Chapter 84: The Grey Bank Ball

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A few weeks after Lord Grey’s visit to Egypt

British Ministry of Magic - London

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In Amelia Bone’s office, the deep navy of her dress robes made her already imposing figure stand out even more as she looked across the parchment-stacked desk at Tonks, who sat a little slouched in her chair, one leg casually crossed over the other.

Amelia folded her hands. “I’ve heard from Alister that you’re adapting well to your time as an Auror, Nymphadora. It’s good to have you with us.”

Tonks’ lips curved in a strained smile, withholding a wince. “Thanks, Madam Bones. Moody’s a good teacher.”

From the corner, where he was leaning against the wall like a grizzled gargoyle, Moody gave a low, gruff snort but didn’t comment. Amelia’s expression shifted slightly, her lips pressing together as she continued. “In all honesty, I invited you to accompany us to the opening of the Grey Bank because of your… connection with Lord Grey while he was still attending as a student. I hear that you two had duels and he taught you a thing or two.”

Tonks’ eyebrows rose, but she just shrugged. “Figured. Duels is a little generous though, it was more like he taught me how to last longer against him in a fight. But I did notice none of the other recruits from this year got invites.”

Nodding and getting down to business, Amelia leaned forward. “I’ll be trying to gain Lord Grey’s support in my bid to become the next Minister for Magic. I have no intention of forcing you into anything you’re not comfortable with, but… if you can help in any way, I would appreciate it.”

Tonks smirked, crossing her arms loosely over her chest. “About time someone got rid of that bowler hat–wearing ponce.” Her eyes widened slightly as she realised she’d spoken aloud, especially when Amelia’s brow arched in mild amusement. Quickly clearing her throat, she added, “Best thing would just be to stay as honest with him as you can. Straightforward. He seems to respect that.”

Amelia gave a short nod as she listened carefully, an action that seemed to unnerve the girl in front of her slightly, possibly due to a lack of being listened to with such attention from those above her station. “I’ve been advised something similar by others as well.”

From the corner, Moody’s magical eye swivelled between the two women, the faintest trace of a smirk tugging at his scarred mouth, like he heard an inside joke but didn’t want to interrupt.

Amelia’s gaze lingered on Tonks, weighing her words as the younger witch drummed her fingers lightly on the armrest. After a few moments of quiet, Tonks tilted her head in thought. “Actually… I remember the kid talking once about how there should be a school for people whose parents turned down the Hogwarts invite. You could maybe talk to him about something like that.”

Amelia’s brows lifted slightly. “He wants to create another Hogwarts? Was Hogwarts education simply not good enough for him? I could mention getting better professors… maybe school trips as well while I’m at it. I know trips are something Hogwarts hasn’t done in decades.”

Tonks gave a crooked grin, shaking her head. “Nah, not really like that. I mean, we could’ve done with a living History teacher and a Defence teacher who lasted more than a year, though having Dumbledore was great when he took the position mid-way through the year. But John wasn’t against Hogwarts itself. More like… he didn’t like that some people just got missed, and no one ever followed up with them again.”

Amelia leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers as a low, noncommittal hum left her. “I see…”

The office was quiet for a beat, save for the faint ticking of the enchanted clock on the wall. Before they left to prepare for the evening’s ball, Amelia glanced at Tonks once more. “I hope you don’t hold it against me for bringing you along purely because of your connection to him.”

Tonks rolled her shoulders in a lazy shrug. “Not really. Actually, I learned from the kid that something like this might happen eventually. Politics’ll always be tied to security and all that. You should know politics isn’t his thing though, so when you guys talk, keeping it to the point would be best.”

From the corner, Moody gave a grunt that could have been a laugh or a growl. “Aye. And it’s a complete and utter piss-take.”

Amelia allowed herself the faintest smirk while she slowly shook her head at the man’s… expressive language. “He’s not wrong.”

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Malfoy Manor

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In a large drawing room, Narcissa made the final adjustments to her son’s dress robes, forgoing the use of magic and manually smoothing the fine fabric over his shoulders with her hands to add a more personal touch. Draco stood stiffly, trying to present a posture as perfect as his mother had drilled into him since he could walk, but the tension in his jaw and quick-beating heart betrayed him.

“Hold still,” Narcissa murmured, brushing an invisible speck from his lapel before stepping back to appraise him. He looked every inch the young heir she raised. Poised, immaculately dressed, if only barely hiding his utter restlessness.

She studied his face, the subtle crease between his brows, the way his eyes avoided hers. The more time went on, the more stress seemed to get to him, knowing the Dark Lord had his eye on him. With a quiet sigh, Narcissa cupped his cheeks, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Draco… just be yourself. Don’t force anything. Don’t be pushy. Everything will be alright.”

Draco swallowed, masking his worry just enough through a cool composure to be passable. Yet another behaviour he copied from his father. “And what if I can’t get into Grey’s inner circle? What if the Dark Lord isn’t pleased with my results?”

For the briefest moment, a shadow passed over Narcissa’s expression, one she quickly buried under the serene smile she reserved only for her son. She leaned in, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Your best will be enough. Remember that.”

Draco gave a small nod, though the unease never fully left his eyes. With his lack of skill in Occlumency, she knew it would be difficult to accomplish the task given to him by the Dark Lord. But she had thought of a plan for an eventuality of failure, of course. Any good mother would. Her son would survive, no matter what. No matter the side he ended up on.

But seeing how much the criminal underworlds had changed recently, with whispers of a new Dark Lord in the shadows that wasn’t Lord Voldemort, it was becoming more unclear which side would end up on top when the dust was cleared. It was looking like three possible victors, and one of them seemed completely nameless, possibly a concoction of the Grey faction’s combined efforts.

The fact that the secret Dark Lord was stopping Lucius’ plans was assumed to be some sort of spite for something Lord Voldemort had done in the past, but when no one came forth, the Dark Lord came to the conclusion that it was Dumbledore’s meddling. Well, after discarding Lord Grey’s influence due to his world tour being so publicised, that is.

As they walked together toward the fireplace, Narcissa paused on the threshold, glancing briefly over her shoulder at the Malfoy house elf, Dobby, who stood quietly in the corner, eyes wide and ears twitching. She said nothing. Merely gave him a single, meaningful look before stepping into the Floo alongside her son.

The moment they vanished in a swirl of green light, Dobby’s small frame seemed to straighten with purpose. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared with a pop and reappeared in the new and improved living room of Grimmauld Place, clutching a sealed envelope marked with Lord Sirius Black’s name. Like his mistress had said, the ward would most likely not affect him as long as he and the envelope aren’t there to cause harm.

He barely had time to raise the letter before the other house elf in the room, Kreacher, as his mistress had called him, yelled. “Intruder! Intruder in the House of black!”

Footsteps thundered against the floorboards from the other room, and in seconds, three wands were aimed squarely at him. Sirius, Harry, and Remus, all dressed in sleek black tuxedos with expressions shifting between confusion and readiness to hex. Dobby was glad they did not cast spells.

“Dobby!” Sirius barked, recognition flickering in his eyes. The wards had informed him of a House Elve’s arrival, and the fact that the wards didn’t just boot him indicated he meant no harm. But the yelling of a mad bat like Kreacher kicked in his instincts, and naturally, Remus and Harry tagged along. “What in Merlin’s name—”

Dobby quickly held the letter up in earnest. “Dobby is delivering this under orders of Mistress Malfoy.”

“Narcissa…” Sirius muttered through furrowed brows, stepping forward to take the letter but stopping just before touching it. Just to be on the safe side, he ordered, “Kreacher, check it for curses.”

He knew the ward would have booted it if it was cursed, but there was no fullproof ward. There was always some way to get through. That much he had learned the hard way. Kreacher grumbled and muttered under his breath, but obeyed, running gnarled fingers over the envelope before giving a reluctant grunt as he sneered. “No curses… Master Black.”

How Kreacher can be respectful while also somehow insulting him was a skill that had to be studied, but Sirius gave a dry huff before breaking the seal and unfolding the parchment. Sharp grey eyes scanned the contents with a frown that only deepened as he continued through the contents.

As Sirius scanned the parchment, Dobby shifted his gaze to the young man beside him. His bat-like ears perked up as his entire face lit up with awe. “Harry Potter, sir! What an honour, what a true honour it is to meet you!” He squeaked, clasping his hands tightly together. “Dobby has heard of your greatness for many years. Dobby has heard of Master Harry Potter sir’s bravery and your kindness!”

Harry felt his ears warming as the praise sat awkwardly on his shoulders. He managed a polite, “Er… thanks, Dobby,” before shooting Remus a helpless glance. Remus only shrugged while the corner of his mouth twitched in quiet amusement at the sight of Harry trying to fend off what was clearly a starstruck admirer. The deadpan look Harry sent his way was enough to push him over the edge, forcing him to cover his laugh with a few coughs.

As Sirius reached the end of the letter, he rolled it once in his hand and set it aflame with a flick of his wand without a word. The parchment curled to ash in seconds before it even reached the fireplace under Sirius’s magical influence. He pursed his lips, staring at the fire in silence for a stretch before speaking. “Message received. And… thank you, Dobby, for bringing it to me personally.”

Dobby bowed low, with his large eyes shining like a puppy. “Always happy to serve, Lord Black, sir!”

Before departing, the elf turned to Harry again, looking as though he might launch into another round of gushing, but the moment was cut short by Kreacher’s sudden urging. “Out, out!” the old elf snapped, flapping his hands in a shooing gesture. “The House of Black is busy, too busy for pests lingering!”

Dobby only looked irritated at being interrupted in his honouring of ‘Master Harry Potter, sir’ before vanishing with a pop. 

Shaking his head at the Malfoy elf’s behaviour and Kreachers' jealousy, Remus glanced at Sirius, noting the tightness in his expression. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Sirius waved the question away, already turning toward Harry. “Later.” He stopped in front of his godson, straightening the boy’s bow tie with exaggerated care, like a mother hen. Something Remus had no qualms about calling him whenever he got the chance. “You look dashing, Harry. Just like James. But remember, you’re too young to be having children, so keep an eye out for the ladies trying to manhandle you tonight.”

Harry turned his deadpan to his Godfather. “If anyone needs watching out for, it’s the ladies… from you.”

Sirius’s grin widened into something positively roguish. “Damn right, hehehe,” he said with satisfaction, nodding to himself, to which Remus rolled his eyes in long-suffering resignation.

“Alright, come on,” Remus looked toward the clock on the wall. “It’s about time we headed over to the Bank. We’re already nice and fashionably late.” The look he sent Sirius’ way at suggesting they be fashionably late went ignored as the smug man walked over to the Floo.

“Well, come on then,” Sirius said over his shoulder with his grin still in place. “We’re burning daylight. Enough wasting time on something like fashion and tardiness.” He shook his head in disappointment. “Whoever's idea it was to wait until now to leave needs to get their head checked.”

Harry, following behind him, added, ”It's evening, Sirius… and it was your idea.”

“...in that case, it was a brilliant idea to wait this long. Genius, in fact.”

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Littletree Town - The Grey Bank 

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The Floo flared emerald as the trio stepped out onto the polished marble of the Bank’s grand reception hall. Unlike the other attendees, they were one of the few who were granted access through the Floo, and the somewhat jealous looks they were getting had Sirius preening as they walked.

The place looked just as opulent as one would expect from a building aiming to compete with Gringotts, but unlike the money grubbers, it wasn’t completely goblin centric. The engraving and statues around the place were a mix of all magical creatures to such a degree that a person would only notice the favour of dragons, dwarves and humans if they looked long enough.

Enchanted crystal chandeliers bathed the space in warm light, using enchantments Sirius and Remus had never seen until today. They both came to the conclusion that it was an addition from Grey with a glance and just shrugged, being used to it by now.

Guests in fine dress robes and tailored suits moved through the room with glasses of champagne in hand, mingling with one another. Each ranging from pale vampire to half goblin. But to Sirius’ eye, many, if not all of them were either on the extremely wealthy side or politicians who were hiding their wealth to act like they were part of the common people.

Near the centre of the hall, a tall dais had been set with an obsidian podium carved with the bank’s crest, a grey dragon coiled protectively around a vault key. It was clear the evening’s speeches would be made from here.

Sirius seemed entirely at ease, offering casual nods and wolfish smiles to those who met his eye. “Not bad for a bank opening… not that I’ve ever been to one to begin with,” he murmured to Harry, leaning closer. “Feels more like one of the Ministry’s Yule Ball’s.” He paused, giggling to himself at his last word, before shaking it off and going on. “This would have been how your birthday would have been if you’d just said the word.”

Harry shook his head as he scanned the crowd, spotting Madam Bones in her deep navy robes speaking with a cluster of influential-looking witches and wizards. Beside her, Tonks waved subtly in greeting before returning to her conversation. They had met a few times over the last few weeks when the Tonks family came over to Grimmauld place, and he rather enjoyed the sparring session they had.

Spending time with another member of House Black, in the form of Andromeda, was an added bonus. Having John and Hermione over while also meeting her family, along with the other friends he made over the school year, was great too. He finally knew what it was like with Dudley when he would spend time with his friends over the summer holidays.

He would have preferred to travel with John rather than just hearing the stories about his journey, but the few ‘secure’ places he, Sirius and Remus had visited were good enough.

Remus’s gaze, however, had already found the man of the hour, Lord Grey himself, standing at the top of the top of the large staircase leading to the second floor in a tailored black and grey suit with subtle silver embroidery, the choice was enough to look Muggle-made yet any who knew what to look or sense for would know it was infused magical. The Flamels, in elegant but understated evening attire, stood nearby, conversing with two representatives from Gringotts. If Remus didn’t know any better, he would say they seemed to be fishing for information.

It wasn’t long before a soft chime rang through the hall, drawing attention toward the podium. The murmuring quieted as a dwarf herald in immaculate robes stepped forward, magically amplifying his voice. “Esteemed guests, please welcome one of the founders and only human shareholder of the Grey Bank, Lord Johnathan Grey.”

A polite ripple of applause spread through the crowd as Lord Grey calmly descended the large staircase leading to the second floor, taking in the room as though he was reading the intentions of every soul present.

Sometimes, Remus would wonder if he was using a spell of some sort to glean information from people without delving into their minds. Possibly a scrying ability he had developed himself. But he would always just consider it a feeling from his wolf side, which could just be due to the instinctive fear he would feel when the wolf would gauge the boy’s threat level.

Glancing at the moonlight ring on his finger, the werewolf smiled, knowing he would never need to worry about his furry little problem, as Sirius and John had coined it, ever again. And today, everyone would have access to it, allowing werewolves across the world to go back to being real citizens of the magical world. At least, unless the governments of their respective regions accept it as a good solution to the problem. 

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“Come over to the right side, Draco, and we can hide you more completely than you can possibly imagine.”

— Narcissa Malfoy.

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Hello There

Small time-skip to the Bank opening ball, weeks after the last chapter. John’s basically been having Grindelwald continue his work in the shadows to earn his heir.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original character and ideas. All credit goes to their respective owners.

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Thank you for reading.

As always, stay awesome.

Until next time, Light's out.