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The trial was going on in full swing, and the longer it continued, the longer I was cursing myself for not taking Amelia completely into confidence. She knew of my arrangement with Narcissa, and knew that my entire stunt with Greengrass was based on Narcissa's information. At the same time, she knew nothing about my recent gig with her and Lucius's last-minute attempt to dodge the wrecking ball coming for his family fortune.
If I wasn't careful, she'd potentially damage things in her vindictive attempt to destroy the Malfoy legacy, the name that had been a permanent thorn for the DMLE for the better part of two decades.
"Wizard Cresswell," said Amelia. "Would you agree that until Lucius Malfoy is officially certified to be dead by the British Ministry of Magic, his last Will and Testament holds no more weight than the parchment it was made of?"
"...Yes. Until the point it is executed, it has no meaning in court."
"As such, following by, or acting because of its contents is meaningless, because so long as Lucius Malfoy is alive, that document might as well not exist?"
"...yes."
"Thank you, Wizard Cresswell. Next, I'd like to call on Perseus Parkinson," Amelia looked like she was having a hard time suppressing her sneer. "The current Advisor to the Minister for Financial Matters."
I stifled a laugh. Perseus Parkinson was a nosy slob that had stopped thinking for himself for a long time now, and with House Parkinson an established vassal of House Malfoy, Perseus was the link through which Lucius controlled the Nation's treasury, and put his personal twists on the tabs for every Department.
Amelia hated the man just as much as she did Lucius.
The man in question was short and obese, with black hair already reduced to the point of baldness. If not for his thin frame and narrow eyes, he'd have passed off as Horace Slughorn's twin.
"Wizard Parkinson," said Amelia. "In your professional opinion, what is the Ministry mandated action against someone charged with sedition against the Ministry?"
"We uh, I mean, the Ministry is authorised to seal away the accused's Gringotts Vaults, cancel their apparition licence, and put them under arrest varying from solitary in-house confinement, to Azkaban, depending upon the degree of their crime."
"And what would you say the recent holocaust fares as far as degrees of crime are concerned?"
Parkinson swallowed. "The worst."
"And as the perpetrator of such horrendous crime, Lucius Malfoy falls under this exact transgression?"
"...Yes," said the man, scowling at the way she was leading him on.
"Let me reiterate my earlier statement then. Lucius Malfoy transferred the contents of the Malfoy family Vault, including all his properties and assets to his son Draco, before casting him out of the Malfoy family by blood and magic. And he did this right after causing a holocaust unseen in decades, and vanishing off the grid. Tell me, in your professional opinion, can we say that Lucius Malfoy was indeed attempting to protect his fortune from Ministry seizure?"
"I…. yes. It does seem like —"
"I'm afraid I don't have time for speculation, Wizard Parkinson. A yes or no would suffice. Going by your own statements, can we consider that Lucius Malfoy, after committing this terrible holocaust that not only crippled the nation's law enforcement for good, but also stole away the lives and destroyed hundreds of families, attempted to protect his fortune from the Ministry protocol, by transferring it all to his son's name, and casting him out of the family. With a single document, he is attempting to safeguard his fortune, which for all we know, will be used by him to deal even greater damage to our wounded government. Am I not right?"
"...ye— yes. Yes."
Amelia smiled again. "So in your professional opinion, does this have enough legal grounds to tie the fortune-transfer case of the Malfoy Vaults in litigation, and seal it until Lucius Malfoy is found, arrested, tried in open court and sentenced guilty or otherwise? Does the law protect the individual's side, even if the individual is charged with sedition against the Ministry? Or does it side with the Ministry, and not respect his individual rights for the greater justice?"
"I… I can't really…"
"Wizard Parkinson," said Amelia, an undercurrent of sternness in her voice. "You are the Advisor to the Minister on financial matters. It is by following your knowledgeable opinion that the Minister of Magic decides how much the budget of the DMLE, the protector of the country, is to be decreased to fund the Ministry Balls instead. It is by your trusted skill at such matters that the Department of Mysteries gets its budget decided every year. It is on your judgement that the Minister makes an informed choice on how much funds to take away from the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Surely…" she chuckled slightly. "I understand that your family is vassalized to the Malfoy name, but surely, a man of your stature would be able to easily discern the punishment for such a financial fraud?"
Every single statement was puncturing holes into the man's image. And it was working too. The man didn't even need to look up to recognize the stares he was getting from the Wizengamot. They were full of questions, daring him to refute Amelia's words, daring him to say something that would prove he was deeply involved with Lucius and potentially a co-conspirator.
Parkinson looked like he was going to throw up.
"He — That is, The Ministry has the right to tie the matter up in litigation, overriding his authority over matters of House Malfoy. Especially…" He trailed off, licking his lips in trepidation. "Especially in light of recent events."
No one missed Amelia's victorious smirk.
"Thank you," she said. "That will be all."
She turned to face the Wizengamot. "Witches and Wizards, regardless of whatever tomfoolery Lucius Malfoy might have attempted, he is charged and proved to act in sedition against the Ministry, and is thus, an enemy of the state. As such, I demand a cease-and-desist order on the transaction emptying the Malfoy treasury into Draco No-Name's Vault. Effective immediately. Given that the DMLE has suffered extreme damage because of him, the Malfoy family funds should be utilised to enhance the DMLE coffers to enhance hiring practices and ensure this nation stays strong."
Murmurs of support rang from all sides.
It was as I had suspected. Lucius had always bottlenecked the DMLE budget year after year, forcing Amelia to donate her own familial gold to fund the DMLE. Now that she had found one chance to avenge herself, she was leaving no stone unturned. As much as this would annoy Narcissa, I couldn't quite get in Amelia's way.
Not in this case.
I could stop her. I really could. But I had no obligation to help Draco. Just not to intentionally cause him harm.
Thern Pius opened his mouth.
'I agree that the DMLE should receive what it is owed," said the man. "However, my client isn't the one charged with sedition, is she? Claim the Malfoy Vaults and fortune if you like, but my client, the former Lady Malfoy, rightfully deserves forty-five percent of the liquid assets, as is her right by Clause 9 of her marriage contract."
"Only if you can prove that she is not complicit in the recent events, Wizard Thicknesse."
"Agreed, which is why I'd next like to call on the one person that can shed further light into these matters. I'd like to summon…Wizard Harry Potter."
Oh…
The smile dropped from Amelia's face.
…Shit!
Whispers echoed throughout the courtroom as Pius Thicknesse called my name out.
It was to be expected, given the gravity of Lucius's crime, his sudden disappearance, and the fact that I was being called to clarify matters personal to Lucius's recently divorced wife. I didn't need to be a legilimens to see the cogs running in the audience's heads.
Still, colour me surprised. I didn't think Narcissa would expose herself to this degree. True, it could serve as a speeding ticket, since Narcissa was a daughter of House Black, and as another member and Lord of House Black, it was only natural for her to approach me. I could always play it to my benefit.
On the other hand, the moment she brought me into the picture, chances were that my little stunt with Draco would be highlighted. Just a little more, and Thicknesse might end up pulling Auror Robards or worse, Nymphadora Tonks into the picture. The former was simply apprehensive of my deeds, first with helping Draco escape justice, and then with the mess with Broderick Greengrass and Phyllida.
On the other hand, suspicion didn't even begin to cover what Nymphadora Tonks felt for me. The only reason she'd not have run and babbled everything to Albus-too-many-names Dumbledore was because she was capable of doing her own thinking.
To a degree.
That and her name wasn't Remus Lupin.
Even though she did eventually marry him. In Canon. Fat chance of that happening this time around if I have a say in that. And luckily, I do.
Still, I might just have to come 'clean' and bring her into the loop with the whole 'Time-travel Do-over' bullshit I have been feeding everyone. Even excluding her, I am cent percent sure Amelia had tons and tons of questions too.
Yes. A meeting of the ladies was due soon. If I could convince Tonks to shift allegiances, it'd be interesting to see what perks a metamorphmagus might give me. Metamorphmagery was supposedly a derivative of the original yenaldooshi shapeshifting, and seeing the two magical perks react to each other should be rather illuminating.
Speaking of, I had yet to see what changes my new Perk Magical Animagus gave me. The advantage of a perk was that it worked perfectly the moment it activated, but that didn't mean the effects of its activation would be completely benign. Yenaldooshi were shapeshifters and capable of powerful sorcery in their own right, and I was quite looking forward to where my new form stood compared to… shall we say, Hermione during her 'necro-beast' transformation, as Horcrux-Voldemort had put it.
But that was for later.
Slowly, I stood up and walked down the stairs to the dais. But before Thicknesse could question me, someone else intervened.
"Harry Potter is not of age," said Albus Dumbledore, banging his gavel. "He cannot be subjected to this trial without proper representation or a formal counsel."
Wonderful. Even without asking, Dumbledore seemed perfectly ready to intervene in matters he had no business in. It would have been useful if Thicknesse was actually against me, but as things stood, Dumbledore was just being an unnecessary addition.
"Actually, Chief Warlock," I said. "I have taken up the mantle of House Potter, as is evident by my answering the roll-call earlier. However, if you want more confirmation, I can make a formal statement before this august body before answering whatever lawyer Thicknesse wants me to."
"But Harry —"
"Chief Warlock," said Amelia, crossing her arms. "Harry Potter has indeed taken up the mantle of Lord Potter. I can even personally attest to that." The look she gave the old man practically dared him to interrupt her again. "Now, if there is any other trivial step we need to get past? I suggest we get there so that I can get to the end of my report and consign the guilty to their fates."
Dumbledore's frown deepened.
"No, I suppose we can wait for the formal announcements for that."
"Good," she said archly, looking at Thicknesse. "Please continue."
"Witches and wizards," said Thicknesse. "My client, the former Lady Malfoy, was born to Cygnus and Druella Black. This fact is widely known, given that Lucius Malfoy has acted as the Black Regent for the better part of two decades, with the next Lordship falling to his son, Draco, my client's only son. But when she found out that Lucius Malfoy had been responsible for the disaster that struck Wizarding Britain, she broke away from her husband and sought aid from the only family she had left."
He glanced at me. "Harry James Potter."
And just like that, the mutters began.
"What tomfoolery is this?" demanded an old man with a scraggly beard from the audience. "Harry Potter is no Black."
"I'd let Wizard Potter here clarify that bit for us," suggested Thicknesse, turning to me.
Ah. So that was how she wanted to let me play this out.
"Witches and wizards," I said. "My name is Harry James Potter, the only child of James Potter and Lily Evans. Let Magic sanctify my words, for as the direct and sole remaining descendant of Fleamont Potter, I now stand in his shoes, as the next Lord of House Potter. As I have sworn, so mote it be!"
The Potter family ring in my hand buzzed with power, and the Potter seat up there on the Wizengamot glowed with a bright mahogany sheen.
"I suppose that clears out any lingering doubt about my current position," I said, giving a brief glance at Albus Dumbledore. "As for your quandary, respected elder," I looked at the bearded man from earlier. "There are few who remember that my grandfather Fleamont Potter was the son of Charlus Potter and Dorea Black, the sister of Arcturus Sirius Black, the previous Lord Black. By right of her blood that runs in my veins, I am the Lord Conditional of House Black."
"Preposterous!" exclaimed another. "Draco Malfoy is the next Lord of House Black, and Lucius, the declared Regent."
Only this time, it was a face I recognized. I mean, you would too, if the name came up in your potential shit list.
"That would be technically correct, Lord Nott," I said. "But Sirius Black, son of Orion Black and grandson of Arcturus Black, was the blood heir to House Black. House Black has a Special Circumstances provision that authorised Gringotts to continue financial matters with House Black members regardless of Ministry mandate. Hence, despite his status as a wanted fugitive, when he submitted his last will and testament, stating me as his heir, Gringotts processed it, and granted me Lord Conditional status."
Technically, it was valid for only one year, but I didn't need to inform them of that.
And then Snyde, Lucius's Proxy, stood up. "I refuse to acknowledge his status as Lord Conditional. Lucius is the standing Black Regent, and in his absence, I refuse to let some halfblood pretender take over House Black."
Dumbledore banged the gavel loudly.
"I'll ask Wizard Snyde to stay in control of his personal feelings," warned the Chief Warlock. "Any more usage of such slurs and you will find yourself thrown out."
The man mockingly bowed. "Apologies. I was just… surprised that the Wizengamot would let… forgive me, a child, to try usurping that which is beyond him."
Ah. Good old condescension. I knew just how to answer that one.
"Don't worry, Wizard Snyde," I said sweetly. "You wouldn't have to bring yourself to do a task beneath your exalted station. I have someone else in mind to take up the Black proxy before the end of this session."
"What?" glared the man, ignoring Dumbledore's constant attempts to stop the debacle through his gavel-ing. "Preposterous! Lucius is the Regent Black —"
"Not anymore."
"That's —"
"Lucius Malfoy is an international fugitive at this moment, and the DMLE Director has just proven his crimes in open court. You are, forgive me, just a proxy. His proxy. Unless you have Lucius hidden inside your sleeve, I suggest you stop right here."
The man turned purple, but before he could speak, Dumbledore did.
"Harry… Potter," said Dumbledore softly. "Please don't antagonise him."
"Yes, Chief Warlock." Just reminding him who held the cards right now. And that Lucius wouldn't be there to bail him out if he ran his mouth a little too much in court.
Judging from the look Snyde gave me, it was clear things wouldn't end quietly.
Thicknesse cleared his throat. "Ahem, Wizard, err… Lord Potter —"
"Wizard Potter is fine."
"...Right. Are you acquainted with Narcissa Black, the former Lady Malfoy?"
"I am. She's the mother of Draco Malfoy, my classmate. And… she's a cousin, through the Black family."
"And when was the first time you encountered her in person?"
"Sometime in July, though I can't remember the exact date."
"What was the meeting about?"
I frowned, wondering what his angle was. "I encountered her while purchasing some robes at Twilfitt & Tattings. I will admit I do not share any camaraderie with her son at Hogwarts, so I was quite apprehensive. Quite naturally, I was surprised to find her warmly acknowledging me as a Black."
And giving me a blowjob.
Followed by some of the greatest fuck sessions I had had to this date.
But there was no need to share that little detail.
"And did the former Lady Malfoy, or her son, acknowledge you for the same before this date?"
I shook my head.
"Not even when you first met her son at school?"
The frown deepened. "Draco told me that some families are better than the other, and wanted to be my friend. I'm not sure if he was indicating the Black blood we share, or our status as Ancient families. I had just discovered magic was real, and brought into the Wizarding World after el… thirteen years of living a muggle life."
Damnit. I had almost said eleven back then.
"A muggle life? Do you mean to say —"
Dumbledore banged the gavel right then. "Lawyer Thicknesse. Kindly stick to questions pertaining to the case."
"Apologies," said Thicknesse. "Can you tell us what brought the sudden change?"
The man was fishing for information. That could be a problem.
"No."
"Did my client ever meet you after that?"
"Yes."
"And what was it about?"
I narrowed my eyes. Just what was Thicknesse attempting to coax out of me? A confession that I was involved with the woman? No, that was too brutish and not Narcissa's style. If she hired this guy, I had to believe she knew what she was doing. I knew that the DMLE had brought her in for interrogation multiple times and put her under House-arrest, which was why she wasn't here for this session.
But I could still use this.
"She confided that she knew of my standing as Lord Conditional of House Black. She wanted me to help her find a way out of her marriage with Lucius, and was afraid that he was up to… no good. As a token of faith, she even supplied me with several incriminating pieces of evidence that I submitted to the DMLE Director herself in an official meeting at Bones Manor."
I looked at Amelia.
"I… recall that conversation," she said slowly, with the right mix of hesitation and annoyance in her tone. "Though he did not disclose the source of those documents."
"It was Lady Malfoy."
Amelia thinned her lips, but said nothing.
I didn't need to look for Broderick Greengrass to know that his face had gotten ashen by now. The man was likely feeling his world crash around him. Too bad it was just the beginning.
"So," asked Pius. "Can we assume that my client had no part to play in Lucius Malfoy's schemes and wanted a way out?"
"I… I think so," I said slowly, hesitantly. "I am no expert. She could have an ulterior motive I'm ignorant of, but she has not dealt in bad faith so far. With me, at least."
The irony of my choice of words almost made me smile. Almost.
"Did my client communicate with you after the recent holocaust?"
"Yes, she intimated that she had found out that her husband had found out about her actions, and so, left her with nothing as punishment. She requested permission to return to the Black household after the dissolution of her marriage to Lucius."
"I imagine that was because you are Lord Conditional of the House Black?"
"Yes…. and more."
I added the last bit with the right degree of hesitation.
"Please explain."
"At the advent of my summer holidays, I found out that Sirius Black, the man who supposedly betrayed my parents, not only is my godfather, but also designated me as his heir. He left me the rights to the Black Manor, and did the necessary framework to ensure I was Lord Conditional of the Black Family. Over the summer, I followed the path as described in the Black Family Grimoire to gain favour of the Powers that govern the Black Family Magic and was judged worthy. A path that led me to become the Lord of House Black."
"... You mean. Lord Conditional?"
"No," I held out the Family ring, which shone malevolently, and Arnold Snyde was bodily lifted and thrown off the Black seat, which was glowing an intense magenta. The man unceremoniously fell down upon the dais, barely two feet away from me.
"As of right now, I am the Lord Black. Familius Magicus Patronum."
A massive spectral scorpion rose above me, towering at everyone else in the Wizengamot. Whatever protests anyone had in mind died before the presence of my titanic protector.
With a casual flick of my hand, the massive totem vanished, leaving the entire Wizengamot drenched in silence.
"You have claimed it?" asked Dumbledore, and for the first time, I sensed a deep grudging respect mixed with awe and disbelief in his tone. "You have actually claimed the Family Magic for yourself?
"Do I need to manifest the totem again?" I deadpanned. "I assure you, it doesn't just appear on a whim."
"But you are a Potter, and quite a long way from your Black lineage. I mean, such a strong connection through your great-grandmother of all people…"
"Is that a problem, Chief Warlock?" inquired Augusta Longbottom imperiously. "The young man has given valid proofs to his claims at the Potter and the Black seat. Please get on with it."
"No, I mean… Yes, I have witnessed this act and deem it valid. The Wizengamot welcomes you, Lord of Potter and Black. However, you are still underage and will require a proxy or a Regent to serve your place until you come of age, or have acquired the minimum number of NEWTs."
"Absolutely," I nodded. "Which is why, effectively immediately, I am delegating the Proxy and Regency of House Potter to Lady Amelia Bones, the existing Regent of House Bones in hope that she would strive towards ensuring prosperity to both Houses as my grandfather Fleamont would have wanted."
Amelia went stiff.
As did Dumbledore.
"Harry," breathed the old man, his eyes widened. "I mean, Wizard Potter, is this truly what you want? Elphias Doge has been managing the Potter proxy seat for quite many years now, and he has stayed true to the ideals that your father adhered to."
I smiled. "I'd agree with that sentiment, Chief Warlock. Problem is, I never knew my father. However, a brief discussion with the DMLE Director during my private meeting with her revealed the long-standing connection both of our families shared. Thanks to her, I have been able to learn a great deal about my family. As per my parent's will, Lady Amelia Bones was the next candidate to take me in. Had things happened that way, I'm certain she'd have held the Regency in the first place."
Dumbledore pursed his lips. Amelia on the other hand —
Just. Kept. Staring.
At me.
I smiled. "Lady Amelia Bones, would you accept this position as your… uncle Fleamont would have wanted?"
Her lips trembled, and for a moment, I feared her strong, stern facade would shatter.
"I… I accept," she croaked. "I accept. I accept this responsibility. Thank you, Lord Potter."
By the end of it, her ironclad control was back. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Elphias Doge slowly get up from the Potter seat before, I pondered in amusement — before it magically hurled him off for the designated holder to take his place.
"This is injustice!" claimed Lord Nott, standing up. "Draco Malfoy was the heir of House Black. Everyone knows that. That half blooded brat is stealing Draco's inheritance in front of all of us, and we're doing nothing? Aurors, arrest that boy for line-theft of a Most Ancient and Noble family."
"Anyone that raises wand against Harry Potter, raises wand against me," warned Amelia, her own wand out.
Quite naturally, not a single Auror moved from their position. Wizengamot member or not, Lord Nott had no power against the Director of the DMLE.
"Really?" I drawled, meeting Nott's eyes. "And what's your logic behind the claim?"
"Lucius Malfoy was the Regent of House Black, and Draco the established heir. Everyone knows that."
"Everyone also knows that you have a Dark Mark on your arm, Lord Nott," I threw back casually. "Just like everyone knew Lucius Malfoy was an imperiused Death-Eater turned philanthropist. We all know how that worked out."
Nott looked at me with absolute loathing.
"It is common knowledge that Draco Malfoy was the heir of House Black. Not the designated heir, but one by elimination. Orion Black's son Sirius Black was the blood heir, but he was imprisoned and sentenced to a lifetime in Azkaban, while Regulus Black perished during the war. Orion's brother Cygnus had three daughters — Andromeda, who was cast out of the family by Arcturus Black himself; Bellatrix, who is currently serving a life-sentence in Azkaban, and Narcissa, Draco's mother. It is true that Draco's claim on the Lordship is greater than my own, what with two generations removed in my case. But I have shown the initiative, braved the perils and proved my worthiness before the Black Family Magic that awarded me with the authority to wield it."
I looked at Thicknesse. "Narcissa Black knew it. I am not certain of her reasons to not fight for her son's right to the Black name, but she did not thwart my attempts to become the Lord Black, and instead, helped me with preparing the appropriate rituals so that in time, I might be able to annul her marriage to Lucius and free her. Plain and simple."
"I have one final question to ask," said Thicknesse. "Did you know that she was filing for divorce?"
"At that time I wasn't…" I trailed off. "I'm not a Seer, Lawyer Thicknesse. My own aim was staggering enough to require my unwavering focus. Whether she did submit a divorce filing before, or did it after the unfortunate event at the World Cup, I really couldn't say. But as the Lord of House Black, I humbly beseech this court to ensure that my family member should not pay for another's sins. Already we have seen a massive loss of life recently. Wizarding Britain will likely take years to get past that. But in the process of rejuvenation, let us ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. Does that not seem like a worthy goal to you?"
Thicknesse looked around. "I believe I have made my case. Director Bones, if you wish, you could go ahead with the show of hands."
Amelia was not amused.