Sir Harry J Potter GCOM

The following morning Harry was surprised to find an owl cage on the kitchen table, inside was a snowy-owl closely resembling Hedwig and a note was attached bearing the royal crest.

‘Dear Sir Harry,

Please accept this gift in token that you are my new Advisor Magical. I understand from Albus that your previous owl was killed during a skirmish with the Dark One.’

The note was signed ‘Elizabeth R’

The owl looked so like Hedwig that Harry flourished his wand and said: “I name you Hedwig the Second.”

The owl fluffed its feathers and gave Harry a piercing look. Harry understood what it meant and opened the cage door. The new Hedwig took flight round the room, inspecting every nook and cranny. Meanwhile her new master was writing a careful thank-you note.

“Take this to Her Majesty, please Hedwig.” The bird held out her claw for the note to be attached and Harry produced a fluff covered owl treat from the depths of his gown’s pockets.

### GRINGOTT’S ###

After breakfast Harry hung Albus’s portrait in the Solar and asked him to tell the Queen of the present progress. Then he, Hermione and Ronald apparated over to WWW; running the gamut of well-wishers in order to reach Gringott’s.

“Um ... May we see Mr Griphook please?”

“Just a moment Mr Potter, I’ll make sure that the Governor is available.”

The Goblin scurried off towards the back offices, returning within a minute and conducted them to Griphook’s new office.

“Hello Harry, were the promissory notes all right?”

“Yes thanks, Gallus. What’s this about you becoming a Governor?”

“To give me extra gravitas when I represent my people in the Wizengamot.”

“How about a bit more gravitas,” Ronald chuckled.

Gallus looked puzzled: “I’m not sure I understand you, Ronald.”

“Do goblins recognise the Muggle Queen, Gallus?” Harry asked.

“Of course we do, she’s the rightful head of all British sentient beings. But what has that to do with Ronald’s gravitas thing?”

“Um ... Well ... She has it in mind to make you a Knight of the Order of Merlin.”

“She what?”

“To everyone outside our select circle, it’s because of you helping us to defeat Voldie. But to us insiders you’ll be part of her seven secret Advisors Magical.”

“Who are the others?”

“Us three, Kreacher and Neville. There’s another one for us to nominate, but we can’t do it until Lucius, the remaining previous knight, has been sentenced and has a criminal record. Dumbledore and Snape were two of the previous councillors. The knighthood automatically makes you a Wizengamot member, so maybe you can elect another goblin representative.”

“Good! I only just won-out in the voting from Bertie Bogrod, it was a close run thing. That means he would get the recognition due to him.”

“So you agree then?”

“A goblin and an elf knighted, that’s one in the eye for the traditionalists on both sides; of course I do. I’ll have to clear it with our Board, but I don’t see any real difficulties from that quarter – they’ll see it as more voting rights in the Wizengamot. How did this come about then?”

“After we saw you, Ron’s dad had lunch with us ...” Harry gave Griphook a résumé of what had happened. “... I’m a Knight Grand Commander, Hermione and Ron are to be Knight Commanders and you, Kreacher and Neville will become Knights - plus whoever else we decide upon after Lucius’s conviction.”

“That’s okay by me, you three deserve the recognition. Now what happens?”

“We have to talk to Neville next, then we’ll all meet up and ask Dumbledore’s portrait at Grimmauld Place to tell Her Majesty. You’ll always be welcome at my house any time.”

“Thanks, can we apparate there?”

“Yes. There’s a flat garden-roof the Weasley sons have remade into a hidden apparating area. It looks like a pointed roof, but people into the secret pass straight through. They haven’t told me what happens to anyone else. Knowing them; it’s likely to be both nasty and humorous. Here’s your charmed medallion.”

There was a polite knock on the door.

“Yes Bremond? What is it?”

“Your next appointment Governor, Ms Augusta Longbottom and her grandson.”

“That’s fortuitous,” Hermione remarked; “We haven’t asked him yet.”

Griphook grinned: “Mmm ... Yes ... So it is. Ask them to come in please, Bremond.”

Bremond showed Neville and his Grandmother into the office.

“Good afternoon Ms Longbottom, Master Longbottom. I think you know my other visitors.”

“Oh yes, Mr Griphook. Hello Harry, Hermione and Ronald.”

“Hi, the golden three, what’re you doing here?”

“Chatting up Gallus, and now we want to do the same to you.”

To say Neville was reluctant, was putting it mildly. But his Grandmamma’s ferocious insistence about the title broke his resistance. The trio left Griphook’s office with an agreed time for meeting and Neville holding the necessary charmed medallion.

### INTERNMENT CAMP ###

Slowly Draco was unwinding from all his ordeals, both at Hogwarts and under Voldie’s cohorts at the manor. His anxious reserve slowly melted; helped by his kindly interrogators and the fact that Gregory was sharing his living space.

In a way Gregory was tougher, because of his extrovert attitude, and his unthinking adherence to the death-eater party line. Added to that, he had been on the fringe of things, whereas Draco had been stuck in the middle of the mess.

As Draco’s reserve melted, his nightmares increased. Gregory took to sharing Draco’s bed in order to comfort him, cuddling him when the tremors were worse. Gregory was straight down the line so no ‘funny business’ took place between them. Nevertheless Draco was extremely grateful for the comfort and said so many times.

### INVESTITURE ###

The six Queen’s Magicals met in Harry’s Solar. There, Neville learned fully of his role. They drew Albus’s portrait into the discussion with the net result that, a week later, Harry had to side-along the various participants to the Palace’s apparation area. As before it was Prince Charles who had a long conversation with them before the Queen appeared. Kissing rings took little time, but the six were invited to stay to a private dinner with the Monarch and her Heir.

### GRIMMAULD PLACE ###

Molly was cross when they returned; telling them off for missing a meal: “… And we had invited Kingsley over, like you said we should, Harry,” were the last words of her rant.

“Sorry Auntie Molly, is he still here?”

“Yes; in the drawing room, with Arthur and the others. But you still haven’t told me where you’ve all been.”

“Come with us, and we’ll tell you all together.”

“Harry?”

“Yes Gallus?”

“I’m likely to get a telling off too, from my wife …”

“… Would it be easier if she came here?”

“That’s what I was about to ask.”

“Of course you can. You’ve two teenage sons, haven’t you? Bring them as well.”

“Thanks, we’ll be back in ten minutes.”

“Here are three more medallions, so you can all get in.”

It took only six minutes before the Griphook’s appeared. Harry greeted them and conducted them downstairs to the tapestry room. Gertie, Ganymede and Gambrel were introduced to the others, whilst Molly kept her ill-concealed impatience in check.

Molly renewed her insistence that Harry tell the family where they had been; being backed up by vociferous nods from Gertie.

“We’ve been to see the Queen,” Harry announced.

“That’s an excellent excuse,” admired George, laughing: “Fred couldn’t have invented a better one, now tell us where you’ve really been.”

Harry had to explain things at least three times before they really believed what had happened, of course, the secret councillor part was not revealed.

Kingsley roared with laughter at the news. Gallus looked disbelievingly at the Minister of Magic.

“Sorry Mr Griphook, but the traditionalists are going to be furious. Six of you will definitely tip the balance towards the liberals. Bogrod will add another vote for reform and I can just see the faces of some pure bloods when they realise that an elf is also a member. I now expect to defeat all their niggling amendments, all designed to keep the status quo and limit other races involvement. I’m really looking forward to the full meeting on Saturday, when I shall read out the Queen’s diktat and introduce our new knights. When they howl about it I shall resign.”

“You can’t, Kingsley. We’ve got to have a good strong leader up there.”

“You forget, I was only made Temporary Minister, Arthur. I have accepted Minerva’s invitation to teach DADA at Hogwarts and, with Harry as my assistant there, I shall revert to being head of security. Now we need a mild politician as front man who can draw people together; then I can get on with prosecuting ex-death-eaters and insuring that they have a fair trial.”

Thereafter the party settled down to a series of toasts and a lot of jocular planning of outrageous reforms, which they knew would not pass muster, but were fun to play with and imagine various pure-blood families horrified reactions to. Having let off steam they became serious; planning the sorts of things that would go into their maiden speeches and who they ought to put up as a candidate for being the next Minister.

Before the visitors left the Queen’s Magicals had a brief meeting with Kingsley in Harry’s Solar, getting to know what to expect at the Wizengamot. Other things were on the agenda, also.

### INTERNMENT CAMP ###

Draco and Narcissa were told of the dates set for their trials. The Aurors and the Wizengamot’s Chairman-elect had decided to have the least inflammatory trials first. That meant that Draco was among the first to be tried. Narcissa was a few places in the list after him, with some of the wives. Three feet down came Lucius’s name, almost at the bottom, just above the Lestrange Men.

### WIZENGAMOT ###

It was the second Saturday before the Hogwarts Special was to take them back to School, when the six Queens Magicals took their seats in the public gallery; ready to be called out by Kingsley.

The Chairman’s chair was empty when Kingsley rose: “Sister Witches and Brother Warlocks welcome to this reconvened session of the reformed Wizengamot …”

“… Maybe we aren’t reformed and have no wish to be:” interrupted a voice.

Kingsley ignored it:

“Our first order of business is to elect a chairman, someone who can keep order and yet give a fair hearing to all points of view. I was given three Nominations, which were circulated to you for voting before the meeting. As returning officer I shall announce the results in ascending order. With four votes; Xenophilius Lovegood. With twenty votes; Celestina Warbeck. With twenty five votes, Rolanda Hooch. I therefore declare Sister Rolanda Hooch the Chairman elected.”

“Point of order, Minister.”

“Speak Brother?”

“There appear to be seven votes not cast, can you explain, please.”

“Certainly! Six members died as the result of the Battle of Hogwarts, all of them knights of the Order of Merlin. Her Majesty has seen fit to appoint another six to replace them, as is her royal prerogative. That is item three on your order sheet. The remaining knight is at present residing in the internment camp, accused of various crimes against our magical community.”

“And we all know who that is, don’t we?” This interruption was accompanied by knowing nods and some sighs of relief.

“Shall we welcome our new Chairman?”

The assembly stood and applauded as Rolanda took her seat.

“Thank you, Fellows of the Wizengamot. Most of you have already been through my hands at Hogwarts, and will know that I am a fair referee, but will not put up with any unfair tactics.”

“Do you have your whistle with you?” – Another interruption.

“No, Sister Gorgonzola, but I do have my gavel.” Rolanda rapped it hard on the block: “And I expect you, especially, to abide by its knock. If I remember correctly you tried to magically upend a fellow player and I had to suspend you from playing.”

Many of the members laughed; once the noise had finished Rolanda stood, wand in hand:

“I Rolanda Hooch swear by my magic to uphold the Queen’s magical laws and conduct the Wizengamot meetings in a seemly manner.”

There was another round of applause.

“Item three, Minister Shacklebolt, if you please?”

“Yes Madam. By order of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, ruler of all beings magical throughout her realms, she has been minded to create six knights of the Order of Merlin. I call them forth to take up their rightful seats in our august assembly. Firstly, as Knight Grand Commander; Harry James Potter.”

Harry rose amidst applause and cheering; walking forward to the Chairman. She shook his hand and placed his badge of office on a chain around his neck.

“I Harry James Potter swear by my magic to uphold the Queen’s magical laws and assist the Wizengamot to meet in a seemly manner.”

“Secondly, as Dame Commander of the order of Merlin, Hermione Jean Granger.”

Hermione took her oath, as did Ronald and Neville, all receiving applause and their badges of office.

“Fifthly, as Knight of the Order of Merlin and a representative of the goblin race; Gallus Guy Griphook.

Gallus was applauded, but some members refrained.

Once the chairman had given him his token, Harry and his friends vigorously shook his hand; so most of the waverers then joined in the applause.

“Sixthly, as Knight of the Order of Merlin and a representative of the elfin race, General Kreacher of the household Black and leader of the elfin army.”

Harry expected some catcalling and abuse, there was a little, but it was drowned out by people shouting their congratulations to the little elf. Harry had managed to persuade him to buy a suitable covering [‘not clothes, Kreacher, but a respectable covering for a respected elf,’ had been everyone’s argument when he had objected]. Kreacher had tears in his eyes as Rolanda shook his hand and placed his token over his head.

“Item Four,” announced Rolanda; after the hammering of her gavel had restored order: “Election of Minister.”

“Madam Chairman; why cannot the present Minister continue in office?”

Kingsley caught Rolanda’s eye and rose: “If you remember, Fellows, mine was a temporary election until peace was resumed. I have been responsible for introducing the reforms that you all asked for, including the Goblin party, now headed by Brother Bertram Bogrod as Sir Gallus is now Her Majesty’s representative. I am told by Sir Kreacher that an equivalent number of elves will be recommended. However the centaurs thanked us for our offer; saying that they were honoured to have been asked, but declined politely to put forward a representative. They indicated that the Headmistress would make any recommendations of their behalf as and when pertinent and we still await a reply from the serpents. I now wish to take up my post as Head of Security, to ensure that all the accused persons have a fair trial and, if I were Minister, that might mean arguing against the status quo. I shall also, with Sir Harry’s help, be teaching DADA at Hogwarts. I therefore recommend to you Brother Arthur Septimus Weasley as my successor.”

Arthur looked at Kingsley with his mouth open in surprise. Kingsley winked at Harry, who with his colleagues, was in on the nomination.

Harry Rose: “I would like to second that nomination, Madam Chairman. I have every confidence that Brother Arthur Septimus will make a good bringer together of our unhappily disparate community. However, if there are others wishing to nominate someone …?” Harry gazed round the court.

“Any further nominations?” queried Rolanda, also gazing round the court.

Piers Polkiss arose: “Madam Chairman, we were aware of this matter before the meeting. If the Knight Grand Commander supports Brother Weasley, who are we to gainsay it. I propose that we elect Brother Arthur Septimus Weasley as our Minister of Magic.

“Do I have a seconder?” asked Rolanda and a forest of hands shot into the air. “I’ll take Brother Bertram Bogrod as seconder, for the record. As you all seem to support Brother Arthur, I shall ask if there is any one against this motion.”

A half-dozen hands wavered in the air, but when their neighbours looked at them they hastily withdrew.

“Very well then – nem-con. Now Minister Weasley please make your oath.”

Arthur’s oath was very much the same as the previous ones.

“Item Five; dates for trials. You have before you a schedule of these dates. Brother Shacklebolt was very efficient in allotting your days of attendance, should you need to change them, please find another Fellow who is willing to swap and inform my office of the arrangement. I understand, Sir Harry, that the knights will be represented at each trial. Perhaps you would be so good as to inform my office once you have sorted the days out.”

“Yes Madam Chairman, we will.”

“Thank you. Sitting Adjourned.” Rolanda brought her gavel down sharply.

### GRIMMAULD PLACE ###

At the Black residence a party was under way. Rolanda had been asked to attend as had Minerva. All the Weasleys were there plus Hermione and her parents. Neville and Augusta were present along with the Griphook family. Kreacher was told to behave like a master by Harry. He was very reluctant at first, but some spiked Butterbeer soon had him relaxed enough to take part in the general rejoicing. Minerva asked Harry if she could use the Solar and sneaked off with the two Griphook parents. A little later Hermione went to join them. After half of an hour or so they returned, all smiles.

“May I have your attention please?” Minerva’s voice carried over the happy throng.

“I have an important announcement to make; which should make wizarding history. The governors and I have agreed that the other races should attend Hogwarts for their magical education. And I have now gained permission from Gallus and Gertie that Ganymede and Gambrel should be the first two goblins to become students. They will be joining the third year, because they are already thirteen. Hermione has agreed to be their personal tutor, in order to fill in the gaps, if any, from the first two year’s curriculum. This will be exploratory on both sides because the wizarding community needs to know what basic magic our two new students already know. I propose that they join Gryffindor House as that is the most likely one to accept them. No doubt Harry can tell them how he instructed the hat about his choice of house.”

“Mum, Dad … What if we don’t want to?” said Ganymede.

“You’re twins, aren’t you?” asked George, laughingly: “You’ve got to keep the tradition going. Gryffindor without twins is unheard of.”

“I hope Ganymede and Gambrel behave much better that the Weasley twins did.” Minerva scowled mockingly and then burst out into laughter. “I hear that Percy the Prig has turned into Percy the Pranker under your doubtful influence, George.”

Percy proved the point by setting off some indoor fireworks.

The Goblin Twins looked on amazed. “I think these wizards are okay Gay, I’m for going to school.”

“Yeah, right on, Gum; I think they are at that.”

“So that’s settled then.” Gallus grinned contentedly and gave Gertie a brief kiss.

Leaving the parents to get quietly sozzled in the Tapestry Room; the youngsters gravitated together and went off to Harry’s Solar. The new twins wanted to get the low-down on Hogwarts almost as much as the others wanted to tell them about it.