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Lord Potter's Own Will
By Mutt N Feathers

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Category: Post-OotP
Characters:Harry/Ginny
Genres: Action/Adventure
Warnings: Violence/Physical Abuse
Story is Complete
Rating: R
Reviews: 26
Summary: REPOSTED
Harry is now Lord Potter, and he decides to use his new found Independence to set the course of his life.
Hitcount: Story Total: 26060; Chapter Total: 1685







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Chapter 10:
Gadael (Welsh)/ To Leave (Modern English)
2 January 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry Potter sat next to his godfather, proudly bedecked in new black and gold Wizarding robes. Over his heart, a finely embroidered insignia of a potter's wheel was stitched into the fabric. The richly coloured needlework used many shades of brown and grey. Though the subject matter was somewhat dull, the threads had an iridescent nature, making the simple object appear beautiful. Duplicates of the sign were also on the young man's left forearm and cast in gold on the first finger of Harry's right hand. He had not only embraced being Lord Potter but had done so with an enthusiastic vigour. He wanted to excel in all the title entailed. Those who are the closest to him, like the man seated to his left, had no doubt he would go on to be quite a memorable and respected Lord.

For Sirius Black, taking on the title of Lord Black was difficult and uncomfortable. It wasn't for fear of the responsibility, or the nature of the work. It was instead his distaste for all things associated with his parents, brother and the majority of his family tree. Growing up a white sheep in the Black family had made the man's childhood unpleasant, his adolescence dangerous and only added to people's acceptance of his purported betrayal of his best friend believable. Once he took on the mantle of his entitlement, however, he resolved to leave the past where it belonged. Sirius rubbed his thumb over his own signet ring, his depicting a simple hand-held telescope, stars surrounding it. He was feeling his hackles being raised, his inner dog looking for a fight. Sirius had no doubt they'd have more than one before the day was over.

For his part, Albus Dumbledore was expecting some debating today; Harry had already told him he planned to hear answers. Harry would get answers, but only to the specific questions which were asked, no more. Information was a commodity, equal to gold in the old man's mind. Albus was quite wealthy on both counts. He would do what was required to placate the boy and keep the young Lord under his thumb.

Dumbledore needed to keep Harry close, it was the only way the Wizarding world had hope. That the boy had arrived with his hot-headed godfather did not make the headmaster happy. He could only imagine what Sirius had led the boy to believe. While a brilliant dueler and creative spell caster; Albus never truly trusted Sirius Black. While he had tolerated the presence of the younger Black in the Order in his younger days, it was necessary to hold onto James Potter and Remus Lupin. Now, the man's jaded and cynical attitude made his involvement irritating and unpleasant. Dumbledore was ever so thankful that Harry would be away from the man for the next five months. Even more, the old man was thrilled Harry would again be in his care.

The two new Lords had just sat down; refusing the old man's attempts at hospitality. Harry and Sirius had responded with manners so proper and well crafted, they could only be interpreted as cold. The headmaster was beginning to worry about the nature of this meeting. In the past, he was always in control of the room; a slight stirring in his gut had him feeling said control was in other hands.

Unexpectedly, an unfamiliar owl flew in, a scroll tied to his leg bearing the seal of International Confederations of Wizards. Dumbledore thought it odd and wondered what urgent business would have led to correspondence outside of their usual meetings. He was confused by the smaller, secondary wax sealing, indicating it originated in the Office for International Wizarding Rights. He wondered what country had broken the law this time; he hoped he would not be required to travel far or for an extended period. He'd missed enough school while Fudge's handmaiden had been here in the fall.

Before he had an opportunity to untie the first missive, a second bird flew in, bearing markings from the Magical Law Enforcement offices at the Ministry. Dumbledore bristled against the unrest his gut now felt. He had no reason to be informed of the inner workings of the department. The old man set about releasing this second letter.

A few seconds later a small stone on his desk began to glow and rattle around. Sirius and Harry recognized the rock and were not surprised when their own started to wiggle within their pockets. If Albus had been unnerved by the mail, he was downright shocked by the stone alerting him to a meeting of the Wizengamot. The law stated that meetings of the governing body of Wizarding Britain were called by their leader. Albus Dumbledore currently held the position of Chief Warlock. He'd called no meeting. Looking away from the mail, he was disquieted by the continued calm faces of the man and child before him.

"How peculiar," the old man muttered. Neither of the Lords chose to respond. This set every nerve in Dumbledore's body on edge. It would appear the pair before him knew about the Wizengamot summons; perhaps had even arranged for it. The few remaining threads of control began slipping away from Albus Dumbledore; weaving themselves instead around Harry and Sirius.

"Something wrong, Headmaster?" Harry asked. It was an odd way for Harry to address the head of Hogwarts. He had always been Professor Dumbledore before, even when Harry was being punished for some reckless act.

"It would seem someone has summoned the members of the Wizengamot for this afternoon. Odd, since it is generally the Chief Warlock who is usually tasked with such actions."

Harry nodded his head but didn't reply.

Another bird arrived, this time with notes which were merely dropped on his desk and the birds quickly leaving. The letters began to jump and dance across the man's office. Even the birds didn't want to be present for the opening of a howler.

"Well, Albus, it would seem you've received a fair few howlers here," Sirius feinted innocence. He couldn't pass up the opportunity to mock the man who had ensured he be left in Azkaban for thirteen years. "I wonder what you've done to upset these folks so. Did you leave others imprisoned on false charges, or was that just because I'm special?" Venom dripped from the words, and Sirius felt a weight being lifted from him as he finally confronted the man who had orchestrated his detention.

"Sirius, you know that is not true," Dumbledore tried to placate.

"Actually, I am utterly certain that it is true. See, I have had time to speak with James and Lily's portraits, as well several of the portraits in this room. They all knew EXACTLY who the Secret Keeper was; plenty of evidence to at least have gotten me a trial. I wonder why it was that you needed me in that hellhole."

"I believe I can answer that," Harry interjected, his tone matching Sirius'. "I believe it, so you wouldn't come to raise me. With my parents’ dead, you out of the way and their only remaining friend unable to care for a small child due to his lycanthropy, my care would be arranged by the greatest wizard of our time. Interesting he left me at my aunt's house, where I was physically abused, starved and mentally and emotionally berated." The tone the pair employed was mocking. Harry enjoyed throwing words even Dumbledore embraced about himself back at the old man.

"Interesting point, Harry, I wonder how the public would react if they knew about such things," Sirius added, his tone thick with sarcasm.

"I think there might be some surprise and shock," Harry agreed before going on. "When I did arrive in the Wizarding world, I was surprised by the school. For a place which is supposed to be one of the finest schools of its kind, there are some truly questionable situations here. History, a subject which my great-grandfather used to teach, now has instruction given by a ghost who is so skewed in his thinking that the Goblin Wars are the only area of Wizarding history is taught."

"He was just as bad when we were here. No one should be put to sleep by history," Sirius included. "Thankfully James grandfather was still alive, and we'd been given lessons privately. I know you've spoken about how you and Snivellus get along personally, how is his teaching?"

"Horrid," Harry confirmed. "He has favourites and doesn't really teach. The worst is if you make a mistake, no assistance is given. If you can't decipher what is on the board or in the text, you'll never make the potion. Speaking of favourites, he's also the head of house for Slytherin, who are known for their abusive behaviour toward anyone else at the school. Foulest part is they aren't ever punished. Younger students don't even know how to defend themselves. I had to start a defence club just so they'd have the most rudimentary spells at their command. We've got Voldemort and his Death Eaters on the outside, awaiting us when we leave and junior death munchers on the inside. It's sad when a fifteen-year-old accomplishes more than the professor in the subject.

"Enough," Albus nearly yelled. He knew the failings at the school at present and felt his hands were tied by outside forces. It wasn't his fault the Defence position was cursed, or that they couldn't excise Binns’ ghost. Surely if people knew about why Sybil was at Hogwarts, they wouldn't want her to leave. He was doing the best he could. "What have the two of you done?"

"What we felt was necessary," Harry answered. "You're not going to control me any longer. I'm leaving Hogwarts, today, and Hermione is coming with me. The invitation to join me at the Irish Magic Academy is being presented to select others."

"Miss Granger cannot leave Hogwarts; her parents have given the school custody of her when she is not at home."

"Sadly, that is no longer true," Sirius answered. "As of yesterday, Miss Granger is under the protection of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. You will find she wears the Black family signet ring on her right hand."

The headmaster slumped into his chair. This was not at all what he was expecting. Birds had continued to arrive, and his office was filling with obvious howlers, other notes, and scrolls, even missives which bore strange seals.

"It would seem you have a great deal of post awaiting your attention; I am sorry to add to your pile," Sirius added, withdrawing the papers regarding his suit against Dumbledore, the Ministry of Magic, and the caretakers of Azkaban prison. Dumbledore took them, hesitantly opening them.

"One-million Galleons?" the old man uttered. Harry and Sirius stood, trying valiantly to hide their smirks.

"We will leave you now," Harry said. "We will contact you, should the need arise."

"I will not be contacting you. However I'm quite certain my barrister will be in touch," Sirius finally let his trademark cocked lip make an appearance. Before Dumbledore had even had a chance to look up from the legal scroll, the pair was gone.

LPOW LPOW LPOW LPOW LPOW

The first hour of the train ride from London to Hogwarts was uneventful; well, at least less eventful than the minutes on the platform had been. Hermione Granger still couldn't get over the reactions she'd seen from quite a few classmates at her wearing the signet ring which identified her as a member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.

Pure and even half-blood students gawped at the ring on her hand, pointing and whispering. For the Slytherin boys who had tormented the young woman since she'd arrived in the Wizarding world, it was an unwelcome turn of events. Never could they curse or attack the bushy-haired Gryffindor. Most witches and wizards considered Sirius Black insane, even if he'd been proven innocent. They had no desire to cross him for they knew he was wealthy beyond imagining and was the head of one of the oldest and most influential houses in the U.K. The ring had made the young prince of the House of Malfoy burn white hot with rage.

"That must have been the only time Draco Malfoy didn't tease or curse me," Hermione said with astonishment. Her compartment mates were enjoying her disbelief; well almost all of them. Neville, Susan, Hannah, and Ginny were happy for the young witch. She deserved someone to watch over her and nurture her remarkable skills and intelligence. There was someone who wasn't excited.

"I still don't like it," Ron grumbled. "He's old. What does Sirius want with you?" Hermione looked at him annoyed while Ginny swatted him over the head.

"He doesn't want anything with me," Hermione answered. "He is simply wanted to ensure I was safe. I think it's nice of him."

"It is," Ginny agreed. "Sirius is protective of Harry, and by extension, Harry's friends. You should have seen him on New Year's Day. He was berating Harry because of that little spot on my neck." Ginny had told Hermione what she and Harry had gotten up to while on their first date.

"What spot? What did he do to you?" Ron yelled. Ginny chose to ignore him. It was only the pecking of Hedwig on the outside window of the compartment which genuinely saved Ginny from explanation.

"Ah, it must be time," the redhead girl stated even as she was reaching to let the bird in. Hermione stood and reached into her bag for several scrolls. Ginny now had Hedwig on her shoulder, feeding her some treats which they had for Susan Bones' owl. Hermione handed a scroll to every person in the compartment, save Ginny. Harry's girlfriend reached into her pocket and removed a Potter signet ring and slid it on her first finger.

"Hedwig," Ginny addressed the owl, "we need you to deliver these notes to the others. They're on the train." Hedwig hooted and allowed Hermione to tie the little scrolls to her legs. When Susan had opened the door, the snowy owl flew into the hallway and went to seek out the others.

"I wonder who else will be with us at five o'clock," Hermione whispered to Ginny after the owl had gone.

"I guess we'll need to wait and see. I hope that everything worked as it should this morning. I would hate to encounter resistance when we attempt to leave," Ginny responded.

"I somehow think Harry might have arranged for that as well."

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