Chapter 28 - The Magical Parliament's First Day.

# # #

In the library they found the same setup as last time. However, this time, there were a few more twin settees. And, where there was a single armchair last time for the Queen, this time there were two.

Harry and Hermione sat together again, as did Susan and Neville. Amelia sat with Sir Anthony as Augusta sat with Sir David. The Grangers sat together, as usual. Sirius had a settee to himself. They were soon joined by the Royal Wizard, Sir Kingston Davies, who sat with Sirius.

Sirius soon realised he recognised Sir Kingston. Sirius was a First Year when Sir Kingston's son was one of the seniors in Ravenclaw. They were quickly engaged in a conversation about their days at Hogwarts.

Both Amelia and Augusta had undone their scrolls and were reading through them. This time, Harry kept an eye on the door from where the Queen had entered last time.

A server then came around and took their beverage orders. Another placed a tray of small sandwiches on the coffee table in the middle with little sandwich plates ready for people to load.

A few minutes later, with people nibbling on sandwiches and sipping tea or coffee. Her Majesty and Prince Charles entered from the side door. A few retainers followed them in.

Harry softly but firmly said, "All rise!" as he stood, himself.

The others very quickly followed and turned to where his eyes were fixed on the two Royals.

The Queen continued to come forward and took her seat, followed by Prince Charles. Then the others resumed their seats.

"Now the formalities are out of the way," started the Queen, "How is everyone doing?"

Harry spoke first. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, if I may have the honour, allow me to present my godfather, Lord Sirius Orion Black, Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."

Turning to his godfather, Harry said, "My Lord Black, allow me to introduce, Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth."

Sirius, no fool when he wanted to be, slid off the settee and dropped to one knee with his head bowed. "Your Majesty," he said solemnly.

Not one to be easily shocked, Her Majesty said, "Rise, Lord Black, and be seated." When Sirius sat back in his seat with a smile, she said, "It is good to see you have recovered from your ordeal within that horrid prison."

Sirius gave a nod of his head and simply replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Harry also said, "My Lord Black, also allow me to introduce, His Royal Highness The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, Scion and Heir of the Royal and Elder House of Windsor, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, Prince and Great Steward of Scotland."

Once more Sirius slid off the settee and dropped to one knee with his head bowed. "Your Royal Highness," he said.

"Oh, do sit up, Lord Black," said Prince Charles with a large grin. "One would think you're having way too much fun."

Sirius sat up with a grin and admitted, "I was, Sir. I'm just glad those awful lessons in 'acting the noble' I had to go through as a child could be put to good use."

"You, too?" asked the Prince leaning forward. "Were they as horrid for you as they were for me?"

Leaning forward himself, almost conspiratorially, Sirius replied, "Dreadfully so. I spent as much time as possible trying to hide from my tutor. When I wasn't trying to prank her, of course."

"Lord Black!" interrupted Augusta. "I will not have you corrupt and turn our future king into another of your Marauders!"

Sirius sighed and said, "Sometimes, you can be a spoilsport, Minister Longbottom."

Augusta looked a little startled over the first use of her official title.

"Marauder?" asked Her Majesty.

Gathering her wits, Augusta replied, "Lord Black was a member of a group of four who, during their Hogwarts years, spent more time pranking - that is, pulling practical jokes on - their fellow students and the staff than they did on their studies, Ma'am. It's surprising they even managed to graduate!"

"Hey!" said Sirius in protest. "Remembering those pranks, and that I was innocent of course, was what helped me stay sane while I whiled away the days in Azkaban."

Perhaps noticing an uncomfortable place in the conversation, the Queen looked at the Grangers and said, "I believe congratulations are in order for the two of you. Becoming magicals must have been quite the shock."

"Errr... Yes, Ma'am," said Dan. "We've been informed it's probably permanent. We'll have a better idea when we attend Saint Mungo's hospital and they put us through their body scanning machine."

"A positive happenstance, then," said the Queen.

"Yes, Ma'am," replied Dan.

Turning to look at Hermione and Susan, She said, "And I'm pleased to inform, you two, that Our legal department have gone over your recommendations and made very few changes to them. As a team, they feel the pair of you have done a brilliant job with what you've gone through. You've also managed to drag them back on track, from where they'd wandered off for a while, and just look at the overviews rather than the gritty details."

"Thank you, Ma'am," the girls chorused.

"Our legal teams," continued the Queen, "are no longer looking at making alterations to all the so-called laws. Instead, they've recognised your approach and have adopted it, themselves. Any law that goes beyond about thirty percent requiring change will simply be overturned until a new law can be enacted.

"They've also asked you to continue what you're doing, as it's making their own jobs that much simpler and faster."

"Yes, Ma'am," they chorused.

"Nevertheless," the Queen continued, "the sheer amount of work set before you is astounding. I have no doubt you will be dealing with it for years. But I need the government of magical Britain, this Wizengamot, fixed as soon as possible."

"Ah!" said Harry. "We've been working on that, Ma'am."

"Be fair, Harry," said Neville, piping in. "What you've done is astounding. We've just been sounding boards."

"My Lord Potter?" asked the Queen. "Just what is it you've done?"

Feeling a little uncomfortable, Harry replied, "I've laid out an idea to replace the Wizengamot with something I see as being far fairer."

"We see," see the Queen.

"I remember your requirement of me, of us, to fix the magical world and rid it of sedition," explained Harry. "I thought how it could be done and borrowed from the mundane Houses of Lords and Commons. It's going to create an uproar but, I figure, sometimes it's better to rip the band-aid off rather than gently ease it off.

"I wanted to organise it in such a way that existing Lords and Ladies that sit upon that body aren't suddenly... 'dis-ennobled'... but also gave the common folk the chance to have their voices heard and recognised.

"This way, the pain of the... ructions... will be over in one fell swoop, and the government can get on with the business of running the magical community."

"That is definitely something We want to learn more about, My Lord," said the Queen.

"Show her your notes, Harry," said Susan. "They're very good."

"I've left them on the coffee table in our common room," he said. "One second."

He turned his head slightly to alongside where he was sitting. "Dobby!" he called.

*Pop* "Yes, Master Haa... oh, crap!" the elf started to say before he noticed the Queen and dropped to his knees and forehead in a posture of abject abasement.

"Dobby is sooo sorry, Majesty lady, Ma'am," he grovelled. "Dobby didn't know the wise and powerful wizard Master Harry Potter Sir was meeting with the Queen!"

Startled for a moment, the Queen said, "Rise... Dobby."

Dobby slowly stood, shaking like a leaf.

"Dobby," said Harry gently. "You're not in trouble. Please, try to relax a little."

Dobby looked fearfully from the Queen to Harry and back again. But, at least, his trembling diminished.

The Queen looked on, quite astonished by the sight of the little house elf.

"Dobby," Harry called the elf's attention to him. "We left on our owners' common room coffee table a stack of parchment I had written upon. Would you mind getting them for me?"

Dobby nodded his head once and disappeared with a slight pop. He was back a moment later. The parchment appeared on the coffee table in a neat stack in front of Harry.

"My Lord Potter," asked the Queen. "Is this the little being who masqueraded as you within your relatives' home?"

Dobby was staring back at her, still quivering a little.

"Yes, Ma'am," replied Harry. "This is Dobby. A house elf. He wants nothing more than to serve people. When I tried to set him free, it greatly upset him. When I tried to otherwise reward him, it also upset him."

"D...Dobby is very happy serving the great and powerful Master Harry Potter Sir, Majesty Ma'am," Dobby said tremulously. "Master Harry Potter Sir is a wonderful and wise master."

"And absolutely devoted, We see," said the Queen as an aside to Harry. Turn to face Dobby she gently said to the elf, "Come forward, Dobby."

Dobby slowly approached the Queen until he stood just in front of her knee.

She reached down and lightly placed a hand on Dobby's shoulder, and said, "You have Our personal thanks, Dobby, house elf of Harry James Potter."

The little elf burst into tears. "Majesty lady is kind to Dobby. Dobby is very happy, Majesty!" Then he popped away.

Sirius snorted and said, "I've said it before, but I'll say it again. That is one loyal house elf."

Harry blushed and said, "I tried to give him a promotion to just being my correspondence secretary. I've tried to make his life easier for him. He thought I was punishing him."

"A most unusual being," said Her Majesty still a little surprised by Dobby and his behaviour.

Harry gave himself a little shake, picked up the parchments off the coffee table, checked through them and made sure they were in some semblance of order, and handed them to the Queen. "This is my vision for redesigning the Wizengamot, Ma'am."

The Queen took the documents, quickly read through them with the same speed reading skills she demonstrated back in early July, and passed each sheet off to Prince Charles as she finished with it.

"This idea pleases Us, My Lord," she said as she finished and passed the last sheet to her son.

The Prince finished with them and, with a somewhat surprised expression on his face, passed the entirety of it to Sir Kingston. Sir Kingston then browsed through them. His own eyes rising in surprise at what he'd read.

"To accomplish it, I'll need the services of your Royal Wizard, Sir Kingston," said Harry. "With him, if we five walk into the Wizengamot chamber, the current members who then arrive will receive a rude shock.

"On the few occasions I've been there, I've seen there appears no one who truly understands the magic of the chamber. People buy their own purple robes with the silver W embroidered on them. None of their robes properly displays their House crests. None of the House seats displays the House crest, as they should, when they sit upon them. During voting they all use their wands to signify their vote, rather than the arms of their seats. The Orb of Authority is not displayed. Hell, the well for the Orb of Authority is located under a bolted down chair!"

"Sorry, Lord Slytherin," said Augusta leaning forward. "Amongst other things you said, 'Orb of Authority'?"

Harry smiled and said, "Much of the magics, and what can be done in that chamber, have been forgotten by the current... inhabitants. We're going to resurrect that knowledge. In so doing, no one can question our right to be there. And no one will be able to question Her Majesty's right to stamp her authority on the chamber."

Not long afterwards the conversation broke up when the Queen announced she had another engagement to attend. Her final words to Harry were, "Get it done, My Lord Potter."

Harry had the Royal Wizard join them in flooing back to Hogwarts so he could be keyed in to access the castle.

The Royal Wizard, Sir Kingston, though he wanted to have a look around his old magical alma mater, had to return to the palace so he could reset the wards. He promised to make time at another opportunity.

Augusta and Amelia also headed off almost immediately. Both were headed for the Ministry. With their Royal appointments in their hands Harry thought both looked like women on missions. Before they left, he offered the services of the four heirs to draft up the media releases for them. He received a kiss on the cheek from both older witches. But, they said they had it in hand.

# # #

After Augusta and Amelia left, and Sirius took his leave to attend a final class before school wrapped up for the day, Harry was wondering what to do. He didn't think he'd be anywhere but incarcerated by now. It was an odd feeling.

Neville had left to go talk to Madam Sprout about plans for the school vegetable farm, and the girls were once more engrossed in the laws of the land. The Grangers were with them but would soon be leaving for their own home. This afternoon was when the scheduled appointment for having their home connected to the floo network and they needed to be there for it.

Harry decided to go a-wandering,instead. He did not believe he would be free, so the chance to stretch his legs was a wonderful feeling.

He wandered all over the castle. He visited each of the House common rooms, getting odd looks in each as he looked around.

In Hufflepuff he was approached by a slender Seventh Year with bubblegum pink hair, "Hello, cousin," she said.

Harry warmly smiled and replied, "Hello, Tonks."

She came up to him and wrapped him a hug. "It's good to see you!" she said.

"And you," he replied. "I'm glad Sirius brought you back into the family."

She shrugged and said, "As I'd never been in the Black family before, as Mum was kicked out before I was born, it didn't mean as much to me as it did to Mum. Mind you, Dad's over the moon, too; at least, for Mum."

"Still, Sirius needs pleasant family around him as much as I do," he said. "I'm sure your parents, and you, will be good for him."

"And what about you... Harry?" she tentatively asked.

Smiling, he replied, "I'd like to get to know you, too."

That earned him another hug.

Harry left feeling a little conflicted. He hadn't had anyone, other than the peers, treat him as 'just' Harry before.

# # #

The next morning the Hall was, again, configured as a conference centre. This time, there was even more people than three days earlier.

Most of the questions were aimed at Harry. But, as the four knew this was going to happen, they took turns answering the questions when they could. One question to the Grangers was along the lines of if they were feeling any ill-effects from being blasted with pure magic. Both simply answered, "No." And no further questions were directed their way.

They received the expected questions.

"Is Voldemort really gone for good?"

"Yes."

"Did you know all the Death Eaters were going to die, as well?"

No."

"Do you regret that?"

"I regret not knowing Voldemort was stealing their magic for himself as I was trying to destroy him for good."

"Did you know Dumbledore had created a soul anchor?"

"Not until Tom told me."

"Will you now kill Dumbledore for what he's done?"

"Whether or not Dark Wizard Dumbledore dies for his crimes is not my decision to make."

"Do you know what happened to his phoenix, Fawkes?"

"The phoenix he called Fawkes and enslaved to himself is really named Polaris. Polaris has bonded to another."

"Do you know who he has bonded with?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

Hermione looked up and Polaris flashed in just above the journalists. He banked around the room and swooped in to land on Hermione's shoulder."Does this answer your question?" she asked.

Then came, from a minor journalist from the Daily Prophet, one of the big questions. "Do you believe you should be awarded the Order of Merlin for finally ridding us of the Dark Lord?"

Harry replied, "Firstly, to the second part of your question, I did not rid you of a Dark Lord. I utterly destroyed the Dark Wizard Tom Riddle, who self-styled himself a Dark Lord. You should not believe his lies. He will never be able to return, not even on his 'next great adventure', as people like to say, because I eradicated the man from all existence. Then I unmasked the other dark wizard in our midst, Dark Wizard Dumbledore.

"To the first part of your question, it is not for me to say whether or not I should be awarded the Order of Merlin. All such awards, and to whom they are given, are Her Majesty's decision only."

"Do you now consider yourself to be the 'Leader of the Light'?"

"No," replied Harry. "That is clearly Lady Ravenclaw, here," he said, indicating Hermione and Polaris.

"Should Dumbledore be held accountable for his crimes?" another asked.

Susan snapped, "If ever there was a stupid question a supposed journalist could ask, that was it. Dark Wizard Dumbledore is currently being held by the Aurors on at least one count of murder of a defenceless minor, a young girl who was one of his students here at Hogwarts; that's infanticide, folks. We have left the matter in the capable hands of Chief Justice Bones."

"Do you want to see him kissed?"

"We want to see him face trial for his crimes. Those who attempt to block him having a trial are, we believe to be, clearly in collusion and accessories to the crime of murder after the fact."

From out of the blue came, "Do you know where Minister Fudge is?"

Susan responded, "If you mean Mister Fudge, no. Her Majesty fired his butt for, amongst other things, illegally obliviating Prime Minister John Major on multiple counts, the man he was supposed to be reporting to. Her Majesty, as is her right as Sovereign of the United Kingdom, appointed Madam Augusta Longbottom, current Proxy for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, to the position of Minister for Magic in Prime Minister Major's Cabinet.

"You should address your questions regarding her appointment to this prestigious position direct to Minister Longbottom's offices."

"Undersecretary Umbridge has also disappeared. What about her?"

Neville replied, "Dolores Umbridge attempted to commit regicide; that is, assassinate our Sovereign. She was shot dead in the attempt."

Uproar.

"Madam Umbridge was a pureblood! How dare your Queen..." one of the attendees tried to say.

Neville rode straight him. "Dolores Umbridge refused to accept Her Majesty had authority over her, just as she has authority over you! She paid the price for both her ignorance and stupidity with her life. She was a traitor to the Crown and died because of it!"

Another journalist, attempting to bring the topics back under control, asked, "My research indicates you've not yet taken your seats on the Wizengamot. Why haven't you taken your seats?"

"We will take them when we're good and ready," snapped Hermione. "It is House business and not for you to ask."

No other journalist wanted to feel the ire of the four most powerful Lords and Ladies in front of them after that. The conference broke up very soon afterwards.

# # #

On the following Sunday, just after breakfast in the Great Hall, the four heirs, the Grangers - who had returned home a few days earlier - and Sirius met Sir Kingston in the owners' common room. As soon as he arrived, they floo'ed directly to the Ministry. They were expected by no one except Chief Justice Bones and Minister Longbottom. They were met by those two, plus a small contingent of a dozen Aurors, and the scribe who normally took the minutes during Wizengamot meetings. He had been sworn to secrecy and had with him the new Book of Minutes.

From the Atrium they walked directly to the empty Wizengamot chamber. The dozen Aurors were told to wait outside.

Once inside, all bar the Grangers, the four heirs and the Royal Wizard stood at the back of the floor against the visitors' gallery. The Grangers ascended the stairs into the visitors' gallery and took seats. The four heirs stood directly behind the accused's chair with its chains.

The four then held out their right hands, palms down and flat, over the seat of the chair. And pushed with the magics of the rings. The wooden disk that formed the central core of the wooden floor shimmered and disappeared from directly under the seat leaving a circular opening.

A glowing orb of golden light, about six inches in diameter, rose on a narrow golden pedestal from within the opening. It rose steadily from the hole, reached the underside of the seat of the chair, and pushed right through it, splintering and shattering the wood as it came.

When the glowing orb reached a height almost chest high on the four heirs, it stopped its ascension, and dimmed. The four heirs removed their hands from hovering above it. Still softly glowing, the orb revealed the imprint of a right open hand on its surface.

Harry banished the remains of the accused's chair.

Sir Kingston stepped forward and placed his right hand upon the imprint. He said, "I, Sir Kingston Davies, Royal Wizard to the court of Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, hereby swear allegiance to the Crown and claim my rightful place in this august chamber until otherwise relieved. So mote it be!"

The orb flashed once, quite brightly and a light gong sounded. A ring with the Royal crest overshadowed by crossed wands appeared on Sir Kingston's right ring finger. Without moving his hand, Sir Kingston glanced down at it, quite pleased.

As the glow on the orb steadied, a sound could be heard coming from deep within the floor under the middle seats of the Wizengamot. And the tiers split right down the middle along a seamless join. The two halves began to move apart. As they pulled apart, the tiers pivoted slightly making the gap at the rear open further and faster than the gap at the front. The two halves appeared to be pivoting slightly towards each other at the original ends. The back wall was also sliding backwards to make room as the two halves drifted apart.

When the two halves finally stopped moving, there was a gap of about fifteen feet between chairs that were sitting either side of the gap on the top tier. And the gap was a good deal narrower at the front tier. A few moments after the two halves stopped moving, there rose a complete new section of tiers to fill the gap.

First appearing out of the hole was the chair back of an ornate golden throne. Above the headrest was an ornate embossed crown. As the throne rose directly below the crown, upon the headrest could be seen the Royal crest. The throne was soon joined, two to each side, and slightly forward, by four other ornate chair backs. On the headrest of those where the four crests of the Houses of Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.

The five chairs continued to rise, seemingly majestically, from under the floor. When they finally stopped rising they stood slightly above the other seats of the Wizengamot, with the centre throne the highest of them all. The two halves of the original tiers of the Wizengamot then began to close onto the new section. They only needed to move about an inch at the front, and about three inches at the rear until the whole thing formed a seamless join.

Sir Kingston smiled at the four heirs, walked up the stairs directly in front of the throne, and seated himself upon it. The trim on the seat flashed once as he sat and his robes changed to red acromantulan silk with a silver 'W' embroidered high on his left breast. Directly beneath it appeared the Royal Crest of Her Majesty.

He placed his wand in the slot on the arm of his chair and clicked it into place. "By Royal Decree of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, I declare the Wizengamot of magical Britain, as a body, defunct in its responsibilities and duties. All seated members to this day are hereby stripped of their authority to take seat within these tiers. Chamber, please remove all other seating bar my own and the Houses of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw."

All other seating, bar the five, were banished.

"Now to rebuild," he said. "Place to my left forty-six unmarked seats ready to be adopted by the other Noble Houses."

The room stretched back further as the blank seats appeared on the tiers to Sir Kingston's left.

"Place to my left one seat for the Lady Chief Justice."

An extra seat appeared on the left hand end of the five, already marked on the headrest with the thistle badge of the Supreme Court. While the others were plain black, this one was trimmed in deep crimson velvet.

"Place to my left upon the end of the bottom tier, one seat with a desk for the appointed Scribes."

A slightly smaller seat without the high back appeared at the end of the bottom tier. In front of it appeared the desk for the scribes to use when taking minutes.

"Place to my right fifty unmarked seats ready to be adopted by elected Members."

Fifty seats appeared on the empty tiers.

"Have those seats draped until such time as an election is held for fifty citizens of the magical United Kingdom to be selected to take those seats as representatives of the people."

The seats were covered in their entirety with black cloth.

"Place to my right one seat for the Minister for Magic."

An extra seat appeared on the right hand of the five, already marked on the headrest with the Royal Coat of Arms as used by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This one was trimmed in deep green velvet matching the crimson for Chief Justice.

"Place to my right upon the end of the bottom tier, one seat with a desk for the Master at Arms."

A slightly smaller seat without the high back appeared at the end of the bottom tier. In front of it appeared the desk for the Master at Arms to use.

Looking back and down at the others as they looked around at what Sir Kingston had wrought, he said, "Okay, folks, I think we're ready."

Amelia stepped forward and drew from the folder in her hand the oath the scribe would take for taking the minutes and caring for the Book of Minutes.

She then called the scribe and had him place his hand on the orb. He did so, tremulously. Then she held the words of the oath for him to read.

He said, "I, Winston Gilbert Weatherby, swear on my honour, I will faithfully execute my duties in this chamber to the best of my ability and my conscience. So mote it be!"

The orb flashed once but no sound of a gong was heard. Amelia then guided him forward to take his seat at the Scribe's table. He placed his book upon the table and took his seat. His robes changed to deep black with a brace of crossed quills over his right breast embroidered in silver. Before him appeared a set of self-inking quills as the book automatically opened to the first page.

"Sir Kingston looked down and across at him and said, "Scribe. The Wizengamot is no more. This will be the first meeting of the Magical Parliament of the magical United Kingdom. Please write your minutes accordingly."

The scribe, though clearly a little fearful, replied, "Yes, Sir," before starting an auto-quill running and beginning to write in the new Book.

The silver 'W' on Sir Kingston's robes then altered itself to the letter 'P' in the same styling. Harry wondered if he'd even noticed.

Sir Kingston then said, "I, Sir Kingston Davies, Royal Wizard, now call upon the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses to give their oaths and take their seats."

Neville then stepped forward and placed his hand upon the softly glowing orb. He said, "I, Neville Francis Longbottom, Earl Gryffindor, Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Gryffindor, swear allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"

Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. Neville walked forward, up the stairs and took his seat. The trim on his chair flashed once a moment after he sat. His robes changed to purple acromantulan silk with a silver 'P' embroidered high on his left breast. Directly beneath it appeared the crest of the House of Gryffindor. Neville then dropped his own wand into the receptacle for it.

Susan then stepped forward and placed her hand upon the orb. She gave the same oath.

Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. Susan walked forward, up the stairs and took her seat. As for Neville the same changes occurred. She dropped her wand into the receptacle for it in the arm of her chair.

Hermione then stepped forward and placed her hand upon the orb giving the same oath. She then took her place in the tiers.

Harry then stepped forward and gave the same oath.

He, however, did not ascend the stairs to take his seat. Instead, he accepted from Amelia a file containing various oaths in template form when she stepped forward. He withdrew from it the oath for the Chief Justice.

He held the file with the parchment on top where Amelia could read it.

Sir Kingston then said, "I now call on the Lady Chief Justice to give her oath and, when ready, take her seat."

She placed her hand upon the orb and said, "I Amelia Susan Bones, Chief Justice of the magical United Kingdom, swear on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law, to provide wise counsel when asked, and to deliberate with fairness when serving as judge, within these chambers. So mote it be!"

Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound.

Instead of walking forward, up the stairs and taking her seat, she stepped back and took the file from Harry.

Harry walked forward, up to the chairs and took his seat.

Sir Kingston then said, "I now call on the Lady Minister to give her oath and take her seat."

Augusta stepped forward. Amelia already had the relevant parchment ready and held for her to read.

Augusta placed her hand upon the orb and said, "I Augusta Longbottom, Minister for Magic of the United Kingdom, swear on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law, to provide wise counsel when asked, and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"

Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. She walked forward and took her seat.

Sir Kingston said, "I now call on the Noble and Most Ancient Houses in attendance to give their oath and take their seats."

Sirius then stepped forward and placed his hand upon the orb giving the same oath as the heirs.

Harry, Neville and Susan stood and stepped down from their seats, back onto the floor as Sirius gave his oath.

Another flash of the orb and another light gong sound. Sirius walked forward, up the stairs and took one of the blank seats near Harry. The trim on his chair flashed once a moment after he sat. The crest of the House of Black appeared on the headrest above his head, trimmed in red. His robes changed to purple acromantulan silk with a silver 'P' embroidered high on his left breast. Directly beneath it appeared the crest of the House of Black. He dropped his wand into the receptacle that appeared for it.

Each one the three heirs gave the same oaths as Sirius before re-ascending. None of them, however, took their own familial House seats.

Once the three finally settled in their seats, Sir Kingston said to Amelia, "Okay, Lady Chief Justice, please summon your Aurors into this chamber so they may act as... security against the rebelliousness to which we are about to be subjected."

"And let slip the Dogs of War!" grinned Harry.

# # #

The Aurors were called inside and looked around in wonder. Not one of them had never been in the chamber before. None of them had seen the orb before, nor had any of them seen the seats Sir Kingston and the four heirs were sitting upon, or the opening and stairs leading up from the middle. They realised something big was in the wind as they saw Amelia standing next to the softly glowing orb on its gold pedestal. Only two noticed the accused's chair was missing.

"Aurors," said Amelia. "By order of the Crown, the Wizengamot has been made defunct and has been disbanded. We will shortly be summoning the members of the now disbanded Wizengamot so that selected Lords and Ladies may take their seats. Those who sat upon these tiers as Regents will have to prove their regencies first. Those who only sat upon these tiers as Proxies will not be allowed to be seated until their positions are confirmed by the rightful Lords and Ladies."

She fixed the twelve of them with a firm glare, "You are to direct all Members to seats within the visitors' gallery. If anyone attempts to take seat within the tiers of the Wizengamot, you are to bar them from doing so. If they attempt to resist, you are to force their compliance. If necessary you will use the Incarcerous Charm and the Mobilicorpus charm upon them before levitating them into seats in the visitors' gallery.

"Only when Sir Kingston, the Royal Wizard," Amelia indicated Sir Kingston, "calls them forward to the orb here," she indicated the orb, "will they be allowed to stay on the floor. Only until they have given their oath when called upon to do so, may they then approach and ascend the stairs into the tiers of the new Wizengamot; the new Magical Parliament. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

Amelia received a dozen stunned, "Yes, Ma'am," from the twelve.

She then directed two to go into the chamber where the Members normally gathered before being called in to take their seats. They were told to immediately direct all arriving persons into the chamber.

She also placed one each at the now three sets of stairs leading up off the floor into the tiers. These were the three biggest and fittest Aurors she had. They were to not permit anyone ascending the stairs who had not already sworn oath upon the orb first.

Two more she placed at the two sets of stairs leading into the visitors' gallery. Once people ascended those stairs they were not permitted to descend them until they were either called or wished to leave the chamber.

Two more she placed at the main doors to the chamber. They were to ensure anyone who had been ejected from the chamber were not able to re-enter.

The last three she held with her. They would be sent to collect anyone summoned to attend who did not receive the alert, or sent in support of the others.

Once she had the aurors where she wanted them, she looked up at the Royal Wizard and said, "We're ready, Sir Kingston."

Sir Kingston nodded and, placing his hand on his armrest while pushing down on the butt of his wand in its receptacle called, "I summon the Heads of the Noble and Most Ancient Houses to this chamber. Your presence is required immediately in the now defunct Wizengamot chamber."

Harry, Neville, Susan and Sirius all felt the rings on their fingers buzz and saw the crests on them intermittently flash. When they pressed on the crest they each clearly heard the voice of Sir Kingston in their minds.

"Well, that worked," remarked Harry. "I had somewhat believed it would, but wasn't sure until just then."

Sir Kingston looked across at him and smiled. "It's nice when a plan comes together, isn't it?"

No one else got the reference, except the Grangers and one of the aurors.

As the Lords and, in one case, Lady of the Noble and Most Ancient Houses arrived in the Member's antechamber they were sent to the visitors' gallery. Three of the Lords made a bit of a ruckus but the aurors were firm in their handling of them.

Once they were seated in the visitors' gallery, Sir Kingston addressed them. "By order of Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, the Wizengamot was found defunct and disbanded."

That received angry mutterings from the gathered Lords and Lady. Sir Kingston and the others seated ignored them.

Once they had quieted down Sir Kingston addressed them a second time. "Also by order of Her Majesty, the First sitting of the Magical Parliament of the magical United Kingdom has been called.

"When you hear the name of your House called, you will step down, approach the orb and give your oath to be seated. Lady Chief Justice Bones will have the words of your oath for you to read. Please follow her instructions. Once you have made your oath you may take seat in a vacant seat to my left."

Using his own set of notes on parchment, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass, please come forward."

Amelia looked up at Cygnus Greengrass and encouraged him to come forward. She already had the relevant oath ready for him. A tap of her wand had changed the relevant details on the document.

He came down from the gallery and walked up to the orb. Amelia whispered to him and he looked at her with not a little surprise. He placed his hand on the orb and gave the oath.

The orb flashed, and Sir Kingston said, "Come forward Lord Greengrass of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass, and be seated among your peers.

Amelia whispered to him again and he found a seat next to Sirius. They then engaged in a whispered conversation.

Sir Kingston then called the next down. "The Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, please come forward."

Harry sat forward in surprise and flicked his head to look at Neville. Neville just grinned back.

From the doors leading outside Frank and Alice Longbottom came through. Both were in wheelchairs but were sitting up proudly. They were brought in by medi-witch attendees. Alice was set just in front of the visitors' gallery while Frank was wheeled up to the orb.

Neville popped his wand, stood in his place, and said with clear confidence, "Sir Kingston, if I may?"

"Lord Gryffindor," replied Sir Kingston, clearly expecting the interruption. Harry frowned at him. He had the feeling he'd been set up with a mini-prank.

Neville lifted his wand held out from his chest and intoned, "I, Neville Francis Longbottom, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, hereby relinquish my claim to the Lordship of House Longbottom to the rightful Lord Longbottom, my father, Francis Monroe Longbottom. So mote it be!" A flash on his ring finger signalled his loss of the Lord's ring for the House of Longbottom. He sat down and re-sheathed his wand in its receptacle.

Frank then placed his hand on the orb and intoned in a somewhat scratchy voice, "I, Francis Monroe Longbottom, hereby claim my Lordship of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom. So mote it be!" A flash on his ring finger signalled his gaining the Lord's ring for the House of Longbottom. He lowered his hand.

Sir Kingston then said, "I again call the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, please come forward."

Following the instructions from Amelia, Frank gave the same oath as Cygnus before him.

As soon as the orb flashed, Sir Kingston said down to him, "Lord Longbottom, at this time you may take your seat or name a Proxy in your stead. Which would you prefer?"

Frank looked back and said in as clear a voice as he could, "I wouldn't miss this for the world! I'll take my seat at this time, thank you."

Sir Kingston said, "Then, come forward Lord Longbottom of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, and be seated among your peers.

Harry noticed a quick whispered conversation between Sirius and Cygnus as Frank was wheeled to the stairs leading up into the tiers. Both men rose from their seats and hurried forward.

As Frank reached the foot of the stairs the medi-witch who was pushing him flipped the foot rests out of the way. Cygnus and Sirius then helped him to his seat before assisting him up the stairs to a seat next to where they were sitting. Cygnus popped his wand out of his seat and sat Frank in it. None of the three noticed the house crest for the House of Greengrass fade out before it was replaced by the crest for the House of Longbottom, and the seat flashed once.

When Cygnus took the next seat along and holstered his wand in it his house crest appeared there and flashed once. On the second flash he noticed with surprise his house crest had moved to his new seat.

Sir Kingston had also summoned the Noble and Ancient Houses, the Noble and Elder Houses and the Magical House of Malfoy while Frank was being assisted to a seat.

He then called the next House, MacMillan, forward. Each then came forward in order of Marchbanks, Ogden and Smith. Each also gave the oath. Each was summoned forward to join their peers.

The Noble and Ancient Houses had begun to arrive and they were forced to wait in the antechamber. That left three people in the visitors' gallery who shouldn't have been there.

Sir Kingston called on all three to stand. "And who might you be?" he asked pointing at the first person.

"Arnold Peasegood. Proxy for the Potter seat."

Harry just snorted.

Turning to look at him, Sir Kingston asked, "Lord Slytherin, do you name this man as your proxy for the Seat of House Potter?"

Harry stood and said, "No, Sir; I do not. I have never met this man in my life!" And he sat down again.

Peasegood spluttered in indignation.

Sir Kingston turned to look at him and said, "Then, it appears, Sir, your appearance here is in error. Leave."

Peasegood spluttered and said, "Albus Dumbledore gave me that seat! By what..."

"Aurors!" barked Sir Kingston. That shut Peasgood up.

"Escort this man from this chamber," instructed the Royal Wizard. "If he attempts to resist. Don't be gentle!"

Mister Peasegood turned and stomped out of the chamber through the main doors. Harry wondered how he'd heard the call through the rings as he didn't appear to be wearing one.

Indicating the next man he asked "And who might you be?"

"Phinneas Ackerley, Proxy for the Seat of House Black."

"No, he's not," said Sirius.

"Lord Black, please," remonstrated the Royal Wizard.

Sirius didn't even look abashed.

"It appears you, also, are in error, Mister Ackerley. Leave."

He, too, stomped out of the chamber muttering sulphurously.

Sir Kingston turned to the third person and asked, "And you, Sir?"

"Damien Goldstein, Proxy for the House of Stebbins, Sir."

"The House of Stebbins is an Noble and Ancient House, sir," said Sir Kingston referring to his notes. "We have not called on those seats yet. Please place yourself back into the visitors' gallery until the Head of the House for that seat is called. After that you may be invited to give your oath."

Mister Goldstein gave a minor shrug and climbed back up the stairs into the visitors' gallery.

Sir Kingston called, "Please bring forward the Noble and Ancient Houses, Noble and Elder Houses and the Magical House of Malfoy."

Many of those who came in representing the Ancient and Elder Houses also muttered darkly about being stopped from taking what they believed their seats to be. Some, however, noticed the major change to the layout as soon as they could see it. They were clearly stunned. Very quickly, they all did.

Once again, Sir Kingston stood and made his announcement over the disbanding of the Wizengamot and the forming of the Magical Parliament.

Again, there were mutterings of discontent and outright cries of denial and outrage.

Once they'd settled down, with the aurors threatening to toss people out if they didn't quiet down, Sir Kingston then gave them the same instructions as before and started calling them forward.

Again referring to his own set of notes on parchment, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Avery, please come forward."

A man stepped down and approached the orb. Amelia frowned at him as he came down. There was a bit of a heated sub voce argument between the two before Sir Kingston asked, "Is there a problem, Lady Chief Justice?"

Amelia looked up and said, "This man, Mister Alastor Gumboil, claims Proxy for the House of Avery, Sir Kingston."

"And, where is Lord Avery?" asked Sir Kingston.

"Dead, Sir." she replied firmly.

"Then, he cannot be his proxy, can he?" said Sir Kingston firmly. "Summon the late Lord Avery's heir." And turning to Gumboil said, "And you, Sir, can leave."

"Arrrgghh!" snarled Mister Gumboil. "This is ridiculous! I was appointed to the Seat by the Wizengamot!"

"Were you not listening, man?" snapped Sir Kingston. "The Wizengamot is no more! Her Majesty, as is her right as Sovereign, disbanded it! Now, get out unless and until you can present papers signed by the current Lord or Lady Avery authorising you to be his or her proxy! And that won't be accepted until such time as the current Lord of Lady Avery has presented him- or herself to this body and sworn their oath first!"

"We'll see about this!" snarled the man storming out of the chamber.

Watching the Royal Wizard at work, Harry had to hand it to the man. Two months ago he never would have believed Sir Kingston Davies had the backbone to do this job. Now, he had backbone to spare. A mundane-born snarling down on the purebloods. Having the total support and backing of the Queen behind him had done wonders to supplying stiffening to his spine.

"If there are any others of you up there claiming proxies you may as well leave now. The only exemption will be if you're accompanying the current Lord or Lady Head of the House. Otherwise you're just wasting mine, and everybody else's, time," said Sir Kingston to the crowd in the visitors' gallery.

With the exception of three people, the rest left. Shouting imprecations and otherwise cursing.

After they left, Sir Kingston once more cast his eyes to Amelia. "Lady Chief Justice, has the heir of the House of Avery been summoned?"

"No, Sir," she replied. "At this time, it appears the Noble and Ancient House of Avery has no heir."

"Very well," he said. "Then we shall mark the House as currently having no Head and remove it from the rolls until and unless an heir can be found."

Again referring to his own set of notes, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe, please come forward."

Amelia looked up, saw no one coming down, and said, "Regulus Crabbe was the Lord and Head of the House, Sir, he recently died. I believe his eleven year old son, Vincent, is his heir."

"Does young Mister Crabbe have a regent or magical guardian?"

"His mother is alive, Sir," she replied.

"Very well. Summon them both!" he ordered.

Amelia sent off a couple of her Aurors.

Again referring to his own set of notes, Sir Kingston called, "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Goyle, please come forward."

Amelia again looked up, saw no one coming down, and said, "Same, Sir. Olam Goyle was the Lord and Head of the House. He, too, recently died. I believe his eleven year old son, Gregory, is his heir."

"Then same as with the House of Crabbe, Lady Chief Justice," he said, "Get them in here."

"Yes, Sir. However, I will need to call more Aurors in first to then send them out."

"Noted, Lady Chief Justice," he said.

"Let's try this one," he continued. "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber, please come forward."

Bevis Mulciber stepped down out of the visitors' gallery and approached Amelia. Harry could see she was as surprised as he was that the man was still alive. Harry was sure he was a marked Death Eater. Thinking about it, he realised the man didn't become such until Riddle was reborn in 1995.

Mulciber was also arguing with Amelia.

"Do we have another problem?" asked Sir Kingston.

"I will not give this oath and you cannot force me to!" snarled Mulciber.

"You are, of course, correct, Sir," responded Sir Kingston. "If you are not willing to give the oath then name your heir."

Frowning, Mulciber glared back and asked, "Why?"

"Because," replied Sir Kingston, "if he is willing to give the oath where you are not, then I will strip you of your Lordship and Head of House position and grant it to him or her."

"What?" exclaimed Mulciber, "You can't do that!"

"Her Majesty has granted me both the permission and fiat to do exactly that, Sir," snapped back the Royal Wizard. "Now, give the oath or name... your... heir!"

"And if I refuse?" huffed Mulciber.

"Idiot!" Harry heard Hermione mutter. He grinned back at her.

"This should be interesting," he whispered to her.

"Then I will act," replied Sir Kingston.

"Then I refuse!" huffed Mulciber again crossing his arms.

Harry knew there was going to be a first to do this. That was part of the careful planning they had done over the past few days.

"Very well!" said Sir Kingston. He then placed his hand back on the butt of his wand and intoned, "I, Sir Kingston Davies, Royal Wizard to the court of Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, under her authority, hereby strip you of both the Lordship and Headship of the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber. So mote it be!"

There was a sudden flash on the ring finger of the now ex-Lord Mulciber's finger, and the ring was gone.

"What?" Mulciber exclaimed when he felt the ring disappear and looked down at his hand to see it gone. "How? That's impossible!"

There were shocked mutterings from those others gathered who didn't, until then, believe just what power Sir Kingston wielded. 'They know now,' thought Harry.

"Clearly, I can," replied Sir Kingston. "Now, Mister Mulciber, who is your heir and the new Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber?"

Bevis Mulciber kept looking from his ring finger to the Royal Wizard and back again.

Hermione stood and said, "Sir Kingston, if I may?"

Looking at Hermione, Sir Kingston asked, "Lady Ravenclaw?"

"Sir Kingston," replied Hermione, "I believe Mister Mulciber's heir to be his son, Caleb Mulciber, currently a student at Hogwarts; a Second Year in Slytherin House, if I recall." She sat down again.

Harry suddenly had the image of the boy in his mind. He was always somewhat aloof and wasn't one to approach him to talk.

"I see," said Sir Kingston. "Thank you, Lady Ravenclaw." Then, turning to look once more at the now ex-Lord Mulciber, he asked, "Mister Mulciber, is your son, Caleb, your heir?"

"Yes, damn you!" snarled Mulciber. "Now, give me back my ring!"

"Lady Chief Justice," said Sir Kingston, currently ignoring the furious man on the floor, and talking to Amelia. "Please summon Caleb Mulciber from Hogwarts."

Harry ducked down off the tiers and hurried over to Amelia around and behind Mulciber. He reached into his pockets and withdrew his mirror and offered it to her. "Maybe your aurors will be better able to gather up the heirs if they're not forced to keep running from here to the apparation point to Hogwarts and back."

"Mister Mulciber," said Sir Kingston, "it is not your ring for me to give back. The ring now rightfully belongs to your son, Caleb. We will wait to hear directly from him. You may step back and return to the visitors' gallery while we await your son. Or, you will be ejected, forcibly if needed, from this chamber."

Amelia immediately understood what Harry was getting at and said, "An excellent idea, My Lord Slytherin. Thank you." She called over one of her aurors and instructed him in its use.

Bevis Mulciber stomped up the stairs to the visitors' gallery.

As he was just starting to mount the stairs back into the tiers again, Harry saw an auror come hurrying in. He was quite puffed. He also had with him Vincent Crabbe.

Harry hesitated going back to his seat. Instead, he grabbed young Mister Crabbe by the elbow and led him off to one side.

"Do you know why you are here, Vincent?" he asked.

The boy frowned and replied, "No. The aurors wouldn't tell me. I figured it had something to do with my dad." The boy hesitated for a moment before asking, "Am I in trouble?"

"No, mate," replied Harry. "You are the new Head of your House, now. As such you're about to be asked if you wish - and feel you are ready - to take up your Lordship, or to name a regent to your seat. If you believe your Mum can do the job, then nominate her for the position. But, wait until she is here and discuss it with her first, okay?"

The boy nodded and relaxed. Somewhat, assured.

Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Stebbins, please come forward."

Again, Damien Goldstein came down.

Sir Kingston said, "Mister Goldstein, it is our understanding you claim proxy for the Seat of Stebbins, is that not true?"

"Yes, Sir," replied Goldstein. "I am the properly authorised Proxy for the Seat of Stebbins."

Sir Kingston said, "Mister Goldstein, I called for the Head - that is, the rightful Lord or Lady - of the House of Stebbins. How can you claim Proxy if you're also supposed to be the Head of the House?"

"Errr..." said Goldstein, "It is my understanding the Lord Stebbins is unable to attend due to ill health. As such, I stand as his Proxy."

"And just where is Lord Stebbins?" asked Sir Kingston.

"He is abed in Saint Mungo's," replied Goldstein.

Turning once more to Amelia, Sir Kingston said, "Lady Chief Justice, please send someone to Saint Mungo's to discover why Lord Stebbins did not answer his call to this chamber. Speak to his healers, if you must. If it is discovered Lord Stebbins is, and will, be unable to carry out his duties as a member of this body, then discover for us the name of his heir. Then, bring his heir forth."

"Yes, Sir," replied Amelia.

Turning back to Goldstein, the Royal Wizard said, "Mister Goldstein, until such time as we discover, for ourselves, whether or not Lord Stebbins or, in his stead his heir, will be able to take seat in this chamber, your presence is not required. You may leave."

Without a word, Goldstein stormed out of the chamber.

Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Yaxley, please come forward."

"Dead, Sir," said Amelia. "We do not know the identity of his heir."

"Very well," said Sir Kingston.

An auror entered with a young to middle aged woman in tow. She was frowning in confusion. Vincent Crabbe saw her and called, "Mother!"

Her face brightened a little and she came across to where Harry was still standing with Vincent.

"Vincent?" she asked, the confusion still written on her face. "What is going on?"

"I'll answer that for you, if you like, Ma'am," replied Harry smoothly. "Lord Harry James Potter, at your service. I am Mister Crabbe's Head of House for Slytherin."

The lady looked at him with wide eyes of shock. "You're the one who killed... destroyed the Dark Lord!"

"Yes, Ma'am," replied Harry. "Please, allow me to explain what's going on."

The lady nodded.

Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Elder House of Abbott, please come forward."

Lord Abbott descended from the visitors' gallery. He seemed amused, and quite pleased, with what was going on.

While Lord Charles Abbott gave his oath, was invited to, and ascended the stairs into the tiers, Harry went over in short detail what was going on and explained to both of them their options. They decided she would act as regent for the House and allow Vincent to dedicate himself to his studies until such time as he completed them. Harry also told them they could change their mind and have Vincent take up his Lordship at any time, but they couldn't go back once he did that.

Harry then said, "I believe you've made a wise decision, Vince, Ma'am. I just hope the others who will soon find themselves in the same situation, are just as wise."

Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Elder House of Parkinson, please come forward."

"Dead, Sir," said Amelia. "We do not know the identity of his heir. But, believe it to be his daughter, Pansy."

Harry then hurried across to Amelia and told her what they'd decided and told her Pansy was one of 'his' First Years at Hogwarts.

"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Summon his heir."

Amelia gave him a nod and flipped open her mirror communicator. She said a few words before flipping it closed again.

Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Magical House of Malfoy, please come forward."

"Dead, Sir," said Amelia. "We know the identity of his heir. I will have someone summon him."

"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Summon the heir."

Amelia again gave a nod and flipped open her communicator and said a few words.

Harry waited for her to finish her call before telling her the Crabbes were ready.

"Sir Kingston," she went on to say, having turned back to the Royal Wizard, "we have the Head and Regent of the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe now with us."

"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Head step forward."

As Vincent, still a little terrified, was brought forward with a word of encouragement from Amelia - she didn't hold the children of Death Eaters responsible for the actions of their parents - Gregory Goyle, and someone who appeared to be his mother, were brought in onto the floor together.

"Adeline?" asked Gregory's mother of Vincent's mother, "What's going on?"

Adeline indicated Harry, who said, "The Wizengamot has been disbanded by Her Majesty and a new Parliament is being formed in its stead. Gregory and you have been called due to your House's noble status. Please, watch what Vincent and his mother do and I'll explain."

Vincent stepped up to the orb and placed his right hand upon it. He read from the parchment Amelia held for him, "I, Vincent Regulus Crabbe, Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe, swear allegiance to the Crown and name my Regent, my mother, Adeline Devyna Crabbe, until such time as I am ready to take up my seat in my own right within these chambers. So mote it be!"

The orb flashed and the light gong sounded.

Sir Kingston called out, "Regent for the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe, please come forward."

Harry quickly gave the same explanations as he did to Vincent and Adeline as they were waiting. And provided the same counsel. Madam Goyle and Gregory made the same decision.

With her hand on the orb, Adeline recited, "I, Adeline Devyna Crabbe, Regent for the Noble and Ancient House of Crabbe, swear allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"

The orb flashed and the light gong sounded.

Madam Crabbe was then invited up into the tiers to take a seat. Harry suggested to Vincent he take a seat in the visitors' gallery to watch history being made, which he did. As Regent for the seat, Adeline's crest was surrounded by a red border.

As the Goyles were about to step forward Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy and his mother entered with the auror sent to fetch them.

Another auror came hurrying in unattended. He hurried across to Amelia and whispered in her ear. Amelia frowned and nodded.

Harry called the Malfoys and Pansy across to join him against the back and under the tiers of the visitors' gallery.

Just as Draco frowned at Harry and was about to say something, Amelia had stepped forward to the orb, halting Gregory from placing his hand on it. Harry used the opportunity to call Sirius down. He hoped, at least, Narcissa would listen to him even if Draco wouldn't.

"Sir, Kingston," she called. "One of our aurors has returned from Saint Mungo'swhere they went in search of Lord Tyler Stebbins. According to his healers it appears Lord Tyler Stebbins is permanently unable to fulfil his duties on this body."

"I see," responded Sir Kingston. "In that case, summon his heir."

Amelia nodded and sent the same auror scurrying off after she gave him whispered instructions. Then she called Gregory forward again.

As Gregory and his mother gave the same oaths as the Crabbes, Harry said to Pansy and Draco, "You may not like me, Mister Malfoy, Miss Parkinson; however, I am duty bound to provide you wise counsel and advice. I have also asked Lord Black, here..." indicating Sirius, "... to join us so he may also offer his counsel. Try to listen before you decide to hurl abuse, okay?"

Again, Draco was about to say something; but, before he could, his mother growled, "Draco!"

She said to Harry and Sirius in turn, "Lord Slytherin, Lord Black, we welcome your counsel."

Another auror entered with a rather pug-faced and stern woman, who appeared furious. Harry immediately guessed she had to be Pansy's mother, Madam Parkinson, and gestured for her to join them.

Once she had, Harry went on to describe what was happening and why. He could see Draco was decidedly unhappy but at least the boy kept his mouth shut. Pansy just whined about how it was so unfair.

Sirius also reiterated Harry's counsel and supported it. He added, "You can always take the Lordship - or Ladyship in your case, Miss Parkinson - at any time afterwards. You are no longer restricted to the seventeenth birthday age limit. However, I also recommend you name your mothers as regents until you have had time to discuss it further."

"Thank you, both, for your counsel," said Narcissa. "I shall discuss it with Draco, Albrechta and Pansy." Narcissa dragged the boy a little apart with Madam Parkinson and Pansy joining them. Harry and Sirius backed off to leave them to it. They were soon in a bit of a quiet but heated argument.

Sirius returned to his seat.

"Is there a problem, Lady Chief Justice? Lord Slytherin?" asked Sir Kingston looking down on them.

"It's just a finalising of decisions, Sir," replied Amelia. "If you would give us a few moments, we should have it resolved."

"Very well," he replied before turning to have a quiet conversation with Neville.

Neville, who had kept looking at his father with expressions of both concern and pleasure, was talking with both Sir Kingston and Susan. Lord Longbottom was happily in a discussion with Lord Greengrass and Sirius, who had returned to his seat. However, he still looked a little pale. Harry knew his convalescence would be a slow process.

Madam Parkinson came forward to Harry with Pansy. "We'll be taking the same option as the Crabbes and Goyles, Lord Slytherin," she said.

Harry also noticed the now ex-Lord, Mulciber, leaning over the rail from the visitors' gallery and talking with Narcissa.

Harry respectfully nodded to the Parkinson matriarch and said, "Yes, Madam Parkinson." He turned to Amelia and didn't see the expression of surprise on the older woman's face as he addressed her with respect.

"Lady Chief Justice?" called Harry. "Miss Parkinson will be taking the same option as Messers Crabbe and Goyle, establishing her mother as regent for her House."

Amelia nodded and brought Pansy forward to the orb.

Harry left her and her mother to say their oaths while he kept an eye on the Malfoys and Mulciber. Mulciber seemed to be angrily remonstrating with Narcissa, who was looking back in defiance.

He walked over and asked her, "Is there a problem, Madam Malfoy... cousin?"

Mulciber glared at Harry for a few moments before pulling his head back over the rail.

"No, Lord Slytherin," she replied with a slight look of gratefulness back at Harry. "It seem Lor... sorry, Mister Mulciber, is angry with having his Lordship stripped from him."

Harry, throwing the man a bone without seeming to, said, "Well, if Mister Mulciber can convince his son to name him his regent he will regain much of his power. However, if he still refuses to give the oath then his regency will be denied. And, his son will be asked to take up the Lordship himself or name another regent. It's up to him, of course."

Mulciber was clearly listening and sat back with a thoughtful frown.

Narcissa could clearly see what effect Harry's words had on the man, and why he said it.

"And", he asked, "have you made your decision?"

Narcissa nodded while Draco continued to scowl.

She looked down at her son and said, "Yes. Draco will be offering me the regency as his friends have offered their mothers before him."

Draco just scowled even further and muttered under his breath.

"A very wise decision, Mister Malfoy," Harry said to him with kindness and resolve. "Give yourself the time to complete your studies so you can dedicate your time primarily to that goal. This new Magical Parliament are going to be made to work very hard over long hours for quite some time to come. Your studies would have suffered."

As Madam Goyle walked up into the tiers of the new Parliament, Harry said to Amelia, "We're ready for the House of Malfoy. Mister Malfoy will be taking the same option."

Amelia nodded, turned towards Sir Kingston and called, "Sir Kingston, we have the Head and Regent of the Magical House of Malfoy now with us."

"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Have the Head of the Magical House of Malfoy come forward."

Amelia helped Draco through his oath. Draco then backed away and Narcissa stepped forward. She gave the Regent's oath.

As she was about to walked forward, Sir Kingston said, "Let it now be known the Magical House of Malfoy is now the Noble and Magical House of Malfoy. Come forward Madam Narcissa Malfoy, Regent for the Noble and Magical House of Malfoy, and be seated among your peers."

Both her and Draco looked back at the man in shock. But Narcissa continued to ascend.

Harry, looked at Draco and said, "Surprise! Go take a seat in the visitors' gallery, Draco. We won't be too much longer today."

Draco, still in shock, took a seat in the gallery.

While he was guiding Draco up the stairs, a boy only a year his physical senior was brought in by an auror. As with those before him, he looked a little terrified, but was putting on a brave face. Harry recognised him immediately.

He looked at the tiers where the Wizengamot once sat and frowned. His father came down from the visitors' gallery and began to urgently whisper to him before he could even say hello.

The boy first looked happy to see his father, then a little shocked by what he was being told, then he frowned, then he looked... resolute.

He pulled slightly away from his father and frowned back at him. Then he said something quietly back and saw his father looked shocked, then angry.

Harry used the time to walk over and said to the boy, "Mister Mulciber?"

The older Mulciber glared at Harry. Harry just ignored him.

"Yes, My Lord," said the young Mister Mulciber, as he squared his shoulders and walked apart from his father. Away from the man he frowned back at him for a moment before turning his attention to Harry.

"What is going on?" the boy asked. "And why is my father telling me I must hand him back the Lordship of our House?"

Harry quietly explained to the young man about how the Queen had disbanded the Wizengamot, demanded the formation of a parliament in its place, and that each Lord or Lady who were offered a seat in the new Magical Parliament were required to swear an oath. He explained how his father refused to give the oath so the Royal Wizard of Her Majesty's court... Harry indicated the man... stripped his father of both his Lordship and his Head of House position.

"That's something both magic and the crown recognises he has the right to do," said Harry.

Harry then went on to detail how the boy's father refused to name his heir to take his place, so it was done for him. And he laid out how Caleb was, as the heir, now the Head of House Mulciber.

Then Harry laid out for the boy his options same as presented to Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson and Malfoy. And their decisions.

The boy stood there hearing it all without asking a single question. Once Harry had finished, he asked, "Do I have to name a regent?"

"No."

"If I name a regent, does it have to be my father?"

"No. But, as that person would have access to the entire family financial estate, it should be someone you implicitly trust."

"And, if I take up the Lordship and name a proxy?"

"Then you become Lord Mulciber, you will be automatically emancipated, and have the full responsibilities of a legal adult. At that time you can also name a proxy in your stead. However, you will need to renew their proxy status once per year by attending the chamber. And the proxy cannot be an existing Lord, Regent or Proxy for another."

"If I name a regent, does that block me from becoming Lord until I'm seventeen?"

"No. You can inform your regent, at any time, you are taking up your Lordship. They cannot refuse you, as you are the rightful Lord."

"Can my father stop this?"

"Definitely not. He is now a vassal of your House, unless you decide to kick him out," said Harry. "However, there is nothing to stop you from naming him your heir. But, he needs to know he still won't be able to take up a Seat, when the time comes, until he gives the oath."

"What does the oath state?"

Harry quoted it for him.

"That's it? Why the bloody hell did my father refuse to give it?"

"That is not for me to know. Nor, do I need to know. You will need to ask him, yourself."

"Thank you, My Lord," said Caleb. "I believe I know what to do, now."

"You're welcome, Mister Mulciber," replied Harry.

The young man walked back to where his father was standing and, with his arms crossed, said a few words to his father. The senior Mulciber appeared quite livid. It appeared, at one point, the senior Mulciber was going to strike the junior. An auror even stepped forward and said a quiet word.

Caleb came back to Harry and told him with a scowl, "My father attempted to force me to name him my heir, and then immediately step down as Lord."

"Clever," said Harry. "But he would still had to have given the oath. Otherwise, it would be removed from him again."

"I figured as much," replied the young man. "That's why I told him I may name him my heir, but I was not going to step down. He had his chance and blew it."

"As you wish, Mister Mulciber," replied Harry, not surprised. "If you have now made your decision you need to go see Lady Chief Justice Bones. She will guide you through what you need to do."

Caleb listened to what Amelia told him, then told her what he was doing. He then gave the oath naming his mother as his regent.

His father ranted at him from the visitors' gallery. The aurors quickly moved to usher him out of the chamber.

Caleb, however, didn't move either. He called out, "Sir! May I name my heir at this time?"

Everyone stopped. Even Amelia was surprised at this turn of events.

Sir Kingston said warily, "You may, Mister Mulciber."

Caleb asked a question of Amelia and then turned back to the front. He laid his hand back on the orb and said, "I, Caleb Bevis Mulciber, name as my heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber, Lord Harry James Potter. So mote it be!"

The orb flashed and gonged while there was another flash on Harry's finger. Cycling through them he saw the heirs ring for the House of Mulciber on his finger.

Bevis Mulciber ranted even more and was quickly ushered out of the room. Sirius was roaring with laughter, even both Cygnus and Frank were laughing. Neville looked to be having a fit of giggles, as was Susan and Hermione.

As Caleb stepped away from the orb, Harry approached him.

"Why?" asked Harry.

Caleb smiled back and said, "It protects me from my father having me killed. His behaviour up there clearly shows he was more than considering it. Now, if he wants the Lordship back, he's going to have to go through you too, Mister Destroyer-of-the-Dark-Lord."

Harry just shook his head in denial of the shock of it.

Caleb laid his hand on Harry's shoulder and, still smiling, said, "Congratulations, Scion and Heir of the Noble and Ancient House of Mulciber."

His mother was even more quickly summoned than Mulciber senior getting tossed out. Amelia wanted an auror at the Mulciber residence before Mulciber senior could get there.

Harry suggested to the young man he join Draco and the others in the visitors' gallery to witness what was going on.

Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Bones, please come forward to take your oath for the House of Bones."

Susan rose from her seat and made her way down to the orb. She placed her hand upon the orb and said, "I, Susan Charity Bones, Lady and Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Bones, name as my Proxy for the House of Bones, my aunt, Madam Amelia Susan Bones. So mote it be!"

Another flash of the orb and gong sound.

"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Named Proxy for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Bones, come forward and give the oath."

Amelia stepped up while Susan held the parchment for her.

"Madam Bones," asked the Royal Wizard, "you are aware you can only occupy one seat each sitting? And that you may only vote while you occupy the seat of Bones, and not sitting as Lady Chief Justice?"

"Yes, Sir; I am," replied Amelia.

"Very, well. You may give the proxy oath."

Susan, again, held up the parchment for the aunt to read.

"I, Amelia Susan Bones, named proxy for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Bones, swear allegiance to the Crown and on my honour and my seat, to faithfully obey the law and vote my conscience within these chambers. So mote it be!"

Another flash of the orb and gong sound.

Susan handed the parchment back to Amelia and walked back up to take her seat.

Sir Kingston called out, "The Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, please come forward to take your oath for the House of Potter."

Harry walked over to the orb, placed his hand upon it, and said, "I, Harry James Potter, Lord and Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, name as my Proxy for the House of Potter, my cousin, Miss Nymphadora Tonks. So mote it be!"

Another flash of the orb and gong sound.

"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "Named Proxy for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, come forward and give the oath."

Amelia stepped up and said, "Miss Tonks is a Seventh Year Hufflepuff at Hogwarts; she will need to be summoned."

Sir Kingston frowned and said, "Lord Potter, do you require your proxy to take your seat for the House of Potter at this time?"

"No, Sir!" replied Harry.

"Very well," said Kingston, before turning to look at Amelia. "Lady Chief Justice, do we still await the arrival of any Heads, Lords or Ladies, Regents or Proxies of Noble Houses?"

"Yes, Sir," she replied. "We await Madam Mulciber only."

Just as she said it, an auror walked in with Madam Mulciber in tow.

"Ah!" said Amelia. "A few moments, please, Sir Kingston."

He gave her a nod and waited.

Caleb called the woman over. The two spoke quietly together for a few moment. At one points she reeled back in surprise. But, Caleb spoke to her for a while and her face became a grim mask. She then gave a short sharp curt nod.

Caleb ushered her over to Amelia while he held back.

She, Lisanda Maerth Mulciber, gave the oath as regent for the House of Mulciber. She was invited to and ascended the stairs.

Harry saw Caleb nod in satisfaction.

Sir Kingston then asked Amelia. "Lady Chief Justice, do we still await the arrival of any other Heads, Lords or Ladies, Regents or Proxies of Noble Houses?"

"No, Sir," she replied.

"Very well," said Sir Kingston. "At this time I ask our guests to please wait outside. We will not be long, so you may wait just outside the chambers. Aurors, please clear the visitors' gallery and others from the floor. Only Senior Auror and up may remain of the aurors. Lord Slytherin, Lady Chief Justice, please take your seats."

After a bit of grumbling from those who wanted to stay and watch everyone bar those seated in the new Magical Parliament, plus the Scribe and three aurors, the doors were sealed.

Sir Kingston then said, "Lords, Ladies, Madams and Sirs, this officially ends the first sitting of the formation of the new Magical Parliament of the magical United Kingdom. As you can see, there are a number of empty seats to my left. These will be filled as we find new Lords or Ladies, or their Regents or Proxies, to fill them.

"By order of Her Majesty, if an heir cannot be found for a House, then that House will be struck from the books. We will not see this chamber filled by people claiming proxies for Houses whose entire lines have actually ended. However, arrangements have been made with the Goblin Nation for any and all who are willing to pay the associated costs to undertake the Rite of Inheritance."

That brought a few mutterings from the few in the room.

He continued, "Her Majesty is very interested in finding those who do not realise they have inheritance due them; and ensuring they get them. I assure you, the goblins are just as interested, as they believe unclaimed inheritances are simply gold gathering dust and occupying space that could be used to earn monies for them.

"Lord Potter and Lord Black, as majority shareholders in the Daily Prophet, have assured us they will ensure space will be granted us for the inclusion of a notice informing the people of magical Britain we are seeking the rightful heirs of a wide number of Houses. And that many of those Houses may be due a seat on this body."

That brought even more grumblings.

"If someone is the true heir it is theirs by right and they will have it!" snapped the Royal Wizard. "This is the command of your Sovereign."

And that halted the mutterings.

"The second and final item I have for you is a delicate one," he said. "Scribe, this will not be entered into the official record. This will not be discussed by anyone, or communicated to any other person in any form. This includes all those present."

Weatherby looked up for a moment, and then shut the auto-quill down. Once he was ready he nodded back.

Sir Kingston waited on the signal from the scribe and said, "Earlier this morning, by order of Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Head of the Royal and Elder House of Windsor, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth... Mister Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was taken to the Veil of Death in the Department of Mysteries, here, in the Ministry. There, he was read the Order of Execution lawfully signed by Her Majesty. He was then executed by being summarily thrown through the Veil of Death. His execution was dutifully witnessed by Lady Chief Justice, two of her aurors, and two Unspeakables."

That caused a few shocked exclamations.

He continued, "I now call this First meeting of the Magical Parliament of the magical United Kingdom to a close."

*Gong!*

# # #

Harry asked Sir Kingston to join him in the chamber's antechamber. He needed to know how the man's attitude had changed so much from the man he'd first met back in early July.

"Sir Kingston," said Harry, carefully considering his words. "I need to know how it is you've managed to change so much in the past few weeks. The man I met in the palace in early July is not the man I see standing before me today."

The older man stood looking intently at Harry for a long for moments clearly thinking. When, to Harry, it appeared he'd come to a decision, he said, "Until that day, My Lord Slytherin, I thought my job to be - in the vernacular of the common folk - quite 'cushy'. I believed it to be no more than monitoring and maintaining the existing wards about the palace; and to answer for Her Majesty specific questions about the wizarding world. A job description, as explained to me by my predecessor.

"Then you came before the Queen and explained to her about sedition within the magical world. Information I should have both been aware of, and provided her, long before you arrived. Yet, I did not.

"The shock of learning from you that sedition was occurring and that I was unaware of it; that day, in the presence of our Queen, I suffered a mild heart attack."

Harry interrupted and said, "I'm sorry to hear that, Sir Kingston. Are you alright now, though?"

The older man made a throw away gesture and said, "It was what it was. It was a warning."

Continuing he said, "Later that day, while still resting in the palace hospital, I received a note from His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, inviting me to morning tea the next day. One does not ignore such an invitation.

"The next morning, and against doctor's orders, I met with the Prince in his private apartments. It was just the two of us.

"During that meeting he told me a few cold hard truths. And, about the nicest thing he said to me was... and I remember it vividly... 'You have let down the realm, you have let down your country, you have let down yourself; but, worst of all, you have let down my Mum'.

"Instead of heading home to further rest up, I headed for the palace records office. There, I researched deeply into the role of Royal Wizard, and what it meant. I had to go back over two hundred years before I finally discovered just what my role was supposed to entail.

"Then, incognito, I visited Diagon Alley, the Ministry, and other wizarding towns and communities. I spoke to a great many people. At the Ministry I visited the records office there and had to go back almost four hundred years before I found records concerning the role of the Royal Wizard.

"From it all, I learned a number of things. First, I am too old to truly be effective in my role; it is a younger man's role. Secondly, it is my primary role to protect Her Majesty and the Royal Family from magical attacks; be they, spell fire, potion, physical, or mental. And, third, to be aware at all times of the... temperature... of the wizarding world within the United Kingdom, so I may provide Her Majesty wise counsel.

"That is why I am currently training my son, my apprentice, to take over as Royal Wizard from me as soon as possible. Instead of learning things such as how to make the perfect cup of tea, he is undergoing training in how to wield a sword, how to detect harmful magic in an as unobtrusive manner as possible, to instinctually place himself between the Queen and a magical threat - as a true knight of the realm should - at all times, and know how to carry out the role with the dignity and etiquette the role demands.

"I may have failed my Queen once, for that I even offered my immediate resignation - which was refused, by the way - but, so help me God, I will not fail her again. I would rather forfeit my own life before allowing that to happen a second time.

"It took you, an eleven year old boy, to shake me out of my stupidity and phlegmatic attitude to my responsibility. It hurt, but it also opened my eyes. And I thank you for that."

Harry heard the man's clearly passionate speech, and let him complete it without further interruption.

Once he was done, Harry said, "Then, Sir Knight to Her Majesty, the Queen, Royal Wizard, I welcome you as friend and comrade," and held out his hand to shake. "I look forward to working with you."

Sir Kingston shook Harry's hand and smiled. "For as long as that may be," the man said.