Yuletide Blessing

Lord

They left the bank with a bottomless money-bag each, connected to their vaults and keyed personally to them. Hermione decided to postpone a visit to her vaults and give Sharptooth the task of handling her accounts.

They bought some new dress robes of highest quality and some for daily use. They also bought new trunks to hold their new wardrobes. These trunks were of the multi-level variety and were charmed to shrink on command to pocket size. Hermione couldn't leave Diagon Alley without buying a few books as well. She bought books about ancient family lines and about highest-class etiquette. These were also stored in her new trunk.

The Grangers knew better than to ask too many questions during lunch, although they noticed both youngsters looked more pensive than usual. Harry was glad to get his new eyeglasses and even gladder of the contact lenses.

"How would you feel without your glasses?" Hermione asked.

"Quite odd, I think."

"Then, I think you should buy a dummy pair to wear when you're using contacts. It will help you feel better and in case of danger, may confuse your enemy."

Harry admitted it was a wise advice and acted accordingly.

"Would you like to see a movie, or maybe go to a theatre?" Dave asked as they finished the meal.

"Can you really buy tickets now, so close to the performance?" Hermione asked.

"I've checked, and there are some tickets still available. People seem too busy with the holidays to attend many performances."

"I've never been to the theatre, nor to a cinema," Harry said.

"It looks like we can correct at least one of these problems," Dave smiled. He pointed at a large store nearby. "You may wait for me here. I'll buy tickets for whatever seems best."

They bought almost nothing there. Both youngsters were still thinking of their newly found positions and Jean spent most of the time watching them with concern. She felt something important had happened, but it was neither the time nor the place to discuss it.

"I've found tickets for 'My Fair Lady' matinée," Dave announced as he rejoined them. "It begins in less than two hours, so we should start walking there. I know there's a nice café nearby, where we can warm up a bit once we reach the place."

It wasn't too distant, yet it was cold and some snow flakes drifted in the cold wind, pricking their faces. They were all thankful to enter the café, just opposite the theatre entrance, and drink some hot tea, for the adults, or hot chocolate. Once served, Harry cast a privacy charm, allowing them to speak a bit freely.

"So, what have you done today?" Jean asked.

"My account manager suggested that Hermione do an inheritance test," Harry said.

"And?..."

"It looks like I have some very distinguished magical ancestors," Hermione said, blushing lightly. "I'm the only known magical descendant of Helga Hufflepuff, and as such, heir to an ancient vault and entitled to be called Lady Hufflepuff. It also gives me some political power and part ownership of Hogwarts, complementing Harry."

"That sounds very impressive. Is it really of any importance?"

It was Harry who answered this time. "We two have complete ownership of the school, so we can hire and fire any teacher, even the headmaster. We no longer need the board of governors, if we don't like it, or we may assign any person of our choice, if we decide to let it continue. We can also assume control of quite a few Wizengamot seats, giving us almost complete control of the magical government, if we choose so. Currently, we've decided to only let my Potter lordship known. We still need to think when and how to make the rest known."

"A very wise decision," Dave agreed. He looked at his watch. "Well, I suggest you finish your drinks and let's go to the theatre!"

It was a very pleasant evening in the theatre. The story and the music were captivating, and the performers did an excellent job. Harry felt it was quite a magical experience, although no magic was used. Being able to hug Hermione tightly for the duration of the show was also a very positive point.

It was relatively early when they exited the theatre, returning to the cold weather. Luckily, the parking lot was close enough and walking briskly warmed them quite a bit. Still they were thankful when the car heating started working.

"Do you want to stop for dinner on our way?" Dave asked.

"No, Dad. I'd rather be home sooner. It has been an exhausting day for me."

"Of course, honey. I'm sure your mum will find something in the fridge to make a decent supper."

"I can also help," Harry commented, yet nobody seemed to care.

The Grangers had to go to their clinic the next day, leaving the teens alone.

"Harry, we need to decide what to do about your position and about all the rest of our titles," Hermione told him.

All Harry wanted was really to cuddle with Hermione in front of the fire and maybe watch some silly TV programs, yet he knew she was right. He had to decide how to act, now that he got his lordship. He was also concerned about whom they could trust. He knew he could trust Hermione. He wasn't sure about Ron, though, and he had severe doubts about Dumbledore, which really unsettled him. Dumbledore had been his idol, his anchor and his trusted mentor. Now he seriously doubted if he could trust Dumbledore with anything. The bonds on his and Hermione's magic were very unsettling, to say the least, and keeping his position and his wealth secret from him made Harry worried about what other secrets Dumbledore was holding. He would have not hesitated to ask Dumbledore about the black smoke coming out of his scar only a few months earlier, yet the tournament and what he had found at Gringotts made him change his mind. He could not honestly say that he trusted Dumbledore with anything at the moment.

"I think I should let my position be known. Dumbledore will surely try to send me back to the Dursleys 'for my protection'. I need to be able to refuse him. Just being emancipated may not suffice."

"That's true, but once you're known as a lord, there are some privileges which you may demand." There was a bit of mischief in her voice which puzzled Harry.

"What do you mean?"

Her mischief was now evident. "I've read in Hog..."

"Hogwarts, a History, isn't it?"

She mock pouted. "Well, yes, in that book. It says that there are special accommodations for the Lords and they can also leave the school freely for their different businesses. They are only required to do their homework and pass their tests. You can ask for an apartment all your own, where you can entertain your friends and allies and even have overnight visitors of any gender." She blushed a bit at the last sentence.

"So, I can be out of Dumbledore's control and do as I please. I just have to study and pass my tests. I can even invite girls to sleep with me?" He tried teasing her, but blushed terribly. The only girl he could think of sharing a bed with was Hermione, yet it was too early to tell her.

"Yes, you can, but I think you should refrain from anything that would attract too much attention, like leaving the school unnecessarily or inviting people to your apartment just because you can. Declaring your position is certain to attract more attention than you like."

Harry thought for a moment. "That's true, but if the coming tasks are too dangerous, I may have to pull my authority and prevent them, I think."

"More dangerous than facing dragons? I doubt that."

"We still don't know what the second task may be," he reminded her.

"True. That's one thing we must do as soon as we're back."

"Hermione – it's my task. You don't need to help me."

"Whatever concerns you, concerns me just the same. That's what friends are for."

Harry smiled. "The more I'm with you, the more I want to stay with you. I think that's more than just friends."

She blushed and looked down. "I hope so."

They spent most of the day just lazing around, watching some TV and reading. With Hermione reading at his side, Harry found that he quite liked reading, and she insisted that he read a book about etiquette. "As a Lord, you are expected to behave in certain ways. Failing to act properly may undermine your political position and that would be counter-productive."

Reading about the ancient families and how they had interacted throughout the ages was also very enlightening. It also made some parts in his parents' letter clearer.

The Gangers returned home in the early afternoon, glad to find a warm house. There was somebody at the door shortly later. Hermione went to open it.

"Good afternoon, professor. We weren't expecting you," she said, seeing Dumbledore at the door.

"Do you know where Mr. Potter is?" he asked, sounding worried.

"Why, Lord Potter is staying here for the vacation."

He seemed to ignore the "Lord" part. "It is of utmost importance that he comes with me. May I see him?"

"Just a moment. I'll ask Lord Potter if he can see you now." The emphasis was very clear, making Dumbledore wonder what she knew, and more importantly, what the boy knew. Having taken his lordship was not welcome news right now.

Hermione returned. "Lord Potter will see you now. Please come in."

Harry was sitting on the couch, wearing some of his new clothes. Although casual, even Dumbledore could see they were new and of highest quality. These were certainly not Dudley's hand-me-down.

"To what do I owe this unexpected visit, Headmaster?" Harry asked, sounding quite formal.

"Well, my boy, I've not been aware that you've left the school for the holidays. Once I found out, I assumed you were with your family. I was greatly worried when I was informed you were not there. Care to explain?"

Harry didn't like the tone this was said in. "Mr. Dumbledore, as you are no longer my guardian, I have nothing to explain to you. Actually, I'd like to know why you ignored my parents' will and didn't act to emancipate me at twelve. Why did you keep my financial and political positions secret from me? Why did you force me to live with my so-called relatives when my parents explicitly forbade it? And, as this is a formal discussion, I'd rather be addressed as 'Lord Potter'."

Dumbledore cringed internally. The situation seemed to be worse than he had expected just moments earlier. The brat had already learned all that he could about his inheritance and seemed to have learned some etiquette as well. This didn't go well with his own plans.

"Lord Potter, your mother's sacrifice invoked some ancient magic which protects you as long as you live with your blood relatives. This is why..."

"Bullshit! If a Death-Eater came knocking at the door, they would have gladly given me and even thanked him for ridding them of the burden. I'm much safer far away from them. Had you checked on them before leaving me on their door-step, you would have known."

The headmaster was not ready for such an assault. He tried continuing the same line, though. "Still, the blood wards protected you from..."

"No, they didn't protect me from abuse, starvation, beating and humiliation. If anything, they protected the Dursleys. I don't care if they are protected now or not, yet I may order the house warded, as I've found out it is my property and I don't want it to be damaged."

"But where will you live?" Dumbledore was genuinely interested to know.

"Oh, I have a few tens of possible locations. I may even consider buying or building a new place..."

Dumbledore tried thinking fast. It wasn't easy at his age. "Still, here you are protected the least. You should either come back to Hogwarts or stay with your relatives until the end of the vacation."

"And leave my friend vulnerable? I don't think so. I believe you can do some basic warding of this house right now and then I'll have the goblins ward it more securely tomorrow. Don't you think this is a better idea?"

Dumbledore's face showed his true opinion, yet he replied as he knew was expected. "Of course, Lord Potter. I'll do what I can. That should be enough for the remainder of your vacation."

Harry led the old man to the backyard, followed by Hermione, who was barely refraining from giggling. Dumbledore cast several protective wards which none of the youngsters recognized, yet Hermione made sure to remember them. She would soon buy a book on warding, she promised herself. Harry was also planning on studying some warding books from his vault. He already felt closer to the Grangers than he had ever felt to the Dursleys. He wanted them to be as protected as possible.

Hermione went back inside as soon as Dumbledore finished the warding. Harry still wanted some answers and once the warding was done, he asked Dumbledore for explanations, which the old man was unwilling to give, using "for the greater good" as his reason for acting that way. It annoyed Harry very much, yet he knew he would not get a straight answer unless he would use some force or a truth potion, none of which he could use at the moment.

"Why don't you drink some hot tea with us. The weather is really cold," Jean greeted him as they returned into the house.

Dumbledore was shivering lightly. "I'd really like some hot tea now," he agreed and followed into the kitchen, where Hermione was already sitting, sipping some hot chocolate with another cup ready for Harry at her side.

The conversation was light and meant nothing. Dumbledore tried finding out if the Grangers knew some more, but they seemed surprised even at hearing of Harry's emancipation. He didn't dare use legilimency with both teens watching attentively. Had he done that he would have found some impenetrable mind shields, courtesy of Hermione.