Shadow Council 129 Final

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Xander and Wednesday stepped out into the street, The Shadows had changed with the shifting of the Sun and now Saville Row was bathed in a gentle Twilight. the summer heat and humidity that Kung to the London streets was lessened to a point that it felt almost cool to  Xander’s Californian  sensibilities. 

 Wednesday on the other hand looks slightly pained as the humid warmth washed over her.

    “This country is so cheerful and warm,” Wednesday complained,  though Xander suspected that she was only doing so because it was expected of her since he shot her an amused look.

“Really?” He asked dryly, “Old Blighty, the land of rain and fog, is too cheerful and warm for you?”

Wednesday shot him an annoyed side eye, “It is this time of year.”

“If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes,” He said philosophically, “We’re not in California, after all.”

“And, for that, I am truly grateful.”

Xander grinned at her as he glanced over to the shop that Harry and Draco had been heading for, “Should we wait?”

Wednesday shrugged easily, “I see no reason to. We did not come together.”

“True,” He said, considering. “Well, we’re in London with time to burn…”

He smiled idly in her direction, extending a hand, “What say we go find some trouble to get into?”

Wednesday raised a single eyebrow as she looked to him for a moment before nodding and taking his hand.

“That sounds… acceptable.”

***** 

Harry and Draco shifted uncomfortably as the tailor finished off their measurements, scratching down some quick notes before closing the notebook and straightening as he turned towards them.

  “Well that should be everything lads,”  the man said with a tight smile, “ I'll have these finished up for you by the end of the week.”

 Andromeda smiled her thanks as Narcissa rose to her feet and put a hand on draco's shoulder.

“ that will do perfectly,” Narcissa said, “ Thank you ever so much for your time and consideration.”

“Not at all, mum,”  he said easily, “ thank you each for your business.”

 Harry and Draco both remain silent as they were ushered out of the building by their two chaperones,  both of the young men clearly in thought.  It was Draco who broke the silence first, half turning into his mother as they stepped out into the row.

“Are the Adams's truly that powerful, mother,”  he asked some concern in his voice.

  Narcissa was silent for a moment as she considered how to respond,  so Andromeda spoke up in her Stead.

“as with many things, young Draco, It would depend very much on the circumstances in which you find yourself.” she said with carefully considered words. “ however, I would strongly advise that you always consider the truth, which is that…”

 she paused thinking about what  words to use next.

“ we truly have no idea how powerful they are.”

 Draco stared at her  distrustfully but offered  no comment or complaint. it was Harry who spoke next, his own tone more thoughtful than anything.

“Why don't we know more about them,”  he asked in honest confusion. “ if they're that powerful, surely the Aurors and others  have investigated them?”

“ oh many times,”  Narcissa said with some amusement, “ many times many times in fact.  few if any of those investigations came to anything concrete,  the family keeps its secrets.  they are one of the few Clans that the dark lord shied away from, even at the height of his power. Much like the Hogwarts warning, the Addams Clan is considered something of a sleeping dragon. Few want to waken them, and fewer are those both foolish enough to try and capable enough to succeed. We are fortunate in that regard.”

“It makes no sense,” Draco grumbled, “She’s a nothing at school.”

Harry shot him an askance look, “Are you serious?”

“What would you know about influence, scar head?” Draco spat.

“I know enough not to mess with Wednesday, or any of the Claws she extended her protection to,” Harry scoffed. “Lovegood, Patil, a couple others… The girls giving them trouble found themselves regretting it, from what I hear.”

“Indeed,” Narcissa said dryly, “The Addams is now known to control Ravenclaw almost entirely. The few holdouts are less… standing in competition with her and more merely hiding in the shadows, hoping she doesn’t deign to take notice of them. Much as you, yourself, and your friend Granger is it, control Gryffindor.”

Harry paused mid step, eyes wide, “We do?”

Draco snorted, “He doesn’t even know what he controls, how can he possibly be in control?”

“Mostly through his proxy,” Narcissa admitted, frowning slightly at Harry, “Which has been acceptable up to this point, but really Mr Potter, you need to make it clear that Miss Granger wields your power in your name, and at your pleasure.”

Harry just gaped at her.

“She’s right, Harry,” Andromeda offered, “It will begin to look bad for you both if you don’t show that she’s working in your name, and for your benefit. She’s done quite well by you thus far, but as you get older it’ll look more and more like she’s going behind your back.”

Harry wasn’t entirely sure how to process that.

He knew that Hermione wasn’t going around behind his back, he trusted her a lot more than that, but he hadn’t even been aware that she was… using his power? Influence?

No. That’s not true, Harry thought about it more. I knew, I just didn’t realize it was quite so widespread.

“All of Gryffindor? Seriously?” He asked.

“For the most part,” Narcissa nodded. “The very few that could challenge you for that control are all older students who have refocused their interests on graduation and what comes after.”

“Huh,” He murmured. “What about the other houses?”

Draco puffed up, “Do you really need to ask about Slytherin?”

“Hush, Draco,” Narcissa said, “Slytherin is currently split, with Draco controlling the purebloods, while… another… controls the half blood and such members, which means that Draco has control over….”

She glanced at Andromeda, shrugging, “Forty percent of the house?”

“About that,” her sister nodded, “Less if you don’t count the pure blood fence sitters, but we both know what direction they’ll land.”

“True.”

Draco stared at his mother.

“Less than half?” Harry blinked, “I wouldn’t have guessed, if I’m being honest. Draco seems to be pretty much unquestioned by his house.”

Draco smirked, “See, mother?”

“That is merely because the other faction has been building slowly, and quietly,” Narcissa said firmly. “They’re following the Slytherin rule of no conflict within the house, but they do not follow you, Draco.”

Draco scowled at that.

“What about… Hufflepuff?” Harry asked pensively.

“That is a good question,” Andromeda admitted. “Traditionally Hufflepuff is a little difficult to tell the leadership of, mostly because they tend to move as one rather than following a leader. At the moment it would seem that the leaders of the House would be Cedric Diggory and Susan Bones, however.”

Harry considered that before he nodded, “Cedric I get, a little surprised about Susan, though.”

“Family power,” Narcissa said, “Whether she maintains it will depend on her, but her Aunt is the head of the DMLE and the Bones name has some respect of its own.”

“Most students of your position would have been trained to know and follow these trends before you even received your letter,” Narcissa went on, “As I did with Draco… though his execution has left something to be desired…”

Draco flushed, looking away from his mother’s sharp and stern gaze.

“However, late start or not, now that you’re stepping out of the shadows, it is time that you began to operate like a Lord, and not some poor scruffy child,” She said firmly.

Andromeda nodded, “She’s right, Harry. You have a lot to play catch up on, and so have a great deal of work ahead.”

Harry sighed, “What else is new?”

“No whining now,” Andromeda reproached him, “It’s unbecoming of a man in your position. Shedding tears and raging against fate are to be done in private, not where others can see and use it against you.”

“I get it,” Harry said. “I’ll be ready.”

“No, you won’t,” Andromeda smiled, “but that’s fine. No one ever is. You’ll be willing to work, and that will get you most of the way.”

“Most? What about the rest?”

“I believe that your allies will see to those concerns,” Narcissa said, her tone almost fond. “That is why they’re allies and not merely friendly acquaintances, after all.”

*****