Chapter 165: House Peverell

Seated around a table leisurely were the Light Faction leaders playing poker with each other. It was a completely opposite atmosphere to the Dark faction inner gathering where you could never get past the stifling oppressive feeling that choked those gathering as each of them were on guard against the others.

Here it more relaxed and laid back, you would never imagine that this was the meeting of the most powerful men and women in the British Magical world. Drinks were flowing freely, smoke hung in the air from lit cigars and pipes, jokes were shared, and it was all around a much peaceful and light.

"And then that is when I give him me ax right through the skull. Hahaha," Harold Macmillan broke into a deep rumbling laughter as he finished his tale.

"Is this the hundredth time you told us that tale?" Ahmed Shafiq asked with a wearily sigh.

"Ahh, but Harry here hasn't heard it yet, and this is one you can't miss," the Scottish man smacked a meaty hand on to his back.

Harry didn't want to tell him that this was actually his third time hearing that tale not his first, but he forgoed it.

"I believe congratulations are in order," Harold smacked him on the back again. "You won a great victory and at such a young age!"

"Yes, at that age I must have been stewing back in Hogwarts up to all sorts of trouble," Ahmed Shafiq nodded his head.

"Thank you," Harry nodded his head humbeuly. He wondered what they would be saying once he told them the bunchload of trouble he got them into.

"No thank you, boy," Madam Longbottom said, "that one more of their numbers down, which is good news for all of us!"

"Did you hear that House Mills and House Lowe have created a betrothal between each other," Amos Diggory gossiped about two Baron houses part of the Light faction.

"Finally!" Ahmed Shafiq exclaimed, "have they decided to put aside their legendary feud for once."

"I think someone had a hand in it," Amelia Bones mused as she glanced in Madam Longbottom direction.

The old witch cackled out loud, "If you must know, yes I did have a hand in it. All I did was just point out that they couldn't let the Dark Viscount House Henry get away with what they have done to their family members during the war. And if they combined their might they might be able to overcome them and even take some of their assets."

"I don't know if you all have noticed, but the Dark faction seem to be gathering their forces in great number... as if they are about to go to war with someone," Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke up very hesitantly.

"Actually," Harry said as he held out a hand as if he was in class, "that is why I called this meeting and gathered you all here today at my family's Mansion!" Even from up here in this secret room, they could hear the music coming from downstairs where the party was happening.

Harry had decided it was time to open his family doors and welcome the wizarding world once more into his family home. He went all out in getting the party set up, but it was only a prop for the real secret gathering going on.

"What do you mean?" Marshall Fawley asked with a grin, thinking nothing of what he said.

"Well I might be the cause of why they are arming up..." Harry said as he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Explain!" Madam Longbottom simply said as she stared at him with those hard eyes.

"Ahhh, let's just say that I might have insulted them, their Houses, and everything that they stood for!"

"Mhmhm," Kingsley Shacklebolt chuckled softly as he took a swig of his drink, "blood feuds have been made for less."

"Well it was all their fault," Harry said as he raised both of his hands up into the air innocently. "They wanted me to step back from the fight with the Nott family when it was both justifiable and accepted. Ha! As if I would allow them to stop me."

"Even if it means bringing them down on our necks," Amelia Bones asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well I didn't mean to do that, Aunty," Harry added very sweetly.

Harold Macmillan on the other hand broke into a deep rackes laughter, "Let them come. It has been quite a while since my spellax has tasted some blood and whose better than some dark wizards and witches. Hahaha!"

"He is right," Harry smacked the rugged man on the shoulder. "We have took our losses in the last war silently. We have lost so many people to Voldermort and his..."

There was a silent hiss from some of the people but Harry faced them head on.

"Come on we can not be scared of him anymore. He is long dead," Harry lied right through his teeth. "But do you know who remains, his supports. We all know that only a small insignificant amount have been arrested and locked up in Azkaban. But what about those true backers that gave him all the arms, men, wealth, research and magic he could ever need to wage his war of terror on this land. I will tell you were they there are, walking free with none of them facing any consequences for their actions.

I hate to say this," Harry said, "but this is our chance to get some rightfully deserved revenge. If the Dark faction wants to stick its neck out then it's fault if it gets chopped off. Never before have they stood at such a weak position for hundreds of years. They have lost three of their numbers..."

"But they gained one recently," Marshall Fawley added helpfully with a smile.

"Yes," Harry conceited, "but we all know that the Crouch family is a poor substitute for wither the Nott, Black, or the Lestrange family. They have none of the ferocity, madness, cunning, cruelty, or even might as them.

For the first time in a long while we stand ahead of the Dark Faction. We stand strong and united while they are divided and at each others throats," Harry declared slowly working his magic on swaying them over to his side.

"I am not too sure..." Amos Diggory said hesitantly.

"What is there to be not sure of?" Harry asked. "This could be a once in a lifetime chance to deliver a blow so devastating to the Dark Faction that for countless years afterward they wouldn't even dare to raise their heads from out of the sand. We stand a chance to finally come out on top in our ever lasting feud since Grindelwald has brought as so low."

"That is enough from you boy," Madam Longbottom said. "You sure as hell do have a silvery-tongue like your great grandfather, and you sure as hell can lead men and inspire them were ever you want like your  grandfather." The others who were all this while nodded their heads to everything he said while he had them eating out of his hand came to a stop and shared a look.

There was no denying Harry was becoming a very charismatic leader, already at a young age he has done so much that was thought to be unbelievable and that drew attention and had people paying attention to you.

Still Madam Longbottom was too exprinced and ancient to fall to the sway of a young man's honeyed words. Leaning back on seat and a bit of a petulantly look passed through Harry's face, hating the fact that his little tirade was put to a stop.

Turning her attention to the room at large, the old women addressed everyone, "I will admit that young Potter has a point. There has never been a point that the Dark faction stood so low, and I have seen quite a bit in my years. They stand without a master that could lead them, making them divided and more independent. And we have the high ground for the first time in years.

BUT," she said with all capitals, "we will not seek a war!"

"Come now, Augusta," Kingsley Shacklebolt said, "do you wish us to do nothing while these contemptuous fools try to invade us?!"

"No," the old woman shook her head. "You may think me passive, but we won't seek a fight until they do. Let everyone see them for what they are. All I can say for now is be at the ready. I am sure this matter will be brought Wizengamot!"

***

Even though Harry didn't get what he came here for, still he knew the Dark Faction would attack and when they did the Light faction would retaliate. It was a bit too passive for his taste, but it was all he was able to squeeze out.

Amos Diggory wanted to go for a peaceful solution while Ahmed Shafiq wanted to bring this forth to the Ministry of Magic. Thankfully they were all shot down. The Light faction wouldn't show any weakness.

Back at his family home, Harry found himself wandering the halls. There wasn't much to do and he had plenty of time before he could return to school.

Tobry seemed to sense his state and asked, "Not much to do, my lord!"

"No," Harry shook his head then hesitantly added, "I just hate myself for asking, but do you have any paperwork that needs to be get done"

"I don't my lord," the house-elf bowed his head and Harry had the sense he was enjoying the state he was in. "But could I recommend you something!?"

"What is it?" Harry asked as his ears perked up.

"Well things here are looking good in the family. Why don't you go see to the other Houses you have Lordship over."

"Mhmm," Harry said, the house-elf was right. His family was in a better position than ever before. The vaults were overflowing, business was good, plenty of research was being carried out, the Legion was being expanded, and so much more.

He had set aside dealing with the other Houses because they would be such a monstrous task unlike his own family. Things weren't looking good for the Potter family when he took over, but that didn't compare to the other houses... There was nothing to work with and he knew he had to start from scratch to build them up.

But Harry knew if he wanted to face Voldermort he would need the full might of all the family he has lordship over. Only then could he stand a chance and actually win against that psychopath with the combined might of 3 Dukal Houses, a Marquis family, and an Earl.

"You're right, Tobry, I have been putting that off for a while now haven't I?!"

"Yes, my lord," the house-elf simply nodded his head.

"Well, then I guess I have some surveying to do."

***

The only surveying of the other houses estates he had to do was just one, the ancient palace of House Peverell. Other than that nothing else stood remaining after all these years. even finding the Peverell Palace was by luck, the goblins of Gringotts had nothing on hand about the location of the estate, it was only thanks to some records that his family held that he found out about this place.

The Potters and Peverell have always been close with many of friendships and marriages made between the two houses. It was no surprise that they knew the location of the ancient palace.

Looking up at the ancient decrepit old palace with its walls long crumbling and its vines covering most of the structures. It was obvious that it has been quite some time since someone has been here.

But still underneath all its decaying stones and collapsed structures, Harry could tell that this used to be a grand place, the envy of so many people as it used to stand proud and mighty.

The palace sat in the middle of a basin with water cascading down into the small lake surrounding the island that the palace was in. There were rocky walls encircling the exalted palace which seemed to have been hallowed out at one point but now it was just ruins.

There were two bridges to either sides that allowed you access to the the palace at one point, but now they were crumbled stone and all that stood between Harry and the palace was a massive drop into the lake below.

For some reason, Harry really didn't like the feel of the water it was a dark roiling abyss that was waiting for him to drop in.

Still Harry had a solution to his problem, he had on hand a very useful spell, one from his family grimoire where one of his ancestor tried to fly. But flying is very difficult only wizards and witches that have great master of their magic could do that, so this was a close approximation.

The spell basically let you jump very very high!

Taking a deep, Harry walked a come feet back to get a sprinting start then he took off running. Uttering the spell under his breath, Harry jumped off the ledge and soared high up into the air over the lake and towards a open space in the front lawn. Cushioning his landed, Harry was able to make superhero landed, and quickly dusted himself off.

He took a look around seeing nothing of note and moved on.

This place seemed to be massive, it put to shame his family Manor which was a castle plucked right out of a fairy tale. Where his family manor was fit to house Great Lords and Ladies this place was more fit for a king.

Passing under a crumbled dome, Harry quickly looked up at the open ceiling. He swore he could have just seen something darting through the sky. Shaking his head, he figured it was just his imagination.

Continuing along, Harry took in everything the place was a mess he would need to hire plenty of hands to repair all this damage accumulated through the years. The wards were barely functioning, most of the defenses were off, the walls looked to be about to crumble in on itself, and many more problems.

It was sad to take in everything, a great house having fallen so low that only memories of it remain. Harry wondered how many more houses suffered this fate as they slipped through the cracks of history.

It showed that no power was forever! Everything raises and falls just as it should.

Suddenly one of the wall opposite to Harry crumbled in and dust flew into the air, Harry acted more on reflects as he jumped back while something came galloping in.

***

Light Side: Longbottom, Diggory, Fawley, Shafiq, Shacklebolt, Macmillan, Bones, Potter, Prewett(Extinct)

Peverell Palace: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/nQqonO