(Volume 4) Chapter 164: Enmity

It took a while for the fighting to come to a conclusion.

When the Commander and a few men were finally able to make it up the spire where had his last battle with Nott, they saw him seated on the dark throne back chair encrusted with black onyx and gems. And at his feet was the corpse of Theodore Nott.

"I see that it was your victory," the Commander remarked. "I will admit I was a bit worried when I saw those dead wizard killers along the way."

"I am fine Commander, thank you," the young lord nodded his head towards the gruff man. "But I cannot say the same for my enemies," he remarked as he indicated the corpse before him. Harry regretted having to finish a fellow schoolmate in the same year as him, the young man had so much to look forward to in life, and it was a waste to see him just die at 18 years old. But what needed to be done, needed to be done.

Harry knew he had to pull the weed out by the stem before it started outcropping everywhere to do him and his loved ones harm.

"I see that," the Commander said, then he looked about as if trying to locate someone.

Harry noticed his gaze and asked, "Are you looking for the General."

"Yes, I didn't seem him on the field of battle as the house he was sworn to fell. That isn't like him!" the Commander uttered then rubbing his chin he muttered, "do you think maybe he was offered up as sacrifice?"

"No," Harry shook his head, he could tell that the Commander and the General had a very long history, sometimes even the worst of enemies form some sort of connection made up of acknowledgment. "He was too valuable for that. No, he stood by his master through the end."

Nodding his head, the Commander said no more on the topic.

"So how are things down there?" Harry asked.

"We managed to finally push back those wendigo beasts out of the manor and beyond the gates. Now they just gather and wait outside the walls," the Commander answered. "I have set up contact patrols, but they won't be leaving anytime soon. This has been their home for countless centuries as much as it has been the Nott family."

"Mmm, I guess I will have to do something about that, huh!?" Harry said as he got up from the dark throne. There was only one way to resolve this problem with the wendigo creatures. Their masters were gone for good now, all that was left to scatter them to the wind.

"Alright let's locate the wardstone, and banish these creatures," Harry uttered as he got the move on. The Commander and the men he brought with him followed at his heel as they went down many winding paths and down countless stairs.

The Manor was what you would expect from an Earl House, it was richly decorated with fine artworks and tapestries. Harry saw many priceless artifacts and valuable antiques from the Holy Roman era littered through the manor. There were also portraits of past Nott family heads who stared at him hatefully as he passed by, but they could do nothing as they were only just dead men and women from the past.

Finally after following where all the wards lead to, Harry and the men came to a grand embossed double door which two golems stood guard. It was some tough work defeating the two Mithril Golems, but finally, they were able to enter the chamber beyond that housed the Wardstone.

They of course had to avoid the traps littered through the place, which some costly affair since two men lost their lives. But at long last, Harry was able to claim the giant pitch black gem suspended in the air. Another welcome surprise was that Harry found the Nott family Grimoire here as well.

Now that he thought about it, it was obvious they would put it in one of the most secure places in the Manor.

Setting aside that for now, Harry connected himself to the Wardstone since there was no remaining Nott alive, immediately Harry felt a connection to the Manor, and he had access to nearly the whole estate. with nearly being the key. There were plenty of spots that came out as just black blanks for him, and Harry could tell that his connection to the wardstone wasn't as secure as to his family golden Wardstone he bounded to.

Harry knew that there was some bloodline magic at work, preventing him from having full access. It would take a long time to bypass those defenses, but for now, this was what he had to work with.

Still he was able to deactivate nearly all the traps set up inside the Manor to finish off intruders like him and his army of roman-like Griffin riders. He just had to tell his men to avoid those places he had no control over.

After that, Harry reveiled the Manor, when his army came riding in they broke all the concealment and shrouding magic that prevented both muggles and wizards from seeing or even taking notice of the Manor. Now he had to put them up if he didn't want some watchful eyes from looking in on his new conquest.

Finally, Harry got to the main task, the reason why he seeked out the Wardstone, it was time to banish these creatures back to the hell holes they came from. Wendigo creatures are being not from this material plane, but that of the Shadow Realm. It was only thanks to ancient Nott family wizards that these creatures were summoned and bound to this plane.

So just like how you could banish demons and fey back to their planes of existence, you could do the same for these dark creatures.

Some would manage to escape, but that would be a problem for the Ministery of Magic, and not him. They could send out Aurors and Hunters from the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures to hunt down any that managed to escape.

Tapping into the leyline underneath the Manor, Harry had more than enough magic to unsummon these beasts. Plus he had the Nott family Grimoire which he was able to open with a drop of Theodore's blood and in it was the unsummoning spell he needed.

Performing the ritual, Harry heard a very distinct shriek come from the dead plains surrounding the Manor. Harry was pretty sure that was Orcraks howling in pain and indignation as he was pulled down to his shadowy realm. Good riddance, Harry thought as he closed the grimoire, they really didn't need that creature and its ilk around here.

Turning around to face the men, Harry pronounced, "Now then let's loot this place!"

***

Very quickly Harry set the Griffin Legion to work on the Nott family Manor. He had them first clean up the place of all the shattered weapons, armor, wands, and other amenities left behind by the sacrificed Grim Battalion soldiers. They could later to packing up all the treasures and antiques within the Manor at another time.

Harry had no use for the Manor at all, that is why he was cleaning it out right now. Maybe he would give it to one of his children in the future to set up their own House, but for now, he had no use for the place except for as a trophy of conquest.

Anyways the place would soon be swarming with Curse-Breakers he would hire to uncover all the secrets this Manor held. There was no way he was risking his life on such a dangerous endeavor, let more foolish wizards and witches risk their necks while he reaps all the benefits.

However what was of interest to Harry was the Nott family military stronghold, the Grim Fortress. He already had great plans for that place!

Harry came to the courtyard of the Manor where all the Royal Gryphon were resting. He saw plenty of Griffin care takers from the auxiliary force running about among their midst feeding, healing, and taking care of the great beasts.

Right in the center of the mass was Old Grypo, "So Oh great and mighty Sky Father, Master of lighting and wind, how did your battle with Orcraks go?"

Turning to look down at him as he stopped grooming himself, the ancient Gryphon chuckled out loud. "Ahhh, it has been indeed a very long time since I heard the pompous name. I think it was your great grandfather who came up with it to strike fear in our enemy's heart and I guess he had a way of spreading it around."

"Well that name fits aptly," Harry said. That was when Harry spotted Sunchaser from the corner of his eye, "What happen to you boy?" Harry asked as he hugged the golden Gryphon's beak once he came in closer. He saw three claw marks running across his face which he must have gotten from that ghastly thing.

"Hahaha, you should have seen Orcraks descendant," Old Gryp chuckled out loud as he stretched a wing and used to affectionately pat the young Royal Gryphon. "Anyways, my fight with Orcraks was tough, but that snake never goes all in, I guess now he regrets that since you sent him packing to his hellhole he belongs in."

"Yes, we will just need to be careful that he tries to make any moves back to the Mortal realm. Other than that we will fine."

"You can count on me for that, it brings me great enjoyment that he languishes there!"

Suddenly a Gringotts hawk flew in and landed right on his shoulder. "I was expecting you," Harry voiced as he took the proffered letter from the hawk. Even though his Mirror Phones were becoming wide spread there was still a bit of formal tradition that everyone in the magical world was clinging to.

"I, the new lord of this Manor permit the representatives of Gringotts banks entry to this land," Harry announced out loud once he read the letter.

Then right before his very eyes 3 goblins appeared, two he knew very well and he shouted in exclamation. "Barnott, Gorkit its so good to see you both!"

"Master Potter," the plump goblin bowed.

"I see you have been busy," Gorkit snorted out loud.

"Yes," Harry smiled, "very." Then looking at the third goblin, Harry asked, "who is that?"

"I am the Nott family account manager," the thin goblin answered in a reedy voice.

"I see," Harry simply said.

"You have indeed won a great victory, Master Potter," Barnott happily nodded his head.

"Yes," the Nott family account manager agreed, and Harry could tell that he hated to say what came next, but he still did his task.

"By the ancient accords made by High King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. To the victor go the spoils! You Lord Potter have defeated House Nott, conquered all their lands, and laid claim to their family Wardstone and Grimoire! Thus all their treasures and wealth is yours!

Here is the key," the goblin said as he handed him a ancient black key the size of half his arm. "It shall give you access to the Nott family vault. And from hence forth all patents, businesses, shareholds, estates, and treasures shall be yours! Do you have any question?" the goblin finished with.

Turning the key in his hand, Harry chuckled as he raised a eyebrow "was that so hard now?"

Hearing the goblin growl, Gorkit held out a hand to stop him and turn his gaze on him. "Stop trying to instigate this fool. He has been account manger for 65 years for the Nott family, you develop some sort of connection during all that time even if it is with a hated wizard."

"Alright, you have my apologies," Harry held out his hand good naturedly. He was in a good mood, and why wouldn't he be millions of galleons would soon be pouring into his account. If there was one quick way to secure wealth then it was through wars. No wonder there was so many warmongers when bloodshed was this profitable.

But there was also a hidden cost that none usually speak of, lives! The numbers were still just pouring in on how many men this war with the Nott family costed him, but Harry didn't doubt that he lost at least a 1,000 men to either passing away, sever injuries which put them out of action for good, or light injuries that would take time to recover. That was nearly a fourth of his army.

It would take some time to recover from this and lick their wounds!

Harry wished that this was the end of all the conflicts he saw, but he knew that wasn't true.

"Well I will see you all at Gringotts to take care of matters, but for now there is a phone call I need to take." Wishing them luck and goodbyes, Harry headed up to the Lord's office. He seized it for himself while they were at this Manor for the clean up operation.

Even though Harry didn't plan to stay in this place long, already his people were busy changing it to fit his taste and make it useful for him. Of course those gaudy pieces about Notts triumphantly overcoming their enemies or stomping on muggles. Most importantly of all some Mirror devices were set up, and just when Harry arrived he saw that the Dark Faction was already on the line.

They of course tried that same trick they did at his fortress, but he already had defenses for that, so they had to do things the regular way normal people do it, call.

Taking a seat, Harry could see that they weren't really happy in being put on hold.

"My Lords and Ladies," Harry held out his hands to either side! "It is indeed a pleasure to see you all!"

"You went against our explicit orders," Lord Parkinson uttered.

"Order," Harry said as he put on a very confused look, "now this is a first that i am hearing of this!"

"Stop playing games, brat! You know what we are taking about," Lord Rosier smacked his fist against the table.

"Still not ringing any bells," Harry said as he drummed his fingers on his table.

"I think he means leaving along the Nott family not exterminating them," the young man who Harry didn't know what his name was spoke up to clarify for him.

"Ohh, that!" Harry said as if he got stuck by realization. "Well I just fucking ignored it as you can see," Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"You know what this means right, young man?" Lord Bulstrode asked with a sad shake of his head.

"War, War, War," Lord Flint clapped his hands together giddily.

"I would like to see that," Harry interrupted the madman.

"What?" Lady Mort said as she echoed each of their surprise.

"I said I would like that," Harry repeated. "The Light vs the Dark. Let settle things once and for all! Anyways I really doubt your odds to begin with," he added slyly.

"Excuse me," Lord Rosier snapped.

"Well," Harry chuckled, "the lot of you are a very sad bunch, I doubt you could even function without your master," he uttered the name of the very man that had them all reeling. "Who would tell you when to bark or take a shit, would you all even have someone to ass kiss or tremble in fear before," he laughed nastily.

"Man this would be in the bag really," he said as he watched all their faces darken.

Harry really didn't care on bit if they went to war, he actually wanted it to be exact. At the end of the day wither willing or unwilling these were the men and women who would support Voldemort when he raises up. So better to cripple them all before that happens!

Still continuing with his rant, Harry really wanted them all riled up making sure they all committed. People like them in such high positions of power never get spoken to so crudely, it would make any man especially one as pampered as them burst a nerve and Harry was doing a whole lot of that.

"The whole lot of you are a sad, decrepit, backwater, blind, bigot, contentious, sad excuse for a incapable bunch who try to hold on so tightly to old way that you don't even see that the fucking house is falling down all over you!" Harry uttered in one single breath.

"And you know what, I feel so sad for your families and those you fathered you, because what were they even thinking spawning you lot who can't even fu-...."

That was when the line cut off....

His Mirror phone buzzed once and Harry saw he had a message from Lord Yaxley.

"This means War!"

Harry guessed he had their attention now, and a whole bunch of their animosity.

Tobry stood at the door with a tray of tea and biscuits, he must have heard everything because his jaws were dropping open. But as quickly as he let that slip show he brought himself back to his usual calm serene self. 

"I guess you really know how to stir up a crowd, my lord," the house-elf wryly shook his head as he poured him some tea.

Spinning around in his chair with his steaming cup in his hand, Harry wondered to himself how he was going to explain to the Light members that he just instigated a war with the Dark faction.