Chapter Text
Harry Potter and the Order Defying Dark Lords
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A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
Thanks to Alix33 for her kind and helpful remarks.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JKRowling. It is our understanding that it is illegal to solicit or receive remuneration for Harry Potter fanfiction. We own nothing but our castles in the sand.
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Welcome to the Fireside.
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Scorecard of what has happened so far:
This story is AU: Tom Marvolo Riddle is gone and not coming back. There were very few still living who mourned him. Most of the darkest witches and wizards had started to feel that the Dark Lord did more damage to the pureblood cause (not to mention the pureblood families) than he ever helped.
Behind the scenes, students are returning to a cleaner, brighter and safer Hogwarts. The wards have been improved to the point where Tom Riddle’s diary could never have been allowed entrance.
Moody and Minerva are not the only couple quietly celebrating Harry Potter’s victory. Harry and Hermione are going to be sharing sweet kisses along with ice cream while creating pranks.
Moony and Padfoot will be so proud.
What will Harry do now with no danger lurking on the horizon? He is suffering a bit of PTSD from the fight. Hindsight may be twenty-twenty, but the Boy-Who-Lived to conquer keeps seeing the battle over and over in his mind and how it could have gone so wrong…
O.D.D.L, (Order Defying Dark Lords) has done what they set out to do. Protect the innocent, help free the people still under the previous headmaster’s thrall, and do what they can to keep their country safe and dark-lord-free. That remit may go on for years, but by keeping Tommy-boy down, along with the unexpected Albus, the group has truly helped make everyone much safer.
Arglwydd means Lord in Welsh, it’s in the notes below. Ar glue eeth. Thanks to Fenchurch1 who wrote: Arglwydd is pronounced Ar glue eeth with a hard th like in' then'.
Back to the story.
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Chapter 10 - And Time Goes By…
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In the days following Harry’s return from Britain, Agent Addams had organized this ceremony after Harry’s official knighthood ceremony that only a few had attended. “With permission of the Magical President of the United States, the members of Team Dark Lord present you with these gifts. A junior membership in the MFBI, a plaque to honor your accomplishment, and the Citizenship Award for Bravery. You have protected the world, Harry. Thank you.”
The Benjamin Franklin Kite awards were given out at the summer solstice; he’d just have to wait for that shiny. Not that Harry had applied for it or felt he really deserved it.
The she-wolf wrapped him in her arms, loving and kind. It was kinda creepy when he knew she was still a bit angry with him.
Harry thought about reminding her he’d been kidnapped but then remembered he could have come home. He’d had two different vials of blood unwillingly taken. The remainder of which had been destroyed.
“Oh,” she whispered lovingly in his ear, “And if you ever go anywhere again without telling me, I will hurt you!” And there she was back.
That was better.
~~ODDL~~
Harry’s private workshop
Gran Elsbeth was so happy that her apprentice was not only safe and unhurt, but focused on his art for therapy after all of this.
She did worry about him.
He was working on a replacement of the bowl that had been shattered. She stood back, just watching him work. The way that he levitated the stylus over the template to make sure the greenware was in no way dented or reformed? She hadn’t shown him that. But it was the way that Lady Dorea had always done.
She waited to announce herself once he moved back from the piece. She cleared her throat and he didn’t startle. He stood to greet his mentor.
“Greetings, Mistress Elsbeth. I hope you are well.” Harry bowed low. Only his smile was a bit mocking but his eyes sparkled when he stood straight.
“I was just contacted by the school’s event planning team. The Nutcracker is going to run for three days and they have plans to have a nice display for the people coming. They are actively recruiting Apprentice and Journeyman work from the area. They will get the same display points as any other such from a more established venue.”
“Great! I had heard from Sally-Anne, back towards the beginning of the year, that they were going to try and get accredited for that from now on. All the time standing around, waiting for doors to open or during intermissions. She wants to hire some of the villagers to work a booth for her, I think.” Harry shared that last in a whisper.
He had teased her about supplying chupacabra stole rentals there. So of course, she then ran with the idea, supplying stoles to the shop that rented elegant gowns. They were very discreet. No one would be snubbed for renting. No one would know.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if they had a separate craft fair for the students. I can see your ornaments being a popular choice.” Elsbeth stated, clearly proud of his work.
Harry’s eyes clouded, “Thanksgiving is this month! Then Christmas. I’m not ready…”
The older woman took him into her arms as he broke down, “I killed him! I tried to get him to surrender but he wouldn’t! Neither of them did! I could hardly cast by then! I was so stupid, but I had to act to prevent more death eaters coming through the portal! That always drains me! If Fawkes hadn’t saved me, I’d be the one dead, and Moldy would be killing left and right. But now my soul! How can you stand to be in the same room with me?”
“Because I love you and see things differently than you do.” The elderly woman replied.
She knew very well that Harry was drained by touching a dark mark in his healing. How awful that had happened during battle! He could have been…She hugged him tighter.
Elsbeth called for Jam and wrote a quick note and sent it while Harry started working new clay. She was a little out of her depth, and needed help.
~~ODDL~~
Father Brown knocked at the door, but Harry’s personal workshop wasn’t that big. Elsbeth stepped out to get the priest up to date. He then invited Harry for a walk into the village.
All of Harry’s fears for his soul, fears of what could have happened, what now was going to happen, and worries for the future came flooding out of the teen. Under a strong privacy charm, the kindly man carefully got out the details that most bothered Harry.
Like a boil being lanced, Harry found himself in the flower garden of the church. He recognized some of the work as being done by Alice and Neville; so kind of them. They never said anything about it.
“I was called to serve in Korea when I was a freshly minted priest. I thought I was ready for my calling. Oh, how sorely wrong I was. If I could only write a letter to my past self.”
The kind man, so similar in appearance to Arthur Weasley, put his hand on the young warrior’s shoulder.
“Harry? Please do. Write yourself a letter. Tell yourself why you did what you did. Even if you feel it was a mistake to drain yourself magically, write how you were worried for your family. Yes, do include how you could have done better; what you might have done differently. And then tell yourself this single sentence. ‘I forgive you.’
“Forgiveness is found in many places. You have your spiritual atonement through your faith in our Savior but you also need to forgive yourself!” The older wizard advised.
“But I killed two people! No, three. On purpose!” The lad was clearly distraught.
“Some think that the commandment has been mistranslated, you know. Thou shall not commit murder. Yes, I know you knew in advance what you might be called upon to do. But you didn’t plan to kill to benefit yourself; you didn’t kill him and rob him. You didn’t do this for spite or revenge or mischief. You were protecting all of Britain. Maybe all of the world.”
Harry stood at that last and paced around. He saw a weed near the lilies planted there. He cast a spell without thought or word. He’d had an epiphany, “I was weeding, sir. Wasn’t I? I mean, like just now. Taking out the bad seeds to allow the growth of the good.”
“Very apt. And if you hadn’t weeded?” The father prompted.
“The whole garden would have been lost.” Harry stated in wonder. “Thank you, sir. Oh, I see my godmother’s good works here. Please. I don’t know if you have standard workdays, but please. I’d like to come from time to time to help as well.”
“You’d be very welcome, Harry. Shall I walk you home?” The wizard offered.
“No thank you, sir. It’s not far. And thank you very much for your insight. I appreciate talking to you.” Harry stated.
The older wizard smiled. “I’m happy to help. I look forward to seeing you soon.”
And that night, Harry had no nightmares. He dreamt of Skippy bounding through flower-filled fields, chasing and snapping at butterflies and occasionally bounding after some small critter.
Harry’s soul was at peace for the first time in a long time.
~~ODDL~~
Spurnik, acting on the letter from Lord Harry, made sure that no goblin celebrations were planned for his young client. He tasted the casserole that Harry had sent. Very nice but it was too big for just him. He brought it to be served during lunch at the commissary since he didn’t want to let such food go to waste.
And the Potter lad really was a good cook.
It was only during the afternoon when he was summoned from his private ‘aromatic’ office that he was informed of a problem.
Clients had not only complained about the odor in the lobby, but a second witch had actually fainted! “The smell! The smell!”
Oh dear! Spurnik was sent back to his office as he hadn’t even noticed the smell of his own making.
No one’s fault!
But in future, if Lord Harry sent food to share, they needed to make sure the ingredients were ones that didn’t give goblins silent smelly wind.
The Potter account manager had no idea he’d been pranked to repay the ‘insistence’ of using London goblin “mind-healers”.
~~ODDL~~
The notification had been waiting on her return, but others had already told her the news. Happy for them. Sad for her.
Once Abigail returned from the LoMN for her final report on the happenings in Britain, she gathered three of her boys for a serious talk. Remus, Harry and Teddy. Dan’l was left with Dotty for the moment.
“I know that you don’t know your grandfather well.” The witch brushed another tear. Addams did not cry! Not in public. “My father’s body was found in Vienna. There was apparently a group that used to do assassinations and other such work for Dumbledore. Your Grandpa Addams heard of a threat. A plan to bring the dark one back. He…he led a group of wizards to stop them.”
Now she did break down. Remus held her close.
“My father loved you, Harry. He would not let a threat to you go unchallenged. He died there, fighting these people. The ICW is calling to have him given an award for bravery. Apparently, the only ones who escaped were captured or killed on Halloween inside Hogwarts. That Austrian woman who was there to revive Grindelwald? The one we captured? She killed my father!” A sob escaped from the normally taciturn witch.
Harry didn’t know what to say. He’d barely seen the man! He’d written to him; sent him cards and gifts. This was the only grandfather he’d ever known! Harry got up and hugged his mum awkwardly. Teddy came over to join them.
“I’m so sorry, Mum. I know it isn’t, but I feel like this is my fault.” Harry shared softly.
“Nonsense. If he hadn’t died then, but been captured, he would have spent the rest of his life…well, it isn’t important. This would be his choice of consequences.” Abigail didn’t want Teddy to know his grandfather was a notorious criminal. He’d learn one day but it wouldn’t be from her.
“The full moon isn’t until Friday a week from now. Do you want me to arrange a funeral? Is there a family plot or should we bring him to Godric’s Hollow?” Remus asked solicitously. Everything was scheduled according to the moon for their family.
The agent shook her head, “We have a family cemetery in upper Massachusetts where our estate is. Our manager there is taking care of the details. We just have to decide whether or not to go to the funeral. We’ll be notified as to the arrangements.” Abigail’s look said the steward was very aware of her affliction and would keep the full moon in mind.
Harry spoke up, “Whether we all go or not is up to you. Teddy is old enough to choose for himself, but if you want me to go with you, I will.”
“Me too!” Teddy piped up. He would be starting Salem Junior High next year and was almost eleven. He was old enough for this.
Remus just held his mate close. They would get through this. He knew that Abigail was mostly sad that her father never changed his ways.
With his death confirmed, all pending criminal charges were dropped, though the American agents who had been building the case against him fought with the ICW over honoring a fugitive from the law.
Abigail just missed the father who had made her early childhood a delight; taking her horseback riding, making her dolls dance in the ballroom of her dollhouse, and had spent time with her every day. The illusion of the man she loved before she had ever seen the monster he could be.
That would be the wizard she honored, just as the children mourned the kind grandfather he projected.
~~ODDL~~
Harry asked Abigail to go for a walk the next day. He had a proposal to make her, “I know you saw my parents at Hogwarts but I haven’t told anyone how they got there. You see, I’ve been thinking about this a lot. The Berkeley Necromancer group is always behind and the rituals are draining for them. I have a device that I am going to ‘loan’ to them. I want to keep ownership of it, but want them to have access to it. The other option is to stick it in a vault. I wanted to know if you wanted to say anything to your father…”
The woman nodded, expecting this offer once he started talking. Did she want to say goodbye or au revoir?
Her feelings were so conflicted!
“No, I best not. This way, if I am questioned later, I can honestly say I knew nothing of his dealings. After all, suspicions are not the same as evidence. But thank you, Harry. Do you want me to deal with the necromancers on your behalf?” The she-wolf offered.
“That might be best. It belongs to House Peverell. I can’t imagine needing it soon, but being able to use it is better than losing it altogether.” Harry concluded.
The witch agreed and would talk to a certain club-handed goblin lawyer before taking one step towards Colorado Springs and the League of Nations, where their headquarters were.
When she got there with the contract, several leaders had been informed to meet her there without her saying anything. The head of the Necromancers was ecstatic to borrow such a powerful device for talking with the dead. They were about to take this investigative tool and bring it to the next level.
The Seers were happy about it all.
~~ODDL~~
Harry had small Seer gifts of his own. His initial nightmares of the ritual were like his initial dreams of Luna. They really had been prophecy dreams of a sort.
Sabrina offered to give him lessons but he declined. He was behind on pottery and spending time with Hermione - he didn’t need anything else taking up his time.
Luna had tried to help him recently but it was too close to Thanksgiving: now that was Miss Lovegood’s nightmare. His blonde friend didn’t help with Thanksgiving much, nibbled on non-intelligent grain products, avoided the flock of turkeys in the food pens and did chores for others who wanted to attend the feast.
Luna’s ways of looking at animals did have her trying to turn them all vegetarian when she first moved in. Then, like Neville, she could speak to intelligent vegetables. She liked to advocate for their rights as well.
He could hear imaginary Luna shouting ‘I’ve heard the screams of the vegetables!’ and waving signs in protest.
Hermione on the other hand? She was a justice warrior. Harry planned to ask her to sit as his voting proxy once they were out of high school. Unless she wanted to wait until their college studies were done.
Lord Potter had a stint to serve at Hogwarts, someday; he could see Hermione helping with that, teaching amazing magic. Harry used to plan to move the manor back to Wales. Now, he was considering leaving it here so they could return to educate their children. And continue to improve the Keep in Wales. They were certainly going to leave the racing farm in Salem, as well as any villagers who wanted to stay there. Dividing up the food stocks fairly shouldn’t be hard.
He’d make sure that the Welsh castle had a wing for Remus and Abigail, Sirius, Carmen and their family; a wing for friends like Ricardo and his parents; a wing for friends who were staying to go to school at Salem or MITT and wanted to come to Wales for Christmas. The land there really did sing to him.
Harry wanted to keep living on Potter lands all the rest of his days. Except for the decade of serving in Hogwarts. Oh, he needed to remind Hermione about that.
Decision made, he called Alice, then Padfoot to give them a head’s up. Then he made the hardest call of all.
Asking the father's permission. He’d asked Hermione to marry him on the spur of the moment there. He really hoped Dan was reasonable about this.
~~ODDL~~
Dan went easy on both boys searching out his daughters. At first, he reassured Lord Black, in the presence of Lord Potter, that Hermione would make Draco a lovely bride while Arista and Harry were set to become the magical king and queen of Britain.
After seeing the actual avada kedavra spell in action, Dan decided not to risk angering Harry any more. His eyes really were that color. The correct documents were all signed. The dowry offered to House Malfoy was in the form of a business that Narcissa was happy to help the teenagers with.
The family planned a huge celebration at Yule at the Malfoy home to make the announcement official. Wizengamot members were looking forward to talking with the Boy-who-Lived-to-Conquer.
Wouldn’t they be surprised when they learned that his lady was more than just a pretty ornament for his arm.
~~ODDL~~
Thanksgiving went by in a whirl of activities and food that was both similar to previous years and yet different. Hermione was by Harry’s side and the whole extended Potter workers knew she was going to be Lady Potter. And she had plans for the future.
Hermione was already working on tough questions to ask individuals in the Wizengamot about the treatment of magical creatures and how these members stood on such issues.
Instead of making the older generation angry, as Harry feared, when the celebration came, the young lady was taken seriously. In fact, many of the members there thought the young couple were more mature than Lord Black!
It was quite refreshing, especially in how young they were.
The Blacks hosted a ball at their manor there for everyone who fought for the Light. Arista invited Draco but warned him that some of her father’s troops had wives who were muggle. She asked him not to insult anyone.
Draco gulped as insulting one of Commander Black’s people was the last thing on his mind. He was just there to dance with his betrothed, sneak some champagne, and go on a brisk night ride with their group.
Marmalade was all for that but tried to nibble Draco’s hair upon their return. Did it smell like ferret?
~~ODDL~~
The remainder of their Freshman Year
Susan and Hermione had made it to the finals in eventing. Harry and Ricardo were in the top for the school in their categories. No matter if they were in the top final three or not, they had worked hard and had fun.
The family was very proud, and of course came out in force to support them. Draco was invited, though he was planning on keeping a very low profile while there. The headmaster’s screening before the lad was allowed in took two hours.
It was almost as if they blamed Malfoy Jr for the kidnapping at Halloween!
The entire village came to cheer. Harry had reserved a large private box, then had to get a second to make sure there was room for everyone. Sirius wound up getting a smaller one for ‘just family’ since Lucius decided to come and Lord Black didn’t want the blond to know how ‘American’ House Potter was becoming in practice.
Ricardo won his race easily, outflying everyone. Harry did well. He came in second in his race, as Marmalade shied on one new obstacle, but didn’t fault. The girl from Montana had an appaloosa-looking hippogriff in spotted grey that was just lovely. She dressed in western-style gear and had an interesting accent.
He didn’t realize she was flirting until Hermione came up, kissed him on the cheek, and gave him a very nice hug. A very nice, lonnnng hug of congratulations. By the time Harry realized other people were patting his back, the winner was gone.
“Thanks for that, Hermione. I think she wanted a congratulatory kiss.” Well, he thought that because she used those words. But he was saving all of his kisses for Hermione
Susan tapped her wand, “I’m sure others will be happy to give her that kiss Harry. Don’t fear. I’m here to protect you.”
Susan was a fearless flyer with natural grace. She had won her class, and Hermione came second in her side-saddle class. At least the witches hadn’t gone head-to-head. They cheered for one another.
Coach Brown came up to the group and gave them warm handshakes all around. “We’re going to be having a celebration banquet soon. Wow. This is just beyond…thank you all for your hard work. Wonderful job.”
Potter Farms had fielded five mounts, and all had gotten into the top three their first year out in the high school competition.
Harry Potter wasn’t just an owner anymore, he was a rider, and a good one.
Marmalade came up to him later, seeming sad that she messed up.
“You did great, beautiful lady. We’re still young. We’ll get better.” Harry fed her various protein cubes and petted her.
Since they had placed, they didn’t have to try out for the team next year, just participate in training camp.
~~ODDL~~
Draco offered to squire Arista up the aisle for the celebration dinner, not understanding her request to sit next to him. As people split left and right, Draco was on the far end of the table instead of next to her. Oh. He’d know for next time.
There was a huge feast held that night in the community hall, followed by a dance. Draco found himself completely tongue-tied around his witch after Harry’s chat with him. At least at first.
Harry hadn’t meant to threaten him that badly. Well, then again. Yes. Yes he did.
Lucius and Narcissa, their whole family really, would be invited to their booth at the Grand Prix as well. And from then on, every time they met up with the Malfoys, they made sure they got a chance to dance, even if it was just in the smaller ballroom at home.
Sally-Anne was in heaven about it.
~~ODDL~~
Lucius wasn’t comfortable with publicly admitting to a wizard lover on the side. He was Headmaster of Hogwarts and didn’t want to be compared to the previous headmaster. He blood-adopted Draco with his parents’ blessing. Draco had known the truth for years. He would be staying at the manor, with Sirius’ blessing. The Black family got a bit of his farm business, Abraxans, and Neville helped regularly with the dung problem, well, dung distribution.
Harry liked to visit once in a while to go riding with Draco, and visit the flyers there. So beautiful.
Draco loved the manor he grew up in, he loved the family business, and planned to eventually bring his bride there. With the portals, Arista knew that she could live there and still visit Salem if that’s where her family stayed. Right now, nothing was set for the future, other than knowing who she would marry.
~~ODDL~~
Sirius and Remus’ magical contacts had been very helpful. The Community Hall with new portraits of Charlus and Dorea that were far better than the damaged ones in the dining room at the manor. Empty frames dotted both properties at Salem and in Wales.
Harry’s room and workshop had an interactive portrait of Skippy. The work had been started by an Italian artist but finished by a Texan goblin who was born to a family that raised targs.
It really felt like him too.
For his birthday, Harry was gifted a pair of portraits of his parents. They weren’t perfect, but a wonderful addition to the manor.
The artist had also painted a pottery studio for Lady Dorea. She was looking forward to showing Harry things she hadn’t gotten around to recording in the family grimoire.
~~ODDL~~
After the End of Sophomore year -Harry’s, Hermione’s, Draco’s, etc OWL year
OWLs were done and the family was celebrating. No one doubted that their sophomores passed all of their classes. They worked too hard to fail.
The extended Malfoy family was coming for a visit to tour the potent potions ingredients grown there. Narcissa was coming to show off her newborn baby girl Hespera; just as golden as her name and blue eyed as her mother. Narcissa wanted to step back on some of her management responsibilities of the Black properties for a time. Part of their visit would be to discuss such.
Sirius and Carmen were not willing to relocate to Wiltshire or anywhere else while Harry and Ricardo were in school but with the portals it really was past time for Lord Black to take up the reins of his own House.
Carmen too was just barely pregnant. This year would be her last Grand Prix, for a time. She and Sirius wanted to have three children at least, so she planned to take a break from riding and become a mother.
Well, more than what she already was.
Lyra Carmen Lily Rose Black was a lovely baby and the second witch of the year born to House Black.
The feelings of holding his newborn daughter brought to mind what he felt in the hospital so long ago when Harry was born to James and Lily. Sirius promised himself right then he was going to do all he could to make sure to keep his family safe and protect his little girl.
The world had changed for them all yet again.
~~ODDL~~
Mid-Senior Year
Harry tried his best at school, but he was really struggling at the moment. He was competing in racing, showing his pottery for mastery points, and trying to keep to a grueling revision schedule that his brilliant brunette had devised. He lost it when Matt tried to put his arm around Hermione in class. No one bought his ‘I was just being friendly.’ Not when Hermione was feeling threatened and used a wandless stinging hex to get him to back off. Somehow, that set off Harry’s trigger.
Lord Potter showed great restraint. Three broken ribs, a broken tibia, and a broken humerus. The family tried not to make jokes about it. For the rest of that term, Matt remembered to leave Hermione and Harry well alone.
Principal Franklin wanted to give Harry a citizenship award for not killing the overly amorous prat. Instead, Harry got detention in the flying barn, helping with the school's few hippogriffs, most of which had been donated by House Potter.
~~ODDL~~
No one but the perpetrator knew that Matt was suffering from exposure to a borderline illegal potion. Amanda showed up at the infirmary to pout over Matt’s injuries and tell him how unfair everyone had been treating him.
The medi-wizard scans didn’t pick up on anything the boy had already ingested. He supplied the minimal healing potions, making sure to send a message to the lad’s home that the boy needed to see a healer soon. The bill to repair the injuries Harry had caused would be paid by House Potter.
Sirius asked Abigail to deliver the weregild in person. Somehow, the intense witch was able to convey that Matthew’s breathing rights might be affected if he continued to poke a sleeping dragon. Everyone had limits.
The father gulped, glad the boy was home even if he was being stubborn, secretive, and sly. A message, smelling of perfume, had been delivered earlier, sending the she-wolf into a sneezing fit and leaving without much of a farewell.
This was a missive from Amanda, assuring the young wizard that she was sure that he was a real man and would be proud to offer to let him prove it.
Matt was in no mood to see yet another healer. The Felton boy was done listening to his father’s warnings about this girl. Besides, it was just a little picnic, a little fun. No long term commitment. Or harm. Right?
~~ODDL~~
Harry knew what he was going to do with some of the ‘potion’ hippogriff youngsters who were almost good enough to race. The ‘griffs here were very well treated as the riders cherished them. He was going to let the school ‘rent’ them. Just so long as they got the natural by-products.
With Susan, Luna, Hermione, and Ricardo helping, they had taken a group of hippogriffs up to the school to show to the coach.
Marmalade saw her rider from a distance, flying other ‘griffs, and came to chew him out. And then proceeded to try and prove that she was the fastest and bestest flyer there!
Carmen had seen what was going on, and helped get the silly griff into a stall at school so Harry could finish his demonstration. And proceeded to help stable the loaned beasts, giving appropriate pets for being so good.
Neville had come with the carriage at Sally-Anne’s call (she was with a group practicing when she saw the commotion, so most of the friends went home that way.)
Carmen and Harry flew home together, with him thanking her for her help. They were still not as close as he was with Abigail or Alice but Harry was a busy person and Sirius was a private one.
Harry still honored her and laughed at her suggestions for pranking Felton to make sure he never made a move on Hermione ever again!
~~ODDL~~
Matt was embarrassed about being rejected by Hermione. He felt that she should have chosen him rather than Harry. That clay worker! Who cared? So what if he could race. Servants were paid to do that. And then there was the danger he was in all the time. The rumors running around about that freak! Not that Matt would dare call him that to the lord's face!
He should be the lord, the casual wealth on display that clearly was greater than his own family should belong to someone handsome and strong. Like him. He wouldn’t muck about in the dirt or do servant’s work. He would happily order the peasants around instead of socializing with them. He should have the prettiest witches hanging on his every word.
He was going to take Amanda on another picnic, this time flying by hippogriff back. Their first outing had been fun; this had potential to be even better.
~~ODDL~~
The professor for Ancient Runes had an appointment with the headmaster to keep him apprised. “James, I wouldn’t be surprised if our school became even more famous before the year is out.”
“Something Potter did?” Franklin asked.
“Oh yes. You should invite the Weaver family to the event when it comes. That boy!” The professor was clearly proud to be his tutor and mentor. “Nearly has me wanting to learn how to throw pots myself.”
~~ODDL~~
Remus took Harry for a walk. “Son, when you were younger, there were at least two prophecies made about you. One you have already fulfilled, but the other was the one that had the Dumbledore of the Order of the Phoenix concerned about. You were going to find or create some magical tool that would change the world.
“I think you have done it. I’m not suggesting going to the Hall of Prophecies just to check if it's dark. I don’t want you to feel bound to complete such things. No. I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. Abi will not stop talking about this invention.
“I think you are amazing. Of course, I thought that before you had created a thing.”
Harry’s mastery project was finished and had been put through its paces by the family. Of course, his family had more than the normal share of aurors and investigators.
If this helped them and the community at large, so much the better.
Padfoot and his wife liked it for other things, using it for entertainment, and were also proud of Harry.
~~ODDL~~
Juniper was keeping an eye on everyone who was helping to display Master Harry’s pottery projects. The meeting was being held at Black Keep in the Community Hall. Local talents, along with Masters from around the world, were coming to this event. It was time to judge whether the young man was ready for elevation.
Once the guests were settled in their seats, Pottery Mistress Gran Peascomb led Lord Harry through a long list of oaths that included that this was his original works and no one had been hired to do them for him.
This was standard procedure and very necessary as the last piece was going to create a few waves in the artistic community.
Harry’s final project for his Pottery Mastery was complete. This was not just a porcelain bowl to watch memories. He had worked hard to provide an improvement to the standard pensieve. When immersed in a memory, this device had the ability to enhance the experience with more than just visual and auditory. One could smell what the person had smelled. Taste what the person had tasted.
A wonderful simple meal, beef stew with potatoes, carrots and onions was served in a bread bowl to the person who shared the memory. The Mastery board came out of the device hungry! It was a good thing that Harry had prepared a meal for their discussion afterwards - a meal of stew in bread bowls so that they could compare when discussing the marks.
There were civilian observers as well as Masters in Art as part of the ‘Mastery Trials’ since there were so few Masters of Pottery. One of the artists helped with the auror department, and felt this could be a great investigative tool.
Then again, the smell of a crime scene? At least the operator had a choice in controlling which senses were turned on for a memory viewing.
The projection part of the pensieve worked as well, but did not broadcast smell or taste. It did, however, have additional ‘cups’ that could be magically stuck in a room for surround sound when watching something like a memory of an opera or ballet.
A snippet of the Nutcracker, starring Sally-Anne, was used to show off that feature.
For his mastery work, he had kept the decorations to a minimum with just a bit of celtic knotwork along the rim as his ‘signature’. This was meant to be a practical tool not a decorative vase or bowl.
Hermione thought once this invention got out, commissions for far more ornate devices would come in from those who wanted one, just for the equivalent of a mundane home theater.
Some of the people who came thought that the Potter boy had cheated or had more help than he did. This was when Hermione’s Slytherin side came out to play.
The family had collected pensieves from around the world and in each one were memories of Harry working the clay, doing the intricate runic work, glazing and redoing work that had flaws or cracks.
One of the observers actually started shouting that the memory he was watching was faked. Agent Addams took him by the arm and escorted him outside the property while Lady Longbottom made sure that his name was struck from the temporary guest list.
The she-wolf snarled that Harry’s oaths had prevented such and if he continued such slander, she would sue him into poverty.
As for the rest, they were happy to vote for the young man to receive his Mastery. He would be one of the youngest in a century or more. But it was well deserved.
Those who were not as financially successful as some of the others thought this lad was about to make a fortune.
Most had no idea who Harry Potter was, other than a Senior in an American high school.
~~ODDL~~
Hermione was brought in on the surprise ceremony to see her fiancé raised in rank to receive his Mastery. She felt that Harry should be consulted but was assured that it was better this way.
All of the senior Potter Pottery Journeymen had to take an oath that they would be circumspect during the ceremony. If they didn’t feel that they could keep a civil tongue, Seneschal Lupin had an alternative arranged; all were invited to go on a tour of a famous museum in Italy for a few days. Sirius, standing behind him, assured them they would not be ‘stealing’ from House Potter as he would be paying for it out of House Black funds.
The ones that took up that offer found their contracts were not renewed when they expired. Supporting their Arglwydd was essential! Remus felt it was important for the future Potter workers to know that one couldn’t accept their lord’s coin (especially with all of the extras!) if they were going to then verbally bully the nobles.
Gran Peascomb wanted simple food to be served, like the bread bows with stew that had been used in the memory. However, the plans for the dinner Lady Alice made were firm. They were going to have a grand feast in celebration!
Neville and Harry might be graduating in June, but in Godmother Alice’s mind, this was a far more significant accomplishment!
~~ODDL~~
All of the villagers and quite a few visitors were assembled for this feast. Unlike Thanksgiving or Christmas, most of the high table were standing in front of the chairs waiting for the guest of honor.
Arglywdd Potter, dressed in the new robes proclaiming his Mastery, strode in from the back of the hall. Villagers, who had been seated and chatting, were now on their feet. They bowed as he passed by. His nod and small smile acknowledged his people.
Instead of sitting immediately, he climbed the two steps on the platform and stopped in front of the center table, raising his hands.
“Thank you. Today, we are gathered together to celebrate. I was surprised by this. Surprised and grateful. This isn’t my celebration alone. I could not be here without all of you.
“This is your celebration too.
“Let’s enjoy, together!”
The cheers were loud and long for that and the feast was one of the best in memory.
~~ODDL~~
The rest of the school year seemed to just fly by for the family.
Harry was getting decent marks. Finishing his Mastery and doing the necessary competitions and teaching had affected his grades. He didn’t care. No one at school knew much about his real accomplishments. Pottery wasn’t as exciting as baggit or racing or quadpot.
Something unusual happened near the end of school though. Amanda suddenly withdrew from classes. Several boys, including everyone in their potions class got interviewed by the aurors. Rumors that Matt had been potioned were proved to be just that. Rumors. None of the students were found to be under any untowards influence.
The wards at the manor would have protected anyone there, not that Lord Potter shared that information. Harry refused to say anything about it.
Rumors faded and NEWTs were taken. All were exhausted, just as advertised.
At the end of the year, Hermione and Luna were co-valedictorians, Sally-Anne got an award for her dancing, Susan got a citizenship award, Neville got one for herbology, Ricardo got a plaque giving him ‘Most Valuable Racer’, and Harry got an award for his steeplechase record. Everyone was recognized for something.
Harry was just glad he passed, and got to graduate. It was during the plans for possible senior trips that the rumor that Amanda Billingsley was pregnant started to circulate. Harry and Ricardo shared a look with Neville but the boys still stayed mum about everything they knew - which wasn’t much.
Sally-Anne and Susan said nothing but both sent small gifts of baby clothes to House Billingsley and gift cards to the mall for Amanda. She had been nothing but mean to them all through school and they were determined to ignore her for the most part. It was ‘revenge’ as they could have all been friends if Amanda had allowed it.
The senior class trip that got the most votes was to go to Boston for a history tour, ending with a concert at Franklin Hall. They’d done that as a family already!
Luna’s suggestion didn’t win, though everyone in the House had voted for it. Luna had put forth an idea to go on a walk through the Olympic National Forest to watch the native Sasquatch. That sounded like a brilliant suggestion to Harry, and planned to act on it, working around the racing calendar.
Harry was done with SAM; he just wanted to go to college, and get away from the teenage drama that was Salem!
~~ODDL~~
The news breaking about Ricardo had Carmen and Elaina rejoicing. They knew a secret could only be kept for a time and were so grateful that Ricardo had finished school first and had plans to race before returning to higher education.
If he ever did.
~~ODDL~~
Roman Billingsley was highly disappointed in some of his daughter’s choices. “Do you remember how I begged you to be kind to the Cordero family? Told you that kindness costs nothing?”
Amanda sniffed. She wasn’t happy that her parents had pulled her from school but they wouldn’t allow her to attend classes that could hurt the baby. She understood that. Now, her father was bringing up the past. Again.
“I guess so. Why?” She sneered, airily.
Roman handed her the newspaper, folded to show an article about an important Aztec prince that had been attending public school under the guise of a servant boy. Now that he had attained his majority, he was going to inherit the throne. Along with access to ancient magic.
The picture of Ricardo with a beaming Susan Bones and others of that House, were arrayed around him in support. A list of treasure recovered from Grindelwald was also mentioned. The boy had turned out to be handsome, if short, and now he was not only royal but wealthy!
Fat tears rolled down the girl’s face. All those times she’d been mean to him. Destroyed food he clearly needed.
She had been an idiot. If she had been kinder to him, to the rest of that clan, who knew what her future would be.
“I’ve arranged a betrothal for you. The family knows the circumstances. Their son is…likely unable to provide an heir and you are carrying a boy. Your mother has been given a strict allowance for this. Conjured flowers and a simple cake. You’ll meet him a week from Friday and the wedding is the next day.”
The Feltons felt, quite correctly, that Amanda had gotten pregnant on purpose, trying to get a marriage from it. They had paid a one-time amount that would cover childhood expenses but that was as far as they would go. And Roman had to sign an agreement not to come asking for more.
Amanda’s hippogriffs were coming home to roost and she had only herself to blame for the situation.
She was going to be married to a man not interested in women. At least he wouldn’t beat her and his parents would be kind to the baby. More tears fell as she read the article.
If only, if only, if only…
~~ODDL~~
Time jump
~~ODDL~~
Draco tugged on the bow tie.
“You look fine, Drake. But if you pull it apart, you’re casting the spell,” his wife chided.
“You’re proud of them too, you know, Arista.” Draco stated, pulling a sparkly out. It was from the Malfoy vault, but Naricissa wanted her daughter-in-law ‘dressing appropriately’ for the pictures that would undoubtedly be in the papers.
“Very proud. I’m sorry I couldn’t stick with college, but the dance instructor was too much like my old ballet school. I was too fat, too uncoordinated, blah, blah, you know. I was later told she put me down for my wealth and social position. Reverse prejudice. Anyways, Harry and Hermione have masteries in other things. They had great teachers.”
“So you’ve said.”
The sapphire and diamond necklace perfectly matched the deep-blue velvet dress she wore. Lord Black had given her the earrings for Yule.
“Thank you, Draco. Malfoy or Black?”
“Malfoy. Why do you think it’s a legacy piece?” Draco asked.
“Because, my vault hasn’t had any major withdrawals. I doubt your trust vault could purchase this –no offense love– and our wedding vault is highly controlled. Houses, children, education…”
“You are so smart it hurts sometimes! Does it bother you that I’m just a poor boy?”
“No, silly. We’re going to do magic. I’m not ready to leave home yet. The six months here and six months at Malfoy Manor is working. And we could always live in Wales if needed.”
They got ready. The limousine was waiting on them. Harry and Hermione were already at the auditorium. After brief but sincere greetings, the group took their seats. The Potters took their places on the stage of the Mastery graduation ceremony.
~~ODDL~~
Hermione, as Valedictorian, gave a rousing speech on working towards acceptance for all magicals.
The Billingsley eldest daughter, Gloria, was finally graduating. The father, Roman, clapped twice. Amanda had dropped out of high school after getting pregnant with Matt Felton’s child and hadn’t yet continued her education.
Now there had been a bit of drama!
Hermione was pregnant as well, but that was timed . They had gotten married right after graduating from high school. Harry couldn’t wait another day and Hermione’s searing kisses fueled his desire to marry. Theirs was a longed for and planned child.
Harry was not only recognized for his Mastery in Runes and Charms, he was publicly acknowledged for his Mastery in Pottery. The youngest ever in America or Britain!
~~ODDL~~
Every single person, house-elf or human, of the House, was there at the college celebration feast that night. Alarm wards were set if anyone needed something. From the smallest child to the oldest dowager, all lifted a glass in toast.
“Arglwydd and Arglwyddes Potter!”
Congratulations were shared all around, and many small homemade gifts were given.
Harry stood, “We have a decision to make. As House Potter, as family. I don’t want answers tonight. I’m thinking of moving to the Keep back in Wales.
That castle in Wales was in some ways better than the one here. Harry, Neville, Hermione, and the rest of them had improved the place with charms, enchanting, runes and more. The library there was larger and better than the one in Salem as it had old books and the translations of them going back a thousand years.
Harry still didn’t know that Juniper had co-opted the Hogwarts lost and found. Copies of the translations had been sent to many major schools though, so Hogwarts had the information now in their library rather than hidden in a secret room.
“I plan to leave this manor and the racing farm here in Salem. Ricardo has offered to stay - he wants to continue racing professionally. Susan and he will live here. We’ll need a new Seneschal as the Lupins will also be moving. I welcome anyone interested to apply.
“I want to focus on my own family for the next few years. Lady Hermione will be taking up the Potter seat in the Wizengamot. I have an obligation to Hogwarts to fulfill as many of you know.
“Questionnaires, anonymous if you wish, are at the back table. No plans have been set in stone. You all are of House Potter and you do have a voice. And a choice.
“Before heading to your homes tonight, take one of these parchments. This is a family choice - I will not force anyone to move back to Wales nor will I prevent anyone from moving. You have all seen the community hall there. If there are new facilities you would like to have either here or in Salem, please let me know.”
Harry then raised his hands and blessed his people with a Welsh parting benediction without stumbling once.
Everyone was talking now. This was no surprise to anyone as Harry had been talking to people about this for some time.
He wanted his children to be born in Wales just as he was. And with the portals, it wasn’t like it was hard to move back and forth to visit.
~~ODDL~~
“And Lord Harry will install a portal for us? To travel back and forth?” Sarah asked.
“Indeed. You can work there and here or anywhere.” The Longbottom heir assured.
Neville had wanted to wait until he had his Mastery before asking Sarah to marry him. Theirs had been a long and slow courtship and with his mother’s decision to stay and continue to work the Longbottom’s greenhouses here, the timing was very good.
He continued, “Mum has too many bad memories of Cherry Hill. It wasn’t just the attack. Friends they lost through trusting Dumbledore. She’s angry at herself. Dad? I think Dad will come back one day when they retire. They will visit often.
“Sarah? Will you be my lady? Help me put Cherry Hill to rights? I think House Potter has shown the way in what a good Lordship looks like. I want you to be my Lady, my wife. I love you.”
Sarah nodded shyly, accepting a family engagement ring. They shared a sweet kiss.
“I might want to go back to school. I don’t have much of my own gold, well, not compared to a great House. But I’ll try to earn my own way.”
They had just celebrated Sarah’s Herbology Mastery, but she also wanted one in Transfiguration.
There was a knock on the door.
“Gran?”
“So you did ask her. Hmph. Miss Sarah? I have to say, you’re much like Alice. I didn’t like that my son refused the betrothal we, Frank’s father and I, had arranged in order to marry a Scottish girl of no real wealth. Then she proved loyal, loving and a wonderful mother to you all. Can you please forgive an old woman?”
Gran had been acting differently ever since Ian got her that deeper second cleanse, and she had stayed away from the UK ever since.
More runes had been discovered and disabled and nothing new had been found in years.
“You want to go back with us.” Sarah stated. She seemed to be weighing this. “I’ll not have ye put me down every other word! If I cook and ye want to eat, ye say thanks. If I decide to redecorate or buy something that Neville and I decided on, ye say nothing against. Or I’m stayin’ right here, in a cottage.”
Neville looked shocked, but saw how serious she was. Gran had been awfully rough on her.
“Agreed. And If I get too crotchety, you send me to a dowager cottage.” Augusta suggested.
Sarah looked at Neville. The two had been very close at one time, with only each other for years.
Neville stated, “Agreed. You can even keep your rooms. I like the view from the Heir rooms just fine.”
“Can I bring a hippogriff? I’ve gotten used to flying and Harry said I could have her. Hermione isn’t competing anymore and Vendaval is getting older.” Sarah asked.
“I’d like that. We have a small stable. I’ll talk to Harry and Carmen. See what we can do.” Neville promised, offering one hand to Sarah and one to his Gran.
Families were complicated, and crankiness happened. If needed, she’d get a time out. Simple.
Sarah held out her other hand to Gran Crouch who accepted it with a warm squeeze. Yes. It was going to be alright.
~~ODDL~~
Pensieve orders were going to keep Harry busy for the next century, he was sure. But his pottery was unique and celebrated the world over.
And it was a joy, every day, to go to work.
Werewolves were in demand as assistants to investigative teams, giving new hope to some who had been previously oppressed in other countries.
Their olfactory and hearing abilities to scan scenes made the best memories to be analyzed by experts.
~~ODDL~~
Later that year…
Sirius ran after the toddler that was about to dive into the back pond. In December. It was fairly warm for this late in the fall and there was still no snow.
The visiting Arglywedd, obviously warned, was coming from a different angle. Sirius rescued his son and held him close before he tickled the boy’s exposed belly. He was out here in nothing but a shirt and diaper. How had he escaped?
Warming charms from two fathers were cast.
“Reg! You would have been hurt if you’d managed to get in there!” Harry chided. “You need to survive so that you can be Heir Black.”
Lord Potter had been receiving all sorts of offers from desperate fathers trying to find a way to get into business with him. Finding out Harry was the heir to House Black, had those fathers desperate for a match. What were these people thinking? They had offered Regardless of already being married. Lady Potter was his wife!
Too late now! Sirius had a son of his own and Regulus Sirius Black was officially Heir Black.
Sirius put the child on his hip and flung his other arm around Harry. “It’s good to know that you’re still connected to the wards here. That was too close.”
“Have you decided where you’re going to send Reg to school?” Sirius’ older children were all at Salem Primary as Carmen had no desire to live in Britain and Hogwarts still didn’t have a preparatory school.
“Part of me wants to have him schooled here, but I remember how much I loved Hogwarts. Regulus will be working with some of those heirs in the Wizengamot. And I happen to know when a certain ‘Uncle Harry’ is going to be at Hogwarts.
“He wouldn’t be alone.” Sirius gave Harry the side-eye.
“It’s only fair. You watched over me. I’m proud to return the favor as much as I can.”
They were back inside and a frantic Carmen was happy to take Reg out of her husband’s arms and hold her missing son.
Sirius and Harry shared a warm hug. Their relationship had changed over the years but they were still very close.
Yes, the future would see more changes but Harry’s godfather was in a permanent spot in his life.
Forever.
~~ODDL~~
A few years later…
Headmaster Malfoy had finally stepped down. Sirius was surprised that his tenure, not counting the ritual to bring Moldy back, was one of the most peaceful in history. He had taken care of Binns, was credited with the removal of the DADA curse, but that was actually Alastor Moody and Bill Weasley, and had brought Hogwarts nearly up to the 1980’s in terms of curriculum. An improvement of over a hundred years!
The family was there at Hogwarts to celebrate Lucius’ accomplishments and retirement and support the Potters upcoming tenure. Principal Franklin had promised his support and was in the audience.
Harry stepped to the podium, “As some of you know, I will be taking a teaching post at Hogwarts as Professor Diggle becomes Headmaster. I look forward to teaching a new curriculum here in the Arts. Professor Flitwick will still be teaching the upper years, but my brilliant wife Hermione will take on the pre-OWL years. Our children are not yet old enough to go to Salem or Hogwarts for that matter. I just want to raise a toast to Headmaster Emeritus Malfoy and Headmaster Diggle.”
Everyone raised their glass of butterbeer or juice.
The future was full of promise and Harry planned on visiting Ruffles the basilisk just as soon as everyone was bedded down for the night.
Harry fled to the Chamber with the resurrection stone, borrowed back for the weekend, in his pocket. Once there, and before he woke his slumbering friend, he called forth the image of his parents.
“Harry! We can’t come back!” James chided gently.
“I know Dad. I just wanted to let you know. The farm is doing great. The kids are great. Hermione is beyond happy to have access to the finest library in Britain for her research. I just wanted to let you know I’m keeping my promise. I’m here at Hogwarts.”
Lily looked at her grown son with pride, “Teach them well, my son. And teach them to be tolerant of one another. Perhaps you can prevent the next dark lord from ever forming.”
Harry nodded. Most every human mind-healer wanted him to take pottery. Now was his chance to share that joy here. Without the Potter family magic of course. It was going to be awesome.
He looked at his parents with great love and longing, then bade them farewell. Headmaster Franklin, leaving the next morning, was willing to take a package back with him, having no idea what it contained. Berkeley was getting the tool they borrowed from House Potter back again.
Harry brushed tears and woke his friend from stasis. “Hey girl. I’m going to be around for the next while. I wanted to make sure you were doing well. Did you know some of the acromantulas survived? Diggle wants them gone and I think you might be willing to help.”
The basilisk purred with joy, and they spoke softly, sneaking into the forest under the cloak of darkness. Sigh. Harry really missed his targ but knew he couldn’t keep a new one here anyways. After a nice snack, the grounds were safer, the reptile was happily full, and it was time for Harry to return to his quarters after getting turned around in the castle. Good thing he had a map that now included the Chamber of Secrets. And there she was, identified and everything.
Ruffles was too a perfectly good name for a basilisk.
~~ODDL~~
The End
ODD (Order Defying Dumbledore) and ODDL - Order Defying Dark Lords
A/N: Story weaving can be trying at times. If you noticed a dropped thread and would like to see it resolved, please send me a pm.
Time to bank the fires. Until next time.
Thank you for joining the adventure.
Story recommended by VB: TomRRichardson on Archive of our Own: Harry Potter and the Three Ghosts. So fun!
A/N: Story recommended by our friend csheila: Inkpots and Inkblots by tpobaw (adults auror Harry and Healer Daphne meet postwar and he explains the assorted tattoos Luna created to memorialize his life) see 14304060.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14304060/1/Inkpots-and-Inkblots
A/N: Story recommended: A Friend to All Living Things by Professor Donger (Harry and Daphne bond over her work with Hagrid to cure injured animals; she wants to be a vet). 14016388
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14016388/1/A-Friend-To-All-Living-Things
A/N: Story recommended: Daphne Claus by Dr. Doof123 (Daphne joins the family business and recruits Harry for one nightXMAS fluff with a deeper meaning) See s/14181160
A/N: Story recommended: ColoradoBee3500 recommends "Ron and Agent J's Unintentional Team Up" by ZebJeb. ID 13395213.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13395213/1/Ron-and-Agent-J-s-Unintentional-Team-Up
A/N: Your story recommendation here - for the next fic.
~~ODDL~~
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
Copyright: The original books are all owned by JK Rowling and her associates. This piece is the intellectual property of the writer VashonBeader and her beta LtsHrIt4ThBoyz and is not to be used or sold elsewhere under any other name.