Finch-Fletchley eventually asked, "Let me see if I have this straight, Sir. You're saying that, since I hold a title in the Peerage, and I'm the first of my line to do so who is also a magical, I'm entitled to a seat within the Wizengamot once I come of age at seventeen?"
"In a nutshell, yes," replied Ogden.
"But, what about my father and grandfather?" he asked.
"Ineligible, because apparently neither are magical," replied Ogden.
Finch-Fletchley sat back and thought about it. Eventually, he asked, "How would that work? From what I've read I'm actually considered Unhoused, as I do not belong to an existing magical House."
"Excellent question!" beamed Ogden. "Because of your position in the peerage, a new House is automatically created based on your own surname. "You would become the Head of the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley and, when you attain seventeen years of age, you would become and be titled Lord of the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley and immediately eligible to sit on the Wizengamot."
Again, Finch-Fletchley thought about it before he asked, "If the House is created now... and I cannot hold the Lordship for it until I turn seventeen... would I need a Regent or Proxy for it until then? And, if so, am I limited to whom I can appoint to the role? If I even can appoint someone to the role."
Ogden blinked back for a moment in surprise before he grinned and replied, "How very astute of you, young man."
Ogden then turned to Bones and asked, "Amelia? Perhaps you can address our young Lord's question?"
Bones shook her head and sighed. "I cannot, Miles. I can guess, but I do not know the answer."
"I do," Harry quietly said.
"Harrison," said Ogden. Then he gestured 'be my guest'.
"First," replied Harry. "The House needs to be created. You can have neither a regent nor proxy without a House. To create the House needs to start with the Goblin Nation and their Rite of Inheritance. It first needs to be shown that Justin, here, is not already the rightful Lord of an existing House that... squibbed out, for instance.
"Once that's carried out and ther eis no pre-existing House, the Goblins can then create the heraldry from the now known heritage. That includes the Head of House ring and the like. However, they won't do any of that without a House vault being established first.
"That will then establish the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley.
"With the House now established, as the only magical member of that House, Justin's magical guardian would need to move quick to appoint either themselves as Regent or grant Justin emancipation so he can take up his duties, himself."
"Magical guardian?" Finch-Fletchley then whirled to look at Sprout. "That'd be you; right, Professor?"
Sprout smiled and replied, "Indeed, Mister Finch-Fletchley. But, if this works out for you, I'm quite willing to allow you to appoint another; if that is your choice."
Harry gave a little snort and replied, "It'll work. Time for me to come clean on something."
When all eyes turned to him, he explained, "I've had the Law-wizard of Record for the House of Potter researching this for the past few months. Justin, he's the one who did the full background check on you on my behalf. He's also been speaking with the goblins on what is needed.
"When you feel you're ready, they're waiting for you to come in to get all this sorted for you. According to my Law-wizard of Record, Ted Tonks, they're apparently excited to meet with you."
At first surprised, Finch-Fletchley's expression turned shrewd. "What do you get out of this, Harry?"
"A few things," he immediately replied. "One; if it's something you want, then your gratitude. Two; if you go through with this, then I get to thumb my nose, yet again, at all the stodgy old traditionalists on the Wizengamot. Three; the opportunity to ask you to join the Potter-Longbottom Alliance, of which Lady Marchbanks, Lord Ogden and Madam Bones as Regent Bones, are all members. And, four; I'll be recognised as being partly responsible for having shepherded the creation of a new Noble line within magical Britain. Big kudos for me. There are probably more, but I don't know what those are, yet."
Finch-Fletchley cocked an eyebrow back and said, "A straight-up answer. Colour me, impressed."
Turning back to Lord Ogden, he asked, "When do I need to act on this?"
"Never," said Ogden. "There's no time limit involved."
"Can I discuss it with my father and grandfather?" he asked.
"You can discuss it with those cleared to know about magic," replied Bones. "If your grandfather is already cleared to know about magic, then yes. Otherwise, no. Only those residing in your muggle place of residence are allowed to know. However, if it's necessary for him to know... then I can grant a waiver."
Finch-Fletchley nodded and murmured, "So, no change there, then. Can my grandfather be cleared to know of magic for the purposes of discussing this with him?"
Bones thought about it before she looked to Ogden and asked, "Miles?"
"If absolutely necessary, we can set something up." he replied.
Finally, Finch-Fletchley firmed up and said, "Then, I thank you for the information, Sir. I shall need to think on it, in detail. And discuss it with my family, before I act."
"So you should," Ogden immediately shot back. "I'd have been a little disappointed in you, if you didn't."
A little later, Harry escorted Finch-Fletchley out of the office with Professor Sprout.
As they walked away and down the corridor outside the office, Finch-Fletchley was clearly thinking hard about what he should do.
Harry said, "Justin. There's no rush on this. You can decide to simply delay until you're ready to deal with it, if at all. I just felt you should know."
"No," said Finch-Fletchley. "I get that. So, thank you."
Harry just smiled back and gave a nod of acknowledgement.
The other boy then looked to Sprout and asked, "Professor; would it be possible to discuss this further with you, alone?"
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