The auction had ended and like every other auction, I was called to the after party being held in the VIP Lounge. I walked in just as I was announced by a teller surprising me a little but I schooled my features and walked down the stairs as casually as I could. But the announcement had shocked me almost making me stumble forward, "Master Harry James. Heir to House Potter and House Black."
I walked down amidst gasps and looks of shock and a look of cold fury bubbling from Malfoy. I went straight down where a shaggy haired man was chatting up the bartender, "Sirius, what the hell did you do?!" I whispered harshly at him. Sirius downed his Firewhiskey and turned towards me, "Oh that? Don't worry about it. My dear Mum might have cast me aside from the Black inheritance, but it was never hers to make that decision. That right always remained with me, after all those years. My father.."
Sirius said with venom in his voice, "...was a traditionalist. So he never made mother the Regent. Instead, he made his second son- my brother: Regulus, his heir befor he died of Dragon Pox. But Regulus had died under the service of You-know-who, which made me- the last male, the heir. Kreacher, listening to my orders is the sole proof that the inheritance was passed on to me. Probably the only good thing he had done in his worthless little life"
"That doesn't answer my question." I said heatedly to which he just drained another glass and snacked his lips, "Right right. You see, until I have a son or daughter of my own, I wanted someone- no, I wanted you Harry, to take that place." I ordered a butterbeer and sat next to him, "You are mad. But that does makes you... you, I guess."
I had to talk and mingle with the crowd meeting many people from all over the world. After that tiring work I dropped on to the sofa, wanting to rest a bit when I heard a rich African accented voice, "Mr.Potter? May I have some of your time please." It was not a question as the dark skinned girl with an ornamental headpiece sat next to me not waiting for my answer.
The actual princess of Ghana who most people of Ghana themselves did not know (because of the statuate) smoothed the colorful traditional dress she was wearing looked at me with a small smile which seemed strained and said, "Thank you for your time Mr. Potter. I wanted to talk to you about some important matters about the future. I'm Yennenga the Third. Princess of the Mossi Kingdom, founders of Ougadougou State and the Uagadou School for Mystic Shamanism and Voodooism. Please... call me Yen" I could see her mouth twitching but did not comment on it.
I dipped my head in a short bow and asked a question about something that caught my interest, "Wait. I thought Ougadougou is in Burkina Faso near Ghana and you are a Ghanian Princess. What has that got to do with Founding the Uagadou School of Magic? I do find the names similar, but beyond that?" Yen smiled in pleasant surprise before proudly nodding her head, "You are very knowledgeable Mr.Potter. It is so."
She made herself more comfortable and sat a bit more relaxed, "You see, my great ancestor Yennenga the First had ran away from her abusive father, the king of Ghana and the Dagomba Royal family and went on to marry a man of her liking somewhere in the forests of Uganda and started a happy family. Her son Ouedraogo eventually came back to the country reclaimed part of the kingdom and ruled it under a different kingdom called the Mossi Kingdom. Yennenga stayed behind in present day Uganda and had discovered that she had mystical powers. She started the school and hid it from the people without the magic sight."
"That is an amazing piece of History Princess Yen. It truly is fascinating to uncover the truth about the ancient and storied mystery of the School. Do you go to Uagadou, princess?" She nodded, "Yes. I do."
"If I am correct, one of our teachers at Hogwarts, Miss Aurora Sinistra, had graduated from Uagadou. She is our Astronomy professor." Yen perked up and said, "Yes I do. Aunty Aurora speaks highly of you." For some reason, I felt my cheeks feeling hot and flushed at my Astronomy Professors apparent praise of me. "I'm at a loss here. I do not know what I have done to warrant such high praise from her. But I shall gratefully accept it."
At this time one of her assistance came to her side and whispered something in her ear. She whispered back, her face showing frustration, but her assistant showed no backing down, "Princess..." After a prolonged staring contest, Yen finally sighed and turned to me, "It seems that I do not have anymore time to spare. Duty calls." I helped her up from her seat and went to shake her hand. But she just grabbed my shoulder and air-kissed my cheeks on either sides and said, "Until our paths entwine, Harry Potter." She winked mischievously and walked away. I loosened my collar, the room feeling hot all of a sudden.
After that I had a few minutes to myself until another voice disturbed my peace, "Mr.Potter." this time it was a gentleman with blonde hair, and definitely English. I stood and shook his hand, gesturing him to sit down opposite myself. It took a second for me to realize, his family was standing right behind him. There was a middle aged woman with raven black hair and two girls- one younger with blonde hair and one older probably my own age with black hair."
They all took a seat before the man spoke, "It is pleasure to meet you Mr.Potter. Let me Introduce ourselves. I'm Lord Cyrus Greengrass, my wife: Phloria, My eldest daughter: Daphne and my Youngest daughter: Astoria." They each gave a short bow before sitting down and I returned them with a bow of my own to not seem rude.
Cyrus Greengrass kept droning on about pure-bloods, nobility, "Right thing to do" on all those things. I wondered why the Greengrass family was in the grey faction, turns out Cyrus was too much of a coward to do anything except to sit on his fence. The so called 'dark faction' also did not seem to bother them or pressure him into joining because he did not bring anything worthwhile to the table for them.
He might have two very beautiful girls that he could give away like trophy wives and gain support from other families (no doubt, he would definitely do it), but everyone knows an open secret about the Greengrass family. That is said to be a bloodline curse known as Blood Malediction so no one wants "that" pieace of pie.
Cyrus must have thought that, since I was new to the magical side of things, I wouldn't know about it. "... and you must have met Daphne right? You are in the same year I pressume." I sipped my juice trying to think of an answer to his obvious schemes. Not able to come up with any tactful ways or means I went on the offensive.
I placed the drink on the table and looked straight at Cyrus, "Why are you here Lord Greengrass?" Cyrus looked taken aback at first , which turned into confusion, "For the auction, of course. Who wouldn't want to buy a broom like that after your brilliant dis-"
"Let me rephrase." I cut him off as I leaned back into the sofa and crossed my legs, resting my chin on my hand, "Why have you approached me, knowing well what your actions might affect both me and your family? The factions will not remain silent, they will talk."
I could see the facade of his friendly face falling, before it could turn ugly I pretended to look at the time and got up from my place, "Would you look at the time! Oh dear. I should go back home... its almost time for my bedtime." I said with each word dripping with sarcasm. I stretched my hand, "Miss Greengrass" and Daphne responded by placing her hand on top of mine I kissed her knuckles, finishing the etiquette.
"Please excuse me." I gave them a nod and walked away. Better not to associate with them... for now. Before leaving I slipped a note inside Daphne's hand when I followed the age old custom.