A quick glance between the two and Wendell said, "We have no plans to the contrary, Harry. Do as you need."
"Thank you," he sighed in relief.
Ten minutes later and after a quick change into wizarding casual, the two were about to head out to the Doghouse when they were stopped by one of the aurors, who was waiting at the back door for them with a frown on his face.
One glance at the man and Harry sighed. "My apologies, Auror Brightwater. As it's Christmas Day and I'm only going via floo direct to the homes of my fellow Heirs of the Alliance, I did not think to bother the aurors with this."
"That's not your decision, Lord Potter," he grumped.
With a second sigh, Harry replied, "Very well. I hope it'll just be you accompanying us, then?"
"Nope," the man smirked. "Trainee Auror Creston will be waiting for us out in the Doghouse."
'Creston,' Harry thought. 'Why does that name ring bells?'
Though he did not realise it for quite some time, Creston was also the House name of the Chair-wizard of the School Board. It was Auror Creston's father.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The first stop for the two was, of course, the Longbottoms as partner House.
Harry had no sooner stuck his head in the flames once the call connected, when Alice looked at him and demanded, "What do you think you're doing just fire-calling us, godson? Get over here!"
This time the order was Brightwater, Harry, Hermione and the auror that was actually waiting for them in the Doghouse, Trainee Auror Creston.
About his leaving gifts for them, Alice somewhat told him off. "Harry; you had us return to our son, giving him the greatest gift I think he could have wanted―"
"It was," Neville cut in.
"... Went above and beyond for our House," she continued, "And you still felt the need to give us gifts for Christmas?"
"Well... yes," he sheepishly replied. "That was all House Potter for House Longbottom. This is Harry and Hermione for Frank, Alice and Neville."
Before Alice could tell him off again, Frank cut in and said, "Completely unnecessary, Harry. But, appreciated."
A few moments later, with Neville practically smirking at him, the Longbottoms gave quite the expensive, but clearly heartfelt, gifts back.
Frank presented to him an authentic copy of the Potter Family tapestry that self-updated, plus a hand drawn artistic rendering of it on a long roll of parchment. Harry was so moved by the gifts he was speechless, and it was left to Hermione to thank them on his behalf.
From the expressions on their faces it was easy to tell they knew they'd done very right by him in their choice of gifts.
A third gift was yet another photo album full of photographs of his parents and their time at Hogwarts. Only a few were a match for the ones in the album Hagrid had given him a couple years earlier.
Hermione received a small enameled pin she was to wear on her lapel, or where a lapel would be if the outfit did not have one, when in public or at official functions. "It shows you have the favour of House Longbottom," explained Alice. "This is our way of stating to one and all who meet you, that you also now fall under the protection of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom."
Harry smiled and said, "You now fall under the protection of three of the Seven, Hermione. One would be led to think you were were trying to collect the set!"
As the Longbottoms laughed, Hermione blushed and lightly hit him on the arm. But her smile showed she was pleased.
Frank also urged him to hurry up and go to the Potter manor, Pottermore. "If the family Grimoire wasn't in the family vaults at Gringotts, that's where it'll be."
Harry promised he'd go first chance he got after Christmas.
"Well, not on Sunday afternoon," suggested Frank. "I'm calling for an Alliance meeting on that day. I'm hosting it here and you'll need to attend."
He then looked to Hermione and said, "You, too, little Lady Presumptive. As the Heads meet you'll also need to meet the spouses. Through them they'll be able to teach you how to be the Lady of a Noble House."
"Yes, Sir," Hermione immediately responded.
"Frank," he corrected.
"Frank," she nodded.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After calling for Dobby to take the gifts they received from the Longbottoms back to the Granger residence, Harry floo-called the Boneses to see if they were up to a quick visit.
Susan was fast to reply in the affirmative.
Having quickly recovered his emotional equilibrium from the gifts given to him by the Longbottoms, Harry was able to calm down again and greet both Susan and Amelia with some level of relaxed aplomb.
At least this time their gifts weren't as 'emotionally destabilising' as those he received from the Longbottoms. But, Amelia was demanding to know how he managed to get his gifts for them under their tree.
He smiled and said, "I asked Dobby to deliver them."
That had the older witch give an almost pained look back.
She thought, 'Yet another bloody security hole. The mischief someone could get up to―' And quietly sighed.
Then it was on to the Greengrasses, then the Davises.
Because they were quick through the first four, Harry made the snap decision to visit the last two Noble Houses, Ogden and Marchbanks.
Surprised to have been contacted by Harry on Christmas Day, Miles and Hedda Ogden still welcomed Harry to their home and were just as quick to welcome and congratulate Hermione on the betrothal.
"I know we have an Alliance-wide meeting on Sunday afternoon, but... as it's Christmas Day... I was hoping you wouldn't be put out for an informal visit," explained Harry. "Besides, I felt it more appropriate to meet you on such a day in such a setting than just being confronted by me for the first time on Sunday."
Ogden hesitated for a long moment before he gave a self-deprecating grunt and said, "I had thought you'd be... eager... for the light to be on you on the day. I can now see I was wrong."
Harry smiled back and said, "Thank you for your honesty, Lord Ogden. However, I can easily see how you'd come to that conclusion. The Daily Prophet has a... shall we say... somewhat informal relationship with the truth."
Ogden gave a start of surprise before he suddenly let forth a great belly laugh. After many seconds of trying to get his laughter under control, he finally managed to gasp, "'A somewhat informal relationship with the truth'?! Bah hahahaha!"
While he continued to laugh, Hedda had finally had enough, gave a sigh while rolling her eyes and stepped forward, but not to Harry, rather Hermione. "Hello, dear. Formally, I'm Lady Hedda Ogden of the Noble and Ancient House of Ogden and daughter of the Elder House of Bancroft. However, you can call me Hedda."
Hermione was quick to respond, "Hermione; please. I... don't know how to properly respond to... this."
Hedda smirked back and said, "Nobody would, dear." Then, to Hermione's shock, she stepped closer and wrapped the girl in a hug. "Welcome to the Alliance."
.
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF with more than 400 chapters, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/sosukeaizen123🎉