FicWad

Chapter 5
A/N: Editor: The Resident

There was a knock at the door: Bersak entered, looking tense.

Hiphook nodded and he walked straight to Hiphook, looking awkwardly at Harry.

"Please, do tell what is going on?" said Hiphook stiff.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bulstrode want to speak with you, Master Hiphook. "They want to renegotiate the marriage contract with you," said Bersak.

Then Bersak turned to Harry.

"Mr. Dumbledore insists that he speaks with you, Lord Potter-Black-Gryffindor. "He is quite pushy in his demands.

Then Bersak turned to Hiphook again. "A certain Mr. Weasley was being attacked by all people in the master conference room, and is currently receiving medical attention from our in-house mediwizard."

Harry was taken aback hearing this. "Is he alright?" he asked. Harry did not have any bad feelings for Mr. Weasley. He was like a father for him over all those years, and he was being influenced by Dumbledore already too long. He was in a way a victim as Harry was, paying the price of his misjudgement.

"He is alright, but he is unrecognizable as a human at the moment. When we removed him from the conference room, he was not recognizable as a human, more like a... well... a pudding."

"I assume that Ginny Weasley was the one who was cursing him?" Harry asked with a grin.

"Yes, my Lord. Our warriors were not fast enough to stop her cursing her father," Bersak said seriously. "After our warriors managed to subdue her, Mrs. Weasley finished her job. They confiscated all wands, except Dumbledore protested loudly and started to make demands," ended Bersak.

"Thank you, Bersak," Harry said with a smile on his face.

Hiphook looked at Harry mischievously.

"Maybe we need to pay Dumbledore a small visit and bring him the happy news," Hiphook said slowly, grinning madly.

Harry's smile turned into a feral grin. "That's a good idea."

"Oh, there is one other thing," Bersak said.

"Yes?" Hiphook asked.

"A certain Mr. and Mrs. Delacour arrived by floo, and insisted to speak with his Lordship. I placed them with the other parents of the arranged marriages in the conference room number two."

Hiphook nodded approvingly, while Harry was looking miserable.

"Cheer up," said Hiphook happily. "Those people are your parents in law."

Harry grimaced. "Let's get things done here," Harry said. "The faster this happens, the better it is. And it is as you said, Master Hiphook. Time is money."

"You could be a Goblin, my Lord," Hiphook said pleased.

Two Goblins and one human stood in front of the conference room number one. They could hear the racket of many voices inside; some of the voices were easily recognizable as the voice of Molly Weasley.

Harry opened the door and they entered. Everyone fell quiet when they saw who entered.

Harry looked at Dumbledore in surprise. His hair was dishevelled and the old man was clearly upset.

"Ah Harry, I insist that you come with me immediately; you are not safe in Gringotts anymore. I have reason to belief that Death Eaters discovered where you are at the moment, and I expect that they might make an attempt to kidnap you. I want to bring you back at the Privet Drive, where you are safe under the care of the Order and under the protection of your mother and your aunt," Dumbledore said with a fatherly smile on his face.

"Mr. Dumbledore," began Harry.

"Harry," Dumbledore interrupted, "I am still the headmaster of Hogwarts, and I insist that you address me at my rightful title."

"As I said before, mister Dumbledore, I have some happy news to share with you," Harry said firmly. "Please, don't interrupt me anymore."

He looked around, and saw that he had the attention of everybody in the room. Pansy and a red-faced Ginny were already standing next to him, and Harry smiled briefly at the girls.

"Just minutes ago, I also received the heritage of the Gryffindor family," Harry began.

The headmaster paled and looked with a blank face at Hiphook, who was smirking evilly.

"I had no other choice to accept the heritage," Harry drawled.

Dumbledore paled even more.

"By certain ancient rules, I am forced to take up the position as headmaster of Hogwarts, because I own 25 percent of it. Mister Dumbledore, you are fired as headmaster of Hogwarts."

Dumbledore gulped and stared at Harry shaken; his mouth went open... and closed again.

"And as headmaster of Hogwarts, my second decision is that Snape will be fired, too," Harry smirked. "I never could imagine a worse teacher then him."

Harry continued. "As Head of Family Gryffindor, I also head the Order of Phoenix, and that means that you, mister Dumbledore, are fired as Head of the Order as well.

Dumbledore was dumbstruck. "But... but... you can't do..."

"I can, and you know it, Dumbledore," Harry said. "But don't worry, you don't loose everything." Harry said sombrely.

"On a happier note for you, Mr. Dumbledore, I have learned that the Dumbledore family had some outstanding issues with the Gryffindor family, and I have corrected that situation. I am very sorry to say, that the Gryffindor family gives its most precious possession to the Dumbledore family. The loss of my most precious possession weights heavy on my heart, but justice is justice and outstanding depth need to be paid."

Dumbledore looked despised at Harry.

"I gave you one of my fiancées, "said Harry.

Harry could hear the gasps from everyone in the room, but Dumbledore looked unbelievingly at Harry, then at Hiphook.

"Can he do that?" he asked unbelievingly.

"Yes, Mr. Dumbledore," said Hiphook. "It was his most precious possession, and she is being transferred to you. The paperwork is done, and the arranged marriage is properly registered. You have the congratulations from Gringotts, Mr. Dumbledore."

Dumbledore slumped back in his chair, looking dumbstruck.

"Your possessions will be sent to you by one of my elves," Harry continued. "You are not longer welcome at Hogwarts. Farewell."

Harry resolutely turned to the rest of the shocked people in the conference room.

"Is there anyone here who has a problem with me?" he asked.

"What are you going to do with Ginny?" Ron asked.

Harry looked at Ginny for a moment. "I had nothing to do with this, because of Dumbledore and your father. " Harry turned to Hiphook. "Is there anything I can do to chance her status, Master Hiphook?"

"No, my Lord, she is your slave, and you can do anything what you want to her, except giving her the freedom and make her a citizen again," Hiphook said.

"What do you mean with 'anything', Sir?" Hermione asked bewildered.

"It is Hiphook, miss. "Anything his lordship wants. If he doesn't like her, he always can sell her to another family or Head of House." Hermione stared at Hiphook for a moment; she almost fainted by what she heard.

"But how is it possible to use such old and ancient rules, which are already for ages banned in the muggle world!" cried Hermione.

Hiphook shook his head sadly. "Ms. Granger, you, as a muggle-born witch, do not know much about the customs in the wizarding world," he began.

"Already for two thousand years, there are a set of rules governing the wizarding community based on a set of rules or ideals that define what constitutes honourable behaviour within that community. The use of an honour code depends on the idea that wizards and witches within the community can be trusted to act honourably. Those who are in violation of the honour code can be subject to various sanctions, including imprisonment, death and lost of something precious, and executed magically."

Hiphook looked intently at Hermione, who was in her learning mode, and she nodded at the Goblin.

"Enforcement of honour codes happens only magically," Hiphook said. "Let's say for the sake of this explanation, that his Lordship refuses accept a wife from an arranged marriage. His Lordship will most likely lose his magic and the ability to reproduce. In other cases, where the debt is worse, he might even lose his life."

Hiphook looked intently at Hermione and was waiting for her reply.

"You are talking about the Code of Conduct," Hermione said thoughtfully.

Hiphook smiled. "You mean the rule like 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'? This states the principle of retributive justice," Hiphook said. "The basis of this form of code of conduct is the principle of proportionate punishment, 'Let the punishment fit the crime'. This code of conduct is reflected in the Codex Hammurabi, and implemented in the Magical World."

Hermione looked questionable at Hiphook. "Codex Hammurabi?"

"Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon. Hammurabi was ascribed with achieving the occupation of Sumer, the Wizard's paradise and Akkad, centre of the first known Dark Lord Agumkakrine, and ending Amorite rule of Isin. He was the first ruler of the Babylonian Empire, giving Babylon domination over Mesopotamia."

Hermione looked impressed at Hiphook.

"In the magical world, the honour code - or Code of Conduct - as you like to call it, is enforced with magic for monitoring and enforcement," ended Hiphook his monologue.

"But Ginny is human, you can't sell her!" Hermione shrieked.

"You are wrong, miss. As a slave, she is a nothing and owns nothing. Not even her own body... or her magic."

Hermione huffed and looked at Ginny in pity. Ginny said nothing; she stared at the floor.

"I want to tell you why Ginny ended up as slave," Harry said, looking straight at the beaten Dumbledore.

Everyone tensed. "How do you know that, Harry?" Remus asked with a soft voice.

Harry grimaced.

"The last Head of House of Potter was in 1456. My father and his father did not want to become Head of House for very valid reasons, and they all ignored the missive that Gringotts sent them. They were forewarned, their parents told them not to react on the expected missive of Gringotts. They knew what a curse it was to accept the position as Head of House, because they would also accept all the shite I got!" screamed Harry, everyone stirred at the sound of his voice.

After some moments of calming down, Harry continued.

"Dumbledore knew what was waiting for me, and he decided to keep me in the dark. He placed me with muggles, who had no idea of the magical world, and had also no idea of my heritages. He also took care that I never learned about them at school. Dumbledore knew that when I would receive the missive that I was to curious to refuse when I received it. I am also too much of a Gryffindor not to charge head-on," Harry finished.

"I bet that Dumbledore did not know about the Gryffindor heritage, otherwise he would have acted differently. But he knew about the Black heritage and of course the Potter's. He knew that I would receive Ginny as slave, and he knew that I would be married against my will. I would be imprisoned by the slave and wives, and absolutely depend on him and live at his mercy. "

"But why do you think that, Harry?" Remus asked.

"Because of a prophecy," Harry said. "In that prophecy it is stated that I must defeat Voldemort or be defeated by him. Dumbledore wanted to manipulate me into a position to be used as a weapon. To manipulate me, he needed to control me. With me under his full control, he would also control the resources of the Black's and Potter's. "

Remus looked sceptically at Harry.

"That is what I think," Harry said while looking gravely at Remus. "I don't know any other reason why he kept me in the dark for so long, so that I was accepting the multiple heritages."

"And now I am in deep shite," continued Harry.

"I have three fiancées waiting for me, and two fiancées pending, two slaves, I have two sisters under my responsibility, I have three seats at the Wizengamot, a bloody title on my head, I need to take care of the investments I have no idea about, I have much too many vaults, I am the head of the Order of Phoenix with no experience and knowledge about, I am headmaster of Hogwarts I have no idea how to run, who wants to change with me? Do you want to change with me, Ron?"

"Who are your fiancées, Harry?" asked Hermione quickly, before Ron could put his foot in his mouth.

"Lavender Brown, Hannah Abbott and Métier Delacour," said Harry with emotionless.

"Who is Métier Delacour?" asked Hermione intrigued.

"She is the granddaughter of Voldemort," Harry said.

Everyone gasped.

"Granddaughter of Voldemort?" yelled Ron. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Yes, I am," cried Harry. "I can't refuse it. It is coming from the Gryffindor heritage."

"How is it possible that you end up with the granddaughter of you-know-who?" Tonks asked.

"Hedrick Gryffindor made a contract with Pierre Gaunt to marry their daughters in 1118," Harry answered dejectedly "Only the Head of House could marry a daughter of the Gaunt-family, if there was a daughter available. "

Tonks looked unbelievingly at Harry.

Harry suddenly realized something. "Your parents are being cast out of the family Black, isn't it?"

Tonks looked surprised at Harry. "What does that have to do with you-know-who granddaughter?"

"Nothing," smirked Harry. "But I am going to rectify that."

Harry looked at Hiphook. "What must I do to get Tonks parents back to the Black family?"

"You need to fill in a form, my Lord," Hiphook said.

"Fine, bring it here."

Hiphook bowed slightly, and waved at Bersak, who immediately left the conference room.

"What are you going to do with my daughter, Harry?" a red faced tear stricken Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I am going to take good care of her, Mrs. Weasley. Even when she is a slave, and bound to me in every way, I am going to treat her like a young, beautiful woman as she is," Harry smiled sadly at Mrs. Weasley. "And if you would have us, I would like to visit you many times at the Burrow to taste your excellent cakes and food."

Mrs. Weasley looked intently at Harry and sighed. "Is she going to finish her education at Hogwarts, Harry?"

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley. She is going to finish her education at Hogwarts," Harry sighed.

"And what is about your own education, Harry? You need to finish that as well!", exclaimed Hermione.

"I don't feel like coming back at Hogwarts as student, Hermione. As Headmaster of Hogwarts it is impossible to be student. There are excellent professors at Hogwarts, and I plan to use their advise to learn what needs to be learned, and to continue running Hogwarts as she deserves," Harry said.

"Where are you going to stay, Harry? You can always stay at the Burrow," she asked hopefully.

"I have many properties, Mrs. Weasley. I have to think about it," said Harry thoughtfully. Staying at the Burrow sounded good, and he knew that Mrs. Weasley would love it, especially because Ginny would be there too. But on the other hand there was Voldemort to think about, and he suspected that the Burrow was not protected enough to stand against him.

"Please Mrs. Weasley; don't leave before we've talked." Harry turned to Hermione. "You, too, Hermione, I want to talk with you after all the business is arranged here."

Bersak entered the conference room, and he gave Hiphook several parchments. Hiphook grinned, and went over to Harry. "My Lord, please sign these." he said. "Then the Tonks family will be part of the Black family again," he said.

Harry nodded, cut his finger and let a drop of blood fall on the parchment. The parchment glowed briefly and disappeared in a flash.

"So Tonks, we are family now. Go to your parents and tell them the news, will you. I will come to visit them as soon as I have time and then we will speak," Harry said.

Tonks nodded and left the conference room in haste.

"Mr. Dumbledore, do you have any outstanding business here?" Harry asked the old wizard.

Dumbledore shook his head and stood slowly up.

"No, Mr. Potter, I have seen and heard enough," he said.

"It is Lord Potter, Mr. Dumbledore." smirked Hiphook. "The door is there," he said and pointed.

Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, but resigned himself and left the room quietly.

Everyone breathed relieved.

"Ron and Remus, I will speak with you soon after I have arranged the things here at Gringotts and when I am settled in," Harry said.

Ron and Remus looked shocked at Harry. "Please, I have a lot of things to arrange, and I will talk to you soon," he said.

Ron looked at Harry regrettably. "I am so sad for you, Harry. I did react poorly, and you didn't disserve that with all the shite what happened to you today. But you need to see also the good things," Ron said, and smiled mischievously. "You are the headmaster now, and guess what you can do with Malfoy and Snape? "

Harry smiled. "Yes, that would be nice. I see you later."

Ron nodded, took Remus and left the room.

Harry turned to Mrs. Weasley.

"Mrs. Weasley, please have mercy on your husband. He trusted the man, who everyone trusted before. In a way, he could not help it, and was not at fault, because he was manipulated by Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore did also a lot of good things for everyone. He kept most of the people alive and protected. And that brings me to protection.

"I will get the proper people and enhance the protection of the Burrow. I want to do the same for Hermione's house and where Hermione's parents are working. I also want to hire a small army of professionals who will protect you and your families.

As headmaster of Hogwarts, the students are my responsibility, and I will take measures to protect my students as well as possible. All muggle-borns and half-bloods are at risk. That does not mean that they are protected at school only, they will be protected during the school holidays as well. We'll start tomorrow."

Mrs. Weasley walked to Harry and hugged him fiercely. "Thank you, Harry. But you don't need to do that," she said.

"Maybe," Harry whispered in her hair, "I simply do."