The one where the Boy lived [HP]

Chapter 3: The Wizengamot Meeting/new realities

The Wizengamot chamber was filling up fast. More seats were occupied than empty. The tables stretched out before Neville, as he glanced around, looking for his place beside his grandmaother.

Hannah was to walk away toward the Ministry scribe's desk, focused. Neville, leaned over, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Hannah gave him a small smile. 

Ron, standing beside Neville, raised an eyebrow "I think I'll say no to the kiss," with a teasing grin.

Neville chuckled softly. "Probably for the best."

The doors to the Wizengamot chamber opened with a soft whoosh, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped in. 

Neville took his seat. Augusta, now seated beside him, "Being late to a meeting like this is not something a Longbottom should do."

Neville nodded, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest

He glanced back at the room, searching for Harry. 

He turned just in time to see Lucius Malfoy approaching. The tall, pale figure strode forward with an air of importance, as though he owned the room. 

Lucius stopped in front of Neville, offering a smile "Longbottom," he said, his voice smooth and deliberate, "congratulations are in order, I suppose. Order of Merlin, First Class. Well deserved, for your... efforts in the war."

Neville didn't respond, his gaze fixed forward. The room around them felt even quieter, awkward even.

Lucius huffed, clearly not pleased with Neville's lack of response, and turned on his heel, making his way to his seat. Narcissa Malfoy followed closely behind, her gaze sharp and composed, while Draco took his seat beside his parents.

Augusta, who had been watching quietly, sighed. "This is not Hogwarts anymore, Neville," she said, "We're adults now. Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalries don't matter outside the walls of that school. Forget the childishness of the past, and embrace what it means to be an adult—a fine adult."

"I like Slytherin just fine," Neville said quietly, his voice firm, "And I won't have my opinions on Malfoys, at least the currently alive ones, be questioned by anyone. Not when people I loved have been hurt or worse... because of them. Because of a cause they believed in until the very end. A cause they opposed only when it was threatened, when it didn't protect them from the future We represent."

Augusta's lips tightened, but she said nothing.

Neville huffed under his breath, still scanning the room, looking for any familiar faces. 

Just as he was about to turn away, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice rang out, silencing the room.

"Order!" Kingsley's voice echoed through the chamber, and everyone immediately stilled. Beside him stood Professor Minerva McGonagall, her face as stern as ever, and a Goblin Liaison, who stood silently. Their faces were grim, eyes focused.

Kingsley swished his wand, and a flurry of parchment shot across the room, flying swiftly through the air. The papers fluttered and landed in front of each Ministry official and scribe, who quickly snatched them up to read.

Hannah Abbott, seated across the room, received her paper with a quick, almost desperate motion. As she scanned it, her face changed—first worry, then disbelief, and finally, the grief settled in. Her eyes met Neville's, without a word, she buried her face in the paper, hiding from everyone.

The rest of the scribes shared similar reactions—some gasped, some shouted, while others simply stared, wide-eyed, unable to comprehend what they were reading.

Kingsley raised his hand, his calm voice cutting through the noise, "Please, everyone, settle down," he said firmly. "This is not the time for shouting. We must maintain order."

He paused for a moment, letting the room fall silent again. "The cause of death was confirmed as autoimmune responses and organ failure. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement will investigate this thoroughly, but for now, we proceed with the duties as laid out in the will."

Kingsley's voice continued, steady and unshaken, "The wills of the late Harry Potter must be read aloud to the Wizengamot, as is the procedure for an ancient and noble house such as the Potters. Major lordships, philanthropies, and all associated properties will be handled according to his instructions. Any questions or quarrels will be addressed after today's session. For now, please maintain your silence and composure."

Harry… gone. Just like that. It wasn't real. It couldn't be. He hadn't even been prepared for this. His stomach twisted, and he looked around, searching for someone—anyone—to make sense of it.

His eyes locked with Ron's. The pensive look on Ron's face told Neville everything. Ron had known. He had known that this moment would come, but he hadn't expected it so soon

Neville felt hollow. A strange emptiness inside him that made everything feel distant.

Beside him, Augusta Longbottom's face had lost its usual sharpness. Even the Malfoys were uncharacteristically silent. Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco were still, their faces unreadable.

The Goblin Liaison, who had been standing stoically by Minister Shacklebolt, stepped forward

The Goblin's sharp claws reached for the wax, and with an expert flick, the seal was broken. The parchment inside unfolded in front of him, and he began to read aloud in a low, clear voice.

Last Will and Testament of Harry James Potter

"I, Harry James Potter, of 12 Grimmauld Place, London, England, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this my last will and testament. In the event of my death, I request the following to be carried out:

I. To Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries:

The sum of 10,000 Galleons to be used for the advancement of magical medical research and the care of those injured during the War, particularly for those who suffer permanent magical injuries, including magical loss or limb damage.

II. To Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:

The sum of 10,000 Galleons to be donated to the school, specifically earmarked for the support of underprivileged students and the restoration of the library, to be used as a resource for future generations of witches and wizards.

III. To Muggle Orphanages:

The sum of 10,000 Galleons or equivalent pounds (muggle money) to be distributed among Muggle orphanages in the London area, for the purpose of providing them with a safe and comfortable living environment, along with funds to support education, nutrition, and care.

IV. To the Muggleborn Fund:

The sum of 10,000 Galleons to be donated to the Muggleborn Fund, to support the education and welfare of young Muggleborn witches and wizards who may face challenges in their magical development due to societal prejudice or lack of family resources.

V. To Dobby the House-Elf and all Elves:

The sum of 5,000 Galleons to be allocated for the welfare of house-elves across the Wizarding World, with specific attention given to their emancipation, education, and improved working conditions. This is to be managed by the House-Elf Rights Association, which shall have the responsibility to distribute these funds as they see fit.

VI. To Rose Potter, my beloved daughter:

The title of heir to the Potter estate shall pass to Rose Potter, the child of Ginny Weasley and myself, to inherit all assets of the Potter family upon reaching the age of majority.

VII. To Ron Weasley, my best friend and brother:

As my appointed godfather to Rose Potter, I entrust him with the responsibility of her upbringing and protection until she is of age. I acknowledge that Ginny is unable to fulfill her duties as her mother due to the toll the war has taken on her, and thus, I leave my daughter in Ron's capable hands as her protector and guide.

VIII. To Teddy Lupin Potter-Black:

As the godson of Harry James Potter, I leave my entire estate, including the Black family inheritance, to Teddy Lupin Potter-Black, who is adopted into the Potter family by my will. His surname shall remain Potter-Black, combining both the Potter as my adopted godson and Black lines through his mother's blood, Nymphadora Lupin (née Tonks), and his father, Remus Lupin.

Teddy shall be raised under the care of Neville Longbottom, who shall act as his guardian, as I trust Neville to ensure Teddy's safety and well-being with love and care.

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Lucius Malfoy interuuted the goblin.

"Excuse me, Goblin," Malfoy sneered. "But the black heirship is heavily contensted and heirships unlike lordships cannot be willed out of blood, Teddy Lupin cannot receive when Draco is in league to be the heir."

Neville didn't even bother to look at Malfoy

The Goblin, undeterred, raised a clawed hand to silence the chatter, his voice still calm, though with a tinge of annoyance at the interruption.

"I was just getting to that, Lord Malfoy," the Goblin responded, his words crisp and deliberate. "While it is true that the Black family heirship cannot be willed or transferred, in this case, the matter is complicated by the reinstatement of Andromeda Tonks, née Black, into the Black family's mainline. This action was taken by Lord Sirius Orion Black, prior to his passing. By the rules of the Black family, her line now carries the right to inherit the Black title.

"Through Andromeda Tonks, the heirship flows to Nymphadora Lupin, née Tonks, and from her to Teddy Lupin Potter-Black, whose adoption by Harry Potter makes him a legitimate heir to both the Potter and Black estates. No paper or time wasted, as this inheritance follows the guidelines established by the last Lord Black. Thus, Teddy Lupin Potter-Black is fully recognized as the rightful heir to the Black family title."

A tense silence swept through the chamber after the Goblin's explanation. The Goblin wasn't finished yet.

"Furthermore," the Goblin continued, his eyes flashing with a hint of authority, "regency can be willed, and as per Lord Potter's wishes, the regency for Teddy Lupin Potter-Black will go to Lord Neville Longbottom, as the appointed godfather of the child. He shall serve in this role until Teddy reaches the age of majority."

The Goblin, not bothering to look around at the tense faces in the room, continued with his monotonous voice, as though reading from a long, practiced script.

"Now, I will continue," the Goblin said, "after the reading of the will. There are further matters to address regarding Lord Harry Potter's legacies and responsibilities." He paused, giving the room a brief moment to settle before continuing.

"The lordships of certain families, namely the Lestranges, the Carrows, and others, still have uncontested living heirs who did not fall at the hands of Lord Harry Potter during the war. These titles will not be subjected to the law of conquest as their defeat was not at the hand of Lord Potter." He glanced at the faces in the room, his words cutting through the tension.

"But," the Goblin went on, his voice growing more deliberate, "the lordships of Slytherin, Malfoy, and Gaunt will now pass under the law of conquest, as these families and their members were directly impacted by Lord Potter's victory and actions."

The Goblin looked up, meeting Neville's eyes for a split second before continuing.

"The lordships of Malfoy and Gaunt shall pass to Lord Ronald Bilius Weasley and Lord Neville Longbottom, respectively. The particulars of these titles, however, will be decided by the families, as all living members of these families are alive because of the mercy of Lord Harry Potter." The Goblin emphasized the last part, his gaze hard as if challenging anyone to dispute the matter.

The chamber fell silent. The mention of the Malfoys was enough to make Neville glance toward them. Lucius Malfoy's lips were pressed together, his face twisted in distaste, while Draco's expression was furious.

"You will find that Lord Potter had killed most of the living descendants, the remnants so to speak of the respective families, and those alive are because of Lord Potter," the Goblin continued, raising his voice. "The law of conquest applies here, as it has since the dawn of wizarding history. For grievances or revenge, please take them to the respected lords, or regents in this case or the Ministry, as is the proper course of action."

A murmur rose from the Malfoys, a soft hiss from Lucius, who had clearly not expected things to unfold this way. His grip tightened on his seat, his jaw clenched in anger

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