They'd just spent the last approximately two minutes watching their son and Harry interact. And Frank had already figured out the young Lord had done so to give him and Alice a chance to again compose themselves after having first spotted him.
Even Hermione was leaning into them and quietly whispering, "You need to wait only another few minutes! That's all it's going to take. Just... be patient for a little while longer."
Sirius had moved to sit behind them and was also offering his encouragement and urgings not to act just yet.
However, it was enough... barely.
Bones gave a sigh, knowing what was about to be unleashed, and said, "Lord Potter was declared of-age by law and by magic on the thirty-first of October, 1994. As he is therefore the rightful holder of the Potter Seat on this body, he is here to claim what is his by right."
With a slight wince, she called, "Is there anyone here who wishes to speak against Lord Potter taking his rightful Seat?"
Normally, this was simple tradition. Even those of the Dark families - known to have served Voldemort or, before him, Grindelwald - were not denied their Seats unless they were currently facing criminal charges or were incarcerated.
Of course, as expected, the Longbottom regent stood. "I object!" she firmly declared.
Though almost all of them now knew of the hate and ire she had as recently as fifteen minutes earlier directed to the boy, they still did not think she would do this. It was just 'not on'; not the 'done thing'.
"Your objection is noted, Regent Longbottom. Do you wish to speak in support of your objection?"
"You know damned well I do!" she snapped. "The House of Longbottom hereby formally objects to the Potter boy being allowed to take Seat. He has kidnapped my son and refuses to return him. Furthermore―"
"Regent Longbottom," snapped Bones. "As has been clearly explained to you, I investigated the matter as Director of the DMLE and found your claim invalid! You will not cast such aspersions on Lord Potter, again!"
"I don't care about what legal loopholes he managed to come up with to escape justice! He did it! He has my son... and his wife... and I want him back!
"Your claim is invalid! Move on!"
Longbottom, again quivering with rage, snarled, "Very well. As Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom I, Augusta Reeves Longbottom, hereby revoke the Potter-Longbottom Alliance Charter for actions..."
In the gallery, Frank quietly snarled and said, "That's it!"
He leaned over his wife to Hermione and firmly said to the girl, "As soon as we're on the floor and moving forward, tell him." And gave a chin point at Neville.
Without waiting for a response he, still holding Alice's hands to stop her reaching out for Neville, rose and descended the stairs, leading Alice with him.
"Regent Longbottom!" Bones barked back. "As regent of a House that is part of that alliance, I can tell you... flat out... as regent you do not have the authority to revoke the Charter! Stop this nonsense, immediately!"
As Frank and Alice strode forward from the stairs, across the floor and towards Harry, Hermione turned to Neville. The poor boy was sitting there, focussed on what was happening with and to his grandmother.
"Neville!" she quietly but firmly said, trying to get his attention. "Neville!"
Neville spun to look at her in shock.
"Harry has a message for you," she immediately said. "Merry Christmas!" And grinned.
Sirius began moving to sit behind him to aid Hermione if the boy looked like trying to get to his parents before it was time to do so.
Utterly confused and wanting to watch his grandmother, but too polite not to pay attention to her. He asked, "What?"
"Very well," snarled Augusta. "In that case I, Augusta Reeves Longbottom, hereby declare blood feud on the House of―"
"That's enough!" Frank barked out. That someone would dare do such a thing was a surprise enough; but, Frank backed it up with a Sonorus charm. His voice was a bellow that filled the chamber, shutting everyone up.
Even Harry turned to see. Then had to smother his grin before he turned back. He looked to Marchbanks and, the cheeky boy he could be, winked to her.
She stared at him in shock. Then glanced at the two adults striding forward, before turning a look of shrewdness on him. He impudently waggled his eyebrows back.
Bones never said a word. Instead, she gave a sigh of relief and ordered, "Aurors. Do not interfere! I command it."
Those aurors beginning to move forward to intercept the couple immediately halted in their tracks, confused. Then started to move back to their places. An order was an order, when legally given.
"Neville!" said Hermione. Dragging Neville's attention back to her.
"Hermione," he almost whined. "What? This is important!"
"So is this!" she declared. "For what is about to happen, you must remain right here! You're going to want to run forward, but you must not until you are called. Do you understand?"
"What?" he asked.
Augusta Longbottom, due to her rage, was one of the very first to recover her surprise. "I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you're interfering in the lawful practices of a Noble and Most Ancient House."
"Do you understand what I just told you?" pressed Hermione. "Do not go forward until you're called!"
"Yes, Hermione," Neville firmly returned with a scowl. "I understand. Now let me pay attention." And turned back.
Hermione grabbed him by his nearest hand, his wand hand, and held it. Relieved she'd got the message through to the boy in time, she whispered, "You're going to love this. Trust me."
Sirius was now sitting behind Neville; also ready to grab him, if necessary.
As Frank came up to stand beside Harry, he sneered back at his mother.
"Who am I?" he sneered. "That is a very good question."
As Augusta was about to snap something back, both Frank and Alice tapped themselves with their wands, dropping their glamours.
Augusta took one look at them both, her eyes widened in shock and even her jaw dropped open.
Firmly and clearly he said, "I... am Lord Franklin Harfang Longbottom, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, your son and Lord of your House!"
Alice chimed in, right on cue, "And, I am Lady Alice Elizabeth Longbottom née Malone, Lady of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom and of the Elder House of Malone, your daughter-in-bond and Lady of your House. The person you seem to continually forget about, or simply refer to as 'his wife'."
Hermione made sure she had a firm hold on Neville so he wouldn't jump up and run before she said, "From me too, Neville... Merry Christmas. Harry cured them!" She didn't even need to whisper; as there was no need.
Bedlam, pandemonium, uproar, ruckus or just plain confusion; they were all words that could be used to describe the scene in the chamber at that moment. The reporters in the gallery had used those words to describe what the young Potter Lord had caused earlier during the trial. Those would now have to be rethought; because, what was going on before them now, put even that to shame.
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