Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton, 11/1/1992, 08:49
Voldemort listened to Dawlish's report of the failed vampire attack on Hogsmeade and felt his anger rising. One thing was for certain, the aurors were prepared for the attack.
What's worse was that they had set a trap and used it to their advantage!
He had sent a good portion of the new vampires in Scotland to attack Hogsmeade. He had already conceded that the attack wouldn't be as successful as it could have been because of the Reaper but he had still hoped that the vampires would have some success.
"Why didn't you inform me that your colleagues were setting up an ambush?" Voldemort hissed in a silky voice that sounded almost snakelike.
"I didn't know, my lord. Robards kept this quiet from everybody, I only found out about it when my team was called in to process the scene," Dawlish answered, his voice much higher than normal.
"Very well, leave me," Voldemort hissed sending the auror away before he gave into his anger and killed his only source into the DMLE.
Voldemort watched Dawlish trip over himself to leave the room as the man's innate sense of self-preservation urged him to follow his master's command.
Voldemort rose from his seat and began to pace as he considered his options moving forward. It seemed that he had been thwarted at every turn since his resurrection. Oh, he had a few marginal successes but for the most part, his servants had been ineffective at best.
Making a decision he sent a command through his connection to one particular servant who had been more sucessful than most.
In less than five minutes his study door opened and Merula entered the room dressed in her nightclothes, a look of nervousness crossing her face as she sensed her master's current mood.
"You wished to see me, my lord?" Merula asked as she came to stand in front of him with her head bowed respectfully.
"I wish for you to visit Daciana once more, I must speak with her as soonas possible," Voldemort instructed.
"Of course, I shall leave at once, my lord," Merula agreed.
"Good, do not fail me, Merula," Voldemort commanded and gestured for her to go.
It was past time that he got his money's worth out of the arrangement with the vampires. For the most part, they had been playing things from the shadows turning a few muggles in a given city and then letting the newly turned run amok. While this technique had been effective in the past months, he wanted the elder vampires to take a more hands-on approach.
He could already predict that their negotiations would not go smoothly, especially after the events of tonight. He was certain he would have to offer them some concessions and as long as they were within reason, he was amenable to this provided they agreed to his own requests in return.
"I tire of this constant back and forth with the ministry," Voldemort sighed as he made his way over to the liquor cabinet to pour himself a large brandy.
He knew he would have to do something big soon, something to really get their attention... but what?
Taking a small sip, he savoured the refined drink as he thought over his options. He had the means to break through fortified wards but that would also take him out of the fight while his magic recovered.
This gave him pause as he had his doubts that his servants could carry on without him. In the past engagements, his death eaters had proven their ineptitude against the aurors or more recently, the Reaper.
"Maybe they will do better against, goblins," Voldemort mused as he retook his seat and began pondering another way to send Magical Britain a message.
Carfax Abbey, Near London, 11/1/1992, 03:49
Merula tentatively walked towards the ancient derelict castle-like dwelling feeling her adrenaline spiking. She hated being a messenger to the Vampires as she knew it was only their restraint preventing the ancient beings from draining her of every drop of blood in her body.
The house was almost pitch black, vampires had no need for light after all. Merula stared in from the front door steeling her nerve before stepping into the house and lighting her wand. Her light cast insubstantial light over the empty entrance hall and she caught glimpses of dusty furniture and thick cobwebs before a figure appeared in front of her making Merula jump. The light from her wand reflected in the piercing eyes that were now inches from her own making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
"La-lady Daciana," Merula stammered as she registered that the leader of the vampires was standing before her.
"Merula, it is soooo good to see you again, child," Daciana purred as she began circling her so that Merula couldn't keep her in sight for very long.
"I co-come with a message from the dark lord," Merula said trying to keep her voice as calm as she could.
"Oh and what message is that?" Daciana whispered into her ear making her jump a second time as she felt the vampiress' cold fingers tips graze across her neck.
"He wa-wants to meet with you as-as soon as po-possible, my lady," Merula stuttered out feeling goosebumps rising up her neck every place that the vampire's fingertips touched.
Merula gasped and felt a squirming sensation in her stomach as Daciana lightly nicked the side of her neck with a long razor-scarp fingernail.
"You're a jumpy little morsel, Merula. I could just eat you up," Daciana cooed with a suggestive lilt to her voice before she sucked the girl's blood that she had collected off of her fingernail.
"I don't like it when you do that," Merula said in a breathy voice.
"I could make it up to you if you care to join me in my coffin for a bit," Daciana whispered as she came to stand in front of the blushing girl.
"What?" Merula gasped as she watched in alarm as the vampire brought a bloody finger to her mouth and licked the blood off of it.
With a stab of horror, Merula realized it was her blood and brought her hand up to a tiny cut on her neck and felt wetness there.
"I won't bite unless you ask me to, Merula," Dacians purred as her eyes flashed in the wand light making the young witch audibly gulp.
"Quit playing with your food, sister," a haughty feminine voice chastised from the top of the stairs making Merula turn her head toward the staircase in alarm.
"Calm yourself, Alana, it was just a little harmless flirting," Daciana giggled as they were joined by a second vampire.
The new arrival had ebony hair in a pixie cut and looked to be in her early teens. She was a few inches shorter than Merula and had very pale skin. Merula knew that this girl's looks were misleading as this was the oldest vampire in the little coven that had journeyed to Britain.
"What is it the dark lord wants from us?" Alana asked with a cold edge to her voice as her brown eyes bored into Merula's.
"I am not privy to that information, I am simply the messenger, my lady," Meruls said feeling alarmed at the way Alana was eying her.
"We used to kill the messengers," Alana mused more to herself making Merula'sheart speed up.
"Only when we wanted to send a message ourselves," Daciana pointed out looking amused.
"After what you told me happened to our kind tonight, perhaps that is exactly the kind of message we should send," Alana mused as she eyed the witch speculatively.
"I as-assure you that the dark lord is just as upset about the events of tonight as you are, my lady," Merula implored praying that they would let her leave.
"Then why were none of his soldiers there to give our kin aid?" Alana demanded testily.
"Our forces were attacked in the wee hours of this morning, the dark lord is still trying to assess our losses," Merula answered hoping the two vampires could tell that she was being truthful.
"Who attacked your forces, Merula?" Daciana asked with interest.
"The Reaper and his cohorts," Merula admitted.
"Oh, I could sense the power in him when we met. It is a shame he has a wife or I might pursue him as a possible mate," Daciana said sounding genuinely regretful.
"You've met him, my lady?" Merula asked in surprise.
"I spoke to him at Alecto's," Daciana shrugged
"Is it Peverell?" Merula asked excitedly.
"I do not know, his hood hid his face from me. If I ever meet Peverell, I'll know for sure. His robes could not hide his scent," Daciana smirked.
"Back to the matter at hand," Alana sighed sounding bored with the current topic.
"Yes, I will meet with the dark lord but it will have to wait until my sisters and I confer on the recent change in developments that I witnessed tonight," Daciana said with finality.
"He will not be pleased," Merula warned.
"We are not beholden to wizards, he asked us to come here, not the other way around," Daciana shrugged unconcernedly.
"We will meet with him on the next full moon to renegotiate our arrangement," Alana said giving Merula a challenging look.
"Ve-very well, my lady," Merula agreed not that she had any choice in the matter.
"Good then leave unless you would prefer to join me for a drink?" Alana asked her eyes flashing excitedly.
Merula couldn't get out of the house quickly enough and wondered like every other time she visited this place why it had been her conducting these meetings, to begin with.
She knew that this was the dark lord's way of punishing her but she was at these creature's mercy anytime she interacted with them and she hated it.
Deciding she was far enough away from the house, Merula turned on the spot to go deliver this news, hoping that the dark lord did not punish her for the vampires' impudence.
Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, 11/3/1992, 21:39
Sirius entered the basement kitchen to find a small collection of order members seated around the scrubbed table.
Albus had called a meeting of a select few order members and he had somehow garnered an invitation.
"Bloody hell Black, I said nine-thirty," Moody groused as he spotted the man entering through the kitchen door.
"Edgar was being difficult and Amy still isn't quite at a hundred per cent yet. I couldn't leave until I got the boy to go to bed," Sirius shrugged as he took a seat at the table.
"You don't want to keep babying her lad, she won't think you for that," Moody snorted.
"Tell me about it," Sirius chuckled.
"So what is this about, Albus?" Sirius questioned as he looked toward the aged headmaster.
There were only five people including himself in the kitchen. Snape was seated on Albus's left and Elphias Doge was on his right. This was not a group that usually gathered especially given the animosity between two of its members and had Sirius flummoxed as to the reason they were all here.
"Severus has just learned some very interesting news about Voldemort's alliance with the vampires," Dumbledore beamed getting straight to the point.
"So why not call in the entire order, Albus?" Elphias asked looking genuinely curious.
"Because I am as of yet unsure on how I wish to proceed and would like to hear your opinions on the matter," Dumbledore admitted.
"Alright, so what is this news?" Moody demanded in obvious impatience.
"In one week from today, the dark lord will meet with the leader of the vampire coven. From what I gather they will be renegotiating the terms of their alliance," Snape explained.
"So, it isn't like we can attack the meeting," Sirius pointed out.
"No, we can not but it may be possible for us to reach out to them and bring them over to our side," Dumbledore explained before Snape could reply.
"That is the dumbest idea I've ever heard! How are you going to be able to sway them from Voldemort, we have nothing to offer them unless you want to offer one of us up as dinner?" Moody demanded.
"No I have no intention of offering up order members as sacrifices," Dumbledore chuckled.
"Then what-
"The reason they are renegotiating, to begin with, is due to the ministry's success in Hogsmeade. From what I gather, the vampires are deeply unsettled by the outcome of that attack," Dumbledore clarified.
"Good, it means we're doing our jobs," Sirius beamed.
"Indeed but the vampires fear their enemies having a weapon so effective against themselves," Dumbledore elaborated.
"So what are you suggesting, Albus?" Elphias asked giving his old friend an inquiring look.
"We need to send someone to meet with them and see if they are open to a truce of sorts," Dumbledore explained.
"Bugger that! They are responsible for turning or killing over a thousand muggles since last May!" Moody exclaimed giving the headmaster a furious look.
"I am well aware, Alastor but if we don't try to reason with them, that number could easily get much higher," Albus sighed.
"Who would be crazy enough to meet with them, anyway?" Sirius snorted.
"I had thought perhaps your cousin might agree to take on the assignment," Dumbledore admitted.
"Which cousin?" Sirius asked suspiciously.
"Nymphadora," Albus answered.
"Absolutely not!" Moody barked before Sirius could answer.
"Mad-Eye's right. My baby cousin isn't going anywhere near those bloodsucking bastards," Sirius agreed glaring at the headmaster for even suggesting it.
"She would be better accepted amongst them than you or I. From what Severus tells me the coven is comprised of women who appear to be in their late teens," Dumbledore reasoned.
"She was also part of the very team that slaughtered those vampires in Hogsmeade just a few days ago and the girl isn't hard to pick out from a line-up," Moody shot back.
"I am well aware of this," Dumbledore assured him.
"Then there is a good chance that they already know she was there!" Moody continued.
"There is also the fact that Harry is very protective of Tonks and he'll go mental if he ever gets wind of this and that's not even factoring in how Andromeda will react," Sirius warned.
"I think we're all aware of how ferocious Andromeda's motherly instincts can be," Snape said shuddering as if he was remembering something deeply unpleasant
"I am confident that no harm will come to Nymphadora," Dumbledore said giving his potions' master a look of amusement.
"Why not send one of the Weasley boys?" Moody grunted.
"And risk Molly Weasley on your ass when she finds out?" Sirius smirked.
"No, it would be very inadvisable to send a male into their midst," Dumbledore answered ignoring Sirius' comment.
"I don't like it, Albus," Moody exclaimed.
"Nor do I but I only have two order members that are of the right age and Miss Jones doesn't have the right personality or proper mental defences for such an assignment," Dumbledore explained.
"I say hell no but ultimately it's up to her," Sirius sighed already making a note to tell Harry about this just in case.
"I am with Black on this, she's an adult, it's up to her. Albus, Tonks will make a damn fine auror one day. If you get her killed then you and I are going to have words," Moody growled looking more agitated than Sirius had ever seen him.
Elphias and Snape gave their approval although the latter looked conflicted which caught Sirius by surprise.
After this, the meeting went over the when and where the meeting would take place and Moody promised to talk to Tonks about the mission when he returned to the academy. before the group went their separate ways none of them looked pleased with the thought of the cadet auror going into a vampire den alone. The only positive in Sirius' mind was that Tonks was undergoing evaluations and couldn't leave the academy until the second week of December so he had time to warn Harry.
As Sirius stepped into the floo to return home he couldn't help but wonder why he'd agreed to let Tonks join the order.
Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch, 11/7/1992, 11:39
Harry zoomed through the frigid November rain as he tried to locate any hint of the snitch. The weather was positively dreadful today and he was starting to shiver uncontrollably as the fierce wind buffeted him around onhis broom.
Harry and Draco had been shadowing each other throughout the entire game but neither had any luck in spotting their quarry. He was starting to have his doubts that they would be able to in this weather the rain was falling so heavily that he could barely tell Slytherin players from the Gryffindors and he had nearly been hit by a bludger twice in the last ten minutes.
Just thinking of bludgers and Harry was forced to roll to the right to avoid yet another bludger that was flying toward his head at blistering speed.
"Not all it's cracked up to be, eh?" Draco hollered as he flew up beside him.
"No, this is bloody awful," Harry hollered back as the air was lit up by a disorienting flash of lightning.
As Harry's vision cleared he saw a glint of something linger for a millisecond and he went into a steep dive before he processed what he was doing. The rain stung his face as he picked up speed feeling almost like dozens of beestings every time it hit his bare skin. Lightning flashed again and this time he saw it, the snitch was floating lazily along the ground about five feet off of the pitch near the Slytherin goals.
Harry sped up flying almost straight down having to squint to avoid getting water in his eyes. Harry was forced to swerve as he passed through the main level of play and barely avoided colliding with Katie Bell before he flew under her.
"AND I BELIEVE POTTER HAD SERN TGE SNITCH AND WITH THIS WEATHER I AM SURE WE'RE ALL HOPING HE CATCHES IT!
Harry heard Lee Jordan's commentary as he flew near the stadium, the sound of him and the crowd being much louder than the wind and the rain at this level.
"JOHNSON PASSES TO SPINNET WHO FAKES LEFT AND PASSES TO BELL, BELL DODGES PUCEY AND GOES IN, SHE THROES AND IT'S A GOAL WE'RE NOW ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY TO ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY WITH GRYFFINDOR IN THE LEAD, LET'S GO LIONS!
Harry tuned out the commentary as he was forced to swerve left to avoid a bludger aimed his way by Bole but he quickly corrected and began to pull up as he quickly closed on on the ground.
He was now very close to the snitch and it seemed to sense him as the little golden ball suddenly shot forward its little wings creating a vapour trail through the mist making it easy for him to track.
Harry leaned forward on his broom and accelerated trying his best to ignore the rain stinging his flesh as he closed in on the snitch.
Harry reached out and had nearly closed his hand around the snitch when something slammed into him making him jerk on reflex and miss the catch.
"Not so fast, Potter," Draco shouted over at him as he sped up to try and get the snitch himself.
"AND LITTLE MALFOY BLOCKS POTTER AND IT SEEMS THE SEEKERS ARE DUKING IT OUT, KNOCK HIM OFF HIS BROOM, POTTER!"
"MR JORDAN, PLEASE STICK TO COMMENTATING THE MATCH," Professor McGonagall's exasperated voice cut in magically magnified so it echoed over the pitch
Harry seethed as he and Draco began shoulder-checking each other both jockeying for position as they both tried to close in on the snitch.
"Give it up, the snitch is mine, Potter!" Draco exclaimed as he slammed his shoulder hard into Harry's making both boys wince.
"Forget it Malfoy!" Harry hissed before bumping him back a second before Draco could snatch the snitch out of the air.
Harry shot forward and snatched wildly surprised when he felt his hand close around the golden ball. Before he'd really realized that he had caught it, Draco's weight slammed into him again and he rolled to a bit too far left before he overbalanced and plummeted three feet to the ground slamming into the wet pitch hard enough to knock the breath out of him as he tumbled through the wet grass and mud before he slid to stop.
A second later a body slammed into him knocking the wind out of him a second time before said body tumbled over him and slung mud all over him as Draco landed with a splash a few feet in front of him.
"AND OUR TWO ROOKIE SEEKERS HAVE A MESSY WIPEOUT ON THE SNITCH RUN BUT IT APPEARS THAT POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH, GRYFFINDOR WINS TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY TO ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY!"
Lee Jordan's voice echoed over the stadium drowning out the rain as Harry scrambled to his feet and held the snitch high into the air in his clutched fist to show the snitch to the spectators.
Suddenly the air was filled with deafening cheers as three-quarters of the crowd rose to their feet and roared their approval.
"Bloody hell Potter," Draco groaned as he shakily got to his feet.
"You shoved me first," Harry shot back just before his teammates landed all around him shunting Draco off to the side.
Harry was pulled into a massive group hug as his teammates whopped and celebrated their victory as they practically dragged Harry towards the castle foregoing a trip to the locker room to change out of their soaking quidditch robes.
Harry had never been to a victory party after a match before. Last year Gryffindor hadn't won a single game so he hadn't been sure what to expect.
The entirety of Gryffindor House stayed up well past midnight celebrating their win that night. The Weasley twins arranged for food and drinks to be snuck in from the kitchens. Some of the older girls set up a gramophone and talked others into dancing. Harry even caught some of the older years sipping firewhiskey and playing cards in one corner of the common room. The party was just starting to really get going when Professor McGonagall showed up in her dressing gown to tell them to wrap things up and get to bed or else.
As Harry climbed into his four-poster bed shortly after McGonagall shut down the party he couldn't help feeling happier than he'd felt in months. True he was still aching from the tumble he'd taken but his chest was swelling with pride, he'd caught the snitch and Gryffindor had won.
Even better was the fact that Draco had lost and he could gloat tomorrow, after all, Draco would definitely do it to him if the roles were reversed.
Harry fell into a deep peaceful sleep that night as he dreamed of catching snitches in a spectacular fashion while flying over a grand stadium as a massive crowd cheered his name.
Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton, 11/10/1992, 23:13
Voldemort watched as his guest stepped into the study he was currently occupying.
He was quite upset when Merula returned from the meeting with the vampires to learn that they were going to make him wait until the next full moon before they would consent to meet with him.
He was unaccustomed to anyone treating him with such disrespect and were it not for the fact that he needed their cooperation, he would not have tolerated this powerplay Daciana was making.
He watched as the vampire crossed the room and took a seat on the other side of his desk and met his gaze with ease.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me," Voldemort said by way of greeting.
"I believe we both have some issues we need to discuss after recent events," Daciana said in a congenial tone.
"Indeed, may I ask why you wished to wait so long?" Voldemort questioned and was not able to completely conceal his irritation.
"Our coven needed to discuss matters and take a vote on how to proceed after learning of these new tools that your ministry has at its disposal," Daciana answered seeming not to notice Voldemort's mood.
"I admit that I was taken aback myself," Voldemort said sounding genuine though his eyes still showed his annoyance at being kept waiting.
"Wizards have come up with evermore creative ways to attack my kind for centuries," Daciana said with a put-upon sigh.
Voldemort couldn't help but appreciate the irony of that statement. Vampires had been feeding on wizards for centuries, it only made sense that said wizards found ways to combat the problem.
"I am sure that Merula had informed the misfortune my own forces suffered earlier that same day?" Voldemort questioned.
"Indeed she did, she said it was the work of the Reaper," Daciana answered.
"It was. Reaper destroyed most of the team Intended to send into Hogsmeade on Halloween," Voldemort elaborated.
"There is little doubt the ministry knew we were going to attack the village. Their defences were specifically crafted for vampires," Daciana pointed out.
"Yes, I am aware," Voldemort said the lk of irritation crossing his features again.
"I think that before you plan anything else, you should first find out how such sensitive information is getting back to your enemies," Daciana suggested looking unfazed by his annoyance.
"I am already looking into the matter," Voldemort said dismissively.
"Wizards are easily led astray by greed, I have seen it countless times before," Dacians said sou ding almost disappointed.
"That is something that I usually use to my advantage," Voldemort admitted.
"As do I," Daciana smirked.
"Back to the reason for this meeting, I believe that a change in tactics is in order, especially after the events of Halloween," Voldemort said hoping to get the meeting back on course.
"You want me to organize my troops?" Daciana questioned.
"In a way," Voldemort agreed.
"I am not opposed to this in principle but I would need somewhere to house them," Daciana said thoughtfully.
"Do you have somewhere in mind?" Voldemort asked.
"That quaint little village not far from here," Daciana smirked.
"According to reports, Little Hangleton is inhabited by vampires already," Voldemort drawled.
"I know, it is the first all-vampire village in Britain since the late sixteen hundreds," Daciana said sounding quite pleased about this.
"If the ministry gets wind of this they will destroy it," Voldemort warned.
"Which is where you come in, my lord. I wish for the village to have protective wards placed over it so my people are not discovered," Daciana said giving Voldemort an expectant look.
"It is not impossible but I will need assurances that your people can get results," Voldemort mused.
"I can assure you that an organized army of my kind will be nigh unstoppable," Daciana said with certainty.
"Very well, I shall begin creating a ward scheme to place over the village. You have until the new year to assemble a team to test out their effectiveness," Voldemort offered.
"You have an accord," Daciana said as she rose to her feet and offered the dark lord her hand.
Voldemort too rose, shook her and made eye contact with her though it was impossible to read her as he would be able to with a witch or wizard.
"I would like to speak with you again soon, please do not keep me waiting again," Voldemort said as he released her hand.
"Fear not, my coven is more than agreeable to work with you as long as our interests are seen too," Daciana assured him before she swept out of the room without another word.
Voldemort watched her leave and felt his ire rising at the arrogance of this dark creature. Unfortunately, he needed her for the time being so he would have to swallow down his anger... for now.
However, once she and the other vampires had outlived their usefulness, Daciana and every other vampire on the British Isles would be disposed of.
Until then he would have to appease her and give her a certain amount of latitude though letting her speak to him as if she were an equal was really grating on his nerves.
Peverell Beach House, Cornwall, 11/16/1992, 17:39
Harry entered the sitting room to find his children having a heated argument about something; at first, he was at a loss as to what they were arguing about.
"That's the silliest thing I have ever heard, Iggy," Carina huffed as she paced in front of the fireplace.
"Devon said they were delivered by birds just like letters," Iggy shot back from where he was sprawled out on the couch.
"Tori says something completely different, she says it had something to do with wands and cauldrons," Carina argued back looking annoyed at her brother.
"How can a wand and cauldron make a baby? Is there a potion or something?" Iggy demanded.
"Oh, and some gangly bird dropping off a baby is more believable?" Carina huffed.
"That's what Devon told me, I didn't say I believed it," Iggy protested.
"What are you two arguing about?" Harry asked making his presence known.
"Daddy, do babies get delivered by the stork?" Carina asked shooting her brother a smug look.
"No Princess, they don't," Harry answered not liking the direction this was going.
"Then where do they come from?" Iggy asked.
"Why the sudden interest?" Harry asked not keen to answer that particular question.
"Carina and Tori overheard Aunt Cissa telling Aunt Andi about Mum having a new baby soon," Iggy said shooting his father an inquiring look.
"Figures," Harry muttered shooting his daughter an exasperated look.
"We weren't trying to eavesdrop," Carina defended her cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
"Right, I am going to have to talk to Lord Greengrass about that daughter of his," Harry muttered for what felt like the hundredth time of late.
"So is Mum having another baby?" Iggy asked with undisguised interest.
"I am," Bella said from the foot of the stairs.
"This wasn't how we intended to tell you two," Harry sighed as he took a seat in his favourite chair.
"How did they find out?" Bella asked as she sat down on the arm of his chair.
"Being nosy," Harry sighed.
"We weren't being nosy we were sneaking into the pantry and overheard them talking," Carina defended.
"Why were you sneaking into the pantry?" Harry asked trying to fight his grin.
"Astoria said there were sweets in there," Iggy smirked.
"You better hope your aunt never catches you getting into her stash of chocolates or you will regret it," Bella warned.
"Cissa has been known to hold a grudge," Harry agreed.
"We didn't get into them, there was a ward over her box of chocolates," Carina pouted.
"Good," Harry beamed.
"So you really are having a new baby?" Carina asked excitedly.
"I am," Bella said smiling at Carina.
"And there are no storks involved?" Iggy asked.
"No, that's where muggles come from," Bella huffed.
Harry shook his head at his wife's answer but managed not to laugh.
"Master, dinners be ready," Jangles called from the doorway to the dining room.
"Right on time, Jangles," Harry beamed as he stood up and offered Bella his hand.
"I made Mistress' favourite, shrimp alfredo," Jangles chirped.
"Lovely, thank you Jangles," Bella beamed.
"Jangles remembers how much you's likes the alfredo last times you's be's pregnant," Jangles beamed before disappearing back into the kitchen.
"Come on kids, let's go eat," Harry called over his shoulder as he led Bella into the kitchen.
Harry began wondering when the right time to explain the facts of life would be. The kids were getting older but he wasn't sure nine was quite the right age but he was also aware that he would have to at least give them an overview before they began Hogwarts as the school did not offer any type of sexual education classes.
Harry pushed those unpleasant thoughts aside as they all sat down and began to eat.
"So how was school, Harry?" Bella asked after a few minutes of silence where only the sounds of forks on plates could be heard.
"Pretty good as far as my classes go but the Weasley twins have started selling those trick sweets of theirs and Minerva is furious," Harry chuckled.
"Trick sweets?" Iggy asked with interest.
"Cream-filled pastries that turn anyone who eats on into a giant canary, for about thirty seconds" Harry explained.
"Well, at least she can't blame that on you," Bella shrugged.
"No, she can't. The little brats got me at the Halloween feast just like all of the other staff members," Harry sniggered.
"How is little Harry getting on this year?" Bella asked causing the twins to look at him as well.
"He's obsessed with quidditch, and spends most of his free time on the pitch rain or shine," Harry said with a look of pride.
"What about Draco?" Carina asked.
"Same though he and Harry have a bit of a rivalry going on after their last match," Harry chuckled.
"I wish we could have gone to see that," Iggy sighed.
"It was raining cats and dogs son," Harry sighed.
"We may watch the March match if the weather is nice," Bella soothed.
"It usually is, the autumn matches are the worst because of the rain," Harry said before taking a bite of a particularly large shrimp.
The rest of the meal revolved around talk of quidditch mostly about the house cup prospects though Bella hinted that she wanted to see another Harpy's game soon.
All in all, the last few weeks had been almost peaceful as the vampires had been almost wiped out in Scotland and Harry just hoped the peace would last a bit longer.