Politics of Pleasure Ch 7

Chapter 7

Breakfast in the hall was perhaps a little bit more lively this morning. Restrictions to Hogsmeade had been relaxed as a way to celebrate the tournament and many a student were making plans for it. Harry sat and enjoyed the typical morning banter between Ron and Hermione as they argued about how long they would be in Hogsmeade. Movement off to his side caught his eye and he watched as Lavender walk up to them, though she was on the opposite side of the table of himself and Ron. Harry’s eyebrows shot up as he realized that her shirt had the top two buttons undone as she leaned down onto the table. Ron’s eyes were instantly glued to the cleavage on display.

“Ron. Would you be willing to escort me to Hogsmeade today?” Lavender’s voice was silky sweet.

Ron didn’t respond immediately, too focused on the tantalizing view Lavender was presenting. Fork was comically in the air. Harry heard the soft thud as Hermione kicked Ron in the shins. Harry stifled the laugh as Ron sputtered before looking up to Lavender’s smiling face.

“Uh. Yeah. Sure.” Ron answered.

Lavender bounced up, “Great. Meet you at the entrance in 20 minutes.”

Ron watched Lavender walk back over to Parvati before turning to the other two, “I need to go get ready.”

Ron wolfed down the rest of his plate before running out of the great hall, presumably back to the Gryffindor dorms. Hermione’s eyes were wide, mirth and laughter dancing in them. Harry just smiled before they got up and made their way towards the entrance. Grabbing a carriage the two of them had it to themselves to Hogsmeade. The ride was quick and the two sat in a comfortable silence. Stepping out Hermione looped her arm through Harry’s and started to walk through the village.

“I think we should go to the shop and get the stuff first.” Hermione muttered. Harry hummed in agreement but she found herself being dragged to the Three Broomsticks. “Harry! The shop is the other way.”

“I know.” Harry answered, “We have a change in plans for today.”

Hermione’s face grew pensive, “What do you mean?”

“Well I hope you still want to learn whats going on, or the 20 galleons to Lavender is going to be a wasted expense.”

Hermione’s face went blank, “You paid Lavender to distract Ron?” Harry nodded, “Harry!”

Harry watched the anger be replaced by a curiosity as she let him lead her into the Three Broomsticks. Rosmerta smiled at them as Harry led her into a back room and produced a portkey. Hermione hesitated for a moment before putting her hand on the item and being immediately transported to their destination. They landed in an intricately decorated foyer that Hermione immediately recognized as Gringotts. She turned to Harry but before she could get a word out a goblin stepped forward and greeted Harry by name. They were led to a conference room where another goblin sat at the head of a table. An older wizard sat on one side and there were as another chair on each side. Harry led her to the side that was empty and beckoned her to sit down. She caught the look that he shot her and it was always the one that he used to try and offer comfort. It never really worked before and even now it didn’t really help. Harry sat down across from her, next to the older wizard and her eyes searched him for any sort of clue.

“Name.” The goblin spoke up.

“Harry Potter.” Harry responded.

“Please confirm your identity.” The goblin held out a piece of parchment and ritual knife. Harry pricked his finger and let the blood drop on the parchment. The process was repeated with herself and she had to stop herself from studying the knife and parchment.

The goblin made a noise, “Very well. Gringotts is here to stand as confident for one agreement between House Potter and of age witch Hermione Granger. Unless otherwise agreed upon in this meeting, standard confidence will be applied.”

Hermione felt the confusion wash over her and her eyes snapped to Harry. His smile was small and there was a heaviness in his gaze before he turned to the man next to him. There was a short wordless conversation before the man pulled out a folder and small box from his briefcase. Harry took both and laid them out on the table.

“I’m sorry that it has to be this way but if you want to know what is going then this is the best way for us to protect ourselves.”

Hermione leaned forward, “Whats going on Harry?”

“Mr. Potter…” the old man started but was stopped by Harry.

“Inside the box is a ring that belongs to my family. Its yours. As a gift.”

“Mr. Potter that was not…” the woman sitting behind the older man started to protest.

Harry’s gaze never wavered from Hermione as he interrupted the woman, “I am well aware of your advice as you’ve raised it every time. This is my decision.” Harry’s declaration was only met with silence. “The ring is enchanted to give you a warning if something is potioned as well as fortify your mind against Legilimencers. I’m not sure if it is a total protection or just enhanced; the ring didn’t come with a manual.”

Hermione let a small chuckle escape but her eyes travelled to the folder that she knew held some sort of document, “What’s that.”

“A choice.” Harry answered. Her eyes snapped to his and she saw not her friend but the Lord Potter reflected in them. “You have to choose what you want to know. If you swear to wear the ring at all times I can tell you some of the stuff going on. But there are family secrets that I’m can only share if you sign this agreement.”

Hermione reached out to open the folder, her eyes scanning the document, “Harry what is this?”

“An offer for you to become a Protectorate under the House of Potter.”

“You want me to become your subject?” Hermione asked.

“Its not really a subject agreement.” The older man spoke up, “Harry would not be able to dictate marriage contracts, jobs, or any positions of significance in your direct life. While a protectorate any thing such as research or will be credited to both you and the Potter family. In turn the Potter Family promises to support you in your endeavors and to offer you protection politically. As it stands this agreement will last for two years after graduation, upon which it will either fade in completion or can be renegotiated. The details are all here.”

“And how do I know that you haven’t pulled the wool over Harry and are hurting me?” Hermione asked.

There was a flash of a smile from the older man, “This is where the goblins come into play. Are you familiar with the Confidant clause?” He continued when she shook her head, “Effectively any situation where there is an agreement with some power imbalance can be held by a third party. Said party ensures fairness of the contract for a sum. For up to a year after signing, either signatory can claim unfairness of contract and submit to a judging of magic. If contract is found to be unfair then the third party is punished and the sum goes to the aggrieved.”

“I’m assuming there is some punishment for false accusations.” Hermione muttered.

“Yes. Histories have recorded the typical punishment being loss of magic.”

Hermione stared at the contract, eyes darting back and forth as she scanned the document. Nothing stood out as overly harmful to either her or Harry. She looked up to Harry and saw that he was trying to hide the worry, but she saw it anyways. She picked up the blood quill and felt the magic latch onto her hand. She qigned her name before handing it to the goblin who signed, then produced a copy for each party. Harry handed his off to the other people before getting up. He opened the box and showed her the ring. She gasped at the intricate engraving and opened her mouth to protest.

“Don’t argue about it. Don’t take this off.” Harry’s voice was quiet, though it held an edge to it that she hadn’t really heard from him before.

Hermione swallowed, “I promise.”

Harry took the ring and placed it in the palm of her hand, closing her fingers around it. He pulled away and Hermione took a moment to study the ring before putting it on her right hand pointer finger. She felt the magic of the ring interact with her own magic before settling down. Harry directed her in thinking about hiding the ring and she felt a warmth as the ring adjusted to her intentions. It was a strange sensation to feel the warmth and pull on her magic without being able to see it.

Harry grabbed her copy of the agreement and led her out of the room. He led her back to the atrium they arrived and activated another portkey. Their arrival was greeted by winds and the sound of the ocean. Hermione’s gaze swept around and behind her stood the ocean.

“Potter Manor is located in Exmoor east of the Lighthouse.” Harry told her.

Hermione’s eyes widened as an old manor home materialized in front of her. She let herself be led into the giant home taking in as much as she could. She didn’t get a chance to look around as Harry led her into a small study just past he main entrance.

“Dobby.” The excitable little elf popped in as an answer to Harry’s call, “Can you provide us with some tea?” The elf didn’t even respond before popping away. Harry focused his eyes on Hermione, “So we have a few hours before we need to get back. What do you want to know?”

Hermione’s mind raced with possibilities, “Everything.”

Harry chuckled, “Should’ve expected that.” Tea appeared next to them as Harry leaned back into his seat, “Guess we should start with everything after the World Cup.”

Harry began his tale by explaining how Sirius snuck out to find him the day after the event. Sirius had lied to Harry, and consequently others, by not actually leaving England. Instead Sirius had returned to a duty that he had promised to James and Lily. Though Sirius had not completed the duty he had felt compelled by the events of the World Cup to start things earlier than needed; Harry being of age only solidified the need to change plans. There had been truth to the rumor that Sirius was the Secret Keeper for the Potters; only the secret he held was the one for the Potter Manor: the Potter Ancestral Home. In the time after his escape from Hogwarts, Sirius had been working on preparing the Ancestral Home for a Potter to return.

It was at this point in the retelling that the two were joined by both Sirius and Remus. There were pleasantries exchanged between all parties but Harry quickly resumed his explanation. Sirius had brought Harry here to the Manor and begun to train Harry with the help of Remus. Training magic focused on speed, strength control, and accuracy. Drills designed that he could conceivable complete while at Hogwarts, since they had little time to truly delve into the topic.

Hermione interrupted the story, “You say it was only a little bit of training but Harry you windlessly conjured light back in Hogwarts…”

Remus chuckled, “That’s not surprising.” He continued at Hermione’s incredulous look, “A wizard or witch’s coming of age is not just metaphorical, it has real magical implications. Their magic starts to settle, attunement is better, and ability to control becomes more refined. The more naturally gifted and powerful someone is, the more a coming of age will affect them. Even in the duels Harry’s ability to exercise control over his magic was exceedingly good. And that was before we removed the binding.”

“Binding?” Hermione questioned.

“Some parents put a binding on a child’s magic to help stop accidental bursts of magic. Its usually removed in the months before going to Hogwarts but since James and Lily…” There was a distinct pause, “Harry never had his removed and so…”

“Removing it removed the final blocks in his ability to access his magic.” Hermione muttered. Her eyes swept from Remus to Harry who had a pensive look about him. He caught her gaze and sent a subtle shake of his head as if he saw the question forming in her mind.

Harry instead brought the story back to learning about what it meant to be considered a Potter. The Potter family had long viewed itself not as protectors but as providers to the magical community. They long sponsored arts, academia, and the advancement of magical life. Though Sirius mentioned that the tradition had lessened in the years leading up to the conflict with Grindelwald on the continent. Even after the war on the continent the rebuilding immediately followed by Voldemort’s terror campaign captured all aspects of politicking over the next decades.

“My family seat in the Wizengamot has been vacant, reducing the political position of the Potters to almost nothing.” Harry stated.

“Then why not relaim it? You are of age.” Hermione argued.

Sirius let out a humorless laugh, “That’s what we’ve been arguing. Maybe you will have better luck at convincing him.”

Hermione turned to Harry who refused to speak or even meet her eyes. Her mind raced to try and come up with an explanation but came up blank.

Sirius looked towards Remus, “Lets give them some time. Maybe she’ll have a better chance at convincing him if we aren’t here.”

Both Sirius and Remus walked out of the room leaving just Harry and Hermione in the room alone. There was a slight shift in the magic before Harry leaned forward.

“What you hear next goes no further. Not even Remus and Sirius can know about it.” Harry muttered.

“I don’t understand they were your parents closest friends…” Hermione started.

“But their closest to me.” Harry interrupted, “I found my Grandfathers Journal and well it stressed that the Lord of the House needs to be fully aware of who knows what.”

“Harry they want whats best for you.” Hermione’s voice took on a sad quality.

Harry’s shoulder slumped for a moment, “I know. But id doesn’t change my thoughts on this.”

“Why?”

“My seat hasn’t exactly been empty.” Harry continued at Hermione’s look, “Since my parent’s death someone has been using the Potter vote in the Wizengamot.”

“Harry how do you know this? Votes aren’t public record.”

“Unless you are already have a seat.”

The answer clicked instantly for her, “Daphne.”

“After holiday break last year, she brought me a copy of every vote. It only records actual votes of the family, not who cast them so I don’t know who it is, and votes can be recorded in secret unless it is declared a public vote.”

“And the Potter vote is absent?”

Harry nodded, “So far. I haven’t finished looking into it.”

“I can do that.” Hermoine spoke up automatically before closing her mouth in surprise.

“I hoped you would want to. But that’s not the only thing. I looked into magical bindings back at Hogwarts and well any child binding is extremely specific in nature. They are designed to fall off whenever you reach the age of majority. Its part of the settling and attunement of one’s magic.”

“You think someone put a binding on you that wasn’t a child one?” Hermione’s voice was quiet, implications of her question already heavy on her mind.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. I don’t know when it was placed on me or modified or….” Harry trailed off.

“But only a handful of people would’ve been able to do it.” Hermione muttered, “Bloody…”

Harry choked as he stifled the chuckle at Hermione’s near slip of a curse. Her own eyes widened as she realized what had happened. The tension broke as they both let laughter overcome them. There really was no reason for it but neither could help the absurdity of Hermione’s near slip of the tongue. It was only a few moments before both of them calmed down but the laughter had lightened the mood between them.

Hermione looked at Harry and wanted to try and keep the mood light, “So you and Daphne can you tell me about that now?” Harry sent her an incredulous look so she continued, “Is she to become the next Lady Potter?”

Harry shook his head, “Probably not.”

“Harry James Potter!” Hermione shrieked, “Why are you leading…”

Harry held up his hands, “Wait. She won’t become Lady Potter because I’m trying to make her Lady Black.”

Hermione’s anger turned instantly into confusion, “Huh.. What?”

“Sirius was named Heir Black years before. Apparently Remus did some exploring for Sirius and found an old letter that confirmed that Sirius was still named Lord Black. Azkaban still affected him and well its been recorded that prolonged Dementor exposure removes your ability to have kids. He named me his own Heir then abdicated the right of Lordship.”

Hermione’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly for a few moments.

Harry shrugged, “That’s about how I felt when he dumped in on me moments before I left for Hogwarts.”

“You’re Lord of two houses.” There was a pause as Hermione thought of something, “Can’t Daphne just become your wife of both?”

Harry shook his head, “Apparently there is a law that each house needs to have its own woman in order to continue the line. At least that’s what Sirius told me ten seconds after abdication. I haven’t been able to look into that one.”

“So why Lady Black.”

“Rule number two: know the history of your family.” He paused as he thought Hermione might know but the look of confusion on her face prodded him forward. “The Black family has always been closer to Darker factions and beliefs. The Greengrass family, though Neutral, is not afraid to leaning Dark…”

Hermione made the connection, “While the Potter family is the opposite. Have you told her about the Black family?”

Harry shook his head, “No. I learned during second year that Draco is claiming he will inherit the Black family and is using that as leverage over others.”

“But you are Lord.” Hermione muttered.

“Doesn’t matter until its made public knowledge through the Wizengamot. But I don’t want to do that until I have a more secure position.” Hermione shot him a look, “Rule number seven.”

“How many rules are there?” Hermione asked.

Harry shrugged, “I don’t know. Daphne just brings them up when their relevant.”

“So why not have her take an oath?” Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head, “Daphne won’t take an oath unless there is a Courting Contract. But those are public and I would have to sign as Lord Black.” There was a pause, “If you can come up with a solution without me needing to reveal being Lord Black publicly I’m open to anything.”

“You like her.” Hermione said.

“Well you saw that for yourself.”

Hermione face turned red very quickly and she squealed before yelling out Harry’s name. In turn Harry just laughed as she launched herself at her friend. The magic shifted around them and it was only a few moments before Sirius and Remus found their way back into the study. The four of them settled into some friendly discussion with food provided by Dobby. Eventually Harry and Hermione needed to leave and she noticed that Harry seemed to be far more relaxed than she had seen him be in a long time. A happiness settled in her being as she realized that she could help him bear the weight of his burdens.

A/N: A plot heavy chapter this time. Next chapter will be more focused on smut. I hope you all have a fantastic day and start to your weekend.

Next posting will be a oneshot that will be up either Tuesday or Wednesday.

-Shadow