework that was assigned before the previous term had ended. Occasionally they would ask each other a question but they worked most of the time in silence. Dobby popped into the room at five thirty to tell them that dinner was going to be served in the dining room in ten minutes. Harry asked if the others had left the library yet and Dobby told him no. Harry sent him to tell them about dinner and finished the a section of the essay that he was working on and closed up his desk area. Once the three of them had cleaned up their areas they headed down to dinner.


Dinner was a very subdued affair. Mostly to the fact that Hermione was ignoring the other three teens and they were pretending that she wasn't at the same table. Mrs. Weasley had decided to serve more food than she normally would, which was a good thing because half of the order showed up to eat. There was a minor seating problem when Albus and Sirius got into a glaring contest over the seat at the head of the table. Being that it was Sirius' table Albus moved to another chair and no one knew the difference. Harry went to bed after dinner knowing that it was only going to be a few hours in the morning before his trial in which to rehearse what he wanted to say.





The next morning Harry was awakened by a pounding on his door. He tried to ignore it and drift back into the dream he was having but it was impossible, the dream was gone. Getting up he threw a robe around himself and stalked towards the door. A quick look at the clock told him that it was only six o'clock in the morning. Most of the house was still asleep. Mrs. Weasley might be the only person awake but even she would not be out of bed for another thirty minutes.


"Harry open up. You need to prepare for your trial." Hermione said as she pounded on the door again. Harry took his time. Instead of opening the door her took his robe back off and wandered into his large closet to get dressed for the day. After pulling on a pair of black pants that went with his uniform and a dark green dress shirt that he had no clue how it had gotten into his closet.


"Yes, Hermione. What do you want at six thirty in the morning?" Harry rubbed some sleep from his eyes.


"You need to come with me downstairs and prepare for your trial." Hermione had her hair pulled back, glasses on and her robe pulled tight around her, but she fiddled with the end of the robe's belt as she talked.


"Hermione, I've been preparing for days now. I think I can handle it."


"Harry, be realistic. You need help. You couldn't have done this on your own."


"Couldn't have done this on my own? Are you trying to say that I am dumb or something Hermione?"


"I'm saying that you can't be that well prepared, because you usually have problems focusing on staying awake while studying." Harry glared at her.


"Hermione, I have six hours til the trial, I just need to rest, eat, get there early and speak."


"How are you going to defend yourself?"


"I shouldn't have to Hermione." Harry slammed his hand flat on the wall. "I was protecting my family. The only non magical person that saw it was my relatives."


"I knew I should go with you today. You can't be prepared, you'll be expelled for sure. Why don't you care." Hermione's face was growing red.


"No, Hermione. You aren't coming with me. I need more sleep, not a mini interrogation before my trial."


"Fine, I'll see you downstairs so we can go over your case."


"Hermione! I have this under control. I did all my research here in the Black Library."


"There isn't a library here."


"Yes, there is but you aren't family so you wouldn't find it."


"Then how did get in.You aren't a Black."


"That's right Hermione. But I am the Godchild of one. By Old Laws that makes me a Black and therefore able to enter the Library at will." Hermione huffed before turning and walking away towards the stairs. Harry flopped into the chair next to his desk. Looking over the scrolls of his notes for the trial he smiled. There was no way they could convict him. They didn't have any real evidence. Pulling out a small pad of legal paper he began to copy key points and law numbers so that he didn't have to carry all of the scrolls.


'It's alright Harry, she'll come around. Its the melding of two worlds in her eyes. She has to come to grips with a few facts. Hermione will be good before the school year starts.'


'Are you sure about that? I am only understanding there are Traditions and ways that have been stated by Magic itself because I have you telling me about them, and mum's diary. '


'Yes but you came into this world to know your parents and to stay here. Hermione probably plans on trying to live between the two worlds.'


'Am I going to be able to tell anyone about you? I mean some of them think that I am going crazy... or that someone has replaced me with a doppleganger.'


'You can talk about me after your birthday. Sirius and Remus should remember hearing about me by then. And one of them should take you to Gringotts on your birthday, in the morning, to visit your Family Vault.'


'What Family Vault?'


'I'll tell you about that later. Its not important now. Getting you out of this farce of a trial is the important step.'


There was a softer knock on the door. Harry finished the lines that he was copying and blew lightly on the ink, out of habit. As he stood he grabbed the closest thing to formal robes he had and slipped his best Hogwarts robe around his shoulders. The clock now read seven forty and breakfast for everyone but Ron would be on the table. Expecting Sirius to be the one at the door Harry flung it open. Standing in the doorway was Ron.


"Hey Harry. Are you ready?"


"Um. Yeah. I need to get some real food. It might settle my stomach." Harry smiled and grabbed his legal pad off of the desk. Placing his wand in his back pocket he and Ron left for the kitchen. As they entered the kitchen Harry was bombarded by well wishes.


"Hey, don't worry kid. You can always live here with Sirius if they do expel you." Tonks said, her hair a bright shade of purple.


"Thanks Tonks. That's comforting. Kind of."


"Here you go boys. Have some breakfast." Mrs. Weasley placed a large plate of eggs, sausage and roasted potatoes in front of each boy. "You boys need your strength."


"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Harry said as he sat down. He could feel eyes on him, seeming to drill into the side of his head. Harry turned and at the end of the table was Hermione, sitting stiffly like she had been there, in the same spot since six that morning. Ginny sat down beside him and handed both him and Ron a glass of Pumpkin juice. "While this is delicious, Mrs. Weaseley do you have any other kinds of juice, apple or grape perhaps?"


"Of course I do dear. I just thought that since it was your favorite you would like it for breakfast this morning."


"I thank you for your concern Mrs. Weaseley. I'm going to be okay." As he looked around the room again he noticed that a familiar face was missing from the table. "Where is Mr. Weasley?"


"He is finishing getting ready. He got called in last night after you turned in, apparently someone went on a insulting mirrors spree." A second later Mr. Weaseley walked down the stairs.


"How are you feeling Harry?" Harry shrugged his answer and pushed his eggs around the plate. "It'll all be over soon. In a few hours you will be on your way back here, cleared of all charges." Harry still did not respond.

"Your hearing will be on the same floor as my office. In Amelia Bone's office. She is the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and she is the one that will be questioning you."


"Amelia Bones is okay, Harry." said Tonks earnestly. "She is fair, she will hear you out."


"All well and good if my trial was before her. I know that I should shortly be receiving a letter stating that my trial is being moved to the main courtroom, in front of the full Wizengamot." There were gasps around the kitchen.


"How do you know this Harry?"


"Neville Longbottom told me that all of the Lords and Ladies in training of the Wizengamot were invited to attend, as one of the many trials that they are required to watch in order to more forward in their training."


"When did you write to Neville?"


"When I got here. He was a pureblood that might have known more about what goes on in the Wizengamot."


"When were they going to inform you about that?"


"Umm... probably in another hour. When I would have to rush to get there."


"Well we might as well get a move on then. No sense in giving them more ammo to use against you." Nodding good-bye to everyone in the kitchen Harry and Mr. Weasley walked up the stairs to retrieve their coats and leave. Down the street from the townhouse they walked into the dimly lit underground station and took a train deeper into London.


Harry spent most of their walk trying to keep Mr. Weasley from standing out amongst the muggles. When Mr. Weasley made a startled sound as the turnstile on the way out of the underground swallowed his ticket. He ogled at the business men and women in their gray and black business suits with their briefcases in one hand and a steaming travel cup of coffee in the other.


"Harry, do all muggles dress alike?" He whispered as they walked up the stairs.


"Only the ones in the corporate worlds. They tend to dress in a way that shows no hint of their life outside of the office. Its not a uniform per say but it is seen as professional attire." Harry bit back a laugh. "Where are we going?"


"The Muggle entrance to the Ministry." As they turned down a side street Harry began to feel very nervous. They paused outside of a red phone booth. "Here we are. In you go." They barely fit into the small box. "Let's see... six... two... four...four... two."


"Visitor to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business." The booth said, as if there was another person standing in the booth with them.


"Arthur Weasley escorting Harry Potter to a disciplinary hearing." Mr. Weasley said nervously.


"Thank You." The female voice said. "Visitor, Please attach this badge to the front of your robes. Visitors are also reminded that they are to submit their wands to the security desk for registration and submit themselves to a search of their person." Suddenly the booth began to sink into the ground. As the ground rose up to cover the windows Harry gasped and stepped back slightly. They traveled downwards for about ten minutes. They dropped into the middle of a bustling entry hall. Every few seconds a witch or wizard would pop out of the left hand fireplaces with a whoosh, while the right hand fireplaces had small lines forming as people left the building.


Harry glared briefly at the fountain in the middle of the room. The composition itself gave him an upset stomach. The plauqe beneath it was the saving grace of the whole installation. He found it interesting that all of the money that was placed into the fountain from well wishers would be used to fund the hospital.


'If I don't get expelled from Hogwarts I will put in ten Galleons.' Harry thought as he passed the fountain and continued following the lines of people heading towards the gates at the end of the room.


"Over here Harry. We have to get you registered." Mr. Weasley pulled him closer to the edges of the crowd where he saw a desk with a swinging sign that read 'security'. The man in the peacock blue robes barely looked at Harry while he processed him and only seemed to notice who he was talking to as Harry walked away. As they entered a lift there was a man already standing in it with a box that had smoke leaking out of the corners.


"Its alright sonny. Just a fire breathing chicken we found. Looks like someone was experimenting with creature breeding again." The lift filled with people before Harry could respond, and after a few seconds the lift began to ascend. When they reached the seventh floor, home of the Department of Magical Games and Sports the lift was entered by seven tiny airplanes, each bearing the seal of a department within the Ministry. When they reached the second floor they got off of the elevator. Walking down the hallway they passed a small cubicle farm that housed the Aurors headquarters. Mr. Weasley opened the door to a small office and laid his jacket and briefcase on his desk. Checking the time he ushered Harry back out of his office and down the hall again.


"Since you said that the entire Wizengamot was going to be at the trial instead of just Madame Bones we will need to take the lift back down to the tenth floor to the Wizengamot Chambers." Harry nodded at Mr. Weasley and the pair set back off to the lift. As they approached the lift one of the tiny planes dive-bombed Mr. Weasley. "It would seem that your request to arrive here early has just arrived." Mr. Weasley showed him the interdepartmental memo with a grin. "Downstairs we go."


Author's Note:
I am also looking for a secondary Beta if anyone would like to have at this story please PM me.