Harry Potter:Raised by Wolves

As Ron and Hermione continued to argue over their pets, Harry found himself spending less and less time with them. Their constant bickering gave him a headache, and both of them expected him to take their side—it just wasn't worth the hassle. Instead, he spent more time alone or with Neville. He was surprised by how close he had become to the usually shy Gryffindor since revealing his secret. Neville was easy to get along with—much easier, Harry thought guiltily, than Ron and Hermione.

True to his word, Neville had sent an owl to his gran explaining Harry's situation. She had responded with a long letter detailing exactly what she would like to say and do to Albus Dumbledore, along with several rolls of parchment filled with notes on proper etiquette and behavior, and a book titled Occlumency for Beginners. Thanks to her, Harry had gotten into the habit of clearing his mind and organizing his thoughts before bed. He wasn't sure if it was helping, but Neville insisted it was the best starting point.

Harry and Neville were sitting in the library—where, for once, Hermione was not—studying books that wouldn't seem suspicious if someone came across them. Harry should have known there would be plenty of useful information in the Hogwarts library.

"So technically, none of us are responsible for anything until we come of age," Neville explained, sounding more confident than Harry had ever heard him—except perhaps when talking about Herbology. "We're just heirs. It's not until you become the head of your house that you really have any influence. For most people, that doesn't happen for ages. Usually, a Lord or Lady keeps their seat until their heir is married and has kids—just in case they need to change the line of succession. If they don't like who their heir has married, or something else happens." He paused before adding with a wry smile, "But, well, we don't have any other options."

Harry bit his lip. He knew Neville was raised by his gran, but he had never asked what had happened to his parents. He wasn't sure how to bring it up.

"Then why do all the books make it sound like such a big deal from birth?"

"The family heir is responsible for securing strong family ties for the future," Neville explained. "Everything relies on them. If the head of the household is awful, sure, that's not great. But the future depends on the heir. If they're not great, that means another generation of trouble. Say one heir offends another heir when they're, like, twelve. That grudge can carry through their families for the next fifty or sixty years—until the next heir takes over. And Merlin help them if the grudge is passed down. Some families have feuds that have been going on for centuries."

"Like the Malfoys and the Weasleys," Harry realized. That bad blood had to go back further than just Lucius and Arthur.

Neville nodded. "Exactly. And those kinds of grudges make politics really difficult—especially since there are only fifty seats on the Wizengamot at any given time. If you anger one family, and they tell all their allied families—"

"You end up with a lot of people voting against you just out of spite," Harry finished.

"Exactly. Which is why our behavior is really important."

Harry glanced down at the next paragraph in his book and didn't notice they had company until someone cleared their throat.

Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott stood beside their table. Susan eyed Harry warily for a second before turning to Neville.

"Ernie wants to know if you'll help him with his Herbology homework on Friday."

"Of course, yeah. Why didn't he ask me himself?" Neville paused, then sighed. "Don't tell me he's still hiding after the butterbeer incident?"

Both girls giggled, and Hannah nodded.

"Idiot," Neville muttered. "It's completely fine. My gran even thought it was funny. Tell him I'll meet him in the usual spot after dinner."

Susan turned to leave but hesitated, glancing down at the open book between Harry and Neville. Harry fought the urge to snap it shut.

"No," she murmured, a slow smile creeping across her face. "Really?"

The question was directed at Neville, who grinned and nodded. "Really. But it's hush-hush for now. Reasons," he added, as if that explained anything.

Harry had officially lost track of the conversation.

Susan and Hannah both looked at Harry, studying him as if they were seeing him for the first time. Then, after a beat, Hannah inclined her head, holding her hands open.

"Well met, Heir Potter."

Susan repeated the greeting.

Harry spluttered, caught off guard. Neville kicked him under the table, shooting him a pointed look.

"I, uh—well met, Heir Bones, Heir Abbott," he managed, bowing his head slightly in return. Then he frowned. "You two as well?"

He knew Abbott was one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, but he hadn't seen anything about the Bones family. I really need to read that book on pureblood families.

"We were starting to think you'd never claim your title," Hannah said, keeping her voice low. "What took you so long?"

"It's—It's a long story," Harry muttered, running a hand through his hair. "How many of us are at Hogwarts?"

"Oh, loads," Susan replied, waving a hand dismissively. "Basically all the Slytherins in our year. Ernie Macmillan. Sully Fawley, the year below us. Anthony Goldstein. Cassius Warrington—that tall bloke on the Slytherin Quidditch team. Tons more."

"They do it on purpose. Our parents, I mean," Hannah explained. "They all try to have kids around the same time so we meet at school and start forming connections early. There are a few exceptions—the Weasleys have always been off-cycle, and the Flints really messed up their timing—but for the most part, it's our lot. Good to have you in the ranks." She grinned, winking. "We'd love to hear that long story of yours one day."

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