The days at Grimmauld Place passed in relative peace and quiet for Harry, although much of that could be contributed to the anxious and tense atmosphere within the house. It was explained to Harry by Remus that, thanks to his only registered wand breaking in June, Fudge essentially had no real proof to convict Harry of any crime. There were no witnesses, the dementors couldn't exactly testify, and many of the Wizengamot (the non-corrupt) thought the trial was nothing more than a farce, if Mr. Weasley's sources are correct. Harry, however, knew that even the best of scenarios could go tits up where he was concerned; therefore, Harry and his wives came up with a backup plan that was so incredibly risky, but was potentially necessary if it came to it.
He sighed heavily as he sat down at the breakfast table as he saw that everyone around the table, including Ron and Hermione, looked more apprehensive and nervous than he did since it was the day of the trial. He hadn't really talked to anyone in the house since he arrived, except his girls and Sirius, as it was just awkward for Harry to be in the same room as the Weasley children given what happened last year. He didn't really care anymore about them, but they were trying to help somewhat by being here.
Harry cleared his throat, "Guys, everything's going to be ok. You're making me feel like I'm waiting on the gallows."
"We know, pup. But I know from experience than to never trust those bastards to do anything simple or right. Especially, with our buddy Fudge in charge and in the pocket of the Death Eaters like Malfoy. At least they lost a dangerous member of their Inner Circle when Parkinson was killed.", said Sirius.
Harry's eyes went wide as his mind flashed back to the Graveyard and he remembered he had killed one of the Death Eaters before escaping. It must have been Parkinson, Pansy's father. It also explained why Pansy seemed so strange when she saw him during the last day of school, but it didn't seem like anger or sadness, rather he saw so many conflicting emotions on her face before the blank expression showed up. It was definitely something he was going to have to look into when he got back to Hogwarts.
They finished their breakfast with making some small talk until Arthur said, "Well, Harry, it's time for us to be going, wish him luck everyone."
The Weasley's and Hermione, minus Ron who grumbled, wished him good luck. Sirius and Remus gave him a big hug and told him to not lose hope. Tonks, Penny, and Fleur each gave him long hugs and whispered sweet nothings and 'I love you' before he was out the door. Him and Arthur traveled the subway, which amused Harry to Arthur's many reactions to doing so, until they traveled downtown and came across a payphone which Mr. Weasley called the Visitor's entrance and sunk down into the floor until they reached the Ministry of Magic.
Harry had to admit, the ambiance and grandeur of the Ministry Atrium was something to behold, although it was ruined by all the giant portraits of Fudge spread throughout the Ministry halls. He noticed that there were several other species present in the Ministry today, such as Goblins and Centaurs, and many of whom had scowls on their faces and were not hiding their distaste of wizard kind. Harry sighed deeply to himself and thought, "No wonder Riddle recruits so easily."
Harry and Arthur reached the elevator and Harry noticed Order member Kingsley, a highly respected Auror, made his way inside and whispered something in Arthur's ear. Mr. Weasley's eyes widened and said, "Merlin's Beard! Thank you, Kingsley. Harry, they've moved up your hearing, it's in five minutes. We better hurry down."
Harry just groaned at the obvious dirty trick by Fudge and waited impatiently for the lift to take them down. The elevator stopped and as the two made their way to the Wizengamot hall, Harry saw a door that he knew led to the Department of Mysteries that Penny talked about. Harry had to admit that he was likely just as curious as Voldemort as to what was behind that door, could it be a weapon that he could use, and what the cost is of using it.
Arthur stopped at the trial room, "I'm not allowed in, I'm afraid. Try not to worry too much, Harry. The truth always wins out, eh?"
Harry gave him a small smile before going inside, "I wish I had your faith, Mr. Weasley."
Upon entering, Harry noticed several familiar faces sitting among the sea of black robes sitting before his designated seat in the middle of the room, such as Madame Bones, Lucius Malfoy, Neville's grandmother Augusta Longbottom, Percy Weasley, and of course, Minister Fudge. Fudge, a toad-looking woman, Percy, Lucius, and a few other men were grinning evilly at seeing him, likely looking forward to seeing him expelled and maybe tossed in jail. A few, like Bones, looked happy to see him, but they clearly had nervous expressions on their faces. Everyone else in the room seemed to have indifferent expressions on their faces, likely wondering why they had to bother holding a criminal trial for such a small matter and wasting their time.
Fudge spoke as Harry sat, "You are late, Potter."
Harry glared at the man, "You changed the time at the last minute."
"An owl was dispatched to you this morning. It is your fault alone you are late.", Fudge said.
Harry was glad he remembered to flare up his Occlumency shields to help control his emotions, because otherwise, he might have smacked the small man. Instead, he merely maintained his blank and calm expression, surprising Fudge, who was counting on an outburst.
Fudge shook his head and asked, "You are Harry James Potter of #4 Privet Drive, Surrey, England, correct?"
"Yes."
Fudge continued on, "Did you knowingly cast a Patronus Charm in a heavily populated Muggle area, knowing that the law prohibits you form using magic outside of school while underage?"
"Someone might have cast the spell on the date in question, but it wasn't me."
Fudge smirked, "So you deny your guilt, boy?"
"I deny being guilty of any supposed crime that has been committed. Besides, it's impossible for me to have committed this 'crime' in the first place."
Fudge narrowed his eyes, "Oh, and why is that?"
"My wand broke during the Third Task last June.", said Harry as he pulled out his broken wand.
Mutterings and whispers broke out in the hall, until Fudge said, "How very convenient, boy. You could have easily broken that over the last two weeks."
Harry shrugged, "There were dozens of witnesses, including Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and even Madam Bones."
Amelia cut off Fudge's chance to retort, "It's true. I can confirm I saw Harry's wand break when he arrived by Port Key and landed on his wand."
Harry smirked, while Fudge sneered, "He still could have cast the spell with another wand."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "Do you have any actual proof of that? And remember, you made Veritaserum voluntary and Legilimency is illegal to use on me."
Fudge looked incensed, "Well, perhaps you can explain the other traces of magical usage that has been occurring around your home since summer began?"
Harry noticeably tensed up, "Again, I ask, do you have any concrete proof it was me?"
Fudge sneered, "No, but do you honestly expect us to believe that someone else was responsible when you are the only registered wizard living in the area?"
Harry said nothing, but looked around the room and noticed many of the Lords and Ladies were starting to side with Fudge's logic. Harry took a deep breath, knowing he had been found out and needed to salvage this, he decided to commence Plan B, which he hoped wouldn't backfire on him and his family.
Harry looked at Fudge and said, "Assuming I did any of what you are accusing me of, it wouldn't matter whether I did these acts since you can't punish me for them."
Fudge was confused and angry, "And why is that? Do you think yourself above the law!?"
Harry shook his head, "No, it's because when you and Dumbledore entered me into the Triwizard Tournament last year, I became emancipated and am now a legal adult and can use magic when and wherever I please."
The hall erupted into chaos at the bomb that Harry had just dropped and continued on shouting until Fudge yelled, "SILENCE! You are lying, Potter! People would have been informed of such a revelation, especially us here."
Harry snorted, "You expect me to have an even bigger target on my back by drawing unnecessary attention to myself. Especially, with Voldemort's return-."
Fudge roared, "Enough of your foolishness, Potter! He. Is. Not. Back."
Harry merely shook his head, "He is, and you're going to get people killed because you're scared to face the truth. Doesn't matter to me, though. All that matters is ensuring the people closest to me are safe, no one else is important enough for me to care."
Fudge was tired of this, "Someone get the Hall of Records down here and confirm that the boy is in fact a legal adult now."
After waiting in awkward silence for a few minutes, the doors opened and Penny came in with a smile on her face, much to the joy of Harry and to the discomfort of Percy. She walked up to Fudge and handed him a piece of paper that proved Harry's emancipation status. She also made sure to hide all the other documents deep in the Hall of Records, as she knew that Harry didn't even want this revealed, but she, Tonks, and Fleur agreed this was for the best, should the need arise.
After rereading the paper three times, Fudge gritted his teeth and said, "It appears that all is in order and Mr. Potter is now a legal adult, and now able to use magic outside of Hogwarts, but not in the presence of Muggles."
Harry smirked, "Which there none of in any of the instances mentioned. I'm curious, though, how was the Trace still on me, even though it should have been recognized by magic that it should no longer be on me? It's almost as if someone in the Ministry was illegally tracking me and maybe even was planning me harm."
Fudge paled, as did the toad woman he noticed, and Harry knew he had won when he saw the majority of the room had seemingly sided with him over the Minister.
Madame Bones smiled and spoke, "Those in favor of conviction?"
After watching Fudge, the toad, and a few others raise their hands, she asked, "Those in favor of clearing the accused of all charges?"
Amelia and over two-thirds of the room raised their hands and Fudge sighed, "Cleared of all charges."
Harry smiled triumphantly as he entered Grimmauld Place with Penny and Arthur, the former of whom he was walking arm and arm with behind Mr. Weasley. He then noticed the house was even more eerily quiet than usual as he guessed everyone was waiting in the kitchen for news. The three walked in and saw everyone looking even more pensive and nervous than they were this morning, but they saw Harry enter and sucked in a breath.
"Well?", asked Fleur and Tonks simultaneously.
Harry smiled widely, "Cleared. Of all charges."
Penny had to sidestep to allow her fellow sister-wives forward as they squeezed the life out of Harry in a giant hug. She had to stop herself from laughing at loud at seeing Harry turn blue as all the air left his lungs. The girls eventually let go as the others went up to congratulate Harry on winning against Fudge at his own, naturally everyone was curious as to what happened, but Harry just decided to tell them tomorrow as he grabbed some food and made his way upstairs. He was going to enter his room when he looked down the hallway and saw the Black Family Library, which could only be opened for a true Black according to Sirius, which is why he isn't allowed in since he was technically kicked out. Harry approached the door and placed his hand that showed the Lord Black ring and sent out a small dose of magic, and to his immense surprise, the door opened, and Harry was allowed to enter.
The room was like the rest of the house, dark and depressing, but the walls were littered with books, and all likely containing dark magic. Harry had no real interest in anything the Blacks had gathered, mostly because he likely would have to become as dark as Voldemort or Grindelwald to learn them, except for learning how to block dark magic and any information they had on Horcruxes. He spent the next few hours reading through quite a few different books when the Black Family House Elf, an irritating and gruesome elf named Kreacher, popped in and Harry could tell that he was surprised to see Harry of all people in there.
"Accursed Blood Traitor, defiling my mistresses' study. Get out!", the elf screeched.
"Actually, Kreacher, you won't be ordering me around, nor will you tell anyone I was in here, and you will do as I say from now on.", Harry stated as he showed the Black ring.
Kreacher gasped, "You, a Half-Blood, become Lord Black!? Kreacher does not believe it."
Harry smirked, "Believe it, you little monster. Now, as Lord Black, you are hereby ordered to not speak of my status or my plans to anyone with my express permission, so mote it be."
A small purple glow enveloped Kreacher after Harry spoke, and they both knew now that so long as Kreacher was still bonded to the Black Family, Harry was master. The elf gritted his teeth and sighed, "Is there anything you require, Master Harry?"
Harry just smiled, "Yes, actually, there is. I want all the information the Black Library has on objects called Horcruxes."
Kreacher just went still as his eyes bulged out of his sockets, "NO! I want nothing more to with those horrid objects, not after they took my beloved Master Regulus."
Now it was Harry's turn to go wide-eyed, "What are you talking about?"
Kreacher just covered his mouth as Harry pressed on, "Kreacher, I command you to tell me what you know about any Horcruxes you have encountered."
Kreacher attempted to fight, but Harry's control was too great, "My master Regulus was a good boy, always listened to Mistress Walburga and understood the pureblood values all Blacks should embrace. It was why he rose to quickly in the Dark Lord's ranks and even gained You-Know-Who's trust and entrance into his Inner Circle like Mistress Bella. But master changed when he found out about the secret behind the Dark Lord's immortality and power, as well as how he was hurting me, and he saw that the Horcruxes were far too evil and an affront to the laws of nature. Eventually, he learned of the location for one the objects and we traveled to a cave where we found a locket that housed a piece of the Dark Lord's soul, but Regulus had to drink the dreaded Emerald Potion as his poor mind and body became week."
Kreacher started to sob and continued, "Kreacher tried to bring master towards the cleaner water, but he was dragged in by a horde of Infiri. M-Master…was gone. Kreacher escaped and tried to destroy the locket as master Regulus intended, but never could."
Harry just had his jaw dropped, "Kreacher, where is the locket now?"
Kreacher just stared at Harry with freely flowing tears, "C-can you…d-destroy it?"
Harry nodded firmly, "I can, but you must give it to me."
Kreacher just nodded, then he walked over to the large desk Harry had been sitting at and opened the top drawer. The elf pulled out a locket that Harry noted possessed the Slytherin crest on it as Kreacher handed it to him. Even without the Horcrux in his head, Harry could still feel a dark and lingering connection to the object in front of him, he could hear it whispering to him and he got a strange sense of anger and paranoia that suddenly washed over him.
Harry just placed the locket down on the desk, unable to hold it any longer, when he noticed something in the drawer, "Kreacher, what is that?"
Kreacher looked to where he pointed and smiled, "This, Master Harry, is the wand that can only be held by the Lord of the House of Black, due to the special enchantment on it. It has been in this family for almost 700 years and is said to be one of the most power wands ever crafted, some have even mistaken it as the fabled Elder Wand."
Harry took the wand and immediately the tip lit up as Harry felt immense power flow through him as the wand accepted him as its master. Books began floating and the window cracked slightly, until Harry finally got it under control and inspected the wand itself. The wand itself was midnight black at about 12 inches, and the handle was a bright silver with the Black crest on the bottom of the hilt.
"What's the core made of?", Harry asked.
Kreacher actually grinned, "Basilisk Venom."
Harry went wide-eyed, if that was true, then this wand might be able to destroy any Horcrux if he used a powerful spell like Fiendfyre. Before Harry could enquire further, he sensed that Ron and Hermione coming up the stairs.
He sighed, "Kreacher, thank you for these two things. It will go a long way into defeating Voldemort. I need you to find Tonks, Penny, and Fleur and tell them to meet me in my bedroom in ten minutes. Remember, tell no one of this conversation without my approval."
Kreacher nodded, "As you command, Lord Black."
The elf popped out of the room, while Harry pocketed both the locket and the wand. He exited the room and saw Ron and Hermione come up the stairs as he closed the door. The two stared at Harry for a few seconds, before Harry himself got impatient.
"What?", he asked.
Hermione looked curious, "What were you doing? Everyone downstairs thought they felt something strange upstairs."
Harry shrugged, "Nothing, just wandering around."
She narrowed her eyes, "Harry, I know we haven't been on good terms for a while, but you can tell us anything. You don't have to continue to confide in those women, who are all now adults."
Harry narrowed his eyes back, "Are you implying something, Hermione?"
Hermione just back off, "No, of course not."
Harry nodded sternly, "Good, it's none of your business, so don't interfere."
Hermione seemed taken aback by the cold and harsh tone and just got sad, she turned around and went down the stairs. Ron stayed though to glare daggers at Harry, though.
"You got something to say, Weasley?", he asked.
Ron gritted his teeth, "Why do you talk to her like that? She was only trying to be your friend."
Harry scoffed, "She gave up on that, remember? And so did you. I don't care for her feelings."
Ron snapped, "That's the bloody problem, isn't it? You've never noticed how she looks at you, or how it makes her feel when she sees you with those girls. You have no idea what you have."
Harry was shocked that Hermione had romantic feelings for him, and the embarrassment that Ron figured it before him, but he realized something else, "You're in love with her?"
"Of course, I love her! I always have, but she never had eyes for me. She only ever wanted the famous Harry Potter, who saved her time and time again. I could ignore the wealth, the looks, the women, the fame, everything, if Hermione would just care about me like she does you. But no, she wants you and I'm the furthest thing from you.", Ron was panting when he stopped ranting.
Harry just stood there with a blank face, before he just shook his head in disappointment, "Ron, I don't care for Hermione like that, and she has no say in who I love, nor do the rest of you. If you really loved her Ron, you would work to better yourself so she might notice you, instead of you pestering her and annoying her like usual. Show her how much you care for her and be willing to sacrifice anything for her, not just assume she will one day wake up and do anything you want. That's what it means to be in love."
Ron just stared at him in shock, before Harry just walked past him, annoyed by this entire conversation. He really wasn't looking forward to going back to Hogwarts this year and dealing with teenage drama, without his wives to be there this time. No matter, however, it was time to turn his attention to more important matters.
After the argument with Ron and Hermione, he met up with the girls and told them about what he had learned, and needless to say shock was an understatement. He was still chuckling at Tonks' reaction.
"MORGANNA'S TITS, THAT BLOODY THING WAS JUST SITTING THERE!?", she cursed.
Later, after everyone else in the house had gone to bed, the four apparated to the Chamber of Secrets to dispose of the Horcrux in the most secure environment they could think of. The girls had wondered on if he should have waited until school starts to destroy it, but Harry was adamant on getting rid of it now as he could feel it still trying to influence his behavior and emotions. Also, he wanted them to be with him when he did this.
"We're in this together, right? You all keep telling me that anyway.", he beamed at them.
They responded by giving him a big kiss each and thank you for 'not being stupid anymore' as they put it. They walked into the study and were once again met with four familiar paintings composed of the four founders of Hogwarts, who seemed surprised to see them.
"Harry, girls, what are you doing here? It's still summer, isn't it?", asked Rowena.
Penny nodded, "Yes, Rowena, there's still over a week before the next term starts, but there have been new developments you should be made aware of."
The founders' curiosity was peeked, and Harry began to tell them all that had happened since he returned from his summer vacation, from the dementor attack, to the trial, to finding the locket and the Black wand. When Harry finished, the founders were shocked into silence.
Salazar broke the silence first, "M-may I…see it?"
Harry nodded and showed the locket, making Salazar's eyes just look duller and more lifeless than usual, "To think, my own blood would hurt me so deeply as to use my most treasured item as a means to further his own dark ambitions. My wife made me that, you know? Said it contained a small piece of her heart so that I would always carry her with me."
Everyone just looked at Slytherin sympathetically until Harry said, "I know you don't want me to Salazar, but I have to destroy it now."
Slytherin said nothing and Godric spoke, "Well, you best head to the main part of the chamber to do it. Remember what we talked about, Harry. Take a fang from the corpse of the basilisk and strike the locket with it, that should destroy the locket."
Helga piped up, "Oh, and don't let whatever's inside mess with your head. It will try to play on fears and insecurities, so remember to lean on each other for support."
Rowena nodded, "If for some reason, the fang doesn't work, make sure to use Fiendfyre as a last resort, but contain it like we practiced."
The four nodded and were heading out when they heard, "Harry?"
Harry turned, "Yes, Salazar?"
Salazar sighed, "When you destroy it, could you leave the remains here? I would like…to have it near me."
Harry nodded and walked out with the others to center of the chamber where the basilisk corpse still lay and continued to decay slowly. He pulled out one of the fangs and made his way over to where the locket lay. Fleur said they couldn't open it, so Harry thought of something and spoke in Parseltongue. The locket blasted open and dark magic quickly filled the room as Harry could hear a familiar voice whisper into his ear again. The voice mocked him with 'They don't really love you' and 'They'll leave you, just like everyone else'. Harry was tempted to give in, but the girls rushed over to him and grabbed him, making three of his six rings glow.
"'Arry, remember we love you and will never abandon you.", Fleur whispered.
"The snake fucker is trying to mess with you, don't listen!", Tonks shouted.
"Harry James Potter, you had better strike that locket for telling lies, we love you no matter what.", Penny said.
Summoning his strength to push past the dark cloud, Harry charged at the locket and slashed down hard. Instantly the dark mist began hissing in pain and reacting harshly, Harry was blown back and into the arms of Penny. He saw that the mist began to dissipate, but then the water within the chamber began moving and the four were on guard as a large water shockwave hit them, but they managed to stay upright, albeit soaked.
The dead silence reigned on, that is until Tonks smirked, "You know, Harry, when I said you always get me wet, this isn't what I meant."
Harry smiled brightly at Tonks, while Fleur rolled her eyes playfully and Penny just sighed tiredly. After ten minutes of nothing happening, they believed that the Horcrux was indeed destroyed. They told the founders what happened and left the locket in the study, before saying goodbye and apparating back to Grimmauld Place.
After a warm shower and a kiss goodnight from each of his wives, Harry finally crawled into bed to put the stress of the day's events behind him. "Three down, four to go.", he thought somewhat happy. However, he knew that Voldemort would notice one of his Horcruxes was destroyed and would likely ensure that the others would not be found, but Harry would not be deterred. The Horcrux Hunt was officially on.