A/N No clue when the next chapter will be out hopefully not another 4 years

Chapter 8

Harry was already late for dinner as he strode up the lane to Hogwarts. Arthur Weasley had been installed in the Potter offices with Marcus Weatherby happily keeping his position as secretary and fully on board with helping Arthur acclimate.

Harry had discovered that there was a daily 4:30 press conference at the Ministry so that any news in the Ministry could be announced. Though generally notice was sent if anything really important was happening. Several junior reporters were shocked out of their boredom into frenetic activity and career making scoops by Harry Potter's appearance at the routine conference to announce the change in the Potter proxy. One young lady who'd done her research had the presents of mind to ask about the Black seat as well and was delighted with Harry's response that he would be reactivating the seat as soon as he found an appropriate proxy.

He'd then stopped by Kingsley's office and now was late.

He slipped into the Great Hall through the open doors and headed around the table to an empty place near his friends. He'd barely slipped into place when the Headmaster caught sight of him and rose, moving down the aisle to stop behind Harry.

"Mr Potter, my office now," he growled.

Harry looked up into at the Headmaster, "What's the matter now, Headmaster? I haven't done anything."

"Leaving school grounds without permission, disrupting the Ministry, harassing a Ministry official. Oh, I think you've done just about enough, Mr Potter, I will not tolerate your behavior any longer. Now come to my office," bellowed Dumbledore drawing his wand.

Harry stood and faced Dumbledore. "Hogwarts by-law 42.18 allows any student of age to leave school grounds when not in class or after posted curfew. By-law 12.13 forbids the Headmaster of interfering with any student who is also Head of a Noble House in the performance of House duties. We have nothing to discuss, Headmaster."

"I will not stand for this Harry, you will apologize to Mr Doge and reinstate him immediately. You are far to young to meddle in things you do not understand," said Dumbledore harshly.

"You have nothing to say about it, Headmaster. Mr Doge is your man not mine and I refuse to have someone with divided loyalties handling my business," said Harry firmly. Then he smirked and continued, "Besides it's to late I've already appointed a new proxy. Now if you don't mind I'd like to have my dinner as I have quidditch practice later."

Harry turned to the table to re-seat himself and Dumbledore grabbed his arm and jerked him back around demanding, "Who did you appoint, Harry!"

"Albus!" screeched McGonagall, "Unhand Lord Potter this instant."

Dumbledore blinked and suddenly realized that they were, after all, still in the crowded Great Hall and several wands were pointed directly at him. He also became uncomfortably aware that the tip of Harry's wand was placed all to closely to his manly bits. He released Harry and took a step back saying, "Put your wands away children, this is simply a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding!" hissed McGonagall, "Albus, Lord Potter has done nothing wrong and if there is one more incident like this I will be taking it to the board myself. I think you'd better apologize right now."

Dumbledore gave the her an icy glare and spate, "You go to far, Professor." Then he turned away and walked out of the Hall. McGonagall stormed after him and Flitwick, Sprout and Sinistra abandon their meals and followed her.

Students all over the Hall stared after Dumbledore until all the Heads had disappeared and then fixed their gaze on Harry as the whispers began.

"You alright?" asked Neville.

Harry shrugged and began to fill his plate.

"He's nutters he is," said Ron in a low tone.

"Harry what was that all about?" questioned Hermione eyes wide.

"I dismissed Doge, the man was impossible, kept calling me 'boy' and tried to get the Aurors to arrest me," he said as he cut his meat.

"So you've got a new proxy?" asked Neville quietly.

Harry only nodded, his mouth to full to answer properly.

"But Harry," started Hermione.

"Aw, let 'im eat Hermione," said Ron around a mouth full of chicken.

Hermione huffed, "Fine, at least he doesn't talk with his mouth full."

Ron rolled his eyes and buttered another roll.

Harry cleared his mouth and said, "Look, I'll tell you all about it tonight but I've got quidditch practice in just a bit and I'm starving."

Ron dropped his fork, "We have quidditch practice?"

Harry shook his head, "I'm helping out the new seekers with some drills, I though I told you."

Ron stared at him, "You're helping the enemy?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Grow up, Ron I want some descent competition. How much fun would you have if the other team was so bad that they couldn't even try to score on you for a whole game?"

Ron blinked, "Well, other than the fact it would mean we'd win, it would be pretty boring," he shrugged, "I see your point, I guess, I don't like it but I see your point." He returned to his meal without more argument.

Harry finished hurriedly. He could see his reserve seeker Nancy Boles down the table casting anxious glances at him and practically vibrating in her seat. He grinned to himself as he wiped his mouth and stood and Nancy bolted from her seat.

"I'll be on the pitch," he said to the group and hustled off for his broom.

Nancy was waiting in the common room with her broom and they walked down to the pitch together.

-HP-

Minerva McGonagall and the other three caught up to the Headmaster as he entered his office.

"How dare you speak to me in such a way before the students," said Dumbledore in a cold voice as he seated himself behind his desk.

"How dare I?" McGonagall hissed, "how dare you, Albus, you drew your wand on Harry Potter, you laid hands on a student in front of the entire school. You tried to punish the Head of two ancient and noble houses for doing his duty, are you insane or merely senile?"

Dumbledore blinked and shook his head, "Harry has had no preparation for politics and don't want to see all of my hard work destroyed by a headstrong child. He needs my guidance."

"By Merlin, Albus, Lord Potter is not a child and if you'd treated me as you just did him I'd have challenged you to a duel. Mark my words Headmaster I believe the young Lord could beat you, too," said Flitwick.

"I agree," said Sinistra, "I believe that Poppy should have a look at you, Albus you're not acting at all sane where, Potter's concerned. I'm sure if it were one of my Slytherins, who'd become Head of their House you were treating this way, they'd be taking their complaints to the Wizengamot and you'd surly be censored."

"You don't understand, Harry needs-" started Dumbledore.

"To find his own way, Albus, as every young man must," interrupted Sprout, "He's bright and I have no doubts that he'll ask for aid if he is in need. Though I don't think you'll be the one he'll ask now."

Dumbledore glared and Minerva stated, "You leave, Potter alone or I'll go to the Governors myself."

"Professor McGonagall you're overreacting, Harry and I are just have a small misunderstanding," said Dumbledore slowly.

Flitwick, Sprout and Sinistra exchanged glances and nods and Flitwick said, "We are in agreement with Professor McGonagall, Headmaster, your actions toward Lord Potter have been reprehensible. Desist antagonizing Potter before we are forced to take action."

"An apology wouldn't go amiss," added Sprout.

"I see, very well, you may go," said Dumbledore icily as he turned away and stared out of the window.

The four exchanged glances and left the office intending to keep a close eye on the old man.

-HP-

Wayne Hopkins and a tiny girl were waiting for Harry and Nancy on the pitch.

"Harry, this is Anna Baker Hufflepuff's seeker. Anna, Harry Potter," said Wayne.

"Nice to meet you Anna, do you know Nancy?" said Harry to the girl. She blushed furiously and nodded. Then both girls giggled. Harry sighed, "So are you ready to fly?"

"Not starting without us are you, Potter?" came the voice of Warrington as he approached with another boy in tow.

"Now, why would I do something like that?" asked Harry with a grin.

"I don't need your help. I'm already a great seeker," said the boy beside Warrington.

Harry looked at him closely, he had neatly combed, mousy brown hair and a sneer on his face. "Okay, go back up to the castle then," said Harry with a shrug.

The boy flushed and opened his mouth and Warrington smacked him across the back of the head, "I'm warning you Burns, Potter here is offering to help you and he has a contract with the English National team, you don't have to be here and you don't have to play for Slytherin either."

The boy glared at Warrington for a moment then gulped and turned back to Harry, "Your pardon, Mr Potter, I'm Sean Burns and I'd be happy to see what you can teach me."

"Alright," said Harry with a shrug, "you may actually know this already, I'm going to show you the standard set of drills that professional seekers use. I only learned them this summer. So all of you do a couple of laps around the pitch to warm up and we'll get started.

As the three second years mounted and took off around the pitch Harry smirked at Warrington and asked, "So is he related to Malfoy? Or does he just not like me?"

Warrington snorted, "Don't you know nearly all purebloods are related, Potter? Burns is alright, I think it's just you've been the bad guy in the Slytherin dorms for so long that it takes some getting use to. Now that Malfoy isn't here it should be better. I swear I got so tired of listening to him whine about you."

Harry laughed, "Well, he's whining to his mummy now." He watched the three on the pitch complete their second lap and added, "I'd better get up there." And launched himself into the air.

Forty five minutes later the four landed near where the two Captains were sprawled on the grass and they all head back to the castle. The three young seekers chattering away at each other about how much they learned.

Harry stopped them in the door way. "Hey, a word of caution, don't practice by yourselves, take a friend or teammate to the pitch with you. Madam Pomfrey can heal practically any injury if you're in the infirmary but if you're laying out on the pitch all by yourself it's a little harder for her."

"Yes, sir," they chorused together, then fell about laughing at Harry's face.

"You did sound a bit teacherish, there, Potter," said Wayne with a laugh.

"Say, Mr Potter," asked Burns, "will you practice with us again, sometime?" Both girls looked at him with begging faces.

"Sure if you want and your team Captains don't mind. I need to drill as well," said Harry. "Oh and be sure to attend the workshop end of the month."

They started off toward their dorms when Harry reach out to halt Warrington. "By the way, I spoke with Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Head of the DMLE, he said that Death Eaters who turned themselves in and confess freely could receive lighter sentences, possibly only fines depending on what they did."

"Thanks, I'll pass that on to my – friend," said Warrington who then jogged away to catch up to Burns. Harry turned toward Gryffindor tower to find Nancy, eyes wide, waiting for him in the shadows.

Harry looked at her a moment, "Nancy, I'd really like it if you wouldn't say anything about that to anyone."

"Don't worry I won't. I hope those nasty people do turn themselves in. I wouldn't want you to get hurt chasing them down."

"Nancy, I'm not chasing down any Death Eaters, that's what the Auror's are for," said Harry surprised.

She rolled her eyes and said, "If you say so," and then changed the subject, "That was a great practice. I was already friends with Anna but I didn't know that Sean could be nice, and he was, wasn't he?" She didn't pause for him to answer just moved on to a new subject.

Harry just nodded in the appropriate places as the girl chattered all the way to the common room.

-HP-

Harry entered the common room and threw himself down on the couch next to Hermione.

"Eww, Harry you smell," complained Hermione.

Harry grinned at her and said, "I've been exercising what do you expect?"

She turned up her nose and said, "I expect you to go clean up."

Neville and Ron exchanged amused glances.

"Well okay," said Harry starting to push himself up, "but I thought you wanted me to tell you about my day."

She grabbed his arm and yanked him back down, "Talk Potter," she demanded.

He grinned and said, "Little pushy there aren't you 'Mione?"

"Hmpf, I'll show you pushy, Potter if you don't tell me why Dumbledore seems to be insane," she muttered.

"Well it started with a conversation with Zabini in A&EM and ended with me firing Doge, Dumbledore's appointed proxy for the Potter seat in the Wizengamot. I won't tolerate someone I barely know treating me like some stupid kid when he's supposed to be working for me," said Harry with a smirk.

"Who did you appoint, Harry?" asked Neville leaning forward in his chair.

Harry grinned and said, "Well since I'm going to activate the Black seat as well I thought that Fred and George would really liven up the Wizengamot."

There was a stunned silence. Then Hermione said, "Oh, Harry you didn't!"

"No, I didn't," he agreed with a laugh, "Mr Weasley didn't think much of the idea and agreed to take the Potter seat right off. I didn't really even have to convince him."

Neville howled with laughter and Hermione clouted him on the arm with a huff. Ron just sat mouth gaping. Harry couldn't tell if it was the idea of his Dad on the Wizengamot or Harry suggesting the twins that had him in shock.

Harry reached around Hermione to nudge his friend, "All right there, Ron?"

Ron blinked and looked up, "Yeah, blimey things are never simple with you, mate."

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment and said, "I think if anything was simple or easy it would scare me. I'd be more paranoid than old Madeye waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"Harry," asked Hermione slowly, "Why appoint a proxy now? I mean you could occupy the seats yourself, couldn't you?"

Harry leaned back on the couch, "Yeah, I could but I'm not really ready for it. I still have a lot to learn. By putting in Mr Weasley as my proxy I'm showing while I'm taking control I'm still willing to listen to someone older as well. Neville said he's going to be shadowing his Uncle next summer, I'm thinking I'll do the same with Mr Weasley and the Black proxy, be visibly learning how things are done."

Hermione looked surprised and pleased, "That's very mature of you Harry and well thought out."

Harry smirked, "Besides, I'm having enough trouble dealing with one old man here, I don't want to deal with the rest of them. I want to have some fun, play quidditch and finish my NEWT's."

"Oh," said Hermione while Neville and Ron snickered.

"Now I'm going to clean up and read a couple of impossibly thick books I got from the Wizengamot's Chief Archivist," Harry added standing.

Hermione perked up, "Books?"

Harry grinned at her and said, "Yeah, Doge's voting record and one on the Wizengamot itself and yes you can read them when I'm done." He grimaced slightly, "I suppose maybe before if I need translating."

Hermione smiled and nodded, "All right, Harry, go, read fast." The three boys just snickered.

A/N for those that wanted the twins to be Harry's proxies

omake for chapter 7 Time to Learn

Potters Prankster Proxies

Harry walked into the Minister's office wondering why he'd been summoned.

"Thank you for coming so quickly Lord Potter, we need to discuss your proxies," said Amelia Bones with a frazzled look.

Albus Dumbledore sat beside her desk. Harry noticed his eyes weren't twinkling at all in fact he'd almost swear the man was depressed.

"What about them?" asked Harry.

Amelia closed her eyes and took a deep breath when she opened them she looked directly into Harry's eyes. "They have to go, Lord Potter. The government will collapse if you let them continue. I could understand the whoopee cushions on each chair. The cheering draught in the mid meeting tea made for a nice afternoon and the prank war between them and Algie Longbottom and Les Moore at least was kept out the chambers. But this- this is the last straw. Rampant flatulence and belching is not conducive to proper voting! The members are refusing to leave their offices."

Harry shook his head, "I'm not sure I follow."

Amelia took another deep breath, "Observe. Albus if you would?"

Dumbledore gave a sigh and nodded. Harry thought it odd that he had yet to say anything.

Amelia said, "All in favor say aye."

Dumbledore opened his mouth a very loud, extraordinarily long belch issued forth. Harry's mouth dropped open.

Amelia said, "Those opposed?"

Dumbledore opened his mouth. "Nay," he said softly. It was drown out by the loud burst of flatulence. Dumbledore squeezed his eyes shut and held his breath as he was surrounded by the green gases.

Harry fell out of his chair laughing.