Chapter 511
"Justin," Justin immediately corrected with a smile.
Stephen could only nod back with a rather weak smile of
his own.
Harry turned back to the room and suggested, "How about
we take a break to let the Wilkinses think about that for a
while... and us a chance to try and think of ways to help
them... while we stretch our legs a little. Ten minutes?"
People started to rise from their chairs and began talking
to those near them, or others they wanted to catch up
with.
He had just received a hug from Gabrielle, with Astoria
right behind and awaiting hers, when the elder Lord FinchFletchley approached.
"Sir," Harry said, offering his hand. "How can I be of
assistance?"
The man smiled and shook Harry's hand before he leaned
forward and, with a small smile, quietly asked, "When are
you going to ask?"
Harry froze for a bare fraction of a section before he
asked, "Sir?"
The smile widened and the man, the Earl of Bedford and
Heir Apparent to the Dukedom of Kendal, just as quietly
asked, "When are you going to ask if Justin can provide
a... more direct... assistance?"
Harry gave a quiet sigh and just as quietly replied, "I won't.
I will not put you or Justin on the spot like that. It wouldn't
be right."
"But, you do not deny it is a possible outcome," the man
said.
"No," he replied. "Justin is the sort of young man I can
trust to do the right thing and be a proper gentleman
regarding her. He would never take advantage of her...
that way. You have raised a fine son, Sir."
"What were you thinking?" he pressed. "Betrothal or
concubinage?"
"Because she needs to continue the family name, the
latter," replied Harry, "With escape clauses for both out the
whazoo and back. Talk to Samuel and inform him I give
my permission for you to read the concubinage agreement
between Daphne and me. He has it on him at the moment.
You'll see what I mean. Oh; and Ted Tonks wrote it, if you
wish to seek legal clarification of any of the points."
"An excellent idea, Lord Potter," he said, giving Harry a
nod of equals as he began to withdraw.
Harry was having none of that and gave a slightly deeper
one back, "A pleasure speaking with you, Lord FinchFletchley."
As the Earl headed for Samuel, Astoria stepped forward
and demanded her aborted hug.
As she got in close, she whispered into his ear. "I hear tell
you've made Daph very happy... and very satisfied."
Surprised at the girl's forwardness, as he pulled back he
said, "I'm sure I have no idea what you mean."
She just smirked and said, "Suuure you don't."
"Well," he grinned. "We'll leave it at that, shall we?"
She giggled and hugged him again, before suddenly
backing off and hurrying away.
Harry was over talking to Frank and apologising for not
giving him a heads-up first, when Sirius approached and
asked, "Harry? Mind if we delay even further?"
When Harry turned a querying expression on him, he
elaborated. "The Wilkinses, Hermione's parents, the
Finch-Fletchleys, Ted and Andi Tonks and I need to borrow
your office for a bit."
A little surprised, Harry replied, "Go for it. I'll let everyone
else know of the delay as soon as you are all out of the
room."
Once Sirius withdrew, Frank asked, "The three muggle
families, right?"
"Right," said Harry. "I daresay the Finch-Fletchleys and the
Grangers will be explaining things a bit better for the
Wilkinses. Besides he and Andi being bio-family, Ted will
provide legal counsel."
"Bio-family?" asked Frank.
"Sorry. Muggle expression. It's short-form for biological
family; that is, family of the blood. It's often used when
referring to someone biologically related to someone
who's been adopted and vice versa."
Understanding, Frank said, "Ah!"
When it was time to resit, Harry stood on a conjured set of
steps and said, "Sorry, folks. But, the Wilkinses... together
with Sirius, Ted and Andi Tonks... have excused
themselves for a little while. They've been joined by the
Finch-Fletchleys and the Grangers in my office. I daresay
the Wilkinses wanted to hear the views of other muggles
and muggle-raised on this particular issue.
"I suggest we use this time for a frank and open
discussion of the alliance, for those who didn't want to
speak in front of the Wilkinses. Any objections?"
When there was none, he gave a nod and said, "Then let
us return to the meeting."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The discussion, while they waited, was a relief to Harry.
He wanted to hear the real thoughts of those in the
alliance. As he said, he wanted the thoughts of those who
didn't want to say anything in front of non-alliance
members, especially the Wilkinses. And they didn't
disappoint.
There were none who were against helping CeeCee,
because they could all see the likely result if they didn't. As
Amelia said, 'The poor girl would be trapped into a
betrothal or concubine agreement by her birth mother,
Narcissa, before she could even blink.' However,
Heathcliff Davis raised the point that Sirius could toss
Narcissa out of the family as paterfamilias, but keep
CeeCee.
Ogden said, "Sorry. That should work, but there'd be no
telling what the Wizengamot would do if the Dark Houses
united and paid enough bribes to the right people. The
Wizengamot might still vote to hand the poor girl to
Madam Malfoy; or, rather, Dowager Malfoy now. There
may even be enough Light families that would vote that
way, too; thinking Lord Black was trying to finagle the
Malfoy estate for himself."
Eugene Abbott gave an annoyed shake of his head and
said, "The only way out for her, I think, is for her to be in
an established betrothal or concubine contract before
steps can be made by Madam... sorry, Dowager Malfoy to
get her hands on her."
Marchbanks, who usually only deigned to speak when
actually called upon at these meetings, said, "I believe
Eugene's correct. It's the safest course for her. However, it
will need to be an agreement that contains a significant
number of escape clauses." She then looked to Harry.
Harry sighed and said, "I will not discuss what is written in
the betrothal and concubinage agreements for Hermione,
Daphne, Fleur and me. However, I'll say that there are
some certain types of escape clauses within them. I'll also
inform you both were written by Ted Tonks. And, if you'll
note, he's one of the people currently in with the group in
my office, as we speak."
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---------------
Chapter 512
"So this might be resolved, even now," said MacMillan.
"Possibly," said Harry. "I'd even consider it unlikely. There
are two important points to consider: CeeCee's parents...
adopted parents... are muggles; and they really have no
ties to wizarding Britain. As far as they're concerned, they
could simply sign over the inheritance to Sirius as
paterfamilias for House Black, or Narcissa Malfoy, and just
walk away."
"That won't work," said Ogden.
"We know that," said Amelia. "That's because we have a
much greater understanding of the issues. However, they
don't. They're being asked to believe an entire system of
society that is completely foreign to them. And, on top of
that, that we're not working against them for the best
interests of their daughter. And, on top of even that, that
entering her into a betrothal or concubine arrangement is
to actually protect their daughter, not turn her into a...
brood mare or sex slave."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When those who had gone into the office returned,
Stephen said, "Folks; I... We... thank you for the
information you've given m- us and the help you're
offering.
"For the past... hour'ish? I've... We've - Dorothy, Patrick,
Sarah, Charlie and me - have been brought even more up
to date with information about how to protect Charlie...
CeeCee. But, at this time, we really don't know what to do.
Personally, I'm now wishing Ted had never found us. But,
at the same time, I also realise someone would have,
eventually.
"For now, though, my family and I need to talk about this
between us. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," said Harry. "You should talk to one
another about it."
Stephen hesitated a moment before he looked to Harry
more directly and said, "Thank you, for spotting a potential
problem and coming to our aid. It is very much
appreciated. Thank you, all."
"You're very welcome," he replied as everyone else said
similar words.
Just as they were apparently about to leave, Harry called
to CeeCee, "CeeCee!"
When she turned to look to him, still with Fawkes on her
shoulder, he asked, "Would you ask Fawkes to return to
take the Delacours back to France when they're ready to
leave?"
She turned to Fawkes for a few moments, while Fawkes
trilled out some reply, before turning back to Harry. "He
said to give him a call. He'll come. But, he's also not a cab
service in future."
Harry nodded and said, "Thank you, Fawkes; I
understand."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
With the Wilkinses leaving, many of the other families left
soon afterwards. Each asking to let them know if any of
the others heard about what the Wilkinses had decided to
do.
Finally, Amelia Bones left with the Finch-Fletchleys and
was also escorted out by the Ogdens. The only ones soon
left were the Longbottoms, the Delacours, the Grangers,
Susan and Hannah.
When the Grangers left, Hermione reluctantly went with
them. Then the Longbottoms, with Hannah and Susan,
took their leave; leaving just the Delacours.
For most of the time, Fleur cuddled into Harry's lap and
didn't seem to want to leave.
Finally, Jean-Paul sighed and said, "Time to leave, Little
Flower."
Fleur gave a deep pout but, after giving Harry a long kiss,
finally hopped off his lap.
Then Jean-Paul called for Fawkes, who arrived a few
moments later, and the Delacours flamed away. That just
left Harry.
As it was getting on to dinner time he headed for the
kitchen, only to find Pinty already hard at work. With a
sigh, he headed for the library. Maybe he should finally
make a start on reading the Potter Grimoire.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next morning, the Monday morning, Harry was up and
ready for anything by 8.00am. As far as his body was
concerned, he was still on 'Hogwarts time'.
The early hour allowed him a leisurely breakfast - which
he was again 'not allowed' to cook - while reading the
Daily Prophet. As the first Monday of the month, he also
received his Gringotts general bank statement; and was
skimming through that on the side.
All he was really concerned about in the statement was if
any unauthorised withdrawals were made and he wasn't
losing money hand over fist from his investments. He
wasn't. If anything, he made a decent profit; a little bit
more than above market average.
He also pulled out the previous two months' statements,
as he'd not properly made time to go through them back
then.
It was while he skimmed down the columns of figures in
the previous statements, comparing movements of liquid
assets, that he came across where the girls had spent
money in Malkin's and elsewhere the day they took Fleur
shopping. He gave a low whistle at the total figures, but
was quite pleased. It meant they were comfortable
spending 'their' money, rather than 'his' money. Or, it at
least meant either Fleur or Daphne had finally convinced
Hermione of that.
With breakfast finished, he set his dirty dishes and cutlery
aside, where they vanished from a few moments later,
dashed into his office and brought back parchment, quills
and ink. Then he set-to with the bank statements to list
down anything of importance he wanted to speak with the
goblins about. He could then use that as an excuse to be
in the bank later that morning, if necessary.
As he was working, he heard the floo activate and the
muted cry of 'Rule Britannia'. He'd just figured out who it
was when her voice came more clearly through to the
informal dining room.
A few moments later, she walked in.
"Harry," she said, clearly pleased to see him.
"Hello, Daphne," he smiled back. "Not that I'm not happy
to see you, but what brought you over to see me?"
After she kissed him on the cheek, she pulled out a chair,
kitty-corner to him and sat. "You're planning on going to be
in the Alley when Malfoy's Will is read, if not in the Will
reading itself. I plan on going in with you."
Surprised, he looked back and asked, "How did you―?"
Aborting what he was going to say he gave his head a
little shake and gave a short snort of self-deprecating
humour. "Slytherin. Of course. It was silly of me not to
realise that you'd have figured that out before I opened my
mouth."
She just smirked back.
It wasn't until then he realised she was dressed in elegant
'mourning' black.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At five minutes to ten, with Daphne on his off-arm and
dressed in black mourning robes himself, Harry walked
into Gringotts in Diagon Alley. Because of who he was, he
immediately went to the reserved teller for those of Noble
Houses. No one was ahead of him.
"Good morning, Teller," he said to the goblin, offering his
key.
Without a word, the goblin checked the key over before
passing it back. "How may Gringotts be of service, this
morning?"
"I believe a Will reading is to take place at 10.00am - the
Malfoy Will," he replied. "Is it a closed or open reading?"
The goblin checked something and replied. "Closed. My
apologies; you are not on the list of those allowed to
attend, Lord Potter."
"That's fine," he nodded. "May I be informed of who has
been invited?"
"No," the goblin replied.
Harry carefully slid a short stack of five galleons onto the
counter and quietly asked, "Are you aware of if the Will
has been challenged by one Corina Cephei Malfoy?" Then
immediately gave a nod to the stack and said, "You should
be careful about leaving gold just lying about like that,
Teller."
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Chapter 513
Quickly sliding the galleons over to his side of the counter
and directly into his own pockets, the teller firmly said
back, "Yes and agreed," Once done, he glared back, "If
that will be all, wizard; please step away."
"Thank you, Teller," said Harry. With a slight head bob he
did just that.
Walking away, Harry leaned into Daphne and said, "I think
we need to find somewhere close to the entrance of the
bank and keep an eye out for any trouble that may arise
as people step out." He'd changed his mind about visiting
his own account manager.
Daphne immediately returned, "Fortescue's will be best."
And indicated the ice creamery just up a couple shops
back towards the Leaky Cauldron and on the opposite
side of the alley to the bank. It offered the best view from a
position sitting at an outside table.
"Good idea," he smiled, leading the way over.
Harry wasn't interested in any ice cream and neither was
Daphne. So he bought them both tea and scones with a
side of strawberry jam and cream.
Then they waited. He estimated it would be at least a half
hour and somewhere just shy of an hour.
Once they had their orders, Harry threw up a weak audible
and visual muffling privacy charm. It was just enough to
make Harry not stand out so much.
Then he looked to Daphne and asked, "If you're not
breaking House confidence by answering, what was your
father's take on the situation with CeeCee?"
Daphne was a few moments before she replied, "Father
is... concerned. He... agrees that it would be preferred that
the estate be kept out of the hands of the Dark, of course.
However, he sees the risk to Miss... to CeeCee as
significant."
"Mmm," he muttered.
"However, he's supportive of your idea to see the girl
concubined to Justin. He, too, sees it as the obvious
choice. He's just worried that either her or Justin's father
will... baulk at the idea."
"My concerns, as well," he nodded. "I'm worried that
Stephen will try to deny the risk and take his family back to
Perth to attempt to hide. A decision that would ultimately
fail."
"Father believes the same," she said. Then asked, "How
do you believe this would affect the negotiations for a
Betrothal Agreement between Finch-Fletchley and
Tracey?"
Harry smirked back and said, "If such is happening, of
course." Adopting a more serious face, he replied,
"Unknown. It might even mean that the Betrothal
Agreement might not be so necessary, after all."
With barely a cocked eyebrow back, she replied, "Yes.
Tracey does not know what she thinks of that. I do not
believe I am betraying her confidence by stating she was
feeling quite ambivalent to the idea of being betrothed to
Justin.
"In confidence, however, I'll let you know she feels
somewhat attracted to Blaise Zabini."
"I figured," he replied. "However, from the body language
of both, he does not seem so enamoured of her."
"No," she sighed. "And, from the lack of behaviour towards
any females in the school, I'm starting to fall into the camp
of those who believe him to be a homosexual."
He grinned and said, "He exhibits the same, as you put it,
lack of behaviour towards the boys, too."
"Quite," she quietly muttered, taking a sip of her tea.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
A little over twenty minutes later, both Caracticus Nott and
Cassius Parkinson, stormed out of the bank. They'd only
gone so far when Parkinson, who was behind Nott at the
time, reached out and grabbed the older Nott by the
elbow, bringing the man to a halt. A few words were quietly
said from Parkinson when both men moved off to the side
and under a shop window awning.
Moments later, an obvious masking and privacy field went
up around them. It was stronger than the one Harry threw
up.
Harry, watching, quietly said, "Shit."
"They're up to something," said Daphne, who'd also seen
them both.
"Yeah," he muttered.
Thinking it through, he said, "Give me a few moments."
Without waiting for a response, he quickly stepped into the
shop and out of sight before sending off two messenger
Patronuses. Then quickly returned to his seat.
Daphne asked, "What did you do?"
"Sent a Patronus off warning Sirius, as I expect him to be
inside; and a second one to Madam Bones, letting her
know trouble was likely brewing in the Alley."
Nodding, she said, "Wise, I believe."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Inside the bank in one of the conference rooms, the Will
reading had concluded with Ted immediately filing a
petition for the reading to be overturned due to the rightful
Head and Lady of the Magical House of Malfoy being
denied her rightful inheritance. That near-instantly had
those who were due to receive bequeathments jump up,
shouting in angry denial.
On Sirius's nod, Ted stepped out of the room and brought
CeeCee and her muggle family in, explained who they
were and presented the recently acquired anew Gringottsapproved evidence she was the rightful Lady of the House
through primogenitor.
The Malfoy Account Keeper had immediately said, "Ah!
The missing Malfoy Heir." He turned his beady eyes on
CeeCee and said, "Well met, Heiress Malfoy."
CeeCee didn't know what to do so just gave a slow nod
back and softly said, "Thank you."
That had quite a few, clearly believing they were going to
be picking the Malfoy carcass clean, again shout in angry
denial.
Narcissa had sat there in shock, staring at CeeCee in both
hope and fear. She would not, could not, take her eyes off
her.
After Parkinson and Nott stormed out of the room, most of
the rest quietened back down again. One who made no
noise, but just sat watching and writing things down was a
clerk out of the Minister's Office, taking notes. Others were
Olaf Goyle, Vincent Crabbe Senior and a few others of
little import. Any others who had been named beneficiaries
in the Will were either in Azkaban, such as Bellatrix
LeStrange, or dead, such as Draco.
They'd only just recovered a somewhat angry peace, due
mainly to the Gringotts guards stepping forward and
gesturing with razor sharp halberds, when Harry's first
Patronus entered.
In it's ethereal voice that sounded like Harry's, it said,
"Stay in the bank. Trouble brews outside. Possible
ambush. I've summoned the aurors to deal with it."
Sirius quietly muttered, "Ssshyte."
Immediately looking to Sirius, Stephen asked, "What was
that?" He hadn't seen the Patronus, but did hear the
message.
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Chapter 514
"A messenger Patronus from Harry," replied Sirius. "I'd say
Parkinson and Nott have stupidly tried to set up an
ambush from concealment outside the bank. Best we stay
in here for a while."
Stephen muttered, "You weren't kidding when―"
"No," he firmly replied.
Unnoticed by the others, CeeCee had hesitantly
approached Narcissa and quietly asked, "Missus Malfoy?"
She stopped a few feet shy of the woman.
Narcissa looked to the girl, who could only be her
daughter, and just as quietly replied, "It's Mad- no,
Dowager Malfoy now." She hesitated herself for a moment
before she carefully asked, "Corina?"
CeeCee replied, "I'm told that was my birth name, yes.
The goblins confirmed it. My adopted name is Charlotte.
Mum calls me Charlie, but I prefer CeeCee."
Narcissa smiled as her eyes began to water. Carefully
standing, she asked, "May I... hug you?"
CeeCee thought about it for all of about two seconds
before she stepped forward the last few feet and slipped
her arms around the taller woman's waist; as Narcissa
raised her own to come around CeeCee's upper arms and
around her back.
Within a moment, CeeCee had her head turned sideways
and pressed into Narcissa's upper chest while Narcissa's
own head bent forward to rest sideways on the crown of
CeeCee's head. Both witches, younger and older, then let
their tears flow.
Turning to see the last movement of it, Sirius had a mild
shot of panic before he saw the expression on Narcissa's
face. He immediately felt a profound sense of relief. This
was not the expression and actions of a woman who
would see her daughter killed or abused. Those tears
were real.
"CeeCee?" her father called halfway between demand and
ask.
Surprisingly, both witches looked back. "Yes?/Yes, Dad?"
Then both pulled back and looked confused at the other.
That had everyone confused before Sirius understood and
snickered.
"I get it," he said. "CeeCee is Corina, or Charlotte's,
nickname. And Cissy is Narcissa's nickname. With the
quick Australian accent, they sound the same."
Seeing the Wilkinses were quite wary, while Ted was
handling the documentation with the goblins Sirius made
the introductions. He started with Stephen first.
"Stephen, Dot, Pat, Sarah," he said, before indicating
Narcissa. "This is Narcissa Malfoy, now Dowager Malfoy.
She is, if you haven't already guessed, CeeCee's
biological mother.
"Cissy; this is Stephen, Dorothy, Patrick and Sarah
Wilkins. They are the family who, at first, fostered CeeCee
after she was found abandoned; before then―"
"Abandoned?" Narcissa cried out in shock, interrupting.
"Lucius told me―"
"We'll discuss it later, Cissy," Sirius firmly interrupted right
back. "Here and now is not the place." And gave a pointed
look to the others in the room.
After a quick glance of her own in the direction of the
others," Narcissa firmed up, gave a nod back and said, "Of
course, My Lord."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Out in the Alley, Harry and Daphne had been keeping an
eye on Nott and Parkinson, where they quietly waited
under the same shop awning.
About a minute after he sent the Patronus message to
Bones, a good half-dozen to a dozen aurors walked up
from both ends of the Alley. Bones was with them and she
made a beeline for Harry and Daphne.
Once she was close enough, Harry gave a nod of his
head towards the shop next door to Madam Malkin's and
said, "Parkinson and Nott are trying to remain
inconspicuous under the window. From their actions,
they're clearly lying in wait for Sirius and the others. That's
where they went as soon as they came out of the bank,
quite angry."
Bones looked for herself before she gave a flick of her
hand to one of the aurors - Dawlish. "Go have a chat with
them. That should be enough to send them on their way."
Dawlish gave a nod and said, "Ma'am." And made his way
over, leading who appeared to be his partner.
It was obvious the 'dastardly duo' had seen the increased
number of aurors and were not happy about it.
When she turned back, Harry said, "I know I could have
waited until they actually tried something, but―"
"But you weren't prepared to put the Wilkinses at risk," she
finished. "I wouldn't have been happy with you, if you did."
Within thirty seconds of Dawlish and his partner sidling-up
to Parkinson and Nott, both 'ex' Death Eaters angrily
stormed off up the alley towards the Leaky, past where
Harry and Daphne were sitting with Bones standing
nearby and also watching.
Dawlish was more leisurely following behind with a wide
grin on his face. Just before he passed Fortescue's he
turned to walk over to the two teens and Bones. "That, I
must say, was enjoyable."
Bones, watching the duo still walk away, smirked and said,
"It's always pleasant to hear my people enjoy their work."
Harry raised his wand and cast another messenger
Patronus towards the bank. "Just letting them know the
probable ambush has been dealt with."
She gave a nod and asked, "So, what brings you to the
alley on a Monday morning?"
"A hunch," he replied. "We first tried to get in on the
reading. However, the goblins told us it was a closed
reading, so we came out here to watch and wait."
"Knowing what has likely happened within the bank," she
said. "I should have thought of a possible ambush."
"No reason to," he shrugged. "It's actually quite the
moronic thing to do, when you think about it. Look at all
the witnesses that would have seen them do it."
"Mmm," she muttered.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry's second Patronus to Sirius popped in and said,
"The aurors have dealt with the possible ambush. It's now
safe to leave."
"Uh-huh," said Sirius. He then turned to those not of the
family - the Ministry representatives and the few others -
and said, "Alright, folks. The reading's over and this is now
House business. Thank you for coming, but I have to insist
you now leave."
Though the Ministry representative appeared annoyed at
that, they all quietly rose and left. That left Sirius, Ted,
Narcissa and the Wilkinses in the room.
Once they'd gone and the door was closed again, he
turned to Narcissa and said, "You don't know how pleased
I am to discover you're not immediately disagreeable to
CeeCee and her family being here."
"She's my daughter," said Narcissa. "Why would I be?"
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Chapter 515
"We'll discuss that later," he returned. "For now..." Turning
to Ted, who was still going over bank parchmentwork, he
asked, "Ted, how much longer will you be?"
"Almost done," replied Ted. "I just need CeeCee to come
over here to sign some documents. Then I need you and
Narcissa to sign them and others."
Once the signing of documents was done - with CeeCee,
unused to signing with a blood quill, rubbing the back of
her hand at the end of it - Ted said, "That's it, for now."
The goblin sitting on the other side of the desk nodded
and said, "Indeed." He then turned to look at CeeCee and
said, "Heiress Malfoy; I and Gringotts stand ready to aid
you in your finances from this time forth. Please, do not
hesitate to contact me on any matter in which I may
assist."
CeeCee looked back and quietly said, "Thank you."
Now ready, Sirius and Ted escorted them out of the room
and back to the main lobby of the bank. Just before he
walked out the doors taking the lead, he drew his wand
and took a guard position ahead.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Still watching the doors of the bank, Harry was the first to
spot Sirius walk out, followed by the Wilkinses, Ted and
Narcissa all together.
"They're out," he quietly said, starting to rise.
With Daphne and Bones right behind him, he almost
casually walked out into the middle of the alley and
waited. Sirius clearly spotted them within a couple of
paces off the bottom steps of the bank.
He didn't notice, however, the couple of aurors who took
up flanking positions walking down the sides of the alley,
parallel and matching the pace.
"Hey, Padfoot," said Harry, once Sirius was in normal
conversation volume range.
"Thanks for that, Harry," said Sirius. "Who was it?"
"Parkinson and Nott," he replied. "They were loitering in
front of the window of the shop next to Malkin's."
With a quick glance at the spot, Sirius gave a grunt of
acknowledgement as they now all headed to the Leaky.
"They weren't happy to hear the Will was overturned due
to CeeCee, as primogenitor Head of the House, not being
mentioned in it. They were due to receive half a million
galleons, each."
"Ouch!" muttered Harry. After a quick glance to Narcissa,
he quietly muttered, "How's Dowager Malfoy?"
"Coping," he replied. "She... apparently... is not as
obstructionist to this as we feared she may be. I'll let you
know more once I get to talk to her for a fair bit more, back
at the Kennel."
"Fair enough," nodded Harry, just as they entered the rear
door of the Leaky. He was still looking for Nott or
Parkinson or anyone else who might have been there to
cause mischief.
If there were, though, the half dozen aurors who walked in
first might have been enough for them to change their
minds. Nothing happened.
As they entered the taproom, Harry said, "Daphne and I
are going back to Pottermore. Call on me if you need me."
"Will do, Pup," said Sirius. "And... thank you for the
warning and dealing with the threat."
"No worries," he said.
Once those going to the Black Townhouse were gone, that
included Narcissa, Harry and Daphne returned to
Pottermore.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As soon as the two teens were back at Pottermore a few
moments later, Daphne launched herself at Harry and
snogged him. When she pulled back, she demanded,
"Now. Take me to the Master Suite!"
Harry grinned back and asked, "What brought this on?"
She smirked, "If I need a reason, it's because of the way
you handled yourself like a Slytherin, back there. You
thought about how to handle the situation with no harm to
yourself. You didn't charge in and get yourself injured.
That deserves a reward."
Still grinning, he took her by the hand and started to leave
the room. "Always happy to oblige."
An hour later and they were both lying naked in the master
bed. Both, with the slight endorphic feeling of completed
physical exertion, just relaxing. Daphne was again curled
into his side as he laid on his back, almost purring as
Harry let his fingers wander up and down her back.
"That was nice," she sighed.
"Happy to please," he returned.
"Can you be nice again?" she asked.
He grinned and rolled towards her.
A half hour later, after showers for the both of them, she
said, "I've already told father I intend to move in here,
permanently, well before the end of the holidays."
"Oh?" he asked. "And what did he say to that?"
She grinned and said, "Don't be a stranger."
After an enjoyable lunch, she returned to Greengrass
Manor.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry was, once more, alone in the manor. "I am not going
to get used to this," he muttered.
It had only been about an hour since Daphne had left.
He'd tried reading some of the Potter Grimoire, but the
silence of the manor was, of itself, deafening. He realised
he needed noise of some form around him. The wizarding
wireless, once he found it, helped some, just not enough.
Though it wasn't anywhere near approaching dinner, Harry
decided he'd do some cooking. Dobby was getting more
and more annoying about his cooking meals; something
he'd have to have some stern words with the elf about.
However, Harry was going to cook something. He'd go
mad, if he didn't.
Once he was able to source where all the groceries and
staples were located, he set-to with a vengeance. He
turned out a couple of cakes, trays of scones (superior, in
his opinion, to the ones he and Daphne had at
Fortescue's), biscuits (cookies) and a couple of different
pies. That took a couple hours.
As he was in the kitchen, he made a start on dinner - for
one (sigh). And had that cooking while he made a start on
cooking his favourite soup; slow-cooked, finely diced
potato, sweet potato, carrot, onion, swede, turnip, celery,
parsnip and smoked ham; herbs to season. That would
slow cook on a low heat overnight and be ready for the
next day before lunch.
He only stopped cooking when his dinner was ready. By
the time he got that into him and was ready to go back to
the kitchen, it was spotless. Dobby had finished everything
while he was eating. The only thing still cooking was the
soup; and that was sitting off to one side and in a corner of
the stove where the banked coals were shoved.
'Damn it,' he thought.
Finally, he realised he had to bite the bullet about his and
Dobby's cooking 'battle' and called his loyal little friend.
"Dobby."
"Yes, Master Harry?"
"We need to talk."
It was not a pleasant conversation for either of them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 516
The next morning, knowing Hermione would be up early
enough, Harry flooed across to the Doghouse, out back of
the Grangers'. From there, he walked up to the house and
let himself inside.
Standing just inside the back door, he called. "Hermione!
You here and up?"
He heard the running of bare feet on the stairs and had his
wand out, just in case.
When she rounded the top of the stairs and stood there
with her own wand in hand, she suddenly beamed at him.
"Harry!" Then charged down the stairs.
He was barely able to get the back door closed before she
practically slammed into him, causing him to crash
backwards into the door he'd a bare moment earlier shut.
He'd only just got his mouth open to... well, it didn't matter
to him as his brain went into shut-down as she proceeded
to snog half the life out of him.
Finally pulling back when air became an issue, she
gasped and said, "Missed you!"
Smiling, he returned, "I missed you, too!"
"Not that I mind," she said, "Because I really don't, but
what brings you over here?"
He gave a mock pout and replied, "It's lonely in that big old
house all on my own."
Leading him up the stairs to the main floor, she asked,
"And you want to come and stay here?"
"No," he replied, following. "I made a promise to your
father that I would not... do things... with you under his
roof. Plus, there's also the issue of Daphne and Fleur,
when she gets here.
"No. I'm thinking of going early to the Black Townhouse;
rather than waiting a week."
"That... sounds like a good idea," she said. "Honestly, I
didn't like the idea of you in that big mansion all on your
own except for the house elves. I think I'd go crazy if it
was me."
Not even realising he was doing it, he followed her up the
next flight of stairs to the first floor. The room 'his' bedroom
was on.
"Well," he said, "I wouldn't go crazy... I've had to give
Dobby a talk about constantly blocking me from the
kitchen. So I'd have spent some time cooking. The
problem with that is... I'd only be cooking for myself."
"I'm glad you talked to Dobby about it," she quietly said.
"It's obvious to everyone who's watched you in the kitchen
that cooking is something you love doing."
Leading him up to the next floor, she asked, "How'd he
take it?"
"I was surprised to find, quite well," he replied. "He thought
it was great fun, but didn't realise how much I really did
enjoy cooking. He's promised he'll back off from now on."
On 'her' floor, Hermione led him into her room and to the
bed. Then, surprising Harry, she began to disrobe.
"Err... Hermione?" he asked, finally realising what she was
doing and where they were.
"Yes Harry?" she calmly asked, as she unhooked her bra
and tossed it aside, before then moving to undo the top
button on the jeans she was wearing.
"W-what are you doing?"
"Getting naked, Harry," she replied. "What did you think I
was doing? And, don't you think you're way over
dressed?"
"Hermione," he whined. "I promised your father―"
"Think about what you promised him, Harry," she said,
sliding her jeans down her legs and slipping them off, one
foot at a time.
Down to just her knickers, Hermione stepped forward to
Harry and started to unbutton the shirt he was wearing.
"Err―" he tried.
"You promised him a list of ten rules," she said, reaching
out and reefing his shirt tails out of his slacks. "Have a
look at my bedroom door, Harry."
Glancing at the door while she was pulling his shirt off his
body, he saw it was open. "Ummm... yes?"
"It's open, Harry," she said, reaching for his belt, undoing
it.
"I can see that," he said. His pants dropped to the floor.
Almost unconsciously he kicked his loafers and pants off,
together.
"I carefully read the rules, Harry," she said, kneeling down
and pulling his socks off. When she stood, she also had
hold of his pants, which she tossed onto a chair in her
room that seemed to be there just to have clothes tossed
onto it.
"Nothing in the rules state you and I can't... have fun... if
the door stays open," she grinned.
As he thought about the rules, he realised she was right.
The rules only stated he couldn't be in a room alone with
her with the door closed.
"Besides, I've always wanted―"
It was a far as she got before he almost bodily picked her
up and tossed her onto the bed. As she squealed in
surprise before suddenly laughing, Harry quickly ripped
his undies down and stepped out of them.
Jumping onto the bed next to her knees, he was quick to
get her knickers off her, too.
"Now," he said. "You were saying something about what
you've always wanted?"
With a mischievous grin, she replied, "I've always wanted
to... make love... in my own bed."
"Well!" he grinned. "Let's see what we can do to make that
a reality, hmm?"
As he moved forward and began nuzzling her neck, she
cried out in happiness.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After a good two hours in Hermione's bed - she claimed
she wanted to make sure her dream was a true reality she
could look back upon in happiness - they finally rose and
used her ensuite to shower.
Harry thought the thrill of thinking her parents might come
back home at any moment - just because of any reason,
really - made it a little more enjoyable, risk-wise.
Once they were dressed again and heading downstairs,
she said, "Thank you, Harry; for making my little fantasy
come true."
"I'd say 'You're welcome', but I enjoyed it too," he replied,
following her down. "Instead, I'll say, 'And, thank you'."
Back on the main floor, Harry headed for the kitchen to
whip them up something for lunch. She followed him in.
Rooting through the cupboards, he asked, "What were you
doing before I showed up?"
"Meditating," she replied. "I think I've finally got my
memories all sorted. It took ages."
"It does, the first time. Or, so I'm told," he said. "But, you
realise it's really not all that important to get them perfect,
just organised and protected in a way you can easily recall
them?"
"And when have you known me not to do it right, right from
the start?" she asked. "A job worth doing is worth doing
right."
He grinned back as he brought out the makings for a
decent salad with cold cuts.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After lunch, Harry was just going to head over to the Black
Townhouse on his own, but Hermione was having none of
that.
"You realise I'm on my own here, too, while my parents
are at work, right?" she asked.
"Well, I hope so," he grinned. "Otherwise, we might've just
given your so-far-unseen-and-unintroduced guests a
pretty good show, upstairs."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 517
She grinned back and said, "No, silly. I mean, I'm on my
own here, now, and I've decided I'm coming with you. And
you also realise, don't you, we never got a chance to see
what changes Sirius made to our rooms to make it so
Fleur is included, right?"
Surprised, he replied, "Actually, I'd not thought about that.
You're right, though."
"Then, let's go," she said, rising from sitting at the dinette.
Betsy had already cleared the plates away. And, based on
his knowledge of house elves, she'd have had the dishes
done, lickety-split.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Popping out of the floo at the Black Townhouse,
something Harry was once again getting a handle on,
Hermione called out, "Anyone home?"
"In the kitchen!" was yelled back. It sounded like Dorothy.
Not even commenting on the yelling back and forth, as it
was what muggles did when they didn't have elves to give
short messages back and forth, Hermione led Harry out
the door, into the hallway and down to the kitchen.
Besides, he'd only a few hours earlier done the same at
the Grangers' when calling Hermione.
As she entered first, Hermione said, "Hi!"
Dorothy looked up and replied, "Hello, Hermione." Then
she saw Harry step out from behind her, "And hello,
Harry."
"Hello," he said back.
Dorothy was the only one in the room. She was doing
dishes.
Harry said, "You know Sirius's house elves will do that,
right?"
"I know," she replied. "I tend to use the time I do dishes to
think things through."
"Anything we can do to help?" asked Hermione.
"No, dear. It's okay."
Harry asked, "Where's Padfoot, Moony and the others?"
"Padf― Oh!" she said, understanding. "Sirius is in his
office, I think. He's been in there for a while, speaking with
Narcissa. Remus went out for a while a while back. No
idea where, though. Stephen's taken the kids out,
sightseeing."
Hermione asked, "With everything that's happened, if you
don't mind me asking, how're you holding up?"
Dorothy seemed to slump a little and sigh as both her
hands came down to rest on the edge of the sink. After a
long moment she replied, "It's a work in progress."
"Well, I hope I didn't scare you too much, the other day,"
said Harry, "When I told you of my fears concerning your
daughter."
"Yes," she replied. "However, that does not mean we... my
husband and I... do not thank you for alerting us to it. And
that... alliance of yours, too. They were wonderful people
to us."
"You're welcome," he replied.
She gave a little huff of amusement and said, "I've never
met an Earl before."
"That was my first time, too," he grinned. "I know Justin, of
course. He's a mate. Good bloke. But I had no idea he
was a Viscount, that his father was an Earl or that his
grandfather was a Duke, until earlier this year - January. If
he outlives his grandfather and father, he'll become His
Grace, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Duke of Kendal."
From her body language and the little looks Dorothy was
sending Hermione, he thought she might want him to
leave so the two could 'girl talk'. He decided to see if he
could interrupt his godfather's chat with cousin Narcissa.
"Well," he said, standing. As Hermione began to rise, he
said to her, "Stay here, please, Hermione. I need to talk to
Sirius about me staying here. I'll only be a few minutes... I
hope."
Hermione gave a nod and settled back down again as
Harry excused himself and made his way back up the
stairs.
Once he left, Dorothy said, "Now. Now that your parents
aren't also here, I'd like to talk about what you really think
of being betrothed to someone who has two concubines."
Hermione smiled. She'd just figured out what Harry had
seen and why he'd left, asking her to remain.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry remembered where to find the office from his visit
when Sirius showed him right throughout the house with
Daphne and Hermione. As such, he was able to find it
pretty quickly.
He knocked on the door and waited.
A bare moment later he heard, "Come in!" It was Sirius's
voice.
When he opened the door he found exactly who he
thought he'd find. Sirius was sitting behind a desk and
Narcissa was sitting in a chair before it.
"Pup!" exclaimed Sirius.
"Hi," he said. "I need to talk to you for a few minutes; when
you've got a chance."
"Is it private?" asked his godfather.
"Nope." Harry decided to get right to the point. "Is my
room available?"
Surprised at the question, Sirius replied, "Yes, actually.
Why?"
"I'm bored sitting at Pottermore on my own," he replied.
"I've become so used to having others very close by I'm
already going a little stir-crazy."
"And you want to move in here half a week early," said
Sirius. "Sure! No problem. When do you want to move?"
"This afternoon, if it's alright," he replied. "I'll have the
elves bring my things across before dinner."
"Done," said Sirius. "I admit to being a little worried about
you being in that place on your own, too."
"Thanks, Sirius. Hermione expressed the same," he
smiled. Looking to Narcissa he smiled and said, "Sorry to
have interrupted your meeting, Dowager Malfoy."
"Not at all, Lord Potter," she replied. "And, please, we're
cousins. Call me Narcissa."
"Then, it's Harry to you," he smiled back as she gave a
nod and small smile of her own.
"I'll leave you to it," he said, withdrawing and closing the
door.
He headed upstairs to where he knew his room to be and
checked to make sure it was, indeed, unoccupied.
Thankfully, it was.
Inside, he also checked Hermione's and Daphne's room to
find they, too, were also unoccupied. However, he couldn't
find Fleur's.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he called for his loyal house elf.
"Dobby."
With barely a pop, the elf appeared. "Yes, Master Harry?"
"Because I don't want to be bouncing around Pottermore
on my own, I've decided I'll be moving in here for the next
few weeks," he explained. "Can you pack my personal
effects, clothes and toiletries and bring them here?"
"Yes, Master Harry," replied Dobby.
He was back a few minutes later while Harry was checking
things, such as the water pressure in the ensuite and the
comfort of the bed. It was all good.
Within a few moments, Dobby had everything unpacked
and where they should be to his liking.
"Thank you, Dobby," he said. "You've done well. Can you
also bring the pot of soup I was cooking over and put it on
the stove in the kitchen? Oh; and the food I otherwise
cooked... bring it over and put it on the kitchen table,
please."
"Yes, Master Harry." And was gone again.
He knew that, after the chat he had to have with the elf,
Dobby was not in the best of spirits at the moment. So,
he'd focus on thanking the little elf when he did something
right and well.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Checking through everything, he also noticed Dobby had
collected and brought over the Potter Grimoire. It was the
book that was, until then, sitting on his bedside table with
a bookmark in it, showing where he was up to.
"Oh, well done, Dobby!" he breathed. He knew the little elf
would have heard.
Putting the book back on the bedside table, he checked to
make sure everything else was as it should be. Once
done, he exited the room, pulling the door closed behind
him. And walked back down to the kitchen.
He had no idea why, from his experience, it was that many
magical families all congregated in the kitchen or informal
dining rooms, but it's what they did. The Weasleys were
another example.
Walking back through the kitchen door he realised he had
interrupted a private conversation. "Sorry," he said. "I can
come back later, if you like."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 518
"No, Harry," said Hermione. "It's fine. We were just having
a ladies chat about a few things. There's plenty of time to
continue it another day."
"Fair enough," he said, taking a seat next to her. "Sirius
has given me permission to move into here in my room. I
had Dobby bring my personal effects over and he's
already unpacked for me. So, I'll be here for a while."
Indicating where the pot of soup now rested on the corner
of the stove, he said, "I also had him bring over the soup I
was cooking, so we can enjoy that for first course for
dinner."
After both looked and saw it, he continued, "I'll need to
write letters to the others to let them know, later. No...
actually. I'll do it now. I wouldn't want them going to
Pottermore, find the place empty and then worry what
happened to me. You can continue your chat with Dot."
"Good idea," she said. "Were you responsible for the
cakes and pies that turned up earlier?"
"Oh!" he replied. "Yes. That's the stuff I cooked yesterday."
She indicated the bench and said, "All of it's been moved
there. Just... It near frightened us to death when it
suddenly turned up."
"Sorry," he sheepishly replied. "I forgot you'd both still be
in here."
Standing he said, "I'll be in my room, writing." Then
headed back to his room.
Sirius made sure that each bedroom of the then 'Potter
three' contained a study desk. He'd have to find where
Fleur's room ended up, later; as he didn't want to go
looking for it and look in rooms that were already occupied
by one or more of the Wilkinses.
After he left, Dorothy grinned at Hermione, leaned onto
the table a bit and conspiratorially urged, "So, you were
telling me about how uncomfortable he is talking about
sex."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry spent the next hour-plus writing to each of their
friends. He first wrote a letter to Daphne, letting her know
about his early move to the Black Townhouse; as she was
the most likely to turn up at Pottermore looking for him.
That letter, he immediately sent off using Dobby. Then
wrote to Fleur and set it aside, it would be for Hedwig to
deliver.
Next, he wrote to the others; Neville, Hannah, Susan,
Tracey and Justin.
A quick check of the time and he realised he had time to
write a few more. He wrote to the twins, but kept
information to the 'public' information. He made no specific
mention of the Wilkinses, or what had happened at the
bank.
And, thinking it through, he wrote to Ernie MacMillan. His
letter to him was one of a quiet apology for continuing to
shut the boy out after his formal apology. And explained it
was more to do with a doubt of trust related to the boy's
prior behaviour than anything else.
Once done he realised those who had gone out would
probably start returning soon, plus Hermione would soon
need to head home. He headed up to the owlery in the
attic of the townhouse and was unsurprised to find Hedwig
waiting for him there.
He smiled to her and gave her three of the letters to
deliver - Neville, Hannah and Susan. Once Hedwig was
on her way, he asked Sable to deliver the ones to Ernie
and Tracey. He then called Raggy and had the elf
'surreptitiously' deliver the one to Justin.
Walking back down to the kitchen he saw it was
Hermione, Dorothy, Sarah and CeeCee gathered around
the table; which meant the group was back.
"Hi," he said, walking in. All of them looked to him and
smiled, returning his greeting.
Looking to Hermione, he asked, "By when do you need to
be home?"
"Before six," she immediately replied. "That's when I told
Betsy I would be returning."
"Who's Betsy?" asked CeeCee.
"My... or, rather, the Lady of Pottermore's house elf," she
replied. "Harry foisted her on me."
"Foisted?" he asked, trying to act offended and failing
miserably.
"Alright," she giggled. "He didn't tell me there was a Lady
Potter elf-maid before introducing her to me and saying,
since I was the Lady Presumptive Potter, Betsy would be
my elf."
"Oh, wow!" said CeeCee. "I wish we had an elf."
Harry gave her a funny, curious, look and said, "I doubt,
very much, you don't."
"What do ya mean?" she asked.
"You've just become the Head of the Magical House of
Malfoy," he explained. "That means, you rightfully own the
entire estate. That would include the house elves owned
by the Malfoys."
That surprised the three Wilkins ladies.
"I-I... do?" squeaked CeeCee.
"Yes," said Harry. "There's something you need to
understand about the Malfoys when comparing that family
to others. Families like the Potters, the Longbottoms, the
Greengrasses and similar have wealth, but do not flaunt it.
Yes, we have big manor homes. But, that's because the
home represents the Seat of the House, not the
individuals who reside in it.
"Plus, for the most part, the Lords and Ladies, etcetera,
who head those Houses tend to also work in normal jobs.
For instance, my father was an auror, my mother... I
believe... was an Unspeakable, Sirius was a hit wizard,
Frank and Alice Longbottom were aurors, Griselda
Marchbanks is an educator and is currently the
Headmistress of our premier school of magic, Hogwarts,
and Samuel Greengrass is an importer of rare magical
ingredients.
"The Malfoys, however, were the sort to flaunt their wealth.
None of them held a job - a Malfoy would never engage in
something so menial as a job. Instead, Lucius Malfoy
spent... from what I could gather... his entire time playing
at politics, keeping an overview of his various illicit
businesses and, when the Dark Lord was running about,
trying to prove to one and all that purebloods are the
crème of the crop.
"So, from what I understand, Malfoy Manor is one huge
message saying 'Look how rich we are'. As an example,
they supposedly have specially bred albino peacocks
roaming the grounds. Also, from what I understand,
Narcissa serves on a number of important committees;
such as the Saint Mungo's fund-raising committee, for
one."
"Correct on both counts, Lord Potter," said the voice of
Narcissa from behind.
Harry turned grinned and said, "Hello, cousin Narcissa."
"Cousin Harrison," she smirked back. "And, he's right,"
she said to the room. "We did have albino peacocks
roaming the grounds and I do serve on the Saint Mungo's
fund-raising committee. I hated the first and enjoy the
second.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 519
"Those Merlin-bedamned birds made an absolute mess of
everything; but, Lucius wanted them as a status symbol.
They used to eat my prized roses. One of the first things I
did after Lucius died was get rid of them.
"As for the committees, it was my one true enjoyment out
of life. Sitting around with nothing otherwise to do was
killing me."
"An old muggle proverb, or idiom if you prefer, comes to
mind. 'Idle hands are the devil's workshop'," said Harry. "It
means, when you have nothing better to do, there exists a
tendency to get up to no good."
"That he did," she sighed, moving to take a seat.
Harry, watching her, finally asked, "How're you holding up,
Narcissa?"
She gave a sad smile and said, "I am fine, thank you. My
marriage to Lucius was one of politics. I never loved him.
However, Draco―" And sighed.
"For what it's worth," he said. "I'm sorry. Draco, though I
considered him a personal nuisance, was... I believe...
somewhat forced to be there that night."
She sadly smiled and said, "Thank you for saying so. I
fervently hope you are right. His father's influence upon
him was greater than my own."
She sighed and added, "One day I will ask you to relate to
me what his involvement was of that night. However, I do
not believe I am ready to hear it."
Harry gave a nod and said, "Then, at that time, I shall
relate to you in greater detail what happened."
Into the silence a few moments later, CeeCee asked, "Do
you think I would have liked him? Draco, I mean."
"That's difficult to say," said Harry. "Living the life you
have, I would say no. However, if you had grown up a
Malfoy; then it is quite possible, even probable."
Narcissa looked to her with a look of pain and loss for a
few moments before she said, "If I had been able to
convince Lucius to let me keep you, you would have
grown up blind and deaf. You would have also grown up
hidden away behind the wards of Malfoy Manor, a lonely
child.
"While I cursed Lucius for wanting to get rid of you, it was
him leaving you in Australia that allowed the muggle
healers to fix what magical healers could not. I just thank
the memory of Merlin I forced him to make a magical vow
that he'd not cause you any harm, either directly or
indirectly. Otherwise, I do not believe you would be here,
today; and we'd not be talking to one another."
That answered a question Harry had about why Malfoy
chose to 'dump' the infant CeeCee, rather than just
outright kill her and vanish the body. He did not voice it,
though.
Into the new uncomfortable silence CeeCee looked to
Hermione and asked, "What's Hogwarts like?"
Hermione grinned back and replied, "I'll tell you what
Hogwarts is like if you then tell me what Dundee is like."
CeeCee grinned and replied, "Deal!"
As Hermione began to explain what Hogwarts was like
from the perspective of a muggleborn witch in Gryffindor,
people started to relax from what had proven to be an
uncomfortableness of talking about Lucius and Draco.
It wasn't long before Narcissa began adding a view from
the position of a pureblood witch in Slytherin. Surprising
Harry, she even told a little bit about the time she, as a
Prefect in seventh year, berated both his father and Sirius
for pulling a prank that hurt a couple of first year
Slytherins.
"Yes," Harry sighed. "I have come to a better
understanding of just what sort of person my father truly
was. Severus Snape was right to call him a pampered,
arrogant bully. However, I also believe he got over that in
his last couple of years at Hogwarts. I do not believe my
mother would have married him if he hadn't.
"For what it's worth, the House of Potter apologises to the
alumni of the House of Slytherin for the harm it's previous
Lord, while Heir Apparent, caused to members of the
'green'."
That seemed to surprise Narcissa. She nodded and
quietly said, "Well said."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As it was getting on to when her parents would get home,
Hermione had to return home before she was anywhere
near finished talking about Hogwarts. She did promise to
return to talk more about it the next day. And CeeCee was
still willing to talk about what Dundee was like.
Harry had escorted her to the floo and they shared a slow
kiss before she pulled back and whispered, "I better go
before I decide my parents can worry and drag you up to
your room."
Then she was gone.
When he returned to the kitchen, he dropped into 'his'
chair and sighed.
Dorothy looked at him, smiled and said, "You really do
love her, don't you."
"Yes," he replied. "I'm led to believe it is a trait among the
Potters for the Potter men to meet their future spouses at
a young age. I just didn't realise I actually loved her that
way until Wendell, Hermione's father, practically forced me
to analyse my feelings. It only took me a few days after
that to figure it out the love I felt for her wasn't the love of a
brother and sister sort of relationship."
He gave a little snort of self-deprecating amusement and
wryly said, "I can be a little dense, when it comes to girls."
Dorothy gave a knowing smile back.
"Well," she said, "Time to get dinner on, unless we want to
eat at midnight." She looked to Harry, smiled and said,
"Perhaps you'd care to assist?"
Harry perked right up at that.
"Oh, good," said CeeCee. "It means I won't have to."
As Harry rose to round the table and head for the pantry,
Harry asked, "You don't enjoy cooking?"
CeeCee replied, "No. I find it boring."
"Boring!?" Harry cried. "Philistine! When the great chef
'Monsewer Potty-air' prepares cuisine; it is nev-air boreeng."
That had even Narcissa lightly snickering, while the
Wilkins ladies laughed or giggled.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Sirius finally came out of the office to, as he claimed,
investigate why someone was trying to strangle a cat in
the kitchen. As Harry was singing at the time, he
expressed mocked-offence at the remark.
Sirius smirked and said, "Well, at least we know there's
something you're pretty terrible at."
It hadn't taken Dorothy more than ten minutes to
understand Harry really did know how to, as she put it,
'use a kitchen'. What started off with Harry helping her,
turned into a role reversal with her helping Harry.
Dinner, that night was, of course, delicious.
"Wow," said Patrick, after yet another delicious mouthful.
"Can we keep him?"
Grinning, Harry turned to CeeCee and said, "And that, my
dear, is why I call it 'cheffing', rather than 'cooking'.
"No side of meat, no potato, no chicken egg, no tab of
butter... shall escape the Harry-touch when he has access
to a kitchen," he declared.
Sirius smirked and said, "A little full of yourself, aren't
you?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 520
"It is one of the skills I have I can honestly say is 'me' and
'mine'," he replied. "I developed the skill without it being
something to do with being either a Potter or a wizard.
"My magic is because I come from a long line of Potters,
combined with being the son of a muggleborn; or, as I
prefer, newblood. I think the injection of new blood into the
Potter line is why I seem to have a bit more magical power
than the average.
"Both Dumbledore and Tom Riddle were also the progeny
of an existing magical line and a muggle line. And both
were also quite powerful. I also think Grindelwald was
similar.
"Anyone with a knowledge of animal husbandry can tell
you it is a major precept to never use a sire from within
your own lands to expand your flocks or herds. The same
applies to humans, even magicals. It's a pity the pureblood
propagandists don't understand that."
Narcissa had paused in her dining and looked at Harry in
shock.
"Oh, they can remain purebloods, for all I care," he
continued. "However, the lines within magical Britain have
reached the point they need to seek partnerships from
outside magical Britain if they remain determined to marry
only purebloods and don't want to see a further weakening
of the magics within their lines.
"Witches and wizards in Britain should be looking for
partners outside magical Britain - even outside Australia,
New Zealand and MaCUSA, as those three communities
are rooted in magical Britain only as far back as two
centuries ago. However, those three nations should be
considered the most minimal separation now sought.
Personally, I'd be looking at Eastern Europe, the Asias and
Africa if they want to marry only purebloods; just to be
safe."
"There would also be an increased number of birth
defects," said Dorothy, the qualified 'medical' of their
group. "Your hospital must have records that prove that."
Sirius asked Harry, "Is that why you thought Justin FinchFletchley as a possible wizard for a relationship
agreement, rather than Ernest MacMillan."
Harry shrugged and replied, "No. I just happen to have
trust in Justin, whereas I don't in Ernie. As I explained, I
believe such a relationship should only exist as a way to
protect CeeCee. I do not expect it to, nor do I urge it to,
progress to a physical relationship. I'm strongly of the
belief CeeCee should be allowed to marry, when the time
comes, out of love. However, I would urge her away from
a relationship with a current so-called pureblood of
magical Britain for the reasons Dorothy just put."
"I like Justin," said CeeCee. "He's nice."
Harry smiled back and said, "He is."
"Merlin!" breathed Narcissa. "Is that why?..."
"I believe CeeCee was born with the birth defects she was
born with?" Harry prompted. "Yes. Is that why I believe the
Blacks are now born with shorter lifespans? Yes. Is that
why, in my opinion, the number of pureblood births have
dropped off over the past couple of centuries? Yes. Is that
why the number of illnesses have increased within the
pureblood lines? Yes. And a heap of other points that add
to it and prove my point.
"The pureblood wizarding community in Britain are in
desperate need of a geneticist coming in and giving them
a swift kick in the pants, by way of teaching them a wizard
and witch version of 'animal husbandry'. If it doesn't
happen soon, the pureblood community will, I believe, be
pretty much extinct within about five generations. They will
have bred themselves out of existence."
"That will happen eventually, yes," said Sarah. "But, in five
generations?"
Harry smiled back and said, "They haven't just started
doing this, Sarah. Most of them have been doing it for
centuries, already. The Gaunts and Peverells have already
done it to themselves. Others are, even now, on the edge
of extinction."
"Centuries?" breathed Dorothy. "It's a wonder it hasn't
happened already!"
Listening to what was being discussed, Narcissa was
horrified and, from it, realised she had a new project.
She'd be trying to get those records from the hospital and
the birth and death records office at the Ministry. Though
Lucius was dead, the name Malfoy still carried weight in
political circles. She'd be using that to get the information.
She did not doubt what she was hearing; as none of them,
except Sirius, seemed surprised by what Harry and Sarah
were telling them about increasing birth defects and the
like. And the only things that the Wilkinses and Harry
seemed surprised about was that the wizarding
community did not already understand this.
This was a disaster waiting to happen. No, this was
already a disaster! She would learn the truth of this; or
may Circe have mercy on the souls of those who tried to
prevent her!
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Over at the Burrow, Ron Weasley had only been home
from his Aunt Muriel's for a few days. It proved to be, as
he expected, a huge relief. As far as he was concerned,
the woman was a dragon in witch form.
From the time he'd been pulled from Hogwarts and sent to
live with her the next day she had been at him, day after
day. Study, work, study, sleep; day after day after day. It
was even worse than the short stint with her after
Christmas.
She'd even cut down on the amount of food he'd been
allowed to eat, calling him a 'pig' and a 'glutton'. She'd
ripped his first meal with her away and tossed it in the
garbage when he'd simply been eating; though she'd
referred to it as 'shovelling food into your mouth and
swallowing with nary a mastication in sight!' - whatever
that meant.
Each meal, thereafter, was always a small portion of food,
which he was not allowed to finish until she finished hers.
She even switched his cutlery for those used by small
children, telling him that was all he was allowed to use;
and that he'd not be allowed to use 'adult' cutlery until he
learned to taste, chew and swallow each mouthful before
taking the next. However, he considered each spoon- or
forkful was more a nibble than a mouthful.
That was only the changes for mealtimes, though. The
amount of study he had to do was, he thought, what would
be required for NEWTs. He was only a Fourth Year, for
Merlin's sake!
Each time he'd managed to escape her clutches by
running away, his mother or father quickly found him and
took him straight back. He'd even begged the chance to
go home and have a decent meal before he was forced to
return. However, his parents had become cold-hearted
and refused to listen to his entreaties about how he was
being turned into a bookworm slave and starved. Potter
had obviously turned them against him.
Each day was torture. He'd be woken at 7.00am and
forced to do chores for half an hour. Then he'd have his
meagre breakfast - only one serving. Then it would be
school work until a break, two hours later, for morning tea.
Again, he was only allowed one cup of tea and two
biscuits or one small slice of cake. Then back into the
drudgery of school work for an hour and a half before a
short half hour break for lunch; again, only one serving.
Another three hours of school work, then chores. Dinner
was also another single serving, but at least he got a small
dessert added to it. Then a half hour of more chores and
two hours of further study. After that, bed.
--------------------------