Legal Woes
6 September, 1994
Roanapur, Thailand
8:22 A.M.
"And I have no idea why I trusted Lotton with that!" Harry angrily exclaimed, pacing back and forth as Sam Hawthorn almost absently refitted an engine with a new drive shaft. "I mean, you know, but that's only because you literally can't tell anyone. But I barely know him! He seems like a great guy, don't get me wrong. But I've literally had three conversations with him before I told him about the soul shard!"
"And what's bugging you the most about all of that, Harry?" Sam asked as an allen wrench twirled.
Harry stopped, considering the question. "I think... I think I'm more angry at myself about all of this. I could've told him I discovered it in some books, or gotten bits and pieces from Himiko, or even something I ran across with the Healer's Guild. I wanted to reassure him, but why did I blurt that out?"
"You needed him to trust you, right?" Harry nodded at that. "You could've lied, but you didn't," Sam commented as a small device was replaced on the rather small engine. "So why didn't you?"
"I... damn. I didn't want to lie to him," Harry admitted. "His dad was cursed, and now Lotton doesn't have magic because of that. It felt like I couldn't base our friendship on a lie, even to protect myself, I think."
"You do dislike liars," Sam stated, pulling a cover off to expose some valves, "and most of your trust issue are based on your relatives tempting you, only to pull the rug out from under you through abusive hypocrisy. This would go a long ways toward explaining why you did what you did, Harry. But let's let that lie for a moment. You have a question."
Harry blinked, mentally reeling at how well Sam could read him. "What are you working on? It looks like an engine, but it's so small."
Sam smiled at the question. "It's a diesel engine for a generator. During the monsoon season, a lot of places end up without electricity. This particular generator is for a restaurant, for their walk-in freezer. The great thing about a diesel engine is that it can run on vegetable oil, so there's never a lack of fuel for it."
Harry tilted his head to the side, thinking about that. "And how does that work, exactly?"
"The engine's drive shaft," Sam began, pointing out the parts, "spins the generator itself, in this case a series of car alternators. The electricity generated is then channeled through a transformer array, known as a power convertor, which converts the electricity from Direct Current to Alternating Current. A lot of long haul drivers in the United States use this kind of arrangement to power a television and mini-fridge in the sleeper section of their truck. In their case, only the convertor is needed, since the large engine of the truck already has an alternator."
"So... all it really needs is a way for the alternators to spin?" Sam nodded at the question, tapping the shaft. "So if someone were to enchant the shaft itself to spin, you wouldn't need the engine?"
"In theory, yes," Sam replied with a small smile. "If the enchanter in question could regulate the revolutions per minute to create a stable flow of electricity to the convertor, absolutely."
"And it would be clean power," Harry mused aloud. "No pollution. And raiding junkyards, rebuilding alternators with the repair spell..."
"Recycling old parts is never a bad idea," Sam admitted, leaning back a little to let Harry pore over the generator. "What's your thought?"
"I want to get Yamatai cleaned up and rebuilt," Harry answered. "There are a ton of generators and engines all over the island. Planes and boats. The cultists were salvaging and fixing up generators. If I can get the enchantments worked out, I won't have to worry about a distributed power network to power whatever settlement I decide to build."
"True. Between this idea and the water producing spell, a lot of your resource issues are resolved. Portkeys to transport food and supplies. All of your foundations would be covered in the short term."
"Huh. A mix of magical and muggle... Could I even get away with it?" Harry mused aloud, resuming his pacing.
"If what you've told me is right, then nobody can take the wards away from you because you are the wards. They can't be transferred at all. And as the rightful king, your word really is law, right?"
"That won't mean much to the ICW if they decide to get shirty with me," Harry grumbled out. "My idea is going to go really firmly against the Statute of Secrecy."
"Unless you keep Yamatai separated like it has been for a thousand years," Sam reminded Harry, his wrench pulling out the engine's glow plug. "Keep it to magicals and people in the know, use keyed portkeys to transport stuff on and off the island, and more than half of those troubles are accounted for."
"Maybe. Maybe."
"Of course, you still need to get the place cleared out and studied. You've got people for that, so let them work."
"I think I need to hire Sawyer as an advisor," Harry admitted. "She's a disposal expert; she'd know best on how to safely clear out a thousand years' worth of corpses."
"Not a poor idea," Sam stated, using a thin bit of steel to realign the valves. "Anything else bothering you today?"
Harry frowned, sighing. "You know those three girls I met last week? We've been hanging out. A lot. Not that it's a bad thing!" Harry blurted out. "Just, doing stuff with them is a lot of fun. I actually feel like a teenager when we're out doing stuff."
"That doesn't sound bad. A bit of normal in your insane life. You're fourteen, you need to go out and do teen stuff. What's actually bugging you? Waiting on the other shoe?"
"No," Harry sighed out, sitting on a stool heavily. "They're getting touchy with me. Eva holds my hand constantly when we're at the movies, Zara practically hangs on my arm when we're out grazing on the food stalls, and Urara does a lot of grinding on me when we're out dancing."
"And you're uncomfortable with the public displays of affection?"
"More confused? Maybe I'm not used to how teenagers do stuff. On the other hand, they are gorgeous women who are also sex workers. Me being with them helps drive off gropers and guys looking for freebies."
"Right," Sam replied, rolling his eyes where Harry couldn't see. "Anything else with the three?"
"Last night we all went out; Sundays are always slow for them. Each of them gave me a kiss on the cheek as I dropped them off at their places."
"Hm," Sam stated noncommitally.
"That's all for that. I'll have to ask them later what's going on. Oh, and Revy and I decided to adopt each other as brother and sister. We're both messed up by how we were raised, so we decided to join forces as a family."
"That's a solid positive," Sam commented, closing up the engine. "Revy's been needing someone she can rely on that isn't about business who can also handle themselves. That thing with the Russians proved that you can take the fight to the enemy, and clearly you have the stones for nasty shit. You, on the other hand, need someone who won't judge you who you can rely on not to idolize or pity you. You two will make an excellent pair as family."
A couple of hours later, Harry was back in his apartment, mulling over recent events (as both Salim and Sam had advised him to take the time to do). The mental conditioning he'd gotten from Tom was proving invaluable, and the memories from Himiko's early days were proving themselves, as the woman in her first three incarnations had excellent organizational management skills. And then his phone rang.
"Harry Potter."
"Harry, it's Laura Langley," came the pleasant, American-accented voice from the other end. "How're you holding up?"
"Pretty well," Harry replied. "I was a bit of a mess after Yamatai, but thanks to Slipshard, things are well set up. And I'm seeing a therapist about my issues."
"What's his approach? Has he prescribed you anything?"
"Sam says that I don't need anything like that, and the potion that I'm on would interfere with anything I take," Harry answered. "All we really do is talk about stuff. Like you said, it really does help. What about you?"
Laura's throaty laugh drifted out of the receiver, forcing Harry to readjust in his chair even as he was thankful that he wasn't in the same room as the deliciously sensual woman. "Oh, I've been very busy, Harry. You have made me a happy, happy lawyer, and I've been pissing off a lot of people."
"It's not dangerous, is it?" Harry asked, his voice full of concern. "There are some powerful people out there, Laura."
"Trust me, between Emil and Charles, there is little I fear in Britain," she replied, amusement lacing her voice. "And if they take the direct approach, I think that they'll find that we ladies here are not defenseless."
"So long as you're safe," Harry said, still a little worried. "What do you have for me?"
"Let's hit the easy stuff first, Harry. The tax offices are still investigating alongside Gringotts, so we're leaving them alone until they're done. The stasis on the cottage in Godric's Hollow is taking a bit of time. Since the Ministry is trying to stonewall me by saying that you are needing to be present, regardless of me having Power of Attorney, I've been attacking them in the international press. The Daily Prophet is basically a Ministry mouthpiece, so they're worthless. I've ran articles in the Quibbler, the African Crier, the New Salem Signboard, and the Magische Neuigkeiten in Germany. Now it's a waiting game to see if the Ministry to cave to international pressure for keeping the rightful property from the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Next are you Last Scion rights. As the last Potter, anything earmarked as a Potter thing is automatically yours. Since you're still a minor, nothing is taxable until you turn seventeen. Those properties you got from the tax office? Unless you break the law, they can't be seized. That goes along with any other property protected by the family ward system, and the family magics. That part is really cut and dried. Do you recall you told me about your friend Neville before you left? Since the House of Longbottom has a legally appointed Regent, he has to wait for his Regent to step down before he can take over. Usually, that happens when he comes of age."
"Actually, there's been a change," Harry interrupted. "He wrote me saying that he got something done, and he got his parents back. You might want to talk to him about that; it felt like Neville really needs some outside legal help."
"I can do that," Laura said, audibly writing something down. "Your Right of Conquest is also clear cut. Line of Slytherin, House of Gaunt, all yours, as well as the properties. Emil managed to track down the group that's been paying the taxes on the property in Little Hangleton, claiming that he's working to expand his philanthropy by restoring historic manor houses, which he is well known for doing. We got the deeds transferred to Emil temporarily. When you get back, you'll owe him a little money, not more than a few thousand pounds, and sign everything. Dobby has also been working the place over, along with some house elves he brought back from Italy. According to Emil, it's been held in trust by one of the historical societies, and they've been trying for decades to get someone to fix it up. Dobby and Emil both agree that the dark magic residue made it difficult for anyone to actually want to deal with the place, so it's a work in progress.
"Word from Dobby is that he's thoroughly gone over the Evans properties, including the one you gave to Mister Snape. He had to get some repair crews in for one of them; the other two properties are fine."
"Did Dobby tell you what had to be done to the one property?"
The sound of papers being turned was heard. "According to my notes, a lot of dry rot in the timbers, a cracked foundation, and the roof needed to be replaced because it was old. Basically, a lot of age-related wear. Dobby told me that it should be done by New Years. As for the rest of the Evans assets, Slipshard has been going through them. He'll have a full listing for you when you get back; none of them are time sensitive.
"As for the will, again, easy stuff. We got ahold of the beneficiaries, paid out the monies. Still no line on Pettigrew, but Scrimgeour has people working that angle. We have to wait on them.
"The Hogwarts Charter," Laura began with an audible grin. "That was fun. I set Genevieve on it; she loves this sort of thing. I'll have a full list of rights and responsibilities for you when you get back; it's about forty pages long. But the Cliff Notes version is what you're wanting.
"Basically, as the Head of a Founder Line, you have at least partial access to the Hogwarts ward structure. You can't completely override the Headmaster, but you can authorize upgrades, repairs, and modifications so long as they're for the proper good of the school as a learning environment. In the absence of a duly assigned Headmaster, you would assume absolute control of the wards, pending the reassignment of a new Headmaster with your approval. The charter is very specific.
"The Board of Governors is still the active power, but you will possess Veto Power over their decisions. In addition, you have retroactive veto power over all of the Hogwarts regulations. Basically, if you don't like a rule, or think it's inappropriate, you can make it unenforceable. You also have veto power over new staff hirings, although not over previous hirings. That one can get more than a little political, so be careful.
"Last but not least, you have final word on the school's budget. This is absolute, and written directly into the charter. And if the Ministry tries to shove you out, you have the right to declare Hogwarts to be removed from control of the Minisrty, and placed under direct control of the Crown, or declare it an autonomous nation. This is considered a Final Option, so again, you'll want to be really careful with it.
"Next, the Boy Hero series. I still haven't figured that one out, and the Wizengamot is resisting issuing a court order to release the information. They claim that the series is 'An integral part of modern society, and to interfere with it would be to bring shame on the legacy of the Boy-Who-Lived'. It's a lot of bullshit and waffle, so we're pushing them on that.
"Last but not least are the Life Debts. Did Mr. Weasley contact you about the new complication?"
"Yeah, something about Sam Nishimura owing me a huge Life Debt. But he didn't go into details."
"That's because I asked him not to. I ended up going to the Department of Mysteries. Thank God for Charles' influence with those bastards."
"You and Emil both mentioned a Charles. Who is he?"
"Lord Charles Bryant, Duke. He was elevated by Elizabeth right after Emil was. Duke of Lancashire, which include Blackpool. He's also the current Governor of Hong Kong. During the Second World War, he and Emil served together. The two also stole the very first crude atomic powered ship from the Nazis. Charles is considered one of the secret Fathers of Modern Radiochemistry, as he never published, but rather just shared his observations with the likes of Oppenheimer and such.
"Anyways, as a fellow magical, and a military researcher, Charles has a lot of pull in the Department of Mysteries. So he was able to get me in.
"Life debts, as they were described to me, run on a Five-Tier scale," Laura began in a lecturing tone. "The severity of the debt depends on the danger to the debtor, as well as the danger to the rescuer. A one on the scale is like keeping someone from getting run down by a horse with zero chance of injury to yourself. A five is you saved them from certain death while nearly dying yourself. With me so far?"
"I am, and I'm not liking what I'm hearing," Harry admitted.
"Can't say I blame you. Now, in your particular case, there are four life debts at current.
"First is Hermione Granger. After seeing the pensieve footage, I'll say she ranks as a rough three on the scale. She might not have died, and you weren't injured during the encounter. There was a lot of danger, but also a lot of 'might-have-beens'.
"Next is Peter Pettigrew. He is a solid one on the scale. You convinced Black to spare his life, but only to turn him in, where he would have undoubtedly gotten the Dementor's Kiss. No actual risk to you, so it's a low end debt.
"Next is Ginevra Weasley. She would have died without your rescue, and you very nearly did die. She is a definitive five on the scale. There is no wiggle room there.
"Last is Samantha Nishimura. After talking with her and Bill Weasley, she ranks at a brand-new six on the scale. Not only would her soul have been eaten had it not been for you and Lara, but magical traces indicate that even if Himiko's body had been destroyed and the transfer stopped, some portion of Himiko would have remained. You taking all of Himiko into yourself prevented a lot of shit down the road.
"And then there's the additional complication. The first three were saved by Harry Potter, heir to the House of Potter. Samantha was saved by Harry Potter, Head of the Line of Slytherin, Head of the House of Gaunt. Her rescue endangered three ancient bloodlines, which cranks up the debt. On top of that, being anywhere in Britain keeps her near your near your Source of Power, namely Hogwarts, and that cranks the urgency of the debt even harder. I've spoken, with her permission, to her psychiatrist."
"Oh, God," Harry groaned out, resting his forehead in his hand. "Okay, give it to me straight."
A sigh was heard before Laura said, "Complete obsession. Miss Croft says she's acting like a fifteen year old girl with a serious crush, while her psychiatrist told me that she's about three steps away from sending you handmade porn of herself, and about five steps from flying out to Roanapur. Both her psychiatrist and Bill feel that her 'devotion' to you could easily become an unhealthy obsession, leading her to act like a savagely jealous lover."
"Fuck. Options?"
"Pettigrew and Granger's debts could be easily forgiven by you with a small ritual. Each of them would take ten minutes. Ginevra's debt would take some work on her part to, let's say 'make up' for the debt. Samantha's gets trickier. According to the guy I met in the DoM, he's at a total loss on how to manage that. Like I said, this is new territory. I personally felt that his comment for you to 'enjoy your new house pet' was in poor taste."
"Damn right it is," Harry growled out. "Is there any way to, I don't know, lessen the intensity until something can get figured out?"
"From what I gathered, she mostly feels cut off from you right now. Her psychiatrist, Gwenivere McKenzie, recommends establishing regular contact. Letter, phone calls, that sort of thing. McKenzie will monitor Samantha's condition from her end, and hopefully we'll have something more to work on by the time you get back."
"Argh. Okay, fine. I've sent a few letters to people through Lara, so if you can get Lara to get me an address and a phone number, I'll get to work on that. Is there anything else?"
"Nope! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that's why you pay me the big bucks, right?"
"Ain't that the truth!" Harry admitted with a strained laugh.